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 UN chief calls for immediate cessation of Israel's operations in West Bank Xinhua) 09:31, August 30, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A recent mission conference in South Korea highlighted the issue of suicide prevention as a missiological concern amid a suicide rate more than twice the average among OECD countries. A missiologist professor argued that suicide should no longer be regarded solely as an individualized issue but something that affects society as a whole. And he believes that the Christian perspective of building Gods kingdom could help overcome the prevalent "culture of death". On the afternoon of August 24, 2024, the Korean Society of Mission Studies, led by Professor Bo-kyung Park, held its 4th Annual Academic Conference at Suwon Seong Church in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, under the theme "Recent Research and Perspectives in Missiology." During a session chaired by Professor Byung-bae Hwang from Hyupsung University, Missiology Professor Sung-gon Lee from the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary presented on the topic "A Missional Approach to Suicide: Focusing on Responses to Factors Influencing Suicide", with Professor Nam-hyuk Jang from Seoul Theological Seminary providing a response. Three categories of suicide causes Professor Lee began by stating that "suicide is one of the most serious social problems worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which means one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds." Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up He highlighted that according to the 2023 Suicide Prevention White Paper (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2023), South Korea has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries. The recent average suicide rate among OECD countries is 11.1 per 100,000 people, while South Korea's age-standardized suicide rate is 24.1 (2020), more than 2.2 times higher than the OECD average. "People choose suicide for various reasons," Professor Lee noted. "Suicide is often reduced to personal economic factors, mental health issues, or other specific circumstances. In our society, suicide has long been socially tabooed or dismissed as an inevitable personal choice. However, with about 1.5 people choosing to end their lives every hour, we can no longer view it solely as an individual issue." He then classified the causes of suicide into three major categories: "The first is desensitized learning, where suicide is not seen as a serious problem and is chosen as a solution to issues. The second category involves a lack of belonging and communication, leading to extreme isolation and depression. The third is the belief that one is a burden to others, even though this may not be the case, but it is how the individual perceives it." He pointed out that "this tendency is particularly prevalent among the elderly. If they believe they are a burden to someone during their later years, it becomes psychologically challenging for them. These various causes threaten the precious lives of individuals, leaving close family members and others deeply wounded and in pain." The far-reaching impact of suicide "Although suicide may appear to be a solution to personal problems, its impact is far more extensive," Professor Lee explained. "It deeply and persistently affects the emotions of guilt and anger in surviving family members, friends, and relatives. Consequently, suicide has a profound impact not only on close acquaintances but also on the broader community, functioning as a highly contagious social disease. Suicide results from a complex interplay of psychological distress, as well as economic, social, and cultural factors." He pointed to significant socioeconomic costs, such as the economic burden from loss of productivity, and the mental health and healthcare costs of those affected by suicide attempts and their aftermath. "Therefore, addressing these broad social determinants is crucial for effective suicide prevention," he commented. "Existing methods of suicide prevention and treatment have primarily focused on medical, psychological, and sociological approaches. In Christianity, research on suicide has predominantly centered on practical theology, Christian counseling, Christian ethics, and Christian education." However, he then pointed out that "despite the missional significance of the issue of suicide, there has been little research on suicide within missiology. Christian faith emphasizes the sanctity and dignity of life, teaching that all life is a precious gift from God. A missional approach to the issue of suicide contributes not only to social prevention and treatment but also fulfills God's will to create a culture of life, driving out the culture of death, and expanding and restoring God's kingdom." Suicide: not just an individual problem but deeply tied to social structures Aiming to approach the serious social issue of suicide from a missional perspective, Professor Lee said he analyzed data from the Korean General Social Survey to identify factors influencing suicide and to reconsider the missional role of Christianity. "As the analysis results show, missional responses tailored to various factors are necessary," he said. He stressed that the finding that Christian religiosity is not significantly related to attitudes toward suicide requires strong critical reflection. "Life is a gift from the Creator God to humanity. The church, as a missional church, must urgently repent and prioritize the value and protection of life. By providing both spiritual care and practical mental and emotional support, the church can reduce the risk of suicide and offer stability and hope to the families of those who have lost loved ones to suicide," he said. "Since suicide is not merely an individual problem but is deeply connected to social structures, we must address social issues from a missional perspective and pursue changes in the entire social structure," Professor Lee argued. The church should collaborate with the community to develop and implement various programs for suicide prevention. Efforts should include not only those of churches and mission organizations but also partnerships with local institutions, schools, hospitals, and other entities to build a suicide prevention network and unite for a common goal, he believes. "By doing so, we can build an effective system for suicide prevention and respond missionally to the issue of suicide on a broader scale. Even now, there are precious neighbors trapped in a culture of death without hope. There are neighbors wandering in darkness, consumed by guilt and anger after losing loved ones to suicide. Our mission is to establish God's kingdom together with them," he concluded. Nurturing and raising awareness among church members In his subsequent response, Professor Jang said, "This paper attempts a missional approach to the issue of suicide. The author clearly demonstrates that the issue of 'suicide' is a subject of missiological reflection and a task of missional practice. The paper particularly points out how the traditional concept of 'mission' can be an obstacle or hindrance in addressing the issue of suicide." He acknowledged that "the paper effectively shows that a holistic approach allows us to approach the issue of suicide more practically. It particularly illustrates how the church can respond more actively to the issue of suicide when it restores its missional essence." While the paper suggests the direction and specific forms that a missional approach to the issue of suicide should take, providing motivation for the Korean church to pursue change, Professor Jang cautioned: "However, for churches to adopt the implications of this approach and to engage in collective efforts to address the issue of suicide, it is just as important to work on nurturing and raising awareness among church members as it is to focus on the external approaches." "Regarding suicide, I believe that more three-dimensional nurturing and training are necessary to help church members understand and address the issue as citizens of God's kingdom, rather than through traditional, doctrine-focused, one-way education. "In some respects, aspects of spiritual warfare training should be included as part of such nurturing," Professor Jang suggested, adding that "If the paper could address these aspects of member training and nurturing more thoroughly, it would likely lead to more practical changes." This article discusses suicide. If you struggle with suicidal ideation, there is help available. Originally published by Christian Daily Korea. Translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff. Wipro announced the appointment of Srikumar Rao as Global Head of its Engineering Edge Business Line, effective from October 5, 2024. Srikumar succeeds Harmeet Chauhan, who is stepping down to pursue opportunities outside the organization. Srikumar will report to Srini Pallia. Srikumar has been with Wipro for 26 years and has grown with the organization, serving in various leadership roles. He was most recently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Wipro Engineering Edge (WEE) and Global Practice Head of Embedded Systems. His work has spanned several markets, selling and delivering specialized Engineering, Research, and Development (ER&D) services to Software & Internet, Semiconductor, Automotive, Manufacturing, and Communications clients. In his new role, Srikumar will continue to scale and strengthen Wipros engineering prowess. He will also be responsible for defining the vision and growth strategy for Wipros ER&D Services business, while providing world-class, AI-first products, solutions, and experiences. Srikumars journey, from a campus recruit to multiple leadership roles within Wipro, makes him the ideal fit for this role and is testament to his exceptional dedication, technological expertise, and unparalleled client-centric approach, said Srini Pallia, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Wipro Limited. He has significantly contributed to how Wipro Engineering Edge operates and delivers projects, resulting in industry-leading customer satisfaction (NPS) scores. He has also been instrumental in securing marquee deals across various industries due to his tech-centric delivery and strategic insights. I would like to thank Harmeet for his leadership over the last six years in managing the ER&D business. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. He will continue until October 4, 2024, working closely with Srikumar to ensure a smooth transition, added Srini Pallia. Commenting on his appointment, Srikumar Rao said, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead Wipros Engineering Edge Business Line, and I look forward to significantly broadening and strengthening our market presence. I have experienced immense pride in being a part of Wipros incredible transformation journey over the years, and I am delighted at the opportunity to realize our ambitions while maximizing the value we bring to clients. Srikumar is a member of NASSCOMs ER&D Executive Council. He holds a Bachelors degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the College of Engineering Pune and has completed his Postgraduate Program in Software Enterprise Management from IIM Bangalore. He will be based in Bengaluru, India. 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: In the past two decades, technological leaps in urban infrastructure have driven an explosion of convenience and industry in services such as ride-hailing and delivery of goods. And recently, for the first time in its nascent history, academics from around the world have formalized the collective concept of transportation-enabled services, or TRENS, in a research paper aimed at catalyzing further study into the burgeoning field. One of the authors, Singapore Management University's Associate Professor of Information Systems Wang Hai, tells the Office of Research that TRENS "brought big value to society, and will continue to do so." "Transportation is a crucial aspect of daily life. It is so much more these days in terms of passenger mobility, information collection, bringing together various types of services from food delivery to ride-hailing, and health care such as mobile vaccination centers," he says. "The potential is immense." After earning a doctorate in operations research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, that is, using mathematics to solve management and engineering problems, Professor Wang delved deep into transportation data research as it gives him a creative outlet for pursuing novel ideas that benefit society via big data and artificial intelligence. His co-authors of "Transportation-Enabled Services: Concept, Framework, and Research Opportunities" comprise Professor Niels Agatz, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University; Professor Soo-Haeng Cho, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University; and Professor Hao Sun, College of Management, Shenzhen University. The study is published in the journal Service Science. The paper sets out a general framework to highlight relationships between stakeholders comprising TRENS providers, which would be companies such as Uber, Singapore-founded Grab or China's Meituan shopping platform; transportation, including vehicles and drivers; and service suppliers. "The central idea revolves around leveraging transportation systems to enhance and extend the reach of non-transportation services and thus foster synergies and efficiencies," the research states. "In the foreseeable future, the trend of rapid urbanization triggers demand for even more services, accompanied by conflicting claims on urban space. The dynamic urban environment, marked by ongoing construction, shifting demographics, and evolving service demands and preferences, will continue to influence the evolution of [TRENS]." Smart phones and robot cars TRENS arguably kicked off with the advent of smart phones in the 2000s, Professor Wang points out. "That laid the foundation for modern TRENS. For the first time, we had something that provided real-time information to provide locational-related services and measure demand," he tells the Office of Research. This led to the emergence in the mid-2010s of now-ubiquitous services such as ride-hailing and goods delivery, including food. And in Professor Wang's calculated opinion, the next big TRENS trend is autonomous vehicles (AVs), which include drones and driverless cars that provide services like ferrying passengers or mobile health care. Robot taxis, for example, have been plying the roads of US cities San Francisco and Phoenix in recent years, courtesy of companies such as Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, and Cruise, a General Motors unit. The information systems expert believes such vehicles are set to hit the mainstream sooner or later, with demand for robot taxis already outstripping supply in those two cities. "They work very well and are already very popular," he says, having visited both places. "In the long term, I believe they will be popular elsewhere as well. Technologically, AVs are ready but regulation and general acceptance have some maturing to do. After all, a single AV accident does create strong views among the public." The main consumer advantage of robot taxis, Professor Wang says, is cost"they were half the price of an Uber taxi partly because being electric, fuel costs are low." On the flipside, the AI behind these cars must be trained for a few years to adapt to local traffic conditions such as road and parking lot sizes"the algorithm trained in Phoenix cannot work directly in San Francisco where streets are narrower in many places, for example." Governments would also have to consider the disruption factor, as AV use could severely dent traditional taxi businesses, which in some places provide employment for seniors. Another public policy, among many others, that takes time to fine-tune is data protection. As the paper points out, the "continuous tracking of users' movements in certain transportation services may be deemed invasive without proper regulation." The solution in this instance may include setting up baseline cybersecurity standards for consumer data, cyber insurance for data recipients, and restriction on individual data use in algorithms. But ultimately, the paper notes, the "outcomes of governmental regulations and policies, particularly when interwoven, are intricate and often unpredictable." Next steps The research paper has attracted substantial interest among academics since it was published a few months ago, Professor Wang tells the Office of Research. He is confident that it will help garner even more funding for TRENS, be it from the public or private sectors. One key focus that he is continuously working on is the designing of the overall TRENS experience to better coordinate and reduce friction between the various stakeholders. This is a "tangible challenge" that manifests itself, for example, by having TRENS providers setting out too many options for consumers. A study that he did with Meituan showed that most customers and delivery drivers looked only at the first page of the app to make their choices. The following pages were largely ignored. "Having too many choices is a problem," Professor Wang admits. "We need to optimize, based on big data findings, and design a system that guesses even better what people like. Less is sometimes more." Another area that he wants to spend more time on is vehicle-based multi-services. As his research paper points out, TRENS is multifaceted and constantly shifting. Professor Wang says, "Inter-organizational and collaborative service models, such as a single vehicle that provides multiple services simultaneously, have the potential to offer services more efficiently and induce more substantial transformation." This will prove immensely useful, Professor Wang says, especially when AVs enter the mainstream. "Uber has Uber Eats, Grab has GrabFood and Lyft in the US is a ride-hailing service that in some cities have advertising boards on top of their cars," he notes. "Given the increasing constraint of urban spaces, it is always the aim to use vehicles, including drones, more efficiently, to lift TRENS onto a bigger framework." More information: Niels Agatz et al, Transportation-Enabled Services: Concept, Framework, and Research Opportunities, Service Science (2024). DOI: 10.1287/serv.2024.0116 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: Forty percent of UK greenhouse gas emissions come from households, so the sustainable construction and everyday running of our homes could play a major role in achieving a low-carbon society. Next year, the government will introduce the future homes standard. It's a new regulation that bans the installation of gas boilers in new homes and takes other steps to ensure an 80% reduction in operational carbonthat's the way we measure the occupation of homes and the energy we use. I work with a team of researchers at the Centre for Future Homes, a research facility focused on how to design, construct, commission and operate net zero ready homes in the most practical and efficient way. Over the past three years, we have been studying energy consumption at a development of 12 homes that have been purpose built by a housing association called Midland Heart, on brownfield land in Handsworth, Birmingham. As part of an initiative called Project 80, these houses have been designed to meet the proposed future homes standard. The transition to net zero must be balanced against the need to ensure building safety, avoiding the use of combustible materials, where possible, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017. Sensors have been installed in each of the 12 houses to measure a range of parameters in real time, such as indoor air quality, overheating, cooking preferences and the performance of heat pumps and hot water storage in these new fully occupied homes. Each home is occupied by social housing tenants and the occupants have all told us that they are happy with their homes. One family hasn't suffered from pre-existing asthma since moving into their new home in 2022. Our research can help shape the future of new build homes because the data we collate will provide the industry with real evidence and measured outcomes rather than modeled scenarios. Good communication and collaboration between everyone involved, from architects to energy assessors and product suppliers makes it much easier to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes. Project 80 homes under construction. Credit: Project 80, CC BY-ND These homes have all been built using locally sourced, non-combustible and insulated brick and block so they are extremely thermally efficient. The buildings are all installed with heat pumps and solar PV panels to provide renewable electricity. The homes have different levels of air tightness to allow us to compare and contrast different ways of meeting the new standard. Behind closed doors Our team has recently completed two years of research, including regular interviews with occupants, to better understand their experience of living here. An interim report published in June 2023 highlights the need to engage and educate home occupiers about how to live in a more complex and gas-free home of the future. Homes can perform very differently because of the way they are operated and maintained, so the way people live in their homes has a profound impact on the outcome. Some people like living at high temperatures, most open their windows even in winter and the amount of cooking varies. We're now looking at different tenures at the first future homes standard development by affordable housing developer Keepmoat with 33 homes for private sale and rent in Nottingham. We briefed all customer-facing sales staff and residents when they moved in to ensure everyone understood how to operate their new home effectively and keep energy bills as low as possible. These homes are delivering a 91% carbon reduction and over the next year, we'll gain more insights into how environmental outcomes depend on how residents consume energy and use their homes. Our research shows that it's possible to design and build comfortable, healthy and safe homes to meet the future homes standard, using local materials that are adaptable and built to last over 150 years. But as homes become more complex, the importance of regular maintenance cannot be underestimatedthe industry urgently needs to attract new workers and upskill existing ones to install and maintain the tech in all-electric homes. Residents need to be consulted at every stage so they are on board with running a net-zero home in the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way possible. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain President Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Serbia, said Friday that Europe needs to invest in its own artificial intelligence model to catch up with China and the United States. Speaking at a forum in the city of Novi Sad, the French leader noted that "we Europeans are a bit behind." "The Chinese and the Americans invest a lot more," Macron added during the trip that included France and Serbia inking a deal for 12 Rafale warplanesin a shift away from Russian weapons for the Balkan nation. The French president encouraged Europe to "catch up, innovate, invest much more" to be on par with Washington and Beijing, adding that AI "should serve collective goals". Europe should develop a part-public, part-private innovation model, Macron said. For the European Union, which has implemented a unique regulatory framework in an effort to control the technological advances of AI, the "priority is to invest", the head of state said. "Once we reach a moment of maturity, that is when we can turn regulation into a competitive advantage," he said. Belgrade will lead the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, while France is gearing up to host an AI summit in February 2025. The widely fighter jet 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 modernize its air force and replace aging Soviet-era combat jets. The French leader said the contract marked a courageous "strategic change" for the Balkan country, which has traditionally been close to Russia and China, but has also applied to join the EU. 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: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Singapore's excellent standing as a financial hub is predicated on the rule of law and built upon transparency and regulatory diligence. However, pressing issues have emerged in the crypto arena that demand deeper study for solutions. This is the topic Singapore Management University Assistant Professor of Law Rachel Phang has recently devoted herself to, since she realized while in private practice that disruptive technological innovation is making financial regulation that much harder. Moving to academia to tackle such research, Professor Phang authored in 2023 two well-regarded research papers on regulatory developments surrounding stablecoins, the second of which won an award at a prestigious industry event. Stablecoins are cryptoassets with the potential to serve as a practical medium of exchange, since they are designed to maintain a stable value. The first paper "Singapore's Emerging Regulatory Approach to Stablecoins" critically analyzed the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)'s stablecoin regulatory framework that was finalized in August 2023. Singapore, the paper sets out, "presents an especially interesting case study because of the vibrancy of its digital asset landscape, its position as a global financial center and the regulator's relatively dynamic approach." Un-stablecoins? As the paper notes, the first stablecoins appear to have emerged in 2014 as the world sought a more reliable means of payment compared to the extreme price swings of other cryptocurrencies. However, the term "stablecoins," as many have pointed out, can be a misnomer as they may be neither "stable" nor "coins," even though they are largely defined as cryptoassets "designed to maintain a stable value relative to another asset or a basket of assets." Depending on how a stablecoin is designed, it may be backed by collateral such as currencies, commodities or other cryptoassets. Other stablecoins may not be backed by any collateral, but may rely on algorithms to adjust their supply, and thereby stabilize their price. Hence, the label "stablecoins," Assistant Professor Phang tells the Office of Research, can be apt to mislead. Many of them, particularly algorithmic stablecoins, may not involve robust stabilization mechanisms. The shock collapse of the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD, for example, contributed to the "crypto winter" of 2022 that saw prices of leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum fall by more than 55 percent each. How, then, can regulation enable stablecoins to realize their promise of value stability, as well as address other pressing regulatory concerns? The key concerns of money laundering and terrorism financing remain, since stablecoins, like many cryptoassets, are often pseudonymous. Other concerns abound as well, such as user protection, market integrity risks, issuer solvency and value stability. To address some of these concerns, MAS has since confirmed that it intends to introduce a new category of MAS-regulated stablecoins under its latest framework, Professor Phang says, and is working on required legislative amendments that it will consult on in the future. The Singapore authority, she says, has generally "been a very progressive regulator" that is conscious about running alongside innovation, not ahead of it. As Professor Phang notes in her paper, Singapore's case study highlights the merits and issues of an approach that "(a) places the majority of stablecoins (i.e., algorithmic stablecoins and most asset-linked stablecoins) in the same category as other cryptoassets, not designed to maintain a stable value; and (b) introduces a new regulatory category and bespoke regulatory treatment only for single-currency stablecoins that fulfill specific criteria." The approach of MAS, she adds, also shows how certain policy tools may be used in regulating stablecoins. These include entry regulation, as well as anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism, reserve asset, timely redemption, disclosure and solvency requirements. Tale of three cities In the other award-winning research papera natural follow-up to the first oneProfessor Phang analyses and compares incipient stablecoin regulatory frameworks between Singapore, New York and London that she describes as "trailblazing." "Stablecoin Regulatory Frameworks in Global Fintech Hubs: Perspectives from New York, London, and Singapore" was one of four winning papers at the leading industry event DC FinTech Week, which was held in Washington DC, U.S., in November 2023. Notable regulatory developments, the paper states, include New York's June 2022 guidance on the issuance of US dollar-backed stablecoins; the United Kingdom's legislative amendments that established a new concept of digital settlement assets; and Singapore's August 2023 finalization of its stablecoin regulatory framework. In doing so, the paper notes, each of the jurisdictions has "carved out a new sui generis regulatory category for a specific subset" of single-currency stablecoins. There are commonalities and differences in the various approaches by regulators around the world, including in other jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Dubai, but crypto regulation, Professor Phang reminds the Office of Research, is very much a work in progress. Regulators in various fintech hubs need to constantly keep pace with technological innovation and market developments. This ties in with the observation in her paper that the perspectives presented are "but a portion of the ongoing discourse and developments" in stablecoin regulation. The discussion "takes place in the shadows of larger and longer-running debates: on the history and functions of money, and the competition between private money and state money," among many other things, the paper notes. But given the instability that so-called stablecoins have triggered, such as the estimated US$60 billion crash caused by the collapse of TerraUSD and its sister token Luna, do regulators need to be even more proactive? "In crafting the present regulatory approach, lessons indeed already have been and should be drawn from past crises and failures, both in traditional and crypto markets." However, crypto regulation is very much still evolving, she adds. Hopefully, she tells the Office of Research, it will be "an expeditious and smooth process" that builds on lessons learnt over the years from traditional financial services regulation." "At the end of the day, as the different regulatory approaches develop, the hope is that this will eventually forge a critical mass of best practices for stablecoin regulation." 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: Julio Lopez from Pexels As the News Media Bargaining Code agreements in Australia start to wind down, there is discussion about what will come next. Media academic Andrea Carson calls the codes, passed in 2021, "world-first" legislation because Australia was the first country to use competition law to get Google and Meta to pay news publishers for the news they distribute and profit from. According to former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Rod Sims, about A$250 million flowed to news publishers each year. It's just a fraction of what would have been a fair price. Globally, the code has had an enormous impact. Countries that have discussed putting in their own versions have immediately seen Google strike deals with local publishers in an effort to forestall legislation. The amounts paid out are far less than what is owed. If there were equal bargaining power and Google had to pay for the intellectual property produced by others which it made use of, it would be much more. But something is better than nothing. Thanks to the Australian law, Google has paid out tens of millions of dollars to publishers around the world. We will never know the exact amount, as Google requires publishers to sign non-disclosure agreements. Google is, of course, dependent on news to make its search more attractive to audiences and advertisers. Research in several countries has also shown just how important quality news is for Google. Not surprisingly, Google has mounted full-on campaigns against code-type legislation in Brazil, South Africa, California, Indonesia and other countries where it has been proposed. Meta, which owns Facebook, has been, if anything, even worse. It has been adamant about resisting paying for the news that passes over its platforms. It has threatened to drop all news from countries that adopt and enforce legislation like the bargaining code, spooking regulators. These tactics have been effective. The two firms have done a good job killing off proposed regulation in many markets. Now with Meta saying it will pull out of news distribution in Australia, as it did in Canada, and Google reportedly saying it will only sign one-year deals with publishers, the question is: what will come next? Media reports suggest the government is considering a levy on tech companies. Would a tech levy work? The OECD has tried and failed to get a global agreement to raise corporate taxesan agreement that would have prohibited digital taxes. In the meantime, the US government, influenced by its tech giants, is strongly opposed to such taxes. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has spent a good deal of time calling up her counterparts and telling them not to impose them. However, since the US has essentially blocked a global agreement on corporate taxes, many countries have decided to keep or adopt digital services taxes. Indeed, more than 18 countries have such taxes and some 20 others have proposed them. According to PWC, these may be levied on online sales, digital advertising, data usage, e-commerce, or streaming services. While levies on streaming services to fund local content have been put in place in France, Switzerland, Canada, Portugal and are coming into force in Spain, and they're being discussed in Australia, no government has used the funds raised from digital service taxes to directly support journalism. In theory, taxes on tech have advantages over bargaining codes. The Australian version of the bargaining code doesn't fully resolve the problem of power imbalances between the large social media firms and the publishers, and there were no requirements to spend the money on journalism. In theory, a tax on tech could address these shortcomings. However, before publishers start pushing for taxes on tech to support journalism, there are a few things to consider. Is there public support for giving the revenue raised to journalism rather than putting it into the general kitty to be spent by the government? If there is support for a tax to support journalism, who decides on the allocation? How could there be safeguards to ensure governments don't use the funds to support their media allies? It's also important to remember that, of course, tech firms oppose taxes. They've offshored their revenues for years and resisted paying taxes. In the US, Maryland in 2021 passed a tax on digital advertising and the state has spent years fighting off multiple lawsuits. We should expect even more resistance to a tax than to the bargaining code. Making tech firms pay for what they use to make money The bargaining code addressed a simple issue: how to force the platforms to pay fairly for the intellectual property they were effectively stealing and which enhanced their profits, given the imbalance of powers in this market. In doing so, it helped address another major societal issue: how do we pay for quality journalism, a public good from which all benefit? It never pretended to adequately resolve that question, but at least it was a start. Every country needs to address the theft of intellectual property that diminishes both the incentives and ability to produce the news on which we allincluding the platformsdepend. The bargaining codes were a start. But democratic governments should also publicly fund quality news media. With the platforms having appropriated for themselves so much of the advertising revenues on which the media used to depend, it is natural to turn to digital taxation. It is not a matter of either/or; it should be a matter of both/and. Pragmatism should prevail. As the economist Dean Baker says, "the best policy is the policy you can pass." This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,530 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $66,000. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Portland General Electric by 4,233.3% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,820 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 1,778 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio grew its holdings in Portland General Electric by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 9,500 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $411,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in Portland General Electric by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 21,442 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $929,000 after buying an additional 3,551 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in Portland General Electric by 59.6% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,073 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System grew its holdings in Portland General Electric by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 503,943 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $21,841,000 after buying an additional 6,207 shares in the last quarter. Get Portland General Electric alerts: Portland General Electric Trading Up 0.1 % POR traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $47.67. 441,655 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 952,001. The firms fifty day moving average is $45.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.48. Portland General Electric has a 1-year low of $38.01 and a 1-year high of $48.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. The company has a market cap of $4.91 billion, a PE ratio of 18.26 and a beta of 0.58. Portland General Electric Dividend Announcement Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.07. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 9.24%. The firm had revenue of $758.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $716.43 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.44 EPS. Portland General Electrics revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Portland General Electric will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 24th. Portland General Electrics payout ratio is 76.63%. Analyst Ratings Changes POR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Mizuho upped their target price on Portland General Electric from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, May 16th. Barclays upped their target price on Portland General Electric from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. StockNews.com cut Portland General Electric from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, KeyCorp upgraded Portland General Electric from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Portland General Electric currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.86. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Portland General Electric Insider Buying and Selling In related news, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total transaction of $90,528.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 30,142 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,446,816. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Portland General Electric news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total value of $50,875.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,045,527.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total value of $90,528.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 30,142 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,446,816. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Portland General Electric (Free Report) Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding POR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Portland General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Portland General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We were told that insecurity would end in two years. Official data, hard data from the government itself, speak of almost two thousand murders throughout the country with an average of 80 to 90 daily. High-impact crimes. So I think it is a failure. The daily cases of kidnapping, of extortion, do not end. Criminal groups have become empowered and this should worry us all. And even more so the incoming government, said Guillermo Trujillo Alvarez, president of the evangelical network of Veracruz in a speech in which he evaluated the leadership of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) as president of Mexico. In statements to the media, Trujillo said that the problem of insecurity is the most serious thing that the current administration will leave behind, with almost two thousand dead. We have to demand and ask for help for us Mexicans, for the people of Veracruz. We have hope. We have faith. And we have confidence that with the new government things will change for the better. He also pointed out that "as an evangelical community and Christians, we ask God for the new government to do better. They should apply intelligence, justice, and there should be no more impunity." He also said that the Gospel is preached in the churches, from which comes the call to repentance. We call the criminal groups to tell them, repent now. Come closer to God. What awaits you is very serious. If you continue on this path, you will end badly. No one ends well on this path. Trujillo emphasized that a change of life for criminals is possible if they repent and surrender to Jesus Christ. We share with them the love of God even so that they repent. God has an open path for them, as long as they repent and mend their ways. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up We as citizens should not be satisfied with a little money a month. We can be a great country, a great State, as long as everyone fulfills their role, he said. Finally, he stressed that the reason for voting was to have a good and better government in all areas, such as security, health care and other pressing issues. The president of the evangelical network of Veracruz had given his public support to president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum a week ago, pointing out that they hope and pray that everything goes well for her [the president], because not everything has been achieved as the Fourth Transformation had said, there is still much to do, and in that I believe that she is very clear. He also called for unity and stressed that there was no unity under AMLO. The call is for everyone to join together and for there to not be much division. Because there is a lot of division in the country. We hope that we all work in unity, because what matters is Mexico. It is the most important thing that we have to see: Mexico and its next generations, Mexico and its resources, Mexico and its wealth, that is the most important thing and I think that we should all join together. Originally published on Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. Banco Santander S.A. boosted its stake in Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV Free Report) by 56.6% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,163,514 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 420,489 shares during the quarter. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in Ambev were worth $2,385,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ABEV. Radnor Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Ambev during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. IPG Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ambev during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ambev in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, IRON Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ambev during the first quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.13% of the companys stock. Get Ambev alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ABEV. Barclays dropped their price target on Ambev from $3.00 to $2.50 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Ambev from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Ambev from $3.20 to $2.90 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ambev presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2.75. Ambev Stock Down 2.4 % NYSE:ABEV traded down $0.05 on Thursday, hitting $2.29. 13,183,690 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 16,715,945. The company has a market cap of $36.00 billion, a PE ratio of 12.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 1.06. Ambev S.A. has a 1 year low of $2.01 and a 1 year high of $3.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $2.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.31. Ambev (NYSE:ABEV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.03. Ambev had a net margin of 17.93% and a return on equity of 17.16%. The firm had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.56 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.03 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Ambev S.A. will post 0.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ambev Company Profile (Free Report) Ambev SA, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of beer, draft beer, carbonated soft drinks, other non-alcoholic beverages, malt, and food products. It offers beer primarily under the Skol, Brahma, Antarctica, Brahva, Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck, Leffe and Hoegaarden, Bucanero, Cristal, Mayabe, Presidente, Presidente Light, Brahma Light, Bohemia, The One, Corona, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Quilmes Clasica, Pacena, Taquina, Huari, Becker, Cusquena, Michelob Ultra, Busch, Pilsen, Ouro Fino, Banks, Deputy, Patricia, Labatt Blue, Alexander Keith's, and Kokanee brands. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABEV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ambev S.A. (NYSE:ABEV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ambev Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ambev and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,036 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $1,172,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MSI. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 71.8% in the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 67 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 871.4% during the 2nd 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. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.17% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions In other Motorola Solutions news, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $407.50, for a total value of $9,773,887.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 46,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,079,557.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Motorola Solutions news, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 46,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,079,557.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Rajan Naik sold 5,274 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.81, for a total value of $1,971,473.94. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,939 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,341,487.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 29,949 shares of company stock valued at $12,002,807. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Motorola Solutions Stock Performance Shares of MSI stock traded up $1.94 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $437.15. 363,765 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 660,463. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 52-week low of $269.64 and a 52-week high of $439.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.16. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $401.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $367.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.04, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.94. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.01 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $2.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.59 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 378.15% and a net margin of 14.04%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.41 EPS. Research analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 12.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is presently 48.45%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MSI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays upped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $372.00 to $467.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Motorola Solutions from $385.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $370.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $436.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Motorola Solutions has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $437.40. View Our Latest Analysis on MSI Motorola Solutions Profile (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. Read More 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. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 2.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 57,048 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,251 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $4,040,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Janney Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC now owns 46,673 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,835,000 after acquiring an additional 4,047 shares in the last quarter. AJOVista LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $162,000. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in NextEra Energy by 35.7% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 100,308 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,411,000 after acquiring an additional 26,382 shares during the period. Camden National Bank lifted its position in NextEra Energy by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Camden National Bank now owns 156,631 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $9,514,000 after acquiring an additional 14,477 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 10.6% in the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 79,994 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,112,000 after purchasing an additional 7,677 shares during the last quarter. 78.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get NextEra Energy alerts: NextEra Energy Price Performance NYSE:NEE traded up $0.63 on Thursday, reaching $80.04. The stock had a trading volume of 5,178,817 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,090,422. The company has a market capitalization of $164.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $75.09 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $47.15 and a 1-year high of $81.07. NextEra Energy Dividend Announcement NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The utilities provider reported $0.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $6.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.29 billion. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.75% and a net margin of 24.45%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.39 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.57%. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.13%. Insider Activity at NextEra Energy In other news, EVP Nicole J. Daggs sold 658 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.97, for a total transaction of $50,646.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 100 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,697. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup raised their target price on NextEra Energy from $69.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and set a $95.00 target price on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $73.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on NextEra Energy from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $81.00. Check Out Our Latest Report on NextEra Energy About NextEra Energy (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear,natural gas, and other clean energy. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 144.9% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 7,183 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,250 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $991,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Dell Technologies by 22.7% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 135,678 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $15,482,000 after buying an additional 25,117 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 171.7% during the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 16,378 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,253,000 after purchasing an additional 10,350 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in Dell Technologies during the first quarter worth $104,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 31.1% in the first quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,485 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 1,539 shares during the period. Finally, Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $410,000. 38.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies Stock Performance Shares of DELL stock traded down $0.82 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $110.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 19,570,114 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,230,156. The stock has a market cap of $78.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.60, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $121.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.10. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 52-week low of $53.62 and a 52-week high of $179.70. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.04. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 4.00%. The company had revenue of $22.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.70 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a $0.445 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.61%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is presently 36.33%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DELL has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Dell Technologies from $142.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $180.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Barclays upgraded shares of Dell Technologies from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $97.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DELL Insider Activity In other news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 139,419 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.18, for a total transaction of $18,986,079.42. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 30,272,822 shares in the company, valued at $4,122,552,899.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 139,419 shares of the firms 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 30,272,822 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,122,552,899.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total value of $2,221,219.44. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 806,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at $108,986,536.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock worth $963,293,619 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock. Dell Technologies Profile (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). Further Reading 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. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC reduced its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 9.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,103 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 119 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $868,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BLK. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 25.0% in the 4th quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 200 shares of the asset managers stock worth $163,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Zhang Financial LLC raised its position in BlackRock by 24.0% during the first quarter. Zhang Financial LLC now owns 883 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $736,000 after purchasing an additional 171 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 237,740 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $192,997,000 after purchasing an additional 1,647 shares during the last quarter. Farrow Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,228,000. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of BlackRock by 35.8% during the 1st quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,732 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,945,000 after purchasing an additional 1,248 shares during the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get BlackRock alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have commented on BLK shares. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $842.00 to $837.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on BlackRock from $910.00 to $920.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on BlackRock from $974.00 to $969.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 8th. Barclays assumed coverage on BlackRock in a research report on Tuesday. They set an overweight rating and a $985.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of BlackRock from $920.00 to $930.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $881.47. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 29,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $843.25, for a total value of $24,833,712.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 353,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $298,272,703.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 29,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $843.25, for a total value of $24,833,712.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 353,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $298,272,703.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Pamela Daley sold 1,531 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $842.08, for a total transaction of $1,289,224.48. Following the sale, the director now owns 5,732 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,826,802.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 81,042 shares of company stock valued at $68,587,117. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. BlackRock Stock Performance Shares of BlackRock stock traded up $6.93 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $895.59. The company had a trading volume of 417,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 590,787. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $834.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $807.21. The stock has a market cap of $133.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.74, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 5.32, a current ratio of 5.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12-month low of $596.18 and a 12-month high of $898.66. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 15th. The asset manager reported $10.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.96 by $0.40. The company had revenue of $4.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.85 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 32.36% and a return on equity of 15.53%. BlackRocks revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $9.28 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 41.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. BlackRock Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 9th will be issued a $5.10 dividend. This represents a $20.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 9th. BlackRocks payout ratio is 51.84%. BlackRock Company Profile (Free Report) BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bancroft Fund Ltd. (NYSE:BCV Get Free Report) insider Mario J. Gabelli sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.38, for a total value of $65,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 131,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,145,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Bancroft Fund Stock Down 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:BCV traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $16.37. 14,817 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 21,200. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $15.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.66. Bancroft Fund Ltd. has a 12-month low of $14.09 and a 12-month high of $17.15. Get Bancroft Fund alerts: Bancroft Fund Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.82%. Institutional Trading of Bancroft Fund About Bancroft Fund Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bancroft Fund by 84.3% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 139,259 shares of the companys stock worth $2,227,000 after buying an additional 63,711 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Bancroft Fund by 30.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 113,423 shares of the companys stock worth $1,777,000 after purchasing an additional 26,489 shares during the last quarter. John G Ullman & Associates Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bancroft Fund by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. John G Ullman & Associates Inc. now owns 101,122 shares of the companys stock worth $1,617,000 after purchasing an additional 8,350 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Bancroft Fund by 9.0% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 64,028 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,003,000 after purchasing an additional 5,288 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp grew its holdings in Bancroft Fund by 102.5% during the first quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp now owns 58,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $933,000 after purchasing an additional 29,532 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 22.43% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Bancroft Fund Ltd. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets. It primarily invests in convertible securities including convertible debt and convertible preferred stocks. The fund invests in stocks of companies across market capitalization. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bancroft Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bancroft Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE:BRN Get Free Report) CEO Craig Douglas Hopkins bought 5,000 shares of Barnwell Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $2.37 per share, for a total transaction of $11,850.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 70,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $165,900. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Barnwell Industries Stock Performance BRN stock traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $2.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 16,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,327. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.47. Barnwell Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $2.06 and a 1 year high of $3.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.52 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.41 and a beta of 0.15. Get Barnwell Industries alerts: Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.53 million during the quarter. Barnwell Industries had a negative return on equity of 18.20% and a negative net margin of 13.29%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Barnwell Industries in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Read Our Latest Research Report on Barnwell Industries Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barnwell Industries An institutional investor recently raised its position in Barnwell Industries stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE:BRN Free Report) by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 355,534 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,612 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 3.55% of Barnwell Industries worth $836,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Institutional investors own 40.71% of the companys stock. Barnwell Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barnwell Industries, Inc acquires, develops, produces, and sells oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Oil and Natural Gas, Land Investment, and Contract Drilling. It also acquires and develops crude oil and natural gas assets in the province of Alberta, as well as invests in land interests in Hawaii. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Barnwell Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barnwell Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bfsg LLC cut its stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NUV Free Report) by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 98,600 shares of the closed-end funds stock after selling 1,605 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLCs holdings in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund were worth $851,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in NUV. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund by 27.5% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 5,607,096 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $48,221,000 after purchasing an additional 1,208,804 shares during the period. Congress Park Capital LLC increased its holdings in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund by 95.4% during the 1st quarter. Congress Park Capital LLC now owns 347,882 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $3,030,000 after acquiring an additional 169,840 shares during the period. Granby Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund by 23.8% in the 4th quarter. Granby Capital Management LLC now owns 1,300,000 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $11,180,000 after purchasing an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. Relative Value Partners Group LLC bought a new position in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $7,420,000. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $275,000. 22.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Nuveen Municipal Value Fund alerts: Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Stock Performance Shares of NUV stock remained flat at $8.82 on Thursday. The company had a trading volume of 377,247 shares, compared to its average volume of 411,527. Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc. has a one year low of $7.86 and a one year high of $8.95. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.65. Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Announces Dividend Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Profile The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.029 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.95%. (Free Report) Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund also invests some portion of its portfolio in derivative instruments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NUV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Municipal Value Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE:EGF Get Free Report) traded down 0.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $9.93 and last traded at $9.98. 10,234 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 45% from the average session volume of 7,061 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.03. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Stock Up 1.2 % The companys 50 day simple moving average is $9.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.43. Get BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund alerts: BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a $0.041 dividend. This represents a $0.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.87%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Institutional Trading of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Company Profile Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Accuvest Global Advisors purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $114,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund by 42.3% in the second quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 23,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 7,027 shares during the period. Finally, Melfa Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund by 51.6% during the second quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. now owns 17,822 shares of the companys stock worth $166,000 after purchasing an additional 6,066 shares during the last quarter. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It primarily invests in a portfolio of United States government and government agency securities, including the U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BQE Water Inc. (CVE:BQE Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.8% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$66.00 and last traded at C$66.00. Approximately 3,950 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 192% from the average daily volume of 1,355 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$65.50. BQE Water Price Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$58.59 and a 200-day moving average of C$52.76. The company has a current ratio of 6.09, a quick ratio of 3.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.21. The company has a market cap of C$69.22 million, a P/E ratio of 27.81 and a beta of 0.69. Get BQE Water alerts: BQE Water (CVE:BQE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 29th. The company reported C($0.38) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.27 by C($0.65). BQE Water had a net margin of 13.96% and a return on equity of 18.74%. The company had revenue of C$2.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.90 million. Insider Buying and Selling at BQE Water About BQE Water In related news, Senior Officer Songlin Ye sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$60.80, for a total transaction of C$48,640.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 498 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$30,278.40. Insiders sold 1,450 shares of company stock valued at $87,844 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 52.50% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) BQE Water Inc, a water treatment company, provides wastewater management and treatment solutions to the mining and metallurgical industry in Canada, the United States, Latin America, China, and internationally. It offers water treatment solutions for mine drainage, run-off, waste rock seepage, tailings water, groundwater, and lime plant influent and/or effluent streams for treating metals, sulphate, selenium, nitrate, ammonia, and cyanide in the mining sector; smelting and refining services for treating metals and sulphate; and hydrometallurgy services for the treatment of metals, cyanide, and acids. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BQE Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BQE Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leaked cases of more than 300 Christians in Iran charged with crimes related to their faith show how the vast majority, converts from Islam, are targeted, a rights watchdog reports. About 90 percent of the 327 Christians prosecuted for their faith are converts, according to Article 18. Given that the 327 cases relate only to the Tehran region, they represent a mere drop in the ocean of all convictions of Christians over the 15-year period, especially as Article18 documented a further 37 cases in the Tehran region over those 15 years which were not included in the leaked files, involving at least 96 individuals, the group reported on Thursday (Aug. 29). Only eight of the 327 cases were foreign nations, while three were dual nationals, and 22 of those prosecuted were of Assyrian or Armenian descent Christians whose faith is recognized by Iranian law, unlike that of converts, the group reported. The cases are among more than 3 million prosecutions discovered by hackers of the Tehran judiciarys website over the past six months, Article18 stated. The data, leaked in stages by Edaalate Ali since February, include cases of Christians prosecuted in the Tehran area between July 2008 and January 2023, including at least seven ordained ministers. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Of those prosecuted, 60 percent were male. The most common charge was propaganda against the state [by promoting Christianity], 86 percent of the cases. That was followed by membership of anti-security groups, that is, house churches, at 69 percent of the charges, and leadership of those groups accounted for 58 percent of the cases. Other charges included insulting Islamic sanctities, 42 percent of the cases, and gathering and collusion against national security, 30 percent. Article 18 reported that 34 Christians were charged with disturbing public opinion, 30 with disrupting peace and order, 28 with insulting the Supreme Leader, 26 with possession of satellite receivers and 25 with apostasy. Two Christians were accused of spying, and in another case the managers of three online shops selling Christian books were charged with selling deviant evangelistic materials and hurting public modesty and morals through the display, promotion and sale of evangelistic books and items. Iranian-Assyrian church leader Sergez Benyamin was charged with disobeying officers performing their duty for resisting the forced closure of his church without a warrant, Article 18 reported. Other charges included acting against the countrys national security through the administration of illegal organizations of the Iranian Evangelical Council, though the council was officially registered prior to the 1979 revolution and again afterwards, according to Article 18. A senior pastor was charged with foreign trips and communicating and cooperating with evangelistic organizations and spy services for traveling abroad to attend gatherings with other church leaders. It is also worth noting that the majority of cases (58 percent) in the leaked files were not previously known to Article18, highlighting the challenge of documenting cases that the individuals or their families choose not to publicize, the group reported. Demonizing Evangelicals The leaked documents reveal that officials routinely label ordinary Christian worship as cultic, anti-revolutionary or a security risk, with the clear aim of stigmatizing Christian groups that do not conform to government criteria of acceptable Christians, the group noted. Prosecutors and judges frequently label evangelicals as Zionists, deviant or illegal sects in attempts to distinguish converts to Christianity from the officially tolerated Christians of Armenian and Assyrian descent, it added. In an indictment against a woman convert identified only as A. Yazdani, a judge notes that Evangelical Christianity has targeted the foundations of the Muslim peoples faith in the interests of global [powers] and is weakening the foundations of families by spreading unruliness. This sect has attempted to conduct a soft revolution against the Islamic Republic by changing the Shiite beliefs of the people and promoting immorality Evangelistic Christianity in Iran seeks to weaken the foundation of the family and diminish the Islamic teachings and promote sexual promiscuity and fight against the necessities of Islam, including the Islamic hijab, as well as cleansing the evils of America and especially the occupying regime of Israel. The judge went on to cite a famed October 2010 speech of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in which he warned that the spread of house churches was one of the ways in which Muslim faith, especially that of the younger generation, was intentionally being shaken by the enemies of Islam. The judge also cited another ayatollah, Vahid Khorasani, who said evangelical Christianity and house churches were causing an uproar in Iran and that it was the duty of the government to stand against them, the report noted. In the case of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and three other converts sentenced to 10 years in prison, two letters from recognized church leaders were used to portray house-church members as a Western-oriented, anti-religious and deviant scattered group who by abusing the general title of Christianity are forming deviant sects and congregations and working against the security of the country. Article18 Director Mansour Borji commented that evangelical churches, which have been shut down especially since 2009, were all once officially registered and recognized churches. They came increasingly under pressure when they refused to abandon the national language of Persian in their worship services, allowing the opportunity for people from all other faith groups to join their congregation, Borji stated in the report. There are still a handful of evangelical Protestant churches operating with the full knowledge of the Iranian authorities, albeit now open only to ethnic Armenian or Assyrians. Criminalizing Christian Practice Besides accounts of the flogging Christians for drinking Communion wine, the leaked documents show Tehran area judges and prosecutors used the term acquiring wealth through illegal means against at least two church leaders for receiving tithes and offerings that were given to the needy. One indictment stated, The accused has led his son and daughter to the evangelical sect and has organized Communion for them. The accused has been very devoted to the evangelical sect in such a way that he used to pay her tithes regularly. Accusations in other cases included publication of or spreading lies as in the case of Iranian-Assyrian pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, accused of publishing lies through the publication of evangelical teachings. Separately, four converts were accused of spreading lies by promoting evangelical Christianity, while another Christian was accused of publishing lies with the intention of confusing the public mind, Article 18 stated. Frequently authorities refer to the Bible as evidence of a crime, Article 18 stated, noting that Bibles in the church of Iranian-Assyrian Pastor Sergez Benyamin were referred to as unauthorized evangelical items. They also refer to Bibles as deviant and divisive books. Smuggling of Bibles is listed among accusations in numerous cases and termed a propaganda activity against the regime, while officials describe Christian literature sold online as providing grounds for peoples corruption. There are several examples of violation of Article 23 of Irans Constitution, which states that investigation of individuals beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief. The text of one warrant specifically orders investigating officers to probe the beliefs of a convert: In the investigation, it should be determined from the accused: a) What religion and orientation did the accused believe in? b) In what way has he converted to Christianity? c) What methods did he use to attract other people to Christianity? d) In which places has he organized house church and preaching and teaching activities of evangelical Christianity? These violations occurred even as Iranian authorities repeatedly claim that no one is arrested or detained for their faith or belief, Article 18 noted. A letter from a Christian charged in another case describes how officials forced him and his wife to confess crimes on camera and ask for forgiveness, as well as participate in Islamic classes and halt contact with Christians. From the beginning of the date recorded in the case until today, and at any other time, we have not and will not have any dealings with any of those people, and during all this time we had every necessary cooperation with the judicial authorities and the intelligence agents by attending the classes of Islamic jurisprudence, their letter states. We also cooperated in confessing in front of the camera, as requested by brothers in the Ministry of Intelligence. I implore you, respected authorities, given the fact that we have two children, and sick parents, to agree to our request and grant us pardon and forgiveness. Iran ranked ninth on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. Canadian Western Bank (OTCMKTS:CBWBF Get Free Report) traded up 11.3% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $37.26 and last traded at $37.26. 5,858 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 33% from the average session volume of 4,419 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.48. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Raymond James boosted their target price on Canadian Western Bank from $37.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, June 13th. Get Canadian Western Bank alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on CBWBF Canadian Western Bank Price Performance Canadian Western Bank Company Profile The stocks 50-day moving average is $33.32 and its 200 day moving average is $25.18. (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. See Also 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. China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CMHHY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $14.76 and last traded at $14.76, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $14.76. China Merchants Port Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The firms 50 day moving average price is $14.68 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.47. Get China Merchants Port alerts: China Merchants Port Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 25th were paid a $0.5644 dividend. This is an increase from China Merchants Ports previous dividend of $0.54. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 25th. China Merchants Port Company Profile China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, an investment holding company, operates as a port operator in Mainland China, Brazil, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and internationally. The company operates through Ports Operation, Bonded Logistics Operation, and Other Operations segments. It engages in the container, and bulk and general cargo terminal operation; logistic park operation, ports transportation, and airport cargo handling; and property development, holding, and investment activities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Port Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Port and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CTT Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $8.02 and last traded at $8.02, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $8.02. CTT Correios De Portugal Price Performance The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.99 and a 200-day moving average of $8.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. About CTT Correios De Portugal (Get Free Report) CTT Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Environmental Waste International Inc. (CVE:EWS Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.01 and last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 8500 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02. Environmental Waste International Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.64 million, a P/E ratio of -1.00 and a beta of -0.20. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$0.01 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.01. Environmental Waste International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Environmental Waste International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, researches, designs, develops, sells, and maintains systems based on the patented Reverse Polymerization process, Microwave Delivery System, and Hybrid Microwave Process in Canada and the United States. The company provides systems for feed tire reduction, biological wastewater sterilization, shipboard food waste sterilization/dehydration, and batch-based infectious medical waste sterilization. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Environmental Waste International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Environmental Waste International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (NYSEARCA:SUSA Free Report) by 7.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,670 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 569 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF were worth $974,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 2.6% during the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,640 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,757,000 after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the last quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $259,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 10.1% in the second quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 5,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $599,000 after purchasing an additional 490 shares during the period. Levy Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 15.9% during the second quarter. Levy Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 13,903 shares of the companys stock worth $1,562,000 after purchasing an additional 1,905 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McAdam LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF by 5.0% during the second quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 3,954 shares of the companys stock worth $444,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Stock Performance Shares of SUSA traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $117.13. 39,853 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 235,834. The stocks 50-day moving average is $113.99 and its 200-day moving average is $109.75. iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF has a fifty-two week low of $85.04 and a fifty-two week high of $118.19. The company has a market cap of $3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.35 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Profile The iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (SUSA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Extended ESG Select index. The fund tracks an index of US companies with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) factor scores as calculated by MSCI. SUSA was launched on Jan 24, 2005 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SUSA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (NYSEARCA:SUSA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Issuer Direct Co. (NYSE:ISDR Get Free Report) insider Topline Capital Management, Ll bought 19,826 shares of Issuer Direct stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $9.65 per share, with a total value of $191,320.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 705,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,804,697.50. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Topline Capital Management, Ll also recently made the following trade(s): Get Issuer Direct alerts: On Wednesday, June 26th, Topline Capital Management, Ll bought 4,744 shares of Issuer Direct stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $7.80 per share, with a total value of $37,003.20. Issuer Direct Price Performance Shares of NYSE ISDR traded up $1.28 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $10.73. 20,953 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,448. The firm has a market cap of $40.96 million, a PE ratio of 53.65 and a beta of 0.73. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $8.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.85. Issuer Direct Co. has a 12 month low of $7.61 and a 12 month high of $21.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Issuer Direct ( NYSE:ISDR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.02. Issuer Direct had a return on equity of 9.01% and a net margin of 2.43%. The business had revenue of $7.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.62 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Issuer Direct Co. will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Issuer Direct in a report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating for the company. Get Our Latest Research Report on ISDR Issuer Direct Company Profile (Get Free Report) Issuer Direct Corporation operates as a communications and compliance company, provides solutions for both public relations and investor relations professionals in the United States and internationally. The company provides press release distribution, media databases, media monitoring, and newsrooms through media advantage platform; ACCESSWIRE, a news dissemination and media outreach service; and Webcaster Platform, a cloud-based webcast, webinar, and virtual meeting platform that delivers live and on-demand streaming of events to audiences of various sizes, as well as allows customers to create, produce, and deliver events. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Issuer Direct Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Issuer Direct and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 6,957,880 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 163% from the previous sessions volume of 2,645,537 shares.The stock last traded at $10.32 and had previously closed at $10.44. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $123.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 0.61. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $10.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.32. Get Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group alerts: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $22.61 billion for the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a net margin of 11.73% and a return on equity of 7.45%. On average, analysts forecast that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MUFG. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 6.9% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 223,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,927,000 after buying an additional 14,470 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 19.3% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 23,179 shares of the companys stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 3,753 shares during the last quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated bought a new position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $384,000. Intrust Bank NA grew its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 14.9% in the 4th quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 79,513 shares of the companys stock worth $685,000 after purchasing an additional 10,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cozad Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 38.1% in the 4th quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. now owns 27,272 shares of the companys stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 7,522 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.59% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for MUFG Bank, Ltd. that provides various financial services in Japan, the United States, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Digital Service Business Group; Retail & Commercial Banking Business Group; Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Asset Management & Investor Services Business Group; Global Corporate & Investment Banking Business Group; Global Commercial Banking Business Group; and Global Markets Business Group segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $89.55 and last traded at $89.19, with a volume of 71274 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $89.31. National Bank of Canada Stock Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is $82.73 and its 200 day simple moving average is $82.06. The company has a market capitalization of $31.64 billion, a PE ratio of 13.02 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 16.91% and a net margin of 15.65%. National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend About National Bank of Canada The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 25th were given a $0.8067 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.17%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 24th. This is a positive change from National Bank of Canadas previous dividend of $0.78. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 45.10%. (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 658 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $111,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in TRI. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its position in Thomson Reuters by 142.7% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 24,702 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $4,164,000 after purchasing an additional 14,523 shares in the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,552 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $262,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Thomson Reuters in the second quarter valued at about $200,000. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. increased its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 37.2% in the second quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. now owns 17,568 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,961,000 after acquiring an additional 4,764 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avitas Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Thomson Reuters by 0.4% during the second quarter. Avitas Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,811 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,508,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Thomson Reuters Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TRI traded down $0.73 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $169.59. 268,353 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 383,550. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.30, a P/E/G ratio of 5.96 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $164.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $162.12. Thomson Reuters Co. has a twelve month low of $117.46 and a twelve month high of $176.03. Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.03. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 33.65% and a return on equity of 15.22%. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.72 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a $0.146 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.34%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.14%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Thomson Reuters from $163.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price target on shares of Thomson Reuters from $149.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $164.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Tuesday. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from $152.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $170.00 to $168.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Thomson Reuters currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $173.45. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on TRI About Thomson Reuters (Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI). Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unicaja Banco, S.A. (OTCMKTS:UNJCF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 100,300 shares, a decline of 20.7% from the July 31st total of 126,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1,003.0 days. Unicaja Banco Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:UNJCF remained flat at $1.27 on Thursday. Unicaja Banco has a 1-year low of $1.27 and a 1-year high of $1.27. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $1.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.22. Get Unicaja Banco alerts: About Unicaja Banco (Get Free Report) Further Reading Unicaja Banco, SA engages in retail banking business in Spain. It offers accounts, payments, and debit and credit cards; mortgages and personal loans; pension plans, investment funds and portfolios, and savings insurance policies; and life, home, car, accident, health, agricultural, and funeral insurance. Receive News & Ratings for Unicaja Banco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unicaja Banco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VanEck Israel ETF (NYSEARCA:ISRA Get Free Report) traded up 0.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $38.74 and last traded at $38.71. 4,287 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 3% from the average session volume of 4,407 shares. The stock had previously closed at $38.58. VanEck Israel ETF Stock Up 0.7 % The business has a 50-day moving average price of $36.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $36.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.54 and a beta of 1.12. Get VanEck Israel ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ISRA. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. boosted its holdings in VanEck Israel ETF by 16.2% in the second quarter. Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers LTD. now owns 225,737 shares of the companys stock worth $8,105,000 after acquiring an additional 31,405 shares in the last quarter. Edgehill Endowment Partners LLC raised its position in shares of VanEck Israel ETF by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Edgehill Endowment Partners LLC now owns 143,407 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,016,000 after purchasing an additional 2,658 shares during the last quarter. Syntrinsic LLC raised its position in shares of VanEck Israel ETF by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Syntrinsic LLC now owns 78,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,808,000 after purchasing an additional 3,646 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Investments LLC boosted its stake in VanEck Israel ETF by 93.0% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Investments LLC now owns 58,961 shares of the companys stock worth $2,071,000 after purchasing an additional 28,417 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Team Hewins LLC purchased a new stake in VanEck Israel ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $288,000. About VanEck Israel ETF The VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the BlueStar Israel Global index. The fund tracks a cap-weighted, committee-reviewed index of Israeli and Israeli-linked companies. ISRA was launched on Jun 25, 2013 and is managed by VanEck. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for VanEck Israel ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VanEck Israel ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Stellantis (NYSE:STLA Free Report) by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,787,079 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 244,004 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Stellantis were worth $35,376,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Stellantis in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $832,785,000. Capital International Investors lifted its position in Stellantis by 329.3% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 22,503,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $639,609,000 after buying an additional 17,261,955 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Stellantis by 63.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 13,756,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $390,811,000 after buying an additional 5,336,868 shares in the last quarter. M&G Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Stellantis in the 1st quarter worth about $128,254,000. Finally, TOMS Capital Investment Management LP bought a new position in shares of Stellantis in the 4th quarter worth about $106,339,000. 59.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Stellantis alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on STLA. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and set a $16.44 price objective (down previously from $27.30) on shares of Stellantis in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on Stellantis in a research note on Friday, June 28th. They issued a market perform rating and a $23.50 price target on the stock. Barclays upgraded Stellantis to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Stellantis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Nomura raised Stellantis from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $27.34. Stellantis Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:STLA traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $16.75. 4,874,184 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,249,379. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.14. Stellantis has a one year low of $15.11 and a one year high of $29.51. The company has a market cap of $52.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.30, a P/E/G ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 1.63. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $18.12 and a 200 day moving average of $22.46. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder N.V. Stellantis acquired 2,982,089 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were bought at an average price of $3.35 per share, for a total transaction of $9,989,998.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 59,734,962 shares in the company, valued at $200,112,122.70. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.02% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Stellantis (Free Report) Stellantis N.V. engages in the design, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, metallurgical products, mobility services, and production systems worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; American and European brand vehicles; and parts and services, as well as retail and dealer financing, leasing, and rental services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STLA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stellantis (NYSE:STLA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Stellantis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stellantis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. F M Investments LLC bought a new position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 87,899 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $2,459,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Trading Up 1.0 % PFE traded up $0.29 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $29.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 37,117,547 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,496,418. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $25.20 and a fifty-two week high of $36.29. The stock has a market cap of $164.39 billion, a PE ratio of -483.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.69. The businesss 50-day moving average is $28.97 and its 200-day moving average is $28.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Pfizer Dividend Announcement Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.42% and a negative net margin of 4.66%. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.96 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.79%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 26th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -2,800.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and set a $36.00 target price (up from $33.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $34.54. Get Our Latest Analysis on Pfizer Pfizer Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 3.5% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 4,924 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $620,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wright Investors Service Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Wright Investors Service Inc. now owns 10,163 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,299,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 11.0% during the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 820 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Bailard Inc. grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 0.4% during the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 19,899 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $2,505,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Field & Main Bank lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 1.4% in the first quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 6,163 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $788,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PDS Planning Inc boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 2,152 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Price Performance Shares of EOG traded down $2.19 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $127.79. 625,456 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,123,868. The company has a current ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.09, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a 50-day moving average of $126.55 and a 200 day moving average of $125.48. EOG Resources, Inc. has a one year low of $108.94 and a one year high of $139.67. EOG Resources Announces Dividend EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.07 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.65% and a net margin of 30.33%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.49 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.85%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is presently 28.75%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on EOG shares. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $154.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Scotiabank dropped their price target on EOG Resources from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 12th. UBS Group increased their price objective on EOG Resources from $166.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $157.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Benchmark reissued a hold rating on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $144.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG Insider Activity In related news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total transaction of $816,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 60,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,648,035.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total transaction of $505,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 35,058 shares in the company, valued at $4,434,135.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total transaction of $816,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 60,892 shares in the company, valued at $7,648,035.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 21,537 shares of company stock valued at $2,751,612. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About EOG Resources (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BV Financial, Inc. (OTCMKTS:BVFL Get Free Report)s share price was up 0.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $14.39 and last traded at $14.26. Approximately 4,469 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average daily volume of 14,302 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.21. BV Financial Price Performance The firms 50 day moving average price is $13.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.88. The firm has a market cap of $162.22 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.26. Get BV Financial alerts: BV Financial (OTCMKTS:BVFL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $9.51 million during the quarter. BV Financial Company Profile BV Financial, Inc operates as the holding company for BayVanguard Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and businesses in Maryland. The company offers checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposits. Its loan products include real estate, home equity, construction, lot, auto, boat, and other personal loans; and commercial lending products, such as commercial equipment/installation, commercial real estate, construction, investment real estate, lines of credit, and SBA loans, as well as loans for short-term real estate purchase, renovation, and sale projects. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BV Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BV Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE Get Free Report) (TSE:CVE) has received an average rating of Buy from the four brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $30.67. CVE has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James upgraded Cenovus Energy to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Cenovus Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Cenovus Energy from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Get Cenovus Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CVE Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cenovus Energy Cenovus Energy Price Performance A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CVE. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of Cenovus Energy by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 150,534,829 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,508,185,000 after acquiring an additional 7,750,480 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Cenovus Energy by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 48,563,284 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $970,780,000 after purchasing an additional 1,008,341 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc increased its stake in Cenovus Energy by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 42,191,779 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $706,503,000 after purchasing an additional 8,841,374 shares during the period. Boston Partners lifted its position in Cenovus Energy by 29.0% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 37,540,511 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $750,435,000 after purchasing an additional 8,438,979 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors boosted its stake in shares of Cenovus Energy by 216.3% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 33,927,436 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $678,250,000 after purchasing an additional 23,202,018 shares during the period. 51.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Shares of NYSE CVE opened at $18.95 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market capitalization of $35.23 billion, a PE ratio of 10.53 and a beta of 2.07. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $19.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.44. Cenovus Energy has a twelve month low of $14.69 and a twelve month high of $21.90. Cenovus Energy (NYSE:CVE Get Free Report) (TSE:CVE) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The oil and gas company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $10.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.78 billion. Cenovus Energy had a return on equity of 16.68% and a net margin of 8.56%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Cenovus Energy will post 1.93 EPS for the current year. Cenovus Energy Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.132 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.53 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.79%. Cenovus Energys payout ratio is 28.89%. About Cenovus Energy (Get Free Report Cenovus Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, refines, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products in Canada and internationally. The company operates through Oil Sands, Conventional, Offshore, Canadian Refining, and U.S. Refining segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Cenovus Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cenovus Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Construction Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CICHY Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 24,100 shares, a decline of 47.5% from the July 31st total of 45,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 89,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. China Construction Bank Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS CICHY traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $13.99. The stock had a trading volume of 114,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 85,075. The companys 50 day moving average price is $14.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.48. China Construction Bank has a twelve month low of $10.62 and a twelve month high of $15.29. The firm has a market cap of $174.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.11. Get China Construction Bank alerts: China Construction Bank Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 5th were given a dividend of $0.9227 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. About China Construction Bank China Construction Bank Corporation provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Corporate Finance Business, Personal Finance Business, Treasury and Asset Management Business, and Others segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for China Construction Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Construction Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated (OTCMKTS:CHUEF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 480,600 shares, an increase of 27.7% from the July 31st total of 376,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 400.5 days. Chubu Electric Power Stock Performance OTCMKTS CHUEF remained flat at $11.25 on Friday. Chubu Electric Power has a twelve month low of $10.33 and a twelve month high of $13.99. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.87 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.31. Get Chubu Electric Power alerts: Chubu Electric Power Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail of electricity in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: JERA, Power Grid, and Miraiz. It generates electricity through geothermal, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, and solar sources. Receive News & Ratings for Chubu Electric Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chubu Electric Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas (NYSE:CCU Free Report) from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has $10.50 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $12.90. CCU has been the subject of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price target for the company from $21.00 to $10.00 in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Bank of America downgraded Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $12.60 to $13.70 in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Compania Cervecerias Unidas has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.88. Get Compania Cervecerias Unidas alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on CCU Compania Cervecerias Unidas Stock Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows Shares of NYSE:CCU opened at $11.33 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. Compania Cervecerias Unidas has a 12 month low of $10.00 and a 12 month high of $14.96. The company has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.53, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.90. The firms 50-day moving average is $11.42 and its 200 day moving average is $11.90. Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CCU. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 42.4% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,494 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 1,040 shares during the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $146,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 20.8% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 17,710 shares of the companys stock valued at $222,000 after purchasing an additional 3,048 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 55.3% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 18,231 shares of the companys stock worth $219,000 after buying an additional 6,495 shares in the last quarter. 24.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Compania Cervecerias Unidas (Get Free Report) Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA operates as a beverage company in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The company operates through three segments: Chile, International Business, and Wine. It produces and sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer under proprietary and licensed brands, as well as distributes Pernod Ricard products in non-supermarket retail stores. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Compania Cervecerias Unidas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compania Cervecerias Unidas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Byline Bancorp (NYSE:BY Get Free Report) and Peoples Financial (OTCMKTS:PFBX Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends, profitability and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Byline Bancorp and Peoples Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Byline Bancorp alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Byline Bancorp 19.42% 12.89% 1.38% Peoples Financial 20.91% 12.26% 0.99% Institutional & Insider Ownership 67.7% of Byline Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.8% of Peoples Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 30.1% of Byline Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 28.1% of Peoples Financial 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. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Byline Bancorp 0 2 2 0 2.50 Peoples Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Byline Bancorp and Peoples Financial, as provided by MarketBeat. Byline Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $29.88, suggesting a potential upside of 9.31%. Given Byline Bancorps higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Byline Bancorp is more favorable than Peoples Financial. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Byline Bancorp and Peoples Financials gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Byline Bancorp $403.05 million 2.98 $107.88 million $2.73 9.98 Peoples Financial $39.52 million 2.11 $9.17 million $1.92 9.30 Byline Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Peoples Financial. Peoples Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Byline Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Byline Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Peoples Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Byline Bancorp pays out 13.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Peoples Financial pays out 18.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Risk & Volatility Byline Bancorp has a beta of 1.14, indicating that its share price is 14% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Peoples Financial has a beta of 0.47, indicating that its share price is 53% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Byline Bancorp beats Peoples Financial on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Byline Bancorp (Get Free Report) Byline Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Byline Bank that provides various banking products and services for small and medium sized businesses, commercial real estate and financial sponsors, and consumers in the United States. It offers various retail deposit products, including non-interest-bearing accounts, money market demand accounts, savings accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, and time deposits; ATM and debit cards; and online, mobile, and text banking services, as well as commercial deposits. The company also provides term loans, revolving lines of credit, and construction financing services; senior secured financing solutions to private equity backed lower middle market companies; small business administration and united states department of agriculture loans; and treasury management products and services. In addition, it offers financing solutions for equipment vendors and their end users; syndication services; and investment, trust, and wealth management services that include fiduciary and executor services, financial planning solutions, investment advisory services, and private banking services for foundations and endowments, and high net worth individuals. The company was formerly known as Metropolitan Bank Group, Inc. and changed its name to Byline Bancorp, Inc. in 2015. Byline Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. About Peoples Financial (Get Free Report) Peoples Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for The Peoples Bank that provides banking, financial, and trust services to government entities, individuals, and small and commercial businesses in Mississippi. The company accepts various deposits, such as interest and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). It offers business, commercial, real estate, construction, personal, and installment loans; and personal trust, agencies, and estate services, including living and testamentary trusts, executorships, guardianships, and conservatorships. In addition, the company provides self-directed IRAs; and escrow management, stock transfer, and bond paying agency accounts to corporate customers. Further, it offers other services consisting of safe deposit box rental, wire transfer, night drop facilities, collection, cash management, and Internet banking services. the company provides services to customers of various industries, such as seafood, retail, hospitality, hotel/motel, gaming, and construction. Peoples Financial Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi. Receive News & Ratings for Byline Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Byline Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR Get Free Report) and AKITA Drilling (OTCMKTS:AKTAF Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, earnings and dividends. Insider & Institutional Ownership 81.9% of Nabors Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.2% of AKITA Drilling shares are held by institutional investors. 7.3% of Nabors Industries shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Nabors Industries alerts: Profitability This table compares Nabors Industries and AKITA Drillings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nabors Industries -4.73% -28.10% -3.08% AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A Dividends Analyst Recommendations Nabors Industries pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. AKITA Drilling pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 32.2%. Nabors Industries pays out -0.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AKITA Drilling pays out 25.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Nabors Industries and AKITA Drilling, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nabors Industries 0 4 2 0 2.33 AKITA Drilling 0 0 0 0 N/A Nabors Industries presently has a consensus target price of $108.50, suggesting a potential upside of 36.01%. Given Nabors Industries higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than AKITA Drilling. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Nabors Industries and AKITA Drillings top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nabors Industries $2.93 billion 0.29 -$11.78 million ($13.81) -5.78 AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A $1.32 0.79 AKITA Drilling has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nabors Industries. Nabors Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AKITA Drilling, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. About Nabors Industries (Get Free Report) Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software. The company also offers drilling systems comprising ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, a directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, a digital infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it operates a fleet of land-based drilling rigs and marketed platforms rigs; manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. About AKITA Drilling (Get Free Report) AKITA Drilling Ltd. operates as an oil and gas drilling contractor in Canada and the United States. It is involved in the drilling oil and gas wells, potash exploration and development wells, geothermal wells, disposal wells, and carbon storage wells, as well as wells to be developed into storage caverns for gas. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. AKITA Drilling Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd. Receive News & Ratings for Nabors Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nabors Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd lowered its position in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 66.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,535 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 3,065 shares during the quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $212,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of DELL. Capital World Investors acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies during the first quarter valued at approximately $835,946,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 449.8% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 3,714,573 shares of the technology companys stock worth $284,165,000 after purchasing an additional 3,038,891 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 83.4% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 2,224,975 shares of the technology companys stock worth $250,676,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011,512 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 311.5% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,195,871 shares of the technology companys stock worth $136,461,000 after purchasing an additional 905,279 shares during the period. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 2,466.2% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 886,409 shares of the technology companys stock worth $67,810,000 after purchasing an additional 851,867 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.10% of the companys stock. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes DELL has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America increased their price target on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays increased their price target on Dell Technologies from $97.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $128.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price objective on Dell Technologies from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $132.56. Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total transaction of $2,221,219.44. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 806,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $108,986,536.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total transaction of $2,221,219.44. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 806,352 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $108,986,536.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 25,381 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.42, for a total value of $3,411,714.02. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 787,669 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,878,466.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619. 46.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Dell Technologies Stock Up 4.0 % NYSE DELL traded up $4.48 on Friday, reaching $115.22. 24,965,935 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,319,496. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $121.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $122.10. The company has a market cap of $81.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 12 month low of $53.62 and a 12 month high of $179.70. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $22.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.70 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 4.00%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 36.33%. Dell Technologies Company Profile (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). See Also 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. Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Scotiabank from $14.00 to $16.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on DEI. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Douglas Emmett from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. StockNews.com raised Douglas Emmett from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Douglas Emmett has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $15.20. Get Douglas Emmett alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Douglas Emmett Douglas Emmett Stock Up 1.3 % DEI opened at $16.08 on Monday. Douglas Emmett has a 12 month low of $10.76 and a 12 month high of $16.57. The company has a current ratio of 4.42, a quick ratio of 4.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $14.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.93. The company has a market cap of $2.69 billion, a P/E ratio of -51.87 and a beta of 1.09. Douglas Emmett (NYSE:DEI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.37). Douglas Emmett had a negative net margin of 5.40% and a negative return on equity of 1.33%. The company had revenue of $245.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $246.62 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.48 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Douglas Emmett will post 1.66 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, Director William E. Simon, Jr. acquired 45,000 shares of Douglas Emmett stock in a transaction on Monday, June 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $13.15 per share, for a total transaction of $591,750.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 45,000 shares in the company, valued at $591,750. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 14.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Douglas Emmett A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of DEI. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Douglas Emmett by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,187,297 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $379,716,000 after acquiring an additional 229,301 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of Douglas Emmett by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,119,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $45,235,000 after purchasing an additional 349,034 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Douglas Emmett in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,825,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its position in Douglas Emmett by 356.7% during the first quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 116,902 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,621,000 after buying an additional 91,305 shares during the period. Finally, Centersquare Investment Management LLC grew its position in Douglas Emmett by 20.8% during the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 4,363,009 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $59,817,000 after buying an additional 751,419 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.37% of the companys stock. About Douglas Emmett (Get Free Report) Douglas Emmett, Inc (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Emmett Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Emmett and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. F M Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 75,845 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $5,841,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. First Foundation Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its position in Boston Scientific by 542.1% during the 1st quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the second quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, RiverPark Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Insider Activity In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.30, for a total transaction 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $1,583,395. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Boston Scientific Stock Performance BSX traded up $1.12 on Friday, hitting $81.79. 7,629,344 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,104,259. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $76.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $119.99 billion, a PE ratio of 68.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific Co. has a 52 week low of $48.35 and a 52 week high of $82.10. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.80% and a net margin of 12.00%. Boston Scientifics quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.53 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have weighed in on BSX shares. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Argus boosted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. BTIG Research lifted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group increased their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Boston Scientific has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.24. Check Out Our Latest Report on Boston Scientific About Boston Scientific (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. Featured 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. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $96,000. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of DXC. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of DXC Technology during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of DXC Technology by 135.8% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 103,352 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,364,000 after purchasing an additional 59,527 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of DXC Technology during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $276,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in shares of DXC Technology by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,044,398 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,886,000 after purchasing an additional 41,468 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of DXC Technology during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Institutional investors own 96.20% of the companys stock. Get DXC Technology alerts: DXC Technology Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of DXC traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $20.67. 2,023,834 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,381,818. DXC Technology has a 52 week low of $14.78 and a 52 week high of $25.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The companys 50 day moving average is $19.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.52. The company has a market capitalization of $3.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.05, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.73. Analyst Ratings Changes DXC has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Cowen cut their target price on DXC Technology from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on DXC Technology from $17.50 to $22.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on DXC Technology from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on DXC Technology from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on DXC Technology from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.50. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DXC Insider Transactions at DXC Technology In related news, EVP Mary E. Finch sold 31,047 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.36, for a total transaction of $601,069.92. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 325,665 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,304,874.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. DXC Technology Company Profile (Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Motors (NYSE:GM Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) EVP Rory Harvey sold 12,795 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.02, for a total transaction of $627,210.90. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 8,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $417,307.26. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Rory Harvey also recently made the following trade(s): Get General Motors alerts: On Friday, August 23rd, Rory Harvey sold 2,302 shares of General Motors stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.31, for a total transaction of $108,907.62. General Motors Stock Up 0.9 % General Motors stock opened at $49.49 on Friday. General Motors has a fifty-two week low of $26.30 and a fifty-two week high of $50.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.47 billion, a PE ratio of 6.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.43. The companys 50-day moving average is $46.01 and its 200-day moving average is $44.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.99. General Motors Dividend Announcement General Motors ( NYSE:GM Get Free Report ) (TSE:GMM.U) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The auto manufacturer reported $3.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.67 by $0.39. General Motors had a return on equity of 15.77% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm had revenue of $47.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.91 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that General Motors will post 9.94 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 5.87%. General Motors declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, June 11th that authorizes the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the auto manufacturer to purchase up to 10.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. Institutional Trading of General Motors A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of GM. LifeSteps Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in General Motors during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of General Motors during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in General Motors by 56.1% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 626 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in General Motors by 75.9% in the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 832 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares during the period. Finally, Montag A & Associates Inc. bought a new position in General Motors during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.67% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on General Motors from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on General Motors from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of General Motors from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of General Motors in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered shares of General Motors from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $46.00 to $47.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.17. Get Our Latest Stock Report on GM About General Motors (Get Free Report) General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. Read More Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd raised its position in Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN Free Report) by 2.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 37,001 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 841 shares during the quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in Rayonier were worth $1,076,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rayonier during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier by 53.5% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,079 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier by 83.7% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,449 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 660 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier by 488.6% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,554 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 1,290 shares during the period. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rayonier during the 1st quarter valued at about $62,000. 89.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Rayonier alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages recently commented on RYN. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $34.00 target price on shares of Rayonier in a report on Friday, June 14th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Rayonier from $34.00 to $31.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Rayonier from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 17th. Rayonier Stock Up 0.6 % NYSE RYN traded up $0.18 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $30.64. 515,295 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 602,772. Rayonier Inc. has a 1-year low of $24.84 and a 1-year high of $35.29. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The company has a market cap of $4.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.36 and a beta of 1.05. Rayonier (NYSE:RYN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.12). Rayonier had a net margin of 14.78% and a return on equity of 3.00%. The business had revenue of $173.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $218.86 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.05 EPS. Rayoniers revenue for the quarter was down 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Rayonier Inc. will post 0.41 EPS for the current year. Rayonier Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $0.285 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.72%. Rayoniers payout ratio is 101.79%. Rayonier Company Profile (Free Report) Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rayonier Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rayonier and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd raised its position in shares of ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CHPT Free Report) by 17.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 598,106 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 89,817 shares during the period. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd owned about 0.14% of ChargePoint worth $903,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of ChargePoint by 60.1% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,298,289 shares of the companys stock worth $1,960,000 after buying an additional 487,262 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital acquired a new stake in shares of ChargePoint during the second quarter worth approximately $86,000. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of ChargePoint by 19.2% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 130,247 shares of the companys stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 21,007 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of ChargePoint by 752.7% in the first quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 389,584 shares of the companys stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 343,898 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ChargePoint in the first quarter valued at approximately $399,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 37.77% of the companys stock. Get ChargePoint alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CHPT has been the subject of a number of research reports. B. Riley raised shares of ChargePoint to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of ChargePoint from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. Benchmark reduced their price objective on shares of ChargePoint from $4.25 to $3.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $3.00 price objective on shares of ChargePoint in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ChargePoint has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $4.88. ChargePoint Stock Up 5.4 % CHPT stock traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $1.87. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,465,774 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,874,541. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.45. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $1.21 and a twelve month high of $7.57. The companys fifty day moving average price is $1.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $789.57 million, a P/E ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 1.71. ChargePoint (NYSE:CHPT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 5th. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.03. ChargePoint had a negative net margin of 93.05% and a negative return on equity of 127.18%. The firm had revenue of $107.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $106.09 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. will post -0.53 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at ChargePoint In other news, CFO Mansi Khetani sold 19,007 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.40, for a total transaction of $26,609.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 402,493 shares in the company, valued at approximately $563,490.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Mansi Khetani sold 19,007 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.40, for a total transaction of $26,609.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 402,493 shares in the company, valued at approximately $563,490.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Richard Wilmer sold 27,722 shares of ChargePoint stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.40, for a total transaction of $38,810.80. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,331,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,264,436. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 95,099 shares of company stock worth $137,498 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.50% of the companys stock. About ChargePoint (Free Report) ChargePoint Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and charging solutions in the North America and Europe. The company serves commercial, such as retail, workplace, hospitality, parking, recreation, municipal, education, and highway fast charge; fleet, which include delivery, take home, logistics, motor pool, transit, and shared mobility; and residential including single family homes and multi-family apartments and condominiums customers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for ChargePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ChargePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL Get Free Report) shares were up 6.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $14.80 and last traded at $14.72. Approximately 294,856 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 66% from the average daily volume of 876,723 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.79. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on MXL. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on MaxLinear from $26.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Craig Hallum lowered their price target on shares of MaxLinear from $38.00 to $28.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Northland Securities cut their price objective on shares of MaxLinear from $30.00 to $25.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of MaxLinear from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC cut shares of MaxLinear from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $24.67. Get MaxLinear alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MXL MaxLinear Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $17.18 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $18.62. The firm has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.79 and a beta of 1.85. MaxLinear (NYSE:MXL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The semiconductor company reported ($0.25) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by ($0.06). MaxLinear had a negative net margin of 42.38% and a negative return on equity of 12.39%. The company had revenue of $92.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $100.25 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.19 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 50.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that MaxLinear, Inc. will post -1.6 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Kishore Seendripu bought 108,303 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $12.94 per share, with a total value of $1,401,440.82. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 531,937 shares in the company, valued at $6,883,264.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 8.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MXL. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in MaxLinear during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MaxLinear in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of MaxLinear in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new position in MaxLinear during the second quarter worth $56,000. Finally, EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new stake in MaxLinear during the first quarter worth $59,000. Institutional investors own 90.79% of the companys stock. MaxLinear Company Profile (Get Free Report) MaxLinear, Inc provides communications systems-on-chip solutions worldwide. Its products integrate various portions of a high-speed communication system, including radio frequency, high-performance analog, mixed-signal, digital signal processing, security engines, data compression and networking layers, and power management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MaxLinear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MaxLinear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation, five have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $378.00. MOH has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $420.00 to $395.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Robert W. Baird began coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued an outperform rating and a $405.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $315.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and issued a $320.00 price target on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and set a $406.00 price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MOH Insider Buying and Selling Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, Director Steven J. Orlando sold 1,000 shares of Molina Healthcare stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $339.21, for a total transaction of $339,210.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,114,260.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other Molina Healthcare news, Director Steven J. Orlando sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $339.21, for a total value of $339,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 18,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,114,260.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CAO Maurice Hebert sold 393 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.52, for a total transaction of $136,182.36. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 9,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,282,583.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quent Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 6.8% during the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 489 shares of the companys stock worth $201,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 1,462 shares of the companys stock worth $601,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC raised its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 690 shares of the companys stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 11.5% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 330 shares of the companys stock valued at $136,000 after buying an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $823,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.50% of the companys stock. Molina Healthcare Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:MOH opened at $350.56 on Friday. Molina Healthcare has a 1-year low of $282.96 and a 1-year high of $423.92. The companys fifty day moving average is $319.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $349.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.58. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $5.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.73 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.75 billion. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 28.09%. Molina Healthcares revenue was up 18.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.65 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Molina Healthcare will post 23.5 EPS for the current year. Molina Healthcare Company Profile (Get Free Report Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Halo Cybertruck with Elon Musk's response. X Brandon Herrera introduces himself at the Uvalde County Republican Party primary debate in January. Herrera was running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 23rd Congressional District, which stretches across the southwestern portion of the state. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Brandon Herrera speaks at a campaign rally ahead of his runoff against U.S. Rep Tony Gonzales. Jessica Phelps/San Antonio Express News Victor Avila, at left, Brandon Herrera and Frank Lopez Jr., answer questions from people attending the Uvalde County Republican Party primary debate in January. All were running to unseat incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales. Herrera took it to a runoff with the incumbent, which he lost by 400 votes. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A Tesla Cybertruck tows a flatbed trailer carrying a giant bust of tech mogul Elon Musk. The images went viral on social media earlier this month. Courtesy Louis A Tesla Cybertruck outside the entrance to the launch pad at SpaceX's Starbase on Boca Chica Beach in March. Elon Musk is CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Brandon Herrera oufitted his Tesla Cybertruck with a .50-caliber machine gun in the bed. This image is taken from a video the YouTuber posted Thursday. Courtesy Brandon Herrera Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a fan of the weaponized Cybertruck created by area gun Youtuber and former congressional candidate, Brandon Herrera. Courtesy Brandon Herrera Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a fan of the weaponized Cybertruck created by area gun Youtuber and former congressional candidate, Brandon Herrera. Courtesy Brandon Herrera Former congressional candidate Brandon Herrera and his band of local gun influencers finally got tech mogul Elon Musks attention. It happened Thursday after Herrera posted a video of a Tesla Cybertruck outfitted with a .50-caliber machine gun in the bed. The olive drab Cybertruck is shown cruising dirt roads and doing donuts at the Desperado Shooting Range in Boerne. At one point, Herrera stands in the back and fires the big gun into a berm. On Thursday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk saw the clip on his X social media site and responded, This is awesome, adding a smiling face emoji. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its the latest example of a Cybertruck in South Texas going viral on social media. Earlier this month, images of a Cybertruck towing a giant Elon Musk bust around Brownsville elicited reactions ranging from disgust to celebration. Known as the AK Guy, Herrera is a popular YouTuber who makes gun-related videos. He tests weapons, re-creates historic shootings and critiques others mistakes with guns on his channel, which has more than 3.6 million subscribers. The videos are edgy, profane and funny. Hes received criticism for some. Herrera ran on a MAGA platform against Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales for the District 23 congressional seat. Herrera pushed the incumbent to a May runoff, which he lost by about 400 votes. In June, he said he planned to request a recount. In the video posted Thursday, Herrera said the tricked-out Cybertruck resembled a vehicle called the Warthog from the popular video game Halo. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Back when Elon Musk first announced the Cybertruck in 2019, I thought the same thing that millions of other Halo fans thought, he said in the video.It was begging to be turned into a Warthog. The fictional vehicle in the alien-fighting game resembles the Cybertruck with its triangular shape and futuristic look. Herrera said he began modifications as soon as he took delivery of the vehicle. We gave it a complete iconic Halo 1 Warthog makeover, complete with a functional Browning M2 .50-cal with a turret, he said. And it is awesome. Herrera responded to Musks reaction with an invitation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Want to shoot it? he wrote. Best part about a gun-truck is that its mobile. Herrera, Cody Garrett, an ex-SWAT officer turned podcaster known as Donut Operator, and Dr. Matt Carriker, a veterinarian, gun YouTuber and owner of the Desperado Shooting Range, have hosted shooting events for other social media influencers to shoot at the range. Theyve been inviting Musk via with online comments for a while. Garrett responded to Musks post on Thursday with, Lets go. Musk has yet to respond. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thomas Crooks, the gunman who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump, was wearing a T-shirt advertising Carrikers YouTube channel, Demolition Ranch, during the shooting. Images from before and after the assassination attempt showed Crooks in the short-sleeved gray Demolitia shirt. The term is a combination of the words demolition and militia. Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $4.48, but opened at $4.39. Nokia Oyj shares last traded at $4.43, with a volume of 1,908,543 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com raised Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Nokia Oyj has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $3.89. Get Nokia Oyj alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on NOK Nokia Oyj Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.82. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $3.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.73. The company has a market cap of $24.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 1.12. Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The technology company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.12 billion. Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 1.95% and a return on equity of 7.98%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Nokia Oyj will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nokia Oyj Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its stake in shares of Nokia Oyj by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 106,769,682 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $365,152,000 after purchasing an additional 5,087,927 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Nokia Oyj by 22.3% during the second quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 82,524,553 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $311,943,000 after buying an additional 15,035,360 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Nokia Oyj by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 2,674,435 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $9,467,000 after buying an additional 40,264 shares in the last quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Nokia Oyj by 89.2% during the 1st quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 2,179,467 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,715,000 after buying an additional 1,027,600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Nokia Oyj by 98.3% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,749,327 shares of the technology companys stock worth $6,193,000 after acquiring an additional 867,297 shares in the last quarter. 5.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Nokia Oyj (Get Free Report) Nokia Oyj provides mobile, fixed, and cloud network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Network Infrastructure, Mobile Networks, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. The company provides fixed networking solutions, such as fiber and copper-based access infrastructure, in-home Wi-Fi solutions, and cloud and virtualization services; IP networking solutions, including IP access, aggregation, and edge and core routing for residential, mobile, enterprise and cloud applications; optical networks solutions that provides optical transport networks for metro, regional, and long-haul applications, and subsea applications; and submarine networks for undersea cable transmission. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG Free Report) by 14.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 505,155 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 65,315 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. owned about 0.19% of MGIC Investment worth $10,886,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MTG. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in MGIC Investment by 482.7% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,142 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 946 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in MGIC Investment during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Pacific Capital Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in MGIC Investment in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Quarry LP grew its position in shares of MGIC Investment by 244.4% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,977 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 1,403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of MGIC Investment by 249.1% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,175 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 1,552 shares during the period. 95.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get MGIC Investment alerts: MGIC Investment Stock Performance MTG traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $25.43. 1,143,575 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,827,182. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The companys fifty day moving average price is $23.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.49. MGIC Investment Co. has a 52-week low of $16.30 and a 52-week high of $25.93. MGIC Investment Increases Dividend MGIC Investment ( NYSE:MTG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $305.28 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $301.02 million. MGIC Investment had a net margin of 63.19% and a return on equity of 14.97%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.68 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that MGIC Investment Co. will post 2.54 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 8th were issued a $0.13 dividend. This is a boost from MGIC Investments previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 8th. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Roth Mkm lifted their price target on shares of MGIC Investment from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Barclays raised their price objective on MGIC Investment from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. BTIG Research raised their price objective on shares of MGIC Investment from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of MGIC Investment from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $24.00 to $25.00 in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of MGIC Investment from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $24.33. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MGIC Investment MGIC Investment Company Profile (Free Report) MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MGIC Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MGIC Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Industria de Diseno Textil (OTCMKTS:IDEXY Get Free Report) and Mr Price Group (OTCMKTS:MRPLY Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and risk. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Industria de Diseno Textil and Mr Price Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Industria de Diseno Textil alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Industria de Diseno Textil $38.90 billion 4.39 $5.82 billion $0.96 28.54 Mr Price Group N/A N/A N/A $8.28 1.62 Industria de Diseno Textil has higher revenue and earnings than Mr Price Group. Mr Price Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Industria de Diseno Textil, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Insider & Institutional Ownership Industria de Diseno Textil pays an annual dividend of $0.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Mr Price Group pays an annual dividend of $3.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 27.6%. Industria de Diseno Textil pays out 61.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Mr Price Group pays out 44.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Mr Price Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. 0.3% of Mr Price Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Industria de Diseno Textil and Mr Price Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Industria de Diseno Textil 15.09% 31.68% 16.27% Mr Price Group N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations for Industria de Diseno Textil and Mr Price Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Industria de Diseno Textil 0 1 1 0 2.50 Mr Price Group 1 0 0 0 1.00 Summary Industria de Diseno Textil beats Mr Price Group on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Industria de Diseno Textil (Get Free Report) Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. engages in the retail and online distribution of clothing, footwear, accessories, and household products. The company sells its products under the Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home brands. It is also involved in the textile manufacturing, logistics, design, insurance, construction, and real estate businesses, as well as provides financial services. The company operates in Spain, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, and internationally. Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in A Coruna, Spain. About Mr Price Group (Get Free Report) Mr Price Group Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a fashion retailer serving women, men, and children in South Africa and internationally. The company operates through Apparel, Home, Financial Services, and Telecoms segments. It offers clothing, underwear, footwear, cosmetics, babywear, school wear, and accessories; furniture and kids merchandise; sporting, outdoor, and fitness products comprising footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories; women's smart and casual fashion and intimate wear; and home textile and decor products for bedroom, living-room, bathroom, kitchen, and dining-room. The company also provides credit services; insurance products; cellular products and services; mobile devices and accessories; and value-added services. It serves its customers through an omni-channel retail distribution of 2,702 corporate-owned stores and 8 franchised stores in Africa, as well as through its online channels. Mr Price Group Limited was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in Durban, South Africa. Receive News & Ratings for Industria de Diseno Textil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Industria de Diseno Textil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Bancorporation of Alabama (OTCMKTS:UBAB Get Free Report) and Sberbank of Russia (OTCMKTS:SBRCY Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and profitability. Valuation & Earnings This table compares United Bancorporation of Alabama and Sberbank of Russias top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get United Bancorporation of Alabama alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio United Bancorporation of Alabama $87.26 million 2.09 $31.54 million $8.71 5.90 Sberbank of Russia $49.52 billion 0.06 $16.97 billion N/A N/A Sberbank of Russia has higher revenue and earnings than United Bancorporation of Alabama. Institutional and Insider Ownership Profitability 5.5% of United Bancorporation of Alabama shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.1% of Sberbank of Russia shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares United Bancorporation of Alabama and Sberbank of Russias net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets United Bancorporation of Alabama 33.46% 25.96% 2.30% Sberbank of Russia 40.80% 21.45% 2.97% Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations for United Bancorporation of Alabama and Sberbank of Russia, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score United Bancorporation of Alabama 0 0 0 0 N/A Sberbank of Russia 0 0 0 0 N/A Risk & Volatility United Bancorporation of Alabama has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Sberbank of Russia has a beta of 1.56, indicating that its stock price is 56% more volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends United Bancorporation of Alabama pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Sberbank of Russia pays an annual dividend of $0.85 per share and has a dividend yield of 163.5%. United Bancorporation of Alabama pays out 11.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary Sberbank of Russia beats United Bancorporation of Alabama on 7 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About United Bancorporation of Alabama (Get Free Report) United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for United Bank that provides banking services. The company offers checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, small business programs, business solutions, merchant services, and cash management services. It also provides various lending services, such as personal loans, business loans, lines of credit, and equipment loans; real estate loans for the agricultural community and working lines of credit; and overdraft services. In addition, the company offers debit cards, prepaid cards, Visa credit cards, gift cards, and safe deposit boxes. Further, it provides check cashing, convenience, remote deposit, mobile check deposit, personal storage compartments, Web payment options, insurance products, investment and brokerage, and online and mobile banking services. United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. was founded in 1904 and is based in Atmore, Alabama. About Sberbank of Russia (Get Free Report) Sberbank of Russia, together with its subsidiaries, provides corporate and retail banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, corporate clients, and financial institutions. The company offers deposit products; pension accounts; payment, transfer, brokerage, and asset management services; car, housing, education, and consumer loans; mortgages; debit and credit cards, and overdraft service; and refinancing products. It also provides derivative, financial instrument, foreign currency, precious metal, corporate structured, and commodities and securities products, as well as debt and capital markets funding, documentary, and other commission services. In addition, it offers life, property, bank card, accident, liability, trust management, investment and universal life, travel, and mutual investment funds insurance products, as well as individual pension plans and corporate pension programs. Additionally, the company provides business bank accounts, platform for exporters and importers, merchant acquiring and international trading services, and corporate cards for small businesses; and loans, investment products and capital markets services, fund investment services, and banking services for corporate clients. It also provides trade finance, interbank lending, currency risk hedging, and treasury services; deposits, custody services, and electronic trading systems; and settlement and cash collection services to financial institutions. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 11 Regional banks and 14,162 branches in Russia. The company also has operations in 18 countries internationally. Sberbank of Russia was founded in 1841 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. Receive News & Ratings for United Bancorporation of Alabama Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Bancorporation of Alabama and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SCB X Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SMUUY Get Free Report)s share price traded down 24.3% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $1.72 and last traded at $1.75. 3,500 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 73% from the average session volume of 2,022 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.31. SCB X Public Stock Down 24.3 % The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.75. SCB X Public Company Profile (Get Free Report) SCB X Public Company Limited operates as a holding company for The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited that provides various financial products and services. The company offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, and long term deposit accounts; payroll solutions; home, car, and personal loans; accident, savings, health expense, and other insurance services; debit, credit, prepaid, and gift cards; mutual funds, bonds, debentures, and other investment products; and payment, digital banking, and other services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for SCB X Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SCB X Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Free Report) had its price target lifted by Scotiabank from $218.00 to $229.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. A number of other research firms also recently commented on AVB. UBS Group boosted their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $210.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $207.00 to $214.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $203.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $222.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $214.47. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: View Our Latest Report on AVB AvalonBay Communities Stock Up 0.0 % AVB opened at $223.18 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $208.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $195.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.07. AvalonBay Communities has a 12 month low of $160.45 and a 12 month high of $224.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.96. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last announced 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). The business had revenue of $726.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 29.61% and a return on equity of 7.16%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.66 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.97 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at AvalonBay Communities In other AvalonBay Communities news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction 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 owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $908,026.11. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other AvalonBay Communities news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total value of $1,044,500.00. Following the sale, the executive now owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now 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 corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AvalonBay Communities during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of 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 worth $37,000 after buying an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON acquired a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities during the first quarter worth $39,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position 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 valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the period. Institutional investors 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. Featured Stories 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. Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 20,200 shares, a decrease of 52.0% from the July 31st total of 42,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 43,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Telia Company AB (publ) Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS TLSNY traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $6.07. 32,153 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,713. Telia Company AB has a twelve month low of $3.89 and a twelve month high of $6.17. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $5.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.92. The company has a market cap of $11.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 303.50 and a beta of 0.46. Get Telia Company AB (publ) alerts: Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The technology company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter. Telia Company AB (publ) had a return on equity of 0.53% and a net margin of 4.71%. The firm had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that Telia Company AB will post 0.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Telia Company AB (publ) Cuts Dividend About Telia Company AB (publ) The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were paid a $0.0954 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. Telia Company AB (publ)s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 1,100.00%. (Get Free Report) Telia Company AB (publ) provides communication services to businesses, individuals, families, and communities in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. It offers mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-line services; and networking, cloud and security, mobility, enterprise mobile network, contact center, managed mobility services, collaboration solutions, enterprise telephony, Internet of Things (IoT), carrier ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelengths, IP Transit, dark fiber, and colocation solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Telia Company AB (publ) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telia Company AB (publ) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM Free Report) had its target price cut by Jefferies Financial Group from $62.80 to $55.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the basic materials companys stock. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a hold rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Bank of America decreased their target price on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $47.00 to $38.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $45.00 to $36.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $53.94. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Stock Up 4.3 % Shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock opened at $38.79 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $11.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.91 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.91. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a 52-week low of $32.24 and a 52-week high of $64.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 2.19 and a quick ratio of 1.47. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 21st. The basic materials company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.24). The business had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.27 billion. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 0.48% and a return on equity of 23.15%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.03 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will post -0.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 40.1% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 790 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 0.3% during the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 95,111 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,876,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust grew its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 8,216 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $404,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,037 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $531,000 after buying an additional 401 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 5.1% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 9,293 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $564,000 after buying an additional 450 shares during the period. 12.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (Get Free Report) Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thai Oil Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TOIPY 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 100 shares, a drop of 75.0% from the July 31st total of 400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days. Thai Oil Public Price Performance TOIPY stock remained flat at $15.00 during midday trading on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $15.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $14.22. Thai Oil Public has a one year low of $14.66 and a one year high of $15.37. Get Thai Oil Public alerts: About Thai Oil Public (Get Free Report) Read More Thai Oil Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the oil refining, petrochemicals, lube base oil, and other businesses in Thailand and internationally. It operates through Oil Refinery, Lube Base Oil Refinery, Aromatics and LAB, Power Generation, Solvent, Ethanol, Olefins, and Others segments. Receive News & Ratings for Thai Oil Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thai Oil Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday. Separately, B. Riley reduced 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: Read Our Latest Analysis on VPG Vishay Precision Group Price Performance VPG stock opened at $27.48 on Monday. Vishay Precision Group has a 1 year low of $26.49 and a 1 year high of $36.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $364.38 million, a PE ratio of 15.18 and a beta of 1.22. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.37. Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.01). Vishay Precision Group had a net margin of 6.30% and a return on equity of 7.49%. The business had revenue of $77.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $78.57 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.58 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Vishay Precision Group will post 1.11 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Vishay Precision Group Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Algert Global LLC grew its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 19.6% during the second quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 15,711 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $478,000 after acquiring an additional 2,571 shares in the last quarter. Divisar Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Vishay Precision Group by 2.2% in the second quarter. Divisar Capital Management LLC now owns 176,001 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $5,357,000 after purchasing an additional 3,726 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Vishay Precision Group by 47.7% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 192,661 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $5,865,000 after purchasing an additional 62,186 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Vishay Precision Group by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 199,094 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $6,059,000 after purchasing an additional 11,438 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Foundry Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 139,785 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $4,255,000 after purchasing an additional 14,585 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.61% of the companys stock. About Vishay Precision Group (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. Featured Articles 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. USAA CEO Wayne Peacock is stepping down next year. The announcement has set off speculation about who's in line to replace him. Staff file photo Chief financial officer Brett Seybold has spent 20 years at USAA. USAA Chief audit executive Jeff Wallace joined USAA as chief financial officer in 2020. USAA Brandon Carter, president of USAA Life Insurance Co., joined USAA in 1997. K-D Prints Ltd./USAA Chief strategy officer Ameesh Vakharia joined USAA in 2021. USAA Bob Johnson became USAAs chief legal officer and general counsel in 2020. USAA Tami Cabaniss joined USAA in 2024 as the companys chief human resources officer. USAA USAA has promoted Jim Syring to chief administrative officer and added him to the companys executive council. USAA Tom Troy, USAAs first chief transformation officer, joined the company in 2023. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News USAA chief information officer Amala Duggirala joined the company in 2022. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News When USAA unexpectedly announced in 2019 that it was replacing retiring CEO and President Stuart Parker with Wayne Peacock, the San Antonio-based company touted its new leaders long experience coming up through its ranks. Peacock had spent more than 30 years working across all of USAAs business lines. Hed led strategy, marketing, call centers, technology, shared services and corporate real estate and served the previous three years as president of the Property & Casualty Insurance Group, USAAs largest business. He was also the first executive without a military background to lead the insurance and financial services company. Now, as he prepares to retire next year, USAAs board members are facing a quandary as they search for his successor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Do they choose another insider who knows the companys struggles and understands its culture and customer base? Or do they bring in an outsider to shake things up at a time the company is grappling with lawsuits, economic headwinds and troubles at USAA Federal Savings Bank? And how important is military service, especially in light of the fact USAAs other top executives do not have a military background? Further complicating the path to the next pick is that some of the companys other top leaders have departed in recent years, reducing the pool of potential contenders the board may have considered from within. When Peacocks retirement was announced earlier this month, Chairman Jim Zortman, a retired Navy Vice Admiral, said in a statement that board members were evaluating a list of internal and external candidates. USAAs then-new CEO Wayne Peacock, right, is greeted by Stuart Parker, his predecessor at a 2020 reception at the Sheraton Gunther Hotel. Staff file photo Some clues The company declined a request for an interview and to provide more information about the qualifications and characteristics the board is seeking, but an examination of the backgrounds of USAAs previous CEOs and those currently in its upper ranks provides clues. Among those is that the past five chief executives spent years working in various divisions at USAA or serving on its board before becoming the chief executive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peacock worked there for 32 years, Parker for 16, Josue Joe Robles Jr. for 17, Robert Bob Davis for four and Robert Herres spent 10 years on USAAs board and in other roles at the company before taking the helm. Prior to joining USAA, Parker was a pilot for the Air Force, Robles was a two-star general in the Army, Davis served in the Army and led combat flight missions in Vietnam and Herres was an Air Force general. Their predecessor, however, was a company outsider who perhaps left the biggest mark on USAA and the city it calls home in his time as CEO. Robert McDermott, a retired Air Force brigadier general, came to USAA in 1968 and became CEO in 1969 after a stint as dean of the Air Force Academy and a lengthy military career. He turned the company into an insurance and financial services giant, built USAAs sprawling headquarters, helped keep the Spurs in San Antonio and founded the citys economic development foundation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prior to the announcement that Parker was retiring and would be replaced by Peacock, the last time USAA simultaneously announced such a leadership change was in 2007, when Robles took the reins from Davis. Among those who were promoted from within, some of USAAs past leaders led its Property & Casualty Insurance Group and served as chief operating officer or chief financial officer before becoming CEO. Those include Peacock, Parker and Robles. Based on that history, some names likely to be undergoing the boards vetting emerge. Randy Termeer is head of USAAs Property & Casualty Insurance Group and joined the company in 2017. USAA Top candidates Possible top candidates include Randy Termeer, head of USAAs Property & Casualty Insurance Group, and Chief Financial Officer Brett Seybold. Termeer has worked for USAA since 2017 while Seybold has spent 20 years at the company, beginning as an analyst at USAA Federal Savings Bank in 2004 until being promoted to his current position in July. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brandon Carter, president of USAA Life Insurance Co., is another longtime executive who joined the company in 1997. None of those three list military experience on their LinkedIn profiles. But all are members of USAAs executive council, which manages the companys day-to-day operations. Others on the executive council who could be on the boards list include Chief Audit Executive Jeff Wallace, who joined USAA as chief financial officer in 2020; Chief Information Officer Amala Duggirala, who has worked at the company since 2022; Chief Transformation Officer Tom Troy, who came to USAA in the new position in 2023; Chief Strategy Officer Ameesh Vakharia, who joined in 2021; Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Bob Johnson, who joined in 2020; and Chief Human Resources officer Tami Cabaniss, who was hired this year. None of them appear to have military experience, either. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other top executives who could be considered have left USAA in recent years. Among them is James Syring, who joined USAA in 2017 after a 32-year career in the U.S. Navy, during which he reached the rank of vice admiral and had roles as director of the Missile Defense Agency and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He served as chief administrative officer and later president of the Property & Casualty Insurance Group before departing in 2022. Some others who may have been on the leadership ladder were installed by Peacock and left ahead of his announcement. Bank President Paul Vincent and Chief Security Officer Jason Witty left in May and Chief Risk Officer Neeraj Singh and chief audit executive Gilbert Gitiche exited the company this summer. USAA is conducting a search for Vincent and Singhs successors, while Wallace replaced Gitiche and Jeff Kennedy, who previously was chief privacy officer and head of business continuity, replaced Witty. Vincent, Gitiche and Singh had been part of USAAs executive council. For now, the clock is ticking and USAA watchers are waiting to see what happens. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm issued an equal weight rating and a $340.00 target price on the medical research companys stock. A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on BIO. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $401.00 price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $315.00 price objective (down from $440.00) on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in a report on Monday, June 3rd. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $420.00 to $385.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $358.20. Get Bio-Rad Laboratories alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of BIO opened at $333.71 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 6.57, a quick ratio of 4.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Bio-Rad Laboratories has a 1-year low of $261.59 and a 1-year high of $406.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -32.21 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50-day moving average price is $306.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $308.08. Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The medical research company reported $3.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.12 by $0.99. The company had revenue of $638.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $645.79 million. Bio-Rad Laboratories had a positive return on equity of 3.56% and a negative net margin of 51.73%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.00 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Bio-Rad Laboratories will post 10.8 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other Bio-Rad Laboratories news, EVP Michael Crowley sold 369 shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.91, for a total value of $104,024.79. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,852,994.43. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 17.06% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Bio-Rad Laboratories Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BIO. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 193.8% in the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories during the first quarter worth approximately $38,000. Gladius Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 65.8% in the 4th quarter. Gladius Capital Management LP now owns 121 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.24% of the companys stock. About Bio-Rad Laboratories (Get Free Report) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through two segments, Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets instruments, systems, reagents, and consumables to separate, purify, characterize, and quantitate biological materials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids for proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical production, cellular biology, and food safety markets. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Free Report) had its price objective raised by Wells Fargo & Company from $269.00 to $314.00 in a research report released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Piper Sandler reissued an overweight rating and issued a $315.00 price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust in a report on Friday, June 28th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Essex Property Trust from $285.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust from $261.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $255.00 to $282.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Essex Property Trust from $244.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Essex Property Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $276.70. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ESS Essex Property Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE ESS opened at $298.05 on Monday. Essex Property Trust has a 52 week low of $203.85 and a 52 week high of $299.71. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $281.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $259.77. The company has a quick ratio of 3.19, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market cap of $19.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.44, a P/E/G ratio of 3.96 and a beta of 0.86. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.85 by ($2.40). Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 30.31% and a return on equity of 9.14%. The business had revenue of $442.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $433.26 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.77 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Essex Property Trust will post 15.53 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Essex Property Trust news, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total value of $1,051,860.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 9,494 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,641,895.38. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Essex Property Trust news, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total value of $2,745,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,425,519.26. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total value of $1,051,860.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,641,895.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essex Property Trust Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Continuum Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 214.3% in the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 110 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in Essex Property Trust by 600.0% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 112 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in Essex Property Trust during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 112.3% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 138 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vima LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.51% of the companys stock. Essex Property Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in shares of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG Free Report) by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 256,381 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 10,744 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in American International Group were worth $19,034,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its position in American International Group by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 2,691 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $210,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in American International Group by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 3,834 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $285,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of American International Group by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 6,700 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $524,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its position in shares of American International Group by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 25,011 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,694,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of American International Group by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 18,553 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,257,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.60% of the companys stock. Get American International Group alerts: American International Group Stock Performance AIG traded up $0.16 during trading on Friday, hitting $76.28. The stock had a trading volume of 780,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,116,792. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $74.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $75.31. The firm has a market cap of $50.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.07. American International Group, Inc. has a one year low of $57.72 and a one year high of $80.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29. American International Group Dividend Announcement American International Group ( NYSE:AIG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $1.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.64 billion. American International Group had a negative net margin of 1.54% and a positive return on equity of 9.37%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.75 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.4 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.10%. American International Groups payout ratio is 23.88%. Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder International Group American sold 8,032,129 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.90, for a total transaction of $200,000,012.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 284,238,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,077,548,560.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In the last three months, insiders sold 39,964,738 shares of company stock worth $1,132,432,195. 0.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on AIG shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on American International Group from $88.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on American International Group from $89.00 to $86.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on American International Group from $81.00 to $78.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on American International Group from $79.00 to $77.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on American International Group from $96.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American International Group has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $83.47. Read Our Latest Stock Report on American International Group American International Group Company Profile (Free Report) American International Group, Inc offers insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers in North America and internationally. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Life and Retirement, and Other Operations. The General Insurance segment provides commercial and industrial property insurance, including business interruption and package insurance that cover exposure to made and natural disasters; general liability, environmental, commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, excess casualty, and crisis management insurance products; and professional liability insurance. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank cut its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report) by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 149,226 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 2,399 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned about 0.09% of Alexandria Real Estate Equities worth $17,455,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ARE. Arkadios Wealth Advisors bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the second quarter valued at approximately $314,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 44,548 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,211,000 after acquiring an additional 1,723 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.5% in the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 81,973 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,588,000 after purchasing an additional 3,503 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 61.3% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,585 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $302,000 after purchasing an additional 982 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 350.4% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 33,626 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,933,000 after buying an additional 26,160 shares during the period. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Insider Activity at Alexandria Real Estate Equities In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, major shareholder Real Estate Equitie Alexandria sold 150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.21, for a total transaction of $631,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 6,005,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,281,374.17. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 1.15% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ARE shares. Jefferies Financial Group cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $136.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday. Wedbush cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $140.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $140.00 price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $131.33. Get Our Latest Analysis on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 0.1 % NYSE ARE traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $117.95. 212,893 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 914,498. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.23. The businesss 50-day moving average is $117.94 and its 200-day moving average is $119.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 111.19, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 1.15. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a twelve month low of $90.73 and a twelve month high of $135.45. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $775.03 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.24 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.48 earnings per share for the current year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.41%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. This is a boost from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess payout ratio is currently 485.98%. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Profile (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. Recommended Stories 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. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its stake in shares of Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU Free Report) (TSE:SU) by 12.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 639,798 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after acquiring an additional 70,863 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Suncor Energy were worth $24,384,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SU. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Suncor Energy Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SU traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $40.33. The stock had a trading volume of 825,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,394,759. The companys 50-day moving average price is $38.92 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.82. The company has a market capitalization of $51.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Suncor Energy Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $29.45 and a fifty-two week high of $41.94. Suncor Energy Dividend Announcement Suncor Energy ( NYSE:SU Get Free Report ) (TSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.51. The business had revenue of $12.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.30 billion. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 14.40% and a return on equity of 16.22%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 3.64 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be given a $0.395 dividend. This represents a $1.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 4th. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.63%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently weighed in on SU shares. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on shares of Suncor Energy from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. TD Securities raised shares of Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $68.00 target price for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Suncor Energy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.86. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SU Suncor Energy Profile (Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Threat actors with ties to North Korea have been observed publishing a set of malicious packages to the npm registry, indicating "coordinated and relentless" efforts to target developers with malware and steal cryptocurrency assets. The latest wave, which was observed between August 12 and 27, 2024, involved packages named temp-etherscan-api, ethersscan-api, telegram-con, helmet-validate, and qq-console. "Behaviors in this campaign lead us to believe that qq-console is attributable to the North Korean campaign known as 'Contagious Interview,'" software supply chain security firm Phylum said. Contagious Interview refers to an ongoing campaign that seeks to compromise software developers with information stealing malware as part of a purported job interview process that involves tricking them into downloading bogus npm packages or fake installers for video conferencing software such as MiroTalk hosted on decoy websites. The end goal of the attacks is to deploy a Python payload named InvisibleFerret that can exfiltrate sensitive data from cryptocurrency wallet browser extensions and set up persistence on the host using legitimate remote desktop software such as AnyDesk. CrowdStrike is tracking the activity under the moniker Famous Chollima. The newly observed helmet-validate package adopts a new approach in that it embeds a piece of JavaScript code file called config.js that directly executes JavaScript hosted on a remote domain ("ipcheck[.]cloud") using the eval() function. "Our investigation revealed that ipcheck[.]cloud resolves to the same IP address (167[.]88[.]36[.]13) that mirotalk[.]net resolved to when it was online," Phylum said, highlighting potential links between the two sets of attacks. The company said it also observed another package called sass-notification that was uploaded on August 27, 2024, which shared similarities with previously uncovered npm libraries like call-blockflow. These packages have been attributed to another North Korean threat group called Moonstone Sleet. "These attacks are characterized by using obfuscated JavaScript to write and execute batch and PowerShell scripts," it said. "The scripts download and decrypt a remote payload, execute it as a DLL, and then attempt to clean up all traces of malicious activity, leaving behind a seemingly benign package on the victim's machine." Famous Chollima Poses as IT Workers in U.S. Firms The disclosure comes as CrowdStrike linked Famous Chollima (formerly BadClone) to insider threat operations that entail infiltrating corporate environments under the pretext of legitimate employment. "Famous Chollima carried out these operations by obtaining contract or full-time equivalent employment, using falsified or stolen identity documents to bypass background checks," the company said. "When applying for a job, these malicious insiders submitted a resume typically listing previous employment with a prominent company as well as additional lesser-known companies and no employment gaps." While these operations are predominantly financially motivated, a subset of the incidents are said to have involved the exfiltration of sensitive information. CrowdStrike said it has identified the threat actors applying to or actively working at more than 100 unique companies over the past year, most of which are located in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, France, the Philippines, and Ukraine, among others. Prominently targeted sectors include technology, fintech, financial services, professional services, retail, transportation, manufacturing, insurance, pharmaceutical, social media, and media companies. "After obtaining employee-level access to victim networks, the insiders performed minimal tasks related to their job role," the company further said. "In some cases, the insiders also attempted to exfiltrate data using Git, SharePoint, and OneDrive." "Additionally, the insiders installed the following RMM tools: RustDesk, AnyDesk, TinyPilot, VS Code Dev Tunnels, and Google Chrome Remote Desktop. The insiders then leveraged these RMM tools in tandem with company network credentials, which allowed numerous IP addresses to connect to the victim's system." 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. A Columbia convenience store owner and his son engaged in a mob-like assault last year on 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, whom they falsely accused of trying to steal bottles of water, before the owner shot and killed the teen, according to a lawsuit. Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. Fearing for his life during the confrontation, Carmack-Belton ran from the Xpress Mart on Parklane Road, pursued by the store owner and his son. After the teen fell and got back up, store owner Rick Chow shot Carmack-Belton in the back, killing him, according to the lawsuit filed earlier this month. A 14-year-old boy who was accused of stealing bottles of water from a convenience store (had) adults decide they were going to bully, harass and intimidate him all the way to the point where they killed him by shooting him in the back, said attorney Austin Nichols. The teens parents are now suing the Chow family, alleging wrongful death and a slew of other claims, according to the lawsuit. Rick Chow awaits trial in the May 28, 2023, killing of Carmack-Belton. Troy Belton and Nicole Carmack-Belton filed the lawsuit this month against Chow as well as his son and wife, Andy and Alice Chow, and several entities owned by Chow. The parents are represented by Nichols and Todd Rutherford, both of the Rutherford Law Firm, who are asking a civil court to award the family damages for wrongful death, gross negligence, negligent/intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, kidnapping and several other claims. During the Memorial Day weekend in 2023, Cyrus Carmack-Belton entered the Xpress Mart, a gas station and convenience store at 7441 Parklane Road, where he began to be racially profiled, monitored, followed, and harassed by Rick, Andy, and Alice Chow, the lawsuit said. Alice Chow alerted Rick and Andy Chow that Carmack-Belton was stealing bottles of water by placing them into his book bag, according to the suit. Rick and Andy Chow confronted and accused Carmack-Belton of shoplifting, to which Carmack-Belton repeatedly denied. Rick and Andy Chow continued to intimidate Cyrus Carmack-Belton, towering over him, demanding he open his bag and allow the two men to search him, and physically prevented Cyrus Carmack-Belton from exiting the premises, the lawsuit said. Fearing for his life, Carmack-Belton then bolted for the stores exit and began sprinting down the street with Rick and Andy Chow in pursuit During the mob-like assault, Rick Chow pointed a gun at Carmack-Belton, placing him in a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily injury, according to the lawsuit. Cyrus Carmack-Belton sprinted so hard that he fell, got up and continued to run, dropped his bag, and ran out of his shoes in fear of Rick Chow and Andy Chow, the suit said. As Carmack-Belton continued to run, he was fatally shot in the back by Rick Chow. The State was unable to contact Andy and Alice Chow. The State also attempted to contact Jack Swerling, who is representing Rick Chow on the murder charge. During a bond hearing last year where Chow was denied bond Swerling claimed Chow acted in self-defense, saying Carmack-Belton turned first and pointed a gun at Rick Chow as Carmack-Belton was running away from Chow and his son. Swerling argued that Chow was protected under the states stand-your-ground law, which allows a person to act in self-defense under certain circumstances. But witnesses never saw Carmack-Belton wielding a gun, Rutherford said. Additionally, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott never established that Carmack-Belton was armed during the incident, despite Swerling arguing that law enforcement officers found a pistol near Carmack-Belton. Beyond that, Richland County sheriffs deputies discovered that Carmack-Belton hadnt stolen anything from the store. Even if (Carmack-Belton) had shoplifted four bottles of water, which is what he initially took out of the cooler and then he put them back, even if he had done that, thats not something you shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, Lott said at a news conference at the time of the shooting. You just dont do that. Community members told law enforcement authorities that Rick, Andy and Alice Chow had a habit of intimidating, harassing and threatening store patrons, some of which they wrongfully accused of shoplifting, the lawsuit said. (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. 30/08/2024 Everton have completed the acquisition of former Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala on loan from Olympique Lyonnais. The 26-year-old arrives at Goodison Park just weeks after signing for Lyon on a permanent basis having spent the second half of last season at the Ligue 1 club. on loan from the City Ground. Mangala spent two years at Nottingham Forest where he made 47 league appearances but spent the last few months on loan with Lyon before agreeing a 15m move at the beginning of July. I feel really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," Mangala said on signing for the Toffees. "Everton is a big club. When Ive played against Everton in the past, Ive always felt there is a big fanbase here with a lot of passion for their club so it was an easy decision for me to come here. I think I'm someone who is composed on the ball. I like to link up play in the midfield between the defensive players and the attack hopefully a bit of a balance of everything. Im feeling good and Im ready to go. I cant wait to meet the fans at Goodison and to start my journey here. I want to help make it a special last season at Goodison and to help the Club reach our goals. Up the Toffees! Mangala began his professional career in Germany with Stuttgart where he made over 100 appearances either side of a loan switch to Hamburg in 2018. He was picked up by Forest two years ago but was a victim of the East Midlands club's need to offload players for profit to satisfy PSR concerns earlier this summer. Were pleased to strengthen our midfield with the arrival of Orel," said Blues boss Sean Dyche. We want competition for places throughout our squad and his loan signing gives us extra options and adds depth to our midfield. Orel has Premier League experience, which is important to help him adjust as quickly as possible, and his performances for Belgium and in Europe underline the quality he can bring to us at Everton. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb The third edition of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), the flagship financial event of the MEASA region hosted by ADGM, has unveiled an expanded plan of 50 events and sub-events. In June ADFW, announced its third edition under the theme Welcome to the Capital of Capital, which will run from December 9 to 12, 2024 and will explore the multiple facets that contribute to Abu Dhabis position as the Capital of Capital focusing on financial, human, cultural, environmental and technological facets of the capital. ADFW 2023, a gathering of titans with $30trn in global assets Last years edition of ADFW was a grand success, hosting over 3,300 Chairmen, CEOs, COOs, Managing Directors, Regional CEOs and Executive-level representatives from leading global financial firms, industry experts, policymakers, regulators, investors, and bankers engaged in lively discussions that debated the theme, Investing in the Transition Era and highlighted Abu Dhabis growing prospects. The event's attendees represented global financial firms from various sectors collectively managing over $30 trillion in assets a whopping 22% of the worldwide economy. With the event line-up for this year, ADFW, held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Executive Council, is ready to take it up a notch and deep dive into another set of trending global topics within the financial industry throughout the four days of the event series which will kick off with an opening ceremony on December 9, 2024 featuring an exclusive guestlist of the worlds top financial leadership and economic leaders of Abu Dhabi. Setting the stage for ADFWs third edition, the ceremony will set the tone and agenda for hundreds of pivotal conversations that will be held over the week ahead. after the Opening Ceremony, ADFW will see the return of one of its most successful events from last year - the Abu Dhabi Economic Forum. The forum will analyse the strategies, policies and investments defining the future of Abu Dhabis Falcon Economy, as it convenes the most senior leaders from the host Government and the leadership of multiple international financial institutions contributing to both Abu Dhabis Economic Growth, and the global markets. There are also other side events scheduled to take place on the same day such as the ADEF Private Leadership Forum, Abu Dhabi Capital Markets Forum, and the prestigious ADGM Gala Dinner. The third edition of the flagship Investors Conference Asset Abu Dhabi will be held on December 10, the second day of ADFW, alongside the much-awaited latest edition of the International Dispute Resolution Conference RESOLVE. Exploring the future of investment: Asset Abu Dhabi 2024 This years Asset Abu Dhabi will build on the success of the 2023 edition and will continue to shed light on topics such as the evolution of public and private markets, investing in the next decade of technology, investing in cities of the future, and insights derived from the worlds biggest hedge funds. The agenda will include the perspectives of institutional capital and asset allocators in a changing investment landscape. Held as a public forum, Asset Abu Dhabi will convene asset allocators and asset managers, investment bankers, VCs, PEs, family offices and other institutional investors. Insightful side events on the second day include the UBS Investment Forum, International Family Office Congress, T.R.I. (Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency) Summit, Spears Private Wealth Forum and Venture Stage Startup Campus. Resilience in dispute resolution: navigating challenges at Resolve 2024 Meanwhile, Resolve will gather key stakeholders representing the international dispute resolution community, as well as leaders from government, industry, technology and academia. Held under a theme of Resilience, the latest edition of Resolve returns to address the challenges faced by dispute resolution professionals including, finding a resilient mindset, winning negotiations, the effect of technology on better dispute resolution and the sector's value and contributions to supporting more robust businesses. Shaping the future of finance: Fintech Abu Dhabi 2024 Menas biggest fintech festival Fintech Abu Dhabi will return for its eighth edition at ADFW on December 11, 2024, the third day of ADFW. Tech innovators, developers, scientists, entrepreneurs and alternative investors will convene to showcase and stimulate the future of finance, across areas of payment, digital assets, digital security and credit. Alongside Fintech Abu Dhabi, several key topics will be covered through dedicated side events such as the Global Financial Regulators Summit, AI Forum, Blockchain Abu Dhabi, Risk 4.0 Risk & Security Forum, DLT Foundations Roundtable, Islamic Finance Summit and Mena Fintech Awards. Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum 2024 The final day of ADFW will host the 7th edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) on December 12, 2024. After the successful special edition held at COP28 last year, ADSFF is set to become a part of ADFW in 2024 and underscores the overall commitment of the event series to climate finance development. Talks and sessions on Regulation, Awareness, Collaboration and Ecosystem will be held to showcase how Abu Dhabi and ADGM are taking the lead in sustainable green finance. ADSFF will provide the ideal platform for strategy and high-level discussions on achieving not just the UAEs net-zero ambitions but also contributing to the world's transition to a sustainable future. Other key side events during ADFW include Women in Finance, ADGM Academy (ADGMA) Showcase, Youth in Finance and Philanthropy Summit. UAE-China Summit and UBS Investment Forum In a July announcement, ADGM also disclosed hosting the UAE-China Summit presented by HSBC, which is slated to be one of the sub-events this year. The UBS Investment Forum, another addition to the list of sub-events this year, will also bring forth insightful discussions with some of the major global representatives including C-Suites from UBS. With an unprecedented breadth and depth of programming, along with becoming one of the worlds leading conventions for International financial leadership, ADFW 2024 is set to make a significant impact with its diverse lineup of events, reflecting Abu Dhabi's dedication to fostering innovation and sustainable growth within the global financial landscape. As the emirate continues to strengthen its position on the world stage, ADFW 2024 will serve as a pivotal moment for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and progress in the financial sector and continue on its path as one of the worlds fastest-growing financial event platforms.--TradeArabia News Service Mastercard hosted a special Womens Leadership Network (WLN) event under the theme Ambitions & Inspiration for the Next 50 Years at its headquarters in Dubai, to mark Emirati Womens Day, observed every year on August 28. Bringing together like-minded professionals who are passionate about driving positive change, the gathering aimed to highlight the remarkable achievements and future aspirations of Emirati women, while recognising the contributions of the men who support them. Organised by the UAE Chapter of WLN, the event featured an insightful panel discussion with four trailblazing leaders from various fields. Panellists included Dr Eng Suaad Alshamsi, Senior Technical Project Manager, WAI Middle East, and the first female Emirati aircraft engineer and technical consultant, Aida Al Busaidy, AVP, Consumer Advocacy (C2C & Social), Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Moadh Bukhash, CMO, Emirates NBD, and Amnah Ajmal, EVP, Market Development, Apemea, Mastercard. In line with WLNs approach to promoting young talent, the session was led by Mastercards Emirati talent Sultan Albahrani. The distinguished guests shared their inspiring stories and the lessons they have learned along the way, shed light on the profound impact Emirati women have had on society and explored the ongoing journey towards gender equality. The forum provided an ideal opportunity to engage with influential individuals who have played pivotal roles in transforming the landscapes of diverse industries. The participants gained valuable perspectives on supporting women in their workplaces and communities. At Mastercard, we are committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women to reach their full potential, said Amnah Ajmal, EVP, Market Development, Mastercard. When we established WLN as part of our efforts, we wanted to create more than just a network we wanted to build a community of leaders and role models who are spearheading positive change across our industry and beyond, transcending borders and cultures. As we mark Emirati Womens Day, we are proud to celebrate some of the incredible women who are fuelling the UAEs continued growth and progress. Amnah Ajmal, EVP, Market Development, Mastercard, said: As an Emirati woman, especially in engineering and STEM, I am deeply proud of the progress we have made not only since the inception of Emirati Womens Day in 2015 but even before that." This day holds immense significance, as it allows us to celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women to our nations growth and development. Looking into the future, my hopes for Emirati Womens Day are ambitious. I envision this day evolving into a platform that not only highlights our accomplishments but also serves as a catalyst for continued progress and empowerment. I see it growing bolder and bigger, with more and more achievements to celebrate as we continue to elevate ourselves. Aida Al Busaidy said: Our nations development did not come by chance, and everything is linked to vision and hard work and the belief that you define your success metrics. Our success is not defined by what we have achieved but by what we havent achieved yet. Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, designated this day as a testament to the men and women who believe in equity in the development of the world and its people. To achieve that, we need to ask ourselves two simple questions that, if answered correctly, carve even clearer paths to success for us: If not us Emiratis, then who? and If not now, then when? WLN is a business resource group that provides a platform for women at Mastercard to connect, collaborate, find mentors and grow into tech industry leaders. WLN's vision is to be a global community that helps Mastercard be the employer, brand and partner of choice for women by empowering female leaders at all levels. TradeArabia News Service DP World's Jebel Ali Port set a new monthly container throughput record in July, handling 1,400,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and topping its previous high set in 2015. This follows a strong performance in the first half of 2024, with the port handling 7.3 million TEUs, up 3.9% year on year, driven by strong inbound cargo movement, particularly from key Asian markets including China, Japan, and South Korea. The ports record-breaking performance reflects the continued growth of Dubai under the broader strategic objectives of Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The ongoing expansion of Jafza is also instrumental in driving container traffic through Jebel Ali Port. Hosting nearly 10,500 companies Now hosting nearly 10,500 companies, Jafza continues to attract leading international corporations, bolstering trade volumes and economic diversification. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, said: "For over 45 years, Jebel Ali has been a catalyst for the growth of trade and the economy in Dubai and the wider region. As one of the largest and most efficient ports in the world, it remains a cornerstone of our global network, significantly contributing to Dubai's economic vision and regional trade. We are committed to building on this achievement, driving innovation, and further strengthening Dubai's position as a leading global trade hub." Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director of DP World GCC, said: "This new record at Jebel Ali Port highlights our commitment to excellence in global trade. The port's ability to consistently break new ground in container handling is a testament to the strategic investments we've made in technology, infrastructure and the robust trade environment in Jafza and Dubai. We anticipate continued growth as we leverage our global network and the promising trade opportunities arising from our national trade agreements." Part of broader success Jebel Alis growth is part of DP World's broader success globally, with total consolidated throughput for the group reaching 42,580,000 TEUs, up 6.8%, compared to the same period in 2023. The UAE's proactive efforts to strengthen bilateral trade through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) have contributed to increasing bilateral trade volumes, thanks to reduced tariffs, enhanced market access, and strengthened trade ties with global partners. Recent trade agreements with Chile, Mauritius, Colombia, and South Korea are expected to boost container traffic through Jebel Ali Port further. In addition, the company's strategic focus on expanding its logistics and digital platforms will enhance operational capabilities and elevate customer service offerings, contributing to continued growth.--TradeArabia News Service AutoData Middle East, in its bi-annual report on the GCC used car market, highlighted the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs), residual values, key trends in consumer behaviours, the transformation in customer purchasing journeys and the growing influence of Chinese brands in the region. The leading automotive data solutions provider and subsidiary of World Automotive Group (WAG) supports buyers and sellers to navigate the complexities of the used car sector with confidence and transparency. Offering a comprehensive overview of the current competitive landscape, it presented five key factors: Burgeoning Demand for EVs The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is on the rise, bolstered by government initiatives and the expansion of EV infrastructure. As of 2024, the UAE ranks eighth globally in EV market readiness, supported by an estimated 325 charging stations. With a growing focus on sustainability, 79% of UAE consumers and 72% of KSA consumers are considering EVs for their next vehicle purchase. The UAE market share of EVs is expected to increase significantly, projected to be more than 15% by 2030. Dubai reached 25,929 EVs, while Abu Dhabi witnessed an EV fleet growth of up to 2,441 models by Q4 2023. In the Middle East, countries such as the UAE and KSA have set ambitious targets to facilitate the adoption of EVs. The UAE government aims to expand its EV charging infrastructure to 10,000 stations by 2030, to reach 50% electric and hybrid vehicles by 2050. This sustainable target is also reflected in Dubai, as the Emirate aims to transition its taxi fleet to 100% eco-friendly vehicles including hybrid, EV and hydrogen-powered models by 2027. Furthermore, as part to of the Saudi Vision 2030, KSAs Public Investment Fund (PIF) aims to roll out 5,000 fast charging stations by 2030. This shift towards sustainable transportation has resulted in a rise in EV sales on marketplaces such as DubiCars, which saw a 45% increase from 2022 to 2023, with a further 13% expected growth in 2024. Residual Value Performances AutoDatas latest research on residual values reveals that used electric and hybrid vehicles are outperforming petrol and diesel vehicles in the UAE. The report revealed a 250% increase in EVs and hybrid models over the past five years, driven by a burgeoning interest and investment in EVs, with many automotive brands introducing a range of models to meet this demand. SUVs continue to show substantial value retention compared to sedans. Premium and luxury vehicles, despite their price points, have resulted in a decline in residual value after a few years due to higher maintenance costs. GCC-Compliance The report highlights a notable increase in the demand for GCC-spec vehicles, with 86% of Vehicle Report users identifying as buyers, primarily interested in models from 2015 and 2020. Toyota and Nissan continue to dominate the market, with capturing 24.8% and 17.1% of the market share in Q1 2024, respectively. Additionally, drivers are increasingly opting for vehicle leasing services with 83% showing willingness to consider leasing contracts. This is due to the flexibility leasing options offer drivers, including complimentary services such as free insurance, servicing and maintenance, lease duration and mileage flexibility, and more. Purchasing Vehicles in the Digital Landscape Consumers in the UAE and KSA are increasingly opting to begin their car-buying journey digitally, highlighting a clear preference for online research before making in-store visits. This integrated approach underscores the need for automotive market players to provide a seamless transition between online and offline channels. According to Consultancy Middle Easts customer survey, 83% of respondents prefer to begin their purchasing journey via dealer websites, while 85% still favour in-store negotiations. This trend highlights the importance of a seamless integration between marketplace platforms and physical showrooms, offering convenient customer experiences. Platforms such as Dubizzle and DubiCars dominate the digital landscape with a combined 73% market share due to expansive inventories and integrated user-friendly interfaces, while other market players such as YallaMotor holds 13% and OpenSooq occupies 11% market share. The remaining 3% is shared across Cars24 and smaller players with detailed listings and services such as inspections, financing, and more. The Rise of Chinese Brands Chinese automotive brands are quickly gaining a strong foothold in the UAE's automotive sector. AutoData highlights the demand for Chinese cars has increased by 150% in June 2024 compared to 2023 across marketplaces such as DubiCars. Consumers are increasingly favouring these brands over traditional American, Japanese and European options, driven by key factors including affordability and high-tech features. For example, the average price for a new Chinese hatchback is 34.5% lower than an American model. With diverse product offerings, improved quality and implementation of innovative technology, Chinese automotive brands are cementing their foothold in the region. According to DubiCars, Chinese brands have increased their market share from 0.58% in 2022 to 2.68% in 2023. In the UAE, leading brands include Jetour, Changan, BYD (Build Your Dreams), JAC, and Chery. At AutoData Middle East, we are at the forefront of the dynamic and rapidly evolving used car market in the region, said Sebastian Fuchs, Managing Director of AutoData Middle East. Our commitment to transparency and confidence is reflected in the innovative tools we provide, such as the Vehicle Report, which offers detailed insights into a vehicles past, including accident history, previous ownership, and market valuations. We are excited to launch our new B2B tool DealRevs that empowers used car businesses, dealers, and stakeholders with real-time data, enabling them to make more informed decisions and accurately assess price points when buying and selling vehicles. Our services are invaluable for both consumers and businesses looking to navigate the complexities of the growing used car market. TradeArabia News Service The Natural Gas Distribution Company has signed a contract with Saudi-based First Gas Company for the installation and implementation of dry gas distribution network for Scheme (80) in the kingdom. Under the contract worth SAR16.1 million ($4.28 million), First Gas Company will be responsible for engineering and construction works, detailed design, procurement of materials as well as supply, manufacturing, testing and operation of the dry gas supply system, said Natural Gas Distribution Company in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul. The entire project work will be completed within 8 months, it added. On the financial impact, the Natural Gas Distribution said it is expected to impact the company's liquidity during the construction period, and is expected to impact financial results when it starts operating in the second quarter of 2025. First Gas is a limited liability company affiliated with Natural Gas Distribution and is 50% owned by the group.-TradeArabia News Service About 20,000 participants are expected to attend the 30th edition of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress, which will take place in Dubai from September 16 to 20. It will also feature 800 speakers over 200 diverse sessions, said Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The ITS World Congress will explore the latest advancements in smart mobility and transportation technology and emphasise critical themes such as innovations in intelligent transportation, sustainable mobility, smart city integration, data-driven decision-making, autonomous vehicles, and the enhancement of international cooperation. The congress will be organised by Intelligent Transport in Europe ERTICO in cooperation with Intelligent Transport in America (ITS America) and its counterpart in Asia Pacific (ITS Asia-Pacific) at the Dubai World Trade Center under the slogan Mobility Driven by ITS. 200 sessions Among the 200 sessions, the event will witness panel discussions including: Innovations Across Horizons: Automated Transport in Water, Rail, Air, and Beyond; Connected Horizons: National Connectivity, Cybersecurity, and the 5G Frontier in Transportation; Driving Change: Government Policies, Sustainable Planning, and Future Fuels; Energizing the Future: Innovations in Clean Mobility and Intelligent Systems; Revolutionizing Mobility: Customer-Centric Tech and Cybersecurity Standards; Securing Tomorrow's Rides: Navigating Cyber Challenges in Mobility; Navigating Tomorrow: The Confluence of Big Data, Digital Transformation, and Smart Technologies in Urban Mobility; and Urban Mobility Innovation: Digitalization and Smart Infrastructure. Hosting the ITS World Congress for the first time in Dubai is a significant milestone and a clear testament to the region's growing influence in the field of innovation in intelligent transportation, a statement said. It also marks the first time that the event is being held outside of Europe, North America, Australia and East Asia. RTA emphasised its strong commitment to promoting innovative transportation solutions and sustainable mobility. Dubai's hosting of the 30th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems demonstrates this dedication. Thematic plenaries, exhibition The ITS World Congress will feature high-level discussions on intelligent transportation technologies and how to contribute to achieving a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future. The programme for the event includes the official opening and closing ceremonies, thematic plenaries, international and regional forums, and a wide range of technical sessions covering various topics under the theme Mobility Driven by ITS. The congress also features an extensive exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, technical visits, and real-life demonstrations. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the latest trends, share knowledge, and establish strategic partnerships. - TradeArabia News Service The International Air Transport Associations (IATA) second World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) next month will focus on actions needed to achieve the airline industrys commitment to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The event will take place in Miami, US on September 24 and 25, hosted by American Airlines. Sustainability is an existential challenge for humanity as it is for our airline industry. Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 is a big and complex task. But working together with the broader aviation industry, and with the support of governments, we will get there. WSS is a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to learn, align and take the critical actions needed to galvanize our determination and accelerate progress, said Willie Walsh, IATAs Director General. Key elements to help achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 being addressed at the WSS include: * Decarbonisation: Focusing on aviation's transition to net-zero CO2 emissions, including how to develop, scale, and deliver the solutions necessary to decarbonize aviation over the 25 years to 2050. Discussions will address how to build the markets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon removals, and other nascent technologies, and the challenges involved in financing such projects. * Innovation and Technology: Exploring new aircraft technologies and operational innovations with a focus on the practical aspects of implementing new technologies rapidly to advance the industrys net-zero CO2 emissions goal. * Policy and Regulation: Examining the global policy landscape aimed at achieving net-zero CO2 emissions, particularly related to SAF, and the complexities of aligning global regulations and harmonizing SAF policies to scale up production and deployment. * Finance and Transparency: Looking at investment challenges; what are the difficulties and opportunities in financing renewable energy projects and SAF production, and how to make the investment case more attractive to stakeholders. The focus will be on strategies for attracting capital, transferring risk, and on what innovation is needed to finance the industry's transition to net zero. Transparency will also be addressed as it is an essential part of the investment challenge in terms of fostering informed and science-based decision-making among investors, airlines, and other stakeholders. The WSS aims to unite decision makers across the public and private sectors, and across all areas of government, with the objective of decarbonizing air transportation. Aviations energy transition needs support beyond transportation ministries as it touches upon nearly all areas of the global, regional, and local economies and societies. Radical collaboration is needed to engage technology, policy, and finance and unite with a single-minded purpose to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The mission is urgent, as a multitude of new markets need to reach maturity in the short 25 years to 2050. The WSS is the agenda-setting event that can accelerate progress as we tackle this enormous challenge, said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATAs Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist. The WSS is expected to be participated by more than 600 professionals from aviation, sustainability, technology, agriculture, trade, development, and finance as well as policy makers and other stakeholders. -TradeArabia News Service Last year, Emirates doubled the number of cities it offers beyond its own network, unlocking travel opportunities to nearly 1,700 additional cities. This has enabled an average of over 61,000 passengers to seamlessly connect on the shared networks of Emirates and its partners every week. By forging new partnerships and deepening existing ones across the transport ecosystem, the airline is delivering an array of additional travel choices alongside 31 codeshare, 118 interline and 13 rail and helicopter services partners. Having 162 partners in over 100 countries means an expanded network reach with more and better connections for travellers, seamless single ticket itineraries, enhanced baggage transfers, frequent flyer benefits, lounge access, and other advantages to ensure a smooth travel experience at every touchpoint. Robust network For customers of partner airlines flying on Emirates, popular destinations are even closer through Emirates robust network over 140 destinations and frictionless connectivity offered at DXB, complemented by industry leading experiences on the ground and in the skies, all easily within reach. Last year, Emirates launched 16 new partnerships which include codeshares with Avianca and Batik Air Malaysia and the airline also finalised and implemented interline arrangements with KAM Air, Sri Lankan Airlines, Condor, Flynas, Viva Aerobus, Sun Express, Maldivian, Siberia Airlines and Kenya Airways. From plane to train, Emirates customers are now one ticket away from fast connections to cities across Europe through codeshare partnerships with Trenitalia, Spanish Rail Renfe, Austrian Rail OBB and Swedish Rail SJ. The airline was also the first full-service carrier to enter into an innovative interline partnership with BLADE, an urban air-mobility company to provide Emirates customers with helicopter flights between Nice and Monaco on a single ticket. Leveraging the strength of partners Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline, said: Last year, we doubled down on our strategy of deepening our global presence and expanding our footprint across six continents by forging new partnerships with like-minded airlines, rail partners and air mobility operators to provide a huge choice of onwards destinations, connectivity options and seamless last mile access for travellers like never before. While organic growth will always at the heart of our plans, well continue to leverage the strength of our partners complementary networks as part of our commitment to help our customers reach every corner of the globe in the easiest way possible. World-class connectivity keeps economies strong and resilient, and our partnership growth ambitions align with Dubais D33 strategy to make our home and hub the most connected city in the world, attracting business, tourism, and investment from all over the globe. Over the years, Emirates many partnerships have paved the way for the airline to form robust networks that not only connect customers to unique points but also provide the advantages of schedule optimisation, seamless connectivity at DXB with access to Terminal 3, as well as reciprocal loyalty benefits. Its cornerstone partnership with flydubai is an exceptional example of how joint cooperation yields smoother journeys and more customer benefits. Today, customers have access to over 230 destinations across 100 countries, with 275 codeshare flights to choose from on an average day. Emirates customers can book flights to over 90 unique flydubai destinations and flydubai customers can choose from over 100 Emirates destinations. As a result, over 17.5 million passengers have connected on the joint networks of Emirates and flydubai since the partnership launched in 2017. Regional getaways For leisure travellers heading to popular destinations like the Maldives, Emirates unique interline partnership with Maldivian enables customers to access 16 islands beyond Male. Emirates partnership with Pro Flight Zambia provides access to 13 points served by the southern African airline, including unique regional getaways like Lower Zambezi National Park, a short trip from Lusaka that offers a captivating safari experience. The airlines major partnerships with United, Air Canada and Qantas continue to deliver unmatched access for its customers to more than 350 destinations across North, Central and South America, Australia, and New Zealand, expanding connection opportunities, providing unrivalled reciprocity across loyalty programmes, as well as other world-class customer benefits like lounge access. Emirates continues to expand city pairs on a single ticket and boost connectivity and choice across a number of other strategic partnerships in the airlines network including: The Americas: Emirates customers can access more than 375 cities through United, Air Canada and other partner airlines across Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands and Central and South America. Customers connecting on Emirates network onwards from Dubai can choose from unique destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia. Europe: Travellers can access over 380 cities through seven codeshare, 33 interline & 12 rail and air mobility partners including Condor, ITA Airways, Air Malta, Air Baltic, Aegean Airlines, TAP Portugal and Siberia Airlines, in addition to Emirates rail partners across Germany, Spain France, Italy, Austria and Sweden that provide on-ground transfers and flexibility to explore multiple cities on a single ticket. Asia: Emirates Asian network is further bolstered through the airlines 12 codeshare partners and 42 interline partners reaching over 500 popular cities across the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean, as well as Middle East. Australia: Emirates long-standing partnership with Qantas provides access to over 85 Australian cities, while Qantas customers can fly Emirates to Dubai and access over 45 cities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa beyond Qantass existing international network. Africa: Emirates footprint across Africa expands to over 210 regional points through 5 codeshare and 18 interline partners, offering superior connectivity and value for customers with more flight options to smaller regional points across the continent. Loyalty programme Emirates Skywards, the airlines loyalty programme and Emirates SkyCargo also work closely with codeshare and interline partners to support and complement network and loyalty programme frameworks that ensure both passengers and cargo customers reap the full benefits of the airlines major partnerships. On the operational side, Emirates Airport Services play a vital role to ensure teams are on hand to assist customers so they can connect seamlessly from one flight to another and access the airlines Dubai and outstation dedicated lounges.--TradeArabia News Service Dustin Michael Lawrence, 31, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a plea deal after being convicted for injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission and endangering a child. Ken Branca A San Antonio area man accused of injecting methamphetamine into a 1-year-old baby who was severely injured in November has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Bexar County sheriffs deputies arrested Dustin Michael Lawrence, 31, and the childs mother, Amanda Kelley Mann, 32, on Nov. 5, 2023, after the child was taken to a hospital with severe burns. Amanda Kelley Mann, 32, was charged with charged with endangering a child, endangering a child risking bodily injury and related offenses. She is still awaiting trial. Bexar County Sheriff's Office Lawrence pleaded no contest on Aug. 15 to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission and one count of endangering a child. He was convicted on each charge and sentenced to 15 years in prison on the injury case in a state jail facility and two years on the charge of endangering a child. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Two other state jail felony charges against Lawrence were taken into consideration and dismissed as part of the plea agreement, court records indicate. Lawrence will receive credit for serving 285 days in the Bexar County jail. Each sentence will run concurrently. He will have to serve seven and a half years of his total sentence before he is eligible for parole. Mann is currently charged with endangering a child, injury to a child by omission and abandoning and endangering a child with intent. Court records indicate she was released on bond and is awaiting trial in the 399th District Court. At a November news conference, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the couple had been living in a filthy RV with six children. He said the 1-year-old was burned on her face and body by boiling liquids on the stove, and that the couple injected the baby with methamphetamine after applying burn ointment on the babys wounds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her parents chose not to seek medical attention for her and instead thought injecting her with methamphetamine would help with the pain, Salazar said. Salazar said the methamphetamine allowed the baby to sleep through the night. The next morning, when the parents removed the bed sheets off the baby, the babys skin stuck to the sheets, he said. More than a day after the initial burn, the baby developed trouble breathing, and the couple performed chest compressions, Salazar said. They eventually called a family friend, who convinced them to take the child to a hospital, Salazar said. In my estimation, these people knew they were going to be in huge trouble, and so they decided to keep it quiet, Salazar said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lawrences defense attorney, Monica E. Guerrero, disputes Salazars original claim that the baby was injected with methamphetamine. She said there was no indication from the babys medical records that what was asserted occurred. However, there was evidence that the children in the home were exposed to the drug, Guerrero said. At the time, investigators had not yet determined if the spill was accidental or intentional. The sheriff said one other child, a 6-year-old boy, tested positive for methamphetamine, and that investigators were trying to figure out the circumstances. All of the children were removed from the home by Child Protective Services. Lawrence remains in custody at the Bexar County jail as of Thursday. The Bexar County Sheriffs Office did not respond to a request for comment. Courtyard by Marriott, a part of Marriott Bonvoys portfolio of over 30 brands, has announced the opening of its first hotel in the Holy City of Makkah. Nestled in the prestigious Ajyad Street, the hotel is a five-minute drive from the Al Haram area and the Masjid Al Harram. Courtyard by Marriott Makkah promises modern comfort and convenience for travellers, and aims to set new benchmarks for hospitality in the market with its fresh perspective and exceptional service. It caters to a diverse range of travellers, from spiritual pilgrims to business visitors. The Courtyard by Marriott brand has the largest global footprint among Marriott Bonvoys portfolio of over 30 brands, focusing on thoughtful, sophisticated design elements and amenities, providing guests with an elevated experience to relax and recharge. Fuelled by passion, the brand continues to evolve to meet guests needs, providing opportunities for guests to pursue their passions. "Introducing the first Courtyard by Marriott in the Holy City of Makkah is a significant milestone for the brand, said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President, Premium & Select Brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. This growth reflects our dedication to exceptional design and heartfelt service, ensuring guests enjoy unique experiences that honor the essence of Makkah." Courtyard by Marriott Makkah features 438 carefully designed rooms, including 20 expansive suites. All rooms and suites are designed to offer a peaceful stay, blending modern style with maximum comfort. Additionally, its modern lobby provides guests with versatile spaces for both socializing and relaxation. Culinary delights await guests at the K&B restaurant, an all-day dining venue spanning two expansive floors with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. In addition to this premier dining experience, guests can enjoy the chic lobby cafe. For those seeking a quick delight, The Market offers a convenient grab-and-go concept. Courtyard by Marriott Makkah ensures seamless connectivity to the Holy Mosque with a complimentary 24/7 shuttle service, facilitating effortless access to sacred sites. The hotel features an ultramodern fitness centre and distinct prayer rooms for males and females, catering to the spiritual and physical well-being of its esteemed guests. The expansive parking facility spans three levels and includes 55 slots, equipped with two EV charging ports and designated disabled parking spaces, addressing the diverse needs of all guests. "We are thrilled to open the Courtyard by Marriott Makkah and bring a new level of hospitality to the Holy City," commented Hassan Warda, General Manager at the Courtyard by Marriott Makkah. "With our unique dining options, state-of-the-art facilities, and proximity to the Holy Mosque, we are confident that our guests will have a memorable and fulfilling stay. We are particularly proud to offer a property that caters to the needs of both spiritual pilgrims and business travellers, ensuring everyone feels at home during their visit to Makkah." TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia and the Maldives have taken a decisive step towards enhancing aviation safety and security, particularly in the area of water aerodromes and seaplanes. This was following a high-level visit by Captain Mohamed Ameed, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation from the Maldives. This visit to the Red Sea region was a key moment in Saudi-Maldives relations, underscored by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia and the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority. Enhanced cooperation The MoU establishes a framework for enhanced cooperation, focusing on the development of safety and security regulations for water aerodromes and seaplanes that align with international best practices. The event was hosted by Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabias Minister of Transport and Logistics, along with Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA within the Red Sea project. The Red Sea is a giga project being developed by Red Sea Global, which is dedicated to creating world-class sustainable tourism destinations. The project itself is anchored by the cutting-edge Red Sea International Airport. The airport is fast becoming a key gateway for luxury tourism, further cementing Saudi Arabias status as a global leader in innovation and sustainable development. The visit culminated in a shared commitment to minimising the environmental impact of aviation through innovative regulatory frameworks and strengthened international cooperation.--TradeArabia News Service Friendly greeting: Police Commissioner Erla Christopher greets Fr Eric Thompson yesterday as she arrives for an interfaith service held by the T&T Police Service at St Thomas Anglican Church, Chaguanas. The service marked the 69th anniversary of the Celebration of Women in the Police Service. Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY Hyatt farse and outta place. The audacity of them. Saying that in this country they are not Ginseng in NE China's Changbai Mountain grows into 'gold mine' People's Daily Online) 09:51, August 30, 2024 Photo shows ginseng berries in Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) After a summer of abundant rainfall, ginseng plants deep in the Changbai Mountains have grown vigorously. These plants are about to undergo a remarkable transformation as they are harvested by the so-called "mountain men." In recent days, Sun Liangzhu, a master ginseng hunter, and his apprentices have been venturing deep into the forest to "release the mountains" a term used in the Changbai Mountain region to describe the tradition of gathering wild ginseng, now listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Sun Liangzhu, head of a wild ginseng digging team, calls out to his team members after finding ginseng in Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) Selecting the best location, preparing ropes, and carefully observing the growth of the ginseng... "This year, the weather in Changbai Mountain has been favorable, and the ginseng is growing well," predicts Sun, looking at the lush flowers on the "five-leaf" ginseng plants. The Changbai Mountain region is China's main ginseng-producing area. At that latitude, with specific slope angles and light conditions due to the density of trees, ginseng thrives. In 2023, Jilin Province harvested 34,000 tonnes of ginseng, and the comprehensive output value of the industry grew by 10.3 percent year-on-year, exceeding 70 billion yuan ($9.83 billion) for the first time. Photo shows a lush forest in Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. The forest provides a suitable environment for ginseng growth. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) King of all herbs Recently, the Changbai Mountain region has entered its peak tourist season, and ginseng specialty stores in Fusong county, a major ginseng-producing county at the foot of the mountains, have entered their busiest sales period. "This display cabinet contains wild ginseng over 15 years old, each certified by the 'Changbai Mountain Ginseng Brand'. You can buy with confidence," says Chen Qiang, manager of a ginseng specialty store in Fusong. Chen Qiang has been involved in the ginseng trade since childhood, following in his father's footsteps. He greets customers with a smile, saying, "Nowadays, the ginseng industry is thriving, and prices are good. This little ginseng plant has led us merchants to a better-off life." Photo shows a ginseng root from Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) Although the current prices are "good," ginseng, known as the "king of all herbs," once sold for the price of a common vegetable in its main producing areas. "In those days, every household produced and sold ginseng independently, blindly expanding planting areas and using pesticides and fertilizers with high residues. As a result, not only did yields not increase, but quality also declined," explained Chen Qiang. "Because the ginseng did not meet the standards required by pharmaceutical companies, it could only be sold at the price of a common vegetable." Living near valuable resources without receiving a decent income, the situation improved significantly after Jilin Province launched the "Changbai Mountain Ginseng Revitalization Project". "The government formed a Changbai Mountain Ginseng Planting Alliance, and soon experts came to us and said, 'If you want to improve the quality and yield of your ginseng, you must adopt standardized cultivation. Let us teach you how to do it properly,'" recalled Chen Qiang, who was initially skeptical. "I've been planting ginseng for over 30 years; could they have more experience than me?" However, Chen Qiang was eventually convinced. "The alliance provided us with comprehensive technical guidance, teaching us how to apply green fertilizer correctly, how to prevent freezing, adjust temperature and lighting, and introducing us to new techniques." Now, Chen Qiang no longer fears pesticide tests with quality assurance, prices have steadily increased. Photo shows a demonstration zone of ginseng seed breeding in Fusong county, Baishan city, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) From planting to selling ginseng, Chen Qiang is busier than ever. "The implementation of the 'one ginseng one code' traceability platform, cracking down on counterfeit products, and maximum penalties have helped regulate the market, allowing us ginseng farmers to focus on our business with peace of mind." Chen Qiang is optimistic about the future prices and quality of ginseng. The power of a single market Early in the morning, the Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market in Wanliang township, Fushan county, is already bustling with buyers and sellers. Photo shows Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market in Wanliang township, Fusong county, Baishan city, northeast China's Jilin Province. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Fusong county committee) "Fresh ginseng is delicate and dries easily in high temperatures, so it needs to be sold early. But cultivated ginseng is different; farmers usually harvest it during the day, and transactions often concentrate in the afternoon or even become livelier at night," Zhang Guohong, manager of the market, explained. During peak trading seasons, over 50,000 people come to the Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market daily, with an annual ginseng transaction volume exceeding 40,000 tonnes, accounting for about 80 percent of the total national volume, and a transaction value of 8 billion yuan. "It's not an exaggeration to say that the Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market can influence global ginseng prices," said Zhang proudly. Zhang recalled that in the past, villagers had to carry sacks of ginseng around the country to sell, and it was difficult to find the same buyer from one year to the next. Whether the ginseng sold well depended entirely on luck. Photo shows ginseng roots from Changbai Mountain, northeast China's Jilin Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) Selling ginseng individually far from home did not form a market mechanism. Therefore, the local ginseng masters led the establishment of a centralized market in Wanliang township, where there were many ginseng farmers and convenient transportation, gradually turning it into a hub for ginseng transactions. In 2005, the Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market was relocated and expanded under government leadership. Today, in the 16,800-square-meter trading hall, over 200 ginseng products are sold, reaching markets in more than 30 countries and regions, including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. "In recent years, the Changbai Mountain Ginseng Market has introduced quality testing, a quotation center, a big data center, and a multimedia information center, keeping the old market up-to-date with new demands," said Zhang. This year, an investment of 240 million yuan has been made to build a ginseng specialty town industrial park, which will integrate warehousing, processing, sales, research and development, testing, and incubation of small and medium-sized enterprises into a complete industrial chain. A fresh face facing the world For many people in Jilin, there is always a glass jar filled with ginseng soaking in alcohol at home. The jar is filled with ginseng roots with long tendrils, emitting a strong aroma of fermented grains. Only during holidays would elders pour a little bit of the liquor to savor its exquisite taste. Today, ginseng is presented to the world in a different way. "After years of development and research, ginseng is no longer just a medicinal plant. Its active components, after processing, can be applied to various fields, and ginseng skincare products are typical examples," says Chen Yinghong, a chief pharmacist at the Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences. At a company based in Fusong county, Baishan city, Jilin Province, ginseng cosmetics are sold worldwide. Photo shows the warehouse of a company based in Ji'an city, Jilin Province. The company has developed over 600 ginseng-related skincare and cosmetic products. (People's Daily Online/Li Yang) "We have developed over 150 ginseng skincare products and opened more than 1,500 specialty stores nationwide, receiving very positive feedback from the market," says Zheng Zupeng, an executive at the company. In addition to skincare products, Jilin Province has also developed over 1,000 products through deep processing, including ginseng foods, medicines, health supplements, and biological products. "We blend Changbai Mountain ginseng with Changbai Mountain honey, making it tasty and easy to carry, ready to eat anytime," explained Zong Shuwei, an executive at a company working on edible ginseng uses. The powder and lozenge product has been well received in the market. "Tear open the packaging, put a ginseng lozenge in your mouth, and the sweetness of the honey leaves a lingering fragrance of ginseng." Strengthening the Changbai Mountain ginseng industry relies heavily on technological support. Currently, Jilin Province is extending the deep-processing industry chain, accelerating the diversified development of ginseng in multiple fields, continuously improving the efficiency and added value of the ginseng industry, and striving to build it into a 100-billion-yuan advantageous industry. "We must mobilize the entire province's efforts, starting from the source, guiding industry self-discipline, and better cultivating and maintaining the ginseng brand, truly making the 'golden signboard' of Changbai Mountain Ginseng shine brighter," said a Jilin Province leader. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) 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. A Tucson man on the run since being questioned in the suspicious death of his 4-year-old daughter has been apprehended. Nathan Aaron Peru, 30, fled during an investigation into the March death of his daughter. He was apprehended Thursday afternoon, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. About 7:20 a.m. March 16, deputies were called to a house in the 4200 block of North Flowing Wells Road for a reported medical emergency involving the girl's possible drowning, the release said. The girl was unresponsive and died at the scene. The initial investigation revealed the child died under suspicious circumstances, authorities have said. Peru was about to be arrested when he fled in a stolen city vehicle. Peru was wanted on suspicion of two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and theft of means of transportation, the release said. On Thursday, multiple units from the sheriff's department as well as the U.S. Marshals Service helped find and apprehend Peru in the city's Flowing Wells area. He was unarmed and taken into custody without incident, the release said. The Arizona Board of Regents approved a preliminary budget request for the state universities and their programs totaling $632.2 million. The board voted Thursday to send the request to Gov. Katie Hobbs for her fiscal year 2026 overall state budget proposal to the Legislature. Fiscal year 2026 starts on July 1, 2025. The university system has developed a 2026 budget request that affirms its promise to Arizona to increase postsecondary access and attainment for Arizona students while increasing quality, affordability and efficiency, ABORs budget proposal states. This budget request focuses state investment on widening educational opportunity and producing the workforce and economic investments that are needed in Arizona. ABOR is requesting the governor grant the board $23.2 million for operational funding, $130 million to fund the AZ Healthy Tomorrow program, $150 million for opportunity economy, $129 million for educational affordability and $200 million for capital investment. The requests come after the universities faced a $96.9 million reduction in state appropriations in this years state budget. That includes cuts of $23.2 million to general appropriations; just under $8 million cut for the University of Arizonas main campus and health sciences center; nearly $11 million cut from Arizona State University and $4 million from Northern Arizona University. The universities are diligently working to operationalize those changes without undermining the quality and impact of their efforts, but it will be impossible to avoid negative outcomes, according to the boards proposal. Healthy Tomorrow Program The Arizona Healthy Tomorrow program, run by ABOR, is meant to double the graduates at the UA medical schools, as well as help pay for the creation of medical schools at ASU and NAU. The $130 million requested by ABOR in next years budget for the program would not only expand the UAs College of Medicine in Phoenix and Tucson, but also expedite the development of ASU Health, which will include a medical school, a school of advanced medical engineering and a health observatory. Additionally, the money would go to expanding NAUs allied health offerings and to continued exploration of the idea of a medical school focused on primary care and service to rural communities. That money may be crucial in addressing the states doctor shortage. According to research by the UA Center for Rural Health, Arizona had a shortage of 560 primary care physicians last year and 1,941 more will be needed by 2030 because of retirements, population increases, higher rates of chronic disease and an aging population. Arizona is ranked 42nd in the country in total active primary care physicians, meeting just 39% of its need, according to the UA Center for Rural Health. Increasing affordability, access The board is asking for a bump in funding for the Arizona Promise Program, which provides full scholarships to Pell-grant-eligible Arizona high schoolers with a GPA of at least 2.5 to ASU, NAU and the UA. The program is an unfunded mandate, meaning even with this years cuts of $20 million, the universities still must provide scholarships. Now, ABOR is asking the governor to propose $115 million for the program for fiscal 2026. This which would reverse the (fiscal year) 2025 budget reduction and fully fund need-based aid for those students who are eligible under current guidelines, the board said. Additionally, the board is asking for funding to the Arizona Teachers Academy, which offers full tuition coverage for students who agree to teach in Arizona schools after graduating from one of the three state universities or a handful of two-year colleges, including Pima Community College. This year, the programs state funding was cut by $15 million. The program, which guarantees a job after graduation, helps address the states teacher shortage. According to the Arizona Personnel Administrators Association, there were more than 9,600 teaching positions open for the 2022-23 school year. After one month into the school year, the organization reported that almost one-third of teaching positions remained unfilled. Of the open spot, 42% were filled by teachers who did not meet the standard teaching requirements. In March, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said the teacher shortage was a potential catastrophe requiring immediate attention. Workforce, innovation, technology The board is requesting $150 million in this category to expand programs that equip students with the skills needed for emerging industries, particularly in technology, healthcare and sustainably energy while also strengthening university research, enhancing partnerships between universities and the private sector and upgrading facilities to better suit and support research opportunities. Capital investment The $200 million the board is requesting in capital investments would go to building and infrastructure repairs and renovations, which is an acute need, as the unfunded state building renewal formula calculation for the universities was $241.5 million this year. So you want to grill or smoke some meat this Labor Day, but you arent sure where to start? Weve got you covered. Some of Oklahomas best barbecue cooks and thats saying a lot shared tips of the trade that will surely take your cooking up a notch or two. We talked to Donny Teel of Buffalos Barbecue in Sperry, Almead Stutts of Stutts House of Barbecue in Tulsa, Adam Green of Macs BBQ in Skiatook, Joe Davidson of Oklahoma Joes Bar-B-Cue and Catering group, and Levi Bouska of Butcher BBQ in Wellston. Thats a whole lot of barbecue expertise, right there. If they cant help you, no one can. Heres what they had to say: If I want to get into barbecue on a limited budget, where do I start? Bouska: I always tell people the most versatile smoker/grill you can get is a Weber Kettle. You can always pick up used ones for pretty cheap. Get you some charcoal, and youre off to the races. Davidson: There are a plethora of opening price point smokers and grills that are great launch pads into barbecue. Take into consideration the size of your family and friends you want to cook for. Then, if you want to go old school and traditional, get a charcoal and wood-burning unit or a gas/pellet unit. I like the Oklahoma Joe Highland because you can grill and smoke on this traditional smoker at a good price. Green: Grill type and budget dont matter too much when you are getting started. Hop on Facebook Marketplace and find something used that matches what style of barbecue you are into. I am a firm believer in Its not the cooker, its the cook. If you can learn to cook barbecue on a budget, then you can further perfect the craft when you save up for the more expensive barbecue toys. Stutts: My experience has been limited to a smoker for my 31 years of business. Smokers are more expensive, so I recommend you get the best grill you can afford. If you can get a smoker, make sure it is well insulated. Teel: Go to a place that sells grills, smokers and get what you can afford. Take it home, build a fire in it. Get you a can of cheap biscuits, spread them out on the grate, see how it cooks. You can find your sweet spot and where hot and cool spots are. Biscuits are cheap compared to a $100 brisket. When did you start cooking and why? Bouska: Cooking burgers over a PK Grill with my Papa in the backyard. I was probably around 5 or 6 years old. Davidson: In college because I was hungry and loved to cook outdoors. Green: I have cooked off and on all my life. Barbecue became a true passion while dating my wife and watching my mentor and father-in-law at competitions. Stutts: I started cooking at the age of 12. Mom was sick for two years. My dad worked and tried to take care of all other aspects of the home, so he taught us to cook. Teel: Been cooking since my teens but started competitively in 1996. Still doing it 28 years later. A cooking contest is my therapy. If youre cooking for the president, what are you making? Bouska: I would probably smoke some ribs or tri tip. Davidson: Beef is the king of barbecue! I would cook some barbecue brisket burnt ends, beef plate ribs, barbecue beans, fried okra and finish up with some cherry bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Green: I would go with the classics. Ribs, barbecue beans and potato salad. These are all my favorites. Stutts: Succulent baby back ribs, flavorful beef brisket, smoky moist chicken, smoky bologna, spicy links, old-fashioned potato salad, secret recipe baked beans, creamy cole slaw, top it off with our much-requested sweet potato pie or famous buttermilk pie. Teel: Smoked bologna, if youre from Oklahoma. Thats a staple of our state. Also would cook prime rib. What is the most common mistake amateurs make? Bouska: I would say most of the time just patience but remember the beautiful thing about barbecue and live fire is you get to eat your mistakes. Davidson: Not building a big enough fire in the firebox to maintain a good steady cooking temperature. Green: Meat selection and fire management are the things that really made life easier along the way. If you can nail these two things down early on, it will make everything that much easier. Stutts: Amateurs underestimate the budget. Teel: Thinking they need smoke chugging out the exhaust, that is the worst thing. A good clean fire is the way to go. Fire management is key to being good at your craft. What is Oklahoma-style barbecue? Bouska: The sun rises over Texas and sets in KC, but its gotta shine on Oklahoma for a while in that time. So I think its more of a melting pot of a bunch of different methods thats married together into OK style. Davidson: We are in the center of the barbecue belt, and there is a fine line between the styles of Kansas City and Texas barbecue. Oklahoma barbecue is the perfect blend of savory, sweet and pecan smoky with a hint of heat. Green: Oklahoma-style barbecue is a more difficult answer for me. What makes Oklahoma barbecue awesome to me is that none of the great barbecue spots are set on a specific style and they all do unique twists on barbecue. From a traditional standpoint maybe, I would say using pecan wood, a good table barbecue sauce, not too sweet, not too much vinegar, simple well done homemade sides. I gotta have the classics: barbecue beans, potato salad and coleslaw anything is just a bonus. Then again, thats just my opinion. Bologna is a staple for most spots, although I wont say that someone is wrong for not having it on their menu. ... I dont think there is a real right or wrong answer. A true pitmaster will put out great barbecue, and their regional preferences and labels be damned. Stutts: Oklahoma-style barbecue is smoking with wood produced by any tree that bears nuts for a favorable smoky taste. Teel: I have always said, picture a barbecue sandwich top bun being Kansas City, the bottom bun being Texas, all the good stuff is in the middle, and thats Oklahoma. Smoked bologna is a Okie thing. Other than your own, what is your favorite local barbecue place? Bouska: Man that is tough I really enjoy going to Macs BBQ in Skiatook, Edge Craft in OKC and Phat Tabbs in Idabel. Davidson: Hands down Buffalo BBQ in Sperry, Oklahoma. Green: Picking a favorite barbecue restaurant is another tough question. I will mention two of them: Buffalos BBQ in Sperry and Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston. Both are incredible people and pitmasters. Stutts: Oklahoma Style BBQ. Teel: For me, all the places in our area that I have ate at are special in their own way. I like eating at Macs and Lukes, but is hard to get to some of their places since we all pretty much have same hours. What is the most underrated cut of meat? Why? Bouska: Man, I love a good Delmonico (Chuck eye poor mans ribeye) or a Teres Major (the mock tender) is the second-most tender muscle on a cow. Its located in the shoulder clod. Davidson: Barbecue bologna. But its a processed meat, not a cut, so now I will go to one of my favorite cuts: a flat-iron steak where only two come from an entire beef shoulder. Cooked hard and fast, they are spectacular served medium rare. Green: I dont know if I think it is underrated, but turkey breast is one of my favorite things to eat right now. Stutts: Pork loin. Need to be so careful not to overcook and dry out. Teel: Sirloin, its one of my favorite things to cook, either steak or as a roast. Its not easy to cook; most people say its dry and it has some more chew to it than other steaks. But a properly cooked sirloin is hard to beat. I cooked some at the lake and everyone went crazy over them. What is the best smoking wood for brisket? For chicken? For pork? Bouska: This is a loaded question because I always tell people to use whatever wood is native to their region or area or what is available. Im not saying some woods arent better than others, but I would suggest stick to hard woods or a fruit wood. Davidson: For pork, pecan, pecan, pecan with a hint of mesquite on the chicken. Green: Pecan wood is the most accessible for us Okies and puts out a nice mild smoke flavor. Cherry wood is always a go-to for me when Im smoking meat at home. Stutts: Hickory and pecan woods. Teel: Mix of some pecan and mostly cherry. Why is my brisket not coming out right? Bouska: The newspaper isnt long enough to figure this question out. Davidson: Because its a big tough cut of beef, and it takes time and patience to make it right. Smoke it at 275 with indirect heat and smoke for about five hours when it reaches 145 internal temperature, then wrap in foil and continue to cook for another four to five hours until it reaches around 195 internal and when your temperature gauge goes into it like hot butter. Then pull off the smoker and let stand unwrapped for one hour while the internal juices suck back into the brisket like a sponge, then open up your masterpiece to serve. Green: There could be a lot of reasons. Poor fire management, poor meat quality, pulling your brisket off too early or too late. Ask lots of questions, practice tons, and learn your smokers sweet spot, i.e. whats a natural temperature that your smoker sits well at, what are your smokers hot spots and cold spots. Dont be afraid to have those conversations at your favorite barbecue spot with the pitmasters. Most of them like talking barbecue when they have the time. Stutts: You must have the right ratio of lean meat and fat. Not enough fat, meat is too dry. Too much fat, not enough flavorful meat. Improve your rub. Cook slow at the right temperature and long enough. Teel: Most people make two mistakes on brisket: Not cooking to high enough internal temperature, then slicing it the wrong way. Which is more important: A good rub recipe? A good sauce recipe? Having a good grill/smoker? Bouska: I think a good grill or smoker is probably the most important thing, but on an overall scale, all three of these things are equally important in their own way. I always think that meat selection and quality is always the most important thing. Davidson: Absolutely a good smoker. There are hundreds of great rubs and sauce. Focus on your equipment, cooking style and feel. Once you get that down, then play with spice and sauces. Green: Rubs and sauces are key, mostly rubs. For me, the sauce is there if you want it, and I personally dont put sauce on everything. You can smoke kickass barbecue on a salvage drum (I watched Mac do it). Really cool equipment is a bonus, and it can make your life much easier. It is not, however, a requirement for great barbecue. Again, Its not the cooker, its the cook. Stutts: A good smoker/grill. If not smoked well, the rub nor sauce will make up for the authentic taste of the meat. Teel: To me, its none of things you asked. You can have the best of all things, but if you are not good at fire management, nothing will be good even with the best stuff. Right amount of smoke and keeping your temperature constant is most important in cooking anything. Federal agents fanned out across San Antonio this week in a crackdown on firearms trafficking. One of their stops was a Northeast Side apartment where Sina Chohili Sobby lived. They had a warrant for his arrest. An agent shot Sobby, 22, to death on Tuesday after Sobby allegedly pointed a gun at him, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sina Sobby's sister says he was 'a bright light in this world.' Sobby, 22, was shot dead this week by an ATF agent who went to his San Antonio apartment to conduct a search. Sobby allegedly pointed a gun at the agent. Samuel Corum/Getty Images Authorities said Sobby was mixed up with a weapons trafficking ring. An online fundraiser led by Sobby's twin sister, however, depicts him in a very different light. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the GoFundMe, Tina Sobby describes her brother as "a bright light in this world," a man with "a kind heart, a contagious laugh, and an unwavering love for those around him. "He touched so many lives with his warmth and generosity, always ready to lend a hand or share a smile," she wrote. "The funds raised will go directly towards covering funeral expenses, memorial services, and any outstanding medical bills. Any remaining funds will be used to support Sinas father, as you all know he has always worked so hard to support our dad. Help ensure his legacy lives on in a way that continues to help others." The GoFundMe had a goal of $10,000. As of Friday morning, donors had contributed more than $12,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As part of the federal crackdown, dubbed Operation Texas Kill Switch, agents arrested a dozen people on felony charges of possessing a stolen firearm, possessing a machine gun, dealing in firearms without a license and firearms trafficking. 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," said Robert Topper, an ATF assistant special agent in charge. Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques 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 A consent decree intended to help fix failing mental health services for jail inmates was being negotiated with the Governors Office, lawyers in the case said, before Gov. Kevin Stitt called a meeting to publicly criticize and disavow the agreement. According to Paul DeMuro, who represents plaintiffs in a civil rights case against the state of Oklahoma over competency restoration for inmates and drafted the decree, he and his team have been working closely with the Governors Office to address any concerns about the consent decree. I believe that the Governors Office is looking at this issue and the consent decree in good faith, DeMuro said in a phone interview Thursday with the Tulsa World. And Im hopeful that we can come to a resolution without much more delay. But if not, one way or the other, were going to win. Stitt called a meeting of the Contingency Review Board on Wednesday to discuss the consent decree and allow the director of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to share her concerns. The consent decree would bring an end to a lawsuit alleging that the Mental Health Department violated prisoners due process rights by not providing timely competence restoration services to those who were deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. According to DeMuro, multiple false claims were made by Mental Health Department Director Allie Friesen during the Wednesday meeting. DeMuro said her claims are strikingly false and are completely betrayed by even a cursory reading of the text of the consent decree. During the meeting Friesen claimed that the consent decree would prevent her department from operating in-jail competency restoration services. She said this is because the decree mandates the creation of a pilot in-jail competency restoration program in two counties. DeMuro said the required creation of this pilot program does not prevent the department from providing competency services to people in other counties. In the meeting on Wednesday, the increased cost burden of the consent decree plan was brought up multiple times by Friesen and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. But DeMuro said the government cannot deny people their constitutional rights merely because it is less expensive to do so. DeMuro says he believes that the governor is negotiating in good faith partially because of a veto message he released in 2023. Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 552, which was put forward by the previous mental health commissioner, Carrie Slatton-Hodges, to address the issue. In his veto message, Stitt said, We must do a better job addressing rampant mental health issues plaguing our society. This includes taking a hard look at the methods and structures being used to restore to competency those criminal defendants who may be afflicted by mental health disorders. Although this Bill is well intended, it is not the right solution at this time. At the end of his message, Stitt urged stakeholders, such as district attorneys, law enforcement officials, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and other mental health professionals, to collaborate to find a solution to the issue of competency restoration. DeMuro says this is exactly what the team was doing when it put together the settlement agreement that is being debated. The Governors Office confirmed that it has been negotiating with DeMuro but believes that the small changes it has been able to negotiate are insufficient. The office also said Wednesdays meeting was necessary to allow the governor to discuss the decree with other members of the Contingency Review Board, which will have to vote on the consent decree if it is approved by the judge. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has been a key figure in negotiating the settlement, declined to comment on the Contingency Review Board meeting, which he did not attend. He has said multiple times that if Oklahoma does not come to some settlement, the state will lose the case in court. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques 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 The Tulsa Police Department is celebrating a new law that a detective at the agency requested to make it easier for officers to arrest abusers being sheltered in someone elses residence. Senate Bill 1660, which takes effect Nov. 1, allows warrants like this only for a person who has a confirmed felony arrest warrant or misdemeanor arrest warrant for domestic assault and battery. Without this kind of warrant, police said, violent offenders can stay with a third party who has no relation to the crime and use their property as a kind of safe haven. It obviously hamstrings us when we have a violent suspect with a felony warrant thats able to hide out in a building or residence or wherever, and then we dont have the legal authority to arrest that suspect, said Tulsa Police Lt. Justin Ritter, who attended a Feb. 6 Senate committee meeting at which the bill was discussed. Thats a problem. Adam Derycke was the Tulsa police officer who first brought this issue forward, the agency said. The detective spoke about the proposed legislation during the legislative committee. The Fourth Amendment protects the interests of the third party at that residence, Derycke said to lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Were merely asking permission from the court, presented before a magistrate, to enter that residence merely to apprehend that person with an active warrant for their arrest. SB 1660 was brought to the floor by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. Judiciary Committee member Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, expressed concern about the privacy of the third party and opposed the legislation. Ritter said warrants like these are referred to as a Steagald warrant, named after a U.S. Supreme Court case about the legality of police searching for a person in a third-party residence. SB 1660 allows for a search warrant to be issued for a person suspected of domestic violence form whom a felony arrest warrant has been issued. It gives officers the legal right to search a property where they believe the suspect to be, even if that property is not owned by the suspect. This warrant still must be issued by a judge, and officers must show probable cause for their belief that a suspect is in the property they intend to search. This is aimed at violent offenders that need to be arrested, not minor warrants like for traffic violations, Ritter said in a Tulsa World interview. Ritter and Derycke returned to Oklahoma City earlier this month for the ceremonial signing of SB 1660. It was just a law that we didnt have here in the state, that other states have had on the books for quite some time, Ritter said. The Tulsa World is where your story lives The German Business Association (GBA) on Thursday successfully held its inaugural GBA Gala Dinner & Business Awards at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection in Ho Chi Minh City to recognize and celebrate exceptional businesses across various sectors, including Green Business, Business Innovation, SME Excellence, CSR Achievement, and Young Innovation. The event was graced by the presence of 200 members and special guests, namely Dr. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General, Dominik Meichle, chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, along with jury members and the award contenders. Opening the event, Alexander Ziehe, chairman of GBA, stated, The GBA Business Awards were conceived to celebrate the collective excellence of the GBA community, recognizing outstanding contributions in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. This event honors the strength, resilience, and forward-thinking spirit of businesses, showcasing their dedication to innovation and commitment to excellence despite global challenges. Dr. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General, speaks at the inaugural GBA Gala Dinner & Business Awards in Ho Chi Minh City, August 29, 2024. German companies tend to not only excel in their industries or be hidden champions offering unique solutions, but they stand for quality, innovation, sustainability, and corporate responsibility, Dr. Wallat remarked at the celebration. The GBA Awards recognize all of these qualities and are a testament to the strong relationship between Germany and Vietnam. The GBA Business Awards featured 32 companies competing in four categories: Green Business of the Year, Business Innovation, SME Excellence, and CSR Achievement. The top three winners in the Green Business, Business Innovation, and SME Excellence categories will advance as nominees for the EuroCham Business Awards in October. The champions of the GBA Business Awards 2024 are: * Green Business of the Year: Nestle won a prestigious award for its outstanding water management sustainability efforts across its supply chain, operations, and communities. Through initiatives like the NESCAFE Plan and the LAWACO project, the company has significantly reduced water usage, improved water efficiency in factories, and increased access to safe water and sanitation in local communities, earning recognition for responsible water stewardship. * Business Innovation Award: Bosch Vietnam was honored for introducing a solution that leverages digital twin technology and predictive maintenance to optimize industrial assets, enhance productivity, and provide a competitive edge. * SME Excellence Award: PALLAS BrandFare received the award by collaborating with technology providers to refine strategies for launching and promoting products with limited resources, introducing new customizable solutions like StrategiX BrandFare and Digital BrandFare, and launching modular training sessions to help companies optimize marketing and branding efforts amidst cautious investment climates. * CSR Achievement Award: Super Energy Corporation has achieved notable success in Corporate Social Responsibility through scholarships for disadvantaged students, health insurance coverage, water filtration projects, and seasonal gift-giving, and is also dedicated to environmental sustainability by supporting climate change mitigation, coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement. GBA Business Awards 2004 winners The GBA Young Innovation Award, inspired by the successful GBA Business Challenge launched in 2020, has developed into an exciting platform for Vietnamese students and budding entrepreneurs. This year, 18 submissions were received, each showcasing uniquely inspiring business plans. The top three finalists had the opportunity to present their ideas during the event, with the winner determined by an online vote from participants. They were awarded financial support from the GBA CSR fund to help bring their innovative business ideas to fruition. As a business association, the German Business Association believes that it can make a more sustainable impact by encouraging and mentoring young talents, said Tuan Vi, GBA board member and project leader of the GBA Business Awards. The Young Innovation Award is an effort of the GBA to create and support new start-ups, which later can create jobs, income as well as contribute to the economic development of Vietnam in the long term. Through this initiative, we also want to create a connection between the German business values and Vietnamese entrepreneurship spirit that might open many cooperation and business opportunities in the future. The champion of the GBA Young Innovation Award is the COPEPODS team from the University of Economics and the University of Science and Education, both under the University of Da Nang, who are pioneering a sustainable future for aquaculture. Their business idea is a company that produces high-quality copepods, an ideal food for fish larvae, significantly enhancing survival rates and growth. By supporting fish farmers and promoting a healthy marine ecosystem, COPEPODS exemplifies excellence in quality and innovation. The top three finalists of the GBA Young Innovation Award 2024 The first runner-up of the Young Innovation Award is the DeepVoucher team from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, who are set to transform the voucher ecosystem with their easy-to-create and highly secure voucher system. By leveraging blockchain technology, DeepVoucher reduces costs and boosts system security, paving the way for a more efficient and reliable voucher solution. The second runner-up of the Young Innovation Award is the V-Carbon team from the University of Economics and the University of Science and Education. They offer an effective platform for carbon credit trading, along with advanced software for accurate carbon footprint calculation and monitoring. Their streamlined project management system optimizes the entire carbon credit lifecycle. The GBA Business Awards, having garnered significant success since its inaugural event, can be considered a pivotal moment, establishing what is expected to become an annual tradition dedicated to honoring outstanding businesses within the GBA community. Ho Chi Minh City authorities held a banquet at the headquarters of the municipal Peoples Committee on Thursday evening to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Vietnams National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024). The event featured the attendance of representatives from consulates general, international organizations, economic and cultural offices, foreign business associations, and non-governmental organizations operating in the city, reported the Vietnam News Agency. Speaking at the celebration, chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai presented several of Vietnams achievements since its establishment and throughout its development journey. The municipal Party Committee, Ho Chi Minh City authorities, and residents have all contributed their parts to the nations development process, Mai said. The citys socio-economic development is on the rise, with its economic value doubling over the past decade. Ho Chi Minh Citys gross regional domestic product value in the first six months of 2024 amounted to over VND567 trillion ( US$22.7 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 6.5 percent, and the highest growth in the past three years. Ho Chi Minh City is dedicated to developing a sustainable green economy in order to continue boosting its economic growth while protecting the environment through its efforts to complete a policy framework for the city's green growth strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2050, Mai shared. Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai speaks at a banquet on August 29, 2024 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Vietnams National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024). Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Apart from its economic achievements, Ho Chi Minh City has become an important diplomatic player. Since the start of the year, the city has greeted over 30 high-ranking delegations from other nations and held 100 meetings with foreign guests. These meetings centered around cooperation in sustainable economic development, climate change response, smart urban building, and several key projects in the city, demonstrating the citys importance and position to international friends. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General and Head of the consular corps in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks at a banquet on August 29, 2024 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Vietnams National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024). Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Ho Chi Minh City will host the second Friendship Dialogue and the fifth Economic Forum in September. Both are expected to spur the citys growing diplomatic significance. Josefine Wallat, German Consul General and Head of the consular corps in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed her admiration for the citys impressive post-COVID-19 economic recovery. We are willing to contribute to Ho Chi Minh Citys economic development by fostering bilateral trade cooperation and promoting high-ranking talks, as well as through our countries enterprises which are doing business in the city, creating jobs for locals, and paying taxes, she said. Ho Chi Minh City leaders and officials pose for a group photo with guests at a banquet on August 29, 2024 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Vietnams National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024). Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Northside ISD board, shown meeting in 2022, is considering expanding its operating procedures to include the ability to censure trustees. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Northside Independent School District board members are looking at possible ways they might censure fellow trustees for misconduct and have asked for examples of such a policy. The issue came up during an annual review this week of the boards operating procedures, nearly a year after the driving while intoxicated arrest of a board member, Karla Duran. The charge was dismissed in February at the request of a special prosecutor, though Durans critics have continued to call on trustees to censure or remove her. At least one trustee at Tuesdays discussion referred obliquely to the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the boards president, Bobby Blount, later said the talk of adding a censure option was unrelated Duran. Its not really about her, Blount said. Its about the board and what we do. Northside ISD board president Bobby Blount greets educators at Sul Ross Middle School in 2023. The board is considering whether to give itself the ability to censure trustees, and Blount said trustees should think carefully about how it would be implemented. KIN MAN HUI/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS READ MORE: Northside gets its 75th year going with convocation Newly elected Northside ISD trustee Karla Duran is sworn in on May 23, 2023. She said she hasnt decided if shell seek re-election in 2027. Ronald Cortes / Contributor A judge ruled Aug. 15 that Duran can keep her position while a lawsuit is still pending, brought by a district resident, that seeks to remove her from the board under provisions of state law. The plaintiffs attorney plans to seek a jury trial in the fall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Critics have said the Northside ISD board should at least take action similar to the San Antonio City Councils censure of Council Member Marc Whyte in January a reprimand with no tangible consequences after his Dec. 29 DWI arrest. The school districts board policy prevents trustees from demanding Durans resignation directly, and Blount has said any attempt to remove her would require asking a state district judge to order it. Texas allows a school board member to be removed if convicted of any felony or for misdemeanor official misconduct or for intoxication on or off duty caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage. Since her DWI charge was a misdemeanor first offense, any action to remove Duran would have to rely on that last provision. Trustees agreed at a retreat in July to study adding a censure option to the boards operating procedures an action that in some school districts can result in suspension from committees, put pressure on a trustee to resign or even be a first step toward removal from office. Trustees at Tuesdays meeting said a censure provision could be a tool for future board members but also expressed worry that it might harm board relationships. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It bears discussion, but I think this board may have some differing opinions. The process needs to be delineated, trustee Karen Freeman said. There needs to be not only the process in which a board could censure, but perhaps pitfalls that they might want to consider. Can it be something as simple as We feel like youve embarrassed us? asked trustee Corinne Saldana. We dont have to give punishment. Trustee Carol Harle asked if the board could use other wording besides censure. I know my definition of it, and it is like a punishment versus another form of communication or something else, she said. A North East ISD trustee was censured twice in 2019, accused of leaking information from executive sessions. The South San Antonio ISD board has censured three trustees since 2021, citing behavioral issues or meeting absences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Blount said the Northside ISD board needs to develop a definition and scope of any action that runs a risk of isolating a board member, and should probably reserve the action only for egregious behavior. I think its got to be pretty serious before we even think about doing it, he told trustees. Homer Guevara Jr., a Northside ISD board member, addresses teachers and staff at a Back To School Convocation event Aug. 14 to kick off 2024-25 school year. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer READ MORE: School board alliance honors Northside president Northside ISD teachers and school staff attend a Back To School Convocation to kick off 2024-25 school year on Aug. 14. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Board members asked Superintendent John Craft to research the wording of censure policies in other districts and outcomes when they were used. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The discussion gravitated toward news coverage of the district that gets published or broadcast before board members know its coming. Freeman asked if a board policy could require trustees about to be featured in a news report to notify the rest of the board. Following up, Saldana mentioned what happened in September, should we have been notified first? Because it can shock us, Saldana noted, when something comes out in the media that we didnt know about. Duran, who left during the meeting to attend an event, said she regretted missing the discussion on something the board believes it needs so we could move forward. A bilingual educator with experience as a school administrator, teacher and adjunct professor, Duran was backed by the local teachers union when elected last year to an open seat on the board and a four-year term. She said she has renewed passion and commitment to serving, having heard from supporters who want me to continue to represent them, but said said she wasnt sure if shell seek reelection in 2027. Im still trying to do what Ive been elected to do and finish this term strong, Duran said. Blount said he should have announced Durans departure from the meeting to avoid any appearance that she was being excluded from the discussion on a censure option. Vietnam and Thailand have vowed to foster all-round cooperation, increase two-way trade to US$25 billion and elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to the phone talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Thursday. This was the first talks between the two leaders after Shinawatra became the 31st Prime Minister of Thailand, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PM Chinh congratulated Paetongtarn on being endorsed as the PM by the King of Thailand, and extended his regards and best wishes of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to the King, Queen and Royal Family of Thailand. On this occasion, Chinh also sent his regards to the Thai government and people over the recent serious flooding in the northern region of Thailand. He told Paetongtarn that Vietnam always attaches importance to the Vietnam - Thailand relationship and wishes to develop the bilateral ties more strongly, reliably and sustainably. The Thai PM congratulated PM Chinh on Vietnams National Day (September 2) and thanked him for sending her a letter and a phone call in congratulating her assuming her new position. Highlighting Vietnam as a close neighbor and an important partner of her country in the region, the Thai leader highly appreciated Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements. She affirmed his readiness to cooperate with PM Chinh to further promote the effective and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, and for peace and stability in the region. Assessing that the Vietnam-Thailand enhanced strategic partnership is developing strongly and efficiently in all fields, the two PMs agreed that it is necessary to soon upgrade the relationship between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the Vietnam Government Portal (VGP) reported. The Thai leader agreed with PM Chinh on the need of close coordination and removal of difficulties to soon push two-way trade to $25 billion and strengthen connectivity between the two economies through effective implementation of the Three Connectivity strategy, including the connectivity of supply chains, foundational economic sectors, and sustainable growth strategies of the two sides. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is seen during her phone talks with her Vietnamese counterpart on August 29, 2024. Photo: VGP Last year, the bilateral trade reached nearly $19 billion, said Le Huu Phuc, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand. Appreciating Thailand's position as Vietnam's largest trade partner and second largest foreign investor in ASEAN, PM Chinh promised that he will continue to facilitate Thai businesses to do business effectively in Vietnam. Vietnam supports Thailand's Six Countries, One Destination initiative to effectively tap the tourism potential among ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese government chief stated. Commenting that Vietnam and Thailand are two economies that are closely linked and complementary to each other, Shinawatra hoped that the two countries will cooperate to bring into play their advantages to become the main driving forces for economic growth in the region. On discussing with Shinawatra on regional and international issues of mutual concern, Chinh suggested that the two sides continue to cooperate closely, strengthen solidarity promote the central role of ASEAN, support Laos to successfully fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair in 2024, and contribute to sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region. Both nations should also coordinate to maintain ASEANs common stance on the East Vietnam Sea, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region. PM Chinh invited his Thai counterpart to soon pay an official visit to Vietnam and co-chair the fourth Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting, and Shinawatra happily accepted the invitation. As two among the 10 country members of ASEAN, Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976 and entered a strategic partnership in 2013. In July 2015, the two nations issued a joint statement to boost the ties to an enhanced strategic partnership. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hanoi is set to organize nearly 20 exciting tourism events during the upcoming holiday in celebration of Vietnams 79th National Day (September 2), the citys tourism authority announced on Thursday. The four-day public holiday will start from Saturday to Tuesday. Among the key events, a show themed Ao dai [Vietnams traditional long gown] connects tourism with Hanois heritage is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Thang Long Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, and on several streets in Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, and Long Bien Districts. The Vietnamese capital will offer 28,000 gifts, including bread, milk, and water, to visitors at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Monday. Another program entitled Vui Tet Doc Lap (Happy Independence Day), featuring the rich culture of the ethnic groups, will be held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in suburban Hanois Son Tay Town throughout the four-day holiday. Between Sunday and Monday, visitors can enjoy free puppet show performances at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The municipal Department of Tourism asked tourism businesses and service providers to improve the quality of their products and services to better serve tourists They are also required to ensure price transparency, not to pressure or deceive tourists. For further information or any feedback about tourism services and experience, tourists can call the hotline 1800556869. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The expanded Binh Hung wastewater treatment plant, located in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, started its operation on Friday morning, with a capacity of 469,000 cubic meters per day, becoming the largest of its kind in Vietnam. The capacity of the 42-hectare facility was raised from the previous 328,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day. Luong Minh Phuc, director of the citys Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Board, the investor of the project, said that the plant will collect and treat wastewater discharged by some 1.8 million people living in an area of 2,500 hectares in the eight districts. Delegates make a symbolic gesture to open the expanded Binh Hung wastewater treatment plant. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Speaking at the inauguration ceremony for the newly-renovated plant, Bui Xuan Cuong, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, thanked the investor and relevant agencies for their efforts to complete the project. He also expressed his gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency for its support with loans during the implementation of the plant expansion project. Besides, he asked the investor of the project to continue collaborating with relevant units to conduct all procedures to run the plant smoothly. The Binh Hung wastewater treatment plant not only treats sewage but also serves as a green destination with a huge area of trees, a laboratory and an environmental monitoring system. It is expected to become a venue for exploration and education about the environment, according to the investor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A sleeper bus with 36 passengers on board burst into flames while traveling along the Cam Lam - Vinh Hao Expressway in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam on Thursday afternoon. No injuries or deaths were reported. A local police agency was notified of the fire at around 4:45 pm by Nguyen Duc Vu, 55, a driver assistant on the bus, which was registered in the central province of Quang Nam. Dozens of firefighters and two fire trucks were dispatched to the scene of the incident, where they managed to put out the blaze at approximately 5:20 pm the same day. The 44-seater vehicle, driven by Tran Dinh Quoc Phong, a 40-year-old native of Quang Nam, was en route from Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Nam at the time of the fire. No one was injured in the incident but the sleeper bus and all assets inside were destroyed. The cause of the bus fire is currently under investigation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! More than 100 ships will be utilized to serve 4,500 employees from a pharmaceutical firm owned by Indian billionaire Dilip Shangvi in Ha Long City in the northern province of Quang Ninh, according to Vietravel, the travel company responsible for guiding the Indian tourists. Nearly 1,400 Indian employees arrived in Ha Long City on Thursday to tour Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognized world natural heritage site. Vietravel said this first group toured Ha Long Bay on 33 ships with each ship accommodating 20-47 tourists. Meals for them were prepared by Indian chefs who are working at restaurants in Ha Long City. The Indian tourists left Ha Long for Hanoi the same day. The following groups of the company's employees will come to Ha Long between August 29 and September 6. A tour guide (R) introduces the schedule of the trip in Ha Long to Indian tourists. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Nguyen Huyen Anh, director of the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism, said this was the largest-ever group of Indian tourists to visit Ha Long Bay. Quang Ninh expected to provide a warm welcome and leave a good impression on them, Huyen noted, adding that this was a great opportunity for the province to attract more Indian travelers and international tourists as a whole. Shailesh Joshi, a representative of the Indian tourist group, shared that the visit to Ha Long was a wonderful experience. Both Ninh Binh Province which they visited on Wednesday and Ha Long were interesting, he added. He was excited at Vietnams natural landscapes and friendly people, saying that he would share the beautiful images of Vietnam to his relatives and friends so that they can come to Vietnam at least once. He said he would return to Vietnam if he had a chance. The delegation of Indian tourists visited Ha Long Bay on August 29, 2024 and left for Hanoi the same day. Photo: Thanh Thao / Tuoi Tre The delegation of 4,500 Indian guests are employees of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multinational pharmaceutical company founded by billionaire Dilip Shangvi. He booked the tour to show appreciation to the company agents worldwide. The employees, mainly traveling from India but joined by international colleagues, are divided into smaller groups during their tour. Ha Long is among the three destinations in Vietnam of the delegation, besides Hanoi and Ninh Binh. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nguyen Thang, a 29-year-old guitar lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, has ventured into the world of visual arts by self-learning how to craft vivid glass artwork using a hammer. Despite his background in music, Thang's passion for painting led him to experiment with various art forms, including canvas painting, pencil and paint portraits, and graffiti. His latest endeavor involves a unique method of tapping on glass to produce images. In April 2024, he began experimenting with the technique after being inspired by a video he watched of a Swiss artist creating glass art in a shopping mall. Through trial and error, he experimented with different types of glass and hammers in an attempt to create soulful portraits. Nguyen Thang uses a hammer with a pointed end to tap on the surface of laminated glass to create glass art. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News After many failed attempts, Thang learned how to control the hammer's force and angle to achieve the desired effect without shattering the glass. The key is to carefully control the hammer's force, Thang explained. Depending on the hammer's sharpness, each strike will create different crack patterns which I can then guide into a complete image. Thang uses laminated glass, commonly found in high-rise buildings, and hammers that have been sharpened to a point. Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with an interlayer, typically to prevent shattering and enhance durability. Thang typically selects glass with a thickness of 6 to 8 millimeters, as the thickness significantly impacts the resulting crack patterns. Creating a single piece can take anywhere from two days to a week, depending on the complexity of the design, he said. Thangs glass artwork starts with sketching a basic outline on the glass with a marker, followed by carefully tapping out the image. Finally, he cleans the shattered glass. Thang sketches an image on glass before using a hammer to tap on it to create the final product. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News According to him, glass painting is unique because it relies solely on the effect of light and shadow, rather than the use of color. Capturing the essence of a portrait is the most crucial part, with a focus on the facial muscles, eyes, and lips, Thang said. German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven is featured on glass by Nguyen Thang who enjoys making glass portraits. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News Balancing his career in music with his newfound artistic pursuit, Thang spends his days teaching at the conservatory and creating glass art. His nights are reserved for composing music. "Since I'm self-taught, I aim to develop my own techniques in the future, Thang said. I chose glass art because I love mastering different painting techniques. I am determined to perfect them. A piece of glass art created by Nguyen Thang. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News Thang said this art form of glass requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep connection with the subject to create a truly soulful piece. Since Thang's glass artworks are made from durable laminated glass, they require no additional preservation and can last indefinitely. Normally his pieces fetch from several million to tens of millions of dong, depending on the client's specifications and the time required for completion. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Eurovision 2025 will take place in Basel, Switzerland next May. The cultural capital of Switzerland was selected by Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the European Broadcasting Union, over Geneva. The bid process examined facilities at the St. Jakobshalle venue, local infrastructure and the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists from around the world. St. Jakobshalle, located on a trinational border triangle between Switzerland, Germany and France, boasts a total of eleven halls under one roof with a capacity for 12,400 people. The Grand Final will take place on Saturday 17 May (EU) with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May. It follows the 2024 win by Nemo with The Code in Malmo, Sweden. Martin Osterdahl, Executive Supervisor said: The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Contest was born in Switzerland in Lugano back in 1956 and its great to be bringing it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later. Basels strategic location at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders. With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Basel reflects the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. The citys exceptional St.Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike. Following Contests in the Italian and French speaking parts of the country in 1956 and 1989 were also excited to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to German Switzerland for the very first time. Together with Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the city of Basel we will create a spectacular celebration of music on the banks of the River Rhine that resonates far beyond the stage. Conradin Cramer, President of the Government of Basel said: It is a great honour for Basel to be able to host the worlds biggest live music event! We are looking forward to this fantastic opportunity to present Basel to the world as a cosmopolitan city of culture in the heart of Europe. As an open city in the border triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland, we overcome borders of all kinds every day. This fits in perfectly with the Eurovision Song Contest. We are already looking forward to welcoming our guests from all over Europe: welcome to Basel! Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler, SRG SSRs Joint Executive Producers of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, added: We were impressed by the quality of the cities applications! All 4 cities, and especially Geneva and Basel in the final round, fought for the title of Host City with creative approaches and a very constructive approach. Such commitment is by no means a matter of course. Our thanks therefore go to all the cities that applied. We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an unforgettable experience for the whole population. SBS is yet to confirm Australias return to Eurovision. UK detective drama The Madame Blanc Mysteries has been renewed for a fourth season, with a Christmas special also confirmed for 2024. Six new episodes set in Sainte Victoire are set to screen in 2025. Creator Sally Lindsay will return as Jean White, who will be seen navigating a fledgling romance with her sidekick Dom Hayes, as played by Steve Edge. I think if you had told me five years ago when I came up with the idea of Madame Blanc that in the not too distant future our show would be not only a hit in the United Kingdom but America, Australia, Canada (to name but a few), I would have been astounded. But, amazingly, it is!, said Lindsay. And our team could not be more thrilled to bring you a brand new season of sunshine, laughs and antiques. All the gang are back with some more fantastic surprise guests visiting Sainte Victoire and we cant wait for you all to enjoy soon. Other returning stars include co-writer Sue Vincent as Gloria Beaushaw, Robin Askwith and Sue Holderness as Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James, and Alex Gaumond as Chief of Police Andre Caron. Tony Robinson and Paul Chuckle will also be back as Patrick and Trevor. The Madam Blanc Mysteries screens in Australia on Acorn TV and 9GEM. Source: Radio Times The 39th Screen Forever conference, and its associated SPA Awards, will be held once more on the Gold Coast in 2025. In a change from previous years, the Online Global Market, which opens opportunities to connect with global buyers and commissioners, will take place first, from Tuesday, 29 Wednesday, 30 April. The following week, local and international industry delegates will gather for the in-person event, which will take place from Tuesday, 6 Thursday, 8 May. The SPA Awards will take place on the final evening of the conference, Thursday, 8 May -the only Awards voted solely by screen businesses. The eligibility period for the upcoming Awards encompasses Monday, 1 January Tuesday, 31 December 2024. Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said, The annual SPA Awards provide a critical platform to recognise and honour the extraordinary talent, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the SPA membership. SPAs members are the industry leaders: the businesses and people who take their custodianship of the sector seriously by building our industry through a common purpose and shared collaboration. These same people take on the risk and responsibility for screen production, bringing together and guiding our creative talent and workforce to deliver stories our industry is renowned for locally and internationally. It is fitting they are acknowledged and honoured at the highest level through these peer-assessed awards. 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. Jamia Millia develops worlds 1st AI driven oral cancer database A team of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has developed a groundbreaking dataset designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosing oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Friday August 30, 2024 8:42 PM , ummid.com News Network Jamia Millia Islamia: A team of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has developed a groundbreaking dataset designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosing oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The significant advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Pathology has emerged from the research team at Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research & Studies (MCARS), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). The study, led by Ph.D. student Nisha Chaudhary under the supervision of Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, is set to be published in Scientific Data, part of the prestigious Nature Publishing Group. This revolutionary AI tool was designed to accurately detect and monitor the progression of oral cancer through digital images, utilizing an extensive dataset of over 300,000 high-resolution tissue images with more than 1 million images screened. ORCHID (Oral Cancer Histology Image Database) dataset, was created from the samples meticulously collected from hospitals across India, including Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences, Jharkhand (under the supervision of Dr. Arpita Rai), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (under the supervision of Dr. Deepika Mishra), Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi (under the supervision of Dr. Augustine), and Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh (under the supervision of Dr. Akhilesh Kumar). The work is protected by two patents and has already garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide, eager to access this pioneering database and the programming codes that underpin the AI diagnostic tool. Our dataset is a significant step towards making early diagnosis of oral cancer faster, more accurate, and accessible to everyone, especially in regions with limited pathology resources, said Nisha. Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, the studys senior author, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, This is the first such extensive database in the world, and the response has been overwhelming. Researchers across the globe are requesting access to our database and AI tool to further their own studies in digital pathology. Dr. Akhilanand Chaurasia, MDS Oral Medicine & Radiology, KGMU and senior author of the study, highlighted the broader impact, saying, AI and digital pathology have already transformed the world of oral cancer diagnosis, and the database our team has created will have a transformative impact on patients across the globe." "We are proud that India is the first country in the world to have created such a comprehensive database, which includes high- resolution images, ensuring that the AI training and diagnostic tool is of the highest accuracy", he added. Professor Mohammad Husain, Director of MCARS, JMI congratulated all the authors of the study and expressed pride in the achievement. This AI database will be useful for researchers across the globe, and we are proud that our researchers at MCARS, JMI have been the first to develop such a database and AI-based diagnostic tool", he said. The study, titled High-resolution AI image dataset for diagnosing oral submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma marks a significant milestone in the journey toward integrating AI into routine clinical diagnostics, especially in resource-constrained settings where timely diagnosis is vital. The researchers at Jamia Millia Islamia have not only set a new standard for cancer diagnostics but have also opened up new avenues for research and innovation in the fight against oral cancer. 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 Rajasthan NEET UG 2024 Allotment Today- Check Here Candidates participating in Rajasthan NEET UG Counselling 2024 should note that Printing of allotment letter, on-line, through website can be done from August 31 to September 05, 2024 Friday August 30, 2024 10:24 AM , ummid.com News Network Rajasthan NEET UG Round 1 Allotment 2024: NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission/Counseling Board 2024 Jaipur is scheduled to release on its official website rajugneet2024.org Round 1 Seat Allotment Result today i.e. Friday August 30, 2024. "Date to publish Round 1 Allotment List is Friday August 30, 2024", Rajasthan MBBS / BDS Counselling Schedule says. Link to Rajasthan NEET UG 2024 Round 1 Allotment Result Copy and paste the link given here to go to the official website: rajugneet2024.org . Click on "Round 1 Seat Allotment List" under the Download Section of the Home Page. Enter Application ID, Date of Birth and Phone Number if asked. Enter Captcha Code and proceed to check NEET UG Round 1 Allotment Result 2024. Candidates should note that the Rajasthan medical admission authority has not mentioned any time to release the First round provisional allotment information. It however says the list will be released anytime by today evening. Admission Confirmation and Reporting Candidates participating in Rajasthan NEET UG Counselling 2024 should note that Printing of allotment letter, on-line, through website can be done from August 31 to September 05, 2024. Date of reporting cum joining by the candidates who are allotted seat in the first round of MBBS BDS counselling is also from August 31 to September 05, 2024. The reporting time is from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm. NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission/Counseling Board 2024 had published on its official website rajugneet2024.org NEET UG Provisional Merit List 2024 on August 24, 2024. Rajasthan NEET UG 2024 Counselling NEET UG Medical and Dental Admission/Counseling Board 2024 in coordination with the Principal Govt Dental College Jaipur had started from August 19, 2024 Online Registration for NEET UG Counselling through its official website. The provisional merit list of PwD, Defence/PM, NRI will be also published today i.e. August 24, 2024. Rajasthan Medical Counselling Board had on August 22, 2024 published the list of PwD, Defence/PM, NRI for document verification. Following the release of the Merit List, candidates were asked to submit college options from August 24 to 27, 2024. The allotment list released today will be based on options and choices submitted by the candidates. Candidates should note that the counselling schedule for Round 2 of Rajasthan NEET UG 2024 will be released after the completition of first round. Candidates should note that Round 2 counselling will be held in offline mode. 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 UAE cancels Rafale deal with France over Telegram Founders arrest In a latest escalation over Pavel Durovs arrest in France, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cancelled Rafale fighter jet deal despite the Telegram founder getting released on bail Friday August 30, 2024 9:03 PM , ummid.com News Network [Telegram founder Pavel Durov in a meeting with UAE Prime Minister Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Dubai Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoumwho after he was granted UAE citizenship in Feb 2022.] Abu Dhabi: In a latest escalation over Pavel Durovs arrest in France, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cancelled Rafale fighter jet deal despite the Telegram founder getting released on bail. Russia born Telegram founder Pavel Durov has multiple citizenships including that of the UAE. Durov was arrested in France on May 24 when he arrived at Paris-Le Bourget Airport outside Paris from Azerbaijan on a private plane. He was produced in the court on the next day, and later released on bail. Despite the Telegram Founder's release, the UAE announced to cancel the Rafale deal. UAE France Rafale Deal The oil rich stat had struck a US$20 billion deal with Dassault Aviation of France to buy 80 Rafale fighter jets on December 3, 2021. Soon after the Telegram Founder's, the UAE had suspended the deal. It however now announced to cancel it. Earlier, the UAE had expressed its anger over the arrest, viewing it as an affront to its sovereignty and a violation of diplomatic norms. Durov's arrest in France was reportedly linked to accusations from French authorities, including allegations of financial crimes, cyber offenses, drug trafficking, and child exploitation on the Telegram platform. Durov has consistently denied these allegations, claiming they are politically motivated due to his refusal to grant Western governments backdoor access to Telegram. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Hygiene is Patriotic: From a call to action 60 years ago to its continued relevance in modern society The National Hygiene Movement originated from an article by the late President Ho Chi Minh nearly 60 years ago, urging the entire population to actively participate in hygiene activities to prevent diseases. In response, the Prime Minister decreed that July 2 each year would be recognised as the National Hygiene Movement to improve peoples health. From 2007 to 2022, Unilever, along with their brands such as Lifebuoy, Vim, P/S, Pureit, and OMO, collaborated with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to implement several key programmes. Through numerous initiatives and activities, ULV and MOH have equipped more than 22 million people with knowledge of personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands with soap, environmental sanitation, communicable disease prevention, and overall health improvement for better disease prevention. As a result, the percentage of people who maintain the habit of washing hands with soap has doubled over the 10 years of implementation. Recently, on August 13, 2024, ULV, in collaboration with MOH and the People's Committee of Dak Nong Province, organised the Meeting in response to the National Hygiene Day to improve peoples health 2024. This annual programme, sponsored by ULV in partnership with MOH, contributes to disease prevention and enhances public health. In addition to the rally, on July 24, 2024, Health & Lifestyle Newspaper and the Vietnam Health Environment Management Agency under MOH, with the support of ULV, launched the first Green-Clean-Beautiful Healthcare Facility Competition. This competition running from July 2024 to July 2025 targets healthcare facilities, provincial health departments, and municipal health departments. Together, we nurture our common home in the shape of an S ULVs efforts have significantly improved personal hygiene habits and the living environment. By 2021, the percentage of people washing hands with soap had doubled since 2012, and 98.5 per cent of households now have handwashing facilities or access to soap. From 2023 to 2028, ULV will collaborate more closely with MOH to improve hygiene and health conditions for 15 million people nationwide, aiming to prevent diseases and promote "For a healthy and sustainable Viet Nam. For ULV, our common home on the S-shaped land needs to be nurtured and developed under the best conditions of health and hygiene. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Head of Country, Unilever Vietnam , emphasised that good health is essential for a sustainable society, with personal hygiene being very crucial. Unilever is dedicated to enhancing hygiene and health in Viet Nam through innovative solutions. The journey to improve sanitation and health is ongoing, and Unilever is committed to its partnership with MOH. Through the Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnam Health Environment Management Agency, they aim to drive significant results from 2023 to 2028 with the programme For a healthy and sustainable Viet Nam. Building and protecting a Greener, Cleaner, Healthier, and more Balanced Viet Nam is a commitment from ULV and a guiding principle for everyone. ULVs relentless efforts reflect a company that prioritises sustainable social responsibility while inspiring the community and other businesses to take action for a better future. Moving forward, ULV will continue to introduce innovative and groundbreaking solutions to address health and environmental challenges, aiming for a healthier and more sustainable Viet Nam. HA NOI Major players in the retail market are reopening offline stores, offering hopes of recovery in consumption levels after difficult months in the first half of this year, which forced hundreds of stores to be shut down. Early this month, FPT Shop opened ten electronics stores in HCM City and some other southern provinces, including Binh Duong, ong Nai and Tien Giang, joining the electronics and home appliance retail market. FPT Retails deputy director Nguyen Viet Anh said that the retailer expected to increase the number of electronics stores to 50 by the end of 2024. The company decided to focus on electronics, which is expected to register high growth after the demand of phones and technology devices was forecast to slowdown in 2024. The chairwoman of FPT Retail Pham Bach Diep said electronics revenue still holds a modest share of below five per cent of FPT Shop, but this sector has a large opportunity for growth. The electronics business is expected to expand between 50-100 per cent this year, iep said. Notably, FPT Shop participates in electronics retail after shutting down hundreds of computer and phone stores to optimise the system. According to FPT Retails report on business results in the first half of this year, about a hundred FPT Shop computer and phone stores were closed in the second quarter alone. As of the end of June, FPT Shop had 642 computer and phone stores across the country, with an average monthly revenue of VN1.6 billion (US$63,700). Retailer Bach Hoa Xanh regularly updated its fanpage with new store openings. In July, the retailer opened seven stores in HCM City and is expected to open another seven in HCM City, Long An, Binh Duong and ong Nai in August, much higher than the 2-3 new openings in May and June. From 2022 to the beginning of this year, Bach Hoa Xanh did not open any new stores. The opening of new stores from the beginning of this year demonstrates the expectation of a recovery in consumer demand. In its financial report in the first half, Bach Hoa Xanh earned a revenue of VN19.4 trillion, up 42 per cent over the same period last year. The retail chain reported a profit of VN7 billion for the first time since its participation in the retail market in 2015. Bach Hoa Xanh expected to open 100 new stores this year to add to the 1,700 outlets it already has. Meanwhile, some retail chains are narrowing down their presence. ien May Xanh, which sells electronics and home appliances, shut down 91 stores in the first half of this year to bring its total down to 2,0993 stores. The Gioi Di ong closed 25 phone stores. An Khang reduced by 45 its 481 drug stores in the period. WinCommerce, which operates Win and WinMart+, aims to have 10,000 stores on its books by 2030. The retail chain had 3,673 stores as of June. WinCommerce expects that 80 per cent of stores will make a profit this year. Potential market With a population of around 100 million and improving incomes, Viet Nam has strong potential. The retail market in Viet Nam expanded ten per cent in 2023 to reach VN6.23 quadrillion and is forecast to expand at eight per cent per year. Despite the e-commerce boom, offline stores play an important role in the retail market. Ngoc Dung from Nielsen IQ said that Vietnamese people still prefer traditional shopping for fast-moving consumer goods, especially for food and beverages. Offline stores will have to change their operating models and cannot be replaced. They also have an advantage over online stores in that they can work as a channel for brand recognition. Dung also pointed out that consumers tend to reduce shopping at supermarkets and hypermarkets and increase spending at small-scale supermarkets and convenience stores. According to a recent report by securities company VNDIRECT, the domestic consumption demand in the second half of this year will be promoted by the recovery of consumer confidence. The Governments demand stimulus policies, including a two percentage point reduction of value added tax to the end of this year, together with salary increases will also help improve purchasing power. ong Bao Toan from consultancy firm Oracle NetSuit said that in the context of tightened spending, retailers need to optimise supply chains. The application of technology is important, he said, adding that strategies of multi-channel distribution is needed. The locations of the stores, as well as promotional programmes, are also important for revenue. With the rapid development of e-commerce, consumers will have more expectations over offline stores, forcing offline stores to, besides displaying and selling goods, become distribution centres, which help reduce costs and facilitate the shipping process, he said. VNS Photo of the Fort Bend County Courthouse, Nov. 7, 2018, in Richmond. Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court is located at 401 Jackson St., Richmond. Juhi Varma Fort Bend Countys elected officials from the county judge to the sheriff will get across-the-board raises ranging from 9% to 26% if the countys proposed budget for next year is approved. The proposed raises came after the commissioners court requested a salary survey of elected officials from similarly sized Texas counties, said Pamela Gubbels, Fort Bend Countys director of finance and investments. Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers cast the lone vote against a measure adding the salary increases to the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, which will be subject to a Sept. 23 public hearing and a Sept. 24 vote before taking effect Oct. 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I would have preferred we had a workshop or reviewed this previously, Meyers said during the meeting. I didnt have an opportunity to provide input. Some of these things I agree with, some I dont understand and probably dont agree with. SEE ALSO: Sugar Land will host a new EDM festival this fall at Constellation Field County Judge KP George turned down a request for an interview. The proposed salary adjustments for elected officials will be reviewed and discussed in upcoming meetings as part of the budget adoption process for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, he said in an emailed statement. All county commissioners would receive a raise of around 9%, and George would receive a 14.25% raise under the new salary plan. County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson would see a 26% raise, and Sheriff Erik Fagans salary would increase by nearly 20%. The salary for each elected official was raised to the average salary in the counties that were surveyed, then a proposed 4% cost of living adjustment was added, Gubbels said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The survey included Bexar, Collin, Denton, Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis, and Williamson counties. Bexar and Tarrant counties have around twice the populations of Fort Bend County. Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy said the salary survey found significant differences between 2024 salaries and market standards for both county employees and elected officials, and he said adjustments were made across the board. Its very important to highlight (that) the recommendations were fair and commensurate with the job duties and responsibilities, McCoy said. Elected officials saw more modest salary hikes last year, with increases of around 5.5% for the county judge and commissioners and 4% for other elected officials paid by the county. (The raises) are far in excess of what it was last year, said Dennis Spellman, media relations manager for the office of Commissioner Andy Meyers. The salary increases last year were very different than this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meyers declined to comment beyond his statements in the meeting. FORT BEND INSIDER: Never miss a story with our bi-weekly newsletter Proposed tax rate Fort Bend County commissioners set a proposed tax rate of 4.12 cents per $100 of assessed property value for the new year with a proposed budget of around $720.6 million. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HA NOI The recent increase in personal data theft and fake websites has caused property damage to individuals, businesses and even websites managed by state agencies and organisations. Personal data -- including biometric and financial information, relationship and health status and personal history -- has been leaked and posted publicly, and it has become a source of information for automated collection programmes used by fake websites or cybercrime organisations. This issue shows the urgent need to come up with feasible solutions to protect data in cyberspace. Data and websites of businesses, agencies and organisations in HCM City have become a major target of cyberattacks in recent years, said Lam inh Thang, director of the city's Department of Information and Communications. One main reason is that the city has been accelerating digital transformation and building digital infrastructure for the network environment. During this process, cybercriminals can take advantage of security loopholes to attack, damaging individuals and organisations. The ai oan ket (Great National Unity) newspaper quoted the director as saying that without timely data protection measures, cyber attacks would continue to rise in both quantity and severity, causing serious consequences -- not only economic damage but also potentially affecting national security. It's not just in HCM City, either. The country currently has nearly 80 million internet users, accounting for more than two-thirds of the population, ranking seventh globally. This makes Vietnamese people or groups a target for international cybercrime, too. A recent report from Viettel on the cybersecurity situation in the first half of this year stated that the amount of stolen personal information recorded nationwide grew by 50 per cent compared to the same period last year. The number of websites impersonating organisations and businesses has risen fourfold year-on-year, causing an increase in the number of scams and financial fraud in cyberspace. In the face of increasing data attacks on individuals, organisations, and domestic enterprises, the Ministry of Public Security and the authorities of HCM City and other localities have strengthened many cybersecurity measures. However, personal data leaks and theft, as well as the existence of many fake websites that appear to belong to state agencies and other legitimate organisations, are still widespread. Spam calls are an ongoing problem, affecting people, businesses and the normal operations of agencies and organisations. Notably, data leaks and ransomware attacks, in which data is encrypted until a ransom is paid, have become serious threats to national security. In the past year alone, the Ministry of Public Security has verified 16 information cases, including state secrets and internal data, being leaked and sold in cyberspace. Even more alarming, the ministry warns that the trading of personal data is being carried out systematically. The problem is increasing in large cities such as HCM City and Ha Noi, which are in the process of accelerating their digital transformation. Cybercrime is currently a major issue not only in Viet Nam, but also around the world. Therefore, the Ministry of Public Security and each locality must consider this an urgent problem that requires solutions to minimise property and economic damage to people, businesses, agencies, and organisations. Furthermore, each individual, organisation and enterprise needs to proactively review backup systems, ensuring that backup data is physically separated from main network systems. Backup data sources must also be recoverable when the main system is at risk of serious failure, thereby rendering the data sources immune to cyber attacks. Mobile internet speed increasing According to statistics from the Viet Nam Internet Network Information Centre (VNNIC), mobile internet speed in Viet Nam rose 1.4 times last month, and upload speed increased 1.2 times compared to March. At the same time, fixed internet speed, both uplink and downlink, is currently stable. Regarding the quality of internet service providers in Viet Nam, i-Speed statistics show that Viettel now ranks first in terms of mobile internet speed, followed by Vinaphone (VNPT), MobiFone and Vietnamobile. In the fixed broadband segment, Viettel is also the provider with the best fixed internet download speed in Viet Nam last month (128.97 Mbps). Ranking second in fixed internet download speed is FPT Telecom (100.59 Mbps), with VNPT in third place (95.82 Mbps). A VNNIC representative said that the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has announced data on internet service speeds for network operators in Viet Nam since the beginning of April this year to enhance publicity, transparency and public interest in services. The move contributes to improving the efficiency of internet management based on actual data, promoting development and improving the quality of internet access services in Viet Nam. To continue to have more and more accurate data on internet speed in Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Telecommunications Authority recommends that people, organisations and businesses regularly use the i-Speed application to measure internet access speed. This is a measurement system built and developed by the VNNIC since 2020, used to measure internet access speed in Viet Nam through user experience objectively and accurately. Using the i-Speed measurement application is free and does not incur data fees. VNS HA NOI The State Securities Commission of Viet Nam (SSC) has warned the public to exercise caution when receiving invitations to join online stock investment forums or groups, or when downloading, installing and using trading applications (apps). Lately, there has been a concerning trend where certain individuals falsely pose as representatives of securities or fund management companies, the authority said. They contact individuals, urging them to invest in stocks through social media forums like Facebook, Zalo or by utilising trading apps. These impostors present stock investment opportunities and encourage participation in online forums for investment advice or trading support. Consequently, the SSC advises heightened attention when receiving unsolicited calls, urging caution and careful consideration to avoid being enticed into online platforms or applications for stock investment purposes. The SSC said investors should arm themselves with knowledge about stocks and market trends and stay in the loop through trustworthy sources like regulatory bodies, market operators, and licensed securities firms that offer sound advice when entering the stock market. The SSC added that if individuals suspect anyone posing as a securities firm or fund manager, spreading false information or engaging in shady dealings, don't hesitate to report them to the authorities for proper legal handling. In a recent update on August 20, SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) sounded the alarm on some seriously slick scammers. It seems these con artists have taken to social media, with Zalo accounts pretending to be top managers at SSI, using fancy Deepfake AI tech to stream investment advice. They even set up a profile under the name Nguyen Duy Hung, Chairman of the Board at SSI on Zalo, dishing out tips and tricks. From Zalo, they slyly shifted users over to a private Telegram group. Here, they got crafty with AI, whipping up fake images and videos of Chairman Nguyen Duy Hung to keep the investment advice flowing and lure unsuspecting investors into their web. On May 9, VNDirect Securities Corporation also notified investors about a sneaky scam involving criminals trying to pass off as VNDirect to swindle and snatch clients' assets. Towards the end of 2023, the SSC was alerted by KIS Vietnam Securities Corporation (KIS) about a concerning trend. Certain individuals and groups were posing as KIS employees to carry out scams and unlawfully seize investors' assets through a range of websites, apps, and fan pages. Several other prominent securities companies such as AIS Securitues JSC, VIX Securitues, Yuanta Vietnam, MB Securities JSC and Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation have also stepped up to caution investors. While impersonating securities firms and businesses for fraudulent activities is not a new issue, these scammers are evolving with more sophisticated tricks. They now use various methods, from creating fake trading apps to deceiving people on social platforms like Facebook and Zalo, employing advanced technology to execute their deceitful schemes. VNS HA NOI Viettel Global Investment has just released its semi-annual consolidated financial report with revenue from sales and services witnessing an impressive growth of 25 per cent. The report showed that the company's revenue reached nearly VN16.6 trillion (US$667.4 million) in the first half of 2024. The result significantly outpaces the global telecommunications growth rate of 4.3 per cent, according to the US technological research and consulting firm Gartner. Viettel Global recorded ten consecutive quarters of year-on-year revenue growth, with the second quarter posting an all-time high in terms of revenue. Its profit before tax was VN4.74 trillion. In the first half of the year, all nine markets saw notable growth. For example, Lumitel in Burundi increased by 31 per cent, Unitel in Laos by 27 per cent, Mytel in Myanmar by 24 per cent, Movitel in Mozambique by 23 per cent and Natcom in Haiti by 18 per cent. Electronic wallet companies also demonstrated remarkable growth, with e-Mola in Mozambique surging by 169 per cent, U-money in Laos by 62 per cent, Halopesa in Tanzania by 34 per cent and Mosan in Timor-Leste by 34 per cent. By the end of June 2024, revenue from electronic wallet services reached nearly VN2.1 trillion, making up 11 per cent of total revenue, while electronic wallet subscriptions hit 18.5 million, representing 41 per cent of total mobile subscriptions. In May 2024, Movitel (Viettel in Mozambique) became the market leader, marking the seventh market where Viettel Global holds the top position, reinforcing its international strength. On June 5, Viettel Global held its annual shareholder meeting, approving all Board proposals. For 2024, the company aims for double-digit growth, with traditional telecom growth over ten per cent and non-telecom services increasing by 20-30 per cent. It also has a goal of more than six million new digital subscriptions. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Government has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to join with relevant ministries and agencies to develop and implement solutions to conform to possible revisions to the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Negotiations and dialogues will be increased with the EU and the UK to clarify the consistency of CBAM with existing international commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the EU Viet Nam FTA (EVFTA) and the UK Viet Nam FTA (UKVFTA). The ministry will also study the possibility of expanding the scope of CBAM, especially for agricultural and forestry products, together with suitable support and exemption mechanisms for Viet Nam. Close watch will be made on the application of similar mechanisms in other countries such as the US and Canada. Viet Nam will increase negotiations and join bilateral and multilateral international forums and frameworks to enhance international cooperation and recognition of Viet Nams policies and regulations related to carbon pricing. Support must be provided to enterprises to adapt with CBAM. In addition, policies related to carbon pricing will be raised to ensure consistency with international practices, including the development of a domestic carbon market, along with carbon and green credits. CBAM is a mechanism in which the EU will impose a carbon tax on all goods imported into the bloc based on the greenhouse gas emissions during production. Viet Nam is the 11th largest exporter to the EU. Currently, most Viet Nams exports to the EU are not subject to CBAM - apart from iron and steel, cement, fertiliser and aluminum. However, the CBAMs scope might be expanded in the future. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday attended the groundbreaking ceremony in Ha Noi for the new Vietnam Exhibition Fair Centre in ong Anh District. Developed by conglomerate Vingroup, the 90ha centre will replace the previous exhibition centre, located on Giang Vo Street. It is expected to be a destination for global trade events and exhibitions, helping domestic and foreign enterprises to connect and seek cooperation opportunities and contribute to promoting the city's economic growth. Speaking at the ceremony, the chairman of the municipal People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh said the city has focused on improving urban and traffic infrastructure systems to facilitate investment projects, especially in terms of trade expos and exhibitions. The chairman said he hoped that the new centre would be capable of hosting large fairs and exhibitions, at both the regional and global levels, creating the chance for the city to accelerate trade, investment and tourism cooperations. He vowed that the city would support the investor in implementing the project, with the goal of putting it into operation as soon as possible. VNS HCM CITY More advanced manufacturing from Taiwan (China) will migrate to Viet Nam over the coming decades. The country, known as a prime destination for Taiwanese investment, has plenty of confidence to win contracts. The shift in Taiwan (China) technology corporations' investment patterns in Viet Nam reflects broader geopolitical and economic trends. Since 2007, Taiwanese firms like Foxconn and Compal initially approached Viet Nam with cautious investments, often limited in scope. However, the US-China trade war, which began in 2017, significantly altered this trajectory. As a result, many of the top Taiwanese electronics and technology corporations have increased their investments and expanded their operations in Viet Nam. This expansion is not just about scaling up, but also about establishing a more resilient and diversified supply chain. Companies like Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron and others have played a crucial role in developing Viet Nam's northern regions into a significant technology production hub. With the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have reassessed their supply chains and diversified their sources to mitigate risks. This has led to a significant increase in the role of Viet Nam in the global electronics and technology sectors. The country has become a strategic location for many Taiwanese technology companies, often referred to as 'eagles' due to their significant market presence and technological prowess. The Ministry of Planning and Investment reports that, Taiwan (China) in 2023 quadrupled its investment into Viet Nam compared with 2022, reaching an impressive $2.2 billion. According to economist from HSBC, to date Taiwan (China) is the fourth largest investor into Viet Nam, with nearly 3,200 projects and a total registered capital exceeding $39.5 billion. Additionally, Taiwan (China) has become Viet Nams fifth-largest trading partner with current annual bilateral trade turnover reaching $25 billion. In the first six months of 2024, there were 39 new Taiwanese-invested projects, in electronics, garments and textiles and electrical equipment, with a total registered investment capital of $513.37 million, equivalent to 49 per cent of Taiwans total FDI in the period. As they look ahead, it is clear that Taiwan (China)s strengths in the technologies make it integral to the supply chains of the future. Taiwan (China) is well known as a global leader in electronics and semiconductors, accounting more than 70 per cent of the market share for high-end chips. Six companies from Taiwan (China) make more than 80 per cent of the worlds personal computers and 90 per cent of its servers. Over the sea, Viet Nam owns a semiconductor industry which is anticipated to be valued at $20-30 billion by 2030, with the ambition to become the key player in the global semiconductor industry. The country started to realise that aspiration by issuing policies focusing on high-quality FDI attraction and training enhancement. The country also has an abundant young, skillful workforce, strategic geography, growing consumption market, competitive operational cost and above all, a wide range of FTAs with diverse countries and territories. In ASEAN, Viet Nam has become the second-biggest recipient of overseas investment from Taiwan (China), after Singapore. The Binh Duong branch of the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Viet Nam has more than 600 members, the most of any chamber of commerce for companies from Taiwan (China) anywhere in the world. In the opposite direction, more than 250,000 Vietnamese live and work in Taiwan (China). Recently, companies from Taiwan (China) have been stepping up their investments in more advanced electronics. Investments like these help Viet Nam upskill its workforce, rise up the manufacturing value chain and attract other suppliers. Viet Nam is now familiar with Taiwanese giant names in electronics such as Foxconn, Pegatron, Qisda, Compal, Quanta and Wistron. The country recently has received $250 million from Tripod Technology into Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. With the pivotal shift from labour-intensive industries to skill/knowledge-intensive sectors, Viet Nams government is offering preferential policies in high-tech industries, aiming to attract more quality investments, promisingly bringing more benefits to foreign investors including Taiwan (China). The most complex manufacturing operations such as those producing the most advanced semiconductors are likely to remain in Taiwan (China) for the foreseeable future, given the degree of specialisation, intellectual property and capital expenditure required. But we can expect a growing cross-section of advanced manufacturing to migrate to ASEAN and Viet Nam over the coming decades as demand ratchets higher and regional supply chains become more and more advanced. Viet Nam itself has witnessed a strong and broadening economic recovery, which pinned the GDP growth in Q2/2024 at 6.9 per cent, accelerating the growth in the first half of 2024 to 6.42 per cent, the second highest within five years. This out-of-expectation result convinces that Viet Nam can reach the year-end growth at 6.5 per cent, likely becoming ASEANs fastest-growing economy. Those factors have increased Viet Nams appeal in international investors eyes, including Taiwanese companies. VNS HA NOI The stock market concluded August with a modest gain, as liquidity continued to dwindle due to low investor sentiment ahead of Viet Nam's National Day holiday. Despite the ongoing drop in liquidity, the VN-Index ended the week with its fourth consecutive day of slight gains. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index increased marginally by 2.4 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,283.87 points. The index marked its fourth consecutive day of small gains, hovering around the 1,280-point level. Market breadth was positive, with 154 stocks advancing and 145 declining. Meanwhile, liquidity remained low at VN13.5 trillion (US$540.82 million), a decrease of 3.6 per cent from the previous trading session. The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 largest stocks by market capitalisation on the HoSE, rose by 4.85 points, or 0.37 per cent, to finish at 1,331.52 points. Gainers outnumbered decliners by 17 to eight, while five stocks remained unchanged. Key stocks in the banking sectors led the market's uptrend. According to data from the financial website vietstock.vn, the Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TCB) was the biggest gainer, leading the market in capitalisation. Shares of the lender rose by 1.52 per cent, contributing more than 0.6 points to the VN-Index. However, some large-cap stocks faced significant selling pressure, limiting the market's gains. Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) saw a decline of 0.81 per cent, contributing to a drop of more than 0.5 points in the VN-Index. Despite the effort to maintain the market's positive momentum, several sectors closed with modest gains. The food, technology, and retail sectors provided strong support for the market. Foreign investors returned as net buyers on the HoSE, with a net purchase value of VN61.9 billion. They mainly bought FPT (VN188.1 billion) and MWG (VN62.8 billion). On the other hand, they sold heavily in HPG (VN206.5 billion) and VPB (VN88.7 billion). According to stock analysts from Viet Dragon Securities, the market continued to maintain its upward momentum but remained in a state of fluctuation. Liquidity decreased compared to the previous session, indicating limited supply, but caution prevailed among investors as the market rose. This fluctuation may partly be due to the reluctance to trade ahead of the holiday period. The market remains balanced around the 1,280-point level. It is expected that the market will continue to be supported and may extend its gains after the holiday. However, it should be noted that supply is likely to increase significantly, putting pressure on the market at the resistance zone around 1,300 points. Therefore, investors can expect the market to rise further after the holiday but should avoid chasing prices that have already increased significantly. Additionally, they may consider taking profits at favourable prices in the short term. VNS A NANG The central city is to build innovative institutions and exceptional policy on the base of legal framework to create the most preferential conditions for strategic investors and businesses to bed their long-term projects in semiconductor and AI in the central city. This vision was shared by the citys Party Secretary, Nguyen Van Quang at the first ever semiconductor forum, Semicon Day a Nang 2024. Special priorities will be offered to investors in semiconductor and AI industries in a Nang as the city has been assigned for building it into a global semiconductor and AI industries centre, Quang said. a Nang will be the first city in Viet Nam building a pilot municipal authority and free trade zone, so investors will benefit the best conditions in tax, land-rent, expert, training and import tax for equipment. Quang also strongly committed that any special preferential policy is not only for strategic semiconductor manufacturers with revenue from $1 billion, but small and medium-sized enterprises are also invited. He said a Nang will be speeding up the construction of manufacture and logistics functional areas in the free trade zone and the deep-sea Lien Chieu Port, as well as an air cargo terminal offering space for semiconductor and AI investors. Head of US Consulate General in HCM City, Susan Burns said the conference was a great example of the citys potential and commitment to develop Viet Nams semiconductor ecosystem. The semiconductor industry is the foundation of the modern global economy, driving technological innovation and enabling the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The US and Viet Nam share a vision of harnessing the power of this vital industry to promote economic growth, technological innovation and sustainability, she said. a Nangs evolving semiconductor sector has captured global attention, thanks to its rapidly developing industrial base, strategic location and an increasingly skilled workforce. And with its emerging tech ecosystem, the city is well-positioned to be at the forefront of this growth, making this event today both timely and significant. The US government is committed to supporting Viet Nam in addressing the challenges facing the semiconductor industry today, fostering collaboration between our public and private sectors and working closely with our Vietnamese counterparts to build a sustainable and innovative semiconductor ecosystem. Vice chairman of the citys peoples committee, Ho Ky Minh said a Nang plans to be one of three largest centres of semiconductor and AI industries in Viet Nam along with HCM City and Ha Noi. He said the city needs to train 5,000 engineers, including 2,000 chip designers, by 2030 in order to supply manpower for the industries. The city will introduce the a Nang Software Park No 2 (SP2) -- a centralised information technology (CIT) zone owned by the Government which will provide working spaces for 6,000 IT and semiconductor employees. General director of Marvell Viet Nam Le Quang am, said he only wished that a Vietnamese business would join the global semiconductor supply chains. Trinh Khac Hue, general director of Qorvo Viet Nam Inc, said the company, which has 100 members in Viet Nam, has positively participated in chip design and manufacture. He said the US-Viet Nam cooperation model would set an example for semiconductor and chip design where experienced US experts could share knowledge and skills with Vietnamese hard-working engineers. He said the cooperation would help improve competition, while also reducing production costs by exchanging technology knowledge. Vice Minister of Information Technology and Communications, Bui Hoang Phuong stressed that agreements between Vietnamese businesses and world leading groups would help build Viet Nam as a safe destination in semiconductor production. He said Viet Nam is an attractive destination for associated industries, as the country is in a central location with 70 per cent of key global semiconductor manufacturers within three or four hours flying time. Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed among the citys department of information technology and communication and partners including Synopsys International, Marvell Viet Nam, local investor Sovico, Viettel Group and FPT IS in semiconductor development. The Citys Science and Technology department and Makara Capital Partners also agreed to work together in a start-up and innovation entity in a Nang. a Nang's semiconductor Research, Design Training & AI Centre (DSAC) and six universities in the city inked MoUs in research and training in semiconductor and AI. Human resource supply deals were signed by Tecotec Group, K&H MFG company from Taiwan, LTD Material and six local universities. Certificates were handed to the first 22 trained in microchip design in a Nang, while 17 other trainees were enrolled in the first sessions in Assembling, Testing and Packaging (ATP) by Arizona State University. The a Nang-Singapore Innovation Space was launched in cooperation between a Nang Citys Science and Technology department and Quest Ventures, a top venture capital fund in Asia, during the a Nang Innovation Start-up Festival. VNS LAM ONG An art tourism map of a Lat, a resort city in the Central Highlands province of Lam ong, was launched on August 29 to serve visitors and local residents demand. The map is one of the three local-level initiatives that a Lat pledged to carry out when joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music. With a vivid and understandable design, it features typical historical, cultural, and artistic destinations of a Lat, helping to introduce outstanding venues of cultural and musical performances and scenic landscapes of the city. The map is also meant to connect artists, artistic destinations, and the public to tell interesting stories about history, culture and creativity, thus contributing to sustainable tourism and art development in this Creative City of Music. Both paper and digital versions of the map are available for free. Addressing the launch, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam Jonathan Baker highly valued a Lats active building of an action plan for implementing its commitments to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The art tourism map will help shape the citys cultural and creative ecosystem and be useful for travellers, he said, noting that it can also assist authorities to better bring into play heritage values and creative spaces. a Lat officially became a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music on October 31, 2023. The network participation is considered a chance for it to capitalise on local resources and advantages to establish its brand and popularise its image among international friends. - VNA/VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) Deputies' Conference concluded its 6th meeting on Thursday, with the majority of deputies opposed to imposing taxes on fertilisers and specialised equipment used in agricultural production, within the amended draft Law on Value Added Tax (VAT). Many NA deputies disagreed with the proposal to shift fertilisers, specialised machinery and equipment used in agricultural production, as well as fishing vessels, from tax-exempt status, into a five per cent tax rate. They recommended maintaining the current regulations and urged a thorough assessment of the policy change's impact, both from the production sector's perspective and its effect on consumers. Most opinions indicated that taxing fertilisers at a five per cent rate would increase prices, thereby raising the costs of agricultural products and directly affecting agricultural production and farmers' livelihoods. Deputy Nguyen Thanh Nam from the northern province of Phu Tho argued that taxing fertilisers, specialised machinery and equipment, as well as fishing vessels, would increase production costs for both agriculture and fisheries. "I suggest maintaining the current law, where these items remain tax-exempt," the deputy said. Deputy Nguyen Truong Giang from the central highland province of ak Nong said that if a five per cent tax is imposed on fertilisers, the State budget would collect about VN5.7 trillion (US$229.1 million), but VN1.5 trillion ($60.2 million) would need to be used to refund taxes to businesses. This is an indirect tax, which ultimately hits consumers directly, he said. Giang added that, in recent efforts to revive the economy, the Government had reduced VAT by two per cent to stimulate consumption, so now imposing a five per cent tax to reduce selling prices is unconvincing. He also suggested not applying VAT to items within the same group. Commenting on the draft amended law, Deputy Trinh Xuan An from the southern province of ong Nai emphasised that decisions on whether to apply VAT to fertilisers should not be based solely on price fluctuations. Viet Nam, as an agricultural country, needs a stable policy regarding fertiliser prices as its an essential commodity for agricultural production, which should not be subject to frequent changes, he said. "We need a modern fertiliser industry that is competitive on a global scale, rather than one that constantly relies on policies dependent on global markets and import conditions," he said. On the same day, NA deputies also discussed the amended draft Law on Electricity. Responding to the deputies' concerns about the electricity sectors monopoly, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai explained that Article 5 of the draft clearly defines that the state's monopoly primarily applies to regulating the electrical system. As for investment, the state monopoly is limited to multi-purpose projects and important structures that ensure the stable operation of the system. Regarding high-voltage transmission grids, the state monopoly will apply only to high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage grids (220 kV and above), while interconnected transmission lines will be subject to privatisation. Hoai told them that in 2022, the 15th National Assembly passed an amendment to Article 4 of the Electricity Law, promoting the privatisation of transmission investments. Given the current high energy demand, the market needs to be designed to be transparent. To ensure energy security as per Resolution No55-NQ/TW of the Politburo, certain key sectors will remain under state monopoly, while others will be privatised. "In reality, EVN's power sources now account for only 38 per cent of the total national electricity system capacity. We are gradually establishing competitive electricity markets to ensure transparency and openness," he said. He also noted that recently, the Prime Minister separated the National Load Dispatch Centre from EVN and transferred it to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. As a result, EVN and other corporations will participate in the electricity market as regular entities. "We aim to minimise monopolies while still ensuring energy safety and security in line with the set direction," he said. Regarding the competitive electricity market, the Standing Committee of the NA's Committee for Science, Technology and Environment observed that the restructuring of the electricity sector to serve the competitive market has been progressing much slower than planned. Therefore, the agency responsible for reviewing and amending the draft law recommended that the drafting committee clarify and include key regulations related to the roadmap for developing the electricity market, the plan for restructuring the electricity sector, and the plan for reforming retail electricity prices in accordance with Directive No55-NQ/TW. VNS Judge Franklin Bynum presides over his docket for the County Criminal Court District 8, Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer An inquiry into a former misdemeanor judge, Franklin Bynum, targeted by District Attorneys Kim Oggs office with complaints of bias, has ended with a public sanction rather than a recommended outcome of suspension. The Texas Supreme Court, whose justices were asked in 2022 to suspend Bynum, on Friday dismissed the proceedings against him as moot, court records show. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct, despite having pressed for the suspension, withdrew its request earlier last month for formal proceedings against Bynum after about two years of little activity of note. The commission, however, said the charges against Bynum would not be dismissed and they could consider additional action. The commission weeks later handed down a public sanction against Bynum within hours of the higher courts order. Bynum lost his Democratic reelection bid for the Criminal Court of Law No. 8 in March 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sanction cited the litany of charges that the commission, a group that fields complaints against judges and takes disciplinary actions, considered later in 2022 over whether Bynum acted partiality, showed leniency toward defendants and shared anti-law enforcement sentiment in the form of posing for a photo while wearing a Defund the police shirt. The commission concluded he did and sought rarely-used formal proceedings with state justices to seek Bynums suspension from the bench. Judges are typically suspended when charged with some criminal offenses as what happened earlier this year after a Harris County judge was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. Bynum rejected the decision at the time, deriding the complaints as politically motivated and defending his conduct on the bench. He plans to appeal the sanction, a legal procedure that will require a review from a trio of appellate jurists from across the state, according to commission rules. Its a badge of honor as long as it lasts, which wont be long, Bynum said Friday. He noted the commission could have sought a public sanction in 2022. Bynum, licensed by the Texas Bar in 2008, has since returned to private practice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The long-standing feud between Oggs office and Bynum, elected in 2018 as a self-professed Democratic socialist, dates back to when Ogg opposed historic changes to Harris County misdemeanor bail practices, a cause that Bynum supported because it brought an end to some low income defendants being jailed on low-level charges. He criticized Ogg for her position. Her office tried recusing Bynum from roughly 140 misdemeanor cases, alleging he showed favoritism to defense attorneys by forcing prosecutors to come to court for jail dockets during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ogg later blamed Bynum for the failed prosecution of Dr. Hasan Gokal, accused of stealing vaccine doses and giving one to his wife. The Texas Medical Board ultimately cleared Gokal and a grand jury declined to indict. David Mitcham, Oggs first assistant, lodged the first complaint against Bynum in July 2020 and filed several more through October 2021 alleging Bynum ignored judicial guidelines and showed bias to their prosecutors. If he chooses to run again in the future, the public and any opponent could point out that, while he was on the bench, he was unfit, Mitcham said after the sanction. HA NOI Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse chaired a ceremony in Ha Noi on Thursday evening to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the National Day of Viet Nam (September 2). Attending the event were former and incumbent Party, State, National Assembly and Government leaders, as well as officials of ministries, agencies, socio-political organisations, and localities in and around Ha Noi. International delegates included the head of the diplomatic corps in Ha Noi - Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama, and foreign ambassadors, charges d'affaires and chief representatives of international organisations in the capital city. In his speech, Lam recalled the historic moment on September 2, 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence at Ba inh Square, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Under the Party leadership over the past 79 years and inspired by President Ho Chi Minh's call for independence, the entire Vietnamese people have united as one, along with pure international solidarity, and won victory after victory, liberating and reunifying the country, successfully implementing the renewal process and firmly advancing toward socialism. The leader highlighted that from a war-devastated country, Viet Nam has risen to become a destination of investors and international travellers, and from an underdeveloped economy to one of the top 40 global economies, with its trade volume ranking among the top 20 countries worldwide. The nation is now a key player in 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) connecting with 60 major economies regionally and globally. Once isolated, Viet Nam has now established diplomatic ties with 193 countries and forged strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 30 nations, including all permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and major global powers, and served as an active member of over 70 global and regional organisations. Making the well-being and happiness of its people the ultimate goal, Viet Nam has been recognised by the UN and international friends as a success story and a beacon in poverty reduction, he said. Lam attributed those great accomplishments to the patriotic spirit, great national unity, self-reliance, and strong desire for independence, freedom and happiness of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, adding that they are also a testament to the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, a Party dedicated to serving the people, committed unwaveringly and infinitely to the interests of the nation and its citizens. Looking ahead, he underlined the ongoing efforts to accelerate progress and realise the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress with the major development goals to 2030 - the 100th anniversary of the Party, and to 2045, the centenary celebration of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, transforming Viet Nam into a prosperous, high-income nation where all citizens enjoy a high-quality life. The Vietnamese Party, State and people wish for continued support and close cooperation with friends, partners and peace lovers worldwide, with diplomats, heads of international organisations and foreign investors in Viet Nam playing the bridging role, he said. "I firmly believe that together, we will overcome all challenges, seize opportunities, and work toward building a peaceful and sustainable world, shaping a fair international political and economic order based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law," the leader said. Palestinian Ambassador to Viet Nam Saadi Salama, speaking on behalf of the ambassadors, charges d'affaires, and heads of international organisations in Ha Noi, extended congratulations to Viet Nam on the occasion, stressing that the sacred moment at Ba inh Square 79 years ago will forever be a glorious milestone that is not only remembered by Vietnamese people but also a source of great encouragement for nations struggling for national liberation and for justice in the world. He praised Viet Nam's "bamboo diplomacy" symbolising flexibility, resilience and consistency in the current situation with unpredictable uncertainties, and noted that Viet Nam's steadfast commitment to settling global issues based on the principles of the rule of law, humanity, equality, and mutual respect has strengthened its voice at global and regional forums. Expressing gratitude for the support from the Vietnamese State and relevant agencies, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Salama reaffirmed his commitment to further developing the multifaceted friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and countries and international organisations via fostering peaceful and mutually beneficial partnerships for a world of peace, freedom, equality, prosperity and sustainable development. The ceremony concluded with a special music show featuring musical pieces and songs by renowned composers from Viet Nam and around the world, honouring President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese revolution and showcasing the rich culture and spirit of the Vietnamese people. VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Thursday for Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune who is in Viet Nam to co-chair the 9th political consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Son spoke highly of the deputy ministerial-level political consultation mechanism between the two ministries and urged both sides to increase information and experience exchange, work more closely at global and regional forums, and actively realise high-level agreements between the two countries' leaders and ministries for the 2021-25 period. The goal is to deepen and enhance the practical and effective development of the bilateral relations. Phoxay extended his congratulations to Son, leaders and staff of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 79th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day and the 79th founding anniversary of the diplomatic sector. In the afternoon of the same day, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune co-chaired the 9th deputy ministerial-level political consultation. Both sides agreed to continue effectively preparing for high-level visits and important bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the near future. They also pledged to work closely with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to advance the implementation of high-level agreements. On global and regional issues of shared concern, they concurred that given complicated and uncertain global and regional developments, it is crucial to uphold the tradition of close cooperation and mutual support at global and regional forums, especially within the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and strategic issues relating to regional peace and stability. Viet Nam will continue working closely with and fully support Laos in successfully fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair in 2024, contributing to maintaining the blocs unity and central role, Viet said. The two sides vowed to continue carrying out the 2021-25 cooperation agreement between the two ministries, maintaining regular and effective ministerial and deputy ministerial consultation mechanisms, increasing the exchange of information and professional experiences, and working closely with relevant units of both ministries. The key areas of focus include policy research, foreign strategy, economic diplomacy, consular affairs, overseas Vietnamese, border issues, training, and capacity building. The two sides agreed to hold the 10th deputy ministerial-level political consultation in Laos in 2025. VNS HA NOI The diplomatic sector should swiftly identify all opportunities and challenges, contributing to the successful realisation of the countrys centennial strategic goals, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stated during a working session with the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. Reflecting on the significant achievements in national construction and defence over 79 years of the Vietnamese revolution and 40 years of 'oi moi' (Renewal), the leader noted that the country has never been as deeply integrated or made as many positive contributions to the international community as it does today. From being a poor and isolated country under embargoes, Viet Nam has transformed into a developing nation with middle-income status, deeply and extensively integrated into global politics, the world economy and human civilisation. The top leader attributed these achievements to the wise and skilful leadership of the Party, as well as the solidarity and unity of the entire Party, the people and the armed forces. He emphasised that these outcomes are a testament to the sound and appropriate foreign policy in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plays a central, pioneering and proactive role. The diplomatic sector has effectively fulfilled its pioneering role in creating and maintaining an environment of peace, stability, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are essential for national construction and development. He highlighted that Viet Nam has expanded its friendly and cooperative relations with neighbouring and regional countries, strengthened ties with traditional friends and established strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries. The sector has closely coordinated with defence, security and other sectors to firmly safeguard the nation, making significant contributions to regional and global peace, cooperation and development. At the same time, the diplomatic sector has worked to strengthen national unity, support the Vietnamese community abroad and promote the country's 'soft power' through cultural diplomacy and external communication. Lam emphasised that the world is undergoing profound changes and Viet Nam stands at a new historical juncture as it enters a new era. He called on the diplomatic sector to timely identify opportunities and challenges, contributing to the successful realisation of the 100-year strategic goals under the leadership of the Party. The leader urged the sector to aim for the ultimate goal of: "Ensuring the utmost national interests for a strong Party, a prosperous and powerful nation with a significant position and role in global politics, the world economy and human civilisation, and for the wellbeing and happiness of the people." He encouraged the sector to expand Viet Nam's contributions to peace, cooperation, development and human progress, focusing on building and strengthening foreign relations in the new era through the close integration of three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. VNS HCM CITY Authorities of HCM City hosted a banquet on Thursday evening to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Viet Nams National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024). The event saw the attendance of representatives from consulates general, international organisations, economic and cultural offices, foreign business associations and non-governmental organisations operating in the southern largest economic hub. In his welcoming remarks, Phan Van Mai, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee, recalled the historic milestones of the nation. He emphasised that 79 years ago, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the people launched a general uprising to gain national independence and establish the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, marking a new era in the nations history. The official affirmed HCM Citys commitment to closely coordinate and fully support the activities of consular offices and international organisations in the city. He expressed his hope that foreign consuls general as well as heads of international organisations, economic-cultural offices and business associations would continue to serve as bridges between Viet Nam, particularly HCM City, and international friends and partners around the world, contributing significantly to fostering the sides strong cooperative relations. At the ceremony, Josefine Wallat, German Consul General and head of the consular corps in the city, said that the corps wishes to strengthen cooperation and trade exchange with Viet Nam, including the southern economic hub. She emphasised the consular corps' readiness to contribute to the city's impressive development, not only by sharing professional expertise but also through activities that promote bilateral trade, cultural exchanges, and high-level dialogue. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang on Friday hosted a reception in Ha Noi for visiting US Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Allison Peters. The two sides made a straightforward discussion on the religious situation in Viet Nam, and clarified issues of common concern in the spirit of openness and respect for each other's political institutions, enhancing understanding, overcoming differences, and contributing to promoting the relationship between the two countries. Thang affirmed Viet Nam's consistent policy of respecting and protecting the right to freedom of belief and religion of all people; ensuring that religions are equal before the law; and promoting good cultural and ethical values and religious resources for the country's development. The Law on Belief and Religion is formulated in accordance with the international conventions to which Viet Nam is a member, and in conformity with the actual situation of beliefs and religions in Vietnam. It is implemented uniformly nationwide, creating a solid legal framework to better ensure the right to freedom of belief and religion of everyone, the official stated. He said that since the law took effect, competent Vietnamese agencies have recognised four religious organisations, issued operation licences to one organisation and allowed the establishment of three religious training facilities. Thousands of Vietnamese groups have been granted certificates for their religious activities, along with more than 60 groups of foreigners legally residing in Viet Nam, he noted, adding that Buddhist scriptures have been published in 21 languages of ethnic groups, more than 70 religious establishments have been granted certificates for their land use rights, and 17 titles of religious books with a total of 4,418 copies have been put into use in the libraries of 54 prisons. The Deputy Minister suggested that in the coming time, the two sides should continue to hold exchanges and dialogues on democracy, human rights, and religious freedom. Viet Nam is ready to welcome international delegations coming to explore the situation of beliefs and religions in the spirit of goodwill, respect for objectivity, and compliance with Vietnamese laws during their visiting and working process, he pledged. VNS HCM City - President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines left Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, concluding her successful seven-day visit to Vietnam. During her stay, Lines and her entourage laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh in Ha Noi to pay tribute to the Vietnamese leader. She received a red-carpet welcome ceremony hosted by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who held talks with her after that. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had meetings with the Australian Senate President. She attended the second Viet Nam -Australia high-level forum, themed Enhancing Economic Engagement, a Shared Vision for Prosperity, and had a working session with leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. She visited the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Ninh Binh, HCM City and Ha Noi, while speaking to the Vietnamese media on matters related to her visit as well as cooperation between the two countries, including parliamentary collaboration. Lines's first visit to Viet Nam as the Australian Senate President showed the goodwill and wish to reinforce bilateral parliamentary cooperation to match the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. During her official visit, the two sides agreed that Viet Nam and Australia reached many great achievements over the last 50 years with important milestones such as the establishment of a comprehensive partnership in 2009 and a strategic partnership in 2018 and the upgrading of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024 during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Australia. This affirms that political trust and mutual understanding between the two sides are increasingly strengthened, especially through maintaining regular delegation exchanges and high-level contacts on all channels, including the parliamentary channel. The two countries have effectively maintained over 20 bilateral cooperation mechanisms with many positive results. Economic and trade cooperation has been kept stable, with two-way trade reaching nearly US$14 billion in 2023. The two countries are currently among each other's top 10 trade partners. In order to concretise and further deepen their Viet Nam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation on all channels, maintain existing and newly established cooperation mechanisms with innovations in forms and content, effectively and substantively implement existing agreements between the two countries, co-ordinate to build the Action Programme to implement the Viet Nam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership for the 2024-2028 period, focusing on promoting people-to-people exchange, and enhancing practical cooperation among localities and friendship associations of the two countries. The Vietnamese and Australian leaders agreed to continue promoting dialogue and information sharing, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, deepening defence and security cooperation, promoting economic cooperation to achieve higher efficiency, including stepping up investment and trade promotion, striving to soon bring bilateral trade to US$20 billion and doubling two-way investment in the next 2-3 years. At the same time, the two countries will explore new cooperation areas with potential such as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, digital transformation, science-technology, and innovation. Viet Nam hoped that Australia will continue to support Viet Nam in participating in UN peacekeeping operations, and coordinate effectively with Viet Nam in implementing the Joint Statement on Practical Actions to Respond to Climate Change issued in November 2021, while supporting the Southeast Asian nation in carrying out programmes to respond to climate change, develop sustainable livelihoods for the Mekong Delta, and deal with drought in the Central Highlands, central and southern localities. Along with the positive development of the Viet Nam-Australian relations, the leaders affirmed that cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Australian Parliament has been continuously expanded. The two sides have been actively coordinating to implement the cooperation agreement signed between the two legislatures in 2022, while maintaining consultations and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums. In particular, the recent high-level visits between parliamentary leaders have contributed to creating new momentum for the relationship between the two legislative bodies and between the two countries as a whole. The two sides will increase contacts between leaders and officials of the National Assembly committees, parliamentarians and the Friendship Parliamentarians Groups of the two countries to exchange information and share experience in organising parliamentary activities, especially in building institutions, perfecting the legal system and supervising the enforcement of laws. The two countries concurred to increase people-to-people exchange and cooperation among the two countries' localities, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between their people. The Australia side pledged to provide favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Australia as well as the teaching of Vietnamese at Australian schools with a large number of Vietnamese students, thus promoting the active role of the Vietnamese community in Australia's development and the enhancement of bilateral relations. VNS YEN BAI The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, guided by the motto of 'Leaving no one behind', is concentrating its resources on helping local communities eradicate temporary and dilapidated housing. The effort aims to provide new homes to residents in impoverished mountain areas, allowing them to settle and build stable lives. To date, construction and repair work on over 1,250 houses has started across the province. From among those, 528 houses are being built in Mu Cang Chai District, 162 in Van Chan District and 204 in Tram Tau District. The provinces plan to support the construction and repair local houses consists of building 1,046 new homes and repairing 378, with a total budget of over VN70 billion (US$2.8 million). Deputy director of the provincial Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Department, Vu Le Thanh Anh said that the province issued an annual plan tailored to current conditions, prioritising resources to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing in high mountainous areas. The approach was for the State to cover the majority of costs, with contributions from social sources and benefiting households making up the remainder. For impoverished households in mountainous regions, local authorities were tasked with mobilising resources to facilitate construction. Thanks to a comprehensive set of measures, mobilisation of resources beyond Government support had been highly effective, accounting for over 85 per cent of the total implementation budget. Specifically, the province supported VN50 million ($2,000) per new house and VN25 million ($1,000) for repairs. In the particularly disadvantaged districts of Tram Tau and Mu Cang Chai, the support was VN60 million ($2,400) for new builds and VN30 million ($1,200) for repairs, surpassing central Government regulations by at least 20 per cent to 40 per cent per house. Additionally, each household could borrow VN40 million ($1,600) from the Viet Nam Bank for Social Policies. Annually, through the For the Poor Fund, officials across Yen Bai contributed at least one days salary to support housing construction. In addition to Government funding, local authorities had mobilised thousands of days of labour, primarily from military personnel, police, militia, youth volunteers, local farmers and women, all contributing to the construction efforts. The coordination had minimised costs for materials and labour. Deputy chairwoman of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee, Nong Thi Kim Cuc, said that over the past two years, numerous companies and philanthropists, both within and outside the province, donated in kind, valued at over VN50 billion ($2 million). Many districts now completed more than 80 per cent of their housing targets set by the province. Notably, Mu Cang Chai and Tram Tau districts had achieved 95 per cent of their targets this year. It was anticipated that the province would meet its goal of eliminating temporary and dilapidated housing for the 2020-25 period by the end of this year. Criteria for support The determination and hard work of impoverished households are believed to play a crucial role in the selection process for receiving assistance. The criterion was mandatory and involved community verification and public endorsement. Chairman of the People's Committee of Tram Tau District, Vu Le Chung Anh, said to ensure the programme targeted the right beneficiaries and fostered community support, the assessment and evaluation of housing conditions and needs of poor households were carried out meticulously in three stages. It started from village or hamlet meetings for initial assessment, followed by criteria verification and approval at the commune level and final approval by the district authorities for funding. In practice, the programme not only provided stable housing but also strengthened community bonds, enhanced trust in local governance and contributed to the successful implementation of rural development projects. Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Mu Cang Chai District, Le Trong Khang,said following housing support, most the poor and near-poor households were motivated to work harder, learn better economic practices and aim to overcome poverty independently, reducing reliance on State aid. The approach to poverty reduction, especially through the elimination of temporary housing, alleviated the debt burden of constructing new homes for the poor, enabling economic development and sustainable poverty alleviation. The support is not just material but also a significant morale boost, encouraging residents to improve their living standards, he said. The programme also embodied humanitarian values, demonstrating mutual support and fostering a sense of responsibility among the poor towards society, he added. VNS YEN BAI A 32-year-old young Hmong man from the mountainous Yen Bai Province is making a significant impact on his community by planting more than one million trees. Sung A Cai's mission is deeply rooted in traumatic experiences in his childhood. He vividly recalls the relentless onslaught of flash floods and landslides that ravaged his village and laid his family's crops to waste. "Flash floods and landslides buried our crops under mud," said Cai. "It took my family an agonising two years to rebuild our lives." He was admitted to the Hanoi National University of Education, where he studied Geography. The course helped him realise the root causes of the frequent floods and landslides plaguing his village were climate change and deforestation. After graduation, he initiated the 'Million Trees Dream' project, providing farmers with free seedlings to reforest barren and landslide-prone areas. The goal was to mitigate the impact of climate change and improve people's livelihoods. "The project's guiding principle is simple yet profound, every little bit counts," said Cai. "A million trees can rise from a million hands." The project's early days were fraught with challenges, including insufficient funds to purchase seedlings and high mortality rates due to adverse weather conditions. The situation was compounded by his demanding job, which limited his ability to monitor the trees to weekends only. But he soon bounced back with the help of the community, particularly volunteers and donors. A large part of funding for the project now comes from donations and fundraising activities. After the seedlings are handed over to farmers, programme volunteers will support them for three years as they nurture their new trees. After this period, they will assume full responsibility for the trees until they reach maturity. "I make it a point to visit the planted trees and scout for new planting sites every couple of months," said Cai. "As part of our visits, the volunteers and I also check in on the participating farmers, offering support and encouragement." After seven years, the programme has turned barren hills and desolate land into green forests. In some reclaimed areas, groundwater has reappeared, and bird populations have started to rebound. "As I hugged the tree I planted with my own hands and listened to the birds singing happily, I felt a renewed sense of hope and belief in a brighter future for my village," Cai shared with joy. The programme volunteers have planted more than 82,000 trees, while the farmers have contributed an additional 950,000. It has expanded beyond Cai's hometown of Van Chan District, Yen Bai Province, reaching neighbouring provinces including Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau and ien Bien. The programme has also improved the farmers' environmental consciousness. Many have started their own nurseries to cultivate a variety of tree species, others have used their earnings from timber sales to expand their tree planting efforts, becoming more self-sufficient. "Vang A Giong, a longtime participant, has seen his family's fortunes improve significantly. They have been able to buy a refrigerator and are now financially secure," said Cai. Beyond reforestation efforts, Cai and his team have established free libraries and initiated the 'Forest and You' programme to provide career counselling and support to ethnic minority students, helping them achieve academic success and financial independence. Looking to the future, Cai plans to incorporate high-value medicinal and low-growing plants into the programme to provide additional income opportunities to farmers. He also aims to expand its reach to coastal provinces to see more forests restored across the country. He hopes to see more people and organisations involved in tree planting and sustainable development projects for underprivileged communities in mountainous regions, creating lasting benefits for future generations. VNS HA NOI A total of 85 cases of cyber attacks on Viet Nams websites and information portals were reported in the past week, according to the Authority of Information Security (under the Ministry of Information and Communications). Seventy four were phishing attacks and eleven were malware installations. According to the information security authority, attackers have been using malicious IP addresses/domains as command and control (C&C) servers within a botnet, which is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners' knowledge. Through the C&C servers, the attackers can launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, spreading malware and spam and accessing and stealing data. The Authority of Information Security has identified 20 IP addresses/domains belonging to botnets that are affecting Vietnamese internet users. They are differentia.ru; restless.su; disorderstatus.ru; andall.servicesql.info; atomictrivia.ru; griefcube.cc; amnsreiuojy.ru; uyhgqunqkxnx.pw; hzmksreiuojy.ru; xiaoe.com; xjpakmdcfuqe.biz; vqelhmqyuphr.info; restlesz.su; rikip.com; xjpakmdcfuqe.com; mildwave.com; xjpakmdcfuqe.in; maxisurf.net; xjpakmdcfuqe.ru; ljjskttqximu.in. Therefore, the department recommends reviewing and opening service portals that could be exploited for cyber attacks, with regular server inspection to promptly detect and handle possible risks. For IP addresses/domains with multiple connections, it is necessary to inspect and review all devices in the network system if there are signs of links to malicious domains. VNS TAY NINH The People's Court of Tay Ninh Province has sentenced 38 defendants involved in an online fraud ring to prison terms ranging from three years on probation to 12 years in prison, after a four-day trial. Three defendants, including Nguyen Hoang Sang, residing in Chau Thanh District, Tay Ninh Province, Le Truong Thinh, residing in Ben Cau District in Tay Ninh Province and Phan Trung, residing in Hai Chau District in a Nang City have been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Thirty-three defendants received sentences ranging from three to nine years in prison, while two defendants were sentenced to three years on probation. The defendants are required to pay over VN5.2 billion (US$209,000) in compensation to 19 victims of the fraud. According to the indictment, from March to October 2022, Sang and his accomplices worked in Cambodia for a front company run by three unknown Chinese individuals, headquartered at Building B7, Venus Area in Svay Rieng Province. From October 2022 to January 2023, the company moved its headquarters to Building H, King Crow Area, also in Cambodia. The defendants' role was to use the internet to defraud Vietnamese citizens via several methods. The Chinese operatives posted job advertisements online, offering high salaries or asking employees to recruit friends and relatives to work in Cambodia. They also had employees sign six-month contracts with salaries of $800-$900 per month, increasing by $50 each subsequent month and earning commissions based on the total amount of money defrauded from victims. Employees lived and worked together in the same building and were trained using materials, scripts and fraudulent dialogues. New employees learned from more experienced ones by observing their work and Chinese managers organised them into teams to carry out the frauds together. From March to July 2022, sales staff worked independently, managing computers and phones to communicate with victims through calls or messages on platforms such as Zalo, Facebook and Telegram. They persuaded victims to create accounts on fake Shopee or Lazada sites to place orders. The staff guided victims to make purchases of fake orders to earn a commission of 10-15 per cent of the total amount of each order and provided the company's bank account details for victims to transfer the money. For initial small amounts, victims were fully refunded, including both the principal and interest, to their bank accounts. Once trust was established, the perpetrators would ask victims to transfer additional funds to place larger fake orders, promising higher commissions. When victims requested withdrawals, the sales and back-end staff would come up with excuses for why they could not get their money back, such as system errors or incorrect bank account details. They would insist on more funds, threatening to forfeit the already transferred money and interest. Many victims transferred additional money to complete the tasks assigned by the perpetrators. When they could no longer transfer money, the defendants blocked all communication, deleted contacts, and stole the funds. From July to December 2022, the Chinese operatives divided the staff into teams, each consisting of three people. Each team member managed one computer and one phone to deceive victims. The method involved sending enticing messages to lure victims into participating in tasks such as following TikTok accounts, liking posts or listening to MP3 music for payments ranging from VN10,000 to 50,000 per task. Alternatively, victims were asked to place bets on games of chance to earn commissions of 30-60 per cent of the total betting amount. Initially, victims transferred small amounts for the bets and were returned the principal, plus interest, into their bank accounts. However, victims were asked to submit more money for account verification when they transferred larger sums and requested withdrawals. If victims could no longer provide additional funds, their accounts on the Corona website were blocked and the perpetrators stole the money. The total amount these defendants fraudulently acquired was over VN5.2 billion from 19 victims. VNS Medical personnel prepares a syringe with the vaccine against smallpox and monkeypox at Checkpoint Bln in Berlin, Germany on September 16, 2022. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Houston area health care systems are prepared to test and treat a strain of mpox, formerly known as monkey pox, if it arrives in Texas after the World Health Organization issued a global health emergency, though doctors say it's unlikely. The strain of mpox behind the 2024 global health emergency, clade I, is different from the strain that was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022, which was clade II. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert about the outbreak, calling the risk of it spreading into the U.S very low. Even though there have been no reported cases of clade I mpox in the U.S. so far, the CDC is still urging Americans to stay on guard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heres what to know about testing for mpox and the new strain behind the global health emergency. What is mpox? Mpox is part of a family of small pox viruses that cause severe effects in humans. Dr. Luis Ostrosky, UT infectious diseases physician, said many are familiar with smallpox itself, but every so often we encounter other pox viruses that have made the jump from animals to humans. Mpox is one of those viruses, originating in monkeys. Are Houston health officials able test and treat for the clade I strain of mpox? All major Houston health care systems are prepared to test for and treat the mpox strain if it does spread to Texas, Ostrosky said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were ready to receive cases, both in terms of testing and education. Most of the hospitals have established the processes to acquire the treatment from the state, Ostrosky said. How does mpox testing work? Since the presentation of mpox is fairly typical, any patient that is suspected to have the disease can easily be tested, he said. Testing is done through PCR molecular genetic tests, where doctors swab lesions on the body, and then test that sample in a lab to quantify if there is viral secretion present. How long does it take to get mpox test results? Testing results typically take 24 to 72 hours and are fairly accurate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Are there cases of mpox in Houston? Although no cases of clade I were recorded yet in the U.S., as of Aug. 21, the Houston Health Department saw nine new cases of clade II mpox in the previous 30 days. What are the symptoms of mpox? Those infected with mpox are likely to experience fevers and severe rashes that can cause scarring. The rashes from mpox are most severe around the genitals. For people who are immunocompromised or have weaker immune systems due to factors like malnourishment, the disease can enter the lungs and brain and cause sepsis in extreme cases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When did the World Health Organization declare the mpox outbreak a global health emergency? The WHO declared a global health emergency for an outbreak of clade I on Aug. 14 after 17,000 cases had been recorded across the African countries, including Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Central African Republic. A large share of the cases came out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where doctors have struggled to treat the disease since 2023. Cases surged not only across Africa but made their way into Sweden as well with officials confirming one case last week from a traveler who came back to Sweden from a trip to Africa. The Congo saw 15,600 mpox cases this year which have taken more than 500 lives as of Aug. 19 according to the WHO, marking the most far-reaching outbreak in the DRC yet. As a result, cases started to spread to other African countries. This is the second time in three years that the WHO declared a global emergency. Why is the clade I strain of mpox a global health emergency? The clade I strain of mpox took hundreds of lives in Africa and caused the CDC to urge U.S. medical professionals to be on the lookout in case it makes its way into the country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Outbreaks of clade I would happen every so often in African countries, but usually be able to be contained, Ostrosky said. This time around though, a shortage of vaccines and treatment kits in Africa have made the spread harder to control, Reuters reports. Theyre not able to control it, and its not getting the attention it needs, Ostrosky said. In a world where you can be anywhere in the world within 24 hours, there is concern that its going to jump out of Africa and spread out to other countries. The continent needs an estimated minimum of 10 million vaccines to deal with the epidemic, according to African CDC director general Dr. Jean Kaseya. Congo expects to receive their first set of doses from the U.S. next week, according to U.S. News & World Report. In Ostroskys view, the WHOs declaration of an international emergency is a maneuver to get the worlds attention. If the outbreak is not managed through resource donation and prevention, it has a great likelihood to become worse, he said. Its not just an Africa-problem. If we dont take care of it right now, it will disseminate like COVID or Clade II, he said. What is the difference between the mpox strains? Mpox has two clades, also known as strains. Clade I is the older strain of the disease and is endemic, or regularly occurring in Central Africa. Clade I seems to have a higher death rate than the clade II outbreak in 2022, with 3 percent of cases resulting in death versus 0.2 percent, respectively, according to U.S News Report. Clade II, the second strain, was the type of mpox that made its way out of Africa, into Spain and eventually the U.S. two years ago. This strain was easier to transmit through sexual routes, and at its peak in the country in August of 2022, there were 638 cases. Although the federal government declared the emergency over on Jan. 3, 2023, the outbreak still caused a total of 32,000 recorded cases and 58 deaths. The strain of mpox responsible for a rapidly spreading outbreak of cases in Africa that the WHO has dubbed a matter of international concern, is the older of the two strains. Clade I, a strain of mpox that spreads through not only sexual networks, but close contact as well, has been responsible for outbreaks in Africa before, but its never been in the United States. How does mpox spread? While clade II spread primarily through sexual encounters, Ostrosky said clade I can spread not only through sex, but through household transmission and contact with bodily secretions left on objects and surfaces. When clade II entered the U.S. in 2022, the case surge came primarily out of gay and bisexual communities but education about prevention was more scattered, putting the health and safety of LGBT communities at risk. Clade II, at the beginning was a very concerted effort to be vague about the transmission in an effort, I guess to avoid stigma and steering the conversation to be, this is like aids, which is the last thing they wanted, Ostrosky said. But in doing so, they delayed the education and recognition we needed to have. I think once people found out that it (clade II) was primarily being transmitted through sexual network, they lost interest, Ostrosky said. But again, it doesnt really exclusively transmit through LGBT networks. If it happened to make it to a heterosexual network, it could transmit as well. As the current clade I outbreak makes its way through international and national headlines, Ostrosky stressed the importance of public education, and anticipates a greater welcoming of it because the strain is not solely associated with sexual transmission. In this case theres less stigma, and theres only going to be more public attention because it's not gonna be thought to be a niche disease, Ostrosky said. How infectious is mpox? Ostrosky urged the public not to sound the alarm bells. Its good that the attention is going to likely result in sending the resources that are needed to control the outbreak there, but there is no need to panic or limit your life in any way, he said. The precautions people should take are those that are already recommended in regard to practicing safe sex. And the good news? Mpox is not nearly as infectious as COVID. Mpox and COVID are fundamentally different viruses. Mpox requires intimate or close, prolonged contact, so different transmission mechanics make it less likely to be widespread, Ostrosky said. To add to that, the U.S. already has vaccines and therapeutics for mpox and wont have to scramble to produce them after the fact of an outbreak. LAO CAI The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai experienced widespread rainfall, with some areas facing moderate to heavy downpours between Thursday evening and Friday morning, damaging 76 houses in Lao Cai City and Bac Ha District. Landslides triggered by the heavy rain also resulted in a wall collapse at a house in Pom Han Ward, Lao Cai City. The intense rainfall destroyed nearly two hectares of maize and flooded five hectares of fruit trees in Bao Thang District. It also caused damage to an irrigation system and disrupted 50 concrete irrigation channels. One landslide created a 50-metre deep ditch at the boundary wall between the communal health station and Vinh Ha hydroelectric reservoir in Bao Yen District. The heavy rain also led to the collapse of two roads in Bao Thang District. The road from Khau Co area in Ban Cam Commune to Ban Sen Commune was rendered impassable for vehicles due to a a landslide with a volume of 50 cubic metres of soil. Meanwhile, the Van Hoa - Kim Son Route was affected by two landslides at Thai Nien Commune and Phu Long Hamlet, Pho Lu Town, causing traffic disruptions in Pho Lu Town. Localised heavy rainfall also caused widespread flooding on several roads. According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, rainfall measurements from various stations were as follows: Viet Tien 90.2mm; Cam Con 68.8mm; Long Khanh 52mm; Thuong Ha 56.4mm; Xuan Hoa 47.6mm; Ban Cam 121.6mm; Phong Hai 54.2mm; Nam Luc 60.2mm; Ban Cai 54.2mm; Thuong Ha 53mm and Vo Lao 56.6mm. The data was recorded from 8pm on Thursday to 8am on Friday. Other areas experienced scattered light rain, with moderate rainfall averaging between 20-30mm. After the rain ceased, local authorities mobilised forces to address the aftermath, setting up warning signs and redirecting traffic at landslide-affected areas. Notably, the Provincial Firefighting and Rescue Police Office deployed over 50 officers to assist residents in moving to safety and safeguarding property from flooding. They also rescued an elderly person more than 80 years old from a flooded home and transported a pregnant woman in labour to the hospital using a fire and rescue vehicle. On Friday morning, Hoa Lan Nursery School was heavily flooded, so office staff came to the school to help students move to safety and hand over the children to their parents alongside the teachers. VNS HCM CITY Shinhan Life Vietnam visited and distributed 1,100 free meals to paediatric patients and their families at Childrens Hospital 1 on August 30. The donation aimed to share the difficulties and bring joy to the children undergoing treatment at the hospital during the Mid Autumn festival. The free meals were one of Shinhan Life Vietnams annual community activities. Aligned with the mission 'A Better World through Finance', the companys community initiatives, especially those supporting the health and lives of children, have always been well supported by the management team and many employees. CEO of Shinhan Life Vietnam, Bae Seung Jun, said: "Alongside our business activities, charitable programs that extend the 'Bring Wonders to Life' journey are one of Shinhan Life Vietnam's important priorities. With the upcoming Mid Autumn Festival, we hope that this small gift will help lift the spirits and bring joy to the families of the children undergoing treatment at the hospital." After more than three years in Viet Nam, Shinhan Life Vietnam continues to focus on business development plans in the country, contributing to the mission of enhancing the quality of life and providing protection to more and more people in Viet Nam. Officially operating in Viet Nam since January 2022, Shinhan Life Insurance Vietnam Limited Liability Company operates in the fields of life insurance, health insurance and financial investment, with a charter capital of VN2.32 trillion. VNS HCM City need to adopt international standards to enhance their quality and meet the increasing demands of the population, Nguye Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Healths Department of Medical Services Administration, said at a conference on quality management and patient safety held in HCM City on Friday. Khoa emphasised that accrediting hospitals can help improve the quality of health care by setting attainable benchmarks, bettering coordination and management of services, and strengthening public trust in medical services quality. In Viet Nam , FV Hospital became the first to receive the HAS certification from France in 2007. Since then, other private hospitals, such as Vinmec and Phuong Chau, have achieved the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation from the US. Most recently, the Hung Vuong Hospital in HCM City has received the accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI). However, public hospitals in Viet Nam find it hard to obtain international certification compared to their private peers due to both objective and subjective reasons, such as frequent overcrowding, difficulties in financial autonomy, and the lack of high-quality human resources. Despite these challenges, Khoa noted that public hospitals now have opportunities to achieve this accreditation as the 2023 law on medical examination and treatment encourages health facilities to adopt higher quality standards, including international ones, and recognises these standards in Viet Nam . Louise Cuskelly, Executive Director of the ACHSI, called international accreditation a journey, not a one-time event, saying that earning it is challenging, but maintaining it is even harder, and that it serves as motivation for health facilities to continually improve their quality and reputation. Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM City Department of Health, noted global experience shows that better hospital management requires a shift from traditional management models to modern, flexible, and adaptive ones. Hospitals also need to invest in information technology and digital transformation, including electronic medical records, clinical decision support systems, and telemedicine. Presentations at the conference focused on topics such as current challenges to hospital management, challenges and opportunities presented by international accreditation for Vietnamese hospitals, its role in hospital development, and controlling processes to prevent errors at their source. VNS At the event (Photo: VNA) Da Nang A scientific workshop titled "Connecting Innovation Spaces: Da Nang - Seoul" was held in the central beach city of Da Nang on August 29. The event, part of the Da Nang Innovation Startup Festival (SURF 2024), was organised by the municipal Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Vietnam Innovation Network in the Republic of Korea (RoK). It attracted hundreds of participants, including representatives from the local government, businesses, and the startup communities of Da Nang and Seoul. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Duong Hoang Van Ban, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, said the workshop provides an opportunity for the two sides to review their cooperation in the recent past and outline directions for the future. He expressed hopes that the partnership will move beyond sharing experiences and ideas to concrete collaborative projects that would benefit the startup ecosystems in both cities. Since its launch in August 2023, the "Da Nang-Seoul Innovation Startup Space" has played a crucial role in connecting the startup ecosystems of Da Nang and Seoul. This initiative has facilitated high-quality training programmes in artificial intelligence and provided co-working spaces for partners from both cities. IRTech, a Da Nang-based tech company, was among the first to join the programme, leveraging the opportunity to connect with top investors in the RoK. With support from the Vietnam Innovation Network in the RoK, IRTech navigated legal procedures, recruited quality staff, and established initial business successes. Choi One-Hui, CEO of Korea's Pioneer Company, highlighted the importance of understanding market demands and advised startups to develop strategies for technology infrastructure and have clear investment plans when entering new markets. According to Ban, the success of companies like IRTech showcases the potential of the Da Nang-Seoul partnership. He said the increasing presence of Korean businesses in Da Nang further enriches the local startup ecosystem, strengthening the collaboration and friendship between the two cities. RoK convenience store opens 300th establishment in Vietnam GS25, a leading convenience store chain in the Republic of Korea operated by GS Retail, recently opened its 300th store in Vietnam, six years after breaking into the Southeast Asian country. RoK extends issuance of e-group visa for tourists from Vietnam The Republic of Korea (RoK)s Ministry of Justice announced to extend the pilot e-group visa programme for citizens of three Southeast Asian countries of the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam by two years. Phu Quoc, Nha Trang among most favourite destinations for Korean tourists Tourists from the Republic of Korea (RoK) are increasingly interested in destinations in Vietnam, according to a survey conducted by Rankify Korea website. Vietnams fresh pomelo licensed to export to RoK The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has officially announced regulations for importing fresh pomelos from Vietnam on its website, according to the Plant Protection Department (PPD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Experts urge actions to address low fertility rate, Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi An international policy consultation workshop held in Hanoi on August 28 sounded the alarm on Vietnam's declining fertility rate, with experts highlighting the linkage between education level, economic conditions and birth rates. The hybrid event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Health's Vietnam Population Authority (VPA) and Merck Healthcare Vietnam Co. Ltd., gathered nearly 600 delegates from various ministries, agencies and localities. The 2023 data revealed stark disparities in fertility rates across income groups. The wealthiest segment has a fertility rate of 2 children, while the poorest maintains a rate of 2.4 children. Those with a fairly good and average standard of living have fertility rates ranging from 2.03 to 2.07 children. Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen warned that the national fertility rate has dipped below the replacement level, scoring a record low of 1.96 children per woman in 2023. This downward trend is expected to continue, reshaping the population's size and structure, and potentially leading to labour shortages and an aging population that could hinder the country's overall development. Vietnam is facing a new challenge: maintaining a sustainable replacement fertility rate nationwide remains elusive, Tuyen cautioned, calling for measures to equalise fertility rates across regions and demographics. Regionally, the southeast and the Mekong Delta have fertility rates below the replacement level. At the municipal and provincial level, 21 out of 63 cities and provinces, representing about 39.37 per cent of the national population, are experiencing low fertility rates. Many of these provinces are located in the key economic regions of southern Vietnam, which are highly urbanised and experiencing rapid economic growth. Tuyen urged localities to effectively follow the Party and State's population policies. The VPA was tasked with integrating expert feedback to propose practical solutions suitable for Vietnam, which should be incorporated into the Population Law to maintain sustainable fertility rates and improve population quality. Participants at the event examined global perspectives and policies on addressing low fertility rates, drawing from policy toolkits and practical experiences in the Asia-Pacific region. These insights will contribute to the building of general guidelines to maintain the replacement fertility rate in Vietnam. As reported by Reuters, Google is weighing setting up a "hyperscale" data centre close to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub, the source said, adding that internal talks were taking place and the data centre could be ready in 2027. Google's move is 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. A spokesperson for Google declined to comment about the data centre plan. According to Statista, revenue in Vietnams data centre market is projected to reach $1.83 billion in 2024. Vietnams market is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 7 per cent from 2024 to 2028, resulting in a market volume of $2.40 billion by 2028. Digital adoption, internet usage, and connectivity are the key drivers of the data centre industry across the world. Specifically, Vietnam boasts a 70 per cent internet penetration rate, and 76 per cent of the population have mobile access focusing on over-the-top content, streaming, video games, and social networks. This, coupled with reasonable connectivity with Vietnam and the rest of the world via terrestrial and subsea cables, makes the data centre market bright in Vietnam. Indeed, hyperscale data centre providers are making moves into Vietnam to increase their cloud footprint, boosting demand. The announcement of a partnership between VNG Corporation and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres for a large-scale facility in Ho Chi Minh City follows that trend. In July, CMC Corporation also announced that it has invested $12.5 million to establish a subsidiary that aims to construct and operate hyperscale data centres. In May, VNG partnered with Nvidia to boost cloud computing capabilities. Also in the same month, Alibaba announced a plan to build a Vietnamese data centre to follow local storage laws, while Hyosung unveiled its plan to build a data centre in Saigon Hi-Tech Park to tap into the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region. According to a report by real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle, a hyperscale data centre with power consumption capacity of 50MW could cost between $300 million and $650 million. Alibaba plans $1 billion data centre in Vietnam Chinese teach giant Alibaba Group Holding Limited plans to build a data centre in Vietnam to meet legal requirements for local data storage and to meet to increasing demand in one of Asias fastest-growing economies, according to Nikkei. Hyosung plans data centre in Ho Chi Minh City South Korean industrial conglomerate Hyosung Corporation has expressed its intention to build a data centre in Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP). Head of the Management Board of Industrial Parks of Ha Nam province Luu Tran Son speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Ha Nam The Management Board of Industrial Parks in the northern province of Ha Nam on August 30 held a meeting with Japanese enterprises that are investing in industrial parks in the province. At the meeting, representatives of the enterprises mentioned their difficulties and made recommendations relating to issues, including land use in the IPs, environmental protection, the provinces investment attraction policy, high quality human resources, social housing projects, infrastructure projects, electricity supply and security in the IPs. Ryoichi Nakagawa, advisor to Japan Desk Ha Nam, said that Japanese enterprises investing in Ha Nam province highly appreciate the provinces investment environment. Particularly, the province's leaders, departments, branches and sectors always pay attention and create favourable conditions for enterprises to produce and do business. However, in the IPs, there are still some shortcomings and limitations, he said, expecting that those issues will be addressed effectively soon. Head of the management board Luu Tran Son said that at present, there are 107 Japanese-invested projects worth 1.3 billion USD, accounting for one-third of the total number of FDI projects in Ha Nam. He said that the provinces Dong Van III industrial park is designed to particularly attract investors from Japan. For years, Japanese enterprises are always among investors that make major contributions to the provinces budget. Listening to Japanese enterprises opinions, Son said that in the coming time, the management board will strengthen coordination with departments, agencies, and local authorities to solve the enterprises concerns, create favourable conditions for them to stabilise production and business, and expand their operations in the province. Ha Nam is now home to eight industrial parks, attracting 604 investment projects, including 356 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth nearly 6.18 billion USD. Ha Nam province - a new manufacturing hub for SME expansion Ha Nam province has become a favourable alternative investment destination for foreign business shifting their manufacturing plants to Vietnam. Ha Nam's industrial parks attract 15 more FDI projects Industrial parks in the northern province of Ha Nam have attracted 24 new projects so far this year, including 15 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth 176 million USD, according to Head of the Ha Nam Industrial Parks Management Board Tran Van Kien. PepsiCo gains permission to build food factory in Ha Nam The Peoples Committee of Ha Nam province on December 20 handed over an investment registration certificate to a PepsiCo food production project of the PepsiCo Vietnam Foods Company Limited to invest in Dong Van I industrial park in Duy Tien commune. PepsiCo commits $400 million to build new factories in Ha Nam and Long An American food and beverage company PepsiCo Inc will inject an additional $400 million into the construction of two new plants in Vietnam. Gaw NP Industrial inaugurates new industrial centre in Ha Nam A grand ceremony was held on May 15 to celebrate the successful completion of GNP Dong Van III Industrial Centre in Ha Nam province, 60km from Hanoi. NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai (R) and Managing Director of Heineken Vietnam Wieste Mutters (Photo: VNA) Hanoi National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai on August 30 lauded Heineken Vietnam's impressive track record spanning over more than three decades, saying that it has been instrumental in fostering the Vietnam-Netherlands and the Vietnam-European Union partnerships. During a Hanoi reception in Hanoi for Managing Director of Heineken Vietnam Wieste Mutters, Hai congratulated the guest on his recent appointment and dual role as Chairman of the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam. The official praised Heineken Vietnam for its practical contributions to environment sustainability, social responsibility, and advocacy for "responsible drinking". In 2023, Heineken Vietnam was recognised as one of Vietnams two most sustainable businesses. Heineken Vietnam is also known for its pioneering efforts in promoting a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions in 2023. Hai expressed his confidence that at the helm of Mutters, Heineken Vietnam will continue to grow and thrive. Mutters, for his part, thanked the Vietnamese legislature for its pro-business policies and expressed hope for continued supportive policies from Vietnamese ministries and agencies. According to him, the company is using 99% renewable energy and committed to achieving zero carbon emissions in production by 2030. The guest also expressed commitment to further investment in the Vietnamese market in the coming time. In response, Hai assured that the Vietnamese NA will support and create a legal framework conducive to the operations by both domestic and foreign businesses, including those from Europe. Vietnam will continue to refine its legal system in line with international practices and commitments and stay open to firms ideas, he said. The Heineken brand creates good times from renewable energy For the past 150 years, the Heineken brand has been delighting consumers in over 190 countries around the world with its superior quality products and memorable experiences had while drinking its cold beer. Committed to another century and a half of good times and beyond, the brand has added one more ingredient to its brewing practices. HEINEKEN Vietnam continues to cave a spot among Top 3 most sustainable businesses Staying committed to Brewing a Better Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam has made remarkable progress towards realising the companys sustainability ambitions in a challenging 2023. HEINEKEN Vietnam continues sustainability mission HEINEKEN Vietnam has made remarkable progress towards realising the companys sustainability ambitions after a challenging couple of years. HEINEKEN closes breweries in Quang Nam due to shrinking demand HEINEKEN is closing its Quang Nam brewery in the central region due to the shrinking demand and changing consumption behaviours in Vietnam. Long Thanh airport, spanning 5,000 hectares in Dong Nai province, aims to align with trends such as smart and green airports by integrating advanced technologies in its construction and operations. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on August 30 signed a contract for the management and operation consultancy of the Long Thanh International Airport project. In June 2024, it carried out procedures for an international bidding process, the Republic of Koreas Incheon International Airport Corporation in partnership with Vietnam's PMI Consultancy Services won the bidding. Both members of the consortium are recognised for their strong capabilities and extensive experience in airport projects. According to the ACV, the global aviation industry is evolving, with trends such as smart airports incorporating biometric and AI technologies, green airports emphasising CO2 reduction, and heightened competition among international airports. Long Thanh airport, spanning 5,000 hectares in Dong Nai province, aims to align with these trends by integrating advanced technologies in its construction and operations. Classified as a 4F airport by the International Civil Aviation Organization, it is set to become a major aviation hub in the region. The project is divided into three phases, with an ultimate capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually. The first phase will handle 25 million passengers and over 1 million tonnes of cargo per year. Currently, four major construction packages, including the passenger terminal, runway, two connecting roads, and the air traffic control tower, are underway. Over 8,000 workers and machinery are working around the clock to ensure timely completion. The first commercial flight is scheduled for September 2, 2026. Contractor winning Long Thanh airports 1.45-billion-USD bidding package announced The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on August 24 announced that the Vietur consortium had won the bidding package worth 35 trillion VND (1.45 billion USD) to build a terminal of the Long Thanh airport project in the southern province of Dong Nai. Deputy PM inspects construction of Long Thanh airport Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on October 16 made a field trip to the construction site of Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai. Governor of Pskov oblast of Russia Mikhail Vedernikov (Photo: VNA) Moscow Pskov oblast of Russia welcomes all enterprises that want to do business or invest in the locality, including those from Vietnam, its Governor Mikhail Vedernikov said at a meeting with foreign reporters on August 28. Noting that all countries whose goods are accessing the Russian market have quite competitive products, Vietnamese goods are still available in significant quantities in Pskov. However, he said that Pskov oblast has been importing Vietnamese goods through large retail chains because it helps consumers buy products at cheaper prices than ordering directly. Pskov is not one of the richest localities in Russia, but so far it has signed cooperation agreements with 95 countries and territories around the world, he told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter. According to Vedernikov, despite various difficulties caused by the blockage and embargo, Pskov has continued to record positive growth, at about 10%, and offered many incentives to domestic and foreign firms investing and doing business in this northwestern region, especially in its special economic zones. In response to a question about the demand for recruiting foreign labourers, including those from Vietnam, to work at manufacturing enterprises in the oblast, Vedernikov said that he regularly exchanges with employers and they highly appreciate the qualifications of Vietnamese workers. Vietnamese workers are hard-working, willing to work with a serious schedule, ready to hold responsibility and produce high-quality products, he said, elaborating that this is the reason why there is a significant number of Vietnamese workers currently working in the industrial city of Velikye Luki in the oblast. Moscow mourns Vietnamese Party chief A two-day respect paying ceremony began on July 25 morning at the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia to honour Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Embassy ready to evacuate Vietnamese people from Russia Kursk region if needed: official The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia is ready to evacuate people from areas bordering Ukraine in Russias Kursk oblast to safe places if needed, said Counselor Vu Xuan Viet, head of the Consular Division and deputy head of the Community Affairs Board of the embassy on August 11. After more than 20 years of working construction jobs around Houston, Mauricio Ramirez had finally fulfilled his dream of opening a business of his own. His stall at the Tia Pancha II Flea Market was a nerds paradise, the precisely organized shelves lined with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and collectible Hot Wheels which he sold to ecstatic children. That dream lasted Ramirez about a year his stall was incinerated in a massive fire that tore through the property earlier this month. Dozens of vendors, many of them immigrants like Ramirez, lost their entire inventories and, in some cases, all their capital. All Ramirez could recover was an old Star Wars lunchbox, rusted so thoroughly it looked like it had been fished out of a shipwreck. Two weeks after the fire, vendors say that the flea market hasnt stepped up to help, leaving them in an impossible predicament. Mauricio Ramirez's stall at Tia Pancha Flea Market II, 10720 Airline Dr., before it was destroyed in a fire Aug. 16, 2024, and a Star Wars lunchbox that he recovered from the wreckage after the fire. Courtesy Mauricio Ramirez Economically, theyre not helping us at all. Theyve told us they dont have the money, dont have insurance, and that they cant help us, Ramirez said in Spanish. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The fire was reported early Aug. 16 at the flea market at 10720 Airline Drive, leaving three people with minor injuries and destroying 84 stalls, according to flea market managers. Several vendors told the Houston Chronicle that they believe that shoddy electrical work is to blame for the fire, which happened while the flea market was closed, noting that power outages were a consistent issue at the market. The Harris County Fire Marshals Office said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. A spokeswoman for the Office of the County Engineer said the most recent building permit for the site, which was successfully passed by the fire marshals office, was issued in September 2011. Juana Yanes, a vendor at Tia Pancha II Flea Market and whose inventory was damaged during a fire last week, is photographed in her stall on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Evidence of the wreckage was still apparent last weekend at the back of the lot, a small bulldozer loaded the burnt debris into a pickup truck, sending clouds of ash across the scorched pavement where two rows of covered stalls used to stand. Juana Yanes, a vendor at Tia Pancha II for the past five years, sighed as she tended to the clothes that she sells from stalls at the end of one of the flea markets other buildings, adjacent to the one that burned down weeks earlier. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The charred paneling on the walls served as a reminder of how much more could have been lost, but it was of little comfort to her in the moment. The water and chemicals that firefighters used to put out the blaze damaged much of her inventory, and ash from the cleanup was floating onto her wares. She felt the flea markets owners should have taken greater steps to assist the vendors impacted by the fire. The burned stall of Anthony Almaraz, 42, a vendor at Tia Pancha II Flea Market, which had a fire last week, is photographed on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Debris from a recent fire at Tia Pancha II Flea Market is photographed on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Mauricio Ramirez's stall at the Tia Pancha II Flea Market, before it was destroyed in a fire Aug. 16, 2024, at 10720 Airline Dr. in Houston, Texas. Courtesy A Star Wars lunchbox recovered from Mauricio Ramirez's stall at the Tia Pancha II Flea Market, after it was destroyed in a fire Aug. 16, 2024, at 10720 Airline Dr. in Houston, Texas. Courtesy Just like we benefit from from our work, they benefit from it too because we pay them rent, said Yanes, who pays about $1,200 per month for two large stalls, in Spanish. More from Sam Gonzalez Kelly: At a north Houston flea market, these photographers are documenting Latino culture in a new way Advertisement Article continues below this ad The owner, listed on Harris County property records as Vincente Saldana, could not be reached for comment. Saldana also owns another, larger Tia Pancha Flea Market about 2 miles south on Airline Drive. Christina De La Rosa, an office manager at Tia Pancha II, said that the market is working to relocate vendors whose stalls were destroyed and will not charge them rent for an indefinite period of time. She said that the business didnt maintain an insurance policy, and that Saldana was trying to rebuild out of pocket. Ashes from a burned stall at Tia Pancha II Flea Market, which had a fire last week, is photographed on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer These people have been here for years, so its like family, De La Rosa said. Were not telling people were going to give them money back, because we dont have all that money to give back but were just trying to talk to all the people and understand the situation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Department of Insurance confirmed that businesses like flea markets are not required to carry insurance, and the majority of vendors did not keep policies of their own. Omar Ochoa, a property damage attorney in McAllen who has worked on similar cases, said that in the absence of any insurance policies, vendors who bought their wares with a credit card might be able to recoup some losses if they hold a purchase protection plan. Additionally, some vendors may be eligible for disaster relief from the Small Business Administration or nonprofit organizations that offer assistance such as grants. Business cards from the business that was within the burned stall, are displayed after a recent fire at Tia Pancha II Flea Market are photographed on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Otherwise, vendors only recourse may be to file suit if an investigation finds that a negligent party was to blame for the fire. There is potential for relief in a case like this, but its a very unfortunate incident, Ochoa said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For Ramirez, a new stall is of little use without anything to sell. He estimates that he lost at least $20,000 worth of merchandise, without any obvious avenues to get his money back. The burned stall of Anthony Almaraz, 42, a vendor at Tia Pancha II Flea Market, which had a fire last week, is photographed on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Without other immediate options, Ramirez said he will likely have to look for work in construction again to pay his bills. He thinks about the little boy who bought a Furby from his stall a few months ago how he returned to the market with his grandmother after his spotting it with his father, who wouldnt buy it for him, the week earlier. How the little boys excitement had even his grandmother jumping up and down. Students receive Vallet scholarships granted by the scientific and educational organisation "Meeting Vietnam". (Photo: VNA) Lam Dong The scientific and educational organisation "Meeting Vietnam" handed over Vallet scholarships, worth over 2.7 billion VND (108,473 USD) in total, to outstanding students in five Central Highlands provinces and south central Khanh Hoa an Ninh Thuan provinces at a ceremony in Da Lat city, Lam Dong province on August 28. As many as 125 excellent students of high schools for the gifted, ethnic boarding schools and high schools and those with disadvantaged backgrounds received scholarships worth 15 million VND each. The remaining 30 scholarships, each worth 29 million VND, were granted to needy students with outstanding academic performance and those from the universities of Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Tay Nguyen. Established in 2001, the organisations Vallet Scholarship Fund has been sponsored by Professor Odon Vallet from Frances Sorbonne University. It has so far granted more than 500 billion VND worth of scholarships to Vietnamese students. This year, the fund has presented over 2,100 scholarships worth 50 billion VND to students nationwide. Central Highlands urged to awaken tourism potential The Central Highlands region boasts huge potential for tourism development; however, the regional non-smoke industry has to date failed to unlock its potential and strengths. Speaking at a VIR's conference on reducing emissions in the automotive industry on August 29, Ha Quang Anh, director of the Centre for Low Carbon Development at the Department of Climate Change under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said, "Net zero is a balance between development and the environment as well as a balance between carbon emissions and absorption. It is vital to boost greenhouse gas (GHG) emission absorption while reducing overall emissions. This is particular true in the transportation sector, as Vietnam's total transport GHG emissions are projected to reach 89 million tonnes by 2030." "At the COP26 climate conference, the PM made a commitment to cut net emissions to zero by the middle of the century. Since 2021, regulatory bodies have been issuing relevant policies to achieve the goal. Businesses are responsible for complying with these regulations, while citizens have to change their awareness and take action," Anh said. However, one challenge is securing green financing to accommodate changes and upgrade technology. A balance must be achieved between business development and green finance. Another challenge is a lack of trained workers to achieve the ambitious climate goals, he added. In the same vein, Nguyen Huu Tien, deputy director of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment under the Ministry of Transport (MoT), said, "Economic development in line with green growth has become a worldwide trend. After the PM made the commitments at COP26, the government has taken strong and drastic measures, such as Decision No.876/QD-TTg dated July 22, 2022, which outlines a roadmap for the transportation sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The PM has also issued the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050." "We have built a detailed plan from reviewing regulations to implementation. Some regulations have been issued to promote the development of EVs. Localities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have plans to use electric buses to gradually replace fossil fuel-powered vehicles," he said. In addition, the MoT is collecting feedback from other ministries to report to the PM about upcoming policies, including tax (Ministry of Finance), charging stations (Ministry of Industry and Trade), and charging stations at apartment towers (Ministry of Construction). The MoT has issued standards for rest stops on highways, requiring them to install EV charging stations, he added. Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, head of the Department of Administration Supervision on Tax, Fees and Charges under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), said, "The Vietnamese government is paying special attention to the development of the automotive industry. As a result, Vietnams automotive industry has made great strides and attracted many local and foreign carmakers to develop assembly lines here. The MoF has proposed specific policies to the government to facilitate carmakers." Specifically, Decree No. 57/2020/ND-CP has added environmentally friendly car lines into the Tax Incentive Programme. Decree 57 provides a preferential import tax rate of zero for raw materials, supplies, and components that have not been domestically produced in the automotive industry. In 2023, the ministry submitted Decree No. 25/2020/ND-CP to replace Decree No. 57. These incentives will last until 2027. Subsequently, the MoF will conduct a review for proper adjustments. "The MoF has also submitted to the government and National Assembly the amended draft law on the Special Consumption Tax (SCT), levying a very low rate on EVs in a range from 1-3 per cent from 2022-2027. After 2027, the SCT on EVs will increase to 47 per cent. On the other hand, fossil fuel-powered vehicles are subject to a tax rate from 35 per cent to 150 per cent," she said. Phan Duc Hieu, standing member of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, said, "If there are better policies in place, businesses can do better and support the government to achieve shared goals. Vietnam needs to develop a clear policy framework outlining goals and contents to encourage the development of EVs. Policies should promote long-term investments in favour of e-mobility." "It is also vital to foster the development of Vietnams EV ecosystem with incentives for EV makers, charging stations, and electricity prices," Hieu said. "First, we should design policies with clear goals. One concern is the definition of locally-produced vehicles and localisation rates. Second, we should design policies wisely. It is not wise to stimulate demand by lowering taxes. Third, we should have broad vision. It is crucial to invest in EV batteries to build the EV ecosystem." 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. VIR conference promotes green solutions in automotive industry VIR hosted a conference on reducing emissions in the automotive industry themed All Roads Lead to Net Zero on August 29, with a view to accelerating the shift towards sustainable mobility. J.R. Gonzales, a native Houstonian, is a web producer for HoustonChronicle.com. Before that, he was a news copy editor. Since 2006, he has overseen the Bayou City History blog, which covers various aspects of Houston's history. Prior to joining the Houston Chronicle, Gonzales worked as a night cops reporter at The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C., and later as a copy editor. He has also worked as a courthouse reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Gonzales is a journalism graduate of the University of Houston. Breaking news Houston Chronicle Two dozen Houston residents were arrested last month and charged for their alleged participation in a burglary ring run out of the Fifth Ward that took prescription drugs from Arkansas pharmacies and sold them in Texas. The arrests, announced Thursday by federal prosecutors in Arkansas, were from new indictments in a case that had already generated 18 other indictments of Houston residents. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Top Harris County health official fired after Chronicle investigation into $6 million contract Advertisement Article continues below this ad These defendants were part of a criminal organization whose objective was to break into pharmacies nationwide to steal narcotics that they peddled on the streets, said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. This case exemplifies the hard work put in by federal, state and local agencies working together to infiltrate and dismantle violent gangs whose main mission is for profit and the destruction of communities." Officials on Thursday said the operation targeted the "largest known pharmacy burglary ring" in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's history. The robberies happened between February 2022 and November 2023 at 11 different pharmacies, according to a federal indictment. However, in a news release, federal prosecutors said the burglary ring was active in 31 states, and committed hundreds of break-ins and generated potentially millions of dollars selling oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam and codeine cough syrup. The DEA began investigating the pharmacy break-ins in 2022 after burglars targeted more than 20 pharmacies, the Justice Department said in a news release. A first indictment was announced in 2023. Federal investigators were assisted by the Houston Police Department, which tracked the burglary to the Fifth Ward, the area of the city northeast of downtown. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The ring is believed to have targeted independent pharmacies in rural areas. The latest charges aren't the fist time police have targeted a Fifth Ward gang in connection to pharmacy theft. Authorities arrested two dozen Houstonians in a similar sting in 2016. That group included a man who would again in arrested in 2024, according to a press release. CPEC addresses development gaps in Pakistan with small debt: foreign ministry Xinhua) 09:51, August 30, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Houston police investigated a shooting in the 2200 block of Collier on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Four children were wounded in the shooting, police said. Courtesy/OnScene.tv A teenager was arrested Monday in connection to a shooting that wounded four young people in the Gulfgate area last week. The teenage boy, 15, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, according to the Houston Police Department. The boy's name wasn't released because of age. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The boy is accused of being one of three masked gunmen who opened fire at home in the 2200 block of Collier on Aug. 22. Police are still seeking to arrest the other two shooting suspect, who are also believed to be teenagers. Police said the gunmen went to the house after getting into a fight with one the children wounded on social media. After trying to tell the victim to meet at a predetermined location, the shooters went to his house and began banging on the door. After one of the children opened the door, the masked gunmen opened fire, according to police. The shooting wounded children ages 10, 14, 15 and 16, according to police. All four survived the shooting, though police described two of the injuries as serious. The gunmen ran away after the shooting The 15-year-old turned himself in on Saturday at a police department's Eastside Patrol Station, according to a news release. 7:15 p.m. UPDATE The Reno Police Department has provided new details in a northwest Reno homicide that happened Wednesday night, confirming it was the result of a stabbing. They have also arrested a suspect. RPD confirmed the victim died from a stab wound in a press release Thursday night. They also confirmed a suspect has been taken into custody. 62-year-old Donald Deloney was arrested and booked at the Washoe County Sheriffs Office for open murder. --- ORIGINAL ARTICLE A man has died after being battered with a deadly weapon in northeast Reno on Wednesday night. It happened in the area of Sutro Street and East 6th Street and officers were dispatched around 9:40 p.m. according to a release from the Reno Police Department. When officers arrived on scene, they found the man and he was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Detectives with the RPD's Robbery Homicide Unit think a car drove by and witnessed the incident. They are asking anyone who might have seen what happened to contact them. The victim's identity is being withheld pending the notification of their next of kin. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at (775) 334-2677 or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900 or secretwitness.com. Secret Witness is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and prosecution in this case. Jason Johnson is escorted into court Wednesday Aug. 28, 2024 to appear before Judge Brian E. Warren in Harris County 209th Criminal Court in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Attorney Vikram Vij, right, speaks to his client Jason Johnson, left, as they appear before Judge Brian E. Warren Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Harris County 209th Criminal Court. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Assistant Harris County District Attorney Kimberly Smith speaks to media Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after appearing before Judge Brian E. Warren in Harris County 209th Criminal Court regarding the trial of Jason Johnson in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A defense attorney, now sporting an orange jumpsuit, shook his head in apparent disagreement as a prosecutor detailed allegations that he passed drugs to a jailed client via tainted power of attorney papers. The attorney, Jason Johnson, whom police investigators tailed at the criminal courthouse during the alleged drug handoff, is expected to return to work defending others accused of crimes once he posts bail on three charges, his lawyer said. Prosecutors on Monday accepted charges of engaging in criminal activity, bringing a prohibited substance into a correctional facility and tampering with a witness after a weeks-long investigation that started with a jailhouse call allegedly plotting the exchange of drug-laced paper. Vikram Vij, Johnson's defense attorney, was adamant after court that the case would proceed to trial, calling the prosecution a political stunt that has left his client humiliated. The case is the second since October accusing a Houston-area lawyer of smuggling drugs into the jail, allegations that have led the Harris County Sheriff's Office to limit inmate access to paper from their attorneys and from elsewhere. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We believe Jason will be fully vindicated and that these charges are not going to stand, Vij said. Attorney Vikram Vij speaks to media Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after appearing before Judge Brian E. Warren in Harris County 209th Criminal Court regarding the trial of Jason Johnson in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Prosecutors contend that Johnson knowingly collected documents potentially containing methoxy dimethyl oxobutane from a clients fiance in the 228th District Court during a bail hearing and passed them to the client, who is charged with murder. Assistant District Attorney Kim Smith opposed more lenient bail conditions, telling the judge that Johnson should be held at a higher standard as an officer of the court. She later said Johnson was profiting over the alleged scheme. Judge Brian Warren lowered Johnsons bail from a combined $100,000 to $45,000 on the three charges, declining to set stringent conditions proposed by prosecutors such as requiring the lawyer to remain under house arrest. His access to the jail has not been limited, records show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Johnson, 42, is prohibited from contacting the client behind the drug-laced paper allegation or his fiance, but he can continue legal work at the courthouse. He has been licensed by the Texas bar since 2008. Vij declined to discuss what he perceived as issues with the case, but other attorneys theorized on potential obstacles down the road. Judge Brian E. Warren, inside left, listens as Assistant Harris County District Attorney Kimberly Smith, left, speaks during a hearing of Jason Johnson, right center, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Harris County 209th Criminal Court. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Joe Vinas, president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, reviewed the charging documents and suggested that prosecutors have little evidence to show that Johnson knowingly delivered drug-laced paper. The state must rely on someone they are currently prosecuting for murder and someone who theyre saying is dealing drugs to him, Vinas said. Unless theyve got something else to show Jason Johnson knows theres drugs on that paper they cant prove hes a knowing participant in criminal activity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The murder defendant and his fiance have not been charged with a crime, and prosecutors said they wont be because of their cooperation. We would not have been able to make this case without their cooperation, Smith said. Films have a unique way of creating magical experiences, which is why were so drawn to them. Most of us never think about what goes on behind the scenes, and many dont even care. But heres the thing: we should! The sets and locations in classic movies are a key part of that magic and, sometimes, theyre left behind when the cameras stop rolling and the crew members have departed. Here are some incredible spots where filmmakers brought their stories to life And then moved on. Matamata-Piako District, New Zealand The Lord of the Rings Its well known that The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) brought New Zealand into the global spotlight. Of course, it was already on the map, but, for many, Peter Jacksons epic was their first real glimpse of the countrys breathtaking landscapes. Jackson and his team expertly transported audiences to JRR Tolkiens Middle-Earth. When filming wrapped, some of that world remained. One such place is Hobbiton, in the Matamata-Piako District of Waikato. This charming land of the Hobbits is part of a working farm, where visitors can explore the meticulously crafted Hobbit holes created for the movies. Interestingly, the location was prepared a full year before Jackson began shooting. As noted on IMDb, the producers wanted the grass to grow naturally, ensuring the setting looked authentic, rather than freshly constructed by set builders. Almeria, Spain The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Few films embody the essence of a Spaghetti Western quite like Sergio Leones Dollars trilogy, with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) serving as its epic finale. Starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach, it transported audiences to the gritty heart of the American West. But heres a little secret Many of these classic Westerns were actually filmed around Almeria, Spain, taking full advantage of its dusty, rugged landscapes. The shoot, however, was far from safe. Wallach, who played Tuco, found himself in dangerous situations more than once. He was dragged by a runaway horse with his hands tied behind his back, accidentally drank acid from a soda bottle and narrowly avoided being decapitated by a train! The making of these films was nearly as perilous as the action you see on screen. Thankfully, tourists today can explore the iconic locations without any of the hazards that once plagued the cast. Sweethaven Village, Malta Popeye The live-action adaptation of Popeye (1980), directed by Robert Altman and starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall, may have cost millions, but it remains a somewhat obscure film. Altman and Williams, both known for their unconventional styles, created something unique with this project, based on characters by EC Segar. The picturesque Anchor Bay in Malta was chosen to bring Sweethaven to life, where Popeye meets his beloved Olive Oyl and faces off against his nemesis, Bluto. With the stunning Mediterranean backdrop, the stage was set for a blend of action, adventure and music by Harry Nilsson. While production was reportedly challenging, when Altman and the crew wrapped up, the meticulously crafted Sweethaven was left behind. Boats were even deliberately sunk to give the location an authentic, salty maritime feel. Today, its known as Popeye Village and serves as a tourist attraction and no, they dont actually make you eat spinach to get in! Hotel Sidi Idriss, Tunisia Star Wars A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away Actually, it was Tunisia. George Lucas iconic space opera hardly needs an introduction, but one of its most memorable locations was set on Earth, in an ancient desert. In the town of Matmata lies the Hotel Sidi Idriss, known to Star Wars fans as the Lars Homestead from Episode IV: A New Hope (1977). This is where we first met Luke Skywalker and his kin, as they went about their daily lives on Tatooine, buying droids and racing landspeeders. As reported by The Guardian, the structure was originally a Berber troglodyte house, and Lucasfilm returned to the location for additional filming in later instalments, including Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002). With the franchise still continuing to thrive after decades, the area should continue to draw a steady stream of visitors from Earth. Dixie Square Mall, Chicago, Illinois The Blues Brothers While Robin Williams was busy playing Popeye, fellow comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were causing their own kind of chaos. Teaming up with director John Landis, they brought the unforgettable characters of Jake and Elwood Blues to life in The Blues Brothers (1980). Movie-making isnt always glamorous, as shown by one of the films key locations: the run-down Dixie Square Mall in the Chicago suburbs. This is where the Blues brothers famously went shopping in their car, creating a chaotic scene of automotive mayhem. The production set a world record at the time by totaling an astonishing 104 cars. The mall itself had been closed since 1978, but its involvement in the film turned it into a legal headache. Universal Pictures faced a lawsuit for $87,000 after allegedly reneging on a promise to restore it to its original state a near-impossible task after Jake and Elwood were done with it! More from us: 30 Abandoned Places Across the United States That Send Shivers Down Our Spines Want to become a trivia master? Sign up for our Today In History newsletter! Unlike some of the other locations on our list, Dixie Square Mall no longer exists. It stood until 2012, before being demolished. 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 The man accused of killing a 21-year-old college student in southwest Houston was found, in part, because of a security system installed by the victim herself. In the hours after Muna Pandey's body was found shot to death in her apartment, a friend told police that Pandey had installed a camera outside her door because she had a stalker the year before, according to court documents. The documents do not include information about Pandey's past stalker. When police accessed the camera, they watched some of the last moments of Pandey's life. The video caught a man forcing Pandey into her apartment at gunpoint around 8:40 p.m. Saturday, according to a criminal complaint. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pandey asked the man, "What are you going to do?" In response, the man racked the slide of his handgun and told her to open the door. The man, later identified as Bobby Singh Shah, was recorded leaving the apartment an hour later, carrying Pandey's black purse. It would be days later that an anonymous caller to the apartment complex notified an employee of a dead body in Pandey's apartment. She was found shot multiple times in the torso and once in the head, according to the complaint. The shooting was described as "execution style." The body of 21-year-old Muna Pandey was found inside a southwest Houston apartment on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Courtesy/Drona Gautam Police released a still image of Shah on Wednesday morning, asking for the public's help identifying him. Within hours, two people contacted police identifying Shah, which helped lead to his arrest on capital murder charges hours later. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shah, 51, was being held in the Harris County Jail on Friday morning. He's scheduled to make his first court appearance next week. Shah is accused of robbing Pandey and killing her, according to the charges. The criminal complaint written by a Houston Police Department detective doesn't say Pandey and Shah knew each other, but it made at least one possible connection. One of the tipsters who called police said Pandey used to work at Kathmandu Curry, a Nepalese restaurant in the Mahatma Gandhi District of southwest Houston. That tipster connected police to another man, who called Shah a "consistent patron of the restaurant." The second man was also a prospective business partner of Shah, and he provided police with a copy of Shah's driver's license and cellphone number. Another tipster told police that she met Shah through a "sugar daddy" website in 2012. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The complaint doesn't make any connections between Pandey or the website. Pandey lived alone in the apartment while attending Houston Community College and working at a Verizon Wireless store. She moved to Houston from Nepal three years ago and was studying to be a nurse, according to reports. Friends and co-workers told police they last heard from Pandey on Saturday evening, when she was supposed to join them at a birthday party. Shah didn't appear at a probable cause hearing on Thursday night. His bail was denied pending a hearing in front of a state District Court judge next week. Investor Webinar Presentation Perth, Aug 30, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - BPH Energy Ltd ( ASX:BPH ) is pleased to announce its participation in the ShareCafe Small Cap "Hidden Gems" Webinar, to be held Friday 30th of August 2024 from 12:30pm AEST. David Breeze - Executive Director will provide an overview of the Company. BPH is a diversified company holding investments in biotechnology and resources. BPH holds a significant interest (36%) in unlisted oil and gas exploration company Advent Energy Ltd. This webinar can be viewed live via Zoom and will provide viewers the opportunity to hear from, and engage with, a range of ASX-listed leading micro/mid cap companies. To access further details of the event and to register at no cost, please copy and paste the following link into your internet browser: https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/4A3HDM54 About BPH Energy Limited BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes. The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license. BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise. BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT). Related Companies Commencement of Shenandoah South Pilot Project Drilling Sydney, Aug 30, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tamboran Resources Corporation ( ASX:TBN ) ( NYSE:TBN ) ( TBNNY:OTCMKTS ) has commenced its Shenandoah South (SS) Pilot Project drilling program with the spudding of the Shenandoah South 2 (SS-2H) well in EP 98. The SS-2H well is being drilled off a new pad located approximately 3 miles north of the Shenandoah South 1H (SS-1H) well and within the Tamboran-operated SS Pilot Project area (47.5% working interest). Following the drilling of the SS-2H well, Tamboran will immediately drill the Shenandoah South 3H (SS-3H) well off the same pad ahead of the stimulation program. The SS-2H and SS-3H wells will be drilled with the Helmerich & Payne ( NYSE:HP ) super-spec FlexRig(R) Flex 3 rig and will target the Middle Velkerri B Shale at a depth of approximately 9,910 feet (3,020 metres). Each well is expected to be drilled in 30 days. Both the SS-2H and SS-3H wells are designed to include a 10,000-foot (3,000-metre) horizontal section and will each be stimulated with up to 60 stages utilizing the Liberty Energy ( NYSE:LBRT ) modern frac fleet which has recently been mobilized from the US to Australia. The increased efficiency and performance of the Liberty frac fleet is expected to result in a material increase in the number of completed stages per day and optimized gas flows. Initial flow test results from each well are expected in Q1 2025. Once flow testing is complete, both wells will be suspended as future producers to supply Tamboran's proposed 40 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) SS Pilot Project. Production from the SS Pilot Project is expected to commence in H1 2026, subject to final stakeholder and regulatory approvals. The two well program will be the largest single campaign in the Beetaloo Basin to date. Tamboran Resources Corporation Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said: "We are excited to commence our 2024 Beetaloo Basin drilling program, which includes the longest horizontal wells drilled in the Beetaloo Basin to date. With up to 120 stimulation stages to be completed across the two wells, this will be the largest single campaign in the basin to date. "With the new Liberty stimulation equipment being mobilized from the US to Australia, we are eager to demonstrate the deliverability of the Mid Velkerri B Shale over the longer lateral sections with modern US completions equipment. The Liberty frac fleet is capable of materially increasing the stimulation intensity and completing more stages per day compared to the legacy stimulation fleets in Australia. "It is our strategic partnerships with our largest shareholders, H&P and Liberty, which have dedicated equipment in Tamboran's Beetaloo Basin operations, that put us in a commanding position to derisking significant, long duration gas reserves in the Beetaloo Basin." *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/97ZH8161 About Tamboran Resources Corporation Tamboran Resources Corporation (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran's key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. Related Companies Police lights File photo The Sheldon Independent School District teacher arrested this week and accused of being part of a cocaine distribution conspiracy, at least once operating out of her classroom, was placed on leave by the district, officials confirmed Friday. Jessica Ferguson, 34, was charged with conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine. On Thursday, she pleaded not guilty and was released from custody on $50,000 personal bond. Ferguson is a third-grade teacher at Sheldon ISD, a district of about 10,000 students that serves northeast parts of Harris County. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston college student's security camera caught images of her accused killer Ferguson was one of 20 people charged in a group of six indictments connected to the Rich Kingz gang, which authorities said ran a cocaine distribution ring that stretched from Houston's south side to as far as Ohio and Virginia. Ferguson was specifically called out by Alamdar Hamdani, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, who said she was caught on a wiretap completing a drug sale while inside a classroom. In an emailed statement, Sheldon ISD said district officials were "aware of a law enforcement investigation and recent arrest of a Sheldon ISD teacher," and that the teacher had been placed on administrative leave. "The district expects all of its employees to comply with state and federal laws, and the District is cooperating fully with law enforcement as this investigation continues," the statement said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a separate announcement sent to parents, the district said Ferguson, who wasn't named, was arrested outside the presence of students. Families with children in her class were being contacted privately, the district said. If convicted, Ferguson could be sentenced to life in prison and fined up to $10 million. Indias strength lies in its diversity, a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions woven together across its states and union territories. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat celebrates each state and union territory's unique identity while illustrating how their collective strengths contribute to the nation's unity, growth, and overall progress. To acknowledge and recognise the distinct contributions of each state to the countrys economy, Zee News is all set to host the much-anticipated Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat event on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, in New Delhi. This impactful event will bring together a distinguished panel of leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the crucial role that individual states play in shaping India's future. Under the theme States Make A Nation, the event will highlight how the unique strengths of each state contribute significantly to the nations overall progress, fostering a collective identity and shared purpose. Prominent leaders, including Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways; Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries; Kiren Rijiju, Union Minster of Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry Affairs; Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand; Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar; Harsh Malhotra, MoS: Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways; Smriti Irani, Former Minister Women & Child Welfare ; Manish Sisodia, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi; Manoj Tiwari, Member of Parliament, North East Delhi; Sudhanshu Trivedi Rajya Sabha Member; Atishi, Water Minister, Delhi; Pawan Khera- Chairman, Media & Publicity Deptt, AICC; Supriya Shrinate- Chairperson Social Media & Digital Platforms, AICC; Acharya Balkrishna, Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd; Ramesh Agarwal- Chairman, Agarwal Packers & Movers Ltd; Dr. Gunwant Singh Mangla, CMD, Mangla Steel Ltd will be among the esteemed attendees, sharing their insights on how states can further contribute to India's vision for the future. It will further focus on education, infrastructure, culture, and social welfare, the initiative fosters a sense of solidarity and unity that is vital for Indias continued growth and development. Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL), stated, "At Zee Media Corporation Limited, we recognize that every state has its own narrative and its role in shaping the future of our country. This initiative allows us to bring these stories to the forefront, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural, economic, and social diversity that enriches our nation. Through this platform, we aim to bridge divides, encourage cooperation, and build a stronger, more progressive India where every states unique strengths are acknowledged and valued. Emphasizing on the key purpose, Mr. Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, highlighted, "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat exemplifies the core of our national identityour unity in diversity. We look forward to bring together leaders and voices from across India to discuss and celebrate the unique contributions of each state. This initiative highlights how our collective efforts and shared values drive Indias growth, fostering a stronger, more cohesive nation. Citizens across the nation can witness this unique initiative LIVE on Zee News from 9:30 am onwards. Through Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Zee News aims to showcase impactful stories that enhance understanding and promote unity, reflecting our dedication to a well-informed and engaged global community. Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 18 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528 million viewers through its linear and digital properties. Also Read: Aston Martin launches new Vantage in India Shri T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, in his keynote address at the the Global Fintech Fest 2024, said: "Fintechs need to be alert to social and macro-economic interest and priorities and not subsume them to business interest. It is only the SRO that can inculcate such a culture." The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and 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) Speaking about how the fintech sector could grow in a manner that was responsible ensuring that social objectives were met, Shri Rabi Sankar stated, The SROs will have to play a leading role and they should work constantly and consistently in a way that is favorable to competition. Competition is essential to make markets effective and efficient, and an important indicator of market integrity is price efficiency. Cost efficiency should be driven by technology. SROs can play a role in removing inefficiencies through the use of technology. One major function that an SRO is intended to do is to facilitate honest two-way communication between the regulator and the industry, he added. Shri Rabi Sankar spoke on the role that SROs could play in the growth of the fintech sector by establishing codes, standards, voluntary compliance mechanisms, ensuring growth while minimizing potential risks and negative outcomes. Fintech industry in India is in the early stages of development. Fintechs or technology innovators are and will continue to transform the financial ecosystem, he said. Speaking about the India model of digitisation, Shri Rabi Sankar said, While public goods will continue to be created in the public sector, private sector will play a more important role in the area of innovation. More than 1000 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 are participating over 70 countries, besides India. For more information on the conference, live agenda and list of speakers visit the website: Global Fintech Fest 2024. Himalaya Wellness Company, one of Indias leading wellness brands, has recently announced the achievement of planting over one million trees across India. This significant accomplishment was celebrated in a special event where the one millionth tree was planted by dedicated Himalaya employees, marking a step in the companys commitment to environmental sustainability. Forests are vital for the health of the planet, serving multiple essential functions such as sequestering carbon, regulating temperatures, managing freshwater, and preventing erosion. They host 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and support around 350 million people with food and resources. However, their degradation is severely threatening these essential ecological functions and the biodiversity they sustain. Recognizing the urgency of preserving these invaluable ecosystems, especially in areas of high ecological significance, Himalaya Wellness Company has taken proactive steps to protect and restore forested regions. In alignment with UNESCOs recognition of the Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot in 2012, Himalaya pledged to preserve this ecological treasure alongside visionary NGOs and local communities. They have undertaken an extensive tree planting initiative across the Western Ghats, planting over nine lakh trees to restore and preserve the region's rich biodiversity. In Maharashtra alone, the company has planted over eight lakh trees in regions including Lanja, Zapade, Salpe, Majal, and Gavane in Ratnagiri, extending their efforts to Kolhapur, Solapur, and Pune. In Karnataka, more than one lakh trees have been planted in areas including Dharwad, Belagavi, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru, and Sirsi. Additionally, the company has expanded their environmental conservation efforts to Meghalaya, planting over 30,000 indigenous species in the terrains of Kyrdemkhla, Perkseh, and Mawphlang. The tree planting efforts contribute significantly to the region's biodiversity, providing habitats for various species and helping to sequester carbon. According to environmental experts, the reforestation of these areas plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and enhancing local ecosystems' resilience. These initiatives also help prevent soil erosion, which is vital for maintaining the health of the Western Ghats. Commenting on the achievement, KG Umesh, Director-Human Resources, Himalaya Wellness Company, shares, The Companys efforts are supported by strong collaborations with NGOs, government agencies, and other organizations. These partnerships have enhanced the impact of the projects, allowing for the sharing of resources and expertise. Community involvement has also been a crucial factor towards the success of these initiatives. Local community members and NGOs have actively participated, bringing invaluable local knowledge, and fostering a sense of ownership. The initiative is rooted in the Companys core philosophy of Care for Life, which encapsulates the vision of Wellness in every Home and Happiness in every Heart. At Himalaya, we believe that products beneficial for people should also be beneficial for the planet. India hosts three of the world's 34 "global biodiversity hotspots"the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, and the Indo-Burma regioneach rich in unique species but facing severe conservation threats. The rapid degradation of these areas necessitates immediate and vigorous conservation efforts to protect their unique biota and halt biodiversity loss. The immense value of this biodiversity lies in its role in sustaining and nourishing human communities, providing essential resources and ecosystem services. Lt. Cdr. Deokant Payasi (Retd.), CEO and Trustee - SayTrees Environmental Trust, shares, "The profound ecological benefits visible from our collaboration with Himalaya over the past four years have been remarkable. This initiative, strategically focused on village commons, has not only augmented the availability of tree-based resources for local communities but also mitigated the pressure on deep forest ecosystems. By fostering sustainable land use and enhancing community resilience, this partnership exemplifies our commitment to nurturing a harmonious balance between human needs and nature's vitality." Padmanabha Hegde, a farmer from Bekematha (Sirsi), shares, We have witnessed the planting of over 1.7 lakh trees in our region in 2024. There are more than 100 species, which provide fruit, timber, medicine, fodder, dry leaf, pollen, and nectar for honeybees. It is likely to help resolve the human wildlife conflict in the near future, apart from conserving the local biodiversity. Thanks to Himalaya Wellness Company for supporting this noble cause. We, the farmers, and various local community organizations surely benefited from this initiative, and we commit to the long-term protection of the planted seedlings. As part of their ambitious 2030 vision, Himalaya Wellness Company aims to plant five million trees and source 95% of herbs from farms employing regenerative practices. This commitment reflects the company's dedication to sustainable development and community welfare, focusing on long-term positive impact rather than short-term gains. Himalayas efforts extend beyond environmental conservation. The company supports 600 farmers from 70 villages, fostering economic upliftment and sustainability. In Meghalaya, Himalaya collaborates with the Khasi tribe to build eco-villages and promote sustainable farming practices. Additionally, the company equips marginalized farmers with skills in vermicomposting, beekeeping, and mushroom cultivation, enabling them to achieve sustainable farming practices and generate additional income. Blood, high-octane action, and power-packed fight sequences; Indias deadliest and most violent action thriller, Kill is set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from 6th September, 2024 onwards. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the film sends chills down our spine as we prepare for a bloody ride filled with intense action and compelling performances by talented debutant Lakshya, along with Raghav Juyal and Tanya Maniktala who bring their own charm to the film. Writer and Director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat said, Seeing Kill transition from a successful theatrical run to now preparing to release on Disney+ Hotstar is incredibly exciting for me. I was inspired to write the story for Kill from a personal experience dating back to around 1994-95, that shook me forever. Hence, making Kill as raw as possible was really important for me to translate my true emotions. Kill wouldnt have been possible without Lakshyas raw skills, Raghavs professional approach and the entire teams unflinching support! I am really glad how the audiences connected with it, and with its release on Disney+ Hotstar, I hope a larger audience gets a chance to indulge and experience the film. Debutant Lakshya said, I am extremely grateful for the love I have received through this movie. For my character Amrit, I went through a very strict fitness regime. There were times I went beyond my limits to adapt to the role. Nikhil sir has truly been a guiding force throughout the process and I consider him to be my biggest mentor. After exploring the action genre I cannot wait to try on different roles! With the film now releasing on Disney+ Hotstar, I am looking forward to a larger audience to enjoy this deadly action and bloodshed. Actor Raghav Juyal said From auditioning for Kill to shooting it with Lakshya, my whole journey for the film has been fun. Like, I always said I have never shied away from working hard. With Kill, I got a chance to tell the world that I can act too, and playing a negative role is always a big responsibility that requires immense conviction. Lakshya and I did a lot of physical training together for this one, which really improved our bond off-screen as well. The best thing I find about my character Fani in the film is his twisted humor and sarcasm. Preparing for this role mentally was more crucial than physically, as Fani is a clever lad, and he brings in the thrill in the film. With the film set to stream on Disney+ Hotstar, I hope more audiences are able to watch it and love it as much as we did while making it! Max Factor, the iconic Hollywood makeup brand celebrated for its rich legacy of innovation, is making a significant entry into India's brick-and-mortar retail sector. This expansion is part of a strategic partnership between House of Beauty and Shoppers Stop, marking a pivotal moment in House of Beautys growth and enhancing Max Factors accessibility across the country. Under this collaboration, Max Factor will be available in 70 Shoppers Stop outlets by the end of the year, with a focus on major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. This move is expected to strengthen Max Factor's position in the Indian beauty market. The partnership will feature an exclusive range of Max Factor products, including new launches and limited-edition collections. Shoppers will have the opportunity to experience these products firsthand, with the ability to touch, feel, and try them, offering a personalized and immersive shopping experience. To further enhance the in-store experience, Max Factor and Shoppers Stop will roll out a series of exciting activations throughout the year. These will include workshops, masterclasses, influencer events, product tutorials, and sampling opportunities. "We are thrilled to partner with House of Beauty to bring Max Factor to the Indian market, marking a significant step in Shoppers Stops journey towards premiumisation. This strategic collaboration leverages our established customer base and robust retail infrastructure to offer an unparalleled shopping experience. Max Factor's high-quality products perfectly align with our product portfolio. We believe this partnership will not only elevate the beauty retail landscape in India but also foster a loyal community of beauty enthusiasts, driving long-term growth and success," said Biju Kassim, CEO Beauty, Shoppers Stop. Sanjali Giri, Chief Business Officer, House of Beauty, added: "We are incredibly excited to partner with Shoppers Stop to start Max Factor's offline journey in India. Max Factor X Shoppers Stop is the perfect collaboration to provide the best in beauty products to a steadfast & discerning Indian consumer. We are confident that this partnership will create a dynamic and compelling presence for the brand in the market." In addition to its retail expansion, Max Factor will offer exclusive products and special editions at Shoppers Stop locations, catering to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers. Zomato, the food delivery giant, has taken a monumental step in supporting Indian athletes by partnering with the Paralympic Council of India for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This partnership not only celebrates the indomitable spirit of India's Paralympians but also shines a spotlight on the incredible journeys of those who have overcome adversity to compete on the world stage. As part of this initiative, Zomato is launching a series of impactful social media campaigns, print advertisements, and hoardings across the country. These efforts aim to bring national attention to the remarkable athletes who embody perseverance, determination, and excellence. One of the most inspiring stories to emerge from this partnership is that of Sandip Sargar, a former Zomato delivery partner. Sandips journey is nothing short of extraordinarytransitioning from navigating the bustling streets as a delivery partner to competing in the javelin throw at the Paralympics. His story is a powerful testament to resilience and the belief that no dream is too big. In a moving video shared by Zomato, Sandip's journey is beautifully captured, highlighting the dedication and hard work that have propelled him from everyday challenges to representing India on the global stage. The video has resonated with audiences, showcasing the transformative power of determination and the importance of supporting athletes who strive for greatness against all odds. Zomato's collaboration with the Paralympic Council of India is not just about sponsorshipit's about championing the human spirit and encouraging others to pursue their dreams relentlessly. Students are shown during a class at Thompson Elementary School, 6121 Tierwester St., Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles talks to the media after he shared the HISD's results on the unofficial Texas Education Agency 2024 accountability ratings at Hilliard Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Campus leaders of HIDS North Division schools celebrate after Superintendent Mike Miles announced the HISD's results on the unofficial Texas Education Agency 2024 accountability ratings at Hilliard Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Houston ISD state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles talks to the media after he shared the HISD's results on the unofficial Texas Education Agency 2024 accountability ratings at Hilliard Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Houston ISD's scores improved in all three subcategories of the Texas Education Agency's unofficial accountability ratings from 2022-23 to 2023-24, according to an internal ratings report released Friday. The TEA assigns annual A to F ratings to each campus based on metrics including students' performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, although official ratings from 2023 and 2024 have not been released due to an ongoing lawsuit. Instead, the TEA provided school districts with data from the 2023-24 year to calculate their own ratings. The district must have no multiyear failing campuses to exit its state takeover and democratically replace its state-appointed board of managers and superintendent Mike Miles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of HISD's 264 rated schools, 149 earned a higher letter grade, compared to the prior year, 29 schools earned a lower grade, and the remaining 86 kept the same grade, according to a Chronicle analysis. We are incredibly proud of what weve been able to achieve in one year, Miles said in a media release Aug. 19. Across the district, schools delivered significant improvements in student achievement on state assessments. Together with our dedicated teachers, principals, and everyone at HISD, we will continue to provide high-quality instruction that builds on this growth. Ratings come from each school's overall score, which is calculated from three performance evaluation categories: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. Houston ISD maintained a C average on its overall score, increasing from 72 to a 79 between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years. The district maintained a C average in both its student achievement and school progress ratings, while its closing the gaps category improved from a D to a B average. Here's what to know about the district's results within each domain: Advertisement Article continues below this ad TEA RATINGS: What to know about the Texas school rating system Student achievement Houston ISD saw marginal progress in the student achievement domain, with its average score increasing from a 70 to a 73. The domain includes STAAR performance for all school levels. For high schools, it also includes graduation rates and college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) scores. Of schools that took STAAR tests, 155 received higher student achievement scores in 2023-24, while 35 maintained the same score and 66 saw scores drop. Roughly the same amount of schools received A's and B's in 2024 (56) when compared to 2023 (55), although 28 fewer schools received D and F ratings when compared to the previous year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad School progress HISD increased its school progress score from a 74 to a 78 in 2024. The domain measures how well students are improving their STAAR scores year over year. Academic growth, which measures student's STAAR performance improvements, jumped by 10 points, while its relative STAAR performance when compared to schools with similar numbers of economically disadvantaged student populations improved from a 74 to a 78. Houston ISD had 166 A and B campuses in the school progress category in 2024, up from 96 in 2023. The district had 59 fewer failing campuses in the school progress domain when compared to 2022-23. Three schools, including Dogan Elementary, Hobby Elementary and Looscan Elementary, improved from F to A ratings, while seven others jumped from D's to A's. Three campuses fell from B grades to D's or F's in the latest ratings, including Atherton Elementary, Garcia Elementary and Foster Elementary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad OVERALL RATINGS: Nearly 150 Houston ISD schools improve letter grades in unofficial 2024 TEA accountability ratings Closing the gaps Houston ISD's closing the gaps category saw the most sizable growth, improving from a D to a B average year-over-year. The domain measures how well students across certain subgroups are performing and whether learning gaps exist within those groups. The closing the gaps domain takes into account a school's STAAR performance as well as its federal graduation status, English language proficiency and CCMR scores within three "supergroups" to calculate its score. More than 190 district campuses improved their score, while 13 maintained the same score and 52 saw a drop in their closing the gap ratings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The number of A and B schools increased from 63 to 140 in 2023-24. More than 100 fewer schools received failing grades in the closing the gap category in 2023-24 (30) when compared to the previous school year (132.) Tension Escalates in Mahayuti: NCP Hits Back at Shiv Sena Minister Sawant Over 'Vomit' Remark 2 The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expressed strong discontent with Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawants recent controversial statement. Sawant, during a speech at a party workshop in Dharashiv, claimed that although he sits next to NCP members during Cabinet meetings, he feels the urge to vomit afterward. NCPs Chief Spokesman, Umesh Patil, condemned Sawants remarks, suggesting that the NCP should reconsider its position within the Mahayuti alliance, especially as Assembly elections approach. Patil argued that the party does not need to remain in the alliance if such disrespect continues. Adding to the criticism, NCP legislator Amol Mitkari mocked the health minister, suggesting that if Sawant is vomiting because of being in the Mahayuti, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should treat him. This sarcastic response underscores the growing friction between the alliance partners. Interestingly, neither NCP National President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar nor state unit chief Sunil Tatkare have responded to Sawants inflammatory remarks. This silence has fueled speculation about the internal dynamics within the alliance. Tanaji Sawant, elected from the Bhum Paranda Assembly constituency as a Shiv Sena (united) candidate in 2019, made his provocative statement while asserting his loyalty to the Shiv Sena. He emphasized that his opposition to Congress and NCP dates back to his student days, and sitting next to NCP members in the Cabinet is intolerable to him. Umesh Patils response was sharp, questioning Sawants authority to speak about the NCP and reminding him that his ministerial position is a result of the BJPs decision to form the Mahayuti alliance. Patil warned that such derogatory comments against the NCP could lead to the party withdrawing from the alliance. Amol Mitkari also took a jab at Sawants past controversial statements, highlighting his history of making outlandish claims, such as blaming crabs for dam failures and misidentifying institutions. Mitkaris pointed remarks illustrate the ongoing tension and dissatisfaction within the Mahayuti. This incident is not the first time Sawant has targeted the NCP. During the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Sawant had criticized Ajit Pawar, then the state finance minister, for not allocating sufficient funds to the Shiv Sena. Sawant has also been known for his confrontational behavior, once telling a senior police officer that he would have to listen to him, even if the Chief Minister does not. Sawants latest remarks and the subsequent backlash from the NCP reveal the underlying discord within the Mahayuti, raising questions about the alliances stability as the Assembly elections draw near. Authorities have released the name of a man who was found shot to death in west Birmingham. Police on Thursday identified the victim as Johnny Markie Lewis. He was 34 and lived in Fairfield. West Precinct officers were dispatched just after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a person down in the 2900 block of Avenue F. Lewis was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. The death initially appeared unclassified, but once the Jefferson County Coroners Office arrived on the scene, they determined he had been shot. Lewis is the citys 108th homicide this year. Of those, eight have been ruled justified and two others happened in previous years, but the victims died in 2024. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 136 homicides including the 108 in Birmingham. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. An Alabama police officer was critically injured in an off-duty motorcycle crash. Jordan Driver, a Carbon Hill police officer, was driving his motorcycle in Fayette Thursday morning when he wrecked. No other vehicles were involved. Driver was airlifted to UAB Hospital with internal bleeding, a broken pelvis and other injuries, according to a GoFundMe started to help with his medical bills. He underwent immediate surgery and was expected to have surgery again Friday. Carbon Hill police Chief Clark Sanford said Driver is expected to have a lengthy recovery and will likely be off work for a year. The GoFundMe says he will be hospitalized for roughly three months. We are so thankful he is still here with us be he has a long road to recovery, according to the GoFundMe. We are raising money for Jordan so he will not have to worry about the financial strain of not being able to work. Donations to the GoFundMe can be made here. The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday affirmed lower court decisions in a defamation lawsuit filed by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and counterclaims against Moore. Moore filed a lawsuit in 2018 in Etowah County over allegations of sexual misconduct decades earlier that surfaced during Moores campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2017. Moore has repeatedly denied the allegations in public statements and court documents. He claimed they were malicious and timed to undermine his candidacy, coming in the final weeks of the campaign for the December 2017 special election, which he lost to Doug Jones. In Fridays decisions, the state Supreme Court upheld rulings from the Etowah County Circuit Court dismissing Moores defamation claims against Deborah Wesson Gibson and Richard Hagedorn. The lawsuit accused Gibson and Hagedorn of promoting a conspiracy to spread false rumors. The Supreme Court also upheld the lower courts rulings dismissing counterclaims by Hagedorn against Moore, Moores Senate campaign, Janet Porter, a spokeswoman for the campaign, and Herring Networks Inc. The Supreme Court did not issue written opinions. Five of the nine justices recused themselves, so several judges from other appeals courts took part in the decisions, which were without dissent. The court dismissed all Hagedorns claims against me, and dismissed them (Hagedorn and Wesson) as parties to this suit that was originally brought as a conspiracy of the 2017 Senate election, Moore said. Neither of them claimed I did anything to them, Moore said. I accused them of conspiracy. Moore has defamation cases still pending against two women who made accusations against him in November 2017, Beverly Young Nelson and Tina Turner Johnson. Moore said he expects those cases to proceed in Etowah County Circuit Court now that the others are dismissed. Nelson accused Moore of attacking her in 1977 when she was 16. Moore said he didnt know Nelson and the claim was absolutely false. Wendy Brooks Crew, an attorney for Nelson, said there has been a lull in the case while the others were on appeal. We look forward to the same results (dismissal) for our client, Crew said in an email. Johnson accused Moore of grabbing her buttocks in 1991 when she and her mother came to his law office. Moores lawsuit says the claim was false and malicious. In 2022, a Montgomery County jury heard the defamation case of Moore accuser Leigh Corfman against Moore and Moores countersuit against Corfman. Corfman claimed Moore sexually abused her in 1979 when she was 14 and he was an assistant prosecutor in Etowah County. The jury ruled that Corfman did not defame Moore with her allegation and that Moore did not defame Corfman with his public denials. Corfmans claim, the first accusation against Moore, was published in the Washington Post in November 2017. An Alabama woman charged in the death of her husband is accused of dismembering him after he was killed. Joselina Elizabeth Lopez, 26, is charged with murder in the slaying of Benito Morales Guzman. She is being held in the Geneva County Jail without bond pending an Aniahs Law hearing set for next week. The investigation began when a co-worker of Guzman became concerned with his absence and notified the Geneva County Sheriffs Office. Sheriffs investigators discovered Guzmans body Tuesday afternoon behind the couples home on Grady Garner Road in Slocomb. Sheriff Tony Helms brought in the State Bureau of Investigation to help with the probe. Helms confirmed that Guzman was dismembered after his death in an attempted to hide the body. He did not elaborate, and said an autopsy was underway Friday to confirm how Guzman was killed. Charging documents against Lopez state Guzman was killed sometime between Aug. 24 and Aug. 27. A Birmingham man has been charged in the brutal stabbing death of a woman in Georgia that happened at her home 24 years ago. Clerence George, 63, is charged with murder in the 2000 slaying of Julie Ann McDonald. McDonald, a 43-year-old pharmacist, was found slain on Sunday, June 11, 2000, at her home on Arnold Lane in Lafayette, Georgia. Georgias Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said Friday that McDonald had been stabbed multiple times and likely had been dead for three or four days when her body was found. There were several suspects at the time, he said, including George who knew McDonald and was found in possession of her checkbook. However, there was not enough evidence to make any arrests. Investigators took a fresh look at the case in about 2015 and submitted evidence for testing, but again there was not enough to file charges. In 2023 and 2024, the case was reassigned and reopened, and this time technology was able to play a role in obtaining formal charges. Investigators said good old-fashioned police work re-interviewing witnesses and knocking on doors was also crucial to solving the case. Both sheriffs investigators and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents jointly worked the investigation. U.S. Marshals arrested George at his Birmingham home about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting extradition to Georgia on the charges of murder and aggravated assault. Walker County, Georgia Sheriff Steve Wilson and Georgia Bureau of Investigation officials announced the arrest of a Birmingham man in a 2000 cold case.(Facebook) George has a lengthy arrest record in Alabama, but not for violent crimes, court records show. . He was 39 at the time of McDonalds killing. The sheriff said authorities are not yet releasing a suspected motive in McDonalds death. Wilson and GBI officials said they never give up on unsolved cases. I think its always a drive we have, Wilson said in a Friday press conference. Many of the victims relatives have since died, but authorities said they notified McDonalds niece and nephew of the arrest. The biggest gratification Ive seen in working these cold cases is giving the family some relief knowing (someone) has been found guilty in a court of law by their peers and that someone is held accountable for a death that was totally senseless. Theres some sense of relief that the family can put it behind them and go, Wilson said. Not that it gives them great joy, but its the fact that they know a person has been held accountable. A former Alabama National Guard soldier pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to driving migrants from the Mexican border into Texas while he was deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection. Derrick Terelle Sankey drove migrants who had entered the U.S. illegally in Starr and Hidalgo counties along the Rio Grande further north to locations near Jim Wells County between March 21, 2021, and Sept. 13, 2021, according to court documents filed in the Southern District of Texas. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sankey was recruited by smugglers because his military service alongside Border Patrol agents gave him knowledge of immigration enforcement activities in the Rio Grande Valley, according to court documents. He primarily served as a scout to advise other drivers of law enforcement who might stop the loads of migrants being driven north. Sankeys pay in the scheme was based on the number of migrants being transported in each event, the documents said. As part of the plea agreement, a second drug-related charge against Sankey was dropped, according to court documents. The former soldier was first arrested and charged in September 2021 with moving and distributing cocaine after he was caught delivering drugs to an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations while wearing his National Guard uniform and driving a Border Patrol vehicle. He pleaded not guilty and had been waiting nearly three years for his jury trial when a federal grand jury indicted him last month on a second charge of human smuggling. Chief Judge Randy Crane in McAllen accepted Sankeys guilty plea Thursday and allowed him to remain free on bond until his sentencing hearing Nov. 12. The Alabama National Guard confirmed Sankey was serving on federal orders at the southwest border in 2021 when he was arrested. He left the Guard as a specialist in July 2023 after nearly four years of service, the state said. Former President Donald Trump in April 2018 ordered National Guard troops to serve at the southwest border and President Joe Biden has continued that mission. The Guard members work alongside Border Patrol agents in a variety of support roles that allow those federal agents to conduct direct border security. It is separate from a state-sponsored mission in Texas ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott. Those troops work for the state of Texas and patrol the border alongside state police. However, other states have contributed troops to Texas since the mission known as Operation Lone Star launched in 2021. Sankey is not the only service member to get caught up in criminal activity while deployed to the border. At least three other soldiers from the Texas and Louisiana National Guards and the active Army have been arrested for charges of smuggling migrants while deployed to the border. ___ (c)2024 the Stars and Stripes Visit the Stars and Stripes at www.stripes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. JD Vance was greeted with some cheers and some boos during an appearance before a top firefighters union. Vance appeared Thursday at the annual meeting of the International Association of Firefighters in Boston. After receiving a mixed reaction to some of his comments, he remarked that it sounds like weve got some fans and some haters thats OK. One of Vances remarks that elicited both cheers and jeers was that he and Trump are the most pro-American worker ticket in history. The GOP vice presidential nominees appearance came a day after Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz addressed the same group. The organizations political arm endorsed President Joe Bidens candidacy in the 2020 campaign. Vance got a larger reaction of cheers when he promised support for collective bargaining and more benefits for firefighters. A screen displays the Houston ISD logo during a school board workshop at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Teacher absences in Houston ISD dropped more than 20% to about 92,200 absences over the last academic year after state-appointed leadership cracked down on attendance. That absenteeism decline from nearly 117,600 the previous year followed state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles directives in September 2023 requiring teachers to receive approval to use sick days and other time off, and a threat to fire educators who use more than the 10 days of leave allocated to them by the district and state. He said HISD had similar policies in the past but rarely enforced them. Communication and enforcement ramped up early in the year. Officials said in October that absences decreased by 37% in the first five weeks of school compared with the year prior. In December, officials said the number of teachers absent for more than 10 days dropped by around 40% in the fall semester compared with the year previous. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD did not comment on its teacher absenteeism numbers. Absenteeism also declined between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years from more than 122,100 to nearly 117,600. SCHOOL NURSES: HISD recruits for about 20 nurse vacancies after start of school year Teachers fear missing days Teachers said they were reprimanded for missing more than a handful of days and were asked to sign memorandums that warned them about taking excessive absences. Memos and letters of concern shared with the Chronicle indicated that failure to follow Miles directives could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Some teachers shared they felt scared to take days off, even for illness. Retired Bellaire High School teacher Brady Mayo said teachers were hesitant to use their allocated days in an example of a culture of fear due to policies and enforcement by new district leadership. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And teachers had these 10 days for a reason, and he (Miles) was coming down, sending them these letters or emails when they reached four or five absences Ive never had a year when there was not a single smile throughout the building, Mayo said in July. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, described circumstances where teachers had to choose between going to work or taking a sick day, or between work and using allocated time to care for a sick family member. For example, a longtime teacher said she was terminated for taking a lengthy absence to help her adult daughter diagnosed with cancer. Anderson said the union, which represents approximately 7,000 HISD employees, gets calls daily from employees who have COVID-19 and were told to come to work. So of course the absenteeism is going to be less, Anderson said. There is no choice if you want to keep your job, but then youre putting the health and safety of everyone else at risk when you come to work sick. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think teachers are professionals, and they should be allowed to make a decision whether or not coming to school puts other peoples health and safety at risk, Anderson added. Apparently, the district administration does not feel that way. The district cut down on the number of teachers with more than 10 days of absences, with 1,715 fewer teachers between last academic year and 2022-23. In contrast, the district previously had 220 fewer teachers absent for more than 10 days between 2021-22 and 2022-23. But the total number of teachers between school years changes, which in turn affects the number of absences. Michelle Williams, president of the Houston Education Association with about 200 members, stressed the number of people leaving the district as context behind the fewer absences. About 4,700 teachers left during the 2023-2024 school year, a Chronicle analysis of district records show. Williams also said absenteeism can reflect workplace culture and described how people will want to go to work at a positive workplace. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hes trying to reduce a number that is connected to the toxicity of the school district, Williams said. So, Im not saying that HISD was the poster child for a great culture, because it wasnt, but its worse now than it was these prior two years. What absenteeism means for students Toni Templeton, a research scientist at the University of Houston Education Research Center, said absenteeism declines in a school district could be tied to a change in policy or enforcement, or a change in the number of teachers. HISD started this school year with 10,640 teachers, compared with last years starting number of 11,388 teachers. The district is in a yearslong enrollment decline that predates the takeover. Academic research shows that teacher mobility, turnover and absenteeism create inconsistencies in the classroom, which are related to negative outcomes for students, Templeton said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A mine union official from West Virginia was indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly bombing a section of methane gas pipeline owned by Warrior Met Coal, officials announced Thursday. Jerry Gale Kerns, 52, was charged with destruction of property used in interstate commerce by means of fire or explosive, said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. The explosion occurred on March 23, 2022, when Warrior Met Coal workers with the United Mine Workers of America had been on strike amid a contentious labor dispute. The strike ended February 16, 2023, when the union issued an unconditional return to work. At the time of the incident, Kerns was the Region II director of the union, prosecutors said. They alleged Kerns bombed a section of a methane gas pipeline owned and operated by Warrior Met Coal near the intersection of Hanna Creek Road and Sandlin Mountain Road in Brookwood. Kerns faces between five years and 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump will be the keynote speaker during the Alabama GOPs annual summer dinner on Friday, Sept. 13. Trump, the daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has co-chaired the RNC since March. She is the wife of Trumps son, Eric, and is a former contributor with Fox News. The Alabama GOP, in its announcement about Lara Trumps speech on Friday, described her as instrumental in leading the partys strategic initiatives and rejuvenating the RNC with fresh energy. We are thrilled to have Lara Trump join us as our keynote speaker, said John Wahl, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. Lara has been doing an amazing job as RNC co-chair, energizing Republican base and championing conservative values across the nation. Her dedication to the principles of freedom, limited government, and family values resonates with the people of Alabama. This event will be an excellent opportunity for our state to hear directly from one of the leading voices in our party as we prepare for critical elections at both the state and national levels. The evening will include a reception, dinner, and remarks from special guests. Tickets are available at ALGOP.org. A single ticket costs $250, with a dinner for two at $400. This is the second year in a row in which a member of the Trump family member delivered the keynote address at the GOPs summer dinner. Last year, the former president was the keynote speaker during an event that underscored the Alabama Republican Partys support for his candidacy. Ahead of Trumps visit, a host of Alabama Republican members of Congress and other state officials including Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, announced their endorsement of the ex-president. Trump, during his speech in Montgomery, vowed to support adding six lanes to Interstate 65 if he is elected president. That project has long been championed by Ainsworth. The woman who blew the whistle on a former Houston County prosecutor wants to set the record straight. Jamie Connolly never got to testify at the trial of Mark Johnson, who was found guilty last week on six charges of ethics violations for his treatment of female defendants who provided revealing photos or escorts. A jury convicted the former prosecutor on three misdemeanor charges of using his office for personal gain and three felony charges of soliciting things for corrupt purposes. But it was Connolly who initially blew the whistle when she sent a letter in February 2022 to a local judge, saying that Johnson had sent her steamy messages on Facebook for two-and-a-half months. Pat Jones, who was the Houston County District Attorney at the time, placed Johnson on paid leave after Connolly sent the letter. Local media pounced on the story. Reporters called the messages a love affair and a tryst. Numerous stories focused on Connollys pending criminal cases and called her Johnsons cyber-girlfriend. But Connolly said she was not a girlfriend, rather a woman battling addiction who felt suddenly compelled to carry on a relationship with the man she believed held the keys to her freedom. She and her family found the coverage painful to watch, as the focus shifted to her legal woes and away from her difficult position as a criminal defendant speaking up against a powerful public figure. On his birthday he texted me, Connolly told AL.com from prison. He wanted me to meet up with him. And I went along with those things because frankly, I didnt know what else to do. Heres this man, and hes got my whole entire life in his hands. After the guilty verdicts, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Friday described Johnson as a man who used his position to exploit vulnerable women for his own gratification. How it started At first, Connolly thought it was a joke. The Facebook friend request. The waving hand emoji. Both appeared in her inbox a couple of days before Halloween 2021. Connollys family provided copies of the messages to AL.com. Connolly, a 54-year-old from Enterprise, hadnt always had a friendly relationship with law enforcement. She had been in and out of trouble for years, picking up drug charges in a rural corner of southeast Alabama as she battled an addiction to methamphetamine. But here she sat, staring at an online greeting from Mark David Johnson, a prosecutor in her 2019 drug case. At first I just thought that someone was messing with me, Connolly told AL.com. She decided to play along. Connolly sent a cautious reply, just the word Hi. The conversation escalated quickly and turned flirtatious within a day, she said. Messages flew back and forth at all times of the day and night. Connollys case is complicated. She has a lengthy criminal history dominated by drug arrests and she already faced charges in three different counties when Johnson reached out to her. Disciplinary panels police the professional conduct of attorneys, including allegations of harassment and sexual assault. The victims often have criminal records, and the perpetrators wear the cloak of professional respectability. Researchers who study misconduct say attorneys who cross the line with clients or defendants often end up with reprimands or suspensions. Disbarment the loss of a law license is rare, even in egregious cases. An analysis by Law360 looked at more than 100 lawyers who violated rules against sexual contact or harassment of clients and found that 86% kept their licenses. Some cases were much more extreme. In Missouri, the state Supreme Court in 2023 voted to suspend, but not disbar, a lawyer caught on camera groping women he represented as a public defender. Alabama, like most states, has rules regulating personal relationships between attorneys and clients. However, that doesnt apply in this case. The women were not his clients, but defendants, subject to his authority in the courtroom. Prosecutors can choose which cases to drop or pursue and have the power to offer plea deals that can reduce the amount of prison time. During Johnsons trial, one woman testified that she faced up to 99 years in prison. Johnson asked her to provide an escort and then intervened in her case to get her work release, prosecutors said. Another said Johnson kept her out of court-ordered rehab so she could stay in Houston County after she sent him sexual photos. Johnsons lawyers said there was no proof he got involved in their cases. Connolly said she believes she was approached by Johnson because of her extensive criminal history. The women who testified at trial all had drug convictions in their pasts and faced charges related to drug possession or trafficking. Why do you think hes going to pick any of those women? Connolly said. Because, of course, theyre felons. Whos going to believe a felon over Mark Johnson, right? Lawyers and the law Johnsons case is unusual for Alabama. A search of cases in Alabama found just 12 since 2014 involving lawyers disciplined for sexual misconduct. In five cases, the lawyers were disbarred. Two of those were lawyers found in possession of child pornography and another had a long list of prior disciplinary actions. Melissa Warnke, spokesperson for the Alabama State Bar, said the group typically pauses investigations and disciplinary proceedings when lawyers are also facing criminal charges. The Bar cannot comment on ongoing investigations, she said. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the Office of General Counsel to receive complaints against lawyers for sexual misconduct, Warnke said. We routinely punish lawyers for these type violations of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. But Gillian Chadwick, a professor at Washburn University School of Law in Kansas, has studied cases of sexual abuse by lawyers and concluded that the disciplinary system often fails victims. Chadwick found that the disciplinary panels set up to hold attorneys accountable often blame victims and discount their experiences. I was just really surprised and disappointed by how our discipline system treats cases, Chadwick said. An informant speaks Connolly had been accused of drug trafficking in 2018. A potential sentence of 22 years hung over her head when Johnson reached out in 2021. AL.com reviewed copies of the messages between Johnson and Connolly. After some casual chitchat about weekend plans, he messaged, Wish you was fishing with me. Connolly acknowledged that the conversation looked mutual on paper. But she said that it didnt feel that way to her. If you read those text messages, it was like we were in a relationship, Connolly told AL.com. Thats what the FBI guy said. He was like, it sounds like you guys were having an affair. And I was like, yeah it does. It sounds like that. But I had not met up with him. Then all of a sudden, he said All right, Im ready to see you. Then I got scared. That message landed in her inbox on Nov. 8, 2021. She put him off, citing car troubles and a busy schedule at work. On Nov. 14, 2021, officers from the Houston County Drug Task Force pulled her over in neighboring Dale County. They said they found methamphetamine and a syringe in the car, which did not belong to Connolly, and they left without arresting her, according to court documents. Her lawyer at the time wrote in court records the only reason for the stop was to harass her based on her previous history with Houston County. Connolly was shaken, she said. She sent several pictures of herself to Johnson the next day. You have beautiful eyes and lips, Johnson wrote in messages. I bet you are a great kisser. Its complicated In mid-December, Johnson messaged Connolly again: Im ready to see you. Connolly said she couldnt. Her schedule at the chicken plant kept her working until 2:30 a.m. The messages petered out after that. Days would pass between check-ins. In early January, it was Connolly who reached out. Ive been wondering why I havent heard from you! How are you love? she wrote. On Jan. 11, 2022, officers in Dale County called her to the sheriffs office and arrested her for trafficking methamphetamine charges that carried a potential life sentence. Connollys experience in the criminal justice system had taught her a few things about the value of information. So, as she sat in the Dale County Jail, she sent a letter to the Alabama Attorney Generals Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the state bar and the judge overseeing her drug case in Houston County. The fact remains that I have been a victim of the police and now the assistant district attorney, she wrote. Nobody cares that I am the one being hung out to dry. The trials In his messages with Connolly, Johnson never mentioned her legal issues or status as a criminal defendant. Her name on Facebook, Jazmine Connolly, is different than her legal name of Jamie Connolly. Johnson was not criminally charged for his messages to her, and his lawyers asked that they not be brought up as evidence in his trial. However, her attorney from the time, Patrick Amason, did take the stand and described the messages between the two as flirty. Johnsons attorney, Dustin Fowler, said he and his client plan to file an appeal. After Connolly blew the whistle, a judge in Dale County tossed the methamphetamine trafficking case that started with the strange traffic stop in November 2021, just weeks after Johnson sent his first message. She hoped the older charges in Houston County would also be dismissed after she exposed Johnson. Instead local prosecutors shifted the case to the Alabama Attorney Generals Office the same agency that prosecuted Johnson. Its not uncommon for prosecutors to offer to help criminal defendants who serve as key witnesses, said Bennett Gershman, a professor and expert on prosecutors at Pace Law School in White Plains, New York. You would think that somebody who is helping the prosecution in a criminal case would deserve some kind of benefit, Gershman said. However, Gershman said theres no reason to dismiss the criminal cases against Connolly if they started before the online messages with evidence untainted by Johnson. You look at the case in isolation and separate and apart from any involvement by the DAs office, which would be a problem, you have a credible case which may be very well reliable, trustworthy and prosecutable, Gershman said. Path to prison At first, it looked like Connolly might not go to prison for the drug arrests from 2018. In 2023, a judge in Coffee County ruled that she could go to community corrections after receiving treatment at a program in Anniston. Court records show she was dismissed from rehab for improperly taking her medication. A director of the facility said she snorted her pills, but Connolly disputes that. Either way, she hadnt been accused of abusing illegal drugs when she went back to court to face the judge. I didnt fail a drug test, Connolly said. How are you going to revoke my community corrections? He ordered Connolly to serve the remainder of her sentence in prison. Soon after, a judge in Houston County gave her a 15-year sentence in prison for drug and escape charges for allegedly running away when they tried to arrest her. Looking back, Connolly said she doesnt know whether coming forward with the messages from Johnson was the right move for her criminal case. All week during Johnsons trial, she heard about the testimony of the other women who agreed to provide escorts or revealing photos to Johnson. I thought, what if I wouldve taken him up on it? Connolly said. Her mother, 81-year-old Shirley Connolly, said things got worse for her daughter after that. One of the reasons for turning him in was so other women dont have to do this, she said. Connolly has been in prison for a year and faces the prospect of spending many more behind bars. The Alabama Department of Corrections shows a minimum release date in 2028. I feel like most people probably wouldnt have even brought it out like I did, she said. The FBI agents said most people probably wouldnt have said anything. Johnson has not yet been sentenced. He faces between two and 20 years for each felony conviction. Connolly could get some time shaved off her sentence. She has a hearing coming up to consider reducing her sentence due to the length of time she spent in jail awaiting trial. Its also possible that she and Johnson could both be in prison at the same time. That would put the former prosecutor in one facility for abusing the power of his office, while the woman who blew the whistle waits out her time in Wetumpka. Connolly said she is disappointed she never got to testify at Johnsons trial, but she is proud of the role she played in the case. Im glad that I did it, she said. And if I had to, I would have done it all over again. A southeast Alabama woman was arrested by special agents with the state Bureau of Investigation and charged with murder in connection with a body found in Geneva County, authorities said Thursday. Joselina Elizabeth Lopez, 26, of Slocomb, is being held without bond in the Geneva County jail on a charge of first-degree murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. The SBIs arrest came as the agency continued the death investigation it launched Tuesday after a body was found in the 1300 block of Grady Garner Road in Slocomb. Confirmation of the dead persons identity still remains pending. Further information was unavailable. A Birmingham man has been indicted in the 2021 Easter Sunday shooting at W.C. Patton Park that killed Areyelle Yarbrough and injured five others. Jalynd Rashad Rayford, 21, was initially charged in the crime last year and taken into custody in Georgia by teams of law enforcement officers. He is charged with murder in the death of the 32-year-old Yarbrough. The shooting injured five other people ages 5 to 21 at the time of the shooting. The 5-year-old, Justice Holness, was shot in the lungs and the bullet also and fractured his collar bone. Rayford is not charged in those crimes, and investigators are still searching for those responsible in their shootings. A Jefferson County grand jury issued the indictment against Rayford earlier this month, according to court records made public Friday. He has been out of jail on bond since November. Areyelle Meishaun Yarbrough (Special to AL.com) The gunfire erupted just after 7 p.m. that Sunday, April 4, 2021, while hundreds, if not more, were gathered celebrating the holiday. Officers arrived to find Yarbrough laying on the ground just outside the passenger door of her vehicle wounded by gunfire. She was pronounced dead outside vehicle, and those with her said she was trying to protect some of the children who were with her. A witness said two women were sitting on top of a blue Dodge Charger when someone opened fire, striking the Charger and the two women. The witness said one of those women was shot in the chest; the witness said the other was Yarbrough. Multiple people then started shooting. They didnt even know what they were shooting at, she said, estimating about 100 shots were fired. Yarbrough was a graduate of Alabama A&M University and was working on her MBA. She was a manager over 12 employees at the Jefferson County Department of Revenue where she headed principal accounting for business and sale tax licensing. The grand jury also indicted Rayford on an unrelated robbery of a woman that took place several weeks after the park shooting. Birmingham police Chief Scott Thurmond has previously said investigators believe members the Birmingham street gang - H2K or Hard to Kill were behind the dozens of bullets fired in the park that day. H2K became very prevalent with the Patton Park shooting, Thurmond said in a previous AL.com interview. H2K has since been the target of Birmingham, county, state and federal investigations. Some leaders and members have been jailed on other charges. He said last year he did not know if Rayford was a member of that gang. A trial date has not yet been set. Leafly Boba Bar is coming to Birminghams Urban Supply early next year. The Huntsville-based brand, owned by Huy Vu, Keoni Evans and Minh Vu, will occupy a 1,300-square-foot space at 1227 First Ave. S., Unit 105, at Urban Supply. Founded in 2022 in Huntsville, Leafly Boba Bar offers high-quality bubble teas with real ingredients. Urban Supply is all about bringing new, exciting concepts to our city and Leafly Boba Bar fits right into that mission, Drew Watson, senior development manager, said. Were looking forward to welcoming this fresh and unique business to Urban Supply and proud to support entrepreneurs like Huy, Keoni, and Minh as they bring their passion for boba to our community. Leafly Boba Bars menu features traditional bubble tea with specialty flavors, made with premium loose-leaf tea, flavored with 100% natural fruit purees, and sweetened with house-made syrups from all-natural cane sugar. Some of my most memorable years were spent in Birmingham, but my friends and I always craved boba and there werent any options in the city, owner Minh Vu said. We want to do our part in sharing Asian tea culture with Birmingham with the hope that our guests will make drinking tea part of their daily routine. Its not just a drink, its an experience to be enjoyed with your loved ones and Im excited to bring this experience to Birmingham while also contributing to the growth of the city. The modern design of the Birmingham location will featurethree distinct seating areas with booth seating, industrial chairs and stools, wood-finished tables, and exposed shelving. Large wall graphics and a bold color palette of black and bright yellow against neutral tones will infuse character into the fresh, modern space. Katerina Kohlwes of Mindful Design Consulting is behind the projects design. Urban Supply, located in the Parkside District, spans multiple blocks and features six properties connected by a pedestrian-only aisle created from a repurposed alleyway. As a plasma cutter carves steel plating that will become part of the future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Pickering, Read Adm. Mike Campbell shakes hands with Bill Bingle, right, a program manager for Austal USA.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com As Austal USA made the first cut of steel on a massive Coast Guard shipbuilding program on Thursday, the opening of a promising new chapter coincided with the closing of an older, more problematic one. Separately from the festivities around the symbolic start of work on the U.S. Coast Guards Offshore Patrol Cutter program, the Mobile-based shipmaker has announced a global settlement with federal agencies over financial irregularities in its Littoral Combat Ship program in the years 2013 to 2016. Terms of the settlement include a $24 million penalty and the empowerment of an independent monitor who will assess Austal USAs compliance with a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The monitor also will confirm the effectiveness of its [Austal USAs] compliance program and internal controls. Austal USAs bread and butter for the past decade has been two aluminum ships built for the U.S. Navy: The Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF). With the writing on the wall for both those programs, Austal leadership moved several years ago to develop the capacity to build steel ships as well. Of the several steel contracts it has won, the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) is by far the biggest: Austal could build up to 11 over the vessels, and the total value of the work is estimated at up to $3.3 billion. Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, director of the Coast Guards Acquisition Programs and program executive officer, said the occasion was a major milestone for the city of Mobile -- a Coast Guard city -- the state of Alabama, the greater Gulf Coast region and the nation as a whole. Coast Guard personnel, including Rear Adm. Mike Campbell, third from left, pose with a model of the Offshore Patrol Cutter, a class that Austal USA will build.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Today, the great women and men of Austal USA will start the economic engine of an incredible shipbuilding production line that we intend to run continuously over the next decade, Campbell said. And that will produce up to 11 world-class Coast Guard cutters incredibly capable to perform Coast Guard missions. This endeavor will directly contribute to thousands of well paid, and more importantly, meaningful jobs for thousands of families, both in the Mobile area and nationwide, Campbell continued. So this event today marks a milestone that is far greater and more impactful than it might seem. Larry Ryder, Austal USAs vice president of business development and external affairs, said he expected Austal to add well over 1,000 new jobs as the cutter program and other steel shipbuilding projects ramp up. At a July groundbreaking for another expansion, Ryder said the companys workforce was at about 3,100, with expectations that it would grow to over 4,000. The OPC is a 360-foot-long vessel with the ability to stay at sea for 60 days while covering more than 9,000 nautical miles. According to materials displayed at Thursdays ceremony, the OPCs will be capable of serving as mobile command and control platforms for surge operations such as hurricane response, mass migration incidents and other events; can perform a wide range of law enforcement missions; and can be deployed anywhere in the world. Austal is the second yard commissioned to build them, after Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding. Campbell described the OPC program as the largest and most significant acquisition in the history of the Coast Guard. They will replace vessels that have been in service for up to 50 years, he said, and will be workhorses for decades to come. Larry Ryder, Austal USAs vice president of business development and external affairs, speaks at an Aug. 29, 2024, ceremony marking the start of construction on the first Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter to be built at the Mobile shipyard.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The USCGC Argus, the first ship in the class, is expected to be commissioned this fall. Ryder said Thursday that Austal USA will take about three years to deliver its first OPC to the Coast Guard. The first Austal-built OPC will be commissioned as the USCGC Pickering. Campbell painted a glowing picture not just of Austal USA, but of workforce development programs in the region that help train Austal workers. Your collaboration with Austal USA in developing a skilled workforce is crucial to sustaining our shipbuilding industry that directly supports our nations maritime safety and security, he said. Our shipbuilding industrial base is not as robust as it once was and that poses a strategic risk to national security. The United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard have significant shipbuilding needs that will continue for decades to come. And our nation depends upon a strong shipbuilding industry to support those strategic needs. Now more than ever, a strong shipbuilding sector is an absolutely crucial cornerstone that enables our United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and merchant mariners to perform their essential missions that guarantee our nations maritime safety, security and economic prosperity. Through your educational and training programs, you ensure that our shipbuilding industry is able to continue to hire and grow a highly skilled and talented workforce, Campbell said. Through your technical training and education programs and your partnership with shipyards like Austal USA, your role in training the next generation of professionals is critical to our national security. I want to thank you for your impactful contributions. Ryder said the OPC program was a huge win for Austal. We won this program a few years back when our future was a little bit uncertain, he said. We were looking at downsizing. Its a big program. Its foundational. Its a lot of jobs and its a new customer for us working with the Coast Guard. And with the Coast Guard being as big a part of the Mobile area as it is, its just a perfect match. The legal settlement didnt come up at Thursdays ceremony, and an Austal USA spokesperson said that the company would have no comment to add to a formal statement issued earlier this week by its Australian parent company, Austal Ltd. In that matter, Austals difficulties go back to the early days of the Littoral Combat Ship program. From 2013 onward, Austal USA underestimated costs on the first few ships and Austal Ltd. only belatedly became aware of the problem. When it did, in 2016, it had to absorb an unexpected loss. In that case, there was investigation into whether the handling of the news violated regulations of the Australian stock exchange. Austal Ltd. said that in 2022 it had resolved an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, agreeing to a civil contravention and a $650,000 [Australian] penalty. There were other ramifications. In January 2019, Austal USAs offices in Mobile were raided by federal agents. At the time and afterward, very little was revealed about what exactly was being investigated. Austal USAs CEO, Craig Perciavalle, resigned abruptly in February 2021, and in March 2021 he and two other Austal USA executives were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Perciavalle, former financial analysis director Joseph Runkel and former LCS program director William O. Adams entered pleas of not guilty. According to a recent scheduling order, it appears that parties in those cases expect pretrial proceedings to continue deep into 2025. Craig Perciavalle, then CEO of Austal USA, speaks at a December 2017 ceremony in which the first cut was made on metal that would become part of the future USS Mobile. At left is sponsor Rebecca Byrne, wife of U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne. (Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com)Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The settlement announced this week had multiple components and involved both Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. A small piece of the resolution concerned allegations brought under the False Claims Act. The Department of Justice announced that Austal USA had agreed to pay $811,259 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly supplying valves that did not meet military specifications. The allegation was that Austal invoiced for military grade high performance butterfly valves and triple offset butterfly valves it installed on five LCS hulls when it knew the valves had not met the testing requirements to be deemed military grade. The statement included some stern language: Darrin K. Jones, special agent in charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector Generals Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office, said that Supplying nonconforming parts to the Department of Defense (DoD) compromises military systems and potentially endangers the lives of U.S servicemembers. Greg Gross, special agent in charge of the Navy Criminal Investigative Services Economic Crimes Field Office, said that Product substitution risks degrading warfighter capability and wastes U.S. taxpayer dollars. However, the agreement itself made clear that it is neither an admission of liability by Austal USA nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded. The larger matter, concerning the concealment of the true cost of building the first few Littoral Combat Ships and the subsequent impact on stockholders, Austal USA agreed to pay a penalty of $24 million, in addition to various stipulations of a plea agreement to resolve criminal charges. Austal USA, a shipbuilder for the U.S. military, engaged in a years-long scheme to illegally inflate its profits on ships the company was building for the U.S. Navy, reporting false financial results to investors, lenders, and its auditors, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, said in a statement released by the Department of Justice. The investing public, the U.S. Navy, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency relied on Austal USA to tell the truth about its financial condition and its performance on U.S. Navy contracts. Todays guilty plea underscores the Department of Justices commitment to holding U.S. government contractors accountable for their criminal misconduct and ensuring that they engage honestly with the U.S. government. That DOJ statement summarized the allegations thusly: According to court documents, from at least in or around 2013 through at least in or around July 2016, Austal USA and its co-conspirators conspired to mislead Austal Limiteds shareholders, independent financial statement auditors and the investing public about Austal USAs financial condition. Specifically, Austal USA artificially suppressed an accounting metric known as an estimate at completion (EAC) in relation to multiple Littoral Combat Ships that Austal USA was building for the U.S. Navy. Suppressing the EACs had the effect of falsely overstating Austal USAs profitability on those shipbuilding efforts and Austal Limiteds earnings reported in its public financial statements. Austal USA and its co-conspirators manipulated the EAC figures in part by using so-called program challenges, which were false plug numbers to hide growing shipbuilding costs that should have been incorporated into the companys financial statements. Austal USA did this to maintain and increase the share price of Austal Limiteds stock. When the higher costs were eventually disclosed to the market, Austal Limited wrote down over $100 million, and the stock price was significantly negatively impacted. An SEC statement alleged that Austal Ltd. and Austal USA had acted knowingly or with severe recklessness, and offered its own summary of the situation: According to the SECs complaint, from at least January 2013 through July 2016, the Austal companies engaged in a scheme to artificially reduce by tens of millions of dollars the estimated cost to complete certain shipbuilding projects for the U.S. Navy. The complaint alleges that Austal USA knew that its shipbuilding costs were rising and higher than planned, but arbitrarily lowered the cost estimates to meet Austal USAs revenue budget and projections. The complaint further alleges that based on this fraudulent manipulation of the cost estimates, Austal Limited prematurely recognized revenue and, as a result, met or exceeded analyst consensus estimates for earnings before interest and tax, known as EBIT, a key financial metric for the company. The Department of Justice statement said that it gave Austal USA credit for affirmative acceptance of responsibility and limited credit for its cooperation with the departments investigation. Austal USA also engaged in remedial measures, but those remedial measures were untimely and incomplete, including that Austal USA did not begin disciplining employees involved in the misconduct until more than two years after Austal USA learned of the governments investigation and did not undertake any independent steps to make restitution to the victims of its securities fraud scheme, said the DOJ statement. Austal USA has begun remediating weaknesses in internal controls that allowed the companys misconduct to occur, but Austal USAs remediation of its controls is still ongoing and requires additional improvements and testing. The DOJ statement said that in the plea agreement, which has not yet been accepted by the court, Austal USA pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud and one count of obstruction of a federal audit. And it suggested the multimillion-dollar penalty could have been higher. Based on application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, the department determined that the appropriate criminal penalty is $73,572,680.10, said the DOJ. However, due to Austal USAs demonstrated inability to pay the criminal fine, Austal USA and the department agreed, consistent with the departments inability to pay guidance, that Austal USA would pay a criminal fine of $24 million and restitution of up to $24 million for losses to Austal Limited shareholders. The department has agreed to credit all of the criminal fine and restitution against amounts Austal USA will pay to resolve an investigation by the SEC for related conduct. Austal Ltd., for its part, stressed that the complaints stemmed from actions between 2013 and 2016 of former Austal USA employees. It said that The U.S. global resolution, once approved, ends all investigations into the events leading up to the July 2016 write back on Austal Ltd. profits. The investigations focused on conduct that occurred over 8 years ago, and with a large order book of work ahead of us, we need to concentrate on the futurenot the past, said Austal Ltds Non-Executive Director and immediate past Chairman John Rothwell. Our customers have been understanding that the actions of a few do not represent the values of Austal and the 5,000 people it employs. Settling this action is the best outcome for Austal, Rothwell said. Upon learning of this issue, Austal conducted its own independent investigation. The responsible individuals are no longer with the Company, and we have made numerous governance changes to prevent similar issues from occurring again. Austal is committed to maintaining strong financial systems and controls. Throughout the investigative process, Austal USA has continued to build U.S. Navy ships and to win new Navy contracts. Austal Ltd.s statement said that the company is in advanced discussions with the US Navy regarding the impact of these issues, and is seeking to enter into an associated Administrative Agreement with the US Navy. This Administrative Agreement would set out the remedial measures taken by the company to date, ongoing commitments to compliance and providing access to US Navy representatives to Management, future reporting obligations, and the retention of an independent compliance monitor, the statement said. This is a key element of the Company maintaining its standing as a presently responsible contractor to the US Government a requirement for eligibility to undertake contracts for the US Navy and Coast Guard. This is a guest opinion column Diana Isom wants a good job that allows her to do more than get by, but the systems around her make that hard. The better-paying jobs she sees on job boards have long hours and unpredictable schedules. Shes lost one job already because her son got sick. Some of the more affordable daycare options shes found dont provide care beyond 2 p.m. And as a single mom without health benefits, she is worried about taking her 2-year-old to the doctor because the expense just might wipe out the little she has been able to save. Good jobs with benefits and security should be the norm. Thats why earlier this summer, we brought together workersincluding Dianaas well as employers, nonprofits, local leaders, workforce boards, unions, and educational institutions, to all commit to one thing: create and ensure good jobs for the working people of Birmingham. Good jobs for all may sound like a slogan, but for us, its a strategy and call to action. And that strategy calls for us to build the workforce roads and bridges that connect people to the good jobs they want and need and employers to the people they want and need. In short, we want to build an Opportunity Infrastructure in Birmingham and across the country. Just like our physical infrastructure, our current workforce system has some cracks and potholes. Employers tell us they are losing talent due to a shortage of affordable child and other dependent care. Educators, workforce development organizations, and labor groups experience roadblocks to job training and supportive services. And fractures in our workforce infrastructure sometimes leave entire communities disconnected from good jobs. We can do better than that. We can build a strong Opportunity Infrastructure: an interconnected system that connects every worker to a good job and removes the roadblocks standing in their way. This work starts with employers creating jobs that provide real security, and it continues with employers communicating the skills workers will need for those jobs early in trainings and in educational spaces. Because once its time to hire, its too late to think about where the workers will come from. Our strongest examples of effective opportunity infrastructure involve employers and workers partnering to identify skills needs and training early. If our workforce system is like infrastructure, Registered Apprenticeships where workers are paid while they train on the job are the superhighways of that system. Registered Apprenticeships arent one-off training courses. They are part of an interconnected, industry-driven, earn-and-learn system that gets people where they want to go. Community colleges are also part of this infrastructure; they are the on-ramps to good jobs. And supportive services, like child care and transportation, help workers access those good jobs. These are some of the biggest barriers in our nations workforce system. So when we remove those barriers, everyone benefits. Its like eliminating roadblocks in rush hour traffic. Finally, trusted community organizations are the roads that connect underserved neighborhoods to this opportunity infrastructure. Through their work, they reach key sections of the community and are key to successful outreach, recruitment, and retention. This is a critical moment for Birmingham and Alabama thanks to the generational investments of the Biden-Harris Administration. The Administration has invested $100 million in Birmingham alone and $7 billion in Alabama to repair roads and bridges, modernize airports, build electric vehicle charging stations, and ensure every American has clean drinking water and reliable, affordable high-speed internet at home. At the Department of Labor, weve invested $6.8 billion this year alone in our nations Opportunity Infrastructure. In the City of Birmingham, we have broken ground with new studies to understand the barriers in labor force participation. Were studying our citys child care landscape as well as the realities that formerly incarcerated men and women face in the job market. The City of Birmingham has led with its own 12-week parent parental leave policy, increased wages for city employees, and partnerships with community colleges for new training opportunities, and it has implemented a wide range of targeted initiatives to help residents overcome roadblocks to employment. Birmingham Promise has facilitated internships for almost 300 city students and has assisted 1,300 with college tuition costs. Through the citys BOLD (Building Opportunities for Lasting Development) targeted grant program, community organizations over five years have helped 111 adults earn job credentials and 95 actually get jobs. Our Good Jobs Challenge program aims to place 1,000 unemployed or underemployed individuals in good-paying healthcare jobs with the potential for upward advancement. The city is actively working to increase workforce opportunities and participation to meet the needs of local employers but most importantly to ensure residents have the resources they need to take care of their families. This requires us to create a framework that helps fill gaps related to childcare, transportation and job skills. We cannot build up this Opportunity Infrastructure alone. We need to all work together to connect Birminghams talent to good jobs across the city. Because workers in Birmingham should not have to settle for just getting by. They deserve to get ahead. Julie Su is Acting U.S. Labor Secretary and Randall Woodfin is the mayor of Birmingham People cheer as Ammer Qaddumi sits on the shoulders of another protester at a protest at the University of Texas on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Austin, TX. The previous day saw Texas State police as well as university police arrest nearly 50 protesters after Governor Abbott and the university asked them to intervene. (Sergio Flores for The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im A student arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin has filed a lawsuit against the university, saying school officials violated his First Amendment rights. Ammer Qaddumi was among the 136 people arrested during protests that erupted on the UT campus in late April. While the charges against Qaddumi have since been dropped, he still faces a disciplinary review hearing Friday that will determine whether he will be suspended or not. AFTER THE PROTESTS: Pro-Palestinian protesters face challenges in return to campus this fall Advertisement Article continues below this ad Qaddumi, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, engaged in First Amendment free speech activity at the campus on April 24, 2024, Qaddumis complaint read. The University unlawfully attempted to prevent that speech through prior restraint and other actions which will not satisfy the strict scrutiny standard under which they will be reviewed. The suit cited a report from UTs Committee of Counsel on Academic Freedom and Responsibility an official university body tasked with investigating policy and academic freedom violations. The CCAFRs report, released July 17, found officials at UT infringed on the rights of students and faculty by attempting to prevent the April protest. The committee panned the universitys response, stating administrators resorted to criminal charges without first attempting to de-escalate the situation. Justifications for the harsh response offered before, during, and after the events, including claims of weapons violations, rioting, and criminal trespass, were not supported by the observations of faculty or reporters on the scene, the CCAFR stated in its report. University administration did not do enough to seek a cooperative resolution. The report also accused UT leadership of taking harsh measures to disperse the protest at the behest of Gov. Greg Abbott. The day of the protest, Abbott made a post on X saying the protesters belong in jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the lawsuit, Qaddumi volunteered to serve as a mediator between demonstrators and the police. He was instructed to communicate a dispersal order to his fellow protesters but was arrested while attempting to instruct the crowd to leave the area, the suit alleged. English News Jiangsu builds "experimental fields" of basic research to unleash vitality for innovation Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 28 Aout 2024 Education, science and technology, and human resources are the foundational and strategic pillars for Chinese modernization. "The establishment and operation of the three basic science centers in Jiangsu province would help explore the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent systems, continuously unleash the inexhaustible drive for scientific research, and foster a vibrant atmosphere for innovation and creation," said Xu Guanghui, head of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology. By He Cong, Yao Xueqing, People's Daily In June 2023, east China's Jiangsu province planned to establish three basic science centers as part of its efforts to deepen reforms in the scientific and technological system and talent development mechanisms. These centers, focusing on physics, applied mathematics, and synthetic biology, are being piloted in research universities and other scientific institutions to reform the basic research system. In just one year, a number of groundbreaking results have emerged from these young "experimental fields" of basic research. Among them, the Provincial Center for Physics Science (PCPS) in Jiangsu province, which is backed by Nanjing University, has made significant strides in original research. At the quantum extreme measurement laboratory of the School of Physics, Nanjing University, professor Du Lingjie and his doctoral students are at the forefront of innovative research. Every day, they search for signals of new quasi-particles from excitation peaks, akin to finding a needle in a haystack. In their experiments, the flickering red laser beams keep changing energy levels, striking semiconductor samples in a cooling machine. The signals are instantly captured and displayed on a computer screen as excitation peaks that look like an electrocardiogram. Each peak represents a collision between an electron and a photon. The team examines hundreds of these excitation peaks per day, trying to identify the elusive signals. "Where is the signal? What does it look like? How long will it take to find it?" These are the questions that drive their research, with no guarantees of success. In the first half of 2023, Du and his team encountered challenges in their research: experiments that needed to be redesigned, a need for continuous capital input, and unknown prospects of the studies. This entirely new research was not included in any scientific project guidelines. Despite these challenges, Du received unwavering support from Wang Bogen, dean of the School of Physics, Nanjing University. Wang's confidence came from the commitment of China's "experimental fields" to reforming the scientific and technological system. This reform grants researchers substantial autonomy in their scientific pursuits and encourages them to "propose new theories, pioneer new fields, explore new paths, and focus on independent innovation." In 2023, Jiangsu province invested 130 million yuan ($18.14 million) to establish three basic research centers - the PCPS and other two provincial centers for applied mathematical sciences and foundational research in synthetic biology, among which the PCPS received a funding of 50 million yuan. "The strong research support and sufficient financial guarantee were like a lifeline for our research," said Du. On March 28 this year, their significant research findings were published on Nature. This marked the world's first discovery of quasi-particles with graviton-like characteristics in real systems. At a future computing laboratory of the PCPS, a four-layer "atomic building block" electronic device is clearly visible under a microscope. This groundbreaking development is the work of professor Miao Feng's research team from the School of Physics, Nanjing University. "In traditional materials, electrons move without a unified direction. However, when in the topological edge states of quantum matter they move in a consistent direction, much like vehicles on a highway," said Miao. His team has successfully integrated this "highway" concept into "atomic building blocks," constructing special electronic devices for brain-like computing. This significant achievement was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Nanotechnology. According to Ma Yuqiang, head and chief scientist of PCPS, project leaders are free to allocate research funds based on their judgment, which enables them to maximize the impact of limited resources, create cross-departmental, cross-disciplinary, and cross-industry teams, and bring together top talent. Education, science and technology, and human resources are the foundational and strategic pillars for Chinese modernization. "The establishment and operation of the three basic science centers in Jiangsu province would help explore the integrated reform of education, science and technology, and talent systems, continuously unleash the inexhaustible drive for scientific research, and foster a vibrant atmosphere for innovation and creation," said Xu Guanghui, head of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Immersive cultural, tourism activities on the rise across China Fruit trade between China, ASEAN thrives U.S. tariff hike on China a protectionist move that goes against trend of times Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) ACTUALITES Robotics technician: Emerging profession boosting efficiency of industries Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 28 Aout 2024 "As the industry continues to develop, technology is constantly advancing, and we must keep pace with the times and make continuous progress," Zhuang said. He hopes that while China works to make its industries intelligent, more people will take on the jobs of robotics technician and other emerging professions. By Hong Qiuting, People's Daily At a demonstration area of robot applications of Guangdong Cui Feng Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. in south China's Guangdong province, Zhuang Yongchun was standing in front of a row of spinning robotic arms. After he made a few taps on a teach pendant, these robotic arms moved accordingly. Zhuang carefully inspected whether the gripping and rotating actions of the robotic arms were accurate and smoothly transitioned. "It's not easy to make robots screw in screws and fetch screws from a box using their mechanical arms smoothly," said Zhuang, who's a robotics technician. "Our profession has emerged as a result of the rise of intelligent manufacturing." In simple terms, Zhuang's daily work involves the development and application of industrial robots. He is primarily responsible for providing industrial robots to companies with specific needs and designing robot production lines for factories undergoing industrial automation upgrades. A factory that produces medical sheet metal parts hoped to upgrade its production line for automation. Upon learning the news, Zhuang visited the factory. "First, we need to assess the condition of the press brake and determine if it is compatible with our equipment. We also need to evaluate the bending bed and molds to ensure they meet the production requirements," Zhuang added. After noting down the key technical specifications, Zhuang returned to his office and discussed with colleagues, designing solutions, simulating movements, and conducting 3D design. "After multiple rounds of discussions and approval of the plan, we signed an agreement, and once the customer places the purchase order, we would start with drawing, procurement, assembly, and conduct action, signal, and hardware testing," Zhuang said. He added that the automation upgrade of a production line, from design to installation of 10 robotic arms, for example, can be successfully put into production in 5-10 days. "For the factory, using robots can save labor costs. Previously, it required two or more people for bending, but now only one bending robot is needed," Zhuang told People's Daily, adding that this significantly improves production efficiency. In fact, bending technique is closely related to people's daily lives. Televisions, refrigerators, computer cases, vending machines, data center servers, and many other electrical products on the market rely on the technique. Previously, during his visits to enterprises along the industrial chain, Zhuang discovered that many factories in Dongguan, Guangdong province were employing the bending technique. Before the development of bending robots, products had to be manually produced, which often resulted in deviations and the production of defective goods. "Can we develop a robot to alleviate the burden on workers and improve efficiency?" This question lingered in the mind of Zhuang and his team. The challenge with bending robots lies in keeping sheet metal products securely attached to the robot's suction cups while the robot performs bending actions. "At that time, no one in the world has tackled this challenge," Zhuang said. Zhuang diligently studied various comprehensive technologies related to robots, such as machine programming, circuits, machine tools, and engineering design. He continuously updated his knowledge system and devoted himself to the research and development of robot projects. "After a year of efforts, we finally developed a bending robot and introduced this technology to the sheet metal industry nationwide, promoting the industry's transition towards intelligent manufacturing," Zhuang said. So far, this robot has been employed by more than 60 companies from over 10 provinces and municipalities, according to him. While working on projects, Zhuang has also focused on talent training. He said that over the years, he has trained hundreds of robotics technicians, who are now working in various manufacturing companies and operating various production line robots. "As the industry continues to develop, technology is constantly advancing, and we must keep pace with the times and make continuous progress," Zhuang said. He hopes that while China works to make its industries intelligent, more people will take on the jobs of robotics technician and other emerging professions. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Sports urbains et ligues de rue : leur essor, qui en fait un phenomene mondial La fortune sourit aux plus courageux : parmi les gros joueurs de casino Meilleurs bonus de paris sportifs a surveiller en 2024 Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Over the past four years the people of the United States have witnessed the choreographed rise and precipitous fall of Joe Biden. Twenty-five hundred years ago the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, wrote A mans character is his fate. An aphorism that aptly applies to Kamala Harris and the vast majority of the Democrat Party hierarchy. Oftentimes it is a series of events or decisions within a certain timeframe that seals ones fate. Is it a coincidence that Bidens decisions and actions during the four weeks between July 21 and August 15 in each of the four years of his presidency sealed his inevitable fate to be remembered as an unprincipled, duplicitous, and venal president? Will Kamala Harris, equally lacking in character and anointed by Biden as his successor on July 21, 2024, suffer a similar fate in November? On the 14th of August 2020, Politico, in a lengthy article, revealed for the first time Barack Obamas honest opinion of Joe Biden together with his warning to the people of America. During the 2020 primary Obama told a fellow democrat: Dont underestimate Joes ability to f**k things up. Were these revelations published in August of 2020 just happenstance or a foretelling? On the 15th of August 2021, Biden presided over a deadly and unfathomably haphazard de facto surrender in Afghanistan. He heartlessly and deliberately left behind over a thousand American citizens as well as untold thousands of Afghan allies. He was directly responsible for the needless slaughter of thirteen American soldiers. Further, Biden abandoned, in usable form, over $7 billion dollars in military equipment for the Taliban to create one of the best equipped militaries in the world. Thus, reconstituting an avowed terrorist state. His approval numbers and that of the Democrat Party immediately cratered and never recovered. On the 8th of August 2022, the Justice Department, responding to Bidens edict to prosecute Donald Trump using any pretext possible, fired the opening salvo in the lawfare against Donald Trump as they raided the former presidents home at Mar-a-Lago using the guise of recovering top secret papers. This unprecedented anti-democratic and extrajudicial process cast a permanent and irreversible shadow of corruption, ineptitude, and malevolent authoritarianism on Joe Biden and the Democrat Party as well as elevating the stature of their most despised adversary, Donald Trump, who three months later would declare his bid for the presidency in 2024. On the first day of August 2023, at Joe Bidens insistence, the Justice Department and its unconstitutional special prosecutor indicted Donald Trump on four groundless counts of conspiracy and obstruction in the January 6 insurrection. This unconstitutional, egregious, and obviously political act was the breaking point, as it would ensure that the Supreme Court would have to step in. Further, the attendant backlash would guarantee Trump the Republican nomination, thus giving him the opportunity to confront a rapidly declining Joe Biden in debates during the 2024 election cycle. On July 21, 2024, after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump, Biden, succumbing to threats from the Democrat Party establishment, agreed, in exchange for an unannounced quid-pro-quo, to be summarily deposed as the Democrat nominee for president. This historical renunciation by a major political party now defines Bidens career. His lack of character resulted in a career littered with failures due to unforced errors, countless flip-flops, plagiarism, cupidity, mendacity, and demagoguery, all brought about by overweening egocentricity and an inbred inability to admit he was wrong about anything. He has always been an arrogant, self-important demagogue with a short fuse who will slander and defame not only his political opponents but their supporters in the most hateful and over-the-top manner imaginable. He sincerely believed he was infallible and dismissed any and all contradictory opinions or analyses he did not agree with. Thus, it was he who insisted upon and unleashed the humiliating and haphazard surrender in Afghanistan. His arrogance extended to his unwavering belief that he could successfully negotiate with and trust the Taliban, whom he was certain would evolve to be what they are not. The Afghanistan debacle, which was the catalyst for Putins invasion of Ukraine and the increasing belligerence of Communist China, has dramatically increased the possibility of a global conflict, empowered a terrorist state, emboldened Iran, and together with open borders exponentially increased the likelihood of massive terror attacks within the United States. The decision to unleash his personal Gestapo, the FBI and the Justice Department, against Donald Trump revealed Bidens lack of foresight, impetuosity, deviousness, and most importantly the obliviousness to the potential fallout which are the hallmarks of virtually all of Joe Bidens major decisions over his 50-year career in politics. Bidens hand-picked successor Kamala Harris is worse than Joe Biden. She too is devoid of any character. However, while not drowning in Biden-level megalomania, she is far less intelligent and possessed by a lifelong willingness to be appallingly subservient. She will be far more dangerous as she will be making no decisions on her own and will do as she is told, as personified by her acquiescence to the tactics being employed in her campaign. This extreme lack of character will also be her fate. Despite the efforts of the legacy media, this lack of character cannot be hidden. Thus, she will not win the presidency on November 5, 2024. Image: AT via Magic Studio All Israelis in 2024 are settlers, every last one of us. Anywhere Jews live in Israel from Beeri to Hebron, Tel Aviv to Ariel are one and the same -- places where Israelis live, and Palestinians want to remove. The entire State of Israel is itself a small settlement surrounded by hostile players. The Biden-Harris Administration is continuing its long-armed policy of sanctioning settlers in the West Bank noting that it was imposing sanctions on multiple Israeli individuals and entities "for being involved in violence or threats of violence targeting civilians, seizure or dispossession of property by private actors, or actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of the West Bank; or being owned or controlled by an individual designated under this order." A few days ago, there was a violent crime committed by small groups of young extremists in Israel. Unlike in Palestinian society, those who commit these crimes are punished by Israeli law enforcement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he took the riots seriously and that Israelis who carried out criminal acts would be prosecuted, noting, Those who fight terrorism are the IDF and the security forces, and no one else. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant rightfully added that those extremists did not represent the values of settler communities. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich labeled the rioters criminals who were in no way related to the settlement and the settlers. And while in Israel these crimes are committed, similar crimes of vandalism, looting, and violence are often committed in Democrat-run cities like New York or Los Angeles, not prosecuted and rarely result in arrests. Riots at the DNC in Chicago which saw violent clashes between police and protesters and led to 56 arrests will not lead to sanctions. Those who violently act up at universities arent sanctioned, nor are those blocking highways while waving flags of illegal terrorist organizations that killed Americans. In many senses this administration is repeatedly signaling that that the problem with peace in the Middle East is the Jews. If Jews were not in the Middle East, there would be peace. This policy of sanctions against settlers is something which Kamala Harris Jewish advisor, Ilan Goldenberg has long advocated for. Then the reality is that those handful of radical settlers committing crimes arent the problem in the region. As Netanyahu said, We are working to block this. It is an issue for the entire State of Israel, not just Judea and Samaria. And indeed of course it is, as Jewish residents of Israel want the right to live as Jews, to pray, to live, work and enjoy life in the land of their forefathers. West Bank settlers arent placing suicide bombs or endangering Western civilization and have the right to live anywhere they choose. Anywhere in the world there are lawbreakers, and they should be punished. Yet, America sanctioning Israelis for crimes that wouldnt be prosecuted in New York or Los Angeles is unacceptable. Even after October 7th, the reality is as Netanyahu said years ago, The truth is that if Israel were to put down its arms there would be no more Israel. If the Arabs were to put down their arms there would be no more war. The problem in the Middle East is not Jewish settlers or settlements, it is the fact that there is a Jewish State of Israel. Ronn Torossian is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Image: Pixabay Whatever the motivations of the attempted assassin of Trump, still undisclosed by the FBI, it has taken that attempt to focus greater public scrutiny on calls for violence from the Left. Let's remind ourselves of just a few of the many examples: Obama declaring if they bring a knife, we bring a gun Madonna saying she'd thought a lot about blowing up the White House (when Trump was in it) Kathy Griffin infamously holding up a depiction of Trump's bloody, severed head Shakespeare-in-the-Park portraying Julius Caesar's assassination with a Trump look-alike Biden saying he'd like to take Trump behind the gym and "beat the hell out of him" Schumer threatening the Supreme Court: "...you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you..." Kamala Harris saying of the violent 2021 riots that they were justified and that they should continue: "they're not gonna let up, and they should not." Rep. Maxine Waters declaring about Trump administration officials: "push back on them and tell them they are not welcome anymore, anywhere," that one should "absolute harass them," and that "I will go and take Trump out tonight." Madame Speaker Pelosi saying "I just don't know why there aren't uprisings all over the country." Johnny Depp asking: "When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?" Democrat Rep. Paul Kanjorski saying about the Republican candidate for governor of Florida: "...they ought to...shoot him. Put him against the wall and shoot him." Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman saying Trump should be "eliminated." Former Attorney General Eric Holder saying: "When they go low, we kick them!" Both Nicole Wallace and Robert De Niro agreeing Trump deserved to be punched in the face. Biden claiming, only days before the assassination attempt: "...it's time to put Trump in a bull's eye." The Left's response to these and other even more outrageous calls is not to deny them, which is difficult if not impossible to do in this video age. Instead, the response is predictably threefold: 1) they were taken out of context, 2) the Left has piously denounced violence, and 3) the Right is also inciting violence. None of these addresses the damage already done, any more than a polluter can call back the pollutants he has released after the fact by claiming he has been misunderstood, or that he repudiates polluters, or that others are doing it. These direct calls for violence are bad enough, yet the more indirect attacks on political opponents by the Left are arguably even more impactful in creating a climate in which the chances of violence are exonentially increased. Take first the relentless campaign of attacks -- still ongoing even after the assassination attempt -- depicting Trump as "Hitler,", "traitor," an "existential threat to our Democracy." These calls have emanated from President Biden and Vice President Harris all the way down and through the leftist ranks. Former First Lady Hillary Clinton has ominously declared the end of our country if Trump is elected in 2024. Any American halfway alive today must have noticed how dominant a theme this vicious line of attack has become. Does it not occur to the Left that in a land of approaching 400 million people there will not be someone unhinged enough to interpret them as a call to be a "hero" and eliminate such an existential threat to the whole nation? Would it not seem to such an individual, and all it takes is one, that it is his/her civic duty on behalf of all of us, to take such a threat to the nation out? Second, consider the unprecedented lawfare still being waged by the weaponization of our whole government and its accomplices against a political opponent. The attempted actions are so severe that they carry an implicit message: this candidate is so reprehensible as to be a legitimate target by even illegitimate attacks. Remove him from the ballot! After all, he is a "traitor"! Gag his free speech! All citizens are supposed to have that right, so the denial is a declaration he is beneath basic rights. Deny him all due process! Same conclusion. Who but a dangerous criminal should have his home raided at dawn and without warning by dozens of armed federal agents? Or subjected to the statistical fraud of 91 bogus criminal indictments? One of the most important messages that the electorate can send this year is that this culture of fomenting violence directly and indirectly must stop. Image: That's Just Great Recently, I had the privilege of hearing the Son of Hamas, Mosab Hassan Yousef, address our community. What stood out was his passionate and, at times, frustrated tone when addressing the conflict between Islam and the West and, more specifically in the Middle East, between Israel and Hamas, Hezballah, and Iran as religious in nature. This conflict isnt about self-determination or a territorial dispute, nor is it about a two-state solution or even a Palestinian state. It is about Israel being a non-Muslim entity in a region that is viewed by the inhabitants as Dar-al-Islam the Domain of Islam. The major proponent of the ideology that seeks to make the world the domain of Islam is the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas is the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hassan al-Banna, a native of Egypt, founded the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, following Turkeys abolishment of the caliphate in 1924. Al-Banna preached a return of Muslims to the Quran and Hadith as guidelines for a healthy and modern society. His ideas spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, including Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and North Africa. Following in his footsteps was Sayyid Qutb, a teacher and writer, whose book Signposts in the Road (1964) outlined the ideological framework of the Muslim Brotherhood and serves as a template for Sunni Muslim radicalism. Having studied in the United States (19481950), Qutb returned to his native Egypt, where he militated against Western ideologies of secularism and materialism. And he sought to reverse the Western influences that had seeped into the Muslim world during the prior 300 years. Qutb declared that all human societies had entered a new cycle of paganism (what he called Jahiliya) by excluding true religion from their daily lives and transactions. This state of affairs demanded the restitution of Islam as the only legitimate system capable of guiding humanity in all its endeavors. According to Qutb, nationalist and terror organizations such as the Palestinian Liberation Organization contradicted Islam, albeit while sharing the same goal of Islamic religious dominance and the ultimate liquidation of Israel. Qutb asserted that Muslims are one nation and must not be split into particular nation-states. Consequently, the Islamic state must function the same way it functioned in the time of the first caliphs (seventh century C.E.). War and peace, he believed, should be handled in the way the Prophet Muhammad dealt with those issues. Accordingly, Hamas should have killed and did kill Israeli prisoners, raped women, kidnapped children and the elderly, and used them as hostages. This, moreover, is the way the Muslim Brotherhood armies will act if and when enabled. By and large, the Western world moved away from religion as a principal factor in the political arena after the European 30 Years War (16181648). The 21st-century religion of the West is political correctness, equality, inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism. It will be the likes of the Muslim Brotherhood who, by taking advantage of western freedom and inclusion, will bring about its downfall. Europe has, in large measure, already submitted to radical Islam and is far gone, and the U.S. is not far behind. Since October 7, 2023, we have seen mobs of protesters on campuses and in capital cities across the U.S. and around the world, flying the flags of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The mainstream media have been on the scene, providing them with a platform to express their antisemitism and intolerance, without any significant journalistic coverage questioning the rioters about what their chants really mean. We have seen similar embraces of radical Islam of the Muslim Brotherhood variety in the U.S. Congress, almost exclusively among the growing progressive wing of the Democrat party. It is apparent that the West does not take the threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood seriously. Nor does it recognize the Muslim Brotherhood waging a religious jihad against the West, albeit surreptitiously. To speak of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, or of a two-state solution, is to miss the whole point. A two-state solution, at this time, would be a Final Solution for the Jewish State. Hamas rule would prevail in the Palestinian areas, whether in a democratically arranged elections or by seizing power, as happened in Gaza in 2007. Once Hamas prevails, it is a certainty that more October 7s will occur, and any chance for peace in the Middle East will evaporate. A victory for Hamas would also empower the Muslim Brotherhood globally, with Europe and the U.S. being the next targets for October 7 massacres. Mosab Hassan Yousef, whose father was one of the founders of Hamas and who grew up with that cult of violence and murder and escaped from his hellish experience, is a perfect witness and a voice to be heeded. He has made it clear that there can be no compromise with Palestinians neither Fatah nor Hamas. The struggle for them is not about land or self -determination, which could have been achieved in 1937, in 1947, with the 1993 Oslo Accords, etc. They refused to compromise as long as it meant that a Jewish state would continue to exist. Israel is on the front lines of a civilizational struggle. An Israeli victory against Hamas, and the elimination of its power base in the Palestinian areas, might give a Middle East peace a chance. The defeat of Hamas would incentivize Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and create a strong defensive bulwark against Iran and its proxies. Yet the West and the Biden administration are failing to grasp the simple reality that for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it is a religious war against Israel, and ultimately against the Western world. Image: chidioc via Pixabay, Pixabay License. An interview it was not. Kamala Harris shopped for months for a moderator that would make her look and sound competent and capable in an interview, and eventually she found what she was looking for. However, even though CNN's Dana Bash did her best imitation of a real journalist conducting a hard-hitting interview, Kamala Harris failed. Unsurprisingly, Bash got no coherent answers from Harris who has had weeks to prepare for this event, so Bash retreated to fluff questions: about the phone call from Biden telling her he was ending his campaign! Boring, irrelevant pancake talk and with her teary-eyed claim about just caring for Joe first, probably untrue. Then there was the clip about Tim Walzs son crying at the DNC. CNN ran the tears-for-dad shot, but failed to include the clip of Walz angrily yanking the poor young mans hand as his family joined together on the DNC stage. Then there was the equally boring clip about the allegedly viral, iconic photo of Harris grandniece watching Kamalas speech. In short, the interview was a colossal waste of time. Harris is absolutely incapable of answering simple questions. She gives new meaning to Gertrude Steins little platitude, there is no there there. Ironically, Stein said that about Kamalas stated hometown, Oakland, California. The CNN sit-down was supposed to be our introduction to her specific agenda, a clarification of her policies on energy, immigration, the economy, transgenderism, etc. Kamalas amorphous views on each of these issues has long been clear since her 2019 failed campaign for the presidency. No fracking, no gas-powered cars, a completely open border, defund the police, dissolve ICE, transgenderism is great, etc. Her stated agenda then was the total destruction of America as founded. Tonight she said her values have not changed. On the other hand, she admitted, probably falsely, that she now supports fracking, gas-powered cars, a border wall, etc. The woman has no idea what she thinks, supports or opposes beyond what she thinks people want to hear. She has no core values and does not even know that she has no core values. She well and truly is an empty pantsuit, a woman without any knowledge of the issues she pretends to grasp, a woman who mistakenly thinks she is so smart, she can bamboozle the American people into voting for a cipher. How did a scheduled one hour interview end up being eighteen minutes? Knowing what they were dealing with, CNN likely filmed at least an hour and a half or two hours of the conversation knowing it would have to be edited. But, eighteen minutes? At least half of it pablum?! This should be the biggest wake-up call to the Democrats. They have chosen their candidate poorly. This woman is mentally challenged as is her vice presidential candidate. He blamed his lie about having been in combat in Iraq as a grammar error. That has to be the most disingenuous excuse for a series of blatant lies ever. There is something terribly wrong with this man. Could it be that his thirty trips to China on their dime, his belief in the principles of Mao, suggest he is a tool of that communist regime? Uh, yes. Walz has been a terrible, authoritarian governor of Minnesota. His record there should be a warning to us all. He is not only to the left of Bernie Sanders, he is obsessed with the sexual deviances of young people, thus the tampons in boys restrooms, K12! The CNN interview, despite Dana Bashs earnest attempt to make her seem viable, was a disaster of monumental proportions. It exposed Kamala's total lack of knowledge of all the issues that plague us. She is like a high school activist who just discovered politics, a person who knows nothing but thinks she knows everything. Shes never grown past her fathers radical Marxist views; shes never bothered to learn about the ravages of communism, socialism and the totalitarianism she supports but has no idea how these ideologies work in reality. Communism killed a hundred million people in the 20th century. In short, Kamala Harris is dangerous. Her ignorance is always dangerous when combined with even a little bit of political power. Even though it was CNN, the fact that a planned hour interview was truncated to 18 minutes should be the wake-up call of all wake-up calls. The Democrat party, as RFK, Jr. so eloquently expressed, has morphed into something it was never meant to be. As currently constituted, it has shredded the Constitution, abrogated all election laws, has resorted to all manner of lawfare, bribery and corruption in order to retain power. It has become Stalinist in every way. Any American who is blinded by their naked immorality, their quest for eternal power, is a fool who will, if they cast their vote for Kamala Harris, be voting for his or her own serfdom. Image: Screen shot from CNN video, via YouTube One of the more disappointing things about American politics is how much time is often spent debating policies that have no actual chance of ever being enacted in this country. Such is the case with the recently proposed federal abortion ban that has apparently sent a large number of pro-life Republicans into a tizzy after Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have said they would not sign such a bill were it to be put on the desk of the president, and has them claiming they will not vote for the GOP ticket as a result. Let's, however, look at this from a realistic angle. In order for any bill limiting abortion to pass through Congress, whether it be a total ban or something along the lines of a requirement that only people over the age of 18 years old would be eligible to get an abortion, it would require 60 votes in the Senate to survive a filibuster. But because we can safely assume that Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski would also vote against any such measures, that increases the number of Senate votes needed to 62. Currently the Republicans have 49 Senators, meaning that they would need to flip 13 Senate seats to achieve that number, assuming Collins and Murkowski were the only Republican holdouts, something I would not bet money on. To put that in perspective, in an absolute best case dream scenario in the 2024 elections where Republicans were to flip every Democrat Senate seat in a somewhat competitive state, they would only pick up 9 seats, far short of the 13 needed to shepherd an abortion ban through Congress. Not to mention that the way Senate elections are cycled its hard to see a scenario where there would ever be enough vulnerable seats at any one time to flip the necessary number of seats in future elections. Whats more, even if the opportunity were to present itself, the pro-life community has demonstrated conclusively that they are not up to the challenge of getting those candidates elected. Since the Supreme Court issued its decision reversing Roe, pro-lifers have suffered a string of humiliating losses including many of them in deep red states like Kansas, Kentucky and Montana. So in essence, these pro-lifers are trying to transfer the blame for their own failures onto Donald Trump by creating a hypothetical situation that will never come to fruition. Those same people dont seem to understand, however, that the repeal of Roe v. Wade removed the umbrella protection from state and local regulations that had existed for decades for abortion clinics. Regardless of whether such laws required clinic doctors to have hospital-admitting privileges, or forced those clinics to keep accurate records or insisted that they maintain basic hygienic standards, courts would routinely toss any such regulations under the rubric of them violating Roe v. Wade. Because Donald Trumps Supreme Court picks overturned Roe however, abortion clinics can now be saddled with the same types of red tape and onerous regulations of the sort that liberals subjected organizations like the Boy Scouts to. In fact, how is it that liberals have been able to successfully block new Chick-Fil-A franchises from opening in their districts but pro-lifers havent been able to figure out how to use government bureaucracy to block abortion clinics from opening or operating, even in deep red states? Oh, right because if they tried to do so, the same conservatives who are whining about not getting a federal abortion ban would complain that the Right was abandoning its principles by using government regulations to punish a private business. In short, Donald Trump was massively successful in doing what his office allowed him to do in order to end abortion. On the flip side, the people accusing him of being insufficiently pro-life have failed spectacularly in doing their part in winning state and local elections over the issue of abortion. Instead of focusing on pie in the sky principled solutions like a federal abortion ban, conservatives would be much better served by looking at the reality of the situation. For example, if a state passed a law banning all abortions except those performed in the case of rape, incest or the life of the mother, theres no way that any standalone clinic could afford to stay in business serving that miniscule customer base. Focusing on under-the-radar regulation of abortion clinics via state and local legislative bodies that people mostly ignore is the way to go in a post-Roe era, not some high profile election referendum thats guaranteed to fail. However if pro-lifers decide they are going to stay home and not vote for MAGA Republican candidates because some imaginary bill that wont be implemented would theoretically be vetoed by Donald Trump, that would lead to a Democrat victory in the 2024 election, which would kill any momentum for the passage of such laws in local municipalities going forward -- and result in far more abortions in the long term. Choose wisely. Image: James McNellis, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0 Deed Nicole Shanahan is an interesting woman (more on that in a minute). She also was, up until this year, a stalwart Democrat. However, the Democrat partys decidedly anti-Democrat behavior, both in blocking RFK Jrs campaign and in placing Kamala at the head of the ticket without her having won a single primary ever, soured her on her one-time party. Now that shes had a taste of MAGA, shes also realized that the media and the Democrat establishment have been lying all along. Since shes got rich and powerful friends, lets hope her epiphany spreads. Per Wikipedia, Shanahans mother was an immigrant who grew up in communist China before meeting her German-Irish father. Her father, a computer specialist, suffered badly from mental illness (bipolar, schizophrenic, depressive) along with self-medicating, causing substance abuse. The pair settled in Oakland, California, and Shanahan describes her upbringing as poverty-stricken and traumatic. Because she was bright and hardworking, though, she went to college and law school. Image: Nicole Shanahan (cropped). YouTube screen grab. After becoming interested in patent law, Shanahan leveraged her patent and legal expertise to create a legal tech company. She eventually sold the company in 2020 for an estimated $20 million in IPwe stock (although IPwes bankruptcy this year means that, if she hung onto the stock, its worth nothing). In 2018, Shanahan married Sergey Brin, one of Googles co-founders, with whom she has a young daughter. That marriage didnt last long. Although Shanahan had a pre-nup with Brin, she negotiated hundreds of millions in Google shares. Estimates are that shes worth over $1 billion thanks to that short-lived marriage. Until recently, Shanahans political orientation was Democrat. For 20 years, shes donated to Democrat candidates and funded Democrat issues. However, shes also suspicious of big-tech and big-pharm medicine. She distrusts IVF for infertility and thinks that women arent getting enough sunlight. (This isnt as crazy as it sounds. As COVID shows, Americans are sorely lacking in Vitamin D, which is a necessary ingredient in our immune systems.) Also, because her daughter is autistic, shes interested in non-standard approaches. (As this luminous novel reveals, the scientific community has been awful at autism.) In March 2024, Shanahan joined Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as his running mate in his independent presidential campaign. By this time, Shanahan had already witnessed the Democrat party freeze Kennedy out of the primaries, and from March forward, she saw Democrats ensure that Kennedy couldnt get on most state ballots. Now that the campaign is over and Kennedy has endorsed Trump, Shanahan has done a few press appearanceswith conservatives, everyone from Jesse Watters to Adam Carolla. Whats interesting is that this exposure to actual conservatives, rather than to the leftist caricature of conservatives, is that, as she told Dave Smith, she now understands how the media and the Democrat establishment have consistently lied about conservatives and the MAGA movement: Listen to RFKs running mate who is a very well-known liberal tell you that everything shes ever been told by the mainstream media about the Maga movement is a lie and how they have been so extremely welcoming and thoughtful. pic.twitter.com/ifksvQRWuw Insurrection Barbie (@DefiyantlyFree) August 29, 2024 You know, actually, the best part of joining forces with Trump has been seeing MAGA, which I'm learning so much about. I was completely misinformed about what MAGA is. I don't know if you've taken any deep dives into MAGA-world, but I was just under the impression that they were gun-toting radicals who wanted to come to my doorstep and rip my liberal family out of my house, and, I don't know, do horrible things to liberals. And that's how that's how MAGA has been sold to a huge portion of America by the mainstream media. And I have to say that what I have learned about MAGA is that they're actually their own party. They're their own grassroots organization that chose Donald Trump. They have so much power in deciding where to point their energy and support. And they are really, really smart, thoughtful, intellectual people within MAGA. Ive received beautifully written notes from MAGA supporters, and they were... You know, our base didn't know how to engage with MAGA. Our base was not, you know, MAGA-oriented in the sense of even knowing who and what MAGA was and what their infrastructure was. In many ways, it's an online, viral movement. And so the coming together of... And they gave us the name MAHAMake America Healthy Again. Have you seen? [Yes, Ive seen, says the interviewer.] Oh, my gosh, I mean we didn't come up with that. We're getting hats made. But the coming together of these two groups over the last weekhasn't even been a full week yetbut watching that happen has been really glorious because that was always the vision of this unity movement, this desire to heal the divide. And even though these are just two pockets within a much larger group of the American demographic, they're two very powerful pockets. And to find common ground has been one of the most motivating, optimistic things I've seen in recent political times. Welcome to MAGA country, Ms. Shanahan. And now, given your connections, I hope youre able to spread the word to other Democrat stalwarts the lies that Democrats tell. Family members of those killed during the intemperate, ill-conceived, costly, and embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan invited Trump to attend the third-anniversary ceremony at Arlington. A female Arlington employee tried to prevent Trumps team from recording the event and, failing that, filed a formal complaint alleging a physical altercation (which Trumps team strongly denies). Now, the Army has gotten involved. I suspect partisan political motives given that (a) no one in the feds cared when Obama or Biden did what Trump stands accused of doing and (b) Trump has stated that he intends to clean out the militarys DEI rot, which Obama seeded and Harris-Biden reinforced. Heres a brief summary (and heres a longer one). The ceremony took place on August 26. The mainstream media were present, so cameras were definitely allowed; its only Trumps cameras that were a form of desecration. President Trump honors the 13 heroes killed in the Harris-Biden botched Afghanistan withdrawal three years ago today pic.twitter.com/1KZMHvnV4h Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 26, 2024 Again, Trump was there in response to a personal invitation. He did not give a speech, film a commercial, or invite a crowd. Instead, he helped place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nevertheless, an Arlington employee (which means the employee was under the militarys umbrella) tried to block the Trump team. Maybe the employee was just officious and obsessed with decorum, or perhaps the employee knew that the days optics were awful for the Democrats: Biden was on the beach, Kamala put out a meaningless tweet, and Trump honored those who died because of Harris-Biden incompetence. Guess which picture regime media are trying to pretend is the real scandal? pic.twitter.com/9iR1IW8epy Sean Davis (@seanmdav) August 29, 2024 Its worth noting that the employee was female, which suggests an element of the same hysteria we saw from women during the George Floyd protests. The Harris-Biden administration, acting through the Army, has decided to escalate the whole affair. An Army spokesman issued a statement implying that the Trump campaign violated the rules of decorum at Arlington and touting the womans alleged professionalism: NEW: US Army spokesperson says participants in event at Arlington Cemetery "were made aware of federal laws" re: political activity & "abruptly pushed" employee. "This incident was unfortunate ... the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked." pic.twitter.com/bRdoQ6HGKD Haley Britzky (@halbritz) August 29, 2024 Regarding the claim that a Trump person physically challenged the employee, the Trump campaign disputes that, claiming its defamatory. And of course, as always, theres a double standard, as when government employees physically pushed customers out of a store so Mrs. Jill Biden and her daddy-damaged daughter could buy some doodads: More outrageous behavior by Secret Service agents. These agents aggressively attacked and manhandled people in this sleepy town to allow Ashley and Jill Biden shop. pic.twitter.com/3XNJwZ18qv @amuse (@amuse) August 26, 2024 A deeper issue, though, is whether a politician, by standing respectfully at a graveside, is conducting political activities on cemetery grounds. Apparently, its not a problem when Democrats do it: Cant believe Trump took a photo at Arlington. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/g68GhCVZmu Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) August 29, 2024 And smiled even pic.twitter.com/2ZdAmsfzRg mjhubbardHold Fauci and China Accountable (@mjhubbard1) August 29, 2024 Here is Joe Biden literally running a 2020 campaign ad with images of him at Arlington National Cemetery. Nobody in the Army or at Arlington said a word. But now that Trump honored Gold Star Families there, it's suddenly a grave concern. Hypocrisy.pic.twitter.com/yv6P6bkZWD Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 29, 2024 Poor attempt at SLANDERING TRUMP As someone who has served in the US Army Honor Guard for Arlington National Cemetery, I can tell you cameras are allowed. They will even set up roped-off areas next to graves during funerals for the press. @CommunityNotes do your thing. https://t.co/17uwhEnUjp Matt Tardio (@angertab) August 28, 2024 Can we end this? If it was not legal for President Trump to accompany families at Arlington National Cemetery the Marines would not have allowed it. The Marine Corps is very serious about its responsibilities at Arlington. As is the Executive Director of Army Cemeteries. I Haz (@Michael_Haz) August 28, 2024 If youre wondering whats going on with the Army that it would get involved in this fracas, I have a theory. Trump has said several times that he intends to clean out the woke rot in the military: I mentioned this a month or so ago, now it has cropped up again. Pres. Trump has repeatedly indicated a preference for a massive senior leadership turnover at the Pentagon, should he win in November. I think theres a good chance he means it. pic.twitter.com/AnWWfcDHpg Patrick Fox (@RealCynicalFox) August 22, 2024 Our military was once a rigorouslyand very proudlynon-partisan organization. All this changed with Obama (something I documented years ago). The top brass have always had to be political but their devotion was to the nation and the institution. Now, theyre all about the pensions and the perks. We are living in very dangerous times within America itself. It wasnt 9/11 that set America on the tyrannical path; it was Obamas election. Trump was an interregnum, but the leftists are now back on track. Image: X screen grab. US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris waves as she arrives to speak on the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images "Next question." It's a fitting response to inquiries that are tired, stale and, frankly, have nothing to do with the issues at hand. During her first live interview before a national audience on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris was asked about Donald Trump saying she was always of Indian heritage" but then she "happened to turn Black" in recent years remarks he made last month at the annual convention of the nation's most prominent association representing Black journalists. "Next question," said Harris to CNN's Dana Bash, dismissing Trump's comments as part of his "same old tired playbook." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The issue of Harris' race and identity is more about how it makes certain people uncomfortable than it is about what she calls herself. Using racist and sexist tropes to scare people might appeal to their own prejudices, but it's not Harris' issue. She is clear about her Blackness and always has been. Born in Oakland, Calif., to immigrant parents, a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Harris graduated from Howard University, a historically Black college, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation's oldest Black sorority that was founded on Howard's campus. She's also a member of the Links Incorporated, a prominent service organization for Black women founded in 1946. She's the highest-ranking woman ever to hold office in the United States and the first person of Black and South Asian heritage. She also may be our first female president after accepting the Democratic nomination a week ago. The burden of talking about race is often placed on people of color when the issue about race is usually with people who are not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, Harris said. In July, National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Richard Hudson urged lawmakers to refrain from making personal attacks on Harris and leave her ethnicity and identity out of the conversations, according to PBS' NewsHour. "This is not personal with regard to Kamala Harris, he said, Her ethnicity or her gender have nothing to do with this whatsoever. Trump, the party's presidential nominee, has also called Harris "crazy" and "dumb as a rock," while some Republicans have labeled her as a diversity hire and attacked her with racist and sexist language. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, it's not her problem. It's theirs. Dana Bash conducted a better interview than I would have expected. The answers by Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, though, were almost shocking. Listening to the analysis by the CNN crew led by Abby Phillip afterward was as expected: the vice president moved the ball forward and claimed to be a change agent without any real change that one can believe. When Kamala claimed to be committed to her values, I wondered whether she was admitting that she did not change any real opinions and supported the Biden administration programs. Only former Bush staffer Scott Jennings pointed to the incongruities. Going through the details of the Harris walk-backs, Bash tried to give Harris a lifeline, which Kamala did not take. Harris claimed that her values did not change when asked how in 2019 she opposed fracking but said that in 2020 she had accepted it. She says that in the White House, she would not oppose fracking, but the administration has restricted it on federal land. How will this work in Pennsylvania? On immigration, Harris wants to push the compromise legislation that she argued Trump opposed to help his campaign. He opposed it since it would legitimize more illegal immigration. She once argued that there is not criminality in migration, but now she says she would enforce border laws, but which ones does she mean? As the CNN crew noted, the winds have changed, so she now has changed. Instead of leading, she is following the polling on issues. When asked about the decision by Biden to leave the race, she wanted everyone to believe that she was concerned about him, not herself. This can humanize her and limit the belief that she is aggressive in gaining power. She said she was making bacon for her family, but for average people, this is now expensive food. Tim Walz made no apology for misstating his military record and implying that he used weapons in warfare. He defended abortion when discussing infertility, attacking Vance on that issue. Harris showed loyalty to Biden, defending his mental capacity, the economy (saying that they had to rescue it from Trumps mismanagement of COVID), and Biden himself as a man. All of this elevates her with the undecided. So this interview was a plus for her campaign. But it all belies the reality. The economy is better than in 202122 but still unaffordable for many. The border is still a mess, and the illegals are branching out to live in many blue states, where they will become part of the hidden population, giving more congressional seats as opposed to citizens. Health care is less available for those who pay for it as waiting times has increased. She still favors the Green New Deal, which will bankrupt this nation, but now she says we can drill and provide clean energy. She said in a 2020 debate with Mike Pence that Biden would not ban fracking, but she never said that she had abandoned this view. Clearly, her campaign has decided to use lawyerly statements. Whereas Trump annoys many with his blunt statements, Harris splits hairs so finely that one can only conclude that she is dishonest, which has been her history when running for California attorney general and as the prosecutor in San Francisco. The Trump campaign must learn from this interview, as she has tried to present herself as a regular person. She did not explain her flip-flops, and the media will not expose them. David Axelrod pointed out that Harris must make stark contrasts on issues that poll well. Harris wants to exude joy rather than anger, which was evident at the interview. Harris was disciplined, and most feel that Trump is not. Trump must be more controlled. There is still a good chance for Trump to win, but Harris did not embarrass herself, while getting a softball interview with few serious follow-up questions. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Two things are becoming abundantly clear regarding the investigation into the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump. First, nobody trusts the FBI. Secondly, everybody is complaining that the FBI is stonewalling and withholding information about the alleged shooter, and therefore, the entire sordid event is quickly turning into a Kennedy assassinationlike conspiracy. In other words, nobody trusts the FBI. Oddly enough, the biggest complainers are sitting on the singular investigative body that has the greatest ability to get information but hasnt utilized its power. The House Bipartisan Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Former President Donald Trump has the ability to obtain crucial physical evidence, without the FBIs permission, and remarkably has failed to act. If the FBI doesnt want to play fair, there are other useful tools. According to constitutional attorney Jonathan Emord, until a court in Pennsylvania rejects the next of kin rule, I suspect that will remain a barrier to accessing the Medical Examiners autopsy report and related evidence. However, stressed Emord, the congressional committees investigating the assassination attempt should subpoena the coroners and Medical Examiners reports and related evidence and then release it to the public so it may be scrutinized. Is Emord the smartest guy in the room? Maybe. But cmon is there no one on the congressional committee who is aware of its subpoena power? Is the public really supposed to believe that the lawyers in Congress were unaware of their power to subpoena this information? Is it possible that members of Congress tasked with this investigation have forgotten about Steve Bannon, who is currently sitting in a jail cell because of a failure to comply with a congressional subpoena? Congressional investigators are absolutely free to paper Bethel Park, Pennsylvania with subpoenas, including the parents of the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. After all, it was the father who reportedly made a call to police in the early afternoon hours prior to the assassination attempt. The alleged call to police was made by Crookss father because he was concerned about his son and his whereabouts. Fox News explained the call this way: Thomas Matthew Crookss parents were looking for him on Saturday in the hours leading up to the Trump rally shooting and eventually called law enforcement to indicate that he was missing, and they were worried. Perhaps Congress may want to hear from the father about why the call was made to police that early afternoon. Perhaps Congress would like to know whether the father actually had a conversation with the son. Perhaps the mental health expert father did speak with the son, and it was what was said during the conversation that prompted the call to police. Maybe thats why the FBI still is investigating the family and why the family has lawyered up. The point, of course, is that Congress has the ability to subpoena the father...to question the mother and father about that very questionable call and numerous other issues. If the FBI isnt willing to share information, Congress doesnt need its help. Congress certainly didnt need permission from the FBI to throw Steve Bannon into a jail cell for failure to comply with a subpoena. Either Congress will utilize all its powers to provide information to the public, or it may end up the way of the FBI, where Americans no longer trust it. Image: J via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. From George Orwells 1984 comes one of the authors most memorable lines: The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. Well, while the fictional party of Oceania illustrated a society in which the people were to dismiss reality in authoritarian submission, Colorado governor Jared Polis prefers to gaslight us, describing the evidence of [our] eyes and ears as a mere figment of our imagination. We dont need to reject anything because its all just in our crazy heads! Yesterday I wrote a blog on a surreal and terrifying situation in which illegal migrants, suspected to be members of the vicious Tren de Agua gang from Venezuela, armed to the teeth, had de facto seized control of an entire apartment complex in the formerly quiet and safe suburb of Aurora, which lies just outside Denver. Theres video footage on doorbell cameras, police records of shootouts and beatings, firsthand accounts from tenants, and even confirmation from the local mayor: Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, told Fox News on Thursday that there are several buildings that have fallen to these Venezuelan gangs in his city. Coffman said he believes the buildings were used as taxpayer-funded migrant housing, which is what gave the gangs a foothold. Well, heres the next chapter in the ordeal, from an exclusive report at the New York Post: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis dismisses migrant gang takeover of apartments as imagination despite video, mayor confirming truth The Governor has already let the Mayor know that the State is ready to support the local police department with assistance from state troopers and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation if needed, Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for the Dem governor, told The Post. But, according to police intelligence this purported invasion is largely a feature of Danielle Jurinskys imagination. (Jurinsky is an At Large member of the City Council who recently assigned blame for the gang takeover on Poliss policieswell no kidding, hes the one who invited them.) So what does this apartment community look like post-hijacking? Frankly, its exactly what youd expect, a third world hellscape nightmare. Weve got a cartel boss calling the shots (his name is Cookie in English), lackeys who dole out merciless beatings, seized properties, and lots of firearms. Per a property investor: The apartment investor told The Post that theyve lost control of several properties because the gang has taken over units. They were first hanging out around the property and creating a bad element thats constantly there. And then they started taking over, quite a few months ago, they started taking over vacant units. I mean, we are literally going to need some serious firepower to restore whats been done; were dealing with hardened criminals who have little to lose, accustomed to all sorts of sinister dealings. When reporters at the NY Post contact contacted Poliss office for comment, his staff doubled-down, with the spokeswoman saying that they hope they haters will stop trashing their own city and stay in their lane. Heres a thought for our elected representatives maybe dont reject the evidence of your eyes and ears, and get back to the mission at hand, which is America first. Image: YouTube video screen grab. Sure, you can type text prompts or speak to Gemini, but there are other ways to interact with the AI platform. Youre able to actually upload documents to Gemini and ask it questions based on their contents. Users can upload several types of documents to Gemini already, but the company just expanded the number of documents it accepts. Theres just a bit of a catch. If you want to upload documents to Gemini, its a simple process. The process is pretty much the same for both the website and the app. Go to the text field and tap/click the + button. This will take you to your file picker. After that, just go to the file that you want and upload it. Youll then be able to ask questions about it. Some of the most popular files that people upload are images. Gemini can accept more file formats Today, Google just announced that you can now upload more types of files to Gemini. This is an incredibly useful function. Sometimes, what you want to analyze cant be summed up in a simple text prompt. You may need to analyze a report or an essay. In a Google Blog post, the company announced that Gemini can now accept several file formats such as TXT, DOC, DOCX, PDF, RTF, DOT, DOTX, HWP, HWPX, and Google Docs. Along with those, Gemini can now accept data files such as XLS, XLSX, CSV, TSV, and Google Sheets. This heightens the utility of Gemini greatly. You dont even need to have the documents on your computer. Youre able to import files right from Google Drive. Now, whats the catch? Well, if you want to use this functionality, youll need to pay. Youll only be able to upload these documents if youre a Google Workpace user with Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium. One thing to mention is that this is only for the Gemini website. Google provides information on how to upload documents through the Gemini mobile app. Google is seemingly quite generous towards Gmail when it comes to adding features and we are not complaining either. Today, the company has announced that it is rolling out a Gmail Q&A search feature powered by Gemini on Android. By the name itself, you might have guessed what it is for. Google says it is a new way to search your inbox with Gemini. The Gemini-powered Gmail Q&A feature is rolling out on Android as a new way to search your inbox Earlier in June, Google announced the general availability of Gemini in the side panel of Gmail on the desktop web. This feature allowed users to summarize emails, look up their inboxes, and do much more. Now, the company is bringing the same experience with a new inbox search feature on Android which it calls Gmail Q&A. Well, nothing has changed as for the functionality. However, the on-screen experience of the Gmail Q&A search on Android is a bit different. With the feature in place, the Gmail search bar will shrink to display a Gemini sparkle right next to your profile image or initials (at the top right). Unlike, the desktop web view where Gemini appeared in the side panel, you will see the Gemini How can I help you today? panel taking over the bottom part of the Gmail app screen featuring different suggestions. You can enter the full prompt on that panel or even expand it to take up the entire screen. The feature can be useful in many ways and is coming soon to iOS too The Gmail Q&A search for Android allows you to do multiple things with the help of Gemini. You can search for specific details from an email or ask Gemini to display unread messages from a particular sender. Gemini can also help you summarize emails about a topic from your inbox. Honestly, there is a lot of usage. Google says the Gmail Q&A for Android will help boost your productivity to get done more during the day from your desk and on the go, with the magic of Gemini. The first impression of the feature undoubtedly looks pretty neat and handy. If you are an iOS user, you can expect it to come your way soon, though Google hasnt specified any timeline. Moreover, you can check the Gmail Q&A feature in action on Android below. AI is a cool technology for creating cringy internet content and boiling down your lengthy emails, but its utility goes far beyond that. It can be used for some serious health applications. While Google has made some serious missteps with its AI, the company wants its AI to help you stay healthy. Googles AI may detect when youre sick one day. Speaking of Googles AI, the company just recently launched some new tools to make Gemini more useful. It launched a new feature that will let Gemini see whats on your screen and give you answers based on what it sees. It also launched another feature that lets you ask questions about YouTube videos and get answers. These features are now live for the latest version of the Google Gemini app on Android. You can download the app today for free. Googles AI could detect when youre sick This isnt a new Gemini feature thats hitting the app, and you wont see it in use any time soon. Google partnered with Salcit Technologies, an Indian tech company, to help use its AI technology to detect the early signs of sickness. It wants to achieve this by using audio samples. It will use bioacoustics to help fuel this technology. Alphabet, Googles parent company, developed a foundation model that was trained on more than 300 million audio samples of common sounds of sickness. These include sniffles, coughs, sneezes, and breathing. It obtained these samples from sources such as audio recorded in a Zambia hospital and YouTube videos. One application that the companies plan to use this for is the early detection of tuberculosis. Salcit Technologies is using this model to help detect this disease. It combined Googles model, which is called HeAR (Health Acoustic Representations), and its own model called Swassa to help detect early signs. In India, it can be tough to get proper treatment for this disease in most areas. So, many people go undiagnosed each year, and that results in countless deaths from a treatable disease. The model will use your phones microphone as a screening device. Youll record yourself coughing into the microphone. Then, the model will be able to detect diseases with 94% accuracy. Thats really impressive, and its already being used by Apollo Hospitals and the nonprofit Healing Fields Foundation. Google wants to partner with other companies to potentially help them screen for other diseases like breast cancer. Google started shipping two of the new Pixel 9 phones the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL to early buyers earlier this month. Now, the search titans second foldable smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, will hit the market shelves next week. Ahead of the new foldable phones availability next week, the company has dropped some sad news for those looking to buy it. Unfortunately, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold appears to have compatibility issues with the Pixel Stand wireless charger. The company has officially confirmed this information on the support website for the Pixel phones. You cant charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold using the Pixel Stand or Pixel Stand 2 Google recently updated the support pages for the Pixel phones on its website. The updated information on the website mentions that the Pixel 9 Pro doesnt support the Pixel Stand and Pixel Stand 2, the companys official wireless chargers. The latest foldable phones wireless charging coil is the issue behind the incompatibility with the Pixel Stand. Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesnt support the Pixel Stand but it supports many other wireless chargers, mentions the support page. The position of the charging coil for Pixel 9 Pro Fold isnt perfectly centered compared to previous Pixel phones. This might make it difficult for you to charge your phone wirelessly, Google explained further. The support page for the Pixel phone now also has a picture. It shows the position of the Pixel 9 Pro Folds wireless charging coil. It is placed quite low on the back as compared to the other Pixel phones. Youll need to look for alternative wireless charging solutions If you are planning to get the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, then you will need to look for alternative wireless charging solutions. Several third-party wireless charging pads support the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They come in various sizes, shapes, and styles, so you can buy one that suits your requirements. Its worth mentioning that you dont need to buy an expensive wireless charger for the latest Google foldable offering. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can only pull 7.5W power wirelessly. Any wireless charger capable of delivering at least 10W power will be just fine. A good example is the KARTICE Wireless Charging Stand. Samsung is reportedly interested in acquiring mobile network assets of Nokia. The telecom equipment arm of the Finnish company could be valued at around $10 billion. Why is Nokia willing to sell its mobile network equipment? Nokia Oyj is the telecom equipment manufacturing and supply arm of Nokia. The Finnish company is reportedly contemplating multiple financial strategies, and divestment is one of them. Nokia Oyj has been struggling to compete with larger Chinese telecom equipment manufacturers such as Huawei. The companys second-quarter operating profit reportedly dropped 32% due to weak demand for 5G telecom equipment. Report from Bloomberg: Samsung's mission to acquire the mobile phone network sector from Nokia for $10 billion Nokia is one of the largest companies in the field of telecommunications towers and networks and has been competing with large companies in this field such as pic.twitter.com/DTtRqIK0wR iPLUG NG (@iplugsupport) August 30, 2024 Mobile World Live (MWL) quoted a Nokia representative saying the company does not comment on rumors and speculation. However, the representative mentioned the company is committed to the success of its Mobile Networks business, a highly strategic asset for the company and its customers. The business has made significant progress this year both on right-sizing its cost base while protecting our product roadmap, and winning new deals with new customers and increasing share with existing customers. Nokias representative added the vendor is focused on ensuring that Mobile Networks is positioned to serve its customers by providing the best-performing networks, investing in its portfolio and creating value for shareholders. Why does Samsung want to acquire Nokia assets? Samsung is reportedly one of the leading companies that has expressed interest in acquiring Nokia assets. There could be other companies who may initiate discussions too. Samsung hasnt officially issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Nokia Oyj to acquire the latters assets. According to Bloomberg, the deliberations are at an early stage. Simply put, theres no assurance Nokia will sell its assets. However, the entire telecom equipment arm of Nokia could be valued close to $10 billion. Samsung takeover of Nokia mobile would show futility of open RAN. Samsung is reportedly in talks about a takeover of Nokia's mobile assets, valued at $10 billion, that would lessen competition and make it bigger than Ericsson pic.twitter.com/DBWa6sPYgX Stranger (@Stranger4every1) August 30, 2024 Samsung may have expressed interest in acquiring some Nokia assets presumably because of the size and nature of the business. The telecom equipment manufacturing business is heavily consolidated with a few market leaders. With Samsungs deep pockets and global reach, the South Korean tech giant could grow Nokias business arm. Moreover, Nokias radio access networks help connect mobile phones to telecom infrastructure. This alone would significantly benefit Samsungs mobile business. Nokias mobile networks division supplies base stations, radio technology, and servers. Its primary customers are wireless operators around the world. Interestingly, this division contributed about 44% of Nokias total revenue last year, making it the companys largest segment. Qualcomm is going to attend the upcoming IFA 2024 tradeshow in Berlin. The company has announced that it will hold a press conference to introduce new SKUs for its Snapdragon X series for PCs. Currently, the tech giant offers four SKUs under the series. Three of them are under the Snapdragon X Elite series, while theres one in the Snapdragon X Plus series. The first crop of laptops powered by the aforementioned Qualcomm X series chipsets already hit the market earlier this year. All of them cost $1,000 or more. Now, the company is expected to introduce a new variant of Snapdragon X Plus at IFA, which will target more affordable notebooks. Ahead of the official announcement, popular tipster Evan Blass aka @evleaks has shared details of the upcoming Snapdragon X Plus SKU. Qualcomms new Snapdragon X Plus processor will feature an 8-core Oryon CPU Some details regarding Qualcomms new SKU under the Snapdragon X Plus series already surfaced earlier. Now, Blass has posted the core details of the upcoming Qualcomm laptop processor. Per the promotional image the tipster shared, the new processor will have an 8-core Oryon CPU. It will be a slightly cut-down variant of the regular Snapdragon X Plus chip that has a 10-core Oryon CPU. Notably, the upcoming Snapdragon X Plus SKU will flaunt the same Qualcomm Hexagon NPU with 45 TOPS of AI performance. Earlier reports suggested that the new chip will provide 3.4GHz single-core boost and 3.2GHz multi-core performance. Besides, the new SKU will get a cut-down Adreno GPU. It will feature a slower 1.7 TFLOPS max performance as compared to 3.8 TFLOPS of the 10-core X Plus chipset. The new X Plus chipset will have support for three external displays at UHD resolution and 60Hz. The processor will support LPDDR5X RAM with 30MB total cache as compared to 42MB on the earlier model. Notably, the chipset for Microsoft Copilot+ PCs will have Always-Sensing ISP, Wi-Fi 7, and 5G connectivity support. The new chipset will ship on sub-$800 Copilot+ notebooks According to Blass, Qualcomms new Snapdragon X Plus processor will power the Copilot+ notebooks priced around $800. Earlier this year, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon already said that the brand will address PCs priced as low as $700 with the Snapdragon X series solutions. These more affordable Copilot+ laptops are expected to hit the market at some point in 2025. Since the announcement is just around the corner, well have official details soon. Sonys PS5 Pro design is one of the aspects of the console that fans are eager to learn more about, outside of official specifications and potentially new features. Sony has yet to officially announce the PS5 Pro but numerous leaks over the past several months have signified that its likely on the way. Now, it appears we may have our first look at what the design will be. A recent report suggests that Sonys upcoming pro model PS5 console will look similar to the base model. Not the original base model, however. Sony launched a refreshed of the PS5 that came with a slightly updated design referred to by many as the PS5 Slim. It incorporates a removable disc drive which is one of the defining factors that separates it from the original model. The PS5 Pro, it seems, will look pretty similar to this version of the console. Albeit with a couple of minor changes. Sonys PS5 Pro design differs only slightly from the Slim model For the most part, the design of the PS5 Pro is not much different from that of the PS5 Slim. It has the same slender aesthetic with dual USB-C ports on the front. As well as a split between the top and bottom halves of the console covers on each side. The main difference is the area of the split. On the PS5 Slim, theres a single black line that splits the top and bottom halves. On the PS5 Pro, it looks as if there are three black lines. This information comes from Billbil-kun over at Dealabs. You can see a representation of this design in the image below. According to Billbil-kun, Dealabs was able to see the final packaging of the PS5 Pro, which had the design of the upcoming console on it. However, Dealabs says that for copyright reasons, it cant show the actual image of the packaging. So it created the sketch instead based on that packaging. Its worth noting that this isnt official from Sony. So things could always change. Having said that, Billbil-kun has been right about plenty of these types of leaks before. So theres a good chance that this design is accurate. Another thing to take into consideration is the design differences between the PS4 and PS4 Pro. There werent many differences at all. The design was mostly the same there too. The main difference was that the PS4 had two larger flat pieces connected together with a recessed section for the ports in between them. The PS4 Pro had three of these larger flat pieces stacked on top of each other instead of two. Sony also rounded out the corners. Overall, however, the design was pretty similar. So it makes sense that Sony would keep things similar here as well. The PS5 Pro may be compatible with the Slim console covers Sonys console covers were a popular accessory for the original console as well as the PS5 Slim. While there havent been nearly as many limited edition variants of the PS5 as there have of the PS4 and PS4 Pro, the console covers gave users a way to customize the look of their PS5 by way of different colors and designs. It seems that the PS5 Pro may be compatible with the PS5 Slim console covers being that the design is so similar. Again, this isnt confirmed, but speculation on Dealbs part. However, the designs dont look different enough to where they wouldnt be compatible. So heres hoping they are for the sake of those who own a Slim and want to upgrade. The PS5 Pro may get an official reveal in September Theres no definitive date on this detail either, but its presumed that Sony may announce the PS5 Pro in the first half of September. If thats accurate, then theres just a couple of more weeks until official details pour in. And with an announcement next month, its likely that the console would go on sale within a couple of months. The PS5 Pro was already rumored to be releasing this holiday season. So it appears that may still be the case. 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. The technology market research firm Counterpoint has released its latest report regarding the state of the smartphone market in the US. The firm suggests that the US smartphone market witnessed a five percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in sales during July 2024. Notably, Samsung and Motorola were amongst the biggest contributors to the overall sales during the period. Furthermore, the report claims while the iPhone sales were slightly down, Apple was the top smartphone maker in the US in July. Samsung and Motorola drove US smartphone sales in July 2024 According to Counterpoint, the US smartphone sales in July were mainly driven by two players Samsung and Motorola. Samsungs overall sales increased by almost a quarter year-on-year. The companys US smartphone market share rose to 28 percent. The South Korean tech giants shipments in the region rose 23 percent from July 2023 to July 2024. The strong sales of the budget Galaxy A15 5G contributed to Samsungs growth in the US. Notably, the affordable phone accounted for nearly one-third of the brands total sales in the states. The companys latest foldable smartphones the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 also contributed to the hike in sales. As for Motorola, the brand benefited from the prepaid consolidation of brands across channels, suggests the report. The companys US market share grew by 42 percent year on year. The share rose to 28 percent in July 2024 from 24 percent during the same period last year. Notably, the brand also benefited from various promotions like the $1 downpayment for the Razr+ 2024. Apple led the US smartphone sales with a 49 percent market share Apples market share in the US market dropped by four percent year-on-year. However, the Cupertino tech giant still led the US smartphone market by grabbing a massive 49 percent share. The report suggests that Apples sales were down due to low upgrade rates. However, the sales of the iPhone 15 Pro model were strong in July 2024. Furthermore, the Counterpoint report added that the US smartphone market could see a resurgence in the premium segment. Sales of premium devices are expected to be driven by the growing interest in generative AI-powered smartphones. 1. Republican officials threatened by voter registration program Election Clerk Tracy Kelly shows a resident as she security submits his mail-in ballot, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Conroe. Texas counties may collect mail-in ballots at one location, a federal appeals court ruled on Oct. 12, upholding an order from Gov. Greg Abbott to limit absentee ballot locations. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A proposal to register Harris County voters ahead of the November election was set aside by Commissioners Court after criticism from state and local Republicans. Commissioner Rodney Ellis suggested sending text messages and mailing applications to unregistered voters. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Commissioner Tom Ramsey opposed the plan, citing concerns about voter fraud and non-citizens registering. The proposal was pulled from the agenda for further improvement. 2. Houston water drip, drip, dripping away A SER Construction crew works to install a new underground water pipe at the intersection of North Durham Drive and West 20th Street on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The work is part of the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authorityas Shepherd Durham Project, that will improve infrastructure, landscaping and build bike lanes and side walks along the Shepherd Durham corridor. (Meridith Kohut / For the Houston Chronicle) Meridith Kohut/Contributor Houston's aging water infrastructure is leaking away billions of gallons. In 2023 alone, the city lost around 36 billion gallons due to old pipes. That's enough water to supply Fort Worth for a year. Despite tripling pipe repair expenses, Houston only replaced 6% of its pipes over the past decade, far below the industry standard. The city needs $4.93 billion for critical water utility repairs and will seek state and federal funding to address the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 3. HISD teacher absences decline The Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center building on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Teacher absences in Houston ISD dropped over 20% to about 92,200 last academic year after state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles enforced stricter attendance policies. Teachers now need approval to use sick days and face potential termination for exceeding 10 days of leave. Some teachers feel pressured to work even when sick, fearing disciplinary action. Jackie Anderson from the Houston Federation of Teachers said, "There is no choice if you want to keep your job." Michelle Williams of the Houston Education Association noted that the decline in absences might reflect a worsening workplace culture. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 4. Katy Chromebooks a mixed bag Chromebook laptops are seen as New Caney ISD personnel issued laptops to students as the district works to implement remote learning. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Katy ISD gave Chromebooks to all students in grades 3 through 12 this school year. Parents had mixed reactions: some praised the easy activation and convenient rollout while others found the devices heavy and glitchy. Tabatha Ramirez noted that her daughter in special education struggles with the weight, and Shari Nightingale mentioned the Chromebooks are slow and require constant maintenance. The district's media relations manager, Rachel Ross, said accommodations will be made for students with difficulties and that the district will assist those without internet access. Ross also clarified that the devices are cleaned and replaced as needed, and insurance is optional. 5. Heavy showers expected for Labor Day weekend Houston's August temperatures soared above 100 degrees, and now heavy rain is expected just in time for Labor Day weekend. The National Weather Service warns of potential urban and street flooding due to hardened soil and heavy rainfall rates. Rain will be heaviest near and south of Interstate 10 and east of Interstate 45, with rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour possible. The heaviest rain is expected to shift east of Houston towards Beaumont and Lake Charles by Saturday. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches are possible along the Upper Texas Coast through Monday. Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham have already turned their focus to the January transfer window. Spurs were active throughout the summer with Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Dominic Solanke brought in, while Timo Werner returned on loan, which resulted in a quiet deadline day. Postecoglou declared himself happy with the Tottenham squad after a real positive window, but is aware of areas where further reinforcements are required and technical director Johan Lange is already on the case. Ange gives a team news update ahead of our trip to Newcastle Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 30, 2024 These things are a cycle and a lot of it is flawed because you just dont know, Postecoglou explained. We werent sure whether Lucas Bergvall would come straight into the first-team or if we had to send him out on loan because hes an 18-year-old player who has just played in the Swedish league, but we saw in the first couple of weeks of training that this guy will be an interesting player. How he develops, how Archie develops, how Wilson Odobert develops, all these kind of things are factored into it. We know theres still some areas where I look at squad management and we can improve. Again, its got to be the right person, the right player and right person. Johan and his team now have already started the process of looking at guys who maybe fit that profile of what were looking for and if theyre available in January, like Radu (Dragusin) was and we picked up Lucas last January, then well move on it. Its a constant process and it has to be that way. Ive never done knee jerk or a Hail Mary approach to things. Sometimes its necessary, I get that and it works, but I am much more comfortable when things are done through a process. Former Burnley attacker Odobert ended up being Spurs final summer signing on August 16, which continues a shift in club policy away from the manic deadline days of past years. Postecoglou handed a full debut to the 19-year-old in the 4-0 win over Everton last weekend and revealed he had been a long-standing target. He added: Wilson was great last week. I was rapt to get him. He was one I was really keen on all summer. We had to be patient with him as the Dom Solanke deal went on a bit longer than we thought it would and we had to get that done first. He did great for us. He was exciting to watch. He will get more and more comfortable with us. Postecoglou also reflected on the instant impact provided by teenage midfielders Gray and Bergvall. Ive been really impressed with both guys, more the way they have handled things and their maturity, he said. They are 18, but its the kind of way they have fitted in with the whole group, theyre ability to take in information and training at a certain level as the training is intense. The capacity to do that from a physical capacity has been really good. We may have gone a bit stronger in a different area if both of those guys didnt work out, but it wouldnt have been a major shift from what we have already done. Our main focus this window was around the front third, to make sure we bolstered that and I think we have got some good outcomes. Mike Nesbitt started his first tenure as Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader by declaring he wanted to make history. The 67-year-old is set to do that 12 years later in a more unexpected manner than perhaps anticipated by becoming the first person to take the helm of the UUP for a second time. The unusual situation came about following an out-of-the-blue resignation announcement from the outgoing leader Doug Beattie last week. Mr Nesbitt was the longest-serving leader of five in 14 years of Northern Irelands second largest unionist party. Doug Beattie announced he was resigning last week (Liam McBurney/PA) That succession of leaders from Tom Elliott in 2010, Mr Nesbitt from 2012, Robin Swann from 2017, Steve Aiken from 2019 and Mr Beattie from 2021 all struggled to dent the vote of its chief unionist rivals the DUP while also apparently losing votes to the centre-ground Alliance Party. During Mr Nesbitts first tenure, the party recovered from a devastating general election in 2010 where it did not win a single seat, to winning two seats at the 2015 general election. Mr Nesbitt resigned in 2017 following disappointing election results in the Assembly poll. His leadership was remembered for the UUP forming closer bonds with the SDLP, including an intention to form a joint opposition in the Stormont Assembly. Born in Belfast, Mr Nesbitt became a household name in Northern Ireland through his broadcasting career. After leaving UTV in 2006, he went on to be appointed Commissioner of Victims and Survivors in 2008. Mr Nesbitt switched lanes to politics in 2010, running unsuccessfully to become MP for Strangford, before becoming elected as an MLA for the same constituency in 2011, and the very next year became the leader of the UUP. Mike Nesbitt left UTV 18 years ago (Niall Carson/PA) After decisively winning the UUP leadership following a contest with John McCallister, Mr Nesbitt became the first leader who was not a member of the Orange Order. He later ruffled unionist feathers by forging a closer relationship with the SDLP. He described the UUP and SDLP, previously the dominant forces in Northern Ireland, as being able to challenge the current DUP and Sinn Fein leadership. Addressing his party conference in 2016, Mr Nesbitt urged Vote me, you get Colum. Vote Colum, you get me, in a bid to get a whole new middle-ground politics, dedicated to making Northern Ireland work, whatever our motivations. He added while they did not agree on everything, they could find a way of doing business together. Following his first stint at leadership, Mr Nesbitt remained a prominent party representative. Recently he took over as Stormont Health Minister from Robin Swann as he successfully contested this years general election in South Antrim. American actress Leah Remini has announced her and husband Angelo Pagan are divorcing after 21 years of marriage. In a joint Instagram post, the King of Queens star said the decision came after a lot of thought and care but they decided to part ways as they have both changed as people. The couple, who share a daughter Sofia and have documented their lives in a number of TV documentaries and reality shows, said they hope to inspire others to see that relationships whether they change or end arent failures. Alongside a photo of the pair in their early days and more recently, Remini wrote: Well, here we are. After 28 years together and 21 years of marriage, we have decided to file for divorce. This decision came after a lot of thought and care, and as hard as divorce is, we are approaching this with a positive outlook because we know its whats best for us. We are proud of how we have worked through this together. Yes, were sad, and weve got some figuring out to do as we continue to move forward into our new normaltogether still in many ways, and apart in some new ones. But heres the thing: weve been best friends for so many years. We are still celebrating holidays together, watching our favourite TV shows together, and gathering as a family. So, the big question why? To put it simply, we both changed, as people do, and we got used to playing roles that didnt fit us any more. After a lot of effort and consideration, weve decided to take this step, which reflects who we are today. The actress said they feel their marriage is one to celebrate after creating many beautiful memories and producing their incredible daughter. She explained they wanted to be transparent about the change in their relationship after being open about it over the years. Their wedding in 2003 was captured in the documentary VH1 Inside Out: Leah Reminis Wedding Special, with a following one released the year after to document the birth of their daughter. Leah Remini and Angelo Pagan (Alamy/PA) We are sharing this unknown territory with you all as we take our first steps into this next stage of our lives publicly, she said. We would love for everyone to have more access to different kinds of relationship stories and not feel so isolated in navigating the changes that millions of couples make every year. We hope our journey can inspire others to see that relationships whether they change or end arent failures. Well keep sharing snippets of our lives as we navigate this new chapter. They signed off the statement by writing: Love, Leah & Angelo. Remini is best known for starring as Carrie Heffernan in US sitcom The King Of Queens and as Vanessa Cellucci in Kevin Can Wait. The actress has also been outspoken about her experience with The Church of Scientology and she won two Emmy Awards for her series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which explored her time with the organisation. She filed a lawsuit against the organisation and its leader David Miscavige last year, saying in a statement that she had endured 17 years of psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation which had significantly impacted her life and career. The Church of Scientology described the lawsuit as ludicrous and her allegations as pure lunacy. Molly-Mae Hague speaks about the split from Tommy Fury. (YouTube) (YouTube) Molly-Mae Hague split from Tommy Fury, sending shockwaves through the showbiz world. They fell for each other on Love Island in 2019, had baby Bambi together in January last year, had a beautiful life at her 4m home in Cheshire and they had got engaged in Ibiza too. It wasn't meant to last and Fury has been forced to deny cheating claims but Hague was determined to keep the split as amicable as possible. Fury's representatives told Yahoo: "Tommy is horrified by the false allegations of cheating being circulated by the media and he's consulting his lawyers." The vlog marked the first time the mum-of-one had spoken about the break up and her life after the split on social media. In one of the most emotional moments in the vlog, Hague said she will always have love for her ex fiance Fury. She said: "He's Bambi's dad and I will always value him and obviously have a lot of love for him and yeah, we were together for five years and it's very, very sad." Here are the PrettyLittleThing ambassador's truths, what her life looks like after the break up with the boxer and her secret upcoming announcement... Molly Mae Hague and Tommy Fury pictured in happier times. (Getty) (Bradley Collyer - PA Images via Getty Images) Molly-Mae Hague speaks about Tommy Fury split Speaking from the heart, Hague shared how the break up had impacted her day to day life. "I feel like weekends now are the hardest time because it is freaking lonely and really sad," she said. "So I am not really looking forward to this weekend but I feel like it should be getting easier with every weekend that passes." She added: "With break-ups, there are definitely parts of the days which are worse and better than others. Mornings horrendous - evenings horrendous. Weekends for me are horrendous. When you are busy in the middle of the day and you are distracted in the middle of the day that is your prime time to not think about it." Molly-Mae Hague reading to Bambi. (YouTube) (YouTube) Despite some speculation that the split was a "publicity stunt", Hague set the record straight saying the break up was her reality. She said: "It is not drama. It is not tea. It is not a publicity stunt like this is as much as I wish it was. This is real life, and it's very sad and it's very deep." Also she wants to keep the details of the break up out of the headlines "out of respect to Tommy". She said: "It's just not nice, and I feel like everything over the last couple of weeks, it's been a lot and been blown way out of proportion and it's all got a bit carried away with itself. The last thing I want to do is to be fuelling that fire anymore and stirring the pot when it just doesn't need to be stirred." Molly-Mae Hague spoke to her fans on YouTube. (YouTube) (YouTube) Read more: What we know about Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury breaking up Molly-Mae Hague's life after Tommy Fury split Days after going public with the split, Hague started filming for her YouTube vlog on the following Bank Holiday Monday. However, the influencer explained she wouldn't have been back on her social media channels so soon after the break up if it hadn't been for her upcoming career announcement. Keen to bring some normality back into her life, the mum-of-one filmed her life post-split from Fury. The TV sensation said she had been feeling "run down" so she had a child-free day to take care of herself and for a bit of pampering, including a spa break at the Champneys at Mottram Hall in Cheshire as well as a Costa drive-through trip. Molly-Mae Hague enjoyed a spa day. (YouTube) (YouTube) Opening the doors to her home, Hague also shared sweet moments with her daughter Bambi including watching TV together and reading her a bedtime story. The mum said she was finding it hard to get time to herself because Bambi would cry when she left the room. Additionally, Hague explained she had got someone to help her organise her cupboards in the kitchen. In the evening, the influencer was joined by one of her very close friends who she enjoyed chatting to so much that she didn't have time to finish the vlog until the following morning. Instead, the friends were up catching up until 11pm at her 4m home in Cheshire. Tommy Fury pictured in June this year. (Getty) (John Walton - PA Images via Getty Images) Break ups are hard, many people understand that, and Hague said she has been healing her heartbreak by relying on her inner circle that is made up of her friends as well as her family. She said: "My coping mechanism for the last couple of weeks is talking to the people that I love and are so close to me and that I've been so incredible through this time and then coming on here and sort of just pushing forward." As well as having her family and friends, Hague said she has also been overwhelmed by the love and support of her following. She said: "Thank you so much for all of the love and support and care and patience and just everything you guys have shown me and given me over the last couple of weeks, I've honestly read so many messages." Molly-Mae Hague doing her makeup the day after Bank Holiday. (YouTube) (Youtube) Molly-Mae Hague is keeping the cats The ex couple's two Scottish Folds cats called Eggy and Bread have remained in Hague's care, with them both making a sweet appearance in her first vlog after the split. She spoke about how the cats had been bringing in mice into the house as "gifts". Solicitor in Family team at Seddons, Cara Ramprakash, had explained to Yahoo how Hague and Fury might choose who got to keep the cats. She told Yahoo: "In relation to the cat, pets are chattels in England and Wales meaning they are treated as an item of personal property like a painting might be or electronics." Travel can be a big factor when it comes to who would take on the responsibility of looking after the cats too. Ramprakash had said: "Although I have no knowledge of Tommy Furys schedule, it would appear from social media that he travels a lot. This may be a deciding factor in whether the cats remain with Molly-Mae or not." Cats Eggy and Bread are still living with Molly-Mae Hague. (YouTube) (YouTube) Read more: How Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury could split fortune, childcare and cats What is Molly-Mae Hague's secret announcement? Before the split, the star had begun teasing a special announcement coming on 1 September. Her highly-publicised break up from Fury had impacted her announcement and now she will go live with her new project on 8 September on her Instagram. "I'm really scared," she said. It has been a project that Hague has been doing since before she got pregnant with Bambi more than two years ago. Hague has been keeping the secret alongside the person she has been working with on her "passion project". It has given her a focus while she navigates a lot of change in her personal life at home with her daughter Bambi. Molly-Mae Hague arrives at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes. (Getty) (VALERY HACHE via Getty Images) "As much as it's been like bad timing," Hague said. "Its also been kind of a blessing cos it is a huge distraction for me, and it's something that I can like plummet all my emotions into and work on and focus on, which is really good but yeah I am so excited because not only have I got this thing launching, we've also planned this huge event. Really big things happening instantly. Yeah. Yeah, we're doing a start up, but it ain't a start up like this is not a start up." A newly elected MP has said he is profoundly sorry for alleged pretty serious faults in some of the flats he rents out. Some of Jas Athwals tenants have said they live with black mould and ant infestations in their homes, while a London City Hall member claimed he saw fire detectors hanging by a single piece of wire when he visited them. The MP, who represents Ilford South in London and sits on the Labour benches, owns 15 rental homes in the capital, according to Parliaments register of members financial interests. A BBC investigation found black mould in some of these properties, with dirty and dark communal areas, fire alarms hanging loose from the ceiling, and ant infestations in a number of the seven flats in one block. Mr Athwal also admitted some of his flats may not have the correct property licences required under a scheme he introduced during his time in local government, according to the broadcaster. I know its my responsibility to have issues addressed as soon as they arise and have met the property management company to understand failures in communication, the MP said in a statement. Im profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down and will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward. He also told the BBC: Im shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues. According to the register of interests, Mr Athwals residential properties are co-owned with (a) family member. He described himself as a renters champion who lets the homes below market rate. Addressing the licences, Mr Athwal said: It was my understanding all the licences for my properties were up to date, but I have recently seen an email which shared that licences are due to expire. I am in the process of renewing all licences. London Assembly chairman Andrew Boff, a Conservative, told the PA news agency he planned to send a letter to Councillor Kam Rai, the leader of Labour-run Redbridge Council, calling for an investigation. Mr Boff said he had been into the block and inside several of the homes, and was concerned about the condition. He said he had knocked on doors at the block while canvassing in the area and residents of three of the properties complained about their condition. I went inside three of the properties and was concerned about what I saw in those properties, Mr Boff said. Even in the common areas of the property, so the stairs up to the flats, there were some pretty serious faults with the property. There were things like fire alarms hanging off of a single piece of wire. There were clearly broken fire and CO2 detectors and it was concerning. And one thing I did know from the residents is that they had raised this with the landlord, and that the landlord was very slow to respond, or the landlords agent, I should say, was very slow to respond. One resident had told the BBC: The whole ceiling would be black if we didnt clean it every few weeks. Another urged the broadcaster dont use my name, and added: Finding a new flat is very difficult. It also published allegations the property agent may have been tipped off about the journalists visit, so they began phoning tenants who became reluctant to talk. I am, of course, more than happy for tenants to provide updates to journalists, Mr Athwal said in response. Anthony Albanese said there would be a question on sexuality in the census after days of backlash against a decision to ditch the proposal. Photograph: Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP Anthony Albanese says there will be a question in the census on sexuality, following days of backlash including among Labor MPs against the decision to ditch a proposal to include questions on gender and sexuality. The prime minister told ABC Melbourne radio his government had not gone through the census questions line by line and it was for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to decide what was asked. Theyre going to test for a new question, one question about sexuality, sexual preference, he said. Related: Newsroom edition: is Labor folding too often on divisive debates?- podcast Theyll be testing, making sure as well that people will have the option of not answering it. The backflip came after almost a week of criticism over the decision, including from the governments own backbench, as well as advocacy groups. My government has been focused on [cost of living], Albanese said. We havent sat down and gone through line by line, on what questions will be asked in the census in two years time, in 2026. Thats the job for the ABS. Albaneses decree contradicted the assistant minister for treasury, Andrew Leigh, who said on Sunday there would be no changes to the 2026 census in this area. Since Sunday several senior Labor frontbenchers, including Richard Marles and Murray Watt, backed in the decision, saying it was made in the interests of protecting social harmony by avoiding divisive debates. The prime ministers about-face referenced a single question on sexuality, which does not address gender identity or someones intersex status. The Greens announced on Friday its MPs would force a vote on the issue in the parliament, unless the government committed to including trans and intersex people in the questions. The party can force the government to a vote through several mechanisms, including suspension of standing orders, or using the matter of public importance debate. The Greens Brisbane MP, Stephen Bates, said without questions on gender, the census was still failing to count everyone and the prime ministers half a backflip would hurt trans people. The queer community deserve more than policy on the run. They deserve concrete answers not half-measures or media drops. Will Labor stand by their election promise or trash yet another commitment to the queer community? Labor had this week faced a growing backbench revolt over the decision, including Macnamara MP Josh Burns publicly calling on his government to reconsider. Burns declaration, which came after days of internal appeals to senior colleagues, was followed by Alicia Payne, Peter Khalil, Ged Kearney, Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Jerome Laxale also breaking ranks publicly. All face serious electoral threats from the Greens at the next election. Burns also spoke to ABC radio Melbourne following Albanese and said he welcomed his leaders comments. I think that they go to making sure people are counted, and I think that they go to the work that were doing to ensure that we are collecting the best data possible to feed into government services as part of the census, he said. Work began on the new questions in 2023, and wouldnt be asked until the next census in 2026. The proposed questions would have asked about gender, sexual orientation and variation of sex characteristics. Other scrapped proposed questions included those on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural identity and peoples reasons for moving in the last year. It remains unclear whether all the proposed changes put forward in December 2023 will be included or whether there will be just one question on sexual preference. Victorian Liberal MP Keith Wolahan had added his voice to those calling for questions on sexuality and gender to be added to the 2026 census, saying he cant see the damage or the harm in including them. Wolahan told ABC Radio National he believed the more questions there were, the more useful the data obtained. I dont see the harm in adding that. I know in other areas, like in asking who veterans are that that was only recently added, and thats been really useful. So I think more data is always useful. And so Im not sure what the dispute is or the concern is here from a governments perspective. His Liberal colleague Aaron Violi told the ABC that questions on gender and sexuality would provide valuable data and should be included. Internally displaced Palestinians walk past their destroyed houses as they return to Deir Al Balah town after the Israeli military pulled out troops - MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock This week we discuss the biggest Israeli military operation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada and Hezbollahs rocket attack against Israel. We also take a trip into the skies above Gaza with one of our reporters for a rare birds eye glimpse into the territory. Plus, an al Qaeda linked group has been accused of murdering hundreds of people in Burkina Faso. We discuss jihadists and the security situation in the Sahel region. Across the world, from Europe to Asia, from the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states as the traditional alliances and alignments evolve in the 21st century. This year sees war in Europe and the Middle East, and elections in major economies, from the US and the UK to Taiwan. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Myanmar, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure. Battle Lines, a new podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world. Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favourite podcast app. Elon Musk has repeatedly accused a Brazilian judge of authoritarian overreach - Chesnot Brazil has become the first Western power to block X after a long-running dispute with its billionaire owner, Elon Musk. The move comes after months of wrangling between Mr Musk and supreme court judge Alexandre de Moraes over the latters investigation of extreme Right-wing content on X, formerly known as Twitter, including alleged hate and antidemocratic fake news. Some of that was relating to the storming of Brazils congress in January 2023 by supporters of the outgoing president Jair Bolsonaro in events echoing the 2021 riot at the US Capitol. On Wednesday evening, Mr de Moraes gave X 24 hours to name a legal representative in Brazil who would respond to his investigation. He also froze the accounts of Starlink, Mr Musks satellite company that provides internet connections to many remote communities in Brazil, principally in the Amazon. Earlier this month, Mr Musk closed Xs offices in the country while keeping the service available in a supposed attempt to dodge the investigation. The Silicon Valley billionaire has repeatedly accused Mr de Moraes of authoritarian overreach and censorship, accusing him of being an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge. On Friday morning, all eyes were on X in Brazil to see if the platform would remain operational. Initially, it appeared as though Mr Musk had called Mr de Moraes bluff, but then the judge released a written ruling that could effectively shutter the platform within hours. In the ruling, he gave app stores and internet service providers five days to remove and block X respectively. He also said that Brazilian Internet users who attempted to access the platform via virtual private networks, or VPNs, would face daily fines of 50,000 reais (6,790). Elon Musk showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country, Mr de Moraes wrote in his ruling. Although X, Facebook-owner Meta and other platforms have from time to time been closed in authoritarian nations such as North Korea, Venezuela and Russia, this may be the first time that a democratic society has moved to put one offline. It comes as legislators from Australia to Canada increasingly consider sanctions for social media companies for amplifying toxic content, from anti-Semitism to AI-generated celebrity porn. Earlier this week, Pavel Durov, the Telegram chief executive, was arrested and charged by French authorities, who allege he permitted his online messaging app to be used for a range of illegal activities. Officials alleged the 39-year-old was complicit in a number of illicit transactions and that the platform is being used for child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. He denies the allegations. Hate speech and disinformation is alleged to have proliferated on X. A wave of riots swept the UK this summer after online posts wrongly claimed the attacker responsible for stabbing three girls in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker. Mr Musk has hardly helped his own cause, critics have said, with his propensity to repost inflammatory and demonstrably false information, including his claim to his record 190 million followers on X, during the riots, that the UK was headed for civil war. Mr Musk has styled himself a free-speech absolutist, sacking large numbers of moderators at Twitter, as it was called when he bought it for 33 billion in October 2022. He has also allowed controversial far-Right accounts back online, including that of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League. X could yet comply with the judges order and reappoint a legal representative in Brazil. As director of the War Memorial, Brendan Nelson oversaw the official history project. Composite: AAP / Getty / AFP The former director of the Australian War Memorial, Brendan Nelson, offered in 2019 to censor nine chapters from the official history of Australias operations in Timor-Leste and seal them for 30 years, according to a claim made in correspondence from the then head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat). But within weeks Nelson decided to actively oppose the move, the documents released under freedom of information laws suggest, and the chapters were included when the volume was eventually published. The documents confirm Dfat wanted the first volume of the official history on Australian operations in Timor-Leste to omit details that might have a negative impact on vital relationships. They show it urged the author, the official historian and University of NSW Prof Craig Stockings, to tone down overly candid assessments of other countries peacekeeping contributions and remove an unflattering portrayal of a senior British officer. Related: Dfat accused of attempting to censor official history of military operations in Timor-Leste After a process that federal cabinet decreed should take no more than six months but which lasted more than two years, the volume was published in December 2022 under its original title, Born of Fire and Ash, which Dfat had also tried to change. A formal launch was abruptly cancelled without explanation, after invitations were sent out. The documents were obtained by the former independent senator Rex Patrick after a five-year FoI battle. The documents show that Dfat pressed both the War Memorial and Stockings in 2019 to amend his unpublished manuscript to adjust narratives and avoid upsetting important allies. They also contain the claim that a highly controversial and ultimately failed proposal to axe the first nine chapters and substitute potentially just two truncated replacements came from Nelson rather than from Dfat. As War Memorial director in 2019, Nelson had stewardship of the official history project. The documents reveal an exchange of letters between Nelson and the then department secretary, Frances Adamson, in which she initially proposed to Stockings that the chapters should be cut, was rebuffed by Nelson, but then expressed surprise to him, citing an earlier conversation between them in which she said she had been quite taken with your suggestion of the first nine chapters being compressed into two. The letters The documents show Nelson and Adamson had a conversation on 18 September 2019 in which she briefed him on Dfats progress in reviewing Stockings manuscript, a mandated vetting process involving relevant departments and agencies to ensure nothing was published that could damage national security or significantly harm Australia or individuals. On 30 September, Adamson wrote directly to Stockings, suggesting his manuscript focused inordinately on the events leading up to the 1999 Timorese independence vote, the 25th anniversary of which was marked in Dili on Friday. She noted that an honest history of Australias peacekeeping role in Timor would touch raw nerves. Other documents in the FoI release suggest Dfat wanted to downplay Indonesias role in seeking to suppress the Timorese independence movement. In the letter Adamson proposed compressing the first nine chapters which covered the lead-up period into two, arguing it was not immediately relevant to documenting the military history of the peacekeeping force and its successor. That should vastly reduce the negative impact on vital relationships and reduce the grounds for Dfats concerns, her letter said. Only days later, on 3 October, Nelson replied to Adamson on Stockings behalf, strenuously opposing the proposal to compress the nine chapters. The Memorial cannot remove or truncate the first nine chapters of the draft manuscript into one or two, Nelson wrote. This is simply not possible in terms of precedent, historical methodology and the intelligibility of events. [The peacekeeping mission] makes no sense at all without due consideration and understanding of events that preceded it. Nelson warned that such a move would undermine the reputation of Stockings and the War Memorial and the credibility of all Australias official histories. In this context, truncating the first nine chapters of the manuscript in the wholesale manner suggested may be perceived by some to have been the product of censorship, Nelson wrote. But a month later, on 1 November, Adamson replied expressing surprise and claiming that the proposal to cut the chapters had come from Nelson himself. I have to admit to a degree of surprise at its content and tone, Adamson wrote of the letter from Nelson. I was quite taken with your suggestion of the first nine chapters being compressed into two, with the original nine being tidied up to address matters of concern and these then being held from release for a further 30 years. Whether this was viable or not, it was clear to me that you were mindful of the issues we were focused upon and open to working out a practical solution. Nelson, a former Liberal party leader and now the president of Boeing International, declined to comment on the documents. Adamson, now the governor of South Australia, said via a spokesperson this week the contemporaneous record speaks for itself. Too candid On 16 October, between Nelsons letter and Adamsons reply, a Dfat official from the Indonesia branch wrote a further letter to Stockings lamenting that one of his later chapters takes a glass half-empty view and was too candid in expressing disappointment at the contributions of other governments. He objected to an unflattering and unsympathetic portrayal of a senior British officer. It may well be spot on but we wonder whose interests are served by laying it out in that way, he wrote, noting that British readers might take the view that the Australians were out of their depth and were engaging in Pom-bashing. His letter said a reference to eavesdropping equipment was unsupported by evidence, was just rehashing speculation and was unhelpful and asked that references to TNI militia be reduced to just militia, removing mention of Indonesias armed forces. Related: Not in the spirit of our friendship: Penny Wong concedes past Australian wrongs in Timor-Leste Vetting of the second volume of the history which covers the period in which Australia bugged Timor-Lestes cabinet room during Timor Gap negotiations is still not resolved after almost three years, with Dfat again expressing concerns. Stockings declined to comment on either the current process or the FoI documents this week. UNSW Prof Clinton Fernandes, who was principal intelligence analyst on the Australian Defence Forces East Timor desk in 1999, criticised what he said were Dfats attempts to remove uncomfortable truths. That mentality that we will decide what the public needs to know is reminiscent of less democratic regimes, Fernandes said. He paid tribute to Stockings work. It would have been easy to have given in and just written a whole book full of larrikin stories about larrikin diggers and ruminate on our national character bronzed Anzacs, all of that stuff, Fernandes said. He has taken his task as an official historian seriously and a lesser person would easily have not only gone along with it, but then justified the action. Patrick said the War Memorial and Dfat should have released the documents from the start. Theyre not sensitive, theyre only embarrassing and thats no justification for five years of secrecy, Patrick said. I sought these documents after finding out that there was tension between the War Memorial and Dfat and out of a fear that our official history would be censored. Unless you know the full truth, you cannot learn from history. Dfat said in a statement government agencies continued to support the official histories project. While based on official documents, the views portrayed in the volumes are the views of the author, not the Australian government, the statement said. Government agencies and the project conducted extensive negotiations in good faith to reach an agreed declassified text, and it was appropriate agencies took the time they needed to get it right. Australia has strong defence partnerships with Indonesia and Timor-Leste, which we are committed to deepening further. The aftermath of an Israeli army raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank. On Wednesday, a militant leader was killed in a shootout at a mosque near the camp. Photograph: Alaa Badarneh/EPA Israel said it has killed three militants including a senior Hamas official in an airstrike on a car outside Jenin on the third day of extensive military operations across the West Bank. The campaign, according to Israeli leaders, is designed to pre-empt attacks on Israelis after a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv this month, the first for eight years. The operations have involved widespread destruction, mass detentions and targeted killings. The target on Friday in the outskirts of Jenin was a local Hamas commander, Waseem Khazem. He was reportedly killed with two other alleged Hamas members when their car was hit in a drone strike. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that three people had been killed in Zababdeh, a town south of Jenin, but did not disclose their identities. At least 19 Palestinians have been killed since the West Bank operation began early on Wednesday. Hamas has said 10 of the dead were their fighters. In the early hours of Wednesday, another militant leader, Muhammad Jabber, widely known as Abu Shujaa, was killed in a shootout at a mosque which killed four other Palestinian fighters near the Nur Shams refugee camp in the city of Tulkarm. While intended as a show of resolve, the West Bank campaign has also highlighted how stretched Israels forces have become, and how far they are from fulfilling the primary war aim of destroying Hamas politically and militarily. After more than 10 months of bombing in Gaza, causing mass civilian deaths, Hamas is still able to function as a guerrilla force in the territory, and its popularity, along with the appeal of armed action in general, is rising across the West Bank. This is not the end of resistance. This is just the beginning and it will draw in the whole region, warned Abu Assad*, sitting in the corner of a hardware shop in the West Bank town of Qalandiya. Assad, 54, was nervous and agitated and rose out of his chair in anger when he described what he saw as the betrayal of the western world but also of the Palestinian Authority, the putative but largely powerless civil administration in parts of the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the IDF attacks, focused on Jenin and Tulkarm, but Assad dismissed the outrage as theatre. He accused the authority of giving the green light to the Israeli military to eliminate its more radical rivals that it had been unable to neutralise itself. It was totally coordinated between the PA and Israel, he insisted. They tried many time to catch them and they failed, so they said: Come, mow the grass for us, and we will take care of the rest. The US peace plan for Gaza imagines the coastal strip governed once more by the authority, albeit a revitalised version. But contempt for the authority was universal on Friday afternoon in the narrow busy streets of the Qalandiya refugee camp, established in 1949 for Palestinians displaced by the war with the emerging state of Israel the previous year. The only difference of opinion was whether it was just incompetent or actively conniving with Benjamin Netanyahus rightwing coalition. Abu Shujaa, on the other hand, was spoken of as a fallen folk hero. Everybody respects him, like they respect all the fighters, because they are defending the peoples rights, Abu Suhaib, a 58-year-old camp resident, said as he emerged from midday prayers. The few restraints on Israeli settlers were relaxed after the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza. Since then they have launched murderous attacks on Palestinian West Bank communities with near total impunity. According to UN figures, there have been 1,270 settler attacks against Palestinians since 7 October, 120 of which have led to Palestinian fatalities and injuries. Altogether, 600 Palestinians have been killed by the army and settlers since the onset of the Gaza war, while the authoritys police force has been unwilling and powerless to protect the population. In the West Bank, gun-toting militants are more inspiring than the pervasive sense of helplessness. A member of a younger generation of Qalandiya camp residents, a 25-year-old greengrocer called Marwan, said resistance was more an idea than a military reality. We talk about resistance, but we are an unarmed people. We dont have the basic tools of resistance, Marwan said. Yet Israel deals with us like we were a hostile nation with a huge army. One of those shopping for vegetables was a veteran of the Palestinian cause, Ahmed Ghuneim, a local leader of the dominant Fatah faction of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. He said the consequence of repeated attacks on a largely unarmed population would ultimately be a mass uprising, a third intifada. We are in the face of a very critical situation. I think an uprising is knocking on the door in the West Bank, Ghuneim said. We are civilians without any abilities to face the heavy military Israeli machine. And the only way that we have to resist is by the strength and abilities of the people. * Name has been changed Senior Chinese military official meets Jake Sullivan Xinhua) 09:55, August 30, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Thursday met with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing. Maintaining stability in military security between China and the United States is not only in line with the common interests of both sides, but also a universal expectation of the international community, said Zhang. He urged the U.S. side to correct its strategic perceptions of China and respect China's core interests. Zhang also called for making efforts to promote communication and exchanges between the two militaries, and jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests. China urges the U.S. side to stop military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives on Taiwan, he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Six years since moving its headquarters out of The Woodlands, engineering firm Chicago Bridge & Iron is coming back joining a flurry of businesses that already make up Hughes Landing, a 79-acre mixed-use development that sits near Lake Woodlands. Courtesy of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. Six years since moving its headquarters out of The Woodlands, engineering firm Chicago Bridge & Iron is coming back joining a flurry of businesses that already make up Hughes Landing, a 79-acre mixed-use development that sits near Lake Woodlands. In 2018, officials with CB&I announced they were moving its headquarters after being acquired by McDermott International. The 135-year-old company that designs and builds energy-related infrastructure across the country, had operated in The Woodlands from 2001 to 2018, according to a release from Hughes Holdings Inc. COMMUNICATION AFTER BERYL: The Woodlands looks to update its emergency communication system after Hurricane Beryl Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hughes Landing will be new home With 4,000 employees across the globe, more than 150 of them will be moving into the new office space at 1725 Hughes Landing in the beginning of September, the release states. The building will be approximately 43,000-square-feet, which features a fitness facility, access to walking trails and a slew of restaurants along Restaurant Row at Hughes Landing. Its just another feather in the cap for The Woodlands, said Jim Carman, president of the Houston region at Howard Hughes. (CB&I) joins a growing list of those organizations that are really looking to provide their employees that quality of lifeto being able to attract and retain talent for these companies. The move also allows for employees who didnt leave the township when the company moved away to have a shorter commute, Carman said. The Woodlands Township director Brad Bailey said CB&I has a great legacy in the oil & gas industry and many of their employees live in our community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CB&Is return underscores the strength of The Woodlands, where residents can live, work, play, learn and businesses can prosper. We are excited to welcome them back home, Bailey said in a written statement. And employees are looking forward in rejoining and enriching the local community and calling The Woodlands home again, said Mark Butts, senior vice president of CB&I. We value our partnership with Howard Hughes, who have helped us design a wonderful office space where our team can truly enjoy working and collaborating with colleagues, Butts said in a written statement. Building for business and residential growth In 2023, The Woodlands developer announced that several companies were moving into the township, while some were expanding their operations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With CB&Is return, Carman hopes that other businesses and organizations will see what the township has to offer. Its an exciting time for The Woodlands, he said. A lot of things are happening across the board, across really all kind of major food groups of project types. And its just making The Woodlands better and better. Peter Dutton had advocated for the census maintaining the set of questions weve got at the moment which stood us well as a country. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images Peter Dutton has said he is fine with gender and sexuality questions being in the census despite earlier attacking Labor for having a woke agenda. The opposition leader said the governments partial backflip on the questions was weak leadership and demonstrated a loss of control over the national agenda. Asked specifically about counting LGBT Australians in the census, Dutton said he was fine with that, if the prime ministers got a proposal. It requires legislation. Hes had no discussion with us, Dutton said. 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. On Thursday Dutton had advocated for maintaining the set of questions weve got at the moment which stood us well as a country. 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, but I think were pretty happy with the settings that weve got in place at the moment, Dutton said. Late on Friday, prominent LGBTQI+ campaigner and Labor senator Louise Pratt welcomed the prime ministers rethink on the census. As LGBTIQ+ Australians, we want to know we count, Pratt said in a statement. I thank my colleagues that have stood up and responded to the concerns of the community and the people they represent. Pratt said census questions had contained wording that made it hard for some people to answer accurately or forced them to lie. The 2021 census was frankly difficult to complete truthfully for LGBTIQ+ Australians, as it didnt provide options which accurately represent who we are Better data equals better policy outcomes. It is in everyones interest that we collect census data which represents all Australians. Senior Albanese government frontbenchers had originally defended the scrapping of the proposed questions as avoiding a divisive debate in the community. They said the government had good intentions, to head off any potential for a culture war when the proposed question changes hit the Senate. Related: Albanese backflips on sexuality census question after more MPs come out in favour Concerns were raised over what conservative culture warriors would have done with the questions and particularly the potential impact on trans children particularly. Labor figures said there was also anxiety the Greens may have seen an opportunity to push the government to go further. Guardian Australia has confirmed with Greens insiders that there was no plan to go beyond the questions initially proposedas we wouldnt risk any harm to trans or queer youth. There was no consultation over the proposal, they said. Albanese backflipped on the governments decision to scrap questions in the 2026 census in an interview on Friday. The sudden switch came less than a week after the assistant treasurer, Andrew Leigh, confirmed the 2026 census would remain unchanged from what was put forward in 2021. Labor backbenchers had threatened a revolt over the issue on Thursday. But the government has made no comment on reinstating the other proposed questions around gender identity and variations of sex characteristics, which were included in the proposed new questions finalised in December. The Greens say they will push the matter with a vote in the parliament unless Labor commits to reinstating the proposed questions. While the Greens cannot alter the questions, it can force the government to record its stance in a vote through a motion, suspension of standing orders or a matter of public importance debate. The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has also called on the government to reinstate the proposed questions in full. The CPSU queer network co-convener Maddy Northam said excluding the LGBTQ+ community from the census had been a mistake. It was now crucial the government follows through by expanding the scope of the questions, Northam said. It is essential to survey and get a snapshot of the entire LGBTIQ+ community in the census because this data is vital for shaping effective and equitable public policy and services, she said. The ABS apologised in 2021 for excluding questions on gender identity and sexuality and acknowledged the hurt and distress it caused. The chief executive of Equality Australia, Anna Brown, said the government shouldnt pick and choose those of us who are worthy of being counted. Trans and gender diverse people and those with innate variations of sex characteristics deserve to be recognised as much as anyone else, she said. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has invited all federal MPs to a variety of briefings next week to discuss implications for the queer community. Related:Newsroom edition: is Labor folding too often on divisive debates?- podcast The director of the Trans Justice Project, Jackie Turner, said excluding trans people from the census implied our communities, our families and our friends dont count. The trans community needs this data to tell us just how big our community is, where we are living, and to determine what our health and service needs actually are, Turner said. Intersex advocate Tony Briffa said the lack of inclusion would affect the delivery of vital health and community services, given there was no data on how many Australians were born with biological variations of sex characteristics. The share of Black students at Amherst College for this years freshman class decreased from 11% last year to 3%, the data shows. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Enrollment for Black students fell at two elite US colleges in the first class since the supreme courts decision last year to strike down affirmative action in college admissions and upend the nations academic landscape. Amherst College and Tufts University, both in Massachusetts, reported a drop in the share of Black first-year students, an early sign that the high courts ruling could negatively affect racial diversity in the USs more selective colleges and universities, according to the New York Times. In June 2023, the US supreme court, driven by its conservative supermajority, ended race-conscious admissions at universities across the country in a move that dealt a substantial blow to the cause of greater student diversity on campuses, which critics warned would have far-reaching effects throughout society. The share of Black students at Amherst College for the incoming freshman class decreased by eight percentage points, from 11% last year to 3% this year, the data showed. The percentage of Hispanic students dropped from 12% to 8%. Related: What was affirmative action designed to do and what has it achieved? Meanwhile, the percentage of white students at Amherst College rose sharply, from 33% to 39%, and the percentage of Asian American students rose slightly, from 18% to 20%. Black students in Tuft Universitys incoming class of 2028 fell from 7.3% to 4.7% while white students went up from 46.8% to 49.3%. The percentage of Asian American students decreased slightly from 20.3% to 19.7%. The data comes after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced a sharp fall in admissions from members of historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups last week, making it the first major US university to release statistics on the composition of its freshman class since the supreme court ruling. According to MITs admissions department, the percentage of Black students enrolled this year dropped from 15% to 5%, and the percentage of Hispanic and Latino students dropped from 16% to 11%. In a statement to students obtained by the Times, Amhersts dean of admissions, Matthew L McGann, acknowledged that as a consequence of the supreme courts decision, the incoming class is not as racially diverse as recent classes have been. Admissions data for Harvard University and the University of North Carolina the two institutions at the center of the supreme court ruling at issue have yet to be released. The proposals, championed by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, have triggered a public debate - Simon Walker/Deputy Prime Minister's Office A four-day week can boost productivity, a Labour minister has insisted after a business backlash over the proposals. Baroness Smith, the education minister, said allowing employees to work a weeks worth of hours in four days rather than five could help parents get back into work. However, one leading business group urged Sir Keir Starmer to slow down on changing employment laws. The Telegraph revealed on Thursday that new rights to work compressed hours will be included in legislation tabled by Labour in the autumn. It would allow a contracted employee who works eight hours every weekday to instead work 10 hours a day from Monday to Thursday and then take Friday off. The plan, being championed by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, has triggered a public debate about the economic impact of a four-day week. Lady Smith, a minister in the New Labour years who returned to the frontbench after Sir Keir entered Downing Street, defended the approach. She told LBC: We think that flexible working is actually good for productivity ... what were actually talking about there is the type of flexible working that enables you to use compressed hours. Lady Smith added: So youre still doing the same amount of work, but perhaps youre doing it in a way that enables you, for example, to need less childcare, to spend more time with your family, to do other things, that encourages more people into the workplace, which is an enormous part of that growth mission. Baroness Smith, the education minister, said a four-day week would benefit workers with children Labour figures also insisted the change would not be forced on businesses, with the proposals to go to consultation before being implemented. The planned shake-up is part of a wider package, dubbed the Plan to Make Work Pay, which has been discussed for years among party figures with unions and businesses. Currently, employees have the right to ask for flexible working but a company has no obligation to say yes. Under the new proposed law, to be tabled by mid-October, companies would be required to provide flexible working from day one except when it is not reasonably feasible. The exact legal definition of not reasonably feasible will be key in determining how easy it could be for a business to reject a demand from a worker. More red tape Dame Priti Patel, the former Tory home secretary who is running for the partys leadership, criticised the proposals. She said: In terms of the four-day week, this absolutely sums up this Labour Government, it really does, at every single level. Imposing more burdens and bureaucracy and red tape, regulation, onto businesses, the very people that employ people. Dame Priti added: This will have devastating impacts for those businesses but importantly for our economy. Labour claim to talk about growth. It is obvious that they do not have a growth plan. Some business groups also struck a note of caution on Friday. Ben Willmott, the head of public policy for the CIPD, the professional body for human resources, said the Government should take stock of recent rule changes around employment, which allow people to request flexible working when they start new jobs, before making more changes. He said: Flexible working arrangements such as compressed hours, job sharing and term-time working can help people balance their work and home life commitments, while also supporting employer efforts to recruit and retain staff. However, flexible working has to work for both the business and workers if its to be sustainable and this needs to be recognised in any changes to regulation. It would make sense for the Government to take stock of the impact of recent changes introduced only in April to enable people to request flexible working from day one of employment, before seeking to make further changes. Click here to view this content. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 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. George Pickett in Niagara Falls city, while in Canada for a conference. Photograph: Lancaster University Although absolute zero will for ever remain beyond our reach, we have achieved probably the next best thing. These were the words of George Pickett, who has died aged 85, discussing his work on nuclear refrigeration at Lancaster University, the purpose of which was to produce the lowest possible laboratory temperatures, a necessity for numerous scientific studies. At such low temperatures close to -273.15C, or what is known as absolute zero, the point at which an object has no heat at all the motion of atoms and subatomic particles ceases almost completely. The rules of classical physics break down, allowing scientists to study the enigmatic world of quantum mechanics, determining how elementary particles move and interact. Understanding these concepts offers insight into materials such as superconductors, which allow electricity to flow without resistance or loss over great distances, or superfluids, which display very low viscosity as their atoms lose their usual random motion. Superfluids can be used for cooling magnets with strong magnetic fields and for helping detect exotic subatomic particles. However, the most significant application of Picketts work lay in increasing our understanding of the big bang, the early origins of the universe and the creation of its structures, such as the chains of galaxies that now populate space. He and his team worked with helium-3, a stable isotope of the gas used in party balloons, which can be heated to very high temperatures (it is formed in stars) but also becomes a liquid superfluid if cooled close to absolute zero. In its superfluid state, helium-3 provides a tool for studying the properties of the early universe. For instance, it can mimic cosmic phenomena such as the turbulent expansion of the universe following the big bang, and the subsequent formation of stable structures such as galaxies. Because it can exist at extremely high temperatures such as those present at the formation of our universe 13.8bn years ago and also very low temperatures, similar to that of the residual radiation left over from the big bang (-270.424C), it is practical for modelling how our universe evolved. Pickett noted these qualities and exploited them. In the early 1990s, Picketts team conducted experiments, later dubbed the big bang in a drop of helium, which aimed to capture the first fraction of a second of our universes existence, before it began to cool rapidly. Because classical physics ceases at the low temperatures where helium-3 becomes a superfluid, it is possible, in a laboratory, to heat the liquid to the extremely high temperatures present in the big bang by passing neutrons through it and without it becoming a gas. At first the heated liquid helium-3 was homogenous and uniform, exactly like the universe at the moment of its creation. But then the neutrinos began to create bubbles and vortices, and, as it cooled, the helium began to display areas of greater and lesser density. The more dense areas were analogues of the over-dense regions in the real universe whose gravity would later drag in matter to form galaxies with space and vacuum between them. We were hopeful we would see such an outcome, Pickett later said. But really we had no idea how successful the end result would be. Although Pickett did not become a Nobel laureate himself, when the American team of David Lee, Douglas Osheroff and Robert Richardson won the 1996 Nobel prize for physics for their discovery of superfluidity in helium-3, they cited this earlier work of Pickett and his team as being crucial to their success. Picketts team did, however, achieve and hold for many years the record for the lowest temperature ever attained when, in 1993, they cooled copper immersed in liquid helium-3 to 7 microkelvin, or seven millionths of a degree above absolute zero. Pickett was born in Biddenham, Bedfordshire, to George, an engineer, and Lelia (nee Okell), and from at Bedford modern school went to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he gained a DPhil in physics. After a post at Helsinki University, in 1970 he joined Lancaster University, where he would remain throughout the rest of his career. In 1988 he was awarded a chair in low-temperature physics and went on to develop the ultra-low temperature laboratory that would define his academic career. Fluent in various Scandinavian and Slavic languages, he received honorary doctorates from universities across Europe, while in the UK he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1997, and the following year, alongside a Lancaster University colleague, Tony Guenault, was jointly awarded the Simon Memorial prize, conferred every three years for distinguished work in experimental or theoretical low-temperature physics. In 2002 he helped create the European Microkelvin Platform a consortium of ultra-low-temperature laboratories that trains young researchers in the discipline. His wife, Deborah (nee Fonge), whom he met in Oxford while she was working for the university forestry department, predeceased him, as did his subsequent partner, Cora Martin. He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine. George Richard Pickett, physicist, born 10 April 1939; died 21 July 2024 Jess Phillips was among shadow ministers who quit their roles to back the motion of a ceasefire last year - HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY Jess Phillips has suggested she received quicker NHS treatment because she voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Ms Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, has reportedly suggested her stance on the conflict had helped speed up her care when a Palestinian doctor treated her during a visit to an A&E department at a Birmingham hospital. The MP for Birmingham Yardley quit her shadow ministerial role in November last year, when Labour was in opposition, to vote in favour of an immediate ceasefire. Ms Phillips was one of eight frontbenchers and dozens of backbench Labour MPs who defied Sir Keir Starmer on the issue after he had instructed them not to vote for an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire. Labour MPs were told to vote for a Labour amendment instead, which called for longer pauses in the conflict to deliver aid, stopping short of calling for a full ceasefire. Since Oct 7, the conflict has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and over 1,400 Israelis, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces - MOHAMMED SABER/SHUTTERSTOCK According to the Daily Mail, Ms Phillips recounted how her vote had seemingly played a role in her health treatment during an event billed as An Evening with Jess Phillips, held at the Kiln Theatre in north London. Ms Phillips reportedly said she had gone to A&E because she was having trouble breathing and that the department was very busy and chaotic. I have genuinely seen better facilities, health facilities, in war zones, in developing countries around the world, she said. Describing the situation when she got to the front of the queue, she said: I got through because of who I am. Also, the doctor who saw me was Palestinian, as it turns out. Almost all the doctors in Birmingham seemed to be. She said: He was sort of like, I like you. You voted for a ceasefire. [Because of that] I got through quicker. Biggest rebellion The Gaza ceasefire vote in November 2023 represented the biggest rebellion of Sir Keirs leadership. In her resignation letter to Sir Keir, Ms Phillips said: I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine. I see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future. She returned to the Labour frontbench after the partys general election victory. A source close to Ms Phillips said: This is nonsense and doesnt fairly reflect what the minister said. Ms Phillips was contacted for comment. An aid truck crosses the Egypt-Gaza border in Rafah. Photograph: Mohamed Arafat/EPA The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have said they carried out an airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza aimed at armed assailants trying to hijack it but the charity that organised the aid said people killed in the strike were employees of the transport company it was working with. The convoy, organised by the US-based NGO Anera, was carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati-run hospital in Rafah on Thursday evening at the time of the attack. Its route had been coordinated in advance with the IDF, under a deconfliction process intended to prevent aid vehicles being bombed. Aneras Palestine country director, Sandra Rasheed, said: This is a shocking incident. The convoy, which was coordinated by Anera and approved by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who was fortunately unharmed. Tragically, several individuals, all employed by the transportation company we work with, were killed in the attack. They were in the first vehicle of the convoy. Unconfirmed reports from Gaza said five people were killed in the airstrike. An IDF statement confirmed the route had been coordinated, but claimed that during the convoys movement, a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle in the front of the convoy (a Jeep) and began to lead it. It added: After the takeover and further verification that a precise strike on the armed assailants vehicle can be carried out, a strike was conducted. No damage was caused to the other vehicles in the convoy and it reached its destination as planned. The strike on the armed assailants removed the threat of them seizing control over the humanitarian convoy. The IDF claimed it had contacted Anera after the incident and that the aid organisation had verified that all of the convoys organisation members and humanitarian aid were safe and reached their destination as planned. Anera confirmed that the convoy did reach the hospital, but said only one person travelling in the convoy was an Anera employee. The rest worked for its partner transport company, which was not named. We are urgently seeking further details about what happened, Rasheed said. The airstrike on the convoy came hours after Israeli soldiers opened fire on a World Food Programme (WFP) vehicle clearly marked with UN insignia, travelling in a convoy of two. The WFP said the vehicle was hit by at least 10 bullets as it approached an IDF checkpoint at Wadi Gaza. The vehicle was armoured with reinforced glass and no one inside was injured, but the agency temporarily suspended movement of its staff around Gaza. Cindy McCain, the head of the WFP, called the shooting totally unacceptable. As last nights events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer, McCain said. On 1 April, the IDF killed seven aid workers in a drone attack on a convoy run by the World Central Kitchen charity. The IDF admitted to grave errors by its officers, firing two of them, and conceded that it had been informed of the planned convoy in advance but said the information had not been passed down to operational units. An IDF investigation also claimed an officer thought he saw a gunman on the roof of a truck being escorted by the charitys vehicles, while watching grainy surveillance footage. There was no evidence that any gunman was present. Kamala Harris has drawn crowds to rival Donald Trump's rallies and flown up the polls - ELIZABETH FRANTZ/REUTERS Click here to view this content. Kamala Harris has shown a new version of herself since becoming the Democrats presidential candidate. The nominee has drawn crowds to rival Donald Trumps rallies, rapidly grown her campaign war chest and flown up on the polls. It is a far cry from the vice president of the last few years who underwhelmed with her lack of stage presence, her nervous laughs and her tendency for verbose, even nonsensical utterances. But on Thursday night, as she faced her first major test a much-awaited media grilling the old Kamala appeared to have made an unwanted return. Word salads and nonsense platitudes were back. Even the most anticipated of questions What would you do on day one in the White House? was met with a vague, rambling pledge to the middle class. A relatively softball interview on Left-leaning CNN was hardly the most taxing exercise for a candidate seeking to be Americas commander-in-chief, yet Ms Harris struggled to shine under the spotlight. It bodes ill for her upcoming debate on Sep 10 against Donald Trump, a formidable opponent who does not play by the rules. Ms Harris promised 'a new way forward' at the DNC, but her CNN appearance underwhelmed with word salads and nonsense platitudes He is unlikely to patiently wait for her to untangle her winding answers before pouncing back on the debate stage. Trumps encounter with Joe Biden in June ended the presidents re-election hopes. His successor, Ms Harris, hoped she would fare better against the Republican opponent. But her performance in the CNN interview suggests she will find that task quite daunting. Nevertheless, there is much the Harris campaign will have been pleased with in the 27-minute sit-down. Her claim that her values have not changed was a smart play to progressives even as she runs from her one-time embrace of liberal policies. At the same time, she signalled a willingness to appoint a Republican to her cabinet. That outreach will appeal to Conservatives disillusioned with Trump at a time when the former president has made clear that dissenters are persona non grata in the Republican Party. She said, I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion a calculated strike against Trumps claim that she is a radical Marxist. Her responses to questions on the economy and Mr Bidens record trod a delicate balance. She demonstrated respect and loyalty to her boss while pivoting to the future with a promise to turn the page. Click here to view this content. Ms Harris also deftly avoided being dragged onto the often ugly battlefield of identity politics when asked about Trumps comments on her dual heritage. It is a tired playbook, she said, resisting the opportunity to dwell on the historical nature of her candidacy. Instead, she offered a disciplined response that will have appealed to many Americans watching at home. I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, she said. Most critically, the 59-year-old Ms Harris avoided any major missteps. She appeared more assured than she had done in any previous interview as vice president. But she also missed a golden opportunity to capitalise on the energy driving her nascent campaign and put some meat on the bone with substantive policy offerings. It was an interview as grey as her suit. Perhaps exactly what she had hoped to achieve. But her cautious, do-no-harm approach will not be enough in a showdown with the bombastic Trump. Click here to view this content. The portrait of Margaret Thatcher, commissioned by Gordon Brown, was unveiled to the Iron Lady at a private reception in 2009 Sir Keir Starmer has got a problem with women after his decision to take down a No 10 portrait of Margaret Thatcher prompted a backlash, the Tories have claimed. Sir Keir has had a painting of Thatcher removed because he found it unsettling, according to his biographer. The Conservative Party tweeted in response: Tell me youve got a problem with women without telling me youve got a problem with women. Meanwhile, Baroness Foster, the former first minister of Northern Ireland, expressed concerns about the painting decision as she said Sir Keir cannot deny her role in our nation. She tweeted: I think it is unsettling that the PM should remove the first female PM from No 10. He cannot deny her role in our nation as the most significant PM after Churchill. Not a good start from Labour, looks and feels vindictive and petty. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg labelled the move petty-minded. Dame Priti Patel also addressed the incident as she launched her bid for Tory leadership. She said the move showed the Prime Minister had the wrong priorities. She said: On Keir Starmer, where shall we start? 56 days in office and he seems to be spending more time removing portraits of great, strong, Conservative female leaders rather than getting on and doing the strong job of governance. Click here to view this content. She added: I think it tells us everything really about his priorities. His priorities are not on serving the country. His priorities are literally just about tinkering at the margins, hiding behind great portraits of great Conservative female prime minister. That is why we need to get him out of office. However, Baroness Smith, a Labour education minister, said that Sir Keir cannot win as had previously been criticised by those on the Left for praising the Iron Lady. She added that the row was not the most pressing issue that Sir Keir had to deal with. The Prime Minister prompted a backlash among some Labour supporters back in December last year after he heaped praise on Thatcher for effecting meaningful change in Britain. Writing for The Telegraph, he praised her for setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism. Lady Smith said she believed the painting would be displayed somewhere else in No 10 but ultimately Sir Keir cant win. Lady Smith says the portrait row is not the 'most pressing issue' that Sir Keir has to deal with - S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock Asked if the painting should have been taken down in the first place, the Labour frontbencher told Sky News on Friday: I think he has hung it up somewhere else, hasnt he, as far as Im aware. Keir Starmer cant win, can he, because a few months ago he was being criticised for talking about what he admired about Margaret Thatcher and now he is being criticised for moving her portrait. I think the important thing for Keir Starmer is probably to learn what he can from previous prime ministers but to crack on with what he is doing in very successfully leading the country. She added: I dont think whether or not you shift a portrait from one room to somewhere else is the most pressing issue of the day. The portrait of Thatcher was commissioned by Gordon Brown and unveiled to the Iron Lady at a private reception in 2009. Painted by Richard Stone, one of Britains leading portrait artists, it was intended for permanent display in Downing Street. The decision to take down the painting, first reported by The Herald, was revealed by Tom Baldwin, Sir Keirs biographer, at an event organised by Glasgows Aye Write book festival. The former journalist reportedly said the Prime Minister delivered the news while the pair viewed the painting hanging in the former No 10 study, unofficially known as the Thatcher Room. Sir Keir had taken Mr Baldwin up to the room, describing it as a place where we can go and have a quiet talk. The biographer said: We sat there, and I go: Its a bit unsettling with her staring down as you like that, isnt it? According to Mr Baldwin, Sir Keir replied: Yeah. Asked whether he would get rid of it, the Prime Minister allegedly nodded. Mr Baldwin said: And he has. The painting had been on display in the former No 10 study, unofficially known as the Thatcher Room. Kiingi Tuheitia, the Maori king, had been recovering from heart surgery when he died in New Zealand at the age of 69 - PETER DRURY/AFP The King said he is profoundly saddened by the death of Maori king Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, a decades-long friend to the British Royal family. Kiingi Tuheitia died in New Zealand at the age of 69 on Friday, a Kiingitanga (Maori king movement) spokesman confirmed. He had been recovering in hospital after undergoing heart surgery. The King said news of Kiingi Tuheitias death is a particular shock, with the two having shared a long-running friendship. Kiingi Tuheitia with then Prince Charles and Camilla in New Zealand in 2015 - David Rowland/POOL SNPA I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades, he said in a statement. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion. His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August. The King said he looks back on the friendship with immense fondness, having visited New Zealand in 2015, where he and the Queen visited the town of Ngaruawahia with the Kiingi and his wife Makau Ariki. The Kiingi also visited Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace last year. The Kiingis relationship with the British Royal family began with Elizabeth II. The two royals shared the same birthday April 21 which was commented on on numerous occasions by the late Queen. Kiingi Tuheitia is viewed in New Zealand as a unifying leader of the countrys native Maori people. Members of the Maori community gather after the news of Kiingi Tuheitia's death at the Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand - DJ MILLS/AFP Tributes have poured in online with politicians and the general public taking to social media to share in their grief. Christopher Luxon, New Zealands prime minister, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna [the younger generation], his passion for te ao Maori [the Maori world], and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. He added: I will also remember the kindness he showed me personally whenever I met with him at Turangawaewae [the headquarters of the Maori king movement]. Kiingi Tuheitia is viewed in New Zealand as a unifying leader of the country's native Maori people Chris Hipkins, New Zealands Labour leader, said via X: The passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has me both saddened and shocked having just celebrated the 18th anniversary of his Coronation. Kiingi Tuheitia was a fierce and staunch advocate, voice and leader, not only for Maoridom but for a better and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. His commitment to the kaupapa was fearless and unwavering thats his legacy that well all remember fondly. Jacinda Ardern, the former New Zealand prime minister, described him as an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. A new Maori leader will now be appointed by heads of tribes on the day of Kiingi Tuheitias funeral but before he is buried, Radio New Zealand reports. The Maori king is considered the paramount chief of several tribes, or iwi, but is not affiliated with all of them. Margaret Thatcher looks down from the wall as David Cameron meets the then Irish taoiseach, Enda Kenny, at No 10 in 2011. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/EPA In a summer punctuated by an election and then riots there has not really been a silly season, the traditional news-light period when holidaying MPs become worked up about trivialities. That is until now thanks to a row about a portrait of Margaret Thatcher. What is known is that the slightly austere painting of the former prime minister by the artist Richard Stone has been moved from the Downing Street study where it had hung since 2009, when Gordon Brown commissioned it. This one fact was enough to prompt front page stories in the Daily Mail and the Telegraph, as well as apocalyptic responses from the likes of the former Tory minister John Redwood, who said it showed Keir Starmer wants to drag Britain down. Related: The Iron Lady consigned to the ironing cupboard? Keir Starmer did pledge to do things differently | Marina Hyde Meanwhile, Priti Patel, asked about Starmers decision at her Conservative leadership campaign launch, said: I think it tells us everything really about his priorities. His priorities are not on serving the country, his priorities are literally just about tinkering at the margins. Somewhat more cryptically, the official Conservative X account posted a story about the painting with the words: Tell me youve got a problem with women without telling me youve got a problem with women. What is going on? It does seem Starmer was responsible for the decision to remove the portrait. According to Tom Baldwin, the prime ministers biographer, when they met in the room recently, Starmer agreed that the large, gilt-framed picture was unsettling and he was likely to take it down. And he has, Baldwin told a literary event in Glasgow, comments initially reported by the Herald newspaper. A No 10 source said the portrait was not on the wall any longer but declined to say where it had gone. Jacqui Smith, the Labour former cabinet minister, newly made a peer and a skills minister in the education department, told LBC it would remain in No 10, but again gave no details. In one sense, such decorative reshuffling is entirely routine. New ministers are given access to the near 15,000-strong government art collection to decorate their offices, and a change of government almost always brings a change in what is hanging on the walls. The Stone portrait is slightly different in that it was not acquired by the government art collection, rather, the 100,000 cost was paid for by an anonymous donor. The picture shows Thatcher at the height of her power in 1982, just after the Falklands war. The location also has significance Thatcher used the room as her study, and it is now known as the Thatcher room. Stone, speaking in 2009 as he completed the work, said he understood the portrait would remain in Downing Street for ever. And so it may just, and even if only for now, in a less prominent and perhaps less unsettling position. Shakari Briggs is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com. Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, she worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. Shakari comes to the Houston newsroom with experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career. Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting. A female anopheles mosquito. While males do not bite, Gupta suggested the study could be used to improve male traps to help control the spread of malaria. Photograph: James Gathany/AP While dulcet tones might sway humans looking for a partner, it seems they are also important for male mosquitoes: researchers have found the insects chase others only when they hear the buzz of a female. Male mosquitoes form swarms involving thousands of individuals to attract potential partners, but must avoid bumping into each other while pursuing the females that turn up. Dr Saumya Gupta of the University of Washington, Seattle, said it was previously thought mosquitoes had such poor vision they could not see each other. What is more, male mosquitoes are known to tune out the sound of other males meaning they could not rely on their acute hearing to avoid collisions. Now Gupta and colleagues have shed fresh light on how the insects manage the feat. Not only [have] we found [mosquitoes] can see visual cues of other individuals flying around, said Gupta, but we found that for males they actually can integrate acoustic cues with visual cues [to find a female]. Writing in the journal Current Biology, Gupta and colleagues report how they tethered anopheles mosquitoes within an arena whose walls were covered with an LED panel showing a static pattern of bright pixels. This, they say, mimics aspects of what a mosquito would see in a swarm. The team then put a large moving blob of light on the LED display to represent another mosquito very nearby. The researchers found the tethered mosquitoes showed no inclination to steer towards or away from the large blob, although they did change the frequency and amplitude of their wingbeats. However, when the high-pitched whine of a female was played, males strongly steered in the direction of the blobs movement. As soon as they hear female sounds, they try to intercept the object, said Gupta. In other words, the sound of a female mosquito appears to trigger a shift in the visual processing of males. The team also looked at free-flying male mosquitoes, finding they did indeed try to avoid collisions when close to each other in a swarm. However, rather than steering away to dodge collisions, the insects made other changes in their acceleration chiming with the results of the earlier experiments. While malaria is spread by female mosquitoes as males do not bite Gupta suggested the study could be used to improve male traps to help control the spread of the disease. Mostly females bite and transmit [malaria] after mating, said Gupta, noting that by trapping males, these processes can be disrupted. Dr Francesco Baldini from the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the work, said the results were exciting. They reveal that mosquitoes respond to visual cues not just based on what they see but also on what they hear. Baldini added that the work could help improve the effectiveness of mosquito traps, not only for monitoring specific mosquito species but also, if highly effective, for population control. Additionally with growing interest in targeting male mosquitoes, traps designed to lure the non-biting sex could help reduce reproduction rates and ultimately decrease overall mosquito populations, he said. However, Dr Lauren Cator of Imperial College London said the most important implication of the study was that it improved our understanding of how mosquitoes used their senses when trying to mate. These behaviours are important for the design of control tools such as those relying on the release of sterile males, she said. Jake Verano Gomez was sentenced to four months in prison - Metropolitan Police A man caught upskirting a woman at the British Museum by an off-duty police officer has been jailed for four months. Jake Verano Gomez, 33, was seen by the City of London officer, who was on his day off, secretly recording a woman on Aug 19. The officer detained the man with the help of museum staff and security before Metropolitan Police officers arrived and took him into custody. The victim was supported by museum staff and Met officers upon arrival, police said. Police searched Gomezs phone and found a string of similar videos, believed to have been filmed on the same day. The force believes there could be more women who are unaware they were victims. Gomez, a Colombian national of no fixed address, was sentenced to four months imprisonment and ordered to pay court fees at Highbury Corner magistrates court on Aug 21. He had earlier pleaded guilty to recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent. Upskirting refers to the act of taking a sexually intrusive photograph or video up someones skirt without their permission. It was made a criminal offence under the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which was introduced after a campaign by writer Gina Martin, who was targeted herself at a festival in 2017. Upskirting has devastating impact Speaking after Gomezs sentencing, Det Con Holly Wright, from the Public Protection team covering Camden, said: These kinds of offences have a devastating impact on women and girls who should be free to go about their lives without fear of being the victim of such a horrendous crime. Fortunately the presence of our colleague from City of London Police has meant Gomez has now been brought to justice. Following his arrest, Gomezs phone was interrogated by Met detectives, they found a number of videos of other victims, also believed to have been filmed that day... Sadly, this may mean there are more women who are unaware that they have been the victim of crime. If you were at the British Museum on Monday, 19 August around 14:00hrs and think you may have been a victim, I am asking you to come forward and speak to us. The Labour minister Patrick Vallance, who helped spearhead the countrys response to the Covid pandemic, has said he would not have served as a minister in a Conservative government. The former UK government chief scientific adviser was made a peer and appointed science minister this year after Keir Starmers party swept to victory in the general election. And he made clear on Thursday that, if he had been asked by Rishi Sunak to consider serving in a Tory government: I wouldnt have done, no. As a civil servant, Im very happy to serve under any government, and would do so because thats the role of the civil service, Lord Vallance added. But as a minister, obviously, you then have [a] political angle to that as well, and that adds a layer of complexity. You cant be a minister and not part of a political system, and thats different. Last year, Vallances private diaries from the Covid pandemic made the headlines, revealing his frustration with the politicians at the heart of government at the time. But he said his main concern was about science not being integrated in the system. I am not sure I was individually critical of what ministers were doing, he said. What I said was I thought the government as a whole didnt have a mechanism well enough developed to take science and technology into all the places it needs to be, because I cant think of a single area of policy or operations where science technology or engineering wouldnt make a difference, he told the Guardian. His comments came alongside the announcement that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has reopened recruitment for a new chief executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Vallance said he would set the new head of UKRI the countrys largest public research funder with a budget of 9bn a year the challenge of transforming the body. He said that as well as funding curiosity-driven research something he described as the goose that lays the golden egg in years to come UKRI would also direct money into research that would support the governments five missions, including kickstarting economic growth and making Britain a clean energy superpower. If we can get government to want to use research in order to understand how better to deliver [those] missions, I think well end up with better results, faster results whether thats a technology answer or whether its a social science answer, or whether its some other answer, he said. The successful applicant will take over at UKRI from Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser from June 2025, when her five-year term concludes. While the campaign for a new CEO was initially launched earlier this year, it has reopened after the general election under the new government. Vallance said Leysers successor would have to be a leader capable of dealing with a wide portfolio and able to bring people from different disciplines together to tackle problems. Whats the point of having UKRI if it isnt about bringing things together and getting some of that cross-fertilization? And thats both between disciplines, and between private and public sector. Donald Trump at a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP Democrats are trying to turn Donald Trumps clash with staff at Arlington National Cemetery, the hallowed final resting place of Americas war dead, into a broader election issue by highlighting it as an example of his history of disrespecting military veterans. Congressional Democrats with military records and liberal-leaning veterans groups say the episode is consistent with past instances of the Republican presidential nominee flagrantly denigrating service in the armed forces. They also see it as an opportunity to turn the tables on Republican efforts to undermine the record of Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, who has come under fire for a series of supposedly misleading statements about aspects of his 24 years of military service in the national guard. Related: The Trump campaigns conduct at Arlington is shocking but not surprising | Kevin Carroll The US army rebuked Trumps campaign this week after members of the former presidents entourage abruptly pushed aside a female cemetery staff member who was trying to prevent them taking pictures of Trump at a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of a soldier who was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The cemetery worker was acting in line with the facilitys rules, which prohibits pictures or film being shot in section 60, the burial area for personnel killed serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Pictures later appeared of Trump posing alongside members of the soldiers family smiling and giving the thumbs-up sign a gesture denounced by some as inappropriate and crass. Trumps campaign also posted video footage on TikTok with the former president claiming falsely that we didnt lose one person in 18 months. And then [the Biden administration] took over, that disaster of leaving Afghanistan. In fact, 11 US soldiers were killed in Trumps last year in Afghanistan. Trump was invited to Arlington by several of the families of those killed to mark the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal the botched handling of which stands as one of the most damaging episodes of Joe Bidens presidency. Now Democrats are accusing him of exploiting a revered site for narrow campaign purposes, in breach of the cemeterys regulations. The former president did not attend the previous two anniversaries marking the withdrawal. Arlington National Cemetery isnt a place for campaign photo-ops. Its a sacred resting place for American patriots, Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic House member from New Jersey and former navy helicopter pilot, posted on X. But for Donald Trump, disrespecting military veterans is just par for the course. Its an absolute disgrace. Gerry Connolly, a congressman from Virginia, demanded the release of footage and paperwork from the incident. He said it was sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honouring our heroes. Jared Golden, a Democratic Congress member from Maine and an ex-marine, called Arlington sacred ground and all visitors should take the time to learn the rules of decorum that ensure the proper respect is given to the fallen and their families. Although surveys have shown that roughly six in 10 retired service members voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election, some left-leaning veterans groups have added their voice to the criticism. Jon Stoltz, a former army veteran and co-founder of VoteVets, a veterans group that is supporting Kamala Harriss presidential campaign, accused Trump of using the cemetery for a political ceremony and predicted that it could turn previously sympathetic ex-servicemen against him. They dont have a right to do that with other veterans who are there, Stoltz told the Associated Press. I know theres veterans who support Trump. Hes just motivated people against him. In a statement, Allison Jaslow, chief executive of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, added to the condemnation, saying: There are plenty of places appropriate for politics Arlington is not one of them. Any aspiring elected official, especially one who hopes to be Commander in Chief, should not be confused about that fact. The cemeterys rules state: Partisan activities are inappropriate in Arlington National Cemetery, due to its role as a shrine to all the honoured dead of the Armed Forces of the United States and out of respect for the men and women buried there and for their families. Trumps attitude to military service has come under scrutiny because of a track record of dismissive statements, both public and private. This month, he appeared to disparage the Congressional Medal of Honor saying it was inferior to the medal of freedom, which he bestowed as president because most of its recipients had been hit so many times by bullets or theyre dead. According to his former White House chief of staff John Kelly, he refused to visit a first world war cemetery during a 2018 visit to France, calling the American servicemen buried there suckers and losers for getting killed. He also ridiculed the late Republican senator John McCain, saying he was only considered a war hero because he had been captured. According to separate reports, Trump voiced objections to having disabled veterans at a military ceremony which ultimately never occurred, saying it doesnt look good for me. NSW Liberal MP for Pittwater Rory Amon has been charged with 10 child sexual assault offences. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP The New South Wales Liberal MP Rory Amon has been charged with 10 child sexual assault offences against a teenage boy after an investigation into an alleged assault on Sydneys northern beaches. Amon, the member for Pittwater, was arrested on Friday morning. He said in a statement he denied all the charges and was resigning from state parliament. He also resigned from the Liberal party. I deny all charges and will make my case in the courts, not in the media, the 35-year-old said. Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case. Amon was charged with five counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged over 10 and under 14, two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child over 10 and under 14, two counts of indecent assault on a person under 16, and committing an act of indecency with a person under 16. The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament, he said. As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the member for Pittwater effective immediately. The people of Pittwater should have a representative who can dedicate 100% of their time advocating for this wonderful community. Related: Sydney records hottest August day since 1995 as Australia swelters through warm winter Amon said representing his community had been the greatest honour of his life. The NSW Liberal leader, Mark Speakman, called the charges extremely serious and said he had asked for Amons resignation from parliament and the party. The alleged conduct strikes at the heart of the standards expected of members of parliament, Speakman said. Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amons immediate resignation from the Liberal party [and] the NSW parliament. NSW police said on Friday: In June 2022, detectives commenced an investigation following reports of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale in July 2017. Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him. In March 2023, strikeforce NOORAL was established to investigate the incident, a spokesperson said. Amon was elected in the March 2023 election. He was the shadow assistant minister for transport and roads, infrastructure and youth. He was granted bail under strict conditions on Friday and was scheduled to next appear at Downing Centre local court on 29 October. According to court documents, the offences were alleged to have occurred between 1 June 2017 and 25 July 2017. Amons lawyers initially applied for a suppression order on Friday but later withdrew the application. Their client was a Northern Beaches councillor and a family lawyer before he won Pittwater in 2023 on a slender margin. According to his website, he helped clients navigate family breakdown and worked with victims of domestic and family violence. He is also a volunteer firefighter, a rugby referee and a runner. NSW voters now face three byelections. Matt Kean announced his resignation as the MP for Hornsby in June and the former premier Dominic Perrottet announced in July he would step down from his Epping seat. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732) Changes were made to the final communique that originally appeared on the website of the Pacific Islands Forum. Photograph: Lukas Coch/EPA A summit of Pacific leaders has ended in drama after Chinas regional envoy demanded the scrapping of language about Taiwan, with the communique later republished without the offending paragraph. The Pacific Islands Forum (Pif) summit in Tonga this week brought together Australia, New Zealand and 16 Pacific island countries or territories, only three of which still have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China is not a member of the regional grouping, but like the US and numerous other major countries attends some of the Pif events as a dialogue partner. Related: Australia overcomes last-minute concerns to secure sweeping Pacific police training plan For more than 30 years, Taiwan has been afforded the lesser status of development partner, a situation that irks Beijing, which claims the self-governed democracy as its territory. Solomon Islands, which has fostered increasingly warm ties with Beijing since switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan in 2019, had raised concerns in the lead-up to this weeks summit about Taiwans status. But the final communique published on the Pif website on Friday rebuffed any push for change and stood by existing arrangements. Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China, it said. Chinas special envoy for the Pacific, Qian Bo, called for changes to the communique. Nikkei Asia reported that it saw a visibly angry Qian confront the Pif secretary general, Baron Waqa, immediately after the closing news conference and that he called the statement unacceptable. Qian later told reporters in Tongas capital, Nukualofa, that it was a surprising mistake made by someone and it must be corrected. He reiterated Beijings position that China should be seen as the representative on behalf of the whole China, including Taiwan and the mainland, Nikkei Asia reported. The Guardian has seen and verified a copy of the final communique that appeared on the Pif website earlier on Friday. It included a line reaffirming the decades-long arrangements regarding Taiwan. But as of Friday evening local time, this communique was no longer easily accessible on the website. The communique was republished on the Pif website on Saturday morning local time, but with paragraph 66 about Taiwan no longer included. A paragraph about Solomon Islands being the host of next years Pif was moved up to become the new paragraph 66. The Guardian has sought comment from the Pif secretariat. Related: Culture, democracy and clout: why three Pacific countries are sticking with Taiwan Taiwans deputy foreign minister, Tien Chung-kwang, also travelled to Nukualofa this week. Tien held talks with Taiwans three remaining Pacific allies, Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. Chinas foreign ministry said on Friday: Any attempt by the Taiwan authorities to brush up their sense of presence by rubbing shoulders with the forum can only be self-deceptive. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, had previously played down the prospect of any attempt to change Taiwans status within Pif structures. When asked about the matter on Thursday morning, prior to the leaders retreat, Albanese said: Well, that hasnt been discussed at all. We support all the existing arrangements. Additional reporting by Reuters The prime minister of Tuvalu, Feleti Teo, dances the Alofa after signing documents for the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union to come into force at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum summit in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP Pacific leaders gathered in Tonga this week to discuss the most pressing issues in the region. The group backed a Pacific-wide police training and rapid-response plan championed by Australia, and also reached agreement with France to allow a fact-finding mission to travel to New Caledonia to investigate the recent unrest. But the final day of the talks on Friday was overshadowed by a dispute over language about Taiwan. Here are the key takeaways from the Pacific Islands Forum (Pif) summit, the regions most important annual political gathering, bringing together Australia, New Zealand and 16 Pacific island countries or territories. Policing plan gets the nod, with fine print Under the new Pacific Policing Initiative, a multinational police unit will be established to respond quickly to a natural disaster or to provide security for major events. It includes plans to establish a training and coordination hub in Brisbane, Australia. In addition, police centres of excellence will be set up in four Pacific island countries, including Papua New Guinea. Australia has offered to provide $400m over five years to establish the centres. Pif leaders formally announced their support on Friday, although consensus was reached on Wednesday a win that the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, described as a cracker in a jovial private conversation with the US deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell. Related: Australian PM caught on camera joking with senior US official over funding of Pacific policing plan The Pif communique on Friday backed the proposal but also emphasised the need for national consultations in every Pacific country on precisely how each of them would engage with the new scheme. Solomon Islands which struck a security pact with China in 2022 said these consultations would be important to ensure that its owned and driven by countries. Vanuatu earlier this week said the region should ensure the plan was framed to fit our purposes and not developed to suit the geostrategic interests and geostrategic denial security postures of our big partners a reference to a western desire to box out China. Australia had always insisted the initiative would be Pacific-led and that no country would be compelled to participate. The regions police chiefs will meet in Tonga next week to work on a plan for how to implement it. New Caledonia fact-finding mission The unrest in New Caledonia was a key issue in discussions during the leaders retreat on Thursday. The French territory has seen deadly violence since May after lawmakers in Paris approved a constitutional amendment to allow recent arrivals to the territory to vote in provincial elections. It prompted fears that it would dilute the vote of the Indigenous Kanak people. and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, later announced he was suspending the change. The prime ministers of Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands and Fiji are expected to lead the delegation, with the timing yet to be announced. Tongas prime minister said the objectives included gathering information to better understand the situation in New Caledonia through holding interviews and field visit with all stakeholders relevant to resolution of the crisis. The terms of reference also call for support for ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability, de-escalate ongoing violence and promote discussion between the parties. The fact-finding missions will provide a report with clear recommendations to Pif members. Climate crisis takes centre stage but fossil fuels omitted from communique The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, elevated the climate crisis by attending the first couple of days of the talks and releasing two reports on sea level rise and natural disasters. Related: A crisis entirely of humanitys making: UN chief issues climate SOS on trip to Pacific I am in Tonga to issue a global SOS Save Our Seas on rising sea levels, he said, reiterating the need for a fast and fair phase-out of fossil fuels. If we save the Pacific, we also save ourselves. Pacific island leaders see the climate crisis as the the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific. Even so, there was curiously no explicit mention of fossil fuels in the final communique. Right now, leaders are seeking to build momentum and pledges for the new Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led and people-centred climate and disaster fund. It is an alternative to larger, established schemes such as the Green Climate Fund. Leaders announced this week that Tonga would be where the new fund was based. Amid US-China rivalry, a last-minute drama over Taiwan The intensifying contest for influence between the US and China continues to dominate headlines, although Pacific leaders have repeatedly signalled that they dont want to be seen as pawns in a larger geopolitical struggle. The US and China are not members of Pif, but they are among its many dialogue partners and they routinely send high-powered delegations to build the relationship with countries in the region. Potentially sensing the mood, the US and China indicated to Pif leaders on Wednesday that they wanted to work together to address the climate crisis an olive branch that was well received. The warmth didnt last long: Chinas special envoy for the Pacific, Qian Bo, demanded the scrapping of language about Taiwan in the final communique on Friday. The line effectively rebuffed calls to downgrade Taiwans status as a Pif development partner, in language that surprised some observers and angered Beijing. Just three of the 18 members of Pif still have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The communique was republished on Saturday without the offending line included. Pif leaders are yet to settle on a declaration for the Pacific as an ocean of peace a proposal advanced by the prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka. In a nod to their impatience over the big powers geopolitical games, the Pif leaders said the emphasis should be on the peace element of the peace and security. Tough issues are on the backburner Several tough issues were held over for future talks. These include deep sea mining, which divides opinion among Pacific island governments. Related: Deep-sea mining: why is interest growing and what are the risks? Pif last year called for deep sea mining to go to a Talanoa dialogue a type of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue that embraces mutual respect and understanding rather than shouting down other ideas but this hasnt happened yet. This week, Pif leaders said ministers would hold talks in October. The prime minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, who supports looking into the industry as a potential economic opportunity, said the Talanoa would be an opportunity to hear from member countries that had concerns, but also to hear from those countries that have a vested interest in the seabed minerals sector. The most important point, he said, was to respect the decisions taken by each of our member countries on whatever positions they will choose to take in terms of seabed minerals. On West Papua, leaders merely noted an update on the issue from the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea and Fiji, who were last year appointed as special envoys. Papua New Guineas prime minister, James Marape, speaking for both, apologised that they had not carried out the mission to visit West Papua that they had been assigned last year. Now it is hoped this will happen before the next leaders meeting in Solomon Islands in September 2025. Dame Priti Patel used her first speech of the leadership campaign for a fierce attack on Sir Keir Starmer - Stefan Rousseau/PA Dame Priti Patel has launched her fiercest attack on the Prime Minister since joining the Tory leadership campaign as she battles to make the final four candidates. The former home secretary homed in on Sir Keir Starmers scaling back of winter fuel payments in a speech on Friday, accusing him of a nasty financial assault on pensioners. Voting finally begins next week in the race to replace Rishi Sunak, with Conservative MPs knocking the six-person field down to five on Wednesday and four the following week. Those four politicians will then deliver set-piece addresses at the party conference in late September before MPs thin the field again to two candidates, and members pick a winner in November. Those in the race are Dame Priti, Kemi Badenoch, the former business secretary, Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, James Cleverly, the former foreign and home secretary, Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, and Mel Stride, the former work and pensions secretary. Behind the scenes The Telegraph has spoken to figures in all the leadership camps, as well as the MPs they are wooing, to get a sense of how the early race is playing out behind the scenes. There is an expectation among rival candidates teams that Mr Stride, a close ally of Mr Sunak running on a moderate ticket, is most at risk of elimination in the first round. But some camps are also claiming that Dame Priti is facing an uphill battle to avoid elimination in the second round of voting. Click here to view this content. Figures from both the Stride and Patel teams waved away the claims, insisting they were confident of their support and accusing rivals of negative briefing. One ally of Dame Priti said: They know they cant win with members against Priti. The reality is they know were likely to be in the final four. Mr Stride used X, formerly Twitter, to talk up his hopes of getting through the voting rounds, declaring: All to play for! Holidays interrupt race For all the briefing and counter-briefing, much remains uncertain about the race ahead, after MPs and members as well as the public went on holiday in August. Even Mrs Badenoch took a 10-day break. The election campaign was long and bruising, said an ally. She is a mother of three young children. She needed a break. Among the depleted Tory parliamentary party, made up of just 121 MPs after the worst election defeat in modern Conservative history, two thirds have not yet endorsed a candidate. The unclear political make-up of the new group of Conservative MPs, the lack of an obvious path ahead for the party, and the length of the contest it lasts four months all add to the uncertainty. The coming days will offer more clues as to the diagnosis and the cure proposed by each candidate, with a string of speeches timed for the return of Parliament after the summer recess. First major speech Dame Priti gave her first major speech of the campaign on Friday. T-shirts and caps with her campaign branding were handed out, while she targeted Sir Keir in her speech. Dame Priti said: He was completely dishonest with his complaints and his claims about the British economy that he has inherited which were clearly made to justify his nasty financial assault on the very people who deserve dignity in their retirement and who have spent their working lives contributing to the very fabric of our nation. That is our parents and our grandparents. Dame Priti's campaign team handed out branded items - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire One question for the Tories will be whether to turn to an established name with experience or a fresher face who is newer to Westminster. Dame Priti was the first of the six candidates to become a government minister, having been made exchequer secretary to the Treasury way back in Lord Camerons premiership in July 2014. Bookmakers have Mrs Badenoch, 44, and Mr Jenrick, 42, as the two early favourites. Both will give speeches before the first round of voting laying out their visions. Big Labour attack Mr Jenrick will use an address on Sunday to show he can take the argument to the new Prime Minister. Its going to be a big Labour attack, said a source in his camp. Mrs Badenoch will formally launch her campaign on Monday. It will build on her wider argument that the party needs renewal by 2030, not simply to pick her as leader. Mr Cleverly, who is the only candidate to have held two offices of state, will outline his unity call on Monday. Mr Tugendhat then gives his formal launch speech on Tuesday. Mr Stride, who ran the whipping for both of Mr Sunaks leadership bids in 2024, believes he can defy expectations and stay in the race from Wednesday. Some of the candidates are expected to unveil surprise endorsements in their speeches, while the lobbying efforts that have continued throughout the last month will intensify. Tory MPs nursing political bruises after Julys electoral wipeout will have to focus again on their party, casting votes after Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday and beginning the first steps on what they hope will be a road that leads back to power. How closely the country will be watching, however, is another matter. Stephen Flynn speaking at the SNP conference said there had been a 'breakdown in trust' between Scots and his party - SST/Alamy Live News The SNPs Westminster leader has blamed Nicola Sturgeons green agenda for voters deserting the party, saying her government was focused on bottle banks rather than public services. Speaking at the start of the SNP conference in Edinburgh, Stephen Flynn said there had been a breakdown in trust between Scots and his party because of the priorities that weve had and failure to deliver in government. Referring to the police investigation into the partys finances, he also highlighted the actions which have engulfed the SNP in recent times, saying all three factors had undoubtedly put the public off. Mr Flynn, who is one of only nine SNP MPs who held their seats in the July election, said the party had veered away from the issues the public wanted to focus on such as the cost of living crisis. He said it was a fair criticism that voters had instead seen them arguing with the UK Government about issues like bottle banks, which isnt going to align with what they see as a priority for them. Ms Sturgeons SNP-Green coalition government attempted to set up a deposit return scheme for drinks containers but failed to get the required exemption in advance from the UKs Internal Market Act. It collapsed after Humza Yousaf succeeded Ms Sturgeon as first minister, with waste firm Biffa now suing the Scottish Government for 200 million over money it had lost preparing for the scheme. Nicola Sturgeon's SNP-Green coalition government attempted to set up a deposit return scheme for drinks containers - Jane Barlow/PA The conference started with a session, led by Mr Swinney, being held behind closed doors for members to discuss the election debacle. The media was banned from attending the internal election review. It was staged the month after the SNP was reduced to the rump of nine MPs down from the 48 it won in the 2019 contest, following a Labour landslide. Polls indicate Labour is also threatening to oust the Nationalists from power in the May 2026 Holyrood election, ending almost two decades of the SNP being in control of the Edinburgh government. But Mr Flynn insisted the party can realign its political agenda under Mr Swinneys leadership and see off the challenge from Labour. The Aberdeen South MP told BBC Radio Scotland that the conference was a good opportunity for the party to come together and have a pretty open, robust and frank discussion about what happened. He said the partys problems went back further than the six weeks of the election campaign, saying it was the breakdown in trust between ourselves and the public, which he said had quite clearly been eroded over a period of time. I think that has happened because of the priorities we have had, but also because of our delivery, but also some of the actions which have engulfed the SNP in recent times, which undoubtedly put the public off, he said. Highlighting the SNP-Green governments focus on bottle banks in the deposit return scheme, he said: When you reassert yourself into the political domain in Scotland, as we are going to be doing for this weekend, we need to make sure that were doing it in the language and the deeds and the focus of the people who we seek to represent. Mr Flynn added: Where we must end up is talking again about the publics priorities and refocusing again on that narrative of change. The fruit craze is sweeping Spanish social media Spanish singletons are swapping dating apps for flirting time in supermarkets, with upside-down pineapples being used as a sign that shoppers are ready to get fruity. As part of the new trend, Gen Z members flock to branches of popular chain Mercadona between 7pm and 8pm hoping to find a romantic spark among the shelves. Inspired by an online dating game, single young people have been told to pick up a pineapple from the fruit aisle, hold it upside down and then go to the wine section. If an enamoured shopper sees someone they like with an upside-down pineapple, they simply bump their trolley into them to match - replacing the Tinder method of swiping right on a persons picture. Other products are also functioning as forms of real-life emojis at Mercadona, which has now been nicknamed Tinder-dona on TikTok. Sweets and chocolate supposedly signal an openness to a short-term liaison, while vegetables indicate a desire for a more serious, longer-term relationship. Click here to view this content. Hundreds of Spaniards have reportedly participated in the craze after Vivy Lin, a television personality, uncovered the dating game in a video she shared on TikTok. In the clip, Ms Lin is seen shopping when she is asked by a friend what the best time to flirt in Mercadona is. She investigates online and discovers that flirting time is a real thing - before realising she is in the chain at 7.05pm, within the crucial window for romance. The craze was later fuelled by a contestant on the reality show First Dates, who confessed she used to head to the supermarket to look for love. Since then, many young Spaniards have got involved, with Mercadona being the subject of a string of humorous posts online - including pictures of packed wine sections. Social media users have also posted images displaying upside-down pineapples in their trolleys in some of the chains roughly 1,600 stores. A young Spaniard shows off his pineapple The shop-dating craze has since spread to El Corte Ingles, a more upmarket Spanish department store and supermarket. Going to the perfume counter there between 2pm to 3pm is meant to be the best time and place to meet others on the hunt for romance. It is not the first time that pineapples has been imbued with a raunchy double meaning. The exotic fruit, which is said to include the testosterone-boosting enzyme bromelain, has been used in the US as a coded message that a person is a swinger or looking for a swingers party. In another sign of Gen Z members increasingly preferring real-life dating, Tinder, the worlds largest dating app, recently launched several running clubs across London as a way of helping singletons to meet new partners in person. Harris County Public Health director Barbie Robinson and Commissioner Lesley Briones (right) announce a new health initiative, Sept. 19, 2023. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Harris County Public Health leader Barbie Robinson was fired Friday amid a scandal over her departments hiring of an embattled California consulting company for a lucrative contract. Emails and other records the Houston Chronicle published in an exclusive story this week showed Robinson arranged for DEMA Consulting & Management to run two county COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites two months after she was named executive director in spring 2021. Then, late that year, DEMA won a bigger, more competitive public health contract, running a new program responding to some nonviolent 911 calls with medical and social workers instead of sheriffs deputies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Several email exchanges during the countys procurement process for that 911 contract, the Chronicle reported, suggested possible conflicts of interest, including when DEMAs founder sought Robinsons advice when submitting materials for its initial Harris County contract. Later, the same executive offered Robinson a part-time consulting job while Robinsons department was actively seeking proposals for the 911 contract. Robinson has said any insinuation that she directed the 911 contract to DEMA is false, and that she did not see the emailed job offer or the DEMA leaders email seeking advice when they were sent. County Administrator Diana Ramirez, in a statement, said she made the difficult decision to dismiss Robinson, adding that Deputy County Administrator Leah Barton will serve as interim health director while the county begins a national search for a permanent replacement. We remain committed to the health and well-being of our community, Ramirez said. I appreciate the hard work of our Harris County Public Health team and their continued commitment during this transition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramirez did not specify a reason for the termination, though a spokesperson for her office, Laura Lucas, said the DEMA contract was not a factor. Robinson, who made about $320,000 a year, did not respond to a request for comment. With her at the helm, Harris Countys health department had established the 911 diversion program as part of a larger effort to address long-term community health needs, such as housing, gun violence and maternal health. Robinson had been instrumental in establishing a similar project in her previous role in Sonoma County. Commissioner Rodney Ellis praised Robinsons role in many of those policy efforts, as well as her responsiveness and dedication. She assumed her office as we were recovering from the pandemic and Harris County was fortunate to have her leadership and commitment to the health and wellbeing of its residents, Ellis said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is not clear why DEMAs leader would have made a job offer for legal consulting to Robinson, who has a law degree and is licensed to practice in California, but said she has never been a practicing attorney. Ive voted against all DEMA Consulting agenda items, because it didnt make sense as to why a Northern California Company would do this work, especially when Harris County is home to some of the best health and medical care in the nation, said Commissioner Tom Ramsey. Harris County must be transparent and accountable. Residents deserve nothing less. The offer, if Robinson had seen it, likely would have qualified as a conflict under the countys procurement manual, and she would have been required to disclose it before serving on the contracts evaluation committee, the five-person panel that recommends a winner for Commissioners Courts approval. DEMA collapsed in California earlier this year after county auditors there determined it may have billed as much as $11 million in work without sufficient documentation. Sonoma County cut ties with the company, which laid off its workforce there and relinquished its facilities. Amid DEMAs California struggles, Harris County officials launched their own, narrower audit, voted to temporarily withhold some payments to the company, and discussed continuing the 911 diversion program without DEMAs involvement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As a result, DEMA apparently has had a staff exodus. In a note Robinson sent Aug. 9, she said the program was paring back its hours. Police stand at the scene of the incident in Hailsham, East Sussex - Dan Jessup / Eddie Mitchell A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died of a serious chest injury in East Sussex. Emergency services were called to the Vicarage Field area of Hailsham at 6.20pm on Thursday. A man aged in his 20s was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene. A Sussex Police spokesman said his next of kin had been informed. He added: Initial inquiries identified a suspect, who was located at a property in Hailsham. A 17-year-old local boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at this time. Significant police presence in area Ch Insp James Scott said: This is a tragic incident which I know will be distressing for the community. Our thoughts are with the family of this young man as we seek to understand exactly what happened this evening. The significant police presence will remain in the area, as part of the investigation and to offer reassurance. If you have any concerns, please do speak to an officer. We are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could help to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Par. Donald Trump attends wreath laying ceremony at Arlington national cemetery on Monday. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images US army officials issued a strongly worded rebuke of Donald Trumps campaign on Thursday as they confirmed a worker at Arlington national cemetery 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. 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 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. Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues spreading on American farms, raising alarms it could mutate to become pandemic. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images The US is making the same mistakes with the H5N1 bird flu virus as with Covid, even as the highly pathogenic avian influenza continues spreading on American farms and raising alarms that it could mutate to become a pandemic, public health experts argue in the New England Journal of Medicine. Were closing our eyes to both the Covid pandemic and to a potential nascent bird flu [pandemic] on the horizon, said Gregg Gonsalves, associate professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health and co-author of the article. Our ability to react swiftly and decisively is the big problem. Beyond the outbreaks of Covid, bird flu, mpox, measles and other dangerous pathogens the inability or refusal to learn the lessons of each crisis is the most pressing health issue facing America, he said. The social epidemic of forgetting is probably the more worrisome public health event of 2024. A lack of testing, opaque data, political divides, poor healthcare access and a sense of hubris all have plagued the Covid response, and now these errors are playing across the bird flu response, Gonsalves said. We have not really done anything to address whats happening in terms of the onward spread of bird flu across the US were back to the same old mistakes, he said. Right now, the imminent risk is low and we havent seen human-to-human transmission. But the point is, we dont wait for that to happen. Right? Related: US to survey dairy cattle brought to slaughter to study bird flu infections Global officials have feared an H5N1 pandemic ever since the first case was detected among people in 1997. Highly pathogenic influenza viruses have been closely watched for decades because of their pandemic potential, and it was partly because of its monitoring for pandemic-potential pathogens like these that the US ranked No 1 for pandemic preparedness in 2019. Yet when struck by a new respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2, the US fared much worse than other countries in the global north, with at least 1.2 million deaths and millions more sickened and disabled by the virus. Experts are still unraveling the reasons why and trying to draw attention to these failures before the next avoidable crisis. A lack of testing and monitoring of the virus plagued the Covid response, from the limited and faulty tests in the early days to the lack of testing that persisted. Similarly, scientists now know H5N1 circulated in cattle for months before being detected, and reporting indicates infections among farm workers may have gone unreported as well. Some employers at farms have been reluctant to cooperate with health officials much like the meatpacking industry was with Covid, Gonsalves said. The confusing and byzantine structure of federal, state and local agency responsibility also creates significant challenges. Although there were calls for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be granted greater powers to lead federal responses to pandemics because of Covid, no such changes have been made. Agencies still struggle with jurisdiction and collaboration, and there are also substantial differences between federal, state and local approaches. With Covid, we had a patchwork of state responses, some of which were more robust than others, and we paid for it, Gonsalves said. The curbs on public health powers only worsened because of Covid. At least 26 states introduced new laws putting limits on public health authorities during the pandemic. Iowa and Tennessee, for example, now prohibit mask requirements in schools, and health officials cant close schools in Wisconsin. Thats deeply troubling because the next pandemic could greatly affect school-aged children, which has been true of influenza historically, Gonsalves said. Were fixated on what just happened, not having any sort of imagination of what a new pandemic could bring. The next pandemic virus could spread even faster and be even more lethal and thats true even if the virus itself isnt more virulent, because of the lack of funding for, trust in, and authority of public health, he said. Recent decisions from the US supreme court, including invoking the major questions doctrine and overturning the Chevron precedent, mean federal agencies would likely need explicit permission from Congress, which can be divided and slow to act, to take quick action and stem new outbreaks. Were basically being told, Ignore what just happened over the past four-plus years, ignore whats happening now with bird flu, and lets tie your hands behind your backs in terms of being able to respond when the time comes, Gonsalves said. Political fractures only worsened during the Covid pandemic and threaten to derail efforts to contain outbreaks of infectious diseases. Growing anti-vaccine sentiment could block the development and distribution of new and existing pharmaceuticals, like vaccines, once they have gone through the complicated and expensive process of development. Operation Warp Speed, a massive and successful project to produce Covid vaccines quickly, wound down instead of becoming a regular fixture in pandemic response. Inequities have hampered vaccine distribution even now. We have a fractured healthcare system, which means if you cant get a vaccine because you dont have insurance right now, youre shit out of luck, Gonsalves said. Those who can afford it may access quality health care in the US, but serious gaps remain for those who are uninsured or under-insured. The US health system has the most fancy tertiary care in the world, he said, but it stumbles on primary care, preventive medicine and public health. Were not good at the basics. Vast inequality meant some patients were able to access some of the most sophisticated care in the world while others struggled to find enough masks, ventilators and treatments. While other countries softened the worst of the pandemics blows with social safety nets, many Americans were left to fend for themselves, Gonsalves said. And the focus on individual health overlooks the role of public health, which is collective by definition. Despite these fatal missteps, the US has never had a Covid commission to analyze what went wrong, as countries like the UK have done. There was a bipartisan effort to create an inquiry similar to the 9/11 Commission, but it fizzled. It was Americas sense of misplaced and persistent confidence that it was handling the pandemic as well as possible that perhaps most damaged its response, Gonsalves said. We have a vastly overinflated view of our abilities, capacities and willingness to do the right thing. Officials have reiterated, for instance, that we have the tools yet treatments and vaccines quickly become outdated as the virus evolves, while access issues and misinformation persist and other precautions, like isolating for the duration of illness, are no longer recommended. Theres still time to correct these mistakes, the experts said. Everybody is exceedingly grateful that we are not stuck in a loop of 2020, in which our hospitals were overflowing, morgues were overflowing and we had no recourse against the virus, Gonsalves said. But we can do a lot more, from updating respiratory virus guidance with the latest evidence on transmission to improving indoor air quality. The Covid pandemic has been one of the most important historical events in the United States in the past 100 years, in terms of public health. Weve all suffered, Gonsalves said. The best way to avoid the pain that weve felt in the past four years is being prepared. At a town hall event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Thursday night, Donald Trump and the former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, now a Trump campaign surrogate, attempted to pitch themselves to the crowd as supporters of reproductive rights. Gabbard, who moderated the event after endorsing the former president earlier this week, opened the town hall with emotional remarks about her experience with in vitro fertilization. The comments came shortly after Trump said in an NBC interview that he would make the government or insurance companies pay for IVF if he is elected, although it is unclear how he would accomplish that or if he is serious about the proposal given the pivotal role he played in overturning Roe v Wade. We were not successful in trying to get pregnant. For us, IVF seemed to be the only option and the last resort, said Gabbard, who described to a quiet audience the costly and at times painful fertility treatment process she said she underwent 10 years ago. Following Gabbards comments on IVF, Trump reiterated his promise from earlier in the day. Life is pretty tough. It can be beautiful, but it can be difficult. We are doing something with IVF because, I mean, as you know, friends, its really worked out very well for a lot of people, said Trump. We wanna produce babies in this country, right? By stating his support for IVF and claiming that he would leave abortion laws to the states if elected, Trump is hoping to retain the support of women who count reproductive rights as a top issue but risks alienating his supporters on the religious right. In a statement, the Harris-Walz campaign called Trumps IVF promise a brazen lie, and pointed out that the Republican partys 2024 platform, which is linked on the Trump campaign website, states in its section on abortion and fertility treatments that the states are free to pass laws enforcing 14th amendment rights a nod to fetal personhood laws, which can make it harder for people to access IVF. Trump also repeated his usual talking points on immigration and the economy. In response to a question about job opportunities for young people, Trump blamed immigrants, saying there had been no job creation from Joe Biden and falsely claiming that all new jobs were filled by illegal immigrants. During the event, Gabbard denounced warmongers and set up Trump to riff on the topic of foreign policy. As he frequently does, Trump praised Viktor Orban, Hungarys authoritarian prime minister, and told the audience that Orban said you have to bring Trump back as president of the United States. Trump promised later in the evening to bring back that level of respect from foreign adversaries, which he claimed he enjoyed during his first term. La Crosse, a city in western Wisconsin, leans blue. In 2020, about 55% of voters in La Crosse county voted for Biden, to Trumps 42%. If Trumps campaign is able to narrow Harriss margins here, it could improve his chances at taking the critical swing state. The campaign probably hopes that Gabbard, who ran for president in 2020 before leaving the Democratic party and eventually embracing Trump, will serve as a bridge to independent voters. Gabbard also appeared with Trump on Tuesday at the National Guard Association of the United Statess 146th general conference on the third anniversary of the USs chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. She is the second ex-Democrat to endorse Trump in the past week. Robert F Kennedy Jr, who suspended his third-party presidential campaign on Friday, has also endorsed Trump. Kennedy, whose candidacy probably drew a small share of votes from both Trump and Kamala Harris, remains on the ballot in key states including Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina. Trump reportedly plans to bring Gabbard and Kennedy on to his transition team if he wins the general election in November. Melissa Nelson, a voter who attended the Thursday town hall, said were it not for Gabbards endorsement, she probably would not have supported Trump this year. In 2016, Nelson, who describes herself as disabled, supported Bernie Sanders, citing healthcare and supplemental security income as important issues for her. The Democratic party is going downhill, said Nelson. They didnt give anybody a chance to vote in a primary for Kamala. Now, for the first time in her life, Nelson is throwing her support behind a Republican. Related: Trump takes sexist Harris attacks to whole other level on Truth Social Michelle Thiessen, a 57-year-old nurse from the La Crosse area, said she worried that the fall of Roe v Wade could draw support from Trump. While Thiessen said while she supported abortion rights, it iwas not her top issue. She does not want the United States to get involved in another war, and likes that Trump who has claimed he would broker an end to Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine and has suggested the US let Israel finish the job in Gaza supports isolationist policies. Im with Trump, lets just try and get along with them lets just try and get along with them, said Thiessen. And if not, youve got a strong hand and hell put down the gauntlet. For some attendees, Trumps appeal has less to do with policy and more to do with how he speaks to a changing culture. He knows how to appeal to our demographic, said Trevor Lahey, who is 21 years old and attended the event with his brother and a friend from the University of Wisconsin campus in La Crosse. People kind of laugh at it, but [men] have been kind of discriminated against, with the idea of toxic masculinity. Its hard to talk about that. As audience members filed out after the event, Village Peoples Macho Man blasted over the speakers. Government departments are allowed to appoint people to certain grades of jobs by exception, whereby normal procedures are not followed. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian The civil service appointments watchdog has launched a review of exceptional appointments to official jobs after a row about alleged cronyism, following a Labour donor and a former thinktank staffer being given roles. Gisela Stuart, the first civil service commissioner, has written to the heads of all government departments asking for details of any appointments since 1 July that were made without going through the normal civil service recruitment processes. Departments are allowed to appoint people to certain grades of jobs by exception, whereby normal procedures are not followed. These do not need the approval of the commission, although it is informed each quarter about such appointments. Stuart wrote: Given interest in a number of recent civil service appointments by exception and the importance of public trust in these appointments, the commission has decided to undertake a short review of appointments by exception at delegated grades since 1 July 2024 and the departmental processes in place to make such appointments under the recruitment principles. Related: Labour donor quits Treasury role amid cronyism claims The Cabinet Office said it would fully support the review. The main controversy has been over the appointment of Ian Corfield, a Labour donor, to a temporary director role at the Treasury. He has donated more than 20,000 to Labour politicians in the last 10 years, including 5,000 to Rachel Reeves, the chancellor. It subsequently emerged that the civil service commission had not been told of his donations history. Corfield has since changed role to that of an unpaid adviser. There has also been criticism over the appointment of Jess Sargeant as deputy director in the Cabinet Offices propriety and constitution unit. Sargeant is a constitutional expert who formerly worked for the Institute for Government (IfG) thinktank, and more recently was with the closely Keir Starmer-aligned Labour Together thinktank. Earlier this month the IfG director, Hannah White, called such appointments an unforced error by the government. An impartial civil service matters, she wrote. It is an asset to ministers and an asset to the country. Short-circuiting the recruitment practices, designed to ensure appointment on merit and protect impartiality, is a mistake. Asked about the row on Thursday after a speech at Downing Street, Starmer said that while proper procedures had been followed, this was part of his work to fix the foundations of the country. Related: Keir Starmer hits back at Labour cronyism claims Weve got to do it at speed, and Im determined to have the right people in the right places to allow us to get on with that job, he said. After the announcement of the review, a senior Labour backbencher, Siobhain McDonagh, wrote to Stuart and urged her to also look at a number of similar appointments made under successive Conservative governments, saying more than 9,000 current civil servants had been appointed via the exceptions route. In the interests of transparency, can you please confirm that your report will cover all exceptions issued under the previous government? she wrote. Stuart was a controversial appointment to the post of first civil service commissioner, a choice made by Boris Johnson. Although she was a Labour MP, Stuart is a vehement Brexit supporter and urged people to vote for Johnson in the 2019 election. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: All civil service appointments must follow the correct rules and processes. The civil service commission is independent of government and is able to conduct regular reviews of recruitment processes, in line with their powers as set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. We will fully support the commission with their review. Volodymyr Zelensky published the order to dismiss Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk (right) on the presidential website - Ukraine President's Office/Alamy Stock Photo Volodymyr Zelensky has fired the head of the countrys air force just days after Ukraine lost its first F-16 in a fatal crash. The Ukrainian president did not specify why he had sacked Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, but said: We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers. Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed acting air force commander, the Armys general staff said. Mr Oleshchuks departure comes days after Lt. Col. Oleksiy Mes, a top pilot known by his call sign Moonfish, was killed in the F16 crash. A preliminary investigation into the crash appears to show indications that friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery could have downed the jet, a source told the New York Times. Mr Oleshchuks departure came on the same day he directed scathing criticism at the deputy head of the Ukrainian parliaments defence committee for claiming the F-16 was downed by the Patriot air-defence system. Mariana Bezuhla cited unnamed sources for her claim. She alleged there was a culture of lies in the air force, adding that none of the generals are punished. Mr Oleshchuk accused Ms Bezuhla of defaming the air force and discrediting US arms manufacturers and said that he hoped she would face legal consequences for her claims. The truth will win, Ms Bezuhla posted on X shortly after the dismissal order was published. The air force did not directly deny that the F-16 was hit by a Patriot missile. Mr Oleshchuk said on Telegram that a detailed analysis was already being conducted into why the F-16 jet went down on Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine. We must carefully understand what happened, what the circumstances are, and whose responsibility it is. US experts have joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash, the air force said. F-16s are one of the weapons that could be used to hit Russian bases behind the front line and 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. Military analysts said the planes would be a game-changer in the war, given Russias massive air force and sophisticated air-defence systems. But Ukrainian officials welcomed the supersonic jets, which can carry modern weapons used by Nato countries, for offering an opportunity to hit back at Russias air superiority. The death of one of Ukraines few F-16 pilots was also a huge loss for Ukraine. US officials said 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 would be trained to fly them. The fighter jets can cost up to $60 million depending on the configuration and any potential upgrades. The Institute for the Study of War said it expected that Ukraine would lose some Western-provided military equipment in the fighting. But the Washington-based think tank added that any loss among Ukraines already limited allotment of F-16s and trained pilots will have an outsized impact on the countrys ability to operate F-16s as part of its combined air defence umbrella or in an air-to-ground support role. Mr Oleshchuks dismissal comes months after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraines top military leader, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny. On the ground, the Russian army is making slow but gradual progress in its drive into eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces are holding ground in the Kursk border region of western Russia after a recent incursion. A Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv using powerful plane-launched glide bombs killed six people, including a 14-year-old girl on a playground, and wounded 47 others, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. The bombs struck five locations across the city, the governor said. Click here to view this content. A nurse has appeared in court charged with misconduct in relation to the death of a teenage patient at a mental health facility. Sylvia Quaye-Mensah, 41, attended the hearing at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Friday and spoke to confirm her name and address through a Polish interpreter. Louise Furlong, 19, died at Highbury Hospital in Nottinghamshire on September 12 2022, the day after an incident allegedly happened. Quaye-Mensah, of Monsall Avenue in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, was charged by Nottinghamshire Police with misconduct in a public office in relation to the incident, which happened while she was on duty. Detective Inspector Craig Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, previously said that they had been investigating the incident for some time. The defendant was granted unconditional bail and will be expected to enter a plea at Nottingham Crown Court on September 24. Tyrrell Hatton lived up to his billing as pre-tournament favourite with a superb second round in the Betfred British Masters. Hatton exploited ideal conditions for the early starters with eight birdies and just one bogey to add a 65 to his opening 69 at The Belfry. That gave the Ryder Cup star, who is competing after appealing against the sanctions imposed on him by the DP World Tour for playing LIV events without permission, a halfway total of 10 under par and a one-shot lead over Spains Jorge Campillo, who returned a 67. How it stands at the top after @TyrrellHatton's brilliant second round #BetfredBritishMasters DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) August 30, 2024 We always say that weve left something out there, its never perfect is it? But Im more than happy with seven under today, Hatton said. Ultimately its the first job done to make the cut and give yourself a chance going into the weekend and Im happy with where were at. It was nice to see some putts go in. I holed a few good par putts, especially on my second hole of the day, the 11th. Raced my first putt eight feet past and you dont want to start the round with a three-putt early doors. Holed a good one there and a nice one on the next for birdie which got us off and running. Tyrrell Hatton and Guido Migliozzi make their way on to the 10th green during day two of the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry (Jacob King/PA) I still missed a few short ones, so it will be nice if I can not do that over the weekend. I just need to keep giving myself opportunities. If you drive the ball well here then theres quite a few holes where youre going in with wedges and you can give yourself a good chance to score pretty low. Frances Tom Vaillant lies two shots off the lead after dropping a shot on the 18th in his 67, with South African Thriston Lawrence another stroke back. The people of Scotland must take the decision over independence out of the hands of Westminster, the SNPs depute leader has said. Addressing the first day of the partys conference in Edinburgh, Keith Brown said the sovereign people of Scotland were supreme over the UK Supreme Court. Under Nicola Sturgeon, the court rejected a push for the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum. Support for the SNP at the next election, Mr Brown said, would also be support for a convention of all democratically-elected representatives who support Scotlands right to choose. First Minister John Swinney (left) and SNP depute leader Keith Brown speak during the partys annual national conference (Jane Barlow/PA) Such a convention could see the SNP working alongside former leader Alex Salmond and the Alba Party should they win seats. In his address to members, Mr Brown said the ability to demonstrate how Scotland can achieve independence will be central to the SNPs success in 2026. We have to first of all acknowledge Westminsters stance theyve been clear, he said. Neither Labour, nor Tory, will in their words allow the people of Scotland to choose their own future. Lets take them at their word we have to do that but lets also take that decision out of their hands. What is a higher power that exists, a higher power than Westminster, a higher power that stands supreme over the UK Supreme Court? The answer is simple its the people of Scotland, the sovereign people of Scotland. He continued: In 2026, the people of Scotland must know, they have to believe that supporting the SNP, on a shared platform with others that support the same ideals, supporting that party gives that party if we achieve the mandate that we seek to advocate for independence. Official SNP merchandise for sale at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (Jane Barlow/PA) It means, in my view, backing a convention of all democratically-elected representatives in the Scottish Parliament, in Westminster, in councils regardless of party, all theyre required to do to join is to believe, to support Scotlands right to choose. Such a convention, he said, would then seek to unite with every willing element of civic Scotland to further the cause of independence as well as furthering the case by showing support through every democratic means available. Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny welcomed the speech from Mr Brown, adding that if the SNP were serious, they would start this immediately by including Ash Regan and Alba Partys priorities in their programme for government, due next week. Mr Brown spoke in the first public element of the conference, which was kicked off by a behind-closed-doors post-mortem of the general election result, which saw the party drop from 48 seats in 2019 to just nine in July. Speaking to journalists after the session, Westminster leader Stephen Flynn described it as an open and frank discussion, adding the party needs to win back voters who backed the Labour Party more than those who did not vote at all in July. The election result capped off 18 months of turmoil for the party, including the selection of three leaders and a long-running police investigation into alleged financial issues. As part of the police probe, former chief executive and Nicola Sturgeons husband Peter Murrell has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of party funds and a report was later sent to the prosecution service. Ms Sturgeon and former treasurer Colin Beattie have also been arrested, but were both released without charge pending further investigation. College lecturers have voted overwhelmingly to accept an improved, final pay offer from employers following previous industrial action, a union has said. The Educational Institute of Scotland announced on Friday that its members in the Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA) have accepted a 4.14% pay rise from College Employers Scotland (CES). It comes in addition to the employers full and final offer of a 5,000 pay increase across the preceding three academic years with the Scottish Government providing an additional 4.5 million in funding for an increased lecturer pay award from 2025 to 2026. CES bosses say the new offer will deliver a starting salary for lecturers of nearly 42,000, with average salaries increasing to more than 50,000. It comes after months of strike dates in response to pay offers that were deemed too low by EIS-FELA members. Strike action has now been suspended until the pay agreement is fully validated. The EIS opened a ballot last week, which closed on Friday at 12pm. Ballot Result: College Lecturers Vote Overwhelmingly in Favour of New Pay Offer #EISNewshttps://t.co/pP1SU0xaXW EISFela (@EISFela) August 30, 2024 The union said 95% of lecturers voted in favour of the improved offer, and 5% rejected it, with a turnout of 84%. EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: Our members in the further education sector have delivered a very clear ballot result today, voting overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the improved pay offer from college employers. The offer delivers pay certainty and stability for our members for this year and next, together with backdated pay settlements for the past two years. Additionally, there is an obligation on college employers to repay any salary that was deemed, that is to say deducted, from lecturers engaged in action short of strike during this dispute. The agreement also includes assurances in relation to no compulsory redundancies as a result of this deal. Ms Bradley said the dispute could have been resolved sooner, saying employers could have treated the situation with more urgency and that the Scottish Government could have offered to help. She said: This has been a very long and difficult campaign, with EIS-FELA members forced to engage in a long-running programme of industrial action to secure a fair pay settlement from college employers and assurance that this will not come at the cost of jobs. EIS boss Andrea Bradley said the dispute could have ended more quickly if employers had shown more urgency (PA) It is by standing together, through their union, that our members have achieved success in the campaign for a fair pay settlement from college employers. This dispute really did not have to go on for as long as it did, as colleges could have shown far more urgency in delivering a fair offer and the Scottish Government could have stepped in earlier to facilitate an improved settlement with the injection of additional funding, and, importantly, taking a firm stance against deeming. Ms Bradley said all strike action has now been brought to a halt while the pay offer is ratified next week. She added: The EIS expects employers to take urgent action to deliver their parts of the expected agreement, including to ensure that all money withheld via deeming of lecturers salaries is repaid to our members as soon as possible. EIS-FELA members look forward to rebuilding and improving further education and hope that employers will join us on that journey. Gavin Donoghue, director of CES, said: Employers are pleased to see the EIS-FELA members overwhelming acceptance of this substantial pay offer, and the end of this long-running industrial dispute. This pay award delivers a starting salary for lecturers of nearly 42,000 from September 2025, with the average lecturer salary increasing to more than 50,000. This means that lecturers in Scotland will continue to enjoy the best pay and conditions of any college lecturers across the UK. The goal of employers throughout the current dispute has been to secure a pay settlement that is fair and affordable, while protecting the interests of students. Now that all industrial action is suspended, it is imperative that any boycotted student results are entered into college systems without delay. Graeme Dey MSP, the Scottish Governments further education minister, welcomed the result, saying it is great news for students. He added: This is a strong package for college staff and despite the pressures on public finances, the Scottish Government has, following the two sides reaching an outline agreement, been able to make 4.5 million available from next years (2025-2026) budget to support a deal. I am determined that our college sector continues to thrive going forward and will be at the heart of our collective mission to strengthen economic growth and deliver an education system with excellence and equity at its heart. The fact the agreement runs till 2026 also now affords all parties an opportunity to build on work already under way to explore how we might establish better industrial relations in the sector. During a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stands alongside Bill Barnett (L), whose grandson, Staff Sgt Darin Taylor Hoover, died in Abbey Gate Bombing. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Regarding Trumps Medal of Honor comment shows a lack of basic decency, again | Editorial, (Aug. 26): As we get closer to elections, its a rite of passage for your editorials to become more desperate and hysterical about the bogeyman who disrespects the military. Meanwhile, that orange bogeyman laid a wreath at Arlington Cemetery a few days ago marking the third anniversary of 13 service members killed in President Joe Bidens disastrous withdrawal. You remember that, right? No, he didnt check his watch. And yes, the senile and treasonous architect behind it was ashamed to show his face. I guess he only supports the troops when its politically viable, not in this less than receptive crowd. Either way, hes a coward. Same could be said for the opinion department, as yall conveniently ghosted that anniversary. Im guessing that yall will make some kind of belated reference to it; thats our little office pool bet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Charles Westmoreland, Houston Your editorial focuses on Trumps shortcomings which are admittedly extensive as being disqualifying. This view ignores two critical points. First, after nine years of intense and hostile media coverage, the public is fully aware of these shortcomings and appears to focus on his policies. Second, the upcoming vote isnt Trump versus not-Trump, but Trump versus Harris and her policies and those of the powers behind her that orchestrated Bidens removal. There are many folks, including me, who otherwise consider Trump an undesirable candidate, but view the far-left groups dominating the Democratic Party as intending to eliminate the guardrails of our republic to ensure a permanent one-party system with uniformly bad domestic and foreign policies. Therefore, the election is about who represents a greater threat. R. Herlin, Asheville, N.C. How many times does it take for an intelligent person to recognize that Donald Trump is all about Donald Trump? He is simply playing the fiddle of hypocrisy and disrespect, and he seems to want America to burn as he fiddles. Jan. 6 is a day of infamy, just as Dec. 7 was and maybe even worse, since it was an attack supported by the president of the United States. Make no mistake: The objectives were the same. Both wanted the destruction of democracy in the United States and the installation of a dictator to control the people of the U.S.A. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Having watched Andy Griffith for years as the loveable and likeable sheriff of Mayberry, it is difficult to picture him as the despicable Lonesome Rhodes but I have no such difficulty with accepting Trump for what he is. Just read the quotes about women, our military heroes, our allies, ordinary Americans, Democrats, fellow autocratic despots around the world and his love affairs with them. It makes then-Vice President Bidens utterance to President Barack Obama that the passage of the Affordable Care Act was a BFD seem more like the patriotic statement that it was intended to be. He didnt have to walk it back when he was asked about it, he simply replied, Well, it was! Trump is a 78-year-old tantrum-throwing toddler who lacks rational thought and self-discipline. He was bad in his previous term as president, and I only have to listen to his utterances since then to know what a disaster he would be if we the people are stupid or apathetic enough to elect him again. Kamala Harris has proven that when she says, Kamala Harris, for the people, she means it and she delivers. Bill Turney, Houston Logorrhea: 1. Pathological incoherence. 2. Compulsive talkativeness. I really dont hold the Chronicle editors accountable anymore for total bias and one-sidedness. You have shown yourselves to be incapable of fairness. In your own words, Have you no sense of decency? Bonnie Likover, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im sorry, but an individual like Trump cant lack something they never had. As a Vietnam War veteran, Ive been disgusted by him since he made those abhorrent comments about Sen. John McCain. What bothers me as much are the number of supposedly intelligent people who are willing to do his bidding. Have they no decency? Robert Mueller, Houston Regarding Trumps disgraceful Medal of Honor remarks prove hes unfit to lead | Opinion, (Aug. 25): Letters contributor Robert Campbell did a great service to Chronicle readers by reporting and commenting on Trumps disrespect for Americas war heroes during his blizzard-of-lies news conference last week. It is unimaginable that any president or former president would show so little respect to those who have served our forever grateful nation. Americans such as 1st Lt. Audie Murphy, Sgt. Alvin York, Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt III, are among Americas magnificent heroes. President Roosevelts son, known as Theodore Jr., stood in battle facing the enemy firing repeatedly without cover or any outward sign of fear. He was the oldest man to land on D-Day. President Roosevelts grandson landed at Normandy, too. Gen. Theodore Jr. requested and received special permission from the military to go ashore to the beaches of Normandy. He led men into battle from the front the very front. That is who Trump insulted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Six hundred and eighty-one medal recipients have died in service to our country. They missed most of the lives that they were given. Their families received their medals, but undoubtedly would have preferred their sons, fathers and brothers. Trumps comments about prisoner-of-war Capt. John McCain, to whom President Biden awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2022, should have disqualified Trump from the presidency. The fact that it didnt proves that Trump is a cancer. He is a cancer that has metastasized. He rips apart our greatest history and champions our darkest base instincts. Those who are infected are likely irredeemable. Reckless scammers on mopeds are deliberately crashing into other vehicles to make bogus insurance claims, law enforcement bodies have warned. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and City of London Polices Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) are investigating the crash for cash trend with the insurance industry and are giving advice to people to avoid moped scams. The IFB found more than 4,000 people have been targeted by a moped scam in the past three years, after an analysis of fraudulent claims received by 21 insurers. The bodies said people in London are being particularly targeted but scammers could strike in other parts of the UK where road users may be less aware of the issue. The fraudsters often intimidate victims to try to get them to admit fault in a collision. In some recent cases, instead of making a claim they try to pressure victims into handing over cash. Those considered to be more vulnerable are more likely to be targeted. Ursula Jallow, director at the IFB, said: Thousands of people have been targeted, and these shameless scammers tactics are becoming increasingly aggressive. For instance, weve found women who are driving alone or with their children are being targeted more. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Hill, from City of London Polices IFED, said: Moped drivers are deliberately crashing into other vehicles with the purpose of gaining compensation from insurance companies. The value of the claims that can be lodged for repairs, personal injury and replacement vehicles makes this an incredibly lucrative opportunity for fraudsters. He added: If you witness or are involved in a collision and suspect it is crash for cash fraud, gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate or the clothing that the driver is wearing. These details could be invaluable in disproving a fraudulent claim. Report the incident as soon as possible to the Insurance Fraud Bureaus CheatLine. Here are some tips from the bodies to stay vigilant: 1. Be aware of anyone on a moped or motorcycle who is lingering unnecessarily or trying to hide out of sight at the end or side of a road or behind parked vehicles. 2. The moped scammer may drive head-on into their victims vehicle and then throw their moped down and even drop to the floor to fake an injury, before taking photos of the incident. 3. Many moped scammers work with an accomplice to act as a witness and help facilitate the fraud. They may also use a van to obscure the victims view. 4. If someone is targeted, collect as much information about the incident as possible, including details of the other road user, any witnesses, photographs and recordings (local CCTV or dashcam footage). 5. If someone thinks they have been targeted, they should tell their insurer and contact their local police force. Evidence of the scam can be reported to IFBs confidential CheatLine service on an online form, or the phoneline powered by CrimeStoppers at 0800 422 0421. Nine people are dead and 57 have fallen ill and been hospitalized due to a listeria outbreak linked to Boars Head deli meat. The company, and health officials, have been raising alarms about Boar's Head deli products since an initial recall on July 26, which was expanded days later to include 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. And while people are being urged to discard and not consume the recalled products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests consumers take precautions with other products being sold at deli counters. RELATED STORY | Boar's Head plant linked to deadly outbreak broke food safety rules dozens of times, records show Because listeria bacteria can spread easily on deli counters and food equipment, there is a risk the germs can spread to other unrecalled products. The CDC recommends people at higher risk for a severe listeria infection those who are pregnant, 65 or older, or immunocompromised only consume other deli products if they are preheated to 165 degrees. American Academy of Family Physicians President Dr. Steven Furr told Scripps News those not at high risk can also take the same precautions to be safe. Healthy people can still eat other deli meat, but if you want to be extra cautious, you can heat it up to an internal temperature of 165 degrees to kill any bacteria, said Furr. People at high risk of getting sick should not eat any meats from deli counters unless they are heated to 165 degrees. Furr said refrigerating the meat is not enough to kill the bacteria. Listeria is a bacteria that can spread relatively easily, whether in food processing facilities or at the deli counter. It can spread to food that touches other contaminated food, equipment, or surfaces, he said. Keeping food like meat and cheese refrigerated doesnt kill listeria, and it can continue to grow in the deli case or in your refrigerator at home. RELATED STORY | Couple sues Boar's Head over deadly listeria outbreak linked to deli meats Boars Head first recalled its ready-to-eat liverwurst products produced between June 11 and July 17. The products are branded as Boars Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia." They come in 3.5-pound loaves in plastic casing, or from packages sliced fresh at local delis. Sell-by dates range from July 25 to Aug. 30. The expansion covered 71 additional products that were packaged between May 10 and July 29. Affected products have sell-by dates ranging from 29-JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-24. A full list of the affected products is available on the USDA's website. The CDC urges everyone to check their homes for any remaining recalled Boars Head products, and discard them or contact stores about returns. Listeria can cause severe illness known as invasive listeriosis when the bacteria spread from the gut to other areas of the body, the CDC says. Anyone experiencing symptoms of listeria illness including fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures should contact their health care provider right away. It can take up to 10 weeks in some cases for symptoms of listeriosis to show. For more information on the recall, click here. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has the voice assistant Apple CEO Tim Cook wishes he had. Anadolu / Doug Peters - PA Images / Getty Apple is reportedly considering investing in OpenAI during its next fundraising round. This move follows Apple's June announcement of a partnership with OpenAI for AI features. Microsoft, a longtime Apple rival, has already invested in OpenAI, complicating potential returns. Apple might be late to the artificial intelligence party, but it's sure doubling down. At its Worldwide Developer Conference in June, the tech giant announced that it would partner with OpenAI to bring some of its AI features to Apple Intelligence. Then, on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is considering investing in the ChatGPT maker during its next funding round one that'll value OpenAI at more than $100 billion. Apple's move may further solidify its business relationship with OpenAI, but it could tread on the toes of longtime rival Microsoft, which has reportedly invested $13 billion in OpenAI. It also points to OpenAI's ongoing dominance of the AI space despite a year of headwinds and how keen Big Tech (and others) are to get on its dance card. While Jacob Bourne at Emarketer, a sister company to Business Insider, said that a possible Apple investment is an "uncharacteristic plan" for the company, it "underscores the fierce competition and high stakes in the AI race." "While this investment may dilute Microsoft's role as OpenAI's primary benefactor, it reflects the shifting dynamics in the AI landscape where major players, including Microsoft, are diversifying their partnerships to stay competitive," Bourne said. Other potential investors in this funding round include Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital (again) and Microsoft (again), the Journal reported. AI chipmaker Nvidia, another current darling of the investing world, has also discussed joining the funding round, according to Bloomberg. Still, according to the Journal, Microsoft's investment in OpenAI currently gives it the right to a 49% share of OpenAI's profits. This could complicate any returns for Apple and others. Apple and Microsoft have a rivalry that dates back decades to when founders Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were still at the helm. Both tech giants are valued at over $3 trillion, and the AI boom is only spurring their race to a $4 trillion market cap. When Apple's partnership with OpenAI was announced in June, Bloomberg reported that the iPhone maker would not be paying OpenAI for integrating ChatGPT into Siri. Meantime, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was reportedly concerned about the deal's impact. Both Microsoft and Apple were set to have observer roles on OpenAI's board, but the two companies reportedly decided against it due to antitrust concerns. When Apple announced its AI venture at WWDC, it was already behind competitors like Google, Microsoft, and more in debuting its own AI assistant. But by funding OpenAI, Apple would be able to "keep pace with other tech giants," Bourne said. Read the original article on Business Insider The Taiwanese drink known as bubble tea is gaining popularity in the U.S., with more coffee and juice shops adding the iconic tapioca balls to their menus. Starbucks is also joining the trend, saying it will add pearls inspired by "East Asian beverages" to some summer drinks. In Hayward, California, America's first boba factory is at the forefront of this trend. The U.S. Boba Company produces the chewy tapioca balls locally instead of importing them from Asia. In the factory, the balls are flavored, mixed and rolled in a tumbler until they reach the perfect size to fit into those iconic wide straws. From there, the tapioca balls are sorted into batches, enough for 10,000 cups each. Andrew Chau is also one half of "Boba Guys," the national bubble tea chain he co-founded with Bin Chen over a decade ago. "I think a lot of founders start a company as a reflection of some hidden or overt part of their identity. There was maybe a part of us that was like, can we make our culture cool or mainstream or accessible?" Chau said. Chau says their is an importance of getting the right texture for the boba, known as "QQ," or the chewiness factor. Boba first emerged in the 1980s at tea shops in Taiwan. Chau and Chen traveled there to trace the drink's origins. Now, Boba Guys is one of a growing number of companies that have helped bubble tea become a $2.6 billion business in the U.S. alone. According to Yelp, the number of boba cafes across the U.S. has skyrocketed almost 50% over the last few years. "The taste and the palette of Americans are changing. There's more international awareness, and I think that has helped the boba industry," Chau said. When asked what makes a good boba order, Chau said, "Despite how complex people think it is, it's just boba milk tea and some type of sweetener." Chau anticipates a larger collision course with other cafe styles including coffee and maybe smoothies. When asked if he worries about boba becoming so popular that it might lose its Taiwanese roots, Chau said that is always going to be a concern. But Chau noted that there are benefits as well. "My thing is this: People are learning about Taiwanese culture more than ever before. I think if that's the reason why something becomes mainstream, I'm all for it," he said. What to watch as the college football season gets underway How to ace your next job interview A behind-the-scenes look at America's boba boom In a new book of photographs, former President Donald Trump describes his term in office and his post-presidency in his own words, captioning photos of key moments in his political career. The Trump-authored book, titled Save America, includes his recollections of meetings with foreign leaders, photos of family milestones and appearances alongside celebrity golfer Jack Nicklaus and musician Kid Rock, according to excerpts obtained by NBC News. It is set to be released Tuesday. No other book captures the historical journey of President Donald Trump like Save America, Winning Team publisher Sergio Gor said in a statement. Early sales have been incredible, and we are in the process of reprinting as we speak. The captions are far from dry, reflecting Trump's style and sensibilities. He pokes fun at his critics, praises controversial foreign leaders and talks about the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month. Some photos and captions from the book: Trump warns that he is keeping a close eye on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and says Zuckerberg will spend the rest of his life in prison" if he does "anything illegal" to influence the presidential election. A photograph depicts Trump alongside Liz Cheney, the former congresswoman from Wyoming who voted to impeach him and was ousted by a Trump-backed opponent in the 2022 Republican congressional primary. The caption reads: "Liz Cheney would often come to the White House asking for 'baskets of goodies.' Ultimately, I said, 'NO.'" In a picture with dour-faced congressional leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Trump quips, A really friendly group in The Situation Room. The caption on a shot of Trump sitting next to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reads, in part, "We got to know each other very well in a very confined period of time." Trump offers some praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin in a picture with him: "Vladimir is a strong man, but we had an understanding, and got along well." A photograph shows Trump at the White House with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with Trump prodding at his evolving relationship with DeSantis, who he says went astray for some time before [coming] back home. Alongside the picture of Trump and Zuckerberg at the White House, Trump accuses Zuckerberg of plotting to stop his re-election in 2020, writing that he 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, referring to the $420 million initial donation Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg, made to local election offices during the last presidential election cycle. 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 writes. Politico first reported the warning. A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment. The Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A page from Donald Trump's forthcoming book, "Save America," shows an Oval Office meeting with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The book includes several photographs from the aftermath of the shooting last month in Pennsylvania, where a would-be assassin fired at Trump, clipping his ear. Trump wrote that he immediately knew he was in danger. Bullets continued to fly as very brave Secret Service Agents pounced on top of me for protection. There was blood pouring everywhere, he wrote, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe, because I had God on my side. A page from the book depicts Trump at the rally in Butler, Pa. Another page depicts him at the rally. Under a photograph of Trump flanked by Secret Service agents, his fist aloft in a now-iconic image, Trump adds, I am not supposed to be here. Former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa. Trump has long been criticized for his kind words about the North Korean and Russian leaders. In the photo showing him shaking hands with Kim, Trump says their meeting was honest, direct, and productive. In 2019, Trump became the first American president to set foot in North Korea. The book depicts Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In the picture with Putin, Trump says he was a strong man but adds that we had an understanding, and got along well. He repeats his contention that Putin wouldnt have invaded Ukraine if he were president. Trump sitting alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. He appears in a different photo with his wife, Melania Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Xis wife, captioned, in part, I had a great relationship with China. The book also shares photographs from the CNN debate that set in motion the end of President Joe Bidens re-election campaign. If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the bill into law, California will become the first state to prohibit the additives from its school cafeterias. California lawmakers have passed a first-of-its-kind bill that would ban six artificial dyes from the foods served in the states public schools, sending it to the governor for his signature. The bill, passed by the California legislature on Thursday, would prohibit foods and beverages containing synthetic colorings that have been tied to neurobehavioral problems in some children from being offered to students during regular school hours. It was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and co-sponsored by both Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group, a research and advocacy health organization. If Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signs the bill into law, California will become the first state to prohibit the additives from its school cafeterias. The legislation would go into effect in December 2027. California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn, Gabriel said in a statement Thursday. This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and well-being of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives. Known as the California School Food Safety Act, Assembly Bill 2316 would ban Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3, which Gabriel has called nonessential ingredients that have natural alternatives such as turmeric, beet juice or pomegranate juice. The bill would not ban any foods or drinks; instead, Gabriel said, it would require substitutions that could be as small as changing a single ingredient in the recipes. The Food and Drug Administration has said it has not established a causal link between behavioral problems and synthetic dyes for children in the general population who havent been diagnosed with conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. But a comprehensive 2021 review by the California Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment cited in the bill found that synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral effects, such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and restlessness in sensitive children, and that evidence points to a link between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in certain children both with and without pre-existing behavioral disorders. The bill comes as ADHD diagnoses have risen nationally in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A spokesperson for the FDA told NBC News on Friday that assessing new data on the safety of food chemicals is a priority and that the agency had read the literature review cited in Californias bill. The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them, the spokesperson said in an email. The FDA will continue to assess the emerging science and ensure the safety of approved color additives. AB 2316 follows last years passage of the California Food Safety Act, which was also introduced by Gabriel and banned four food additives that have been tied to potential health problems from products sold statewide, beginning in January 2027. Among the chemicals it banned was brominated vegetable oil, which is often used as a stabilizer in citrus-flavored beverages. Last month, the FDA announced it had concluded that brominated vegetable oil was not safe for human consumption and it revoked authorization for its use in food and drinks nationwide. The California Food Safety Act also banned potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3 from grocery shelves across the state. The additives have been associated with health problems ranging from hormone disruption to cancer. Melanie Benesh, the Environmental Working Groups vice president for government affairs, said she applauded the latest move from California state legislators. This is a big win for schoolchildren and parents in California. The evidence is pretty compelling that some kids are really sensitive to these dyes, and they shouldnt have to worry about exposure to those dyes impacting their ability to concentrate and their ability to learn in school, she said. Benesh urged the FDA to reconsider allowing synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. The FDA should be taking action and taking steps to make sure that all of our children are protected from whats in their food, Benesh said. Many of these brightly colored food dyes are only in food to make that food more appealing to kids. It doesnt add any nutritional value. So this is very achievable. It puts the onus back on the industry, and its making our schools healthier, safer places for our kids. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) -The three largest U.S. drug distributors have agreed to pay $300 million to resolve claims by health insurers and benefit plans that they helped fuel the deadly U.S. opioid epidemic, according to court papers filed on Friday. The proposed class action settlement with McKesson Corp, Cencora Inc and Cardinal Health Inc was disclosed in a filing in federal court in Cleveland, Ohio, and requires a judge's approval. Those companies had previously agreed to pay $21 billion to resolve claims by state and local governments accusing them of having lax controls that allowed massive amounts of addictive painkillers to be diverted into illegal channels. Paul Geller, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that Friday's deal covered third-party payers like union funds that "largely paid for the overprescribed and overmarketed pills and for the treatment required when their plan beneficiaries inevitably suffered opioid use disorder." The distributors did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The $300 million will be paid 38.1% by McKesson, 30.9% by Cardinal and 31% by Cencora, which was previously known as AmerisourceBergen. The case was among thousands that have been filed seeking to hold various drug makers, distributors and pharmacies responsible for a drug addiction epidemic that resulted in hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths nationally over the last two decades. The litigation has resulted in more than $50 billion in settlements, largely with states and local government. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris campaign is announcing that it is launching a 50-plus stop Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, as it looks to motivate voters ahead of November. The first stop will be next Tuesday with an event near former President Donald Trumps Florida home in Palm Beach. Follow the APs Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. Heres the Latest: A tumultuous life, a turn toward faith and one man who wonders if its time to vote Decades ago, back when he was a political science major at the University of Southern California, and later in law school, Timothy Walker would vote. Everyone in his family voted for Democrats, so he did, too. Then his path took a different turn. Cocaine addiction took hold of him and he spent years cycling in and out of drug treatment centers. He lost his home and his job as a marketing executive at a law firm. He never passed the bar exam. Elections came and went, largely unnoticed. This year is different. He completed a faith-based recovery program at the Los Angeles Mission, a Christian nonprofit that serves homeless people and others in need. Hes been clean now for nearly two years. He has a job again, writing thank-you cards to donors in a small office at the mission. And for the first time in forty or so years, hes thinking about voting. Hes not sure hell vote, and wont say if hes leaning toward a particular presidential candidate. But he credits his faith with turning around his life, and wants to see that faith in the presidency. A Christian in the White House would be moral, ethical, grounded in love, and would want whats best for humanity not just for themselves or any particular business, said Walker, 64. The two major-party nominees, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, are both Christian, though neither has made their religious beliefs central to their campaigns. Read more here. How Trump and Georgias Republican governor made peace, helped by allies anxious about the election The effort to make the peace between Donald Trump and Georgias powerful Republican governor began in a sprawling neo-Victorian mansion in the exclusive Atlanta enclave of Buckhead. It was at an Aug. 7 fundraiser hosted by former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler that fellow Republican Lindsey Graham approached Gov. Brian Kemp. Graham, the South Carolina senator and longtime confidant of the former president, was already planning to attend the fundraiser. Now, Graham had a renewed purpose: to try to ease years of tensions between Trump and Kemp that endangered the GOPs chances in a crucial 2024 battleground. Graham and Kemp met privately at Loefflers house. And over the coming weeks, say Graham and others familiar with the matter, allies of both men arranged the two-part detente that played out publicly last Thursday to the surprise of many political watchers. Read more here. Trump seeks to activate his base at Moms for Liberty gathering but risks alienating moderate voters Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. In a fireside chat conversation in the nations capital, the former president will seek to shore up support and enthusiasm among a major part of his base. The bulk of the groups 130,000-plus members are conservatives who agree with him that parents should have more say in public education and that racial equity programs and transgender accommodations dont belong in schools. Yet Trump also will run the risk of alienating more moderate voters, many of whom see Moms for Libertys activism as too extreme to be legitimized by a presidential nominee. Read more here. The interview: Kamala Harris inaugural sit-down was most notable for seeming ... ordinary After avoiding a probing interview by a journalist for the first month of her sudden presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris first one Thursday was notable mostly in how routine it seemed. CNNs Dana Bash, sitting down with Harris and running mate Tim Walz in a Georgia restaurant, asked her about some issues where she had changed positions, the historical nature of her candidacy, what she would do on her first day as president and whether shed invite a Republican to be a Cabinet member (yes, she said). What Bash didnt ask and the Democratic nominee didnt volunteer is why it took so long to submit to an interview and whether she will do more again as a candidate. Read more here. Veterans attending Trump's Michigan event dismiss reports of altercation at Arlington National Cemetery Veterans attending Donald Trumps mid-Michigan event on Thursday largely dismissed reports of an altercation between his campaign and an Arlington National Cemetery official, citing the former president's past as evidence of his values. Tom Barrett, a veteran of the Iraq War and Republican candidate for Michigans 7th Congressional District, said that it was his understanding that President Trump was invited there by families. Barrett shifted focus to criticize the Biden administrations withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, Trump and those families would not have been there if Joe Biden hadnt led to the absolute direct failure of leadership that allowed 13 of our service members to be killed. Rusty L. Smith, a Trump supporter from Albion, Michigan, was unaware of the incident at Arlington National Cemetery but said that he believes Trump supports veterans wholeheartedly. Smith added that he was more offended by the claims Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, made about his service record. He wasnt in the war. He wasnt in combat. He wore the rank of command sergeant major but that was temporary, and he never completed the process. So he shouldnt be carrying a coin that says command sergeant major. And he does. And thats wrong, said Smith. Trump calls for universal coverage of IVF treatment with no specifics on how his plan would work Former President Donald Trump says that, if he wins a second term, he wants to make IVF treatment free for women, but he did not detail how he would fund his plan or precisely how it would work. Im 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. Read more here. Harris defends shifting from some liberal positions in first interview of presidential campaign Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her values have not changed even as she is seeking consensus. Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there should be consequence for people who cross the border without permission. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris said. Read more here. Harris' campaign launches Reproductive Freedom bus tour Vice President Kamala Harris campaign is launching a 50-plus stop Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, as it looks to motivate voters ahead of November. The first stop will be Tuesday with an event near former President Donald Trumps Florida home in Palm Beach. Our campaign is hitting the road to meet voters in their communities, underscore the stakes of this election for reproductive freedom, and present them with the Harris-Walz tickets vision to move our country forward, which stands in stark contrast to Donald Trumps plans to drag us back, said Harris-Walz Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez in a statement. As we crisscross the country, well be driving that contrast home to red and blue voters and independents. By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company Tesla won the dismissal of a federal lawsuit accusing them of defrauding investors by hyping the cryptocurrency dogecoin and conducting insider trading, causing billions of dollars of losses. The decision was issued on Thursday night by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan. Investors accused the world's richest person of using Twitter posts, a 2021 appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and other publicity stunts to trade profitably at their expense through several dogecoin wallets that he or Tesla controlled. They also said Musk deliberately drove up dogecoin's price more than 36,000% over two years and then let it crash, with he and Tesla often timing trades to Musk's public statements and activities concerning dogecoin. Investors said this included when Musk sold dogecoin in April 2023 after replacing Twitter's blue bird logo with the dogecoin Shiba Inu dog logo, causing dogecoin's price to rise 30%. Hellerstein, however, said Musk's tweets that dogecoin was the future currency of Earth, and could be used to buy Teslas or literally flown to the moon by his company SpaceX were "aspirational and puffery, not factual and susceptible to being falsified." The judge said that meant no reasonable investor could rely on the tweets to pursue a securities fraud claim. He also said it was "not possible to understand" the investors' market manipulation and insider trading claims. Hellerstein dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again. Investors originally sought $258 billion and had amended their complaint four times in two years. Lawyers for the investors did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Musk's lawyer Alex Spiro said in an emailed statement: "It's a very good day for dogecoin." In seeking a dismissal, Musk's lawyers said there was nothing wrong his "innocuous and often silly tweets." They also said there was no proof Musk owned two wallets for conducting suspicious trading, or that he or Tesla ever sold dogecoin. On "Saturday Night Live," Musk called dogecoin a "hustle" while playing a fictitious financial expert on a segment of "Weekend Update." Musk bought Twitter in October 2022 and rebranded it X. He is worth $239.3 billion according to Forbes magazine. The case is Gorog et al v. Musk et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-05037. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed) Tickets for Oasis, the biggest rock band to come out of Britain in the last 30 years, go on pre-sale Friday afternoon in the UK and Ireland, ahead of a general sale Saturday that will likely be met with heavy demand. The Oasis Live 25 Tour begins next summer on July 4 in Wales, with the band playing nearly 20 dates across the UK and Ireland. Its an eagerly awaited reunion between brothers and Oasis frontmen Noel and Liam Gallagher, who broke up in 2009 and have had a fraught relationship. Its a big task for the embattled distribution giant Ticketmaster to serve fans one of the hottest tickets of the decade. The pre-sale will go live for applicants who received an email confirming they will have access. However, success in the ballot will not guarantee tickets, Oasis cautioned on its Instagram, adding that tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Ahead of Saturday mornings general sale on Ticketmaster, the Oasis website told fans to sign up to the official ticket agents ahead of time as the websites will be very busy during the official on sale. Tickets will also be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and only four tickets will be available to buy per transaction. Big concert tickets, especially ones that are sold on Ticketmaster, can trigger angst and anxiety in fans, especially after the great Taylor Swift debacle in 2022. Ticketmasters site became overloaded when fans tried to purchase pre-sale tickets, and demand was so high that Ticketmaster ultimately canceled the public sale of the shows. Swift was furious, calling the debacle excruciating for me. In the US, the fiasco prompted a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2023, designed to examine the lack of competition in the ticketing industry. The hearing gave members of the committee and others a chance to call out Ticketmasters power over the industry. Earlier this year, the US issued a groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmasters parent company Live Nations grip on selling event tickets. The long-expected suit included 30 state and district attorneys general, challenging the countrys biggest ticketing website and concert promoter, which regulators allege masterminded a plan to stifle competition. Live Nation called the DOJs allegations baseless in a previous statement. However, the lawsuit will take years to make its way through the court system. The prosecutors are seeking a jury trial and a breakup of the company. For Beyonces tour last year, Ticketmaster did roll out changes to its service, and the process went more smoothly. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Sikh man bows before a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhisms holy book, at the Sikh Center of the Gulf Coast in Houston. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer It is an unfortunate but undeniable fact that what our children learn in public school has become a more contentious issue over the past several years. Texas is not exempt from this difficult dialogue, and the latest round of conversation has centered on the Texas Education Agencys approach to recently released instructional material for K-5 classrooms. As a religious person myself, I share the desire to ensure that young people are informed about the historical and cultural influence of faith on our society. But there is a serious difference between teaching about religion and teaching religion itself and the TEA is coming down on the wrong side of that distinction. The TEAs latest instructional materials emphasize the inclusion of Christianity but omit some other religions, including Sikhi (Sikhism) my own faith. Sikhs, adherents of the worlds fifth-largest organized religion, have been a part of the American fabric for more than 120 years; we are a community of roughly 750,000 throughout the United States, including growing communities in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin. Sikhs worship one god, ground ourselves in values such as love and equality, and maintain articles of faith including unshorn hair and turbans for many that are meant to bind us to our faith and make us stand out in a crowd. Advertisement Article continues below this ad TEA TAKEOVER OF HISD: Editorials and op-eds Unfortunately, a lack of awareness about Sikhi, coupled with longstanding prejudice against the other in our society, make Sikhs a frequent target of hate crimes and discrimination. The omission of Sikhi from the TEAs materials is particularly disheartening because education is one of the most fundamental ways to combat such ignorance and the negative consequences it brings especially on Sikh children, who continue to report extraordinarily high rates of school bullying. Hardeep Singh demonstrates how she closes the Guru Granth Sahib in her home gurdwara in Spring. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer Starting more than 15 years ago, the Sikh community fought hard to be included alongside other world religions in Texas state social studies standards for the first time ever, sending 400 letters and a petition signed by 1,000 community members to the State Board of Education. This was followed by a yearslong campaign to ensure that Texas-based publishers corrected more than 50 errors about Sikhi in textbooks. Sikhis absence from these latest materials, however, threatens to undo that hard-fought progress. Including Sikhi and minority faiths in educational content from state standards to instructional materials to accurate and available lesson plans is essential. Dispelling ignorance doesnt just break down barriers between students and prevent bullying; it also prepares young people of all backgrounds to succeed in the diverse American society in which we live. But the technical aspects of inclusion matter as well: Educators have an understandable tendency to teach what they know, meaning that lesser known faiths, histories and communities get left by the wayside in favor of more familiar topics if their accurate and appropriate inclusion is not specifically accounted for. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To be clear, opposition to the TEAs new instructional material is not at all an attack on Christianity, nor is it a denial of the contributions of Christian communities to American civic history. Christianity, however, is an extremely broad label that encompasses a number of different denominations, theological commitments, and racial and ethnic communities none of which cannot be accurately represented through the teaching of one version of the Bible or one version of American history. Ultimately, all children and families, including those from Texas Sikh community, have the right to a government-funded public education that does not privilege the views or experiences of one specific community. Indeed, the continued political push not just here, but also in states such as Oklahoma and Louisiana to marginalize other faith traditions at the expense of a particular Christian viewpoint does not serve our students or our civil discourse well. Together, we must insist on education that benefits and uplifts their states rich diversity, including the countless faith, spiritual, and ethical traditions that make up our states cultural landscape. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -The two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million judgment against Rudolph Giuliani filed a civil lawsuit against the onetime personal lawyer to Donald Trump, accusing him of trying to put his Florida luxury condominium beyond their reach. In a complaint on Friday, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea' "Shaye" Moss challenged Giuliani's July 13 declaration that the Palm Beach condominium was his new primary residence. They called it a "brazen" attempt by the former New York City mayor to benefit from a Florida law shielding a person's "homestead" from court judgments. Giuliani made the declaration one day after a federal judge dismissed his bankruptcy case, which had protected him from the $148 million judgment. Citing statements on his daily internet broadcasts, Freeman and Moss said Giuliani has since lived mainly or entirely elsewhere, and is only pretending to live in Florida to evade accountability for his actions. "He is trying to 'toy with' Florida's homestead exemption to shield a multi-million dollar asset from his creditors," they said in their complaint filed in Manhattan federal court. Freeman and Moss want court permission to enforce an Aug. 8 lien against Giuliani's condominium and, if they choose, seize and sell the property. Giuliani also has a home in Manhattan. "The appeal of the objectively unreasonable $148 million verdict hasn't even been heard, yet opposing counsel continues to take steps designed to harass and intimidate the mayor," Giuliani's spokesman Ted Goodman said in an email. "This lawsuit has always been designed to censor and bully the mayor, and to deter others from exercising their right to speak up and to speak out," Goodman added. Last December, a Washington jury ordered Giuliani to pay the $148 million to Freeman and Moss, who said he defamed them and destroyed their reputation through lies that they tried to help steal the 2020 U.S. presidential election from Trump. Giuliani, 80, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the following week. The federal judge overseeing that case dismissed it after finding that Giuliani failed to provide a complete picture of his finances and to meet court deadlines. That dismissal, which Giuliani also sought, eliminated the possibility a trustee could take over his finances and freed him to appeal the $148 million judgment, but also removed legal protections from creditors like Freeman and Moss. The case is Freeman et al v. Giuliani, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-06563. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) SAVANNAH, Ga. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday worked to shore up Democratic support in Georgia by visiting a part of the battleground state that politicians dont frequent nearly as much as the more heavily populated Atlanta area. For the past two election cycles, voters in this very state, you who are here, have delivered. You sent two extraordinary senators to Washington, D.C., Harris said, referring to Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. She said that Georgians mobilized to put a Democrat in the Oval Office four years ago and that shes hoping for a repeat. You showed up, you knocked on doors, you registered folks to vote, and you made it happen, Harris said. You did that. And so now we are asking you to do it again. Follow live coverage of the 2024 campaign here Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, completed a two-day bus tour of southeastern Georgia. During a stop at a Savannah cafe Thursday, Harris said she plans to roll out a tax credit proposal for new startups and small businesses next week. This is one of my singular priorities, is to invest and grow our small businesses, she said. Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in Savannah, Ga. on Aug. 29, 2024. Shortly before the rally, Walz joined Harris for a joint interview with CNN thats scheduled to air at 9 p.m. ET Thursday. Its her first sit-down interview since she launched her White House bid late last month. The crowd began filing into Savannahs Enmarket Arena more than three hours before Harris was set to speak, braving a downpour while waiting in long lines to pass through security. Inside the arena, energetic supporters held signs reading Freedom and A New Way Forward, dancing to songs from CJ the DJ, a local radio host, as blue and white lights beamed across the audience. A Harris-Walz campaign official said 7,500 people were in attendance. The official said that's the venue's maximum capacity. Protesters interrupted Harris twice, and the audience cheered as they were led out. One protester was pro-Palestinian; it was unclear what the other protester was saying. I am speaking now, Harris said as the first protester was escorted out, adding that she and President Joe Biden are working around the clock to secure a hostage deal. Walz wasnt onstage for the Savannah rally. Hes in North Carolina for two campaign events. Bidens razor-thin 2020 victory in Georgia came down to fewer than 12,000 votes. One of the heaviest blue regions of the state is metro Atlanta, where Biden performed better than 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in almost every county. But Democratic leaders in Savannah say the Harris campaign is helping expand party support in the states southeast. Atlanta has always gotten the juice, has always gotten the love, but us here in southeast Georgia, we really matter, said Aaron Adot Whitely, chair of the Democratic Party in Chatham County, where Savannah is located. Biden narrowly improved Democrats margins in two blue Southeastern counties in 2020, winning Chatham with 58.6% of the vote. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who has long been vocal about the need for Democrats to more seriously engage with cities beyond Atlanta, said he feels the Harris campaign has answered his call by opening seven field offices in southern Georgia. The fallacy often is that Georgia is Atlanta and Atlanta is Georgia, Johnson said. Each city, each county, has its own distinct flavor and its own distinct history, and so it would be a fools errand to think that you can fly in and out of Atlanta and that youve covered Georgia. Jonae Wartel, senior adviser to the Harris campaign in Georgia, emphasized that Democrats learned the importance of having a statewide strategy from their successful 2021 Senate runoff races, when she was runoff director for Georgia Democrats. Warnock and Ossoff won their races nearly four years ago, giving Democrats a majority in the Senate. Warnock kept his seat in 2022, beating his Republican opponent. I think its really important to not see Georgians as a single type of voter, but more a broad coalition, Wartel said. So taking her to parts of Georgia that are outside of metro Atlanta is incredibly important. The campaigns volunteer efforts got a boost when Harris announced her campaign, with more than 35,000 people joining volunteer efforts in Georgia, Porsha White, the Harris campaigns Georgia director, said in a news release. Amy Morton, CEO of the Democratic consulting firm Southern Majority, said Harriss rising to the top of the ticket also became a game changer for down-ballot races. Often, Democrats in swing districts try to distance themselves from the presidential nominee, Morton said. That is flipped in this situation, she said. I already have Republican opponents in these districts who are sprinting away from Trump. Vice President Harris is leading former President Trump by an average of 2 points across seven battleground states as the White House race remains tight, according to polling released Thursday. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found Harris has a 2-point average edge over Trump when it comes to registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. She is ahead by 1 point, within the polls margin of error, when it is restricted to likely voters in these states. The lead was strongest in Wisconsin, where she edged out Trump by 8 points among registered voters, followed by Nevada and Pennsylvania, where she led by 4 points in each, pollsters said. The two were deadlocked in Arizona with 48 percent each, while Harris led by 2 points in Georgia and North Carolina each, and in Michigan by 3 points. Harriss lead in North Carolina is especially notable, as pollsters point out no Democratic presidential candidate has won there since former President Obama in 2008. The gains Harris has seen in the Tar Heel State prompted the nonpartisan group Cook Political Report to shift the states presidential race from lean Republican to toss up. Since replacing President Biden atop the Democratic presidential ticket last month, Harris has narrowed the gap with Trump, posing a risk to the former presidents healthy lead over Biden when he was still in the race. The Thursday poll follows a Fox News survey that found Harris similarly making gains in the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. The Trump campaign later ripped Fox News over the polling. The former president has largely dismissed the notion that Harris has crept up in the polls. The poll also suggested the selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as Harriss running mate had a more positive impact on increasing swing-state voters for the Democratic ticket, compared to the selection of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and its effect on the Republican ticket. About 30 percent of swing-state voters said Harriss vice president selection of Walz made them more likely to vote for her, while only 23 percent said the same about Vance last month after Trump tapped him as his running mate, per pollsters. The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll was conducted among 4,962 registered voters in seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states; 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania; 4 percentage points in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, and 5 percentage points in Nevada, pollsters 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. Lee Daniels favorite movie of all time is The Exorcist, but when it came to making his own possession film, his mother was a hard no. The Oscar-nominated director wanted to tackle the haunting true story of Latoya Ammons, who claimed her children had been victimized by demons, after finishing his 2009 breakthrough Precious. And my mom was like: You bare your all and it's on screen. Spirits can jump on you, and I don't want you to do the film, Daniels tells USA TODAY. While he moved on to other projects, from The Butler to TVs Empire, Daniels never could shake Ammons stranger-than-fiction tale, which made believers out of skeptical witnesses in real life and inspired Daniels new movie The Deliverance (streaming now on Netflix). Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Nate (Caleb McLaughlin) and his Ebony (Andra Day) have trouble seeing eye to eye in "The Deliverance." I believe we are in a dark time, Daniels says, and instead of a horror flick, he wanted to make a faith-based thriller to help audiences connect with a higher power. Whether it's Buddha, whether it's Allah, whether it's Jesus Christ, whether it's you learning to love yourself more, we need to do that so that we can find peace. Tomorrow isn't promised for any of us. Daniels breaks down the freaky facts from the fictionalized bits in Deliverance, which centers on a struggling Black mom wrestling with demons of the personal and also hellish kind. The Deliverance, the case of Latoya Ammons both start with a fly infestation Mom Ebony (Andra Day, far left) struggles to keep it together for children Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Shante (Demi Singleton) in Lee Daniels' "The Deliverance." Ammons ordeal began with black flies swarming their rental house, which gave way to inexplicable noises and appearances by a shadowy figure. And thats how The Deliverance" starts as well, with seemingly innocuous bugs and bad smells from the basement leading to much worse things. But Daniels spends a healthy amount of runtime investing in the dysfunctional dynamic between alcoholic Ebony (Andra Day) and her three children, plus Ebonys ailing mother, Alberta (Glenn Close), before the spooky stuff sets in. That sort of was a problem for Netflix in the beginning, because they didn't understand it, Daniels says. They wanted more jump scares. I don't know how to make that kind of movie. It has to be grounded. For him, more important was exploring "a bigger picture of what defines abuse, because (Ebony) definitely does hit her kids, and the dysfunction that goes on in this family, which was passed down. You think it's Precious, but then it sort of makes a turn. Yes, a young boy crawled up a wall backward (seriously) Anthony B. Jenkins stars as a young boy possessed by a demon in "The Deliverance." In The Deliverance, Ebonys youngest son, Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins), shows signs of demon possession first, followed by older siblings Nate (Caleb McLaughlin) and Shante (Demi Singleton). Strange and violent incidents at school and home lead to them being hospitalized. Harrowing film moments were based on actual reported occurrences, including one unnerving scene when Andre crawls up a hospital wall backward. In the movie, its witnessed by child services agent Cynthia (MoNique) in real life, Ammons mother saw her 7-year-old grandson do something unexplainable, as did a nurse and the familys case manager. Not only did they see it, but the social worker who was trying to take the kids from the mother said This actually happened to the judge, Daniels says. You can't make it up. Children were taken from their mother in both real life and 'The Deliverance' Mo'Nique plays child-services agent Cynthia Henry in "The Deliverance." Child services investigated Ammons for possible child abuse or neglect, and while she was found to be of sound mind, the agency took custody of her children without a court order. "We'd already been through so much and fought so hard for our lives," she recalled to the Indianapolis Star in 2014. That same situation plays out to an emotional degree in The Deliverance. It happens, says Daniels, who raised his brother's children, now 28, from when they were 3 days old. There are so many children that are taken away from families and sometimes for good reason, sometimes not for good reason. And in this case it's not for good reason. She's fighting the system for her kids as she's fighting the demon that's in her house. And what a unique story to tell because it's real. Glenn Close was a departure from the actual grandmother Glenn Close's Alberta is the older white grandmother of a mostly Black family in "The Deliverance." Making the movie, Daniels changed the names involved as well as the setting. Ammons demon house was in Gary, Indiana, while Ebony and her family live in Pittsburgh. The casting of Close as Alberta also deviated from reality: She has a history of friction with her daughter Ebony, found God and is trying to find some redemption later in life, but unlike Ammons mother, Alberta is white. I like giving voice to people that don't have a voice and a face to people don't really see often, Daniels says. There's so many white women that I knew growing up. I wanted to pay homage to (that). A lot of African Americans have never seen this character on screen before and will relate to her. The mom turned to deliverance ministers to win the day in both the movie and in life Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor plays Rev. Bernice James in "The Deliverance." Ebony ultimately gets a key assist from the Rev. Bernice James (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), a deliverance minister, a member of the clergy who cleanses a person or place of evil spirits, rather than an exorcist who focuses on demonic possession. The deliverer who worked with Ammons was a man, Daniels recalls, but I desperately wanted to work with Aunjanue and I knew there were women doing this. He says Ammons met with different types of healers, including a Catholic exorcist. (A scene with an exorcist didnt make the final cut of the film.) Daniels acknowledges he was initially skeptical of Ammons story until they spoke on the phone and he did his own research; plus, his mother told him about something that she'd seen. This is stuff that happens and it's icky, says the filmmaker, adding that he had a deliverer on set every day after reading articles and books about the weird goings-on during the making of Poltergeist and The Exorcist. Not today, Satan! This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lee Daniels' 'The Deliverance' on Netflix is based on a real life case The U.S. Agriculture Department found dozens of violations at a Boar's Head plant in Virginia including insects, mold and puddles of blood that has been linked to a deadly listeria outbreak that has killed nine people, newly released records from the department show. Agriculture Department officials logged 69 instances of noncompliance with federal regulations at the Boar's Head plant in Jarratt from Aug. 1, 2023, through Aug. 2, 2024, according to documents CBS News obtained through federal Freedom of Information Act requests. CBS News first reported the findings. Nine people have died and 57 have been hospitalized after they ate Boar's Head products contaminated with listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has been reported in 18 states, and the deaths have been in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia. A recall notice is posted next to Boar's Head meats at a Safeway store in San Rafael, Calif., on July 31. Boar's Head recalled 7 million pounds of "ready-to-eat meat and poultry products" from the Jarratt plant on July 30 after genome sequencing tests in a liverwurst sample turned up positive for the strain of Listeria monocytogenes that has been linked to the multistate outbreak. That came days after an initial recall of more than 200,000 pounds of Boar's Head products. According to the documents, the Agriculture Department reported "heavy discolored meat build up" on a hydraulic pump in the plant and on the motor of an inspection line on Aug. 8, 2023, and again reported "heavy meat buildup" on walls of a room in the plant on June 10. Flies were found "going in and out" of pickle vats on June 10, and "small flying gnat like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room." The department reported a "steady line of ants" and "a presence of flying insects" in the same room, according to the documents. Also reported on the same day were "7 ladybugs, 1 beetle like insect, and 1 cockroach like insect." Insects both dead and alive were found in the plant on July 17 and again on July 25 in a smokehouse hallway that housed more than 980 pounds of ham. A "black mold like substance" was discovered at the plant on Jan. 9, according to the documents, with some spots being "as large as a quarter." Inspectors reported four more instances of finding mold, and in one case mildew, in the plant in June and July. Multiple leaks were reported throughout the plant in the months of inspection, including a puddle that featured a "green algal growth" on July 17, according to the documents. On Feb. 21, inspectors reported "ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor" in a cooler that also produced a "rancid smell," according to the documents. A spokesperson for Boar's Head said in a statement Thursday to NBC News that the company "deeply regret[s] the impact this recall has had on affected families." The spokesperson added that food safety is the company's "absolute priority." "As a USDA-inspected food producer, the agency has inspectors in our Jarratt, Virginia plant every day and if at any time inspectors identify something that needs to be addressed, our team does so immediately, as was the case with each and every issue raised by USDA in this report," the statement said. The spokesperson said that all operations at the Jarratt plant have been paused and that an investigation is underway into the "events leading to this recall." The statement also said that the plant is being disinfected and that employees are receiving additional training. It was not immediately clear whether Boar's Head will face any penalties from the Agriculture Department for the reported noncompliances. Actors Melina Alves and Joey Lawrence both issued statements denying any affair during their time filming the holiday movie, "Socked in for Christmas." Actors Joey Lawrence and Melina Alves are speaking out about allegations of an affair that occurred around the time the two filmed the upcoming holiday movie "Socked in for Christmas." Alves issued a statement on Instagram on Aug. 28 addressing the "recent allegations" about her relationship with Lawrence. Her comments come after Lawrence's wife of two years, Samantha Cope, filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Aug. 13 citing irreconcilable differences, according to court documents. The two were married in 2022. Less than a day after Alves' statement, Lawrence released one of his own on Instagram in which he also denied reports of an affair. Alves, who said she is estranged from her ex-husband Edward Rider, wrote that it has been "distressing" to see personal issues discussed "openly and inaccurately." "First and foremost, I want to clarify that there was no sexual relationship between Joey and myself while we were on set filming Socked in for Christmas," she wrote. "Our relationship was a meaningful friendship that developed naturally due to the many similarities in our personal situations. "When I met Joey, I was immediately struck by his kindness, warmth, and genuine character," she continued. "We found common ground in our shared experiences, which led to a strong, supportive friendship that has been a source of strength for both of us." Alves then shared "for context" that she and Rider have been estranged since January 2023 and "living in separate rooms." "Our marriage had been struggling for some time, and the separation was a necessary step for both of us," she wrote. The Brazilian actor wrote that Lawrence has been unjustly dragged into this situation. This is a deeply private matter that I never intended to become public, and I hope this clarification can help put an end to the speculation and allow both Joey and myself to move forward without further intrusion, Alves wrote. Lawrence responded in his own Instagram post on Aug. 29 that he "did not have a physical relationship" with Alves while filming the movie. "These rumors are false," he wrote. "Our bond was based on shared experiences and an understanding of the challenges we were both facing in our personal lives." Lawrence wrote that he was in "a deeply troubled marriage" that was "fraught with difficulties" when he met Alves. The father of three also wrote that the unraveling of his marriage was connected to the fact that there was "no way" his two older daughters from his marriage with ex-wife Chandie Yawn-Nelson "were ever going to be accepted" by Cope to be part of their family. "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," he wrote. Lawrence and Alves star together in the upcoming holiday movie "Socked in for Christmas." The movie was filmed in April, according to posts on Alves' Instagram page. In her divorce filing, Cope listed the date of her separation from Lawrence as June 7, 2024. She petitioned the court for joint legal custody and full physical custody of their 1-year-old daughter, Dylan, until she's 3 years old, according to the filing. The girl was born in January 2023. TODAY reached out to Cope for comment and did not receive a response. Rider was not able to be reached for comment. This article was originally published on TODAY.com John Stamos is getting candid about his Church of Scientology exit. During an interview on the "Friend in High Places" podcast with comedian Matt Friend published Sunday, the musician told the host about how he was introduced to the controversial faith. "I was in an acting class and there was this hot girl," Stamos recalled. "She said, 'You know, we're all meeting at this address on Hollywood Boulevard, come after (class)!' I was working at my dad's restaurant at the time, and I said, 'Dad I gotta, I gotta go.' So I went, and it was the Scientology building. I was 16, 17." But he added that he was also inspired to go to the Scientology meeting by his idol, John Travolta. John Stamos is opening up about his experience with the controversial Church of Scientology. John Stamos talks rocking through Beach Boys stage fails, showtime hair, Bob Saget lessons "I wanted to be John Travolta, I still do," he said of the "Grease" actor, who joined the Church of Scientology in the 1970s. But Stamos never officially joined the church after a sticky situation kept him from pursuing the faith. Stamos recalled entering the Scientology building and being summoned to a machine called the "E-Meter," which was formed from two cans. After having a fake phone conversation pretending to be "Rocky and Bullwinkle" characters Peabody and Sherman, Stamos said, "They just kicked me out" for messing around "so much." Stamos previously got candid about leaving the Church of Scientology in his 2023 memoir, "If You Would Have Told Me." And in June, the "Full House" alum opened up to USA TODAY's The Essentials about favorite summer things to do, including spending time with family. For Stamos, summer is all about working the pizza oven for friends. "But parties are different now," said Stamos, who has been sober since 2015. "Nowadays, there's a lot of kids running, laughing and throwing water balloons." He told USA TODAY that Billy, his son, is the water culprit who surprise attacks with a hose when his father comes home from work. "I'm so tired and he's just waiting behind the bush with a hose," said Stamos. "The joy he gets out of spraying his poor dad. I just love it. That's summer to me." Contributing: Bryan Alexander This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Stamos: Church of Scientology 'kicked me out' A 56-year-old mans remains have been found in Michigan 17 years after his pilot fiancees remains were located in 2007 aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty A stock image of a SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad aircraft Seventeen years after a small passenger plane crashed into Michigans Lake Huron, the remains of one of the passengers have been found. On Thursday, Aug. 29, the Michigan State Police (MSP) told PEOPLE in a statement that the remains of a 56-year-old man identified by the Associated Press as H. Brooke Stauffer Jr. of Washington, D.C. were found near Bois Blanc Island in Mackinac County. According to MSP, the crash occurred in August 2007, when Stauffer and and the pilot his fiancee, Karen Dodds, 52 were taking a SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad airplane from Mackinac Island to Bad Axe, near Michigan's southern peninsula, when the aircraft crashed into Lake Huron. Getty A stock image of Mackinac Island in Michigan Related: Pilot and Passenger Survive After Their Plane Crashes on Busy Road and a Photo Captured Their Stunned Reaction A "large-scale" search for the plane and passengers took place soon after the crash, and Dodds' remains were found on Oct. 8, 2007, in the Straits of Mackinac, east of the Mackinac Bridge. "Those remains were recovered and later identified as the missing pilot," MSP told PEOPLE. "The search for the passenger and the plane wreckage continued and eventually was called off without finding the wreckage." In October 2023, 16 years after the crash, family members of the victims requested that the private organization Great Lakes Search and Recovery re-open the investigation, MSP added. By August, the search team had discovered plane wreckage near Bois Blanc Island and reported it to police. After the organization reported the wreckage to police, the MSP's Marine Services Team collected evidence from the crash site that indicated it was the same plane from the 2007 crash. "As state police divers searched the wreckage, a set of skeletal remains was found at the crash site. The remains were provided to the Center for Forensic Anthropology at Northern Michigan University for identification," MSP wrote. "Through dental records they were positively identified as being the skeletal remains of the 56-year-old passenger." Getty Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, where the couple departed from on their 2007 flight 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 the AP, Stauffer was the director of standards and safety for the National Electrical Contractors Association. His obituary stated that Stauffer was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Vought Stauffer, and later "found love again with Karen." Dodds was a business owner who ran a web design and marketing company in D.C., according to the AP. He was a prolific writer, and the author of several technical books, numerous magazine articles, a children's novel and a guidebook for Washington, D.C.," the obituary said, adding that he is survived by daughter Hilary and sons Christian and Gregory. Police added in their statement that the search has helped "bring closure" to both victims' family members. "The Michigan State Police credits the amazing work done by Great Lakes Search and Recovery to help bring closure to the victims families," MSP said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more After 12 weeks in space, Boeings Starliner spacecraft is finally set to return home from the International Space Station on September 6 albeit without its two-person crew. The troubled spacecraft will undock from the orbiting laboratory around 6 p.m. ET, and it will spend about six hours maneuvering closer to home before landing around midnight in New Mexicos White Sands Space Harbor. The astronauts who rode aboard Starliner to the space station on June 5, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, will remain on board the orbiting laboratory. NASA announced on August 24 that experts were wary of gas leaks and issues with the Starliner capsules propulsion system, leading the agency to determine the spacecraft is not safe enough to finish its mission with crew on board. The uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will perform a fully autonomous return with flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and at Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida, according to a NASA update posted Thursday. Teams on the ground are able to remotely command the spacecraft if needed through the necessary maneuvers for a safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwest United States. How the Starliner vehicle performs during its return trip could be crucial to the future of the overall Boeing program. If the spacecraft experiences a mishap or NASA ultimately decides not to certify the vehicle for human spaceflight a step that would set up the vehicle to make routine trips to orbit it would mark yet another blow to Boeings already damaged reputation. Repeating this test flight and implementing redesigns on Starliner could cost the company millions of dollars on top of the roughly $1.5 billion the company has already recorded in losses on the Starliner program. All of us really wanted to complete the (Boeing Starliner) test flight with crew, and I think unanimously were disappointed not to be able to do that, Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASAs Space Operations Mission Directorate, said last week. But you dont want that disappointment to weigh unhealthily in your decision. Even if Starliners uncrewed return trip goes well, NASA will still face a crucial decision on whether to grant the spacecraft its human spaceflight certification even though it did not complete its mission as intended. Whats ahead for Starliners crew Throughout the weeks that engineers on the ground worked to understand the thruster issues and leaks plaguing the Starliner, Boeing maintained that it believed the vehicle would be safe to bring astronauts Williams and Wilmore home. In a statement on August 24, Boeing said that it continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft. We are executing the mission as determined by NASA, and we are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return. Williams and Wilmore will now fly home aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a mission called Crew-9 no earlier than February. The Crew Dragon spacecraft has been certified to fly astronaut missions for about four years and has made around a dozen crewed trips to orbit. To fit Williams and Wilmore on board the Crew-9 mission, NASA had to boot two astronauts who had already trained for the position off the flight. The space agency announced Friday that those two astronauts would be spaceflight veteran Stephanie Wilson and Zena Cardman, who was set to make her first trip to space and was expected to serve as commander of the Crew-9 mission. Aleksandr Gorbunov, a Russian cosmonaut who got his seat via a ridesharing agreement between NASA and Russias space agency, Roscosmos, will remain on the flight. Cardman will also hand over commander duties to Nick Hague, who was previously named as the pilot for Crew-9. Handing the helm to (Hague) is both heartbreaking and an honor. Nick and Alex are truly an excellent team, and they will be ready to step up, Cardman said in a post on the social media site X on Friday. I only wish (Wilson), Nick, Alex, and I could fly together, but we choose without hesitation to be part of something much larger than ourselves. Ad astra per aspera. Go Crew 9. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KYIV/PRAGUE (Reuters) -Ukraine will continue to meet its obligations to transit Russian oil to Europe, a presidential aide said on Friday after earlier suggesting it could halt supplies via the Druzhba pipeline next year. Comments by Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak, reported by local media on Friday, had suggested flows of Russian oil may stop from January, but he later said Ukraine supported EU efforts to diversify its oil supply and would not break contracts running to 2029. "Ukraine has fulfilled and will fulfill its contractual obligations in full until the scheduled completion date... because it concerns our bilateral relations with European countries," Podolyak said. The head of Ukrainian oil and gas group Naftogaz, Olekskiy Chernyshov, echoed that message. "Ukraine remains a reliable partner for European countries," he said in a statement. "We will continue to fulfill our obligations under the current gas and oil transportation contracts." The Druzhba pipeline carries oil from Russia to Belarus where it branches into its northern leg to Poland and Germany and a southern part to Ukraine, the latter route serving Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. While the European Union has sought to wean itself off Russian energy supplies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary have needed more time. For gas, the region is facing a halt next year as Kyiv plans not to renew a contract with Moscow at the end of 2024. Podolyak's initial comments prompted one Czech official to say his country could cope with a halt to transit. "For the Czech Republic, it is not a problem," the state energy security envoy Vaclav Bartuska said. To end the country's partial dependency on the Druzhba pipeline, Czech state-owned pipeline operator MERO has been investing in raising the capacity of the TAL pipeline from Italy to Germany, which connects to the IKL pipeline supplying the Czech Republic. From next year, the increased capacity should be sufficient for the total needs of the country's two refineries, owned by Poland's Orlen, of up to 8 million tons of crude per year. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague and Olena Harmash in Kyiv; writing by Jason Hovet; Editing by David Holmes and Christina Fincher) Mr. Razavi poses for a portrait in his home in Houston, TX on August 29, 2024. The Texas attorney general's office instructed DPS to no longer accept court-ordered sex changes and Razavi can't change his driver's license to say male. Sharon Steinmann Last Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons office quietly rolled out a drastic directive overturning years of state precedent and potentially running afoul of federal law. In an internal email, which KUT News obtained from an anonymous source, the Texas Department of Public Safety was instructed to no longer accept a court order as a basis to change a persons sex on their drivers license. As of Aug. 20, only fixing a clerical error will warrant a change, the email said. Alarmingly, DPS employees were also told to send sex change requests and documentation to a dedicated email address. Its unclear what the information is for, exactly. But it comes two years after Paxton tried and failed to get detailed data on transgender Texans. DPS, at the time, basically shrugged their shoulders and told him the data didnt exist nor could it be accurately produced. Now, it seems, hes all set to get his way. As both an attorney and a trans man, my initial reaction is just disgust, Pete Makopoulos-Senftleber, board chair for the Trans Legal Aid Clinic of Texas, told me this week. Its completely unlawful and arbitrary to, overnight, create a policy directive like this, and I think were going to see a slew of unintended consequences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Already, the rule isnt just making life harder for trans folks. Ironically, its also blocking those who actually want their license to reflect the sex on their original birth certificate from making that change. That includes 41-year-old Houstonian Razavi, who wishes to be identified only by his last name. Deep into the pandemic, when most of us were working from home, Razavi finally took the leap hed contemplated since he was 18. After years of medically transitioning to female with hormone therapy, he got facial feminization surgery and changed his legal documents accordingly. Pretty soon, though, he realized that presenting as a woman wasnt all hed hoped. I felt like a second-class citizen, he told me over the phone. My personal life was just miserable. Living like a trans person, youre just openly discriminated against and nobody cares. Being trans wasnt for him, he decided. So he detransitioned. As time wore on, it got increasingly tiring having to explain and deal with the puzzled looks he got each time he showed his license at a bar, he said. Razavi also hopes to marry his girlfriend some day, and knew having a license with a womans face on it would complicate the process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He made his DPS appointment a month in advance, and even took a day off work. When he got there and showed the court order from Travis County allowing him to change his name and sex, he said, the young Hispanic woman helping him just sat there for a while, closely reading an email. Sir, Im sorry, we cant do this, she finally told him. She explained the new directive from the AGs office, and told him her hands were tied. They could change his photo but nothing else. As Razavi put it in an email to the Houston Chronicle, the irony was not lost on him. Now Im 6-foot-5 with a beard and an actual penis, he wrote. But according to Ken Paxton, I am to remain legally a woman. His biggest concern is what will happen to the documents that DPS scanned without explanation or his permission. This feels like some Gestapo stuff, Razavi told me. They just took my paperwork and put me on this tiny list. Razavi works as a director at a Houston hospital. Hed seen the news: the homes of several League of United Latin American Citizens volunteers were just allegedly raided by Paxtons office in search of voter fraud evidence. He fears similar intimidation tactics and political posturing may be used against him, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His case highlights the many ways black-and-white policy prescriptions can easily backfire. As Pete Makopoulos-Senftleber, the attorney with the Trans Legal Aid Clinic, pointed out, intersex, gender-expansive or non-binary Texans might face the same issues as Razavi. But, he said, this isnt just a trans issue, or even a conservative versus liberal issue. Our IDs, our names and how we identify are important to who we are no matter who we are, Makopoulos-Senftleber said. Just as nobody questions when a newly married person changes their last name, we should all have the right to accurately reflect and represent who we are to the world and have opportunities to succeed in life. I cant help but think of when my sister-in-law first got her license and accidentally put M instead of F. Spanish is her first language, so naturally, she chose M for Mujer. She was able to fix the mistake, and now we laugh about it. But I wonder, would she have made Paxtons list too? Advertisement Article continues below this ad PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Taiwan's embassy in Haiti on Thursday presented Haiti's national police and army with protective equipment such as helmets, tactical kneepads, eye protectors and bulletproof vests, to support their fight against powerful gangs. Haiti's prime minister's office said 400 individual kits had been delivered, making a total of 800 kits from Taiwan in two years. "This donation is not only a material contribution; it also reflects a sincere and lasting friendship between Haiti and Taiwan," Prime Minister Garry Conille said in a statement. The Caribbean nation is one of a handful of Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies, but also holds a trade office in Beijing. China claims the democratically governed island, a major world supplier of electronics, as its own territory. A swathe of countries in the Americas including neighboring Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and have cut ties with Taiwan in recent years in favor of economic giant China, while countries such as Guatemala and Paraguay are aiming to keep recognizing Taiwan while courting Chinese trade. The United States recognizes China diplomatically but has unofficial ties with Taipei, to which it sells arms, and U.S. President Joe Biden has said he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan. The U.S. is also the top funder of a U.N.-ratified security mission that recently deployed a first contingent to Haiti after its government requested support in 2022 to help fight heavily armed gangs that have now taken over most of the capital. So far, just 400 Kenyan police have deployed of some 2,900 troops pledged by a handful of countries. Kenyan and Haitian media have reported lack of key equipment and delays in paying their wages. With little over a month left in the mission's mandate, results have been scarce with many pledges left unfulfilled. Nearly 580,000 people are internally displaced and millions are going hungry. Haiti's army was reinstated in 2017 after it was dismantled during the 1990s, and it is the national police that leads efforts against the country's gangs. The police counted about 12,000 officers by end-May, according to U.N. data, down by more than 1,000 from the start of the year. (Reporting by Steven Aristil and Sarah Morland; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Renee Maltezou, Yannis Souliotis ATHENS (Reuters) -A salvage operation to recover a Greek registered oil tanker stranded in the Red Sea after an attack by Houthi militants is expected to start in the coming days, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Friday. What was decided yesterday is an initial gameplan, of the operation starting in 48 hours," one of the sources said. A second source said the operation was likely to be complex, since Houthis had rigged the vessel with explosives. At stake is the safe removal of a tanker laden with about 1 million barrels of crude that if spilled could cause an environmental catastrophe in an area that is particularly dangerous to access. Efforts are being made to speed up the process, sources said. Yemen's Houthi militants carried out multiple assaults, including planting bombs on the already disabled 900-foot (274.2-metre) Sounion. On Wednesday, the Iran-aligned militants said they would allow salvage crews to tow the ship - which has been on fire since Aug. 23 - to safety. The sources said the priority of the operation - whether to tow the vessel to a port or arrange a transfer of its cargo - depended on an inspection of the vessel. "It is not an easy task, transferring the oil cargo to another ship, when there are explosives on it ," said one of the sources. "In any case, (EU monitoring mission) ASPIDES ships will protect and escort the vessel to a safe port." Greece has also been in touch with Saudi Arabia, a key player in the region, to ask for assistance. "Delta Tankers is doing everything it can to move the vessel (and cargo). For security reasons, we are not in a position to comment further," a spokesperson for the Athens-based tanker operator said. There had been conflicting accounts earlier in the week over whether the Sounion had started leaking its cargo. The EU's ASPIDES team insisted it had not, while the U.S. later rowed back on initial comments to say some of the spillage was not from the cargo, but from the vessel itself and where it had been hit. If a spill occurs, it has the potential to be among the largest from a ship in recorded history. "Houthis have agreed to allow its towing because at the end of the day any environmental disaster would affect their region," said a shipping industry source. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Yannis Souliotis, additional reporting by Jonathan Saul Editing by Louise Heavens) There's an easy way to extend their shelf life. Simply Recipes / Getty Images We go through a lot of bananas in our house. My husband slices them up to toss on his cereal and I love to make smoothies. But we end up having to bake too much banana bread because some bananas always end up brown and mushy. Theres a trick to make bananas last longer, says banana expert Ben Huyghe, director of operations for Equifruit, the Quebec-based fair trade banana brand. Huyghe is an agronomist who has spent 25 years in the banana business. Bananas naturally create a gas called ethylene. Ethylene is released by some fruits and vegetables and can cause some other produce to ripen more quickly. If you are worried that your bananas are ripening too quick, then a trick to slow down that process as much as possible is to keep them away from other ethylene-producing fruitsso not in the fruit bowl with apples, pears, etc., says Huyghe. And wrap the crown of the cluster with plastic to keep any ethylene produced from being spread or being absorbed. You can use plastic wrap or masking tapewhatever you have on hand. I generally wrap a piece of a torn plastic bag with an elastic band to the crown of the cluster, says Huyghe. This might slow down the ripening process considerably, sometimes even a couple of days. Read More: The Only Way You Should Store Bananas, According to Chiquita Chiquita Agrees Chiquita also suggests wrapping the crown in plastic wrap to keep them fresher longer. The company explains on its website: Because the crown is the point where the bananas were cut from the stem, its where most ethylene gas is released and keeping that area under wraps helps to prevent the gas reaching the rest of the fruit. Chiquita recommends re-wrapping the crown each time youve removed a banana from the bunch. Some banana lovers also suggest storing bananas individually, with each separate crown end wrapped in plastic. Theres much disagreement about whether bananas ripen more quickly as a bunch or separately, and whether this affects the taste, so we suggest doing an experiment in your own home conditions to see what you prefer. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Other Banana Tips If your bananas are too green to eat, keep them at room temperature until they are the perfect ripeness, says Huyghe. In case you wish to speed up that process at home, you can put them in a paper bag together with an apple, pears, or another riper banana. If you tighten the bag, the ethylene produced by the other fruit will get trapped and speed up the ripening of your (too green) bananas. Dont be tempted to put bananas in the refrigerator, he cautions. He says its best to keep bananas above 57F so they dont get chilled. Refrigerators usually stay at 40F or below. Bananas love tropical temperatures, therefore neverEVERplace bananas (green or yellow) in the fridge if you want to eat them as a fresh fruit as this will dry out the fruit and might interfere with the natural ripening process, leaving a rather unpleasant eating experience, Huyghe says. When Your Bananas Are Too Ripe If you just cant save your bananas, you can always make banana bread or smoothies with overripe bananas. Huyghe also has an easy recipe for banana pancakes. For every two overripe bananas smashed with a fork, add one tablespoon of all-purpose flour, one egg, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you whisk that together, you have a batter to make some amazing banana pancakes. They are very flavorful and a great alternative as a healthy school snack and dont need refrigeration to get through the day." Read the original article on Simply Recipes. When President Joe Biden unveiled his administration's new student debt repayment plan a year ago, he heralded it as "the most affordable student loan plan ever." Now, it also may qualify as one of the most stymied repayment plans ever created. The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to reinstate the program, called the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, as an appeals process over its legality plays out. The SAVE plan was created to fix some long-standing problems with earlier income-driven repayment plans, or IDRs. It also debuted a month after the Supreme Court blocked Mr. Biden's plan to erase up to $20,000 in debt per student borrower. Because SAVE also promises to lower monthly loan payments to as low as $0 for some low-income borrowers it proved immediately popular and today has 8 million enrollees. The SAVE plan "was Team Biden's creative response to an earlier Supreme Court decision rejecting its use of the COVID-19 emergency to broadly forgive student loan debt," noted Jaret Seiberg, an analyst at TD Cowen, in a research note. "That creativity made it susceptible to legal challenge." Here's what to know about the next steps for people with student loans enrolled in SAVE. What is the status of the SAVE plan? Right now, SAVE is on hold due to a sweeping injunction issued last month by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. That ruling prohibited the Biden administration from implementing the parts of the plan that were not already blocked by two lower court rulings. In those cases, judges in Kansas and Missouri in June had ruled in favor of several Republican-led states that argued the plan overstepped the Biden administration's authority. The states also claimed that offering borrowers relief before a loan had matured could cause financial harm to lenders and loan servicers. The upshot: Because the Supreme Court left the appeals court ruling in place, the SAVE plan is essentially frozen for the time being. What does that mean for SAVE participants? Following the 8th Circuit's July ruling, SAVE's 8 million enrollees saw their loan payments suspended. With the Supreme Court's order keeping that ruling in place, those borrowers will remain in forbearance, Department of Education officials noted. While in forbearance, SAVE participants don't have to make monthly payments, nor will they accrue interest on their loans during that time, according to the agency. But the time someone stays in forbearance won't count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or IDR loan forgiveness, it added. People enrolled in these plans can earn forgiveness after repaying their loans for a number of years, with the PSLF enrollees qualifying after 10 years of repayments, for instance. But because the time spent in forbearance won't count toward that, it could ultimately take some borrowers more time to earn forgiveness. What is the Biden administration doing about the court rulings? Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told "CBS Mornings" on Thursday that the Biden administration is continuing to dispute the decisions in court. "We're going to continue to fight for borrowers," he said. "Student debt shouldn't be a life sentence." In the meantime, the Supreme Court said in its order that it expects the 8th Circuit to soon issue a fuller decision on the SAVE case. That could trigger an appeal to Supreme Court later this year, although a high court decision likely wouldn't come until 2025, noted TD Cowen's Seiberg. Could the presidential election have an impact on the SAVE plan? Quite possibly. If Democratic candidate Kamala Harris wins in November, the Education Department is likely to continue to litigate to protect the SAVE program. Her administration could also create a new repayment program designed to withstand legal challenges. If Republican candidate Donald Trump wins, it's likely his administration would drop the legal battle and allow the court orders blocking SAVE to stand. A Republican win, in other words, would likely kill off SAVE for good, while forbearance would come to an end for its 8 million enrollees, Seiberg said. For now, forbearance is likely to "stay in effect at least to the inauguration," he said. "And a Harris win likely means it is in effect for longer." 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 A man was accused of murder in the killing of a Colorado dog breeder Friday, more than a week after the breeder and as many as 10 of his Doberman puppies disappeared from his property, authorities said. Sergio Ferrer, 36, faces murder and aggravated robbery charges in the death of Paul Peavey, 57, the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Ferrer was initially taken into custody Aug. 24 on an unrelated warrant from Nebraska alleging that he failed to appear for a weapons charge, the sheriffs office said. At the time, Ferrer was considered a person of interest in Peaveys homicide investigation, according to the statement. The sheriffs office said Peavey appeared to have died from a gunshot wound. Paul Peavey. On Friday, the sheriffs office and other law enforcement agencies recommended that Ferrer be charged in Peaveys murder, the statement says. The sheriffs office did not provide additional details about a possible motive in the killing. It isnt clear if Ferrer has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Peavey, who ran a breeding business specializing in European Dobermans, was last heard from Aug. 19, the sheriffs office said. A privately organized search party found his body five days later under a pile of sticks and stones. Earlier this week, the sheriff's office said that as many as 10 puppies all of which had been microchipped may have been sold through social media sites. The agency said Friday that the dogs remained unaccounted for. John Randal Tyson, the former CFO of Tyson Foods and great-grandson of founder John W. Tyson, will not return to his previous role at the chicken company. Tyson Foods had suspended the heir following his arrest for driving while intoxicated in mid-June. On Thursday the family-owned chicken giant where John Randals father John H. Tyson is chairman, announced that Curt Callaway, who had been made interim CFO, will take over on a permanent basis. John Randal Tyson will stay on as an employee at the company on a health-related leave. In connection with the appointment, Calaway, 50, got a salary hike to $675,000 and hell now stand to collect a possible cash bonus this year of $742,500 and another possible $300,000, Tyson Foods told investors. The effective date is June 13, when the company called on the 18-year finance veteran to stand in as interim CFO. Calaways total potential comp of $1.7 million is far less than the value of former CFO John R. Tysons pay in 2023, according to a company report. Tysons comp was valued at roughly $2.9 million, however Tyson held both the CFO position and the chief sustainability officer role concurrently. The company did not immediately respond to a request for additional information. John Randal had been in line to become CEO, but he has had a rocky stint at the Springdale, Ark., company since joining in 2019. In his debut job, Tyson was made chief sustainability officer. Then, in 2022, when he was 32, he became the youngest CFO in the Fortune 500 when he was promoted to that critical position at the $21 billion firm. His fate at the company took its first turn just six weeks later, when the scion was arrested in a bizarre incident in Fayetteville, Ark., where he lives. In the wee hours of a Sunday morning, Tyson was found asleep in a strangers bed, stripped down to nothing but a pair of orange boxer shorts. He was charged with trespassing and public intoxication, for which he eventually pleaded guilty and paid fines. Tysons career at his familys company survived that incident. He apologized to employees in an email, and acknowledged the event during his first earnings call appearance. But less than two years later, he was posing for his second mug shot in as many years. The officer who made the June traffic stop wrote in the arrest report obtained by Fortune that he saw Tyson misjudge a turn and ride up onto a curb before bouncing back into the road. When he approached the car, he could smell a strong odor of intoxicants coming from inside and noticed that Tysons eyes were red and watery. Tyson was about 10 minutes away from his home near the outskirts of town. But he was charged with a DWI, making an improper turn, and careless driving. Tyson explained to the University of Arkansas police officer who pulled him over that night that he had been celebrating with friends and family ahead of his sisters wedding. Once Tyson was suspended, it was anyones guess whether the company would eventually allow him to return. His father, John H. Tyson, had a history of drug and alcohol use in college and in the early years of his career, as he told the New York Times in 2001. (He has been sober since 1990.) John Randals grandfather, Don Tyson, was known for his lavish parties and indulgent lifestyle. Before his arrests, John Randal was seen as competent and serious about his job. One person who is familiar with John Randal and who asked to remain anonymous said that he believes the young Tyson was put into the job when he wasnt ready, but that he has the capacity to become a great CEO, once he matures. He also speculates it could still happen. At 32, the talk was [John Randal] was too young to be in the role. He obviously screwed up, this person said. There's a very good chance that he's going to be on the fringes for five years, and then there'll beafter everyone's forgotten everythinga reintroduction. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Alro Steel, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Potterville, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump asked a federal court late Thursday to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, seeking a pathway to overturn his felony conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing next month. Lawyers for the current Republican nominee asked the federal court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried, arguing that the historic prosecution violated his constitutional rights and ran afoul of the U.S. Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity ruling. Trumps lawyers, who failed last year in a pretrial bid to get the case shifted to federal court, said moving it now will give him an unbiased forum, free from local hostilities" to address those issues. In state court, they said, Trump has been the victim of bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety." If the case is moved to federal court, Trumps lawyers said they will then seek to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed on immunity grounds. If the case remains in state court and Trump's sentencing proceeds as scheduled on Sept. 18 about seven weeks before Election Day it would be election interference, his lawyers said, raising the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting under way. Trump's request Thursday is poised to be decided by the same Manhattan federal judge who rejected his earlier bid to move the case a decision that cleared the way for his trial in state court. The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election and voters located far beyond Manhattan, Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a 64-page U.S. District Court court filing. The Manhattan district attorneys office, which prosecuted Trump's case and fought his previous effort to move the case out of state court, declined to comment. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for New York's state court system. Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses. Trump maintains that the stories were false, that reimbursements were for legal work and logged correctly, and that the case against him was part of a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at damaging his current presidential campaign. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine. Even if Trumps case isnt moved to federal court, ensuing legal wrangling could force his sentencing to be delayed, giving him a critical reprieve as he navigates the aftermath of his criminal conviction and the homestretch of his White House run. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime. Separately, the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, is weighing Trump's requests to postpone sentencing until after Election Day, Nov. 5, and to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Courts immunity decision. The high court's July 1 ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a presidents unofficial actions were illegal. Trumps lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, and that the trial was tainted by evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how he reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018. Trumps lawyers had previously invoked presidential immunity in a failed bid last year to get the hush money case moved from state court to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected Trumps claim that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties, writing in July 2023, The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, Hellerstein added. Trump appealed the ruling, but abandoned that fight just before a November 2023 deadline to file paperwork stating why he felt Hellerstein should be overturned. Trumps lawyers argued in Thursday's filing that circumstances had changed since they initially attempted to get the case moved to federal court. Among other things, they said state prosecutors had misled the court by saying earlier that the trial wouldnt involve Trumps official duties or actions as president. There was also testimony, they said, from Cohen about Trumps potential use of pardon power and his response to various investigations into his conduct. All that testimony, they wrote, had to do with Trumps actions as president. President Trump is entitled to a federal forum for his Presidential immunity defense based on the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. United States, Blanche and Bove wrote. After this case is properly removed, President Trump will establish that the charges must be dismissed. Blanche and Bove also reiterated their claims that Merchan has treated Trump unfairly because Merchans daughter is a Democratic political consultant, and they argued that the judge is wrongly muzzling Trump with a gag order he kept in place after the verdict. Merchan this month rejected Trumps latest request that he step aside from the case, saying Trumps demand was a rehash rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recently upheld the gag order. Merchan "is poised to incarcerate President Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, and he has maintained an unwarranted and unconstitutional prior restraint on President Trumps ability to respond to political attacks by criticizing the New York County proceedings, Blanche and Bove said. Former President Donald Trump during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Donald Trump's campaign is trying to fend off criticism over its Arlington National Cemetery visit. The Army issued a statement reiterating its ban on "political activities on cemetery grounds." Trump said he was "very happy" that he took photos at Arlington with a family's permission. Former President Donald Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery is devolving into a real PR problem for his campaign. Trump visited the cemetery on Monday for an event to commemorate the third anniversary of the attack on US troops withdrawing from Afghanistan. But his visit drew flak after the cemetery said that Trump staffers had filmed sections of the burial grounds they weren't authorized to record and that Trump staff pushed a cemetery official who tried to stop the campaign from filming. Arlington confirmed to Business Insider on Wednesday that there was an "incident" at the cemetery and "a report was filed." The US Army's public-affairs division issued a statement on Thursday, defending the Arlington employee and reiterating its stance on how people should behave at the cemetery. "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's statement said. "An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside," the statement added, saying that the cemetery employee "acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption." "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked," the 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 nation's fallen deserve." When asked about the incident in a Thursday interview with NBC News, Trump said that he didn't know "what the rules and regulations are" or "who did it." "All of a sudden, I hear that somebody, that I have no idea who it is got into an argument with somebody else at the cemetery about pictures being taken," Trump said. "I took them at the request of the families, and I'm very happy I did." A TikTok clip posted by the Trump campaign showed him laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and later laying a bouquet on the gravestone of a soldier in Section 60, where many troops who died in Iraq or Afghanistan are buried. The family of one of the Green Berets buried in Section 60, Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, spoke out about Trump filming next to his grave, The New York Times reported. Marckesano's sister Michele told the Times that "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." "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. The campaign denies wrongdoing Trump's campaign, like Trump, has denied any wrongdoing at the cemetery. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, said at a Wisconsin campaign event on Wednesday that the former president was at Arlington "providing emotional support to a lot of brave Americans who lost loved ones they never should have lost, and there happened to be a camera there, and somebody gave them permission to have that camera there." "You guys in the media, you're acting like Donald Trump filmed a TV commercial at a gravesite," Vance said. Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, told BI on Tuesday: "There was no physical altercation as described, and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made." Responding to NBC's queries about the Army's claim that a cemetery official had been pushed, Cheung said: "False. Not even remotely true, and this person is a liar." "As someone who was there, this employee was the one who initiated physical contact that was unwarranted and unnecessary," he said to NBC. And Trump's campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted a comment Thursday on X, along with a video of Trump at the wreath-laying ceremony. "Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy," he wrote. Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy https://t.co/6ePp2C8jMb Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) August 29, 2024 A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON (AP) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. In a fireside chat conversation in the nations capital, the former president will seek to shore up support and enthusiasm among a major part of his base. The bulk of the groups 130,000-plus members are conservatives who agree with him that parents should have more say in public education and that racial equity programs and transgender accommodations dont belong in schools. Yet Trump also will run the risk of alienating some moderate voters, many of whom see Moms for Libertys activism as too extreme to be legitimized by a presidential nominee. A year ago, Moms for Liberty was viewed by many as a rising power player in conservative politics that could be pivotal in supporting the Republican ticket. The groups membership skyrocketed after its launch in 2021, fueled by parents protesting mandatory masking for students and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the last several months, a series of embarrassing scandals and underwhelming performances during local elections have called Moms for Libertys influence into question. The group also has voiced support for Project 2025, a detailed and controversial playbook for the next conservative presidency from which Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself. Moms for Liberty serves on the advisory board for Project 2025, and the author of the documents education chapter taught a strategy session at the groups Friday gathering. The negative perceptions about Moms for Liberty around the country could increase the potential liability for Trump as he sits down with co-founder Tiffany Justice on Friday evening, said University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett. It certainly helps him rally his base, Jewett said. But will that be enough to outdo the backlash? Justice said she looks forward to asking Trump about what was important in his kids' lives and his kids' education. I think the fascinating thing about Donald Trump is that he's a father and a grandfather, but he's involved his children in business and in politics with him, she said. They have a very strong family. And so I think we'll enjoy hearing more about that from him tonight. Justice disputed the idea that her group's influence is waning, pointing to the 60% of Moms for Liberty-backed candidates who won their recent races in the Florida primaries. Thats a really big deal, she said, especially considering that many of the school board hopefuls the group endorses are first-time candidates running against incumbents. She also noted three Moms for Liberty members who won Florida House primaries, showing the group's reach into other political offices. The group, which as a nonprofit is officially nonpartisan, said it also invited both Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who recently suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump, to speak at the gathering. Neither is scheduled to make an appearance. Trump hasnt shared details of what hell discuss at the gathering, but his campaign pointed to his education proposals, which include promoting school choice, giving parents more say in education and awarding funding preference to states and school districts that abolish teacher tenure, financially reward good teachers and allow parents to directly elect school principals. He also has called for terminating the Department of Education, barring transgender athletes from playing in girls sports, and cutting funding from any schools pushing inappropriate racial, sexual or political content. President Trump believes students should be taught reading, writing and math in the classroom not gender, sex and race like the Biden Administration is pushing on our public school system, said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary. The event took on a party-like atmosphere as the group awaited Trump's arrival to a hotel ballroom in Washington. Donning shirts with messages like Moms for Trump and We dont co-parent with the government, attendees at the groups annual gathering ate buffet desserts, drank beer and cheered to a cover band playing country hits. Vice President Harris has criticized her Republican opponent for his threats to dismantle the Department of Education. She also has spoken out against efforts to restrict classroom content related to race. Democrats have lauded her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for an executive order he signed protecting the rights of LGBTQ people to receive gender-affirming health care in his state. Republicans, including Trump, have lambasted him for it. During a campaign stop earlier Friday in Johnstown in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Trump offered extensive criticism of the media for what he called unfavorable coverage and singled out CNN for its interview with Harris and Walz on Thursday. Moments later, a man rushed the media area and made it over a bike rack barrier and close to a riser where television reporters were watching the rally. Private security pushed him back, and the man was eventually subdued by law enforcement using a Taser. Trump at first said of the man, hes on our side, but its not clear what his intent was. As police led the man away, the former president declared, Is there anywhere thats more fun to be than a Trump rally? Johnstown was once a steel-producing hub but has seen its factories close over the decades. In his speech, Trump vowed to restore American manufacturing by imposing steep tariffs on goods from China and other foreign countries. He also used energy-rich Pennsylvania as a backdrop to deride Harris for once suggesting shed be willing to ban hydraulic fracturing a position her campaign says she no longer supports. The former president said he was exposing how bad its going to be in Pennsylvania and our country if we stop doing the fossil fuel thing. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. In this undated photo, two members of a Holistic Assistance Response Team (HART) pose in front of a vehicle. Bailey Gallion More of Harris County's 911 calls will be diverted to a mental health crisis team instead of law enforcement officers after a year-long pilot program in a handful of neighborhoods handled thousands of non-violent incidents. Since March 2022, the county's Holistic Assistance Response Team, or HART, program has dispatched mental health and social work professionals instead of law enforcement to some types of emergency calls. In the first year, it diverted 2,265 calls from law enforcement responses in the Cypress Station area in north Harris County. MORE ON HARRIS COUNTY: Harris County signals support for adding courts, public defenders Advertisement Article continues below this ad The project is a collaboration between the Harris County Sheriff's Office and Harris County Public Health to free up law enforcement to focus on violent crime, reduce hospitalizations in the county's safety net hospital system and increase enrollment in physical and mental health treatment plans. Harris County Commissioners Court voted May 16 to broaden the program from mostly daytime hours to a round-the-clock and expand it into Precinct 4 at an additional cost of $2.9 million. In the program's first year, the top three call types HART members responded to involved welfare checks, suspicious persons and mental health calls. HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH: Harris County Public Health program aims to be one-stop shop for helping vulnerable communities The teams work with homeless residents, people suffering from mental illness and, in some cases, overwhelmed and struggling parents, said Victoria Moreau, a HART program field training officer and crisis intervention specialist. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In one case, Moreau said she responded to a 911 caller concerned about an individual at a local gas station. At the scene, Moreau learned the man was homeless and experiencing a mental health crisis. "So, law enforcement and HART had to work together to come up with contacting friends, family, helping them get back in communication with them so we can get him off the street, get his possessions taken care of, so he's not putting himself in danger or putting others in danger," Moreau said. "His family wasn't aware he was on the street. Once they were made aware of that, they wanted to step in and help." Moreau said she was drawn to the job because of the opportunity to work with people in crisis. "I come from working in the mental health field and what attracted me to it was the idea of being with the individual at their immediate time of need not after, when they say they've come down from a mental health crisis, or when they're in recovery for substance abuse," Moreau said. Jacob Feldman joined the HART program after 15 years working in emergency medical services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The square peg doesn't always fit in a round hole," the emergency medical technician said. "If jail's not the answer and the hospital is not the answer, someone needs to be able to facilitate that gap. And that's where we come in." More than one in five adults with mental illness are uninsured in Texas, making it the worst in the nation for mental health care, according to a recent Forbes Advisor study. Researchers also found Texas is home to the highest percentage of adults with cognitive disabilities who could not see doctors due to cost, and the highest percentage of youth who had an untreated major depressive episode in the past year. The Harris County Jail is considered the state's largest mental health facility. Among the 9,640 people currently being held at the jail, 80 percent have mental health indicators and 30 percent are on psychotropic medication. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When responding to non-urgent, non-violent calls diverted to the HART program, part of the goal is to connect people with available resources. "A lot of times when we show up people are just appreciative to have someone listen," Feldman said. "And then from there, we can direct them toward a longer-term solution." That can mean helping an individual get to a shelter, connecting them with counseling options or informing them of employment resources. Now, the program is expanding to Harris County Sheriff's Office District IV, a 206-mile area with more than 450,000 residents located mostly within Commissioner Lesley Briones' Precinct 4. The goal for fiscal 2024 is to respond to 7,500 calls in District IV, or roughly one-third of the total calls in that area last year that would have been eligible for HART. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "HART makes our community safer by connecting those in crisis with treatment and by freeing up law enforcement officers to focus on violent crime. It is a win-win," Briones said in a statement. The county estimates the program will be operating in the expanded area by September, initially hiring two teams and working up to six. When the program first was announced in August 2021, Harris County Deputies' Organization President David Cuevas said law enforcement would have to step in when situations turned violent, saying, "You should never send civilian personnel to a situation where law enforcement are needed to begin with." Canva Tech savvy and away from home, college students are tapping into telehealth services rather than having to rely solely on student health centers. Telehealth has become a back-to-school basic for the collegiate set, 71% of whom report using a telehealth service, as compared to 54% of the general population, according to a 2024 study conducted by Hers. What's the result of more college students turning to telehealth? 71% of college students also self-identify as "healthy" as compared to 60% of Americans overall, and 31% report their health is "amazing" (a 5 on a 5-point scale) as compared to 21% of the general population. College students were the most likely of any demographic to say their health has changed for the better in the past three years (47% vs. 37% of the general population). College students today were in their formative teen years during the pandemic when telehealth services mainstreamed across America (with telemental health care increasing 10x during the pandemic). For many of them, telehealth care is health care, so it makes sense that telehealth services are a natural choice for them when they leave their hometowns, and primary care physicians, to go to school. Gen Z Is More Likely to Access Telehealth Services For Mental Health Care College students are much more likely than the general population to tap into telehealth services for their mental health needs. 66% have gotten a prescription for their mental health from a telehealth company compared to 55% of the general population. Furthermore, 68% of college students report being highly emotionally stable as compared to 59% of Americans overall, and 43% report their mental health has improved over the past three years vs. 38% of total respondents. Research also shows that online mental health interventions, which include web-based self-help, apps, and chatbots, can be effective in managing diverse mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia) among youth. For Gen Z, a generation known for advocating for mental health awareness, virtual health care as a way to make mental health treatment more accessible and less stigmatizing. Underscoring their interest in mental health, 47% of college students have proactively educated themselves about mental health compared to 35% of Americans overall. They're talking more about things like anxiety and depression and sharing their experiences on social media. Weight loss products also rank high on college students' telehealth lists; 64% have purchased a weight loss product from a telehealth company (maybe a weight loss medication, weight loss injections, or weight loss supplement) vs. 53% of the general population. And then of course there's sex. Sexual health is the top health care category students' are utilizing from telehealth companies. College students aren't the only group leading the telehealth revolution. Time-strapped parents are also telehealth leaders: 69% of working parents reported using telehealth services, compared to 54% of total respondents. Hers 50 Cities Ranked By Usage of Telehealth Services Percentage of residents per city who report using telehealth services. Albuquerque, NM, 91% Omaha, NE, 70% Honolulu, HI, 69% Kansas City, KS, 67% Little Rock, AR, 66% San Diego, CA, 66% Providence, RI, 65% St. Louis, MO, 65% Baltimore, MD, 64% New Orleans, LA, 64% Salt Lake City, UT, 64% Memphis, TN, 63% Milwaukee, WI, 63% Austin,TX, 62% Birmingham, AL, 62% Oklahoma City, OK, 62% Norfolk, VA, 61% Raleigh, NC, 59% Sacramento, CA, 59% Indianapolis, IN, 57% Phoenix, AZ, 56% Denver, CO, 56% New Haven, CT, 55% Washington DC, 55% Detroit, MI, 55% Minneapolis, MN, 55% Greenville, SC, 54% Las Vegas, NV, 54% Houston, TX, 53% Seattle, WA, 53% New York, NY, 51% Miami, FL, 51% San Antonio, TX, 51% Orlando, FL, 50% Louisville, KY, 50% San Francisco, CA, 50% Atlanta, GA, 49% Charlotte, NC, 49% Chicago, IL, 49% Boston, MA, 48% Nashville, TN, 48% Tampa, FL, 47% Philadelphia, PA, 45% Dallas, TX, 45% Columbus, OH, 43% Cleveland, OH, 42% Los Angeles, CA, 41% Pittsburgh, PA, 40% Des Moines, IA, 38% Portland, OR, 30% Data & Methodology This study is based on a 5,504-person online survey, which included 5,000 18-to-65-year-old respondents in the top 50 metropolitan areas (100 respondents per city) and a nationally representative sample of 504 18-to-65-year-old respondents to contextualize results. The study was fielded in May 2024. Findings were analyzed by more than 100 demographic and psychographic cuts, including city, region, gender (when we refer to "women" and "men," we include all people who self-identify as such), age, race and ethnicity, relationship status, parenting status, sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, queer, etc.), and political affiliation, among other areas of interest. All data in this study are from this source, unless otherwise noted. Independent research firm, Culture Co-op, conducted and analyzed research and findings. Tips For Making the Most of Telehealth Whether you're a Gen Z-er headed back to college or you're looking to take a page out of their book and give telehealth a try, here are a few tips to make the most of your virtual visits. Write down your questions ahead of time. Before your appointment, write down any questions you have that you want to make sure you ask your provider to ensure you don't forget anything in the moment. Do your research. If you're interested in prescription weight loss treatments, for example, you might be wondering how to ask your doctor for weight loss pills or Ozempic. If you're interested in mental health medication, you may want to do some research on anxiety medication or depression medication to familiarize yourself with what's out there so you can ask your provider more informed questions. Make sure you know how to log in. Before your appointment, make sure you know where to log in. If it's a portal and you need to set up an account, do that ahead of time. If there's an app on your phone, have it downloaded. That way when it comes time for your appointment, you'll be ready to go and won't have to worry about any logistics. Ask about insurance. Many telehealth companies don't require insurance and offer transparent pricing for care that's not only more accessible but can also be more affordable, especially for those without insurance. This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, according to a presidential decree. The dismissal was announced just a day after the Ukrainian military reported that an F-16 jet crashed and its pilot died while repelling a major Russian strike on Monday. "I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces... I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his evening address. He did not give a reason for dismissal but mentioned that personnel must be protected, and that there was a need to strengthen the command level. Ukraine's General Staff said that General Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka would temporarily perform the duties of commander. The Ukrainian military did not provide a reason for Monday's crash but said the jet came down while it was approaching a Russian target. Oleshchuk said on Monday partners from the U.S. were helping to investigate the incident. A U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash did not appear to be the result of Russian fire, and possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure were still being investigated. The arrival of the first F-16 jets was a milestone for Ukraine in the fight against the full-scale invasion Russia launched 2-1/2 years ago. (This story has been corrected to remove incorrect reference to the crash being on Thursday in the headline) (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Toby Chopra) View CEO Rao Mulpuri. Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Rebecca Zisser/Insider The SoftBank-backed glassmaker View filed for bankruptcy in April, three years after its SPAC merger. CEO Rao Mulpuri has stepped down from View, which was taken private by two investors. Insiders told BI he had a magic touch with investors but that staff lived in fear of being fired. Five months after the glassmaker View filed for bankruptcy, CEO Rao Mulpuri has stepped down. Under his tenure, View raised $1.1 billion from SoftBank in 2018 and went public in 2021. It struggled as a public company and ran low on cash several times before declaring bankruptcy in April. Mulpuri announced his departure Thursday night in a memo to employees, which he also posted on LinkedIn. "After 15 incredible years, I have decided it's time to leave View Inc. What a ride it has been! A journey of a lifetime, filled with many ups and downs, but never a dull moment," he wrote. View makes eco-friendly windows that darken when it's sunny, which reduces air-conditioning energy costs. The Milpitas, California-based firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize without liquidating all its assets. Two of View's longtime investors, Cantor Fitzgerald and the real-estate firm RXR, have taken the company private. Cantor sponsored the special-purpose acquisition company that merged with View to take it public, raising $815 million. On August 22, the financial-services firm agreed to a $12 million settlement to end a lawsuit by SPAC investors who alleged they were misled. Cantor did not reply to a request for comment in time for publication. According to a separate memo sent to employees Friday morning, two board members will run View as co-CEOs: Joshua Spellman, the chief of staff at Cantor, and Andrew Min, a senior vice president at RXR. Mulpuri had led View since 2008, replacing one of the firm's cofounders. Previously, he led the Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Novellus Systems. He is known for his magic touch with investors, managing to raise cash for View multiple times when funds ran low, including from the now bankrupt financier Greensill Capital. "He's always been able to pull a rabbit out of a hat when it comes to procuring more money for the company," one banker familiar with View previously told Business Insider. In 2022, BI spoke with 29 former and current View employees. They described a culture of micromanagement and said they were afraid of being fired. All but one spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of reprisal from View. Their identities are known to Insider. Mulpuri obsessively monitored tweets and LinkedIn posts about View and asked people to write positive reviews of the company on Glassdoor, multiple former employees said. Two former employees in the corporate office said View staff called him "Chairman Rao," an inside joke rhyming his name with the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. "If you didn't agree with the company's potential or the rosy picture, or how we were going to revolutionize and change the world, you were kept on the outside," one of the employees said. Mulpuri did not comment in time for publication. In his note, he hinted that he would return to the startup industry. He would be "back in the saddle" building things "sooner than later," he wrote, adding: "Stay tuned." Read the story on how it went from investor darling to problem child: SoftBank's View went from investor darling to one of the worst SPAC deals ever. Insiders say the glassmaker has struggled with cash burn for years, while many lived in fear of being fired. Correction: August 30, 2024 An earlier version of this story misdescribed one of View's investors. Cantor Fitzgerald is a financial-services firm, not a law firm. Read the original article on Business Insider Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit NetApp has expanded its support for VMware products to help local customers and channel partners. This includes updated support for VMware Cloud Foundation, capabilities for Azure VMware solution, enhanced VM optimisation features for NetApp Cloud insights, giving mutual customers the ability configure their IT environments appropriately. The storage vendor is also working closely with local customers and channel partners through VMWare optimisation workshops, to help them understand and enhance their virtualisation environments using advanced tools. This will ensure they can handle VMware workloads regardless of size or complexity of their operations. When this brief press release about the Brooklyn Museums transformative reinstallation of the American Art galleries hit my inbox two weeks ago, my surprised reaction was: Havent we been there and done that, relatively recently? Going beyond that cryptic announcement is this more comprehensive description of the content and concepts of the new presentation. As may be remembered by CultureGrrl devotees and Wall Street Journal readers (not to mention Brooklyn Museum aficionados), I came down hard on the museums 2016 sweeping overhaul of the encyclopedic museums distinguished permanent collection of American art in a mere seven months, as I described that rushed undertaking in my above-linked WSJ review from Sept. 20, 2016. To my mind, the result was a misfire, as reflected in the editors subhead for my putdown: Image from my WSJ review, published 8 years ago The quick turnaround of the latest comprehensive re-do suggests that todays Brooklyn curators may have found some merit in my critique of the previous rehang of the museums Luce Center for American Art. As I wrote then: The new installation is sabotaged by political polemics: It seems perversely fixated on whats shameful in our countrys past. While its legitimate to raise uncomfortable issues, the relentlessness of the negative critique makes the installation sometimes seem less a celebration of American culture and achievements than a recitation of our nations faults. Exemplifying this methodological illogic was fact that the 2016 reinstallation was brought to fruition by assistant curator Connie Choi, a month before Brooklyns new full curator of American art, Kimberly Orcutt, arrived on the scene, as I reported in my WSJ piece. Theres been yet another regime change, with Stephanie Sparling Williams as the current Curator of American Art and Kimberli Gant as curator of modern and contemporary art, as announced in the museums 2021 press release (no longer on the museums website but retrieved from my emails): Image from the press release announcing the 2021 appointments of Sparling Williams and Gant Sparling Williams stepped up to her current post from positions as associate curator at the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, South Hadley, MA, and visiting lecturer in art history and African American studies at Mount Holyoke. Gant had been curator of modern and contemporary art at the Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA. The in-progress 5th-floor reinstallation (opening Oct. 4, in conjunction with the museums 200th Birthday Celebration) comports with the current woke sensibilities that inform many of the Brooklyn Museums presentations: Black feminist and BIPOC perspectives act as through lines in this vast presentation of more than 400 works, according to the museums announcement. In each of eight galleries, youll find a thought-provoking framework inspired by the abundant contributions of historically marginalized cultural producers. Curators and NYC drag queens both have roles to play here, as the announcement notes. Paradigm-shifting interactions with millennia of art are the new order of the day. Below is the signature image of the reinstallation, as featured in the American art galleries new press release, titled: Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art: Laura Wheeler Waring, Woman with Bouquet, ca. 1940 Estate of Laura Wheeler Waring Photo: Brooklyn Museum Works by Waring (1887-1948) also appeared in the Metropolitan Museums recent Harlem Renaissance show, where (as I wrote here) I was stopped in my tracks by the transfixing star power of this portraits regal subject: Laura Wheeler Waring, Marian Anderson, 1944, National Portrait Gallery, Washington Photo by Lee Rosenbaum With all the staff turnover at the Brooklyn Museum under the directorship of Anne Pasternak (who assumed her post in 2015), I was very glad to see that at least one expert whom Ive long admired, Nancy Rosoff, senior curator, Arts of the Americas, still remains. Nancy Rosoff at the Brooklyn Museums 2011 Tipi: Heritage of the Great Plains, in front of Lyle Heavy Runners Blackfeet Tipi, 2010, commissioned for that show I must also say that notwithstanding my reservations about some of the changes that Pasternak has brought about, Ive admired much of what she has accomplished, and I deplore the attacks to which she has recently been subjected. The last should go without saying. These days, regrettably, it needs to be said. by Sumon Corraya Over 5.4 million people affected, with more than a million families submerged. Many homes were destroyed, like that of Sumi Rani in Feni: Everything we owned is gone. Despite the receding waters in some areas, the crisis remains in the south of the country. Christian organisations like Caritas Bangladesh and the government have initiated aid. Experts call for urgent measures against climate change. Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Bangladesh is grappling with the consequences of the devastating floods that have affected an area inhabited by over 5.4 million people. At a press conference yesterday, the Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, KM Ali Reza, reported that 1,072,579 families were submerged in water. So far, 3,403 shelters have been opened, accommodating over 500,000 people. The death toll from the floods has risen to 52, including 39 men, six women and seven children. Among the worst affected districts are Feni, Comilla, Chittagong, Noakhali, Cox's Bazar, Khagrachari, Brahmanbaria, Laxmipur, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sylhet. In Feni alone, 17 deaths were reported, while in Comilla 14 and in Noakhali eight. The story collected by AsiaNews of Sumi Rani, a Hindu woman in her seventies originally from Feni, is one of the many dramatic ones in these hours. When she returned to her home, Rani wept at the sight of the devastation. The floods had severely damaged her house, leaving it in ruins. Although there is some water left, food is scarce. There is no rice at home, no cooker to cook it. Our pets have been wiped out. Everything we owned is gone, she says. Rani lived with four family members in a mud house with a thatched roof. When the floods hit Feni, her village was among the first to be swept away. She and her family managed to find shelter in a nearby flood shelter, with the help of locals. Now that the waters have receded, she has returned, but has found her house uninhabitable. The floor is soft, sinking underfoot, only the roof and walls remain standing. While the flood situation has improved in some upstream districts, others continue to suffer. In southern districts, such as Noakhali, Laxmipur and Chandpur, conditions remain dire. Heavy rains and high tides have also raised the water level in coastal districts like Bagerhat, aggravating the crisis. As the waters recede, the extent of the destruction becomes clearer. Roads are impassable and many mud houses have been destroyed. For those who have sought shelter in shelters, returning home is still not an option and it is expected to be a long time before normalcy returns to the affected areas. Christian organisations are at the forefront of the relief efforts, providing vital aid for the victims. However, the scale of the disaster requires continued support and solidarity from the global community. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated 400 million taka (over 3 million euro), 20,650 tonnes of rice and 15,000 food packages as aid. Caritas Bangladesh actively supported the flood victims. Officials reported that as of 28 August they have reached over 20,000 affected people and aim to assist more than 80mial people. Notre Dame College in Dhaka and the Bangladesh Catholic Student Movement (BCSM) have also launched initiatives to support those affected by the floods. According to experts, although the flood waters have begun to recede, serious shortages of food and clean water persist. As a result, there has been a significant increase in diarrhoeal diseases and other gastrointestinal problems. Respiratory conditions such as fever, colds, pneumonia and an increase in skin diseases have also been reported. Without appropriate intervention, these health problems could worsen. Many experts believe that sufficient medical teams and volunteers are needed in the affected areas, as well as the establishment of adequate field hospitals. The disaster underlines the need to intensify efforts to address the impacts of climate change. Permanent solutions to the problem of recurrent flooding must take priority. This includes initiatives to make rivers more navigable, allowing upstream runoff and rainwater to flow more freely. Without these measures, Bangladesh could face similar floods every year. Ainun Nishat, an expert on climate change and rivers, pointed out Bangladesh's lack of preparedness to deal with floods. We should have acted when the heavy rains started around 16 August, especially in the eastern part, he said. The Indian Meteorological Department's forecast predicted heavy rains, but nobody acted until it was too late. Texas State Rep. Shawn Thierry during a campaign event alongside over 50 African American pastors at Sunnyside Park on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Houston Democratic state Rep. Shawn Thierry, who lost her primary after breaking with her party last year to vote for a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, announced Friday she will be switching to the Republican Party. After much reflection, prayer, and soul-searching, I have come to a decision that aligns with my core values and the best interests of our beloved country, Thierry said in a lengthy statement on social media. The Democratic Party has veered so far left, so deep into the progressive abyss, that it now champions policies that I cannot, in good conscience, support policies like promoting sex changes for children during a vulnerable stage of their lives and dismantling Title IX protections for women in sports. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thierry discussed her decision to leave the party at a national summit for the conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty. Thierry lost a primary runoff race this May to union organizer Lauren Ashley Simmons after her challenger ran a campaign casting the incumbent as out-of-touch with the reliably blue District 146, a majority-minority district in south and southwest Houston. Thierry had sided with Republicans on several other bills last session, including a virtual ban on collegiate transgender athletes and another bill regulating book content in schools that LGBTQ advocates warned would lead to censorship. While Thierry was not the only Democrat to break with her party on the gender-affirming care ban for minors, she was by far the most vocal and gave an emotional 12-minute speech on the House floor before taking the vote that went viral online, especially amongst Republicans. Genspect, an anti-trans international organization that opposes gender-affirming care for children, announced earlier this month that it had hired Thierry as director of political strategy for its U.S. wing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas House Democratic Caucus chairman and San Antonio state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said Thierry was fired by the voters of her district because she didnt respect their will and what they wanted for their community. Thierry showed she now serves special interests and not their own after she accepted donations this year from conservative-aligned donors, he said. If Thierry looks a party taking away the freedom for women to control their bodies, cutting healthcare for millions, and led by a racist, petty convict and says I want in on that mess, I think that says more about Shawn Thierrry than about the Democratic party, Martinez Fischer said. Adios. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott applauded Thierrys decision Friday in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today, I am proud to welcome Representative Shawn Thierry to the Republican Party -- the party of opportunity, individual liberty, and economic prosperity," Abbott said. "Her decision to switch parties demonstrates that the radical leftist agenda of the Democrat Party does not align with a majority of Americans. Today's news: WHO announces temporary humanitarian pauses for polio vaccinations in Gaza; The Philippines will spend billion to modernise defence; The Constitutional Court in Seoul declared the country's climate targets unconstitutional as too soft; Schools closed in Karachi due to a depression in the Arabian Sea that could turn into a cyclonic storm. THAILAND Three foreign workers trapped in a collapsed train tunnel have died despite rescue efforts that lasted more than five days, Thai authorities said. The men, two from China and one from Myanmar, were still alive until Thursday and died of asphyxiation, according to initial investigations. The tragedy occurred in Pak Chong district, about 200 km north-east of the capital Bangkok. GAZA - ISRAEL The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it has received a preliminary commitment to allow temporary humanitarian pauses in Gaza for the distribution of polio vaccines, as the spread of disease and illnesses across the besieged Strip increases. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the Palestinian territory, said yesterday that the three breaks will take place from 6am to 3pm and will last three days each in different areas of Gaza, starting on Sunday. PHILIPPINES The Philippines wants to upgrade its armed forces with medium-range missiles and advanced fighter jets, two senior security officials said yesterday, spending at least billion to modernise its defence in the face of rising regional tensions. Armed Forces Chief Romeo Brawner told reporters that the Philippines wants to acquire more state-of-the-art weaponry. SOUTH KOREA Yesterday, South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled that most of the country's climate targets are unconstitutional, handing a historic victory to young environmental activists, who wept with joy on the steps of the court. They argued that South Korea's legally binding climate commitments were insufficient and unfulfilled, violating their constitutionally guaranteed human rights. Unconstitutional is the absence of a government target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2031 to 2050. PAKISTAN Heavy rains and stormy winds forced authorities in Pakistan's most populous city, Karachi, to close schools today due to a deep depression in the Arabian Sea that could turn into a cyclonic storm, according to the meteorological bureau. According to the weather bureau, parts of Karachi received 147mm of rain overnight and the city's mayor, Murtaza Wahab, in a post on X, asked residents to avoid unnecessary travel. GEORGIA The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabisvili, officially opened the election campaign for the parliamentary elections on 26 October, describing them as the equivalent of a referendum to choose between Europe and Russia in heartfelt tones, saying that submission to compromises with Moscow would in fact be a selling out of one's soul. RUSSIA The former editor-in-chief of Novaja Gazeta, Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov, has appealed to the Red Cross on behalf of political prisoner in Russia Aleksej Gorinov, 63, who is serving a seven-year sentence in a lager for fake news about the Russian armed forces, to provide him with adequate care after the torture he endured in his solitary confinement cell. Israel agreed to at least three days of humanitarian pause in Gaza to allow UN health officials to administer polio vaccines in the Palestinian territory, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday. According to what we discussed and agreed, the campaign will start on September 1, in central Gaza, for three days, and there will be a humanitarian pause during the vaccination, said Rik Peeperkorn, the agency's representative for the Palestinian territories. The vaccination campaign will also cover southern and northern Gaza, which will each have three days in turn, Peeperkorn told reporters, adding that Israel, which is waging a war there against the Islamist Hamas movement, agreed to allow an extra day if necessary. The goal is to immunise more than 640,000 children under the age of 10. A worker unloads a shipment of UNICEF-supplied polio vaccines into the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem border crossing - AFP/ EYAD BABA We underline the crucial importance of all parties honouring their commitments, WHO Deputy Director-General Michael Ryan told the UN Security Council. He said 1.26 million doses of NoPV2 vaccine have already been shipped to Gaza, with another 400,000 doses still to arrive. The drug is administered orally in two drops, although health workers will have to return in four weeks to administer two more to each child. So far, there has been no public discussion of a further humanitarian pause. Oren Marmorstein, Israel's foreign affairs spokesman, confirmed on social networking site X that his government has coordinated a large-scale operation with WHO and Unicef to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against polio. Hamas, for its part, said it supports the UN humanitarian truce. Robert Wood, US deputy ambassador to the UN, said it was vital that this campaign be carried out without delay and called on Israel to facilitate access and ensure periods of calm in the conflict. Poliovirus is highly infectious and is most often spread through sewage and contaminated water, an increasingly common problem in Gaza, with much of the infrastructure destroyed. The disease mainly affects children under the age of five. It can cause deformities and paralysis and is potentially fatal. 30 August 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more We are currently witnessing a transformative era known as the 4th Industrial Revolution. This new reality is marked by the widespread adoption of technologies designed to simplify our lives and ease our workloads. As these innovations unfold, they are driving profound, global changes. Concepts that once seemed like distant dreams are now becoming tangible realities, with the potential to evolve into even more remarkable advancements in the future. What is the 4th Industrial Revolution? The 4th Industrial Revolution, often abbreviated as Industry 4.0, represents a profound transformation in the way we live and work. Unlike previous industrial revolutions that were defined by new manufacturing technologies and processes, this revolution is characterized by the integration of advanced digital technologies into all aspects of human life. Key elements include artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, blockchain, and advanced data analytics. These technologies converge to create smart systems and automation that drive efficiency, innovation, and interconnectedness across industries. A quick look at previous industrial revolutions 1. First Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century): Marked by the advent of mechanized production, the introduction of steam engines, and the rise of textile factories. This period transformed agrarian societies into industrial powerhouses, spurring urbanization and significant economic growth. 2. Second Industrial Revolution (late 19th to early 20th century): Characterized by the expansion of electrical power, mass production techniques, and advancements in steel production and chemical processes. This era saw the growth of railways, telegraphs, and a more consumer-oriented economy. 3. Third Industrial Revolution (late 20th century): Driven by the development of digital technology, computers, and the internet. This period introduced automation in manufacturing, information technology, and the digital economy, reshaping industries and everyday life through computers and communication technologies. Azerbaijan's participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution On January 21, 2020, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During the forum, President Ilham Aliyev and Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, signed a memorandum of intent to establish the Azerbaijan Center within the World Economic Forums Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network. This initiative marked the creation of Azerbaijan's own Fourth Industrial Revolution Center, positioning the country as a key player in the global digital and technological landscape. Notably, the Azerbaijan Center is the first of its kind within the CIS region. Beginning April 1, 2021, the Center for the Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution will oversee the Azerbaijan Centers activities. This coordinating body will collaborate with the World Economic Forums platforms on artificial intelligence and machine learning, the Internet of Things and urban transformation, and digital commerce and economy. Through these partnerships, the Center plans to implement a range of initiatives across various economic sectors. Additionally, efforts are underway to establish and strengthen collaborations with other Fourth Industrial Revolution Centers around the world, including those in Turkiye, the UAE, Israel, and Japan. Azerbaijan is actively engaging with the 4th Industrial Revolution, driven by its strategic initiatives to modernize its economy and infrastructure. The government has recognized the potential of digital transformation and is investing in key areas such as smart city development, digital infrastructure, and technological innovation. Initiatives include: - Digital Transformation: Efforts to digitize public services and improve e-governance. - Innovation Hubs: Establishment of technology parks and innovation centers to foster startups and technological advancements. - Educational Reforms: Emphasis on STEM education and vocational training to build a skilled workforce adept in new technologies. What are the prospects for Azerbaijan? Azerbaijan's prospects in the 4th Industrial Revolution are promising, though there are challenges to address: 1. Economic Diversification: Moving beyond oil and gas to develop a more diverse economy, including technology and innovation sectors. 2. Infrastructure Development: Investing in digital infrastructure and connectivity to support smart technologies and digital services. 3. Talent Development: Fostering a skilled workforce through education and training in emerging technologies. If Azerbaijan can capitalize on these opportunities, it could become a regional leader in technology and innovation, enhancing its economic growth and global competitiveness. Which Countries will be ahead in the 4th Industrial Revolution and why? Countries leading the 4th Industrial Revolution are likely to be those with: Strong Technological Infrastructure: Nations with advanced digital networks, high-speed internet, and robust technological ecosystems are better positioned to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies. Examples include the United States, Germany, and South Korea. Innovation Ecosystems: Countries with thriving research and development (R&D) environments, strong intellectual property protections, and supportive government policies, such as China and Japan, are likely to lead. Skilled Workforce: Nations that invest in education and training for emerging technologies, such as Switzerland and Singapore, will have a competitive advantage. Economic and Policy Support: Countries with strategic economic policies that encourage investment in technology and innovation, like Israel and Finland, will be at the forefront of the revolution. In summary, the 4th Industrial Revolution is reshaping global economies and societies through digital transformation. While Azerbaijan is making strides in this area, the most advanced countries will likely be those with the best technological infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, skilled workforces, and supportive policies. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 13:44 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has been invited to the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, as confirmed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Azernews reports, citing TASS. Moscow has officially endorsed Bakus application for BRICS membership. Ryabkov expressed strong support for Azerbaijans bid, stating, We are very pleased about Azerbaijans application. We believe that Azerbaijan is a strong candidate that will bring additional dynamism and unique experiences to BRICS, particularly through its ability to handle multiple agendas in a constructive manner, which aligns with BRICS' values. The diplomat further explained that discussions are ongoing regarding the designation of partner states, a process initiated during the previous summit in Johannesburg. We are exploring various options and algorithms for establishing a list of partner states for the Kazan summit. Nonetheless, we firmly support Azerbaijans accession to BRICS, Ryabkov emphasized. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 17:11 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A meeting was held between "Azeristiliktejhizat" OJSC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss ongoing reforms and potential technical assistance for enhancing the organization's operations, Azernews reports. During the meeting, "Azeristiliktejhizat" provided an update on its modernization efforts and reforms aimed at strengthening its services. The organization, established in 2005, currently serves 180,000 apartments and approximately 3,000 commercial and budget-financed institutions across the country. Key topics included the new strategic objectives outlined in President Ilham Aliyevs April 29, 2022, Decree, which focuses on accelerating innovations in heat supply and improving efficiency. Ms. Candice McDeagan, head of ADBs office in Azerbaijan, highlighted the critical role of these reforms in the thermal energy sector. She noted that ADB would explore opportunities for collaboration to support these initiatives. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 18:13 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Chamber of Auditors ended 2023 with a profit of 159,000 manats, a decline of 54.3%, or approximately 2.2 times less than in 2022, Azernews reports. Last year, the Chamber's operating income totaled 1.329 million manats, down 12.7% from the previous year. This included membership fees of 1.188 million manats (up 10.7%), professional development and examination income of 45,000 manats (up 73.1%), grants and donations amounting to 94,000 manats (2.4 times more), and income from the reduction of reserves for bad debts totaling 2,000 manats (about 200 times less). During the reporting period, the Chamber's operating expenses were 1.17 million manats, a decrease of 0.4%. Expenses included 693,000 manats for employees (up 16.3%), 24,000 manats for travel (doubled), 87,000 manats for information and advertising (up 36%), 13,000 manats for printing and press (down 3.8 times), and 12,000 manats for information technology and office support (down 3.5 times). Depreciation expenses were 31,000 manats (down 10.7%), communication costs were 32,000 manats (up 52.4%), membership fee costs were 24,000 manats (up 14.3%), audit and professional consulting services amounted to 77,000 manats (up 32.8%), and other operating expenses totaled 38,000 manats (up 15.15%). Insurance, bank, conference, and rental expenses were unchanged at 3,000 manats, 7,000 manats, 33,000 manats, and 5,000 manats, respectively. Tax expenses were 5,000 manats (new), social expenses were 80,000 manats (new), and utility expenses were 5,000 manats (new). As of January 1, 2024, the Chamber's assets were 1.24 million manats, a 13.2% increase from the previous year. Liabilities decreased by 8.7% to 20,000 manats, while balance capital rose by 13.9% to 1.22 million manats. At the end of 2023, Azerbaijan had 157 auditor organizations and 69 independent auditors, representing increases of 2.6% and 21.05%, respectively. The total number of auditors in the country was 226, up 7.6% from the previous year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 16:19 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, met with the Rector of Baku State University (BSU), Elchin Babayev, Azernews reports. During the meeting, they discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Baku State University. According to the Public Relations and Information Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Majnun Mammadov provided detailed information to the guests about the main directions of the country's agricultural development strategy, state support for the agricultural sector, the activities of the ministry, and the innovative projects being implemented. It was noted that, as in all sectors of the economy, special attention is given to the development of the agricultural sector and the application of high technologies in this field. Minister Majnun Mammadov stated that the intensive development of agriculture directly depends on professional personnel. He added that there is an increasing need in Azerbaijan for professional personnel and specialists who are capable of efficiently using modern machinery and technologies that contribute to increased productivity in the agricultural sector. Emphasizing this, Minister Mammadov touched upon the importance of cooperation with Baku State University, which is distinguished by its significant role and reputation in the field of higher education and in the training of highly qualified specialists. Rector Elchin Babayev, in turn, provided the meeting participants with detailed information about the university's material and technical base, the training of specialists for the labor market, the enhancement of their professional skills, and the scientific research conducted at the university. He noted that one of the main goals is to train highly qualified pedagogical, engineering-technical, and scientific specialists who possess fundamental knowledge and innovative research skills in line with global standards, are competitive in both international and national labor markets, and are educated with a sense of patriotism. During the meeting, the parties extensively discussed issues of strengthening human resources, scientific research, and production collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Baku State University. Both sides emphasized their confidence that cooperation in the fields of education and scientific research would make a significant contribution to the development of the agricultural sector. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 19:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov met with a delegation from the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, led by Shamil Ayrim, head of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye inter-parliamentary friendship group, Azernews reports. According to the Ministry's Public Relations and Information Assurance Department, Minister Mammadov highlighted that Turkiye is a reliable partner of Azerbaijan not only in agriculture but across all sectors. He noted that cooperation in agricultural research, education, cotton growing, seed breeding, veterinary medicine, agricultural insurance, and other fields continues to progress successfully between the two countries. During the meeting, the potential for expanding bilateral relations in agriculture was emphasized. The discussions highlighted the importance of increasing the trade turnover of agricultural and food products, particularly by expanding Azerbaijan's exports to Turkish and European markets. Shamil Ayrim, representing the Turkish delegation, reaffirmed that the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are flourishing in all areas. He expressed confidence that these ties, including inter-parliamentary cooperation, would continue to strengthen and expand. Both parties exchanged views on enhancing the legislative framework to support cooperation in agriculture, signaling a mutual commitment to deepening their partnership in this key sector. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 15:38 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more On August 30, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, met with the delegation led by Sultan Mohammad, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Pakistan, who is visiting Azerbaijan to observe the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. The CEC Chairman spoke about the close friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan and provided the delegation with detailed information regarding the preparations for the election process, which will take place on September 1. Mazahir Panahov stated that there are currently over 6 million eligible voters in Azerbaijan and that 990 candidates are contesting in the elections. The CEC Chairman noted that there are more than 6,000 polling stations across the country, with 54 of them located in the liberated territories. He emphasized that the parliamentary elections are significant for Azerbaijani people, as this will be the first time in 30 years that elections to the Milli Majlis will be held in all territories of Azerbaijan. It was highlighted that the preparations for the elections have been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Azerbaijani Election Code, and comprehensive conditions have been created to ensure that voters can cast their votes comfortably. Sultan Mohammad, emphasizing that Pakistan is a friendly country to Azerbaijan and that Islamabad has always supported Azerbaijan on the issue of territorial integrity, said: Brotherly country Azerbaijan is on the eve of an important event, the snap parliamentary elections. We are confident that these elections will also be conducted in full compliance with the Election Code of the country, transparently and fairly. The Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Pakistan also noted that the preparations for the snap parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan have been organized at a high level and that the election legislation is in accordance with international standards. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 11:31 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The collaboration between Azerbaijan and Cambodia in combating the threat of landmines is growing stronger. This development was highlighted during a recent visit by a delegation from the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), led by ANAMA Board Chairman Vugar Suleymanov, to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Azernews reports. The ANAMA delegation engaged in discussions with key Cambodian officials, including Prum Sofeakmonkul, Vice President of the Cambodia Demining and Mine Victims Assistance Agency (CMAA); Lee Panhariz, Executive Director of CMAA; and Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodia Mine Clearance Center (CMAC). These meetings focused on sharing expertise in mine threat management, exploring future cooperation opportunities, and discussing demining methodologies and training programs. The delegation also met with the ASEAN department of Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as Ke Sovann, the Deputy Secretary of State responsible for mine threat issues. During this meeting, both nations, which are heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance, discussed the extent of the mine threat and potential areas for bilateral cooperation. Shovgi Mehdizade, Azerbaijans Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Cambodia, joined the discussions and activities. As part of the visit, the ANAMA team toured the CMAC Training Center to review its training capabilities, teaching methods, and resources. They also visited Siem Reap province, one of Cambodias most mine-contaminated areas, to observe demining operations, including manual demining and the use of demining dogs and rats. The delegation also explored the "Peace Museum" at CMAC, which showcases landmines, explosive remnants of war, and various historical exhibits illustrating Cambodias ongoing struggle with landmines. The exchange of knowledge and experience with Southeast Asian countries that have extensive backgrounds in mine action is expected to significantly enhance the future operations of ANAMA. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 14:28 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more In accordance with the plan of bilateral cooperation for 2024 signed between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Serbia, the Acting Chief of the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service Anar Ismayilov met with a delegation led by the Head of Military Health Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, Brigadier General Radivoje Andjelkovic, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. During the meeting held at the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense, a thorough exchange of views on the prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the field of military medicine, as well as on a number of issues of mutual interest was held. The guests were given a briefing on the organization of the medical service and military medical support in the Azerbaijan Army. Following the meeting, the Serbian delegation visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense and the Military Medical Faculty and got acquainted with the conditions created. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 11:53 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more In accordance with the Protocol of the 8th meeting signed on April 19, 2024, by the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Issues of Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the work on the approval of the Regulation on the Joint Activities of the Commissions has been completed, Azernews reports. The Regulation on the Joint Activities of the Commissions was duly signed on August 30, 2024. Currently, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have started their internal state procedures. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 13:16 (UTC+04:00) On August 30, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, made a phone call to Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, Azernews reports. The head of state congratulated Aleksandr Lukashenko on his birthday, wishing him good health and continued success in his endeavors. The President of Belarus expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his attention and congratulations. During the phone conversation, they commended the successful development of friendly relations between the two countries in various areas. Touching upon the importance of high-level contacts, they reiterated that President Aleksandr Lukashenkos state visit to Azerbaijan this year had contributed to the further strengthening of bilateral ties. The heads of state exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation and upcoming contacts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 19:55 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more August 30 is recognized by the UN as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The purpose of this day is to protect the rights of missing persons, seek information about their fate, and draw public attention to prevent such cases. It is essential to highlight the situation of up to 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing as a result of Armenian terror. Determining their fate is a serious humanitarian issue for both their families and the Azerbaijani government. The Armenian government continues to display its inhumane nature, as it did 30 years ago, by avoiding providing information about the missing Azerbaijanis. Considering the Khojaly and Meshali massacres, it is evident that the Armenians did not humanely treat Azerbaijani prisoners as required in the International Human Rights Standards Protecting Prisoners. It is no coincidence that Armenia, which always plays victim before international institutions, does not want its past with full of crimes to come to light. However, the testimonies of survivors who witnessed the horrors in Garabagh and the mass graves uncovered in areas liberated by the Azerbaijani army reveal the actions Armenians try to conceal. It has been repeatedly proven that Azerbaijanis were brutally tortured and killed in large numbers by Armenians. Yet, those guilty of crimes against humanity are not punished by the Armenian government and are even hailed as heroes. Interestingly, while the global community remains silent about such genocide and crimes, it harshly condemns the anti-terror measures conducted by the Azerbaijan Army in 2023 and accuses Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing" against Armenians. It should be noted that the Azerbaijani military did not fire a single bullet at the Armenians resettled in Azerbaijani territories, and the Azerbaijani police showed exceptional humanism towards Armenians returning to Armenia. Rewinding history of 30 years The winter season at night was the most favourable time for Armenian troops to attack civilians in Garabagh at a period when Azerbaijan was most vulnerable. Unarmed and often without proper clothing, people were targeted by Armenian militants and, at best, were shot without regard for women, children, or the elderly. Azerbaijani survivors who tried to hide in the forests faced even more terrifying fates, as ruthless Armenians waiting in the dark forests subjected them to various tortures and perhaps never to be heard from again. The tragedies in Garabagh continued until 1 million Azerbaijanis became internally displaced persons. Those who survived would remain haunted by the horrors they witnessed for the rest of their lives, mourning the loss of family members. Nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remain missing to this day. Letters, statements, and calls have been sent to international organisations repeatedly regarding this issue. But now, "human rights defenders" protecting Armenian rights ignore these facts. Anti-terror measures left no injury of Armenian civilians Armenian provocations that continued with intensity until 2020 were suppressed by counter-offensive operations of the Azerbaijani Army. In just 44 days, Garabagh was liberated from Armenian occupation. In September 2023, separatist elements in the region were neutralised. Despite all the provocations, Azerbaijan did not stop its humanism - on the contrary, it offered citizenship to the Armenians who remained in Karabakh. However, it was up to Yerevan to decide not to accept it, which insisted on their return to Armenia. Photos from that moment, especially in the picture where an Azerbaijani police officer politely treats Armenians, prove that no operation of "ethnic cleansing" was conducted. However, some international organisations, pro-Armenian elements within the European Union, and the Armenian lobby established in the US continue to cover up Armenias criminal history and make baseless accusations against Azerbaijan. It should be reiterated that the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis remains unknown today. Information about their current status, whether alive or killed, is still being withheld. Families are waiting for the bodies of their loved ones so they can at least give them a proper burial. Today, Azerbaijan continues to demand justice for the missing Azerbaijanis, while the public continues to support the fabricated Armenian genocide narrative. Azerbaijan, while accepting the principles and values of existing international legal documents that regulate or prohibit the use of mines and cluster munitions, including the "Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction" (the "Ottawa Convention") and the "Convention on Cluster Munitions" (the "Oslo Convention"), simultaneously encourages everyone, including official institutions and political circles that seek to defend Armenia, to take steps towards the official adherence to these laws. Why are the maps of the Armenian landmines, which are still hidden underground in Garabagh and recognised as the most dangerous enemy that continues to claim lives, not being handed over to Azerbaijan? At the same time, the lack of serious influence from international organisations on this matter remains evident. For 30 years, Armenia polluted Azerbaijani territories with mines, and during the Patriotic War, the rockets it fired on the cities of Ganja and Barda, along with the resulting civilian deaths, did not concern anyone. Unfortunately, it still doesnt. Yet, many organisations supporting Armenia shamelessly continue to use the term "ethnic cleansing" in their false statements about Garabagh. It is evident that the defence of human rights is carried out merely according to the political interests of certain countries. The crimes that were committed against Azerbaijanis, the nation of a country situated in one of the world's most strategically important location, and the Armenia's ignorance of international law, continue to be overlooked. Despite being the aggressor, the Armenian government portrays itself as the victim. However, Azerbaijan will no longer tolerate this disrespect and injustice. In this case, the steps taken by the pro-Armenian politicians, who exchanged their honor and identity for a bribe, will remain useless. The main thing is that Azerbaijan will be able to fight to the end to make the organizations that have witnessed these crimes and are silent one day speak out. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 17:56 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Russian House in Baku hosted an exhibition and lecture by Rustam Huseynov focussing on the work of the photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky and his colour photographs captured in Azerbaijan in the early of the 20th century. Researcher Rustam Huseynov spoke in detail about the three-colour photography method used by Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky, his large-scale photographic project, and photographs taken in Azerbaijan in 1905-1915. Particular attention was paid to the fate of his archive and legacy, the work of historians with his photographs today. Speaking with Azernews, Rustam Huseynov noted Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky's great talent as an artist and scientist. "Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky's work stands as not just an artistic photography collection but also as a vital historical record, with a keen focus on architectural heritage, rural life, and traditional attire. For those keen on Azerbaijani history, Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky's legacy is particularly significant due to his vibrant photographs in Baku, as well as the unique depictions of the country's regions and communities in Azerbaijan during the early 20th century," he said. "Possessing great artistic skills, Prokudin-Gorsky created eye-catching sketches of everyday life, leaving a vivid testament to the characteristics still seen in Azerbaijan today. His photographs are not only artistically valuable but also serve as unique historical documents critical to understanding Azerbaijan's past," he added. The audience showed a particular interest in the colour photographs from Saatly and Salyan, alongside images showcasing early industrialisation in the region. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz China to study suggestions on raising tariffs on large-engine fuel vehicles: ministry Xinhua) 10:02, August 30, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 30 August 2024 17:24 (UTC+04:00) Ruslan Nasibov, Azerbaijans Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, presented his credentials to Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Azernews reports, citing AZERTAC. During the meeting, Ambassador Nasibov conveyed greetings from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to President Kagame. In response, the Rwandan President asked the ambassador to communicate his own greetings to the Azerbaijani President. The discussion highlighted the existing ties of friendship and partnership between Azerbaijan and Rwanda, noting the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year. President Paul Kagame recalled his past visits to Azerbaijan and expressed a strong interest in strengthening bilateral relations and participating in the upcoming COP29 Conference, scheduled to take place in Baku this November. The ambassador also held a meeting with Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwandas Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Azerbaijani diplomat briefed the Rwandan Minister on the new realities emerging in the region following Azerbaijans restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty, the extensive restoration efforts in the liberated Azerbaijani territories, and the progress of the normalization process with Armenia, despite some forces attempting to hinder it. The meeting also included an exchange of views on prospects for cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 17:32 (UTC+04:00) A meeting was held in Baku between representatives of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan regarding the coordination of terrestrial service frequencies. During the meeting, in accordance with the relevant Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated July 24, 2023 on the allocation of funds for the expansion of the radio broadcasting network in the country, the uninterrupted operation of FM radio broadcasting stations installed in Baku city and the northern region and planned to be installed in the near future coordination work with Kazakhstan was discussed. Also, discussions were held on the coordination of frequencies of DAB+ standard digital radio broadcasting stations installed in Baku and to be installed in the northern region in connection with the transition to DAB+ standard digital radio broadcasting approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan dated October 7, 2023 No. 818s. At the request of Kazakh experts, experience was exchanged on digital radio broadcasting in Baku. During the meeting, relevant technical agreements were reached regarding the introduction of new generation mobile communication services in the 700 MHs and 800 MHs frequency bands. In addition to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the specialists of the Agency for Information Communication Technologies, the State Radio Frequencies Department, and "Teleradio" PU participated in the coordination meeting. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 18:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more During the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held on August 29-30 in Yaounde, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elnur Mammadov, announced new proposals to enhance the OIC's potential, Azernews reports. Speaking at the session, Mammadov expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for its successful chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers and wished success to the new chair, Cameroon. He detailed Azerbaijan's efforts to normalize relations with Armenia following the end of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, while highlighting ongoing provocations and threats from Armenia that have impeded the peace process. Mammadov stressed Azerbaijan's dedication to achieving lasting regional stability and cooperation. He pointed out that the end of the armed conflict in 2020 has created a unique opportunity for both nations to move beyond decades of enmity and build friendly relations. The Deputy Minister reaffirmed Azerbaijan's commitment to the normalization process offered to Armenia. Additionally, Mammadov announced that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) later this year, marking the third consecutive year the event has been held in an OIC member state. He emphasized that this is a significant opportunity for Azerbaijan to lead global climate discussions, building on its recent experience chairing the Non-Aligned Movement. Mammadov also introduced a proposal for establishing an OIC Labor Center as part of Azerbaijan's initiatives to increase the OIC's effectiveness. The session concluded with the adoption of four resolutions proposed by Azerbaijan, condemning Armenia's long-standing occupation and aggression and supporting Azerbaijan's efforts in reconstruction and development. One resolution also called for international recognition of the 1992 Khojaly massacre as genocide and a crime against humanity, urging the global community to support the "Justice for Khojaly!" campaign. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 30 August 2024 18:43 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Telegram's revenues in 2023 reached 342 million US dollars with an operating loss of 108 million, Azernews reports. According to the publication, Telegram's total losses after taxes in 2023 amounted to about 173 million US dollars. The financial losses were partially offset by the growth of digital assets on its balance sheet, the total value of which reached almost 400 million US dollars in 2023. In 2024, the company also sold native Toncoin coins worth about $244 million in cash. Telegram, as the publication notes, is fully owned by Durov, who owns a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency fortune, the company has also raised about $2.4 billion in debt financing with a maturity in 2026. This amount includes the placement of bonds for 1 billion US dollars in 2021. Among the investors are Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds. The publication notes that the detention in France and the indictment of the co-founder of the Telegram messenger Pavel Durov deal a blow to the company's plans for a successful IPO, resulting in large losses for securities holders. Earlier, the newspaper reported on Telegram's intention to launch an IPO in the next two years, possibly in the United States. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The bureaucrats who run Arlington National Cemetery and who answer to our woke joke of Defense Secretary, who is a Biden-Harris political appointee, should be ashamed of themselves for the way they harassed the 13 gold star families of soldiers fallen in the botched Biden-Harris bugout from Afghanistan. The treatment of these families was clearly politically motivated. The botched withdrawal and the American casulaties that resulted are an embarassment to Biden and Harris and they want it to go away. The first roadblock was trying to force the families to hold the service at a time that not all of them could attend. The second was the initial refusal to allow the invited guest of the families of the fallen, President Donald Trump to even attend. The families had invited Trump to attend and lay a wreath, which he accepted. To break the political impass on the ceremoney, it took the intervention of House Speaker Mike Johnson who finally straightened things out. Even after the event, the Arlington bureaucrats tried to quible about Trump bringing photographers, claiming that the families had requested no media. Howver, family members quickly pointed out that the families had invtied Trump to bring protographers and that the Arlington bureaucrats were lying. Neither Biden nor Harris even acknowledged the sacrafice of these 13 soldiers on the anniversary of their loss, yet their underlings did all they could to harrass the memorial service organized by the families. https://redstate.com/beckynoble/2024/08/29/arlington-gives-gold-star-families-the-run-around-over-trump-speaking-until-mike-johnson-steps-in-n2178680 https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2024/08/29/cnns-jennings-dems-are-craven-for-trying-to-turn-trumps-arlington-trip-into-political-garbage-attack/ 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. Here is a recap of five medical office building sales that have had the biggest price tags in the last two months, as reported by Becker's since July 3: 1. A medical office building in Tacoma, Wash., sold for $32.6 million to an entity affiliated with Healthcare Realty. 2. A medical office building in Cincinnati sold for $40 million to Varde Partners, an investment firm based in Minneapolis. The facility is occupied by the Cincinnati Eye Institute. 3. A medical office building in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., sold for $31.8 million to Anchor Healthcare Properties. An ASC run by physician-owned Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota with two operating rooms for orthopedic, podiatry, joint replacement and spinal surgery procedures, will be built out in the building soon. 4. A four-story medical office building in East Sacramento, Calif., sold for $45.55 million to Toledo, Ohio-based real estate investment firm Welltower. About 80% of the facility is leased to Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health. 5. AW Property Co., a North Palom Beach, Fla.-based real estate investment firm, purchased six medical office buildings in Greensboro, N.C., for $73 million. The six buildings are all either fully or partially leased by Greensboro-based Cone Health. About 4 in 10 U.S. workers report feeling well compensated in their roles, according to an Aug. 29 Linkedin News post. Of the 6,427 Americans surveyed between June 15 and July 26, baby boomers were most likely to say they felt well compensated, at 47%. Generation Z had the lowest levels of feeling well paid, at 37%. Millennials were higher at 42%, and 43% of Generation X workers surveyed said they were paid well, which was the same as the U.S. average. With respect to physicians, specialists received larger pay increases last year, according to a survey from the American Medical Group Association. It found that median compensation for primary care physicians increased 3.6%, compared to 5.1% and 5.5% raises for medical specialties and surgical specialities, respectively. Among LinkedIn survey respondents, 47% of men said they were paid well for their work compared to 39% of women. A recent study found that while there are gender pay gaps among medical school faculty members, they are shrinking. The largest gap in the study was observed for associate professors of clinical sciences who had MDs these women earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same role. An Illinois hospital plans to switch to an Epic EHR in about three weeks, Southern Illinois Now reported. Salem (Ill.) Township Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, is moving from an athenahealth EHR, according to the Aug. 28 story. "We're only three weeks away from Epic go-live as of yesterday," hospital CEO James Timpe told the hospital board Aug. 28, according to the news outlet. "We're actually going to be at the parade in October passing out flyers for people to get signed up to see their own medical records online through Epic. It's a great system. It's the No. 1 system in the country and we're very lucky as a small hospital to be on it, so we're looking forward to it." Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan and Lawrence (Mass.) General Hospital have entered into definitive agreements with Dallas-based Steward Health Care to acquire four of Steward's Massachusetts hospitals after Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared that deals had been reached "in principle." "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," John Castellano, chief restructuring officer for Steward, said in an Aug. 29 news release shared with Becker's. Lifespan will purchase Taunton, Mass.-based Morton Hospital and Fall River, Mass.-based St. Anne's Hospital for $175 million, which includes the land and buildings associated with both hospitals. The health system is also working to finalize an agreement to receive funding from Massachusetts for a "limited timeframe to support hospital operations," according to an Aug. 29 news release. "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," John Fernandez, president and CEO of Lifespan, said in the release. Lawrence General also plans to purchase Holy Family Hospital in Methuen (Mass.) and Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill (Mass.). In an Aug. 29 news release shared with Becker's, Abha Agrawal, MD, president and CEO of Lawrence General, said that "with support from the Commonwealth," the system has signed the agreement and is excited to build a "true regional healthcare system" to support quality and safety for the community. Steward is working to finalize an agreement to sell Brockton, Mass.-based Good Samaritan Medical Center and Boston-based St. Elizabeth's Medical Center to Boston Medical Center. "We continue to work as quickly as possible to complete the agreement for another qualified operator to take over Good Samaritan, move forward on our plans to take control of St. Elizabeths through eminent domain, and support the communities impacted by the upcoming closures of Nashoba Valley and Carney Hospitals," Ms. Healey said in an Aug. 29 news release shared with Becker's. The sale agreements come as Steward nears the Aug. 31 closure of its Boston-based Carney Hospital and Ayer-based Nashoba Valley Medical Center, which will result in 1,243 employees being laid off. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents more than 2,800 Steward registered nurses, shared in an Aug. 29 news release with Becker's that while it is happy to see these hospitals survive, there is still concern over the closures of Carney and Nashoba Valley. "...We continue to call on the Governor and the state to take action to save those hospitals," the news release said. A sale hearing for the hospitals is scheduled for Sept. 4. Becker's has reached out to Boston Medical Center and will update this story should more information become available. Allen Stefanek was named CEO of Shasta Regional Medical Center, a 226-bed facility in Redding, Calif., according to an Aug. 28 news release shared with Becker's. Mr. Stefanek joins the hospital from Advanced Medical Management, a healthcare consulting company, according to the release. He succeeds former CEO Casey Fatch. Returning to Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare, Shasta Regional's owner, Mr. Stefanek previously served as CEO of Prime's West Anaheim Medical Center and La Palma Intercommunity Hospital in Orange County, according to the release. He also previously served as vice president of operations at Prime. Bloomington, Ill.-based Chestnut Health Systems has appointed Tony Coletta chief administrative officer, effective Oct. 7. Mr. Coletta brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, most recently serving as vice president of human resources and talent relations at Urbana, Ill.-based Carle Health. He previously held a similar role at Advocate Eureka Hospital and Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, Ill. He will assume most responsibilities from current COO and general counsel Puneet Leekha, who will take over as Chestnut CEO in the fall of 2025. Tony's experience in quality and process improvement, change management, employee experience and human resources makes him a natural fit for this role, Mr. Leekha said in an Aug. 28 news release. Lisa Lovelace became Cleveland, Tenn.-based Vitruvian Health-Bradley Medical Center's first female CEO on Aug. 1, returning to her hometown and former workplace. The hospital previously was called Tennova Healthcare-Cleveland. Ms. Lovelace's first day coincided with the day Dalton, Ga.-based Vitruvian Health completed its purchase of the hospital from Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health. Vitruvian renamed the hospital which has 351 beds total, including its westside campus to its current name. Her first priority in the new role was overseeing the transition and ensuring patient care was not interrupted. Another main focus in her first 100 days is listening to employees and understanding what issues are most important to them, Ms. Lovelace told Becker's. Starting her career in the physician services division as well as her 13-year tenure as COO and assistant CEO of the hospital have prepared her to make connections with the workforce and understand what matters to her community. In conversations with front-line staff in the past month, Ms. Lovelace and her team were able to identify and address the issues that directly affect employees and patients, such as a need for additional stretchers and improvements to the emergency services department, she said. "Building those relationships is such an important part of the administrator relationship to the community and to the other stakeholders," Ms. Lovelace said. "With an acquisition like this, there's so much work, but having those things that are already familiar to you gives you a sense of comfort, so that when there's challenges, you can go talk to those stakeholders and find a way to collaborate, and there's already some level of trust." Even more so as a native of Bradley County, community engagement is high on the priority list, she said. "Patient experience is one of the biggest focus points that we have. We have highly experienced, compassionate employees and medical staff that can work anywhere, but they choose to work here, close to home, which is really our goal," Ms. Lovelace said, adding that she is thankful to be home and serving her community. Ms. Lovelace, who has more than 26 years of healthcare leadership experience, described herself as a collaborative leader, but someone who also values balancing that trait with accountability. "One of the things that I also appreciate about Vitruvian is our pledge: 'Excellence. Every person. Every time,'" she said. "And I think that does speak to who we are. It speaks to what we should do as leaders every day, and for me, that's exactly the standard that I try to hold myself to." Wallace Dunn, president of the Odessa, Texas-based Ector County Hospital District Board, filed a defamation lawsuit Aug. 27 after HIPAA violation claims were made against him on social media. Mr. Dunn, who joined the hospital board in 2019, is suing the Oil & Gas Workers Association and its president, Matthew Coday, seeking monetary relief from both defendants. According to court documents, Mr. Coday asked Mr. Dunn to join the OGWA board in 2021. The lawsuit alleges regular board meetings were not held and that Mr. Dunn did not receive previous meeting minutes or financial records after requesting them. Mr. Dunn stepped down from the OGWA board in February 2022 after Mr. Coday published negative social media posts about him, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Coday wrote on Facebook in August 2022 that Mr. Dunn knowingly violated HIPAA laws "by divulging confidential details about patients of the hospital," the lawsuit said. The Ector County Hospital District Board oversees Medical Center Health System, a regional trauma center in Odessa. The lawsuit alleges Mr. Dunn would not have been able to share confidential patient details because board members do not have access to that information. Mr. Coday wrote on Facebook in November 2022 that Mr. Dunn violated HIPAA and made derogatory remarks about a woman and her family. He wrote in May 2024 that Mr. Dunn is under investigation by the Office of Civil Rights, while the only HIPAA violation complaint filed against Mr. Dunn was by Mr. Coday, according to the lawsuit. Mr. Coday said Mr. Dunn lied to the Odessa Police Department in a false report about him and said in a statement shared with Becker's that Mr. Dunn "pled 'no contest' to a reduced assault/family violence charge," which the lawsuit denies. "Wallace Dunn's violation of a Medical Center Hospital patient's HIPAA rights is an abuse of the public trust that jeopardizes patient care," Mr. Coday said in the statement. A news release posted on Mr. Dunn's Facebook page reads in part: "For years, I have served my community with transparency and integrity, and the defendant's conduct has not only damaged my standing but also caused immense emotional distress to me and my family. Medical Center Health System was not immediately available for comment. The median burnout rate for some physicians is eight years, but providers are facing continuous pressure to do more, Mita Patel, MD, told Becker's. Dr. Patel is the medical director of specialty care for Mercy Health-Lorain (Ohio) Hospital and the medical director of the Mercy Health-Lorain Breast Program. She stepped into leadership to advocate for patients and connect with others. "Being an advocate for my fellow physicians has also been important to me," she told Becker's. "I love to see the excitement in our providers and to support them in my leadership role." One of Dr. Patel's greatest concerns is the expectations put on physicians. "From an oncology perspective, it is already an emotionally taxing specialty, and the demand for more can be overwhelming at times," she said. "Generally, its getting tougher for physicians to do their work. There is a lot of pressure on physicians to perform. As a healthcare community, we have to ask, how much can we tap out of our providers?" Physician burnout is high, with the median burnout rate of an emergency department physician being eight years, she said. "When you think about the amount of education and training that goes into becoming an ED physician, that number is astounding," she said. This has led many to seek non-clinical careers due to burnout. But Dr. Patel is pushing back by trying to be a better leader and advocate for the physicians she works with. "It is essential to pause and take a moment to understand a persons perspective," she said. "Leaders are tasked with coalescing individuals with different personalities and communications styles, making listening and openness essential skills. Doing so enables leaders to effectively communicate and make their people feel understood. Youre in that role to support others and to use your voice for them a responsibility that comes with great honor. Be grateful you have the opportunity to do so." Resident physicians and fellows at several health systems in the Northeast are pressing leaders to address their bargaining concerns, including pay and working conditions. The physicians, represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents, work at Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham, Cambridge (Mass.) Health Alliance and The University of Pennsylvania Health System, the clinical arm of Penn Medicine in Philadelphia. Mass General Brigham physicians plan to hold simultaneous rallies on Labor Day at Cardinal Cushing Memorial Park and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, according to a union news release shared with Becker's. The actions mark their first rallies since gaining union representation last year. The Committee of Interns and Residents, part of the SEIU, represents about 2,500 trainees at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston. Union members say their core priorities in contract negotiations include improved training conditions that directly affect patient care, improvements to their healthcare plan, access to reproductive technologies and a livable wage. "By prioritizing resident physicians' financial and physical well-being, they [MGB] can implement the best practices for their patients," the union statement said. A Mass General Brigham spokesperson told Becker's the health system respects trainees' rights to hold an informational picket and is committed to bargaining in good faith for a fair, equitable contract that supports both trainees and patients. "We want to assure patients and families that they will be able to access the hospital without interruption during this time," the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, about 60 resident physicians and fellows held a rally Aug. 28 at Cambridge Hospital, part of Cambridge Health Alliance, according to a union news release shared with Becker's. The action took place as the union has been in negotiations with Cambridge Health Alliance since April. Amid negotiations, physicians have expressed their concerns about what they say are low resident pay, balancing extreme hours and long stints of night shifts, and accessing mental healthcare. "A fair contract with CIR is about ensuring that Cambridge Hospital residents are well and that we're able to take care of our families and that's inseparable from patient care," Jose Dominguez, MD, said in the union release. "We routinely conduct market studies and are committed to providing competitive salaries for our employees across all job roles," Cambridge Health Alliance spokesperson David Cecere wrote in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are making every effort to come to an agreement with CIR and have included many benefits in our proposals," Mr. Cecere wrote. "We are confident that our positions are fair, support outstanding patient care, and reflect respect for the tremendous contributions our resident physicians and interns provide to patient care." At the University of Pennsylvania Health System, resident physicians and fellows took action Aug. 30 to bring attention to their nearly yearlong negotiations for a first contract, according to a union news release shared with Becker's. The release said residents presented a petition requesting that the UPenn bargaining team return to the negotiating table to finalize a fair agreement. Physicians have been in negotiations with the health system since voting to unionize last year. Union members say they seek "a fair living wage for the doctors who work the longest hours and provide the majority of patient care at UPenn." A Penn Med spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker's: "We have continued to bargain in good faith with CIR/SEIU and will not work on that process through the media. We look forward to reconvening with union representatives at the next bargaining session on Sept. 17 and finalizing a fair and equitable contract for Penn Medicine's housestaff." The business anticipates hiring more staff as a result of its proposal Plans have been submitted for a rooftop bar at Club Lux An artist's impression of the covered bar A proposal for a new rooftop bar at a venue in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter has been submitted to Belfast City Council. Club Lux is seeking permission for the conversion at its current site, located at 39 Gordon Street and 16 Dunbar Street. The proposed development will have a covered bar, a DJ area and a BBQ area with bar-style seating. The rooftop will also have an upper terrace with pagoda seating next to the existing roof. Lux nightclub in Belfast According to the application, published on August 19, there is not anticipated to be any interruption of access to public roads during construction. The company expects the rooftop bar to result in 45 more employees attending the premises daily. It also expects the number of customers visiting the premises to double, from an estimated 300 per day to 600. Lux is currently a two-floor bar and club located in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter, next to food and drink venue Common Market. It faced backlash earlier this month after promoters posted videos on social media of interviews with customers. Concerns were raised about the ability of club patrons to give informed consent to the interviews due to alcohol consumption. The clubs management removed the videos in response. News Catch Up: Friday 30 August 2024 Baroness Jacqui Smith said the Government is looking at a type of flexible working that involves compressed hours (PA) A minister has warned four-day weeks will not apply to everybody, including teachers, as she vowed her Government would encourage workers to be able to ask for flexible working. The Oscar-nominated star of Juno and Inception has returned to filmmaking with his first movie in seven years. Alongside his director Dominic Savage, Page speaks to Adam White about transgender rights, being shirtless on film, and looking back on his most famous roles through a queer lens There is a line in Elliot Pages new film, Close to You, that I keep thinking about. It happens early, when his character a trans man coming home to his family runs into an old friend from high school, a woman who hasnt seen him since before his transition. The friend smiles, studies him. You look the same, she tells him. Just more you. The same. More you. Page had brilliant experiences on the films he made before his real-life transition think the sandpaper-dry coming-of-age comedy Juno, or Christopher Nolans trippy Inception but they werent whole experiences, he says. This will sound so dramatic, he warns. But I feel like Ive got to a level of calm that I didnt think Id ever reach on a set. I just couldnt He begins to tiptoe through his sentences, lots of scattered thoughts colliding at once. I was always too uncomfortable. Too not-present. Too He pauses. Its a long one. There have been moments, playing certain characters, where there was that joy, that thrill, that sensation, but to sense it so fully? Its something I wouldnt have imagined possible back then. He grins, his face all angles and relief. Page is in a Los Angeles hotel room, on a break from promoting the final season of his Netflix sci-fi series The Umbrella Academy. His Close to You director, Dominic Savage, is at home in north London. Were speaking on a group video call. Page and Savage seem, at first, an unlikely pairing. Page is 37 but looks far younger, an Oscar nominee for Juno and, particularly after coming out as trans in 2020, one of the most talked-about people on the planet. Savage is a twinkly-eyed, 61-year-old cisgender Brit, a filmmaker with an interest in naturalistic drama and moving character studies. Elliot Page as Viktor Hargreeves, Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison Hargreeves, Aidan Gallagher as Number Five, Robert Sheehan as Klaus Hargreeves, David Castaneda as Diego Hargreeves, Justin H. Min as Ben Hargreeves, Ritu Arya as Lila Pitts But Page loved his work and his loose, improvisational approach on his Channel 4 anthology series I Am featuring stars including Kate Winslet and Samantha Morton, he and his actors would meet and slowly build a story from ideas they were interested in exploring. Close to You came about similarly. On the films set, Savage would sometimes let his camera roll with no fixed endpoint. One single take lasted 53 minutes. I enjoy it when I see actors doing something that I totally believe, Savage says. I watch lots of films, and while many are very well made, and its great acting, Im not actually seeing the reality of their feelings. This process allows for that. And when I look at Elliot on screen, or when we were making our film, I was actually terribly affected by it. I knew he was going to a very powerful place within himself. Close to You is something of a cinematic homecoming for Page, and his first film since 2017s Flatliners, a dismal horror remake that in his 2023 memoir Pageboy he described as a true mess. It feels significant that Close to You is more aligned not just with Pages own identity, but to storytelling that is small, intimate and character-driven. He plays Sam, who we meet as he prepares for a four-years-in-the-making return to his family. During the gap, hes transitioned, and knows that journeying back into his past will open up old wounds. The film is funny, tender and steers nicely clear of cliche Sam isnt skittish about his family because theyre terrible, for instance. In fact, theyre well-intentioned liberals. But Close to You understands the awkwardness of being the elephant in the room; of being a person who is so accommodated and indulged that it becomes vaguely exhausting. The goal was to not have, like, this awful, transphobic family, and that be the big conflict, Page says. The idea was to have this family that was really doing their best, and do love Sam. I wanted to find that balance between joy, and the sensation of getting to a place personally that you never thought youd get to, but also pain and grief and those ongoing hurdles. Thats life, you know? Elliot Page as Sam in Close to You Its also not Pages life. While there are clear biographical parallels between Page and Sam, Sam seems to have had a far easier go of things. Page, for instance, wrote in his memoir that he is estranged from his father and stepmother (the former has engaged online with right-wing figures including the author Jordan Peterson, who has used his vast media platform to attack Page), while his relationship with his mother a ministers daughter who at one point told him that homosexuality doesnt exist has fluctuated over the decades. They are close today, however. Savage tells me that hes been knocked out by the response to the film on the festival circuit, particularly at last years BFI Flare, Londons LGBT+ film festival, where it received a standing ovation and strong reviews. Individual responses from young queer and trans people have meant even more. Theyd tell me that it was a really important thing for them to have seen, he says, and thats kind of why I want to make films in the first place. Much of Close to You feels novel. Sam and his high school friend Katherine (a warm Hillary Baack) share a complex, vaguely romantic dynamic free of the rules of gender and sexual identity. Sams family sometimes misgender him, but its accidental and no big deal. And notably, Sam is, well, sexy. Trans characters are illusive in film and television. Trans characters with busy, satisfying sex lives who lounge around naked in bed with their partners even more so. For Page, Sams sexual confidence, and the general ease he has about his body, meant hed have to bare his chest on-screen for the first time something hed never done even before his top surgery. He was reluctant at first, but only because he was worried the scene in question veered into cliche. I was, like, Dominic, we dont want the trans guy looking at himself in the mirror, Page laughs. But then I thought, hey, this is just a guy waking up. He probably does sleep shirtless. It was ultimately no big deal. It was nice not to have to think, what will it mean if I show my body? Its just He shrugs. Im just an actor in a movie, right? Its true, but also not. Its not an outrageous statement to say that Page is probably the most famous trans person in the world right now. And certainly the most famous trans movie star. By sheer virtue of Pages existence, everything he does is significant, every career move or opportunity a reflection on where were at as a culture. Its a lot to put on one persons shoulders. Does he feel the pressure? I think Page takes another long pause. Im learning how to better achieve a balance. If Im overwhelmed about certain things, or if Im reading something [horrible], Im gonna go for a beautiful long walk with my dog. He laughs. For me, when the noise gets really loud, I like to centre in on this feeling of, like, Youre not gonna take away my joy. Of course, he adds, hes also not delusional about the state of things. You cant help but not come back to the reality of the situation were in, he says, firmly. In the US, hate crimes related to gender identity rose by 32% in 2022, according to the FBI, while a record number of hate crimes were committed against transgender people in England and Wales between 2022 and 2023, according to a Home Office report. Ive struggled in life to get where I am today, but I also have access to resources and care that many do not, Page continues. So I want to use my platform and connect with others to help elevate their voices and He pauses again, and breaks into a half-smile. Im just trying to do my best. He grimaces. Sorry, I feel like Ive just talked about myself so much in this interview. You get the impression that Page isnt a natural spokesperson. His sentences tend to loop-de-loop around a central point, he umms and ahhs and doubles back. Politics, activism, role modeling its not an easy fit. Instead, it feels like a necessary evil. Often its awkward because I do end up in this position of being asked about things, when other people have far more experience with them than I do, he says. Whether its related to policy or healthcare often its the thing where Im like, oh my God, there are other people you should be speaking to, you know? He laughs, then exhales. But then that does make me educate myself, he continues. I know I need to stay on top of things. Im also so fortunate to have an incredible community of trans people in my life, who are just so busy and overwhelmed with all the s*** theyve got going on, but who are so kind to me and supportive whenever Im like, Hey, can I run something by you?. I feel very supported. And thats the thing that keeps you going on those days where youre just waking up to the next awful person saying stuff. He sighs. Like f***! Everybodys feeling it, you know? Elliot Page in The Cured The inevitable weight of the conversation that surrounds Page also tends to overshadow his actual work. Which sucks, because Page has always been a really, really great actor. He has a brilliant face, sharp and handsome, which always seems to shift between mischief and pensiveness. Its what marked Page early as a preternaturally gifted talent he grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was a TV star in Canada by the age of 10. The grim 2005 thriller Hard Candy, in which his character laid a trap for a prolific child molester, took him global. There followed a few X-Men movies he played the mutant Kitty Pryde as well as Juno and Drew Barrymores cult roller derby film Whip It. Juno, about a snarky pregnant teen with a disposition somewhere between an old-timey comedian and a space alien, remains his finest hour as a performer. But its also interesting to rewatch it now through a queer lens, and through the lens of everything that Page has talked about publicly since (he came out, pre-transition, as gay in 2014, and in 2021 described himself as both queer and non-binary). Because even back then, there was a feeling that Juno MacGuff wasnt exactly the heterosexual teenager the film made her out to be. She felt, even if she didnt know it herself, on the cusp of something. When I say to Page that Juno was I guess? a straight girl, he shoots me a look that can only be read as: B****, please. I look back now and [queerness] is all I see in most of my characters, he says. And thats exactly what made Juno so special, and why so many people did connect with that character. He built her from the ground up. I was like, this is how this character is going to dress. This is her cadence, how she moves, how she walks. A lot of it obviously came from my queerness. It was only after the film was made and Juno became a phenomenon that Pages voice was taken away. Hes spoken previously about being ordered to wear heels and gowns while on the awards circuit for the movie, and having no say in how he was presented to the media despite Juno being more of a sneakers-and-T-shirts sort of gal. And now, when I reflect on that movie, and all the dresses I had to wear while promoting it, its like extra gross. Because my queerness is actually what made that movie extra special, in my opinion, he says. Obviously its an incredible script and filmmaker and all of those things, but my queerness is so related to how that character was, you know? Its gratifying to see him talking like this, about acting and the creative process. He tells me hes amped up about performing again, in a way that he hasnt been for a long time maybe ever. And, as he makes very clear to Savage, hes looking for work. I want us to do another thing together so bad, he tells him. What are you doing over there in London? Writing for other actors? Who cares? Savage is game. And we dont have to make it in winter in Canada this time, either, Page jokes. Hes back. He looks the same. Just more him. Close to You is in cinemas The Independent Screenwriter Colin Bateman says viewers won't know who to trust in four-part series with many twists, turns and red herrings The man behind a new BBC Northern Ireland series says viewers wont know who to trust. Four-part drama Dead And Buried begins on Monday night. Creator Colin Bateman said it was an exploration of revenge, obsession and the complexities of human nature. At the heart of the story is Cathy McDaid (Annabel Scholey), a young mother whose life is turned upside down when she encounters Michael McAllister (Colin Morgan), the man who killed her brother 20 years ago. As Cathys obsession grows, she becomes consumed by dark fantasies of revenge, blurring the lines between reality and her own twisted desires. With the help of best friend Sally Bowman (Kerri Quinn), she sets out on a campaign of psychological warfare, determined to destroy McAllisters seemingly perfect life. Michael (Colin Morgan) (Image: Steffan Hill/BBC) Novelist and screenwriter Bateman, who previously worked on Murphys Law starring James Nesbitt, said viewers will have to untangle a complex puzzle. Dead And Buried is going to be intriguing for the audience because the audience has to work out who to trust, because there are so many red herrings, he explained. Youre not quite sure what Cathys up to, or whether Michael is truly a reformed character, or if he still retains his capacity for violence. It asks the question: what would you do in that situation? Do you turn the other cheek? Do you engage? Or do you begin to think about revenge? Cathy does what I think we would all do in this situation she goes home and begins to stalk him on social media. She wants to know what his life is like. What throws her is that he appears to have such a perfect life better than her own in many ways whereas her brother is dead. And that begins to fuel some revenge fantasies, which again we could all imagine doing, but never would. Dead And Buried may be familiar to some, having been adapted as a one woman play titled A Bag For Life and performed in Derrys Playhouse eight years ago. All four episodes are directed by Laura Way, who was attracted by Batemans script. She said: It had a distinct tone, being set in Northern Ireland... and on the border. The characters, the setting, the inherent trauma and history of these two people who share the same traumatic past, but from very different perspectives, were extremely compelling, not to mention the secondary characters who have their own struggles and distinctiveness. Dead And Buried entertains and compels, but Colins script also explores bigger issues unique to past and present Northern Ireland and its border counties, which gives the show more depth and layers than your typical thriller, exploring themes of cyclical violence and forgiveness. Describing Scholey, she added: She is an outstanding actress, something I came to discover on the last show we worked on. Bel is so authentic and engaging on screen. She makes her performance look effortless, which is a testament to her professionalism and her craft. Way also praised Morgan, best known for Merlin and the movie Belfast. She said: He brought such sensitivity and authenticity to the role of Michael. It was my great pleasure to work with Colin, hes a beautiful actor and was completely invested in bringing complexity and originality to his character. Colin Bateman Describing her role, Yorkshire-born Scholey said: Cathy is so far away from who I am. For a start, the Northern Irish culture, humour, the accent... the fact that she is bipolar. For an actor, it was, like, tick, tick, tick. A huge challenge. Absolutely terrifying all of it. Her emotional journey is so intense and complicated in its twists and turns, and her moral compass is sometimes questionable, which is fascinating to explore for any actor. I enjoyed how physically she quite often moves in extremes. She is no stranger to this place, however, having previously been in a relationship with Fermanagh actor Ciaran McMenamin, with whom she shares a daughter. She added: I have spent a lot of time in Northern Ireland and Ireland. I have always found both to be very vividly beautiful places, full of friendly, open and artistic people. It was a pleasure to work with our crew, who were all quite simply excellent. Dead And Buried starts on Monday, September 2 on BBC One at 10.40pm. The full series will be available on the BBC iPlayer from 9pm that evening. The series will also begin on Virgin Media in the Republic on the same evening. News Catch Up: Friday 30 August 2024 Oasis fans who managed to secure early access codes have said they are ecstatic to have purchased tickets to see the band play live. The fans expressed their joy at obtaining tickets to see the Manchester Britpop band, after Noel and Liam Gallagher on Tuesday confirmed Oasiss long-awaited reunion by saying: The great wait is over. One dedicated fan, Urban Newton, 25, told the PA news agency he was in tears after he purchased Oasis tickets on Friday. The marketing assistant based in Hull said: Ive been on the mailing list for five years and it finally paid off. When it came to getting tickets Ive been unable to think about anything else work has been a write-off. I refused to get even remotely excited at the thought of seeing Noel and Liam on-stage together until those tickets were mine and they actually are. Im actually in tears. I was only 10 when Oasis broke up and luckily I have cool Nineties parents who brought us up on good music. It will be so special just being there with my little brother and my dad watching the band that means the most to me. Its so surreal. It could be the best day of my life. Those who were successful in the ballot were not necessarily guaranteed success at obtaining tickets in the presale at 7pm on Friday as they were being sold on a first come first served basis. Fans unable to secure tickets will join the masses on Saturday morning hoping to land a space at one of the rock bands gigs next summer. Another Oasis fan, Natallya Teixeira, 32, said it means the world to her to purchase tickets to see the band in Dublin. Ms Teixeira, who is based in Ireland and purchased her ticket for 196.25 euros, told the PA news agency: Im so happy now. Ive been waiting for this reunion for so long. I got my presale code this morning and I was very excited about that. I entered the queue at 6.30pm. The process was very quick to be honest, it took 21 minutes total. It means the world getting these tickets, seriously. Oasis is one of my favourite bands. Ive been listening to Oasis since I was a teenager. Alice Boorer, 24, said she was ecstatic to have purchased tickets to see Oasis with her friend, after their dads played them the bands music growing up. Ms Boorer, a teaching assistant in Liverpool, told PA: Ive seen Liam and Noel separately a few times and met Noel a week before they broke up in 2009, and both our dads played Oasis growing up so weve both been waiting for this day a long time and were ecstatic to be going to Manchester to see them. Me and my friend both signed up for the presale ballot, she got a code and was in the queue from 6.30pm and she managed to get the tickets around 7.15pm. We were both over the moon. I think for everybody Oasis is a nostalgic feeling. Whether youre someone who was around for the start of Oasis or someone who had Oasis as the soundtrack to their childhood, most people have something they associate Oasis to. Id like to think this means they will make more music but Im just happy with being able to see them perform live if theyre only coming back for this tour. Prices for 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. The cheapest seats are at Cardiffs Principality Stadium shows, which will set fans back 73, according to Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts, which runs the website Gigs And Tours. Tickets for Oasiss 15 UK shows in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff will go on sale at 9am on Saturday while the sale for their two Dublin gigs will launch at 8am. US actress Jenna Ortega looked equal parts gothic and glamorous as she joined her co-stars at a photocall for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The follow-up from filmmaker Tim Burton opened the 81st edition of the Venice International Film Festival on Wednesday, marking a reunion for Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine OHara, who reprise their roles in the sequel, alongside new stars Ortega, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe. Catherine OHara, Monica Bellucci, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega attending the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice photocall (Yui Mok/PA) Ortega is known for her gothic roles, having starred in 2022 horror film X and hit Netflix show Wednesday, based on a character from The Addams Family, created by cartoonist Charles Addams. The 21-year-old arrived at the event on Friday wearing a dark purple suit dress with pointed shoulders and red detailing that matched her tights. Jenna Ortega (Yui Mok/PA) She paired the look with cherry red high heels and red sunglasses. The Scream actress, who plays Astrid Deetz in the film, posed for photos alongside her co-stars on a set that was decorated with gravestones. Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe and Justin Theroux (Yui Mok/PA) Also at the press call at One Marylebone in central London, Ryder, who has starred in Tim Burton film Edward Scissorhands and Netflix series Stranger Things, wore a dark grey ensemble to the event. The 52-year-old, who plays Lydia Deetz in the movie, paired the matching jacket and skirt with black combat boots, a smoky eye and an updo. Winona Ryder (Yui Mok/PA) Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sees three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River, still haunted by Beetlejuice played by Keaton. Lydia Deetz has her life turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the afterlife is accidentally opened. Jenna Ortega appearing to look at a insect on her finger (Yui Mok/PA) With trouble brewing in both realms, it is only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuices name three times, and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. Following its premiere on Wednesday the film received a standing ovation. TV presenter Christine Lampard is set to host a special concert at the Waterfront Hall later this year which will be broadcast to mark 100 years of the BBC in Northern Ireland. The concert will celebrate the range of the BBCs work is part of a series of events and activities taking place this year. Christine will return to local airwaves to host the special BBC gala concert at the Waterfront Hall, with support from Belfast City Council as part of its Belfast 2024 programme. A Century Of Stories, will be recorded for BBC television and radio in the Waterfront Hall on Tuesday 24 September. The Ulster Orchestra will be centre stage, showcasing its versatility as the BBCs orchestra in Northern Ireland. And therell be performances also from a stellar cast of talent: Clannad, D:Ream, Tony Hadley and Katharine Timoney. A Century of Stories will also include specially commissioned audio-visual works from Eoin OCallaghan, Siobhan Brown, The Darkling Air and guitarist Rory Friers from And So I Watch You From Afar - all of which have been inspired by the BBC local programme archives. Tickets for this big, BBC birthday concert are free and are available from the Waterfront Hall website. Adam Smyth, Director, BBC Northern Ireland said: BBC programmes and people have been at the heart of local community life for the last 100 years. This concert will celebrate that legacy and the stories of the audiences we serve. Its a celebration in words, music and pictures and a birthday party unlike any other. A Century Of Stories is also a reminder of the BBCs role in showcasing talent and creating events that bring all of us together. Christine Lampard said she is delighted to return to Belfast to present the show. This is where it all began for me and my career working for BBC Northern Ireland, and it will be a real pleasure to be part of the BBCs 100th birthday celebrations, she said. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, added: Were pleased to work together with BBC NI once again on this special event, which forms part of our Belfast 2024 programme, and reflects its central themes of people, place and planet. As a City of Music, Belfast is rich with musical talent and potential, and this will be a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase that offering, with new versions of familiar songs that have a special significance for the BBC NI audience. The event will be broadcast on BBC television and BBC Radio Ulster later this year. Lucy Grainger (centre), alongside Chris Quinn, former Director Northern Ireland Youth Forum, and Koulla Yiasoumn, former Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children & Young People, when Lucy was announced as the newly elected Chairperson of the Youth Assembly Lucy Grainger outside her east Belfast home on October 6, 2018 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) A coroner has ruled that the death of a woman who was released from a mental health facility days prior to taking her own life could not have been reasonably predicted. Lucy Grainger (25), from Newcastle but who lived in Belfast, was found dead at home on October 13, 2022, with the cause being ligature compression of the neck, according to a forensic report. There was said to be no sign of any third-party involvement, while all substances found in her system were prescribed medications. Coroner Joe McCriskin formally opened an inquest, at which Ms Graingers mother, Florence, was among family members present in court. The tearful parent said it has been a horribly difficult experience. Ms Grainger was said to have had an extensive medical history that included diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), psychosis, head injury and incidents of self-harm. Dr Andrew Sedgwick, consultant psychiatrist with Holywell Hospital at the time, was Ms Graingers clinician at the facility. On October 3, Ms Grainger was found in a manner described as psychotic in a public place. She was initially treated at the Ulster Hospital for an acute episode of distress with disturbed thinking and behaviour. Appearing as a witness, Dr Sedgwick said Ms Grainger believed that her father, who died when she was a child, had been shot days earlier and was seeing the heads of people who were dead on other peoples bodies. Ms Grainger, who refused to be voluntarily detained, was detained under a mental health order and referred to Holywell, which provides acute mental health services. Cannabis and cocaine were found in her system, Dr Sedgwick said, while amphetamine was attributed to ADHD medication. This mix of drugs was deemed to be concerning and significant. Ms Grainger admitted to having used cocaine on one occasion in the days prior to her admission, but witnesses at the inquest said they had never seen her take the drug before. Ms Grainger was dismissive of concerns and felt it had no impact on her mental health. Health staff offered Ms Grainger anti-psychotic medication and to involve family in her care but she refused. Lucy Grainger (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) It was believed she had psychosis or psychotic intoxication due to drug use. Dr Sedgwick explained that Ms Grainger repeatedly told him she had no intention to self-harm. However, that was contradicted on October 7 by attempted self-harm on the ward. The consultant believed Ms Graingers behaviour was consistent with her diagnosis but complicated by her previous use of drugs. A medical review, conducted on October 10, was required under legislation to assess grounds for detention. It was believed Ms Graingers risks could be managed better at home and she was therefore discharged to the care of the Belfast Trusts home treatment team. She refused to give consent for her mother to be informed of her discharge. Judge McCriskin said: Based on all of the evidence available, I conclude that Ms Graingers risk of deliberate self-harm would have been no greater at home than in an inpatient setting. Accordingly, Im satisfied that discharge and referral to the home treatment team was appropriate in all the circumstances. Dr Philip Campbell was part of the home treatment team, which is an alternative to acute psychiatric admission. He examined Ms Grainger at her Belfast home on October 11, during which she didnt describe any depressive episode. She was asked directly about self-harm but denied having any suicidal intentions or plans. Ms Grainger was last seen alive when she was walked to her property by her partner around 8pm on October 11. On October 13, police were tasked to her property as a result of a concern for safety. Having examined the evidence, coroner Mr McCriskin concluded that Ms Grainger had taken her own life. Mr McCriskin said her death, which was recorded as suicide, could not have been reasonably predicted. If you have been affected the issues in this story, Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the freephone helpline number 116 123 and email jo@samaritans.org. It costs the charity approximately 500 to care for each kitten One of the kittens which were brought to the USPCA earlier this week The USPCA has revealed that they currently have no capacity to take in any more cats or dogs due to a high level of kittens abandoned just this week. The charity currently has 86 kittens in their care, eight adult cats and, since just Tuesday this week, has taken in 15 more small kittens which are in need of round-the-clock care. They said that it can take up to 500 per kitten to care for them until they are ready to rehome at nine weeks old. A spokesperson explained that they need bottle feeds every two hours, night and day. This is putting enormous pressure on our already extremely busy animal care team, and we have no capacity to take in any more cats or dogs as a result, they said. Each kitten in our care will be cared for until they are ready to be rehomed at around nine weeks of age, and will be neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and fully vet-checked to give the new owner peace of mind. The cost of doing this and providing food and care for each kitten is substantial around 500 per kitten - so will cost the charity many thousands of pounds, they added. The USPCA receives no government funding, so the costs are met solely by donations from kind members of the public, including money left to us in wills by animal lovers. We are greatly concerned about the increase in unwanted kittens we are seeing this year, and would urge cat owners to ensure their cats, male and female, are neutered. Earlier this month, the charity said that Northern Ireland is in the midst of a kitten crisis after pointing out that they are experiencing their busiest year ever with a record number of cats and kittens in desperate need of their care. Siobhan McHaffie, Director of Operations says: Amara was just a baby herself when she came into us heavily pregnant and in active labour. She gave birth to four kittens who are all now in our care. We are seeing a growing number of abandoned new mothers being brought into us. We are urging all cat owners to please neuter their cats and kittens. Cats can get pregnant from as young as four months old, and after they have a litter of kittens can get pregnant again after a few short weeks. A cat can have on average 24 kittens a year and over 240 kittens in their lifetime. The charity is grappling with the cost of looking after so many unwanted cats and kittens this year but have been very grateful to receive donations of much-needed kitten food from members of the public. Whilst in the care of the charity they will receive first class vet treatment. This will include every cat and kitten being neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated against flea and worms, giving adopters the peace of mind that they will take on a happy, healthy pet for the relatively small adoption fee of 78 for cats and 98 for kittens. Those interested in adopting cats or kittens can apply for them via the USPCA website: https://www.uspca.co.uk/animals-available-for-rehoming or email their details to rehoming@uspca.co.uk to have a chat with the team. Watch: Golden Retriever from Belfast goes viral after making friends with local bin men A golden retriever has gone viral for her friendly encounters with binmen. A video of two-year-old Maddie greeting the refuse collectors at her east Belfast home has been viewed over 10 million times on Instagram. Owner Katelin Fiddis said: We were in complete shock, to be honest. Thats just our Maddie, she's so friendly to everyone she sees. We have lots of videos of Maddie greeting different people who come to the house - Tesco drivers, Amazon delivery people, postmen, but for some reason it was the one with the binmen that everyone loved. The family decided to start posting photos and videos of Maddie online when they brought her home in December 2022. It was my brother Josh who started it, explained Katelin. Its just the way it is these days, the trend when you get something new is to create a page for it. He just made it to show photos of her to his friends, but then he wasnt being consistent with it, so I took over. Maddie at home in Belfast with Katelin Fiddis. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Maddie's popularity on Instagram was only growing slowly until recently. She didnt have a lot of followers, said Katelin. At the start, she only had 15 followers and 18 likes, maybe the odd comment from a family member or something. We were really surprised when that video got so many views. However, since posting the clip with the binmen, Maddies popularity has skyrocketed. Its really crazy to think about. In July, she hit 10,000 followers, now she has 20,000 and we have even had brands reaching out to us asking if they can send stuff to Maddie. The pup has become so popular that she has even gained fans from as far away as South Korea. Everyone has been so lovely with all their comments, added Katelin. Maddie at home in east Belfast with Katelin Fiddis. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. We are so grateful for the translate button on Instagram because we have people commenting from all over Spain, Portugal, Germany, South Korea. I speak Spanish and Portuguese, so I was commenting back to people and they were saying, Maddie speaks Portuguese! Its really nice to see how she has fans all over the world. We have people commenting that seeing Maddie has made their day and thats so amazing to hear. She cheers us up too, but knowing she has that impact on people is so lovely. Katelin said Maddie has also brought the local community together in east Belfast. I dont live with my parents now, so its a great way for them to get to know the neighbours, because when you are out walking Maddie, people will stop to pet her. And even just getting to know the names of the binmen, no one really has that close of a relationship with their neighbours anymore, so shes a great way for getting to know people. The casualty was airlifted off the island before being transported to hospital via ambulance. Credit: Coleraine Coastguard The casualty was airlifted off the island before being transported to hospital via ambulance. Credit: Coleraine Coastguard The casualty was airlifted off the island before being transported to hospital via ambulance. Credit: Coleraine Coastguard A man has been airlifted from the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge on the north coast on Thursday by a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter crew from Scotland. The man, who is believed to be in his 80s, slipped and fell, sustaining a lower leg injury rendering him unable to cross back over the bridge. Rescue crews were called in from Scotland to help in the recovery and evacuation of the man from the island. Coleraine Coastguard posted on Facebook that they and the Ballycastle teams were tasked to assist the injured man along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The casualty had crossed the world-famous rope bridge onto the island, had slipped and fallen sustaining a suspected lower leg fracture, they said. The safest way to evacuate the casualty was by CG rescue helicopter R199 from Prestwick. In a delicate operation, the helicopter touched down on the precarious cliff top. The casualty was secured in our rope rescue stretcher and carried to the aircraft before being flown to a landing site at nearby Larrybane car park. The landing site was secured by additional Coastguard Officers. The casualty was transferred to a waiting ambulance. The casualty was airlifted off the island before being transported to hospital via ambulance. Credit: Coleraine Coastguard This isnt the first call-out for emergency crews in recent days as earlier this week a person fell on the stones at the Giants Causeway and broke their leg. Emergency services attended the incident on Tuesday afternoon at the world-famous heritage site. They said over twelve coastguard officers were required to gently pass the casualty down to the waiting ambulance. Former Taoiseach claims Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt travelled all over Ireland in bid to prevent 1994 ceasefire Top Provo would later form dissident group behind the bombing of Omagh Michael McKevitt Allison Morris Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 21:07 IRA army council member Michael McKevitt spent months travelling the length and breadth of Ireland trying to recruit hardliners to go against the organisations ceasefires, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has revealed. 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. It is the first time there has been more than 10,000 adults accessing emergency accommodation managed by local authorities (Niall Carson/PA) The number of people in emergency homeless accommodation has reached a new record high of 14,429, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing. Data released on Friday afternoon shows that 10,028 adults and 4,401 children were accessing emergency accommodation during the last week of July. It is the first time there has been more than 10,000 adults accessing emergency accommodation managed by local authorities. The latest figures also reveal that there were a total of 2,096 families. The figures do not include people sleeping rough, those that may be couch surfing or homeless in hospitals or prisons, or those who are in shelter for asylum seekers or domestic violence centres. Of the 10,028 adults, 61% were male and 39% were female. Overall, two thirds were classified as single adults. Of the 2,096 families, 1,205 were single-parent groups. Record high levels of people accessing emergency accommodation are another grim homelessness record for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, Sinn Fein has said. A Sinn Fein housing spokesman said: It is quite clear at this stage that the governments housing plan is not working. In fact it is making things worse. Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin (Niall Carson/PA) More adults, children, families, single people and pensioners are homeless today than when this Government took office four years ago. Only a change of government and Sinn Feins alternative housing plan will address Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels homeless crisis. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the latest figures are utterly heartbreaking as she called for increased State involvement in housing delivery. She said: The tragic result is that we now have thousands of children growing up without a place to call home. This government has utterly thrown in the towel on housing, leaving our most vulnerable to suffer. Focus Ireland warned that childhoods are being stolen as the school year returns. The charitys chief executive Pat Dennigan said: Summer is meant to be a carefree time for children, but the harsh reality is that thousands of kids have just started a new school year coming from emergency accommodation such as hotels and family hubs. Labour leader Ivana Bacik (Damien Storan/PA) It is wrong that this is happening. As a society we must demand that much more is done to protect children whose childhoods are being stolen one day at a time. We are working hard with the State to support these children but what they need is a home. Focus Ireland said nearly 900 families have now been homeless for more than a year, with more than 400 of these families without a home for more than two years. The group has engaged with Taoiseach Simon Harris on various housing initiatives, such as social housing. Mr Dennigan added: We hope the Taoiseach will now drive more co-ordinated action on this issue and act to implement a policy that ensures more of the new supply of social housing is used to provide homes for long-term homeless families. This same approach drove the sharp fall in homelessness during the pandemic and we should learn from this approach. We passionately believe that it is possible to reduce and then end homelessness if the right actions are taken. The Simon Communities of Ireland has said the country can get ahead of the crisis amid a seventh consecutive monthly increase in emergency accommodation figures. In the 12 months since July 2023, the data shows an increase of 1,582 people (12%) in emergency homeless accommodation. The homelessness charity highlighted a 14% year-on-year increase in families accessing such services, alongside a 15% rise in children in emergency accommodation. Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: In the face of this seemingly relentless growth, it is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that we can get ahead of this crisis. He added: In that fight, the next six months will be critical. With the upcoming Budget and general election, there are opportunities to deliver the decisive action that can see strides taken to address the homelessness crisis. Catherine Kenny, chief executive officer of Dublin Simon, criticised the Governments action regarding homelessness heading into the colder winter months. There were 7,198 adults and 3,289 children accessing services in Dublin. Ms Kenny said: As the days grow shorter and colder, the urgency of addressing the homeless crisis becomes even more pressing. Budget 2025 is just over a month away. Coupled with a looming general election and no guarantee that homeless figures will decrease before then, there is an urgent need for comprehensive, co-ordinated action to address the root causes of homelessness and alleviate the strain on emergency accommodation resources. The then-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2015, with Kiingi Tuheitia (second left) (PA) The King said he is profoundly saddened by the death of decades-long friend to the British royal family, Maori king Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Kiingi Tuheitia died in New Zealand at the age of 69 on Friday, a Kiingitanga (Maori King movement) spokesperson confirmed to the PA news agency. He had been recovering in hospital after undergoing heart surgery. Charles said news of Kiingi Tuheitias death is a particular shock, with the two having shared a long-running friendship. 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 I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades, he said in a statement. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion. His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August. Charles said he looks back on the friendship with immense fondness, having visited New Zealand in 2015, where he and Queen Camilla visited the town of Ngaruawahia with the Kiingi and his wife Makau Ariki. The Kiingi also visited Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace last year. The Kiingis relationship with the British royal family began with the late Queen Elizabeth II. The two royals shared the same birthday April 21 which was commented on on numerous occasions by the late Queen. Kiingi Tuheitia is viewed in New Zealand as a unifying leader of New Zealands native Maori people. Tributes have poured online with politicians and the general public taking to social media to share in their grief. New Zealands Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said in a post on X: Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. 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 I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna (Maori for younger generation), his passion for te ao Maori (the Maori world), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. He added: I will also remember the kindness he showed me personally whenever I met with him at Turangawaewae (the headquarters of the Maori king movement). New Zealands Labour leader Chris Hipkins said via X: The passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has me both saddened and shocked having just celebrated the 18th anniversary of his Coronation. Kiingi Tuheitia was a fierce and staunch advocate, voice and leader, not only for Maoridom but for a better and more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand. His commitment to the kaupapa was fearless and unwavering thats his legacy that well all remember fondly. 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 Former New Zealand prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern described him as an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. A new Maori leader will now be appointed by heads of tribes on the day of Kiingi Tuheitias funeral but before he is buried, Radio New Zealand reports. The Maori King is considered the paramount chief of several tribes, or iwi, but is not affiliated with all of them. Matthew Perry at the GQ Men of the Year Party in 2022 (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) One of two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perrys death is set to appear on Friday in a federal court in Los Angeles after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. Dr Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, signed an agreement with prosecutors earlier this month to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical surgical anaesthetic ketamine. Chavez agreed to co-operate with prosecutors as they pursue others, including the doctor Chavez worked with to sell ketamine to Perry. Also working with the US attorneys office are Perrys assistant, who admitted helping him obtain and inject ketamine, and a Perry acquaintance, who admitted acting as a drug messenger and middleman. The three are helping prosecutors as they go after their main targets, Dr Salvador Plasencia, charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month before his death, and Jasveen Sangha, a woman who authorities say is a dealer who sold the actor the lethal dose of ketamine. Matthew Perry at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 2012 (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Both have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. Chavez admitted in his plea agreement that he obtained ketamine from his former clinic and from a wholesale distributor where he submitted a fraudulent prescription. After a guilty plea, he could get up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. Perry was found dead by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner ruled ketamine was the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common. Seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him, about a month before his death Perry found Plasencia, who in turn asked Chavez to obtain the drug for him. I wonder how much this moron will pay, Plasencia texted Chavez. The two met up the same day in Costa Mesa, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, and exchanged at least four vials of ketamine. After selling the drugs to Perry for 4,500 dollars (3,400), Plasencia asked Chavez if he could keep supplying them so they could become Perrys go-to. US attorney Martin Estrada said in announcing the charges on August 15 that the doctors preyed on Perrys history of addiction in the final months of his life last year to provide him with ketamine in amounts they knew were dangerous. Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified records after Perrys death. He and Sangha will return to court next week. They have separate trial dates in October, but prosecutors are seeking a single trial likely to be delayed to next year. Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on Friends, when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBCs megahit sitcom. The Norwegian kings eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, will marry American self-professed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in a picturesque corner of southern Norway. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couples actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals, who have been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges. Martha Louise, 52, and Verret, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman, from California, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she will no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house, in order to work more closely with her American fiance. The princess she has retained the title has said she can talk with angels, while Verret, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja with Norwegian national ski team skiers in 2019 (Alamy/PA) They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. But earlier this year Martha Louise labelled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald Vs directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which said it goes against local practices. The couple have often criticised the press while promoting themselves on social media. Meanwhile Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norways Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakons stepson, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested on August 6 in Oslo. Borg Hoiby, who is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties. The couple will marry in Geiranger (Alamy/PA) Haakon has called it a serious matter. The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald has remained silent about the issues. A Norwegian political party known for its anti-royalist stance is using the recent scandals to campaign for a proposal to change the constitution and abolish the monarchy. These cases show some of the fundamental challenges with the monarchy, Andreas Sjalg Unneland, an MP for the Socialist Left Party, told The Associated Press in reference to the royal wedding and the Borg Hoiby case. Do we have to wait for a scandal that is so big that we abolish the monarchy, or can we give it a dignified ending? Sjalg Unneland asked, adding that the country should hold a referendum on the issue. The proposal, expected to be tabled next month, is not likely to gain support from other MPs. Saturdays wedding will be officiated following the Norwegian Churchs wedding liturgy. While it is a private event and no guest list has been made public, the royal household in Oslo says Harald, Queen Sonja, the heir to the throne Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend. Norways future king and queen will be joined by their children. Borg Hoiby will not attend. Swedens Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel also are reportedly attending the ceremony in Geiranger, 165 miles north of Bergen, Norways second-largest city. Denmarks King Frederik and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary, however, will not attend. Reality stars, media influencers and TV personalities will round out the ceremonys guests in scenic Geiranger, which sits on the shores of its eponymous fjord designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Norwegian royal yacht, Norge, has anchored there, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The king and queen will stay on the yacht, the royal household in Oslo said. Martha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. Although she is the first child of 87-year-old Harald, her brother, who is two years younger than her, will succeed their father as king. The Norwegian constitution was altered in 1990 to allow the firstborn, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession. The change does not apply retroactively and Haakon remains first in line to the throne. His oldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will one day ascend the Norwegian throne. BENNINGTON A Bennington judge who initially allowed a defendant in two separate long-running sexual assault cases to stay at home under curfew has reversed that decision and granted a state request to hold him without bail until the case is resolved due to safety concerns. Levi Varno, now 29, was initially charged in August 2023 with aggravated and repeated sexual assault of a child. During a subsequent investigation, information arose that resulted in new charges of repeated sexual abuse of a different child from 2013 to 2016 and with repeated sexual assault from 2011 to 2013. Those charges were filed less than a year after the first charges. During a contested weight of evidence hearing on Monday, defense attorney Daniel Stern asked the judge to continue Varnos curfew at his Pownal home while he awaits trial. State Prosecutor Jared Bianchi disagreed and asked for a hold without bail due to several factors, including evidence that there were minor children in the home on several occasions and that Varno has pending violations of his ordered curfew. After listening to both sides, Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady took the question under advisement and released her decision on Wednesday. In her written decision, the judge reviewed the merits of the case against Varno, the seriousness of the pending charges, his possible life sentence if convicted, Vermont bail statute, and the history of the 11-month curfew so far, including the fact that Angel Varno, 54, Levi Varnos mother, was herself arraigned on one count of being an accessory to the aggravated repeated sexual assault of a child allegedly committed by her son. Judge McDonald-Cady also cited the relevancy in the fact that the court found probable cause for Varno's violation of his court-imposed condition of release by breaking the curfew. Varno has two pending cases for those alleged violations. After a two-day recess, she granted the states request for the hold. It should be noted that Angel Varno was granted status as the responsible adult in charge of Levis curfew before she was charged. She was legally required to report Levi to authorities if he violated his court-ordered conditions. Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady concluded in her written decision that The Court no longer has confidence that (the) defendants confinement to his home on Pine Ridge Drive with his mother, Ms. Varno, protects the public, specifically minor children, that he has access to. She went on to say that evidence in the case demonstrates that the defendant continues to have access to minor children, including his sister and brothers minor children, and to the victim in one of the cases, who is still a neighbor to Varno in Pownal. The immediate adults in the defendants life do not perceive his risk to minor children, nor do they seem willing to meaningfully consider the risk to protect other children, Judge McDonald-Cady wrote. The tangible result of Ms. Varnos denial of that risk has resulted in (the) defendants sexual abuse of (the victim) for over ten-years after his sexual abuse of his nephew. The Court finds this factor compelling that weight in favor of the defendants incarceration pending trial. According to an affidavit in the first case from 2023, a call came into the Department of Children and Families in July of 2021 from the Sunrise Family Resource Center in Bennington concerning a female minor. The alleged victim's brother had reported to an SFRC employee that his younger sister was sleeping with then 24-year-old Varno. The victim had been living inside the Varno residence for seven months during the alleged ongoing assaults. A supervisor at DCF received a call that same day from a doctor alerting them that the victim was pregnant. An investigation ensued, with the victim denying Varno was the father. A baby was born to the victim in March of 2022. During an interview with a case worker in November of 2022, the victim acknowledged Varno as the father and expressed a desire to be with him when she turned 16. A subsequent DNA swab confirmed Varno as the father. Further investigation and interviews with the victim revealed that she met Varno when she was 13 when Varno would babysit her and her brother. Eventually, Varno would drive the victim out into the woods in Pownal to have sex on numerous occasions. She eventually became pregnant and promised Varno she would not say anything. An affidavit from the following case listed four new charges of sexual abuse, allegedly against a toddler, dating back years before. According to that affidavit, Manchester Police were notified of a possible sexual assault in Manchester by the father of the victim. The father reported that his child texted him that Varno had raped him after the maternal grandmother of the victim, Angel Varno, was on the front cover of the Bennington Banner, prompting the victim to text his father about his own assault. The victim disclosed to his father that Angel Varno had walked in and saw Levi raping him, walked out, and shut the door. According to victim statements, the sexual abuse started years before when the victim was living at the Dufresne Trailer Park in Manchester. The repeated assaults were frequent and in many locations. Levi Varno is a family member who used to babysit the toddler. The victim in the case was four years old when the alleged abuse began. It should be noted that the victim who reported the rape had a twin brother who passed away in 2018 at the age of 11. According to an interview police had with the victim, that sibling was also a victim of the repeated sexual abuse suffered by his brother. Varno is not charged with any crimes against the deceased sibling. Angel Varno, Levis biological mother, testified under oath in 2023 that she was aware of the relationship between her son and the 14-year-old victim and that her son and the victim had sex. She also admitted to letting both the victim and her son live together at her home for almost a year. Levi Varno was 24 at the time. She is charged with one count of being an accessory to that assault. She has not been charged in the subsequent case at this time. Levi Varno faces a possible life sentence if found guilty in either case. Angel Varno, his mother, faces a possible 25-years-to-life sentence if she is found guilty of being an accessory. Levi Varno is currently being held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland as he awaits trial. Angel Varno was released on conditions after her arraignment in June. Both Levi and Angel Varno have pleaded not guilty to all charges. MONTPELIER In a joint press statement issued Thursday by Rep. James T. Carroll, D-Bennington, and Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington, it was stated they had met during the summer with the Ethics Panel of the Vermont House of Representatives to clear the air. The response, according to the release, was to initiate a restorative justice process to respond to the ethics complaint filed against Representative Morrissey by Representative Carroll for actions that have become widely known to the public. This action involved Morrissey dumping water into a tote bag owned by Carroll, another local legislator at the Statehouse over a period of months. Carroll later told the Bennington Banner there is more work to be done and he is leaving his legal options open. Morrissey, reached by phone, said she was unable to comment because the process is considered confidential. Restorative Justice sessions in Vermont are held behind closed doors. The Restorative Justice process is designed for impacted persons to summarize the harm they believe they have suffered and for persons who are at fault for such harm to take accountability, apologize, and make amends, the release said. Morrissey, who has served in the legislature for 28 years, has offered multiple apologizes to Carroll, including during a floor speech at a special veto override legislative session in June in Montpelier. During the summer meetings Carroll said the intentional and repeated actions by Morrissey caused distress and disrupted his life over several months, according to the press release. The House Ethics Panel said in the release it plans to monitor Morrisseys compliance with her commitments to repair the harm she caused. It did not identify the commitments or offer any elaboration. In addition, the five-member Ethics Panel said it will consider how to provide training to the 180-member body so individual legislators can learn from the situation and will be prepared to treat each other with greater respect and civility in the future. PITTSFIELD The final transportation link to get rail passengers from the Rensselaer, N.Y., train station to Pittsfield, and vice-versa, just hit another speed bump. The way the proposed daily Thruway service was imagined, a single-ticket ride could get you from New York City or upstate New York to Pittsfield every morning, with a bus providing the final one-hour link between the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority intermodal station in Pittsfield and Rensselaer, N.Y., train station. The idea got far enough that Amtrak, working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, issued a request for proposals, seeking a company to operate the daily bus trips, and developed a timetable making connections to New York City and upstate New York-bound trains possible. But rather than the program starting as early as this fall, the bus line is on hold. The plan to begin Amtrak thruway bus service between Pittsfield and Albany was scheduled to begin this September, and Amtrak even began a request for proposals process in May, state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, said. We were told at the end of July that this plan was being postponed this year because of a lack of available funding for a two-year operation." I have not yet been shown a specific gap or approached about trying to bridge the difference but I will be working with MassDOT and the delegation to see how we can get things moving forward in 2025," said Mark. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said she plans to continue "advocating for the one ticket train plus bus service." Even though it didnt work out for this year, I think [it] has great potential," she said. We also have to have that line up with all the funding obligations we have, not just with transportation but with the budget overall, Farley-Bouvier added. In response to questions about whether the service was canceled and why, the Department of Transportation issued a prepared statement saying the concept is still being studied. MassDOT is investigating the potential for supplemental bus service between Albany and Pittsfield, including for the months when Berkshire Flyer service is unavailable, DOT spokesman John Goggin said. According to details provided by rail advocate Eddie Sporn of West Stockbridge, the bus was scheduled to leave Rensselaer at 10:10 a.m. daily, and pull into Pittsfield at 11:10 a.m. Those arrival times were important, because they allowed passengers to get to Pittsfield on a single ticket ride whether they arrived from greater Buffalo, N.Y., at 9:42 a.m., or from New York Citys Penn Station at 9:50 a.m. It worked in reverse, too. Passengers could board the bus in Pittsfield at 8:30 a.m., arriving in Rensselaer at 9:30, in time to board the 63 westbound for upstate New York destinations, or the 280 southbound for New York City, arriving at 12:45 p.m. Sporn said he was told by Amtrak that the RFP had been recalled, but was unable to obtain more details. An Amtrak spokesperson referred questions about the situation to the DOT. The possibility of daily one-ticket rides would be a huge benefit to the economy of the Berkshires, Sporn said. Farley-Bouvier agreed. I think thats whats appealing to riders They can buy one ticket with a bus transfer. And the timetables working out is helpful to people trying to plan a weekend here or go from here to somewhere else, she said. Farley-Bouvier also said the Thruway service, and the Berkshire Flyer, need to be considered in the overall context of passenger rails future in Massachusetts. That also includes the Compass Rail proposal using Springfield as a hub for east-west and north-south service improvements, and east-west proposals that would improve rail links from Pittsfield to Albany and Springfield, and/or restore passenger rail service to North Adams. What I do know is, with [U.S. Rep. Richard Neals] strong advocacy, as a key player in partnership with Gov. [Maura] Healey, weve made great progress on Compass Rail with very, very large funding. So we need to keep partnership going between federal and state partners, she said. She suggested that residents, businesses and cultural institutions in the Berkshires, which stand to gain from easier mass-transit access from New York, to stay engaged in this process. Having that ability to go back and forth to New York has a big impact on visitors here and building audiences and their customer base. As for the Berkshire Flyer, the weekend New York-Pittsfield weekend train completing its third year as a pilot program, Sporn said the Thruway service could provide Amtrak with an alternative that avoided delays on the CSX-owned stretch of track between Albany and Pittsfield. "Even in the best of circumstances you still have a track constraint, with one passing lane over a 50-mile stretch," said Sporn. "Until there is more double track and until we're assured CSX will provide Amtrak trains with priority as required it makes sense to run a bus." Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic: We can do what WE want, no matter what international law says 30. 8. 2024 cas cteni 4 minuty BBC report from 19 July 2024: UN top court says Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal The UN's top court has said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is against international law, in a landmark opinion. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel 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. Delivering the court's findings, ICJ President Nawaf Salam said it had found that "Israel's... continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal." "The State of Israel is under the obligation to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible," he said. He said Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 did not bring Israel's occupation of that area to an end because it still exercises effective control over it. The court also said Israel should evacuate all of its settlers from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and pay reparations to Palestinians for damages caused by the occupation. Among its other far-reaching conclusions, the court said Israeli restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied territories constituted "systemic discrimination based on, inter alia, race, religion or ethnic origin". It also said Israel had illegally exploited the Palestinians' natural resources and violated their right to self-determination. The court also advised states to avoid any actions, including providing aid or assistance, that would maintain the current situation. * * * This is the response of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: This is the response of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: * * * This is the response of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs: To a Citizen's Inquiry: In the Czech Republic's relations with the State of Israel, is the Foreign Minister bound by international law and international human rights conventions and the Geneva Conventions on the law of war? In what active decisions and statements have the Minister and the Ministry demonstrated this in relation to the occupation of the Palestinian territories, the building of occupation settlements and violence against Palestinians?" On behalf of the addressed Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Minister Jan Lipavsky, the information was provided by Mgr. Mariana Wernerova, Deputy Director of the Department of Communication: "There is no armed conflict between the Czech Republic and the State of Israel, therefore the Czech Republic's commitment to international humanitarian law, the conventions of the law of war and the Geneva Conventions are not relevant in relation to the State of Israel, as well as in cases of commitment to international human rights conventions." In response to a citizen's question, "And has the Minister proposed or supported sanctions against Israeli occupiers and against the building of occupation settlements? When and in what wording?" Written on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic by Mgr. Mariana Wernerova: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any such action." In response to a citizen's question, "If it has not done so, then for what legal or other reason?" On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in writing Mgr Mgr. Mariana Wernerova says " The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected this part of the complaint, see letter No. 119743-8/2024-MFA/OK". And finally, the best bit: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jan Lipavsky, through Mgr. Wernerova "According to the commentary literature and case law, the obliged entity (the MFA) is not obliged to explain its procedures or positions, nor is it obliged to explain or justify why its representative took or did not take a certain position or was not active in a certain way. This is particularly true if the representative was acting in the role of a politician." Information from the MFA of the Czech Republic was obtained by Radomir Silber, Ph.D. Sources: Request for information pursuant to Act No. 106/1999 Coll., on free access to information, dated 3 August 2024 Communication and Decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 119743-3/2024-MFA/OK dated 9 August 2024 No 119743-4/2024-MFA/OK of 9 August 2024 Copy of the Complaint against the conduct of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 12 August 2024 Ref: 119743-7/2024-MFA/OK dated 19 August 2024 Decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ref: 119743-8/2024-MFA/OK dated 19 August 2024 0 ARCHIVE - Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, attends the 33rd Balvanyos Summer University and Student Camp. Photo: Alexandru Dobre/AP/dpa Keystone Hungary's right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to ask the European Union to pay for what he sees as the successful defense against refugees. This is the result of a decree signed by Orban and published in the Hungarian Law Gazette. SDA It states that Hungary has spent around two billion euros on protecting the EU's external and Schengen borders since 2015. The EU owes Hungary this money. The "competent decision-makers" have therefore been instructed to examine whether this sum can be offset against the penalty payment that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ordered Hungary to pay in June of this year due to its asylum policy. It initially remained unclear how Hungary intends to implement this plan. In the summer of 2015, Hungary erected barbed wire fences on its borders with Serbia and Croatia in the midst of the refugee crisis. As a result, only a few irregular migrants entered the country via the Balkan route. On June 13, the ECJ ruled that Hungary must pay 200 million euros and a daily penalty payment of one million euros for each day of delay because the country had failed to implement supreme court decisions on the asylum system. Hungary had violated EU treaties by deliberately circumventing the application of a common Union policy. This constituted a completely new and exceptionally serious violation of EU law, it was said from Luxembourg at the time. The ECJ had already issued its first ruling on Hungary's refugee policy in 2020. This concerned, among other things, procedures in the now closed transit camps on the border with Serbia. The court later overturned the Hungarian regulation according to which people seeking protection first had to go through a preliminary procedure in Hungarian embassies before they were allowed to enter Hungary to apply for asylum. This practice still applies in Hungary. SDA 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. Some lucky Oasis fans will have an early chance on Friday evening to get tickets for the group's long-awaited reunion tour, which is being billed as the "big event of 2025". The band announced their comeback this week to much fanfare, 15 years after they broke up when lead guitarist and main songwriter Noel Gallagher said he could no longer work with frontman and brother Liam after a number of public spats. Advertisement Oasis opened a pre-sale ballot to those who can answer a question about the band, before tickets go on general release at 8am in Ireland and 9am in Britain on Saturday. Those who have been successful in the ballot have been told that the pre-sale will take place between 7pm and 10pm on Friday. Fans have also been advised to be vigilant of scams. All Ticket Ballot codes have now been sent out to fans. Please do NOT buy a code or transfer them to someone else. Codes ONLY work with the registered email address. If you didn't get a code to access the pre-sale, you can join the general sale tomorrow morning. Advertisement Oasis (@oasis) August 30, 2024 Mark Sutherland, a music business consultant and journalist, said the audience was likely to be made up of people who had the "best years of their lives soundtracked" by Oasis, and younger fans who know a few hits and want to experience them live. Harry Kind from consumer group Which? said Oasis and ticket sellers had put measures in place to deter people seeking to profit from the clamour for tickets, such as the ballot. Advertisement Oasis originally announced 14 shows in Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, where the group formed in 1991, London, Edinburgh, but on Thursday added three dates after "unprecedented demand". Fans are not just trying to get into the shows. Cheap hotel rooms appear to have been replaced by pricier options on travel sites in cities like Manchester and some people reported on social media that hotels had sought to cancel bookings they had made prior to the tour dates being announced, in a bid to relist them at a higher price. The gigs are expected to provide a multi-million boost for Ireland and Britain's hospitality sectors and economies. "There will be huge sums of money spent on merchandise, travel, hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as creating jobs which are all linked directly to these gigs," said Paul Haywood-Schiefer, senior manager at tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg. Although Oasis, one of the biggest British bands of recent decades, said plans were underway to go to other continents, fans were likely to fly in from abroad for the shows. "If you want to see Oasis, really the best place to do it is here in the UK where they mean so much," Sutherland said. Mike Nesbitt will be the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) after he was the only declared candidate when nominations closed. Mr Nesbitt (67), who is currently the Norths health minister, will be formally ratified as leader at an extraordinary general meeting of the party on September 14th. Advertisement Doug Beattie quit as UUP leader last week after a dispute with party officers. After nominations to succeed him closed at 4.40pm on Friday, Mr Nesbitt was the only party member who had put his name forward. He has received the required 35 signatures from nine constituencies across Northern Ireland. Advertisement Doug Beattie announced last week he was stepping down as leader of the UUP (Liam McBurney/PA) The Strangford MLA, a former broadcast journalist, will become the first person to lead the unionist party twice. He was leader between 2012 and 2017 but quit following a difficult Northern Ireland Assembly election result. Mr Beattie cited irreconcilable differences with party officers as he announced his shock departure on August 19th. Advertisement The Upper Bann Assembly member and decorated Army veteran was elected UUP leader in 2021. Mr Beatties resignation came after what was a relatively positive Westminster election result for the UUP, with the party securing a seat for the first time since 2017. However, an internal row over the process to select the Stormont Assembly replacement for the partys new MP Robin Swann ultimately led to Mr Beatties resignation. A move to end the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners is to be extended to Northern Ireland, Stormonts Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed. Mr Lyons said he strongly disagreed with the move by the Labour government but said there was no additional resource which would allow the region to diverge from the UK decision. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Stormont Executive has written to UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer raising concern that the change will have a negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland. Labour has said that the policy will stop winter fuel payments for people in England and Wales who are not in receipt of Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. Advertisement Mr Lyons has now confirmed that the change will also apply to Northern Ireland. He said: On 29 July 2024 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales would be restricted to those people receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits only. I strongly disagree with this decision. The estimated additional cost to the block grant of maintaining universal entitlement to a winter fuel payment in Northern Ireland for winter 2024/25 is 44.3 million, and this does not include any additional delivery or staffing costs. Advertisement Regrettably, there is no additional resource available in the budget to allow us to diverge from the UK Government's decision without significantly cutting other public services. I have made clear to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions my total opposition to this decision and outlined the detrimental impact it will have on many people in Northern Ireland. I am committed to ensuring that people can access all the support to which they are entitled and would encourage anyone affected by these changes to check their benefit entitlement. Meanwhile, all of the Stormont ministers have written collectively to the Prime Minister on the issue. The letter, seen by the PA news agency, states that ministers convey our collective concern at your Governments intended changes to the Winter Fuel Payments Scheme. Advertisement It goes on to say that the decision will have a direct and negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland who are already struggling with the consequences of the rise in the cost of living. Mr Lyons contended Stormont had had no choice in the matter, and that it had been a really bad decision by the UK Government with zero consultation. Stormont ministers have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about changes to winter fuel payments. Photo: Justin Tallis/PA. Advertisement He told BBC Radio Ulster he believes it would have cost Stormont over 44 million to avoid, which would have resulted in very deep cuts to other public services in Northern Ireland. We consulted with other Executive colleagues and through that urgent procedure process, the First and deputy First Minister have agreed that we will maintain parity and will be doing the same as they are doing in England and Wales, he said. But I am concerned about this we have really been left in the position of having no decision to make, there was no choice for us and in fact the Government said to us if they didnt have a decision from us today that then they would be forced to remove Northern Ireland from their IT system altogether and that there would be no payments made to anybody this winter. Whats frustrating for me is that we have had no time to consider how then we could best help those who are most in need. This was landed on our plate at the last minute and wed no time to consult or even find out how we could identify and help those people that really will find this difficult. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt indicated that Stormont ministers were very, very reluctant around the decision. Im not going to go into the confidentiality of Executive business but I think you can guess for yourself nobody was happy about that, that it was a very, very reluctant decision by each and every member of the Executive to say that we cannot break parity, he told media at Stormont. Last night signified the end of the summer holidays at least for Hollywood stars, as the Venice Film Festival 2024 kicked off with a bang. The annual film festival is screening an array of thrilling productions, such as the highly anticipated Joker: Folie a Deux, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Queer and more. Advertisement Stars gathered alongside film fans to celebrate the most anticipated premieres of the year (AP/PA) Over the next week and a half, Hollywood stars will be touching down in Venice to celebrate their respective premieres, providing a smorgasbord of striking ensembles after a summer of relaxed beach attires. Stars gearing up to grace the Venetian red carpet this year include Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga and Cate Blanchett who set the bar high for her look at the festivals opening night. Advertisement Heres a look at some of the best looks Blanchett exuded the feminine divine in a shimmering sleeveless gown by Armani (AP/PA) Actor Cate Blanchett, 55, star of new movie Borderlands, arrived for last nights red carpet wearing a tiered Giorgio Armani Prive dress. The liquid gold sheen of the gown meant the star was virtually glowing, accessorised with Louis Vuitton jewellery and a simple beach-waved bob. Advertisement Ortega made a statement in red with a heart detailed bodice (AP/PA) Gen Z icon and Beetlejuice Beetlejuices leading lady, Jenna Ortega, 21, was dripping in drama in an effervescent custom red Dior gown, with a striking heart-shaped bodice. The dress was inspired by the wedding gown worn by Winona Ryder in the original 1988 Beetlejuice film. Advertisement Ryder combined structure and fluidity in an airy Chanel ensemble (AP/PA) Meanwhile, last night Winona Ryder, 52, mirrored Ortegas frothy skirt, but contrasted the feminine silhouette with a sharp preppy blazer and waistcoat. The Chanel Haute Couture ensemble channelled gothic-coquette, which was very on-brand for the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star. Huppert almost blended into the carpet in an extravagant Balenciaga gown (AP/PA) Advertisement This years Venice Film Festival jury president, Isabelle Huppert, 71, wore a custom Balenciaga red cowl neck gown with bow back detailing. The glamourous star lifted the look with classic white evening gloves and silver cuffs. Burton and Bellucci wore couple costumes in matching sunglasses (AP/PA) Director of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Tim Burton, 66, and his girlfriend, Italian actor Monica Bellucci, 59, matched in striking black ensembles and large dark sunglasses. Bellucci wore a custom Vivienne Westwood off the shoulder gown, with a statement turquoise and magenta gem necklace: a jewellery trend hailed as big for autumn 2024. OHara sported a weird and wonderful intricate piece by Oscar de la Renta (AP/PA) Catherine OHara, 77, who also stars in the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, wore a mind-bending lattice-woven custom gown by Oscar de la Renta, adorned with Cartier jewellery and a statement red lip. Russell held a torch to forgotten designs in an archival Chanel piece (AP/PA) Canadian actor and model Taylor Russell, 30, championed vintage, in an archival Chanel s/s 1993 sleeveless gown. The eye-catching and avant-garde silhouette was balanced with minimal make-up and fine Tiffany & Co. jewellery. Jury member Zhang Ziyi wore a rich velvet jumpsuit with pearl detailing (AP/PA) Chinese actor and Venice Film Festival jury member, Zhang Ziyi, 45, channelled Parisian luxury in a velvet jumpsuit and matching beret by Armani Prive. The star completed the look with Chopard silver statement earrings and platform heeled boots. Jackson kept it simple in a black gown with silver statements (AP/PA) British actor Amy Jackson, 32, wore an elegant off the shoulder black Alberta Ferretti gown, with silver studded embellishments bursting from the bodice. Weaver channelled old Hollywood elegance in a classic Chanel ensemble (AP/PA) Sigourney Weaver, 74, wore a classic Chanel suit top and skirt. The demure look was quintessentially Chanel, with a wide open neckline and pearl and sequin detailing adding dazzling glamour. Weaver topped the classic look off with silver drop earrings. Goulart stunned in a dazzling black sleeveless gown with a sheer mesh panel (AP/PA) Brazilian fashion model Izabel Goulart wore a slinky strapless gown by Ermanno Scervino, with a hip-bone high slit. The model completed the look with a silver tiered choker and relaxed, long beachy waves. Boscono evoked whimsy in her flowing silk gown (AP/PA) Italian model and actor Mariacarla Boscono, 43, channelled a goddess warrior in her ethereal ensemble. Boscano wore a custom Ann Demeulemeester white silk gown, paired with silver and emerald jewels by Pomellato. The star contrasted the feminine gown with heavy knee-high biker boots. The Norwegian kings eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, will marry American self-professed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in a picturesque corner of southern Norway. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couples actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals, who have been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges. Advertisement Martha Louise, 52, and Verret, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman, from California, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she will no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house, in order to work more closely with her American fiance. The princess she has retained the title has said she can talk with angels, while Verret, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja with Norwegian national ski team skiers in 2019 (Alamy/PA) Advertisement They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. But earlier this year Martha Louise labelled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald Vs directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. Advertisement The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which said it goes against local practices. The couple have often criticised the press while promoting themselves on social media. Meanwhile Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norways Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakons stepson, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested on August 6 in Oslo. Advertisement Borg Hoiby, who is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties. The couple will marry in Geiranger (Alamy/PA) Haakon has called it a serious matter. Advertisement The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald has remained silent about the issues. A Norwegian political party known for its anti-royalist stance is using the recent scandals to campaign for a proposal to change the constitution and abolish the monarchy. These cases show some of the fundamental challenges with the monarchy, Andreas Sjalg Unneland, an MP for the Socialist Left Party, told The Associated Press in reference to the royal wedding and the Borg Hoiby case. Do we have to wait for a scandal that is so big that we abolish the monarchy, or can we give it a dignified ending? Sjalg Unneland asked, adding that the country should hold a referendum on the issue. The proposal, expected to be tabled next month, is not likely to gain support from other MPs. Saturdays wedding will be officiated following the Norwegian Churchs wedding liturgy. While it is a private event and no guest list has been made public, the royal household in Oslo says Harald, Queen Sonja, the heir to the throne Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend. Norways future king and queen will be joined by their children. Borg Hoiby will not attend. Swedens Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel also are reportedly attending the ceremony in Geiranger, 165 miles north of Bergen, Norways second-largest city. Denmarks King Frederik and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary, however, will not attend. Reality stars, media influencers and TV personalities will round out the ceremonys guests in scenic Geiranger, which sits on the shores of its eponymous fjord designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Norwegian royal yacht, Norge, has anchored there, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The king and queen will stay on the yacht, the royal household in Oslo said. Martha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. Although she is the first child of 87-year-old Harald, her brother, who is two years younger than her, will succeed their father as king. The Norwegian constitution was altered in 1990 to allow the firstborn, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession. The change does not apply retroactively and Haakon remains first in line to the throne. His oldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will one day ascend the Norwegian throne. Britain's Prince William and Prince Harry both attended the funeral of their mothers brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, it has been reported. Harry flew from the US to join William at the service at St Marys Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun said. Advertisement The newspaper said that the brothers made a discreet appearance and sat apart at the back of the church. A local resident was quoted by The Sun saying William and Harry kept their distance and did not speak to each other. Lord Fellowes with Queen Elizabeth II and Charles at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA) Advertisement Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, moved to the US in 2020 after they stepped down from royal duties. The princes did not meet when Harry spent time with King Charles at Clarence House after news of his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Harry published his memoir Spare last year, in which he accused William of pushing him into a dog bowl in a row over Meghan. It was also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks. Advertisement Further tensions between the royal brothers can be traced back to the early period of Harrys relationship with Meghan, when his then fiancee had a falling-out with the Princess of Wales in the run-up to their wedding. Lord Robert, Queen Elizabeth IIs former private secretary, died earlier this month aged 82. He was married to Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales. Kensington Palace declined to comment. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander of the countrys air force on Friday, four days after an F16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed during a Russian bombardment and killed the pilot. The order to dismiss Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk was published on the presidential website. Advertisement We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers, Mr Zelensky said in an address minutes after the order was published. He said Ukraine needs to strengthen its army on the command level. One of Ukraines F16s crashed on Monday during a Russian missile bombardment (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Advertisement Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed acting air force commander, the armys general staff said. The dismissal came on the same day that Mr Oleshchuk directed scathing criticism at a lawmaker who is deputy head of the Ukrainian parliaments defence committee for her claims that the F16 was downed by a Patriot air-defence system. Ukraine has received an unspecified number of the US-made systems. Mariana Bezuhla cited unnamed sources for her claim and demanded punishment for those responsible for the error. Mr Oleshchuk accused Ms Bezuhla of defaming the air force and discrediting US arms manufacturers and said that he hoped she would face legal consequences for her claims. Advertisement The truth will win, Ms Bezuhla posted on X shortly after the dismissal order was published. The air force did not directly deny that the F16 was hit by a Patriot missile. US experts have joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash, the air force said. Meanwhile, a Russian attack on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv using powerful plane-launched glide bombs killed six people, including a 14-year-old girl on a playground, and wounded 47 others, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Advertisement The bombs struck five locations across the city, which had a pre-war population of 1.4 million people, the governor said. One of the bombs hit a 12-storey apartment block, setting the building ablaze and trapping at least one person on an upper floor. Emergency crews searching for survivors feared the structure could collapse. In other developments, Ukrainian rockets hit the Russian city of Belgorod and its surroundings on late Friday, killing five people and injuring 37, said regional govenor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The region borders northern Ukraine and comes under drone or artillery attacks almost daily. Advertisement Zelenskyy pointed to the Kharkiv strikes as further evidence that Western partners should scrap restrictions on what the Ukrainian military can target with donated weapons. The Kharkiv strike wouldnt have happened if our defence forces had the capability to destroy Russian military aviation at its bases. We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror, Mr Zelenskyy said. F16s are one of the weapons that could be used to hit Russian bases behind the front line. Mr Oleshchuk said on Telegram that a detailed analysis was already being conducted into why the F16 jet went down on Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Authorities in Brazil started blocking Elon Musks social media platform X on Saturday, making it largely inaccessible on both the web and through its mobile app after the company refused to comply with a judges order. X missed a deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to name a legal representative in Brazil, triggering the suspension. It marks an escalation in the months-long feud between Musk and Moraes over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation. Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the immediate suspension of Elon Musks social media platform X in the country. Credit: AP To block X, Brazils telecommunications regulator, Anatel, told internet service providers to suspend users access to the social media platform. By early Saturday morning (local time), major operators had begun doing so. Moraes had warned Musk on Wednesday night that X could be blocked if he failed to comply with his order to name a representative, and established a 24-hour deadline. The company hasnt had a representative in the country since earlier this month. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outFood First look: Paddington welcomes a cosy, Michelin-inspired Italian fine diner A former Rosmarino chef is doing a la carte during the week and degustations on weekends, with anywhere up to 18 plates. Take a peek inside. Matt Shea August 30, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A new restaurant with an old floor. Dario Manca likes the thought of that. It has seen so much, the Italian-born Manca says. A friend of mine was like, Maybe you need to redo the floor, and I was like, A patch here and a patch there, maybe. But it tells a story, so we decided to keep it. Attimi will open next Friday in the 224 Given Terrace premises previously made famous by Montrachet. Markus Ravik Chef Manca (formerly Rosmarino, Za Za Ta) is talking about Attimi, an Italian fine diner that he will unveil in Paddington on September 6. Its one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the spring, but it occupies a storied, heritage-listed spot at 224 Given Terrace best known as the original home of classic French restaurant Montrachet. In more recent years it was NOTA, Sebastiaan de Kort and Kevin Dochertys popular European eatery. Advertisement Where to find Brisbanes best seafood restaurants Its important to acknowledge the past, Manca says. Its good a reminder that we have something people in Paddington know very well. Its a milestone in terms of hospitality. Attimi is very different to Montrachet or NOTA, though. Its also very different to most of the roughly 180 Italians restaurants that already exist in and around Brisbane. Inspired by the Michelin-starred eateries of his home country, this cosy 28-seater is serving a fine-dining degustation menu on weekends, and a la carte during the week. Mooloolaba king prawn and mascarpone cappelletti with a bisque sauce, buffalo stracciatella and basil oil. Markus Ravik It feels like the right time for this concept in Brisbane, he says. People are now more knowledgeable about Italian food. Advertisement Attimis degustation runs Friday and Saturday nights and comes in two flavours: a quick Italian tour $145 option and a more extensive $195 menu that lists 12 courses but might involve anywhere up to 18 different plates and snacks. Fish crisp with ricotta and tarama, white sardines, house-made preserved lemon gel and oregano. Markus Ravik The shorter menu includes rosemary carasau bread with smoked stracciatella, anchovies and pickled tomatoes, a filo confit garlic tart with goats cheese cream, and tagliolini arrabbiata with nduja, oregano, South Australian mussels, blue cheese cream and bread crumb. The longer menu throws in dishes such as a fish crisp with ricotta and tarama, white sardines, a house-made preserved lemon gel and oregano, savoury cannoli with beef tartare, cornichons, stracciatella and a bagna cauda mayo, Mooloolaba king prawn and mascarpone cappelletti with a bisque sauce, buffalo stracciatella and basil oil, and a seven-score Tajima wagyu sirloin with fermented honey, pickled mushrooms and red wine jus. Beef rump cap tartare with black bagna cauda mayo, stracciatella, chilly oil and pickled cocktail onions. Markus Ravik Advertisement Each dish takes its inspiration from a different Italian region, whether it be Tuscany, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna or Sicily. During the week a la carte kicks in, with the menu largely compiled from the greatest hits (or variations thereof) from the degustation, with a clutch of extra dishes thrown in for good measure. House-made tagliolini with a tomato sauce, nduja and oregano, South Australian mussels and buffalo blue cream. Markus Ravik For drinks, theres a relatively concise 80-bottle list of mostly Italian wines, and classic and signature cocktails. As for the space itself, Mancas friend and experienced home interior designer Danny Zullo has cleverly set it apart from Montrachet and NOTA before it by cutting back the bar and installing arched shelving in front of the venues exposed bricks, as well as powder-coated aluminium shelving at the front and rear of the venue thats been stacked with wine and other Italian goods. The space is classy and intimate without being stuffy. Advertisement Rosemary carasau with smoked stracciatella, anchovies and pickled tomatoes. Markus Ravik Theres a nice community around here, and I think its going to be great, Manca says. Were not expecting to explode in a second. We just want to do it consistently and achieve our goals consistently. Attimi will open on Friday, September 6. Open Tue-Thu, 5.30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-2.30pm 5.30pm-10pm 224 Given Terrace, Paddington attimi.com.au Australian Nursing Federation WA state secretary Janet Reah has announced her resignation effective immediately. Reah said she wanted to thank members for the support they had shown over the past two years. ANF secretary Janet Reah walks with protesters during a 2022 rally. Credit: Hamish Hastie It has been my privilege to have represented them during one of the most tumultuous times in the ANFs history, she said. During this time, we negotiated a long-stalemated Public Sector EBA, begun rolling out historic patient-ratios to WA hospitals, kept ANF fees at a record low, and fixed the Helpline system. It was an unexpected message sent to Labor MPs last Sunday morning that set off the fastest climbdown in Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses first term of government. What started as a plan to head off a culture war ended up causing one, revealing a crisis of confidence inside the government and leaving its own LGBT staff feeling under attack. An early Sunday morning message to Labor MPs about a gender and sexuality question in the 2026 census opened up a disastrous political week for the government. Credit: Monique Westermann The text message on Sunday was senior Labor figures giving MPs a heads-up that new questions on sexual orientation and gender would not be included in the 2026 census, bringing to a head an issue that had been quietly discussed internally for weeks. The MPs, most of whom hold inner-city seats under threat from the Greens, were left with little doubt that this was a decision from the top, though that did not stop other parts of the Labor Party talking of disciplining the minister who announced the decision, Andrew Leigh. With apologies to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, I must admit I had not turned my mind to the August 2026 census before this week. For most of us, its a quaint little box-ticking exercise that comes along every five years rarer than the Olympic Games and doesnt warrant much bother. The idea it might ask a couple of questions about gender and sexuality seems almost a given. After all, why not? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Sydneys Gay Mardi Gras last year. Credit: Nikki Short Well, now we know. Doing so risks opening up divisive debates, according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, while Treasurer Jim Chalmers warned the issue could be weaponised against LGBTQ people. Thanks for the anguish. But as others were quick to point out, LGBTQ people and organisations are the ones calling for the census to ask these exact questions. Count us, they are saying. We need the data. The president of the World Bank is due in Australia next week offering to be a force-multiplier for good in the Pacific Island states, and expecting some federal funding to do so. In the first visit by a World Bank head in seven years, Ajay Banga is to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other ministers to brief them on his plans and to seek an Australian top-up to the banks development funds. The Washington-based institution is the worlds biggest and oldest multilateral development bank, created after World War II to help lift the poorest countries out of poverty. It made total grants and loans of $US91 billion last year to 75 recipient nations. Kyiv: One of the handful of F-16 warplanes that Ukraine has received from its Western partners to help fight Russias invasion has crashed, killing its pilot. The fighter jet was fending off a barrage of Russian missiles and drones when it went down on Monday, Ukraines Army General Staff said in a statement posted on Facebook. Four of those Russian missiles were shot down by F-16s, it said. Two MIG-29 planes stage a flypast in honour of Ukrainian pilot Oleksiy Mes. Credit: Getty Images 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 Defence Ministry has opened an investigation into the crash. New York: Israels military and Palestinian militant group Hamas have agreed to three-day pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow for polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children after a baby there contracted the first confirmed case in 25 years. The UN World Health Organisation said it had reached the agreement with Israel for the limited pauses for the first round of vaccines for 640,000 children. Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu el-Jedian, now 11 months old, who suffers from polio, is cradled by his mother, at a makeshift camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Credit: AP The vaccination campaign will start Sunday in central Gaza, with a humanitarian pause lasting from 6am until 3pm for three days that can be extended by an additional day if needed, said Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative in the Palestinian territories. The campaign which has been coordinated with Israeli authorities will then move to southern Gaza and finally northern Gaza for similar pauses, he said at a UN press conference by video from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Matt goes onto to explain that brokers have no cap on earnings, but I can guarantee you that not one broker in the mortgage industry would even come close to what his executive team earned in the past year with salary, bonus and options. Germany Resumes Deportations to Afghanistan Amidst Security Concerns and Political Pressures (Photo: fdecomite/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 ) Germany has resumed deportations of Afghan nationals following a suspension that lasted nearly three years, driven by mounting domestic pressure and recent security incidents. Early on Friday, a deportation flight carrying 28 convicted Afghan criminals departed from Leipzig and was scheduled to arrive in Kabul later in the day. This move represents Germany's first repatriation of Afghans since the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021. The flight's departure comes in the wake of a new German security initiative aimed at tightening asylum policies and accelerating deportations. The recent escalation in security incidents, including a fatal stabbing linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Solingen and another deadly attack by an Afghan refugee in June, has intensified calls for a more stringent approach to immigration. The deported individuals, all male and convicted of serious crimes, were selected by Germany's Interior Ministry. According to Der Spiegel, each deportee received a payment of 1,000 ($1,100), although this detail was not confirmed by the Saxony Interior Ministry spokesperson. The flight was operated by Qatar Airlines, highlighting the international dimensions of the deportation process. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit clarified that Berlin's actions did not involve direct negotiations with the Taliban but were facilitated through regional intermediaries. "We have made intensive efforts to repatriate migrants who have committed serious crimes," Hebestreit said. He underscored that these measures were part of a broader response to recent violent incidents linked to extremist elements. The recent fatal stabbing in Solingen, which resulted in three deaths, has further spurred German authorities into action. The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian man with alleged ISIS ties, had previously been subject to deportation but had remained in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared that the government will pursue all possible measures to ensure that individuals who are not legally allowed to stay in Germany are deported. This new security package, unveiled on Thursday, aims to expedite the deportation process for rejected asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants while tightening laws on weapon ownership. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the need to "step up the pace of repatriations" and address irregular migration more effectively. The resumption of deportations also occurs amid significant political developments, with regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia approaching. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has capitalized on anti-migration sentiment, is currently leading in the polls. The party has used recent attacks to bolster its platform, with regional leader Bjorn Hocke framing the election as a choice between "Hocke or Solingen." The decision to resume deportations has sparked debate among German civil society and international observers. ProAsyl, a prominent refugee advocacy group, criticized the move as potentially normalizing the Taliban regime. Tareq Alaows, ProAsyl's refugee policy spokesperson, argued that the deportations signal a "bankruptcy for the constitutional state." In response, the German foreign ministry has stressed that the deportations do not signify an attempt to normalize relations with the Taliban. The ministry reiterated that negotiations with the Taliban remain problematic due to the group's international status and the ongoing human rights concerns associated with their rule. Germany is also addressing the issue of deportations to Syria, which were previously suspended. A recent court ruling in Muenster determined that the general danger of civil war in Syria no longer warranted a blanket ban on deportations, although the situation remains complex. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Expected to Attend King Charles' Coronation Amid Ongoing Discussions (Photo: REUTERS) This past week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on a lavish vacation to Colombia, which adhered to all of the conventions that are associated with royal tours. It was quite evident that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were in their element, having engaged in activities such as socializing with people and delivering impassioned public addresses in front of dignitaries. However, as soon as the couple arrived back in California, royal observers began to wonder what the purpose of such a journey was for two individuals who had previously held positions of power in the royal family, as well as why the trip cost more than three million dollars. The security cost, which included three thousand police officers and soldiers, a bomb disposal unit, a guard equipped with a ballistic suitcase, sniffer dogs, and helicopters, is said to have contributed to the substantial expense. Harry, who is 39 years old, and Meghan, who is 43 years old, were protected by these measures. A conference was held about African American women and power, and Meghan wowed the audience with her Spanish talents. Additionally, the couple won fans by performing music and dancing. Harry ang Meghan seemed to enjoy the events and attention while in Colombia - and in public seemed oblivious to any criticisms of their presence in the country, an unnamed source told New Idea Magazine. Truth be told, they are excited to tour once more, critics be damned. Following the success of their Nigerian tour earlier this year and now this trip to South America, they are definitely open more appearances where invited, the unidentified insider went on. Meanwhile, It has been disclosed by a priest who spoke to Princes William and Prince Harry at their reunion for a church ceremony to remember their late uncle that they did not speak to each other. The pastor also confirmed that they did not speak to one other individually. They both went to the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, who passed away a month ago at the age of 82. The two individuals, who have been involved in a contentious dispute, attended the funeral together. Prince Harry made a covert trip from the United States to attend the memorial ceremony attended by William at St. Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk. There, they paid their respects to the deceased. Since the Coronation of their father, King Charles, which took place in May of last year, this was the first time that they had attended the same event. However, despite the fact that they appeared to have been able to put their disagreements aside for the service that took place yesterday, there were indications that they continued to maintain their distance from one another. The Reverend Dan Tansey, who presided over the ceremony that took place the day before, has now shared with him what the brothers had to say to him after the service. "It was only as I was greeting the congregation on the way out that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after Prince Harry did too. It was a surprise but a really really pleasant surprise that they had both come. On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming, he told The Sun. Following the service, which was referred to as a memorial rather than a funeral, a reception was held, which the vicar characterized as being very laid back and friendly. "I don't recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them, the vicar went on. A further statement made by the reverend was that the presence of both brothers at the service would have been of great significance to Lord Fellowes and his widow Jane, who was an older sister of Princess Diana. During a walkabout in Windsor with their wives in the days following the passing of their late grandmother in September 2022, Prince William and Prince Harry were spotted alongside each other for the last time. This was the last time they were photographed together. Since then, Prince Harry has been vocal in his criticism of his royal relatives, particularly William, in his explosive book, Spare, as well as in his bombshell Netflix series. In the latter, he has accused William of forcing him into a dog bowl after a dispute regarding Meghan. Chinese defense ministry urges U.S. to substantively reduce its nuclear arsenal Xinhua) 10:36, August 30, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that manufacturing will determine the direction of Indias growth trajectory, adding that India can achieve far more through a robust manufacturing sector. Speaking at the Ficci: CEO Roundtable Viksit Bharat India Manufacturing Leaders Forum, Goyal emphasised that manufacturing has been pivotal to Indias development, growing at a similar rate to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) 7-8 per cent. He underscored that manufacturing will be key to realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Goyal noted that while Indias GDP is accelerating, manufacturing sector growth remains relatively stagnant, accounting for 15-16 per cent of the GDP a figure that has held steady for the past two decades. This means that despite faster GDP growth, manufacturing remains at the same level, he said. On the one hand, maintaining this level is positive, but Goyal stressed that for a nation of 1.4 billion people, with a burgeoning population of skilled graduates, India can do much more. He urged domestic companies to support one another by purchasing Indian-made products, which would strengthen the sector and shield firms from future disruptions like the pandemic. An Indian company buying from another Indian company creates a resilient ecosystem. It helps insulate and secure businesses from disruptions. Weve seen two wars, the Red Sea crisis, monkeypox, and now the threat of another pandemic we have enough to be worried about globally, Goyal remarked while addressing industry leaders virtually. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of 12 industrial smart cities across 10 states and six major industrial corridors, with a total investment of Rs 28,602 crore. These cities aim to address the lack of physical and social infrastructure around industrial units and bolster Indias manufacturing capabilities. Goyal noted that some of the main challenges faced by companies in India revolve around land and infrastructure shortages. He argued that these issues could be alleviated by the development of industrial smart cities, which will feature plug-and-play and walk-to-work infrastructure. He added that four industrial parks are currently under development: Dholera (Gujarat), Vikram Udyogpuri (Madhya Pradesh), Shendra Bidkin (Maharashtra), and Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh). These projects have already attracted committed investments of Rs 1.72 trillion and involve the sale of 3,500 acres of developed land. The goal is balanced regional development across the country. The estimated potential is about 1 million jobs and $20 billion in investment, which seems conservative when you consider the current implementation of the four industrial parks," Goyal observed. He further expressed confidence that the newly announced 12 industrial cities would unlock even greater opportunities for manufacturing and urged industrialists to plan their investments in these parks. We are also focused on integrating India into global value chains and facilitating the establishment of global capability centres (GCCs). Currently, half of the worlds companies have some presence in India through GCCs. On our end, were working on enhancing the ease of doing business, but we welcome ideas from our industry partners, he added. Goyal also stressed the importance of industry-government collaboration in ensuring the success of various government initiatives related to manufacturing and skilling. He urged manufacturers to actively engage with the government, adding, Much has been achieved, but there is still much more to be done in the days ahead. (With inputs from PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Brunei and Singapore in the first week of September, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. The prime minister will travel to Brunei on September 3-4, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced at his media briefing. This will be the first bilateral visit of an Indian prime minister to Brunei, he said. This visit will also mark 40 years of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between India and Brunei, Jaiswal said. From there, PM Modi is slated to visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart, the MEA said. Dream of studying at a top global university but worried about visa uncertainties and the high costs of going abroad? Now, that dream could be within your reach right here in India. The University of Southampton (UoS), a top 100 global university and a member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group, is setting up a campus in India. This is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as announced by the Ministry of Education on Thursday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp What does this mean for you? Union Minister S Jaishankar, during an event in New Delhi titled "Internationalisation of Education under NEP 2020: Setting up of Foreign University in India," handed over the Letter of Intent (LoI) to the university's representatives. This move aims to elevate India's educational standards to match the best in the world. "Such endeavours will make our youth world-ready and foster a spirit of global understanding and cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The new University of Southampton campus is expected to be located in Gurugram, within the National Capital Region (NCR). This campus promises to offer world-class teaching and learning opportunities across a range of top degree programmes, making it easier for you to get a quality education without leaving the country. Courses Starting in July 2025, the university will offer various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. In the first three years, you'll have the option to study: First year: BSc in Computer Science Business Management Accounting and Finance Economics MSc in International Management and Finance Second year: Software Engineering, BSC Creative Computing, MSc Economics Third year adds LLB Law and then B Eng (Mechanical Engineering). Why is this important? Visa restrictions, job uncertainties, and ever-changing immigration policies in countries like the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, and New Zealand have made it increasingly difficult for Indian students to pursue education abroad. But with top universities setting up campuses in India, your foreign education dreams are still very much alive. "Foreign universities have been permitted to open campuses in GIFT City and the rest of India. Australian universities have been at the forefront of this initiative. Their presence on the ground will be a big boon for students, who can now access Australian education with ease, without having to worry about visa or immigration-related issues," says Aarushi Jain, Partner (Head - Media, Education & Gaming) at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Moreover, the top universities promise to set up world-class, work-ready graduates. "University of Southampton Delhi will develop world-class, work-ready graduates with specialist and transferable skills that will enhance Indias fast-growing knowledge economy," said Professor Andrew Atherton. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had already announced regulations for setting up and operating foreign university campuses in India in 2023. UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar assured that "the degrees awarded by the India campus of the University of Southampton will be the same as in the host university. The programmes offered will adhere to the same academic and quality standards." In addition to Southampton, two Australian universitiesthe University of Wollongong and Deakin Universityhave also established campuses in GIFT City, Gujarat. These campuses benefit from special economic zones, which offer tax exemptions and allow universities to repatriate profits. A demolition drive was carried out on Friday by authorities in southeast Delhi's Okhla Phase-2 JJ cluster under heavy security arrangements, officials said. Residents alleged that they have been living here for many years and that they were not given enough time to take out their belongings. Dheeraj, a resident of the area, said that they received a notice regarding the demolition two days ago. "They came here with their bulldozer around 10 am. They did not give us time to take our belongings from our homes. Around 50 shanties are being razed here. We have been living in the area for past many years," he said. Gujarats Saurashtra-Kachchh region experienced severe rainfall as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a deep depression in the area is expected to strengthen into a cyclonic storm and make landfall on Friday. Once it evolves into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Cyclone Asna, a name proposed by Pakistan, according to the weather department. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp This will mark the first cyclonic storm to form over the Arabian Sea in August since 1976, the weather department said. The IMD said that the coastal state is expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall today. Additionally, the IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall for Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions on Friday. An orange alert has been issued for districts such as Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Dwarka for Friday. Gujarat rains: 32 rain-related deaths in state Till Thursday, rain-related incidents have resulted in the deaths of 32 people in the state. The Gujarat government reported that fatalities occurred in several districts: one each in Aravalli, Dwarka, Panchmahal, Dang, Bharuch, Morbi, and Vadodara; six in Anand; five in Ahmedabad; three in both Mahisagar and Jamnagar; and two each in Gandhinagar, Kheda, Dahod, and Surendranagar. Gujarat rainfall: Updates 1. The IMD has forecasted that the deep depression currently affecting Gujarats Saurashtra and Kutch regions is expected to shift west-southwestward. It will then move into the northeast Arabian Sea near the Kutch and adjacent Pakistan coasts, where it is anticipated to strengthen into a cyclonic storm. 2. Conditions in other areas of rain-affected Gujarat have improved with a decrease in rainfall. However, Vadodara and certain regions continue to face severe flooding due to river overflow, while authorities remain engaged in ongoing rescue and relief efforts. 3. Over 32,000 people have been moved to safety, and around 1,200 have been rescued from flood-impacted regions within the state. According to the latest update from the State Emergency Operation Centre, helicopters were used by security personnel to transport people to secure areas in certain instances. 4. PM Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to review the current situation. He urged the chief minister to implement effective measures to control disease outbreaks following the floods. (With agency inputs) The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed a landmark Bill that raised the minimum legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, aligning it with the legal age for men. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by a voice vote, marking a significant step towards gender equality and womens empowerment in the state. The Bill, introduced by Health, Social Justice, and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, amends the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act, 2006, which was enacted by Parliament. The amendment seeks to eliminate the age distinction between men and women in the definition of a child, ensuring that both genders are treated equally under the law. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Amendments and their impact The Bill introduces key amendments to the PCM Act. Firstly, it redefines a child as any individual, male or female, who has not completed 21 years of age. This removes the previous legal distinction where women were considered adults at 18, while men were considered adults at 21. The Bill also amends the definition of child marriage to ensure it applies universally within Himachal Pradesh, overriding any conflicting laws, customs, or religious practices that may allow minors to marry. This makes the new legal marriage age binding on all residents, regardless of their cultural or religious background. Additionally, the Bill extends the timeframe for individuals to file a petition to annul a child marriage. Previously, individuals had up to two years after reaching adulthood (20 years for women and 23 years for men) to file such a petition. The new amendment extends this period to five years, giving women and men the right to annul their marriages until the age of 23. Rationale behind the Bill Minister Shandil, while presenting the Bill, emphasised the importance of raising the minimum marriage age for women to enhance their opportunities for education and personal development. Early marriage remains a significant barrier to womens education and career progression, often leading to negative impacts on their health and overall well-being, Shandil stated. The Bills Statement of Objects and Reasons emphasise this sentiment, highlighting that early marriages hinder both the physical and professional growth of women, making the amendment necessary for their empowerment and advancement in society. Legal process and national implications The passage of this Bill in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly raises important questions about its legal implementation, given that it amends a central law. Under the Constitution of India, both the central and state governments have the authority to legislate on matters such as marriage, divorce, and the rights of minors, which are listed under the Concurrent List. However, since the Himachal Pradesh Bill introduces amendments that are inconsistent with the existing central law, it requires the assent of President Droupadi Murmu to become law. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla is expected to reserve the Bill for the Presidents consideration, following which it will be up to the President to approve or withhold her assent. This legislative process mirrors the recent enactment of Uttarakhands Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which also required presidential assent to amend existing personal laws. The Himachal Pradesh Bill, once approved, could set a precedent for other states considering similar amendments, potentially leading to a nationwide shift in the legal marriage age for women. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has explained India's position on Pakistan, saying "uninterrupted dialogue" has ended due to the neighbouring country's terrorism. "Actions have consequences"and dialogue cannot proceed alongside terrorism, he said at a book launch event in Delhi. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp "The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan... What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react..." He further said that India will not remain passive while dealing with Pakistan. "What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react." Jaishankar had earlier said that the government cannot "overlook" terrorism in its efforts to foster better relations with Pakistan. He pointed out that terrorism in Pakistan has escalated to an "industry level", and that India is currently in no mood to tolerate such threats. Pakistan's tactic has been to employ cross-border terrorism to force India into negotiations. India foiled this strategy by refusing to engage under those conditions. About the crisis in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said that India will look for "mutuality of interest". "It is natural we will deal with the government of the day. We have to recognise that there have been political changes and they can be disruptive. Clearly, here we have to look for mutuality of interest." "Neighbours are always a conundrum...Tell me which country is there that doesn't have challenges with neighbours," said Jaishankar. (With agency inputs) The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved nine significant projects worth Rs 265 crore aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing the ecosystem of the Ganga river, according to an official statement. These projects were greenlit during the 56th executive committee meeting chaired by NMCG Director General Rajeev Kumar Mital in New Delhi. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp One of the projects involves the establishment of an eight kilolitres per day (KLD) capacity Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant in Dalmau of Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, it said. The plant will be supported by a 15 KW solar power Plant and a solar inverter. Valued at Rs 4.40 crore, the project operates on a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) model and includes five years of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) to ensure its long-term success. In Bulandshahr district's Gulaothi town, another project focuses on preventing pollution in the East Kali River, a tributary of the Ganga. This initiative, having a budget of Rs 50.98 crore, involves the interception and diversion of drains and the construction of a sewage treatment plant with a 10 MLD capacity. This project also includes a 15-year O&M period, ensuring sustained impact, the statement said. In preparation for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the committee approved the construction of an Arth Ganga Centre and the branding of the Chheoki Railway Station in Prayagraj for Rs 1.80 crore. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the Ganga and the environment while also generating employment opportunities and supporting women's self-help groups in the Ganga basin, the statement said. Additionally, the committee endorsed a restoration plan for lower-order streams and tributaries in the Upper Gomti River Basin through nature-based solutions. This Rs 81.09 lakh project, proposed by the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University in Lucknow, focuses on rejuvenating streams and tributaries to improve the health of the Ganga. In West Bengal, the committee approved a Rs 7.11 crore project to install new penstock gates and renovate existing ones along the Beliaghata Circular Canal in Kolkata. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will oversee the project's O&M, which is set to operate under the DBOT model, the statement said. Another significant development is the Rs 25.89 crore Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the conservation of the Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Jharkhand, a crucial initiative for the sustainable management of the region's unique biodiversity. The committee also sanctioned the renovation of electric crematoriums in Santipur, Garulia and Chakdha municipalities in West Bengal under the World Bank-funded PBIG component. This Rs 2.89 crore project, also based on the DBOT model, includes a five-year O&M period. A major project in Bihar the Munger Sewerage Network and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) was approved with a revised budget of Rs 522.85 crore. This extensive project includes a 30 MLD capacity STP and a 175-km-long sewerage network, with O&M responsibilities transitioning to the state government after 15 years. The establishment of a secretariat for the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) at Varanasi, to be executed by IIT-BHU, was approved. This project aims to leverage global expertise and sustainable practices to rejuvenate rivers across India, balancing environmental, economic and societal needs, the statement said. The Tamil Nadu government has inked pacts with leading companies including Nokia, PayPal, Yield Engineering Systems, Microchip, Infinx, and Applied Materials for an investment commitment of Rs 900 crore and employment of 4,100 people in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, the government said on Friday. Six companies signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and officials during the investors' meeting in San Francisco, an official release here said. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The chief minister, who is leading a high-level official delegation, is currently on a tour to the US till September 14 to attract investments into Tamil Nadu, as part of an ambitious goal to transform the state into a $1 trillion economy by 2030. He left for the US on August 27. He participated in a meeting with potential investors in San Francisco on Thursday. An MoU was signed with Nokia, represented by Chief Strategy and Technology Officer Nishant Batra and President - Fixed Network Business Group Sandy Motley, for a new Nokia R&D Center, their Largest Fixed Network test bed in the world, for innovations in 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G PON, Fixed Wireless Access, and MDU solutions, to be set up at SIPCOT, Siruseri, Chengalpattu at a cost of Rs 450 crore, generating 100 jobs. The Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology and consumer electronics company is one of the Fortune 500 companies. An agreement has also been signed with the American multinational financial technology company supporting online money transfers PayPal, represented by Srini Venkatesan and Zi-Yang David Fan, for an Advanced Development Centre focused on AI, to be set up at Chennai, generating 1,000 jobs. The government also inked a pact with Yield Engineering Systems, headquartered in Fremont, California, represented by Ramakanth Alapati and Prabhat Mishra, for a product development & manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment to be set up at Sulur, Coimbatore, at a cost of Rs 150 crore, generating 300 jobs. The TN government also signed an MoU with Microchip, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, represented by Patrick Johnson and Bruce Weyer, for an R&D Centre in semiconductor technology to be set up at Semmancherry, Chennai, at a cost of Rs 250 crore, generating 1,500 jobs. Globally, Microchip has many manufacturing facilities in countries like the USA, China, Thailand, South Korea etc. The company is one of the Fortune 500 companies. Microchip has been operating in Chennai since 2012, the release said. A pact was inked with Infinx healthcare technology company, headquartered in San Jose, California, represented by Radhika Tandon, for a Technology and Global Delivery Centre to be set up at ELCOT Vadapalanji, Madurai, at a cost of Rs 50 crore, generating 700 jobs. Another MoU was signed with Applied Materials, said to be the world's number one semiconductor and display equipment company, represented by Prabu Raja and Satheesh Kuppurao, for an Advanced AI-Enabled Technology Development Centre for Semiconductor Manufacturing & Equipment to be set up at Taramani, Chennai, generating 500 jobs. The firm's corporate headquarters is in Santa Clara, California. Industries Minister T R B Rajaa and senior government officials were present during the signing of the agreements. Speaking at the investors' conference, the chief minister said that Tamil Nadu has one of the fastest growing economies in the world today. With more than 39,000 factories and 2.6 million industrial workers, Tamil Nadu is one of the leading industrial states in India, he said. Tamil Nadu has a large share in India's GDP and is the number one state in exports in the country in electronics, motor vehicle and spares and Textiles sectors. The state topped the Export Readiness Index too, Stalin said. "Our aspirational goal is to make Tamil Nadu a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030. To achieve this, we are focusing on attracting capital-intensive and employment-generating industries. Such a two-pronged approach is now yielding positive results," he said. Numerous American companies have set up their projects in Tamil Nadu and negotiations are on with several other companies. "We welcome your further investments... We can grow only through mutual friendship," a release quoting Stalin emphasised while requesting the companies that already have a presence to further expand their businesses. "The first day in San Francisco has set a promising tone for the days to follow! Secured investments exceeding Rs 900 crore for Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Chengalpattu, paving the way for 4,100 new jobs in multiple sectors," the Chief Minister said in a post on social media platform X. "With two more weeks ahead, we continue to intensify this momentum and attract more investors to Tamil Nadu, propelling our march towards a trillion dollar economy," Stalin further said. In another post he said, "An invigorating evening at the investors' conclave where we had dynamic discussions, inviting global investors to Tamil Nadu, the land of boundless potential and vast opportunities. Let's chase our dream with steadfast determination." The chief minister will address the Tamil community on August 31. He will be holding discussions with representatives from the US-based companies at Chicago on September 2 and urge them to invest in Tamil Nadu. During his trip, he will also be meeting the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. The CM will return to Chennai on September 14. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, along with Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, signed agreements with multiple global companies during their visit to the United States, a move that could significantly boost the states economy. The deals are cummulatively worth more than Rs 900 crore, the chief minister said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The companies the chief minister met with include Microchip, Nokia, and PayPal. The visit is part of the states broader mission to transform Tamil Nadu into a $ 1 trillion economy by 2030. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Key investments announced by the chief minister include: Microchip The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Microchip, a manufacturer of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, includes setting up a new research and development (R&D) centre for semiconductors in Semmancherry, Chennai. A total of Rs 250 crore will be invested into the project that is poised to generate 1,500 new jobs. Nokia Nokia plans to set up a new R&D centre in SIPCOT, Siruseri, Chengalpattu. The centre is planned to be the world's largest fixed network test bed for innovations in 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G PON, fixed wireless access, and MDU solutions. A total of Rs 450 crore will be invested into the project which is poised to generate 100 new jobs. Ohmium US-based Ohmium plans to develop a manufacturing facility in Chengalpattu for components related to electrolyser manufacturing and hydrogen solutions systems, with an investment of Rs 400 crore. This initiative will also create 500 jobs. Applied Materials Materials engineering solutions major Applied Materials will launch an advanced AI-enabled technology development centre dedicated to semiconductor manufacturing and equipment in Taramani, Chennai. This project is anticipated to generate 500 jobs. GeakMinds GeakMinds is establishing an IT and analytics services centre in Chennai, expected to generate 500 jobs. Similarly, Infinx is setting up a Technology and Global Delivery Centre at ELCOT Vadapalanji, Madurai, with an investment of Rs 50 crore, which will create 700 jobs. Yield Engineering Systems Yield Engineering Systems is launching a product development and manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment in Sulur, Coimbatore, with an investment of Rs 150 crore, generating 300 jobs. Paypal PayPal is establishing an Advanced Development Centre in Chennai, focusing on artificial intelligence, which will create 1,000 jobs. Telangana vying for deal with Foxconn ALSO READ: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka vie to host Foxconn's new facilities Meanwhile, Telangana is also actively vying for investments, particularly from global electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn, known for producing Apples iPhones. Telangana has offered 2,000 acres of land for a Foxconn City, which is expected to include comprehensive facilities similar to Foxconns massive Zhengzhou site in China. The state is encouraging Foxconn to explore options in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, as well as areas near Hyderabad, to further diversify its industrial base. M K Stalins US visit Chief Minister Stalins trip will continue with meetings and discussions aimed at attracting more investments. He is set to address the Tamil community on August 31 and engage with US-based companies representatives in Chicago on September 2. During this trip, he will also meet CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to further promote Tamil Nadu as an investment destination. The delegation is scheduled to return to Chennai on September 14. High salary expectations are slowing the recruitment of artificial intelligence (AI) talent in India, particularly for 132 companies in the technology, finance, and manufacturing sectors, according to a survey by US-based payroll firm Deel, reported The Economic Times. The companys Asia-Pacific General Manager, Mark Samlal, was quoted by the report stating that while the demand for AI expertise is rising, locating candidates with the right skill set remains a significant challenge. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Samlal stated that based on recent survey data from Deel in collaboration with Rakuten, 66 per cent, or 165 of the 250 organisations surveyed indicated that high salary expectations were a major obstacle in attracting AI talent. He further mentioned that 132 of these companies, accounting for 80 per cent, were exclusively recruiting in India within the technology, finance, and manufacturing sectors. Additionally, the company noted that 88 per cent of the organisations surveyed are open to global hiring. Over half of HR professionals reported using six or more technological tools to manage their companies HR needs. Deel facilitates hiring and payment processes for businesses employing international workers and contractors. Last month, Deel released payroll data analysis revealing notable trends in the financial habits of Indian workers, including an 11 per cent rise in contractor dollar withdrawals since May 2023. Globally, there has been a surge in demand for payment in US dollars, particularly among contractors in countries such as Argentina, the UAE, Turkey, Georgia, and India, according to Samlal. He explained that the increase in dollar withdrawals by contractors in India could be attributed to favourable exchange rates, allowing them to optimise their income. Additionally, Indias growing middle class and adventurous younger generation many of whom are travelling to the US have contributed to Indias status as the fifth-largest source of tourists to the country. Meanwhile, the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes Critical Technology Tracker report released on Thursday, highlighted that India is now a significant player in the AI sector, ranking just behind the US and China in various areas, including advanced data analytics, AI algorithms, hardware accelerators, machine learning, integrated circuit design and fabrication, natural language processing, and adversarial AI. The report found that this represents a significant improvement compared to the 20032007 period, during which India was among the top five countries for only four technologies. ITI share in focus: Telecommunications equipment company Telecommunications equipment company ITI Limited (ITI) shares surged as much as 4.78 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 314.10 per share on Friday, August 30, 2024. The surge in ITI share price came after the company announced that it has secured its first Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) order from the State Election Commission (SEC) of West Bengal. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp In an exchange filming, the company said, ITI Limited, the countrys first PSU post-independence and a premier telecom manufacturing company has bagged its firs EVM order from the SEC of West Bengal for the supply of 500 sets of Electronic Voting Machines after the successful demonstration to the SEC at Kolkata. Under the terms of order, ITI will be responsible for the supply of 500 sets of Electronic Voting Machines, the company said. The indigenous Multi Post EVM, designed and developed by ITI Limited, was crafted in accordance with specifications finalised by the SEC/Technical Evaluation Committee and has been approved by the Standing Committee of State Election Commissioners. This EVM can be utilised for local body elections across Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, Corporations, or any other democratic institutions. Additionally, it can function as a Single Post machine for Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, the company highlighted. "ITI Limited is delighted to win its first ever order to manufacture EVMs for State Election Commission (SEC) of West Bengal and we would like to use this opportunity to re-establish ITI Limited as a technology manufacturer to reckon with as we will be joining the elite list of EVM manufacturers in India. ITI Limited is deeply honoured that the devices we will manufacture will empower and enrich the worlds largest democracy, India by providing EVMs for all kinds of democratic elections, said Rajesh Rai, chairman and managing director, ITI. . Additionally, the product will be manufactured at ITI Limiteds facilities while adhering to the Election Commission's technical specifications. It will be delivered on a fast-track basis, meeting all quality standards and fulfilling commitments to the West Bengal SEC, ITI added. Rai further said that ITI Limited is exploring the business prospects of EVMs with other SECs also so that the company can offer our quality product by meeting the requirements on a pan India basis. ITI Limited, countrys premier telecom company and multi-unit central public sector undertaking, is a total solutions provider in the telecommunications segment. The company has state-of-art manufacturing facilities in six locations including Bengaluru, Naini, Raebareli, Mankapur, Srinagar and Palakkad, coupled with an in-house research and development (R&D) centre in Bengaluru and marketing, sales & projects (MSP) offices spread across the country. At 10:09 AM, shares of ITI were trading 3.05 per cent higher at Rs 308.90 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.31 per cent higher at 82,387.36 levels. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Indias largest company by market capitalisation, made headlines during its 47th annual general meeting (AGM) held on August 29. Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani revealed that the companys Board of Directors will meet on September 5 to discuss the issuance of bonus shares, potentially at a ratio of 1:1. This means that for every share currently held, shareholders could receive one additional share for free. 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, Ambani said, adding, We are in the business of creating wealth for India and enhancing the quality of life of every Indian, every single day. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Bonus shares are a strategic tool used by companies to reward shareholders and make their stock more accessible to a wider audience. While they dont directly increase a companys market value, they can enhance investor confidence and potentially attract new investors. Here is everything you need to know about bonus shares, what they mean, and their impact on market capitalisation. What are bonus shares? Bonus shares are additional shares given to existing shareholders without any additional cost. Companies issue bonus shares as a way to reward shareholders and to capitalise on their accumulated reserves. For instance, if a company announces a bonus issue in the ratio of 1:1, it means that a shareholder will receive one additional share for every share they already own. How do bonus shares work? When a company announces a bonus issue, the board of directors decides the ratio of the bonus shares and the record date, which is the date on which you must be a shareholder to qualify for the bonus shares. For example, if you hold 100 shares of RIL and the company issues bonus shares at a 1:1 ratio, you will receive an additional 100 shares, bringing your total to 200 shares. Are bonus shares taxable? For shareholders, receiving bonus shares is not a taxable event. However, when these shares are sold, any gains realised will be subject to capital gains tax. The cost of acquisition for these shares is considered to be zero, so the entire sale proceeds will be treated as a capital gain. Why do companies issue bonus shares? The primary reason for issuing bonus shares is to make the stock more affordable for retail investors, especially if the share price has risen significantly. By increasing the number of shares, the company lowers the per-share price, which can make the stock more attractive to small investors. Additionally, bonus shares are a way for companies to reward their loyal shareholders and to signal confidence in the companys future profitability. Impact on share capital and market capitalisation It is important to note that while a bonus issue increases the number of shares in circulation, it does not increase the companys market capitalisation. Market capitalisation is the total market value of a company's outstanding shares and is calculated by multiplying the share price by the total number of shares. After a bonus issue, the share price typically adjusts downwards to reflect the increased number of shares, but the overall market capitalisation remains the same. RIL to issue bonus shares: Not the first time RIL has a history of issuing bonus shares, having done so five times since 1980, with the most recent issue being in 2017. If the Board approves the upcoming 1:1 bonus issue on September 5, shareholders will double their shareholding in the company without any additional investment. This move aligns with Mukesh Ambanis statement at the AGM, where he emphasised the companys commitment to creating long-term wealth for its shareholders. For RIL shareholders, the upcoming Board meeting on September 5 could bring significant news, adding to their shareholding at no extra cost. Indian benchmark indices BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 were likely to start on a positive note, following the release of strong GDP numbers in the US that calmed investors' nerves, which were jittery due to fears of a recession. The higher opening was being signalled by the GIFT Nifty, which was trading at 25,286, around 20 points ahead of Nifty futures, which were at 25,265. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp That apart, Asia-Pacific markets climbed on Friday after economic data from the US calmed recessionary fears, while investors also assessed a slew of data from Japan. Japans Nikkei 225 was up marginally, while the Topix was 0.23 per cent higher after the data release. South Koreas Kospi gained 0.55 per cent in early trades, while the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.74 per cent higher. Australias S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.46 per cent, while Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 17,741, lower than the HSIs last close of 17,786.32. Meanwhile, here are a few stocks likely to be in focus on Friday, August 30: NTPC: The company's step-down subsidiary NTPC REL has started commercial operations from the first part of the 320 MW Bhainsara solar PV project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, with a capacity of 160 MW. The total installed capacity of the NTPC group has now reached 76,294 MW after this development. InterGlobe Aviation: Promoter entity The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (whose trustees are Shobha Gangwal and JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware) sold a 5.24 per cent stake in IndiGo, for a total amount of Rs 9,549 crore. Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte bought a 0.74 per cent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 4,714.9 per share, for a total of Rs 1,345.6 crore. Shipping Corporation of India: The company has received a tax demand order of Rs 160.37 crore from the Department of Goods and Services Tax, Maharashtra, for FY20. The company said it is in the process of filing an appeal before the Joint Commissioner of State Tax. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited: The company has signed a memorandm of understanding with Patel Engineering for hydro and other infrastructure projects in India and overseas. 3M India: The National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) Bengaluru bench has approved the Scheme of Amalgamation of 3M Electro and Communication India with 3M India. Sugar stocks: The government has removed the cap on sugar diversion for ethanol production for ESY (Ethanol Supply Year - December to November) 2024-25. According to the government's notification, sugar mills and distilleries can produce ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar syrup, B-Heavy molasses, as well as C-Heavy molasses, during ESY2024-25 as per their agreements with oil marketing companies. SpiceJet: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed the budget carrier under 'enhanced surveillance' with immediate effect. This entails an increase in the number of spot checks and night surveillance to ensure the safety of operations. DGCA conducted a special audit of SpiceJet's engineering facilities in August. ITI: The telecom equipment manufacturing company has secured an order to supply 500 sets of electronic voting machines (EVM) from the State Election Commission of West Bengal. This is the first order for EVMs for the company. Life Insurance Corporation of India: The company has received a tax demand order of Rs 605.6 crore, which includes the GST, interest and penalty, from Maharashtra for FY20. CDSL: Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved CDSL's proposal to appoint Nehal Vora as the managing director and chief executive officer of the company. Tata Steel: The Tata group company has acquired 13,000 equity shares, equivalent to a 26 per cent equity stake, in TP Parivart, which is a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy, for Rs 1.3 lakh. Rallis India: The company announced that Bhaskar Bhat, serving as the Director and Chairman of the company, has vacated his position effective from August 30. Jai Corp: The company's board of directors has approved the buyback of up to 29.44 lakh shares, equivalent to 1.65 per cent of the total equity of the company, for up to Rs 177.8 crore, at a price of Rs 400 per share. The record date for the buyback has been set as September 10. Expleo Solutions: At the Annual General Meeting of the company, its shareholders approved the appointment of Shalini Kalsi Kamath as an Independent Director, for a period of five years, effective from June 14, 2024. Phani Tangirala has been appointed as Director of the company for three years, effective August 1, 2024. Tangirala has also been appointed as the MD and CEO of the company. Amber Enterprises India: Small Cap World Fund Inc, a foreign investor, has bought a 0.55 per cent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 4,522.45 per share. PB Fintech: Tencent Cloud Europe BV sold a 2.12 per cent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 1,719.75 per share, while Europacific Growth Fund bought 0.54 per cent shares at the same price. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren inducted into BJP during an event in Ranchi on August 30. (Photo: BJP Jharkhand) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a few days after quitting the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). ALSO READ: J'khand CM Soren accuses BJP of poaching MLAs amid Champai's likely switch Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Champai joined the saffron camp during a ceremony in Ranchi, with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in attendance. Champai, 67, led the JMM-led government in Jharkhand during a political crisis that arose from the arrest of Hemant Soren in a money laundering case earlier this year. His tenure as the CM was brief, lasting from February 2 to July 3. He resigned when Hemant Soren returned as CM on July 4. He had expressed his disappointment over his forced resignation from the CM post, which he described as "bitter humiliation. "During the meeting (legislative party meeting on July 3), I was asked to resignSince I had no desire for power, I resigned immediately. However, my self-respect was deeply hurt," Champai had posted on X (formerly Twitter). Considered a loyalist to JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, Champai said he was compelled to leave the party because of the state government's present style of functioning and its policies. Champai to play key role in BJP Known as the 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his contribution to the fight to create a separate state in the 1990s, Champai is now expected to play a key role in bringing the BJP closer to the tribal communities. These communities, which constitute approximately 26 per cent of the electorate, had previously rejected the saffron party's bid in the 2019 elections. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP failed to secure any of the five reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, in the 2019 Assembly elections, the party won only two out of the 28 ST reserved seats in the state. Before becoming the CM, Champai was serving as the state transport minister in the Hemant-led government. His political journey began in 1991 when he was elected as an independent MLA from the Saraikela seat. The elections to the 81-member Assembly are due later this year. The Supreme Court of India expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, regarding the bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case. The Chief Minister had questioned the speed at which the Supreme Court granted bail to Kavitha, drawing a parallel with the prolonged bail processes faced by other political figures like Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Background of Revanth Reddy's SC hearing The case at hand revolves around a plea to transfer the 2015 cash-for-vote trial from Telangana to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The petitioners, led by Guntakandla Reddy, argued that Revanth Reddy, now chief minister and home minister of Telangana, could potentially influence the witnesses and officers involved in the case. The plea suggested that the influence could pressure them into changing their testimonies or providing false statements, thereby compromising the trials fairness. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp It took 15 months for Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to get bail, and even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is still waiting. Yet, Kavitha managed to secure bail in just five months. It raises questions about possible behind-the-scenes support of the BJP, Reddy reportedly said. Revanth Reddy, a former member of the Telugu Desam Party, had allegedly offered a bribe to Elvis Stephenson, an MLA, in exchange for abstaining from voting in a crucial election. The case has been a contentious issue in Telangana politics and is now under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court. The hearing has been adjourned until September 2, with the Supreme Court considering appointing a Special Public Prosecutor to ensure the trial proceeds with impartiality. SCs response to Revanth Reddy's comments During the hearing, the top court asked Reddys lawyer if he had reviewed the statement made by the Chief Minister earlier that morning. Revanth Reddy had reportedly questioned how Kavitha managed to obtain bail in five months while others have faced significantly longer waits, suggesting possible undue influence by the ruling party at the centre. This allegation, according to media reports, implied that the judiciary might be acting under external pressure. The SC bench, however, was firm in its stance, stating that it will continue to fulfill its duties as per its conscience, irrespective of external criticism. Justice Gavai further warned that the trial in the related 2015 cash-for-vote case might be transferred out of Telangana if the Chief Minister continued to show disrespect towards the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the court emphasised the need for mutual respect between institutions and indicated that it might consider transferring the trial if it becomes necessary to uphold the judiciarys integrity. The court also reminded the parties of a similar case where a senior officer in Maharashtra had faced repercussions for contemptuous remarks against the Supreme Courts order. Supreme Court grants bail to K Kavitha Earlier this week, the Supreme Court granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLC K Kavitha in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Kavitha had been in police custody since March 5. In comparison, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was taken into custody on March 21, was denied interim bail and faced many delays in his hearing. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, on the other hand, was granted bail on August 9 by the SC, after nearly 18 months of being in custody. [With agency inputs] The decision is a part of the campaign to make the Kshipra river pollution-free. | Representational Ahead of the Simhastha-Kumbh Mela in 2028 in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, the authorities in Indore have decided to remove about 1,500 encroaching makeshift houses in the catchment areas of the Kanh and Saraswati rivers, an official has said. The decision is a part of the campaign to make the Kshipra river pollution-free, the official said. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Simhastha Mela is held in Ujjain every 12 years. Tens of thousands of Hindus take a holy dip in Kshipra during Simhastha in Ujjain. According to Hindu scriptures, Kshipra originated from the heart of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the first phase, about 1,500 kuccha houses encroached upon the catchment area of the Kanh and Saraswati rivers will be removed, Indore Collector Ashish Singh told reporters here on Thursday. He said that the work of shifting the people from the catchment areas, some of whom have been served notices, has been affected due to rains. It will be taken up in the next five to ten days, the collector said. Singh said that the National Green Tribunal and MP High Court have already passed directions for clearing the encroachment up to 30 metres from the banks of the rivers in the area. Officials said the administration has identified around 3,000 encroachments in the catchment areas of both rivers in Indore. In addition to makeshift houses, these also include permanent residential and commercial buildings, they said. The Shipra river, which originates from the rural areas of Indore, flows to Ujjain. However, in the country's cleanest city, Indore, the highly polluted waters from the Kanh and Saraswati flow into the Shipra, further contributing to its pollution. Locals have reported that due to heavy pollution, the water of Shipra in Ujjain is not even suitable for achaman' (ritual sipping). To rid Kshipra of pollution before the Simhastha, the Indore administration has prepared a blueprint for a Rs 600-crore rejuvenation plan. This includes setting up 11 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) and laying a 450-km-long sewage line. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump points to a person in the crowd at a town hall with former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in La Crosse, Wis.(Photo: PTI) United States presidential candidate Donald Trump, in a soon-to-be-released book, threatened to have Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg imprisoned if he tried to cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election. ALSO READ: Kamala Harris edges Trump in key states, with Sun Belt now up for grabs Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Trump is set to launch the book, Save America on September 3. It is a collection of pictures, anecdotes and events from his presidential campaigns and term in office. Trump also accused Zuckerberg of secretly plotting against the president while trying to be as nice as anyone could be. ALSO READ: Trump to visit Michigan, Wisconsin as battleground campaigning increases Referring to Zuckerbergs $ 400 million donation to election offices in 2020, Trump, in his book, said: We are watching him closely and if he does anything illegal" this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison. The Republican presidential candidate also cautioned anyone generally against cheating in the 2024 presidential campaign. Trump defends meeting with Putin Besides the Meta CEO, the former US president also mentioned his widely criticised 2018 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he described as great in his book. The book features his photographs with North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un and Germany's former chancellor, Angela Merkel. 'Felt safe' during assassination bid: Trump Trump mentions the assassination bid against him on July 13, which he survived with a bullet injury to his ear. Trump was targeted at an election rally in Pennsylvania, and he described that despite the blood everywhere, he "felt very safe because I had God on my side." The incident bolstered Trumps popularity among voters while pushing incumbent President Joe Biden out of the race when he was already struggling to gain his partys confidence due to his age and health concerns. Now Trump is pitted against his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the White House race, which is set to take place on November 5. Notably, Zuckerberg had praised Trump's defiant fist-waving after the assassination attempt. iSAM Securities has announced two key leadership appointments to enhance its growth and presence in the Asia Pacific region. Barry Flanigan, former Head of e-Trading, has transitioned to the Hong Kong office as the new Head of Asia Pacific. Joining him, Quentin Miller has been appointed as the Head of Institutional Sales, Asia Pacific. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240830883022/en/ iSAM Securities Announces Leadership Changes in Asia Pacific: Barry Flanigan Promoted to Head of Asia Pacific, Quentin Miller Appointed Head of Institutional Sales, Asia Pacific (Graphic: Business Wire) Since the launch of iSAM Securities in 2013, Barry has been instrumental in its growth, delivering sophisticated trading solutions by leveraging the groups proprietary high-performance technology, establishing iSAM Securities as a leading player in the industry. Barrys move will enhance regional leadership and increase autonomy of the Hong Kong office, enabling iSAM Securities to deliver even greater value to its APAC-based clients. Barry shared his excitement, stating, Transitioning from London to lead in Asia-Pacific emphasizes our focus on strong leadership in this increasingly vital market, and I am looking forward to embracing this opportunity. Quentin Miller, the new Head of Institutional Sales, Asia Pacific, brings extensive FX industry experience and regional expertise. Previously Director of APAC at LMAX Group, Quentin was responsible for shaping the sales strategy for FX and Digital assets in Asia. Quentin expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, iSAM Securities is known for its excellent leadership and long-term vision. I look forward to contributing to its journey and delivering significant value to clients. Sam Johnson, Managing Director of iSAM Securities, added, These changes improve our ability to support the growth of the Asia-Pacific region. I am looking forward to seeing how both Quentin and Barry take the Hong Kong office from strength to strength going forward. iSAM Securities, regulated by the FCA, SFC, and CTFC, and CIMA registered, is a leading algorithmic trading firm and trusted electronic market maker, providing liquidity, technology and prime services partner to institutional clients and trading venues globally. The firm offers full-service prime brokerage and execution via its cutting-edge proprietary technology, as well as market leading analytics, cleared through the groups bank Prime Brokers. For further information, please visit, isam-securities.com or follow us on LinkedIn to keep up with updates at www.linkedin.com/company/isam-securities. iSAM Securities (UK) Limited, iSAM Securities (HK) Limited, iSAM Securities (Global) Limited, iSAM Securities (USA) Inc., iSAM Securities Limited View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240830883022/en/ 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 LEIGHLINBRIDGE pulled out all the stops last week to honour its famous son John Tyndall. Corresponding with the 150th anniversary of his infamous Belfast address, Carlow County Council and Carlow Tourism marked the occasion with a day of celebration as part of their Heritage Week offering. Alannah Redmond and Ciara Brennan view the colour spectrum The 19th century scientist, inventor, educator and mountaineer was born by the banks of the River Barrow and the legacy of his career is very much in evidence to this day. As one of Irelands great scientists he discovered, among many things, the science of climate change, why the sky is blue, he developed a sterilisation method called Tyndallisation and published one of the first books in English on mountaineering. There is even a peak in the Alps and a crater on Mars named in his honour. Some of the children who took part in the children's blue sky science workshop in Leighlinbridge Parish Centre The day began with three free Tyndall-inspired children's 'Blue Sky' science workshops hosted in Leighlin Parish Centre by the Tyndall National Institute in Cork. Children were invited to discover why the sky is blue, the science of rainbows and how we see colours. There were also opportunities to conduct citizen investigations and learn about the modern uses of John Tyndalls work. In the Lord Bagenal Hotelwere cllr Ken Murnane, county librarian John Shortall, cllr Ben Ward, Malcolm Noonan TD, Carlow heritage officer Dr Eoin Sullivan, cllr Fergal Browne, Dr Diarmid Finnegan, Queens University Belfast, cllr Andrea Dalton, Michael Brennan, Carlow County Council and council CEO Coilin O'Reilly The Tyndall National Institute is a research flagship of University College Cork, with a multidisciplinary community of over 600 researchers, engineers and support staff. They are a leading European deep-tech research centre in integrated Information and Communications Technology hardware and systems. Essentially, they carry on 21st century research inspired by John Tyndalls 19th century experiments. A guided afternoon stroll along the riverside provided an opportunity to retrace Tyndalls daily journey from his home in Leighlinbridge to Ballinabranna school, where he was inspired and mentored by his exceptional teacher John Conwill. The walk offered insights into Tyndalls formative years and the surroundings that played a crucial role in shaping his future contributions to science and the world of mountaineering. Tyndall National Institute's Tilottoma Saha helps Alannah Redmond and Ciara Brennan build a colour spectrum The days celebrations then moved to the Lord Bagenal Hotel, where Dr Diarmaid Finnegan gave a lecture on Tyndalls 1874 Belfast Address, in which Tyndall argued for the pursuit of knowledge through science rather than religion. The famous address was then re-enacted by Carlow Little Theatre. The evening concluded with a performance of Tyndall-inspired music compositions by Leighlinbridges own Grainne Mulvey, professor of composition at Technological University Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama. Professor Mulvey is also a member of Aosdana, which honours artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland. She is presently working on the production of a CD of her Tyndall-inspired compositions. A VOLUNTEER group dedicated to providing critical, emergency life-saving support is appealing for help to support its work. The Carlow Town Community First Responders play a vital role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the public, constantly striving to improve resources and training. To that end, the group has organised a fundraising night on 13 September in Ewings bar, Centaur Street. Funds raised will go towards purchasing essential equipment, maintaining services and training volunteers, enabling them to respond more effectively to emergencies. Volunteer and co-organiser of the event Janet Dunlevy told The Nationalist: Itll be a great night of live music. Every cent will go straight back into the community. Janet is appealing to local businesses to come on board as sponsors of the fundraiser, giving businesses an opportunity to showcase their commitment to the community. Sponsors will feature prominently, with opportunities for branding and public acknowledgments. She says the support of the business community would have a significant impact on the lives of people in our community. The night begins at 8pm. Tickets are available via the Carlow Community First Responders website and social media pages. Anyone interested in sponsoring is asked to contact the group through those channels as soon as possible. IFC Films has released the first American trailer for Adam Elliots Memoir of a Snail, the winner of the top prize for a feature film at Annecy earlier this year. The Australian animated feature is due to be released October 25 in the United States, with broader expansion in November. It will have its North American premiere this weekend at the Telluride Film Festival and will also screen next month at the Ottawa Intl Animation Festival. Notably, the month of October will be jam-packed with theatrical animation releases. Besides Elliots latest, there is also Look Back (GKIDS, Oct. 4), Scarygirl (Viva Pictures, Oct. 4), My Hero Academia: Youre Next (Toho International, Oct. 11), and Piece by Piece (Focus Features, Oct. 11). Whats remarkable about this group of films is how different each one is from the others. Not a single one of these releases is a four-quadrant movie from a major, and each fills a unique niche in the market with potential to find its own audience. Memoir of a Snail certainly wont be confused with any of the other films on the list. The stop-motion feature is described as a heartfelt and hilarious chronicle of the life of an outsider finding her confidence and silver linings amongst the clutter of everyday life. If youve seen Elliots other shorts and features (e.g. the Academy Award winning Harvie Krumpet or Mary and Max), you know what to expect by now narration-heavy storytelling, lugubrious characters and animation, and quirkiness to the max. Heres the more detailed official synopsis: Grace Pudel is a book-loving, snail-collecting misfit that falls into a series of misfortunes after being separated from her twin brother Gilbert. Despite her hardships, inspiration and hope arise when Grace begins a friendship with an eccentric elderly woman named Pinky. Voice cast includes Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Dominique Pinon, Nick Cave, Magda Szubanski, and Jacki Weaver. Ethiopia seeks more Chinese investment in industrial parks Xinhua) 10:45, August 30, 2024 ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government is encouraging Chinese investors to explore opportunities within the country's industrial parks and its first free trade zone. The appeal was made by Fisseha Yitagesu, chief executive officer of the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), and other senior Ethiopian officials during a recent investment promotion meeting, the IPDC said in a statement Wednesday. Yitagesu said that Chinese investors currently constitute the largest group of foreign investors in the industrial parks managed by the IPDC across Ethiopia, emphasizing the importance of attracting more Chinese manufacturing companies to the country's 13 industrial parks and the newly established Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone. Specifically, Yitagesu said there are promising opportunities for Chinese investors in Ethiopia's pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and textile and garment manufacturing sectors. He added that the IPDC, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy in China, is committed to providing necessary support to help Chinese businesses smoothly establish operations in the industrial parks. This call for investment aligns with Ethiopia's broader strategy to enhance cooperation with China and establish itself as Africa's manufacturing hub. Recent data from the IPDC show that hundreds of local and foreign investors are active across Ethiopia's industrial parks and free trade zone, many of which were developed by Chinese companies. These facilities have created permanent and temporary jobs for more than 100,000 Ethiopians, particularly among the youth. Recently, the Ethiopian government invited Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to explore opportunities for producing and assembling EVs in the country. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Commercial studio Buck is celebrating its twentieth year of opereation this year by announcing their certification as a B Corporation. Certification is recognized by B Labs once a company meets certain standards for verification. Buck is now one of just 6,000 Certified B Corporations in the world, and one of the few animation producers, who comply with the groups stringent qualifications for social, environmental, and governance best practices. The factors that are examined include everything from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. This kind of intentional move to have businesses comply with sustainable practices is more common in Europe, especially of late amongst European animation studios, such as TeamTO in France, who have been publicly more aggressive with their green compliance and aimed carbon neutral practices. As such, Buck getting awarded this status in the North American creative sector stands out all the more. Bucks recently LEED Gold-certified headquarters in Los Angeles is the hub of the companys brand braintrust, producing advertising and marketing campaigns for major companies like Nike, Apple, Fedex, Netflix, IBM, Airbnb, and Google. Buck chief executive officer Emily Rickard told Cartoon Brew that despite the lengthy process to certification, attaining it was an important way for us to make a public commitment to these values, and begin to measure our progress. Of their internal decision to pursue the B Corp certification, Rickard said: Bucks leadership have always wanted to do the best we could for our people and our planet. B Corp certification is something we have talked about for years. We talk a lot with our clients about how we can collectively do better, and now our clients can expect the same level of creativity and innovation weve built our reputation on, alongside a public commitment to how we impact the people we work with and the planet we share. We not only report our emissions annually to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), but we share those results with our clients too. We also report annually on our 3rd party suppliers and the kinds of businesses we do business with. Part of Bucks celebration of their certification was inviting their in-house artists to reimagine the B Corp logo in their own unique styles, and to ask why this certification was important to them. The company provided two exclusive responses to that challenge, one from senior art director, Diego Morales, and the other from senior 3d designer/animator, Patrick Sluiter. Morales said: Im thrilled about Buck receiving the B Corp certification. In todays world, prioritizing a positive impact on society and the environment is crucial. It perfectly aligns with my values and gives my work a deeper sense of purpose. Sluiter shared: Buck receiving B Corp certification serves as another testament to why working here provides a sense of fulfillment. Its been a pleasure to see Bucks commitment to doing good for our planet and communities that runs parallel with values of my own. Now, every project I contribute to feels extra meaningful not in just a business sense, but making a real difference. Like many others, this isnt just a job for me; its an outlet to make an impact, and Im proud to be on this journey with everyone here. Dragon Cement plant to layoff more workers Peter Bell By 30 August 2024 Dragon Cement in Thomaston, Maine, USA, is planning six more layoffs, following 65 layoffs in the last year. The manufacturing operations are being closed and the plant will shift to a distributional model, said Thomaston Town Manager, Kara George. The plant currently employs 26 people. Giant Cement, which has owned Dragon Cement since 2006, cited growing operating and logistics costs, including the price of energy, as the reason for shutting down the plant. Though the plant continues to process residual materials into cement, it has started a new distribution process, which includes importing loads containing 30,000t of bagged cement into Searsport, then trucking it into Thomaston and distributing it to customers, Ms George said. This has already happened once this year, and will happen again in October. Ms George said rail transportation is also no longer available, because the short line between Brunswick and Rockland was not receiving enough business. Therefore, Dragon Cement will use trucks to import and distribute cement. While activities in the quarry are currently on hold it still has reserves suitable for both cement manufacturing and aggregate production, she added. Published under Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob. Philyaw has been elected to the office of president of the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (TCFCJ) by its members from across the state. His term is for two years. Judge Philyaw has previously served the council as a member of its Executive and Legislative Committees, serving as treasurer and as vice-president and has been active in TCFCJs work. Judge Philyaw said, This kind of service was engrained in me in my first year of practicing law and has never left me. I look forward to the opportunities that the next two years will bring to further our work locally and across Tennessee. We have the best professional staff in Hamilton County and the broader work helps me do a better job for our families here every day. I especially look forward to hosting the 2025 Joint Conference of the judges Council and the Tennessee Juvenile Court Services Association in Chattanooga next August. TCFCJ was created by the Tennessee General Assembly through legislation in 1982. TCJFCJ is the official conference of Tennessee judges having juvenile court jurisdiction. For over 40 years prior to enactment of that legislation the Council existed as an informal association of juvenile court judges. Throughout its history the Council has represented juvenile court judges and court staff, providing an independent voice regarding issues affecting children, youth, families and communities. To ensure the efficient and prompt administration of justice in the juvenile courts of Tennessee, the Council promotes best court practices and a better understanding of the problems and needs of the dependent and neglected, unruly and delinquent children coming before the courts. The Council strives to maximize and enhance the courts resources and legal options in meeting the needs of children and families and providing protection to the community. Mr. Philyaw is judge of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court where he has served since 2013. With seven full-time courtrooms, the court has exclusive original jurisdiction for proceedings in which a child is alleged to be delinquent, unruly or dependent and neglected and hears custody, visitation, child support, and other types of matters. The court employs 96 dedicated professionals and relies heavily on volunteers and support agencies who work to make the lives of children in Hamilton County better. Judge Philyaw obtained his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Christian Brothers University where in 2022 he was named one of 150 Notable Alumni in celebration of the Universitys 150th Anniversary, and his J.D. degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Tennessee Journal of Practice & Procedure and where he received the Deans Award for Academic Excellence and the Deans Distinguished Service Award. Judge Philyaw is a former adjunct professor at the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at The University of Memphis. He is often a guest lecturer at several high schools and local colleges and universities and loves to read to younger students and answer questions about the judiciary. He formerly served as a municipal judge, on the Tennessee Bar Associations Access to Justice Committee, and on the boards of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the Mountain Education Foundation. In 2015, Judge Philyaw was awarded the Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award by Legal Aid of East Tennessee. In 2019, he received the McCain-Abernathy Memorial Award from the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Law Judges. In 2022, he received a Humanitarian Award from the Alton Park Development Corporation, an inner-city youth services organization. Governor Lee appointed him to serve on the Tennessee Commission for Children and Youth (TCCY) in 2020 and appointed him to serve as Chair of TCCY in 2022. Judge Philyaw serves as the Immediate-Past President of the Chattanooga Bar Association. He has been married to pediatrician Dr. Kathy Philyaw for 35 years. They have two children, Ben and Katie. Ben is a graduate of UTC, a Marine and was named Officer of the Year by the Chattanooga Police Department earlier this year. Katie is a recent graduate of the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and currently serves as a judicial clerk for Judge Curtis L. Collier in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. When I left Channel 3, WRCB-TV in the late 60s, I accepted an entirely new career as police reporter for The Chattanooga Times, the citys morning newspaper. The Times was acquired in 1878 by Adolph Ochs who went on to purchase The New York Times. As police reporter, I was on the job from late afternoon until the early morning hours. It was during this time I learned that the most important job of a reporter is to get the correct spelling of someones name. I do not joke about this. My city editor was a long-tenured veteran who brooked no quarter with sloppy writing. I found that my television writing (short copy to accompany black and white film) experience was no match for Harry Youngs print requirements. Fortunately, I was a able to learn the proper Times style and felt accepted quickly. I loved Harry Young. He gave me a philosophical foundation I didnt get in college psychology courses. He told me, Things are always worse than they seem. Harry was mostly right. As police reporter I was expected to be friends with every officer, detective, captain and chief who could supply all I needed to know to get the facts. Nothing was more important. Once the fire and police commissioner, James Bookie Turner, burned me. The city had annexed a new area and had made the first arrest in the new area - Big News. I had all the facts, directly from the commissioner himself. But, after the newspaper went to bed (was printed), the police turned the suspect loose. My story on page one above the fold was no longer valid. Bookie was not on my Christmas card list. In those days, it was all about beating the Chattanooga News-Free Press (then an afternoon newspaper) with your stories; and we generally did. The Free Press often just rewrote our stories, even with our mistakes, at least on the police beat. In addition to breaking police news, I was responsible for getting the previous days weather conditions for page one and covering any late-developing weather news. Once as an extremely light snow fell on the city, my lead was: The city was covered with a thin veil of snow in the early hours. The newspapers editor - John Popham IV from that day forward, called me thin veil. I never decided if that was good or bad. Popham was a legendary reporter in his early days for The New York Times. Legendary because as he covered the civil rights events for decades throughout the South, he learned how to take notes with his hand in his pocket to keep from being identified as a reporter. Reporters in the South were often the victims of racist attacks. Mr. Popham was a gentleman and a scholar of the highest rank in my view. During my times at The Times, I met and became friends with Ruth Sulzberger Holmberg, whose maternal grandfather was Adolph Ochs, who owned The Chattanooga Times and The New York Times. What a woman. While she was publisher she supported such controversial (for Chattanooga) things as racial integration of schools, civil rights legislation, clean air laws, anti-corruption initiatives, and an expanded role for blacks in local government. She was one of the most fearless leaders even while she was one of the most generous, kind and thoughtful people I have ever met. She was one of a kind. I still miss the sight of ink-stained pressmen coming into the newsroom with their pointy hats made of newsprint and that special smell of newsprint coming from the presses. My next stop was a return to WRCB-TV Channel 3. See you next time. * * * Fred Gault can be reached at avfred@gmail.com Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com) ANDERSON, APRIL PATRICA 1262 GROVE ST CHATTANOOGA, 37402 Age at Arrest: 30 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY CRIMINAL SIMULATION FORGERY EXPLOITATION OF AN ELDERLY ADULT FRAUDULENT USE OF CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD BRUMFIELD, TYRONE 7005 TREELINE DR HARRISON, 37341 Age at Arrest: 60 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DISORDERLY CONDUCT BURCHFIELD, MICHAEL JAMISON 44 BLUFF VIEW CIR FLINTSTONE, 30725 Age at Arrest: 50 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) CRAWFORD, DEMETRIUS MONTREL 3624 SALUDA ST CHATTANOOGA, 374061642 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol VIOLATION OF PROBATION RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUC VIOLATION OF PROBATION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCH ELSEA, MITCHELL TRAVIS 1695 FINEOUT DRIVE SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff FAILURE TO APPEAR FLOYD, DENNIS FRANKLIN 5225 BRAINERD RD CHATTANOOGA, 374115302 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA FLUELLEN, MCKAYLA 6220 SHALLOWFORD RD, APT 518 CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 20 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC) VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF GILES, AARON SCOTT 2315 DAISY ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE GONZALEZ, HARRISON 5969 PINEHURST AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 18 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER GRAVES, ANDREW HARRISON 1210 JOHN ROSS RD CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VIOLATION OF PROBATION BURGLARY HALL, RANDY SCOTT 17945 SHADY HILLS ROAD SPRING FIELD, 34610 Age at Arrest: 42 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR HEGGESTAD, KRISTOPHER HOMELESS , Age at Arrest: 42 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY HICKS, BRIAN LEE 727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374033104 Age at Arrest: 45 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD CRIMINAL TRESPASSING DISORDERLY CONDUCT HUNT, KAITLYN E 83 WILDALOU DRIVE CHICKMAUGMA, 30707 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) JOHNSON, KODI DELON 6317 WALDEN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff AGGRAVATED ASSAULT JONES, AARON CORNEILIUS 1128 TIFTONIA VIEW RD CHATTANOOGA, 37419 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT LINDSEY, EDWARD GEORGE 1502 E 13TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 57 years old Arresting Agency: Red Bank FAILURE TO APPEAR LOVE, STEVE BENTON 1310 SCOUT ROAD HIXSON, 37343 Age at Arrest: 61 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MADDEN, JOSHUA DEWAYNE 6220 SHALLOWFORD RD CHATTANOOGA, 374215490 Age at Arrest: 41 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MATHIS, MARCUS DEWAIN 3711 HOYT ST CHATTANOOGA, 374111526 Age at Arrest: 46 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MAYS, CHRISTOPHER KEITH 727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374033104 Age at Arrest: 51 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER PEDESTRIANS ON ROADWAY MCNABB, JARED ALLEN 245 MASSENGALE RD CHATTANOOGA, 37419 Age at Arrest: 42 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT EVADING ARREST DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FAILURE TO SIGNAL TURN TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION LIGHT LAW VIOLATION VIOLATION OF PROBATION(POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SU MOONEY, GARRETT TANNER 11557 GUTH RD SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD FAILURE TO APPEAR MORGAN, ELIZABETH JAYNE 2258 NORTH SHORE ACRES ROAD SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 34 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MORRISON, ERIC RAY 505 BAKER LN WHITWELL, 37397 Age at Arrest: 35 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSIMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERSOLSON, DENISE A1303 COPELAND DRIVE HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 64 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDSTALKINGPARKER, JAMES LLOYD1706 STRAWBERRY LN HIXSON, 373434933Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDPUBLIC INTOXICATIONPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)PHILLIPS, RAYMOND NICHOLAS3707 OLMSTED DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 37412Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION ( VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENFEROSARIO, MARIO PEREZ1912 EAST 26TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 37 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEROSS, LEONARD LEBRON526 SEQUOIA DR CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 51 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGDISORDERLY CONDUCTRUE, AUSTIN1401 STRATTON PLACE APT B CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC Sheriff(VOP) CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION(VOP) VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFSHEPPARD, MATTHEW CARLHIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASTEVENSON, TYRONE LABRON2210 CITICO AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 43 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDAGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC)SWARTOUT, NILES CHRISTOPHER7433 IGOU GAP RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffASSAULTEVADING ARRESTTURNER, CRYSTAL LYNN2908 EDWARDS POINT RD SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, 37377Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: CollegedaleBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)WOODEN, JEFFERSON GAGE907 RAILROAD STREET DAYTON, 37321Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: Tenn Hwy PatrolVEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY INTOXICATIONVEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY INTOIXATIONVEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY RECKLESS CONDUCTVEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY RECKLESS CONDUCTVEHICULAR ASSAULT BY INTOXICATIONVEHICULAR ASSAULT BY INTOXICATION (08 OR GREATER)RECKLESS AGGRAVATED ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPONRECKLESS AGGRAVATED ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPONDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Here are the mug shots: ANDERSON, APRIL PATRICA Age at Arrest: 30 Date of Birth: 03/24/1994 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY CRIMINAL SIMULATION FORGERY EXPLOITATION OF AN ELDERLY ADULT FRAUDULENT USE OF CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD BRUMFIELD, TYRONE Age at Arrest: 60 Date of Birth: 04/28/1964 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): DISORDERLY CONDUCT BURCHFIELD, MICHAEL JAMISON Age at Arrest: 50 Date of Birth: 05/25/1974 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) CRAWFORD, DEMETRIUS MONTREL Age at Arrest: 29 Date of Birth: 10/14/1994 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUC VIOLATION OF PROBATION CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCH ELSEA, MITCHELL TRAVIS Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/26/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR FLUELLEN, MCKAYLA Age at Arrest: 20 Date of Birth: 01/26/2004 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC) VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF GILES, AARON SCOTT Age at Arrest: 36 Date of Birth: 11/28/1982 Arresting Agency: Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE GRAVES, ANDREW HARRISON Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 09/10/1986 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION BURGLARY HALL, RANDY SCOTT Age at Arrest: 42 Date of Birth: 09/17/1981 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR HEGGESTAD, KRISTOPHER Age at Arrest: 42 Date of Birth: 08/18/1982 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY HOLLOWAY, CHARLES ZANIEL Age at Arrest: 50 Date of Birth: 03/06/1972 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) JOHNSON, KODI DELON Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 01/01/1993 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT JONES, AARON CORNEILIUS Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 12/26/2000 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT LINDSEY, EDWARD GEORGE Age at Arrest: 57 Date of Birth: 10/15/1962 Arresting Agency: Red Bank Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR LOVE, STEVE BENTON Age at Arrest: 61 Date of Birth: 02/02/1963 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION AGGRAVATED ASSAULT MADDEN, JOSHUA DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 41 Date of Birth: 09/13/1981 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MATHIS, MARCUS DEWAIN Age at Arrest: 46 Date of Birth: 12/01/1977 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MAYS, CHRISTOPHER KEITH Age at Arrest: 51 Date of Birth: 10/13/1972 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER PEDESTRIANS ON ROADWAY MOONEY, GARRETT TANNER Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 07/16/1998 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR MORGAN, ELIZABETH JAYNE Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 01/30/1990 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MORRISON, ERIC RAY Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 11/23/1975 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS OLSON, DENISE A Age at Arrest: 64 Date of Birth: 08/12/1960 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): STALKING PARKER, JAMES LLOYD Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 07/08/1989 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): PUBLIC INTOXICATION POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING) PHILLIPS, RAYMOND NICHOLAS Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 08/25/1990 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION ( VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENFE ROSARIO, MARIO PEREZ Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 02/02/1982 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE ROSS, LEONARD LEBRON Age at Arrest: 51 Date of Birth: 09/06/1972 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING DISORDERLY CONDUCT RUE, AUSTIN Age at Arrest: 19 Date of Birth: 03/19/2005 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): (VOP) CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION (VOP) VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF STEVENSON, TYRONE LABRON Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 07/18/1981 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC) SWARTOUT, NILES CHRISTOPHER Age at Arrest: 45 Date of Birth: 09/18/1978 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): ASSAULT EVADING ARREST TURNER, CRYSTAL LYNN Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 01/15/1990 Arresting Agency: Collegedale Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WOODEN, JEFFERSON GAGE Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 04/27/2002 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 08/29/2024 Charge(s): VEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY INTOXCIATION VEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY INTOXIATION VEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY RECKLESS CONDUCT VEHICULAR HOMICIDE BY RECKLESS CONDUCT VEHICULAR ASSAULT BY INTOXICATION VEHICULAR ASSAULT BY INTOXICATION (08 OR GREATER) RECKLESS AGGRAVATED ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON RECKLESS AGGRAVATED ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON DRIVING UNDER THE INFULENCE Dewayne Douglas Price, Jr., 42, of Ooltewah, was sentenced on Friday by the Travis R. McDonough, Chief United States District Court Judge, in the United States District Court at Chattanooga, to a term of imprisonment of 32 years. Following his incarceration, Price will be on a term of supervised release for life, and he will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions. Pursuant to the filed plea agreement, Price pled guilty to four counts, two counts of exploitation of a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2251(a), receipt of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2252(a)(2), and possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2252(a)(4)(b), on February 23, 2024. According to filed court documents, Price solicited women throughout the United States to molest their children and then send him images of the abuse. Price confessed to law enforcement, and some of the women throughout the U.S. have also been charged by federal or state authorities. As the court records show, Prices conduct was depraved and outrageous, said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. Our office is committed to pursuing, uncovering, and prosecuting to the full extent of the law the criminals who sexually victimize children. Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and we must protect them in any way we can. This case is a great example of the work that can be done when state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies collaborate across state lines. We will continue to work diligently with our partners to identify and investigate those who engage in this predatory behavior to ensure the safety of our children, said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the conviction of Price included the FBI and the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Brooks prosecuted the case in coordination with Special Assistant United States Attorney Charles D. Minor, who is assigned to the United States Department of Justice to combat child sex offenses in partnership with the Hamilton County District Attorney Generals Office. John Johnny M. Grant, 84, of Chattanooga, passed away on August 28, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on Oct. 9, 1939, here in Chattanooga to the late Lester and Sarah Grant. He was a valedictorian of his high school class and attended Trevecca High School in Nashville. He attended Trevecca Nazarene College. Upon his return to Chattanooga he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Germany and worked as a small arms repair specialist. After his honorable discharge from the Army he pursued his love of the towing industry and began working at Ernest Holmes and later Miller Industries. He began his career at the early age of 14, a career that spanned over 50 years. He was a member of and attended Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene. He sang in the choir and served on the board for the church. Johnny was an avid hiker and he accomplished his goal of hiking the entire Smoky Mountains Trail System. He was a member of the Great Smoky Mountains 900 Miler Club. Left behind to cherish Johnnys memory are his wife of 24 years, Susan, his children, Becky (Tim) Carroll, Wendy (Patrick) Jensen, and David (Brandi) Grant, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his faithful companion, his dog Buddy. A Celebration of Johnnys Life will be held in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Eric Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 5-7 p.m. Johnny will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors at 1 p.m. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, Tn., has been entrusted with the arrangements. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do tend to travel with each other, but Harry is reportedly set to make yet another trip without his wife. This time, though, its not to the United Kingdom. Prince Harry has done quite a bit of travel without his wife, Meghan Markle, since the two first moved to the United States back in 2020. The Duke of Sussex has returned to the United Kingdom on a number of occasions, and in most cases, Meghan has not traveled with him. Harry has said that he refuses to bring his wife and children back to his home country unless he can guarantee their safety. Now, Harry is set to take yet another big trip this time, its within the US but Meghan is staying behind. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Rosa Woods/Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle will not accompany Prince Harry on his trip to New York City There are a number of reasons why Meghan has not always accompanied Harry on trips. The couple share two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and Meghan has remained at home while Harry traveled in order to take care of the kids. Plus, when going to the UK, security has remained an issue for the duchess. But now, Meghan is giving Harry some time to get away by himself in order to support the charities he cares about most. The trip will support Harrys work with his patronages, a source revealed, according to Express. Another source also spoke of the upcoming trip. Meghan doesnt have to attend every event with her husband, they said, defending the duchess decision to remain at home. If she skips an event, it doesnt mean there is anything wrong between them. Shes happy for him to take this one on his own to shine a light on what really matters to him. It seems that every time Harry and Meghan arent spotted together, people assume something is wrong, but sources say this is just the agreement the two made and has nothing to do with the status of their relationship. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently said they are really happy Harry and Meghan embarked on a trip to Nigeria this past May, where they took a tour of the country after it announced it would be the first African country to join Harrys Invictus Games Foundation. While there, Meghan remarked in an interview with People that she and Harry are really happy with their lives in the US. Harry and Meghan have somewhat struggled with their reputations, but many people thought the couple wouldnt last long. However, after meeting in 2016, theyve spent the last eight years at one anothers side. And despite what the haters say, it seems clear that theyre still going strong. Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko A federal judge stated that an Ohio school district's policy mandating teachers to use students' preferred pronouns constitutes compelled speech rather than a neutral directive. This decision emphasizes the ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in schools. The ruling came following a case involving a teacher who resigned after refusing to comply with the district's pronoun policy due to her religious beliefs. The federal court ruling found that the Jackson Local School District may have violated the First Amendment rights of Vivian Geraghty, a former teacher, by coercing her to resign due to her refusal to use transgender students' preferred pronouns based on her religious convictions. Judge Barker's ruling said that the school district's policy was not neutral and generally applied, as it compelled teachers to express a viewpoint contrary to their beliefs. Geraghty filed her lawsuit in December 2022, following discussions with school administrators regarding the use of preferred names and pronouns for students. The case shows growing legal conflicts over educational policies that relate to gender identity and the rights of values held by educators, particularly those with religious beliefs. In the context of this ruling, the judge found that while the school district aims to ensure inclusivity for transgender students, the requirement to use preferred pronouns crosses into the territory of compelled expression. Judge Batchelder commented, "Regardless of whether students can also discuss gender ideology in the abstractwhich is also protected speechthe students protected speech here is their use of biological pronouns to affirm their own belief that people are either male or female". This ruling is part of a broader trend where courts are being asked to weigh students' rights against the First Amendment protections of teachers and the moral convictions some hold regarding gender identity. As the conversation around gender continues to evolve, this case is likely to have implications for how similar policies are structured and enforced in schools across the nation. The school district has yet to comment on the ruling, but the case may prompt a re-evaluation of existing policies and how they align with constitutional protections for both students and staff. Many educators have welcomed the ruling as a defense of First Amendment rights, indicating that it provides necessary protection against policies that may infringe upon their ability to express personal beliefs. Vanessa Sivadge told that she believes her experience after whistleblowing against Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, is part of a spiritual war | GiveSendGo/Vanessa Sivadge A Texas nurse, Vanessa Sivadge, recently gained national attention after claiming she was unlawfully terminated from her position at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) for exposing alleged Medicaid fraud related to gender-affirming care for minors. Sivadge states that her termination embodies not only professional retaliation but also a larger spiritual battle in the healthcare system. Sivadge, who identifies as a devout Christian, claims she was fired on August 16 for bringing to light practices she believes are unethical and harmful. Specifically, she alleges that TCH used federal funds to cover cross-sex hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors, actions she argues violate Texas law. Speaking to various media, Sivadge articulated her perspective as a fight against a medical establishment she accuses of prioritizing profit over patient welfare. "My faith is the foundation of everything," Sivadge remarked. "Thats the reason why Ive spoken out as I have". Her commitment to her beliefs has intensified her resolve to challenge the hospitals actions, which she describes both as a personal affront and a spiritual conflict, stating, This is a spiritual war. The tension escalated after Sivadge requested a transfer from the endocrinology clinic to the cardiology unit, seeking relief from what she described as "indirect participation" in treatments conflicting with her religious convictions. This request was denied, prompting her to go public with her concerns about the hospitals practices concerning transgender minors and their psychological health. Sivadge's allegations came under further scrutiny after reports indicated that another whistleblower, Dr. Eithan Haim, faced legal action from the U.S. Department of Justice for leaking medical records related to TCH. Haim's disclosures had previously suggested the hospital continued administering puberty blockers to children despite its claims to the contrary. In a striking turn of events, Sivadge has faced intimidation from federal authorities. According to her statements, two FBI agents visited her home, signaling federal interest in her whistleblowing. She insists that this federal engagement speaks to a larger issue: "I believe that the Department of Justice has been weaponized against people of faith and people who expose wrongdoing". As the controversy unfolds, Sivadge has taken to fundraising online to assist with her legal defense, emphasizing the urgent need for whistleblowers to protect children's well-being against what she terms "child mutilation and sterilization" practices. Thus far, her campaign has raised over $50,000, reflecting significant public support for her cause. In her testimony, Sivadge draws on biblical references to frame her actions as a moral imperative, quoting Ephesians 5 regarding the need to expose the "worthless deeds of evil and darkness". In doing so, she seeks not just personal vindication but also aims to highlight what she sees as systemic injustices within the healthcare system, marking her story as a calling to bring light to concealed truths. The situation at Texas Children's Hospital continues to evolve, with many watching closely as legal, ethical and spiritual dimensions intertwine in this high-stakes battle over children's healthcare and religious freedom. Home News 12-year-old Christian girl forcibly converted by Muslim man who kidnapped her in Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan A Pakistani Muslim man abducted, forcibly converted and married a 12-year-old Christian girl as police delayed efforts to recover her, family members said. Parveen Shaukat, a Catholic widow and mother of eight children, said that Muhammad Asad abducted her youngest daughter, Fairy Shaukat, from the Habibabad Mandi area in Pattoki Tehsil, Kasur District of Punjab Province, on Aug. 9. Fairy had gone to a nearby shop to buy groceries in the afternoon, but she did not return home, Shaukat told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. My sons started searching for her but could not find her. We then filed a complaint with the police, but their attitude was not welcoming. Instead of helping us, they delayed the registration of a First Information Report [FIR]. 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 She said a neighbor later informed the family that he had seen Asad abduct Fairy. We informed the police about the accused, but they still did not take any action, giving sufficient time to Asad to convert the minor child and contract an Islamic marriage with her, Shaukat said. The impoverished mother said police finally registered an FIR on Aug. 10, but were slow to make efforts to recover the child. On Aug. 13, my sons received the Nikahnama [Islamic marriage certificate] of Fairy through WhatsApp from an unknown number, she said. We were shocked to see the document and urged the police to take action against this underage marriage. When the police finally raided the house of the accused, he was not there. Its nearly 20 days now that I havent seen my child, and we have no information about her safety. Shaukat said she didn't believe her minor daughter could go willingly with the suspect. Fairy is just 12 years old. She had no access to a cell phone and rarely went out of the home by herself, Shaukat said. She was abducted by Asad, who we have heard is a loafer. He targeted my child for sexual exploitation, and my heart sinks every time I think of how she is being treated in captivity. After failing to find a trace of their child, the family contacted Christian attorney Sumera Shafique for legal aid. Im filing a petition in the Lahore High Court for the childs recovery, Shafique told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Its very unfortunate that police delay action in cases involving underage minority girls, which allows the perpetrators to scar these children for life. Shafique said she also intends to charge the suspect with various crimes, including child marriage and rape, after he and the girl appear in court. Officers have registered a case against Asad with kidnapping a person from lawful guardianship, punishable by up to seven years in prison under Section 363 of the Pakistan Penal Code. But this charge is not enough, Shafique said. The accused not only kidnapped the child, he converted her and contracted an Islamic marriage to save himself from prosecution, a common practice by kidnappers to sexually exploit underage minority girls. She called for strict enforcement of anti-child marriage laws as well as criminalizing forced conversions of underage girls. The new anti-child marriage bill submitted in the Punjab Provincial Assembly is a good initiative, but theres a need to ensure that it is implemented in letter and spirit, she said. This is a major weakness in our law enforcement and judicial system, that though relevant laws already exist, they are not implemented. New bill In a bid to criminalize underage marriages in Punjab Province, the provincial government on April 25 submitted the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, 2024, in the provincial Assembly, which would raise the legal age for marriage for both males and females to 18 years. Previously the legal age for marriage for girls in the province was 16. Under the proposed bill, anyone who marries a girl or boy younger than 18 or arranges such a marriage including parents or guardians would face two- to-three-years in prison and a fine of between 100,000 Pakistani rupees ($360 USD) and 200,000 rupees ($720 USD). At the time of marriage registration, the marriage solemnizer, secretary of the union council and marriage registrar would check the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) of the girl or boy, passport, educational certificate or other documents proving both are at least 18 years old. Attested copies of these documents would be required to be attached with the application of marriage certificate. Rights activists say that, though raising the legal marriage age to 18 years for both boys and girls will help in preventing child marriages, certain amendments are required to ensure that minority girls also get due coverage of the law. Such amendments would override all special laws related to determining a girls age of maturity, they say, including Sharia (Islamic law), which allows girls attaining puberty to be considered adults. 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. Originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News State gov't attacks on pro-life pregnancy care centers on the rise, legal expert says State government legal attacks on pro-life pregnancy care centers have been increasing since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, according to a conservative legal expert. Daniel Schmid, associate vice president of Legal Affairs at Liberty Counsel, told The Christian Post in an interview Thursday that he believed "there's no question" that such attacks are on the rise. "You see it with the efforts by the attorney general in New York; you're seeing it in Massachusetts right now with the AG there and the governor engaging in this campaign to smear a bunch of pro-life centers to the point where there is a lawsuit now against the attorney general and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," he said. 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 "What they have done there is target them and say 'these people are frauds, these people are lying to you, these people are X-Y-and-Z,' even though they are not. They're just offering alternatives to abortion for women who might want the counseling, who might want the resources they provide, all the rest of it." Schmid referenced the wave of vandalism and threats of physical harm that struck pro-life pregnancy care centers that occurred in 2022 when the Supreme Court struck down Roe via the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. "We saw attacks on pro-life centers significantly occur across the country after Dobbs, and now it has transitioned from criminals who are engaging in vandalism and threats and all the rest of it to state efforts, government-backed efforts to suppress the speech and views and sheer existence of the crisis pregnancy centers," Schmid told CP. In May, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a civil enforcement action against the pro-life group Heartbeat International and 11 pregnancy care centers for allegedly unlawfully deceiving women by promoting the abortion pill reversal treatment. "Heartbeat International and the other crisis pregnancy center defendants are spreading dangerous misinformation by advertising' abortion reversals' without any medical and scientific proof," James claimed, as quoted in the announcement. "Amid the increase in attacks on reproductive health care nationwide, we must protect pregnant people's right to make safe, well-informed decisions about their health." Last week, U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. of the Western District of New York granted a preliminary injunction against James' lawsuit, arguing that it violates the First Amendment rights of the pro-life centers. "Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their First Amendment Free Speech claim," wrote Sinatra. "The First Amendment protects Plaintiffs' right to speak freely about [Abortion Pill Reversal] protocol and, more specifically, to say that it is safe and effective for a pregnant woman to use in consultation with her doctor." Schmid told CP that he believed Sinatra's decision was "the correct one" and that what James had done was "attack a bunch of pro-life pregnancy centers for just advocating a viewpoint." "All they're doing is giving these women information," he continued. "But the attorney general of New York doesn't like the information that's being provided. So, she says, 'Well, I'm going to target you, say you're engaging in fraud and all types of stuff.'" "These centers are entitled under the First Amendment to espouse their views, they're entitled to speak their mind, and they're entitled to counsel these women. And it's particularly critical in the medical arena that people are given the full story and the full range of information." According to Heartbeat International, an abortion pill reversal treatment is done in response to when a pregnant woman who is undergoing a medication abortion changes her mind about terminating her pregnancy or is coerced into having an abortion. During a chemical abortion, a woman takes two medications at two different times to terminate the unborn baby. The reversal involves using "the natural hormone progesterone to counteract the life-ending effects of chemical abortion drugs." "Progesterone is a natural hormone needed to sustain pregnancy and has been used for decades to safely and effectively prevent miscarriage and forestall preterm labor," stated Heartbeat International. "Abortion pill reversal displaces mifepristone (the first drug in a chemical abortion) from progesterone receptors using the natural progesterone hormone, counteracting the effects of mifepristone and allowing the baby to continue growing. For women who have begun abortion pill reversal, progesterone treatment is continued through the end of the first trimester at a minimum, and beyond that if needed." According to Heartbeat's Abortion Pill Reversal Network, from 2012 to early 2023, approximately 4,500 babies were successfully born due to their abortion pill reversal process. Critics like the pro-choice group the Center for Reproductive Rights dispute the effectiveness of the reversal procedure, with a spokesperson directing CP to a statement by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists repudiating the practice. "Facts are important, especially when it comes to policies and discussions that impact patients. Claims regarding abortion 'reversal' treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards," stated the ACOG. Home News Trump's comments on Florida's abortion ballot initiative, IVF draw mixed reactions from pro-lifers Former President Donald Trump drew mixed reactions from pro-life advocacy organizations Thursday, with some believing he suggested he would vote for an amendment to create a right to abortion in the Florida Constitution, a claim a spokesperson has denied. Trump, the Republican nominee for president of the United States in the 2024 presidential election, spoke with NBC News' Dasha Burns at one of his campaign rallies in Potterville, Michigan. She asked him how, as a Florida resident, he intended to vote on Florida's Amendment 4 that would "overturn the six-week ban" on abortion. "I think the six-week is too short," he replied. "It has to be more time." 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 When Burns pressed Trump again on whether he would vote for Amendment 4, the candidate told her, "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." If passed, the measure would amend the Florida Constitution to read, "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider." The proposal would not simply abolish Florida's six-week abortion ban that Trump opposes. It would have the effect of legalizing abortion up until the point of viability, which is defined as the point in a pregnancy where the baby can survive outside of the womb. A vote against Amendment 4 would keep the state's current abortion laws in place. The interview's implication that Trump would support Amendment 4 drew mixed reactions from leaders in the pro-life movement, who once championed Trump as "the most pro-life president" in U.S. history. Lila Rose, the founder and president of the pro-life advocacy group Live Action, described the candidate's comments during the interview as "totally devastating" in an X post Thursday. While Rose insisted that "President Trump just announced he will vote in support of Amendment 4 in Florida, which permits abortions on babies up until birth, without restriction," Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt pushed back on this characterization of his position. Asserting that the candidate "has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida," Leavitt stressed, "He simply reiterated that [he] believes six weeks is too short." In a statement, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, who co-chaired Trump's 2016 campaign pro-life coalition, said she spoke with Trump Thursday evening. "He has not committed to how he will vote on Amendment 4," Dannenfelser said. "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." "We strongly support Florida's current heartbeat law. For anyone who believes in drawing a different line, they still must vote against Amendment 4, unless they don't want a line at all," she added. "Amendment 4 would lock unlimited abortion into the state constitution, preventing the Florida legislature from enacting any changes." Trump's remarks about Amendment 4 are not the only portion of his interview with NBC News causing pro-life leaders concern. Trump also spoke on in-vitro fertilization, saying, "Under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment." He elaborated on his policy proposal during his rally on Thursday. "I am announcing today 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. "We want more babies, to put it very nicely." In an X post published Thursday, Rose cited his support for "universal IVF" as another example of what she characterized as Trump "embracing abortion on demand and testing his base." Although billed as a fertility treatment, pro-life advocates have long criticized IVF as the practice results in the creation of many embryos that are often frozen and sometimes destroyed. Rose noted that "Only 7% of embryos created via IVF will result in a live birth, the remaining 93% are frozen indefinitely, miscarried, or aborted," adding, "Over 1 million human embryos are already frozen from these IVF procedures." She reflected on the religious liberty implications of requiring insurance companies to pay for IVF, asking, "How is this morally different than the contraceptive mandate under Obama?" After an Alabama Supreme Court ruling this year determining that unborn children created through IVF are human beings under state law, politicians at the state and national level have sought to protect IVF. Florida is one of several states where voters are slated to decide the fate of abortion-related ballot measures this year. Unlike the other states with such referendums, Florida requires proposed constitutional amendments to secure 60% support from voters in order to pass. Public opinion polling paints a conflicting picture of whether the measure has enough support to pass. While an August 2024 survey of 837 voters from the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling shows that 61% of respondents plan to support Amendment 4 and 25% intend on opposing it, an August 2024 poll of 1,055 registered voters conducted by Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research measured support for the constitutional amendment at just 56% with 21% indicating that they will oppose it. Since the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organizationdecision, voters in four states have approved ballot measures establishing a right to abortion in their respective state constitutions. Voters in California, Michigan and Vermont supported such proposals in 2022 while Ohio did the same in 2023. Home Opinion DNC speakers advocate for freedom but contradict themselves Last week's theme for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) A Fight for Our Freedoms was a masterclass in messaging, as speakers framed abortion as an essential freedom for all Americans. But the freedom Harris and her allies are promoting is one that leaves millions of preborn children without the basic right to life, all while actively suppressing alternatives to abortion that would offer women real choice. Heres a closer look at four key speakers and the blatant contradictions in their advocacy. Oprah Winfrey: The American Dream narrative Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance at the DNC and declared, if you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream. While her statement is meant to support the idea that abortion is a prerequisite for womens empowerment, it overlooks a tragic truth: if a woman is aborted, she has no dream at all. The fight for reproductive freedom rings hollow when it blatantly excludes the most fundamental freedom the right to live. Its also ironic that while the DNC champions womens rights, it fails to address the reality that more female children are aborted worldwide than males. This imbalance is particularly stark in countries like India and China, where sex-selective abortions have led to a significant gender gap. Fighting for womens rights becomes meaningless if the very women they claim to defend are being eliminated in the womb. 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 Governor Josh Shapiro: Twisting "freedom" to push abortion At the Democratic National Convention, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized his vision of real freedom. In his speech, he claimed, its not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies. Shapiros words fit neatly into the DNCs A Fight for Our Freedoms theme, but his actions reveal a different story when it comes to genuinely supporting women. One of Shapiros first moves as governor was to cut funding for Real Alternatives, a program that each year provided critical resources to over 350,000 pregnant and parenting women in Pennsylvania. For nearly three decades, this initiative offered counseling, baby supplies, and adoption education, giving women options beyond abortion. By defunding this program, Shapiro eliminated support for women who want to carry their pregnancies to term. His decision aligns with the Democratic Partys narrative that freedom should only extend to abortion access, ignoring the broader support women need for real choice. Redefining freedom to undermine women In his remarks at the DNC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg celebrated the right kind of politics as the force behind progress and personal empowerment. He reflected on how the political landscape has evolved, making possible his career and family life as a gay man experiences, he suggested, were once unimaginable. This kind of life went from impossible, to possible; from possible to real; from real to almost ordinary, Buttigieg noted. However, Buttigiegs vision of "the right kind of politics" also reveals a darker side: While he champions a politics that has expanded his personal freedoms, he also advocates for policies that exclude and target those with opposing views. His recent comments suggesting that abortion makes men more free highlight this contradiction. By promoting abortion as a means of empowerment, Buttigieg supports a selective freedom that undermines the choices and support available to women through pregnancy help organizations. This selective approach to political progress narrows the scope of freedom, marginalizing those who believe in supporting life and reinforcing a political agenda that prioritizes certain freedoms while suppressing others. Governor Tim Walz: The face of extremism Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, represents the furthest edge of this freedom agenda. During his tenure as governor, Walz has aggressively dismantled common-sense abortion regulations in his state, including parental consent laws and waiting periods. His administration codified the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, effectively removing all restrictions on abortion, even those that protect infants who survive failed abortions. Walzs policies dont just advance abortion; they create a hostile environment for anyone offering alternatives. One of Walzs most egregious actions was the defunding of pregnancy help organizations across Minnesota. These organizations provide crucial resources, counseling, and support to women who want to carry their pregnancies to term. By targeting these services, Walz and his allies, like Shapiro, are stripping away real choices from women, contradicting their entire freedom narrative. It is not freedom when one side of the debate is silenced, and alternatives are actively suppressed. As we examine the rhetoric from leaders like Winfrey, Shapiro, Buttigieg, and Walz, it becomes clear that this freedom is selective and exclusionary. They are not fighting for freedom in the broadest sense; they are fighting for a single outcome. If genuine choice were the priority, they would be championing the work of pregnancy help organizations rather than trying to eradicate them. Their vision of freedom is one-sided, hollow, and ultimately destructive, leaving women and children without the support they need to thrive. Home Opinion The surprising response to my Rabbi Jesus post On August 22, on the spur of the moment, I posted this on X and on Facebook: "A friendly reminder: Jesus was a rabbi, not a reverend. He was a Jew, not a Christian. His name was Yeshua and His mother's name was Miriam. He was called Christ because it was the Greek way of saying Messiah. He is the Savior of the world because He is Israel's Messiah." To my surprise, while the post received over 1,100 likes on Facebook, where I have 587,000 followers, it received over 2,800 likes on X, where I have only 61,000 followers. Why so much interest in such a simple, matter of fact 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 As of this writing, the post has been viewed more than 202,000 times on X (which is a lot for one of my posts there). It has also received more than 880 comments, quite a few of them taking issue with the post or feeling the need to clarify it. Whats so controversial about what I wrote? Jesus, along with John the Immerser (aka John the Baptist), were both called rabbi in the New Testament, while the concept of reverend only came into use many centuries later (perhaps beginning in the 15th century). As for Jesus being a Jew not a Christian, again, that is a simple matter of historical fact and common-sense logic. Thats because the New Testament teaches that Jesus was born King of the Jews and died King of the Jews, whereas the word Christian was only coined more than a decade after the Lords death and resurrection. As for His original name, along with that of His mother, again, these are simple, historical facts, as both Jesus and Mary are the product of Hebrew names being transmitted into Greek, then into Latin, then, eventually, into English. This is hardly rocket science. As for the word Christ, from the Greek christos, meaning anointed, it is a translation of the Hebrew word mashiach, also meaning anointed, from which we get Messiah. But Christ was not the Lords last name. It was the Greek way of calling Jesus the Messiah. Of course, as basic as all this is, it is still jarring for some people to hear, as many think of Jesus in exclusively Christian terms to the exclusion of His Jewish roots. To do so is not just factually inaccurate. It also presents a misleading spiritual picture, raising the obvious question: If Jesus is now so disconnected from His origins and roots, why is He returning to Jerusalem? Why not return to Rome (or Constantinople, or Moscow, or the Bible Belt in the USA)? To take this one step further, does it jar you to hear the names of the apostles in a way that would be closer to how their names sounded in Yeshuas day? Lets find out! Matthew 10:2-4, as rendered in the Jewish New Testament (now part of the Complete Jewish Bible): These are the names of the twelve emissaries: First, Shimon, called Kefa, and Andrew his brother, Yaakov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan his brother, Philip and Bar-Talmai, Toma and Mattityahu the tax-collector, Yaakov Bar-Halfai and Taddai, Shimon the Zealot, and Yhudah from Kriot, who betrayed him. If this makes you uncomfortable at all, you should ask yourself why. It might reveal some hidden and unhealthy spiritual baggage. Getting back to my post, though, it seems that a lot of people had a problem with the last line, which stated, He is the Savior of the world because He is Israel's Messiah, with some commenters adding extensive commentary or clarification or correction. But why did they find it necessary to do so? Whats so controversial about these words? During His earthly ministry, Jesus said that He had come only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, sending out His disciples on that same exclusive mission (see Matthew 15:24; 10:5-6). And before His birth, the angel Gabriel explained that He would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). After His resurrection, He pointed His disciples to prophecies about Him written in the Hebrew Scriptures and asked them, Did not the Messiah [Greek, Christ] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? (Luke 24:26) Yet because the mission of Israels Messiah included being a light to the nations (see, e.g., Isaiah 11:1-10; 42:1-7), Jesus is not only the Jewish Messiah but also the Savior of the world, and the Great Commission is to all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Put another way, if Jesus failed to be the promised Messiah of Israel, He would be the Savior of no one. Hence my statement, He is the Savior of the world because He is Israel's Messiah. And it is as both the Savior of the world and the Messiah of Israel that Jesus-Yeshua will return one day, setting up His kingdom in Jerusalem. Thats also why, according to the book of Revelation, the eternal city in which we will dwell with God on earth is called the New Jerusalem (see Revelation 21:1-4). And thats why the 12 gates of the city will bear the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, while the 12 foundation stones will bear the name of the 12 (all Jewish) apostles (see Revelation 21:9-14). And in this eternal, glorious city, all those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, both Gentile and Jew, will live side by side as equals, without distinction of caste or class. We are all one in Him! But lets not forget our Saviors history and roots, especially after centuries of Christian leaders portraying Him as a fair-eyed, European Gentile and, today, Muslims portraying Him as a Palestinian liberationist. Let us recover the biblical, Jewish roots of the faith. This will only deepen and enhance our relationship with our heavenly Father, also known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I hope this doesnt trouble you. Home News Abortions on the rise since Roe reversal thanks to abortion pill spike: report Recently released data points to a possible reason for the reported increase in abortions in the United States two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ruled abortion is not a constitutional right. According to the latest data from the pro-choice Society of Family Planning's #WeCount research project, the monthly average of abortions between January through March was 98,990. The group found between 94,670 and 102,350 abortions monthly, with the national monthly total of abortions reportedly exceeding 100,000 in January for the first time since #WeCount began. States with the highest average number of abortions per month from January through March included California, New York, Illinois, Florida and New Jersey. The states with the greatest number of cumulative declines in abortion volumes over 21 months were Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama. 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 Researchers connected the increase to a surge in virtual "telehealth abortions" via the abortion pill being a larger share of America's abortion landscape than ever before. Earlier this year, six states enacted shield laws that allow providers to prescribe and send abortion drugs to people living in states that severely restrict abortion. The average number of these abortions conducted under shield laws from January to March was 9,200. "In the nine months from July 2023 to March, over 65,000 people in states with total or six-week bans and states with telehealth restrictions have accessed medication abortion provided under shield laws," the #WeCount survey stated. Michael New, an assistant professor of social research at the Catholic University of America in Washington and a senior associate scholar at the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute, told The Christian Post that he encourages pro-lifers to view the #WeCount survey's abortion numbers with skepticism. In response to previous #WeCount data released in May, the pro-life scholar stated that SFP did not have experience estimating abortion data in the United States before 2022. Regarding the latest #WeCount survey, New highlighted that the estimates suggest that 20% of abortions are done by telehealth. Still, the pro-life scholar is skeptical of the accuracy of telehealth abortion numbers. He noted that the survey indicates that 9% of abortions are taking place in states with shield laws. If true, New believes the data from the #WeCount survey should concern pro-lifers. "Shield laws weaken the impact of existing pro-life laws. There are questions about the constitutionality of shield laws," New stated. "Attorneys general in conservative states are reportedly considering various litigation strategies." "The best solution would be to elect a pro-life president who would appoint FDA personnel who would prevent the shipping of chemical abortion pills through the mail," New stressed. "President Trump has not made any such promises. However, his appointees would certainly be more receptive to the concerns of pro-lifers than anyone appointed by Kamala Harris." Pro-life advocates have expressed concern about former President Donald Trump's abortion stance. While the 2024 presidential hopeful has given himself credit for appointing several of the justices who voted to overturn Roe in 2022, Trump and his team have indicated they will not pursue a federal abortion ban. Earlier this month, the former president's running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, told NBC's "Meet the Press" Kristen Welker that a second Trump administration would not "impose a federal ban on abortion." "Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible," Vance said. "Donald Trump wants to end this culture war over this particular topic." "If California wants to have a different abortion policy from Ohio, then Ohio has to respect California, and California has to respect Ohio," Vance added. "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 don't want to have a nonstop federal conflict over this issue. The federal government ought to be focused on getting food prices down, getting housing prices down." "I think Donald Trump is right. We want the federal government to focus on these big economic and immigration questions," he stressed. "Let the states figure out their own abortion policies." Live Action Founder Lila Rose wrote in an X post in response to the interview that "If you don't stand for pro-life principles, you don't get pro-life votes." On Thursday, Rose expanded on her position, declaring that "Trump is losing pro-life votes regardless of what I say because of his own actions." Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins wrote in a Thursday X post that volunteers for her organization have indicated that they will not door-knock on behalf of Trump. The pro-life leader stressed that "[T]his is the last thing we need right now to defeat Kamala's pro-abortion extremism." "Call me any name you want, but I will fight to save as many babies as I can with my vote this November ... while still working to change our culture to save all of them," Hawkins said in a Friday statement on social media. Home News Episcopal diocese rejects 'misinformation' amid claims it failed to enforce 'safe church' policies An Episcopal diocese in California is defending itself amid accusations that it's failing to properly enforce policies meant to protect its churches from sexual predators. The Rt. Rev. Lucinda Ashby, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, sent an email newsletter addressing what she labeled "odd accusations and the spread of misinformation about safety in our parishes, our diocese, and your bishop's commitment to that safety." "This type of suspicion may arise when a person becomes afraid or feels disconnected from what we are about," Ashby wrote. "We want to ensure that our community members receive accurate information about The Diocese of El Camino Real and The Episcopal Church." 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 At issue is an allegation leveled against the diocese last month that it failed to properly enforce its safety policies when a sex offender attempted to join the volunteers at Holy Family Episcopal Church of San Jose. "I want to assure you of my ongoing commitment to having all our communities be places of safety and security where God's people can promote God's mission and ministry in the world," Ashby said. "We strive to keep our communities as safe havens for people to gather to live into the teachings of the apostles, share in the breaking of bread, and pray together." Ashby explained that the trustees board voted to contract with Church HR in fall 2022 to help the diocese stay up to date on state law and other guidelines regarding "safe working environments." Last year, according to Ashby, the diocese "devoted an entire year to ensuring that all our clergy and lay leaders were informed and complied with the expectation, both legal and pastoral, that our communities be places of safety." "To that end, all leaders were required to undergo background checks and be fingerprinted via Live Scan, a process required by the Department of Justice," she continued. "Additionally, the Office of the Bishop paid for any out-of-pocket expenses for retired clergy to undergo Live Scan, and the records for non-parochial clergy are held at the Office of the Bishop." Ashby said that the "safe church" standards of the diocese are "more expansive than" state law and that they "quickly implemented" California's Workplace Violence Prevention Policy earlier this year. Anglican Watch, an advocacy group centered on combatting abuse within churches, first leveled the accusations against the diocese. In response to the bishop's newsletter, the organization "stands by its reporting and reiterates that both the Diocese and Ashby failed to act appropriately." "At issue is the Diocese's claim that the sex offender was not in a position of leadership within the parish; the individual in question was in charge of the church's livestreaming and had keys to the church," stated Anglican Watch. "While one might quibble about whether being in charge of live streaming counts as 'leadership,' there are several indisputable issues." Anglican Watch first reported last month that El Camino Real Diocese mishandled a Title IV disciplinary complaint against the pastor of Holy Family Episcopal, who was accused of failing to enforce the safe church guidelines at the church properly. The watchdog claimed that rector Rev. Ruth Casipit-Paguio "ignored Safe Church requirements for eight years" and "didn't bother to run background checks on church staff and volunteers during that time, a violation of diocesan policy." Those actions, the group believes, could have led to a "known pedophile listed on a state sex offender registry" attempting to get involved with the parish. Since the individual had keys to the building, the organization maintains that it gave him an "opportunity to be alone in the building with children and other vulnerable populations." The watchdog says the diocese failed to notify parents once it learned a sex offender was involved with the parish and doesn't appear to have contacted the police about the person as required by law. The group contends that when registered sex offenders emerge on the scene in churches, it can often mean they are "testing the waters." Anglican Watch also cited "unconfirmed reports" that the whistleblower who made these accusations public is being retaliated against, claiming that, if true, Ashby's "conduct is practically and ethically wrong." When The Christian Post had reached out to the diocese earlier this month for a response, a spokesperson said that because of "the sensitivity of the issue, we are unable to provide comments on Title IV or pastoral concerns." 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 News Taliban bans women from speaking, showing bare faces in public New laws passed by the Taliban regime that ban women from speaking or showing their faces in public have been condemned by the U.N. and human rights groups. Three years after taking over Afghanistan amid a hasty U.S. withdrawal under the Biden administration, the Taliban passed several vice and virtue laws last week, ordering Afghan women to cover their faces in public and to wear thick clothing so that men are not tempted. The laws also prohibit women from speaking in public, looking at men they are not related to, and must be accompanied by a man if they venture outside their home. Earlier this week, the United Nations denounced the Taliban's vice and virtue laws. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, was quoted in the report as saying that the prohibitions on women, called the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, effectively silences womens voices and deprives them of their autonomy. 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 This is utterly intolerable, Shamdasani stated. We call on the de facto authorities to immediately repeal this legislation, which is in clear violation of Afghanistans obligations under international human rights law. Fawzia Koofi, an Afghan human rights activist and the first woman vice president of the Afghan Parliament, stating that the new law is designed to further erase and suppress women and is an indication of their hatred towards women. When they say women cannot speak in public as they regard womens voices as a form of intimacy it is incredibly frightening yet the whole world acts like this is normal, Koofi said, as quoted by The Guardian. There have been very few reactions of comments to what is happening and the Taliban are emboldened by this indifference. It is not only women but all human beings they are targeting. They must be held accountable. Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesman for the Taliban, brushed away objections to the new law, warning against arrogance from people who might not be familiar with Islamic law. We urge a thorough understanding of these laws and a respectful acknowledgment of Islamic values. To reject these laws without such understanding is, in our view, an expression of arrogance, Mujahid said, according to The Associated Press. We must stress that the concerns raised by various parties will not sway the Islamic Emirate from its commitment to upholding and enforcing Islamic law. These laws follow a 2022 decree issued by the Talibans Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice that demanded women wear a "proper hijab" in public. Earlier this year, the Taliban arrested several women for purportedly wearing a bad hijab, a violation of the groups strict dress code. Sahar Fetrat of Human Rights Watch, an expert on women's rights issues and a native of Afghanistan, told The Christian Post in an interview in January 2023 that the Taliban had been engaged in a continuous infringement of women's rights and restriction of women's access to basic rights and facilities." "Since August 2021, women's rights have been under constant attack by the Taliban," said Fetrat. "The Taliban started systematically attacking women's rights by taking away women's liberty, subjectivity and removing women and girls from social and political spheres." "The Taliban's nonstop attack on women's rights has deprived women and girls of education, employment, access to healthcare and practicing agency." In August 2021, the Biden administration pulled out the remainder of its troops from Afghanistan without first informing U.S. allies. The withdrawal occurred 20 years after initially helping to overthrow the Taliban. Amid the withdrawal, Taliban forces waged a rapid reconquest of the Central Asian country, resulting in a chaotic evacuation of thousands of Afghans fearful of retribution. Although President Joe Biden had promised to use "economic tools" to help protect human rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban, the regime launched a series of efforts to enforce strict Sharia law. Navigating The Controversy Of Ballot Harvesting & The Future Of Christian Voting link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 24:30 24:30 CLICK HERE to get FREE ACTIVATION on PATRIOT MOBILE with offer code CHRISTIANPOST or call (817) 286-4773 Episode four of The Christian Posts "Politics in the Pews" podcast tackles the divisive issue of ballot collecting, also known as ballot harvesting, and its growing role in engaging Christians in political elections. As this practice gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 elections, it has sparked intense debate within the church. Some see it as a potential ethical pitfall, while others believe its a vital tool for ensuring that votes are cast for candidates who align with Christian values and policies. This episode dives into the conflicting viewpoints within the Christian community and examines how ballot harvesting could shape the future of Christian political engagement. Politics in the Pews is The Christian Posts new investigative podcast. Reporter Ian Giatti explores the electoral landscape through conversations with top evangelical voices from across the political spectrum. The show (subscribe here), investigates the history and influence of the evangelical movement in American politics, where Christian leaders stand and more. With so much on the table and so many uncharted waters, the 2024 election is certain to take more twists and turns. Politics in the Pews will explore the role Christians play, and why its essential for every person of faith to get out and vote this November. 'God is dramatically answering Evangelical prayers for Israel's safety' All Israel News - With all the recent debate around Israel and the Gaza War, including questions about how much countries like the United States should support Israel taking place as part of the election cycle around the Western world, the issue of Christian support for Israel is once again being raised. In a recent interview with Moody Radio's "Dawn and Steve in the Morning," All Israel News Editor-in-Chief Joel Rosenberg was asked the question: "Is it really necessary that Evangelical, born-again believers intercede on behalf of the country and the people [of Israel]?" Calling it a "great question," Rosenberg responded, "The answer is not only, yes, is it necessary, it's commanded." He cited Psalm 122:6, which states, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." He noted that throughout scripture, God commands His followers to pray for all nations, which includes Israel, but that God calls it "the apple of my eye." The phrase "apple of my eye" translated in Hebrew refers to the pupil of the eye. "The way God sees the rest of the world is through Israel, through the lens of Israel," Rosenberg stated. However, he noted that not only is prayer for Israel a commandment, but that it also works. "We serve a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God," Rosenberg said. He encouraged Christians to continue to pray for the hostages in Gaza, mentioning the recent rescue of Israeli-Arab hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi on Tuesday. After his rescue, al-Qadi thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him: "You truly did sacred work. There are other people [hostages] who are waiting." Rosenberg asked believers to keep praying, saying, "There are still slightly over a hundred [hostages] that are in those tunnels ... so we need to keep praying and not give up." He also referred to the situation on Sunday, when Israeli intelligence officials noticed that Hezbollah forces were making significant preparations for a retaliatory attack against Israel over the killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr in July. The IDF launched a pre-emptive strike on key Hezbollah rocket launchers, which had been readied for the strike on Israel, sparing Israel from what could have been a larger-scale Hezbollah attack. "Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terror army in Lebanon, was just minutes, minutes away from firing upwards of 6,000 missiles at Northern Israel, Central Israel, and Tel Aviv," Rosenberg told hosts Steve and Dawn. He also spoke about Israel's recent elimination of three high-level terror leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah in recent weeks. "What is happening?" Rosenberg asked. "To me, these are the fulfillments of God showing mercy, not primarily because Israel is praying, most Israelis are not praying," he noted, "but Evangelicals are interceding in prayer on behalf of Israel, and God is responding to those prayers." "He's trying to get the attention of the Jewish people," Rosenberg added. "We are sheep who don't understand that we have a shepherd," Rosenberg stated about the Jewish people. "We've been wandering away from that shepherd, and it's dangerous. "We need the prayers of millions of Evangelicals." All Israel News Growing hostility towards Christians in India Life is becoming increasingly "stormy" for India's Christians as a surge in Hindu nationalism over the last decade shows no sign of abating. A pastor's son was tortured and strangled to death in one instance of worsening hostility towards Christians in India. Release International, a ministry supporting persecuted Christians globally, reports that the 22 year old was found by his father hanging from the ceiling of an animal shed last month. The pastor's family had been targeted in the past with death threats. In the same month, a 32-year-old Christian woman was brutally killed in an axe attack. She and her family had already lost their ancestral farmlands because of her conversion. Her surviving family members have fled owing to death threats. Also in July, 50 Christians, including women and children, were beaten in Madhya Pradesh when Hindu extremists attacked their worship service. It was the fourth time the congregation has been attacked. The pastor told Morning Star News that they were threatened with being stoned to death if they met for prayer again. Adding to the tragedy, the police sided with the extremists. According to reports in the Times of India, nearly 1,700 people have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh under the state's strict anti-conversion laws. Many of them are Christians. The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) recorded a 45 per cent increase in instances of persecution against Christians last year - reaching a record 601 cases. Last year alone, 440 pastors were arrested. India's United Christian Forum (UCF) reports that in just the first six months of 2024 there were 361 attacks against Christians. Release International said that intolerance and hostility towards Christians is "growing" under the BJP government, which has been in power for a decade. Hindu militants have been emboldened, it said, and states governed by the BJP are "leading the anti-conversion charge". A pastor in Uttar Pradesh, Josemon Pathrose, was recently arrested on charges of fraudulently converting Hindus. He was arrested after a Hindu accused him of offering 200,000 rupees (1,825) to convert to Christianity. Police also seized his vehicle, Bibles and literature. Pastor Pathrose denies the charges and says he has never met his accuser. He claims he was assaulted while in police custody. Release is joining with Indian Christians in calling for the repeal of the country's anti-conversion laws. Paul Robinson, Release CEO, said, "Over the past ten years, we have seen growing attacks against Christians in India, as the climate of intolerance towards other faiths grows increasingly stormy. "The rising tide of anti-conversion legislation just legitimises the prejudice and violence that Christians are facing. These laws empower militants and extremists and must be repealed." Study: Citizens around the globe want leaders who stand up for religious believers According to a new survey released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center, people around the globe favour leaders who stand up for their constituents with religious beliefs, even if the beliefs are not their own. This survey was conducted between January and May of this year and reflects the data from nationally representative surveys of more than 53,000 respondents in 35 countries. Residents of Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines stood out as those who most desire national leaders who stand up for people with religious beliefs. Indonesia had the highest percentage of adults (90%) who say it is very/somewhat important. Indonesians and Filipinos also placed at the top of countries where respondents wanted their leader to have strong religious beliefs of their own, along with Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Indonesians and Bangladeshis were the most likely to say they want their leaders to share their beliefs. Both countries are majority Muslim. Swedish adults were the least likely to say it's vital to have a prime minister with strong religious beliefs, with just 6% sharing that view. In every country, the religiously unaffiliated were the least likely to say that leaders should stand up for people with religious beliefs. While that may be expected, the survey presented a wrinkle: Though there is often an age gap when it comes to religiosity, younger and older adults largely agreed in Pew's survey that their president or prime minister should stand up for religious citizens and have a faith of their own. The exception, said Jonathan Evans, senior researcher at Pew Research Center, is Latin America, where adults under 39 "are consistently less likely to say that each of these traits is important." Evans said Pew found that the United States stood out among wealthier nations in the findings: 64% of US respondents said it is important to have a leader who stands up for religious beliefs, a larger percentage than other industrialized nations. Only 42% of respondents in Germany and 25% of respondents in France agree. In the US, two-thirds of respondents say that it is important to have a leader at the national level who stands up for people with religious beliefs. Less than half of respondents believed that it is essential for their leader to have strong religious beliefs or have religious beliefs that are the same as their own. This finding has implications as the US election approaches. Vice President Kamala Harris identifies as a Christian and grew up with a Hindu mother, while her running mate, Minnesota Governor Timothy Walz, is a Lutheran who grew up in a Catholic home. Former President Donald Trump identifies as a Christian and has drawn support from evangelical Christian voters. His vice presidential pick, US Senator JD Vance, is an adult convert to Catholicism. Religion News Service The comfort and consolation in Isaiah Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the enduring popularity of Isaiah. The Book of Isaiah has probably never been surpassed. For many it is their favourite part of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah lived in the 8th century BCE and was adviser to a number of Judean leaders, including King Hezekiah. The Book of Isaiah consists of 66 chapters, which are themselves sub-divided by many commentators into three sections. Section 1 comprises chapters 1-39. Its main theme consists of a number of warnings followed by judgement. Judah is judged, but so are the nations of Babylon, Moab and Egypt. The northern Kingdom (Ephraim) is also taken to task, mainly for reliance on Egypt. Section 1 ends with the Assyrian invasion and the role of the King Hezekiah. Only through a miracle is the destruction of Jerusalem averted. Section 2 comprises chapters 40-55. These chapters are, by contrast, full of comfort and hope. The Jewish people are fast forwarded from the 8th century BCE to the 6th century BCE, where they find themselves in Babylonian exile. G-d now promises redemption and return to their native land, together with its restoration. King Cyrus of Persia plays a role in this story, elaborated more fully in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild their Temple. Chapters 49-55 include the Songs of the Suffering Servant, normally regarded as the Jewish people herself. Section 3, the end of the Book of Isaiah, comprises chapters 56-66. Restoration and renewal are completed with the vision of Jerusalem rebuilt, together with universal peace. G-d's renewed covenant insists on justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. Only then will people flock to the new Jerusalem and a new heaven and a new earth arise. Why spend so much time on the Book of Isaiah? At this time of year, from the Fast of Av until Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) a different weekly reading is taken, mainly from the 2nd section of the Book of Isaiah, but also from the 3rd, to accompany the Shabbat readings from the final Torah Book of Deuteronomy. These prophetic readings attenuate the often stark message from Moses to the Jewish people, as, without him at the helm, they embark on their journey across the Jordan. This period of time is called the seven weeks and its readings are known collectively as the seven Haftorot of Consolation. The first such reading from Isaiah 40 is the instruction to the Jewish people to simply be comforted. The second reading comprises Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3. Here G-d appears to have abandoned Jerusalem. But now we come to Haftorah Re'eh, recited this Shabbat. This third reading, Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5, acknowledges that Jerusalem currently feels like an unmoored boat, 'afflicted, storm-tossed, unconsoled.' But half way through this reading, the people are suddenly uplifted by the call to all who are hungry and thirsty to come and eat and drink. The currency is now righteousness. And by the fourth week, G-d actually states: 'It is I, I am He Who comforts you.' Week three, this week, is a turning point. The city is now being rebuilt in justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. The people realize that they can rely only on G-d. No other nation will help them for long, especially when the chips are down. On the contrary, the newly restored Jerusalem will itself attract the other nations of the world who, instead of mocking and enslaving the Jewish people, or worse, will actually come and learn from them. Never have these readings been as relevant as today. At a time when, once again, Israel has been, as at the time of the Holocaust, abandoned by religious leaders and political organizations alike, she is nevertheless attracting more immigrants than ever, as well as countless volunteers from all over the world. Moses' quest in this Deuteronomic chapter of Re'eh is to set out a roadmap for the new generation about to enter the Promised Land. Isaiah's parallel mission offers comfort and nourishment to those who still find themselves at sea. A powerful message, and never more so than in our own day. Trump claims he would've won California if Jesus had counted the votes (CP) Former President Donald Trump credited God for sparing his life from an assassin's 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 shouldn't 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. "The big thing was the turn," he said. "It had to be a perfect 90-degree turn or ... I wouldn't 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, "it's 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 McGraw's 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 we're going to bring our country back; He wants to bring it back." "It has to be God," he added. "How can you say it's luck when it's ... 20 million to one?" Trump answered in the affirmative when McGraw posited, "Do you believe God's hand was in this that day?" McGraw also inquired as to whether Trump believes he has "more to do, you aren't 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 there's an incredible power up there that wanted me to be involved in saving and maybe it's more than saving the nation, maybe it's 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 don't know," adding, "It's 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 "there's 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 you're 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%. The Christian Post 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. The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the north London-based College Farm Trust with regards to trustee decision making. The regulator said its investigation into the charity, which registered in 1999 to manage and conserve the farm for the public benefit, would focus on the governance and management of the charity as well as any potential misconduct or mismanagement. Its inquiry, which opened on 5 August, will also look at trustees compliance with their legal duties, whether there has been any unauthorised trustee benefit, and if there is a risk to charity property. Apart from the regulators inquiry, College Farm Trusts trustees have faced criticism from various other local groups in recent years. According to College Farm Action Group , the site located in Finchley used to operate as a popular local attraction from 1980 until 2001, when it was shut down because of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Since then, new trustees have taken over the charity and planned to build houses on the farm, according to an advocacy website called Saving College Farm. Sadly, the farm is not a safe place for the public to visit whilst the buildings are in this condition, the website states. The trustees clearly are not fulfilling their aims to manage and conserve College Farm, in particular its environmental, historical and architectural heritage. According to the College Farm Action Group website, a small group of advocates has been discussing ways that the local community could help to get the farm reopened to the public since 2014. In March 2019, the Barnet council listed College Farm as an asset of community value (ACV), which is a building or other land used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and could do so in the future. Efforts to reopen the farm to public According to the Saving College Farm website , the site currently operates as a pet store, offering horse feed and tack, pet supplies and accessories and dog grooming services. But the farm facilities, which are on Historic Englands at-risk register , are unsafe for public use and in need of repair, according to the Barnet Society , an organisation that campaigns for the environment of Barnet and surrounding areas and for the protection of the Green Belt. The Saving College Farm Group was also set up on Facebook in 2021, with almost 1,500 members, to support the reopening of the farm. Civil Society has contacted the admins of the Facebook group, but they have not responded at the time of publication. A crowdfunding campaign has also been set up, seeking donations to feed the animals on the farm. It costs around 300 a month to feed the animals, the campaign states, which include four pigs, two donkeys, a goat, six cows, lots of chickens, a pony and a short horn bull!. Civil Society has approached College Farm Trust, which lists three trustees on the Commission website including chair Neil McAuliffe, for comment. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, By thodonal/ Adobe (generated with AI) High street bank NatWest has apologised after threatening to close a Holocaust education charitys account, which it said was an unfortunate error. Yad Vashem UK chair Simon Bentley told Civil Society that he received a letter from NatWest last month, saying that the charitys account would be debanked for three months, but was not told the reasons why. He said the algorithm-based standard form of a letter told the London-based charity, which had banked with NatWest for around 15 years, to make its arrangements elsewhere. Bentley said NatWest has since apologised to the charity for the closure, after reports in the Daily Mail , and made a modest donation. The Charity Commission welcomed NatWests reversal of its decision to close Yad Vashem UKs account but said there continues to be widespread problems in the way banks engage with charities. NatWest: We are extremely mindful of the upset caused Bentley said he would be speaking to NatWest for further information on why it had mistakenly been sent the original letter but his charity, which most recently reported an income of 579,000, is not planning to switch banks as a result. How could such a decision be made if it results in a Holocaust educational UK-registered charity having its bank account closed? he said. What controls are in place, as far as theyre concerned? I will raise all sorts of questions, frankly, not just for the sake of Yad Vashem UK but also for all other smaller charities. Banks are not welcoming these forms of new accounts so easily. So it would be a big problem for us if suddenly we have to run around to open the new account. A NatWest spokesperson said: We have apologised to the customer for this unfortunate error and are very happy to continue to bank Yad Vashem UK. We are extremely mindful of the upset caused and we are working hard to ensure that something similar does not happen again. We are proud to support a broad range of charities and are extremely disappointed when our customer service levels fall short. Commission calls for sector improvements Many other charities have reported issues with banks in past months, including several which have also had their accounts closed. Banking trade association UK Finance recently launched a website to support charities opening and managing bank accounts after many reported experiencing difficulties with financial services. A Commission spokesperson said: There are widespread problems in the way banks engage with their charity customers, with two in five trustees saying theyve had poor service in the previous 12 months. This can have a significant impact on charities and place undue stress on trustees who have volunteered their time to do good. Were pleased to hear NatWest has reversed its decision but progress more widely by banks in supporting their charity customers is not happening fast enough. Charities provide vital support to people across the country and deserve better, so we continue to press this matter and continue to engage with the Treasury, FCA, high-street banks, and the charity sector. The regulator also criticised the banking sectors response to its calls for improvements after 42% of trustees reported experiencing bad service in the past year. 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. When a presidential candidate violates universal and established norms, its okay to come out and say it. But the coverage of former president Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery, on August 26, showed the difficulties newsrooms have in covering unprecedented events, especially when it involves the nations military, veterans, and Donald Trump. On Tuesday, NPRs Quil Lawrence and Tom Bowman broke the news that Trump and members of his campaign appeared to violate federal law during an appearance at Arlington to mark the third anniversary of the deadly attack on US troops that punctuated the deeply flawed withdrawal from Afghanistan. Members of Trumps staff had sought to film the event for a campaign video, and got into an altercation with an Arlington National Cemetery staff member who tried to stop them. Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign official, strongly denied that any altercation had taken place and said the campaign was ready to release a video to prove his point. (They have yet to release it.) It wasnt surprising that these two NPR pros with deep knowledge of the military, and sources among veterans, were the first with the news. The Washington Post followed with a story the same day, as did the New York Times. The public took note. As more publications followed suit, the Arlington stories suffered a dreadful fate: they all started to sound the same. News outlets ended up with articles bogged down in parsing federal law, carefully defining what exactly counts as an altercation, and quoting milquetoast official statements like There was an incident and a report was filed. Lumped together, the reporting this week left readers and listeners, especially those with no knowledge of the military, at a loss to understand what actually happenedand, crucially, why it mattered so much. The Trump campaign team had successfully muddied the waters by alleging that the photographer had been invited to the event by family members of soldiers buried there. But as any veteran knows in their bones, the solemnity of the ceremony is exactly why the unauthorized photographer had no business being thereregardless of who invited them. Section 60, the part of the cemetery where the incident occurred, is one of the most sacred places for this generation of troops. It is where those who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried. Those graves are visited not by tourists looking for historical figures, but by mothers and fathers visiting their fallen son or daughter. In Section 60, wounds are still raw. Political activity there is never appropriate, and under the law, only cemetery staffers and approved photographers are permitted to film or take pictures there. Readers needed to know that, when you visit Arlington, you might not know exactly what youre supposed to do when confronted by those rows of headstones, but you damn sure know what youre not supposed to do. But the coverage this week left many readers with the impression that the whole thing might have been a bureaucratic mix-up, or some tedious violation of protocol. It focused on bland horse-race coverage so common during election season, rather than clearly stating what really took place: an egregious and willful violation of long-standing norms. What was missing from the coverage was a willingness to quickly and decisively state what a grievous insult the whole debacle was to the dignity of Arlington. The sacred had been profaned. As I wrote recently for CJR, newsrooms have been losing reporters with military experience. Some editors believe that without American troops involved in major wars, theres less need for journalists on staff who are veterans. But episodes like what took place this week at Arlington show how important it is to have reporters and editors who can cut through political noise and jargon to explain the true importance of an event involving the military. Sign up for CJRs daily email For some reporters and editors, Arlington is a Metro stop on the way downtown. For reporters and editors steeped in the world of the military and veterans, Arlington is a place where they know people whose names are carved in marble. Theres room in even the most staid news organizations to let deep truths stand boldly on the page. We owe it to those rows of headstones. Ben Kesling is a writer who focuses on defense and veterans issues. He is a former Wall Street Journal reporter, where he covered the Pentagon, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and was a combat correspondent in Iraq. His book, Bravo Company, is about an Army unit's deployment to Afghanistan and their hard return home. He served as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The saga of the Murdaugh family in South Carolina continues, now with a convenience store company suing its liability insurers for failing to defend it against a second lawsuit stemming from the sale of beer to an underage Paul Murdaugh on a fateful night in 2019. The lawsuit in federal court in Georgia could add to the simmering debate over the high cost of liability insurance for establishments that sell alcohol in South Carolina, a cost that has driven a number of restaurants, bars and venues to close in the last two years. In the complaint filed late last week, Parkers Corp. and its principal officers charge that Amerisure Insurance Co. and Utica Mutual Insurance breached the insurance contract by denying coverage for a lawsuit filed by the estate of a young woman killed in a boat crash a boat allegedly driven by the underage and intoxicated son of Alex Murdaugh. The elder Murdaugh is a former well-known South Carolina attorney who was convicted in 2023 of murdering his wife and his son, Paul, in 2021. Insurers for Parkers, which owned the waterfront convenience store that sold alcohol to Paul Murdaugh before the fatal boat accident, last year agreed to pay some $15 million to settle the young womans familys initial suit against the store operators. That was known as the boating lawsuit. In 2021, the estate of deceased Mallory Beach filed a second lawsuit, known as the outrage lawsuit, against Parkers, alleging that the store company had leaked videos, previously used in a related mediation, of some of the events that night, along with photographs of Mallorys body. The images were reportedly provided to a documentary filmmaker, the outrage suit contends. The Outrage lawsuit also falsely contends that Parkers, Mr. Parker, Mr. Greco, and Mr. DCruz worked with private investigators to launch a social media campaign to inflict emotional distress on the Beach Family to diminish their resolve to prosecute their claims against Parkers in the Boating Lawsuit, Parkers complaint against its insurers explains. The Parkers and the others named in the outrage suit have denied the allegations. But they say they still need Amerisure and Utica to defend them in the potentially costly litigation. Both commercial liability policies provided $1 million per occurrence and an aggregate limit of $2 million. The insurers have not yet filed an answer to the Parker lawsuit. But the complaint notes that the carriers sent declination letters in 2022 denying the coverage: Amerisure argued that the mediation video was leaked before the policy period began and that the policy excludes coverage for claims regarding material that was provided illegally. Parkers Corp. countered that the underlying outrage suit does not allege violations of the law, and that the date the video was leaked is only an allegation made by the Beach family. The Appeals Are Just Beginning for Alex Murdaugh (AP) The appeals are just beginning for disgraced former South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, who is almost three years into a life sentence without parole for killing his wife and son. The South Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to hear Murdaughs appeal of his murder convictions. His lawyers said they resulted from jury tampering by the clerk of court who watched over jurors during his six-week trial. And in federal court, Murdaugh is appealing the 40-year sentence he was given after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $11 million from clients and his law firm. Defense attorneys said that punishment 10 years longer than the maximum recommended by sentencing guidelines is too harsh under the U.S. Constitution. Prosecutors said it is a backstop in case Murdaugh, now 56, ever manages to get his murder conviction overturned. His appeals will continue for years. Courts havent even begun hearing the meat of Murdaughs argument that the judge in his murder trial made mistakes, for example by allowing his money thefts into evidence. That was critical to the prosecutions argument that the killings were meant to buy sympathy and time to keep the thefts from being discovered. The defense said that evidence unfairly made jurors angry, when all they were supposed to consider was the killings. Utica denied coverage and legal defense on the grounds that the outrage suit does not involve bodily injury, per the terms of the insurance policy. The policy also does not cover harm from publication of non-public information, and does not cover personal and advertising injury resulting from the publication of material that the insureds knew to be false, Utica said, according to the Parker complaint. Furthermore, Utica is estopped from asserting any coverage defenses not expressly included in its January 27, 2022 denial letter because an insurer is not permitted in Georgia to deny coverage and at the same time to reserve its rights later to assert other bases for the coverage denial, the Parker suit argues. The Parker Corp., which owns convenience stores in Georgia and South Carolina, is asking the U.S. District Court in Northern Georgia to declare that the insurance companies must defend the store company in the outrage lawsuit, and to award damages to Parkers for the insurers failure to defend. The selling of the alcohol to Paul Murdaugh, who reportedly used his older brothers identification card, that night in 2019 and the subsequent insurance settlement have been cited as an example of how South Carolinas joint-and-several liability laws have caused insurance premiums to soar, putting multiple places out of business. Critics have said the law does not allow apportionment of fault but lets juries pin most of the damages on defendants with the deepest pockets or best insurance coverage. Although several other establishments sold booze to Murdaugh and friends that night, Parkers store was facing the bulk of the damages. The South Carolina General Assembly this year did not approve a number of bills, including ones that would have repealed the joint liability law and others that would have provided insurance pools to eating and drinking establishments. Elon Musk and Tesla Inc. won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming they pumped up the price of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin into a $258 billion pyramid scheme. Investors who lost tens of thousands of dollars investing in the token faulted Musk for promoting it to his millions of followers on Twitter (now X) with statements like One word: Doge, causing it to rise. Musk further inflated the price by announcing that Tesla would accept Dogecoin as payment for merchandise, according to the 2022 complaint. A New York federal judge dismissed the claims on Thursday, finding that Musks statements were aspirational rather than factual and susceptible to being falsified and that no reasonable investor could rely upon them. When Musk appeared on Saturday Night Live in May 2021 after touting Dogecoin for months, he played a financial expert in a newscast trying to explain the cryptocurrency. Pressed, his character in the comical exchange finally agrees that Dogecoin is a hustle. It lost $20 billion in market value before the show finished airing, according to the complaint. The investors also accused Musk and Tesla of participating in a pump and dump scheme with Dogecoin, but US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that it was not possible to understand those allegations. A lawyer for the plaintiffs said his clients are disappointed and plan to appeal. Musks statements and publications were far more than puffery and a class of millions lost billions of dollars as a result, attorney Evan Spencer said in a statement. Bitcoin ATM In Hong Kong A sticker advertising Dogecoin on a cryptocurrency automated teller machine (ATM) at a laundromat in Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk expressed his interest in Bitcoin and Dogecoin early last year and allowed Tesla customers to buy the electric cars with Bitcoin, helping to send the crypto market to record highs. Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg Dogecoin, with its Shiba Inu image, was the original memecoin, a type of cryptocurrency that originated from internet memes, or jokes. Since Musks early tweets about the token, it has had sharp ups and downs, hitting a peak in March from which it has dropped about 54%. The case is Johnson v. Musk, 22-cv-05037, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. 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-meter-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 superyachts 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. Related: Yacht Insurer OMAC Is Hull Carrier for Yacht Sunk Off Sicily, Sources Say 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. Related: How Mike Lynchs Luxury Yacht Sank Within Minutes 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 superyachts 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) While workers are taking a break to celebrate a holiday that honors labor, crooks will be laboring to take advantage of that time off. Cargo theft activity typically spikes on the days preceding and following Labor Day weekend, according to a new report. A report from Verisk CargoNet analyzed incidents between the Thursdays before Labor Day and the Wednesday after from 2019 to 2023. The trend emerged that suggests that loaded conveyances left unattended as workers begin their holiday weekend are prime targets for thieves. The risk is compounded because many of these thefts may go unnoticed until business resumes after the holiday, the report shows. The Verisk report shows theft activity hit record levels in 2022 and maintained an elevated state through 2023. Warehouses, truck stops, and large retail parking lots were found to be the most common sites for thefts, while high-value electronics (TVs, major appliances, computers, vehicle maintenance products) were the most sought-after items. The report found the most impacted states were California with 42 thefts reported, followed by Texas (24) and Florida (16). The most affected counties were San Bernadino and Los Angeles in California, Dallas in Texas and Cook in Illinois. Conveyance cargo thefts were the most used method for thieves, surpassing complex schemes, the report shows. Noteworthy thefts from previous Labor Day holidays include: A senior member of CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.s operations team is scheduled to appear before Congress to answer questions on the companys global IT outage in July that disrupted industries around the world. In an advisory published on Friday, the House Homeland Security Committee said Adam Meyers, senior vice president of counter adversary operations, is set to testify in a subcommittee hearing on September 24. The committee in July had invited CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz. It wasnt immediately clear why Kurtz isnt scheduled to testify at the hearing. Related: Microsoft, Cyber Firms to Meet on Fixes After CrowdStrike Crash Asked for comment, a CrowdStrike spokesperson said, We continue to actively and collaboratively work with relevant Congressional committees. Representative Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee and chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said he looked forward to Meyers testimony. Americans deserve to know in detail how this incident happened and the mitigation CrowdStrike is taking to avoid the cascading impacts of outages like this across sectors, he said. Related: Delta Passengers Sue Airline for Refusing Refunds After Massive Computer Outage The committee has previously invited company executives to testify over cyber incidents that have had major ripple effects through American businesses. The July 19 CrowdStrike outage, caused by a flawed content update, paralyzed air travel, banking systems and other businesses globally. Representative Andrew Garbarino, a New York Republican and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, said the hearing would be an opportunity to see what steps CrowdStrike has taken to prevent a similar situation from occurring. Since the incident, the company has announced wide-ranging changes to how it tests and deploys content updates. While the outage was not due to a threat actor, we know our adversaries and opportunistic criminals have been watching closely, said Garbarino in the advisory. They have learned how a faulty software update can trigger cascading effects on our critical infrastructure. Top photo: The Microsoft Corp. Windows Recovery screen displayed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, US, on Friday, July 19, 2024. Airlines around the world experienced disruption on an unprecedented scale after a widespread global computer outage grounded planes and created chaos at airports. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X looks on during the Milken Conference 2024 Global Conference Sessions at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 6, 2024. Tesla, SpaceX and X Corp. leader Elon Musk ramped up his online attacks on Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes on Thursday, amid an intensifying political and legal battle between the tech billionaire and his companies, and Brazil's highest court. X Global Government Affairs issued a statement on Thursday evening ahead of an anticipated suspension of its platform in Brazil. Among other things, the company said X plans to publish all of de Moraes' demands, which it believes to be illegal, and related court filings in coming days "in the interest of transparency." De Moraes' court announced on Wednesday that it was ordering Musk and X Corp. to appoint a legal representative for the social media company, formerly known as Twitter, in Brazil within 24 hours, or X would face "penalty of suspension of activities" there. A suspension of X in Brazil could cause serious business problems for the already embattled social network. Brazil has a population of more than 171 million active social media users, according to market research by Oosga. The nation is preparing for October municipal elections. And under Brazil's laws, social networks there have to employ someone who can receive and consider government takedown notices about political misinformation. X has no such employee in Brazil, after the company said it was removing all its employees from the country earlier this month. On Wednesday night, Musk posted a manipulated image that appeared to show the judge behind bars. "One day, @Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words," Musk wrote to de Moraes and Musk's 195.8 million listed followers on X. The Twitter logo is displayed on a smartphone screen and on a computer screen in Athens, Greece, on April 20, 2024. A federal judge in Texas has ruled against Media Matters and its request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's X. Because of U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor's decision on Thursday, X's lawsuit against the nonprofit media watchdog and two of its staff members will proceed to trial on April 7. X, formerly known as Twitter, originally filed the suit in November after Media Matters published a report showing that hateful content on the platform appeared next to online ads from companies like Apple, IBM and Disney. Those companies then paused their X advertising campaigns, the suit said. Attorneys representing X claimed the Media Matters report was "intentionally deceptive" and financially damaged the company. Media Matters President Angelo Carusone, one of the defendants, said at the time in a statement that the "frivolous lawsuit" was "meant to bully X's critics into silence." O'Connor denied the nonprofit's effort to have the case dismissed, saying in a filing that the plaintiff "has properly pled its claims." Media Matters and X didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. In August, O'Connor dismissed a request by Media Matters to force Musk to list Tesla as an interested party in X's lawsuit against the nonprofit. O'Connor said at the time in a legal filing that "there is no evidence that shows Tesla has a direct financial interest in the outcome of this case." O'Connor was also overseeing a recently filed antitrust lawsuit by X against a global advertising association and its member companies like Unilever, Mars and CVS Health. O'Connor then recused himself from the lawsuit. Although he didn't provide a reason for the recusal, a recent financial disclosure showed that the judge invests in Unilever. WATCH: Elon Musk supports California AI safety bill in contrast with OpenAI, Meta and others For the last 17 years, Jaclyn Sienna India has planned vacations for America's Wall Street titans, tech VIPs and Hollywood tycoons with high standards and endless resources. She's the founder of a Sienna Charles, a members-only travel agency that caters to wealthy clients who take million-dollar trips around the world. Despite their busy schedules, India says even the most powerful CEOs with high-pressure responsibilities leverage a few habits to maximize their time out of office. Here are their three strategies for actually unplugging on vacation and workers at every level of a business can use them. 1. They delegate Executives reach the top of the corporate ladder in part because of their ability to hire super-star colleagues and entrust them with important work. This key ability to delegate also helps them when they're out of office, India tells CNBC Make It. Staffers at any experience level can benefit from learning how to delegate. As you prepare for your vacation time, have a conversation with your manager about what needs to be completed before you're out, what can be delegated to other colleagues while you're away, and what can wait until you return. Working through PTO coverage plans can even contribute to a positive team dynamic when people take turns covering knowing it'll pay off when they get a break, George Anders, LinkedIn's senior editor at large, previously told CNBC Make It. 2. They recognize the benefits of disconnecting from work and social media Many workers feel pressure to stay connected during vacations, or don't request PTO at all, because they're worried about their job security or that they'll be seen as a slacker. A majority of Americans say they work while on PTO, and roughly 3 in 10 say they feel guilty for not doing so while out of office. But taking breaks from work can have big physical and mental health benefits, and it's crucial for boosting creativity and productivity when you do return to the workplace. Top bosses within India's clientele "really understand that they do need to turn their brain off and and they value that," she says. India also encourages travelers to disconnect from their phones and social media. When it comes to Instagramming your vacation, she says, "a lot of people are taking pictures for other people, but they're not capturing the place for themselves. They need to put their phone down, and they need to really take in where they are and really just enjoy it and be present." "If you're not present," she adds, "and you're spending your whole trip taking pictures of Instagram for other people, when you get back home, you need another vacation because you didn't really feel like you were present." 3. They stick to their healthy routines Teens and parents agree on at least one thing: kids had it easier 20 years ago than they do today. A whopping 69% of parents who have kids ages 13 to 17 say growing up is harder today than it was in 2004, according to Pew Research Center. And 44% of people between ages 13 and 17 say the same. What they don't totally agree on is why it's more challenging to navigate adolescence now compared to back then. Parents blame social media, but kids name "more pressures and expectations" as the culprit. 'The biggest effects of social media happened during puberty' In his best-selling book "The Anxious Generation" NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt says smart phones and social media have damaged teens' mental health. Haidt focuses on people born after 1995 in his book. Zach Rausch, lead researcher to Haidt and an associate research scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business, told CNBC Make It that having a phone while going through puberty can be especially damaging. "The biggest effects of social media happened during puberty, especially early puberty," he says. "Ages 9 to 15 is where the most significant harm seems to be the clearest." One reason is that online conversations don't often lead to in-person connections, which are crucial to increasing and sustaining happiness. "We used flip phones to connect with each other in order to eventually meet in person," Rausch says. "The online world is kind of the opposite. We connect in order to stay there. And our argument is that that's not sufficient." Haidt also says that extensive social media use can change young people's brain chemistry. "Kids going through puberty online are likely to experience far more social comparison, self-consciousness, public shaming, and chronic anxiety than adolescents in previous generations, which could potentially set developing brains into a habitual state of defensiveness," Haidt wrote for The Atlantic. In his 2023 report "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation," U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy also warned about the dangers of social media. "Several examples of harms include technology that displaces in-person engagement, monopolizes our attention, reduces the quality of our interactions, and even diminishes our self-esteem," Murthy wrote. "This can lead to greater loneliness, fear of missing out, conflict, and reduced social connection." Parents tend to agree with this assessment: 41% say social media is why it's harder to be a teen and 26% point to "technology in general", according to Pew Research Center. 'There aren't a lot of vehicles to build wealth' On Friday, China's State Administration for Market Regulation, or SAMR, said that, over the past few years, it has been supervising Alibaba's process to become compliant with antitrust regulations. The rectification work has achieved "good results," the SAMR said, according to a Google-translated statement. Alibaba has completed a three-year regulatory "rectification" process following an antitrust fine it received on charges of monopolistic practices in 2021, China's market regulator said on Friday. In 2021, China's SAMR fined Alibaba 18.23 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) as part of an anti-monopoly investigation into the tech giant. The regulator's focus was on a practice that forces merchants to choose one of two e-commerce platforms, rather than being able to work with both. At the time, the regulator said the "choose one" policy and others allowed Alibaba to bolster its position in the market and gain unfair competitive advantages. Since that fine, the SAMR has been supervising Alibaba as it gets in line with the regulator's requirements. Alibaba has now completed this process and has stopped the "'choose one of two' monopoly behavior," the SAMR said Friday. The SAMR said it will now guide Alibaba to continue to improve its compliance and efficiency and to accelerate innovation. The conclusion of the regulatory overhaul will help put one of Alibaba's worst run-ins with Beijing behind it. Jefferies analysts said in a note Friday that the conclusion of the regulatory process was a "positive" for the company, which "highlights this is a new start and ensures compliance in operations." But the regulator's announcement could also signal the ongoing softening stance from Chinese regulators toward private technology firms, following an intense crackdown that began at the end of 2020. At the time, Beijing enacted several regulations and moves that aimed to restrict the power of domestic technology firms in areas ranging from antitrust to gaming. The empire of Alibaba founder Jack Ma has been in the spotlight over the past few years since regulators axed the IPO of his financial technology firm Ant Group in 2020. Ant Group itself also underwent a regulator-supervised rectification process, with most of the major issues resolved by last year. Regulatory concerns have been an overhang on the Alibaba stock, which has fallen more than 70% from its peak in 2020. More recently, the company has been dealing with slow growth amid rising competition in the e-commerce space in China, as well as contending with a cautious Chinese consumer. The tech titan showed early signs of a recovery in the June quarter, as cloud computing revenue reaccelerated and transactions via its e-commerce platforms looked healthy. CNBC's Christine Wang contributed to this report. Brazil's supreme court on Friday ordered a nationwide suspension of Elon Musk's social network X after the company vowed to defy earlier court orders concerning content moderation and the appointment of a legal representative in the country. Alexandre de Moraes, the court's top judge, has also ordered daily fines for people or businesses in Brazil that use virtual private networks (VPNs) or other methods to access X while the site is banned in the country, G1 Globo reported. The court issued a statement via its government website in Brazil on Friday, saying that it had ordered "the immediate and complete suspension of the operation of X, formerly Twitter, throughout the national territory until the Court's judicial decisions are complied with and the fines applied are paid." The statement also said that the order will be valid "until a representative of the company in the country is appointed." Hours later, the court issued a second order suspending some of the measures in its first 51-page order against X. Initially, de Moraes gave companies like Apple and Google 5 days to stop offering X downloads in their app stores, and to stop making VPN apps available to access X. The second order eliminated that deadline and put off implementation of these measures until further notice, giving time for X to pay fines and put a legal representative in place. Brazil's supreme court announced on Wednesday that Musk and X had 24 hours to either appoint a legal representative for its business there or face a "penalty of suspension of activities" nationwide. The deadline passed Thursday evening. X's global government affairs unit said in a statement late Thursday that it was expecting the de Moraes shutdown "soon," because the company "would not comply" with his orders. Brazil, a major non-NATO ally of the U.S., is now preparing for October municipal elections. Under Brazil's laws, social media companies operating in the country must employ someone to handle government takedown notices, including those regarding political misinformation and incitements to violence. X has no such representative in Brazil, and it said earlier this month that it would remove all its employees from the country rather than face any possible arrests over non-compliance with court orders. A suspension of X in Brazil could cause business problems for Musk's already embattled company. Brazil has a population of more than 171 million active social media users, according to market research by Oosga. Musk led the $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in late 2022. He implemented sweeping changes and reinstated previously banned and suspended accounts, leading many major advertisers to flee or cut spending on ad campaigns. The World Bank stopped paying for campaigns on X after a CBS News investigation found ads from the organization appeared under a racist post from an X account that regularly posted "pro-Nazi and white nationalist content." Musk lashed out at de Moraes in a series of posts after the court had frozen the finances of Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by Musk's SpaceX, in Brazil. Starlink has advertised on X under Musk's management and Musk has encouraged people in Brazil to use Starlink to access the social media platform. De Moraes' court had fined X for alleged violations of Brazilian law and froze Starlink finances in the country to ensure those fines are paid. Critics of de Moraes view his courts' orders against X as an overreach. His court has a history of suspending social media apps until they comply with regulations in the country. Meta-owned Whatsapp and Telegram have both been suspended in Brazil but reinstated, for example. On Friday, Musk compared de Moraes to movie villain Voldemort and shared a post describing "the evil tyranny of Moraes." Representatives for X and for the U.S. embassy in Brazil weren't immediately available to comment. Musk has repeatedly denounced de Moraes' court orders as censorship. In its Thursday statement, X said de Moraes court had taken "illegal actions" against the company. On Friday after news of the suspension, Musk on X, "The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries." Here's our Club Mailbag email investingclubmailbag@cnbc.com so you send your questions directly to Jim Cramer and his team of analysts. We can't offer personal investing advice. We will only consider more general questions about the investment process or stocks in the portfolio or related industries. This week's question: Hi! Can you explain how someone can be over-diversified in their portfolio? Thank you, Kimberly S. from Massachusetts Diversification is key to the Club's investing strategy, which is why we always tell members that their first $10,000 should go into a low-cost fund that tracks the S & P 500 index. Investing in the 500 biggest public companies across 11 sectors is a good way to quickly get diversified right from the start. Where your portfolio goes from there the individual stocks that you handpick to invest in is where the issue of over-diversification can come into play. There have been various arguments made over the years about the optimal amount of diversification. Some say 10 to 20 stocks will do the trick, giving you one to two stocks per S & P 500 sector. Others say hundreds of stocks are needed to achieve full diversification. At the Club, we're more in that first camp. We own 31 stocks in all but two sectors: real estate and utilities. Jim Cramer thinks that individual investors should err on the side of fewer stocks so they can keep track of their holdings and be nimble if things change. Jim modified the old Wall Street adage of "buy and hold" to "buy and homework," meaning we don't buy stocks and then forget about them. He advises investors that each holding requires at least one hour per week of homework such as reading earnings reports and conference call transcripts. Don't get too hung up on a given number of stocks to own because being mindful of how to go about diversifying your portfolio is going to be the key here. That's because diversifcation is about owning various holdings that are minimally even inversely correlated to one another with the goal of always having something working even when other parts of your portfolio are taking a beating. You can own 10 stocks or 100 stocks, but if they're all highly correlated, you aren't really diversified aside from maybe avoiding a blow up at one stock due to unique issues facing that company. Which sounds more diversified? Owning 11 stocks, one in each market sector, or owning 60 stocks all in the tech sector of the market? Anyone who has experienced a market rotation when money flows from one sector to another knows it's the former that gets you through the turmoil without losing sleep or ripping out your hair. We've seen some rotations of late, and they have not been pretty. So, let's set aside the idea of counting stocks as a means of determining diversification or over-diversification and think about it in a more holistic sense. Owning 11 stocks, one in each market sector may be a good idea. But given the S & P 500 gives more weight to certain sectors over others, you would want to adjust the weighting of each stock in your portfolio to suit your risk/reward tolerance. For example, Apple at nearly a 6% weighting and Nvidia with a nearly 5% weighting are our top two stocks holdings in the Club portfolio. We believe strongly in those two companies, but we are not the Apple/Nvidia fund. Our other 29 holdings have a role to play in our diversification, too, but not at the same level of exposure. This reminds me of something my Economics 101 teacher taught us back in college: When you're trying to think about a given problem or scenario, it can help to consider the extremes. If we apply that to the concept of diversification, we would say we have an equity portfolio with one stock and are considering the benefit of adding another stock with as little correlation as possible. On the other hand, we might imagine a portfolio with 999 stocks and consider the benefit of adding one more. It's pretty clear that as you increase the number of holdings assuming you start out with diversification in mind and aren't concentrating into one industry or sector of the market you are going to see diminishing returns on the benefits to your diversification efforts. Going from one stock to two means that instead of 100% of my account riding on a given stock, only 50% does, assuming equal weighting to make the numbers easier to demonstrate. Going from 999 to 1,000 stocks would result in only a fraction of a percentage point change in exposure. No single person is actually following 1,000 companies. I only picked the number to emphasize the extremes. And as we stressed above, we don't run an equal-weighted portfolio at the Club. In a hypothetical real-world example, if we say, we are going to increase our portfolio from 15 names the upper limit of what we recommend for one individual to keep track of to 20 names, we have to ask ourselves if the altered risk is worth the benefit. Assuming you abide by our rule of thumb to do one hour of homework, per week, per name, then adding five stocks amounts to an additional five hours per week spent staying on top of your holdings. For that, we are spreading out our bets more and now, assuming equal weighting, each name will account for 5% of the portfolio, down from the 6.67% weighting they would get in an equally weighted 15-stock portfolio. It's a decent trade off but again, how much real-world benefit you get is going to depend greatly on what those new names look like versus the existing ones. If you already own Nvidia for example, and decide to buy Advanced Micro Devices yes, you're Nvidia exposure may drop to 5% from 6.67%, but your artificial intelligence-driven semiconductor exposure is going to increase from 6.67% to 10% since Nvidia and AMD are closely correlated. One bad comment on cloud spending, for example, would be expected to hit both names. Bottom line In our view, it's less about there being a number of stocks that suddenly causes you to be over-diversified and more about conducting a cost/benefit analysis of adding a new name to your portfolio and considering the correlation that new name has to your existing positions. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Here's our Club Mailbag email investingclubmailbag@cnbc.com so you send your questions directly to Jim Cramer and his team of analysts. We can't offer personal investing advice. We will only consider more general questions about the investment process or stocks in the portfolio or related industries. This week's question: Hi! Can you explain how someone can be over-diversified in their portfolio? Thank you, Kimberly S. from Massachusetts TOPSHOT - The photo taken on August 1, 2024 shows a general view of the driver's seat and controls of a driverless robotaxi autonomous vehicle developed as part of tech giant Baidu's Apollo Go self-driving project, in Wuhan, in central China's Hubei province. Turning heads as they cruise past office buildings and malls, driverless taxis are slowly spreading through Chinese cities, prompting both wariness and wonder. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) / To go with: CHINA-TECHNOLOGY-AUTOMOTIVE, FOCUS by Jing Xuan TENG (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images) Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images China's robotaxi push is sparking job security fears among drivers, but experts say the technology is already creating new jobs. On Tuesday, China issued 16,000 test licenses for autonomous vehicles and opened 32,000 kilometers of public test roads. In June, the government also greenlit nine domestic automakers, including BYD and Nio, to begin testing conditionally automated driving technologies on certain public roads. Elon Musk is looking to get regulatory approval for Tesla's Full-Self Driving technology by the end of this year. But all that action has led to many Chinese social media users saying autonomous driving is "snatching rice bowls" of drivers, or putting them out of work. In the long run, autonomous driving will definitely displace the driver jobs. But again, there is already a shortage of drivers. So definitely, for the taxi [companies], you can see it's a benefit for them. Mohit Sharma analyst, Counterpoint Research Baidu's self-driving ride hailing platform Apollo Go has around 400 robotaxis operating in Wuhan its largest operational region and plans to increase that to 1,000 by the end of the year. Robin Li, CEO of Baidu, said the firm's share of Wuhan's ride-hailing market is only about 1%. "Scaling will be a gradual process and it could take many years," Li said during the firm's quarterly earnings call on Aug. 22. The Apollo Go service became so popular that taxi drivers petitioned Wuhan's transport authority to limit the use of the service, according to media reports. A check on the Apollo Go app showed a 16-minute robotaxi ride within the southern suburb of Beijing suburb would cost 10.36 yuan ($1.46), about half the 20 yuan fare listed by ride-hailing apps, which can call taxis. New jobs created Despite the flurry of headlines, experts say autonomous mobility will mature gradually. "You will not lose all the jobs in one go. It will be a slow transition phase area by area, region by region," said Mohit Sharma, research analyst at Counterpoint Research. He added that governments could collaborate with robotaxi companies to switch drivers to other jobs, while education systems can train new generations for the jobs of the future. An Apollo Go spokesperson said the firm is committed toward creating new job opportunities in the ecosystem. Roles include those in monitoring and testing systems, as well as data annotation, the firm said. Wang Juan, who has been working as an on-road testing operator at Apollo Go for about two years, told CNBC that she decided to join the industry because she was interested in it. On-road testing operators trial autonomous vehicles and provide feedback on problems encountered during the tests for optimization. She used to work at an automaker but felt her career stagnated there. She jumped at the opportunity to work for Apollo Go instead. "Very challenging. It's very different from my previous job," she said in Mandarin about her current role, translated by CNBC. "In this role, I seek to find the problems and issues with the autonomous cars." Jeff Farrah, CEO for the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, said the industry "is creating a wide variety of new, well-paying jobs" in the U.S. These roles include service technicians, remote assistance operators, mapping specialists, dispatchers and terminal operators, he said. "Even though AVs perform all aspects of the driving task, workers are essential to the technology. It's also important to remember that AVs' increased accessibility benefits will help the disability community obtain new employment opportunities," Farrah said. While there is always some job displacement when new technology enters the market, Sharma agreed innovation will also "create more jobs and new jobs because of the technology." Sharma named cybersecurity, vehicle testing and validation and software development as some of the opportunities. "In the long run, autonomous driving will definitely displace the driver jobs. But again, there is already a shortage of drivers. So definitely, for the taxi [companies], you can see it's a benefit for them," he said. watch now Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Intel The chipmaker jumped about 9.5% on news that Intel is working with bankers to explore options to address weaknesses in its core business. Elastic NV The stock plunged about 26.5% after its fiscal second-quarter revenue forecast missed Wall Street's expectations. The artificial intelligence search company now expects revenue for the period to come in between $353 million and $355 million. Analysts surveyed by LSEG had estimated $361 million. MongoDB Shares of the developer data platform surged more than 18% after the company posted an earnings and revenue beat for the second quarter. MongoDB earned 70 cents per share, excluding items, on revenue of $478 million, while analysts expected 49 cents per share on $464 million in revenue, according to LSEG. The company also sees third-quarter revenue coming in between $493 million and $497 million, well above the analyst estimate of $479 million. Earnings for the current quarter are also expected to come in above expectations. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals The stock fell about 8.5% after the company reported positive Phase 3 results for its heart disease drug vutrisiran, which is sold under the name Amvuttra. However, the results were disappointing to investors. In a note, Cantor Fitzgerald wrote that the data does not appear as an unequivocal "win" compared to treatments from competitors such as BridgeBio Pharma's acoramidis. Shares of BridgeBio rose more than 13% following the results. Marvell Technology Shares gained more than 9% after its third-quarter forecast beat expectations. Marvell expects adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share on $1.45 billion in revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG called for 38 cents in earnings per share and $1.40 billion in revenue. Alibaba The U.S.-traded shares of the e-commerce company rose nearly 3% after China's market regulator said the firm had completed a three-year oversight process. Alibaba was previously fined by the regulator in 2021 as part of an antitrust investigation. Dell Shares rose more than 4% after the company posted an earnings and revenue beat for the second quarter. Dell also expects revenue for the current quarter to be in line with expectations, according to StreetAccount. Ulta Beauty The beauty retailer's shares fell around 4% following its first earnings miss in four years. Ulta also trimmed its full-year guidance after a decline in same-store sales last quarter. Comparable sales for the second quarter fell 1.2%, compared to an 8% increase a year earlier and well below the 1.2% growth that Wall Street analysts had expected, according to StreetAccount. CNBC's Yun Li, Hakyung Kim and Jesse Pound contributed reporting. Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading: CrowdStrike Shares of the cloud security platform ticked up about 2% following an upgrade to buy from HSBC. Analyst Stephen Bersey asserted that "the bad news is behind us" on CrowdStrike stock regarding the mid-July outage tied to a software update. Lululemon The athleisure stock advanced 4.5% following an earnings beat. Lululemon reported $3.15 in earnings per share in the second quarter, topping an LSEG estimate of $2.93 per share. Revenue of $2.37 billion fell below a consensus of $2.41 billion. The company also lowered its full-year outlook. Abercrombie & Fitch The clothing retailer added 2% after Citi upgraded shares to buy, with analyst Paul Lejuez positing that a recent sell-off presents a buying opportunity for investors at an attractive entry point. Alibaba U.S.-traded shares of the e-commerce company rose after China's market regulator said Alibaba had completed a three-year regulatory "rectification" process . The company had been fined in 2021 as part of an antitrust investigation. Ulta Beauty The beauty retailer saw shares tumbling more than 8% in premarket trading after the company fell short of second-quarter expectation s and trimmed its full-year guidance after a decline in same-store sales. It marked the company's first earnings per share miss since May 2020 and first revenue miss since December 2020. Marvell Technology The semiconductor company advanced more than 10% after its third-quarter outlook surpassed Wall Street estimates. Marvell now expects adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $1.45 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG called for 38 cents in earnings per share on $1.40 billion in revenue. Intel The chipmaker added more than 3% on news that Intel was working with bankers to explore options to address recent weakness in its core business. Elastic NV Shares pulled back nearly 29% after the artificial intelligence search company's fiscal second-quarter revenue outlook missed estimates. Elastic now forecasts revenue in the range of $353 million to $355 million, while analysts polled by LSEG expected $361 million. CNBC's Hakyung Kim, Yun Li and Jesse Pound contributed reporting. The median price per square foot in Manhattan, NY is $1,500, according to My Dolce Casa. Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images Manhattan, New York is infamous for being expensive. The city consistently ranks as one of the world's most costly places to live in. Purchasing a 500-square-foot condo in New York City can cost you about $750,000, according to research blog, My Dolce Casa, which based its study off Realtor data showing that the median price per square foot in the city was $1,500. You can effectively trade your small studio apartment in the city for a mansion that sprawls over 7,000 square feet in Sicily, Italy, or opt for other properties in the Mediterranean, about 10 times the studio's size. Here's what you'll get across 10 popular Mediterranean destinations for the price of a 500-square-foot apartment in New York City, according to an August report by My Dolce Casa: For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 7,000 square feet in Sicily, Italy, according to My Dolce Casa. Marco Bottigelli | Moment | Getty Images Sicily, Italy Size of property: 7,212 sq. ft Famous for its rich history, beautiful beaches and charming hilltop towns, Sicily, Italy is a popular tourist destination, seeing over 6 million visitors a year, according to a July report by Worldmetrics.org. Despite its popularity, you'll get a big bang for your buck purchasing real estate on the Italian island. Sambuca di Sicilia, a commune in Sicily, went viral in recent years when it auctioned off homes with starting bids at one euro. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 4,000 square feet in Loire Valley, France, according to My Dolce Casa. Manfred Gottschalk | Stone | Getty Images Loire Valley, France Size of property: 4,013 sq. ft Known for its beautiful landscape, historic towns and world-class wines, where the average price per square foot is $187, you can trade in your NYC studio apartment for a home that's eight times bigger in Loire Valley, according to My Dolce Casa. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 3,000 square feet in Porto, Portugal according to My Dolce Casa. Bondart | Istock | Getty Images Norte (Porto), Portugal Size of property: 3,289 sq. ft Porto, is the second biggest city in the country and is known for its rich history, architecture, and fortified wine. Here you can buy a property over six times the size of a 500-square-foot NYC apartment. Portugal has become a hot spot for retirees, as a safe and sunny, yet affordable destination to settle down in. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 3,000 square feet in Tuscany, Italy, according to My Dolce Casa. Shaun Egan | The Image Bank | Getty Images Tuscany, Italy Size of property: 3,165 sq. ft Tuscany, Italy is a popular destination among tourists and saw a more than 44 million overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments in 2022, according to Statista. Home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Michelangelo's "David" statue, you can buy a property that's six times the size of an NYC apartment here. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 3,000 square feet on Crete Island, Greece, according to My Dolce Casa. Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld | Moment | Getty Images Crete Island, Greece Size of property: 3,488 sq. ft On the largest Greek island, real estate costs an average of $215 per square foot, according to My Dolce Casa. You can swap your NYC condo to enjoy island-life in a home more than 3,400 sq. ft in size on Crete Island. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 3,000 square feet in Catalonia, Spain according to My Dolce Casa. Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images Catalonia (Barcelona), Spain Size of property: 3,061 sq. ft Catalonia, spanning hundreds of miles on the Mediterranean coast, and home to Barcelona, welcomed more than 18 million international tourists in 2023, according to Statista. Here, you can expect to get a house as large as 3,000 square feet, according to the report. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 2,800 square feet in the Canary Islands, Spain, according to My Dolce Casa. Andrea Comi | Moment | Getty Images Canary Islands, Spain Size of property: 2,830 The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago located off the coast of Morocco, is also a popular tourist destination. In 2023, it saw about 14 million international visitors, according to Statista. Here you can swap your NYC studio to enjoy good weather throughout the year in a 2,800 square foot home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property almost 3,000 square feet in the Italian Riveria, according to My Dolce Casa. Fokkebok | Istock | Getty Images Liguria (Italian Riviera), Italy Size of property: 2,930 sq. ft Liguria, famously known as the Italian Riviera, is home to some of Italy's most picturesque destinations like Cinque Terre and Portofino. Known for its good food and breathtaking views, here, you can get a property that is almost six times the size of an NYC condo. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 2,000 square feet in Provence, France, according to My Dolce Casa. Fraser Hall | The Image Bank | Getty Images Size of property: 2,100 sq. ft The Provence region sits on the coastline of the Mediterranean in southeastern France, and is home to Marsille, a popular port-city that saw over 16 million tourist overnight stays in 2023, according to recent data. The world-famous French Rivera is also located in the Provence region, housing the popular city of Cannes and coastal town of St. Tropez. For the price of a condo in New York City, you can get a four-times larger property in Provence. For the price of a 500 square foot apartment in NYC, you can get a property over 2,000 square feet in Madrid, Spain, according to My Dolce Casa. Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images Madrid, Spain Apple isnt paying OpenAI to carry support for the generativeAI (genAI) firms Chat GPT within Apple Intelligence, but it might instead invest in the Microsoft-backed company. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is in talks to take part in a new funding round for OpenAI. If it follows suit, it will join Microsoft, Nvidia, and Thrive Capital in making an investment in the company, which would have a value of more than $100 billion. A growing sense of union? Such an investment would strengthen Apples existing partnership with OpenAI, announced at WWDC with the news that Apple Intelligence will integrate with ChatGPT, which will provide services Apple does not. For most students, American History is a boring required class, hours of memorizing dates and battles that appear to have little relevance to modern life. Maybe enterprising teachers could spice up a lecture or two with some Saturday Night Live sketches that detail important events from our nations past. Sure, students may come out of the class less informed but at least theyll be entertained. 1 Washingtons Dream Play In one of the best sketches in recent SNL memory, first-time host Nate Bargatze shined as George Washington sharing his questionable priorities for a new nation. People have been complaining about Americas weird system of weights and measurements and doing jokes about it forever, SNL head writer Streeter Seidell told IndieWire. Its not like it hasnt been remarked upon by every single European youve ever met and every scientist. 2 Revolutionary War You think fans of the New England Patriots were insufferable during the Tom Brady years? Think about how obnoxious those real patriots of New England must have been. After yet another victory on the battlefield, colonist Beck Bennett groans, I recognize that New England wins battles, but must they be so obnoxious about it? Dreadfully annoying. Advertisement Advertisement Fellow colonist Kyle Mooney agrees. Frankly, Im willing to lose this whole year of war if it means not seeing them win again. 3 Americas First Colonists: Stonetown Heres a piece of American history you might not know the good citizens of Stonetown worried that their community might perish, thanks to leader Seth Rogens plan to cultivate a tasty new strain of weed rather than prepare for the winter. A growing town was indeed lost, but at least its citizens invented hacky sack and the air lute. Advertisement Advertisement 4 Boston Teens at the Colonial Museum Sully and Denise took a field trip to the Colonial Museum to learn about history, but it turns out Sully already had the motion down for working the butter churn. History is baked into their DNA since Massachusetts is the home state of Paul Revere, John Hancock and Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Britney Spears advises the couple not to apply for jobs the guy who plays Thomas Jefferson is a total perv. Advertisement Advertisement US should view Chinas devt in a rational light, Xi tells Sullivan 10:57, August 30, 2024 By Yang Sheng and Shen Sheng ( Global Times Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on August 29, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) China and the US, the two biggest economies in the world, have held their latest round of strategic communication, and will have more engagements in the field of commerce and climate soon. Experts said that both sides share the common ground of preventing the existing tensions from getting out of control and are seeking to add some pragmatic elements to China-US relations. President Xi Jinping met with visiting US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Thursday. Xi pointed out at the meeting 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 US should be responsible for history, for the people and 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-US relations, Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US 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 countrys 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 US side will work with China in the same direction, view China and its development in a positive and rational light, see each others development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and work with China to find a right way for two major countries to get along. What both sides need During his three-day visit to China, Sullivan also met with Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi and Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Chinese analysts said that the arrangement shows that Sullivans wish to have communications with high-ranking Chinese officials in both diplomatic and military sectors as well as the top leader had been met, and shows Chinas sincerity in managing and stabilizing bilateral ties. After Sullivan concluded his visit, commerce and trade teams from both sides will meet in China next week. The second vice-ministerial meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group will be held on September 7 in North Chinas 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 US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, MOC spokesperson He Yadong said. Bloomberg also reported on Wednesday that John Podesta, the US senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, is set to meet with Chinas special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin in the first week of September. Jin Canrong, associate dean of the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday that its necessary to maintain communication in all channels to prevent any miscalculations in the remaining time of the Biden administration. Another reason is that some major international events will take place in the second half of this year, such as the G20 Summit and the APEC meeting, which the two countries heads of state are likely to attend, Jin noted. According to Xinhua on Wednesday, Wang and Sullivan discussed a new round of interaction between the two countries heads of state in the near future. Six sessions, more than 11 hours On Thursday night, Director-General of the Department of North America and Oceania Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Yang Tao gave a briefing to the media on Sullivans visit. He revealed that Wang Yi held strategic communication with Sullivan on Tuesday and Wednesday and the two sides had six sessions, totaling more than 11 hours, and discussed the China-US relations, sensitive issues, and major international and regional hotspots. Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and right to development are the four red lines China has drawn in China-US relations. The Chinese side raised serious concerns, articulated its position, and laid out serious demands on these issues. Xin Qiang, a scholar and expert on US studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Thursday that people-to-people exchanges, including visa and flight issues, may see improvement after a series of communications between the two countries. However, Chinese experts are also being cautious about to what extent the communication can help ease the existing tensions. Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday that the China-US frictions or tensions on Taiwan question, South China Sea, trade war or sci-tech restrictions are unlikely to see much improvement as long as the US China containment strategy remains in place. The most we can do is to make sure the existing tensions dont escalate and go out of control. Jin echoed that view, saying, at this moment, we can at least add some pragmatic elements to the foundation of China-US relations, giving the next US government a relatively positive foundation to start its China policy with. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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. Richard Lyons is UC Berkeley's 12th chancellor and Jesse Arreguin is the mayor of the City of Berkeley. Contact the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.org or follow us on X. Emmanuel Macron may have looked as unruffled as ever when he greeted Keir Starmer at the Elysee Palace yesterday but, behind the scenes, a growing number of insiders are asking the question: Has France's head of state, intoxicated by the imperial trappings of the presidency, gone mad? It's an astonishing question to ask of the leader of one of the world's biggest economies but more and more people are raising it. Ever since Macron announced shortly after his election in 2017 that he would be a 'Jupiterian' president (a reference to the Roman king of the gods) and cancelled the traditional Bastille Day TV interview on the grounds that the questions put by the journalists risked not doing justice to his 'complex thoughts', serious people have been wondering whether he might be suffering from a form of narcissistic personality disorder. Speculation about Macron's mental health has soared following his disastrous decision to call a snap election two months ago and his failure to appoint a prime minister ever since. Jean-Michel Blanquer, a former Macron education minister, said in an interview on the radio station France Inter this week: 'There is something a little masochistic and a little crazy' about Macron's judgment. Has France 's head of state Emmanuel Macron (pictured), intoxicated by the imperial trappings of the presidency, gone mad, asks JONATHAN MILLER Pascal Praud, the leading political commentator on CNEWS often described as France's answer to the Right-wing American TV network Fox News says the president has been in 'total denial' for months and 'even his relatives can no longer hide their fear of the deterioration of his psychological health'. Foreign commentators have also been getting in on the act. Die Zeit, the sober German political weekly, recently put it most bluntly: 'Has Emmanuel Macron gone mad?' He is certainly a man under almost intolerable pressure. The leader of the hard-Left, Jean-Luc Melenchon, who is demanding the job of prime minister goes to a member of his coalition, is calling for his supporters to take to the streets next week. Meanwhile, the police who will be expected to maintain order during the protests are on the verge of mutiny following the murder of yet another gendarme, this one slaughtered by a foreign criminal with ten previous convictions who had not spent one day in prison. A synagogue in Montpellier was fire-bombed last weekend and Macron's war against feral urban gangsters has proved singularly ineffective, with a recent report by Europol, the law-enforcement arm of the European Union, saying that several European countries including France are suffering 'unprecedented levels of drug market-related violence, including killings, torture, kidnappings and intimidation'. For the first few weeks in which France had no government, many made light of it, joking that perhaps the country was better off without one. No one's laughing now. French President Emmanuel Macron listens to Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer before their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris It would be fascinating to know what Keir Starmer made of the beleagured Macron when he dropped by the Elysee yesterday to receive the ritualistic hugs from the French president. No 10 spin doctors were quick to hail the encounter as the start of a new era of grown-up Franco-British relations. But if Britain's ingenue prime minister thinks he can reset relations with the EU by cosying up to its discredited political elites, he's got another thing coming. Starmer is the sixth British prime minister Macron has toyed with. He saw off David Cameron by refusing to offer him the slightest concession before the Brexit referendum, then Theresa May, before pretending to be Boris Johnson's best friend, ignoring Liz Truss, and promising Rishi Sunak that he'd stop the boats. And now he's seduced their Labour counterpart. Macron's performative embrace may well be followed by a stab in the back. As with psychopaths through the ages, he first seduces, then betrays. She was the mastermind founder behind provocative lingerie chain Honey Birdette, but after selling the brand in 2021, Eloise Monaghan says she is 'devastated' her life's work has been destroyed. Despite pocketing $66million off the $443million (AUD) sale to PLBY, the pleasure and leisure company behind Playboy magazine, the outspoken entrepreneur says her former brand's downfall has been like a death. 'It has been devastating to watch,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I built the brand off female empowerment - we weren't about fake boobs and fake arses - that's all it is now.' The US-based company bought Honey Birdette in 2021, with the former founder, 48, to stay on as creative director for the brand she spent more than a decade perfecting. However, within eight months things fell apart. 'I walked into an industry that wasn't ready for female apparel or anything ridiculously empowering,' she said. 'It felt like I was wearing a muzzle - so I just quit.' Following her exit, her life has done a complete 180. She's quietly divorced from her ex-wife Natalie, living full-time in Los Angeles and in love with Australian designer and photographer Rebecca Collinson-Smith. Eloise Monaghan, is the mastermind behind Honey Birdette, the risque company she founded in Brisbane in 2006 after visiting her first adult toy store while shopping for a Hen's night Honey Birdette is no longer about female empowerment says founder Eloise Monoghan The pair have since joined forces in love and business expanding Collinson-Smith's swim and resort brand Hunting Hue to the US market. 'We were friends before we got together,' Collinson-Smith, 37 says. 'Now, I can't imagine doing this without her, we challenge each other but we make good partners because we listen to one another.' Driven by a passion to empower women, Eloise's journey with Hunting Hue represents more than a business venture but to redefine the industry. 'Having witnessed numerous acquisitions, including my own, by male corporate figures who misunderstand the essence of female empowerment brands, I'm driven to preserve our message at Hunting Hue,' Monoghan said. 'We proudly operate as a fully female-owned and operated business and intend to remain so, I'm thrilled to re-enter the retail space, partnering with my life and business companion.' In June the pair captivated the American fashion industry with their latest runway show at Paraiso's Miami Swim Week, marking the beginning of a new era in swimwear: a canvas for artistic expression, a testament to love, and a commitment to timeless allure. The swimwear collection featured stunning aerial images of Sydney's famous beaches. To capture the breathtaking images, Collinson-Smith rented a helicopter, photographing iconic Sydney landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and the Opera House from 500 feet above. Looking ahead, the brand are gearing up for a major expansion into the US market in 2025, with plans to establish brick-and-mortar presence in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Texas. Rebecca Collinson-Smith (pictured left) and her partner in business and love Eloise Monoghan (right) The couples resort-wear brand Hunting Hue was a sucess at last months t Paraiso's Miami Swim Week 'Having witnessed numerous acquisitions, including my own, by male corporate figures who misunderstand the essence of female empowerment brands, I'm driven to preserve our message at Hunting Hue,' Eloise Monoghan said Hunting Hue proudly operates as a fully female-owned and operated business 'American's love anything 'made in Australia' so its really exciting time for the brand to have a strong presence in the US market.' Collinson-Smith said. Whilst their store in The Rocks will stand as iconic shopping destinations cherished by tourists who adore Australia, its culture, and landmarks like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. Away from fashion the pair say they hope to continue traveling the world before they settle down and have recently taken steps towards growing their family. 'We're currently looking into IVF and ultimately can see us living in Greece,' Monaghan said. 'We love the US but our families are in Australia so its important for us to come home but we certainly see ourselves travelling and continue being inspired,' Collinson-Smith added. Gone are the days when you could move into your college dorm, hang up a mass-produced poster, and call it a day. Now, it's all about matching bedding, custom artwork, and even getting interior decorators to help make sure that the aesthetic is ideal for both freshman-year roommates. Southern students - including Kansas City Chiefs heiress Ava Hunt - are showing off their dorm room transformations on TikTok and remodeling basic rooms into ideal mini-apartments for just two semesters. Not everyone is using a decorator - some college women are crafty and hunt down deals on Amazon and at HomeGoods. FEMAIL spoke to one of the go-to designers for incoming college students to find out how they're completing transforming their small living spaces. Eden Bowen Montgomery, 25, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2021 and started Essentials with Eden Eden quickly became the go-to designer for incoming students at Ole Miss and Mississippi State, famous for her preppy and feminine designs, as seen above Eden told DailyMail.com, 'We use queen size bedding to cover the bed frames well and for reuse the following years' Eden's followers love her before and after pictures. She explained about this one, 'We delivered the items the girls and moms installed perfectly' Jaci Osment shared a video showcasing her freshman dorm room at the University of Mississippi. The dorm tour showed off light-up makeup mirrors, matching bedding, framed artwork above the bed, and an elegant white couch with throw pillows - a far cry from the worn out leather futon found in most college dorm rooms. In the comments, the southern beauty queen explained much of what she bought was affordable. She purchased the posters from Etsy and framed them at craft store Hobby Lobby. Jaci bought the rug at Target, the couch on Amazon, and the floor mirror at Walmart. She didn't swap out the furniture, as most freshman can't remove it from their dorms, and instead found ways to camouflage the bulky wooden furnishings. The crafty college student simply covered much of the clunky pieces with white fabric. Commenters were left in awe of the elaborate room, with one raving, 'This is soooo pretty. I'm 47 and I want my room to look like this.' University of Alabama student Meredith Harwell also went viral after giving followers a TikTok dorm tour. Meredith showcased pink bedding, disco ball pillows, and custom neon name signs above her and her roommate's matching beds. Both young women had matching makeup stations with pink toile, which was actually a LoveShackFancy bean bag cover placed on top of the desk. In 2024, Essentials With Eden worked with clients in 43 different states, as they offer delivery and installation services in Mississippi and also ship items nationwide Eden worked with these Mississippi State roommates to install custom artwork and ice blue velvet quilts, showing off the stunning before and after transformation Both roommates usually split the costs down the middle, although some roommates will buy the majority of the furniture and accessories to reuse the following year in their apartments, while the other will just buy her bedding Eden usually starts by doing a consultation with both roommates and their moms to make sure everyone is on the same page University of Alabama student Meredith Harwell went viral after giving followers a TikTok dorm tour, showing off pink bedding, disco ball pillows, and custom neon name signs The student got her disco ball pillows from Target and hid the drawers holding her clothes under the bed. Meanwhile, University of Alabama freshman Bre Morris was one of the first incoming students in 2024 to share a dorm tour in August, much to the delight of her followers. Bre, who went viral for her Bama Rush outfits, showed off the transformation from a barebones dorm room, which she turned into a hot pink bedroom with a cozy rug and makeup station. Eden Bowen Montgomery, 25, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2021 and started Essentials with Eden, where she's become the go-to designer for incoming students at Ole Miss and Mississippi State. In 2024, her company Essentials With Eden worked with clients in 43 different states, as they offer delivery and installation services in Mississippi and also ship items nationwide. Eden works with most of her clients starting their freshman year, and encourages them to choose quality items that will last them for the next four years as they move off-campus and into sorority houses or apartments. And as for how they do the complete transformation, Eden told DailyMail.com, 'We use queen size bedding to cover the bed frames well and for reuse the following years.' Jaci Osment shared a video showcasing her freshman dorm room at the University of Mississippi University of Alabama freshman Bre Morris was one of the first incoming freshman in 2024 to share a dorm tour in August, much to the delight of her followers Her team uses custom desk skirts and bed skirts to soften the dark brown furniture provided by the dorm. Eden usually starts by doing a consultation with both roommates and their moms. 'Most of the girls come in with ideas for their rooms, so we really don't see much issue with the matching aesthetics,' Eden said. 'We do work with all budgets and do our best to accommodate everyone.' Both roommates usually split the costs down the middle, although some roommates will buy the majority of the furniture and accessories to reuse the following year in their apartments, while the other will just buy her bedding. Eden's company offers full room installations, where the team designs and even and sets up the room. This option is especially helpful for students who fly in, so they don't have to worry about getting all of their items by move-in day. A great education is a superpower when it comes to the pursuit of a successful career. But with so many paths to explore and opportunities to take advantage of, it can feel like a maze to navigate. Thankfully, help is out there - whether you're looking to bolster your CV or find the best option for your little ones. With pointers on everything from remote learning to university support, here are Checklist's top 10 tips for education and learning this month. Don't settle for second best Looking to achieve your best and get into your first-choice university? MPW Colleges are here to help you make that happen! Established in 1973, MPW is one of the UK's leading independent fifth and sixth-form college groups, with a strong history of helping students boost their results by one to two grades. What's more, MPW Colleges have an outstanding record for university placements nearly two-thirds of their retake students progress to prestigious Russell Group universities. They offer a wide range of subjects in both short-course and full-year formats, featuring intimate, Oxbridge-style tutorial groups with nine students or fewer. With highly qualified tutors providing personalized one-on-one support, a focus on effective exam preparation, and regular testing, you'll have all the tools you need to succeed. Plus, their expert UCAS advice will put you in the best position for your university applications, whether you choose to study at their campuses in London, Birmingham, or Cambridge. It's where you can take the next steps toward achieving your academic goals with confidence! The info: Click here to find the right solution for you. Progressive education which inspires Looking for a school that prepares your child for the world of tomorrow? At St Dunstans College in south London, they've been championing a forward-thinking approach to education for over a century. Since opening their doors in 1888, St Dunstans mission has been to provide a curriculum that is in advance of the present time. With their forward-thinking approach, their students embark on a Renaissance education that builds on the legacy of their visionary founders. With a broad range of subjects and a focus on developing essential life skills and critical thinking, they're preparing students not only for exams, but for life. This year, they're thrilled to share that St Dunstans was named Most Progressive School in South-East England at the Private Education Awards 2024. They also took home the award for best Diversity and Inclusion in Sport at the Education Choices Awards 2024, thanks to their groundbreaking partnership with Chelsea FC. This came on top of being awarded Senior School of the Year in 2022 and Coeducational School of the Year in 2021. And when it comes to results, St Dunstans celebrated its best-ever A Level and GCSE results in its 136-year history: 88% of all A Level grades being A*-B with an outstanding 61% being A*-A. As a consequence, 97% of the cohort went on to their chosen destination. Meanwhile, an exceptional 78% of all GCSE grades were awarded 9-7 (A*-A). The info: Click here to find out more by attending their upcoming Open Day on September 21, 2024 or Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 2 October 2024. An award-winning approach to early education Looking for the perfect place for your intellectually curious little ones? Rosemead Preparatory School and Nursery in Dulwich, South London, has plenty to celebrate after an amazing year! The school received glowing praise from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and a wonderful review from the Good Schools Guide, which called Rosemead 'the one to watch.' The ISI inspection (held in November 2023) highlighted Rosemead's tailored approach to learning, outstanding pastoral care, and the positive impact of the school's values and leadership. The report noted, 'A highly customised approach to every pupil's academic progress is a significant strength of the school.' The Good Schools Guide also praised Rosemead's leadership and bright future, stating, 'There is no doubt that children here are happy and make excellent progress.' To top it all off, Rosemead was honoured in June at the prestigious Education Choices Awards, winning the award for Best Improvements in EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging). The info: Click here to find out more, or attend their upcoming open morning on October 12, 2024. Taking pride in ambition At Queen Ethelburgas Collegiate (QE), your child's future isnt limited by someone elses expectations. Instead, the school takes pride in nurturing students' ambitions, working alongside them to explore countless opportunities and help them achieve their dreams. Students at QE are not only encouraged to aim high in their academics, but theyre also supported in becoming well-rounded, confident, and engaging individuals outside the classroom. Its all about balancing strong results with personal growth. With QEs unique four-school model, students embark on a journey of self-discovery and development, growing into resilient young adults who are more than ready to make their mark in the world. From kindergarten to sixth form, the school provides a seamless pathway to success, allowing each child to join the journey at the perfect time for your family. Ranked among the top schools here in the UK, QEs outstanding academic results and impressive university and career destinations speak for themselves. But what truly sets QE apart is its commitment to learning beyond the classroom. Their extensive super-curricular programs are designed to celebrate and nurture a wide range of skills and aspirations, ensuring every student has the chance to shine. The info: Click here to book into an open day or your own private tour. Five centuries of quality learning Worried about the impact that VAT is going to have on your school fees? Giggleswick School has committed to not pass on the cost of VAT to its families, making it the first school in the North to promise to absorb the full cost in the coming years. Established in 1512 and located in the Yorkshire Dales, Giggleswick School was awarded 'excellent' in its 2023 ISI inspection. The school prides itself on delivering bespoke pathways, outstanding pastoral care and strong academic outcomes. At the centre of its decision was the focus on protecting its current and future families without compromising the educational offering. In doing so, Giggleswick School has enabled families to plan with confidence. As a parent of a pupil at the school stated: 'We're a family whose child benefits from both a scholarship and a bursary, [and] we would have had to pull our son out of Giggleswick had the leadership team taken a different approach. 'However, thanks to their clarity, courage, planning and foresight, we can continue supporting him with his Giggleswick career,' they shared. The info: Click here to find out more. Additional support made affordable Every child learns differently, and many need more direct support to help with their education. But getting the right support whether its more personalised support or accessing Special Educational Needs Services can be hard to secure. As a result, many parents are turning to private tutoring, which can be expensive and out of reach for many families. For parents, Superprof can be a lifeline to help their kids education. It's a support for those parents and was created to solve the problem of expensive private education. Superprof means students can access 1:1 tutoring more affordably and without compromising on quality, by going direct to expert tutors online or in person via the platform. It means better support for improved outcomes for your children both in education and in life. The info: Click here to sign up today and get a Student Pass discount 19 instead of 39. Excellence in education made affordable It's an uncertain time for independent education. With VAT about to be applied to school fees from January 2025, one school is presenting a fresh perspective. Bedstone College will be offering the same quality education, but at a price that is more affordable for parents who might be priced out of the market. Bedstone is a small, rural, day and boarding school in a beautifully safe location in Shropshire close to historic Ludlow. Based in the small village and civil parish of the same name close to the border with Herefordshire, the school is only a few miles from the nearby railway stations of Hopton Heath and Bucknell. Bedstone College are broadly unselective with smaller class sizes, individualised attention and a specialism in Maths, Sciences and SEND. Their results have been rapidly improving in recent years, with 60% of this year's students achieving A*-B in their A levels. The premise for the coeducational boarding/day school is that independent education can be financially accessible. Affordable excellence in the pursuit of invaluable learning is their driving force. The info: Click here to find out more. A historic commitment to girls' education Looking for a girl's school which provides confidence and an education without limits? Oxford High School GDST provide a unique educational experience which fosters a sense of community to develop confident girls who know themselves, find their voice, and use it to influence their world. Pupils have the freedom, time, and space to think critically, discuss and feel as they examine our changing world, exploring the impact of behaviour on our environment; OHS empower them to be the change. Each of their pupils are individuals and are treated as such - and what unites them is their curiosity, desire to learn and ambition. The school's pastoral provision means students receive intensive, student-informed support throughout their education. The Oxford High School GDST Life Ready programme embeds the development of these skills throughout the curriculum across teaching and learning activities and through a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. This starts from Reception through to Sixth Form developing essential skills for life including collaboration, communication, problem-solving, organising, creative thinking and information literacy. They also offer a wide range of subjects, including eight languages. Children in prep school study Mandarin, Global Studies and even Earth Studies, putting them in good stead for a bright future The info: Click here to book your visit to the school. Expert support for the university admission process Looking to embark on your academic journey in the UK? UNISEF is the modern way to apply for university, where a consultant will do everything for you. UNISEF are more than just a service theyre your partner in success. Each year, they help thousands of aspiring students navigate the complex world of admissions, ensuring you have the support you need to secure a spot at one of the UKs prestigious universities. The service is also highly recommended by education tutor Kim Hunjan of Belle Academy, LV College & GLHAIR.UK who has contributed to the training of over 15,000 students! UNISEF are dedicated to helping you find the most suitable educational course, considering your individual circumstances, educational requirements, and career goals. Best of all, their expert services come at no cost to you! Backed by a dynamic team of professionals with expertise in recruitment, marketing, and consultancy, theyre dedicated to making your educational journey not only successful, but truly transformative. The info: Click here to start your application. A virtual academy for remote teaching Does your teen thrive with online learning? Minerva's Virtual Academy offers award-winning remote and home education, providing a UK-based, globally-recognised curriculum. Designed for students aged 11 to 18, Minerva's Virtual Academy is accredited by the Department for Education following a recent report from Ofsted. The school provides personal mentoring and fosters a vibrant learning community. Twice each term, students have the opportunity to go on school trips across the UK, with recent visits to Bath, Sheffield, Bletchley Park, London, and Birmingham. Praised as the 'holy grail of online schooling' by the Good Schools Guide, the academy currently educates 800 full-time students, 75% of whom are based in the UK. Students even have the option to take their GCSEs online, thanks to a partnership with Pearson that offers remote invigilation. The school's success is evident, with graduates securing places at universities such as Glasgow, UCL, Durham, LSE, Manchester, York, Bristol, Tsinghua University China, and the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. Also, additional support is available to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and for young athletes too by providing them with a flexible education so they no longer have to sacrifice school for sport. The info: Click here to find out more and book a Discovery Call. If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration on everything from education and culture to business and family life, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or sign up to the newsletter? Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too - discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today. Mark Logan (pictured) was just three months old when he died from SIDS For more than 40 years, Scott Logan's dad David has been carrying the same picture of a baby boy in his wallet. The old photograph, showing the newborn lying in his cot, was Scott's younger brother Mark who died without warning at just three months old. 'The only photo my dad has ever had in his wallet is a photo of Mark, his son, who he lost... 43 years ago,' Scott, from Victoria, told Daily Mail Australia. 'To this day, he still carries his photo around... I assume it's because he still doesn't know why he lost him.' The snap shows little Mark smiling at the camera, as he was dressed in a white long-sleeve top with the words: 'I love my daddy'. David always kept a picture of Mark on his bedside table and in his wallet so he could remember his son wherever he went. Scott vaguely recalls playing with his baby brother Mark. 'I only have one real memory of him where he would sit in his little swing and I would wind it up and it would rock him,' he said. 'I was a proud brother and would bring kids from the neighbourhood in to see him.' Scott Logan (left) was just three years old when his baby brother Mark (right) died What is SIDS? SIDS is defined as the sudden and unexpected death of an infant under one year of age with an onset of a fatal episode occurring during sleep, that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. Depending on the state or territory, SIDS is identified by the certifying doctor or coroner as either SIDS or an unknown cause of death. In 2022, 106 infant deaths were attributed to either SIDS (15) or an unknown cause of death (91) in Australia. Advertisement All of a sudden Mark was no longer in his life. Scott was just three when his brother died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the unexpected death of a baby under one year of age. 'I slept with the light on for six months because I didn't know where my baby brother Mark had gone,' he said. After Mark's death, little Scott would refuse to turn off the light at bedtime, his dad David recalled. 'I was a very obedient child but my dad told me that was one thing I wouldn't budge on,' Scott explained. 'I assume it was because I was scared if Mark was gone I might be taken too.' Scott, now a 46-year-old sport scientist, explained how the loss of his brother took a huge toll on him when he welcomed his first child. 'When you first become a parent it's the best day of your life, it's just a different kind of love. While exciting it was also worrying - every time I woke up I would stick my hand on my son's chest to make sure he was breathing,' he explained. 'It particularly affected my life when I became a dad... every night was a little scary, I was always checking... I felt on edge every time I put my son to sleep or went to check on him until he was at least one.' Scott's dad David always kept a picture of Mark in his wallet and on his bedside table Father David (left), younger brother James (centre) and Scott (right) He knows firsthand the devastating impact of SIDS. 'It's especially hard not having an answer for the cause (of Mark's death),' Scott said. 'It's very unnerving when you go to have your own children wondering if they will be ok.' The doting dad now has three 'beautiful' boys - Lauchlan, 16, Jacob, 14, and eight-year-old Harry. In honour of his late brother, Scott will be joining the Ride for Red Nose team on Saturday, August 31 to cycle 110km around the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. 'I was flicking through social media and I came across a post from Peter Herrick, the founder of the ride. Peter is a close family friend of ours so I called him immediately to chat about it and asked how I can be involved to honour Mark,' he said. Scott will be among the 24 cyclists who will embark on the 110km trek to honor the little lives lost in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Red Nose Day Death has become a taboo topic but Scott hopes by sharing his story, he can encourage more Aussies to open up about grief and loss. 'It's ok to talk about loss, it's ok to grieve, to ask questions,' he said. 'It's not just the mums and dads that grieve. It's other family members too. It's also ok to accept that we might not get answers.' Scott will be among the 24 cyclists who will embark on the 110km trek to honor the little lives lost in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Red Nose Day. The Ride for Red Nose helps to save little lives. To make a donation click here. The mom-of-one put her nine-month-old on a DIY hammock while traveling An influencer is facing furious backlash after she put her baby in a DIY hammock while on a nine-hour flight. Glamorous Brazilian content creator Natalia Figueira usually sends heads spinning due to her elegant ensembles and impressive makeup skills. But, this time, the brunette beauty left people horrified with her parenting hack. The mom-of-one took to social media to show off the tiny hammock she created for her nine-month-old, Maria, by tying a blanket between the back of the seats in front of where she was sitting. The viral video, which has so far amassed over 7.5 million views, left people on the web less than impressed as they slammed her for her 'dangerous' parenting practice. Glamorous Brazilian content creator Natalia Figueira has faced furious backlash after she put her baby in a DIY hammock while on a nine-hour flight - leaving people on the web stunned The mom-of-one took to TikTok to show off what she thought was a genius life-hack that saw her putting her nine-month-old, Maria, in a hammock that she had She captioned the clip: 'Pure improvisation! We use the blanket they give you on the plane, tie it to the tables on both sides, add the pillow, and that's it! 'A helping hand, right? Maria loved it!' The video showed her baby laying in the blanket and swinging during a 4,000-mile flight from Brazil to Miami, Florida. Translated overlay text reads: 'POV: You improvised a hammock so your baby can be comfortable on the plane.' While the mom-of-one thought her trick was a perfect travel hack, viewers were quick to critique the idea - many slamming the mom for potentially harming her baby. 'Don't do it!!!!! Your baby is going to stop on the ceiling if they experience an unexpected turbulence,' one user wrote. 'If the plane crashes, she may end up getting hurt,' another warned. 'People don't do this it's dangerous,' urged one as a fourth added: 'If the plane crashes she can get hurt.' The viral video left people than impressed as they slammed her for her 'dangerous' parenting practice @nahfigueira Puro improviso! Usamos o cobertor que dao no aviao, amarramos nas mesinhas dos dois lados, colocamos o travesseiro, e pronto! Uma mao na roda, ne? A Maria amou! Happy Childhood - djselsky Viewers were quick to critique her traveling hack, slamming the mom for potentially putting her baby in a dangerous position However others had no issues with the makeshift baby hammock. 'People really think turbulence is going to take the baby out of the net lol,' a user pointed out. The beauty icon was quick to release a statement following the backlash. 'We put her inside, she played a little, but we know that children don't stay still,' she told Newsflash. 'It was when we recorded the video that was posted that she wanted to get out.' The mom insisted she would have never put her daughter in danger. The influencer added: 'We know that a child won't spend hours on a flight in peace. So as not to disturb the other passengers, we bring several distractions.' My daughter was not going to have a smartphone until she turned 16. That was my boundary, and I was sticking to it. She could get a face tattoo, join the Reform party, insist on being referred to by the pronouns Xe for all I cared, but she would not be getting an iPhone until she could jolly well afford to buy one for herself. Or Xerself. 'I want to preserve her childhood,' I would announce haughtily, while friends with offspring already at secondary school would try to point out how difficult it was to keep your kids smartphone-free once they got a bit older. 'They need them to stay in touch while they are travelling to school alone,' someone would argue. 'Nonsense!' I would respond, pointing out that, in 1992, I had to travel eight stops on the Tube to school every morning without so much as a carrier pigeon for company, and nothing bad had ever happened to me (apart from the time a stranger flashed me, but things were different now, right?) Bryony Gordon and daughter Edie dress in the appropriate sparkles for Taylor Swift's eras tour 'Your child will feel left out if all their friends are messaging and they're not part of the group,' argued another mum. 'Well I will raise a child who is confident enough not to feel peer pressure,' I replied. 'Yeah, well good luck with that,' responded the parents of the older kids, rolling their eyes in the same patronising way I do when my 11-year-old insists on going out into gale force winds and rain without a coat. I'd show them! As Year Five gave way to Year Six, we remained one of the few families to resist getting our child a phone. Every week, our daughter, Edie, would come home and tell us that another one of her pals had become digitally connected, and every week I would tell her that she would eventually thank me for my resolve. 'You can have a dumb phone when you go to secondary school,' I told her, 'but that's it!' Confidence clinic Fantastic news: scientists say 'compensatory' sleep at the weekend can cut your risk of heart disease by a fifth. Professor James Leiper, of the British Heart Foundation, said: 'This research is a reminder of how important it is to get at least seven hours' sleep every night.' I've tried all sorts of therapies, but the thing that boosts my wellbeing the most? A good night's kip. Advertisement Last month, she finished primary school and I ignored her pleas for a phone until two weeks ago, when, as I tearfully took delivery of her new school blazer, it became clear that I could ignore her no longer. With lots of care, consideration and research, a brick phone with limited capabilities was agreed upon (similar to the new 99 Barbie one, launched this week, which makes calls and sends texts but has no social media). Buoyed by the recent announcement from EE that children should be protected from smartphones for their 'digital wellbeing', as well as the calls on Wednesday from the Irish Medical Organisation to ban mobiles for under 16s, we set off to the High Street with full confidence in our somewhat old-fashioned decision. It was under the bright neon lights of the phone shop that I began to experience what I will now refer to as my own personal Waterloo. The man serving us sniggered when I asked to see the selection of 'dumb phones'. 'We don't stock them in store,' he said, 'and to be honest, you don't want your kids using a handset that you yourself can no longer remember how to work out. There's a reason they are used by drug dealers as burner phones, if you know what I mean?' I did not know what he meant, but visions of my 11-year old leading a bucolic childhood because of my insistence on a brick phone had now been replaced with ones of her joining a criminal gang. 'Forget it, we'll take an iPhone,' I gasped, u-turning quicker than a prime minister after an election win. 'You're the best mum ever!' squealed my surprised child. 'Told you so!' laughed all my friends, when I admitted my reverse ferret. So despite all my bluster, my daughter will start secondary school with a smartphone in her pocket, and a hypocrite for a mum. Or should I say an idealist? Because I think that's what a lot of us are suffering from when it comes to this whole smartphone conversation we are wanting our kids to grow up in a sort of Swallows And Amazons utopia that has never really existed. But when it comes to phones, we need to accept that the genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and has been for some time. Doing this isn't abandoning our kids to social media, it's compromising, and accepting the reality of the world we live in, on our own terms, rather than those drawn up by Meta and TikTok. My daughter's safety and mental health will always be my priority. We have set up her new device with so many parental controls that it is essentially an expensive version of two tin cans and a piece of string. We have also drawn up our own parental phone contract with her no social media until she is at least 14, parental access to her messages, and everything must be switched off at 8pm. We'll see how long this lasts, given the speed at which I caved in the phone shop. But it's a good reminder of an important truth: that parenting is far easier in theory than it is in practice, and like my child heading off to secondary school, I will always have something new to learn. My LED mask doesn't work? I don't care! According to new research, it's 'highly questionable' whether LED masks favoured by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham actually do anything to your skin. Scientists say that the LED light is only able to travel as far as the outer layer, rather than deeper down where 'real change happens'. As an LED mask obsessive, I have to say I couldn't care less. My 395 mask, from the Light Salon, is my most prized possession. It might not make any difference to my crow's feet, but it works wonders on my mood. Plus, it's the perfect way to get some much-needed 'me' time: sitting under the red light in a device that makes me look like Jason from Friday The 13th, my family are too terrified to come near me. What with Oasis about to reform, and the return of a new Labour government, it's starting to look a lot like the late 1990s again. There's just a couple of things missing this time round: my sense of hope for the future, and my glowing 17-year-old skin. Hurrah for Barbie's brilliant bare bump Margot Robbie, who is pregnant with her first child, is currently holidaying in Sardinia with her husband Tom Ackerley. Instead of swanning around in designer outfits, she's styling out her baby bump in undone shirts and drawstring trousers, like any other woman trying to deal with the heat in their final trimester. Yet another reason to love the down-to-earth A-lister! Advertisement Can't wait for the M&S style store Once upon a time, you did all you could to swerve Marks & Spencer's clothes as you made your way to the Percy Pigs. The style seemed frumpy, forever linked with the 'St Michael' brand of the 1950s. But something is changing: Sienna Miller recently did a much-coveted collection with the store, while my friends and I drool over the affordable, size-inclusive cashmere jumpers and up-to-date dresses. And now, M&S is set to open its first fashion-only store, in London's Battersea Power Station. Once it opens in November, I'll be there quicker than you can say 'Colin the Caterpillar'. She questioned if she was in the wrong for being upset at his decision She explained that although they live in the US, they are 'digital nomads' A woman has shared a furious rant about her husband as she detailed the fiery argument they got into after he invited his mom on a two-week couples' getaway without consulting her. The unnamed woman took to Reddit to air out her issues with her spouse as she admitted that she and her partner - whom she did not name - were 'digital nomads' who live in the US. In a thread titled Am I the A**hole, the exasperated wife detailed the rage she felt when she discovered her mother-in-law would be joining them on their couple's trip. She explained that she was 'completely left out of the decision,' adding that as a 'married couple' they should have discussed it together. The enraged woman questioned if she was in the wrong for expressing her concerns and revealed that her husband even threatened to divorce her if she didn't 'accept his mom.' A woman has shared a furious rant about her husband as she detailed the fiery argument they got into after he invited his mom on a romantic getaway without consulting her (stock image) The post was titled: 'Am I the a**hole for getting into an argument with my husband after he booked tickets for his mom to come on a two-week trip with us without asking me first?' She explained that she and her spouse loved to travel all around the world. 'So my husband and I live in the United States, but we're digital nomads so we like to spend six-month periods traveling abroad we traveled last year to Thailand and now this year we're in Brazil exploring the northeast then going south. 'We are Brazilians so our whole family lives in this country,' the woman said. She noted that they had planned to travel around Brazil on a romantic getaway. However, their loved-up trip was interrupted when her husband revealed that his mom would be joining them for two weeks. She explained: 'We're doing different periods of time in different cities. We already did Fortaleza (one month), and now we're doing Sao Luiz (10 days), then Maceio (two weeks), then other cities in the south then each of us are going our separate ways to be in our hometowns for two months. It's just me, him, and our baby dog, enjoying our mighty time as couples. 'However, just last night during dinner I found out that him and his mom decided BY THEMSELVES that she should come the entire two-week trip to Maceio. 'Two weeks, with my mother-in-law, in a tiny apartment. There is no going back, the decision has been made, flights booked and everything. The unnamed woman took to Reddit to air out her issues with her spouse as she admitted that she and her hubby - whom she did not name - were 'digital nomads' who live in the US 'Now I understand that him and his mom live in different countries, and they miss each other but he is going to spend two MONTHS with her in his hometown at the end of the trip anyways, so that's plenty of time to enjoy her company.' The anonymous spouse noted that she was angry that her husband didn't consult her first - adding that they should have discussed it before he purchased the tickets. She added: 'My point is: I was completely left out of the decision. I believe as a married couple you should consult each other first before making decisions like this. Maybe asking, "Babe, would you be ok if I brought my mom along to Maceio? For the whole two weeks?"' The Reddit user noted that she would have been okay with her husband's mom coming for one week, however, she was hurt that he didn't even think to ask her for her input. She added: 'This is a huge lack of respect for me because it shows that my opinion doesn't matter and that he's gonna do whatever he wants regardless of what I think and how I feel. As if I just had to suck it up and accept it.' At the end of the post, she revealed that their argument took a shocking turn when she confronted her husband about it and that he even threatened to divorce her if she didn't accept that his mother was joining them. She added: 'So this is what happened when I found out: Immediately I got into an argument with him during dinner (I was very discreet) where I was clearly angry. I was telling him how upset and offended I am that I was completely left out of the decision. People on the web flooded the comments section and ran to the woman's defense as they slammed her husband 'He got extremely offended that I wasn't 100 per cent happy and excited that his mom is spending the two weeks with us (he believes I should be, even though it was a surprise to me), and he even went as far as physically removing his wedding band as a way of showing 'either you accept my mom or we can go our separate ways.' 'Later after dinner he even said things like "if you and I get divorced we're sharing Penny (our dog)." LIKE???!!!! Excuse me, sir?!' The unnamed woman then questioned if she was an 'a**hole' for sparking an argument about the situation. People on the web flooded the comments section and ran to the woman's defense as they slammed her husband. One person said: 'It sounds to me like he's going to the extreme so she'll back down. This is incredibly manipulative. And there IS "going back." They may lose money but this is not a done deal. It may be for their marriage though. This man has zero respect for OP and that is a real relationship killer.' Someone else added: 'Not the a**hole. This dude is an a**hole. First for not asking you if his mom could travel with and second for his over the top, stupid and petty theatrics. 'Taking off his wedding ring? Giving you ultimatums? Asking about shared custody of your dog? Girl f**k that noise. I seriously would not travel with them. This is beyond petty, cruel and controlling. He's telling you to do what his wants without question or he will divorce you. This is not a kind person. F**k him and his mom. I'd change my ticket and go back home. This is just too much disrespect for me.' Another user wrote: 'If you can, keep the dog. Leave the husband.' 'Give him the divorce he wants. The lack of respect is disgusting. Not the a**hole,' someone else added. One user commented: 'Call his bluff. Get those divorce papers. He doesn't value you or your marriage if he's willing to use it as a bargaining chip.' Jenna Ortega is putting her best (and highest!) foot forward while promoting the second movie in the Beetlejuice franchise. For all her red carpet appearances, the 21-year-old has been channeling her onscreen character in the finest designer labels, including Dior Haute Couture and Paul Smith. Inspired by looks from the first film, Jenna has reimagined gothic glamour with a more modern and youthful spin. And while we're loving it, what's really caught our attention is what's on her feet! To elongate her pint-sized frame, the 5' 1" beauty has been rocking extremely tall shoes, many of which have been custom designed for her. At the UK premiere, she stood tall in Brandon Blackwood open-toe pumps boasting a 5.75 inch heel height and a whopping 3.5 in platform! Jenna Ortega was spotted wearing custom Steve Madden mary jane heels while promoting 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' The Steve Madden design was inspired by Tim Burton's world, and feature a 5.75 heel height and 1.5 inch platform. The actress was spotted at the first appearance for her new movie 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' in Mexico City. She wore an asymmetrical nude dress with black beading and tulle trim. On her feet were custom Mary Jane heels by Steve Madden featuring a 5.75 heel height and 1.5 inch platform. The shoes were selected by stylist Enrique Melendez, who shared, 'Steve Madden provided a wealth of materials and design options. After narrowing it down from four styles, we chose these fantastic black reptile Mary Janes.' The design was inspired by Tim Burton's world, with lacing up the back that echoes corset-like elements seen on many costumes in his films. Though Jennas shoes are not available for purchase, there are an array of similar styles on the brand's site. At the UK premiere she looked extra witchy in a two-tone floor-length skirt and matching corset The Brandon Blackwood 'Sali Pump' in black suede boasts a 5.75 inch heel and 3.5 inch platform It's clear that Jenna has mastered the art of walking in sky-high shoes. At the UK premiere she looked extra witchy in a two-tone floor-length skirt and matching corset. She carried out the themed press tour with black velvet opera gloves and a replica of the Beetlejuice house in handbag form. On her feet were the Brandon Blackwood 'Sali Pump' in black suede boasting a 5.75 inch heel and 3.5 inch platform! They are currently on sale for $182 on the Brandon Blackwood site. The day before, the young actress turned heads in a Dior Haute Couture tulle gown and added inches to her stature in custom Jimmy Choo 'Max' Platforms. The Max features a 6 inch heel and 2 inch platform. She carried out the themed press tour with black velvet opera gloves and a replica of the Beetlejuice house in handbag form The young actress turned heads in a Dior Haute Couture tulle gown and custom Jimmy Choo 'Max' Platforms At the photocall in Venice, Jenna looked sleek and chic in a maroon Paul Smith double-breasted suit and diamond Effy jewelry. On her feet were custom designed boots by Steve Madden, boasting a 5.75 heel height and 1.5 inch platform. Her stylist Enrique Melendez, said 'the black reptile texture references the iconic Beetlejuice snake from the original movie.' Jenna Ortega was spotted wearing custom Steve Madden boots on Wednesday (August 28) at The Venice Film Festival Jenna's stylist Enrique Melendez, said 'the black reptile texture references the iconic Beetlejuice snake from the original movie' Earlier this month she was spotted all over New York City in dark looks accessorized with statement-making heels A true fashionista, she appears professional for all of her appointments favoring tailored pieces with edgy design elements Earlier this month she was spotted all over New York City in dark looks accessorized with statement-making heels. A true fashionista, she appears professional for all of her appointments favoring tailored pieces with edgy design elements. And she's no stranger to being sartorially inspired by the roles that she plays. In an interview with The Cut last year, she said she only wore black while filming season one of 'Wednesday.' An American influencer who moved to the UK from America has revealed the everyday differences that drive her 'crazy' - including the baffling way British people hang up the phone. Mary Skinner moved from Virginia to Edinburgh three months ago as her husband is Scottish. Despite loving many aspects of British life - including meal deals and trains - Mary was quick to pick up on a couple of changes that were less than ideal. The 26-year-old, who has 1.4 million followers on TikTok, quickly racked up 450,000 views for her video exploring the everyday differences between British and American life. 'Here are the things I was surprised to learn about the day to day life in Scotland,' she told fans in a TikTok video, adding: 'I'm starting off with a couple of things that drive me crazy.' Mary Skinner has shared the daily things that have driven her 'crazy' since moving from the US to the UK First on Mary's list was her frustration that her bathroom light switch was outside the room. She explained: 'The number of times that I have gotten into a bathroom, closed the door and stood there in complete darkness, pawing my way around the wall, trying to find a light switch that isn't there is embarrassing. 'That feels like something that doesn't need to differ from country to country. That feels like we could standardise it.' She also disliked that UK bathrooms lack proper plug sockets, only occasionally having an outlet for shavers. Mary continued: 'There's no real ones so you can't plug in any bathroom appliances! You have to go outside of the bathroom! 'I know it's a safety thing, but it's actually p***ing me off thinking about it. Like I'm starting to get angry.' Her next gripe was with the very British way that people hang up the phone, which 'most people don't even realise they're doing'. 'If you get off the phone with someone and they hang up in Scotland, they say bye bye! Bye bye bye bye,' Mary explained. @mary_skinner will never take an electrical outlet in the bathroom for granted again Products: @Charlotte Tilbury flawless filter @Typology Paris tinted serum @Kosas concealer @meritbeauty cream bronzer @Laura Mercier translucent powder @hudabeautyshop cherry blossom powder @Hourglass Cosmetics ambient lighting bronzer @Haus Labs by Lady Gaga rose quartz blush original sound - Mary Despite loving many aspects of British life - including meal deals and trains - Mary was quick to pick up on a couple of changes that were less than ideal 'They "bye bye" and then they say "bye" four or five times, really quickly.' Fans rushed to the comments to express their fascination at the nuances of British life. They wrote: 'As an American in the UK, I understand WHY electrical outlets in the bathroom is dangerous but Im like HOW did I survive in the US for so long without being shocked'; 'girl the bathroom light thing is so real. like ok guess I'll sit here in the darkness'; 'ngl the lights one varies from building to building in the UK'; 'The no bathroom outlets actually makes me genuinely furious. Getting hair all over my bedroom when I blow dry it sends me in to a rage'; 'American here who used to live in Ireland and I miss the byebuhbyebyebuhbye so much'; 'The bye bye bye bye thing is a Scottish thing?! I worked with a woman from Scotland and always just thought she was eager to end the phone call.' Fans rushed to the comments to express their fascination at the nuances of British life She also disliked that UK bathrooms lack proper plug sockets, only occasionally having an outlet for shavers Despite some frustrations, many aspects of the UK have impressed Mary, as she went on to praise the 'amazing' train systems, and the 'privacy' of UK public toilets. She also professed a love for Scottish tap water, explaining: 'Scottish tap water tastes better than most bottled waters I've tried. It's weirdly good. It tastes so crisp and so clean.' Mary also admitted she loves a meal deal, saying the concept is 'class'. She said: 'It's a big thing. There's different entree options but usually you'll get like a sandwich, another entree and a drink. I love meal deals - I think they're class, they're like a good price, you can get them anywhere.' She did however take issue with some British sandwich fillings, including tuna and sweetcorn, which she described as 'culturally, a surprise'. Of prawn cocktail she added: 'I feel like when you move to a new country, you have to take a "try everything once" kind of mindset. I can't get behind this one.' I still havent decided what Im wearing to my wedding, I lamented to a friend as we sunbathed in the park. Your what? she replied, hand on my arm with concern. Realising what Id said, I replied: Oh dear, its going to my head a little, isnt it? Because there was no wedding. Nor was there an engagement, let alone a groom. Hell, there wasnt even a boyfriend. But there was a 30th birthday party, which Id planned with the grandeur of a wedding. Last year, aged 29, as more of my friends were throwing lavish parties to mark their married status, I felt a twinge of jealousy. I wanted to be celebrated, to enjoy a big party surrounded by my loved ones, even if I wasnt going to make it down the aisle any time soon. So in honour of my 30th birthday, I decided to throw one showstopper of an event with all of the pomp and pageantry reserved for brides and grooms. It would last an entire weekend. There would be speeches. A sit-down dinner. Cocktails, canapes, and an enormous cake. Id even wear white. Having her cake and eating it, Olivia Petter at her extravagant 30th birthday bash All this might sound a little silly, even mad perhaps aptly, the theme for the party was Mad Hatter but there was a serious point. A lot of my friends are married some have children. This means that in the last few years, Ive spent a fair amount of time (and money) travelling to various celebrations for which society tells us we must pull out all the stops, even if you barely know your friends spouse-to-be. The second the invitation lands on your doormat, youre expected to clear your diary a year in advance. Wear a fancy but respectable outfit. Pay for a hotel room in a town youve never heard of. Post photos of people throwing confetti on Instagram. Buy train tickets. And so on. I dont resent any of this, nor am I anti-marriage. Ive loved every wedding Ive been to, regardless of how far Ive had to travel and how much money Ive had to spend the most expensive was 1,000 for a three-day event in the south of France. But having been single for the last two years, Ive started to wonder why we reserve this degree of commitment for couples saying I do. What are single people left with? Which occasions warrant the same degree of celebration? When do we get our chance to shine? The answer is never. Not unless you go on to find someone to marry you. Only then will you be entitled to the same levels of attention and adoration. Its all a bit archaic, really, creating a social hierarchy with couples perched on the top tier, sipping champagne and eating oysters, while single people flail around at the bottom, glugging warm white wine. After a difficult few months a combination of health scares, work stress and romantic malaise I decided that a taste of the top-tier life would be nice. Hence my birthday-slash-wedding extravaganza. Olivia invited 50 people to the do, and asks: 'What are single people left with? Which occasions warrant the same degree of celebration as weddings? When do we get our chance to shine?' I found the perfect venue Montigo Resorts at Charlton House in Somerset, which is regularly used for weddings and enlisted the hotels wedding planner to help me organise the dream event. The plan was simple: guests would arrive on Friday evening for a rehearsal dinner-style night in the hotels restaurant before spending all of Saturday relaxing in the spa and gathering for a second night, when the main party would take place. I would stay in the bridal suite with two of my closest friends. Complete with a standing bathtub, private terrace and a four-poster bed, it was the ultimate birthday bedroom. For the invite, I used a website that makes digital wedding invitations, giving guests six months notice. I wanted as many of my friends there as possible, inviting 50 people. When I first told friends about my plan to throw a birthday like it was a wedding, a few of them laughed, presuming I was joking. Those who knew me best, however, simply smiled. I was pleased that many people were immediately on board, readily booking hotel rooms and carving out the weekend in their diaries. After all, Id done the same for a lot of them over the years. But it didnt take long to be reminded of my position in the traditional hierarchy. Many declined, some having already committed to weddings, others because they had young children at home. And a few just never replied. Out of everyone Id invited, just one officially RSVPd using the specially created email address Id provided. Then, in the weeks leading up to the party, there were the dropouts that made me consider packing in the plan entirely. In the end, though, I stuck it out. But work, family, and other commitments meant that just eight people ended up gathering for the Friday night, while 25 made it for Saturday. I get it, and peoples reasons were valid. But would the flakiness have happened if this was actually my wedding? There was a part of me that started to regret it all in the days leading up to my bash. Had I gone too far? But this sentiment faded on Friday night, when I was surrounded by some of my closest friends, laughing at an old photo album my mum had brought. We ended the night with a ceremonial Caterpillar Cake (Marks & Spencer, of course) and I woke up feeling eager for the big day. Getting ready in the room with my friends was a highlight indulging our girliest selves, we critiqued and complimented one anothers outfits while blasting out The Spice Girls. I fully committed to my role as pseudo-bride, having a pre-party massage in the hotel spa as well as a facial by beautician to the stars, The Skin Sculpter. Id also spent hundreds on five outfits for the whole weekend, including beautiful Bordelle lingerie. Olivia and her friends indulged 'our girliest selves' at Montigo Resorts' Charlton House in Somerset (below) - the venue for her plush birthday bash The first was a white sequin mini dress from Miscreants, a London-based brand renowned for its avant garde designs. Paired with lace bunny ears, white stockings, and a red jacket with fluffy cuffs on the sleeves, I felt like a cross between a bride and Bridget Jones at that fancy dress party. But in a good way. For the second look, I wore a bright pink tulle gown from my favourite designer, Molly Goddard if I ever do get married, thats the brand I would wear for the big day. And for my third and final outfit, I wore a sheer scarlet jumpsuit with cutouts on the front and silver heart-shaped buttons. As for the party, there was a beautiful stretch tent with fairy lights, balloons sourced locally, a floral cake and even some live music during the reception. For dinner, we had a barbecue, displayed on silver trays in true wedding style. Bespoke cocktails were served throughout the night. And my good friend Emma delivered a speech, pontificating about the joys of celebrating singlehood in a society that constantly tells women to do the opposite. To those who turn their nose up at all this, or call me a self-important millennial, I say its time to let go of your nonsensical traditional values. How much money have you spent celebrating couples? Why be so limited in your capacity to honour the people you love? Dont be so old-fashioned. It might not have been a wedding, and I did spend thousands on a single weekend, but my 30th was probably the happiest night of my life to date. To be surrounded by that much love and joy without even having to go on a single date was, quite frankly, wildly liberating and fulfilling. All single people should be entitled to a night like that. And who knows, if Im still single by the time I turn 40, I might do it all over again. The couple revealed that they put their romance 'on the back burner' Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes have opened up about their 'rough' relationship issues as they admitted they put their romance 'on the back burner' - two years after their scandalous affair sent shockwaves through ABC. The former Good Morning America host, 51, was exposed by DailyMail.com for having an affair with 46-year-old cohost T.J. in 2022. Since then, the couple has been embroiled in intense controversy over their relationship as their romance got them fired from ABC and saw them separating from their respective partners. Now, the lovebirds are revealing that their PDA-riddled love affair hasn't been all smooth sailing. During a recent episode of their podcast, Amy & T.J., they confessed that there had been trouble in paradise lately as they had made their romance 'secondary.' Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes have opened up about their 'rough' relationship issues as they admitted they put their romance 'on the back burner' The couple shared that they forgot about their own relationship because they became so focused on work. Amy explained: 'We are together all the time, but either we were with the kids or we were working, and we were working a lot, which is greatwe love to work. But we didn't get to have, like, us time. 'We work together and we are in a relationship together and we were friends before as colleagues, so it's a strange thing like you've got the work relationship and then you've got the romantic relationship, and the two actually don't coexist.' Her lover echoed her opinions and admitted that they didn't prioritize each other. 'We might be in an autopilot relationship, the relationship becomes secondary. We stopped making our relationship a priority, I think is fair to say,' he added. The couple admitted that the first day they had alone time after their romance was outed 'wasn't great.' Amy said: 'I think sometimes anything that's built up that hasn't been verbalized just because you haven't had the alone time to actually have true connections, it all kind of comes out in whatever way it does. So the first day was a little rough, but we're good now.' T.J joked: 'Ha, a little rough. It was rockier than the ocean waves.' During a recent episode of their podcast, Amy & T.J ., they confessed that there had been trouble in paradise lately as they had made their romance 'secondary' The lovebirds said that in an attempt to rekindle their spark, they booked a romantic getaway, however, it only made them even more frustrated. Amy revealed that she had booked their tickets and had accidentally listed her boyfriend's birthday as 1997 instead of 1977, which got him flagged by TSA. She explained: 'I clearly made the reservation, so it was completely my fault. So not only did I rob you of the TSA pre-check, I then got us flaggedor got you flaggedbecause I entered your incorrect birth year. ' While trying to help, Amy admitted that she ended up making the situation 'worse' by interrupting her boyfriend's talks with security. T.J. added: 'There's nothing to get onto you for, I know you felt bad about it. There was no reason to make you feel worse.' They admitted that although they can 'laugh about it now' and are more in love than ever, they didn't utter one word to each other during the flight. DailyMail.com exclusively broke the news that Amy and T.J. had been embroiled in a secret love affair back in November 2022 - while they were both married to other people. Amy wed her now-ex-husband, Melrose Place alum Andrew Shue, in February 2009, while T.J. tied the knot with his now-ex-wife, Marilee Fiebig, in 2010. DailyMail.com exclusively broke the news that Amy and T.J. had been embroiled in a secret love affair back in November 2022 - while they were both married to other people Amy and T.J.'s affair was exposed in 2022 - while they were both married to other people. Amy is seen left with her ex, Andrew Shue, and T.J. is seen right with his ex, Marilee Fiebig Soon after news hit the web that they were dating, both Amy and T.J. quietly separated from their respective partners, and were fired from their positions at ABC At the time, DailyMail.com obtained a slew of images that showed them enjoying late-night rendezvous and romantic getaways, holding hands in Ubers, and slipping in and out of each other's apartments. The TV stars grew first close after they both landed jobs at ABC, and when they became cohosts of GMA3 in 2020, their chemistry was undeniable almost immediately. They were often caught giggling to one another, partaking in sarcastic banter, and engaging in playful touches on the air - and their antics quickly turned them into one of ABC's most popular on-screen duos. But their flirty interactions and sweet exchanges seemed innocent at first - especially since the were both happily married to other people and seemed fiercely dedicated to their respective partners. In addition, Amy, once insisted T.J. was like a 'brother' to her - which is why when it was brought to light that they had secretly become embroiled in a romance behind-the-scenes in late 2022, fans were left stunned. The TV stars grew first close after they both landed jobs at ABC, and when they became co-hosts of GMA3 in 2020, their chemistry was undeniable almost immediately Following the respective divorces, Andrew entered a love affair with Marilee Soon after news hit the web that they were dating, both Amy and T.J. quietly separated from their respective partners, and were fired from their positions at ABC. Despite being shrouded in scandal, the couple put on a very public display of unity in the wake of the news - flaunting their love for the entire world to see as their previous marriages and jobs crumbled. It seemed as though they were relieved to not have to hide it any longer, and they began packing on the PDA all over the world while jetting off on a slew of lavish vacations together. They announced that they were launching their joint podcast in November 2023, writing on social media at the time, 'How's this for Instagram official?' before using the hashtag, 'Silent No More.' During the first episode one month later, T.J. and Amy reflected on the explosive scandal, but he insisted that their divorces from their respective spouses were underway before they began their romance. Following the respective divorces, Andrew entered a love affair with Marilee. The two have been going strong since - with insiders claiming that their romance is the 'real deal.' A content creator has revealed that she doesn't buy bottled water that has been sitting in the sun. Chicago nanny Kayle, who has not revealed her last name, has shared a short TikTok, in which she showed stacks of bottled water being sold for $6.99, outside a gas station. In her video regarding the 24-packs, she warned viewers: 'I may be crazy, but I hope no one is buying this water. Reason being - the sun shines all day on this plastic. Dont drink water that sits outside.' The influencer, who captioned her video, 'drinking plastic much,' inspired an important online conversation - is bottled water that's been sitting in the sun, safe to drink? Lead researcher, Huase Ou, who is behind the Eco-Environment & Health's study, has shared: 'Our findings provide compelling evidence that plastic bottles, when exposed to sunlight, can release toxic compounds that pose health risks.' A content creator has revealed that she doesn't buy bottled water that has been sitting in the sun (stock image) China's Jinan University scientists analyzed six types of plastic bottles that were sourced from Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Japan and China for their research. Pictured is Chicago nanny Kayle, who posted a video warning people against drinking bottled water that's been sitting outside The study included different kinds of water, such as spring water, distilled water and artesian water, and the effects of sunlight and UVA radiation on each. The scientists discovered that the water bottles emitted chemicals such as a highly toxic, as well as cancer-causing chemical, called n-Hexadecane and other carcinogens. According to the National Library of Medicine, n-Hexadecane, which goes by H304, is labeled as a 'dangerous aspiration hazard,' and 'may be fatal if swallowed, and [if it] enters airways.' Huase warned: 'Consumers need to be aware of these risks, especially in environments where bottled water is exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.' The director of the Johns Hopkins University Water Institute, Dr. Kellogg Schwab, has shared with Time: 'A chemical called bisphenol-A, or BPA, along with other things used to manufacture plastic, can leach into your water if the bottle heats up, or sits in the sun.' These toxic chemicals have also been linked to causing heart disease and cancer. Chicago nanny Kayle, who has not revealed her last name, has shared a short TikTok, in which she showed stacks of bottled water being sold for $6.99, outside a gas station (stock image) Lead researcher Huase Ou said: 'Our findings provide compelling evidence that plastic bottles, when exposed to sunlight, can release toxic compounds that pose health risks' (stock image) Although the scientists behind the study wouldn't recommend drinking the bottled water that has been sitting in the sun as your go-to, they also mentioned that the 'potential health risks' of doing so seem small. The researchers added: 'Considering the small mass of a single bottle, the volatilization of [these potentially toxic compounds] from an individual container would be insignificant. 'Even after prolonged exposure to light, the potential health risks associated with inhaling [toxic chemicals], when opening and drinking bottled water, appear manageable.' The heir to Denmarks throne, Crown Prince Christian will be taking a gap year before heading to university, it has now been confirmed. The 18-year-old son of King Frederik and Queen Mary will embark on an extended stay in East Africa next month, shortly after Prince Christian graduated high school, according to a statement posted on the royal familys official Instagram account on Friday, August 30. During his stay in the region, Christian will perform practical and administrative jobs while working on two farms, they added, but declined to divulge any further details about his four-month itinerary. On 4 September, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince will set out for an extended stay in East Africa, the statement read. There, the Crown Prince will be involved in the daily operation of two farms, which will, among other things, include practical and administrative tasks, and also give the Crown Prince insight into local nature protection. Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, who is first in line to the throne, will travel to East Africa in a few days for an 'extended stay' The plan is for The Crown Prince to return to Denmark in December. Queen Mary, King Frederik, and their children, daughter Princess Isabella and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, were all smiles at the future kings high school graduation ceremony that was held in Copenhagen in June 2024. The royal family put on a united front at the Ordrup Gymnasium in Gentofte, as Prince Christian participated joined his peers for a parade to celebrate finishing school during the festivities. Following his fathers succession, Prince Christian is now first in line to the Danish throne after his grandmother Queen Margrethe ended her historic 52-year reign in January. He celebrated his 18th birthday last October with a royal gala dinner at Christiansborg Castle, with royals such as Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, and Princess Estelle of Sweden in attendance. The heir to the throne (pictured with Queen Mary and King Frederik on his graduation day) will return to Denmark in December The Palace announced Prince Christian's 'extended stay' in East Africa to work on a farm on its Instagram account Prince Christians upcoming trip to East Africa will be part of a long tradition in the royal family, whose heirs are sent abroad during their youth to learn more about themselves and experience the world, the message continued. The statement highlighted King Frederiks 1986 expedition to Mongoliafocused on the nomads as well as a year-long stint working at a vineyard in California. His mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe similarly went on longer trips to East and South America in the Sixties. It is the hope of The King and Queen and The Crown Prince that there will be an understanding that the stay abroad remains a private matter from beginning to end, the family urged a respect for Christians privacy for the duration of his travels. For this reason, no additional details about the stay will be made public, the statement concluded. Fans of the royal family wished the Crown Prince a productive, private, and enjoyable experience in the comment section. I hope he has a wonderful trip! I spent several months in my youth doing internships in [the] southern part of Africa and it was very inspiring and educational! one person wrote on Instagram. Africa is incredibly exciting and educational, another translated comment read. [The trip] something youll look back on with pleasure. A third Instagram user added, Enjoy every minute of this amazing experience. Proud parents King Frederik and Queen Mary were beaming with pride at Prince Christians graduation ceremony on June 25, 2024. Queen Mary, 52, took pictures of her grown-up son, wearing a patterned grey shirt, white trousers, and slate-grey trainers for the function. He completed his outfit with a classic Danish graduation hat that is traditionally placed on the students head by family members upon completion of their final exams, Town & Country Mag reported. Denmarks Queen looked happy and relaxed in a summery ensemble, comprising a crisp white shirt and a floral, midi Zimmermann skirt. Meanwhile, King Frederik, 56, paired a navy blazer with khaki trousers and an Oxford shirt, as seen in photos of the royal family that were shared on Instagram. The posts caption read, Today it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's turn to experience the very special feeling of freedom that the student cap gives. But it's not only students who are looking forward to it. The Danish tradition also embraces family and friends, which could also be seen at Ordrup Gymnasium today. At the time, it was widely reported that the Crown Prince, now one of Europes most eligible bachelors, will be headed to university in August, while completing his military training in preparation to rule after his father. Animal lovers have been greatly concerned after Phill, the escaped water buffalo was shot and captured. Phill had become popular in Iowa, as he stole the hearts of neighbors with his spontaneous strolls and adorable front door visits. The water buffalo, who got his name after Pleasant Hill, had jumped on top of his owner on Saturday, right before he was about to be slaughtered. The brave animal managed to escape to freedom and roamed the streets, until Wednesday, when he was captured by the police department, after a caller alerted them to the situation. Police shot the animal in order to get hold of him, and he turned out to be in stable condition at the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital, before he was eventually transferred to the Iowa Farm Sanctuary. Animal lovers have been greatly concerned after Phill, the escaped water buffalo was shot and captured Phill had become popular in Iowa, as he stole the hearts of neighbors with his spontaneous strolls and adorable front door visits The Pleasant Hill Police Department shared on Facebook, that the animal was 'aggressive,' while they attempted to catch him. They shared online: 'Neither the collaborating animal control department, nor we, have tranquilizers, or equipment to handle such a unique situation,' therefore a gun was used. The Animal Rescue League has signed over the full custody of Phill to the The Iowa Farm Sanctuary, a place where the animals explore the fields and go swimming in the pond. Shawn Camp, who is the founder of the sanctuary, shared with USA Today: 'Im honestly so thankful for the community that has shown compassion for what is essentially a cow in the middle of Iowa. '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 Iowa Farm Sanctuary provided an update on Phill's state on its Facebook. The post stated: 'We have an update for you on the condition of Phill, who has stolen all of our hearts over the past few days. The water buffalo, who got his name after Pleasant Hill, had jumped on top of his owner on Saturday, right before he was about to get slaughtered The brave animal managed to escape to freedom and roamed the streets, until Wednesday, when he was captured by the police department, after a caller alerted them to the situation 'Phill was taken to ISU Large Animal Hospital yesterday afternoon, where he received immediate and thorough care from the amazing veterinary staff. 'The team conducted an ultrasound of his abdomen, and chest cavity to assess the damage from the gunshot wound. 'Thankfully, the results were reassuring - the shotgun slug did not penetrate his lung, or enter his chest cavity, which means Phill is not experiencing respiratory distress, or internal bleeding! 'His abdominal scan also showed no signs of internal swelling, bleeding, or evidence the slug passed through his outer muscle tissue, into the internal abdominal cavity.' The post continued: 'However, Phills journey to recovery is not over. The gunshot wound itself is severely infected, and the vets had to clean it extensively, even removing some necrotic tissue. 'Phills condition is currently stable, and the vets have decided to let him relax and recover from his ordeal, before conducting an X-ray to determine whether the slug is still lodged in his muscle, or if it has fallen out. 'The staff at the hospital have seen firsthand that Phill is not the aggressive animal many feared. 'Instead, he is a scared, juvenile calf who has been chased around in an unfamiliar environment, and then captured, leaving him anxious and frightened. Police shot the animal in order to get hold of him, and he turned out to be in stable condition at the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital Phill was eventually transferred to the Iowa Farm Sanctuary (pictured) 'To help Phill feel safe, his stall has been closed off to minimize stress, and allow him to rest, while his wound is treated.' The post concluded: 'Phills journey to safety has touched so many lives - our hope is that everyone who rooted for Phill, will dig deep into that feeling and let compassion preside! 'Let Phills harrowing escape from slaughter live in your heart so you may expand that compassion to all beings.' The post got more than 6,200 likes, 2,700 shares, and 553 supportive comments. One person wrote: 'Thank you for the update and for looking after Phill. So many frightened animals are labeled as aggressive, and it is very disconcerting that humans come to stupid conclusions. 'It is heartening to know there are sanctuaries such as yours, who get to know the animals for who they really are.' A second person commented: 'Thank you for doing the hard work to save and educate. We did not know about the water buffalo slaughter industry. We have so much gratitude for the work that you do.' Visited the new home for Phil the Water Buffalo. He is still getting medical treatment in Ames at Iowa State. @IAfarmsanctuary @ISUVetMed @WHO13news pic.twitter.com/DuApZSkPWZ Roger Riley (@rogerriley) August 29, 2024 The post regarding his health update got more than 6,200 likes, 2,700 shares, and 553 supportive comments A third person added: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! I hate to understand what these animals go through to [save] their existence. They deserve absolutely so much better than the torture and cruelty and suffering they endure!! 'Absolute horror. Thank you and live on Phill, and enjoy every precious day!! I will certainly pray for you Phill!!' A fourth person wrote: 'I am overwhelmed with emotion and in love with Phill. I'm also deeply grateful for all of you, for the depths of your embracing, and caring for this gentle soul. 'Look at that beautiful face! This is just the best ever and thank you for updating us because he's been on my mind constantly. 'The world needs more people like you, and those that have helped and cared. I will be contributing shortly with love and gratitude. God bless you.' The Animal Rescue League has also requested the custody of two more water buffalos from the property Phill escaped. Celebrity-beloved Australian fashion brand Dion Lee owes $35million to creditors after collapsing into liquidation. The high-end line was a favourite of global superstars, including Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, and entered voluntary administration in May after a partnership deal collapsed. On Thursday night creditors opted to put the business into liquidation after receiving no 'acceptable' offers to buy out the brand. Stores will shut in late September and early October. Antony Resnick, a liquidator from insolvency firm dVT Group, was appointed as the administrator for the brand. 'The second creditors meeting heard that while there had been interest from potential buyers of the brand no acceptable offer was as yet forthcoming,' the liquidators said in a statement to news.com.au. Major clothing label Cue Clothing Co, reportedly ended their partnership agreement with Dion Lee and also cancelled their investment in the business according to The Australian. Cue Clothing Co first became a partner with Dion Lee more than a decade ago and the company was also a shareholder in the business. The Australian franchise of fashion label Dion Lee has collapsed into liquidation after a major partnership deal collapsed (pop star Taylor Swift centre, wore a Dion Lee Crochet Corset Top at the SuperBowl in February) On Thursday night creditors opted to put the business into liquidation after receiving no 'acceptable' offers to buy out the brand (pictured Aussie superstars Kylie and Dannii Minogue wearing Dion Lee when they performed at the Sydney World Pride Opening Concert in 2024) Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dion Lee for comment. The business found renewed fame recently after pop star Taylor Swift wore a $650 Dion Lee Crochet Corset Top at the Super Bowl as she cheered on her boyfriend Travis Kelce. The clothing label was founded by the namesake designer Dion Lee in 2009. Stores will shut in late September and early October (pictured internet and TV personality Tully Smyth wearing Dion Lee at the Melbourne Fashion Festival Runway in March) The clothing label was founded by Australian fashion designer Dion Lee (pictured) in 2009 Since then the company grew exponentially, with six outlets in Australia and 160 stores worldwide, including a store in the US which opened in December last year. Mr Lee, 38, has also collaborated with Kanye West on a shoe collection and designed clothing worn by pop star Dua Lipa. Some of the accessories retail for as much as $A990. A young woman has called out Australian men for doing the 'bare minimum' when it comes to dating - and claims singles from her home on the Gold Coast are the worst offenders. Rachel Evren, who is 'thankfully' no longer on the dating circuit, blasted men for being too casual when it came to wooing women. 'I see the prettiest, smartest, most successful women struggling to date men in Australia because they just want bare minimum and it's not being given to them,' Rachel said. She argued that common dating courtesies were completely lost on the men who won't open doors, don't know the sidewalk rule (where the male walks closest to the road), won't plan or pay for dates and often have trouble committing. 'Girls are always getting ghosted or in a situation-ship, which is the stupidest term I have ever heard in my existence,' she said. 'It means I am going to stick around until something better comes by, how disrespectful.' Rachel endured every extreme - from love-bombing men to dates who were too lazy to plan something simple and just asked her what she wanted to do instead. She puts the Gold Coast right behind Sydney as one of the worst cities for dating in the country. Rachel Evren, who is 'thankfully' no longer on the dating circuit, blasted men for being too casual when it came to wooing women Rachel endured every extreme - from love-bombing men to dates who were too lazy to plan something simple and just asked her what she wanted to do instead 'Gold Coast men big note themselves and most of the time they're lying. My friends and I have lost count of the amount of guys that told us they're crypto millionaires,' she said. Rachel told FEMAIL that after years of putting up with lacklustre Aussie men, she has finally found love with an American who also values honesty and understanding. 'He's unlike any man I've met in Australia. He wasted no time asking me on a date and the first three dates we went on were all organised by him,' she said. 'He's very loving and caring whilst also being assertive and masculine. I had lost all hope in the Australian scene just before I met him.' Single women agreed with Rachel's take on 'brutal' dating life Down Under. Rachel has now found love with an American man who has lived in Australia for years, and who has no trouble holding doors open and planning dates 'It's tough out here,' one said. 'It's the worst,' another agreed. One woman said the situation was the same in the US, with Americans also fed up with men who won't put in any effort. A few Aussie men fired back asking what women were expected to bring to the table if men were supposed to go to the trouble of pursuing them, planning dates and then paying for them. Another claimed women in Australia had to rethink their standards which were just 'too high'. Rachel isn't the first one to slam the 'grim' Australian dating scene, with one Kiwi shocked at how bad things are Down Under. Annaliese, from New Zealand, expected a certain standard of dating when she moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. 'I live in Australia now and [the dating culture] blew me away,' she said. 'In my experience in New Zealand, the guys put in effort and pursue you.' 'They make you feel great and do little acts of service and it makes you feel fulfilled and great. In Australia, everyone's good looking but these guys only have their looks to offer and not much else.' READ MORE: Medical student, 26, almost drowned after he was shoved into lake A Florida mom has warned of the terrifying dangers of 'dry drowning' after her daughter swallowed water from a swimming pool. Annie Gallagher's five-year-old daughter was enjoying a summer day when she was submerged for just the 'blink of an eye' and came back up for air coughing. At first, Ms Gallagher thought nothing of it. 'She seemed okay and wanted to go back to playing, which she did,' the mother-of-three said. But later that night, the kindergartener crawled into her mother's bed, complaining that she didn't feel well. Annie Gallagher's daughter was just five when she suffered a 'dry drowning' incident Ms Gallagher said that while her daughter seemed fine at first, she later complained she wasn't feeling well and seemed tired 'Honestly, my first reaction was to send her back to her room for a good nights sleep because I was still up cleaning the house for the next day,' Ms Gallagher said. 'But something in my gut said "Dont do it."' Ms Gallagher rushed her daughter to the emergency room, where doctors found she had suffered 'dry drowning', a lung injury that occurs from inhaling water into the airways rather than swallowing it down the digestive tract. The child had suffered a lung infection called aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when foreign objects or substances enter the airways and irritate them so much that it causes an inflammatory reaction. When water goes into the airways, it cuts off access to them, making it difficult to breathe. '[Doctors] then determined that if I hadn't brought her in that night, the outcome would have been catastrophic,' Ms Gallagher said. 'She had begun to slowly suffocate as she drowned in her own fluids that were flooding her lungs.' However, the term 'dry drowning' is controversial. Though some online have said that it can occur from swallowing just a small amount of water, other health agencies have said that a patient must be fully submerged, which would not make it 'dry.' Dr Debra Houry, Chief Medical Officer at the CDC, said in May that drowning 'can happen to anyone any time water is present.' Ms Gallagher's daughter spent seven days in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. Doctors said 'if I hadnt brought her in that night, the outcome would have been catastrophic' Your browser does not support iframes. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), however, states that 'for a drowning event to occur, the child or adult must have been submerged in water.' 'Drowning cannot happen by swallowing water or simply playing with it.' Dr Purva Grover, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, wrote in a hospital blog that while dry drowning is not a real medical term, 'if you do have a near-drowning incident, symptoms can show up after you've left the water.' Even 12 hours later, you may suffer breathing problems as your lungs swell with water. Ms Gallagher's daughter was transferred to a children's hospital within hours and led to so much stress that the mother passed out and ended up in the ER herself. 'I couldn't believe my kid was in critical condition,' Ms Gallagher said. 'I wondered, "How did this happen?"' However, her daughter responded well to antibiotics and was discharged from the hospital a week later. 'Suddenly, the life had come back in her eyes,' Ms Gallagher said. 'Simply seeing my daughter get out of bed or her wheelchair allowed me to breathe and smile with her. She laughed for the first time in a week, and nothing could have been more beautiful than that moment.' The girl is now 12 and thriving, and she still swims regularly despite the scare. 'I want parents to know these things happen,' Ms Gallagher said. 'We cant put our kids in a bubble, unfortunately, but we have to keep living.' 'The best we can do is be aware of safety hazards, teach our kids, and watch their backs while they are still learning.' 'More than anything, though, as a parent, trust your instincts. Mine saved my daughters life.' Doctors are calling a change in law to allow at-home abortions after three months of pregnancy, following new evidence proving its safety. Research published in the medical journal The Lancet found women who had abortions at home after 12 weeks spent less time in hospital and needed fewer overnight stays compared to women who had them in clinics. The World Health Organization currently recommends women only have self-managed medical abortions before 12 weeks of gestation. In England and Wales, medical abortions, where women take two pills at home, are allowed until 10 weeks under the 'pills by post' scheme. Abortion providers called for 'urgent' change, adding that it was 'concerning' that the research, carried out in Sweden, could not have been conducted in the UK because of the current law, the Times reported. Research published in the medical journal The Lancet found women who had abortions at home after 12 weeks spent less time in hospital and needed fewer overnight stays Mifepristone is one of two drugs that form part of the 'pills by post' service allowing women to terminate early pregnancies at home In the study, 435 women who were between 12 and 22 weeks pregnant (five months) were given mifepristone in a clinic, which is the first drug used for an abortion. Half the women took the second pill, misoprostol, at home. They then went to the clinic two hours later so doctors could check the abortion was complete. The other half attended a clinic to receive both drugs and stayed throughout. Researchers found that 71 per cent of the patients who took the second pill at home spent less than nine hours in hospital and did not need an overnight say. However, 46 per cent of those who took the second pill in hospital spent more than nine hours in the clinic. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered pre-term. Their odds of survival vary greatly depending just how early they are born but medical advances mean those born at 34 weeks and above have the same equivalent chance at life as a baby born at full term Access to abortion varies around the world with some countries allowing full access though gestational limits still apply. Others only allow abortions on medical grounds or forbid it entirely. The UK is considered a European outlier, only allowing abortions on both health as and economic grounds whereas most of its neighbours are more flexible. Abortion access in the US has undergone a radical shift recently and now varies greatly on a state-by-state level The study revealed there was no difference between the two groups in the average pain score, the number of side effects, or rates of hospital admittance earlier than planned. Most women also preferred to take the pill at home, the study found. How have abortion rules in the UK recently changed? Home abortions were approved at the end of March 2020 by then Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new rules allowed women within the first ten weeks of pregnancy to take the first pill at home following a teleconsultation with a clinician. This was applied in England, Scotland and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland which only started permitting abortions from 2020. But in February, the Government announced the rule would be ending in August, with women again required to go to clinics to get their first abortion pill. Health minister Maggie Throup said the move would ensure the 'wellbeing and safety' of women. However, rebel MPs voted down the plan to scrap the scheme in March. After an emotional debate, 215 MPs voted to amend the Health and Care Bill to keep the service in place. These included 72 Conservatives such as Cabinet ministers Grant Shapps and Brandon Lewis and former PM Theresa May. Conservative MP Laura Trott said that keeping the service was 'a matter for human dignity, for women's dignity'. Advertisement '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,' Dr Johanna Rydelius, an author of the study from the University of Gothenburg said. She added that offering the choice to take the drug at home 'provides a safe and effective alternative'. Women can legally request an abortion in the UK until 24 weeks pregnant, but it is up to medics if it is granted. Under the 1967 Abortion Act terminations are granted on grounds of physical or mental health as well as financial reasons, such as being unable to afford to care for a child. There is no access to abortion on demand in the UK. A woman cannot terminate a pregnancy without cause, she must have reason. Abortions can still be carried out after the 24-week limit but only under very strict circumstances. These include the mother's life being at risk from the pregnancy or if the child would be born with a severe disability. Before 10 weeks abortions can be carried out at home out using only medication. After this period the procedure needs to be conducted in a specialised clinic. The 'pills by post' scheme, which started in 2020, is an at-home abortion procedure for pregnancies under 10 weeks. It consists of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken at least 24 hours apart. Women take mifepristone first. The pill blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain the pregnancy, from working. The second, misoprostol, contains a hormone called prostaglandin that causes the uterus to contract, triggering the abortion. However, under pre-pandemic rules, women took the first pill at an abortion clinic or hospital under supervision from a clinician. They were then able to take the second at home up to 48 hours later. Dr Patricia Lohr, director of research and innovation at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service told The Times: 'Women prefer to have more choice and control over their abortion. 'But for us, the more concerning fact is that the study could never have happened in the UK.' 'The law must change and it must change urgently,' she added. A London woman who splashed thousands on weight loss surgery was left fighting for her life after suffering a rare complication that left a gastric balloon stuck in her bowel. Alaina Shaw, 33, who weighs 21 stone, paid 4,500 for the procedure which involves swallowing a capsule that inflates in the stomach, reducing appetite. If all goes to plan, the balloon naturally passes through the body without the need for a removal procedure. But the former accountant says it felt like she was going to die after the balloon ended up stuck inside her after it moved from her stomach to her intestine. Ms Shaw, from Uxbridge, West London, said: I didnt lose any weight and thought I was going to die. I want to warn people about the dangers of getting this done. Alaina Shaw underwent a gastric balloon procedure which ended in a near-death experience The 33 year-old lost no weight after her gastric balloon procedure in November 2023 Ms Shaw underwent the surgery in November last year at a local private hospital after doctors told her she could lose up to 20 per cent of her body weight within four months. It was supposed to be a temporary thing - you swallow this pill, they fill it with saline solution, and they check on an X-ray if its there, she said. The pain began straight after the balloon was inserted. I was in a lot of pain - it felt like a foreign body, but I was assured that I would start feeling better.' However as weeks went by, Ms Shaw found that she was losing no weight, and her appetite was exactly the same. She decided to contact the practice, but claims they were palming her off. They didnt seem like they were trying to help me. I said it was becoming a joke - I wasnt losing any weight - I hadnt even lost a stone. A procedure revealed that the balloon had migrated from Ms Shaw's stomach to her bowel Ms Shaw is now seeking a full reimbusement of the funds from the clinic Ms Shaw demanded an appointment with the clinic but claims she was told she would be ill advised to give a young healthy woman an X-ray. Within a few days she was rushed to hospital while literally wailing in pain. At the hospital, doctors performed keyhole surgery and found the balloon had not dissolved and was instead lodged in her intestines. I ended up in hospital questioning if I was going to survive. I was in ICU for two days - I was scared I was going to die. After a two week stint in ICU she was discharged from hospital but was left in limbo as she had only just quit her job as an account manager to start her own dog walking business. It was the worst possible timing as I was unable to work for eight weeks - it really hit me financially, she said. Ms Shaw is now trying to get full reimbursement from the clinic. They were going to offer me 1,000 back - I didnt lose any weight and could have died! According to the NHS, in general, the surgery is a very safe procedure, though, as a relatively new operation, the long-term effects are as yet unknown. A spokesperson for the makers of the balloon said: safety and effectiveness of the balloon was well-established and said: We are committed to working with clinics to ensure that any issues are thoroughly investigated and resolved in line with our commitment to patient safety. The links between moderate alcohol consumption and an early death are 'exaggerated', according to a world-renowned data scientist. Statistically, the risk of drinking one beer or wine per day on your life expectancy is no higher than driving a car or eating bacon, said Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, a statistician Cambridge University. Many health organizations have been leaning towards a drier public health policy -the World Health Organization has said that there is no safe level of booze. But Sir Spiegelhalter told the BBC: 'Frankly I get irritated when the harms of low levels are exaggerated, particularly with claims such as "no level of alcohol is safe". 'For a start I don't think the evidence supports that, but also there's no safe level of driving, there's no safe level of living, but no one recommends abstention.' He said research indicated there were actually psychological benefits to drinking in small amounts. Researchers from WHO warned that alcohol use is among the leading risk factors for premature mortality and disability, with younger people disproportionately affected In the past decade, the tide has been turning against alcohol. A major Oxford University study released in June 2023 linked regular alcohol use to more than 60 diseases - including cancer, diabetes, gout and cataracts. In the same year, Canadian health officials released new alcohol guidelines for the country based on their review of the research and came up with a limit of just two drinks per week. Dr Tim Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research who was on the panel that set the new guidelines, told the BBC: 'Increasingly the evidence is tilting towards there being no benefits and that alcohol is essentially a risky substance.' And US officials last year told DailyMail.com they were considering shifting alcohol guidelines to no more than two beers a week in 2025. It's true that drinking in high amounts daily is bad for health, Sir Spiegelhalter said. But the average person is more likely a moderate drinker- having one or two beverages a day - and at that level of drinking, Sir Spiegelhalter said research shows the effects on health are very slim. 'Whatever the risks are [of having one or two drinks a day] we know they are very low indeed. And we also know they are incredibly difficult to estimate.' He called the Canadian guidelines, 'completely unnecessary. I kind of think this is tackling a non problem'. Further, telling people who are already drinking minimally that they need to drink less might make them distrustful of public health officials in general. Plus, he said, the argument to abstain for health often ignores a crucial factor of alcohol - it brings people joy. Statistician Sir David Spiegelhalter said that guidances that clamp down on moderate drinking are often exaggerated Sir Spiegelhalter said there is even a 'benefit from drinking at low to moderate levels, and that is never mentioned in these discussions.' These benefits are mainly social. People use alcohol to ease anxiety when they're socializing, or as an excuse to get together with friends they haven't seen in a while. Other times, people merely like the taste, and enjoy savoring a glass of wine alongside a steak dinner, perhaps. 'I think we should just accept that people drink for a reason - they actually enjoy it,' Sir Spiegelhalter said. That's not to say he's in favor of no guidelines at all. He said the current guidelines in place in the United Kingdom by their National Health Service are ideal. These include drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week - which would be like 14 shots of liquor, or six medium glasses of wine or pints of beer. This is similar to current recommendations set in the US - which say men should have two drinks or less per day and women should have one drink or less per day. There is still a risk at that level of consumption, Sir Spiegelhalter said, but it's roughly the same level of risk associated with watching an hour of TV a day or two bacon sandwiches a week. People still opt to do these things that pose risk to their health - like consuming high fat, high salt foods like bacon. Dr Spiegelhalter said: 'These seem to be imminent acceptable voluntary risks that people take in their lives. People are grown ups. They can make their own decisions on this.' Cheetos, Sunchips and some raisins could soon become things of the past in California's public schools. State lawmakers have passed a first-in-the-nation bill that would ban schools from serving foods containing six artificial ingredients that have been linked to low IQ, behavioral problems and cancer. The bill has now been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk which, if he signs it, would go into effect in December 2027. Supporters herald the legislation as an important step forward in protecting the health of California's children. It outlaws foods containing the additives Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 6 and Green Dye No. 3. The ingredients that could be banned are prevalent in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and have been associated with a host of medical issues. Red 40, as well as Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 contain benzidene, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low, thought-to-be safe, levels in dyes and can be found in products including Sour Patch Kids and Lucky Charms. According to the FDA, ingestion of free benzidine raises the cancer risk to just under the concern threshold, or one cancer case per 1million people. Consumers can find Red 40 in cake icings, while those who love baked treats like Twinkies will take in a dose of Yellow 5. Yellow 6, meanwhile, can be found in sugary breakfast cereals, including CapN Crunch. Red 40 and Yellow 5 have also both been linked to hyperactivity in children, raising concerns they may affect learning and cognitive function and, in turn, IQ. Blue Dye 1 and 6 have both been linked to hyperactivity in children, as well as allergic reactions. Some studies also suggest Blue Dye 1 may cause cancer or damage to organs at high doses. House Democrat Jesse Gabriel, who led California's first-in-nation ban on other food additives earlier this year, said: 'California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn. 'As a lawmaker, a parent and someone who struggled with ADHD, I find it unacceptable that we allow schools to serve foods with additives that are linked to neurobehavioral harms. 'This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and well-being of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives.' The bill has received bipartisan support, being voted through the Senate on Wednesday with 34 votes in favor and four abstentions. And Thursday, it was voted through the state House, with 70 votes in favor and nine abstentions. The bill AB2316 has also been co-sponsored by watchdogs Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Consumer Reports. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said: 'Dangerous dyes that put kids at higher risk for hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues that get in the way of learning should not be allowed in food sold in schools. 'Banning these harmful dyes from school foods will protect the health and well-being of kids in California.' Your browser does not support iframes. He added: 'Consumer Reports applauds Assemblymember Gabriel for introducing this critical food safety legislation and urges Governor Newsom to sign this bipartisan bill into law.' The new law would permit public elementary schools in California to serve only fruit, vegetables, dairy, protein or whole grain-rich foods to students. It would screen out foods containing the additives, as well as those where more than 35 percent of their total weight comes from sugars. The ingredients targeted in California's bill are more strictly regulated in the EU, with several banned in some countries. Across the EU, officials require products containing Red 40 to carry a warning label stating: 'May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. California is leading the nation in its bans on additives in foods, after passing a ban on four cancer-causing food additives in October last year. This will outlaw products from being sold in the state that contain brominanted vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye 3. It affects about 12,000 products and is expected to come into force in January 2027, with companies facing fines of up to $10,000 if they are found to be manufacturing, distributing or selling the products with those ingredients in the state. Experts say the ban has the potential to change recipes in products nationwide because of the size of the California market, at 40million people or 10 percent of the US population. Beware of chicken wings at your labor day barbeque. A man needed life saving surgery after a chunk of bone burst through his appendix and caused internal bleeding. The 77 year-old-man from Tunisia came into the doctors complaining about a dull pain in his stomach. He had no fever, changes in bowel movement or abnormal heart rate, which led doctors to suspect he had a mass in his bowel. But when they put him into a CT scan, they found a two centimeter long piece of bone - roughly the width of three number two pencils- poking out of his appendix, creating an infection that could've killed him. The bone, seen here as the dense white line at the center of the four, thin red lines, was lodged in the patients appendix Humans cannot digest chicken bones, but they are brittle, which means if swallowed, they may break off into sharp pieces that can puncture the soft tissue of the gastrointestinal tract Doctors had a hard time determining what caused this in the first place because the patient had no recollection of swallowing anything that could've lodged in his abdomen, the report in the journal SAGE Open Medical Case Reports said. They had to open him up to get the bone out. They removed his appendix, the chicken bone, sewed him up and sent him home after monitoring him for four days. Because the patient was elderly and had no teeth, it's possible he swallowed this piece without chewing, so he never even knew what was coming, the doctors from the Charles Nicolle Hospital hospital in Tunisia wrote. At a check up a year later, doctors confirmed there were no lasting side effects from the incident. Usually, when someone swallows something they shouldn't, the body can either push it through or it gets lodged in the colon or intestines, where doctors often opt to fish it out using a long-tube called an endoscope. Objects only get caught in the appendix in about 1 in 2000 cases. Sometimes, people with foreign objects in their appendix even have symptoms - which could explain how the patient only had mild discomfort. In about 11 percent of all cases where an object has gotten stuck in someone's appendix - people only found out they had the object in there when they were already in surgery for a different need. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the end of the intestine and its a bit of a mystery organ. Scientists think it might house some of the bacteria the gut needs to assist in digestion, but there doesn't seem to be much use for it. Some people are even born without them. People can live without an appendix without much of a difference. Which is lucky because a burst appendix is fairly common occurring in 280,000- Americans each year, according to the American Medical Association. After removing the 2 cm chunk of bone from the patient, doctors had to remove his appendix A burst appendix happens when a blockage in the intestines causes a build up of bacteria in the appendix that multiply uncontrollably, causing an infection known as appendicitis. Sometimes, this infection becomes so severe that the pressure from the bacteria causes the small organ to burst. If left untreated, a burst appendix can turn into a life threatening infection - leading to sepsis which spreads bacteria around the blood, shutting down major organ systems, according to Johns Hopkins . The Tunisian patient's appendix hadn't burst, but it had been punctured, and doctors found that the wound was infected, and could've been life threatening. Chicken is one of the most commonly consumed meats in the world. It's estimated an average American eats about 100 pounds of broiler chicken per year, according to the USDA. Humans cannot digest chicken bones, but they are brittle, and can break off when swallowed, forming into sharp pieces that can nick your bowels. As such, medical authorities recommend against swallowing the bones. The study authors said this case highlights the need for doctors caring for patients with odd symptoms to ask them about all factors that could potentially have contributed to their illness. The authors said: 'This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for atypical clinical presentations and the ongoing need for research to improve our understanding and management of this rare condition, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.' Pot luck: Journalist Charles Garside I have had a 55-year career in the toughest newsrooms of Fleet Street, including Robert Maxwells Mirror. But that was easy next to my struggles with useless firms blocking me from my OWN retirement savings, says Charles Garside. He reveals his experiences and how you can learn from them. We cannot choose the day of our arrival in this world, or (legally anyway) the day of our departure. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that there are actually only a couple of big date events directly within our own life choices. One: When to marry, though this decision can be made more than once. A former boss of mine is Rupert Murdoch. Five at the time of writing! Two: When to take your occupational pension. This is, Id argue, the only guaranteed unique, once-in-a-lifetime resolution we make, and it comes with huge consequences. Newsman: Charles Garside had a 55-year career in the toughest newsrooms of Fleet Street (pictured), during which he accumulated a myriad of different pension pots I was lucky enough to retire at 65 when the state pension kicked in, though people now have to wait longer. But I deferred the pension pots I accrued, having worked on many Fleet Street titles. Almost eight months down the line I am left seriously wondering if the pensions industry does all it can to frustrate, delay, obfuscate and generally increase the anger levels and blood pressure of their clients in the hope of hastening the demise of pensioners by shortening whats left of their lives. Clearly it would save them money but surely not? Perhaps I am just being the same cynical journalist I have been for 55 years. Nevertheless I now intend to live much longer just to spite them. Having given written authority to the adviser to collate disparate funds from eight or nine firms, some acted as though it was their own hard-earned money being sought. I do appreciate in this awful age of scams there is a real need for security but there is no need for abject failure to respond or for delays in sending out letters saying they enclosed questionnaires, which actually failed to include the questionnaire concerned. Further delay followed, due to returned questionnaires being lost in the post, despite copies being sent in the same way and on the same date arriving at their destination. Emails were unanswered for weeks from generic email accounts or from people on three-day weeks, or working from home, or away on holiday and not reading emails. The real problem was, and I suspect many readers will discover the same, a majority of my pots were no longer with the company I had dealt with, as they had been taken over. When I investigated one, I found it pretty well topped the list of complaints received by the Financial Ombudsman, on the latest figures I could find. Most complaints centred on delays, lack of response, lost correspondence, etc. Sound familiar? To be fair, a couple of companies were efficient while still taking proper precautions and a couple only contained enough money for an annual fish and chip supper but, hey, it is my money! Tycoon: In 1991 Charles was offered the job of deputy editor of The European, run by Robert Maxwell (pictured with his daughter, Ghislaine) I went to London from the north of England in 1978 to be news editor of the London Evening News, which closed less than two years later, despite selling 550,000 copies a night. It was losing 17million a year and made an incredible 1,700 people redundant. Like many young people the thought of pensions remained far off in days when getting and conscientiously doing a job was the overriding priority. Only once did pensions figure in negotiations over work. In 1991 I was offered the job of deputy editor of The European, run by Robert Maxwell. I had worked with his new editor, John Bryant, at The Times and agreed to be his deputy. Ratification of the appointment came in Maxwells huge office in Holborn. He was in shirt sleeves and mixing the drinks. He asked about my pension and raved about the quality of their fund, suggesting I see the man in charge: the ominously named Mr Tombs. I declined. By the time Maxwell mysteriously fell off his boat that year no pension payments had been made into my private fund, as agreed. Maxwell had plundered millions from pension funds in the biggest pension fraud in UK history. Thank goodness I did not transfer anything by way of Mr Tombs. So my advice is this: Pension time comes earlier than you think. Always send documents by tracked mail. Stay calm, take deep breaths. Remember: its your money, not theirs. Charles Garside news edited the London Evening News and later The Standard. He was editor and editor in chief of The European, deputy editor of the Sunday Express, managing editor of the Daily Mail, assistant editor of The Times, The Standard, The Mirror and MD of Radio Riviera in Monte Carlo. He also owned the Miller Howe hotel and restaurant on Windermere for ten years. Drax, the owner of Britains biggest power station, was fined 25million for failing to report accurate data about the wood pellets it burns to generate electricity. Regulator Ofgem said there were no excuses for the admission that it did not comply with requirements. The company has controversially received billions of pounds in state subsidies for renewable energy despite belching out millions of tons of greenhouse gases at its biomass plant. Polluting: Drax burns wood pellets at its North Yorkshire power station (pictured) and qualifies subsidies on the basis that the process is carbon neutral Campaigners want the Government to stop handing taxpayers money to Drax. But analysts at RBC said the closure of the investigation now paved the way for Drax to receive further subsidies beyond 2027. The 25million fine is likely to be absorbed without any risk to its target of a 995million underlying profit haul for the year, they said. Shares fell 0.4 per cent, or 2.5p, to 653p but are up by a third in 2024. Drax burns wood pellets at its North Yorkshire power station, previously a coal-fired facility, and qualifies for renewable energy subsidies on the basis that the process is carbon neutral. The argument is that the carbon dioxide absorbed by growing trees cancels out the emissions they produce when they are cut down and burned. Ofgem launched a 15-month probe after Drax was accused of using wood from unsustainable sources and claims that it was taking timber from rare forests in Canada. It looked into whether it breached annual profiling reporting requirements relating to the renewables obligations scheme and concluded Drax lacked necessary governance and controls. This means Drax misreported data submitted to Ofgem for the year ending in March 2022, and could not back up claims about how imports were sourced. Pledge: Drax boss Will Gardiner (pictured) says the company will invest to improve future reporting Drax will pay 25million into a fund to help charities support vulnerable energy customers. Ofgem chief Jonathan Brearley said: Energy consumers expect all companies, particularly those receiving millions annually in public subsidies, to comply with 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 type of Canadian wood it utilises. Drax boss Will Gardiner said: We recognise the importance of maintaining a strong evidence base and are continuing to invest to improve confidence in future reporting. Matt Williams, of US-based Natural Resources Defence Council, said: This shows how difficult it is to prove burning wood from forests is good for the environment. Theres one simple reason for that it isnt. 25million is a drop in the ocean compared to billions theyre asking for in subsidies. 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. 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. Small-cap tech pioneer Nanoco has slashed its revenue guidance for the year after losing a key European customer. The University of Manchester spin-out told investors on Friday it expects no further orders for its first-generation tech from an unnamed European customer, which has also served notice on a two-year joint development agreement for second generation products. Consequently it expects sales for the 12 months to 31 July 2025 to come in around 25 per cent below current market consensus of 9.5million. Pioneer: Nanotechnology is used in the manufacture of high-tech consumer appliances, but is also important in medicine and industry Nanoco shares were down by more than 30 per cent to 9.34p in early trading, meaning they have lost roughly half their value since the beginning of the year. Nanoco said the decision was 'not as a result of concerns with the performance' of its products and instead reflected the customer's 'own strategic priorities'. It added: 'The group will be negotiating end of project terms with the European customer. 'Amongst other matters, Nanoco will be seeking the removal of any obstacle to its direct pursuit of already identified small scale market opportunities. 'These opportunities include sectors such as industrial, defence, agriculture, security and surveillance, healthcare, and automotive.' Runcorn-headquartered Nanoco makes cadmium-free quantum dot (QD) technology. QDs are tiny particles, roughly 10 to 50 atoms in diameter about 1/1000th the width of a human hair that are capable of absorbing or emitting light of a specific predetermined wavelength. Nanotechnology is complex but it is an essential component of the modern world, used in the manufacture of high-tech consumer appliances like TVs and smart phones, as well as in medicine and industry. It is forecast that the QD and QD display market will be worth $13.1billion by 2030. Nanoco last year received a $150million settlement after a lengthy legal spat with tech giant Samsung, which it alleged had stolen its unique patented techniques to create the tiny specialist semiconductors. Samsung denies these claims. Outgoing chief executive Brian Tenner told This is Money earlier this year the group had turned a corner after the settlement, and was in its strongest commercial and financial position in its history. It followed the agreement of Nanoco's first major commercial production order for two first-generation materials for use in infra-red sensing applications in electronic devices. Nanoco had also agreed development partnerships with STMicro a leading supplier of sensors to the smart phone market and an 'important Asian chemical customer'. Tenner, who last month announced his intention to leave once a replacement is found, had been the target of an attempted shareholder rebellion calling for his removal after the size of the Samsung settlement disappointed some investors. Non-executive chairman of Nanoco Christopher Richards said that while the loss of the European customer is 'obviously disappointing', it 'reflects the nature of high technology supply chains for consumer electronics'. He added: 'Smaller scale opportunities are available for this technology in the short to medium term and we aim to address those niche markets directly and in partnership with other companies. 'We also continue to work with our Asian customer in developing our second generation sensing materials, with commercial potential over the medium term. 'The group's strong balance sheet provides us with the financial stability to continue this development work and our new business development activities.' Challenger stock exchange Aquis has clocked up a raft of wins this year, from outpacing AIM in terms of new IPOs - numerically speaking, if not by sheer volume - to securing new technology clients at home and abroad, including the Central Bank of Colombia. The exchanges share price similarly escalated to highs not seen since early 2022, peaking at 500p in July. Unfortunately, a profit warning crashed the party this week, as Aquis disclosed that full-year results will suffer 1million worth of damage from the non-renewal of a historical contract in its technology segment. Update: Aquis disclosed that full-year results will suffer 1m worth of damage from the non-renewal of a historical contract Chief executive Alasdair Haynes took it on the chin, stating: 'Whilst it is disappointing that our near-term trading has been impacted by a single contract, I am pleased with the progress that we continue to make in establishing the foundations to deliver our strategic objectives.' Aquis is as much of a technology provider to other market makers than it is an equities exchange in its own right. Despite the setback, the AIM-listed group said it intends to ramp up investment in this technology division, which Panmure Liberum reckons underscores the 'longer-term opportunities for the business.' But that was not enough to fend off an 18 per cent fall in its share price. The broader AIM All-Share Index was ticking along nicely until Wednesday, when stocks across the board took a whacking. Labour leader Keir Starmer made not-so-subtle hints of impending tax hikes in the October budget, giving us a spoiler alert that the budget will be 'painful.' For some more than others though- those 'with the broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest burden', he remarked. Cue financial services stocks taking a tumble. AIM entered Friday 0.5 per cent lower from the previous Fridays close, an underwhelming result compared to the 0.8 per cent gain on the FTSE 100. The blue-chip index was supported by strong performances from a diverse set including Bunzl, easyJet and BAE. Nanoco Group plc, the London-listed supplier of materials used in infrared sensing applications, plummeted by a third after announcing the loss of a key European customer. Broker Peel Hunt took no prisoners in its assessment of the news: 'With this strategic shift, Nanocos chances of commercialisation fall to zero in 2025, resulting in the company expecting revenues to be 25 per cent below consensus, and shifting down from a low starting point for the outer years.' The broker said there is 'potential for Nanoco to be used in a reverse takeover.' Audio interface maker Focusrite plc was the latest to warn on Red Sea disruptions as associated shipping costs. 'Product introductions were planned for the final quarter but the benefit of these has been offset in August by a significant reduction in stocking policy by a major reseller,' it said in a trading statement. Shares bombed 18 per cent. Quiz plc shares also tumbled 18 per cent on Thursday after the online fashion retailer revealed ongoing struggles, which has seen it turn to its founder and largest shareholder for financial help. The company reported a 5.2million loss for the year ending March, compared to a 2.3million profit the previous year. Liquidity shrank significantly, with cash reserves falling to just 300,000. To stabilise the business, Quiz is in discussions with Tarak Ramzan for a 1 million loan. Among the biggest fallers in the mining sector were nickel minnow Uru Metals Ltd, off 29 per cent; Critical Metals plc, off 35 per cent following an operational update; and Tertiary Minerals plc, off 21 per cent after announcing that a Swedish mining concession had been refused. On the contrary, small-cap coal miner Bisichi Mining plc had a ripper, flying 46 per cent higher on Friday in response to a glittering half-year report. This also benefited 42 per cent share owner London & Associated Properties plc, which rallied around 29 per cent on the prospect of tasty dividends from Bisichis mounting cash position. Earnings per share escalated to 18.33p, from a 3.18p loss in the first half of 2023. Bisichi attributed this to 'a significant improvement in mining production and lower mining costs at Black Wattle Colliery, the Groups South African mining operation.' Greenroc Mining plc added 29 per cent as investors applauded the acquisition of land for a sustainable industrial park in southern Norway. In the biotech sector, Faron Pharmaceuticals Limited led the charge with a 19 per cent gain after receiving fast-track approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead candidate, bexmarilimab, which is designed to treat relapsed or refractory myelodysplastic syndrome (r/r MDS) in combination with azacitidine. Peel Hunt called bexmarilimab 'a very exciting asset on the oncology landscape.' The Biden-Harris administration is cherry picking U.S. Customs and Border Protection data to fit their narrative that immigration issues are improving ahead of the election, according to a former Border Patrol agent. Recent immigration data shows that the numbers of migrant encounters are dropping from record highs months ago, but that is not the entire picture, National Border Patrol Council Vice President Art Del Cueto, told DailyMail.com. 'The reality is, the numbers have dropped, but [the Biden administration] has played with the numbers somewhat,' he charged. 'The encounters [have dropped], as opposed to the "gotaways." No one really knows the gotaways,' he said, calling it the 'biggest issue' facing the nation. Known 'gotaways' are migrants who entered the U.S. without being apprehended by authorities. And it's particularly bad in the must-win swing state of Arizona. 'This is ground zero,' Del Cueto told DailyMail.com. Gaining the support of voters in Arizona is key to winning the 2024 election - and Kamala Harris knows it. National Border Patrol Council board member Art Del Cueto walks with U.S. Republican Presidential Candidate and former President Donald Trump along the U.S.-Mexico border on August 22, 2024 south of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Del Cueto told DailyMail.com the White House has played with the numbers of official migrant crossings Del Cueto says millions have entered within the last roughly 3.5 years under Joe Biden. Immigration figures estimate that since Biden took office, there have been over eight million illegal migrants who entered the U.S. by way of the southern border. That number could reach 10 million by the end of his term. 'This is the number one area for got aways, and it has been for several years now,' Del Cueto told DailyMail.com at a Donald Trump campaign event in Cochise County, Arizona. But even with only roughly 58,000 encounters recorded by CBP in July, a low not seen since Trump was in office in 2020, many migrant crossings - if not the majority - go unaccounted. 'So every time that you hear gotaways, the answer that you hear from these [agents] is, 'potential gotaways,' or close to this amount,' Del Cueto clarified. 'They have two million [gotaways] is what they're saying right now,' he continued, citing numbers he was told from his sources inside the agency. 'But there's no way to really tell.' 'I mean, basically a lot of the two million gotaways that we count, it's counting footprints on the dirt.' Del Cueto advised Trump on what was happening along the border in the Tucson Sector during the former president's visit to the area last week Migrants make camp in Mexico just yards from the U.S. border wall as they prepare to cross and one looks out with binoculars While at the Arizona border DailyMail.com spotted several presumed human smugglers dressed in camouflage Along the border there were sections that appeared to be completely missing. Migrants were seen crossing over into the U.S. at the location pictured here A group of men from Nepal and Bangladesh sit on a dirt path by the U.S.-Mexico border awaiting a ride from federal agents. These men were eventually encountered by authorities and would not be considered gotaways Tracking the amount of migrants that slip through between ports of entry has been a notorious issue that has long plagued the agency. Migrants that appear on sensors or video but continue unchecked are also counted among gotaways. 'You count the footprints, and you tell me that you're gonna get an accurate number,' Del Cueto said. 'And a lot of times, that's what they're looking at.' Historically the agency has been able to catch roughly 40 percent of migrants that cross, but that number is internal and has not been reexamined in years. 'Before President Trump, in fact, we'll go back as far as before President Obama took over, they were saying that the effectiveness of what they were apprehending was 40 percent.' 'So 60 percent was getting away,' the former agent continued. If that figure was correct, it would mean that 60 percent of migrants that illegally cross into the U.S. make it in without being encountered by a federal agent. 'So there's really no way for them to tell how many are truly getting away,' he told DailyMail.com. Del Cueto charge the White House with 'playing' with the immigration numbers Border Patrol eventually picked up the group of men from Asia The remote stretch of border wall in Cochise County where Trump visited was 'dangerous' he noted at the time, and the former president's visit admittedly made him 'nervous.' The Border Patrol union executive used to work out of the Tucson Border Patrol Sector, the one responsible for the area. At the event along the border wall, Trump announced new death penalty policies for illegal migrants found guilty of heinous crimes at the event before leaving without incident. When he was tipped off at the event there was a local manhunt underway in town for a man that made death threats to the former president, he agreed the area was perilous and joked that he should leave right then and there. Migrants await a ride from Border Patrol in the remote reaches of the south Arizona desert A group of migrants from India wait in the shade of the border wall for a ride from Border Patrol There were 36 migrants who were encountered by authorities along a small stretch of road from Sasabe, Arizona, eastbound on Friday August 22, 2024. It was just one of three daily routine pick ups from the remote area And the Border Patrol in the Tucson Sector as well as construction crews have been hard at work repelling migrant's and their cartel guide's efforts to breach the border wall. 'There are actually breaches on the wall itself,' he noted, indicating that cartels often try to cut holes to more easily smuggle people into the country. 'Every day there's more and more breaches,' he added. The mistress of a wealthy business owner has successfully staked a claim to his $40million estate after he left his entire fortune to his daughter. Sydney man Giovanni 'John' Angius, 85, died a week after testing positive to Covid in January 2022 and left his estate to his daughter Jenny. His lover Thi Quy Le, 61, and his granddaughter Natalie Angius, 34, launched separate legal actions claiming they were both entitled to his will. The dark and bloody history of the family was aired in the NSW Supreme Court and included revelations that Mr Angius began an affair with Ms Le while still married to his wife Laura Angius. Mrs Angius was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her $6million home in Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, in 2012, with Mr Angius' son Robert accusing his father of playing a hand in her death. Court documents revealed the married couple had a strained relationship, with an apprehended violence order taken out against Mr Angius five years earlier. Mrs Angius took her daughter Jenny to the lawyers in the same year to draft a will and protect her children in the case that she died before her husband. Mr Angius owned a smash repairs business in Waterloo, which is where he met Ms Le, who is 27 years his junior, in 2000. Thi Quy Le, the lover of wealthy businessman John Angius, successfully staked a claim to his estate She claims they started having an affair in 2003 while he was still married to his wife. From 2005 to 2008, Ms Le managed a pool hall business in Coogee, which was owned by Mr Angius and his wife. In February 2007, Mrs Angius confronted her husband at the business and alleged he was having an affair with Ms Le. The same argument kicked off again a month later at their home in Coogee, with Mrs Angius suffering injuries from a fall. She alleged Mr Angius had hit her which he denied, the Supreme Court heard. An AVO was taken out against Mr Angius on his wife's behalf and he was charged with assault. Mr Angius pleaded guilty but no conviction was recorded, according to court documents. According to a police report, Robert allegedly confronted Ms Le at his father's smash repairs business and told her 'get out of the shop in Coogee' in May 2007. An AVO was taken out against Robert on behalf of Ms Le, court documents read. In June 2007, Ms Le was also granted an interim AVO against Mrs Angius, which was in place for two years. Pictured is the home where Laura Angius was found dead at the bottom the stairs in Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs Mr and Mrs Angius eventually separated in 2011, which caused a major rift in the family. Mr Angius' daughter Jenny took his side, while his son Robert took the side of his mother, according to court documents. Mr Angius wrote his final will in April 2021, with neither Ms Le or Natalie listed as beneficiaries. Following his death on January 31, 2022, a funeral was held on February 5 with both Ms Le and Natalie in attendance. Less than a week after the funeral, Ms Le launched proceedings for her stake in the claim. Natalie commenced proceedings a little less than a year later in January 2023. In her evidence to the court, Natalie had claimed that during a visit to see her grandfather when he was ill in hospital in June 2021, he told her his will had been 'rushed through' and 'I need to change it'. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014 and said Mr Angius provided her with regular financial support when she was an adult, including giving her cash when she wasn't eligible for Centrelink. In return, the court heard Natalie had helped her grandfather in the last five years of his life, doing things such as shopping, cooking and assisting with paperwork and administrative tasks. The 34-year-old lives at home with her mother and does not work, with her various medical conditions taking a major toll on her life. Ms Le's claim that she was living as Mr Angius' de facto partner was not accepted by Justice Mark Richmond, but he accepted they were in a 'close personal relationship' at the time of his death. According to court documents, between 2003 and 2011, Mr Angius gave Ms Le $1,000 each week as an allowance. He also paid for household expenses like groceries, as well as for Ms Le to go shopping, buy cosmetics, eat out and visit nail salons. Mr Angius also paid the bills of the laundromat Ms Le run, while also paying for her car insurance and servicing. He also gave her between $2,000 and $3,000 seven times a year on special occasions including Christmas and Valentine's Day. Ms Le had recorded conversations between her and Mr Angius in 2019 and 2021, to prove she was in a de facto relationship with him. According to court documents, one conversation was of the pair discussing his will to which Mr Angius said Ms Le was 'very greedy', and also asked whether she 'deserved' to be included. Mr Angius was also known to refer to Ms Le as 'the Chinese lady'. The cases of Ms Le and Natalie were heard in court over several dates from October last year to February, with Justice Richmond handing down a decision on August 1. He ruled Ms Le was entitled to ownership of a block of units Mr Angius owned in Waterloo, which she ran as a laundromat, and $250,000. Ms Le had claimed she should be left with $31,000 to buy a new car, and accommodation similar to the house in Coogee owned by Mr Angius where she sometime stayed, worth $3.45million. She also asked for a 'cash amount to allow her to live comfortably in her old age'. Natalie, who also lives with incontinence and has a high risk of ending up in a wheelchair, was given $2.5million from the estate. Natalie had asked for $950,000 for a suitably modified apartment for her medical conditions, $100,000 for a suitably modified car and a sum sufficient to provide a buffer and income in relation to future medical and care needs. Mr Angius' estate was valued at $38million, and $29.5million after liabilities. A security guard has revealed he 'went through hell' after he was branded a racist for detaining a 15-year-old black boy in a Superdrug store and fears he may never again regain his reputation. Jake De-Geus, 30, said he was 'constantly depressed' and didn't leave his house for months following the incident back in March 2023. Even now the father-of-three fears the suspicions of racism will be 'hard to come back from', admitting it will be difficult to get back into security work as a result. Mr De-Geus and his colleague Edwin Hirst, 40, were working as civilian security staff (also known as 'rangers'), when they were accused of tackling a teenage boy in Superdrug in an 'unlawful and unjustified' manner. Mr De-Geus wept as he told jurors he wasn't racist, insisted they had been 'justified' in deciding to detain the schoolboy, who had refused to leave the store when asked, pretended to steal shampoo and then head-butted him. Mr De-Geus and his colleague were acquitted of false imprisonment and assault by beating of a teen at Portsmouth Crown Court this week. Speaking from his home in Chichester today, Mr De-Geus said he had been left in a 'dark pit' mentally and has 'crippling debts', having missed out on nearly two years of earnings. But despite this, he is feeling hopeful that he can return to working in the industry he loves. Jake De-Geus, 30, (pictured today) said he was 'constantly depressed' and didn't leave his house for months following the incident back in March 2023 Jake De-Geus and his colleague Edwin Hirst, who were employed to patrol a high street in Chichester, West Sussex, had been accused of tackling the teen in an 'unlawful' and 'unjustified' manner (a grab taken from the video) The father-of-three pictured at his home in Chichester today - he says even now the suspicions of racism will be hard to come back from The view greeted by police as they arrived on the scene with items scattered across the floor of the shop due to the scuffle The security guard admitted he didn't view the not guilty verdicts as 'justice' because there have been 'no repercussions' for the teens involved. At the climax to the week-long trial which he had been accompanied to by his sister, cousin and partner he said the emotion was too much to process when the jury announced its verdict after just over half an hour of deliberations. While giving evidence, Mr De-Geus had broke down in the dock as he recounted how the online abuse and accusations of racism had taken a toll on his mental health after a video of the incident in Chichester high street went viral. 'I broke down,' he said of his reaction, 'it's just my whole life. I took quite a few years to find what I wanted to do and security was my calling card. 'You can ask every store in town, they loved us and to have that all come crashing down - it [wasn't] nice. 'There are people who will think we are racist. It went national, so everyone knows. It's hard to come back from it, without me doing it all myself and going and speaking to people. 'In Chichester, I've got quite a lot of support but it's the rest of the country [that don't know].' He admitted the incident and its backlash had put a strain on his relationship with his partner. Mr De-Geus (pictured today) admitted he didn't view the not guilty verdicts as 'justice' because there have been 'no repercussions' for the teens involved Mr De-Geus (pictured today) and his colleague were acquitted of false imprisonment and assault by beating of a teen at Portsmouth Crown Court this week Mr De-Geus and his colleague Edwin Hirst, 40, (pictured during the incident) were cleared of all charges after a week-long trial at at Portsmouth Crown Court 'We went through hell,' he continued. 'We nearly broke up because of it. I went into a bit of a dark pit because of it all. '[She] had a call from social services because they heard I head-butted a child. 'I had to stay at my mum and sisters for a few days. I was constantly depressed and not wanting to leave the house.' Detailing the extent of the backlash he received from the video, he continued: 'It was pretty much all online I didn't step foot outside the house. 'I had to change my Facebook name because I was getting loads of friends requests and messages. The office was getting calls and threats about us.' Mr De-Geus revealed the abuse stretched as far across as America, where his grandfather lives, in the light of protests against police brutality towards black people after the George Floyd murder. However, the security guard has a four-year-old black son from his partner's old relationship who he has taken in as his own. 'Town ranger' De-Geus (pictured outside Portsmouth Crown Court) insisted they had been 'justified' in deciding to detain the schoolboy, who had refused to leave the store when asked, pretended to steal shampoo and then head-butted him The 'almighty struggle' in Chichester, West Sussex sparked outrage online at the time in March last year after a video of the incident went viral on social media (file image of the Superdrug store on East Street in Chichester) Hirst, 40, (pictured outside Portsmouth Crown Court) was also accused of assault by beating 'He is like my best friend,' he said, 'he knows me as dad. I was happy, had started having a family and then this happened.' On his son's knowledge, he said: 'He doesn't even know any of this. He thinks I've been at meetings all the days. One day I will tell him.' Mr De-Geus is born and raised in Chichester, so has been wandering the streets long before he started patrolling them as a town ranger. 'That's the worst bit,' he said. I'm so known to Chichester, this is the sort of city where everyone knows everyone. 'It makes me even more uncomfortable to go outside the house. I'm normally quite a strong-willed person, I have never been this sort before.' Mr De-Geus and Mr Hirst were both working as 'town rangers' in Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) at the time of the incident in March 2023. 'I lost my job,' he said, as BID 'got rid' of them both 'straight away'. I got really bad mental health I didn't go out for months. Having taken on door-work, the video circulated again and Mr De-Geus has now been out of work since last summer. Jake De-Geus (front) speaking to police outside the Superdrug store at the time of the incident Mr De-Geus (pictured today) hit out at prosecutors for the 'shambles' of a case and said it should 'never have got this far' after he was acquitted of all charges Mr De-Geus pictured today at his home said he is feeling hopeful that he can return to working in the industry he loves. He also hit out at prosecutors for the 'shambles' of a case and said it should 'never have got this far' after he was acquitted of all charges. Mr De-Geus claimed the CPS 'chuck out' lots of cases of stealing, leading him to question why his had been pursued. 'This was a shambles,' he said, 'it should never have got this far in general even my barristers said that.' On whether justice had been served after the not guilty verdicts, he said: 'Not at all. 'The fact there has been no repercussions for them doesn't sit comfortable with me, to be honest.' He revealed he will be looking to get back into the security industry, but recognises the difficulties he may face trying to do so. 'I have to reapply for my licence that has eight months left on it instead of three years,' he said. 'It has been a lot of strain on me financially and mentally. And then I have to see if there's a security firm that will take me on after all this. 'I can't blame them for not wanting to hire me.' He criticised former employers for leaving he and Mr Hirst 'in the lurch by everyone'. Mr De-Geus also urged the government to clamp down on shoplifting from youngsters, adding: 'I do feel the government need to speak up on this. 'The kids are running riot getting away with what they like it's just getting out of control. 'And us getting chucked into court does no good for anybody. It makes me fear for my boys growing up.' Donald Trump says he will end the Justice Department moratorium on executions on his first day in office, and use the full force of the law to go after major drug dealers and cop killers. The Trump campaign sees crime, in general, and Kamala Harris's record as a prosecutor in California, in particular, as areas where they can inflict damage on her presidential bid. And in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Trump laid out more details of his crime-fighting agenda starting with whether he would reverse the Biden-Harris administration's freeze on federal executions. 'Of course I would. I would have executions on major drug dealers,' he said when asked if it would be a day-one priority. 'I would have, perhaps, the raping of a child, the killing of a police officer. Donald Trump spoke to DailyMail.com at his Mar-a-Lago home on Wednesday. He discussed his campaign, policy and coming to terms with life after being shot by a would-be assassin 'I would have executions on the people that violently kill people.' Trump's administration restored the use of the federal death penalty in 2019. And 13 federal death row inmates were executed, before Biden's Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a halt in July 2021. Some 27 states have the death penalty on their books, although seven have also suspended executions. Trump has brought up the theme of tougher penalties for a range of crimes on the campaign trail to portray himself as the candidate of law and order. Last week he was at the border with Mexico where he highlighted the damage done by cartels and smugglers, and met with grieving mothers.. 'We have people coming into this country. I just left a number of them last week, as you saw. at the border, where their daughters were killed, their sons were killed' he said. 'Their sons were killed by thugs and migrants coming into our country, and they viciously ... they were viciously and violently killed and stuffed into garbage cans.' Trump said 'of course I would' when asked whether he end the Biden-Harris administration's moratorium on federal executions. The last executions came in 2021 when he was in power Trump was at the Arizona border with Mexico last week where he met with grieving mothers of children killed by illegal immigrants as he laid his crime and security plans Drug dealers responsible for hundreds of deaths should also face the ultimate sanction, he said. 'The average drug dealer kills 500 people during that person's lifetime. I would have no problem with that. If you're going to stop the drug epidemic, you're going to have to have a death penalty,' he added. Trump has used rallies and speeches to attack his election opponent, who rose from the San Francisco district attorney's office to become California attorney general, as soft on crime. Last week, at a Michigan sheriff's office, he called her a police 'defunder' and a pro-crime 'Marxist prosecutor.' 'Were here today to talk about how we are going to stop the Kamala crime wave that is going on at levels that nobodys ever seen before,' he said last Tuesday. 'She is, as you know, the most radical left person ever even thought of for a high office.' Trump has attacked Kamala for being soft on crime and wanting to defund the police. In return her campaign has pointed out that he has been convicted on 34 felony charges For its part, the Harris campaign has shrugged off his attacks, painting the contest as a former prosecutor against a '34-time convicted felon,' in a reference to the New York hush money case in which Trump was found guilty on all counts. And it accused him of lying 'about crime, which skyrocketed on his watch, about policing, which he tried to defund, and about the January 6 insurrectionists who attacked police officers defending our Capitol at his behest. 'Donald Trump cant bring us together so he tries to drive us apart. The American people will reject his failed leadership and divisive agenda this November.' Harris has enjoyed a bump in her poll and fundraising numbers since she became the Democratic nominee for president. But Trump said he had won a string of key endorsements and felt his campaign had gone from strength to strength. During the interview, in the gilded splendor living room of Mar-a-Lagothe club's most lavish reception roomalso slammed Harris for waiting so long to give an interview, and laid out his unease with Florida's strict abortion law. This issue is a tricky one for Trump as he tried to keep his evangelical supporters on board without alienating women voters. He has tried to keep all sides happy by saying abortion is an issue for states to decide. But he will Florida, where he lives, is holding a referendum on expanding access to abortion from its newly enacted six-week limit. He said he had made up his mind on the issue. 'Well, I do know, but I do want more than six weeks,' he said. '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.' A bombshell new documentary has alleged that 'Diff'rent Strokes' child star Gary Coleman may have been murdered and suggests the heinous act was done by none other than his own wife. The explosive claims are featured in Peacock's Gary, which premiered August 29 and delves into the tragic life and mysterious death of the child who captivated America with his catchphrase 'What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?' Coleman died on May 28, 2010, two days after a mysterious fall at his home led to intracranial hemorrhaging and cardiac arrest. Coleman's death at 42 was officially ruled an accident, but close friends are now calling it foul play - and placing the blame on his now-widow, Shannon Price. But his wife has consistently denied these claims, saying: 'I didn't touch himnothing happened.' A bombshell new documentary has alleged that 'Diff'rent Strokes' child star Gary Coleman may have been murdered by none other than his own wife The explosive claims come from Peacock's 'Gary', which premiered August 29 and delves into the tragic life and mysterious death of the child who captivated America with his catchphrase 'What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?' But Coleman's ex Anna Gray isn't buying it: 'I think Price's actions speak volumes, and I don't have to say much more than that.' The bombshell documentary takes a deep dive into Price and her actions on that fateful day. A chilling 911 call reveals Price refused to help her bleeding husband. She then fled the scene, claiming she didn't want to be 'traumatized'. Price didn't go to the hospital with Coleman and later pulled the plug after just two days - against Coleman's express written wishes. On top of that, Price even sold Coleman's deathbed photo - a move one friend calls 'depraved'. While there's no smoking gun, Gary' leaves viewers wondering if the beloved child star's death really just a tragic accident. While police may have ruled the death an accident, close friend Darren Nord calls the incident 'suspicious'. Coleman died on May 28, 2010, two days after a mysterious fall at his home led to intracranial hemorrhaging and cardiac arrest Coleman's death at 42 was officially ruled an accident, but close friends are now calling it foul play - and placing the blame on his wife, Shannon Price Long-time pal Dion Mial also said, 'We were absolutely stumped, because there were way too many questions with no answers.' His other friends Darren Nord and Brandi Buys, who knew Coleman in his last years of life, also said his death was suspicious. The documentary also delves into Coleman's troubled past, including claims his parents swiped millions from his earnings. Before his death, the actor was also attending his third hospitalization in one year, after suffering multiple seizures. The 4ft 8in star's growth was stunted by a congenital kidney defect and he had also had two kidney transplants. Coleman played diminutive rascal Arnold Jackson and his famous line, 'What you talkin' 'bout Willis?', became a pop culture catchphrase. But he was never able to recapture the stardom he enjoyed as a child and teenager. As an adult, he would appear on various shows, but much of his work went straight to video. However, he was still often in the headlines - mostly for the wrong reasons. In 2007, he was arrested after a 'heated discussion' with his wife. He was cited for misdemeanor disorderly conduct by Utah police. A 911 call reveals Price refused to help her bleeding husband. She then fled the scene, claiming she didn't want to be 'traumatized'. Price didn't go to the hospital with Coleman and later pulled the plug after just two days - against Coleman's express wishes. She even sold Coleman's deathbed photo But his wife has consistently denied these claims, saying: 'I didn't touch himnothing happened Two years later in July 2009, he and Price were once again involved in a domestic dispute in which his wife was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. His temper got him in trouble again in 2010, when he was arrested on domestic violence assault charges. That time, he spent a night in jail. Coleman lost most of his fortune in a protracted legal battle with his adoptive parents, who had control of his wealth until he was 18. By the end, he was left with just $200,000. In April 2022, actress Molly Shannon says she was sexually harassed by the late Diff'rent Strokes actor. The 57-year-old actress aired the allegations during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, going into detail about her harrowing experience with Coleman. His other friends Darren Nord and Brandi Buys, who knew Coleman in his last years of life, also said his death was suspicious The documentary also delves into Coleman's troubled past, including claims his parents swiped millions from his earnings Shannon said the incident occurred in 1987, after she had inked a deal with agent Mark Randall, who also represented Coleman. She claims she went to meet Randall and Coleman for tea at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, before being invited up to check out the Diff'rent Strokes star's Presidential Suite. Soon after, Shannon says their agent left the room - and it was at that point she claims Coleman's behavior turned predatory and 'relentless'. Shannon said that Coleman, who played the role of Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes from 1978 to 1986, initially appeared 'very sweet', inviting her to sit on a bed in the room before he began tickling her. 'Then, he was like trying to kiss me and get on top and I was like, "No, Gary, stop,"' she told Stern. Shannon said she eventually 'sprinted out' of the hotel room and cautioned her agent to keep a closer eye on the actor. Twin three-year-old sisters have drowned in a Texas apartment complex - just months after their brother died, according to several sources. Police responded to the pool at the Ridgeview Apartments in Sherman, about 65 miles north of Dallas, on Wednesday following a 911 call. The sisters, Elena Lalnun and Glory Ram, were found unconscious, underwater, by a maintenance worker who pulled them out, as reported by CBS News. It's unclear who was watching the children at the time but police said their parents were on the property. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation but are yet to name any suspects, or confirm whether either of the girls' parents is under investigation. One of the sisters is said to have been pronounced dead at the scene. Reports suggest CPR was attempted on the other sibling, who was pronounced dead on arriving at hospital. The sisters, Elena and Glory, were found unconscious, underwater, by a maintenance worker The pool at the Ridgeview Apartments in Sherman, Texas Eyewitness Carrie Curry told DailyMail.com on Thursday that she saw one of the girls floating and the other at the bottom of the pool. She said one of the two was wearing a pink blouse and diaper when pulled lifeless form the water. She added that she is shocked that the toddlers were able to get inside the pool, which has a gate with a latch. The Lungmili Post, a Myanmar newspaper based in Boise, Idaho, identified the girls and reported that their brother died earlier this year from an unspecified illness, citing a source close to their family. The family's church, Grayson Chin Baptist, held a service in the twins' memory on Thursday, and the Burmese community in Sherman has posted several tributes to the girls on social media. The family's church, Grayson Chin Baptist, held a service in the twins' memory on Thursday Helly Sui Len Tial wrote on Facebook: 'My heart is broken. 'Their son's death coincided with the death of my father... he was only 6 months old. 'Elena and Glory, may you rest in peace! May the Lord comfort the parents!!' North Texas has seen multiple drowning this summer, including that of as a six-year-old boy. Neil Fell had a heavy heart when he went to check on his Welsh mountain sheep on a warm August day last year. His father Brian had passed away from cancer at the age of just 62 and Neil had attended his funeral at the family's local church in the County Durham village of Brancepeth only two days earlier. Neither Neil nor his farmhands had done their daily check on the 800-strong flock grazing the land three miles from his farmhouse since the day of the funeral but, even so, nothing could have prepared Neil for what would greet him. Three hundred of his sheep 120 ewes and 180 lambs worth about 18,000 in all had been stolen. They had been removed, it later emerged, in broad daylight, perhaps at the very time that Neil's father was being laid to rest. Neil Fell has a flock off 800 sheep, but when checking on them one day discovered 300 had been stolen The impact has been devastating, not just in terms of the vast financial loss, but because the audacious nature of the robbery means it could only have been masterminded by someone who knew Neil would be burying his father at the time. 'The sheep being stolen is one thing, not to mention the fact that I was already grieving when it happened, but it's also the fact that it has to be someone who knew we weren't going to be there that day,' he says now. 'It just leaves this horrible seed of suspicion in your mind; have I spoken to the people responsible beforehand, or since?' Alas, Neil is far from the only victim of such brazen livestock theft: today, sheep rustling is on the rise, with the latest figures showing 2.7million worth of sheep, cattle and pigs were stolen last year a four-year high. It's a business increasingly dominated by organised criminal gangs performing targeted raids up and down the country and, all too often, thanks to the inevitable lack of witnesses to crimes committed in remote rural locations and a shortage of local police officers, the clear-up rate is a miserly 1 per cent. In Neil's case, a neighbour did actually see a lorry in his field on the day of the theft. The owner of the cottage overlooking his land had seen figures loading the sheep into a white lorry with a silver wagon attached in the middle of the day. 'If it was midnight, she might have raised the alarm but, as it was broad daylight she didn't think anything of it why would she?' says Neil. 'It was so utterly brazen.' Sadly, as the vehicles and their occupants were so far away, she was unable to give a detailed description of them, leaving Neil to ask local auctioneers to inform him instantly if they were offered any Welsh mountain sheep. 'I'm the only one in this area with Welshies so if they were being sold locally then they would likely be mine,' he explains. Unfortunately, none turned up and Neil now thinks that unless they were transported out of the area they will have been slaughtered, butchered and their meat sold on a thriving black market where a ewe can fetch 250 and a lamb 150. Fell's neighbour saw figures moving the sheep, but as it was daylight did not suspect anything untoward and raise the alarm Moreover, while he was compensated the 18,000 the estimated cost of the sheep at market by the National Farmers' Union's insurance wing NFU Mutual, he believes that if he had been able to rear the lambs and sell them at a more mature age, he could have made almost double. 'In farming terms that's a huge amount,' he says. 'It adds a lot more stress to my life, which I can do without. I've still got bills to pay; we're struggling to do that.' Like all sheep over a year old, Neil's Welshies had electronic ear tags, but they are easily removed and replaced with new ones, while lambs under a year old remain untagged. It means that tracing a stolen sheep is well nigh impossible. Fellow farmer Neil Cole, who runs a tenanted farm in Devon, explains that even in a legitimate slaughterhouse the sheer volume of livestock coming across their path means it can be hard for them to keep track. 'A slaughterhouse can be killing as many as 5,000 or 10,000 lambs a day,' says the 52-year-old. 'In theory, the movement forms you have to fill in when animals are sold or slaughtered should tally with the ear tags from any lambs over a year, but you can easily remove and replace ear tags. There are all sorts of illegal markets for meat and if someone moves stolen stock from one area to be slaughtered in another it is easy to conceal where animals have come from.' Along with his brother Matthew and daughter Ida, Neil Cole's family has grazed 2,500 acres on Dartmoor, as well as the common land from their Duchy of Cornwall-tenanted farm between Tavistock and Princetown for decades and lost 70 lambs to rustlers last month. 'There is always some natural wastage whether due to disease, traffic accidents or dog attacks, but you eventually find those carcasses,' Neil says. 'So far we have hardly found any, which means we have lost a third of any income we might make from keeping sheep. You don't need to be good at mathematics to know that is not sustainable.' Having hundreds of sleep stolen has led farmer Colin Abel to 'question if it's someone you are having a pint with on occasion' Alongside that anxiety, meanwhile, is the unsettling possibility that someone Neil knows may be responsible for his plight. 'Whoever is taking the lambs must have local knowledge, good dogs to help round the animals up, lookouts and transport whether it be a trailer or even a lorry to take their haul away,' he says. 'They know exactly what they are doing. It does sometimes lead me to question the trustworthiness of the people around me.' As it does for Colin Abel, a fifth-generation farmer just up the road from Neil in Peter Tavy, near Tavistock, who has been in partnership for 40 years with his brothers Nicholas and Philip. The family have a flock of 5,000 ewes which graze across 5,000 hectares of common land on Dartmoor and have lost hundreds of sheep to rustlers in recent years, with 550 stolen in 2021 and 400 last year. 'It's tough because you have a good idea of who might be helping to steal them and it has to be is someone with a good working knowledge of the moors,' he says. 'Inevitably it makes you question if it's someone you are having a pint with on occasion. 'You look at their new tractor and you wonder to yourself exactly how it was paid for. That is not a pleasant feeling.' A recent report from the new National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) an eight-strong team comprising former police officers and agricultural experts concluded there was an 'unequivocal' link between organised gangs and rural crime. 'Livestock theft itself is not a new phenomenon but in recent years it has become a highly organised crime, often involving 50 or more sheep being taken in one raid,' explains Hannah Binns, a rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, which funds the NRCU. 'It is a serious problem across the country.' A spokesman for the organisation told the Mail it 'regularly' receives claims from customers of more than 50 sheep being taken in a single raid, numbers that would have been a rarity 15 years ago. Martin Beck, a former police officer who is now the NRCU's livestock theft coordinator, says: 'We're still collecting data but we've already recorded around 90 separate livestock thefts so far this year, over 60 per cent of which are sheep, followed by 20 per cent cattle and those are only the ones we know about, as not all get reported to the police. This amounts to hundreds and hundreds of farm animals every year.' And Paul Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, says that while many sheep thefts remain 'opportunistic' the bigger raids are invariably undertaken 'within the industry' meaning by farmers or former farmers themselves. 'As with all industries,' he says, 'there are some unscrupulous people about it's certainly not all desperation.' Not when there's easy money to be made. 'Mostly thieves want the sheep to be quickly turned into cash and the easiest and fastest way is to slaughter them,' explains Martin. In some cases, sheep have even been slaughtered on site, in the fields from which they have been stolen, with thieves leaving behind butchered remains to save them having to transport live animals. This happened to farmer Lizzie Monk from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, who says sheep have been stolen from her 300-acre farm every year for the past five years and who has found carcasses, stripped of their meat, abandoned on a local hill. 'They had their throats cut and they had been skinned,' she says. 'They had just the left the head and the skin behind and taken the meat.' Thieves are even going after much loved domesticated sheep too: in Derby, 38-year-old Laura Windle had four sheep stolen in May from her animal shelter, My Pets Palace, and believes their destination was a backstreet slaughterhouse. 'The price has gone up dramatically for lamb. It's been high for quite a while,' she told the Mail. 'It's so easily done by someone that knows how and they would've gotten a good price for them, for the animals. 'There are dodgy people in the farming industry that know how to slit an animal's throat, who are trying to make a bit of change on the side. 'They know what they're doing. They know how to steal a sheep, how to get them and how to get rid of them. 'It's disgusting and dispiriting.' And dangerous, according to Martin Beck, who points to the public health risk from eating unmonitored meat, not to mention animal welfare and disease risk from the uncontrolled movement of farm animals. 'This issue doesn't just affect farmers and their business,' he says. 'If you have uncontrolled meat entering the food chain you have a disease risk for animals and industry and public health. 'The animals can be slaughtered in unregulated and unhygienic conditions that turn a blind eye to the lack of correct paperwork, while sheep may be unfit for human consumption at the time they are stolen because they can still be on medication. 'If so, the chances of becoming ill are reasonably high.' Farmers are fighting back. Some have turned to hi-tech security such as 'microdotting' fleeces with paint, which only shows up under special lighting, implanting tracking devices and even using drone patrols to deter thieves. But as Colin Abel points out, it is hard for any farmer to take on an organised gang. 'You can try to make it more difficult,' he says. 'But if they are determined enough to take them then there is only so much you can do.' An off-duty cop was arrested for urinating on a female fan and her designer cowgirl boots during a Kenny Chesney concert in Massachusetts. Shane Lynch, an officer in Rhode Island, was enjoying the concert in the sandpit area at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night when he allegedly relieved himself around 9:15 pm. The woman - who purchased the new boots specifically for the Chesney concert - was also standing in the sandpit area when she 'felt something wet spray her leg,' according to the arrest report. She then looked down and was horrified to see Shane 'urinating on her shoes'. 'Did you just pee down my leg?' the shocked victim asked Lynch. Shane Lynch, an officer at the Cranston Police Department, did the despicable act in the concert's sandpit area at Gillette Stadium around 9:15 pm, officials said 'I did?' Lynch allegedly replied, as per the news outlet. The off-duty cop, who works for the Cranston Police Department, then walked off into the crowd of concertgoers until police caught up to him when the victim pointed him out. Lynch appeared to be 'extremely intoxicated' and was arrested by the Foxborough Police Department. The drunken country fan had 'his zipper was down and his shorts appeared wet,' according to an arrest report. He continued to act in a crude manner, and 'grabbed his p**** and urinated again' while one of the officers was speaking to him. He was charged with disorderly conduct and destruction of property. Kenny Chesney performs in concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in August 2018. He returned to the stadium for the August 24 concert Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said the department was aware of Lynchs arrest and an 'administrative investigation' is underway, as per the news outlet. 'All Cranston police officers recognize they are held to a higher standard and are required to act professionally both on and off-duty,' Winquist said in a statement. 'Failure to adhere to this expectation will result in discipline.' Lynch agreed to pay $100 in court costs to have the case dismissed, as per 10 WJAR News. Stadium security also slapped him with a trespass order, the news outlet reported. When DailyMail.com reached out to the Cranston Police Department, no one was available for comment. Kenny Chesney is pictured performing at the 2022 CMT Music Awards at Nashville Municipal Auditorium It is unclear if Chesney was alerted to the incident but the 56-year-old music legend posted on X (formerly Twitter) his gratitude to the fans, and musician Zac Brown and others at the end of his 2024 Sun Goes Down Tour. 'Im a touch tired for sure. But my heart and soul is so full from all the faces we saw this year.' 'The energy, the laughter, and all the music will live within me forever. Ive needed a couple days to regroup, to make sure the three nights @Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA wasnt an illusion or a dream. 'The ringing in my ears tells me it really happened, that it was real. Ive never felt so much love and raw energy at once, and it kept growing after each night,' he said, in part. Powerful winds to hit five states and territories 'Dangerous' weather forecast for next five days Dangerous winds will continue to wreak havoc across multiple states and territories over the next five days after a man died when he was crushed by a tree. Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said a 'dangerous' five-day weather event would cause chaos in large parts of southern and south-eastern Australia. 'A large and slow-moving low pressure system passing between Australia and Antarctica will cause a vigorous stream of westerly winds across Australia's southern states in the coming days,' Mr Domensino said. 'These powerful westerlies and a series of embedded cold fronts will cause damaging wind gusts in parts of WA, SA, TAS, NSW and the ACT between now and Monday.' In NSW, damaging winds are most likely over the southern and central ranges and some parts of the coast, while parts of the ACT will also be affected. Further south in Victoria, a severe weather warning has been issued for damaging surf and abnormally high tides along the coastline with the strongest northwesterly winds and showers to occur in elevated and coastal areas. South Australia will be hit with a 'blustery three-day period' of damaging winds across the state's south and south-east regions from Friday to Sunday. Western Australia will also be buffeted with strong winds along parts of the southern coastline, which will combine with inland heat to produce extreme fire danger in parts of the South Interior and Eucla districts. Dangerous winds will continue to wreak havoc across multiple states and territories over the next five days (pictured, locals walk at Sydney's Bondi Beach) This Weatherzone map shows wind circulating a large low pressure system to the south of Australia on Friday night, producing a vigorous stream of westerly winds In Tasmania, residents will receive little respite from the wind over the next five days with forecasts of powerful gusts, thunderstorms and even a period of snow. The entire state continues to be under a Marine Wind Warning with the potential of blizzards if the strong winds combine with highland snow. 'Rain-softened soil will also increase the risk of falling trees over the next five days, while ongoing heavy rain is likely to cause flooding in some parts of the state, particularly in the north and west,' Mr Domensino said. The strong winds are expected to start in the state's west on Friday morning before travelling across the island at speeds between 60km/hour and 100km/hour. Minor to moderate flood watches are active across the state's west and north, with heavy showers expected to bring even more wind. The NSW SES said it will 'prepare for the worst' ahead of the wet and wild weather across the state. Severe weather warnings are currently in place for parts of NSW and the ACT, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. In NSW, the warning includes the Snowy Mountains, the Illawarra, parts of the state's south-east and the Blue Mountains where winds are expected to be even stronger. Forecast accumulated rain during seven days ending on Wednesday, September 4 in Tasmania Weather in NSW and Queensland has been at least 10C above average winter temperatures Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said it would be 'exceedingly dangerous' over the next five days. 'Plenty more trees will come toppling down,' he said. 'We'll watch a series of further fronts, one coming through Saturday morning, another Saturday night and then again on Sunday night. 'Right through until Monday it's going to remain windy for the south-east there won't be a let up in those severe weather warnings for south-eastern Australia, they'll just be chopping and changing.' It comes after a man died on Wednesday when a tree fell and crushed his car in Victoria's south-west, while his female passenger was left in a critical condition. The dangerous winds in NSW saw parts of a patrol station roof blown off in Gwynneville, a window frame from the Spotlight building in Wollongong blow off and hit a pedestrian, and a large gazebo land on a vehicle in Bowral. A large and slow-moving low pressure system (pictured) passing between Australia and Antarctica will cause a vigorous stream of westerly winds over the next five days In Victoria, powerful winds of up to 100km/h are expected to impact Melbourne and Geelong with gusts of 120km/h in the Grampians and Alps. Temperatures in Melbourne will struggle to reach 20C over the next five days. In stark contrast, Sydney is expected to reach 29C on Friday before it drops to 25C over the weekend - with winter temperatures 10C warmer than average. Brisbane will also be blessed with warm weather for the last few days of winter with forecasts of 32C on Friday and 34C on Saturday and Sunday. Queensland is expected to be spared the wild weather in the country's south-east with a sunny weekend also forecast for Darwin in the Top End. Temperatures in the ACT will sit in the high teens with wind gusts of 30km/h. Sydney Friday: Sunny. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35km/h becoming light during the evening. Min 12C Max 29C Saturday: Sunny. Winds west to northwesterly 15 to 25km/h becoming westerly 25 to 40 km/h during the morning then turning northwesterly 15 to 20km/h during the afternoon. Sunday: Sunny. Winds north to northwesterly and light becoming northwesterly 25 to 35km/h during the morning then decreasing to 15 to 25km/h during the afternoon. Melbourne Friday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds northerly 35 to 50km/h turning westerly 25 to 40km/h during the morning then tending west to northwesterly 20 to 30km/h during the afternoon. Min 13C Max 19C Saturday: Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Dandenongs, medium chance elsewhere. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45km/h. Sunday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers in the southeast suburbs, medium chance elsewhere, most likely in the evening. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45km/h. Brisbane 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. Sunday: Sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Perth 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 25km/h during the morning. Sunday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 20km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Adelaide 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 45km/h turning northwesterly 30 to 40 km/h during the afternoon. Sunday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 30 to 40 km/h turning westerly 35 to 45km/h during the day. Hobart 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 40km/h. Sunday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Winds northwesterly 25 to 40km/h. Canberra 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 30km/h during the evening. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45km/h decreasing to 20 to 30km/h during the evening. Darwin 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 30km/h during the day then becoming north to northwesterly and light during the evening. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 20 to 30km/h during the morning then tending north to northeasterly 15 to 25km/h during the afternoon. Four historic 19th-century homes were lifted onto hydraulic jacks and moved through the streets of Hartford, Connecticut on Thursday. Footage showed residents of the city gathering on the sidewalks to take photos and videos of the more than 125 year old homes being wheeled across different neighborhoods and into their new locations at vacant lots throughout the city. The houses were lifted off their foundations and moved intact to their new locations, blocking off city streets and causing power outages so that the three-story residences could fit underneath powerlines, according to WTNH. One house even had to be split in half to be transported from its location on Lincoln Street in the Frog Hollow neighborhood, WFSB reports. Fortunately, nobody was living in any of the homes - as they had been bought out by LAZ Parking to make room for a new $60million, nine-story parking garage for Connecticut Children's Hospital. Hartford, Connecticut residents gathered Thursday to watch four historic homes being moved through the streets The houses were lifted off their foundations and moved intact to their new locations throughout the city The hospital currently leases parking space from nearby Hartford Hospital and shuttles workers from off-site at the XL Center, according to the Hartford Courant. But the new facility will have more than 900 parking spots for patients and staff, and which will also include a restaurant to accommodate staff, patients and their families. Construction is expected to begin next month, and it is expected to open between October and November, to coincide with the opening of the hospital's $326million clinical tower. Connecticut Children's Hospital ultimately paid about $1million for the relocation of the four homes, while the city contributed about another $3million. Jim Shmerling, the president and CEO of Connecticut Children's, said his original idea was to completely demolish the homes - but he learned that they were on a list of historic homes. He then spoke with members of the Hartford Preservation Alliance, and the two groups collaborated on the plan to move the homes. 'We had a number of discussions and we want to be a good neighbor and we worked with the community about preserving these historic homes,' Shmerling said. 'We got creative to meet their needs and meet our needs. That's how we got something that is mutually beneficial.' The move began at around 9am on Thursday, blocking off city streets and causing power outages The move finally began at around 9am on Thursday, upending J Restaurant & Bar, a family business that has occupied one of the 150-year-old homes for the past 54 years. 'This is kind of weird,' Jordan Dikegoros, the owner, told WTNH. 'It's our last day of doing any kind of cooking, which is not even happening inside the restaurant. 'We're doing egg sandwiches, bloody marys, mimosas outside this morning,' he said. 'People can [then] watch the houses go down the street, and then this afternoon we are doing the "last house on the block" party. We are the last building.' The restaurant, however, will continue to exist - though details about its new location have not been finalized. One home even had to be cut in half in order to be relocated Meanwhile, residents on Putnam Street - which is getting two of the four homes - said they were glad the vacant lots are being filled. 'I'm intrigued, I like it,' Nehemiah Lewis told NBC Connecticut. 'I'm happy for the neighborhood. It'll give us a different look, a different vibration.' The homes are now set to be renovated over the coming months, with Shmerling noting they may have 'asbestos, mold or other environmental hazards' that the hospital and the city will take care of before residents can move in. But Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, who lives in the Frog Hollow neighborhood from which the houses are being moved, has spoken out against the project - which was finalized during the previous administration. The controversial move was done to make room for a new $60million, nine-story parking garage for Connecticut Children's Hospital 'It is important to preserve housing, I think. It's important to invest in historic preservation,' he said ahead of the move. 'But to those who view this as an unmitigated win, I am not in your column.' He said he would have rather the city spent the money on new teachers or youth programs, and had asked for a housing investment fund to create 12 to 15 new home ownership opportunities. 'What we got instead was a process in which we moved four homes from one location to another,' the Democrat mayor said. An Australian dollar coin minted just four years ago is already selling for over $8,000 among collectors. The limited-edition Donation Dollar was first released in September, 2020, with a plan to mint 25 million over the coming years - one for every Australian with the intention that everyone gives it to a charity of their choice. But those who are more selfish-minded can cash in on the coin's skyrocketing value. Several 2020 Donation Dollars are listed on Ebay for over $8,000. The Royal Australian Mint said the intention behind the coin was twofold: to promote charitable behaviour and to provide a tangible, accessible way for people to enjoy the benefit of giving a small amount more frequently. Dr Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Treasury, Competition and Charities, said last year that the Donation Dollar is 'helping to build a more reconnected Australia'. 'When we donate to others, we experience the well-known "helpers high" the joy that comes from assisting others,' Dr Leigh said. The limited edition Donation Dollar (pictured) was first released in September, 2020, with a plan to mint 25 million over the coming years - one for every Australian Several 2020 Donation Dollars are listed on Ebay for over $8,000. Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said one Donation Dollar had been minted for every Australian as a reminder of the importance of giving back. 'The Donation Dollar is an example of where an innovation can inspire additional behaviours and the importance that cash can inject into the community,' Mr Gordon said. 'The number of people that have been inspired to make a donation by coming across a Donation Dollar far exceeds the value of that dollar.' Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said one Donation Dollar had been minted for every Australian as a reminder of the importance of giving back There is an estimated six million currently in circulation. The coin is instantly recognisable with the words Give to Help Others and a green centre that is designed to wear down each time it's donated. After being released, the Donation Dollar generated an additional $55m in incremental charitable giving, which will increase in future years. An American economist famed for apocalyptic predictions has forecast the Australian housing market could crash by as much as 50 per cent. However, the prediction by Harry Dent was met with scepticism in some quarters because it echoed similar doomsday forecasts he has been repeatedly making for well over a decade, which have mostly failed to materialise in that timeframe. Mr Dent, who is economic demographer and a bestselling financial author, issued his grim warning about about Australian property prices on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes. 'If you buy a house now I am predicting you could lose as much as 50 per cent, give or take, in the coming years,' he told interviewer Dimity Clancey. Mr Dent had stark advice for those considering buying a home and homeowners. 'For a young person, I mean my advice is very very simple, if you have not bought your first home yet do not,' he said. 'If you sell now you're going to be ahead of the crowd and then when things go down you're going to be able to buy at least twice the home for the same price and mortgage that's the bonus.' To support his prediction, Mr Dent said in the last major downturn US house prices fell 34 per cent for average home and 50 per cent for more upscale ones and 'people said that couldn't happen'. US economist Harry Dent is prediction a crash in the Australian housing market before the end of next year 'I think this is a bigger bubble,' he asserted. 'I think it's going to start in the second half of 2024 in the US and spread. 'I think the US is going to start a recession that spreads around the world because this is a global phenomenon especially the real estate bubble, it's everywhere.' Mr Dent's belief is that since 2008 the world's economy has been totally driven by government financial stimulus which he said was not 'sustainable'. 'Having that much stimulus in the economy is like taking a powerful drug,' he said. 'It cannot work out well, you've got to detox at some point, that's what this is a worldwide detox of debt and real estate and asset and financial asset bubble.' However, Mr Dent's dire warnings were scoffed at by ABC show MediaWatch on Monday night. Mr Dent believes there is real estate bubble not just in Australia but worldwide pumped up by government fiscal stimulus Host Paul Barry said Mr Dent's predictions of 'housing Armageddon' were part of a track record that was 'beyond ridicule'. Barry showed that as far back as 2011 Mr Dent had been predicting, almost every year on Australian TV, that the housing market would crater within a few months. In 2011 he gave same advice to house shoppers, that they shouldn't buy, as he did on Sunday night. 'Any young couple who followed Dent's advice in 2011 would be well and truly screwed and locked out of the market because house prices in the major cities have doubled since then,' Barry said. Barry pointed to a quote from developer Harry Triguboff in the 60 Minutes story that 'demand has never been so great, the supply has never been so little' to explain why Mr Dent's predictions were unlikely. Economist Stephen Koukoulas told MediaWatch that 'it would be wild in the extreme to think house prices could fall even per cent'. MediaWatch host Paul Barry was very sceptical of Mr Dent's prediction calling his track record on Australian housing 'beyond ridicule' In response to MediaWatch's suggestion that he should retire having been so often wrong, Mr Dent was unrepentant. 'I have not and will not stop warning that this is a bubble,' he told the program. 'I will recant by the end of 2025 if there are no signs of a crash by then and just retire, perplexed, but for now I am sticking to my guns. Mr Dent can point to a couple of times his pessimistic outlook was justified. He accurately predicted the asset price bubble in Japan would burst, which it did in 1991, and also correctly forecast the long recession which followed. His warnings about a US housing bubble were vindicated in the huge downturn in 2007 that turned into the Global Financial Crisis. A Georgia father is airing outrage after the man cops say killed his pregnant daughter was released on bond. Edward Campos, father of 16-year-old Mia Campos, made the comments hours after a Gwinnett County judge granted bond to 20-year-old Jesus Monroy. Monroy is his daughter's ex-boyfriend, and was seen walking out of jail with his family midnight Thursday. He is said to be the father of the victim's unborn child. Despite this, he posted the $56,000 bond, more than a month after being charged with the girl's murder. A seven month-pregnant Campos was found dead in the woods after disappearing from her home with Monroy on July 14. A month and a half later, Campos aired his distaste to Channel 2 Action News. Mia Campos, 16, was found dead in woods in her home state of Georgia a day after disappearing from her home on July 14. She was seven months pregnant A Gwinnett County judge granted bond to 20-year-old Jesus Monroy, who is said to be the father of the victim's unborn child 'It's getting worse and worse,' the mourning father said following Judge Karen E. Beyers' decision. 'You can see her room, and it's just an empty box.' He went on to lament how his daughter, discovered dead on July 15, would have given birth to her son next week. 'Now I don't have my grandchild,' he said. 'And now I don't have my daughter.' This comes after cops cuffed Monroy on four felonies, including murder. 'But after hearing the defense lawyer. Everything went [down] the hole,' Campos said of the hearing held the day before where Monroy was told he'd be going home. 'Everything went to the drain.' There, Monroy's attorney successfully argued that since the evidence against his client was circumstantial, he wasn't a threat. A month and a half later, Campos aired his distaste over the situation to Channel 2 Action News Judge Karen E. Beyers granted the grown man a $56,000 bond Wednesday, after which his family paid the required $5,600 to set him on his way Relatives of the slain woman who was found dead last month while seven months pregnant were not happy with the decision The jurist also pointed out how the suspect had no criminal record prior to his current criminal case. Because of this, the 20-year-old who is said to be the father of the unborn child was deemed not a flight risk. Considering the severity of the charges, the attorney asked for $75,000 bond. Judge Beyers came back with an even lower $50,000, but Jail records show the suspect's bond eventually ended up $56,000. Such a decision is extremely rare in a murder case, where suspects' bail are sometimes set in the millions, if allowed at all. Moreover, Monroy's family only had to fork over the required 10 percent - a paltry $5,600. The Campos family, meanwhile, is still hoping for justice, even though they will never see the victim - as well as her son - ever again. 'His family can see him, and they can talk to him,' Campos told Channel 2 Thursday. 'They can hug them. I can't do that with my daughter. Because my daughter is gone, Sebastian [the named of his daughter's unborn son] is gone.' When she was found, her her body was swollen, cold and purple, relatives told cops. They also claimed the teen's hand was on her belly. Campos' mother, Miriam Zarate (pictured), said she found her daughter just minutes away from their home hidden in some dense brush 'I'm gonna get justice,' Campos said Thursday despite the suspect's release. 'I'm gonna get justice because I feel 100% (he did it)'. The age of consent in Georgia is 16 Monroy, meanwhile, surrendered his passport over to the court as part of the agreement to grant bond. He has also been barred from having contact with any witnesses in the case. This comes weeks after he was caught allegedly 'giving false statements to a police officer' following his July 19 arrest. Campos' mother, Miriam Zarate, last month said she found her daughter just minutes away from their home hidden in some dense brush When she was found, her her body was swollen, cold and purple, Zarate recalled. She also claimed her daughter's hand was on her belly. 'I found my daughter laid face-down,' Campos told Atlanta News First at the time. 'It was hard. I knew it was something wrong her lips, her bleeding nose.' Mia was the youngest of five siblings, he said - adding that all have been left reeling from the loss. 'I'm gonna get justice,' Campos said Thursday despite the suspect's release. 'I'm gonna get justice because I feel 100% (he did it).' The age of consent in Georgia is 16. Brandon Miller, a prominent real estate developer, left behind nearly $34 million in debt and had just $8,000 in his bank account when he decided to take his own life, according to legal documents. A significant portion of this debt was tied to his Hamptons estate at 25 Cobb Isle Road, which is now on the market for $15.5 million. His widow, Candice Miller, has filed a bond petition detailing four outstanding loans on the property, including a $2 million mortgage from Titan Capital, which has recently sued her over missed payments. Beyond the property debt, Miller had a substantial unsecured loan of $11.3 million from BMO Bank. Additionally, he owed over $6 million to Donald Jaffe, a lender who had previously funded Miller and his father on various projects. Jaffe is still pursuing legal action to recover the unpaid balance. Other creditors include American Express and Funding Club, a Brooklyn-based cash advance lender, to whom Miller owed over $300,000 and $266,000, respectively. Brandon Miller, a prominent real estate developer, left behind nearly $34 million in debt and only $8,000 in his bank account, after his suicide, according to legal documents A significant portion of this debt was tied to his Hamptons estate at 25 Cobb Isle Road, which is now on the market for $15.5 million In his suicide note, Miller explained that a last-minute make-or-break business deal had fallen through leaving him feeling he had no way out. The New York Times reports that Miller also detailed two life insurance policies that could be used to pay off creditors. Miller killed himself by inhaling exhaust fumes while his wife Candice was touring Europe with their two daughters. The troubled Miller, 43, waited until his family had left town for a weeks-long luxury vacation before getting into his car and running the engine until it filled their garage with toxic gas. A wealthy friend arranged for shaken Candice, 42, and their two girls to fly back to the US on a private jet. They arrived in time to say their final goodbyes before Miller was taken off life support at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and declared dead on July 3, according to a well-placed source. 'They are amazing, sweet girls who loved their dad so much. This is absolutely devastating for all of them,' the source added. Miller had been struggling to maintain the lavish lifestyle he and his wife enjoyed in the years leading up to his death. The couple had already been forced to sell up their TriBeCa townhouse and were renting a $47,000-a-month Upper East Side home to try and keep up appearances. His widow, Candice Miller, has filed a bond petition detailing four outstanding loans on the property, including a $2 million mortgage from Titan Capital, which has recently sued her over missed payments Beyond the property debt, Miller had a substantial unsecured loan of $11.3 million from BMO Bank. Additionally, he owed over $6 million to Donald Jaffe, a lender who had previously funded Miller and his father on various projects. Jaffe is still pursuing legal action to recover the unpaid balance. At the time of his suicide, Miller is estimated to have owed around $17 million. He was being sued for at least $221,000 for various non payments and had taken out a series of loans for millions of dollars against the Hamptons estate. Interior Marketing Group Inc sued Miller in April, claiming he failed to pay a balance of $102,730.27 for luxury furnishing services, as reported by Page Six. The same lawsuit accuses Miller of refusing to return over $64,000 in furniture from their apartment in Manhattan. In another lawsuit against Miller, filed in May, Lighthouse Marina claims he failed to pay his balance for the services on his boat, named MillerTime, which had been at the Long Island marina since October 2020. The marina claims Miller never 'responded nor acknowledged' a notice in October 2022 informing him he owed nearly $40,000. Miller's alleged debt eventually grew to $55,205.76, per the legal filing. Sources told the New York Times that Miller had begun weeping openly in business meetings as he struggled to cope with increasing financial pressure. He was found unconscious in the garage of the couple's $15.5 million Hamptons home which has since been listed for sale By the time his wife jetted off to Europe, Miller was scrambling to arrange a $1,000 loan - a minuscule amount compared to the sums he was used to dealing with. Friends said that Miller encouraged his wife to take the vacation by reassuring her everything had been paid for. However, upon arrival, her credit card was declined and the family's travel agent was forced to vouch for them, sources said. Meanwhile, Miller was said to be at home attempting to pull off a deal which could reverse their fortunes but sadly fell through. Candice Miller has since listed their Water Mill home for $15.495 million and is said to be relocating to Miami with her children ahead of the new school year. New Zealand's Maori king, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. The death was confirmed by the office of the Kiingitanga early on Friday morning. 'Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has died peacefully ... accompanied by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po,' the statement read. Tuheitia was in hospital recovering from heart surgery. 'It didn't quite go as we had all hoped,' the Kiingitanga's chief of staff Ngira Simmonds told Radio NZ. Tuheitia succeeded his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, following her death in 2006. King Charles led tributes to Tuheitia, who he said he had known for decades. 'He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion,' he said. New Zealand's Maori king, Kiingi Tuheitia Paki, has died aged 69, following heart surgery World leaders and dignitaries have shared tributes to King Tuheitia, including King Charles The pair met at Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, at Buckingham Palace in 2023, and spoke on the phone earlier this month. The King added the whakatauki (Maori proverb) 'Kua hinga te totara i Te Waonui a Tane' ('a mighty tree has fallen'). Former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern described Tuheitia as 'an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity'. A message of condolence from The King to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, following the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. Please follow the link to read His Majestys message in full: https://t.co/S1tQJs0rti pic.twitter.com/pk0ukWq4rZ The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 29, 2024 'You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa.' The Maori king position was founded in 1858, aiming to be a unifying movement for all Maori tribes. It is a largely ceremonial but hugely consequential role in New Zealand. In recent months, Tuheitia co-ordinated national unity talks for Maori in response to the new centre-right government's policies. 'He believed in the vision of his ancestors. He understood his role and his duties,' Mr Simmonds said. 'He wanted to serve and do everything that he could and exhaust every effort to bring unity to our people and indeed the nation at large. 'He served until the very last.' New Zealand PM Chris Luxon remembered King Tuheitia's commitment to the Maori people Prime Minister Chris Luxon, in Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum, also paid respects. 'His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation,' he said. 'I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna, his passion for te ao Maori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.' Last week, thousands of people travelled to Tuurangawaewae Marae for annual celebrations of the King's ascension to the throne - including dignitaries from around the Pacific. At a political forum, Maori speakers scolded the prime minister and other ministers for various parts of the government's agenda, including a bill that would redefine the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in modern-day New Zealand. The seat of the Maori king is held by the tribes of the central North Island, but it is not yet clear who will take the throne. The Maori monarch is not hereditary by right, with Radio NZ reporting his successor will be appointed by tribal leaders on the day of the funeral, likely to be next week. 'It is expected that Kiingi Tuheitia will lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae for five days before he is taken to his final resting place on Taupiri Mountain,' Rahui Papa, a Kiingitanga spokesman, told TVNZ. Mr Simmonds said the next few days would be for local tribes to mourn. Others would then be welcomed to the marae, including international dignitaries, with a Maori funeral (tangihanga) to follow. Two of Britain's biggest North Sea oil and gas developments are at risk after the Government said it will not defend the projects against a legal challenge. Energy secretary Ed Miliband has withdrawn support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields in cases brought by environmental lobbyists Greenpeace and Uplift. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said the decision is the 'final blow' for the North Sea industry. The move comes amid concerns about higher household gas and electricity bills and the UK's energy security. Labour's decision follows a landmark legal ruling in June. Energy secretary Ed Miliband (pictured on July 30) has withdrawn support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields in cases brought by environmental lobbyists Greenpeace and Uplift Shell's Jackdaw oil field, (pictured) 115 miles east of Aberdeen, was expected to produce 40,000 barrels a day for at least two decades. The development was granted approval in 2022 The Supreme Court found that regulators must consider the emissions created from burning the fossil fuels that new projects would produce. Energy giants Shell and Equinor, which are developing the projects, can still challenge the case. The Rosebank development, which is 60 miles west of Shetland, is Britain's biggest undeveloped oil and gas field. It contains up to 500 million barrels of oil and was planned to operate until around 2050. The site is being developed by Norwegian firm Equinor and was given the green light last year. Shell's Jackdaw oil field, 115 miles east of Aberdeen, was expected to produce 40,000 barrels a day for at least two decades. The development was granted approval in 2022. Both firms said they were considering the implications of the Government's announcement. An Equinor spokesman said: 'Rosebank is a vital project for the UK and is bringing benefits in terms of investment, job creation and energy security.' And Shell commented: 'We believe the Jackdaw field remains an important development for the UK, providing fuel to heat 1.4 million homes and supporting energy security, as older gas fields reach the end of production.' Claire Coutinho, (pictured in May) the shadow energy secretary, said the decision is the 'final blow' for the North Sea industry A view of Equinor's oil platform in Johan Sverdrup oilfield in the North Sea Ms Coutinho, who approved Rosebank's licence as energy secretary under the last Conservative government, claimed scrapping the projects would result in the loss of 9billion in tax revenues and 200,000 jobs. She added: 'No other major economy is taking this approach to its domestic energy supply.' The previous Tory government had committed to 'robustly' defending the legal cases but Mr Miliband's Department for Energy Security said its decision to withdraw support would save taxpayer money. A spokesman for industry group Offshore Energy UK said: 'It continues to be a difficult time for industry. We remain absolutely committed to operations in the North Sea that meet the UK's net zero ambitions and support energy security.' Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift, said: 'The 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.' Greenpeace's Mel Evans said: 'This is absolutely the right decision. These permits should never have been granted without being properly assessed for their impact on the climate.' The man who sent obscene illegal photographs to disgraced BBC star Huw Edwards also sent 'evil' images to four others, it has been revealed. Alex Williams, 25, shared 41 indecent images with Edwards, 62, in an abhorrent WhatsApp chat. Among the sickening trove of abusive pictures shared by the sex offender were two showing a boy as young as seven. Edwards was snared by chance by police in Wales who were investigating Williams and stumbled upon his messages sent to the famed newsreader. The Sun reported today that the 25-year-old also distributed horrific photographs to four other men, one of which showed a one-year-old being sexually abused. No child abuse pictures were found on the former BBC news presenter's phone. Alex Williams, 25, shared indecent images with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader's downfall. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot Williams (pictured) was snared by Welsh police - who later discovered he had sent Edwards a series of indecent images of children Huw Edwards was snared by chance by police in Wales who were investigating Williams and stumbled on his messages to the now-disgraced newsreader (Edwards is pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court) Williams, from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, admitted possessing and distributing child sex images and having 58 prohibited computer-generated images of children. The images were slammed by a judge as 'evil' and Williams received a suspended sentence of 12 months. The Welsh man sent Edwards 377 images, 41 of which were indecent and formed the charges to which the veteran broadcaster pleaded guilty. Two images involved a boy believed to be as young as seven, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Williams' mother claimed to be unaware that her son was convicted of child pornography offences at Merthyr Crown Court earlier this year. She and Williams' father said they had not seen Williams for three or four months - although neighbours said they spotted him in the street within the last few weeks. The sex offender's mother also claimed she knows of no connection between her son and the disgraced anchorman. Edwards received and opened seven category A the most indecent images, 12 category B and 22 category C photos between December 2020 and August 2021, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. Edwards will find out his fate during a sentencing hearing in September. He could face up to 10 years in jail. The news came as a BBC insider claimed Edwards had messaged 'lads in the newsroom for drinks' for years. Williams has since gone into hiding after his link with Edwards was exposed by the Mail. He is pictured at a family event Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to receiving 41 indecent images of children, which included two sexual videos of a boy under nine (Edwards is seen leaving court) A BBC insider claimed that bosses at the corporation may have 'turned a blind eye' to the star's behaviour within the newsroom in order to 'protect' him. The BBC admitted it knew Edwards had been arrested on 'suspicion of serious offences' last November, but kept paying his 479,000-a-year salary until he resigned in April. A BBC source said: 'It was known for a few years he was messaging an assortment of lads in the newsroom for drinks etc, yet the feeling is senior editors might have turned a blind eye. If this was the case, it points to the usual ''protect the star'' stuff.' Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year, with the BBC being aware of his arrest, it has now been revealed. He was then charged on June 26. He resigned in April on health grounds. The News at Ten reader, whose glittering four-decade career alongside his marriage is now in tatters, is said to have kept his arrest 'secret' from his friends, a former colleague told the Mail. Meanwhile, both the Crown Prosecution Service and Scotland Yard faced secrecy allegations over the handling of Edwards's arrest and charge. The CPS denied it had purposefully suppressed details of the charge or given Edwards preferential treatment. Welsh police uncovered the broadcaster crimes during a separate probe into a sex offender in Wales. Edwards is pictured in court It comes after the BBC director-general said the corporation has 'lessons to learn' after the 'shocking' Jermaine Jenas, Edwards and Strictly scandals in a grovelling letter to staff. Tim Davie said that changing the culture at the broadcaster would be a 'critical priority' - as he admitted 'we have all felt let down'. He told staff that he wanted to 'acknowledge that this has been a demanding period for the BBC', in an email senton August 27. The corporation has recently faced a string of scandals featuring top celebs, with Match of the Day star Jermaine Jenas being sacked last week for sending inappropriate messages to two female members of staff. A probe is currently ongoing into Strictly Come Dancing, following allegations of dancer Giovanni Pernice being abusive by contestant Amanda Abbington - something he denies. Mr Davie wrote: 'Aside from the challenges of delivering such brilliant output, I want to acknowledge that this has been a demanding period for the BBC and everyone who works within it. 'The shocking news about Huw Edwards and other stories, concerning some of our high profile shows, have put the BBC in the spotlight. 'It can be challenging for us all when the BBC becomes the headline. We work for this wonderful organisation because we care about what it stands for and the role it plays in society'. The director-general said that workers now have to hold themselves to the highest standards - thanking them for supporting the BBC as they 'navigated a tough situation'. He said that there are 'lessons we can learn' from the slew of scandals that have hit the broadcaster, pledging to 'build trust'. Edwards, of Wandsworth, wore a dark blue suit with a blue tie in the dock He added that he will continue to oversee plans to grow the organisation for the future. Mr Davie continued: 'I know we have all felt let down and worried about the impact on the BBC. 'However, we hold ourselves to the highest standards and we know there will be lessons we can learn to ensure we have the strongest possible workplace culture. 'I very much welcome the proposed actions that the Chair outlined in his recent email, and I want to thank everyone for their calm support as we have navigated a tough situation. 'Our aim should be to act fairly, in line with our Values, and work to build trust. 'Personally, on my watch, building a positive culture and making the BBC a great place to work is a critical priority. 'I know that many people are proud of their teams and feel they are working in a supportive and positive environment. We must make that universal.' Employees will be allowed to demand a four-day week in a new law planned for the autumn. Under a system of 'compressed hours', workers could be able to work their contracted hours in four days rather than five. The new rules are set to be included in a package of additional rights for workers brought in by Labour this autumn, The Telegraph has reported. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is championing the law which is being developed in close consultation with businesses and trade unions. Currently workers have a legal right to request flexible working from their employers but companies are under no obligation to agree. Employees could be entitled to a four-day week in a plan believed to be spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor (pictured) Under a system of 'compressed hours', workers could be able to work their contracted hours in four days rather than five (stock photo) However, the new package of workers' rights will shift the balance of power with businesses forced to offer flexible working unless it is 'not reasonably feasible'. The increased flexibility will mean workers will have a greater legal weight behind them if they ask to complete their week's work in four days, rather than five. This could see employees only in the office from Monday to Thursday and taking Fridays off. Conservatives, however, have criticised the plans, saying they would leave businesses 'petrified'. Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory shadow business secretary, described the legislation as 'French-style union laws'. He said: '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 don't listen.' In response to Mr Hollinrake's comments, the government said it had 'no plans' to force businesses to accept employees' four-day working week requests. A Whitehall spokesperson said according to the Evening Standard: '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. Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory shadow business secretary, described the legislation as 'French-style union laws' Currently workers have a legal right to request flexible working from their employers but companies are under no obligation to agree (stock photo) '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 people's wages.' The workers rights package due this autumn has been referred to as Labours Plan to Make Work Pay. It has been the subject of years of internal debate within the party but Labour has promised to submit draft legislation to Parliament by mid-October. Other plans under consideration as part of it include giving employees the 'right to switch off'. The government are looking to push out a code of practice which sets out normal working hours and clarifies when an employee can expect to be contacted by their employer. The policy, believed to be spearheaded by new deputy prime minister Angela Raynor, includes the right for worker's to refuse to take on extra work on weekends or to carry out work-related tasks while on annual leave. Pushy bosses who repeatedly breach this agreement could be taken to an employment tribunal and drained of thousands of pounds as compensation. Two more F45 gyms have closed as the crisis engulfing the once-popular fitness chain deepens. F45, which is known for its intense interval training and was backed by stars such as Mark Wahlberg, was at one point the toast of the fitness world, listing on the New York Stock Exchange at $US1.46billion in 2021. But a plummeting share price and a collapse in investor confidence has seen the company delisted from the stock market and multiple franchises going under. Last Friday, F45 franchises at Labrador and Surfers Paradise announced to their members they were closing, reported news.com.au. The venues, based on the Gold Coast, had both been open for a decade. A message on the Instagram account of the Labrador franchise said it was 'permanently closed'. 'Cherishing 10yrs of memories and life-changing moments we created together. Thank you for being a part of our journey,' the message added. Last Friday, F45 franchises at Labrador and Surfers Paradise announced to their members they were closing - the latest two franchises to shut amid a deepening crisis confronting the fitness chain A message on the Instagram account of the Labrador franchise said it was 'permanently closed' At least four franchises have closed on the Gold Coast over the past year, while over two dozen have shut across Australia in the past 18 months. An F45 insider leaked an email from a business broker complaining that interest in buying gyms has plummeted compared to two years ago. 'I have been specialising in the health & fitness sector for 7 years now. Over the years I have worked with a number of brands including F45,' the email, seen by news.com.au, read. 'The brand image has been significantly harmed over the last 12-18 months and it has become almost impossible to even sell them for $1 based on the enormous risk buyers are faced with moving forward. 'Unfortunately Im turning dozens of franchisees away due to the massive lack of buyer interest out there. 'It has even had a noticeable impact on other functional training brands with buyers very reluctant to invest into the industry AND many lenders wont touch them, especially F45.' The parent company was kicked off the stock market after its share price traded below $US1 for more than 30 days, while the executive suite has seen two chief financial officers depart in less than a year. Chinese low-cost fashion giant Shein has been accused of using forced labour from Uyghurs to make its clothes. Campaigners said evidence submitted to the City watchdog should justify the retailer being barred from selling shares on the London Stock Exchange. The Uyghurs are the largest ethnic minority group in China's north-western province Xinjiang. Chinese authorities have been accused of setting up labour camps for them and other Muslim minority groups. Horrifying reports have included torture, sexual violence and sterilisation measures. Beijing denies all claims of human rights abuse. In the latest controversy for the retailer, Stop Uyghur Genocide's (SUG) submission to the Financial Conduct Authority claims Shein's suppliers are likely to be using materials made in such camps. Chinese low-cost fashion giant Shein has been accused of using forced labour from Uyghurs to make its clothes. Pictured: A general view outside the SHEIN VIP party at Creamfields North on August 23, 2024 in Daresbury, Cheshire Led by human rights campaigner Rahima Mahmut, SUG said use of forced labour would be unlawful under the Modern Slavery Act. Ms Mahmut, herself a Uyghur, is calling on the regulator and stock exchange to 'uphold their standards' and refrain from proceeding with Shein's 50billion stock market listing. The dossier says there are 'clear, identifiable links' between cotton production in the region and forced labour. The group points to a 2022 Bloomberg probe that revealed lab tests of Shein clothes found the cotton originated from this region. High Court rulings suggest that all cotton from this area is 'tainted by forced labour', SUG say. The company previously said it has a 'zero tolerance policy for forced labour' and is 'committed to respecting human rights'. It also insisted rigorous checks take place across thousands of suppliers, and it requires manufacturers to source cotton from 'approved regions'. Last week, Shein admitted an audit discovered two cases of child labour in its supply chain. It said suppliers involved were suspended and pledged that any future discovery of child labour would lead to the termination of contracts. In the latest controversy for the retailer, Stop Uyghur Genocide's (SUG) submission to the Financial Conduct Authority claims Shein's suppliers are likely to be using materials made in such camps. Pictured: A model wearing a SHEIN dress SUG lawyer Ricardo Gama said: 'Our client wants to make sure that the UK's capital markets aren't used to fund the expansion of a business which has links to Uyghur forced labour. We have specific laws in place to root out modern slavery and financial institutions must make sure those laws are upheld.' Michael Polak at Lawyers for Uyghur Rights said allowing the listing could see British consumers 'unknowingly support Chinese Communist Party atrocities'. Founded in 2012, Shein's profits have soared thanks to budget-conscious shoppers in 150 countries. Shein declined to comment. The Prime Minister's controversial chief of staff is said to be at the centre of another row over key government appointments. Sue Gray is reportedly keen to make Daniel Gieve principal private secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, a role second only in constitutional importance to that of the Cabinet Secretary. She is said to favour Mr Gieve because she worked with him when she was at the Cabinet Office, The Times reported. However, some within Downing Street are said to have questioned whether he is the best choice and suspect she wants to impose her favoured candidate. There are understood to be concerns within No 10 about her choice because of Mr Gieve's links to senior Conservatives. Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff Sue Gray (pictured on July 29) is reportedly keen to make Daniel Gieve principal private secretary to the Prime Minister, a role second only in constitutional importance to that of the Cabinet Secretary During the coalition years, Mr Gieve served as PPS to Francis Maude, the minister who was responsible for Whitehall reform, where he worked with Ms Gray. He then became chief of staff to lobbyist Roland Rudd, whose sister Amber was home secretary under Theresa May. Mr Gieve now runs the Government's Office for Investment, which was set up by former PM Rishi Sunak to provide 'concierge-style support' to firms and tycoons who want to invest more than 100 million in British business. It comes after a series of briefings that Ms Gray has been involved in disputes about appointments. Reports say she has stopped people being given political jobs as special advisers, leading to ministers giving them civil service roles instead. The Mail on Sunday reported concerns that Ms Gray 'thinks she runs the country'. Anthony Albanese's backflip to now include a sexuality question in the coming census, while the right thing to do, has hung the Deputy PM and Treasurer out to dry. Just the other day the pair of them were out there doing media interviews defending the cabinet decision to remove questions about sexuality from the 2026 census. The pair's reward for playing the team game and defending the cabinet collective was delivered this morning on radio by the Albanese when he announced that he was reversing the decision. This is the same PM who runs around claiming to be a modern Bob Hawke, running a 'cabinet style government'. So much for that, he didn't even go back to cabinet to discuss the reversal. It was always an odd cabinet decision to begin with. The argument the Deputy PM Richard Marles and Treasurer Jim Chalmers used to defend it claimed that leaving sexuality out of the questionnaire would avoid 'divisive debate'. As the nation's Sex Discrimination Commissioner (appointed by Labor) pointed out, that's more than a little condescending. 'It really is a little patronising and paternalistic to say because of the possible harm to those communities we won't include them at all', Dr Anna Cody said. Wise words. Anthony Albanese (pictured left) reversed a cabinet decision his deputy PM Richard Marles (pictured right) defended publicly just the other day The Sex Discrimination Commissioner has called out Treasurer Jim Chalmers (pictured) for his condescending arguments on LGBTQIA issues She also pointed out that excluding the LGBTQIA+ community from the census was itself harmful to that community. Not that Marles and Chalmers seemed capable of getting that through their heads, as they ploughed on with their defence. A pair of black knights flailing away, Monty Python style. It took political fear, as usual, to bring Albanese to his senses and overrule his 'cabinet style government' decision. But the backflip was only partial, a point that seems to be getting lost as this debate continues. The PM has only committed to listening to recommendations in regards to a single question on sexuality made by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, rather than the multiple questions the ABS wanted in the census to give it granular details on the LGBTIQ community to help with policy making into the future. Good policy making, of course, isn't the Albanese government's top priority, politics is. So Albo only partially backflipped in a bid to deliver a political outcome rather than a good policy outcome. Here we go again: Albo trying to walk both sides of the street at the same time. The PM worried that supporting additional questions that get into the sexual orientation particulars of the LGBTIQ community might lose him votes in the mainstream. The Greens have been campaigning hard against the initial cabinet decision: A conga line of inner-city Labor MPs whose seats are under threat suddenly found their voices on this issue. John Burns ventilated his concerns first, followed by Ged Kearney and Peter Khalil. All hold seats under siege by the Greens. They will all be hoping Albo's partial backflip gets this issue off the agenda. No wonder the Greens are getting traction amongst left leaning voters. Labor seems to only take their policy and ideological concerns seriously when there are electoral consequences at stake. More often Labor in government leans the other way in a bid to appeal to the centre, but on this occasion that first response has now been replaced by a captain's pick intervention by Albo. Which begs the question, where was Senate Leader Penny Wong on this issue when cabinet debated it? Wong often gets bizarrely misplaced credit for Australia finally legislating same sex marriage (SSM). In fact she parked her support for her LGBTIQ community for years to support Labor in government opposing SSM, which in turn supported her promotion within. It took the conservatives in power to take SSM to a plebiscite, which highlighted overwhelming community support, leading to it being legislated. Who was championing following that ultimately successful pathway to equal rights when it comes to marriage? Peter Dutton, who argued inside Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet for such an approach in a bid to put the issue to rest once and for all. The daughter of a former Labour leader has been made the Government's chief adviser on Scottish law. Catherine Smith KC, whose father was the late John Smith, was appointed Advocate General for Scotland yesterday. She was given a life peerage as part of the job and will join her mother Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill in the House of Lords. 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. Catherine Smith (pictured with Gordon Brown), the daughter of former Labour leader John Smith, has been appointed the Advocate General for Scotland Leader of the opposition John Smith died of a heart attack in 1994 'I look forward to playing my part in protecting and promoting the rule of law and contributing to this government's commitment to public service.' Ms Smith, youngest daughter of the leader of the opposition who died of a heart attack in 1994, has been an Advocate Scottish barrister since 2007 and took silk in 2021. Despite her experience, the high-profile role going to the daughter of two Labour politicians may still raise eyebrows at a time when the party is battling growing concern over some senior appointments. A rural town with a population of just 3,000 people could see that number surge by more than 1,000 per cent under a mammoth housing development plan - and residents are not impressed at seeing their idyllic life submerged under urban sprawl. The NSW Government wants to see 40,000 people eventually settle in what is not the regional town of Appin. Currently it is separated from the southern-most point of Sydney's outskirts by about eight precious kilometres of fields and countryside, but it seems not for long. The 'city of the future' is on the blueprints of developer Walker Corporation, which has the green light from the NSW government for 13,000 new homes housing about 40,000 new residents. The government is desperate to expand the housing supply to stabilise prices, which has seen Sydney become among the most expensive housing markets on the planet. Walker has promised four new schools, healthcare services, parks, nearly five million squares of conservation land and a lightning-fast NBN connection. However, the plans still require approval from the local Wollondilly Shire Council, which in turn requires the backing of residents. The council says its approval was contingent on the supply of infrastructure such as roads and a wastewater treatment plant, but even that will not appease some residents who are implacably opposed to seeing Appin turned into an outer suburb of Sydney. Walker has promised four new schools, healthcare services, parks and a lightning-fast NBN connection at the development in Appin ( an artists impression is pictured) The public will have their say on the development in November with Walker chief executive David Gallant hopeful plans will be approved by June 2025. If so, the first batch of 500 homes could commence construction in early 2026. Four new schools that cater for years K-12 is part of plans to transform the sleepy town of Appin into a residential and business hotspot over the next two decades The ambitious plans of the developers have met strong resistance among some Appin locals, who accuse Walker of removing about 20 homemade signs protesting the development. Local Michelle Maroun claimed Walker had contracted workers to take down the signs that read 'Will you learn as we burn' and 'Koala safety'. 'They weren't even on their private property,' she told the ABC at the time. 'The town is absolutely furious. Now they want to go in harder, I have had people reach out and say they will put the signs on their front fences.' Other concerns have been raised over the Appin site, with environmental groups taking issue with land clearing. Others have raised doubts over whether there would be an appropriate amount of infrastructure at the site to accommodate residents moving in. Walker says one third of the site has been dedicated to conservation to protect the environment and the local koala population. The government is trying to fix a shortfall of more than 130,000 homes in NSW, as housing supply struggles to keep up with increasing demand (pictured, an artists impression) Koala corridors will be reserved for the species which has been put on the endangered list, in part due to habitat loss caused by urban sprawl. Appin was just one of a number of precincts flagged by the state government for rezoning in November last year. The government estimates there is a shortfall of more than 130,000 homes in the state, and the rapidity and scale of overseas migration into Sydney particularly means that number will only grow. NSW needs to build 314,000 new dwellings to meet the state's share of the Accord to build one million new homes over five years starting from 2024. It is already falling short by almost 30,000 homes a year. The Kansas City Irish community has been left devastated after a beloved chef was shot and killed outside his restaurant. Shaun Brady, 44, the co-owner of Irish restaurant Brady & Fox, was taking out the trash behind his restaurant at around 5.18pm on Wednesday when he was confronted by a group of teenagers hanging out around a vehicle. Witnesses said Brady was trying to stop one of them from breaking into a vehicle when he was shot, FOX 4 KC reports. 'His death is a loss to us and the surrounding community,' Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said, describing Brady as 'the kind of guy who would always jump into help you - and "you" meant anyone needing help. The fatal shooting has rattled many in the city, just days before its Irish Fest was set to begin. Shaun Brady, 44, was killed Wednesday night while taking out the trash from his restaurant Festival organizers wrote on Facebook Thursday that Brady - who hailed from Tipperary County, Ireland - was a major part of the Irish Fest family, and his restaurant was a place where many in the Irish community gathered. Brady was also the head chef and creator of the Irish Breakfast event - a ticketed feast following Catholic Mass the Sunday of every Irish fest weekend. 'It was one of Shaun's greatest gifts to bring people together with his culinary creations,' festival organizers wrote. This year's Irish Breakfast has been canceled, but Irish Fest will otherwise continue as planned over the Labor Day weekend to 'focus on the positive things that we love about Shaun,' Erin Gabert told RTE. Police say he was confronted by a group of teenagers at around 5.18pm First responders rushed to the scene and found him unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. Brady was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspects, meanwhile, fled the scene in a vehicle, which was recovered in Kansas City, Missouri - and two teenagers were taken into custody within an hour of the shooting, according to KSHB. One has since been charged with second-degree murder, as well as felony attempted vehicle theft and armed criminal action, the Kansas City Star reports. It is unclear what charges the other teenager may face. Brady was apparently trying to stop one of them from breaking into a vehicle when he was shot Brady grew up in Ireland and studied at the Dublin Institute of Technology, where he fell in love with the city's culinary scene and became one of the school's youngest graduates, according to the Star. He then worked in kitchens around Europe and Asia, ultimately returning to his homeland - where he met a woman named Kate, a Wichita, Kansas native while she was on a vacation through Ireland and the two fell in love. Brady then moved to the United States to build his life with Kate, first living in Chicago before eventually moving to Kansas City. He had previously worked as the executive chef at the Ambassador Hotel, then opened Brady's Public House with Graham Ferris. The restaurant was forced to close during the COVID pandemic, but in 2022, Ferris and Brady opened Brady & Fox. Brady - a native of Tipperary County, Ireland - was a large part of the city's annual Irish Fest Irish Fest organizers have now set up a memorial fund to benefit Brady's wife, Kate, and his two young children. 'As a chef, Shaun Brady nourished his community, not just with incredible food, but with a deep pride in his culture and a contagious enthusiasm for celebration,' the online fundraiser says. 'The talent he brought to our Irish community will endure through those touched by his talent, spirit and joy for life.' Organizers are asking for donations of $45 - matching the price of an Irish Breakfast ticket, and within just four hours of its creation, nearly 300 people had donated almost $20,000. He and Graham Ferris opened Brady & Fox in Kansas City in 2022, after their previous restaurant was forced to close during the COVID pandemic Even some Kansas City officials fondly remembered Brady on Thursday. Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement he was 'heartbroken' to learn of the chef's death. '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,' Lucas said. 'I grieve and express my sincerest condolences to his family and friends and to all who knew him.' Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker also said that she and her husband 'are shocked and heartbroken over the senseless loss of our friend, Shaun Brady. 'Shaun became a friend to my family several years ago,' she told KSHB. 'How could one not become Shaun's 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,' she continued. 'He always offered a landing spot for me and my family for any occasion. Brady's restaurant was one of those businesses that provided a feeling that you belonged there, like it was your family welcoming you back home. 'I have brought so many friends and colleagues to his business for the scones with clotted cream (that I only learned recently that he would make special for me whenever I came in - I thought they were always on the menu), for the latest Irish spirit he thought I should try, but mostly for his great, big personality. 'We are grieving for his family and offer our heartfelt condolences to them,' she said. 'And we promise that his loss will not be forgotten.' A male driver has suffered life-threatening injuries after his ute and a B-double truck carrying ammonium nitrate collided on a notorious stretch of highway in Queensland, sparking an explosion heard more than 50km away. The two vehicles crashed at Bororen, 400km north of Brisbane, on the Bruce Highway shortly after 5am on Friday. The truck driver suffered abdominal, leg, pelvic, head and arm injuries, the Queensland Ambulance Service said. It is unclear how many people were inside the ute, which also burst into flames. The truck spilled hazardous material sparking a 'leave immediately' emergency alert issued at 9.45am and an exclusion zone spanning a 2.5km radius around the crash site. 'Residents within the exclusion zone are advised to leave immediately,' Queensland Police said. 'If you cannot leave, shelter indoors, and close your windows and doors, and turn off your air conditioning.' Residents reported hearing an explosion as the truck went up a short time after the initial crash. A large plume of smoke could be seen for kilometres. Residents within a 2.5km exclusion zone have been told to leave Residents reported hearing an explosion as the truck went up a short time ago after the initial crash The two vehicles crashed at Bororen, 400km north of Brisbane , on the Bruce Highway just after 5am on Friday One woman living 50km away claimed the explosion 'rattled' her windows. The Bruce Highway is expected to be closed for the rest of the day and even overnight. Queensland Fire and Emergency Service said it would be a 'prolonged incident' as more than five crews attack the blaze and clean up the chemicals. Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett listed the multiple detours in place. 'Northbound vehicles to detour at Childers. Lights vehicles can also detour via Mt Perry at Gin Gin,' Mr Burnett wrote on social media. 'Southbound traffic to detour at the Calliope Crossroads and connect back to the Bruce via Biloela and Monto. 'Blackman's Gap Road is closed to highway traffic but open to local traffic only.' It is the third major crash on the Bruce Highway this week, with visibility affected by heavy fog and smoke. A 29-year-old truck driver died after he was caught up in a series of catastrophic crashes which shutdown the Bruce Highway south of Miriam Vale, near Gladstone, from Tuesday to Wednesday morning. Two ambulances that were dispatched to the scene also crashed. Record numbers of migrants living in Britain are not working, costing taxpayers an estimated 8 billion, a report warns today. Official figures show that 1,689,000 non-UK nationals are either unemployed or classed as economically inactive because they are not looking for a job. The figure for the second quarter of 2024 surpasses the previous high of 1,676,000 recorded at the start of the year, and the 1,628,000 from early in 2012, according to analysis of Office for National Statistics data. It covers people aged between 16 and 64 who were born overseas and have the right to live in the UK, but excludes students and asylum-seekers. Researchers at the Centre for Migration Control think-tank put the cost to taxpayers of record levels of migrant worklessness at as much as 8.5 billion a year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured on August 8) has paused the Conservatives' plan to increase the income needed to bring a foreign partner to the UK from 29,000 to 38,700, and her main new policy is to reduce employers' reliance on overseas workers by improving the skills of homegrown staff. Pictured: Migrants are helped ashore from an RNLI lifeboat at a beach in Dungeness, southeast England, after being rescued while crossing the English Channel They calculate that the total amount of public money attributed to workless migrants including health, education, transport and housing costs, as well as welfare could be as high as 20.3 billion. It will put pressure on the Government to further crack down on legal migration, after measures by the previous Tory administration to stop foreign students and care workers bringing family members with them to the UK led to a 35 per cent drop in visa applications in the first half of this year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has paused the Conservatives' plan to increase the income needed to bring a foreign partner to the UK from 29,000 to 38,700, and her main new policy is to reduce employers' reliance on overseas workers by improving the skills of homegrown staff. Robert Bates, research director at the Centre for Migration Control, said last night: 'For all the talk of a fiscal 'black hole', the Labour Government seem to be missing the glaringly obvious fact that mass migration is causing economic pandemonium. 'There is no reason for us to continue handing out so many long-term visas when we are currently having to bail out over a million migrants who are already in Britain but not working. This is the very definition of a Ponzi scheme, and we will only compound the problem if we do not change course soon.' Mr Bates added: 'Our elderly are facing a potentially deadly winter as Keir Starmer cancels the lifeline of the winter fuel allowance, but at the same time he is doing nothing to clamp down on workless migrants.' More than 600 migrants reached Britain on Wednesday, the second highest daily tally so far under the Labour Government, Home Office figures showed. The number of arrivals since the start of this year is 20,433 Tory MP Neil O'Brien, who has researched the impact of migration on the workforce, said: 'This report shows migration policy is literally not working. We need a system where the numbers coming are capped at a much lower level and the system is much more selective. 'No one has a problem with a small number of highly skilled workers coming here but that is not what our current migration rules are delivering and sadly there is no sign of that changing under Keir Starmer.' A Government spokesman said last night: 'It is incorrect to apply an average cost to migrants out of work as estimates need to take into account individual circumstances. Most education and welfare costs are not applicable to working-age migrants who are not students.' Aussies used platform to report party's own adverts Labors new portal for Aussies to report disinformation on political issues has immediately been used by critics to report the ALPs own political advertisements for fact-checking. The ALP launched the page on its website, encouraging party members and supporters to report political disinformation through an online form. It's important that the Party is across sources of disinformation so we can respond swiftly, reads the site. In order to submit a report, users must enter their name, email address, and details of the disinformation, including which social media platform the complaint involves. Theres also an option to send evidence and links to the disinformation page. Young, pro-nuclear campaigner Will Shackel told his online followers hed reported the partys own nuclear ads for disinformation. Labor has just created a website to report disinformation: Heres something that I just reported. The irony here is quite extreme, he wrote on X. Mr Shackel attached an advertisement by NSW Labor which warned Australians: Peter Dutton wants to build nuclear power plants all over Australia. The ALP launched a portal to 'combat disinformation' but it's been used by the party's critics Student nuclear campaigner Will Shackel used the site to report Labor's own political ads The advert featured a stylised picture of nuclear cooling towers behind the Sydney Opera House, accompanied by the slogan stop nuclear coming to you. Cooling towers are often used to diffuse heat from nuclear power stations in the form of white vapour. Metadata reveals the ad was viewed between 30,000 and 35,000 times on Facebook between April 21 and May 2, 2024. The ad's claim about the Oppositions nuclear plan contradicts the proposal for seven sites of nuclear development announced by Mr Dutton in July. None include the general Sydney area. NSW Labor ads showed nuclear cooling towers looming behind iconic locations in the state The ad shared by Mr Shackel was one of several similar advertisements produced by NSW Labor. Other ads were set in different regions of Sydney and wider NSW. Ads featured landscapes from the Hunter region, Northern Rivers and south coast of the state. Others featured the cityscapes of Newcastle, Illawarra and different suburbs of Sydney. Many shared variations on the anti-nuclear slogans on images of cooling towers looming over iconic NSW locations. Labor has just created a website to report disinformation: Heres something that I just reported. The irony here is quite extreme. https://t.co/kQBXn57wj3 pic.twitter.com/NmlTJmRoPh Will Shackel (@ShackelWill) August 29, 2024 Some commenters agreed with Mr Shackels sentiment, disparaging Labors campaigning. Excellent, thanks Will, I'll be sure to report all the Labor posts I find so they can investigate themselves. Being of high integrity and fully transparent so far, I am sure it will go well, wrote one sarcastically. Others suggested they would use the portal to similar effect. Shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien took aim at the Albanese's governments 'hypocrisy' However, not all echoed his outrage. How on earth does this constitute "disinformation"? It is a slogan, you muppet, wrote another user on X. Shadow energy minister Ted O'Brien told Sky News the disinformation portal showed extreme hypocrisy. The Albanese Governments virtue signalling as if theyre the barometer of morality while lying through their teeth is an act of extreme hypocrisy, Mr O'Brien said. 'Whether it be falsely implying nuclear cooling towers emit smoke in mushroom clouds Dan Repacholi and Jacinta Allen posting images of three-eyed fish or (Chris) Bowen using a photo of yellow barrels on grassy hills to depict nuclear waste storage.' The Australian Labor Party has been contacted for comment The Trump Campaign raced to clarify the former president's comments after he signalled that he was open to expanding access to abortion in Florida in an upcoming referendum. Florida bans almost all abortions after six weeks and, when asked how he would vote on a measure that would extend the limit to more than 20 weeks, Trump told DailyMail.com: 'I want more than six weeks.' In a referendum that offers a simple yes or no to voters, his response horrified allies in the anti-abortion movement. And his campaign played cleanup on Thursday evening. '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,' said Karoline Leavitt, Trump Campaign national press secretary. 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' Trump has walked a narrow path on the issue, knowing that it could hold the key to the 2024 election. During his administration he was happy to be seen as the most 'pro-life' president in history. He took credit for ending federal protections on abortion after the Supreme Court (including three of his picks) overturned Roe v Wade. But he has since expressed concern that Republicans could be battered at the ballot box if they push hardline federal bans. Instead, he said it was up to states to decide the matter. However, with his home state of Florida due in November to vote on Amendment 4, which would allow abortions up to the point of 'viability' when fetuses can survive outside the mother's womb, he cannot avoid explaining his personal position forever. He trailed a public reveal on the issue when DailyMail.com asked him how he would be voting. 'I think six weeks is a mistake. And I'll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks,' he said at his Mar-a-Lago home, speaking for the first time about his thoughts on the referendum. '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.' The Trump Campaign issued a statement clarifying his position Democrats are putting abortion referenda on the ballot in November in a range of states There is no alternative to a yes or no, delighting supporters of a woman's right to choose, who took to social media in support. He said the same thing in a second TV interview a day later. But a key anti-abortion leader immediately got in touch with Trump to check his position. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said Trump hold her he had not yet committed to how he will vote. '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. 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' 'We strongly support Floridas current heartbeat law. For anyone who believes in drawing a different line, they still must vote against Amendment 4, unless they dont want a line at all. Amendment 4 would lock unlimited abortion into the state constitution, preventing the Florida legislature from enacting any changes.' Florida's hardline abortion law was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. 'Donald Trump has consistently stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and he's always stood up for parents' rights,' said Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor's office. 'Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions. It's extreme and must be defeated.' The state of Florida has executed a man convicted of killing a college freshman and raping his older sister in 1994. Loran Cole, 57, received a lethal injection 6pm Thursday for the 30-year-old offense. Hours before, he was joined by his son, Ryan, and a pen pal for a last meal of pizza, ice cream, and M&Ms. To drink, he chose soda, officials overseeing the event said. Cole was convicted in 1995 of killing of John Edwards, 18, and raping Pam Edwards, 21, in the Ocala National Forest in February 1994. The pair had been on a camping trip when Cole and an accomplice beat up John before slitting his throat. As he laid dying, Cole raped his sister, before raping her again the next morning. After being tied up, she managed to free herself and flag down a driver. Afterwards Cole, then 27, and his friend, 20-year-old William Paul, were both convicted of first-degree murder. Cole was sentenced to death and two life sentences. Paul, 50, was sentenced to life, and remains at Cross City Correctional. Scroll down for video: Loran Cole, 57, received a lethal injection 6pm Thursday for the 30-year-old offense Cole was convicted in 1995 of killing of John Edwards, 18, and Pam Edwards, 21, in the Ocala National Forest in February 1994. John is seen here shortly before he was killed. His sister, who was raped by Cole twice, is not pictured Cole, who had argued being put to death would 'needless pain and suffering' due o already having Parkinson's disease, was pronounced dead at 6:15 pm, officials said. He died at Florida State Prison, after the Supreme Court rejected a last-minute request to halt the proceedings following three appeals and sever more motions. His attorneys had argued his symptoms would 'make it impossible' for his execution to be carried out humanely, with jurists writing 'his involuntary body movements will affect the placement of the intravenous lines necessary to carry out' the procedure. Florida AG Ashley Moody, shot back that Cole had waited too long to raise the issue, pointing out how the concerns only emerged in recent weeks. She also noted how Florida uses restraints during lethal injection to hinder a prisoner's movement, labeling the claims that his symptoms would make it difficult for executioners to inject the drugs 'both speculative and legally insufficient.' The AG also rebuffed requests for leniency relating to his time at the Dozier School for Boys, a boarding school where the suspect underwent 'torturous treatment' a teen. Attorneys previously argued his punishment should be lessened because such abuses, as they ended up contributing to his depraved behavior, they said. For precedent, they pointed to a Florida law enacted to compensate victims of the school, calling it evidence that the state had already taken some responsibility. The murder happened at the Ocala National Forest north of Orlando, where Cole and Paul befriended the two college students as they sat around a campfire. The campsite is seen here The concluded that jurors may have decided differently had they known of his experiences at the school, in 2011 after 111 years of operation. Over the years, researchers have found the remains of dozens of former students buried there, giving credence to rumors of abuse, beatings, rapes, torture, and even murders being committed by staff for decades. Despite several investigations, the allegations of cruelty and abuse were not substantiated until then, nearly two decades after the crime in question, and even more since Cole's stint at the school. The murder happened at the Ocala National Forest north of Orlando, where Cole and Paul befriended the two college students as they sat around a campfire. After talking for a bit, the men offered to take the siblings to see a pond, cops said. After leading them away from the campsite, Cole and Paul jumped the victims and robbed them, investigators found. The brother, who was a student at Florida State University, was beaten and had his throat slit and left in the forest to bleed out. The sister, then a 21-year-old senior at Eckerd College, was taken back to the site to be tied up and raped by Cole, according to the record. Cole (left), then 27, is seen being arrested on February 21, 1994, days after the offense Appeals in 1996, 2000, and 2003 slowed the carrying out of his sentence for the murder, which came on top of two life sentences. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant last month The woman was left tied to a tree overnight and raped again, by Cole, the next day. She eventually managed to free herself, and was rescued by a passing motoriest, Police would then find her brother's savaged body, left face down on the ground/ Paul and Cole were both arrested in the days afterwards, both convicted of first-degree murder. Appeals in 1996, 2000, and 2003 slowed the carrying out of his sentence for the murder, which came on top of two life sentences for rape. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for Cole last month. When the procedure began, the convicted killer was said to have looked up at witness in the front row convened to watch justice be carried out. After three minutes, he began taking deep breaths, and for a brief moment, his body trembled. Five minutes later, the warden shook him and shouted his name. At that point, he appeared unresponsive - no longer breathing. He was then declared dead. The parents of the victims did not attend, nor did Pam. She has since gone on to become a wife, teacher and professor. 'Though invisible to others, our daughter bears internal scars that will never go away. She battled years of fear, pain and sorrow,' a statement from the family read. 'She is our hero.' It added 'We are void of feelings and empathy for Mr. Cole. He placed himself into this arena. He does not deserve mercy.' EXCLUSIVE A callous nurse has been summarily sacked from tending to residents at an aged care home after Daily Mail Australia readers notified her new boss about her dark past. Sudiksha Ahuja had been entrusted to care for dementia patients at a nursing home in Junee, just outside Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina, in late 2021 when she pulled one of the cruellest 'pranks' imaginable. After being egged on by a colleague, the young nurse pretended to cave in a baby's head by smashing a therapy doll's face against a table - in the full knowledge a frail dementia patient watching on believed it was a real-life newborn. Ahuja - known as 'Sudi' to friends - laughed as the brutal baby-killing 'prank' reduced her traumatised patient to tears. Although she left the NSW nursing home in the wake of the scandal, the enrolled nurse simply moved interstate and onto another job working with vulnerable elderly residents at an aged care facility on the Mornington Peninsula. But this week her past caught up with her. Daily Mail Australia revealed on Thursday morning the enrolled nurse had been found guilty of 'callous and deplorable' professional misconduct over her disturbing behaviour. By Thursday afternoon, she no longer had a job in the aged care sector. Sudiksha Ahuja pretended to cave in a baby's head by bashing a therapy doll's face against a table - knowing that a distressed dementia patient watching on believed it was all real The sick 'baby-killing' stunt unfolded while Ahuja was working at the Junee Multipurpose Service centre near Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina She was fired after Daily Mail Australia readers alerted Ahuja's bosses at Pearl Home Care in the town of Mornington, about an hour's drive south of Melbourne. 'As a Mornington resident I can tell you, we dont take kindly to abuses of our large population of elderly residents,' one reader told Daily Mail Australia. 'I messaged Pearl Aged Care at 6:30am and along with your help and many, many other good people, this heartless nurse has been sacked. 'I have worked in aged care and have several senior nurses Ive contacted on this issue this morning, and can confidently tell you, Sudiksha Ahuja will find no further work in Mornington.' The home has sent messages to concerned members of the tight-knit coastal community, saying: 'She has been sacked from our organisation..we weren't aware of it..' Pearl Home Care told concerned Daily Mail Australia readers it had sacked Ahuja The aged care centre - which prides 'treating ageing Australians with dignity and care' - has also removed Ahuja from its list of team members on its website. The nursing home did not want to comment on Ahuja's dismissal when contacted by Daily Mail Australia but confirmed 'she is not with the company anymore'. Local townspeople praised Pearl Home Care for its proactive and immediate response. 'We wanted to thank you for your article,' one said. 'Hopefully she does not continue to jump from state to state.' The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal is now facing calls to prevent Ahuja from working in the industry again. The Health Care Complaints Commission has asked the tribunal to revoke Ahuja's registration, with a non-review period of between six and 12 months. It comes after the tribunal found her guilty of both unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct on Monday. The elderly dementia patient believed the therapy doll was her real-life newborn baby In its decision, the tribunal found Ahuja had deliberately smashed the therapy doll's face against a dining room table at the Junee aged care home on December 9, 2001, knowing it would cause her 82-year-old patient extreme distress. '(Ahuja) did so knowing that (the patient) believe that the dolls were real babies and with the intention of eliciting a response,' the tribunal said its judgement. '(She) engaged in this conduct for the purpose of amusing herself and (her colleague) at the patient's expense. 'She thought the situation was humorous and was laughing at the patient's distress.' The tribunal said Ahuja's 'attempt to collude' with one of the witnesses by contacting her on Snapchat and unsuccessfully trying to convince her to lie about the incident to avoid responsibility 'compounds her culpability'. Despite the gravity of the judgment, Ahuja told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday that she had been 'too busy' to read the tribunal's decision. The tribunal will determine an appropriate sentence following a further hearing on October 14. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shrugged off questions about his incorrect descriptions of his military service record, during a CNN interview on Thursday. 'My record speaks for itself but I think as people are coming to know me I speak like they do,' Walz said, dodging the question. 'I speak candidly, I wear my emotions on my sleeves.' In 2018, Walz said he carried 'weapons of war' in battle, during a discussion about the need for gun control. 'We can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war is the only place where those weapons are at,' he said, despite never being deployed overseas. He then referred to criticism he got from his wife, when speaking publicly about his record. Gov. Tim Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on Thursday 'My wife the English teacher tells me my grammar is not always correct,' he added. He pivoted to other issues where he felt he was unfairly attacked by some supporters of former President Donald Trump. 'If it's not this, it's an attack on my children for showing love for me or it's an attack on my dog,' he said. Bash also questioned Walz about his misstatements about he and his wife using IVF to have their children, when they actually used a different treatment and misstating details of a 1995 drunk driving arrest. Walz dodged controversial statements he made about his record Walz said that his students and fellow servicemen would 'vouch' for him. 'I certainly own my mistakes when I make them,' he said. He pivoted back to Republican efforts to restrict abortion rights, pointing to a contrast between his vision and that of former President Donald Trump. 'I won't apologize for speaking passionately whether it's guns in schools or protecting our reproductive rights,' he said. A man has been charged with murder after allegedly failing to call emergency services following the deaths of two people who had 'adverse reactions' from drugs they'd taken in a suburban home. Emergency services were called to the Kentville St property in Mitchelton in Brisbane's north at 8.50am on Thursday, finding the two people inside unresponsive. A 61-year-old Keperra man and a 35-year-old Mitchelton woman were later declared dead at the scene. A 41-year-old Greenslopes man has since been charged with two counts of murder with the aggravating feature of reckless indifference and two counts each of supply dangerous drugs and possess dangerous drugs. Ferny Grove Criminal Investigation Branch Senior Sergeant Mick Jones said police would allege the man had supplied the pair with drugs hours before their death. 'He also allegedly failed to contact emergency services when the man and the woman had an adverse reaction to the substances,' Sergeant Jones said. 'The investigation that we've conducted indicate he bought the drugs to the premises and provided them to those there. 'He was there for the duration (of the drug taking).' Queensland police found two bodies at a home in Mitchelton, Brisbane on Thursday Police charged a man with two counts of murder by reckless indifference, and drug offences It will be alleged the pair were unconscious when police arrived but later died. One of the woman's four children called triple-0 on Thursday morning. Sergeant Jones said the 41-year-old man was at the property when police arrived and assisted them with their inquiries. He then 'voluntarily accompanied' police to the station for further questioning before being charged. 'When the job was tasked and police and QAS came to the scene very quickly, he was out the front of the residence,' Sergeant Jones said. 'He's co-operative with police and he voluntarily wished to assist us with the investigation moving forward.' Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia a single mother and two primary-school-aged children lived inside the home, which is owned by the Queensland government When asked if the circumstances would have been any different if the man had called triple-0, Sergeant Jones replied: 'It certainly would have helped.' 'By the time triple-0 had been called, it was past that point.' Police will further allege the man had moved a car belonging to one of his 'friends' before returning to the property. That car was also now being treated as a crime scene, Sergeant Jones said. While police are still waiting to receive the toxicology and autopsy reports, Sergeant Jones said they were 'pretty confident' some of the drugs consumed by the pair included cocaine and amphetamines. However, Sergeant Jones said he didn't believe there was further risk to the community, and it was unlikely these drugs were from a bad batch. Police will allege the 41-year-old man had also consumed drugs with the pair but might not have used the same drugs as the other two because he didn't have an 'adverse reaction'. 'I don't know the exact way the whole situation transpired,' Sergeant Jones said. 'He certainly indicated they used drugs on that evening ... whether they all used the same drugs (is unclear).' Sergeant Jones said he was also unable to comment on the quantity or quality of the drugs that caused the deaths until police received the toxicology reports. He said the pair allegedly had the adverse reaction to the drugs 'reasonably quickly' after they were consumed. He confirmed none of the three was in an intimate relationship with one another but instead 'loose associates' or 'friends'. Sergeant Jones said the four children were now in the care of their father - who does not live at the property - and grandmother following the 'traumatic situation'. The man was due to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. His lawyers tried to prevent media from identifying him Liberal MP Rory Amon has vowed to fight ten child sex offences he allegedly committed against a 13-year-old boy. Amon, 35, resigned from his seat in the NSW electorate of Pittwater on Friday - just hours after he was charged with assaulting a teenage boy who was known to him in Mona Vale, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, in 2017. The charges include five counts of having sexual intercourse with person over 10 and under 14, and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child over 10 and under 14. He was also charged with two counts of indecent assault on a person under 16 years of age, and committing an act of indecency with person under 16 years. His lawyers appeared in Manly Local Court on Friday afternoon and tried to block media from identifying him and reporting the allegations, but the application was withdrawn and dismissed. Amon then released a statement maintaining his innocence, and confirming his resignation from the NSW Liberal Party. 'Today I have been charged in relation to events alleged to have taken place in 2017,' he said. 'I deny all charges, and will make my case in the courts, not in the media. Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case.' 'The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament. As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the Member for Pittwater, effective immediately.' Rory Amon (pictured) was asked to resign from the NSW Liberal Party on Friday Amon said his constituents deserved a representative who was able to dedicate themselves to the community. 'As I defend myself against these charges, I will not be able to devote my full energy to representing them,' he said. 'Thank you to all those who have supported me. 'It's been the greatest honour of my life to represent my community on Northern Beaches Council from September 2017, and as the Member for Pittwater since March 2023.' Amon was granted conditional bail. He must report to police once daily and he is not allowed to contact the alleged victim or any witnesses for the prosecution. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman confirmed he asked for Amon's resignation when he learned about the charges earlier on Friday. 'The charges against Rory Amon are extremely serious,' he said in a statement. 'Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amon's immediate resignation from the Liberal Party. 'While Mr Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a criminal trial will be some time away and in the meantime the citizens of Pittwater are entitled to have a member of Parliament who can discharge their duties in the community fully.' The investigation related to reports of a sexual assault in Mona Vale in Sydney's northern beaches in 2017. Liberal MP Rory Amon has been charged with five counts of underage sex with a teenage boy 'Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him - at an address in Mona Vale,' a NSW Police spokesman said. 'In March 2023, Strike Force NOORAL was established to investigate the incident. 'Following extensive inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station about 6am today.' He was given strict conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on September 18. Amon was elected to the Northern Beaches seat of Pittwater last year to replace retiring minister Rob Stokes. He became the Shadow Assistant Minister for Transport and Roads, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, and the Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was asked about the charges at budget estimates on Friday. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Borsak asked Ms Webb if she could inform parliament 'about the processes and charges in relation to Mr Amon's charging'. 'He is currently in custody awaiting an appearance in court, will the police support an application for bail from him?' he asked. 'That will be up to the bail sergeant,' Ms Webb replied. 'A bail sergeant makes the determination, and that's the decision of the bail sergeant,' she said. Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she did not know about the charges. A man has been charged with murder after two people were found dead inside a home in northwestern Brisbane. Police arrived at a Kentville Street home in Mitchelton before 9am on Thursday to find two people unresponsive. A 61-year-old man from Keperra and a 35-year-old woman from Mitchelton were declared dead at the scene. A Greenslopes man, who was at the scene and allegedly known to the pair, was taken into police custody. Police allege the 41-year-old did not contact emergency services. The man has been charged with two counts of murder (reckless indifference), two counts of supplying dangerous drugs and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs. He was scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. A man has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed at a major shopping centre on Queensland's Gold Coast. Emergency services were called to Australia Fair shopping centre on Marine Parade in Southport at around 12.20pm on Friday. A man in his early 40s was treated by paramedics for a wound to his chest, and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The incident is reported to have occurred in a public toilet near the centre's Woolworths supermarket, reported 9News. Another man was seen to be escorted from the scene at about 2pm. No one was immediately taken into custody. Sections of the shopping centre remain cordoned off as police establish a crime scene. Emergency services were called to Australia Fair shopping centre on Marine Parade in Southport at around 12.20pm on Friday Another crime scene has been established at nearby Welch St, across the road from Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. The location is across the road from the Gold Coast Show, which has drawn thousands of people to the Broadwater Parklands amid 31C temperatures. In March this year a young woman was stabbed at the Pacific Fair shopping centre on the corner of Hooker Boulevard and Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach. The woman aged in her 20s, was discovered with two stab wounds. There have also been serious incidents involving knives at shopping centres in Melbourne and Sydney, including the horrific death of six people at Westfield Bondi Junction in April. A billionaire boss of a mining company has admitted he likes to keep his staff 'held captive' in the firm's offices, adding they shouldn't be able to go out on coffee breaks. Chris Ellison, 67, who is reportedly worth about $1.2billion, is the managing director of Mineral Resources, which has its head office in Perth. Mr Ellison already banned his staff from working from home last year and now wants them to remain in the office for the entire day, not even stepping out for a quick cappuccino. 'I want to hold them captive all day long, I don't want them leaving the building,' he said at the MinRes FY24 Financial Results Presentation on Thursday. 'And we do that, so I don't 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 lunchtime.' Instead, Mr Ellison has ensured staff want to stay in his office by decking it out with features including a restaurant, a creche that costs just $20 a day and can hold 105 kids, and a gym, along with in-house psychologists. 'We've got other facilities that keeps them glued in there,' he said. While many workplaces offer hybrid WFH conditions, Mr Ellison said more businesses needed to follow in his footsteps and get staff back into the office full-time. Chris Ellison, 67, who is reportedly worth about $1.2billion, is the managing director of Mineral Resources, which has its head office in Perth Mr Ellison has added facilities to his head office in Perth (pictured) such as a creche and gym to ensure staff stay in the office during the work day 'I wish everyone else would get on board with that, the sooner the better,' he said. 'We can't have people working three days, and picking up five days a week pay, or [even] four days.' The father-of-six grow up in a lower-class family in New Zealand and was ranked No.49 on Forbes' Australia's 50 Richest list of 2024. Mr Ellison's comments come after Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart splurged about $240million on an office tower for her staff in a move that will strike fear into the hearts of those who still love to work from home. Ms Rinehart bought 175 Eagle Street in Brisbane's CBD from Charter Hall, a property investment fund specialising in office buildings. The sale of the 19-floor 'A-grade' building, which boasts 'breathtaking views of the Brisbane River and Kangaroo Point', signals a tentative return to high-end offices among big-name employers. Vacancies in plush office blocks which spiked during the Covid pandemic when most white-collar staff worked from home are only now starting to fill up again. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. The new boss of one of Australia's largest universities demanded a pay cut because he believes smaller salaries for vice chancellors are 'fair and just'. Professor George Williams became the new vice chancellor of Western Sydney University a month ago. One of his first acts in the job was to negotiate a 20-25 per cent pay decrease compared with his predecessor Barney Glover, whose salary in 2022 was over $1million. More than half of vice chancellors at Australian universities earn over $1m. But Professor Williams, a constitutional law expert, has argued that vice chancellors should benchmark their pay against the equivalent level in the public service. 'I went into this thinking that universities need to change. In my case I'm not working for a corporation, it's not a business - our bottom line is not dollars it's students and community,' Professor Williams told 2GB's Ben Fordham. The university boss said it was 'fair and just' for his salary to be commensurate with the lowest paid boss of a federal government department. 'I thought it was important for both the sector and the uni to get a salary that was right,' he said. Professor George Williams (pictured) became the new vice chancellor of Western Sydney University a month ago One of Prof Williams first acts in the job was to negotiate a 20-25 per cent pay decrease compared with his predecessor Barney Glover, whose salary in 2022 was over $1m (pictured: Western Sydney University) Poll Do you think all university bosses should take a pay cut? Yes No Do you think all university bosses should take a pay cut? Yes 127 votes No 3 votes Now share your opinion 'I felt also that the benchmarking was critical because the community, I think, has rightly been saying: "What's wrong with these salaries? They are at a level we don't understand".' But Professor Williams' desire to take a stand against fat cat academic pay cheques was also driven by more personal reasons. 'Universities are here for students and community and I felt it was right to send a signal,' he said. 'Personally, it's just my background as well: I come from a low SES (socio-economic) family, probably the wrong side of the tracks for a good part of my childhood. I faced expulsion from school.' Professor Williams added: 'Education changed my life and I felt it's about giving back.' The academic was born in Tasmania but moved to Sydney with his mother who raised him as a single parent and he 'went off the rails'. 'I was the sort of kid you would not want in your class, I think it's fair to say. The key point for me and the thing that actually changed my life were my teachers,' he said. Professor Williams said that his background helped him empathise and support many of the students at Western Sydney University, many of whom come from deprived or troubled backgrounds. Professor Williams criticised the government's proposed decision to cap the number of international students universities are allowed to accept next year, claiming it would reduce money for domestic students 'We've got a lot of kids who are on the wrong side of the tracks who come to Western Sydney university. That's the point: two-thirds of our kids are from families who never had anyone go to university,' he said. 'We've got the highest number of kids from low-SES or poverty backgrounds and our business is getting them ahead, getting them a better life so we welcome them and, like me, give them opportunities.' But Professor Williams criticised the government's proposed decision to cap the number of international students universities are allowed to accept next year. He said that foreigners previously made up 20 per cent of the student body at Western Sydney University, which helped fund places for domestic students. The proposed cap, which will be done on an institution-by-institution basis, will cost Western Sydney University $26.5 million next year alone. 'That's just next year and it gets bigger and bigger every year,' Professor Williams said. 'That's essentially money that cross-subsidies domestic students for their food, equity and studies programs.' Islamic State-inspired terror suspects planned to kill tens of thousands of fans at Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna by using homemade explosives, officials revealed. The CIA alerted Austrian authorities about the devastating plot, which led to the arrest three suspects and the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows. The agency's deputy director, David Cohen, addressed the foiled plan at the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit 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.' The Islamic State-inspired terror suspects planned to kill tens of thousands of people at Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna using homemade explosives, the CIA has revealed 'They were plotting to kill a huge number tens of thousands of people at this concert,' CIA deputy director David Cohen The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man inspired by the Islamic State, planned to attack the stadium with knives and homemade chemical explosives, which investigators found at his home. Over 95,000 fans were expected to attend the concert. Investigators found chemicals and explosives at his home. Austria's interior minister, Gerhard Karner, said help from outside intelligence agencies were required as Austrian investigators are not legally allowed to monitor text messages. The 19-year-old suspect's lawyer characterized the allegations as 'overacting at its best' and argued that Austrian authorities were intentionally overstating the situation to justify the acquisition of new surveillance powers. Swift addressed the recent cancellations of her Vienna concerts for the first time last week, following the conclusion of her London shows. '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. Concert organizer Barracuda Music announced the cancellation of the three-night Vienna concert series, scheduled to begin on August 8, citing the arrests made in connection with a related conspiracy as too close to the event date. The primary suspect and a 17-year-old were apprehended on August 6, the day before the cancellations were announced. An additional suspect, aged 18, was arrested on August 8. In accordance with Austrian privacy regulations, their names have not been publicly disclosed. The London shows, the next stop on Swift's tour following Vienna, occurred shortly after a tragic stabbing incident at a Swift-themed dance class in the UK, resulting in the deaths of three young girls. 'Swifties' gather in Vienna at the Corneliusgasse, after the government confirmed a planned attack at the venue and the cancellations of Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna In a statement released after the Southport attack, Swift expressed her profound shock and loss, conveying her condolences to the affected families. News reports indicated that Swift met with some of the survivors backstage during her London performances. Cohen commended the CIA's efforts in preventing the planned violence, highlighting that other successful counterterrorism operations often go unrecognized. He expressed pride in his agency's work and mentioned that many employees, including those who are Taylor Swift fans, considered the day a significant victory for the CIA. The record-breaking tour is currently on pause until the fall. Swift's next show is on November 14 in Toronto, Canada. An estranged husband who claimed he was acting in self-defence when he hacked his wife to death has been found guilty of murder. A Victorian Supreme Court jury took less than three hours to deliberate before convicting Dinush Kurera, 47, of murder on Friday. He faced a month-long trial over the death of his wife Nelomie Perera. Kurera admitted to killing her on December 3, 2022, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder claiming he acted in self-defence. He took the stand during his trial, telling the jury Ms Perera had threatened him with a knife and bit his finger during a heated argument in their Melbourne home. He claimed to be scared she was going to attack him when he grabbed an axe and hit her 'only a couple of times'. Ms Perera, 43, was found dead in a pool of blood with 35 separate wounds, prosecutors told the jury. Kurera also denied assaulting his 17-year-old son by striking him with an axe as the teen tried to flee the house during the altercation. A Victorian Supreme Court jury took less than three hours to deliberate before convicting Dinush Kurera, 47, of murder on Friday Kurera admitted to killing his wife Nelomie Perera on December 3, 2022, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder claiming he acted in self-defence The jury retired to consider their verdicts on Friday after hearing four weeks of evidence, including from Kurera's teenage son and daughter. The girl, who was aged 16 when her mother died, said she saw her father repeatedly strike Ms Perera with a knife and axe, while the boy said Kurera chased him with an axe and hit him as he tried to find help. Ms Perera, 43, was found dead in a pool of blood with 35 separate wounds, prosecutors told the jury The jury returned their guilty verdicts at 2pm on Friday, after just under three hours of deliberation. Jurors also found Kurera was guilty of assaulting his son. Kurera blinked and looked straight ahead as the verdicts were handed down. He was returned to custody and will be sentenced at a later date. Social media erupted over an apparently leaked plan for Wendy's to start making the burger made famous by SpongeBob SquarePants. The speculation seemed to have begun when someone claiming to be a Wendy's employee posted a photo of an announcement from the fast food chain to Reddit. 'Starting October 8, get ready to deliver the magic of cultural phenomenon SpongeBob SquarePants!' it said. 'To celebrate the show's 25th anniversary this year, Wendy's will introduce its own version of SpongeBob's iconic Krabby Patty as part of an exclusive Krabby Patty Kollab with Paramount,' it said. The iconic burger will be available to customers in the US, Canada and Guam through November 11. A memo shared on social media seems to suggest Wendy's will introduce the iconic Krabby Patty from SpongeBob SquarePants The memo says Wendy's partnered with Paramount to celebrate SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th anniversary Wendy's Krabby Patty will be a 'premium cheeseburger with Wendy's fresh, never frozen beef, topped with fresh produce and a secret Krabby Patty sauce, capturing the magic of the iconic fictional sandwich for SpongeBob fans,' according to the memo. The franchise will also offer Hot and Crispy Fries and a Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, it says. As the memo spread across social media, SpongeBob fans were overjoyed. 'NOBODY DOES IT LIKE MY GOAT WENDY'S,' one social media user wrote. 'NAME ONE OTHER RESTAURANT THAT HAS THE KRABBY PATTY SECRET FORMULA.' Others joked that the fast food company was able to get the secret formula quicker than the show's antagonist, Plankton. The iconic burger will be available to customers in the US, Canada and Guam through November 11 Many online jested that the fast food chain was able to get the secret formula before the antagonist Plankton Another X user suggested she would be wealthy after stealing the formula 'How tf Wendy's get the d*** Krabby Patty formula, but Plankton couldn't even retrieve the s*** for 14+ straight seasons,' another wrote. A third suggested they would be wealthy 'after successfully stealing the Krabby Patty formula from Wendy's.' Yet others seemed disappointed by the memo. 'Me after finding out the Wendy's Krabby Patty meal is just a new secret sauce on a regular burger with... some type of pineapple shake and hot and crispy fries,' one X user wrote, sharing a photo of Snoop Dog lying down. One man was disappointed that the burger 'is just a new secret sauce on a regular burger' One X user shared a clip from the cartoon showing Mr. Krabs updating the price of a Krabby Patty to more than $100, suggesting Wendy's will similarly raise its prices 'Wendy's updating the price for a simple a** burger that's just called a "krabby patty," yet another social media user wrote. The person shared a clip from the cartoon in which Mr. Krabs was updating the price of a Krabby Patty to more than $100. 'A hundred and one dollars for a Krabby Patty?' his employee, Squidward, asks. 'With cheese Mr. Squidward, with cheese,' Mr. Krabs replies. DailyMail.com has reached out to Wendy's for comment. Israel has halted some of its military operations in Gaza to allow health workers to launch a polio vaccine drive for some 640,000 Palestinian children. The humanitarian agreement struck last week will see Israel's Defence Forces observe three staggered pauses of fighting in central, southern and northern Gaza, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) officials. The first pause began yesterday in central Gaza, where health workers will administer vaccines before moving to southern Gaza and finishing the campaign in the north over a total of nine days. WHO's representative for the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, told reporters the pauses will last from 6am until 3pm and that each block of three days can be extended by an extra day if health workers say it is required. Israel's agreement to humanitarian pauses came a week after WHO officials confirmed a Palestinian baby had been paralysed after contracting the virus - the first confirmed case in Gaza for more than a quarter-century. Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, who suffers from polio, sleeps at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 Israel has halted some of its military operations in Gaza to allow health workers to launch a polio vaccine drive for some 640,000 Palestinian children Palestinians search rubble of destroyed buildings for their belongings after the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the eastern part of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza City, Gaza on August 29, 2024 Smoke rises over Jenin refugee camp during the third day of an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, 30 August 2024 Injured Palestinians, including children, are brought to Al-Aqsa Martyr's Hospital for treatment after an Israeli army attack on Nuseirat refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on August 29, 2024 A view of tents for internally displaced Palestinians set up on the beach of Khan Yunis camp, southern Gaza Strip, 29 August 2024 The vaccination campaign in Gaza 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. 'I'm not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward,' Peeperkorn said, adding that the humanitarian pauses are critical so families can bring their children to get vaccinated and get back to where they are staying by 3pm to avoid the Israeli onslaught. '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 UN agencies and the Gaza Ministry of Health, working at hundreds of sites across Gaza and with mobile teams. But the humanitarian pauses do not constitute a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that mediators US, Egypt and Qatar have long been seeking, including in talks that are ongoing this week. Robert Wood, US deputy ambassador to the UN, 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 paralysed 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 October 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel and prompted the Israeli Defence Forces to launch 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 decades-long effort by the WHO and partners to wipe out the disease. Healthcare workers in Gaza have been warning of the potential for a polio outbreak for months, as the humanitarian crisis unleashed by Israels offensive grows. Israeli soldiers take position during an army operation in Tulkarm in the north of the occupied West Bank on August 29, 2024 Palestinians inspect a car destroyed by an airstrike in Al Zababda village, near the West Bank city of Jenin, 30 August 2024, during the third day of an Israeli military operation in the area Smoke rises over Jenin refugee camp during the third day of an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, 30 August 2024 A Palestinian woman reacts at the sight of the devastation as she returns with others to eastern Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip to check on property, after Israeli troops pulled out from some blocks in the area on August 29, 2024 While central Gaza saw a long-awaited break from fighting yesterday, Israel's military pressed on with a deadly operation in the West Bank and killed five people that it said were part of a militia, including local commander Mohammed Jaber. Israel said Jaber was killed Thursday along with four other militants in a shootout after the five had hidden inside a mosque, adding that he was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. Jaber had become something of a Palestinian hero 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 Islamic Jihad also confirmed his death yesterday. Israel's search-and-arrest raids continued for hours Thursday, including the city of Jenin. Firefights also erupted 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 travelling in a car. Their militant affiliations were not immediately clear. The army also said it uncovered caches of weapons, explosive devices and other military equipment inside a mosque in Fara'a and arrested another militant in Tulkarem, where a member of Israel's paramilitary Border Police was wounded. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank - which have killed a total of 16 people since late Tuesday - are aimed at preventing attacks. But Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israel's decades-long military rule over the territory. The raids drew alarm from the UN and neighboring Jordan, as well as from British and French leaders, who stressed the urgency of cease-fire in Gaza after nearly 11 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Medics at al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza said Thursday nine Palestinians from the same family - including two women and five young children - were killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment building in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel did not immediately offer comment on the intended target of its attack. Natwest customers have been unable to make payments as the bank's and online services have been hit with technical issues. More than 1,000 angry customers complained at around 7am this morning, according to DownDetector - a website which monitors the status of websites. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which is owned by the Natwest Group, appears to have be having IT issues, with nearly 200 complaints lodged, DownDetector reports. Natwest customers have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to air their frustrations, with droves of users complaining about the bank's online services. One disgruntled customer penned: 'Natwest I can't make a payment to someone via my banking app. Droves of disgruntled customers have taken to X (formerly Twitter) reporting issues with the Natwest online banking service (stock image) DownDetector - a website which monitors the status of websites - has identified over 1,000 complaints from Natwest account holders at around 7am this morning 'Let's me get the whole way through, and then when I go to send the payment it says there's been an error and my session has timed out.' A second furiously added: 'Natwest what is going on with your app? 'Every time I try to make a transaction it keeps logging me out. Even when trying to approve a transaction. Very frustrating.' 'This NatWest app is p*****g me off. Just logging me out every 10 seconds,' quipped another. 'I'm actually so fed up of the NatWest app not working.' a fourth wrote. 'NatWest are always giving people the worst issues to have on the most important days of the month. Can't approve online payments with the app being down.' A user asked: 'Hey @NatWest_Help, your mobile app used to be one of the most reliable on my phone. It's fast becoming the most unreliable.' 'So Natwest online banking is down... pay day today and all the bills are due, oh today. Excellent,' one wrote The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which is owned by the Natwest Group, is also reportedly having tech problems (stock image) Droves of disgruntled Natwest customers have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to air their grievances A Natwest spokesperson responded to one annoyed customer. MailOnline has approached Natwest Group for comment Replying to one begrudged account holder, a Natwest spokesperson said: 'We're aware that there is an issue arranging transfers through the app. 'We've raised this internally and is currently being investigated by our tech team. 'I'm afraid we don't have an exact timeframe on this, but our team are working hard to resolve this.' The bank has an estimated 19 million customers. A NatWest spokesperson said: 'Some customers experienced difficulty in making payments via the mobile app this morning. 'This has been resolved and customers can make payments as normal. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused.' Shock new vision has shown the extent of the damage after a powerful chemical explosion was caused by a ute slamming into a truck on an already extremely dangerous highway. The head-on crash on the Bruce Highway in central Queensland killed the ute driver and spilled ammonium nitrate - a volatile chemical which triggered a fiery explosion and left a huge crater. The driver of the B-double tanker - which was carrying 42tonnes of the chemical used in industrial applications and as fertiliser - is in a stable condition in Bundaberg Hospital, with abdominal, leg, pelvic, head and arm injuries. Police said 49 locals self-evacuated from the remote area and a 2.5-kilometre exclusion zone remained in place at Bororen, north of Miriam Vale, 475km north of Brisbane. Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said emergency services remained at the scene of the crash, which happened just after 5am on Friday. 'Just after 9.40am, a blast was heard and felt and there was a visible large cloud of smoke,' he said. 'Emergency services were able to review the scene by use of a drone that indicated several spot fires along the rail corridor.' He said the blast radius was about 500metres. The head-on crash on the Bruce Highway in central Queensland left the ute driver dead and spilled ammonium nitrate, which triggered a fiery explosion and left a huge crater (pictured) The two vehicles crashed at Bororen (pictured) on the Bruce Highway just after 5am on Friday It is the third serious crash involving trucks on the Bruce Highway in the same region this week. On Tuesday, a 29-year-old truck driver died in a five-truck pile-up at Gindoran that closed the highway for almost 24 hours. On Thursday, a man in his 20s was injured in a truck rollover at Colosseum near Miriam Vale, prompting politicians and trucking industry bodies to call for major upgrades and investments into the highway. Two ambulances that were dispatched to the scene also crashed. Though there was one death and one serious injury in Friday's crash, no people were injured and no personal property was damaged in the later explosion, although some powerlines were down. Queensland Fire and Rescue is undertaking scientific testing, including atmospheric assessment, and the area is not yet safe for residents to return home. Miriam Vale resident Lee Pennell said she heard the explosion. 'There was a huge explosion,' she told the ABC. 'I live 14kilometres south of Miriam Vale and our house shook from that explosion.' The caravan parking area in Miriam Vale was starting to fill up and the local Country Women's Association had opened a hall in town to help stranded travellers, she said. Gladstone Council is working with emergency services, the SES and the state department of Transport and Main Roads to redirect traffic. Road closures are in place on the highway at the north end of Tannum Sands Road and the south end of Blackmans Gap Road. 'Gladstone Regional Council will prepare the Miriam Vale Community Centre as a place of refuge if required,' the council stated. A Queensland Rail spokesperson said its train service between Bororen and Iveragh was closed and buses will be used instead. Queensland Ambulance Service acting senior operations supervisor, John Hodson-Gilmore, said the highway will probably be closed for an extended period due to the damage from the explosion. 'The Queensland fire department, under the guidance of Queensland Police aerial footage, had decided not to approach the scene,' Mr Hodson-Gilmore said in a statement. Shock new vision has shown the extent of the damage (pictured) caused after a massive chemical explosion caused by a ute slamming into a truck on an extremely dangerous highway The ammonium nitrate explosion produce a huge plume of smoke (pictured) Residents within a 2.5kilometre exclusion zone of the crash site (pictured) were told to leave 'Approximately 15 minutes later the smaller tanker full of product had actually exploded ... There is significant debris across the highway.' Queensland Premier Steven Miles denied claims funding for the highway had stalled. 'We have $6billion allocated to projects on the Bruce at the moment, I don't think you can characterise that as stalled,' he said. 'Some industry commentators would say that's more than our construction industry can currently sustain so we are investing a lot.' A British scuba diver has died off the coast of Lanzarote. The 59-year-old was assisted by emergency medical responders after getting into difficulties at a small sandy cove called Playa Chica in the tourist resort of Puerto del Carmen. They tried to revive him after he was pulled out of the water and they discovered he had gone into cardiac arrest. But they were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The alarm was raised just after 12.30pm yesterday at Playa Chica, the most southerly beach in Puerto del Carmen, which is famed for its amazing snorkelling. The 59-year-old was assisted by emergency medical responders after getting into difficulties at a small sandy cove called Playa Chica in the tourist resort of Puerto del Carmen A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre said overnight: 'A 59-year-old scuba diver has died following an incident at Playa Chica in the municipality of Tias. 'We started receiving calls just after 12.30pm yesterday. 'The callers said a scuba diver who was unconscious and needed emergency medical assistance had been pulled from the water. 'Emergency responders discovered he was in cardiac arrest when they arrived at the scene and practiced CPR on him without obtaining positive results. 'He was pronounced dead at the scene. 'The Civil Guard is preparing a report on the incident. 'Local police and firefighters were also mobilised.' In February last year a 63-year-old British woman scuba diver died off the coast of Tenerife. The tragedy occurred around off a beach in the municipality of Fasnia in eastern Tenerife. Tourists sunbathe, swim and relax at Playa Grande Beach in Puerto del Carmen, located south east in the volcanic island of Lanzarote In November 2022 a British diver died on Lanzarote. The 60-year-old is said to have suffered a cardiac arrest on Playa Flamingo in the south of the island. A lifeguard is understood to have tried to assist the unnamed Brit when he saw he was in difficulties but was unable to do anything to save his life. Enrique Espinosa, manager of the Security and Emergency Consortium of Lanzarote, said at the time: 'He had all the correct permits to be able to dive but diving is a high-risk sport and anything that goes wrong can be fatal. 'He went into cardiac arrest after arriving and attempts to revive him proved unsuccessful.' Police sources said the British man had 'health issues.' In February 2019 a British man died during a dive off the coast of Tenerife where he had been celebrating his 32nd wedding anniversary with wife Lesley. Andrew Littler, from Coalville, Leicester, was pronounced dead after the alarm was raised when he went into cardiac arrest following unsuccessful attempts to revive him on a pier in the quiet holiday resort of Abades in the south-east of the sunshine island. News of the tragedy emerged when friends organised a GoFundMe appeal to help repatriate the transporter driver's body. Kamala Harris defended moving away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major TV interview of her campaign on Thursday, but insisted her 'values have not changed'. The Vice President was pressed on her stance on Israel, and her reversed positions on a fracking ban and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, but maintained she was aiming to 'build consensus' in policy - pledging even to appoint a Republican to her cabinet if she wins. Harris stressed that she does not want to ban fracking, and said there 'should be consequence' for people who cross the border without permission - ostensibly moving to more central positions than those taken during her 2020 bid for presidency. 'I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,' Harris told CNN's Dana Bash as she looked to give voters a better sense of her stances on key issues. 'I believe it is important to build consensus. It is important to find a common place of understanding where we can actually solve the problem.' While the interview was slammed as 'Boring' by Donald Trump, Harris leads Trump 45 per cent to 41 per cent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll published Thursday, indicating 'new enthusiasm' among voters in the run-up to the November 5 election. Harris sat down with CNN's Dana Bash for her first major TV interview of her campaign She said she is 'unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel's defense' at a sensitive time during the War in Gaza (pictured: Israeli troops in the West Bank, August 29) Harris defended the apparent reversal of her stance on decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Pictured: a woman feeds her child during a pause in their journey to the border, 22/8 Donald Trump appeared to be paying attention to the interview, taking to Truth Social to post Asked about her reversal on banning fracking, Harris confirmed she does not want to ban fracking - an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania. And on border controls, she insisted she would enforce US law at the border, adding that there 'should be consequence' for people who cross without permission. Harris also defended the current administration's record on the southern border and immigration, noting that she was tasked with trying to address the 'root causes' in other countries that were driving the border crossings. 'We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences,' she said. The interview came as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket in an unusually compressed time frame. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid just five weeks ago. Harris hadn't done an in-depth interview since she became her party's standard-bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Biden's running mate. In Thursday's sit-down, she focused largely on policy, as Harris sought to show that she had adopted more moderate positions on issues that Republicans argue are extreme, while her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, defended past misstatements about his biography. Asked about Israel's war in Gaza, a contentious issue for Americans divided in support for Israel and the people of Palestine, Harris said, 'I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel's defense and its ability to defend itself.' She also reiterated what she's said for months, that civilian deaths are too high amid the Israeli offensive, taking a 'moderate' position on a challenging issue as she looks to shore up support. Trump, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of Israel, condemning pro-Palestinian protesters and doubting the viability of a lasting two-state solution in the region. In the interview, Kamala Harris responded to Donald Trump questioning her black heritage, which he did above in an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists Republicans criticized the optics of the interview - where Tim Walz, Kamala Harris and Dana Bash were seated (left to right) Trump and Harris are set to debate on Sept. 10. In a post Thursday evening, it appeared Trump was paying close attention to the interview. After the debate was mentioned, he posted, 'I look so forward to Debating Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is.' Trump went on to say that his Democratic opponent 'has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.' The debate will be the first-ever meeting for Harris and Trump. The opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trump's joint addresses to Congress. During her interview on Thursday, ahead of the debate, Harris brushed off Trump's recent questioning of her racial identity after he suggested falsely that she changed how she presents herself for political reasons and 'happened to turn Black.' Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage, said Trump's suggestion was the 'same old, tired playbook.' 'Next question, please,' she said. Harris also spoke on her time as Vice President under Joe Biden. She said serving with Biden was 'one of the greatest honors of my career,' and she recounted the moment he called to tell her he was stepping down and would support her. 'He told me what he had decided to do and ... I asked him, `Are you sure?' and he said, `Yes,' and that's how I learned about it.' She said she didn't ask Biden to endorse her because 'he was very clear that he was going to endorse me.' During the early parts of the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was later asked about misstatements, starting with how he has described his 24 years of service in the National Guard. In a 2018 video clip that the Harris-Walz campaign once circulated, Walz spoke out against gun violence and said, 'We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.' Critics said the comment 'that I carried in war' suggested that Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone. He said Thursday night that he misspoke after a school shooting, adding, 'My grammar's not always correct.' Asked about statements that appeared to indicate that he and his wife conceived their children with in-vitro fertilization, when they in fact used a different fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans understood what he meant and pivoted to Republican opposition to abortion rights. Democrats' enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March. This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans' enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting. According to a poll by Reuters and Ipsos published Thursday, Harris now leads Trump by 13 points among women and Hispanic voters - an increasing trends. Democratic Presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at Enmarket Arena during a two-day campaign bus tour in Savannah, Georgia on August 29 'We're here to speak truth and one of the things that we know is that this is going to be a tight race to the end,' Harris said while speaking in Savannah on Thursday A Pro-Palestinian protester disrupts Kamala Harris' campaign rally at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, August 29 Trump still leads among white voters and men - but 73 per cent of Democrats said they were more excited after Harris entered the race. At a packed arena for a rally Thursday in Savannah, Harris cast her nascent campaign as the underdog and encouraged the crowd to work hard to elect her in November. 'We're here to speak truth and one of the things that we know is that this is going to be a tight race to the end,' she said. Harris went through a list of Democratic concerns: that Trump will further restrict women's rights after he appointed three judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped overturn Roe, that he'd repeal the Affordable Care Act, and that given new immunity powers granted presidents by the U.S. Supreme Court, 'imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.' The rally was the end of a two-day bus tour in southeastern Georgia. Harris has another campaign blitz on Labor Day with Biden in Detroit and Pittsburgh with the election rapidly approaching. The first mail ballots get sent to voters in just two weeks. Oasis fans keen to see the band's first reunion gig back in Manchester could face a bill approaching 1,000 once travel, hotels and other expenses are factored in. Ticket prices for the concert at Heaton Park on Friday, July 11 next year are a flat rate of 148.50 for standing, with pricier hospitality and luxury packages also available. These are a 'hospitality area package' for 268.50; a 'merchandise and exhibition fan package' for 353.50; and a 'pre-show party and exhibition fan package' for 453.50. Fans travelling to the gig from London by train will have to pay 109 for an Avanti West Coast off-peak return from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly as it stands - with that figure likely rise further after the next rail fares increase in March 2025. As for accommodation in Manchester, there are currently 22 hotels listed on Booking.com for the night of the gig with 98 per cent in the city now unavailable. A new photograph of Liam and Noel Gallagher as they confirmed that Oasis have reformed The average rate across all available hotels is 528 with the cheapest being The Crown and Anchor at 221 and the most expensive the Ville Hotel at 1,144. 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 website has two Holiday Inn Express hotels in the middle of the price range the Manchester Trafford City for 422, and the Salford Quays for 439. Visitors to the city will likely need to use the Metrolink tram to get between Piccadilly station, their hotel and the concert venue. These cost 4.30 per day for an off-peak one-day travelcard within zones one and three, which can be used after 9.30am on weekdays or all day at weekends. Fans will also want to get some food and drink before the show, with the Visit Manchester website recommending the Printworks area by Victoria station which has a range of popular chain restaurants such as Nando's, Chiquito and Wagamama. An average meal in the city costs 15 and a typical draught beer is 5, based on the Numbeo crowdsourced cost of living database. Once actually at the gig, revellers will also likely want to buy a drink and face paying 6.50 for a can of San Miguel beer, based on prices at this year's Parklife festival which was also held at Heaton Park. Other prices for alcohol at that event included 6.80 for a can of Somersby Apple Cider, and 7.50 for an 187ml serving of rose or white wine. Also at the concert, fans will likely be keen for a memento with the merchandise stands set to do big business. Among the items they might want to buy are one of the new Oasis T-shirts released by Levi's this week in a tie-up with the band, costing 30. The Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary vinyl, released today, will also likely be on sale. The 'Strawberries & Cream' 2LP version currently cost 37.99 from HMV. Oasis have added extra dates to their tour and will now play five shows at Wembley next year Oais launched a collaboration with Levi's for a range of nostalgic T-shirts priced at 30 each And finally, no trip to an Oasis gig would be complete without a bucket hat with the a dark grey 'Wonderwall' version from Liam Gallagher's 'Pretty Green' clothing label currently on sale for 45. It comes after Oasis ticket prices were announced yesterday and three more dates were added in Manchester, London and Edinburgh for the Britpop band's reunion tour. A seat to watch the band at London's Wembley Stadium begins at 74.25, with the most expensive ticket a 506.25 pre-show party, exhibition and seated package. The cheapest seats are Cardiff's Principality Stadium shows, which will set you back 73, and Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium at 74, according to Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts, which runs the website Gigs And Tours. Before the announcement for UK shows, Irish promoters MCD said on its website that the price of both of the two Croke Park gigs in Dublin will start at 86.50 euros (72.75) without booking fees. Liam Gallagher teased an official reunion during his set at Reading Festival on Sunday night Noel and Liam Gallagher on the 'Che Tempo Che FA' TV Programme in Italy in November 2008 Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher are pictured performing live onstage in 2001 Standing tickets at Wembley will cost fans 151.25, with the same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. 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 tomorrow's general release. 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. It has not been announced who will be performing with Liam and Noel as part of Oasis. 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 on August 28, 2009. Retracing the footsteps of Dr. Norman Bethune 15:01, August 30, 2024 By Stephen Chappell ( People's Daily My story with China began in the fall of 2005 when I came to China for the first time to teach English courses at Anqing Normal University in east China's Anhui Province. Every morning I would take a walk in the park near the campus. One day I struck up a conversation with a senior who had just finished his Tai Chi practice. Upon learning that I was from Canada, he tightly held my hands and passionately recounted the story of Dr. Norman Bethune, who had traveled all the way to China and fought alongside the Chinese people. At that moment I began to realize the deep affection that the Chinese people had held for Bethune. Stephen Chappell (right) poses with a museum caretaker on April 24, 2018 in Huangshikou township of Baoding city, north China's Hebei Province, which is the location where Dr. Norman Bethune died on November 12, 1939. (Photos provided by Stephen Chappell) That night the trembling hands of the senior lingered in my mind. Tossing and turning, I made a firm decision. I wanted to truly get closer to Dr. Bethune and understand the sincere friendship that this internationalist fighter had established with the Chinese people. In 2006 I went to Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, to trace his footsteps. There, by chance, I met Qi Ming, an English professor at the Bethune Military Medical College of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is now a non-commissioned officers (NCOs) School of PLA Army Medical University and a training school for NCOs. In fact the college was just one of many institutions named after this heroic figure in Shijiazhuang. We had candid exchanges about Dr. Bethune's stories and quickly developed a close friendship. With his recommendation, I delved into a wide range of historical materials. Over time, a vivid image of the person started to take shape in my mind: a man devoted to his belief and embracing life with love, genuine kindness and unwavering determination. With great respect, we visited the North China Military Martyrs Cemetery where Dr. Bethune's tomb is located. We bowed deeply and silently wished in our hearts: May the legacy of Dr. Bethune endure and be passed down generation after generation among the Canadian and Chinese peoples. I came back to Canada in 2015 after retirement in China, yet my connection with Dr. Bethune did not end there. In April 2018 I had the privilege of returning to China as a member of the Canada-China Friendship Society in Ottawa to retrace Dr. Bethune's footsteps. Along the way, everyone I encountered showed great commitment to preserving these important historical sites, silently recounting the touching stories of Dr. Bethune's deep connection with the Chinese people. Stephen Chappell signs the guest book at Bethune Memorial Hall in Bethune International Peace Hospital on April 25, 2018. (Photos provided by Stephen Chappell) In Niuyangou village of Tangxian county in Hebei Province, we saw the small house where Dr. Bethune once lived and the former site of the Medical School of the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei Border Region that he helped establish, a predecessor of the Bethune Military Medical College of the PLA. At that time Bethune resolutely rushed from Yan'an to the war front on the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei border region, frequently abbreviated as the Jin-Cha-Ji border region. With the medicines and medical equipment that he brought, he helped establish a model hospital in Songyankou village of Gengzhen township in Wutai county, north China's Shanxi Province and a medical school in Niuyangou village, training "a medical team which never leaves" for the Chinese Eighth Route Army. However, the crazed rampage and pillaging by the Japanese invaders left most villages in North China devastated, forcing the newly established school to relocate from the border region to Gegong village in Tangxian county. The model hospital in Shanxi was razed to the ground. In his sorrow and anger, Bethune changed his mind from a settled hospital to a mobile service where wounded soldiers could receive necessary and timely treatment based on their different conditions. They could be then transferred to units behind enemy lines for further treatment. We saw this important invention at the Norman Bethune and Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Hall in Tangxian county. The mobile service was like a stretcher, resembling the Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge). The medical equipment and drugs installed could be used to perform 100 surgeries, change medication 500 times and prepare 500 prescriptions. When two of these stretchers were combined, they formed an operating table, greatly enhancing the flexibility of field transfers. To alleviate the suffering of the wounded, Dr. Bethune always carried this mobile service, setting up mobile operating tables as close to the front lines as possible. In Baiyintuo, Shunping county, Hebei Province, we hiked approximately 4 kilometers along a trail where Dr. Bethune treated the wounded. Standing atop the mountains with rugged paths beneath our feet, we envisioned Dr. Bethune leading his mobile medical team through the battlefield to save lives and provide medical assistance. In just four months of 1939, Dr. Bethune and his medical team traveled 750 kilometers in central Hebei, performed 315 surgeries and donated his blood multiple times to the wounded soldiers. Stephen Chappell stands beside a statue of Dr. Norman Bethune on the grounds of the PLA Navy Anqing Hospital (Anqing 116 Hospital) in east China's Anhui Province on May 24, 2018. (Photos provided by Stephen Chappell) We then headed to the Baiyintuo historical site and a monument to Dr. Bethune. The site is in a deep valley of the Taihang Mountains in Shunping county. The large and impressive monument depicts Dr. Bethune and a nurse on horseback with an aide in tow. Since 2018 the Canada-China Friendship Maple Leaf Festival has been held at the site every year and Canadian delegations have been invited to attend. I also hope to attend the festival in 2025. Qi told me they are now planning to build a Bethune International Memorial Park in the valley to honor Dr. Bethune and other international friends who have made great contributions to the birth of New China. At the end of our journey, we arrived at Sunjiazhuang village in Laiyuan county of Hebei Province. In this village that witnessed the final days of Dr. Bethune's life, I felt a deep sense of grief. In the winter of 1939, while rescuing wounded soldiers on the front lines of Motianling in Laiyuan county, Dr. Bethune accidentally cut his left middle finger, which led to a fatal blood poisoning infection. He gave his life for the Chinese people in the Taihang Mountains. Dr. Bethune was laid to rest in the Jin-Cha-Ji Martyrs Cemetery in Juncheng Nanguan, Tangxian county. Next to his grave stands another tombstone with the engraving "The Grave of a Canadian Friend, Jean Ewen." Ewen was the only Canadian nurse who came to China with Dr. Bethune. They fought side by side during the turbulent years of war, forging a deep friendship. In her final moments, with a deep attachment to this land, Ewen chose to leave her ashes in China and be buried alongside Dr. Bethune's tomb. She was a witness to his noble soul and magnificent life. Qi Ming (right), an English professor, shares stories of Dr. Norman Bethune with Stephen Chappell on April 23, 2018. (Photos provided by Stephen Chappell) "A man's ability may be great or small, but if he has this spirit, he is already noble-minded and pure, a man of moral integrity and above vulgar interests, a man who is of value to the people." These words I once read from "In Memory of Norman Bethune" written by Mao Zedong were confirmed during this journey. After years of extensive pursuit, Dr. Bethune's legacy continues to encourage and inspire me. Retracing the footsteps of Dr. Bethune, I wrote these words: "The legacy of Dr. Bethune fills me, as a Canadian, with pride. I am determined to do my utmost to share Dr. Bethune's story with more Canadians, ensuring that his great legacy lives on forever. "Today, carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Bethune has become my lifelong pursuit. In my heart, the radiance that shines from this internationalist fighter, who crossed oceans and continents to come to China with great determination, possesses an eternal vitality that transcends time and space. "It is akin to the majestic Taihang Mountains in China, where the loyal bones of heroes rest, standing tall and verdant year after year." (Stephen Chappell is an executive member of the Canada-China Friendship Society in Ottawa) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Footage has emerged of the moment Ukrainian soldiers forced dozens of Russian troops to surrender amid the offensive in Kursk by aiming the barrel of their tank at a bunker. The clip, released by Ukraine's 22nd Separate Mechanised Brigade, showed a column of Ukrainian armour trundling through the forest in Kursk before a tank rolled up on a Russian hideout. The barrel was brought to bear on the Russian position by Junior Sergeant Maksym, 35, and a gaggle of Vladimir Putin's troops quickly poured out, holding their hands and rifles aloft in a sign of surrender. Moscow's troops were later seen kneeling in a line or sitting on the turf with their hands tied behind their back as Sgt. Maksym and his comrades flashed grins at the camera. The tank barrel was brought to bear on the Russian position by Junior Sergeant Maksym, 35, and a gaggle of Vladimir Putin 's troops quickly poured out Moscow 's troops were later seen kneeling in a line or sitting on the turf with their hands tied behind their back, as Sgt. Maksym and his comrades flashed grins at the camera A Ukrainian APC is seen trundling through the forest in Kursk Russian solders are seen bound and blindfolded in a forest in Kursk A Ukrainian soldier raises a makeshift mast and Ukrainian flag in Kursk Ukrainian soldiers are seen after an exchange of prisoners of war with the Russians on August 24, 2024 in Chernihiv Region, Ukraine Sgt. Maksym told The Sun: 'They weren't in the mood for fighting. They were afraid. 'When soldiers can see a tank gun pointing at them, they can't even imagine fighting it.' Footage of the incident, which took place in the early days of Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory, surfaced as the commander of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said this week that his troops have captured 594 Russian prisoners in the operation in Kursk, though those figures could not be confirmed. The Kursk operation, the largest incursion into Russia since World War II, has forced some 130,000 residents to evacuate their homes. Sgt Maksym said that his unit was told about their role in the invasion just 24 hours before the operation began, and explained how the Russian defenders were caught completely unawares. 'It was a huge surprise. We weren't expecting this kind of operation at this time. 'Imagine how surprised they were.' He said of the Russian units' attempts to defend the border: 'They were stupid. They were totally destroyed. 'Everyone who attacked us was killed.' Russia has since sent reinforcements into Kursk, but it is not clear to what extent the movements might be weakening Russia's positions in Ukrainian territory. The Russian Defence Ministry asserted Tuesday that Ukraine has suffered heavy casualties in Kursk - some 6,600 troops killed or injured - and that more than 70 tanks have been destroyed along with scores of armoured vehicles. Like Ukrainian Gen. Syrskyi's claims, those figures could not be independently confirmed. Fighting in the region has raised concerns about dangers to the Kursk nuclear power plant, said International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, who visited the site on Tuesday. He said in a post on X the situation was 'serious' and called any attack on a nuclear plant unacceptable. 'There is now a danger of a nuclear incident here,' Grossi said. 'Today I was told about several cases of drone attacks on the territory, on the plant's facilities. At the plant I saw traces of these attacks.' But the plant now is operating 'in a mode very close to normal,' he said. Russian soldiers are seen being treated by Ukrainian medics following their capture A Ukrainian armoured vehicle is pictured travelling along a dirt track in the Kursk region The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier this week it used 'long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones against critical energy infrastructure facilities that support the operation of Ukraine's military-industrial complex' Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles in a massive attack Monday and Tuesday Kursk nuclear power plant, Russia The head of the Ukrainian army's claim of territorial control came hours after the second consecutive barrage of nighttime air and missile attacks from Russia. Five people were reported killed and 16 injured in the attacks, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said included 81 drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. In the Kyiv region, which struggled with blackouts after Monday's onslaught that targeted energy facilities throughout the country, five air alerts were called during the night. The regional administration said air defences destroyed all the drones and missiles but falling debris set off forest fires. After Monday's barrage across Ukraine of more than 100 missiles and a similar number of drones, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said 'the energy infrastructure has once again become the target of Russian terrorists' and urged Ukraine's allies to provide it with long-range weapons and permission to use them on targets inside Russia. President Joe Biden called Monday's Russian attack on energy infrastructure 'outrageous' and said he had 'reprioritised US air defence exports so they are sent to Ukraine first.' He also said the US was 'surging energy equipment to Ukraine to repair its systems and strengthen the resilience of Ukraine's energy grid.' Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles earlier this week, hitting a hotel used by civilians in Kryvyi Rih, home city of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky Ukrainian soldiers are seen after an exchange of prisoners of war with the Russians, with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, on August 24, 2024 in Chernihiv Region, Ukraine Ukrainian soldiers are seen after an exchange of prisoners of war with the Russians, with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, on August 24, 2024 Ukraine on Monday lost the first of its F-16 warplanes which crashed as it was repelling the major Russian attack. Its pilot, Oleksii Mes, was killed in action The Russian Defence Ministry said the attacks used 'long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones against critical energy infrastructure facilities that support the operation of Ukraine's military-industrial complex. 'All designated targets were hit.' Ukraine on Monday also lost the first of its F-16 warplanes which crashed as it was repelling the major Russian attack. The jet came down and its pilot died while it was approaching a Russian target, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed yesterday. 'Connection with one of the aircraft was lost while it was approaching the next target. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, and the pilot died,' the statement said. Possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure are being investigated as defence officials said the F-16 was not downed by Russian fire. A horrified uncle has described finding his nephew 'without a head' after the boy was decapitated by a tiger shark off Jamaica. Jahmari Reid, 16, had gone spearfishing by himself near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay on Monday when he vanished, according to local police. The high school student's mauled body was recovered by his horrified uncle and other divers who volunteered for the search on Tuesday morning. The boy's body was reportedly found with his head and left arm bitten off. 'When we [found] him, his hand [was on] one side and then we [found] his body [on the other side] without a head,' Jahmari's mourning uncle, Robert Robinson, who has been a local fisherman for nearly 28 years, told the Jamaica Observer. He added to the Jamaica Star he 'found the body all bitten up by the shark.' Jahmari Reid, 16, had gone spearfishing near the popular tourist town of Montego Bay Locals in the town of Falmouth gathered on the beach as the body was recovered Jahmari's heartbroken father, Michael Reid (right), was on the beach when his son's remains were brought back to land Robert said that when Jahmari's body was taken to the surface, the massive tiger shark he believes to have killed his nephew swam by. Him and the other divers shot at the shark, hoping to kill it and recover Jahmari's head, but they missed. The fisherman thinks that Jahmari died after catching a big fish and thereby attracting the shark's attention, who reportedly went on to decapitate the 16-year-old. Pictures from the scene showed scores of horrified locals gathering at the beach in the town of Falmouth on the island's northern coast. Jahmari's heartbroken father, Michael Reid, was on the beach when his son's remains were brought back to land. '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. Jahmari's mother, Lavern Robinson, said under tears: 'Right now I don't know what to say. Jahmari has been going to sea from small. [He] just love it and [he] always goes out with [his] uncle. [He] was in grade 10 getting ready to go to grade 11.' 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. The high school student is pictured with his father, taxi driver Michael Reid 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. Chilling CCTV footage shows the moment a homeless drug addict assaulted an elderly Parkinson's sufferer, robbed him of his mobility scooter and left him to die in sub-zero temperatures. Kimberley Ann Hawkins, 41, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Neil Shadwick, 63, in June following his death in Stroud, Gloucestershire last year. Hawkins was yesterday sentenced to six and a half years in jail at Gloucester Crown Court for the sickening crime. Neil was found unresponsive in the car park of a Tesco Superstore on Stratford Road on January 22, without his mobility scooter, which he used as his mode of transport. In footage released by police, Mr Shadwick can be seen driving up to a cashpoint at around 2.30am with a woman riding on the back of his scooter. Her nose is covered by a yellow scarf and she is wearing matching gloves. Mr Shadwick tried to withdraw cash while the woman, who appeared agitated, waited nearby. As he inputs his pin number, she clambers onto the scooter and drives away. Homeless drug addict Kimberley Ann Hawkins who assaulted an elderly Parkinson's sufferer, robbed him of his mobility scooter and left him to die in sub-zero temperatures has been jailed The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Neil Shadwick, 63, (pictured) in June following his death in Stroud, Gloucestershire last year He was found unresponsive in the car park of a Tesco Superstore on Stratford Road on January 22, without his mobility scooter. Pictured: CCTV footage of Hawkins and Mr Shadwick on the scooter at a cashpoint Mr Shadwick grabs onto the scooter and uses one foot to keep his balance but Hawkins does not slow down. It is believed the elderly man was dragged along on the scooter for a 'considerable distance' before he fell off - and Hawkins 'did not even look back'. Police said Hawkins rode away on the stolen mobility scooter, leaving Mr Shadwick to die in sub-zero temperatures. Supermarket staff who arrived for work at around 5.45am discovered Mr Shadwick less than a mile away from the cashpoint in a Tesco car park. Drifting in and out of consciousness, Mr Shadwick was able to emergency services 'Kim' and 'robbery' before he was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he died later that day. The scooter was found abandoned by a member of the public on Bisley Old Road over a mile away. Mr Shadwick's daughter Victoria Bentley said her 'incredibly vulnerable' father must have been 'terrified' as he was left to die. She told the court: 'He must have been terrified realising that he'd been abandoned and not knowing when or if help would arrive. She added how Hawkins 'did not even look back' after riding away on the mobility scooter. Hawkins previously admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, in relation to the incident, in April 2023. Mary Cowe, prosecuting, told the court Mr Shadwick was 'extremely vulnerable' and lived in supported accommodation in Stroud, relying on carers visiting him four times a day. 'She did what she did out of a fit of pique. It was selfish and spiteful but not premeditated,' she said. 'She told a friend she had performed sexual favours for Mr Shadwick and he couldn't pay.' Security cameras showed Mr Shadwick driving up to a cashpoint with a woman in a long grey coat on the back of his scooter He is seen at a cashpoint while the woman stands next to him looking agitated Cowe added: 'A man who uses a mobility scooter and who has slurred speech and difficulty walking is vulnerable. 'She had known him for many months and had been intimate with him. His degree of vulnerability would have been obvious to her even if she had just met him.' In a victim impact statement, Mr Shadwick's daughter Mrs Bentley said: 'Kimberley Hawkins knew by leaving Dad in that car park, on a freezing cold night, that she was leaving an incredibly vulnerable man who had no way of communicating as he could barely talk. 'He didn't have a phone and he had no way of getting any help. He must have been terrified realising that he'd been abandoned and not knowing when or if help would arrive. 'I have watched the CCTV and was horrified - she didn't even look back. She didn't try to get him help or call an ambulance. She then hid. What was she trying to achieve by leaving him?' Mr Shadwick's sister Tania Rickards said at the time of his death, her family was dealing with the terminal illness of their brother, Kevin, who died months later. She said it was 'beyond comprehension' her brother had been left. In her statement read to court, it was revealed that no one in the family had the chance to say goodbye to Neil before he died. His sister was on the phone to the hospital when he passed away. Ms Rickards said: 'She [Hawkins] rode off without a second thought. She could have come back to see if he was okay or get him help, but she didn't. Neil didn't deserve to be treated and abandoned in this way, nobody does. 'I believe the world is full of many good people. On January 22, 2023, Kimberley Hawkins was not one of those.' Hawkins stole and rode away on the mobility scooter, leaving Mr Shadwick to die in sub-zero temperatures Footage from a police body-warn camera shows the moment she was arrested Sarah Jenkins, defending, said events only occurred after Hawkins had learned Mr Shadwick was unable to pay her. 'There was no premeditation, and she went round the house, and it was only when the issue of payment occurred... she uses the word "frustration" herself,' she said. Miss Jenkins said at the time of the offences, Hawkins was living in a tent in a graveyard and was now remorseful. 'She was a lone female, a drug addict who provided sexual services for payment to fund a Class A drug addiction,' she said. 'No one would choose to live the way she was living at that time. 'It is going to be a life-long regret, and she wishes if she could turn back time she would.' Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, imposed a six-year sentence for manslaughter and a consecutive six-month term for the other offences. 'It was a freezing cold night in January 2023 when this happened,' the judge said. 'When you drove off, you dragged him for a considerable distance - around a minute. 'It must have been obvious he was there but you turned a blind eye to him. He fell off or become dislodged and you carried on without thought to him. 'You knew he was vulnerable from your interactions with him. 'He was left alone without anybody to get help on a freezing night for some three hours before the employees of Tesco arrived for work. 'He said he was robbed and managed to give your full name.' Shadwick was found unresponsive in the car park without his mobility scooter (pictured), which he used as his mode of transport The Tesco Superstore car park in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where Neil Shadwick, who suffered from Parkinson's, was found unresponsive in January last year Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: 'Hawkins' sickening actions had tragically fatal consequences for a man whom she knew full well to be extremely vulnerable. 'I welcome her guilty plea, which has meant that Mr Shadwick's family at least have not had to endure a lengthy trial in court. 'Our thoughts remain with his family at this very difficult time.' Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence after police saw 'traumatic' physical damage to the victim when responding to a 911 call, DailyMail.com has revealled. The ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional was booked in Yountville, California early on Thursday morning after officers allegedly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence. 'When it comes to felony domestic violence, it's not based on hearsay. The deputies saw something that is apparent,' Napa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Henry Wofford said. He added: 'I'm not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes it's bruises - it's something visible where the deputies said, 'OK, we're making this arrest.'' The 42-year-old joined Strictly Come Dancing during series eight in 2010, when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Kara Tointon, which the duo went on to win. 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. Officials with the Napa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, 42, with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking him into custody The 42-year-old joined Strictly during series eight in 2010, when he was partnered with ex-EastEnders actress Tointon. Pictured on the show in 2012 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 (above) Artem Chigvintsev pictured with Kara Tointon after winning the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing A 911 call was made from the premises at around 8:30 a.m., according to TMZ, after an unidentified caller reported a 'medical emergency' from the property. Sources told the outlet that 'paramedics and the fire department were en route, someone from the house called 911 again to cancel the request,' and both agencies went back to their stations. Wofford told Dailymail.com that Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections at 10:40 a.m., with his bail set at $25,000 (19,000). During his arrest, officers claimed the pro dancer 'was cooperative' and 'did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.' Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening. Allegedly there is only one other person connected to this incident, but they have not been identified. Wofford said that as of Thursday evening, he was not aware of any protective orders being filed by the victim or on their behalf by authorities. 'We're going to take our time like we do in every domestic violence case,' Wofford said. 'No one gets a preferential treatment, and no one is getting overlooked.' The 42-year-old also made it to the semi-final of Strictly 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 posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, authorities told Dailymail.com. Pictured in 2020 Chigvintsev has appeared on the ABC ballroom competition for 13 seasons; pictured last fall 'When it comes to domestic violence victims, it is common for male and female victims to not be fully prepared to tell the entire story shortly after the incident, so we're not going to rush this ... and we have the patience as well.' 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 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. Wofford told Dailymail.com that the department was focused on providing 'a support system for the victim.' Adding that a probe was ongoing as to whether Chigvintsev had violated any laws with his conduct prior to his arrest Thursday. 'We want the victim to know we want to know their story, and if we must investigate whether this is an isolated incident or if this is an ongoing incident, we're happy to investigate,' Wofford said. 'We're going to do everything we can to protect our community.' Wofford said that information on Chigvintsev's pending court dates were not immediately available. Chigvintsev had past been in high-profile relationships with other celebrities, as he was wed to dancer Giselle Peacock, 43, between 2004 and 2005; and dated DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, between 2006 and 2008. Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella. Pictured in NYC in 2023 The two initially crossed paths in 2017, when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars' 25th season. Pictured in LA in October 2017 Garcia was previously engaged to WWE star/actor John Cena, 47, but the relationship ended in July of 2018. Chigvintsev has appeared on a total of 111 episodes of Dancing with the Stars from 2009-2023, garnering an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on the series in 2021. An insider told Page Six Thursday that 'there were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33.' He was born in Izhevsk, Russia and relocated to the United States in 2003. Chigvintsev appeared on the series So You Think You Can Dance in 2006 and went on to appear on the U.K. version of Strictly Come Dancing from 2010-2013. Elon Musk's X has flagged a news article about Donald Trump potentially violating federal law with his Arlington Cemetery appearance as 'spammy or unsafe'. The article, published by NPR, covered reports that the US army had said one of its employees at the site had been 'abruptly pushed aside' by Trump campaign staffers as the individual tried to 'ensure adherence' to a law that prohibits political activity on cemetery grounds. In a statement Thursday - which was reported by NPR - the Army said the employee was trying to make sure those participating in the wreath-laying ceremony were following the rules, and 'acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.' However, as users attempted to share the article on Musk's social media platform X - formerly Twitter - the platform deemed it as 'spammy or unsafe'. Musk, a billionaire tech mogul, has been a staunch defender against increasing censorship laws, even going as far as defending Telegram CEO Pavel Durov who was arrested in France last week in connection to criminal activity on the messaging app. He also recently branded the revelations that the Biden administration put pressure on Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, to censor COVID misinformation as a 'First Amendment violation.' The label was added after the cemetery worker claimed two Trump staffers verbally abused and shoved her after she tried to stop them from filming in a restricted area of the cemetery. She has since revealed she will not press charger for fear of 'retribution'. Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery Elon Musk's X popped up with a warning link to an article about Trump potentially violating a federal law with his Arlington Cemetery appearance Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung denied the allegations surrounding the incident, saying: '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.' The incident has mushroomed into an uncharacteristically public dispute between the military and a former US commander in chief, with Trump lashing out and accusing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of having 'killed' American soldiers through 'gross incompetence' in Afghanistan. A senior US media reporter revealed how X pops up with a warning page when you click on the article about Arlington, saying: 'The link you are trying to access has been identified by X or our partners as being potentially spammy or unsafe.' Now, below the article, an added context box says: 'This link is safe, it is a link to a NPR story that is negative for Trump. It is unclear why X has flagged this link as unsafe.' Trump went to 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 US 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.' The former US President at Arlington National Cemetery, marking the third anniversary of the bombing of Abbey Gate in Afghanistan which killed 13 American troops 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 US Marines killed Doubling down, LaCivita later reposted video of Trump's presence at Arlington and said he hoped it would 'trigger the hacks' at the US Army secretary's office. Trump has made criticism of Biden's handling of the retreat from Afghanistan a key note of his campaign ahead of November's election. The US withdrawal was made as part of a peace deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban. At a Thursday rally in Michigan, Trump defended his gravesite visit and savaged Biden and Harris, his 2024 White House rival, over Afghanistan. 'They asked me to go yesterday to Arlington and I did,' Trump said of the families, adding that 'bad people' accused him of inappropriate political activity. 'Joe Biden killed their children, by incompetence... Kamala killed their children - just as though they had a gun in their hand - by gross incompetence,' Trump told supporters. 'Not one general or incompetent bureaucrat was fired,' over the deadly pullout, he added. 'And then they accuse me of having a picture taken at the tombstone with the family.' 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 he was president and did not want to be seen near military amputees, according to his former chief of staff. A convenience store has caught brazen shoplifters stealing from their shelves as the owners reveal 26,000 worth of goods were stolen in a year. Vince and Fiona Malone, owners of Tenby stores in Pembrokeshire, estimate that on average their business loses 500 a week because of stolen goods. Cases of shoplifting across the UK have soared in recent years - with the Office for National Statistics estimating that it has increased by an astonishing 30 per cent between March 2023 and March 2024. For small business such as Mr and Mrs Malone's store the loss of income because of shoplifting means they can't hire new staff. Mrs Malone, speaking to BBC Newsnight, said: 'They [shoplifters] think it is a victimless crime but it's not and stealing from shops can have a big impact.' Vince and Fiona Malone, owners of Tenby stores in Pembrokeshire, estimate that on average their business loses 500 a week because of stolen goods Mr Malone (pictured) was even assaulted by a shoplifter. Her said: 'I told him he was banned and he took a swing at me and hit me on the shoulder' The couple shared with Newsnight CCTV footage that shows shoplifters brazenly filling their pockets and bags with produce from their store. Mrs Malone said: 'This happens on a daily basis and it is so frustrating for us.' To combat this there are now more than 30 cameras in the store and the shopkeepers have started using an AI software called x-hoppers that logs any suspicious behaviour to help catch shoplifters. Mr Malone said: 'We have 32 cameras and we've seen a marked decrease since we brought in the cameras.' In one instance Mr Malone was assaulted by a shoplifter. He said: 'We had a gentleman who stole in the morning and we caught him on the camera but we were too slow to catch him and came back again. 'Fiona had identified him I heard there was a commotion on the shopfloor and I tried to diffuse the situation. 'I got him outside and then He asked 'why you are doing this? it isn't hurting anybody' and the anger that builds up inside us because this our livelihood so every pound you steal is taken away from my children. 'I told him he was banned and he took a swing at me and hit me on the shoulder.' The police were called but the shoplifter is still at large. To combat shoplifting there are now more than 30 cameras in the store and the shopkeepers have started using an AI software called x-hoopers that logs any suspicious behaviour to help catch shoplifters Mrs Malone (pictured) said: 'They [shoplifters] think it is a victimless crime but it's not and stealing from shops can have a big impact' Mr Malone said: 'He is banned from my shop but that doesn't mean he won't come back.' Yesterday, a serial shoplifter revealed that he would often steal goods which were then sold on to other businesses across Leeds. Ross, who has 23 convictions in the past two decades including 15 for shoplifting, 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.' The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously said she would remove a 2014 law which meant thefts of goods less than 200 were subject to less punishment. An idea that Mrs Malone supports as a means of deterring children from shoplifting. A domestic abuse charity has been criticised for encouraging men who identify as women to apply for a senior female-only post. Taxpayer-funded Scottish Womens Aid (SWA) highlights that all women will be considered for the key policy post. Charity bosses insist that this would include women with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. Womens rights campaigners have described the move as unconscionable. Maya Forstater, CEO of human rights charity Sex Matters, insisted it was frankly inexcusable that SWA continued to misinterpret equality laws and put the feelings of men with trans identities before the needs of vulnerable women. A domestic abuse charity has been criticised for encouraging men who identify as women to apply for a senior female-only post. Taxpayer-funded Scottish Womens Aid (SWA) highlights that all women will be considered for the key policy post. Maya Forstater, CEO of human rights charity Sex Matters, insisted it was frankly inexcusable that SWA continued to misinterpret equality laws and put the feelings of men with trans identities before the needs of vulnerable women Job advertisement for Head of Policy at Scottish Womens Aid She 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. Scottish Womens Aid 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. The women who depend on Scottish Womens Aid deserve better than such a fundamental and harmful misrepresentation of anti-discrimination law. Scottish Womens Aid has received more than 8million in funding from the Scottish Government since 2018. It recently shared in 2million of taxpayers cash in a bid to speed up access to support for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. Last year, SWA and Rape Crisis Scotland supported more than 27,000 women and girls. Scottish Womens Aid has received more than 8million in funding from the Scottish Government since 2018. It recently shared in 2million of taxpayers cash in a bid to speed up access to support for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse. Last year, SWA and Rape Crisis Scotland supported more than 27,000 women and girls Clare Blom of the grassroots group Women Wont Wheesht said she had written to Dundee Womens Aid earlier this year over its discriminatory and dangerous practice of wrongly citing Schedule 9 of the Equality Act and employing men who self-identify as women. She said: As a result Dundee Womens Aid changed their practice to ensure they were complying with their legal obligations. It is unconscionable that Scottish Womens Aid yet another organisation funded by Scottish Government have learned 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. SWA describes the 47,000-a-year post as an exciting opportunity, with the successful applicant being responsible for leading a diverse range of policy areas to end domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. SWA and the Scottish Government declined to comment. Hundreds of Transport Workers Union members have stormed Aldi's head office in Sydney's west amid shocking allegations of workplace safety incidents. Retired health and safety representative Warren Gorman told the rally about workers who were crushed and trapped in a scissor lift in three separate incidents at Aldi's Balgowlah store who needed to be rescued by emergency services. He claimed one worker had his leg trapped in a hydraulic scissor lift well in 2021, and needed to be cut free by emergency workers. About a year later a female worker was trapped by her arm in the same lift well, which had cut through to her bone. Mr Gorman, who is a TWU member, said the woman would have bled to death if had not been for the pressure on her arm. 'The fire brigade said ... this is a death trap waiting to happen,' Mr Gorman told the crowd. Mr Gorman, a former health and safety representative at Aldi, completed a report and recommended that an emergency door be installed but claimed it was never done, resulting in a third worker becoming trapped in the same lift well. That worker spent months in hospital recovering from nerve damage and severed veins. SUPERMARKETS A union rally at Aldi HQ was told three workers were crushed in a scissor lift at one store (stock image) 'Three people in one store, and Aldi would not act in the interest of workers,' Mr Gorman said. An Aldi spokesperson did not comment directly on the claims, but said the supermarket chain took any safety incidents, or reports of potential issues, very seriously. 'We are committed to ensuring our work practices are safe, including taking corrective actions when required,' the spokesperson said. About 500 TWU members at the protest were calling on Aldi to sign a charter on supply chain safety or be roped into new federal transport reform laws that took effect this week. Under the new laws. the Fair Work Commission set standards to make road transport safe, sustainable and viable allowing gig workers and owner-driver couriers and truck drivers to access the Fair Work Commission for the first time. The workers have demanded better workplace safety. Picture: NewsWire Handout In May, transport workers also served a claim on Aldi to commit to responsibilities as both a transport employer and client, ensure a voice for transport workers and work with the industry to lift standards in transport. Aldi directly employs some truck drivers, but does not have a transport enterprise agreement to provide appropriate pay, conditions and safety protections. The rest of Aldi's transport work is contracted out to operators, but unlike Coles and Woolworths, Aldi has refused to negotiate a supply chain safety charter with the TWU to ensure all transport workers it engages have safe, fair working conditions. On Wednesday, the TWU made its first applications using the new federal transport reform laws to begin reshaping the food delivery and last mile sectors, and create fairer contractual chains. So far in 2024, 137 people have been killed in truck crashes, including 33 truck drivers. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said it was time for Aldi to come to the table on supply chain safety. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said it was time for Aldi to have proper discussions with workers 'Shocking reports have come to light of significant worker injuries that Aldi refused to take seriously,' Mr Kaine said. 'It's time Aldi listens to workers and gets on board or gets out of the way. 'To pass lifesaving transport reform laws, the entire transport industry came together to find a way to make this industry better. 'Aldi has continually stuck its head in the sand, and we're calling on Aldi to work with us on safety in its supply chain,' he said. 'We are prepared to use new legislative powers to their full effect to bring outliers like Aldi, and other wealthy supply chain clients, into line. 'Aldi took truck drivers to court twice to stop them speaking out on safety - and lost. It's time for Aldi to be on the right side of reshaping this industry, and work towards reducing the crisis in transport instead of profiting from it.' ACTU secretary Sally McManus said workers deserved safety, minimum standards and respect in the workplace. Picture: NewsWire Handout ACTU secretary Sally McManus said workers deserved safety, minimum standards and respect. 'At this point in history the TWU have been responsible for getting groundbreaking laws for all workers across Australia, especially for transport workers,' Ms McManus said. 'They are not sitting back- they have their foot on the accelerator taking this industry forward. 'We will not tolerate Aldi not co-operating with the rest of the industry in the interest of workers,' she said. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said the sign of a bad company was ongoing injuries to workers in their workplace. Picture: NewsWire handout An Aldi spokesperson said Aldi recognised their role as a key player in the transport industry and they took proactive measures to ensure that their commitment to driver safety was consistently maintained. 'Aldi has a Heavy Vehicle Safety and Corporate Responsibility Charter that applies to our supply chain, and aligns with requirements from SafeWork and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator,' the spokesperson said. 'We are committed to ensuring safe work practices and sustainability within our supply chain and work with all our suppliers and transport providers to achieve this. 'Aldi sets a high safety standard, and we take the safety of our employees, suppliers, transport providers and customers seriously. 'We have extensive processes and measures in place to ensure we meet our safety obligations. These include monitoring and auditing work practices within the transport chain and providing a range of robust reporting mechanisms so any safety breaches can be investigated and addressed. 'Road transport safety is, and has always been, central to our transport operations.' Authorities are moving to evict a 'tent city' of rough sleepers in one of London's poshest neighbourhoods located just yards from The Dorchester and Marble Arch. Dozens of homeless migrants have set up camp on Park Lane, with reports of people drinking cups of vodka at 7am and rubbish strewn all over the site. The presence of tents opposite five-star hotel The Dorchester caused fury among residents and office workers who accused the council of doing nothing to prevent one of the country's most famous addresses being used as a squatters' camp. But now Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it is seeking a possession order for the area, which they say has been done for the 'safety and welfare of everyone involved'. Westminster Council, which looks after the area, added that 'the central reservation of a busy road is not a safe place to camp'. Rough sleepers pictured at a table in the middle of their 'tent city' which is close to London's tourist hotspot Park Lane is one of London's most exclusive streets with millionaires living in pent houses overlooking the homeless camp Beaming a smile, one bearded man was photographed filling a glass with vodka before dragging on a cigarette - with a large music speaker seen next to them Your browser does not support iframes. A spokesperson for TfL said: 'No one should be faced with sleeping rough on London's streets. 'Park Lane is a busy part of the road network that is not a safe place for people to sleep rough and our focus is on the safety and welfare of everyone involved. 'Having worked closely with our partner agencies for six months to safeguard the people here and address the health and safety risks, we have now issued legal proceedings seeking a possession order at Park Lane. 'We will continue to offer support to those at the site during this period, with outreach support teams able to help rough sleepers access the appropriate support for each person's individual circumstances.' A spokesperson for Westminster City Council added: 'While TfL have issued proceedings to seek possession of this site, as a borough of sanctuary the welfare of rough sleepers is of utmost importance, and the central reservation of a busy road is not a safe place to camp. 'The Council's rough sleeping services continue to visit the site to offer support and signpost to appropriate support services as these proceedings take place and will continue to work with outreach services to ensure no person has to sleep on the streets.' The news will be welcomed by some as a hairdresser, who has worked in Mayfair since 1979, said the camp has affected his business as clients have been put off coming to his salon. He said: 'I used to employ more than ten people but now there are just three of us,' 'It's definitely affected business. Clients don't enjoy coming here as much anymore.' Authorities including TfL and Westminster Council have made moves to evict the homeless camp from the site The camp is just a stone's throw away from Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner and Oxford Street Their 'tent city' was pitched up outside the exclusive Park Lane in London's Mayfair area The camp is at the centre of London's West End tourist Mecca, just a stone's throw away from Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner and Oxford Street. Tycoons who look out on the camp from their penthouses are infuriated to see people drinking at 7am and using Hyde Park's shrubberies as toilets. One resident, whose neighbours include former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Phones 4U chief John Caudwell told MailOnline: 'What must tourists think when they see this? 'They get onto their open top buses to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and all that. And then they come to Park Lane and see this - what must they think?' He went on: How are they allowed to just live here? It's disgraceful. They have been here for months, and the council does nothing. 'Do you know how much I pay in council tax? And what does Westminster Council do? 'It's outrageous that they have been allowed to pitch here in the first place but the weeks go by and yet they are still here.' Wealthy residents in Mayfair have complained about their presence having seen some of them drinking vodka at 7am Up to 100 migrants from eastern Europe have pitched up and are living in temporary shelters off Park Lane One person from the migrant camp told MailOnline: 'I came by plane. I haven't found a job yet but I will keep trying. We have all left our children at home. 'We don't have any food and we don't have any money. We just stay here until we can find something.' He said most of them had got into the UK on temporary visas and were in the country looking for work to send money back to their families. The asylum seekers have previously been blasted for leaving behind piles of rubbish as they moved their tented village when they were relocated. Rubbish including plastic bottles, duvets, shoes and clothes was left behind at the site. Black plastic bin bags and a sign with the message 'please, I'm very hungry, help me, God bless' were also among the items left behind. In 2019, a homeless camp mainly made up of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants pitched up in the same area after being moved from Marble Arch by police. And in July 2020, a group of people believed to be migrants also set up camp outside the Hilton Hotel in Mayfair, just yards away from Hyde Park. Sydney's iconic Crabbe Hole cafe has shut after 17 years after customers were slapped with a controversial $10 entry fee. The cafe has brought in major celebrities, including Margot Robbie and America Ferrera, since it first opened in 2007. Owner Andrew Crabbe confirmed the sad news via social media on Wednesday, thanking loyal customers for their patronage. 'End of an era folks. Thanks for coming for the last 17 years. It's been a pleasure serving you all,' Mr Crabbe wrote on Wednesday. The cafe had allegedly been forced to introduce $10 fees for customers in a move by the site's owner, Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club. The fee was reportedly brought in to put an end to customers gaining access to the oceanside pools. 'I'm sorry I never managed to sort the $10 entry fee debace. It was my undoing at the end,' Mr Crabbe wrote on Facebook. 'They maintain that (the fees) had no effect on my patronage. My figures prove otherwise.' The Crabbe Hole cafe has closed after 17 years. Picture: Instagram 'I shall miss seeing you. Thanks for everything.' Mr Crabbe told 9NEWS the fee had resulted in a 25 per cent drop in customers. Many have taken to social media to express their sadness at the news. 'Devastating - our happy place in Bondi...Icebergs was indeed lucky to have you. An entry fee impacting cafe access definitely changes everything,' one person commented. The site owner, Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club, had previously introduced a $10 entry fee for cafe customers. Picture: Instagram 'What a loss! The Crabbe Hole was one of my favourite parts to visiting the bergs...it's unfortunately typical of the club ruling... instead of collaborating with the community. I hope you start something close by,' another wrote. 'You and the Crabbe Hole are an institution! It's part of what makes Icebergs a community... I hope you take some solace to know that your cafe was a dear ritual for so many,' another said. 'I am sorry about the regrettable entrance fee. It was delusional to not think it would not have impacted the cafe. It's truly their loss, and, ours too.' Police detectives have launched an urgent manhunt after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed to death in an 'absolutely tragic' attack at his home in Birmingham. Paramedics called the police to a home in the Oldbury area at 4pm yesterday after the boy was fatally knifed. He received treatment from the paramedics at the scene but police say 'despite their best efforts the boy sadly passed away'. The Detective Superintendent of West Midlands Police has vowed to track down 'whoever is responsible' for the horror attack which he branded 'absolutely tragic'. Pictures from the scene of the crime on Lovett Avenue last night showed police cars and officers standing guard around the scene as the investigation got underway. Pictures from the scene of the crime last night in the Oldbury area of Birmingham showed police cars and officers standing guard around the scene as the investigation gets underway Pictures showing the scene of the crime this morning show police officers have remained on guard at the house throughout the night By 12pm dozens of bouquets of flowers had been placed at the front door by family and friends A officer dressed in white forensic overalls outside of the front door with what appeared to be a camera Officers cordoned off the road and the house where residents saw camera flashes coming from inside the property as forensic officers examined the evidence. West Midlands Police say they have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened during this 'tragic incident' and they are 'following active lines of enquiry' to identify who was involved. At a press conference at 4.30pm today, more than 24 hours after the attack, Chief Superintendent Kim Madill said the attack took place inside the boy's home and they were hunting multiple suspects. She vowed to 'work with the community' to find the culprit and announced the creation of an online portal where people could send the police information. Weeping friends arrived throughout the morning to lay floral tributes at the scene of the stabbing. Several visitors who visited the scene on Friday afternoon lit candles in tribute to the young victim. At one point a woman's wails could be heard coming from the rear garden. Downstairs blinds were drawn at the murder scene house which was still taped off by police the morning after the attack. The semi-detached property with a neatly mowed lawn saw a succession of heartbroken friends of the victim arrive to pay their respects. At a press conference at 4.30pm today, more than 24 hours after the attack, Chief Superintendent Kim Madill said the attack took place inside the boy's home and they were hunting multiple suspects West Midlands Police say they have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened during this 'tragic incident' and they are 'following active lines of enquiry' to identify who was involved Officers were seen with what appeared to be wooden sticks as they carried out the investigation Bouquets of flowers started to arrive outside of the front door of the house this morning Before long more bouquets, with their plastic off, had been placed at the front door of the house Residents today spoke of their shock following the fatal stabbing of the boy as floral tributes were left on his doorstep. Lance, aged 58, said: 'I've lived around here for seven years, It's a quiet street, friendly area - a working class community. 'Everyone looks out for each other, If we don't hear from each other we enquire. 'I don't know them personally, but never had any problems with them. 'I only heard what had happened when It came on the news. It's horrible - it makes you wonder who else is carrying knives on them.' Another local, who would only give her first name Anna, added: 'My husband called me when he pulled in, asking if I knew what was going on. 'We see ambulances here sometimes, I think because there's an elderly population - but that many police is not usual. 'I didn't know the family well but we would say hello to each other as neighbours do. 'I never knew of any trouble from them, they were an ordinary family in our community, I know them as good people. The semi-detached property with a neatly mowed lawn saw a succession of heartbroken friends of the victim arrive to pay their respects 'I have always felt very safe here, we're close-knit so it's all very shocking to see this happening.' A woman who lives near the scene, and did not want to be named, added 'I read the news this morning, it's horrifying. 'You read about these things but when it happened on your doorstep it's just shocking. 'People say the area is rough, but where isn't? I've lived here for 50 years and it's been okay. But everywhere has its problems.' Neighbours described how they were awoken by the sounds of a police helicopter hovering overhead during the night. A local told BirminghamLive that emergency services they saw 'many police cars' as well as paramedics and a helicopter at the scene. One woman who has lived in the area for eight years told the website it was 'usually ok'. She said she returned home at 4pm yesterday to find the street sealed off, with the ambulances leaving at 5pm. Another resident wrote on Facebook last night: 'Police have been knocking on doors asking if anyone heard anything over the past two hours. They said [it was] a serious incident but couldn't give details.' Darius Rayman, a youth worker for Sandwell Council, was at the scene on Friday morning. He told the BBC: 'I think it's really sad that somebody's 13-year-old has passed away.' 'He hasn't even lived up to his teenage years.' Mr Rayman said he felt more needed to be done about knife crime by the government, adding: 'Do we need to go back to the drawing board? How, and why, is this happening to young people in this area?' One local resident, who gave his name as Levi, arrived with a floral tribute for the victim. He told Mail Online: 'This is so concerning, I have three boys myself. 'One of them is the same age as the poor boy who was killed, 13 years old. My son would see him in the street but didn't know him. Police officers were seen leaving the house with blue gloves on as they investigated 'I have lived in this community for 19 years. It used to have a reputation for violence and gun crime. 'But now the boys carry knives. I think possession of knives in public should carry an automatic prison sentence. 'Children are dying from knives - it is so worrying as a parent.' Pictures showing the scene of the crime this morning show police officers have remained on guard at the house throughout the night. One image taken this morning showed an officer outside of the front door dressed in white forensic overalls with what appeared to be a camera, alongside a bouquet of flowers which had been placed outside of the front door. Smethwick MP Gurinder Singh Josan said in a statement on X: 'I have been shocked to hear of the tragic stabbing of a young 13-year-old boy at a house in Lovett Road, Lion Farm, Oldbury yesterday evening resulting in his death. 'This is a tragic waste of a young life and my thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of the young boy. The house remained cordoned off throughout the morning 'I want to thank the prompt response of the West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics who administered advanced trauma care at the scene, but unfortunately and despite their best efforts, could not save the young boy. 'I have been in touch with Sandwell Police and, whilst we do not yet know the full circumstances, the police have launched a murder investigation and are working flat out to bring whoever is responsible into custody as soon as possible.' Caroline Reid, a Dudley councillor who lives in the area, said the situation was 'heartbreaking' and she felt compelled to bring flowers to the scene. Her own brother was killed in 1998 and said every time she hears of an alleged murder, it brings the pain back. She said: 'I came here to pay my respects and put flowers down. Every time there is an incident like this, I've lived this myself and even though it was 26 years ago, it still feels like yesterday and you relive it. 'I'm not here for me, I'm here as a parent and a neighbour to pay respects. No one will understand what it is like unless you have walked those steps and been through it yourself. There are no words. The grief is awful. Pictures showing the scene of the crime this morning show police officers have remained on guard at the house 'This is someone who has lost a child. His poor mother, a part of her has gone. 'When you have lost someone like this, it is totally different to losing someone to illness. This is when you really know what loss is. When you lose a child, you feel their pain. 'It is just so sad.' Ms Reid said the level of knife crime in the West Midlands was 'awful'. She said: 'It is so high - it's boredom, there's nothing for people to do, it's the cost-of-living crisis. I felt it was my duty to come here and pay my respects.' Malachi Nunes, a youth mentor in Sandwell at Ambitious Lives, also visited the scene and said he knows of the family involved. He said: 'Nobody knows exactly what has happened. You get a lot of things like this round here. It's just terrible.' Superintendent Kim Madill said this afternoon: 'This is a truly sad and tragic incident where a young boy has lost his life. 'First and foremost our thought and the thoughts of those investigating the death of this young boy remain firmly with the family and the loved ones. The scene of the crime was Lovett Avenue in the Oldbury area of Birmingham 'I know this will have also have had an impact on the wider community who will be shocked and concerned about what has happened. 'I am grateful to our officers who attended the address and supported the paramedics as they worked in vain to try and save his young life. 'I'm here to let the family and the wider community know that we will work with you and support you as we seek to find who is responsible for the death of this young boy. 'We have a team of detectives investigating what happened and we are following active lines of enquiry to find the suspects. 'We know the incident took place inside his home and I would appeal for anyone who has information to come forward. 'We have local officers and youth workers in the area so please speak to them in the coming days if you have any concerns or information you would like to pass to us. 'My personal ask today is if you have any information at all, no matter how small, then please send it in. 'This includes CCTV, Ring doorbell footage and you can send that directly to us on the West Midlands Police website.' Detective Superintendent Shaun Edwards said: 'It's absolutely tragic a young life has been lost. 'We have specialist officers who will be supporting the family of the boy. Officers cordoned off the road last night where residents saw camera flashes coming from inside the property as forensic officers examined the evidence 'We have detectives working flat out to find whoever is responsible and bring them into custody as soon as possible.' A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called to a stabbing at a private address on Lovett Avenue just after 4pm on Thursday. 'One ambulance, two paramedic officers, the WMAS Critical Care Car, a MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic and a BASICS emergency doctor attended the scene. 'Upon arrival we found a teenage boy with life threatening injuries. 'Ambulance staff administered advanced trauma care at the scene but unfortunately, despite their best efforts nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.' Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via Live Chat or 101, quoting log 3204 of 29/8/24. Or alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Donald Trump has asked a federal court to intervene in his hush money case in a bid to overturn his conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing next month. The former President's lawyers asked the court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried late Thursday. They argued the historic prosecution violated their client's constitutional rights and went against the Supreme Court's recent presidential immunity ruling. Lawyers failed to get the case moved to federal court last year, but argued moving it now would give Trump an 'unbiased forum' to address its issues. In state court, they said, Trump has been the victim of 'bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety.' If the case is moved to federal court, Trump's lawyers said they will then seek to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed on immunity grounds. Trump speaks during a town hall meeting at La Crosse Center in Wisconsin on Thursday Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels (pictured) If the case remains in state court and Trump's sentencing proceeds as scheduled on Sept. 18 - about seven weeks before Election Day - it would be election interference, his lawyers said, raising the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting under way. Trump's request Thursday is poised to be decided by the same Manhattan federal judge who rejected his earlier bid to move the case - a decision that cleared the way for his trial in state court. 'The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump - the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election - and voters located far beyond Manhattan,' Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a 64-page U.S. District Court court filing. The Manhattan district attorney's office, which prosecuted Trump's case and fought his previous effort to move the case out of state court, declined to comment. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for New York's state court system. Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run. Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses. Trump maintains that the stories were false, that reimbursements were for legal work and logged correctly, and that the case against him was part of a politically motivated 'witch hunt' aimed at damaging his current presidential campaign. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine. Even if Trump's case isn't moved to federal court, ensuing legal wrangling could force his sentencing to be delayed, giving him a critical reprieve as he navigates the aftermath of his criminal conviction and the homestretch of his White House run. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime. Separately, the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, is weighing Trump's requests to postpone sentencing until after Election Day, November 5, and to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Court's immunity decision. The high court's July 1 ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a president's unofficial actions were illegal. Trump's lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision, and that the trial was 'tainted' by evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how he reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018. Trump's lawyers had previously invoked presidential immunity in a failed bid last year to get the hush money case moved from state court to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected Trump's claim that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties, writing in July 2023, 'The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president - a cover-up of an embarrassing event.' 'Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a president's official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the president's official duties,' Hellerstein added. Trump appealed the ruling, but abandoned that fight just before a November 2023 deadline to file paperwork stating why he felt Hellerstein should be overturned. Trump's lawyers argued in Thursday's filing that circumstances had changed since they initially attempted to get the case moved to federal court. Among other things, they said state prosecutors had misled the court by saying earlier that the trial wouldn't involve Trump's official duties or actions as president. There was also testimony, they said, from Cohen about Trump's potential use of pardon power and his response to various investigations into his conduct. All that testimony, they wrote, had to do with Trump's actions as president. Former US President Donald Trump (C) gestures to the media and the crowd outside of Trump Tower after a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his criminal trial in New York Demonstrators hold placards and flags outside the Manhattan criminal court in May 'President Trump is entitled to a federal forum for his Presidential immunity defense based on the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States,' Blanche and Bove wrote. 'After this case is properly removed, President Trump will establish that the charges must be dismissed.' Blanche and Bove also reiterated their claims that Merchan has treated Trump unfairly because Merchan's daughter is a Democratic political consultant, and they argued that the judge is wrongly muzzling Trump with a gag order he kept in place after the verdict. Merchan this month rejected Trump's latest request that he step aside from the case, saying Trump's demand was a rehash 'rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims' about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recently upheld the gag order. Merchan 'is poised to incarcerate President Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, and he has maintained an unwarranted and unconstitutional prior restraint on President Trump's ability to respond to political attacks by criticizing the New York County proceedings,' Blanche and Bove said. This is the moment an Israeli drone strike wiped out fleeing Hamas terrorists after killing their commander in a gun battle in the West Bank. Footage recorded by a drone shows a car being stopped by another in the middle of a road before several shots were fired at the vehicle. Wassem Hazem, Hamas commander in the northern city of Jenin, was killed in the gun battle while two of his soldiers managed to scramble out of the car and run away to hide behind nearby buildings. But both Hamas terrorists were located in their hiding spots and killed by precise drone strikes. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement on the strike: 'Wassem Hazem, the head of Hamas in Jenin, was eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area.' Footage recorded by a drone shows a car being stopped by another in the middle of a road before several shots were fired at the vehicle Wassem Hazem, Hamas commander in the northern city of Jenin, was killed in the gun battle while two of his soldiers managed to scramble out of the car and run away to hide behind nearby buildings But both Hamas terrorists were located in their hiding spots and killed by precise drone strikes Pictured above are people who are checking a burnt car in Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin, on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid 'Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks, and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area,' it added. Witnesses said the Israeli strike hit the Hamas commander's car in the town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin. An AFP journalist saw human remains being removed from the vehicle by paramedics. The IDF statement said that shortly after killing Hazem, an 'IDF aircraft eliminated two additional Hamas terrorists who attempted to flee from the vehicle that they were inside with Hazem. 'Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer operated under the command of Hazem and took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities.' M16 rifles, a handgun, cartridges, explosives, gas grenades were allegedly found in the terrorists' vehicle and in their possession. It comes as the IDF is pressing on with their deadly operation in the West Bank and killed five people that it said were part of a militia, including local commander Mohammed Jaber. Israel said Jaber was killed on Thursday along with four other militants in a shootout after the five had hidden inside a mosque, adding that he was linked to numerous attacks on Israelis, including a deadly shooting in June, and was planning more. M16 rifles, a handgun, cartridges, explosives, gas grenades were allegedly found in the terrorists' vehicle and in their possession Palestinians walk among the rubbles of destructed buildings and streets following the withdrawal of Israeli army after 48 hours of heavy attacks in on Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarm, West Bank on August 30, 2024 It comes as the IDF is pressing on with their deadly operation in the West Bank and killed five people that it said were part of a militia, including local commander Mohammed Jaber (top) High ranking Islamic Jihad commander Muhammad Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, fires his rifle into the air as he's carried on shoulders during the funeral procession of Palestinians killed in an Israeli raid in the Nur Shams camp in the occupied West Bank, on April 21, 2024 Jaber had become something of a Palestinian hero 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 Islamic Jihad also confirmed his death yesterday. Israel's search-and-arrest raids continued for hours Thursday, including the city of Jenin. Firefights also erupted 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 travelling in a car. Their militant affiliations were not immediately clear. The army also said it uncovered caches of weapons, explosive devices and other military equipment inside a mosque in Fara'a and arrested another militant in Tulkarem, where a member of Israel's paramilitary Border Police was wounded. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank - which have killed a total of 16 people since late Tuesday - are aimed at preventing attacks. But Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israel's decades-long military rule over the territory. The raids drew alarm from the UN and neighboring Jordan, as well as from British and French leaders, who stressed the urgency of cease-fire in Gaza after nearly 11 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Medics at al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza said Thursday nine Palestinians from the same family - including two women and five young children - were killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment building in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel did not immediately offer comment on the intended target of its attack. The Oasis reunion has prompted a mammoth revival in their music's popularity with the band's songs now making up a quarter of the UK's 100 most-played. Live Forever is currently Apple Music's fifth most-streamed song, 30 years after it was first released three weeks before the debut album Definitely Maybe. Don't Look Back In Anger is seventh, Wonderwall is eighth and Supersonic is ninth; while Champagne Supernova comes in at 12th and Half the World Away in 19th. Also popular are Slide Away in 24th, Some Might Say in 25th, Cigarettes & Alcohol in 28th, Morning Glory in 31st, Stop Crying Your Heart Out in 33rd and Roll With It in 37th - meaning Oasis have 12 songs in the Top 40. They also have 23 in the Top 100. But Oasis have not been quite as popular as Sabrina Carpenter, whose songs Taste, Please Please Please and Espresso made up the top three as her sixth album Short n' Sweet was released today. Backbone by Chase & Status and Stormzy was in fourth. Meanwhile HMV revealed sales across the full Oasis catalogue rose by 526 per cent this week compared to last including (What's the Story) Morning Glory? up 684 per cent, Definitely Maybe up by 443 per cent and Knebworth 1996 up 209 per cent. DARLINGTON: The HMV in Darlington has a range of the band's merchandise on sale today in addition to the 30th anniversary edition of Definitely Maybe which has now been released CARLISLE: The 30th anniversary edition of Definitely Maybe is on sale at HMV in Carlisle today NEWCASTLE: Oasis merchandise from books to T-shirts at an HMV store in Newcastle today SHEFFIELD: The re-release of Definitely Maybe is on the shelves at the HMV in Sheffield today Oasis songs make up five of the most-sApple Music Top 12 in the UK The 30th anniversary edition of Definitely Maybe was released this morning, with HMV revealing pre-orders were double compared to the levels seen last week. 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 re-release was announced in May, well before the latest reunion rumours began, and it is available from the band's official website as a quadruple vinyl LP for 60, 16 for a double CD, 14 for a digital download and 12 on cassette. In addition to a 2014 re-master of the original LP, it includes new artwork and various unheard out-takes - and was given five stars in a review by Daily Mail music critic Adrian Thrills today. He described it as a 'timely renewal of a classic', while Sabrina Carpenter's new album Short n' Sweet was given four stars and labelled 'clever n' catchy'. HMV also has a 'Strawberries & Cream' two LP version of the album for 38. It comes as Spotify reported a 690 per cent increase in the band's streams globally, along with a 'significant increase' in UK streams and nine Oasis songs in its Top 40. And Oasis albums make up four of the current top seven bestsellers on Amazon's vinyl store - with three versions of Definitely Maybe in first, fourth and seventh. In second place is (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, while Be Here Now is further down in 12th, and The Masterplan in 23rd. HMV managing director Phil Halliday told MailOnline today: 'Oasis are a truly iconic band who have made such a positive impact on British music. 'Sales figures from the past week, both in-store and online, pay testament to their popularity across the nation. 'It's great to see so many people revisiting their vinyl catalogue, from classic releases like Definitely Maybe all the way through the Knebworth LP. I'm sure I won't be the only one trying to get my hands on tickets on Saturday.' The re-release of Definitely Maybe is now available from the band's official website as a quadruple vinyl LP for 60, 16 for a double CD, 14 for a digital download and 12 on cassette A new photograph of Liam and Noel Gallagher as they confirmed that Oasis have reformed Liam Gallagher teased an official reunion during his set at Reading Festival on Sunday night Oasis have added extra dates to their tour and will now play five shows at Wembley next year Noel and Liam Gallagher on the 'Che Tempo Che FA' TV Programme in Italy in November 2008 It comes as Oasis ticket prices were announced yesterday, after three more dates were added in Manchester, London and Edinburgh for the Britpop band's reunion tour. A seat to watch the band at London's Wembley Stadium begins at 74.25, with the most expensive ticket a 506.25 pre-show party, exhibition and seated package. The cheapest seats are Cardiff's Principality Stadium shows, which will set you back 73, and Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium at 74, according to Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts, which runs the website Gigs And Tours. Before the announcement for UK shows, Irish promoters MCD said on its website that the price of both of the two Croke Park gigs in Dublin will start at 86.50 euros (72.75) without booking fees. In the band's home city of Manchester, tickets start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury packages. 1997: Oasis fans at the cash registers to buy Be Here Now at the HMV in London's Oxford Street 1997: Oasis fans hold a cardboard model of Liam Gallagher outside the HMV on Oxford Street 1997: Fans of Oasis hold the band's album Be Here Now at the HMV on Oxford Street 1997: Oasis fans buy the band's third album Be Here Now on CD at an HMV store Standing tickets at Wembley will cost fans 151.25, with the same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. Gig passes have not yet gone on sale, but the Manchester rockers invited fans to apply for a pre-sale ballot, which has now closed, before tomorrow's general release. It has not been announced who will be performing with Liam and Noel as part of Oasis. 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 on August 28, 2009. 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. The latest official UK Top 40 singles chart will be played on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm to 5.45pm today, with the full Top 100 then published online. A real estate agent who sweet-talked her way to stealing more than $90,000 from an elderly couple told police she 'didn't think it was bad' because she'd pay it back. Hayley Philpot was 29 and pregnant with her second child when she was sentenced in April to three months' jail after she pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining an enduring power of attorney to obtain financial advantage. Newly released footage of her police interview shows Philpot telling detectives she had an agreement to pay back the money - which she spent on clothes, salon visits and a Mercedes - despite her victim being unaware she had even taken the cash. Philpot helped to sell Berwyn and Keith Bennett 's house but then cruelly spent $98,844.80 of their superannuation when she obtain the ability to access their bank accounts because Ms Bennett thought she was trying to help them in relocating to a nursing home. In a police interview recording, obtained by A Current Affair, Philpot brazenly told a detective that 'I didn't take anything that (Mrs Bennett) didn't say yes to.' When the detective, with a tone of disbelief, asked Philpot about the specific sums of $40,000 and $12,500, she denied that too, saying her victim had agreed to it. 'She said yes to that. It wasn't that I went behind her back and was like, 'I'm gonna roll this old lady'.' A distraught Mrs Bennett, 83, told the program Philpot was lying and she claimed that 'she lied all the time.' Baby-faced real estate agent Hayley Philpot (left) gave a tense interview to the police after she swindled a Melbourne pensioner couple (Berwyn Bennett, right) out of their life savings The case started in 2019, when Mr Bennett had to go into a nursing home as his dementia was getting to the stage where his wife couldn't look after him. They went to Savoy Real Estate agency and met Philpot, who sold their home for them and gained their trust, which she would soon abuse in a brutal way. Philpot offered to help the couple with their day to day finances, so they gave her power of attorney, and that's when their money started disappearing. But they didn't know about it, as Philpot used her privileges to access the couple's internet banking, set up tap and go on her phone using Mrs Bennett's debit card and redirected statements to her address. Between May 2020 and August 2021 Philpot splashed out on 98 different transactions, ranging from Officeworks, Zara, JB Hi Fi and Nandos, to multiple payments to Mercedes Benz for an A180 model car. When she gave Mrs Bennett a lift in her Mercedes, astonishingly, she asked her if she liked it. 'I said ''oh no, I don't like it, I think it's too, too flashy'',' Mrs Bennet said, not realising it was being paid for with money stolen from her. On July 30, 2021 the fraudster transferred $40,000 from Mrs Bennett's account, claiming she asked her to do so while Centrelink audited her account. When asked by the police where the $40,000 had gone to, Philpot said 'well, it's not in my account'. Footage of the real estate agent's police interview shows her denying she knows about the pinched cash until the detective shows her bank records they obtained under warrant The detective pressed her, saying 'The money hasn't gone back to (Mrs Bennett's) account like you said it would ... it's gone to your brother's account.' Her reply to that was shocking in its disingenuousness. 'But I don't speak to Berwyn, so how would you want me to put it back?' Mrs Bennett said: 'Deep down I knew something was wrong'. 'She did everything she could to get that money out of me until she got caught.' Last April, Philpot was sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay her victims back, after eventually pleading guilty to stealing $98,844.80. But she lodged an appeal and has not spent a day behind bars. Mrs Bennett feels guilty about a crime that was not her fault. After 60 years of marriage, Berwyn (right) and Keith Bennett (left) were cruelly robbed of $98,844.80 by real estate agent Hayley Philpot, who they thought was trying to help them 'The person that's been hurt more than anything is my husband,' she said. 'I let him down. It's not my money, it's my husband's money, his superannuation. He worked very hard for that. 'I still get angry, I still get upset. I still can't believe she's done it,' she said. 'I was an easy target, because I was on my own, I had no relations, family nothing. There was just me and Keith.' Her advice to others is 'Just be careful of who you trust and don't lend anyone any money, ever.' Mrs Bennett's carer said Philpot has paid the couple back $30,000 so far. Philpot was ordered to repay the $68,844.80 still owed, in addition to the three-month jail sentence. She left Savoy Real Estate Yarra Glen in 2020 and since has worked for several other real estate agencies. Philpot described herself on LinkedIn as experienced sales agent with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Her appeal returns to court on September 24. The mother of a badly burnt baby has revealed her greatest fear and said she is having panic attacks while a stranger who poured scalding coffee on her nine-month-old son is still at large. The baby boy, Luka, had a second round of surgery on Friday after suffering burns to his face and body in the 'cowardly' and random attack in a Brisbane park. His parents have not left his side at the hospital since the incident at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner on Tuesday, as police search for the man. 'Last night, I had a panic attack, thinking that he's going to hurt someone else because he's out there,' the mum said. 'If he can do this to an innocent baby, he can do a lot worse. I don't want any more harm to anyone.' The boy had walked unassisted for the first time just hours before he was scalded at the picnic in the park, his parents said. 'He seems like his happy self again, which is nice to see because the last few days have been really, really hard,' the mother told reporters, fighting back tears. 'He's doing good. He's actually playing.' The mother of a badly burnt baby has revealed her greatest fear and said she is having panic attacks while a stranger who poured scalding coffee on her nine-month-old son is still at large Police are still searching for a man (pictured) they want to speak with in relation to the scalding of a baby with hot coffee The woman said she was still reeling from the incident and was fearful of it happening again. 'I play it over in my head constantly,' she said. Police hope someone recognises a man in enhanced images they have released. 'Please come forward if you know this man,' the mother said. The boy's father described the horrible moment he was told his son had been badly burnt. He was at a shopping centre with his daughter when he rang his partner after realising he had missed several calls. 'I instantly knew something must be wrong. I got a hold of her over the car speaker,' he told Network Ten's The Project. 'My daughter ... was in the car and it played over the Bluetooth and she heard everything.' The father revealed when his daughter saw her brother in the emergency room, she said: 'I hope the bad guy doesn't hurt me.' The boy remains in hospital in a stable condition, with more surgery likely next week. 'They were able to tell us that the burns on the side of his face, his lower arms and his legs should all be superficial and they'll all heal properly,' the father said. The full extent of his other burns won't be known until after the latest surgery. The boy has burns on his chin, neck, face, chest and back that are considered 'more severe'. The mother of a badly burnt baby (pictured) has revealed her greatest fear and said she is having panic attacks while a stranger who poured scalding coffee on her nine-month-old son is still at large The mother hoped to thank the nurse who helped at the park, taking her son to her nearby apartment to place him in a shower after bystanders had poured cold water on the baby. A GoFundMe page for the infant had raised almost $95,000 by Friday evening. 'It's restored my faith in the community and there is kindness out there,' the mother said. The GoFundMe organiser, Zara Mazza, said 'This was a callous, random attack on my friend's baby. He does not deserve this pain and suffering.' The man the police want to speak with was wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, light coloured shorts and a black hat. He is believed to be aged about 30 to 40 with a proportionate build and tanned skin. 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. The man the police want to speak with was wearing glasses, a light blue shirt, light coloured shorts and a black hat The boy had walked unassisted for the first time just hours before he was scalded at the picnic in the park, his parents said Luka's parents are now anxiously waiting for his attacker to be caught 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 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. A mum pushing her baby in a pram has been mauled by a pack of dogs in Melbourne. The woman, 35, was rushed to hospital by paramedics after fending off the animals, with people running to her aid after hearing her screams. '(There was) blood everywhere - legs, ankles, arms, elbows, hands. It was just not a sight you want to see on a Friday afternoon,' Mark Jackson told 7News. The seriously injured woman is now recovering at The Alfred hospital. Locals say the same dogs roam freely around Sunbury and claim they were the animals who attacked a 71-year-old woman nearby on Thursday. She was also seriously injured when three dogs pounced on her, biting her on the face, legs and back. Two men who helped the elderly woman suffered minor injuries. Police thought concil rangers had seized the dogs after Thursday's attack, however Hume City Council said they were unable to because they did not have a court order to do so. A picture of three dogs on the loose in the area was shared on Facebook A mum pushing her baby in a pram has been mauled by a pack of dogs in Melbourne 'Hume City Council is aware of the dog attack that occurred in Sunbury,' council chief executive Sheena Frost said. 'Council officers are actively working with Victoria Police on this matter and council is unable to comment any further at this time. 'All dogs have been removed from the premises. 'Our thoughts are with the people who were injured and we wish them a swift and full recovery.' The captain of the doomed Bayesian superyacht that capsized and sank amid a storm off the island of Sicily earlier this month has insisted he did everything he could to save his crew. James Cutfield was one of 22 people on board the Bayesian when it was devastated by a freak waterspout just a few hundred metres away from Porticello port in the early hours of August 19. The New Zealand-born captain managed to evacuate the vessel along with 14 others but seven people, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, were trapped on board and died after it sank. The 51-year-old was put under investigation for manslaughter and culpable shipwreck earlier this week along with two other crewmembers and declined to answer questions from prosecutors on Tuesday. But friends of the skipper told Italian outlet Corriere that Cutfield had told them he did everything he could to prevent the ship from sinking and to save the passengers on board. They added the Kiwi sailor is living through 'the darkest days of his life' amid the speculation that he could have in any way been responsible for their deaths. James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, was in charge of the Bayesian when it sank off the coast of Sicily during a storm Skipper James Cutfield (pictured) is being formally investigated for shipwreck and multiple manslaughter The tragic sinking of the Bayesian yacht (pictured) cost seven people their lives on August 19 A handout photo made available on August 19 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy 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 A handout video grab made available by Vigili del Fuoco (VVF), the Italian National Fire Brigade, shows rescue personnel of the special unit of divers of the National Fire Brigade and divers of the Italian fire brigade preparing to resume inspections of the Bayesian yacht's wreck The captain flew out of Palermo on Thursday, 10 days after the British tech tycoon and six other people were killed in the sudden sinking. Cutfield left the Sicilian capital on a private jet, an investigative source said, and it was later revealed that he headed for his home on the Spanish island of Mallorca where he lives with his wife. He lost his passport in the disaster earlier this month but he was provided with a copy of the document by officials in Italy so he could leave the country. Cutfield, along with ship engineer Tim Parker-Eaton, 56, and crewmember Matthew Griffiths, 22, are under investigation but are not facing any charges. They therefore have no obligation to stay in Italy but have to nominate lawyers so that the authorities have a way of remaining in contact with them. The British-flagged Bayesian, a 56-metre-long (184-foot) yacht, capsized and went down within minutes of being hit by the shocking pre-dawn storm while anchored close to the northern Sicilian coast. Along with Mike and Hannah Lynch, the ship's chef, Antiguan-Canadian Recaldo Thomas, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda all lost their lives. The body of the chef was found floating in the water on the day the yacht went down. The other bodies were found days later by specialist divers in two cabins inside the yacht. The sinking has puzzled naval marine experts, who said a vessel like the Bayesian, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and, in any case, should not have sunk as quickly as it did. Speaking to The Times on Tuesday, Cutfield's lawyer Aldo Mordiglia said his client 'exercised his right to remain silent'. 'There were two reasons. He is understandably very shaken up, and secondly, us lawyers were only appointed yesterday and we need to acquire information we do not have in order to defend him.' Ship engineer Tim Parker-Eaton, 56 (left), is also under investigation Another British crew member, Matthew Griffiths, is under investigation after the 30m Bayesian sunk off the coast of Sicily Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be found dead after the yacht sank Judy and Jonathan Bloomer died on the Bayesian as it keeled over in the water The bodies of Neda and Chris Morvillo, pictured in 2018, were also retrieved last week A handout video grab made available by Vigili del Fuoco (VVF), the Italian National Fire Brigade, shows fire brigade's cave divers resuming their dives into the sea in the search of the last missing person from the Bayesian shipwreck Griffiths is said to have been on the night watch when disaster struck at around 4am, and there was speculation that crewmembers could have left a hatch or door open that led to the flooding. Who died in the Sicily yacht disaster? 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 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 Recaldo Thomas, a chef working on board the Bayesian yacht Advertisement But Stephen Edwards, who previously captained the Bayesian between 2015 - 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', claiming instead that the yacht's limitations may have been reached in the inclement weather conditions. 'Heeling (the yacht) to more than around 45 degrees while in normal operational state could result in flooding and subsequent loss if the flooding could not be controlled,' the former skipper wrote in a post on the sailing news website Scuttlebutt. Heeling is a technical term referring to how a vessel 'leans' or is tipped to one side, usually caused by the force of wind on the sails. 'The downflooding angle for Bayesian was around 40-45 degrees much less than the Angle of Vanishing Stability [whereby the vessel cannot return to the upright]. 'So, unless the vent dampers are closed (which with HVAC systems and generator running they would NOT be as they need to be open for that), the vessel will start to flood rapidly if heeled more than the downflooding angle,' he wrote. Matthews added that poor weather conditions 'could have created these extreme circumstances' that can occur with 'very little warning' and 'being so localised are difficult to prepare for, leaving a very short time for the crew to react'. The Bayesian only had one shell door in the hull, he added, noting that it could only be opened in 'flat calm conditions', meaning it was certainly 'not open at night'. 'How the vessel came to be taken outside her operation limits is what the investigators will need to determine, which I'm sure they will,' Edwards concluded. Former captain of the Bayesian Stephen Edwards shared his 'notes' on the tragic sinking The Bayesian, which later sank off the Sicilian capital Palermo, is seen in Santa Flavia, Italy August 18, 2024, hours before the disaster Italian Prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, right, attends a press conference on the shipwreck of the Bayesian in Termini Imerese, Sicily, Aug. 24, 2024 A handout video grab made available by Vigili del Fuoco (VVF), the Italian National Fire Brigade, shows rescue personnel of the special unit of divers of the National Fire Brigade and divers of the Italian fire brigade resuming inspections of the Bayesian yacht's wreck Mario Scopesi, the lawyer representing British crewmembers Parker-Eaton and Griffiths, told MailOnline his clients had also left Sicily amid the ongoing investigation. 'The crew all left Sicily on Wednesday and have been allowed to return home with no restrictions from the prosecutors. '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. '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.' Scopesi explained to MailOnline that he was appointed by Revtom, the company that owns the Bayesian superyacht and whose sole director is Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, who survived the disaster. 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 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.' A Dallas police officer died and two other officers were wounded by a suspect who was shot and killed by police north of the city after a vehicle chase, police said. Police responded to a call for officer assistance shortly after 10pm Thursday in the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive and found an officer wounded in a squad car, the Dallas Police Department said in a statement. The officers who responded to the scene exchanged gunfire with a suspect and two of the officers were shot. The three officers were transported to hospitals, where one died and the other two were listed in critical and stable condition, the police statement said. The identities of the officers were not immediately released. A Dallas police officer died and two other officers were wounded by a suspect who was shot and killed by police north of the city after a vehicle chase (pictured), police said Police responded to a call for officer assistance shortly after 10pm Thursday in the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive and found an officer wounded in a squad car, the Dallas Police Department said in a statement. Pictured: A view of the scene broadcast by Fox 4 news The suspect fled the scene and was pursued to Lewisville, Texas, about 25 miles northwest of Dallas. The suspect then got out of the vehicle with a long gun and was shot by officers. He died at the scene, police said. The Lewisville Police Department posted on social media that Dallas police were involved in a vehicle pursuit going north on Interstate 35. 'Shots were fired, and the suspect is deceased,' the post said, noting that Lewisville officers were not involved. The investigation is ongoing, the Dallas police said, adding that flags at city facilities will be flown at half-staff. 'Our department is hurting,' department spokesperson Kristin Lowman told reporters early Friday. 'We have officers who are injured, who are in the hospital, and we lost one of our own.' A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a child was found dead at a home in South Wales. Police are probing the 'suspicious' death after officers were rushed to a house in the Gendros area of Swansea last night. There, they tragically found the body of the child. South Wales Police said the woman, 41, and youngster lived at the address together. The force said the 41-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder and that they were not looking for anyone else in connection to the youngster's tragic death. A child was found dead at a home in Cwm Du Close, Swansea last night and a woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder Emergency services were rushed to Cwm Du Close around 8.30pm yesterday. Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: 'This is a distressing incident which will be a shock to the local community. 'Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the child's death and there will be an increased police presence in the area to offer reassurance to local residents. 'Speculation on social media is unhelpful and will cause distress to those affected by this incident at an already difficult time.' The road was cordoned off this morning, with police guarding the scene. One moment you're at a meeting discussing cladding... the next you're raving inside a DJ booth at a packed-out Ibiza club night. Angela Rayner has been spotted busting her moves during a wild night out on the Spanish party island filmed by actress Denise van Outen at around 4am on Thursday. In the footage, the Deputy Prime Minister - who has previously boasted of all-night rave sessions fuelled by vodka - is seen wearing a red dress as she dances along to a remix of Gotye's hit song Somebody That I Used to Know. It marked a remarkable turnaround from just hours before, with a photo shared on Ms Rayner's X at 6.50pm on Wednesday showing her meeting officials in London to talk about unsafe cladding. She's also seen wearing red - but a different outfit. The 44-year-old appears to have quickly jetted out to the Med for the rave at Hi Ibiza, which sells tickets for 100 euros (84), drinks packages of five beverages for 95 euros (80), and bottles of water for 11. The video shows Ms Rayner joyfully hugging the DJ, Fisher - with the Labour politician clearly refusing to let her spirits be sapped by her boss Keir Starmer's doom-laden speech a day before warning of 'painful' times ahead. Were YOU there? Email rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk Angela Rayner has been spotted busting her moves during a wild night out on the Spanish party island filmed by actress Denise van Outen at around 4am on Thursday In the footage, the Deputy Prime Minister - who has previously boasted of all-night rave sessions fuelled by vodka - is seen dancing along to a remix of Somebody That I Used to Know 6.50pm: Just hours before Ms Rayner had been meeting local officials to discuss unsafe cladding Ms Rayner appears to have jetted to Ibiza following a meeting on Wednesday with mayors, regulators and fire chiefs about unsafe cladding. The footage of her dancing in the DJ booth seems to suggest it was the early hours of Thursday morning, with a clock showing it was past 4am. Hi Ibiza describes itself as 'the most technologically advanced club on the planet' with 'cutting-edge DJs and pioneering immersive experiences'. Who is the DJ Angela Rayner joined in his booth? The video shows Ms Rayner joyfully hugging the DJ, Fisher - who is currently on a regular Wednesday residency at Hi Ibiza. Real name Paul Nicholas Fisher, the 37-year-old Australian began his music career after initially trying to become a professional surfer. A fan of colourful bucket hats, the 37-year-old is friends with England footballer Declan Rice, who signed a shirt for him after a gig in London. Fisher is also a proud father, and regularly posts photos of his baby daughter on Instagram. Advertisement The club, where David Guetta has previously played, hosts Fisher every Wednesday night as part of a regular residency. The producer, real name Paul Nicholas Fisher, is from the Gold Coast in Australia who began his music career after initially trying to become a professional surfer. A fan of colourful bucket hats, the 37-year-old is friends with England footballer Declan Rice, who signed a shirt for him after a gig in London. Ms Rayner is clearly also a fan, with the politician seen jumping up and down during his Gotye remix. A self-confessed party animal, the Deputy MP has previously boasted of her 12-hour-plus 'rave' sessions while drinking vodka. Speaking at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, Ms Rayner revealed how she had just returned from a holiday in Spain where she had partied from mid-afternoon to sunrise the next morning The Labour frontbencher, who has been dubbed 'Grangela' at Westminster after she welcomed a grandchild at the age of 37, said: 'The girls I was raving with are half my age, and I was like "I'm a grandma". 'I was proud of that. 4pm I started, and I got home at six o'clock in the morning when the sun was shining and I was like, 'Yes, I can do it'.' Asked if she did it 'with or without chemical support', she said she just had vodka. 'You've got to go with the music, the vibes. You've got to be in the moment and it takes you,' Ms Rayner added. The video shows Ms Rayner joyfully hugging the DJ, Fisher - who is currently on a regular Wednesday residency at Hi Ibiza A fan of colourful bucket hats, the 37-year-old is friends with England footballer Declan Rice, who signed a shirt for him after a gig in London The politician was clearly determined not to let her spirits be sapped by her boss Keir Starmer's doom-laden speech a day before warning of 'painful' times ahead Ms Rayner, holding a bottle in one hand, turned towards her fellow partygoers before hugging the DJ Speaking about her heavy drinking habits, she said that 'I let my hair down at home' by inviting friends round and making a 'lethal' cocktail called Venom. The cocktail, she said, is made using a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Southern Comfort, ten bottles of Blue WKD and a litre of orange juice. She said: 'If you're ever having a crowd of you at home get that out and everyone will have a good time. 'I invited my two youngest kids' headteacher from primary school and he had to take his wife home because she'd had some Venom. Referring to a recent supermarket trip she had made, she said: 'I was ashamed the other day because I got three bottles of wine and eight packs of Juul2 vapes and that was it, that's all I had in my basket and I did actually think 'I need to put some fruit in there'.' She said her children call her 'The Vape Dragon' because she cannot give it up. She added: 'Vaping is probably really bad for you and I will find out one day, but yeah I enjoy a good vape.' Describing the difference between her and Sir Starmer Keir, she said that she is 'more bombastic and in your face' while he takes a strategic approach, and described him as 'the ultimate civil servant/public servant'. Ms Rayner has spent the summer since Labour's general election victory working on the party's overhaul of planning rules, while also spearheading a series of controversial workers' rights reforms. In an Instagram post on Thursday, which included the footage of Ms Rayner dancing, Van Outen wrote: '@pikesibiza @hiibizaofficial @followthefishtv (Including a surprise booth rave up with Angela Rayner) @tshamusic'. Her buoyant mood contrasted by the tone struck by her boss on Tuesday, with the PM using a speech from the Downing Street Rose Garden to warn of a 'painful' Budget in October. The footage was filmed by Denise Van Outen, who described it as a 'surprise booth rave up' Ms Rayner's boss Keir Starmer warned of 'painful' time ahead in a gloomy speech from the Downing Street rose garden on Tuesday Sir Keir warned that October's financial statement - the first by Labour in 14 years - would involve 'short-term pain'. His remarks were seen as a further sign that he is rolling the pitch for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to unveil a swathe of tax rises and public service cuts as she seeks to balance the books. Sir Keir laid the blame for the situation at the door of the last Tory administration, saying it left the economy 'worse than we ever imagined'. And he defended the decision to make the Winter Fuel Allowance available only to benefit recipients, saying it was a 'difficult trade-off' but everyone, including pensioners, would benefit in the long term. Extinction Rebellion activists have set up camp outside Windsor Castle as they plot 'three days of chaos'. A tent city has sprung up in Windsor Great Park this morning as part of the group's 'upgrade democracy' occupation. Windsor Castle is a major royal residence where the Princess of Wales has spent some time recovering from cancer. MailOnline exclusively revealed that the XR activists planned to create a diversion on The Long Walk so other members could break into the castle grounds. At 9am this morning, Police were seen patrolling landmarks around the Berkshire town including a bronze statue of Queen Victoria in order to prepare before and after pictures in case protesters deface monuments. A person sets up a tent in Windsor Great Park, as Extinction Rebellion stage an 'upgrade democracy' mass occupatio Police at Home Park in Windsor, Berkshire early this morning where a protest camp is being set up by Extinction Rebellion Demonstrators set up a banner in Windsor Great Park. They are calling for the Government to create and be led by a citizens' assembly Demonstrators set up a banner reading 'funfair' in Windsor Great Park, as Extinction Rebellion stage an 'upgrade democracy' mass occupation The Princess of Wales often spends time at Windsor Castle as she continues her recovery from cancer. Pictured: Princess Catherine at the Windsor Foodshare in January 2023 Extra security has been stepped up around the royal residence including a ring of steel, extra barriers and a police officer stationed every 50ft along the Long Walk. XR does not have permission to be in the park, but has been 'liaising' with local authorities, said spokesman Etienne Stott, 45, who won a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics in the canoe slalom. The group was closely watched by police officers from Thames Valley Police as the force warned it would 'not tolerate criminal behaviour'. A sign on the gates of the castle reads: 'We understand that Extinction Rebellion intend to hold a protest in Windsor from Friday August 30 to Sunday September 1. 'While we have not given consent to this protest, parts of the protest may be located on The Long Walk. 'It is possible that large crowds may attend the protest which could be disruptive to other visitors. 'Please be vigilant and consider avoiding The Long Walk area during these times.' The eco-activists also plan to cause mayhem in Windsor town centre by targeting hotels and restaurants as well as shutting down roads as part of the planned three-day mass demonstration, we reported exclusively. An investigator posing as a potential activist listened in to a zoom meeting involving over a dozen others where they discussed the non-violent action they had planned. Solar panels are pictured in the protest camp set up by Extinction Rebellion for a three day demonstration Police officers walk beneath a banner reading 'upgrade democracy', among tents in Windsor Great Park The eco-activists also plan to cause mayhem in Windsor town centre by targeting hotels and restaurants as well as shutting down roads, MailOnline reported The group hope the publicity from storming the castle will help boost their profile and enhance their demands for a Citizens Assembly to be established to tackle the climate crisis. A risk assessment into the demo from August 30th to September 1st was ordered from the ASG Group by a local business after the Crown Estate and local council initially gave approval for the demo. Their report reveals a highly cynical move with XR organisers asking for elderly and disabled activists to attend the three-day demo as they knew the police would have a harder job removing them. The group discussed how the 'optics' of police having to remove an elderly person would be in their favour. Thousands of their XR followers are expected to descend on the Berkshire town. The report by ASG says: 'Activists will be meeting at The Long Walk to carry out that mass trespass into Windsor Castle Grounds at 6pm. 'Activists have been asked to dress in business suits or as oil barons there will be the XR red and black brigade doing their pageantry on the Long Walk itself. 'However this will be a choreographed distraction to allow other activists to attempt to mass trespass into restricted areas of Windsor Castle grounds. 'Should this be prevented or dispersed online chatter suggested targeting local businesses that serve high net worth individuals as secondary targets. 'Several high end hotels were mentioned as part of this list. So those in the local area should be vigilant.' Extinction Rebellion demonstrators are said to be planning on storming Windsor Castle during the weekend of action. Pictured: A view of the Long Walk down to the gates of Windsor Castle In one meeting XR members were seen discussing why they have chosen Windsor as their next target However, a spokesman has since claimed that the activists have no plans to storm the castle. The group - who have previously shut down parts of London with protests - said King Charles understood the perils of climate change and quoted from an extract of a book he had written warning about the dangers facing the world. He will not be in residence on the dates of the protest. XR said they would not be targeting an individual but 'the system' as they demand immediate action and a ban on fossil fuels. Activist Marijn van de Geer, 41, said of Charles: 'I reckon if he wasn't the King he'd probably be here. 'I think he'd probably be quite good at giving some talks and trainings. 'He's quite an outdoorsy person, he'd probably be up for doing some camping, it's a shame he's the King because he obviously can't be here. 'As an individual he has spoken out a lot about the environment. 'He was well ahead of his days at the time when he was talking about it and everyone was laughing at him. 'This is 100% not an attack at the King. 'Extinction Rebellion UK does not have any plans to storm Windsor Castle, any hotels, nor cause public disruption.' Mr Stott, 45, said: 'We're here to have a conversation about how our political system is floundering in tackling the climate and environment crisis. 'There's been plenty of discussion about us targeting the King, and that unfortunately is nonsense. 'We're here to have discussions, meet the public and talk about citizens' assemblies. 'We're exercising our rights to gather and assemble, we've been liaising with the police and the local authorities and we made sure that our activities are understood. 'We're disciplined, safe, calm, tidy and neat. 'I don't think we're causing a great deal of disruption here. We've told the police our plans and they understand what out goals are. 'The King has been outspoken on environmental issues and of course that's really important. 'It's interesting now that as a King he actually has even less influence than he did... the fossil fuel lobby and polluting industries have far more influence than the King.' Music lecturer Kimwei McCarthy, 39, said: 'It's just an absolutely fabulous atmosphere here, really peaceful watching everybody set up. 'We really want to send a message to all power to say we really need change now. 'I'm really stoked to be here because we've never had a climate protest in view of Windsor Castle, it's a symbolic place. 'We're here to discuss with whoever comes along how we can move forward together. 'We really hope the local community comes to engage with us and enjoy what we have to offer.' Catherine Bartlett, of Extinction Rebellion UK, said: 'Windsor Castle has been chosen as an embodiment of a broken and unjust system where our message will resonate powerfully. 'The general election has neither fixed our broken system nor addressed the urgent action needed to tackle the climate and nature emergency. 'Aristocrats, oligarchs and corporate interests have infected and distorted our politics and media for their own benefit and at our expense. 'Our politics is failing us from top to bottom. It's time for a democratic upgrade. 'We demand better at all levels; from the head of state to local councils but our central demand is for a Citizens' Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice, which is needed more urgently now than ever before.' A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: 'We are aware of a planned demonstration in Windsor this weekend, from 30 August until 1 September. 'We have been in contact with the organisers and are working closely with partners to deliver a comprehensive plan, facilitating peaceful protest and ensuring the safety of all those in attendance and other members of the public. 'We will not tolerate criminal behaviour and those choosing to commit offences can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.' Windsor Great Park has been practising sustainable land use for hundreds of years and the Crown Estate has a commitment to hit Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. Germany's hard-right AfD party is set for huge gains in key state elections amid mounting fury over a deadly festival stabbing rampage by a failed Syrian asylum seeker. Voters in two former East German states - Thuringia and Saxony - will go to the polls on Sunday in what could be a celebratory night for the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Opinion polls have the AfD as the biggest party in Thuringia on around 30 percent, while in Saxony it is running neck-and-neck for first place with the conservative CDU. The projected success for the AfD comes a week after three people were stabbed to death in the western city of Solingen, allegedly by a Syrian asylum seeker, in an attack that has shocked Germany and fuelled a bitter debate about immigration. Stefan Angelov, 35, a security guard from Jena, the second-largest city in Thuringia, said the AfD was 'the right party' to vote for, 'especially after the attack in Solingen'. 'Open borders, anyone can come in... with who-knows-what in their hands,' said Angelov, who is originally from Bulgaria but has been living in Jena for 10 years. Co-leader of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Tino Chrupalla and top candidate for the upcoming Saxony state elections Joerg Urban react on stage during a campaign event in the historic center of Dresden, eastern Germany on August 29, 2024 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 Syrian national Issa Al H was today named as the man suspected of carrying out a knife attack at a festival in Germany, which left a 56-year-old woman and two men aged 56 and 67, dead A map showing the location of the stabbing at the Fronhof and the refugee shelter where a suspect was arrested The AfD is unlikely to come to power in either state, even if it wins, as other parties have ruled out collaborating with it to form a majority. But the result would still be a humiliating slapdown for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the other parties in his governing coalition, the Greens and the liberal FDP, as they look ahead to Germany's national election next year. In both states, Scholz's SPD is polling at around six percent. A third former East German state, Brandenburg, is also due to hold an election later in September, with the AfD also leading there on around 24 percent. The picture in each state is slightly different but 'in any case, it is clear that the AfD will unite a very strong number of votes behind it', Marianne Kneuer, a professor of politics at the Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), told AFP. Besides causing a headache for Scholz's coalition, the election could also have international implications if it gives a boost to parties that oppose continued support for Ukraine. Created in 2013 as an anti-euro group before morphing into an anti-immigration party, the AfD has enjoyed a resurgence over the past 12 months as Germany struggles with a rise in migration and a stumbling economy. The AfD has also capitalised on dissatisfaction with the three-way coalition government in Berlin that has been plagued by disagreements and stalemate, most recently a protracted dispute over the 2025 budget. In June's EU Parliament elections, the party scored a record 15.9 percent overall and did especially well in eastern Germany, where it emerged as the biggest force. The AfD has also notched up several local successes including its first city mayor, but a victory in Thuringia or Saxony on Sunday would be the first time it has won a state election. The scene in the Solingen, Germany on Saturday morning after the knife attack A sign that reads: 'We just wanted to celebrate, but then the death came' is placed next to flowers and candles The AfD is especially strong in the former communist East Germany partly 'because it has a core of voters there who can identify with its nationalist and authoritarian positions', according to Kneuer. But the party's popularity there can also be put down to 'a large proportion of dissatisfied protest voters who turn to the AFD because they don't want to vote for any other party', she said. Saxony is the most populous former East German state, with around four million inhabitants and several large cities including Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz. Thuringia, which has a population of around two million and whose biggest city is Erfurt, is the only state to currently have a leader, Bodo Ramelow, from the left Die Linke party. After struggling economically for years after reunification, eastern Germany has recently seen higher growth than western Germany and wage increases have also been higher. The suspect came from a home for refugees in Solingen that was searched on Saturday, North Rhine-Westphalia's interior minister, Herbert Reul, said The stabbing was carried out at a festival in the western Dutch city of Solingen But 'despite these positive economic developments, differences and injustices persist (between east and west)', according to Carsten Schneider, the government's commissioner for East German affairs. BSW, a new party formed by popular left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht after she defected from the Die Linke, is also polling well in all three states. BSW has enjoyed a swell of support for its stance against weapons deliveries to Ukraine and won six percent in June's EU elections. 'It is possible that BSW could become an important factor in forming a coalition in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony,' Kneuer said. The elections come as Germany said it carried out the first deportation of Afghans back to their home country since Taliban authorities took power in August 2021, as Berlin faces pressure to crack down on migration. 'These were Afghan nationals, all of whom were convicted offenders who had no right to stay in Germany and against whom deportation orders had been issued,' government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement. A chartered Qatar Airways flight bound for Kabul took off from Leipzig airport just before 5am on Friday with 28 Afghans on board, Der Spiegel magazine said, citing security sources. The operation was the result of two months of 'secret negotiations' in which Qatar acted as the go-between between Berlin and the Taliban authorities, Spiegel reported. Hebestreit said Germany had 'asked key regional partners for support in order to facilitate the deportations', without giving more details. Germany completely stopped deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban administration taking power in 2021. A man who was being pursued by police was shot and fell 100ft to his death off a bridge, reports say, before officers made a shocking discovery in his vehicle. Officers were tracking down a man who was accused of killing his wife in New Hampshire before he was stopped on the Interstate 95 bridge that connects the state to Maine, officials said. Following failed negotiation attempts with Col. William Ross, chief of Maine State Police, the man was shot by three law enforcement officials after he stepped out of his vehicle and raised a weapon. After being shot, the man fell more than 100 feet (30 meters) from the bridge into the Piscataqua River, where his body was retrieved by the U.S. Coast Guard. However, following his death, officers discovered something truly horrifying in the backseat of his car. A man being pursued for the murder of his wife was shot and fell 100ft from the Piscataqua River Bridge, pictured, to his death Officers were tracking down the man who was fleeing his home in Troy, New Hampshire, as he tried to drive over the Interstate 95 bridge to Maine It was there that the man's 8-year-old son was also found dead. Officials confirmed the boy's death was not caused by gunfire from police. The Piscataqua River Bridge was closed for seven hours before reopening during the Thursday morning commute, Maine State Police said. Traffic was backed up on both sides as drivers were diverted to two other bridges. The episode began with the man calling police shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday to report a domestic altercation with his wife in Troy, New Hampshire, where police found his wife's body about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away at a home in the western part of the state, officials said. Police tracked the man's vehicle to the 4,500-foot-long (1,370-meter-long) span that connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Kittery, Maine. Tens of thousands of vehicles cross the bridge daily. One Maine state trooper and two New Hampshire troopers fired when the man emerged from the vehicle and raised his weapon, Ross said. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire shortly after 4 a.m. Police didn't know the boy was in the car and discovered his body in the vehicle's back seat after the shooting, said Ross, who stressed that it was "abundantly clear" that the boy was not hit by any of the bullets fired by the troopers in the confrontation. A state police spokesperson declined to provide details but said that assessment was based on observations made by law enforcement officials at the scene. Officials confirmed that the body of an 8-year-old boy was found in the backseat of the man's vehicle Police tracked the man's vehicle to the 4,500-foot-long (1,370-meter-long) span that connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Kittery, Maine No names were released on Thursday. The family had recently moved to Troy, and police were having difficulty tracking down family members to make notifications, the spokesperson said. An autopsy was scheduled Friday for the woman who was shot, after which more information on the investigation will be released, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and State Police Col. Mark Hall said in a statement. Between 70,000 and 80,000 vehicles use the Piscataqua bridge each day, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. The incident occurred at a time of light traffic on I-95 was closed at 2:30 a.m., but lines of cars and trucks began to back up as police blocked traffic in both directions for hours. The man's body was recovered around 8:30 a.m., Ross said, and the bridge reopened to traffic an hour later. 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, according to Paul Merrill, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Transportation. German authorities have issued an urgent warning as parcels rigged with alleged incendiary devices' which exploded into flames while being shipped around Europe sparked sabotage plot fears. The parcels were sent from European locations to other locations on the continent via freight service providers and caught fire on the way, German news agency dpa reports, citing a message sent to airlines and logistics companies. The security notice was reportedly issued by the domestic intelligence service BfV and federal crime agency BKA to aviation and logistics companies. A connection with Russian sabotage has not been not ruled out in security circles, with sources saying the warning is linked to an incident at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig, in the German state of Saxony, outlet Der Spiegel reports. In the Leipzig centre, which serves as DHL's global depot, a package containing an incendiary device caught fire in July. It was sent from the Baltic states and set fire to an entire freight container. The parcels were sent from European locations to other locations on the continent via freight service providers and caught fire on the way, German news agency dpa reports, citing a message sent to airlines and logistics companies (stock image) A connection with Russian sabotage has not been not ruled out in security circles, with sources saying the warning is linked to an incident at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig, in the German state of Saxony, outlet Der Spiegel reports (file image) The parcel was due to be reloaded in Leipzig and sent to its final destination. Other countries in Europe reportedly recorded similar cases of packages containing incendiary devices. A spokeswoman for DHL told dpa: 'In response to ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities, as well as its customers' shipments. 'We are aware of two recent incidents affecting shipments in our network.' The warning to aviation and logistics companies included advice to the firms to sensitise their employees and take precautionary measures. The BfV and BKA said it can be assumed that the 'unconventional incendiary devices were sent intentionally to damage freight service companies and other logistical infrastructure in western countries.' All of the parcels discovered so far contained either electrical items or containers with liquids. Investigators also said that with the suspicious parcels, the high shipping costs were often 'disproportionate to the value of the goods in the shipment.' The Federal Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe, in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, have reportedly taken over the investigation. This is a breaking news story. More to follow. You can buy one of Cornwall's coolest, smallest and most beautiful villages for just 700,000. The idyllic community of Polperro has been dubbed 'Britain's coolest town' where properties are worth a total of 500M. But now Polperro Model Village - with pubs, shops and cottages nestled around a harbour - can be bought all in miniature for 725k. The village has been rendered in minute detail and is nestled behind a family's three-bedroom converted forge. Lee Gregory, 58, and his wife, Julie, 58, have lived at their home for 37 years. Lee and Julie Gregory pictured with the Model Village Polperro, Cornwall One of Cornwall's most beautiful villages is up for sale for 700,000 - but all in miniature Lee and Julie Gregory both run the model village as a tourist attaction and they have owned it for 37 After moving to Cornwall with his family aged 20, Mr Gregory's parents decided to purchase the unique model village in 1984 as a retirement business. Mr Gregory, who owns and operates the model village, admits he 'loved it right from the start' when he took over when in his 30s. He said: 'It's been going for a very long time. I was involved with painting and building new houses right from the very beginning. 'My dad was a very good delegator!' The model village itself was constructed in 1948 by Jim Beddoes, who Mr Gregory added: says bought the place as a working forge. The model village is a 'very very close' representation of the quaint seaside village of Polperro, with a one-in-24 scale. Its accuracy is reflected in its popularity with tourists and locals alike. It has a model railway and animatronic displays of Cornish folklore including pirates and smugglers. Mr Gregory said: 'People often come in and recognise where they have been! 'They sometimes see our model village first and then look at where they are going to go. 'Back in the day there was no google maps or anything like that, so having a bird's eye view is very unique. 'It is quite brilliant how they first designed it, I would have thought it was with iron measurements to measure the scale.' An aerial view of Polperro, Cornwall as the summer season is beginning to come to an end The idyllic community of Polperro (pictured) has been dubbed 'Britain's coolest town' The village has been rendered in minute detail and is nestled behind a family's three-bedroom converted forge Mr Gregory, who was originally born in Wolverhampton, and Cornwall local Mrs Gregory take pride in how accurate they have kept the model since it started. One of the particular highlights of the model village is the harbour, which the pair are able to walk to in less than five minutes. The model village attraction, which currently charges adult visitors 4 and children 3 for entry, is complete with a beautiful beach, as well as its Willy Wilcox cave. Mr Gregory admits there is 'nothing challenging' about his quirky collection, and it has left a positive impact on his life personally and socially. He explained: 'It is great meeting people on holiday and having a bit of fun and bit of banter with everyone. '45 per cent come back every year - so we see the same families returning every year. 'When they go to Polperro they have to come see the model village again, and they get community updates trough the model village regarding things that have developed or changed.' Mr Gregory finds the project 'enjoyable', and says it is 'therapeutic to fit some windows and paint some houses!'. Mrs Gregory is as equally as involved as her husband, as she is responsible for all the flower pots and upholding the greenery in the model village. After moving to Cornwall with his family aged 20, Mr Gregory's parents decided to purchase the unique model village in 1984 as a retirement business. Mr Gregory says despite their home and model village being up for sale and on the marke, the pair would only move up the road The couple express their delight at living in the beautiful and 'brilliant' South West village with a 'great community' 'She puts a womans' touch to the place and makes it even better, and is a main part of keeping it updated and nice,' Mr Gregory added. The couple express their delight at living in the beautiful and 'brilliant' South West village with a 'great community'. Mr Gregory says despite their home and model village being up for sale and on the marke, the pair would only move up the road. He added: 'We'd never leave Polperro - but its been nearly 40 years and its time, we both want to do something else now and it's time we handed the model village over to someone else, who is going to be enthusiastic and do more with it. 'It's a delightful business and a lovely home we are selling with it too. 'it's gonna be hard to leave but time to move on. 'Whoever buys it I'm hoping I can still be involved to help build houses as an outsider!' This is the moment police officers in the Philippines find a secret passage leading to a seedy lounge inside the alleged sex slave compound of self-proclaimed 'son of God' Apollo Quiboloy. Footage shows cops opening a hidden door blending perfectly into the wall panelling that leads to a lavishly decorated lounge, accessible via a labyrinth of passages in the vast 75-acre compound owned by Quiboloy in Davao City. The more than 2,000 police officers who have been deployed to arrest Quiboloy uncovered hundreds of rooms under construction at the complex on August 29. Quiboloy, a preacher to six million, is accused of heinous crimes, indicted in the US 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 the compound they believe has been used to store captive women across a number of floors, and two women believed to be sex slaves have reportedly been rescued. Entering with radar technology capable of detecting heartbeats through concrete walls, police 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 (pictured) has denied the criminal allegations against him and his religious group This is the secret door (left) leading to the hidden stairway (right) down to the lounge Footage shows cops opening a hidden door that leads to a lavishly decorated lounge, which is accessible via a labyrinth of secret passages in a cathedral at the vast 75-acre compound owned by Quiboloy in Davao City (pictured: one of the hidden lounges) Pictured left is the entry to the secret passageway and right is one of the underground bedrooms Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a press conference on Thursday after police discovered the secret passages: 'We are obtaining the blueprints from the engineering office of Davao City. It's a violation. 'Why is it not declared? All of the intricate things built there that could serve as hiding places.' While Quiboloy, who has styled himself an 'appointed son of God' 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 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. He has since attracted a huge following of ardent followers across the country, earning him the allegiance of various politicians and state officials. Quiboloy, the self-described 'appointed son of God' , is on the FBI's most wanted list From above: the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City, in the Philippines 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'. 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 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. 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 compound 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. Police 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 for obstruction of justice. Six policemen were injured in the clashes between Quiboloy's followers and officers. Shocking photos show a dangerously overcrowded boat with 60 migrants on board nearly sinking in the Channel this morning. Eye-witnesses said it was 'seconds from sinking' in the shipping lane which would have caused the biggest crossing tragedy to date. It was shadowed at a distance by the French Navy, which watched as it passed into British waters. MailOnline was out in a boat this morning observing the crossings. It is one of a string of crossings today, with around 800 estimated to be making their way across. Shocking photos show a dangerously overcrowded boat with 60 migrants on board nearly sinking in the Channel this morning It was shadowed at a distance by the French Navy, which watched as it passed into British waters Eye-witnesses said it was 'seconds from sinking' in the shipping lane which would have caused the biggest crossing tragedy to date Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Out of those arriving today, many were young women. And were a range of nationalities, although several appeared to be from Vietnam and also Iran. Over 21,000 migrants have arrived this year already and means well over 7,000 have made the journey since Labour won power. Three boats have arrived in Dover, Kent, as of 10am, with at least nine small boats in total making the journey. Eye-witnesses said the group this morning - which included freezing cold children aged three - were 'hanging on for dear life'. Drone photos and footage show the incredibly cramped conditions on board at the crossing which made its way across the Channel at around 7am. They show the boat nearly sinking into the water. Over 21,000 migrants have arrived this year already and means well over 7,000 have made the journey since Labour won power Out of those arriving today, many were young women. And were a range of nationalities, although several appeared to be from Vietnam and also Iran Your browser does not support iframes. One boatman who witnessed the crossing said: 'I could not believe my eyes. It was disturbing. They were clinging on for dear life' One boatman who witnessed the crossing said: 'I could not believe my eyes. It was disturbing. 'They were clinging on for dear life. It was horrific. It was seconds from sinking. 'It was seconds from 60 migrants potentially dying. 'It would have been the biggest tragedy in the Channel so far.' He said it was worrying seeing the French Navy shadow the boat. He added: 'The children were on the floor cramped in the middle. It was appalling to see. 'What were the French Navy doing? 'They only looked about three and they were on the floor. They looked terrified. Who would do that to a child? 'And the French Navy were in the distance the whole time, clearly observing what was happening. 'When will this madness end?' Figures show 211 migrants in four boats reached Britain yesterday. A further 77 were returned to Calais. A 90-year-old New York man is on the brink of being evicted from his brownstone home after falling victim to an alleged deed scam decades ago. Ray Cortez, a Brooklyn resident who has owned his Park Slope home since 1969, may lose everything after he was tricked by the alleged fraudster in 2006. At the time, Ray had bought the property for for $200,000. It is now valued at $3 million. The elderly man says he was conned by an alleged scammer known as Wilson Calle who managed to transfer the deed of the house to their own name under the guise of helping him. Shortly after, the alleged conman is accused of taking out a $700,000 mortgage on the house and eventually, the bank sold it at foreclosure for $2 million - which Ray only discovered a decade later. Ray Cortez, a Brooklyn resident who has owned his Park Slope home since 1969, may lose everything after he was tricked by the alleged fraudster in 2006 Now, Ray and his son Ray Jr. have been forced to attend housing court to prevent being evicted from their longtime family home. 'You know, it's heartbreaking. It's been too long for him to have to carry this with him. It's been devastating,' Ray Jr. said. The eviction is on hold until September 9 when all parties will reconvene to see where the appellate court motion stands. Ray's lawyer, Bill Lienhard, also said that such scams have become increasingly common: 'If you go into certain neighborhoods, mostly communities of color in Brooklyn, kind of from Prospect Heights over towards East New York and then southeast Queens, everybody on every block knows somebody who has been a victim of deed theft or real estate fraud.' 'You know, it's heartbreaking. It's been too long for him to have to carry this with him. It's been devastating,' Ray Jr. said The elderly man says he was conned by an alleged scammer known as Wilson Calle who managed to transfer the deed of the house to their own name under the guise of helping him Ray and his son Ray Jr. have been forced to attend housing court to prevent being evicted from their longtime family home A petition has been launched to help prevent the eviction by a group called 'Justice For 91 St Marks Place'. The page reads: 'Mr. Cortez has been a staple of the neighborhood since 1969 when he and his wife acquired their property through hard work and sacrifice. They raised their children there. They made their home there. 'Mr. Cortez dilemma is yet another example of how hard-working, elderly immigrant homeowners are being swindled by career criminal vultures in our communities. 'Mr. Calle and his associates preyed upon Mr. Cortez, and other victims, by appealing to their religious nature, passing themselves off as religious leaders of fake ministries.' Accusations of deed forgery are common throughout the United States. Last year, a 35-year-old New York woman was arrested on charges of forging a deed to seize ownership of an elderly woman's house - but insisted she was given the house as a thanks for caring for her. Aurelia Soogea, 35, appeared in court in Nassau County, on Long Island, and pleaded not guilty to forgery and theft. She was accused of paying $10 to transfer the deed of her mother's neighbor's $350,000 home to her name. The owner, 78-year-old Rosemarie Mika, claimed that she was informed of the deed transfer in a letter from Nassau County authorities. A man accused of killing a 21-year-old Texas student may have prowled 'Sugar Daddy' websites in the past, according to court documents. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, was arrested during a traffic stop on Wednesday for the murder of Nepal national Muna Pandey, who was found shot dead in her southwest Houston apartment over the weekend. Shah was arrested after police released a surveillance image of the suspect exiting Pandey's apartment on Saturday and received several tips. Court documents reviewed by ABC 13 reveal that a woman told police she instantly recognized Shah as a man she met through a 'Sugar Daddy' site 12 years ago. Pandey, who lived alone, had an issue with a stalker last year which led her to install a camera outside her front door, several of her friends told authorities. Muna Pandey, 21, was found shot dead in her Houston apartment on Monday Her body was found on Monday with multiple gunshot wounds, including an execution-style wound in the back of the head, according to the Houston Police Department. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, was arrested during a traffic stop on Wednesday for the murder of Nepal national Muna Pandey Police say footage from the night of the murder shows the same man with a gun as Pandey is seen holding several items including her black purse. The man allegedly repeatedly told Pandey to open her apartment door. Pandey reportedly said, 'What are you gong to do?' before the man racked the slide of his firearm, pushed her inside, and locked the door behind them. Staff at the apartment complex made the gruesome discovery after receiving a call from an anonymous male. Police believe Pandey knew her attacker, because they found no signs of forced entry or a robbery gone wrong. They also think whoever killer her may have her cellphone, which has not been found. Pandey's friends told police her phone did not register a location after Saturday. Pandey was taking classes at Houston Community College and worked at a local phone store. Shah was arrested after police released a surveillance image of the suspect exiting Pandey's apartment on Saturday and received several tips Pandey was taking classes at Houston Community College and worked at a local phone store Muna's former roommate Orusha Niraula wrote in a post to Facebook: 'We demand justice for Muna Pandey, my dear friend and former roommate, who was tragically taken from us. 'She was shot in her own home in Houston... the pain of losing her in such a violent way is unbearable.' Niraula added that the nursing student had been 'like a sister to [her],' and was always 'full of life, kindness, and joy. 'Her bubbly personality and infectious laughter made every moment brighter.' Muna is the second college student to be found murdered in Houston this week. Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a junior at Rice University, was found dead inside her dorm room alongside her boyfriend barely an hour before. Cops said Avila was the victim of a murder-suicide. Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (40) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) A water fountain in King Charles' model village has been vandalised with washing-up liquid after locals complained about its ugly algae-covered appearance. The stone water feature in Bowes-Lyon Place in Poundbury, Dorset, was left with soapy water bubbling out of it. It is unclear if the vandalism was the work of a prankster or a protester angry with the state of the fountain - which is covered in green algae. The fountain was erected in 2022 and is located next to the Duchess of Cornwall pub, named after Queen Camilla. But since then the three-tiered fountain has taken on an 'ugly' appearance and is coated in algae. The stone fountain in Bowes-Lyon Place in Poundbury, Dorset, was left with soapy water bubbling out of it King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Poundbury. Construction of Poundbury started in 1993 with a lot of influence from King Charles III, who regularly visit the area The fountain was erected in 2022 and is located next to the Duchess of Cornwall pub, named after Queen Camilla. It is unclear if the vandalism was the work of a prankster or a protester angry with the state of the fountain - which is covered in green algae An aerial view of Poundbury. The new town's street plan and architecture has both been praised and criticised. Supporters claim the town's design is innovative and even radical but critics argue it it is fake and heartless The Duchy has since confirmed there are no plans to replenish the fountain, adding it is taking on a natural look. Jason Bowerman, the Duchy estate development manager, told the Poundbury residents association AGM the fountain is 'not designed to look pristine'. He said: 'It's not going to be cleaned, we know at the moment it is rather an ugly green but it's coming on so we would ask you to be patient with us.' Mr Bowerman added that the fountain is being monitored and they may clean the lower steps if they become slippery and a safety hazard. The fountain is one of three in Poundbury the Duchy are responsible for, with others in Longmoor Street and Victor Jackson Avenue. Construction of Poundbury started in 1993 with a lot of influence from King Charles III, who regularly visit the area. The new town's street plan and architecture has both been praised and criticised. Supporters claim the town's design is innovative and even radical but critics argue it it is fake and heartless. MailOnline have approached The Duchy of Cornwall, Dorset Police and the Poundbury Residents' Association for comment. Kamala Harris looked 'proud' and as she raised a finger in a 'gesture of authority' to defend the White House's record in her first major TV interview of her campaign, but was 'deceptive' when asked about Joe Biden's decision to drop out, body language experts have suggested. Judi James, an analyst of communication and body language, judged that the Democratic hopeful answered questions on Thursday with a 'tone of curt decisiveness', embracing a 'new look of direct answers and power poses'. However, she said the Vice President risked being 'knocked-off balance' when asked about why her positions on various key issues had changed since her last bid for presidency by CNN's interviewer Dana Bash. 'She reels back in her seat and her eyes drop down in a cut-off as though unaware that relevant point would be raised,' Ms James told MailOnline today. While Ms Harris has looked to 'signal authority' in her poses and manner of addressing her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her approach to Donald Trump appears to be acting 'as though he were still in office and she the opposition', Ms James said. Harris has adopted a 'new look of direct answers and power poses', Ms James suggested 'She avoids speaking in the tone or pose of the incumbent, rolling her claims back at Trump as though he were still in office and she the opposition,' Ms James said With her running mate Tim Walz (L), Harris' approach is 'very proud parent' Kamala Harris appeared alongside Tim Walz on CNN on Thursday to spell out some of her political positions and give voters a better sense of what they might expect under her administration - in her first major sit down interview of her campaign. Among other things, she spoke on her stance on Israel and positions on fracking and illegal immigration that appeared to have been reversed since she last stood for President in 2020, when she held more liberal stances on the issues. Harris came into the interview from a position of strength, leading Trump 45 per cent to 41 per cent in a poll published by Reuters and Ipsos on Thursday, indicating 'new enthusiasm' among voters in the run-up to the November 5 election. The Vice President was quizzed on what her first acts would be as President, giving a broad answer that CNN's reporter pushed back on. 'Well, there are a number of things. I will tell you, first and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class,' she said. 'So, what would you do day one?' Bash insisted, moving Harris to talk about the 'opportunity economy' - a vague resolution that left critics unsatisfied. 'When asked what she would do on her first day in the White House her body language seems to suggest she has not set foot in the place so far,' Ms James analyzed. 'She looks up in reflection as though the thought were new to her before bringing her right hand up in a cut-off gesture to pretend to scratch her face with the back of her thumb. 'Her comments are non-specific, leading to the question being repeated, but she heaves the point of her answers into an attack on Trump, displaying facial expressions of pity, sorrow and concern for the middle classes and talking about "Turning the page on division" as though Trump were still in office.' However, Harris' transformation into a political leader has seen her begin to adopt signals that convey authority, Ms James added. 'Her approach to Walz is very proud- parent and when she is pushed with some direct questions she brings out the right index finger raised in a gesture of authority, using it to conduct the interview before ending on the point that she had produced Good work with a strong pursing of the lips to say "subject closed".' During the interview, the Vice President continued to voice her loyalty towards incumbent President Biden and defending the White House's record. She also looked to convey a sense of relatability, sharing how she was making bacon and pancakes for her nieces when he called to tell her he was dropping out of the race. 'Asked whether she has any regrets about supporting Biden staying in office her confidence returns as she raises her brows, shakes her head firmly and says "No, none at all",' Ms James said. 'But when his name first comes us there is a look of what could be fear in her eye expression and her brows pucker. 'She even re-arranges her shoulders as though going into battle at this point. 'Her speech of support for Biden sounds heartfelt and she re-directs into an attack on Trump. 'But her comments about turning the page on the last decade proves a too-tempting own goal for Bash, who points out she and Biden have been in office during that time too.' Scott Rouse, a fellow body language expert, was more critical of Harris' signalling. Speaking to Newsmax, he observed that Harris' 'bobblehead' moving from side to side indicated that she had 'inner dialogue going on'. 'We see tons of that with both of them, with Kamala Harris and Walz. They're thinking about what they're gonna say next... 'This is one of the ones where she's sort of on the fly, making this up as she goes.' During the interview, Ms Harris said she had thought about Joe Biden before herself when she heard of his plans to drop out of the race. 'We're hearing what we call fading facts. As she talks, she gets quieter and quieter; she talks about how she was concerned with him. 'And quite often when someone's being deceptive, they get quieter as they get to their answer... we hear that here big time. 'We don't see any of the cues that let us know she's actually being sad... this is a put-on sad face,' he added. The interview came as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket in an unusually compressed time frame. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid just five weeks ago. Harris hadn't done an in-depth interview since she became her party's standard-bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Biden's running mate. In Thursday's sit-down, she focused largely on policy, as Harris sought to show that she had adopted more moderate positions on issues that Republicans argue are extreme, while her running mate defended past misstatements about his biography. Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at Enmarket Arena during a two-day campaign bus tour in Savannah, Georgia Harris took time to sit down for her first interview with CNN amid a tour in Georgia Trump and Harris are set to debate on Sept. 10. In a post Thursday evening, it appeared Trump was paying close attention to the interview. Democrats' enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March. This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans' enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting. According to a poll by Reuters and Ipsos published Thursday, Harris now leads Trump by 13 points among women and Hispanic voters - an increasing trends. Trump still leads among white voters and men - but 73 per cent of Democrats said they were more excited after Harris entered the race. Prince William and Prince Harry did not speak to each other as they walked out of church separately after the memorial service for their uncle Lord Fellowes. The vicar who conducted the service confirmed that the warring royal brothers walked 'a few people apart' as they left 14th century St Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk. The Reverend Dan Tansey, its vicar, admitted he was surprised to see both William and Harry at the service which was attended by around 300 people yesterday. He told MailOnline today: 'The memorial service was yesterday. The private funeral took place earlier in the week with just [close] family.' Describing the appearance of the estranged siblings, Reverend Tansey said: 'Yes, it was quite a surprise to me.' The vicar also said he did not recall Harry and William speaking to each other at a reception after the service, but said there were a 'lot of family members and friends speaking to them'. Prince William and Harry at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana at Kensington Palace in July 2021. The event was attended by Lady Jane Fellowes, wife of Lord Fellowes The service was at the 14th century St Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, pictured today Lord Fellows at the High Court in February 2008 to give evidence in Princess Diana's inquest Asked if Harry and William were sitting near each other in the church, he added: 'I don't know because I was in the vestry. 'When I came out to start the service, they had arrived, but I didn't even know they were there until after the service when I was meeting people on the way out. 'They came out and shook my hand, and said hello. I couldn't see where they were sat in the church. 'I was just greeting one person at a time as they came out. They came out a few people apart.' Describing the service, he said: 'I am at the front of the church with my glasses on and I can see the front row, and that's about it.' Reverend Tansey continued: 'I had been preparing for a good half hour beforehand, so I didn't see anyone coming through the front door. The interior of St Mary's Church in Snettisham is pictured today, following yesterday's funeral Reverend Dan Tansey conducted the service at St Mary's Church in Snettisham yesterday The service at St Mary's Church, pictured today, was attended by about 300 people yesterday 'It was a lovely service and people wanted to be there for someone who was really well-respected in Snettisham. 'It was only as I was thanking the congregation as they left that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after that, so did Prince Harry. 'It was a surprise but a really pleasant one that they had both come, but maybe less shocking that William was there. 'On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming. At the reception afterwards, there was a very relaxed and cordial atmosphere. 'I don't recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them. 'It would have meant a lot to Lord Fellowes to have them both at the service. He loved them both very much.' 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 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) Reverend Tansey said a potentially more formal celebration of Lord Fellowes's life was still being considered to take place in London at a later date. Married to the late Princess Diana's sister, Lady Jane, he was also a long-time Buckingham Palace courtier who worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II for 22 years until 1999. It was a period which covered both the break-down of his sister-in-law's marriage to the then Prince Charles and her tragic death in 1997. Reverend Tansey said of a future service: 'I believe it is still on the cards, but because I am only the parish vicar locally, I wouldn't be involved in anything in London. 'The last I heard it was still on the cards to have some kind of formal memorial. Whether it would be at the Lords or something, I really don't know. Lord Fellowes marries Lady Jane Spencer at the Guards' Chapel at Wellington Barracks in London in 1978. To the right of Lady Fellowes is her sister who later became Princess Diana Lord Fellowes with the King, then Prince Charles, at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey in 1993 Lord Fellowes with Lady Jane Fellowes (right) and their daughter Laura Jane Fellowes (left) at the wedding of William Duckworth-Chad and Lucy Greenwell in Sudbourne, Suffolk, in 2011 'As far as I understand it is still a plan. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. I have to think of their privacy.' Describing the turnout at the memorial service however, he added: 'It was a full house and it's a fair-sized church. It was around about 300 people. There was a lot of family and friends. It was by invitation as far as I understand.' Reverend Tansey admitted he had not been told in advance that both princes were going to the service. He said: 'Thankfully, I had not been informed so I wasn't able to say anything to people who kept asking me about it. I was in blissful ignorance.' Reverend Tansey added: 'It was wonderful that the princes could both be there to support their aunt and cousins.' And a church warden, who declined to be named, told MailOnline: 'It was wonderful that both Princes were able to attend their uncle's memorial service yesterday at St Mary's Church. The wedding of Lord Fellowes and Diana's sister Lady Jane Spencer in London in 1978 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 Lord Fellowes is pictured (back right) at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981 'The service was a lovely family occasion celebrating the life of such a special man. Many friends were also present and also many members of the St Mary's Church family.' Yesterday it emerged that despite his PR team previously guiding members of the media that he did not plan to return to the UK for events to mark his uncle's death, citing ongoing 'security' fears, Harry flew out of the US on Tuesday and slipped into the UK without fanfare. He then travelled to Norfolk to attend the family memorial. Harry's spokesman failed to response to a request for comment about his attendance. Kensington Palace declined to comment on behalf of William, citing it as a private matter. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he made 'an honest mistake' in failing to correct a White House fellowship application 18 years ago when he wrote he had received a Bronze Star for his military service in Afghanistan though he never ended up receiving it, after the New York Times obtained a copy of the application and reported on it. The newspaper, which obtained the document as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, reported that Moore made the claim on the application in 2006 when he was 27. In a statement, the governor wrote that he had been encouraged to fill out the application for the fellowship by his deputy brigade commander serving overseas in the Army. At the time, Moore said the deputy brigade commander had recommended him for the Bronze Star - and told him to include the award on his application 'after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation.' Toward the end of his deployment, however, Moore said he was disappointed to learn he had not received the Bronze Star. When he returned home, Moore said he was 'focused on helping my fellow veterans, a mission I continue to advance as governor.' 'Still, I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application,' Moore, a Democrat, said in a statement Thursday. 'It was an honest mistake, and I regret not making that correction.' The Bronze Star is awarded to service members for meritorious service in combat zones. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising star in the Democratic party, says he made an 'honest mistake' when he wrote on an application to the White House that he had received a Bronze Star, when in fact he had only been recommended for the medal The governor noted in his statement Thursday that he was listed as a top 1% officer in Operation Enduring Freedom in his officer evaluation report. 'My deputy brigade commander felt comfortable with instructing me to include the award on my application for the Fellowship because he received confirmation with the approval authority that the Bronze Star was signed and approved by his senior leadership,' Moore wrote. The governor also wrote that in the military, 'there is an understanding that if a senior officer tells you that an action is approved, you can trust that as a fact. That is why it was part of the application, plain and simple.' The disclosure comes days after Moore spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 'Still, I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application,' Moore said after a FOIA request revealed he had written on a White House fellowship application that he received the medal The award had been mentioned during interviews with media when Moore was running for governor in 2022, but Moore never said in those interviews that he had not received the commendation. In an interview with the New York Times, the governor said for the first time that he regretted failing to correct the interviewers who had described him as a recipient of the award. The newspaper also spoke to the officer who Moore said had recommended he put the award on his application this week in an interview arranged by Moore's staff. The officer, Michael Fenzel, who is now a lieutenant general serving as the United States security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, told The Times that Moore had first objected to the idea of mentioning the Bronze Star. Fenzel said he had told Moore that he and others had approved the medal, and that it was appropriate to include it in his application, the newspaper reported, and that it would be processed by the time his fellowship began. Residents of Kansas City are outraged over the senseless killing of beloved Irish chef Shaun Brady as crime continues to trend upward in the city. Brady, 44, was killed outside his own Kansas City business as he tried to stop burglars from breaking into a car on Wednesday evening in the Brookside neighborhood. Now, residents are complaining that not enough is being done to stop the increase in crime in the city and it's leaving some of them sleepless. 'I didn't sleep last night. This is something that's still new,' maintenance worker, Billy Woods, told Fox 4 Kansas City. Brady - a native of Tipperary County, Ireland - was a large part of the city's annual Irish Fest Police say he was confronted by a group of teenagers at around 5.18pm Residents continue to watch break-ins and car thefts continue to rise, including crimes done in broad day, leaving residents angry and shaken. Last week, a car drove into a CBS's store front window and police believe the driver intended to steal from the establishment's ATM, Fox 4 said. Brady was shot in the middle of the day after he spotted two teenagers attempting to steal a car that was parked behind his restaurant while he was taking out the trash. Their interaction escalated into a shooting and Brady lost his life, officials said. He was found unconscious with multiple bullet wounds, The Kansas City Star said. 'I didn't sleep last night. This is something that's still new,' maintenance worker, Billy Woods, told Fox 4 Kansas City Brady was apparently trying to stop one of them from breaking into a vehicle when he was shot The chef was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He leaves behind a wife and kid. One juvenile has been charged with second-degree murder for Brady's death, as well as counts of car theft and armed criminal. 'He was a super sweet guy,' Sarah Sahli, who operates floral shop Bergamot & Ivy, told Fox 4. 'He would come in and get flowers. He was always really generous with us when we went to get food. 'He will definitely be missed. He was a really nice guy.' 'He was very giving and willing to help anyone out. He would have given you the shirt off his back. Its just heart-wrenching to see him go down the way he did. 'Ive lost a true friend,' Woods told the outlet. A female Russian official faces up to 25 years in jail over an 885 cash withdrawal 'to assist Ukraine stage a wartime sabotage attack'. Viktoria Shinkaruk, 28, is accused of acting as a Ukrainian agent by placing most of the cash in a litter bin - a 'dead drop' - at a supermarket 'for use by terrorists' working for Kyiv. She denies the charge, saying she withdrew the cash at her husband's request, earning a small commission for doing so, and had no knowledge of its intended purpose nor any intention to commit a terrorist crime. Her spouse Evgeny Kisel, 35, had earlier escaped house arrest and fled to his relatives in Ukraine fearing a ten-year jail sentence on drugs charges. Shinkaruk, who was seen handcuffed to a female police officer, is now facing trial by a Moscow military court and could be jailed for a quarter of a century if convicted under Russia's draconian new terrorism laws. Former Russian official from Belgorod region Viktoria Shinkaruk, 28, faces up to 25 years in prison for 'supporting terrorists' Shinkaruk is seen in a courtroom following her arrest She denies the charge, saying she withdrew the cash at her husband's request Shinkaruk is pictured at the 2nd Western District Military Court of Moscow Shinkaruk's 'accomplice' Alexander Kholodkov is pictured 'Viktoria Shinkaruk took part in a terrorist community with the aim of carrying out a terrorist attack,' said law enforcement sources, as reported by state news agency TASS. She was a state inspector in the Belgorod region which borders Ukraine - until she was fired after her arrest. Her co-accused Alexander Kholodkov allegedly withdrew a larger sum - more than 3,300 - at the request of her husband and dropped it in the same litter bin in Belgorod city. He also 'moved explosive devices to hiding places', it is alleged. The Russian authorities allege that the money was intended for unidentified members of a criminal group to carry out a terrorist bomb attack in the first months of the war. 'They used the Signal and Telegram messenger apps to communicate with handlers from Ukraine,' reported TASS. 'Following their instructions, Kholodkov placed explosives and cash needed to carry out a terrorist attack in hiding places.' However, prosecutors after two years of investigations have not been able to name the alleged saboteurs or the Ukrainian handlers, nor identify where the supposed terrorist attack was to take place. Shinkaruk has been held in custody in the notorious Lefortovo pretrial detention centre for 22 months awaiting the start of her court case. Her relatives say she was following instructions from her husband in moving the money - but no mercy is expected from the court. A male relative said: 'She would not have deliberately gone against Russia, I am sure. 'She is a calm, level-headed person, not crazy. 'I think her husband set her up with the transfer of the money. She simply believed his words. 'They have been married for about six years. He is still her husband.' Shinkaruk's relatives say she was following instructions from her husband in moving the money - but no mercy is expected from the court The Russian authorities allege that the money was intended for unidentified members of a criminal group to carry out a terrorist bomb attack Viktoria pictured at the 2nd Western District Military Court of Moscow Shinkaruk has been held in custody in the notorious Lefortovo pretrial detention centre for 22 months awaiting the start of her court case Her relatives say she was following instructions from her husband in moving the money - but no mercy is expected from the court A male friend said: 'I don't believe that she could do anything against the country. 'She is a really smart girl, very attractive, during all the time we talked, I never heard her make any dubious statements. She loves our country.' Another friend, Sergei, told Regnum news agency: 'I think her husband brainwashed her that this money would supposedly help him avoid a criminal case. 'She was a fool, and just wanted to help. 'Now she can lose her youth, the opportunity to start a family [by being locked up in jail].' The pair are accused of illegal trafficking in explosives, smuggling of strategically important goods and resources committed by an organised group, participation in a terrorist group, preparation for a terrorist act by a group of persons by prior conspiracy and preparation for the illegal manufacture of explosives. Russia portrays sabotage attacks by Ukraine in Russia as terrorism, even though it was Moscow that started the war in February 2022. A solo backpacker has been found dead near a remote trail along the Grand Canyon two days after his family first raised concerns about his whereabouts. The National Park Service revealed that the 60-year-old, from North Carolina, was located by helicopter on Wednesday along the Colorado River. The route he was on connected Lower Tapeats and Deer Creek camps, which are both accessible from the north-west of the Grand Canyon. It is believed the man was on a solo backpacking trip for multiple days from Thunder River to Deer Creek, the Guardian report. Grand Canyon rangers were first alerted by the missing man's family on Tuesday after he failed to check in with them. A solo backpacker has been found dead near a remote trail along the Grand Canyon (stock image) The National Park Service revealed that the 60-year-old was from North Carolina (stock image) It is believed that the hiker is the sixth person to die in the Grand Canyon in less than a month. There has also been 14 deaths this year, after a reported 11 fatalities last year. The average deaths per year is roughly 10 to 15. In July, a Texas man hiking a popular trail in the Grand Canyon was declared dead, the National Park Service announced. The Grand Canyon dispatching office received a report around 7pm on June 29 that a man was found semi-conscious on the canyon's River Trail, which runs for just under two miles along the Colorado River. Officials identified the hiker as 69-year-old Scott Sims from Austin, explaining in a Monday press release that he was heading to Phantom Ranch where he was planning on staying for the night. Yesterday, it was also revealed the the 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. A Russian aerial assault on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv damaged a residential building and a high-rise, killing at least five people, including one child, the mayor said. 'Occupiers killed a child right on the playground,' Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram, explaining how the Russian munitions targeted civilian centres. Four other people were killed in a 12-storey apartment block that caught fire as a result of the strike, he added. Horrific footage shared to social media by onlookers showed huge gouts of orange flame trailing from the windows of the high-rise in the city's Industrialny district as the twisted wreckage of burning cars smouldered below. Regional governor Oleg Synehubov said at least 40 people had been wounded in the attacks and that medics were responding at the scenes, with the death toll expected to increase sharply. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the damage came as a result of Russian guided bombs and issued a fresh appeal to US and European governments to aid his nation in repelling Russia's attacks. 'We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror,' Zelensky said in a post on social media. 'We need long-range capabilities,' he added, referring to Kyiv's appeals to allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied missiles inside Russian territory. 'We need the implementation of air defence agreements for Ukraine. This is about saving lives.' Cars burn after a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Firefighters work at a site of an apartment building hit by a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 People help a local resident rescued from an apartment building hit by a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Smoke erupts from a building on fire following a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, August 30, 2024 in this screengrab taken from a handout video A firefighter looks at an apartment building and cars which burn after a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Paramedics carry a person rescued from an apartment building which burns after a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Firefighters and paramedics carry out a person from an apartment building which burns after a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Today's assault on Kharkiv comes days after Russia launched a fresh round of punishing strikes across Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday, devastating various civilian buildings including supermarkets and hotels while crippling key energy infrastructure. Nationwide air raid alerts were triggered in the early hours of Monday morning as Ukraine's air defences sprang into action to shoot down a torrent of drones launched as Moscow seeks revenge for Ukraine's invasion of its Kursk region. The attacks kept coming, and hours later Ukraine's air force warned that Russia had deployed almost a dozen Tu-95 and six Tu-22M3 strategic bombers which let loose salvo after salvo of missiles during Monday morning rush hour. MiG-31K warplanes - capable of firing fearsome Kinzhal supersonic missiles - and four naval vessels were also involved in the bombardment. The attacks involving drones, ballistic and cruise missiles proceeded intermittently into Tuesday, with five people reported killed and 16 injured. Ukraine's state grid administrator Ukrenergo was forced to institute blackouts due to the damage suffered by power stations and energy infrastructure, which Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said had 'once again become the target of Russian terrorists'. He went on to echo calls made by Zelensky and other top Ukrainian officials to European and US backers to provide Kyiv with long-range weapons and permission to use them on targets inside Russia. After a day of relative calm on Wednesday, a Russian attack overnight Thursday damaged a factory in Ukraine's northern city of Sumy, killed two women and injured at least 11 people, Ukrainian authorities announced this morning. Ukraine's Prosecutor General's office said the factory manufactured packaging for baby food, juices and household products. One injured person died later in hospital, regional prosecutors said on Telegram, and the body of another victim was retrieved from the rubble. A general view shows an apartment building hit by Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Paramedics carry a person rescued from an apartment building which burns after a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 30, 2024 Russian strikes Friday on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least four people Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles in a massive attack Monday and Tuesday Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles earlier this week, hitting a hotel used by civilians in Kryvyi Rih, home city of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier this week it used 'long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones against critical energy infrastructure facilities that support the operation of Ukraine's military-industrial complex' Ukraine on Monday lost the first of its F-16 warplanes which crashed as it was repelling the major Russian attack. Its pilot, Oleksii Mes, was killed in action The airstrike caused a fire, prompting authorities to tell residents to stay inside and close windows because of air pollution. The northern Sumy region borders Russia's region of Kursk where Ukraine has made a major cross-border incursion since August 6 while Moscow's troops press towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Separately, a drone attack hit an industrial facility in Poltava in central Ukraine without causing any casualties, regional governor Filip Pronin said. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians but thousands have been killed and injured in its strikes during the war, which began when Russian troops invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine on Monday also lost the first of its F-16 warplanes which crashed as it was repelling the major Russian attack. The jet came down and its pilot died while it was approaching a Russian target, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed yesterday. 'Connection with one of the aircraft was lost while it was approaching the next target. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, and the pilot died,' the statement said. Possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure are being investigated as defence officials said the F-16 was not downed by Russian fire. A PHD student who pushed a railway worker onto tracks after he missed his train was jailed yesterday for 20 months. Cheyenne Naeb, 26, lashed out at Brittany Mansfield, 28, at Glasgows Queen Street station on February 1, 2023. Naeb, of Edinburgh, was enraged after dispatcher Ms Mansfield allowed a train to leave which he wished to board at 9.11am. The Dundee University philosophy student pointed his finger at Ms Mansfield and went on a verbal tirade towards her. Naeb went on to push her on to the tracks shortly before a train on the line was set to depart. Cheyenne Naeb was jailed for 20 months for pushing a rail worker onto the tracks The American national walked off showing no concern for injured Ms Mansfield before he was stopped by police. Naeb - who planned to become a professor if he graduated this year - faces career ruin after he pled guilty to assaulting Ms Mansfield to her injury and danger of life. He also admitted at Glasgow Sheriff Court behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. Sheriff John McCormick said: This was a gross overreaction to missing a train. The potential consequences could have been catastrophic. I have read the victim impact statement regarding the ongoing physical and mental injuries. Taking everything into account, there is no appropriate alternative to a custodial sentence. The court heard that Ms Mansfield had dispatched a train on platform seven which pulled away when Naeb walked towards her. Miss Mansfield told him that the train had gone and he shouted: Dont you come near me, you made me miss my train. Dont look at me you scumbag c***. Rail worker Brittany Mansfield was left traumatised by the incident, Glasgow Sheriff Court was told Miss Mansfield turned to face Naeb who pointed his finger at her while being aggressive. As a result of his behaviour, she told Naeb that he was no longer allowed to travel. Prosecutor Ross Canning said: Naeb lunged forward and pushed Miss Mansfield with both hands to her chest with such force that she came off the end of the platform. She landed in between the running lines of platform seven in front of a train that was preparing to leave the station. Miss Mansfield was able to grab hold of Naebs sleeve which somewhat broke her fall. The hearing was told that Naeb walked away from Ms Manfield showing no concern for her. She requested assistance on her work radio as she pulled herself up from the 915-millimeter drop despite injuring her hip in the fall. It was also noted that she had cuts to her hand, scrapes to her legs and a swollen elbow when she later attended hospital. Naeb went on to try and bypass the police who were made aware of the situation but he was stopped. Miss Mansfield as well as Naebs father - who flew from the USA - were in attendence at the sentencing. Paul Sweeney, defending, said: He asks me to offer his appologies to her and he fully accepts his behaviour on that day was wrong. He knows the physical and mental anguish he caused to her and he is sorry for that. It was hoped that he would embark on further academia by becoming a professor but this will be difficult. Naeb flew into a rage at Glasgow's Queen Street Station after missing his train His father travelled from America to see his son imprisoned rather than be at his graduation. Miss Mansfield said outside court: 'As a victim, I think the sentence should have been longer. I could have died. 'It is not as if he pushed me off a kerb - it was quite a drop.' She said she was off work for around nine months after the attack. She added: 'I still have to stand on the platforms where it happened. It is never ending.' When asked if she had any ill feelings towards Naeb, Miss Mansfield replied: 'No, I do not necessarily forgive him but I do not want to be bitter. 'If I was to carry on hatred and things like that, I think I would go on a downward spiral. 'I have children and I want to make sure that I am in the best frame of mind.' The DJ Angela Rayner was snapped partying on stage with in Ibiza is a loud, bucket-hat loving Australian who's known for his crazy antics. Rarely seen on stage without a different coloured hat or massive square sunglasses, Fisher has made a name for himself in the dance and house music world. But the producer, whose real name is Paul Nicholas Fisher, has garnered a massive following for his life off stage, too. The 37-year-old is a character, who uploads ridiculous videos of him dancing online while promoting his shows. The DJ even once posted more than a minute worth of footage of him giving a strip tease to his wife - in front of crowds in Las Vegas. Paul Fisher, better known by his DJ name Fisher, had Angela Rayner on stage with him in Ibiza this week The Deputy PM was snapped dancing with the DJ in the early hours of Thursday morning Fisher is a character - and once gave his wife a strip tease in front of a crowd in Las Vegas Ms Rayner was handed Fisher's headphones as she boogied on stage with him this week The 37-year-old has has built a massive following for his music, and personality He recently showed off he was pals with J.Lo, and shared a snap of him arm-in-arm with Declan Rice. And now the Fish, as he proudly calls himself, has had Angela Rayner at his side. Britain's deputy leader was spotted busting her moves during a wild night out on the Spanish party island at around 4am on Thursday in a clip filmed by actress Denise van Outen. In the footage, the minister - who has previously boasted of all-night rave sessions fuelled by vodka - is seen wearing a red dress as she dances along to a remix of Gotye's hit song Somebody That I Used to Know. The video shows Ms Rayner leaping into Fisher's arms for a grand hug - with the Labour politician clearly refusing to let her spirits be sapped by her boss Keir Starmer's doom-laden speech a day before warning of 'painful' times ahead. The Deputy PM can be seen dancing away with the Australian personality - pointing at one another with massive grins on their faces. Fisher then places his head phones on Ms Rayner's neck, and she turns to face the crowd - boogieing with her wristband-covered arm in the air. She seems to dance for a while longer alongside the producer, before popping off stage. Fisher proudly posed with Declan Rice two weeks ago The DJ also revealed he has plans to work with J.Lo Fisher is pals with Chris Hemsworth, too He wears his iconic bucket hat and glasses on stage for every set He's known to jet overseas, and flies between Ibiza and Australia to make his Wednesday shows The 44-year-old appears to have quickly jetted out to the Med for the rave at Hi Ibiza, which sells tickets for 100 euros (84), drinks packages of five beverages for 95 euros (80), and bottles of water for 11. Fisher plays at the Spanish club every Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. He often flies to and from Australia - on his private jet - and spends the week at home, before returning to revellers. The wild DJ shares all aspects of his life online - including the time he strip teased on a Las Vegas stage in front of hundreds of strangers for his wife Chloe's birthday. In the clip, Fisher removes more and more clothing as the dance goes on - with a massive crowd of girls cheering him on. The ex-pro surfer, now 37, has always been known as a character - with much of his videos online filled with his wildly loud laugh. He has also recently worked with the likes of J.Lo, and starred in Lynx adverts. Fisher's also pals with Thor actor Chris Hemsworth. The DJ posts dozens of photos of him in front thousands of people at gigs, and always looks like he's having a ball. In 2022 he and wife Chloe made $10million AUD (5.1million) a year selling their low-calorie alcohol after launching during the pandemic. The couple dreamed up Hard Fizz seltzer, saying there was an 'untapped market' in Australia. The seltzer is still on the market, but now Fisher tends to spend more time on his music - when he's not with wife Chloe and their newborn baby girl. Every Wednesday he jets to Hi Ibiza, where David Guetta has previously played, to play there. The venue describes itself as 'the most technologically advanced club on the planet' with 'cutting-edge DJs and pioneering immersive experiences'. Ms Rayner's trip marked a sensational turnaround from just hours before, with a photo shared on Ms Rayner's X at 6.50pm on Wednesday showing her meeting officials in London to talk about unsafe cladding. She's also seen wearing red - but a different outfit. A self-confessed party animal, the Deputy MP has previously boasted of her 12-hour-plus 'rave' sessions while drinking vodka. The footage was filmed by Denise Van Outen, who described it as a 'surprise booth rave up' The Deputy PM was snapped in the early hours of Thursday morning Fisher often posts silly videos online, promoting his shows The DJ is an ex-pro surfer He posted more clips of him in the early hours of Thursday morning, going wild Speaking at an event at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, Ms Rayner revealed how she had just returned from a holiday in Spain where she had partied from mid-afternoon to sunrise the next morning The Labour frontbencher, who has been dubbed 'Grangela' at Westminster after she welcomed a grandchild at the age of 37, said: 'The girls I was raving with are half my age, and I was like "I'm a grandma". 'I was proud of that. 4pm I started, and I got home at six o'clock in the morning when the sun was shining and I was like, 'Yes, I can do it'.' Asked if she did it 'with or without chemical support', she said she just had vodka. 'You've got to go with the music, the vibes. You've got to be in the moment and it takes you,' Ms Rayner added. Speaking about her heavy drinking habits, she said that 'I let my hair down at home' by inviting friends round and making a 'lethal' cocktail called Venom. The cocktail, she said, is made using a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Southern Comfort, ten bottles of Blue WKD and a litre of orange juice. She said: 'If you're ever having a crowd of you at home get that out and everyone will have a good time. 'I invited my two youngest kids' headteacher from primary school and he had to take his wife home because she'd had some Venom.' Referring to a recent supermarket trip she had made, she said: 'I was ashamed the other day because I got three bottles of wine and eight packs of Juul2 vapes and that was it, that's all I had in my basket and I did actually think 'I need to put some fruit in there'.' She said her children call her 'The Vape Dragon' because she cannot give it up. She added: 'Vaping is probably really bad for you and I will find out one day, but yeah I enjoy a good vape.' CNN gave a masterclass on Thursday night in how not to hold politicians to account. Kamala Harris turned up for her first proper broadcast interview in the 39 days since she became the Democrats' presumptive presidential candidate with her emotional-support dog, running mate Tim Walz, in tow lest interviewer Dana Bash turned a bit probing or even robust. But there was never any danger of that. The fact CNN had agreed to Walz's presence showed the network had effectively thrown in the towel before the interview even started. As president, Harris would have to deal with the world's most powerful dictators, like Russia's Putin and China's Xi. Yet she doesn't feel up to facing a middling broadcast journalist like Bash on her own? It was all a bit pathetic. The protective guardrails round Harris didn't stop there. CNN gave a masterclass on Thursday night in how not to hold politicians to account. The interview was pre-recorded, Harris's people (probably rightly) concluding that 'live' was too risky. It was shot round a table in a Savannah coffee shop in the swing state of Georgia, to make it look folksy. In the event it just looked messy. CNN billed the interview as an hour-long primetime extravaganza. But the interrogation (which is probably a misuse of the word) lasted only 27 minutes. The rest of the 60 minutes was padded out with footage and soundbites that would not have been out of place in a Harris-Walz campaign commercial, during which Bash was far too cosy and friendly with the pair for a supposedly independent journalist. Bash had her moments but not nearly enough of them. At crucial points when Harris vacillated or obfuscated, she failed to force her to clarify with proper follow up questions designed to pin her down. Clearly rehearsed answers revealing nothing went without challenge. Harris emerged from it all largely unscathed. But not quite. For all CNN's kid gloves, some of the recent Harris luster peeled off in the exchanges. Though we learned nothing new and Harris made no serious gaffes, the interview reminded us of what has largely been forgotten in her recent reinvention: that in essence Harris remains a mediocre lightweight given to glib answers with no substance. Bash kicked off by asking her what she would do on day one in the White House. A predictable enough question yet Harris was curiously unprepared. She waffled on listing various action points in her policy agenda. Bash rightly repeated the question (one of the few attempts to pin Harris down). More waffle. As a prime example of her many flip-flops, Bash raised her opposition to fracking for oil and gas in 2019 and, now, her support for it. Harris replied that by 2020 she'd made clear she was in favour of fracking and had not resiled from that position since. Bash was unprepared for this Harris dance on the head of a pin. During her failed bid to become the Democratic presidential candidate in 2019, she was unequivocal during a CNN town hall: 'There's no question I'm in favor of banning fracking.' She even implied the ban would happen on her first day in office because 'the residual impact of fracking is enormous in terms of the health and safety of communities.' Harris claimed on Thursday that she'd changed her position by the time she was Joe Biden's running mate and debating Mike Pence (Trump's then-running mate). She did not explain why, even though Bash helpfully and inexplicably offered possible explanations (it really isn't the job of an interviewer to help politicians with the answers). But the record shows Harris in 2020 merely said: 'Joe Biden will not end fracking. He has been very clear about that.' She said nothing about her own views. Bash was not properly briefed about this and so did not press her. Kamala turned up for her first proper broadcast interview in the 39 days since she became the Democrats' presumptive presidential candidate with her emotional-support dog, running mate Tim Walz, in tow. Dana Bash was unprepared, not properly briefed, and far too cosy and friendly with the pair for a supposedly independent journalist. Nor were Harris's feet held to the fire over what she knew about Biden's obvious cognitive decline even as she blithely assured the world he was right as rain and sharp as a tack. Harris clearly misled us. She needs to be held to account for it. At least we were spared Harris's infamous word salads. Well, largely, if not quite. As she wriggled over fracking she came up with this doozy: '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.' Hands up anyone who can think of a deadline that doesn't involve time. Harris was not pushed on any of other flip-flops from her more radical days, from defunding the police to decriminalising the act of entering America illegally. To any suggestion she was not consistent she countered with a prepared, catchall line: 'my values have not changed', which is as meaningless as it is vague. She was never pressed to explain what she meant. She flourished her $100 billion plan to give a $25,000 federal grant to first-time home buyers. Bash failed to point out this was a sure-fire recipe for raising house prices, putting home ownership out of reach for young folk of modest means. She paraded platitudes about 'turning the page on the last decade', without being properly challenged that these years included the last two of the Obama administration and almost four years of the Biden-Harris administration. Was she turning her back on the Biden years? Oh no, she said, they were an 'extraordinary success', 'transformative'. If so, why does she want to 'turn the page' on them? The question was not asked. Walz didn't say much and Bash was right largely to ignore him. But when he did have his minutes in the sun, he showed he was up there with Harris when it came to dissembling. Pressed on his claim that he wanted to ban the ownership of 'weapons of war' like the ones he'd carried into battle he was never deployed to a war zone in the 24 years he was in the Army National Guard he merely mumbled about 'my grammar is not always correct'. But this is nothing to do with grammar it's about facts and honesty. He was equally slippery when it came to his false claims about his wife's fertility treatment and his arrest for driving under the influence. The interview ended with a piece of fluff about the iconic picture of the back of Harris's young niece's head as she listened to her aunt address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week. Fine if you're part of the Harris propaganda machine. Not so fine when you've failed to hold Harris robustly to account and are running out of time to do so. Harris might not give another major interview between now and November 5. She got away with this one so why chance your luck? But for all its problems the CNN interview reminded us that she is a weak candidate and eminently beatable. The polls are still close enough, nationally and in the swing states, to make this a tight race. But the fear among Republican strategists is that Trump is still not doing the heavy lifting required to get across Harris's weak record. He's more at home with personal vituperation Whether Donald Trump is the opponent to beat her is another matter. As Labor Day approaches and the election proper gets under way, his campaign still lacks focus, direction, purpose (other than his greater glory). The Harris-Trump debate on September 10 will be his chance to exploit all the weaknesses Harris displayed on Thursday but which CNN failed to exploit. The fear among Republican strategists is that Trump is still not doing the heavy lifting required to get across Harris's weak record of almost zero achievements, her previous hard-left positions and her proclivity to flip-flop. He's more at home with personal vituperation, which merely reminds moderates and independents why they didn't vote for him. If he stoops to that on September 10 Harris could be cruising to victory. What if he does live up to your worst expectations, I asked a veteran Trump confidant. What's the Plan B? 'Call 911. Or the Holy Spirit,' he replied. I'm not sure he was joking. A Colombian upskirter who was caught upskriting a woman at the British Museum has been jailed for four months. Jake Verano Gomez, 33, was spotted filming his unsuspecting victim by an off-duty police officer on August 19. The City of London Police woman quickly detained Gomez with the help of staff and security from the museum before Met officers arrived to arrest him. The victim was supported by the Museums Visitor Services and Met officers upon arrival. Gomez was arrested and footage of other women he had been filming was found on his mobile phone. Jake Verano Gomez (pictured), 33, was spotted filming his unsuspecting victim by an off-duty police officer on August 19 The British Museum. The City of London Police woman quickly detained Gomez with the help of museum staff and security from the museum before Met officers arrived to arrest him (stock image) Officers are now asking any women who think they may have fallen victim to the pervert to come forward. Gomez, of no fixed address, admitted recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. He was jailed for four months and will also have to register with the police for up to seven years. Detective Constable Holly Wright, from the Public Protection team covering Camden, said: These kinds of offences have a devastating impact on women and girls who should be free to go about their lives without fear of being the victim of such a horrendous crime. Fortunately the presence of our colleague from City of London Police has meant Gomez has now been brought to justice. Following his arrest Gomezs phone was interrogated by Met detectives, they found a number of videos of other victims - also believed to have been filmed that day - were discovered. Sadly, this may mean there are more women who are unaware that they have been the victim of crime. If you were at the British Museum on Monday, 19 August around 14:00hrs and think you may have been a victim, I am asking you to come forward and speak to us. A drug dealer was caught red-handed by police after cocaine tumbled out of his trousers when they stopped his car. Abdallah Chakir, 36, was a passenger in a Peugeot 5008 when Kent Police officers stopped the vehicle in Tunbridge Wells for suspicious activity. Initially, Chakir tried to convince officers that he and the woman he was with were returning from a weekend of clubbing in London. However, checks through automatic number plate recognition systems soon revealed he was lying - and had in fact been in Kent during the days he insisted he was away. Abdallah Chakir, 36, was a passenger in a Peugeot 5008 when Kent Police officers stopped the vehicle in Tunbridge Wells for suspicious activity Initially, Chakir tried to convince officers that he and the woman he was with were returning from a weekend of clubbing in London . However, checks through automatic number plate recognition systems soon revealed he was lying - and had in fact been in Kent during the days he insisted he was away Police detained Chakir and his lies were further exposed when cocaine fell from his trouser leg. He also dropped other drugs - and was caught attempting to kick one plastic container under the car. Further drugs were seized when Chakir was strip searched while in custody. In total, 174 'streets deals' were recovered, police said. Chakir, of no fixed address, was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply after being arrested in April. He pleaded guilty and was yesterday and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two years and eight months' imprisonment. Police detained Chakir and his lies were further exposed when cocaine fell from his trouser leg He also dropped other drugs - and was caught attempting to kick one plastic container under the car In total, 174 'streets deals' were recovered, police said. Chakir, of no fixed address, was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply after being arrested in April He pleaded guilty and was yesterday and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two years and eight months' imprisonment Tunbridge Wells chief inspector Stuart Paul said: 'This sentence again illustrates just how effective our officers are in identifying offenders, who wrongly believe they can operate within our communities without consequence. 'I can assure residents we will continue to make the streets a hostile environment for anyone involved in the supply of drugs. 'Please also remember to let us know straight away if you see anything suspicious. Call 999 if it is a crime in progress, otherwise contact 101.' Kamala Harris looked 'weak' and 'bad' for waiting weeks and then sitting alongside her running mate rather than appearing solo in her first interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, according to a DailyMail.com panel of viewers. But they also suggested it was a missed opportunity that the vice president can quickly put right. Her overall performance received positive reviews. When 294 viewers were asked for their one-word review, the most common were 'presidential' and 'smart.' After avoiding interviews for more than a month, the vice president sat down with CNN's Dana Bash as well as her running mate Tim Walz to answer questions in a Georgia restaurant on Thursday. J.L. Partners asked a representative sample of viewers: 'Kamala Harris did the interview with her running mate, and has not sat for a solo interview since she has been named the nominee. How do you think this makes Kamala Harris look?' J.L. Partners asked 294 viewers what they thought of Kamala Harris's decision to wait so long to give an interview and to do it alongside her running mate on Thursday night Unimpressed was the overall answer. 'I think it kind of makes her look bad because I really think she should sit down and have this interview so everyone in the world can see her point of view and where she's coming from, said 52-year-old female restaurant manager from Texas, who plans to vote for Harris in November. Another Harris voter from Massachusetts said she worried that it makes her look 'as though she's not fit to be president.' However, others also said delaying the interview made her look 'busy' and Walz made look part of a 'team.' James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners which conducted the snap survey after the interview aired, said there were positives for Harris and for Walz. 'Voters split by party on their views of how Harris did but they agree on one thing: Harris looked weak for not appearing solo,' he said. 'Voters felt she came across quite well in the interview, so it was a mistake not to appear solo straight away. 'This, though, is something the campaign can dispel quite easily by putting her up for a solo interview soonit doesnt feel like something that is going to dominate the campaign.' Harris fended off questions about flip-flopping on her policy positions, as she confirmed she no longer wanted to ban fracking and that there should be 'consequences' for people who cross the border illegally. Harris appeared alongside her running mate Gov. Tim Walz to be interviewed by Dana Bash (right) for CNN on Thursday during a campaign stop in Georgia But overall, Harris got decent reviews when viewers were asked for a one-word summary. Presidential and smart came top, followed by fake, leader and bad 'I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,' Harris said. The interview got the all-star treatment from CNN, with an on-screen countdown clock and excerpts released ahead of its 9pm broadcast time. Viewers responded with a collective 'meh.' When asked for the most memorable moment or issue, the words dominating the resulting word cloud were: Nothing, questions and Trump. Johnson said Harris had cleared a hurdle, without messing anything up. 'Voters shrugged at the CNN interview last nightit hardly gripped the nation, with "nothing" being the most common response when viewers were asked what they noticed most,' he said. 'But in a campaign where views of Harris are already broadly positive and they need to avoid gaffes, the Harris-Walz campaign can notch that up as a win. 'She was seen by some as presidential and smart during the interview, while others said she was fake and liberal, hesitations that still lurk in voters minds when it comes to Harris.' Critics said Harris delivered a 'word salad' but she also avoided gaffes A 62-year-old retired man from Louisiana who voted Trump in 2020 but plans to vote for Harris now said: 'From what I saw, I think she cares about this country more than Donald Trump.' Otherwise a lot of the reactions broke down along party lines in the sample. 'Approachable, even headed. She kept to her points pretty well,' said a 36-year-old Harris supporter from Michigan. But a Trump voter in New Jersey said: 'She was given softball questions and she gave softball answers.' And Trump 2020 voter in Ohio who has yet to make up his mind this time around said: 'She came across as a normal politician, fake and only worried about getting votes to stay in power.' Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visits the country next week. Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, who is due to visit the country on September 3. 'The Ukrainian side hopes that the Government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal,' the foreign ministry said, adding 'we call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant.' But the Kremlin gloated that it has 'no worries' about Putin's Mongolia visit, which will be the Russian despot's first trip to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023 over suspected war crimes in Ukraine. Under the court's 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. Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) when he visits the country next week Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, who is due to visit the country on September 3 (file image of the ICC in The Hague) But the Kremlin gloated that it has 'no worries' about Putin's Mongolia visit, which will be the Russian despot's first trip to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued in March 2023 over suspected war crimes in Ukraine (pictured: Mongolia's president Ukhnaa Khurelsukh) 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 country's main opposition party. Putin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who previously stressed that Russia doesn't recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC, told reporters during his daily conference call Friday that the Kremlin has 'no worries' about the upcoming trip: 'We have a wonderful dialogue with our friends from Mongolia,' he said. ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah underscored in a statement on Friday that Mongolia 'is a State Party to the ICC Rome Statute' and thus has the obligation to cooperate with the court. 'The ICC relies on its States Parties and other partners to execute its decisions including in relation to arrest warrants,' the official said. He added: 'In case of non-cooperation, ICC judges may make a finding to that effect and inform the Assembly of States Parties of it. It is then for the Assembly to take any measure it deems appropriate.' It wasn't clear from the statement what kind of measures that would be. According to a statement released by the Kremlin on Thursday, Putin will travel to Mongolia at 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 said. n this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, August 19, 2024, Russian soldiers fire an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location in the Russian - Ukrainian border area in the Kursk region In a famous case, then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (pictured) 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 country's main opposition party Russian servicemen, in footage released by the by the Russian Defence Ministry Press-Service on August 23, are seen firing a 122-mm howitzer D-30 towards Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location 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 had 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 court also indicted Putin's children's rights envoy, Maria Lvova-Belova, on the same charges, and later issued arrest warrants for former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov on the charges of war crimes and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. Russia isn't a member of the court, doesn't recognize its jurisdiction and refuses to hand over suspects. Officials have dismissed the warrants as 'null and void.' Putin hasn't traveled to ICC member states since the arrest warrant was issued. 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 would not attend a meeting he's normally a fixture at. The Kremlin said 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 the two countries. Armenian officials, however, quickly sought to assure Russia that Putin wouldn't be arrested if he entered the country. A classroom full of terrified kindergarten students and teachers frantically ducked for cover as an army of gunmen opened fire nearby in southern Mexico. Surveillance footage showed the heavily armed gunman arriving on pickup trucks and unleashing a hail of bullets at the Samherz Medical Clinic in Benemeritos de las Americas, a town in the state of Chiapas, across the border from Guatemala, on Wednesday, according to media reports. During the barrage, a separate video taken from inside a nearby classroom showed adults and mostly young children cowering on the floor as gunshots ring out for more than a minute. Heavily armed gunmen launched an attack in Benemeritos de las Americas, a town in the state of Chiapas, across the border from Guatemala Teachers were seen huddling around students at a school during the terrifying moment A bevy of boys and girls were instructed to remain on the floor and told not to cry as the adults in the room huddled around them, the video showed. One of the adults picked up a small child and placed him behind a table as the shots continued. In the surveillance video, the gunmen can be seen jumping back on their vehicles and fleeing the scene. A third video captured the aftermath of the attack, which left the clinics facade riddled with bullet holes and bullet casings strewn across the ground. Numerous bullet holes were seen covering the Samher'z Medical Clinic The gunmen arrived on pickup trucks and split in groups before opening fire A teacher peered out a window as the gunfire continued for more than a minute It is unknown if anyone was inside the clinic during the attack. Chiapas state and Benemeritos de las Americas city officials had not addressed the incident as of Friday. Local news outlets reported that Wednesday was the fourth consecutive day rival cartels launched attacks on each other. Benemeritos de las Americas and other towns near the border with Guatemala serve as strategic drug and migrant smuggling points for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel. A pro-Trump Republican candidate for congress infiltrated an MSNBC focus group of 'mixed race voters' to slam Kamala Harris. Addul Ali, a candidate for North Carolina's 12th Congressional district and host of a conservative podcast, appeared alongside five others in a segment with MSNBC host Morgan Radford. Only Ali and another woman said they were Republican. They disagreed with the others over Donald Trump's controversial remarks last month where he claimed Kamala Harris 'happened to turn black.' While other panelists branded the comment 'offensive', Ali countered: 'I agree with him. I didnt know that. I didnt know she identified as Black because everything I saw was first South Asian, first Indian. Theres none of that identified as Black.' Republican congressional candidate Addul Ali (bottom left) infiltrated an MSNBC focus group of 'mixed race voters' to slam Kamala Harris Ali, a candidate for North Carolina 's 12th Congressional district and host of a conservative podcast, distanced himself from other voters on the panel and expressed his support for Donald Trump MSNBC noted after the broadcast that Ali was a Republican candidate for congress, however the network did not indicate whether they knew Ali's identity beforehand. The network did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com, including if it carried out any vetting of the panelists. It is not the first time Ali has appeared on MSNBC, however, with his website for his podcast, The Urban Conservative, including a clip where he spoke of how 'there are a lot of people in the middle' of politics who are not represented by either Democrats or Republicans. 'It is on us to hold these people accountable at the ballot box,' Ali said in the clip, which came before he launched his own congressional candidacy. Despite his ongoing campaign against Representative Alma Adams - who is given a 99 percent chance of defeating him, according to The Hill - Ali was able to seemingly slip onto the voters panel unidentified. Ali pictured attending last month's Republican National Convention, alongside North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore Ali's congressional campaign is centered on traditional conservative values, including bolstering law enforcement resources, securing the border to 'stop the flow of fentanyl', and supporting veterans 'who have sacrificed and served our country' In the panel, Radford began by asking the voters: 'Does the way that you identify racially impact your politics, or specifically, how do you plan to vote this election?' A Democrat voter responded: 'Im not going to lend my support behind someone who does not support people who look like me.' 'I dont think he sees me as a who I am,' another said. But Ali distanced himself from the other panelists as he argued that Harris doesn't have 'anything vested in the "Black or Hispanic experience", so much as it would be identified by anybody that lives in those communities.' As the conversation turned to Trump's controversial remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists in July, Ali again disagreed with the other liberal voters. While one said Trump's comments were 'highly offensive' and another said he was 'tapping into' racist sentiments, Ali said he agreed with Trump's characterization. 'I didnt 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,' he said. 'I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black?' On the MSNBC panel, Ali questioned whether Harris is 'Indian or Black' following controversial remarks from Donald Trump last month The other Republican voter then backed up Ali's remarks, saying that she heard Trump's comments on Harris' ethnicity as a jibe at 'identity politics and the appeal that some take to play up one side of their race over the other.' Ali and Radford subsequently went back-and-forth over whether Harris had previously described herself as black before her 2024 presidential campaign, which she had. 'I've never heard it,' Ali concluded. According to Ali's congressional campaign website, he is a veteran and entrepreneur who is focusing his platform on traditional conservative values. This includes bolstering law enforcement resources, securing the border to 'stop the flow of fentanyl', and supporting veterans 'who have sacrificed and served our country.' Texans expecting to vote in November have told of their shock after discovering they may have been included in the government's 'purge' of who's eligible to. The Republican leader proudly announced that the 1.1 million names eliminated from the state's voter database included non-citizens, felons and dead people. But now an Austin man with a government security clearance who votes in every presidential election believes he may have been caught up in the purge. He asked to remain anonymous due to his job, but his wife, Ann told DailyMail.com they took their 18-year-old son to the Travis County building to get registered for his first election a few days ago. While there, she and her husband checked their voter registration status and were shocked to learn her husband's registration had been canceled. The governor's office reported that, since the signing of SB 1 three years ago, over 1 million names have been removed from the voter rolls '(The county worker) said, "You're still on it but your husband isn't,"' Ann explained, adding that he last voted in 2021 in a local referendum that aimed to restrict the homeless population and where they would set up camps. 'She said, "If you haven't voted in a couple years, they're just taking people off,' Ann recalled. 'I was like, "Why would they do that?" She said, "To make room for other voters."' 'My personal opinion is that shouldn't matter. 'Once you're registered to vote, you shouldn't just take people off because they're not voting enough for you. Some people only vote in presidential elections.' Ann, an Austin, Texas resident, and her husband recently checked their voter registration status and discovered he had been kicked off the state voter roll The governor's office said 1.1 million names had been purges from voting registration from 2021, and the effort was still happening Texas Governor Greg Abbott has revealed that since the enactment of Senate Bill 1 in 2021, more than 1 million names of ineligible voters have been purged from the state's voter rolls Her husband's voter status was re-instated that same day, but Ann worries her husband might not have been able to vote at all if they hadn't happen to check their registration. She worried Abbott's promise to have the 'strongest election laws in the nation' is actually disenfranchising Texans. 'He's playing a political game,' Ann stated. 'He has ambitions to go further, and he's feeding into the populace of people that he feels he needs.' Abbott's office did not respond to a request for comment. 'Illegal voting in Texas will never be tolerated,' his office said in a press release earlier this week. Campaign Legal Center said it was demanding evidence from Texas about who was being purged from the voter roll 'We will continue to actively safeguard Texans sacred right to vote while also aggressively protecting our elections from illegal voting.' The governor's office made clear the process, which started in 2021, is still ongoing. 'Federal law bars systematically purging voters from the rolls within 90 days of an election,' Kate Huddleston of Campaign Legal Center tweeted. 'Gov. Abbott said on Monday the purge process is ongoing. Thats unlawful, & our letter put Texas on notice that it must immediately cease systematic voter removals.' The group says it put Abbott 'on notice' in a letter, demanding that the Lone Star State must immediately stop weeding out voters and records showing who was removed and why. 'Were concerned that some eligible Texas voters are likely being wrongly identified for citizenship investigation & purged from the rolls. In the past, Texas has wrongly targeted naturalized citizens for removals,' Huddleston explained. The Texas Secretary of State did not respond to concerns raised by the group. However, the governor's office said earlier this week that of the 6,500 non-citizen removed, 1,930 has actually cast a ballot. The Secretary of States Office is currently forwarding these records to the Attorney Generals Office for investigation and 'potential legal action.' More than 457,000 were the names of deceased people, and more than 134,000 confirmed they no longer lived in Texas. In addition, over 6,000 people who have a felony conviction were removed as well as 463,000 voters who were on the suspense list. According to the Texas Secretary of States Office, a person is typically put on a situation list when counties are unsure of a resident's address or believe they have moved. This often happens when mail, such as a voter registration card or jury summons, is returned as undeliverable. More than 65,000 voters who failed to respond to a notice of examination while another 19,000 people had requested to cancel their voter registration. 'Everyone should be checking their registration,' Ann urged all Texans. The deadline to register to vote in Texas is Monday, October 7, and the registration must either be turned in person or mailed in, as online registration is not allowed. A history teacher at a 45,000-a-year boarding school is facing a lengthy jail term after admitting sexually assaulting a pupil. Nick Baldock, 46, lived on campus at the exclusive Lancing College in West Sussex between 2017 and 2022, during which time he committed a string of sexually-motivated offences. The Cambridge and Yale graduate yesterday (FRI) pleaded guilty to groping a male student aged over 16 at the college in July 2022, downloading and sharing indecent images of children and sharing details of college students. Prosecutors told a short hearing at Crawley Magistrates Court that a 177-page report had been compiled on the teacher's offending. Baldock was said to have shared indecent images of children using Telegram and WhatsApp between 2021 and 2022. The disclosure of pupil's details related to school profile pictures which he had sent to others via WhatsApp, although no further details were provided by prosecutors. Baldock (pictured) pleaded guilty to groping a male student aged over 16 at the college in July 2022, downloading and sharing indecent images of children and sharing details of college students. (The disgraced teacher pictured outside Crawley Magistrates' Court) Baldock is required to supply his details for the sex offender register within three days Maria Goptareva, prosecuting, said: 'The sexual assault is by touching of student. 'The sexual assault would fall into the category of an abuse of trust.' The teacher faces a jail term of more than five years when he is sentenced at Lewes Crown Court next month. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and guilty pleas. District Judge Jack Triggs said Baldock would be required to supply his details for the sex offender register within three days. 'You've pleaded guilty and it will be for Lewes Crown Court to sentence you,' he told the defendant. Baldock, who now lives in Lincolnshire, replied: 'Thank you.' He was granted conditional bail ahead of his sentencing hearing. In his LinkedIn profile, Baldock says he studied at Yale University from 2003 to 2009 after getting a history degree from the University of Cambridge. His profile describes how he 'studied many and varied periods of history and quietly despaired of academia before producing the discursive, over-written but nonetheless interesting dissertation entitled 'The Religious Imagination in British Popular Fiction and Society, 1900-1945'.' He also claims to have studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy before returning to the UK where he also taught history at King Edward's School in Birmingham for six months in 2016. Baldock was also an actor with Madcap Theatre Productions in 2013. A general view of the entrance to Lancet College in West Sussex where Baldock was a history teacher Baldock lived on campus at the exclusive Lancing College in West Sussex between 2017 and 2022 Lancing College, where fees are 15,590 a term for full boarding, is made up of several imposing buildings which are a major landmark on the South Downs. Notable former pupils include lyricist Sir Tim Rice, novelist Evelyn Waugh and Brighton and Hove Albion FC chairman Tony Bloom. Disgraced paedophile bishop Peter Ball was also a pupil, but his offending against 18 teenagers and young men were not linked to the school. Baldock pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a male over 16, two offences of publishing an obscene article using Telegram and WhatsApp, three charges of sharing pupil profile pictures through WhatsApp and three charges of downloading Category A, B and C indecent images of a child. He was arrested in December, 2022 and is no longer employed at the college. A Texas teacher has been accused of dealing cocaine from inside her third-grade classroom. Jessica Ferguson, 34, was arrested on Wednesday while at work at an elementary school within the Sheldon Independent School district in Houston. Prosecutors say Ferguson was caught on a wiretap negotiating a cocaine deal from the classroom and that 'you could hear the children in the background.' Ferguson allegedly worked with a gang dubbed the 'Rich Kingz' who are believed to have been operating in the area for years. Officials say the gang 'is responsible for drug trafficking and violent crimes across our entire city, including several murders.' U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdeni speaks about the Justice Department's arrests in connection to drug trafficking in Houston, Texas Ferguson and 19 others were charged as part of the Justice Department's investigation with crimes related to the possession and distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine. A hospital worker and a Harris County correctional officer were also arrested in connection to the probe. The Sheldon Independent School district said in a statement: 'Sheldon ISD is aware of a law enforcement investigation and recent arrest of a Sheldon ISD teacher. 'Due to privacy laws, the District is limited in its ability to share all information concerning the allegations and the teacher. The District confirms that the arrest did not take place in the presence of students.' Ferguson has been placed on administrative leave. As many as 300 officers participated on the sweep of the suspects on Thursday. Alfred Jacoby 'Coby' Green, 35, was charged with the most crimes and was described by prosecutors as being one of the Rich Kingz' leaders. The FBI said it hopes these arrests could help 'connect the dots on several cases, including unsolved murders.' US attorney Alamdar Hamdani said: 'Drug trafficking in Houston and throughout the United States is a rampant problem that continues to take lives. 'It takes lives through violence that goes hand in hand with drug trafficking. It takes lives in the deaths of people who overdose using those drugs. It takes lives in the communities that are left ravaged and ruined in their wake.' A mother made one final call as she walked along railway tracks before she was hit by a freight train, an inquest has heard. Jill Parton, 46, FaceTimed her partner as she was walking on railway tracks near a station in Greater Manchster, before they frantically phoned police. The mother, who was also a former pub land lady, had been near Heaton Chapel station in Stockport in the early hours of June 3 when she was struck by a freight train. An inquest into Jill's death was opened yesterday. Police coroner's officer Alison Catlow said police became aware of Jill's death after getting a call from someone described in court as a 'partner'. Mother Jill Parton died after being hit by a freight train in Greater Manchester on June 3 The 46-year-old made one final call to her 'partner' as she walked on railway tracks, an inquest heard Ms Catlow told the court: 'On June 3 at 3:59am, British Transport Police received a call from Network Rail that a freight service train had struck someone close to Heaton Chapel station. 'Following a full search of the tracks, a female was located with injuries inconsistent with life. 'British Transport Police received a call from Greater Manchester Police to advise that they had received a call from the female's partner, stating that she had FaceTimed him whilst on the railway tracks.' Ms Catlow added Jill died from 'extensive traumatic injuries'. Asked by assistant coroner Christopher Murray if any mental health service had been involved with Jill, she replied: 'I believe there was sir, yes.' The mother lived in Heaton Chapel and was well known from her time as landlady of The Crown Inn. Her daughter, Amber Parton, previously told how she 'literally had nothing in her brain' the moment she was told Jill had died. Amber said: 'I just felt numb. I still don't feel like it's real. It's just been me and my mum every day. I just feel like she's going to walk through the door, like she's not really gone. 'Especially the way it happened - she promised she would never leave me. She told me a few weeks ago she was struggling and didn't want to be here but she wouldn't leave me. She was my best friend and we used to do everything together.' Amber, 25, described her 'bubbly' mum as a 'lovely woman who would do anything for anyone' - recalling how she was a keen animal lover who also allowed more than 50 homeless people to stay at her home over the course of her life. Amber added: 'I'd rather go out with my mum than my friends.. Anyone I'd speak to would say it wasn't a normal mother-daughter relationship. 'We used to tell each other everything. Everyone was jealous of our friendship. She never judged me.' Maxine Campbell, Jill's friend of more than 30 years, launched a petition to make small railway stations more secure in an attempt to prevent deaths. She described the 46-year-old as being 'like a sister' to her and the 'life of the party'. Ms Campbell said: 'When she first passed away, I was really upset, but then I would think of her laughing and just being silly. I would start laughing and get mad at myself, because I was trying to be sad. 'She was kind and generous - everyone classed her as a best friend.' A full inquest is due to take place at the same court on November 11. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the disappearance of an elderly California couple who vanished from a nudist community. Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested for murder late Thursday, days after Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were reported missing on Sunday. In a press briefing following the arrest, cops said Sparks was the couple's neighbor, and said foul play was suspected following a tip-off from someone in their neighborhood in Redlands, California. Authorities are continuing an urgent search for the couple, were last spotted leaving their home on the Olive Dell nudist ranch around 10am on Saturday, close to where their unlocked car was later found. Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were reported missing on Sunday Images of the arrest showed a SWAT-style vehicle with a hydraulic battering ram smashed through the side of Sparks' property, where cops reportedly believe the Menard's bodies are Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested for murder late Thursday in connection with the couple's disappearance According to the Redland Police Department, Sparks was found hiding underneath his home during his arrest, and was only taken into custody following a lengthy standoff with police. Authorities approached his home with remote video equipment, and images of the arrest showed a SWAT-style vehicle with a hydraulic battering ram smashed through the side of Sparks' property. Police say they are treating the Menard's disappearance as a homicide and are searching for their bodies, which they believe to be on Sparks' property. Cadaver dogs and search teams were seen at the home, with the Menard's dog also believed to be dead in the area, according to police. ABC News reported that police descended on the home following a tip-off from the public, who claimed that a person involved in their disappearance was at the home. Sparks' home was hit with significant damage during the dramatic arrest, with cops now working through the rubble in hopes of finding the couple's bodies. Police say they are treating the Menard's disappearance as a homicide and are searching for their bodies Police pictured on the scene of Sparks' arrest, where he was reportedly found hiding underneath his home and was only taken into custody following a lengthy standoff with police On the day the Menard's vanished, investigators said the couple's car was found unlocked not far from their residence in the Olive Dell Ranch nudist community. Cops added that Stephanie's purse was discovered in the home, as well as both her and Daniel's cellphones. 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 their bodies are yet to be found. As the search for the Menards drags on, friends and neighbors said they were agonizing over the couple's disappearance. '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' beloved dog, a small Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing The authorities said that Daniel is diagnosed with diabetes and suffers from dementia, complicating matters and lending a sense of urgency to the search 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. Anyone with information about the disappearance is asked to contact Redlands police at (909)798-7681 or Detective Thomas Williams at twilliams@redlandspolice.org. Some employees will be allowed to demand a four-day week in a new law which will be proposed by the Labour government this autumn as part of a package of additional rights for workers. Under a system of 'compressed hours', workers could be allowed to work their contracted hours in four days rather than five. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is championing the law which is being developed in close consultation with businesses and trade unions. However, the new rules will not apply to everyone and some questions around how it will work in practice remain unanswered. Under the current rules, workers have a legal right to request flexible hours but bosses are not obligated to oblige. Currently workers have a legal right to request flexible working from their employers but companies are under no obligation to agree (stock photo) Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is championing the law which is being developed in close consultation with businesses and trade unions Labour's new package of workers' rights would shift the balance of power with businesses forced to offer flexible working unless it is 'not reasonably feasible'. The increased flexibility will mean workers will have a greater legal weight behind them if they ask to complete their week's work in four days, rather than five. This could see employees only in the office from Monday to Thursday and taking Fridays off. Poll Do you think a four-day week is a good idea? Yes No Not sure Do you think a four-day week is a good idea? Yes 709 votes No 849 votes Not sure 142 votes Now share your opinion 'Flexible working' covers three things in Labour's worker's rights package: hybrid working, 'right to switch off' and 'compressed hours'. Hybrid working allows people to work from home as well as at their place of employment, such as an office. Hybrid working has become popular and preferred by many since it was introduced due to Covid-19 lockdowns. The 'right to switch off' is the idea that employees should not have to check and respond to work emails after their shifts have finished. 'Compressed hours' allow workers to work their contracted weekly hours in an irregular way across the week. For example, if someone is paid to work five eight-hour shifts a week, they could ask to work four 10-hour shifts, and have the fifth day off. Supporters of the change have noted that this would be slightly different to the common understanding of working a four-day week in that the employee will still be working 100 per cent of their contracted hours. Whilst the idea of a four-day week pushed by others would mean only working 80 per cent of their hours but still receiving their full pay. However, companies may not have to agree to a four-day week through compressed hours. Labour's 'Plan to Make Work Pay' document promised that Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government would be 'making flexible working the default from day one for all workers, except where it is not reasonably feasible' Where the official line will be drawn will depend on how the Government converts the phrase 'not reasonably feasible' in the legal documents (stock photo) The key line which suggests this can be found in Labour's 'Plan to Make Work Pay' document, published in May just before the general election, after years of consulting with trade unions and companies. It promised that Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government would be 'making flexible working the default from day one for all workers, except where it is not reasonably feasible'. Meaning, a company will not have to approve a request for a four-day week if it can prove that it is 'not reasonably feasible'. For example, nurses, ambulance drivers and teachers will not be able to request a four-day week as it is not realistic for the profession they are in. Where the official line will be drawn will depend on how the Government converts the phrase 'not reasonably feasible' in the legal documents. Labour promised to table legislation on the new workers rights package within 100 days of taking office, which would be in the middle of October. The Government has stressed that it will make the changes in consulation with businesses, suggesting changes may not be implemented until next year. Country music star John Rich has raised questions about pictures of President Joe Biden enjoying his beach vacation in Delaware, noting 'something ain't right.' The outspoken Republican, 50, shared footage of Biden lounging on the beach, taken on August 28. 'Why is there no secret service around the President of the United States of America?' he asked. 'Is he the POTUS or not? Is the Commander In Chief of the most powerful military in history just sitting on a beach waving at passerby's? With no security?' 'Cmon man... something ain't right.' Country music star John Rich has raised questions about pictures of President Joe Biden enjoying his beach holiday in Delaware, saying 'something ain't right' The outspoken Republican, 50, shared footage of Biden lounging on the beach, taken on August 28 The 81-year-old President, who vowed he was committed to seeing out the remaining months of his term, has been on vacation near Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. He looked at ease and relaxed as he was pictured on the beach on Wednesday, waving at onlookers alongside his wife Jill and her two sisters. And while Rich couldn't see Biden's secret service agents in the handful of photos shared with the media, others have noted they were probably still very close by. 'There were plenty of ss around him outside the closely cropped clip,' one person said. Rich said, 'They were probably off in the distance not looking at people with rifles on rooftops,' making reference to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13. The 81-year-old President, who vowed he was committed to seeing out the remaining months of his term, has been on vacation near Rehoboth Beach in Delaware Rich said, 'They were probably off in the distance not looking at people with rifles on rooftops,' making reference to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13 When the president travels, a staff member on the National Security Council travels with him to keep him briefed on foreign affairs and a staffer in the chief of staff's office is with him to keep him updated on domestic matters. Biden exited the presidential race on July 21 after a subpar debate performance against Republican nominee Trump, which led to concerns about his mental deterioration. 'Over the next six months, I'll be focused on doing my job as president,' Biden said in his July 24 Oval Office address. Biden's two-week holiday is scheduled to come to an end this weekend, with an appearance with VP and presidential candidate Kamala Harris due in Pittsburgh on Labor Day. Now, Rich is using his platform to urge Americans to take to polling booths on November 5, warning 'You can't complain about the outcome if you did not vote.' Rich is using his platform to urge Americans to take to polling booths on November 5, warning 'You can't complain about the outcome if you did not vote' He said: 'Hunters, gun owners, small business owners, people of all different backgrounds in this country are not registered to vote. 'On an election like we're going to have on November 5th when states could be decided by thousands of votes... every vote counts. 'I hope we don't have to complain about it because I hope the right thing happens and we get this country turned back around, but the only way that's gonna happen is if everyone votes. 'God bless America,' he said to end the video message. An anti-fascist law student who threw missiles at a far-right mob after he joined the wrong protest has been jailed for 14 months. Aminadab Temesgen, 19, was racially abused when he accidentally joined an anti-immigration protest in Plymouth city centre on August 5. He then retaliated by hurling missiles at the group who had racially abused him. Plymouth Crown Court heard Temesgen's hopes to become a lawyer now lie in ruins after he admitted his part in the violent disorder earlier this month. He was caught on bodycam footage throwing a van and bottle towards the police lines and far right mob. Aminadab Temesgen, 19, was racially abused when he accidentally joined an anti-immigration protest in Plymouth city centre on August 5 Police officers with dogs intervene during violent disorder in Plymouth on August 5 Police officers detain a man who was part of a far-right protest in Plymouth on August 5 Temesgen's barrister Zoe Kuyken said the Sunday school teacher intended to stand on the anti-fascist side but ended up on the other side of the protest where he suffered racial abuse. She said he has always wanted to be a lawyer and was studying law at university but that will not happen 'with this on his record'. Judge Robert Linford said Temesgen had 'every justification to be mad and angry' at the racial abuse he suffered but 'no justification' for throwing missiles and taking part in 'widespread lawless behaviour'. He said the Plymouth teenager was a hard-working decent person who had completely ruined and utterly destroyed his chances of being a lawyer. The judge also jailed a 34-year-old Plymouth man for 20 months after he admitted violent disorder during the same incidents. Jamie West, a father-of-four, was seen on footage swearing and gesticulating at police before throwing a stone towards the anti-fascist protesters. Jamie West, a father of four, was seen on footage swearing and gesticulating at police before throwing a stone towards the anti fascist protesters Anti-racism activists gather at Guildhall square to face off far-right protesters after they announced a protest in Plymouth on August 5 Anti-racism activists gather at Guildhall square, Plymouth to face off far-right protesters on August 5 West told police he had been drinking and went to protest about the boats coming to Britain and wanted them to stop. The court heard he was not a racist with a 'burning political agenda' but had been stupid. Judge Linford said West was not a leader or organiser but said: 'You fuelled the fire of disorder with your criminal acts.' The co-founder of Gail's bakery has broken his silence amid a gentrification row that has seen the upmarket bakery face revolts as they plan to expand to towns and suburbs across the UK. Chief executive Tom Molnar has slammed claims the chain is ruining high streets, as they spread at a rate of a new shop every fortnight. But as they take up residence in communities all around the country, locals have fought back - complaining that they will put independent eateries out of business. And 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. Mr Molnar has instead insisted that he only ever wanted to give the customers choice. 'We build small sites so they are a part of a diverse high street, so whenever I build a Gail's I think what it would be like if I was a resident here,' he told The Times. Chief executive Tom Molnar has slammed claims the chain is ruining high streets, as they spread at a rate of a new shop every fortnight As Gail's they take up residence in communities all around the country, locals have fought back - complaining that they will put independent eateries out of business. Pictured: A store in Windsor The temporary Gail's frontage in Worthing tells locals staff will be 'baking here soon' - and features a QR code advertising jobs 'I'd encourage people to look at what we're trying to do, rather than taglines. There's good independents and bad, and good chains and bad chains.' 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 The bakery chain has attracted a backlash from residents in seaside town Worthing over plans to open an outlet on Warwick Street - set within a conservation area. The Worthing Society, which aims to 'preserve' and 'safeguard' the town's heritage, has expressed concerns the bakery's aesthetic might not harmonise with the historic street on which it is set to open. It comes after hundreds of residents in Walthamstow, north-east London, signed a petition to stop the company opening on their High Street amid fears it could run independent cafes out of business. Tushar Patel, who owns Cafe Traditionale on Chapel Road, told The 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.' A Gail's sign on the front of the vacant shop in Worthing says: 'Hello Worthing. We'll be baking here soon'. Gail's Bakery 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. But its rise to prominence has not been welcomed with open arms, as some look to fight the gentrification of their towns. The chain now has more than 130 shops across Britain already and is seen by many as the successor to Waitrose, with plans now in place for new sites to be opened across Britain. 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'. 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'. Baz, who owns a business called Bites in Worthing, told the Telegraph he estimates he would lose around two tables a day if Gail's opened its doors. 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 He said there were 'already enough cafes' in the town with businesses struggling to make money and to survive - and called on the council to manage the situation 'before it gets too late'. The Worthing Society has also expressed its concern for an 'illuminated hanging sign' which they said would not be consistent with the conservation are. They suggested an illuminated sign could be 'overly dominant' and 'set a precedent'. A Gail's spokesperson told the broadsheet: '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. 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.' MailOnline recently went to speak to residents in Petersfield (Hampshire), Greenwich (south London) and Witney (Oxfordshire) to find out their views on the coffee chain and its impact on the local economy. MailOnline went to speak to residents in Petersfield (Hampshire), Greenwich (south London) and Witney (Oxfordshire) to find out their views on the coffee chain and its impact on the local economy. Pictured (from left to right) 24-year-old Maisy Cole, from Greenwich; 76-year-old Peter Kew, from Witney and Sammi Healey, 40, from Petersfield Petersfield People in Petersfield complained the affluent area is becoming 'Londonised' after Gail's opened a store there. Shoppers on the High Street in the leafy Hampshire market town said they feel 'sorry' for local bakeries in the town after the arrival of upmarket chain Gail's. However, others are delighted to have a Gail's on their doorstep as they see it as a sign that the area is 'well off'. Houses in Petersfield, which sits in the South Downs countryside, cost an average of half a million pounds. The area has been called home to celebrities including Noel Gallagher and Take That's Mark Owen, while it is also noted for the 30,000 a year Bedales School, where Daniel Day-Lewis and Lily Allen studied. Today, it enjoys a constant flow of customers visiting the cafe - although some people grumble at its prices, including 5 orange juice. Sarah Duveen, from London, regularly visits Petersfield to escape the capital and see her in-laws - but doesn't feel like she has escaped. Shoppers on the High Street in the leafy Hampshire market town said they feel 'sorry' for local bakeries in the town after the arrival of upmarket chain Gail' Sarah Duveen (pictured) regularly visits Petersfield to escape the capital and see her in-laws - but doesn't feel like she has escaped The self-employed 30-year-old said it has become a running joke that Gail's is synonymous with 'posh' areas. 'It's always the posh bits of London', she said. 'I think people take the p sometimes - if there's a Gail's in the area, that's a good one.' Ms Duveen added: 'Petersfield is becoming more Londonised by having one. 'I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, I think it makes house prices go up. I was pretty surprised when I found out it was here. It almost feels like it sticks out. I see this place as a local countryside safe place away from London - I can't escape. 'It is really quite expensive - I would pay for it, but I would probably feel a bit sick that I spent 10 on coffee and cake.' Communications worker Sammi Healey, from Petersfield, sipped on a Gail's coffee and told how she is a fan of the chain but sympathises with local establishments. She said: 'I love it... There's part of me that always feels sorry for the Hoxton's [a local bakery].' When asked whether a Gail's was a sign of gentrification, the 40-year-old said: 'I haven't really though of it like that. 'The town needs a bit more of this - it's definitely feeling run down of late.' Ms Healey's usual order is coffee and a ham and cheese croissant when she visits Gail's. Communications worker Sammi Healey, from Petersfield, sipped on a Gail's coffee and told how she is a fan of the chain but sympathises with local establishments Andrew Madgwick, a market researcher, is glad that Gail's has a branch in Petersfield since it means an old building on the High Street isn't being left empty. Her daughter has inherited her love for the bakery. She said: 'My daughter starts school in September - she said can I get my hair cut, my nails painted and can we go to Gail's?' Andrew Madgwick, a market researcher, is glad that Gail's has a branch in Petersfield since it means an old building on the High Street isn't being left empty. 'They are always in nice buildings and they picked a very nice one in Petersfield,' Mr Madgwick said. 'It seems very appropriate. The worst thing for high streets I think is premises being left empty, especially ex-banks. They don't always fit every type of business - a cafe goes very nicely.' On whether Gail's improves the High Street, the 63-year-old said: 'I don't think it actually improves Petersfield in that way. 'It's already pretty gentrified - [the buildings] have nice shops in them and nice cafes already. It's just a chain now really.' Project manager Katie Kempster thinks that Gail's does improve the High Street, but it can be unaffordable for families. 'I don't go there, it's not a child friendly environment,' she said. On the rare occasion she does go, she said the prices can be shocking: 'For lots of families it's not particularly affordable. Orange juice on its own was 5 - I don't care how freshly squeezed it is, it does not have to be 5. 'Some people can afford it, some can't - you can't please everyone.' The 38-year-old admired the fact that Gail's donates food to the local community rather than letting it go to waste. 'It's a lovely establishment, a good use of the building,' she said. 'It's not out of place here.' Greenwich Residents in Greenwich said they 'understood' why people were resistant to a Gail's Bakery opening in their area. Despite plans to open another to shops in London and having more than 130 openings, managers at Gail's do not consider themselves a chain. But Joslin, 23, said she chose to avoid Gail's shops as she preferred the 'personal experience' with independent coffee shops. She said: 'I think it's ok. I personally don't go to them that often. It's not hugely convenient. Personally I would choose independent coffee shops over Gail's, Starbucks and places like that. Joslin, 23, said she chose to avoid Gail's shops as she preferred the 'personal experience' with independent coffee shops. Maisy Cole, 24, also preferred to support local coffee shops and businesses, claiming these places were 'a lot more friendly' 'For me those [independent places] are more convenient. I like to support a more personal experience with independent places, I know the people that work there and stuff like that, rather than employees from larger corporations.' The arrival of a Gail's in a town is a boost for property prices and a sure indicator that the area is on the up and up. But for some locals, including those in Greenwich, the introduction of the brand threatens their individuality. When asked if she felt a Gail's made Greenwich more gentrified, Joslin said: 'Yeh I would definitely say so. It's always the first thing to pop up. 'I can absolutely understand why people would be angry. It takes away from more small independent coffee shops that have been selling stuff that Gail's sells and it takes away from that business.' Maisy Cole, 24, also preferred to support local coffee shops and businesses, claiming these places were 'a lot more friendly'. She said: 'I completely understand [why people don't want them in their town]. I think it is a shame. Especially when you have got some beautiful coffee shops where they spend a lot of time sourcing the coffee and getting local produce. 'Big corporations coming in attracting new customers. It pushes the local coffee shops out and I can see why local residents are not happy about that. 'I would definitely support local. I think the coffee is always a lot better when you go to a local coffee shop and the service you get is a lot more personable. It's a lot more friendly and you feel a bit better about yourself going into a local shop and supporting local business.' Whitney Locals in the small Oxfordshire town of Whitney felt the High Street needed a Gail's Bakery, even if the prices were 'ridiculous'. Gail's first foray outside of London was in Oxford in 2016 when the bakery opened a store in nearby Summertown. It followed this up with a bakery in Jericho as well as opening a store in Witney. Many residents were pleased to see another coffee shop open in the area, claiming they couldn't get into any other outlets most of the time because they were too busy. Linda Kennedy, 71, retired teacher, said: 'I had never heard of it until yesterday and it's just another cafe. We have just been in it and it seems like any other cafe. it wouldn't do any harm if it was a sign of gentrification. Linda Kennedy, 71, was pleased to see another coffee shop open in the area, claiming they couldn't get into any other outlets most of the time because they were too busy Vanni Cook, a teacher of language related studies was visiting the town from Devon and felt having a Gail's Bakery in the town was a 'really positive thing'. Retired farm worker Peter Kew, 76, claimed he wouldn't visit the shop again because it was 'too expensive' for working class people. 'It's absolutely not [a sign of gentrification]. There are lots of cafes anyway and people are in their enjoying having a coffee. I bought a flat white and cake and it was very pleasant. The other cafes were full which is why we ended up in there.' Vanni Cook, a teacher of language related studies was visiting the town from Devon and felt having a Gail's Bakery in the town was a 'really positive thing'. The 75-year-old said: 'I'm completely indifferent. It fills a gap in the High Street and I think that is a really positive thing. 'I think it is a cake and coffee. Cakes are tasty and that's all their is. It's just another cafe. 'I think all cafes are really important because they are social centres. So therefore it is good. I went there today and had a coffee and a cake. The coffee was really good and the cake was tasty. I couldn't get into any of the other cafes because they were all full. So I think that says something about Witney.' Whilst many were pleased with the service Gail's provided, retired farm worker Peter Kew claimed he wouldn't visit the shop again because it was 'too expensive' for working class people. The 76-year-old said: 'It's a nice place. Clean. Respectable. But it's very pricey. 'I've been in there a couple of times. My sister is a 90-year-old lady from Charlton and I've took her in and we got four cakes and it was nearly 14. Ridiculous for working class people and Witney is working class people. 'I wouldn't go into Gails again because it is too expensive. Unless I really need a cup of coffee. But I don't think there is any need to pay that sort of money. It's not just them though. I think a lot of shops are [too expensive].' A community in South Wales has been left reeling after a woman was arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a six-year-old boy. Police are probing the 'suspicious' death after officers rushed to a house in the Gendros area of Swansea last night. Neighbours said the woman and young child had moved into the property within the past year and were originally from Poland. Tony Creen, 62, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years said he had never seen anything like it before. He said: 'We were sitting there last night and heard a lot of police sirens going off and helicopter going on. A child was found dead at a home in Cwm Du Close, Swansea last night and a woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder Police at the scene in Swansea where a six-year-old boy was found dead 'We saw people looking out down that end so we came out, my wife and I. We got down there and could see everything going on - tons of police cars and flashing lights. 'Evidence people were literally running down there and a helicopter landing in a park over the road.' Mr Creen continued: 'It's shocking. You just don't think this thing would happen on your doorstep. It's very sad. 'You hear these things on the news but you don't think it's going to happen where you live. 'I feel sorry for the people down there or anyone who knows the woman.' 'It's very, very upsetting.' South Wales Police said the 41-year-old woman and youngster lived at the address on Cwm Du Close together. They said the woman had been arrested on suspicion of murder and that they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. Neighbour Dominic Nutt, 46, told BBC Wales he was putting his children to bed when he saw emergency vehicles out of his window. He said: 'There seemed to be an armed response van and police running towards the house there. 'It was very scary and there was quite a lot of activity. Neighbours said the woman and young child had moved into the property within the past year and were originally from Poland (picture shows police at the scene) 'Then an ambulance came and then we saw a helicopter which landed near the library - the people living here were coming out of their houses and seemed confused. 'It's the kind of neighbourhood that if you want to keep yourself to yourself you can, but there is a community feeling here, people here look out for each other. 'The close was like a ghost town this morning, people in shock.' Another mum who had lived on the street for four-and-a half years with her young daughter said there were 'lots of police' at the end of the close. She said: 'I didn't know them. 'I like this place and when I heard the news yesterday I was shocked. I didn't expect it at all.' Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: 'This is a distressing incident which will be a shock to the local community. 'Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the child's death and there will be an increased police presence in the area to offer reassurance to local residents. 'Speculation on social media is unhelpful and will cause distress to those affected by this incident at an already difficult time.' The road was cordoned off this morning, with police guarding the scene. A 'reconciliation may never happen' between feuding brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, a royal expert has claimed, alleging that the future King is likely 'hurt' by his 'brother's betrayals and snipes'. Michael Cole, former BBC royal correspondent, said that although the pair both attended the memorial service for their uncle Lord Fellowes yesterday it appears there was 'no reunion' between the pair. While he was not at the memorial himself, Mr Cole noted how the pair were said to have 'sat apart' and 'did not look at each other' during the service. He also claimed that mourners described the 'atmosphere' around the brothers as having been fairly 'frosty'. 'If Prince Harry imagined that this secret dash and sudden appearance might start to thaw the ice cap that has frozen between them, he was going to be greatly disappointed,' Mr Cole told MailOnline today. 'Prince William did not look at him, let alone acknowledge his presence.' The royal expert's remarks come after the vicar who conducted the service confirmed that the warring royal brothers walked 'a few people apart' as they left 14th century St Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk. The vicar also said he did not recall Harry and William speaking to each other at a reception after the service, but said there were a 'lot of family members and friends speaking to them'. A 'reconciliation may never happen' between feuding brothers Prince William and Prince Harry, a royal expert has claimed, alleging that the future King is likely 'hurt' by his 'brother's betrayals and snipes'. Pictured: William and Harry attending the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral on December 14, 2017 in London The service at St Mary's Church, pictured today, was attended by about 300 people yesterday Michael Cole, (pictured) former BBC royal correspondent, said that although the pair both attended the memorial service for their uncle Lord Fellowes yesterday it appears there was 'no reunion' between the pair Mr Cole said that interactions between Harry and William yesterday 'were not just minimal, they were invisible'. 'This was not a happy meeting of two brothers who, as boys, could not have been closer,' he told MailOnline. 'This was no reunion. They sat apart and did not look at each other. On a sunny day, the atmosphere around the two brothers was frosty, said one mourner.' He added: 'As things are at present, reconciliation may never happen, such is the hurt Prince William feels at his brother's betrayals and snipes in interviews, a television series and his ghost-written book 'Spare', the biggest-selling 'autobiography' ever published.' Mr Cole's recount of the service seemingly echoed that of Reverend Dan Tansey, the at vicar St Mary's Church, who admitted he was surprised to see both William and Harry at the service which was attended by around 300 people yesterday. He told MailOnline today: 'The memorial service was yesterday. The private funeral took place earlier in the week with just [close] family.' Describing the appearance of the estranged siblings, Reverend Tansey said: 'Yes, it was quite a surprise to me.' Asked if Harry and William were sitting near each other in the church, he added: 'I don't know because I was in the vestry. 'When I came out to start the service, they had arrived, but I didn't even know they were there until after the service when I was meeting people on the way out. 'They came out and shook my hand, and said hello. I couldn't see where they were sat in the church. 'I was just greeting one person at a time as they came out. They came out a few people apart.' Describing the service, he said: 'I am at the front of the church with my glasses on and I can see the front row, and that's about it.' Reverend Tansey continued: 'I had been preparing for a good half hour beforehand, so I didn't see anyone coming through the front door. Prince William and Harry at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana at Kensington Palace in July 2021. The event was attended by Lady Jane Fellowes, wife of Lord Fellowes The service was at the 14th century St Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, pictured today Lord Fellows at the High Court in February 2008 to give evidence in Princess Diana's inquest The interior of St Mary's Church in Snettisham is pictured today, following yesterday's funeral Reverend Dan Tansey conducted the service at St Mary's Church in Snettisham yesterday 'It was a lovely service and people wanted to be there for someone who was really well-respected in Snettisham. 'It was only as I was thanking the congregation as they left that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after that, so did Prince Harry. 'It was a surprise but a really pleasant one that they had both come, but maybe less shocking that William was there. 'On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming. At the reception afterwards, there was a very relaxed and cordial atmosphere. 'I don't recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them. 'It would have meant a lot to Lord Fellowes to have them both at the service. He loved them both very much.' 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 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) Reverend Tansey said a potentially more formal celebration of Lord Fellowes's life was still being considered to take place in London at a later date. Married to the late Princess Diana's sister, Lady Jane, he was also a long-time Buckingham Palace courtier who worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II for 22 years until 1999. It was a period which covered both the break-down of his sister-in-law's marriage to the then Prince Charles and her tragic death in 1997. Reverend Tansey said of a future service: 'I believe it is still on the cards, but because I am only the parish vicar locally, I wouldn't be involved in anything in London. 'The last I heard it was still on the cards to have some kind of formal memorial. Whether it would be at the Lords or something, I really don't know. Lord Fellowes marries Lady Jane Spencer at the Guards' Chapel at Wellington Barracks in London in 1978. To the right of Lady Fellowes is her sister who later became Princess Diana Lord Fellowes with the King, then Prince Charles, at Epsom Racecourse in Surrey in 1993 Lord Fellowes with Lady Jane Fellowes (right) and their daughter Laura Jane Fellowes (left) at the wedding of William Duckworth-Chad and Lucy Greenwell in Sudbourne, Suffolk, in 2011 'As far as I understand it is still a plan. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. I have to think of their privacy.' Describing the turnout at the memorial service however, he added: 'It was a full house and it's a fair-sized church. It was around about 300 people. There was a lot of family and friends. It was by invitation as far as I understand.' Reverend Tansey admitted he had not been told in advance that both princes were going to the service. He said: 'Thankfully, I had not been informed so I wasn't able to say anything to people who kept asking me about it. I was in blissful ignorance.' Reverend Tansey added: 'It was wonderful that the princes could both be there to support their aunt and cousins.' And a church warden, who declined to be named, told MailOnline: 'It was wonderful that both Princes were able to attend their uncle's memorial service yesterday at St Mary's Church. The wedding of Lord Fellowes and Diana's sister Lady Jane Spencer in London in 1978 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 Lord Fellowes is pictured (back right) at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981 'The service was a lovely family occasion celebrating the life of such a special man. Many friends were also present and also many members of the St Mary's Church family.' Yesterday it emerged that despite his PR team previously guiding members of the media that he did not plan to return to the UK for events to mark his uncle's death, citing ongoing 'security' fears, Harry flew out of the US on Tuesday and slipped into the UK without fanfare. He then travelled to Norfolk to attend the family memorial. Harry's spokesman failed to response to a request for comment about his attendance. Kensington Palace declined to comment on behalf of William, citing it as a private matter. Now we see why the Dems didn't want Kamala Harris as their nominee. Four weeks into campaigning, she finally granted an interview to a very friendly CNN, toting her VP pick Tim Walz along for reasons unknown. Moral support, perhaps? A buddy to pick up her verbal slack? Either way, it wasn't a winning look for someone who wants to be president of the United States. As for her answers: Harris was vague, policy-free, and at times just plain full of it. 'Brat summer' is officially over. Grab your pumpkin spice latte and cozy up to a fraudulent fall. In attempting to answer Dana Bash's unimaginative first question 'What would you do on Day One in the White House?' Kamala was the proverbial car engine struggling to turn over, delaying an actual answer with extraneous, redundant verbiage. 'Well, there are a number of things,' she began. 'First and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class. Um, when I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that, um, people are ready for a new way forward.' Now we see why the Dems didn't want Kamala Harris as their nominee. A new way forward! As if she hasn't been the Vice President for the past three-and-a-half years! Bash asked the question again: 'So, what would you do Day One?' Here we got Kamala's so-called 'opportunity economy', which so far consists of a $6,000 child tax credit for the first year of life and $25,000 in down payment money for first-time homebuyers with no specifics on who will qualify or how such largesse will be funded. Meanwhile, her plan to impose federal price controls on grocery stores a proposal that even left-wing experts warn could result in food shortages and economic ruin was left rather untouched. To Bash's question about Americans doing better under Donald Trump's presidency, we heard that rusty car engine stuttering once again. 'Well,' Harris said, 'let's start with the fact that when Joe Biden and I came in office, during the height of a pandemic hundreds of people a day were dying the economy had crashed.' She then claimed that Trump 'mismanaged' COVID. Whether you're a fan or not, the one thing Trump never gets credit for is Operation Warp Speed. His administration funded research and development that led to a vaccine within months. But it's all puzzles and pancakes with Kamala, who claimed she was taken by total, utter surprise when President Biden called her on that fateful Sunday, informing her of his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race. Bash allowed Kamala to feign shock even though the Democratic plot to oust Biden post-debate is now well reported. 'My first thought was not about me, to be honest with you,' Harris said. Really? Her first thought wasn't that she might become the first female president, if only she could outfox doubters like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi? Harris has burst onto the campaign trail glowing levitating with 'joy', if you will leaping over Biden's still-warm body to grab that nomination. As for her boss's mental acuity, going right out and defending his performance after that catastrophic debate? Calling Biden 'extraordinarily strong'? Harris has no regrets, none at all. 'He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgement and the disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.' If by 'disposition' she means Biden in literal corpse pose on Rehoboth Beach, sure. Harris has burst onto the campaign trail glowing - levitating with 'joy', if you will - leaping over Biden's still-warm body to grab that nomination. (Pictured: Biden on Rehoboth Beath this month). Walz, sitting uselessly by like a phantom limb, doubled down on the lies he's already told. If this otherwise pointless interview proved one thing, it's that Harris clearly saw a fellow traveller in Walz: a shameless prevaricator and a fraud who will say anything. On lying about serving in combat, despite demands from veterans to stop: 'My grammar's not always correct.' Walz is a former teacher! 'I'll never demean another's service,' he said, employing a classic manipulation tactic known as DARVO: deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. Finally: 'I think people know who I am.' I'm sorry America just met you, Tim Walz. We have no idea who you are, but what we're learning isn't great. Especially as these apparent lies Walz tells he fought in 'war', he and his wife used IVF, he was given an award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce feel increasingly creepy. Mark my words: There are likely more and bigger lies to be revealed. If Walz had an 'R' after his name, as George Santos did, the media would be all over this. As Harris and Walz sat in this most depressing, unpresidential setting an empty restaurant in Savannah, surrounded by cheap black furniture the vacuity of this enterprise infuriated. Bash just let Harris slip and slide, with zero specifics. On Israel: 'We have to get a deal done,' Harris said, because that 'will unlock so much of what happens next.' Yes. That's how things typically work: One action leads to another. Thank God we have Kamala to elucidate this for us. On illegal immigration: The numbers, she said, 'have actually reduced'. Tell that to major American cities struggling to absorb the constant influx. On reversing her position on fracking: 'My values have not changed.' If this otherwise pointless interview proved one thing, it's that Harris clearly saw a fellow traveller in Walz: a shameless prevaricator and a fraud who will say anything. Harris is incapable of articulating her thought processes because they don't exist. She cannot speak extemporaneously. She has no intellectual reservoir, no internal editor, no cogent line of reasoning. Take this answer on climate change: '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.' Deadlines around time! Perhaps she can explain how time works regarding her 'new way forward [to] turn the page on the last decade' when that decade, as Bash helpfully pointed out, includes her last three-and-a-half years in office. 'I'm talking about an era that started about a decade ago,' Harris said. This is the circular logic and circumlocution of the intellectually inferior of someone who is dumb trying to sound smart. Asked why she should be president, she said: 'I believe that I am the best person to do this job.' In an interview where Harris was unclear on nearly everything, one fact came into sharp focus: she is quantitatively not the best person for this job. Scotlands controversial arts quango has been condemned as secretive and ideologically driven in a series of scathing attacks. Creative Scotland - which has cut funding intended to support artists - was also accused of being undemocratic and elitist. Writers lined up to criticise the public body for being opaque and over-bureaucratic, as calls grew for radical reform of arts funding. The broadsides by leading artistic figures comes as a Mail investigation raises serious questions over alleged mismanagement at Creative Scotland. It reveals an employee tasked with helping authors was the subject of a complaint after trying to prevent a bookshop from stocking a book which she deemed to be transphobic. Actor Jack Lowden, pictured here with wife Saoirse Ronan, slammed the SNP Government for its stupid and completely unacceptable cuts to arts funding Leading figures in the arts sector have demanded a summit with SNP culture secretary Angus Robertson The disclosures also come after Creative Scotland announced that it had taken the difficult decision to close a fund for artists, blaming the SNP Government for being unable to confirm release of 6.6million in Grant-in-Aid budget in the current financial year. Last night Peter Burnett of Edinburgh-based Leamington Books, which publishes a variety of fiction and poetry titles, said: Transparency may be a value Creative Scotland aspires to - but institutionally they remain, in the eyes of the average practitioner, aloof and even potentially threatening. Creative Scotland staff are always seen as gatekeepers and never faciliatory. It is seen as supporting middle-class and even ideologically driven projects, and never as fully democratic. Creative Scotland is seen as nepotistic and secretive. Writers who asked not to be named also voiced concern over Creative Scotland. One said: Im applying at present so Im cautious about saying anything negative about them publicly. I certainly think Creative Scotland is a cash machine for the middle classes and their pals. What is undeniably true is that the perception is that Creative Scotland and their processes are opaque, over-bureaucratic, and elitist. Award-winning Scottish author Ewan Morrison said Creative Scotland needs to be replaced by a leaner public body that is more suited to serving the needs of Scotlands artistic communities. He said it had become self-serving and was trying to cover up its ever-increasing errors, adding: It no longer serves the arts in Scotland but serves itself and its own growth. Last night a leading artistic figure, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Mail: It might be time to start anew with the way that the arts and culture are supported by government and official state bodies. Holyrood may indeed bail out Creative Scotland this time but the problem will come back - the radical way forward would be reform. And some are even suggesting a new body altogether - everything should be on the table, as this is a dangerous moment for the arts in Scotland. I dont think kicking the can down the road to the next inevitable crisis is very sensible - and its certainly not imaginative or visionary. Ideologues have moved in to control the arts scene in Scotland and that influence has to be wrested off them and given back to the artists themselves. Commenting on the Mails investigation, Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay, an author and former journalist, said: It is outrageous that someone working in a publicly-funded organisation tasked with promoting Scotlands writers should embark on an extraordinary campaign of censorship against someone deemed to hold the wrong views. It is also sinister and wholly inappropriate. Earlier this week, leading artists demanded a summit with Culture Secretary Angus Robertson over the Creative Scotland funding crisis. Peter Burnett of Edinburgh-based Leamington Books said Creative Scotland staff are seen as 'gatekeepers' It came as Emmy-nominated Scottish actor Jack Lowden slammed the SNP Government for its stupid and completely unacceptable cuts to the assistance given to the arts sector. Top musicians including Lewis Capaldi, Shirley Manson of Garbage and Nadine Shah also joined the call for the cuts to be reversed to avoid a cultural catastrophe. The Proclaimers, Paolo Nutini, Biffy Clyro and Franz Ferdinand were among more than 170 artists and organisations to send an open letter to First Minister John Swinney this week, stating that he is overseeing the worst crisis Scotlands music and arts sector has ever faced. Creative Scotland did not comment directly on the criticism from artistic figures but pointed to the bodys annual plan which states: We are a staff team who are passionate about culture and creativity, using our extensive knowledge and experience, as well as funding, to help create the conditions for creative development across Scotland to thrive. The Scottish Government was contacted for comment. By SA Commercial Prop News Bagatelle - Mall of Mauritius being developed by Atterbury Property Group Mauritiuss first regional shopping centre is being developed by leading South African property investment and development company Atterbury, bringing a superb mix of world-class international, South African and local Mauritian retail to Africas top-rated country in the World Banks Doing Business 2010 report. Bagatelle - Mall of Mauritius, is Atterburys first major offshore development, and has received strong support from retailers wishing to access this unique market. Scheduled to open on 29 September 2011, this 40,000sqm island mall is already 85% let. CEO of Atterbury Group Louis van der Watt explains that the Bagatelle precinct will ultimately include Mall of Mauritius, a motor city, 100-room business hotel, offices, light industrial and a residential area, all interlinked with strong synergy in a vibrant mixed-use environment. Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius meets Atterburys strategic criteria of investing in a stable offshore economy, whilst partnering with well established local partners, says van der Watt. This multi-use development is a collaboration with ENL Group, an established and reputable Mauritian group. Atterbury Property Group was founded in 1994 and has built a sound reputation for delivering exceptional real estate developments, across all commercial property sectors, through innovation, creativity and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Atterbury harnesses A-Grade business and commercial nodes for its leading developments and redevelopments and provides asset management with a dedicated team of experienced and reputable managers. Retailer and consumer demand, together with a budding local economy, an excellent location and superb access are all factors driving this development, notes van der Watt. Featuring an extensive mix of some 140 stores, the mall will provide a diverse and comprehensive overall retail experience. It will also include six cinema theatres and a food court with an exciting mix of contemporary restaurants, a childrens play area and a skate park. Cobus van Heerden, Director of Retail from Atterbury Property Developments confirms that South African-based retail giants Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Food Lovers Market have been confirmed at Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius. A compelling variety of well-known international retailers such as Hugo Boss, Guess, Quicksilver, Aldo and Nike have already committed to the mall. Leading fashion retailers Truworths, Nine West, Bata and Identity as well as popular restaurants such as Ocean Basket, Nando's, KFC, Mugg & Bean, Debonairs, Steers and Fishaways will all be represented in the mall. Ensuring local flair Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius will boast a significant number of well-known local Mauritian retailers including Kaddy Plus, Courts, Galaxy, Mozouzou, Zea, Book Court, Citi Sport, All Sport, Baobab, Feng Shui, Caunhye Bijoux, Ripcurl, Cash & Carry, DCL Communication, Fresh Step, Olive & Salad Bar and Taste of Asia. In addition to the local retailers, the mall has also been designed in a Mauritian architectural style to reflect and deliver an authentic island experience, with strong integration to its setting. One of South Africas leading architectural firms, Boogertman+Partners Architects have designed the shopping centre in association with local partners. The latest design principles have been incorporated for this enclosed single-storey, fully air-conditioned shopping centre, which includes ample, convenient on grade parking, explains van Heerden. The generous parking is supported by excellent ease of access from a new offramp via the Bagatelle Bridge, directly to Bagatelle - Mall of Mauritius from all directions of travel on the M1 Motorway. It is also well-served by public transport. Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius is situated at the heart of the island between the capital Port Louis and emerging Cyber City growth zone. Mauritius was recently rated among the Top 25 global offshore platforms, with a local population of some 1.4 million and a growing number of tourist arrivals already around one-million each year. The development of Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius is on schedule and is set to serve both local and tourist markets, as well as the many business people based on the island as a result of the 2,500 new global companies which have been attracted to Mauritiuss growing economy over the past 10 years, says van Heerden. Police are investigating a top civil servant over claims he gave false evidence to a Holyrood inquiry into the handling of sexual harassment claims against Alex Salmond. James Hynd was one of a number of officials who later had to correct or clarify testimony given to a special committee of MSPs who looked into the shambolic in-house probe. The shock disclosure came during a hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh as a judge gave the green light for Mr Salmonds multi-million pound lawsuit against the SNP Government to proceed. Mr Salmond alleges that Nicola Sturgeon and civil servants had conducted themselves improperly, in bad faith and beyond their powers, with the intention of injuring Mr Salmond. The Police Scotland perjury probe Operation Broadcroft comes as SNP members gather for the partys annual conference in Edinburgh. Police Scotland is investigating a complaint in relation to evidence provided to a Scottish Parliamentary committee by senior civil servant James Hynd Alex Salmond claims that Nicola Sturgeon and civil servants conducted themselves improperly' when handling sexual harassment claims made against him It is the third ongoing investigation involving the SNP including a police fraud probe which led to former party chief executive Peter Murrell Ms Sturgeons husband being charged with embezzlement. Last night Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: Its clear the spectre of the Alex Salmond case continues to stalk and distract this failing SNP Government several years on from the whole sorry episode. A Police Scotland spokesman said: We are investigating a complaint in relation to evidence provided to a Scottish parliament committee. These enquiries are ongoing and we are unable to comment further. In a separate case in 2000, Mr Salmond was cleared of 13 charges of alleged sex crimes including attempted rape, following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. Mr Salmond was investigated by the SNP Government after two complaints from staff were made under a new complaints procedure, drawn up by Mr Hynd - who had revised it to include former ministers. The investigation was deemed by a judicial review to have been tainted with apparent bias after the SNP Government conceded defeat - and Mr Salmond was awarded 512,000 in court costs as a result. The Holyrood inquiry, which published its final report in 2021, worsened an already sour relationship between Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon, and concluded Ms Sturgeon had misled parliament - although in a separate probe she was cleared of breaching the ministerial code. In November last year, Mr Salmond teed up a court battle with Ms Sturgeon after launching a civil case which alleged Ms Sturgeon was guilty of misfeasance. Misfeasance refers to action taken by a public officer where they have knowingly misused or abused their power and acted to cause harm to an individual or group. At a hearing on the civil case yesterday, Gordon Dangerfield, Mr Salmonds lawyer, told the Court of Session that detectives are probing the alleged conduct of Mr Hynd, who was described in August 2020 as the Scottish Governments head of Cabinet, parliament and governance. Mr Dangerfield told judge Lord Fairley that the Police Scotland investigation is called Operation Broadcroft. The solicitor advocate said the investigation is looking at the alleged behaviour of Mr Hynd. Mr Dangerfield said: I can advise that the ongoing Police Scotland investigation is named Operation Broadcroft. It is led by senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Graeme Lannigan. It arises from a criminal complaint by the pursuer [Mr Salmond] covering precisely all of the misfeasance [alleged in the civil case]. The pursuer has been advised that the present focus of the investigation is on offences of wilfully making false statements on oath The lawyer said Mr Salmond anticipates, however, that this focus will broaden as the investigation proceeds and in due course cover his complaint covering the full range of criminality. Mr Dangerfield claimed Mr Hynd, the head of Cabinet - a very, very senior civil servant, gave a false statement on oath at the [Holyrood] inquiry. The former SNP leader has alleged that there was a conspiracy among senior SNP figures around Ms Sturgeon to imprison him. Ms Sturgeon has vigorously denied being part of a cover-up or conspiracy. Mr Salmonds lawyers claim there was a criminal leaking of confidential documents, together with the concealment of documents in defiance of court orders and a criminal warrant; the misleading of the court during judicial review proceedings; the soliciting of false criminal complaints; and ultimately the commission of perjury at a parliamentary inquiry. It is understood that Alba Party leader Mr Salmond, who was First Minister from 2007 until after the independence referendum in 2014, is seeking damages and loss of earnings of more than 3million. The case had been delayed as Mr Salmonds lawyers argued that proceeding now could prejudice ongoing police enquiries - but yesterday Lord Fairley dismissed this argument and said it should go ahead. Ministers now face handing over documents and drawing up responses defences - to the former First Ministers explosive allegations within the next week. Lesley Shand KC, for the Scottish Government, urged Lord Fairley to reject the request for the case to continue to be paused. Lord Fairley awarded expenses to Ms Shand meaning Mr Salmond will have to cover the cost of yesterdays proceedings - and made reference to what happened in the run-up to yesterdays hearing. He said: Ms Shand has been successful. It seems to me that the pre-motion correspondence about this was unnecessarily belligerent and unhelpful and if that had been conducted in a more responsible way it does not seem to me that this motion would have been necessary at all, given what has been said today. Meanwhile, the Crown Office continues to investigate allegations of perjury by a witness at Mr Salmonds sexual assault trial. Mr Salmond declined to comment. The Scottish Government was contacted for comment. A horror horsefly bite nearly cost a mother her life after it developed into a potentially deadly abscess. Natasha Judge was unknowingly bitten by the insect while enjoying a picnic with teenage son Riley last month. But it was only hours later the 37-year-old mother noticed the bite mark, which by the following day had developed into a rash. Her health took a dramatic turn for the worse when she fell unconscious at home, leaving her quick thinking 14-year-old son to dial emergency services to help his seriously ill mother. After being rushed to hospital what followed was a grueling operation and a five day stay. Natasha Judge needed hospital treatment after being bitten by a horsefly The effects of horsefly bites can last for a fortnight and can sometimes become badly infected Medics told her she was lucky it had not developed into sepsis, and the Glasgow mother is now warning others about the seemingly harmless insect after the ordeal which could have cost her life. She said: My body was starting to shut down. It was quite a scary time. You never expect something like this to happen. I was shocked. Ive been bitten by things before but never a horsefly. Living in Scotland, youre prone to it so this was very surreal. The surgeon said theyd never seen anything like it. They dont know why it got this serious. I was lucky I came in when I did. This picnic couldve cost me my life. I look back and think this couldve been so much worse. Im terrified about it happening again. Its in the back of your head all the time. The insect bite happened on July 23, and within days she started suffering excruciating pains down her leg. The single mother said: It was an absolutely glorious day in July so me and my son took a picnic to the park. It wasnt until I was in the shower later that evening that I noticed a bite on my left butt cheek. I hadnt felt anything bite me. It looked red and a bit bloody but I didnt think much of it. The next day I noticed a rash and put on some antibacterial cream and took some antihistamine to try and calm it down but it just didnt work. A few days later the pain started. The pain came on thick and fast. I couldnt even sit down. The rash had spread right down my thigh. The pain was excruciating, it was worse than childbirth. Id never felt pain like it. She rang the out-of-hours doctors who told her she had been bitten by a horsefly - and prescribed three doses of antibiotics. Doctors were worried Ms Judge would develop sepsis due to the horsefly's bite But, after taking the medicine, she started to feel very unwell while watching a film with her son at home. Ms Judge said: My body just started to shut down. My blood sugars dropped, I was shivering, I was shaking uncontrollably and had a 40 degree fever. I was collapsing. The pain was unbearable. I went unconscious twice on the couch while we were watching a movie. My son had to ring 999. We werent sure if it was a reaction to the antibiotics but the doctor said it was due to the horsefly bite. Thanks to the lifesaving call by her teenage son, she was rushed to University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock where medics told her she would need surgery after it had become severely infected and developed an abscess. She underwent an hour-long operation to drain the abscess, which contained 50ml of fluid, and remained in the hospital for five days. She said: I was told I was quite lucky because the poison had started to go into my body and they were worried about me getting sepsis. The mayor of Aurora, Colorado, has accused the federal government of sending Venezuelan criminals to the city amid the migrant crisis. Republican Mayor Mike Coffman made the comments following shocking footage that appeared to show armed Venezuelan gangsters in an apartment complex in the city. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Coffman claimed that at least two apartment buildings in Aurora have been overtaken by the migrants. Coffman said the buildings are under the same out of state ownership as he blamed the federal government and nearby Denver's sanctuary city policy for the situation. '[This is] not our problem, federal problem or issue. They need to resolve it. Not us. But somehow we got sucked into this,' the mayor said. Republican Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has accused the federal government for sending Venezuelan criminals to Colorado 'Somebody put them there and somebody funded it, whether it's federal government or not, we're trying to find out who, these gangs apparently are attracted to where there's a concentration of Venezuelan migrants,' the Aurora mayor said. 'And so, they've, in fact, have kind of pushed out the property management through intimidation and then, collected the rents.' According to Fox News, an anonymous former resident of one of the complexes also claimed migrants have collected rent from residents of at least one of the overrun buildings. Meanwhile an Aurora mother has gone viral after she shared a video expressing fear for her children amid the situation. 'What's going on with this gang thing? Cause I'm seeing it everywhere,' she said. 'I'm a mom and It's gotten so bad so the point we don't even want to take our kids to the park unless we're in a group... and even then we have to have some type of protection... I'm not gonna lie, this is terrifying.' Harrowing 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 The Aurora police department, however, has said the situation in the two buildings is isolated. Democratic governor Jared Polis, on his part, accused Aurora officials of spreading misinformation and stoking fear. Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman told the Sentinel that 'Governor Polis] really hopes that the city council members in charge stop trashing their own city when they are supposed to keep it safe.' Wieman added: 'We know violent crime in Aurora went down between 2022-2023. Fully expect the data will show further declines for 2024. And the recent misinformation campaign threatens actual criminal investigations and could hurt the climate for small businesses in Aurora. On Thursday, Arapahoe County district attorney John Keller told Fox News his office is investigating several cases related to the apartment complexes that have been overtaken by the gang. Meanwhile an Aurora mother has gone viral after she shared a video expressing fear for her children amid the situation 'I've heard criticism from some folks saying things like "This is imaginary,"' Kellner said. 'I can tell you the people in this apartment complex, the people of aura, it's not imaginary. 'This is a real example of how cities across the country that are extremely far away from our border are dealing with the impacts of a failed border policy.' Footage of the Venezuelan gangsters seizing one of the Aurora buildings went viral earlier this week. 'A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora!' local council member Danielle Jurinsky wrote on Twitter. 'This isnt just Americans. Other Venezuelans are being extorted by this gang, Jurinsky said. 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. 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. United Airlines flight attendants have voted in favor of going on a strike in hopes of having their demands met - throwing Labor Day travel, where 17 million are expected to head to the airport, into absolute chaos. The employees, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, are demanding job-related improvements including significant pay increases, compensation for time at work outside of flights, schedule flexibility and job security. In order to further their cause, attendants voted 99.99 percent in favor of going on strike on August 28. Ken Diaz, president of the United chapter of AFA, said in a statement: 'We deserve an industry-leading contract. Our strike vote shows we're ready to do whatever it takes to reach the contract we deserve. Cabin attendants were spotted today outside Newark Liberty International Airport - one of United's primary airports - carrying signs in protest 'We are the face of United Airlines and planes don't take off without us. 'As Labor Day travel begins, United management is reminded what's at stake if we don't get this done. 'The United management team gives themselves massive compensation increases while Flight Attendants struggle to pay basic bills. 'The 99.99 percent yes vote is a clear reminder that we are unified in the fight against corporate greed and ready to fight for our fair share of the profits we create.' Cabin attendants were spotted today outside Newark Liberty International Airport - one of United's primary airports - carrying signs in protest. The employees, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, are demanding job-related improvements including significant pay increases, compensation for time at work outside of flights, schedule flexibility and job security Melissa Chipchak, a United flight attendant, said: 'We are here fighting for an industry-leading contract, industry-leading pay that we were promised years ago' Melissa Chipchak, a United flight attendant, told NBC: 'We are here fighting for an industry-leading contract, industry-leading pay that we were promised years ago. 'Lot of folks don't know that flight attendants do not get paid for all the time they are on-duty. They only get paid for the flight time when door closes.' A United Airlines representative also told DailyMail.com: 'The informational picket by flight attendants was two days ago and involved no disruption of any kind. 'Under US law there can only be a strike if permission is granted by the National Mediation Board, which has not even been requested, much less granted.' After this week, the union will be allowed to walk away from federally mandated negotiations. After this week, the union will be allowed to walk away from federally mandated negotiations The union would now ask the National Mediation Board to release them into a 30-day 'cooling-off' period, which would set a potential strike deadline The union would now ask the National Mediation Board to release them into a 30-day 'cooling-off' period, which would set a potential strike deadline. But United Airlines flight attendants are not the first to demand better job benefits. Last Christmas, the union representing 26,000 American Airlines flight attendants, escalated its threat to strike during the busy travel season, saying the carrier is stalling contract negotiations. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants had issued a November 17 deadline for AA to 'make significant and meaningful moves to reach an agreement' on a new deal. They were successful in their demands and in July 2024, American Airlines and the union representing its flight attendants said they have reached agreement on a new contract that includes pay raises. After the agreement was announced, President Joe Biden said the new deal would help avoid a strike that would have hurt the US economy and consumers. A 26-year-old Portuguese woman whose family feared had been kidnapped after she disappeared during Notting Hill Carnival has been found in hospital five days later. Patricia Araujo travelled from Ashford, Kent to London last weekend to attend the event but had not been seen or heard from since. She last contacted her family just before midday on Sunday, telling her cousin that she was at the carnival 'having fun' and would return home that night. Patricia's family previously described her disappearance as 'very out of character' and travelled to London to look for her. Now her aunt, Claudia Sousa, has said she has been found and has been admitted to Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. It is understood that Patricia was first spotted by a member of the public. Patricia Araujo (pictured), 26, travelled from Ashford, Kent - where she moved to six years ago from Aveiro in northern Portugal - to London last weekend to attend the carnival Video footage, captured by a stranger, shows Patricia at Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday wearing a brown dress with a black jacket tied around her waist and black shoes Patricia's family travelled to London to look for her and said that her disappearance was 'very out of character' and urged her to get in touch Claudia, 41, said on Friday evening: 'We have just been told Patricia has been located and she is in hospital. 'We would like to thank everyone for their concern and for helping us by responding to the appeals we've made.' One of her colleagues at the Travelodge Hotel in Ashford, Ryan Cassar, also posted on Facebook saying: 'Trisha has been found.' Video footage, captured by a stranger, showed Patricia at Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday wearing a brown dress with a black jacket tied around her waist and black shoes. This was the last reported sighting of the 26-year-old, who moved to the UK from Aveiro in northern Portugal six years ago, before she disappeared for five days. Her aunt Claudia previously raised concerns that Patricia, whose missing phone was found by a stranger, had been kidnapped. She told KentOnline: 'So many days have passed by that were thinking about if she has been kidnapped. 'So many bad things happen at the carnival.' Relaying her niece's movements before she went missing, Claudia said Patricia went to Cameo nightclub in Ashford on Friday but left with a rucksack of clothes. She told CNN Portugal: 'She got off the train at Stratford Railway Station and called her cousin and asked her if she could go to her house. 'She then headed there and left the rucksack with a change of clothes inside. Claudia (pictured) has told media in Portugal her niece went out in Ashford before heading to London with a rucksack to meet up with her cousin Yara who lives in the capital Patricia last contacted her family just before midday on Sunday, telling her cousin that she was at the carnival 'having fun' and would return home that night 'Yara asked her why she had come alone and it was then Patricia said she was thinking of going to the Notting Hill Carnival. 'Her cousin tried to talk her out of it and get her to go out in London with her instead, but in the middle of the night Patricia left and only told her cousin afterwards.' Claudia said Patricia, or Trish as she is known in England, later told her cousin she was at the carnival and would return Sunday night. But she never showed up and also has not gone to her job at Travelodge in Eureka Leisure Park, Ashford, since. Her missing phone was reportedly found by a DJ on Sunday but Patricia's family only became aware of what was happening on Tuesday when he put the phone on charge and contacted them. It is a discovery that has astonished experts, shaken academe, and overturns so many lazy notions about our Neolithic forebears in Britain, long, long ago. That, in fact, they were a capable even sophisticated - people who thought nothing of very long journeys and roamed freely in a green and woody island with no internal borders. They may well have spoken a common language, could seriously organise themselves in some great endeavour, and were as capable of the odd grand gesture as shameless as any modern politician. And what could be more stunning than hauling a stone to the centre of your greatest showpiece from the other end of the land a thousand years before humankind even invented the wheel? Two weeks ago, experts announced that exhaustive study of the central Altar Stone at Stonehenge, Wiltshire - and beyond any reasonable doubt is from the far north of Scotland. Academics say the Altar Stone at Stonehenge was transported from Northern Scotland Experts are baffled as to how the stone was brought from the north of Scotland to Stonehenge in Wiltshire Its a 6-tonne slab of Old Red Sandstone, close study of its crystalline structure confirms it is from the Orcadian Basin thats a swathe of north-east Scottish coastal rock broadly from Moray through Caithness to Orkney and it somehow fetched up, in a place of centrality and honour, at Britains foremost megalithic site and deep in the Home Counties. Even today, its a bit of a yomp from the likes of John OGroats to Wiltshire. Almost 500 miles, a wearying 13-hour drive in your car, or a 10-day walk and thats without dragging some rough ruddy rock roughly the weight of an HGV. But thats exactly the feat our forebears pulled off, around 5,000 years ago. The team at Curtin University in Perth are adamant, and with confident 95 per cent accuracy, that the Altar Stones fingerprint confirms its origins in the Northern Highlands. Their work involved electron microscopes, lasers, and the geological aging of individual mineral grains in rock samples and sparing paragraphs of technobabble could not be more convincing. This stone is from a far corner of Scotland. And not, like much of the Stonehenge complex, from Wales. The findings are truly remarkable they overturn what had been thought for the past century, says co-author Professor Richard Bevins of Aberystwyth University. Its thrilling to know that our chemical analysis and dating work has finally unlocked this great mystery. But that is only the beginning of the mystery. How ever did this mighty slab end up all that way from home? Bevinss Aberystwyth colleague, Professor Nick Pearce, simply marvels. This stone has travelled an awful long way at least 700 km - and this is the longest recorded journey for any stone used in a monument at that period. The distance travelled is astonishing for the time. While the purpose of our new, empirical research was not to answer the question of how it got there, there are obvious physical barriers to transporting by land, but a daunting journey if going by sea. This Scottish source shows a high level of societal organisation in the British Isles during the period. And how. For, logically, there are only three possible explanations. That the slab was somehow borne into the deep heart of England, during the Ice Age, by glacial drift; that it was deliberately taken all that way south by sea or that it was hauled overland, doubtless by an awful lot of people working in relays and, probably, over some months. It is striking how, over the last fortnight, how many armchair experts have hit their keyboards to insist the Altar Stone can be nothing but a glacial erratic swept all that way to Midsomer Murders country by slow, slow tides of moving ice. It is as if they cannot accept that Neolithic Britons were capable of imagination, initiative, planning, co-operation and basic technology. Yet these were people, in all their essentials, just like us. They tilled land, tended animals, paired off and made love and raised children. They tended their sick and cared when they died. Buried them with reverence and honour; threw up stately tombs and complexes of stone. They tamed dogs. Now and then, fought each other. And, at night, they gazed skywards and marvelled at the glory of the stars, just as we do today if through fantastically clean, pure air and without the irritation of light-pollution. Only a fool would dispute glacial drift. Within minutes of my own home on the isle of Lewis I could show you bedrock striated millennia ago by ice. Point out many huge, randomly abandoned boulders. Some of them like the Asbestos Rock on the isle of Scarp are true erratics, wholly unconnected to local geology. But, while some scientists quibble, the mass of evidence is against the Altar Stone trundling all that way south, somehow hopping from one glacier to another like Mr Norris changing trains. There are two problems with the hypothesis. First, while there is some evidence of a little southwards glacial, coastal drift off our eastern shores, the absolute northern frontier of this possibility barely reaches the Orcadian Basin. The second is and we need only look around us is that the mass of glacial movement in Scotland was from south to north and east to west. Thats attested by a host of crag-and-tail features Jordanhill in Glasgow, the Craiglockhart hills in Edinburgh and, perhaps most obvious and famous, the Royal Mile and Castle Rock in Scotlands capital. To say nothing of a succession of striking freshwater lochs on the west side of Lewis, from Barvas to Dalbeg, each barely dammed from the thundering Atlantic by a natural moraine of piled stones and unique in the British Isles. From Orkney, says Professor Pearce, I cant see a way that the stone hikes a ride on half a dozen glaciers in the right order to end up on Salisbury Plain. The academics are also convinced that the Altar Stone was quarried. Based on our fieldwork in south-west Wales it is likely that the stone was extracted, rather than just lying loose on the surface, said Professor Bevins. Archaeologists have previously found stone wedges and hammerstones in the Preseli area of Wales whence were hauled the eighty Stonehenge bluestones - that appear designed for such a task. Cutting and dressing the Altar Stone was well within Neolithic capabilities. As we can dismiss the glaciers, we can also discount the possibility that the rock was brought all that way by sea. It was the third century AD before anyone, anywhere, invented the rudder the Chinese, under the Han dynasty and the thirteenth century and the Battle of Largs before ruddered ships appear in Scotland. Without a rudder, a sailboat cannot make any headway against the wind bearing in mind that our prevailing winds are from the south and west; and, in especially once you are south of Dunbar, the waters off our eastern shores are, even still, a dangerous place to be if the weather turns nasty. There are no convenient firths, capes or islands to resort in or behind for shelter and, as recently as April 1966, the stout twin-screw motor-vessel Anzio I formerly the veteran MacBrayne mailboat Lochinvar was wrecked south of the Humber and with the sad loss of all aboard. There is in any event no archaeological evidence whatever of advanced Neolithic boats. Experiments have been done trying to bring the equivalent of the bluestones on rafts across the Severn, Heather Sebire, senior curator of English Heritage, said. Im afraid none of them have been successful. They sank. Fantastic as it may seem, we are forced irresistibly to the conclusion that the Altar Stone was deliberately hewn from rock in the far Highlands and carried overland all the way to Wiltshire. I cannot remember an occasion when a single discovery changed the way I think about Stonehenge as much as the one announced this week, said Mike Pitts he has been in charge of digs on the site for over forty years on 18th August. Whatever mechanisms they used, Neolithic people would have had no trouble shifting the Altar Stone by land if they wanted to. A popular idea is that log rollers were used, as shown by a full-scale model at the Stonehenge visitor centre. They dont work: rollers are impossible to control... Pitts believes the Stonehenge engineers fashioned strong, strong wooden sledges. Many men would have been involved in the dragging. They would have strewn light branches before this sledge on softer ground. They may even have carried lengths of what Americans, in the Civil War era, called corduroy road - logs roped tightly together; and Neolithic folk made very stout, serviceable rope from things like lime bark (as, in the Western Isles, not so long ago any crofter could fashion excellent ones with heather.) And they would have come all that way by the east-coast plains not trying to anticipate the A9 through deeply forested mountains hoaching, and into the Christian era, with wolves and bears. My gut feeling is that it came over land and it possibly took a long time and was not necessarily in one fell swoop, said Heather Sebire. Getting places as quickly as possible is a modern concept were always in a hurry. Their mindset was probably very different. You can think of it as a pilgrimage... Or, as Mike Pitts decisively puts it, Neolithic people didnt travel as far as north-east Scotland to fetch a stone for Stonehenge: there were plenty of similar stones much, much closer. They went to make a point. The longer the journey took, and the more people who gave their labour to the project, the more successful it was. They went because it was so far... At this point, we should stand quietly back and remind ourselves of two things. First, that we today are a soft people, loath to tramp any distance and very reluctant to get wet. And, secondly, a precept vital in the study of prehistory that present perceptions of past peoples are not the same as past peoples perceptions of their present. Stonehenge is not in fact the oldest megalithic cathedral in these islands. That at Callanish, here on Lewis, began around 1,500 years earlier, if initially as an earthen mound with, perhaps, timber structures. The greatest expert on Callanish is Gerald Ponting, 85, who says that the two complexes were thrown up for different ends and neither, contrary to general belief, to celebrate the midsummer solstice. Callanish is essentially a processional theatre to mark the Major Lunar Standstill, which happens every 18.6 years; Stonehenge focuses on the midwinter solstice and the unconquerable Sun. Knowledge of the origin of the Stonehenge Altar Stone is hugely significant for our understanding of that period. Ive read Mike Pittss article and I tend to agree with his idea of land transport, perhaps taking many years and cementing links between distant communities. We know that some of the pork eaten at feasts at Durrington Walls near Stonehenge came from pigs raised in Scotland, enthuses Ponting. Neolithic people did travel great distances. We now know, without any doubt, that the Stonehenge Altar Stone came from the north of Scotland, perhaps Orkney... But my immediate thought was, Of course the builders of Stonehenge wanted an Orkney megalith at the centre... Evidence suggests that megalithic culture, including the building of stone circles, spread to the rest of the British Isles from Orkney. The Altar Stone, then, was no mere rock: it was a status symbol. And we should not underestimate the hardiness of our forebears. Even at the edge of living memory, Hebrideans thought nothing of walking great distances. A friends great-grandmother, Effie MacLean, once made the 12-mile hike from Leurbost to Breasclete, for Free Presbyterian communion services, in a storm of wind and rain. She was 82. Hector Maciver, born in 1910 and who became a celebrated Edinburgh teacher, essayist and broadcaster, was once sent from Shawbost to Stornoway to sell the family cow. On his own. He did not take the long road round by Barvas; he traversed the Shawbost hills and the great moor of Lewis, returning sans Daisy by nightfall. Today scoutmasters wouldnt stage that as a Duke of Edinburgh Award ploy without risk-assessments in triplicate: Hector was then twelve years old. The journey of the Stonehenge Altar Stone, practically the length of Britain, was protracted. But indeed a pilgrimage; a carnival. One can imagine local excitement as it approached. How folk would have talked of little else for decades. The nights of feasting; the quaffing of much ale. The local lasses desperate for the attention of one any of those fabled youths with the big shoulders and callused hands. Experts are convinced that the Altar Stone was quarried specially for use at Stonehenge Trying to touch the very rock as the lads themselves were so excited to travel through community after community, making a tale they could seriously tell future grandchildren. The best modern parallel is May 2012, when the Olympic Torch travelled by relay around the United Kingdom in a route deliberately planned so that 95% of the population would, at some point, would be within an hours drive to have a look and which even took in the Western Isles. It was really, when you come to think of it, quite irrational, but even greying Stornoway aunts of mine arose at dawn to grab a glimpse of it. And, if in a far sadder spirit, how many of us turned to see the late Queens hearse glide past, or queued on cobbles for hours to file by her coffin just to have that tiny, personal part in history. This is whats new about this Stonehenge revelation, insists Mike Pitts. This journey that reached right across the British Isles implies there was direct, physical communication between Neolithic communities across Britain. These were complex, networked societies in ways we are just beginning to understand. As a self-styled witch, Dr Alice Tarbuck offers online Tarot card readings for 50 an hour and courses in how to embrace the magic in everyday life. Her freelance lessons run throughout the year and are described as perfect for anyone with an interest in the history, ethics and practice of witchcraft. But the rest of the time the author and poet has another role as a literature officer for controversial arts quango Creative Scotland, currently at the centre of a political firestorm. It is supposed to support artists by doling out large sums of public money but recently closed a vital fund, sparking a backlash from the artistic community outraged at what they saw as their betrayal by fat-cat bureaucrats on six-figure salaries. Whether Dr Tarbuck, with her Tarot and witchcraft skills, saw this row coming is unknown but we can reveal that she was disciplined by her well-remunerated superiors for using some dark arts of her own. The quango faced a backlash over funding for an exploration of lesbian and queer sexuality Arts quango Creative Scotland has come under fire for a series of questionable funding decisions Dr Alice Tarbuck, right, fought to block sales of a gender-critical book by the poet Jenny Lindsay Her role was to provide backing for writers as part of Creative Scotlands mission to help people and organisations to make work of quality and ambition that enriches life in Scotland for everyone. But Dr Tarbuck used her position for a very different purpose an attempt to suppress a gender-critical book, which raised concern about radical trans rights activism, and which she deemed to be transphobic more of which later. She contacted at least one bookshop and asked its managers not to stock the title Hounded: Women, Harms and The Gender Wars, by Jenny Lindsay which charts the often hidden and unspoken harms women face for prioritising and defending sex-based language and rights. Ms Lindsay was alerted to Dr Tarbucks intervention and made a formal complaint against the literature officer who says she enjoys getting to be hands-on, helping to make authors work the best it could be. Its not every quango that can boast a witch on the payroll one who wrote a poem called Satanic Transformations, re-envisaging Barbie as a gay boy (available on YouTube) but then Creative Scotland is a quango like no other. Last week the public body led by an executive team on combined salaries of nearly 1million announced it had made the difficult decision to close its Open Fund for Individuals to new applications due to the Scottish Government being unable to confirm release of 6.6million in grant-in-aid budget in the current financial year, 2024-25. The fund is a lifeline for emerging talent and pays for a wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. The timing couldnt have been worse. It came during the final days of the Edinburgh Festival, giving performers the chance to use final curtain calls to launch a bitter attack on the funding cuts. A further 2,000 deeply concerned artists and arts workers signed an open letter criticising ministers for a decision that puts the future of the arts at risk, by failing to support the freelancers who form a large part of the workforce. This week, heavyweights on the pop scene including Biffy Clyro, Paolo Nutini, Franz Ferdinand, The Proclaimers, Karine Polwart and Mogwai joined forces to demand immediate reinstatement of the Open Fund to head off a cultural crisis. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson and his colleagues are angry that disaster-prone Creative Scotland is mired in yet another funding controversy, though their government has political oversight of it and seems to have turned a blind eye to previous scandals rather than intervening to prevent them. The backlash over the major funding cutbacks has refocused attention on one of Scotlands most loathed and certainly most dysfunctional quangos (and it is a tightly contested field). Back in March, the organisation which is in charge of a 96million budget was at the centre of a separate row over a decision to use taxpayers money to fund an explicit sex project. Chief executive Iain Munro later told MSPs that Creative Scotland had withdrawn funding after a public outcry but admitted it had failed to recover all of the nearly 85,000 paid to the film-maker behind the project. It was described as a fantastical 45-minute art installation performed by a mix of dancers, sex workers and performers who would take the audience on an erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape. A recruitment advert for the project called Rein stated that actors must be over the age of 18 and have experience of sex work, particularly in porn contexts. Participants were to be paid 270 a day to take part in a secret sex party in a cave, as part of an exploration of lesbian and queer sexuality set in the Scottish landscape. And yet Creative Scotlands formidable team failed to spot that it was funding something which Mr Munro euphemistically described as a challenging piece of experimental performance art. Some 147 people work for the organisation, including four in the public relations department plus the 24-strong board and senior leadership team headed by Mr Munro, who is on a salary of 125,000-130,000 with a pension pot worth 470,000. Their job is to help artists such as Ms Lindsay, the writer who penned the book that sparked such a visceral reaction from Dr Tarbuck. Ms Lindsay is exactly the sort of artist Creative Scotland was set up to help and she needed all the support she could get. Five years after trans rights activists led a hate campaign that destroyed her livelihood, the poet had fought back with a new book on the hounding phenomenon. Ms Lindsay wrote in the Mail last year about her ordeal, which began after she objected to a call from a male writer for violent action against lesbians at a Pride march. She announced this July that Hounded would be published in October. Two days later, Dr Tarbuck contacted at least one bookshop to demand that they refuse to stock it. Ms Lindsay has learned to be stoical but admits she wasnt prepared for someone with serious gatekeeping power using her position to attempt to undermine both my ability to forge a new partnership with independent bookstores, and for this to be treated as in any way a normal thing to do for any writer, never mind one in Tarbucks position. The Mail has been told that two years ago, when on a temporary contract, Dr Tarbuck was spoken to by her superiors about the tone of some of her social media posts but she was later made a permanent member of Creative Scotland staff on a part-time basis. Asked about the claim, the quango said only that it provides guidance on social media use to all our staff and discusses this with individual staff members as required. Dr Tarbuck has so far declined to comment. One leading Scottish novelist, who asked not to be named, said the Tarbuck episode summed up wider problems besetting a quango with a long history of tension with the artistic community it is supposed to serve. The writer accused Creative Scotland of covering the back of a member of staff who tried to wreck a writers career. Backing up those concerns, a publishing industry source said: After everything that happened to Jenny Lindsay, youd think these people would have learned their lessons. The arts establishment is gripped by trans rights activists and bitter wannabes. A Creative Scotland spokesman said: We received a complaint regarding a member of staff and this complaint was investigated in line with our published complaints handling procedure, and our internal HR processes. The outcome of this process led to appropriate action being taken. In line with employment law, that action is confidential. The complainant has informed us in writing that they were content with the process. But Ms Lindsay insists that she did not know the outcome until the Mail informed her. Creative Scotland refused to say whether Dr Tarbuck had tried to pressure any other bookshops into boycotting Ms Lindsays book. Earlier this month, it emerged that an influential arts charity which told bookshops not to sell titles written by gender-critical authors had secured Creative Scotland funding. The quango awarded a grant worth more than 64,300 to Literature Alliance Scotland (LAS). LAS, Scotlands largest literary network, was thrown into turmoil after a statement was posted on its website claiming Terfs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) a derogatory term for those who do not believe that trans women are women were in league with fascists and calling on venues not to offer them a public platform. It provoked a backlash from campaign groups including For Women Scotland, a womens rights group, which said: What will be next? Book burnings? This is madness. Creative Scotland said LAS had received 64,344 in the latest round of Open Fund awards for Creating a Fairer Sector, supporting Scottish writers and the literature workforce. LAS admitted a significant failure and said its board chairman, Sarah Mason, had stepped down. One Creative Scotland insider claimed it was too closely aligned with a network of furious activists who think everything is about gender ideology, adding: Writers see the way people who speak up for womens rights are destroyed and theyre scared into silence. That network appears to stretch beyond the confines of the quango and raises serious questions over the way in which funding applications are decided. Dramatist David Greig, artistic director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, was awaiting the outcome of one such application when arts worker Dr Rosie Aspinall Priest began firing off a series of tweets attacking him over his alleged support for transphobic views. Mr Greig had used his personal Twitter account to like statements by the feminist campaigner and journalist Julie Bindel. One tweet posted by Ms Bindel read: Lads and lasses in the trenches fighting the gender madness what is the best (very recent) example you can think of that shows how we have won this crazy war? I wonder, wrote Dr Aspinall Priest on August 16, 2023, how Lyceum theatre staff, audiences and partner organisations feel about [its] artistic director [Mr Greig] openly liking transphobic tweets? Really awful things on display here that do not align with the values inherent within Scotlands theatre sector. Her remarks might easily have been brushed off had it not been for the fact that one of the senior officials deciding the merit of Mr Greigs application was her civil partner, Paul Burns, who earns 55,000-60,000 as interim director of arts at Creative Scotland. Paolo Nutini has raised concerns about the funding cuts which will affect Creative Scotland Scotland's culture secretary Angus Robertson is under fire over funding cuts to the arts body In an internal email to staff, Mr Greig apologised for his careless and harmful tweets and closed his social media accounts. He is now serving notice after stepping down from his role, though many in the arts world believe he should not have had to apologise. Dr Aspinall Priest (pronouns they/them), who found Brexit terrifying and has condemned horrible, radical, Right-wing politics, was approached for comment. While Mr Burns certainly cant be held responsible for his partners public statements, the relationship has caused consternation in the arts world and within government. One Scottish Government civil service insider said: Say the NHS opened a bid for a new drug supplier and the partner of the person granting the contract spent the tendering process smearing one of the companies, saying their drugs were rubbish and then hounding the boss. That would be a huge scandal. Last night, a Creative Scotland spokesman said: We are not responsible for, nor do we comment on, the actions of any staff members partners, family members or friends. She added: No one individual is responsible for decisions to award funding from Creative Scotland, and decision-making processes include a range of checks and balances, in line with our governance framework. Meanwhile, furious ministers are understood to believe that the quango should have dipped into its own considerable reserves rather than cutting funds for artists. But Creative Scotland insists it is restricted through legislation as regards what these reserves can be used for. A spokesman said: National Lottery reserves (of which we currently hold 11million and which are fully allocated to support the forthcoming multi-year funding programme) cannot be used to substitute for cuts we receive in our grant-in-aid budget from Scottish Government. Actor Jack Lowden, right, has also raised concerns about Creative Scotland's funding being cut The Proclaimers are among musicians demanding immediate reinstatement of a fund designed to encourage budding artists While it suits the SNP to pass the buck to the quangos leadership, it is clear to many critics that ministers have been asleep at the wheel as the organisation careered out of control. Born in 2010 out of the merger of the Scottish Arts Council and the ever-troubled Scottish Screen, Creative Scotland was originally the brainchild of the old Labour/Lib Dem Scottish Executive. Under the Nationalists, it became a vehicle for promoting a modern, vibrant and progressive Scotland at home and abroad. Yet two years later, there was a backlash after the body announced a shift from providing core funding for festivals and theatre troupes to financing individual projects, requiring greater competition between artists for grants. In 2012, 100 leading artistic figures, including Alasdair Gray, Liz Lochhead and Ian Rankin, penned an open letter savaging the quangos ill-conceived decision- making and a lack of empathy and regard for Scottish culture. More than a decade on, Creative Scotland remains in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but this time it seems that its political masters are fast losing patience with its bosses and it may take more than witchcraft to steer it out of its current crisis. A young nanny who police say was imprisoned and forced into prostitution by her boss was found dead in Brazil - with her employer suspected of being involved in the death. Geovana Martins, 20, was reported missing on August 19 and her body was found the following day in a wooded area in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus. Police arrested her employer, Camila da Silva, in connection to the death on Wednesday, saying Martins may have been beaten and tortured. The young woman was hired a year ago to take care of da Silva's daughter. Police say Geovana Martins, 20, was forced into prostitution after she was hired to work as a nanny Investigators alleged that da Silva used the home as a prostitution den and that she prevented Martins from leaving. 'She was lured into a life of partying and drinking, but then Camila started forcing her to stay there,' Civil Police Chief Marilia Campello said, according to the Brazilian news outlet G1. 'She wouldn't let her go out, even though she wanted to and she was sexually exploited.' A TikTok video posted on da Silva's account in February showed her and Martins dancing together. Camila da Silva (left) dances in a TikTok video with her nanny Geovana Martins, who was found dead in a wooded area in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus While other young women were also forced to perform sex work at the residence, Martins was the only victim who lived in the house. 'This victim was practically forced to perform sexual acts. From what we found out, the house operated as a massage parlor,' Campello said. 'In addition to Geovana, other girls also passed through there, but the victim lived there and could not have relationships with people from outside.' Martins' mother, Maria Costa, told G1 she was unaware her daughter had been forced to work as a prostitute. 'So far we don't know anything. She had never told me anything,' Costa said. 'It's painful, knowing that she was working with someone and then finding out that my daughter is dead.' Eduardo Gomes is wanted in connection to the death of Geovana Martins Investigators allege that Geovana was prevented from leaving the home where she worked The Amazonas Civil Police announced Thursday that it was searching for a second suspect, Eduardo Gomes, who allegedly owned the vehicle that was used to transport Martin's body. Gomes is the son of the owner of the home da Silva was renting. 'The car belonged to Eduardo and had already been sold to someone else,' Campello said. 'However, the suspect lent the vehicle and returned it after Geovana disappeared. The car was returned clean to the new owner, who has already given a statement and the car.' Campello said that da Silva, who had been arrested in the past for drug trafficking, scared Martins by telling her she had been married to Mano Kaio, a known drug dealer in Amazonas who is wanted by authorities, and threatened to harm her if she left the home. Authorities discovered that Camila da Silva had purchased a flight to Europe 'She said she would call the drug traffickers to break Geovana's leg, threatening to make it "happen,"' Campello said. Investigators found that da Silva had purchased a flight to Europe and that her family, including her mother and uncles, reside in France. Martins had obtained her passport in June and the police believe that da Silva was going to use Martins as a drug mule and also force her to have sex outside of the country. Campello said investigators are still looking into the motive behind Martins' death. 'We still cannot confirm the exact motivation, as the suspect denies having committed the crime,' she said. 'But we have sufficient evidence, and that is why she is under arrest.' Four young siblings hid in terror inside their Maryland home for hours after a gunman shot their parents dead in their bed. Authorities described a 'crime of rage and anger' inside the home of Crimea Malita Baker, 33, and Sean Lange, 34, after they were shot 42 times at close range in their bedroom in New Market. Baker was the mother of all four children, and Lange was the father of one, with Baker's social media showing she recently gave birth in February. Officials have not identified any suspects or motive in the investigation, and police did not comment on whether there were signs of a break-in. Crimea Malita Baker, 33, and Sean Lange, 34, were shot dead Tuesday in their home in New Market, Maryland, and were discovered by Baker's children Police have not yet identified any motive or suspects, and described the gruesome slaying as a 'crime of rage and anger' Police were called to the home at 7am Tuesday morning, but said the shooting unfolded around 1:30am that night. When asked at a press conference to explain the hours-long delay, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins said the children hid in the house for hours until they felt it was safe for them to emerge. Jenkins declined to confirm whether one of the children made the 911 call to police, and said while the children were unharmed they were traumatized by the tragedy. 'I can't imagine what is going through their minds,' Jenkins said. 'One of the children discovered his mother and the gentleman in the bed dead at the time. I can just say their life is destroyed. It's upside down right now.' While no motive or suspect has been identified, Jenkins said that early indications are that the couple were targeted, as he noted that detectives found 42 shell casings around their bed. 'This was a heinous, targeted double murder a crime of rage and anger,' the sheriff added. Baker was the mother of all four children, and Lange was the father of one, with Baker's social media showing she recently gave birth in February Police said that early indications are that the couple were targeted, as noted that detectives found 42 shell casings around the victim's bed Authorities said that although the investigation is still in its early stages, they do not believe the deaths to be a murder-suicide. Jenkins described it as 'the type of crime that shocks the conscience', but insisted that 'there is absolutely no reason to believe there is any risk or threat to the local public at large.' 'I can assure the public that every available investigator and agency resource will be brought to bear in this case until the person(s) responsible are identified, arrested, and brought to justice,' he said. Baker was described by a friend in a heartbreaking Facebook tribute as a doting and hardworking mother 'who raised resilient, thoughtful tenderhearted children.' 'Even as I look through our videos I notice how every single one of them is filled with laughter,' her friend wrote. In a previous GoFundMe created by Baker in 2018, the mother-of-four described herself as a 'domestic violence survivor' and asked for funds to hire a lawyer for a divorce. 'This past year has been the most difficult, heartbreaking, and challenging year of my life,' she wrote. Baker was described as a doting and hardworking mother, who had previously described herself as a 'survivor of domestic violence' whose allegedly abusive ex-husband allegedly took her children from her years ago 'From surviving the pain and anxiety caused by physical abuse and emotional abuse. I can't even completely and fully describe the range of emotions.' Baker wrote that her children's allegedly 'abusive father' and his mother hid her children from her, and at the time she was scrambling to locate them and bring them home. 'This is heartbreaking as I don't have the financial resources to properly fight against this. He is unstable mentally and already has reports of threatening family with a loaded weapon,' she wrote. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Reese at 301-600-3640. The Prince and Princess of Wales remain Britain's most loved royals, while disgraced Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are least favoured by the public, a new poll has revealed. A new YouGov survey published today found 75 per cent of people have a favourable view of William and Kate. Princess Anne is the only other royal to maintain a similarly high level of popularity, with 71 per cent - or seven in ten survey takers - looking at her positively. William's younger brother Harry and his wife Meghan are seemingly not held in high regard by the British public with sixty per cent having expressed unfavourable opinions of Harry and 63 per cent for Meghan. But Andrew remains the least popular of all the royals, with 87 per cent of Britons saying they have a negative opinion of him and only 5 per cent viewing him positively. The Prince and Princess of Wales remain Britain's most loved royals , while disgraced Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are least favoured by the public, a new YouGov poll has revealed Three-quarters of Britons view Prince William and Princess Kate, pictured last year, positively Three-quarters of Britons view William and Kate positively, the survey conducted his month has revealed. The future King is the most favored with 75 per cent of survey takers expressing positivity towards him. He edged out Kate by one point, with 74 per cent having positive opinions of her. But the Princess of Wales had the most people say they had a 'very positive' view of her - at 45 per cent. Forty per cent of survey takers said they had a 'very positive' view of William and Anne. Only three in ten Britons, roughly 30 per cent, have a positive view of Harry and even less of Meghan, with only 23 per cent saying they view her favourably. King Charles III, who is approaching two years on the throne, has the favour of six in ten Britons (roughly 63 per cent), whereas 29 per cent say they hold a negative view of the monarch. Overall the King has a favourability rating of +34, the poll revealed. Young adults, aged 18 to 24, do not seemingly hold the monarch in high regard as only 23 per cent of them have a positive opinion of him. The majority of the group - 53 per cent - say they view Charles negatively. Between 38 to 52 per cent of Britons view Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh positively. However, 37 to 41 per cent hold no view or say they 'don't know' about them. Prince Edward has a similar favourability rating, with 53 per cent saying they view with positively, but many are also unsure (28 per cent). Queen Camilla has the favour of about half of the British public (49 per cent) while 38 per cent - or one in four - see her negatively. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured on August 15 this year, are seemingly not held in high regard by the British public with sixty per cent having expressed unfavourable opinions of Harry and 63 per cent for Meghan Prince Andrew, pictured in May 2017, remains the least popular of all the royals, with 87 per cent of Britons saying they have a negative opinion of him and only 5 per cent viewing him positively Despite their varying opinions of individual family members, the British public is seemingly still in support of the monarchy. Sixty-three per cent say they have a positive view of the royal family as a whole and 59 per cent view the underlying institution of the monarchy favourably. That is roughly double the number of Britons who view the family negatively (30 per cent) and who are sceptical of the monarchy (32 per cent). Two-third of Britons say they believe the UK should continue to have a monarch, while 25 per cent say they would prefer an elected head of state instead. Medicine Lake, as seen in November of 2023, sits northeast of Mount Shasta at the bottom of the caldera of the largest volcano in the Cascade Range. The lake is the centerpiece of the proposed Sattitla National Monument. Kurtis Alexander A bid to create another national monument in Northern California, near towering Mount Shasta, got a significant boost on Friday with an endorsement from federal lawmakers. U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler alongside Rep. Adam Schiff, all from California, are urging President Biden to use his executive powers to designate a volcanically distinct area known as the Medicine Lake Highlands as the Sattitla National Monument. Padilla and Butler also are planning to introduce legislation in Congress to create the monument, should the president not act before leaving office early next year. Monument status would ensure greater protection of the site and raise its profile in the pantheon of American public lands. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 206,000-acre wilderness, about 350 miles north of San Francisco south of the Oregon border, is known for its sprawling volcano fields, which include striking lava formations, glass-like obsidian flows and the namesake Medicine Lake, a wonderfully clear body of water nestled in the caldera of the largest volcano in the Cascade Range. The lands are owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California, as seen in November of 2023, contains large volcanic fields with striking lava formations. Kurtis Alexander Called Sattitla by indigenous people, the area has long been a place of worship for Native Americans, many of whom ascribe supernatural powers to the place. Safeguarding these sacred resources is one of the driving forces behind our effort to permanently protect this important area, the three lawmakers wrote in a letter to Biden, dated Friday. Loading... The campaign to make the site a national monument was initiated by Northern Californias Pit River Tribe. The tribes effort has been slowly gathering support from local and state officials, including the Gov. Gavin Newsom administration, but had yet to win notable federal backing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A blessing from federal officials generally reveals broader interest in the creation of a monument and is often requisite to the designation. The recent expansion of Californias Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument followed calls by federal lawmakers, including Padilla and Butler, for monument status, as well as legislation. Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, the president has the power to unilaterally designate a monument on federal lands to protect cultural and natural resources. Congress, too, can pursue the creation of a national monument, though the legislative path opens the door to opposition. One of the primary reasons for the Pit River Tribes campaign for a monument is to make sure there is no geothermal development on the highlands. In the past, the tribe has litigated to stop the federal government from extending leases on the land for energy exploration. The possibility remains, though small, for renewing those leases. Currently, its under threat, said Brandy McDaniels, a member of the Pit River Tribe who has been leading efforts for the monument. A lot of prayers have gone into this so were really hopeful. Restrictions on industrial activity are likely with monument designation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The letter sent to Biden from the legislators also cites the need to protect extensive aquifers beneath the site as well as fish and wildlife in the area. Additionally, a new monument would benefit the presidents goal of conserving 30% of U.S. lands and coastal waters by 2030, the lawmakers say. The White House has not commented publicly about the fate of the Medicine Lake Highlands. But the endorsement from Padilla, Butler and Schiff is fueling optimism for those awaiting action. Sattitla is not just a piece of land; its the heart of our heritage and the source of life for current and future generations, said Yatch Bamford, chairman of the Pit River Nation, in a prepared statement. Senator Padillas leadership in protecting these sacred lands shows a deep respect for our history and a commitment to preserving it for our children and grandchildren. Confessing to a crime you did not commit carries a cost. If anyone can attest to that, it's Ravinder Naga. It's a cost that cuts far deeper than any penalty dispensed by the courts. There's the humiliation of walking the gauntlet of whispered comments, the gnaw of anxiety about the future. Ravinder, 49, has endured this and more these last 15 years. 'I would be lying if I said there have not been times when it would have been easier just to end it,' he says. 'At times there was no light. I was known as the man who robbed his own mother.' Still, the father of two would do the same again, even if he bitterly regrets that his family was ever put in the position where he felt he had to. But as he puts it: 'My father didn't raise me to be a coward.' There was certainly no cowardice in the decision that pitched the quick-talking Scotsman into the nightmare from which he is only just emerging. Ravinder Naga, 49, with his mother Gurbash Kaur Naga Pictured: Ravinder as a baby with his mother Ravinder confessed to a crime that he did not commit to protect his mother Back in 2009, Ravinder's mother Gurbash Kaur Naga, known to customers and friends alike as Paula, was the sub-postmistress of Belville Street Post Office, in Greenock, Inverclyde. Now 70, she took over the bustling business with her husband Mohan Singh Naga, known as Martin, in 1994. Son Ravinder would often help, even more so after the sudden and unexpected death of his father, aged 46, in 1999. What happened next is, of course, depressingly familiar, thanks largely to this year's award-wining ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Now known as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice ever seen in Britain, more than 700 Post Office sub-postmasters were prosecuted for stealing between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon IT software made it look as though money was missing from their shops. Many hundreds were convicted, some jailed and, tragically, a few took their own lives. The Naga family were also victims. Until this week, Ravinder's name had remained in the background, but the act of filial love that plunged him into the mire is deeply moving. For he confessed to stealing 35,000 when he hadn't touched a penny, all to save his mother who was also entirely innocent from the risk of a prison sentence that he feared would kill her. Only this week 14 years after appearing in a Scottish court was his conviction finally quashed. Ravinder cried when he learned he had been exonerated but any relief he feels is tempered by the fury at what his family have endured and what he knows others still endure. As he says: 'If someone abuses you for ten years then stops, are you grateful? No, you are furious. Ravinder Naga, 49, with his mother Gurbash Kaur Naga Ravinder confessed to stealing 35,000 when he hadn't touched a penny, all to save his mother 'It's not just the postmaster or sub-postmaster that suffers [when the accusation lands] everyone who works there struggles to get a job that involves handling money. Families are torn apart.' At its heart, the Naga family story is one of hard work, as Ravinder and Gurbash explain to me from their shared home in Scotland. Three of Ravinder's grandparents were orphans and they instilled a determination in their children that has passed down generations. Gurbash came to the UK from India aged seven and Mohan was 12; they eventually married and started their family Ravinder has a younger sister in Birmingham. Mohan worked as a welder and had begun training to be an electrician when he got the opportunity to run a shop in Scotland. Ravinder was six when the family moved north but his childhood experiences left scars. 'There was only one other Asian family in the area,' he says. There was some shocking racism and one of his deepest regrets about the Post Office nightmare is that his financial stability was derailed just at the point when he and his wife were looking to move to give their own children a different upbringing. Still, in so many ways Mohan and Gurbash made it a success. They built up their shop, opened a restaurant, a key repair shop and then in 1994 the opportunity to buy the post office came along. It was Ravinder, then 19, who saw that it was for sale. But five years later Mohan died suddenly after developing a blood clot in his eye. 'An ambulance took him to hospital and I went to make sure he was settled,' says Ravinder. 'The last conversation I had with him, he made me promise that no matter what, I'd always look after my mum and my sister. So as far as I'm concerned, I'm just honouring my promises.' The loss was a heavy blow to the family. There was no life insurance and, at 44, Gurbash wasn't entitled to any of her late husband's pension contributions, so work kept them all going. But everything crumbled again on March 26, 2009, when a 'woman from the Post Office' arrived in Belville Street to count the cash in the safe. Gurbash came to the UK from India aged seven and Mohan was 12; they eventually married and started their family Ravinder took blame to protect his innocent mother, Gurbash (pictured together) When she finished, she asked 'is there any more?' Gurbash was scrupulous about making sure all her accounting matched up, right down to the very last stamp a habit she instilled in everyone she worked with. 'Any shortfall, any discrepancy was something you were always on the lookout for,' she says. 'You knew the repercussions if the figures didn't match.' During the six years she had presided over her post office before the introduction of the Horizon system, she says there were rarely any problems with accounting, but after it was brought in there was an inexplicable rise in the number of times hiccups in the numbers would necessitate her to call for IT assistance. Now we know the Horizon system had bugs that caused phantom shortfalls, but then, when asked whether there was more money unaccounted for, her heart sank. Her worst fears were realised when a team of auditors arrived within hours of the first woman from the Post Office and pronounced they had found a 'shortfall' of more than 30,000. Gurbash, a woman who had twice found herself confronted by robbers as she worked at the post office counter, knew she had not made any errors. Even so, panic descended. 'It was like I had dropped down a manhole,' she says. She immediately called Ravinder, who then had a two-year-old son and a wife pregnant with their second child. He was horrified to arrive and see his mother in such anguish. 'To see my mum standing there like a lost child; I hadn't seen that before and we have been through a lot.' Instinctively, he did the only thing he felt he could. 'Don't worry,' he told her. 'Worst come to worst, if anything happens, I'm going to take the blame for it.' Never did he imagine that he would end up doing just that. He can't pinpoint precisely when he realised he was going to have to take his false confession all the way to court, but it came after he and his sister could find no plausible explanation for what had happened. 'The only way 35,000 could have been missing was if it was embezzled over time, but I knew my mum would never have done that. She had no need to do that because we were earning good money. We had two businesses, plus we had property rented out. 'We tried to find out where the money went. We examined every single avenue; then when my sister looked up online and saw that postmasters were going to jail left, right and centre that's when we thought, hold on a minute, there's no way out of this. 'At the end of the day, somebody's going to have to take the blame for this.' Ravinder Naga is pictured as a baby with his mother Paula In 2010, Ravinder turned up at court with 35,000 he had hastily borrowed from his uncle to repay the 'loss' and walked out a convicted thief The humiliation of having their good name questioned had already had a huge impact on the family and they felt forced to close their businesses straight after the auditors had visited. Ravinder was terrified about the impact the stress of it all was having on his mother and his pregnant wife. So when Gurbash was later taken into police custody for questioning, Ravinder, afraid she wouldn't survive a prison sentence, made a confession that seems preposterous as he details it now. He said he had gone to take his mum lunch, then while her back was turned siphoned away the cash from the post office safe and into a bag despite the fact the safe security system was programmed to only allow entry after a 40-minute delay. 'I'm not a genius, but I managed to crack a safe in basically ten seconds, fill a bag and walk out.' Why was the plausibility of his account not probed? 'They just wanted someone to carry the can,' he says. In 2010, Ravinder turned up at court with 35,000 he had hastily borrowed from his uncle to repay the 'loss' and walked out a convicted thief with an order to complete 300 hours of community service. But the real sentence came after. 'When your reputation is that you are a thief and not just a thief, but one who stole from your own mum, people aren't rushing to hire you,' says Ravinder. 'I had been working since I was a child. I had built these businesses with my parents, but I had my own business interests too. I had a property portfolio I was building. But how can I go to the bank? How can I get people to trust me after that? All my investors walked away from me.' After his conviction Ravinder who had once been able to afford to pay for his family to holiday in India for six weeks a year had to take any job he could, knowing where suspicions would fall if there was ever money short. His sister helped him find work in a business centre manning the reception desk by day, then cleaning the building by night. 'Imagine,' implores Ravinder. 'You've got yourself in a decent position and then you're sitting in the reception of a little business centre and when everyone goes home you are cleaning up their p*** and s***.' The impact was hard on everyone. Most stark was the change wrought on Gurbash, who overnight went from strong businesswoman to stay-at-home grandmother. 'When I stopped at the post office, I could have gone out to work. I was experienced enough to find work, but I just didn't want to work among people,' she says. Why not? 'The stigma,' she explains sadly. 'It was hanging over us, every one of us felt it.' She has also had to wrestle with the enormity of what her son did. 'I think he just took the responsibility for thinking he could handle things better than me at that time,' she says, regretfully. Never did Gurbash think her son would go to court. She thought she would resign, the cash would be returned and that would be it. 'It was very hard. I did feel guilty. I did regret ever buying that post office.' The shop, which the family still own, remained an agonising presence in their lives, boarded up, and a place Ravinder and his wife had to pass every day on the school run. 'We used to tell the kids that used to be Granny's post office. They obviously didn't know the full story then. They do now.' This week, mother and son prised open the locks and returned for the first time, uncovering a dusty time warp of what once was. Since 2009 the nature of the entire street has changed shops closed, flats empty. 'It was the hub of the community,' says Ravinder sadly of the family's defunct business. 'They killed the whole community,' he says, clearly referring to the Post Office. Pictured: Paula Vennells leave the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry (file picture) A Post Office spokesman said: 'We are truly sorry for the suffering caused by the Post Office's past actions. We are doing all we can to help victims get answers and to put things right.' It was about five years ago when Ravinder caught a whisper of cases being reviewed. The cause was given a boost earlier this year when Mr Bates vs The Post Office struck a chord with the nation, raising awareness of the plight of so many former postmasters and mistresses. As Ravinder drily points out: 'We're just lucky that the programme was so well made. Imagine it was a mediocre programme?' It was the Post Office who referred his case to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, but as he was not the postmaster or sub-postmaster, it was far from clear cut that he would be exonerated in legislation passed by the Scottish parliament to automatically clear victims of the Horizon scandal. Ravinder gives credit to his solicitor Greg Cunningham and his family, for the fact he didn't give up. As for what he did, he says: 'It's my mum. I know, people are going on [saying] what I've done is supposed to be something amazing, but to me any human being who wouldn't look after another person who's vulnerable should be ashamed of themselves.' There has been no compensation yet for the Naga family, nor have they seen any of the 35,000 they repaid. But Ravinder's thoughts are not on cash, rather on those who suffered and suffer still. 'It's not about the fact that we had the strength to rebuild or that we had the strength to carry on,' he says sadly. 'What about all the people who couldn't?' A Post Office spokesman said: 'We are truly sorry for the suffering caused by the Post Office's past actions. We are doing all we can to help victims get answers and to put things right.' But, understandably, Ravinder's anger remains visceral. 'They took normal, happy people and took them to the point where even painkillers and alcohol wouldn't numb their pain. 'We owe it to the others to speak up. If it helps one person find a bit of strength to get through this, then it's been worthwhile.' Pennsylvania environmentalists are dismissing Kamala Harris' statement defending her pivot on fracking, and say her opposition to a ban on the practice divides voters in the top battleground state. Fracking is just one of the shifts Harris got asked about in her prime time interview with CNN, after jettisoning several left wing positions she adopted during her presidential campaign in 2019. 'My values have not changed,' Harris told the network. 'We can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking.' 'Her values havent changed except her values have changed,' scoffed Karen Feridun, co-founder of the Pennsylvania-based Better Path Coalition 'She was very clear she was a supporter of Green New Deal, she was banning fracking and then all of a sudden she wasnt. That's not a good position. And I think it's a bad assumption that Pennsylvania is never going to vote for somebody who's anti-fracking and who would plan to ban it,' she told DailyMail.com Friday, while environmentalists were buzzing about the issue in online forums. 'It's something that doesn't line up with having strong values of protecting the planet and so saying that seems disingenuous,' she fumed. Vice President Kamala Harris said her 'values have not changed' when asked about her opposition to a ban on fracking. The issue has particular resonance in battleground Pennsylvania Maya van Rossum of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, where there are regional fracking bans put in place by a regulatory board, said, 'It is incumbent on our on our governmental leaders, whether they're elected or appointed to office, to take a position based on the facts and science and reality and to do what is best for the greater good, presently and generationally.' 'Its amoral unpriccinipled for anybody in a position of power to be supporting fracking,' she said. Political experts conducting spot analysis on Harris's interview pointed to the obvious importance of Pennsylvania, where Harris has been in a virtual tie with Donald Trump in the polls since seizing the Democratic nomination from Joe Biden, who himself didn't push a fracking ban while funnelling billions to green technology initiatives. The state has 19 electoral votes and the most contested prize of the election. It is among the 'Blue Wall" states that Trump won in 2016, and Joe Biden pried back in 2020. The polls are tight, and Trump held a campaign rally in Johnstown Friday night. Western Pennsylvania is where companies tap the Marcellus Shale to capture natural gas through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), using a chemical mix that environmentalists say risks the water supply. But according to Feridun, the fracking issue isn't clear cut. 'There's a difference between what, for instance, labor unions in this state want, and what the public wants and and so I think the Building Trades have had an outsized role in a lot of things having to do with energy policy in the state. I can only imagine that there was some pressure put on her to, you know, maintain the Biden position,' she speculated. Harris defended the Biden position on fracking in the 2020 vice presidential debate Harris said she won't ban fracking, a process that is part of the nation's energy boom but that is a target for environmentalists who fear the impact on drinking water and other risks CNN fact checker Daniel Dale took on Harris' claim she had be 'clear' where she stood in a 2020 debate There aren't many recent polls on the topic. But a 2022 Pennsylvania energy survey by Muhlenberg College revealed a close split. When asked about extraction of natural gas from shale deposits in the state, 19 percent of Pennsylvanians strongly supported it, with another 29 percent strongly supporting it for a total of 48 percent. There were also 19 percent opposed, with 25 percent 'strongly' opposed, for a slighly lower 44 percent. Eight percent weren't sure. But while the support was unchanged from six years earlier, the 'somewhat' opposed had increased by three points, and the amount 'strongly' opposed jumped by 9 percentage points. Harris also got taken to task by CNN fact checker Daniel Dale, who made a name for himself out debunking false claims by Donald Trump in 2016. Harris told CNN's Dana Bash that 'I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking.' Her interviewer then confronted her with her 2019 statement, during the primaries, when she said there's 'no question I'm in favor of banning fracking' and that she would do it on her first day in office. 'In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024, and I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word,' she said. 'The fact check bottom line is that she did not actually make clear at a 2020 debate that she had changed her previous support for a fracking ban,' he said. 'Nowhere in there does she make clear that she had abandoned her previous support for a fracking ban; rather, she repeated that Joe Biden, the head of the democratic ticket at the time, would himself not ban fracking,' he observed on air Thursday night. Among those complaining online was former Pennsylvania state House candidate Ginny Kerslake. 'Ugh. Listening to @MSNBC and hearing them suggest Harris needs to address fracking because Its a huge job creator in Pennsylvania. No. No its not. But it does bring huge harm. @KamalaHarris @TimWalz @KamalaHQ,' she wrote. A breath-taking city in western Maryland is offering $20,000 to 10 homeowners who agree to relocate there, with the only catch being that they're willing to invest in their property and become a part of the community. Cumberland, once known as the state's 'Queen City,' features brick-paved streets, and its horizon bristles with church steeples. Nestled along the north branch of the Potomac River, the Appalachian wonderland was at one time a hub of industry and boasted a population of 40,000 residents in 1940. But after the glass and tire factories shuttered, and the railroad became obsolete, the number of inhabitant plummeted to just 19,000 people. Another troubling trend is that a fifth of its residents live in poverty. Cumberland, once known as the state's 'Queen City,' features brick-paved streets, and its horizon bristles with church steeples In order to save the city from oblivion, Mayor Raymond Morris and other officials have launched the 'Choose Cumberland Relocation Program.' Through this initiative, 10 people who agree to move to this picturesque paradise will be given $20,000 for their trouble. 'It's really to attract people who will benefit your community,' Laurie Marchini, a Cumberland City Council member, told the Washington Post. 'It's not a social services program. It's to bring people in who are employed,' she added. As part of the program, the city will be proving the new homeowners with $10,000 in cash. An additional $10,000 in matching funds will be available for renovations and down payments. This money will come from a $100,000 grant from Maryland's Community Legacy program, which supports efforts to revitalize decaying cities. Last week, the application window opened, and it will close after Tuesday. In order to qualify, individuals must agree to invest in their homes and participate in the broader community. Additionally, the 10 people must commit to remaining in Cumberland for five years. On the application, individuals are asked about their work, their interests, hobbies, and most importantly, why they have chosen the city. Nestled along the north branch of the Potomac River, the Appalachian wonderland was at one time a hub of industry and boasted a population of 40,000 residents in 1940 While some critics have argued that the money should be spent on current Cumberland residents, Mayor Morris has said that the city already offers funded benefits to inhabitants. Across the country, similar financial inducements are being offered to people willing to relocate to a certain town or urban location. In Oklahoma, a program in Tulsa hopes to attract out-of-state residents by offering $10,000 to renters and home-owners with full-time remote work. A similar initiative in Rochester, New York, tempts prospective movers with grants of up to $9,000. By launching their relocation program, Cumberland officials hope to stem the pernicious issue of population loss. They aim to do so by harnessing the exodus of remote-workers from cities, a trend that was enabled by the pandemic, one that Mayor Morris referred to as a 'silver lining.' 'A lot of people were kind of leaving the rat race and coming out to enjoy the outdoor recreation and the lifestyle that's available out here,' he told the Washington Post. 'We were looking at ways that we can continue that,' the mayor added. In order to save the city from oblivion, Mayor Raymond Morris and other officials have launched the 'Choose Cumberland Relocation Program' They have undertaken other efforts to revitalize their community, too. They have fostered growth along the brick-paved Baltimore Street, where new businesses like taco restaurants and ice cream shops have cropped up. Along the Potomac, a new River Park is being planned that will feature a white-water course, boating access, and a walking trail. Millions of dollars in local, state, and federal funds will finance the project. Julia McCoy, the president and CEO of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, told the Washington Post that the city is on the brink of a renaissance. 'I've worked downtown for 20 years, and this is the most exciting it's ever been,' she said. A pedophile who abducted and molested a nine-year-old girl from a supermarket has been killed in a car crash while fleeing police. Wayne Noel, 64, died at New York Presbyterian-Queens on Friday after blasting through a stop sign when police tried to pull him over about 12.30pm. He was the subject of an 18-hour manhunt after the girl was snatched from a Key Foods store in Queens Village about 7.20pm on Thursday, police confirmed. The girl was there with her grandmother, who left her alone for a few minutes to go to the bathroom - which was all the time Noel needed to strike. Wayne Noel, 64, was the subject of an 18-hour manhunt for a pedophile who dragged a nine-year-old girl out of a Key Foods in Queens, NYC, by her hair and sexually assaulted her twice Noel walked up to her and demanded 'get in front of me', then grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of the supermarket and pushed her into his car. He drove the grey Honda about seven blocks where he sexually assaulted her until a passing Good Samaritan tried to stop him. Before the girl could be rescued, Noel drove away back to the Key Foods, where he sexually assaulted her a second time, police said. Noel then dumped her on the street and drove away. NYPD tasked every detective in the area with finding the rapist and identified Noel from Key Foods CCTV footage of the abduction. Noel died at New York Presbyterian-Queens on Friday after blasting through a stop sign when police tried to pull him over, and T-boning this red SUV Dramatic footage showed him T-bone a red SUV heading north on 212th Street, injuring both himself and the other driver The driver of the red SUV was also injured, but are believed to have survived Deputy Commissioner of operations Kaz Daughtry called the abductor 'epitome of evil' on Thursday night and vowed to hunt him down. 'It is almost unfathomable that such evil could take hold in a city we call home. The NYPD will not rest until this fiend is locked up behind iron bars,' he said. Noel's car was eventually tracked down on 90th Avenue in Queens and police tried to pull him over, but he refused and sped through a stop sign. Dramatic footage showed him T-bone a red SUV heading north on 212th Street, injuring both himself and the other driver. Noel was rushed to hospital but did not survive. Police comb over the scene of the crash where Noel was killed Police released this image of the grey Honda as the manhunt for Noel intensified The child molester has a long criminal history with four past arrests, the most recent an eerily similar robbery of a woman in 2022. Police said Noel approached her on Queens Boulevard and threatened her with a knife, then forced her into the same grey Honda. Fortunately, she managed to escape from the car and was not assaulted. Police said Noel may work for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, but this was not yet confirmed. A Labour MP has apologised after allegedly letting out flats with issues including black mould, broken lights, and even an ant infestation. Jas Athwal newly elected to the constituency of Ilford South in north-east London said he is 'profoundly sorry tenants have been let down' after the squalid conditions were discovered. A block of seven flats owned by Mr Athwal contained toxic black mould, broken fire alarms, dirt and even had insect infestations, a BBC investigation found. Mr Athwal, who is the biggest landlord in the House of Commons owning 15 rental flats, said he has now met with the property management company to 'understand failures in communication'. He claimed to be a 'renters' champion' and added: 'I'm proud to rent out homes with secure tenancies at below-market rents. Jas Athwal has apologised after allegedly letting out flats with issues including black mould, broken lights, and even an ant infestation Jas Athwal poses with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley A block of seven flats (pictured) owned by Mr Athwal contained toxic black mould, broken fire alarms, dirt and even had insect infestations, a BBC investigation found Picture of the black mould on the ceiling of one of the properties 'I want every one of my tenants to have excellent accommodation. 'I'm shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues. 'I know it's my responsibility to have issues addressed as soon as they arise and have met with the property management company to understand failures in communication. 'I'm profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down and will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward.' Tenants living inside Mr Athwal's flats said they were being threatened with eviction if they complained about the conditions. They added that Mr Athwal and his manager were slow to respond to complaints or were completely unresponsive. Pictures from the flats purportedly showed black mould, damage entrances and broken lights in communal areas. Andrew Boff, a Conservative member of the London Assembly who has also visited the flats, has urged the Labour Party and Redbridge Council to investigate. The former finance chief of Yellow Pages has been charged with a multi-million-pound fraud. According to claims made by former shareholders in the business directory, Tony Bates let his fingers do the walking to conceal the 'true financial position' of the firm 'with a view to gain for himself'. As a result, a London court was told, the Stock Exchange was 'furnished with false information', and the company collapsed soon after. The aggrieved shareholders lost everything, but they say it was no accident that Bates, 68, and his fellow executives shared a bumper 6.5 million payout in the year of the company's failure. That was almost double the directors' earnings a year earlier. Tony Bates, the former finance chief of Yellow Pages has been charged with a multi-million-pound fraud. Pictured outside court Before the internet, fat annual editions of the Yellow Pages phone book were the original 'search engine' for consumers (stock photo) Bates yesterday denied all ten counts of fraud in the first hearing of the case at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. Unusually, it is a private prosecution launched by former shareholders in Yell, the company which published Yellow Pages. They are bringing the case themselves after the police, Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority and Insolvency Service declined to do so. In court on Thursday, chartered accountant Bates, wearing a blue suit, initially sat alongside his barrister Stuart Biggs before district judge Denis Brennan told him to move into the dock. Speaking on behalf of the accountant, Mr Biggs said he would be making an application to have the case thrown out, arguing the private prosecutors found no evidence of fraud. But Judge Brennan referred the case on to Reading Crown Court for its next hearing, in October. Bates, who owns a 4 million house mortgage-free in Islington, north London, was given unconditional bail in the approach to the hearing. Mr Biggs had told the judge his client committed no offence, saying: 'This is a criticism of Mr Bates in his role as chief financial officer of a group of companies that went through a restructuring.' Bates yesterday denied all ten counts of fraud in the first hearing of the case at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court (pictured) A US court held a hearing on similar claims in 2021, but the judge ruled any such prosecution should be mounted in Britain. The former shareholders mounting the prosecution have yet to hire a lawyer, and were represented in court by one of their number, James Westhead. Before the internet, fat annual editions of the Yellow Pages phone book were the original 'search engine' for consumers. Adverts famously urged customers to 'let their fingers do the walking' to find the business they needed. But the company behind it, Yell, changed its name to Hibu in 2012 and then collapsed into administration, reporting a 2 billion loss. Donald Trump revealed Thursday that he will vote against a ballot referendum in Florida that would expand access to abortion in his adoptive state, after voicing his disagreements with a stricter six-week ban that left his position open to question. That came just days after Trump criticized Florida's six-week abortion ban in an interview with DailyMail.com, saying, 'I think it should be more than six weeks.' His campaign aides insisted his comments did not reveal his final position, which the candidate then clarified in an interview with Fox News late Friday following pressure from pro-life groups. 'So I think six weeks you need more time, then six weeks Ive disagreed with that right from the early primaries when I heard about it I disagreed with it,' Trump told the network, repeating the sentiment. 'At the same time the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation where you can do an abortion in the ninth month ... So Ill be voting no for that reason,' Trump said. The amendment on the ballot that he is now publicly opposing bars abortion restrictions up until the viability of the fetus, about 24 weeks or six months into pregnancy, with exceptions for the life and health of the mother. With a choice on Amendment 4 that offers a simple yes or no to voters, his response horrified allies in the anti-abortion movement, who are a critical part of his coalition. It followed other comments about protecting reproductive rights as Trump hopes to avoid the difficulties have suffered in off-year elections since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump appointed three of the conservative justices determined the majority ruling. And his campaign played cleanup on Thursday evening, after Trump made similar comments to NBC News. '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,' said Karoline Leavitt, Trump Campaign national press secretary. Trump had told NBC that 'I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks,' which further confused the issue, given that it is an up or down vote on the referendum at hand. 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' He told DailyMail.com at Mar-a-Lago that he had decided how he would vote. 'Well, I do know, but I do want more than six weeks,' he said. 'I want more than six weeks. Conservative commentator Erik Erikson was among those fuming at Trump's recent comments before he finally came out against the referendum, on a night of a big Kamala Harris interview. 'Instead of having all the focus on the Kamala Harris interview tonight, Trump decided to further divide the GOP. Not a good strategy for winning,' he posted on X. Vice President Kamala Harris issued a blistering statement following Trump's announcement. 'Donald Trump just made his position on abortion very clear: He will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant. Trump proudly brags about the role that he played in overturning Roe v. Wade and said there should be punishment for women who have an abortion. So, of course he thinks its a beautiful thing that women in Florida and across the country are being turned away from emergency rooms, face life-threatening situations, and are forced to travel hundreds of miles for the care they need,' she said. Vice President Kamala Harris blasted Trump's new statement 'And, understand: he is not done. As a part of Donald Trumps Project 2025 agenda, he and his allies would limit access to birth control, threaten access to fertility treatments and ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress. I trust women to make their own health care decisions and believe the government should never come between a woman and her doctor. When Im President and Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, I will proudly sign it into law. The choice in this election is clear. Florida bans almost all abortions after six weeks and, when asked how he would vote on a measure that would extend the limit to more than 20 weeks, Trump told DailyMail.com: 'I want more than six weeks.' Trump has walked a narrow path on the issue, knowing that it could hold the key to the 2024 election. During his administration he was happy to be seen as the most 'pro-life' president in history. He took credit for ending federal protections on abortion after the Supreme Court (including three of his picks) overturned Roe v Wade. But he has since expressed concern that Republicans could be battered at the ballot box if they push hardline federal bans. Instead, he said it was up to states to decide the matter. However, with his home state of Florida due in November to vote on Amendment 4, which would allow abortions up to the point of 'viability' when fetuses can survive outside the mother's womb, he cannot avoid explaining his personal position forever. He trailed a public reveal on the issue when DailyMail.com asked him how he would be voting. 'I think six weeks is a mistake. And I'll be expressing that soon, but I want more than six weeks,' he said at his Mar-a-Lago home, speaking for the first time about his thoughts on the referendum. '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.' The Trump Campaign issued a statement clarifying his position Democrats are putting abortion referenda on the ballot in November in a range of states There is no alternative to a yes or no, delighting supporters of a woman's right to choose, who took to social media in support. He said the same thing in a second TV interview a day later. But a key anti-abortion leader immediately got in touch with Trump to check his position. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said Trump hold her he had not yet committed to how he will vote. '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. 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' 'We strongly support Floridas current heartbeat law. For anyone who believes in drawing a different line, they still must vote against Amendment 4, unless they dont want a line at all. Amendment 4 would lock unlimited abortion into the state constitution, preventing the Florida legislature from enacting any changes.' Florida's hardline abortion law was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. 'Donald Trump has consistently stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and he's always stood up for parents' rights,' said Taryn Fenske, communications director for the governor's office. 'Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions. It's extreme and must be defeated.' William and Harrys attendance at a memorial this week is not thought to herald a reconciliation after they apparently left without talking to each other. The estranged brothers had family members between them as they departed the tiny church where the private service for their uncle took place. Witnesses say they did not see them speaking at a reception afterwards. The princes joint appearance at Thursdays service to commemorate the life of former royal courtier Lord Fellowes, who was married to their mother Dianas sister, Lady Jane, was described as a pleasant surprise. But in royal circles it is not being seen as a thaw in relations. Prince William is still understood to be deeply hurt by Harrys sustained and vitriolic attacks on his family. According to friends, he simply does not discuss Harry, and is instead focusing on his wife, Kate who is still undergoing treatment for cancer their children and his work. William and Harry's attendance at a memorial service for their uncle is not thought to be a reconciliation The brothers are not believed to have spoken properly for two years. Harry, whose PR team had previously briefed friendly media to say he would not be flying to the UK for the event, is not believed to have travelled on to meet with his father at Balmoral. King Charles is in residence at his Scottish estate with the Queen, and is about to host his new Prime Minister for the first time. Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, are due to arrive today for the annual summer tradition. Harry and Charles last saw each other briefly back in February, when the Duke of Sussex insisted on flying to the UK from California for a meeting that lasted barely 30 minutes after the Kings cancer diagnosis was announced. Harry has since returned to London once more, in May, but the Kings diary was full with work and his cancer treatment, meaning they did not meet. The prince has remained close to the family of his late mother, Princess Diana. Her brother, Earl Spencer, attended a service to mark the tenth anniversary of Harrys Invictus Games in London, while no senior royal was in attendance. Lord Fellowes was a long-time Buckingham Palace courtier who worked for Queen Elizabeth for 22 years until 1999. It was a period which covered both the breakdown of his sister-in-laws marriage to Charles and her death in 1997. He died in July at the age of 82, with a private funeral for a handful of close family held on Monday. A second larger memorial was held for 300 family and friends at his village church, St Marys in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday. Sources cannot rule out the brothers acknowledging each other, or even exchanging greetings. It is understood they both sat at the back of the church but not near each other. A Snettisham local said: We never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance. The vicar who conducted the service said that while he did not see them inside the church, William and Harry walked a few people apart as they left, and he did not see them speak at the reception. Lord Fellowes was a long-time Buckingham Palace courtier who worked for Queen Elizabeth for 22 years until 1999 The Reverend Dan Tansey admitted that he had been surprised to see them both there and had not been warned in advance. Asked if the brothers were sitting near each other in the church, he added: I dont know because I was in the vestry. When I came out to start the service, they had arrived, but I didnt even know they were there until after the service when I was meeting people on the way out. They came out and shook my hand, and said hello. I couldnt see where they were sat in the church. I was just greeting one person at a time as they came out. They came out a few people apart. Thankfully, I had not been informed so I wasnt able to say anything to people who kept asking me about it. I was in blissful ignorance. The Rev Tansey added: It was only as I was thanking the congregation as they left that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after that, so did Prince Harry. It was a surprise but a really pleasant one that they had both come, but maybe less shocking that William was there. On the way out, they both said thank you for the service and I thanked them for coming. It would have meant a lot to Lord Fellowes to have them both at the service. He loved them both very much. The vicar could not recall Harry and William speaking to each other at the reception. He said: I dont recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them. It was wonderful that the princes could both be there to support their aunt and cousins. Harry flew out of Los Angeles on Tuesday and slipped into the UK without fanfare. The prince, who is suing the Home Office for withdrawing his police protection when he quit royal duties and left the UK and says it is unsafe to bring his wife or family here, then travelled to Norfolk to attend the memorial. The parish church of St Mary in Snettisham, Norfolk, where the memorial service for Lord Fellowes was held (file photo) Harrys spokesman failed to respond to a request for comment. Kensington Palace also declined to comment on behalf of William, citing it as a private matter. But another source said William would never have stepped in to discourage his brother from coming to the service. They said: His [Harrys] appearance came as a surprise to most people, I think. I couldnt say what the ins and outs were, but what I can tell you is that Prince William is a decent guy. He would understand that his brother wanted to be there and that [his invitation] would be a matter for the Spencer family. I am sure he would have been warned beforehand and would have taken it in his stride. He is good at compartmentalising things like that. Dont forget it was his [Williams] idea, despite everything that had happened, to ask Harry and Meghan to join himself and Catherine for that walkabout at Windsor after Queen Elizabeth died. He did that knowing what his brother had done and that he planned to bring out his book. But he will always do the right thing in the circumstances. Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of fast-tracking his flagship transport policy of re-nationalising the railways to please his union 'paymasters'. In a highly unusual move, ministers have chosen to bypass the traditional process such laws go through when MPs debate it in the Commons next week. Rather than being scrutinised by a Public Bill Committee, the Government has opted for a Committee of the Whole House. It means the law to re-nationalise the railways, a long-held demand of union bosses, can pass weeks and possibly even months quicker. The fast-track measure is usually reserved for emergency legislation, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic when it was used to bring in social distancing rules speedily. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan on the picket line at Euston train station in London on April 5 Sir Keir Starmer was last night accused of fast-tracking his flagship transport policy of re-nationalising the railways to please his union 'paymasters' Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan doing media interviews on the picket line at Euston train station in London on April 5 It is also used following budgets so that tax and spending changes can happen quickly. This month the Government handed train drivers a 14.25 per cent pay hike, over three years, only for their Aslef union to call fresh strikes 48 hours later. It emerged last night that the Government has offered the militant RMT the same as Aslef. It means guards and station staff will get a 4.75 per cent hike for last year and 4.5 per cent this year. It came as the PM was also accused of prioritising the demands of the unions over passengers after figures showed delays on lines that have already been re-nationalised are more than twice as bad. Analysis of official data shows there was an average of 136,328 minutes of delays on lines run by private train firms last year. But for those already back in public ownership, there were 311,202 minutes on average per operator the equivalent of 216 extra days of delays. Meanwhile, lines which have already been brought into public ownership have been hit with 50 per cent more strike action. RMT union general secretary Mick Lynch leaves the Department for Transport in Westminster on August 20 Members of the Aslef union on a picket line near to Leeds train station on February 1 Tory transport spokesman Helen Whateley said: 'Keir Starmer is no doubt keen to shift the spotlight off Labour's cronyism and cruelty to pensioners. 'He is fast-tracking rail nationalisation plans to please his paymasters. 'Just weeks after promising to put country before party, Keir appears to have a new slogan: Unions First.' The Department for Transport was contacted for comment. Victorian detectives are investigating whether a mother found with a newborn baby on her porch in the middle of the night knew she was pregnant. The infant was found by paramedics in a critical condition outside a home in the early hours of Friday morning after the alarm was raised by the woman's partner. The baby was discovered at a Gladstone Road address in Dandenong North, 27km south-east of the Melbourne's CBD, with life-threatening injuries at about 2.40am. The infant's mother - a 25-year old disability worker known only as Irene - was also taken to hospital where she remains under police guard. Daily Mail Australia can reveal police have been told Irene may not have known she was pregnant before giving birth to the baby. Irene's housemates told reporters they had no idea the mother was pregnant. 'We just woke up and there was an incident and we had to call triple zero and they came and helped us,' said one woman, who wished to remain anonymous. Irene's housemates believe she may have given birth to the child some time that day in the same home where the child was later found outside. The baby was discovered outside a Gladstone Road address in Dandenong North, 27km south-east of the Melbourne 's CBD, with life-threatening injuries about 2.40am. Forensic police examined the scene outside the family home on Friday A disturbing bloodstain could be see on a window sill in the area of the home's car port The housemates were forced to spend the remainder of the night at the local police station while detectives investigated the scene. On Friday afternoon forensic police remained at the home where they were focused on an area in front of a parked car under the home's car port. A disturbing bloodstain could be see on a window sill in the area of the home's car port Detectives were also seen loitering around the area where they spoke to various members of the Kenyan community that arrived at the house. Irene's housemates had only known her for about three weeks after meeting her at a local community group for members of the Kenyan community. She is believed to have lived at the property since May. The women claimed Irene's partner had arrived at the home as the incident played out and pleaded to be let inside. It is understood he then called paramedics to raise the alarm. Irene's house mates claimed she had complained about 'cramps' earlier that day. 'Things happened very quickly ... we're just hoping that our friend is alright,' one woman said. 'We didn't know she was pregnant. We've only known her three weeks and we do back-to-back shifts so we don't get to (see) each other.' It is understood Irene's baby is no longer in a critical condition and is expected to survive its traumatic entry into the world. 'We pray for (Irene) and the baby,' a house mate said. Friends of Irene gathered outside the home on Friday Detectives are trying to work out how and why the baby ended up outside the home Police question a man outside the home on Friday. He is believed to be a friend of the mother Irene was observed to be happy in the days before she suddenly gave birth to the child, her house mates said. The incident comes after Australia was stunned by an alleged attack on a baby in a Brisbane Park. A woman and her baby were enjoying a picnic at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner about midday on Tuesday when they were approached by a stranger. It is alleged the man poured a thermos of coffee over the little boy, causing burns to 60 per cent of his body, before fleeing the scene. Detectives have urged anyone with information on the Dandenong incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. Pump jacks and wells operate an oil field in Kern County in 2014. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, was widely used in this field, but the practice is on the verge of being formally banned in California. David McNew/Getty Images Presidential contender Kamala Harris said in a CNN interview Thursday that she wont ban fracking nationwide. But her home state of California is about to do so. Oil companies havent used hydraulic fracturing to extract crude oil or natural gas in the state for at least two years, though the practice wasnt officially banned. Californias oil and gas regulator is putting a final end to fracking in the state with new rules that go into effect Oct. 1. There is no fracking going on in California, said Kevin Slagle, a spokesperson with the Western States Petroleum Association. Even the rigs that do that type of work have left the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial method of extracting crude oil and natural gas by injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the earth to break through bedrock. The fractures stimulate the flow of natural gas or oil. Critics of the process say that fracking can contaminate groundwater. The Newsom administration has asserted the practice worsens climate change. Chevron held the last active fracking permit, which was issued for a Kern County well in February 2021, according to records from the California Department of Conservations Geologic Energy Management Division. The permit expired in February 2022. Californias toxic love affair with fracking is finally coming to an end, said Hollin Kretzmann, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute, as part of a press release in July looking ahead to the formal ban. Its encouraging to see state regulators put peoples health and a livable planet over oil company profits. Fracking is just one method of extracting crude oil and gas from wells, and it was never widespread in California, though it is booming in other states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Crude oil production hit its peak in California in the 1980s, when the industry reported producing over a million thousand barrels per day between 1981 and 1986. Production has fallen ever since. The most recent data showed oil companies produced 285,000 barrels of crude oil per day in June from California oil fields. Slagle said that Californias tightening policies for fracking have led oil production in the state to decrease much more quickly than was anticipated, he said. At least 75% of the crude oil processed at California oil refineries is imported from outside of the United States, primarily Central America and the Middle East, according to Slagle. The remaining 25% comes from California oil wells. In 2019, before she became vice president, Harris favored a ban on fracking. In 2020, upon becoming the vice presidential candidate, she said the Biden administration would not ban fracking. In Thursdays interview, she told CNN in an interview that she would permit the practice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Slagle praised Harris for recognizing that fracking is a critical process for oil production. We hope to see those words followed by action, he said. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the crude oil production peak in California. Between 1981 and 1986, the industry reported producing over a million barrels per day. The boss of Australia's biggest bank has angrily denied ripping off customers with card payment fees - as the nation increasingly moves towards becoming a cashless society. Matt Comyn, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank, was confronted about the fees at the House of Representatives economics committee on Thursday. 'The marginal cost on an electronic and digital payment has come down substantially and those cost savings have been substantially passed on to consumers,' he told the Canberra hearing on Thursday. The exchange became heated when first-term Labor backbencher Jerome Laxale asked if digital cost savings had really been passed on to consumers, to which Mr Comryn replied: 'Absolutely.' 'All of the evidence will show ...,' he said. Mr Laxale interrupted him and laughed: 'That's not a saving.' Tensions simmered when the Labor MP held up a Mastercard with $5.08 tag and a $5 note to highlight typical 8 cent fees for a small transaction. 'That's not a saving,' Mr Laxale said again. Matt Comyn, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank, was adamant those paying with digital payments were now being charged less for every transaction The exchange became heated when first-term Labor backbencher Jerome Laxale questioned if digital cost savings had really been passed on to consumers Mr Comyn rejected his argument, closing his eyes in front of the lower house MPs as he tried to contain his anger. 'It's a false comparison and I am certainly not directing this at you: I find it somewhat alarming in the context of this, this is not about the Commonwealth Bank but I see this again and again,' he said. 'Over and over, businesses in Australia are being represented in this false dichotomy. 'That for a company to earn any sort of income or profit, it is therefore inferred often - or directly related and not necessarily by you Mr Laxale, but on a daily basis, this is somehow being unjustly extracted from consumers and I think this sort of, continuing, often sort of fact-free rhetoric that has been published more broadly is very damaging. 'And I say that damaging insofar as - it is really eroding trust in institutions, in all of our institutions. It's a real cause for concern.' Throughout much of the hearing, Mr Comyn looked down at the table rather than looking directly at the MPs grilling him. Matt Comyn, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank, told a tense Canberra hearing that Aussies who relied on digital payments were now being charged less for every transaction Price comparison website Canstar revealed in February total fees card fees went up $400million last year to a whopping $4billion. Australians are estimated to be spending an average of $140 in hidden fees. While inserting a card into an EFTPOS machine typically costs a merchant less than 0.5 per cent per transaction, using contactless Visa and Mastercard payment can amount to 0.5 to 1 per cent each time for debit cards and 1 per cent to 1.5 per cent for credit cards. On a $100 purchase, the average cost added is 28c for EFTPOS, 52c for using the Mastercard network, 47c for using Visa and a whopping $1.88 for digital payments provider Square. The costs are one of the many reasons more Australians are voicing their concerns about the transition to a cashless society, as physical branches and ATMs continue to close. During the 2022-23 financial year, 424 bank branches closed, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority showed. The number of branches has plunged by more than a third or 37 per cent from June 2017 to June 2023. The banking regulator's figures also showed the mass scrapping of ATMs, with the number plummeting by 60 per cent in just six years. In one year, 718 ATMs were removed. The Commonwealth Bank made a net cash profit of $9.836billion in 2023-24, marking a two per cent decline on the previous financial year. Mr Comyn earned $10.426million in 2022-23 based on his total remuneration with short and long-term bonuses. Two days ago, Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the memorial service for an uncle by marriage. He discreetly slipped into the church in the rural Norfolk village of Snettisham and, when the service was over, made an equally low-profile exit. Everyone present there were about 300 in attendance must have been asking themselves whether he would speak to his brother, the Prince of Wales. William, however, apparently left the church without exchanging a single syllable with his errant younger sibling. The wounds inflicted by Harry's absurdly offensive memoir Spare which not only gave details of an incident in which William knocked him to the ground but also made disparaging remarks about his wife Kate are still too raw to heal. The occasion which brought the brothers together was a memorial service for Robert Fellowes, the late Queen's Private Secretary from 1990-1999, who was made a life peer when he left the post. The soul of courtier-like discretion and loyalty, Lord Fellowes was a devoted member of our late monarch's household, an embodiment of everything which makes the Royal Family function. Despite the continuing frostiness between Harry and William, A.N. Wilson hope that they will be able to 'forgive each other's faults and to build bridges before it is too late' Our constitutional monarchy is a machine whose wheels are oiled by people like Robert Fellowes. And we can be sure that he would have understood totally why William feels that Harry is beyond the pale. After all, Harry and Meghan handled their exit from the Royal Family in the worst way imaginable. They tried to bounce the Queen into accepting a crazy formula that would have involved them being part-time royals - spending half the time living a celebrity lifestyle in California and the other half performing royal duties in Britain, or around the world. (Naturally, they expected to keep their royal titles and to be treated with that special deference offered to the working royals in this hybrid role.) They did not seem to realise that we give such deference to the likes of the late Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne not because we revere them personally - though we have good reason to do so - but because we revere the idea of the monarchy which they serve, Harry flew in to attend the memorial service for Robert Fellowes (pictured), the late Queen's Private Secretary - but it seems his brother left the church without saying a word to him St Mary's Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, where the service took place on Wednesday Prince William with his aunt, Lady Jane Fellowes, in 2021 Harry and Meghan had missed the point. They viewed the monarchy as a vehicle that would allow them to bask in the limelight. And they felt perfectly at liberty to be indiscreet and malicious about the rest of the Royal Family who not being part of the B-list celebrity crowd are not in a position to answer back. So William was right in a way to cut his brother at Lord Fellowes's memorial service. For the kind of part-time role which Harry and Meghan wanted was never going to be offered to them before they went to America, and is certainly not going to be offered to them now they have behaved with such exhibitionism, such spite and such utter idiocy. But, according to some reports, it would seem that the King's spiritual advisers, especially Bishop Richard Chartres, the former Bishop of London, have been urging him to reconcile with his younger son. None of us will live for ever, and the King's recent health problems only underline how vital it is for family members to love one another, to forgive each other's faults and to build bridges before it is too late. There was something terribly sad about Harry's flying visit to that Norfolk church. Whatever he might have so self-pityingly claimed in Spare, he and William used to love each other. They lived together through an unimaginable tragedy when their mother died. And it would have been somehow appropriate for them to embrace and make up at the memorial service of their mother's brother-in-law (Fellowes was married to Princess Diana's sister, Jane). So, let us all hope whatever harsh views we rightly take of Harry and Meghan's behaviour - that there will be a reconciliation. The late Queen made it clear that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could not be part-timers. You either are or you aren't a working royal, and they opted out. And out they must stay. But this does not mean that they must be everlastingly cold-shouldered, or that, behind closed doors, Harry could not be reunited with his father and his brother. After all, both of them have been through the same ghastly tragedy with him and are uniquely placed to know what that must be like. Since Isaac Newton was hit by his apple back in 1666, scientists have been trying to get their heads around the forces that shape our planet. While Earth's gravitational pull and magnetic field should be fairly familiar, scientists now say they have found a third field which is 'just as fundamental'. NASA researchers have found the first evidence of a subtle, almost undetectable electric field surrounding the planet. This 'ambipolar electric field' could be responsible for the mysterious winds of supersonic particles that constantly shoot out from the Earth's poles. What's more, the researchers claim the discovery could even help explain why life formed here on Earth and nowhere else. NASA researchers have discovered a hidden field of energy surrounding our planet which is 'just as important as gravity' The field was discovered by launching the rocket Endurance (pictured) from the remote island of Svalbard In the 1960s, as the first spacecraft began to orbit the Earth, space agencies began to notice strange phenomena over the poles. As the spaceships passed overhead, they would be blasted by a sudden supersonic wind of charged particles erupting from the atmosphere. But while scientists have known for more than 50 years that these 'polar winds' exist, no one has yet been able to explain what causes them. Some of the particles may just be heated by unfiltered sunlight and escape like steam from a boiling pot. But others were more mysterious, as scientists also found a constant flow of hydrogen ions which were completely cool - despite travelling at supersonic speeds. Lead author Dr Glyn Collinson, of NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, says: 'Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere.' Since the 1960s scientists have known that there are streams of particles leaving the atmosphere over the poles but only now do they have the technology required (pictured) to detect the ambipolar electrical field responsible for this Researchers hypothesised that the particles could be pulled out of the atmosphere by a planet-wide electrical charge somewhere around 150 miles (250 km) above the surface. At this altitude, the atoms in our atmosphere begin to break apart into negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions. Since the ions are 1,836 heavier than electrons, they should sink towards the Earth under the influence of gravity. But since they have opposite charges, the electrons and ions are tethered together by an electric field which pulls in both directions - hence the name ambipolar. Like a dog pulling on its lead, the electrons drag their ions upwards against the force of gravity and lift them out of the atmosphere. However, until very recently, the technology to measure this field simply did not exist. Over the 322 miles (518 km) travelled (illustrated left), the rocket detected an electrical potential difference of just half a volt. Although weak, this is exactly what scientists had predicted Starting in 2016, researchers began to develop a rocket capable of measuring what they believed to be a very small voltage difference across hundreds of miles. This culminated in NASA's Endurance Mission, which launched from the remote Norwegian island of Svalbard - just a few hundred miles south of the North Pole. The researchers needed to make the journey to this distant island because it is the only place in the world where detecting the ambipolar electric field is possible. Around the poles, the Earth's magnetic field produces 'open field lines' which shoot outwards into space rather than forming closed loops. Co-author Professor Suzanne Imber, a space physicist at the University of Leicester, UK, told the MailOnline: 'The field is generated by electrons, which have some thermal pressure that allows them to rise to higher altitudes on open field lines. The rocket had to be launched from the island of Svalbard (pictured) which is close to the North Pole since it is home to the only rocket launch station far enough North to detect the field 'The electrons are tied to the magnetic field, so this is only detectable over the poles because high magnetic latitudes are where the field lines go from the surface out to space.' This was made even more challenging by the fact that these field lines don't stay in the same place but rather move continuously. 'Its a bit of a disaster if you get that wrong and launch your rocket at the wrong moment - you only get one shot at the experiment,' Professor Imber says. Despite shifting field lines and white-out blizzards, the team managed to launch their rocket into a suborbital flight on May 11, 2022. Endurance, named after Ernest Shackleton's polar expeditions, flew to an altitude of 477.23 miles (768.03 km), splashing down 19 minutes later in the Greenland Sea. Across the 322 miles (518 km) of altitude across which Endurance gathered data, it found an electrical charge potential of just 0.55 volts. The rocket had to be launched between open magnetic field lines (blue) otherwise the mission would be a failure. It is only between these lines that the ambipolar electric field can lift particles out of the atmosphere into space Layers of the atmosphere Troposphere is where humans live and weather exists, the lowest layer stretching up to about six miles. Stratosphere extends up to about 40 miles and contains much of the ozone in the atmosphere. Mesosphere sits just above the stratosphere where temperature decreases with height, reaching -130F. Thermosphere is where temperatures begin to increase with height, caused by the absorption of UV and X-rays. Ionosphere is part of Earth's upper atmosphere, between 50 and about 370 miles where Extreme UltraViolet creates a layer of electrons. Exosphere starts at 310 miles and contains oxygen and hydrogen atoms, but in very low numbers. Magnetosphere features charged particles along magnetic field lines in two bands at 1,800 and 10,000 miles above the surface. Advertisement Dr Collinson says: 'A half a volt is almost nothing its only about as strong as a watch battery, but thats just the right amount to explain the polar wind.' Even though this force is very small, across such a vast area the researchers believe it is responsible for boosting the height of the ionosphere, a layer of the atmosphere, by 271 per cent. 'Its like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space,' Dr Collinson says. Since this field has only just been discovered, the researchers are still not sure what effect it might have had on the Earth's development, but the consequences could be huge. Critically, there is some suggestion that it might be part of the reason why Earth still has water while planets like Venus and Mars have dried up. In 2016, the European Space Agencys Venus Express mission found that Venus' ionosphere generates a 10-volt potential around the entire planet. As intense sunlight split positively charged oxygen ions from the hydrogen in water, this charge could have sucked them into space like a planet-sized vacuum cleaner. Over time, this process might have emptied all of Venus' water into space and left it as the barren wasteland we now see. Since the Earth's ambipolar electric field is much weaker, this could be part of the set of factors which determine whether a planet is habitable in the long term. Dr Collinson says: '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.' Whether it's where you left your keys or why you walked into a room, there are often times when our memories fail us. But if you're regularly left scratching your head, you'll be happy to hear that help is at hand. A Cambridge scientist has revealed his ingenious memory trick - and it's deceptively simple. According to Professor Jon Simons, actively trying to remember something is what can stop the memory from being retrieved. Instead, he advises thinking about something else or finding a way to relax in order to retrieve memories. Whether it's where you left your keys or why you walked into a room, there are often times when our memories fail us. But if you're regularly left scratching your head, you'll be happy to hear that help is at hand (stock image) The head of the Cambridge University Memory Lab explained his memory trick on the Rosebud podcast. 'What happens when we're really really trying to remember something, is often by that very effort block the memory from being retrieved,' he explained. 'And it's only when that effort that we've put in gradually subsides and we maybe think about other things or we just calm down and relax that the memory is able to be retrieved.' On the podcast, host Gyles Brandreth spoke about a time he remembered the name of someone he'd last thought of 55 years ago. According to Professor Jon Simons, actively trying to remember something, such as where you last saw your phone, is what can stop the memory from being retrieved (stock image) In response, Professor Simons said: 'This phenomenon that you describe, the sort of tip of the tongue sensation it sounds like you had, where you know it's there but you can't quite bring it to mind, is a very common sensation that we all experience from time to time. 'That - the feeling you knew it was in there - suggests it was one of those memories that for one reason or another had defied time and was something you remembered. 'And so that does happen, and then it is interesting how often you can puzzle and puzzle and puzzle over something and really, really try to remember it and struggle - and then the moment you think about something else, suddenly it pops into your head and that's quite a common experience.' A controversial linen shroud regarded by some to be the one in which Jesus Christ was buried has baffled the world ever since it became public in the 14th century. This cloth, which we know today as the Shroud of Turin, first surfaced around the year 1355 AD in the small French village of Lirey, drawing pilgrims to wonder at its unusual 'photo negative' image of a crucified man. But there's little official record of the Shroud before this moment, when it had been brought to dean of the village's church by French knight Geoffroi de Charny. Skeptics have long pointed to this millennia-long gap in the Shroud's early history as evidence of forgery, alongside radiocarbon dating from 1989 supporting this idea. But with new research throwing that radiocarbon dating into doubt, could the Turin Shroud have a 'secret history' to account for its vast time outside historical records? Markwardt argues that persecuted early Christians concealed their faith out of fear of persecution - a historical fact known as the 'Discipline of the Secret'. It was not until 1978 when the first physical samples were allowed to be taken from the cloth, which was done using adhesive tape to carefully remove particles off the front fibers. Dr. Max Frei, a Swiss criminologist, can be seen taking samples from the shroud That's the idea behind a provocative book, 'The Hidden History of the Shroud of Turin' by American attorney and author Jack Markwardt. Markwardt argues that there is good reason the Shroud was initially concealed, and that this mysterious cloth could be an authentic relic of the Passion of the Christ. Was the Shroud initially concealed out of fear? In his book, Markwardt details how early Christians concealed their faith out of fear of persecution a historically documented practice known in Latin as Disciplina arcani or the 'Discipline of the Secret.' This 4th and 5th century custom in the early Church dictated that certain doctrines should be kept secret from non-believers and even people still learning the faith. In 'The Hidden History of the Shroud of Turin' American attorney Jack Markwardt argues that there is good reason the Shroud was initially concealed in early Christian history The rules of Disciplina arcani, Markwardt contends, would have meant that the embryonic Christian church would have concealed the existence of the Shroud. 'When, shortly after Jesus' death, his disciples, now organized as a Church, were confronted with religious persecution,' he writes. 'They obeyed his directives by resorting to secrecy and concealing, from non-believers, every pearl of the new faith, including the Turin Shroud.' But while the Shroud remained concealed, allusions to a very similar relic are found in several ancient sources, according to Markwardt, hinting at its custody and whereabouts during this period of intense secrecy. The author and attorney claims that St Peter himself took the Shroud with him to Antioch: an ancient Greek city along the Orontes River, now in modern day the Republic of Turkiye, with a storied role in the medieval Crusades. From there, the Shroud is believed to have ended up concealed (again) deeper within the walls of Antioch, above the city's Cherubin Gate. Markwardt argues that early Christians concealed the shroud out of fear As evidence, Markwardt cites the apocryphal 'Gospel of the Hebrews' which makes reference to 'the Lord' giving 'the linen cloth to the servant of the priest.' Was the Shroud 'hidden in plain sight'? Mysteriously, during this period when Markwardt claims that the Shroud was hidden within the walls of Antioch, the cloth's bearded image began to influence works of art depicting Jesus, who had previously been shown as a beardless young man. Why then, suddenly, across 3rd to 5th century artworks, does Jesus begin to appear in Christian art sporting a beard? Author Ian Wilson has suggested that writing from the period about the so-called 'Image of Edessa' may actually have been the Shroud itself, folded over four times, and presented solely as an image of the face of Christ. The Image of Edessa supposedly dates from an ancient king, King Abgar of Edessa, in what is now Urfa in Turkiye, requesting that Jesus cure him of an illness. 'Four texts and a work of art confirm that Pope Eleutherius, upon receiving [King] Abgar the Great's request to become a Christian,' Markwardt writes, not only 'effectuated his baptism' but 'directed that the Turin Shroud be displayed to him.' Markwardt argues that early Christians concealed the shroud out of fear The Catholic Pontiff's hope, according to the author, was boost the king's confidence in his conversion, 'to affirm him in his decision to be baptized.' A more mythologized account, explored by the National Catholic Register, suggested that one of King Abgar's recent ancestors had petitioned the still-living Jesus for a visit to cure him via one of his celebrated miracles. According to this legend, Jesus declined, but sent a letter which manifested an image of Jesus, that by varying accounts was either painted or 'God-made.' Still other accounts also imply that the Shroud was out and on display in the region in the decades and centuries shortly after the reported date of Christ's crucifiction. In the Sermon of Athanasius, supposedly written by a fourth century bishop of Alexandria, there is reference to 'a picture of the Lord Jesus Christpainted on a tablet of boards [that] contained the image of our Lord and Savior at full length.' As Markwardt argues: 'The Shroud is the only full-length "holy image of our Lord and Savior" associated with Jesus' Passion even putatively datable to that time.' 'Assuming that this text is truly authentic and reliable,' he said of the sermon text, 'it is clearly connected with the flight of the Church of Jerusalem.' 'It is incumbent upon those who would claim that, at that time, the Turin Shroud either did not exist or was concealed,' Markwardt contends, 'to identify a full-length "holy image of our Lord and Savior" associated with Jesus' Passion, other than the Turin Shroud, to which the Sermon of Athanasius could possibly refer.' Was the history of the Shroud deliberately concealed? Markwardt claims that much of the doubt around the origin of the Shroud may have come from stories spun by Justinian I, as part of the Eastern Roman emperor's efforts to secure the Shroud for himself. Justinian deliberately spread a story around a facial image of Jesus which originated from the small Cappadocian village of Camulania, the attorney said, and this tale gave fodder to people who wanted to deny the Shroud's ancient origins. 'By creating the illusion [] the emperor Justinian I effectively, and forever, obliterated the relic's apostolic provenance,' Markwardt writes, 'its entire ancient history, and its five-centuries-long affiliation with the Church of Antioch.' 'This covetous, rapacious, and scheming Byzantine emperor,' he said, 'more than any other person, is responsible for the historical obscurity which presently surrounds the Turin Shroud [and] the doubt which presently surrounds its authenticity.' A fiery explosion of a Space X rocket this week could spell even more misery for the two NASA astronauts stranded in space. The unmanned Falcon 9 rocket failed to land successfully after launching satellites into space, bursting into flames before toppling over on its side. This is bad news for the two astronauts that Boeing's faulty Starliner left stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for almost three months. Their only hope is to return to Earth on SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which will take off using the Falcon 9 rocket, and is supposed to get them home by February 2025. But the latest setback threatens to push that date back even further. A full timeline of Boeing's Starliner program, from the singing of their massive contact to the incident that left two astronauts stranded aboard the ISS. The FAA now has to launch an investigation into what went wrong with Falcon 9, which could interfere with SpaceX's rescue mission schedule, and ultimately delay Crew Dragon's launch date significantly. 'Depending on circumstances, some mishap investigations might conclude in a matter of weeks. Other more complex investigations might take several months,' the agency's website states. What's more, SpaceX plans to use Falcon 9 to launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which means the Starliner crew's return to Earth is incumbent upon the booster actually working. But the booster's recent technical issues suggest that a successful launch in September isn't exactly guaranteed. The worst case scenario - a lengthy FAA investigation followed by more issues with Falcon 9 - could delay Crew Dragon's launch even further. NASA will want to be certain the rocket is flawless before allowing it to carry a manned crew, which could mean several more tests between now and that rescue mission. SpaceX did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment about a time frame. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore launched toward the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5. The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - had been plagued by helium leaks and thruster issues in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of. The spacecraft safely delivered Williams and Wilmore to the ISS, but by the time it got there, it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft was plagued by technical issues even before in launched on June 5. NASA ultimately deemed it unsafe to return its crew to Earth. Williams and Wilmore were originally supposed to spend only eight days on the ISS, but the technical issues with their spacecraft have left them stuck up there for nearly three months now. In a press conference on August 24, NASA officials announced that it would be too risky to bring the astronauts home on faulty Starliner. Instead, they will return home on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov toward the ISS on September 24, according to a NASA statement released today. The means that Williams and Wilmore will remain on the ISS until February 2025 at the earliest. The decision was humiliating for Boeing, which has struggled for years to get their Starliner program off the ground only to be bailed out at the eleventh hour by their biggest competitor. 'We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse,' one employee anonymously told the New York Post. 'We hate SpaceX,' he added. 'We talk s*** about them all the time, and now they're bailing us out.' At this point, it's unclear whether Starliner will ever be able to complete a crewed mission to the ISS. NASA is planning to decommission the ISS by 2030, giving Boeing just five years to fix Starliner's technical issues and successfully send and return astronauts to space. To put that in perspective, it's already been five years since Starliner's first failed uncrewed test flight. But it's possible that Boeing could retire Starliner before they even hit that deadline, as the company has already sunk $1.6 billion into the spacecraft's development. SpaceX's Falcon 9 burst into flames in a landing mishap that occurred after a launch that delivered 21 Starlink Satellites to low-Earth orbit. The FAA plans to investigate the incident The Falcon 9 booster failed after a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Florida early Wednesday morning as part of a mission to deliver 21 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. This was the rocket's 23rd launch. The launch went smoothly, and the booster was able to separate from the upper stage before beginning its return to Earth. But it was all downhill from there. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket failed to properly land on its intended target: an uncrewed drone ship named 'A Shortfall of Gravitas.' Instead, the booster exploded into flames and then tumbled onto its side. Although the overall mission was a success, the Federal Aviation Administration has halted any more Falcon 9 launches until it determines the cause of the mishap. '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,' FAA officials said in written statement. The launch of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission (pictured) has been delayed indefinitely pending an FAA investigation into a Falcon 9 landing mishap The crew for the Polaris Dawn mission are (from left to right) billionaire Jared Isaacman, SpaceX engineers Anna Menon, and Sarah Gillis, and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott Poteet This is the second time the FAA has grounded Falcon 9 in the last two months. The agency halted Falcon 9 launches for two weeks in July after one of the rocket's upper-stage liquid oxygen tanks leaked, preventing a batch of satellites from deploying properly and causing them to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. It's unclear how long this new investigation will take. In the meantime, a crew of four SpaceX astronauts awaits the launch of the Polaris Dawn mission, in which Falcon 9 will carry them to orbit for five days. The mission, funded and crewed by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, is expected to make history by reaching higher altitudes than humans have traveled since NASA's Apollo program in the 1970s, and performing the first commercial spacewalk. Life on board the ISS is very cramped, and astronauts Barry Wilmore (left) and Sunita Williams (right) will endure another six months on board Your browser does not support iframes. But Polaris Dawn has already been delayed several times due to unfavorable weather conditions and technical issues. It was originally scheduled to launch on Tuesday. Friday would have been the earliest date that Polaris Dawn could launch, but the FAA's investigation has now put the mission in limbo. As for the stranded Starliner crew, they'll just have to hope that the FAA investigation doesn't drag on, and that Falcon 9 successfully launches the Crew Dragon mission in September. Meanwhile, Boeing's Starliner is set to return to Earth uncrewed on September 6, according to NASA. NASA officials have reported that the astronauts are 'doing fine' and keeping busy with day-to-day tasks and science experiments. But it's only plausible that they're feeling some frustration after a mission that was supposed to last about a week transformed into an eight-month-long nightmare. Google is urging its users to 'apply patches quickly' and 'keep software fully up-to-date' after discovering a nine-month-long cyberattack it has tied to Russian spies. Worse still, this Russian espionage campaign appears to have leveraged commercial 'spyware' developed by a Greek cyber intelligence firm that had been sanctioned by the US government this March for 'misuse of surveillance tools.' Spyware made by the firm, Intellexa, based on the island of Cyprus, have been implicated in attacks everywhere from Ireland to Vietnam to the United States. Fortunately, according to Google, most of the vulnerabilities exploited by this specific hacking operation have been patched for users who installed crucial updates to Apple iOS and its Safari browser and Google Chrome. Google is urging its users to 'apply patches quickly' after discovering a nine-month-long cyberattack it has tied to Russian spies. The tech giant said these vulnerabilities have been patched for users who installed updates to Apple iOS, its Safari browser and Google Chrome Google's Threat Analysis Group assessed with 'moderate confidence' that the hacking campaigns it uncovered were linked to Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Above, Vladimir Putin visiting SVR's Moscow headquarters on the spy agency's 100th anniversary In their report, Google's Threat Analysis Group noted that the flaws exposing iPhone or iPad users to these attacks were patched in September 2023 for anyone who has updated to Apple iOS 16.7 and Safari 16.6.1. Similarly, for Android phone owners and users of the Google Chrome browser, their own vulnerabilities to these attacks were fixed by May 2024 with Chrome version 124.0.6367.201/.202 for Windows and macOS, and version 124.0.6367.201 for Linux. 'We notified both Apple and our partners at Android and Google Chrome about the campaigns at the time of discovery,' Google security engineer Clement Lecigne said. Lecigne, who is based in Switzerland, added that Google's threat analysis assessed with 'moderate confidence' that the hacking campaigns the discovered in the wild were 'linked to the Russian government-backed actor APT29.' Sometimes known as Cozy Bear or Group 100, APT29 is an evolving set of hacking and spyware tools that Western intelligence has long accused of being the work of a hacking team acting on behalf of Russia's foreign spy agency, SVR. The APT29 hacking payloads were discovered hidden on government websites for the Mongolia's cabinet and ministry of foreign affairs suggesting espionage goals. 'We also notified the Mongolian CERT [Cybersecurity Emergency Response Teams] to remediate the infected websites,' Lecigne noted in his report. But Google's cybersecurity researchers advised that there is wider concern that this form of attack is likely to be replicated, not only by Russian state-sponsored hackers but by any well-trained team using these same spyware tools. In a timeline published with their new report on these case, Google's Threat Analysis Group noted that the core 'exploits' used to turn these two Mongolian government websites into a 'watering hole' trap for unsuspecting visitors on the web likely officials of this central Asian country and perhaps US diplomats and spies in the region came from commercial spyware companies. 'In each iteration of the watering hole campaigns,' Lecigne's report noted, 'the attackers used exploits that were identical or strikingly similar to exploits from CSVs [commercial surveillance vendors] Intellexa and NSO Group.' Since at least November 2021, the Biden Administration has blacklisted the mercenary spyware firm NSO Group on the US Commerce Department's Entity List barring American companies from doing business with the Israeli outfit. In a timeline published with their new report, Google's Threat Analysis Group noted that the core 'exploits' used to turn two Mongolian government websites into a 'watering hole' trap for unsuspecting visitors on the web came from two spyware companies sanctioned by the US One of those firms, Intellexa, was sanctioned this March for its Predator tool, by which hackers can infiltrate devices through stunning 'zero-click' attacks that require no user interaction The White House accused NSO of allowing its proprietary Pegasus software of being 'misused around the world to enable human rights abuses, including to target journalists, human rights activists, or others perceived as dissidents and critics.' Intellexa was similarly sanctioned for its Predator tool, by which hackers can infiltrate devices through stunning 'zero-click' attacks that require no user interaction. Google's security team noted that it alarming to see suspected Russian state actors benefiting from already patched security flaws via commercial spyware packages. The campaign clearly implied that spies hoped to infiltrate a maximum number of Mongolian government officials and visiting foreign diplomats, banking on individuals failing to update their personal web-browsing software. Older patched security flaws, called n-day exploits, typically have been thought of as less of a security concern than brand new unpatched flaws, known as 0-day exploits. 'We do not know how the attackers acquired these exploits,' Lecigne cautioned. 'What is clear,' he noted, 'is that APT actors are using n-day exploits that were originally used as 0-days by CSVs.' Why is one of the great natural wonders of the world seldom mentioned on our bucket lists? (Or maybe that should be barrel list, given the number of foolhardy folk whove chosen that way of seeing the Niagara Falls up close?). Some facts: Niagara Falls is on the border between New York State in the U.S. and the southern part of Ontario in Canada. There are two towns a Canadian Niagara Falls and an American one and three waterfalls at right angles to one another: the giant Horseshoe Falls and the smaller (but still mighty) American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. We check into the Giacomo Hotel at dusk and wander over to the Rainbow Bridge that joins Canada and the U.S. And there, in the twilight, is Niagara Falls bigger, louder and more stupendous than Id ever imagined. The Giacomo is an elegant 1929 skyscraper that dominates the U.S. town of Niagara Falls. From our 13th-floor room, I can see the falls illuminated, clouds of spray hanging over the Horseshoe. Water world: Mark Jones discovers the joys of Niagara Falls In the morning, we cross the bridge into the Niagara Falls State Park. When the park was created in 1885, the Falls were a mess, dominated by industry and cheap lodging. The park became a buffer zone between the town and the Falls, a place where you still can walk in peace. Not that youd call the sound of 5.9 million cubic feet of water a minute descending a vertical 160 ft drop exactly peaceful. We take the Cave of the Winds walk by the edge of the American Falls. The cave is long gone: its actually a metal mesh walkway which skirts the torrent. As we reach the edge of the Falls, its like being hit by a Force 10 gale at sea as the spray lashes our ponchos and soaks our socks. (Tip: bring your Crocs and a waterproof case for your phone.) Then we emerge into calm and sunshine. Its an exhilarating encounter. Mark was able to see the Falls from his hotel room at Giacomo (pictured), an 'elegant' 1929 skyscraper that dominates the U.S. town of Niagara Falls Above, tourists admire the waterfalls from Niagara Falls State Park 'There are people who say Niagara County is only worth a two-hour visit on the way to somewhere else but I beg to differ,' declares Mark So its a shock to learn that the power is not entirely natural, as we discover when we visit the Niagara Power Vista, a power station downstream from the Falls. In 1956, the old Schoellkopf power plant broke apart and collapsed into the gorge. Then, under Robert Moses, the notorious master builder who almost turned New York City into one big motorway, they created the new plant in just three years. Itd take that long to get a permit for a shed these days. We learn that the flow of water is controlled. If the power station got all the power it wanted, the Falls would be no more than a trickle. So they reduce the flow overnight. In essence, Niagara Falls is the biggest tap on the planet. Later, we take the celebrated Maid Of The Mist boat, which gets as close to the Horseshoe as it dares. Its like being in a giant open-air carwash. Then, best of all, we board a helicopter for an unforgettable 15 minutes swooping above the Falls, which look even more stupendous from above. Mark says Old Fort Niagara (seen here) in Niagara County offers 'epic views and a fascinating history' Less magnificent is the area surrounding the U.S. Niagara. The decline of heavy industry was followed by an environmental disaster where chemicals were dumped in the Love Canal, a failed attempt to take the waters inland. But there are signs of regeneration. The city centre, long dominated by empty lots and casino hotels, now has food trucks and outdoor concerts. In Third Street, theres a row of bars and cafes. We had a jolly time at The Craft, the nearest thing Niagara has to a neighbourhood local. Best of all, the huge Hotel Niagara, once frequented by Marilyn Monroe when she filmed the 1953 movie Niagara but deserted for 20 years, is due to get a $50 million refurb. Mark recommends visiting Lewiston (pictured), a 'gorgeous riverside village of clapboard houses, antiques shops and gastropubs' There are people who say Niagara County is only worth a two-hour visit on the way to somewhere else but I beg to differ. Visit Lockport to see the five huge locks which make the Grand Union Canal look like a toy. Its also the birthplace of the novelist Joyce Carol Oates, whose novel The Falls captures the atmosphere of its 1950s heyday. The impressive Old Fort Niagara at the northern point, where the river empties into Lake Ontario, has epic views you can see Toronto 32 miles in the distance and a fascinating history: built by the French, taken over by the British, and a flashpoint in the 1812 war when the Americans tried to move into Canada. Consider staying a couple of nights in Lewiston, a gorgeous riverside village of clapboard houses, antiques shops and gastropubs. But youll be drawn back to the Falls, an awe-inspiring work of natures engineering and youll wonder how it ever slipped off your list. Good Morning Britain fans begged 'don't do that again' as Adil Ray poorly attempted a Mancunian accent in an attempt to impersonate Oasis on Friday. The scenes of the presenter, 50, were so 'cringe' viewers dramatically threatened to 'take their TVs off the wall'. During the show's latest episode, Adil and his co-presenter Kate Garraway streamed a segment announcing Oasis's reunion tour. After a piece showing the inside of a super fan's Oasis-themed living room, the show panned back to the London Studio, where Adil attempted a few lines speaking in the northern accent. Scrunching his face and waving his arms about, he said: 'So I sold me ouse (sic), sold me (sic) car, we're going to Oasis'. Good Morning Britain fans have begged, 'don't do that again' as Adil Ray poorly attempted a Mancunian accent in an attempt to impersonate Oasis on Friday The scenes of the presenter, 50, were so 'cringe' viewers dramatically threatened to 'take their TVs off the wall' He then carried on his impression and continued with his unfathomable speech. Following the awkward moment, viewers flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their second-hand embarrassment for the TV personality. One penned: '@GMB @adilray please don't do that Oasis impression again. I almost took my TV off the wall.#gmb' 'Who told Adil he's funny?' 'Adil should never be on tv. Moving off to another channel' 'How annoying is 'adil ray trying to be cool and do an impression of Oasis?!' 'ADIL RAY has quite a nasty 'sense of humour' - He sometimes deals out insults and cynical remarks under a veil of 'humour' and then laughs uproariously at his own jokes' 'As if Adil wants to see Oasis!' During the show's latest episode, Adil and his co-presenter Kate Garraway streamed a segment announcing Oasis's reunion tour After a piece showing the inside of a super fan's Oasis-themed living room, the show panned back to the London Studio, where Adil attempted a few lines speaking in the northern accent It comes as ticket prices for Oasis's upcoming reunion tour were revealed on Thursday, with the cheapest costing 73. 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 Gigs And Tours has revealed the prices for seeing 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'. 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. 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'. Scrunching his face and waving his arms about, he said: 'So I sold me ouse (sic), sold me (sic) car, we're going to Oasis' 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 Madame Blanc Mysteries is just months away from returning to TV screens, it was revealed on Thursday, after a string of rave reviews. The future of the beloved crime drama was revealed this week with show bosses confirming fans will not only get a Christmas special but also a fourth series. Series creator Sally Lindsay will be back as antiques dealer turned private detective Jean White, with Steve Edge starring as her side kick, Dom Hayes. Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness will also be returning as eccentric lady of the manor Judith Lloyd James, and Robin Askwith as her husband Jeremy. Alex Gaumond will be back as Major Andre Caron, as well as Tony Robinson as Patrick and Paul Chuckle as Trevor, with some guest appearances. The Madame Blanc Mysteries is just months away from returning to TV screens, it was revealed on Thursday with show creator Sally Lindsay back as Jean White (Sally pictured with Alex Gaumond as Major Andre Caron) Only Fools And Horses star Sue Holderness (pictured in 2001) will also be returning as eccentric lady of the manor Judith Lloyd James, and Robin Askwith as her husband Jeremy Fans of the show will taken to the village of Sainte Victoire in the South of France as Jean continues to solve mysteries and murders for the Christmas special, with six-episode series four being released in 2025. Speaking in a press release, Sally said: 'I think if you had told me five years ago when I came up with the idea of Madame Blanc that in the not too distant future our show would be not only a hit in the United Kingdom but America, Australia, Canada (to name but a few), I would have been astounded. 'But, amazingly, it is! And our team could not be more thrilled to bring you a brand new season of sunshine, laughs and antiques. 'All the gang are back with some more fantastic surprise guests visiting St. Victoire and we cant wait for you all to enjoy soon.' Commissioning Editor for Channel 5, Greg Barnett, added: 'The Madame Blanc Mysteries has won over the hearts of our audience, and we cant wait to say "Bonjour" to our Sainte Victoire favourites once again. 'The crime rates may be sky-high in this village, but were in great hands with the brilliant Jean White, and trusty sidekicks, to crack every case.' The series first aired in 2021 and became an instant hit, with each episode scoring around 2.5 million viewers. The Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens awarded the 'blissfully undemanding detective drama' four stars. Sally and Alex will be joined by Steve Edge as Dom Hayes (centre left), Sue Vincent (second left) as Gloria, Sue Holderness (second right) as eccentric lady of the manor Judith Lloyd James, and Robin Askwith (right) as her husband Jeremy Fans of the show will taken to the village of Sainte Victoire in the South of France as Jean continues to solve mysteries for the Christmas special, with series four being released in 2025 He said: 'Sally's all-round talents as the showrunner are impressive. Not only does she devise and write the neatly interlocking plots with co-star Sue Vincent, but she recognises the importance of giving viewers faces they recognise as old friends. 'Ageing cheeky chappie and star of the Confessions movies Robin Askwith hams up a lovely double act with Sue Holderness, alias Boycie's wife Marlene from Only Fools. They play perma-sloshed expats, living on the fringes of trouble.' A screenshot of the website Amanda Riley maintained to solicit money from people as she pretended to suffer from cancer. The screenshot appeared in court filings from federal prosecutors. U.S. District Court For Amanda Riley, a South Bay woman who pleaded guilty to fraud after raising money while pretending to have terminal cancer, hospital visits have continued to consume her days, even as she serves her five-year sentence in federal prison. During her first 18 months at the Carswell facility in Fort Worth, Texas, Riley was taken by ambulance to an emergency room on 24 occasions, following reports that included an increased heart rate, chest pains and a cut to her head that resulted in a large amount of bleeding, according to federal court records. But Rileys list of maladies, which were laid out in a recent bid for an early prison release, drew sharp rebuke from prosecutors, who maintain that, yet again, shes faking it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Perhaps not surprisingly Defendants medical records make clear that she does not actually suffer from any acute health problems at all, U.S. Attorney Michael Pitman said in a reply to Rileys motion for a sentence reduction this spring. Citing notes from medical records, Pitman said health care professionals repeatedly witnessed Riley attempting to skew test results: Riley was allegedly seen holding her breath during an oxygen saturation test, manipulating an infusion pump that was administering potassium to her, and intentionally stress (ing) her body to create tachycardia, which is a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute, according to court documents. Prosecutors said at least four doctors and a nurse wrote in their notes concerns of a possible factitious disorder, or listed it as an actual diagnosis. Factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is described by the Mayo Clinic as a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury. Riley, a 39-year-old mother of two and former principal at a Gilroy elementary school, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2021 after prosecutors said she swindled more than $100,000 from donors by falsely claiming to have Hodgkins lymphoma. The case, which was investigated by the IRS criminal division, attracted heavy media attention, and was the subject of a popular true-crime podcast titled Scamanda. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a ruse that began in 2012 and stretched for seven years, Riley manufactured a highly public persona of a woman suffering, and at times dying, from repeated battles against cancer. Riley chronicled her alleged struggles in a blog, using it and other social media accounts to solicit money for her purported medical treatments. To support her claims, Riley shaved her head to appear as though she was receiving chemotherapy, posted photos of herself with medications and in hospital beds, falsified medical records, and forged physicians letters, prosecutors said. At her sentencing, Riley apologized to the victims and said she was ready to accept the responsibility and consequences of her actions. I will spend the rest of my life working towards the amends for the hurt that I have caused, Riley said, according to a transcript of the May 3, 2022, hearing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Riley was allowed to serve her 60-month term in Texas, in order to be closer to her husband and two sons. But by April of this year, about 19 months into her confinement, Riley asked a judge to cut her original sentence by more than half and allow her to be freed on time served. Alternatively, she asked that it be reduced by 13 months. In arguing for her early release, Rileys attorneys cited her hospital visits as well as mental health problems, and a broad range of other diagnoses including cardiac arrhythmia, asthma, sleep terrors and hypotension. After prosecutors accused Riley of faking yet another illness, defense attorneys underscored that many of her conditions were well documented, and accused prosecutors of cherry-picking damning notes out of thousands of pages of medical records. Further, they said, if Riley is actually suffering from factitious disorder, then she has a serious, potentially deadly condition that the prisons have failed to address, and is still deserving of an early release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A federal judge disagreed. (The) Defendants history of feigning illness for personal gain combined with a chorus of skepticism from the medical professionals treating her raises serious questions about her credibility, U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman wrote in her ruling in June. Regardless of her credibility, Freeman added, Rileys ailments werent extraordinary enough to warrant early release. Considering the number of victims (over 300), the fraudulent financial benefit of over $100,000 received by Ms. Riley, and her continued efforts to fake her ailments, Freeman wrote, the Court is satisfied that 60 months of imprisonment is the fair and proper sentence at this time. Channel 5 and Banijay are reportedly set to reboot Faking It, 20 years on from its final episode. Originally broadcast on Channel 4, the award-winning reality show set out to establish whether it is possible to train a person in a new skill, that is wildly different from their background. The participants then tried to pass themselves off as a professional in their new field to try and trick a panel of experts. One episode saw a classically trained cellist Sian Evans stand behind the decks and spin discs in her new role as a club DJ - she hated dance music. Faking It first aired in 2000 with two pilot episodes, going on to release more episodes each year until, a final feature-length show in 2005. Channel 5 and Banijay are reportedly set to reboot Faking It, 20 years on from its final episode A new report from Broadcast says the channel is in 'advanced' talks with production company Banijay. MailOnline has contacted Channel 5 for comment. The news comes amid Channel 5's major rebrand, which includes a new name and streaming model. To add to the overhaul, the channel, which will now go simply by 5, has promised viewers the return of two beloved shows The UK TV channel and its streamer counterpart, My5 will be combined into one streamlined model in a move similar to rival Channel 4. Bosses are no doubt hoping to capitalise on the increased viewing after numbers were boosted by the launch of My5. Channel 5 will continue to operate as a traditional ad-supported channel but will feature more shows from the likes of MTV, CBS and Comedy Central, all owned by Paramount, who has taken over the the network. Ben Frow, Paramount UK's Chief Content Officer, who commissions for Channel 5 and Paramount+ UK, told Deadline that the success of Channel 5 shows on streaming giant Netflix shows they still have their finger on the pulse. The figures show 'there's a huge appetite for [Channel 5] content in the streaming world.' Originally broadcast on Channel 4, the reality show set out to establish whether it is possible to train a person in a new skill, that is wildly different from their background (Kevin, a physicist becoming a Magician on the show) And to make the most of the the interest in Channel 5, as part of their rebrand, bosses have promised the return of fan favourites All Creatures Great and Small and Dalgliesh. All Creatures Great and Small has become a staple in the Channel 5 schedule and fans are eagerly awaiting the release date announcement which is expected in the coming weeks. Viewers will be pleased to hear that Callum Woodhouse will be reprising his role as Tristan Farnon, Siegfried's (Samuel West) mischievous brother who signed up to serve in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. The release date for the third series of Dalgliesh has also not been officially announced, but Bertie Carvel will return to the titular role. Given some of Michael Whitehalls parenting strategies, hes unlikely to be asked to offer tips to a guidebook any time soon. Didnt you Sellotape me into a nappy once? his son, the comedian Jack, asks him. Michael did indeed more than once in fact and hes completely unrepentant about it. It was only because of what was going on down there, he insists. Your explosive nappies were unbelievable. Incidentally, the Sellotape method is the same one I use on Michael now just over his mouth, interjects Jack, who always refers to his dad by his name. Its very effective. Anyone whos watched the hit Netflix series Travels With My Father will recognise this affectionately teasing dynamic between Whitehalls Senior and Junior. Over the course of five seasons the pair have travelled the world together, encountering situations in turn funny and awkward and ribbing each other along the way. The final series, broadcast three years ago, saw them on home turf, and who knows, there may yet be more to come. Anyone whos watched the hit Netflix series Travels With My Father will recognise this affectionately teasing dynamic between Whitehalls Senior and Junior Jack, 36, recently became a father himself when his girlfriend, model Roxy Horner, 33, gave birth to their daughter Elsie last September In the meantime, though, circumstances have changed. Jack, 36, recently became a father himself when his girlfriend, model Roxy Horner, 33, gave birth to their daughter Elsie last September. As an apprehensive Jack prepared himself for the big event, it occurred to him that here was, in effect, another journey he could take with his dad, albeit a slightly more metaphorical one. Which brings us to Fatherhood With My Father, a new Netflix series in which the Whitehalls go on a globe-trotting trip to find answers to the big questions facing the comedian in the lead-up to becoming a dad. That means everything from trying on empathy bellies to replicate the feelings a woman has during pregnancy, to attending birth classes and flying to LA to look at some of the wacky ways our friends across the Atlantic prepare for parenthood. Needless to say, Michael looks baffled throughout. He looked like a chimp trying to get peanut butter out of a jar, he remarks after watching Jack, his eldest son, being instructed on how to engage in a particular sort of intimate massage on a plastic model. The duo also look at whether driverless cars might enable Jack to avoid ever taking his driving test all underpinned by the duos trademark gentle ribbing and Michaels brilliantly withering asides. Father and son clearly had a hoot. Wed always talked about trying to work together again in the future once wed finished Travels, because we loved doing that, says Jack. And we felt this was a really interesting topic, but also one with a bit more purpose as it was something that was actually happening in my life. Michael Whitehall with wife Hilary and son Jack And has since happened, of course: while Jack can be seen fretting in the show that he cant keep a basil plant alive, never mind a human being, here he is, father to a near one-year-old, having clearly taken to fatherhood like a duck to water. Its an incredible experience thats constantly evolving, he beams. We were just on holiday and in the course of one week she became a toddler; she just wants to grab and destroy everything and shes eating with her hands. And she began crawling all in a week. Every stage has new challenges, but its all amazing. Elsie was born at St Marys Hospital in London, where Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte all came into the world, and Jack says he and Roxy had planned to do the Prince William and Kate picture on the steps of the hospital as they emerged once Roxy had given birth. But we were knackered, and Roxy had to put on her make-up and I was in a tracksuit Id worn for three days, so it was probably not the time, he says. A couple of weeks later I thought we could go back and do the photo with a full glam squad, but it felt maybe a little bit too much. Beside him Michael rolls his eyes, but make no mistake hes besotted with the new arrival, who joins the two grandchildren he already has courtesy of Jacks sister Molly. It feels just as good each time, he says. She has the Whitehall blue eyes that both Jack and I have. The fact I cant see out of them doesnt matter. In fact, Michael is very sprightly for a man of 84, but says he thinks Jack felt compelled to reproduce in a nod to his advancing years. I think Jack thought, Daddys going a bit gaga, Id better give him my grandchild to join the club. So he surprised us all and produced this beautiful child. Michael is very sprightly for a man of 84, but says he thinks Jack felt compelled to reproduce in a nod to his advancing years Hes very sweet as a grandfather, Jack confides. It hasnt necessarily always shown on camera but he does have a softer, more affectionate side. Thats evident from the new series, which shows heartwarming home videos of Michael clowning around with his first-born. Nonetheless, Michael is the first to admit he wasnt the most hands-on dad to Jack, Molly and younger brother Barnaby, leaving most of the work to their mum Hilary, 63, his wife of 38 years. I was lucky to have the current Mrs Whitehall on parade at all times I call her the current Mrs Whitehall to keep her on her toes she did virtually everything, he says. I did the jokes and the dancing, but she did all the hard work. I was never into babies, but I did my best. Times have changed, and like most modern dads Jack is resolutely hands-on, even at 5am. I feared that as I got older Id find that element of it quite challenging, he says. Id never been a morning person, but when you have a baby youve got no choice. Michael adds, He just gets on with it beautifully, with love and elegance and no complaints. Everything his father didnt have. Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner in glamour mode Goodness, this is a turn-up father and son being publicly lovely about each other though normal service quickly resumes. Jack jokes that hanging out with his father helped him prepare for fatherhood. Youre only ever one restaurant trip away from a tantrum, all stairs are a potential hazard and you have to constantly think about temperature, so there are definitely a lot of lessons Ive learnt in my time travelling with Michael. Michael gets his own back by reminding his first-born of his masterclass in projectile vomiting. If there was an Olympic medal for that, Jack would win it, he says. What about parenting bloopers? Did Michael ever leave Jack in a supermarket? Not quite. He did leave me in a boarding school for ten years, Jack quips. He dropped me off at the gates and then remembered ten years later. He always says I sent him away to boarding school when he was six, which is a blatant lie, says Michael. I had good reason to send him away to boarding school when he was six but he was too young, so I had to wait until he was nearly nine and by then it was almost too late. Jack also recalls going on a family holiday with friends, when the mums went shopping leaving Michael and two other dads supervising the children in the swimming pool. Michael turned to his friend and said, You know whats funny is I cant actually swim. And then his friend said, Oh, I cant either. As did the third guy. Luckily the mums had realised and were already on their way back. Still, Jack cant talk given that, as weve seen, he still hasnt learned to drive despite Michael giving him lessons. He stopped because his son just couldnt get the hang of anything to do with it. 'Im there changing nappies, making milk, doing all of the hardcore dad stuff', says Jack One of the episodes in the series is about technology, and how it can help us become better parents in the future, explains Jack. The whole episode is basically me trying to vouch for the fact that I cant drive. We use a driverless car and a jetpack and various other ways of getting around me needing to ever learn to drive, because I was hoping technology would render that obsolete. Sadly it doesnt, so I have to face facts. Jacks dealing with another challenge in the form of confronting the fact that his parents social life is now more hectic than his own. Im there changing nappies, making milk, doing all of the hardcore dad stuff, and Hilary and Michael are at the Chelsea Flower Show, cool premieres, weekends away its non-stop, he says. Adjusting to them having a far more active social life than mine is bewildering. He recalls that while he was recently filming a new thriller in Greece, his parents were enjoying a jolly with their great friend Julian Fellowes in Mykonos, although they did stop off to see him en route. So they were over in Mykonos having what sounded like a sort of geriatric version of Love Island, partying round the pool every day, and I was working my socks off and they just dipped in to see me, he says. The filming was for Malice, a psychological thriller for Amazon Prime Video in which he stars alongside David Duchovny, playing what he describes as a sort of sociopathic nanny with a vendetta against the family hes infiltrated. Its a departure from his previous TV and film roles, which have mainly been rooted in comedy, and hes very grateful. Its very hard to get people to consider you as anything other than what youre known for. You get typecast quickly and its been a bit of a journey to find a project like this, which is very different from anything Ive done before. Its little surprise he ran it past his father, an ex-theatrical agent and production company founder whos represented the likes of Edward Fox, Colin Firth and Judi Dench and still has a keen showbusiness brain. I always send Michael scripts for things Ive been offered. He has this adage that a career is defined as much by the dodgy stuff and the stuff you say no to as the good work you do, so hes a great filter. But he read this script and thought it was brilliant. The timing was bittersweet, given he was having to juggle what he describes as a very intense and challenging shoot with having a newborn baby. It was a bit of a balancing act, but it was fantastic and an amazing creative team. David Duchovny is very wise, a really interesting person to spend time with, he says. Roxy was able to come out with Elsie for a while and that was lovely. He laughs as he recalls an uncomfortable moment towards the end of filming when he and Roxy started to discuss hiring a nanny themselves. I was going to work every day playing this absolute lunatic, then coming home and interviewing nannies. I was so thorough with my questioning, wanting to do every check possible, and Roxy was like, I think you can calm down a bit. If only Michael had been involved in the interview process, that could have been another TV series. Happily for their fans, the pair havent ruled out doing something else together in the future. You never know, says Jack. Its such a joy to get to spend time with each other that it never really feels like were working. So if the opportunity arose wed definitely like to do something else. Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood With My Father, from 10 September, Netflix. Babygirl Verdict: A sexy, post #MeToo thriller Rating: One of the oddities of these post #MeToo years in Hollywood is that Lolita-style stories about older men falling for much younger women or even schoolgirls have practically disappeared while the opposite dynamic is suddenly all the rage. Hardly a month seems to pass without an older woman bedding a chap 25 years her junior, as if to right a century of cinematic wrongs. Anyway, hot on the high heels of Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine getting it together in The Idea of You on Amazon Prime, and Nicole Kidman cavorting with Zac Efron in A Family Affair on Netflix, along comes Kidman again, entangled in more ways than one with 28-year-old British actor Harris Dickinson in the steamy psychosexual thriller Babygirl. Here at the Venice Film Festival, air-conditioned cinemas are currently offering a blessed relief from hotter-than-usual weather. But last night's world premiere of Babygirl brought a different kind of sizzle. Nicole Kidman attends a red carpet for 'Babygirl' during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 30 Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in a scene from 'Babygirl' which will be released in January Antonio Banderas and Nicole Kidman in a scene from 'Babygirl' Kidman has described it as the most 'exposing' performance she has ever given which, considering 1999's Eyes Wide Shut, is quite a claim. She plays Romy, a corporate hotshot who runs a thriving robotics company replacing warehouse staff with automatons, and making wise observations to her workforce such as 'one-day shipping has dramatically upped the ante'. On the face of it she is as serenely successful at home as she is at work. Her dishy theatre director husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) seems only too delighted to cater to her somewhat vigorous sexual demands, and she to his. The family unit is completed by a couple of teenage daughters not that Dutch writer-director Halina Reijn spends much time developing them. One of them is gay and the other likes dancing. Still, Reijn has other matters to attend to, and gets down to them with arresting urgency. Filmmakers sometimes start their features with sound rather than pictures a hubbub of people chatting, perhaps, or a lone dog barking in the street. Here, it's Romy evidently in the throes of sexual ecstasy, although she needs to look at online porn to finish the job. 'Exposing' indeed. Later, on her way to work, Romy is struck by the sight of a young man calming a dangerous dog. The young man turns out to be Samuel (Dickinson), one of a new batch of company interns, who are duly ushered in to pay homage to Romy in her swanky office. She instantly clocks his good looks and his swagger, and soon enough she finds that she cannot resist him. But Babygirl is not just the story of an illicit office affair across the age divide. Far more interestingly, it is about power and workplace politics. Samuel senses that Romy, whose job is telling others what to do, has a kinky yearning to be the one jumping to orders. So the CEO and the intern switch roles; the boss becomes the bossed. Kidman has described it as the most 'exposing' performance she has ever given which, considering 1999's Eyes Wide Shut, is quite a claim It is a smart, sexy film, brilliantly and boldly acted by Kidman and Dickinson, with first-class support from Banderas, writes Brian Viner That is far from the end of the affair. There are revelations and recriminations, ambitions thwarted, and hints that Romy's sexual psychoses are somehow connected with a strange childhood spent in cults and communes. There is also an ending that couldn't possibly happen if this were a relationship between a male head honcho and a woman much lower on the corporate ladder. However, at the same time, I wonder if Heijn is being quite as counterintuitive as she thinks: this is still, for the most part, a story in which the man holds the cards. Nevertheless, it is a smart, sexy film, brilliantly and boldly acted by Kidman and Dickinson, with first-class support from Banderas (who has spent most of his career being absolutely nobody's idea of a cuckold). As for the almost-unmentionable, the alleged cosmetic work that sometimes seems to have limited Kidman's range of expressions from A only to about D, that is cleverly woven into the narrative. Romy is clearly the kind of woman who would make a friend of Botox. On the subject of injections, for the rest of us here in Venice, after some so-so early films, Babygirl has given us just the shot of adrenaline we required. Babygirl comes out in January Amber Gill has claimed that she used to get told off by Love Island producers 'every day' because she didnt like any of the men on the show. The influencer, 27, who went on to win the 2019 series, found love pretty quickly with Michael Griffiths but he cruelly dumped her in favour of Joanna Chimonides. She brushed herself off, and looked ready to finish the 2019 edition of the show single, when Irish rugby union player Greg O'Shea swept her off of her feet. Amber later came out as queer, and dated Arsenal star Jen Beattie for almost a year. They split in December 2023 after 11 months together. On Capital XTRA on Friday, Amber was dared to tell hosts Robert Bruce and Shayna Marie something about Love Island that would surprise them, saying: 'I didnt like any of the men, so' Amber Gill, 27, has claimed she used to get told off by Love Island producers 'every day' because she 'didn't like any of the men' on the show (pictured in 2019) Amber told Capital XTRA hosts Robert Bruce and Shayna Marie: 'I didn't like any of the men' and producers would tell her that all she does is sunbathe The influencer, who went on to win the 2019 series, found love pretty quickly with Michael Griffiths (pictured with her) but he cruelly dumped her in favour of Joanna Chimonides Amber, who set pulses racing earlier in August in a tiny black and white bikini, replied: 'I didnt like any of the men, so' Robert joked back: 'Like, premise of the show, done!' Amber replied: 'I know! I used to get told off every day though ... By the producers. 'They used to say: "Youve come on Love Island and youre not doing anything apart from sunbathing." And I was like: "I know, Im sorry!" She and Greg split the 50,000 prize and split themselves two months later. Amber and Jen's relationship was also sadly short-lived. The reason behind their split was said to be a lack of time spent together. A source told the Mail: 'Amber and Jen have decided to end their relationship. She brushed herself off, and looked ready to finish the show single, when Irish rugby union player Greg O'Shea swept her off of her feet In July, she tweeted that she had 'switched teams' , but refused to elaborate. Then, that December, she began dating Jen Beattie, 33 (pictured) 'They remain good friends and the split was amicable but they just grew apart after struggling to spend time together. 'There's still a lot of love between them and Amber will always hold a special place in her heart for Jen but ending their romance was the best decision for their lives right now.' In April, Amber sparked rumours that she had moved on from Alex with an influencer called Nakita Johnson, but she hasn't been seen with her since. Amber previously said of her sexuality: 'They think I'm an attention seeker and say I'm trying to find this new thing... 'I am so not an attention seeker. I knew it was going to happen because Love Island is such a straight show.' Amber is also an author, and released summer romance novel Until I Met You in 2022. She released another summer romance, One Summer In Miami, in 2024. Tune into Capital XTRA Breakfast with Robert Bruce & Shayna Marie weekdays from 6:30am-10:00am, also available on the Global Player app Just over two years ago, Alice Evans, the woman at the centre of Hollywood's most vicious divorce battle, launched a GoFundMe page. In a post on the page, Alice, 56, insisted that she could no longer afford to buy food, pay her utility bills or cover the legal fees for her settlement battle with ex-husband and father of her two children, the British actor Ioan Gruffudd. She added she was 'struggling as a single mother to my babies' and told how her bank accounts, savings and even her pension pot had been 'drained'. She asked her followers for 'anything you can spare'. The 102 Dalmatians actress also said she feared that she could be found in contempt of court if she didn't find the funds to hire a lawyer to represent her at future hearings. In total, her desperate pleas generated just $6,974 of her $25,000 target. Actors Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd in 2018 with daughters Ella, now 14, and Elsie, now ten But was Alice really penniless when she set up the GoFundMe page? She and Ioan finally came to an agreement on their divorce and custody arrangements two months ago. But the legal hearing over finances, which started this month, reveals a new aspect to the saga. In bombshell court papers submitted by Gruffudd on Tuesday night, he claims that, at the time she was asking for money from fans, Alice had a total of $86,457 in available funds across two accounts. Her UK account (converted from pounds to dollars), Gruffud claims, contained $78,740, while her American account had a balance of $7,717. Yet on November 12, 2022, she wrote on social media: 'So that's it, I am completely broke. I have a three day w/e [weekend] ahead of me, two kids to feed, look after and ZERO in the bank, 'I have spent my life savings over the last two years since my ex left me. I have paid for everything whilst being a full-time mum. Now it's all gone.' The documents submitted by her ex-husband this week claimed that, 'during this same time', she had a total of $24,766 to her name. Alice has repeatedly claimed to be struggling with money during her protracted dispute with Ioan, 50, her husband of 14 years, who is now engaged to actress Bianca Wallace, 31. The pair met when they starred as on-screen love interests in 101 Dalmatians (pictured) Court papers allege he was bombarded with emotional messages from his ex-wife, who claimed she couldn't pay her rent. Ioan says that, in October 2023, Alice 'threatened' his relationship with their two daughters Ella, 14, and Elsie, ten, when she wrote to him: 'It will not be possible to continue any of the things we're doing as far as mending your relationship because I don't know where we will go.' But according to Ioan's recent court declaration, Alice's financial records show she had $17,735.55 at the beginning of the month and subsequently received an additional $13,994 payment. A month later, the papers claim, Alice wrote to Ioan saying their daughters would not have Christmas stockings or presents the way they usually did because she had 'run out of money'. Another flashpoint in the acrimonious split has been a glitzy Rolex watch worn by Ioan's new fiancee, which Alice claimed two months ago was a present from the actor. Court papers allege that Alice claimed that while Bianca wore a Rolex, she 'couldn't feed their children' and had to 'live on food stamps'. Ioan claims the watch belongs to a friend and a member of his circle said: 'It was a ridiculous thing to suggest that Ioan had bought it for her when she had no idea at all whether that was the case.' Meanwhile, Ioan claims he had overpaid Alice by almost $400,000 in maintenance. As a result, friends of Ioan, the Welsh heartthrob who starred on ITV drama Liar in 2016, say he has become 'increasingly irritated' by Alice's claims that she is destitute. One told the Mail: 'It has been so frustrating for Ioan to have to watch this when he was paying towards her expenses. It is apparent that she went on social media to claim in public that she was on her uppers. 'It is very probable that some of those who donated had less money in their accounts than she did. It is pretty insulting. It is such a sad state of affairs and one which makes him worry for his daughters more than he should have to. 'At the very forefront of his mind are his girls Ella and Elsie whom he loves deeply. Ioan would do anything for them not to have to suffer all of this.' Alice Evans goes grocery shopping in Los Angeles with one of her daughters this week While Ioan has remained largely silent during the battle, Alice who has American parents but grew up in Bristol regularly vents her frustrations on X (formerly Twitter). One friend of the star says: 'Ioan wishes she wouldn't do that. He wishes that they could just sort this out quietly so their daughters aren't dragged into a public row. It is deeply sad for him.' All in all, it has been a sorry saga, and one which has gripped the showbusiness world. Yet like so many relationships that sour over time, it had begun so promisingly. Gruffudd is now engaged to Bianca Wallace. Court papers allege Alice claimed that while Bianca wore a Rolex, she 'couldn't feed their children' and had to 'live on food stamps' Ioan and Alice met on the set of 102 Dalmatians more than 20 years ago, when they played onscreen love interests Kevin and Chloe. They then fell in love in real life and, on New Year's Day, 2006, he popped the question. A lavish wedding in Mexico followed and then along came Ella and Elsie. The family settled in Los Angeles, where they became known as one of Hollywood's most popular couples. But cracks began to appear in their marriage. Then began the war of words, which escalated swiftly to a split and Ioan battled for 50/50 custody of his children. The row between them, which has now been raging for more than three years, culminated in Alice being slapped with a restraining order in February 2022 after she posted a number of messages about Ioan and his new girlfriend Bianca on social media and allegedly sent him more than 100 texts. Court papers claimed that Alice had branded him a 'child abuser' online and Ioan accused her of setting up anonymous social media accounts as many as 22 on Twitter/X which she would use to lambast him to her followers. Alice denied abusing or harassing him but the order was extended to three years, so she remains forbidden from posting about either of Ioan or his fiancee until August 2025. Gruffudd and Ms Evans enjoy an evening out together in London back in 2007 In August last year, a Los Angeles judge agreed to Gruffudd's request for his two daughters to attend therapy, and agreed that Evans should take them to weekly 'reunification' sessions. But in his Income and Expense declaration filed on Tuesday, Ioan says Alice repeatedly refused to bring their daughters to the sessions or if she did disrupted them. On one occasion, he says, she threw herself on the floor 'abruptly' and then claimed to have a panic attack. He also accused Alice of 'creating dramatic scenes', 'calling an ambulance on herself during a session' and 'encouraging' the children to leave within minutes of arriving at the session. Ioan also said Alice had accused the therapist of favouring him and argued with the therapist 'in front of the children'. He added that not one full session was completed due to the incidents he referred to. Ioan wrote of their sessions: 'I believe that it was Alice's own constant interference and alienation that caused reunification therapy to be unsuccessful.' But he confirmed that, despite all this, he had made the 'difficult' decision to settle his claim for joint custody in June. Taking one last swipe at her, Ioan wrote in the papers that his decision to settle was due, in part, to 'Alice's propensity to abuse the family law process in order to stay relevant in the public eye at the expense of me and our children'. He also said in the paperwork that he had only spent nine hours with his children this year. As one friend of Ioan's says: 'It has been absolutely hellish for him and has suggested to him a level of deceit from Alice. It is awful but, more than anything, it is sad for the children, so sad that they have had grown up amongst this horrid divorce.' Next will be a court hearing between the warring actors where I'm told a 'significant amount more information and evidence' will be aired. As one source told me: 'If you think this is over, you're mistaken.' Veteran TV presenter Sharyn Ghidella has dished the details on how Network 10 poached her after she was shockingly axed by its rival Channel Seven. Known as the face of Seven News in Queensland, Ghidella, 57, shocked fans last month when she confirmed she had been sacked after 17 years amid a string of media job cuts. However, her abrupt exit was followed by the surprising news she was moving to its rival Network 10 to anchor its 5pm Queensland news bulletin with fellow Seven star Liz Cantor. Now, Ghidella has revealed exactly how the job offer came about, admitting she hadn't secured the exciting new gig before her axing from Seven. She revealed she received a call from Erin Edwards, Executive Editor 10 News First Queensland, but thought it was just to give her support, rather than a job offer. 'I just thought it was a lovely, friendly ''Sorry about what's happened to you'', but she was forward-planning and thinking ahead,' she told TV Tonight. Edwards arranged for Ghidella - who started off her career at Network 10 more than two decades ago - to have a chat with the 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,' she explained. Veteran TV presenter Sharyn Ghidella has dished the details on how Network 10 poached her after she was shockingly axed by its rival Channel Seven Her abrupt exit was quickly followed by the surprising news she was stepping over to Seven's rival Network 10 to anchor its 5pm Queensland news bulletin alongside Liz Cantor Ghidella shared her hopes that viewers will tune in to watch her show on Network 10 in an apparent swipe at Seven, which will have a rival bulletin airing at the same time. She also appeared to take aim at Seven's rebranding of its news programming, which includes comedian Mark Humphries doing a comedy skit at 6.57pm and an astrology report from 'Astro Tash'. 'I can't tell you how many people, when I'm out and about, have come up to me and said, ''It's great 10 is bringing local news back to Queensland, we'll be tuning in!''', she shared. '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. 'That's what 10 does so beautifully,' she added. Her move to the network will bring the 10 News First show back to its Brisbane studios after years of it being read from Sydney. Sharyn described her 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. 'I wonder if my security tag still works,' she joked in a video announcing the news. 'Returning to 10 News First feels like coming home,' the veteran broadcaster added in a statement. Her former co-host Max Futcher spoke emotionally and passionately about her on air when he hosted the 6pm bulletin solo after her untimely exit. 'First tonight, she didn't want a farewell, and she's too humble to want us to make a fuss. But we would like to thank Sharyn Ghidella for her 17 wonderful years behind the desk here at 7News Brisbane,' he said. 'A true professional, an accomplished journalist, and for all of us here a friend and mentor. And my good mate. 'We know Sharyn has also been a big part of your lives, and we know she sees that role as a great privilege. Now, Ghidella has revealed exactly how the job offer came about, admitting she hadn't secured the exciting new gig before her axing from Seven 'Sharyn leaves with our respect, our admiration, and wishes for an amazing future. Love you Shaz.' Shayrn kicked off her career in Brisbane's Channel 10 newsroom at the age of 24 as an on-the-road reporter and update presenter. She moved to Sydney's Nine Network in 1992 and became a regular newsreader on the Today Show, before moving to the Seven Network in 2007 and began presenting the news in 2013. After being axed last month, Sharyn confirmed the news of her job loss in a fiery Facebook post, revealing how she learnt of her role being cut while at the hair salon. 'When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren't expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder... After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,' she began. 'It wasn't quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven. I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.' 'While somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief. As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair,' she wrote. 'A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the Band-Aid off slowly when it comes to removing what has been deemed excess stock. 'These people are some of the best content creators in the business. They are good people and it's been heartbreaking to watch.' Ghidella also shared her hopes that viewers will tune in to watch her show on Network 10 in an apparent swipe at Seven, which will have a rival bulletin airing at the same time 'I'm also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,' she went on of the network's rebranding. 'As I'm known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.' She ended her post by thanking the many friends she had made throughout her long career with the network. There has been a cost-cutting bloodbath at Seven as the network's news division comes under new management. Three major names to go at the network include veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and seasoned Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud. Winona Ryder started her acting career as a teenager back in the mid 1980s, though she isn't too pleased with the current generation of her teenage co-stars. The 52-year-old actress was just 15 when she made her feature-film debut in the 1986 film Lucas, and 17 when she played Lydia Deetz in 1988's Beetlejuice. While promoting the long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel, Ryder revealed in an interview with The Los Angeles Times that she's been frustrated with some of her younger co-stars of late. 'I dont mean to sound so hopeless. There are a few that are just not interested in movies. Like, the first thing they say is, "How long is it?"' Ryder revealed. She wouldn't identify any specific cast members who shared this feeling, though she did single out a younger kindred spirit. Winona Ryder started her acting career as a teenager back in the mid 1980s, though she isn't too pleased with the current generation of her teenage co-stars The 52-year-old actress was just 15 when she made her feature-film debut in the 1986 film Lucas, and 17 when she played Lydia Deetz in 1988's Beetlejuice, a role she reprises in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, in theaters September 6 Her Stranger Things co-star Finn Wolfhard is reportedly, 'obsessed with Elliot Gould,' though it seems many of other younger co-stars don't have the same passion for film. Ryder also spoke with Esquire, where she admitted, 'Ive gone from being the youngest person on set to being the oldest.' 'I just think that social media has changed everything, and I know I sound old. Im very aware of that,' Ryder admitted. 'And part of me thinks, "Gosh, am I like vaudeville at this point?" Like (elderly lady voice), "Hey, kids, turn down the music!"' she joked. 'But I just think there was such an abundance: the history of film, the history of photography, its so rich, and theres so much there, and I dont mean we should go backwards, but I wish and I hope that the younger generation will study that,' she added. While she didn't mention any of her younger co-stars who don't necessarily appreciate film by name, her 20-year-old co-star Millie Bobby Brown made similar comments in an interview with The Sun that went viral. 'People come up to me and say, "You should definitely watch this movie, it would change your life,"' Brown said. 'I'm like, "How long do I have to sit there for?" Because my brain and I dont even like sitting for my own movies,' she admitted. Her Stranger Things co-star Finn Wolfhard is reportedly, 'obsessed with Elliot Gould,' though it seems many of other younger co-stars don't have the same passion for film. 'And part of me thinks, "Gosh, am I like vaudeville at this point?" Like (elderly lady voice), "Hey, kids, turn down the music!"' she joked She added that sh can't believe it's been a full decade since she started filming the huge Netflix hit Stranger Things The actress did add that her husband, Jake Bongiovi, 'is the biggest movie buff,' adding, 'He just sits and watches movies all day.' She admitted, 'And I cannot do that. That is the one thing I cant sit down and do. But I really love Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, I love Mad Max. So I feel like Im always channelling that inner bad-ass.' She added that sh can't believe it's been a full decade since she started filming the huge Netflix hit Stranger Things. 'Ten years! I never thought. 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,' she said. Three Australian television networks have been caught up in a bizarre blunder this week. A spokesperson for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service was doing the rounds on Nine, Seven and Ten on Wednesday evening to discuss Sydney's scorching weather. Appearing on 9NEWS, the Media and Communications Manager for the RFS was known as 'Ben Richardson', without a rank. However, over on 10 News First he quickly became 'Brady Clarke' and had attained the rank of Captain. The confusion didn't end there, however, with the hapless media spokesperson then heading over to 7NEWS for yet another name change. On his third media appearance for the day he was identified as 'Inspector Ben Shephard'. However, all three networks were incorrect, with the spokeman's name actually being Ben Shepherd. The whole time, there was one huge telltale clue as to the spokesperson's true identity, apparently missed by all three broadcasters. A bizarre blunder occurred this week when spokesperson for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service was doing the rounds on Nine, Seven and Ten on Thursday evening to discuss scorching Sydney weather. Pictured: Ben Shepherd Inspector Shepherd was wearing his very visible name tag in each interview. The bizarre blunder comes after eagle-eyed Today Show viewers pointed out a big problem with Channel Nine's Olympic Logo. Armchair sleuths took to the MediaSpy forums, earlier this month, to point out that the network was still running the Olympic Rings logo above the time on the Today Show. Given the 2024 Paris Olympics had already ended, some commenters suggested that the network was a bit behind the times and should instead be running the logo of the Paralympics - the Agitos. Posting a series of Today Show screenshots to the forum, one commenter pointed out the 'error', saying they've noticed the 'Olympic rings are occasionally still animated with the Today logo.' Appearing on Nine News the Media and Communications Manager for the RFS was known as Ben Richardson, without a rank. However, over on 10 News First he quickly became Brady Clarke and had attained the rank of Captain Replying to the discovery another chimed in, arguing that Nine should be using the ensuing two weeks to promote the Paralympics. 'Would be nice to put a Paralympics logo in its replacement,' they wrote. Another chimed in: 'Shouldn't it be replaced with the Paralympic symbol that is the Agitos for the next 2.5 weeks'. Earlier, one eagle-eyed TikTok user claimed the network had been using an incorrect version of the famed Olympic rings logo. Marketing professional Kiandra Trickett, who goes by The Original Kiki on social media, revealed the Nine network appeared to be using an unauthorised, altered version of the Olympic rings. On his third media appearance for the day, the man with multiple names had, this time, become Inspector Ben Shephard. However, that name too was incorrect She then showed images of the different iterations of the logo that have been used over the years. Trickett then showed the 9Now version, which shows different linking between the rings from what is set out in the official IOC guidelines. While each ring interlaces behind and in front each neighbouring ring in those guidelines, the 9Now version has each ring fully layered either in front or behind the neighbouring ring, without the interlaced effect. The rings themselves are also thinner than the official IOC design. Excitement reached fever pitch over the past week after Noel and Liam Gallagher sensationally confirmed that Oasis have reformed for a mammoth tour around the UK and Ireland. And as fans prepare to battle it out for tickets, production companies are also reportedly squabbling over the rights to a film about the long-awaited comeback. According to The Sun, a ruthless bidding war has broken out among those desperate to bag the deal. A source told the publication: 'A dedicated team over at Apple have met to discuss the bid they are putting forward, and companies who work with Netflix and Prime Video are doing the same. They added: 'The offers being tabled run into their millions. They know the price has to be right to get Noel and Liam to do it.' Excitement reached fever pitch over the past week after Noel and Liam Gallagher sensationally confirmed that Oasis have reformed for a mammoth tour around the UK and Ireland And as fans prepare to battle it out for tickets, production companies are also reportedly squabbling over the rights to a film about the long-awaited comeback (Liam and Noel pictured performing live onstage in 2001) Oasis' team is reportedly preparing to go through the offers 'in due course,' after being swamped with them since announcing the reunion. However, whether frontmen Liam and Noel would agree to the filming of the tour is another matter as the source admitted they don't 'need it'. It comes just after the band announced three new UK dates to their reunion tour on Thursday after an 'unprecedented' demand for tickets. The iconic Britpop band 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 also extended the deadline for its fans to confirm pre-sale ballot entries to Friday morning. 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'. Oasis' team is reportedly preparing to go through the offers 'in due course,' after being swamped with them since announcing the reunion It comes after some disappointed fans were left panicking as they still hadn't received their confirmation emails. And getting a ticket is only one half of the problem, as fans are also facing sky-high prices for hotel rooms after the band announced the extra dates. Hotel prices have soared, with one basic double room at some establishments costing almost 1,000. Fans of the iconic 90s band are infuriated by 'rip-off' hotels amid an extraordinary scramble for accommodation among those desperate to see the brothers on their reunion tour. Announcing the Oasis Live 25 tour alongside the brothers' first picture together in years, 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 immediately after the announcement as fans were sent into a frenzy and although tickets have not yet been officially been released, many hotels where the band will play are already sold out or advertising exorbitant rates. Tickets to see the Don't Look Back In Anger hitmakers will go on sale in the UK from 9am on August 31, while Dublin tickets will be available from 8am on the same day. Dancing With The Stars professional Artem Chigvintsev has bee released from jail following his arrest for domestic battery. Artem, 42, was booked into Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge on Thursday morning. The dancer has since posted bail for $25,000. He was released from jail at 2:18pm PST, as revealed by county records. His WWE star wife Nikki Garcia, 40 formerly Nikki Bella was also in Napa at the time of the arrest. Amid news of his arrest, it's been revealed he will not be returning as a pro on Dancing With the Stars for Season 33, as per Page Six. 'There were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33,' a source told the publication on Thursday. Dancing With The Stars professional Artem Chigvintsev, 42, has bee released from jail following his arrest for domestic battery; seen in 2020 Artem was booked into Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge on Thursday morning. The dancer has since posted bail for $25,000; seen in his mugshot The details surrounding what caused the arrest remain unknown, but it comes just three days after he celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with his wife. However, according to reports, the name of the alleged victim is being withheld. A representative for the Napa County Sheriff's Office told TMZ that deputies responded to a domestic violence call in Yountville, California, and arrested the dancer on the scene. The publication reported that there were injuries and that the victim asked for 'total confidentiality.' The alleged victim in the case is cooperating with police, and investigators want to find out if there's a history of domestic violence, as per TMZ. The alleged victim has been open to talking with investigators so far. According to the information, a visible injury was required for a felony arrest to be made. Law enforcement officials are seeking the alleged victim's assistance in determining whether there is a history of domestic violence with Artem. It's also been reported that there could be other witnesses in the case, and the investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff's Office is planning to discuss the case with prosecutors, and consider potential criminal charges against Artem. It's unknown if his wife Nikki Garcia, 40 formerly Nikki Bella was at all involved in the alleged incident; the couple pictured 2019 Amid news of his arrest, it's been revealed he will not be returning as a pro on Dancing With the Stars for Season 33, as per Page Six; seen in a still from the show 'There were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33,' a source told the publication on Thursday The alleged victim in the case, whose name is being withheld, is cooperating with police, and investigators want to find out if there's a history of domestic violence, as per TMZ Artem met his wife Nikki on Dancing With The Stars - they competed together on DWTS in 2017; the pair pictured together in 2017 Garcia revealed on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday that she was in the area after sharing a post promoting her skin care business. In a post, she wrote: 'Got a facial today! love my spot in downtown Napa,' she said, along with a tag to the business. DailyMail.com has contacted a representative for Artem for comment. TMZ was first to report the news. Chigvintsev was arrested at 10am PST 'for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant.' Sources told the outlet that someone had called in a 'medical emergency' at the home at around 8:30am PST on Thursday an hour and a half before Artem's arrest. While paramedics and the local fire department were already en route, a second call came in asking that the request for assistance be canceled. The caller gave no reason for the cancelation but first responders returned to their stations and never showed up to the residence. Artem and Nikki celebrated their two year wedding anniversary only three days ago. Artem posted a gushing tribute to his wife taken during their special day: 'Happy anniversary my love , cant see my life with out you. You are my everything.' Nikki also celebrated their anniversary by posting video capturing their sweet moments together. She did indicate she was in Napa on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, sharing a photo of her giving a shout-out to a skincare business in the area The couple recently marked their two year wedding anniversary Nikki shared memories from their wedding and other sweet moments in honor of the special day Artem and Nikki wed in 2022 and share four-year-old son Matteo together; pictured with their son in 2021 The post was captioned with the lyrics to Can't Help Falling in Love and a message about their relationship. 'This song is our love story. Ill 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. And thats when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be,' she wrote. 'Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!' she added. Artem met his wife Nikki on Dancing With The Stars - they competed together on DWTS in 2017. They wed in 2022 and share four-year-old son Matteo together. Nikki was still engaged to John Cena during her run on DWTS, but her romance with Artem began two years later after her relationship with the actor ended. Artem and Nikki wed in in Paris, and their nuptials were the focus of the reality show Nikki Bella Says I Do. 'Because weve been together for quite some time, I [felt] like, "Hey, getting marrieds not gonna change much,"' Artem told Us Weekly shortly after they tied the knot. 'It just gives you more of [a feeling of being] filled with responsibilities. [I] definitely think through a lot more than I used to, but it feels good. It feels good to be married.' Artem has been competing on Dancing With The Stars on-off since 2014. He won season 29 of Dancing With The Stars with his celebrity partner, Kaitlyn Bristowe. Prior to joining Dancing With The Stars, he was a dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. The choreographer has been previously accused of 'kicking and shoving' his Strictly Come Dancing partner Fern Britton in 2012. The choreographer has been previously accused of ' kicking and shoving' his Strictly Come Dancing partner Fern Britton in 2012, though he denied the claims; they are seen in a still '[Artem] would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me,' she told HuffPost UK in June 2015. Chigvintsev denied the allegations the next day in an interview with the Daily Express. 'I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am,' he said. 'I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements, which come as a shock to me.' Chinese envoy condemns Israeli military operation in West Bank Xinhua) 15:06, August 30, 2024 UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday strongly condemned Israel's recent military operation in the West Bank which resulted in at least 10 deaths and many injuries. "China strongly condemns this," said Geng at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, noting that the Israeli military launched a large-scale military operation on Wednesday targeting Palestinian cities, including Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas in the West Bank. Geng said that in the West Bank, Israel continues to violate international law and UN Security Council resolutions, expanding settlements and intensifying searches, arrests, and raids on Palestinians. Noting that senior Israeli officials recently spoke of applying the same approach in the West Bank as they have in Gaza, he said, "We are shocked and seriously concerned by such extreme remarks that risk global condemnation." China opposes any actions or rhetoric that could exacerbate tensions and condemns all attacks on civilians, calling on all parties, especially Israel, to remain calm and restrained to prevent further escalation of the situation, said Geng. "Gaza has now turned into hell on earth. We must never allow the same humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza to happen in the West Bank, which will turn the West Bank into another hell on earth," he warned. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) San Francisco installed speed bumps at the intersection of Divisadero and California streets in July to discourage sideshows. Now Mayor London Breed is introducing legislation that would impose penalties on sideshow participants and promoters. Carolyn Stein/The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced plans Friday to introduce legislation that would make it a crime for people to plan and participate in sideshows, even if theyre not the ones behind the wheel. If passed, the law will create misdemeanor penalties for those who promote the unsanctioned stunt driving events, who block or obstruct city streets to set one up, or who impede law enforcement attempts to break them up. It would additionally increase the amount of time a vehicle can remain impounded, from 14 to 30 days on the first offense. Sideshows are dangerous, disruptive and illegal, and our law enforcement agencies must not only take action here in San Francisco, but coordinate across the Bay Area to prevent and disrupt them, Breed said in a statement. With new technology and expanded strategies, we can work to meet this challenge, but we also need to give our officers more tools to stop these dangerous activities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breeds proposal, which would apply to both cars and motorized bikes, comes less than a week after a roving band of dirt bikers stormed San Francisco and surrounding areas last Sunday, thundering down city streets and doing doughnuts in intersections as passersby attempted to maneuver around them. San Francisco District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who has previously pushed for measures to deter stunt driving, said he will co-sponsor the legislation. Its been a priority for my district, he said, which includes SoMa, Mission Bay, the East Cut, Yerba Buena and Treasure Island. Im hopeful our new approach will make a difference to deter these sideshows and hold those who perpetrate them accountable. City leaders for years have faced criticism from residents who are fed up with local sideshows, and say officials arent doing enough to respond to the unruly and often dangerous events. Current state laws already prohibit some actions associated with sideshows, which include those participating in a motor vehicle exhibition of speed on a highway. Police can also enforce general traffic laws against drivers, including reckless driving, speeding or running a stop light. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breeds proposal would make San Francisco the latest California city to impose new penalties on sideshow spectators as well as drivers. Officials in San Jose, Oakland and Antioch have passed similar laws. Officers didnt arrest any participants last week in San Francisco, but officials said they had monitored the event on newly acquired drones. San Francisco police are prohibited from engaging in vehicle pursuits unless the fleeing suspect is believed to be involved in felony or violent misdemeanor. San Francisco police said they already arrest people and tow vehicles involved in sideshows. This year the department has documented 15 sideshows and seized 67 vehicles related to sideshows and reckless evasion, police said. In Oakland, local news stations on Sunday reported that a caravan of people on dirt bikes and ATVs had taken over the areas of Grand Avenue and Perkins Street, and that some riders had rushed a nearby gas station and allegedly looted its snack area. Oakland police officials said more than 100 dirt bikes and ATVs were participating in an illegal sideshow that day on the 300 block of Grand Avenue, and that they arrested one individual who lost control of their vehicle and attempted to run away. Police found that the vehicle had been reported stolen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sent their fans completely wild this week by announcing their long-awaited reunion tour. The Manchester siblings have finally put their world-famous 15-year feud on ice to announce they will be performing together once again, 34 years after their first gig. The rock band infamously disbanded in 2009 after a backstage brawl, but will be back on stage next year at a string of venues around the UK and Ireland. In their statement, Oasis also teased that plans are 'underway' for a world tour, but have remained tight-lipped on the countries they plan to visit, leaving Aussie fans in suspense. However, one showbiz expert has revealed why he has no doubt that Oasis will be paying a visit to Australia on their hotly-anticipated comeback tour. Speaking on 3AW Melbourne, radio star Peter Ford insisted the rock stars will 'absolutely' be heading Down Under at the end of 2025. '[Their statement] to me is as good as confirmation that they will be touring Australia and I do think that they will probably do America as well, maybe some dates in Asia,' he theorised. 'But certainly I reckon you'll see them here at the end of next year. It is amazing that it's happening, the rift between the two of them seemed so deep.' Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sent their fans completely wild this week by announcing their long-awaited 2025 reunion tour around the UK and Ireland Oasis (Liam is pictured in 2009) also teased that plans are 'underway' for a world tour, and showbiz radio expert Peter Ford has now insisted he is certain they will visit Australia 'You can look at the dates they've set, they've clearly got room to add a lot of extra dates in the UK before they announce anything else,' he added. His comments come after Aussie fans have sent social media into overdrive in recent days, calling on Oasis to add a string of tour dates Down Under. 'Your biggest fans are in Australia, we are waiting for Oasis in Sydney in Melbourne,' one excited fan wrote on X - formerly known as Twitter. 'You gonna come to Australia the big fellas?' another keen Oasis admirer asked while a third said: 'I really hope you guys record a new album and come to Australia for a tour.' A fourth gushed: 'Australia!!!! Please, please come to Australia!!!' and another begged: 'Please come back to Australia.' During their 90s heyday, Oasis were no stranger to performing in Oceania as they visited in 1998 for the Be Here Now Tour after their chart-topping global success. They delighted fans by returning Down Under for the 2001 Heathen Chemistry Tour and again came back in late 2005 for the Don't Believe the Truth Tour. During their 90s heyday, Oasis were no stranger to performing in Oceania as they visited in 1998 before returning in 2001/2 and again in 2005 (Liam is pictured in Melbourne in 2002) On their 2025 tour, the Oasis brothers and their original guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs will perform at 14 shows around the UK and Ireland, with demand for tickets expected to be sky-high in a 'blood-bath'. They will kick things off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before packing out Heaton Park in Manchester, Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh's Murrayfield and Croke Park in Dublin. Despite speculation that Oasis will be on the bill at Glastonbury 2025, the band later shut down the rumours and confirmed they will not be performing at Worthy Farm. Announcing the Oasis Live 25 tour on Tuesday, 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 immediately after the announcement as fans were sent into a frenzy, with music insiders predicting the tour will 'sell out in less than three minutes'. Select fans who have signed up for the pre-sale ballot are in with a chance of nabbing early access before tickets go on general sale on Saturday at 9am BST. 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'. Noel and Liam poignantly announced the reunion just one day before the 15th anniversary of their highly-publicised split on August 28, 2009. Their last concert together was at V Festival in Staffordshire, and days later, they cancelled their headlining gig at the Rock en Seine festival following a backstage brawl. On their 2025 tour, the Oasis brothers (pictured in 2008) will perform at 14 shows around the UK and Ireland, with demand for tickets expected to be sky-high in a 'blood-bath' Noel said at the time: 'It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.' In recent years, Liam, 51, has been keen to make amends with his brother and reform the iconic Britpop band, but his older brother Noel, 57, poured cold water on the idea. But after Noel's 20m divorce from his ex-wife Sara MacDonald last year, he is said to have finally been persuaded of the financial merits of getting the band back together. According to The Sun, the pair reunited for a 'top secret' photoshoot to promote the comeback shows. Resigned Seven star Liz Cantor has confirmed a huge 'plot twist' in her big move from the channel to its rival Network 10. The veteran weather presenter, 41, confirmed on Wednesday that she is quitting 7News after 17 years with the embattled channel and is moving to Network 10. However, she has now made the surprising announcement that she is not leaving Seven all together, but will be staying on to host her two popular lifestyle shows. Taking to Instagram to reply to a fan asking if she will be saying a 'full goodbye' to Seven, she clarified that she will be continuing her roles on both Creek to Coast and Weekender. She detailed the unusual arrangement between rivals Seven and Network 10 and described it as a 'bold move' in free-to-air television as presenters usually work exclusively with just one channel. 'This has been my most asked DM and a question in a lot of comments, so let me clear up any confusion, let me tell you the plot twist,' she began. 'In some forward thinking from Seven and Ten I am staying on at Creek to Coast and Weekender while presenting 10 News weather. Jobs I truly believe lend to each other...' She also praised her bosses at both Seven and Ten for seeing the situation 'the same way' as herself as she detailed the milestone change. TV presenter Liz Cantor has made the shock announcement that she will be staying on at the Seven network while taking up a new role at Channel 10 Taking to Instagram to reply to a fan asking if she will be saying a 'full goodbye' to Seven, she clarified that she will be continuing her roles on both Creek to Coast and Weekender 'I can't thank them enough for this bold move in free to air telly,' she continued. 'In all honesty after 18-years with Creek to Coast, I wouldn't have left the show, I believe in it too much. 'And along with the Weekender, they're just getting bigger, better and stronger every year and the ratings reflect this and we say thank you to you. She signed off the post with a nod to her new Ten job, adding: 'Ya'll know that I'm also a weather nerd, so this offer from Ten is a dream and I am so excited to be a part of this bulletin's return.' Her latest post comes just hours after Cantor revealed the truth behind the 'I was a seven, now I'm a ten' dig that went viral after her resignation statement. Amid her move from her role as the 7News weather presenter to anchor 10 News First's Queensland bulletin, 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. She 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. She detailed the unusual arrangement between rivals Seven and Network 10 and described it as a 'bold move' in free-to-air TV as presenters usually work exclusively with just one channel Setting the record straight on the dig, the presenter 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, she said she was 'happy to have a laugh' about it and shared her excitement about joining the Channel Ten team with axed Seven presenter 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. 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.' Cantor 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, Cantor 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.' Cantor will be presenting the weather on 10 News First Queensland 5pm bulletin from Monday, alongside anchor Shayrn Ghidella, who was sacked from Seven last month (Both pictured) '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.' Cantor started her on screen career in 2002 as an actor in the Australian film Blurred, which she followed with another feature, Gettin' Square in 2003. She later scored a role in the TV drama Blue Water High in 2005 after winning the reality show The Mole. Cantor, who was previously a professional surfer, joined Seven the same year and went on to remain with the Channel for 17 years. Salma Hayek had a surprise run-in with an A-list pal while vacationing in sunny Ibiza this week. The Oscar-nominee, 57, revealed on Instagram Thursday that she bumped into none other than Olympus Has Fallen star Gerard Butler, 54. Salma who recently wowed in a bikini on a yacht snapped photos with the hunky actor as they relaxed outdoors with friends. 'Nothing better than unexpected run-ins with friends on vacation,' wrote the Frida star, who tagged Gerard in the post. In one photo, Salma smiled with her arm resting on Gerard's shoulder as he smoldered for the camera in a blue button-up linen shirt. Salma Hayek, 57, revealed on Instagram Thursday that she bumped into none other than Olympus Has Fallen star Gerard Butler, 54, while vacationing in Ibiza this week She had on large sunglasses and her curly raven hair was worn down. The group photo showed Salma looking incredible in a low-cut black dress as she and Gerard sat on a bench with their friends. They were joined by actor and Cali Water co-founder Oliver Trevena and real estate exec Michael Braun, who is close pals with Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio. Though they've yet to co-star together, Gerard previously produced one of Salma's films. Back in 2016, she starred alongside Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody, 51, in the thriller-drama Septembers of Shiraz. Gerard is listed as one of the Wayne Blair-directed film's four producers. Ahead of its theatrical release in the U.S., Gerard encouraged his Facebook fans to check out Septembers of Shiraz. '#SeptembersOfShiraz, a movie that I produced starring Adrien Brody and Salma Hayek Pinault, is out today!' wrote the Phantom Of The Opera star, who also shared a link to the film's trailer. He attended the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival with Salma and Adrien, where Septembers of Shiraz had its world premiere. Salma snapped photos with the hunky actor as they relaxed outdoors with friends They were joined by actor and Cali Water co-founder Oliver Trevena (left) and real estate exec Michael Braun (right), who is close pals with Leonardo DiCaprio Fans in the comment section of Salma's Instagram post went wild as they reacted to her fun 'run-in' with Gerard Fans in the comment section of Salma's Instagram post went wild as they reacted to her fun 'run-in' with Gerard. 'I would love to run into G Butler PERMANENTLY [laughing-emoji],' one wrote. 'Nothing like hanging out with a Law Abiding Citizen,' teased another fan in reference to Gerard's 2009 action film. Some commenters praised the duo, who are both in their 50s, for 'aging gracefully and proudly.' Salma has been vacationing in Ibiza for the past week with her billionaire Kering CEO husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 62. The couple wed in 2009 and share 16-year-old daughter Valentina. Over the weekend, Salma uploaded several bikini-clad photos of herself enjoying some fun in the sun on a yacht. She looked sensational in a bright yellow swimsuit with her hair in braids. She posed on the boat with the Spanish flag flapping in the wind behind her busty display. Though they've yet to co-star together, Gerard previously produced one of Salma's films; seen in 2015 Back in 2016, she starred alongside Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody, 51, in the thriller-drama Septembers of Shiraz; seen at the film's premiere in 2016 Ahead of its theatrical release in the U.S., Gerard encouraged his Facebook fans to check out Septembers of Shiraz 'Yellow bikini + White hair = perfect combination,' she captioned the post in English first before switching to Spanish. 'Bikini amarillo + Cabello blanco = combinacion perfecta,' Salma added. Hayek previously revealed she stays fit by practicing restorative yoga, juice cleanses, and walking her numerous dogs whom she's called her 'trainers.' 'I thought getting older meant I wasn't going to work. I'm working. I thought getting older maybe meant that you're not in love anymore. I'm in love,' the half-Mexican, half-Lebanese American told Glamour last year. 'I don't feel that I lost my flexibility or my agility or even my strength...Hell, I'm still going. Shocker. I'm still here. They tried to get rid of me a thousand ways. I'm still here.' Salma and Pinault tied the knot in Paris in 2009 - and two years earlier, welcomed their daughter Valentina, 16. During an interview with Vogue Arabia in April, the From Dusk Till Dawn star opened up about her marriage with Francois while joined by friend and fellow actress, Penelope Cruz. Her husband is CEO of the luxury group Kering which notably owns high-end brands such as Gucci, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. Over the weekend, Salma uploaded several bikini-clad photos of herself enjoying some fun in the sun on a yacht She posed on the boat with the Spanish flag flapping in the wind behind her busty display 'Some of my friends joke and ask, "How did you land this guy?"' she jokingly expressed. At one point, Hayek discussed how her fashion sense has changed over the years during her relationship with the businessman. 'It did change my relationship with fashion because it gave me an insider's view on a lot of the interesting parts of fashion,' she said. The star continued, 'It's not just about going shopping, which I'm not a big fan of. I have a different appreciation for it, so now I enjoy it more.' Jimmy Fallon is wishing a fond farewell to the summer months by sharing a photo dump from his Italian holiday... where he got to meet Pope Francis. The 49-year-old comedian took to Instagram on Thursday, where he bid a fond farewell to the summer of 2024 with snaps of his family vacation. He also shared 15 snaps with his 27.2 million followers, in a post captioned, 'Arrivederci, summer 2024,' with the hashtag, #photodump. The post comes just weeks after The Tonight Show host mocked Australian breakdancer Raygun just after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The first image featured the comedian alongside his wife of 17 years Nancy Juvonen and their two daughters, Winnie, 11, and Frances, 9. Jimmy Fallon is wishing a fond farewell to the summer months by sharing a photo dump from his Italian holiday... where he got to meet Pope Francis The first image featured the comedian alongside his wife of 17 years Nancy Juvonen and their two daughters, Winnie, 11, and Frances, 9. The happy family is standing on a dock off of an Italian lake or river that is not identified in the post. The next snap shows Fallon clearly thrilled to meet Pope Francis, who is seen shaking hands with the late-night talk show host. He also shared paintings from an Italian museum, another of the host holding a huge gelato cone, a snap of his dish from Armando Al Patheon in Rome. Fallon also shared a selfie of him overlooking the iconic Colosseum and another of him near a sheep farm. He also shared some snaps from France, including a coffee shop called Cafe de Flore in Paris, and their beverage that resembles Fallon. The final two snaps are one of him at a desk working alongside NBC's Mike Tirico during the 2024 Paris Olympics and one of the Eiffel Tower. Just before The Tonight Show went on hiatus in lieu of NBC's expansive coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Fallon celebrated a big milestone. The talk show host celebrated his 2000th show, which he addressed in his monologue back in late July. He also shared paintings from an Italian museum, another of the host holding a huge gelato cone, a snap of his dish from Armando Al Patheon in Rome He also shared paintings from an Italian museum, another of the host holding a huge gelato cone, a snap of his dish from Armando Al Patheon in Rome Jimmy Fallon takes a snap outside of an Italian restaurant in Rome He also shared some snaps from France, including a coffee shop called Cafe de Flore in Paris, and their beverage that resembles Fallon. The final two snaps are one of him at a desk working alongside NBC's Mike Tirico during the 2024 Paris Olympics and one of the Eiffel Tower. Jimmy Fallon's Eiffel Tower snap 'I received an email from NBC today that said, "Congrats on 2000 shows! You've just unlocked a free one month subscription to Peacock,"' Fallon joked. A screenshot of the email was shown to the audience and Fallon continued, 'I just want to give a big thank you to everyone for watching, or for at least falling asleep during Chicago P.D. and keeping your TV turned on.' 'It counts. It means a lot,' the host expressed, while saying, 'There are two things keeping me going, night after night.' 'Entertaining millions of people around the world, and cheap applause from the best live audience we've ever had!' Jimmy said, causing the crowd to cheer in their seats. 'But you guys have been with me through so much, like back in 2019 when I tried bangs,' he said, while an image of him with short, straight bangs appeared on the screen. Kelly Osbourne's boyfriend Sid Wilson has updated fans on his recovery after he suffered injuries in the wake of an explosion at the Iowa farm he shares with the second-generation star and their one-year-old son Sidney. Wilson, a 47-year-old turntablist for the band Slipknot, told Fox News Digital Thursday that his 'face is basically melted from the nose down' in the wake of the incident last week. 'My whole right arm is bandaged up, half of my left arm,' Wilson said of his numerous injuries, for which he was hospitalized. 'But the swelling's gone down, and they said the face is kind of amazing that it's regenerative, it happens real fast, seems to heal quickly.' The musician counted his blessings amid his recovery, saying, 'I've had better days, I guess, but I'm alive, so I'm doing good.' Wilson told the outlet that the explosion happened as he ventured outside on their farm to see the status of a burning wood pile. Kelly Osbourne's boyfriend Sid Wilson, 47, has updated fans on his recovery after he suffered injuries in the wake of an explosion at the Iowa farm he shares with the second-generation star, 39, and their one-year-old son Sidney In an Instagram Stories update Thursday, Osbourne said that Wilson was 'doing good' but just sore, and that he was 'ready for this situation to be over' Wilson said, 'A few nights ago, I lit it and let it burn down. So, the next day, I went to check it to see, you know, how much was left, if anything ... and there was a certain amount of debris around the side still left.' Wilson told the outlet he made a mistake and did what he was 'not supposed to do' in adding 'some gas to it.' Wilson said that he ventured away from the burning wood with the gas can in hand but was unable to find a branch to light the pile with. 'My lack of patience got the better of me, and I was like, screw it - I'll be all right, you know?' Wilson told the outlet. Wilson said he 'squatted down and reached out and lit' a wood pile saturated with gasoline, leading to the life-threatening incident. 'It was really humid out so there was still a lot of vapors lingering around in there, and it just woof - exploded,' said Wilson, who has been romantically-involved with the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, 39, for two years. Wilson said he was able to go back to the home and rush to an urgent care facility with Osbourne and their child, later transferring to a Iowa City medical facility for more specified treatment for his burns. 'Once I finally got to the hospital in Des Moines, I was able to just kind of, like, let go of whatever it was I was holding onto to get me through it,' Wilson said. 'When stuff like that happens, you got to go into, like, a mode where it's like, you know, get yourself where you need to be before your body shuts down.' She said that he was 'very, very drowsy' as his body was healing from a regimen of medication he has been on Wilson said he was able to go back to the home and rush to an urgent care facility with Osbourne and their child, later transferring to a Iowa City medical facility for more specified treatment for his burns Wilson said Osbourne has 'been completely invaluable' and 'amazing' to him amid his recovery. He added, 'Being here and taking care of all that for me, I'm not really sure what I'd be doing if she wasn't here doing that.' He advised his fans to be incredibly cautious when it comes to fire-related tasks, saying, 'Don't f*** around with fire - it's going to win every time.' Osbourne explained to the outlet of efforts made by medical professionals, 'They basically dressed the wounds and put all of this fake scab [stuff] all over [Wilson's] body until they could get to the burn unit and they could take the scabs off.' In an Instagram Stories update Thursday, Osbourne said that Wilson was 'doing good' but just sore, and that he was 'ready for this situation to be over.' She said that he was 'very, very drowsy' as his body was healing from a regimen of medication he has been on. She shared an image from a medical room as Wilson was undergoing treatment. Wilson said Sidney, thankfully, was not privy to the turbulent events of the family, 'Luckily he's young enough that he's still just kind of having a good time through the whole thing.' Wilson told Fox that he's doing his best to keep his spirits up amid the troubled time, amid second-guessing of his own actions. Wilson said Osbourne has 'been completely invaluable' and 'amazing' to him amid his recovery 'My energys not, Im not going to let it get me depressed,' Wilson said. 'The hardest part is just feeling stupid for doing it. That's the hardest part. Its not even the physical part. 'It's like going, like, "Oh, man, I really learned that the hard way." Ive got to make sure I just slow down sometimes and really examine the situation before I just dive in headfirst.' Wilson said that medical professionals have told him he's not expected to require surgery or skin grafts. Winona Ryder glowed as she posed beside her longtime love Scott Mackinlay Hahn at the London premiere of her next film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The 52-year-old actress was just 17 when she became a star in the original Beetlejuice, a supernatural comedy directed by Tim Burton. Now she has reunited with the filmmaker for a sequel, which also sees her re-team with her co-stars from the first movie, Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara. She was agelessly luminous as she posed on the red carpet in support of the project this Thursday at the Cineworld Leicester Square. In a nod to the movie's ghost story tenor, Winona was decked out in a Gothic chic black dress by Prada that featured a plunging neckline. Winona Ryder glowed as she posed beside her longtime love Scott Mackinlay Hahn at the London premiere of her next film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Gathering her dark hair into an updo, she brought out her screen siren features with subtle makeup and brought the look together with a matching purse and shoes. Her silver fox boyfriend matched her in a head-to-toe black ensemble - also by Prada - that also had the benefit of complementing his salt-and-pepper mane and beard. Scott, a fashion designer who has been involved with Winona since 2011, clasped her hand as they stood side by side for the photographers. Winona also enjoyed a red carpet reunion with Michael, in a group shot that featured their new co-stars in the sequel, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe. The original 1988 film Beetlejuice stars Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as a married couple who die in a car accident and become ghosts haunting their old house. Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara featured as a live couple who then move onto the property with their daughter, played by the teenage Winona. The ghosts find themselves enlisting the services of an exorcist called Betelgeuse, played by Michael Keaton, to get the living family out of the house. In the new sequel, Winona returns as her grown-up character, now with a teen daughter played by Jenna Ortega, confronting Betelgeuse all over again. She was agelessly luminous as she posed on the red carpet in support of the project this Thursday at the Cineworld Leicester Square In a nod to the movie's ghost story tenor, Winona was decked out in a Gothic chic black dress that featured a plunging neckline Scott, a fashion designer who has been involved with Winona since 2011, clasped her hand as they stood side by side for the photographers Winona also stood for a group shot with her co-stars (from left) Monica Bellucci, Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe during the event With a cast that also includes Justin Theroux, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is slated for a theatrical release on the United States on September 6; Michael Keaton pictured in the new film With a cast that also includes Justin Theroux, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is slated for a theatrical release on the United States on September 6. Winona's latest premiere comes after she confessed that she has been frustrated with younger co-stars who do not share her fascination with cinema. 'I dont mean to sound so hopeless. There are a few that are just not interested in movies. Like, the first thing they say is: "How long is it?"' she revealed. She declined to name the castmates in question but dished that Finn Wolfhard, 21, who acted with her on Stranger Things, was an exception. Winona said Finn is 'obsessed with Elliot Gould,' Barbra Streisand's first husband and the star of such New Hollywood movies as Bob And Carol And Ted And Alice. Meanwhile Millie Bobby Brown, 20, another one of Winona's Stranger Things co-stars, has remarked in the past that she has a limited attention span for films. 'People come up to me and say: "You should definitely watch this movie, it would change your life,"' Millie told The Sun. 'I'm like, "How long do I have to sit there for?" Because my brain and I dont even like sitting for my own movies.' Meanwhile Winona recently gave an Esquire interview in which she said she loves 'the boys' she worked with on Stranger Things, as well as her young female co-stars Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke - with no mention of Millie. Shark Tank millionaire Kevin O'Leary has slammed Australia's new right to disconnect law as 'so dumb' in a very blunt social media post. Millions of workers were given the legal right to ignore calls, emails and texts from their bosses after hours unless refusal is deemed 'unreasonable' on Monday, leaving O'Leary stunned. 'If someone tells me they're in "silent mode", they're fired,' the Canadian businessman said in a fiery X post on Thursday. The 70-year-old is best known as one Shark Tank's startup-funding venture capitalists and has an estimated net worth of $590million (US$400M). 'In Australia, employees can ignore their bosses after hours,' he began his latest segment on Fox News. 'What happens if you have an event in the office and it's closed, or you have an emergency somewhere and you have to get a hold of them at 2am in the morning because it affects the job they're working on and their mandate within the organisation?' he asked. 'This kind of stuff just makes me crazy, it's so dumb. Who dreams this crap up is my question and why would anybody propose such a stupid idea?' O'Leary has a reputation for being the bluntest panellist on the popular business reality TV series. Shark Tank millionaire Kevin O'Leary has slammed Australia's new right-to-disconnect law as 'so dumb', and wondered who would dream up such a 'stupid idea' 'If someone tells me they're in "silent mode", they're fired,' the Canadian businessman said in a fiery X post on Thursday He's known for regularly voicing criticisms of contestants' business models and product pitches, sometimes earning a social media backlash as a result. Once, he jokingly offered a Dragon's Den contestant who he didn't like $100,000 to 'burst into flames.' Under the new legislation, workers may be ordered by a tribunal to stop unreasonably refusing out-of-hours contact, and employers likewise may be ordered to stop unreasonably requiring employees to respond. The question of what is reasonable will 'depend on the circumstances', the Fair Work Ombudsman said in a statement. The new laws will legally protect workers from being forced to take non-emergency calls and respond to emails outside of business hours. 'If someone tells me they're in 'silent mode', they're fired,' O'Leary said when he slammed Australia's new law on Thursday Employees of large companies can refuse to respond to 'unreasonable' after-hours calls from their employer. Not answering the phone will be unreasonable if the contact is required by law. If the call or email is not required to be answered by law, reasonableness will be judged by the worker's job responsibility level, how disruptive the contact was and whether they were compensated. However, the changes do not prohibit an employer actually sending the email or message outside work hours. Companies found in breach of the rules can be liable to civil fines up to $19,800. The new federal laws will apply to businesses 15 or more staff as of August 26, 2025. Smaller companies have another 12 months to adapt to the change. O'Leary isn't the only celebrity to speak out about the new legislation, with shock jock Kyle Sandilands recently warning Australian workers not to get too excited about the changes. Kyle Sandilands has issued a dire warning to Australian workers as the government's new 'right to disconnect' laws come into effect on Monday 'It doesn't mean they won't railroad you out behind the scenes,' the radio host, 53, said on his KISS FM Kyle and Jackie O Show this week. Kyle argued that while it would be illegal, under the new legislation, for bosses to punish workers for not responding after hours, some unscrupulous managers could find ways around the laws. 'Don't think for a second: 'Screw that real estate agent boss',' Kyle said. 'Because eventually they will find a way to get rid of you to work around the boundaries.' Kyle also urged all Aussie workers to not abuse the system. 'Everyone you can say, 'oh by law, I don't have to respond to that' and they will then go, 'no worries'.' 'And then they get you for every little tiny infringement. You will go if they want you to go, one way or another. So, don't abuse the system.' Kyle's co-host Jackie O Henderson, 49, agreed with Kyle's warning adding that being contacted outside of work hours was a modern problem. 'I feel like that might happen,' Jackie said. 'I think it's sometimes because the thing is that work hours now are infinity. When you didn't have email and mobile phones, you never got bothered outside of work hours.' Kyle replied: 'And nothing got done. It was the late 1970s. The world spun very slowly back then.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to critics of the changes, pointing out people aren't paid 24 hours a day and so shouldn't have to work as such. 'It's a mental health issue, frankly, as well, for people to be able to disconnect from their work and connect with their family and their life,' he told ABC News. Naomi Watts' son Sasha, 17, and child Kai, 15, proudly supported their father Liev Schreiber at the New York premiere of his film Across The River And Into The Trees. Liev, 52, was also accompanied to the screening by his wife Taylor Neisen, 32, with whom he shares his one-year-old daughter Hazel. Across The River And Into The Trees is based on a 1950 Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name, set in Italy as World War II draws to its conclusion. During his latest public appearance in support of the film, Liev glowed with familial bliss while surrounded by his wife and children. The Ray Donovan heartthrob was dashing as ever in head-to-toe black, allowing a distinguished touch of silver scruff to grow over his ruggedly dashing features. Liev Schreiber , 56, posed proudly beside his wife Taylor Neisen (right), 32, and his children Sasha (left), 17, and Kai (second from right), 15, at the New York premiere of his new film Meanwhile Taylor modeled a flowing midnight blue dress decorated with frilly accents, accessorizing with a brown handbag and a set of mahogany shoes. Sasha matched his father in an all-black ensemble, while Kai arrived at the event in a cream gown with floral embroidery. In his new movie, Liev plays terminally ill U.S. serviceman Colonel Richard Cantwell, who falls in love with an 18-year-old Italian contessa called Renata. Renata is played by Italian actress Matilda De Angelis, who was previously seen on the HBO mini-series The Undoing with Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman. Josh Hutcherson features as Jackson, an American military man who is Richard's driver on a duck shoot that forms the framing device of the book. The film premiered at the Sun Valley Film Festival in Idaho in 2022 and is finally slated to receive a limited theatrical release this Friday. Naomi, who shares a famously amicable co-parenting relationship with Liev, previously revealed that Sasha and Kai have developed an interest in acting. 'It seems theyve got the bug,' said Naomi, confessing that she harbors 'mixed feelings' about her children becoming performers, via Net-a-Porter. Naomi, who shares a famously amicable co-parenting relationship with Liev, previously revealed that Sasha and Kai have developed an interest in acting During his latest public appearance in support of the film, Liev glowed with familial bliss while surrounded by his wife and children Sasha matched his father in an all-black ensemble, while Kai arrived at the event in a cream gown with floral embroidery DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Liev and Taylor tied the knot at a backyard ceremony in the Hamptons over Fourth Of July weekend 2023. Taylor was about eight months pregnant when she married Liev at a ceremony with just four guests, two of whom were Sasha and Kai. 'They didnt want a big fuss because Taylor is ready to give birth, but they wanted to bring the baby into the world as husband and wife,' a source explained. Taylor and Liev first became romantically involved in 2017, five years after she was crowned Miss South Dakota and one year after his split from Naomi. Liev and Naomi were together for 11 years before they broke up in 2016 - a development eclipsed by the much more publicly acrimonious divorce of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie around the same time. The Ray Donovan heartthrob was dashing as ever in head-to-toe black, allowing a distinguished touch of silver scruff to grow over his ruggedly dashing features Meanwhile Taylor modeled a flowing navy dress that fell flatteringly over her frame, just a year after she gave birth to her and Liev's daughter Hazel, one By contrast, Liev and Naomi retained such an amicable co-parenting equation that they went into self-isolation together with Taylor during the coronavirus lockdowns so that Sasha and Kai be with both of their parents. Taylor and Liev then exchanged vows last summer at the sprawling Montauk mansion that he originally lived in with Naomi. When the newlyweds announced the birth of their daughter on Instagram, Naomi ecstatically commented: 'We love baby Hazel!!' Amid Liev's blossoming romance with Taylor, Naomi struck up a relationship with Billy Crudup, whom she eventually married last June. An Australian influencer has given a heartbreaking update on her one-year-old who was in a coma for 100 hours. Allanah Harris and husband Brock run popular The Harris Family TikTok page, which documents the lives of their four children for more than one million followers. Allanah and Brock share one-year-old daughter Daisy as well as James, seven, Chase, three, and Ellie, two. Daisy lives with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) - a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumours to grow in the brain and on other vital organs. And on Thursday, Allanah took to Instagram to announce that little Daisy had to be resuscitated by doctors. 'Not the update we ever wanted to give,' Allanah said on the social media platform. 'Our darling Daisy is now in a critical condition, fighting for her life. 'We will be forever grateful to all the doctors and nurses for acting quickly and getting her heart beating again,' she added. An Australian influencer has given a heartbreaking update on her one-year-old who was in a coma for 100 hours. Allanah Harris (pictured with daughter Daisy) and husband Brock run popular The Harris Family TikTok page Allanah's daughter Daisy lives with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) - a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous tumours to grow in the brain and on other vital organs. Pictured: Daisy Since Daisy was six months old, she had been suffering from multiple seizures every day before the family discovered that TSC was the cause. Taking to Instagram earlier this month, Allanah shared a heartbreaking update on her baby girl, revealing that she had been comatose for more than 100 hours - with doctors scrambling to find the cause. Allanah shared two photos, one of her hand comforting Daisy's bandaged arm, and a portrait picture of her daughter. 'Not the update we ever wanted to give,' Allanah said on the social media platform. 'Our darling Daisy is now in a critical condition, fighting for her life. We will be forever grateful to all the doctors and nurses for acting quickly and getting her heart beating again,' she added 'Daisy was once a bright and bubbly little girl that has recently taken an unfortunate turn and has now put herself in what appears to be a comatose state for over 100 hours,' Allanah revealed in the extensive post. 'Unfortunately there aren't any medications or stimulants that are safe for Daisy to have to help her wake. Daisy has encountered countless needles/blood tests while "asleep" and doesn't so much as bat an eyelid.' She added that the reasons behind Daisy's current comatose state remain a mystery. Daisy, who also suffers from focal cortical dysplasia, epilepsy, infantile spasms, and encephalopathy, was first diagnosed with TSC in June last year, on the same day Allanah's first child Lily, who was stillborn, died in 2020. A GoFundMe has been set up by Brock and Daisy's grandmother Karen to help cover the cost of Daisy's ongoing treatment and has raised more than $40,000. Naomi Watts has shared her heartbreak after her beloved grandmother's death at the age of 99. The Australian-British actress, 55, took to Instagram on Friday to share the sad news that her 'nanna' Nikki Roberts had passed away, three weeks after having a stroke. Naomi shared a carousel of sweet images of herself with Nikki and her family members and paid tribute to her 'no-nonsense' grandmother in a lengthy tribute. She told how her grandmother had lived until her 99th birthday after suffering a stroke, achieving her goal of having one last party with all her family members. Sharing one picture featuring four generations of her family, Naomi praised her grandmother's enduring legacy and admitted it is an emotional time for her family. 'My darling Nanna has left this world but her spirit will never leave us,' the Mulholland Drive star began the touching post. 'I'm truly blessed to have had the most wonderful relationship with her. She is such a huge part of who I am: her core values, her work ethic, and her mischievous humor and joy of life.' 'My mum and aunts are all in pieces today, but we know what a great life she had,' Naomi continued. Naomi Watts has shared her heartbreak after her beloved grandmother's death at the age of 99 The Australian-British actress, 55, took to Instagram on Friday to share the sad news that her 'nanna' Nikki Roberts had passed away, three weeks after having a stroke 'She just kept cracking on because she loved her life and her family. She lived three more weeks after a massive stroke because, in full beast mode, she showed us that when she was finally ready to 'peg it - she'd peg it'. 'She had one more goal to meet. Her 99th birthday!! One more party. One more family gathering.' Ending the emotional post, Naomi praised Nikki for her humour and 'no-nonsense attitude.' 'I'll never forget her wicked laugh, her feisty spirit, her no-nonsense attitude, her no waste policy,' she exclaimed. 'She'd be trimming the mold off the bread and cheese: 'you don't need an expiration date that's what a nose is for! May her stories and memories live on.' Naomi shared a carousel of sweet images of herself with Nikki and her family members and paid tribute to her 'no-nonsense' grandmother in a lengthy tribute She told how her grandmother had lived until her 99th birthday after suffering a stroke, achieving her goal of having one last party with all her family members 'My mum and aunts are all in pieces today, but we know what a great life she had,' Naomi gushed in a caption The post was met with a massive outpouring of support as her famous friends and fans all sent their condolences. Magnolia star Julianne Moore, was quick to comment on the heartfelt post with: 'I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person.' Big screen icon Glenn Close also chimed in with a sweet sentiment. 'She's laughing with the angels,' she wrote. 'How blessed your family is to have had her.' Pulp Fiction star Rosanna Arquette sent her sincere condolences writing: 'I'm so sorry for your loss you are blessed to have had her guide your life and inspire you.' Selma Blair also commented: 'I am so sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.' Her Australian friends Rebecca Gibney Natalie Imbruglia and Teresa Palmer also offered their thoughts as they rallied around Naomi. Dancing With the Stars dancer Artem Chigvintsev, left, and pro wrestler Nikki Garcia, aka Nikki Bella, attend an event at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles in December 2019. Chigvintsev was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Napa County on Thursday, Aug. 29 Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Cheryl Burke has broken her silence on fellow Dancing With the Stars professional dancer Artem Chigvintsevs arrest earlier this week. Domestic violence and Artem dont really thats why its so shocking, an emotional Burke said on her iHeart Radio podcast Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans late Thursday, Aug. 29. The San Francisco native, who ran a dance studio in Mountain View for seven years before it closed in 2015, went on to explain that the two grew up together and used to live together in my familys home in the Bay Area. Its just really hard for me because he was my family, added Burke, who was the first female professional to win Dancing With the Stars in 2006 and left the show after its 31st season in 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Napa resident Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested and booked on a domestic violence charge. Napa County Department of Corrections via Associated Press Chigvintsev was taken into custody just before 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at his residence in Yountville and booked for allegedly inflicting injury on a spouse, co-habitant or co-parent in incidents of domestic violence, according to Napa County jail records. He was released at approximately 2:18 p.m. after posting $25,000 bail. Russian-born Chigvintsev, 42, is married to retired pro wrestler Nikki Garcia, the 40-year-old better known as Nikki Bella and half of the WWE duo the Bella Twins with sister Brie, but records do not specify if she was the alleged victim. This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time, Garcias representative said in a statement on Friday, Aug. 30. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The couple share a 4-year-old son, Matteo. Dancing With the Stars dancer Artem Chigvintsev, left, and wife, retired pro wrestler Nikki Garcia, hold hands in 2023. Chigvintsev has been arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Napa County. Raymond Hall/2023 GC images via Getty In a recorded 911 call obtained by TMZ, Chigvintsev alleged that Garcia had thrown shoes at him after the two had gotten into an argument. He later called the paramedics off. The dispatcher noted that a child was at the home and that Chigvintsev and Garcia were physically separated at the time of the call. When someone is charged with felony domestic violence, usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness, Napa County Sheriffs public information officer Henry Wofford said in a statement. Our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chigvintsev has appeared in 12 seasons of Dancing With the Stars and won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy in Season 29 with Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe. Professional dancer Cheryl Burke, right, and celebrity contestant Cody Rigsby perform on Dancing With the Stars in October 2021. Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images Burke confirmed that before his arrest, he was not set to be part of Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars, which premieres next month. Chigvintsev and Garcia first participated as a duo in Season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017 when she was still engaged to John Cena (the couple broke up a year later) and got married in August 2022. The couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary on social media just days before Chigvintsevs arrest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ill 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, Garcia wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, sharing video clips from their wedding. And then this song (Cant Help Falling in Love) came on. And thats when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. In his post, Chingvintsev wrote: Happy anniversary my love, cant see my life with out you. You are my everything. ABC, the network that broadcasts Dancing With the Stars, declined to comment. Officials with the Napa County Sheriffs Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking the ABC star into custody. Chigvintsev, 42, was arrested in Yountville, California early Thursday in connection with suspicion of felony domestic violence by deputies with the department, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. 'When it comes to felony domestic violence, its not based on hearsay,' Napa County Sheriffs Office spokesman Henry Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. 'The deputies saw something that is apparent.' Wofford explained, 'Im not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes its bruises - its something visible where the deputies said, "OK, were making this arrest."' Deputies spoke to Chigvintsev and arrested him for felony domestic violence, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday, adding that the dance pro 'was cooperative' and 'did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.' Officials with the Napa County Sheriffs Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, 42, with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking him into custody Chigvintsev was pictured competing on the show last year with a celebrity partner An alarm was triggered at the home by a 911 call made from the premises at around 8:30 a.m., insiders close to the probe told TMZ on Thursday, after an unidentified caller reported a 'medical emergency' from the property. Sources told the outlet that 'paramedics and the fire department were en route, someone from the house called 911 again to cancel the request,' and both agencies went back to their stations. According to the Napa County arrest database, the specific state penal code applies to suspects who 'willfully [inflict] corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition' toward a 'spouse or former spouse;' 'cohabitant or former cohabitant;' 'fiance or fiance;' 'someone with whom the offender has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship;' or 'the mother or father of the offenders child.' Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday that Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections at 10:40 a.m., with his bail set at $25,000. Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday that there was only one other person connected to this incident, but declined to identity of the victim or any details, per their request. Wofford said that as of Thursday evening, he was not aware of any protective orders being filed by the victim or on their behalf by authorities. 'We're going to take our time like we do in every domestic violence case,' Wofford said. 'No one gets a preferential treatment, and no one is getting overlooked. Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, authorities told Dailymail.com. Pictured in 2020 Chigvintsev has appeared on the ABC ballroom competition for 13 seasons; pictured last fall 'When it comes to domestic violence victims, it is common for male and female victims to not be fully prepared to tell the entire story shortly after the incident, so we're not going to rush this ... and we have the patience as well.' Wofford told Dailymail.com that the department was focused on providing 'a support system for the victim.' Wofford said that a probe was ongoing as to whether Chigvintsev had violated any laws with his conduct prior to his arrest Thursday. 'We want the victim to know we want to know their story, and if we must investigate whether this is an isolated incident or if this is an ongoing incident, were happy to investigate,' Wofford said. 'Were going to do everything we can to protect our community.' Wofford said that information on Chigvintsev's pending court dates were not immediately available. Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella - and the couple are parents to son Matteo, three. The two initially crossed paths in 2017, when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars' 25th season. Chigvintsev had past been in high-profile relationships with other celebrities, as he was wed to dancer Giselle Peacock, 43, between 2004 and 2005; and dated DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, between 2006 and 2008. Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella. Pictured in NYC in 2023 The two initially crossed paths in 2017, when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars' 25th season. Pictured in LA in October 2017 Garcia was previously engaged to WWE star/actor John Cena, 47, but the relationship ended in July of 2018. Chigvintsev has appeared on a total of 111 episodes of Dancing with the Stars from 2009-2023, garnering an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on the series in 2021. An insider told Page Six Thursday that 'there were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33.' He was born in Izhevsk, Russia and relocated to the United States in 2003. Chigvintsev appeared on the series So You Think You Can Dance in 2006 and went on to appear on the U.K. version of Strictly Come Dancing from 2010-2013. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. Winona Ryder was just a teenager when she made her acting debut in the late 1980s, and now she's opening up about the sexual harassment she encountered in her 20s. The 51-year-old actress made her acting debut at just 15 in the 1986 film Lucas and broke through just two years later in Beetlejuice and Heathers. While promoting her long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - in theaters September 6 - Ryder opened up about being 'blatantly' sexually harassed in the 90s. 'I had a couple of difficult experiences with a couple of people who were just blatantly sexually harassing me,' she told Esquire. She added, 'And then it happened again in my 30s. It wasnt an assault. But it was incredibly inappropriate. It was wild.' Winona Ryder was just a teenager when she made her acting debut in the late 1980s, and now she's opening up about the sexual harassment she encountered in her 20s While promoting her long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - in theaters September 6 - Ryder opened up about being 'blatantly' sexually harassed in the 90s Ryder said those experiences allowed her to, 'really understand,' what other victims were subjected to, though she insisted she wasn't harassed regularly. 'I was lucky because I was known, so it didnt happen as much as maybe it would if I had been a struggling actor,' she continued. '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. 'If someone was being inappropriate or drunkenly hitting on me it was like, "Ha ha!" You kind of do that. "Ha ha!"' she explained. 'Inappropriate? I dealt with that. But touching me? It felt very invasive,' she insisted. She also opened up about dating in her 20s after achieving fame in Hollywood, including one specific date story. 'I went to the bathroom and when I came back he was talking to someone, and I overheard him saying how he was going to, like, score with Winona Ryder,' she said of a date at a local bar. 'I was so crushed. Not only because I thought that we had this genuine connection but also like, "Is this my life? Am I never going to get to meet someone and theyre going to know me based on our conversation [rather than my celebrity]?"' she said. Ryder said those experiences allowed her to, 'really understand,' what other victims were subjected to, though she insisted she wasn't harassed regularly 'I was lucky because I was known, so it didnt happen as much as maybe it would if I had been a struggling actor,' she continued While she would not divulge the identities of those who harassed her, she added that she didn't realize the extent of her trauma until telling her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Jenna Ortega While she would not divulge the identities of those who harassed her, she added that she didn't realize the extent of her trauma until telling her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Jenna Ortega. 'And as I was saying it, I was like, "Jesus Christ, thats really f***ed up,"' Ryder admitted. She also shared a story about meeting Harvey Weinstein for the first time, which took her by surprise after. 'The one time I was supposed to have a meeting with [Weinstein], 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,' she said. 'And [afterward] I got, like, screamed at [by an agent]. "What the f**k did you do? I was like, "What?" Apparently, I offended him because I extended my hand?' she said. Ryder is unsure what she could have done to offend Weinstein, now 72, at the time, but she was under the impression he did not like her after that. Claudia Schiffer enjoyed a family outing in New York City on Thursday. The 54-year-old German supermodel turned heads in a low-cut summer dress that showcased her cleavage. She accessorized with a straw purse, white-rimmed sunglasses, and a pair of brown open-toe sandals. Her platinum blonde tresses were parted in the middle and cascaded down her shoulders. She was accompanied by her two lookalike daughters. Her eldest, social media influencer Clementine, 19, looked effortlessly chic in a navy sweater and leggings. Claudia Schiffer enjoyed a family outing in New York City on Thursday. The 54-year-old German supermodel turned heads in a low-cut summer dress that showcased her cleavage Her lookalike daughter Clementine, 19, joined her for the day and looked effortlessly chic in a navy sweater and leggings Like her stylish mom, she accessorized with a brown leather purse. Her younger daughter Cosima, 14, also joined in, wearing a navy sweater, jeans and sneakers. Claudia shares all three of her children with renowned English film director husband Matthew Vaughn, 53, who recently directed the spy flick Argylle. They are also parents to son Casper, 21. Claudia and Matthew wed in 2002. Clementine has become a social media sensation recently by showcasing her lavish lifestyle on Instagram - which consists of glamorous getaways, invites to coveted fashion events, dinners at celebrity-loved restaurants, and access to her mom's designer closet. Earlier this month she shared a new snap with her followers, which saw her lounging on a staircase in a stylish dress. Clementine has had a charmed life from the start; she and her two siblings were raised in a sprawling $9 million, 14-bedroom mansion in the English countryside. Claudia accessorized with a straw purse, white-rimmed sunglasses, and a pair of brown open-toe sandals Her platinum blonde tresses were parted in the middle and cascaded down her shoulders Her younger daughter Cosima, 14, also joined in, wearing a navy sweater, jeans and sneakers She sported platinum tresses like her mom and older sister As a teen, her parents bought a second massive abode in another area of the UK, and would split their time between the two homes while the filmmaker took a helicopter back and forth from his movie sets. She posed for Vogue magazine when she only an infant, and by the time she was a teen, she was already stealing her mom's clothes. And while she spent many years trying to avoid the spotlight, Clementine eventually embraced the attention - and she's now racked up more than 18,000K followers. She hasn't officially entered the world of modeling just yet - aside from her appearance in Vogue - but it's clear that she has a fierce passion for fashion. She's often seen donning exquisite looks or toting around expensive handbags, and has attended a slew of star-studded events and runway shows to support her supermodel mother. Earlier this year she jetted off to Italy with Claudia for Milan Fashion Week - and was spotted hanging out backstage at the Versace show, where she fit right in. She also attended the star-studded Argyle premiere with her parents in London in January. Many have hailed Clementine as her mom's 'lookalike' or 'twin' thanks to their striking resemblance and similar stunning features, so it seems like it's only a matter of time before she starts gracing the cover of magazines and reigning the fashion world as her mom once did. Clementine has become a social media sensation recently by showcasing her lavish lifestyle on Instagram; seen in a snap posted earlier this month She has had a charmed life from the start; she and her two siblings were raised in a sprawling $9 million, 14-bedroom mansion in the English countryside Clementine even appeared on the cover of Vogue with her supermodel mom when she was a baby Claudia shares a total of three children with husband Matthew Vaughn, 53, who recently directed spy flick Argylle. They are also parents to son Casper, 21; seen in January in London When Clementine celebrated her 19th birthday in November, Claudia had the sweetest things to say about her daughter. 'Clementine is 19 today!' she wrote, before adding a message to her daughter: 'Keep thinking out of the box and being such a genuine, warm hearted, caring, and loving grown up girl that you are.' In an essay written for The Guardian last year in April, Claudia revealed that both her daughters have also developed a love for fashion. 'I have kept so many pieces over the years, including my Valentino wedding dress,' she had explained. 'My daughters are now starting to wear my vintage pieces too, but in a style of their own.' 'I love watching how they put together outfits. Wardrobe sharing, swapping and preloved seems second nature to my daughters' generation.' Chris Pratt sported a newly shaven face while on set of his new film Way of the Warrior Kid in Los Angeles on Thursday. The actor, 45, looked years younger without his signature scruffy beard, as he was seen in full military uniform while getting ready to shoot a scene. Pratt, who plays Jake in the movie, was also joined by his co-star Linda Cardellini, 49, who stars as Sarah. The duo play siblings in the movie. The film follows Marc (Jude Hill) 'a self-doubting boy who gets bullied and is hard-pressed to complete a single pull-up, with Cardellini as Marcs mother, Sarah' as per Deadline. Marc's uncle, Jake (Pratt), is an elite Navy SEAL, who is injured on a mission and moves in with his sister for rehab. Chris Pratt, 45, sported a newly shaven face while on set of his new film Way of the Warrior Kid in Los Angeles on Thursday He then uses his SEAL Team training to help his 13-year-old nephew, who is struggling in school and his personal life, as he attempts to help him 'find his inner warrior.' The film is based on the 2017 novel by Jocko Willink. Earlier his week Chris was seen shooting scenes for the film for the first time after his stunt double's cause of death was revealed. Stuntman Tony McFarr was found dead at his home outside of Orlando, Florida, on May 17. At the time, his family said they did not know how he'd died. It was later reported that McFarr passed away from a heart issue worsened by heavy drinking. Pratt and McFarr partnered together on films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. Just earlier this week Pratt's wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, 34, shared an adorable snap of the actor with his scruffy beard, as he hugged their daughter Eloise, two. 'When you have plans to go fast at 8, but your boss demands cuddles at 7:55,' the mom of two who is expecting her third child captioned the sweet image. Pratt wore big black sunglasses and a black trucker hat in the photo which he shared to his Instagram Story. 'What the boss wants, the boss gets!' he wrote over the photo. The actor looked years younger without his signature scruffy beard, as he was seen in full military uniform while getting ready to shoot a scene The actor usually rocks a more scruffy look; seen with his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, 34, in November 2023 Just earlier this week Pratt's wife shared an adorable snap of him with his scruffy beard, as he hugged their daughter Eloise, two The two are currently expecting their third child Earlier this month his stunt double's cause of death was revealed. Tony McFarr partnered with Pratt on films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World (pictured) The couple are also parents to daughter Lyla, four, and are expecting their third child together. The Jurassic World star also has a son, Jack, with his ex-wife Anna Faris. Pratt shared rare photos with his son on Instagram in celebration of his 12th birthday earlier this month. The photos showed them spending time together on a farm as gave a sweet shoutout to his son. In his caption, Pratt wrote: 'Happy birthday to my wonderful son Jack. I thank God every day for you sweet boy.' He continued: 'You are so smart, hilarious, kind, thoughtful, trustworthy and tough. I love you so much kiddo. Twelve!? I honestly can't believe it.' Bernadette Fahey has posted to social media to share footage of her shopping for a perfect wedding gown, weeks after announcing her engagement. The Bondi Pilates queen looked absolutely radiant as she tried on a variety of white wedding gowns at an upmarket bridal store in Sydney. The stunner was all smiles as she rocked her best angles in a variety of white lacy designer gowns, as she searched for the ideal dress to tie the knot in. Bernadette looked every inch the blushing bride in the heartwarming clip, as she fit into a number of exquisite designs, while she continued her search for the right one. She captioned the clip with some informative words: 'And so the hunt begins for most important white dress I'll ever wear.' Many of her fans quickly took to the comment section to gush over the adorable footage. 'OMG,' wrote Today reporter Britt Warburton and another person added: 'Here comes the bride.' Last month, Bernadette announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Jordan Sukkar. Bernadette Fahey (pictured) has posted to social media to share precious footage of her shopping for a perfect wedding gown, weeks after announcing her engagement The socialite and fitness instructor posted to Instagram to confirm her businessman partner Jordan had popped the question. Jordan, who owns construction company Buildcorp, got down on one knee during their romantic getaway in Tinos, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Bernadette confirmed their engagement by sharing a photograph of herself flashing her diamond ring as she cuddled up to Jordan. She looked stunning in a white cut-out gown as she held up her lavish gold ring for the camera, which had a large sparkling diamond encrusted in the centre. The Bondi Pilates queen looked absolutely radiant as she was seen trying on a variety of white wedding gowns at an upmarket bridal store in Sydney The stunner was all smiles as she rocked her best angles in a variety of white lacy designer gowns, while she searched for the ideal gown to tie the knot in Bernadette, who owns popular Bondi Pilates studio Body By Berner, looked happier than ever as she beamed for the camera. While it is not known exactly how long the couple have been together, they went Instagram Official in May. Bernadette is known for being the fitness instructor to some of Sydney's most high-powered socialites and famous faces, including Jade Yarbrough and model Madeleine Holtznagel. Maura Higgins looked incredible as she was seen arriving at Roxie Nafousi, author of manifest event at Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester on Thursday. The Love Island USA host, 33, put on a busty display in a plunging black satin corset midi dress. She elevated her height in sandal style heels and accessorised with gold jewellery, while carrying her belongings in a black clutch bag. Maura was joined by Love Island pal Leah Taylor, who put on a leggy display in a little black dress. Just days earlier, Maura showcased her toned figure in a racy brown dress from Natalie Rolt as she posed for a sizzling social media snap. Maura Higgins looked incredible as she was seen arriving at Roxie Nafousi, author of manifest event at Peter Street Kitchen in Manchester on Thursday Just days earlier, Maura showcased her toned figure in a racy brown dress from Natalie Rolt as she posed for a sizzling social media snap According to new reports, Maura is secretly dating Pete Wicks as they were spotted snogging at Broadwick Soho Hotel at the weekend. She then made a cheeky comment on Pete's announcement he will star on the upcoming series of Strictly. She wrote: 'According to The Sun... I know what those hips can do. Proud of you!!!!' to which Pete replied: 'Dead'. The pair seemingly tried to squash any speculation they are dating after they were seen enjoying an alfresco lunch together. The couple were first reported to be dating in October 2023 as they were seen looking rather cosy at the Pride Of Britain Awards. A source told the publication: 'Maura had been sitting on the terrace with friends for an hour before Pete arrived. 'After theyd sat there for a while Maura went in for a long kiss with Pete. It wasnt the kind of kiss youd give a friend, it was very passionate. 'Maura and Pete seemed to be really into each other and kept looking into each others eyes before kissing again a number of times. They were all over each other. They looked totally in love and werent trying to hide it from anyone.' The Love Island USA host, 33, put on a busty display in a plunging black satin corset midi dress Maura was joined by Love Island pal Leah Taylor, who put on a leggy display in a little black dress It comes after Maura made a cheeky comment on Pete Wicks' announcement he will star on the upcoming series of Strictly Pete announced he would be joining Strictly on Wednesday and said he was a 'mixture of excited and petrified' She wrote: 'According to The Sun... I know what those hips can do. Proud of you!!!!' to which Pete replied: 'Dead' MailOnline contacted Maura's representatives for comment. Pete announced he would be joining Strictly on KISS FM on Wednesday morning. He told the show: 'its a mixture of excited and petrified, generally petrified. I've been telling people, can you really imagine me really doing this and their like, yeah your right you wouldn't.' 'I'm going to have to switch my phone off now I'll have a load of messages.' He revealed that he had already spilled the news to his best friend Sam Thompson, who 'cried.' 'I'm not joking he screamed jumped up and down and cried. 'He has already planned that he is coming every Saturday and he's making T-shirts and he is my number one fan in life, he is already making T-shirts. He's a bit like Martha in Baby Reindeer.' Maura recently revealed that she is not short of offers and has had American A-listers slide into her DMS and ask her out after her split from American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton earlier this year. The couple were first reported to be dating in October 2023 as they were seen looking rather cosy at the Pride Of Britain Awards (pictured at the POB) Maura split from American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton (pictured) earlier this year Speaking to Closer, the Love Island USA star said: 'I've had Hollywood men slide into my DMs. 'But I'm not going to do that, be flown to Hollywood for a first date. They have to come to me!' Maura also confirmed that she has moved on from her ex Bobby following a 10 month whirlwind romance , but refused to give more details. She added: 'I'm dating The thing with me is I won't just date someone. 'I don't go off just looks, I have to be speaking to somebody for quite some time to sort of get their vibe. It needs to be flirty, getting to know each other, getting a vibe.' Bond fans may be left shaken and stirred by Daniel Craig's graphic gay sex scenes in Queer and gossip about the footage is setting the Lido at Venice Film Festival alight ahead of the movie's premiere on Tuesday. Five-times 007 Daniel Craig stars in the picture, directed by darling of the film world Luca Guadagnino. Based on William Burroughs' semiautobiographical novella about obsessive lust, it stars Craig as American expat and war veteran William Lee, who has a romance with a younger man, Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman. Allerton initially rejects Lee's advances but eventually relents. One particularly frank scene features Craig performing oral sex. I'm told: 'It's a long way from Bond, and very explicit. Craig is brilliant in the film.' Daniel Craig has been tipped for Oscar glory ahead of his role in the racy film Queer, with sources saying his 'brilliant' performance Venice Film Festival boss Alberto Barbera said he believes Craig has given 'the performance of a lifetime' in Queer, and added he'd be surprised if we don't see the British actor at the Academy Awards next year. Barbera told a journalist that Craig had 'a couple of sex scenes that are quite full-on'. In an interview, Guadagnino commented: 'Queer will be my most personal film. It's a tribute to Powell and Pressburger. 'I've seen The Red Shoes at least 50 times and I think they would appreciate the sex scenes in Queer, which are numerous and quite scandalous.' The novella was penned between 1951 and 1953 but not published until 1985. Much of it was written in the aftermath of the death of Burroughs' wife Joan Vollmer who he shot in the head during a drinking party in Mexico City. Their four-year-old son was in the room at the time. Burroughs said he was trying to shoot a glass off her head, William Tell style, but later changed his story to say the weapon misfired. He was convicted of manslaughter in his absence, after fleeing to the US. Craig, 56, lives mostly in New York these days with actress Rachel Weisz and their young daughter. The James Bond star plays an American expat and war veteran who becomes embroiled in a romance with younger man, and is said to feature several explicit sex scene He has acted for more 30 years, but never received an Oscar nomination. As well as the Bond films, he has appeared in Layer Cake and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Production recently wrapped on Wake Up, Dead Man the third instalment in the wildly successful Knives Out series. Italian Guadagnino, 53, is known for Call Me By Your Name, Challengers and Bones And All. She's no stranger to a sexy swimwear moment. And Georgia Harrison sent pulses racing as she left little to the imagination in a tiny leopard print bikini on Wednesday. Taking to Instagram the Love Island star, 29, treated fans to a selection of snaps from her recent Ibizan getaway as she posed up a storm. Showcasing her toned abs, the star displayed her ample cleavage in the skimpy two piece. Georgia accessorised the look with a chunky red cross necklace and tied her brunette locks up off her face in a red ribbon. Georgia Harrison left little to the imagination as she wowed in VERY skimpy leopard print bikini in recent Instagram snaps from her holiday in Ibiza Taking to Instagram the Love Island star, 29, treated fans to a selection of snaps from her recent Ibizan getaway as she posed up a storm Jumping on the recent TikTok 'demure' trend, she captioned the snaps: 'Anything but demure'. The star also shared some snaps with her friends as she cheekily pouted alongside fellow Love Island alumni Olivia Attwood and influencer Nicole Bass. Sharing more snaps in the same sizzling bikini, Georgia made sure to capture all angles as she added a low waisted white lace skirt to the ensemble. Posing with her pals she penned: 'POV - We made it out the group chat'. Taking to the comments, Georgia's friends rushed to compliment the star as Liberty Poole wrote: 'Stunner' alongside a series of fire emojis. Meanwhile Gabby Allen shared a series of heart-eyed emojis and Demi Sims gushed: 'The bikini & necklace combo.' It comes after Georgia revealed earlier this week that she was the victim of a mugging in broad daylight outside a the swanky Nessa restaurant in London's Soho. The star took to her Instagram with a desperate plea to return her stolen handbag which she claimed included an 'irreplaceable necklace' and her passport. Jumping on the recent TikTok 'demure' trend, she captioned the snaps: 'Anything but demure' Georgia accessorised the look with a chunky red cross necklace and tied her brunette locks up off her face in a red ribbon The star also shared some snaps with her friends as she cheekily pouted alongside fellow Love Island alumni Olivia Attwood and influencer Nicole Bass Sharing more snaps in the same sizzling bikini, Georgia made sure to capture all angles as she added a low waisted white lace skirt to the ensemble Taking to the comments, Georgia's friends rushed to compliment the star as Liberty Poole wrote: 'Stunner' alongside a series of fire emojis Georgia shared snaps of the eye-catching hot pink accessory embellished with the word 'Guccify' and begged for help ahead of her travels abroad next week. Writing: 'To whoever just stole my bag in London it has so much in it that I care about please return it'. The alongside a snap of the restaurant she said: 'I was outside this restaurant @nessasoho so if anyone saw anything please let me know as it's a very noticeable bag but the cctv couldn't pick it up there was an irreplaceable necklace in there so if you were involved just return in.' Before finally adding: 'If anyone hears of anyone trying to sell this just know it's mine. 'My passport was in there too and I'm flying next Friday am I going to be able to get a replacement on Monday as it's only giving me options for a 1 week fast track?' The Love Island star took to her Instagram with a desperate plea to return her stolen handbag last week which she claimed included an 'irreplaceable necklace' and her passport Georgia shared snaps of the eye-catching hot pink accessory embellished with the word 'Guccify' and begged for help ahead of her travels abroad next week She later shared a snap of herself holding the bag at a concert with the words 'isn't life funny'. After fans believed she'd had she's had the items returned Georgia was forced to clarify it was an old image and still dealing with a whopping 1K worth of damage as a result of the theft. Writing: 'Just to confirm I didn't get it back that was a pic the night before it was stolen, I'm still in the process of getting breakdown cover to get me a new ket, changing my looks and trying to get a new passport'. 'Over 1K of damage control let alone of the price of the bag and belongings in it. London's crazy watch your stuff guys cause it's just not dafe'. Ashley Roberts has shared exclusively with MailOnline that she endured 'disastrous' online dates and was even catfished before meeting boyfriend George Rollinson 'the old fashioned way'. The former Pussycat Doll, 42, has been dating the hunky artist, 25, since November ahead of them making their first offical appearance as a couple earlier this year. Ashley gushed that she was in a 'happy place' and said: 'It's really nice to be in a relationship that's kind and thoughtful and supportive and we have fun'. She explained to MailOnline that while online dating works for a lot of people she and George met through mutual friends and their relationship 'came about naturally'. 'It was an unexpected thing, we met, and I was having a good time and living my best life, enjoying it and I was like "this is someone quite special" - I'm in a happy place'. Ashley Roberts, 42, has shared exclusively with MailOnline that she endured 'disastrous' online dates and was even catfished before meeting boyfriend George Rollinson, 25, The former Pussycat Doll has been dating the hunky artist since November before making their first offical appearance as a couple (pictured) earlier this year Ashley, who reportedly signed up to celeb dating app Raya in 2022, recalled one bad date, laughing: 'I turned up and necessarily didn't recognise the person sat in front of me from [their profile] images'. 'And i was like 'wait a minute' and it's a bit uncomfortable because you have to sit through a meal, so that was on the disastrous side'. Going on to muse: 'I was kind of on an adventure to try new things and went online and I gave it a go, but it actually worked out the old fashioned way with George'. Artist George has previously collaborated with boxer Francis Ngannou for his fight against Tyson Fury, decorating the Cameroonian's boots with his own designs and has created elaborate pieces for the likes of celebrity clients Drake and Anthony Joshua. Ashley was speaking to MailOnline after she was recruited as a Extra Flamin' Hot snacks ambassador following her sweaty wardrobe malfunction at the UK Gala screening of Alien: Romulus earlier this month. The Heart FM star struggled to keep cool in her skintight grey dress as she posed for snaps on the red carpet, with her armpits becoming noticeably sweaty. Recalling the faux pas she said: 'It was a hot summer day and it was a bit humid out, I chose a jersey knit grey dress'. 'When I got off the red carpet I realised 'oh it's a little bit sweaty' but I was living my best life out there and didn't even realise'. Ashley gushed that she was in a 'happy place' and said: 'It's really nice to be in a relationship that's kind and thoughtful and supportive and we have fun' She explained to MailOnline that while online dating works for a lot of people she and George met through mutual friends and their relationship 'came about naturally' (pictured in March) 'It was an unexpected thing, we met, and I was having a good time and living my best life, enjoying it and I was like 'this is someone quite special'' (George pictured) She went on: 'When I saw [the photos] I was a little bit like [shocked] but also I just had a giggle with it and make it into a positive'. 'We all sweat so why don't we just embrace it, there's no shame in it '. New research released reveals that one in four Brits have also been 'sweat shamed' like Ashley in the past. Commenting on her new role, she said: 'I'm proud to be the new sweaty face of the Extra Flamin' Hot snacks - the brand celebrates the physical reactions our bodies have to spicy foods, rather than shames people for them'. 'No one should be ashamed of sweating - I'm sick of outdated attitudes towards perfectly natural bodily functions'. The hot new flavour, available across Doritos, Walkers MAX, and Wotsits Crunchy has been inducing snack lovers sweat patches since its release earlier this year. Since starting dating, Ashley and George have enjoyed a romantic holiday in Dubai soaking up the sunsets at beachfront hotel Caesars Palace and dining at the likes of luxury Italian restaurant Scalini. The artist, who is 17 years Ashley's junior, is Ashley's first serious partner since her split from Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice in 2020. Ashley was speaking to MailOnline after she was recruited as a Extra Flamin' Hot snacks ambassador following her sweaty wardrobe malfunction earlier this month (pictured) The Heart FM star struggled to keep cool in her skintight grey dress as she posed for snaps on the red carpet, with her armpits becoming noticeably sweaty Ashley said: 'When I saw [the photos] I was a little bit like [shocked] but also I just had a giggle with it and make it into a positive' The stunner then enjoyed a packet of Flaming Hot Wotsits as she unveiled a steamy billboard of herself drenched in sweat to promote the campaign Ashley insisted: 'We all sweat so why don't we just embrace it, there's no shame in it ' A source told MailOnline in November: 'Ashley and George are smitten with each other. 'They have chosen to keep their relationship private for now but gradually have started sharing snippets from their life together on social media. 'George is extremely successful in his own right, creating artwork for massive names and establishing himself in his craft from a young age. 'Ashley isn't at all bothered about their age difference... they have similar interests, and he has inspired her creatively, she hasn't felt this way in a long time.' Ashley's last public relationship was with Strictly professional Giovanni, 33, who is nine years her junior. George, who is 17 years Ashley's junior, is Ashley's first serious partner since her split from Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice in 2020 (pictured in April 2019) The couple were together for over a year before splitting in 2020. They met when Ashley starred on the BBC series in 2018, competing with Pasha Kovalev in the competition and finishing as a finalist. Giovanni, who was forced to quit Strictly this season after his celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington left the show, dated Love Island star Maura Higgins following his romance with Ashley. It was speculated in 2012 after her stint in the I'm A Celeb jungle that Ashley shared a brief fling with host Declan Donnelly, though the pair never publicly confirmed. Oasis fans have been sent into a frenzy as they were treated to unheard versions of the band's most iconic tracks, just hours ahead of a wild rush for tickets for the historic reunion tour. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the group's debut album Definitely Maybe, a deluxe version of the record was released on Friday, complete with early recordings made by the Gallagher brothers at Monnow Valley studios. The brand new formats include specially-made vinyl versions and a limited edition blue cassette. It also features tracks from the discarded original recording session at Monnow Valley Studios, along with outtakes from the definitive album recorded at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. The album also includes an unreleased demo version of Sad Song, which features Liam Gallagher's vocals. Oasis fans have been sent into a frenzy as they were treated to unheard versions of the band's most iconic tracks, just hours ahead of a wild rush for tickets for the historic reunion tour To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the group's debut album, a deluxe version was released on Friday, complete with early recordings made by the Gallagher brothers The package also features brand new artwork by the original art designer Brian Cannon for Microdot and original sleeve photographer Michael Spencer Jones. After signing a worldwide record deal, Liam, Noel, Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll decamped to Monnow Valley studios on the Welsh borders of Monmouthshire, to capture the kinetic energy of their live shows on record. At the time, the initial recordings felt overly technical and polished, failing to capture the essence of the band. The sessions were ultimately scrapped, and the band moved to the remote confines of Sawmills Studios in Cornwall to re-record the album. Eventually, with the addition of Owen Morris joining to complete the definitive mixes, Definitely Maybe was formed. The Monnow Valley recordings and Sawmill outtakes, now unearthed for the first time, offer a new and compelling look at the process that led to the finished article. Following news of the new edition, fans were quick to praise the chance to relive some of the group's most famous songs in a new format. Posts on X included: 'It's been 30 years and I can't imagine I get to listen to it for the first time. I'm 21. And still I'm a big fan of Oasis. It's forever century;' Following news of the new edition, fans were quick to praise the chance to relive some of the group's most famous songs in a new format 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' 'I have never heard such beautiful music in my life, thank you Oasis;' '30 years and still iconic - this anniversary edition is a dream come true for fans!' 'It's so cool to listen to the unheard versions to see how the songs were constructed!' The Daily Mail's Adrian Thrills also praised the new edition as a 'supersonic reboot,' awarded it four stars. He wrote: 'The magic lies in how Oasis used those influences. With Liam's vocal snarl adding an aggressive optimism to his brother's nostalgic melodies, Definitely Maybe is a viscerally exciting record. 'It's arguable that 1995's (What's The Story) Morning Glory? had marginally better songs in Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova, but Definitely Maybe is the definitive Oasis release.' 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 17 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 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. 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. Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev are seen outside Good Morning America in 2023. Chigvintsev was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Napa County. Raymond Hall/2023 GC images via Getty Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev are seen outside Good Morning America in 2023. Chigvintsev was arrested Thursday on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Napa County. Raymond Hall/2023 GC images via Getty UPDATE: Nikki Bella reportedly seeks divorce from Artem Chigvintsev after domestic violence arrest Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer from ABCs Dancing With the Stars, was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, according to Napa County jail records. The 42-year-old was taken into custody just before 10 a.m. Thursday and booked for allegedly inflicting injury on a spouse, cohabitant or co-parent in incidents of domestic violence, jail records showed. His bail was set at $25,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chigvintsev is married to former WWE wrestler Nikki Garcia (formerly Bella); however, it was not specified if she is the alleged victim. The couple, who reside in Napa, share a 4-year-old son, Matteo. Garcia and her twin sister own a wine brand Bonita Bonita and opened a tasting room this past May in downtown Napa. Chigvintsev, originally from Russia, has appeared in 12 seasons of Dancing With the Stars. He won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 29 with Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe. Dancer Artem Chigvintsev, Kathy Bates, center, and Lea Thompson pose after the premiere screening of FXs American Horror Story: Freak Show in Los Angeles in 2014. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Chigvintsev and Garcia first participated as a duo in Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars in 2017 when she was still engaged to John Cena (the couple broke up a year later) and were married in August 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on social media just days before Chigvintsevs arrest. Ill 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, Garcia wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, sharing video clips from their wedding. And then this song (Cant Help Falling in Love) came on. And thats when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. In his post, Chingvinstev wrote: Happy anniversary my love, cant see my life with out (sic) you. You are my everything. ABC, the network that broadcasts Dancing With the Stars, declined to comment on Chigvintsevs arrest. Molly-Mae Hague has revealed her and Tommy Fury's 18-month-old daughter Bambi can 'sense' their split and was suffering with 'attachment issues' The former Love Island star ended her engaged to the boxer, both 25, earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating on Molly after alleging sharing a passionate kiss with Danish Milla Corfixen, 20, during a lads' holiday in North Macedonia. And in her latest Vlog Molly-Mae shared with fans how her daughter was coping with the changes since she kicked Tommy out of their 4M Cheshire mansion. Saying: '[Me and Bambi have] actually had a lovely couple of weeks together. I feel so incredibly close to her at the minute. She's quite frankly obsessed with me, it's scary'. 'I can't go to the toilet or leave the room or do anything without her crying her eyes out which is not really ideal. I think she is having a little bit of attachment issues at the minute'. Molly-Mae Hague has revealed her and Tommy Fury 's 18-month-old daughter Bambi can 'sense' their split and was suffering with 'attachment issues' And in her latest Vlog the influencer, 25, shared with fans how her daughter was coping with the changes since she kicked Tommy, also 25, out of their 4M Cheshire mansion Saying: ' [Me and Bambi have] actually had a lovely couple of weeks together. I feel so incredibly close to her at the minute. She's quite frankly obsessed with me, it's scary' 'She can definitely sense that there are changes and things are strange at the minute'. It isn't the first time Tommy has lived away from Molly, with the boxer having resided at a plush London flat while training for a fight. At the time, in June 2022, Molly-Mae was forced to deny the couple had split after he moved into the new apartment. It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split. And in a candid Vlog shared on Friday, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love. In another video she shared that she had booked a spa day and was looking forward to getting out of the house. She explained: 'I couldnt think of anything worse than just sitting at home all day, especially as thats what Ive done for so many days now. 'Ive just been sort of house bound, bed bound, Zoes been coming around to help me a lot with Bambi and also Tommys been having Bambi as well.' She said: 'I can't go to the toilet or leave the room or do anything without her crying her eyes out which is not really ideal. I think she is having a little bit of attachment issues at the minute' 'She can definitely sense that there are changes and things are strange at the minute' (Tommy pictured shopping for home essentials with Bambi after getting kicked out) The former Love Island star ended her engaged to the boxer earlier this month after a five-year relationship and Tommy has since been accused of cheating She went on to reveal how she had a professional organiser to come in and sort out her cupboards as 'there was a lot of chaos going on' and she felt like her house' needed a little bit of a sort out'. The influencer went on to say that she wanted to fix herself some lunch but she hasn't had the appetite, noting: 'The appetite hasn't really been there. It's definitely coming back but I just don't really fancy anything. Later in the video, Molly-Mae reflected on how tough it has been to keep herself occupied since Tommy moved out. Speaking to the camera, she said: 'I'm having a day today where I'm trying to stay busy and trying to stay distracted and just trying to find things to do to fill my time. 'And I'm kind of dreading this weekend because I feel like weekends are c**p! 'When you're going through a break-up, I feel like weekends are literally the worst because weekends are for me something I really look forward to, especially when you're in a family because it's family time and memory making time. 'You always do nice things and I don't know, the weekends now are the hardest time because it's freaking lonely and just sad really.' She added: 'I'm not really looking forward to this weekend but I feel like every weekend that passes, it should be getting easier - we hope for that.' Molly-Mae, who shares 20-month-old daughter Bambi with Tommy, went on to say: 'In break-ups, there are parts of the days that are definitely worst and better than others. 'Mornings - horrendous. Evenings - horrendous. Weekends for me, horrendous. And then when you're busy in the middle of the day and you're not thinking about things and distracted, that is prime time. That is your few hours of like, okay, I'm not thinking about it. 'And then the minute things slow down...' It comes after Molly-Mae admitted that she's lonely and bedbound in the wake of her split And in a candid Vlog shared on Friday, Molly-Mae opened up on life after the break-up, confessing to her fans that weekends are 'horrendous' because it's 'freaking lonely' without her former love It isn't the first time Tommy has lived away from Molly, with the boxer having resided at a plush London flat while training for a fight 'As well for me, you're so used to how life is and when you're in a routine and everything is done with your person, and then I don't know, obviously there's a lot of change and it's really... it's pretty crap.' Molly-Mae then went on to speculate that her fans will wonder why she's making this vlog like 'everything's normal', but that star insisted that this was 'the best way for me to cope with this'. She added that YouTube and vlogging has been a 'nice distraction' for her amid the heartache and is 'something else to think about' and 'focus on', as well as a 'coping mechanism'. Molly-Mae concluded her video saying that the period after her break-up will definitely be 'a journey' but she's 'lucky' to have her 'huge online family' supporting her through it. Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement. She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers. Opening the 'normal vlog', the influence sat on the floor of her 4million Cheshire mansion as she spoke to the camera addressing fans. She said: 'You might be clicking on this video hoping I'll spill the tea or speak about what's been happening the past few weeks but to be honest with you that was never something that was going to happen and it's not something I ever plan on talking about. 'The last 2 weeks are very real and are real life. It is something we are trying to go through privately as best we can but I haven't really been able to get away from it. 'My coping mechanism has been talking to those who I love and those who have been incredible in this time and then coming on here and pushing forward. I don't feel comfortable talking about it because this is real life, its not drama, its not a publicity stunt, it's actually really sad and deep and I don't feel right to talk about it.' 'Out of respect for Tommy I don't want to talk about it because the last two weeks has been a lot and it has blown out of proportion and the last thing I want to do it fuel the fire and stir the pot when it doesn't need to be. I want to move forward and look to the future. Meanwhile, earlier in the vlog, Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement. She said in her first video following the shock news that she is 'ready to move forward and look to the future' as she opened up with her followers Molly-Mae Hague said she will always love Tommy as she reflects on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement in a new YouTube video on Thursday 'The last two weeks have been made easier because of the love from you guys I have been so overwhelmed from the support.' Molly-Mae went on to say she is 'looking forward to moving on' as she thanked her 'incredible' support system for helping her through the shock break-up. The mother-of-one confessed she will 'always love' ex Tommy but said the split is 'very sad' and she is excited to move forward as she has 'excited things' coming up. Elsewhere in the vlog, Molly-Mae went shopping with daughter Bambi before the mother and daughter watched TV together and read a bedtime story. Later in the 36minute video Molly discussed her future project which she has been working on 'since before she fell pregnant' with Bambi, who is nearly two-years-old. She admitted she nearly pushed the launch date of the 'secret' project as she wasn't 'mentally strong enough' amid her relationship break down but she said she has 'worked so hard' on it she doesn't want to delay it any longer. Molly went on to reveal she has pushed the launch date to September 8, by a week to allow herself an 'extra week to recoup' which would have been 'a lot'. She's known for her glamorous red carpet appearances. Yet Eve Green looked to be debuting a new look as she appeared to have embraced a gothic style while stepping out in Venice on Thursday. The French actress, 44, was seen at the Hotel Excelsior in the Italian city before she stepped onto a boat to make her way down the river. The Casino Royale star opted for an all black ensemble despite the sunny weather as she let her black hair go unstyled as it fell over her shoulders. Donning a black biker style jacket, black jeans and a simple black T-shirt, Eva hid behind some dark shades before waving to fans. Eva Green unveiled her new gothic look as she styled a black biker jacket and shaded in Venice on Thursday The French actress, 44, was seen at the Hotel Excelsior in the Italian city before she stepped onto a boat to make her way down the river She accessorised the look with a chunky silver necklace chain and black lace up boots. Eva looked a world away from her last public appearance at Cannes Festival in May as she dazzled on the carpet. The star looked glamorous in a dark silver sequinned dress as she put on a busty display in the long-sleeved ensemble which pooled at her feet. She completed the look with a gorgeous pair of silver chandelier earrings with yellow stones and swept her raven tresses into a high ponytail. Venice Festival opened on Wednesday as Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened the festival. Sigourney Weaver meanwhile will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the festival. Sigourney said ahead of receiving the prize: 'I am truly honored to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia.' 'To be gifted this award is a privilege I share with all the filmmakers and collaborators I have worked with throughout the years. I proudly accept this award in celebration of all who have helped bring these films to life.' The Casino Royale star opted for an all black ensemble despite the sunny weather as she let her black hair go unstyled as it fell over her shoulders Eva later changed into some black sandals as she made her way, unsteadily, onto the boat Eva looked a world away from her last public appearance at Cannes Festival in May as she dazzled on the carpet Donning a black biker style jacket, black jeans and a simple black T-shirt, Eva hid behind some dark shades She accessorised the look with a chunky silver necklace chain with a green pendant The star looked glamorous at Cannes in a dark silver sequinned dress as she put on a busty display in the long-sleeved ensemble which pooled at her feet The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and will be held on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024. As well as Sigourney and the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast there is an array of A-listers expected to descend in Venice over the coming days. George Clooney is already in town, alongside his wife Amal, for the debut of his anticipated new movie Wolfs - the Jon Watts-directed heist thriller that reunites him with Oceans 11 co-star Brad Pitt. Both George and Brad will be attendance at the September 1 screening. Brad's ex wife Angelina Jolie is also due in Venice to promote the film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas. Sources indicate that the schedules have been arranged so that the warring couple - who continue to be embroiled in legal action eight years after they split - will not be at the film festival at the same time. Another major screening is Joker: Folie a Deux on September 4. The premiere of the sequel will welcome stars Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga to the Venice red carpet. Daniel Craig will also be at the festival to promote his movie Queer, which screens on September 3. Venice regulars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton are in town for Pedro Almodovars English-language debut The Room Next Door while Nicole Kidman is screening her erotic thriller Babygirl on August 30. Pupi Avati's The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7. Cate Blanchett put on a very chic display in a black and white pinstriped suit as she stepped out for the third day of the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Friday. The actress, 55, who is promoting her Apple TV series, Disclaimer, looked in high spirits as she left her hotel to attend another day of star-studded events. She exuded sophistication in the elegant ensemble, which featured a plunging neckline and belt to cinch in her waist. Cate, who has walked this week's red carpet premieres in an array of glamorous outfits, teamed her daytime look with a pair of pointy black heels. The Carol star accessorized with dainty earrings and large sunglasses, elevating her beauty with a natural makeup look. Cate Blanchett put on a very chic display in a black and white pinstriped suit as she stepped out for the third day of the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Friday The actress, 55, who is promoting her Apple TV series, Disclaimer, looked in high spirits as she left her hotel to attend another day of star-studded events She flashed a smile and waved at the cameras as she walked next to the city's famous canals. Amal and George Clooney and Nicole Kidman have also been spotted out and about enjoying the sunshine in Venice on Friday. Nicole, 57, is attending the Italian festival to promote her new erotic thriller film Babygirl where she stars alongside Harris Dickinson. Meanwhile, George, 63 and his wife Amal, 46, touched down in the city today and are expected to attend the premiere of George's new film on Sunday, where he stars opposite Brad Pitt. Cate's newest appearance comes just less than 24 hours after she attended the Disclaimer premiere on Thursday. The actress covered her cleavage with her hands as she 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. When asked what she planned to wear before the event, Cate had said: 'Nothing. I'm going naked.' She 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. She exuded sophistication in the elegant ensemble, which featured a plunging neckline and belt to cinch in her waist The Carol star accessorized with dainty earrings and large sunglasses, elevating her beauty with a natural makeup look She flashed a smile and waved at the cameras as she walked next to the city's famous canals 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. 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. It comes just less than 24 hours after Cate attended the Disclaimer premiere on Thursday Thee actress covered her cleavage with her hands as she 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 Cate pictured in Disclaimer as Catherine 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.' Schapelle Corby has been touring around Europe on the vacation of a lifetime. The convicted drug smuggler turned artisanal clockmaker spent some time in Paris and is currently in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The 47-year-old shared a number of photos from her visit to Zandvoort Beach in the picturesque region to Instagram on Friday. 'Zandvoort beautiful beach town. Amsterdam' she wrote in her caption, adding a cheeky thinking face emoji. In the images, Schapelle sipped on a large pint of beer while dress in a boho floral frock with crochet details. Amsterdam is famous for its licensed coffee shops, where small amounts of marijuana and hashish are allowed to be sold. It comes after Kyle Sandilands recently shared his theory about where Schapelle's drug-filled boogie board bag really came from after her infamous arrest at Bali airport almost 20 years ago. Schapelle was incarcerated for nine years for attempting to smuggle cannabis into Indonesia. Schapelle Corby (pictured) has been touring around Europe on the vacation of a lifetime. The convicted drug smuggler turned artisanal clockmaker spent some time in Paris and is currently in Amsterdam in the Netherlands She was arrested at Bali airport in October 2004 with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag. Schapelle has always maintained her innocence and her lawyers argued she had unintentionally become a drug mule, suggesting baggage handlers put the drugs in her bag. Radio shock jock Kyle, 53, discussed her incarceration on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. He said he believes smugglers forgot to take the cannabis out of the bag after her transit flight from Brisbane to Sydney, leading to it accidentally travelling on to Bali. The 47-year-old shared a number of photos from her visit to Zandvoort Beach in the picturesque region to Instagram on Friday 'Zandvoort beautiful beach town. Amsterdam' she wrote in her caption, adding a cheeky thinking face emoji 'I think they didn't take something out that should have come from Brisbane to Sydney. They missed it and off it went and got redirected to Bali,' he shared. His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson also shared her sympathies with Schapelle, claiming she didn't deserve the nine-year prison sentence. 'She nearly lost her mind over it. Either way, even if she did it, I don't think she deserved what she went through,' Jackie argued. Schapelle has made a new life for herself after her release from an Indonesian prison in 2014, and is now making a living as a successful clockmaker. Earlier this year, she promoted some of her colourful timepieces with her 162,000 followers, which typically retail for around $220. She was instrumental in making the high-anticipated Oasis reunion happen. And now Noel Gallagher's daughter, Anais, has hit back at 'ageist and misogynist' fans who have complained about young people jumping on the Oasis bandwagon since the brothers announced their long-awaited reunion this week. Social media sites are awash with the band's older fans who are complaining that 'Suddenly everyone loves Oasis' and arguing they deserve priority in getting tickets to the shows next summer. Taking to the video-sharing app, TikTok, to express her anger, the 24-year-old said: 'One thing I won't stand for is the ageism and the misogyny around people getting tickets. 'Sorry if a 19-year-old girl in a pink cowboy hat wants to be there, I will have my friendship bracelets ready.' Noel Gallagher's daughter Anais has hit back at 'ageist and misogynist' fans who complained about young people jumping on the Oasis bandwagon ahead of the band's reunion tour She also showed her support for a fellow user, Josie, who wrote, 'What do you mean everyone suddenly loves Oasis? Everyone has always loved them. They're one of the most famous bands in the entire world. 'Don't try and gatekeep Oasis because you can't gatekeep probably the most famous band to come out of the UK. Literally, the entirety of Britain is Oasis fans.' Tickets are on sale on Saturday at 9am and demand is expected to be huge to see the Gallagher brothers at 17 major outdoor shows in Cardiff, Manchester, London and Edinburgh next summer. It comes as sales of the brothers' albums have more than quadrupled in the past week with HMV reporting sales of their Definitely Maybe LP rising by 443 percent. Anais, whose mother is Noel's first wife, Meg Mathews, has become a firm fixture on her father's side, accompanying his solo band High Flying Birds on tour in 2023 and directing a documentary of the trip. She said: 'I know he likes to think differently, but I love my dad's music genuinely more than anything. I bang out Oasis and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in my room super-loud all the time.' The Mail revealed earlier this week that Anais and Liam's 23-year-old son, Gene, led the way in fixing their own feud and convincing their dads to reunite after 15 years. A friend of the stars revealed: 'Anais and Gene led the way by showing their dads that they could set aside their differences. Social media sites are awash with the band's older fans who are complaining that 'Suddenly everyone loves Oasis' and arguing they deserve priority in getting tickets to the shows Taking to the video-sharing app, TikTok, to express her anger, the 24-year-old said: 'One thing I won't stand for is the ageism and the misogyny around people getting tickets Oasis are tipped to announce even more dates for their long-awaited reunion tour, which music insiders say will ' sell out in less than three minutes' Anais, whose mother is Noel's first wife, Meg Mathews, has become a firm fixture on her father's side (pictured together in 2018) 'They have made no bones about it, they told their dads that they love their old music and wanted to see them on the stage together.' Anais previously threw her support behind the news of Oasis' reunion by posting photos of her dad and uncle from the nineties and declaring: 'Summer 2025'. She also reposted the band's announcement video and their statement: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.' The post marks a thawing of relations between Anais and her uncle Liam, after the Oasis frontman famously questioned the paternity of Anais, who is Noel's daughter with Meg Matthews. The remarks in 2000 led to Noel punching his brother and splitting his lip open before he walked out on the band. Oasis has already been 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 17 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 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 '. Artem Chigvintsev gushed about his love for his wife Nikki Garcia in a post celebrating their second wedding anniversary just days before his arrest on a domestic violence charge. The Dancing with the Stars professional was released on $25,000 bond Thursday, August 29, after his early morning arrest in Yountville, California. On August 26, Chigvintsev, 42, shared a couple of photos from his and Garcia's wedding writing, 'Happy anniversary my love , cant see my life with out you. You are my everything.' Garcia commented on the post writing, 'Happy Anniversary Click. Love you so much!' The former WWE star, 40, shared video and photos from their wedding in Paris with Haley Reinhart's Can't Help Falling in Love playing beneath it. Artem Chigvintsev, 42, gushed about his love for his wife Nikki Garcia, 42, in a post celebrating their anniversary just days before his arrest on a domestic violence charge. 'Happy anniversary my love , cant see my life with out you You are my everything ' She shared the lyrics to the song, adding, 'This song is our love story. Ill 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. And thats when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. ' she sad. 'Happy Anniversary @theartemcI love you! ' Due to laws protecting the identity of domestic violence victims, officials at the Napa County Sheriff's Office have not released the name, gender or age of the alleged victim, but records obtained by People indicated he was charged with corporal injury to spouse. However, deputies said there was sufficient evidence to make an arrest. 'When it comes to felony domestic violence, its not based on hearsay,' Napa County Sheriffs Office spokesman Henry Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. 'The deputies saw something that is apparent.' Wofford explained, 'Im not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes its bruises - its something visible where the deputies said, "OK, were making this arrest."' Deputies spoke to Chigvintsev and arrested him for felony domestic violence, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday, adding that the dance pro 'was cooperative' and 'did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.' Chigvintsev and Garcia first met when they were paired up for DWTS season 25 in 2017. Garcia also celebrated the day, posting video and photos from their 2022 wedding and sharing the lyrics from the Haley Reinhardt version of Can't Help Falling in Love. 'This song is our love story,' she wrote The Dancing with the Stars alum was arrested on domestic violence charges in the early hours of Thursday, August 29. He has since been released on $25,000 bond After Garcia, who used to go by her stage name Nikki Bella, broke up with former fiance John Cena in 2018, the dancing partners reconnected and went public with their relationship in 2019. They welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2020, and tied the knot in 2022. In an appearance on the Tamron Hall Show in November 2020, Garcia revealed she and Chigvintsev had gone to counseling, per People. 'Artem and I, from the beginning, want to know: How do we balance this for Matteo and for our relationship?' In November 2021 on The Bellas Podcast with her sister Brie, now the Nikki and Brie Show, Garcia shared some more information, saying she and her husband were in a 'good spot' after going through a 'rocky period.' At the time, the couple had gone through weeks of separation due to professional obligations on DWTS and Garcia's work as a judge on America's Got Talent: Extreme. '[We] had to get back into therapy. You know, distance is really hard,' she explained. 'Teo goes everywhere with mama,' she said. 'That's where he's comfortable, that's where he does best. And, you know, it's been hard on [Artem], and it's been hard on me too not to have my man in my bed for over six, seven weeks.' Since news of the arrest, fans have reached out to Garcia in support. 'I pray he didn't lay his hands on you. Please know your worth and walk away if he did,' advised one follower. 'Never trust the endless bliss of social media posts. Hope youre safe, take care of yourself Nikki,' wrote another. The couple met on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars in 2017 The pair reconnected after Garcia broke off her engagement to fellow WWE star John Cena. They welcomed their son Matteo in 2020 (Pictured in Los Angeles in December 2019) Chigvintsev will not be a part of season 33 of DWTS. That decision was reportedly made before his arrest Some of the shine has been taken off of Chigvintsev's star. 'Was a big Artem fan until now :( learn to argue without putting your hands on someone especially ur wife!!!! Yuck!' wrote a former admirer. 'From this (referring to the wedding picture) to being arrested for domestic violence todayheavens that took a drastic turn ugh. I hope this was all a misunderstanding whoever was involved.' 'Its always the happiest couples on social media who have the most real life problems. Yet people really take social media seriously,' contended another. Chigvintsev will not be part of DWTS season 33, but according to People, that decision was made prior to his arrest. Scarlett Johansson has been seen for the first time in her new Jurassic World movie. The veteran Hollywood actress was hiding in tall grass as she had her hair pulled back in a high ponytail while looking amazed. The siren wore earth toned makeup and had 8 ear piercings. She also had on a plaid shirt with a brown bag over her shoulder. Next to her was costar Jonathan Bailey. 'A new era is born,' the Instagram caption read as fans went wild over her first look. The movie also has a title - Jurassic World: Rebirth. The action-packed movie will come out on July 2, 2025. Scarlett Johansson has been seen for the first time in her new Jurassic World movie with Jonathan Bailey The 7th Jurassic movie is directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp. While promoting her new film Fly Me To the Moon, Johansson confirmed her casting to ComicBook.com. 'I'm an enormous Jurassic Park fan. It's one of the first films I remember seeing in the theater. I remember seeing it so vividly,' she said of the original 1993 Jurassic Park. 'It was like life-changing. It was mind-blowing. I cannot express how excited I am,' Johansson recalled. The project brings back original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, who adapted Michael Crichton's 1990 novel of the same name. 'The script is so incredible. David Koepp wrote it. He returned after like 30 years to write the script. He's so passionate about it, which is so awesome." 'I'm such an enormous fan of the franchise and huge nerd for it. I'm just like, I can't even, I'm pinching myself," Johansson added. She also admitted, 'I've been trying to get into this franchise in any possible way for over 10 years.' 'It was like life-changing. It was mind-blowing. I cannot express how excited I am,' Johansson recalled; seen in 2023 Here Chris Pratt is seen in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in 2018 'I'm like, "I'll die in the first five minutes! I can get eaten by whatever! I'll do the craft service!" Johansson joked. 'I'll do anything for it. The fact that it's happened in this way at this time just is actually unbelievable. I can't believe it,' she admitted. Shooting took place in Thailand, Malta and London. Johansson stars with Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, David Iacono and Luna Blaise. Advertisement Swimsuit model Devon Windsor was seen posing in a jet black bikini from her new swimwear collection. The 30-year-old star from St Louis, Missouri displayed her lean figure with her toned tummy as she was on a yacht with a hot tub. The former Victoria's Secret pinup - who is an impressive 5ft11in - was photographed by the shore in St Tropez in France where she is on vacation with her family. The suit had a triangle top and high-waisted bottoms with a thin belt as she added a bold gold necklace with a black cord and several gold rings. At one point, Windsor added a colorful scarf to her head. 'Sun kissed,' she wrote in her caption as well as 'exploring new places.' Devon launched her popular self-named brand four years ago and has been modeling the collections ever since in Miami and the Bahamas. Swimsuit model Devon Windsor was seen posing in a jet black bikini from her new swimwear collection The 30-year-old star from St Louis, Missouri displayed her lean figure with her toned tummy as she was on a yacht with a hot tub Devon appears to be at her thinnest in years after welcoming two daughters with husband Johnny Dex Barbara. In 2021 she gave birth to their first child, Enzo Elodie Barbara, and in May 2023 she welcomed their second daughter, Celine Blue Barbara. Devon has been a model for over a decade and has been in the swimsuit-making business for the last four years. In 2019 she launched Devon Windsor Swim, an affordable swimwear line which also captures her personal style. 'I am super excited to announce that I am launching Devon Windsor Swim this summer !!! I have been working for the past year on this project and cannot wait to see you guys wearing it!' she announced on social media at the time. She also shared a video taken onboard the yacht as she told fans how she styled herself The suit had a cute belt accent on top and bottom. She said she loved the color and shape Speaking with V Magazine about starting up the collection, she said: 'Being in the fashion industry, I was always interested in expanding my brand outside of just modeling. 'I loved the aspect of design and the creativity and freedom in being able to have your own line. Swimsuits have always been a passion of mine because I love the oceanit is where I feel most at home. 'Over the past couple of years, I have noticed a gap in the market for a swimsuit that is more than your average basic bikini, without breaking your bank. The former Victoria's Secret pinup - who is an impressive 5ft11in - was photographed by the shore in St Tropez in France where she is on vacation with her family The suit had a triangle top and high-waisted bottoms with a thin belt as she added a bold gold necklace with a black cord and several gold rings 'For me, swimwear is a strong form of self-expression and something that you should feel confident and powerful in. With this in mind, I decided to create an affordable line of statement swimsuitsDevon Windsor.' As far as what makes her collection standout in the marketplace, she said: 'I wanted this line to be a reflection of my personal style, while also being a collection and brand that everyone could find something they love. 'I also wanted the collection to be affordable, and something that carries a lot of design details. The range offers a large variety of versatile silhouettes, colors, patterns, textures and hardwareall with an immense amount of detail that went into selecting each. At one point, Windsor added a colorful scarf to her head. 'Sun kissed,' she wrote in her caption as well as 'exploring new places' The model carried a woven bag for her shopping trip in town Her long fringed skirt went well with her bikini as she also had on strappy sandals Here is a closer look at her stunning necklace that was on a black cord Devon sat down for lunch by the coastline as she struck another supermodel pose 'I feel like the versatility of each piece and huge attention to detail that I put into each aspect of every design is what sets this line apart from others.' Outside of the corporate world, Devon is a busy mother of two. She shares daughters Enzo Elodie Barbara, two, and Celine Blue Barbara, six months, with her husband Jonathan. Devon married her businessman beau in a beachside St. Barts ceremony in 2019. Discovered at the age of 14, Devon has been a professional model ever since. Katie Holmes was seen in midtown New York City on Friday morning. The Rare Objects director had on a beige button-down top over a graphic Patti Smith T-shirt, blue slacks and Mary-Jane flats. She held onto a brown leather Khaite purse as she chatted on her cell phone. This comes after she revealed how she is spending her time after her 18-year-old daughter Suri Cruise left for college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The ex-wife of Tom Cruise is working on the play Our Town on Broadway with actress Zoey Deutch. Katie Holmes was seen in midtown New York City on Friday morning The Rare Objects director had on a beige button-down top over a graphic T-shirt, blue slacks and Mary-Jane flats 'Love working on @ourtownbroadway. We are in rehearsals and having a great time. This is the very talented and kind and funny and wonderful @zoeydeutch and me - come see @ourtownbroadway preview performances begin September 17. We open October 10! ' Zoey added in the comments section, 'Love you!!' Our Town is a three-act play written by American playwright Thornton Wilder in 1938. Described by Edward Albee as 'the greatest American play ever written', it presents the fictional American town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. It was first performed in 1923. The new production will be at the Ethel Barrymore theater in NYC. Katie plays Mrs Webb. The cast will also feature Jim Parsons as Stage Manager, Zoey Deutch as Emily Webb, Billy Eugene Jones as Dr. Gibbs, Ephraim Sykes as George Gibbs, Richard Thomas as Mr. Webb, Michelle Wilson as Mrs. Gibbs, Julie Halston as Mrs. Soames, and Donald Webber Jr. as Simon Stimpson. She held onto a brown leather Khaite purse as she chatted on her cell phone This comes after she revealed how she is spending her time after her 18-year-old daughter Suri Cruise left for college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh 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. 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. The ex-wife of Tom Cruise is working on the play Our Town on Broadway with actress Zoey Deutch 'Love working on @ourtownbroadway. We are in rehearsals and having a great time. This is the very talented and kind and funny and wonderful @zoeydeutch and me - come see @ourtownbroadway preview performances begin September 17. We open October 10! ' Zoey added in the comments section, 'Love you!!' Cruise has Labor Day Weekend off from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg 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. Lily James cut an stylish figure as she stepped out in a slightly see-through yellow maxi dress for the third day of the of the Venice Film Festival on Friday. The actress, 35, looked stunning in the summery ensemble, which boasted a v-neck design and floral embroidered details. She kept comfortable by teaming the outfit with strappy black sandals and toted around her essentials in a black and gold Chanel handbag. Lily accessorized with a slew of dainty gold necklaces, including one that featured an 'L' pendant for her initial and a chunky bracelet. The Cinderella star wore her tresses slicked back into a neat ponytail and completed her look with stylish dark sunglasses. Lily James cut an effortlessly stylish figure as she stepped out in a slightly see-through pastel yellow maxi dress for the third day of the of the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Friday The actress, 35, looked stunning in the summery ensemble, which boasted a v-neck design and floral embroidered details Lily looked in good spirits as she made her way through the festival, following her arrival on Thursday. The Pam And Tommy star arrived at the film festival after enjoying a well-deserved break from her busy acting schedule in Ibiza. Lily 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 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. She kept comfortable by teaming the outfit with strappy black sandals and toted around her essentials in a black and gold Chanel handbag The Cinderella star wore her tresses slicked back into a neat ponytail and completed her look with stylish dark sunglasses Lily looked in good spirits as she made her way through the festival, following her arrival on Thursday 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. 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. 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. It comes after Lily enjoyed a well-deserved break from her busy acting schedule as she shared a glimpse of her sun-soaked Ibiza getaway on Instagram In one snap, Lily showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy black crochet bikini, while reclining on a sunbed 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 The Pam & Tommy actress shared a series of photos of her exploring the Kenyan landscape, driving in a jeep through parks and looking out across the vast mountain ranges 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.' 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.' Melissa Lim, left, sits with Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher at her apartment in San Francisco in 1994. Lim convinced Gallagher to not quit the band, and unbeknownst to her inspired a song and album title. Courtesy of Melissa Lim In a much-anticipated reunion after a 15-year hiatus, Noel and Liam Gallagher announced that Oasis will embark on a tour next year. This is it, this is happening, read a post on the bands social media accounts on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The announcement confirmed 14 shows across the U.K. and Ireland, with hints of potential North American dates forthcoming. The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over, the band added. Come see. It will not be televised. This reunion of one of the most popular British bands of the 1990s marks yet another chapter in the brothers turbulent relationship. Thirty years ago, during Oasis first concert in San Francisco, a local woman played a pivotal role in pulling the band back together. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Revisit the band's first reunion with our 2016 feature on Melissa Lim below, in which she grants her only interview about her time with Oasis. Melissa Lim, who took in Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher when he briefly left the band in 1994, inspired the song Talk Tonight and provided the album title (Whats The Story) Morning Glory? Carol Vaziri Melissa Lim first locked eyes with Noel Gallagher, Oasis lead guitarist, backstage at Bottom of the Hill on Sept. 26, 1994. The quarrelsome British rock band was making its San Francisco debut supporting its soon-to-be-platinum-selling album, Definitely Maybe. He came over and sat down next to me, Lim recalled. I had never been backstage before, so I asked him, Wheres the after-party? And he goes, What after-party? Can I hang out with you tonight? This encounter would become a significant part of the groups early history, chronicled in the action-packed 2016 Oasis documentary Supersonic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Three days later, after a disastrous concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles where the band members were high on crystal meth and saddled with mismatched set lists the situation escalated. Noel Gallagher was struck in the face by a tambourine hurled by his younger brother Liam and declared hed had enough. He grabbed his passport and boarded a plane to San Francisco, seeking refuge at Lims apartment in Lower Nob Hill. He was very upset, Lim said. I took him in, fed him and tried to calm him down. He wanted to break up the band. Noel, left, and Liam Gallagher sit with the other members of Oasis at the Live 105 Green Christmas concert in 1995. Jay Blakesberg As Oasis manager and record label staff searched frantically for him, Noel settled in with the San Francisco native. They visited Huntington Park, listened to music and shopped for records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One day, while out for her usual supply of Snapple strawberry lemonade, Lim brought back several British music magazines featuring Oasis. San Francisco has a reputation of being a place where bands come to die, like the Band and the Sex Pistols, she said. I wasnt going to let it happen on my watch. I told him, You cant leave the band youre on the verge of something big. While the documentary refers to Mark Coyle, the bands producer, calling Lim a spiritual animal, Noel Gallaghers recollection of their time together is fuzzy. If I close my eyes now, I cant even picture the girl, he says in the film. I cant remember her name. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When the Chronicle asked Oasis to confirm Lims story, Gallagher declined to comment. Lims memories, however, are vivid. She keeps photos from that pivotal period and, while she is not named in the documentary, fans recognize how crucial her role was in Oasis lore. Brothers and bandmates Noel and Liam Gallagher announced that Oasis will embark on a much-anticipated reunion tour in 2025. Associated Press Once she convinced Noel to rejoin the band, he headed to a studio in Austin, where he recorded Half the World Away and Talk Tonight, the B-side to the single Wonderwall: All your dreams are made, Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of strawberry lemonade, And you make sure I eat today, You take me walking, To where you played when you were young. In the chorus, Noel sings, I want to talk tonight/ Until the mornin light/ Bout how you saved my life. The pair stayed in touch as the tour continued, meeting up during the video shoot for Supersonic at the Cabazon Dinosaurs in Southern California. In the days before text messages, they would also speak regularly on the phone, with Lim answering with a line from the film Bye Bye Birdie: Whats the story, morning glory? She often had to console him as the brothers fought nonstop with each other and just about anyone else who entered their orbit, including bandmates, relatives and associates. A flyer advertising the Brian Jonestown Massacres opening set at Oasiss first San Francisco performance at Bottom of the Hill on Sept. 26, 1994. Joel Gion, Brian Jonestown Massacre However, Noels long-distance relationship with Lim dwindled when he met Meg Matthews, who would become his wife, at the tail end of 1994 (they married in 1997 and divorced in 2001). When Oasis returned to San Francisco in early 1995, Lim found Noel distant. She told him, Its OK, I wont look back in anger. I know were just friends. Unbeknownst to her, Noel had already titled Oasis second album (Whats the Story) Morning Glory? It sold more than 22 million copies worldwide, launched the career-defining singles Wonderwall and Dont Look Back in Anger, and led to the 1996 concerts in Knebworth, England, which drew 250,000 fans over two nights. The documentary closes with that crowning moment, even though Oasis pressed on to diminishing returns until their violent split in 2009. Melissa Lim met Oasis Noel Gallagher in San Francisco in 1994 and convinced him to not quit the band. I wasnt going to let it happen on my watch. I told him, You cant leave the band youre on the verge of something big. Carol Vaziri When Supersonic director Mat Whitecross was asked after the Chronicle article was published why Lim wasnt interviewed in the film or mentioned by name, he demurred. It felt like the section was so long anyway that, ultimately, the way it stands is quite poetic, he told NME. She stands in for, Im sure, a lot of women who were met along the way, from Liam, Noel or any of them. He added, Theres something really nice about the way Mark Coyle described it, which was like, There are these people you meet along the way, who take care of you and then send you on your way, and theres something great about that, and if we spoke to her, it would become less abstract and less poetic. Despite the bands eventual decline, Lim felt content reflecting on her role in their journey. Yolanda Hadid revealed Joseph Jingoli popped the question two years ago. On Thursday, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who is the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, confirmed that Jingoli proposed while they were on a trip to Holland in 2022. Earlier this week, the couple's relationship status was casually revealed in a profile done by Architectural Digest as the publication referred to her longtime love as her 'fiance.' The lovebirds, who have been secretly engaged for the past two years, met shortly after she moved into her farm in Pennsylvania back in 2017. 'I really started focusing,' the star, 60, told People in 2018. '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 Hadid revealed how Joseph Jingoli popped the question She continued: '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.' '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,' the mother-of-three raved. Hadid's love story with Texas first began early in her relationship with Jingoli, 66, 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 Architectural Digest. '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 area. 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. Yolanda was previously married to Mohamed Hadid from 1994 to 2000 and to musician David Foster from 2011 to 2017. On Thursday, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who is the mother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, revealed that Jingoli proposed while they were on a trip to Holland in 2022 Earlier this week, the couple's relationship status was casually revealed in a profile done by Architectural Digest as the publication referred to her longtime love as her 'fiance' 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. The lovebirds, who have been secretly engaged for the past two years, met shortly after she moved into her farm in Pennsylvania back in 2017 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. Nick Cave has offered new insight into the comfort he's sought from religion in the face of the darkest moments of his life, as he released his critically-lauded new album Wild God on Friday. Along with his band The Bad Seeds, the hitmaker, 66, has channelled the grief he suffered in the wake of losing two of his sons, into the new collection of songs, which he first began writing on New Year's Day in 2023. Wild God has also been praised by critics, who have lauded the 'deeply human' record as a 'gospel rock riot' and 'a ferocious celebration of love'. And Nick answered questions about the record at an album playback at London's King's Hall on Thursday. In 2015, Nick's son Arthur, 15, died after taking LSD for the first time, before falling almost 20 metres from a cliff near his home in Brighton, England. Nick Cave has offered new insight into the comfort he's sought from religion in the face of the darkest moments of his life, as he released his critically-lauded new album Wild God on Friday Along with his band The Bad Seeds, the hitmaker has channelled the grief he suffered in the wake of losing two of his sons, into the new collection of songs Seven years later, in 2022, Nick's son Jethro, 31, who had schizophrenia and battled drug addiction, died in Melbourne two days after he was released from jail. Lyrics on the album offer insight into the pain Nick has suffered from his losses, as he sings in Song Of The Lake: 'Cause all the king's horses and all the king's men. Couldn't put us back together again.' He also alludes to being visited by the spirit of his late son, singing in the song Joy: 'A ghost in giant sneakers, laughing, stars around his head a flaming boy.' Singing about the physical impacts of his beliefs, he added in the album's titular song: 'Oh Lord, well, if you're feeling lonely and if you're feeling blue; And if you just don't know what to do; Bring your spirit down.' And: 'Weve all had too much sorrow / Now is the time for joy.' Nick also reflects on his grief in the song Long Dark Night, opening with the words: 'I was long inside a dream, I could not get loose.' Speaking about the album, Nick said: 'I hope the album has the effect on listeners that it's had on me. It bursts out of the speaker, and I get swept up with it. 'It's a complicated record, but it's also deeply and joyously infectious.' The album, which his first with The Bad Seeds since 2019, has also been praised by critics with a string of positive reviews. Writing a gushing a five-star review, The Guardian branded the album a 'masterpiece,' before adding: 'Packed with remarkable songs, its mood of what you might call radical optimism is potent and contagious. In 2015, his son Arthur, 15, died after taking LSD for the first time and 'freaking out' before falling 60ft from a cliff near his home in Brighton (Pictured are Nick with his twin sons Arthur [right] and Earl [left]) Another of the popstar's sons, Jethro Lazenby, died in Australia in May 2022 just days after being released from jail (Nick and Jethro pictured in 2017) Wild God has also been praised by critics, who have lauded the 'deeply human' record as a 'gospel rock riot' and 'a ferocious celebration of love' 'You leave it feeling better than you did previously: an improving experience, in the best sense of the phrase.' Wild God: The tracklist Song of the Lake Wild God Frogs Joy Final Rescue Attempt Conversion Cinnamon Horses Long Dark Night O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is) As the Waters Cover the Sea Advertisement The Independent said that 'the album that will have you believing in the transformative power of love,' while The Sunday Times described it as 'a gospel rock riot, The Bad Seeds at their most raucous in 20 years.' NME awarded the album four stars, and said: 'With a lust for life, the once-dark prince is letting the light in.' Nick spoke about religion at Thursday night's playback and said: 'My religious nature is not predicated on belief or not having belief really. 'There's something I get from it affects me in a way that I don't get anywhere else. It's a place I can take certain feelings that I can't take elsewhere. 'I don't like self-help groups. Whether I believe, is a secondary thing.' Nick previously spoke about the album in an interview with The Sunday Times, and told the publication that the prospect of an afterlife was at the forefront of his mind while writing the record, especially in the wake of his son's deaths. 'I'm very uncertain about what happens after you die, but it concerned me how the spirit of Arthur would feel if he saw the misery his mother and father were going through because of his passing. It was the anniversary of his death yesterday' 'And one thing we can say to him now is that things are OK. I say that cautiously. There's no closure. Things haven't settled back to the place they were, before Arthur or Jethro died. However, we are happy.' The Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds star, known for hits such as Into My Arms and One More Time With Feeling, moved to Los Angeles soon after Arthur died with his wife Susie and Arthur's twin Earl because they were 'triggered too much' by living just down the road from where it happened. The tragedy was widely reported and Nick said previously that this resulted in him being 'forced to grieve publicly'. Nick alludes to being visited by the spirit of his late son on the album, singing in the track Joy: 'A ghost in giant sneakers, laughing, stars around his head a flaming boy' Speaking on his blog The Red Hand Files, where Nick answers questions from fans, in June, he replied to a woman whose daughter was killed. He wrote: 'A parent should never have to bury their child, it makes no sense, it sits outside the natural order of things. 'Yet here we are, you and me, living within these ghastly vacuums left behind by those we have lost. 'I love your honesty in laying bare the biblical-sized fury we sometimes feel toward a world that has the audacity to keep on turning, regardless of our suffering. 'How dare the world be so beautiful, we think. These are the divergent feelings of grief.' Sacha Baron Cohen cut a suave figure on Friday as he hit the red carpet for the screening of his new TV series Disclaimer during Venice Film Festival. The actor, 52, opted for an all black ensemble and dark sunglasses as he happily posed for snaps in the sunshine. Sacha certainly dressed to impress for the event, slipping into a black blazer and trousers matched with a coordinating shirt, shoes and bow tie. The Ali G legend appeared in great spirits as he flashed a dazzling smile, having moved on from his relationship woes following the announcement in April that he had quietly separated from wife Isla Fisher after 14 years of marriage. Sacha portrays the role of Robert in the new Apple TV+ limited series, based on the 2015 novel by Renee Knight. Sacha Baron Cohen cut a suave figure on Friday as he hit the red carpet for the screening of his new TV series Disclaimer during Venice Film Festival The actor, 52, opted for an all black ensemble and dark sunglasses as he happily posed for snaps in the sunshine The actor was joined on the red carpet by co-star Cate Blanchett , who dazzled in a sweeping white gown. 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. 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'. Her doting husband is played by Sacha, and her on-screen son is portrayed by Kodi Smit-McPhee. Kevin Kline and Lesley Manville are also part of the all-star cast. Sacha certainly dressed to impress for the event, slipping into a black blazer and trousers matched with a coordinating shirt, shoes and bow tie The actor was looking sharp on the red carpet Sacha's black outfit looked striking against the red carpet in Venice The film star looked excited as he made his way to the event The Ali G legend appeared in great spirits as he flashed a dazzling smile, having moved on from his relationship woes following the announcement in April that he had quietly separated from wife Isla Fisher after 14 years of marriage Making up the cast are also 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. It began production in June 2022 and filming across London, Mexico, and Sydney, before wrapping in February last year. The actor was joined on the red carpet by co-star Cate Blanchett , who dazzled in a sweeping white gown (L-R) Guest, Cate Blanchett, Alfonso Cuaron, Kevin Kline and guests posed together for snaps Cate pictured in Disclaimer as Catherine, a respected veteran journalist The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and will be held on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024. Amal and George Clooney and Nicole Kidman have also been spotted out and about enjoying the sunshine in Venice on Friday. Nicole, 57, is attending the Italian festival to promote her new erotic thriller film Babygirl where she stars alongside Harris Dickinson. Meanwhile, George, 63 and his wife Amal, 46, touched down in the city today and are expected to attend the premiere of George's new film on Sunday, where he stars opposite Brad Pitt. Nikki Garcia has broken her silence by giving her first statement after husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic battery. Chigvintsev, 42, was released on $25,000 bond Thursday, August 29, after his early morning arrest in Yountville, California. Due to laws protecting the identity of domestic violence victims, officials at the Napa County Sheriff's Office have not released the name, gender or age of the alleged victim, but reports indicated he was charged with corporal injury to spouse. In a statement on Friday, a representative speaking on behalf of Garcia for privacy following the arrest. Nikki Garcia has broken her silence by giving her first statement after husband Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic battery 'This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,' a rep told UsWeekly. Yesterday, deputies said there was sufficient evidence to make an arrest. Officials with the Napa County Sheriffs Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking the ABC star into custody. Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, California early Thursday in connection with suspicion of felony domestic violence by deputies with the department, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. 'When it comes to felony domestic violence, its not based on hearsay,' Napa County Sheriffs Office spokesman Henry Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. 'The deputies saw something that is apparent.' Wofford explained, 'Im not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes its bruises - its something visible where the deputies said, "OK, were making this arrest."' Officials with the Napa County Sheriffs Office confirmed the arrest of longtime Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, 42, with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking him into custody Deputies spoke to Chigvintsev and arrested him for felony domestic violence, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday, adding that the dance pro 'was cooperative' and 'did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.' An alarm was triggered at the home by a 911 call made from the premises at around 8:30 a.m., insiders close to the probe told TMZ on Thursday, after an unidentified caller reported a 'medical emergency' from the property. Sources told the outlet that 'paramedics and the fire department were en route, someone from the house called 911 again to cancel the request,' and both agencies went back to their stations. According to the Napa County arrest database, the specific state penal code applies to suspects who 'willfully [inflict] corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition' toward a 'spouse or former spouse;' 'cohabitant or former cohabitant;' 'fiance or fiance;' 'someone with whom the offender has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship;' or 'the mother or father of the offenders child.' Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday that Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections at 10:40 a.m., with his bail set at $25,000. Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday that there was only one other person connected to this incident, but declined to identity of the victim or any details, per their request. Wofford said that as of Thursday evening, he was not aware of any protective orders being filed by the victim or on their behalf by authorities. 'We're going to take our time like we do in every domestic violence case,' Wofford said. 'No one gets a preferential treatment, and no one is getting overlooked. Wofford told Dailymail.com that the department was focused on providing 'a support system for the victim.' Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella. Pictured in NYC in 2023 Wofford said that a probe was ongoing as to whether Chigvintsev had violated any laws with his conduct prior to his arrest Thursday. 'We want the victim to know we want to know their story, and if we must investigate whether this is an isolated incident or if this is an ongoing incident, were happy to investigate,' Wofford said. 'Were going to do everything we can to protect our community.' Wofford said that information on Chigvintsev's pending court dates were not immediately available. Chigvintsev three days ago celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki Garcia, 40 - who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella - and the couple are parents to son Matteo, three. The two initially crossed paths in 2017, when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars' 25th season. Chigvintsev had past been in high-profile relationships with other celebrities, as he was wed to dancer Giselle Peacock, 43, between 2004 and 2005; and dated DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, between 2006 and 2008. Antonio Banderas cut a dapper figure as he was joined by his partner Nicole Kimpel at Venice Film Festival's premiere of Babygirl on Friday. The Spanish actor, 64, who stars as Jacob in the erotic thriller, looked handsome in a black tuxedo suit as he put on a loved-up display with Nicole, 43, on the red carpet. He teamed a pair of smart black leather shoes with his red carpet ensemble and sported a pair of orange-tinted shades. Meanwhile, Nicole exuded glamour in a red floor-length gown which boasted an asymmetric shoulder strap, a ruched bandeau design and a floral brooch at the chest. The investment banker added inches to her tall frame with a pair of gold stiletto high heels. Antonio Banderas cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo as he was joined by his partner Nicole Kimpel at Venice Film Festival's premiere of Babygirl on Friday The Spanish actor, 64, who stars as Jacob in the erotic thriller, looked handsome in the three-piece suit as he put on a loved-up display with Nicole, 43, on the red carpet The beauty toted her essentials around in a mini black Bvlgari bag and elevated her natural beauty with a flawless palette of makeup. During the event, Antonio was joined by Nicole Kidman, 57, who stars as high-powered CEO Romy in the movie. The actress exuded elegance in a nude corset top and black velvet skirt as she posed for snaps with her co-stars. In Babygirl, Nicole stars as a high-powered New York business executive who starts a risky affair with her much-younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. She admitted she felt 'vulnerable' filming multiple scenes of masturbation, plus a depiction of a submissive/dominant relationship for the erotic new thriller. Rising British star Harris has a career-making turn as Samuel, the intern who intuits that his boss Romy, the CEO of a tech firm, wants to be dominated. Nicole has made nothing like it since the dream-like erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut with then-husband Tom Cruise 25 years ago. She said that an intimacy co-ordinator and closed set had been vital to conjuring the sex scenes which tell the story of her character's existential crisis, resolved through a taboo-busting sexual odyssey. Meanwhile, Nicole exuded glamour in a red floor-length gown which boasted an asymmetric shoulder strap, a ruched bandeau design, and a floral brooch at the chest During the event, Antonio was joined by Nicole Kidman, 57, who stars as high-powered CEO Romy in the movie (pictured L-R David Hinojosa, Sophie Wilde, Antonio, Nicole, Harris Dickinson, and Halina Reijn) The actress exuded elegance in a nude corset top and black velvet skirt as she posed for snaps and chatted with her co-stars Nicole said: 'I think this film is obviously yes about sex, but it's about desire it's about your inner thoughts, it's about secrets, it's about marriage, it's about truth, power, consent.' 'This is one woman's story and this is I hope a very liberating story. It's told by a woman through her gaze. It's Halina (Reijn's) script, she wrote it and she directs and that made it unique, that suddenly I was going to be in the hands of a woman with this material. It was very dear to our shared instincts and very, very freeing.' She added: 'I don't think there's a judgement attached (about the character). It's for each person to react to Romy and the way she behaves. My connection to it is that I want to examine human beings, women, on screen, to explore what it means to be human in all the facets of that and the labyrinth of that.' She said that she was: 'exposed and vulnerable and frightened when it comes to giving it to the world' but that her experience of making it had been: 'delicate and intimate and very deep.' She added: 'I knew she wasn't going to exploit me. However, anyone interprets that, I didn't feel exploited. I felt very much a part of that. There was enormous caretaking by all of us, we were all very gentle with each other and helped each other. It felt very authentic, protected and, at the same time, real.' In Babygirl, Nicole stars as a high-powered New York business executive who starts a risky affair with her much-younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson Discussing the movie, Nicole said: 'I think this film is obviously yes about sex, but it's about desire it's about your inner thoughts, it's about secrets, it's about marriage, it's about truth' It's been 25 years since Nicole last took on an erotic role when she starred alongside Tom Cruise in the steamy and controversial movie Eyes Wide Shut (both pictured) The film opens with Nicole's character, Romy Mathis, faking a very convincing orgasm while having sex with her husband, played by Antonio, and then going into another room and masturbating to pornography. She explores her desire to be dominated with her intern but unlike in previous erotic dramas such as Basic Instinct female desire doesn't destroy her career or her family life and, without giving away the ending, she remains professionally powerful and married at its conclusion. Antonio and Nicole often attend red carpet events together and have been with one another since 2014, the year before Antonio's divorce from first wife Melanie Griffiths was finalised. Together they have overcome Antonio's cancer scare, his heart attack, and his struggle with COVID-19. Antonio and his ex Melanie are on good terms, with Antonio telling Spanish digital show El Break de las 7 in 2020: 'I think we are both reluctant to bury 20 years of marriage.' 'We are human beings, we make mistakes and that is the human condition. You have to leave the egos aside and not want to prove that you are right or find who's guilty of what.' Antonio and Nicole have been together since 2014, the year before Antonio's divorce from first wife Melanie Griffiths was finalised Antonio was with Melanie from 1996 until the pair finalised their divorce in 2015. They share daughter Stella Banderas Griffiths, whom they welcomed in September 1996 (pictured 2005) 'Because it may be both or neither of you. There is a moment when things are over and you have to accept it. The life I had with Melanie was beautiful.' 'We had 20 wonderful years during which we gave our best and lived wonderful moments that I will not forget.' 'We had a wonderful daughter that we both love and that is the end result of our relationship, the most beautiful thing we have ever done together.' Antonio welcomed daughter Stella Banderas Griffiths with Melanie in September 1996. Melanie has two other children, daughter Dakota, 31, with Don Johnson and son Alexander, 35, with Steven Bauer. One of the doctors charged over Matthew Perry's ketamine death appeared in court today after striking a plea deal with prosecutors. Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month and would be the third person to plead guilty in the aftermath of the Friends stars fatal overdose last year. Before Friday's arraignment, his attorney Matthew Binninger told DailyMail.com he has been cooperative with investigators. Dr. Mark Chavez ignored a scrum of press demanding answers about the Friend's star's death and addiction Perry died after taking multiple doses of ketamine 'He is going to accept responsibility for what he has done... he feels incredible remorse for what happened,' Binninger said. When asked if his client decided to cooperate right away because of the high-profile nature of the case, Binnninger told DailyMail.com: 'The evidence is what it is. The fact that it was Matthew Perry doesn't change the remorse that he feels.' The defense attorney added: 'Matthew Perry was larger than life and he was a human being that people cared about. But had it been a non-celebrity, I can assure you it would've played out the exact same way.' Chavez closed his medical practice in San Diego as of two days ago, and he also has entered into a temporary suspension order of his medical license per the Medical Board of California, Binninger said. The attorney added his client is in the process of surrendering his medical license, which could happen around the same time Chavez enters his guilty plea. Chavez appeared nervous and rested his hands on top of the courtroom podium to hold his balance as he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth on Friday. Wearing a light blue button down shirt, gray pants, black shoes and his glasses, he waived his right to an indictment but signed a waiver of the information, which outlines his charges. Chavez was allowed to remain free on a $50,000 bail after agreeing to no longer practice medicine. As part of his bail agreement, he had to surrender his passport and must remain in California unless he obtains permission to travel. Chavez is also not allowed to sell, use or distribute drugs and marijuana and must agree to drug testing. He also must get approval if he obtains another job. He has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, but it is unclear what kind of punishment he could receive for cooperating with federal authorities. The maximum sentence for the charge he plans to plead guilty to is 10 years behind bars. Chavez, 54, of San Diego, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month and would be the third person to plead guilty in the aftermath of the Friends stars fatal overdose last year Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month and would be the third person to plead guilty in the aftermath of the Friends stars fatal overdose last year Chavez and his attorney Matthew C. Binninger outside the federal courthouse on Friday Also working with the U.S. Attorneys Office is Perry's live-in assistant, Kenny Iwamasa, who pled guilty on Aug. 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine despite having no medical training. Perry's acquaintance, Erik Fleming, also admitted to acting as a drug messenger and middleman. Chavez, Flemming and Iwamasa are helping prosecutors as they go after their main targets: Dr. Salvador Plasencia, charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month before his death, and 'Ketamine Queen' Jasveen Sangha, a woman who authorities say is a dealer who sold the actor the lethal dose of ketamine. Prosecutors said Chavez, who used to operate a ketamine clinic, supplied Plasencia with the anesthetic drug to sell to Perry. Plasencia allegedly sent a text messages to Chavez that said, 'I wonder how much this moron will pay' and 'Lets find out'. Investigators also said Fleming worked with Iwamasa to get Perry the ketamine that was supplied by Sangha. He is said to have texted Perry's assistant: 'I wouldnt do it if there wasnt the chance of me making some money.' On the day of his death, Perry requested a dose of ketamine from Iwamasa at 8:30am, according to court documents filed by the prosecution. Perry took a second dose around 12:45 pm while watching a movie, and, finally, requested a third dose around 1:30 pm so he could be high in the hot tub. He instructed Iwamasa to prepare the tub and told his assistant to, 'Shoot me up with a big one'. Iwamasa then stepped out to run errands. At around 4 pm, Iwamasa returned to the house and found Perry facedown in the water. Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. Gemma Collins showed off her bronzed tan on Instagram on Friday as she struck a pose in a 680 pink Dior jungle-themed swimsuit as she hit the beach in Greece. The TV personality, 43, posed in front of a sun lounger and put a hand on her hip, showcasing her huge diamond engagement ring. Gemma accessorised with a large pair of visor sunglasses and her swimming costume featured a big cat surrounded by foliage. Offering her over two million followers some words of wisdom, Gemma wrote in the caption: 'Close your eyes and say to yourself I AM LOVE J'ADORE J'ADORE J'ADORE.' It comes after Gemma enjoyed a wild ride across the seawith her fiance Rami Hawash, 49, and his son Tristan, six. Gemma Collins, 43, showed off her deep tan on Instagram on Friday as she struck a pose in a pink jungle-themed swimsuit It comes after Gemma enjoyed a wild ride across the sea in Greece with her fiance Rami Hawash, 49, and his son Tristan, six After jetting off to Crete this week, the former TOWIE star quoted Oasis as she brushed aside her relatively scary boating experience. Gemma wrote: 'YOU GOTTA ROLL WITH IT when people say to me what am I gonna do I say well you gotta roll with it #lifemottostoliveby #oasis.' Just a week prior, the GC said she was 'very lucky to have survived' after getting caught up in the terrifying storm that hit Sicily. The TV personality and her nephew Hayden, 15, were onboard a luxury ship when the Bayesian superyacht sank nearby, killing British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter, Hannah, and five others. Gemma said she was left shaken after being stranded at sea for four hours near Porticello. In an update shared to Instagram, she wrote: 'Holiday update. My heartfelt condolences to the people involved in the tragic disaster at sea in Sicily.' 'I was very lucky me and my nephew to have survived the storm at sea. 'I am shaken and returning to the UK tomorrow god was on our side today we was stuck for 4 hours can you imagine what was going through my mind. Thank you @bluediamondcruise for getting us back safely.' After jetting off to Crete this week, the former TOWIE star, quoted Oasis saying, 'you gotta roll with it' and she brushed aside her recent boating experience Gemma captioned the post: 'YOU GOTTA ROLL WITH IT when people say to me what am I gonna do I say well you gotta roll with it #lifemottostoliveby #oasis' Just a week prior, the GC said she was 'very lucky to have survived' after getting caught up in the terrifying storm that hit Sicily Gemma and her nephew Hayden, 15, who were onboard another luxury ship, were left shaken after being stranded at sea for four hours Six passengers - including Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah - died alongside chef Recaldo Thomas after the yacht capsized and came to rest on its side 164ft below (pictured in 2019) Six passengers - including Mike and his daughter Hannah, 18 - died alongside chef Recaldo Thomas after the British-flagged pleasure yacht capsised and came to rest on its side 164ft below in the early hours of August 19. It is believed the ship sank after its mast - one of tallest in the world at an enormous 246ft-high - snapped during the brutal incident and keeled over, taking the hull beyond the 'down-flooding angle', according to nautical experts. The yacht capsised after being hit by a waterspout at around 5am, with the captain of the doomed vessel saying 'we didn't see it coming' after he and 15 others were rescued from the water. Tornado-speed winds flipped the superyacht so quickly there was no time for those on board to raise the alarm or call for help before they were left swimming for their lives, with those who made it off stranded in the pitch black water as the storm raged around them. Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton held hands as they attended the UK premiere of Tim's film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at Cineworld Leicester Square on Thursday. Italian siren Monica, 59, looked beautiful in a long-sleeved, off-shoulder, stretchy floor-length maroon dress by Saint Laurent. She accessorised with matching high heels and a small rectangular clutch purse with gold detailing. Monica - who stars as Delores in the film - elevated her look with an almost-choker diamond necklace but opted to skip a pair of earrings. Her partner of nearing two years, Tim, 66, looked smart in a black suit with a black and white polka dot shirt and blue-lens sunglasses. Monica Bellucci, 59, and Tim Burton, 66, held hands at the UK premiere of Tim's film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - in which Monica stars - at Cineworld Leicester Square on Thursday Italian siren Monica looked beautiful in a long-sleeved, off-shoulder, stretchy floor-length maroon dress She accessorised with matching high heels and a small rectangular clutch purse with gold detailing Tim directs Beetlejuice 2 - official name Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - 36 years after he directed the original Beetlejuice. Monica stars as newcomer Delores, Beetlejuice's ex-wife. Also at the Leicester Square premiere were the likes of Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton. Just one day prior, the cast were receiving a four-minute standing ovation for the fantasy comedy horror which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. This is despite the film's less-than-favourable reviews, particularly when compared to the original. Beetlejuice 2 sees Winona, 52, Catherine O'Hara, 70, and Michael Keaton, 72, all reprising their roles, 36 years on. 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 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. Monica elevated her look with an almost-choker diamond necklace but opted to skip a pair of earrings Her partner of nearing two years, Tim, looked smart in a black suit with a black and white polka dot shirt and blue-lense sunglasses Tim directs Beetlejuice 2 - official name Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - 36 years after he directed the original Beetlejuice. Monica stars as newcomer Delores, Beetlejuice's ex-wife Monica and Tim sweetly matched in black and both wore sunglasses at the Venice premiere the night before The cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice descended onto the Cineworld on Thursday (L-R Justin Theroux, Catherine O'Hara, Monica, Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, Arthur Conti, Amy Nuttall, and Burn Gorman) The cast at the Venice Film Festival red carpet premiere on Wednesday 'Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter (Jenna) 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, 21, 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. '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.' 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 An urgent recall has been issued for thousands of Jaguar electric SUVs due to the risk the batteries could burst into flames. Jaguar told owners of its 2019 I-Pace SUVs to immediately park their vehicles outdoors and away from other structures, as there is a risk their batteries might cause the vehicles to go up in flames. There have already been three fires associated with the problem in the US, Jaguar said in the recall documents issued on Thursday. The British carmaker said dealers will update the batteries of the EVs to limit their charging capacity as an interim measure, but has not yet come up with a permanent solution. Jaguar has been forced to issue three previous recalls for the same problem, which required updated diagnostic software to be fixed. Jaguar has recalled its 2019 I-Pace SUVs over issues with the car's batteries 'Owners who have previously had their vehicle updated with the improved diagnostic software are under the impression that their vehicle is protected from thermal overload which, for 2019 MY (model year) vehicles, may not be the case,' the documents say. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the I-Pace batteries which were made in Poland by LG Energy Solution. The agency's probe was first opened in April 2022 after five carmakers issued recalls due to possible defects that could cause the EV and hybrid batteries to cause fires or stall. General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen are among those that have issued recalls over the problem since February 2020. It comes just days after major carmaker BMW recalled 720,796 of its own vehicles across America over concerns of motor short circuits. The recall affects the X1 and X5 models, along with some 5-series sedans, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall notice last week. Jaguar has been forced to make three previous recalls over the same issue The British car manufacturer has not developed a permanent solution to the problem yet Other models may have been affected but only three have been specified by the regulator. A spokesperson for NHTSA said: 'An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.' Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield for free, the regulator added. The NHTSA also said that BMW was aware of about 18 customer complaints, concerns or field instances but has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this report in the US. NBCC sells commercial space worth `14,800 Crore approx New Delhi: NBCC (India) Limited,announces the remarkable achievement of selling 100% of the office space inventory at World Trade Center (WTC) Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi and 100% retail and commercial space at Downtown Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi. RECPDCL Hands Over Bhadla-III New Delhi: REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), handed over a project specific SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). viz, Bhadla-III Power Transmission Limited to M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) on 28th August 2024 at Gurugram. 7th International Health and Wellness Expo New Delhi: Union Minister of AYUSH Pratap Rao Jadhav Inaugurates the Three-Day 7th International Health and Wellness Expo at Pragati Maidan in Delhi Dr. Ponguru Narayana on his appointment as Minister ANDHRA PRADESH: Dr. G. Viswanathan - Honble Chancellor along with Shri Sankar Viswanathan -Vice president VIT University have called Dr. Ponguru Narayana on his appointment as Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development - Government of Andhra Pradesh Guru Nanak Dev University organiSed EXPERT TALK AMRITSAR: Department of Education of Guru Nanak Dev University organized an expert talk to explore the universe and to develop the scientific temper and attitude among the teacher educators of the department under the guidance of Prof (Dr) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University. 1st International Symposium on Advanced Materials AMRAVATI: The inauguration of first edition of International Symposium on Current Trends in Advanced Materials (CTAM-24) was held at VIT-AP Campus. The 6-day symposium is being organized in association with American Chemical Society. In dimly lit indoor aisles at Weber Family Farms in Petaluma, hundreds of thousands of white chickens live out their 90 weeks of life. They fly from perch to perch. They dust bathe in the bedding. They nip at water dispensers. They lay egg after egg. And they never leave. These barns are at the heart of a bitter fight that Mike Weber and Samantha Faye are waging for the future of local farming. To Weber, the fourth-generation steward of the farm, these birds are his heritage. When he walks by the house he grew up in and the buildings he and his brother inherited, he sees animals treated well. Hes happy to show them off. Faye, a Santa Rosa resident and member of the combative animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere, sees Weber Family Farms very differently. In her eyes, cramming so many birds together without letting them go outside is inherently cruel. Like Weber, she wants to raise awareness of farm conditions, but shes hoping people will conclude large farms like his should be shut down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In November, Sonoma County voters will decide this debate. A first-of-its-kind ballot measure asks: Should large animal farms exist in the county? If Measure J passes, the biggest Sonoma farms those with more than 700 dairy cattle or 82,000 laying hens would have to downsize or close within three years. No new large farms could open. Left: Fourth-generation Petaluma farmer Mike Weber, who grew up on the Weber Family Farms property, said Measure J is punch in the gut. Right: A sign in opposition of Measure J. A local said "No on J" signs have been torn down. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Above: Fourth-generation Petaluma farmer Mike Weber, who grew up on the Weber Family Farms property, said Measure J is punch in the gut. Below: A sign in opposition of Measure J. A local said "No on J" signs have been torn down. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Its a potential watershed moment. Measure J would be one of the first ordinances in the United States to ban concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, sometimes referred to as factory farms. (Berkeley, which has no CAFOs, is voting on a similar measure.) Only a small percentage of Sonoma County farms would be directly forced to shutter: probably fewer than 20, though the number is disputed. But they are some of the largest farms in a county where agriculture drives the economy and defines local identity. Popular producers including Straus Family Creamery and Clover Sonoma said the measure would threaten their long-term business. Animal rights activists, including the Berkeley-headquartered Direct Action Everywhere, are fighting an uphill battle to pass Measure J. But should they succeed, it would be a significant victory. They argue that CAFOs, by concentrating many animals in one space, are disastrous for the environment, for public health, for smaller farms and above all, for the animals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But in Sonoma Countys entrenched agricultural community, Measure J is seen as an existential threat. Farmers say that farm management, not size, determines animal welfare and environmental impact. The measure would shut down several family operations, which they say would be especially unjust in a county where farmers set the standard nationwide for organic, eco-friendly practices. As of Aug. 25, Measure J opponents who are supported by the political establishment, Democrats and Republicans alike had raised about $1 million to fight it, about five times the sum that supporters reported. To Faye, Measure J is really exciting. To Weber, its a punch in the gut. For activists and farmers more broadly, its the culmination of a yearslong fight in Sonoma County that has involved protests, legal battles and even jail time. And for voters, Measure J is a chance to answer a question theyve never before been asked: Are CAFOs, which produce an estimated 90% or more of the countrys livestock and poultry, an ethical way to farm? Samantha Faye, a Sonoma County native and proponent of Measure J, says she believes large farms treat animals cruelly. Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle The land by Webers Liberty Road farm is dotted with cattle and sheep plus a few No on J signs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Local family agriculture in Sonoma County dates back more than a century. By 1945, the county had about 6,000 poultry producers, according to Thea Lowrys book Empty Shells: The Story of Petaluma, Americas Chicken City. But over the next 50-odd years, according to Lowry, small farms consolidated. Some grew; others vanished. Agriculture has become agribusiness, she wrote. That reflects a long-standing trend in animal agriculture of breeding animals that produce more milk, eggs and meat while developing structures that accommodate massive numbers of animals. It led to more efficient animal agriculture and what activists term the modern factory farm. We have an extremely high saturation of animals that exist within totally discrete areas, in, like, a shed, Faye said. To her, thats inhumane. But farmers disagree that having many animals in one spot signifies poor welfare. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They point out that a CAFO is not actually defined by animal welfare conditions. Instead, its an animal waste-related term from the Environmental Protection Agency. Farm size is the primary qualification: Large CAFOs, for instance, might have more than 30,000 ducks or 700 mature dairy cows. Medium and small CAFOs must also meet specific waste discharge requirements. In Sonoma County, regional water quality control boards have identified no such farms. Supporters of Measure J see a litany of problems with CAFOs and modern farming writ large. Left: Organic eggs await inspection at Weber Family Farms. Right: Farmer Mike Weber said he provides eggs to much of the Bay Area. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Above: Organic eggs await inspection at Weber Family Farms. Below: Farmer Mike Weber said he provides eggs to much of the Bay Area. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The way the animals are bred, they say, is unhealthy: Cows produce too much milk for their bodies to sustain; hens lay too many eggs; broiler chickens grow too fast. Some animals never see the outdoors. Farms allow disease to spread, cruelly separate calves from their mothers and pollute with manure the larger the operation, the worse the damage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We want to set a limit, said Cassie King, the communications lead for Direct Action Everywhere. Theres nothing to stop these facilities that are already so large from getting even bigger. Farmers dispute these claims. They take stringent biosecurity measures: Visitors to Webers farms must don Tyvek suits and foot protection to enter the barns. The California State Water Resources Control Board and its regional bodies regulate dairies liquid waste management. And animal rights activists just dont understand some standard practices such as calf separation, farmers said. If activists see specific problems in Sonoma County, opponents argue, they should write a narrow measure that targets those issues instead. This measure doesnt address water quality. This measure doesnt address animal welfare. It simply just looks at farms and says, If youre a certain size, you just cant operate that way, said Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. Complicating the debate is the challenge of identifying which farms would close. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Permitting authorities like the California State Water Resources Control Board dont have a clear CAFO database. The Coalition to End Factory Farming, a group that organized to support Measure J, identified 21 potential CAFOs, but some farmers said not all their locations on the list would qualify. Opponents of Measure J also dispute the accuracy of calling the CAFOs factory farms. Faye pointed to Petaluma Poultry, a subsidiary of Perdue Farms, as exemplifying a corporate farm where Direct Action Everywhere has alleged animal cruelty. But many other names on the list have been owned by generations of Sonoma County locals. Underlying the debate is a long-festering distrust between animal rights activists and Sonoma County farmers. The Measure J political fight is just the latest battle. Left: A worker moves chicken manure into a pile as it awaits processing into fertilizer at Weber Family Farms. Right: Hens in the conventional barns have at least one square foot of space each. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Above: A worker moves chicken manure into a pile as it awaits processing into fertilizer at Weber Family Farms. Below: Hens in the conventional barns have at least one square foot of space each. Photos by Stephen Lam/The Chronicle In 2018, Direct Action Everywhere activists stormed Webers farm. They forced their way onto the property, seizing hens. They took photos and videos to post online. They alleged that the chickens were cannibalizing each other a stress behavior and covered in feces. After they were arrested, they made their case in court that this sort of open rescue to save animals from suffering should be legal. That incident one instance in the groups larger nationwide strategy of break-ins cemented Webers views of the activists. A deliberate speaker whos comfortable bending down to check chicken litter while holding a conversation, Weber is normally happy talking about his farm. But trying to reason with activists doesnt seem worth it to him anymore. How can we ever sit down at the table and see eye to eye? Weber asked. Youre really looking across the table at an arsonist. At the end of the day, they just want to burn down your operation. Faye saw something different in the break-in at Webers. A Sonoma County native, she had grown up on her grandfathers dairy farm and had returned in 2014 from working on a pig farm in the Czech Republic, an experience that convinced her to go mostly vegan. Back in Santa Rosa, she received an alert about the protest at Weber Family Farms. That was one of the coolest things Id ever seen, she said. So she got involved with Direct Action Everywhere. The group is known for its militant approach to exposing suspect farms and for accusations of grooming young members in a cultlike environment. In recent years, Faye said she has worked less with the group, but as she campaigns for Measure J, she regularly uses photos from the groups 2018 break-in as evidence. Agriculture is at the heart of the identity of Petaluma and the rest of Sonoma County. But even though the region is often touted as a leader of responsible farming, some animal rights activists believe its large farms should be shut down. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The images are featured on the Coalition to End Factory Farming website: the long barns that line Webers property, chickens crowded together and a hen covered in feces. In court testimony last year, Weber did admit some of his birds had picked at each other before the break-in. This is different from flock cannibalism, which by definition is widespread, he said. According to Richard Blatchford, who works on poultry management at UC Davis, the conditions in those pictures appear normal. Birds do occasionally poop on one another, he said, though the hen in question may have been ill. And parts of chicken barns can look crowded even when the birds have more space elsewhere: They like to clump together, he said. Even when activists and farmers agree about animals conditions, they often disagree about the ethics. Webers birds live cage-free but mostly inside. His organic barns have at least 1.2 square feet per bird. The conventional buildings, with smaller birds, have one square foot apiece enough for the chickens to move around, but small enough to sometimes look crowded. Organic chickens usually spend time outside, but because of avian flu risk, the California Department of Food and Agriculture recommended suspending that for now. On average, Weber said, less than one-tenth of a percent of his birds fewer than 500 out of 500,000 die each week, which he called typical but activists termed alarming. To Measure Js proponents, its impossible for so many animals raised in one place to be treated well. And merely meeting industry standards doesnt mean farm conditions are ethical, said veterinarian Dr. Crystal Heath, the executive director of veterinary advocacy and animal rights group Our Honor. It seems like producers nowadays no longer hold you to this idea of animal stewardship, she said. Left: Carla Cabral, an organizer with the Coalition to End Factory Farming, shared photos of animals said to be abused at farms in Sonoma County, during a canvassing event at Santa Rosa Junior College. Right: Measure J would ban large farms in Sonoma County if it passes in November. Photos by Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle Above: Carla Cabral, an organizer with Coalition to End Factory Farming, shared photos of animals said to be abused at farms in Sonoma County, during a canvassing event at Santa Rosa Junior College. Below: Measure J would ban large farms in Sonoma County if it passes in November. Photos by Brian L. Frank/Special to the Chronicle On a recent Monday morning, Faye stood behind a table near a library at Santa Rosa Junior College. She had attended the school about 10 years ago before dropping out, getting married and landing a job on a Sebastopol blueberry farm. Now she was back, nursing a migraine but determined to campaign. Dressed in a casual jean jacket and assured in her message, she called out to every passing student. Were the Yes on Measure J campaign, Faye explained excitedly. Were just trying to phase out the largest concentrated animal feeding operations so that we can focus more on having small farms here. Her pitch cut straight to a key question of Measure J: Would replacing CAFOs with smaller farms improve animal welfare? Heath and Faye contend that it would. But small farms, especially dairies, said they follow practices very similar to their larger local counterparts. By and large, they oppose Measure J. Susan Bianchi, an owner of Bianchi Dairy, deemed Measure J a threat to our way of life. Bronte Edwards of Rainbow Family Ranching Co. said that it would cause the loss of foundational pieces of our food system. Jennifer Beretta, assistant herdswoman at Beretta Family Dairy, called it really scary. They worry people could erroneously label them out of compliance with Measure J. And they also fear the trickle-down effect: the idea that without the areas biggest farms, feed companies and veterinarians would leave Sonoma County. The Coalition to End Factory Farming website lists only one commercial farm in support of the measure: Green Goose Farm in Penngrove. Owner Roy Smith said he wrestled with his decision. He opposes large industrial poultry farms but said he thinks Sonoma Countys larger dairies operate at the same high standard as its smaller ones. They certainly use similar techniques. For instance, animal rights activists are vocally opposed to separating calves from their mothers and isolating them in hutches: small individual pens with a contained outdoor space. Erik Allen, a coalition organizer, said he once heard a cow scream for its calf for a week on a Petaluma farm an experience that radicalized him. But even at the organic Beretta farm, which has only 340 mature dairy cows, Beretta was unashamed to show off her calves as they walked in their hutches and occasionally mooed. (Unlike some hutches, Berettas let calves turn around.) The animals have to be separated from their mothers, she said, because otherwise they drink too much of the milk. Fed up with the arguments from pro-Measure J activists, she said, Please come and look and tell me what we could do different. She just participated in a study on whether raising calves as duos in larger hutches could improve their quality of life. But for now, this is the most practical approach Beretta knows. In her eyes, it doesnt make sense to target only larger farms for practices almost all dairies use. Instead, Beretta sees activists professed support for small farms as a smokescreen to hide the coalitions true goal: ending animal farming altogether. They do not want animal agriculture, she said. But we are in the United States of America, and we should be able to choose what we want to eat. Protesters stormed Weber Family Farms in 2018 to call attention to what they called cruel conditions. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Nowhere on its website does the Coalition to End Factory Farming float the idea of ending farming entirely. Nor does every member support it. But Direct Action Everywhere, whose San Francisco Bay Area chapter helped found the coalition, is taking a leading role in the campaign. And the group makes no secret of its goal to eliminate animal agriculture by 2040. Once the precedent is set and people see that factory farming is unnecessary, King said, hopefully other counties, other states, other places will follow suit. She envisions a food system a lot more based on plants. However, Measure J on its own would not force such a future. Its hard to say how precisely Sonoma Countys food supply would be affected, in part because its hard to say how many farms are CAFOs. With large farms gone within three years, more meat, eggs and dairy from CAFOs outside the county might be shipped in, though Faye argued that smaller farms could step up and fill the market. Prices for local products might rise perhaps a boon for remaining farms, but a blow for the farm-to-table movement that blossomed in Sonoma County. People on both sides of Measure J offer sensational narratives: Local farming will disappear; local farming will be minimally impacted. Practically the only thing uncontested is the tension between these factions. Weber said he has seen drones and strange cars circling his property, which he blamed on activists. A neighbor said No on J signs have been torn down. On the other side, supporters said theyre hesitant to publicly attach their name to the measure because theyve been harassed. Opponents shouted obscenities at them at the county fair. As the campaigns pick up ahead of the election, farmers and animal rights activists are both calling for a return to the facts and for better education about Sonoma County farms. From Faye: Creating equity within the food system is going to have to start with the truth. From Weber: When people hear the truth, then theyre like, I get it. I understand. And I stand with you. But will voters be able to discern the truth? After all, most have never seen Weber Family Farms. With its growing defence manufacturing capabilities and strategic partnerships, India has the unique opportunity to address the emerging gaps in global defence supplies The global defence landscape is rapidly evolving, marked by escalating geopolitical conflicts and the increasingly strategic use of denial tactics to restrict access to critical military hardware and technology. Many nations, including Indias key strategic partners, are facing unprecedented challenges as essential defence stockpiles deplete, and sophisticated war machines become obsolete or vulnerable to new forms of subversion. In response, major defence suppliers, particularly those in first-world countries, are prioritizing the preservation of their stockpiles over external sales. Amid these challenges, a critical opportunity emerges for India. By adopting a strategically designed approach to filling these gaps and enhancing its strategic influence and partnerships, India can play a significant role in addressing the emerging deficits in the global defence supply chain Vulnerabilities in the Global Defense Supply Chain: The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with ongoing conflicts in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, has exposed the fragility of global defence supply chains. As India seeks to position itself as a reliable and diversified supplier of defence equipment, it is imperative to act promptly. Scaling these capabilities and implementing robust, resilient policies rooted in long-term strategic objectives is critical for India to emerge as a prominent player in the global defence marketplace. Strengthening Strategic Alliances: India has bolstered its defence partnerships with major global powers, including the United States, Russia, France, and Israel. However, these alliances must evolve beyond transactional arrangements into enduring, reciprocal relationships. For India, every transaction or partnership should be leveraged to bolster the countrys ability to produce surpluses and emerge as a key provider for other nations' defence needs. These strategic alliances should not only enhance Indias position as a global player but also provide it with a sustainable competitive edge in the global defence market. Advancing Indigenous Production Capacity: India has made considerable strides in Indigenous defence production, exemplified by achievements such as the Arjun main battle tank, BrahMos missile, and Tejas fighter jet. However, these successes must evolve to meet the increasing demands of the global defence market. To strengthen its position as a world-class defence producer, India must expand its production capabilities into areas such as military-class UAVs, advanced missile defence systems, and cutting-edge cyber defence technologies. Additionally, integrating advanced maritime reconnaissance aircraft, anti-submarine warfare systems, and comprehensive surveillance infrastructure into its production portfolio is essential. Indias Indigenous defence production capacity must be enhanced to meet international benchmarks, positioning the country as a dominant player in filling global defence requirements. Enhancing Strategic-Critical Manufacturing Projects Indias ambitions to become a leading, self-sufficient defence producer are underscored by initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. However, the true measure of success will be how well these products align with international demands and address the expanding gaps in the global defence supply chain. India must swiftly adapt to global requirements, ensuring that its products are compatible with international platforms and standards. To achieve this, the countrys policies must prioritize attracting investments in advanced manufacturing infrastructure, supporting defence production systems, and upgrading critical production expertise. Additionally, enforcing rigorous quality control and fostering an innovation-driven, high-quality production foundation is essential to meeting global defence demands.### Diversification and Global CompetitivenessDiversification and transformation within Indias defence sector are vital for achieving global competitiveness. A diversified manufacturing base that strategically incorporates public sector units with private enterprises must be developed to create a more adaptable and responsive supply chain. As India aims to become a major defence supplier, success will depend on developing a sustainable innovation ecosystem that produces tangible outcomes. Path Forward: India as a Leading Defense SupplierIndias ambition to emerge as a leading defence supplier demands decisive action and strategic focus. To realize this vision, India must enhance its export capabilities, target key markets, and align with international standards. Success in this arena depends on establishing a firm policy commitment to consistently deliver high-quality, adaptable, and precise defence products tailored to the needs of diverse conflicts, theatres, and warfare requirements. (The author is an ICSSR-Post Doctoral Fellow, School of National Security Studies, Central University of Gujarat. The views expressed are personal) Sexual exploitation in the Kerala film industry revealed by the Hema Committee report sends shockwaves across the country It is a me too moment of the Kerala film industry. The image of the Kerala film industry has touched the rock bottom after Hema committee has reported rampant sexual abuse, lack of basic amenities for women and more. It is all the more shocking as it is happening in the state which has given the most progressive films to the country. The Kerala film industry, known for producing some of India's most critically acclaimed and beloved films, is now under the shadow of a severe crisis. A landmark report from the Hema Committee has exposed the deep-rooted gender issues and sexual exploitation that plague this vibrant film hub, revealing a shocking underbelly that contradicts the industry's artistic achievements. The 290-page report, prepared by a three-member panel headed by retired Kerala High Court Justice K. Hema, offers a scathing indictment of the Malayalam-language film industry. It paints a grim picture of a workplace where sexual harassment is rampant and systemic, and where a "mafia of powerful men" wields control, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation. The Hema Committee was established by the Kerala government in 2017, in the aftermath of a high-profile case that sent shockwaves through the industry. The Hema Committee's findings have laid bare the systemic problems that have long been ignored or downplayed. The report uncovers a litany of abuses, from the lack of basic amenities like toilets and changing rooms for junior artists to the frequent demands for sexual Favors by powerful men in the industry. It describes the harrowing experiences of women who have been forced to endure long hours without access to toilets, leading to severe health issues. The panel also found that sexual harassment is not only widespread but often goes unchecked and unreported due to the fear of retaliation. As expected, the Kerala film fraternity has vehemently denied all the allegations. Despite the damning findings, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a prominent industry body, has denied the accusations. The organization's general secretary, Siddique, dismissed the claims, stating that conditions for women on film sets have improved in recent years and that the industry is not controlled by a small group of powerful men. However, the report's release has sparked widespread outrage, with activists and opposition leaders demanding immediate action against those implicated. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has vowed to take action if any woman who testified before the committee comes forward to file a complaint. As the industry grapples with these revelations, there is hope that this moment of reckoning will lead to lasting change. The Kerala film industry has long been celebrated for its artistic achievements; now, it must also become a beacon of respect, safety, and dignity for all who work within it. Amid continued protests by the Opposition Maha Vikass Aghadi (MVA) over the sudden collapse of a 35-feet tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Malvan Sindhudurg district, the Indian Navy and Maharashtra Government on Thursday announced the formation of a joint technical committee comprising Naval officials, civil engineers and experts, to investigate the cause of the statue collapse and fix responsibility for the mishap. To be headed by the Indian Navy, the technical committee will comprise representatives from the Maharashtra government, civil engineers and experts, including the ones from the Indian Institute of Technology (ITT), Bombay, JJ School of Art and renowned sculptors from across the state. Apart from into the cause and circumstances leading to the collapse of the imposing Shivaji Statue inside Rajkot at Malvan in Maharashtras Sindhudrug district, the technical committee will also fix responsibility for The decision to constitute a technical committee to investigate the Shivaji statue collapse follows a joint meeting that chief minister Eknath Shinde held with the senior Naval officials, his senior ministers, bureaucrats at his official residence Varsha in South Mumbai on Wednesday night. In a statement issued by the state government, Shinde said that he had asked the State Piblic Works Department (PWD) to set up a committee comprising the nations best sculptors; civil engineers, expert officers and Navy officers for constructing a grand and magnificent statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that portrays his achievements in a best way. The collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is unfortunate and the feelings and emotions of the Maratha warrior and Shiv Bhakts are intense. Due care should be taken by all of us so as to ensure against recurrence of such type of incidents in the future, Shinde said. . In a separate statement issued earlier in the day, the Indian Navy was committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest. 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 Navy said in its statementThe 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 statement added. It may be recalled that the 35-feet tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with a sword in his hand at 12.30 pm on August 26, within nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023 as part of the Navy Day celebrations. The collapse of Shivaji statue has triggered a major political uproar across the state, with the Opposition MVA staging protests across Maharashtra demanding the resignations of chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar on Wednesday publicly apologised to the 13 crore people of Maharashtra for the Shivaji statue collapse. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT), a constituent of the Opposition Shiv Sena, staged protests for the fourth consecutive day. Shiv Sena (UBT)s deputy leader and party spokesperson Sushma Andhare led the protest morcha in Pune on Thursday. Talking to media persons, Andhare hit out at senior BJP leader and MP Narayan Rane for resorting to intimidation tactics and handing threats to the media, police and the opposition leaders when the MVA workers staged a protest in Malvan on Malwan. The language used by Rane displayed his character He was intimidating the media persons, the police and the Opposition leaders carrying out a peaceful protest at the Rajkot Fort. His sole intention is to spoil the communal atmosphere in the state and create disturbances, Andhare said. She questioned Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of the ruling BJP if it was he who had asked Rane and his cheap hoodlums to indulge in a ruckus ar Rajkot fort and quell any formsof public protests in Sindhudurg to create caste-communal divides in the state. If anything untoward happens, then it is only Fadnavis who will be responsible as the state home minister. We demand that Rane should be booked and arrested for disturbing peace and fomenting violence there, Andhare said.. Ranes supporters virtually clashed with the MVA workers at Malvans Malvan fort. So heated was the atmosphere at the Rajkot fort at Malvan that the workers of the BJP and the rival MVA elbowed one another and shouted fierce slogans against each other. At one stage, Rane snatched the mic of a television journalist capturing the developments at Rajkot. Andhare said that despite tough efforts by the Sindhudurg Police, Rane and his supporters proved to be uncontrollable as they staged a siege and prevented the MVA leaders like leaders of Opposition in the State Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar, his counterpart from the State Council Ambadas Danve, NCP (SP) state President Jayant Patil, SS (UBT)s Aditya Thackeray and others from entering the Rajkot Fort. On a day when Ghatshila MLA Ramdas Soren replaced him in the Jharkhand Cabinet taking oath as a Minister, former Chief Minister Champai Soren, popularly known as the Kolhan Tiger, joined the BJP on Friday, marking a significant change in the States political landscape just ahead of the Assembly elections. Champai along with a large number of his supporters crossed over to the saffron camp in the presence of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a ceremony in Ranchi while Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar administered the oath to Ramdas in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, senior leaders of the JMM-led coalition Government, and top bureaucrats. Though Ramdass portfolio is yet to be announced, he would likely be given similar portfolios as Champai held. Champais induction into BJP is seen as a shot in the arm of the saffron party, looking to establish a foothold in the tribal belt of Jharkhand, where Scheduled Tribes make up about 26 per cent of the electorate. This community which has been the main electoral base of the JMM. He was a close aide of JMM supremo Shibu Soren. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that Champai was kept under surveillance by his own government for six months and a befitting reply awaits the corrupt JMM-led alliance in two months. Champai Soren was kept under surveillance by Jharkhand police for six months. I have never heard of such an instance. I warn you (Chief Minister Hemant Soren), we will give a befitting reply after two months, Sarma said at a function in Ranchi where Champai joined the BJP. After joining the BJP, Champai said, After I was put under surveillance by the Jharkhand Government in Delhi and Kolkata, my resolve to join the BJP got strengthened.He also said the BJP can save the tribals identity and check infiltration in Jharkhands Santhal Pargana. Alleging that the tribal identity was put at stake by the Congress, Champai said, I am committed to delivering justice to the people. I nurtured JMM with my sweat and blood but only got humiliation and insult in return. I am compelled to join the BJP. I am now proud to be a member of the worlds largest political party. I was not ready to tolerate humiliation and snooping, Champai said. Champai had previously met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to announce his decision to join the BJP. Tiger Zinda Hai, said Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday while welcoming Champai into the party fold. When Champai was the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, he took tough decisions against middlemen. This irked JMM top leadership which started humiliating him. He had been trying to free Jharkhand from the malaise of corruption, Chouhan said. Champai quit the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday, claiming that the State Governments present style of functioning and its policies compelled him to leave the party he served for many years. Champai has earned the moniker of Jharkhands Tiger for his contribution to the fight for a separate state of Jharkhanf to be carved out of Bihar in the 1990s. Jharkhand was carved out of the southern part of Bihar in 2000.The elections to the 81-member Assembly are due later this year. Despite being chosen over Hemant Sorens wife Kalpana to lead the government, Champais tenure as CM was short-lived. Five months into his term, Champai Soren was compelled to resign amid what he described as bitter humiliation from the party he once held dear. Following Hemant Sorens release from jail on June 28 and his subsequent swearing-in as Chief Minister on July 4, Champai resigned on July 3. A matriculate from a government school, he started his political career after getting elected as an Independent MLA through a by-election from the Seraikela seat in undivided Bihar in 1991.Four years later, he contested the assembly polls from the seat on the JMM ticket and defeated the BJPs Panchu Tudu. In the maiden 2000 assembly elections, he was defeated from the same constituency by the BJPs Anant Ram Tudu.He regained the seat in 2005 by defeating the BJP candidate by a margin of only 880 votes and won subsequent elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019.He served as a cabinet minister in the BJP government headed by Arjun Munda between September, 2010 and January, 2013 when BJP formed government in the state with the support of JMM. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP lost all the five ST reserved seats, while in the 2019 Assembly elections, the party could win only two of the 28 ST seats in the state. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday sent out a stern message to Pakistan declaring that the era of uninterrupted dialogue is over. He also warned that actions have consequences in an apparent reference to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Making these assertions at a book launch event here, he reaffirmed New Delhis position that terror and talks cannot go together. The Ministers comments on dialogue with Pakistan came in the backdrop of elections in Jammu and Kashmir in less than 20 days. The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences, Jaishankar said. So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done with. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan, Jaishankar said, making it clear that there would be no compromise on this matter. He also stressed that India would not remain passive in its dealings with Pakistan. What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react, the Minister added. On a suggestion that India is content with the relationship to continue as it is, he said, Maybe yes, maybe no... but what I do want to say is that we are not passive, and that whether events take a positive or negative direction... either way we will react. In his address, Jaishankar also said for any country in the world, neighbours are always a conundrum, and so are major powers. Major powers will be a conundrum because they are major, because of the breadth of their interests. They will always have an agenda, which will overlap with us, but to differing degrees, also diverge, he said. In the case of China, you have a double conundrum, because its a neighbour and a major power. So, the challenges with China fits this double definition, he added. The book Strategic Conundrum: Reshaping Indias Foreign Policy by former diplomat Rajiv Sikri talks about Indias relationship with its neighbouring countries and the accompanying challenges. The Minister also said there is a debate in the neighbourhood about SAARC and BIMSTEC, and all of you know the difference. That is a contrast which illustrates some of the challenges and opportunities of regionalisation, he said. The real issue is that of overlapping identities versus forging new ones. So, everywhere there is history at play, but there is politics that often contests history and this in a way is a perennial challenge for Indias relationships with all its neighbours, Jaishankar said. On Indias ties with Afganistan, Jaishankar said there is actually a strong people-to-people relations, at the societal level, adding there is a certain goodwill for India. The minister previously stated that the Centre cannot overlook terrorism in an effort to improve relations with Pakistan. He noted that terrorism has become almost an industry level issue in Pakistan, and Indias current mood is not to tolerate such threats. He also addressed the situation in Bangladesh, which has faced political instability following Sheikh Hasinas ouster, as well as law and order challenges, including attacks on the minority Hindu community. It is natural we will deal with the government of the day, Jaishankar said, while recognising that regime changes can be disruptive. He underlined the need for mutual interest and cooperation, saying, Neighbours are always a conundrum...Tell me which country is there that doesnt have challenges with neighbours? Holding that there was sufficient evidence to put him on trial, a Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday ordered framing of charges for murder and other offences against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to alleged murder of three people in the North Delhis Pul Bangash area, almost 40 years after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal said there was sufficient evidence against him to put him on trial. Sufficient ground is there to proceed against the accused person, the Special CBI judge said, posting the matter for September 13 for formally framing the charges when Tytler would be asked if he would like to plead guilty or face trial. Tytler was discharged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)s Section 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons) as the special judge Rakesh Syal listed the matter for the next hearing on September 13. Welcoming the development, BJP national spokesperson RP Singh wrote on X, Albeit delayed, it appears justice is being done. The case relates to the burning to death of Badal Singh, Sardar Thakur Singh, and Gurbachan Singh and setting ablaze Pul Bangash Gurudwara a day after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination on November 1, 1984. The Delhi Police registered a case the same day. Tytler would have to be physically present in the court for the framing of charges under the IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 188 (disobedience of the order duly promulgated by a public servant), 295 (injuring or defiling a place of worship), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), 451 (house trespass), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 149 (common object), 302 (murder) and 109 (abetment). A witness had earlier submitted in the charge-sheet that Tytler came out of a white Ambassador car in front of the Gurdwara Pul Bangash on November 1, 1984 and instigated a mob with the words, kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother, following which three people were killed. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case afresh in November 2005 on the recommendations of the Nanavati Commission, which was formed in 2000 and submitted its report five years later. The trial court took cognisance of the charge-sheet filed in the case on July 26 last year and issued summons to Tytler directing him to appear before the court. Another senior Delhi Congress leader and former MP Sajjan Kumar is already serving life term for the remainder of his natural life after being convicted by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018. The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment related to the killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar Part I area in Palam Colony of Southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984, and the burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part II. His appeal against conviction and sentence is pending in the Supreme Court which has refused to grant him bail on health grounds. In an apparent bid to blunt the Oppositions full-fledged campaign against the BJP-led MahaYuti Government and the Centre over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs imposing statue at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji whom he described as not just a revered king or great personality but a deity. Speaking at a function after laying the foundation stone for `76,000 crore Vadhvan Port in Maharashtras Palghar district and kick-starting other developments, Modi recalled that the first thing he did after he was nominated by the BJP as the Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013, was to visit Raigad Fort to offers his prayers to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the latters Samadhi. He said he was blessed with the same bhakti bhav with which he revered his master and embarked on the new journey to serve the nation. Alluding to the collapse of a 35-tall statue at Malvan in Sindhudurg district, the Prime Minister tendered his humble apology to the legendary Maratha king by saying: Shivaji Maharaj is not merely a name, a revered king or a great personality but a deity. Indirectly hitting out at the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of the Congress for showing disrespect towards freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, Modi said that his upbringing and his culture made him different from those who intend to disrespect the great son of the land Veer Savarkar and trample the feeling of nationalism. In an unmistakable criticism of Rahul Gandhi ahead of the State Assembly polls, Modi said: People of Maharashtra should remain wary of those who disrespect Veer Savarkar and feel no remorse for it The Prime Minister said that his reverence towards Chhatrapati Shivaji should be seen in the context of the fact that the first thing he did after visiting Maharashtra was to apologise to his deity Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He also sought forgiveness from all those who worship Shivaji Maharaj. Averring that his government had taken major steps for the growth of Maharashtra in the last 10 years as a Viksit Maharashtra is the most crucial element of the resolution of a Viksit Bharat, Modi said that the state had the potential and resources to grow due to its coastal proximity, holding immense possibilities for the future. The Vadhvan Port will be the countrys largest container port and will be counted among the worlds deep water ports. It will become an epicenter of trade and industrial development for Maharashtra and India, the Prime Minister said. Being built at a cost of `76,000 crore, Vadhvan Port located near Dahanu town in Palghar district is expected to be one of Indias largest deep-water ports and will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. Vadhvan Port 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. Modi, who also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore and launched Rs 360 crore National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system, said there was a time when Bharat used to be counted among the most strong and prosperous nations due to its maritime capabilities. People of Maharashtra are well-versed in this potential. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took Indias maritime capabilities to new heights with his policies and strong decisions for the development of the country, Modi said, adding that even the entire East India Company could not stand in front of Darya Sarang Kanhoji Yaganti. Slamming the previous governments at the Centre for failing to pay heed to Bharats rich past, Modi said: This is New India. It learns from history and recognizes its potential and pride. New India is creating new milestones in maritime infrastructure by leaving behind every trace of the shackles of slavery. Stating that lakhs of crores of rupees had been invested in modernising ports in the country, the Prime Minister said: Entire world is looking towards Vadhvan Port today. Very few ports in the world can match Vadhvan Ports depth of 20 meters. This port would transform the economic landscape of the entire region due to railway and highway connectivity. It will create opportunities for new businesses and warehousing owing to its connectivity to the dedicated Western Freight Corridor and proximity to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Dwelling upon the launch of the Vessel Communication System, the Prime Minister said: This system will become a blessing for the fishermen community. Our government plans to install 1 lakh transponders on vessels used by fishermen to establish uninterrupted connectivity with their families, boat owners, fisheries department and coast guards. That will help fishermen communicate in times of emergency, cyclones or any untoward incidents through the help of satellites. It is the governments priority to save lives during any emergency. Modi said that more than 110 fishing ports and landing centers are being built for the safe return of fishermens vessels. Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyingRajiv Ranjan Singh were present on the occasion. The Delhi Police arrested 19 cyber criminals from seven States across the country, including the cybercrime hotspots Jamatara and Giridhi in Jharkhand in a special drive against cyber fraudsters. According to the police on Friday, in effort to crackdown on the increasing cyber crimes, arrests were made in six different types of modus operandi, including online stock market investment, online work from home through Telegram, fraud through fake customer care numbers, frauds through 99 acre app and Quiker app and driver track plus (Newmo) and phishing and cyber bullying or harassment through Instagram impersonation. Complaints and cases of the Cyber-crime have been increasing significantly across the nation and national capital and in the south west district also the volume of the complaints is increasing. In order to take strict and impactful action against the cyber fraudsters especially in the area of cyber crime hotspots and other growing cyber crime areas , teams from cyber Police Station South West District were formed and targeted main fraudsters, DCP Southwest Rohit Meena said. Further, he added that after intensive work on the identified cases and leads all the team undertook the operation in cyber crime hotspots and other cities of seven states within a week Bihar s Samastipur, Madhya Pradeshs Rajgarh, Sehore and Biaora, Uttar Pradeshs Paratap Garh, Maharashtras Mumbai Rajasthans Ajmer and West Bengal. About 148 complaints on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) were found linked to this and seven cases were worked in the operation. There are a total of 42 mobile phones and 42 mobile phones, 21 SIM cards, six ATM cards and two Fake Aadhar Cards were recovered in this operation. Apart from this, over 35 lakh rupees were seized in the alleged accounts of the fraudsters, Meena added. The police arrested nine people in the driver track plus and phishing case, two for 99 acre and Quicker app, one in fake customer care, one in online job fraud, five in online share market investment and one in Impersonating through Instagram and harassing and bullying. Jamshedpur Forest Department arrested three individuals from Daltonganj on charges of smuggling leopard skin and other wildlife products. The arrested men, identified as Zakir Hussain, Dineshwar Yadav, and Vijay Yadav, are residents of Palamu. This comes after the earlier arrest of Ashok Vishwakarma from Sonari, Sam Kujur from Chaibasa, and Pintu Kujur on similar charges of hunting wild animals and smuggling their skins. During a press conference on Thursday, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Ahmed revealed that Ashok Vishwakarma was initially arrested on August 15 for allegedly hunting wild animals. During the interrogation, Vishwakarma disclosed that the hunting took place in the forests of Daltonganj. Acting on his information, a special team led by Ranger Digvijay Singh conducted a three-day raid in Daltonganj, said DFO Ahmed. The operation culminated in the arrest of Hussain, Yadav, and Yadav, along with the recovery of leopard skin, traps, deer horns, rabbit bones, Seoul teeth, and other forest products. DFO Ahmed further stated that the arrested Zakir Hussain is believed to be the mastermind behind the illegal activities. During the interrogation, Hussain confessed to having received specialized training in hunting from Rajasthan. They were well-organized, with specific roles assigned to each member. After killing the animals, they would carefully skin them and sell the pelts at a high price, DFO Ahmed added. It was also revealed that the leopard skins were smuggled from Daltonganj to Jamshedpur, with plans to ship them overseas. The forest department's ongoing investigation has exposed a sophisticated smuggling network involving local collaborators who assist the hunters in exchange for financial rewards. DFO Ahmed emphasized that the department is intensifying efforts to capture additional members of the gang and dismantle the entire network. We have information that two smugglers managed to escape during the raid, and we are actively pursuing leads to apprehend them, said DFO Ahmed. This is not the first time the Jamshedpur Forest Department has made arrests related to wildlife smuggling. Earlier this month, Ashok Vishwakarma, Sam Kujur, and Pintu Kujur were arrested on similar charges. Their interrogation led to the discovery of a wider network involved in the illegal hunting and smuggling of wildlife. The gang has been operating for several years, targeting the rich biodiversity of the Daltonganj forests, noted DFO Ahmed. In light of these arrests, the Jamshedpur Forest Department is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to wildlife smuggling. Protecting our wildlife is a collective responsibility, and we will continue to take strict action against those who threaten our natural heritage, concluded DFO Ahmed. The arrested individuals are currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to trace the remaining members of the smuggling network. n a decision that has sent ripples through Punjabs political landscape, the Akal Takht Sikhs highest temporal authority has declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a tankhaiya a term signifying one guilty of religious misconduct. The decision, delivered on Friday by Akal Takht Jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghubir Singh after a meeting of five Jathedars (head priest of five temporal seats), followed allegations that Sukhbir violated the Sikh religious code, particularly concerning his actions and affiliations during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and as the leader of the SAD. The decision marked a significant moment in the ongoing crisis within the SAD one of Punjabs most influential political parties. The declaration of Sukhbir as tankhaiya comes a day after he appointed his father Parkash Singh Badals loyalist and close aide Balwinder Singh Bhundur as SADs working president a move widely seen as an attempt to stabilize the party amid internal dissent and growing pressure from rebel leaders. The Akal Takhts decision is rooted in allegations that Sukhbir, during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and as SAD president, violated a 2007 hukamnama (edict) issued against the Dera Sacha Sauda, a controversial sect based in Haryanas Sirsa, forbidding any Sikh from associating with the Dera. Yet, under Sukhbirs leadership, SAD allegedly sought and secured political support from the Dera during elections. As per the decision of Sikh clergy, Sukhbir has been asked to appear before the Akal Takht within 15 days to atone for his transgressions. Failure to do so would result in him continuing to be regarded as a sinner within the Sikh faith. The edict also extended to other Sikh ministers who served under Parkash Singh Badal during the SAD-BJP coalition government from 2007 to 2017, requiring them to present themselves before the Akal Takht and provide written explanations for their conduct. The Allegations and Response The allegations against Sukhbir Badal are serious and multifaceted including accusations of favouring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a figure notorious among Sikhs for blasphemous actions, and of exerting undue influence on the Akal Takht. Further, Sukhbir is accused of orchestrating the controversial appointment of IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjabs Director General of Police (DGP) in 2012, despite Saini's troubling history, which includes allegations of human rights violations during the militancy period in Punjab. In response to these accusations, Sukhbir penned a letter to Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh, in which he admitted to the mistakes made under his leadership and sought atonement. Without directly addressing the specific allegations, Sukhbir expressed unconditional remorse and sought forgiveness from the Akal Takht, emphasizing his humility and submission to the authority of the Sikh communitys supreme temporal seat, stating that he was no one to argue or defend himself before the supreme authority of the Akal Takht and that he sought unconditional forgiveness as a devout Sikh. Sukhbir, after Akal Takhts decision on Friday, reiterated his acceptance of the supreme bodys verdict through a post on social media, signaling his readiness to present himself before the religious authority for accepting his tankha and atone his sins. Rebel Leaders Role The Akal Takht's decision to declare Badal a tankhaiya followed a sustained campaign by a group of rebel SAD leaders, including former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees (SGPC) former president Bibi Jagir Kaur, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, and other senior figures. These leaders, who have been calling for Sukhbir to step down as SAD president, appeared before the Akal Takht earlier in July and apologized for the mistakes committed during the SAD-BJP Governments tenure from 2007 to 2017. Along with their apology, their complaint to the Akal Takht detailed various grievances, including Sukhbirs failure to adequately respond to incidents of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015, which led to widespread unrest and police violence in Punjab. The rebel leaders also criticized Sukhbir for allegedly engineering a pardon for the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, a decision that sparked outrage among Sikhs and was later retracted. Additionally, they criticized Sukhbir for appointing controversial figures like IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab's Director General of Police, despite their alleged involvement in human rights abuses during the militancy period. Sukhbir was also accused appointing Farzana Alam, the wife of another controversial police officer Izhar Alam who is facing similar charges as chief parliamentary secretary in the Akali government. These allegations were formally presented to the Akal Takht by the rebel leaders on July 1, leading to the current predicament faced by Sukhbir. The dissidents have positioned themselves as the true custodians of Sikh values and are determined to restore the party's integrity by ousting Badal from leadership. Akal Takhts Mandate Declaring him tankhaiya, the Akal Takht has given Sukhbir 15 days to appear before the Sikh communitys apex body and atone for his transgressions. In case he fail to comply, he will continue to bear the stigma of being a tankhaiya a title that severely damages his standing within the Sikh community. Giani Raghbir Singh, delivering the decision alongside the four other jathedars, stated that the Akal Takht had determined Sukhbirs actions led to a serious decline in the image of the Sikh community, a deterioration in the state of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and harm to Sikh interests. These actions, he noted, were taken by Sukhbir during his tenure as both Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Sukhbir held the deputy CM position from 2007 to 2017 and has been the party's president since 2008. The Akal Takht instructed Sukhbir to seek atonement for his transgressions by humbly presenting himself before the Guru Granth Sahib, the five high priests, and the broader Sikh community. If he fails to do so, he will continue to be regarded as a transgressor of the Sikh faith. Furthermore, Giani Raghbir Singh issued a directive that all Sikh ministers who served in the Akali cabinet during Badal's tenure must also present themselves before the Akal Takht within 15 days and submit written explanations for their actions. Broader Implications for SAD The Akal Takhts decision comes at a time of considerable turmoil within the SAD, a party that has seen its influence wane significantly since its loss in the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections after ruling Punjab for a decade. The partys decline has been exacerbated by internal divisions, with the rebel faction led by Dhindsa and others openly challenging Sukhbirs leadership. The appointment of Balwinder Singh Bhundur as the partys working president on Thursday was an apparent bid by Sukhbir to consolidate his control over the party. However, the timing of the Akal Takhts declaration suggested that the move may have come too late to quell the dissent. The rebel leaders have already demanded that Sukhbir should resign from his position as SAD president, arguing that his continued leadership is untenable given the Akal Takhts ruling. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a former MLA and the convener of the Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar a reform movement within the SAD issued a statement calling for Sukhbirs immediate resignation. He argued that a leader declared a tankhaiya has no moral authority to lead a party that represents the Sikh community. The Path Forward As Sukhbir Badal contemplates his next steps, SAD faces an uncertain future. The Akal Takhts ruling has not only tarnished Sukhbirs personal reputation but has also further weakened the partys standing among the Sikhs. The upcoming days will be crucial in determining whether Sukhbir can navigate this crisis and restore his credibility or whether the rebel faction will succeed in its efforts to reform the party from within. The Akal Takhts mandate to other Sikh leaders who served in the SAD-BJP government from 2007 to 2017 to appear before the body and explain their actions adds another layer of complexity to the situation. These leaders, who were part of Parkash Singh Badals Cabinet, now face the daunting task of justifying their roles in the controversial decisions that have come to define that period. In Punjabs charged political atmosphere, where religious and political identities are deeply intertwined, the fallout from the Akal Takhts decision will be closely watched. As the 15-day deadline looms, all eyes are on how Sukhbir will respond to this religious and political quagmire. His decision to atone before the Akal Takht could be seen as a gesture of humility, but whether it will be enough to placate the dissenters and restore the party's standing remains to be seen. In the meantime, the Akali Dal faces an existential challenge that could reshape the future of Sikh politics in Punjab. BOX: The Burden of being Tankhaiya In Sikhism, being declared a 'tankhaiya' (sinner) is a grave matter, marking an individual as a violator of the rehat maryada, the sacred Sikh code of conduct. This designation is not taken lightly, as it signifies a breach that could harm the religious fabric of the community. The authority to declare someone a 'tankhaiya' rests solely with the Akal Takht Jathedar, supported by the four Singh Sahibaan, the guardians of Sikhisms five holy takhts. Once labeled a 'tankhaiya,' the individual is considered a sinner within the Sikh faith and must seek atonement, known as tankha, prescribed by the Akal Takht. This atonement involves performing humbling tasks like cleaning the Golden Temple, polishing shoes or assisting in the langar, the community kitchen. Only after completing this penance and seeking forgiveness from the Akal Takht can the sinner be forgiven. Refusal to comply with the atonement can lead to excommunication, a severe consequence that bars the individual from participating in religious ceremonies and entering gurdwaras. The process of atonement is deeply symbolic, offering the transgressor a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the community and restore their spiritual standing. A sex worker walks down 20th Street toward Shotwells Saloon in San Francisco on Aug. 26. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle The Democratic Party platform was approved weeks ago, but sex workers and their advocates are angry at Kamala Harris for what they see as an unacceptable omission. The tension over the platform language is just the latest flash point in a continuing dispute among Democrats in California and beyond: how the law should handle sex work. The partys 2020 platform declared that sex workers, who are disproportionately women of color and transgender women, face especially high rates of sexual assault and violence. The platform did not endorse legalizing prostitution, but promised that Democrats will work with states and localities to protect the lives of sex workers. The 2024 platform, however, did not include that language or mention sex workers at all. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris said during her first presidential run in 2019 that sex between consenting adults should not be a crime, but she hasnt discussed the issue in her current run. Her campaign did not respond to requests from the Chronicle. The issue may not be front and center for most voters who will choose in November between Democrat Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. But some who are directly affected say Harris, once their self-described ally, has turned her back on them. Two million sex workers are voters, said Maxine Doogan of San Francisco, an organizer with the Erotic Service Providers Union. They may not be voting for Trump but they wont be voting for her. Sex workers and their allies were even more dismayed by Harris support for legislation, signed into law by Trump in 2018, that allowed prosecution of website owners for third-party postings that advertised or aided in prostitution. Passed with bipartisan support, the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, or FOSTA, was promoted as protection for victims of human trafficking and punishment for their exploiters. Some civil rights groups opposed it on free-speech grounds, and advocates for sex workers said the law, by eliminating relatively safe advertising, increased the power of pimps and violent gangs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the heart of the disagreements over laws like FOSTA is the question of whether sex work is truly voluntary, as many sex workers contend, or whether virtually all sex workers are being coerced in some way, as law enforcement officials argue. The law she sponsored hurt sex workers ability to stay off the streets and be safe, said Electra Rayne, who works in a legal brothel in Pahrump, Nev., and is co-leader of the Las Vegas chapter of a support group called DanceSafe. Sex workers should be consulted when making policy decisions that affect us. In 2016, as California attorney general, Harris took part in the prosecution of leaders of Backpage, an online site that carried ads for sex workers. Three of its executives were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for money laundering. The prosecution and Harris support of FOSTA felt like a betrayal, said Blair Hopkins, executive director of the Sex Worker Outreach Project Behind Bars, which provides support and services for those convicted of crimes related to prostitution. But she said the group has supported Harris candidacy and is not yet ready to close the door on her. A Harris administration might be more open to having these conversations than her opponent or her predecessors, Hopkins said. She said Harris position appeared to be that sex workers are inherently victimized, not that theyre morally flawed and should be punished. But a better approach, Hopkins said, is the advice Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, recently gave to opponents of reproductive rights: Mind your own damn business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its not an easy issue even for Democrats who want to protect sex workers from harm, said state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who has passed legislation aimed at shielding the workers from prosecution. Theres always been some disagreement among Democrats relative to sex workers what is the line between sex work and human trafficking? Wiener said. Some people believe all sex work is human trafficking. I dont believe that. But for efforts to improve safety for sex workers, theres been broad Democratic support. But, he said, because of federal laws like FOSTA that have shut down the ability to connect with sex workers online, we see more sex workers on the street. Theyre less safe, and its also bad for the surrounding community. In 2019, as a senator preparing to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, Harris said that people who traffic in prostitution should be prosecuted but sex workers themselves should be protected. I do not think that anyone who hurts another human being, or profits off of their exploitation, should be free of criminal prosecution, she told the Root. But when youre talking about consensual adults, I think that, yes, we should really consider that we cant criminalize consensual behavior as long as no one is being harmed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That was a turnaround from Harris position in 2008, when as San Francisco district attorney she opposed Proposition K, which would have legalized prostitution in the city. It would put out a welcome mat for pimps and prostitutes, she said. Prop K was rejected by 59% of the voters. Her 2019 position appeared to reflect an evolving view among Democrats that strict prostitution laws can harm the people theyre supposed to help. Also in 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Wieners SB233, which protected sex workers in California from arrest when they reported violent crimes. And in 2021, Newsom signed another bill by Wiener, SB357, repealing a 1995 law that prohibited loitering in public places with the intent to commit prostitution. Wiener said the repealed law had failed to protect the public and had been used to target Black women and transgender people. Wieners bill did not decriminalize sex work or repeal other laws that prohibit soliciting prostitution, but it still generated strong opposition, including among fellow Democrats. Nearly 20 Democratic members of the Assembly either voted against the measure or did not record any vote. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin supported SB357, shortly before he was recalled from office by the citys voters, but many prosecutors in other counties said the state was moving in the wrong direction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prostitution involves regular people that think its OK to buy human beings for sex. It is not consensual, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan told KUSI last year. Since the passage of SB357, Stephan wrote in January, girls as young as 13 are being openly sold for sex on San Diego County streets. Whether sex work should be legal became a key issue in Stephans reelection bid in 2018. Stephan, then a Republican (she has since switched to no party preference) said her Democratic opponent was a threat to public safety because she had previously said, Some people voluntarily want to be sex workers and you cant tell them that they didnt make a choice based on your own morals. In San Francisco, residents angry about the prevalence of sex workers filed a lawsuit this month accusing the citys Democratic leaders of failing to enforce laws against sex trafficking. Democratic Party officials and Harris campaign, meanwhile, have not spoken publicly about the removal of the promise to protect sex workers from this years platform. But it may have reflected a shift toward the political center indicated in the partys platform on criminal justice issues, which omitted provisions in the 2020 platform calling for a repeal of the death penalty and an end to the governments war on drugs. Candidates from the AAP, BJP, and Congress on Friday filed their nominations for the zonal level ward committee elections with the Municipal Secretary for the post of chairman, deputy chairman, and standing committee member. The ruling AAP has fielded 33 candidates in 11 of the 12 zones, barring Keshav Puram zone while the opposition BJP has fielded 30 candidates in 10 of the 12 zones, barring City SP Zone and Karol Bagh. The Congress, which has only nine Councillors in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has fielded candidates from Shahdara South Zone. Meanwhile, two AAP Councillors, including Prem Chauhan and Tilotma Chaudhary, withdrew their pleas from the Delhi High Court seeking deferment of the MCD ward committee elections, slated to be held on September 4, even as AAP and the BJP have claimed that councillors from the other side are ready to defect. The AAP councillors had sought the rescheduling of the elections, alleging that sufficient time was not given to file nominations for the polls to elect the chairman and deputy chairman of 12 zonal ward committees and a member from each of these panels for the MCD Standing Committee. The last date to file nomination is August 30. Chauhan has filed his nomination for standing committee member from South Delhi zone, while Chaudhary has been fielded from Najafgharh Zone for the post of deputy chairman of the ward committee. Former DCW member and AAP councillor Promila Gupta is also in the fray for standing committee member from the Civil Lines zone. Punardeep Singh Sabby, son of AAP MLA Parlad Singh Sawhney, has been nominated for standing committee member from the City SP zone. Leader of Opposition Raja Iqbal Singh is contesting for the post of standing committee member from the Civil Lines Zone. He was a former Mayor of North Delhi before the municipalitys unification in 2022. The BJP has also fielded Pawan Shehrawat and Sugandha, the councillors who recently switched sides from the AAP, for the post of chairman for the ward committee from Narela and Central Zone. Former East Delhi Mayor Neema Bhagat is contesting the polls for the post of standing committee member from Shahdara South Zone. Congress has nominated Haji Zarif for the post of zonal chairman, Nazia Khatoon for zonal deputy chairman, and Sabeela Khatoon for standing committee member in Shahdara South zone. Meanwhile, a senior functionary from AAP said that six councillors are expected to join the party in the next couple of days. The party had received a setback when five of its councillors had joined the BJP on Sunday. However, one of the councillors Ramchandra returned to AAP on Thursday. There are some councillors from the BJP who will join our party in the next few days. Two of our councillors are returning to the party fold while at least four BJP councillors are likely to come to us, he added. The anti-defection law, passed in 1985, is not in force in the MCD and punishes individual MPs and MLAs for defecting. A senior Delhi BJP functionary said the councillors who wanted development of their respective wards were looking towards the BJP since corruption of AAP has hindered working of the civic body. There are many councillors of AAP who are frustrated with the working of the party and looking to leave it at the first chance. Our doors are open for those who wish to work for Delhis people, he added. The civic body on Wednesday announced the date for the long-pending ward committee elections, essential for the formation of the standing committee, MCDs highest decision-making body which is important for approving proposals involving expenditures of Rs 5 crore and above. The ward committee elections will be held across its 12 zones through secret ballot. Amarpreet Singh Kale, former spokesperson of the Jharkhand BJP and a prominent social worker, paid a courtesy visit to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. The meeting, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, focused on several pressing issues facing the state of Jharkhand and the nation as a whole. During the discussion, Kale brought to light the various challenges and atrocities being committed against women across the country. He emphasized the need for stronger measures to ensure their safety and protection. Additionally, he expressed concerns about the growing menace of drug abuse among the youth, highlighting its detrimental impact on their mental and physical health. Kale also discussed several state-related issues, seeking guidance and support from the President to address them effectively. The President acknowledged the concerns raised by Kale and assured him of her commitment to addressing these issues. She emphasized the importance of collective efforts in tackling social problems and encouraged initiatives that promote awareness and rehabilitation. At the end of the meeting, Kale expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Murmu for her invaluable time and attention. He praised her dedication to the welfare of the nation and expressed hope for continued collaboration in addressing the critical issues facing the country. 20,000 posts lying vacant in health services in Hry: Bhupinder Hooda Chandigarh: Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Friday said about 20,000 posts were lying vacant in health services in the state. There is a shortage of 14,000 doctors in hospitals. About 94 percent of specialist doctors' posts are lying vacant in villages. Due to lack of staff and facilities, thousands of patients have been facing difficulties, he said. Hooda said that patients have to make rounds of hospitals for several days for lab tests, or they have been compelled to go to private laboratories. According to WHO guidelines, there should be one doctor for every 1,000 people, but in Haryana there is one doctor for 2,035 people. There should be one bed for 200 people, but in the state there is one bed for 2,086 people. Owing to this, it is seen in many places that two or three patients are lying on one bed and deliveries are taking place on the floor. More than 1,100 out of 5,253 posts of Senior Medical Officer, Medical Officer and Dental Surgeon have been lying vacant, Hooda said in a statement. The two-time Chief Minister said that in 2014 the BJP had promised that it would build medical colleges in every district as soon as it comes to power. The reality is that in the last 10 years, not even a single new medical college announced by the BJP has been started. Only the institutions built during the Congress tenure are providing health services to the people, he added. Political parties can campaign on Doordarshan and All India Radio: CEO Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Friday said that the Election Commission of India has fixed time for recognized national and regional political parties to conduct their election campaign through the regional centers of Doordarshan and All India Radio for the Haryana Assembly elections. In a statement, Agarwal said that the Election Commission has allotted time to 6 national and 2 regional political parties of Haryana. The national parties include Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya People's Party and Aam Aadmi Party. Apart from this, regional parties include Indian National Lok Dal and Jannayak Janata Party. He said that the Commission had permitted free use of television and radio for campaigning in the 1998 general election, and subsequently extended it to the state legislative assembly/general elections. The Chief Electoral Officer said that a total time of 720 minutes each has been allotted to the political parties for campaigning on All India Radio and Doordarshan. Gurugram Admn to conduct voter awareness activities in collaboration with RWAs Gurugram: Gurugram District Election Officer and DC Nishant Kumar Yadav on Friday said that the district administration has decided to conduct voter awareness activities in collaboration with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the district given the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Under the plan, the district administration will later pick the top three RWAs and honour them for their commendable work in encouraging voters to participate in the elections, he added. Yadav said that voting for the four assembly constituencies in Gurugram district -- Pataudi (SC reserved), Badshahpur, Gurgaon, and Sohna -- will take place on October 1. As per the latest voter list, there are 14,87,310 registered voters across the four assembly constituencies in the district. The voter awareness campaign will focus especially on urban areas alongside rural regions. For this purpose, polling stations have been set up in 126 high-rise buildings as well, he added. "To increase voter turnout, awareness activities under the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program will be intensified, with active cooperation from RWAs. Administrative officers and voter awareness brand ambassadors will also participate in these activities organised with the help of RWAs," he added. Council of Junior Engineers announce agitation programs in Pb Chandigarh: The Council of Junior Engineers PSEB, a representative body of Power Junior Engineers and Engineering Officers promoted from ranks in Punjab Power Sector has announced a series of agitation programs over the non-settlement of various pending demands of the cadre of Power Junior Engineers. This was informed to the press by Davinder Singh, State General Secretary of JEs Council. Paramjit Singh Khattra State President and Davinder Singh- State General Secretary of JEs Council jointly stated that the agitation will begin by holding protest rallies in front of all PSPCL circle H.Qs. on 4th September. Thereafter, Zonal protests will commence from 9th September at West Zone, at Bathinda, 13th September Central Zone, at Ludhiana, 17th September Border Zone, at Amritsar, 20th September North Zone, at Jalandhar, 24th September South Zone, at Patiala followed by a day-long peaceful protest Dharna will be held in front of PSPCL H.Q., The Mall, Patiala on 8th October by all the Central Working Committee members of JEs Council. The Council leadership said that the Power Management is continuously ignoring the important demands of junior engineers, including pay revision and pending arrears payment. Punjab Vets to Stage Statewide Protest on Sep 1 Mohali: In response to the Punjab Government's continued neglect, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Vets is preparing for a state-level sit-in protest at Mohali on September 1. The demonstration aims to highlight the government's failure to restore pay parity for veterinarians with their counterparts in the Health Department. Veterinarians have been on strike since June 24, boycotting services such as Artificial Insemination and extension camps as a mark of protest. The issue stemmed from a pay scale reduction implemented by former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal during the previous Congress regime, which lowered their entry pay scale from Rs 56,100 to Rs 47,600. Despite repeated assurances from Animal Husbandry Ministers, no concrete actions have been taken. JAC media in-charges Dr Gurinder Singh Walia and Dr Parshotam Singh on Friday expressed frustration over the lack of progress and urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to intervene. They called for an immediate resolution to ensure justice and address the concerns of these dedicated professionals. Himachal CM says environmental protection is a priority Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday inaugurated the Wetlands for Life film festival and forum, organized by the HP State Wetland Authority, HP Council for Science, Technology and Environment and the Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change. The event featured the screening of short films, including Guardians of Wetlands: Women as Stewards of Conservation, Green Renuka Ji Fair: A Collective Endeavour of Renuka Lake, and Municipal Solid Waste around Wetlands in Himachal, an initiative of healing Himalayas. Sukhu said that environmental protection is a priority for the present state government and it was working tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and ecological balance of the state. He remarked, "Last year, Himachal Pradesh faced a disaster unlike any we have witnessed in our lifetime. Every part of the state suffered significant damage. Today, it is raining in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti areas that historically never received rainfall. Due to carbon emissions and changes in our lifestyle, the earth's temperature is rising and we are witnessing its harsh consequences in every part of the world. However, it is not too late, public participation is crucial in addressing this issue. It is not solely the government's responsibility, but people must also engage in this noble cause, said the Chief Minister. Haryana BJP President Mohan Lal Badoli on Friday said that the State Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini would contest the Assembly election from Ladwa Constituency of Kurukshetra district. His announcement came a day after the BJPs Central Election Committee (CEC) met for a brainstorming session on the list of candidates for Haryana. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda chaired the CEC meeting to finalise the ticket allottees in the presence of Saini, Badoli, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, former State Home Minister Anil Vij and other members of the committee. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Badoli did not divulge if Saini would also contest from Karnal. Meanwhile, the CMs name is the first one that the BJP has finalised, with the first list expected over the weekend. At present, Congress Mewa Singh is the MLA from Ladwa, which has a substantial number of voters from the Saini and Jat communities and is a part of the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency that CM Saini represented before being chosen to succeed Khattar as chief minister. Ladwa will be Sainis fourth constituency Assembly or Parliamentary over the past decade. In 2014, he won for the first time from the Naraingarh Assembly seat and five years later, successfully contested the Lok Sabha polls from Kurukshetra. March, this year, when former CM Manohar Lal Khattar stepped down and Saini succeeded him at the helm of the state, he won the bypoll from Karnal, the seat Khattar vacated. Ladwa is currently held by the Congress, whose leader Mewa Singh won in 2019. It went to the BJPs Dr Pawan Saini in 2014 and was won by the Indian National Lok Dal in 2009. BJP chief Badoli further said, At the CEC meeting, discussions were held for all 90 seats. A few of them (candidates) have been shortlisted, and after two days another meeting will take place to discuss the rest of the names. After this, the final decision will be announced. Asked about Sainis seat, Badoli said that he would be contesting the election from Ladwa. At present, he is the MLA from Karnal. The BJP State Unit Chief said that following the CEC meeting, the first list of candidates is likely to be released after two days. Badoli, a first-time MLA from Rai segment of Sonepat, said that as he is holding the post of state president in the organisation, he would not be contesting the elections this time. Badoli contested the Lok Sabha polls from Sonipat but lost to the Congresss Satpal Brahmachari. Badoli also said there had been no discussions regarding an alliance and asserted that the BJP would form the government with a clear majority. In March, the BJP replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Haryana Chief Minister with Saini, an OBC leader. Khattar, who won the parliamentary elections from Karnal, is now a Union minister. At the time he replaced Khattar, Saini was the BJP's Haryana Chief and the party's Kurukshetra MP. He won the bypoll from the Karnal assembly seat vacated by Khattar. Saini had won the assembly polls from the Naraingarh seat in Ambala district when BJP stormed to power in 2014. Elections to the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held in a single phase on October 1 and the results declared on October 4. Dr. A.S. Gangwar, the Principal of DPS Bokaro, has been awarded the prestigious European Excellence and Innovative Educator Award. The award was presented by The Thames International University during the Indo-European Education and Leadership Summit 2024, held in Paris, France. Organized by the Centre for Educational Development (CED) Foundation in collaboration with NITI Aayog and Global Talk Education Foundation, this summit recognized Dr. Gangwar for his outstanding contributions to the field of education. Dr. Priyadarshi Nayak, Founder Chairman of CED, bestowed the award upon Dr. Gangwar, acknowledging his unwavering dedication, extensive experience, and remarkable achievements in education. The summit celebrated his commitment to fostering value-based education within the school community, emphasizing integrity, empathy, and the development of a future-oriented learning ecosystem. During the summit, Dr. Gangwar was lauded for his efforts in shaping the character and values of the next generation. He received a certificate, plaque, and sash as part of the honor. Additionally, NITI Aayog presented him with a certificate of extraordinary dedication for his commitment to value-based education. Dr. Gangwar has previously been recognized with several prestigious awards at international educational summits in Norway, Dubai, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, highlighted the transformative impact of e-commerce platforms, describing them as a catalyst for a new era of opportunities. He emphasised how these platforms are fostering healthy competition and empowering every citizen, whether in urban or rural areas, to reach global markets. Speaking at a programme where he virtually inaugurated Flipkarts new warehouses in Unnao and Varanasi, the chief minister said, We focused on enhancing packaging and export capabilities by leveraging design, technology, and market access. However, the work of giving it more momentum happened when Flipkart Group joined us. He mentioned that the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme gained worldwide recognition when the Flipkart Group started providing services as an e-commerce platform. During this, he also called upon the companies to take advantage of the warehousing policy of Uttar Pradesh and work on the immense possibilities in this sector. Chief Minister Yogi extended his best wishes on the inauguration of state-of-the-art Flipkart warehouses in Unnao and Varanasi. He reflected on the states rich history of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which have been a cornerstone of the economy for centuries. However, he noted that over the past few decades, the sector had struggled due to a lack of adaptation to evolving demands in technology, design and packaging, coupled with the absence of a concrete action plan. When our government assumed office in 2017, we received guidance from Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, which led to a comprehensive mapping of the MSME sector in the state. This initiative paved the way for the promotion of local products under the One District One Product scheme, he said. The chief minister shared that the vision behind ODOP was to create a platform that would not only preserve Uttar Pradeshs traditional products but also make them appealing to the broader public. He emphasised the transformative role of technology in expanding market access. He stated that what once seemed an impossible challenge delivering products to global markets has now been made possible, thanks to technological advancements. He mentioned that the newly established warehouses in Unnao, connected to the Lucknow commissionerate, and in Varanasi, the spiritual capital of the state, represent a significant step forward. Chief Minister Yogi underscored the potential for job creation these facilities bring, highlighting how the presence of such warehouses ensures the provision of quality services, thereby meeting customer expectations and curbing black marketing by breaking monopolies. He also stated that these developments foster healthy competition and open doors to numerous opportunities, reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing market fairness. The chief minister praised the effectiveness of the platform, pointing out that from a single location, products can now reach across the city, the state, the country, and even the world. He acknowledged Flipkarts large-scale operations in Uttar Pradesh, facilitated through state policies and a memorandum of understanding (MoU), as a testament to the success of this collaborative approach. He then highlighted the positive impact of recent initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting self-reliance in Uttar Pradesh. He mentioned that the state government had signed agreements with three major groups to advance these goals, and the results are now becoming evident. The chief minister praised the efforts of women like Radhika in Lucknow, who, through the Self-Employed Women's Association, has not only expanded the business of chikan kurtas and sarees but also significantly increased the income of every female worker involved. Similarly, Shivani Verma has made strides in providing market access to handmade jewelry and home decor through e-commerce platforms, with Flipkart playing a significant role in this success, he added. The chief minister extended his congratulations to Flipkart for its contribution. Uttar Pradesh, with the highest number of MSME units in the country between 90 to 96 lakhs has been at the forefront of supporting small businesses. The state is also the first to provide a security insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh to entrepreneurs associated with each MSME unit, Yogi added. Chief Minister Yogi emphasised that the Mukhya Mantri Yuva Udyami Scheme is paving the way for the establishment of 10 lakh new enterprises, with Flipkart now acting as a trusted partner to bring these products to market. The inauguration of these two warehouses, he noted, is a certified assurance of this commitment and will help instill new confidence among entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh, while also creating new job opportunities. PIONEER INTERVIEW With Assembly elections barely a month away, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal said that the officers involved in election duty have been directed to make strenuous efforts at war footing to ensure maximum participation of citizens in the voting for the Assembly Elections scheduled for October 1. Elaborate arrangements are being made to ensure free, fair and transparent Assembly elections in the State. Deployment of 225 Companies of Central Armed Police Forces has been sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs for this Assembly election, out of which 70 have arrived so far, he added. He said that the State Election Commission has received a letter demanding the postponement of the polls, from three political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) citing long holidays. This issue has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India. ECI will take a final call on demands for postponing the Haryana poll, he added. In an interview with The Pioneer, Agarwal talks about Assembly Election preparedness; Arrangements and deployment of security forces; Steps taken to increase vote percentage; and notices to Political Parties for MCC violations, among others. The voting percentage in 2019 Lok Sabha and 2019 Vidhan Sabha elections was recorded 70 per cent and 68.20 per cent respectively in Haryana. However, vote percentage in Lok Sabha Election 2024 has fallen to about 65 per cent. What steps are being taken to increase vote percentage in the upcoming Assembly election? Due to heatwave conditions, the vote percentage might have fallen during the Lok Sabha election 2024 in the State. Now, the State Assembly election will be held on October 1 and the State may experience pleasant weather on polling day. As people get the opportunity to vote once every five years, we hope that voters will come out in large numbers at polling stations to exercise their vote on polling day. Moreover, the officers involved in election duty have been directed to make strenuous efforts at the war footing level to ensure maximum participation of citizens in the voting for the Assembly Elections. Officers concerned working hard to complete the necessary arrangements regarding the Assembly election. Every eligible voter must exercise their voting rights, and citizens are being sensitized for this purpose. We appeal to all voters to exercise their voting rights without temptation or fear. Citing the long weekend, BJP, INLD and other parties have submitted a letter demanding for postponing Haryana poll, to the State Election Commission. What is the status? Three political parties -Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lok Shakti Party have written a letter to the State Election Commission to defer the polling by almost a week, apprehending low turnout given a host of holidays around the polling date (Saturday on September 28; Sunday on September 29; Polling Day - October 1; Gandhi Jayanti- October 2 and Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti -October 3). This issue is now before the Election Commission of India. ECI will take a final call regarding this issue. About a month ago, Haryana Speaker Gian Chand Gupta met you and raked up the issue of bogus votes, stating that many who have died or shifted out of the constituency continue to figure in the electoral list. How many voters were removed and added to the voter's list after Lok Sabha election 2024? Can anyone still get their name added to the voter list? Issues raised by any political leaders were thoroughly investigated. Action was taken accordingly. About 2.35 lakh new voters have been added in the final list published on August 27, while 1.72 lakh voters were removed. According to the final publication of the voter list, 2.02 crore voters in the State will be able to exercise their franchise, including 1.07 crore males, 95.12 lakh females, and 458 third-gender voters. Moreover, even if the name is not on the final voter list published on August 27, one can still apply to get their name added by filling out Form 6 through the BLO or by using the Voter Helpline app. Voters can get their names added up until September 2. The voter lists have been uploaded on the department's website, ceoharyana.gov.in, where anyone can download and check their name in the voter list. Furthermore, voters can check their status by calling the Voter Helpline number 1950. Leaders of some political parties raise the issue of bogus voting in Rohtak and Sirsa involving government officials during the Lok Sabha poll. To avoid this and ensure fair and transparent election, what directions have you given to Government officials deputed on election duties? All the Government Officers and employees have been directed to ensure the fair, transparent and smooth completion of election-related tasks. The officers and employees of the State have been directed to keep themselves away from any kind of political activities, such as campaigning for political parties, becoming a booth agent, election agent, or counting agent. According to Section 129 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no officer or clerk appointed to perform any duty in connection with an election shall in the conduct or the management of the election do any act (other than the giving of vote) for the furtherance of the prospects of the election of a candidate. Under Section 134, anyone found guilty of violating official duties related to elections (election duty) can be punished. Additionally, under Rule 9 of the Haryana Civil Services (Conduct of Employees) Rules, 2016, no government employee shall be a member of any political party or any organisation participating in politics, nor shall they participate in any political movement or activity. If any employee is found violating these rules, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned employee as per the rules. How many polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and critical? A total of 20,629 polling booths have been set up for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State. Senior Police officers are still working in categorising polling stations as vulnerable and critical. Data regarding the same will soon be released. To ensure peaceful elections, we have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy 225 companies of central armed police forces during the Assembly election in the State. 70 companies of central armed police forces have already arrived. More will soon arrive. Haryana Police and Home Guard personnel will also be deployed to strengthen security during the elections. Moreover, directions have been issued to all Returning Officers to personally inspect polling stations and ensure that all basic public facilities, such as drinking water, electricity, and toilet facilities, are available. Has the State Election Commission served notices to political parties over violation of MCC? District Returning officers have been strictly directed to ensure strict implementation of Model Code of Conduct in their jurisdictional limit. Additionally, we have formed several teams to keep a close watch on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp groups, and X. A complaint has been received from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by the @BJP4Haryana handle. The complaint alleges that a campaign video posted by the BJP features a child, which AAP claims is a violation of Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct. We have taken cognisance of the matter and a show cause notice has been issued to the State President of BJP Haryana, to explain their position in the matter, take corrective action and submit its response by August 29. Chief Secretary Veera Rana has issued directives to enhance security measures and improve healthcare facilities in the state's hospitals. She emphasized the need for installing CCTV cameras and conducting regular security audits in all district hospitals. The installation of CCTV cameras will not only bolster hospital security but also enable swift action during emergencies. Additionally, she instructed that security guards receive training to ensure effective response in critical situations. To prevent unauthorized access, she mandated the issuance of identity cards to hospital visitors. The Chief Secretary also urged Collectors, Commissioners, and senior police officers to carry out regular inspections of hospitals, assessing security protocols, lighting arrangements, toilet cleanliness, and other essential services. During a high-level meeting at Mantralaya, Vallabh Bhawan, she conducted a district-wise virtual review of various development projects, public welfare schemes, and health-safety measures. In response to the spread of seasonal ailments, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need to enhance the treatment arrangements in government health institutions. She directed the launch of a campaign to issue Ayushman cards to the remaining eligible citizens under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, ensuring that all qualified individuals receive the benefits of the scheme. Rana said that PM Jan-Man Maha Abhiyan is an ambitious effort to improve the socio-economic condition of especially vulnerable tribal groups. She reviewed the progress of the ongoing work under the campaign. The Chief Secretary said that the set targets of PM Jan-Man Maha Abhiyan should be accomplished on time and with quality. Review of works of AMRUT 2.0 The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of urban development and infrastructure projects under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. She instructed the concerned urban bodies to expedite the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and ensure timely completion of the works. The review covered the status of water supply, sewerage management, green area development, and urban transport projects in various urban areas. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of completing these projects on schedule and maintaining the required quality standards. The ,CS directed that all works under the Jal Jeevan Mission be completed with a focus on quality to ensure the availability of clean drinking water in rural areas. She also emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among the urban development, police, rural development, and animal husbandry departments to prevent stray animals from wandering onto national highways. Additionally, she instructed that these animals be relocated to safer areas. Review of Revenue Campaign The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of the Revenue Campaign-2 being conducted in the state. She asked all the district collectors to ensure the settlement of pending revenue cases within the time limit. The Chief Secretary also directed to continuously monitor the rain situation and arrange relief camps as needed. She said that all departments should be coordinated and prepared to deal with possible disasters. The Chief Secretary said that investment promotion centers have been launched in all the districts of the Gwalior-Chambal division by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in Gwalior. In the remaining districts also, centers should be started on a priority basis and nodal officers should be appointed. The Chief Secretary instructed the Collectors to complete the prescribed process of converting Vangrams into Rajasva Grams on priority. She instructed to provide benefits of Kisan Samman Nidhi to the eligible farmers and run a campaign to make Kisan Credit Cards. Taking a swipe at the opposition, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, said that those who once considered investing in Uttar Pradesh an impossible task should now recognise how his government has turned that impossibility into reality. The chief minister distributed incentives worth Rs 1,333 crore to 32 industrial units and Letters of Comfort to 10 industrial units for investment of over Rs 4,500 crore, in a programme organised at Lok Bhavan. Before 2017, UP was plagued by chaos, anarchy and crime due to the narrow-minded approach of the previous government, which lacked vision. But today, the state enjoys the rule of law and has created a favourable environment for investment, making Uttar Pradesh Indias dream destination for investors, the chief minister said. He highlighted the success of the Global Investors Summit held in February 2023, where the state received investment proposals exceeding Rs 40 lakh crore. Of this, proposals worth over Rs 10 lakh crore have already been realised through the groundbreaking ceremony, he added. The chief minister criticised the previous administration for its handling of law and order, stating that the state was plagued by daily riots and extended curfews, leaving residents, including the state capital, unsafe. He noted that under the previous government, the youth faced an identity crisis. In contrast, Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the significant improvements in Uttar Pradesh under the current administration and the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out that the state has made strides in both ease of doing business and ease of living. He also detailed the implementation of 27 sectoral policies in Uttar Pradesh, developed with input from stakeholders. He emphasised that these policies were crafted with consideration of valuable suggestions while adhering to governance parameters. Our government has no hesitation in implementing the commitments it has made to investors. Under the policy of governance, the double-engine government will break all barriers to provide convenience to investors, he said. Chief Minister Yogi said that if industry and institutions joined hands, then an excellent platform for skill development was created. He encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage these connections to access skilled manpower. He also mentioned that under the PM and CM Incentive Schemes, the government will provide half of the honorarium to youth engaged in skill development. He said that the government had taken forward the process of setting up the new industrial city of BIDA between Jhansi and Kanpur on 36,000 acres of land. He also mentioned the construction of an international airport in Jewar, with the promise of providing similar facilities in BIDA (Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority) once the city is established. Chief Minister Yogi further mentioned that the State Capital Region is being formed by connecting Lucknow and its surrounding six districts. He emphasised that electricity is now available in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh without discrimination and industries have been granted open access to energy, including renewable sources. He also noted significant improvements in the states infrastructure over the past seven and a half years, highlighting enhanced expressway, highway, and air connectivity. Leading industrial giants have praised the Uttar Pradesh governments visionary policies and the favourable industrial environment under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership. They noted a remarkable transformation in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years, highlighting the states emergence as a prime investment destination. During an event at Lok Bhavan here on Friday, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed incentives and Letters of Comfort to industrial units, prominent industrial groups affirmed that Uttar Pradesh is now setting new standards as an investment hub. The state has established a conducive environment for industries, implemented effective policies and improved law and order, leading to significant current and future investment opportunities, they added. Senior officials from Samsung, JK Group, Birla Corporation, Gallant, HCL and Hinduja Group expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi and shared their plans for further investments in Uttar Pradesh. JB Park, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, said, Samsung has a very deep connection with UP. When we first came here in 1996, no one could have imagined that Samsung would establish one of the largest mobile manufacturing factories in Noida. In 2018, it became a reality when we inaugurated East Mobile Manufacturing Facility. I am confident that we will continue to get the same support in the future from the UP government. Samsung remains committed to investing in UP. Raghavpati Singhania, Managing Director of JK Cement, stated, Over the past six years, JK Cement has established three cement units, the most recent of which was in Prayagraj in 2024. Remarkably, this unit was completed in just nine months and 28 days. This is the first state where the authorities actively monitor industry progress and enquire how they can assist. Sandeep Ghosh, MD and CEO of Birla Corporation, stated, Following roti and kapda, makaan is a universal aspiration. Every 100 bags of cement we produce go towards constructing homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Uttar Pradesh government has acknowledged this contribution. The cement industry generates over ten times more employment compared to other sectors, also fostering skill development. Over the past five years, we have received an incentive of Rs 600 crore, which is substantially more and has been granted much more swiftly than in other states. Gallant Steel Chairman CP Agarwal said, Gallant has invested more than Rs 1,500 crore in Gorakhpur since 2006 and more than half of this investment has been made during the Yogi government. HCL CFO and President Pawan K. Dankar stated, Uttar Pradesh is home to HCL. We are one of Indias top three companies, and one of our headquarters is located in UP. Our most recent investment in the state was in Lucknow, where we invested Rs 800 crore. Ashok Leyland MD Shenu Agarwal stated, Ashok Leyland and the Hinduja Group have a presence in nearly every part of the country, but in recent months, the support, guidance, inspiration and encouragement we have received from the Uttar Pradesh government has been unparalleled. The office of California Treasurer Fiona Ma, shown speaking at a 2022 event alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom, has agreed to settle with a former employee who had accused her of sexual harassment. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2022 SACRAMENTO The state of California has agreed to pay a former state employee who accused Treasurer Fiona Ma of sexually harassing her $350,000 to settle her claims, according to a copy of the settlement agreement. A lawyer for the state signed off on the agreement Thursday, according to a copy provided by the California Department of Justice. The trial in the case was delayed several times but was scheduled to begin early next month. The former employee, Judith Blackwell, sued Ma and the treasurers office in 2021, alleging the treasurer had exposed herself and crawled into bed with her when they shared rooms at a hotel and a rental property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My client is really excited about resolving her case and looking forward to the future, said Blackwells lawyer, Waukeen McCoy. This is ending a chapter in her life she wants to move forward from. In a statement, Ma described the resolution of the case as a vindication. From day one, I said this was a frivolous lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee who fabricated claims in an attempt to embarrass me in hopes of receiving millions of dollars in a settlement, Ma said. After three years of delay, I have been completely vindicated. Ma, who was sued as both an individual and a state official, was represented by the California Department of Justice and by private attorneys, according to court filings. Ma raised more than $170,000 from donors to fund her defense in the case. In February, she transferred $50,000 from her 2026 lieutenant governor campaign account into her legal defense account. Top individual donors to her legal defense fund included Southern California real estate developers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Neither Mas office nor the Department of Justice answered questions about how much it cost the state to defend Ma in the case. Ma had sought to have the case dismissed, but Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Christopher Krueger rejected her efforts last year, ruling that Blackwell had made allegations that, if believed by a jury, would establish that Ma sexually harassed her. He said Blackwell, who is African American, had also presented evidence of racial discrimination, allegations that Ma made racist statements and treated Black employees worse than others. But Krueger said the evidence could not be presented to the jury because the State Treasurers Office had presented adequate, independent grounds for Mas firing of Blackwell based on her job performance. He also dismissed Blackwells claim that she was wrongfully fired in retaliation for her complaints. Ma served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, then in the state Assembly and on the state Board of Equalization before being elected treasurer in 2018. The lawsuit, filed after Blackwell was fired in 2021, alleged that while she and Ma were sharing rooms at a hotel and a rental property, Ma called her into Mas bedroom four times and crawled into bed with her at least once. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She exposed her bare rear end directly to Plaintiff on multiple occasions, McCoy wrote in the lawsuit. Ms. Mas actions were intentional and not accidental, and it was done to get Plaintiffs attention. Plaintiff was uncomfortable and was fearful to comment on Ms. Mas lewd behavior. In her dismissal motion, Ma denied the allegations and said it was Blackwell who had entered Mas bedroom. She denied touching Blackwell and said the four incidents were not sexual but instead were random, isolated incidents that do not constitute sexual harassment. But Krueger said a jury could reach a different conclusion. Evidence provided by Ma herself indicates that she called (Blackwell) into her room while half-dressed on three separate occasions and climbed into bed with her on a fourth, the judge wrote. Krueger wrote that he dismissed Blackwells claim Ma fired her over the incident because she provided no evidence that she had objected to any sexual advances from Ma. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The students of the batch of 1972 to 1980 in Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Government Post Graduate College and Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Girls College and are gradually working in the interest of the country and society by holding senior positions. All the alumni have met each other in this function after almost forty years. While studying at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Government College, Shivpuri, Ramnivas Rawat, the current Minister of Environment and Forest Ministry of the state and who entered politics by becoming the President of the college also participated in this program. On this occasion, Rawat had a deep discussion on "Global Warming" with all his college classmates. Opinions were taken from all the classmates on how to reduce this global warming. At the end of the speech, Minister Ramnivas Rawat appealed to all his colleagues to plant trees in their surroundings and also protest against illegal cutting of trees. During the address, Shri Rawat also said that now we have reached such a stage of age that we must worry about our future as well as that of our children. Not only keep striving for greenery yourself but also keep thinking about global warming with your children and inspire them to plant trees to improve the environment. Cabinet Minister Ramnivas Rawat also obtained B.Sc degree from the same college in Shivpuri. Pradeep Mishra, who was the PRO of the Municipality in Narmadapuram, was also a classmate of Rawat in college at that time and had studied together and obtained a degree. In this program organized in the college, all the classmates were seen hugging each other and expressing gratitude to each other for coming to the program. All the teachers who taught the minister during his education and who are present at this time were also honored. Former Chief Minister Kamal Naths OSD Praveen Kakkar and Malaria Officer Akhilesh Dubey from Bhopal were also present in the programme. This program was organized by the city's renowned businessman Ramkumar Shivhare, his son Tarun Shivhare and nephew Kushal Shivhare. Punjab is currently grappling with a severe shortage of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, with a shortfall of 5.1 lakh metric tonnes, threatening the upcoming Rabi season. In response to this urgent crisis, Punjabs Special Chief Secretary KAP Sinha met with the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers JP Nadda in New Delhi on Friday. During the meeting, the Centre assured that adequate quantities of DAP and other essential fertilizers would be supplied to Punjab in time to meet the state's agricultural needs. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann personally reached out to the Union Minister Nadda, highlighting the states dire need for DAP. With only 40,000 metric tonnes supplied by July 1, against a requirement of 5.5 lakh metric tonnes for sowing wheat across 35 lakh hectares, the shortage has raised concerns over potential economic losses due to reduced wheat production. During the crucial meeting, KAP Sinha, accompanied by senior officials from Punjab's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department and Punjab Markfed, emphasized the need for immediate action. He warned that any delay in the supply of DAP fertilizer could severely impact wheat sowing, which is set to begin in October, following the September potato planting. The Union Minister assured Punjab that there would be no shortage of DAP fertilizer or other phosphatic fertilizers. He promised that adequate supplies would be dispatched to Punjab over the next two months, ensuring that the state's farmers would have the necessary resources for a successful Rabi season. Our discussions were fruitful, and we have been assured that there will be no shortage, Sinha stated, expressing confidence that the crisis would be averted. In preparation for the Rabi season, Punjab has been allocated 4.50 lakh metric tonnes of DAP, 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), and 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of SSP (Single superphosphate) fertilizers by the Government of India. This allocation is crucial, as Punjab contributed 46 percent of the wheat to the central pool in the 2023-24 season and any disruption in the supply chain could have significant repercussions on both the state's and the nations food security. Punjab Police, in a joint operation with central agencies, achieved a significant breakthrough by dismantling a Pakistan-backed arms smuggling module in Tarn Taran. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of four sophisticated Glock-19 pistols, including one with the inscription Made for NATO Army, along with other incriminating items. The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday announced the success of the operation, informing that the seized items include four Glock-19 pistols, four magazines, seven live cartridges, and Rs 4.8 lakh in hawala money. The police also impounded a Maruti Swift car used by the accused. The arrested individuals have been identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy from Chappa Ram Singh in Jandiala Guru; and Lovepreet Singh from Basarke in Khalra. Both have a history of criminal activities, with previous cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. DGP Yadav highlighted the direct connections of Harpreet Singh with a Pakistan-based smuggler who is notorious for using drones to smuggle drugs and weapons across the border. The ongoing investigation aimed at unraveling the full extent of this smuggling network and identify other involved parties. Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora, providing further details during a press conference, explained that the police were conducting routine checks near Sheron in Tarn Taran when they noticed a Maruti Suzuki Swift being driven erratically. The police signaled the car to stop, but the occupants attempted to flee, eventually crashing into barricades. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered the pistols and hawala money. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Harpreet Singh established connections with criminal elements while incarcerated in Faridkot Jail, which led to his involvement with the Pakistan-based smuggler. Harpreet Singh is suspected of having delivered multiple weapon consignments to criminal groups, raising concerns about the extent of the arms smuggling network operating in Punjab. To position Punjab as a leader in the defence industry, the State Government is set to unveil a comprehensive policy focused on skill development in the Aerospace and Defence (A&D) sector. The initiative aimed at creating a robust environment for sustainable growth, offering vast opportunities for the state's youth. Punjabs Employment Generation, Skill Development, and Training Minister Aman Arora, announcing this while addressing a conclave on Skill Development for the Aerospace and Defence and MSME sectors, directed the Principal Secretary Jaspreet Talwar and Director General C-PYTE Major General Rambir Mann to assemble a team of stakeholders to draft the new policy. The event, held in collaboration with the Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth (C-PYTE) and ASSOCHAM Northern Region, highlighted the state's commitment to nurturing talent in this critical sector. Arora said that the focus will be on leveraging Punjab's existing strengths in civil and military aviation, missile technology, communication satellites, and launch vehicles to maximize job opportunities for the state's youth. Punjab has a rich legacy in the defence sector, and with our strong infrastructure, including international airports in Mohali and Amritsar, and one of India's largest air force bases in Adampur, we are well-positioned to attract investment in the defence industry, said Arora. He also emphasized that the states advanced research and development (R&D) capabilities, extensive MSME base, and established aviation clubs will play a pivotal role in driving this initiative. Aroras call to industry leaders to invest in Punjab's defence sector underscored the states potential for growth. The new policy aims to align the state's educational infrastructure with industry standards, ensuring that Punjabs workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving aerospace and defence industries. Principal Secretary Jaspreet Talwar urged industry leaders to contribute their expertise to the policy development process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders. The collaborative approach will ensure that the states programs are tailored to meet the specific skill requirements of the aerospace and defence sectors, keeping pace with emerging trends and technological advancements. Director of Employment Generation Amrit Singh welcomed the delegates, highlighting the state's efforts to enhance youth employability through targeted skill development programs. She also pointed out that ongoing research and development initiatives will further bolster Punjabs capabilities in producing cutting-edge defence technologies, solidifying its role as a key player in the national defence landscape. Madhya Pradesh government may soon implement Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) in the state. If UPS is implemented in the state, then 5 lakh government employees of the state will directly benefit from it. The Finance Department is busy studying the proposal of UPS. The government contributes 14 percent in the National Pension Scheme (NPS). If UPS is implemented, then this contribution will be 18.5 percent. The government will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 225 crore due to this. Official sources said that the Mohan Yadav government in Madhya Pradesh can approve the UPS of the central government in the next cabinet meeting. After the announcement of UPS by the central government, the officials of the finance department have started brainstorming on the provisions. As soon as CM Mohan Yadav approves, it can be presented in the cabinet and discussed and approved. Unified Pension Scheme Under the new Unified Pension Scheme, employees who have worked for 25 years or more will get the benefit of full pension. After retirement, they will be given half i.e. 50% of their basic average salary of the last 12 months as pension every month. However, if an employee works for 10 years, he will be given pension accordingly. The central government has increased the contribution amount in UPS pension fund. Earlier, the government used to contribute 14%, but now under UPS, the government's contribution will increase to 18.5%. The family will get the benefit of pension in this scheme. If an employee dies on or before retirement, then the husband or wife will be given pension, but the pension amount will be 60% of the pension received by the employee. Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Thursday said that she wishes to contest the Assembly election but the final decision will be of party's high command. Selja said this a day after the Congress told its MPs that they would not be allowed to contest the Haryana Assembly polls. 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. Talking to reporters, she said, It is my wish to contest the Haryana assembly elections but the final decision will be of party high command. 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, Sirsa MP said. In the statement, she alleged that the BJP Government's political ground has slipped, and those sitting in the government had already sensed this. Fearing defeat, the BJP government has been avoiding conducting urban body elections. The residents of 8 municipal corporations, 4 municipal councils, and 21 municipalities are waiting for the elections. As soon as the Congress government is formed in the state, the pending urban body elections will be held. She further said that previously, the Panchayat elections were conducted by the BJP-led Government with a delay of 21 months. Even after the elections, a conspiracy was hatched to snatch the rights of village panchayats under the guise of e-tendering. Due to the absence of a House of elected representatives, development works in municipal corporations, municipal councils, and municipal areas are affected. Even the budget of the bodies cannot be finalized, she added. A high-level delegation from the World Bank visited the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) corporate office to discuss ongoing and future collaborations in urban transit. The primary focus of the discussion was on financing the upcoming Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) corridors. The delegation, led by Pankaj Gupta, Regional Director for Infrastructure at the World Bank, met with the NCRTC team, headed by Managing Director Shalabh Goel. The World Bank is a multi-lateral development bank approved by the Government of India to fund the RRTS corridor between Delhi-Gurugram-SNB. The Bank has previously partnered with NCRTC on various initiatives, including studies on providing logistics services through RRTS corridors and exploring Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) potential along the upcoming RRTS routes. This partnership has been highly productive, characterized by a collaborative approach to advancing sustainable and efficient transport infrastructure in the National Capital Region. During their visit, the delegation appreciated the advanced technologies deployed by NCRTC in implementing Indias first RRTS project and was particularly impressed by NCRTCs ability to meet the targeted timelines for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridoran impressive achievement for such a large-scale & complex infrastructure project. The emphasis on providing seamless multimodal integration at various RRTS stations was also well-received. The delegation noted NCRTCs development of a substantial capacity of experts and a robust knowledge base, which could greatly benefit other organizations in urban transit. The delegation also expressed a strong interest in exploring further collaboration with NCRTC, both locally and globally, marking a significant step toward strengthening the partnership and paving the way for future urban transit developments. Opposition leaders slammed Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday over the situation in the northeastern state and said he has failed to safeguard lives and livelihood of people and should, therefore, resign. Reacting to remarks made by Singh in an interview with PTI, where he ruled out stepping down, saying he has neither committed a crime nor spawned a scandal, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja said the chief minister has no moral right to continue at the top post. "A chief minister's responsibility is to safeguard the lives and livelihood of the people of the state and he has miserably failed (in it). That is why he should be removed from the post. Even if he is not resigning, he has no moral right (to continue as the chief minister) because he has utterly failed in safeguarding the people of Manipur," Raja told PTI. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha said everyone has seen the visuals from ethnic strife-torn Manipur and Singh should check his "morality quotient". "Everyone saw those visuals.... An audio clip was released recently, in which there were revelations about his conversation with the home minister...," he said. "When the president said she is scared and that it is enough, Manipur is also included in that. When he (Singh) says there is no moral responsibility on him, he should check his morality quotient," Jha told PTI. The RJD leader was referring to an exclusive signed article written by President Droupadi Murmu for PTI, in which she said the recent spate of crimes against women should force honest self-introspection to uncover the roots of the malaise and mentioned a gruesome incident of rape and killing of a doctor in Kolkata. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sagarika Ghose slammed Singh over his comments on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's handling of the protests against the rape and killing of the doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Ghose said Singh has no "moral authority" to comment on West Bengal in view of the situation in his own state. In his interview with PTI, the Manipur chief minister took a dig at his West Bengal counterpart over her handling of the situation after the doctor's rape and killing and the subsequent protests. Referring to the situation in Manipur, Ghose said thousands in the northeastern state continue to suffer in relief camps. "Unlike the Manipur chief minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently put justice for the rape-and-murder victim above all else," she told PTI. "The Kolkata Police cracked the case in 24 hours. Contrast this with Manipur where even after 18 months, thousands of people are suffering in relief camps, more than 220 people have died in ethnic violence and police never filed FIRs for months," Ghose said. "The Manipur chief minister has no moral right, no moral authority to speak on West Bengal when he has completely failed over the last 18 months to provide hope and relief to his people. We are committed to women's safety. But the BJP only wants to play violent politics with rape," she alleged. In the interview, Singh said, "The attitude that she (Banerjee) showed as a chief minister ... initially in the case, did not impress everyone. What happened to a doctor inside a hospital.... It is a heinous crime." He said instead of taking action and arresting those responsible for the incident, Banerjee was "attending rallies". Singh also promised to fully restore peace in Manipur in six months with the Centre's help and also ruled out stepping down, saying he has neither committed a crime nor spawned a scandal. He also ruled out the creation of a separate administration for Kukis. 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 (ST) status. Since then, more than 220 people, including both Meiteis and Kukis and security personnel, have been killed in the violence. In the wake of Supreme Court taking strong objection to his reported comments related to the bail granted to BRS MLC K Kavitha, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said the remarks have been taken out of context and expressed "unconditional regret" for the statements. In a post on the social media platform 'X', he expressed his highest regard and full faith in the country's judiciary. The CM said he understands that certain press reports dated August 29 "containing comments attributed to him" have given the impression that he is questioning the judicial wisdom of the court. "I reiterate that I am a firm believer of the judicial process. I unconditionally express my regret for the statements reflected in the press reports. The remarks attributed to me in such reports have been taken out of context. I have unconditional respect & highest regard for the Judiciary & its independence. As a firm believer in the Constitution of India and its ethos, I have and continue to hold the Judiciary in its highest esteem," he said. "Do we pass orders after consultations with political parties?" an ostensibly provoked Supreme Court asked on Thursday, voicing strong displeasure over Reddy's comments on the apex court granting bail to Kavitha in cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Angry over Reddy's reported statement about a "deal" between the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for securing bail for Kavitha, the top court said such statements might create apprehensions in the minds of people. Hitting back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his "cap is red but deeds are black" jibe, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said no colour is good or bad, it is about perspective. Yadav delved into the issue of colours and their significance at length in a post on X, and said those who lack love, union and harmony in their lives often have ill-will towards the colour red. His remarks came a day after Adityanath said, "Everyone is familiar with the misdeeds of the SP. If you turn the pages, the SP's history is full of black deeds. The SP's cap is 'laal' (red) but its 'karname kale hain' (deeds are black). They are repeating their history." Yadav, whose party cadres are seen in red caps, said, "Question Hour of Parliament of public (Janta Ki Sansad ). Question: What could be the reasons for getting angry on seeing red and black colour? Mark two points each. Answer -Colours have a deep relation with mind and psychology. "If a colour is liked by someone in particular, then there are special psychological reasons for it and if someone gets angry on seeing a colour, then there are some negative psychological reasons for that too," he said. "The truth is that every colour is obtained from nature and positive people do not consider any colour to be negative. Instead of positive diversity towards colours; We should have multi-coloured goodwill towards those who have a negative view of division and disintegration because this is not their fault but the result of their monochrome narrow dominant thinking," Yadav asserted. "To change the mind and heart of such people, we just need to explain that 'only after the dark night of black there is significance of the reddish morning', this mutual colour-relationship brings hope and enthusiasm in life," he said and added "no colour is good or bad, it is about perspective." Yadav said the colour red is a symbol of union and, "Those who lack love, union and harmony in their lives often have ill-will towards this colour." Red is the colour of power and has a positive relation with many revered powers "but those who think that their own power is the greatest, they consider red colour a challenge," and, "even a powerful bull gets angry on seeing red colour," the SP chief said. Talking about black, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "Black colour is particularly positive in Indian contexts, such as the 'black tika' applied to the children of the family to protect them from the evil eye and the use of black beads in the mangalsutra, a symbol of marital bliss. "Those who lack the element of motherly love or good fortune in their lives, psychologically develop an aversion towards the black colour," he said. Yadav said black is also considered the colour of negativity and despair. So those whose political thinking thrives on black thoughts like 'fear' and 'distrust' wear it on their heads. Shira Stein is the San Francisco Chronicle's Washington correspondent, covering California's role in national politics and policy from the nation's capital. She writes about issues that matter to California residents like housing, abortion and LGBTQ rights and California's influence on Congress and the White House. She was the primary chronicler of the last year of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's life, including her health, familial financial feud, and death. Shira was born and raised in the Bay Area and now lives in Washington, D.C. She joined the Chronicle in 2022 after spending four years as an award-winning health care reporter for Bloomberg Law, where she was key in its coverage of the Covid-19, the fall of Roe v. Wade and health costs. She is a graduate of American University and interned at the Washington Post, Bloomberg Law and the Colorado-based Durango Herald. Discover the rich history and architecture of Delhi's forts in Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai, offering an engaging and insightful exploration of the city's past, says Sakshi Priya Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai is an engaging journey of ten prominent forts in Delhi. As part of the Delhi Heritage series, this book dives deep into the architectural and historical significance of these forts, offering readers a comprehensive view of Delhi's rich past. Rooprai, a dedicated heritage activist and educator has put together a guide that blends historical facts with intriguing stories, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and casual readers. One of the highlights of the book is how it sheds light on not just the famous forts like the Red Fort and Purana Qila, but also on the lesser-known ones, such as Qila-i-Rai Pithora and Nai ka Kot. Rooprai takes readers on a journey through the history of these forts, detailing their construction, purpose and the events they have witnessed over centuries. The book stands out because it goes beyond the typical tourist information, offering a more detailed look at how these forts fit into the broader historical and cultural context of Delhi. The book opens with a vivid portrayal of the Red Fort, a symbol of Mughal grandeur. Rooprai captures the momentous day of 18 May 1648, when Emperor Shahjahan inaugurated this architectural marvel. The description of Shahjahans grand entry, with Prince Dara Shikoh showering him with coins, sets the tone for the books rich narrative style. The Red Forts formidable outer walls, crowned with ornate chhatris and punctuated by five principal gates, are brought to life through Rooprais evocative prose. Following the Red Fort, Rooprai delves into the history of Purana Qila, a site steeped in both myth and historical significance. The fort is traditionally believed to be built on the grounds of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas. Rooprai skilfully interweaves folklore with historical facts, recounting legends such as Lord Krishnas demand for Khandavprastha. The Bada Darwaza (large gate) of Purana Qila stands as an attestation to its historical importance and Rooprais detailed descriptions make it clear why it has been a must-visit site since the British era. Tughlaqabad Fort, the largest surviving fort in Delhi, takes centre stage next. Commissioned by Sultan Ghiasuddin Tughlaq between 1321-1323 CE, the fort's imposing ruins and its strategic significance during the Tughlaq dynasty are examined. Rooprai brings to light the forts intriguing lore, including the reputed curse by Sufi mystic Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya that condemned it to remain abandoned. The forts role in defending Delhi from Mongol invasions underscores its military importance, a facet Rooprai explores with both depth and clarity. The book also highlights the contributions of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, whose focus on public works and irrigation earned him the title 'Father of the Indian Irrigation System'. Rooprai describes Feroz Shahs efforts to improve the lives of his subjects and his legacy of equality and prosperity. This section provides insight into the rulers priorities and the architectural innovations that characterised his reign. Salimgarh, another significant fort, is introduced as a strategic outpost built by Islam Shah Suri, son of Sher Shah Suri. Rooprais account of Salimgarhs strategic location on a riverine island near the Yamuna and its role in defending Delhi adds a layer of understanding to the citys fortification network. Rooprais narrative is enriched by his ability to convey the fort's historical and cultural significance. His engaging writing style and meticulous research offer readers a window into the past, highlighting how these structures reflect the evolving history of Delhi. The book is peppered with narrative and detailed descriptions that humanise the history of these fortresses, making their stories accessible and compelling. Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai is more than just a guide, its a celebration of Delhis rich historical and architectural heritage.. Rooprais engaging narrative brings these majestic structures to life, making it an invaluable resource for both history enthusiasts and those curious about Delhis cultural legacy. Through its insightful and meticulously researched content, the book highlights the importance of preserving our historical landmarks and provides a compelling journey into the depths of Delhis heritage. Book Details: Book Name & Author: Delhi Heritage: Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai Price: INR 499 Pages: 214 Publisher: Niyogi Books Ameritas Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDF Free Report) by 41.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 31,801 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 9,332 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF were worth $1,114,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF by 34.6% during the second quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 227,228 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,960,000 after purchasing an additional 58,473 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF by 5.0% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 816,795 shares of the companys stock worth $28,612,000 after acquiring an additional 38,724 shares in the last quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF in the second quarter worth $365,000. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF by 2.3% during the second quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 169,715 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,945,000 after acquiring an additional 3,812 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $341,000. Get Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF alerts: Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA FNDF traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $36.89. The stock had a trading volume of 625,973 shares, compared to its average volume of 922,353. The stock has a market cap of $13.47 billion, a PE ratio of 11.12 and a beta of 0.78. Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF has a 1 year low of $30.16 and a 1 year high of $37.08. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $35.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.32. Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF Company Profile The Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF (FNDF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund tracks an index of large firms from developed markets ex-US. The fund selects and weights using fundamental factors. FNDF was launched on Aug 15, 2013 and is managed by Charles Schwab. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FNDF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schwab Fundamental International Large Company Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd lessened its holdings in shares of Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN Free Report) by 65.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,131 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 56,126 shares during the quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in Aspen Aerogels were worth $695,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Aspen Aerogels by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,619,702 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $63,707,000 after purchasing an additional 175,906 shares in the last quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Aspen Aerogels by 12.2% during the 1st quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC now owns 3,300,443 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $58,088,000 after purchasing an additional 357,895 shares in the last quarter. AIGH Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Aspen Aerogels by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. AIGH Capital Management LLC now owns 1,804,484 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,475,000 after purchasing an additional 52,462 shares in the last quarter. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Aspen Aerogels during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $12,015,000. Finally, Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC grew its stake in Aspen Aerogels by 48.0% during the 1st quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC now owns 478,193 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $8,416,000 after purchasing an additional 155,110 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.64% of the companys stock. Get Aspen Aerogels alerts: Insider Transactions at Aspen Aerogels In other news, CFO Ricardo C. Rodriguez sold 32,465 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.14, for a total value of $978,495.10. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 20,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $626,610.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 4.30% of the companys stock. Aspen Aerogels Stock Performance Aspen Aerogels stock traded up $0.22 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $28.75. 1,517,552 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,283,027. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $24.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $22.22. The company has a quick ratio of 3.29, a current ratio of 4.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a market cap of $2.19 billion, a PE ratio of -65.34 and a beta of 2.15. Aspen Aerogels, Inc. has a one year low of $5.94 and a one year high of $33.15. Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The construction company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $117.80 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $101.99 million. Aspen Aerogels had a negative return on equity of 6.35% and a negative net margin of 10.73%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 144.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned ($0.22) EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Aspen Aerogels, Inc. will post 0.12 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently commented on ASPN shares. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $14.00 target price on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Aspen Aerogels from $36.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Aspen Aerogels from $30.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. HC Wainwright lifted their target price on Aspen Aerogels from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on Aspen Aerogels from $18.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Aspen Aerogels currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.70. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Aspen Aerogels Aspen Aerogels Company Profile (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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ASPN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN Free Report). 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. Banco Santander S.A. trimmed its position in Revvity, Inc. (NYSE:RVTY Free Report) by 33.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,099 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,102 shares during the quarter. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in Revvity were worth $2,317,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Czech National Bank lifted its position in Revvity by 0.5% during the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 21,713 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,280,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. TriaGen Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Revvity by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. TriaGen Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $500,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD lifted its holdings in shares of Revvity by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Guinness Asset Management LTD now owns 3,587 shares of the companys stock valued at $376,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC grew its position in Revvity by 2.9% in the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 4,190 shares of the companys stock worth $440,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Revvity by 3.6% during the first quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,899 shares of the companys stock worth $409,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. 86.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Revvity alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Joel S. Goldberg sold 3,500 shares of Revvity stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.86, for a total value of $412,510.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 33,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,936,524. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Joel S. Goldberg sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.46, for a total transaction of $441,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 36,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,075,974. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Joel S. Goldberg sold 3,500 shares of Revvity stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.86, for a total transaction of $412,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 33,400 shares in the company, valued at $3,936,524. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Revvity Trading Up 0.7 % RVTY traded up $0.84 during trading on Thursday, hitting $122.13. 460,690 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 849,355. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a current ratio of 2.27. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $113.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $108.75. The firm has a market cap of $15.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 100.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 1.05. Revvity, Inc. has a 1 year low of $79.50 and a 1 year high of $128.15. Revvity (NYSE:RVTY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.10. Revvity had a return on equity of 7.34% and a net margin of 6.26%. The firm had revenue of $691.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $690.33 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Revvity, Inc. will post 4.75 EPS for the current year. Revvity Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 18th will be given a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 18th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.23%. Revvitys payout ratio is presently 23.14%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently commented on RVTY shares. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Revvity from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Revvity from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Revvity from $118.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Revvity from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Revvity from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $126.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Revvity Revvity Profile (Free Report) Revvity, Inc provides health sciences solutions, technologies, and services in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and internationally. The Life Sciences segment provides instruments, reagents, informatics, software, subscriptions, detection, imaging technologies, warranties, training, and services. Its Diagnostics segment provides instruments, reagents, assay platforms, and software products for the early detection of genetic disorders, such as pregnancy and early childhood, as well as infectious disease testing in the diagnostics market. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Revvity Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Revvity and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bfsg LLC lowered its position in Orion Office REIT Inc. (NYSE:ONL Free Report) by 11.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 28,760 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,820 shares during the period. Bfsg LLC owned approximately 0.05% of Orion Office REIT worth $103,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Orion Office REIT in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Bleakley Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Orion Office REIT during the 1st quarter worth approximately $69,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Orion Office REIT by 21.9% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 17,574 shares of the companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 3,161 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in Orion Office REIT by 29.9% during the 1st quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 496,856 shares of the companys stock worth $1,744,000 after purchasing an additional 114,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in Orion Office REIT during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.95% of the companys stock. Get Orion Office REIT alerts: Orion Office REIT Stock Performance Shares of ONL traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $4.18. The stock had a trading volume of 211,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 430,063. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.86. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $3.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $3.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $233.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.14 and a beta of 0.98. Orion Office REIT Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $3.01 and a fifty-two week high of $6.22. Orion Office REIT Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. Orion Office REITs dividend payout ratio is presently -30.08%. Separately, JMP Securities restated a market perform rating on shares of Orion Office REIT in a research note on Tuesday, June 11th. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ONL Orion Office REIT Company Profile (Free Report) Orion Office REIT specializes in the ownership, acquisition and management of a diversified portfolio of mission-critical and corporate headquarters office buildings in high-quality suburban markets across the U.S. The portfolio is leased primarily on a single-tenant net lease basis to creditworthy tenants. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ONL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Orion Office REIT Inc. (NYSE:ONL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Orion Office REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Orion Office REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bfsg LLC lessened its stake in Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB Free Report) by 10.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,721 shares of the banks stock after selling 425 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLCs holdings in Prosperity Bancshares were worth $228,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 52.6% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 223,612 shares of the banks stock valued at $13,672,000 after acquiring an additional 77,039 shares during the period. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. lifted its stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 41.9% in the 2nd quarter. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. now owns 157,770 shares of the banks stock valued at $9,646,000 after purchasing an additional 46,593 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 935,420 shares of the banks stock valued at $57,192,000 after purchasing an additional 19,224 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 2.4% during the second quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 218,446 shares of the banks stock worth $13,473,000 after buying an additional 5,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 0.6% during the second quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 118,411 shares of the banks stock valued at $7,240,000 after buying an additional 719 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock. Get Prosperity Bancshares alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have weighed in on PB. Hovde Group upped their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $80.50 to $82.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Prosperity Bancshares from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Prosperity Bancshares from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $75.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Compass Point boosted their price objective on Prosperity Bancshares from $73.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Wedbush upped their target price on Prosperity Bancshares from $63.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Prosperity Bancshares currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $76.04. Prosperity Bancshares Trading Down 0.5 % PB traded down $0.34 on Thursday, hitting $72.98. 346,196 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 575,602. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $49.60 and a fifty-two week high of $74.67. The stock has a market cap of $7.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $67.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.02. Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The bank reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $458.95 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $290.06 million. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 25.10% and a return on equity of 6.32%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.21 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current year. Prosperity Bancshares Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.07%. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.61%. About Prosperity Bancshares (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. Colruyt Group (OTCMKTS:CUYTY Get Free Report)s share price was down 0.4% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $12.46 and last traded at $12.46. Approximately 500 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 2,184 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.50. Colruyt Group Stock Up 0.6 % The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. About Colruyt Group (Get Free Report) Colruyt Group N.V., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retail, wholesale, food service, and other activities in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale and Foodservice, and Other Activities. The company provides groceries, fresh products, dry products, and frozen and non-food products; and operates CNG, hydrogen filling, and charging stations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Colruyt Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colruyt Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Funding Circle (OTCMKTS:FDCHF Get Free Report) and Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership and earnings. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Funding Circle and Mastercards gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Funding Circle alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Funding Circle N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Mastercard $26.39 billion 16.94 $11.20 billion $12.58 38.22 Mastercard has higher revenue and earnings than Funding Circle. Institutional & Insider Ownership Analyst Ratings 97.3% of Mastercard shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Mastercard shares are held by company 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. This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Funding Circle and Mastercard, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Funding Circle 0 0 0 0 N/A Mastercard 0 3 20 4 3.04 Mastercard has a consensus target price of $512.09, indicating a potential upside of 6.50%. Given Mastercards higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Mastercard is more favorable than Funding Circle. Profitability This table compares Funding Circle and Mastercards net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Funding Circle N/A N/A N/A Mastercard 46.45% 179.78% 30.22% Summary Mastercard beats Funding Circle on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Funding Circle (Get Free Report) Funding Circle Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online lending platforms in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. The company offers small business loans, recovery loan schemes, and business finance solutions to small enterprises. It also provides flexipay and flexipay card solutions. In addition, the company offers asset,vehicle, agricultural, and equipment finance services. It acts as a special purpose bankruptcy remote entity that issues loan payment dependent debt securities to accredited investors. Funding Circle Holdings plc was incorporated in 2010 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. About Mastercard (Get Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. It also provides solutions that enable businesses or governments to make payments to businesses, including Virtual Card Number, which is generated dynamically from a physical card and leverages the credit limit of the funding account; a platform to optimize supplier payment enablement campaigns for financial institutions; and treasury intelligence platform that offers corporations with recommendations to enhance working capital performance and accelerate spend on cards. In addition, the company offers Mastercard Send, which partners with digital messaging and payment platforms to enable consumers to send money directly within applications to other consumers; and Mastercard Cross-Border Services enables a range of payment flows through a distribution network with a single point of access to send and receive money globally through various channels, including bank accounts, mobile wallets, cards, and cash payouts. Further, it provides cyber and intelligence solutions; insights and analytics, consulting, marketing, loyalty, processing, and payment gateway solutions for e-commerce merchants; and open banking and digital identity services. The company offers payment solutions and services under the MasterCard, Maestro, and Cirrus name. Mastercard Incorporated was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Purchase, New York. Receive News & Ratings for Funding Circle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Funding Circle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bfsg LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,610 shares of the companys stock after selling 31 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,363,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC now owns 811 shares of the companys stock worth $734,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Verum Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Verum Partners LLC now owns 731 shares of the companys stock worth $662,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Acorn Creek Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Acorn Creek Capital LLC now owns 927 shares of the companys stock worth $840,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. now owns 1,687 shares of the companys stock worth $1,527,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 736 shares of the companys stock worth $573,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.82, for a total value of $197,362,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 96,943,810 shares in the company, valued at $91,109,731,514.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.82, for a total value of $197,362,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 96,943,810 shares in the company, valued at $91,109,731,514.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 25,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,835,194.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 1,120,089 shares of company stock worth $990,278,343 over the last ninety days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently weighed in on LLY shares. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $885.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $770.00 to $840.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $884.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $961.76. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.8 % NYSE LLY traded down $8.02 during trading on Thursday, reaching $940.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,762,207 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,073,362. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $894.26 billion, a PE ratio of 138.47, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $890.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $819.14. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $516.57 and a 1-year high of $972.53. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.58%. 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. Further Reading 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. iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (NYSEARCA:EWK Get Free Report)s stock price were down 0% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $20.06 and last traded at $20.07. Approximately 1,370 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 91% from the average daily volume of 14,549 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.08. iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Trading Up 0.3 % The company has a market capitalization of $22.48 million, a P/E ratio of 10.42 and a beta of 0.83. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $19.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.93. Get iShares MSCI Belgium ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Belgium ETF stock. Idaho Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (NYSEARCA:EWK Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 10,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $197,000. Idaho Trust Bank owned about 0.96% of iShares MSCI Belgium ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period. iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Belgium Capped ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Belgium Capped Investable Market Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Belgian market, as measured by the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index (the Index). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prisoners serving life terms for violent sex crimes committed between ages 18 and 25 are not entitled to a parole hearing after 25 years, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Getty Images Prisoners serving life terms for violent sex crimes committed between ages 18 and 25 are not entitled to a parole hearing after 25 years, even though such hearings are available for some convicted murderers, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The so-called one-strike sentences, approved by the California voters in 2006 and expanded by the Legislature in 2010, made violent sex offenders ineligible for early parole hearings because of the seriousness of their crimes and the danger they could pose after release, the court said. Lawmakers reasonably concluded that their risk of recidivism is high, that rehabilitation is unlikely, and therefore these offenders would not likely be eligible for parole, much less early parole, Justice Martin Jenkins wrote in the 6-1 ruling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In dissent, Justice Goodwin Liu said punishing violent sex offenders more severely than convicted murderers serves no legitimate state policy and does not protect the public. Recent studies, Liu said, have found that sex criminals actually are less likely than many other offenders to commit crimes after release from prison. The law upheld by the court, Liu wrote, gives young offenders a meaningful opportunity to avoid life imprisonment but denies that opportunity to an especially despised subset without legal justification. The court ruled in another case in March that young adults convicted of the worst categories of murder between ages 18 and 25 can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, making them ineligible for youthful-offender parole hearings after 25 years in prison. Those crimes multiple murders, gang slayings or killings during a robbery, rape or other serious offense are also punishable by death for defendants 18 or older. Other than those sentenced to death or life without parole, most prisoners who were 25 or younger at the time of their offense are entitled under state law to a youth offender parole hearing after serving 15-25 years, depending on their crime. Based on scientific evidence of mental development, the Board of Parole Hearings is required to consider the prisoners lack of maturity at the time of the crime, their upbringing and environment, and their subsequent growth, and grant parole unless the evidence shows a likely danger to the public. The law applies to most prisoners convicted before turning 26, including murderers who were not sentenced to death or life without parole. While those convicted of violent sex crimes are ineligible for the youth offender hearings, Jenkins noted Thursday that they can apply for elderly parole after age 50. The parole board must then consider the prisoners age, length of confinement and any change in physical condition in deciding whether to grant release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Legislation that would have allowed prisoners sentenced to life without parole at least 25 years ago to ask the parole board, a judicial panel or the governor to make them eligible for parole consideration died Thursday. Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, said that despite two years of negotiations, he was unable to convince fellow Democrats to bring SB94 to a vote in the Assembly. The court case involved Jeremiah Ira Williams of San Diego, who was 24 when he beat and raped two women in 2016, was convicted of numerous offenses and was sentenced to 100 years to life in prison. His lawyers said he should be eligible for a parole hearing within 25 years, an issue that has divided appellate courts. The 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ruled in another case in 2019 that such hearings were required because there was no rational basis for treating rapists more harshly than murderers. That ruling was effectively overturned by the states high court on Thursday. The case is People v. Williams, No. S262229. Banco Santander S.A. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report) by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 99,199 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $8,329,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of USMV. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 16,095,735 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,351,398,000 after buying an additional 146,632 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% during the first quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,947,820 shares of the companys stock worth $329,959,000 after buying an additional 167,538 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 5.2% in the second quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,658,707 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,185,000 after acquiring an additional 182,050 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,202,043 shares of the companys stock worth $268,843,000 after buying an additional 31,625 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 270.9% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,895,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $158,465,000 after acquiring an additional 1,384,833 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 0.3 % BATS USMV traded up $0.30 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $90.69. 2,120,964 shares of the companys stock were exchanged. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a one year low of $47.44 and a one year high of $55.45. The stock has a market cap of $26.57 billion, a PE ratio of 25.30 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $86.31 and a 200-day moving average of $83.56. About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding USMV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Motors Co. (OTCMKTS:MMTOF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,936,700 shares, a decrease of 21.2% from the July 31st total of 7,536,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 8,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 715.3 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows An institutional investor recently raised its position in Mitsubishi Motors stock. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mitsubishi Motors Co. (OTCMKTS:MMTOF Free Report) by 36.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,400 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,000 shares during the quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLCs holdings in Mitsubishi Motors were worth $73,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.78% of the companys stock. Get Mitsubishi Motors alerts: Mitsubishi Motors Stock Performance Shares of MMTOF stock remained flat at $2.43 on Thursday. Mitsubishi Motors has a 1 year low of $2.36 and a 1 year high of $4.45. The company has a 50-day moving average of $2.74 and a 200 day moving average of $2.94. Mitsubishi Motors Company Profile Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, production, and sale of passenger vehicles, and its parts and components in Japan, Europe, North America, Oceania, the rest of Asia, and internationally. Its products include EVs/PHEVs, SUVs, pickup trucks, MPVs, and cars under the Mitsubishi brand. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON:RR Get Free Report) traded up 0.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 499.30 ($6.58) and last traded at GBX 498.90 ($6.58). 7,238,585 shares traded hands during trading, The stock had previously closed at GBX 497.60 ($6.56). Wall Street Analyst Weigh In RR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from GBX 475 ($6.26) to GBX 535 ($7.06) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 580 ($7.65) price objective on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research report on Monday, June 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 416.25 ($5.49). Get Rolls-Royce Holdings plc alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Price Performance Insider Activity The companys 50 day simple moving average is GBX 467.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 428.93. The stock has a market cap of 42.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,786.43, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.82. In other Rolls-Royce Holdings plc news, insider Birgit Behrendt bought 241 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 8th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 455 ($6.00) per share, with a total value of 1,096.55 ($1,446.06). In related news, insider Wendy Mars acquired 10,076 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 496 ($6.54) per share, for a total transaction of 49,976.96 ($65,906.58). Also, insider Birgit Behrendt bought 241 shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 8th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 455 ($6.00) per share, with a total value of 1,096.55 ($1,446.06). Insiders bought 10,350 shares of company stock valued at $5,122,333 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.04% of the companys stock. About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (Get Free Report) Rolls-Royce Holdings plc develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for air, sea, and land in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC Get Free Report) major shareholder Global Icav Pilgrim bought 41,000 shares of Sable Offshore stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $15.45 per share, for a total transaction of $633,450.00. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 8,041,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $124,233,465.45. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Major shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Sable Offshore Stock Up 4.8 % Shares of NYSE SOC traded up $0.76 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $16.48. The companys stock had a trading volume of 374,422 shares, compared to its average volume of 303,730. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.91, a current ratio of 2.80 and a quick ratio of 2.60. Sable Offshore Corp. has a 12 month low of $10.11 and a 12 month high of $17.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $15.43. Get Sable Offshore alerts: Sable Offshore (NYSE:SOC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($2.75) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by ($2.36). Sell-side analysts forecast that Sable Offshore Corp. will post -1.6 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Sable Offshore Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Amalgamated Bank purchased a new stake in Sable Offshore in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank purchased a new position in shares of Sable Offshore during the second quarter valued at approximately $86,000. Spartan Fund Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Sable Offshore during the second quarter valued at approximately $162,000. Walleye Trading LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sable Offshore during the first quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in shares of Sable Offshore during the second quarter valued at approximately $324,000. 26.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. SOC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Sable Offshore in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of Sable Offshore in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Read Our Latest Analysis on SOC About Sable Offshore (Get Free Report) Sable Offshore Corp. engages in the oil and gas exploration and development activities in the United States. The company operates through three platforms located in federal waters offshore California. It owns and operates 16 federal leases across approximately 76,000 acres and subsea pipelines, which transport crude oil, natural gas, and produced water from the platforms to the onshore processing facilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sable Offshore Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sable Offshore and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tembo Gold Corp. (CVE:TEM Get Free Report) was down 11.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.16 and last traded at C$0.16. Approximately 54,000 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 63,688 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.18. Tembo Gold Trading Down 11.1 % The company has a current ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 5.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.69. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.16 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.16. The firm has a market capitalization of C$16.86 million, a PE ratio of -5.33 and a beta of 0.62. About Tembo Gold (Get Free Report) Tembo Gold Corp., a junior mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Tanzania. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Tembo gold property covering an area of 32 square kilometers located in the Lake Victoria goldfield district in northwest Tanzania. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tembo Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tembo Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank cut its holdings in Fortive Co. (NYSE:FTV Free Report) by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 174,398 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 45,442 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Fortive were worth $12,923,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Fortive by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,657 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $864,000 after purchasing an additional 824 shares during the period. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in Fortive in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Liberty Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Fortive by 10.0% in the 2nd quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc. now owns 41,335 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,063,000 after acquiring an additional 3,745 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in Fortive by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 136,913 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $10,145,000 after acquiring an additional 1,278 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. raised its stake in Fortive by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 323,448 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $23,967,000 after acquiring an additional 5,912 shares during the period. 94.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Fortive alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently weighed in on FTV. Barclays dropped their price target on Fortive from $93.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. TD Cowen raised Fortive from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $90.00 in a report on Monday, July 8th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Fortive from $89.00 to $82.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com raised Fortive from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Fortive from $83.00 to $77.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Fortive presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $84.91. Fortive Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of FTV traded up $0.67 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $73.71. 994,299 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,747,143. Fortive Co. has a 52 week low of $63.05 and a 52 week high of $87.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.95 billion, a PE ratio of 29.13, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.31 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.49. Fortive (NYSE:FTV Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The technology company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. Fortive had a return on equity of 12.32% and a net margin of 14.39%. The firms revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.85 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Fortive Co. will post 3.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Fortive (Free Report) Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and services professional and engineered products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. The Intelligent Operating Solutions segment provides advanced instrumentation, software, and services, including electrical test and measurement, facility and asset lifecycle software applications, and connected worker safety and compliance solutions for manufacturing, process industries, healthcare, utilities and power, communications and electronics, and other industries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortive Co. (NYSE:FTV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Fortive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report) by 2.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,807 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 947 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Essex Property Trust were worth $9,747,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,228 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $301,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Essex Property Trust by 5.4% in the second quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $276,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 10.3% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 591 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Essex Property Trust by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 11,296 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,765,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Loudon Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Loudon Investment Management LLC now owns 15,817 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,922,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.51% of the companys stock. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Insider Transactions at Essex Property Trust In other Essex Property Trust news, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total transaction of $2,745,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,425,519.26. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Keith R. Guericke sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.57, for a total transaction of $2,745,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,425,519.26. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total transaction of $1,051,860.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,641,895.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently commented on ESS. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $315.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Truist Financial increased their price target on Essex Property Trust from $282.00 to $294.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $269.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $276.70. View Our Latest Report on Essex Property Trust Essex Property Trust Price Performance Shares of ESS stock traded up $1.96 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $298.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 320,310 shares, compared to its average volume of 375,271. The firms 50-day moving average is $281.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $259.77. The company has a market cap of $19.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.44, a PEG ratio of 3.96 and a beta of 0.86. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $203.85 and a 1-year high of $299.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 3.19 and a current ratio of 1.62. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by ($2.40). The business had revenue of $442.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $433.26 million. Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 30.31% and a return on equity of 9.14%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.77 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Essex Property Trust, Inc. will post 15.53 earnings per share for the current year. About Essex Property Trust (Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ESS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE Free Report) (TSE:CAE) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,750 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $33,000. Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CAE by 45.5% during the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,600 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management lifted its holdings in CAE by 52.8% in the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 2,018 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 697 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its position in CAE by 142.8% in the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,202 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of CAE by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 25,098 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $466,000 after purchasing an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of CAE by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 17,114 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $369,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares during the period. 67.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get CAE alerts: CAE Price Performance Shares of NYSE:CAE traded down $0.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $17.69. The stock had a trading volume of 90,238 shares, compared to its average volume of 584,329. The company has a market cap of $5.65 billion, a P/E ratio of -24.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.67. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $18.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. CAE Inc. has a 1 year low of $15.95 and a 1 year high of $25.04. Analysts Set New Price Targets CAE ( NYSE:CAE Get Free Report ) (TSE:CAE) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The aerospace company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.05 billion. CAE had a negative net margin of 6.97% and a positive return on equity of 6.10%. CAEs revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.18 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that CAE Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Desjardins cut shares of CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of CAE in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on CAE in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. They set a hold rating and a $21.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley downgraded CAE from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CAE About CAE (Free Report) CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE Free Report) (TSE:CAE). Receive News & Ratings for CAE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 815 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $32,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Fortis by 123.5% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 666 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Fortis by 53.6% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 992 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Rational Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Fortis during the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Fortis in the 1st quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Fortis during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $69,000. 57.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Fortis alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Fortis from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, August 4th. Fortis Price Performance Fortis stock traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $43.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 61,559 shares, compared to its average volume of 731,596. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.45. Fortis Inc. has a twelve month low of $36.30 and a twelve month high of $44.22. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $41.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Fortis (NYSE:FTS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.02. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.04% and a net margin of 13.90%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.96 billion. Research analysts forecast that Fortis Inc. will post 2.32 earnings per share for the current year. Fortis Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.431 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 20th. Fortiss dividend payout ratio is presently 73.28%. Fortis Company Profile (Free Report) Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FTS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fortis Inc. (NYSE:FTS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $11.98 and last traded at $11.95, with a volume of 3356 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.92. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Price Performance The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.44. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund About BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MUJ. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 37,472 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $429,000 after purchasing an additional 2,197 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Wealth Effects LLC grew its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 22.6% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 24,294 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $277,000 after purchasing an additional 4,474 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 283,850 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,301,000 after purchasing an additional 5,831 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 81.2% during the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 23,647 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $275,000 after purchasing an additional 10,594 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 15.13% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of United States. The fund invests primarily in long-term, investment grade municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and New Jersey personal income taxes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Abner Phelps house in San Francisco, believed to be the oldest house in the city, was recently sold. Nora Mishanec/The Chronicle Jordan Kurland of Noise Pop Industries. Jordan Kurland Jordan Kurland, founder of Brilliant Corners Artist Management. Andrew Paynter/Brilliant Corners Artist Management Jordan Kurland, a leading figure in San Franciscos music industry, has purchased what is widely believed to be the citys oldest house. The historic Abner Phelps House, located at 1111 Oak Street near the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, sold for $2 million to a company linked to an artist management firm, according to property records and the seller, Pamela Munn. Munn said that she had initially listed the property for $3 million earlier this year after unsuccessful attempts to find a rental tenant. The building is zoned for commercial use. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was done, Munn told the Chronicle. I loved that building for a very long time. It was time for someone else to love it. She admitted knowing very little about Kurland, founder of Brilliant Corners Artist Management, whose roster of clients includes bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, the Postal Service and Toro y Moi. Kurland is also a partner at Noise Pop Industries, which prodone of the nations longest-running independent music festivals, and serves on the board of the Stern Grove Festival. Although the exact origins of the house are unclear, local historians speculate that lawyer Abner Phelps may have bought the structure in New Orleans and had it shipped in pieces to San Francisco in 1850, to give his homesick wife a sense of familiarity. The house has changed locations multiple times. The original Phelps estate spanned 160 acres, encompassing parts of what is now Golden Gate Park. Historians believe Phelps commuted by horseback from the home to his law office near the current site of the Transamerica Pyramid. Munn was uncertain about the future of the large metal heart sculpture in the front yard, one of 131 commissioned by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation as a fundraiser for the hospitals cardiology unit in 2004. She expressed sadness over relinquishing the property she had owned since 1998, which housed the headquarters of her computer consulting firm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CACI International (NYSE:CACI Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Bank of America from $450.00 to $535.00 in a report published on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the information technology services providers stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. TD Cowen upped their target price on CACI International from $435.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Barclays upped their target price on CACI International from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on CACI International from $410.00 to $468.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. Raymond James cut CACI International from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on CACI International from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, CACI International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $461.00. Get CACI International alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on CACI International CACI International Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of NYSE:CACI opened at $480.66 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.92. CACI International has a 1 year low of $302.21 and a 1 year high of $484.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $450.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $412.98. CACI International (NYSE:CACI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The information technology services provider reported $6.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.93 by $0.68. CACI International had a return on equity of 13.80% and a net margin of 5.37%. The business had revenue of $2.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.30 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that CACI International will post 20.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Gregory G. Johnson sold 200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $428.19, for a total transaction of $85,638.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,602,538.82. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO John S. Mengucci sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $463.18, for a total transaction of $4,631,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 91,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,319,830.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Gregory G. Johnson sold 200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $428.19, for a total value of $85,638.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,602,538.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,858,738 in the last three months. Insiders own 1.23% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of CACI International A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC grew its holdings in CACI International by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC now owns 340,880 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $146,623,000 after acquiring an additional 5,610 shares during the period. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in CACI International by 21.4% during the 1st quarter. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 82,741 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $31,345,000 after acquiring an additional 14,602 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in CACI International by 70.0% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 81,584 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $35,092,000 after acquiring an additional 33,589 shares during the period. Ophir Asset Management Pty Ltd grew its holdings in CACI International by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Ophir Asset Management Pty Ltd now owns 66,359 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $21,491,000 after acquiring an additional 7,596 shares during the period. Finally, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in CACI International by 26.7% during the 2nd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 48,923 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $21,043,000 after acquiring an additional 10,295 shares during the period. 86.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. CACI International Company Profile (Get Free Report) CACI International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides expertise and technology to enterprise and mission customers in support of national security missions and government modernization/transformation in the intelligence, defense, and federal civilian sectors. It operates through two segments: Domestic Operations and International Operations. See Also Receive News & Ratings for CACI International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CACI International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China CITIC Bank Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:CHCJY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, a decrease of 50.0% from the July 31st total of 600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. China CITIC Bank Price Performance CHCJY remained flat at $12.70 during trading on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 5 shares, compared to its average volume of 950. China CITIC Bank has a twelve month low of $8.56 and a twelve month high of $13.64. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market cap of $31.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.04. Get China CITIC Bank alerts: China CITIC Bank Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were issued a $0.8323 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 5th. China CITIC Banks payout ratio is 23.55%. China CITIC Bank Company Profile China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited provides various banking products and services in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates in segments, such as Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Financial Market business. It accepts deposits; offers corporate and personal loans; and provides securities agency, remittance and settlement, and guarantee services, as well as investment banking and international services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China CITIC Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China CITIC Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. reduced its stake in CMS Energy Co. (NYSE:CMS Free Report) by 81.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 57,007 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 256,304 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc.s holdings in CMS Energy were worth $3,394,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in CMS Energy by 16.3% in the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 69,708 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,150,000 after buying an additional 9,756 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its position in CMS Energy by 22.8% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 9,249 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $550,000 after buying an additional 1,715 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in CMS Energy by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,621 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,168,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the last quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd purchased a new position in CMS Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $47,082,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in CMS Energy by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 259,050 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $15,421,000 after buying an additional 6,521 shares during the last quarter. 93.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get CMS Energy alerts: CMS Energy Stock Performance NYSE:CMS traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $67.86. 1,825,936 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,307,950. CMS Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $49.87 and a twelve month high of $68.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $62.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.38. CMS Energy Cuts Dividend CMS Energy ( NYSE:CMS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.63 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.73 billion. CMS Energy had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 12.25%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.75 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that CMS Energy Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 2nd will be issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 2nd. CMS Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.80%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI raised shares of CMS Energy to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of CMS Energy from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of CMS Energy from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. KeyCorp lifted their price target on CMS Energy from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, May 20th. Finally, StockNews.com raised CMS Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $67.33. Get Our Latest Research Report on CMS Energy Insider Buying and Selling In other CMS Energy news, Director Jon E. Barfield sold 2,360 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.79, for a total transaction of $143,464.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $884,859.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other CMS Energy news, Director Jon E. Barfield sold 2,360 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.79, for a total transaction of $143,464.40. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 14,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $884,859.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 1,667 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.98, for a total transaction of $99,986.66. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 68,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,098,433.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. CMS Energy Profile (Free Report) CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CMS Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMS Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. F M Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 8,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,983,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Bfsg LLC bought a new position in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 70.4% during the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 167 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 77.7% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 183 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $45,000. Institutional investors own 84.76% of the companys stock. Get L3Harris Technologies alerts: L3Harris Technologies Price Performance NYSE:LHX traded up $2.99 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $236.67. 660,710 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 963,611. The firm has a market cap of $44.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $229.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $219.62. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $160.25 and a 52 week high of $245.60. L3Harris Technologies Announces Dividend L3Harris Technologies ( NYSE:LHX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $3.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $5.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.30 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 13.02% and a net margin of 5.73%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.97 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. will post 13.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a $1.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. L3Harris Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 75.32%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently weighed in on LHX. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of L3Harris Technologies from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $275.00 to $257.00 in a report on Friday, August 9th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded L3Harris Technologies from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their price target for the company from $250.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Barclays lifted their target price on L3Harris Technologies from $245.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of L3Harris Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the company from $245.00 to $257.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, L3Harris Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $247.08. View Our Latest Analysis on L3Harris Technologies Insiders Place Their Bets In other L3Harris Technologies news, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 26,190 shares of L3Harris Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $5,911,083.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 120,326 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,157,578.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other L3Harris Technologies news, SVP Scott T. Mikuen sold 15,887 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $3,733,445.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 47,616 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,189,760. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 26,190 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $5,911,083.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 120,326 shares in the company, valued at $27,157,578.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 59,312 shares of company stock valued at $13,523,822 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock. L3Harris Technologies Profile (Free Report) L3Harris Technologies, Inc provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, passive sensing and targeting, electronic attack, autonomy, power and communications, and networks and sensors, as well as advanced combat systems for air, land, and sea sectors. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LHX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for L3Harris Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for L3Harris Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) VP Kurt W. Loring sold 3,366 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.02, for a total value of $703,561.32. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 19,315 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,037,221.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Performance Shares of AIT stock opened at $203.31 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $199.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $193.53. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $149.59 and a one year high of $223.15. The stock has a market cap of $7.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 3.77 and a quick ratio of 2.70. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The industrial products company reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.52 by $0.12. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 8.36% and a return on equity of 23.69%. The business had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.19 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.35 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologiess revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 9.62 EPS for the current year. Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.73%. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 15.51%. A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 24th. Northcoast Research initiated coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Monday, July 1st. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Loop Capital increased their price objective on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $215.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on Applied Industrial Technologies from $210.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Applied Industrial Technologies from $205.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Applied Industrial Technologies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $222.50. Read Our Latest Analysis on Applied Industrial Technologies Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 0.9% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,462 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,254,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY raised its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 2.4% in the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 2,300 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $446,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC grew its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 1.2% during the first quarter. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC now owns 4,905 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $969,000 after buying an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,394 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,374,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 2.6% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,481 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $490,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. 93.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR Free Report) by 83.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,265 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 13,725 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Ingredion were worth $3,471,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Loews Corp increased its stake in shares of Ingredion by 11.1% in the 4th quarter. Loews Corp now owns 200,000 shares of the companys stock worth $21,706,000 after purchasing an additional 20,000 shares in the last quarter. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC increased its stake in Ingredion by 230.9% in the 1st quarter. Insight Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 13,725 shares of the companys stock worth $1,604,000 after buying an additional 9,577 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its stake in Ingredion by 154.0% in the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 77,890 shares of the companys stock worth $9,101,000 after buying an additional 47,225 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Ingredion by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 113,876 shares of the companys stock worth $13,305,000 after buying an additional 21,619 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas purchased a new stake in Ingredion in the 1st quarter worth $1,154,000. 85.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Ingredion alerts: Ingredion Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of NYSE:INGR traded up $0.78 during trading on Friday, reaching $134.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 304,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 382,979. The company has a current ratio of 2.44, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Ingredion Incorporated has a 12 month low of $89.54 and a 12 month high of $134.45. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $122.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $117.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.82 billion, a PE ratio of 13.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.72. Ingredion Increases Dividend Ingredion ( NYSE:INGR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $2.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.53 by $0.34. Ingredion had a net margin of 8.45% and a return on equity of 16.56%. The firm had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.98 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.32 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Ingredion Incorporated will post 9.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be issued a $0.80 dividend. This is an increase from Ingredions previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Ingredions dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.06%. Insider Activity at Ingredion In related news, CEO James P. Zallie sold 27,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.36, for a total value of $3,199,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 52,197 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,073,642.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO James P. Zallie sold 27,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.36, for a total value of $3,199,900.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 52,197 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,073,642.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO James P. Zallie sold 1,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.03, for a total transaction of $174,239.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 52,530 shares in the company, valued at $7,040,595.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 30,995 shares of company stock valued at $3,657,534. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have issued reports on INGR. UBS Group increased their price target on Ingredion from $141.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. StockNews.com lowered Ingredion from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on Ingredion from $126.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Ingredion from $120.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barclays raised shares of Ingredion from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $122.00 to $145.00 in a report on Friday, August 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $137.33. Get Our Latest Stock Report on INGR Ingredion Company Profile (Free Report) Ingredion Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterial solutions derived from wet milling and processing corn, and other starch-based materials to a range of industries in North America, South America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ingredion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingredion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$161.50. RY has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Securities upped their target price on Royal Bank of Canada from C$171.00 to C$178.00 in a report on Thursday. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Royal Bank of Canada from C$160.00 to C$169.00 in a research note on Thursday. UBS Group set a C$165.00 price target on Royal Bank of Canada and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$151.00 to C$165.00 in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on Royal Bank of Canada from C$159.50 to C$172.00 in a report on Thursday. Get Royal Bank of Canada alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Royal Bank of Canada Royal Bank of Canada Price Performance Shares of RY stock opened at C$160.75 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$150.62 and a 200-day moving average of C$142.27. Royal Bank of Canada has a one year low of C$107.92 and a one year high of C$162.73. The stock has a market cap of C$228.27 billion, a PE ratio of 14.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.85. Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$3.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$2.95 by C$0.31. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 28.37% and a return on equity of 13.38%. The firm had revenue of C$14.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$14.27 billion. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Royal Bank of Canada will post 12.8601286 earnings per share for the current year. Royal Bank of Canada Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be paid a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.53%. Royal Bank of Canadas payout ratio is currently 50.31%. Insider Activity at Royal Bank of Canada In other news, Senior Officer Bruce Washington Ross sold 12,170 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$141.46, for a total transaction 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 the companys stock in a transaction that occurred 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 owns 235 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$33,243.81. Also, Senior Officer Douglas Antony Guzman sold 54,354 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$145.15, for a total transaction of C$7,889,646.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 25 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$3,628.83. In the last three months, insiders have sold 101,302 shares of company stock valued at $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. Recommended Stories 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. Sendas Distribuidora S.A. (NYSE:ASAI Get Free Report) shares shot up 3.5% on Friday . The company traded as high as $8.60 and last traded at $8.56. 142,845 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 54% from the average session volume of 313,615 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.27. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Sendas Distribuidora from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Get Sendas Distribuidora alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sendas Distribuidora Sendas Distribuidora Stock Up 1.3 % Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sendas Distribuidora The firm has a market capitalization of $2.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.10. A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ASAI. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda lifted its position in Sendas Distribuidora by 13.3% in the 2nd quarter. SPX Gestao de Recursos Ltda now owns 81,733 shares of the companys stock valued at $760,000 after acquiring an additional 9,607 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Sendas Distribuidora by 44.4% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 19,738 shares of the companys stock worth $184,000 after purchasing an additional 6,068 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora in the second quarter worth $212,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora during the second quarter valued at $810,000. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora by 66.7% during the second quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $326,000 after buying an additional 14,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 8.76% of the companys stock. Sendas Distribuidora Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sendas Distribuidora SA engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. The company serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sendas Distribuidora Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sendas Distribuidora and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Visionary (NYSE:GV Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock. Visionary Trading Down 1.2 % Visionary stock opened at $2.04 on Tuesday. Visionary has a 12 month low of $1.52 and a 12 month high of $8.85. Get Visionary alerts: About Visionary (Get Free Report) See Also Visionary Holdings Inc provides education resources to students worldwide. The company offers educational programs for secondary school, college, university, and advanced degree students that include degree-oriented educational programs, such as OSSD program, career-oriented two-year college, four-year university programs, and masters programs; and high school education programs, real estate development, animation education, vocational education, online education, and other education-related consulting services. Receive News & Ratings for Visionary Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visionary and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tobam cut its holdings in The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 37.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,845 shares of the banks stock after selling 3,520 shares during the period. Tobams holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $350,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 15.3% during the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 1,901,647 shares of the banks stock valued at $113,890,000 after purchasing an additional 252,157 shares in the last quarter. Burney Co. grew its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 4.3% in the second quarter. Burney Co. now owns 80,621 shares of the banks stock worth $4,828,000 after purchasing an additional 3,338 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 12.4% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,848 shares of the banks stock worth $769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,415 shares during the last quarter. Kintegral Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 11.1% in the second quarter. Kintegral Advisory LLC now owns 112,651 shares of the banks stock worth $6,747,000 after purchasing an additional 11,257 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 5.5% during the second quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 8,520 shares of the banks stock valued at $510,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. 85.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bank of New York Mellon news, VP Hanneke Smits sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.11, for a total value of $961,650.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 173,930 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,150,652.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BK. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Bank of New York Mellon from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $65.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $61.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $75.00 target price (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $68.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.14. View Our Latest Stock Report on Bank of New York Mellon Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 1.0 % BK traded up $0.69 during trading on Friday, hitting $67.94. The stock had a trading volume of 1,330,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,790,422. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $63.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.07. The company has a market capitalization of $50.81 billion, a PE ratio of 15.60, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.09. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a twelve month low of $39.66 and a twelve month high of $67.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.70. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The bank reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $4.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.53 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a net margin of 9.40% and a return on equity of 11.87%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.38 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 5.6 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of New York Mellon Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.47 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 22nd. This is a positive change from Bank of New York Mellons previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.77%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio is 43.52%. Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Border port witnesses booming China-Vietnam trade Xinhua) 15:39, August 30, 2024 NANNING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Upon arrival at Youyiguan, or Friendship Pass, on the China-Vietnam border, visitors are greeted by the pungent odor of durian. Though the peak season for selling durian is over, customs officials at the pass are still busy handling these thorny fruits from Vietnam upon their entrance into China's sprawling market. Fruit-loaded trucks and self-organized tourists are now common sights at Youyiguan Port, China's main gateway to Vietnam located in the city of Pingxiang, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Established in the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), the pass boasts a history of more than 2,000 years. Barbettes that once defended the port are now scenic spots, while officials there welcome goods and tourists with speed and streamlined procedures. "Our inspections are strict, but we also have services such as bookings for 24/7 clearance and quick lab tests to greatly shorten the passage time for fruits imported from ASEAN members," said Huang Feifei, a customs official at the port. Notably, a clearance can be completed within as little as 15 seconds at this port. "All we need to do is a scan of our faces and fingerprints," a truck driver told Xinhua. Officials said the port had handled 310,000 vehicles passing through it as of Aug. 22 -- marking yearly growth of around 20 percent. Apart from streams of trucks, cross-border tourists are also showing up in larger numbers. The port's hustle and bustle testifies to the booming economic links between China and Vietnam, with the two countries having ramped up cooperation in terms of trade and infrastructure to dock the Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam's Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy. China has also become Vietnam's main durian export market after Vietnamese durians, known for their longer harvest season and lower prices, gained market access to China under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework in 2022. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, annual trade value between China and Vietnam surpassed 200 billion U.S. dollars over the past three years, a huge jump from 2.4 billion U.S. dollars back in 2000. In the first seven months of 2024, bilateral trade reached 145 billion U.S. dollars, marking an annual increase of 20.9 percent. The trade boom has also been fueled by an online shopping spree in recent years. A few miles away in a cross-border e-commerce center, Vietnamese-speaking anchors are advertising Chinese-made cosmetics and garments via live broadcasts. During the mid-year promotional season in July, one live broadcast held at the center saw orders soaring to 6 million yuan (843,000 U.S. dollars). Within two days after orders are placed, these goods can arrive in distribution centers in Vietnam thanks to fast-tracked clearance at the border pass, according to the center. "Cross-border e-commerce is the new order of the day. It is injecting new vitality into the economy of the border areas," said Zhou Yunbiao, director of Pingxiang's service center for e-commerce development. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Wells Fargo employee in Tempe, Ariz., was found dead in her cubicle four days after arriving for work. Associated Press A Wells Fargo employee in Tempe, Ariz., was found dead in her cubicle four days after arriving for work. Denise Prudhomme, 60, was discovered by a co-worker on Aug. 20, having clocked in at 7 a.m. on Aug. 16. Emergency services personnel pronounced her dead at 4:55 p.m., the Tempe Police Department said. While police are investigating her death, foul play is not suspected. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Wells Fargo spokesperson said the San Francisco companys leadership was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. They added, Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time. Before the discovery, workers had reported a foul odor in the building but attributed it to plumbing issues. Prudhommes cubicle was on the corporate offices third floor, away from the main workspace. Many employees work remotely, but the building is staffed with round-the-clock security. Its really heartbreaking, a co-worker told Tempes 12News. Im thinking, What if I were just sitting there? No one would check on me? Another commented, To hear shes been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick. And nobody did anything. Thats how she spent her last moments. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Veeva Systems (NYSE:VEEV Get Free Report) updated its FY25 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $6.22 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $6.16. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.704-2.710 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.71 billion. Veeva Systems also updated its FY 2025 guidance to 6.220-6.220 EPS. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Veeva Systems from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Veeva Systems from $256.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Veeva Systems from $210.00 to $173.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 31st. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Veeva Systems from $180.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Veeva Systems from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $230.13. Get Veeva Systems alerts: View Our Latest Report on Veeva Systems Veeva Systems Stock Performance VEEV opened at $217.00 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $35.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.80. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $187.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $202.03. Veeva Systems has a twelve month low of $162.72 and a twelve month high of $236.90. Veeva Systems (NYSE:VEEV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 28th. The technology company reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $676.18 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $667.21 million. Veeva Systems had a net margin of 22.34% and a return on equity of 12.74%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Veeva Systems will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Jonathan Faddis sold 2,353 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $470,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,035 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,807,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Timothy S. Cabral sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.33, for a total value of $2,764,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 8,391 shares in the company, valued at $1,546,713.03. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Jonathan Faddis sold 2,353 shares of Veeva Systems stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $470,600.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 9,035 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,807,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.50% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Veeva Systems (Get Free Report) Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and analytics solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Veeva Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veeva Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (CVE:WI Get Free Report) traded down 4.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$0.42 and last traded at C$0.45. 66,600 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 47% from the average session volume of 45,164 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.47. Western Investment Company of Canada Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.93, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.07. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$0.47 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.49. The company has a market cap of C$12.69 million, a PE ratio of -47.00 and a beta of 0.77. Get Western Investment Company of Canada alerts: Western Investment Company of Canada (CVE:WI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 27th. The company reported C($0.02) EPS for the quarter. Western Investment Company of Canada had a negative return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 32.37%. The company had revenue of C($0.04) million during the quarter. About Western Investment Company of Canada The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited, is a private equity firm specializing in buyout and middle market investments. It seeks investments in retail and distribution, human services, agriculture and related services and special situations. The firm prefers to invest in USA and Canada with a focus in companies which are headquartered in Western Canada like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Western Investment Company of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Western Investment Company of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A workman removes a character from a sign on the X (formerly Twitter) headquarters building in San Francisco in 2023. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Associated Press The new X logo is seen being installed on the top of the companys San Francisco headquarters in 2023. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle A view of X headquarters in San Francisco in August. Elon Musk is closing Xs San Francisco headquarters on Sept. 13. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Elon Musk has finally settled on a date he plans to shut down Xs headquarters in San Francisco, marking the social media companys long-anticipated exit from the city. In a staff memo issued on Thursday and obtained by Fortune, leadership at the company formerly known as Twitter informed employees that the Mid-Market office will close on Friday, Sept. 13. Employees stationed at the San Francisco location will be relocated to new offices in San Jose or Palo Alto. The headquarters are expected to move to Austin, aligning with Musks other ventures like Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the exact closure date was previously unknown, hints of an imminent move were given earlier this month by CEO Linda Yaccarino, who mentioned the office would close over the next few weeks. Friday the 13th carries a reputation for being particularly ominous, steeped in superstition. The dates notoriety is largely fueled by its portrayal in popular culture through movies, books and media that highlight its supposed unluckiness. X, which has discontinued its media relations department, did not comment on the closing date. This is an important decision that impacts many of you, but it is the right one for our company in the long term, Yaccarino wrote in an earlier memo. Last month, The Chronicle reported the company sought to sublease most of its San Francisco office space. Shortly after, Musk disclosed plans to relocate X and SpaceXs headquarters to Texas without detailing the fate of their California offices. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The intended retention of X offices in Silicon Valley follows Musks similar strategy for Tesla, which shifted its headquarters to Austin but maintained an engineering second headquarters in Palo Alto and a large plant in Fremont. X established its Mid-Market headquarters in 2011, occupying a historic former furniture mart. The company has been reducing its office footprint since the pandemics remote work shift and following Musks acquisition and subsequent layoffs. The Mid-Market building has seen its share of controversies since Musks takeover, including disputes over permits for makeshift bedrooms and an unapproved X rooftop sign, which was later removed. In addition, X faced a lawsuit from its landlord over alleged unpaid rent, a case that was dismissed in March. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In this photo illustration, the BioMarin Pharmaceutical logo is seen on a smartphone and a computer screen. The Bay Area company has announced layoffs. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images BioMarin Pharmaceutical, a biotech firm based in San Rafael that specializes in treatments for rare diseases, is set to lay off approximately 225 employees. This comes just a week after a significant executive reorganization within the company. According to an SEC filing, the firm announced it will reduce its global workforce by an additional 7%, following a previous announcement in May regarding 170 layoffs. Tech layoffs: Here are the job cuts impacting Bay Area workers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Affected employees were informed by Wednesday, and the company anticipates completing both rounds of layoffs by the end of this year. BioMarin, founded in 1997, attributed the workforce reductions to organizational redesign efforts. The firm projects one-time severance and termination expenses ranging from $30 million to $35 million, predominantly in the second half of 2024. Earlier this month, BioMarin announced plans to prioritize the development of Roctavian, a hemophilia treatment. Consequently, it will discontinue the development of BMN 293, aimed at treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition characterized by thickened heart muscles. BioMarin is in the process of developing a new corporate strategy and a critical component of delivering on this strategy is to ensure that BioMarin is structured in a way that will position the company for continued success in the future, a company spokesperson said in a statement. As part of the new strategy, and because of changes related to our pipeline and business priorities going forward, our workforce was impacted. The recent leadership shakeup saw Dr. Greg Friberg appointed chief research and development officer and Dr. James Sabry as chief business officer. The new Roctavian strategy targets the United States, Germany and Italy, aiming to reduce annual expenses to $60 million by 2025. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. Army has awarded a $1.3 billion contract to the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, to produce Javelin anti-tank weapons. This contract marks the largest single-year Javelin production deal in the programs history, significantly boosting the production of these critically important weapons systems. Get alerts: The contract is a follow-on award from an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) production agreement initially signed in May 2023. This agreement aims to manufacture Javelin systems and associated equipment through fiscal years 2023 to 2026, with a potential total value reaching $7.2 billion. Production Ramp-Up to Meet Growing Demand Since the initial IDIQ contract was awarded in 2023, the JJV has ramped production efforts to meet the escalating demand for Javelin missiles. The goal is to reach an annual production rate of 3,960 all-up rounds by the end of 2026. This ambitious target reflects the global surge in demand for the weapon, driven in part by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Javelin missiles have proven remarkably effective against Russian armored vehicles. Javelins Effectiveness in Ukraine Global Demand and New Customers The Javelins performance in Ukraine has been a pivotal factor in globally recognizing its capabilities. The weapons ability to engage and destroy armored vehicles from a safe distance has given Ukrainian forces a significant tactical advantage. The Javelins top-attack design, which allows it to strike the vulnerable top armor of tanks, has proven particularly effective against Russian tanks, many of which were designed with thick frontal armor. The new $1.3 billion contract acknowledges the Javelins growing prominence on the global stage. Beyond meeting the needs of the US Army, the contract includes the production of over 4,000 Javelin missiles to replenish stocks used in Ukraine. The contract also reflects the weapons appeal to new international customers. Kosovo has recently joined the list of Javelin users, joining other new customers such as Albania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Morocco, Thailand, and Brazil. These international partnerships further underscore the Javelins versatility and effectiveness in a wide range of operational environments. Strategic Partnerships and Production Capabilities The Javelin Joint Venture demonstrates a powerful collaborative approach to meeting complex defense requirements. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have combined their strengths and expertise to produce a highly effective weapon system. The JJV has already manufactured over 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable command launch units through its Tucson, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida production facilities. The Javelins Impact Beyond the Battlefield The Javelins success has had a ripple effect beyond the battlefield. The weapons technological advancements and production capabilities have generated economic growth in the defense industry, creating jobs and boosting regional economies. The increased production has also stimulated innovation and research, leading to further refinements of the Javelin system and the development of related technologies. Javelins Capabilities and Significance The Javelin is a shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget anti-armor system designed to engage and destroy a wide variety of armored targets, including main battle tanks. Its advanced guidance system allows for precise targeting and engagement from a safe distance, making it a highly effective weapon for defensive and offensive operations. Future Outlook The $1.3 billion contract represents a significant investment in the future of the Javelin program. As global security threats continue to evolve, the Javelins proven effectiveness and adaptability make it a critical tool for modern militaries worldwide. With its commitment to innovation and production, the Javelin Joint Venture is well-positioned to meet its customers evolving needs and ensure the Javelin remains a key component of global defense strategies for years to come. A vigil was held in Derrys Guildhall to remember the two women killed in County Derry in the past week. Organised by Foyle Womens Aid and Alliance for Choice Derry, Thursday evenings event included a minutes silence for Montserrat Martorell (65) who was killed last weekend in the city and for Sophie Watson (57), who was killed in Magherafelt. Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Womens Aid, read out the 22 names of the women to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, calling for more action to be taken in combating the violence to women. Goretti Horgan of Alliance for Choice, who chaired the vigil, wished to show a sign of solidarity to the families of the victims. She said: We are here too often to remember murdered women. More women are killed per capita in Northern Ireland per capita than any other part of Europe. We wanted to have this vigil to remember the two women killed in the same week in County Derry, Sophie Watson killed in Magherafelt and Montserrat Martorell, who were murdered in our own city. We need to show solidarity with the families of these women and every woman who is living in fear and may be unable to leave their violent situation. Ciara OConnor-Pozo read out a poem in Spanish to pay tribute to Montserrat in her national tongue and spoke after the vigil. She said: I felt it was important to have first of all a sign of respect because Montserrat, she has been a rumour on social media and around the town the last couple of days, and I think we lose sight of the fact that these are not just headlines or figures; they are human beings who have tragically been taken from us. So I felt it was important to incorporate a bit of Spanish into this to acknowledge her culture and background into the vigil. Montserrat and Sophie are two individuals; people are grieving for them, so I wanted to add a personal touch. I am sad and angry that we have had to hold this vigil, the fact that violence against women is so endemic and that it continues. I think it is really important that Derry For Choice organise these vigils as a sign of respect but also to keep talking about the men who dont respect womens bodily autonomy, the fact we are human beings, and fight against the dehumanisation of women to the point where men murder women. Dozens of people gathered in Guildhall Square to pay their respect, including Caroline McGuinness-Brooks, who runs Repair and Share Foyle. She said: Women and men have to stand together; we have to show up in support against acts of violence, and we have to be teaching our children to be kind and be good, to look after one another. Montserrat was from out of town, and Im here because I want her family and friends in Spain to see that Derry people are mourning her, and we support them in their time of need. Two dynamic young disabled men have created a frank and funny new podcast that highlights the need for greater representation and accessibility in the Film and Television Industry. Filmmakers Adam OConnor (21) from Omagh and Riain O Conchobair (30) from Dungiven bring their unique experiences and perspectives to their podcast One Arm No Legs, shining a light on the hurdles people face in trying to break into an industry rife with barriers to entry while also empowering listeners with the tools and insights into this captivating field. With the support of film company Triplevision Productions and Innovation Factory, they produced this podcast documenting their journey as they try to advance in Northern Irelands film industry. We know this is an incredibly competitive industry that is notoriously difficult to get into but we fear that some employers may underestimate what we can do. We want to have an open conversation about this while also encouraging other young people to try to fulfil their dreams, Adam said. The podcast name was one way the men confront perceptions of disability. Adam has right-sided hemiplegia, which means he cant use one arm, and right-sided hemianopia, resulting in the loss of vision on side. Both, he explains, are the result of a stroke before he was born. Riain was born with a heart condition and had a heart transplant at 18. A complication after surgery meant he needed to have both legs amputated above the knees and now has prosthetic legs. We know there are some things we cant do but that wont stop us. Making a film is a team effort and there is modern technology that allows us to adapt. I know what I can do but I just need the opportunity to prove it, Riain said. The pair came together through disabled-led independent production company Triplevision based at the Innovation Factory in Belfast. Gerard Stratton from Triplevision explained that he developed a chronic illness after picking up a water borne virus while filming in Malawi 20 years ago. This led to him having a stoma and he must navigate the chronic fatigue and daily hurdles that people with stomas live with while working in this fast-paced industry. There are days that I feel terrible and have to push myself to work. On those days I work in the editing studio rather than going out to film. I think flexibility and job sharing are essential to giving more people opportunities, he said. Adam came to Triplevision through Northern Ireland Screens CINE (Creative Industries New Entrants) programme, which aims to broaden access to the industry at entry level. When Adam first arrived seven months ago, he told the company his dream was to be a director and that he wanted to understand the job of a cameraman. Triplevision adapted a special pouch that helps Adam handle the camera and he has spent a lot of time filming for the company. Riain has already produced and written a number of short films including a horror called Chieftains Curse, which has won a number of film festival awards. I am freelancing at the moment but would love to get a job within a company and, hopefully down the line, start my own business, he said. Gerard from Triplevision added: Its about finding out what a person can do and adapting to it and letting them try. These are two young men trying to make it in the film industry and when we chatted about the obstacles they need to overcome, the idea for the podcast was born. Innovation Factory gave the pair space in a communal meeting room to film the podcast, using three cameras. Innovation Factory is owned by Belfast City Council and operated on its behalf by Oxford Innovation Space. Shane Smith, IF Engagement Manager, said: IF focuses on collaborating with innovators and entrepreneurs. Our aim is to make a difference to the lives of future generations through a culture of innovation. These two young men have boundless energy and talent and they are communicating through this innovative podcast. Adam and Riain have now filmed the six podcast episodes, which will be broadcast on YouTube and through Spotify. The guests include a young woman with autism who is now working as a trainee at the BBC, a representative from CINE which is supporting disabled people into film careers, a young, disabled student from Queens University, a representative from NI Union of Supported Employment and a manager from Usel, a social enterprise helping people with disabilities get into employment. Adam added: We are passionate about filmmaking and we are both aiming high. We hope this podcast changes some opinions on what is possible. To watch or listen to the podcast, go to Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/jP28cvdJYLb, YouTube: https://youtu.be/BgwyZjsrCPY?si=NDaTTFsCAg0t9qR0. It will also be screened on NVTV Freeview Channel 7 and Virgin Channel 159 on a date soon to be announced. People gather on Lester Beach in South Lake Tahoe. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s to the mid-80s in the Tahoe basin for Labor Day weekend. Gado/Gado via Getty Images Meteorological fall officially begins Sunday, but Californias summer heat will continue Labor Day weekend. Tranquil weather throughout much of the state will make for smooth holiday travel, but a weather system Sunday into Monday will increase wind gusts across Northern California. A wildfire in the southern Sierra may continue to bring poor air quality to other popular recreational areas. Heres the full Labor Day weekend forecast for the Golden State. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bay Area forecast Tranquil weather is expected in the Bay Area for the holiday weekend as west-southwest winds keep marine air flowing from the ocean to the land, preventing temperatures from climbing too high. Sunday will be the windiest day of the extended weekend, with gusts up to 30 mph. Along the coast, the ebb and flow to the marine layer will keep temperatures in San Francisco in the 60s to low 70s with morning and evening clouds from Friday through Monday. Oakland should reach the mid-70s each day, while San Jose will steadily be in the low to mid-80s. Wine Country and the inland East Bay will generally be in the 80s, but a marine layer cloud bank may keep temperatures in the North Bay in the mid- to upper 70s Sunday before a bounce-back Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Valley forecast Hot weather will persist in the Central Valley on Friday and Saturday. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 90s in Sacramento and Fresno and around 100 in Redding and Bakersfield. These temperatures are typical for late August in the valley, but visitors from cooler climates should drink plenty of water and remain in the shade to avoid heat-related health impacts. Cooler winds are predicted to arrive in the San Joaquin Valley on Sunday and Monday, dropping temperatures below 100 degrees. In the Sacramento Valley, highs should be about 5 degrees below normal Monday, in the upper 80s to near 90. Mountain forecast Sunny, warm conditions are expected in the Sierra Nevada through Sunday. Highs will be in the low 80s in the Tahoe basin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with overnight lows dropping to the 40s. A weak system Monday will drop temperatures and increase wind gusts. Highs are expected to slide to the mid-70s, with wind gusts of 40 mph or greater along ridgelines and up to 30 mph on the shore of Lake Tahoe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the southern Sierra, the Coffee Pot Fire may continue to grow with hot weather expected over the weekend. The wildfire is burning in the southwest corner of Sequoia National Park and resulting in heavy smoke throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks. Air quality is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups at the Foothills Visitor Center and very unhealthy at the Mineral King Ranger Station. Current information is available at fire.airnow.gov. Thunderstorms are possible across the higher terrain of Southern California on Friday and Saturday, including in the San Bernardino Mountains. Storms are most likely in the afternoon and early evening. Coastal forecast The marine layer will remain in full force along the Central Coast this weekend, with morning clouds giving way to partial afternoon clearing. Temperatures will be near normal in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur, in the upper 60s. Farther south, highs in San Luis Obispo are forecast to be near 80, with patchy morning clouds. Along the Southern California coastline, a consistent weather pattern is expected over the weekend, with the marine layer keeping temperatures in the 70s to near 80 in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Oceanside and San Diego. Inland Orange County and Los Angeles will be hotter, with highs in the mid-80s to low 90s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The next few days will see little change in the weather pattern, with moderate onshore flow keeping temperatures near to slightly below normal and low clouds developing each night across (the) coast and valleys, the weather service in Los Angeles wrote in an online forecast. Overall a very low-impact weather pattern except for some patchy dense fog during the night and morning hours, mainly north of (Point) Conception. The deep marine layer is expected to extend all the way to the Oregon border this weekend, with mostly cloudy conditions from Point Arena to Redwoods National Park. A weak low-pressure system may result in areas of drizzle in Mendocino and Del Norte counties Sunday and Monday, with a very slight chance of a thunderstorm near the Oregon border Monday. United Against Racism Derry and North West have hit out at those who spread online rumors in regards to the tragic murder of Montserrat Martorell in Derry last weekend. Montserrat Martorell, 65, was found dead in a flat in Harvey Street on Saturday, 24 August. A man has been remanded in custody charged with her murder. In addition to the charge of murder, the man has been charged with rape and arson with intent to endanger life. UAR spokesperson Davy McAuley said: "The brutal killing of a woman in Derry was truly shocking and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims family and friends. "It is deeply concerning that within hours of the brutal murder of a woman rampant misinformation was being spread online regarding this incident. "Individuals and groups attempting to exploit this tragedy to further their own racist agendas, spreading lies and inciting hatred. "This behavior is not only disrespectful to the victim and their loved ones but also dangerous to our community. "We have seen similar tactics after the tragic killings in Southport. False information was disseminated to stir up racial tensions and bring more racist violence onto our streets. "Some people may innocently share this misinformation but there is no doubt that those creating it and disseminating it are trying to cause society to fracture. "Racism and hate have no place in our society. Derry people are better than obnoxious lies and damaging trope filled horror stories to exploit a brutal murder. "People need to think before spreading dangerous misinformation. Lies on social media have real world consequences." A move to end the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners is to be extended to Northern Ireland, Stormonts Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed. Mr Lyons said he strongly disagreed with the move by the Labour Government but said there was no additional resource which would allow the region to diverge from the UK decision. Meanwhile, the Stormont Executive has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raising concern that the change will have a negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland. Labour has said that the policy will stop winter fuel payments for people in England and Wales who are not in receipt of Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. Mr Lyons has now confirmed that the change will also apply to Northern Ireland. He said: On 29 July 2024 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales would be restricted to those people receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits only. I strongly disagree with this decision. The estimated additional cost to the block grant of maintaining universal entitlement to a winter fuel payment in Northern Ireland for winter 2024/25 is 44.3 million, and this does not include any additional delivery or staffing costs. Regrettably, there is no additional resource available in the budget to allow us to diverge from the UK Government decision without significantly cutting other public services. I have made clear to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions my total opposition to this decision and outlined the detrimental impact it will have on many people in Northern Ireland. I am committed to ensuring that people can access all the support to which they are entitled and would encourage anyone affected by these changes to check their benefit entitlement. Meanwhile, all of the Stormont ministers have written collectively to the Prime Minister on the issue. The letter, seen by the PA news agency, states that ministers convey our collective concern at your Governments intended changes to the Winter Fuel Payments Scheme. It goes on to say that the decision will have a direct and negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland who are already struggling with the consequences of the rise in the cost of living. Mike Nesbitt started his first tenure as Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader by declaring he wanted to make history. The 67-year-old is set to do that 12 years later in a more unexpected manner than perhaps anticipated by becoming the first person to take the helm of the UUP for a second time. The unusual situation came about following an out-of-the-blue resignation announcement from the outgoing leader Doug Beattie last week. Mr Nesbitt was the longest-serving leader of five in 14 years of Northern Irelands second largest unionist party. That succession of leaders from Tom Elliott in 2010, Mr Nesbitt from 2012, Robin Swann from 2017, Steve Aiken from 2019 and Mr Beattie from 2021 all struggled to dent the vote of its chief unionist rivals the DUP while also apparently losing votes to the centre-ground Alliance Party. During Mr Nesbitts first tenure, the party recovered from a devastating general election in 2010 where it did not win a single seat, to winning two seats at the 2015 general election. Mr Nesbitt resigned in 2017 following disappointing election results in the Assembly poll. His leadership was remembered for the UUP forming closer bonds with the SDLP, including an intention to form a joint opposition in the Stormont Assembly. Born in Belfast, Mr Nesbitt became a household name in Northern Ireland through his broadcasting career. After leaving UTV in 2006, he went on to be appointed Commissioner of Victims and Survivors in 2008. Mr Nesbitt switched lanes to politics in 2010, running unsuccessfully to become MP for Strangford, before becoming elected as an MLA for the same constituency in 2011, and the very next year became the leader of the UUP. After decisively winning the UUP leadership following a contest with John McCallister, Mr Nesbitt became the first leader who was not a member of the Orange Order. He later ruffled unionist feathers by forging a closer relationship with the SDLP. He described the UUP and SDLP, previously the dominant forces in Northern Ireland, as being able to challenge the current DUP and Sinn Fein leadership. Addressing his party conference in 2016, Mr Nesbitt urged Vote me, you get Colum. Vote Colum, you get me, in a bid to get a whole new middle-ground politics, dedicated to making Northern Ireland work, whatever our motivations. He added while they did not agree on everything, they could find a way of doing business together. Following his first stint at leadership, Mr Nesbitt remained a prominent party representative. Recently he took over as Stormont Health Minister from Robin Swann as he successfully contested this years general election in South Antrim. Three issues remain following ASE's plans in Kyushu Taiwan-based OSAT, ASE, signed a tentative contract with the government of Kitakyushu in Kyushu, Japan, to buy land in Kitakyushu's Wakamatsu-ku where they would attempt to expand production capacity. Japanese media believe that to successfully convince ASE to expand production in Kitakyushu, three issues remain to be observed. ASE announced at the end of July 2024 that it had signed a contract with Kitakyushu through its subsidiary in Japan, ASE Japan. JPY3.416 billion (US$23.8 million) will be used to buy land within Wakamatsu-ku's Kitakyushu Science and Research Park. This piece of land is about 160 thousand square meters, in a crescent shape, and situated on a small hill. It is the only industrial land left within Kitakyushu Science and Research Park. Research institutes have already been established there, including those under the University of Kyushu, the Kyushu Institute of Technology, and Waseda University. Buying land in Kitakyushu is part of ASE's expansion overseas. ASE's CEO, Dr. Tien Wu, once stated in an interview after a shareholders meeting in June 2024 that to adapt to risks brought by geopolitical issues, ASE will be distributing its production sites to various locations overseas. Possible locations include Japan, the United States, and Mexico. In addition, these locations do not exclude the import of advanced packaging technology such as AI chips. On Japan's end, ASE purchasing land in Kitakyushu in preparation to expand production is thought to be another foreign investment that would further complete Kyushu's semiconductor supply chain after TSMC's factory establishment in Kumamoto. If ASE establishes a factory in Kitakyushu, it could create a partnership with the front-end process foundry factory of TSMC's Japan-based subsidiary, JASM. However, Nikkei believes that there are still three issues waiting to be solved for ASE to successfully expand production. Lack of available construction companies First, they need to find a company to build the factory. According to data compiled by MLIT, construction companies with their main quarters in the Kyushu and Okinawa areas have received an annual increase of 11% in order numbers for 2023 (April 2023-March 2024). In particular, investments in semiconductor facility construction have hugely increased since 2021 when TSMC announced plans to establish its Kumamoto factory. Within two years, investments increased by more than JPY1 trillion. Due to various construction work happening at the same time including TSMC's stationing in Kumamoto and the reconstruction of Fukuoka's city center, it is very difficult to find large construction companies. In addition, businesses for the factory's electrical equipment and air conditioning are also busy with construction projects, including Rohm's new power semiconductor device factory in Kyushu which will begin operations by the end of 2024, and Taskawa Electric's main factory in Kitakyushu. ASE expressed that it hopes to coordinate with the local government as local governments often have close ties with related businesses through public utilities. Potentially small subsidy size The second problem is the subsidy size provided by the Japanese government. The Japanese government gives large subsidies for the establishment of semiconductor front-end process factories. For example, TSMC's first and second foundry factories received subsidies totaling JPY1.2 trillion. However, subsidies for back-end processes are comparatively smaller and mostly given towards advanced packaging relating to AI chips. For example, Rapidus, currently establishing its factory in Hokkaido, received a subsidy of JPY53.5 billion for research and development in advanced packaging. Whether ASE would be able to receive a bigger subsidy is dependent on whether it will bring in the advanced technology desired by the Japanese government. Lack of expandable land Finally, whether the industrial land purchased by ASE has expandable land is also very important. A government official of Kitakyushu revealed that the industrial land ASE has its eye on can be expanded to 10 hectares with four installments. However, in this planned area in Kitakyushu Science and Research Park, almost all land has been sold or has tentative contracts signed. Meanwhile, the 68-hectare reserved area on the west side is made up of mostly wooded and hilly lands, there are many unresolved issues such as development restrictions and the presence of multiple landowners. Samsung's foundry service growth hinges on AI, HPC, and automotive sectors As the global semiconductor foundry market shows signs of recovery, Samsung Electronics continues to trail significantly behind sector leader TSMC in market share. Additionally, it is facing substantial financial losses. Samsung's future success in wafer foundry development hinges on its ability to transition into AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive electronics manufacturing. According to data from market research firm Counterpoint Research, Samsung's market share in the foundry business was 13% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to TSMC's 62%, maintaining the same gap as in the first quarter. Although Samsung's foundry sales increased by 23% year-over-year due to growing demand for AI semiconductors and IT end devices, the increased orders mainly came from startups. Securing major clients remains difficult, making it challenging to close the gap with TSMC. Industry sources predict that if current trends continue, Samsung's foundry business will incur losses exceeding KRW1 trillion (approx. US$750 million) in 2024. Samsung has been expanding its capital expenditure to maintain competitiveness in advanced processes, but with orders concentrated in lower-profitability mobile devices and rising fixed costs, the company still struggles to escape losses. Expanding the revenue share of the more profitable AI and HPC sectors is the biggest task for Samsung's foundry business. According to TSMC's earnings call, HPC accounted for 52% of its sales in the second quarter, an increase of 6 pp quarter-over-quarter. In contrast, Samsung Foundry's main sales driver remains its mobile business, with HPC accounting for only 19% of its revenue in 2023. In 2024, Samsung announced at its foundry forum that it aims to adjust its revenue mix by 2028, with targets of 30% from the mobile business and 45% from HPC. Securing competitiveness in the automotive electronics sector is another major task. TSMC is constructing a wafer fab in Dresden, aiming for operation by 2027, to meet the demand of nearby automakers and expand orders. While Samsung has relocated its European headquarters to Munich and has been actively securing foundry-related talent, there is no clear information on orders this year. In this context, Samsung plans to hold a foundry forum in Germany in October 2024 to secure automotive component customers. The company is expected to announce mass production plans for its most advanced 2nm automotive electronics solutions. The rapid advancements of China's SMIC and Taiwan's UMC are drawing attention from the South Korean industry. Although these companies have less experience in advanced process R&D and mass production compared to Samsung, they are gradually increasing their market share through competitive pricing, government support, and collaboration with local IC design houses. For example, over 30% of SMIC's revenue comes from Samsung smartphone orders, and its revenue is expected to grow by up to 15% quarter-over-quarter in the third quarter of 2024. Industry sources noted that as the third-quarter peak season approaches, revenue for all foundry companies is expected to increase, but Samsung's market share performance doesn't stand out. To close the gap with TSMC, securing large clients will be more critical than the number of clients. For this purpose, Samsung is not only striving to secure clients in the 3nm and 2nm markets but also accelerating the construction of production facilities, such as its Taylor plant in the US. Additionally, Samsung's Device Solutions (DS) division began its regular recruitment drive in early September 2024, and the company is actively participating in forums in the US and Taiwan to secure talent. Gogoro enters Nepal through partnership with Nebula Energy According to Gogoro's press release, Nebula Energy and Gogoro have announced the upcoming launch of Gogoro's battery-swapping technology and Smartscooters in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, scheduled for October 2024. This announcement was made at the NADA Auto Show in Kathmandu. The collaboration will introduce two new models to Nepal: the Gogoro Pulse and JEGO Smartscooters, alongside the existing CrossOver GX250, which will be exclusively available through Nebula Energy. Additionally, the companies revealed plans to establish 45 battery-swapping stations across the Kathmandu Valley. The partnership follows a successful pilot program that began in April 2024, which involved strategic B2B partners Foodmandu and Jum Jum. Horace Luke, founder and CEO of Gogoro, emphasized Nepal's commitment to clean energy and the country's incentives for electric two-wheel vehicles. He highlighted the goal of surpassing the number of gas stations with battery-swapping stations as part of Nepal's sustainable transportation transformation. Manoj Goyal, chairman of Nebula Energy, affirmed the company's dedication to supporting Nepal's zero-emission targets through sustainable mobility and technology in partnership with Gogoro. Sahayu Goyal, managing director of Nebula, noted that technology is crucial for the mass adoption of electric two-wheelers. He highlighted how Gogoro's battery-swapping solution addresses key consumer concerns. Nebula Energy will open the first Gogoro showroom in Kathmandu in September 2024, where customers can test-ride the scooters and make pre-bookings at an introductory price for October delivery. The 45 battery-swapping stations will be strategically positioned every 2-3 kilometers at petrol stations, malls, and other key locations to maximize accessibility for riders. Nebula Energy aims to eventually exceed the number of petrol stations with its battery-swapping stations in Nepal. Nebula Energy is currently offering battery-swapping services to select B2B partners for the GX250 models. 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. Louth Independent TD, Peter Fitzpatrick, has announced today that he will not contest the next general election. Deputy Fitzpatrick, who has been a TD since being elected in 2011, released a statement this morning, outlining why he will not be standing in the next election. In his statement he said: "It is with a mix of emotions, a deep sense of responsibility and reflection that I announce that I will not contest the next general election. This decision was not made lightly. "The biggest highlight for me was being able to help the people of County Louth and East Meath with situations ranging across the spectrum; ranging from housing and planning to health and medical care, and everything in between; in one of the busiest constituency offices in the country. "I am very proud of my efforts in helping to create a more caring and compassionate Ireland. Among my most important campaigns was the opposition of the legalisation of abortion in Ireland of which I felt very strongly about. I have also always been an advocate for affordable and sustainable housing as this is a cornerstone of stable communities. "Myself and my colleagues in the Regional Group of Independent TDs have also been united in advocating for the interests of Regional Ireland. We have pushed for; and continue to do so in the upcoming Budget; a thorough review of tax credits and the social welfare system to ensure that employment remains financially rewarding, while also pushing for reform to the medical card income guidelines in order to ensure access and expanding healthcare. "Our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and their carers is unwavering, and I was delighted to chair the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group event titled Caring for Us as We Age: A Proactive Approach on Nursing Homes. I intend to continue to be a strong and forceful advocate nationally for improved care and supports for all into the future. These milestones would not have been possible without the collaboration and collective efforts of this group of independent TDs. "I am very proud to have gained election to Dail Eireann on three separate occasions, including doing the seemingly impossible and being voted in as an Independent. This milestone was both challenging and rewarding and was a collective effort supported by an incredible network of individuals. "I want to thank the voters from County Louth and East Meath for backing me over the last 14 years. I have always tried to deliver for them and make them proud. Throughout my working life I have enjoyed the heartfelt support of the people of my constituency. I have deeply appreciated their loyalty and goodwill which made my job representing them all that more satisfying. "I have loved every day of public life. I have had opportunities in politics that I could never have dreamt possible. From the very first day I was elected, Ive had the people of Dundalk, Louth and East Meath to the fore of my mind. Ive spent my time as a representative striving to make a positive impact on the lives of constituents, raising issues for our town and county and fighting the corner of those whose needed a voice, who needed a helping hand. Ive been so proud to represent you all. "I am indebted to my colleagues in the Regional Group of TDs for their ongoing support, guidance, friendship and commitment to regional issues. It has been an immense privilege to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a commitment to advancing our shared goals. I would like to thank my colleagues in Leinster House; of all political persuasion; thank you for the many friendships and commitments forged over the years. "I would like to thank my wonderful wife Ann, my children and my extended family including my grandchildren for providing unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. "I want to pay tribute to my dedicated staff in my constituency office who made my success possible throughout my tenure. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank every single person who ever supported and campaigned for me these staff and volunteers were key to my re-election over the years, and I am very grateful to them all. "It has been my honour and privilege to represent the people of my hometown of Dundalk, County Louth and East-Meath in the Dail since 2011, and I look forward to continuing to do so for the remainder of this Dail term. The day I was chosen by the people of this constituency to represent them and advocate for their interests remains the proudest moment of my life, and I genuinely mean that, but now is the right time to explore new options and opportunities. "I remain committed to serving our community and contributing to its betterment in new capacities." The Government is examining more than 90 submissions for properties to lease or purchase for asylum seeker accommodation. At the end of April, The Department of Integration opened a submission process in a bid to source suitable properties for acquisition or lease as International Protection accommodation. As of August 26, the EOI has received 91 submissions. It is now evaluating the submissions received against a set of essential criteria to ensure compliance with national standards and mandatory requirements. Once this initial assessment stage has been completed, a number of proposals may not progress any further. All proposals deemed to have met the essential criteria will then move to a second assessment stage where a more detailed analysis will be undertaken including technical due diligence, property value, likely timeline and planning compliance, in addition to numerous further due diligence and financial protocols. Only properties that move through these gateways will be proposed as appropriate for purchase or lease. A Department spokesman said: Should a building progress to a point where it may be used, the Departments Community Engagement Team will contact local public representatives and statutory agencies. Meanwhile, the Department is working on establishing several reception centres as part of its response to a crisis in asylum seeker accommodation. Asked on Friday if any of these new centres will be operational before the general election which must be held by March at the latest, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said work will have initiated. He told RTE radio that he had not made any statement saying the centres would be delivered before the election. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code 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. August 30, 2024: The Russian war in Ukraine is currently not popular with most Russians. The government cannot hide the large number of Russian men who have died in Ukraine or returned disabled. After two years of futile fighting in Ukraine the Russians found that they could not get enough Russian men to join or stay in the military. Russian mothers are in an uproar over the government using conscripts to fight in Ukraine. The law specifies that conscripts cannot be used in a foreign war, only for the defense of Russia. Putin declared Ukraine to be a wayward part of Russia where conscripted soldiers must fight to make it part of Russia once more. Few Russian soldiers were willing to fight in Ukraine and the government solution was to pay the reluctant soldiers to do so. Military men were also offered large sums of cash to join the army. In major cities, men of military age often have the financial means to leave the country, legally or illegally, if the recruiters come after them. Many of these men have technical or professional skills that the government needs, so the military recruiters have to concentrate on rural areas where there are more men who need jobs and money. In the countryside the Russian practice of buying soldiers was more effective. The amount of money offered, which was often $20,000 or more, was a life changing sum for most Russians. Even if the soldiers died or were disabled, that amount of cash took care of his family. If the soldier returned from Ukraine, which some did early in the war, they had enough money to start a business. After the first year of the Ukraine War, the money offered increased, but so did the chances of getting killed in Ukraine. By 2024, there were few men in the provinces willing to fight in Ukraine for any amount of money. At that point the government began looking at men from other former parts of the Soviet Union. The five Central Asian states had plenty of poor, Russian speaking locals looking for work. They were willing to take the money to fight in Ukraine because Russia offered them residency permits to live and work in Russia after their military service. This attracted some recruits, even though these men knew their chances of surviving Ukrainian service were not high. Russia ultimately recruited soldiers from African or Asian countries, often without telling the local governments. These countries often exported, via local brokers, men for jobs in foreign countries. There were more applicants than jobs so when the Russian military recruiters showed up there were some men willing to take the money and fight in Ukraine. When a lot of these men got killed in Ukraine, it became a political embarrassment back home and the local governments began to ban the Russian recruiters. With large enough bribes, the local authorities could be persuaded to ignore Russian recruiting. This only lasted until a lot of local men were getting killed in Ukraine. At that point too many locals actively opposed the Russian recruiting and that was that. With all these problems, Russian personnel experts believe Russia will be out of soldiers by 2026. Moxy Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoys portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands, have announced they will open their new properties at Cork city this 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, one of the global leaders 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. One of the bedrooms at the Residence Inn, which is due to open in September. 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. 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. 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. Commenting on the anticipated opening 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. A busload of people with declining eyesight will set out from Cork this morning to head to Belfast for what could be the last such bus for some time. There they will undergo operations in private clinics to correct or remove the cataracts which are gradually blinding them. The bus organisers, Cork South West Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins, as well as Kerry Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae, will be meeting 15 cataract sufferers, each of whom will be accompanied by a family member, at the OBriens Filling Station, Bishopstown, at 7am before they make the long journey to Belfast. Reimbursement The reason this is the last journey for the present is the decision in early June to dramatically reduce the reimbursement the cataract sufferers received from the State under the Cross Border Health Scheme. Previously those availing of the scheme received a payment of almost 2,000 to reimburse them for the costs of the operation in Belfast but this will be reduced to just 1,173 on September 1. The plan in June, when the cut was first announced, had been to reduce it to 863 from July 1 but this amount was increased and the period extended in mid July. This will be the last bus for a while, but Id say I will be back doing them soon as the people who are going blind will have no other option, said Mr Collins. Unacceptable Referring to the proposed cut to the reimbursement, Mr Collins said that he had been in touch with the Department of Health to say that the slightly lower reduction was still unacceptable. Drop it on the basis that you can offer cataract surgery in Co Cork, otherwise leave it as it is, he said. In a letter sent to the Cork South West TD at the end of July, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that the Healthcare Pricing Office within the HSE set the price for all Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) based on the average cost of all public hospitals with activity in that particular DRG, and that this figure had updated during the summer for the first time in a number of years. Actor, TV presenter, sustainable fashion supporter and Cork woman Siobhan McSweeney has launched the 2024 Oxfam Ireland Second Hand September campaign. The campaign, which kicks off on September 1, highlights using sustainable and pre-loved fashion and aims to raise awareness around the impact of the textile industry on the planet. As part of the month long initiative, people are being encouraged to Dress for the World You Want and make conscious decisions around buying clothes second hand. Sustainable fashion Siobhan McSweeney is known for her many appearances on our screens, but she is also respected for her support of sustainable fashion and buying pre-loved clothes. The Cork woman she was happy to give her support as the lead ambassador for this campaign as it is a cause close to her heart. Ive learned lessons from being a poor student and then a poor actor. Later I gained a bit of income yet Im still shopping in the same places, which are all second-hand. There are more interesting clothes, the items are better quality, theyre more size inclusive. It makes sense to me as somebody who is interested in clothing, she said. My favourite element of buying second-hand is that I am not contributing to the mess and landfill, the Cork actor added. According to Oxfam, there is over 92m tons of textile waste produced each year and only 15% of textiles are recycled or donated. Oxfam are calling on people to embrace second-hand for a month and with a network of 48 shops throughout Ireland so there is no shortage of shops and clothes to choose from. Oxfam is asking the people of Ireland to come on board with the campaign using the hashtag #OxfamIrelandSHS to share their stories throughout the month. As calls have been made for more multi-denominational schools, a Cork principal has said that the current system of opt-out of religion classes in primary schools is undermining fundamental human rights. There are 13 multi-denominational primary and 12 secondary schools in Cork, compared to 307 Catholic primary and 46 secondary schools; 19 Church of Ireland primary and three secondary schools; and 24 inter-denominational secondary schools, the latter a mixture of Catholic and Church of Ireland. However, Cork enrolment figures suggest that demand is high for multi-denominational schools. Some 10,283 students attend just 25 multi-denominational schools, meaning there is an average of 411 pupils per school, whereas 99,461 pupils attend a religious school an average of 249 pupils per school. The Government has set a target of increasing the number of multi-denominational primary schools nationally to 400 by 2030, with Cork city-based school principal Colm OConnor saying: Weve no hope of reaching the 400 schools, but its also an arbitrary number we need to start from the point of view of fundamental rights. The teaching of religion has been reduced by half an hour a week to two hours, but schools can teach religion for longer if they wish to under new flexible time outlined last year in the NCCAs Revised Primary School Curriculum Framework. Mr OConnor explained this reduction still means that children whose parents opt them out will continue to sit in shame at the back of the class for 8% of their primary school lives, or approximately six months of teaching time. Six full months of school time sitting at the back of a class is longer than the covid closures. Thats the scale of lost tuition time, but its also shame time, he said. Six months of shame time, most parents wont put their kids through that, so thats the coercion. Theyre only not opting out because there is no effective opt-out alternative the whole debate is starting from the wrong position. The humiliation of these very young children undoubtedly acts as a deterrent to a larger group of parents who might also prefer that their children study a general ethics course. Whether they recognise it or not, these parents are experiencing a form of coercion, as fundamental rights should be easy to access and without the need for justification, or the need for significant effort or risk. He added that it remains acceptable even foreseen that religion would influence secular subjects such as history, geography, and science. This is unconscionable in a modern republic. The right to the freedom of conscience and the right not to be indoctrinated are fundamental rights, guaranteed not only by the Constitution, but also the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Ireland is a signatory. These rights are infringed in the vast majority of our State-funded schools. Mr OConnor called for the minister for education to consider the Ombudsman for Childrens Office 2017 report, which stated: In order for Ireland to comply with its international human rights obligations, a long-term goal should be the removal of denominational religious classes from State-funded schools. A spokesperson for The Department of Education told The Echo: The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion instruction classes is upheld, is a matter for the particular school concerned. They added: Education about Religious Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics is being considered as part of the new Social and Environmental curriculum specification set for the primary level. The Department is working on a survey which will ask parents their preferences on school patronage, they said, adding: Parental demand will be the key driver in meeting the programme for government target of 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030. August 30, 2024: After the Russians invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the invaders suffered unexpectedly heavy casualties. Then the war continued and is now in its third year. In Russian occupied areas of Ukraine, military-age men were eventually forced to accept Russian citizenship documents and then conscripted into the Russian army. These men were warned that if they refused to join, they would be shot and things would go badly for their families. This caused resistance among the civilians in these areas who were told that the Special Military Operation in Ukraine would be over quickly and the lives of civilians, especially military age men, would not be disturbed. That was all a lie. The war is now in its third year and the civilians in Russia as well as those in Russian occupied territories are angry at Vladimir Putin for the war and the way it was mishandled. Putin promised a short war, but 30 months of combat is definitely not short. Worse, the fighting has been stalemated for over a year. Then, in early August 2024, Ukrainian forces invaded the Kurk region of Russia. The Ukrainians encountered no resistance at first and over a hundred thousand Russian civilians fled. This fighting took place in northern Ukraine while most of the fighting since early 2022 has been in eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukraine forces suffered few casualties because there were few Russian soldiers, or even police, to oppose them. This Ukrainian incursion was completely unexpected and when Russian forces did arrive, they didnt counterattack but instead got to work building defensive structures like trenches for defending troops and ditches deep enough to prevent tanks or other vehicles from crossing. Apparently the Russians in the Kursk region have no defenses against Ukrainian drones, which closely monitor Russian operations and make attacks on targets that could pose a danger to Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian drones also began attacks against military targets in the Kursk region ten days before the August 6 Ukrainian advance into Russia. This Ukrainian attack not only surprised Russians in general but made it clear that most of Russias border with Ukraine was similarly undefended. While the Ukrainians were invading Russia, fighting along the thousand kilometer-long front line intensified in eastern Ukraine where Russian attacks since May have left over 50,000 Russian soldiers dead or disabled in attacks that gained little or no ground. Russia currently has about 170,000 troops inside Ukraine, most of them in the east where Russian and Ukrainian forces have been confronting each other since 2014. Ukraines military numbers at least 500,000, though that includes many support and supply troops whose Russian equivalents are outside Ukraine. 2014 was when Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula and sought to attack out of the portions of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces in eastern Ukraine. Russia always insisted that the fighting in the east was between separatist citizens of Luhansk and Donetsk who wanted their provinces to become part of Russia. That was always a lie but the Russians continue to support it with propaganda and increasing military aid and Russian soldiers who, initially, pretended to be Ukrainian separatists. The Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine are no longer pretending to be Ukrainian separatists but the fighting in this area has quieted down in the last year. The war had been mostly a stalemate for a year prior to the August 6 Ukrainian invasion of Russia. Inside Russia, civilian and military leaders are criticizing Vladimir Putin and his failed effort to conquer Ukraine. The Ukrainian invasion of Russia made Putins failure seem even worse. Putin called the Ukrainian advance into Russia a terrorist act while his invasion of Ukraine was an effort to reincorporate the Ukrainian region into Russia. Putin insists Ukraine is not an independent country but a troublesome part of Russia. Putin blames NATO nations for supporting this illegal Ukrainian separatism. Ukrainians point out that Ukraine was one of the fourteen new countries to appear when the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. Back then, the Russian government went along with the dissolution. The areas that separated from Russia never wanted to be part of Russia and by the late 1980s the Russian government was bankrupt and on the brink of a ruinous civil war. The alternative to that was allowing the regions that did not want to be part of a Russian empire, and put together two hundred years ago and maintained by coercion and force, to become independent. Vladimir Putin, a KGB lieutenant colonel when the Soviet Union broke up, considered this development a disaster that should be rectified. Putin became the leader of Russia in 1999 and has ruled ever since. His tenure as Russian leader is exceeded only by that of Josef Stalin, who ruled Russia from 1924 until his death in 1953. Between the 1950s and the 1980s, Russia was ruled by a series of inept communist leaders whose failures led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Putin finally revived the Russian government in 1999 but his attempts to reassemble the Soviet Union have come to nothing. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 brought with it economic sanctions by NATO nations that have crippled the Russian economy. NATO aid to the Ukrainian military led to the defeat of the Russian 2022 invasion. Putin blames all his problems on NATO and believes that NATO is trying to weaken and isolate Russia. Putin ignores the fact that it was his aggressive actions that got Russia into so much trouble. With the recent Ukrainian invasion of Russia, many Russians are calling for Putin to resign or be removed and replaced by a ruler who will work for the benefit of Russia. Putins actions have brought only death and misery to Russia. Nearly half a million Russian soldiers have been killed, wounded or missing inside Ukraine since 2022 and now the Ukrainians are invading Russia and the Russian military is having a hard time stopping the invaders. Putin has lost power and prestige since 2022 and now Russians and Ukrainians both agree that everyone would be better off if Putin were gone. A Cork TD has suggested that local authorities in the city and county should be able to turn around vacant council homes within 16 weeks, in order to ensure that the rising number of people depending on emergency accommodation are housed as a matter of urgency. Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould was speaking to The Echo after the publication of the July homelessness figures today, indicating that there were now 14,429 people nationwide living in emergency accommodation, with 553 of these in Cork. This is up from the June figure of 546 adults living in homelessness in the city and county. The number of homeless children in Cork was recorded at 183 in the latest figures, this was down just one from the June figure of 184. The total number of children living in homelessness nationally is 4,401, according to the figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. According to Mr Gould, there are hundreds of houses belonging to the councils that are boarded up. The minute a council house becomes empty and the keys are handed back, that should be turned around within three to four months, 16 weeks, he said. There should be a dedicated team inside each local authority and their job would be to go in and carry out the necessary works once the keys are handed in and then compile a report, send it to Dublin, and get the money back from the Government. Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners described homelessness as a pressing concern, and said it should be addressed with compassion and urgency. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, she said. An all-out effort by the Government, along with community support, can make a significant difference. Its vital to provide not only immediate relief but also long-term solutions that focus on prevention and sustained support for those at risk. According to Social Democrats councillor Padraig Rice, the latest figures were evidence that the Governments housing policies had utterly failed. Mr Rice, also the partys Cork South Central general election candidate, said: Homelessness isnt inevitable. There are solutions. We should follow the Finnish Housing First model that focuses on providing people with homes and wrap-around support. We also have to stop people becoming homeless in the first place by ending no-fault evictions that are pushing families into homelessness. Cork City Council must also build more social and affordable homes. When this newspaper interviewed Bantry filmmaker Damian McCarthy in 2021 about his debut horror Caveat, it was evident that he possessed a deep understanding of the genre. It was a self-assured venture that has attracted a substantial fan base since its release. This week, his second feature, Oddity, arrives in cinemas. Filmed in Bantry, Oddity follows Darcy (Carolyn Bracken) as she seeks to uncover the truth behind her twin sister Danis vicious murder, with the help of a life-size wooden man, leading to chilling consequences. McCarthy explains where the idea for Oddity came from. Oddity is set in the same room where we shot Caveat, in Bantry House in West Cork. I had this idea for a haunted house film, and a haunted house film lives or dies on its location. A scene from Damians first film, Caveat There was something really interesting and different about that room, especially after we got rid of the Caveat sets. Luckily, Bantry House said I could film there again, so I started working on the script. The new film mixes horror genres, which McCarthy says is to attract diverse types of horror fans. Theres a bit of a mystery, and it is a creature feature. Its a ghost story, and its psychological, he said. If somebodys not really scared of a slasher movie but has a big fear of the supernatural, the ghosts will catch them, but if theyre not too scared of a psychological threat, the creature might scare them. I thought if I weaponised all these different subgenres, thered be something there to give everybody a scare. Director Damian McCarthy. McCarthy says the key to making a horror film work is allowing the audience to think for themselves. You have to find a balance of not spoon-feeding the audience and not giving them every image to be scared of. If you can make them think and get their imagination going, what theyll imagine in their heads can be much worse than what I could show them. The film is genuinely scary, but it also has a great sense of humour, which McCarthy says is influenced by the horror films he watched growing up. When he was young, McCarthys parents owned a video shop in Bantry, and McCarthy spent hours watching the films on offer. Theres a trend in horror films now where they take themselves very seriously, he said Theres lots of amazing stuff being made, but theyve lost that sense of humour I grew up watching. Films like Childs Play and Fright Night never took themselves too seriously. I developed the script with humour in mind. It is a real Irish sense of humour. The people are quite dry, and their comments are a bit cutting. The film-maker says he wants to make the audience laugh. When you straddle the line between comedy and horror, you give the audience permission to laugh. When you cross back into horror again, the audience becomes nervous because they still dont know if youre trying to be funny, and suddenly, the film gets quite dark. Ive seen the film a few times with an audience, and its great to hear them laughing, and then suddenly theyre screaming. Caveat was made on a shoestring budget. Its success allowed McCarthy to play with a bigger budget for Oddity, which freed him up to concentrate on the script and directing. With Caveat, I had an amazing crew, but it was a skeleton crew. It couldnt be in the script if I didnt know how to make it happen. With Oddity, I knew that we had a budget. I had an amazing crew and experienced producers, so it frees up your imagination to write and direct. I wasnt sure how the wooden man would be built or how we would pull off special effects. There are stunts in the film and complicated cinematography. I didnt have to worry about how to do any of these things because I could collaborate with people with the skill and talent to make them happen. McCarthys handling of disability in the film is commendable, as Darcy, a blind character, is not portrayed as vulnerable. The film is essentially about a blind woman going after her sisters killer. She goes to the house and is already disadvantaged because she doesnt know the house. Ted and Yana underestimate her and dismiss her because she has this disability. Dismissing her is a big mistake. Darcy owns a curiosity shop brimming with eerie antiques, some of which she claims are haunted. This rich setting offers ample opportunity for a prequel delving into Darcys backstory and psychic abilities. McCarthy prefers to explore new storytelling avenues. People have said I could do more stories with Darcy because she has the antique shop full of haunted bits and pieces, but now, so many films have spin-offs, sequels, and prequels. I miss when films were one and done. I want to leave my films wrapped up by the end. If anything was to come from this, it might be a story about Dani and Darcys mother, who is briefly mentioned, but I have plenty of other ideas to come first. The filmmaker, who plans to continue in the horror genre, says he is proud to film at home in Cork and promote the Irish film industry. I would like to stay and promote Irish films as much as possible. We have amazing crews here and fantastic actors, especially in Cork. Certain stories would lend themselves more to an American set story, but when I can, I will keep filming in Cork. McCarthy hopes non-horror fans will go to the cinema to see Oddity. It is a gateway horror film for people unsure about the genre. It doesnt take itself too seriously, it entertains, and it will surprise people. I hope horror fans will come, but it would be great to see people who dont go to horror give Oddity a chance. Oddity opens in cinemas on August 30, Cert: 15a. The loss of 300 jobs in Tullamore, the cyberattack on Fota Wildlife, and Coldplay's first Croke Park concert are among the stories that feature on Friday's front pages. The Irish Times leads with more than 300 people working at Cardinal Health in Co Offaly being made redundant following the company's announcement to close its plant by spring 2026. The Irish Examiner leads with the cyberattack on Fota Wildlife. The first of Coldplay's four Croke Park gigs also makes the front page. The Irish Independent leads with a story on potential relief for mortgage holders. The Echo leads with surge protocols being implemented at Cork University Hospital. The Irish Daily Mail leads with a story on a reduction in childcare costs. Friday's front page pic.twitter.com/g5P1lhPRhP The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) August 29, 2024 The Irish Sun leads with a story on a possible third Oasis gig at Croke Park. Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/6dDjOSO53X The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) August 30, 2024 The Herald leads with a story on three people being arrested after gardai seized a shotgun. In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on an Orange Order member on trial accused of spreading religious hate. The Irish News leads with a story on hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Today's #frontpage Vulnerable OAP sold her home after intruder held her captive pic.twitter.com/5Lm2BvR5J3 The Irish News (@irish_news) August 30, 2024 A possible ban on smoking cigarettes in some public spaces leads Fridays UK headlines, with hospitality insiders warning of a potential dire impact on the sector. The Guardian, Daily Mail, the Independent, and the Metro predict a possible clash between pubs and politicians, with Labours proposed cigarette ban likely to cause economic harm, according to hospitality industry experts. THE GUARDIAN: Starmer risks clash with pub firms over plan for outdoor smoking ban #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kpbrYWUysg Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 EXPRESS: Has Sir Keir sounded death knell of our pubs? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/iHd5tGKLz0 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 INDEPENDENT: Starmers smoking ban plan has pubs and clubs fuming #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/iVstjGIJYA Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 METRO: Stub out this cigs ban plan #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/LXACwhhDx8 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 The Daily Mirror splashes on the latest arrest in the wake of a foiled terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The i reports that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon also known as Tommy Robinson is hatching a plan to use the Sikh, Jewish and Hindu communities in his crusade against Islam. I: Tommy Robinsons plan to use Sikhs, Jews and Hindus to turn people in UK against Islam #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/IFbbFcJW3y Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 The Financial Times reports that Donald Trumps running mate, JD Vance, has urged wealthy Republican supporters to donate to the partys bid for the White House in November. FT: Vance presses billionaire Thiel to get off the sidelines and bankroll Trump #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/864L7YLDy7 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 The Daily Telegraph reports that British employees may soon get the right to demand a four-day working week. TELEGRAPH: Workers to get right to demand four day week #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/GKHWI5vRl1 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 The Daily Mail leads with fury at Number 10 after Sir Keir Starmer allegedly removed a portrait of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher from her former study. The Times reports that staffers may be asked to step onto the scales at work in a new NHS initiative to tackle obesity in Britain. THE TIMES: Workers to be weighed in office for health MOT #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/yxSdXSyeBo Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 29, 2024 Lastly, the Daily Star reports on the safe extraction of a zoo lion from her small cage in Ukraine to safety at Kents Big Cat Sanctuary. The New York Times leads with a story on problems with the US Postal Service. 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. Destruction and debris from Typhoon Shanshan in Miyazaki city, Japan on Aug. 29, 2024. CNA / YouTube screenshot Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in southwest Japan on Thursday with strong winds and heavy rain, killing at least four people and injuring 94 or more, reported BBC News. Millions were told to evacuate as Shanshan downgraded Thursday evening to a severe tropical storm knocked out electricity for 237,000-plus households, forced the closure of major automobile factories and caused the cancellation of over 700 flights. Ive never experienced such a strong wind or tornado in my 31 years of life, Tomoki Maeda, a funeral parlor employee in southern Kyushus Miyazaki city, told Reuters. Wind gusts of 157 miles per hour downed power lines and ripped apart buildings in the southern portion of the country, and authorities have said the storm could prove to be one of the strongest to ever strike the region. This is one of the biggest typhoons in recent years, for a prefecture that experiences many typhoons every year, Kensei Tomisako, a Satsumasendai disaster response official, told The New York Times in an interview. At its peak, Typhoon Shanshan had the strength of a Category 4 hurricane. It was projected to continue north through Kyushu, then shift east on Friday into Saturday before moving inland and losing strength. Japan ordered evacuations as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Thursday. Yasin Demirci / Anadolu via Getty Images Flood and landslide warnings were issued by authorities for many areas in the southwest parts of the country. The weather agency said the storm was predicted to reach Tokyo around the weekend, Reuters reported. A house collapsed in a landslide in Aichi, a central Honshu island prefecture, leaving two people missing. Shanshan brought record rainfall, with 2.6 feet of rain falling in some areas of Kyushu in a span of 48 hours, forecasters said, as reported by The New York Times. Shinkansen bullet-train service in Kyushu was suspended on Thursday due to the rain, with many lines linking cities like Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka in the western part of the country also interrupted. Madoka Kubo, who runs a hotel in Hitoyoshi a historic, riverside city in Kumamoto prefecture said she was housing elderly evacuees after the cancellation of all her reservations, Reuters reported. The transportation ministry said hundreds of ferry and bus services had also been disrupted. This typhoon is scary. In terms of disaster, we are getting a large amount of rain so I dont know what will happen going forward, Norimasa Sakanoshita, who traveled to Fukuoka from Tokyo to attend a meeting, told Reuters, as reported by BBC News. 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. The Klamath-Trinity River system in southern Oregon and northern California was once the site of huge salmon runs one estimate put them at 650,000 to one million fish. The Klamath River watershed supports chinook and coho salmon, steelhead trout and other fish species that contribute to Tribal, recreational, subsistence and commercial harvests. It has been more than a century since salmon swam freely on the Klamath River, but as the largest dam removal and salmon restoration project in the countrys history nears completion, the river and its fish are running unobstructed once again. Another wall fell today. The dams that have divided the basin are now gone and the river is free. Our sacred duty to our children, our ancestors, and for ourselves, is to take care of the river, and todays events represent a fulfillment of that obligation, said Yurok Tribe Vice Chairman Frankie Myers, vice chairperson of the Yurok Tribe, in a press release from American Rivers. Salmon populations on the Klamath have experienced steep declines, with spring chinook salmon listed as an endangered species in California. With the dams removed, restoration efforts can begin in earnest, but will take time and collaboration between Tribes, government agencies, stakeholders and the community. I am excited to be in the restoration phase of the Klamath River. Restoring hundreds of miles of spawning grounds and improving water quality will help support the return of our salmon, a healthy, sustainable food source for several Tribal Nations. This is truly a great day for the Karuk and all the Native People of the Klamath Basin, said Karuk Tribe chairperson Russell Buster Attebery in the press release. Over the past year, four dams blocking the unimpeded flow of the Klamath River have been under deconstruction. The removal of the dams will reintroduce salmon to over 400 miles of their historical habitat. Reservoirs that served as the breeding grounds for massive toxic blue green algae blooms each summer will be eliminated, along with conditions that supported fish diseases. Local families, especially native families on the Klamath River, fought for generations for this day. Many of us, and our kids, grew up in the movements for fishing rights and dam removal and many local peoples childhood memories include the toxic algae and fish kills. Now our children, grandchildren, and schools are planting seeds and engaging in dam removal and restoration. Youth are learning about the local successful movement for the environment and civil rights and how powerful they can be, and have hope for the future. We are so grateful we are able to celebrate this moment with our families, and that in the near future our youth will be able to enjoy salmon and a clean river instead of having to fight so hard, said Regina Chichizola, executive director of Save California Salmon, in the press release. It is expected that the benefits of dam removal will result in the rebound of the historically third most abundant salmon fishery in the contiguous United States. The construction portion of the dam removal is projected to be finished before the end of September, but land restoration along the river, as well as in crucial tributaries that had been covered by reservoirs, will take several years. Today, the last coffer dams were broken at the former Iron Gate and Copco No. 1 Dam sites, returning the Klamath river to its natural path and marking an end to a significant construction phase in the largest salmon restoration project in U.S. history, American Rivers said. The project is a major step toward healing a critical watershed for West Coast salmon production and is widely recognized as a Tribal justice initiative that will help revitalize the culture and economies of several Tribal Nations whose homelands are in the Klamath Basin. The potential for dams to be removed along the Klamath River started after the 2002 die-off of approximately 70,000 adult salmon in the lower portion of the river before they had a chance to spawn. In response to this tragic event, Klamath River Tribal members began a grassroots campaign Bring the Salmon Home to remove the lower four dams on the river to restore the health of the watershed. The campaign called upon PacifiCorp the company that had owned the dams to surrender them so that they could be removed. Years of protests, direct action and lawsuits followed, with a settlement being reached between the corporation, Tribal governments, the States of Oregon and California, conservation groups, local governments and recreational and commercial fishing organizations in 2016 for removal of the dams. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave final approval for dam removal and restoration following additional negotiations. In November of 2022, FERC approved a license surrender order, which allowed the transfer of the project to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. Copco No. 2, the smallest of the dams, was removed last year. The three other dams reservoirs were drained in January of 2024, timed to minimize interference with fish runs. At each dam site, the Klamath has resumed its historic path, and now allows fish passage from the rivers mouth in California to its origin below Lake Ewauna, near Oregons Upper Klamath Lake. Removal also opened the river up to tributaries spanning hundreds of miles for the migration of salmon, steelhead and other river species. The Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations of the Klamath River have fought long and hard for the Klamath River to flow freely and begin recovering from colonization. Todays final breach of the last dam on the river marks the beginning of a new era on the Klamath River during which Indigenous cultures can thrive alongside the many species and communities that are dependent upon the resilience of the Klamath River. We would not have reached this movement without the remarkable commitments of the Klamath Basin Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations and their many partners. We celebrate as a united Klamath Basin, said Amy Bowers Cordalis, executive director of the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, in the press release. 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. Climate litigants and citizen groups at a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea on Aug. 29, 2024. Chris Jung / NurPhoto In a landmark ruling on Thursday, South Koreas top court stated that the countrys climate change law does not safeguard basic human rights or contain targets to protect future generations. Petitions were filed in the constitutional court by roughly 200 plaintiffs some young climate activists, including infants going back to 2020, reported Reuters. They argued that the government had violated the human rights of its citizens by not taking enough action to curb the climate crisis. 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, said activist Kim Seo-gyeong with Youth 4 Climate Action, as The Guardian reported. I look forward to seeing how this constitutional complaint will change the standards for climate response and what transformations it will bring. The court instructed the legislature to revise its carbon neutrality act before the end of February of 2026, reported Reuters. Climate activist groups said it was Asias first high court ruling regarding the climate action of a government and could set a precedent. Similar lawsuits have been brought in Japan and Taiwan. The ruling was celebrated by plaintiffs, lawyers and activists with cheers, applause and slogans such as The verdict is not the end, but the beginning. 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, said 12-year-old plaintiff Jeah Han, as The Guardian reported. The court did reject plaintiffs claims that the South Korean governments goal of a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 levels as required by the carbon neutrality act were a violation of constitutional rights, saying the near-term goal was adequate. 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, a joint statement by the plaintiffs said. 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. Solicitor Sejong Youn said the main argument for unconstitutionality was that regulation of the reductions targets would put an excessive burden on future generations without consideration of their rights. Therefore, a new greenhouse gas reduction pathway that addresses this unconstitutionality must be presented within the timeframe set by the constitutional court, Youn said, as The Guardian reported. The court said the countrys carbon neutrality act failed to show any quantitative levels for its reduction goals between 2031 and 2049, reported Reuters. Since there is no mechanism that can effectively ensure gradual and continuous reductions until 2050, it stipulates reduction targets that would transfer an excessive burden to the future, a statement from the court said. Soongsil University law professor Koh Moon-hyun told Reuters that the ruling could lead to change in other countries. The court must have looked at rulings in Europe and changed its stance, Moon-hyun said. It has created a chance for South Korea to drop its nickname as a climate villain. South Korea has a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by mid-century, but has lagged behind other countries in adopting renewables and is still the second-biggest G20 coal polluter after Australia, according to data. Todays ruling is not simply a verdict on greenhouse gas reduction, said Lee Young-kyung, executive director of Climate Crisis Emergency Action, as reported by The New York Times. It is a declaration, through the Constitution and the governments responsibility, that our dignified lives must be protected. It is the beginning of a just response to the climate crisis. Bandai has launched a new Tamagotchi model, and it's actually made with real recycled egg shells. The Original Tamagotchi Celebration digital pet is even colored like a tan/brown egg, with green and white designs along with pink accents and buttons. Tamagotchi comes from the Japanese words for egg (tamago) and watch (uotchi) and the toy is unmistakably egg-shaped so the use of egg shells in particular is pretty on-brand. The model is paired with a packaging the uses recycled paper, as well, and Bandai says the model aligns with its mission to "promote a greener future." Tamagotchi is no longer just another toy from the 90s that millennials fondly remember playing in their youth. It has quietly made a comeback over the past few years, with both old players and kids contributing to its renewed popularity. In May, the company re-released Tamagotchi Connection, which old fans might remember as the model with a faux antenna, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Last year, Bandai released the Wi-Fi-capable Tamagotchi Uni that gives users access to the Tamaverse, a virtual playground where players can meet others, so they could travel together and dress up their characters. The Original Tamagotchi Celebration doesn't seem to have the Uni's more modern features, but it does come with basic Tamagotchi gameplay. Players will have to raise their Tamagotchi until it's an adult, feed it, give it medicine, clean its mess, play with it and even discipline it if it's acting out. It's exclusively available at Amazon, where's it's currently on for pre-order for $30. Tamagotchi Original - Celebration Egg (Amazon Exclusive) $30 at Amazon This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. A Texas judge denied Media Matters for Americas request for a dismissal on Thursday allowing Xs lawsuit over alleged anti-semitic and racist content. The Verge reported that Northern District of Texas Judge Reed OConnor dismissed the request for a dismissal paving the way for Xs lawsuit against Media Matters to continue. Media Matters submitted its dismissal request in early March on the grounds that Xs case lacked personal jurisdiction, an improper venue and the failure to state a claim. OConnor dismissed all of those claims, according to court records. The lawsuit filed last year in federal court seeks damages from the media watchdog group over maliciously manufactured images reporting that Xs platform placed Neo-Nazi and white-nationlist content next to advertisers images causing advertisers to flee the site. The images Media Matters used werent manufactured but Xs claim is that its dogged pursuit of ads placement with racist content by using certain accounts to bypass ad filters caused irreparable harm to the social media giant. X owner Elon Musks other companies are located in Texas but arent directly connected to the Media Matters lawsuit. X closed its San Francisco offices earlier this month and owner Elon Musk announced in July that Xs headquarters will move to Austin. Tesla moved its headquarters from California to the Lone Star State in 2021 and SpaceX from Delaware earlier this year when a judge threw out a $56 billion pay package from the state. However, in dismissing the personal jurisdiction argument, OConnor noted that two of Xs blue-chip advertisers like AT&T and Oracle included in Media Matters coverage are based in Texas. He cited the landmark 2002 Internet defamation case Revell v. Lidov quoting the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals assertion that if you are going to pick a fight in Texas, it is reasonable to expect that it be settled there. Jools Lebron, creator of the TikTok trend "very demure, very mindful," could soon lose ownership of the phrase despite making it popular. On Sunday, the trans influencer posted and then deleted a TikTok video of her sobbing. In the clip, Lebron shared that despite starting the trend, another person has tried to take ownership of the phrase by filing a trademark for it. "I've just invested so much money and time into this, and I feel like I did it wrong. I feel like I didn't try hard enough," the Puerto Rican-American said in the now-deleted clip. "I wanted to do so much for my family and provide for my transition, and I just feel like I dropped the ball," she added. Jools LeBron, the creator who popularized demure, shares shes unable to launch merch because her viral phrase was already trademarked: I wanted this to do so much for my family and provide for my transition and I just feel like I dropped the ball. pic.twitter.com/FxTVHfb6Lo Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 24, 2024 According to TMZ, the person behind the trademark filing is Jefferson Bates from Washington state. The move was likely aimed at making money from the "very demure, very mindful" viral trend. However, Alli Elmunzer, an attorney and founder of Influencer Legal, told The Guardian that Lebron shouldn't "be worried" about the issue. In fact, the TikToker can still oppose the filing, especially since the U.S. trademark law recognizes the first person to use a trademark, not the first person to file a claim. "I have no doubt that Lebron will be able to successfully oppose this, and there's a pathway for her to get the trademark, but it will cost her time and money to get it," Elmunzer said. The lawyer also revealed that Bates has filed a $1 billion trademark application. Since posting the viral TikTok video in early August, Lebron has grown her following to 2.1 million with over 116 million likes on the platform. The "very demure, very mindful" video has also over 49 million views and counting, with 4.7 million likes and 22,100 comments. Yolanda Hadid and her boyfriend Joseph Jingoli are engaged after six years of dating. Architectural Digest broke the engagement news Thursday when it called Jingoli Hadid's "fiance" in a piece about the couple's Texas home. The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum, 60, confirmed to People on the same day that she and Jingoli got engaged after he proposed to her during a trip to Holland in 2022. Fans have likely seen Jingoli in the numerous photos Hadid has shared of him over the years. For those unfamiliar with Hadid's longtime beau, here are some facts about Jingoli. 1. He heads a construction firm and founded a nonprofit that helps young people in recovery He is the CEO of Jingoli, a construction and development business that his family has run for five generations. According to its website, the company has worked on projects in industrial, power, healthcare, gaming, education and government sectors. Jingoli also founded The F.A.R.M. Team, or the Facilitating Active Recovery Mission, which provides young people in recovery with "mentoring and skill-building opportunities, partial tuition assistance for those successfully working a recovery program, [and] unique farm experiences that help build community," according to its website. 2. He started dating Hadid in 2018 Hadid and Jingoli began dating in 2018 after meeting on the Pennsylvania farm the Dutch model bought and moved into the year before. Hadid previously revealed that she met Jingoli not long after she finalized her divorce from ex-husband David Foster in October 2017. Recalling their first meeting, the TV personality said in a 2018 interview with People, "I really started focusing. 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." Hadid, who was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease in 2012, shared she was drawn to Jingoli due to their shared "appreciation for life." "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 that's really already a common bond that we have," she explained. "To live in the moment, enjoy every day, and not wait. Why take it slow? Let's just go for it and have a great time." 3. He makes Hadid swoon with his romantic gestures According to AD, Jingoli brought Hadid, who is a horse lover and rider, to a horse show in Fort Worth, Texas, for one of their first dates. "That trip was really my first introduction to Texas," Hadid told the magazine. She added, "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." 4. He's all over Hadid's Instagram page Hadid's Instagram page, where she's followed by more than 3.7 million people, is filled with posts about her beau and their adventures together. In September 2022, the former reality star uploaded snaps of her and Jingoli sharing a kiss and posing on their bikes on a picturesque bridge during a trip to her home country, the Netherlands. Later that year, she also shared a sweet photo of them smiling as Jingoli embraces her, along with the caption: "Thank you for making me smile through it all." Hadid also marked Jingoli's birthdays with sweet tributes on social media. For his birthday in 2021, she posted an image that showed her taking a picture of him leaning against a pillar. "Happy birthday my love, cheers to another journey around the sun," she captioned the snap. "I pray that each day Love, Health and Happiness will come your way!" She continued, "Thank you for showing me the true meaning of love and partnership... My life and my world are better with you in it, You are the light in my eyes." 5. He has met Gigi and Bella Hadid According to Page Six, Bella met her mom's beau when Yolanda brought him as her date to a 2019 birthday bash thrown by the model's then-boyfriend, The Weeknd. "It looked like it was Bella's first time meeting him. She shook his hand. It seemed very formal," an unnamed eyewitness told the outlet at the time. Jingoli has since been photographed several more times with Yolanda and her daughters in New York City. He was also present at the first birthday of Gigi and Zayn Malik's daughter, Khai, in 2021. Yolanda shares Bella, Gigi, and son Anwar with her first husband, Mohamed Hadid. China to apply tariff rates agreed in FTA early harvest arrangement on certain imports from Honduras Xinhua) 15:45, August 30, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China will apply tariff rates agreed in an early harvest arrangement for the bilateral free trade agreement signed with Honduras on some imported products from the latter, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday. The tariff rates will take effect on Sept. 1, 2024. The implementation of this early harvest arrangement will boost bilateral economic and trade relations, and propel the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to new heights, the commission said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Wild Justice has launched High Court action against the Dartmoor Commoners Council (DCC) due to 'over-grazing' of Dartmoors commons, as part of a bid to bring heathland 'back into a favourable condition'. In July, the wildlife campaigning group wrote to the DCC the body responsible for managing livestock levels on the Dartmoor Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The letter called for commoners to be ordered to reduce stock on all Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) making up the SAC. Now Wild Justice has applied for a judicial review from the High Court, with the group hoping for a hearing in which DCCs statutory purpose will be clarified. The group said its legal challenge was brought because of responsibilities the DCC has to protect the habitats under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, among numerous others. Dartmoors commons are designated a 'SAC' to protect four important habitat types: Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix; European dry heaths; Blanket bogs and Oak woods. These habitats are found on the six SSSIs making up the SAC. As a statutory public body, Wild Justice said DCC "has a duty to take reasonable steps to further the conservation and enhancement of the commons". The High Court application follows a request for information to the DCC under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, which revealed DCC had not issued any limitation notices over stocking levels in the past 10 years. In its letter to DCC, Wild Justice pointed to recent government data outlining the 'poor condition' of heath and Blanket bog in SSSIs at Dendles Wood, East Dartmoor, North Dartmoor, South Dartmoor, Tor Royal Bog and Wistman's Wood. Wild Justice explained that Natural England's assessments showed grazing pressure "is a key reason for the unfavourable condition of 16 SSSI units covering 9,273ha, or 40%, of the SAC". In a new statement issued on Friday (30 August), Wild Justice said: DCC was set up with the duty and the powers to protect and enhance Dartmoors environment. "The fact that all are agreed that Dartmoor is not in a good state shows that thing needs to change, starting with DCCs reluctance to use the powers that parliament gave it. Wild Justice is being represented by solicitors Carol Day and Ricardo Gama in the environment team at law firm Leigh Day. Carol Day said: Our client is concerned about the parlous state of the Dartmoor commons and hopes this judicial review will clarify how DCC should be exercising its statutory duties to protect and enhance these nationally and internationally important habitats. Dogs are able to understand human words. Dogs are able to understand words spoken by humans Scientists conducted an investigation after a series of videos on social media claiming to show pooches "talking" with the aid of soundboard buttons. The US researchers analysed whether the dogs were actually communicating or just responding to cues from their owners and found that canines trained with soundboard buttons are capable of understanding specific words and producing appropriate responses. Federico Rossano, from the Department of Cognitive Science at the University of California San Diego, said: "This study addresses public skepticism about whether dogs truly understand what the buttons mean. "Our findings are important because they show that words matter to dogs, and that they respond to the words themselves, not just associated cues." He added: "We're just scratching the surface in this study. "Future studies will explore how dogs actively use these buttons, including the meaning and systematicity behind sequences of button presses." Angelina Jolie has been "betrayed a lot" in her life. Angelina Jolie feels she's been betrayed a lot in her life The 49-year-old actress has admitted that she doesn't have a lot of close friends, acknowledging that her successful movie career has has a negative impact on her social life. The Oscar-winning star told The Hollywood Reporter: "I dont really have those kinds of relationships. "Maybe its losing your parent young. Maybe its working. Maybe its being somebody whos been betrayed a lot. "I dont have a lot of those warm, close relationships as much that I lean on. But I have a few, and a few is enough." Despite this, Angelina acknowledged that she likes to spend time with the people she loves. The actress-turned-director - who has kids Maddox, 23, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, Pax, 20, Knox, 16, and Vivienne, 16 - explained: "If somebody wants to watch bad TV and order Thai food, Im the first one to put the fuzzy socks on and sit next to them. I like to be with people I love. "Im not somebody begging to be alone. Im not that person that feels like, 'Oh, I wish I could just be alone so I could have my guilty pleasures.' Because usually my guilty pleasure is being with somebody. I love doing something that makes them happy. That really does make me happy." Angelina also believes she's been able to develop a strong bond with her fans through her film projects. The Hollywood star explained: "To go into a room full of people you dont know, and have a lot in common very quickly because somehow youve been in their home on the television or you made their children laugh or they know something personal, thats really nice." Peta Murgatroyd thinks it is "too soon" after giving birth to go back to 'Dancing with the Stars'. Peta Murgatroyd will not be back on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars The 38-year-old star - who already has Shai, seven, and 13-month-old Rio with her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy - made her name as a professional on the ABC dance competition but will not be back of this year's edition after she welcomed son Milan in July. Speaking during an Instagram Live on Thursday (29.08.24), she said: "In terms of me, 'Dancing With the Stars', guys, I'm sorry, it's not this season. It's too soon." The couple announced the birth of their son in mid-July as they took to social media to declare that their family was now "complete" with the five of them. Peta wrote: "Milan Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Born 8.48am 7/12/24 8 pounds. The fam is complete." Despite this, Maks previously insisted that the pair were "not done" with having kids and he was having to have a "squad" of his own in a similar vein to his friends. He told UsWeekly: "We did have a conversation afterwards, that was off-camera. I asked Peta because shes looking to me for validation also because we are doing this together. Im like, Well, do you feel like, Oh my God, what are we doing? Or do you feel, like, oh my God, what a blessing? And shes like, No, Im definitely more, oh my God, what a blessing. Im like, Well, lets just focus on that and lets go with it. "I really am because Im also looking at my friends who had kids earlier who have now out, actually, I sat on the plane with somebody. "He has a 19, 17, 15 and then an 8 and a 6, and Im like, Bro, you really went out. He was like, Yeah. But then he showed him to me. Im like, Thats what I want. I want Peta with a squad behind her that she made. And me, somewhere there in the room." Terrorists plotted to kill "tens of thousands" of people at Taylor Swift's concert in Vienna. Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts were cancelled due to a terrorist plot The 34-year-old pop star was forced to cancel three dates on her 'Eras' tour in the Austrian capital earlier this month due to a planned attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium before officials arrested three teenagers, and a CIA official has now revealed the US intelligence agency played a major part in thwarting the "quite advanced" plot. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen is quoted by ABC News as saying: 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. "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. 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. And not just the Swifties in my workforce. Taylor recently admitted she feels a "tremendous amount of guilt" over the planned attack. In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram following her final European dates of the 'Eras' tour in London, she wrote in part: "Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions. "Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. 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. 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." The 'Anti-Hero' songstress therefore decided to put "all of [her] energy" into keeping all those who came to subsequent concerts as safe as possible and her efforts all resulted in receiving the "most giant bear hug" from all of her audiences at Wembley Stadium. She said: "I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us. "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. "In cases like this one, silence is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when its right to. "My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that." Suga has publicly apologized multiple times since the incident, expressing deep regret over his actions. After the police questioning, he told the media, I am truly reflecting on having disappointed many fans and people. He also bowed his head in apology. The BTS rapper admitted his mistake of riding an electric scooter while intoxicated and acknowledged that he had failed in his responsibility as a public figure. Suga apologized, expressing shame and sorrow for his actions. He emphasized his commitment to reflecting on his mistake and apologized deeply for the confusion caused by his initial apology. The incident has drawn significant attention, and fans are awaiting further developments as the case proceeds. BTS member Suga's drunk driving case has been officially forwarded to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office. On August 6, the Yongsan Police found Suga trying to stand up after falling off his electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol. Following a police inquiry last week, where Suga admitted to the charges, the case was forwarded without physical detention for violating the Road Traffic Act. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Aion Therapeutic Inc. (CSE: AION) ("Aion Therapeutic" or the "Company") announced today that further to its release issued on August 14, 2024 in respect of its application to the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO"), that the BCSC has granted the MCTO, pursuant to which the Company will have until October 28, 2024 to file its annual audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended April 30, 2024, the related annual management's discussion and analysis and the related CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "2024 Financial Disclosure"). On December 15, 2023 (the "Acquisition Date"), the Company completed its acquisition of Toppen Health, Inc. ("Toppen"), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. As a result of this recent acquisition, the Company's independent auditor requires (i) a valuation of Toppen as at the Acquisition Date; (ii) a valuation of Toppen as at April 30, 2024; and (iii) an impairment testing of intangibles and goodwill of the Company as at April 30, 2024. The Company's management has been diligently working on providing its independent auditor with the necessary valuations and impairment testing. This process, which has taken a considerable amount of time, is required for the independent auditor to complete their audit report for the year ended April 30, 2024, as part of the 2024 Financial Disclosure. Consequently, the Company requires additional time to finalize and complete the 2024 Financial Disclosure. The Company is working expeditiously to complete the 2024 Financial Disclosure, with the goal of completing the 2024 Financial Disclosure as quickly as possible, and in any event on or before October 28, 2024 in accordance with the terms of the MCTO. The Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The MCTO will prohibit the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company from trading in securities of the Company for so long as the 2024 Financial Disclosure is not filed. The issuance of the MCTO does not affect the ability of persons other than the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company to trade in the Company's securities. The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines contained in NP 12-203 for so long as it remains in default as a result of the late filing of the 2024 Financial Disclosure. During the period of default, the Company will issue bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases, which will also be filed on SEDAR+. The Company confirms that there are no insolvency proceedings against it as of the date of this press release. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release. About Aion Therapeutic Inc. Aion Therapeutic is a forward-thinking business within the health and wellness sector with a diverse portfolio of intellectual property. With a commitment to innovation and transformative solutions, the Company is poised to drive positive change to redefine the boundaries of health and wellness. Toppen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aion Therapeutic, is a US-based health and wellness company dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art water filtration solutions. With a focus on innovation, affordability, and sustainability, Toppen's water filtration solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of consumers, businesses, and industries around the world as they strive to provide access to clean and safe water. DISCLAIMER & READER ADVISORY This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would" and other similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are generally indicative of forward-looking information. Forward looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: Aion Therapeutic and Toppen's business, business goals and management's expectation on the growth and performance of its business; the preparation and timing of filing the 2024 Financial Disclosure. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, such as, without limitation, the risk that the parties will be unable to complete, in a timely manner, the 2024 Financial Disclosure. In addition, the forward- looking information contained in this release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as it is inherently uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in such information will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances. The securities of the Company have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221587 SOURCE: Aion Therapeutic Inc. The global truck bedliners market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as increase in demand for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles, growing awareness about vehicle protection and durability, rise in outdoor and recreational activities. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Truck Bedliner Market by Product (Drop-in Bedliners, Spray-on Bedliners and Others), by Material (Polyurethanes, Aluminium Carpet and Others), and Application (Original Equipment Markets and Aftermarket): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the truck bedliner market was valued at $558.9 million in 2023, and is estimated to reach $878.9 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2033. Prime determinants of growth The global truck bedliners market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as increase in demand for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles, growing awareness about vehicle protection and durability, rise in outdoor and recreational activities. However, high installation costs for certain bedliner types and availability of low-cost alternatives with limited durability hinder market growth to some extent. Moreover, development of advanced and durable bedliner materials and expansion of e-commerce platforms for easy accessibility offers lucrative opportunities for the expansion of the global truck bedliners market. Request Sample of the Report on Truck Bedliner Market Forecast 2033: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A14802 Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $558.9 million Market Size in 2033 $878.9 million CAGR 4.8 % No. of Pages in Report 310 Segments Covered Product, Material, Application, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles Growing awareness about vehicle protection and durability Rise in outdoor and recreational activities Opportunities Development of advanced and durable bedliner materials Expansion of e-commerce platforms for easy accessibility Restraint High installation costs for certain bedliner types Availability of low-cost alternatives with limited durability Procure Complete Report (310 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/truck-bedliner-market-A14802 Segment Highlights The drop-in bedliners segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. By product, the drop-in bedliners segment accounted for the largest share in 2022 owing to its widespread availability, ease of installation, and cost-effectiveness. Drop-in bedliners are popular among truck owners who seek quick and convenient protection for their truck beds. The polyurethanes segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. By material, the polyurethanes segment accounted for the largest share in 2022 owing to its durability, chemical resistance, and versatility. It offers excellent protection against scratches, dents, and rust, making them a preferred choice for truck owners looking for long-lasting bedliner solutions. The aftermarket segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. By application, the aftermarket segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, as aftermarket bedliners offer flexibility and customization options, allowing truck owners to choose from various materials, styles, and features to suit their specific needs and preferences. Drop-in bedliners are a popular choice among truck owners due to their ease of installation and removal. These bedliners are designed to fit snugly into the truck bed, providing a seamless and protective layer without the need for any permanent installation. The demand for drop-in bedliners is driven by their versatility, affordability, and the ability to customize or upgrade them based on changing needs. Additionally, these bedliners are often preferred by consumers who frequently haul heavy or abrasive cargo, as they offer excellent protection against scratches, dents, and wear. Spray-on bedliners, also known as spray-in bedliners, offer a permanent and durable solution for truck bed protection. These bedliners are applied as a liquid coating and then cured to form a seamless and textured surface that adheres tightly to the truck bed. The demand for spray-on bedliners is driven by their superior protection against impact, abrasion, and corrosion, as well as their ability to provide a non-slip surface for cargo. These bedliners are particularly popular among commercial users and those operating in harsh environments, as they offer long-lasting protection and require minimal maintenance. Furthermore, polyurethane is a popular material choice for truck bedliners due to its excellent durability, resistance to abrasion and impact, and flexibility. Polyurethane bedliners offer superior protection against scratches, dents, and wear, making them a preferred choice for both commercial and personal use. Additionally, polyurethane bedliners are often praised for their non-slip surface, which helps prevent cargo from sliding during transportation. In addition, aluminum carpet bedliners are a unique and innovative solution that combines the benefits of aluminum and carpet materials. These bedliners offer excellent protection against scratches and dents while providing a comfortable and non-slip surface for cargo. Aluminum carpet bedliners are often preferred for their lightweight yet durable construction, as well as their ability to provide insulation and noise reduction. The original equipment market segment refers to truck bedliners that are installed directly by the vehicle manufacturer or authorized dealerships. OEM bedliners are often designed and engineered specifically for the make and model of the truck, ensuring a perfect fit and seamless integration. The demand for OEM bedliners is driven by consumers seeking factory-installed protection and the convenience of having the bedliner included in the initial vehicle purchase. Regional Outlook The global market for truck bedliners varies by region, with North America leading due to the widespread popularity of pickup trucks, driven by their versatility and robustness, particularly in construction and transportation sectors. In Europe, demand stems from commercial vehicle and logistics sectors, with a focus on vehicle protection and customization. Asia-Pacific witnesses rapid growth fueled by increasing demand for pickup trucks, construction, and logistics industries, while Latin America and the Middle East and Africa show emerging markets with demand driven by construction, mining, and outdoor activities, coupled with a focus on vehicle protection and customization. To Talk With Our Industry Expert @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A14802 Key Market Players: PendaForm Corporation LINE-X LLC Toff Industries Corporation DualLiner LLC Armadillo Liners Inc. Bedrug, LLC Rhino Linings Corporation WeatherTech Direct, LLC Rugged Liner Inc. Scorpion Protective Coatings, Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global truck bedliners market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Recent Development: In March 2022, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation launched new Xpander crossover MPV along with two Ralliart special editions, the Triton Ralliart (Double-Cab) and Mirage Ralliart, at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show 2022. The Triton Ralliart (Double-Cab), built on the low-riding variant, includes distinctive side decals, mud flaps, and a bed liner, all featuring the Ralliart logo. In October 2022, Herculiner, a J-B Weld Company, introduced two new products, the Herculiner Professional Grade Kit and the Herculiner Bed Liner Restore. The Professional Grade Kit, featuring advanced two-part technology, is designed to surpass the performance of both factory and DIY truck bed liners. The Bed Liner Restore is a novel solution for restoring and detailing truck bed liners, bringing back their original color and shine for up to a year. These additions reinforce Herculiner's commitment to providing top-tier durability and reliability for truck owners and more. Explore More Trending Report Automotive Differential Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Drive Type, Vehicle Type and Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Train Control Management System Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Component, Solution, Network Type and Train Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Automotive Antifreeze Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Fluid Type, Technology, Application and Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027 Automotive Ultrasonic Technologies Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, Application and Vehicle Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com AMR Resource Center: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/resource-center Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/truck-bedliner-market-to-reach-878-9-million-globally-by-2033-at-4-8-cagr-allied-market-research-302234061.html 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! Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus. Korrektur als Einstiegschance Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen. 3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China has demonstrated stepped-up efforts to ramp up green transition in all areas of economic and social development and to promote relevant financial instruments, such as green equity financing and green financial leasing, as strengthened by recently issued guidelines from the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, as reported by Xinhua News Agency. On one hand, according to The People's Bank of China, the balance of China's green loans in local and foreign currencies reached US$4.1 trillion (30.08 trillion yuan) at the end of 2023 and delivered a year-on-year increase of 36.5%, leading all other forms of loans. Moreover, the cumulative domestic green bonds issuance in China approached US$498 billion (3.62 trillion yuan), with the majority of raised capital supporting the green transition of energy, construction, and mining industries, based on a study from International Institute of Green Finance. On the other hand, many financial institutions have been active in launching sustainable investment funds and 296 mutual funds focusing on sustainability and ESG managed assets over US$55.5 billion (403.7 billion yuan) as of the end of 2022, according to Asset Management Association of China. As the largest mutual fund manager, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") proactively navigated this trend by joining PRI as one of the first signatories in China and launching several ESG-related products in recent years, including E Fund Environmental Theme Flexible Allocation Hybrid Fund and E Fund Carbon Neutral 100 ETF. Meanwhile, the guidelines also encouraged the optimization of investment mechanism and the participation of social capital in green and low-carbon projects. Against the backdrop of fund managers' rising dedication in ESG investment strategies, leading institutions have independently constructed ESG-integrated research database and methodology. Notably, E Fund has been enhancing its proprietary ESG rating framework to better align with A-shares market characteristics. The rating framework used a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods to evaluate portfolio companies' ESG performance from three aspects - environmental impact, environmental management and environmental opportunities. In addition, E Fund has published climate risk management framework to effectively monitor and manage the impacts of climate change on investees and investment portfolios. About E Fund Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive mutual fund manager in China with close to RMB 3.3 trillion (US$ 454 billion) under management. It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers. Note: As at Jun 30, 2024. AuM includes subsidiaries. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2085383/_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/financial-institutions-taking-actions-to-guide-capital-towards-green-and-low-carbon-industries-in-china-302234720.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2024) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTC Pink: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced its financial results and operating highlights for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2023. Tenet reported revenue of $713,943, EBITDA of ($10,685,055) and a net loss of $13,451,547 for the quarter. All amounts in this news release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Q2-2024 Financial Highlights Total Revenue of $713,943 EBITDA of ($10.69 million) Net Loss of ($13.45 million) Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the 3-month period ended June 30, 2024 Net loss for the period ($13,451,547) Add: Income tax $1,045 Finance costs $684,510 Depreciation of property and equipment $34,251 Depreciation of right-of-use assets $95,344 Amortization of intangible assets $1,913,438 Amortization of financing issuance costs $37,904 EBITDA1 ($10,685,055) Add (less): Change in fair value of contingent consideration payable ($199,500) Change in fair value of debentures conversion options ($22,790) Loss on investment in associate company $ - Forgiveness of CEBA loan $ - Loss on sublease $ - Gain on disposition of property and equipment $ - Adjusted EBITDA2 ($10,907,345) (1) EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure provided to assist readers in determining the Company's ability to generate cash-flows from operations and to cover finance charges. It is also widely used for business valuation purposes. This measure does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA equals the results before income taxes, depreciation of property and equipment, depreciation of right-of-use assets, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of financing issuance costs and finance costs, as defined in Note 24.4 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31st, 2023 and December 31st, 2022. (2) Adjusted EBITDA equals EBITDA as described above adjusted for change in fair value of contingent consideration payable, change in fair value of debenture conversion options, impairment of goodwill, impairment of intangible assets, gain on bargain purchase, loss on investment in a related company, impairment on investment in a related company and loss on legal settlement. SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS SUMMARY The Company had anticipated taking steps during the second quarter of 2024 to gradually have regular activity resume on its platforms in China at some point during the quarter. But a combination of the delayed delivery of the Business Hub's Networking and Advertising modules in Canada and the establishment of the Company's new data science subsidiary in China meant that benefits to the Company's new data focused revenue model in China would be limited from any increase in activity on the platforms. Given the considerable amount of financial capital and human resources that would have to be allocated for transactions on the platforms to get back to previous levels, the Company opted to delay that process, which kept revenue for the quarter around the same levels as the previous quarter. Tenet decided to push back the release of the Business Hub's Networking and Advertising modules in Canada to ensure a positive user experience with the launch of the modules. The Company used the additional time to add important elements to the modules and to adjust its marketing plan from both a strategic and a timing standpoint to ensure that, when launched, the marketing campaign and the upgraded platform, now scheduled for end of Q3, would be aligned in all facets to help deliver that additional small and medium-sized business data needed for the commercialization of the Company's ie-Pulse product offering. In summary, the Company generated revenue of $713,943 for the three-month period and $1,479,578 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, compared to $16,776,714 for the three-month period and $26,270,518 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023. Total expenses before taxes for the quarter amounted to $14,164,445 compared to $23,283,128 for the same period in 2023. Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $13,451,547 compared to a net loss of $6,453,557 for the same period in 2023. Full details of the Company's second quarter 2024 financial results can be found in the Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, which are available at www.sedarplus.com. Q2-2024 Results and 2024 Outlook Q&A Tenet CEO Johnson Joseph will answer questions from shareholders related to the Company's second quarter 2024 results and the outlook for 2024 in a Q&A interview. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Company's MD&A prior to sending their questions related to these subjects to the Company by 9:00pm EDT on September 5, 2024 to investors@tenetfintech.com or cathy@chfir.com. The interview will be posted on the Company's website by 5:00pm EDT on September 12, 2024. About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/. Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media: X: @Tenet_Fintech Facebook: @Tenet LinkedIn: Tenet YouTube: Tenet Fintech Forward-looking information Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221598 SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. 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! Siegfried AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Siegfried opens new quality control lab in Minden 30.08.2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST Siegfried inaugurated its new state-of-the-art quality control lab in Minden. The new facility further improves the operational efficiency and readies the site for the completion of the new large-scale production plant. Siegfried (SIX: SFZN), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical industry headquartered in Zofingen (Switzerland), inaugurated its new state-of-the-art lab in Minden, Germany. The new facility hosts workstations for more than 60 employees and high precision equipment across an area of more than 600 square meters. The new lab combines several quality control units in one location, creating synergies and efficiencies as well as increasing the overall quality control capacity across the site. The facility will provide the additional quality control capacities needed upon the completion of the new large-scale production plant, which is currently under construction. The new production facility will host approximately 100 cubic meters additional reactor capacity and will significantly increase the capacity for Siegfried's Drug Substance activities, expanding the technological capabilities and the flexibility of Siegfried's global network. Reto Suter, Chief Executive Officer ad interim and Chief Financial Officer: "The new lab facility further strengthens our manufacturing site in Minden and highlights our commitment to offer the most advanced quality control services to our customers, ensuring the safety of the products we produce for millions of patients worldwide. It further underpins our commitment to operate a world class drug substances manufacturing network." With the opening of the new lab and the plant under construction, Siegfried further strengthens its footprint in Germany, where it has two sites in Minden and Hameln. At its two German sites, Siegfried manufactures a wide range of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), as well as finished drug products like vials and ampoules. Contact Financial Analysts: Media: Dr. Reto Suter Peter Stierli CEO ad interim and Chief Financial Officer Head Corporate Communications reto.suter@siegfried.ch peter.stierli@siegfried.ch Tel. +41 62 746 11 35 Tel. +41 62 746 15 51 Siegfried Holding AG Untere Bruehlstrasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen About Siegfried The Siegfried Group is a global life sciences company with sites in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Malta, the USA and China. In 2023, the company achieved sales of CHF 1.272 billion and employed on 31.12.2023 more than 3700 people at twelve sites on three continents. Siegfried Holding AG is publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SFZN). Siegfried is active in manufacturing pharmaceutical APIs (and their intermediates) as well as drug products (tablets, capsules, sterile vials, ampoules, cartridges and ointments) for the pharmaceutical industry and provides development services. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This media release includes statements concerning the future. They are based on assumptions and expectations that may prove to be wrong. They should be considered with due caution as, by definition, they contain known and unknown risks, insecurities and other factors which could result in a difference in the actual results, financial situation, developments or the success of Siegfried Holding AG or Siegfried Group from the explicit or implicit assumptions made in these statements. expect more Siegfried AG Untere Bruhlstrasse 4 4800 Zofingen, Switzerland +41 62 746 11 11 info@siegfried.ch www.siegfried.ch End of Media Release Bisichi Plc - Half-year Report PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, August 30 30 August 2024 BISICHI PLC Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2024 For the six months ending 30thJune 2024: EBITDA [1]: 7.35million (2023: 1.42million) Adjusted EBITDA [2]: 6.65million (2023: 2.17million) Profit before tax 5.0million (2023: 0.3million) EPS (basic): 18.33p (2023: Loss: 3.18p) The increase in group earnings in the first half of the year can be attributed to a significant improvement in mining production and lower mining costs at Black Wattle Colliery, the Group's South African mining operation. Total mining production from Black Wattle of 708,000 metric tonnes compared to 354,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2023, and 453,000 in the second half of that year. Lower coal prices achievable by Sisonke Coal Processing, the Group's South African coal processing operation, as well as continued constraints on the South African rail network, adversely impacted Group revenue achieved during the period of 23.5million (H1 2023: 25.9million). An interim dividend of 3p (H1 2023: 3p) declared. END For further information, please call: Andrew Heller/Garrett Casey Bisichi PLC 020 7415 5030 [1] Earnings before Interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation. [2] Operating profit before depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange movements. Bisichi PLC Half year review - 30 June 2024 We are pleased to report that for the six month period ended 30 June 2024, your company made a profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 7.35million (H1 2023: 1.42 million) and an operating profit before depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange movements (Adjusted EBITDA) of 6.65million (H1 2023: 2.17million). The higher earnings for the Group, compared to the first six months of 2023, are mainly attributable to the significant improvement in mining production and lower mining costs at our South African coal mining asset, Black Wattle Colliery. This had offset the lower prices for our coal sold by Sisonke Coal Processing, the Group's South African coal processing operation. At Black Wattle, improved mining conditions at our new mining area had a significant positive impact on profitability during the period. For the majority of 2023, geological issues reduced the production from our opencast mining area as well as increasing related mining and blasting costs. In order to mitigate these issues, in the third quarter of 2023 the mine opened a lower cost second mining area. Since the commencement of this new mining area, we have seen a significant improvement in mining production, and during the first six months of the year, we are pleased to report that the Group achieved production of 708,000 metric tonnes, compared to 354,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2023 and 453,000 in the second half of the year. Improved coal production from Black Wattle had a knock-on effect on overall levels of coal processed at Sisonke Coal Processing throughout the period, during which the Group sold 618,000 metric tonnes compared to 473,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2023 and 1.03million metric tonnes overall in 2023. As previously announced, constraints which were beyond our control, in transporting coal for export on the South African rail network, significantly impacted the Group's export sales during 2023. Transnet, the South African state rail operator and the wider South African coal industry, are working hard collectively to implement measures to increase rail capacity. During the period, the Group's rail exports increased to 109,000 metric tonnes, compared to 59,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2023 and 75,000 metric tonnes in the second half of the year. We continue to monitor the progress being made by Transnet and remain optimistic that the measures being implemented will have a positive impact on the value achieved from our South African operations. During the period, the improved rail exports were offset by lower prices of Free on Board (FOB) coal from Richards Bay Coal Terminal (API4 price). During the first half of 2024, the weekly API4 price averaged US$101 compared to US$128 in the first half of 2023, and US$112 in the second half of the year. Prices achievable in the domestic market were also lower during the period, compared to the first half of 2023, due to the knock-on impact of continued constraints in railing coal by export and lower overall international coal prices. The decrease in the Group's mining revenue during the period to 22.8million (H1 2023: 25.1million) can mainly be attributable to the lower prices achievable for our coal, offsetting the higher overall quantity of coal sold. Looking forward into the second half of 2024, we will continue to see the benefits from the new mining area at Black Wattle. In addition, we have seen a stabilisation in coal prices in both the export and domestic market. We remain confident in the Group's ability to achieve significant value from our South African operations. In the UK, rental revenue from our retail property portfolio remained stable in the first half of 2024. Overall, the Group billed revenue from our directly owned property portfolio of 0.54million (H1 2023: 0.54million) during the first half of the year. The Group continues to hold its joint venture development investment in West Ealing, with London & Associated Properties PLC and Metroprop Real Estate Ltd. The planning consent for 56 flats and four retail units has been fully implemented. In June 2024 the joint venture secured an offer of funding, agreed a price for a Registered Provider to purchase the affordable element of the scheme and agreed a construction cost with a contractor. The contractor went into administration in July 2024, before we commenced construction, and we are now in the process of retendering the construction contract. The lender and the Registered Provider have both indicated that once a new contractor is selected they will be available to restart the process. We are scheduled to complete the tendering process in November, with a view to starting on site in early 2025. Our joint venture with London and Associated Properties PLC, Dragon Retail Properties Limited ("Dragon"), executed a new 3-year loan with Santander UK plc, the existing lender, for 0.74 million in July 2024 with an LTV of 50% at a margin of 3.5% above the Bank of England base rate. This loan is secured on Dragon's property portfolio. During the period, the Group's total non-current and current listed equity investments held at fair value through profit and loss increased to 15.9million (H1 2023: 13.5million). The Group achieved gains on investments during the period of 0.92million (H1 2023: Loss 0.6million) as well as dividend income from investments during the period of 0.16million (H1 2023: 0.28million). As at 30thJune 2024, the fair value of the Group's listed equity related investment portfolios comprised: 64% of investments in listed equities with a market capitalisation of greater then 10billion; 25% of investments in listed equities with a market capitalisation of greater then 1bn and less then 10billion; 1% of investments in listed equities with a market capitalisation of less then 1bn; and 10% of an investment in a listed equity related investment fund. The listed equities and listed equity related investment fund are primarily involved or invested in extractive and energy related business activities, including entities involved in the extraction of commodities needed for the clean energy transition. As previously announced, we are delighted to welcome Clement Robin Parish to the Board of Bisichi as an Independent Non-executive Director. Robin's appointment took effect from 1st July 2024 and his valuable experience in management, mining and the investment trading industry, makes him an excellent addition to the Board. Robin's knowledge and experience will bring a new perspective to the Group's strategy of growing the company's existing and future spread of business interests and investments. Finally, your directors intend to pay an interim dividend of 3p (2023: 3p) per share. The dividend will be payable on Friday 7 February 2025 to shareholders registered at the close of business on 10 January 2025. In light of the reduced coal price and the significant rail challenges explained above, on behalf of the Board and shareholders, I would like to thank all of our staff and partners in our South African operations for their hard work and significant contribution to the results achieved during this period. Andrew Heller Executive Chairman & Managing Director 29 August 2024 Bisichi PLC Consolidated income statement For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2024 2023 2023 Notes 000 000 000 Group revenue 1 23,480 25,883 49,253 Operating costs (18,428) (24,668) (48,257) Operating profit on trading activities 5,052 1,215 996 Decrease in value of investment properties - - 145 Gain/(Loss) on investments held at fair value 920 (553) 759 Operating profit 1 5,972 662 1,900 Share of loss in joint ventures (250) (10) (39) Profit before interest and taxation 5,722 652 1,861 Interest receivable 64 124 222 Interest payable (776) (477) (1,473) Profit before taxation 1 5,010 299 610 Income tax 2 (1,321) (165) (300) (Loss)/Profit for the period 3,689 134 310 Attributable to: Equity holders of the company 1,957 (339) 259 Non-controlling interest 1,732 473 51 (Loss)/Profit for the period 3,689 134 310 Loss/Earnings per share - basic 3 18.33p (3.18p) 2.43p Loss/Earnings per share - diluted 3 18.33p (3.18p) 2.43p Bisichi PLC Consolidated statement of comprehensive income For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 6 months ended 6 months ended Year ended 30 June 30 June 31 December 2024 2023 2023 000 000 000 (Loss)/Profit for the period 3,689 134 310 Other comprehensive income/(expenses): Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 175 (874) (675) Taxation - - - Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of tax 175 (874) (675) Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period 3,864 (740) (365) Attributable to: Equity shareholders 2,059 (938) (210) Non-controlling interest 1,805 198 (155) Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period 3,864 (740) (365) Bisichi PLC Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2024 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 31 December 2023 Assets 000 000 000 Non-current-assets Value of investment properties 10,648 10,465 10,610 Fair value of head leases 170 170 208 Investment property 10,818 10,635 10,818 Mining reserves, plant and equipment 22,661 14,195 18,896 Investments in joint ventures 1,006 1,031 1,002 Deferred tax assets - 183 318 Other investments at fair value through profit and loss ("FVPL") 15,181 12,740 14,258 Total non-current assets 49,666 38,784 45,292 Current assets Inventories 3,432 4,502 2,579 Trade and other receivables 8,295 5,651 7,934 Investments in listed securities held at FVPL 768 779 734 Cash and cash equivalents 1,784 6,468 3,242 Total current assets 14,279 17,400 14,489 Total assets 63,945 56,184 59,781 Liabilities Current liabilities Borrowings (6,385) (3,556) (7,461) Trade and other payables (13,042) (9,153) (11,589) Current tax liabilities (4,750) (4,321) (5,191) Total current liabilities (24,177) (17,030) (24,241) Non-current liabilities Borrowings (18) (3,924) (22) Provision for rehabilitation (1,635) (1,475) (1,614) Finance lease liabilities (271) (215) (310) Deferred tax liabilities (813) - - Total non-current liabilities (2,737) (5,614) (1,946) Total liabilities (26,914) (22,644) (26,187) Net assets 37,031 33,540 33,594 Equity Share capital 1,068 1,068 1,068 Share premium 258 258 258 Translation reserve (2,926) (3,158) (3,028) Other reserves 1,112 1,112 1,112 Retained earnings 34,110 32,303 32,580 Total equity attributable to equity shareholders 33,622 31,583 31,990 Non-controlling interest 3,409 1,957 1,604 Total equity 37,031 33,540 33,594 Bisichi PLC Consolidated Cash Flow Statement For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2024 2023 2023 000 000 000 Cash flows from operating activities Operating profit 5,972 662 1,900 Depreciation 1,628 764 1,493 Unrealised (gain)/loss on investments (920) 553 (759) Unrealised loss on investment properties - - (145) Exchange adjustments (27) 188 158 Movement in working capital (318) (3,947) 133 Net interest paid (712) (353) (1,139) Income tax (paid)/received (721) (327) 137 Cash flow from operating activities 4,902 (2,460) 1,778 Cash flows from investing activities (5,215) (1,649) (6,701) Cash flows from financing activities (43) (513) (2,874) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (356) (4,622) (7,797) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January (292) 7,365 7,365 Exchange adjustment (5) 177 140 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (653) 2,920 (292) Cash and cash equivalents For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balance sheet amounts: Cash and cash equivalents 1,784 6,468 3,242 Bank overdrafts (2,437) (3,548) (3,534) Cash and cash equivalents at end of period (653) 2,920 (292) Bisichi PLC Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity For the six months ended 30 June 2024 Share Share Translation Available for sale Other Retained Non-controlling Total capital premium reserve reserves reserves earnings Total Interest Equity '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 '000 Balance at 1 January 2023 1,068 258 (2,559) - 1,112 33,923 33,802 1,759 35,561 Profit for the period - - - - - (339) (339) 473 134 Other comprehensive income and expense - - (599) - - - (599) (275) (874) Total comprehensive income for the period - - (599) - - (339) (938) 198 (740) Dividend - - - - - (1,281) (1,281) - (1,281) Balance at 30 June 2023 1,068 258 (3,158) - 1,112 32,303 31,583 1,957 33,540 Balance at 1 January 2023 1,068 258 (2,559) - 1,112 33,923 33,802 1,759 35,561 Profit for the year - - - - - 259 259 51 310 Other comprehensive income and expense - - (469) - - - (469) (206) (675) Total comprehensive income for the year - - (469) - - 259 (210) (155) (365) Dividend - - - - - (1,602) (1,602) - (1,602) Share options cancelled - - - - - - - - - Share options issued - - - - - - - - - Balance at 31 December 2023 1,068 258 (3,028) - 1,112 32,580 31,990 1,604 33,594 Profit for the year - - - - - 1,957 1,957 1,732 3,689 Other comprehensive income and expense - - 102 - - - 102 73 175 Total comprehensive income for the period - - 102 - - 1,957 2,059 1,805 3,864 Dividend - - - - - (427) (427) - (427) Balance at 30 June 2024 1,068 258 (2,926) - 1,112 34,110 33,622 3,409 37,031 ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS: The results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The principal accounting policies applied are the same as those set out in the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, and which will form the basis of the 2024 Annual report. Segmental analysis For management purposes, the Group is organised into two operating Divisions, Mining and Property. These Divisions are the primary basis on which the Group reports its segment information. This is consistent with the way the Group is managed and with the format of the Group's internal financial reporting. Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2024 2023 2023 000 000 000 Revenue Mining 22,777 25,060 47,424 Property 541 543 1,268 Other 162 280 561 23,480 25,883 49,253 Operating profit/(loss) Mining 4,658 715 (271) Property 233 221 856 Other 1,081 (274) 1,315 5,972 662 1,900 Share of profit in joint ventures (250) (10) (39) Interest receivable 64 124 222 Interest payable (776) (477) (1,473) Profit/(Loss) before taxation 5,010 299 610 Taxation Unaudited Unaudited Audited 30 June 30 June 31 December 2024 2023 2023 000 000 000 Based on the results for the period: Corporation tax at 27% (2023: 27%) 228 6,425 1,318 Deferred taxation 1,093 (469) (1,018) 1,321 5,956 300 Earnings/ (loss) per share Both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are based on a profit of 1,957,000 (2023: loss of 339,000). The basic earnings per share has been calculated on a weighted average of 10,676,839 (2023: 10,676,839) ordinary shares being in issue during the year. The diluted earnings per share has been calculated on the weighted average number of shares in issue of 10,676,839 (2023: 10,676,839) plus the dilutive potential ordinary shares arising from share options of nil (2023: nil) totalling 10,676,839 (2023: 10,676,839). Investment properties Investment properties are held at fair value at each reporting period. Management evaluate on an ongoing basis the impact of the current economic performance of the UK Retail market on the future performance of the group's existing UK property portfolio. The Directors have placed a valuation on the properties which is not materially different to the value as at 31 December 2023. Therefore no change in fair value of investment properties has been made during the period. Investment properties are therefore included at a Director's valuation which is considered to be the fair value as at 30 June 2024. Please refer to page 85 to 87 of the 2023 Annual report and Accounts for details on the valuation of investment and development properties as at 31 December 2023. Related Parties The related parties and the nature of costs recharged are as disclosed in the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The Group paid management fees of 100,000 (30 June 2023: 100,000 December 2023: 200,000) to London & Associated Properties PLC, an associated company. Financial information The above financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures for the year ended 31st December 2023 are based upon the latest statutory accounts, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, the interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in accordance with both IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the United Kingdom and the disclosure requirements of the Listing Rules. The half year results have not been audited or subject to review by the company's auditors. The annual financial statements of Bisichi PLC are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. The same accounting policies are used for the six months ended 30 June 2024 as were used for the year ended 31 December 2023. The assessment of new standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not effective, are not anticipated to have a material impact on the financial statements. The largest areas of estimation and uncertainty in the interim financial statements are in respect of: Life of mine and reserves; Depreciation; Provision for rehabilitation (relating to environmental rehabilitation of mining areas); Impairment; and The valuation of investment and development properties Property, plant and equipment representing the group's mining assets in South Africa are reviewed for impairment where there is evidence of a material impairment. The impairment test indicated significant headroom as at 31 December 2023 and no impairment was considered appropriate. The directors have used similar key assumptions and estimates as outlined on page 73 of the 2023 Annual report and Accounts, and no impairment was considered appropriate as at 30 June 2024. Other areas of estimation and uncertainly are referred to in the Group's annual financial statements. There have been no significant changes to the basis of accounting of key estimates and judgements as disclosed in the annual report as at 31 December 2023. The Group's contingent liabilities and bank guarantees are referred to in the Group's 2023 annual financial statements. Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd continues to be involved in a tax dispute in South Africa related to Vat. The dispute arose during the year ended 31 December 2020 and is related to events which occurred prior to the years ended 31 December 2020. The interpretation of laws and regulations in South Africa where the Group operates can be complex and can lead to challenges from or disputes with regulatory authorities. Such situations often take significant time to resolve. Where there is a dispute and where a reliable estimate of the potential liability cannot be made, or where the Group, based on legal advice, considers that it is improbable that there will be an outflow of economic resources, no provision is recognised. Further details of the contingent tax liability can be found on page 107 of the 2023 Annual report and Accounts. The interim financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. Cashflow forecasts demonstrate that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is well placed to manage its business risks. Dividend The final dividend in respect of 2023, totalling 427,074 was approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on the 18th June 2024 and was paid on the 26th July 2024. The final dividends in respect of 2023 are included as a liability in these interim financial statements. A proposed interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2024 totalling 320,305 (2023: 320,305) was approved by the Board of Directors on 29 August 2024 and has not been included as a liability in these Interim Financial Statements. Principal risks and uncertainties The Group has an established risk management process which works within the corporate governance framework as set out in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Risks and uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page 20 to 23 of the 2023 Annual Report & Accounts and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. There have been no significant changes in the first half of 2024 to the principle risks and uncertainties as set out in the 2023 Annual Report & Accounts. Risks faced by the business are assessed by the Board on an ongoing basis. Strategies for mitigating the risks have been defined and specific measures for achieving these are already underway. These include the measures outlined in the Chairman's Statement, Mining Review and Financial Review & Performance sections of the 2023 Annual report and Accounts. The principal risks as stated in the 2023 Annual Report & Accounts reflect the challenging environment in which the business operates and are considered under the following broad headings: Mining: Coal price and volume risk Mining risk Currency risk New reserves and mining permissions Power supply risk Flooding risk Environmental risk Health & safety risk Climate change risk Labour risk Socio-economic, political instability & regulatory environment risk Cashflow Property: Property valuation risk Board approval These interim results were approved by the Board of Bisichi PLC on 29 August 2024. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND REPORT ON PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINITIES Responsibility Statement We confirm to the best of our knowledge: (a) the condensed set of financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU; (b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by: (1) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and (2) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during the period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so. This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current estimates and projections of management and currently available information. Future statements are not guarantees of the future developments and results outlined therein. Rather, future developments and results are dependent on a number of factors; they involve various risks and uncertainties and are based upon assumptions that may not prove to be accurate. Risks and uncertainties identified by the Group are set out on page 20 to 23 of the 2023 Annual Report & Accounts. We do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Andrew Heller Executive Chairman & Managing Director 29 August 2024 DIRECTORS AND ADVISERS Directors Andrew R Heller MA, ACA (Executive Chairman & Managing Director) Robert Grobler PR Cert Eng (Mining Director) Garrett Casey CA (SA) (Finance Director) Christopher A Joll MA (Non-executive) (ceased to be a director on 18 April 2024) Clement Robin Parish (Non-executive) (appointed on 1st July 2024) John A Sibbald BL (Non-executive) John Wong ACA, CFA (Non-executive) John Heller LLB MBA (Non-executive) Secretary & Registered office Garrett Casey CA (SA) 12 Little Portland Street London W1W 8BJ Black Wattle Colliery - Directors Andrew Heller (Managing Director) Garrett Casey (Finance Director) Ethan Dube (Commercial Director) Robert Grobler (Mining Director) Millicent Zvarayi Registrars and transfer office Link Group Central Square 29 Wellington Street Leeds LS14DL UK Telephone: 0371 664 0300 International Telephone: +44 (0) 371 664 0300 (Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. We are open between 09:00 - 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales) Website: www.linkgroup.eu E-mail: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk Company registration number 00112155 (Incorporated in England and Wales) Web site www.bisichi.co.uk E-mail admin@bisichi.co.uk Enhanced marketing strategies and increase in awareness about timeshare ownership offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market. NEW CASTLE, Del., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Vacation Ownership (Timeshare) Market by Type (Fixed Week, Floating Week and Point-based Week), Tour Type (Domestic and International), and Tourist Type (Independent Traveler and Tour Group): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2032". According to the report, the vacation ownership (Timeshare) industry market was valued at $12.2 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $25.1 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2032. Prime determinants of growth The global vacation ownership (timeshare) market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as increase in disposable income to afford luxury vacations, rise in demand for flexible vacation options, and modern consumers increasingly prioritizing experiences over possessions. However, rise in regulatory complexities and compliance with consumer protection hinders the market growth. Request Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A54907 Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2032 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $12.2 billion Market Size in 2032 $25.1 billion CAGR 7.9 % No. of Pages in Report 219 Segments Covered Type, Tour Type, Tourist Type, and Region Drivers Increase in disposable income to afford luxury vacations Rise in demand for flexible vacation options Modern consumers increasingly prioritize experiences over possessions Opportunities Enhanced marketing strategies and increased awareness about timeshare ownership Restraint Rise in regulatory complexities and compliance with consumer protection Buy this Complete Report (219 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/vacation-ownership-market/purchase-options The fixed week segment held the highest market share in 2023. By type, the fixed week segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than half of the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance during the forecast period, owing to the growing demand for premium and high-demand weeks, such as holidays or peak seasons, which offer owners greater flexibility and value in their vacation ownership. In addition, there is a trend towards greater customization and exchange options within fixed-week timeshare programs, allowing owners to swap their designated weeks for alternative dates or locations within the same resort or through exchange networks. The domestic segment held the highest market share in 2023. By tour type, the domestic segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than half of the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance during the forecast period, owing to the growing demand for domestic destinations among timeshare owners. This trend reflects a shift towards prioritizing convenience, accessibility, and familiarity in vacation planning, particularly in the wake of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have highlighted the importance of domestic travel and local exploration. The tour group segment held the highest market share in 2023. By tourist type, the tour group segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for nearly one-third of the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market revenue and is likely to retain its dominance during the forecast period, owing to the growing popularity of tour group packages offered by timeshare developers and resort operators. These packages often include guided tours, excursions, and cultural experiences tailored to the interests of timeshare owners, providing a convenient and immersive way to explore new destinations and make the most of their vacation ownership. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032. Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for three-fourths of the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market revenue and is expected to retain its dominance in terms of revenue during the forecast period, owing to rise in interest and adoption of timeshare ownership among consumers in Asia-Pacific countries. As disposable incomes rise and travel becomes more accessible to a growing middle class, there is a growing appetite for vacation ownership as a way to secure future holidays and access premium accommodations in desirable destinations. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A54907 Major Industry Players Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. The Walt Disney Company Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. InterContinental Hotels Group Hyatt Corporation Marriott International, Inc. Vidanta Westgate Resorts, Inc. Wyndham Destinations The Boca Raton The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global vacation ownership (timeshare) market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vacation-ownership-market-by-type-to-reach-25-1-billion-globally-by-2032-at-7-9-cagr-allied-market-research-302234810.html GUIYANG, China, Aug. 30, 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 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. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492302/2024.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2024-big-data-expo-attracts-400-exhibitors-by-new-forms-marking-an-important-milestone-for-the-10th-anniversary-302233947.html ?Real-Time Cell Culture Management Technology Seeks to Accelerate Production of New Therapies? PHC Corporation Biomedical Division (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuaki Nakamura, hereinafter referred to as "Biomedical Division") will showcase a prototype of its new cell expansion system LiCellGrow at the ISCT (International Society for Cell Gene Therapy) Europe 2024 Regional Meeting held in Gothenburg, Sweden on September 4-6. LiCellGrow, currently under development, is designed to allow pharmaceutical companies to visualize continuous metabolic changes in cells in real-time and adjust the cell culture automatically to optimize conditions for cell growth. The system seeks to expand availability of cell and gene therapy (CGT) products by accelerating the manufacturing of specific cells needed for these therapies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240830467786/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) CGT, in which a patient's cells are removed, modified, and reintroduced to the body to fight disease, has emerged as a promising therapeutic field for difficult-to-treat conditions such as cancers and hematologic disorders. Since the patient's own cells are used as raw materials, it is essential to maintain stable cell quality when producing new cells, to counteract natural variations in cell characteristics and ensure consistency throughout the therapy manufacturing process. The current method of evaluating cell quality by sampling the final product may lower both manufacturing efficiency and yield, increasing production cost. LiCellGrow seeks to enable more efficient and stable manufacture of high-quality CGT products by enabling researchers to monitor and control the cell culture environment in real time, optimizing cell quality while minimizing interruption to the therapy manufacturing process. The system under development uses proprietary In-Line monitoring technology, which continuously measures cell metabolites in the culture medium without the need for repeated sampling by immersing sensors in the medium at all times. LiCellGrow then continuously and accurately measures concentrations of two critical indicators of cell metabolism, glucose and lactate, to offer a visualization of actual changes in the culture environment and cell status. Based on real-time measurement data, the system then automatically exchanges the culture medium to maintain the culture environment in an optimal state. This technology is designed to improve and homogenize cell quality while increasing cell culture efficiency and reducing costs through loss reduction. The system will also feature easy-to-install single-use culture bags with In-Line sensors, enabling closed-system cell culturing to maintain a sterile environment, and can be installed in existing CO2 incubators, enabling researchers to conduct studies using their preferred equipment. LiCellGrow is an example of synergy between the Biomedical Division and IVD Division (hereinafter referred to as "IVD") of PHC Corporation. The In-Line monitoring technology featured in this cell expansion system is newly developed proprietary technology building on the core technology of blood glucose sensor, the main product developed by IVD. By combining this sensor technology from IVD with advanced cell culture environment control technology from the Biomedical Division, PHC seeks to offer researchers and pharmaceutical companies greater value. The Biomedical Division plans to launch LiCellGrow to support the development of manufacturing processes for CGT products globally in the short term, and aims to accelerate development of this system to ultimately support commercialized production of CGT products. LiCellGrow builds on the Biomedical Division's 20-year history of pioneering solutions in the field of cell therapy, including the Cell Processing Center*1 in 2000 and the Cell Processing Isolator *2 in 2007. Moving forward, we will continue to accelerate the creation of innovative solutions addressing QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) challenges in the therapeutic manufacturing process for early adoption of CGT, aiming to contribute to advancing modalities (therapy methods.) ISCT Europe 2024 Event period: Sept. 4 to 6, 2024 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Venue: Swedish Exhibition Congress Center (PHC Europe B.V. Booth No. F03.12) Website: Home ISCT EU 2024 (isctglobal.org) *1 Strictly controlled cell processing facilities for aseptic processing of cell culture, processing, among others. 2 Device that combines a closed space sterilized with hydrogen peroxide inside the isolator, detachable culture modules, centrifuge modules, and other components, allowing a series of cell processing steps to be performed while retaining a sterile environment. About the Biomedical Division of PHC Corporation Established in 1969, PHC Corporation is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TOKYO:6523), a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. The Biomedical Division supports the life sciences industry helping researchers and healthcare providers in around 110 countries and regions through its laboratory and equipment and services including CO2 incubators and ultra-low temperature freezers. www.phchd.com/global/phc About PHC Holdings Corporation PHC Holdings Corporation (TOKYO:6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia Holdings Ltd., LSI Medience Corporation, Wemex Corporation, and Mediford Corporation. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, diagnostics and life sciences. The consolidated net sales in FY2023 were JPY 353.9 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries and regions. PHC Group is a collective term referring to PHC Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries. www.phchd.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240830467786/en/ Contacts: Contact for product and service: Masayo Okada Marketing Department, Biomedical Division PHC Corporation Email: masayo.okada@phchd.com Arthur Goudena Marketing Manager PHC Europe B.V. Tel: +31-76-5433-833 Email: arthur.goudena@eu.phchd.com Contact for IR and media: Hiroko Arai Investor Relations Corporate Communications Department PHC Holdings Corporation Tel: +81-3-6778-5311 Email: phc_pr@gg.phchd.com PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Ibuprofen Market by Type (Tablet, Capsule, Syrup, Injection, and Other), Application (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, Cancer, Pain/Fever/Dysmenorrhea, Inflammatory Diseases, Headache, and Others), and Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033.". According to the report, the ibuprofen market was valued at $100.0 million in 2023, and is estimated to reach $213.6 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2033. Prime Determinants of Growth The global ibuprofen market is experiencing growth due to widespread adoption of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen for pain management, rise in geriatric population, and surge in prevalence of chronic disease. Furthermore, the availability of over-the-counter ibuprofen is expected to further increase the adoption of ibuprofen among its users. Request Sample of the Report on Ibuprofen Market Forecast 2033 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A65446 Segment Highlights The Ibuprofen market is segmented into type, application, distribution channel and region. By type, the market is divided into tablet, capsule, syrup, injection, and others. By application, the market is classified into rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, cancer, pain/fever/dysmenorrhea, inflammatory diseases, headache, and others. By distribution channel, the market is categorized into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. By type, the tablet segment dominated the market share in 2023 attributed to the fact that tablets are one of the most common and widely accepted dosage forms for oral medications, offering convenience, ease of administration, and accurate dosing for patients. Ibuprofen tablets are available in various strengths, ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) formulations for mild pain and fever to prescription-strength tablets for more severe conditions such as arthritis and inflammation. This versatility allows healthcare providers to prescribe Ibuprofen tablets according to the specific needs and severity of patients' symptoms, contributing to their widespread use and market dominance. Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A65446 By application, the rheumatoid arthritis segment dominated the market share in 2023. This is attributed to high prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. The increase in incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly among the aging population, has surged the need for advanced therapeutic solutions. Furthermore, rheumatoid arthritis treatments often require long-term pain management medication, resulting in sustained demand for ibuprofen over extended periods. By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market share. This is attributed to the fact that hospitals are primary healthcare facilities that handle a broad spectrum of medical conditions, ranging from acute injuries to chronic diseases, where pain management is an essential component of patient care. Ibuprofen, being a versatile and widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is frequently administered in hospitals to manage pain and reduce inflammation in various clinical settings, including post-surgical recovery, emergency care, and treatment of chronic conditions like arthritis. For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A65446 Regional Outlook Emerging economies like India and China are witnessing rapid development of healthcare infrastructure, growth in geriatric population, and rise in chronic conditions such as arthritis. In addition, North America is expected to dominate the market share, owing to the developed healthcare infrastructure, and strong presence of major key players. Key Players Abbott Laboratories Ltd. Solara Active Pharma Sciences Ltd. ?h?nd?ng ??nhu? ?h?rm???ut???l ??.Ltd ??L ?h?m???l? and ?h?rm???ut???l L?m?t?d ?ub?? ?????u?? ?h?rm???ut???l ??.Ltd ?tr?d?? ?h?rm? ????n?? L?m?t?d ??rr?g? ??m??n? PLC BASF SE ??ll?n?kr?dt PLC Biocause Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global Ibuprofen market. These players have adopted different strategies such as collaboration to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Recent Development In July 2023, BASF SE and Recipharm, announced collaboration. The two companies joined forces to pioneer the development of innovative ibuprofen formulations. Leveraging BASF's expertise in ibuprofen synthesis and Recipharm's proficiency in drug formulation, the partnership aims to create formulations that are more effective, exhibit fewer side effects, and are easier to administer. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Allied Market Research: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ibuprofen-market-to-reach-213-6-million-globally-by-2033-at-7-9-cagr-allied-market-research-302234837.html Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSX-V:EOG), the oil and gas exploration company focused on the offshore Atlantic Margins, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the three-month period ended 30 June 2024. Highlights: Financials The Company had cash and cash equivalents of US$1.185 million and no debt as at 30 June 2024. The Company had total assets of US$29.65 million, total liabilities of US$0.791 million and total equity of US$28.859 million as at 30 June 2024. Post-period end Following the completion of a farm down of a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4Boffshore the Republic of South Africa, as announced on 28 August 2024, Eco is due to receive now US$8.3million from the JV partners as part of the milestone payments agreed in the 3B/4B Transaction. This is expected to give Eco a cash and cash equivalents position of over US$9 million on receipt, expected in early September 2024. Operations: South Africa Block 1 (post-period end) On June 5, 2024, Eco announced the Farm-In into Block 1 Offshore South Africa Orange Basin. Through Azinam South Africa, the Company will farm-in and acquire a 75% working interest ("WI") from Tosaco Energy (Proprietary) Limited ("Tosaco") and will become operator of a new exploration right. Block 3B/4B In July 2024, Eco signed an agreement to sell a 1% interest in Block 3B/4B in exchange for cancellation of all of Africa Oil's ("AOI") shares and warrants in Eco (worth approximately C$ 11.5m at the time of agreement). Upon Completion of the transaction, Eco will hold a fully carried 5.25% interest in Block 3B/4B Offshore South Africa, reducing from the current 6.25%. Closing is expected to occur in Q4 2024. Post-period end On August 28, 2024, the Company announced the completion of a farm down of a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4Boffshore the Republic of South Africaand Transfer of Operatorship of the Block after receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals (Section 11) from the government of South Africa. Eco now holds a 6.25% interest in Block 3B/4B. Further to the Company's announcement on 6 March 2024 detailing the Farmout Agreement (" FOA "), Azinam Limited, Eco's wholly owned subsidiary, has farmed down a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4B, offshore the Republic of South Africa as part of an aggregate 57% farm down transaction along with its Joint Venture Partners Africa Oil SA Corp. and Ricocure (Proprietary) Limited to TotalEnergies EP South Africa S.A.S., who will become Operator and QatarEnergy International E&P LLC. Following Completion, Eco is now due to receive US$8.3million in total as part of the 3B/4B Transaction, including Completion linked milestone payments of US$4m from Africa Oil and US$1.56m from Ricocure, as referred to in the Company's announcement of 6 March 2024. Further payments, amounting to $11.5m will be payable to Eco from TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Africa Oil on spudding of the first exploration well. Block 2B In June 2024, the Company relinquished its 50% WI Operated offshore Block 2B where it drilled its 2022 Gazania-1 well offsetting the AJ-1 oil discovery. The Company has completed all necessary documentation, and environmental audits, and has informed the Petroleum Agency of South Africa ("PASA"), the regulator for the Government of South Africa. Namibia A multi-block farm out process remains underway for all or part of Eco's four offshore Petroleum Exploration Licences (" PEL "): 97, 98, 99, and 100. Eco holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in each PEL representing a combined area of 28,593 km 2 in the Walvis Basin. Eco added ~1,383km 2D data licensed on PEL100 (Tamar block) to its database, which is being technically evaluated and interpreted by the team to define additional seismic acquisition areas within the Block, along with new leads and prospects. Guyana An active farmout process continues for the offshore Orinduik Block. Eco is encouraged to see the growing activity surrounding its acreage, notably ExxonMobil's plans for a seventh development at Hammerhead in the Stabroek Block. Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented: "We continued to make significant progress across our asset base during the period. On Block 3B/4B, we announced the completion of Eco's farm-out agreement with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy, which will see Eco receiving US$8.3 million now and additional US$11.5m in the future while maintaining a material fully carried interest in the Block. "We also announced Eco's transaction with AOI, where the Company sold a 1% interest in Block 3B/4B in exchange for cancellation of all of Africa Oil's shares and warrants in Eco amount to 15% of the company. Eco continues to possess significant upside potential and exposure to assets in the Orange Basin offshore South Africa a hugely exciting region for hydrocarbon prospectivity. "Our active farm-out processes in both Namibia and Guyana have seen Eco actively engaged with a number of potential high-calibre partners as we work to monetise these licences as fast as is practically possible for the benefit of all involved.We look forward to providing updates on material developments to all our stakeholders over the coming months." The Company's unaudited financial results and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended 30 June 2024 are available for download on the Company's website at www.ecooilandgas.com and on Sedar at www.sedar.com. The following are the Company's Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Cash Flow Statement and selected notes from the annual Financial Statements. All amounts are in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated. Balance Sheet June 30, March 31, 2024 2024 Assets Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,185,116 2,967,005 Short-term investments 13,107 13,107 Government receivable 16,772 26,970 Amounts owing by license partners 115,319 49,578 Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 2,006 38,539 Total Current Assets 1,332,320 3,095,199 Non- Current Assets Petroleum and natural gas licenses 28,318,439 28,168,439 Total Non-Current Assets 28,318,439 28,168,439 Total Assets 29,650,759 31,263,638 Liabilities Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 791,417 1,163,546 Advances from and amounts owing to license partners - 81,952 Total Current Liabilities 791,417 1,245,498 Total Liabilities 791,417 1,245,498 Equity Share capital 122,088,498 122,088,498 Restricted Share Units reserve 920,653 920,653 Warrants 14,778,272 14,778,272 Stock options 2,900,501 2,900,501 Foreign currency translation reserve (1,600,208 ) (1,568,469 ) Accumulated deficit (110,228,374 ) (109,101,315 ) Total Equity 28,859,342 30,018,140 Total Liabilities and Equity 29,650,759 31,263,638 Income Statement Three months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Revenue Interest income 3,211 1,665 3,211 1,665 Operating expenses: Compensation costs 199,467 184,442 Professional fees 141,969 96,003 Operating costs, net 541,686 350,180 General and administrative costs 158,025 112,473 Share-based compensation - 111,512 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 89,123 (40,050 ) Total operating expenses 1,130,270 814,560 Operating loss (1,127,059 ) (812,895 ) Other Non-Operating Charges and Write-downs Fair value change in warrant liability - 261,720 Share of losses of associate - (166,224 ) Net loss for the period (1,127,059 ) (717,399 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment (31,739 ) (295,676 ) Comprehensive loss for the period (1,158,798 ) (1,013,075 ) Basic and diluted net loss per share: (0.003 ) (0.002 ) Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 370,173,680 367,348,680 Cash Flow Statement Three months ended June 30, 2024 2023 Cash flow from operating activities Net loss from continuing operations (1,127,059 ) (717,399 ) Items not affecting cash: Share-based compensation - 111,512 Fair value change in warrant liability - (261,720 ) Share of losses of companies accounted for at equity - 166,224 Changes in non???cash working capital: Government receivable 10,198 (3,477 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (372,129 ) (1,045,330 ) Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses 36,533 (1,283 ) Advance from and amounts owing to license partners (147,693 ) 382,277 Cash flow from operating activities (1,600,150 ) (1,369,196 ) Cash flow from investing activities Acquisition of interest in property (150,000 ) - Cash flow from investing activities (150,000 ) - Cash flow from financing activities - - Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,750,150 ) (1,369,196 ) Foreign exchange differences (31,739 ) (295,676 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,967,005 4,110,734 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 1,185,116 2,445,862 Notes to the Financial Statements Basis of Preparation The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a historical cost basis with the exception of certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value. Historical cost is generally based on the fair value of the consideration given in exchange for assets. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Critical accounting estimates Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively from the period in which the estimates are revised. The following are the key estimate and assumption uncertainties considered by management. **ENDS** For more information, please visit www.ecooilandgas.com or contact the following: Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas c/o Celicourt +44 (0) 20 8434 2754 Gil Holzman, CEO Colin Kinley, COO Alice Carroll, Executive Director Strand Hanson (Financial & Nominated Adviser) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494 James Harris James Bellman Berenberg (Broker) +44 (0) 20 3207 7800 Matthew Armitt Detlir Elezi Celicourt (PR) +44 (0) 20 7770 6424 Mark Antelme Jimmy Lea About Eco Atlantic: Eco Atlantic is a TSX-V and AIM-quoted Atlantic Margin-focused oil and gas exploration company with offshore license interests in Guyana, Namibia, and South Africa.Ecoaims to deliver material value for its stakeholders through its role in the energy transition to explore for low carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure. Offshore Guyana, in the proven Guyana-Suriname Basin, the Company operates a 100% Working Interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block. In Namibia, the Company holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in four offshore Petroleum Licences: PELs: 97, 98, 99, and 100, representing a combined area of 28,593 km2 in the Walvis Basin. Offshore South Africa, Eco holds a 6.25% Working Interest in Block 3B/4B and pending government approval a 75% Operated Interest in Block 1, in the Orange Basin, totalling some 37,510km2. This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Eco (Atlantic) Oil and Gas Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Verification Fee Revenue increased by 36% over the same period year prior. Operating Expenses decreased by 11% over the same period. Strong progress towards cashflow breakeven. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Inverite Insights Inc. (CSE: INVR) (OTC: INVRF) (FSE: 2V0) ("Inverite") is a leading AI-driven software provider utilizing real-time financial data to empower businesses to transact more effectively with consumers. Inverite announces its three-month financial results for the period ended June 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2023. The Company achieved strong revenue growth and lowering costs, thus made strong progress in continuing towards financial sustainability. Key financial highlights for the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, include: During the three-month period ending June 30, 2024, Inverite saw continued revenue growth with its opening banking platform and continued cost reductions in both operating expenses and financing costs. The Company increased verification fee revenue by 36% to $307,039 (June 30, 2023 - $225,604). Inverite continues to see its transaction volumes increase which contributed to the increase in verification fee revenues over the comparative period in 2023. The Company generated interest revenue from its loan portfolio of $15,231 (June 30, 202 - $35,995). The decrease is primarily due to lower number of loans outstanding. The Company no longer offers Fast-Track loans but continues to manage its existing loan portfolio. The Company saw operating expenses decrease by 11% or $117,779 to $954,600 (June 30, 2023 - $1,072,379) as the Company continues improve efficiencies. The Company saw administration costs decrease by 42% or $29,018 to $39,999 (June 30, 2023 - $69,017) due to ongoing cost management measures. Bad debts expense and allowance for loan impairment of $25,000 (June 30, 2023 - reversal of $13,205) increased by $38,205 or 289% due to one-time adjustment during the three-month period ending June 30, 2023. The Company saw consulting fees decrease by 36% or $79,596 to $138,885 (June 30, 2023 - $218,480) due to the lower use of outside consultants. The Company saw salaries and benefits costs decrease by 13% or $47,854 to $321,836 (June 30, 2023 - $369,690) due to reduction of employees. Software and platform technology services of $145,977 (June 30, 2023 - $156,188) decreased by $10,211 or 7% related to efficiencies in technology and software associated with providing the Company's products and services while experiencing higher Inverite Verification transaction volumes. Investor relations expense of $24,492 (June 30, 2023 - $25,750) a decrease of $1,258 or 5% due to the Company decreasing investor relations activities. The Company saw interest expenses decrease by 4% or $1,893 to $48,013 (June 30, 2023 - $49,906), related to convertible debentures and loans. The Company recorded a Normalized Earnings (Loss) reduction of 12% or $95,610 of $694,616 (June 30,2023 - $790,226), excluding Other Income (expense) items. Karim Nanji, CEO of Inverite, adds, "We continue down the path towards cashflow break even and profitability for Inverite. Our fiscal Q1-2025 continues to show we are on the right path with our verification fee revenue growing by 36% year-over-year and 15% revenue growth since the last quarter, and year end, March 31, 2024.This continued growth along with reductions in operating cost and improved platform efficiencies, resulting in year-over-year cost reductions of 11%. The growth reflects the robust demand for our AI-driven software solutions and the value they bring to our clients. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment for micro and small-cap public companies, our ability to improve our financial results demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of our business model. Industry continues to recognize the value proposition that it brings to the largest sector of the Canadian credit economy, the alternative lenders and non-prime consumers seeking credit. With the Federal Government's commitment to introducing Canada's inaugural open banking framework, Inverite is seeing interest from industry upstream from the non-prime credit facilitators (lenders) in our proprietary open banking platform.Our ongoing focus on financial sustainability and operational excellence underscores our commitment to delivering long-term value to our shareholders and customers." A comprehensive discussion of Inverite's financial position and results of operations is provided in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Inverite Insights Inc. Inverite Insights Inc. ("Inverite") (CSE: INVR) (OTC: INVRF) (FSE: 2V0) is a Vancouver-based, AI-driven software provider specializing in real-time financial data. With a vast database of over nine billion financial data points from more than four and half million unique Canadian consumers transactions, Inverite empowers businesses to transact more effectively with consumers through innovative solutions for data enrichment, identity, risk management and compliance. For further information about Inverite, please visit: inverite.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider/Market Maker (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, nor has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction nor approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. Forward Looking Statements: This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given 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 or the CSE. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221592 SOURCE: Inverite Insights Inc. CHENGDU, China, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 30th, ROX Motor showcased its global strategy and product lineup at the 2024 Chengdu International Motor Show. ROX Motor is committed to establishing itself as the premier automotive brand for outdoor living. Centred around the all-terrain luxury SUV, ROX 01, ROX Motor introduced exclusive purchasing benefits for the long-range and standard range versions, alongside the debut of the ROX 01 Fishing Master Edition and Off-Road Master Edition. Rooted in China with a global vision, ROX Motor has fully launched its international journey, entering markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, leading global families to start a new experience of "urban to camping, wild to distant travels." Since its inception, ROX Motor has built its brand core with a global perspective. Through in-depth research and insights into global markets, the brand supports its value with precise, differentiated, and scenario-based product experiences. At this Chengdu International Motor Show, ROX Motor's global strategy reached a new milestone. Exclusive agency agreements were signed with partners from Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, and Egypt, initiating the layout of sales channels and customer service systems in these five emerging markets. Thus, ROX Motor has fully embarked on its international journey, practicing its strategy of "rooted in China, looking globally." ROX Motor continues to expand its global "friend circle," accelerating its global strategy. In the UAE, ROX Motor provides more professional and high-quality localized services and has become the designated vehicle for the UAE Police Force, with its safety, comfort, and reliability fully recognized. The ROX 01 Hunting Edition, specially designed for Middle Eastern users, will also officially debut at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) in September. In the future, ROX Motor will introduce a new product annually, bringing more youthful and innovative products to global users and leading Chinese manufacturing to a broader international stage. Based on genuine insights into family travel scenarios, ROX 01 integrates the advantages of rugged off-road vehicles, urban SUVs, luxury MPVs, and caravans, providing an all-terrain driving experience with rock-solid safety and a luxurious, comfortable ride. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493206/image_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rox-motor-marks-a-new-milestone-in-global-strategy-at-chengdu-motor-show-aiming-to-become-the-leading-automotive-brand-for-outdoor-living-302234883.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV:COR)(OTC PINK:CAMZF)(WKN:A116E1) (" Camino " or the " Company ") and Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. (" Nittetsu ") announce a one-week extension to their exclusive rights to finalize negotiations and documentation for the acquisition of the Puquios Project (the " Proposed Acquisition "), a construction-ready copper mine located in Chile (see news release dated June 27, 2024 ). The exclusivity period has been extended to September 7, 2024. About Nittetsu Mining CO., Ltd.: Nittetsu is a Japanese corporation listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with an 85-year history as a mining and trading company. Nittetsu is the operator of the Atacama Kozan mine located in the prolific Candelaria-Punta del Cobre copper district which is known to host iron-oxide-copper-gold type ore deposits. In addition, Nittetsu has made a decision to start construction of its 80% owned Arqueros copper mine in Chile. Nittetsu has expertise in processing, distributing, importing, and exporting copper and other mineral products. Other businesses include: purchasing and distributing coal and petroleum products; developing and distributing equipment, machinery and environment-related products; real estate; power generation using renewable energy; the supply and sale of electricity; and mining and distributing industrial minerals including limestone. About Camino Minerals Corporation: Camino is a discovery and development stage copper exploration company. Camino is focused on advancing its high-grade Los Chapitos copper project located in Peru through to resource delineation and to add new discoveries. Camino has also permitted the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry project for an exploration drilling program which is currently underway. In addition, Camino has increased its land position at its copper and silver Plata Dorada project. Camino seeks to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets that have the potential to deliver copper into an electrifying, copper intensive global economy. For more information, please refer to Camino's website at www.caminocorp.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD For further information, please contact: /S/ "Jay Chmelauskas" Camino Investor Relations President and CEO info@caminocorp.com Tel: (604) 493-2058 Completion of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Acquisition cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Acquisition will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Acquisition, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Camino should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Acquisition and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking disclosures in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information in the release includes statements with respect to the entering into of the definitive agreements in respect of the Proposed Acquisition and acquisition of the Puquios Project. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, among others, risk that the Proposed Acquisition will not be completed as anticipated, or at all; risk that the Company will not be able to complete its due diligence and negotiate definitive documentation by September 7, 2024 in respect of the Proposed Acquisition; risk that the Company will not receive requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals or satisfy the customary conditions in respect of the Proposed Acquisition as anticipated, or at all; risk that the Company and Nittetsu will not be able to establish a 50:50 joint venture in respect of the Puquios Project and the sharing of copper off-take for the Puquios Project as anticipated, or at all; risk that the consideration payable by Nittetsu and Camino, respectively, in respect of the Proposed Acquisition will not be as anticipated; risk that the anticipated synergies between Nittetsu and Camino in respect of the Puquios Project will not be realized as contemplated, or at all; risk that actual results of the Company's exploration activities may be different than those expected by management; risk that the Company may be unable to obtain or will experience delays in obtaining any required authorizations and approvals; and risks related to the state of equity and commodity markets. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Camino Minerals Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com Kredete is addressing a significant gap in financial services for African immigrants who often struggle to build credit in their new countries while continuing to support their family back home. Kredete , a financial software platform dedicated to enabling African immigrants to build credit and send money back home, has successfully raised $2.25 million in seed funding. The round was led by BFF, with participation from notable investors including Techstars, Tezos Foundation, Polymorphic Capital, Launch Africa, Neer Venture Partners, SDF and DNA Fund. The round also saw contributions from angel investors who have supported successful payment ventures such as Wise and Western Union. Kredete is focused on addressing a significant gap in financial services for African immigrants who often face challenges in building credit in their new countries while continuing to support their families back home. The platform allows users to send money to over 20 countries with low fees, and each transaction contributes to their credit score in their new country. By leveraging a unique technology, Kredete offers an affordable and seamless solution that helps users establish a solid financial foundation in their new homes. Kredete is transforming the routine necessity of sending money back home into a powerful tool for credit building. This practical application is making a tangible difference in the lives of African immigrants, allowing them to establish credit histories and integrate more effectively into the financial systems of their new countries. The platform's innovative approach is a game-changer for African immigrant communities striving to establish themselves in new environments. Since its launch, Kredete has experienced rapid growth, with its user base surpassing 300,000 and on average, users have seen their credit scores increase by 23 points within six months of using the platform, underscoring Kredete's significant impact on financial inclusion. Kredete's leadership team plays a crucial role in its success. Adeola Adedewe, Founder and CEO of Kredete, emphasizes that the platform's primary goal is to empower users to build a secure financial future, regardless of where they are migrating. Hakeem Oriola, the Chief Technology Officer, leads all engineering efforts, ensuring the platform's technological foundation is robust and scalable. Chief Product Officer Ebuka Arinze drives product strategy and innovation, focusing on delivering cutting-edge financial solutions tailored for African immigrants. Fey Sowunmi, head of the Customer Experience team, ensures that every user interaction is seamless and intuitive, upholding Kredete's commitment to exceptional service. Looking ahead, Kredete aims to scale its money transfer services to all African countries, expanding beyond the 20 currently available. The platform also plans to introduce additional financial products tailored specifically for African immigrants in the diaspora, including credit cards, auto loans, and mortgage loans. Kredete's long-term vision is to build a comprehensive financial ecosystem that meets the unique needs of African immigrants, helping them navigate and thrive in their new financial environments. Kredete's use of stablecoins significantly reduces transfer fees to less than a dollar, distinguishing it from traditional remittance services. This cost efficiency makes Kredete an attractive option for African immigrants seeking affordable and reliable money transfer services. As Kredete continues to grow, it is poised to become a key financial service provider for African immigrants moving to North America. By simplifying the process of building credit and managing financial lives, Kredete is contributing to a more inclusive and equitable financial future. About Kredetey Kredete is a financial platform focused on empowering African immigrants by enabling them to build credit and send money home with low fees. Founded by Adeola Adedewe, Kredete has grown rapidly, Kredete has grown rapidly, serving over 300,000 users. The platform aims to expand its services across Africa and introduce new financial products tailored to the needs of African immigrants. Media Contact Organization: Kredete.io Contact Person Name: Adeola Adedewe Website: http://kredete.io/ Email: aadedewe@kredete.io Country: United States SOURCE: Kredete.io View the original press release on accesswire.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Argyle Resources Corp. (CSE: ARGL) (OTC Pink: ARLYF) (FSE: ME0) ("Argyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the rental of a strategically located pilot processing facility in St-Lambert-de-Lauzon which is in close proximity to its silica exploration properties in Quebec and also in close proximity to the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique ("INRS") campus near Quebec City. The Company has started assembly of a pilot processing facility and laboratory. This rented facility in St-Lambert-de-Lauzon will serve as a crucial hub for the company's silica outcrop samples processing operations and potentially contribute to Quebec's strategic battery material supply chain. The facility will house a fully mobile series of trailer-mounted crushing, grinding, and sorting equipment. This advanced setup allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and transportation, making it an ideal solution for Argyle's exploration and processing needs. The goal for this equipment is to process grab samples and an eventual bulk sample from quartzite silica outcrops that have been previously identified within Argyle's three 100% owned quartzite silica exploration properties in Quebec. As part of the 2024 field season, which is being conducted in collaboration with the INRS, the goal is to extract 200 kg bulk samples of quartzite silica outcrops from each of the three properties. These samples will then undergo processing of crushing, grinding and pulverizing quartzite samples to produce high-grade metallurgical silica. The resulting product will be analyzed to determine its suitability for various industrial and high technology applications such as solar panel manufacturing, semiconductor chip manufacturing for artificial intelligence applications and EV battery manufacturing, which will be completed at the INRS Campus laboratories near Quebec City. "We are excited to announce this new pilot processing facility, which represents a significant step forward in our exploration and processing capabilities," said Jeff Stevens, CEO of Argyle Resources Corp. "Having a dedicated space for crushing equipment will streamline our operations and enhance our ability to efficiently process and analyze our silica samples." Figure 1: St-Lambert-de-Lauzon pilot plant facility To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10451/221561_4f54f43c041c9a77_001full.jpg Figure 2: Mobile crusher equipment for use in pilot plant facility To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10451/221561_4f54f43c041c9a77_002full.jpg This new infrastructure will allow Argyle to optimize processing and increase the efficiency of its silica operations by having the ability to extract grab samples which are then easily, and cost efficiently transported by INRS technicians to the proximal pilot plant facility for processing. The strategically located facility will serve as a hub for testing, innovation and potential for supporting the development of high-quality silica products crucial for next-generation battery technologies and for other high technology silica applications such as photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing and semi-conductor chip manufacturing for artificial intelligence uses. The mobile pilot plant will further the Company's capabilities by enabling real-time testing and optimization of its silica solutions directly at the point of need. This flexibility will not only enhance processing efficiency but also has potential to provide tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of the battery material sector within Quebec. Set for completion in 2026, a $7 billion battery manufacturing facility is being constructed on Montreal's South Shore in Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec by Northvolt AB, a Swedish battery developer and manufacturer, specialising in lithium-ion technology for electric vehicles. Quebec's provincial government pledged $2.9 billion in financing to secure the deal with Northvolt. The Canadian federal government has committed up to $1.34 billion to build the plant and another $3 billion worth of other incentives. Once completed, it is expected to have an output of 56,000 tonnes of batteries per year. "Quebec's strategic focus on expanding its electric vehicle battery supply chain aligns well with Argyle's growth strategy," commented Jeff Stevens, CEO of Argyle. "By integrating our enhanced silica operations into this dynamic ecosystem, we are committed to supporting the region's role as player in the global battery market while advancing our own sustainable material solutions." The rental of this facility is a key component of Argyle Resources Corp's strategy to enhance its exploration activities and expand its operations in Quebec. Marc Richer-Lafleche P.GEO., as a consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information reported in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 'Jeffrey Stevens' President & CEO About Argyle Resources Corp. Argyle Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, staking and evaluating natural resource properties in North America. The Company currently holds an option to acquire up to 100% of the Frenchvale Graphite Property located in Nova Scotia, Canada and owns 100% interest in the Pilgrim Islands, Matapedia and Lac Comporte quartzite silica projects in Quebec, Canada. Argyle is engaged in a research partnership with the INRS, a high-level research and training institute funded by the Quebec government to conduct exploration programs on the Company's silica projects. The Company was incorporated in 2023 and its head office is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. www.argyleresourcescorp.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-Looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the statements with respect to future processing at the pilot facility and laboratory, goals for extraction of bulk samples for processing, the suitability of sample product for industrial and technology applications, increased efficiency of processing, potential for development of high-quality silica products for next generation battery technologies and other high technology applications, real-time testing and optimization of silica solutions, potential for tailored solutions in the battery material market, the completion of a $7 billion battery manufacturing facility and its expected output and the Quebec and federal governments' financing of same, the Company's planned exploration program; the execution of such exploration program in collaboration with INRS; and the initiation of work programs generally. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements or may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, among other things that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and may be unsuccessful in achieving the desired results; that mineral exploration plans may change and be re-defined based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control. 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. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221561 SOURCE: Argyle Resources Corp. LOBAMBA Some people registered dead in the Government Population Register and death certificates registered by their relatives were found to be alive. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs left the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) gobsmacked, after the entities paraded evidence relating to the 321 people who received over E720 000 from the COVID-19 food relief exercise in 2021. The shocking news was delivered by the NDMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Victor Mahlalela, yesterday. The NDMA was before the PAC to respond to audit queries that were raised by the Auditor General (AG), Timothy Matsebula, in a follow-up audit report in response to the PAC recommendation for the financial year ended March 31, 2021, that was tabled on July 31, 2024. The AG, in the follow-up audit, noted that he communicated to the controlling officer that during his audit of the NDMA for the financial years ended March 31, 2022 and 2023; COVID-19 food assistance grants amounting to E724 500 were paid to deceased persons through MTN Mobile Money (MoMo). disbursed These funds were disbursed to beneficiaries who were already deceased at the time of processing the payments and were not withdrawn by these beneficiaries. In total, the number of the deceased beneficiaries was 321. The NDMA CEO told the PAC that after the follow-up audit by the AG, the entity went on a verification exercise to establish if these beneficiaries indeed had passed away and when did they die. Noteworthy, the conclusion that 321 people had passed away was confirmed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Government Population Register. Some of the people on the list of the deceased indicated that they passed away in 2018, which was two years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Mahlalela told the PAC that they visited 171 households, who the deceased beneficiaries were from and uncovered that some indeed passed away. The CEO said to their surprise, they also discovered that nine people who were listed as dead were alive. assistance The households acknowledged that they continued to receive food assistance after the passing of the main member. We also found that nine of them were alive yet they appeared dead from the civil registry, he said. The PAC Chairperson, Madala Mhlanga, enquired from the Ministry of Home Affairs officials, who were invited to the sitting, to provide an insight on the matter and how they concluded that the beneficiaries had passed on. The Ministry of Home Affairs Civil Registry official, Phathizwe Hlatshwayo, stated that they were given names with identity (ID) numbers of the beneficiaries, where with the help of the Royal Eswatini Technology Park (RSTP), they ran through the system and it was uncovered that some of the ID number holders were deceased. The AG approached us to verify over 2 000 personal identity numbers (PINs) and reached out RSTP for assistance and we sent the spread sheet to them and they showed several discrepancies, including those deceased officials, he said. unfortunate Hlatshwayo added that the NDMA also came with the 331 list of deceased, which they ran through the system. It is unfortunate that after discovering that nine from the 331 were alive, but did not come to alert the Ministry of Home Affairs, so we can verify again, he said.The officer explained that they concluded that these individuals had passed away, because there were death certificates registered for them by their relatives. The system will register you dead after a death certificate is registered in your name, he said. Mhlanga noted that from the list of the people who were said to be deceased, some of them passed away before COVID-19 and questioned the CEO how a person who passed away three years before the project ended up on the list of beneficiaries.It is unfortunate chair, the beneficiary you are referring to, is among those we found to be alive, he said.Without wasting any time, the PAC chairperson urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to verify if there was a death certificate registered in the beneficiarys name. 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. EQS Newswire / 30/08/2024 / 18:21 UTC+8 Huitongda Network Co., Ltd. (9878. HK) released its 2024 interim report on August 28th. Data shows that the Group achieved a revenue of 32.86 billion yuan in the first half of the year, a net profit attributable to the parent company of 130 million yuan, and a stable positive inflow of operating cash flow of nearly 249 million yuan. Amidst the slow global economic recovery and domestic macroeconomic fluctuations, the Group has adjusted its development strategy to enhance the quality and depth of the business, manifesting its robust and high-value development strategy. It is not difficult to find far-reaching growth logic and strategic value behind the in-depth analysis of financial report data: the Group is gradually unlocking new growth potential and building a more solid foundation for sustainable development in the future by relying on its profound accumulation and forward-looking layout in continuous innovation of industrial models and deep market cultivation. Building An Independent & Controllable Supply Chain to Lead the New Trend of Industrial Upgrading In the first half of the year, Huitongda Network made "ensuring stable growth with high quality to innovate for a better future" its core principle on work for the year, and achieved significant results in vigorously promoting the transformation and upgrading of its business. Its supply chain capability has steadily increased, driving the continuous improvement of the company's operating quality with the gross profit margin up by 0.5 percentage points year-on-year, demonstrating the effective enhancement of the company's profitability Specifically, the Group deepened cooperation with top brands in various industries, including Gree, Midea, and AUX in the home appliance industry, new with Siemens and OUTES; Apple in the consumer electronics industry, followed by the upgrading of 1464 O2O stores in towns and villages; BYD, NETA, and SAIC Group in the vehicles and auto parts merchandise industry; VOGELY, Newoasis Wood Floor, etc. in the homebuilding and renovation materials industry; Unilever and others in the cleaning chemicals industry. This not only solidified the company's position in traditional advantageous areas, but also further enriched its product line and service scope. Compared with other competitors in the market, the Group focuses on six major categories: consumer electronics, household appliances, agricultural means of production, vehicles and auto parts merchandise, homebuilding and renovation materials, and liquor and beverages and is one of the few top service providers that covers large durable goods with a wide range of categories. At present, the Group has established cooperation with over a thousand high-quality brand owners and manufacturers. With the further enhancement of supply chain capabilities, the combination of collective purchasing and marketing models with abundant downstream resources is expected to further strengthen its upstream bargaining power and consolidate procurement costs advantages. Moreover, the Group expanded its cooperation with resource-based enterprises, such as Ningxia Lanfeng Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. in the agriculture means of production industry; Hainan Agricultural Reclamation Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. and Xiayi Jinzhan Wood Industry Co., Ltd. in the homebuilding and renovation materials industry. Meanwhile, the Group further deepened cooperation with regional retail enterprises, such as GOME in Northeast China in the home appliance industry. It also entered into strategic cooperation with provincial-level supply and marketing cooperatives in places such as Chongqing, Jiangsu, and Anhui in the agricultural means of production industry, promoting fertilizer-grain integration to support the positive interplay between domestic circulation and international circulation of agricultural means of production. The Group also actively opened up cooperation with its own brands and resource-based enterprises. In respect of its own brand, the Group has made significant breakthroughs. Its self-designed brand "IDISSA" air conditioner has achieved mass production, with an order volume of over 16000 sets within two weeks of its launch; In the agricultural means of production industry, the Group has established independent and controllable production processes and operational management capabilities by launching the "Acephate" integrated production and marketing project. Through the construction of its own brand and the promotion of integrated production and marketing business, the Group has achieved the implementation of the B2F model of determining the procurement based on demand, the advancement based on demand and production based on demand, greatly improving the efficiency of the entire supply chain in urban and rural areas. Faced with new changes in the low-tier industry, the Group also built on new industries and categories on the basis of deepening its existing businesses. In the cleaning chemicals daily necessities sector, the Group is simultaneously expanding into high gross profit categories such as personal care, home cleaning, and beauty to further enhance the gross profit level and input-output efficiency; In the new energy sector, the Group has laid out the photovoltaic track and jointly built a distributed green energy industry platform with leading enterprises in the industry. With the increasing demand for operational efficiency and precise customer acquisition among merchants in the lower-tier retail market, ToB services are expected to further grow in the future. According to estimates from Frost & Sullivan and LeadLeo Research Institute, its market size is expected to reach 9.4 trillion yuan by 2027. It can be foreseen that the layout of these new industries and categories bears new growth points to the Group, and the potential to further enhance its gross profit level and market competitiveness. Member Service Capability Continues to Strengthen, Digital Construction Accelerates Huitongda Network has always regarded empowering and serving family-run retail stores in towns and villages as its basic business. The Group continuously improved its the capacity for serving members, and enhanced the stickiness and profitability of member stores. There are about 6.3 million couple stores nationwide, of which 75% are located in lower-tier markets. As a key component of the low-tier market, family-run retail stores demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and strong vitality due to their small business scale and low cost investment. With rich experience and market insight, operators have established deep community emotional connections and loyal customer groups, which are important supports for store operation and the power of word-of-mouth communication. In a social environment with strong human touch, family-run retail stores not only provide commodity transactions, but also become places for community residents to communicate and express emotions. They have an irreplaceable position in the low-tier market and serve as the terminal for commodity circulation and the link for community cultural preservation and emotional connection. Therefore, for industrial Internet platforms such as Huitongda Network, in-depth understanding and empowering family-run retail stores is the key to expanding the low-tier market, improving the efficiency of the supply chain, building industrial ecology and promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas. By providing digital tools, supply chain resources, marketing training, and other support, the Group helped family-run retail stores transform and upgrade, improved operational efficiency and profitability, and explored vast opportunities in the low-tier market. Data shows that in the first half of 2024, the Group's service business revenue increased by 12.0% year-on-year, SaaS+ subscription users increased by 5.1% year-on-year, paid SaaS+ users increased by 28.8% year-on-year, and store SaaS+ subscription revenue increased by 13.6% year-on-year. The growth of these data not only reflected a significant improvement in the Group's capacity for serving members, but also highlighted the enormous potential of the retail industry in the lower-tier market. To further improve the operational efficiency of member stores, the Group has developed and upgraded its system tools with a focus on "hot products+AI", and adhered to going deep into the front line to organize high-frequency and effective training and activities. At the same time, the Group continued to promote key customer service, expanded the network and coverage of member stores, providing better products, tools, marketing, training, and data empowerment for member stores. In respect of digital construction, the Group has always been at the forefront of the industry in building an industrial trading platform to help brand manufacturers reach the low-tier market, and deeply applying AI technology to optimize service efficiency. By launching functions such as "digital human livestreaming studio" and "multi-level marketing", the Group gradually opened up platform warehousing and logistics services to merchants, and cooperates with "production and marketing integration" to build an online order collection and production scheduling system. The application of these digital tools improved the operational efficiency of the company, and also brought more convenience and revenue to the member stores. In Summary Admist the current market environment where the omnichannel transformation wave of online and offline integration sweeping the retail industry in the low-tier market, Huitongda Network is proactively adapting to this trend and seizing unprecedented development opportunities by virtue of its unique supply chain integration, robust capacity for serving members, and forward-looking layout of digital construction. Through deepening strategic partnerships with leading brands in various industries, the Group has not only consolidated its existing market position, but also boldly explored new industries and categories, and successfully launched its own brand business. This series of measures significantly enhances its market competitiveness and lays a solid foundation for its long-term development. The sustained business innovation capability demonstrated by the Group is the key to its continuous progress in the market environment. This innovation capability is both reflected in the optimization and upgrading of existing businesses, and in the ability to keep a closer eyes on market change and timely capture emerging opportunities for continuous business model innovation to comply with market development. Looking ahead, the Group will stay true to its original aspiration and continue to focus on the three core strategic directions of supply chain optimization, member store empowerment, and digital upgrading, to further deepen industrial upgrading and digital transformation. On the path towards high-quality development, the Group is steadily forging ahead with richer returns for shareholders and better service experiences for customers, and advancing toward a great future. 30/08/2024 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 NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTCQB:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024: Highlights of the Company's financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024, include the following: Revenue of $1,512,457 compared to $602,255 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 151%, largely attributed to the Network as a Service ("NaaS") revenue growth including the billing of revenue in Cameroon related to 2023 not yet invoiced; Gross profit of $1,188,180 compared to $(217,531) for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 646%. At 79% for the quarter, the results reflect the company's current gross margin in Cameroon; Total expenses of $4,005,534 compared to $2,530,023 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 58%, largely attributed to an increase in financial expenses related to short term borrowings and costs incurred in finalising the FEI bridge facility; Net Loss of $2,425,6969 compared to $2,823,600 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of 14%. Highlights of the Company's financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024, include the following: Revenue of $2,085,634 compared to $1,270,161 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 64%, directly attributable to the increase in live NaaS sites and CAPEX sales including partial delivery of the 2G/3G core network in the Marshall Islands; Gross profit of $1,232,978 compared to $30,798 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 3903%; Total expenses of $6,892,784 compared to $5,783,623 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 19%; Net Loss of $4,882,809 compared to $6,175,514 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of 21%. "The results for the quarter are trending in the right direction, extremely encouraging and are starting to reflect the scale of our operations and what should be expected in terms of metrics from the NaaS business model", said Jim Bailey, CFO of NuRAN Wireless. "Looking forward, we expect our SG&A to remain relatively flat while we drive towards positive EBITDA. We finalized two major financings at the start of Q3 representing a turning point for NuRAN as we anxiously add new sites to build scale. We look to replicate the proven site economics in Cameroon by deploying sites in inventory, with low incremental spend required, in Cameroon and DRC. We'll also use these funds to build critical mass in new recently signed countries working with our strategic partners and new investors and lenders to continue to extend communications in hard-to-reach rural locations". Highlights from the Quarter and Recent Highlights Include: On April 26, 2024, NuRAN announced the execution of a two-year term loan facility agreement (the "Loan Facility") in the principal amount of US $5M with the Facility for Energy Inclusion ("FEI"), a fund managed by Cygnum Capital following final Investment Committee approval announced on February 29th, 2024. The Company reported later on July 5, 2024, the official closing and received initial drawdown to resume the rollout in Cameroon; On May 15, 2024, the Company announced that NuRAN Wireless Africa Holding, a wholly owned subsidiary of NuRAN, has signed a non-binding Term Sheet and a Mandate Letter with a Global Asset Management Company ("The Lender" and "The Lead Arranger") for a long-term senior secured credit facility (the "Loan Facility") of which US$ 15,000,000 is to be provided by The Lender. The Loan Facility will include a mechanism for the Lead Arranger to increase the facility to up to US$70,000,000 in funding including a syndication of other lenders. This financing will facilitate the procurement and installation of network infrastructure sites across several African countries; On June 5, 2022, the Company announce a US$ 27 million five-year Network-As-A-Service ("NaaS") agreement with MTN (JSE: MTN) for the deployment of 250 sites in Africa under the NaaS business model further to its Group Framework Agreement ("GFA") in place with the MTN Group announced on July 21, 2022; On July 16, 2024, NuRAN announced a US$ 32.2 million NaaS agreement for up to 200 sites with MTN Benin (JSE: MTN) for the deployment of rural 2G, 3G and 4G sites under the Network-as-a-Service ("NaaS") business model in Benin, West Africa. The 5-year agreement with MTN Benin now places NuRAN in 8 countries for 5092 sites throughout Sub-Saharan Africa with NaaS agreements signed. The contract includes a renewal for an additional 5 years at the end of the initial term. This agreement has been signed under the MTN Framework Agreement announced on July 21, 2022, serving as further evidence of the strong partnership between MTN and NuRAN both dedicated to empowering lives in rural communities across Africa; On July 16, 2024, the Company announced that the initial US$ 2.5M drawdown from the Facility for Energy Inclusion ("FEI") has been received allowing for the resumption of site construction; On August 19, 2024, NuRAN announced the closing of a non-brokered private placement of an unsecured convertible debenture (the "Debenture") for aggregate gross proceeds of US$ 1.6M. The Debenture has a two-year term and accrues interest at a rate of 15% per annum until the Maturity Date. The principal amount of Debenture is US$2,194,772 after application of an original issuance discount of 25% and including all applicable fees. The Debenture may be converted into units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a conversion price of CDN$ 0.225 per Unit (the "Conversion Price") with each Unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of CDN$ 0.25. Under the terms of the Debenture, the Company also granted a participation right in future equity financings up to a 9.9% equity interest in the Company. About NuRAN Wireless: NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time." Additional Information: For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com Francis Letourneau, Director and CEO Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com Tel: (418) 264-1337 Frank Candido Investor relations Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com Tel: (514) 969-5530 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities 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 (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Forward looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Nuran, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Nuran to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including but not limited to management's business strategy for 2024. Although Nuran has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Nuran's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, neither Nuran assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SOURCE: Nuran Wireless Inc View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Vizsla Royalties Corp. (TSXV: VROY) ("Vizsla Royalties" or the "Company") announces that it has been advised by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") that the warrants of the Company (the "Warrants") will resume trading on the TSX-V effective Wednesday September 4, 2024 at the opening of trading. Further to its news release dated August 28, 2024, the Company announces that the previously-announced consolidation of the Warrants has now been consistently applied. No letters of transmittal will be required. About Vizsla Royalties Corp. Vizsla Royalties Corp. is a precious metals focused royalty company. The Company's principal asset is a Net Smelter Return Royalty on Vizsla Silver Corp.'s (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) flagship Panuco Project located in Mexico. Panuco is a world-class silver and gold development project actively advancing towards production. Panuco currently hosts an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq (please refer to Vizsla Silver's Technical Report on Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Panuco Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Project, Sinaloa State, Mexico, by Allan Armitage, Ben Eggers and Peter Mehrfert, dated February 12, 2024). SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things, the resumption of trading in the Warrants. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Royalties, future growth potential for Vizsla Royalties and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Royalties' ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Royalties' respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Royalties has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Royalties' management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Royalties has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Royalties does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221585 SOURCE: Vizsla Royalties Corp. TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CHAR Tech nologies ("CHAR Tech" or the "Company") (TSXV:YES), a leader in sustainable energy solutions, today announced results for the fiscal 2024 third quarter ended June 30, 2024. The full third quarter ended June 30, 2024 financial statements and MD&A are available on SEDAR+. CHAR Tech Q3 2024 highlights include: Revenue for the quarter of $1,163,919, up 172% from Q3 2023 $427,383. Revenue for the fiscal 9 months ending June 30 th , 2024, of $2,457,551, up 85% from the fiscal 9 months ending June 30 th , 2023, of $1,327,925. , 2024, of $2,457,551, up 85% from the fiscal 9 months ending June 30 , 2023, of $1,327,925. Increase to CHAR Tech's Thorold facility Property Plant and Equipment of $3,495,288 over 9 months ending June 30 th , 2024. , 2024. Cash inflow of $941,904 over 9 months ending June 30 th , 2024 in deferred grant income from previously announced Government programs. , 2024 in deferred grant income from previously announced Government programs. Installation and commissioning of biocarbon agglomeration equipment at CHAR's Thorold facility for the previously announced 500 tonnes production run Andrew White, CEO of CHAR Tech, "As we reflect on the accomplishments of Q3, we are proud to report significant progress in key areas of our business. Our strategic initiatives are not only driving growth but also positioning us for long-term success. We remain committed to our vision and are confident that our continued focus on innovation and operational excellence will enable us to meet and exceed our goals." As identified in the Q3 financial statements the following subsequent events have occurred: Management Changes: On July 12, 2024, the company announced changes in the senior management team, including the appointment of Anton Szpitalak as the new Chief Development Officer and the departure of Lewis Smith (Chief Commercial Officer) and Robert Sinyard (Chief Operating Officer). Loan Agreements: On July 16, 2024, the company entered into loan agreements with lenders for a total amount of CAD $850,000, repayable within 90 days. This loan will be used for short-term working capital purposes, and the lenders include existing shareholders and current and former directors, executive officers, business associates, and employees. Issuance of Bonus Warrants: As part of the loan agreements, the company agreed to issue 850,000 non-transferable share purchase warrants, each exercisable into one common share at a strike price of CAD $0.38 per share for a period of one year. Government Reimbursement Program: The company is in the process of completing its claims for a portion of the previously announced $6.6 million allocation from a government reimbursement program. As previously press released on July 4th, 2023, on August 28th, 2022, CHAR Biocarbon Inc. ("CHAR Biocarbon"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, served advanced written notice to terminate its Exclusive License Agreement with Actinon Pte. Ltd (the parent company of Anergy Pte. Ltd, a Singapore based supplier of kiln equipment to the Company) dated August 18th, 2021 (the "License Agreement"). On June 30th, 2023, CHAR Biocarbon received a notice of immediate termination effective July 1st, 2023, in respect of, and an allegation of additional license fees owing under, the license agreement. Subsequently, CHAR Biocarbon has received a claim from Actinon Pte Ltd in respect of the foregoing. The Company views the claim as frivolous unparticularized damages, continues to vigorously dispute Actinon's claim of additional license fees owing under the license agreement, and will take such action as it deems appropriate to protect its rights and interest. All options are being considered and CHAR Biocarbon will respond in due course. About CHAR Tech CHAR Tech (TSXV:YES) first-in-kind high temperature pyrolysis (HTP) technology processes unmerchantable wood and organic wastes to simultaneously generate two renewable energy revenue streams, renewable natural gas (RNG) or green hydrogen and a solid biocarbon that is a carbon neutral drop-in replacement for metallurgical steel making coal. CHAR's HTP is an ideal waste to energy solution that aligns with the global green energy transition by diverting waste from landfills and generating sustainable clean energy to decarbonize heavy industry. For further information, please contact: Andrew White Chief Executive Officer CHAR Technologies Ltd. E: andrew.white@chartechnologies.com T: 866 521-3654 Galen Cranston Director of Stakeholder Relations CHAR Technologies Ltd. E: gcranston@chartechnologies.com T: 647-546-5633 Website: www.chartechnologies.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements") about CHAR and its business and operations. The words "may", "would", "will", "intend", "anticipate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to CHAR, are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Offering, the anticipated benefits of, and rationale for, the Offering, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, expectations regarding the offtake agreement, future plans, operations and activities, expectations regarding the scale up of production, the anticipated development of additional project sites on an expedited basis, and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements reflect CHAR's current views and ?intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to CHAR, and are subject to ?certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others, the timing and ability of CHAR to obtain final approval of the Offering from the TSX Venture Exchange and those risk factors discussed or referred to in CHAR's disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada, including the Management Discussion & Analysis dated February 27th, 2024 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, and available under CHAR's profile on www.sedar.com. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its ?entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, CHAR does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or ?completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release ?is made as of the date of this press release and CHAR undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise ?any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Nicola Mining Inc. (TSXV: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF) (FSE: HLIA) (the "Company" or "Nicola") is pleased to provide updates on operations and exploration at its Merritt Mill, New Craigmont Copper Project and Treasure Mountain Mine. Merritt Mill The Company continues to produce gold concentrate with mill feed from Talisker Resources Ltd. (TSX: TSK) (OTCQX: TSKFF) ("Talisker"), as announced on April 9, 2024. Because Bralorne mill feed contains free gold, Nicola reinstalled a gravity separator circuit for production. Gold concentrate is currently being stockpiled and prepared for sale, initial sale is expected to occur in September. Nicola's Merritt Mill is the only facility in the Province of British Columbia permitted to accept third party gold and silver mill feed from throughout the province. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage1.jpg New Craigmont Copper Project 2024 Exploration The first phase of the 2024 drilling exploration program commenced at the never-drilled-before West Craigmont-WP Zone and has progressed with the drilling of four holes (the last of which is still in progress), totaling ~1,500m of the 5000m program. Zone targets were generated by using geophysical models and outcrop maps. Drill hole locations hope to establish a framework for the subsurface geology and reconcile the geophysical anomalies with geological features, with the goal of refining the targeting of a potential porphyry copper system in the region. Initial results are aiding in delineating the Nicola-Guichon contact and local structures. The observed alteration and mineralization are encouraging, aligning with the expectations for the periphery of a porphyry system. These findings will be further analyzed to vector for a potential nearby deposit. Notably altered fault blocks featuring quartz-sericite-pyrite chalcopyrite is of particular interest, supporting the need for additional drilling at this target. Hole WP-24-001: Designed to test the largest IP chargeability anomaly in the area, detected by the 2024 IP survey. Significant pyrite mineralization, with trace chalcopyrite, was encountered between 59.6 and 108.0m. The mineralization is hosted within faulted Nicola volcanic rocks, which exhibit intense sericite-quartz alteration. The photo displays pyrite mineralization with sericite-quartz alteration. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage2.jpg Hole WP-24-002 targeted a relatively shallow IP chargeability anomaly. The hole intercepted a similar faulted mineralization zone as WP-24-001, with pyrite and trace chalcopyrite mineralization in sericite-quartz altered Nicola volcanic rocks from 47.1 to 100.9m. Pyrite mineralization with sericite-quartz alteration is shown in the photo. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage3.jpg Hole WP-24-003 was drilled at a shallow angle to further investigate the largest IP chargeability anomaly targeted by WP-24-001. This hole encountered fault-hosted pyrite (+/- chalcopyrite) mineralization intervals between 298.8m and 316.3m and 358.9m to 365.4m. Notably, chalcopyrite and bornite blebs were observed throughout the hole. Quartz vein hosted chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization is circled in red. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage4.jpg Upon completion of WP-24-004A, the drill rig will likely begin the second phase of the 2024 exploration program, drilling on the MARB-CAS target (before possibly moving back to West Craigmont-WP). This target was identified through bedrock mapping and surface geology observations, with some contribution from geophysical modeling. The planned drilling aims to develop a framework for the subsurface geology and assess mineralization potential beneath the MARB showing. Treasure Mountain Ten Year Mine Lease Extension The Company is pleased announce that it has receive a very important ten-year mining lease extension (the "Extension") for its wholly owned Treasure Mountain Mine (the "Treasure Mountain"), which is located approximately 27 km to the east-northeast of Hope, BC, Canada (Figure 1). The Extension is good through April 26, 2032. Treasure Mountain is comprised of a total 30 mineral claims (2178.3 ha) and 1 mining lease (335 ha) and (Figure 2). Figure 1: Overview of the location of the Treasure Mountain Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_006full.jpg Figure 2: Mineral Claims and Mining Leases the Treasure Mountain Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_007full.jpg Treasure Mountain Mine, which was first discovered in 1892 and operated intermittently since being first recognized. From 1930-1932, onsite milling operations processed ~4,000 tonnes that yielded 39,558 oz Ag, 379,532 lbs Pb, and 88,455 lbs Zn. Between 1987 and 1989, mine development at four levels occurred and 407 tonnes of partially sorted material was shipped to Cominco and Asarco smelters. The Company received a Mines Act Permit approving the production for 60,000 tonnes of material per annum for Treasure Mountain on May 18, 2012: Permit M-239. The Extension of Permit M-239 provides Nicola the option of reopening Treasure Mountain and could expedite permitting approval for new mineralized bodies, if discovered. A June 15th, 2009 NI 43-101-compliant technical report disclosed that the total vein Indicated Resource above a 10.0 oz/t Ag cut-off was estimated to be 33,000 tonnes with 24.2 oz/t silver, 4.16% lead and 3,80% zinc. The total vein Inferred Resource above a 10.0 oz/t Ag cut-off was estimated to be 120,000 tonnes with 27.0 oz/t silver, 2.79% lead and 4.36% zinc. The company retains the option to reopen Stope 2 on Level 1 (Figure 3), which remains in-situ. Figure 3: Section view of the Treasure Mountain underground workings (Level 1, 2, 3 with stope projections) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_008full.jpg Mr. Peter Espig, CEO of Nicola Mining Inc., commented, "We are extremely excited about our current operations and ongoing exploration. The Merritt Mill is a state-of-the-art facility that garners interest from high grade gold projects throughout the province because of its location and flexible permitting that can expedite project cashflow. In addition to procuring the ten-year mine lease extension for Treasure Mountain, we have also submitted a multi-year area-based exploration permit application for the project. The synergistic combination of the Merritt Mill and Treasure Mountain was the basis of a $200 million market capitalization back in 2012; however, the latter seems to be somewhat forgotten since its placement into care and maintenance and because of Nicola's subsequent consolidation of its ownership in the New Craigmont Project. Management continues to recognize the standalone potential of Treasure Mountain and remains excited about the exploration prospects of the project. Finally, we are pleased with the 2024 Exploration Program at our flagship asset, New Craigmont Copper Project and are currently completing initial exploration at the West Craigmont-WP target prior to drilling MARB and CAS. Drilling at the MARB and CAS will commence early September and will change from one to two crews to expedite results." Qualified Person William Whitty, P. Geo., the Company's VP Exploration, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release. About Nicola Mining Nicola Mining Inc. is a junior mining company listed on the Exchange and Frankfurt Exchange that maintains a 100% owned mill and tailings facility, located near Merritt, British Columbia. It has signed Mining and Milling Profit Share Agreements with high grade gold projects. Nicola's fully permitted mill can process both gold and silver mill feed via gravity and flotation processes. The Company owns 100% of the New Craigmont Project, a high-grade copper property, which covers an area of over 10,800 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith and is adjacent to Highland Valley Copper, Canada's largest copper mine. The Company also owns 100% of the Treasure Mountain Property, which includes 30 mineral claims and a mineral lease, spanning an area exceeding 2,200 hectares. 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/221423 SOURCE: Nicola Mining Inc. New survey from Too Good To Go and Leger offers insights around school lunch food waste TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Too Good To Go, the certified B Corp social impact company behind the world's largest marketplace for surplus food, has conducted a survey with Leger to better understand the scale of school lunch food waste in Canada. This comprehensive study of over 2,000 adults responsible for preparing school or daycare lunches and snacks highlights the critical need for change as food waste remains a pressing issue in households across the country. In Canada, 47% of food waste happens at the household level. By reducing food waste at home, an average family of four can save up to $2,000 each year. School lunch food waste: a significant challenge The survey sheds light on the ongoing struggles families face when packing school lunches. Among adults responsible for preparing school lunches and snacks: 90% say a portion of their child's lunch returns home uneaten each week. Out of those, 54% say they typically throw out the leftovers, most of which are fruit and veggies. The average Canadian family is expecting to spend $312 a month on school lunches and snacks in the 2024-25 school year. 88% report that this cost makes it essential to minimise food waste. 65% admit they are concerned about uneaten food in school lunches because food waste has a negative impact on the environment. "Back to school is a busy time for parents getting back into a structured routine. Incorporating simple, practical strategies to reduce food waste in school lunches is a win for both families and the environment," says Andrea Li, Country Director of Too Good To Go Canada. Practical solutions to tackle school lunch food waste When preparing school lunches, parents are confronted with many challenges such as finding the balance between nutrition and taste (48%), dealing with children who are picky eaters (47%) and lacking inspiration for meal ideas (43%). Involving children in lunch preparation from a young age is crucial. The study clearly shows that parents preparing these lunches with their children report a smaller proportion of leftovers. 8 in 10 parents in Canada say they are having conversations with their children about this food waste. When children have a say in what goes into their lunchbox, they often feel a sense of ownership over that food. There are numerous strategies to reduce school lunch food waste, such as including more non-perishable items, making smaller or child-friendly portions, using dinner leftovers, or reusing what comes home. Too Good To Go also invites all parents who are looking to save on food this school year to download the Too Good To Go app and visit the Too Good To Go blog or Instagram ( @TooGoodToGo.can ) for tips and tricks. "By saving one Surprise Bag of surplus food each week from food businesses like Metro, Longo's, or Eataly on the Too Good To Go app, families can effortlessly add fresh ingredients to school lunches while treating their kids to a little surprise. It's also an easy way to support local businesses and help the planet," concludes Andrea Li. About Too Good To Go Too Good To Go is a certified B Corp social impact company that connects users with partners to rescue unsold food and stop it from going to waste. With 100 million registered users and 170,000 active partners across 18 countries, Too Good To Go operates the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. Since its launch in 2016, Too Good To Go has helped to save over 350 million meals from going to waste, the equivalent to 945,000 tonnes of CO2e avoided. According to Project Drawdown (2020), reducing food waste is the number one action you can take to help tackle climate change, by limiting the temperature rise to just 2C by 2100. For more information see https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-ca/press . - 30 - Contact Sarah Soteroff Senior Public Relations Manager, Too Good To Go Canada 416.838.0077 ssoteroff@toogoodtogo.com SOURCE: Too Good To Go View the original press release on accesswire.com - Multi-Dimensional Synergy to Empower High-Quality Development HONG KONG, Aug 30, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company Limited ("Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine" or the "Company", Stock code: 3613.HK) is pleased to announce the unaudited results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Group") for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (the "Period"). In the first half of 2024, facing challenges such as the sustained strength of the Hong Kong dollar, changing consumption patterns, and a sluggish retail industry in Hong Kong, China and Macau, China regions, the Group responded proactively and made simultaneous efforts from multiple dimensions of products, marketing, research and development, and production. This ensured the stable operation of its business and the continued consolidation of its market-leading position. During the Period, the Group achieved revenue of HK$ 664.5 million, net profit of HK$ 240.3 million, and profit attributable to owners of HK$ 219.8 million, with earnings per share of HK$ 0.26. By market segment, during the Period, the Group further enriched its product matrix and optimized its retail market layout. The Hong Kong, China market achieved revenue of HK$333.8 million, with 30 retail terminals, a net increase of 3 terminals compared with the previous year. In the markets outside Mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, China,), the Group accelerated its brand market expansion and steadily promoted its internationalization, achieving revenue of HK$214.4 million. In addition, the Group achieved revenue of HK$116.3 million in Mainland China market. Sufficient momentum from technological innovation, new breakthroughs in production and R&D The development of science and technology has provided new technical support and growth strategies for the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine ("TCM"). During the Period, the Group leveraged technological innovation as a driving force, empowering intelligent upgrades in production and enhancing product excellence and innovation. This has helped accumulate new momentum for future growth and supported the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Product quality is the lifeline of an enterprise. At the production level, the Group's production and R&D base in Tai Po consistently upholds stringent standards and rigorous procedural controls. The Group has successfully secured Hong Kong, China's GMP and ISO22000 certifications, with its product quality has been recognized. Additionally, to further enhance the cost competitiveness of its products, the Group has intensified efforts in revamping and upgrading its production layout. By increasing mechanization and automation, the Gorup has effectively reduced production costs and boosted productivity, thereby ensuring consistent product availability in the market. In terms of products, the Group intensifies its R&D efforts, actively diversifying its product matrix and expediting the translation of scientific research outcomes. During the Period, the Group completed the production of a number of new registered proprietary Chinese medicines and health food products, including Guizhi Fuling Wan , Lingzhi Turmeric Compound Blood-supplementing and Nerve-calming Capsules , Wolfberry Coffee Mix , Red Ginseng Coffee Mix and Sporoderm-broken Ganoderma Lucidum Spores Chocolate . The Group also plans to commence the production of Qiyao Pills ) and Jinshui Liujun Jian Granules. In April this year, the Group's self-developed product, Danggui Buxue Keli, were awarded the Certificate of Registration of Proprietary Chinese Medicines (HKC-18604) issued by the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, China, further enriching the Group's product portfolio. In May this year, the Group's invention patent (Patent Number: ZL 2023 1 1206874.8) for "a freckle-removing and whitening product along with its preparation method and uses was successfully granted by China National Intellectual Property Administration and has been applied to Ageing-Defying Collection of the Tong Ren Tang's Chinese anti-aging NMN series. In addition to preserving and advancing TCM services, the Group is also expanding into new health concept areas. During the Period, the Group entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Deer Industry New Zealand to promote innovative health-functional deer food products, assisting both parties in collaborative development, registration and marketing efforts. The Group will give full play to strengths in both its proprietary brand and Chinese medicine, combined with the resource advantages provided by New Zealand, the origin of deer velvet, to accelerate the R&D of New Zealand deer products and the deployment of the industrial chain configuration, and continue to expand into new health domains. Moving forward, the Group will continue to strengthen its cooperation with internationally renowned institutions and research organizations such as the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and the University of California, to conduct research on the safety and mechanism of key products such as Tong Ren Tang's Angong Niuhuang Wan , Ganoderma Lucidum-related products and Tong Ren Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, in order to further expand its scientific research results, and to provide a reliable scientific basis for the entry of its products into the mainstream markets overseas in the future. The Group adheres to the highest standards of superior, pure and genuine traditional Chinese medicinal materials, and brings together the essence of the intangible cultural heritage culture and exquisite craftsmanship, as well as strict and meticulous production to fully embody the Group's motto: "Never cut corners on labour and quality, no matter how complex the process or how costly the materials". This philosophy not only enhances the health value delivered to customers but also provides the Group with a stronger growth momentum. Orderly market expansion and diversified marketing to strengthen brand effect In terms of market expansion, on the one hand, the Group has continuously introduced new products to consolidate and expand its market share. During the Period, the Group launched new products, including the Tong Ren Tang's Chinese anti-aging NMN series " the Youth Prime Collection and the Age-Defying Collection, the Guizhi Fuling Wan , and Wood Lok Medicated Oil , broadening its product range. At the same time, the Group further expanded its retail presence in Hong Kong, China by opening three new retail outlets in North Point, Mong Kok, and West Kowloon. The North Point and West Kowloon stores also offer Chinese medical consultation and treatments to reach a wider customer base. In terms of product marketing, the Group has intensified its marketing efforts to increase product recognition. Specifically targeting the "major variety" products, such as Tong Ren Tang Angong Niuhuang Wan and Sporoderm-broken Ganoderma Lucidum Spores Powder Capsule and Tong Ren Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, the Group promoted and advertised the brand and products through an omni-channel approach, integrating special festivals and themes to create consumer hotspots. Moreover, the Group has also advanced the development of both online and offline channels, continuously expanding its sales channels to meet the demands of post-pandemic era business models. In terms of brand promotion, the Group capitalized on its participation in major events, significantly enhancing its promotional efforts and accelerating the brand market expansion. During the Period, serving as a critical portal for Beijing Tong Ren Tang's international development, the Group participated in the 2024 Wuzhen Health Conference, showcasing its flagship products and a variety of new products. In implementing the "Belt and Road" initiative, the Group leads time-honored brands venture into the world and integrates into the international arena. By adopting the "bring in"and "go global" strategy, the Group is promoting the rich and profound TCM culture, further disseminates Chinese health wisdom globally to benefit more people. Additionally, the Group has enhanced its brand image and influence through public welfare activities. The Group has actively encouraged its overseas retail outlets that offer Chinese medical consultations and treatments to provide charity Chinese medicine clinic services. This initiative embodies the Group's philosophy of "introducing medicine through treatments" and supports its brand development. In Hong Kong, China, the Group has fully supported and participated in public welfare activities, demonstrating to society and the public the Group's corporate spirit of "Nurturing kindness and virtue, preserving tranquility and wellness ". Through its services and products, the Group is dedicated to deeply embedding the Tong Ren Tang brand, products and Chinese medical consultation and treatments services into the community, spreading the culture of Tong Ren Tang while encouraging a healthy lifestyle among community residents. Future Prospects With the ongoing economic and social development, an intensifying aging population trend, and the increasing health awareness among residents, the pharmaceutical consumption market is expected to expand continuously. TCM, as a crucial sector of the pharmaceutical industry, continues to hold significant potential for growth in the global market. In the future, the Group will continue to strengthen R&D efforts and expand its proprietary product matrix, including products such as Ganoderma Lucidum series and anti-aging series, to create diversified growth engines and drive the realization of high-quality developmental transformation within the Group. At the same time, the Group will focus on business development by enhancing its new retail layout, accelerating the introduction of new products, continuously advancing the registration of Tong Ren Tang's key products in Vietnam, innovating business models, and reinforcing its core competitive advantages. By leveraging the development of new quality productive forces as its engine, the Group strives to achieve sustained growth in its business scale. Copyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. 2024 JCN Newswire Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Hertz Energy Inc. (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) (the "Company" or "Hertz") is pleased to provide the following corporate updates. SNAKE AND AC/DC LITHIUM PROJECTS, JAMES BAY REGION, QUEBEC: Field activities at the Company's Snake Lithium Project were conducted between June 17 to June 26th, 2024, targeting pegmatitic dykes, known mineral occurrences, and areas with the potential for spodumene mineralization. Access to the project site was facilitated by an AS350BA+ helicopter provided and piloted by Panorama Helicopters, complemented by extensive ground hiking. The exploration team completed nineteen traverses across prospective zones within the project boundaries, documenting a total of 389 observations and collecting 95 samples-77 for lithium and 18 for gold. The most commonly encountered geological unit was migmatite, derived from paragneiss with granitic and pegmatitic leucosome. All pegmatitic rocks, quartz veins and sulphide-bearing lithologies encountered during the 2024 exploration phase were sampled. No lithium and/or gold-associated minerals were documented throughout the traverses. Data interpretation is still ongoing, and no anomalies have been observed at this time. Field activities at the Company's AC/DC Lithium Project commenced after the Snake field program and ended on July 28, 2024. A total of 171 observations points and 81 samples were collected along several traverses with assay results still pending and data interpretation still ongoing. HERTZ ENERGY NAMIBIA URANIUM PROJECT: Hertz Energy has submitted applications EPL-10185 and EPL-10186 for Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) in Namibia. See News Release May 3, 2024.The Company anticipates receiving these licenses in the next few months and will provide clarity as more information is provided. The application areas cover an area of 9,627.84 hectares located in Central Namibia in the Erongo Region which hosts numerous primary and secondary uranium deposits. Primary economic uranium is hosted mainly in sheeted D-type alaskites which occur both as cross-cutting dykes and as bedding and/or foliation-parallel sills. The sheets can amalgamate to form larger granite plutons or granite stockworks made up of closely spaced dykes and sills. The mineralized alaskites tend to occur at marked stratigraphic levels, often associated with the Khan-Rossing Formation boundary, or, where the Rossing Formation is missing, the Khan-Chuos/Arandis Formation boundary. Secondary uranium deposits occur in calcretes in the coastal plain of the Namib Desert. The deposits are associated with ancient river systems that flowed westward from the Great Escarpment during the upper Cretaceous and lower Cenozoic periods. Uranium mineralization is typically located in calcretised fluvial channels which tend to be buried with little or no obvious surface expression to identify them. The applications were filed by Odikwa Geoservices, led by Mary Barton, a Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). In conjunction with filing the prospecting licenses, Odikwa Geoservices conducted a geological desktop review to locate prospective ground within the region of Erongo for the purposes of the licensing application. Odikwa Geoservices is a respected local geology company, providing high quality geology, exploration, mineral resource, mining and revenue management solutions to the Namibian mining industry. COMINCO URANIUM PROJECT : The Company has encountered issues with obtaining permits to conduct exploration at the Cominco Project and does not foresee an easy path to obtaining exploration permits to advance the project. Based on these permitting issues, the Company has elected to relinquish the Cominco claims block and conduct no further work on this project. PENN STATE LITHIUM EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY: The Company engaged Lithium Consultants Australasia (LCA) to review the Penn State Lithium Extraction Technology and provide a feasibility analysis on advancing this project forward. After considerable time, LCA completed their due diligence and provided a summary of their findings to the Company. After reviewing these results, Hertz has decided it is not in the best interest of the Company or its shareholders to pursue this technology any further and has relinquished its right to license the Lithium Extraction Technology back to Penn State. PATRIOTA LITHIUM PROJECT, BRAZIL: Hertz conducted a field exploration program earlier this year on the Patriota Lithium Project comprised of prospecting, heavy mineral sampling, and geological mapping, following up on interpreted geophysical structures and five recently identified multispectral and satellite imagery targets. While more work still needs to be completed on the Patriota Lithium Project, the early results do not warrant further exploration at this time as critical funds can be deployed to more prospective projects. With the recent downturn in lithium prices and lack of investor appetite to fund grassroots lithium projects, the Company has elected to relinquish its Patriota Lithium Project. LUCKY MICA PROJECT: The Company has also elected to relinquish its Lucky Mica Lithium Project in Arizona. The prospecting, mapping, and sampling programs in 2023 did not provide enough evidence for further lithium discovery on the property outside of the historical Lucky Mica lithium showing owned by Hertz. The potential discovery within the Lucky Mica showing is not considered prospective at this time and so further exploration conducted on the property its not warranted. SEEKING ADDITIONAL PROJECTS: The Company currently has approximately $800,000 in flow thru capital available to deploy on critical mineral projects and is in discussions to possibly acquire other critical mineral projects including antimony, copper or nickel prospects located in Quebec. There is no guarantee additional project acquisitions will materialize and discussions are at the early stages. The Company will provide updates as discussions progress. Kal Malhi, CEO of HERTZ ENERGY, commented: "We are disappointed by the turn of events at our Cominco Uranium Project and Penn State Lithium Extraction technology. We are conserving capital during this downturn in lithium prices and in investor appetite for lithium related investments and have approximately $800,000 in flow through capital which we look to deploy on another critical minerals project and hope to provide shareholder returns with the deployment of this capital. We are also eager to get our Namibian Uranium Licenses issued in the coming months." OPTION GRANTS: The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 4,000,000 stock options (the "Options") to consultants, officers, and directors of the Company to purchase 4,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") in the capital of the Company pursuant to the Company's share option plan. The Options, which vest immediately, are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.085 per Share for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of grant. QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT: All scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Paul Teniere, P.Geo., Technical Advisor of Hertz Energy Inc. who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. About the Company The Company is a British Columbia based junior exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of critical minerals properties. The Company's lithium exploration projects include the AC/DC Lithium Project and the Snake Lithium project. The AC/DC Project is 26,500 hectares located in the renowned James Bay Lithium District in Quebec, Canada, just 26 km southeast of the Corvette Lithium Project owned by Patriot Battery Metals and is contiguous to Rio Tinto's Kaanaayaa project claims. The Snake Lithium project consists of 424 contiguous claims totaling approximately 21,700 hectares located east of Patriot Battery Metals Corvette project. The Snake Lithium project is within a similar geological setting to Alkem's James Bay Lithium Project and Nemaska's Whabouchi Lithium project both containing significant lithium mineral resource estimates. The Company's uranium projects include its recent applications for Exclusive Prospecting Licenses in Namibia. For further information, please contact Mr. Kal Malhi or view the Company's filings at www.sedarplus.ca. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The securities of the Company referred to in this news release 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. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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 market prices, 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 securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221597 SOURCE: Hertz Energy Inc. MBABANE The seven immigration officers, whose warrants of arrest were issued on Wednesday by the Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala, have been charged with 89 counts. They are Njabulo Thembeka Thwala of Mpolonjeni, Mbekwa Carlo Ncongwane of Sidwashini and Dumsile Lukhele of Sigombeni. Others are Phumzile Mdluli of Ngwazini, Jean Khangezile Sitsebe of Nkoyoyo, Faith Sifiso Matse of Ngwenya and Ncobile Helen Dlamini of Siphocosini.Their charges stem from their alleged contravention of the Prevention of Corruption Act No.3 of 2006. Some of them are senior officers and most of them are assistant immigration officers. They are employed by government under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The basis of their charges is that they allegedly, directly or indirectly, gave and/or offered to give several foreign nationals the advantage of registration and/or issuance of refugee identity numbers. This, they are alleged to have done, for the benefit of the foreign nationals to be recognised as refugees in Eswatini. The foreign nationals who allegedly benefitted from the purported acts of corruption by the accused persons are from African and overseas countries. Violation According to the charge sheet, the accused persons allegedly abused their position of authority, which amounted to a breach of trust, amounting to a violation of their legal duty and/or set of rules.The accused were rounded up yesterday by a joint operation by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and the Anti-Corruption Task Team. The septet were arrested in different areas in the four regions of the country. The offences were allegedly committed between November 2017 and March 2023, in Mbabane. A bulk of the offences were committed in March 2023. As reflected in the charge sheet, on some days in March 2023, various offences were committed in one day. Accused The accused persons are accused of contravening Section 42(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with Section 42(2)(b)(i). Alternatively read with Section 42(2)(b)(ii). According to Section 42(1)(b), under the heading, General offence of corruption, (1) subject to the provisions of Subsection (2), a person who directly or indirectly - (b) gives or agrees or offers to give any other person any advantage, whether for the benefit of that other person or of another person, is guilty of the offence of corruption and liable on conviction, to the penalty prescribed under Section 35(1). Subsection 2 states that, for an offence to be committed under Subsection 1, the act complained of must cause that person or influence another person to act in a manner - that is illegal, dishonest, unauthorised, incomplete or biased, among others. Section 42(2)(b)(i) states that the act in question must amount to the abuse of a position of authority. According to Section 42(2)(b)(ii), the act should amount to a breach of trust. Section 35(1), under penalties, provides that a person who is convicted of an offence referred to in sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 34, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding E100 000 or imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or to both.Now that the warrants have been executed, it brings the number of those arrested in connection with the fraudulent activities in the Ministry of Homes Affairs to 10. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) recently reported that it was investigating 250 cases, with the Home Affairs case being one of them. The arrest of the septet came after CJ Maphalala issued arrest and search and seizure warrants against them on Wednesday. The ACC had moved an urgent application. The warrants were issued in terms of the Prevention of Corruption Act No.3 of 2006. The warrants authorised the ACC officers to conduct searches in the homesteads of the implicated employees and further confiscate any material believed to have been used in the commission of the offences. Syndicate The seven accused persons are believed to be part of a syndicate that deals in the sale of refugee status and passports to foreign nationals.By Wednesday afternoon, a contingent of officers from the ACC, was in the process of rounding up some of the implicated employees, with the intention to detain them. Prior to the issuance of the warrants, there were parallel investigations regarding the same issue, which were being conducted by the ACC and the REPS. The investigations in this matter started in 2022, when the Ministry of Home Affairs instituted an internal probe into the sale of refugee status and passports to foreign nationals. The investigations by the ACC and the police reportedly uncovered 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. Over 100 immigration officers were transferred last year as a result of the investigation. SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / AuPairCare (www.aupaircare.com), a leading international au pair agency designated by the U.S. Department of State that facilitates cultural exchange through live-in childcare, celebrated International Exchange Day by promoting cross-cultural understanding and highlighting the importance of international education with hundreds of gatherings across the nation with American host families and their international au pairs. AuPairCare Au Pair Cultural Exchange AuPairCare Au Pair Reading to Host Child Au pairs are international young people who come to the U.S. on a J1 cultural exchange visa and live as a member of an American host family, providing flexible, live-in childcare. Au pairs not only provide flexible childcare but are also instrumental in a child's development and learning. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) highlights the benefits of early language exposure, noting, "Research shows that children who are exposed to multiple languages from an early age demonstrate improved cognitive abilities, such as enhanced problem-solving skills and greater creativity." Families across the U.S. are seeking out international au pairs who can interact with their children in multiple languages, recognizing the short-term and long-term benefits of multilingual learning. "Children are so smart and can pick up a new language very quickly. Families want to expose their children to new cultures and perspectives through language, food and new customs and traditions," said Sarah McNamara, Senior Vice President at AuPairCare. AuPairCare has carefully screened au pairs from over 40 different countries around the world who are proficient in speaking, on average, two to three different languages. "The cultural perspective is one of the reasons we are with AuPairCare. We have our children in a Japanese immersion school and now we have a Japanese au pair. She helps them with their language, and we have learned so much about Japanese culture," shared Host Mom Tricia Freeman. "It's such a wonderful thing to bring the world into the home of our children." A big part of multilingual learning for children is through song and books, which is why AuPairCare placed the focus of its Exchange Day events on libraries and literacy. "Local libraries are at the heart of a community, and you will find so many AuPairCare au pairs at the local library with their host children, reading books in English and also Spanish or Mandarin, French or Portuguese," shared Courtney Biggs, Vice President of AuPairCare. AuPairCare's dedicated team of local Area Directors, who support host families and au pairs throughout their placement year, aimed to celebrate the spirit of cultural exchange by hosting cultural exchange events with a focus on promoting libraries and literacy in their local communities. Event highlights included Annapolis area au pairs, host families, and local teachers gathering at their local library to celebrate Exchange Day. Au Pair Laurie from Colombia was excited to explore a new library branch with her host child. "We love spending time reading books together on hot days." The group decorated rocks with uplifting messages, gave back to their community with a book donation, and connected about the amazing impact of the au pair program. The AuPairCare au pair and host family groups of South Orange County and North San Diego County, California, met with their Area Director for a special literacy-themed Exchange Day celebration. The event was held at a local county library, where au pairs read books to children, followed by a delightful gelato treat - a perfect blend of learning, cultural exchange, and fun. For 35 years, AuPairCare has been enriching lives and bridging cultures. The au pair program has impacted hundreds of thousands of au pairs who come to the U.S. to share in American culture before returning home to spread the values they've experienced. This year's 35th anniversary designated a significant milestone of longevity and a testament to the transformative impact AuPairCare has had on countless lives worldwide. About AuPairCare As the premier au pair agency, AuPairCare is dedicated to matching families in the United States with international au pairs who provide live-in childcare and bring the world into your home. Celebrating 35 years in cultural exchange, AuPairCare has matched over 100,000 au pairs from all over the world with loving host families and a focus on cultural exchange here in America. AuPairCare is a Department of State-regulated sponsor agency and a part of Intrax, Inc. For more information, visit www.aupaircare.com. Contact Information Patti Moran Director of Marketing & Communications pmoran@aupaircare.com (800) 428-7247 Related Files APC_35th_fulllogo Related Images AuPairCare Au Pair Cultural Exchange AuPairCare Au Pair Reading to Host Child SOURCE: AuPairCare, Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / T-Mobile Technology experts in education say signing up for T-Mobile's Project 10Million, the company's initiative aimed at delivering internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households, can help set children up for success in the classroom and beyond - and why it's as important now as ever. John Sousa, the Chief Information Officer for the East Orange School District in New Jersey, says the Covid pandemic highlighted a significant issue he had long been aware of: the digital divide among students. "There was already an imbalance," says Sousa, reflecting on how online state-required testing prior to the pandemic exposed the lack of internet access for some families. "The pandemic only exacerbated the digital divide for many of the 11,000 students in our district." Of course, Sousa's school district was far from alone in this challenge. In 2020, between 15 million to 16 million U.S. students were living in households without reliable internet access, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group and nonprofit Common Sense. In response to these growing challenges, Sousa reached out to T-Mobile during the pandemic to explore solutions for improving internet access for his district's students. "I got in touch with T-Mobile and asked how we can provide connectivity when as much as 20% of our community is in this gap that exists for families that can't afford to provide high-speed internet to the students," says Sousa. "And how can we make it a seamless transition between T-Mobile, the school and the students so that we don't have overlap or confusion on the exact need we are facing" Sousa says that T-Mobile jumped right in and provided approximately 3,800 hotspots through Project 10Million, the Un-carrier's $10.7 billion education initiative. Announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, Project 10Million aims to close the digital divide in education by offering free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots for up to 10 million eligible student households. Additionally, the program provides school districts with free or heavily subsidized data plans and ensures that all participants have access to affordable laptops and tablets. By the end of last year, T-Mobile had provided $6.4 billion in products and services and connected nearly 6 million students across the country through Project 10Million and other education initiatives. "The hotspots have given us peace of mind because we no longer have to worry about missing any students who still lack access," says Sousa. "We're largely understaffed and don't have the resources that we would need to manage the project the way that it needed to be managed. T-Mobile's team worked out all those details, delivered it all and helped get the broadband access out there to students that are stuck in the digital divide." Sousa says in a school district with many families who are homeless or living without regular access to connectivity, Project 10Million has become an invaluable service. As students head back to school this fall, internet access is ever more critical for kids to learn and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Yet today, 24 million U.S. households still lack reliable internet. That's why, as families make their annual back to school checklists for new backpacks and pencils, Sousa says he wants those in need to know that adding Project 10Million might be one of the most important things to help prepare for a successful school year. BANNER P10M Study Guide Check List Project 10Million is T-Mobile's $10.7 billion initiative committed to offering free connectivity to up to 10 million eligible students across the country. T-Mobile also works with school districts by giving them free connectivity and subsidized data plans. Plus, everyone in the program has access to affordable laptops and tablets. It's easy to get started! Check eligibility and sign up for Project 10Million at: www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from T-Mobile on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: T-Mobile Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/t-mobile Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: T-Mobile View the original press release on accesswire.com NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In August, the global one-stop mother and baby brand Momcozy wrapped up its impactful Breastfeeding Month campaign, "Break Breastfeeding Barriers," a testament to the company's dedication to empowering mothers and enhancing their breastfeeding experiences. Reflecting on the whole campaign, Lalaina Rabary, North American Marketing Manager of Momcozy stated, "Our aim this month was not only to provide support but also to celebrate each mother's unique journey through meaningful connections and expert-endorsed resources. At Momcozy, we prioritize mothers, offering innovative solutions, comfort, and support to bring joy to and ease their motherhood experiences." At the heart of the campaign was the offline bus tour in partnership with Pumpspotting on Barb the Breast Express. This tour made multiple stops in communities, facilitating direct interactions with mothers. Discussions on breastfeeding challenges, giveaways, and engaging activities were organized to support and uplift mothers along their journeys. The significant event in Washington D.C. marked another high point of the campaign. Partnering with the American College For Nurse-Midwives, Pumpspotting, and District Motherhued, the evening was a celebration of networking, product giveaways, and breastfeeding portraits. The event also focused on self-care presentations tailored for both mothers and maternity professionals. Moreover, the online component of the campaign achieved unprecedented success, attracting over 2000 global participants to this month's webinar series. Notably, the breastfeeding webinar series, led by IBCLC and Family Nurse Practitioner Emily Silver from NAPS, generated over 5000 registrations, highlighting significant interest and active participation from the audience. Complementing this success, the community storytelling initiative encouraged mothers to share their breastfeeding success stories, further amplifying the campaign's impact through partnerships with DME providers and maternity experts. Momcozy is committed to collaborating with industry experts and organizations, providing ongoing product support and community assistance to champion breastfeeding mothers. The company will also seek more sustained social attention to drive positive change and advocate for the wellbeing of mothers worldwide. About Momcozy Momcozy is a trusted global mother and baby brand, serving over 4.5 million mothers in more than 60 countries and regions. Since 2018, we've evolved to meet the unique needs of moms and their families, offering a range of products from pregnancy through early motherhood. As the Cozy Reformer, we always put moms first, delivering innovative solutions, comfort, and support to bring joy and ease to their journeys. Media Contact: Fiona Fan pr@momcozy.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493269/janellecarmela_57.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/momcozy-concludes-successful-breastfeeding-month-campaign-breaking-breastfeeding-barriers-empowers-mothers-302235086.html Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have selected digital product consultancy Heady for the 2024 Fortune Best Small Workplaces List . This is Heady's first time being named to this prestigious list, this year coming in at No. 97. Earning a spot means that Heady is one of the best companies to work for in the country. "We're honored to be recognized as one of the Best Small Workplaces in the U.S.," said Heady CEO Rahul Khosla. "Building top-tier digital products starts with empowering our team to do their best work, and that means creating an environment where they feel valued, encouraged, and supported." The Best Small Workplaces list is highly competitive. To determine the list, Great Place To Work analyzed the survey responses of over 31,000 employees from Great Place To Work Certified companies with 10 to 99 U.S. employees. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier. "Some of the strongest work cultures we measure every year come from companies with relatively small headcounts," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "Companies that make this highly competitive list offer the care and support found at companies 10 times their size." In 2023, Heady was named a Great Place To Workfor the second year in a row, underscoring its commitment to fostering a culture where employees feel empowered and encouraged to do their most meaningful work. About Heady Heady is a digital product consultancy based in Brooklyn and Mumbai that provides full-service strategy, design, full-stack development, and growth marketing services for brands like LG, Consumer Cellular, WeWork, and Hibbett Sports. Heady helps clients achieve their most crucial business goals with beautiful and engaging mobile and web experiences. Founded in 2015, Heady is a certified Great Place To Work and won a 2024 Webby Award for its work on the Crate & Barrel mobile app. For more information, visit www.heady.io or connect with Heady on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Instagram . About the Fortune Best Small Workplaces List Great Place To Work selected the Fortune Best Small Workplaces Listby surveying companies employing 8.2 million people in the U.S., with 1.3 million confidential responses received. Of those, more than 31,000 responses were received from employees at companies eligible for the Best Small Workplaces list and this ranking is based on that feedback. Company scores are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index Survey . Read the full methodology. To get on this list next year, start here. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and For All Model help companies evaluate the experience ofevery employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn , X , and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more. About Fortune Fortune upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, Fortune tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk takers. Online and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable. Fortune creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts - those who shape industry, commerce, and society - through powerful and prestigious lists, events, and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative and Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com . Contact: www.heady.io hello@heady.io SOURCE: Heady LLC View the original press release on accesswire.com The CEO of MINERALRITETM Corporation (the "Company" or "RITE"), a micro-cap stock trading on the OTC Pink market, will be attending the National Investment Bankers Association ("NIBA") meeting which will be taking place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida during the first week of September. RITE's CEO, James Burgauer, was formerly a member of NIBA from the mid-1980's through the early-2000's when he was still actively engaged in the securities industry. At that time, Burgauer regularly attended NIBA meetings looking for companies that his retail brokerage firm might be inclined to work with, or his market-making brokerage firm might have interest in trading. Now, for the first time, Burgauer will be attending the meeting from the opposite perspective - that is, on behalf of MineralRite Corporation, a securities issuer and actively trading public entity - and more importantly, a Company which will shortly be looking to engage directly with the investment banking community and others to facilitate future planned capital raises. "NIBA meetings used to occur on a quarterly basis and were closed to the general public," said Burgauer. "Now I believe the meetings are only held annually; but they have been expanded to include attendees from Broker-Dealers, Investment Banks, Fund Managers, Private Equity providers, Family Offices and beyond." "I was encouraged to attend by some contacts with whom I have been actively talking. I concluded that it would be wise to head to NIBA on behalf of MineralRite. This will give me an opportunity to renew ties with some old associates and make some new acquaintances as well," commented Burgauer. "Aside from the investment bankers and broker-dealers who will be present, this type of annual meeting is known to draw in a variety of resource and service providers. Very often, some of the other attendees are especially good contacts to make as well. Network opportunities abound at these types of events, and I believe it is time for me to get out of the office, meet, greet and eat with some financial services industry participants, and start telling the world about the new chapter that is unfolding in RITE's story." MineralRite has recently made news with announcements concerning share reclamations, derecognition of time-barred obligations, negotiations that resulted in significantly reducing previously scheduled share dilution, engagement of a PCAOB auditing firm - as well as references to a pipeline of potential targeted acquisitions. Burgauer concluded by stating, "I am a big believer that the market value of a stock is ultimately a function of a company's fundamentals. In the mineral and mining industry those fundamentals are essentially the company's net tangible assets, the cash flow and the future cash flow potential generated from those assets. Grow the net tangible assets, add the appropriate amount of working capital, and the company's market capitalization will grow organically." Burgauer continued "NIBA members have raised $70 billion dollars for emerging growth companies over the years; are responsible for ninety percent of IPOs under $20 million; employ 8,800 registered reps and have $100 billion in assets under management - so this visit to NIBA's annual meeting seemed like a well-timed opportunity." Safe Harbor Disclosure Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this presentation contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. No Offer or Solicitation. This communication shall not constitute an off to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No public offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Investor Relations investor-relations@mineral-rite.com SOURCE: MineralRite Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com TOKYO and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ThinkCyte today announced the successful completion of its Series C funding round. Including the equity financing secured last November , the company raised an additional $15 million in the extension round, bringing the total to $32 million. The extension round was led by Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN), KIRIN-GB Fund I L.P., and SMBC Venture Capital No. 7 Investment Limited Partnership. The company also secured a loan from Japan Finance Corporation. This latest round brings ThinkCyte's total funding to $91 million, reinforcing the company's commitment to expanding the global reach of its flagship product, VisionSort. Since its launch in June 2023, VisionSort has been adopted by major biopharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutions worldwide. The new funding will drive production and manufacturing scale-up as well as help accelerate global commercial expansion. With this stable footing, ThinkCyte is poised to broaden the impact of its technologies, driving advancements in the life sciences and maintaining its leadership in innovative single-cell analysis and sorting solutions. About ThinkCyte ThinkCyte, founded in 2016 with offices in Tokyo, Japan and Redwood City, California is a biotechnology company that develops innovative scientific instruments based on integrated, multidisciplinary technologies to enable life science research, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. The company's flagship product, VisionSort, is the world's first AI-based, dual-mode fluorescence and morphometric cell sorting platform and it partners with major global biopharmaceutical companies and leading academic research institutes to further drive groundbreaking research. For more information, please visit www.thinkcyte.com. To learn more about research partnerships or other partnering opportunities with ThinkCyte, email contact@thinkcyte.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thinkcyte-secures-32-million-in-series-c-funding-to-drive-global-expansion-of-visionsort-302235164.html Tron DAO Justin Sun Presents Keynote Speech at WebX 2024, TRON DAO Featured as Title Sponsor 30-Aug-2024 / 18:40 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Geneva, Switzerland, August 30, 2024 - WebX 2024 , a global Web3 conference organized by CoinPost, welcomed TRON DAO as a Title Sponsor and welcomed its visionary founder, Justin Sun, as a keynote speaker. Additionally, TRON DAO played a key role as a Platinum Sponsor at OKJ Night and a sponsor at the WebX Official Afterparty. WebX 2024 is a premier global Web3 conference organized and managed by CoinPost, Japan's largest Web3 media. As one of Asia's largest gathering of professionals in the crypto, blockchain, and Web3 spaces, WebX 2024 brought together companies, experts, entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, and media from Japan and abroad, creating a unique space for direct interaction and collaboration. TRON DAO played an integral role at WebX 2024, engaging in multiple sessions and making substantial contributions to the dynamic discussions and networking opportunities that the event provided. Justin Sun's Keynote In his keynote, Sun emphasized the critical role of building dynamic and diverse ecosystems that genuinely empower communities. He articulated how the TRON blockchain ecosystem is an environment where everyone can discover their place and contribute meaningfully. Sun's commitment to building solutions that empower individuals and bring communities together has been one of the contributing forces behind TRON's rapid growth, highlighting how a people-first philosophy can lead to significant advancements in the blockchain space. WebX Official Afterparty The official afterparty, sponsored by TRON DAO, took place at Zouk Tokyo, where speakers, VIP guests, and participants gathered to celebrate the final day of WebX. The event provided a vibrant setting for attendees to unwind, network, and reflect on the conference's success while enjoying music, drinks, and the dynamic atmosphere that encapsulated the spirit of innovation and collaboration fostered throughout the event. OKJ Night As an official side event of WebX, OKJ Night stood out as a memorable celebration, marking the significant rebranding of OKCoinJapan to OKJ. Supported by TRON DAO as a Platinum Sponsor, the event gathered industry leaders, setting the stage for future growth and collaboration in the blockchain space. WebX 2024 was a remarkable convergence of innovation and collaboration, with TRON DAO at the forefront as a Title Sponsor. The conference underscored the power of building diverse and dynamic ecosystems, a vision articulated by Justin Sun in his keynote speech. His focus on community empowerment and the inclusive nature of the TRON ecosystem resonated deeply, highlighting how blockchain can drive meaningful change. With TRON DAO's involvement as a Platinum Sponsor at the OKJ Night and sponsor at the WebX Official Afterparty, the event truly embodied the spirit of unity and progress. As the blockchain industry continues to evolve, TRON DAO remains committed to fostering environments where innovation can thrive and communities can flourish. About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of August 2024, it has over 252 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 8 billion total transactions, and over $22 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Yeweon Park press@tron.network Contact Details Yeweon Park press@tron.network Company Website https://trondao.org/ Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Canggu, Bali--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - In a significant development for the yoga industry, Australia has included yoga instructors on the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) draft priority skills list, creating new opportunities for skilled migrants. This reflects the growing global demand for wellness professionals in a world that increasingly recognizes the importance of physical and mental well-being. Loka Yoga School has announced that they will be meeting this increased demand by offering expanded yoga teacher training programs via their headquarters in Canggu, Bali. Taryn Weggelaar - "To do what you love, and feel that it matters, how can anything be more fun?" Taryn Weggelaar, Founder of Loka Yoga School, comments, "Including yoga instructors on Australia's priority skills list is a major milestone for the wellness industry. It's a clear recognition of the important role yoga plays in health and wellbeing, and we're proud to be training the next generation of instructors." The announcement has sparked increased interest in yoga teaching as a career. Google Trends confirms this growing interest, with search terms like 'yoga teacher' and 'yoga teacher training' significantly increasing over the past year. Since the draft list announcement in June, data shows that the term 'yoga teacher' peaked mid-month, indicating a trend towards not only practising yoga but also pursuing it as a career. While Australia's move highlights the demand for yoga professionals, other countries are also experiencing growth in this sector. Loka Yoga School has identified the top destinations where yoga instructors are in high demand and can build rewarding careers: Bali, Indonesia: Offers various yoga teacher training programs and opportunities in the wellness tourism industry. A work permit (KITAS) is essential for professional yoga teachers. Canada: Provides diverse roles, from studio-based to corporate yoga, with a growing market for virtual classes and a projected CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2030. United Kingdom: Has included yoga instructors in the Skilled Worker Visa Program, with approximately 4,900 yoga studios offering 20,000 to 30,000 weekly classes nationwide. France: Experiencing rapid growth in yoga popularity, particularly in urban areas like Paris, with a growing focus on mental health, fitness, and mindfulness. New Zealand: Emerging market for creative approaches to yoga, including sound healing and outdoor classes, presenting a welcoming environment for overseas instructors with unique expertise. In response to this global trend, Loka Yoga School offers internationally accredited programs, including 200-hour teacher training and specialized courses such as Yin Yoga. These programs are designed to prepare graduates for the diverse and growing international job market in yoga instruction, equipping them to teach effectively in various settings, from specialized yoga studios to fitness centers and corporate wellness programs. The wellness industry is expanding globally, and yoga instructors are finding success in countries worldwide. Loka Yoga School graduates are making an impact from the beaches of Bali to the cities of New York, Berlin, Paris, and London, benefiting from the flexibility, cultural richness, and financial rewards that come with a career in yoga. Google trends for Yoga Teacher over time About Loka Yoga School Loka Yoga School is an international yoga teacher training school offering Level 1 (200 hour) teacher training, Yin Yoga teacher training, Teacher Refresher courses and retreats, as well as Continuing Education courses (YACEP) accredited courses with Yoga Alliance International. Our courses have been running in Bali and India since 2016 and we are in the process of expanding. We believe that learning the art of teaching yoga should be taught in stunning natural environments, in turn nourishing the soul. Be sure to leave having experienced a transformation of a life time. Jalan Babadan No.5 Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221671 SOURCE: Loka Yoga School The Company will host an update for shareholders on September 19 KINGSTON, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FMS)(OTCQB:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC0) ("Focus Graphite" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Dean Hanisch will join the Company as a Special Advisor and Business Development Consultant, effective September 3, 2024. Mr. Hanisch will work on advancing Focus Graphite's assets through strategic business development initiatives and fostering collaborations with industry and government partners. Dean Hanisch is an entrepreneur with a successful 30-year record of assisting private and public companies in a broad range of industries, and at all stages of growth from seed and commercialization to operation and monetization. Mr. Hanisch has assisted a number of junior mining companies to enhance their market presence, and was instrumental in the growth and eventual sale of U.S.-based Paramount Gold and Silver Corp. Previously, Mr. Hanisch held a variety of senior executive positions in the IT industry, again assisting companies to grow, prosper and maximize shareholder return through acquisitions by public companies - for example, Titan Consulting Group acquired by Calian CTY. "As the buzz around critical minerals grows ever louder, we are delighted to welcome Dean to the team here at Focus," said Marc Roy, president and CEO of Focus Graphite. "Dean's expertise in developing partnerships will benefit the Company as we continue to advance our Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca natural large-flake graphite projects." Shareholder update session Shareholders and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to hear a corporate update and ask questions during a webinar on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Attendees will need to register for the webinar in advance at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfu6hqTgpG93H11JCRloro6YMrPsEBae3. About Focus Graphite Focus Graphite Inc. is an advanced exploration company with an objective of producing flake graphite concentrate at its wholly owned Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca flake graphite projects located in the Cote-Nord administrative region of Quebec. In a second stage, to meet Quebec stakeholder interests in developing second transformation industries within the province and to add shareholder value, Focus is evaluating the feasibility of producing value added specialty graphite products including battery-grade spherical graphite. Focus Graphite is a technology-oriented graphite development company with a vision for building long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Focus also holds a significant equity position in graphene applications developer Grafoid Inc. For more information about Focus Graphite and the Company's Lac Tetepisca and Lac Knife projects, please visit Focus's website at www.focusgraphite.com/ or contact: Kimberly Darlington Communications, Focus Graphite kdarlington@focusgraphite.com Judith Mazvihwa-MacLean CFO, Focus Graphite jmazvihwa@focusgraphite.com (613) 581-4040 Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information, including references to the plans and project of the Company such as proceeding with production at the Company's Project, proceeding with exploration activities on its permits on Lac Tetepisca. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "high-potential", "expected", "optimistic", "looking forward", "moving forward", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "might". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) fluctuations in commodity prices; (vii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (viii) competition faced by the issuer in securing purchasers, off-taker markets, clients and experienced personnel and financing; (ix) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (x) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the issuer; (xi) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the issuer is subject to; (xii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiii) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xiv) the reliance on key personnel; (xv) liquidity risks; (xvi) the risk of litigation; and (xvii) risk management. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration, and development plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approval, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Focus Graphite, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: W28) ("European Energy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is increasing its previously announced non-brokered private placement from 16,000,000 units ("Units") to up to 17,600,000 Units. Each Unit will be issued at a price of $0.125 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $2,200,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one half of a common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.20 for a period of two years following closing of the Private Placement. The Company may pay finder's fees on all or a portion of the Private Placement. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for exploration work on its properties and for working capital. Completion of the Private Placement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About European Energy Metals Corp. European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focussed on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The Company's concessions are located within 15 kms of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in H2 2025. The Company cautions the presence of lithium mineralization on Keliber's properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Company's mineral reservations. An estimated 600 million investment by Keliber's parent company Sibanye-Stillwater Limited (NYSE: SBSW) in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi) is underway in the Kautinen Region and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the regarding completion of the Private Placement, the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finnish Pegmatite. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the Company's ability to find suitable investors for the Private Placement or to obtain the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, management's discretion to reallocate the proceeds of the Private Placement as well as risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are 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/221707 SOURCE: European Energy Metals Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced (see press release dated August 23, 2024) non-brokered private placement of units (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $130,750 from the issuance of 8,716,667 units. Each unit was priced at $0.015 and is comprised of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant (individually a "Warrant", and collectively "Warrants") is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at any time on or before August 30, 2026 at a price of $0.05. The common shares and Warrants are subject to a four-month hold period expiring on December 31, 2024. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and for other general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the offering, the Company issued securities to a purchaser that is considered to be a "related party" (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")), making the Offering a "related party transaction" (within the meaning of MI 61-101) (the "Related Party Subscription"). The Company was exempt from obtaining a formal valuation for, and minority approval of, the Related Party Subscription pursuant to Section 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively. The material change report to be filed in connection with the Offering will be filed less than 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering. The shorter period was necessary in order to permit the Company to close the Offering in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for transactions of this nature. The securities issued under the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under 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, U.S. persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Caprock Mining Corp. Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring battery metals in Newfoundland and precious metals in Ontario. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Ackley Lithium-Tin-Molybdenum-REEs property located in the Fortune Bay area of south-eastern Newfoundland. Additionally, the Company's 100% interest in several gold exploration properties gives it a substantial landholding in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt ("BGB") of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the world-class Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by a joint venture partnership between Equinox Gold (TSE:EQX) and Orion Mine Finance (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing). With an experienced management team that has a strong exploration pedigree, Caprock is poised to generate incremental shareholder value by advancing its portfolio of highly prospective exploration projects. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company. Such statements include statements regarding the anticipated closing of the proposed Offering and the use of proceeds resulting therefrom. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. The assumptions on which the forward looking statements contained herein rely include the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. For More Information Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221647 SOURCE: Caprock Mining Corp. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR6)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of the Yellow Chief Uranium Inc. properties located in Utah and Saskatchewan. The Company issued 8,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.05 in accordance with the terms of the June 26, 2024 Option Agreement. The common shares are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period. The Company advised that when originally signed, the agreement was an arms length transaction, but the Yellow Chief. CEO subsequently became the CEO of the Company. If the transaction were to be classifed as a related party transaction, the Company would note that as such participation was less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company at the time, the Company would rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation. About Victory Battery Metals Victory is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company's head office is located at 1780-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2C8, and its Common Shares are currently listed on the CSE. Contact Information For further information, please contact: David Stadnyk, President Phone: +1 (236) 317-2822 or toll-free +1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653) E-mail: info@victorybatterymetals.com www.victorybatterymetals.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Statements in this press release regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking information can be generally identified by terms such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future, and readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions may not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities may not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported under the Company's disclosure documents available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE: Victory Resources Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Radio Fuels Energy Corp. (CSE: CAKE) (the "Company" or "Radio Fuels") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated August 22, 2024, it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") with the issuance of 11,538,462 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares", and each, a "Share") at a price of $0.13 per Share for proceeds of $1,500,000. No finder's fees were applicable to the Private Placement and the Company intends to use the proceeds therefrom as working capital. All Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period expiring December 31, 2024, being the date that is four months and a day from the date of issuance. The securities described herein 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 except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Radio Fuels Energy Corp. The Company is a junior natural resource company focused on providing exposure to uranium and other commodities through the investment, acquisition, exploration, and development of projects and companies. 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 release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or" should" occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the use of proceeds are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the risk that the Company may not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans and the risk of regulatory or legal changes that may interfere with the Company's business and prospects. These risks, as well as others, are disclosed within the Company's filing on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, the Canadian Securities Administrators' national system that all market participants use for filings and disclosure, which investors are encouraged to review prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Company. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. // NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES // To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221674 SOURCE: Radio Fuels Energy Corp. Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Biohackers World is excited to say that their next event will be held in Miami. This event will bring together the best biohacking health experts and fans. We hope that this event will be another important step in our goal to make health improvement accessible to everyone and build a strong community. Since it began in 2019, Biohackers World has been a leader in putting together events and gatherings where top experts and fans can share their knowledge, new ideas, and useful ways to improve health and help people live longer. Biohackers World logo To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10129/221514_eb668e018420bb11_001full.jpg Biohackers World has made a name for itself by catering to a wide range of people, from Gen X professionals and IT experts to businesses and health and fitness fans. Their main customers are people who are looking for clean and organic ways to stay healthy. People in this group value information, are interested in the newest studies on natural health remedies, and are committed to learning new things all the time in order to live longer and be healthier. The main draw for Biohackers World is their well-known events and workshops. At these events, people can learn new things about how to improve their health through engaging classes, major talks, and group discussions. However, events aren't just about learning; they're also about getting to know one another better. People who attend can find and meet people with similar interests and stars in their field, which can lead to partnerships and new ideas. Panel Discussion "Radiant from Within: Exploring the Secrets of Healthy Aging" To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10129/221514_eb668e018420bb11_002full.jpg Biohackers World has become an important part of the biohacking community, with popular events in major cities like Boston, Silicon Valley, Phoenix, Miami, and Austin. These workshops have been very important in creating a safe space where people can share their knowledge, experiences, and inspiration, which has led to growth for everyone and success for each person. What to look forward to in events: Check out Wellness Science: Here, you will learn from more than 30 top experts in biohacking and health, who will give you cutting-edge ways to improve your health. Work together and grow: Form useful ties and improve your relationships with clients in a community that supports health equality. Get in touch with other biohackers: Talk to other biohackers, entrepreneurs, and creators who are shaping the future of health technology to grow your network. Biohackers World provides a wide range of tools and networking chances in addition to their gatherings. Their networking events bring together people with similar interests and experts in the field, which leads to partnerships and long-lasting relationships in the biohacking community. Biohackers World, above all, wants to make a bigger difference in the future. The company wants to tackle new markets and internet platforms so that people all over the world can access its events and tools. Biohackers World stays on the cutting edge of the biohacking movement by holding true to its promise based on the voices of its community. At the heart of Biohackers World's goal are three core values: Extending Healthspan. The company's main goal is to help people not only live longer but also live better, more active lives. This will improve people's quality of life and let them enjoy more useful and satisfying years. Building group. Biohackers World thinks that a supporting group is a great way to share information, ideas, and inspiration. They know that working together makes each person more successful. Leading by Example. Biohackers World wants to encourage and help others by using biohacking and health principles in their own work. This builds trust and shows how their methods really work. As Biohackers World prepares for its next event in Los Angeles, the company invites all interested in biohacking and wellness to join the experience. This upcoming conference promises to be a milestone in the ongoing mission to democratize health optimization and foster a vibrant, supportive community of biohackers. For more information, visit Biohackers World's website or connect with them on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, and TikTok. For press inquiries, contact Mick or Olia at info@biohackers.world. About: The Biohackers World Conference & Expo is a premier event dedicated to advancing biohacking and wellness. Through cutting-edge technologies, networking opportunities, and interactive exhibits, we aim to empower individuals to optimize their health and reach their full potential. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest developments in health, wellness, and biohacking while connecting with like-minded professionals. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221514 SOURCE: AK Infinite EydisBio, a Durham, NC-based pharmaceutical company, received a $2.6M SBIR Grant from National Institute of Healths (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The company intends to use the amount to further support its ongoing research into the efficacy of TAK1 inhibition in animal models of systemic sclerosis and declare a lead compound for progression into the clinic. Led by CEO and President Dr. Tim Haystead, EydisBio is an early-stage pharmaceutical company leveraging a novel approach to treating various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The companys TAK1 inhibitors have demonstrated significant promise in recent preclinical studies involving fibroblasts derived from systemic sclerosis patients and a bleomycin-induced mouse model of the disease. This project will support continued analog development to identify a highly effective and safe lead compound and further investigate its potential for treating SSc-ILD and related manifestations. Following this, EydisBio will undertake GLP-compliant toxicity studies to support the advancement of the program through Investigational New Drug (IND) filing and into clinical trials. Commenting on the news, Tim Haystead said: This funding will enable us to continue to advance our TAK1 inhibitor program in systemic sclerosis and bring us closer to developing a new therapeutic option for these patients. We are strongly committed to improving the lives of those affected by this debilitating disease. FinSMEs 30/08/2024 Pylon, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a support platform for B2B companies, raised $17M in Series A funding. The round, which brought the total amount to $20M, was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from General Catalyst, Y Combinator, and others. It also added Jennifer Li to the board. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Led by Marty Kausas, Pylon provides a support platform for B2B companies, which features a ticketing system, B2B omnichannel integrations (Slack Connect, Microsoft Teams), modern chat widget, knowledge base, AI support bot, account management, customer marketing, and more. The platform includes: Customer portal Traditional channels (Email, Ticket Forms, Chat Widget) Modern channels (Slack, Microsoft Teams) Automations (Triggers, Macros) Developer tools (Custom Apps, APIs, Webhooks) Account views Custom reporting 7+ categories of integrations Product marketing broadcasts Article copilot FinSMEs 30/08/2024 The US Patent and Trademark Office supplied the data this month to the House of Representatives select committee on China read more China's and US ' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration. Reuters The U.S. Defense Department, NASA and other government agencies funded research that led to more than 1,000 US 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 US patent data, which was reviewed by Reuters and has not been reported previously, will amplify calls to cancel or renegotiate the landmark US-China Science and Technology Agreement, a cooperation deal that critics say disproportionately benefits Washingtons top geopolitical rival. Advertisement The US 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 US 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 US 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. Its alarming that US 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 committees chairman, Republican Representative John Moolenaar, said in an email to Reuters. Advertisement 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 US interests in science and technology, a department spokesperson said. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for Chinas embassy in Washington, said science and technology was an open business. Sudhur Mishra shared his thoughts on the Hema Committee report, which spoke about the sexual harassment faced by actresses and women technicians in the Malayalam film industry read more Acclaimed filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, who is known for making path-breaking movies like Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin, Dharavi, Main Zinda Hoon, Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Khoya Khoya Chand, Yeh Saali Zindagi, Inkaar, Afwaah and others, is currently gearing up for the release of the second season of Tanaav. The filmmaker shared his thoughts on the Hema Committee report, which spoke about the sexual harassment faced by actresses and women technicians in the Malayalam film industry. Advertisement I made a whole film on it (Inkaar). What can I say more than that? There are people who tweet and get very happy because they tweet. But Im a film person, said Mishra while talking to News18. So, whether it is the politics of the country or false propagandaa theme that was dealt with in Afwaahif its a subject that I feel like discussing, I make a film on it. Whenever I feel the need to share my feelings on a subject, and every time theres exploitation, I make a film to state the obvious. If youve seen Inkaar, youll know that there was nuance in it, he added. The filmmaker revealed that he is trying to understand the situation in the Malayalam film industry and has been talking to women who are the founding members of the Women In Cinema Collective. Advertisement Were talking about the Kerala film industry, but we dont know its nuances. Ive no idea about what went wrong. Theres a committee, and there are many responsible people there. Ive spoken to some women who I know from Kerala, who are now in charge, and I trust them a lot. I dont know if Im at liberty to name them, Mishra said. The Chameli director hopes for better times in Mollywood and added, I think theyll take care of it. I know that Kerala will manage well. Beyond that, I dont know the specifics. Its very unfair to talk about a situation about which you dont know much. But in Bombay, theres a big change that has happened. Better times are already here. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack was the longest hijack in Indian aviation history. A classic geo-political show which shows our relationship with different countries Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Strangely it was Afghanistan who played an important role in recusing the passengers. But why did they choose the Kathmandu flight? Were the terrorists aware that security was slack in this particular airport and hence they found it easy to board the flight with arms and armaments. It was Afghanistan who made a deal with the terrorists along with the Indian diplomats that nobody will be killed on the soil of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Advertisement Adapted from the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, the series also captures the heart of negotiations, unveiling the intricate diplomacy within Delhis War Room and the tense exchanges at Kandahars Negotiation Station. What was the deal made by the terrorists? 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. 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. 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. Why was the Kandahar hijack a diplomatic failure? There were constant negotiations that took place with the terrorists by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Indian government. It wasnt easy for anybody, the Indian diplomats, the government, the passengers stuck in IC 814, their families, the Captain and his crew. There were two school of thoughts, one that said that we should let the terrorists free and rescue the passengers. While there was another school of thought that felt that why would such dangerous terrorists left free. It was shown in the Vijay Varma starrer Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack show that one of the veteran army officers pointing out that his son gave his life for the country to get hold of the terrorists. There were many Indian soldiers from the armed forces who had risked and given their life so that the terrorist cannot do any harm to India. Advertisement If we look at it dispassionately, many may say it wasnt a wise move to free the dangerous terrorists to rescue the passengers of IC 814. The situation was indeed complex and it took days to come to a conclusion. There was again another school of thought that felt that Indian government should free the terrorist and rescue the passengers. Despite differences of opinion over releasing the prisoners, the government was pressured to negotiate, with the Taliban mediating between the government and the hijackers. After a lot of discussions and negotiations, the Indian government managed to convince the hijackers to release the hostages in exchange for three prisoners. Advertisement We get to know from Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack that one of the ministers very clearly said, History will not see this very kindly that we left the militants. WATCH the trailer of Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack here: As three eastern German states prepare for elections, Russia is closely watching. With pro-Moscow parties like the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance expected to perform strongly, the outcomes could mark a significant victory for Vladimir Putin read more Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government, via video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia August 22, 2024. File Image/Reuters As three eastern German states Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia prepare for regional elections this month, the stakes extend far beyond Germanys borders. Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, is closely watching these elections, which have the potential to significantly alter Germanys political landscape. With Russia-friendly parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) poised to make substantial gains, Moscow sees an opportunity to regain influence in a region it once dominated during the Cold War. Advertisement The upcoming elections could symbolise a strategic victory for Putin, who has a deep personal and historical connection to Germany, particularly its eastern regions. Why will Russia be watching these elections? Vladimir Putins fascination with Germany is rooted in his past. During the 1980s, Putin served as a KGB officer in Dresden, East Germany, where he was deeply involved in intelligence operations against the West. His time in Dresden left a lasting impression on him, shaping his worldview and his enduring interest in German affairs, reported Politico. Putins biographer once described him as the German in the Kremlin. Then German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk during a news conference after a meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, September 25, 2001. File Image/Reuters For Putin, the upcoming elections in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia hold not just political, but also personal significance. The possibility of pro-Russian parties securing major victories in these regions would represent a symbolic return to influence for Moscow in areas that were once part of its sphere of control. During the Cold War, East Germany was under Soviet influence, and many in the region still harbor skepticism toward the West, a sentiment that Russia has been adept at exploiting. Are the contesting parties pro-Russian? The AfD, in particular, has openly expressed admiration for Putins leadership style and has advocated for policies that align closely with Russian interests. This includes opposition to NATO, skepticism toward the European Union, and calls for the normalisation of relations with Russia. The AfDs platform resonates strongly in eastern Germany, where economic frustrations and historical ties to Russia have created fertile ground for pro-Moscow narratives. According to the latest polls, the AfD is expected to finish first in all three states, with a particularly strong showing in Thuringia, where it could capture as much as 30 per cent of the vote. Advertisement The AfD has consistently opposed Germanys support for Ukraine and has called for an end to sanctions against Russia. The partys leadership has made no secret of its admiration for Putins authoritarian style. Bjorn Hocke, the AfD leader in Thuringia, has even stated that if he ever became German chancellor, his first trip would be to Moscow, reported Politico. Figures depicting Joseph Goebbels and Bjorn Hocke, German politician are pictured during the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade in Dusseldorf, Germany, March 4, 2019. File Image/Reuters The newly formed BSW, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, also shares a sympathetic view towards Russia, particularly in its calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine that includes diplomatic engagement with Moscow. Wagenknecht has been critical of the Wests approach to the Ukraine war, echoing Russian talking points that NATO shares the blame for the conflict. We need a European peace order that includes Russia, Wagenknecht has stated, reflecting a viewpoint that aligns with Moscows interests. Advertisement What is Putins influence in Germany? Putins influence in Germany extends beyond political parties. His ties to Germany have been a recurring theme throughout his presidency. Before relations between Russia and Germany soured over the Ukraine conflict, Putin was a frequent visitor to Germany, including to his former hometown of Dresden. During a visit in 2009 to receive the Order of St. George, Putin remarked, Ill be honest, I come to Dresden with a special feeling. This is without question one of the centers of European culture, a city rich in history with its own special charm. A person wears a vest with the logo of Germanys Alternative for Germany (AfD), during a campaign event for the Saxony state elections in Dresden, Germany, August 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters The Russian leaders influence is not just historical but strategic. By fostering relationships with political figures and parties in Germany, Putin has sought to weaken European unity, particularly in its stance against Russia. Advertisement What is the strategic importance of eastern Germany? Eastern Germany holds a unique place in the geopolitical landscape. Its history as part of the Soviet bloc has left a lasting legacy, with many in the region still viewing Moscow with less suspicion than their western counterparts. This sentiment has been nurtured by decades of Soviet and, later, Russian propaganda, which portrayed the West as an imperialist force and Russia as a protector of Eastern European interests. Then German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a picture as he arrives to attend the Libya summit in Berlin, Germany, January 19, 2020. This was Putins last visit to Germany. File Image/Reuters This historical context is crucial to understanding why the upcoming elections are so important to Russia. The AfD and BSWs platforms resonate with a significant portion of the eastern German electorate, particularly their calls for closer ties with Russia and their opposition to Western policies, including sanctions on Moscow and military support for Ukraine. Advertisement The success of these parties could lead to a shift in Germanys foreign policy, particularly if they gain enough influence to form coalitions or at least block key legislative actions. What impact can an AFD and BSW win in Germany have on Europe? The potential success of pro-Russian parties in these elections could have profound implications for Germany and Europe. A strong showing by the AfD and BSW could embolden other populist and eurosceptic movements across the continent, further complicating the European Unions efforts to present a united front against Russian aggression. It could also lead to increased tensions within NATO, particularly if Germany, one of its most powerful members, begins to shift its stance on Russia. For Putin, the elections in Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia represent an opportunity to reassert Russias influence in Europe, particularly in a region where historical ties to Moscow remain strong. The outcome of these elections could mark a significant turning point in Germanys political trajectory, with potential consequences that extend far beyond its borders. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies The audio recordings of phone calls, allegedly made by authorities of Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College on August 9 morning to the parents of the doctor, who was raped and murdered, asking them to report to the hospital, took over the internet on Thursday. In the clip, the changing statements by a hospital official have raised questions on whether the hospital was initially trying to cover the ghastly crime read more Junior doctors take part in a protest rally against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata, Wednesday, Aug 28, 2024. PTI The audio recordings of phone calls, allegedly made by authorities of Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College on August 9 morning to the parents of the doctor, who was raped and murdered, asking them to report to the hospital, took over the internet on Thursday. The three recordings, whose authenticity Firstpost has not individually verified, have triggered a fresh controversy over the insensitivity and disinformation of the institutes management in breaking the news. Advertisement In the clip, the changing statements by a hospital official have raised questions on whether the hospital was initially trying to cover the ghastly crime. Heres what the calls reveal. The viral audio clips Three audio clips the first lasting roughly 71 seconds, the second 46 seconds, and the last call lasting roughly 28 seconds that featured the voices of the deceased doctors parents and a hospital official went viral on social media and were broadcast by several news channel last evening. The caller, a lady posing as the hospitals assistant superintendent, reportedly called the victims parents three times in about 30 minutes, asking for their urgent presence at the facility. I am calling from RG Kar hospital. Can you come over immediately? the caller could be heard telling the victims father when he picked his phone the first time around 10.53 that morning, according to PTI. The father responded, Why? What has happened? To this, the caller replied, Your daughter has fallen a little ill. We are admitting her in the hospital. Can you come down quickly? When the parent insisted on more details, the caller said, Those details only doctors can provide. We only managed to find your number and call you. Please come down quickly. The patient has been admitted after falling ill. The rest, the doctors will brief you after you arrive. Advertisement The worried mother asked in the background, Is she running a fever? to which the caller replied, Come over quickly. RG Kar Horror : CNNNews18 accesses audio tape from August 9 when Assistant Superintendent of RG Kar informed victim's parents about her death News18's @KamalikaSengupt with more inputs @KuheenaSharma | #RGKARmedical #rgkarincident #DoctorDeath pic.twitter.com/aOctWRwduv News18 (@CNNnews18) August 30, 2024 To enable his wife to listen in on the conversation, the victims father had left his phone on speaker mode. Is her condition very serious? the fathers voice was heard asking. Yes, she is very serious. Come quickly, was the response from the other end. The second phone call arrived some five minutes later, and it was perceptively from the same caller. She said, Her condition is critical, very critical. Please come over as soon as you can. To a desperate appeal from the father asking what happened to his daughter, the voice at the other end repeated, Only doctors can say that. You please come over. Advertisement When the father asked her to reveal her identity, the caller said, I am the assistant superintendent. I am not a doctor. We have brought your daughter to the emergency ward. You please come over and contact us. But what could have happened to her? She was on duty, a panic-stricken mothers voice could be heard in the background. You come over quickly, as soon as you can, was the reply. The final call was the one which pronounced the death of the victim. Yes, please listen we were repeatedly telling you before your daughter may have died by suicide or, she may have passed away. The police are here. All of us from the hospital are here. We are calling you to ask you to come down quickly, the apparently same voice from the first two calls announced in disjointed sentences. Advertisement Also read: Kolkata rape-murder case: Was the crime scene altered? Authenticity in question It was not immediately clear if the clips were part of the same call or if there were two to three different calls. Firstpost has not independently verified the authenticity of the audio clips. The RG Kar officials did not respond immediately. Police in Kolkata declined to comment on the audio recordings, stating that the CBI is handling the case on the direction of the high court. Doctors and students protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata. PTI The doctors parents, who reside in the North 24 Parganas, also claimed to be unaware of the widely shared audio clips that grabbed attention in the media. We are not watching TV. How do we know who is doing what, and who accessed what, the father was quoted by the Anandabazar Patrika. The victims father, on whether the voice on the phone is his, told ANI, You say so, but I do not see it. This issue will not affect the investigation. A non-medical assistant superintendent named Sucharita Sarkar made the calls, according to initial media statements made by Dr Arunava Dutta Chowdhury, who was in charge of the chest department where the alleged crime occurred, according to Hindustan Times. Since August 9, Sarkar, who has been questioned by the CBI, has never been in front of the media. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP has also rubbished the audio recordings, by saying, Last nights fake news about RG Kar leaked call recording BUSTED! He further added, As I said yesterday, if alleged call recording was real, itd only mean two things: - Either parents recorded the call and shared the audio - Or hospital authorities recorded & shared the audio Parents have DENIED any link with these alleged recordings. Also, why would hospital record and leak a call if, as the media claims, they were trying to cover up?" ! Yesterday, media channels led by @IndiaToday & @TimesNow ran a fake propaganda claiming they had recordings of calls between RG Kar victims parents & pic.twitter.com/K2WtKGraZy Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) August 30, 2024 An attempt to cover up the crime? Investigators are wondering if a carefully planned suicide plot was being hatched by the hospital authorities and police to cover up the crime, an official said, as per The Economic Times. The suspicions are raised due to the hospitals changing statements, which went from the victim falling a little ill to very critical and admitted in emergency ward to, finally, may have died by suicide. Especially since the caller admitted in her final call, while misleading the family on the cause of the victims death, that she was speaking in the presence of police and hospital authorities, the official added. For those unversed, according to the official, the first GD record of the crime at Tallah PS mentioning unnatural death was made well before the hospital made its initial call to the parents. The parents had earlier claimed that the hospital administration and the Kolkata police had attempted to conceal details from them while failing to conduct a thorough investigation. Police personnel produce the accused arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, at a City Court in Kolkata. PTI On August 10, the police detained Sanjay Roy (31), a civic volunteer who worked for the Kolkata police, as the main suspect. The CBI began its probe on August 14, less than 24 hours after the Calcutta high court transferred the case to the federal agency. The audio clips have triggered a fresh controversy, with many protesters criticising the hospital for their insensitivity. How could the hospital management, fully aware of the gruesomeness of the crime, be so nonchalant and manipulative in breaking the news to the parents, a student protestor asked, as per PTI. Soumyadip Roy, an agitating junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, according to Hindustan Times, said, We had been saying from the very beginning that hospital authorities tried to cover up the crime. This should be investigated thoroughly. Made to wait for three hours On August 9, early in the morning, the postgraduate trainee womans body was discovered in a hospital seminar hall. The horrific occurrence has been scrutinised by the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court on multiple occasions, with one part including the hospital administrations communication with the victims parents. The parents claimed in their High Court petition that they had to wait for three hours. They believe there was a deliberate delay in this. On the other hand, Kolkata Police has denied this claim. According to NDTV, which cited the polices timeline, the parents arrived at the hospital at 1 pm, and 10 minutes later, they were brought to the seminar hall, where the body was discovered. Courts have also questioned why the police had initiated an unnatural death case and why the hospital administration, under the direction of then-principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, did not make a formal police complaint. It wasnt until late at night that the victims father made a formal report and filed a formal FIR. With inputs from agencies SpaceX is expected to launch the Polaris Dawn mission after it got delayed due to bad weather and other factors earlier in the week. In India, former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Heres what to expect from the news today read more It is set to be a big busy Friday. SpaceX is likely to launch the much-anticipated Polaris Dawn mission after a delay, following bad weather. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi. A Delhi court is likely to pass an order on whether to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case for killing people during the 1984-anti Sikh riots. Meanwhile, the three-day Kailash Kund Yatra is set to begin from today. Advertisement Here is all that is set to take place. Champai Soren to join as BJP Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren is set to join the Bharatiya Janta Party on Friday. This comes after Soren resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) saying he was forced to take such a step as he was aggrieved by the partys present style of functioning and policies. In a resignation letter to party supremo Shibu Soren, Champai Soren expressed deep sorrow over the state of the party, stating that the JMM had strayed from the ideals that he and other party workers had fought for under Shibu Sorens guidance. Earlier, Champai Soren asserted that his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party was taken in the interest of Jharkhand. My decision (to join BJP) is in the interest of Jharkhand I am used to struggles, Soren said. SpaceX to launch Polaris Dawn mission After another delay, the highly-anticipated launch of the Polaris Dawn mission is set to take place today (August 30). This comes after the company cited unfavourable weather conditions in the splashdown areas off the Florida coast on August 28 due to which it could not be launched. SpaceX announced it was pushing back the launch plans due to unfavorable weather forecasted in Dragons splashdown areas off the coast of Florida. Reuters The Polaris Dawn mission, set to be a groundbreaking endeavour in commercial spaceflight, aims to send four civilian astronauts to orbit aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft. The main objective of the mission is to reach an altitude of up to 1,400 kilometres above The surface of Earth. Advertisement This is one of the many setbacks that the mission has seen in recent times. Initially scheduled to launch on Tuesday (August 27), it had to be postponed due to a helium leak discovered in a launch pad umbilical system. PM Modi to address Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to join the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) on August 30. The prime minister will attend the conference in person, according to three people close to the development. The event will also have representation from the countrys top regulators, including Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chief Madhabi Puri Buch. The GFF is an annual fintech conference, and this year it is scheduled between August 28 and 30 with over 800 speakers across more than 350 sessions expected this year. Advertisement Jagdish Tytlers involvement in anti-Sikh riots case in Delhi court A Delhi court is likely to pass an order on whether to frame the charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to the killing of three people at Pul Bangash during the 1984-anti Sikh riots. In its charge sheet filed in May 2023, the CBI had accused Tytler, a former union minister, of inciting, instigating and provoking the mob that had assembled near the Pul Bangash gurdwara on November 1, 1984. The central probe agency has invoked charges under Sections 147 (rioting), 109 (abetment) read with 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), among others, against Tytler. Advertisement GDP growth data set to be released The first quarter of 2024-25 GDP data is scheduled for release today. The Indian economy is likely to grow at 7-7.1 per cent in the April-June period. The Reserve Bank of India, in its latest monetary policy meeting, projected GDP growth for 2024-25 at 7.2 per cent, with growth for Q1 expected at 7.1 per cent, Q2 at 7.2 per cent, Q3 at 7.3 per cent, and Q4 at 7.2 per cent. the financial year 2023-24, continuing to be the fastest-growing major economy. Representational image Indias GDP grew by an impressive 8.2 per cent during the financial year 2023-24, continuing to be the fastest-growing major economy. The economy grew by 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22, according to official data. Advertisement Second mother vessel set to call at Vizhinjam port The mother vessel of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is on its way to Vizhinjam International Seaport. This is the second mother vessel to call at the port since the beginning of the first phase of the limited-scale commercial operation. The ship with a capacity to carry 13,988 containers is coming from Mauritius and will have a stopover at Mumbai before reaching Vizag. It will be followed by another feeder vessel called MSC Adu V, which will trans-ship the containers from here to other ports. Kailash Kund Yatra to begin in J-Ks Udhampur-Doda hills The three-day annual Kailash Kund Yatra is set to commence in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur district. Security arrangements have been tightened in the areas ahead of the yatra. The yatra to the high-altitude Lake shrine of Kailash Kund will begin from Udhampurs Dudu area on August 30, an official had said earlier. The three-day holy pilgrimage dedicated to the deity of Bhaderwah town, Vasuki Nag, has been followed for thousands of years. This ritual attracts thousands of pilgrims to Kailash Kund during its limited procession days between August and September, they said. On this day Since 2021, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of Afghanistans Islamic Emirate, has gradually issued more than 50 decrees that affect most areas of society. 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 read more 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. Reuters 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. Advertisement 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 to 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. Taliban Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has said the group will resuming stoning women to death. Source: Reuters 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. 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 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement But the recent law change removes these ambiguities, empowers the Talibans morality police and is enforceable on everyone residing in Afghanistan. Women barred from singing 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Norwegian Princess Martha Louise is getting hitched to a self-styled US shaman, Durek Verrett, in the scenic town of Geiranger on Saturday. The couple, who are not unknown to controversies, have now sparked a row with their wedding. Heres what you need to know read more Norwegian Princess Martha Louise is all set to tie the knot with her American fiance and self-styled shaman, Durek Verrett. The lavish wedding is slated for Saturday (August 31) at a hotel in the scenic town of Geiranger, which is known for a fjord designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. The couple had announced their engagement in 2022. Now, their wedding has stoked a controversy. Heres why. Who is Martha Louise and her partner? Advertisement Princess Martha Louise, 52, is a former equestrian. The eldest child of Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja, she is fourth-in-line to the Norwegian throne. Her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon, is her fathers successor. Louise was previously married to the late writer and artist Ari Behn, with whom she had three daughters Maud, 21, Leah, 19, and Emma, 16. The two divorced in 2017. I had decided not to get married again. But after meeting Durek in 2018, I changed my mind, the princess told Hello! magazine. Louise has lived an unconventional life. She lost her honorific Her Royal Highness title to start her own business in 2002. The princess declared herself a clairvoyant in 2007, triggering a backlash. Until 2018, she ran a school which as per her taught students to create miracles and talk to angels, reported BBC. Norways Princess Martha Louise with her fiance Durek Verrett at Oslos main library Deichman Bjoervika, in Oslo, Norway, June 16, 2022. File Photo/Reuters Amid criticism, the royal court said in 2019 that Louise would not be allowed to use her title of princess in a commercial context. In November 2022, she gave up her royal duties. Speaking to BBC last year, the Norwegian princess said there had been turmoil regarding her taking a different path than that of a traditional royal. Theres been a lot of criticism over the years, especially with me being spiritual and in Norway, thats taboo, she said. Advertisement Her partner, Verrett, says he is a sixth-generation shaman (a spiritual healer). Based in Los Angeles, he works with several celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Selma Blair, Nina Dobrev and Rosario Dawson. Verrett, 49, describes himself on his site as a servant of god and energy activator who demystifies spirituality through his no-nonsense teachings. He is also not unknown to controversies. As per Vogue, Verrett has been accused of promoting pseudoscience. During the pandemic, the self-styled shaman came under fire for selling a medallion that he claimed could put off COVID-19. Verrett told Vanity Fair magazine that he had risen from the dead and claimed that a relative had predicted during his childhood that he would marry the Norwegian princess one day. Advertisement Announcing her engagement to Verrett in a post on Instagram in 2019, Louise, expecting rebuke, had said, To those of you who feel the need to criticise: Hold your horses. It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. Shaman Durek is merely a man I love spending my time with and who fulfils me. ALSO READ: From Kategate to Megxit: The many controversies of British royal family bahus The wedding drama The pair have had a contentious relationship with the Norwegian press. Verrett told People magazine that he met Louise through mutual friends but they had met in past life. I have memories of us in Egypt, and she was my queen and I was a pharaoh, the American shaman said. Advertisement Soon after, the Norwegian papers started accusing him of spreading misinformation. Ingeborg Senneset, a journalist for the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten said to The Times of London, He has been talking about removing bad spirits from children. Royal correspondent for Norways NRK TV Kristi Marie Skrede told BBC that Verrett has not been fully accepted in the country. They think he has said very strange things and there are many cultural differences. Many people here are very critical of what Mr Verrett says and does in his role as a shaman. However, the couple claim Verrett is being targeted as a result of racism. Before I met him. I never thought that there was racism in Norway, Louise told Vanity Fair in 2020. Advertisement Louise told Hello! that she and her partner have faced opposition due to his work as a shaman and because of his ethnicity. Verrett will be the first Black man to become a member of a European royal family. Now, the couple has irked Norwegian media by signing deals with Hello! magazine for exclusive coverage of the wedding. This means the public wont know or see anything about it unless they buy the magazine, Skrede told BBC. The Norwegian press is up in arms as they have always covered the royal nuptials. Reidun Kjelling Nyb of the Norwegian Editors Association told the Norwegian state broadcasting company, NRK, Major events have been documented via Norwegian broad media, such as NTB and NRK, on behalf of the entire press, which has passed the images on to the people and to other newsrooms that want them, including foreign ones. To stop the dispute from escalating, the Royal House of Norways head of communications said the Norwegian royal family will not take any exclusive wedding photos, reported Vogue. Norways media has reported the guests have been urged not to use mobile phones or cameras during the festivities and refrain from posting anything on social media. The couple remains unfazed by the row. Speaking to Hello! ahead of the three-day celebrations that began on Thursday, Louise said, It feels amazing to be marrying Durek and Im so happy the day is almost here. The surroundings are gorgeous its one of the most beautiful places I know. Even if there are a few glitches, we can still gaze at the stunning scenery. The guests are taking a boat trip to Geiranger on Friday for a pre-wedding party at Hotel Union. The wedding, on Saturday, will be officiated by Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte. Besides the Norwegian royals, the Swedish royal family members are reportedly attending the wedding. Several social media influencers and TV personalities, including US reality star Cynthia Bailey, will also mark their presence. With inputs from agencies A Delhi court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case related to the murder of three people. Tytler, a former Union minister, held multiple portfolios in the Rajiv Gandhi government. He also served as the Congress Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs read more The court ordered charges including murder and provocation with intent to cause riot be framed against Jagdish Tytler in a case related to the killing of three people Badal Singh, Gurcharan Singh and Thakur Singh at Pul Bangash. A Delhi court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The court ordered charges including murder and provocation with intent to cause riot be framed against Tytler in a case related to the killing of three people Badal Singh, Gurcharan Singh and Thakur Singh at Pul Bangash. Special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal said there was sufficient evidence to put Tytler on trial. Advertisement Sufficient ground is there to proceed against the accused person, Siyal said. But what do we know about Tytler? What role did he play in the anti-Sikh riots? Lets take a closer look: What do we know about Tytler? Tytler was born in Gujranwala, which is now in Pakistan, on 17 August, 1944. His father James Douglas Tytler, founded several public schools including the Delhi Public School, the Summerfields School and the JD Tytler Higher Secondary School. Tytler represented India as one-man delegation to the United Nations Conference on alternative sources of energy in Yugoslavia. He also headed up the Indian delegation to the United Nations and has represented India at the body. Tytler first served in government in the Cabinet of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Tytler, who was Minister of Civil Aviation, held a number of portfolios including the Minister for Surface Transport, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Labour, Minister for Food Processing in the Rajiv government. Tytler also served as Minister for Coal in the PV Narasimha Rao regime. Tytler also created the National Highway Authority of India which modernised the national highways. Tytler represented the Delhi Sadar Parliamentary Constituency as Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1989 and again between 1991 and 1995. Advertisement He was the Congress Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs (Independent Charge) and chairman, Committee for Environment and Science & Technology, All India Congress Committee. What role did he play in the anti-Sikh riots? Tytler has been accused of inciting a mob in New Delhi after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Three people were killed and a gurdwara was set ablaze in Pul Bangash on November 1, 1984, a day after the then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. As per Indian Express, the chargesheet claimed that at 9.10 am on the morning of November 1, 1984, a mob assembled near the Pul Bangash Gurudwara. Advertisement The mob, which was chanting anti-Sikh slogans, then set the gurudwara on fire. The mob also looted shops at Azad Market and set them ablaze. The CBI in its chargesheet filed in May 2023 accused Tytler of inciting, instigating and provoking the mob gathered near the Pul Bangash gurdwara on November 1, 1984. Tytler has been accused of inciting a mob in New Delhi after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. PTI The CBI chargesheet quoted an eyewitness as saying she saw Tytler getting out of his car and instigating the mob. Advertisement The witness claimed Tytler riled up the mob by saying kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother," following which three people were killed. NDTV quoted the CBI as writing in the chargesheet, She witnessed a mob looting her shop, but she decided to return back as early as possible. While on her way back, on the Main Road close to the Gurdwara Pul Bangash, she saw a white Ambassador car from which accused Jagdish Tytler came out. Accused Jagdish Tytler instigated the mob to first kill Sikhs and then engage in looting. After seeing this, she returned to her house and thereafter took shelter in the house of her neighbour, where she witnessed the bodies of Shri Badel Singh and Shri Gorcharan Singh (an employee of her husband who had stayed at their house in the night of 31.10.1984) being thrown from the roof of neighbours house and then carried on wooden-cart along with tyres, and then these bodies were burnt using the tyres. She also saw the Gurudwara Pul Bangash being set on fire by the mob. Advertisement Tytler was also named in the report of the Nanavati Commission which was formed to probe the riots, as per NDTV. The CBI chargesheet also quoted from an affidavit filed before the Nanavati Commission which stated, Accused Jagdish Tytler also said that his position has been greatly compromised and lowered in the eyes of central leaders. As per this affidavit, accused Jagdish Tytler told the persons present there that only nominal killing of Sikhs has taken place in his constituency as compared to East Delhi, Outer Delhi, Cantt. etc. The affidavit claimed Tytler also said that he had promised large-scale killing of Sikhs and sought full protection, but you have betrayed me and let me down. The affidavit also quoted another witness as having claimed to see a mob carrying petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods, with Tytler, then a Member of Parliament, in front of the gurudwara. The riots left at least 3,000 dead, however independent sources have put that number at closer to 8,000 with 3,000 killed in Delhi alone. PTI reported that most witnesses said they failed to hear what Tytler told the mob but they saw him alight from the car and make a speech that triggered the rampage. As per Indian Express, the chargesheet also quoted a witness who claimed that in December 2021, when he visited Tytlers farmhouse at Church Road in Vasant Kunj, the Congress leader bragged about how he had killed 100 Sikhs. As per Indian Express, the CBI also claimed that claimed SS Granthi, Head Granthi of Gurudwara Pul Bangash, had retracted his statement against Tytler after a threat. The CBI claimed Granthis son corroborated his fathers claims. Granthis son said his father had sent him abroad because of this threat. The chargesheet also quoted journalist Sudeep Mazumdar, a witness during the probe. Mazumdar claimed Tytler barged into the office of the then Delhi Commissioner of Police SC Tandon and demanded that his men be released. There is sufficient evidence to frame charges against Tytler. There are eyewitnesses who saw him incite the mob during the 1984 riots, the agency told the court. The court ordered framing of charges for several offences, including unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, house trespass and theft. The court has listed the matter for September 13 for formally framing the charges. The CBI will charge Tytler with unlawful assembly, rioting, disobedience to order, defiling a place of worship, abetment), mischief by fire, and theft, apart from murder and intent to cause a riot, as per NDTV. However, Tytler has insisted on his innocence. What have I done? If theres evidence against me, then Im prepared to hang myselfIt wasnt related to 1984 riots case for which they wanted my voice (sample), but another case, he said as per ANI. Tytler has been given a clean chit by the CBI thrice, as per NDTV. A sessions court had earlier granted anticipatory bail to Tytler in the case. While granting him the relief, it had imposed certain conditions on him, including that he will not tamper with the evidence in the case or leave the country without courts permission. The court had granted anticipatory bail to Tytler on a personal bond of 1 lakh and surety of the like amount. A magisterial court had on September 11, 2023 sent the case to the district judge for further proceedings. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand forwarded the case to the district judge so the matter could be committed to a sessions judge, noting that Tytler was accused of murder (punishable under sections 302 of IPC), an offence exclusively triable by a sessions court. The offence entails the maximum punishment of death penalty in the rarest of rare cases. With inputs from agencies Oleksiy Mes, known as Moonfish, was a skilled Ukrainian fighter pilot who played a pivotal role in bringing F-16 jets to Ukraines defence. Mes was killed when his F-16 crashed during a mission to repel a massive Russian air assault. As one of the first Ukrainian pilots trained to fly the advanced jets, his death marks a crucial loss for Ukraines air force read more Oleksiy Mes was one of the few pilots trained to fly the F-16s that had arrived in Ukraine earlier this month. X/front_ukrainian Oleksiy Mes, known by his call sign Moonfish, was a distinguished Ukrainian fighter pilot who was killed on Monday when his F-16 fighter jet crashed during a critical mission. The incident occurred amidst what is being touted as the largest aerial assault by Russia on Ukraine to date, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. The development was first reported by CNN, adding that the pilot was buried on Thursday. Advertisement Who was Oleksiy Mes? Oleksiy Mes was born on October 20, 1993, and developed a passion for aviation early in life, a passion that would later define his military career. He joined the Ukrainian Air Force and quickly established himself as a capable and dedicated pilot. By June 2022, Mes had risen to the position of squadron commander, leading a unit of MiG-29 fighters. His expertise and leadership were instrumental during the early stages of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian F-16 fighting aircrafts are seen in the air during marking the Day of the Ukrainian Air Forces, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location, Ukraine, August 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters In August 2023, Mes began training in the United States to transition from flying MiG-29s to operating the advanced F-16 fighter jets. This training, typically a process that takes years, was condensed into six months due to the urgent needs of the ongoing war. Mess commitment to mastering the F-16 was evident, and he soon became one of the first Ukrainian pilots qualified to fly the aircraft in combat. How pivotal was Mes to the Ukrainian air force? His advocacy for modernising Ukraines air force was as important as his flying skills. Mes, alongside another prominent Ukrainian pilot, Andriy Juice Pilshchykov, became a key figure in Ukraines efforts to secure F-16s from its Western allies. Juice died in a plane crash during a combat mission last August. CNN reported that Moonfish was the quiet one - an aviation geek who was not keen on publicity. In an interview with CNN in November last year, he admitted that if Juice were alive, hed be giving the interviews. Advertisement Two of the best. True sons of Ukraine and conquerors of the sky. Those who lobbied for Ukraine to receive F-16s. One did not see the dream jet, the other did not enjoy it to the end. Andrii "Jus" Pilshchikov died on August 25, 2023. Oleksiy "Moonfish" Mes died on August pic.twitter.com/BO4OS3sM8y Ukraine War Now (@uarealitynow) August 29, 2024 In June 2022, the two pilots travelled to the United States, meeting with US lawmakers to lobby for the delivery of advanced fighter jets to Ukraine. Their efforts were supported by actor Sean Penn, who helped amplify their message during meetings in Washington DC. These lobbying efforts culminated in the introduction of the Ukraine Fighter Pilots Act by US Representative Adam Kinzinger, a bill that was co-sponsored by several other members of Congress. When I met with Ukraine pilots Juice (left) and Moonfish (right) I had a sick feeling they wouldnt make it through the war. Juice died in Aug 2023, Moonfish died on Monday. They fought like hell for Ukraine, and the F16. Nickel on the grass men. Slava Ukrainii pic.twitter.com/uErBmyQGBa Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) August 29, 2024 Advertisement Following the approval and delivery of the F-16s, Mes played a pivotal role in integrating these jets into Ukraines air force. His transition from training to active combat duty was rapid, and he became the first Ukrainian pilot to sit at the controls of an F-16, later leading combat missions with the aircraft. His contributions were seen as critical to Ukraines defence strategy. Advertisement What happened in the fatal incident that took Mes life? During the August 26 attack, Oleksiy Mes was flying one of the F-16s as part of a mission to intercept and destroy incoming Russian missiles. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the F-16s demonstrated their effectiveness by downing four Russian cruise missiles during the operation. However, communication with Mess aircraft was lost as he approached another target, and the jet ultimately crashed, resulting in his death. The Ukrainian Air Force issued a statement confirming Mess death and highlighting his actions during the mission. He heroically fought his last battle in the sky. Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one kamikaze drone, while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack, the statement read. His actions potentially saved many lives by neutralising the incoming threats, but they came at the cost of his own. The crash is currently under investigation, with international experts expected to be involved in the probe. Preliminary reports suggest that the crash was not caused by enemy fire, with other possible causes, such as pilot error or mechanical failure, still being examined. The loss of an F-16 so soon after their introduction is a significant setback for Ukraine, which reportedly has a very limited number of these jets just six according to some sources. What are the implication of Mes death for Ukraine? As one of the first pilots trained to operate the F-16, Mes loss is a severe blow to Ukraines air force, both in terms of manpower and morale. Mes was not only a skilled pilot but also a key figure in the campaign to secure these jets for Ukraine, making his death a symbolic loss as well. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the media in a front of an F-16 fighting aircraft after marking the Day of the Ukrainian Air Forces, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location, Ukraine, August 4, 2024. File Image/Reuters The incident also raises questions about the challenges and risks associated with operating advanced aircraft in a high-intensity conflict. While the F-16s have shown their value in combat, their effectiveness is limited by several factors, including the small number of jets available and the formidable air defences that Russia has in place. Military analysts have cautioned that while the F-16s provide a significant boost to Ukraines capabilities, they are not a silver bullet that will decisively change the course of the war. Furthermore, the loss of one of these aircraft highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by Ukraines air force. Despite the arrival of modern jets, Ukraines air force remains a fraction of the size and sophistication of Russias, and it must contend with a well-prepared adversary that has had time to develop countermeasures against the F-16s. Also Watch: Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been advocating for the F-16s since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in early 2022. Western countries, particularly the United States, were initially hesitant to provide such advanced weaponry, fearing an escalation of the conflict. It wasnt until early summer 2023 that the Netherlands and Denmark pledged to provide F-16s to Ukraine, a decision later approved by the United States. The F-16s were quickly put to the test during a massive Russian missile and drone attack on August 26, 2024. The attack, which targeted critical infrastructure across Ukraine, involved more than 127 missiles and 100 drones. Ukrainian forces, including the newly deployed F-16s, were tasked with repelling the attack. Currently, across the country, efforts are underway to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike. This was one of the largest attacks a combined strike, involving over a hundred missiles of various types and around a hundred Shaheds. Like most Russian strikes before, pic.twitter.com/0qNTGR98rR Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 26, 2024 With inputs from agencies Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad in October. If he accepts, this will be his second visit to the neighbouring nation as PM. Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee made trips to Pakistan when in power read more Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad. The meeting will be held on October 15 and 16. Pakistans Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said a number of heads of states have been invited including Modi. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Baloch was quoted as saying. NDTV quoted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying that the the era of uninterrupted dialogue is over. Advertisement Jaishankar added that New Delhi stands ready to react to developments across the border whether positive or negative. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the SCO is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. But what happened when Indian prime ministers visited Pakistan? Lets take a closer look: Jawaharlal Nehru in July 1953 and 1960 Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first prime minister, visited Pakistan in 1953. This was India and Pakistans first attempt at solving a number of serious issues that had cropped up between the two nations including Kashmir. Nehrus trip, from July 25 to 27, 1953, came around five years after the two countries first went to war over Kashmir in 1947 and 1948. The Print quoted Nehru as saying at the time, We have in effect to deal with a State carrying out an informal war but nevertheless a war. Nehru visited Karachi at the invitation of then Pakistan prime minister Mohammad Ali Bogra and held talks with his counterpart. Pakistan at the time was in dire economic straits and Nehru thought Pakistans leaders were in despair. Their appeals to me were plaintive, even desperate, Nehru wrote to Kashmir politico Ghulam Muhammad Bakshi. Advertisement Bogra wanted peace with India, but he could not abide the status quo in Kashmir. As per The Print, though India would have accepted Kashmir being divided along the Line of Control, Bogra could not convince the others in his Cabinet. In the backdrop, General Ayub Khan, who would soon rule Pakistan, was gathering more and more influence. The visit ended with the two prime ministers agreeing to appoint a new plebiscite administrator. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first prime minister, visited Pakistan in 1953 and 1960. AFP However, the two countries were soon arguing over the nationality of this administrator and how the vote would be conducted. Advertisement Nehru in September 1960 made a second trip to Pakistan this time with Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan at the helm. This visit was far more successful than the first with Nehru being greeted by massive crowds in Karachi, Murree, Nathiagali, Rawalpindi and Lahore. As per Frontline, six months earlier, in March 1960, then Pakistan foreign minister Manzur Qadir had hinted that Pakistan was open to other options in Kashmir other than a plebiscite. Qadir, speaking at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, said, If somebody has a solution other than ours, let him suggest it. We can at least start thinking about it. Advertisement Frontline quoted Khan as writing in his memoirs, I did not get the impression that Pandit Nehru was extraordinarily pleased to see me, but he was quite moved by some of the suggestions I made to him. He struck me as a tired man, though he still had a reserve of fight and political acumen. I missed the idealism or starry-eyed thinking which is often attributed to him. I told him I considered that relations between India and Pakistan had been dictated by drift rather than by any rational design. I felt it was not too late to formulate a plan to put our relationship on a rational and sensible basis. Advertisement I then raised with him the Kashmir problem. I put it to him that it was the people of Kashmir who should have the decisive say in the matter. It was vital that a solution satisfactory from the point of view of the people of Jammu and Kashmir be found. Mr Nehru did not disagree with my ideas but emphasised the need for the creation of a background of understanding between the two countries and for eliminating, as a start, border incidents and firing. Though the Kashmir issue was not solved during this trip, Nehru did sign the landmark Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in Karachi on 19 September, 1960. The treaty, which aimed to end the dispute between the two countries with regard to utilising irrigation water from existing facilities along the border, went into effect on April 1, 1960. Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 and 1989 In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi made the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister in nearly three decades. Rajiv, who visited from 29 to 31 December, 1988, attended the fourth SAARC Summit in Pakistan. His visit came weeks after Benazir Bhutto took power in the first democratically elected government in Pakistan in over a decade. Rajiv became prime minister of India in 1984 after the assassination of his mother Indira by her bodyguards. As per Asian Age, Rajiv had outlined his neighbourhood policy in a speech in November that year. We want to develop closer relations with each one of our immediate neighbours in a spirit of peace, friendship and cooperation. This is what we have offered to Pakistan. We have always believed that non-interference, peaceful coexistence should be the guiding principles of our relationship, Rajiv said. As per Dawn, Rajiv had wished Benazir well after she took office. He sent her a message saying he hoped their mutual efforts could bring about peace and prosperity to both countries and the region at large. Indian officials had express optimism prior to the trip. I think you will find that we will move things forward in these two days more than we have in the past 11 years, a senior official accompanying Rajiv was quoted as saying by the LA Times. The official was referring to the death of former president Zia ul-Haq whose death in a plane crash paved the way for the elections that brought Benazir to power. However, Pakistani officials noted that Benazir was in a tough spot. Within those constraints, she can move, but not too quickly, a senior Pakistan official added. She has only been in office for a month, another official said. and not all the facts (about relations with India) are in her hands. So she doesnt want to do anything too hastily. Rajiv arrived with his wife Sonia and his children Rahul and Priyanka on 29 December. In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi made the first visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister in nearly three decades. He was received at the airport by then Pakistan president Ghulam Ishaq Khan, then prime minister Benazir Bhutto as well as several high-ranking civilian and military leaders. Rajiv and Benazir held their first meeting a cordial one by all accounts hours after he arrived. Benazir also hosted a dinner for Rajiv and his family at the PM House. Benazirs husband Asif Zardari and her mother Begum Nusrat Bhutto also attended the dinner, as per the newspaper. As per Dawn, Rajiv and Benazir met again on the second day of the SAARC summit where they discussed several issues including Kashmir. Rajiv, though he agreed that the two countries should talk openly, did not give way on Indias stance. He ended the meeting by calling Kashmir a dead horse. However, the trip wasnt a failure. Rajiv and Benazir signed three bilateral agreements including the Nuclear Non-aggression Agreement which banned attacks on each others nuclear installations, improving cultural cooperation, and civil aviation. In July 1989, Rajiv yet again visited Pakistan as Indian prime minister. The two day trip, which came on 16 and 17 July, was a state visit the first by an Indian leader to Pakistan in two decades The Washington Post quoted Benazir as telling reporters before his arrival we are moving step by step toward improved understanding. Benazir and Rajiv walked side by side at the Islamabad airport to inspect a Pakistani military guard of honour. Rajiv was later given a state dinner in his honour. Rajiv and Indira discussed nuclear arms control, Indias refusal to withdraw its peacekeeping troops from Sri Lanka and the military situation in the disputed Siachen glacier border region. However, the trip delivered little with both Gandhi and Bhutto bowing to the pressures of domestic politics. Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and 2004 As per Mint, on February 2, 1999, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told the media, I would like to have a bus ride from Delhi to Lahore. Vajpayee offered few details. But the trip came just months after the BJP performed poorly in 1998 Assembly polls. Around two weeks later, on February 20, 1999, Vajpayee arrived in Lahore by bus on the invitation of then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Vajpayee was inaugurating the DelhiLahore bus service known as Sada-e-Sarhad. It was an act of assertive risk-taking Vajpayeeism, part of the long arc of subcontinental Nehruvian peacemaking he had begun as Janata foreign minister, the piece in Scroll noted. As per Scroll, Vajpayee was accompanied by two dozen celebrities including Dev Anand, Shatrughan Sinha, Kapil Dev, and Javed Akhtar. Vajpayee was welcomed at the Wagah border by then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The embrace between Vajpayee and Sharif was an iconic image and made headlines around the world. The Lahore Declaration was signed in 1999 by Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. Agencies Both countries, after all, had just tested nuclear weapons. I bring the goodwill and hope of my fellow Indians who seek abiding peace and harmony with Pakistan I am conscious that this is a defining moment in South Asian history and I hope we will be able to rise to the challenge, Vajpayee said upon arriving in Lahore. As per The Print, Vajpayee had only planned to cross the border, meet Sharif and head back. But Sharif had other plans. Dar tak aye ho, ghar nahin aaoge? (You have come to the door, wont you come inside?) Sharif asked his Indian counterpart. Sharif hosted a banquet in Vajyapees honour at Lahore Fort. Vajpayee, visited Minar-e- Pakistan, Mausoleum of Allama Iqabal, Gurudawara Dera Sahib and Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Then, on February 21, 1999, a civic reception was held in honour of Vajyapee at the Governors House. After talks between the two prime ministers, the Lahore Declaration was signed, under which, among other things, it was agreed upon that the two sides were fully committed to undertaking measures to reduce risks of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) at the time hailed the declaration as one more manifestation of Indias abiding desire to build peaceful, friendly and co-operative relationship with Pakistan. As per The Print, US diplomat Strobe Talbott, then the deputy secretary of state under Bill Clinton, compared Vajpayees outreach to Richard Nixons landmark 1971 visit to China and Gorbachevs opening of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Unfortunately, peace was not given a chance. Just months after Vajpayees visit, the Pakistan Army under the direction of Pervez Musharraf, and reportedly behind Sharifs back, began its Kargil Operation which brought the two countries to the brink of war. In January 2004, Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Islamabad for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit his first visit to Pakistan since the nuclear rivals came to the brink of war in 2002. The neighbours had yet again come to the edge following a deadly attack on Indias Parliament in December 2001. Vajpayee, perhaps stung by past experiences with Pakistan, had ruled out bilateral talks before departing from New Delhi. There will be no bilateral talks. We want to give all our energy to making the SAARC talks successful, he said. Vajpayee was welcomed at the heavily-guarded Islamabad International Airport by then Pakistani prime minister Zafarullah Jamali, foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, finance minister Shaukat Aziz, top brass and senior officials when he flew in on a private flight. Let us work for settlement of disputes this will help to generate greater regional cooperation, Jamali had said before the summit. The summit was originally scheduled for January 2003 but Indian refusal to attend resulted in its postponement. In a reference to the lingering Kashmir problem, Jamali said trade and economic ties cannot be sustained in a political vacuum and an environment of conflict and confrontation. We see the summit in Islamabad as an opportunity for Pakistan to further deepen its engagement with SAARC, he added. Vajpayee was saluted by a military guard of honour, after which an armed forces band played Indias and Pakistans national anthems. Vajpayee and Jamali held hands and waved jointly to cameras as they left the tarmac in their first ever meeting. The visit consolidated the composite dialogue that the succeeding Manmohan Singh-led UPA-I government pursued with intent until it was severed after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Vajpayee told the summit, Mutual suspicions and petty rivalries have continued to haunt us. As a result, the peace dividend has bypassed our region. Asserting that any joint endeavour needed mutual trust and confidence, he added for many decades, South Asian countries, which have a complex and troubled colonial legacies, have been unable to forge an integrated economic understanding circumventing political differences. PM Modi in 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi shocked many when he made a surprise visit to Lahore on December 25, 2015, to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. As per The Hindu, Sharif, who returned to power in 2013, had said he wanted to pick up ties with India where Lahore declaration with Vajpayee left off. The trip was the first by an Indian prime minister in over a decade and incidentally came on Vajpayees 91st birthday. It also came on Sharifs birthday and in the backdrop of his grand-daughters wedding. Modi made the visit after a day-long trip to Afghanistan and a two-day visit to Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shocked many when he made a surprise visit to Lahore on December 25, 2015, to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi, the PM wrote on Twitter. The announcement came after Modi said he had spoken to Sharif and wished him on his birthday. As per Indian Express, Modi was given a red carpet welcome. He and Sharif shared a warm embrace on the tarmac of the Allama Iqbal International Airport, following which he took a helicopter to Sharifs Raiwind palatial residence on the outskirts of Lahore. Modi met members of Nawazs family at his home. PTI reported that Modis favourite dish Saag was among other vegetarian delicacies prepared for him at Jati Umrah residence. All dishes, including Saag, daal and vegetable food, were cooked in desi ghee, a source in the Jati Umra told PTI. A source added that Kashmiri tea was presented to Modi. Modi, after blessing the bride, was seen off at Lahore airport by Sharif. With inputs from agencies The polio infection detected and subsequent partial paralysis of a 10-month-old infant in Gaza has left health authorities scrambling to contain its spread. Israel and Hamas have now agreed to three-day pauses in fighting in each of Gazas three zones to allow thousands of UN workers to administer vaccines read more The vaccines, released from global emergency stockpiles, have already arrived in Gaza and will be administered to 6,40,000 children under the age of 10. File Image/Reuters Once thought to be nearly eradicated, polio has made a troubling return in Gaza, sending shockwaves through the war-torn region. The infection and subsequent partial paralysis of the 10-month-old Abdul-Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan has left health officials scrambling to contain its spread. Authorities are now rushing to launch a mass vaccination campaign for children across the Palestinian enclave, starting on September 1. Polio does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli children, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said in a post on X. Delaying a humanitarian pause will increase the risk of spread among children, Philippe Lazzarini added. Heres what we know of the situation Where did the infection come from? The same strain that later infected the Palestinian baby, from the type 2 vaccine-derived polio virus that has also been detected in wastewater in some developed countries in recent years, was detected in July in six sewage samples taken in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. Advertisement Although the exact entry point of the strain into Gaza remains unclear, genetic analysis suggests it closely resembles a variant found in Egypt, possibly introduced around September 2023, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO pointed to a drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, as a factor in the viruss resurgence. Polio vaccination coverage, which stood at 99 per cent in 2022, fell to 89 per cent in 2023. Israels military and Hamas have agreed to three separate, zoned three-day pauses in fighting to facilitate the first round of vaccinations for children. Reuters Health workers blame the closure of many hospitals in Gaza, often due to Israeli airstrikes or fuel restrictions, as a factor in declining vaccination rates. Meanwhile, Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, exacerbating the healthcare crisis. Additionally, aid workers highlight that the poor sanitation in Gaza, with open sewers and heaps of trash after nearly 11 months of war, has created a fertile environment for the virus to spread. How will vaccination drive be carried out? Israels military and Hamas have agreed to three separate, zoned three-day pauses in fighting to facilitate the first round of vaccinations. The campaign will begin in central Gaza on Sunday, with three consecutive daily pauses, then shift to southern Gaza for another three-day pause, followed by northern Gaza. Each pause can be extended to a fourth day if necessary. The vaccines, released from global emergency stockpiles, have already arrived in Gaza and will be administered to 6,40,000 children under the age of 10. Around 2,700 healthcare workers will deliver the vaccines orally at medical centres and through mobile teams reaching the hundreds of thousands displaced by the war, according to UN aid workers. Advertisement The World Health Organization stresses that at least 95 per cent coverage is needed for a successful roll-out. Israels military humanitarian unit (COGAT) stated that the campaign would be conducted in coordination with the Israeli military, as part of the routine humanitarian pauses allowing the population to access medical centres where vaccine is administered. A second round of vaccinations is planned for late September. What are the risks of polio spreading? The Gaza case is seen as a setback for the global polio fight which has driven down cases by more than 99 per cent since 1988 thanks to mass vaccination campaigns. Wild polio is now only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan although more than 30 countries are still listed by the WHO as subject to outbreaks, including Gazas neighbours Egypt and Israel. Advertisement The World Health Organization has warned of the further spread of polio within Gaza and across borders given the poor health and hygiene conditions there. Poliomyelitis, which is spread mainly through the faecal-oral route, is a highly infectious virus that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis and death in young children with those under 2 years old most at risk. In nearly all cases it has no symptoms, making it hard to detect. With input from Reuters In a groundbreaking move, the Ministry of Finance has removed all restrictions on banking for LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring equal access to joint accounts and beneficiary nominations read more The finance ministrys advisory on August 28, 2024, marks a notable advancement in promoting financial inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community. This advisory clarified that there are no restrictions for LGBTQ+ individuals to open joint bank accounts or to nominate partners as beneficiaries. By addressing these concerns, the advisory highlights the principle that financial services should be universally accessible, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation. A strong foundation This advisory builds upon a series of legal and policy decisions aimed at enhancing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. The 2014 NALSA judgment was a landmark decision that recognised transgender individuals as a third gender, acknowledging their identity and granting them legal status. This was a significant step in affirming the rights of transgender individuals and ensuring their inclusion in various societal aspects. Advertisement The 2018 Supreme Court ruling, which decriminalised consensual same-sex relationships, further reinforced this trajectory of progress. By declaring that certain sections of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code were unconstitutional, the Supreme Court removed a major legal barrier that had been used to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals. This judgment was celebrated as a victory for LGBTQ+ rights activists and a crucial step towards equality. In 2021, the Madras High Court issued a landmark judgment directing the state to provide comprehensive welfare services to LGBTQ+ individual essentially focussing on the necessity of State intervention to support the LGBTQ+ community in accessing essential services and achieving greater social inclusion. The formation of a committee by the Centre in April 2024, tasked with examining issues related to the LGBTQ+ community, is another critical development. Chaired by the cabinet secretary, this committee is responsible for evaluating measures to prevent discrimination and ensure equitable access to goods and services. This initiative demonstrates a continued commitment to addressing the systemic challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in financial services Despite these positive legal and policy changes, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face significant challenges, particularly in the realm of financial services. In the US, research conducted by the Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR) and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) in early 2023 reveals that LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience financial stress and anxiety compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. The survey highlights that LGBTQ+ individuals report feeling overwhelmed and depressed about their finances at nearly twice the rate of non-LGBTQ+ individuals. Advertisement The financial difficulties faced by the LGBTQ+ community are compounded by broader socioeconomic issues. For instance, data from Rutgers University indicates that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher unemployment rates and job losses compared to their peers. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated these challenges, making it even more crucial for financial institutions to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Moreover, research has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals often face wage disparities, earning less than their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues. This income inequality, combined with the higher cost of living creates a precarious financial situation for many LGBTQ+ individuals. Addressing these financial challenges requires a concerted effort from banks and financial institutions to provide tailored products and services. Advertisement Role of banks: More than just inclusivity The finance ministrys advisory and the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) related clarification on August 21, 2024, are important steps towards financial inclusivity. However, these measures must be complemented by more comprehensive efforts from banks and financial service providers. Financial institutions must move beyond mere compliance and actively develop products that cater to the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, ESAF Small Finance Banks introduction of the Rainbow Savings Account in 2022 is a commendable initiative. This account, designed specifically for the transgender community, offers high savings rates and advanced debit card facilities. Such tailored products are essential in addressing the unique financial needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Advertisement Despite these positive steps, broader systemic issues persist. A study conducted by the Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University, published in May 2019, highlights that same-sex applicants face significant disparities in mortgage lending in the US. The study found that same-sex applicants were 73.12 per cent more likely to be denied mortgage loans and were charged up to 0.2 per cent higher fees compared to their heterosexual counterparts. These findings underscore the need for financial institutions to address biases and ensure fair treatment of all customers. A call for comprehensive financial inclusion While the recent advisory from the finance ministry is a positive development, it should serve as a catalyst for more extensive reforms in the financial sector. Banks and financial institutions need to embrace diversity not just as a principle but through concrete actions that address the specific challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. This includes developing financial products that are tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring equitable access to services and actively working to eliminate any form of discrimination. Advertisement Achieving true financial inclusion requires a holistic approach that goes beyond policy statements and legal frameworks. It necessitates ongoing commitment from all stakeholders to create an inclusive financial ecosystem where every individual, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation can access and benefit from financial services. By taking these comprehensive steps, we can move towards a more equitable and inclusive financial future for all. A day after Pakistan invited Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit it will host in October, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Islamabad was over. India has been firm in its policy that New Delhi would not resume regular diplomatic talks with Islamabad until Pakistan reins in terror groups engaged in cross-border terrorism. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, Jaishankar said, The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done. Advertisement So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan, Jaishankar said, What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react. #WATCH | Speaking on Pakistan at a book launch event in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, "The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of pic.twitter.com/41ZSq9VQHs ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 The minister was apparently referring to cross-border operations by Indian forces in 2016 after the Uri terror attack and 2019 following the Pulwama blast incident. In both instances, Pakistan-based terror groups, New Delhi said, targeted Indian security forces, and subsequently India launched cross Line of Control (LoC) military operations to hit terror camps. India and Pakistan have scaled down their diplomatic contacts after the 2019 terror attack, followed by Indias operation and an aerial dogfight that led to a serious crisis as an Indian Air Force wing commander landed on the other side of the LoC and was captured by the Pakistani forces. Intense hours passed before then-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was forced to make a statement in the National Assembly to announce the release of the Indian pilot. Advertisement During Fridays event, Jaishankar also said, For every country, neighbours are always a conundrum. They can never be solved. They are continuing relationships which will always throw up problems. Citing examples of recent diplomatic issues with the Maldives and Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, People sometimes come and say thats happened in Bangladesh and this has happened in the Maldives [but] they need to look around the world and tell me which country doesnt face challenges with neighbours. It is in the very nature of being a neighbour that this will happen. In fact, the closeness which is the definition of a neighbour is actually the complication. Advertisement Indias relationship with Pakistan has depended a lot on how the governments on the two sides have dealt with the issues of terrorism that Islamabad links to the Kashmir issue. India has repeatedly said that terror and talks cant go together and maintained that its bilateral relation with Pakistan depends on how efficiently Pakistan controls terror groups operating from its territories. It is not yet clear whether Modi will travel to Pakistan to attend the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in October. Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO. Days after quitting the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Champai Soren on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Soren, a veteran of the JMM, served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for five months earlier this year while incumbent CM Hemant Soren was in jail in a corruption case. Following Hemants release, Soren resigned as the chief minister. Soren joined the BJP at an event in Jharkhands capital Ranchi in the presence of senior BJP leader and Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Advertisement VIDEO | Former Jharkhand CM and former JMM leader Champai Soren (@ChampaiSoren) joins BJP along with this supporters at an event in Ranchi. #ChampaiSoren pic.twitter.com/vdZmKwVm3g Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024 After he joined the BJP, Soren told ANI, I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. I will fulfil whatever responsibilities the party will assign me. Earlier this month, Soren announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he would be parting ways from JMM and charting a new path for himself after suffering disrespect at the hands of the party leadership. Soren said that the party leadership had cancelled all of his events and had called the meeting of the legislative party without informing him. He said he was hurt and could not complain to anyone as he was among the senior-most leaders of the party and there were not many people to approach. He then went on to say that he told the partys gathering that he would soon be starting a new chapter of his life. Then, earlier this week, he met senior BJP leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of the BJP said Soren would join the party on August 30 (Friday). An urgent need of the hour is for the Indian government to step in and discuss with tech giants on the necessity to stop racialism on the Internet read more As artificial intelligence (AI) gets more deeply enmeshed with human lives, the question emerges time and again around the extent to which AI has superior capabilities than human intelligence and skills. While AI has displayed immense potential to be superior to skills possessed by humans in certain sectors, the fact remains that AI itself adheres to human behaviour and thinking. There is a general misplaced belief that technology and AI are neutral and objective. It is precisely this misperception that allows AI to perpetuate racial discrimination. Advertisement An example of this lies in the fact that AI has increasingly been found to emulate stereotypes and racism that humans more than often indulge in. A team of technology and linguistics researchers revealed in 2024 that large language models like OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini hold racist stereotypes about speakers of African American Vernacular English, or AAVE- an English dialect spoken by Black Americans. Another often stereotyped community is the Indian community with racist diatribes rife on the Internet about Indians English accents to myriad forms of ways of living. If stereotypes in the English language were not enough, the Chinese language also has a particular derogatory term for Indians a san. Google, when automatically translating Chinese language slurs on Indians, on X (formerly known as Twitter), translates the racist Chinese term, directly into Indians. The term a san has a historical connotation and traces its origins to the time when the British Indian soldiers were deployed in Shanghai, when the Peoples Republic of China did not exist, and only the Republic of China existed. Since British Indian officers often said aye Sir, it got roughly translated into a san. There are several other anecdotal explanations on the origin of the term, and this is just one of them. However, the fact remains that the term is derogatory. In todays context, the term means the dirty third world. It is a racist and derogatory term. On August 16, on X, a post by a bot in Chinese was found spreading fake information about how India and the US were arguing with each other at the Olympics, over a wrestler being 100 gm overweight. While the information in itself is wrong and can be assumed to have malicious motives, the more concerning part is that the term san ge, a version of a san was used, and Google automatically translated it into Indians. Google translate has multiple release versions, and the latest v3 and v2 versions were tried, and all indulged in the translation of a san into Indians. However, what is unknown is the version that X uses. Advertisement ChatGPT follows the same method and translates a san into Indians. However, upon providing feedback, it states that it identified the word incorrectly. Given that ChatGPT is AI, and not human, when provided the same prompt to translate the same tweet, it displays the same derogatory result of a san as Indians. WhatsApps Meta AI however, is more nuanced and does not translate the term into Indians, when given the same prompt as ChatGPT. Microsoft Chats Copilot unfortunately does not fare the same way as Whatsapps Meta AI and indulges in the same behaviour as Google translate and ChatGPT. Generative AI has been changing the world and has all the potential to drive increasingly tectonic societal shifts in the near future. Google Translate has a market share of 69.60 per cent in the data science and machine learning market. India and Indians have and continue to benefit from its AI and machine learning models. Google also has the highest share in India for its browser Chrome. More nuanced behaviour from the tech giant can easily be expected. A greater sensitivity should be the basic minimum. Advertisement A few days ago in Taiwan, a student at Yangming Jiaotong University posted a photo on Instagram, of some Indian students having dinner at a table, and used the racist rant of a san. The post was screenshotted, translated into English and forwarded in the Indian students circles. It caused a lot of discomfort and unease at being unwelcome. These racist diatribes remain difficult till date for several communities. If AI, which is seen as the future also emulates the same stereotypes and the racism that humans have indulged in, the future is only much bleaker with smarter technologies to indulge in more divisiveness. Advertisement In his vision statement, Human Rights: A Path for Solutions, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk has stated that generative AI offers previously unimagined opportunities to move forward on the enjoyment of human rights, however its negative impacts are already proliferating! An urgent need of the hour is for the state, i.e. the Indian government, to step in and discuss with tech giants on the necessity to stop racialism. A bias from the past leads to bias in the future! Dr Sriparna Pathak is an Associate Professor of China Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University, India. Nikhil Parashar is the Operations Head at ThinkFi, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firtsposts views. India has to act smartly to protect its interest in the Bay of Bengal, which has already become the geopolitical and geostrategic hub of a bigger conflict between China and the US of which the Bangladesh crisis is just a symptom read more (File) National flags of India and Bangladesh being lowered during celebrations of the 53rd Independence Day of Bangladesh, on the outskirts of Siliguri, West Bengal, on March 26, 2024. PTI The Bangladesh political impasse does not show any sign of recovery any time soon, though much hope has been pinned on Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. Inarguably, it is quite early to assess an interim government. The passion and promise for a dramatic difference with Professor Yunus at the helm of politics fit the propaganda of the protesters. The ground reality is full of paradoxes. The shameful August political episode led to the countrys complete collapse. Advertisement Anarchists quickly hijacked the protest by the angry and agitated students on the reservation issue. Loot, arson, vandalism, vulgarity, and planned attacks on the Hindus and other minorities became the new normal. Muhammad Yunus quick jump into politics to restore normalcy shows no visible difference. The evident forms of violence have become more subtle. The antagonism against the Hindus and India has not seen any changes. The platitudes of Yunus are for media exhibitionism for perception building. It gives no dividend in any significant sense. Amid the whirlpool of things, what undergirds the political collapse is the foreign interventions. The obvious ones are the US and China. Sheikh Hasina has already made a reference to the US intervention and the latters interest in St Martin Island. China has seemingly escaped the critical lens. She has not critically mentioned China or its role in the Bangladesh crisis. The US-China rivalry and competition in the Indo-Pacific are out in the open. This has reached the Bay of Bengal. The waters of the Bay of Bengal have become geopolitically and geostrategically hotter. The political breakdown and the rise of radicals to destabilise the country is a surface convulsion in Bangladesh. The latent points to the collision of interests involving the US and China. The Indian control over the waters of the Bay of Bengal is quite deep and carries a strong history. The US intends to ensure its stable presence in the region to control China and its expansionist streak. Advertisement Bangladeshs indifference to the US strategic blueprints for the Bay of Bengal saw the unleashing of the formers covert and soft methodologies of destabilising a country. The strategic Mongla and Chittagong ports have seen significant Indian presence for export and import-related activities. The current political tension has not seen any significant change in the nature of the MoU between India and Bangladesh. However, the symptoms are not clear enough to diagnose the shifting moods of Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus and his external accomplices. The US is expected to make significant entry into the waters of Bangladesh through Muhammad Yunus. This will minimise Chinese brinkmanship in the region. But the chequered history that India shares with the US and the latters unpredictability and the persistence of its alliance with Pakistan constitute a compelling ground for doubt and apprehension. Indias relationship with the US has not seen its best. India exercises much caution while steadying its relationship with the US. Its partnership with Russia and its political philosophy of non-alignment in times of conflict have neither bagged any distinction for India historically nor secured appreciation from the US. Advertisement While discussing the US interventions in the Bangladesh conflict, Chinas role cannot be ignored. China is strategically expanding its sphere of influence in the Bay of Bengal. India, the old Bay of Bengal maritime player, finds a competitor. China is not a littoral state in the Bay of Bengal. It attracts countries to its sphere of influence through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and gradually interferes with their sovereignty. The interference becomes more defined in the country concerned that fails to complete the installment repayment of the loan taken. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are unambiguous instances of debt-trap diplomacy. Through Pakistan, China reaches the Arabian Sea. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) enables this connectivity. For the Bay of Bengal, most littoral states have fallen mainly into its BRI expansionist trap. The littoral countries of the Bay of Bengal are India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Indias non-participation in the Belt and Road Initiative Leviathan and its growing confidence and geostrategic advantage to give China a checkmate in the Himalayan space and the Indian Ocean have intensified the latters resolve to restrict the formers sphere of activity. Advertisement Therefore, it makes necessary preparations to exercise its presence in the Bay of Bengal through its littoral states. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are part of Chinas BRI framework. China exercises its control over the Bay of Bengal littoral states. Beyond its BRI commitments, it interferes with the critical strategic space of these countries, seriously compromising their territorial integrity and sovereign strength. The objective is to give India challenges if any conflict emerges in the region. The Chinese maritime reconnaissance and electronic intelligence station on Great Coco Island and the facilities on Ramree, Haigyi, and Zadetkyi Kyun Islands in Myanmar indicate its ulterior motive. The strategic ports, namely the Chittagong port in Bangladesh, where China has invested, suggest its depth in the Indian neighbourhood. Despite Indias long diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and its legal access to the Chittagong port, China has intervened in the port under the pretext of investment. Advertisement Under Chinese control, the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka intensifies surveillance of Indian marine and defence activities. The Indian peninsula is loaded with Indian critical defence and strategic installations. Hambantota port has reportedly become the Chinese maritime observatory for mapping Indian strategic preparedness. The 99 years of the contract indicate Beijings long and comprehensive plan to encircle India and force the latter to become more defensive. These acts of interference will intensify the geopolitical rivalries between them. BRI and its economic and developmental models offer China leeway in developing strategic assets. Chinas double-dealing in the name of BRI engenders risk perception. Myanmars SEZs in Kyauk Phyu, Thilawa, and Dawei and seaport facilities are reported to have Chinese Navy access. China has invested in the Industrial Development Zone in Chittagong and the Payra Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh. It holds a 70 per cent share of the 750-acre industrial park in Chittagong in exchange for an investment of $10 billion. It has also shown its interest in investing in the Sonadia Deep-Sea Port Project. It has built a single-point mooring system at the Chittagong Port for its first sea-land integral super-large oil storage. The Kyaukphyu Ports proximity to the key Indian naval base, INS Varsha, raises security concerns. The Chinese presence in the port is a security challenge. This naval base houses Indias nuclear attack and ballistic missile submarines and is crucial from a critical strategic perspective. Chinas investment in the Mongla seaport in Bangladesh with a government-concessional loan of US$400 million under the Expansion and Development of Mongla Port Facilities and the building of two container jetties indicates its interest in the Bay of Bengal. Beijing intends to convert Mongla Port into an alternative maritime transport route to decouple its dependencies on the Malacca Straits. The Chinese company Yun Sheng BD will likely develop a composite industry in the Mongla Export Processing Zone. The industry will combine textiles, garments, and accessories to ensure employability for the Bangladeshi youth. However, the fear of being trapped in debt and losing agency, autonomy, and sovereignty is unavoidable. The China-built Bangladeshs BNS Sheikh Hasina submarine base off the coast of Coxs Bazaar in the Chittagong Division is likely to position Chinese submarines close to Indias Andaman and Nicobar Command. The motives of the so-called Chinese research vessel in the Indian Ocean region are to exercise espionage on Indian critical infrastructures, especially in the testing of the 5,000-km-range Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile. Beijing might deny these allegations, but the research vessels espionage aspects cannot be refuted. It is also reported that Chinas upcoming port is going to be built near Abdul Kalam Island, DRDOs missile testing centre, and extremely critical infrastructure, which might play a critical role in the event of a nuclear exchange. These developments complicate the emerging dynamics of power rivalry in the Bay of Bengal. Against this background, India and Japan are making necessary efforts in the littoral states of the Bay of Bengal to decouple them from Chinas sphere of influence and debt trap through BRI. India has extended 37 Lines of Credit (14.2 billion USD) to Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for 162 infrastructure development and connectivity projects under its Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP). Under the flagship of NFP, Bangladesh has taken $7.362 billion in concessional credit from India. Around 350 Indian companies are working in Bangladesh. The prominent ones are Adani Power, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Motors, Asian Paints, Dabur, Emami, VIP, Marico, Pidilite, Reliance Power, etc. They strengthen the economy of Bangladesh. India is Bangladeshs biggest trade partner in South Asia and largest export partner in Asia. Indias export to Bangladesh in the financial year 2022 was $16.15. It was $12.20 in 2023. Dhaka depends on New Delhi significantly. Exacerbating this relationship will harm Dhaka badly. Hopefully, the ongoing crisis will not intensify because it will not be good news for Bangladesh, especially its fragile economy. From the Indian geostrategic point of view, Mongla Port is crucial because it is a key to consistent connectivity with Indias landlocked northeast. New Delhi is building the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line to diversify its dependencies instead of crystallising its focus on Chittagong Port. The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link and Unit II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant are the other projects of critical importance. The rail linkages with Bangladesh include Haldibari (India)-Chilahati (Bangladesh), Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India)-Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh), and Radhikapur (India)-Birol (Bangladesh). Maitri Express connecting Kolkata and Dhaka (since 2008), Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna (2017), and Mitali Express between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka (2022) connect the two countries by train. India has invested significantly in Bangladesh to develop inland waterways (Sonamura and Daudkandi), energy security (India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline), and community development projects (skill development and training institutes, cultural centres, hostels, orphanages, academic buildings, student exchange programmes, hospitals, etc.). Japan has also invested significantly in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka to present a more feasible and dependable alternative than the hegemonic China, which uses the countries under BRI for its expansionist streak. The Malabar exercisejoint maritime exercises involving India, the US, and Japan in the Indian Ocean regionindicates the gravity of the Chinese threat. India is intensely extending its efforts to build better relationships with its Bay of Bengal neighbourhood. However, the Chinese BRI and its economic might swing littoral countries to the dragons. China uses these countries for its expansionism and control. Its increasing depth in the Bay of Bengal risks Indias security space. India has to reconnect with its neighbourhood and strengthen its security apparatus. It must reconceptualise its neighbourhood policy. The current crisis in Bangladesh demands robust strategic preparedness from India to preempt the possible conflicts and protect its maritime interest in the Bay of Bengal. China and the US push their way into the Bay of Bengal. Chinese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh has become larger than the US. Apart from FDI, its BRI has invested massively in the port, transport, industrial, energy, and communication infrastructures. Its strategic String of Pearl maritime idea to encircle India is underway. Therefore, India has to act smartly to protect its interest in the Bay of Bengal, which has already become the geopolitical and geostrategic hub of a bigger conflict between China and the US. The Bangladesh crisis is just a symptom. Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University (A Central University), Itanagar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. New Delhi must also prepare for the day aftera balkanisation of Myanmar following the collapse of junta control read more Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, junta forces are perilously close to defeat against the resistance. They have lost major trade routes in the north, northeast bordering China, east with Thailand, and parts of the west with India, Bangladesh, and access to the Bay of Bengal. Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), local militias, and the new People Defence Force from the National Unity Government (NUG) of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, which is part of the resistance, have made rich territorial gains. Advertisement Junta losses in the last two months include headquarters for North East Command at Lashio and large tracts of territory in the Rakhine and Chin provinces and the Sagaing region contiguous with India and Bangladesh. India-operated Sittwe Port has been surrounded by the Arakan Army, forcing the evacuation of its consulate. Dhaka had allowed use of Mongla and Chittagong ports as alternatives to Sittwe, which calls for confirmation with the Caretaker Administration. The junta could be considering a new horseshoe-shaped defence perimeter in the central Bmar heartland of Mandalay,Naypyidaw, the new capital, and Yangon. The attacks against Rohingyas by the Arakan Army in August have started another exodus of refugees into an already disturbed Bangladesh. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance in the north and the Arakan Army in the south and west have strong links with China, which brokered a short-lived ceasefire between them and the junta. China is front and back of the juntas tentative hold of Myanmar. It follows a double-hand policysupporting Gen Hlaing and selectively resisting forces. Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun has met Hlaing and his Foreign Minister, Than Swe. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Hlaing on August 15 and pledged to support any future election, which has been postponed six times. Chinas key strategic interest is in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor from Kunming in Yunan to Mandalay and Kyaukphyu Port overlooking the Bay of Bengal in Rakhine State. It will permit skipping its Achilles heel, Malacca Straits. It is India that should be worried, being sandwiched between turmoil in Bangladesh and turbulence in Myanmar border areas in Chin and Rakhine states, which the junta no longer controls. Paletwa, the inland water terminal of the flagship Multi-Modal Kaladan River Project (MMKRP) to Mizoram, is shared on the border between areas controlled by the Arakan Army and Chin Defence Forces, who control border areas contiguous with Manipur and Mizoram and have captured Rikhawdar, Tonzang, and Matupi. Advertisement Juntas scorched earth strategy of air and artillery attacks against lost territory has caused havoc, resulting in casualties and shortages of food and medicine. Despite Track Two advisories to New Delhi to provide humanitarian aid to internally displaced people, the government is loath to establish contact with the Chinland Council and the Arakan Army, both of which have strong ties with China, as it fears it will annoy the junta, which will be advantageous to China. But it will be worse if China reaches out to them first. Indias connectivity projects depend on the use of the Sittwe port, which relies on their goodwill and cooperation. These projects are the lynchpin of Indias Act East policy. Advertisement Besides the agencies, the Mizoram government is reportedly in touch with Chinland officials as well as the Arakan Army. Myanmarese along the border require medicines, food, and other logistics, which can be provided after clearance from the government. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar visited Aizawl and later met Than Swe during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a BIMSTEC meet in New Delhi. Than Swes visit was the first official visit by any junta official since the coup. The Modi government has not engaged with resistance forces or NUG but has called for an early return to transition to democracy, ceasing hostilities, and dialogue with all stakeholders. Advertisement Others to visit Naypyidaw are Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri when he was Deputy National Security Adviser and NSA Ajit Doval, who met his counterpart Adm Moe Aung during the NSAs BIMSTEC meeting at Naypyidaw late July. He also met Gen Hlaing, who does not meet too many visitors. Indias interests are in keeping intact the two-decade-long relations with the Myanmar Army so that border areas are free from insurgents, trafficking of illegal immigrants, drugs, and weapons. Consequently, the government has revoked the popular Free Movement Regime and is fencing the border. Junta losing control of border with India warrants review of its policy and establishing humanitarian corridors through Rikhadwar and Thantlang, both controlled by the Chin Council, and a third via Paletwa to Matupi, also governed by the Chinland Council but on the Chin-Rakhine border where there is joint control between Chin Brotherhood Forces and Arakan Army. Similar corridors were established last year by Thailand with the Karenni National Army. Advertisement Mizoram and Manipur host nearly 70,000 refugees, mostly Aizawl. Home Minister Amit Shah recently discussed the possibility of establishing humanitarian corridors with Jaishankar, but a call has yet to be taken. According to a United States Institute of Peace (USIP) paper of 29 July on humanitarian corridors, the US is prepared to cooperate with India and provide funds. In Manila, I recently met the editor of Myanmars Mizzima magazine, Soe Myint who ingeniously operates several TV stations inside Myanmar. He was one of several refugees who lived in a safehouse in the Krishna Menon Marg residence of late lawmaker George Fernandes. He has been urging India to quickly reach out to the Arakan Army and Chin Defence Force before Chinese do so. A vast majority of Myanmarese refugees are in Mizoram, the launchpad of Act East policy. UNHRCs Thomas Andrews has accused the junta of genocidal violence after losing control in Rakhine and Chin states. An implosion, or at minimum, a Generals coup may replace Gen Hlaing who is unrelenting on any dialogue process, which even the resistance forces may not be willing to join. He is determined to hold a sham election in the Central Heartland and areas it controls. As a deadlocked ASEAN is unable to act, New Delhi must quickly establish the humanitarian corridors after informing Naypyidaw before Beijing steps in. It must also prepare for the day aftera balkanisation of Myanmar following the collapse of junta control. India, Japan, and ASEAN partners can help to forge an alliance between EAOs and NUG to negotiate with the junta and start a dialogue process. The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. OpenAI, based in San Francisco, is currently working on securing new funding that could push its valuation beyond $100 billion. This round could significantly elevate OpenAIs value from its current $86 billion. read more Apple and NVIDIA are reportedly in talks to invest in OpenAI, aiming to boost the AI companys valuation past the $100 billion mark. This potential investment highlights the growing interest in AI from some of the biggest names in tech. Apple, known for developing its own products and technologies, seems to be considering a strategic partnership with OpenAI. This comes as the company is set to introduce its Apple Intelligence AI features later this year. Although Apple typically focuses on in-house development, this move suggests the company is open to strengthening its AI capabilities through external collaborations. Advertisement For NVIDIA, a leader in the chip industry, investing in OpenAI could further solidify its role in the AI world. NVIDIAs GPUs are essential for many AI applications, and a stake in OpenAI would likely expand its influence within the AI ecosystem. This potential involvement from Apple and NVIDIA in OpenAIs latest fundraising round underscores how crucial AI is becoming for the future strategies of these tech giants. Apples growing AI interests Apples interest in OpenAI seems to be part of a larger plan to enhance its AI offerings. The company is expected to share more about its AI advancements during its upcoming Glowtime event on September 9, where it will likely introduce its Apple Intelligence features. Apples AI approach this year seems to blend the development of its own models with the integration of third-party solutions, giving users a richer, more diverse AI experience on their devices. An investment in OpenAI could provide Apple with additional flexibility in its AI strategy, helping the company stay at the forefront of AI technology while continuing to prioritize privacy and data securitya cornerstone of Apples brand. Rumours also suggest Apple might collaborate with other tech giants like Meta, Google, and Anthropic on future AI projects. Despite these potential partnerships, Apple remains committed to maintaining its high privacy standards, aiming to balance cutting-edge innovation with user confidentiality. Advertisement OpenAIs road to a $100 billion valuation OpenAI, based in San Francisco, is currently working on securing new funding that could push its valuation beyond $100 billion. Thrive Capital is expected to lead this investment round with a $1 billion contribution, with other investors. While the details are still being finalized, this round could significantly elevate OpenAIs value from its current $86 billion. There is no word from Microsoft if they will be investing in this round. This surge in valuation follows a series of successful funding rounds, including a major investment from Microsoft earlier this year, which valued the company at around $30 billion. The rapid rise in OpenAIs valuation reflects the growing demand for AI technologies, driven in part by the success of its ChatGPT product. Advertisement With shares trading on the secondary market at prices suggesting a valuation of over $110 billion, OpenAIs influence in the AI industry continues to grow. As major tech companies like Apple and NVIDIA show interest in investing, OpenAIs role in shaping the future of AI becomes even more prominent. Starlink, in a statement on X, expressed its concerns over the legal process, claiming that the order was issued secretly and without adhering to the due process of law as outlined in Brazils constitution read more Elon Musk took to X to voice his frustration, emphasizing that SpaceX and X are distinct entities with different shareholders. He criticized the ruling as an illegal action by what he referred to as the dictator Moraes, arguing that it unfairly punishes both other shareholders and the Brazilian populace. Image Credit: Reuters Brazils top judicial authority has taken a dramatic step against Elon Musks Starlink, issuing an order that effectively freezes the internet satellite companys finances in the country. This decision, announced on Thursday, also prevents Starlink from conducting any financial transactions in Brazil, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Musks enterprises and the Brazilian judiciary. The root of this action stems from a standoff between Musks social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Advertisement On Wednesday, Justice Moraes issued a summons to X, giving the platform until Thursday evening to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. The failure to comply with this order would result in the suspension of Xs operations within the country. Starlink, in a statement on X, expressed its concerns over the legal process, claiming that the order was issued secretly and without adhering to the due process of law as outlined in Brazils constitution. The company argued that the order was based on an erroneous assumption that Starlink should be held accountable for fines imposed on X, fines which the company believes were unconstitutionally levied. Starlink has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling through legal means. Crackdown on social media and the broader context The tensions between Musks companies and the Brazilian judiciary have been brewing for some time. Brazilian authorities have intensified their crackdown on social media platforms, targeting accounts that disseminate misinformation and hate speech. Justice Moraes has been at the forefront of these efforts, taking a hard line against platforms that fail to comply with court orders aimed at curbing harmful online content. In April, Moraes announced an investigation into Musk for obstruction of justice after the former CEO of X publicly vowed to defy a court order that blocked certain accounts on the platform in Brazil. This ongoing conflict has now escalated to involve Starlink, with the Brazilian judiciary seemingly extending its reach to Musks other enterprises. Advertisement Musks response The decision to freeze Starlinks finances in Brazil could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the company but also for the millions of Brazilians who rely on its services. According to market research group Emarketer, around 40 million people in Brazil, roughly a fifth of the countrys population, use X on a monthly basis. This action against Starlink could potentially disrupt services for these users, further straining relations between Musks companies and Brazilian authorities. Elon Musk took to X to voice his frustration, emphasizing that SpaceX and X are distinct entities with different shareholders. He criticized the ruling as an illegal action by what he referred to as the dictator Moraes, arguing that it unfairly punishes both other shareholders and the Brazilian populace. Musks statement underscores the tension between his enterprises and the Brazilian judiciary, highlighting the complex legal and ethical challenges faced by global tech companies operating in regions with varying regulatory environments. Advertisement Tensions not to die down anytime soon The freezing of Starlinks finances in Brazil is a stark reminder of the growing power of judicial authorities in regulating digital platforms and their associated businesses. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Musks companies will navigate these legal challenges and what impact this will have on their operations in Brazil and beyond. This conflict sets the stage for a potentially prolonged legal battle that could have significant implications for the future of tech regulation in Brazil and other countries facing similar challenges. As Musk and his companies prepare to address the matter legally, the world watches closely to see how this high-stakes standoff will unfold. Modern social media platforms no longer simply provide access to content; they actively curate what users see using complex algorithms. These algorithms, like TikToks For You Page or Facebooks feed, are designed to learn users behaviour and deliver content that would get a reaction read more As the legal landscape shifts, the responsibility of social media platforms to protect their users from dangerous content is becoming increasingly clear Image Credit: Pexels Imagine a world where social media platform are held responsible for the content that their users post, and are in fact prosecuted for it. In such a world, most social media platforms would clamp down hard on some of the most virulent and vile aspects of the social media experience. For more than two decades, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have operated under legal protections, particularly those drafted in the US that date back to the mid-1990s. Advertisement These protections, rooted in the US Communications Decency Act of 1996, were originally designed to shield online services like AOL and CompuServe from liability for the content posted by third parties. The idea was that these platforms were mere conduits for information, not responsible for the content created by users. In the early days of the internet platforms like AOL functioned much like digital warehouses, storing and organizing vast amounts of information for users to access. The platforms were largely passive, providing access to content without actively influencing what users saw. This was an era when the internet was still in its infancy, and the platforms were not yet equipped with the sophisticated algorithms that define todays social media landscape. Fast forward to the present, and the situation has changed dramatically. Modern social media platforms no longer simply provide access to content; they actively curate what users see using complex algorithms. These algorithms, like TikToks For You Page or Facebooks feed, are designed to learn users preferences and deliver content tailored to their interests. The goal is to keep users engaged for as long as possible, which is crucial for these platforms, as they rely on advertising revenue rather than subscription fees. The shift from passive content delivery to active curation has blurred the lines of responsibility. While platforms like AOL could reasonably claim that they had no control over the content users saw, todays social media platforms play an active role in shaping the user experience. Advertisement This has raised questions about the extent to which these platforms should be held accountable for the content their algorithms promote. One case that could set a significant precedent is the lawsuit brought by the family of Nylah Anderson, a 10-year-old girl who tragically died after attempting a dangerous challenge she found on TikTok. The challenge, known as the Blackout Challenge, involved choking oneself until losing consciousness. Nylahs family has been suing TikTok, arguing that the platforms algorithm promoted the harmful content. While lower courts initially dismissed the case, a US Court of Appeals recently ruled that the family could proceed with the lawsuit, stating that TikToks algorithm could be considered a form of speech, making the platform potentially liable. Advertisement This ruling could have far-reaching implications for all social media platforms that use algorithms to curate content. If Nylahs family ultimately wins the case, it could pave the way for more lawsuits against platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram, holding them accountable for the content their algorithms promote. This would mark a significant shift from the protections these platforms have enjoyed under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The outcome of this case could lead to a major overhaul of how social media platforms operate. Companies may be forced to redesign their algorithms to avoid promoting harmful content, or face the risk of costly lawsuits. The stakes are high, and the decisions made in this case could shape the future of social media as we know it. Advertisement As the legal landscape shifts, the responsibility of social media platforms to protect their users from dangerous content is becoming increasingly clear. The days of relying solely on legal protections from the 1990s may be coming to an end, and platforms may need to adapt quickly to avoid facing the consequences of their algorithms actions. Chinese auto customers are moving away EVs in favour of hybrids. This is mainly owning to the fact that EV users in China still have to deal with crippling range anxiety at times, hybrids, have time and again proven to be much more reliable in general read more Globally, hybrids are also gaining traction, making up 60 per cent of new EV sales in May. In China, the combined sales of hybrid and fully electric cars account for about 65 per cent of the global total. Image Credit: Reuters A significant shift is underway in Chinas automotive market, as more and more consumers are opting for hybrid vehicles over pure electric cars. The trend is driven by a combination of factors, including range anxiety, cost considerations, and the economic challenges facing many buyers. This change in consumer behaviour is reflected in the latest statistics from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), which reveal that nearly half of the new electric vehicle (EV) sales this year have been hybrids. Advertisement In July alone, major automakers like BYD, Volkswagen, and Toyota sold 396,000 hybrid cars to customers in mainland China, making up 45.1 per cent of total EV sales. This represents a substantial increase from the 34.3 per cent share recorded in the same month last year. Hybrid vehicles, which can operate on battery power for short distances and switch to fuel for longer trips, are gaining popularity among young, first-time car buyers who find them more economical, especially in the context of an economic slowdown. The economic climate in China has led to more cautious consumer spending. Retail sales in the first half of the year grew by only 3.7 per cent, significantly lagging behind the national economic growth rate of 5 per cent. This cautious spending behaviour has contributed to the rising demand for hybrids, which are seen as a more cost-effective option compared to pure EVs. Hybrids, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that use a small internal combustion engine to extend range, are about 10 per cent cheaper than fully electric cars, making them an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers. Government incentives are also playing a role in this shift. Hybrid vehicles benefit from tax waivers and subsidies for replacing petrol-powered cars, as part of Beijings broader push towards clean energy and its long-term net-zero targets. The reliability of hybrids in challenging conditions, such as winter weather, has further boosted their appeal. Earlier this year, videos of electric cars stuck in a snowstorm in Hubei province went viral, reinforcing concerns about the reliability of fully electric vehicles for long-distance travel. Advertisement In response to the growing demand, manufacturers are ramping up their hybrid offerings. BYD, the worlds leading EV maker, recently introduced new models like the Qin L and Seal 06, which feature advanced plug-in hybrid technology. These cars can travel up to 2,100 kilometres on a single charge with a full tank of petrol, addressing concerns about range limitations. Priced competitively, these models offer an attractive alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles from brands like Volkswagen and Toyota. Despite the current surge in hybrid sales, some industry experts believe this trend may be temporary. The long-term focus remains on fully electric vehicles, especially as China continues to push for zero-emission transportation. Advertisement However, for now, the demand for hybrids is strong, and even premium EV makers like Zeekr, Avatr Technology, and Hozon New Energy Automobile are expanding their hybrid offerings to capture a larger share of the market. Globally, hybrids are also gaining traction, making up 60 per cent of new EV sales in May. In China, the combined sales of hybrid and fully electric cars account for about 65 per cent of the global total, underscoring the countrys pivotal role in the future of the automotive industry. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, the Chinese market will likely remain a key battleground for both hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Pros: - Excellent sound quality with good balance and detail - Customisable sound and controls through the app - Combination of pinch and slide controls works well - Wear detection sensors, volume control on the buds - Comfortable fit, elegant design - Support for LHDC 5.0 codec and Google Spacial Audio - Very good battery backup, supports wireless and fast charging - Good call quality, multipoint support Cons: - No ingress protection for the charging case this time - No support for more popular LDAC or aptX codecs - Dynaudio featured preset ruined after firmware update Advertisement Price: Rs 11,999 Rating: 4.3/5 OnePlus seems to have an 18-month cycle for the launch of their new Buds Pro variant. And it is time for its third coming, a.k.a. the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. These are the flagship true wireless (TWS) earbuds from the company and not to be confused with one with Nord in the model name along with similar suffixes. The Buds Pro 2 saw some worthwhile upgrades over its predecessor, and the Buds Pro 3 promises to go one better, and among other things, deliver in the area that matters most - sound quality. Can it succeed? Lets find out. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Design and comfort (8/10) As far as the design goes, the earbuds borrow design cues from its predecessor but the charging case sees a complete overhaul. While there was nothing wrong about the Buds Pro 2 case, we liked the one here more. The combination of matte black/dark grey along the circumference and a leather-like finish at the front and back looks classy. You get OnePlus branding at the front and Dynaudios at the back. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi The build quality is quite solid but the company has skimped on the IPX4 ingress protection present in the older Pro models. You get charge and status indicator LEDs inside the case as well as at the base next to a USB-C charging port. A smartly camouflaged pairing/reset button is present on the right side. The case weighs about 50 grams and is fairly pocketable. Advertisement The buds are well-built too with the body sporting a smooth matte finish, while the stems are glossy with subtle markings for touch zones. They look good but the stems do attract a few smudge marks. Each earbud weighs a shade over 5 grams. The preinstalled mid-sized silicone tips worked best for me and offered more than decent passive noise isolation. Three more pairs of tips are included in the bundle to choose from. The buds have an IP55 rating for dust and splash resistance. The earbuds sit comfortably in the ears and can be used for long sessions. While the fit isnt the most snug, they still stay in place during commutes or during jogs and cause no discomfort. The pressure-sensitive pinch controls have been retained, and just like in the case of its non-Pro variant, the company has added touch zones for swipe gestures to adjust the volume or skip tracks. Advertisement Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Features and specifications (9/10) The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 retains the dual-driver setup with a combination of an 11 mm dynamic driver for low-end frequencies and a dedicated 6 mm tweeter for the mids and highs. Whats new here is the presence of two DACs (digital to analogue converters), one for each driver for better precision. Each earbud also has three microphones for ANC/ENC/Transparency and making calls, along with a bone conduction sensor for voice pickup. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi Add to that wear detection sensors to pause the audio when you remove a bud from your ear, and resume when you put it back on. The earbuds also support multi-point connection to pair them with two devices simultaneously; it works well. These Bluetooth 5.4-compliant earbuds support SBC, AAC and LHDC 5.0 audio codecs. LHDC is still not available on all Android devices, and if your phone doesnt support it, you will have to make do with AAC. Support for more popular high-end codecs like LDAC or aptX Adaptive would have been better. Advertisement As I mentioned earlier, these earbuds have pressure-sensitive controls and it accepts single pinch, double pinch, triple pinch and pinch-and-hold gestures to perform the designated tasks. In addition, you also get swipe-up and swipe-down gestures on both earbuds to either adjust the volume or skip tracks. The touch zones are located at the side of the stems instead of at the back as in the case of the OnePlus Buds 3 and do cause unintended action occasionally when trying to adjust the buds. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi The controls and sound can be configured through the Bluetooth settings on OnePlus phones or using HeyMelody app on other phones. You get up to 50 dB of active noise cancellation (ANC) and it also supports adaptive ANC which adjusts the degree of noise cancellation depending on ambient noise. For that you need to set the ANC to Auto mode which automatically shuffles between Low, Moderate and High modes as necessary to save battery. Advertisement Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi In addition to the audio presets tuned by Dynaudio who has co-engineered these earbuds, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also lets you create a unique audio ID called Golden Sound using a listening test that determines your hearing profile based on your sensitivity to different sounds. It boosts certain frequencies to produce a more impactful sound for your ears. It doesnt always get it right but is certainly worth trying. You can always disable the feature if you dont like the results. Zen Mode Air has been retained, which plays one of the five white noises of your choosing to help you relax or sleep. You also get Google Spacial Audio support with and without Head Tracking. Again, give it a try, but I still find it more gimmicky than useful. OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Performance (8.5/10) Pairing these earphones with the phone is a standard process. It also supports Google Fast Pair. The connection stays strong at 10 metres with a clear line of sight. The latency can go as low as 94 ms on these earbuds, and we did not experience any lag between the audio and video when playing content on YouTube or popular OTT platforms. We conducted most of the test process using LHDC codecs and a OnePlus 11 5G phone. But before we head to the sound quality, lets discuss the ANC performance. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi As I mentioned, you get three degrees of ANC here - High, Moderate and Low. Unlike in the past, there is actually a discernible difference in the noise reduction in each of those modes. You can choose a mode depending on how noisy the environment is or simply let the buds do it for you by choosing Auto mode. Needless to say, High mode blocks out maximum ambient noise but also consumes the most battery. However, it seems to build up pressure in the ear or at least it gives you that impression, and causes slight discomfort. Moderate, though a notch lower in noise cancellation, does a more than decent job even in noisy areas, but more importantly, does not cause the pressure issue. It blocks several low-frequency sounds like the whirr of a fan or the buzz of an AC and even the traffic noises when outdoors. Of course, it cannot cancel high-pitched sounds like horns. The ANC performance against midrange frequency sounds like human voices has improved and noticeably reduces them. Though they cannot be eliminated completely, switching on ANC in public transport is a great help. The Transparency mode here started off a little cosmetic but has improved after a couple of firmware updates since I started testing these earbuds. Unfortunately, one of the post-launch firmware messed up something crucial though. You get five audio presets on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 tuned by Dynaudio - Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass and Dynaudio featured. The last one was by far the best out of the box with near-perfect tuning. One firmware update later, it was not just the worst of the lot but borderline unusable. It remains broken even in the latest 121.121.036 firmware version. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi The better news is you can get close to that by creating your custom preset with some manual tuning using the 6-band equaliser. If you arent up for it, not all is lost. Unlike in older OnePlus Buds Pro models, the presets here are a lot better and very much usable as is. The default Balanced preset, though clearly favours the low-end frequencies, is indeed a lot more balanced this time. If you want a bit less bass and more clarity in instrument sounds, Bold is a good option. Bass preset does what it suggests and Serenade is useful in boosting vocals or for voice-heavy content like podcasts. There are a lot of sound tweaks to play around with to tune the output to your liking. The BassWave slider lets you increase or lower the bass without going to the equaliser or creating a new preset. Then you also have the aforementioned Golden Sound option and Spacial Audio. But the equaliser is the best option to finetune these earphones in case you do not like either of the presets. After a few tweaks, the Buds Pro 3 sounds great for this segment. They are fairly loud in the 50 to 60 per cent volume range. The sound is energetic with ample detail, great punch and depth in the bass and crisp highs without any sibilance. While the mids feel relatively weaker of the lot, they have a good presence, be it vocals or instrument sounds. The instrument separation is quite good too and the soundstage is decently broad for TWS earphones. The sound quality this time is a lot closer to that of the Oppo Enco X2, something we still rate as the best around the Rs 10,000 mark, which is saying something. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Call quality (8.5/10) The call quality on the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is very good. Not just indoors, the persons on the line were clearly audible to each other even when I placed a call from a noisy street. Barring the occasional cars honking, not much of the background chaos was heard by the other person. The wind noise suppression works well and doesnt impact the voice clarity either. The multiple microphones do an admirable job and the Buds Pro 3 is an excellent option if a lot of calling is high on your list of requirements. OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Battery life (8.5/10) The battery backup on the Buds Pro 3 is quite robust even on LHDC codecs. Each earbud is fitted with a 58 mAh battery, while the case has a 566 mAh unit. The advertised battery figures with AAC codec at 50% volume stand at 6 hours with adaptive ANC on and 10 hours with ANC off. Along with the case, those figures read 25 hours and 43 hours respectively. The corresponding figures using LHDC codec with ANC on are pegged at 5 hours for the buds and 21.5 hours for the case. In reality, it performed even better on LHDC. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi With adaptive ANC on, the buds lasted closer to 6 hours, and without ANC, they went on for a little over 7 hours. With the charging case, you can expect an overall battery backup between 23 to 30 hours, depending on your ANC usage. These are impressive numbers. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 supports quick wired charging, and a 10-minute charge can give you a whopping 13 hours of playtime (buds and case combined) with ANC off on AAC codec. With LHDC you can expect to be in the 9 hours ballpark. This is equally impressive. The Buds Pro 3 also supports wireless charging. OnePlus Buds Pro 2: Price and verdict The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is priced at Rs 11,999 with a one-year warranty, which is exactly what its predecessor debuted at 18 months ago. Whats even better is this product is significantly better than the Buds Pro 2 on most fronts. Be it sound quality, call quality, battery life or user experience, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is better on all counts. And not just than its predecessor, but we would term it as one of the best all-round products under Rs 15,000 in India at the moment. Image Credit: Firstpost | Ameya Dalvi As for alternatives in this segment, there are only two that come to mind. Firstly, the classic Oppo Enco X2, if you can find it. But this OnePlus product has caught up with it in terms of sound quality and outperforms it in terms of battery backup. The Oppo does support LDAC codec and is a better option if you do not have a device that supports LHDC. The other option is Nothing Ear, whose feature list may seem relatively scant, but more than makes up in terms of sound quality and its trademark transparent design. Neither of these products will disappoint you, but one can safely say that OnePlus got it spot on the third time. New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) The situation in Bangladesh and the need for ensuring the safety and security of minorities there, especially Hindus, was discussed substantially during the Aug 26 phone conversation between PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, even though the US readout skipped mentioning this aspect, a top official said today. Clearing the air in the wake of comments on social media by politicians and netizens wondering why the White House readout of the phone conversation between the two leaders skipped any mention of the Bangladesh aspect, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian readout is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation. Trashing speculations that doubted Indias version of the phone talk, as well as what PM Modi had posted on X, mentioning Bangladesh very clearly, the MEA spokesperson said in his media briefing today: During his visit, Doval is set to review the deliberations of the Colombo Security Conclave that initially started as a trilateral effort involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. read more National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. Image/X Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived on Thursday to attend the Colombo Security Conclave, scheduled for Friday. Here are key points about his visit to the island nation. *Doval called on Sri-Lankan President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday morning. *President Ranil Wickremesinghe and NSA Doval discussed the ongoing bilateral economic collaboration. *The Colombo Security Conclave brings together National Security Advisors and Deputy NSAs from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius. *The conclave deals with maritime security counter-terrorism and cyber security with India bringing to the fore its own strategic concerns in the Indian Ocean. Advertisement *During his visit, Doval is set to review the deliberations of the Colombo Security Conclave that initially started as a trilateral effort involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The Conclave has since expanded its membership while Bangladesh and Seychelles have observer status at the conclave. In the three days of military operation in West Bank, a total of 19 Palestinians have been killed, including terrorists, according to a tally carried by AFP read more Israeli forces have been operating in West Bank for three days (Photo: X/IDF) On the third day of the military operation in West Bank, Israel claimed to have killed a regional commander of Hamas. In a coordinated ground and aerial operation, Israel claimed to have killed Wassem Hazem, the Hamas commander for Jenin. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hazem was killed in the Sumeria area of West Bank. Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area, said the IDF. Advertisement The IDF published drone footage showing a car of Israeli personnel intercepting Hazems. A gunbattle is seen in which Hazem is apparently killed. Following the gunbattle, two persons, apparently the surviving Hamas terrorists, are seen running away. They are then seen getting eliminated in a drone strike. Shortly afterward, an IDF aircraft eliminated 2 additional Hamas terrorists who attempted to flee from the vehicle that they were inside with Wassem Hazem. Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer operated under the command of Wassem Hazem and took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities, said the IDF. Wassem Hazem, the head of Hamas in Jenin, was eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area. He was identified alongside a terrorist cell in a vehicle in the area. Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks, pic.twitter.com/TioV7BkZhS Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 30, 2024 While the IDF on Friday said it killed three Hamas terrorists, including regional commander Hazem, it said it killed seven terrorists on Thursday. In the three days of military operation, at least 19 Palestinians have been killed, including terrorists, according to a tally carried by AFP. International concerns mount regarding West Bank operation Even as Israel maintains the operation is necessary, international concerns have risen that the operation could destabilise another area at a time when the war has already destabilised the Gaza Strip. The United Nations (UN) has warned it is fuelling an already explosive situation in the territory and has pressed Israel to end it. Advertisement Separately, the British government on Friday said it was deeply concerned by the Israeli operation in the West Bank. It urged Israel to exercise restraint and adhere to international law. We recognise Israels need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, said a British Foreign Office spokesperson. The spokesperson further stressed the need for de-escalation urgent. The British government also criticised the comments of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir regarding Al-Aqsa Mosque. The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israels National Security Minister Ben Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. It is in no ones interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank, said the spokesperson. Supporters have said questions about sexual identity would provide a more accurate snapshot of who Australians are and who they love read more Australias census will ask citizens about their sexuality for the first time, the government said Friday, a policy U-turn aimed at quelling anger from LGBTQ groups. Supporters have said questions about sexual identity would provide a more accurate snapshot of who Australians are and who they love. Just a day after his ministers explained the census change had been scrapped to avoid a divisive debate, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Friday that a question about sexuality would in fact be included in the 2026 survey. Advertisement Australias statistics bureau has developed a new question about sexual orientation, which will now be tested before it can be included in the survey, he said. We think that is a common sense position, Albanese told public broadcaster ABC. It is compulsory to complete the census in Australia, with fines for those who fail to do so. But people would have the option of answering the sexual orientation question or not, the prime minister said. Asked why the government had backed down, Albanese said: No, this is the first time I have been asked about it. He made no mention of plans to include a question about gender identity, however, saying only that there would not be massive changes to the census. Equality Australia, a rights advocacy group, said it was now unclear how the census would affect trans and gender-diverse people, as well as people with innate variations of sex characteristics. We welcome the inclusion of a sexual orientation question but the national snapshot of our nation must include all of us, not just some of us, said Equality Australia chief executive Anna Brown. The federal government shouldnt pick and choose those of us who are worthy of being counted. Brown said including LGBTQ people in the census would bring Australia into line with other countries that already do so, including Britain, Canada and New Zealand. Advertisement It would be a shame if the government doesnt trust the Australian public enough to accept that the census needs to gather basic data about our nation for it be meaningful and useful, she said. While the Harris-Walz interview was airing on CNN, Trump took to TruthSocial to give his reaction to it. BORING!!! he wrote with nothing else to say on the matter read more Former US President Donald Trump just used one word to describe the highly anticipated interview of US Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. While the Harris-Walz interview was airing on CNN, Trump took to TruthSocial to give his reaction to it. BORING!!! he wrote with nothing else to say on the matter. Ahead of the interview, the former unleashed a barrage of attacks against the Democratic Presidential and vice presidential nominees. While addressing a rally in Potterville, Michigan, Trump mocked Harris for not doing the interview alone. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that this is the first time Harris will be participating in an interview after US President Joe Biden announced that he wont be running for re-election. In the past, Harris has been scrutinised over her reluctance to undergo media scrutiny. While Trump took jabs at Harris for sitting down with Walz for the interview, he did the same thing back in 2016, when he took part in a joint interview with his former running mate and ex-VP Mike Pence. In fact, several presidential candidates in the past, including Democrats Hillary Clinton and Republican Partys John McCain has conducted similar joint interviews with their VP picks in the past Trumps response to Harris interview In a separate post, Trump reacted to Harris proclamation that her core values havent changed. I just saw Comrade Kamala Harris answer to a very weakly-phrased question, a question that was put in more as a matter of defense than curiosity, but her answer rambled incoherently, and declared her values havent changed. On that I agree, her values havent changed, he wrote on TruthSocial. The Border is going to remain open, not closed, there will be Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Cities, No Cash Bail, Gun Confiscation, Zero Fracking, a Ban on Gasoline-Powered Cars, Private Healthcare will be abolished, a 70-80% tax rate will be put in place, and she will Defund the Police. America will become a WASTELAND! he added. Advertisement Before the Harris-Walz interview aired, the former President questioned every aspect of it. She didnt want go in aloneSo she went in with this vice president guy that no one ever heard off and she did the interview with a very friendly reporter, Trump exclaimed. However, he did admit that CNN interviewer Dana Bush has been fair to him in the past. Ahead of the Harris interview, the former reality TV star questioned if shell be able to get through the whole thing. People want to see if she could get through the interview. Nobody knowns whats going on. I have done so many interviews in last couple of months. Everytime I go out I have an interview and the reporters ask me every question in the book and we answer them. We dont see any scandals brewing, he said. If you cant do an interview. We got the wrong person to get more relief to working class citizen and seniors on fixed incomes, the former president added. Advertisement Harris reacts to Trumps jabs During the CNN interview, when Harris was about her reaction to her Republican presidential rivals recent attacks against her, the vice president insisted that Trumps attack on her racial identity is part of the same old tired playbook. Next question, please, Harris asked the journalist without elaborating further on Trumps comments. Meanwhile, Harris also hinted at appointing a Republican to her cabinet. I think its really important. I have spent my career inviting a diversity of opinion. I think its important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican, she said. As nations from Germany to Pakistan grapple with rising security fears and political pressures, the fate of Afghan migrants hangs in the balance with humanitarian concerns increasingly taking a back seat read more The deportation of Afghan migrants has emerged as a significant global issue driven by a confluence of security, political and humanitarian factors. Countries across the globe including Germany, Iran, Pakistan and the US, are intensifying their efforts to manage and control migration flows, each driven by unique regional dynamics and challenges. As countries grapple with rising concerns about national security, economic strain and political pressures, the fate of Afghan migrants has become increasingly precarious. Advertisement Germanys escalating deportation efforts Germany has been at the forefront of the debate surrounding the deportation of Afghan migrants, particularly in the wake of recent violent incidents. On May 2024, a tragic knife attack by an Afghan migrant in Mannheim resulted in the death of a police officer. This incident, along with a subsequent attack by a Syrian national in Solingen, has intensified the discourse on immigration and security in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has responded to these incidents by advocating for an acceleration of deportations for unauthorised migrants. Scholz stated his willingness to implement stricter legal measures if necessary, reflecting a broader sentiment within the German government and among the public that demands enhanced security and control. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, has pushed for even more stringent measures, including a potential comprehensive ban on admitting refugees from Afghanistan and Syria. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has been actively working to facilitate these deportations by negotiating with third-party countries. However, the process is complicated by the human rights situation in countries like Syria, where deportations could face significant legal and ethical hurdles. The challenge of balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations is evident in Germanys ongoing efforts to address these issues. Iran and Pakistan The deportation of Afghan migrants is not limited to Europe. Iran and Pakistan, key regional players, have also intensified their repatriation efforts, citing various reasons including security concerns and economic pressures. In Iran, Governor Mojtaba Abdollahi reported that over 59,000 Afghan migrants were deported from Alborz Province in the past year. The Iranian government, under Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, has set a clear deadline for the expulsion of illegal residents, emphasising compliance with national laws. Despite assertions that the deportations are necessary to maintain order and security, there are growing concerns about the treatment of these migrants and the humanitarian implications of their return. Advertisement Pakistans approach to Afghan deportations has been similarly rigorous. The Pakistani government, citing a rise in terrorist activities attributed to Afghan nationals, has continued its repatriation efforts despite international criticism. The UNHCR reports that Pakistan hosts 2.18 million documented Afghan refugees, including those with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs). The ongoing deportations have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that the process lacks adequate safeguards and violates international refugee rights. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have highlighted the negative impact of these deportations, noting that undocumented Afghans, including those with refugee claims, are at risk of harassment and human rights abuses. The Pakistani governments actions, while framed as necessary for national security, have raised significant ethical concerns and highlighted the complex nature of regional refugee policies. Advertisement The US context In the US, the situation for Afghan evacuees who arrived under humanitarian parole remains precarious. Following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the US implemented Operation Allies Welcome, resettling approximately 77,000 Afghans through temporary humanitarian parole. This programme allowed for rapid resettlement but did not provide a clear path to permanent legal status. As of summer 2024, fewer than 5,000 of these evacuees have secured permanent residency, largely due to the failure of the Afghan Adjustment Act to pass Congress. This legislative proposal, which would offer a pathway to permanent residency and address the needs of those who risked their lives working with US forces, has faced significant political hurdles. The lack of permanent status leaves many evacuees in a state of limbo, facing uncertainty about their future in the US. Advertisement The reliance on temporary parole rather than traditional refugee status has exposed a critical gap in the legal framework for Afghan evacuees. While the Biden administration has sought to expand humanitarian parole and address some of these issues, legislative inaction has left many Afghans vulnerable and without a clear path to citizenship. Need for a balanced approach The global trend of deporting Afghan migrants underscores a pressing humanitarian crisis. Returnees often face severe conditions upon their return to Afghanistan, including inadequate shelter, limited job opportunities and ongoing security challenges. The countrys fragile economic situation and political instability further exacerbate the difficulties faced by returning migrants. Advertisement Addressing the humanitarian needs of Afghan returnees is crucial. International communities must work together to provide support and create sustainable solutions that balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations. This includes ensuring adequate aid and support for those returning to Afghanistan, as well as developing policies that address the root causes of migration and displacement. Taliban has a critical role The Taliban, now in control of Afghanistan, must prioritise the future over past grievances to effectively address the pressing needs of the deported Afghan population. As thousands of Afghans return to their homeland under increasingly dire circumstances, the Taliban faces a critical opportunity to reshape its image and provide stability for its people. By setting aside historical animosities and focussing on the humanitarian needs of returning migrants, the Taliban can work towards fostering national unity and rebuilding the country. Providing assistance to these returneesnot only in terms of basic necessities like shelter, food and employment but also in creating an environment of safety and opportunitywould demonstrate a commitment to governance that serves all Afghans. In doing so, the Taliban could help stabilise Afghanistan and gain much-needed legitimacy on the global stage, shifting from a past marked by conflict to a future of reconstruction and progress. The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk has failed to bring any relief to Ukrainian defenders battered by Russian offensive in the eastern Ukraine read more Russia has launched a heavy attack on Eastern Ukraine, around the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk. Image used for representative purpose/Reuters Even as Ukraine has made rapid gains in Kursk, it has done little to nothing to stop Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine. The Russians have closed in on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk province. If Russia wins the city, then Ukraines hold over the entire Donbas region comprising Donetsk and Luhansk regions gets compromised. Moreover, the control of Pokrovsk will also open the doors for deeper ingress into Ukraine. A well-known Ukrainian military observer said the loss of Pokrovsk will be an a serious operational catastrophe, according to The War Zone. Advertisement The Russians are just 8 miles from Pokrovsk and evacuations have already been ordered in the town. Amid all-round efforts to defend and minimise civilian casualties, the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk has also come into question. From the onset, it was said that the idea behind the incursion was to force Russia to divert its forces from other theatres of war and relieve the pressure on Ukrainian defenders in those theatres. That has not been the case so far. Pokrovsks loss will trigger domino effect: Military analyst The loss of Pokrovsk will trigger a domino effect and would lead to fall of other cities too. Once Russians wins Pokrovsk, they are likely to push deeper into the nearby Dnipro province, said military analyst Tatarigami, who runs the Frontelligence Insight. Such a grave prediction is rooted in the strategic location of Pokrovsk. The city is bisected by a major rail line and three highways goes through the city. Several roads branch out of the city for several places. The city thus remains a wall against a large-scale collapse in the region, according to The War Zone. Once the city falls, the wall preventing the fall of the larger region also falls. Pokrovsk has become a key distribution hub, supporting Ukrainian forces along a broad frontline from Vuhledar to the north of Donetsk and beyondCurrently, only two places in the Donbas serve this vital function Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk. The significance of Pokrovsk extends beyond its rail connections it is also located at a key road juncture, serving a similar role in the transportation and distribution of supplies," said analyst Tatarigami, as per The War Zone. Advertisement Tatarigami further said the H20 Highway, linking Pokrovsk to Kostyantynivka, has long been a Russian target". Cutting it off would worsen the resupply of troops in the Bakhmut-Horlivka sector. The potential loss of Pokrovsk poses an operational threat to logistics in the region, from Vuhledar to Horlivka, said Tatarigami. Pokrovsk must be defended at all costs Pokrovsk is so important that it must be defended at all costs, said war veteran Oleg Symoroz. There is still time to prepare the city for defense. Pokrovsk must be defended, it is of strategic importanceThe road to the [Dnipro] region passes through the city of Pokrovsk, so the enemy here must be restrained," said Symoroz, as per The Warzone. Advertisement In a separate statement on Telegram, the army chief said Ukraine is doing exactly the same. Battles are extremely tough. The enemy throws into battle everything that can move and advance, trying to break through the defense of our troops. The most intense battles are taking place on the eastern outskirts of Hrodivka, further along the border of the Kamiany and Krasny ravines, directly in Novorhodivka, below, in the area of the eastern outskirts of Mykhailivka, which is located in front of Selidovo," said Coonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi on Thursday on Telegram. Separately, the army said Russia has occupied 11 villages around Pokrovsk. Did gamble on Kursk go wrong? Advertisement As Russia appears to be on the verge of capturing Pokrovsk, the gamble with the Kursk invasion appears to have gone wrong. As the idea was to relieve the pressure in other theatres of war, the invasion has failed as it did not happen. The War Zone noted that Ukraine diverted around 10,000 troops, including some of the best units and armoured vehicles, out of the Pokrovsk region. A former high-ranking Ukrainian officer told The War Zone that the Kursk invasion did not work well. Kursk did not work well regarding this direction. The Russians have probably read us," said the officer. The analyst Tatarigami concluded that the time is against the defenders, and there is a risk of a serious operational catastrophe. The Colombians joined a foreign legion in Ukraine in summer 2023 and are now jailed in Moscow after being detained in Caracas read more In the first such case made public since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia on Friday said it had arrested two Colombian citizens for fighting on Ukraines side. According to a Politico report, citing local Colombian and other Spanish-language media reports, the arrests came after the two men, identified as Alexander Ante and Jose Aron Medina, were extradited to Russia by Venezuelan authorities who had detained them in mid-July while they were on their way back home during a layover in Caracas. Advertisement Ante and Medina joined a foreign legion in Ukraine in the summer of 2023, added the report. The extradition and arrest is likely designed to spook other foreigners who might consider joining Ukraines armed forces, as well as underscoring Russias alliance with countries such as strongman leader Nicolas Maduros Venezuela, reported Politico. According to the report, citing an online statement by Russias FSB, the two men were found with documents confirming unlawful activity and clothing associated with Carpathian Sich, a battalion involving foreign fighters in Ukraine. On Wednesday, a Moscow court placed the men in pre-trial detention in Moscows high-security Lefortovo prison while they are investigated for paid participation in an armed conflict, which in Russia carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years behind bars, reported Politico. The FSB also released a video showing the men being escorted down a corridor with their heads bowed and identifying themselves on camera, seemingly under duress. Meanwhile, Russia is actively recruiting mercenaries abroad for its conflict with Ukraine, offering high salaries and expedited Russian citizenship, with recruitment efforts in places like Cuba and India. Additionally, Russia maintains strong ties with mercenary groups such as Wagner, which, aside from its activities in Ukraine, is notably active in Africa. With inputs from agencies Details of the deal have not been made public but Ali Abdi Aware, the Somali ambassador to Cairo said that the arrival of military equipment from Egypt to Somalia this week was the first practical step to implementing that deal. read more A Somali police officers stands guard during a march against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal along KM4 street in Mogadishu, Somalia File Photo- Reuters Ethiopia is increasingly concerned over a recent defense deal between Egypt and Somalia, two countries that Addis Ababa is embroiled in disputes with amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa region. Cairo and Mogadishu earlier this month signed a security agreement during a visit to the Egyptian capital by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who held talks with his Egyptian host, President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi. Details of the deal have not been made public but Ali Abdi Aware, the Somali ambassador to Cairo, told a radio station in Mogadishu that the arrival of military equipment from Egypt to Somalia this week was the first practical step to implementing that deal. Advertisement Speaking by phone from Cairo to Arlaadi Media radio on Tuesday, Ali Abdi Aware, the Somali ambassador to Cairo told a radio station in Mogadishu that under the agreement, Egyptian troops would be deployed to Somalia after Dec. 31, when an African Unions peacekeeping mission to Somalia ends. There was no confirmation of such plans from Egypt, which has been seeking to strengthen its influence in the Horn of Africa. Cairo has also not confirmed sending military equipment to Somalia. The prospect of having Egyptian troops next door has raised concerns in Ethiopia. The foreign ministry in Addis Ababa issued a statement saying the country cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region. There are two key disputes involving the three African countries. The first dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt is over Ethiopias construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a key tributary to the Nile River. Egypt fears it will have a devastating effect on its water and irrigation supply downstream unless Ethiopia takes its needs into account. Ethiopia is using the dam to generate badly needed electricity. The second dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia is over Somalias breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia has sought to block landlocked Ethiopias ongoing efforts to gain access to the Red Sea via a contentious agreement with Somaliland to lease a stretch of land along Somalilands coastline, where Ethiopia would establish a marine force base. In return, according to Somaliland authorities, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country. Advertisement Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago but is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its territory. Somalias federal government has since 2007 been supported by an African Union peacekeeping mission in fighting the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida and is responsible deadly attacks across the country. Even after the AU peacekeepers leave, troops from countries such as Uganda and Burundi may stay in Somalia under bilateral deals. Ethiopia said Wednesday it was vigilantly monitoring developments in the region that could threaten its national security and accused Somalia of colluding with external actors to undermine regional stability. Advertisement Somaliland also issued a statement Thursday saying it strongly objects to any deployment of Egyptian troops in Somalia. Nuclear Power Ghana and Regnum Technology Group signed the agreement to deploy a NuScale VOYGR-12 small modular reactor, or SMR, at a US-Africa nuclear energy summit in Nairobi read more Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Ann Ganzer joins industry and government representatives at the MOU signing ceremony (May 28, 2024). File Image: US Embassy in Ghana Ghana on Thursday signed an agreement with a US developer for a nuclear reactor using technology from NuScale Power (SMR.N), the US State Department said on Thursday, as the country seeks its first atomic power plant. Nuclear Power Ghana and Regnum Technology Group signed the agreement to deploy a NuScale VOYGR-12 small modular reactor, or SMR, at a US-Africa nuclear energy summit in Nairobi. SMRs are smaller than todays reactors and can be built in a factory. But there are lingering questions, about whether they will ever be widespread commercially. Advertisement Why is it important? The US is looking to promote technologies it considers to be clean energy and sell them to developing countries. The administration of President Joe Biden believes that nuclear energy, which generates power virtually emissions-free, is critical in the fight against climate change. Nuclear power, on the other hand, produces long-lasting nuclear waste. NuScale is the only company with a license to build a US SMR. Last year it canceled its only project in the US amid rising costs. Who was vying to sign with Ghana? Other contenders for the plant included Frances EDF, and China National Nuclear Corporation, an energy ministry official in Ghana said in May. South Koreas Kepco and its subsidiary Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Corporation, as well as Russias ROSATOM, were also competing for the contract expected to span the next decade, the official said at the time. Key Quote Ghana and many other African countries are pursuing nuclear energy to achieve their economic development, energy security, and decarbonization goals," said Aleshia Duncan, deputy assistant secretary for international cooperation at the US Department of Energy. Its imperative that the United States remain a strong and engaged partner, offering technical expertise and resources to ensure the successful deployment of nuclear energy across the continent. In her first interview after becoming the new Democratic Presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris revealed what she would do on her first day in office if she wins the 2024 US Presidential Elections read more In her first interview after becoming the new Democratic Presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris said she would start implementing her opportunity economy plans on her first day in office. The proclamation from Harris came in the highly anticipated Harris-Walz interview on CNN. At the start of the interview, CNNs Dana Bash asked what Harris would do on her first day in the office. While responding to the question, the VP said that she would start implementing several of her policy proposals to support and strengthen the middle class. She noted that this includes her plan for an opportunity economy. Advertisement Harris emphasised that the American people are ready for a new way forward and to turn the page on the former president, Donald Trump. In the Thursday interview, Harris was sitting alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who noted that he is excited about Kamala Harriss agenda for implementing an opportunity economy. Harris defends her policy shifts When questioned about her past comments about banning fracking, Harris made it clear that she would not do that if she came to power. No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking, the vice president asserted. While defending her policy shifts, Harris emphasised that her core values have not changed. Lets be clear my values have not changed," she said. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. You mentioned the Green New Deal. 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, the Democratic presidential nominee furthered. During the interview, Harris acknowledged that prices, in particular for groceries, are still too high under the Biden administration. However, she stressed on the economic progress the country witnessed under the Biden administration. Advertisement The economy had crashed in large part all of that because of mismanagement by Donald Trump of that crisis. When we came in, our highest priority was to do what we could to rescue America, Harris said, reiterating her proposal for the first-ever federal ban on price gouging on food and groceries, as well as her plan to provide up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homeowners. Harris reacts to Trumps racist attacks When asked about her reaction to her Republican presidential rivals recent attacks against her, the vice president insisted that Trumps attack on her racial identity is part of the same old tired playbook. Advertisement Last month, during a panel hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Trump questioned whether Harris is black or Indian. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didnt know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black," he said. Meanwhile, Harris also hinted at appointing a Republican to her cabinet. I think its really important. I have spent my career inviting a diversity of opinion. I think its important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican, she said. Advertisement Walz defends his military records During the joint interview, Harris VP pick Tim Walz was asked to clarify previous comments he and his campaign has made about his time serving in the Army National Guard. Walz noted that he is incredibly proud of the 24 years he served wearing the uniform of this country and that his record speaks for itself. The former school teacher emphasised that he wears his emotions on my sleeves. My record has been out there for over 40 years, he added. The Minnesota governor expressed astonishment over how the Republicans are either attacking him for his children for showing love or its an attack on my dog. Advertisement Walz mentioned that he spoke about his and his wifes infertility issues because its hell, and families know this. I spoke about the treatments that were available to us Thats quite a contrast in folks that are trying to take those rights away from us, he said. He also candidly recalled the moment his son, Gus, was seen tearing up and saying: Thats my dad. You try to protect your kids, you know it brings notoriety and things but it was such a visceral emotional moment. Im grateful I got to experience and Im so proud of him, he exclaimed. Harris recalls the moment Biden passed the baton During the Thursday interview, the Vice President also recalled the moment she got the phone call from President Biden informing her of his decision to drop out of the race. Ill give you a little too much information, Harris told CNN during her first sit-down interview Thursday since Biden dropped out. My family was staying with us, and including my baby nieces. And we had just had pancakes, she went on. We were sitting down to do a puzzle, and the phone rang, and it was Joe Biden and he told me what he had decided to do. I asked him, Are you sure? And he said, Yes," she added. When asked if she has any regrets about previously telling people that Biden could serve another four years, Harris made it clear that she has none at all. She noted that serving with Biden has been one of the greatest honours of my career. He has the intelligence, the commitment, judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president. By contrast, the former president has none of that, she furthered. Bash eventually asked what it would mean for her if she became the first female President of the United States. While responding to the question, Harris recalled the photograph of her grand-niece watching her accepting the Democratic presidential nomination. You know, I listen, I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender. But I did see that photograph. And I was deeply touched by it. And, youre right, shes its the back of her head, and her two little braids, and and then Im in the front of the photograph obviously speaking. Its very humbling. Its very humbling in many ways, she concluded. Ministry of National Defense: The Philippine side should immediately withdraw its ship and personnel from Xianbin Jiao China Military Online) 16:50, August 30, 2024 Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Thursday. Question: It's reported that a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship has been anchoring in the lagoon of China's Xianbin Jiao for a period of time. Not long ago, the Philippines sent multiple resupply missions, which were all thwarted by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in accordance with law. The spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the maneuvers of the Chinese side jeopardized the safety of Philippine crew members and violated international law. The US side claimed that the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea. What's your comment? Wu Qian: China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Xianbin Jiao. Since its intrusion this April, PCG vessel 9701 has illegally anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. Such an act seriously violates China's sovereignty, breaches international law and the stipulations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and undermines regional peace and stability. The Chinese side firmly opposes such activities and has lodged solemn representations multiple times. Seeking a permanent presence at Xianbin Jiao by the Philippine side is no different from opening a Pandora's Box, which has aroused strong opposition from regional countries. Since August 19, PCG ships have repeatedly intruded into adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao, and deliberately took dangerous maneuvers to ram CCG vessels. The Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with the law. Our maneuvers on the spot were professional and appropriate. The Chinese side is committed to properly managing differences through dialogue and consultations, but our tolerance does have a limit. The Philippine side should withdraw its ship and personnel as soon as possible, and restore the unoccupied status of Xianbin Jiao with no infrastructure. The Chinese side will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests. No country surpasses the US in stirring up trouble or disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea. US support and endorsement have emboldened the Philippine side to make reckless provocations time and again. Intimidating the Chinese side with the Mutual Defense Treaty will never work. On the contrary, it will only result in stronger indignation and greater morale among the Chinese people. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) We have received the invitation for attending the Heads of Government Summit of the SCO from Pakistan, which will be hosted by Pakistan, and on that as and when we have an update, well share (it) with you, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read more India on Friday confirmed it has received an invitation from Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting to be held in Islamabad in October. According to The Hindu report, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), however, said it did not have a decision yet on whether India would participate and at what level that would be, even as it outlined other travel scheduled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September and October this year. Advertisement We have received the invitation for attending the Heads of Government Summit of the SCO from Pakistan, which will be hosted by Pakistan, and on that as and when we have an update, well share [it] with you, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Pakistan invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to the SCOs Council of Heads of Government meeting. Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) and in that capacity, will be hosting the two-day in-person SCO Heads of Government 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, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at her weekly press briefing in Pakistan. Some countries have already confirmed their participation in the meeting and their names will be shared in due course, she said. 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 was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017. In July 2023, Iran became a permanent member of the SCO at an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping. The SCO, as an influential economic and security bloc, has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. Advertisement As part of this key regional group, both Pakistan and India can hold summit meetings. India hosted the SCO Summit last year, organised virtually. It was attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif through a video link. However, Pakistans 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 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. Advertisement With inputs from agencies In the latest update, the Israeli military reasoned that the airstrike was aimed at armed assailants who were trying to highjack aid' read more An Israeli military vehicle leads a truck in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip during an operation to deliver humanitarian aid from Jordan to the coastal territory through the Erez Crossing, on 1 May , 2024. AFP File Shortly after Israel agreed to conduct a series of humanitarian pauses in Gaza to allow for the vaccination of children against polio, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out an airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy present in the coastal enclave. In the latest update, the Israeli military reasoned that the airstrike was aimed at armed assailants who were trying to highjack aid. However, the charity that organised the aid noted that the people who were killed in the strike were employees of the transport company it was working with, The Guardian reported. The convoy was organised by the US-based NGO Anera and was carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati-run hospital in Rafah. It was attacked by the IDF on Thursday evening when the volunteers were heading to the Rafah hospital. Advertisement The airstrike came hours after the Israeli soldiers opened fire on a World Food Programme (WFP) vehicle clearly marked with UN insignia, travelling in a convoy of two, The Guardian reported. The WFP noted that the vehicle was hit by at least 10 bullets while it was approaching the IDF at the checkpoint. As last nights events show, the current deconfliction system is failing and this cannot go on any longer, Cindy McCain, the head of the WFP said, calling the shooting totally unacceptable. Five killed in the airstrike: Report According to The Guardian, unconfirmed reports from Gaza noted that five people were killed in the airstrike. This is a shocking incident. The convoy, which was coordinated by Anera and approved by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who was fortunately unharmed," Aneras Palestine country director, Sandra Rasheed said in a separate statement. Tragically, several individuals, all employed by the transportation company we work with, were killed in the attack. They were in the first vehicle of the convoy," she added. Meanwhile, the IDF confirmed that the route had been coordinated, but claimed that during the convoys movement, a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle in the front of the convoy (a Jeep) and began to lead it. After the takeover and further verification that a precise strike on the armed assailants vehicle could be carried out, a strike was conducted," the Israeli military said in a statement. No damage was caused to the other vehicles in the convoy and it reached its destination as planned. The strike on the armed assailants removed the threat of them seizing control over the humanitarian convoy," the military furthered. The IDF eventually confirmed that it contacted the Anera organisation and mentioned that the organisation had verified that all of the convoys organisation members and humanitarian aid were safe and reached their destination as planned. Advertisement While Anera confirmed that the convoy did reach the hospital, it said that only one person was travelling in the convoy an Anera employee. The rest worked for its partner transport company, which was not named. We are urgently seeking further details about what happened, Rasheed said. Earlier this month, more than 100 Jewish settlers in West Bank went on a terror rampage in the Palestinian village of Jit and killed one person and set buildings and cars on fire read more A man points to damage in his house after an attack by Israeli Jewish settlers on the Palestinian village of Jit in West Bank (Photo: AFP) The Israeli military was warned in advance about a settler attack on a Palestinian village in West Bank but failed to stop it, according to a report. Earlier this month, on August 15, more than 100 Jewish settlers in West Bank went on a terror rampage in the Palestinian village of Jit. They killed one person, injured another, burnt a number of houses and cars. The Israeli military and police were severely criticised for their failure to prevent or even contain the attack. Advertisement Now, The Jerusalem Post has reported that the internal Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet had warned the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the area at least 30 minutes before the attack, but there was no immediate mobilisation to act on the warning. Even as the Shin Bet warned about the attack, it had not mentioned the exact target. Sources told The Post that since settlers did not arrive at Jit until 8 pm, had the IDF mobilised immediately, it could have potentially prevented the settlers from entering the village. IDF did not act per severity of warning: Report The sources told The Post that even though the Shin Bet stressed the IDF about the severity of the warning, the IDF took 30 minutes to act. Instead of mobilising at once and acting proactively, the IDF moved towards generic intersections and crossing in a passive manner, according to the newspaper. On its part, the IDF said there were only general warnings and no information about the origin or target of the attack was provided. The IDF said it learnt of the settlers attack in motion at 8 pm and dispatched the forces by 8:06 pm, but the newspaper reported that even that force was too small to contain the attack or subdue the attackers. The newspaper further reported that the military took further 30 minutes to repel the rampaging attackers. No immediate arrests were made. Advertisement Separately, in probe findings made public on Wednesday, the IDF said it failed to act appropriately during the Jit attack. The investigation revealed that the first force was unable to fully understand the situation. It tried to disperse the rioters and prevent harm to the Palestinians, but it should have acted with greater determination, said the IDF, as per The Times of Israel. Japan has been rapidly building up the defence of the southwestern region in recent years amid Chinas growing military threats and tension in the regional seas. read more A group of disputed islands, Uotsuri island (top), Minamikojima (bottom) and Kitakojima, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China is seen in the East China Sea. Representational Image - Reuters Japans Defence Ministry requested a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the upcoming year to enhance deterrence on southwestern islands considering Chinas growing threats in the regions and while focusing on unmanned weapons and AI to make up for the declining number of servicemembers as a result of the countrys shrinking population. The 2025 budget proposal represents the third year of Japans accelerated five-year military buildup plan, as part of its current security strategy. By 2027, Japan intends to invest 43 trillion yen ($297 billion) to double its annual military expenditure to approximately 10 trillion yen, positioning itself as the worlds third-largest military spender after the United States and China. Advertisement The budget request was approved at the Defense Ministry meeting Friday ahead of a submission to the Finance Ministry for negotiations through December. China has ramped up clashes with the Philippine coast guards in disputed waters in the South China Sea and sent a fleet of coast guard boats to routinely violate territorial waters around Japanese-controlled disputed islands in the East China Sea that Beijing also claims. A hefty 970 billion yen ($6.7 billion) of the budget request for 2025 covers the cost of bolstering strike-back capability with the development and purchases of long-range missiles and equipment for their launch, including from an Aegis-class destroyer. About one-third of it goes to a satellite constellation aimed at bolstering the capability to detect missile-related activity, as North Korea, China and Russia develop hypersonic missiles that are harder to detect and track. While pushing military buildup, Japan must deal with a shrinking troop size and is focusing on developing and buying more drones for surveillance and combat, requesting 103 billion yen ($710 million). It also seeks 314 billion yen ($2.17 billion) to build three new multi-purpose compact destroyers that require 90 crewmembers, less than half the crew size currently needed. Japanese defense officials say combat drones are game changers that can be on hours-long missions and lower human losses in combat and consider it a main pillar of Japans ongoing military buildup. The unmanned weapons can also help a country struggling with its aging and shrinking population. Advertisement Japan has been struggling to fulfill SDF troop levels at 247,000 people. The Self-Defense Force has faced difficulty attracting young applicants in recent years and fulfilled only half of its recruiting target of 19,598 last year, making it the lowest in the 70 years of SDF history. Last year, 6,258 mid-career personnel left, the highest number in 30 years. Due to declining childbirths and working age population, it is inevitable that Japan will face a society of serious labor shortage, the ministry said in an interim report on human resources, also released Friday. We need to build an organization that can fight in new ways while strengthening defense power. Advertisement Shrinking younger population and private companies that offer better salaries and benefits make the environment surrounding recruiting servicemembers the worst since the end of World War II, the ministry report said. It requested 18 billion yen ($124 million) to introduce an AI surveillance system at 40 SDF bases across Japan, aiming to free up 1,000 service personnel. It is also asking 4.3 billion ($29.7 million) for automated supply storage for launch in 2027 in Okinawa. With inputs from agencies. More than 70 people were killed in the coordinated attacks across Balochistan, where militants seeking the resource-rich regions secession have been targeting government forces and projects being developed as part of the $65-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor read more Workers stand on damaged railway tracks as they repair them, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district of Pakistan's restive province of Balochistan, Pakistan, on August 27, 2024. Reuters File The start of operations at a Chinese-funded airport in Pakistans Balochistan province has been pushed back for a security review after last weeks deadly attacks by separatist militants in the area, government and aviation sources said. More than 70 people were killed in the coordinated attacks across Balochistan, where militants seeking the resource-rich regions secession have been targeting government forces and projects being developed as part of the $65-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Advertisement Part of President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, the programme in Pakistan is also developing a deep-water port close to the new $200-million airport in Gwadar, a joint venture between Pakistan, Oman and China that is close to completion. It will handle domestic and international flights, according to Pakistans Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and will be one of the countrys biggest airports. The initial plan was for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to inaugurate the airport on Aug. 14 alongside Chinese officials, but that was called off after an ethnic Baloch rights group started a sit-in protest, the officials said. Following last weeks attacks, the deadliest in years, two officials at the CAA and two others in the Balochistan provincial government told Reuters the start of flights would be delayed as authorities review security in the region. The Chinese already had concerns about the security situation, and the recent attacks will definitely cause more delay, one senior provincial government official said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Asked about the delay and security concerns, Chinas Foreign Ministry said: China is willing to work with the Pakistani side to continue to do a good job in the relevant security work and ensure the safe and smooth progress of the corridor construction. A provincial government spokesperson declined to comment and Pakistans information minister did not respond to a request for a comment. Although no Chinese projects were targeted in the latest militant attacks, they have been frequently attacked in the past by the insurgents, who view China as a foreign invader trying to gain control of the regions resources. Advertisement It is not clear whether Beijing has offered Pakistan direct assistance on the security management of Chinese projects. Special Chinese security teams worked closely with Pakistani security agencies to trace the insurgents behind a suicide bombing which targeted Chinese teachers in the southern city of Karachi in 2022. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), one of several separatist militant groups involved in the low-level insurgency for decades, claimed responsibility for last weeks attacks. Pakistans army said on Friday it had started intelligence based operations against the militants to respond to the assaults. In the first major sit-down interview of the Harris campaign, CNNs Dana Bash asked Walz about remarks he made in 2018 when he was running for Congress. At that time, the former school teacher said that he carried a weapon of war in war as he discussed his support for restricting assault weapons read more In the highly-anticipated joint interview with US Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz dismissed the accusations that he misstated about his military records. In the first major sit-down interview of the Harris campaign, CNNs Dana Bash asked Walz about remarks he made in 2018 when he was running for Congress. At that time, the former school teacher said that he carried a weapon of war in war as he discussed his support for restricting assault weapons. However, Walz who served 24 years in the National Guard was never deployed in a war zone. During the Thursday interview, Walz blamed the whole saga on his poor grammar and admitted that he misspoke. Advertisement Yeah, I said we were talking about in this case, this was after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war. And my wife the English teacher told me my grammars not always correct, the Minnesota governor explained. However, Walz made it clear that he never intended to demean another members service to the country. My record speaks for itself: Walz While Walz admitted that he misspoke he went on to defend his military record. Well, first of all, Im incredibly proud. Ive done 24 years of wearin uniform of this country. Equally proud of my service in a public school classroom, whether its Congress or or the governor. My record speaks for itself, but I think people are coming to get to know me. I I speak like they do. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about about our children being shot in schools and around around guns, he said. So I think people know me. They know who I am. They know where where my heart is, and again, my record has been out there for over 40 years to speak for itself, the Minnesota governor furthered. Walz slams Republicans, spoke candidly about his son and fertility treatment The Minnesota governor expressed astonishment over how the Republicans are either attacking him for his children for showing love or its an attack on my dog. Walz mentioned that he spoke about his and his wifes infertility issues because its hell, and families know this. I spoke about the treatments that were available to us Thats quite a contrast in folks that are trying to take those rights away from us, he said. Advertisement He also candidly recalled the moment his son, Gus, was seen tearing up and saying: Thats my dad. You try to protect your kids, you know it brings notoriety and things but it was such a visceral emotional moment. Im grateful I got to experience and Im so proud of him, he exclaimed. The WHO has said that its partners can start buying mpox vaccines before they are approved by the U.N. health agency, lifting its usual rules in a bid to get inoculations to Africa faster. It is currently reviewing applications for emergency licences for two vaccines made by Denmarks Bavarian Nordic and Japans KM Biologics. read more The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of mpox in several regions, the health ministry said, an indication of how the disease may be spreading across Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year. AP File The World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that a first delivery of mpox vaccines is expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days. The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox on August 14, concerned by the surge in cases of a new strain, the Clade 1b, in the DR Congo and its spread to nearby countries. We hope to have the first delivery in the next few days, and then it will build up, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at a press conference. Some 230,000 mpox doses are immediately available to be dispatched, added Tim Nguyen, unit head of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness at the World Health Organization Emergency Programme. Advertisement The number of reported cases of Clade 1b has been rising rapidly for several weeks. Fortunately, relatively few deaths have been reported in recent weeks, said Tedros. In addition, 258 cases of Clade 1b have been confirmed in Burundi, four in Rwanda, four in Uganda, two in Kenya and one each in Sweden and Thailand, he added. In the DRC, Tedros met with President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss the outbreaks, the importance of clear communication on the virus and strong engagement with local communities. WHO is working to accelerate access to, and delivery of, vaccines, the UN health agencys director-general said. Its vital to stress that although vaccines are a powerful tool, they are far from the only tool. We believe we can stop these outbreaks in the next six months. But what this region of DRC needs more than anything else is a political solution to the long-running insecurity. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO technical lead for mpox, said she hoped the vaccines and other interventions by health partners would help cases come down again in the near future. With inputs from agencies. China considers the self-ruling island of Taiwan to be a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland read more A bloc of Pacific nations has refused Chinas call to cut ties with Taiwan. China considers the self-ruling island of Taiwan to be a breakaway province and is committed to its reunification with the mainland. It reacts strongly to other nations engagement with Taiwan and is completely against any recognition of Taiwan as an independent nation. Now, China has urged the Pacific Islands Forum to stop treating Taiwan as a development partner, but the bloc has said its decades-long policy of engagement with the self-ruling island would continue, according to AFP. Advertisement The bloc comprises 18 nations including bigger nations like Australia and New Zealand and smaller island nations like Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, etc. In the final communique at the annual summit in Tongia, the bloc reaffirmed the 1992 agreement that allowed talks with Taiwan, as per AFP. Among the Pacific Island Forum, while most countries recognise Beijing, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu recognise Taiwan. The bloc also has Solomon Islands, which is an ally of China and is pushing within the group for the exclusion of Taiwan. Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Agovaka on Friday told AFP that a review of the bloc should ensure that members are sovereign states and not states that are governed by another jurisdiction. I think that review will make sure that the Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-government organisation that adheres to international law, said Agovaka. Notably, Chinese ally Solomon Islands will host the Pacific Islands Forum annual summit in 2025. Even as the Pacific region was once a bastion of support for Taiwans, China has in recent years clipped that support. In recent years, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru have dropped Taiwans recognition in favour of China. In the Chinese Civil War (1945-49), the Communist Party of China (CPC) won and established the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in the mainland China whereas the defeated nationalists of the Kuomintang party fled to the island of Taiwan and established the Republic of China (ROC) there. Both of the entities have over the years claimed to be the real China. Russias defence ministry said its forces had seized settlements in Ukraines Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions. read more A village in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Image source-National Police of Ukraine Russian forces captured three more villages in eastern Ukraine, where it is advancing even as Kyiv mounts a major cross-border assault on its own territory, defence ministry said. In a briefing published on its Telegram page, Russias defence ministry said its forces had seized settlements in Ukraines Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions. Russia stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine, firing more than 100 missiles and a similar number of drones in its biggest onslaught in weeks. The intensified campaign coincided with what could prove to be a decisive period of the war, which Russia launched on Feb. 24, 2022. Advertisement Russian forces have been advancing further into Ukraines partially occupied eastern Donetsk region, which is a key target for the Kremlin. The Russian military is approaching Pokrovsk, a crucial logistics hub for Ukrainian defences in the area. Meanwhile, Ukraine has launched a significant incursion into Russias Kursk region, marking the largest offensive into Russian territory since World War II to compel Russia to redeploy troops from the Donetsk front to address the Ukrainian advance. At the hotel in Kryvyi Rih, rescuers on Wednesday found a final body under the rubble. The rescue operation then ended. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed its anti-aircraft defenses destroyed a Russian Su-25 jet in the Donetsk region. Ukraine also kept up its long-range drone attacks on Russias rear logistical areas. With inputs from agencies. Top Ukrainian officials, including Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, on Friday began a visit to Washington. However, the purpose of the visit has not been revealed so far. read more Russian strikes killed at least six people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, including a 14-year-old girl at a playground, and wounded dozens more, AFP reported. In a post on Telegram hours after the attack, Kharkiv region Governor Oleg Synegubov said that one child was killed in the playground. Three people were killed in the 12-story apartment block that caught fire as a result of the strike, he said. About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had dropped a guided bomb on the city and urged Kyivs allies to take strong decisions to bolster his countrys air defence systems. Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, lies around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Russian border and has been bombed persistently by Russian forces since they launched their invasion in February 2022. The region has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a shock incursion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russias Kursk region. In the wake of the Kharkiv strike, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed a call on Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to attack Russian military air bases. A strike would not have happened if our defence forces had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft where they are based, Zelenskiy said on Telegram. There is no rational reason to restrict Ukraines defences. One end of the block was engulfed in black smoke, with many of the upper floors in flames. Several cars parked outside were gutted by fire. Emergency services and rescue volunteers rushed to carry survivors out of the building. The body of one of the victims lay under a carpet on the ground outside, surrounded by police. Advertisement Residents of all ages, some of them covered in blood, sat stunned on benches and walls outside as medics attended to their injuries. Meanwhile, top Ukrainian officials, including Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, on Friday began a visit to Washington, the Ukrainian presidential office said. We are working in Washington We are grateful to our partners for their support, the presidents chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram. Top General Staff officials were also in the delegation, the office said on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities said that Fridays attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from planes in Russias Belgorod region, also known as glide bombs which are fitted with a navigation system taking them to their targets. Advertisement The weapons are hard to intercept and they have become a fearsome tool in the war in eastern Ukraine in recent months that can cause huge devastation. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Thousands have been killed and wounded during the full-scale invasion Moscow launched in Ukraine in 2022. Kyiv says that the most effective way to counter such strikes is to target Russian planes, not the bombs themselves. Meanwhile, The head of Ukraines power grid operator Ukrenergo, Vadym Kudrytskyi, is to be dismissed, Forbes Ukraine reported on Friday, citing four sources familiar with the matter. One source said that Kudrytskyi refused to submit his resignation after the decision was made during an official meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Colombo/New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Member states of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) signed the Charter and the MoU for the Establishment of the CSC Secretariat today in Colombo. Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval; Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retd.) Lt. Col (Retd.), National Security Advisor of Maldives; Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of Mauritius to Sri Lanka and Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor of Sri Lanka, signed the documents on behalf of the respective Member States. Bangladesh skipped the meet due to its internal political churning. The Colombo Security Conclave is a regional initiative that began as a trilateral effort among India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It has since expanded to include Mauritius and Bangladesh as members, and the Seychelles as an observer. The CSCs core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States. There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, a statement said. The event concluded with a discussion among heads of delegation on the next steps and the future activities of the Conclave. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a post on X: NSA Mr. Ajit Doval KC joined reps from Maldives, Mauritius & Sri Lanka in signing the Charter & MoU for establishment of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat today. A key platform to enhance regional security cooperation, the signing marks a milestone in the CSC roadmap. The agreement aims to enhance the groupings role in addressing security and stability challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. Ajit Doval emphasized the importance of the Colombo Security Conclave in addressing traditional, non-traditional, and emerging hybrid security challenges. UNI RN Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has made a series of visits to Africa since the start of the war in Ukraine as Russia, hit by Western sanctions, seeks new trade partners and tries to rally developing countries behind its vision of a multipolar world no longer dominated by the United States and former European colonial powers. read more Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation of 20 million, has been ravaged in the past eight years by violence from extremist groups loosely affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, and from the fighting between government forces and the militants. File Image- FP The Russian private military company Bear Brigade said that it is withdrawing 100 of its paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to help in the war in Ukraine. The group said on its Telegram channel Its forces would return home to support Russias defence against Ukraines recent offensive in the Kursk region. Nearly 300 soldiers from the Bear Brigade, a Russian private military company arrived in Burkina Faso in May to support the countrys military junta. The departure of 100 soldiers raises concerns that Islamist insurgents could be emboldened, especially following a recent attack that resulted in the deaths of up to 300 peopleone of the most significant assaults in years. Advertisement Earlier this year, a contingent of Russian military personnel were deployed in Burkina Faso in what appeared to be the first significant deployment of Russian troops to the West African country, two foreign security sources said on Thursday. The junta-led countrys relations with Moscow have been in the spotlight since it booted out French troops in early 2023, fuelling speculation it would deepen security ties with Russia like neighbouring Mali, where Russian Wagner mercenaries operate. Growing Russian security ties with Africa, including countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger where military leaders have seized power in coups, are a source of concern to the U.S. and other Western governments. Burkina Faso went through two coups in just 10 months, the second last year after which a military junta threw out French forces and turned to Russia for security support. However, the junta has struggled to contain the security and humanitarian crisis. Burkina Faso has topped the list of the worlds biggest neglected crises for the second year in a row, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. A record 6.3 million out of 20 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2024, the aid organization said, with many on the brink of starvation. Two million people remain internally displaced, about 60% of them children. Many have been traumatized, but resources to help them are scarce. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Three Arab Israeli tourists and two Egyptian hotel workers were injured after a fight broke out in the Egyptian town of Taba on the border with Israel on Friday, Egyptian security sources said read more An image that allegedly shows the scene of the altercation in Taba. August 30, 2024. Screengrab/X Three Arab Israeli tourists and two Egyptian hotel workers were injured after a fight broke out in the Egyptian town of Taba on the border with Israel on Friday, Egyptian security sources said. The sources said a physical altercation erupted when an Arab Israeli tourist verbally insulted an Egyptian hotel employee, sparking a melee that involved other tourists and employees. Egypts state-affiliated Al-Qahera News television channel said one of the Egyptian workers had sustained serious injuries. It also said the fight started after several tourists refused to pay for hotel services. Advertisement There have been occasional attacks on Israelis in Egypt since the Gaza war began on October 7. One day after the war broke out, two Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guide were shot dead by a policeman in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, marking the first such attack on Israelis in Egypt in decades. Trump has said his administration would be great for reproductive rights, promised to mandate free IVF treatments for those who want them, and on Thursday suggested that he would vote to overturn Floridas ban on abortions after six weeks pregnancy, which he called too short. read more Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Friday amid upheaval brought on by his apparent ditching of right-wing positions on reproductive rights. The Republican presidential candidate will appear first in the battleground state of Pennsylvania for an afternoon rally, before heading to the capital Washington to speak to the powerful conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty. The stops come as the billionaire takes fire from both his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, and much of his conservative base over his recent tack towards abortion access and fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Advertisement His campaign quickly walked the Florida comments back, saying Trump did not actually specify how hed vote when a referendum takes place in his home state in November. But combined with his long-shifting position on abortion and a Republican Party platform that has dropped calls for a national ban on the procedure the comments have drawn conservative fire. The Harris campaign pressed the attack Friday. The majority of Americans support abortion access, they support IVF, they support contraception. He has finally figured it out, and hell do anything to distract from his abysmal, horrifying record on this issue, Mini Timmaraju, the president and CEO of advocacy group Reproductive Freedom for All, told reporters in a campaign call. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Harris surrogate, told the same call that Trump, who stacked the US Supreme Court with justices who overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022, had opened the door for any extremist judge or extremist state legislature to ban IVF. Trumps running mate JD Vance dismissed the same idea on CNN as a ridiculous hypothetical. But earlier this year a court in Alabama ruled that frozen embryos could be considered a person or child, causing fertility clinics in the state to briefly pause IVF treatments in light of the new legal risks. A majority of Americans say they want access to abortion, and the Supreme Courts decision to return power over the procedure to the states has seen voters turn out in state, local and national elections to back Democrats, who have vowed to reinstate the right. Advertisement Trumps recent pivots have drawn accusations that he has abandoned the anti-abortion movement, largely made up of evangelical Christians and hard-right conservatives who for decades have formed one of the most motivated voting blocs in the Republican Party. Starmers biographer Tom Baldwin said this week that Starmer, who heads up Britains new center-left government, had found the portrait unsettling and asked for it to be taken down, according to a report read more Britains new Prime Minister Keir Starmer drew sharp criticism from Conservatives after he removed a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from her former study in No. 10 Downing Street. According to a Politico report, Starmer was branded petty and nasty for shifting a 100,000 Richard Stone painting of the late Tory prime minister to another room in the official government residence. Starmers biographer Tom Baldwin revealed this week that Starmer, who leads Britains new center-left government, found the portrait unsettling and requested its removal, added the report. Advertisement The Herald was the first to report these comments. The move provoked swift condemnation from Conservative figures and dominated the front pages of right-leaning newspapers, including the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph. Im not at all surprised hes done this. He wouldnt want to be embarrassed by comparison with a far better prime minister, The Politico quoted right-wing veteran John Redwood, who led Thatchers policy unit, as telling Daily Mail. Redwood criticised Starmer as pessimistic, negative and nasty. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith also criticised Starmer, calling him petty and accusing him of catering to his hard Left supporters. Addressing the controversy on Friday, government minister Jacqui Smith said her boss, who had previously praised Thatcher for bringing meaningful change to the UK, cant win. A few months ago he was being criticized for talking about Margaret Thatchers legacy and the elements of her leadership that he respected, and now hes being criticized for asking for a few pictures to be moved around, The Politico quoted Smith as telling GB News. She clarified that a portrait of Thatcher remains in a Downing Street gallery with all former prime ministers. Just to be clear, there are portraits of Margaret Thatcher as there are of all previous prime ministers in No. 10, she added. And that, of course, is absolutely right. Advertisement The portrait of Thatcher by Stone has a notable bipartisan history. It was commissioned by then-Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009 to honor the achievements of the right-wing leader. With inputs from agencies The commander of Ukraines air force said on Friday that it had shared with U.S. partners a preliminary report about an F-16 jet crash that took place on Monday. read more In this photo taken Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. - File Photo- AP US experts have joined a probe launched by Ukraine into the crash of an F-16 warplane that Ukraine recently received from its Western allies. The aircraft went down earlier this week during a Russian bombardment, the countrys air force commander said Friday. Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that a detailed analysis is already being conducted into why the fighter jet went down on Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine. Advertisement We must carefully understand what happened, what the circumstances are, and whose responsibility it is, Oleshchuk wrote in the post. The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that the F-16 crashed and its pilot died while approaching a target during a major Russian air strike on Monday. A US defense official told Reuters that Mondays crash did not appear to be the result of Russian fire, and possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure were still being investigated. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said on Thursday that the U.S. had not been asked to participate in any type of investigation to look into the F-16 incident. The arrival of the first F-16 jets was a milestone for Ukraine in the fight against the full-scale invasion Russia launched 2-1/2 years ago. Military analysts say the planes wont be a game-changer in the war, given Russias massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems. But Ukrainian officials welcomed the supersonic jets, which can carry modern weapons used by NATO countries, for bringing an opportunity to hit back at Russias air superiority. Oleshchuk, the Ukrainian air force chief, directed scathing criticism at a lawmaker who is deputy head of the Ukraine parliaments defense committee for her claims that the F-16 was downed by a Patriot air defense system. Ukraine has received an unspecified number of the U.S.-made systems. Mariana Bezuhla cited unnamed sources for her claim and demanded punishment for those responsible for the error. Advertisement Oleshchuk accused Bezuhla of defaming the air force and discrediting U.S. arms manufacturers, adding that he hoped she would face legal consequences for her claims. The air force didnt directly deny that the F-16 was hit by a Patriot missile. The Institute for the Study of War said it was to be expected that Ukraine would lose some Western-provided military equipment in the fighting. With inputs from agencies. The US State Department did not name the individuals it was sanctioning, only saying they participated in obstructing life-saving humanitarian aid through the taxation of aid shipments. read more The United States on Friday announced visa sanctions on an unspecified number of individuals in South Sudan, including members of its government, who it accused of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to one of the worlds poorest countries. Governance in South Sudan has been undermined by corruption and ethnic fighting since a 2018 peace agreement ended five years of bloody civil war in the young nation, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Advertisement These persons may be found ineligible for entry into the United States, it said in a statement. It added that the United States was deeply concerned about the failure of South Sudans transitional government established in the 2018 deal to establish a system to fully implement its obligations under the peace agreement. In particular, it noted that the government was obliged to create an enabling environment to allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The 2018 deal paved the way for a power-sharing government and laid out a roadmap for political transition and elections. But in August 2022, South Sudans leaders agreed to extend the transitional period for another 24 months, to February 2025, and elections have been tentatively set for December 22 this year. However, key tenets of the agreement are still incomplete, including the creation of a national constitution. The US has announced plans to extend the Lobito Corridor, a key transport route traversing the mineral-rich regions of Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, right to the Indian Ocean shores of Tanzania, according to a report read more The US has announced plans to extend the Lobito Corridor, a key transport route traversing the mineral-rich regions of Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, right to the Indian Ocean shores of Tanzania, according to an African Business report. Launched in September 2023 by the US and its European allies, the Lobito Corridor links the rich mines of northern Zambia and southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Angolas Lobito port on the Atlantic coast. Following extensive discussions with these three countries, the US is now focusing on East Africa, seeking to extend the corridor further east. Advertisement Helaina Matza, the acting special coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment at the US State Department, who concluded a week-long visit to the DRC and Tanzania, revealed discussions about incorporating Tanzania into what she referred to as the Trans-Africa Corridor, which will facilitate the global export of copper, cobalt and other critical minerals. Our mission on this trip is to continue expanding the Trans-Africa Corridor. That includes relaunching our partnership with the DRC and engaging with the Tanzanian government and private sector on next steps towards extending the economic corridor to the Indian Ocean," African Business quoted Matza as saying. Matza said the US is working on getting a deeper understanding of how to best extend the Trans-Africa Corridor. We are working with the government and throughout the region and the private sector to really get a deeper understanding of what some of those local needs are and how to best extend the Trans-Africa Corridor, both physically by the backbone rail that we have helped invest in, but by thinking about important layered projects that help leverage what happens when you actually bring down the amount of time it takes to transit in a region, Matza added. Matza also highlighted other investments within the corridor, including the US Development Finance Corporations $250 million commitment to refurbish Angolas Benguela rail line. Additionally, a new project will build 800 km of greenfield rail across Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, described by Matza as the most ambitious commercially led infrastructure (project) on the continent that the US has supported. Advertisement These projects will require substantial funding. According to the report, citing the Harvard International Review estimates, the corridors total cost will be between $1 billion and $2.3 billion. So far, the African Development Bank has pledged $500 million, and Italy has committed $320 million, said Matza Fundraising for the greenfield rail is ongoing, with commercial lenders being sought and pre-booked capacity offered to attract investors. Race for critical minerals The corridor is being seen as a crucial project for the US and its allies to enhance access to Africas critical minerals. The International Energy Agency projects that between 2020 and 2040, demand for nickel and cobalt will grow 20-fold, graphite 25-fold, and lithium over 40-fold. These minerals are vital for transitioning from fossil fuels and advancing technology, reported African Business. Advertisement In November 2023, the EU, US, Angola, DRC, Zambia, the African Development Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to outline the corridors expansion. A key objective is to connect Copperbelt mines directly to the Atlantic Ocean, cutting export time and costs from the current trucking route to South African ports, added the report. Matza said that reducing travel from 45 days to 36 hours could revolutionise the market. The USs heavy reliance on China for these minerals makes it vulnerable to export restrictions. While US leaders stress the need for greater self-sufficiency, Wala Chabala from the Africa Policy Research Institute said the US and EU lag behind China, which secured significant supplies and built supply chains over the past decade. Advertisement Moreover, China is set to take over the Tazara railway concession that connects the copper belt to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam after talks with Zambian and Tanzanian governments earlier this year. Will Africans benefit? African leaders have called for greater value from investments by China and other nations. Countries like Congo and Zambia, with their young populations, seek involvement not just in raw material exports but also in upgrading these materials into batteries and other components. When asked if the minerals produced along the corridor would be processed and refined in African countries, Matza did not offer concrete commitments but recognised the desire of African nations to advance up the value chain. Advertisement Its not about, for us, extracting raw ore. In fact, were thinking about how we help finance the ecosystem for beneficiation in country, in other partner countries to be part of the global battery ecosystem as it continues to develop, African Business quoted her as saying. With inputs from agencies The US Trade Representatives office said in a statement that it will work with Canada to resolve U.S. concerns over the new tax enacted in June, through the consultations. But if an agreement cannot be reached after 75 days, it may request a dispute settlement panel under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement on Trade. read more The request for consultations is the first step in the USMCA's dispute resolution process, which ultimately could lead to the imposition of retaliatory U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada. File Image- Reuters The United States on Friday requested dispute settlement talks with Canada over a recently introduced digital services tax, said the Biden-Harris administration, adding that the discriminatory tax appears inconsistent with Canadas North American trade deal obligations. The tax, enacted by an order in late June, would be a three-percent levy on large or multinational companies such as Alphabet, Amazon and Meta that provide digital services to Canadians. It was forecast in the 2024 federal budget to bring in Can$5.9 billion (US$4.2 billion) over five years. Advertisement US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, however, said Washington was against such taxes. The United States opposes unilateral digital service taxes that discriminate against U.S. companies, she said, adding in a statement that the USTR was taking action to address Canadas discriminatory policies. The USTR charges that Canadas tax appears to be inconsistent with its commitments under the cross-border trade in services and investment chapters of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The settlement talks have been requested under the USMCA. If both sides cannot resolve US concerns within 75 days, Washington may ask to convene a dispute settlement panel to look into the matter. Canadas Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in July that the country was following the lead of other G7 nations such as Britain, France and Italy. Ottawa had proposed the tax in 2019 but held off implementing it to allow for the conclusion of talks on a global treaty on taxing multinationals. Those negotiations dragged on without a deal, and its simply not reasonable, not fair for Canada to indefinitely put our own measures on hold, Freeland said. With inputs from agencies. Russians who still share Western values are being told to choose sides and support their warring homeland or risk being victimised by the West, in the same way that Telegram boss Pavel Durov was supposedly victimised by being arrested in France read more Russians who still share Western values are being told to choose sides and support their warring homeland or risk being victimised by the West, in the same way that Telegram boss Pavel Durov was supposedly victimised by being arrested in France. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur, with his multiple passports and global ambitions for his messaging platform, was once idolised by cosmopolitan Russians who, before the Ukraine conflict, bet their future on ties with the West, working in multinational firms and travelling the globe. Advertisement After Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, many lost their jobs as multinational businesses pulled out, and hundreds of thousands fled Russia to build a new life elsewhere. But prominent Russian leaders have long told them that they made the wrong choice. This [Durovs detention] is the latest evidence that neutrality during a total world war is impossible for anyone to maintain, said philosopher Alexander Dugin, widely seen as one of the main ideologues of the Ukraine war. There are two irreconcilable worlds at odds with each other: us and them. And there is a chasm between us. Dual citizenships, blurred loyalties, manoeuvring between camps - all of this is in the past, Dugin said on Telegram. You are either with us or against us. His remarks echo appeals to Russians who fled the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 by Soviet emissaries who tried to convince them to return home or become foreign agents for the NKVD secret police. Durov, a 39-year-old billionaire based in Dubai, had been hailed at home as the Russian version of Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg or Amazons Jeff Bezos. It is not clear whether or not he maintained links with the Kremlin. But he is now under investigation in France for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, drug trafficking, images of child sex abuse and fraud. Advertisement Russia, where media are tightly controlled and dissenting voices are suppressed, says this gives the lie to Western assertions that free speech is sacrosanct. A lawyer representing Durov 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 abided by European laws. Different blood Durovs critics in Russia now say that any Russian who falls for what they regard as false Western values could be victimised in the West, although France says his arrest stems from its independent judiciary and is therefore apolitical. He [Durov] is Russian, and therefore unpredictable and dangerous. Of different blood. Definitely not Musk or Zuckerberg, said Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian former president once regarded as pro-Western. Advertisement A video recorded by the late outspoken politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky when addressing Durov in 2018 went viral in Russia after his detention. A foreign land does not accept you, Pasha. Here at home, its both more interesting and more fun, Zhirinovsky is heard saying in the video, using a diminutive of the name Pavel. This view has been shared by many Russian Telegram users who have rallied around the flag of what has become known as Fortress Russia since the start of what the Kremlin calls its special military operation in Ukraine. Members of the Russian public are regularly told by state media to view sympathisers with the West as potential traitors. Advertisement This will be a good lesson for those kinds of people who are trying to sit on several chairs at once, said Irina, a Moscow resident who declined to be identified by her last name for fear of retribution. The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that India has always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. read more MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already indicated India's willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace.-Image- FP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy has proposed a peace summit in India to push a plan to end the war with Russia. The proposal was put to PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Ukraine last week, Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter, asking not to be identified discussing private talks. Zelenskiyy is seeking to convene a second gathering of world leaders before the US presidential election in November, building on the momentum from a summit held in June. The purpose of the June meeting is to garner support from nations in the Global South for Ukraines position in its ongoing conflict with Russia, which has lasted for over two and a half years. Advertisement A potential gathering in India would be seen as a significant step forward for Kyiv, as India has thus far been cautious about supporting Ukraines initiative due to Russias exclusion. During his visit on August 23, PM Modi expressed support for Ukraines sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, but has yet to confirm whether India will host the proposed meeting, the people told Bloomberg. The diplomatic effort has taken on new urgency as Russian forces have taken control of what it described as the strategically important logistics hub of Niu-York in eastern Ukraine, part of Moscows grinding drive to capture the entire Donetsk region and Ukrainian forces crashed through Russias western border into the Kursk region on Aug. 6 in a surprise offensive that is continuing. With both sides on the offensive, a diplomatic resolution to the full-blown conflict that began with Russias invasion in February 2022 remains a distant prospect. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that India has always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The statement came days after PM Narendra Modi returned from his visit to Ukraine where he had met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and advocated Indias stand on achieving peace through dialogue. While addressing a weekly media briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already indicated Indias willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. He noted that the decision on when and how to begin peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. Advertisement When asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked India to host Peace Summit, Jaiswal said, We have always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict. This is evident in our approach. In our outreach to both Russia and Ukraine at the highest level, PM has already indicated Indias willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. However, it is too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage. The decision to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. As friends and partners, we would support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace. So that is our stand on the question that you raised, he added. Advertisement Russia had separately announced the formation of new military groupings in Kursk and two other border regions as it tries to repel the incursion without diverting forces from front lines deep inside Ukraine. Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said a new coordinating body had already begun working round the clock to liaise between regional authorities, troop commanders and the defence ministry. But the timing of his announcement - a full two weeks after Ukrainian forces smashed through Russias western border - served to emphasise the delayed nature of Moscows response. He did not say why such smooth coordination had not been possible previously. Zelenskyy had expressed confidence that India had a role in bringing peace to the conflict-ridden region. Ukraine has expressed openness to including Russia in the process, though the Kremlin has repeatedly made clear it has no intention of engaging with Kyivs blueprint. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Wellington, Aug 30 (UNI) New Zealand's Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died on Friday at age 69, days after marking the 18th anniversary of his leadership. Tuheitia died in hospital while recovering from heart surgery, and he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, according to local media reports. Minister of Maori Development Tama Potaka said Tuheitia was not only a symbol of unity and resilience for Maori, but an advocate of all New Zealanders growing together. Samsung has announced its new Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator series in India, complementing the recent launch of Bespoke AI front-load washing machines. Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator Series Samsungs new refrigerator lineup is designed to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers with advanced AI features. SmartThings AI Energy Mode: This mode optimizes energy use by analyzing usage patterns, potentially reducing energy consumption by up to 10%. It helps in managing energy efficiency and reduces costs by ensuring appliances, including the refrigerator, operate at peak performance. SmartThings Home Care: This feature diagnoses recurring issues by comparing past and current operations. It provides tips for maintenance to ensure the refrigerator remains in optimal condition, enhancing energy efficiency and extending its lifespan. Smart Lighting: The refrigerator features a dimming mode for gradual lighting and gentle lighting that adjusts brightness via the SmartThings App. The night light mode adjusts its brightness automatically according to the time of day. Convertible 5-in-1: The Convertible 5-in-1 mode offers five conversion settings to adapt to different storage needs, providing ample space for groceries and leftovers. Twin Cooling Plus: This system, featuring two evaporators and fans, maintains separate cooling for the fridge and freezer sections. It provides up to 70% moisture retention, prevents odour mixing, and helps keep food fresh longer. Active Fresh Filter+: The Active Fresh Filter+ purifies the air inside the fridge, removing up to 99.99% of bacteria. It also neutralizes odours and constantly sterilizes the air through an activated carbon filter. Power Cool and Power Freeze: These functions allow for rapid cooling and freezing, quickly chilling drinks or freezing food when needed. Digital Inverter Compressor: This compressor ensures consistent cooling, reduces energy waste, and minimizes wear and tear. It comes with a 20-year warranty for reliable, long-term performance. Pricing and Availability The Bespoke AI Double Door Refrigerator series is available in three capacities: 396L: Rs. 64,990 419L: Rs. 69,990 465L: Rs. 72,990 These refrigerators come in Glass and Steel Finishes, including Black Glass, Black Matt, Luxe Black, Elegant Inox, and Refined Inox. They are available for purchase on Samsung.com, retail stores, and various e-commerce platforms. Speaking about the launch, Saurabh Baishakhia, Senior Director of Digital Appliances Business at Samsung India, stated, Nokia has announced the expansion of its Fixed Networks R&D facility in Chennai, supported by the Tamil Nadu government. This new lab will be one of Nokias largest globally and the biggest for its Fixed Networks division, highlighting the companys commitment to advancing technologies that bridge the digital divide and connect underserved regions. Key Areas of Focus The expanded facility will bolster Nokias work on 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G PON technologies, Fixed Wireless Access, Wi-Fi, and MDU solutions, as well as access networks and home controllers. This investment will enhance Nokias technological innovations and capabilities in these areas. Support from Tamil Nadu Government The Tamil Nadu government has played a crucial role in this expansion by providing essential infrastructure, regulatory, and policy support. This collaboration highlights Chennais growing significance as a technological hub and its strategic importance in Nokias global operations. Formal Agreement A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalize the expansion, with the agreement exchanged between Guidance Tamil Nadu and Nokia. The signing ceremony was attended by M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and Dr. T. R. B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, in San Francisco, California, USA. Speaking at the event, Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa, Honble Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said: Today, Tamil Nadu has become a leading global destination for R&D and technology services. Nokias long-standing partnership with Tamil Nadu is a point of pride, and it is significant that this new facilityNokias largest fixed network lab globallywill be in Chennai. This achievement is a testament to the transformative initiatives of Honourable Chief Minister Thiru. M. K. Stalin, such as Naan Mudhalvan and the Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022, which have driven substantial investments. We aim to maintain this momentum and create high-value employment opportunities for our youth. Speaking at the event about the expansion, Vimalkumar Kothandaraman, Head of Fixed Networks for Asia Pacific at Nokia, said: Brasilia, Aug 30 (UNI) US entrepreneur Elon Musk's X social media service has said it refuses to comply with "illegal orders" from a court in Brazil and expects to be shut down in the country. The G1 news portal reported Thursday that Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes had ordered Musk to notify the court within 24 hours who will be X's new legal representative in Brazil, otherwise the social network would be suspended. "Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents," X's Global Government Affairs team said on X. It said the judge threatened X's Brazilian legal representative with imprisonment. "When we attempted to defend ourselves in court, Judge de Moraes threatened our Brazilian legal representative with imprisonment. Even after she resigned, he froze all of her bank accounts. Our challenges against his manifestly illegal actions were either dismissed or ignored. Judge de Moraes colleagues on the Supreme Court are either unwilling or unable to stand up to him," the team said. The team added that it would not comply with "illegal orders." "In the days to come, we will publish all of Judge de Moraes illegal demands and all related court filings in the interest of transparency. Unlike other social media and technology platforms, we will not comply in secret with illegal orders," it said. Musk said later in the day that Starlink would continue to support the Brazilian armed forces despite the Brazilian court's decision to freeze its accounts. "Starlink will continue to support the Brazilian military even though our bank accounts in Brazil have been illegally frozen by Judge De Voldemort," Musk wrote on X, adding that SpaceX will provide internet service to users in Brazil for free until the matter is resolved. He added that many remote schools and hospitals rely on Starlink. Brazilian media previously reported that Starlink accounts in Brazil had been frozen due to the lack of an X's legal representative. Musk has claimed that X and Starlink are legally separate entities. Therefore, he argues that the Brazilian court's decision to freeze Starlink accounts is illegal. UNI/SPUTNIK AT AKS 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. 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. The first Polish F-35 fighter unveiled Poland - Ministry of National Defence 28.08.2024 "The unveiling of the first Polish F-35 fighter plane is another milestone in the transformation of the Polish Armed Forces. Modern, excellently equipped, trained and led troops that together with our allies will ensure the safety of our Homeland. I have no doubt that this event happens in a key moment, as the global security situation shifts drastically ever since the Russian agression on Ukraine. We all have to be ready to defend the borders of NATO" - deputy minister Pawe Bejda said during the visit in Fort Worth. On August 28th, the Polish Air Force Day, an official unveiling of the first F-35 plane purchased by Poland took place in the US. Deputy minister Pawe Bejda, who led the Polish delegation, took part in the ceremony, alongside deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk and representatives of the commanders of the Polish Air Force. Poland had signed a contract for 32 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II planes. Beyond the fighters themselves, the contract encompasses spare engines, mission simulators, service support and pilot and ground crews training. Speaking on the security threats and challenges before the Polish Armed Forces, deputy minister Bejda stressed: "Facing the violations of our airspace, cyberattacks and other provocations we have to commit the appropriate resources in order to defend ourselves from these direct threats. As part of our efforts we are committed to strengthening border security, focusing on the challenges connected to illegal migration and hybrid warfare. Shield East is one of the largest investments in national security and border defense in the post-war history of Poland. The ongoing transformation of the Polish Armed Forces plays a key role in overcoming the aforementioned challenges. We work tirelessly to improve our capabilities in every domain - on land, at sea, in air, outer space and cyberspace. These are not just words. Poland commits 4% of its GDP to defence, and is a leader of NATO in this respect. This is not an easy task considering the overall budget expenses and the econom still recovering from the challenges which we have faced in the last few years. However, I am happy that defence spending is met with popular approval. This spending allows us to pursue an ambitious programme of modernization and transformation of the Polish Armed Forces, one effect of which you can all see today". Deputy minister Bejda underscored the good military cooperation between Poland and the US, both bilateral and as part of NATO. He spoke of the necessity to strengthen the cooperation in the areas of arms production and defence industry. "I would like to stress that we greatly value the United States as a stalwart and reliable ally and our main partner in building our defence capabilities. The support we receive plays a key role in the modernization of our defence equipment. This partnership grants us access to the latest technologies and training. Our main modernization programmes concern the PATRIOT and HIMARS systems, ABRAMS tanks, APACHE helicopters, ISR aerostats and of course the F-35 planes. There is no doubt that this cooperation is beneficial to both sides - Poland has access to the best defence equipment available, and the US industry can further expand its presence in Europe. It would be even more profitable for all of us if the US defence companies invested in Poland more. As a user of US flagship products in most domains I declare that there are no limits in the military-technological and industrial cooperation between Poland and the US" - deputy minister Bejda added. The secretary of state in the Ministry of National Defence emphasized that thanks to the F-35 planes the Polish Armed Forces have joined the elite that strengthens the defence capabilities of this part of Europe. We can be proud that our F-35s, the Polish F-35s will be a part of it. Poland will receive 32 F-35 planes, that in conjunction with our F-16s will bolster our ability to defend the eastern border of Poland and the eastern flank of NATO. It is our task to build a larger and more advanced air fleet that will overcome the new challenges. In his speech the deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk emphasized the role of the security alliance between Poland and the US. "Today's ceremony is a major milestone in the long process of introducing the F-35s to the Polish Armed Forces. I would like to thank the US government and the US Congress for the political support, thanks to which this can happen" - deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk said during the ceremony "Poland is the only country in the world with a common border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. In order to keep these borders as they are, we need the best equipment, the best capabilities and the best friends. And as my American friends often say: "A true friend is the one who arrives when the rest of the world walks away - said deputy minister Cezary Tomczyk. "The alliance of Poland and the United States remains - as ever - solid. We are very proud that Poland and the Polish Armed Forces become part of the elite and are joining to the great F-35 family. It is also highly symbolic, especially today, on the Day of the Polish Air Force. F-35 is the best fighter plane in the world, and it is what we truly need" - the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defence said. Thanks to the acquisition of F-35 planes Poland joins an exclusive, elite group of countries operating these machines. These planes are notable for their interoperability, cooperating with the PATRIOT systems and the F-16 fighters, which the Polish Armed Forces owns, among others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 Transcript Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Conference DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Welcome back. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. Just a few things at the top and then happy to take your questions. First, Secretary Austin welcomed Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Kosiniak-Kamysz to the Pentagon today. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and how Putin's war of choice continues to threaten our shared security. The secretary commended Poland for its exceptional leadership on Ukraine, including providing vital logistics support and substantial security assistance. The secretary also thanked the deputy prime minister for supporting the nearly 10,000 American troops deployed in Poland that ensure NATO can deter, and if necessary, defend against aggression. Secretary Austin also spoke by phone with his Romanian counterpart Minister of National Defense Tilvar earlier today. They discussed the strength of the US Romania bilateral defense relationship, our partnership within NATO and Russia's war in Ukraine. The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to bolstering the defense of NATO's eastern flank and reiterated their continued support for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression. A full readout of both the Secretary's bilat and phone call will be posted later today on Defense.gov. Speaking of Ukraine, tomorrow, Secretary Austin will host Ukrainian Minister of Defense Umerov here at the Pentagon. While I won't get ahead of that meeting, I will say that you can expect the secretary to reaffirm the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He will also receive a battlefield update including on Kursk and looking to next week, Secretary Austin will travel to Ramstein to host an in-person meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. This will be the 24th meeting of the UDCG since Secretary Austin formed the group in April 2022. The secretary will be joined by Chairman Brown and Ramstein and will convene ministers of defense and senior military officials from nearly 50 nations to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the continued close coordination by the international community to provide Ukraine with the necessary means it needs to defend itself. Switching gears to the Middle East. Earlier this week the Cape Trinity arrived from Cyprus to the port of Ashdod and has begun the process of unloading the remaining pallets of humanitarian aid and that's approximately six million pounds of aid to be distributed within Gaza. The offloading process is expected to take between four to six days. Once complete, the Cape Trinity is slated to make a stop in Greece to unload a portion of its crew and then will depart for its home station. Switching gears again, the Department of Defense recently received a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security for additional military support capabilities to be afforded to major presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The secretary of defense approved the request and directed the commander of US Northern Command to plan and provide and execute increased support to the United States Secret Service at various locations across the United States during the 2024 election campaigns. The Department of Defense will provide protective support and that will continue through the election on November 5th, 2024, with anticipated continued support to the president elect and vice president elect through the inauguration of January 20, 2025. And finally, yesterday the 2024 Paralympic Games officially kicked off with opening ceremonies in Paris. This year, the department is proud to be cheering on three US service member athletes who will be competing in these Paralympic Games. US Army Sergeant First Class John Ross and US Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen will compete in the 50 meter mixed rifle event. And US Army Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks will compete in seven different swimming events. On behalf of the department, we're rooting for you. Go team USA. And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. Tara? Q: Sabrina? All right. I've got three topics for you, but first on the extra support to Secret Service. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: What does that mean in practical terms? Are we going to see National Guardsmen patrolling sites? What's been asked for? MS. SINGH: For more specifics on that, Tara, I would direct you to the National Guard and Secret Service. I don't have that level of specificity. So actually, I think Secret Service could better speak to their request on that, so I'd direct you there. Q: All right. And under what authorities are they operating? MS. SINGH: I direct you to Secret Service on that. Q: OK. Secondly, to get back to the third anniversary of Abbey Gate and the Trump campaign's appearance at Arlington National Cemetery, US federal law says that Army National Cemeteries will not be used in partisan or political activities. Did the Trump campaign break the law by filming an ad there? MS. SINGH: Look, for anything regarding any campaign ads, I would direct you to the campaign to speak to that, to the Trump campaign. What I can tell you is that, and I think the Army recently put out a statement earlier today, that kind of went through what exactly happened in the incident. You can go on Arlington National Cemetery's website. It's very clear the rules and regulations. What I'll say about the mission of those that work at Arlington National Cemetery, these are people who are dedicated to honoring our fallen heroes and they maintain that hallowed ground. They work with the families in honoring those who have had their loved one lost. I'm just not going to go beyond what the Army has said, other than that there was a report that was filed. But subsequently, that person decided not to press charges and so we're just going towe stand by the Army's statement that this matter is closed. Q: Why would the Army close the matter? If the person has decided not to press charges, the Army could still pursue it without that person pressing charges. But secondly, the fact of filming an ad on a national cemetery, if the Army doesn't further pursue this with either civil penalties or whatever can be done, what's to stop the next person from filming a political ad there? MS. SINGH: Well, what I would say is the rules are very, very clear. They're also online and available on the Arlington National Cemetery website. That is really a decision that the Army has to make. That's not one that the department is making. That's for the Army to make. The Army considers this matter closed. The department stands behind the army on that. Jen? Q: So Sabrina, I'm trying to understand. In your understanding, what happened at the cemetery. MS. SINGH: Yeah, and also, I'm sorry, you had also, just to go back to your earlier question on under the authorities, I direct you to the National Guard on that because it's going to vary on location. So I'm sorry, I should have been a little bit more specific. I would justthe National Guard under what authorities those guardsmen are going to operate. In terms of your question on what exactly happened, I'd refer you to the Army to speak more to the actual incident itself. My understanding is that the families had invited a few guests to attend a ceremony earlier this week. And there was some type of incident that happened between an employee at the ANC and a member that was traveling with another group's party. For more details on that, I'd refer you to the army to speak to that incident. Q: Incident is a very sanitized word. What actually happened? MS. SINGH: From my understanding Q: Was it verbal assault? Who did what? MS. SINGH: From my understanding and from what the army said is that an ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to the rules of the ANC was pushed aside. The employee acted with professionalism and decorum, but there was a bit of an incident that did happen. Q: So, there are two different issues here. There's a potential assault charges that the person has decided not to bring, but there's also federal law that was broken, as Tara mentioned, filming a campaign ad or using campaign propaganda with the backdrop of these of the cemetery. Can't the department refer that to the Justice Department for pursuit? MS. SINGH: That's really yes, that can happen, but that is a decision that the army would have to make and that's not my understanding is that the army is considering this matter closed. But in terms of just to get to your broader question on political ads, that's not something that the department has a say over. That's something that gets adjudicated at the FEC level and between campaigns. So, that for anything that's used in an ad, I would refer you to the campaigns to speak to that. Q: It is a federal law not to use what is essentially a base that is controlled by this department and the Defense Secretary could overrule the Army. Why is he deciding not to overrule or get involved in this? MS. SINGH: Look, what we want to focus on is the fact that the people that work at the Arlington National Cemetery every single day do so with dignity, work to preserve the memories of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and ultimately work with the families who visit Arlington National Cemetery. And you know, there are nearly I think it's like 3,000 public ceremonies that are conducted at Arlington National Cemetery every single year without incident. The rules and regulations are very, very clear. What happened earlier this week is very unfortunate. It's really the decision for the army to make and to pursue any other path forward. The department right now is not doing that and the army, we stand behind the army in considering this matter closed. Okay. Q: Sorry, but on the National Guard Association appearance by former President Trump, there were National Guardsmen in uniform who stood up and cheered what was a political speech at the event, a campaign style speech. Is that against the rules? MS. SINGH: I believe that was a I don't know enough about that event honestly, so I just don't want to speak to it from here. I'm happy to look into that and come back to you, yeah, if it is against the rules. Oren? Q: Ukraine lost an F-16. Has Ukraine communicated that to the US? Does the US have any sense of whether it was downed by Russian fire or by something else? And has Ukraine asked the US for any assistance in the investigation? MS. SINGH: I've seen the reports, I'm not aware of any assistance or requests for assistance from the Ukrainian side to us about this particular incident. But I'd refer you to the Ukrainians more to speak to any specifics on this pilot. Yes? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. A little bit of background on the question is American troops are being attacked in Syria, Iraq and from Yemen. Terrorists in those countries are also attacking Israel. So, whose responsibility is it to stop the attack the attacks and the attackers? And I have a follow up. MS. SINGH: That's a pretty broad question, but as you know, since October 7, we have been postured to defend Israel. I'm not going to go through the all the things that we have done in terms of moving our forces to the region to deescalate tensions. What I can tell you is that our forces, as you probably are aware, we have two carrier strike groups in the Central Command AOR. We also have assets in the Eastern Mediterranean. They're there to protect our forces. They're also there to help defend Israel should we need to defend Israel. And of course, we will always take care of our troops, whether they be in Iraq and Syria, and we've maintained the force protection to do that. And you had a follow up? Q: Yeah, the follow up is since terrorist groups within Syria, Iraq and Yemen are proxies of Iran, then why isn't the Pentagon stopping the source which is Iran? MS. SINGH: So, I will tell you that we always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing when we have been attacked, whether it be in Iraq or Syria, we have responded and I'm just going to leave it at that. I will go to the phones and I'm happy to come back in the room. Idrees, Reuters. Q: Hey, Sabrina, just, I mean, you know quite well getting a statement through the different layers can be quite tricky. Given that this was quite an extraordinary statement and quite rare for the army to come out and say what it did say, did they go through OSD? Did they go through the White House before putting the statement out? Or were you not aware of it and was the secretary not aware of it before it was put out? MS. SINGH: You want us to go through an approval process checklist of internal deliberations, Idrees? I'm just not going to do that. But we are aware of the statement that the army issued and we support what the army said. All right, next question, J.J. Green, WTOP. Q: Thanks, Sabrina, for this. To the question about the F-16 that crashed in Ukraine killing the pilot. Can you say how many F-16 US made F-16s are in Ukraine or are on their way or will be sent there? And what, if anything, can you say about that incident more than what you said to Oren? MS. SINGH: JJ, unfortunately this will not be very satisfactory to you, but I'm just not going to get into numbers of how many F-16s are in Ukraine. That's something for them to speak to. That opens up a lot of operational security issues as well. So, I'm just not going to be able to speak to that. In terms of the incident and the pilot that has been referenced in that Oren had asked about earlier, I'm just not going to be able to provide more. That's really something for Ukraine to speak to. We have been, as you know, training pilots here in the United States. I will say that, broadly speaking, combat aviation is incredibly complex. And we've been very proud to train some of the pilots here in the United States and not just here, but our partners and allies through the UDCG are also training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. And every day that they fly those aircraft, these are brave men and women going up there to defend their skies and to defend their country. And so, we're very proud to have been part of training some of those here in the United States, but I just don't have more to add on that particular incident, I'll take one more from the phone and then happy to come into the room. Sorry, I think Eric Schmitt, New York Times. Charlie. Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Going back to the F-16, American trained pilot, American equipped F-16s, including I think a new electronics warfare package, American advised, which is still going on, are you telling me we're not tracking? We don't have the reason for what happened when it has consequence for the United States? MS. SINGH: I'm just telling you that I cannot confirm the incident. I'd refer you to the Ukrainians to speak to their own operations. Q: But we, as the United States, are tracking the F-16s that we MS. SINGH: Appreciate the question, but I'm just not going to get into any more specifics about the incident. Q: Changing gears, as you say, it seems the Houthis have been acting up again. Do we have a force presence in the Red Sea? MS. SINGH: Through Operation Prosperity Guardian between the US and our allies and partners, we always maintain a presence within the Red Sea. I can't speak to specific ships that are there right now, but we do have, through partners and allies, a presence there. Janne? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Two questions. It is reported that North Korea registered 13 submarines with the International Maritime Organization. This can be seen as an intention to wage war overseas. What do you think of the background to this? MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of that report, Janne, so I just don't have anything to offer on that one. Yeah, sure you have a follow up? Yeah. Q: North Korean Kim Jong Un declared support for Putin's war in Ukraine and could this be seen having international military training in mind such as with North Korea, Russia or China? MS. SINGH: That's really for North Korea to speak to. It's not a surprise that North Korea has pledged support to Russia. We've spoken about that pretty publicly. We've spoken about the fact that DPRK continues to provide capabilities to Russia that they're using on the battlefield in Ukraine. We can only really speak to what we're doing. And you know what we're doing, Janne, is through the UDCG. The Secretary convenes 50 countries and partners around the world to support Ukraine on what it needs on the battlefield. There's going to be another meeting next week. That's another opportunity for allies and partners to come together to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs on the battlefield, but I'm just not going to speak for the DPRK. Yeah? Q: Thank you very much, Sabrina. There have been domestic criticism that USA is spending too much as compared to its allies, to protect the interests of allies. Even Donald Trump said that it will insist NATO members to spend at least three of their GDP on defense. Do you think so that is this because of the leading role of the US, that Ukraine is able to do such advances and able to resist such attack till now? MS. SINGH: You're talking about countries increasing their defense spending? Q: Yes. Donald Trump said that I will insist NATO members to increase from two percent to three percent. Even NATO members are not spending two percent of their GDP on defense and US is spending measure [inaudible] defense. MS. SINGH: We actually have seen an increase of NATO members spending more when it comes to committing to meeting defense requirements. That's actually something that this administration has been leading on and urging allies, part of the NATO alliance to do just that. You've seen commitments come out of Vilnius last year. You saw the NATO summit here in Washington D.C. where multiple NATO countries announced further commitments to supporting Ukraine. So again, we're on the right track here. Countries are continuing to deepen their cooperation and knitting together their resources to support Ukraine. And it's been incredible to watch and that's something that you really did see come together at the Washington summit here over the summer. Q: Just one follow up. Turkey is also a NATO ally of the US. So Turkey has some kind of reservation, especially about the situation in Syria, some concerns in Syria. So has this administration able to address the concerns of Turkey? MS. SINGH: We have a great partner in Turkey. I can't speak to their criticisms or concerns other than to tell you that we work with Turkey on a regular basis, including with what is happening in the Middle East. I'm just going to leave it at that. Joseph. Q: Thanks. Secretary has routine conversations with his Israeli counterpart. Was he or anybody at the department notified ahead of the operations in the West Bank over the last 24 hours? MS. SINGH: To my knowledge, we were not notified about operations in the West Bank. We are aware that Israel or the IDF is conducting some type of operations there. We're trying to get a better understanding of what they're doing. But to my knowledge, we were not notified beforehand. Q: And then, yesterday there was a meeting between Arab military attaches and counterparts here at the Pentagon. Can you say anything more? Was that just a routine meeting? I mean, obviously with the context of everything and the backdrop of everything going on in the region, it seems to have come at a, I don't know, an interesting time. MS. SINGH: Yeah, my understanding is this was a working level meeting that happens routinely. I wouldn't read too much into the timing. It's just something that does happen. Q: General Ryder said that the ship that was attacked by the Houthis recently. MS. SINGH: The Sounion? Q: Yes, Sounion appeared to be leaking. The EU said yesterday and then today, they came out and said it's not leaking. So can you tell us anything about why the Pentagon assesses it to be leaking and the EU, not? MS. SINGH: So there isso what I will tell you is the tanker is carrying one million barrels of crude oil. Those barrels remain intact right now. The vessel itself is leaking some oil from where it was hit. There is still a fire going on, or multiple fires still burning on the ship itself. Those fires have not been able to have been put out by anyone because the Houthis are threatening to attack any type of salvage recovery mission right now. So those fires have the potential to spread, which has the potential to get to those oil barrels, which will then obviously leak potentially, one million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea, destroying major ecological systems and creating an environmental, I think, catastrophe is the only word to use. Yeah. Yes? Q: Thank you for opportunity. State Department designated terrorist group Baluch Liberation Army attacked Pakistan's South Western Province on August 26th, killed almost 70 people, including security personnels. So this group is like, has strong ties with al-Qaeda, Daesh and TTP [inaudible] and other [inaudible] that has strong ties with the Afghan Taliban. So it seems like the fault line that the US left in Kabul in a chaotic or traumatic withdrawal that are active now. So the question is US claimed many times, it builds Pakistani forces capacity to counter these groups. So at this moment, do you have anything for Pakistan. Any comments for Pakistan in this specific event? MS. SINGH: We strongly condemn any terrorist attack like that and of course our thoughts are with those who lost their lives during that attack, but I don't have anything beyond that. I'm not aware of any US involvement or assistance to Pakistan at this time. But if that changes, I can certainly let you know. Yeah. Q: Just one more. Chinese armed forces commander visited Pakistan and he awarded with a higher military award. So both sides discussed military engagement, specifically the defense production. As I asked before from the last briefing that both countries have shared technologies, and they are also thinking to expand it, like I asked regarding the JF-17 [inaudible] technology shared to Iraq. So the question is this administration left many loopholes with its Arab allies. We have seen with the Saudi Arabia. You left space over there. China gained there. They got normalization with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Now Pakistan is going closer with China. Anything on this, any reservation or any public reservation or private reservations you have? MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of that meeting, so I can't comment on it. Yeah? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. With regard to this Iranian attack in the region that we've been expecting for more than a month now and that hasn't happened. First of all, would you deem that as a success of the United States both in terms of diplomacy and military posture in the region that might have deterred it so far? And are you still expecting it, is the threat as real as it was a couple of weeks ago? Are you still alert? MS. SINGH: So a few things, as we've said, I don't have the prediction calendar crystal ball to predict and to forecast an attack. What I can tell you is I think we certainly got into the headspace of Iran and how they're making their calculations. You have two carrier strike groups in the region. 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. Whether that's impacted Iran's calculation, I think it has affected their decision-making. Will there be an attack, I just, I can't predict the future. I can't answer that. We remain postured though to protect our forces and of course if we need to, come to the defense of Israel. Q: If I can one more? Earlier this week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that since we've seen the Hezbollah attack, now we can say that there's less of a chance of a regional war. Do you share that assessment that Iran could also conduct an attack on a similar level, not something that's going to spark a regional war? Do you think their hands are tied a little bit because of the US military posture? Do you feel like that attack is going to be limited? MS. SINGH: Again, I can't predict what an attack would look like. What I can tell you is I don't think anyone wants to see a regional war. We certainly don't and that's why we've made the decisions, or the secretary has made the decisions to move different carrier strike groups throughout the region since October 7th to rotate different and to bolster our force posture and our force presence in the region. We announced like a month ago, we have another squadron of F-22s in the region. So we're going to continue to take the steps that we need to, to send a message of deterrence because that's ultimately what we're sending. And all the capabilities that we're sending, they are there to be defensive in nature. Beyond that, I can't predict what other actors will do, other than to say that we, the United States, do not want to see a broader regional war and we've said that from the very beginning. Yes. Q: Thank you. My question is about China. MS. SINGH: Okay. Q: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing yesterday and they agreed to have a telephone call of theater commanders in the near future. So can you give us a kind of a little bit more about the schedule of this phone call? And is secretary himself planning to have a phone call with his counterpart in the near future? MS. SINGH: So I don't have any calls to announce or preview today, but we certainly welcome any time that there are high level mil to mil calls between the PRC and the United States. You saw the national security adviser say just that in some of his readouts from his meetings. But when we have more calls to announce, we will. But I just don't have more at this time. Yes, sir. Q: Thank you very much. John Zevedy from Radio Pakistan. There were a series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, and you just spoke about it. How the US can help Pakistan in rooting out terrorism from that region? MS. SINGH: Look, we always remain willing to work with any nation that wants to root out a terrorist organization. We have good cooperation with the Pakistani government. But in terms of these attacks, I just I don't have anything for you other than that we, of course, condemn them. And should anything change in our cooperation with the Pakistani government, I'm happy to keep you updated on that, but I just don't have more to provide at this time. Q: Defense Minister was here and had meetings in this building. And a few months ago, he made a public statement that today's India goes to the safe havens [ph] of individuals who challenge India's territorial integrity and kill them. And after that statement, we have seen a killing of Sikh activists in Canada. And there was an assassination attempt on a US citizen, another Sikh activist in New York, [inaudible]. So, is there any discussion on that matter? Because India said they are still investigating that matter. There is one person arrested by the US authorities, Nikhil Gupta. So, any discussion about that? MS. SINGH: I don't have anything for you on that specifically. There was a readout that we put out after the meeting, just not going to get beyond that. Yes. Q: Thank you, Sabrina. Regarding the West Bank operation for the IDF, the United Nations Secretary Guterres described this military operation as like a dangerous development, and he asked to stop this, and he said already that's already an explosive [ph] situation. So, do you share with him his concerns? And especially when we see all the readout from Secretary Austin when he called his Israeli counterpart, he'd always ask to deescalate and don't take any steps that maybe make the escalation higher. So, what do you say about that? MS. SINGH: Well, that's something that I'll reiterate here is that we certainly don't want to see an escalation. We want to see tensions to de-escalate in the region. We are aware that the IDF is conducting operations in the West Bank, but again we don't have an understanding of what that exactly is. We're trying to learn more about their operation. The United States supports Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security. But as always, and as we will continue to say, it has to do so in a way that limits civilian casualties and limits damage to civilian infrastructure. And that's something that will always be imparted. And you've seen that message come through in the secretary's readouts with his counterpart. Yeah, yes. Q: Thank you. I have a couple on Ukraine. Today, Ukrainian foreign minister said that the Patriot systems announced for Ukraine previously by the partners have not yet been delivered. Could you speak more to that? What causes a delay here? MS. SINGH: A specific system by partners? Q: Those Patriot systems that were announced for Ukraine previously. MS. SINGH: There are Patriot systems operating within Ukraine, I would defer to them. Q: Most recently [off-mic]. MS. SINGH: We have I don't have anything to read out or announce on the Patriot system. We've committed to providing them to Ukraine. Look, we continue to work with them when it comes to providing security assistance. The Patriot is quite a big system that we are sourcing different materials and component pieces from other countries to help Ukraine. I'd let Ukraine speak to that more specifically, but what I can tell you is they are getting a regular supply and support of security assistance from the United States and other partners that are a part of the UDCG. So, I'm just going to leave it at that. You had other questions? Q: Are those deliveries, given the recent massive attacks from Russia MS. SINGH: I think we've certainly expedited delivery of not just the Patriot, but other systems and capabilities to Ukraine, including reordering some orders by that were designated for other countries. We've prioritized Ukraine. So, I'd actually push back on the fact that we haven't prioritized Ukraine as a country that needs it most. Noah? Q: I want to follow up on the CMC question. Was there any DOD involvement in that meeting whether through preparation or actually during the call or the meeting itself? MS. SINGH: On the CMC meeting? Q: Yeah, the vice chair. MS. SINGH: I mean that was an NSC led meeting, that was the national security adviser traveled to meet his counterparts. We of course engage at our level, but I'm not aware of any DOD participation. Q: And I know in the past there's been confusion about who the vice chair's counterpart is in the US, whether that's Secretary Austin or whether his counterpart is actually the Minister of National Defense there. Is this a sign that you think the Chinese are seeing the National Security Advisor as a more natural counterpart than the Secretary of Defense? MS. SINGH: I think it's a sign, Noah, that we are having broader and more frequent communications with the PRC, which is a good thing. We want to see that happen. The fact that the national security adviser, and again, I don't want to speak on behalf of the White House, but the fact that he was able to travel, engage with his counterpart, other officials, part of the government, that's a good thing that opens up communications lines here, allows us to maintain those mil-to-mil ties as well. I'm just going to leave it at that. Yeah. Q: Just a quick follow up, back on the F-16. Ukraine has acknowledged the loss of the F-16 and former Rep Adam Kinzinger has acknowledged that the pilot lost on Monday was one known by his call sign is Moonfish. He was one of two Ukrainian pilots that were actually very vocal here in the US pushing for fighter jets, going to training in Arizona. Is there any chance that this F-16 was brought down by friendly fire by one of the Ukrainian Patriot missiles, for example? MS. SINGH: So again, I can't confirm the I've seen the reporting, I just can't confirm it. I don't have that level of fidelity right now. So, in terms of if this pilot was killed and it was brought down by friendly fire, that I just can't speak to. That would really be something for the Ukrainians to speak to. The United States has not been asked to participate in any type of investigation to look into this incident. So, our role in this is that we continue to train and equip the Ukrainian pilots that come here for training. But I just when it comes to this particular incident, and I understand the frustration, but I just I don't have anything more to offer on it. Q: A follow on. With the F-16s that have been delivered, is there any sort of ongoing relationship or is the US tracking the F-16s, are you providing ongoing maintenance? Are they, you know? MS. SINGH: It's not just the United States. You have to remember that there's an air capability coalition that has been stood up that the US is, of course, a part of. So, it's not just the United States providing support. Absolutely the US military is working with the Ukrainians on what they need, whether it be maintenance or and that's telephonic or remote maintenance support and help. In terms of tracking the F-16s, I'm just I'm not going to get into that level of detail. But we are certainly working with the pilots and the Ukrainian military to make sure that they are able to fly and operate these F-16s in the best way possible and making sure that they're doing safely making sure that they're doing so safely. And we're providing that support and continuing to train. Okay, thanks, everyone. I'll leave it at that. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3890788/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held bilateral talks with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz to discuss the U.S.-Poland bilateral security relationship, Polish defense modernization, and the continued need for additional security assistance in Ukraine. Secretary Austin thanked Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz for the support Poland provides to the thousands of U.S. servicemembers deployed in Poland to bolster NATO's eastern flank. The leaders discussed the continued defense modernization of Poland and NATO, including the recent agreement between Poland and private industry to co-produce Patriot missile launchers. Both leaders noted the importance of increased defense spending to ensure readiness and reinforce deterrence. The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Ukrainian people, and to delivering the support needed to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia's brutal war. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3890860/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Bilateral Meeting With Poland's Minister of Defense Kosiniak-Kamysz SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN: Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, welcome to the Pentagon. MR. AUSTIN: It's great to see you again. Your visit celebrates and strengthens the deep security ties between our two countries. I'm proud of the important progress that we've made together at the recent NATO summit. You know, Poland has always understood that Putin's war of choice in Ukraine threatens our shared security. The United States and Poland, along with our allies and partners, stand together for a free and sovereign Ukraine. Poland has shown exceptional leadership on Ukraine, including providing vital logistics support and substantial security assistance, that has helped Ukraine defend itself against the Kremlin's assault. And I want to thank you personally, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, for your leadership of the Armor and Maneuver Capability Coalition within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Poland's investment in its national defense serves as an example to Europe and to the rest of the world. Now I understand that your team was in Texas yesterday and saw Poland's first F-35 aircraft come off the assembly line. This is a big step toward Poland fielding the most lethal and survivable fighter aircraft on Earth. The F-35 will improve your defensive capabilities, increase interoperability with allies, and help deter conflict. And let me also congratulate you on your acquisition of Apache helicopters. Now that will make Poland the largest Apache operator outside of the United States. And finally, I want to thank you and the Polish people for your tremendous support of our forces deployed in your country. Nearly 10,000 American troops operate in Poland, thanks to your support and your hospitality, and that ensures that NATO can deter and, if necessary, defend against aggression. So, thanks for all that you're doing to deepen our close cooperation between allies. And I look forward to a good discussion today. And with that, Mr. Minister, over to you. MR. KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It is my great pleasure to visit Washington D.C. and discuss the most important areas of our defense cooperation. Without a doubt, our bilateral relations have reached the greatest dimension in the history of the Polish-US alliance. In a rapidly changing world, security challenges have become more contested, complex and interconnected. As the NATO front line states, we are facing growing threats related to unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and hostile action on the border with Belarus. Poland, similar to the US, is fully committed to continuing support for our eastern neighbor, ensuring that Ukraine wins this war. We will discuss how to tailor our support to Ukrainian needs in the best possible way. No single country can face this threat alone and we truly appreciate the US's firm commitment to defending NATO allies. The US military presence in Poland is strong proof of the effective deterrence which is crucial for the security for all front-line countries. In particular, I am grateful for guarding Poland by the deployment of the most advanced US armaments such as Patriot batteries, Abrams tanks, F-35 aircraft and other fighter jets. The engagement of the US forces in Poland demonstrates how strong the partnership between our countries is. I am fully convinced that our future joint efforts will enhance the security of Poland, the United States and the entire alliance. I also appreciate progress in the military personnel exchange program, including flag officers from both sides. This is a prominent example of interoperable and pragmatic cooperation between the Polish and US armed forces. In order to be even better prepared for present and future challenges, we decided to transform the Polish armed forces in terms of the armament modernization and command and control system. What is more, Poland fulfills NATO obligations well beyond the requirements. We spent more than 4 percent of our GDP on defense; next year it will be 4.7 percent. This is the first place of all NATO countries, and we are really happy for that. We have to be ready to defend our territory and NATO's eastern flank. That is why we continue intensive programs dedicated to the modernization of the Polish armed forces by acquiring state of the art US military equipment. One of the key accomplishments in this area is recently signed contracts to acquire IBCS system aerostat and Apache helicopters. Yesterday, we witnessed the rollout of the first F-35 aircraft produced for Poland. Undoubtedly, this is a historic and meaningful moment for building credible defense capabilities of the Polish air forces and for increasing our interoperability. On the 13th of this month, we signed a contract for AH-64 Apache helicopters, which will significantly bolster the Polish armed forces. It is another meaningful step in tightening our bilateral relations and enhancing military industrial cooperation. Mr. Secretary, thank you for all the support from the United States of America. I'm looking forward to our fruitful discussion about the Polish-US strategic cooperation. MR. AUSTIN: Well, thanks for coming. We're delighted to have you here and, like you, I look forward to a great discussion. Thanks, everybody. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3890637/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Romanian Minister of National Defence Angel Tilvar Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with his Romanian counterpart, Minister of National Defence Angel Tilvar, to discuss the strength of the U.S.-Romania bilateral defense relationship, our partnership within NATO, and Russia's brutal war in Ukraine. The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to bolstering the defense of NATO's eastern flank as well as continued support for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression. Both leaders look forward to continued coordination through future bilateral and NATO engagements and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3890311/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers: Press remarks by High Representative upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 29.08.2024 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Well, here we are again back to Brussels after a very complicated summer. There are a lot of things happening, and one of the most important things is the continuing attack of Russia against the civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. That is why, today at the first informal Foreign Affairs Council meeting after the summer break - well, there has not been really a break, but after the summer - we have the pleasure to receive at the informal Foreign Affairs Council in person, not by VTC, Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro] Kuleba. Tomorrow, we will have the Defence Minister [of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov] - both things are linked - but it is important to have you with us here, dear Dmytro. It is important because first, the Ukrainians have shown a lot of strategic audacity, launching attacks inside the Russian territory. This operation in Kursk has dealt a blow to Putin's narrative about this war. It is an important strategic news, but at the same time Russia continues attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure. On Monday, this Monday 26 August, Russia launched an air attack with more than 300 missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities, hitting for critical energy infrastructure. It is clear that Russia wants to destroy completely the electricity system of Ukraine in order to put Ukraine into the dark and cold for the next winter. Many hospitals and health centres have been bombed. Russia wants to bomb a European country into full capitulation. Hence, air defence systems were critical before the summer, they are still much more critical today. This will be the first point of a very busy informal Foreign Affairs Council. And also, I am sure you will explain us why we need to lift restrictions on the use of weaponry against Russia's military targets, in accordance with international law. During the summer, I have issued statements supporting this decision. 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 [from] where Russia is bombing them. Otherwise, the weaponry is useless. Ukraine is asking for this. And today, having Minister Kuleba with us will be an important moment in order to make everybody understand why. Some data: since the start of the war, in February 2022, Russia has fired against Ukraine more than 14,000 drones, almost 10,000 missiles - it was 9,500 last week, today it must be already about 10,000, and many more glided bombs - you know, this kind of bombs that have been launched at high altitude, at high speed and they glide onto the objective. Many of them are being launched from Russia. The good news - we discussed about it - is that we have started using the revenues from windfall profits from frozen Russian assets. The windfall profits from these frozen assets have already been sent to Ukraine and sent to the Member States who will provide with this money more military equipment to Ukraine. The important thing [is] that for the first time, we are financing directly the Ukrainian industry. We are providing financing for the Ukrainians to make their own industrial capacity work. 1.4 billion have already been sent. After [the] military comes diplomacy. We have to be more proactive also in this field. We will exchange on our global outreach and hear about Ukraine President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy's Peace Plan. So, the first item of our very busy meeting today will be about Ukraine, military support, diplomatic support, lifting restrictions and increasing our support to these brave people who have surprised the world by launching an audacious attack against Russia, showing that Putin's narrative was completely false. It is our great pleasure to have Dmytro with us today. Q&A Q: This meeting was supposed to be held in Budapest. Can you explain why it was a good decision to move it to Brussels? And will you also start today a discussion on sanctions against members of the Israeli government? I will talk about that later. Let's concentrate now on the issue of Ukraine which is the most important part of our meeting. Here in Brussels or in Budapest - it does not matter. The important thing is not where but what. Q: What can you do to speed up the approval of the 50 billion (inaudible) aid? Will the European Union decide to go on its own if the United States continues to be a bit reluctant? We will do from our side everything we can. We are not being mimetic, doing what the United States is doing - or not doing what the United States is not doing. We do from our side everything we can, and we will continue doing that whatever the United States decides to do. It is very important to stress the fact that the European Union is engaged with Ukraine. And today I want to stress that, I announce that for the first time, we have changed the financial logic of our support. Until now, the European Peace Facility was reimbursing the money to the Member States that provided support to Ukraine. Now, we give money directly to Ukraine and this money comes from the Russian frozen assets. The Russian frozen assets revenues are going directly to the Ukrainian government in order to finance the production with their own industry. And we pay directly to Member States to provide to Ukraine. It is reversed - not first provide, and after be reimbursed, but providing directly in order to boost the capacity of Ukraine. This is an important new fact. I understand the concerns of Minister Kuleba about the delay. It is very easy to promise, it is a little bit more difficult to deliver. In Spain, we say: "one thing is to preach, and another is to give wheat". I will push Member States to fulfil their commitments, announced commitments in the field of air defence. And we will continue supporting Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, because we know that the purpose of Russia is to annihilate the electricity capacity. So, today, we will discuss about lifting the restrictions to use the weaponry that we are providing. We will discuss about how the money goes directly to Ukraine - in fact, it is already going. And we will try to increase our support because [Minister] Kuleba is right: it is clear that Ukrainian forces, well equipped, can change the course of the war. Not only defending themselves but pushing back the invasion. And Europeans will continue doing that. I know there are some reluctances from some Member States, we still have 6 billion frozen in my current account [that] I cannot use in order to reimburse the support given to Ukraine by some Member States. I will look for some way to find a solution to solve this problem with this veto from one Member State because it is not acceptable. Q: (Simultaneous questions- inaudible) I fully understand the concerns that Minister Kuleba has expressed, and this is the moment to discuss frankly with the ministers where we are in our support, which commitments have not been fulfilled and to speed up all of them. Apart from Ukraine, we will discuss many other things. The situation in Venezuela is critical. That is why, I invited Edmundo [Gonzalez Urrutia] - the candidate that has presented results that shows that [Nicolas] Maduro has not won this election - to address the Ministers. At the same time, the repression continues in Venezuela. People from the teams of the opposition have been arrested and disappearing. We are very much worried by the situation of the leaders of the opposition. So, the call with Edmundo [Gonzalez Urrutia] will be very important for the Ministers to take stock of the situation in Venezuela. And I hope that at the end of the day, the Ministers will decide what to say about the results of this election. I said before the meeting that I believe that clearly Maduro cannot be recognised as a legitimate winner of this presidential election, but let's see what the Ministers have to say. Also, we will receive the United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid [Kaag]. She will explain the situation of even the United Nations, which are under strong pressure of the Israeli government, preventing all the United Nations organisations to do their work. I do not have to tell you which is the situation in Gaza. Every day is more terrible than the previous day. The conversation for a ceasefire has been sliding from one day to another, without getting any result. And in the meantime, the bombing continues, and the number of civilian casualties [is] increasing. At the same time, it is still more worrisome the call from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel [Israel Katz] to displace people from the West Bank, doing more or less the same thing that they did with the people in Gaza. This is completely unacceptable, and I hope that the Ministers will raise their voice against the situation in Gaza, in the West Bank, the treatment of the United Nations and the way this war is being performed in accordance or, in violation of the humanitarian law. This will be discussed once again by the Ministers, and I hope that we will take stock of this dramatic situation. [There are] many other things on the agenda, but these three are the most important: [Minister] Kuleba will be with us to talk about Ukraine, Sigrid [Kaag] will talk about the situation in the Middle East, and Edmundo [Gonzalez Urrutia], the leader and the candidate of the opposition in the Venezuelan election will be with us by VTC. And Turkiye. Don't worry, don't forget Turkiye. It is the first time that the Turkish Minister [for Foreign Affairs] is being invited to an [informal] ministerial. Not the first time but the first time since a lot of time. [It has been many years since we have had] with us the Foreign Minister of Turkiye [Hakan Fidan]. It is important for Turkiye to understand the role of the European Union with respect to the position of a Member State, Cyprus, who has a difficult relationship with Turkiye. But we believe that the best way of trying to solve the situation is by dialogue, and I thank everybody that allowed to make this decision and invite the Turkish minister. He will have bilaterals with some of the ministers, and I hope this conversation will be important, positive, to deal with the issues that we have - the European Union and some Member States - with respect to Turkiye. This is a good initiative. Everything can be solved by dialogue and good will, but in order to have a dialogue, people have to have the opportunity to discuss. And I think it is very good news that the Turkish minister could join us during this meeting. Q: Mr Borrell, will Ministers take sanctions against Israeli Ministers? As you know, this is not an executive meeting, no decision will be taken - [they] cannot be taken, because it is an informal meeting. But certainly, I initiated the procedure to ask the Member States - if they want, if they consider it appropriate, to include in our list of sanctions some Israeli Ministers that have been launching some hate messages. Unacceptable hate messages, against the Palestinians and proposing things that go clearly against international law, and it is an incitation to commit war crimes. And I think the European Union should have no taboos to use our toolbox in order to make humanitarian law [be] respected. But it is not my decision. I only have the capacity of proposing; Member States will decide. Q: Why are we here in Brussels and not Budapest? It is not so important? Because I decided so. Q: What are you hoping from this? It is the President of the Council who decides when and where the Council takes place. I thought it was much more appropriate to do that in Brussels because some of the positions expressed by the Hungarian government go directly against the Common Foreign [and Security] Policy. It was much better to do that at home. Q: So, the Hungarian Foreign Minister [Peter Szijjarto] will be here? I suppose. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-260129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on the situation in the occupied West Bank Government of Norway News story | Date: 29/08/2024 Amidst the ongoing horrors in Gaza, the situation in the occupied West Bank is extremely dangerous. The massive Israeli military operations in and around Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas, escalate an already tense situation, with unforeseen consequences for the stability in the region. Israel's use of force must comply with relevant international law, including international human rights and standards applicable to law enforcement. Access to medical care for those injured is critical. Humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need. Settler violence is further endangering Palestinian lives and livelihoods. Armed, extremist settlers continue to terrorize and harm Palestinians, with almost total impunity. Such attacks must immediately come to an end. Israel, as the occupying power, is required by international law to protect the Palestinian civilian population. Norway is aligned with EU sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank and will continue to consider measures as appropriate. Stability in the occupied West Bank is desperately needed, to lower the tension. Ending the illegal occupation in accordance with the recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion is crucial. Reaching a sustainable two-state solution is a pre-requisite for peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden's support to the civilian population in crisis-affected Sudan Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry for Foreign Affairs 29 August 2024 A full-scale civil war has been ongoing in Sudan since April 2023. The war exacerbates an already serious political, economic and humanitarian crisis. Sudan is among the countries receiving the most support from Sweden in 2024. This support includes development and humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan. Sweden also supports ongoing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire. The humanitarian situation in Sudan is very serious. More than half the population, around 26 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance. The civil war has displaced more than 10 million people. According to the United Nations (UN), it is the world's largest internal refugee crisis and humanitarian crisis for children. In July, the Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that famine conditions are prevalent in the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur. Famine conditions are also presumed to be prevalent in other parts of the country, and millions of Sudanese are on the brink of starvation. Sudan - among the largest recipients of Swedish development assistance Due to the serious humanitarian situation, Sudan is among the countries receiving the most assistance from Sweden in 2024. Sweden is providing SEK 606 million in total support, comprising SEK 386 million in humanitarian assistance so far and SEK 220 million in development assistance. This assistance is allocated to humanitarian and other organisations on the ground and contributes to reducing hunger and counteracting an impending large-scale famine. In 2024, Sweden has also been scaling up its assistance for monitoring and documenting human rights abuses and violations. Gender-based violence has increased during the war and Sweden contributes to assistance for women subjected to violence through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Sweden has also been scaling up its assistance to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to contribute to the protection of, and emergency assistance for, displaced people. Diplomatic efforts for a political solution Borders must be opened and humanitarian actors allowed to work freely so that food and other life-saving provisions can reach the most vulnerable. Sweden and the EU operate to promote civilian society's increased participation in peace efforts and for the warring parties to enter into direct negotiations on a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access and follow international humanitarian law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 31st Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs India - Ministry of External Affairs August 29, 2024 The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 29th August 2024 in Beijing. Shri 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. 2. In line with the guidance provided by two Foreign Ministers' meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July 2024 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 Line of Actual Control (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. 3. In the meantime, they decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two Governments. It was reiterated that restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for LAC are the essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. 4. The leader of the Indian delegation also called on the Vice Minister in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. New Delhi August 29, 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas agrees to week-long ceasefire in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A spokesman for the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has said that the movement agrees with the UN secretary-general's proposal for a week-long ceasefire. According to IRNA's Thursday report, Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha said in an interview with the New Arab website that the movement had announced its agreement on August 16, when UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed a week-long ceasefire. The spokesman urged that Hamas calls on all humanitarian organizations and institutions to fulfill their humanitarian obligations concerning the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and that the Israeli occupiers must agree to this ceasefire, they should not evade and postpone it, or put forward alternative options and refrain from complying with the humanitarian ceasefire. Taha went on to say that the international community must thwart the inhumane actions of the Israeli occupiers, especially their attempt to prevent the plan to start vaccinating about 640,000 children under the age of 10 as well as 50 children born after October 7, 2023. The New Arab website quoted some Egyptian sources as saying that a humanitarian ceasefire will come into force in Gaza in the next few days to pave the way for implementing a polio vaccination campaign. Egyptian sources also underlined that the expected ceasefire would last for three to five days during daylight hours and would not include areas where Israeli military forces are present. The sources added that a ceasefire to pave the ground for vaccinating Palestinian children against polio was discussed in Cairo during a meeting, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also present. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intensified Israeli raids on West Bank bespeaks sinister plots for Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The intensification of Israeli attacks on the West Bank is a clear indication of the sinister and racist intentions of this regime for the entire geography of Palestine, says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani. Kanaani said on Thursday that the latest raid by the Zionist army on the Palestinian cities and camps in the north of the West Bank, the brutal destruction of urban and service infrastructures, and even the armed and violent entry into medical centers and hospitals are a continuation of the genocide in the Gaza Strip and indicate the intention of the Zionist regime to expand the scope of killings and crimes against Palestinians. "The intensification of Zionist military attacks on the West Bank is a clear indication of the sinister and racist intentions of this regime for the entire geography of Palestine and the Palestinians and the Islamic sanctuaries of this holy land," he added. Kanaani also urged international organizations, especially the United Nations Security Council, to abandon the inaction approach against the violations of international law and international humanitarian law by the Zionist regime, within the framework of their legal responsibilities. 6125**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli strike kills 16 Palestinians in occupied West Bank IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli air attacks in the occupied West Bank has killed 16 Palestinians in the last 24 hours. At least 16 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids and strikes in several towns in the north of the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera news channel reported on Thursday. Al Jazeera also said that the Zionist army claimed that this morning, the commander of Nur Shams Inscription, Muhammad Jaber, nicknamed Abu Shojaa, and four other people were killed in a clash in the Nur Shams mosque. The Israeli army said one of its soldiers was injured in a clash with Palestinian fighters in Nur Shams Camp. The al-Mayadeen news television channel also reported that the Zionist soldiers retreated from around Tulkarm Camp and throughout this city, except for Nur Shams Camp. 6125**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance launches drone attack against Haifa's industrial power plant IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out a drone attack on Haifa's industrial power plant in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a statement on Thursday morning, the Iraq-based resistance group stressed that it had attacked the Israeli target in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in response to the crimes committed by the Tel Aviv regime. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has vowed to continue its operations against the Israeli enemy. 6125**4354 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enemy only understands language of resistance: Hamas official IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- A senior leader of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has said that the Zionist enemy understands nothing but the language of force, adding that the resistance against this regime will continue in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The enemy's military offensive in the occupied West Bank will fail and the new generation of Palestinian will lead the resistance, Husam Badran told Al Jazeera channel on Wednesday. He pointed out that the extensive military attack of the occupying Zionist army on the West Bank proves that this regime does not need an excuse for aggression and crimes against the Palestinian nation. Badran invited all those who have weapons in their hands to support the resistance in the West Bank and Gaza. He also said that Hamas wants the mediators in the Gaza ceasefire talks to stick to what was agreed on last July 2. Badran made the remarks as the talks are expected to resume at the working group level in Doha, but it is not yet clear why the negotiations have been moved from Cairo to Doha or whether this move will affect the negotiation process. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP halts Gaza operations after Israeli attack on aid truck IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) has suspended its operations in the Gaza Strip after one of the aid trucks came under attack by the Zionist army in the blockaded Palestinian territory. According to IRNA's Thursday morning report citing AFP, the WFP announced that it has suspended humanitarian operations in Gaza after Israeli forces shot at a UN aid convoy. The vehicles received "multiple permits from Israeli authorities to approach" a checkpoint before Israeli forces fired at one vehicle 10 times, the agency said in a statement. "A clearly identifiable UN aid vehicle that was part of a convoy whose presence was fully coordinated with the 10 times," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Wednesday local time. This is not the first time that the Israeli army has attacked UN vehicles and international relief organizations. Last month, one of the employees of the World Central Kitchen relief organization was martyred in the center of Gaza. On April 13, the Zionist regime bombed the car of the World Central Kitchen staff in the city of Rafah killing 7 citizens of Australia, England, Poland, America and Canada. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 8 soldiers killed in 10 days in Gaza: Zionist media IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Zionist regime has lost eight of its soldiers over the past 10 days on the ground in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli media reports say. The Kan news network announced on Wednesday night that eight soldiers of the 16th Brigade of the Zionist regime were killed in Netzarim Corridor which Israel has set up in southern Gaza. According to IRNA citing the Palestinian Samaa news agency, Abu Obeidah, spokesman of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas resistance movement recently warned that Netzarim Corridor will be the axis of death and terror for the occupation forces. As the Israeli genocidal war drags into 11th month, Palestinians are still putting stiff resistance to the invading Israeli forces across the besieged territory. This morning, another Zionist soldier was killed and a number of others injured in the Palestinian operation in the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza. The Zionist soldier was said to be killed by Palestinian sniper. According to the Israeli army, it has lost 702 of its soldiers since the Palestinian operation "Al-Aqsa Storm" on October 7, 2023. It claims the figure includes 338 soldiers who have been killed since the ground invasion was launched on the Gaza Strip. Also, 4,387 Zionist soldiers have been injured, 2,254 of whom in clashes on ground with resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians, the Israeli media and some mainstream western media have repeatedly accused the Zionist military of censoring the actual number of dead and wounded during the ongoing war in Gaza. The Israeli media say that public backlash is the main reason the army is unable to give exact number of casualties among its soldiers. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's Ansarullah agrees to allow rescue ships in Red Sea: Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 29, 2024 New York, IRNA -- Iran's Mission to the United Nations says Yemen's Ansarullah Movement has agreed to a temporary ceasefire to allow tugboats and rescuers in the Red Sea to extinguish fires that were broke out on an oil tanker after being attacked in the strategic waterway. According to IRNA, the Iranian mission to the world body in New York issued a statement on Wednesday local time in response to a claim by the Pentagon spokesperson that Ansarullah has threatened to target rescue ships sent to the Red Sea. In execution of its policy to support Palestine and hinder the transfer of fuel to the Zionists, Yemen's Ansarullah Movement has already announced that it willas long as the war on Gaza persistscontinue to target oil tankers bound for the Israeli regime in the Red Sea. Following the outbreak of a fire on the targeted oil tanker, which was carrying oil for the regime, and the subsequent environmental hazards, several countries had reached out to ask Ansarullah, requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area. In consideration of humanitarian and environmental concerns, Ansarullah has consented to this request. The failure to provide aid and prevent an oil spill in the Red Sea stems from the negligence of certain countries, rather than concerns over the possibility of being targeted, Iran's Mission said on Wednesday. Fires broke out on a Greek-flagged oil tanker, with the vessel appearing to be adrift in the Red Sea that was first reported by the British Maritime Trade Operations in a note to mariners on Friday night. The EU's Aspides naval mission later warned that the tanker "Sounion has 150,000 tons of crude oil aboard and is a navigational and environmental hazard". The Yemeni army recently published the images of the attack on the vessel, which it said, was targeted in the Red Sea due to ignoring the embargo placed on ships heading to Israeli ports in the occupied Palestinian territories. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, US military officials inspect Basa Air Base Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno August 29, 2024, 9:21 am MANILA -- Filipino and American military officials on Wednesday visited Base Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga - one of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites - to inspect upgrades done in the facility. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) head Admiral Samuel Paparo led the inspection of facilities developed under the EDCA between the Philippines and the United States. "The inspection focused on the improvements and upgrades made to enhance the operational capabilities of the Philippine Air Force and promote joint interoperability between the two armed forces," the AFP said in a statement. Basa Air Base, one of nine AFP facilities designated under the EDCA, has been equipped with infrastructure upgrades and facilities to support the Philippine military's modernization efforts and contribute to the overall security and defense posture in the region. "The improvements in our facilities at Basa Air Base demonstrate our commitment to strengthening our defense capabilities and ensuring that our forces are prepared to respond to any security challenge," Brawner said. These developments are vital in the AFP's goal of being a credible defense force that can safeguard the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. The visit is part of the ongoing engagements under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) meeting scheduled at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City Thursday afternoon. The MDB-SEB is a venue for the AFP and the USINDOPACOM to "discuss and come up with a mutually agreed policy direction" on defense and security concerns. To be discussed are the range of military activities the two nations will carry out next year, including the annual "Balikatan" and "Salaknib" exercises. Some 16,000 American and Filipino troops took part in this year's "Balikatan" from April 22 to May 10 in various locations in the country. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US offers to escort Philippines ships in South China Sea in new escalation Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 5:28 PM The United States has offered to escort Philippine resupply missions to outposts in the South China Sea, the Philippines says, following claims that China has purportedly been intensifying efforts to obstruct Manila's supply ships in the contested waters. At a press conference on Thursday, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner said his country would only consider accepting the offer if it reached a point when it could no longer be capable of delivering life-saving supplies and its troops were "on the verge of dying." "We're happy that the US has given us a range of options including that of joining or escorting us for the ROREs (rotation and resupply missions)," he added after meeting with US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in the northern city of Baguio on Tuesday. Brawner said Washington and Manila have explored ways to ensure Filipino personnel receive necessary supplies despite the presence of Chinese ships patrolling the area. The Philippines, he said, for now has not exhausted its options and will continue to conduct resupplies "unilaterally." "If nothing works then that's the time we can ask for help," the Philippine military chief stressed. Paparo said the US military was "ready" to consider escorting Philippine ships in the contested South China Sea, based on discussions under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the allies. The development comes amid a rise in tensions between China, which claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, and the Philippines, which, along with Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei, asserts overlapping claims with Beijing. The longstanding territorial row between Beijing and Manila soared particularly under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, with the Philippines pivoting back to the United States, which supports the country in its maritime dispute with China. Although the US has no territorial claim over the waters or features, but it regularly conducts patrols there, solely or jointly with the Philippines, angering China. Washington has already pledged $500 million to boost Manila's military and coast guard. Over the past year, there has been a series of intensifying confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels during resupply missions to Filipino troops, coast guard members, and fishermen at Second Thomas, Sabina and Scarborough shoals. Philippine and Chinese vessels have collided twice this month near Sabina Shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard has stationed a ship to prevent China from taking control of the reef area. The Philippines deliberately grounded the ship Sierra Madre on the reef of Ren'ai Jiao (aka Second Thomas Shoal) in 1999 to reinforce its claims over disputed waters surrounding it. Since then, Manila has maintained a small troop presence on the vessel and at Second Thomas Shoal, where recent violent clashes have occurred. Earlier this year, China cautioned Manila against provocative actions after the China Coast Guard intercepted a foreign vessel that "tried to forcefully intrude" into its territorial waters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi warns Muslims of 'dangerous situation' in conflict with Israel Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 5:19 PM The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement has described reconciliation with Israel as "impossible," stating that the regime openly flouts all international law and regulations and does not commit itself to any fundamental principle. "Israel is an enemy with which no one can make peace with, as it crosses all red lines and violates all principles and regulations," Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech broadcast from the Yemeni capital Sana'a on Thursday afternoon. He said anyone who is not moved by the scenes of Israeli soldiers ripping up pages from the Muslim holy book of the Qur'an and burning them at the Bani Saleh Mosque in northern Gaza does not have an iota of faith. "Whoever does not devote full attention to sanctities may overlook his reputation, honor and even his national identity. This is a dangerous situation, which Muslims should seriously take into consideration," he said. "The continued crimes of the Zionists at such levels of ruthlessness, cruelty and viciousness is a disgrace for the entire international community," Houthi said. The Ansarullah chief said what is more dangerous than the extremist Jewish settlers' frequent incursions into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds is the latest remarks by far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about his plan to build a synagogue at the site. He stated that Muslims must take on their religious duties and confront such a scheme. "Genocide in the Gaza Strip coupled with the raids across the West Bank show the true nature of the Zionist regime and reveal its danger. The Zionists feel entitled to trample upon the rights of other peoples systematically. "Muslims will lose big if they fail to assist downtrodden Palestinians. Any Muslim who thinks he would benefit himself and appease Israel with his silence is gravely mistaken," Houthi noted. The Ansarullah leader said the US has long been providing political support to Israel and deceiving the public opinion to contain retaliatory strikes from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said the United Nations has failed to resolve the longstanding Palestinian issue and its statements equate the victim with the oppressor. "The US is putting in a great deal of efforts to protect the Israeli enemy so the latter can continue its genocidal war in Gaza. The US does not hesitate to provide Israel with the most lethal weapons to kill Gazan women and children," Houthi said. "Hezbollah has dealt heavy blows to the Israeli enemy, the results of which are fairly open for evaluation. Hezbollah wields great influence and is humiliating the Zionist enemy, something which Israeli authorities have acknowledged," he added. The Ansarullah leader also pointed to retaliatory operations by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq against Israeli targets in the occupied Palestinian territories, stating that the umbrella group of resistance factions struck targets at the ports of Haifa and Eilat this week. Houthi also said Iran's response to the Zionist regime in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran is inevitable, emphasizing that Washington is in a state of great alertness to curtail its fallout. The US is trying to bring some Arab regimes on board to contain Israel's response to Israeli atrocities, he said. Commenting on Yemeni Armed Forces' maritime operations against Israeli-affiliated merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Houthi said the strikes will continue unabated. Yemeni naval units courageously carried out a major operation this week, and struck a Sounion oil tanker as it was sailing in the Red Sea waters, he stated. The footage of the attack on the Greek-flagged oil tanker is available, which documents the US failure in stopping Yemeni forces' anti-Israel operations, the Ansarullah chief said. Houthi stressed that Yemeni forces are trying to expand their military capabilities to conduct more pro-Palestine operations. The Ansarullah chief finally called upon all walks of the Yemeni society to take to the streets on Friday in a strong show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza amid the relentless Israeli ground and aerial offensives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Day 2 of West Bank carnage: Israeli forces kill worshipers, burn homes Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 4:57 PM The Israeli military is pressing on with its largest military onslaught across the occupied West Bank in more than two decades despite widespread international condemnation. The death toll from Israel's major assault on the occupied West Bank, which started on Wednesday, rose to at least 18, Palestinian official Wafa news agency reported on Thursday. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that a Palestinian man lost his life in eastern Jenin early Thursday. It came shortly after five Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire inside a mosque in Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern city of Tulkarem. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 12 Palestinians were killed on the first day of the raids and assaults. Israel began coordinated raids in the early hours of Wednesday. Columns of Israeli armored vehicles backed by troops and warplanes were sent in before soldiers encircled refugee camps in Tubas and Tulkarem, as well as Jenin. The situation in the occupied West Bank is deteriorating dramatically. Local Palestinian media reports say Israeli occupying forces have burned several homes and inflicted extensive destruction to infrastructure in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm. Electricity and internet services have been cut in some areas of the West Bank. The violent raids have caused significant destruction, especially in Tulkarem, whose governor described the raids as "unprecedented" and a "dangerous signal". The authorities reported widespread damage to infrastructure, including to water and sewage networks. Media footage showed bulldozers ripping up the asphalt from streets in the city as a precaution against concealed explosives. The Hamas resistance movement has slammed Israel's siege of hospitals in Jenin and Tulkarm which is continuing to prevent injured people from entering the health facilities. Some media reports quoting witnesses said Israeli forces had withdrawn from the al-Farra refugee camp in Tubas, where several Palestinians were killed on Aug 28. But clashes were still taking place in Jenin, where a drone was seen flying overhead. Israeli soldiers were also still operating in Tulkarem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said at least 45 people had been arrested since the start of the Israeli operation in the northern West Bank. The Palestinian Authority (PA) presidency condemned Israel's assault and warned it could usher in "dire and dangerous" results. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas returned early from a visit to Saudi Arabia. The United Nations expressed concern over the Israeli offensive across the occupied territories. In a statement, UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the loss of lives, including that of children, and urged Israel to protect civilians and ensure their safety. "These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority," he added. The United Nations says Israel's raids and assaults on the occupied West Bank risk "seriously deepening" an already "catastrophic situation" there. 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. Israeli assaults on refugee camps and towns in the West Bank are a near-daily occurrence and have intensified since October 7. Since then, Israel has killed at least 40,534 people and wounded another 93,778 in the besieged Gaza Strip It has killed 662 Palestinians and injured about 5,400 in the West Bank during that same period. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, al-Haq and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights have warned of escalating violence in the West Bank and the use of tactics by Israeli forces that the world has witnessed in its war on Gaza. In a landmark opinion on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and demanded the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: Iran's policy is peace but to change tack under pressure Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 2:55 PM President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran condemns any aggression in the world, stressing that the Islamic Republic's principled policy is to foster peace and friendship, prevent tensions and interact with world countries. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has always tried to spread peace and friendship, condemned aggression anywhere in the world, and is ready to cooperate to stop wars, violence and insecurity in the world," Pezeshkian told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre over phone. The Iranian president criticized the US for violating the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and complained about the European parties' failure to fulfill their obligations under the accord. "The Islamic Republic of Iran fulfilled all its obligations under the JCPOA, but it was the United States that, in addition to breaking the agreement and unilateral withdrawal from it resorted to increasing pressure and sanctions against our country and nation and the European countries unfortunately did not implement even one clause of their commitments, contrary to expectations," Pezeshkian noted. "Our policy is peace and friendship, avoiding tension and conflict, and interacting and expanding relations with all the countries of the world, but if our country is forced to do something under sanctions and pressure, then our approach and behavior will definitely move in another direction," he added. He denounced the double standards of the US and certain Western countries vis-a-vis human rights and democracy. "America and some Western countries accuse other countries of violating human rights because of the mistreatment of one person, but they are not only silent toward the bloodshed against tens of thousands of innocent women, children, young and old in Gaza and the bombing of civilian areas, schools and hospitals by the Zionist regime, they also provide financial support and weapons to this regime. Which criterion and logic is this compatible with?" Pezeshkian appreciated the positions of the Norwegian government in support of the Palestinian nation, calling on the Norwegian prime minister to work more closely with other European countries to immediately stop Israeli atrocities against oppressed Palestinians in Gaza. For his part, the Norwegian prime minister described relations between Oslo and Tehran as friendly and historical, stating that Norway has always considered Iran as a friend and wished for the development and prosperity of the Iranian nation and will continue to do so. Stre also expressed concern about the uptick in tensions in the West Asia region, especially Israeli offensives against the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip. "We have condemned Israel's war against Gaza and its disastrous consequences. Norway, along with Ireland and Spain, was among the first European countries to have recognized the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state. We hope these bitter and unfortunate developments will come to an end as soon as possible," he noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tulkarm Brigade commander killed in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in refugee camp Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 11:04 AM The commander of a Palestinian resistance group affiliated with Saraya al-Quds, the military wing of the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement, has been killed in a heavy exchange of fire with the Israeli regime's forces in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian media reports said on Thursday that Muhammad Samer Jaber, the commander of the Tulkarm Brigade, and four other resistance fighters had been killed during the occupation's aggression on the Nour Shams refugee camp in the east of the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm. Reports said Jaber, known by his nom de guerre Abu Shujaa, was killed around 4:00 a.m. when the Israeli occupation army surrounded a building in the Tulkarm camp, where he and several other Palestinian fighters were located. Following fierce clashes, Abu Shujaa and four others were killed by a missile while the Israeli occupation army captured another Palestinian fighter in the building. The Israeli military said one of its soldiers was injured during the confrontation at the Nour Shams refugee camp. The 26-year-old leader of the Tulkarm Brigade had for years been the target of assassination by the Israeli occupation. The Israeli military invaded the Tulkarm refugee camp in April and carried out one of its deadliest offensives in years, which resulted in the killing of 14 Palestinians and the wounding of many more. At the time, after rumors spread that Abu Shujaa was killed, the young man appeared at the mass funeral of his colleagues, brandishing his automatic rifle and delivering an emotive speech about the continuation of the resistance. Israel had been seeking to arrest him or kill him ever since, especially as the Tulkarm Brigade has emerged as one of the strongest of the fighting groups that are resisting the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Violence by settlers and raids by Israeli forces have surged across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched its barbaric military campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip in October last year. According to medical sources, the aggression has so far resulted in the killing of 18 citizens in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, while more than 30 others were injured, bringing the death toll since October 7, 2023 to 667. Gaza-based resistance groups commend Abu Shujaa The Islamic Jihad movement said in a statement that Abu Shujaa was one of the founders of the Tulkarem Brigade and praised the "heroic confrontation" of the commander and his companions with the occupation soldiers. "Our Palestinian people knew the leader Abu Shujaa for his steadfastness and courage, a fighter who decided to confront the occupation bravely with his brothers, to lift the injustice imposed on their people, realizing that confronting the enemy, whatever the price, is much easier than living under a criminal occupation that kills children, violates sanctities, humiliates dignity, executes people in the streets, confiscates property, plans day and night to steal land and displace its people, arrests children, besieges hospitals, commits massacres and wages a war of genocide," the statement said. Stressing that Abu Shujaa's martyrdom "increases our people's steadfastness, resilience, and determination," the Islamic Jihad said, "The enemy is trying in vain to eradicate our resistance in the West Bank, and we will thwart all its attempts." The statement added, "The martyrdom of a leader will be succeeded by a thousand leaders... and victory belongs to our people and our resistance." The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also mourned the assassination of Abu Shujaa and his comrades, saying, "We affirm that the continuation of the occupation's aggression on the West Bank will not break our people and resistance." "We emphasize that the crimes of the occupation will ignite the ground with flames under the feet of its terrified army and settler gangs, and will erupt the volcano of anger simmering in the West Bank due to the ongoing practices and arrogance of the occupation," Hamas said. "We call upon our heroic people in the West Bank for greater unity and cohesion with the resistance, intensification of the popular momentum and field confrontation with the occupation and its settlers until the aggression is repelled, the occupation is expelled, and we attain our freedom and legitimate rights," the group added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns against Israel's 'sinister, racist' plots to expand scale of war across Palestine Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 10:50 AM The spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry says the Israeli regime is pursuing "sinister and racist" plots to expand the scale of killing and crimes across Palestine and violate Islamic sanctities. In a statement on Thursday, Nasser Kan'ani lambasted Israel's raids and assaults in the occupied West Bank and urged international circles to take immediate action to end the regime's genocide against the people of Palestine. He said Israel's attack on the Palestinian cities and camps in north of the West Bank, the destruction of urban infrastructure and even the armed and violent entry into medical centers and hospitals are in line with the regime's continuation of the genocide in the Gaza Strip. They all "indicate the Zionist regime's intention to expand the scope of killing and crime against Palestinian citizens," the Iranian spokesman added. He emphasized that Israel's violation of the sanctities of al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque in recent days and revelation of the cabinet's provocative plots "clearly show the regime's ominous and racist plots against the entire geography of Palestine, the Palestinian citizens as well as the Islamic sanctities of this holy land." Kan'ani called on international bodies, especially the United Nations Security Council, to abandon the approach of inaction in the face of Israel's flagrant violation of international law. World bodies are required to fulfill their legal responsibilities and take a swift and effective action to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people by the child-killing Israeli regime, he said. Kan'ani also hailed brave resistance of the Palestinian people and resistance groups in the face of the killing machine of the criminal Israeli regime in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 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 Palestinian resistance against the occupying entity. At least 17 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military raid in several towns, including Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, after the first day of the incursion, while many more sustained injuries. In a statement on Wednesday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is "deeply concerned" over Israel's all-out military assault on the occupied West Bank, calling for a swift end to the aggression in the Palestinian territory. Guterres also expressed concern over "dangerous and provocative acts and statements" by Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. In an interview with Israel's Army Radio on Monday, Ben-Gvir proactively confirmed that he plans to construct a synagogue inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds, drawing condemnation from various countries and international organizations. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi Resistance launches drone strike on Israeli power station in Haifa Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 8:37 AM Fighters from Iraqi anti-terror resistance groups have launched a drone attack on a strategic site in the Israeli-occupied port city of Haifa in support of Palestinians plagued by the regime's months-long onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel, said the drone strike targeted "Alon Tavor Industrial Power Station" in Haifa in the early hours of Thursday. The statement underlined that the operation was aimed at "resisting the occupation, in support of Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly." The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced on Tuesday that it had struck a "vital target" in Haifa in the occupied Palestinian territories, using drones. The coalition has been conducting numerous such operations against sensitive targets lying across the occupied territories since October 7 last year, when the Israeli regime began bringing the Gaza Strip under a genocidal war. More than 40,530 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in the brutal Israeli military onslaught so far. Back in July, the anti-terror resistance groups launched drones at the Orot Rabin Power Plant in the occupied city of Hadera in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in response to the continued Israeli massacres against Palestinian civilians. Over the past weeks, the resistance has also ramped up its retaliatory attacks against the US occupation bases across Iraq and neighboring Syria due to Washington's unbridled political, military, and intelligence support for Israel's atrocities in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN chief says 'deeply concerned' over Israel's West Bank raids, urges immediate end to violence Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 8:24 AM United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "deeply concerned" over Israel's all-out military assault on the occupied West Bank, calling for a swift end to the aggression in the Palestinian territory. In a statement on Wednesday, Guterres called for "an immediate cessation" of Israel's aggression in the occupied West Bank, including its assault on Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas governorates. 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 Palestinian resistance against the occupying entity. At least 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids and strikes in several towns, with many more sustained injuries. Eight of them were killed in Jenin, five in Tulkarm and four in Tubas, the Wafa news agency reported, citing medical sources. Guterres strongly condemned the loss of lives, including of children, and urged Tel Aviv to protect civilians and ensure their safety. "All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need," the UN chief said. "These dangerous developments are fueling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority," he added. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), shortened his trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to the West Bank on Wednesday over Israel's relentless aggression in northern parts of the territory. In an interview with Israel's Army Radio on Monday, Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also proactively confirmed that he plans to construct a synagogue inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds, drawing condemnation from various countries and international organizations. Elsewhere in his remarks on Wednesday, Guterres also expressed concern over "dangerous and provocative acts and statements" by Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly visited the al-Aqsa Mosque complex, despite a longstanding ban on Jews praying at the site. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aug 28: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 8:15 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 40,602 Palestinians so far-- the majority of them women and 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 28, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on August 28: In coordination with other resistance factions, engaged in intense clashes to repel the ongoing Israeli aggression in Al-Fara'a Camp, Tulkarem and Jenin in the occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices. Sniped two Israeli soldiers who were barricaded in a building behind Al-Nujoom Hall, south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on August 28: Detonated a high-powered pre-planted explosive barrel bomb targeting a military vehicle that had infiltrated Al-Sikka Street in the "Triangle Area" of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the vicinity of Ibn Al-Uthaymeen School in the Al-Satar Al-Sharqi area of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Detonated several pre-prepared explosive devices on Israeli military vehicles attacking the Jalabouni Axis in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on August 28: Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles stationed around the Rafah crossing with two 107mm rockets and heavy-caliber mortar shells. Targeted Israeli forces with explosive devices in the regime's incursion axes in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Targeted an Israeli military infantry force with a high-powered explosive device in Al-Fara'a camp, Tubas, occupied West Bank. Targeted the Israeli military's command and control headquarters in the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City, with a barrage of mortar shells. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli occupation forces storming Balata camp in Nablus, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices. Targeted Israeli military forces that had penetrated the axis of Al-Damj neighborhood in Nour Shams camp, Tulkarem city, occupied West Bank, using powerful explosive devices. Engaged in intense clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated Nablus Street and multiple axes in Jenin, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices. Ambushed an Israeli military force in the Al-Damj neighborhood in Nour Shams camp, Tulkarem city, occupied West Bank, and engaged in close-range clashes using machine guns and explosive devices. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles that had penetrated the eastern line area north of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades' operations on August 28: Targeted Israeli forces infiltrating the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank with several explosive devices and followed by intense clashes with the occupation forces. Carried out a rocket strike targeting Israeli military gatherings in the "Netzarim" axis from the southern part of Gaza City and the northern part of the central governorate. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on August 28: Engaged in fierce clashes with occupation forces in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, using appropriate weapons. Detonated an explosive device on an Israeli military D9 bulldozer near Al-Assir Mosque in the Al-Jabriyat neighborhood in Jenin, occupied West Bank. Targeted an Israeli military "Namer" vehicle in a pre-prepared ambush on Haifa Street in Jenin, occupied West Bank. Hezbollah's operations on August 28: Targeted the newly established headquarters of the Western Brigade south of the Yaara settlement with drones. Attacked the Ruwaysat al-Alam site in Kfar Shouba, Lebanon, with rockets. Targeted the Samaka site in Kfar Shouba, Lebanon, with rockets. Struck the Biyada site in Blida with appropriate weapons. Targeted military buildings in the Manara settlement with appropriate weapons. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN food agency suspends operations in Gaza after car hit by Israeli gunfire Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 7:19 AM The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended the movement of its employees across the Gaza Strip until further notice, following an attack on one of its vehicles at an Israeli military checkpoint. The WFP in a statement on Wednesday said that it is pausing movement of its staff in Gaza after a team returning from an aid delivery mission on Tuesday evening was directly shot at just meters from an Israeli-controlled checkpoint at the Wadi Gaza Bridge. "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," the statement added. A photo released by the WFP showed multiple bullet marks in the driver's side window, with the agency reporting that at least 10 bullets hit the vehicle, yet no one in it was hurt. "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, head of the UN food agency, said on X, adding, "Humanitarians are not a target." She called on the Israeli authorities and all involved in the conflict to take swift action to guarantee the safety and security of aid workers in Gaza. In a press briefing on Wednesday, the UN Secretary General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the WFP aid vehicle that was shot at had been clearly marked, describing the WFP logo as "probably one of the most recognizable in the world" in conflict zones. Humanitarian efforts in Gaza are facing escalating difficulties, with aid workers encountering significant obstacles in delivering essential assistance, as reported by the World Food Programme. Continuous evacuation orders are displacing families and disrupting food relief operations, the agency says. Recently, the WFP lost access to its final operational warehouse in the central region of Gaza, and five community kitchens managed by the organization were forced to evacuate. Over 280 humanitarian workers have been killed since the start of the ongoing Gaza war, which has now entered its 11th month, primarily due to airstrikes. The majority of the victims are Palestinians employed by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has recently reported. In April, nine aid workers from the World Central Kitchen, a US-based non-profit charity, were killed in an Israeli airstrike while en route through Gaza, despite coordinating with Israeli authorities. After more than 10 months of conflict, the Tel Aviv regime has killed more than 40,500 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, and extensive regions of Gaza are devastated, compounded by a severe blockade restricting access to food, clean water, and medical supplies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia to hold largest-ever joint military exercise with Indonesia in November Announcement comes as Indonesian and US troops stage joint annual drills along with eight other nations. By Tria Dianti, Ahmad Syamsudin and Eko Widianto for BenarNews and RFA staff 2024.08.29 -- Australia said it planned to hold its largest-ever military exercise with Indonesia in November, the first under a new defense pact the two neighbors signed on Thursday, signaling deepening ties in a region fraught with geopolitical tensions. Their defense ministers signed the treaty-level agreement in Central Java province as Indonesia was hosting its annual Super Garuda Shield joint military exercise with the United States in neighboring East Java province. The agreement is important for Canberra because of growing Chinese military activity in contested South China Sea waters. While Indonesia professes non-alignment and neutrality in the Beijing vs the West tussle, it is an important nation to court because it is Southeast Asia's largest. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the agreement, which he signed with his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, "is an important piece of international architecture" underpinned with substance. "Later this year, in November, exercise Chris Woomera will be the biggest bilateral exercise between our two countries, almost 2000 personnel from Australia and Indonesia's defense forces working together, exercising together at Surabaya," he said at a news conference after the agreement was signed. "It's across the fields of air, land and sea. It's the most complex exercise that we will have seen," Marles said, adding it would be the biggest exercise that Australia would jointly stage outside its territory in 2024. 'Promote sustainable security' In Indonesian, the exercise is called Woomera Keris 2024. The keris (or kris), a Javanese-style dagger known for its distinctive wavy blade, is a weapon used in an Indonesian martial art. And the woomera is an Australian wood spear-throwing device. Marles said the exercise was developed keeping this agreement in mind. "It is an example of how at this moment in our history, we see each other relying on the security of each other and working much more closely together to develop that," the Australian minister said. "[W]e will see a much greater interoperability between our defense forces, and an ability to operate from each other's countries, and on that basis, we can work much more closely together on our shared interests, most significantly of which is maintaining the global rules based order." Prabowo, who will be sworn in as the next Indonesian president in October, said the agreement with Australia would also address regional issues. "This agreement is intended to strengthen our direct relationship as neighbors, enhance cooperation in addressing security threats, and promote sustainable security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Prabowo said at a press conference alongside Marles. 'Effort to win Indonesia's favor' The agreement is a result of both countries responding to security dynamics in the region, particularly concerning issues related to the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific, said Khairul Fahmi, a defense analyst at the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies. "This cooperation is especially important for maintaining balance in the region in light of the influence of major powers such as China and the United States," he told Benar News. "Indonesia is also seen as a significant player in geopolitical terms, making it crucial for maintaining regional stability. Indonesia holds strategic value." The benefits for Jakarta, he said, would be help with patrols to address transnational security threats such as terrorism, piracy, natural disasters, illegal fishing, and human trafficking. As another analyst sees it, Australia struck the pact with Indonesia because Canberra may believe that Indonesia is not fully non-aligned as it claims. "The collaboration represents Australia's effort to win Indonesia's favor, as Indonesia has appeared to lean towards China," said Yohanes Sulaiman, a security expert from Jenderal Ahmad Yani University in Bandung, West Java. "This military exercise is a tangible outcome of this cooperation, even though joint military exercises are a common practice." Super Garuda Shield One such exercise is under way in Sidoarjo, East Java, with Australia's ally, the United States. Forces from Indonesia and the U.S. are taking part in annual Super Garuda Shield military exercises on Java island along with contingents from eight other counties, as Washington looks to limit Beijing's influence in the region and Indonesia seeks to bolster its alliances. Altogether, 5,500 troops from the 10 countries are participating while 12 other nations, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, have sent observers to the war games, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. In November 2023, the U.S. and Indonesia signed a new defense cooperation agreement as Washington looked to counter Beijing's regional influence. The Pentagon said Super Garuda Shield would help in "solidifying the U.S.-Indonesia major defense partnership and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific." The Indonesian military said the exercise, which runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, serves as a platform for building trust and confidence among participating militaries. "Super Garuda Shield in 2024 is a means to create and build mutual trust in the military sector, strengthen bilateral military-to-military relations, and multilateral relations," said Air Marshal Widyargo Ikoputra, deputy commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Education and Training Command. A U.S. contingent of 2,500 service members is joining about 3,000 troops from Indonesia, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Observers from Malaysia and the Philippines, both of which have territorial disputes with China over areas of the South China Sea, will be monitoring the exercise, as will representatives from Thailand. Super Garuda Shield aims to enhance the ability to plan and execute joint operations, improve interoperability between Indonesian and U.S. forces, and foster cooperation across all domains, including land, sea, air and cyberspace, Indonesia said. The 2024 drills will include training to prepare the militaries for cyber threats. Indonesia has experienced severe cyber attacks in the past few years, which disrupted several government services. "Indonesia benefits from this joint exercise as it provides an opportunity to increase defense capacity," defense analyst Fahmi, from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies said. At the same time, Indonesia is playing a crucial role in maintaining neutrality and preventing escalation in the region, he added. Policy of non-alignment One way Indonesia is doing that is by seeking to foster ties with different partners, said Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. For instance, while Jakarta and Canberra signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement on Thursday, earlier in the week Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak said in an interview with Japan's Nikkei that a joint exercise with China might also start next year. "Indonesia's strategic culture is to emphasize non-alignment in dealings with major powers, maintaining defense engagements with various partners, and avoiding military alliances," Yaacob told Radio Free Asia, a BenarNews affiliate. "Every ASEAN country has their own dynamics," the analyst said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 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 10 nations join Super Garuda Shield military exercise in Indonesia Analysts say the event reflects Jakarta's strategic defense culture of non-alignment. By RFA and BenarNews Staff 2024.08.29 -- Forces from Indonesia and the U.S. are taking part in annual Super Garuda Shield military exercises on the island of Java along with contingents from eight other counties, as the United States looks to limit China's influence in the region and Indonesia seeks to bolster its alliances. Altogether, 5,500 troops from the 10 countries are participating while 12 other countries, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, have sent observers to the war games in Sidoarjo, East Java province, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The U.S. and Indonesia signed a new defense cooperation agreement in November 2023 as Washington looked to counter Beijing's influence across the region. The Pentagon said Super Garuda Shield would help in "solidifying the U.S.-Indonesia major defense partnership and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific." The Indonesian military said the exercise, which runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, serves as a platform for building trust and confidence among participating militaries. "Super Garuda Shield in 2024 is a means to create and build mutual trust in the military sector, strengthen bilateral military-to-military relations, and multilateral relations," said Air Marshal Widyargo Ikoputra, deputy commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Education and Training Command. A U.S. contingent of 2,500 service members is joining approximately 3,000 troops from Indonesia, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Observers from Malaysia and the Philippines, which both have territorial disputes with China over areas of the South china Sea, will be monitoring the exercise, as will representatives from Thailand, Super Garuda Shield aims to enhance the ability to plan and execute joint operations, improve interoperability between Indonesian and U.S. forces, and foster cooperation across all domains, including land, sea, air, and cyberspace, Indonesia said. The 2024 drills will include a cyber exercise to prepare the militaries for cyber threats. Indonesia has experienced severe cyberattacks in the past few years, which disrupted several government services. "Indonesia benefits from this joint exercise as it provides an opportunity to increase defense capacity," Khairul Fahmi, a military observer from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, told BenarNews, an affiliate of Radio Free Asia. At the same time, Indonesia is playing a crucial role in maintaining neutrality and preventing escalation in the region, Fahmi said. Policy of non-alignment Another analyst, Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said that while Super Garuda Shield showed a deeper defense engagement with the U.S., Indonesia was also seeking to foster ties with different partners. During a visit to Australia by Indonesia's incoming president, Prabowo Subianto, the two sides announced that they had finalized a "historic" treaty-level joint defense agreement that would allow more ambitious joint military exercises, according to Australian media. This week, Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak said in an interview with Japan's Nikkei that a joint exercise with China might also start next year. "Indonesia's strategic culture is to emphasize non-alignment in dealings with major powers, maintaining defense engagements with various partners, and avoiding military alliances," Yaacob said. "Every ASEAN country has their own dynamics," the analyst told RFA, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations. However, Yaacob warned that Indonesia must be cautious in advancing defense ties with China in order to avoid misunderstanding by not only the U.S. and its allies but also with Indonesia's neighbors who are involved in disputes with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Garuda Shield exercise began in 2006 as an information and training exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia. Edited by Mike Firn. Eko Widianto in Malang, Java, and Ahmad Syamsudin in Jakarta contributed to the story. 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 Philippines to exhaust options before seeking US military help for sea missions The US military commander for the Indo-Pacific has offered naval escorts for Manila in the South China Sea. By Jason Gutierrez and Jojo Rinoza for BenarNews 2024.08.29 -- The Philippine armed forces chief said Thursday they would "exhaust all options" before accepting a U.S. military offer for American ships to escort Manila's rotation and resupply missions to South China Sea waters. Adm. Samuel Paparo, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, reiterated the offer during a bilateral meeting the same day in the Philippine mountain city of Baguio. The talks took place in the wake of recent maritime and air confrontations between Manila and Beijing in the disputed waterway. "We are happy that the United States has given us a lot of options, including that of joining or escorting us for the RoRe [rotation and resupply missions], but as I said earlier, we are going to do the missions unilaterally," Filipino military commander Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told reporters at the annual bilateral review of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB). "We will depend on ourselves first and we will try to exhaust all the options first before asking for help." The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty commits the two allies to help each other in times of attacks by a third party. The Pentagon previously said it was prepared to assist Manila if it invoked the treaty amid threats from other nations. "If we exhaust all options and nothing works, that's the time we can ask for help," Brawner said. When asked what scenarios could force Manila to ask for help, Brawner replied: "When our troops are already hungry, they don't have any supplies anymore because our resupply mission had been blocked and that they are on the verge of dying, then that's the time we are going to seek the help of the United States." Among measures that the Philippines is undertaking, the military is using a helicopter to air drop supplies to troops stationed at sea, Branwer said, although other military officials had pointed out that such an option was limited. Washington's options for Manila Paparo said the U.S. had laid out a "broad range of options" for the Philippines to tap, if and when the Southeast Asian nation decided that it needed assistance. He did not elaborate on what those options were. "We stand ready," Paparo said, when asked about the possibility of escorting the Philippines when it conducts its RoRe missions in the South China Sea. "It's a matter of policy, post-consultation, and there's a range of options that are available." The United States now has access to nine Philippine bases where the U.S. military has prepositioned supplies and in some cases, weapons, including a mid-range capable missile called the Typhon System, currently deployed in the northern island of Luzon. In June, Washington also pledged a U.S. $500 million aid infusion to the Philippines to boost its defense systems amid the ongoing perceived threat from China. While both Manila and Washington had already expanded the coverage of the MDT to include civilian vessels traveling in the South China Sea, defense analysts and officials said more needed to be done to be able to respond to China's "gray- zone tactics" in the waterway. But as it stands, the treaty already fits that purpose, an analyst told BenarNews on Thursday. "Whilst there is always a desire for a greater degree of specificity in documents of this nature, ambiguity can actually serve as a deterrent to China, because they won't know exactly how and when such a treaty might be brought into force, or in the specific case of the U.S. and the Philippines what constitutes an 'armed attack,'" said Jennifer Parker, a security analyst from the Australian University's National Security College. "The [treaty] is clearly a deterrent to some degree, as China has not escalated its aggression within the Philippines EEZ to an armed attack," Parker said. She pointed out that the document itself was not an actual deterrent but the "commitment" by both parties to act on it. "It is the commitment followed up by clear signaling that if a certain threshold was crossed, the U.S. would assist the Philippines in responding. Continuing to undertake joint patrols and demonstrating the closeness of the relationship is key here," she said. Thursday's meeting served for the militaries of the defense allies to charter cooperative activities for the upcoming year. Already, Paparo said they were preparing for joint military drills, called "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder), for 2025, which could even be bigger than this year. "Our work is not done. It's a beginning, not a culmination. Today's discussions were substantive. They were creative," Brawner said. "It was a true discussion. And now comes a time where we'll roll up our sleeves and we'll iterate from these discussions now." 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 Lao authorities raid more Golden Triangle scam centers as deadline passes The raids on 16 centers in the special economic zone followed a government-ordered closure of the centers. By RFA Lao 2024.08.29 -- Authorities in northern Laos raided more scam operation centers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, arresting 60 Lao and Chinese nationals one day after a government-imposed deadline for every illegal call center in the zone to close. Some 250 police officers and other officials participated in Monday's raids on 16 centers, a police officer told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity to speak freely about a government matter. The raids will go on until all online scamming activities have been stopped in the zone, he said. "The operation will continue for many days," he said. "They are working to wipe them out from here as there are still some people conducting tele frauds." The zone along the Mekong River in Bokeo province has been a gambling and tourism hub catering to Chinese visitors, as well as a haven for online fraud, human trafficking, prostitution and illegal drug activities. Scamming operations run by Chinese nationals who try to trick people into fake investments have been rife in the zone. Many of the workers are mistreated and prevented from leaving the premises. 'Very quiet these days' The Lao government announced an Aug. 25 closure deadline following an Aug. 9 meeting between the Bokeo provincial governor, high-ranking officials from the Lao Ministry of Public Security and Zhao Wei, the chairman of the Golden Triangle SEZ. Joint raids with Chinese authorities began on Aug. 12, according to the ministry's website. Last week, the ministry said that 771 people had been detained in the raids, including Vietnamese and Chinese nationals who have since been deported. The zone's major casino, the Kings Romans, remains open, a Lao employee working for a company in the zone told RFA on Wednesday. But nearby buildings unassociated with the casino appear to be empty, according to the Lao worker. "It looks very quiet these days, since the beginning of the operation," he said. "The police force has checked all the buildings." The worker said he watched as people prepared to leave the zone ahead of Monday's raids. "I heard that some of them have fled to Vientiane or Cambodia," he said. Restaurant servers and other people who worked regular jobs outside of the scam centers have also been leaving the area, the owner of a guesthouse near the zone told RFA. "Many of them, the Lao workers, are from Vientiane and other southern provinces," the owner said. "The majority of them are returning to their hometowns now." Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed. 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 Ministry of National Defense: Urge the US to substantively reduce its nuclear arsenal China Military Online) 16:56, August 30, 2024 Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Thursday. Question: It's reported that US President Biden approved in March a highly classified nuclear strategy that, for the first time, reoriented America's nuclear deterrent strategy toward the so-called "expanding nuclear arsenal of China". The US side also said that it would dramatically expand its strategic nuclear arsenal starting from February 2026, when the US-Russia New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) would expire, so as to simultaneously counter challenges posed by nuclear-weapon states including Russia, China, Iran, and the DPRK. Do you have any comments? Wu Qian: China firmly opposes the US expanding its nuclear arsenal and shirking responsibilities for nuclear disarmament under the pretext of the non-existent "China nuclear threat". China pursues a nuclear strategy of self-defense, and keeps its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security. It is known to all that the US is in possession of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, and it follows a nuclear policy that allows first use of nuclear weapons. In recent years, the US has invested heavily to miniaturize nuclear weapons for real combat, and exercised a "double standard" on nuclear proliferation, which severely threatens global strategic stability. We urge the US to abandon Cold War mentality, further reduce its nuclear arsenal in a substantive manner, stop proliferating nuclear material and technology, refrain from extending nuclear deterrence or expanding nuclear alliance, and take concrete actions to promote global strategic stability. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) Macron Hails Fighter Jet Deal Signed By Serbia As Historically Significant By RFE/RL's Balkan Service August 29, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron began a landmark state visit to Serbia on August 29 with the signing of an agreement on the purchase of 12 Rafale multipurpose fighter jets, which he said represented a shift toward Europe. Shortly after Macron arrived in Belgrade, Serbia signed a contract to purchase the warplanes from France's Dassault Aviation. Under the agreement, Serbia will receive nine single-seat and three two-seat Rafale jets by 2029, according to Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the deal was worth 2.7 billion euros ($3 billion). Serbia will pay tranches of 420 million euros in 2024 and 2025 for the Rafale jets, he said. Macron described the agreement as historically significant. The European Union needs a strong and democratic Serbia, he said, and the decision to purchase the fighter jets is a strategic and long-term choice in that direction. "I see so many people criticizing Serbia for having partnerships with Russia or China, and now it has a partnership with France. This is truly a major change," he said in response to a question posed at a news conference. "I respect Serbia's sovereignty and its partnerships with other countries, but this is an opening -- a strategic change that must be emphasized because it takes great courage and is a chance for Europe. This truly shows a European spirit," Macron added. Vucic said the purchase doesn't mean that Serbia will change its stance on joining EU sanctions imposed on Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "I know that [Macron] would like us to impose sanctions on Russia...but we have not done it, and we are not ashamed of our decision," Vucic said. He added that he didn't feel compelled to justify his decision because he explains his political moves directly to the Serb people. Vucic reiterated Serbia's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, describing it as a "friendly nation" and affirming that Belgrade has taken no hostile actions against it. Following the meeting between the two presidents, memorandums and agreements on cooperation between Serbia and France in the fields of energy, defense, ecology, and culture were signed. "We have an agreement between our governments and 11 other agreements that enable us to deepen our cooperation, strengthen our ties, and improve our capacities," Macron said, noting that cooperation between Serbia and France has been "increasingly strong" in recent years. "Our economic cooperation has strengthened, we are engaged in long-term infrastructure projects, and our international relations have experienced a new upswing," Macron said, adding that France wants Serbia to make progress in its negotiations on joining the European Union. Macron's two-day visit will include further meetings with Serbia's populist nationalist president, during which they are expected to discuss Belgrade's progress toward integration into the European Union and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. Macron will also unveil a plaque marking the completion of modernization works at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport; travel to Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, to visit the Gallery of Matica Srpska, one of the largest and oldest art galleries in Serbia; and give a speech at the Forum on Youth and Artificial Intelligence. Macron's speech at the forum is seen as recognition of Serbia's progress in the burgeoning AI industry. "Serbia's international credibility in the field of AI was recognized through its successful candidacy for the presidency of the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence 2025," the French Embassy told RFE/RL on August 29. The Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is an international initiative founded in 2020. The Elysee Palace previously announced that Macron will confirm his support for Serbia's EU 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/macron-vucic-rafale -novi-sad-artificial-intelligence/33098413.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 Philippines Plans to Procure 40 Modern Multi-Role Fighter Jets Sputnik News 20240829 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Philippines is planning to procure 40 modern multi-role fighter jets to strengthen its territorial defense capabilities, Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro said during a budget hearing on Thursday. "Just to get, for example, multi-role fighters, one dozen of those will not make any difference at all. So, the minimum for us will be 36 aircraft, which only a squadron and a half. But that would be credible. Plus four in reserve because 80 percent in service rate is a good standard," Teodoro said, as quoted by GMA News. The minister emphasized the need for "faster and more lethal" jets compared to the South Korean FA-50s currently in service with the Philippine air force. The procurement plan seeks financing schemes that allow payments to be spread out over several years. Philippine government is exploring the option of syndicated loans from private banks. Teodoro has already held consultations with the Bankers Association of the Philippines, the Central Bank, and the Department of Finance to obtain the necessary approvals for long-term tenders. He also urged lawmakers to draft legislation to remove existing financial restrictions on defense acquisitions. In July, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US would provide $500 million in financial assistance to enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned plans to more than double investments under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), with $128 million allocated this year for key infrastructure projects in the Philippines. In February 2023, Manila designated four additional military bases for US forces under the 2014 EDCA, bringing the total number to nine. These bases are strategically positioned, with many located near the contested waters of the South China Sea and Taiwan. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marking One Month Since Venezuela's Presidential Election US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson August 29, 2024 In the month since Venezuelans went to the polls, Nicolas Maduro and his representatives have tampered with the results of that election, falsely claimed victory, and carried out wide-spread repression to maintain power. The United States applauds the courage and resilience of the millions of Venezuelans who voted and who continue to peacefully call for Maduro to acknowledge that Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia received the most votes. In spite of repeated calls from Venezuelans and the international community, the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE) has failed to substantiate its announced results by producing original tally sheets, as it did following the 2013 and 2018 elections. The CNE's ongoing refusal to uphold international and Venezuelan standards of transparency or to respect the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the polls is an unacceptable violation of Venezuela's laws, as is the attempt by the Maduro-controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) to silence the voices of the Venezuelan voters by ratifying the CNE's unsubstantiated announcement of a Maduro victory. In contrast, earlier this week, one of Venezuela's own CNE rectors confirmed that Maduro has provided no evidence that he won this election. Instead of responding to the Venezuelan people's demands for transparency and democracy, Maduro has ratcheted up repression through politically targeted threats, unjust and indiscriminate detentions, and censorship in a desperate attempt to hold onto power by force. Maduro's actions have exacerbated the Venezuelan crisis and left him increasingly isolated from the international community. The United States and international partners have called out Maduro and his representatives for their actions since the election: The Organization of American States adopted a resolution by consensus on August 16 calling for transparency, impartial review, and protection of electoral integrity, in line with the region's commitment to uphold the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The United States, EU, and more than 20 governments signed a joint statement August 16 in the Dominican Republic calling for electoral transparency in Venezuela. The United States joined ten regional partners in issuing a joint statement on August 23 condemning the TSJ's decision to certify the CNE's claim Maduro won. The United States joined with other nations August 28 to call a special session of the OAS Permanent Council to address the human rights impacts of the electoral crisis. The United States repeats its call for a return to the respect of human rights and democratic norms in Venezuela, the release of all political prisoners, and an end to the arbitrary arrests and other acts of repression against members of the democratic opposition, media and civil society. Venezuelans have voted, the results are clear, and their will must be respected. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UN are running out of safe places for their staff: 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 the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 29 August 2024 The UK, alongside Switzerland, called this humanitarian meeting after yet another alarming warning from the UN. The situation in Gaza is intolerable and worsens with each day that passes. Over 100 hostages remain trapped in Gaza, subject to unimaginable horror. We reiterate our call for Hamas to immediately release them, and for ICRC to be granted humanitarian access. And Palestinian children, already suffering, are now facing the imminent threat of a major polio outbreak caused by the devastation of water and sanitation services, as well as widespread malnutrition and famine risk in Gaza. A ten-month old baby has already been paralysed by this disease - the first such case for 25 years. This is a tragedy that could have been prevented. As we've heard, the UN plans to deliver vaccines as soon as this weekend. We strongly welcome Israel's agreement for pauses on military operations so that the WHO and health agencies can deliver a safe and effective campaign. We now need to see this in action and these pauses need to be long enough to deliver the 90% coverage required. When the campaign starts and thousands of vulnerable and unaccompanied children gather at vaccination sites, they must all be protected. Israel's ramping up of short-notice evacuation orders, including in areas that should provide safe refuge, is causing more chaos, again leaving Palestinians with no safe place to turn. The UN Department of Safety and Security this week warned us that the UN too are running out of safe places for its staff. They cannot deliver desperately needed aid when IDF mass evacuation orders force them to uproot their homes and offices with just a few hours' notice. Israel must minimise evacuation orders and provide sufficient notice of at least 48 hours. And despite repeated calls by this Council for deconfliction and the protection of aid operations, we continue to see appalling and unacceptable attacks on UN and aid convoys. This conflict already represents the deadliest by far for humanitarian personnel. Just this week, the UN confirmed the IDF opened fire on a World Food Programme truck which had been fully coordinated with Israel and had UN workers inside. Israel must take immediate steps to protect aid workers. And if its personnel are responsible for incidents, hold them accountable. All parties must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. Sadly, President, it is not only in Gaza where we are witnessing violence. We are deeply concerned by rising levels of violence in the West Bank. Over 130 Palestinians, including 26 children, have been killed this month alone. We join the Secretary General in calling for urgent de-escalation. Colleagues, the only way to bring an end to this suffering is an immediate ceasefire. We fully support the ongoing efforts of the US, Egypt and Qatar to reach an agreement on this which will get all the hostages out and significantly more aid in. We call on both Israel and Hamas to urgently take the deal on the table. We must then see irreversible steps towards a two-state solution, the best means of ensuring long term peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Bank crisis: UN chief calls for immediate halt to Israeli strikes By Daniel Johnson 29 August 2024 - As the crisis in the West Bank continues to escalate alongside the ongoing war in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate cessation" of Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory. Mr. Guterres's intervention late Wednesday comes amid one of the biggest Israeli Security Forces (ISF) operations in the West Bank in years - the ISF insists against terrorists - with raids, airstrikes including drones that by Thursday had killed 17 people, according to Palestinian media. In a statement, the spokesperson for the UN chief said that he was deeply concerned by airstrikes in Tulkarm and Tubas governorates which caused casualties and damage to public infrastructure. The UN Secretary-General also strongly condemned the loss of lives, including children's. Palestinian authority undermined In his appeal for an end to the violence in the West Bank, the Secretary-General maintained that the latest "dangerous developments" were "fuelling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority" there. The UN chief also called for the "status quo" to be maintained at Jerusalem's holy sites, as he expressed deep concern about the "recent dangerous and provocative acts and statements" by Israel's national security minister, after his recent visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is known to Jews as Temple Mount. The Israeli military should also comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, Mr. Guterres insisted, as he urged Israel "to protect civilians and ensure their safety [and] to exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable". In addition, all those injured in the Israeli manoeuvres "must have access to medical care", while aid teams must be able to reach everyone in need, he said. Security Council to gather The UN chief's comments precede a hastily convened Security Council meeting on the escalating crisis in New York later on Thursday, at the request of the United Kingdom. The Members of the UN's top forum - whose purpose is the maintenance of international peace and security - are set to gather against the destabilizing backdrop of rising tensions and heavy exchanges of fire between northern Israel and Hezbollah fighters based in southern Lebanon - in addition to the war in Gaza. On Wednesday, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, warned that the Israeli military's actions risked further enflaming an "already explosive situation" - citing multiple airstrikes 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. Settler violence in spotlight "Three of the fatalities, including the two boys, were killed while they were passing by the targeted house...located in one of the small and crammed alleyways in the camp," OHCHR said, citing multiple sources. The UN office warned that the situation in the Occupied West Bank "could worsen dramatically" if the Israeli military continues to "systematically use unlawful lethal force and ignore violence perpetrated by settlers". Gaza: Polio campaign nears readiness In Gaza, meanwhile, UN aid teams confirmed that a mass polio campaign aiming to protect all children under 10 years old is set to begin this Sunday. Dire sanitary conditions and constant evacuation orders linked to ongoing operations by the Israeli military have led to the outbreaks of multiple preventable diseases, polio included. Last week, a 10-month old baby whose mother raised the alarm when he stopped crawling became the first person to contract polio in the enclave in 25 years. "A lack of water, healthcare and humanitarian access has formed a "perfect storm of conditions" in which polio reemerged in Gaza," said Sam Rose, Senior Deputy Field Director for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine Refugees. At least 3,000 workers will ensure that more than 640,000 children under the age of 10 will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine type 2. The campaign is a joint UN operation involving UNRWA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the UN Children's Fund. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SecAF concludes relationship-building trip with 7 nations across EUCOM Published Aug. 29, 2024 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall conducted a trip to strengthen international partnerships and visit Airmen and Guardians supporting NATO objectives in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility from Aug. 19 - 25, 2024. The trip consisted of engagements with senior leaders in Belgium, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia and Poland to reinforce the indispensable alliances that ensure security in the region. At his first stop in Belgium, Secretary Kendall focused on DAF priorities for the NATO alliance, including capitalizing on space as an operational domain, integrated air and missile defense, and the future of interoperable command and control. These discussions were had with the Belgian Chief of Defense, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations, US Military Representatives to NATO, the Secretary of Defense Representative in NATO, and the Defense Advisor for the U.S. Mission. This initial stop set the stage for the rest of the trip. Kendall arrived in Sweden, which recently became a member of NATO in March 2024, and met with Lt. Gen. Michael Claesson, the incoming Sweden Chief of Defense, and Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force. "Sweden is a very sophisticated country with a lot of technical capability [and a] very professional military," said Kendall. "It was great to meet with Swedish Defense leaders and further strengthen our ties with our newest NATO Ally. This relationship allows us to become more united, capable and ready to prevail over any military challenge that we may face in this era of Great Power Competition." Kendall's third stop was to Lithuania, where he met with Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasciunas, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, and Commander of the Air Force Col. Antanas Matutis. "The NATO alliance is the rock-solid cornerstone to security, not only in Lithuania, but also the Baltics and across all of NATO," Kendall said. "It is crucial to peace and stability that we continue to work together to deter our adversaries in the region." Next, Kendall arrived in Lativia to speak with U.S. and Latvian military members at Lielvarde Air Base alongside Ministry of Defense State Secretary Aivars Purins and Commander of the Latvian Air Force Col. Viesturs Masulis. "Alongside our Latvian Allies, we consistently and convincingly demonstrate NATO's value as an enduring deterrent to potential aggressors in the Baltics. Visiting Lielvarde Air Base and seeing our partners working together there was a terrific experience," Kendall stated. The fifth stop was to Finland, which recently became a NATO member in April 2023. Kendall met with Finland Minister of Defence Antii Hakkanen, followed by the Finnish Air Force Chief of Staff Maj. Gen Juha-Pekka Keranen at the Tikkakoski Air Force Headquarters. "As we continue to build this alliance, it will allow our forces to build capabilities necessary to defense against our adversaries," said Kendall. Kendall then travelled to Estonia where he discussed bilateral and regional defense cooperation and toured Amari Air Base. "The Baltic Air Policing mission is an essential activity to maintain peace and security not only for Estonia, but throughout NATO," said Kendall. "I appreciate the continued commitment of Estonia's leadership to host this mission, and we will continue to work together to deter our adversaries." Kendall's final stop was to the 52nd Operations Group, Detachment 1 at ask Air Base in Poland to gain a deeper understanding of the unit's mission and capabilities with the Polish air force. There, he received mission briefs and spoke with leadership from both the U.S. and Polish air forces. Kendall also held an all-call during his visit to recognize Det. 1 Airmen for their efforts in facilitating the first operational deployment for the 495th FS in support of U.S. European Command's no-fail Quick Reaction Alert mission. "My mantra as Secretary of the Air Force has been one team, one fight," Kendall stated. "You've come together as a team from different units, working together, building camaraderie, great trust and capability. You have demonstrated the importance of the alliance that we have with our Polish allied partners. It is meaningful work, and I am delighted to be able to say thank you for doing it so well." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Harry S. Truman CSG Completes Joint Force's Most Complex Training Event US Navy 29 August 2024 From Lt. Brandon Dedmon ATLANTIC OCEAN -- The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), also known as Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, completed Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), Aug. 23, 2024. The exercise represents the Department of the Navy's commitment to deliver highly capable, integrated naval forces to promote our nation's prosperity and security, deter aggression, and provide tailorable options to our nation's leaders. COMPTUEX also allows the Navy to assess all aspects of prior readiness generation activities, which provides leaders information needed for process and resource allocation decisions for future warfighting development. COMPTUEX emphasizes a carrier strike group's ability to deliver combat power wherever the nation's leadership requires, and is informed by U.S. Navy Fleet Commander requirments and assessment of ongoing operations around the globe. "CSG 8 brings together a strike package that is world-class. The ability to deploy these units into harm's way in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, [and throughout the world] it is going to be an impressive combat package," said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "From subsea to the surface to air, CSG 8 is able to conduct combat operations in all those domains synchronize those in real time and meet all the needs of combatant commanders in those different areas of responsibilities it's really impressive." At its core, COMPTUEX assesses the strike group's ability to seamlessly integrate its various components - a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON), Carrier Air Wing (CVW), guided-missile cruiser, and Information Warfare team - into a cohesive fighting force capable of executing each of its warfare areas. "Our mission is incredibly important," said Rear Adm. Max McCoy, commander, CSG 4. "We train and mentor deploying carrier strike groups to be ready for all contingencies anywhere in the world. We know the ultimate metric of success is winning in combat." COMPTUEX assesses and enhances carrier strike group proficiency to execute complex tactical maneuvers, effective communication in a pressurized environment, and decisive responses to a realistic threat environment. The approximately 10,000 Sailors of the HSTCSG participated in live, virtual, and constructive training opportunities during at-sea operations, resulting in CSG 4 deployment certification recommendations for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "I am impressed with how well our team came together," said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander, CSG 8. "While we all have individual roles and missions, together we are able to train and operate at a much higher level. U.S. Navy carrier strike groups deliver flexibility and capabilities for the fleet commander to use as a means to deliver combat power and maintain a competitive advantage throughout theater." This COMPTUEX allowed HSTCSG to enhance warfighting capabilities while strengthening relations with Allies. Exercising alongside the Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carabiniere (F 593) - a clear demonstration of the Navy's unwavering commitment to operating alongside NATO Allies. This commitment not only strengthens the collective force but also promotes security, stability, freedom of navigation, and the free flow of commerce. "The importance of having Carabiniere with us during COMPTUEX cannot be understated," said Bailey. "That ability to take a NATO ally like Italy and seamlessly integrate them into our operations demonstrates our dedication to fostering cooperation and integrating advanced capabilities with our Allies. Once we deploy forward, our integration with them will be smoother and more effective for NATO's collective defense having completed this scenario." During the COMPTUEX, in addition to the Fleet Forces, U.S. Second Fleet, and Task Force 80 Commanders' visiting to observe the exercise and meet with Sailors, the ship welcomed visitors from the Harry S. Truman Library and Institute. Namesake visits are an important part of the Navy's connection with the American people, and this visit was no different. "Every Sailor aboard this ship - regardless of what command or unit they belong to - has worked hard over the last several weeks and months to refine their warfighting skillsets such that when we go on deployment in the not too distant future, we will be ready for combat operations if and when called upon to do so," said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). "It was awesome to have guests aboard from the Harry S. Truman Library and Institute. Truman Sailors embody the grit, courage, and humility our namesake is known for, and it was special to share that." Truman has deployed 10 times since its commissioning in 1998. During its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 2022, Truman provided air support to Allies in response to Russian's invasion of Ukraine. The carrier's embarked air wing flew missions to enforce a no-fly zone and deter further aggression, illustrating the Navy's role in supporting global power projection and collective defense. "The Sailors onboard Truman are special. It was immediately obvious to me when I got onboard that the culture and climate and the feeling that this team has already built was really impressive," said Caudle. "Folks from all walks of life, from every state in the union, and perhaps different countries have come together to prepare Truman for what's going to be an epic deployment." HSTCSG consists of the flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 with eight embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79). Carrier Strike Group 8's mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat, incident to operations at sea, by building and employing a trained, ready Carrier Strike Group prepared when called upon to achieve the warfighting objectives of the assigned Joint Force or Fleet Commander. You can find them on DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG-8. Carrier Strike Group 4's mission is to train, mentor, and assess carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and independent deployers for global combat against peer competitors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam's defense minister to visit US next month By An Ton, Carla Babb August 29, 2024 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 VOA's Vietnamese Service; Carla Babb is VOA's Pentagon correspondent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces kill militant commander, 4 others, in West Bank By VOA News August 29, 2024 Israel's 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. Israel's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WHO: Israel agrees to daily pauses in Gaza for polio vaccinations By Margaret Besheer August 29, 2024 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." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon media denounce surge in attacks as 2025 election nears By Moki Edwin Kindzeka August 29, 2024 Journalists in Cameroon say attacks on reporters have surged as the country prepares for next year's 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 year's 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 Biya's supporters, especially government ministers, are trying to intimidate the media organizations that criticize the president's 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 station's information director and editor-in-chief, says he is certain that government officials, uncomfortable with RIS FM's 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 Biya's 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." Cameroon's 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 continent's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WFP operational update on food distributions in Sudan World Food Programme 29 August 2024 PORT SUDAN -- The UN World Food Programme is working around the clock to deliver food assistance to communities across Sudan facing acute hunger. The food agency's priority is providing vital aid across 14 areas in Sudan to people who are either facing famine or at risk of slipping into famine after 500 days of relentless conflict. Recently there has been progress in getting urgently needed food and nutrition assistance through Chad's re-opened Adre border crossing, which is enabling WFP to provide the people of Sudan with the regular support they urgently need. WFP has assisted around 8.4 million people in Sudan since the war began 500 days ago in April 2023. Latest operational updates from WFP's operations in Sudan: Since Chad's Adre border with Sudan was reopened for humanitarian convoys, WFP trucks carrying over 630 metric tons - enough for nearly 55,000 people - have crossed into the Darfur region. The latest crossed on Tuesday 27 August. This food assistance is for communities in Kereneik and Sirba - two areas that are at risk of famine in West Darfur. Some supplies have already arrived in Mornei town in Kereneik while other convoys are still on route. Progress of the convoys has been slowed by damaged bridges, as well as flooded and muddy roads as the peak of the rainy season in Sudan approaches. WFP is working to get food for half a million people through the Adre border crossing and into the hands of people across Darfur as soon as possible. There needs to be a regular flow of humanitarian aid through the Adre border crossing. Trucks carrying 1,134 mt of food - enough for around 280,000 people - crossed from Chad into Sudan's Darfur region via the other border crossing - Tine - on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Distributions of this vital food assistance will start as soon as possible in locations across Darfur for communities facing famine or at risk of slipping into famine. This food assistance had been stranded at the border because of flooded seasonal riverbeds (Wadis) linked to heavy rainfall this year. Floodwaters have receded slightly allowing the trucks to move, though progress remains slow because of poor road conditions. WFP is also delivering cash assistance to families across Darfur. The first cash transfers in Ardamata and El Riad in Geneina, West Darfur have started, while cash distributions are due to start soon in Kulbus, West Darfur and Zalingei, Central Darfur. A total of 300,000 people will receive WFP cash assistance in these locations. In other parts of Sudan, WFP has completed food distributions in Karrari, Khartoum with 45,000 displaced people supported. In August, WFP-supported community kitchens, run by Emergency Response Rooms and community-based organizations in Khartoum, provided nearly 180,000 people with daily hot meals, while nutrition support is ongoing in Karrari, Omdurman, and Umbada. Cash distributions are scheduled to start next week in the two 'Risk of Famine' localities of Khartoum. WFP has provided high energy biscuits to 14,000 flood-affected IDPs in Kassala, who were displaced by fighting in Sinja, Sennar state. Food distributions for newly displaced people from Sinja are also ongoing for around 80,000 IDPs in Gedaref and Kassala. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kentucky Guard Connects Regions in Natural Disaster Prep By Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Dickson, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office August 28, 2024 CLINTON, Ky. -- Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard's communication/IT support section's Mission Command shop mobilized to western Kentucky to conduct an emergency deployment readiness exercise Aug. 12-16. The Rolling Thunder 2024 Kentucky interoperability communication exercise simulated lost communications due to an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which spans western Kentucky and six other states. The exercise included checking military radios, using high-frequency and satellite systems, ensuring different communication systems work together, and restoring cell phone service. U.S. Army Maj. Jason Spayd, the joint operations center coordinator, planned the exercise with members of emergency management, the Kentucky Air and Army National Guard, and the Department of Military Affairs. Restoring radio communications is a high priority for the Kentucky National Guard's mobile Mission Command. Teams with expertise in multiple radio technologies are immediately activated to establish talking communication across Kentucky without wireless communications towers that may lose power. Mission Command first employs the military's high-frequency radios with a very high-frequency commercial satellite link to speak with local emergency management teams with civilian equivalent, battery-operated radios and those that can be powered by mobile generators. Next, satellite data capabilities can provide temporary connectivity for cellular phone traffic. By establishing these communication channels, the KYNG's mobile Mission Command can speak directly to the counties and regions affected by a disaster and transfer voice and data from anywhere in the commonwealth to similar command or response teams provided by the Kentucky Emergency Management or FEMA, including the Emergency Operations Center stationed in Frankfort. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeremy Jackson said the mobile command center trailers used by the KYNG are towable and can be used almost anywhere to establish communications via satellite. A satellite connection enables radio internet protocol to connect landline phones and HF/VHF radios across vast distances. Regions with restored communications can then report the status of damage to infrastructure, transmit requests for supplies, and communicate during search and rescue efforts, thus saving lives. "Our main purpose for this exercise is long-range, over-the-horizon communications," said Jackson. "For this exercise, everything is down. Internet, cell phones, DMARCS. So, we link these radios to the satellites and then we can reach out to teams that were cut off in other cities." Jackson said the KYNG equipment is not for overseas or combat theater use. "Our mission is for domestic operations only," said Jackson. "This is one of the reasons KYEM includes the National Guard for these exercises because our Department of Military Affairs support is directly intended for it. "Interoperability is the key term for this mission," added Jackson. "Our job is to connect the Kentucky National Guard with KYEM, Kentucky State Police, and the emergency managers of each county." During the exercise, a mobile command center was brought to Clinton and a main command post was set up at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville. Master Sgt. Clinton Ragsdale, noncommissioned officer in charge of the command center in Greenville, said another part of the exercise was to get radio communications to isolated areas. "During a case like the New Madrid, most likely bridges could collapse," said Ragsdale. "We then have smaller, fly-away kits that can be flown on Black Hawk helicopters and taken to places that cannot be accessed by wheeled vehicles. "One of the future projects we are working on is to get our [mobile command center] trailers airlift-rated so they can be loaded on to the Kentucky Air National Guard's C-130s and flown to where they are needed," he said. Ragsdale emphasized the importance of providing leaders access to critical information to help them better understand the situation and make informed decisions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News DOD Will Provide Homeland With Support During Presidential Campaigns The Defense Department has approved a request by the Department of Homeland Security to provide assistance to the Secret Service for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates during the 2024 campaigns through Inauguration Day 2025, the deputy pentagon press secretary said today. "The secretary of defense approved the request and directed the commander of U.S. Northern Command to plan and provide and execute increased support to the United States Secret Service at various locations across the United States during the 2024 election campaigns," Sabrina Singh said during a briefing today at the Pentagon. According to Singh, the department's support will continue throughout the campaigns, the elections and the inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. Gaza Update Also of note is that the final aid bound for Gaza, which was initially meant for delivery over the now-shuttered floating pier, is slated to be delivered this week to the port of Ashdod in Israel. From there, the aid will be transported to Gaza. "Earlier this week, the Cape Trinity arrived from Cyprus to the port of Ashdod and has begun the process of unloading the remaining pallets of humanitarian aid," Singh said. "That's approximately six million pounds of aid to be distributed within Gaza. The offloading process is expected to take between four to six days." Singh said when the Cape Trinity has finished unloading aid, it will return to Greece to allow some of the crew to disembark and will then continue its return home to the United States. The MV Cape Trinity, a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship, is owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In May DOD deployed a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system, or JLOTS, on the Mediterranean Sea to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The JLOTS system included a floating pier, called the "Trident Pier," which was attached to the Gaza shore. U.S. Central Command closed out the JLOTS mission in mid-July. While the pier was in operation, the U.S. and partners delivered nearly 20 million pounds of aid into Gaza. The six million pounds of aid being delivered now to the port of Ashdod by the MV Cape Trinity was initially meant to be delivered over the Trident Pier. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement Signed The Hon Richard Marles MP Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Defence 29 August 2024 Australia and Indonesia are strengthening security ties, with the signing of the AustraliaaIndonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement in Indonesia today. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, signed the historic agreement alongside Indonesian President-elect and Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto. The treaty-level agreement will allow for 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. This will enable: More complex joint activities and exercises between the Australian Defence Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces. Australia and Indonesia to operate from each other's countries for mutually determined cooperative activities The continued exchange of personnel for education and training. Technical cooperation, including in areas of science and technology. Enhanced legal protections for our respective personnel. Australia and Indonesia share a mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement reflects our countries' commitment to upholding the rules-based order in our region. Australia is committed to working with our regional partners in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP: "As one of our closest neighbours, Australia's relationship with Indonesia is essential to our nation's security and prosperity. "The signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement with Indonesia represents the most significant defence agreement in the history of our two countries. "This agreement reflects our mutual determination to grow the defence partnership in support of the global rules-based order. "I would like to thank my counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, for his leadership and partnership in seeing the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed today." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden's Migration Agency To Revise Asylum Applications By Belarusians Amid Criticism By RFE/RL's Belarus Service August 29, 2024 Sweden's Migration Agency says it will revise asylum applications filed by Belarusian citizens amid criticism that it had made decisions based on erroneous information and ignored an ongoing crackdown on dissent and democratic institutions in Belarus. Sveriges Radio quoted Anna Lindblad of the Migration Agency on August 29 as saying "we are aware of the information and criticism directed at us." Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told RFE/RL in a message sent by her press service that the her ministry "will conduct a legal review this autumn regarding the handling of cases from asylum seekers from Belarus." "I will refrain from further comments on the matter until I have reviewed the results," the minister said. "Questions regarding the Swedish government's foreign policy is kindly directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the minister's response to RFE/RL's query said. A day earlier, RFE/RL's Belarusian Service reported that a Belarusian man was arrested last week at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border after Swedish authorities rejected his asylum application and deported him to Belarus. His current whereabouts are unknown. Zmitser Vaserman, who represents a Belarusian group in exile known as the People's Embassy of Belarus, told RFE/RL on August 29 that the Migration Agency's decision to revise Belarusians' asylum applications this autumn was made before the news about the Belarusian man's arrest following his deportation by Sweden broke a day earlier. According to Vaserman, his group revived its talks with the Migration Agency in July after noted Belarusian opposition activist Kanstantsin Syarohin's asylum application was rejected again. "[Syarohin's] case confirmed that despite the information on the current situation in Belarus updated in February to properly reflect the reality of mass terror in the country, the Migration Agency continues to support its previously made rulings in courts," Vaserman said. Vaserman added that it was important that Sweden update the information but stressed that the process of decision-making on asylum applications filed by Belarusian citizens must be held with a moratorium in place on the deportation of Belarusian citizens. This would prevent the deportation of those whose applications have been denied, he said. Earlier in August, Vaserman said at the New Belarus conference that more than 100 Belarusians applied for political asylum in Sweden and only three received it. Vaserman said then that many filed appeals against denials, while some moved to other countries to seek asylum there. Following the disputed August 2020 presidential election in Belarus that gave authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth presidential term, mass pro-democracy demonstrations broke out across the country. The demonstrations were brutally suppressed. In the ensuing years, officials have imprisoned hundreds of demonstration participants, often holding leading activists in near-complete isolation and denying many prisoners adequate medical care. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sweden-migration-agency- belarus-application-asylum-lukashenka/33098582.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 President Xi Jinping Meets with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: August 29, 2024 19:14 On the afternoon of August 29, President Xi Jinping met with Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President 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. President 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 areaaboveboard, both of which have been highly consistent and stable. China is focusedaon managing its own affairs wellaand will continue deepeningareform comprehensively to further improveaand 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. President 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 inahandling 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, work with China to find a right way for China and the United States, two countriesawith different civilizations, systems and paths,ato coexist in peace and achieve common development on this planet, and work to maintain the stability of China-U.S. relations and,aon that basis, improve and take forward the relationship. National Security Advisor Sullivan conveyed the regards of President 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 ofastrategic communication with Director Wang Yi 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 Statesadoes not support "Taiwan independence," and it does not seek conflict with China. Theaone-China policy of the United States has not changed, and it has no intention to use Taiwan as a tool to contain China. TheaUnited 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. President Xi asked National Security Advisor Sullivan to pass on his regards to President Biden. President Xi expressed readiness to stay in touch with President Biden to guideaand steerathe development of China-U.S. relations. Wang Yi attended the meeting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, China rebuild military contacts even as China warns on Taiwan Gen. Zhang Youxia and Jake Sullivan agreed on theater-level telephone call soon. By RFA Staff 2024.08.29 -- A Chinese military leader and U.S. President Joe Biden's security adviser agreed on Thursday to theater-level contact between their militaries, the U.S. said, even as China warned that Taiwan independence "is incompatible with peace" and an "insurmountable red line" in relations. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, on the third and final day of a visit to China, told Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, that their countries had a responsibility to "prevent competition from veering into conflict," the White House 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," it said. China froze top-level military talks and other dialogue with the U.S. in 2022 after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking U.S. official in 25 years to visit Taiwan. The island has been self-governing since it effectively separated from the mainland in 1949 after the Chinese civil war. China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has not ruled out an invasion to force reunification, was infuriated by the Pelosi visit and canceled military-to-military talks, including contacts between theater-level commanders. President Joe Biden persuaded his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to resume contacts in November 2023, when they met on the sidelines of an APEC summit in Woodside, California. In December, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff met his People's Liberation Army counterpart and the following month, military officials from both sides resumed U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks at the Pentagon, after a break of more than two years. Sullivan and Zhang "recognized the progress in sustained, regular military-military communications over the past 10 months and planned to hold a theater commander telephone call in the near future," the White House said. But, Taiwan remains a highly sensitive issue for the two sides, which Zhang stressed to Sullivan. "China demands that the United States stop military collusion between the United States and Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives involving Taiwan," according to China's defense ministry. For his part, Sullivan "raised the importance of cross-Strait peace and stability." Opportunity not challenge The U.S. diplomat also met briefly on Thursday with Xi, state broadcaster CCTV reported. "China's goal of being committed to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of Sino-US relations has not changed," the Chinese president said. "We hope that the United States will work with China, view China and China's development with a positive and rational attitude, regard each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and work with China to find a correct way for the two major countries to get along." Sullivan earlier met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, securing an agreement for a phone call between Biden and Xi "in the coming weeks." Sullivan and Wang discussed trade disagreements, ways to stop the illegal flow of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl to the U.S., territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the two countries' concerns about the situation in North Korea, Myanmar and the Middle East, according to the White House. Wang told Sullivan that "the security of all countries must be common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable, and the security of one country cannot be built on the basis of the insecurity of other countries," China's foreign ministry said. Edited by Mike Firn. Updated to add details on Sullivan's meeting with Xi Jinping. 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 Hong Kong sees spike in imports from Taiwan, South Korea Analysts say the trend is likely driven by Chinese and Russian demand for high-tech components. By Ray Chung for RFA Cantonese 2024.08.29 -- Hong Kong recorded a spike in imports from major chip-making nations in July, suggesting that semiconductor-related goods may be being re-exported to mainland China to avoid U.S. trade restrictions, analysts said. Washington has stepped up sanctions to limit China's access to the tiny electronic devices that power the modern economy, while encouraging American firms to diversify hi-tech supply chains. According to figures released on Tuesday by the city's Census and Statistics Department, imports from Taiwan rose by 20.5% to just over HK$50 billion (US$6.4 billion) in July, year-on-year, while imports from South Korea rose by 34.4% to HK$20.4 billion (US$2.6 billion) over the same period. The recent rise in South Korean exports has been fueled by "strong global demand for semiconductors," Yonhap news agency reported, citing government figures. Overall, chip exports surged by 85.7% to US$3.39 billion during the 10 days of July, the agency said, adding that semiconductor exports accounted for 19.1% of the country's total exports during that period, fueled by an industry cycle upturn. Shipments to Hong Kong more than tripled to $791 million, and exports to Japan rose by 31.7% to $752 million, according to Yonhap. "Growth momentum for exports is expected to continue on the back of solid demand for semiconductors and other IT products in July despite such seasonal factors as summer vacation," it quoted an industry ministry official as saying. Meanwhile, Taiwan government trade data indicates that some 75% of high-end products exported to Hong Kong are integrated circuits. Shih Chien-yu of Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research said imports of both semiconductors and AI servers could be driving the surge in Hong Kong imports in July, because the high unit price of AI servers would easily cause a spike in import figures. He said that such equipment could easily be re-exported to mainland China, and to Russia, evading a slew of U.S. sanctions. "It's not just China that needs these things - Russia is also looking to import them via Hong Kong," Shih told RFA Cantonese in a recent interview. "It's impossible for Russia to obtain AI servers elsewhere, or chips used for AI." "China can't buy them, and don't have any of their own, so they want to buy them on the black market, via Hong Kong," he said. Chu Yueh-chung, assistant professor of finance at the Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, said he doesn't believe there is enough demand in the Hong Kong economy to justify such a rise in imports from Taiwan and South Korea. "The likelihood that these goods are being re-exported from Hong Kong to mainland China is very, very high," Chu told RFA Cantonese. "The key issue is of course semiconductor-related goods, especially now that the United States is looking to place further controls on China." "It's not just chips - high-transmission products like High Bandwidth Memory could soon fall within the scope of sanctions, so they are likely importing such products to China via this channel," he said. In addition to high-tech export bans to China and Russia, Washington also unveiled export controls in October 2022 banning U.S. citizens and permanent residents from supporting the "development or production" of chips in China. The rules are expected to affect hundreds of Chinese Americans, according to Nikkei Asia, including executives of some of China's biggest chipmakers, many of whom worked for decades in the United States before returning to China under its "Thousand Talents" program. Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. 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 Hong Kong finds former editors guilty of sedition in blow to press freedom It marks the first sedition conviction against any journalist since 1997. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.08.29 -- A Hong Kong court on Thursday found two editors of the now-defunct Stand News guilty of conspiring to publish seditious material, marking the first sedition conviction against any journalist since Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China in 1997. The publication's former editor-in-chief, Chung Pui-kuen, and former acting editor-in-chief, Patrick Lam, could face a maximum prison term of two years. The journalists were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious material under a colonial-era law that has been increasingly used to target dissent as part of a crackdown that followed huge anti-government protests in the Asian financial hub in 2019. Sedition laws were introduced during British colonial rule but had not been used until 2020 when China imposed new national security laws in response to the protests, which it blamed on outside interference. Along with new crimes like "collusion with foreign forces" and subversion, prosecutors began charging Hong Kong people with sedition for the first time in more than 50 years. The trial was initially expected to last 20 days but ran over to 56. Hong Kong government lawyers said some of the articles published by Stand News helped promote "illegal ideologies," and smeared 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, while Lam, who also pleaded not guilty, chose not to give testimony. Stand News, founded in 2014, was one of the last openly critical media outlets in Hong Kong following the closure of the Apple Daily newspaper in June 2021. During the 2019 protests, Stand News gained prominence for its live-streaming from the streets and for its critical reporting of the city authorities, who dubbed the publication "misleading." In 2021, dozens of civil society groups shut in the city after China imposed a national security law, with many activists arrested. Stand News was among the publications that shut down under the shadow of the law. On Dec. 29, 2021, police raided its office, arresting senior staff. Its assets were also frozen, forcing Stand News to cease its operations. The pro-democracy Apple Daily was also forced to close following police raids on its newsroom and the freezing of its assets in the same year. Jimmy Lai, the Apple Daily's founder, is on trial, accused of "conspiring to collude with foreign forces" and "conspiring to publish seditious materials." The crackdown on Hong Kong's media has drawn criticism from rights groups and some Western governments. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Stand News as "one of the few remaining bastions of free and independent media" in Hong Kong. City leaders deny that the media has been targeted and stress the importance of preserving stability to protect Hong Kong's economic success. Days after Stand News shut down, another Hong Kong-based independent news outlet, Citizen News, announced it would cease operations, citing the deteriorating media environment and risks to its staff. The closure of the Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News within months of each other dealt a blow to the city's once vibrant press scene. In March, Radio Free Asia said it was closing its Hong Kong bureau, citing concerns for the safety of its staff in the city and actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a "foreign force." Some foreign news organizations have closed their offices, or moved out staff amid increasing scrutiny by the authorities. The city's press freedom ranking fell from 73 out of 180 territories and countries in Reporters Without Borders' annual World Press Freedom Index to 135 last year, just above South Sudan. "Once a bastion of press freedom, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has suffered an unprecedented series of setbacks since 2020, when Beijing adopted a national security law aimed at silencing independent voices," the media watchdog said. The Hong Kong government, while insisting that civil liberties are guaranteed in the city, has further tightened the sedition laws, which they say are necessary to ensure the media does not "endanger" national security. In April, the city passed its own version of the national security law, known as Article 23, adding several new offenses, including treason, sabotage, and espionage, and allowing police to hold suspects for up to 16 days without charge. Sedition has also been added, and its scope expanded to include "inciting hatred" against the Chinese Communist Party. The government says the provisions were similar to laws in places like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore to tackle covert and overt foreign influence over political systems. Edited by Mike Firn. UPDATES to add reference to RFA closing its Hong Kong bureau in March. 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 by Adele A. Wilby Many decades ago, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity of living in India for several years. I was enthralled by that country: its cultural richness; the environment; the food, but most of all the friendliness and warm hospitality of its diverse people. There were, of course, issues that confounded me and stark contradictions stared back at me from many directions, but of particular concern was the scale of the poverty amongst vast sections of the population, an issue that visited me at home frequently. A small begging community gathered regularly at my front gate, hungry and calling out for food. As my knowledge of the Indian social structure deepened, I came to understand that these people belonged to the most oppressed castes in Indian society and not only they, but a multitude of others were living in poverty, and with hunger. Jean-Martin Bauers book The New Breadline: Hunger and Hope in the 21st Century addresses those very issues of social oppression and politics also that create the condition of hunger for millions of people across the globe. He is well placed to author such a book. With twenty years of experience with the United Nations World Food Programme and now Country Director of the programme in Haiti, Bauer brings to the book a wealth of experience in humanitarian work to alleviate hunger in West Africa, Syria, Iraq and Central Africa, and now in his home country of Haiti. Bauer tells us that fewer people than ever starve in the world today thanks to technological progress and the creation of systems to bring food aid to people. Indeed, at the turn of the 21st century the success in winning the battle against hunger was so encouraging the worlds governments publicly committed to eliminating hunger by 2030. That aspirational deadline however appears to have been kicked into the grass as tragically in 2023 it is estimated that 250 million people still faced acute hunger, double the number in 2020. Acute hunger, Bauer tells us, refers to such a lack of food that it is life threatening. Given the recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East and northern Africa, we must assume that the 2023 numbers have increased significantly. On the other hand, chronic hunger occurs when there is not nearly enough food for the person to thrive, and it affects 700 million people. For young children in particular, long-term hunger has devastating effects: it leads to stunted growth and impacts on the healthy development of the brain resulting in irreparable cognitive defects, putting the children on the backfoot before their lives have barely started. The figures documenting the numbers of hungry people in the world are even more tragic when, Bauer tells us, There is plenty of food in the world to feed everyone. In a world where there is enough food to feed the global population and when the wealthiest country on the planet endowed with a plentiful supply of food, the United States, also has millions of hungry people, questions must be raised about the forces and circumstances that push swathes of humanity into extreme suffering, struggling to endure acute and chronic hunger. On one level, Bauer shows us, social inequality around race, gender, class and caste are factors that influence peoples access to food, but Bauer also reveals throughout his book, that political choices, corruption, and exploitation are also responsible for plunging people into the distress and the life-threatening situation of hunger. For example, spurring the surge in the numbers of the hungry was the global response to the pandemic, and Bauer cites the case of the Republic of Congo in 2020 where the political decision to lockdown the nation resulted in imported food remaining unloaded and rotting in the ports and local produce was never moved. Meanwhile, in the capital Brazzaville, peoples livelihoods vanished when the lockdown prevented them from going to work. In 2020, a study revealed that 700,000 people in Brazzaville, one third of the population, did not have enough to eat, triple the numbers from 2015, and yet there were only 100 fatalities from Covid-19. There is of course, no way of knowing how many people would have died from Covid-19 without the national lockdown, but this case does highlight the implications of political choices on peoples access to food. But just when the world thought the worst impacts of the pandemic had turned a corner, in 2022 another major course of hunger, international politics, came into the mix to complicate the food security issue. Russia invaded the Ukraine, a major global grain source. Food prices across the globe spiked, jeopardising food security for millions of people. But as Bauer tells us, it is not only the contemporary political crises that impact on food security and the hunger of millions of people, but historical events have also played their role in creating hunger in the world today, and he provides a comprehensive account of the impact of French colonialism and its aftermath on the Haitian economy. Financially crushed by former slavers, the purchasing of small farms by the French speaking mulatto wealthy to grow large coffee plantations, and periodic political crises, a newly independent Haiti soon found itself unable to feed its expanding population. In more contemporary times, Bauer reveals how US president Bill Clinton added to the complexity of Haitis food crisis when he forced Haiti to drop its tariff on imported subsidised rice in 1994, and the Haitian market was flooded with cheap imported rice. The lowering of the price tariff for rice stands out, for Bauer, as the moment when Haiti lost control of its food supply. Since then, he argues, outside interests have taken precedence over the countrys food economy, and the concerns and needs of Haitian farmers and its people are given less attention. The country now imports half its food and 80 percent of its rice supply for it to be able to feed its people. Feeding its population is a fundamental concern for any nation, and nothing has highlighted this more than the 2008 food crisis when food prices spiked, and scarcity became an issue. The response of some businesses and states to these situations, Bauer shows us, has been to land grab farmland outside its own borders, particularly in poor and import-dependent nations. In a bid to secure the finance to develop their domestic agriculture production, poorer countries are signing off their farmland to investors and other nations in return for infrastructural projects such as irrigation systems. A controversial case of land grabbing was Libyas acquisition of a massive swathe of Malis best farmland in 2008. Libya was desperate to secure farmland in another country to feed its people, while the Malian government needed the finance to develop its agriculture sector and to feed its people at the same time; it could not do both. The presidents of the two countries launched a venture that covered 100,000 hectares. The Malian government conceded the land for fifty years, free of charge, including water rights. However, in the end the fickleness of politics played its role: the Libyan leader Gaddafi was toppled as was the Malian president, putting an end to the joint project. The Malian people returned to farming having learned the bitter lesson of how easily outsiders could take their land at a moments notice. Hunger and conflict also often march together. Bauer cites the case of conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). The civil conflict devastated the agriculture sector and the nations food production shrank by 58 per cent. Insurgents added to the food crisis by confiscating food supplies, leading to widespread hunger amongst the people. After a decade of war, in 2023, 3 million people, half the population, were facing food shortages, Moreover, in CAR, according to Bauer, widespread hunger is only increasing. Over the years Bauer has clearly acquired a great deal of experience and knowledge on the issues related to hunger and strategies to alleviate hunger, and one of those major issues he came to understand is the limitation of international law for holding those accountable for strategically pushing people into starvation during times of conflict, as in the CAR. However, after many decades and a great deal of debate, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2417 in 2018, a Resolution that condemns starvation as a tactic of warfare. So far however, despite the extent of hunger in the world, the Resolution remains untested and there have been no prosecutions, primarily because the standards for evidence remain unclear, making it difficult to bring or prosecute cases. That apart, armed insurgent groups frequently disregard international law. Until international law is tightened, and armed non-state actors take seriously the implications of reducing populations to hunger and starvation, depriving people of food is likely to continue as a tactic or consequence of war. Part of Bauers experience in humanitarian work has also been confronting the issue of racism, not only as a cause for hunger, but both personally and institutionally. As Bauer tells us, international organisations engaged in humanitarian assistance are, in principle, colourblind. However, as a biracial man working in a senior position in a humanitarian organisation, Bauer narrates his personal experience of racism, and the racial tension that remains present in humanitarian agencies. Many aid agency offices in Africa are diverse, with senior management coming from Africa and all over the world, but the headquarters are less diverse than field offices, with very few Black or African office executives. Moreover, in Bauers observations, racism is not only present in the way the system works but in the way assistance is delivered on the ground. He cites a case in his early career when working with the World Food Programme in 2001 in Niger. Through an American colleague he came to realise that the population in the Kosovo emergency were receiving better rations than the population in Niger. Enquiries as to why the discrepancies in qualities of rations should exist, Bauer was informed that living standards were lower in Africa and cost-conscious donors were not willing to pay for high-quality food in the worlds poorest nations. Some of these issues have been overcome in the methods used to distribute food in an easy, accessible way for many people. For example, rather than providing food supplies people are provided with access to mobile money on phones. This allows people to purchase food supplies to a certain cost from the local merchants and to choose their own food types at their discretion. In a book that exposes the most tragic instances of hunger throughout the world and Bauers work to alleviate that hunger over the years, the reader cannot help but ask how the noun hope fits into the title of the book, yet for Bauer there is reason to be optimistic about our ability to fight hunger. Technology has a role to play, but not all technology will provide a solution to the long-term issue in the modern world of feeding 9 billion people on a planet that is running out of land, pasture and water. Bauer explores how scientists are developing lab-grown food and other measures taken to produce food, but for him that is only part of the story for finding a solution to providing food security for the worlds population. Ultimately, he argues, it comes down to better political leadership, laws that hold people to account for starvation in war and the building of food systems that are fair and resilient to climate change and disease. Feeding people is for Bauer, an issue where feeding people should be the business of everyone, down to the individual. Bauers illuminating book exposes the tragedy of hunger across the globe for millions of people and the measures dedicated humanitarian workers are implementing to alleviate hunger. He provides historical accounts of regions and countries struggling to cope with food security. His personal reflections of working with the World Food Programme are an added and informative bonus to the book. But he also looks ahead to the future of humanity and the issue of feeding the global population. Better political choices and more equitable social and political systems across the world which will prevent hunger in the first instance, are, for Bauer, the ultimate solution. EXPLAINED: How much has media freedom deteriorated in Hong Kong since 2020? The sedition conviction of two Stand News editors is the latest of many blows to independent media in the city. By Paul Eckert for RFA English 2024.08.29 -- A Hong Kong court on Thursday found two editors of the Stand News guilty of conspiring to publish seditious material, the latest casualties of draconian national security laws imposed on the once freewheeling international financial hub by Chinese and local authorities since 2020. In the first sedition conviction against any journalist since Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China in 1997, the now-defunct publication's former editor-in-chief, Chung Pui-kuen, and former acting editor-in-chief, Patrick Lam, could face a maximum prison term of two years. The journalists for Stand News were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious material under a British colonial law that had not been used until 2020, when China imposed new national security laws in response to mass pro-democracy protests in the city in 2019. Is the punishment of the Stand News journalists an isolated case? Several independent news outlets in Hong Kong have been shuttered and had staff arrested and prosecuted after the National Security Law in Hong Kong was imposed by China on June 30, 2020, and the Hong Kong government passed Article 23 Safeguarding National Security Law in March. Stand News was forced to cease its operations after police raided its office on Dec. 29, 2021, arresting senior staff and freezing its assets. Days later, another news outlet, the Citizen News, announced it would cease operations, citing the deteriorating media environment and risks to its staff. By far the most influential outlet of the more than seven independent media outlets to be silenced was the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, which was forced to close in June 2021 following police raids on its newsroom and the freezing of its assets. Apple Daily's founder, Next Digital media mogul Jimmy Lai, a vocal critic of China for decades, is currently standing trial for "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "collusion with foreign forces" under the 2020 National Security Law. In May 2023, Hong Kong's Chinese-language newspaper of record, the Ming Pao, last week canceled a regular comic strip by Wong Kei-kwan, better known as Zunzi, following an onslaught of public criticism from government officials over his satirical cartoons on local politics. In May of this year, Ronson Chan, a former deputy assignment editor at Stand News and outspoken critic of diminishing press freedom in the city, announced he would not seek re-election as chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association, saying he had been told that the organization would continue to be targeted by the authorities if he didn't step down. What do media freedom and human rights watchdog groups say about Hong Kong's situation? In the global press freedom ranking issued annually by Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, Hong Kong stood at 18th out of 180 countries and territories in 2002, but fell to 148th in 2022. The city's ranking now stands at 135, between the Philippines and South Sudan. Freedom House, in a broader survey of global civic freedoms that ranked Hong Kong "partly free," gave the territory a low score of 1 out of 4 when it comes to having "free and Independent media." The Washington-based group noted the June 2023 closure of Citizens' Radio, after the government blocked its access to donations, citing the National Security Law. And public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong "had a reputation for independence before the government effectively took control of its output in 2021," it said. The Hong Kong Journalists' Association, in a Press Freedom Index published just a week before Thursday's Stand News verdict, found that respondents said press freedom in the city had fallen to its lowest point since the annual survey of working journalists began 11 years ago. More than half of the 251 journalists who responded to the survey said press freedom had declined over the past year, and more than 90% of respondents said conditions had declined overall for the fifth year in a row. RSF reckons that at least 28 journalists have been prosecuted under the 2020 National Security Law. How have media outlets and journalists responded to the repressive atmosphere? While officials in China and Hong Kong repeatedly say that journalists are safe to carry out "legitimate" reporting activities under both the 2020 National Security Law and Article 23, reporters told RFA Cantonese in May that they face too many serious risks. RSF noted in its annual survey that in the wake of the 2020 security law, "a handful of new, small-scale news outlets have been founded by some of the journalists who lost their jobs, and diaspora media outlets are establishing themselves around the world." Foreign media were also affected by the draconian laws, with The New York Times relocating its digital news operations to Seoul and other outlets moving their staff to the vibrant democracy of Taiwan. The island ranks 27th on the RSF index. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in 2022 it had gained 63 foreign correspondents and 29 news organizations since 2020, as media companies relocated staff from Hong Kong and China, whose already poor media climate deteriorated further amid U.S.-China tensions and the COVID pandemic. In late March, Radio Free Asia, an independent media outlet funded by the U.S. Congress, announced the closure of its 28-year-old Hong Kong bureau, saying that Article 23 had raised safety concerns for its reporters and staff members. 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 Over 1 million Chinese restaurants close amid economic downturn Officials have less money to spend, while many people are still getting takeout delivered at home. By Hsia Hsiao-hwa, Qian Lang and Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.08.29 -- As more than a million restaurants closed their doors in recent months, diners in China are ordering takeout instead, amid skyrocketing numbers of food delivery riders. Amid a flagging economy, glitzy shopping malls, noodle shops and eateries have been shutting down across the country, according to local media reports. More than a million food and beverage outlets, including 30,000 noodle shops, shut down in the first half of this year, close to the total for the whole of last year, catering industry news service Canguanju reported. The report came as Taiwanese dumpling chain Din Tai Fung, which currently has 30 stores in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, said it would shutter 14 of its stores in northern China, citing the economic downturn. Economic commentator Si Ling told RFA Mandarin that Din Tai Fung's move is representative of the state of luxury or high-end dining in China, and a bellwether of economic buoyancy. "Din Tai Fung was once very successful in China, off the back of booming economic growth," Si said. "This shows how China's middle class is shrinking at a faster and faster rate." "This huge consumer group is voting with its feet - there's no faking that," he said, in an apparent reference to the Chinese government's insistence on positive economic news. Fan Shih-ping, professor of politics at National Taiwan Normal University, said there are also political overtones to the disappearance of Din Tai Fung stores. "Xiaolongbao [dumplings] were actually brought to Taiwan from mainland China after 1949, flourished in Taiwan, and then returned to mainland China, so it carries the meaning of United Front Work," Fan said, in a reference to the Chinese Communist Party's outreach and influence operations. "It has a very obvious political meaning, because the motherland once opened its arms to a returning xiaolongbao restaurant, and now Din Tai Fung is leaving the family again," he said. "I think that's how the Chinese feel about it." State salary cuts U.S.-based current affairs commentator Chen Pokong said restaurants have been particularly hard hit by the lack of money in local government coffers since the three years of zero-COVID restrictions, which ended following nationwide protests in December 2022. "Most of the customers in high-end noodle shops and other eateries are civil servants," Chen said. "[Local] leaders would entertain guests or do business deals, even bribery and corruption went on, in high-end restaurants." "Now, there's a power struggle that targets people in the name of anti-corruption, so a lot of officials are wary." Many state employees have had their salaries and bonuses cut, or have not been paid at all amid the economic downturn. "Officials aren't eating out or spending money any more, which is a major blow to China's high-end restaurants," Chen said. Instead, many in China are opting to have food delivered at home, leading to a recent spike in the number of delivery riders lately, according to the Beijing municipal government's statistics bureau. While overall earnings in the catering sector fell by 2.9% in the first half of 2024, year-on-year, profits plummeted by 88.8% over the same period, figures showed. Meanwhile, the number of employees in the delivery and takeout sector rose by 49.7%, indicating that people have continued to prefer to eat in despite the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. A Beijing resident who gave only the surname Guo said many of the new delivery workforce are former high-level corporate employees who can't find white-collar jobs any more, and are struggling to make ends meet. "It used to be just recent graduates or non-local residents who worked as delivery riders," Guo said. "It used to be a job that locals were unwilling to do, but now locals are starting to compete for these jobs too." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. 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 takes mild tone on US official's visit By Wenhao Ma August 29, 2024 Beijing has adopted a conciliatory tone in its reporting on this week's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition in landmark media case By Tommy Walker August 29, 2024 A Hong Kong court on Thursday convicted two independent journalists of sedition for coverage of the island state's pro-democracy demonstrations of 2019. The sedition trial is the first that has focused on journalists and editors since Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain in 1997. The former editor-in-chief of Stand News, Chung Pui-Kuen, and the former acting-editor-in-chief, Patrick Lam, were found guilty of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious information, Judge Kwok Wai Kin announced Thursday afternoon. The verdict announcement was delayed three times, and for months, and followed a two-month trial. The legal proceedings against Chung and Lam began in December 2021 when the newsroom offices of Stand News were raided by dozens of police. The two were among at least six news employees detained. The well-known online news site stopped publishing the next day. Chung, 54, appeared Thursday in court to hear the verdict, while Lam, 36, was not present because of a health issue, local media reported. They each face up to two years in prison. They remain on bail and will be sentenced on September 26, the court announced. Chung and Lam are expected to appeal the decision, reports say. In response to the ruling on the social media site X, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the convictions a "direct attack on media freedom" that "undermines Hong Kong's once-proud international reputation for openness." During the trial, prosecutors focused on 17 articles published by Stand News that included stories featuring pro-democracy ex-lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui a who are among a group of overseas-based activists wanted by the Hong Kong authorities a as well as essays and commentaries from other pro-democracy advocates. The court asserted that the articles helped to promote "illegal ideologies" in Hong Kong. They described Stand News as a political platform and online news outlet. Judge Kwok said Thursday that the court ruled that most of the articles reviewed in the case were seditious. "The court rules that the political atmosphere was extremely heated at that time of the case. Many residents were dissatisfied with or even opposing the Hong Kong and central [China] governments. ... Under such context, the court found 11 out of the 17 articles to be seditious," local media reported. Eric Yan-ho Lai, a research fellow at Georgetown Center for Asian Law told VOA the verdict will have a "chilling effect" on Hong Kong's media environment. "Without a speedy appellant ruling, the verdict could impose an additional chilling effect on the local media industry that has been exercising self-censorship heavily since 2020,'' Lai said. "The verdict could add burdens to foreign media outlets in Hong Kong as they have been relatively eager to report and opine for dissenting views about Hong Kong." The legal process likely will continue, Lai said. "The verdict on Thursday would only serve as a beginning of free press trial since it is likely that the defendants will go for appeal and the process could take long," Lai said. Founded in 2014, Stand News operated, reported and published independently online during the 2019 student protests, and its articles would often include comments and voices from those critical of the Hong Kong government in addition to those supportive of Beijing policies and China. Stand News was regarded as one of the last independent sources of news in Hong Kong until it ceased publishing in December 2021. Lai said the use of the sedition law in the case is an obvious sign that the Hong Kong government is rolling back press freedoms and free speech of opinions and viewpoints the government disapproves. "The Stand News case is so significant as it is the first time the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government employs the sedition law to target media editors and media outlet per se,'' Lai said. ''Before the handover, the British colonial government had ceased to deploy the sedition law, since the 1970s." In recent years authorities have used colonial-era ordinances to target those who are allegedly guilty of seditious acts, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The outcome of the trial is indicative of how small the space is today in Hong Kong for press freedom and independent journalism, observers say. Aleksandra Bielakowska, an advocacy officer at Reporters with Borders, told VOA the verdict has set "new red lines" in Hong Kong. "The guilty verdict is sending a very clear message and sets new red lines in the territory a now any remaining media will need to be additionally careful about reporting about pro-democracy activists who remain in prison or decided to live in exile," Bielakowska said. The Hong Kong Journalist Association released a statement following Thursday's verdict. "HKJA believes that the case against Stand News exemplifies the decline of the city's press freedom, and the damage done to the city's press and to a media company is irreversible long before the verdict was handed down today," the statement said. "We strongly oppose using sedition laws a including those set out in the new Safeguarding National Security Ordinance a to prosecute people exercising their constitutional right to conduct journalism." Following the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a national security law on the city in 2020, prohibiting secession, subversion and foreign interference, which prompted a political crackdown in the city. At least 28 journalists and press freedom defenders have been arrested since then, with 10 still in jail, and over a dozen media outlets closed. Hong Kong's international ranking of press freedom has nosedived in recent years, sitting 135th in the rankings for 2024 after once boasting a high ranking of 18 in 2002, according to the Reporters without Borders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by APNSA Jake Sullivan in Press Conference | Beijing, People's Republic of China August 29, 2024 Beijing, People's Republic of China MR. SULLIVAN: Good evening. As I said at the very start of these meetings, President Biden has been clear that he is committed to managing this important relationship responsibly. Our aim in every engagement with China is to deliver for the American people. Under President Biden's leadership, the United States has and will continue to advance its interests and values, look out for its friends. And as we do, we believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation. The key is responsible management through diplomacy. Beginning in May of last year, that diplomacy has been an all-hands-on-deck effort across the U.S. government and the Cabinet, which has included four meetings between myself and Director Wang Yi, as well as engagements between Secretary Blinken, Secretary Yellen, Secretary Raimondo and their counterparts, and many other Cabinet secretaries and their counterparts. Those discussions helped lay the foundation for a productive summit between President Biden and President Xi in San Francisco at the end of last year. There, our leaders agreed on concrete steps on issues that matter to the American people and, for that matter, matter to the world. This week, I traveled to China for the first time as National Security Advisor to take stock of where we have made progress and what work there still remains to be done, and also how we can responsibly manage the difficult issues and the differences that we have in this relationship. That's been the focus of my meetings with President Xi, with Director and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and with CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Zouxia [sic] a excuse me, Zhang Youxia. This was a true working visit. Over the course of 14 hours of meetings, we discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside commitments, including our work on counternarcotics and efforts to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs into the United States; military-to-military communications including an upcoming engagement between our theater commanders; as well as work towards another round of AI safety and risk talks. Among other issues of global concern, we discussed the recent efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. These meetings were also about managing tough issues, as I said, and areas of disagreement. And I was direct on these issues as well. The United States will continue to take necessary action to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security without unduly limiting trade or investment. We have continued concerns about China's unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices. We remain deeply concerned about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base and its impact on both European and transatlantic security, not to mention on Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine. It is a top priority for this administration to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China. And this was another opportunity for me to raise those cases, as I have done in my prior engagements. I also underscored the longstanding U.S. commitment to universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. In all of my meetings, I stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait; emphasized the United States' commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; and I reaffirmed the United States' commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies including our concerns about destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. These were constructive, candid, substantive conversations. We believe that keeping lines of communication open is critical. And to that end, we began planning towards a leader-level call in the coming weeks where I expect these discussions to continue. And with that, I'd be happy take your questions. Yeah. Q Throughout your meetings with Chinese officials, including Xi Jinping, did you get a sense of how Chinese leadership is feeling about the race for the White House? Obviously, the election would be a looming issue for them. MR. SULLIVAN: I didn't really get a feeling for that. We didn't discuss the American election. That's obviously something for the American people to decide and not for any other country to get involved in. So, neither in my meetings with Director Wang nor in the meeting with the President, or, for that matter, with the CMC Vice Chair, did we specifically talk about the American election. Yeah. Q Hi there. Marc Stewart from CNN. As you mentioned, you talked about some of the maritime issues. I don't have to tell you, obviously, things are very tense right now in the South China Sea, especially with the Philippines and some of these reef issues. Reading the readout, it said you discussed some of this with Xi Jinping himself. Other than diplomatic speak, is there a reasonable roadmap or blueprint for the future? Because I think that the level of tension is reaching an extremely high level. MR. SULLIVAN: So, first, we believe that the order of the day should be de-escalation, and we support direct discussions between the Philippines and the PRC to that end. We also have made very clear that our mutual defense treaty applies to public vessels, including coast guard vessels, that are operating in the South China Sea and in other waters. It also applies to aircraft, for that matter. So the PRC well understands the longstanding commitment the United States has under its mutual defense treaty to the Philippines, and the Philippines well understands that we have an ironclad commitment to support them in their lawful exercise of their rights, their maritime rights. At the same time, nobody is looking for a crisis a not the Philippines, not the United States, and we hope not the PRC. But I did raise our concerns about some of the destabilizing actions that have taken place, including the ramming of coast guard vessels and unsafe intercepts near Scarborough Shoal. It's something we'll continue to discuss with our Chinese counterparts. It's something we will continue to consult closely with our Filipino counterparts on. And in fact, before I came here, I had the opportunity to call my Filipino counterpart, the National Security Advisor, Secretary AAo, and I will stay in close touch with him, as will other members of the U.S. government. So we will do our best to try to contribute to managing this issue in a responsible way so that de-escalation is the order of the day. Yeah. Q Hello. This is Rae (ph) from The Paper. So, I wonder, since the San Francisco summit, you know, more than 20 communication mechanisms have been established or assumed, maintaining the momentum from (inaudible) dialogue between the two countries. So following this visit, what will be the key focus of the U.S. diplomacy towards China through next January? And what specific interim achievement does the Biden administration hope to secure during this period? Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, at a macro level, the most important thing and a core part of my extended engagement with Director Wang, not just here but in multiple meetings dating back to the beginning of last year, is overall responsible management of this relationship so the competition doesn't veer into confrontation or conflict. That is ongoing work. And being able to reach the end of President Biden's 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. More specifically, we're going to look for further progress on counternarcotics and reducing the flow of illicit synthetic drugs into the United States. We are going to look for a deepening of the military-to-military communication so that we can pass that on to President Biden's successor. And, in fact, a very positive outcome of the sessions here is that there will be a call between the theater commanders, the INDOPACOM commander and the Southern Theater commander for the PLA. Having the opportunity today to sit down with the CMC Vice Chairman, something that has not happened for a U.S. official in eight years, is itself significant because it allows us to give impetus and momentum to those military-to-military lines of communication, and that will be an important priority for us as we go forward. There are other issues as well, of course, that we'll deal with, and we'll have to manage the risks and flashpoints too: cross-Strait relations, the South China Sea, the Chinese support for the Russian defense industrial base. And we'll continue to work on all of those in the months ahead. Yeah. Q Welcome to Beijing. My name is Laura Baker. I'm from BBC News. I'd like to ask you: You talk about a call between the two leaders within the coming weeks. Will there be a last meeting between President Biden and President Xi? And also, back to those talks with General Zhang: How important is it for you to have those talks with a leading general? And what was the tone of those talks? MR. SULLIVAN: It is likely that both President Biden and President Xi will be at APEC and the G20 later this year. I don't have any announcements to make on either President Biden's travel or a potential meeting, but the likelihood is they'll both be there, and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another. So we'll have to await any confirmation or any announcements, but I think things pointing in that direction seem logical and reasonable. I think the meeting with Vice Chairman Zhang was very important. There is no substitute for actually being able to sit across the table, not just with the Vice Chairman but with his whole team, and be able to hear from them their perspective on critical issues, and them be able to hear from us our perspective on those same issues, whether it's cross-Strait relations or the South China Sea or cyber issues. And being able to have that exchange, which is rare, I think allows us to clarify our intentions and our concerns and hear theirs, and try to use that in service of responsible management of the relationship going forward. Yeah. Q Thank you. From the Wall Street Journal. Just to follow up on the question about the U.S. election, I'm curious about what questions, if any, did the Chinese ask you about what a potential Harris administration would represent for U.S.-China relations. And connected to this, did you raise the issue specifically of potential election interference by China during your trip here today? MR. SULLIVAN: Every time I meet with Chinese officials, I raise the issue of election interference and laying down a clear marker that it's unacceptable for any nation to interfere in the U.S. election. And this trip was no different in that regard. I made that point once again. I won't characterize what the PRC's questions were with respect to Vice President Harris. They'll have to speak for themselves on that. But what I will say is that 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 U.S.-China relations. She has 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. And she shares President Biden's view that responsibly managing this competition, so it doesn't veer into conflict or confrontation, is essential. And she also shares the view that maintaining high-level, open lines of communication is the way that you can achieve that responsible management. So I was able to share my experience and my perspective of working closely with the Vice President and the role that she has played over the course of the past four years. Yeah. Q Thank you. I'm with Phoenix TV. The Biden administration has announced arms sale to Taiwan 15 times now since taking office and surpassing the Trump administration's 11 times. So, China believes that the continued U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and other actions have increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. So how do you respond to this? And what is the U.S. willing to do to de-escalate? Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: Our One China policy has not changed, and our approach to this issue is guided by the One China policy, the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint CommuniquAs, and the Six Assurances. That remains true today, and that has remained true on a bipartisan basis through multiple administrations. And that policy has actually helped contribute to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for decades, and we intend to keep it that way. Let's see. Yeah. Q Ken Moritsugu with the AP. I want to ask about the 100 percent tariff that the Canadian government put on Chinese EVs earlier this week. It was reported that you had met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and encouraged Canada to go forward with that. Did that come up at all during these talks? Did the Chinese side complain about it or the timing? And if so, how did you respond? MR. SULLIVAN: First of all, Canada is a sovereign country that makes its own sovereign decisions, and it would be quite an extraordinary power to show up on a Sunday evening and produce a major trade policy move on a Monday morning. So, I think the right way to look at this is: I was there for a pre-scheduled cabinet retreat to speak with them. They took independent action. It was not at my behest or anything that I did or said that made that happen. That was a determination that they made. I did make the point while I was in Canada, and I'd make it standing here today, that we have concerns relative to EVs, both with respect to security issues and overcapacity issues. We've been public and transparent about that. But this was a decision they took on their own, and I won't characterize the conversations with the PRC on this issue; I'll let them speak for themselves. Yeah. Q Janis Mackey Frayer with NBC. A follow-up to the election-related question from Brian. The Chinese leadership and Chinese officials are about stability and consistency in their relationships. Did they at all signal to you any hesitation, nervousness, or concern about an upcoming change of administration at the White House? MR. SULLIVAN: They recognize that elections are sensitive periods and transitions are sensitive periods, and responsible management through an election and transition is important. That's something we believe as well. And my visit here during this period helps contribute to try and sustain that responsible management over this coming sensitive period. I will refrain from commenting on their perspective about what comes next. I think that's something that they're going to have to speak for themselves on. Yeah. Q Thanks. Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters. Jake, could you talk a little bit about the status of the Middle East hostage and ceasefire negotiations? MR. SULLIVAN: I could, but it's moving hour by hour, and I haven't gotten an update in the last several hours. What I would say is that the negotiators are bearing down on the details, meaning that we have advanced the discussions to a point where it's in the nitty-gritty. And that is a positive sign of progress, but at the end of the day, nothing is done until it's done, and so we're just going to keep working at this until we finally get the ceasefire and hostage deal across the line. And I'll have the chance, when I get on the plane, to check in with our negotiating team who's participating in these talks in the region even as we speak. Yeah. Q Thank you. Evelyn Cheng from CNBC. On the issue of tech restrictions, I know that's something that the U.S. side has remained very firm on and that the Chinese side has repeatedly asked for changes on. If the trajectory is still going to be more restrictions, was there a you know, can you give some more details on what that discussion looked like? And then, just on the aspect of cross-Strait tensions and southeast a South China Sea, was there any specifics on what would look a what a de-escalation might look like? Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: We had extended discussions about economics and national security, and I won't characterize the PRC position on that, other than to say it wasn't a it was consistent in the room with what they have said publicly on the issue. For our part, I laid out our approach, which is rooted in the concept of small yard, high fence. I explained why it is that we feel we have to take some targeted restrictions to ensure that advanced technologies aren't used against U.S. national security. I explained that our approach is one of de-risking, not decoupling, and described in some detail how we saw de-risking in practice. And I also raised our concerns about steps that the PRC has taken with respect to the intersection of economics and national security and the impact that that has had on Western businesses and on supply chains. And so, we had a vigorous give-and-take on the issue. Obviously, we didn't come to agreement on certain aspects of things. But I think the dialogue is very useful because it clarifies the concerns of each side and also gives us the opportunity to explain what it is that we are doing and what we are not doing. And I thought that was valuable. We didn't reach any specific agreements on the South China Sea. You know, for one thing, it's not for the United States to reach agreements with China over the heads of parties like the Philippines. For another, you know, there's no substitute for that direct diplomacy between the two of them. But we did indicate and reiterate our longstanding commitment to our ally and our longstanding commitment to the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and the free exercise of maritime rights in the South China Sea. And we'll continue to do that. I'll take one more question. Yeah. Q China Media Group speaking. Sir, we noticed that almost all of your accompanying staff can speak Chinese. Do you think this helped you to communicate with your Chinese counterparts? And does this help you accurately understand China's core concerns? Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: Yes. (Laughter.) The answer is yes. No, having a team here, many of whom do speak fluent Mandarin, have deep experience on issues related to the PRC and the U.S.-China relationship, this is a you know, it makes my job a heck of a lot easier and makes me much better than I would otherwise be. And I stand on the shoulders of those experts because, you know, they're the ones with the insights and the wisdom that drives forward the conversations that we've had here over the last three days. So a All right, we'll do two more. Yeah. Q Yes. Keith Bradsher for the New York Times. Have you made any progress with China in discussing what might be a possible resolution for the war in Ukraine? Thank you. MR. SULLIVAN: I can't say that we did make progress on that issue. The PRC has been very public in its view that the war should end through diplomacy. They've laid out various principles, both unilaterally and in separate communication with the Brazilians. We had the opportunity to exchange views on the war against Ukraine over the course of the last three days. We didn't reach any particular plan with respect to diplomacy, in large part because the United States very rigorously adheres to the simple maxim of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." So, ultimately, it will be up to Ukraine to decide how it wants to proceed with diplomacy and negotiations. Yeah. Q (Inaudible.) Perhaps an overarching question. Several months ago, Chinese/Sino-U.S. relations was very intense, especially around the time U.S. imposed kind of additional tariff on Chinese EVs or semiconductors. And China is facing this trade war nowadays with Europe. But all of a sudden, you came and U.S.-China relations seems to be on better track, especially for the last few months of this year. What's behind this change? Does that have anything to do with Vice President Harris taking over the presidential race or any other factor from the Chinese side? And looking forward, do you see U.S.-China relations turning marginally for the better for the next few months, or potentially next few years, compared to a potential second Trump term? Thanks. MR. SULLIVAN: I can't characterize the Chinese side on this issue. They're going to have to speak for themselves. What I can tell you is that we believe, in the Biden administration, that intense diplomacy matters a because it doesn't resolve every issue, it doesn't mean that we are going to agree on everything, but it does mean that we can improve understanding, we can clarify misperceptions, we can reduce the risk of miscalculation, and we can identify areas to work together where our interests align that might previously have been hidden. So, the relationship remains a competitive relationship. We need to responsibly manage that competition, and we're doing that through this very detailed, painstaking, multiple rounds of diplomatic effort. And it's not to arrive at a certain end result where everything is just resolved. It's rather to arrive on a stable basis so that each of us can stand up for our interests, we can stand up for our friends, we can defend our values, we can take the actions we feel we need to take in service of our national interests, but we can also work together to ensure that the relationship is managed responsibly. That is what this trip was about. That's what the diplomacy of the last two years have been about. And we do believe that it puts us in a position to increase the prospect of stability in the relationship. But we have to keep in mind, too, that there are always risks a risks of escalation, risks of misunderstanding, risks of something going awry. And we've seen that before in the U.S.-China relationship. And we discussed those risks, too, at some length, whether it's to do with cross-Strait relations or the South China Sea, or European security and the war in Ukraine, or many other issues, including issues that were not previously foreseen, like incidents from a year or two ago. So this is something we will have to keep working at, and it's a work in progress. Today is not the end of anything. It's just the continuation of a sustained pattern of intensive diplomacy led by President Biden and President Xi and carried out by many of us across our administration and the Chinese government, and we're going to keep at it. Thank you, guys. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China August 29, 2024 National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on August 29 with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship between the United States and the PRC. 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. They also discussed cross-Strait issues, Russia's war against Ukraine, and the South China Sea. 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. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia of the People's Republic of China August 29, 2024 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 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. 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 U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, concerns about PRC support for Russia's 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. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US should view China's devt in a rational light, Xi tells Sullivan Global Times 'China's commitment to stable, healthy, sustainable ties unchanged' By Yang Sheng and Shen Sheng Published: Aug 30, 2024 12:17 AM Updated: Aug 30, 2024 12:42 AM China and the US, the two biggest economies in the world, have held their latest round of strategic communication, and will have more engagements in the field of commerce and climate soon. Experts said that both sides share the common ground of preventing the existing tensions from getting out of control and are seeking to add some pragmatic elements to China-US relations. President Xi Jinping met with visiting US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Thursday. Xi pointed out at the meeting 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 US 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-US relations, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US 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 US 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. What both sides need During his three-day visit to China, Sullivan also met with China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. Chinese analysts said that the arrangement shows that Sullivan's wish to have communications with high-ranking Chinese officials in both diplomatic and military sectors as well as the top leader had been met, and shows China's sincerity in managing and stabilizing bilateral ties. After Sullivan concluded his visit, commerce and trade teams from both sides will meet in China next week. The second vice-ministerial meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group will be held on September 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 US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, MOC spokesperson He Yadong said. Bloomberg also reported on Wednesday that John Podesta, the US senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, is set to meet with China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin in the first week of September. Jin Canrong, associate dean of the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday that it's necessary to maintain communication in all channels to prevent any miscalculations in the remaining time of the Biden administration. Another reason is that some major international events will take place in the second half of this year, such as the G20 Summit and the APEC meeting, where the two countries' heads of state are likely to attend, Jin noted. According to Xinhua on Wednesday, Wang and Sullivan discussed a new round of interaction between the two countries' heads of state in the near future. Six sessions, more than 11 hours On Thursday night, Director-General of the Department of North America and Oceania Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Yang Tao gave a briefing to the media on Sullivan's visit. He revealed that Wang Yi held strategic communication with Sullivan on Tuesday and Wednesday and the two sides had six sessions, totaling more than 11 hours, and discussed the China-US relations, sensitive issues and major international and regional hotspots. Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and right to development are the four red lines China has drawn in China-US relations. The Chinese side raised serious concerns, articulated its position and laid out serious demands on these issues. Xin Qiang, a scholar and expert on US studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Thursday that "people-to-people exchanges, including visa and flight issues, may see improvement" after a series of communications between the two countries. However, Chinese experts are also being cautious about to what extent the communication can help ease the existing tensions. Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday that "the China-US frictions or tensions on Taiwan question, South China Sea, trade war or sci-tech restrictions are unlikely to see much improvement as long as the US' China containment strategy remains in place. The most we can do is to make sure the existing tensions don't escalate and go out of control." Jin echoed that view, saying, "at this moment, we can at least add some pragmatic elements to the foundation of China-US relations, giving the next US government a relatively positive foundation to start its China policy with." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zhang Youxia stresses China-US military stability in meeting with Sullivan Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 29, 2024 06:50 PM Updated: Aug 29, 2024 05:00 PM Vice chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia on Thursday stressed the importance of China and the US to maintain stability in military and security fields in meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing. The meeting is seen as a step toward reducing communication barriers and preventing conflicts between the two countries, Chinese experts said. Calling the two sides to implement the consensus reached by the two countries' top leaders, Zhang said at the meeting that maintaining stability military and security fields not only aligns with the common interests of both countries, but also the expectation of the international community, according to a press release by China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday. Zhang urged the US to join China's efforts in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. The US should calibrate its strategic understanding on China, reset toward a rational, pragmatic China policy, earnestly respect China's core interests, promote military exchanges and communications with China and jointly shoulder responsibilities as major powers, Zhang said. The Chinese senior military leader reiterated that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and the bedrock of the political foundation China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. China is always committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, but the "Taiwan independence" forces are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits as fire and water, Zhang said, noting that resolutely countering "independence" and promoting reunification is the duty of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the Chinese military must take countermeasures against the "Taiwan independence" forces' wanton provocation. China demands the US to stop military collusion, stop arming the island and stop spreading false narratives related to the Taiwan question, Zhang said. The meeting between Zhang and Sullivan came after a new round of candid, substantive and constructive China-US strategic communication between China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Sullivan in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. Both China's senior diplomatic and military officials met with Sullivan during his trip to China, demonstrating that China has the sincere will to engage in meaningful communication with the US over challenging issues and properly manage differences, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday. As National Security Advisor, Sullivan plays both diplomatic and security roles, which bear the responsibility to enhance understanding and lay the groundwork for reducing communication barriers and avoiding conflicts through meetings with senior Chinese officials, Li said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 12TH INDIA - SOUTH AFRICA NAVY STAFF TALKS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 29 AUG 2024 3:50PM by PIB Delhi The 12th India-South Africa Navy Staff Talks were held in New Delhi on 27 - 28 August 2024, further strengthening Navy-to-Navy collaboration between the two nations. Co-chaired by Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI) of the Indian Navy, and Rear Admiral David Maningi Mkhonto, Chief Director Maritime Strategy of the South African Navy, the talks underscored mutual commitment to strengthening naval ties and operational synergy. In laying the groundwork for future cooperation, the talks this year focused on several pivotal areas, including operational training at improving readiness and efficiency; and the establishment of secure information exchange protocols between platforms. Additionally, the talks explored operational interactions to address the evolving complexities in the maritime domain, through continued exchanges and exercises, such IBSAMAR (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise). The dialogue included opportunities for exchange of best practices in Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence including Damage Control (NBCD); and Diving support, through Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE). A strong emphasis on personnel exchanges, and the potential for availing advanced training courses at respective training facilities were also deliberated. The ongoing dialogue exemplifies a shared vision for Maritime Security and operational collaboration, and serves as a platform for fostering deeper cooperation between the South African Navy and the Indian Navy. ___________________________ VM/SKY 161/24 (Release ID: 2049741) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 Senior IRGC Officers Killed In 'Gas Leak' In Iran's Isfahan By RFE/RL's Radio Farda August 29, 2024 Two senior officers with Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in a gas leak in the central province of Isfahan, the IRGC's Sahib al-Zaman regional center announced in a statement on August 29. Another 10 people were taken to the hospital with injuries after the incident at an IRGC workshop on the evening of August 28, the statement added, without specifying whether an explosion or gas inhalation caused the deaths and injuries. The statement identified the two officers who were killed as Captain Mojtaba Nazari and Lieutenant Colonel Mukhtar Morshidi. The statement did not say what activities were under way at the workshop affected by the incident and did not give its precise location nor the region of Isfahan Province where the incident occurred. Iranian authorities usually give only skeletal details of such incidents. The statement came amid heightened regional tensions following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran. Iran has accused Israel of killing Hanyieh, who was the political leader of the radical Islamist group Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Israel, which has been engaged in a war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Hamas fighters stormed across the border into southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 people hostage, has not admitted officially that it was behind Hanyieh's death. On April 19, Israel launched a limited air strike on a defense facility near the city of Isfahan, prompting Iranian air defenses to open fire. The Israeli strike reportedly targeted an air-defense radar system at the defense facility, and satellite imagery suggested that an Iranian surface-to-air missile battery was struck. The Israeli strike came in apparent response to an Iranian drone and missile strike in Israel, which was prompted by a strike by the Jewish state on the Iranian Consulate in Syria's capital, Damascus. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/isfahan-irgc-israel-gas-leak- deaths/33098236.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 Iraqi air defense units shoot down Turkish drone over northern city of Kirkuk Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 7:06 PM Iraqi military officials say the country's air defense units intercepted and shot down a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle flying in the skies over the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Brigadier General Abdul Salam, deputy commander of the Iraqi air defense, told reporters Thursday that the drone came from the direction of Sulaymaniyah and crossed into Iraqi airspace. He said it was a Turkish drone that was shot down by the Iraqi Air Force in the Chiman area of Kirkuk. The Iraqi Air Force said in a statement that the drone was issued a warning "according to protocol" and then shot down by air defenses. It said the drone fell on a civilian house, causing "only material losses." "Based on the inspection of the wreckage parts of the drone, it was found to be of the Turkish type," it said. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said Turkish and Iraqi authorities were in "coordination" to shed light on the incident, and reiterated Turkey's determination to "fight against terrorism." In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Keceli stressed cooperation between Turkey and Iraq against "terrorism," including Iraq's decision to list the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group as a banned organization. "Both countries are determined for this cooperation to yield concrete results on the field and for the coordination between the competent authorities to be increased," Keceli wrote. Turkey often launches ground and aerial strikes against what it calls PKK positions in northern Iraq. Baghdad has, on several occasions, summoned Ankara's envoy to protest the operation. The Kurdish militant group has long been fighting inside Turkey for autonomy. Turkish ground and air forces frequently carry out operations against PKK hideouts inside the country as well as in northern Iraq and neighboring Syria. More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the militant group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amid Government Push, Russia Looms Large Over Kazakh Nuclear Power Debate By Chris Rickleton and Asemgul Mukhitqyzy August 29, 2024 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. Russia's 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 "intellect...patriotism...decency," 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-russia-nuclear- power/33097212.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 Security Council Press Statement on Libya Press Release Security Council SC/15804 28 August 2024 The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone): The members of the Security Council expressed concern at recent developments and tensions in Libya. They called on Libyan actors and institutions to urgently refrain from any unilateral actions which increase tensions, undermine trust and further entrench institutional divisions and discord amongst Libyans. The members of the Security Council called on all Libyan political, economic, and security leaders and institutions to de-escalate tensions, refrain from use of force or threat of use of force or any economic measures designed to exert pressure and to reach a consensus-based solution to the current crisis regarding the Central Bank. They urged the Libyan parties to avoid any military actions that might jeopardize Libya's fragile stability and the security of civilians, as well as the 2020 ceasefire agreement, underscoring the importance of accountability. The members of the Security Council reminded all political leaders and institutions of their commitments and obligations in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Security Council resolution 2702 (2023), building on the Libyan Political Agreement and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum road map, and building on the updated electoral laws agreed by the 6+6 Committee. They also called on all Libyan parties to engage fully, in good faith and without preconditions, and make the compromises necessary to progress the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations, in line with Security Council resolution 2702 (2023). The members of the Security Council expressed their full support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to continue to deliver its mandate, including the ongoing work to de-escalate tensions, preserve stability, and foster confidence among key stakeholders. The members of the Security Council emphasized their support and the need for the Secretary-General to appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya as soon as possible. The members stressed the importance of ensuring the full, equal, effective, meaningful and safe participation of women, and inclusion of youth and civil society representatives, in all activities and decision-making relating to democratic transition. The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support to Libya's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Libya's oil output falls by over 50% due to ongoing political standoff Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 7:12 PM More than half of total Libya's oil production has gone offline as the Arab country's exports were suspended due to a political standoff between rival factions, threatening four years of relative peace. Over 700,000 barrels per day of Libya's oil production, more than half of the total, was offline Thursday as exports were halted at various ports of the North African country due to a persisting standoff between competing political factions over the central bank and oil revenue. The crisis over control of the Central Bank of Libya poses a risk of renewed instability in Libya, which is a significant oil producer, now divided between eastern and western factions. Libya's major oil ports in the Oil Crescent - Es Sidra, Brega, Zueitina, and Ras Lanuf- suspended their export operations earlier in the day, local engineers were quoted as saying. According to the report, four ships had loaded 600,000 barrels of oil each from the eastern region, which supplies most of the country's exports- two at Es Sidra, one at Brega, and one at Zueitina- and then departed. Production at the oilfields operated by Waha Oil Company, a subsidiary of the National Oil Corporation, has fallen from 280,000 to 150,000 barrels per day, with further reductions expected, it added. Furthermore, output has been halted or decreased at the Sharara, Sarir, Abu Attifel, Amal, and Nafoora fields, according to the engineers. The situation has led to an approximate reduction of 700,000 barrels per day in Libya's oil production, Reuters reported. In July, the country managed to produce about 1.18 million barrels per day. Estimates by Rapidan Energy Group, a consulting firm, suggest that production losses could reach between 900,000 and 1 million barrels per day, potentially lasting several weeks. The eastern factions have insisted on keeping oil production shut until the internationally recognized Presidency Council and Government of National Unity in Tripoli, located in the west, reinstates Sadiq al-Kabir as central bank governor. Back on August 18, the Presidency Council led by Mohammed al-Menfi announced Kabir's dismissal, a move contested by the eastern-based House of Representatives parliament and Khalifa Haftar's so-called Libyan National Army. Libya, a North African OPEC member, has been the scene of increasing violence since 2011, when long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled after a NATO military intervention. His ouster created a huge power vacuum, leading to chaos and the emergence of numerous militant outfits, including the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group. The division between eastern and western factions began in 2014. Oil blockades have frequently been used as a political strategy since the end of Gaddafi's 42-year rule. While smaller, localized disruptions may be resolved within days, major blockades linked to significant political or military conflicts can last for months. The longest blockade occurred in 2020 when Haftar halted nearly all oil production for eight months, a situation only resolved as part of a broader agreement after his attack on Tripoli failed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Terror in Rohingya refugee camp as boys kidnapped to fight in Myanmar Families speak of hiding sons to prevent them from becoming cannon fodder. By Suza Uddin in Cox's Bazar and Abby Seiff in New York for RFA Investigative 2024.08.29 -- The boy in the photo looks serious, pious and so very young. Muhammad often stares at this snapshot of his kid brother, Farhad. It's one of the few pictures he has of the 13-year-old, who has been missing for months. In May, Farhad was abducted while coming home from his school, located inside Bangladesh's sprawling Balukhali refugee camp. (Both brothers' names along with those of other camp residents have been changed to protect their safety.) Farhad and his four brothers had lived in the camp since August 2017 after fleeing a bloody military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar. "I'm not just like his brother," Muhammad, 26, told Radio Free Asia in June. "I'm like his father; he's like my son." In the weeks after Farhad's disappearance, a desperate Muhammad pieced together some of his brother's movements through a handful of phone calls with him. But there have been far more questions than answers. While Muhammad didn't know who exactly kidnapped Farhad, the camp in Cox's Bazar is overrun by gangs. Several of these have been abducting Rohingya refugees and smuggling them back across the border to fight in the war raging inside Myanmar. Along with other forms of violence, abductions have long plagued the camps. Men and women are trafficked for labor or sex work, leaders are abducted as punishment for their advocacy, and sometimes refugees are kidnapped simply in order to extort funds from their family. But starting earlier this year, a different form of kidnapping became common. Facing mounting battlefield losses, Myanmar's military government announced in February that it would begin enforcing a long-dormant conscription law. In Rakhine state, where the junta is fighting a number of resistance groups, its efforts to add soldiers have not stopped at the border. Just to the north, the Cox's Bazar camps, with their large, trapped refugee population and entrenched criminal enterprises, appear to have become feeder lots for the military a and also for its opposing forces. In their phone calls, Farhad told Muhammad that he had been smuggled into Rakhine state and taken south to Buthidaung. Later, he was handed over to the Myanmar military, which placed him in a training camp with about 40 other Rohingya men and boys. For the first two weeks, Farhad was given arms training, but eventually, he was pulled out of formal training and ordered to assist with cooking and running errands for soldiers, he told his brother on the phone. "The abduction and forced conscription in Myanmar and in the camps a it's one of those things that's so horrific that even though everything is already so terrible for them ... here things are getting worse again," said Jessica Olney, an independent analyst who has covered the Rohingya refugee crisis for years and in May published a paper for the United States Institute of Peace on conditions inside the camp. Kidnappings like Farhad's have changed the contours of life in the refugee camps, instilling a new form of terror among a deeply traumatized population. Shops are staying closed, as are doors. Roads that were once crowded with children playing and young men milling around have gone quiet. The appearance of an outsider brings only looks of distrust. Many families have taken to hiding their sons, brothers and nephews. Since Farhad's abduction, his classmates have lived in fear of becoming the next victim, according to Muhammad. "Most of the students are afraid," he said. "But it's kind of a new normal now." 'Now our own people torture us' An ethnic Muslim minority, Rohingya have long faced violence and persecution in their native Myanmar, where they are not legally recognized as citizens. For decades, many who fled wound up inside the dozens of camps in Cox's Bazar - a city on the coast of Bangladesh named for an 18th century British colonial who managed refugee resettlements. The bloodshed reached a crescendo in August 2017, when a Myanmar military campaign of rape, arson and murder sent more than 740,000 Rohingya fleeing into Bangladesh. The U.S., U.N. and others have classified those attacks a genocide. Today, more than 1 million Rohingya live inside these tightly packed camps of tarps and bamboo where Muhammad and his family have tried to eke out an existence. But the Bangladeshi government still views the Rohingya refugees as temporary residents and conditions inside the camps are bleak. Landslides and fires regularly kill while a lack of sanitation and clean water means scabies, cholera and other diseases are disturbingly common. Schooling and healthcare are hard to come by, there's not enough food, and almost no one is legally allowed to hold a job. Added to these challenges is a worsening security situation a sending more people fleeing from the camps. Abductions and arson have become commonplace, as have drugs, human trafficking and extortion. Last year, at least 90 people were killed in the Cox's Bazar camps amid fights over criminal territory. Still, a steady stream of Rohingya have nowhere to go but Cox's Bazar. Back in Myanmar, the war in Rakhine state may be edging toward another genocide, according to observers. Amnesty International this month warned the latest attacks, in which fleeing civilians were bombed, "bear a terrifying resemblance to the atrocities of August 2017." The situation has made Rohingya doubly vulnerable to criminals: those fleeing Myanmar must pay off smugglers to get them to Cox's Bazar. At the same time, those trying to leave the refugee camps a via a risky sea voyage to Malaysia or Indonesia a must also pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the traffickers. Often, the traffickers are tied to gangs controlling the camps. The largest of these groups originated inside Myanmar as militant Rohingya movements but have expanded operations into crimes outside the country's borders. The kidnapping of men and even boys to serve as fighters, assistants and cannon fodder for both the junta and its opposing forces a or to sell back to their desperate family a appears to have become yet another source of their revenue, Rohingya refugees told RFA. Moustafa, another refugee living in the camps, used to visit his relative's tea shop often. The gossip he and his friends shared there represented a rare taste of normalcy for those whose lives had been repeatedly upended. Now, such moments are impossible, he told RFA in June. One week earlier, Moustafa was sitting in his usual seat when a group of armed men grabbed two youths just outside the shop. The kidnappers were thought by Moustafa to be working for the Arakan Army, or AA a the armed wing of the predominantly Buddhist Rakhine, or Arakanese, self-determination movement. (The AA has denied forced conscription, calling such claims "unfounded" in an interview published by The New Humanitarian.) Days after witnessing the abduction, Moustafa was still shaken. "Sometimes the camp administration sends police, but most of the time they do not," he said. "Living in the camp is very hard now. We were tortured and displaced by different groups [in Myanmar], and now our own people torture us." While numerous armed groups operate inside the camps, chief among them are the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, or ARSA, and Rohingya Solidarity Organization, or RSO. Analysts and refugees alike say the militia groups, along with the lesser-known Arakan Rohingya Army, bear the brunt of the responsibility for the conscription abductions. ARSA first came to widespread notice in August 2017, when it attacked 30 police outposts and army bases in Rakhine, killing at least 12 officers, and triggering the brutal military crackdown that followed. The militant group gained notoriety in the months and years that followed, including for a particularly violent attack on a Hindu village that saw scores, if not hundreds, killed. By 2019, the militants had turned their attention to criminal activity inside the camps, with a report by rights group Fortify Rights noting that ARSA had begun abducting, detaining and torturing its critics. RSO, which has been in existence for four decades, has carried out a similar campaign inside Cox's Bazar. In the case of kidnappings for conscription, the group appears to have gone after minors. "We noticed that RSO was doing forced coercion and putting pressure tactics on really different parts of the population," said John Quinley III, a director of Fortify Rights. "There were some cases of forceful conscription of children." Under international law, it is illegal for children under the age of 15 to be recruited or sent to fight, though an optional children's rights protocol ratified by most countries, including Myanmar, raises the age to 18. Conscription of civilians of any age by non-state actors, such as ARSA and RSO, is also illegal. In July, Fortify Rights released an investigation detailing how armed Rohingya groups were kidnapping refugees from the camps and turning them over to the junta. Refugees who had been abducted and later escaped told Fortify Rights of being nabbed at a market or cafe, brought across the border and handed over to soldiers. One said he had been released only after his family handed over $850. 'There is no safe place for us' The threat of abduction has prompted desperate families to try to move their sons to safety. Given the security situation across Cox's Bazar, that's a near impossibility. In mid-May, Damira sent her 22-year-old son to stay with relatives in a neighboring refugee camp. The family had recently arrived from Myanmar, fleeing violence in Maungdaw that saw their house burned and relatives killed. But their new home inside Cox's Bazar has offered little sense of security. "Compared to Bangladesh, the fear inside Myanmar was less," Damira told RFA in June. "We never imagined we would have to hide our son here." There are almost no protected spaces within the massive, little-policed camps. Bangladesh's strict controls on freedom of movement for refugees make it almost impossible to leave, Quinley said. And while the U.N. refugee agency can move anyone facing threats from one camp to another, "RSO has a huge presence around all the camps," he said. It is impossible to know how many children a or adults a have been abducted from the camps to fight inside Myanmar. Citing a confidential U.N. report, AFP reported that about 1,500 Rohingya had been forcibly conscripted from the camps as of May. One local aid worker told RFA he believed 3,000 had been kidnapped, but several humanitarians and analysts acknowledged there was no way to know for sure how many refugees have been sent to fight. Ali, who crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar seven years ago, told RFA that whatever normalcy he and his family had managed to carve out in the years since disappeared the moment forced recruitment began. "For the last few months we have been living in extreme fear," he said. In May, he sent his 16-year-old son to live with relatives elsewhere in the camps. Almost every day since he has heard of a boy being kidnapped for suspected forced recruitment. He is anguished by the idea that he cannot protect his child. "The day before yesterday, my son told me that the area is also not safe. Every night a group of people have been patrolling. Whenever they spotted a young man, they targeted them to drag them to Myanmar," he said. "Until death there is no safe place for us." So far, Bangladeshi authorities appear unable or unwilling to address the security situation. Both Fortify Rights and Human Rights Watch last year released reports revealing widespread corruption, abuse and extortion by the Armed Police Battalion, or ABPn, which since 2020 has been responsible for camp security. Several senior officials at ABPn declined to comment when reached by RFA, though previously the ABPn defended their record, telling BenarNews last year they had done much to protect those living inside the camps. An endless trap Quinley of Fortify Rights said that RSO appeared to change tactics in May, following protests by women inside the camp and significant pushback from the larger community. RSO has denied both the use of children and a reported shift to going after teachers and leaders, insisting it's carried out no forced recruitment. In audio messages published by Shafiur Rahman, a journalist who runs Rohingya Refugee News, RSO leader Ko Ko Linn referred to such reports as propaganda and boasted of having thousands of trained volunteers. "There's no need for the general public to be afraid or leave the camps," he said, according to a translation by Rahman. But such claims do little to calm the nerves of those living inside the camps. Months after his brother's abduction, Muhammad is no closer to knowing whether it was RSO, ARSA or another group that took Farhad. All he knows is his brother went to school, tried to come home and disappeared. "I don't know if he is alive or not because the last time I was able to talk to him, my brother told me that they are out of food," Muhammad told RFA in June. While he spoke, rain pounded at the thin walls of their sparse home, seeping through one edge of the roof. His 4-year-old lay sleeping in the corner. According to Muhammad, about six weeks after being forced across the border, Farhad managed to escape with three other boys. He called his brother from the jungle, telling him they found a trafficker who could smuggle him back into Bangladesh if given enough money. Muhammad thought the boy's voice sounded weak, and Farhad admitted he was sick. As Muhammad considered how to scrape together the funds to pay for Farhad's release, his brother became unreachable a he could no longer get through on the phone. From time to time, when he is feeling scared or stressed or angry, Muhammad dials a now useless number. At the other end, a prerecorded message tells him the phone has been switched off. But this is the last number at which he heard from Farhad, so what else can he do but try it, over and over again. Edited by Boer Deng and Jim Snyder. Updated to note that the AA has denied forced recruitment. 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 insurgents attack navy base as junta recruits militias With the Arakan Army making gains in Rakhine state, junta officials arm civilians. By RFA Burmese 2024.08.29 -- Insurgents in Myanmar's Rakhine state are closing in on an important junta naval base, a spokesman for the group said on Thursday, as military authorities in neighboring regions rounded up people into civil defense teams in preparation for rebel advances. The Arkan Army ethnic minority force has made stunning gains in Myanmar's westernmost state, capturing townships, military bases and an airport at Thandwe town, since going on the offensive late last year. Now AA fighters are attacking the last remaining junta positions protecting its Maung Shwe Lay naval base in Thandwe, AA spokesman Khaing Thu Kha told Radio Free Asia. He said eight naval vessels were supporting junta ground troops and the fighting was fierce. Junta spokesmen have not commented on the latest fighting. Myanmar's military has been battling insurgencies since soon after independence from Britain in 1948 but the pressure its forces are under this year is unprecedented. Pro-democracy activists, outraged by the ouster of an elected government in 2021 and a bloody crackdown on protests that followed, have taken up arms, linking up in many parts of the country with ethnic minority rebels fighting long wars for self-determination. Junta forces have lost ground in Rakhine and Chin states in the west, Kachin state in the north, Shan state in the northeast and eastern areas along the border with Thailand. In addition, central heartland areas that have been peaceful for decades have been rocked by clashes as anti-junta People's Defense Forces go on the attack. Junta officials told administrators on Aug. 16 it would begin setting up militias, or public security committees, to arm people to defend their communities, according to information leaked on social media. Residents in the Ayeyarwady region, near a conflict zone in southern Rakhine state, said on Thursday that authorities there had begun recruiting people into the militias, drawing names through a lottery system in five townships. "They're recruiting us for their militia," said one resident of a township that borders Rakhine state. "Local administrators are recruiting people between the ages of 35 and 65 under the pretext of serving public security in the neighborhoods and villages," said the resident, who declined to be identified. "They even tried to recruit some disabled people and when they refused, they had to pay a fine." RFA tried to telephone Ayeyarwady region's junta spokesperson, Khin Maung Kyi, for information but he did not answer. Political parties in the area have also been told to help fill the ranks, said one party member. "Political parties have been called up for recruitment in some towns," said the party worker who declined to be identified. "The junta asked us to contribute 50 people." Recruits would be asked to carry weapons and do some short military training, he said. 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 Myanmar's largest rebel group quietly gains strength amid civil war By Zsombor Peter August 29, 2024 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan security officials in 'Taliban' captivity appeal for help By Ayaz Gul August 29, 2024 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 Taliban's 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 Islamabad's ties with Kabul's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, South Korea Conclude Annual Large-Scale Military Drills Sputnik News 20240829 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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. "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. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Promsvyazbank CEO Pyotr Fradkov Pyotr Fradkov briefed the President on the bank's operations to support state defence order, as well as its work with corporate and individual customers, while paying special attention to providing financial services to military personnel, military retirees and people working in the defence industry complex. August 29, 2024 14:10 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Fradkov, good afternoon. Promsvyazbank is one of Russia's largest banks. It works across all regions of the Russian Federation, including in the new territories. Today, I would like to hear a performance report for this major financial institution, especially considering that this bank probably plays a leading role in terms of fulfilling and supporting state defence order. It has been very active within the defence sector. This is why we established it in the first place, by the way. Go ahead, please. Promsvyazbank CEO Pyotr Fradkov: Mr President, thank you very much. Indeed, the bank has been building up its capabilities over the past years. Today, it is one of the country's largest financial institutions. It holds 7.5 trillion rubles in assets and has increased this figure almost by a factor of six since its restructuring as a full-service state-owned bank, which is quite an unprecedented result. As you can see, it has a lot of potential. However, we prioritise a balanced growth model both in the defence sector - and you were totally spot on when you mentioned it - as well as in the civilian segment. We never forget about this, and our portfolio of non-military corporate customers exceeds one trillion rubles, and there are also SMEs with a portfolio of over 600 billion rubles. We have been quite effective in terms of managing our profits. So, I can say that over the past five or six years the bank established itself as a stable and resilient institution. I believe that we can deliver on all the tasks it receives. Regarding the military-industrial complex, you are absolutely correct that this is a key focus for us. We are addressing two main aspects. First, we are concentrating on supporting the state defence order. Currently, nearly 85 percent of all transactions related to the state defence order are processed through Promsvyazbank, involving significant volumes: up to 80,000 transactions daily. Given the critical nature of these operations for ensuring continuity and uninterrupted settlements, we place a high priority on this. We have established the necessary infrastructure across the country and are confident that there should be no disruptions. Certainly, advanced lending plays a crucial role, with over 2.5 trillion rubles in loans issued specifically to the defence industry in general. Of this total, 70 percent represents the preferential portfolio, which is a vital factor for defence industry enterprises given the current macroeconomic conditions. This preferential lending allows companies to better plan their financial and economic activities, manage state defence orders more effectively, and modernise their production facilities. We have also initiated a third focus area. As a bank, we have begun to engage in the development and investment in dual-use technologies, which are currently in high demand. We already have experience with various types of equipment used, among other applications, in the special military operation. Additionally, I must highlight our work with individual clients, which is a significant aspect for us. Our retail client portfolio... Vladimir Putin: Military pensioners? Pyotr Fradkov: Yes, exactly. I wanted to mention that too. On the whole, our total portfolio exceeds 600 billion rubles. However, the key focus for us is military personnel. We are developing a dedicated network specifically for them and are the leading provider of military mortgages in the country. Mr President, you were absolutely right to point out that this work includes military retirees, including combat veterans and the personnel involved in the special military operation. We are working jointly with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation and the Defence Ministry to provide the latest user-friendly banking services, so that combat veterans can use advanced technology to monetise the benefits and privileges accorded to them at the federal and regional levels. In this regard, we have agreements signed with all regions without exception, and they are being acted upon just to make things convenient. The third area of focus includes work with the defence sector employees, which is also important, because the defence industry is on the rise and the demand for labour is high. This is one of the challenges we face, and we are trying to find effective support mechanisms in cooperation with the defence companies and the regions in order to keep young personnel at these enterprises. Providing housing at below-market prices is one of our programmes. We can do a good job when we put together the efforts of all stakeholders. Housing discounts range from 15 to 50 percent off the market value. Soon, nearly 4,000 families of the defence industry employees will move into new flats under better terms and conditions. This represents an additional extrabudgetary source of support for this category of our clients. Of course, the new regions feature prominently on our agenda. We are working hard in these areas. The first one is to expand the network of branches. We now operate through 460 branches in all four regions. I believe that the clients' level of satisfaction with the quality of banking services is high, which is corroborated by the surveys. In some areas, such as the Donetsk People's Republic or the Zaporozhye Region, the level of satisfaction with our services is even higher than the national average. In the Kherson and Lugansk regions, it is in line with the national average. Overall, I can say that the task you set is being acted upon in a way that meets the people's needs. In addition to lending and financial transactions, we are also promoting services such as legal advice. People are not always good at correctly interpreting the legislation of the Russian Federation, so the demand for this type of service is high, as it is for insurance services and much more. In this sense, we are trying to make life more comfortable across various areas, and we feel this responsibility meaning that our efforts are ongoing. Vladimir Putin: Good. Let's take a look at the documents. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Macron Defends Giving French Citizenship To Indicted Telegram CEO Durov By RFE/RL's Balkan Service August 29, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron said on August 29 that he stands fully behind the decision to grant citizenship to Pavel Durov, a day after the Telegram co-founder and CEO was indicted in Paris on charges of failing to control illegal content on the popular messaging app. Macron, speaking in Belgrade at the start of a two-day state visit, said granting Durov citizenship was part of a strategy to enable star athletes, performers, and other foreigners who learned French to become French citizens. "I granted citizenship to Durov, who learned French, just as I did for some athletes and artists, and I think that's something good for our country. I will continue to do that every time," Macron said. Durov, 39, was detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris over the weekend and he was charged on August 28 with several crimes related to alleged illicit activity on the messaging app. French prosecutors accuse Durov of complicity in allowing drug trafficking and the sharing of sexual images of children on Telegram, and of refusing to share documents demanded by authorities investigating illegal activity on the app. The Russian-born Durov, who also has citizenship in Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean archipelago of St. Kitts and Nevis, was granted conditional release on a bail of 5 million euros ($5.5 million) and on the condition that he report to a police station twice a week as well as remain in France, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement. The French president said he didn't know Durov was coming to France and that he didn't invite him to visit. "I don't know anything more about it, and it's normal that I don't know because we are a state governed by the rule of law, where state institutions are independent," Macron said at a press conference in Belgrade after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The question arose after French media reports said that Durov told police upon his arrest on August 24 that he was planning to meet with Macron. Durov's lawyer said it was "absurd" to suggest his client could be implicated in any crime committed on the app. "Telegram complies in all respects with European rules concerning digital technology," lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski said. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned France against turning the case into "political persecution," emphasizing that Durov is a "Russian citizen" and "we will be watching what happens next." That is likely to be that the case will be sent to trial. The charge of "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction" alone carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of 500,000 euros ($550,000). With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-durov-macron- france-citizenship-telegram-serbia/33098779.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 Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov Detained On Fraud Charges By Current Time August 29, 2024 Russia's Investigative Committee said on August 29 that it has launched a probe on fraud charges against former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov, part of an ongoing campaign against top military officials. The Investigative Committee added that Popov, who is a general in the Russian Army, was detained.* Popov, who was sacked from the post in June after serving 11 years as a deputy defense minister, is suspected of illegal enrichment via fraudulent activities linked to his supervision of the operations of the Defense Ministry's Patriot Park near Moscow in 2021-24. Investigators say Popov carried out his alleged illegal activities along with Patriot Park Director Vyacheslav Akhmedov and the deputy chief of the Defense Ministry's Department for Innovative Development, Major General Vladimir Shesterov. Both Akhmedov and Shesterov were arrested in early August on embezzlement charges. According to the Investigative Committee, Popov is suspected of organizing construction and repair works at his property near Moscow using finances allocated for the Patriot Park. "Investigations revealed that...Popov and members of his family also own multiple properties in prestigious sites in Moscow, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar Krai," the committee said. The value of the buildings involved is more than 500 million rubles ($5,463,000), the Investigative Committee's statement said, adding that the legality of the ownership of the buildings is being investigated. Several top military and Defense Ministry officials have been arrested on corruption charges since President Vladimir Putin dismissed close ally Sergei Shoigu as defense minister in May and replaced him with former First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov. Patriot Park was launched in 2016 and occupies more than 3,500 hectares. It includes military museums, a site for the reconstruction of historic battles, and the military's main Russian Orthodox cathedral, the Cathedral of Christ's Resurrection. Some media reports said the construction and development of the park was supervised by Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. Ivanov, who holds the rank of major general, was arrested in April on bribe-taking charges. He pleaded not guilty. Shortly after his arrest, two businessmen -- Sergei Borodin and Aleksandr Fomin -- were also arrested in the case. In mid-May, the chief of the Defense Ministry's Main Human Resources Department, Lieutenant General Yury Kuznetsov, was also arrested on bribe-taking charges. On May 21, Major General Ivan Popov (no relation to Pavel Popov), the former commander of Russia's 58th Army who once complained about his forces' lack of support from Moscow, was arrested on fraud charges. Last month, he was transferred to house arrest. On May 22, a Moscow court sent to pretrial detention the deputy chief of the armed forces' General Staff, Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, on bribery charges. Also in May, investigators arrested Vladimir Verteletsky, a top official of the Defense Ministry's Department for Handling Armament Orders, on a charge of abuse of power. Last month, Russian officials confirmed the sudden death of Ivanov's direct subordinate, Magomed Khandayev, in June. *CORRECTION: A previous version of this story identified Popov as a former defense minister. He was a deputy defense minister. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pavel-popov-fraud-detainment- defense-ministry-corruption-russia/33098231.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 Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal Yassine Fall 29 August 2024 18:05 1591-29-08-2024 On August 29, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal Yassine Fall, who is in Moscow on a working visit. During the talks, the ministers discussed in detail a range of issues related to further strengthening friendly Russian-Senegalese ties. They reaffirmed Moscow's and Dakar's intention to deepen the trust-based political dialogue and tighten coordination of positions of principle on topical international and regional issues at the UN and other multilateral platforms. The parties had a detailed discussion of ways to increase the volume of trade, economic and investment partnership, improve the contractual and legal framework, implement promising joint projects in geological prospecting , development of mineral resources, energy, infrastructure, fisheries, and information and communication technologies. Specific ways of boosting cooperation in cultural, humanitarian and other areas have been identified. The ministers exchanged views on key issues on the global and African agenda, with a focus on the necessity of reforming the UN Security Council, the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the developments in the Sahara-Sahel region and West Africa. They highlighted the importance of consolidating the efforts of Russia and Senegal in favour of building a fairer world order based on the rule of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter. A common viewpoint was expressed in favour of political and diplomatic methods of resolving crises in Africa given the decisive role of Africans themselves and the assistance of the international community. Considerable attention was given to the promotion of Russian-African multidimensional cooperation taking into account the results of the second Russia-Africa Summit in June 2023, as well as in view of preparations for the Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled for November of this year in Sochi. 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 Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal Yassine Fall, Moscow, August 29, 2024 29 August 2024 17:50 1590-29-08-2024 Ladies and gentlemen, We have had useful and productive talks with the Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal, Yassine Fall. We agreed that today's meeting is yet another confirmation of Moscow's and Dakar's firm commitment to strengthening traditionally friendly relations between our countries based on the principles of equality and mutual respect. We expressed satisfaction with the policy pursued by the new Senegalese leadership and personally President of the Republic of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye on further building mutually beneficial ties with Russia, despite the well-known attempts of pressure from certain states pursuing the illusory goal of isolating our country, including from our long-standing, loyal friends, with whom we are linked by our joint struggle for justice in international relations. We discussed the main areas of bilateral cooperation, focusing on trade and economic ties. We agreed to take additional steps to implement promising joint projects in geological prospecting, development of mineral resources, energy and infrastructure, fisheries, information and communication technologies. We are set to utilise our business communities' potential. We have agreed to speed up the establishment of an intergovernmental trade and economic commission. In July of this year, a permanent trade and investment chamber, Africa-Russia-Eurasia, started operating in Dakar. Russia is now one of the largest suppliers of oil products to Senegal's market. Negotiations are underway to supply Senegal with fertiliser, flour and wheat directly. At the moment, such supplies are made through intermediaries, which makes them less effective. We have a good level of co-operation in the humanitarian sphere, including the training of national personnel for Senegal at Russian universities. We have decided to increase the number of scholarships available to Senegalese students from 75 to 102 as of the next academic year. We see an increased interest among Senegalese young people in learning the Russian language. In this regard, we have agreed to promote the expansion of such opportunities on the basis of Senegalese educational institutions. Now 50 schools in 13 provinces of Senegal teach the Russian language, which is studied by 6,600 schoolchildren. This figure may grow in the future. There is good experience in strengthening contacts between the regions of Russia and Senegal. There are relevant developments in relation to Tatarstan. There is a cooperation agreement between the cities of Tver and Saint-Louis. In July of this year, following the visit of a delegation from the city of Thies to Sevastopol, an agreement was signed on cooperation between the municipalities in trade, economy, science, technology, social and humanitarian spheres. We have spoken quite thoroughly on key issues on the global and regional agendas. We have converging or close positions on most of them. Russia and Senegal are committed to the basic principles of international law, including the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and respect for the right of peoples to determine their own political, social and economic development. We are co-operating closely at the United Nations. We are grateful to Senegal for its support for most Russian initiatives at the UN. We support each other's candidates in UN elections to various multilateral structures. We agreed to continue to strengthen foreign policy coordination. We discussed the situation in and around Ukraine. Senegal holds a balanced, principled and objective position. We appreciate this. We will continue to inform our Senegalese friends, as well as other representatives of countries in Africa and the Global South and East, about further developments, and our relevant assessments. We remember that Russian President Vladimir Putin once again advanced a peace initiative in June of this year, after all previous agreements were destroyed and sabotaged by the Kiev regime and its Western patrons. Our openness to negotiations should not be doubted by anyone. Although after Kiev's venture in the Kursk region, any talk of this becomes irrelevant. We also discussed the developments in the African continent, above all in the Sahara-Sahel region, including the situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Russia is seriously concerned about the growing threat of terrorism in that part of the world. Islamist groups affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda are gradually and steadily spreading their influence and activities to West African countries, including Senegal's neighbours. We have a common interest in joining efforts to combat these threats. Russia is ready to assist Senegal and other African states in strengthening their defence capabilities and improving the anti-terrorist readiness of their armed forces and special services. We are in favour of making the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region the subject of agreements by African countries themselves. We are ready to provide assistance on a bilateral basis, including in enhancing the combat effectiveness of the relevant forces to ensure the defence of national territories. We will continue to promote economic co-operation with African friends in accordance with the decisions of the two Russia-Africa summits held in Sochi in 2019 and in St Petersburg in 2023. This year, the first Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference will be held in Sochi in November. On the instructions of the heads of state, we will consider ways, progress and prospects for solutions to the problems identified as a result of the summits. I believe that this will be a very important event. I am grateful to the Minister for confirming her participation in it. Today's talks were productive, providing continuity in our relations and laying additional ground for their further deepening. Question (retranslated from French): I have a question about trade relations between Russia and Senegal. You cited several examples describing the current state of affairs. What are the specific areas where these relations can be expanded? What can boost partnership relations between Senegal and Russia? Sergey Lavrov (speaking after Yassine Fall): We addressed this matter in detail in our opening remarks. I will once again highlight the ongoing talks to sign an intergovernmental agreement seeking to establish a bilateral trade and economic commission, and today's agreement to step up the activities of the earlier established intergovernmental commission on fisheries. A corresponding expedition sponsored by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture will visit African countries in November. We hope our Senegalese friends will take part in implementing this project. Today, we discussed oil and gas, food, and fertiliser supplies which are traditional areas of cooperation. It is important to shift efforts concerning these aspects to direct connections and cut out intermediaries. The ICT sector holds a lot of promise as well. Yandex set up a taxicab service company YanGo in Senegal, its first digital service in that country. There are other opportunities in the ICT sector as well which were discussed in Marrakesh this past May at a conference of African countries with the participation of our partners from this sector. Our experts may be involved in creating an e-government system in Senegal and other African countries. An Information Security Centre is being established in the republic as well. We have a positive track record in this sphere, both at the national level (as part of our bilateral relations with numerous partners) and within the UN where, at Russia's initiative, work is underway to draft standards and principles underlying international cybersecurity. Today, we mentioned the fact of establishing the Africa-Russia-Eurasia trade and investment chamber in July which is a promising format for governments to help business circles directly discuss promising projects. As a first step, a Russia-Senegal business forum will take place in Dakar this October, and many of our major companies plan to participate. Our agenda is specific and holds a lot of promise. Question: Is today's meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels, and the discussion involving additional arms supplies to Kiev and the possibility of delivering strikes on Russian territory yet another way to intimidate Russia? Or has the collective West tossed away every restriction and red line there ever was? Sergey Lavrov: We are keeping an eye on NATO discussions and practical moves regarding Ukraine. Some of our observers are occasionally tempted to dress it all up as the tail wagging the dog scenario. They claim Zelensky never stops demanding things, and Western governments are willing to help this Nazi regime. Some are doing so willingly, while others force themselves into doing it realising that the popularity of these actions among voters in the respective countries is nearing zero. This is not a completely accurate representation of what is going on. Zelensky is not wagging that dog which in the form of a coalition of almost all European countries and their allies in other parts of the world (about 50 countries in all) are earnestly determined to fulfill the instruction of their "senior partner" to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia which they have in writing in their doctrinal documents. They keep saying this daily and weekly at various meetings, and keep flooding Ukraine with advanced weapons. They are now having a discussion about how to go about using these weapons. I'm here to tell you one thing. This is not because they are tired of Zelensky and would do anything to humour him. This is continuing the policy that we have observed for centuries and that Russian emperors spoke about when they mentioned Russia's reliable allies in this world. Napoleon pursued this policy first, followed by Adolf Hitler, who mobilised almost all of Europe. There is a reason for the Russian historical circles resuming discussions about not only Germany, but many other European nations as well participating in the crimes committed by Nazis. These people were not just called up, but willingly carried out the orders issued by the Third Reich. This is a serious matter. The fact that nearly the same countries have now united against us under the same Nazi banners shows that the West led by the United States and Britain is obsessed with hindering our development. When President Putin spoke at the Foreign Ministry on June 14, he had the following to say: "Some figures in the United States and Europe openly declare the goals of this policy, speaking today about the so-called decolonisation of Russia. Essentially, this is an attempt to ideologically justify the division of our Fatherland along ethnic lines. The dismemberment of the Soviet Union and Russia has been a discussion topic for a long time." I take this very seriously. I'm not sure whether they still have any red lines left. At least, the political and analytical materials that they publish keep touting the goal of moving forward incrementally in order to (using their terminology) escalate the situation. I'm convinced these plans are doomed. They are doing so to advance their geopolitical and selfish designs in order to perpetuate their policy of keeping their dominance and hegemony unchanged. We have on our side justice and Russia's legitimate interests, as well as the UN Charter, which in its opening chapter requires respect for human rights, including the right to one's native language and religion. This, as well as multiple other principles of international law that the West prefers to remain silent about, was trampled upon with the West remaining nonchalant as if nothing happened. This leads me to conclude that all of that is a strategic goal that the collective West has set for itself. This makes our principled stance and our victory all the more important, not only to uphold the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation, but also to protect the world order that will serve the interests of all and rely on the key principle of the UN Charter which is the sovereign equality of states, rather than the tantrums thrown by the golden billion, who consider themselves entitled to rule everything and everyone from Ukraine to the South China Sea, in Africa, Latin America, and other regions of the world. This era is gone which fact pains the West. It strives to make this process painful for everyone else in an illusory hope of pushing back the last hours of the neocolonial era. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Briefing by Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff on readiness of control bodies and construction CSTO collective security forces for joint exercises 29.08.2024 Today, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov held a briefing on readiness of command and control bodies and construction of the CSTO collective security forces for joint exercises. In a video conference mode, the event was attended by military press services and mass media representing CSTO member states. The information on the briefing is presented below. We are now at the final stage of the command and control bodies preparation and construction of the CSTO collective security forces. Thus, joint exercises are to be held this year in September-October. We have taken into the account all combat experience of the modern warfare including the special military operation, the war in Syria, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. The forms and methods of the modern warfare are to be analysed, learned, and integrated during the operative and combat training. The joint training becomes more intensive every year. We pay significant attention to drones and anti-drone assets, the EW, and the fire engagement. Today, all these matters are crucial on the battlefield. This year, in the framework of military and technical cooperation, we have reached an agreement that the armaments developed by the Russian defence industry will demonstrate their capabilities in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Other member states of the organisation will also present their weaponry during all events. In the framework of the CSTO exercises, a number of events involving CSTO Secretariat and CSTO defence ministries will be held. They are as follows: consultations, independent and joint command post trainings, a strategic command post training, staff level talks, working meetings on development and synchronisation of exercises plans, and fieldwork in the area of the future exercises. Interaction 2024 command post exercise is the main operational and combat training event of the Troops (Collective Forces) to be held in the Kyrgyz Republic during the first half of September involving the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force (CRRF). Search 2024 and Echelon 2024 special exercises will be conducted in the interests of the CSTO CRRF involving reconnaissance and combat service support forces. The exercises focus on the use of forces and means to address crisis situations. In early October, we are going to hold Unbreakable Brotherhood 2024 command post exercise in the Republic of Kazakhstan involving the CSTO peacekeeping force. During the exercise, it is planned to practise redeployment of national contingents, formation of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the designated area, and planning and conducting a peacekeeping operation. In mid October, the final stage will include the Rubezh 2024 joint exercise to involve the Central Asian region's Collective Rapid Deployment Forces in the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan. These forces are designed for repelling an external military aggression, combined-arms, counter-terrorism, and special operations. In mountain-desert terrain, exercises will be held to prepare command and control units, deploy military contingents, and plan and conduct combat operations to neutralise illegal armed groups. The personal participation of CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov in the final stages of the exercise testifies to the importance of these events. Compiled results of the joint exercises will be the subject of an in-depth study and will be put into practice in the future. I would like to emphasise that the planned events with the CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) are aimed at collective protection of independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the CSTO member states. They are organised in full compliance with international rules and are not aimed against other countries. Representatives of the following non-CSTO states have been invited as observers to the exercises in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan: the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People's Republic of China, Mongolia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Secretariat, the SCO Secretariat, the CIS Executive Committee and Anti-Terrorism Centre. In addition, on 11 September, the final stage will be attended by the parliamentarians/members of the Coordination Meeting of Chairpersons of Committees (Commissions) on Defence and Security of the Parliaments of the CSTO Member States under the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. At the moment, work is in progress to reach an agreement on invitation of observers to the Rubezh 2024 exercise in Tajikistan. In total, more than 5,000 military personnel and more than 900 units of armaments, military and support equipment will be engaged in the joint, command post and special exercises. On 4 September, practical preparations will begin to deploy the Troops (Collective Forces) in the exercise areas. Troops and equipment are transported to the training grounds by air, rail, and road. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baltic Fleet's training ship Smolny arrives in Republic of South Africa 29.08.2024 Today, the Baltic Fleet training ship Smolny, which is carrying out a long-distance mission for maritime practice of naval cadets, has arrived with an unofficial visit to the port of the Republic of South Africa. The crew will replenish its supply of water, fuel, and food supplies and conduct a technical inspection of the ship during the stay. Moreover, seamen of the Baltic Fleet and cadets will meet with South African naval personnel at the port, make a series of tour trips, and get acquainted with the historical sights of South Africa's second largest city. The visit to the South African port is the third call to a foreign port during this long-distance mission. The ship has previously made unofficial visits to the port of Havana, the Republic of Cuba, and La Guaira, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Future naval officers on the ship Smolny undergo a training programme, in particular on communications and marine navigation. In total, more than 300 cadets take part in the mission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Alleging illegal content, France charges Telegram boss; Russia gives warning By Henry Ridgwell August 29, 2024 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 Dublin's 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 Durov's 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 company's 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 School's 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 a formerly Twitter a 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 Durov's 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 Moscow's war on Ukraine. The platform does not use end-to-end encryption. "To some extent, it gives this defendant a good deal of leverage a 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Russian defense official detained on fraud suspicion By VOA News August 29, 2024 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. Popov's arrest appears to be part of a broader crackdown on abuse of office in the upper echelons of Russia's 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 Moscow's 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 park's expense, according to Russian state media. He is also accused of forcing contractors to do work for him for free. Svetlana Petrenko, from Russia's 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." Popov's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia bans 92 Americans By VOA News August 29, 2024 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. Russia's 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 ministry's announcement also follows the recent news that the U.S. is moving to supply Ukrainian soldiers with defense weapons for Ukraine's campaign against the Russian incursion. Some information provided by the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's deputy UN envoy urges end to foreign occupation of Syria, Israeli strikes Iran Press TV Thursday, 29 August 2024 7:39 AM China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations has called on Israel to cease its illegal attacks on Syria, urging foreign forces to also end their military presence in the Arab country. Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria on Wednesday, Geng Shuang emphasized the importance of upholding Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said that a stable political process in Syria cannot be achieved without a favorable security environment. Beijing, he added, supports the Damascus government's intensified efforts against terror and calls on the international community to join forces in line with international law and Security Council resolutions to combat terrorists operating in Syria. Geng further said that unilateral sanctions and the illegal plundering of Syria's resources "must be stopped immediately" as the measures have seriously weakened the country's ability to recover economically and develop socially. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011, with Western states and their regional allies aiding terrorist groups that are wreaking havoc there. Syrian forces, backed by Iran and Russia, have managed to win back control of almost all regions of the Arab country. However, Syria's northern parts are still controlled by militants and foreign occupation forces. China urges donors to guarantee humanitarian projects in Syria Also in his remarks, the Chinese envoy pointed to the humanitarian situation in Syria, saying thanks to the joint efforts of Damascus and the UN, the cross-border relief mechanism has been in stable operation in the Arab country. He further called on donors to continue their aid commitments and to guarantee that humanitarian projects throughout Syria are adequately funded. Meanwhile, Geng noted that China supports UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen's efforts to continue to work with all parties in line with a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process. Addressing Wednesday's meeting via video-link, Pedersen said Syria has not been spared from the current escalating tensions across West Asia, citing Israel's deadly aerial assaults in Homs, Hama, and Dera'a provinces. He also raised concerns about a surge of attacks by the Daesh terrorist group in Syria, calling for an immediate and sustained de-escalation of hostilities and a cooperative approach to countering terror outfits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MOFA condemns Beijing's 'false' statement after U.S.-China talks ROC Central News Agency 08/29/2024 05:23 PM Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday criticized China for "false" comments about Taiwan, noting that Beijing's military expansion has posed a significant risk to regional security. MOFA said in a press release that it "strongly condemned" Beijing for making "false" comments about Taiwan in its official readout issued after a meeting between senior officials from China and the United States, adding that it had "deviated from reality." MOFA was mostly likely referring to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (cZ) being cited as saying that efforts to push for Taiwanese independence posed "the greatest risk to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." The Chinese official also urged Washington to cease arms sales to Taipei and support China's "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan. MOFA, in response, said Beijing's repeated intimidation against Taiwan and its ambitions to expand militarily were the "greatest sources of risk to regional peace and stability." Moreover, China's support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine has endangered security across the Atlantic Ocean, MOFA said, adding that Beijing's ambitions have made it a "major global threat." In July, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) labeled China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine, noting that Beijing had been sharing technology with Moscow. MOFA added that the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) were not subordinate to one another. MOFA's statement came after Wang met with visiting U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of efforts by the Chinese and U.S. governments to maintain channels of communication and manage their relations. Both sides issued a readout after the two-day talks to summarize their discussions and respective remarks. In its release, MOFA also said it "welcomed" the U.S. side expressing its attachment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait during the meeting in Beijing. According to the readout issued by the White House, Sullivan "underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability" across the Taiwan Strait during the talks. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China working to poach Taiwan's high-tech talent, steal core technologies: MAC ROC Central News Agency 08/29/2024 10:54 PM Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday warned that China was stepping up its efforts to poach Taiwan's high-tech talent and steal its core technologies, as evidenced by a recent increase in the number of such cases. Taiwan's development is based on technology, which means it is extremely important that the country maintains its technological strength and edge, MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh () said at a press conference. "The poaching of our high-tech talent has always been a major concern for us," Liang said, adding that three cases related to such actions were prosecuted last week in Taiwan. The incidence of three such cases in one week is an indication that the efforts by Chinese enterprises to poach Taiwan's high-tech talent are growing, he said. Liang's remarks followed a press statement by MAC on Wednesday, which said that China may ramp up its efforts to poach talent from Taiwan and steal its core technologies, amid increasingly strained economic and trade relations between China and Western countries. "Taiwan should avoid becoming a weak link in the democratic camp's technology and talent outflow," the statement read. On Thursday, LUXSHARE-ICT Co., Ltd., which has a Chinese parent company, was cited by Liang as one of the Taiwanese companies involved in those three prosecuted cases last week. The charges against the company included conspiring with two former employees of TDK TAIWAN Corp., a Taiwan subsidiary of a Japanese electronics enterprise, to carry out actions in violation of Taiwan's Trade Secrets Act, according to the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office. The two former TDK TAIWAN employees, surnamed Wu () and Huang (), had been working in research and development and they illegally reproduced and leaked the company's core technologies to LUXSHARE-ICT's Chinese parent company around the time they were leaving their jobs in 2020, the prosecutors' office said in a press statement. Wu and Huang breached their confidentiality obligations to TDK TAIWAN in pursuit of higher salaries at LUXSHARE-ICT after being recruited by the chairman of LUXSHARE-ICT's Chinese parent company to establish a research and development team in Taiwan, the release said. Their acts of industrial espionage resulted in economic losses of at least NT$12.3 billion (US$385 million) for TDK TAIWAN, the prosecutors' office said, calling for heavy sentences against them. (By Sunny Lai) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spotlighting Deadly July for Civilians in Ukraine, UN Official Tells Security Council that "Horrific Devastation" Cannot Be Normalized Meetings Coverage Security Council 9174th Meeting (PM) SC/15803 28 August 2024 Amidst a recent escalation in hostilities, the casualty count in Ukraine continues to grow with July being the deadliest month for civilians in almost two years a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as speakers condemned Moscow's massive aerial attacks. Ukraine observed its thirty-third Independence Day on 24 August. However, said Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, this day also marked "a sombre milestone of two-and-a-half years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law". "Over the past 30 months, millions of Ukrainians have witnessed unimaginable death, devastation and destruction," he said, noting that according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) since 24 February 2022, 11,662 civilians have been killed, including 639 children, and 24,207 civilians have been injured, including 1,577 children. July alone saw at least 219 civilians killed and 1,018 injured. In the past two days, he continued, hundreds of missiles and drones reportedly killed at least 11 people and hit energy and other critical civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Damage was reported in 15 regions, with 11 energy facilities affected, further aggravating millions of people's already-precarious access to energy and water. On 24 August amidst escalating fighting in eastern Ukraine a missile struck a hotel in Kramatorsk, killing a Reuters staff member and injuring four journalists. He voiced further concern over the fighting's impact on civilians on both sides of the border, including in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine and the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation. Since Ukraine's 6 August incursion into the Kursk region, local Russian Federation officials have reported at least 12 people killed and 121 others injured. Sounding the alarm over the deteriorating nuclear-safety situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he also reported that Moscow informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 22 August that remains of a drone were found within the territory of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Accordingly, he called for maximum vigilance to avoid a nuclear incident, "the consequences of which could be catastrophic to the region and the world". And, painting a grim picture of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, he stressed: "The hostilities have displaced millions of Ukrainians who continue to need our support." While the UN aims to reach 8.5 million people with life-saving assistance in 2024, he cautioned that "the already dire humanitarian situation is expected to worsen as hostilities show no signs of abating and the winter approaches" and added: "We cannot allow the horrific devastation of this war to become normalized." "For over two years, Ukraine has been withstanding the largest aerial terror in human history," said Ukraine's delegate, adding that the Russian Federation has launched over 9,600 missiles, nearly 14,000 attack drones and over 33,000 guided aerial bombs since February 2022. On 26 August, the Russian Federation launched at least 109 drones and 127 missiles on 15 Ukrainian regions and the capital. On 27 August, it launched 81 drones and 10 missiles targeting 16 regions of Ukraine 60 drones and five missiles were shot down, he said, thanking those who have contributed to his country's air defence. Nonetheless, the missiles and drones that were not intercepted caused severe damage and casualties. "Just imagine this number of deadly weapons dropped on our hospitals, schools and power stations," he said, stressing that the costs of these attacks are difficult to calculate. The Russian Federation targets residential buildings and critical infrastructure to "annihilate Ukraine", and he added that by targeting legitimate military targets his country aims to diminish Moscow's capacity to attack. "We will continue to eliminate Russia's combat potential," he declared, citing his country's actions as "not escalatory" but, rather, aimed to "deter Russia". Ukraine will not stand idly by, observing Moscow's military build-up in the Kursk region, he added. The Russian Federation's representative countered that the "Kursk adventure" a "reckless attack" by the Ukrainian "regime" against a peaceful border region in the Russian Federation is the reason why Western Council members were reluctant to call a meeting on Ukraine. "Our Western colleagues simply could not overlook hundreds of pieces of evidence showing that Ukrainian nationalists are executing peaceful citizens," he said. Pointing to "irrefutable evidence" of Ukraine's intentional shelling of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, which could "trigger a nuclear incident with tragic consequences" for Europe, he said that the attack showed the regime's "true colours". He also spotlighted the Ukrainian Armed Forces' use of Western weapons in the Kursk region. Despite this attack, the Russian Federation's military is advancing in Ukraine, he said, adding that it would be "naive" to expect the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to offer an "objective or humane" assessment of the acts of "Ukrainian murderers and terrorists". Drawing attention to the consequences of the "Kursk adventure", he said that "the Kyiv regime deceived everyone who talked about peace" and chose escalation over talks. "That is why we continue implementing the targets of a special military operation by instilling peace in Ukraine," he concluded. Throughout the meeting, numerous delegates condemned Moscow's strikes against civilian populations and infrastructure, noting their blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Among them was Slovenia's delegate, who said that the last two days reflect the "viciousness" of this war. "And there is no sign that the intensity of fighting is decreasing," he said, stating: "The sheer extent of human life lost to this war instigated by Russia is intolerable." The Russian Federation must demonstrate a genuine willingness to end the war and engage in good-faith negotiations based on international norms. As the war rages, the stakes are increasing, he cautioned especially with regard to the safety and security of nuclear power plants in the region. Calling on Moscow to accede to the demand of 100 Member States and return control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the Ukrainian authorities, the representative of the United States underscored: "Russia cannot and will not subjugate Ukraine." He also stressed that Kyiv's 32 NATO allies will continue to support both its "immediate security needs" and "long-term defence and deterrence capabilities" and reiterated a call on the Russian Federation to stop its "relentless" attacks and immediately withdraw from Ukraine's territory. Moscow "cannot redraw Ukraine's borders by force", he emphasized. Highlighting "the continued barbarity of [Russian Federation] President [Vladimir V.] Putin's tactics against the Ukrainian people", his counterpart from the United Kingdom said that instead of celebrating its Independence Day Ukrainians were fighting for their country. "They are also fighting on behalf of all our countries, in defence of principles on which the UN was founded," he added. As Moscow gets increasingly desperate, its attacks become more cowardly. On the recent wave of attacks across Ukraine that struck numerous civilian areas, he said that the intentional targeting of civilian populations and infrastructure constitutes a war crime. Echoing that sentiment, France's delegate said that Moscow continues to deliberately target civilians to break the morale of the Ukrainian people. He also spotlighted the widespread, systematic use of torture and sexual violence by the Russian Federation Armed Forces, as documented by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Additionally, he said, Moscow continues to be guilty of murder, mutilation and the illegal transfer of children. Guyana's representative, in that vein, demanded an immediate end to all attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects. "Guyana further demands that the conflict parties take constant care to protect civilians and civilian objects from harm," she added. With each life lost, each family torn apart and each home bombed, anger and hatred spread and the prospect for peace diminishes, she observed, urging the international community to support Ukraine's humanitarian needs. Underscoring Ukraine's inherent right to self-defence, the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, said that while Ukrainians courageously defend their country Moscow further intensifies its attacks on civilian infrastructure. Similarly, it shows disregard for the welfare of civilians in the areas it temporarily occupies by unlawfully impeding the delivery of humanitarian relief. "Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression," he stressed, warning that a lack of accountability "emboldens the aggressor and its accomplices". Along those lines, Poland's delegate said that the recent massive air attacks give a clear picture of the aggressor's intentions. He urged the Russian Federation to stop its attacks against critical infrastructure and appealed to all States to redouble efforts to ensure Ukraine's energy security. "This could include, for example, providing air defence around critical infrastructure, spare parts and power generators, as well as increasing energy exports," he said. Given current circumstances, any temptation to turn to a policy of appeasement should be decisively rejected, he asserted. Latvia's representative, also speaking for Estonia and Lithuania, stressed that the Russian Federation has repeatedly, deliberately targeted civilian and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. Also pointing to recent attacks on a hospital in Kherson and a hotel in Kramatorsk which resulted in the deaths of two humanitarian workers and a Reuters staff member, as well as the injury of four journalists, including one from Latvia he called on the aggressor to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from Ukraine's territory. He also urged Minsk, Tehran and Pyongyang to stop assisting Moscow's cruel war against Ukraine. For his part, the representative of Sierra Leone, Council President for August, spoke in his national capacity to reaffirm that "a military solution" is "clearly not feasible". Therefore, he urged all parties to create conditions conducive to holding direct talks "at the earliest possible timeframe" and to actively work towards de-escalating tensions. Turning to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, he called on the international community to financially support the UN's Winter Response Plan to "address the pressing needs of the people, enhance living conditions and ensure access to essential services". Similarly, China's delegate warned that the war will bring nothing but "more harm" and make "an already turbulent world even more unpredictable". Emphasizing the importance of preventing the conflict from escalating further, he urged "no spillover of the battlefield, no escalation of the fighting and no feeding of flames". Welcoming the new round of prisoner exchange between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, he called on both parties to refrain from attacking civilian populations and infrastructure and, detailing his Government's shuttle diplomacy in Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia, he noted that the six-point consensus for peace received positive feedback. Yet, the representative of Denmark, also speaking for Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, condemned Moscow's recent missile attacks, which are "among the worst" since the onset of its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression. "Russia's goal remains to subjugate Ukraine," she said, noting that it has brought death, terror and destruction to the areas it temporarily occupies. And, while no one wants peace more than Ukraine, she underscored that "it cannot be peace at any cost". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 29, 2024 By Joseph Clark, DOD News Austin Praises Poland's Commitment to Ukraine's Security Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III commended Poland for its continued leadership among key allies committed to Ukraine's defense as he met today with Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at the Pentagon. Austin noted Poland's continued contribution to the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group as the lead nation overseeing the armor and maneuver capability coalition aimed at supporting Ukraine's short- and long-term security requirements. "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 have been key to Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's ongoing assault. Austin also commended Poland's efforts to modernize and improve its military forces. The two leaders spoke after Poland's first F-35A Lightning II rolled off the production line during a ceremony at the manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, yesterday. "This is a big step toward Poland fielding the most lethal and survivable fighter aircraft on earth," Austin said. "The F-35 will improve your defensive capabilities, increase interoperability with our allies and help deter conflict." Kosiniak-Kamysz said the milestone marked a "historic and meaningful moment for building the credible defense capabilities of the Polish Air Forces and for increasing our interoperability." Both leaders also noted Poland's recent acquisition of nearly 100 AH-64E Apache helicopters, making Poland the second-largest operator of the attack helicopter outside of the U.S. "It is another meaningful step in tightening our bilateral relations and enhancing military industrial cooperation," the Polish defense leader said of the decision. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that the U.S.-Poland relationship continues to reach new heights as the two countries work together to address growing security challenges. "In a rapidly changing world, security challenges have become more contested, complex and interconnected," he said, adding that in addition to Russia's war in Ukraine, Poland also faces the growing threat of hostile actions in neighboring Belarus. "No single country can face this threat alone," he said. "And we truly appreciate the [United States'] firm commitment to defending NATO [nations]." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 247 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 79/2024 Vienna, Austria 29 Aug 2024 IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will next week travel to Ukraine to hold high-level talks and assess developments at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where nuclear safety and security remains precarious. It will be the fifth time that the Director General crosses the frontline to access the ZNPP after he established a permanent IAEA presence at the site two years ago, on 1 September 2022, to monitor nuclear safety and security. It is the tenth time he is in Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022. "The IAEA acts promptly and decisively whenever and wherever there are threats to nuclear safety and security. Our pro-active presence is of paramount importance to help stabilize the situation. My message has been loud and clear throughout this tragic war: a nuclear accident must be avoided at all costs, and a nuclear power plant must never be attacked. The consequences could be disastrous, and no one stands to benefit from it. I remain determined to do everything in my power to protect nuclear safety and security as long as the fighting continues," he said. At the ZNPP, the IAEA team stationed at the site has continued to hear explosions and other indications of military activities, at times near the plant itself. Due to reported drone threats in the area, the team was told to shelter indoors on 20 August and had to reschedule their planned walkdown on 26 August. Since the Director General last went to the ZNPP site in February, it has been hit by drone strikes, experienced loss of power lines and, earlier this month, a fire caused significant damage to one of its two cooling towers. "Two years after I launched our mission at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, it is needed more than ever. As these recent deeply concerning incidents make all too clear, the nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains extremely challenging. Our teams there and elsewhere in Ukraine are carrying out indispensable work on behalf of the wider international community in very difficult circumstances," he said. Over the past week, the IAEA team at the ZNPP has continued to conduct regular walkdowns across the site as part of their on-going nuclear safety and security assessment. Among other activities, they went to the turbine halls of reactor units 5 and 6 but were again not allowed to access the western parts of the buildings, as was also the case when they visited the turbine halls of units 3 and 4 in mid-August, and unit 2 earlier in the month. The IAEA team is also continuing to closely monitor the cooling water situation at the site. Following the destruction of the downstream Kakhovka dam last year, the ZNPP dug 11 new wells in order to obtain the water needed for reactor cooling and other essential nuclear safety functions. As the ZNPP's six reactors are all in cold shutdown, the water that these wells provide is sufficient for the site's current needs, even though one of them was temporarily out of operation earlier this month. The team has also been informed that the ZNPP is finalizing the implementation of a revised emergency response plan and is scheduling two exercises in the coming months, which the IAEA staff will request to observe. Widespread attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, leading to instability in the national grid, is presenting a persistent nuclear safety risk at Ukraine's other nuclear power plants (NPPs). Such attacks earlier this week led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of some reactor units at the Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs. The off-site power situation at the Khmelnytskyy NPP and Chornobyl site was also affected. Although no complete loss of off-site power event was experienced at any of these sites, the safety of operating NPPs is heavily dependent on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid. "While none of the plants lost all their access to the national electricity grid - which has happened repeatedly at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant over the past two years - I'm increasingly concerned about the growing vulnerability of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and the potential impact this is having on the safety of all Ukraine's operating nuclear power plants," Director General Grossi said. The team at the Chornobyl site rotated late last week. The IAEA has continued to deliver technical support and assistance to Ukraine to help with maintaining nuclear safety and security during the armed conflict. In the past few weeks, the Agency arranged three new deliveries. The Chornobyl site received mattresses that are intended to improve the living conditions for its staff. The Khmelnytskyy NPP received one spectrometer intended to improve its analytical capabilities, as well as an individual monitoring system with related accessories to enhance its capabilities for monitoring occupational exposures. The deliveries were supported with funding from the European Union, Japan and Norway. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baiba BraAe at the meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba: The EU must provide Ukraine with support it needs and contain Russia to the maximum Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29.08.2024 "Just like the Russian troops left the territory of Latvia 30 years ago, the day will come when all Ukraine will be free. A sooner victory for Ukraine is in the interests of the EU, since support to Ukraine and its success on the battlefield are closely linked to our own security. We must continue our joint support, which is based on specific Ukrainian needs, and they are well known - military support, effective sanctions, financial support and, no less importantly, moral support and fighting together, and faith in Ukraine's victory. Let us recall that Ukraine marks the Remembrance Day for the Fallen Defenders today - all the soldiers who have given their lives for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity since 2014," Baiba BraAe emphasized in her remarks to her colleagues at the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers. The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, took part in a face-to-face discussion on the situation in Ukraine. He thanked his EU counterparts for all the support they have been providing so far - including the restoration of energy infrastructure, which is critical in view of the approaching winter season. Baiba BraAe recalled that the present week (August 31) sees 30 years since the Russian troops were withdrawn from the territory of Latvia, which Latvia managed to accomplish by internationalising the process and involving international organisations - the UN and the OSCE. Drawing historical parallels, Baiba BraAe pointed out: "Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is not a "local conflict", and Russia's politics is a war that creates negative impacts and poses risks on a global scale. The first Ukrainian Peace Summit was strategically significant as it helps to shed light on, and explain the imperialist nature of Russia's war of aggression, as well as to internationalise the peace negotiation process. It is important at the UN General Assembly in September to promote support and understanding among global partners of a peace process based on the UN Charter, including respect for national territorial integrity." Baiba BraAe also underlined that the EU should continue the pressure of all kinds of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and work rapidly on the 15th round of sanctions to minimise financial and other resources at the disposal of Russia's war machinery. "The source of Russia's revenues is not only gas but also oil, so there is a need to move towards much broader and tougher sanctions against the so-called "shadow fleet." On the other hand, at the G7 level, we need to think about a solution to limit oil prices - to set a price cap on Russian oil." The Minister welcomed the first transfer of EUR 1.5 billion in revenues generated by immobilized Russian assets made by the European Commission this summer, on 26 July, towards the defence and reconstruction of Ukraine. At the same time, she called for finding a long term solution for channelling Russia's frozen assets in support of Ukraine. As regards control over the enforcement of sanctions, Baiba BraAe reiterated that it was the matter of national responsibility and competence of EU Member States to ensure that existing sanctions are implemented effectively. "Regrettably, it is not happening right now. The recipients of EU goods exports, such as Central Asian countries, are insufficiently controlled. This creates the risk of circumvention of sanctions and, for example, of dual-use items that can be used in war, ending up in Russia. It also places a disproportionate burden on the external border of the EU - especially on colleagues at the Latvian Border Guard and customs authorities, who monitor compliance with sanctions and prevent violations or ways to circumvent them, thereby shouldering the full weight of the EU." In relation to work on the 15th sanctions package, Baiba BraAe urged the EU Sanctions Envoy, David O'Sullivan, to provide information about the problems with the implementation of existing sanctions, especially in third countries. Foreign Minister Baiba BraAe also emphasized that Latvia was one of the most active supporters of Ukraine and would continue both military assistance and humanitarian support to Ukraine, taking into account its most acute needs, including Ukraine's energy sector. "Latvia's support to Ukraine constitutes 1 per cent of GDP, and will remain at that level in future." She also highlighted the fact that Latvia has delivered 3000 drones to Ukraine within the framework of the Latvia-led Drone Coalition, and is planning to invest EUR 20 million in the coalition effort next year as well. The aim is to deliver a total of 1 million drones to Ukraine until spring 2025. At the same time, alongside support to Ukraine, the EU must work towards a solution to contain Russia. "NATO is currently working on a policy of containment vis a vis Russia, and there is also work to be done at the EU level on effectively reining in Russia, because the problem and aggressor is Russia," Baiba BraAe noted. The ministers continued a discussion on development in the Middle East and were briefed by the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Haag, about the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Baiba BraAe underlined the importance of ceasefire and called for taking the next steps to prevent a wider regional escalation, which is in no-one's interest. The Minister thanked the UN for its efforts and stressed the importance of close cooperation between the EU and the UN in mitigating the humanitarian crisis. As part of the Council, foreign ministers also held an informal exchange with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan. Ministers discussed EU-TArkiye relations and current global challenges. Baiba BraAe welcomed TArkiye's support to Ukraine. The Minister called on TArkiye to work together, including as Allies in NATO, to bring to a halt the Russian aggression against Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Landsbergis in Brussels: "There is a significant share of European money in every missile attacking Ukraine" Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2024-08-29 Today, on 29 August, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, is attending an informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Brussels to discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, will inform the foreign ministers about the situation on the front. Ahead of the meeting, the head of Lithuania's diplomacy told journalists: "In every missile attacking Ukraine, there is a significant share of European money earned by Russia from the ongoing sale of oil, gas and other goods." The Foreign Minister also invited Italian, French, and other European companies to visit Lithuania and learn about the country's defence industry. "The time has come for Europe to grow muscle. Europe's defence industry is strong. Lithuania also can participate in the European defence industrial chain," said Landsbergis. Foreign Ministers will discuss the next steps following the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which was held in Switzerland on 15-16 June. They will also discuss the EU's military support for Ukraine and preparations for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly High-level Week to mobilize global partners' support for Ukraine. For the Foreign Minister's complete statement, please click here: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20240829-informal-meeting-of-foreign-affairs-ministers-august-2024/145779-arrival-and-doorstep-en-landsbergis-20240829 An informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) has traditionally been organized every six months in the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU. This year, the meeting had to take place in Budapest, the capital of the current Hungarian presidency. However, following the outrageous visits by Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow and Beijing in July, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, decided that an informal meeting of foreign ministers would take place in Brussels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Confirms Report That F-16 Crashed Earlier This Week, Killing Pilot By RFE/RL August 29, 2024 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet crashed while repelling a missile and drone strike by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine. The General Staff said in a Facebook post on August 29 that Ukrainian F-16s engaged in an air battle against the Russian barrage and shot down four enemy cruise missiles. "During the approach to the next target, contact was lost with one of the planes. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot died," the military said on August 29 on Facebook. A special commission of the Defense Ministry has been appointed to determine the causes of the accident, the General Staff said. Sabrina Singh, deputy spokeswoman for the Pentagon, said she had seen the reports about the crash of the F-16, adding that she was not aware of any request for assistance since the incident. She told a briefing that she had no further information, but added that pilots have been training in the United States and referred to the difficulties they face once in battle. "I will say, broadly speaking, combat aviation is very complex," Singh said. "We are very proud to train pilots here in the United States, and our allies are also training pilots for Ukraine. Everyday they fly these aircraft. There are brave men and women who defend the skies." The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the pilot was Oleksiy Mes and said he died while repelling a massive Russian strike. During the air battle, three cruise missiles and one drone were destroyed, the air force said. The Wall Street Journal first reported that an F-16 was destroyed in a crash on August 26. An unidentified U.S. official quoted by the newspaper said that, although the incident occurred during a massive Russian missile barrage, initial reports indicated that the jet wasn't shot down by enemy fire, and it was likely crashed as a result of pilot error. CNN reported, however, that according to sources, the Ukrainian military does not believe that pilot error was the cause of the incident. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and international experts will be invited to participate in it. Earlier on August, the Netherlands said it allowed the use of F-16s it donated to Ukraine to be used on Russian territory. "We have not imposed any restrictions on the use and range of the F-16s, provided that the laws of war are observed," General Onno Eichelsheim, the commander of the Dutch armed forces, told public broadcaster NOS. Speaking from the United States, Eichelsheim said his American colleagues "partly" agreed with his position. The Netherlands has pledged 24 F-16s to Ukraine, with the first due to arrive soon. Eichelsheim declined to say if any are currently in operation. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- crash-f-16-pilot-error/33098570.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 Kyiv Repels Fresh Russian Attacks As Ukraine Marks 'Day Of Remembrance' By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 29, 2024 KYIV -- Ukraine on August 29 commemorated those who have fallen defending the country's independence as Russia unleashed fresh strikes on Kyiv and across the country. Ukraine's air defenses shot down more than 10 Russian drones over Kyiv in the third large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital in four days, the city's administration reported. "The third air attack on Kyiv in the last four days! A mass attack again! This time, they used exclusively attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)," Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram, adding that the attack came from the occupied part of Ukraine's Kherson region and from Russia's Kursk region. Popko said drone debris ignited a fire that was put out by firefighters and added that there were no immediate reports of casualties or material damage. The latest attacks on Ukraine came as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with the EU foreign ministers in Brussels and urged them to expedite deliveries of promised air defense systems. "I conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the delivery of already pledged military aid, including air defense systems," Kuleba said on X on August 29 as Ukraine marked the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine. The holiday marked the 10th anniversary of the battle of Ilovaisk, in the Donetsk region, when hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were killed by Russian troops on August 24, 2014, as they began to withdraw from the Russia-encircled town, despite the Russian military giving assurances that the withdrawal would be allowed to proceed peacefully. General Oleksandr Syrskiy, the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said the holiday serves as a perpetual warning about what he called the treachery of the Russian aggressor. "Ilovaisk is not only a tragic event in the history of Ukraine but also a page of Ukrainian indomitability. It is an act and feat of the Ukrainian military. Let's remember that despite the loss and deception of the enemy, our soldiers did not give up but kept attempting to break out of the trap and fight," Syrskiy said in a message on Telegram. "This day will always remind us of the treachery of the Russian aggressor [and will remind us] that any negotiations with terrorists and murderers are a mortally dangerous business, and that they cannot be trusted," he added. Separately, Ukraine's General Staff on August 29 confirmed that it was behind three drone strikes the previous day that targeted Russian oil depots and an ammunition storage facility. The General Staff said that the strike on the oil depot in the Kamensky district of Russia's Rostov region was carried out by units of the Special Operations Forces of the military and the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) in cooperation with other branches of Ukraine's defense forces. It also claimed responsibility for a strike on the Zenit oil depot in the Kirov region, some 1,500 kilometers northeast of the Ukrainian border, and one on the ammunition depot of the artillery group Zapad in Russia's Voronezh region. In Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on August 29 that one person had been killed and two wounded by Ukrainian strikes. Gladkov said on Telegram that "the town of Shebekino was targeted by Ukrainian forces" and "unfortunately, one person was killed." Ukraine has not commented on the claim, which could not be independently confirmed. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kyiv-drone- attack/33097698.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 Interview: Ukraine's Bold Strike Into Russia Is A Tactical Win With Unclear Strategic Benefits By Vazha Tavberidze August 29, 2024 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. 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 atBlack Bird Group tryto 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. 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]. 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. 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. 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. 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kursk-incursion- russia-interview-analysis/33096863.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 Ukrainian General Staff Confirms Crash of NATO-Gifted F-16 Fighter Sputnik News 20240829 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The General Staff of the armed forces of Ukraine confirmed on Thursday the loss of the F-16 fighter transferred to Ukraine, and a special commission is investigating the causes of the crash. Earlier in the day, the Wall Street Journal newspaper reported, citing sources, that the US-made F-16 fighter jet that was transferred to Ukraine by its Western partners, crashed on August 26 just weeks after the first batch of such aircraft was delivered to Kiev. "During an air battle, the F-16 aircraft demonstrated their high efficiency, four cruise missiles were shot down by on-board weapons... During the approach to the next target, communication was lost with one of the aircraft. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot was killed," the Ukrainian General Staff said on Telegram. A special commission of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has been appointed to determine the causes of the crash, the statement said. Western countries have ramped up their military and financial aid to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. The Kremlin warns against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. Russian officials have also warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zakharova Calls Ukraine Attacking Kursk Region Way of Responding to Putin's Peace Initiative Sputnik News 20240829 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Kiev regime's attack on the Kursk Region is a kind of response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's peace initiative, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik. "As you know, in August, the Zelensky regime carried out a treacherous terrorist attack on the Kursk Region," Zakharova said, adding that "this was a kind of response by the Ukrobanderites to the peace initiative of the Russian president." The recent developments demonstrate that the Ukrainian crisis is still far from peace negotiations, the spokeswoman added. "It is clear that in conditions where real atrocities are taking place, in particular, when indiscriminate attacks are being carried out on civilians who have nothing to do with military actions, civilian infrastructure and threats are being created for nuclear power facilities, there can be no talk of any peace negotiations with the terrorist Kiev regime, regardless of their initiator," Zakharova said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 7,450 Troops During Operation in Kursk Region - MoD Sputnik News 20240829 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have eliminated up to 7,450 Ukrainian servicepeople, 74 tanks and 36 infantry fighting vehicles during military operations in the border areas of the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "In total, during the military operations in the Kursk area, the enemy lost up to 7,450 servicepeople, 74 tanks, 36 infantry fighting vehicles," the ministry said in a statement. Over the past 24 hours, Kiev lost more than 400 servicepeople in the Kursk area, the ministry also said. At the same time, Russia's Battlegroup Sever repelled four attacks in the area of the settlements of Korenevo and Cherkasskoe Porechnoe in the Russian region over the past 24 hours, with Kiev losing up to 70 servicepeople, the ministry said. Russia's Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 740 Ukrainian servicepeople over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 740 servicepeople, a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, two vehicles [among other military losses in battles with the southern group]," the ministry said in a statement Over the give period, Battlegroup Tsentr has taken control of the settlement of Nykolaivka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and repelled seven counterattacks, eliminating up to 530 Ukrainian troops, the statement read, adding that Battlegroup Zapad has repelled six counterattacks and eliminated up to 520 Ukrainian troops, taking control of the the village of Stelmakhivka in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR). Kiev has also lost up to 105 servicepeople in battles with the Battlegroup Vostok, while Battlegroup Sever has repelled two counterattacks and eliminated up to 185 servicepeople. Additionally, the Russian forces have hit a depot of UK-made Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, as well as an oil depot supplying fuel for the Ukrainian armed forces' equipment. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gratitude to Every Warrior and All Fallen Ukrainian Heroes Who Return Home on Their Shields - Address by the President President of Ukraine 29 August 2024 - 20:25 Dear Ukrainians! Today is a special and very important day for our state. The year 2014. The seizure of Crimea. Battles in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The beginning of Russia's hybrid, bloody war against Ukraine. And the beginning of Ukraine's military resistance. The heroism of thousands of our people. The dedication to our state and to the military oath. The defense of Ukraine. And the Ukrainian flags - flags of honor to our warriors who gave their lives for Ukraine. The year 2022. The full-scale invasion. Russia's full-scale attempt to destroy Ukrainians. And Ukraine's full-scale defense. The courage of our people. The strength of the Ukrainian spirit. And the gratitude - of all our people, of our entire state - to every warrior. And to all fallen Ukrainian heroes who return home on their shields. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's military says one of its F-16 warplanes crashed By VOA News August 29, 2024 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 Russia's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US ICBM Warning System Lacks Parts, Suffers Obsolete Tech Hurting Readiness - Report Sputnik News 20240829 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US strategic Early Warning Radar system to monitor the threat of ballistic missile thermonuclear attack is plagued by a lack of spare parts, outdated technology, much more maintenance work than anticipated and other problems, the Pentagon Inspector General admitted in a public statement about a highly classified report. "We found that Space Force took actions to sustain the Upgraded Early Warning Radar, but that a lack of spare parts, obsolescence, unscheduled system maintenance, and delayed modernization continue to be a problem," the DOD IG acknowledged on a single, brief X statement. The DOD IG carried out an investigation and produced a report a entited "Evaluation of Sustaining Engineering Actions for the Space Force's Upgraded Early Warning Radar," the office explained. "The objective of this evaluation was to determine the extent to which the Space Force implemented sustaining engineering actions to ensure that the Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) was capable, reliable, and available to meet mission requirements while managing risks," the DOD IG said. The UEWR's mission is to detect and track launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, while conducting general space surveillance and satellite tracking. The system is designed to detect and track multiple targets up to 3,000 miles away, the DOD IG noted. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York, United States , Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Aircraft Maintenance Market Size to Grow from USD 88.7 Billion in 2023 to USD 139.4 Billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.62% during the forecast period. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/5733 The global aircraft maintenance market is expanding rapidly, fuelled by rising demand for air travel, fleet expansion, and severe safety standards. Airlines and aviation firms make significant investments in aircraft maintenance and upgrades to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with international standards. The market is divided into numerous divisions, such as line maintenance, heavy maintenance, engine overhaul, and component maintenance. Maintenance operations are becoming more efficient and accurate because to technological breakthroughs such as predictive maintenance and the integration of AI and IoT. Furthermore, the proliferation of low-cost carriers and increased air cargo demand are helping to drive market growth. Browse key industry insights spread across 203 pages with 110 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the " Global Aircraft Maintenance Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Maintenance Type (Airframe, Engine, Line Maintenance, Components, Others), By End-Use (Military, Commercial, Others), By Aircraft Type (Wide-body Aircrafts, Narrow-body Aircrafts, Others), 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/5733 Insights by Maintenance Type The engine segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. As airlines' fleets and flight operations grow, so does the demand for engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Technological improvements in modern engines, such as the usage of composite materials and improved efficiency designs, necessitate specialised maintenance skills and tools, fuelling growth in this market. Furthermore, the transition towards more fuel-efficient engines, as well as a greater emphasis on sustainability, has resulted in more regular engine upgrades and retrofits. Engine maintenance is extremely costly and complex, making it an important income source for MRO companies. Insights by Aircraft Type The narrow body segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. As airlines' fleets and flight operations grow, so does the demand for engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. Technological improvements in modern engines, such as the usage of composite materials and improved efficiency designs, necessitate specialised maintenance skills and tools, fuelling growth in this market. Furthermore, the transition towards more fuel-efficient engines, as well as a greater emphasis on sustainability, has resulted in more regular engine upgrades and retrofits. Engine maintenance is extremely costly and complex, making it an important income source for MRO companies. Insights by End Use The commercial segment accounted for the largest market share over the forecast period 2023 to 2033. Airlines are constantly growing their fleets to meet rising passenger demand, particularly in emerging economies, which creates an increased demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The advent of fuel-efficient and technologically advanced commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, demands specialised maintenance capabilities, which accelerates market growth. Furthermore, the ageing fleet of legacy carriers requires regular maintenance and updates to assure safety and regulatory compliance. The transition to predictive maintenance and the incorporation of digital technology into MRO operations are also improving efficiency and lowering downtime, making the commercial segment a top priority for MRO suppliers worldwide. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/5733 Insights by Region North America is anticipated to dominate the Aircraft Maintenance Market from 2023 to 2033. The market is encouraged by the region's emphasis on technical innovation, such as the use of predictive maintenance and advanced digital tools to increase efficiency and reduce downtime. Regulatory compliance, enforced by agencies like as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), maintains tight maintenance standards, which drives up demand for high-quality MRO services. Furthermore, the ageing aircraft fleet in North America, particularly among legacy carriers, provides continued opportunities for maintenance, modifications, and retrofitting, hence maintaining the market's development trajectory. Asia Pacific is witnessing the fastest market growth between 2023 to 2033. Asia-Pacific is experiencing tremendous fleet growth, notably among low-cost carriers and new airlines. This expansion drives up demand for repair, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, cementing the region's status as an aircraft repair hub. Furthermore, rising air cargo traffic and the necessity for fleet modernisation are driving the industry. Governments in the region are investing in infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to assist the aviation industry, which will improve the capabilities of local MRO providers. The implementation of innovative technologies, such as predictive maintenance and digital platforms, is also increasing, establishing Asia-Pacific as a prominent participant in the worldwide aircraft maintenance market. 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 players in the Global Aircraft Maintenance Market Honeywell International, Safran Aircraft Engines, ST Aerospace, Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, GMF AeroAsia, Lufthansa Technik, Airbus Group, Delta TechOps, and Others Key Vendors. Get Discount At @ https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-discount/5733 Recent Market Developments In October 2023, Amazon has collaborated with a newly established Part 147 school in Lakeland, Florida, to create the Aviation Maintenance Training Program, which will provide career training for individuals interested in pursuing a new career path in MRO and contributing to the expansion of the aviation maintenance workforce pipeline. Market Segmentation This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Aircraft Maintenance Market, Maintenance Type Analysis Airframe Engine Line Maintenance Components Others Aircraft Maintenance Market, Aircraft Type Analysis Wide-body Aircrafts Narrow-body Aircrafts Others Aircraft Maintenance Market, End Use Analysis Military Commercial Others Aircraft Maintenance 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 Ammunition Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Bullets, Aerial Bombs, Grenades, Mortars, Artillery Shells, Others), By Caliber (Small, Medium, Large), By Application (Military & Homeland Security, and Civil & Commercial), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Aircraft Braking System Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Component (Wheels, Brake Discs, Brake Housing, Valves, Actuators, Accumulator, Electronics), By End Use (OEM, Aftermarket), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Aircraft Battery Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Battery Type (Lead Acid Battery, Lithium Ion Battery, Nickel-Cadmium Battery, and Others), By Technology (Traditional Aircraft, More Electric Aircraft, Hybrid Aircraft, and Electric Aircraft), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023 2033 Global Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Aircraft Type (Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing, UAVs), By Platform (Commercial, Military), 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 Denver, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denver, Colorado - Hyper Dog Media announces that the SearchCon 2024 conference is just two weeks away. The event will be held on September 12-13, 2024, at the Renaissance Boulder Flatiron Hotel. It's set to feature many experts in digital marketing and SEO. The conference aims to share advanced insights and foster discussions on the latest trends in the field. SearchCon will gather top professionals from various areas of digital marketing, including SEO, content marketing, and search marketing. Attendees will get the chance to hear from notable speakers like Holly Starks, Garret Acott, Cade Lee, Andrew Sterling Ansley, Guerin Green, Jim Kreinbrink, and many more. Each speaker will cover important topics and share their expertise, offering valuable knowledge for digital marketing professionals. Jim Kreinbrink, President of Hyper Dog Media, commented on the upcoming event, "We are excited to bring together such a diverse and knowledgeable group of speakers for this year's SearchCon. The conference will be a great opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest strategies and innovations in the digital marketing arena." The two-day event will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions. Topics will include the latest SEO techniques, effective content marketing strategies, and advancements in search marketing. The goal is to give attendees practical knowledge they can use to improve their online visibility and marketing results. Kreinbrink added, "Our goal with SearchCon is to provide our attendees with actionable insights and strategies that can help them enhance their digital marketing efforts. We believe that the knowledge shared by our exceptional line-up of speakers will be invaluable for anyone looking to improve their online presence." In addition to the presentations and discussions, SearchCon will offer attendees the chance to connect with industry leaders and peers. Networking opportunities will be available throughout the conference, allowing participants to share experiences, discuss challenges, and build new professional relationships. For those interested in more details or in registering for the conference, information can be found at the official event website, SearchCon. The site includes sections on speaker bios, conference registration, sponsorship details, and the latest news updates. Prospective sponsors can also find contact information for inquiries. The event is organized by Hyper Dog Media, a digital marketing agency known for its expertise in SEO. Information about Hyper Dog Media's extensive services can be found on their official website at Hyperdogmedia.com. The company offers a range of services designed to help businesses improve their online presence and connect with their target audiences. Their services include SEO, pay-per-click advertising, analytics consulting, conversion optimization, email marketing, reputation management, and social media optimization. Hyper Dog Media works with organizations of all sizes, offering tailored solutions to meet diverse marketing needs. Hyper Dog Media uses best practices and innovative strategies, adapting their services to meet the specific requirements of their clients. They offer specialized solutions for enterprises, small businesses, and white-label partners, ensuring that every client receives effective strategies for their unique needs. SearchCon 2024 promises to be an insightful and valuable experience for digital marketing professionals. With just two weeks to go, excitement is building for what is expected to be a highly informative and engaging event. For more details and to secure a spot, visit the SearchCon website https://searchcon.events/. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m876jEh633I Recent News: Hyper Dog Media Announces SearchCon 2024: Premier SEO and Digital Marketing Event ### For more information about Hyper Dog Media, contact the company here: Hyper Dog Media Jim Kreinbrink (720) 489-3790 jim@hyperdogmedia.com https://www.hyperdogmedia.com/ PO Box 588 Eastlake, CO 80614 Hexagon Purus Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon Purus, has received a purchase order for a compressed hydrogen fuel system from Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. The system will be used on Greenpeace's new 75-meter vessel featuring advanced green technologies, including hydrogen and e-methanol power systems. The value of the order is approximately EUR 2.5 million (approx. NOK 29 million). "We are delighted to support Greenpeace's mission to showcase innovative solutions for reducing maritime emissions," said Robert Haugen, Managing Director of Hexagon Purus Maritime. "This partnership underscores our commitment to pioneering zero-emission technologies and contributing to a sustainable future for the maritime industry." Delivery of the hydrogen fuel system is scheduled for 2027. The Greenpeace vessel, built by Freire Shipyard and designed by Dykstra will harness wind and solar power through over 2000 square meters of sails, battery packs, and solar panels. It will also feature advanced power systems enabling the use of green hydrogen and e-methanol to meet its remaining energy needs. "Hexagon Purus is committed to actively leading the way in developing zero-emission alternatives, says Guillermo Freire, Managing Director, Freire Shipyard. After a comprehensive tender process, we became confident that Hexagon Purus Maritime had the ability and highest technical capabilities to deliver on this exciting project. Driving Energy Transformation In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a revised strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. The revised strategy includes a common ambition to (i) reach net-zero GHG emission by or around 2050 and (ii) indicative milestones that call for reducing total GHG emissions of up to 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040 measured from GHG emission levels in 2008. Making green hydrogen available for use in the maritime sector is crucial to reducing the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Green hydrogen is expected to supply up to 25% of the world's energy needs by 2050. About the market Hexagon Purus combines maritime experience with extensive hydrogen storage expertise to provide a holistic approach to zero emission maritime solutions. Hexagon Purus is at the forefront of developing innovative hydrogen storage solutions with lightweight composite cylinders that are ideal for maritime applications. Hexagon Purus hydrogen storage and distribution business is well-positioned to support the ambitious energy transition required in the maritime sector - and to take a global leading role for integrated products in the emerging maritime hydrogen market. Together with partners, Hexagon Purus can cover major parts of the maritime hydrogen value chain. For more information: Eli Turander, Global Communications Director, Hexagon Purus Telephone: +47 953 35 795 | eli.turander@hexagonpurus.com Mathias Meidell, Investor Relations Director, Hexagon Purus Telephone: +47 909 82 242 | mathias.meidell@hexagonpurus.com About Freire Shipyard Construcciones Navales P. Freire (Freire shipyard) is a family-owned company established in 1895 by Mr. Paulino Freire in Vigo (Spain). Today, Freire builds and repairs highly complex offshore, oceanographic, hydrographic, research and fishing vessels as well as luxurious yachts, tall ships, patrol vessels and tugs for the most demanding owners around the world. About Hexagon Purus Hexagon Purus enables zero emission mobility for a cleaner energy future. The company is a world leading provider of hydrogen Type 4 high-pressure cylinders and systems, battery systems and vehicle integration solutions for fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles. Hexagon Purus' products are used in a variety of applications including light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, ground storage, distribution, refueling, maritime, rail and aerospace. Hexagon Purus Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon Purus, provides compressed hydrogen fuel storage systems for maritime applications, helping to decarbonize the maritime industry. Hexagon Purus combines maritime experience with extensive hydrogen storage expertise to provide a holistic approach to zero emission maritime solutions. Hexagon Purus is at the forefront of developing innovative hydrogen storage solutions with lightweight composite cylinders that are ideal for maritime applications. Learn more at www.hexagonpurus.com and follow @HexagonPurus on X and LinkedIn. Attachment A public limited company (societe anonyme) with a share capital of 1,473,764,980.00 Registered office: 1973 boulevard de la Defense - 92000 Nanterre Registration number: 552 037 806 RCS Nanterre www.vinci.com Shareholders relations department: actionnaires@vinci.com ____________________________________ Issue of new VINCI shares, reserved for group employees in France in the context of its savings plan The Combined General Meeting of Shareholders of 9 April 2024, in its 12th resolution, delegated to the Board of Directors its authority to carry out capital increases reserved for employees for a period of 26 months expiring on 8 June 2026. In this context, it defined the method for determining the issue price of the new shares. During its meeting of 13 June 2024, VINCI Board of Directors set the terms of a capital increase reserved for the Groups employees in France, this operation falling within the delegation of authority received from the shareholders meeting. The maximum number of shares that may be issued and the total amount of the issue will depend on the level of employee subscriptions to the units to be issued by the Castor Relais 2024/3 mutual fund which will be recorded at the end of the subscription period which will run from 1 September to 31 December 2024. The issue price of the new shares is equal to 95% of the average opening prices of VINCI shares listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris SA during the 20 trading days preceding 13 June 2024, i.e. 107.41 per new share to be issued. The maximum number of new shares to be issued may not exceed the limit set by the General Meeting of Shareholders of 9 April 2024 in its 12th resolution. The total number of new shares that may be issued on the basis of the 12th resolution of the General Meeting of 9 April 2024 and on the basis of the 13th resolution of the same General Meeting in favour of employees residing in certain foreign countries may not exceed 1.5% of the number of shares comprising the authorised share capital at the time when the Board makes its decision. The Castor Relais 2024/3 mutual fund will subscribe to new VINCI shares to be issued1 at the end of January 2025. Application will be made for these new shares to be admitted to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris immediately after their creation. These ordinary shares will be unrestricted and will carry dividend rights from 1st January 2024. Nanterre, 30 August 2024 * * * * 1 Up to the total amount of employees payments raised by contributions paid by group companies that are members of its savings plan in France. Attachment Dublin, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Hungary Air Conditioner Market 2024-2030 Size, Trends, Industry, Forecast, Share, Growth, Value, Revenue, Analysis, Outlook & COVID-19 IMPACT: Market Forecast by Type, by Application, and Competitive Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Hungary Air Conditioner Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during 2024-2030. Hungary air conditioner market has registered significant growth owing to increasing residential dwelling with increasing air conditioner installations which witnessed an increase from 14% to 27% in 2020-2022. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the air conditioner market in Hungary experienced a shortfall downfall in demand due to lockdown restrictions, which led to a temporary halt in public movement for shopping and construction activities, and delayed project completions, resulting in 18% decrease in housing sales in 2022. Nevertheless, Central Hungary saw a strong rise in housing completions in the first half of 2021 which boosted the demand for air conditioners, due to which the market recovered. the booming hospitality sector with approximately 700 new hotel room completions in the first half of 2023 in Budapest, had further contributed to a growth trajectory. Hungary air conditioner industry is poised for significant growth in the future, owing to anticipated office completion of approximately 140,200 square meters in 2024 and 64,400 square meters in 2025 and 200,000 square meters by 2026. Furthermore, the ongoing trend of urbanization, with the urban population expected to reach 75.4% by 2030 (up from 72.5% in 2022), would drive demand for air conditioners valued for their energy efficiency, ability to enhance indoor air quality, convenience, and comfort. Furthermore, by 2022, Hungary's urban population had reached 72.5%, with projections indicating a rise to 75.4% by 2030. This shift towards urban living is expected to result in higher population density, leading to increased heat generation from various sources such as buildings and vehicles, which would further boost the demand for air conditioners in residential and commercial infrastructure. Market Segmentation by Type Room air conditioners have captured the largest share of revenues, driven by the growing installation of air conditioners in residential dwellings, which increased from 14% in 2020 to 27% by 2022. Their popularity in the residential sector is attributed to their high utility and ease of installation, as they do not require complex ductwork or centralized infrastructure. Market Segmentation by Application The commercial segment is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years driven by anticipated office completion of approximately 140,200 square meters in 2024 and 64,400 square meters in 2025 and 200,000 square meters by 2026. Key Attractiveness of the Report 10 Years of Market Numbers. Historical Data Starting from 2020 to 2023. Base Year: 2023 Forecast Data until 2030. Key Performance Indicators Impacting the Market. Major Upcoming Developments and Projects. Key Highlights of the Report Hungary Air Conditioner Market Overview Hungary Air Conditioner Market Outlook Hungary Air Conditioner Market Forecast Historical Data and Forecast of Hungary Air Conditioner Market Revenues for the Period 2020-2030F Historical Data and Forecast of Hungary Air Conditioner Market Revenues, By Types for the Period 2020-2030F Historical Data and Forecast of Hungary Air Conditioner Market Revenues, By Applications for the Period 2020-2030F Market Drivers and Restraints Market Trends Industry Life Cycle Hungary Air Conditioner Market - Porter's Five Forces Market Opportunity Assessment Company Shares Market Competitive Benchmarking Key Strategic Recommendations Company Profiles Daikin Industries, Ltd. Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Whirlpool Corporation Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. Electrolux Cool Airconditional Kft LG Electronics Samsung Electronics Air Conditioner Europe Bosch Comfort Group Hi-Trade-Sense Magyarorszag Kft. Carrier Global Corporation Market Scope and Segmentation By Type Room Air Conditioner Ducted Air Conditioner Ductless Air Conditioner Centralized Air Conditioner By Application Residential Healthcare Commercial & Retail Transportation and Infrastructure Hospitality Others (Education, BFSI, Industrial) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jjzic5 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. VICTORIA, Seychelles, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget Wallet, the leading global Web3 wallet with 30 million users, has introduced a pioneering feature that lets users create and access Web3 wallets using their Telegram accounts. This innovation offers a seamless entry into decentralized finance, allowing Telegram users to easily log into a keyless MPC wallet and explore the Web3 world. By eliminating the complexities of private key management, this feature greatly enhances security and user experience, making it simpler than ever to dive into Web3. Bitget Wallet has consistently focused on driving mass adoption through thoughtful product design, including the launch of its keyless MPC wallet and full support for the Telegram and TON ecosystems. These efforts aim to lower the barriers to Web3, making it more accessible and understandable, especially for those with no technical background or experience with blockchain or crypto. As a key Web3 infrastructure, Bitget Wallet is positioned to bring a large number of Web2 users into the Web3 space via Telegram. Since October 2023, Bitget Wallet has simplified the process of creating and owning a Web3 wallet. The introduction of the keyless MPC wallet, utilizing enterprise-grade MPC technology, allows users to create a wallet using an email, Google, Apple ID, and now, a Telegram accounteliminating the need to remember complex mnemonic phrases or private keys. This approach is designed to be more user-friendly, secure, and accessible to Web2 users. Bitget Wallet has continued to optimize the user experience across various chains, expanding its keyless MPC wallet support to include TON and Solana, in addition to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other EVM-compatible chains. It is now the first in the industry to offer a keyless MPC wallet solution supporting the TON mainnet. Alvin Kan, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget Wallet, shared his perspective on the broader implications of this launch, saying, "As Web3 infrastructure continues to integrate with social platforms, we're not just simplifying user experience and access; we're also paving the way for a new era where lines between Web2 and Web3 identities become increasingly fluid. This convergence is leading to a future where social interactions and financial transactions seamlessly coexist on the same platforms, making Web3 a natural extension of our digital lives. As a pioneering innovator in Web3, Bitget Wallet will continue to roll out more features around Telegram and other platforms to drive user adoption." Alvin also announced the upcoming release of a Bitget Wallet Telegram trading bot this week, which will further enhance trading experience with Telegram. This bot will allow users to quickly create wallets, discover and trade tokens, and receive real-time market updates particularly on Smart Money movements, enabling users to capture market trends quicklya feature especially helpful for trading meme coins. About Bitget Wallet Bitget Wallet is Asia's largest and a leading global Web3 wallet with over 30 million users worldwide. It offers a comprehensive range of features, including asset management, intelligent market data, swap trading, launchpad, inscribing, NFT, DApp, and token earning center. Currently, it supports more than 100 major blockchains, hundreds of EVM-compatible chains, and over 250,000 cryptocurrencies. Bitget Wallet enhances liquidity by aggregating it across hundreds of top DEXs and cross-chain bridges, facilitating seamless trading on nearly 50 blockchains. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | Discord A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e96ef70f-81a1-497d-84d8-463d48371d51 Dublin, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "3D-Printed Drones Market by Component (Frames & Arms, Propellers, Landing Gears, Wing Structures, Mounts & Holders, Enclosures), Type (Fixed-wing, Rotary-wing, Hybrid), Platform, Application, Manufacturing Technique and Region - Global Forecast to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The 3D-printed drones market is projected to grow from USD 707 million in 2024 to USD 1.89 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 21.8% from 2024 to 2029. Enhanced customization and rapid prototyping capabilities of 3D printing and short supply chain of drone components to drive the 3D-printed Drones market growth during the forecast period. The growth of 3D printed drone market can be attributed to the rising demand for advanced drone solutions and services from commercial, military, and government & law enforcement applications. 3D printing offers several benefits in the drone industry. However, material strength and durability limitations can be a concern for specific drone components requiring high structural integrity. The production speed for large-scale manufacturing is also slower than traditional methods, and the cost of 3D printing materials and equipment can be relatively high. Despite these challenges, the continued advancements in 3D printing technology are expected to expand its applicability and efficiency in drone manufacturing, making it an increasingly viable option for producing high-performing UAVs. Key players in the 3D-printed drones market include Boeing (US), Parrot Drone SAS (France), General Atomics (US), and AeroVironment, Inc. (US), among others. These players make several strategic decisions to strengthen their position in the market and meet evolving consumer demands. For instance, Boeing's subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, with its manufacturing facilities, in-house 3D printers, and strong distribution networks across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World, significantly contributes to the 3D-printed drones market. Based on manufacturing techniques, the polymerization segment to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The market has been categorized into different types based on manufacturing techniques, including material extrusion, polymerization, powder bed fusion, and other manufacturing techniques. Methodology of polymerization Drone manufacturing is changing due to 3D printing techniques including digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), and continuous liquid interface fabrication (CLIP), these techniques are known for their potential superiority and accuracy. SLA facilitates the fabrication of complex drone parts with smooth surfaces by layer-curing liquid photopolymer resin using a UV laser. Combining micromechanical properties with aerodynamic efficiency depends on this accuracy. Meanwhile, CLIP rapidly cures the resin with a series of continuous UV images projected through oxygen-permeable glass. This process has advantages over traditional processes in manufacturing speed and material strength, enabling complex drone parts to be produced in a fraction of the time The resin is cured rapidly and uniformly by DLP with a digital projector screen use to illuminate a single image located around each layer above the stage. This technology is especially helpful when manufacturing multiple drone parts at once as it provides uniformity and maximizes productivity. Based on Application, commercial segment witness strong growth in market during the forecast period The 3D-printed drones market is segmented into military, commercial, government & law enforcement, and consumer based on application segment. Drones are widely used in ISR, combat operations, and the military in combat casualty management. General Atomics (US), Northrop Grumman (US), and Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel) are major suppliers of 3D printed drones for military applications. Government & law enforcement applications use drones for border control, traffic control, fire & disaster management, maritime security, search and rescue, and police operations & investigations. Meanwhile, commercial drones are used for the skies imaging, survey monitoring, survey mapping, in remote sensing, logistics, industrial and warehousing, passenger and public transport applications. Parrot Drone SAS (France), Yuneec (China), and PrecisionHawk (US) provides 3D-printed drones for commercial applications. The North America regions held largest market share in 2023 In recent years, the adoption of 3D-printed drones in the US has increased dramatically, due to advances in additive manufacturing technology The country is leading the way in leveraging 3D printing to rapidly prototype and manufacture customized UAVs for the defense sector e.g together with 3D printed Small UAV for research purposes. Drones with this on-demand capacity can now be used to strategically address changing combat scenarios by significantly increasing mission flexibility and lowering logistical expenses. Similar to this, last-mile deliveries are being made by UPS and Amazon, two logistics firms, with the use of 3D printed drones. Drone delivery is the goal of the Amazon Prime Air program, and 3D printing is essential to producing lightweight, customised drones that satisfy particular business requirements. Drones that are 3D printed are also being used by businesses like Precision Hawk to improve precision farming methods. These drones are equipped with special sensors, monitor crop health, monitor irrigation and provide supplies more efficient use, maximizing productivity and cost savings The ability to rapidly prototype drones according to specific requirements has accelerated innovation and enables companies to meet market demands faster. Major players in the 3D-printed drones market are Boeing (US), AeroVironment, Inc. (US), Parrot Drone SAS (France), General Atomics (US), and Skydio, Inc. (US). The report provides insights on the following pointers: Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on 3D-printed drones offered by the top players in the market Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product launches in the 3D-printed drones market Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyzes the 3D-printed drones market across varied regions Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the 3D-printed drones market Market Growth: Supportive government regulations and initiatives to drive the market growth in near future Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of leading players in the 3D-printed drones market Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 228 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $707 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $1891 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 21.8% Regions Covered Global Companies Featured Boeing General Atomics Parrot Drone Sas Aerovironment, Inc. Skydio, Inc. Lockheed Martin Corporation Israel Aerospace Industries Northrop Grumman Bae Systems Airbus Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Titan Dynamics Inc. Rapidflight Firestorm Labs, Inc. Brinc Drones Inc. Ideaforge Technology Ltd. Quantum-Systems GmbH Nextech Digital Aerolus Javiat Aerospace Kespry Uvify Inc. Heliguy Aerialtronics Aldoratech Hexadrone For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4qwhz5 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. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Radar R&D Portfolio Assessment and Opportunity Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This analysis provides an in-depth exploration of recent technological developments and their impact on the market, structured into several key modules. It begins with an overview of radar technology, including various types, architectures, and recent technological advancements. The analysis then covers enabling and competing technologies, examining how these are influencing the market dynamics. Radar technology will experience rapid growth because of improvements in enabling technologies and growing demand in the automotive, defense, aerospace, consumer electronics, manufacturing, and energy industries. The technology has diverse applications and use is expanding with the adoption of IoT devices and penetration of 5G technology. The long-standing technology in the defense industry is now transforming civilian applications because of advancements such as high-power processors, powerful antenna innovations, faster network speeds, larger data storage capacities, and automation. Cost-effective, high-power, intelligent radars will be in wide use within seven years as a digital, semiconductor, and radar convergence propels new discoveries and advances in radar systems. Industry application areas are assessed to understand where these technologies are being implemented most effectively. The report also delves into regional developments, highlighting patents, funding trends, and the adoption of technology across different regions. A technology adoption model and assessment is provided, alongside a detailed Porter's five forces analysis to evaluate the competitive landscape. The report also outlines key business models being employed in the industry, offering insights into successful strategies. A roadmap is included to project future technological developments, and a technology attractiveness dashboard is provided to help identify the most promising areas for investment. Finally, the analysis concludes with an exploration of growth opportunities, pinpointing where the industry is likely to expand next. Growth Opportunity Universe in Radar Sensor Growth Opportunity 1: Smart Homes Growth Opportunity 2: Healthcare and Medical Growth Opportunity 3: Smart Cities Key Topics Covered: Radar Sensor Technology Competitiveness, Impact Analysis, and Regional Adoption Radar - A Brief Overview Modern Radar Systems Are Increasingly Focused On Miniaturization Increased Design Flexibility Entails Multiple Radar Categories Key Radar Technologies and Their Significance Recent Trends Across Industry Verticals Impacting Radar Innovation Overcoming Countermeasures, Reducing Cone of Silence, and Detection Range Improvement Are Key Issues in the Defense Sector High-Resolution, Low-Cost, and Long-Range Detection Are Key Issues Impacting the Automotive Industry R&D in Key Radar Subsystems: Antennas R&D in Key Radar Subsystems: Transceivers Key Emerging Technologies and Radar Enablers Comparative Analysis of Competing Technologies Impact Analysis of Radar Technology for Automotive Applications Impact Analysis of Radar Technology for Robotics Applications Impact Analysis of Radar Technology for Military Applications Emerging Use Cases - Radar Technology for Automotive, Transportation, and Military Defense Sectors Emerging Opportunities in Transportation, Space, and Smart City Applications Key Collaboration Strategies for Technology Development and Commercialization Regional Trends and Impact of Radar Technology Patent Research Focus Areas Funding Deals and Focus Areas Technology Adoption Model - Assessment Porter's Five Forces Analysis Business Models For Radar Sensor Technology Recommendations for Business Opportunities Future Directions of Radar Sensor R&D Strategic Imperatives Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow? The Strategic Imperative The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Radar Industry Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine Research Methodology Growth Opportunity Analysis Technology Attractiveness Dashboard Scope of Analysis Segmentation Growth Generator Growth Drivers Growth Restraints Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d9suql About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Green Coatings Market Report by Type, Application, and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global green coatings market reached US$ 89.9 billion in 2023. Looking forward, the market is projected to reach US$ 128.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.05% during 2023-2032. The growing number of stringent environmental regulations and policies, the widespread implementation of occupational health and safety measures, and the emerging trend towards green construction and sustainable architecture are some of the major factors propelling the market. Green Coatings Market Analysis: Market Growth and Size: The global green coatings market is experiencing steady growth, driven by factors like stringent environmental regulations and the growing inclination towards sustainable products. The global green coatings market is experiencing steady growth, driven by factors like stringent environmental regulations and the growing inclination towards sustainable products. Major Market Drivers: Primary drivers include stringent environmental legislation demanding lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and a rise in preference for eco-friendly products. The construction and automotive sectors are rapidly adopting green coatings to align with global sustainability trends and enhance their market appeal. Primary drivers include stringent environmental legislation demanding lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and a rise in preference for eco-friendly products. The construction and automotive sectors are rapidly adopting green coatings to align with global sustainability trends and enhance their market appeal. Key Market Trends: A notable trend is the shift towards waterborne and powder coatings, known for their low environmental impact. Innovations focusing on enhancing durability and efficiency, along with the development of bio-based alternatives, are steering the market towards significant ecological and economic benefits. A notable trend is the shift towards waterborne and powder coatings, known for their low environmental impact. Innovations focusing on enhancing durability and efficiency, along with the development of bio-based alternatives, are steering the market towards significant ecological and economic benefits. Geographical Trends: Europe dominates the market, driven by increasing construction activities, industrial growth, and stringent environmental policies. However, North America is emerging as a fast-growing market on account of the strong emphasis on sustainability and regulatory frameworks favoring eco-friendly products. Europe dominates the market, driven by increasing construction activities, industrial growth, and stringent environmental policies. However, North America is emerging as a fast-growing market on account of the strong emphasis on sustainability and regulatory frameworks favoring eco-friendly products. Competitive Landscape: The market is characterized by intense competition, with key players focusing on technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and expanding product portfolios to gain a competitive edge. Companies are increasingly investing in research operations to develop innovative, sustainable coating solutions that meet stringent environmental standards. The market is characterized by intense competition, with key players focusing on technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and expanding product portfolios to gain a competitive edge. Companies are increasingly investing in research operations to develop innovative, sustainable coating solutions that meet stringent environmental standards. Challenges and Opportunities: Challenges include the high cost of raw materials and technological constraints in achieving optimal performance with eco-friendly ingredients. Nonetheless, opportunities for market players to innovate and develop cost-effective, high-performance solutions, thereby driving market competitiveness, are projected to overcome these challenges. Green Coatings Industry Segmentation This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global green coatings market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2024-2032. The report has categorized the market based on type, application, and region. Breakup by Type: Waterborne Powder High Solid UV Cured Waterborne dominates the market The green coatings industry is experiencing significant growth, driven primarily by increased environmental awareness and stringent government regulations aimed at reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Waterborne coatings, a subcategory within green coatings, are gaining prominence as they meet both sustainability objectives and performance criteria. One of the key market drivers for waterborne types is the escalating demand from the automotive and construction sectors, which require coatings that are not just durable but also eco-friendly. Besides this, technological advancements have also fueled this trend, with new waterborne formulations offering comparable or superior qualities to traditional solvent-based coatings. Furthermore, public perception favoring green products is steering both consumers and industries toward more sustainable options. Another driver is the economic benefit; while the initial cost may be higher, the long-term operational and disposal costs are often lower, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run. Thus, the convergence of environmental concerns, technological innovation, economic feasibility, and industrial demand is offering a favorable green coatings market outlook. Breakup by Application: Architectural Coatings Industrial Coatings Automotive Coatings Wood Coatings Packaging Coatings Others Architectural coatings hold the largest share in the market The market for green coatings in architectural applications is on an upward trajectory, influenced by a combination of regulatory, environmental, and consumer-driven factors. Regulatory guidelines, particularly those focused on reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are compelling industries to adopt more eco-friendly solutions. This has made green coatings, especially waterborne and high-solids coatings, increasingly desirable in architectural applications, including residential and commercial buildings. In addition, consumer awareness about sustainability is another critical driver; there is a growing preference for green buildings and eco-friendly homes, which, in turn, boosts the demand for green architectural coatings. Furthermore, technological innovation also plays a vital role, as advancements in formulation chemistry have resulted in green coatings that deliver superior performance, durability, and aesthetic appeal, without compromising on environmental safety. The push for energy-efficient buildings is further encouraging the use of reflective or insulating green coatings that contribute to long-term cost savings. Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa Europe exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest green coatings market share In Europe, the green coatings industry is experiencing robust growth, fueled by technological innovations, and rising consumer consciousness about environmental sustainability. Regulations have set stringent standards for chemical substances, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in traditional coatings. This regulatory landscape is a key market driver, steering industries towards adopting eco-friendly green coatings. Additionally, Europe's ambitious sustainability goals and climate action plans further amplify the green coatings market demand. Apart from this, technological advancements in the formulation of high-performance, low-VOC, and waterborne coatings offer alternatives that meet both environmental and performance criteria, thus attracting industries, including automotive, construction, and maritime. Consumer preference is another influential factor. European consumers are increasingly opting for products that align with green values, including eco-friendly homes and automobiles, thereby boosting the market for green coatings. Furthermore, Europe's well-established infrastructure and investment in R&D activities provide an ideal platform for the green coatings market to flourish. Competitive Landscape The global green coatings market is experiencing significant growth due to the growing consumer focus on sustainability. Companies are engaged in educating the market about the benefits of green coatings through marketing campaigns, case studies, and thought leadership content. Along with this, the accelerating investments in research and development in R&D to formulate high-quality, low-VOC, and waterborne coatings that meet environmental standards and offer superior performance is significantly supporting the market. In addition, strategic partnerships with suppliers and research institutions are being formed to accelerate the development of innovative green coating solutions, which is acting as another growth-inducing factor. In addition, manufacturers are seeking third-party certifications for their products to verify their eco-friendly attributes, thereby building trust among consumers and industrial buyers. This is positively influencing the market. Furthermore, the integration of digital tools for better supply chain management, predictive maintenance, and real-time analytics is contributing to the market. Green coatings market research delineates comprehensive insights, unveiling evolving trends, user demands, and technological advancements that are sculpting the progression of the sector towards ecological sustainability. The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include: AkzoNobel N.V. Asian Paints Limited Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. BASF SE Hempel A/S Jotun Kansai Paint Co. Ltd. Koninklijke DSM N.V. Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd. PPG Industries Inc. The Sherwin-Williams Company Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 146 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $89.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $128.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ffbnx9 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 NANJING, China, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jiangsu was built by water and till now, flourishes by it. The Yangtze River running from east to west, the Grand Canal from north to south, the wide and open seashores, and the gentle and pleasant lakes constitute a unique cultural landscape in Jiangsu where rivers, lakes and seas converge. The interplay of water and culture has nurtured a thousand-year cultural legacy, shaping the distinctive identity of Jiangsu. In recent years, Jiangsu has been leveraging its rivers, lakes, and seas to forge a cultural and tourism development space across the province, encompassing "Two Corridors, Two Belts and Two Zones." To better showcase charming Jiangsu as a world-renowned tourist destination, supported by "Charm of Jiangsu" International Communication Center, Jiangsu Glimpses focuses on the beautiful scenery of these six regions. Recently, the special issue on the "World-class Silk Road Tourism Belt on the East Part of the New Eurasian Land Bridge" was launched, inviting readers from around the world to explore the Silk Road stories of Jiangsu. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. Over 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian led an expedition to the Western Regions, opening up the Silk Road linking the East and the West. Over 600 years ago, Zheng He made seven voyages to the Western Seas, making the Maritime Silk Road unprecedentedly prosperous. Taking a close look at the world map, people will find that the two Silk Roads, like flowing ribbons, weave a colorful bow in Jiangsu and condense into a strong and solid converging point. This issue of the travel guide (https://tuce.zboec.com/2024/5-6syjs2/) looks back at the journey of Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, the renowned German geologist and geographer who coined the term "Silk Road," during his travels through Jiangsu approximately 150 years ago. This issue of the travel guide takes readers through Lianyungang, the "Eastern Bridgehead of the New Eurasian Land Bridge," and Xuzhou, known as the "Athens of the East." It highlights Haizhou City, Lianyun Old Street, Donghai Hot Springs, Donghai Crystal Town, and Dayi Mountain as well as Yunlong Lake, Han Culture Scenic Area, Jiuli Mountain, Jiawang Pan'an Lake - Mazhuang, Fengxian County - Peixian County Han Cultural Tourism Belt, and Old Yellow River Course, capturing the charm of these two key cities at the crossroads of the Belt and Road. Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched in 2013, the cultural and tourism industry in Jiangsu has been striving to build bridges of friendship and cooperation based on mutual understanding and mutual benefit. This issue, featuring stunning photos and bilingual texts, reveals a two-way passage that stretches across east and west, connects land and sea, and links Jiangsu with the world. It is helping Jiangsu build itself as a crucial window showcasing the modern-day "Travels of Marco Polo" to the world. Source: "Charm of Jiangsu" International Communication Center Revised Transaction Begins with Backstopped Rights Offering and Private Placement Revised Transaction Does Not Require Shareholder Approval and therefore Annual General and Special Meeting scheduled for August 30, 2024 is Postponed Pending the Close of the Revised Transaction whereupon a New Board Will be Elected Scott Tannas and Paul Rivett Will Host Webcast to Discuss the Revised Transaction on September 3, 2024 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time, 10:00 AM Eastern Time CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (TSXV: WI) ("Western" or the "Corporation"), today announced a revised financing to replace the multiple voting structure that was previously announced on March 22, 2024 (the Original Transaction). We have essentially become victims of our own success," said Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western. Securing agreements for the purchase of 100% of Fortress Insurance, instead of the 51% outlined as a condition of the Original Transaction, would have required a complex and costly process in order to close the Fortress Insurance acquisition. In addition to being costly, this would have significantly delayed and altered the Original Transaction. Given the strategic importance to Western of acquiring 100% of Fortress Insurance in the near term, we searched for a simpler and more efficient financing path. This revised transaction provides Western with a much clearer and quicker path to achieving its insurance and investments growth strategy and maintains a simple capital structure. The Revised Transaction Designed to be simple and fast, with expedited regulatory approvals. Enables Western to increase its interest in Fortress Insurance Company (" Fortress ") from 28.5% to 100%. See "Update on Increased Interest in Fortress" below. ") from 28.5% to 100%. See "Update on Increased Interest in Fortress" below. Key points: $15 million backstop commitment (the Backstop ). See The $15 million Backstop below. Private placement financing of up to 37,500,000 Units, consisting of one share and one share purchase warrant (a Unit ) for gross proceeds of up to $15 million (the Private Placement ). See The Private Placement below. Rights offering of up to $22 million (the Rights Offering) involves the issuance of one right (a Right ) for each Western share, that will commence following the conclusion of the acquisition of Fortress shares with common shares of Western (the Common Shares ). Rights are proposed to be publicly listed and traded for a period of up to 45 days. In the event that Rights are fully exercised, an aggregate of $22 million is expected to be raised for Western. See The Rights Offering below. The Backstop may be fulfilled by purchasing shares through either the Private Placement or the Rights Offering. Tevir Capital Corp. ( Tevir ) proposes to lead the Backstop with a $5 million commitment. Removes Multiple Voting Share structure which had become a point of concern with regulators. Keeps Tevirs ownership under 20% to avoid Control Person designation and the incumbent ongoing requirements. Allows Western to engage one or more brokers to assist with the Rights Offering and the Private Placement. Provides $15 million initial investment in Western required to fund working capital and provide acquisition funds. A portion of the proceeds may be used to pay the cash portion for the purchase of additional shares in Fortress (see update below). Supports Tevir proposal to nominate at least three of seven members to Westerns board of directors. Maintains all other elements of the Revised Transaction essentially the same as the Original Transaction, including Executive Structure with Paul Rivett to assume CEO role, Scott Tannas to assume the role of Chair of the Board of Directors, and Management Services / Investment Services plan. Does not require shareholder approval and therefore eliminates the need for the General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting). Therefore, Western will delay the Meeting until after the Revised Transaction closes whereupon a new Board of Directors will be elected. "Aside from the exclusion of the multiple voting shares our strategic plan remains the same and we have all the elements we require for Westerns future success," continued Mr. Tannas. "The significant interest our shareholders have expressed in the rights offering as previously conceived is such that we are confident we can secure the capital we require for our near-term growth objectives while maintaining a modest level of dilution. " Transaction Comparison Original Transaction Revised Transaction Multiple Voting Share structure Yes No Able to acquire 100% of Fortress in the near-term No Yes Tevir designated Control Person Yes No Minimum capital requirements ($ millions) 20 15 Rights issued per Common Share 2.5 1 Paul Rivett appointed to CEO Yes Yes Scott Tannas appointed to Chair of the Board of Directors Yes Yes Management Services / Investment Services Plan Yes Yes Tevir nominees to Board 4 3 Board Seats 7 7 Transaction is Revised to Remove Multiple Voting Shares Western has revised its proposed transaction with Tevir that was previously announced on March 22, 2024 (the Revised Transaction). The Revised Transaction does not incorporate multiple voting shares. The removal of multiple voting shares should help expedite the completion of the Revised Transaction. The intention of the multiple voting shares was to protect Western from inopportune takeover bids, said Paul Rivett. There is a benefit to all shareholders working from an even playing field which ensures all shareholders interests are completely aligned. We are excited to complete this transaction and to begin executing on our strategic plan to deliver value to Westerns shareholders with all the essential elements of our success in place. The $15 Million Backstop Tevir is expected to provide $5 million to support the Backstop, subject to several conditions, including assembling a minimum $10 million of additional funds from other accredited investors that are expected to participate in the Backstop. Backstop participants would either fulfill their Backstop commitment through the Private Placement or the exercise of unused rights in the Rights Offering. Participants that provide a backstop guarantee for the Rights Offering, may be provided with bonus warrants for up to 25% of the Common Shares that are guaranteed in the backstop for the Rights Offering, subject to TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) policies. The Private Placement Western plans to raise up to $15 million through a private placement financing to accredited investors of up to 37,500,000 units at a price of $0.40 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share of the Corporation and one warrant to purchase a Common Share (the Warrant), with each Warrant exercisable to purchase one additional Common Share for a period of 5 years from the date of closing at an exercise price of $0.47. Western may engage one or more brokers to act as agent for the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to approval of the TSXV. The Rights Offering The previous transaction structure contemplated a rights offering (the Rights Offering) of 2.5 rights to each existing eligible Western shareholder by way of a rights offering circular. Western is updating its plans to pursue a more modest Rights Offering whereby each eligible shareholder as of the record date for such offering (the Rights Record Date) will be issued one right (the "Right") for each Common Share held on the Rights Record Date, entitling that holder to purchase one Common Share for each whole one Right held at a price of $0.40 per Common Share for a period of 45 days. The Rights Offering will also include Fortress shareholders who convert into Western shares. The Rights will be freely tradeable on the TSXV for a period of 45 days. Western may engage one or more brokers to act as solicitation agent in the Rights Offering. The Rights Offering is intended to provide existing Western shareholders with a mechanism to ensure their economic interest in the Corporation is not diluted. The Revised Transaction results in lower dilution to Westerns existing shareholders while delivering all the capital required for Westerns near-term growth objectives. The definitive terms of the Rights Offering, including the proposed Rights Record Date, will be set forth in a subsequent news release. The Rights Offering (including the subscription price and any listing of the Rights on the TSXV) is subject to applicable regulatory approval, including approval of the TSXV. Use of Proceeds If both the Rights Offering and Private Placement are fully subscribed Western could raise proceeds of up to $37 million. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the Private Placement and the Rights Offering to fund working capital and provide funds for acquisitions. A portion of the proceeds may be used to pay the cash portion for the purchase of additional shares in Fortress (see below). Update on Increased Interest in Fortress As previously announced, Western has secured agreements in aggregate to increase its share ownership in Fortress from its current 28.5% position to 100% (the Share Purchases). These share purchase agreements with other holders of Fortress shares, which are conditional on approval by the TSXV, will be settled primarily through the issuance of approximately 27 million Common Shares of Western at a price of $0.40 per share, with the remainder settled in cash. All of the Share Purchases are arms length transactions, except as described below. The Share Purchases are expected to close before the end of the year subject to customary approvals and conditions. One of the Share Purchases could be deemed a related party transaction because one of the vendors selling Fortress shares to Western is a private company owned by an independent director of Western. The private company would be entitled to receive 944,762 Common Shares in exchange for selling its interest (less than 5%) in Fortress shares to Western. The proposed Share Purchase is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (pursuant to subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a)) as neither the fair market value of the Common Shares of Western to be distributed to, nor the consideration received from, interested parties exceeds 25% of Western's market capitalization. Postponed Meeting The Revised Transaction does not require shareholder approval and therefore eliminates the need for the General and Special Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for August 30, 2024. Therefore Western proposes to delay the Meeting until after the Revised Transaction closes whereupon a new Board of Directors will be elected. Western will provide the details of its revised meeting and record date in a subsequent release and post a revised Notice of Meeting and Record Date to Sedar+ (www.sedarplus.ca) at that time. Investor Rights Agreement The terms of the Revised Transaction will also provide Tevir with certain investor rights from time to time to nominate up to three individuals to the Board of Directors of Western and customary participation and registration rights in future Western financings, subject to certain terms and conditions, including that Tevir holds at least 2.5% of the outstanding Common Shares (including any securities convertible into Common Shares held by Tevir or its affiliates). Tevir Management Contract As previously contemplated, as part of the Revised Transaction, Western will enter into a contract with Tevir where Tevir will provide Western with access to legal, financial, business development, Toronto office space, and other expert and clerical assistance for a fixed fee of $500,000 per year. Tevir Investment Management Contract As previously contemplated, as part of the Revised Transaction, Western and its subsidiaries will enter into contracts with Tevir where Tevir will provide certain investment management services. Stock Consolidation At the Shareholders Meeting, Western will also put forward a proposal for shareholders to approve a consolidation of Common Shares on a basis of up to 1 for 10. Any decision to implement a stock consolidation would remain at the discretion of Western's board of directors. Webcast - Join Scott Tannas and Paul Rivett as they discuss the Revised Transaction September 3, 2024 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time, 10:00 AM Eastern Time On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, please join Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western, and Paul Rivett, Founder and President of Tevir, on a webcast where they will discuss the Revised Transaction and related items. Participants of the live event will also have the opportunity to ask questions. The webcast will take place at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, 9:00 AM Central Time, 8:00 AM Mountain Time, and 7:00 AM Pacific Time. Participants can access the webcast using the link below: Webcast Link https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5b3728e2-0ccb-4256-9892-620f8f3a84b3@3149c8f2-095e-4d5e-b9cc-dd2063820f76 Following the webcast a recording of the event will be available at the link above. About The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited Western is a unique publicly traded, private equity company founded by a group of successful Western Canadian businesspeople, and dedicated to building and maintaining ownership in successful Western Canadian companies, and helping them to grow. Western's shares are traded on the Exchange under the symbol WI. For more information on Western, please visit its website at www.winv.ca. To add yourself to our email news alert subscription please visit this link. CONTACT INFORMATION - The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited Scott Tannas President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 652-0408 or stannas@winv.ca Advisories Completion of the Revised Transaction is subject to a number of conditions. There can be no assurance that the Revised Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Revised Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Revised Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities Western should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transactions and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. This document contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this document contains statements concerning: the completion of the Revised Transaction and the other proposed transactions described in this news release, including the Share Purchases, and the appointment of the new CEO and additional directors; and the use of proceeds from the Rights Offering. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Western, including expectations and assumptions concerning the ability of Western to successfully implement its strategic plans and initiatives, the timing of receipt of required shareholder and regulatory approvals (including TSXV approval) and third party consents and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the Revised Transaction and Share Purchases. Although Western believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements made by Western are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because no assurance can be provided that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks that required shareholder, TSXV, regulatory and third party approvals and consents are not obtained on terms satisfactory to the parties within the timelines provided for, or at all, and risks that other conditions to the completion of the Revised Transaction are not satisfied on the required timelines or at all, the ability of management to execute its business strategy, and the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and the United States. A description of additional assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Western's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Western 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. This news release also contains financial outlook information ("FOFI") about prospective results of operations and book value, which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date of this news release to provide information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Western disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Rights and underlying Common Shares and the Common Shares being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latin Metals Inc. (Latin Metals or the Company) - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) announces the acquisition by staking of an additional 400-hectare claim (the Extension), contiguous with its 100% owned Auquis Project (Auquis or the Project). The Extension is located south of the Rose copper porphyry target area, which has potential to host an extension of the Rose porphyry system. Potential to the south is supported by anomalous soils geochemistry samples taken by the Company prior to staking the property (Figure 1). Within the Rose porphyry zone, early-stage soil samples have correlated well with rock chip sampling anomalies over a 3km x 1.5km area. Future exploration at Auquis is planned to include additional sampling at the Rose zone as well as additional work at the Blanco skarn target where skarn mineralization includes anomalous rock samples up 9.3% zinc, 6.1% lead, 2.8% copper and 176g/t silver at surface. Figure 1: Location of the Auquis Project Extension relative to the existing Project and the Rose Zone The Company also announces that it has entered into a loan agreement with a trust controlled by a director of the Company (the Lender) pursuant to which the Lender has agreed to provide an unsecured and non-interest-bearing loan to the Company in the aggregate principal amount of up to USD 100,000 (the July 2024 Loan) repayable by the Company on demand. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the July 2024 Loan to fund its resource properties option payment requirements and to meet its short-term corporate and working capital needs. The Company also announces that on April 28, 2024, it received an unsecured and non-interest-bearing loan (the April 2024 Loan; together with the July 2024 Loan, the Loans) in the principal amount of USD 100,000 from the Lender. The April 2024 Loan was repaid in May 2024. Neither of the Loans are convertible into or repayable in securities of the Company, and no bonus is payable to the Lender in connection with the Loans. As the Lender is a trust controlled by a director of the Company, each of the Loans constitute a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is relying on Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements, respectively, of MI 61-101, as, at the time the loan agreements for the respective Loans were entered into by the Company with the Lender, neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of either of the Loans exceeded 25% of the Companys market capitalization. About Latin Metals Latin Metals is a mineral exploration company acquiring a diversified portfolio of assets in South America. The Company operates with a Prospect Generator model focusing on the acquisition of prospective exploration properties at minimum cost, completing initial evaluation through cost-effective exploration to establish drill targets, and ultimately securing joint venture partners to fund drilling and advanced exploration. Shareholders gain exposure to the upside of a significant discovery without the dilution associated with funding the highest-risk drill-based exploration. For more information, please get in touch with Latin Metals Investor Relations at 604-638-3456 or via email at info@latin-metals.com. Stay up to date on Latin Metals developments by joining our online communities through LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. QA/QC The work program at Auquis was designed and supervised by Eduardo Leon, the Company's Exploration Manager. He is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project rigorously collect and track samples which are then security sealed and shipped to the ALS laboratory in Lima. Samples used for the results described herein are prepared and analyzed by multi-element analysis using an inductively coupled mass spectrometer in compliance with industry standards. Soil samples were extracted from prospecting pits measuring 40cm x 40cm, where the uppermost A horizon was removed to collect the underlying B horizon. A total of 1.5 to 2.0 kg of B Horizon material was collected at each sampling site, before the sampling pit was reclaimed. A total of 10 samples were added to the previous grid of 200m north-south and 400m east-west orientation. Qualified Person Keith J. Henderson, P.Geo., is the Company's qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release. He has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Henderson is not independent of the Company, as he is an employee of the Company and holds securities of the Company. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of LATIN METALS INC. Keith Henderson President & CEO For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Companys web site (www.latin-metals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Suite 890 999 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 Phone: 604-638-3456 E-mail: info@latin-metals.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and timing of exploration programs in respect of the Project, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, and the Company's expectation that it will be able to enter into agreements to acquire interests in additional mineral properties, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves on the Project, statements regarding the Loans and the use of proceeds from the July 2024 Loan, 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, expects, anticipates, intends, estimates, plans, may, should, would, will, 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, requirements for additional capital, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Companys projects, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, future prices of copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals (including TSX Venture Exchange acceptance), permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics, including the impact of epidemics or pandemics on the Companys business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as the risk factors described in the Companys annual and quarterly managements discussion and analysis and in other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b66425b-80e8-4f1a-bbc2-021068c3f228 Lake Oswego, Oregon, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cosmos, a leading provider of reporting, business intelligence and analytics solutions, today announced the release of expanded data source connectivity for its platform. The new feature allows customers to incorporate data from multiple sources beyond Microsoft Dynamics Business Central cloud, merging siloed information into a unified model for seamless reporting across all historical and operational data. This major update fulfills a highly requested need from Cosmos valued customers and partners who need to access critical data that exists across various systems and repositories outside of their core Business Central ERP platform. Bringing these disparate sources together for reporting and analytics previously required tedious manual, error-prone processes with high technical overhead. Were thrilled to officially deliver this expanded data connectivity to our customers, said Brian Petersen, Founder and COO of Cosmos. Your data is incredibly valuable, and we understand the challenges of wrangling information from different systems. This new capability streamlines data integration so customers can focus on what really matters, the insights they need to make decisions quickly and effectively. The multi-source connectivity unlocks new analytics potential. Users can now seamlessly incorporate historical data as they transition from legacy ERP systems to Business Central Cloud. By moving data from sources like Excel or Azure SQL into the Cosmos data warehouse, reporting remains undisrupted. More specifically, the new multi-source connectivity feature allows Cosmos users to marry data inside of their Cosmos data warehouse from Azure SQL databases or Excel files alongside all their Business Central cloud data, including extensions and third-party apps. The flexibility to organize and pull data from anywhere reduces friction and manual overhead for customers, Petersen explained. We will continue to iterate on our data strategy to provide the best analytics experience possible. To learn more about multi-source data connectivity from Cosmos and how it can help unify your organizations data landscape, visit www.cosmosdatatech.com or email hello@cosmosdatatech.com. About Cosmos Cosmos is a cloud-based reporting and business analytics solution built specifically for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Fully supported by Microsoft Azure, Cosmos provides a unified, intuitive platform to easily create and modify reports, edit data models, manage users, and share information all without technical expertise or familiarity with the underlying data structure. Unlike other on-premise reporting solutions for Business Central, Cosmos includes a powerful data warehouse to clean and organize data from multiple sources and optimize it for reporting and business intelligence. Its seamless integration with Microsoft Azure Active Directory lets users easily log in with their Microsoft Business Central or Office credentials and start building reports and dashboards immediately in Excel or Power BI. With governed data, a familiar Excel interface, and self-service data visualization at their fingertips, Cosmos makes report creation easier for everyday Business Central users equipping them with the data and tools they need for faster operational analysis, smarter decision-making, and instant results. To learn more about Cosmos cloud-based reporting solution built specifically for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, visit the website at www.cosmosdatatech.com. Attachments Pune, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AI) in Healthcare Market Overview: According to SNS Insider, The Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Size was valued at USD 22.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 370.14 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 36.5% over the forecast period 2024-2032. The exponential growth in Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare market is fueled by the rising adoption of AI-based solutions across various healthcare applications, including diagnostics, treatment planning, and robotic surgeries. The increasing volume of healthcare data, combined with advancements in machine learning and natural language processing, is driving demand for AI-powered tools that can enhance decision-making processes, improve patient outcomes, and optimize operational efficiency in healthcare settings. The Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by both supply and demand factors. On the supply side, technological advancements and increased investments in AI are enabling the development of sophisticated tools that cater to a wide range of healthcare needs. Companies are increasingly focusing on AI-based software solutions, with significant innovations in clinical applications such as diagnostic imaging, drug discovery, and personalized medicine . On the demand side, the healthcare sector's growing reliance on data-driven decision-making and the need to improve patient outcomes is accelerating the adoption of AI technologies. The integration of AI in healthcare is also addressing critical challenges, such as the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of medical procedures. Get a Sample Report of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/2278 Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: Enlitic Inc. GE Healthcare General Vision Inc. Google Inc. IBM Corporation iCarbonX Intel Corporation Medtronic Microsoft Corporation Next IT Corporation Nuance Communications Nvidia Corporation Siemens Healthineers Welltok Inc. Zebra Medical Vision Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Report Scope: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 22.5 Billion Market Size by 2032 US$ 370.14 Billion CAGR CAGR of 36.5% From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East]), Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa], Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Segment Analysis By Component In 2023, the software solutions component dominated the market, holding a 38.7% share. The rapid adoption of AI-based software by healthcare providers, payers, and patients is the primary driver behind this dominance. The services component is projected to be the fastest-growing segment, driven by the expanding application of AI technologies across various healthcare functions. These include robot-assisted surgeries, clinical trials, and virtual healthcare services. By Application In 2023, the robot-assisted surgery segment led the market with a 21.99% share, and it is expected to continue growing significantly. The rise in robotic surgical procedures, alongside increased investments in AI platform development, is fueling this growth. By Technology The machine learning (ML) technology segment dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 35.6% of the market share. ML's ability to process vast amounts of healthcare data, including electronic health records and genomic data, makes it indispensable for disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient outcome prediction. By End-user In 2023, healthcare companies were the leading end-users, holding a 32.2% share of the market. The adoption of AI in drug development and clinical trials is a significant driver for this segment. AI technologies are revolutionizing the drug discovery process by shortening development timelines and enhancing the precision of targeting specific patient groups. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Key Segmentation: By Component Hardware Software Solutions Services By Application Robot-assisted Surgery Virtual Assistants, Administrative Workflow Assistants Connected Medical Devices Medical Imaging & Diagnostics Clinical Trials Fraud Detection Cybersecurity Dosage Error Reduction Precision Medicine Drug Discovery & Development Lifestyle Management & Remote Patient Monitoring, Wearables Others By Technology Machine Learning Natural Language Processing By End-users Healthcare Providers (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities, and Others) Healthcare Payers Healthcare Companies (Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Devices), Patients, and Others) Do you have any specific queries or need any customization research on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market, Enquire Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/2278 Regional Analysis North America held the largest share of Artificial Intelligence in the Healthcare market in 2023. The region's dominance is driven by the early adoption of advanced technologies, substantial investment in healthcare AI startups, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure. Key applications in North America include AI-driven diagnostic tools and personalized medicine platforms. Companies like IBM Watson Health and Google Health are at the forefront of AI innovation in this region, contributing to the market's growth. Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region in the AI healthcare market from 2024 to 2032. The rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure, along with increasing investments in AI technologies, particularly in countries like China and India, are propelling the market. Recent Developments August 2024: Philips introduced its AI-powered HealthSuite Platform, designed to enhance patient management through real-time data integration and analytics. July 2024: IBM Watson Health announced the launch of its AI-driven drug discovery platform aimed at accelerating the development of new therapies. June 2024: Microsoft launched Azure AI Health Insights, a platform providing predictive analytics for healthcare providers. May 2024: Medtronic unveiled its AI-based endoscopy system, GI Genius, which aids in the early detection of colorectal cancer. April 2024: Siemens Healthineers launched an AI-enhanced imaging software to improve the accuracy of diagnostic imaging in radiology. March 2024: Google Health released a new AI tool for breast cancer detection, demonstrating higher accuracy than traditional mammograms. Key Takeaways The Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare market is set for explosive growth, driven by increasing AI adoption in diagnostics, treatment, and robotic surgeries. The software solutions component and robot-assisted surgery application segment dominated the market in 2023. North America led the market, while Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the next decade. Recent developments from major companies like Philips, IBM Watson Health, and Google Health highlight the rapid pace of innovation in AI healthcare technologies. Buy a Single-User PDF of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Analysis & Outlook Report 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/2278 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Research Methodology 3. Research Methodology 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting 5.1 Adoption Rates, 2023 5.2 User Demographics, By User Type and Roles, 2023 5.3 Feature Analysis, by Feature Type 5.4 Cost Analysis, by Software 5.5 Integration Capabilities 5.6 Regulatory Compliance, by Region 6. Competitive Landscape 7. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Segmentation, by Component 8. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Segmentation, by Application 9. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Segmentation, by Technology 10. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Segmentation, By End-user 11. Regional Analysis 12. Company Profiles 13. Use Cases and Best Practices 14. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare-market-2278 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM) (DPM or the Company) today announced the closing of the sale of the Tsumeb smelter to a subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd. (Sinomine). In line with our strategy, the Tsumeb divestiture is another step in our continued track record of creating shareholder value. Id like to extend our thanks to the government of Namibia, Sinomine and our former employees and stakeholders for its safe transition and continued success, said David Rae, President and CEO. The purchase price for the sale of the Tsumeb smelter was US$20 million, on a debt-free and cash-free basis, less a US$5 million holdback to be held in escrow for a period of six months to secure the Companys indemnity obligations under the share purchase agreement with Sinomine. Total cash consideration paid on closing was US$15.9 million, as adjusted, less the escrow holdback amount. The cash consideration is subject to normal post-closing adjustments. About Dundee Precious Metals Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based international gold mining company with operations and projects located in Bulgaria, Serbia and Ecuador. The Companys purpose is to unlock resources and generate value to thrive and grow together. This overall purpose is supported by a foundation of core values, which guides how the Company conducts its business and informs a set of complementary strategic pillars and objectives related to ESG, innovation, optimizing our existing portfolio, and growth. The Companys resources are allocated in-line with its strategy to ensure that DPM delivers value for all of its stakeholders. DPMs shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: DPM). For further information please contact: David Rae President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (416) 365-5191 investor.info@dundeeprecious.com Jennifer Cameron Director, Investor Relations Tel: (416) 219-6177 jcameron@dundeeprecious.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward looking statements or forward looking information (collectively, Forward Looking Statements) that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward Looking Statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as plans, expects, intends, anticipates, believes, or variations of such words and phrases or that state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. Forward looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential benefits of the sale of the Tsumeb smelter to the Company, its business and its shareholders. Forward Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and the opinions and estimates as of the date such statements are made, and they 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 other future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward Looking Statements. Such factors include, among others, there being no assurance that the sale of the Tsumeb smelter will result in the benefits anticipated, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in any other documents (including without limitation the Companys most recent Annual Information Form and its most recent Managements Discussion & Analysis) filed from time to time with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors which may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in Forward Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. The Companys Forward Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward Looking Statements if circumstances or managements estimates or opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward Looking Statements. LONDON, Ontario, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Childrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada (SHC Canada) have announced a first of its kind affiliation agreement to improve care, research and education. Patients and families in southwestern Ontario will now have access to specialized paediatric orthopaedic care closer to home, while Canada Shriners Hospital will continue to support and improve access to complex cases. This affiliation will also focus on advancements in paediatric research, further improvements in clinical care, and educating the next generation of physicians, healthcare providers and researchers. Childrens Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada have long worked together through informal clinical collaborations and referrals, but today were excited to enter into a formal affiliation agreement that will have significantly more impact, said Nash Syed, Vice-President, Childrens Hospital and Womens Program. This is an exciting opportunity to create something unique and special for the patients we serve and their families, as well as for the staff, physicians, researchers and students vital to delivering this care. This affiliation is a dream come true developed in the true spirit of collaboration with the goal of improving paediatric orthopaedic care in Canada. It will not only improve the lives of patients and their families, but will also advance research and teaching, said Jacques Boissonneault, Administrator, Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada. This affiliation has allowed us to create an exceptional framework that has opened the door to more such collaborative projects across Canada. A Canadian first, the affiliation is based on three core pillars: clinical care, research and education. Clinical care : A new highly specialized monthly clinic at Childrens Hospital called the Shriners Rare Bone Disease Clinic will offer treatment to children with complex bone disorders, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and limb anomalies. This clinic will provide patients and families in southwestern Ontario, who in the past have had to travel hours to SHC Canada in Montreal, an opportunity to receive some of their care at Childrens Hospital instead. This will make management of these complex disorders significantly easier for patients and their families. In addition, as of next year, Childrens Hospital plans to work with SHC Canada to expand the program throughout the Childrens Hospital catchment area, meaning SHC Canada specialists will provide care at outreach clinics within regional hospitals throughout southwestern Ontario twice annually. : A new highly specialized monthly clinic at Childrens Hospital called the Shriners Rare Bone Disease Clinic will offer treatment to children with complex bone disorders, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and limb anomalies. This clinic will provide patients and families in southwestern Ontario, who in the past have had to travel hours to SHC Canada in Montreal, an opportunity to receive some of their care at Childrens Hospital instead. This will make management of these complex disorders significantly easier for patients and their families. In addition, as of next year, Childrens Hospital plans to work with SHC Canada to expand the program throughout the Childrens Hospital catchment area, meaning SHC Canada specialists will provide care at outreach clinics within regional hospitals throughout southwestern Ontario twice annually. Research : This fall, scientific teams from both hospitals will come together in a Joint Quarterly Conference to discuss ongoing research developments and future collaborative projects. In addition, a research grant will be awarded through an evaluation process to support innovative projects involving researchers from both hospitals. The proposed projects will need to show potential in improving the treatment of paediatric bone disease. : This fall, scientific teams from both hospitals will come together in a Joint Quarterly Conference to discuss ongoing research developments and future collaborative projects. In addition, a research grant will be awarded through an evaluation process to support innovative projects involving researchers from both hospitals. The proposed projects will need to show potential in improving the treatment of paediatric bone disease. Education: Joint Quarterly Education Rounds are already underway allowing surgical teams including medical students, residents and fellows to present, discuss, and find solutions to complex cases. Beginning in the summer of 2025, both hospitals will offer a two-year Joint Fellowship. The fellow will gain invaluable experience at Childrens Hospital in trauma care, and experience at SHC Canada in specialty orthopaedic care with complex and rare bone diseases. The affiliation is funded by a $1.5 million grant over five years from Shriners Childrens, which will be administered by Childrens Health Foundation in London and the Philanthropy Office at Canada Shriners Hospital and will be divided between both hospitals to improve clinical care, research and teaching. Read a patient story: Reikos story: How Childrens Hospital at LHSC and Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada are bringing care closer to home B-roll of Canada Shriners Hospital: https://vimeo.com/1004192680?share=copy B-roll of Childrens Hospital: https://youtu.be/KhTbDSfGDHM About Childrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre Based in London Ontario, Childrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre serves a population of 1.5 million, with over 400,000 children in the southwestern Ontario region from birth through age 18. Celebrating 100 years of quality care in 2022, they are one of just four acute tertiary paediatric hospitals in the province of Ontario. From life-saving liver and bowel transplants to state-of-the-art oncology and infectious disease programs, trauma and intensive care, Childrens Hospital provides world-class paediatric care and has been the home of several medical firsts. Childrens Hospital is proud to work with partners throughout the paediatric health care system to advance and optimize paediatric care within the community, region, province, and globally. The staff and physicians at Childrens Hospital are committed to patient and family-centered care, supporting families, and championing medical advancements through education and research. About Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada Established in Montreal in 1925, Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada is a bilingual, short-term, acute care hospital, providing ultra-specialized orthopaedic care to children from across Canada and around the world. The mission of the hospital is to provide treatment and rehabilitation to infants, children and young adults with orthopaedic and neuromuscular problems such as scoliosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), clubfeet, hip dysplasia, leg length discrepancies and cerebral palsy, among others. The hospital is committed to excellence and innovation in clinical practice, research and education. Affiliated with McGill University, the hospital provides clinical experience and teaching for residents and allied professionals within its outstanding new facility on the Glen site. The hospital is present in communities across Canada, thanks to telemedicine, outreach clinics and satellite clinics. For media inquiries contact : Childrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre Celine Zadorsky Senior Media Relations Consultant 1.226.927.2309 Celine.Zadorsky@lhsc.on.ca Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada Caroline Phaneuf Caroline Phaneuf Communications 1.514.778.5092 caroline@carolinephaneuf.com DOUGLAS, Ga., Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Georgia footprint, opening a new branch in Douglas. The branch is located at 1200 Ocilla Rd. and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Richawn Ruffin, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs. As we grow our footprint in Georgia, we will continue to focus on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events, said Jerry Sharp, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. Our Georgia branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country. In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 912-773-0043. Lendmarks Climb to Cure is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmarks employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide. Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation. About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 500 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com . Media Contact Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com 678-625-3128 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69803cc2-af43-44d8-b23d-c534de1fed12 Dublin, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Newspaper Publishing in China - Industry Market Research Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Rising internet use has reduced demand for newspapers, particularly in China's large cities. Additionally, rising newsprint paper costs have reduced industry profit margins. The industry has low market share concentration compared with developed countries, although the number of establishments has increased over the past five years. Certain newspaper publishers dominate specific regions in China. For example, Beijing Daily Group accounts for about 60% of total newspaper circulation in Beijing. Over the five years through 2029, industry revenue is forecast to decrease at an annualized 2%, to $7.9 billion. Competition from the internet and other media for advertisers and readers is forecast to intensify, curbing growth. The emerging and fast-developing new media forms will also narrow the development space of traditional newspaper publishing. Trends and Insights Industry revenue has been declining in recent years. The internet's ongoing popularity has allowed people to access real-time news, which is timelier and more convenient. This trend has reduced industry revenue. Daily newspapers are the most general newspaper. Almost every province in China has a daily newspaper that reports the local news and important national news. Newspaper publishers located in Beijing account for the largest share of industry revenue. Several large-scale publishers - like Beijing Daily Group - are located in Beijing. Different content and articles can attract different reader groups. Currently, many national and provincial publications in China report similar news. As a result, newspapers providing news editorials and comments can attract different reader segments. Industry outlook (2024-2029) Market size is projected to decline over the next five years. Advertising revenue will continue to support the industry Industry development in future years will be driven by advertising revenue from the main advertising sectors: real estate, consumer products, and automotive. Company Coverage Includes: Guangzhou Daily Group Beijing Daily Group Shenzhen Press Group Nanfang Press Corporation Shanghai United Media Group Key Topics Covered: ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY Industry Definition Main Activities Similar Industries Additional Resources INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE Executive Summary Key External Drivers Current Performance Industry Outlook Industry Life Cycle PRODUCTS & MARKETS Supply Chain Products & Services Demand Determinants Major Markets International Trade Business Locations COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE Market Share Concentration Key Success Factors Cost Structure Benchmarks Basis of Competition Barriers to Entry Industry Globalization MAJOR COMPANIES OPERATING CONDITIONS Capital Intensity Technology & Systems Revenue Volatility Regulation & Policy Industry Assistance KEY STATISTICS Industry Data Annual Change Key Ratios For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ot07bz 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. 30 August 2024 Middlefield Canadian Income PCC (the "Company") Including Middlefield Canadian Income GBP PC (the Fund), a cell of the Company Registered No: 93546 Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658 Total Voting Rights In conformity with DTR 5.6.1R, the Company announces that, as at 30 August 2024, the Companys issued share capital consisted of 124,682,250 Ordinary Shares. The Company holds 18,235,000 Ordinary Shares in treasury. The total number of voting rights in the Company is, therefore, 106,447,260. This figure may be used by Shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. For further information, please contact: Enquiries: JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited Secretary Tel.: 01534 700000 Dean Orrico President Middlefield International Limited Tel.: 01203 7094016 END OF ANNOUNCEMENT The leading Baltic asset management group Invalda INVLs client assets under management grew to EUR 1.58 billion at the end of June 2024 and were 10% larger than at the start of the year. The group achieved gains of EUR 60.3 million for its clients in the first half of 2024. Invalda INVLs equity at the end of June this year was EUR 189.07 million, or EUR 15.66 per share. The figures were 46.6% and 43.6% larger, respectively, than a year earlier, including dividend payments. In the first half of 2024, Invalda INVL had an unaudited net profit of EUR 11.71 million, whereas in the same period last year it had a loss of EUR 1.41 million. Weve been focused on our main priority managing entrusted investments and exploring new market opportunities. We're also actively working on the continued development and growth of the group's business, Invalda INVL CEO Darius Sulnis says. In June 2024, Invalda INVL successfully completed a first EUR 10 million public offering of notes to Baltic institutional and retail investors. The debt securities were 2.9 times oversubscribed. The Bank of Lithuania has approved the base prospectus of Invalda INVL for a programme of up to EUR 25 million of public notes offerings. Asset management and family office business Invalda INVLs revenue from its asset management and family office business, i.e. the management of assets entrusted to the group by clients, was EUR 5.96 million in the first half of 2024 and shrank by 23% compared to January-June 2023. The reason for the decrease in revenue in the period of comparison is that the revenue from the retail business transferred to Siauliu Bankas in early December last year is no longer included. This result for the companys strategic business, also including its investments in the products it manages, was a profit of EUR 5.33 million, compared with a loss of EUR 2.22 million in the same period last year. A key priority this year is the launch of the INVL Private Equity Fund II established at the beginning of April to continue the successful work of the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund. The new private equity fund will invest in businesses in the Baltics, Poland and neighbouring countries. The fund aims to raise at least EUR 250 million, making it the largest in the Baltics, and will have a hard cap of EUR 400 million. The INVL Sustainable Timberland and Farmland Fund II signed agreements with banks in the second quarter of this year on EUR 17.6 million in loans for sustainable investments in forest and land. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I obtained EUR 24.4 million in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Eiffel Investment Group for the construction of a solar power plant in Romania. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I plans to invest over EUR 330 million in projects in Romania and Poland, all to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2026. INVL Financial Advisors, the financial brokerage company that owns the INVL Family Office brand, in January established a subsidiary in Latvia to provide investment services and in July began providing services in Estonia as well. Equity investments Invalda INVLs other equity investments, aside from asset management, had a EUR 7 million impact on earnings in the first half of 2024. Invalda INVLs performance in the first half was positively influenced by the good results of the banks in which the company owns stakes and their growth in value considering the significant dividend amounts paid out, Invalda INVLs CEO says. The positive impact of Siauliu bankas on Invalda INVLs pretax profit was EUR 5.81 million, which that of Moldova-Agroindbank (maib), Moldovas largest bank, was EUR 2.29 million. On 31 May this year, Invalda INVL, Tesonet Global and Willgrow completed an acquisition of 16.33% of the shares of Siauliu Bankas from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Following the transaction, Invalda INVL increased its shareholding in the bank to 19.93%. The results of Litagra, one of Lithuanias largest agribusiness groups had a negative impact (of EUR 1.1 million) on the value of Invalda INVLs investments. Although Litagras operating results are improving, they are not where we would like to see them. We hope for progress in the coming quarters, Darius Sulnis says. Additional information Assets under management (AuM) refers to the assets we manage or have under supervision and generally equals to the sum of the following: fair value of managed or supervised assets (for example, NAV or capitalization of funds) and uncalled capital commitments. This AuM represents the size of assets to which the Group has economic influence through management or supervision. Our calculations of AuM may differ from the calculations of other asset managers. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other asset managers. The reported amount is the aggregated, not consolidated, sum of the assets. The person authorized to provide additional information is: Darius Sulnis, CEO of Invalda INVL E-mail Darius.Sulnis@invl.com Attachments BALTIMORE, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning the Maryland Supreme Court, by a 4-3 vote, affirmed the Maryland Appellate Court opinion that Mr. Lees rights as a crime victims representative had been violated. The Supreme Court ordered that Mr. Syeds conviction be reinstated and that a new vacatur hearing be held in the circuit court of the city of Baltimore with Mr. Lee being given adequate notice to appear and be heard regarding the States Attorneys motion to vacate Mr. Syeds conviction for the murder of Mr. Lees sister, Hae Min Lee. David Sanford, Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp, who represents the family of Hae Min Lee commented on the decision. The case is Adnan Syed v. Young Lee, as Victims Representative, Et Al. The Maryland Supreme Court today definitively reaffirms crime victims rights to be treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity, rights enshrined in the Maryland State Constitution. The Supreme Court acknowledges what Hae Min Lees family has argued: crime victims have a right to be heard in court. In this case, that means the family of murder victim Hae Min Lee had the right to reasonable notice in order to attend and meaningfully participate in the criminal justice proceedings involving Adnan Syed, the person accused and convicted of Lees murder. Significantly, the Lee family will now have the right to address the merits of the vacatur motion after the prosecution and the defense have made their presentations in support of that motion. If there is compelling evidence to support vacating the conviction of Adnan Syed, we will be the first to agree. To date, the public has not seen evidence which would warrant overturning a murder conviction that has withstood appeals for over two decades. The burden remains on the prosecution and the defense to make their case. So far, they have not done so. About Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP is a national public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in Baltimore, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Diego, and Nashville. Sanford Heisler Sharp focuses on employment discrimination, Title IX, wage and hour, whistleblower, sexual violence/victims rights, and financial services matters. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for its clients through many verdicts and settlements. The National Law Journal recognized Sanford Heisler Sharp as 2021 Employment Rights Firm of the Year and 2021 Human Rights Firm of the Year. For the latest news about Sanford Heisler Sharp, visit the firms newsroom or follow the firm on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Media Contact: Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201-788-0142, jamie@newspros.com Independence, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The consensus is clear: Redwood Living, Inc. has firmly established itself as one of the best places to work in the communities it serves and beyond. For the seventh consecutive year, Redwood has become a certified Great Place to Work, the most definitive employer-of-choice recognition that companies aspire to achieve. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. "Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Redwood stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93 percent more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the companys profits and have a fair chance at promotion. The honor builds upon an incredible year of recognition for Redwood, an Ohio-based developer and manager of single-story apartment homes. We provide outstanding neighborhoods to our residents because we attract and retain a best-in-class team, said Steve Kimmelman, CEO and founder of Redwood. We are committed to providing our team with a workplace worthy of their talent and dedication and appreciate that it is being recognized across our region and even the nation. In addition to Great Place to Work Certification, Redwood has achieved numerous other accolades this year acknowledging how the company has become an employer of choice. The National Apartment Association named Redwood a 2024 NAA Top Employer. The award recognizes member organizations that foster environments of collaboration, innovation, and hard work. NAAs Top Employers Awards pay tribute to management companies and suppliers from across the rental housing industry that have exceeded expectations in creating a culture that emphasizes growth and contribution. In an industry that sometimes struggles with talent attraction and retention, were proud to be leading the way in employee satisfaction and career development, Kimmelman said. Additionally, Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer named Redwood to its 2024 Top Workplace Rankings, which honored 212 organizations in the greater Cleveland 11-county area. Rankings were based on employee surveys. Were anticipating additional honors to be announced soon, which are contributing to a record year of accolades for Redwood, Kimmelman said. Its gratifying to see this level of recognition and acknowledgement for our continued investment in our team and culture. Redwood offers a range of opportunities at its corporate office in Independence and throughout its nine-state portfolio. Click here to learn more about current openings. About Redwood Redwood Living, Inc. (Redwood) is an innovative development and property management company with neighborhoods in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Nebraska. The success of Redwood's approach to construction, development and property management continues to be validated in new and existing markets. Redwood is a company that believes in its mission, product and amazing people. It creates a simplified, relaxed lifestyle for residents, and offers a rewarding atmosphere for its employees. For more information, visit www.byredwood.com. Attachment WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 Hickory Hollow Jerky, a Eufaula, Ala., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The beef jerky and bacon jerky products were produced on various dates between Jan. 19, 2024-Aug. 21, 2024. The products were produced without the benefit of inspection by two different owners of the establishment. Ownership changed hands on June 11, 2024. The name of the establishment and the products have remained the same. The products subject to recall are listed here, and the product labels can be viewed here. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST. NO. 34550 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and through internet sales. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities when it was determined that the establishment continued to produce these jerky products and label them with the USDA mark of inspection after requesting to voluntarily stop FSIS-inspection activities. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers pantries. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Charles ONeill, current Co-Owner of Hickory Hollow Jerky at 262-745-5103 or HickoryHollowBeefJerky@gmail.com. Consumers and members of the media can also contact Russ Robbins, previous owner of Hickory Hollow Jerky, at 334-695-5238 or hhjerky@gmail.com. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. Vancouver - Inspiration Energy Corp. (the "Company" or "Inspiration") (CSE: ISP) has determined that it will not be able to file its annual audited financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2024 and its related Management's Discussion and Analysis and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certifications (the "Required Filings") by the prescribed filing deadline of August 28, 2024 (the "Filing Deadline"). Despite its efforts, the Company is currently not in a position to timely file the Required Filings, primarily as a result of the time required for the Company's auditors to complete the audit of the annual financial statements. The Company's Required Filings will be made as soon as its auditors deliver their Audit Report, which is expected to be received within four weeks from the Filing Deadline. The Corporation has made an application to the British Columbia Securities Commission for a management cease trade order ("MCTO"), which would restrict all trading in securities of the Corporation, whether direct or indirect, by management of the Corporation. The MCTO would be in effect until the Required Filings are filed. The Company intends to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as set out in the National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release. About Inspiration Energy Corp. Inspiration Energy Corp. is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Canada. Its objective is to locate and develop properties of merit and to conduct exploration on the Company's properties. For more information, please refer to the Company's information available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). On Behalf of the Board of Directors Charles Desjardins CEO, President and Director Phone: 604-808-3156 Email: info@inspiration.energy Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Perth, Aug. 30, 2024 - Perth, Western Australia/ August 30, 2024/Perseus Mining Ltd. (ASX/TSX:PRU) is pleased to advise that of the Company's Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Rick Menell to the role of independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board, with immediate effect. Mr. Menell will replace the interim Executive Chairman, Mr. Jeff Quartermaine, who will resume his former role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Perseus. Perseus's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Quartermaine, said: "We were very pleased in May of this year, when Rick Menell accepted our invitation to become a member of the Board of Perseus, following a wide search for an eminent future leader of the Company. Rick has a deep understanding of the people and the mining industry on the African continent through a variety of family investments, as well as senior roles with leading South African corporates and nonprofit-sector enterprises and as a result, is perfectly suited to lead a growing, African focussed company like Perseus, that has ambitions to become a leader of the gold mining industry on the continent. After a period of familiarisation with our operations, Board, management and staff, Rick has now agreed to assume the role of non-executive, independent Chair. This move, which is consistent with the requirements of Perseus's Board Charter, was foreshadowed at the time of my elevation to the role of interim Executive Chairman in November 2023 and enables me to resume my former role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. We are delighted with this smooth transition of leadership, and along with our managers and employees, are all looking forward to working closely as a cohesive team under Rick's leadership to help guide Perseus through its next exciting phase of growth and to establishing the Company within the upper echelons of the global gold industry." TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2024 - Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM) ("DPM" or "the Company") today announced the closing of the sale of the Tsumeb smelter to a subsidiary of Sinomine Resource Group Co. Ltd. ("Sinomine"). "In line with our strategy, the Tsumeb divestiture is another step in our continued track record of creating shareholder value. I'd like to extend our thanks to the government of Namibia, Sinomine and our former employees and stakeholders for its safe transition and continued success," said David Rae, President and CEO. The purchase price for the sale of the Tsumeb smelter was US$20 million, on a debt-free and cash-free basis, less a US$5 million holdback to be held in escrow for a period of six months to secure the Company's indemnity obligations under the share purchase agreement with Sinomine. Total cash consideration paid on closing was US$15.9 million, as adjusted, less the escrow holdback amount. The cash consideration is subject to normal post-closing adjustments. About Dundee Precious Metals Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian-based international gold mining company with operations and projects located in Bulgaria, Serbia and Ecuador. The Company's purpose is to unlock resources and generate value to thrive and grow together. This overall purpose is supported by a foundation of core values, which guides how the Company conducts its business and informs a set of complementary strategic pillars and objectives related to ESG, innovation, optimizing our existing portfolio, and growth. The Company's resources are allocated in-line with its strategy to ensure that DPM delivers value for all of its stakeholders. DPM's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: DPM). For further information please contact: David Rae President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (416) 365-5191 investor.info@dundeeprecious.com Jennifer Cameron Director, Investor Relations Tel: (416) 219-6177 jcameron@dundeeprecious.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward looking statements" or "forward looking information" (collectively, "Forward Looking Statements") that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward Looking Statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. Forward looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential benefits of the sale of the Tsumeb smelter to the Company, its business and its shareholders. Forward Looking Statements are based on certain key assumptions and the opinions and estimates as of the date such statements are made, and they 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 other future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward Looking Statements. Such factors include, among others, there being no assurance that the sale of the Tsumeb smelter will result in the benefits anticipated, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in any other documents (including without limitation the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and its most recent Management's Discussion & Analysis) filed from time to time with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. The reader has been cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors which may have been used. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in Forward Looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. The Company's Forward Looking Statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update Forward Looking Statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward Looking Statements. Vancouver, August 30, 2024 - Nicola Mining Inc. (TSXV: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF) (FSE: HLIA) (the "Company" or "Nicola") is pleased to provide updates on operations and exploration at its Merritt Mill, New Craigmont Copper Project and Treasure Mountain Mine. Merritt Mill The Company continues to produce gold concentrate with mill feed from Talisker Resources Ltd. (TSX: TSK) (OTCQX: TSKFF) ("Talisker"), as announced on April 9, 2024. Because Bralorne mill feed contains free gold, Nicola reinstalled a gravity separator circuit for production. Gold concentrate is currently being stockpiled and prepared for sale, initial sale is expected to occur in September. Nicola's Merritt Mill is the only facility in the Province of British Columbia permitted to accept third party gold and silver mill feed from throughout the province. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage1.jpg New Craigmont Copper Project 2024 Exploration The first phase of the 2024 drilling exploration program commenced at the never-drilled-before West Craigmont-WP Zone and has progressed with the drilling of four holes (the last of which is still in progress), totaling ~1,500m of the 5000m program. Zone targets were generated by using geophysical models and outcrop maps. Drill hole locations hope to establish a framework for the subsurface geology and reconcile the geophysical anomalies with geological features, with the goal of refining the targeting of a potential porphyry copper system in the region. Initial results are aiding in delineating the Nicola-Guichon contact and local structures. The observed alteration and mineralization are encouraging, aligning with the expectations for the periphery of a porphyry system. These findings will be further analyzed to vector for a potential nearby deposit. Notably altered fault blocks featuring quartz-sericite-pyrite chalcopyrite is of particular interest, supporting the need for additional drilling at this target. Hole WP-24-001: Designed to test the largest IP chargeability anomaly in the area, detected by the 2024 IP survey. Significant pyrite mineralization, with trace chalcopyrite, was encountered between 59.6 and 108.0m. The mineralization is hosted within faulted Nicola volcanic rocks, which exhibit intense sericite-quartz alteration. The photo displays pyrite mineralization with sericite-quartz alteration. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage2.jpg Hole WP-24-002 targeted a relatively shallow IP chargeability anomaly. The hole intercepted a similar faulted mineralization zone as WP-24-001, with pyrite and trace chalcopyrite mineralization in sericite-quartz altered Nicola volcanic rocks from 47.1 to 100.9m. Pyrite mineralization with sericite-quartz alteration is shown in the photo. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage3.jpg Hole WP-24-003 was drilled at a shallow angle to further investigate the largest IP chargeability anomaly targeted by WP-24-001. This hole encountered fault-hosted pyrite (+/- chalcopyrite) mineralization intervals between 298.8m and 316.3m and 358.9m to 365.4m. Notably, chalcopyrite and bornite blebs were observed throughout the hole. Quartz vein hosted chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization is circled in red. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_nicolaimage4.jpg Upon completion of WP-24-004A, the drill rig will likely begin the second phase of the 2024 exploration program, drilling on the MARB-CAS target (before possibly moving back to West Craigmont-WP). This target was identified through bedrock mapping and surface geology observations, with some contribution from geophysical modeling. The planned drilling aims to develop a framework for the subsurface geology and assess mineralization potential beneath the MARB showing. Treasure Mountain Ten Year Mine Lease Extension The Company is pleased announce that it has receive a very important ten-year mining lease extension (the "Extension") for its wholly owned Treasure Mountain Mine (the "Treasure Mountain"), which is located approximately 27 km to the east-northeast of Hope, BC, Canada (Figure 1). The Extension is good through April 26, 2032. Treasure Mountain is comprised of a total 30 mineral claims (2178.3 ha) and 1 mining lease (335 ha) and (Figure 2). Figure 1: Overview of the location of the Treasure Mountain Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_006full.jpg Figure 2: Mineral Claims and Mining Leases the Treasure Mountain Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_007full.jpg Treasure Mountain Mine, which was first discovered in 1892 and operated intermittently since being first recognized. From 1930-1932, onsite milling operations processed ~4,000 tonnes that yielded 39,558 oz Ag, 379,532 lbs Pb, and 88,455 lbs Zn. Between 1987 and 1989, mine development at four levels occurred and 407 tonnes of partially sorted material was shipped to Cominco and Asarco smelters. The Company received a Mines Act Permit approving the production for 60,000 tonnes of material per annum for Treasure Mountain on May 18, 2012: Permit M-239. The Extension of Permit M-239 provides Nicola the option of reopening Treasure Mountain and could expedite permitting approval for new mineralized bodies, if discovered. A June 15th, 2009 NI 43-101-compliant technical report disclosed that the total vein Indicated Resource above a 10.0 oz/t Ag cut-off was estimated to be 33,000 tonnes with 24.2 oz/t silver, 4.16% lead and 3,80% zinc. The total vein Inferred Resource above a 10.0 oz/t Ag cut-off was estimated to be 120,000 tonnes with 27.0 oz/t silver, 2.79% lead and 4.36% zinc. The company retains the option to reopen Stope 2 on Level 1 (Figure 3), which remains in-situ. Figure 3: Section view of the Treasure Mountain underground workings (Level 1, 2, 3 with stope projections) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4873/221423_4678b29a94a888f3_008full.jpg Mr. Peter Espig, CEO of Nicola Mining Inc., commented, "We are extremely excited about our current operations and ongoing exploration. The Merritt Mill is a state-of-the-art facility that garners interest from high grade gold projects throughout the province because of its location and flexible permitting that can expedite project cashflow. In addition to procuring the ten-year mine lease extension for Treasure Mountain, we have also submitted a multi-year area-based exploration permit application for the project. The synergistic combination of the Merritt Mill and Treasure Mountain was the basis of a $200 million market capitalization back in 2012; however, the latter seems to be somewhat forgotten since its placement into care and maintenance and because of Nicola's subsequent consolidation of its ownership in the New Craigmont Project. Management continues to recognize the standalone potential of Treasure Mountain and remains excited about the exploration prospects of the project. Finally, we are pleased with the 2024 Exploration Program at our flagship asset, New Craigmont Copper Project and are currently completing initial exploration at the West Craigmont-WP target prior to drilling MARB and CAS. Drilling at the MARB and CAS will commence early September and will change from one to two crews to expedite results." Qualified Person William Whitty, P. Geo., the Company's VP Exploration, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release. About Nicola Mining Nicola Mining Inc. is a junior mining company listed on the Exchange and Frankfurt Exchange that maintains a 100% owned mill and tailings facility, located near Merritt, British Columbia. It has signed Mining and Milling Profit Share Agreements with high grade gold projects. Nicola's fully permitted mill can process both gold and silver mill feed via gravity and flotation processes. The Company owns 100% of the New Craigmont Project, a high-grade copper property, which covers an area of over 10,800 hectares along the southern end of the Guichon Batholith and is adjacent to Highland Valley Copper, Canada's largest copper mine. The Company also owns 100% of the Treasure Mountain Property, which includes 30 mineral claims and a mineral lease, spanning an area exceeding 2,200 hectares. 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/221423 Muskoka, Ontario - August 30, 2024 - Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. (the "Company") (CSE: SCM) announces that, further to its press release dated July 29, 2024, it has filed its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2024, the annual management's discussion and analysis for the same period and management certifications of the annual filings (collectively, the "Annual Filings"). The Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") issued a failure to file cease trade order ("CTO") against the Company on August 2, 2024, which orders that general trading, whether direct or indirect, of the securities of the Company cease. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. Upon the filing of the Annual Filings, the Company believes that it has satisfied the conditions of the OSC in order to have the CTO lifted and will provide a further update at the appropriate time. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the results from its annual general meeting held on August 19, 2024, which saw the directors elected with over 97% and to give the board of directors of the Company the authority to have a corporate name change and to grant the board of directors the authority to consolidate the common shares of the Company on a 2 for 1 basis. The company would like to thank SHIM and Associates LLP auditing services for their support in getting Annual Filings completed. ABOUT THE COMPANY Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. is a mineral exploration company established in 2019. Steadright currently holds an option on its RAM property near Port Cartier, Quebec within the Cote-Nord Region, which is accessible by route 138. The RAM project is comprised of over 13,000 acres and located on a Anorthositic complex that is in a highly prospective geological unit and historically been under explored for Ni, Cu, Co and precious metals. For further information, please contact: Simon Chapelle Independent Director Steadright Critical Minerals Inc. Phone: (647)-637-8608 Email: info@steadright.ca Web: www.steadright.ca Notice Regarding 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. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Ministry of National Defense warns the Taiwan Independence forces: Once the PLA takes action, it would be resolute and fierce China Military Online) 16:59, August 30, 2024 Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Thursday. Question: It is reported that when debriefing the 2025 budget report, Lai Ching-te claimed that the 2025 defense budget of Taiwan would reach NT$ 647 billion (approximately US$19.76 billion), a record high, and that Taiwan had the resolve to upgrade self-defense capabilities. In addition, Taiwan media outlets recently disclosed a picture of Qingtian-2, a new generation of IRBM in R&D by Taiwan's military, and claimed it could strengthen their so-called source strike capability. What's your comment? Wu Qian: As a province of China, Taiwan is not entitled to have a defense budget. It is worth noting that peace will not be achievable as long as the DPP authorities seek "Taiwan Independence". The more blatantly it provokes, the more quickly it will perish. On issues concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity, no one should have any illusion that the PLA will ever hesitate or back down. Once the PLA takes action, everyone should be assured that it would be resolute and fierce. The so-called self-defense capabilities of the "Taiwan Independence" armed forces will be crushed by the PLA. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chaolan) One in three women and one in four men in the United States have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and intimate-partner homicides account for 40 to 50 percent of femicides. Violence against women ranks among the top calls for service to police departments nationwide, yet over half of these types of crimes -- including four-fifths of rapes -- go unreported to law enforcement.There is no mystery as to why this is the case. The trauma that victims experience from intimate-partner violence (IPV) can make them particularly reluctant to engage with the criminal justice system. They fear being re-traumatized by the system's response, or that there will be no response at all. Indeed, the majority of IPV victims cite a belief that the police will not or cannot do anything to protect them.Yet this belief, this lack of trust in the criminal justice system, further endangers victims -- not only by discouraging them from accessing available public-safety resources but also by leading them to withhold crucial information from law enforcement. That undermines the ability of the criminal-justice system to properly investigate, prosecute and deter these crimes.There is a well-documented solution to this crisis of trust. A growing body of research shows that "procedural justice" -- an approach grounded in the concept that law enforcement's interactions with the public shape the public's view of and willingness to reach out to police -- can make significant strides in reconciling these trust gaps.Procedural justice focuses on transforming interactions between community members and all practitioners in the criminal-justice system, with the goal of improving individuals' perceptions of law enforcement, their willingness to obey the law, and their desire to collaborate in crime-solving and ultimately reducing crime. These goals are achieved through five critical tenets:giving members of the community an opportunity to be heard and empowering them to speak up.demonstrating neutrality toward community members while addressing implicit biases.clearly explaining law-enforcement actions and why they are being taken.treating community members with dignity and courtesy.expressing a genuine interest in individuals' needs and personal situations, while connecting them with available resources.Every partner in the criminal-justice system -- from an officer responding to a domestic-disturbance call to a prosecutor conducting interviews with a victim to a judge presiding over a criminal-court case -- is in a position to send a message to IPV victims that the system is trustworthy, fair and a place to seek help. But while procedural-justice training can dramatically improve effectiveness in this effort, there are many small steps that can be taken immediately to achieve a powerful impact. It can be as simple as a police officer listening empathetically to a victim, offering information about services available, connecting the victim with a counselor, consistently enforcing protective orders, or clearly communicating to a sexual-assault victim what happens after a rape kit is completed and who will follow up about the case.Research strongly supports the connection, regardless of the case outcome, between enhanced procedural justice and improvements in a victim's experience and long-term recovery. When victims perceive fairness, respect and a sincere offer of help, they are more likely to engage meaningfully with police, prosecutors and the court system. By integrating procedural-justice practices into law enforcement's response to IPV, criminal-justice practitioners create the opportunity to re-frame how these crimes are handled, enhance victim safety, improve case outcomes and repair a vulnerable community's trust in the system.Furthermore, this trust could provide the foundation for a new vision of public safety: safer communities that are empowered by positive, ongoing and successful cooperation with law enforcement. Increased confidence in criminal-justice practitioners improves victim participation and offender accountability, and it provides law enforcement with the resources it needs to address and ultimately reduce these violent crimes. Procedural justice enables law enforcement to better help not only IPV victims but also communities as a whole. F1 drivers disappointed with upgraded Monza track Multiple Formula 1 drivers have expressed their disappointment with the upgrade works carried out at Monza. Lance Stroll, Italian GP 2023 Aston Martin Racing The historic circuit has not only been totally resurfaced, some corners were even widened or had subtle camber tweaks - while the new kerbs at Ascari have been made much more like a modern F1 track. We've said many times that the drivers are often the last to know where changes are happening on a track, George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association GPDA, said on Thursday. Personally, I think it is a bit of a shame because Ascari was an example of a corner that had its own character, with really unique kerbs. I've always said that these old-school tracks need to be preserved. Daniel Ricciardo told the media after his Thursday track inspection: "I can't say I'm impressed, because I think some details have taken away the character of the track. It was a bit of an old-fashioned track, but that's over now. The asphalt looks great, but I'm disappointed about the kerbs. I think they underestimate how important the kerbs are on a track and how they change the feeling, the character, the attitude. Haas' Kevin Magnussen added: I just hope it still feels like Monza. Fernando Alonso revealed that Aston Martin even scrapped its original plan to run reserve driver Felipe Drugovich in initial free practice on Friday. We realised that the amount of changes was greater than we thought at first, said the Spaniard. Some insiders initially thought the new surface was to blame for Bernd Maylander's bizarre high speed crash at Parabolica while testing the F1 safety car on Thursday. However, it appears to have been a rare brake failure. It was quite a bang, the German said after his ultra-rare crash, but I'm not hurt at all. It was my first experience with Tecpro. When I was still a racing driver, TecPro didn't even exist. (GMM) F1 teams appear open to rookie sprint race proposal Formula 1 teams appear to be supportive of a radical plan for a rookie-only sprint race to be held in the week after the 2024 season finale. Italian GP 2023 Alfa Romeo The sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed this week that F1 is seeking to create more of a spectacle of the now-traditional post-finale test in Abu Dhabi. Perhaps we will do a sprint race for young people, said the Italian. Now that the Formula 1 world has congregated at Monza for the Italian GP, the details of the idea are now beginning to emerge. It is believed the rookies would be given single practice and qualifying sessions, and then a mini-grand prix in the evening once the usual test day is complete. Teams will have two cars each in Abu Dhabi, but the sprint race may be limited to just one driver per team - meaning just a 10-car grid. 20 cars would require extra planning, Aston Martin team manager Andy Stevenson told Auto Motor und Sport. A race with 20 cars would not really be possible until 2025 at the earliest, he added, highlighting that 20 young drivers all with super licenses is currently too ambitious. It is believed teams are also asking the Domenicali-run Formula One Management for extra money for the rookie sprint - or a tweak to the budget cap. Money may also need to be set aside for the TV broadcasters, because without media interest, a race like this makes little sense, said Sauber sporting director Beat Zehnder. Haas boss Ayao Komatsu also commented: "We all have to stay in Abu Dhabi anyway because of the tyre test. The winners would probably rather celebrate and the losers would rather go home as quickly as possible, but an additional race for the rookies would be a challenge for everyone that would make it worth staying behind for, said the Japanese. Team bosses will meet in Geneva next Wednesday to discuss the idea further, preceding a subsequent e-vote process. (GMM) Striking Renault F1 engine staff to protest at Monza Disgruntled Renault employees will stage a peaceful protest at Monza on Friday against the decision to scrap the French carmaker's works F1 engine operations. Pierre Gasly, Dutch GP 2024 Alpine According to L'Equipe, about 100 staff working at the endangered Viry-Chatillon factory near Paris are on strike on Friday - and instead will be in the grandstands at Monza. They'll be split between two grandstands, wear black armbands and will hold up banners with a clear and non-aggressive message, pleading the cause of maintaining a French engine in F1 , the group confirmed in a statement. Most of the remaining 250 F1 engine staff back at Viry will be on strike. But we will not do anything to prevent the track operations from taking place normally, the group added. We want to express our discontent, with total determination, but at the same time in a climate of respect. Alpine, the brand now used for Renault's F1 team, reacted by expressing relief that the protests will not affect the work of the team . The marque also insisted that a final decision about the Renault engine program for 2026 and beyond has actually not yet been made. New team advisor Flavio Briatore denies he had anything to do with the preliminary decision. But he added: The decision was taken by management and it's fine for me. Whatever our president decides is fine. Alpine-Renault's F1 team employs about 850 people at the chassis facility in Enstone, with a further 350 at Viry. Briatore says he does not want to make job cuts, but he says Enstone has become a monster that cannot be controlled from Paris . The team is also too big for my taste, he added. It is not the number of employees that makes the success, but their quality. The 74-year-old Italian also said it's no big deal that his push to sign Carlos Sainz for 2025 ultimately failed. Our problem is the car, not the driver, said Briatore. There's no point investing in a driver like Sainz if he can't make the difference. Team driver Pierre Gasly said when asked about the strike and protests: "Unfortunately, I can't do anything about it. That's for the team and top management. The best thing I can do for all the people is to give my best on the track. That is my role in the team and that is what I will concentrate on, added the Frenchman. (GMM) Green River Police Department reports for Aug. 19 At 3:51 p.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic offense. At 8:33 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. At 9:29 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speed and determined the driver, Tyson Zilth, had a suspended driver's license. Officers issued citations for alleged speed - generally and DWUS and placed Zilth under arrest for DWUS. Officers transported Zilth to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. Aug. 20 At 8:36 a.m., officers responded to a report of property damage. At 10:53 a.m., officers responded to a citizen assist in the area of the Rec Center. Officers met with an individual who was later determined to be under the influence of alcohol and in violation of a Probation and Parole order. Officers placed the individual, Billy Dodd, under arrest for alleged public intoxication - third or subsequent offense and arrest and hold order/PC arrest for probation/parole violation. Officers transported Dodd to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, issued a citation for alleged public intoxication, and completed a report of the incident. At 11:26 a.m., officers responded to a report of assault. At 1:16 p.m., officers responded to reports of accidents. At 3:21 p.m., officers responded to a REDDI report. Officers located the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Stephen Sampson, who was later determined to be under the influence. Sampson was placed under arrest for alleged open alcoholic beverage by operator of vehicle - first offense, DWUI - incapable of safely driving - alcohol - first offense, and interference with peace officer - interferes or resists arrest. Officers transported Sampson to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, issued citations, and completed a report of the incident. At 6:23 p.m., officers responded to a report of burglary. At 7:07 p.m., officers responded to a report of an alcohol offense. At 9:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. At 11:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic hazard. Aug. 21 At 2:43 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop and issued a warning for an alleged when headlamps required violation. At 8:18 a.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. Officers met with the involved parties who advised their dogs had gotten into a bad fight and they were trying to break it up. Officers issued the owner of the aggressor dog, Jaquimarie West, a citation for alleged vicious animal and completed a report of the incident. At 9 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop and issued a warning for alleged no valid driver's license, MC endorsement, instruction/intermediate permits. At 9:35 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop and issued a warning for alleged following too closely. At 10:59 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. Aug. 22 At 1:35 a.m., officers came in contact with an individual with an active warrant. Officers placed Kelly Martinez under arrest per the active warrant, transported him to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, and completed a report of the incident. At 7:22 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 7:36 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued the driver, Albert Rogers, a citation for alleged expired temporary license permit/improper registration. At 7:37 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 7:40 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 8:03 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 8:07 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding - generally. At 11:02 a.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. At 1:31 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. At 1:48 p.m., officers responded to a report of an animal bite. At 2:23 p.m., officers responded to a report of larceny. At 4:14 p.m., officers responded to a report of trespassing. At 4:26 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the Smith's parking lot. Officer met with the driver, who advised while attempting to park their vehicle they struck another parked vehicle. Officers issued the driver, a juvenile, a citation for alleged inattentive driving with crash and completed a report of the incident. At 5:08 p.m., officers responded to a report of an animal bite. At 10:12 p.m., officers responded to a report of fraud. Aug. 23 At 8:56 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued the driver, Devan Heslep, citations for alleged compulsory auto insurance violation - first offense and vehicle exceed 30 mph in urban district (6+ over). At 10:41 a.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. At 1:49 p.m., officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision. Officers met with the owner of the vehicle who advised the vehicle had rolled from where it was parked while unattended and crashed into a garage door. Officers issued the owner of the vehicle, Kerry McKenzie, a citation for alleged leave vehicle unattended and completed a report of the incident. At 6:16 p.m., officers responded to a report of an accident. At 7:08 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision. Officers met with the involved parties who advised vehicle one had backed into vehicle two, which was parked and unattended. Officers observed damage to vehicle two; issued the driver of vehicle one, a juvenile, a citation for alleged inattentive driving with crash; and completed a report of the incident. At 7:33 p.m., officers responded to a report of trespassing. At 10:51 p.m., officers responded to a report of a weapon offense. At 11:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. Aug. 24 At 2:13 a.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. At 11:08 a.m., while on another call for service, officers came in contact with an individual who had been driving with a suspended license. Officers placed Ree Anna Buckles under arrest for alleged driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked - 2nd+ offense, transported her to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, issued a citation, and completed a report of the incident. At 11:23 a.m., officers responded to a report of property damage. At 12:03 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the area of E 2nd S Street. Officers met with the involved parties who advised vehicle one was traveling eastbound and was attempting to make a left hand turn when they were struck by vehicle two, which was traveling westbound. A witness advised vehicle one did not yield to vehicle two, who did not have enough time to stop, causing the collision. Officers issued the driver of vehicle one, Angelina Bennett, a citation for alleged inattentive driving with crash and completed a report of the incident. The Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport and Castle Rock Ambulance Service are both making changes and adjustments as they work towards continued progress. The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners heard updates from and had discussions with representatives from both the airport and the ambulance service during their Aug. 20 meeting. Airport Director Devon Brubaker spoke with the commissioners during the meeting about a resolution for the continuation of a fee collection, and gave updates on the progress of the terminal project, including the move to a new temporary terminal. Brubaker brought a resolution to the commissioners authorizing the continuation of a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC). He explained the resolution showed the county's support for the airport board and himself as the director to execute a new application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to renew the authority to continue collecting and expending the PFC. The PFC is a user fee that "helps defray the cost to local governments by helping us fund approved capital projects that meet FAA regulations," Brubaker explained. When asked for further clarification by the commissioners, Brubaker explained that the projects in the application to be covered by the PFC are projects that have occurred since 2016. "There are no future projects in this application," he said. "They are past projects that allow us to reimburse local matches." He added that this reimburses the airport board and offset any funding shortfalls, which helps them keep their funding requests to the county lower. The PFC brings in about $70,000 each year, according to Brubaker. Collecting the PFC is also something the airport has been doing for nearly 30 years, Brubaker said. The commissioners had several questions for Brubaker about the resolution and the process for collecting the PFC. Commissioner Mary Thoman expressed a desire for the airport's Board of Trustees to approve the resolution before the commission approved it, although Brubaker said he didn't believe the order of approval had been an important factor in the past. While Commissioner Robb Slaughter said he didn't have a problem with approving the resolution before the airport board, he agreed with several of the commissioners who expressed a desire to see more specific details on the PFC and the application. The commissioners ultimately voted to postpone consideration of the resolution until they could have more information on it. The motion passed 4-1, with Slaughter being the single "nay" vote. Brubaker also gave the commissioners some updates on the progress of projects at the airport. He invited them to open houses that were hosted by the airport the following day, Aug. 21, where elected officials and members of the public had the chance to review the airport's master plan and ask questions. He also pointed out that the airport would be making their move to a temporary terminal that week. "It's the biggest terminal move I've done in my 21-year career at six different airports," Brubaker said. The move to the temporary terminal was completed Friday, Aug. 23, as part of the airport's ongoing terminal renovation project. The change involved moving baggage screening and security equipment and reconfiguring the parking lot. "Terminal operations will run out of temporary terminal facilities until completion of the Commercial Terminal Modernization Project, which is anticipated during the summer of 2025," an airport press release explained. The county commissioners also heard a quarterly update from Castle Rock Ambulance during the Aug. 20 meeting, with Castle Rock Hospital District CEO Bailie Dockter and Ambulance Director Kim White reporting favorably on the ambulance's continued development. "This year we ended the fiscal year ahead of budget," Dockter said, adding that they had already decreased their request for the county subsidy to $1.6 million, and now hope to decrease it further to $1.54 million. "We're really excited about the shift that we've seen in ambulance and what those numbers mean for us." Dockter also updated the commissioners on the ambulance service's efforts to build a new ambulance bay in Rock Springs. The hospital district purchased land from Western Wyoming Community College and is working with architects on designs for the new bay, which will be on Gateway Boulevard. "The reason that we chose that location is because of the central location and the need to respond both east and west in Rock Springs," Dockter explained. "It was ideal, it was a great value, and. . . we feel like we can respond quickly from there." Director White shared the the ambulance ran 1,161 911 calls over the quarter, not including helping out at stand-by events, like the rodeo. She also shared their response times, noting that the rural nature of some of the calls and the need to respond to areas like Little America and McKinnon drives up the average on the response times, but she still thought their numbers were good. "Overall things, I feel, are going really well," White said. Dockter and White also shared that ambulance staff continue to further their training and go through new courses and certifications, including a course offered by Western this summer. "It sounds like things are improving," Chairman West said. Elected officials still have concerns By HANNAH ROMERO Editor The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released its updated version of plans for the Rock Springs Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP), which has been the subject of debate for the past year. While the BLM presented the plan as a balance between conservation and development, many Wyoming leaders still aren't satisfied with the changes and have concerns over the plan's details. The RMP draft was initially released Aug. 18, 2023, after decades of discussion, and met with strong backlash from both politicians and the public. The RMP is designed to provide a framework for managing the more than 3.6 million acres of public land and 3.5 million acres of public subsurface minerals in southwestern Wyoming, according to the BLM. The draft plan presented multiple alternatives, but the BLM chose Alternative B, which focused heavily on conservation, as the "preferred alternative." "During the comment period, the BLM held three in-person public meetings and received more than 35,000 comments," a press release from the BLM explained. After going through the comments and feedback, the BLM released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan last Thursday, Aug. 22. Rather than using any of the original alternatives, the FEIS presents a new alternative that the BLM said is designed to present a balance between developing resources and conserving the area's cultural, scenic, and natural heritage. "The Proposed RMP reflects components of alternates in the Draft EIS and the adoption of recommendations and input from the public, organizations such as the Greater Little Mountain Coalition, and the Governor's task force," the BLM said in a press release. "The Proposed RMP provides for the continued multiple uses of public lands in the Rock Springs field office while addressing growing pressures from increased visitation and a changing climate." The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners has been heavily engaged in the RMP process, including Commission Chairman Keaton West and Commissioner Taylor Jones, both of whom also served on Governor Gordon's Task Force regarding the RMP. This week the commissioners said they are now working through the FEIS, but they still have concerns about the BLM's plans. "We are still making our way through the hundreds of pages, but although there is improvement in some areas, the problematic concern is still the amount of acreage with special designation classifications," Chairman West said. One hotly debated topic in the RMP is Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). West pointed out that the new plan raises the existing 10 ACECs covering 286,470 acres to 12 ACECs covering 936,193 acres. "That is a reduction from the originally proposed Alternative B that came with 16 ACECs totaling 1,605,660 acres, but still raises significant concern, particularly for our energy and mining powerhouses, and especially for the fluid mineral industries (oil and gas) who are looking at 30% closures, up from their existing 15%," West explained. Commissioner Taylor Jones agreed that ACECs remain a topic of concern, largely because they create the possibility of the BLM stacking even more management actions on top of the ACEC itself, which could restrict public use and access. Jones also acknowledges the FEIS's impact on the oil and gas industry as heavy-handed. "They did remove most of the language around travel management, so that was good," Commissioner Jones said of the new proposed RMP. However, he added that the new plan still has unclear language regarding "designated" roads and trails, which he wants to see clarified, since "the real test is going to come with travel management as to whether or not we all have access." Chairman West also noted that right-of-way exclusion and avoidance areas are "still a sticking point" that raise concerns about access and restrictions. The commissioners did acknowledge some of the positives in the plan, including Jones pointing out that the trona and coal industries look good, and West adding that "almost all the special designation areas listed within the checkerboard have been removed, due to the difficulty in managing those areas, so our voices were heard there." Still, both commissioners said they still have "lots of concerns" about the FEIS and proposed RMP. "They addressed a few things, but overall it's certainly not what the people of Sweetwater County spoke about," Jones said. "While there is improvement from the original proposed Alternative B, it is still far different than our present times in Alternative A, and considering how this entire process was rolled out a year ago, I'm not left with a great feeling of trust and bliss," Chairman West said. "There's a clear agenda here, and it doesn't represent what's best for the future of Sweetwater." After the updated RMP plan was released, multiple Wyoming elected officials also weighed in to express their continued concerns. Senator John Barrasso said the RMP "strangles responsible natural resource development" and Senator Cynthia Lummis called it "only the latest in a series of land grabs that punishes Wyoming and the entire west." Representative Harriet Hageman said the new proposed RMP "will substantially reduce economically productive and environmentally safe land uses." On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Rep. Hageman submitted a letter to BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning asking the BLM to "scrap the current proposal and begin anew." "Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the FEIS for the proposed Rock Springs RMP does not meet Wyoming's expectations of durable, multiple use of public lands," Governor Mark Gordon said after the plan was released. "Thank you to everyone in Southwestern Wyoming who participated in the comment process and the Governor's Task Force. Your comments and recommendations helped claw this document away from the BLM's preferred, absolutely unworkable, Alternative B. A cursory review makes it clear where the BLM considered local and cooperative input, and where the agency chose to force through national agendas. It is important to compare this document to the current status on the ground, and not by how much it has shifted away from the BLM's worst-case scenario. Much work is left to ensure the BLM is staying within the bounds of state and county policies, as well as federal law." The governor added that the State of Wyoming will be filing protests for areas where comments were disregarded. The release of the FEIS kicked off a 30-day protest period, after which there will be a 60-day period for the governor's consistency review. The Sweetwater County commissioners also committed to continuing to work through the document during the protest period, assisted by along staff, particularly Land Use Director Eric Bingham and Chief Civil Deputy and Prosecuting Attorney John DeLeon. "It will take time to sort through those more thoroughly, but I am confident our team will pull together over the next 30-days to push back and protest any and all areas that will continue to have everlasting effects on the state of the local economy across all areas of multi-use interest," Chairman West said. 1/28/1954 - 8/13/24 Andrea "Andy" Loretta Campbell, born January 28, 1954, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, passed peacefully surrounded by love on August 13, 2024 in Green River, Wyoming. Born with a rebellious spirit, Andy was determined to forge through life with both feet on the gas, music blaring, celebrating the green lights while taking any speed bumps in stride. After graduating high school, with her small budding family Andy first landed in Florida before settling into her forever home in Green River, Wyoming. Those who knew new Andy knew that she was a loyal and genuine friend, a dedicated and loving mother, and an honest, reliable neighbor. Those who knew her better knew that Andy was a notoriously skilled prankster (a point of contention among those with a subdued sense of humor), fueled by her desire to bring laughter and joy to those around her. Before retiring, Andy was a long-term fixture of Sweetwater County School District #2. She had a knack for connecting with children and teens and found that she could often make the biggest difference just by listening and letting a person be seen. Andy is preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Mary Zawadski, and her sister Mary Ann Mento. She leaves behind her brother, Chester Zawadski, and her children Jim Campbell, Mark Campbell, Carly Byrd, and Michael Campbell. Her children and grandchildren will forever be grateful for her beautiful spirit, her contagious laughter, and her unconditional love. Cremation has taken place and private family services will be held. Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com. If you would be kind and humor me, I'd like to share a story. One of my kids had a really - and I mean barely holding on by the merest strip of tissue - loose tooth. She was distraught over the idea this eye tooth would fall out as she slept and be lost, depriving her of that sweet sweet Tooth Fairy loot. As dads do, I told her we can pop that sucker out in two shakes of a lamb's tail. Queue meltdown. Queue terror. Queue dad becoming exasperated at her insistence she can't sleep with it in, and she won't have it out. We had reached that proverbial spot between having our cake and eating it too from fear of a very small thing. Now, lest you think me heartless, I knew for her the fear she felt was real. The tiny reality of the situation had no bearing on what she was experiencing. My job as dad was to walk her through controlling that emotion and then doing the work even when it's uncomfortable. Our good members of the press have been parsing August 20, candidates for office have been crowing or mourning, and social media is aflame with opinions of all stripes. If everything written came to fruition, our great state and great nation will descend into chaos founded on bullying and lies while being a fascist, communist, den of hedonistic debauchery, all while being a dystopian theocracy. Phew. Talk about scary. I don't have good data on this and am relying, to borrow from my teen's vernacular, on the vibe, it feels like every election cycle the language and fear mongering around candidates is the only thing becoming dystopian. I've lived through 24 election cycles and experienced at least half as many through one level of participation or another. Enough to have a good vibe check anyway. What I've noticed, and if I'm wrong, smarter folks than me will say so, is that our toilets still flush, our kids play sports, and we gather around the water cooler to talk about what the elected folks have screwed up today all without fear that we will go hungry, be arrested, or sent to a re-education camp. A win no matter your political flavor. Like my daughter's tooth trial, we give more credit to fear and less to reality too often. Yes, the political landscape shifted on August 20. Friends of mine succeeded and friends lost, people with ideas I don't like lost and won, and people with ideas I like won and lost. Nothing actually radically shifted. People who are strongly aligned with the Freedom Caucus won enough seats to have a go at governing. To crib from my eldest's favorite musical, "Ah, winning is easy, my son, governing's harder." It is easy to say no and easy to promise to dismantle things. Much like dadding, governing requires getting disparate groups to cooperate for the benefit of each other. In the end, my daughter took a deep breath, hugged her favorite stuffy, and, while squeezing my fingers hard enough to leave a mark, let me pop that pesky tooth right out. Once it was over, she laughed from relief. She discovered she was a whole lot tougher than she knew. Our nation and our state are much tougher than we give credit. We made it through two world wars, assassinations, Watergate, Iran-Contra, the Vietnam War, and Monica Lewinsky. We watched the wall come down in Berlin and stared down Russia in Cuba. We mourned together when cowards killed our fellow citizens on September 11, and we came together when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. An election cycle isn't going to make or break us, as long as we remember who we are. For my part, I believe in community and the dream that America is the Shining City on the Hill. The dream that neither any government nor any man has the authority to override our inalienable rights. We are individually responsible to serve each other as neighbors as much as we are to keep our noses out of each other's business. I believe the next session of our Wyoming Legislature sees our elected legislators (many of whom are my friends whether in the Freedom, Wyoming, or, gasp, Democratic Caucus) ready to do the work necessary to best serve the citizens of our state. Bickering and finger pointing is for children. I say tell it to the tattle tree and get back at it. Regardless, there are too many good and decent people who get up every day, have a cup of joe, and go out to do their part to make our beautiful society function to give into despair over the Chicken Little antics so many use to lure us into clicking. We've got this because we are Americans. We've got this because we make up the greatest state of our great nation, Wyoming. We've got this because, in our corner of the world, community matters most. Google announced four new Pixel 9 smartphones about two weeks ago - Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The non-folding Pixels can be charged wirelessly with Google's Pixel Stand 1 and Pixel Stand 2, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold cannot. Google says it is because the "position of the charging coil for Pixel 9 Pro Fold isnt perfectly centered compared to previous Pixel phones," and that "might make it difficult for you to charge your phone wirelessly." However, Google said the Pixel 9 Pro Fold "supports many other wireless chargers" and "when you use another wireless charger, adjust the position of your phone to get it to charge." The brand also said, "To confirm if it's aligned correctly, check the charging indicator on your phone." Google shared the Pixl 9 Pro Fold's diagram (see below) to show the position of the charging coil. With the original Pixel Stand, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro can be charged wirelessly up to 10W. However, with the Pixel Stand 2, the vanilla Pixel 9 goes up to 15W wirelessly, while the Pro and Pro XL go up to 21W and 23W, respectively. With no support for Pixel Stand 1 and Stand 2, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold can only be charged at up to 7.5W with other wireless chargers. The lack of support for the Pixel Stand is a bummer since the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the most expensive smartphone in the lineup. Source | Via You are looking for a compact flagship and you land on Google's offers. At around 900, the Google Pixel 9 is quite pricy and you can easily notice that the Google Pixel 8 will get you a lot of its features at a way more reasonable price of 500. The new Pixel 9 brings an improved design, performance and camera quality, but its focus is mostly on AI features. The old Pixel 8 still offers top-notch hardware, imaging skills and clean software, especially at the all-time low price, so it is not hard to pick it over the new model. How much better is the Google Pixel 9 to deserve its price premium then? Let's look into it. Table of Contents: For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor's assessment in the following video or in the text below. Size comparison Google Pixel 9 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) 198 g Google Pixel 8 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm (5.93 x 2.79 x 0.35 in) 187 g The new Google Pixel 9 looks a lot different from the Pixel 8. It is also slightly larger, due to the bigger display. The Pixel 9 introduces an all-flat design, camera bar included - a departure from the nicely curved Pixel 8. There are two Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels and a flat aluminum frame. The Pixel 9 is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. This means the new model has better, arguably tougher glass panels and a more comfortable design. But the size increase and the flat design won't be everyone's cup of tea, especially when it comes to a compact smartphone. Design and size are always a personal preference, so it is up to you to decide which Pixel suits you better. No matter which one you choose, though, it will be one of a premium build for sure. Display comparison The Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a FullHD resolution and a 120Hz maximum refresh rate, as well as 2,700nits of peak brightness (advertised). The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch OLED panel of similar resolution and refresh rate but with lower advertised peak brightness 2,000 nits. Both screens are HDR10 video certified. Google Pixel 9 OLED 120Hz 1080x2424 pixels 422 ppi 6.30" Google Pixel 8 OLED 120Hz 1080x2400 pixels 428 ppi 6.20" In our testing, the Pixel 9 offered over 1,200nits of maximum brightness when adjusting it manually, and over 2,200 nits when using the Adaptive Brightness option. The Pixel 8 numbers were slightly lower 1,000 nits in manual and 1,440 nits in Auto mode. Obviously, the Pixel 9 has a brighter display, but we never had any issues with the one on the Pixel 8 either, so even if the newer one is better, most people, if not all, will be perfectly satisfied with the older model, too. Battery life The Pixel 9 is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery - a modest upgrade over the Pixel 8 (4,575mAh) and 8a (4,492mAh). The Galaxy S24, meanwhile, stands at 4,000mAh, while the iPhone 15's battery is only rated for 3,349mAh. In our testing, the Pixel 9 proved a worthy upgrade over the Pixel 8 in the endurance department, getting meaningfully better results in all four tests and nearly two hours more in the overall Active Use Score. In doing that, it's become one of the better options when it comes to battery life in this compact class. Charging speed The Pixel 9 supports charging up to 27W when using the new Google 45W adapter, though it should technically be able to reach that with other good USB Power Delivery chargers with the right volts and amperes combos in their specs. We didn't have this new adapter at our disposal, so we tested with the 30W unit, as well as Samsung's 45W adapter that's specced surprisingly closely to the Google 45W one. Google promises the Pixel 9 should be able to get from 1% to 55% in 30 minutes with the new 45W adapter, and that's pretty much what we got with the Samsung charger. However, the Pixel 8 enjoys the same charging rate with the OG Google's 30W charger. There is even a minor difference in the time to full charge in favor of the Pixel 8 as it has a smaller battery. Google Pixel 9 4700 mAh 15min 29% 30min 55% Full 85min 27W Google Pixel 8 4575 mAh 15min 30% 30min 56% Full 76min 27W Both Pixels support fast wireless charging up and Battery Share is also on the menu - you can charge other Qi-certified devices off of both Pixels' backs. The Pixel 9 covers newer standards, as it appears, but the maximum wireless charging speed remains relatively the same. Speaker test Both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 feature a hybrid speaker setup. There's a bottom speaker that outputs through an opening in the frame, and a front-firing top speaker which is also the earpiece for voice calls. The Pixel 9 earned a 'Very Good' rating for loudness in our testing, same as the Pixel 8. But while both offer similar loudness, the Pixel 8 has better audio quality with better vocals and overall richer output. Performance The new Pixels run on the next-gen Google chipset - the Tensor G4. It contains a new processor with eight cores, one less than the G3's - 1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520. All cores have been upgraded to their respective latest generation. The GPU stays the same as on the Tensor G3 (inside the Pixel 8) - Mali-G715 MC7 - but it has a higher clock at 940 Hz, up from 890 Hz. The TPU for AI tasks is unchanged since Tensor G3 - still in its third generation. Probably the most important update here is the RAM increase - 12GB of LPDDR5X which should work better for multi-tasking and AI tasks. Finally, there is a new energy-efficient modem provided by Samsung - Exynos 5400 - with Satellite connectivity support (in supported ). Google Pixel 9 Google Tensor G4 4 nm 128GB 12GB RAM Google Pixel 8 Google Tensor G3 4 nm 128GB 8GB RAM Oddly, in our testing, the Pixel 9 scored lower than the Pixel 8 across all benchmarks. We suspect our specific Pixel 9 unit might be tuned differently as reports online vary from source to source, so verifying them objectively is not possible at the moment. We are not posting benchmark comparisons at the moment but Google promises improved performance with the new chipset. Google promises most of the AI features on the Pixel 9 will eventually make it to the Pixel 8 as well. However, only the Pixel 9 is getting one year of free access to Gemini's most advanced subscription tier, which comes with sharper generative AI smarts. Camera comparison The Pixel 9 inherits the Pixel 8's camera system - it's got a wide primary camera and an ultrawide on the back, then there is selfie camera on the other side. That said, the Pixel 9 model does get a couple of upgrades - a new sensor for the ultrawide camera, and autofocus for the front camera. Image quality The Pixel 9's main camera saves excellent images with great detail, rendered in a natural way with well-judged sharpening. There's the usual high contrast you'd expect from Pixels, with a focus on highlight preservation and somewhat dark-ish shadows. Colors are really nice too, without pushing the saturation slider to extremes. The Pixel 8's main camera produces similarly great photos and while the newer model may be a tad more proficient with the sharpening, we are really nit-picking here. The 2x high-quality zoom is better on the Pixel 9, even if by a small margin. The detail looks a bit more natural, especially one of high complexity, and the fuzzy areas are somewhat less obvious, though still there. The biggest upgrade comes with the ultrawide camera, which, thanks to the new sensor and lens, now saves more detailed and natural-looking images with less noise. Pixel 9: 0.6x 1x 2x Pixel 8: 0.6x 1x 2x The low-light photos shot on both phones are equally solid. The main cameras, both in regular and zoom modes, deliver great photos with virtually no difference. The ultrawide camera offers superb quality, too, though due to the brighter aperture on the Pixel 9 - it saves slightly brighter and photos Pixel 9: 0.6x 1x 2x Pixel 8: 0.6x 1x 2x And finally, the selfie camera. The Pixel 9 has autofocus, which will help it in certain situations to deliver sharper and overall better photos. And you can see that difference when shooting at close distance - the Pixel 9 takes sharper photos with more facial detail than the Pixel 8's front camera, and the background looks a bit more defocused. The difference is small, but it is there and it will be appreciated for those who shoot selfies all day and all night. Pixel 9 Pixel 8 Video quality Both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 offer similar video capturing capabilities, stabilization, resolution and frame rate included. Oddly, the Pixel records softer footage than we'd expect for the class - from both the main and the ultrawide cameras. The Pixel 8 offers noticeably more detailed and sharper videos from its main camera, even in 2x zoom mode. Pixel 9 4K30: 0.6x 1x 2x Pixel 8 4K30: 0.6x 1x 2x Verdict The Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 are great little phones, and no one will be left wanting by opting for either of them both have similar screens, performance, cameras, and speakers. The Pixel 9 is better when it comes to battery life, faster AI tasks and ultrawide photo quality, and arguably looks but it comes at a price. The Pixel 9 launches at 899, while the Pixel 8 now costs about 500. And that is a huge difference and the biggest reason why you should get the Pixel 8 instead of the Pixel 9. But wait, there is more! The Pixel 8 turned out to capture better videos and maybe right now, it is the better device for performance and stability. Of course, if having the latest and most beefed-up phone is what you are after, then the Pixel 9 is now available and no review will stop you from buying it. Get the Google Pixel 9 for: Refreshed design. Brighter display. Longer battery life. Better speakers. More RAM. New ultrawide camera, autofocus for selfies. Honor introduced the Magic V3 with an extremely thin body - under 4.4 mm unfolded and 9.2 mm in a folded state. The company will launch the foldable internationally on September 5, so it is going all-in on promotional activities, including mocking competitors. Honor issued "the world's smallest apology" to Samsung owners who bought a Galaxy Z Fold device. The 166-word apology is etched into the Magic V3's 2.84 mm hinge. The Chinese company wanted to "make amends for the inconvenience caused to those who have already purchased Samsung's chunkier alternative." The full message reads: Dear Samsung Galaxy Z Fold owners, were sorry. We know you were excited to buy a phone that folds in half and fits in your pocket awkwardly. You were promised the future, a technical marvel, a world of boundless multitasking and performance. And now, you're probably looking at the new HONOR Magic V3 and feeling a little... betrayed. Size matters, and we feel your pain. Like being tipped for a gold medal and then coming last in the race, the knowledge that a thinner, lighter, and more durable foldable exists is enough to make anyone question their choices. We get it. You were an early adopter, a pioneer bravely venturing into the uncharted territory of foldable screens with questionable durability. You deserve better. In fact, you deserve a gold medal. In all seriousness, we at HONOR are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and bringing you the best possible foldable experience. We're just saying... it's okay to feel let down. We'd feel the same way. The apology was etched by Graham Short, a UK-based artist who is 78 years old and is known for their minuscule art pieces, one of which is this message. It took the artist 90 hours to engrave the message by hand, which can be read only when viewed under a microscope. The press release never mentioned that this is a single piece of artwork and not a message that will be engraved on all Magic V3 foldables. We also have no clue whether we'll be able to see it, but we hope it will be showcased at IFA 2024 in Berlin. The attempt to mock Samsung, a company that launched its first foldable before Honor even existed as an independent company, is one way to bring attention to the Magic V3. Another is the phone's durability, which we also tested. Honor will launch the Magic V3 on Thursday in three colors: Green, Black, and Red. The price will be revealed during the event which we will attend. Once everything is official, we will be ready to report all the remaining details. The $1.3 billion fiscal year 2025 budget bill passed Friday by a vote of 8 to 6 and it will now head to the governor by the Aug. 31 statutory deadline for her action. Voting in favor of the measure were Sens. Thomas Fisher, Jesse Lujan, William Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe S. San Agustin, Dwayne San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes. Voting against the bill were Sens. Chris Barnett, Frank Blas, Jr., Joanne Brown, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague and Speaker Therese Terlaje. After the vote, and during brief extension of remarks, Barnett said the bill shortchanged the Guam Department of Education by $47 million dollars less than what they asked for. This is a bill with a budget for education that the superintendent of the department of education says will barely be enough to make payroll, Barnett said. But Office of Finance and Budget Director Steve Guerrero said in its most recent Financial Supervisory Commission report on Thursday, GDOE is posting an almost $30 million dollar lapse by the end of the fiscal year. Also bear in mind I think the $40 million theyre talking about is the difference in what they were asking for, but of course never in the history, even before my time, have they ever been given up to the level theyve been requesting, Guerrero said. Believe it or not GDOE right now is not asking for money, what theyre asking for is literally help in terms of manpower in terms of equipment, supplies, like that, to help with sanitation inspections, Guerrero added. The OFB director defends the spending plan which he said grew by some $96 million over the FY24 budget, if that does not indicate and say that we covered everything, one, that the governor requested, and two, a lot of other things she requested that was not part of her executive budget request but things that we needed to fund because its mandated. But Barnett said whats also different is that unlike last year, senators were not able to discuss appropriation amendments. We also killed the opportunity to fund the Guam Police Department to pay for police presence at our schools, Barnett cited as one example. The miscellaneous appropriation section of the bill was deleted by a successful motion from Sen. Chris Duenas who said proposed amendments totaled more than $100 million while projected excess FY24 revenue amounted to only $27 million. Appropriations Chairman San Agustin said he will put all the proposed spending amendments in a supplemental budget bill for deliberations in early October. Barnett said it would be a supplemental budget bill that everyones gonna be fighting to get a piece of. Session was recessed until Tuesday, as Speaker Terlaje said there were nominations that still need to be voted on. The proud smile of the late and former U.S. Navy Captain Ralph Guerrero Sablan, M.D., now oversees all who pass through the command suite of the Naval Hospital Guam, following an unveiling ceremony Friday at the military hospital in Agana Heights. A handsome wooden plaque below describes the man pictured above and talks about the life of a man dedicated to his country, his island and to healing his fellow man. Military and island dignitaries, as well as members of the Gutierrez and Sablan families of the decorated Vietnam War veteran were present for the renaming ceremony. Sablan died just this year on April 2, after a long and esteemed life of service. He was the first CHamoru captain in the U.S. Navy and the regions only dermatologist for three decades. He also served 20 years at the Naval Hospital Guam and during his last tour of duty, served as the executive officer and chief of clinic services there. It was a touching moment for me and our family, knowing that my dads legacy would live on when the picture and plaque were unveiled at todays Command Suite dedication ceremony, said Mark Sablan, son of the late doctor. I wish he was still around to be a part of this honorable ceremony. Dr. Sablan was aware of Del. James Moylans efforts with the Department of the Navy to recognize his service to his country and island. It is humbling and only fitting to know that a facility where Dr. Sablan not only provided medical services for 20 years but also where he was the first CHamoru executive officer, its command suite, will be dedicated in his honor, said Moylan. Unfortunately, the procedure did take some time, and sadly, Dr. Sablan passed away during this process. In a release, Moylan said that Dr. Sablan was inspired by the first CHamoru physician, his uncle Dr. Ramon Sablan, who once saved his life. We are thankful for the support of Rear Adm. Darin Via, the surgeon general of the Navy, whom I met with in D.C. and requested to expedite this request. I also would like to thank Capt. Joel Schofer, commanding officer of Naval Hospital Guam, for supporting this endeavor, as his approval was the final piece in securing this dedication. This moment is for the family of the late Dr. Sablan, and we are happy to have played a small role in ensuring the late doctors legacy is enshrined at the Naval Hospitals Command Suite, said Moylan. Mark Sablan said that he remembers his dad loved to explore the land and fish its waters. His dad loved music and was a fan of Frank Sinatra. Both his parents played the piano too, he added. He taught me the importance of ethics and the value of family. He showed me the strength and how to remain calm in difficult situations, said Mark Sablan. He taught me how to drive and persevere, no matter what the odds. Mark Sablan also said his father was one of the earliest investors into the Bank of Guam in 1972, and he served on its board of directors from 1972 to 2016. Haiti - Taiwan : Donation of 400 individual protection kits for the PNH and the FAdH On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Prime Minister Garry Conille participated in the ceremony to hand over a batch of 400 personal protection kits to the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd'H). This is a donation from Taiwan (Republic of China) to strengthen the intervention capacities of law enforcement in the fight against armed gangs. In his speech, Prime Minister Garry Conille. declared "Allow me to express our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan, represented here by His Excellency the Ambassador of Taiwan to Haiti, Mr. Richard Wen-Jiann Ku, for this fraternal and solidarity gesture towards our nation. It is with deep gratitude and renewed hope that we gather today for this ceremony to hand over equipment to the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH) [...] This donation is not only a material contribution; it is also a reflection of a sincere and lasting friendship between Haiti and Taiwan, two nations that share a history of struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy. Through this gesture, Taiwan reaffirms its interest in our common quest for security and development." In his speech, Wen-Jiann Ku explained "[...] Each kit includes : a bulletproof helmet, a bulletproof vest that meets the international ballistic standard, pockets for various magazines and radios, balaclavas, cut-resistant gloves, protective glasses, and tactical knee pads." According to the Taiwanese diplomat, with this donation, the quantity of personal protection kits donated to the Haitian Government in the space of 2 years reaches 800 kits in total. "I am delighted to be able to give you these personal protection kits intended for the Haitian National Police and the Haitian Armed Forces. I am confident that with this MADE IN TAIWAN equipment, tailor-made for the Haitian climate, this will provide the best protection to the agents deployed on the ground," concluded the Taiwanese Ambassador at the end of his mission in Haiti. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Joint operation : at least 18 bandits killed According to Pierre Esperance, Secretary General and Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), at least 18 bandits were fatally injured in clashes with the joint force of the PNH / Kenyan police on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. CEP : The impasse persists To date, only "the Catholic Church, the media, the University and the women's sector have submitted the name of their representative to the CEP (not contested). The choices of the human rights sector, the unions and that of the peasants are the subject of divisions and disagreements by member organizations of these sectors." For the other sectors, Protestant and Voodoo, they submitted two names to the CPT without reaching a single choice. Rape of a 14-year-old girl by her father The Departmental Initiative against child trafficking and smuggling condemns the rape of a 14-year-old girl by her father Anselme Altermeus (37 years old), bailiff at the Anse-d'Hainault Peace Court. Anselme Altermeus has fled and is wanted... Anti-gang Operation Continues The Kenyan Police Chief Deputy Inspector General Godfrey Otunge, Commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) stated that the operations of the police forces at the bottom of Delmas will continue until the complete dismantling of gang hotbeds. A police officer leading a gang of looters Police officer Yvenson Benoit, an agent of the Departmental Unit for Maintaining Order (UDMO - West-1), is accused of having led a group of criminals on the night of August 24 to 25, 2024, who attempted to loot a rice truck in Delmas 32. According to Michel-Ange Louis-Jeune, spokesperson for the Haitian National Police (PNH), following the intervention of the police, Yvenson Benoit and his accomplices managed to escape. NOTICE Consulate of Haiti in Montreal closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal advises the general public and the Haitian community in Quebec in particular that its premises will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, on the occasion of Labor Day in Quebec. Consular services will resume on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. HL/ HaitiLibre The Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation is warning of a scam in which the perpetrators place transparent bags with supposed Bitcoin paper wallets and an alleged deposit slip on sidewalks. However, the QR code on the wallet leads to a fake website that aims to take money out of potential victims' pockets. Anzeige Alleged Bitcoin paper wallets with fake deposit slips are designed to entice victims to visit the URL in the QR code and enter data there. (Image: LKA Bayern) The transparent bags contain a supposed Bitcoin paper wallet, which is used to store Bitcoins in paper form, the LKA Bayern explained in last week's press release. Next to it is a fake deposit slip showing the sum of 10,000 euros. The fraudsters want to give the impression that cryptocurrency in Bitcoin has actually been paid into the wallet. QR code leads to fraudulent website The QR code printed on the paper wallet directs potential victims to a fake website. There, the perpetrators attempt to obtain personal data. For a fee of around three percent, the money allegedly stored on the wallet can be paid out. If victims enter their account details there, the supposed withdrawal fee is debited, the Bavarian police explain further. However, this is followed by an error message and the 10,000 euros are not actually paid out. This scam is currently occurring more frequently in the city and district of Munich. Anyone who finds such a plastic bag with a supposed Bitcoin paper wallet should never scan the printed QR code, the law enforcement officers recommend. They should hand them in at the nearest police station. Anzeige The police already observed this scam in Vienna at the beginning of the year. Now the criminals are apparently moving further north. Fraudsters are increasingly using QR codes on conventional letters or other paper forms. At the end of last year, for example, the Berlin police issued a warning about fake parking tickets with a QR code containing a link to a fraudulent portal. At the beginning of the month, the LKA Lower Saxony also warned against authentic-looking letters from banks whose QR codes led to phishing sites. (dmk) Debate over means to solidify the financial standing of counties has heated up over the past month or so as the counties have presented revised projections of their budget deficits for this year. CONSOLIDATIONS are not a silver bullet to the financial woes of well-being services counties in Finland, Mika Kortelainen , a professor of health economics at the University of Turku and research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), estimates in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat . The latest data indicates that the 21 counties are projecting a combined deficit of 1.45 billion euros for this year, representing an almost 600-million-euro jump from projections unveiled late in the spring. Varha, the well-being services county for Southwest Finland, last week became the latest county to announce consultative negotiations, revealing it is looking to reduce its costs by 11 million euros by making significant adjustments to the terms of about 220 employees and officials. Overall the county is scrambling to generate cost savings of 81.5 million euros by 2025. Both Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) and Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS) conceded last week that the social and health care system is dysfunctional, the latter saying it is clear as day that the reform that established the counties was unsuccessful. Kortelainen on Sunday reminded Helsingin Sanomat that research data provide no clear indication about what would be the optimal number of well-being services counties from an economic perspective. Its wishful thinking to think you could create significant savings by consolidating counties. It might sound as the easiest solution for policy makers, he said to the daily. He pointed to mandatory municipal consolidations as evidence that consolidations inevitably create also problems and do not necessarily rationalise decision-making. Establishing fewer counties initially could have been yielded better results, he gauged, but it was not politically feasible. The possibility of consolidations was brought up recently by Marina Erhola, the chief executive of the county in Pirkanmaa. Erhola on 15 August stated to YLE that the number of counties could be as much as halved. Orpo on Friday told STT that the government is prepared to consolidate certain counties if the consolidation is deemed necessary for the availability of services and the financial health of the counties. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the government would be likely to carry out the consolidations through the assessment procedure outlined in the government programme, rather than through other methods. The procedure is a key tool for pressuring the counties to create savings. While no county has yet to formally trigger the procedure, it is believed that five counties with the largest per-capita budget deficits are under special scrutiny: Central Finland, Eastern Uusimaa, Kanta-Hame, Lapland and Vantaa-Kerava. Kortelainen viewed that the government should rather tackle a key shortcoming in the funding system the lack of incentives that guarantee operational efficiency. Today, counties receive funding based on their population and morbidity, rather than based on how care has been organised. It should be possible to receive more funding by handling things well. Could you pay more for shorter queues, for example? he mused. A more efficient approach to provide such incentives would be to grant counties the right to levy taxes, according to Kortelainen. It would not require a complicated maze of incentives, but would encourage efficiency by making counties responsible for both setting their tax rates and producing the services. The idea has been rejected by the current ruling coalition. The National Coalition in particular is reluctant to introduce any new taxes in Finland. Aleksi Teivainen HT A "population cat" typically originates from an unspayed cat that roams freely outdoors and begins to reproduce unchecked, resulting in colonies that can grow into the hundreds. Finland is grappling with a significant animal welfare issue as an estimated 20,000 stray cats, known as "population cats," wander the streets without a home. These cats are the offspring of unspayed, free-roaming cats, and their uncontrolled breeding has led to large feral colonies across the country. These cats are often neglected and lack legal protection, relying solely on the efforts of volunteer organizations for care and intervention. Kisu ry, a Finnish cat protection association, has been at the forefront of addressing this crisis by rescuing and rehoming these vulnerable cats. However, the demand for their services far exceeds the resources available, with most of the cats they handle coming from feral populations. Every year, thousands of these cats are captured by animal protection organizations using traps. However, rescuing these cats is not straightforward. According to Henna Vuorenmaa, who leads the Uusimaa branch of Kisu ry, "Even if an owner is found, they don't always want to surrender the cat to an animal protection organization, even if the cat has become feral and is not being cared for as a pet should be." The new Animal Welfare Act, expected to bring some relief, will prohibit unspayed female cats from roaming freely outdoors. Marit Astrom, a veterinarian at Evidensia Animal Clinic Lauma, emphasizes the importance of spaying cats. "It's absolutely crucial for cat owners to ensure their cats are spayed. If a fertile female cat is allowed to roam freely, it's very likely she will become pregnant. A female cat can reach sexual maturity as early as 3.5 months old and can give birth to two to eight kittens twice a year." In Jarvenpaa, Evidensia Animal Clinic Lauma is actively contributing to solving this crisis by providing financial support to Kisu ry through a Community Grant. This grant covers the costs of essential care for the areas stray cats, including vaccinations, surgeries, and microchipping. Population cats have a harsh life, with an average lifespan of just four years due to harsh winters, diseases, predators, poisons, and traffic accidents. During winter, many of these cats seek shelter in outdoor buildings, struggling to survive. If you spot a feral cat or a cat colony, its important to contact your local animal protection organization for assistance. HT (Israel Hayom via JNS) - The release of the trailer for Disney's live-action remake of "Snow White" has sparked an antisemitic campaign on social media against Israeli actress Gal Gadot. Pro-Palestinian users have criticized Gadot's casting as the Evil Queen and called for a boycott of the film, citing her Israeli background and military service. This past weekend, Disney unveiled the first trailer for its new adaptation of "Snow White" at the D23 fan convention in Anaheim, California. The film, slated for release in March 2025, features Gadot alongside Rachel Zegler in the title role. The tra... (JNS) An evacuee from Israels north was wounded over the weekend when a porcupine violently attacked him over the weekend on the grounds of the hotel where he was staying. Shalom Yonassi, a 50-year-old resident of Kiryat Shmona who has been evacuated to the Herbert Samuel Bayit Bagalil Hotel Spa in Hatzor HaGlilit due to the Hezbollah threat, was rushed to Safeds Ziv Medical Center, where surgeons removed 40 spines from his legs and feet. We are staying at a hotel in the middle of the Biriya Forest. There are many animals there, including porcupines, Yonassi told Israels Channel 12 News... (JNS) Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday in a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that anti-Israel protesters have a point. Those protesters out on the street. They have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides, the 81-year-old president told the United Center crowd on the first night of the convention after being introduced by First Lady Jill Biden and their daughter, Ashley Biden. Four demonstrators were arrested after anti-Israel protesters breached an outer fence line on the north side of the indoor arena in the citys... (JTA) CHICAGO In a speech on the Democratic convention floor, President Joe Biden vowed to end this war in Gaza and free hostages. But he did not mention Israel by name and gave a nod to protesters outside the convention hall, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered. Well keep working to bring hostages home and end the war in Gaza, and bring peace and security to the Middle East, he said. Were working around the clock my secretary of state to prevent a wider war and reunite hostages with their families, and surge humanitarian health and food assistance into Gaza now to... (JTA) CHICAGO The Democratic National Convention is denying a speaking spot to a group of pro-Palestinian delegates, a decision it confirmed after the parents of an Israeli-American hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, delivered an address that brought the convention to a standstill. The delegation of activists belongs to Uncommitted, the movement that calls for an end to the Biden administrations support for Israels military campaign in Gaza. They protested the decision by staging a sit-in outside the convention center that lasted into the early hours of Thursday morning. Uncommitted, named... (JTA) CHICAGO Doug Emhoff talked about Passover brisket and riding the bus to Hebrew school. And Chuck Schumer wore a blue-square pin below the American flag on his lapel, symbolizing the struggle against antisemitism. The second night of the Democratic National Convention was intensely Jewish: Along with Emhoff and Schumer directly discussing their Jewish identities, two other prominent Jewish elected officials Bernie Sanders and J.B. Pritzker took the stage, while the night opened with an invocation by Rabbi Sharon Brous. Jewish heritage, inclusion in America and the fight against an... (JNS) Former Hamas hostage Noa Argamani met with top global diplomats on Wednesday to raise the plight of the 109 captives still being held by the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. Every night I was falling asleep and thinking, this may be the last night of my life, the 26-year-old told senior diplomats from G7 countries in Tokyo. And until the moment I was [rescued] I just did not believe that Im still surviving, she added. And in this moment that Im sitting with you, its a miracle that Im here, she said. Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov and Almog Meir Jan were rescued fro... (JNS) During Barack Obamas presidency, Thomas Nides attended foreign policy meetings as U.S. deputy secretary of state for management and resources. Just as he saw Obama include Joe Biden, then the vice president, Nides has seen President Biden consult with Vice President Kamala Harris. I sat in the Situation Room for hundreds of meetings with President Obama and the vice president, and the vice president was included on almost every major foreign policy decision, Nides told JNS on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday. Joe Biden has done the same thing... (Israel Hayom via JNS) The Israeli American Council unveiled its Hostage Square exhibit on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, drawing attention to Israeli captives held by Hamas. The political event has been marked by large pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An IAC spokesperson confirmed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the exhibit is situated on private property near the United Center, where the convention is taking place until Aug. 22. By choosing a private lot, the organization bypassed the need for a city permit, which they reportedly had difficulty obtaining.... (JNS) The Israel Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7 and murdered in captivity from a tunnel in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning. In an operation involving the IDF and Israel Security Agency, the bodies of Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popwell, Yagev Buchstat, Alex Dancyg and Haim Perry were located after over 10 months in captivity. The total number of hostages remaining in the hands of Hamas in Gaza now stands at 109. Munder, 79, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his wife Ruthi, their daughter Keren and 9-year-o... (JNS) In a JNS/Direct Polls survey of Israelis conducted on Aug. 19 regarding their view of the presidential race that pits Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump, Harris enjoys the support of 28 percent of Israelis to Trumps 64 percent, with 9 percent of Israelis professing to have no opinion. In a JNS/Direct Polls survey of Israelis carried out on July 9, 34 percent of respondents supported Biden to 55 percent for Donald Trump and 11 percent had no opinion. In this weeks poll, Harris has virtually no support among Israelis aged 18-29; 93 percent support Trump... (JNS) - MAGHAR, Israel - After seven months fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza with his elite military reserve unit, 32-year-old Eyal Ghanam is now heading to the country's volatile northern border for a two-month stint. For Ghanam, a member of Israel's small and strongly patriotic Druze community, military service runs deep in the family; his father's 25-year Israel Defense Forces career saw him rise to become infantry brigade commander of the northern Gaza Strip before Israel's unilateral pullout from the coastal territory two decades ago. He then served as an Israeli military attache in Euro... (JNS) The parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, along with those in attendance on Wednesday evening at Chicagos United Center, provided the Democratic National Convention with one of its most memorable moments. Entering to chants of Bring Them Home, Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance with the gut-wrenching story of their son and Chicago native, and their broader thoughts on the hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Speaking with reporters Wednesday night, Hershs parents said they didnt know what to expect as they took... (JTA) Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who injected outlandish comments about Jews into the national dialogue and also vocally supported Israel, suspended his campaign Friday and said he would support Donald Trump. Kennedy, who had previously run in the Democratic party and had gained attention in recent years as an anti-vaccine activist, dropped his bid Friday during an extended press conference in Phoenix, shortly before a scheduled Trump rally nearby. Kennedys long-shot campaign was defined by eye-popping personal revelations, such as that his brain had been infe... (JNS) The Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who has eluded Israeli crosshairs since Oct. 7, is making it a precondition to a ceasefire and hostage release deal that Israel spare his life, according to reporting in Asharq al-Awsat, an Arabic publication in London. Israel media reported, citing Egyptian officials who spoke anonymously with Asharq al-Awsat and other Arabic media, that Cario presented a stipulation to U.S. counterparts on behalf of the Oct. 7 terror attack mastermind. Should a deal be struck alongside the return of hostages, Sinwar insists on guarantees for his safety and life, mean... (JNS) Iranian officials are signaling this week that an attack on Israel may not be imminent, nearly a month after the targeted killing in Tehran of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh. Despite Jerusalem not claiming responsibility, the Islamic Republic vowed to avenge the assassination on its soil with a strong response against Israel. However, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Tehran is tamping down its urgent rhetoric. Examples of this potentially different approach cited by the newspaper include a Wednesday statement by the Iranian mission to the United Nations that any res... Dr. Kenneth Hanson has just released a powerful documentary about the Oct. 7 massacre of 1200 innocent Jewish men, women and children in the northwestern Negev. The video, titled "October Shadows: Denying the Day of Despair," brings attention to what exactly happened on that fateful day and covers the almost immediate denial of the evil acts committed by Hamas and Gazan citizens. "... while Oct. 7 is a different kind of Holocaust than what transpired during the dark years of World War II, the denial is the same animal," said Hanson. While there are similarities between the Nazis of WWII and th... (JNS) As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, a group of American military veterans is preparing to evacuate U.S. citizens from the region for the second time since Hamass Oct. 7 onslaught on southwestern Israel. Our ambition is for every American who travels to know that Project DYNAMO is there to help them if the need were to arise, Mario Duarte, president and CEO of the Florida-based organization, told JNS on Sunday. Project DYNAMO was created in 2021, as the United States pulled forces out of Afghanistan. After the withdrawal, the organizations first major mission rescued 117 s... (JNS) I remember well when Alabama Gov. George Wallace in 1963 barred entry of two students, James Hood and Vivian Malone, to the University of Alabama because of their race. The response from President John F. Kennedy and his brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was electric. First, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach personally confronted the governor at the University of Alabama and sought in vain to convince him to desist. Kennedy reacted by federalizing the Alabama National Guard. The two students returned to the university but, this time, Gen. Henry Graham was there... Dear Editor: At last the Heritage had good news about Israels winnings at the Olympics and Cori Bushs loss in her primary thanks to AIPAC. The less cheerful news, admirably discussed by Jerome M. Marcus (Heritage Aug. 6, 2024), is the activity of the Reconstructive Rabbinical College trying to outdo the Radical Liberal Rabbis in appeasing the narrative of the Islamic superiority condemning the existence of the Jewish State of Israel. In reviewing the current state of antisemitism, I considered the neo-Nazis consisting of well-funded flunkies, the organized black version prospering with... (JNS) In the summer of 1982, following the attempted assassination of Shlomo Argov, Israels ambassador to the United Kingdom, Israel launched Operation Peace for Galilee, also known as the First Lebanon War. In so doing, Israel reacted to the continual Katyusha rocket fire being lobbed into northern Israel that disrupted the lives of its citizens for many years. At the time, the Palestine Liberation Organization led by Yasser Arafat broke every ceasefire arranged by Philip Habib, a senior State Department diplomat sent to the region by the Reagan administration. Following Hamass rise to po... By Jonathan Feldstein During my freshman year in college, my Hillel rabbi asked me a question: If you have a decision to make with two bad options as the outcome, what do you do? 19-year-old wise Jonathan answered, You choose the least bad option. His response is a lesson that still guides me today. No, you come up with a good option. Since the inhuman Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas terrorists, murdering 1200 people, systematic rape and sexual mutilation, incinerating people alive, and kidnapping over 250 people, 109 of whom are still in captivity in Gaza, I have been troubled by the absurd, k... Amid the Democratic National Convention taking place in Chicago, theres legitimate excitement seeing a woman heading a major political partys ticket this year. Women are being encouraged to vote for Kamala Harris as a woman. But as a Christian, Iranian American woman, I will not be voting for Kamala because she represents exactly the values that endanger women in the Middle East and around the world. And neither should you. For my first 33 years I lived under the harsh rules of the extremist Iranian Islamic regime. I have countless scars of extremist Islam, including the torture and death of... Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released the following statement ahead of Labor Day: "America recognized its first Labor Day in the late 19th century, when a group of industrial workers in New York joined in common purpose to celebrate their contributions to our country. Since then, work conditions have improved to better facilitate workers returning home at the end of each day safe and healthy. Workers have greater access to affordable, quality health care and the peace of mind that comes with it. The largest public health insurance programs in the United States, Medicare and Medicaid, which were initiated through the engagement of organized labor, help millions of Americans live longer, healthier lives and achieve economic security. On Monday, our nation will honor the sacrifices that Americas workers have made to grow and sustain our nations health and well-being. We will also celebrate the contributions that workers make to our daily lives, including the millions of individuals who are employed across the health and human services sector. Doctors, nurses, direct care workers, lab technicians, community health care providers. mental health counselors, and others work tirelessly to ensure all Americans can live healthier lives. Many of these critical roles require demanding physical work and long hours. Health workers are often put in dangerous and sensitive situations, where they risk their own health to provide care for those in need. Sometimes, the greatest threats to health workers are ones we cannot see, such as the stress that can negatively impact their mental and physical heath. A well-trained, well-equipped, and supported workforce is essential to ensuring equitable access to public health services and health care in this nation. President Biden and Vice President Harris have made the recruitment, training, and support of health workers a priority. This year, HHS has taken action to improve work conditions for long-term care workers, expanded the number of mental health counselors in schools, and grew and supported the primary care workforce. We have provided scholarships and loan repayment assistance for more than 20,000 clinicians in return for serving in underserved and rural communities. The Biden-Harris Administration is also committed to strengthening and supporting the human services workforce, who have shown tremendous resiliency in their service to the American people. We have worked to improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse and qualified workforce across early care and education programs, child welfare, and other people-serving systems. These are the people who get up every day and do the hard work to support American families during their time of need. Thats why we have pushed to raise wages, bolster mental health supports, and foster security and stability. Health and human services workers deserve our appreciation and praise. On Labor Day, lets celebrate and thank these workers for their ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of all Americans." In 1997, Uttar Pradesh (UP) was ruled by a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government under a six-month rotational arrangement. When the BJPs time came to take over the government, Mayawati reluctantly passed the baton but withdrew support to the Kalyan Singh- government within 29 days. It triggered a political crisis in the state as Singhs government faced a collapse. Governor Romesh Bhandari gave 48 hours to the chief minister to prove a majority on the floor of the state assembly. The BJP had 174 seats in an assembly of 424 seats in then-undivided UP and was short by 39 members. It was at that juncture that the state BJP president Rajnath Singh displayed his political acumen. He put in the hours, befriended rival legislators, broke parties under the one MLA, one berth formula and delivered the states first jumbo-size government of over 90 ministers. Again, later, when the Loktantrik Congress Party (LCP)minister Jagdambika Pal sprung a coup of sorts by dislodging the Kalyan Singh-led government and forming his own government with the support of the Samajwadi Party (SP), BSP and Congress, it was Singh who stepped up for the party: He borrowed two aircraft and chaperoned the full entourage of BJP MLAs to Delhi for a headcount at Rashtrapati Bhavan at midnight. A beaming Kalyan Singh was back in the chief ministers chair within 48 hours. Rajnath Singh had then emerged as a master strategist and rose to become Union minister in 1999, which, as it turned out, was not liked by many, including Kalyan Singh himself. Singh had then earned the sobriquet of Chanakya of contemporary politics, though he himself didnt appreciate the compliment. Again, as the BJPs national president at the time of the 2014 general elections, when Singh was actively campaigning to oust the 10-year-old Congress-led government, he had told HT: Wait and watch, we are winning the election on our own. But we dont have any paucity of allies too, the numerical deficit would be plugged effortlessly to reach the magic figure in Parliament. A day earlier, he had met Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. He had then said their focus would be on parties that have grown on the slogan of anti-Congressism. The BJP went on to sweep the polls in 2014 and remained in power in New Delhi without needing allies for two terms. Ten years later, Chanakya is back in action as he handles the responsibility of maintaining the coalition dharma. The return of the coalition era has brought him back to the centre stage of NDAs politics as he not only inherited the Lok Sabha constituency of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but also learnt the art of managing coalition politics from him. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, many speculated about Singh's bleak future if Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned with a majority. His resurrection after the 2024 polls has thus surprised many, even his party leaders, as Singh had faced many chastening moments in the last five years. Singh has always refused to comment on the internal affairs of the party, his own apparent sidelining or unexpected changes in his portfolio. Whatever I will have to say, I will say in the party forum, has been his refrain. Significantly, he always avoided making disparaging remarks against any leader in public, which seems to have worked in his favour. From engaging with the two mercurial allies Naidu of TDP and Nitish Kumar of JD(U) to evolving consensus on the Lok Sabha Speakers name to holding a meeting of senior BJP-RSS leaders at his residence for the selection of the new national BJP president, Singh has brought his political and negotiating skills to the fore in recent weeks. Who else is there now in the BJP to keep the channels of communications open with leaders of all shades? He belongs to the Atal era and has maintained cordial relations with leaders of all political parties. He never engaged in confrontationist politics. It was Rajnath Singh who spoke to the Congress leaders to mobilise their support for Om Birla as Speaker, a Lucknow-based political expert Brajesh Shukla said. BJP leader Vijay Pathak said: The party decides and deploys senior leaders for different tasks according to the circumstances. But political expert Mukesh Kumar has a different view of Singhs current return to the reluctant limelight. Kumar said the BJP high command is making use of Singhs skills in running a coalition government as he enjoys a rapport with both the RSS and opposition leaders. The fact is Singh would have been redundant had BJP won 300+ seats. According to a BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, while Modi has left the management of the coalition to the two senior leaders Singh and Union home minister Amit Shah it is the former who does most of the consensus building. Once when asked about his strengths, Singh had said: My ability to take challenges. I dont lust for any post. On his weaknesses, he had said: "I am a highly emotional person, which a ruler should not be. Often, my heart rules over my head when it comes to making harsh decisions. I have never harmed anyone intentionally or knowingly. Two things I must do every day puja and exercise for physical fitness. Given that it is a coalition rule at the centre, Singh could be a key politician to keep track especially if the government comes under threat. His skill set as a negotiator has helped the BJP in the past; it could be put to use again in the future. Sunita Aron is a consulting editor with the HT based in Lucknow. You can find her on X as @overto. The weekly column, Keeping up with UP tackles everything from politics to social and cultural mores in the country's most populous state. The views expressed are personal. Elon Musk, owner of X and Tesla, slammed Brazil's top court judge for blocking the bank accounts of Starlink internet firm. In a series of posts on X, he called Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge and an "outright criminal of the worst kind" who is a "tyrant". Elon Musk attends the Breakthrough Prize awards in Los Angeles, California, US.(Reuters) The tech boss also lashed out at Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and called him Moraes's "lapdog". This comes after a Brazil Supreme Court froze Starlink's finances and prevented it from conducting financial transactions in Brazil. The order was signed by Brazil's Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. The decision stems from a separate dispute over unpaid fines of at least 20 million reais ($3.6 million) that X was ordered to pay due to its failure to turn over some documents. X to be banned in Brazil? Brazil Supreme Court judge Moraes threatened to block X in the country if the company doesnt appoint a legal representative in the country. The Supreme Court said that the time allowed for Elon Musk's social media platform to name its legal representative for Brazil would expire at 8:07pm on Thursday and the country's law requires all internet companies to have a legal representative in the country who can receive judicial orders and be legally responsible. In a post, Elon Musk responded to the order with an apparently AI-generated picture of a man resembling Alexandre de Moraes behind bars, saying One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words." In another post, Elon Musk said many remote schools and hospitals depend on SpaceXs Starlink. He said, SpaceX will provide Internet service to users in Brazil for free until this matter is resolved, as we cannot receive payment, but dont want to cut anyone off. He also informed that he owns about 40 percent of SpaceX, saying, So this absolutely illegal action by the dictator @alexandre improperly punishes other shareholders and the people of Brazil. India's financial capital Mumbai emerged as the billionaire capital of Asia with more billionaires than China's capital Beijing, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich List. Mumbai saw an increase of 58 billionaire individuals, taking its total to 386 on the list. The Hurun list noted, "Home to 25% of the list - Mumbai is not only the billionaire capital of Asia, overtaking Beijing but also the preferred city for Hurun India Rich Listers, followed by New Delhi and Hyderabad. Mumbai ranks third globally with 92 billionaires, behind New York (119) and London (97). The city added $445 billion in wealth, overtaking Beijing. Which Indian cities are in the billionaires list? Among top cities, Mumbai is followed by Delhi, which has added 18 new billionaires, taking its rich list entries to 217. Hyderabad surpassed Bengaluru for the first time to take the third position in the number of wealthy residents. Surge of 17 new billionaires took the total number in Hyderabad to 104 which is followed by Bengaluru at the fourth position with 100 wealthy individuals. Other cities in the top 10 are Chennai (82), Kolkata (69), Ahmedabad (67), Pune (53), Surat (28) and Gurugram (23). What Hurun rich list said on Mumbai billionaires? The Hurun rich list 2024 noted that Mumbai has surpassed Beijing to emerge as "Asia's billionaire epicentre". Mumbai is now home to 92 billionaires compared to Beijing's count of 91. India's financial capital added 26 new ultra-rich individuals having a total wealth of $445 billion to the club in the same time when China's capital city lost 18. Now, Mumbai is in third position globally in terms of billionaires after New York (119) and London (97). In a fresh request to the Karnataka government, the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) in Bengaluru urged immediate attention to the roads of the 17 km outer ring road stretch where multiple IT parks are located. A mild rain is causing massive inconvenience to commuters on a daily basis, and ORRCA has put out a list of issues in many areas that need the government's attention. Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road Companies Association cries for help from civic bodies, urges to fix roads in tech corridor Also Read - Bengaluru gets Raste Gundi Gamana app to report potholes in the city. More details In a statement, ORRCA said, The Outer Ring Road requires urgent attention! We urge all relevant authorities to prioritise infrastructure maintenance and upgradation works, including road repairs, pothole filling, waterlogging solutions, footpath and service road upkeep, flyover micro-surfacing, and stormwater drain clearance. ORRCA has listed areas where waterlogging is observed frequently and areas with multiple potholes. It also called for action by various civic bodies and requested them to fix the menace. Action needed from respective authorities (BBMP, BWSSB, BMRCL) with the dedicated and accountable team assigned to address the pain points immediately on the outer ring road, ORRCA added. Also Read - Three integrated townships coming up in Bengaluru's outskirts, says DK Shivakumar: Report Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar earlier said that 157 km of roads in Bengaluru will be white-topped, making the tech capital a pothole-free city. He also said that the white-topping will protect the road from damage for the next 25 years. Speaking to reporters earlier, DK Shivakumar said, Bengaluru roads are usually prone to potholes due to regular rains. The white-topping will be done across the city with 1800 crore rupees. This initiative will protect roads for the next 25 years from any damage. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is asked to identify such roads in the city and protect them, The Outer Ring Road has been facing issues like waterlogging, flooding, and traffic gridlocks for the last few years. Though many organizations have requested action, the issues remain unfixed. Especially during monsoon season, the roads turn into death traps with a series of potholes. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused the opposition BJP and its alliance partner JD(S) of trying to 'destabilise' the Congress government in the state, while clarifying that he has done nothing wrong to resign, in connection with the MUDA 'scam'. BJP high command targeting me, with JD(S) they want to destabilise Congress govt: CM Siddaramaiah(ANI ) Also alleging that the saffron party was still attempting "Operation Kamala" to bring down his government, he affirmed that they won't be successful in their attempts. "Why are they asking for my resignation? Can it be given as soon as they ask? Just because Vijayendra (BJP state President) asks for resignation, can it be given? Then I will ask Vijayendra to resign as president of his party, will he give in?" Siddaramaiah asked in response to a question on BJP demanding his resignation in connection with the MUDA scam. Also Read - More than 80k vehicles booked for over-speeding on Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway: Report Addressing reporters here, the CM said, "Argument will go on (in the court) tomorrow, let's see what the High Court decides. I have not done anything wrong." He was replying to a query on the court hearing regarding his petition challenging the Governor's sanction for prosecution against him Charging the BJP high command with "targeting" him, he said, "BJP and JD(S) together are trying to destabilise our government." The BJP has been demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam'. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of activists Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna. On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved the Karnataka HC challenging the legality of the Governor's order. Siddaramaiah noted that all Congress legislators and parliamentarians will meet the Governor tomorrow asking him to act on pending requests seeking sanction for prosecution against JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and also against former BJP Ministers -- Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, G Janardhan Reddy. "They are pending for a long time now, we will seek prosecution sanctions against them. Because in all those cases the probe is over and filing of charge sheet is pending. In my case investigation has not yet happened, there is no report," he said. Also Read - Bengaluru woman finds her childhood friend dead next to her on bed after waking up: Report To another question on Congress MLA from Mandya Ravikumar Gowda's (Ravi Ganiga) claims that attempts were on by BJP to entice Congress legislators, by offering 100 crore, as part of 'Operation Kamala', the CM said, "Ravi Ganiga has said it, he has told us it is true." The opposition party never came to power in the state with the blessings of the people, they have always depended on "Operation Kamal", whether it is in 2008 or 2019, he said. "They always depended on Operation Kamala to come to power, when have they come to power on their own with majority? They have always come to power through the back door. Even now they are trying, but we (Congress) are 136 (MLAs), it is not easy, because they will have to ensure the resignation of about 60 MLAs (to be successful). None of our MLAs will fall for the desire of money," he added. 'Operation Kamala' (Operation Lotus) refers to an alleged attempt of the BJP to engineer defection of opposition legislators to install its own government and to ensure its stability. 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." 'Victory of people': Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar on HC verdict(PTI) "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. Also Read - Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road Companies Association cries for help from civic bodies, urges to fix roads in tech corridor "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. Also Read - Pothole menace at Bengaluru's Ecospace flyover on Outer Ring Road. VIDEO "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) A night watchman of the BJP! Thats how former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda repeatedly referred to Nayab Singh Saini as the newly minted Haryana chief minister arrived in assembly to prove majority in the 90-member House on March 13, 2024. Major challenge before Nayab Singh Saini who got just 77 days to run the government without poll code restrictions (HT File) The Congress strongman from the Jat bastion of Rohtak was not off the mark. Three days later, Lok Sabha elections were announced and the model code of conduct lasted 80 days, bringing governance to a grinding halt. In between his elevation as CM on March 12 and yet another election code of conduct coming into force on August 16 with the announcement of Haryana assembly elections, Saini, who also remained state BJP president till July 9, got just 77 days to run the government without poll code restrictions. During this short window, the Saini-led minority government took a slew of please-all populist decisions almost daily in a bid to blunt the anti-incumbency of two continuous terms of the BJP and attempt to soften public mood. Also Read | On Congress CM face in Haryana, Kumari Selja says many contenders, but A few contentious and unilateral decisions taken by then CM Manohar Lal Khattar were reversed or tweaked to send out a message loud and clear that the government was on a course-correction spree. BJPs gambit to bring in Saini, who hails from Backward Classes (BC) that account for 34% of the Haryana population, was aimed to counter anti-incumbency, deflect voters fatigue, and what political pundits term BJPs desperation to further consolidate the anti-Jat vote. Lok Sabha polls a wake-up call But the Lok Sabha election verdict was a wake-up call even though the BJP won five out of 10 seats and secured lead in 44 assembly segments against Congress getting lead in 42 assembly seats and its ally AAP (now contesting separately) secured lead in four seats. The result was a jolt for Saini because in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana after registering leads in 79 assembly segments. But five months later in the October 21, 2019 assembly polls, BJP won 40 seats and fell short of six MLAs to cross the magical halfway mark. Also Read | Campaign video featuring children: Haryana BJP gets poll code violation notice In this backdrop, the Lok Sabha verdict had set the alarms bells ringing within the BJP which continues to grapple with sulking cadre, internal divisions, different factions within the party and people unhappy with MLAs and their arrogant hangers on. I have been barely getting four hours sleep after becoming CM. I am awake till past midnight and start meeting public at dawn, said Saini at a recent informal meeting with reporters, indicating how he was burning the mid-night oil to contain the anti-BJP tide. BJP leaders concede that post-Lok Sabha verdict, the government woke up to ground realities. Corrective steps were taken to solve problems people were facing from Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) and Property IDs, the twin flagship schemes that also fuelled public anger. Public is unhappy with the sitting BJP MLAs and not with the party. BJP cadre is not coming out because they were ignored by the local MLAs, says a senior BJP leader. The strong anti-incumbency, voters fatigue, disillusioned youth and angry farmers continue to be a ticking time bomb despite BJP breaking alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and replacing Manohar Lal Khattar as CM. The tough stance of Khattar during his stint, beginning October 26, 2014, to handle even delicate issues and his penchant for launching web portals to stamp out corruption did not go down well with the public, including the BJP cadre. BJP is in a crisis in Haryana. Its only hope is Jat versus non-Jat consolidation that is shaping up, says a senior journalist, who now works for BJP and RSS. While Khattars aggressive approach led to anger in public, BJP has been presenting Saini as a docile and affable BC leader with an eye on non-Jat electoral consolidation. Pins hope on non-Jat votes Political watchers say apart from 30% Jats and 34% BCs of Haryana, Dalits are 16%, and 23% are Punjabi, Brahmin, Rajputs and Aggarwal; while Ahir, Gujjar and Saini are around 11% in Haryana. BJPs worry is consolidation of Jats and Dalits in favour of Congress. Saini is the first Backward Class leader to become chief minister of Haryana. Haryana watcher Satish Tyagi says that BJP is hoping against hope that all the non-Jat communities of Haryana will line up behind it to keep Jats away from power. If this happens, removing Khattar and appointing Saini will turn out to be a game changer. Dont take BJP lightly even though an impression is gaining ground that Congress is going to form the government. A lot will depend on the ticketing strategy of the BJP as the Modi factor has waned in Haryana. The 17 reserve seats will play a crucial role in deciding which party forms the government, says Tyagi, pointing out that government jobs on merit, social security pension and welfare schemes targeting about 48 lakh BPL families will be the trump card of the BJP. The contest appears to be bipolar between the BJP and the Congress on account of marginalisation of regional parties like JJP and INLD. As caste plays a crucial role in Haryana politics, under the watch will be BJPs strategy to navigate this politically complex landscape as the partys support base is largely non-Jat. The BJPs efforts to woo Jat voters have seen mixed results, and the party risks alienating its core non-Jat support base if it shifts its strategy too much. All eyes are now on the aces BJP will pull and the quality of candidates it will field as cool-headed night watchman Saini navigates choppy, caste-driven waters of Haryana to bring ashore the BJP ship. Vinesh Phogat paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Friday and prayed to Waheguru to give her strength. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat after paying obeisance at Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday. (HT Photo) After offering prayers at the shrine in Amritsar, Vinesh told reporters, I am feeling very good here. There is a positive energy. I prayed to Waheguru to give me strength. It has been a rollercoaster month for Vinesh after she reached the final of the womens 50kg wrestling event at the 2024 Paris Olympics but returned to India empty-handed after her disqualification. On August 7, Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States stood between Vinesh and the gold medal. However, things went downhill after she was disqualified before the final after breaching the 50kg weight limit. A day after her heartbreaking disqualification, Vinesh announced her decision to retire from wrestling. She also made a plea to the court of arbitration for sport (CAS) to award her a joint silver medal. The CAS deferred the verdict a couple of times and eventually dismissed the application filed by Vinesh for a silver medal in the womens 50kg event at Paris. Despite not receiving a medal for her efforts and landmark wins at the Olympics, an excited crowd of thousands welcomed the wrestler like they would have welcomed with a medal around her neck on August 17. People thronged the roadsides to catch a glimpse of one of the countrys most celebrated athletes of recent times, waiting to exchange a few words and get a selfie with her. She was welcomed with garlands and flowers in her hometown, Bhiwani. Since announcing her retirement, Vinesh has hinted towards a possible change in heart and reversing her decision. In a statement that she posted on her social media account, Vinesh said, Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032 because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out searches in Punjab in connection with its probe into the murder of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar. Vikas Prabhakar, alias Vikas Bagga, was shot dead in his confectionary shop at Nangal in Rupnagar district on April 13. He was the Nangal president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). (HT file photo) Prabhakar, alias Vikas Bagga, was shot dead in his confectionary shop at Nangal in Rupnagar district on April 13. He was the Nangal president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The NIA took over the case from Punjab Police on May 9. Searches were carried out in the Vikas Prabhakar murder case, an NIA spokesperson said. Dharminder Kumar, alias Kunal (22), who had supplied the illegal arms and ammunition used in the murder, was recently arrested from Ludhiana by the NIA in a coordinated operation with the Delhi Police special cell. NIA investigations show that he had procured the illegal arms and ammunition from Madhya Pradesh, and had supplied these to the shooters on the directions of foreign-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Kumar, alias Sonu. A Delhi court on Friday ordered framing of charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving the killing of three people, citing sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused. Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. (HT PHOTO) Tytler was discharged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)s Section 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons) as special judge Rakesh Syal listed the matter for the next hearing on September 13. Tytler would have to physically appear in court for the framing of charges under the IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 188 (disobedience of the order duly promulgated by a public servant), 295 (injuring or defiling a place of worship), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house), 451 (house trespass), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 149 (common object), 302 (murder) and 109 (abetment). Read more: 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Eyewitnesses saw Tytler incite mob, CBI tells court The case relates to the burning to death of Badal Singh, Sardar Thakur Singh, and Gurbachan Singh and the setting ablaze of Pul Bangash Gurudwara a day after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhis assassination on November 1, 1984. The Delhi Police registered a case the same day. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case afresh in November 2005 on the recommendations of the Nanavati Commission, which was formed in 2000 and submitted its report five years later. The trial court took cognisance of the charge sheet filed in the case on July 26 last year and issued a summons to Tytler to appear before the court. Tytler moved an anticipatory bail application. The court accepted his personal as well as surety bonds converting the anticipatory bail to regular bail. The charge sheet said the CBI established Tytlers presence at the crime scene based on the testimonies of six witnesses of which four saw him instigating the crowd. It added he was disappointed that less number of Sikhs were killed in his constituency. The charge sheet alleged Tytler was also influencing the investigation and threatening the witnesses. KANPUR The UP Police on Friday arrested two youths on the charge of abetment of suicide after bodies of two Dalit girls, aged 15 and 18, were found hanging from a tree in a mango orchard near their house recently. The accused were booked under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on Thursday following a complaint from the girls family members, said police. The bodies of two Dalit girls, aged 15 and 18 years, were found hanging from a tree in a mongo orchard in a village near Kayamganj in Uttar Pradeshs Farrukhabad . (Pic for representation) The duo, Pawan and Deepak, both from the Jatav community, allegedly used to harass the girls over the phone. The SIM card recovered from one of the victims belongings was issued in the name of Pawan, said cops. The two youths used to force the girls to talk to them...their pressure forced them to commit suicide. They were arrested on the basis of the complaint filed by the family members of the girls and sent to jail. Further investigation is underway, said SP (Farrukhabad) Alok Priyadarshi. The bodies of two Dalit girls, aged 15 and 18 years, were found hanging from a tree in a mongo orchard in a village near Kayamganj in Uttar Pradeshs Farrukhabad . According to Priyadarshi, the two girls were close friends. Initial findings indicate that the two girls were neighbours and close friends. One body was found hanging from one end of a dupatta, and the other body from the other end. It appears they might have committed suicide by hanging from the tree, but the police are investigating the case thoroughly, he had said earlier. The incident came to light on Monday night when the girls families went to search for their daughters after they did not return home from the village temple where they had gone to see Shri Krishna Janmashtami tableaux. A few hours later, the police found their bodies hanging from a tree. One mobile phone was found near the same tree while one SIM card was found from the belongings of one of the girls, the SP added. A van driver, accused of harassing a child of lower kindergarten, in Lucknow, was arrested on Thursday, police said on Friday. For representation only (HT File Photo) The incident was reported at the citys Gudamba police station on August 29, after which police lodged a complaint and arrested the accused, Vimlesh Kumar Verma, the same day, said DCP North zone, Abhijith R Shankar, adding that the man has been booked under Pocso Act and section 74 (assault on woman) of BNS. The victims family claimed that the 52-year-old accused had been harassing their daughter for approximately a month, finding her alone after dropping off all the children. The six-year-old girl studies in a private school in Gayatri Puram. On Thursday, when she returned from school, she was very quiet and was not even eating food. When we asked her lovingly, she told us that the driver touched her badly, the complaint to the police read. The child told her mother that the driver had even threatened her not to tell anyone. The driver is being produced before court and necessary action is being taken, said the DCP. According to police the van was not attached to the school. LUCKNOW Over 2.71 lakh candidates (nearly 28.2%) skipped the UP Police constable recruitment exam held across 1,174 examination centres in 67 districts of the state under tight security that included biometric verification, fingerprint and facial recognition, on the fourth day on Friday.. Candidates undergo identity verification at an examination centre before they appear for the UP police recruitment examination, in Lucknow, Friday. (PTI Photo) As many as 94 suspicious candidates found across the state were under scrutiny. The board allowed them to appear in the examination but their credentials were being crosschecked. Legal action will be taken against them, if their details were not found correct, said UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) officials. This exam was scheduled in two shifts spread over five days -- August 23, 24, 25 and August 30 and 31. The same exam was held on February 17 and 18, but cancelled on February 24 after a question paper leak. As many 178 FIRs in 41 districts across UP were registered in connection with the paper leak and over 400 people, including two alleged masterminds, were arrested from Gautam Buddh Nagar. On the fourth day, 6,77,933 candidates out of a total 9,63,613 appeared in the exam in two shifts, board officials confirmed. UPPRPB officials said 4,81,838 candidates in the first shift and 4,81,775 in the second were scheduled to appear in the recruitment examination on Friday. But only 3,44,590 appeared in the first shift and 3.47,346 candidates appeared in the second shift on Friday. As per this figure, around 28.2% of candidates skipped the exam in both the shifts, the officials added. Officials said 4,01,870 candidates of the first shift and 4,01,972 of the second shift downloaded their admit cards from the UPPRPB website out of the total 4,81,838 and 4,81,775 candidates in first and second shifts, respectively. So, 8,03,842 candidates of the total 9,63,613 candidates to appear in two shifts on Friday downloaded their admit cards, he said. Meanwhile, 94 suspicious candidates, whose credentials did not match with the original documents, were detected across the state. Among them, 61 suspicious candidates were detected in the first shift and 33 suspicious candidates during the second shift. Notably, 48,17,441 (48.17 lakh) candidates had applied to appear in the written examination for 60,244 posts of UP Police constables. The board had issued instructions in advance to around 20,000 suspicious candidates, whose Aadhaar authentication could not be processed online, to bring proper identity proof to get the same verified at the examination centres. They were asked to carry documents, including PAN card, driving licence, passport or original copy of their Aadhaar card for the verification. On Friday, 22 people were arrested for impersonation, using unfair means, fudging marksheets/identity cards as well as reappearing in the ongoing exam while 19 cases were filed in the matter, said officials. Earlier, 39 candidates were arrested for impersonation and using unfair means and 34 cases were lodged in the matter in the three days of the first phase of the exam on August 23, 24 and 25. Officials said five people were arrested in five districts on the first day, 20 were arrested and 17 cases were registered in different districts on the second day, and 14 people were arrested and 12 cases registered on the third day. . Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a public apology on Friday for the collapse of a statue of Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan, which he had unveiled last December. The apology came during a rally in Palghar, where Modi was laying the foundation stone for the Vadhvan port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a public apology on Friday for the collapse of a statue of Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj "For me and my colleagues, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not merely a name or a king, but a deity," Modi said. "Today, I bow my head, place it at his feet, and apologise." The prime minister then turned his attention to the opposition, drawing a contrast between his actions and theirs. "Our culture is different. There are some people who keep insulting the son of this soil, Veer Savarkar, and abuse him. They trample upon the feelings of nationalists and are not ready to apologise. They don't repent, and the people of Maharashtra must know their true colours." The ruling alliance has faced criticism following the statue's collapse, with the opposition announcing a statewide agitation beginning Sunday. Modi's remarks appear to be an attempt to quell the controversy. Highlighting his devotion to the Maratha king, Modi recalled, "In 2013, when the BJP nominated me as a PM candidate, the first thing I did was sit before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's samadhi at Raigad as a devotee and pray. I prayed like a devotee and started a new journey of nation service." The prime minister then focused on the importance of the Vadhvan port project, describing it as a crucial milestone for both the country and the state's progress. "A developed Maharashtra is an integral part of a developed India," he said. Modi outlined the 76,000 crore investment in the port, which he claimed would be one of the largest and deepest in the world, capable of handling the trade of many other ports combined. Modi also discussed the development of the Dighi port area in Raigad district, saying it would "promote tourism and eco-resorts" while embodying "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's dream". Addressing Maharashtra's maritime heritage, the prime minister said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took sea trade to new heights and formed policies to develop the nation. Our strengths were great, and Admiral Kanhoji Angre made things difficult for the East India Company. But after Independence, the country has lagged behind. The new India knows her skills and will surge ahead with new benchmarks in sea trade." Modi criticised previous administrations for delays in the Vadhvan port project. "This project was stayed for 60 years. In 2014, when we were elected and Devendra Fadnavis was made chief minister, we started work. In 2020, we decided to have a port, but the government changed, and there was no work for 2.5 years. This project will attract huge investment and provide jobs to 1.2 million people," he said. The prime minister also highlighted Maharashtra's progress in women-led development, noting that key positions in the state government, including the chief secretary, director general of police, and heads of various departments, were occupied by women. Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested three individuals and confiscated foreign-origin smuggled gold valued at approximately 16.91 crore, along with 40 lakh in cash, officials said on Thursday. The agency conducted surveillance operations that led to the interception of the three suspects at a location in Mumbai Central. (Representational Image/Unsplash) Acting on intelligence regarding the movement of smuggled gold, the agency conducted surveillance operations that led to the interception of the three suspects at a location in Mumbai Central. A search of their baggage yielded 22.89 kg of smuggled gold in various forms, including melted gold bars, egg-shaped capsules, strips, and chains. Following additional information suggesting that alleged sale proceeds of smuggled gold worth 40 lakh were hidden in a residence, DRI officials conducted a search of the premises and recovered the entire amount. "In total, 22.89 kg of recovered gold valued at 16.91 crore, along with 40 lakh in sale proceeds from smuggled gold, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962," a DRI source said. "All three individuals were arrested and remanded to judicial custody." This operation follows a separate incident earlier this month when the DRI's Mumbai unit reportedly seized foreign-origin smuggled gold worth 3.33 crore from two passengers arriving at Mumbai's international airport from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The suspects were subsequently arrested by the agency. In that case, the seized gold and gold dust in wax form were allegedly found concealed in tailor-made pockets of a jacket worn by one of the accused. The strategy to capture the two most notorious wolves roaming free in Mahsi Tehsil area in the Bahraich district, now stands changed. Forest officials involved in search operations in Bahraich. (Sourced) Life-size dolls in colourful attire, sprinkled with the urine of children placed strategically in the now-identified path generally taken by the wolves, will now help catch the elusive animals linked to the killing of nine people in Bahraich. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Ajit Pratap Singh said, To lure the two wolves, dolls, resembling children, have been kept in cages installed near the areas where the wolves movement is suspected. Urine of children will also be sprinkled on the dolls as the olfactory sense of wolves is up to 100,000 times greater than human beings. The cages have been given a look to give the wolf an impression as if a child is sitting or sleeping there. As soon as the animal closes in, we will catch it. Forest officials have trapped four of the six wolves linked with the killings, including seven children, but two wolves have managed to dodge all the traps laid for them. We have identified their den and the route they have been using to reach villages. Our strategy has changed and our entire focus is on monitoring the entire route to catch them ASAP, said Renu Singh, additional principal chief conservator, forest department. AP Singh said that since the capture of the fourth wolf, the remaining two have become almost untraceable. He said it might be possible that the two wolves have left the area due to fear as four members of their pack were trapped. Wolves have a tendency to return to their den in the evening and prey at night. We are working on a strategy keeping this habit of the wolves in mind and with human effort on the ground the thermal drones in the sky round-the-clock, said Renu Singh, heading the operations in Bahraich. AP Singh said after trapping a wild animal we hand it over to veterinary experts who prepare a medical report to conclude whether the captured animal was the same who was lifting children or some other pack member was responsible. Besides, going through the medical report, higher authorities decide whether the animal should be kept in a zoo, freed in a forest or killed. He said wolves, who are pack hunters, attack strategically. While one of the pack members attacks to create a distraction, the other lifts a child taking advantage of the diversion. Dr Deepak Verma, a veterinary expert, who examined all the captured wolves, including the last one captured on August 29, said the captured wolf was a male and found under stress due to captivity and crowd of villagers. Apart from the stress no injury was found on the wolfs body. He said the wolf was shifted to Gorakhpur zoo on Thursday night, while the other two wolves captured earlier were sent to Lucknow Zoo. He said it was difficult to claim that the captured wolf was responsible for the ongoing attacks. Dabeer Hasan, an executive officer of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said there is a history of wolf attacks in Bahraich, Balrampur, Shrawasti and Lakhimpur Kheri. He said a large part of these Terai region districts lies near river basins which are the natural habitats of wolves. Hence, such incidents will take place from time to time. To stop the recurrence of such incidents, capacity-building and training of forest employees is necessary. Moreover, proper awareness programmes should be followed in the affected areas, especially located near the Ghaghra River basin. Besides, immediate cognizance should be taken of a wolf attack and forensic investigation should be conducted. After an attack, wolfs saliva should be taken from the victims body and to be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) or to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Hasan said there was a need for some special project to make people aware about wolf attacks as well as for the conservation of wolves in the area. He said the wolf is an endangered species and categorised as schedule-I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Moreover, they play an important role in our ecosystem as they are referred to as key stone species on which many other species and plants depend. According to estimates, there are only about 3,000 wolves present in the country. Saving human life is our first and biggest priority. So a project should be prepared which is beneficial for both humans and wolves, he said. Awareness drive coming Forest officials said awareness being a key factor in the hunt against the killer wolves, public awareness programmes will be continued for at least up to two months, until it was ensured that the area had been freed of wolves. An awareness schedule will be prepared with the aim to prevent wolf attacks in near future, which will continue round the year in Bahraich forest division, said divisional forest officer Ajit Pratap Singh. The previous Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) state government spent over 33 crore from the state exchequer for advertisements between January 2023 to May this year, the government told the state assembly on Thursday. BJD said advertisements were given to promote government schemes. (Odisha state assembly) Replying to a question by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Laxman Bag about the expenditure on government advertisements in newspapers, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi who also holds the information and public relations department, said 33.71 crore was spent on government advertisements in various newspapers of the state. Of this, 15.26 crore was spent on advertisements and advertorials featuring former 5T chairman and Patnaiks aide VK Pandian, said the chief minister. During this period, the Information and Public Relations Department had requested certain newspapers to publish advertorials on several programmes and these included photos related to specific events, featuring both the CM and his close aide Pandian. The department published advertisements in various newspapers, highlighting various government schemes and programmes, during this period, Majhi said. Also Read: BJD, Congress boycott Odisha MLA orientation programme citing protocol violation Reacting to the CMs reply, BJD said advertisements were given to promote government schemes. The advertisements were given to popularise various government schemes. None of the advertorials had Pandians photos and only featured Naveen Patnaik. These types of attacks are very cheap, said BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty. The much anticipated Kosi-Mechi project to interlink the two rivers in north Bihar, billed as a game changer for irrigation and flood management in the flood-prone region, is likely to get union cabinet nod soon, a top state government official said. Bihars water resources minister Vijay Choudhary addresses a press conference in Patna on Friday. (HT photo) Chaitanya Prasad, additional chief secretary of the states water resources department, said the project has already got various clearances from environment and other ministries and awaiting approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB). Once the PIB approves , it will go to the union cabinet for approval, Prasad said, adding the project already has a working detailed project report (DPR) prepared after consultation with various departments. The project, estimated to cost a total of about 6300 crore, was included in the union budget 2024-25 and the Centre had agreed to the 60:40 split of the total cost between the union government and the state. It was also accorded the national project status. The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has prepared a DPR, which aims to provide irrigation to around 2.10 lakh hectares (ha) in the Seemanchal area of Bihar. According to NWDA, the project envisages extension of the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC) up to river Mechi, a tributary of Mahananda. The link would help irrigate areas in Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj and Katihar districts and also help in mitigation of floods, a perennial problem in Kosi and Seemanchal areas of the state. Barrages on rivers in six districts Meanwhile, the Bihar government is planning to construct barrages on several rivers in six districts in the northern part of the state bordering Nepal to mitigate the recurring flood problem, water resources department minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said on Friday. The proposed barrages will be built on the Gandak, Masan, Kamala, Kosi and Mahananda rivers. The Bihar government has started the process of finalising DPRs pertaining to the construction of more barrages in East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj, Madhubani and Supaul districts as part of its flood mitigation measures, Chaudhary told reporters in Patna on Friday. The NDA government at the Centre recently announced financial support of 11,500 crore for Bihar to deal with flood-related issues that are an annual phenomenon for the state, he said. The DPRs are being finalised for the construction of barrages on Gandak at Areraj in East Champaran, on Masan in West Champaran, Bagmati at Dheng in Sitamarhi, on Kamala at Jainagar in Madhubani, on Kosi at Dakmara in Supaul and on Mahananda at Taiyabpur in Kishanganj, said the minister. The state governments plans of linking Kamala-Purani Kamala-Bagmati rivers and Burhi Gandak-None-Baya-Ganga rivers will also get a boost from the Centres flood mitigation projects for Bihar, he added. The minister said the state government has been asking the Centre to manage floods by rivers originating from Nepal. It was during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government when India and Nepal agreed to build high-level dams on river Kosi, Bagmati and Kamala in Nepal and set up a joint project office at Biratnagar (in that country) to prepare the related DPRs in 2004, he said. However, the DPRs could never see the light of the day due to certain issues related to Nepal, the minister said. Later, the Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar ji decided to finalise the projects within the states territorial jurisdiction, the minister said. The state government has taken several measures to rejuvenate and revive dying rivers, he said, adding that this has to be done in a coordinated manner by the Centre as well as other states.Heavy silt deposit slows down the water flow, posing a big challenge to the existence of certain rivers. The Centre should formulate the national silt management policy at the earliest, the minister said. Ganga is fast losing its incessantness and cleanliness due to silt. The condition of the river from Patna to Farakka is very serious. In such a situation, we have to think seriously about this, he said. Bihar on verge of water scarcity Chaudhary said Bihar has reached the threshold of water crisis. Now if there is any wastage of water at any level, Bihar can be hit by a water crisis. The water of our rivers flows into the Bay of Bengal and becomes useless. Especially during floods, a huge amount of water flows into the Bay of Bengal, he said. Our plan is to store the water of the rivers during the flood period and use it for irrigation as well as drinking water. Keeping this in mind, we are preparing our plans. On the lines of the Ganga water supply scheme to Bodh Gaya, Gaya, Rajgir and Nawada cities, a plan is being made to supply drinking water from the river and reservoir to many other cities, said the minister. Water to every field The minister said the WRD is close to its target of completing the scheme of providing irrigation water to every field, as part of chief minister Nitish Kumars seven resolves . Directorate of Medical Education and Training, Uttar Pradesh will release UP NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 on August 30, 2024. Candidates who have applied for Round 1 counselling process can check the seat allotment result on the official website of UP NEET at upneet.gov.in. The seat allotment result can also be checked on dgme.up.gov.in. UP NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 today, heres how to check (Santosh Kumar) As per the official schedule, candidates who have been allotted a seat can download the letters from August 31 to 5 September 2024. QS Best Student Cities 2025: London is best city for students, Tokyo next, get list of top 10 global cities for students UP NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result: How to check All the candidates who have registered for the counselling round can check the seat allotment result by following the steps given below. Visit the official website of UP NEET at upneet.gov.in. Click on UP NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 link available on the home page. Enter the login details and click on submit. Your seat allotment result will be displayed on the screen. Check the seat allotment result and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Also Check: Maharashtra NEET UG Counselling 2024: Seat allotment result tomorrow at cetcell.mahacet.org Candidates who have acquired a seat in the Round 1 counselling at government and private sector medical colleges/dental colleges will have the facility of free exit. Candidates who do not want to take admission to the allotted institute or college can apply for free exit and their money will be refunded. Candidates who have got the facility of free exit from the first round of counseling can participate again in the second or third round of counselling. Read This: Rajasthan NEET UG allotment result not today, to be released tomorrow on rajugneet2024.org The verification of the original documents will be done at the allotted medical or dental colleges or nodal centres. At the time of admission, it will be mandatory for the candidate to submit all the documents in original and along with self-attested photocopies. For more related details candidates can check the official website of UP NEET. The situation remains tense at the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh where an alleged instance of voyeurism involving a hidden camera reportedly being found at the female students hostel washroom has spread like wildfire. Voyeurism refers to the act of secretly watching individuals inside a private infrastructure (washroom, trial room, etc.) with indecent intent. (Representative image/Unsplash) As per reports, several videos were recorded in the hidden camera and allegedly circulated among students residing in the boys' hostel, prompting massive protests by residents of the female hostel who demanded immediate action against the perpetrators responsible for the disturbing incident. Shockingly, allegations were also levelled against a senior female student from the final year of an engineering student who is accused of arranging the hidden camera in the washroom. Also read: Adelaide Universitys new era: Professor Jessica Gallagher on how the merger will benefit Indian students Krishna district police have taken a final-year B Tech student into custody and seized his laptop and cell phones. The student was reportedly selling the videos recorded from the hidden camera. Hidden Camera: A Tool for Voyeurism? In simpler terms, Voyeurism refers to the act of secretly watching individuals inside a private infrastructure (washroom, trial room, etc.) with indecent intent. Such incidents are not new and have been hitting headlines repeatedly, with the most talked about incident dating back to 2015. The then Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani had lodged a complaint after she noticed a camera inside the changing room at a clothing store in Goa. The former minister had lodged complaints under Sections 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 354C (voyeurism) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code In August 2024, a woman in Bengaluru filed a complaint after she found a hidden camera installed in the washroom of a coffee outlet. It was later discovered that an employee had been filming people in the washroom through a smartphone. The coffee shop in question later issued a notice citing that it had fired the employee and initiated legal action against him. Also read: Over 35% of 3,885 doctors, mostly women, feel unsafe during night shifts: IMA study Another report dated May 2024, revealed that a woman in Ghaziabad lodged a complaint against a temple priest after she found a CCTV pointed towards a roofless room where women change their clothes. As per the police, the display of the CCTV was linked to the priests smartphone. A case was filed under relevant sections of the IPC, the police said. If that was not all, in March 2024, an employee of the Hotel Taj in Chandigarh was arrested for secretly filming a female hotel guest while she was taking a bath in her room. As per the police, the accused had entered the guests room using a master key. Andhra Pradesh College Incident: No camera was found in the preliminary inquiry Meanwhile, Krishna District Superintendent of Police R Gangadhar Rao rushed to the spot and conducted a preliminary inquiry, and informed that the police had not found any hidden cameras in the girls' hostel when checked. Also read: Explained: What UPSC aspirants must know about Aadhaar-based authentication and what process may be in store CM Naidu orders an inquiry Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday ordered an inquiry and directed district minister Kollu Ravindra and the SP to talk to the students to ascertain the facts. Education Minister Nara Lokesh also took to X and warned of stringent action to be taken against culprits and those responsible if found guilty during the investigation. He also urged education managements to take early steps to prevent ragging and harassment in colleges. With the latest incident reported at the Andhra Pradesh college, it is felt that not just educational institutions but all organizations including workplaces must incorporate strict measures to prevent the heinous act of voyeurism and protect the integrity of individuals at all costs. (With inputs from Srinivasa Rao Apparasu in Hyderabad) The Assam Government on Thursday inked an MoU with Visva Bharati University for establishing the Srimanta Sankardeva Chair at the university. Assam govt signs MoU with Visva Bharati Univ to set up Srimanta Sankardeva chair 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. India sees education as key vehicle to accelerate more intensive engagement with world: Jaishankar 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. Read This: Bihar gets its first Sports Academy and Sports University, CM Nitish Kumar inaugurates facilities on sports day "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. Also Read: UGC invites participation in undertaking research works in official statistics, details inside 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 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) LG Electronics, one of the leading consumer durable brands of the country, has launched its flagship Lifes Good Scholarship Program to aid students across India in their academic journey. The CSR initiative is aimed at providing financial assistance to students to pursue higher education, with a special focus on promoting girl child education. The first edition of the 'Lifes Good Scholarship Program' was launched on August 28 at LGs Corporate Office in Noida. The first edition of the scholarship program was launched on August 28 at LGs Corporate Office in Noida. During the event, Hong Ju Jeon, MD LG Electronics India felicitated scholars from three institutes, namely Galgotias University, Jaipuria Institute of Management & Lloyd Law College. Also read: UP NMMS Exam 2025: Registration ends on September 5, apply at entdata.co.in Details about the Lifes Good Scholarship Program A standpoint of the Lifes Good Scholarship Program is that it is open to students from any academic year of higher education vis-a-vis they meet the eligibility conditions. Minimum percentage required Applicants need to secure a minimum of 60 percent in their previous class. Two criteria of the scholarship The Lifes Good Scholarship Program would be awarded on two criteria Need-based and Merit-based. In need-based selection criteria, 25 percent of the scholarships will be reserved for students coming from a humble background, states LG in a press release. The merit-based scholarship will be awarded to students who have achieved a minimum of 75 percent marks in their 12th-grade exams or a 7 GPA in subsequent academic years. Also read: Chhattisgarh: Students of maoist-affected districts to get interest-free loans for technical, vocational education Scholarships reserved for female students Meanwhile, 25 percent of the scholarship will be allocated to meritorious female students, as per the objective of promoting girl child education. Financial assistance The scholarships will include 50 percent of tuition fees or up to 1 lakh for undergraduate students, and up to 2 lakh for postgraduate students, whichever is lesser. Total number of scholars The total number of scholars is up to 5700. The selection process Applicants will need to fill out a multi-step online application form, providing personal details, academic information, and necessary documents. The qualifications are then assessed on a rolling basis based on the eligibility criteria, which include academic performance and family income. Shortlisted candidates will undergo telephonic interviews to evaluate their suitability for the scholarship further. Scholars undergo an onboarding process upon selection, including document verification to confirm their eligibility. Funds are disbursed to the selected scholars to support their academic pursuits Also read: NEET PG 2024 scorecard releasing today at nbe.edu.in, heres how to download Hong Ju Jeon, MD of LG Electronics India highlighted that LG Electronics India strives to make a tangible difference in peoples lives through meaningful initiatives. Health and Nutrition, Education, and Skilling are core areas where the company focuses its CSR efforts. With the Lifes Good Scholarship Program, we aim to inspire and support young minds in pursuing higher education and achieving their dreams. We believe that education is fundamental to societal progress and economic empowerment, he said. It may be mentioned here that the Lifes Good Scholarship is a collaborative effort with the Buddy4Study Foundation, an NGO. Ashutosh Burnwal, Founder and CEO at Buddy4Study, expressed gratitude to LG Electronics India for its commitment to supporting education through the new scholarship program. He said, At Buddy4Study, we are proud to collaborate on this initiative, which empowers deserving students, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, to pursue their academic dreams. This program is a crucial step in ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of talented youth across India. Lifes Good Scholarship Program: How to apply A Wi-Fi technician was arrested for alleged sexual misconduct with a girl student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), here, police said on Friday. The culprit, a Wi-Fi technician, was arrested immediately after the affected student gave a complaint to the police. (Representative image/Unsplash) The incident which happened in the hostel room of the student on Thursday triggered a spontaneous overnight protest by the NIT students and they had to be pacified by the administration and police. Also read: Andhra Pradesh college hidden camera row: What is voyeurism and are spy cams now tool for such acts in hostels? Through the agitation, the students demanded the arrest of the culprit and also condemned the purported "victim shaming." It was given up later today after the police announced the arrest of the man and an official apologised for the incident, said police. Also read: Over 35% of 3,885 doctors, mostly women, feel unsafe during night shifts: IMA study "It has to be ascertained how a male worker was allowed inside the womens hostel where one of the cameras was not working," Tiruchirappalli superintendent of police Varun Kumar told reporters. The culprit was arrested immediately after the affected student gave a complaint to the police, he said, and added that womens safety should be accorded a priority. Also read: Chhattisgarh: Students of maoist-affected districts to get interest-free loans for technical, vocational education Women police have been asked to interact with the girl students to ascertain if there had been similar instances in the past, the SP said. The complainant had claimed that the technician entered her room under the pretext of fixing up the Wi-Fi on Thursday night and allegedly misbehaved with her, police said. The future of the six students granted provisional admission to St. Stephens College by the Delhi University hangs in the balance, as the High Court on Thursday barred them from attending classes until further notice. Students granted provisional admission in Stephen's restricted from classes: HC The students attended the first day of classes for the 2024-25 academic session on Thursday, but unlike their peers, they were not as excited and remained uncertain about what lies ahead. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard an appeal filed by the college challenging a single judges interim order, which directed that the six students be granted provisional admission according to the university's seat allocation. LPU varsity gives 2.5 crore cash prize to students who represented India in Paris Olympics The court's order has added to the woes of the students and their parents. Speaking to PTI, some parents expressed concern over the "mental trauma" their children are experiencing due to the ongoing dispute between the college and the university. Also Read: Assam govt signs MoU with Visva Bharati University to set up Srimanta Sankardeva chair The parents feel they are being forced to run from pillar to post to secure a normal start for their children, who are caught up in a legal battle. Mayank Tayal, a parent who travelled from Bengaluru so that his daughter could attend her first day of college, expressed frustration over the present situation. "After an exhausting journey specifically for the first day of college and after a long search for a PG for my daughter, we are now left helpless as the court has stopped the students from attending classes until further orders. We don't know what to do next," he said. Check This: India sees education as key vehicle to accelerate more intensive engagement with world: Jaishankar "The decision to relocate to Delhi was a huge one for us. We were looking forward to joining St. Stephens, but it's a terrible situation right now," added Tayal, who attended the court hearing virtually. "My daughter is suffering for no fault of her own. She hasnt been eating properly for the past few days and we are going through mental trauma and unnecessary harassment. The DU administration and the college should have been on the same page after allocating seats to the students. Because of this tussle, our child is locked out of the admission process and cannot enroll in any other college," said Prabhakar Sahu, the father of one of the six students who approached the court. "My wife accompanied my daughter to college on the first day, while Im here in the court for further proceedings," he added. "It wasnt a normal start for my son, who attended his first day of college today. Instead of being excited, he was nervous because of how we got the admission. We feel like our future is hanging by a thread. These students want to stay in India and contribute to the country, but this is how the system is treating them," said Charmendra Singh, another concerned parent. "Now that the court has stopped our children from attending the classes until further notice, we feel helpless." When asked if he would accept another college if offered, Singh said that he would not be satisfied because St. Stephens was his sons dream college. The six students approached the court after the college rejected their admission applications, including those seeking admission under the unreserved category and the single girl child quota. Vandana Shrivastava, the parent of a student among the 22 whose applications were rejected, expressed her unhappiness that her child had to stay at home due to the dispute while all her friends joined the college. "The excitement that students usually feel on the first day of college is something my child missed out... She did exceptionally well in her 12th grade, securing 96 per cent and also scored 766 marks in CUET. Yet, she is still waiting to be admitted while all her friends went to the college today," she lamented. Srivastava's daughter is among the 22 students, who sought admission to St. Stephen's but had their applications rejected. "Since August 19, when we received an email informing us that the DU had allocated admission to our child at St. Stephens, we have been waiting endlessly. We have no interest in St. Stephen's if they dont want to accept the admission. The DU should give us admission in another college based on her submitted preferences and merit. What are they waiting for? Why are our kids suffering for no fault of theirs?" she asked. "All the excitement my child felt has drained away. The feeling you get on day one wont come back, especially after this long struggle," she said. "My child is a UPSC aspirant and feels let down by this situation," she added. Actor Salman Khan garnered praise after he attended the Bacche Bole Morya event in Mumbai despite suffering a rib injury on the same day. Several videos and pictures, which emerged online, showed the actor wincing as he touched the right side of his rib cage. (Also Read | Prem and Preeti reunite: Salman Khan hugs Sonali Bendre at an event much to Hum Saath - Saath Hain fans' delight. Watch) Salman Khan attended an event in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Salman attends event in spite of injury In a few videos, the actor was seen struggling to get up from a chair. "Today he got hurt, he is not well, still he came. It shows his commitment towards the environment. Thank you so much," said Amruta Fadnavis, the organiser, at the event. It could not be confirmed whether Salman, who is currently shooting for his next film Sikandar, got hurt on the set. What happened to Salman? A source close to the actor confirmed that Salman had suffered a rib injury, but he is doing fine. "Nothing to worry about. The shoot (of Sikandar) is on schedule, not pushed," the source added, as reported by news agency ANI. Fans of the actor grew concerned after the videos surfaced on social media platforms. Fans get concerned about actor A person wrote on X, #SalmanKhan Bhai is suffering from serious Rib Injury, get well soon Bhai, your health and happiness matters the Most. "No matter what, he always gets back up #SalmanKhan #Sikandar," said a fan. "So handsome, get well soon, Salman Khan. Not my Bhai #SalmanKhan," tweeted another person. Stay healthy, bhai @BeingSalmanKhan. Nothing is more important than your health, read a tweet. At the event, Salman had said, We have been getting eco-friendly Ganesha for a long time because (during and post visarjan) there are law and order and cleanliness issues.... Paper, plastic cups and bottles are thrown around and they are cleaned by BMC workers the next day. It's not good. It's better if everyone uses eco-friendly Ganesha idols. He had added, "There are people who behave well in other countries like America, Switzerland, Dubai but throw garbage here in our country. Children can teach elders to keep up with the cleanliness." The event was also attended by Salman's sister Alvira Agnihotri, Sonali Bendre, Sonu Nigam, and Kailash Kher among others. Salman's next film Salman will be seen headlining Sikandar, which is directed by AR Murugadoss. The film, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is set to release next Eid. Rashmika Mandanna will be seen alongside Salman in the film. Ismael praises Priyanka Chopra, Michelle Yeoh The Rings of Power actor, when quizzed about who are the two people he would pick by his side in a battle against an army of Orcs, said, I was working with Priyanka Chopra just now. I can't stop thinking about how much of a bad*** she was. That would be one person. Thinking of bad*** ladies, I feel Michelle Yeoh would do something. She would keep all of us safe. Ismael Cruz Cordova in Priyanka Chopra's The Bluff Ismael has worked with Priyanka in the action drama film The Bluff. The film is directed by Frank E Flowers and co-written by Frank and Joe Ballarini. The epic pirate action-saga based on the 19th century Carribean is co-produced by Priyanka, Russo Brothers (Joe Russo, Anthony Russo) and others. About The Rings of Power The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a series based on JRR Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, primarily drawing from the appendices of the novel The Lord of the Rings. It is set thousands of years before the events of the novel, in the Second Age of Middle-earth. The series depicts the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the creation of more Rings of Power. It is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios in association with New Line Cinema, with JD Payne and Patrick McKay serving as showrunners. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2 released on August 29. It is available for streaming on Prime Video. Angelina Jolie slightly alluded to Brad Pitt while opening up about her latest role, portraying the legendary opera star Maria Callas in Pablo Larrains upcoming biographical drama, Maria. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in happier times Theres a lot I wont say in this room that you probably know and assume, Jolie said, per IndieWire. In an interview with the members of the media at the Venice Film Festival, the Original Sin star spoke about the difficulties and important personal meaning of embodying Callas, whose life was an amazing combination of talent and tragedy. ALSO READ| Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie will stay out of each other's way at Venice Film Festival; neither had to ask for the favour Jolie draws a parallel with Maria while addressing When asked whether she sees the role as a potential path to a second Oscar, Jolie emphasized, For me, the bar in this where I would know if I did good enough are the Maria Callas fans and those who love opera, and my fear would be to disappoint them. She added, So of course all other things and in my own business if theres a response to the work, Im very grateful. But in my heart, to disappoint the people who love her and who she means a lot to, and her legacy, I came to care for her. I didnt want to do a disservice to this woman. Maria focuses on the final chapter of Callas' life in 1977, during which the opera diva struggled with substance abuse, a deteriorating voice, and significant weight loss. These issues plagued her as she lived in Paris, leading up to her untimely death from a heart attack at the age of 53. Jolie's portrayal delves into this poignant period, bringing to life the complexities of a woman who was once at the pinnacle of her art but faced deep personal struggles in her later years. ALSO READ| Comedian delivers 'brutal' take on Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt's soured relationship with their kids Jolie's personal life has been under intense scrutiny since she filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016. Their ongoing, highly publicized split has revealed serious allegations of abuse and resulted in Pitt becoming estranged from their children. Despite these ongoing challenges, Jolie mentioned that she relates deeply to Callas vulnerability, indicating a personal connection to the role beyond the surface-level similarities. I remember being so nervous, my sons were there, they had to lock the door to make sure no one else was coming in. I was shaky, Jolie recalled. Pablo started me in a small room and ended me in La Scala. I was frightened. Hollywoods beloved couple, Leah Remini and Angelo Pagan, have unexpectedly decided to part ways after over two decades of marriage. The actress took to her social media late on the night of August 29 to announce her split, explaining that the decision was tough but that the couple no longer fit. Remini and Pagan said they wanted to be 'transparent since their marriage was 'so publicly' highlighted on TV over the years. Leah Remini and husband Angelo Pagan announce divorce after 21 years(Leah Remini's Instagram) Leah Remini and Angelo Pagan announce divorce Leah Remini, who is close friends with Jennifer Lopez (who has also recently filed for divorce from Ben Affleck) announced her own separation from her husband Angelo Pagan. In a shared Instagram message, the couple, married since 2003, shared they're feeling down but also proud of how they're handling this tough period together. Remini and Pagan also said they have a lot to sort out as they step into this next phase of their lives. Also read: Ben Affleck worried Disneyland stepmom Jennifer Lopez is spoiling kids amid divorce: Not the way he "Well, here we are. After 28 years together and 21 years of marriage, we have decided to file for divorce," the statement read. This decision came after a lot of thought and care, and as hard as divorce is, we are approaching this with a positive outlook because we know its whats best for us, the announcement continued. We both changed, as people do In a lengthy post, the couple explained how people naturally change over time. Despite their split, they plan to continue celebrating holidays and family gatherings together. They cited their split as a result of growing into roles that no longer fit them but emphasised that a strong bond still exists between them. From our perspective, this marriage was a huge success. And now, were looking forward to creating even more cherished momentsjust in a different way, they added. More about Leah Remini and Angelo Pagan Leah and Angelo first met in 1996 at a Cuban club in Los Angeles. They married in 2003 and soon welcomed their daughter, Sofia Bella. The couple also shares three children from Angelos previous marriage. Their romance has long been celebrated in the industry. While Remini described meeting Pagan as 'love at first sight' in a 2010 interview with Redbook, she was also candid about the ups and downs they faced throughout their relationship Also read: Trump breaks silence on Arlington cemetery row after US army rebukes: These are bad people Remini and Pagan have said they'll be open with their fans as they figure things out, telling them they want to show other couples going through the same thing that getting a divorce doesn't mean their relationship is over the hill. On the flip side, Remini and Jennifer Lopez got back together after hitting a few rough spots because of Lopez's marriage with Ben Affleck in 2022. Reportedly Remini had some worries about the relationship, but Lopez went through with the marriage, which briefly caused some tension between them. SBS drama Good Partner's success significantly shot up shortly after its July premiere. Despite picking up at the modest average nationwide ratings of 7.8% in South Korea, according to Nielsen Korea, the show's more recent episodes towards the last week of August have garnered personal-best ratings of 17.7% (August 17) and 17.2% (August 24). Pachinko Season 2 makes waves on the buzzworthy K-drama chart in the fourth week of August. Meanwhile, Love Next Door maintains its heartwarming victory on the performers list. Even though Good Partner defeated tvN's Love Next Door on the K-drama buzzworthiness chart in the fourth week of August, the latter's cast stood atop the performers' list this time. According to the latest data released on Good Data Corporation's FUNdex on August 27, Jung Hae In and Jung So Min led the top 10 actors' rankings. Nevertheless, six of the ten positions were occupied by Good Partner actors Jang Na Ra (#3), Han Jae Yi (#4), Ji Seung Hyun (#5), Yuna (#6), Nam Ji Hyun (#7) and Kim Jun Han (#9). New premieres ranking as buzzworthy K-dramas Kim Seon Ho-starrer The Tyrant made its mark on the top 10 ranks last week by debuting at #5. It slipped down to #7 this week. Meanwhile, two other Korean dramas entered the chart for the first time. Also read | Minha Kim looks forward to playing more strong women characters onscreen Netflix's The Frog, starring Go Min Si in the lead and EXO's Chanyeol as a supporting cast member, rolled onto the streaming platform on August 23. Making a stunning debut on the buzzworthiness chart for K-dramas, the suspense thriller ranked #3. A few spots down, household K-drama favourite Lee Min Ho's Pachinko Season 2 stood at #8 on the TV-OTT panel after its August 23 premiere on Apple TV+. Shin Min A and Kim Young Dae-led tvN rom-com, No Gain No Love, took a stand at #9, finally releasing on August 26. Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, this show has been charting considerably well on the buzzworthiness ranks well ahead of its premiere in the past few weeks. It claimed the sixth rank on the TV panel. Most-watched K-dramas on Netflix this week Netflix's Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) rankings warmed up to four Korean titles in the week between August 19 and August 25. While three of these are K-dramas, the fourth is a variety series. Jung Hae In and Jung So Min's Love Next Door continued its two-week spell in the Top 10. At #2, the romance series garnered three million views on the platform. Also read | Squid Game actor Anupam Tripathi praises Song Joong-ki and Kim Seon-ho: You dont feel like you are with The Frog trailed at #4, amassing 2 million views in its first week on the chart. Meanwhile, Romance in the House clinched the fifth spot, completing its three weeks on the global TV list. It garnered 1.8 million views. Lastly, the hyper-realistic dating program I Am Solo Part 21-22 gained 900,000 views on the Global Top 10 chart in its first week. Top 10 Kdramas that generated the most buzz in Week 4 of August TV-OTT TV 1. Good Partner 1. Good Partner 2. Love Next Door 2. Love Next Door 3. The Frog 3. Your Honor 4. Your Honor 4. Black Out 5. Black Out 5. Romance in the House 6. Romance in the House 6. No Gain No Love 7. The Tyrant 7. Perfect Family 8. Pachinko Season 2 8. Beauty and Mr Romantic 9. No Gain No Love 9. Suji & Uri 10. No Way Out: The Roulette 10. Bad Memory Eraser Top 10 drama actors who generated the most buzz in Week 4 of August Finding a dream home is a challenge, not just for us but even for our favourite celebrities. It is an especially difficult task in a fast city such as Mumbai. But when you find the perfect fit, it mostly turns out to be worth the time and effort. Well, there are many stars in Bollywood who have found their dream home and will soon have a new address. Take a look: Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh and Shraddha Kapoor will soon move into their new homes Deepika and Ranveer Bollywoods royal couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are expecting their first child together. Earlier this year, they had announced their due date to be September. Well, the family of three will reportedly move into their sea-facing quadruple apartment as soon as it's ready. Situated in Bandra, the property is next to Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khans bungalow Mannat Shraddha Kapoor Oh Stree, aap shift ho rahi ho? As HT City reported this week, post the success of Stree 2, lead star Shraddha Kapoor is now gearing up to change her address. She is all set to rent a sea-facing apartment in Juhu, which is situated in the same building as Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khannas duplex. The current resident of this house is Hrithik Roshan, who will reportedly rent another apartment before Shraddha moves in Varun Dhawan In June this year, we exclusively reported that actor Varun Dhawan and his designer wife Natasha Dalal will move into a new home with their newborn daughter. The couple was in talks to rent the same apartment that Shraddha is now moving into, but the deal fell apart. Nevertheless, we are guessing new parents Varun and Natasha will soon find another property that they will turn into their dream home Alia and Ranbir Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have been spotted visiting their under-construction bungalow in Bandra many times in the last few years. They are often joined by their daughter Raha Kapoor and her grandmother Neetu Kapoor. We are talking about the Krishna Raj mansion, which was named after RKs grandmother. Well, according to reports, Ranbir and Alia will be moving into this bungalow in the next few months. Thats now all! They apparently also have plans to celebrate Diwali with Raha in the new house in November this year Isnt it beautiful when dreams come true? We wish all of these actors all the love and happiness as they prepare to move into their new homes soon. Actor Minha Kim received critical acclaim and won over viewers with her turn as Sunja in the series, Pachinko, the adaptation of Min Jin Lees best-selling, book of the same name. The South Korean actor returns once again as the series protagonist, who has evolved from a naive young girl to the breadwinner of her family. Minha Kim Having begun her acting career only seven years ago, Kim confesses that she was initially intimidated by the idea of portraying Sunja. Talking about the shows second season, in which her character must navigate being a single working mother amidst the backdrop of World War 2, Kim tells us that she took inspiration from the women around her. Also read: Lee Minho: Playing a serious character in Pachinko helped me mature as an actor The 28-year-old credits her mother and grandmother for helping her understand Sunja better. I was a bit depressed after the first season [of Pachinko]. My grandmother shared a lot of stories from her life at the time with me. These conversations unconsciously stayed in my mind; I tried to understand why, and how she suffered back then as a woman. It wasnt just the historical facts, but her strength and courage that made an impact on me, she explains, adding, Sunja has a vivid goal - to protect her family, raise her sons and most importantly keep her promise to herself, to not give up. When someone does not have any preconceived motives to do something, it makes them very strong. She knows her strength, and finds her hopes and joys in the simple things in life. Pachinko received love from fans around the world, including audiences in India. Ask if she would ever visit the country. I would love to visit and experience Indian culture and explore the palaces, Kim replies, adding, I love Indian food. Incidentally, food plays a pivotal role in the show as a motif of love, power and resilience. Its also something that initially binds her to her love interest, Koh Hansu, played by Lee Min Ho. As season two further explores their complex relationship, Kim reveals that she would often brainstorm with co-star Lee to understand the dynamic their characters share. Hansu and Sunja have a very complicated connection, which was hard for me to understand and define. I realised there is no definition of their relationship. Working with Min Ho was an advantage, as he helped and inspired me a lot. We had several conversations, and he would interpret his version of Hansu along with me, helping me delve into the layers of Sunja, the actor says. With another two seasons of the show in the pipeline, theres still time for Kim to bid farewell to Sunja. What does she hope to do in the future? I look forward to representing more strong women on screen, she ends. A 46-year-old man, accused of killing an airport worker at the Kempegowda International Airport, was sent to judicial custody for 14 days, a police officer said. The accused had grown increasingly angry after his wife, who had been living separately due to marital discord, for continuing to be associated with the victim (File photo) The officer said the incident took place on Wednesday at around 6:30 pm when the victim, identified as Ramakrishna (45), was working as a trolley puller at the airport. His wife also works at the airport as a sweeper. The couple resided in a rented house in Chikkajala area of Bengaluru. Airport police inspector B Mallikarjuna said: The accused, Ramesh, allegedly harboured a grudge against Ramakrishna, accusing him of having an affair with his wife. The feud, which dates back to 2011, escalated over the years. Enraged by the separation from his wife, Ramesh had been waiting for an opportunity to confront Ramakrishna after his warnings were ignored. Both men, originally from Thimmanahalli village, had been living in Bengaluru for over a decade. The accused had grown increasingly angry after his wife, who had been living separately due to marital discord, for continuing to be associated with Ramakrishna, he said. The officer said on Wednesday, Ramesh arrived at the airport with a photograph of Ramakrishna and inquired about him from security personnel. He waited near the Terminal 1 exit until he saw Ramakrishna collecting trolleys left by passengers. Ramesh then ambushed him, stabbing him multiple times in the neck. Ramakrishna died instantly, he said. Following the incident, the police cordoned off the area. Ramesh was arrested and charged under BNS Section 103 (murder). He was produced before the ACMM court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. Kochi: Prominent Malayalam actor and CPI(M) legislator M Mukesh has been booked for rape on a complaint by a female artiste, police said on Thursday, a case that sparked a fierce political debate amid a #MeToo wave in the Kerala film industry and calls for his resignation from the assembly, even as a local court granted the 67-year-old protection from arrest until September 3. M Mukesh (HT PHOTO) Besides Mukesh, actors Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, Congress leader VS Chandrasekharan and two production controllers Noble and Vichu have also been booked for alleged assault, making inappropriate gestures and insulting the woman in the same case, people aware of the details said. The actor, however, dismissed the allegation and accused the complainant and her husband of trying to blackmail him. He was also granted anticipatory bail by the Ernakulam district and sessions court later in the day. There were no immediate reactions from the remaining accused. The case against Mukesh was registered on Wednesday night at Maradu police station in Kochi city under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, and not under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, since the alleged offence took place before the new criminal laws came into force in July this year, the people cited above said. Mukesh is not absconding. He is willing to cooperate with investigating officers and answer their questions. We have submitted all electronic evidence in court, the actors counsel Joe Paul said. On Sunday, the Kerala government had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations of sexual abuse against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry sparked by the Justice Hema Committee report last week. On Monday, a case of misbehaviour was filed against filmmaker Ranjith at Ernakulam North police station on a complaint by a Bengali female actor. Two days later, Malayalam actor Siddique was booked for rape on a complaint by a woman artiste. SIT, on Thursday, collected evidence from Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, where the alleged assault took place in 2016. The case against Mukesh intensified the political row over allegations of sexual abuse, as opposition parties, activists and a section of leaders within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) demanded his resignation as a legislator. CPI(M) leaders, however, indicated that there is no reason for him to resign. LDF convener E P Jayarajan said much bigger sexual assault cases were registered against two other MLAs who had not resigned. He was referring to Congress legislators M Vincent and Eldhose Kunnappilly. There are two MLAs who face sexual abuse cases. If those two MLAs are forced to resign by the respective parties, certainly, the third MLA will also quit. We will not protect any culprit, he said. CPI leader Annie Raja insisted Mukesh tender his resignation from the House. Since he is facing charges under non-bailable sections, it is important that Mukesh resign from his constitutional post. Many women have raised such sexual abuse allegations against him, she said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday asserted that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan was over even as he stressed that no country in the world is free from challenges with its neighbours due to the very nature of proximity, which brings both opportunities and complications. Jaishankar at the launch of Amb Rajiv Sikris book- Strategic Conundrums Reshaping Indias Foreign Policy. Speaking at the launch of Ambassador Rajiv Sikris book Strategic Conundrums Reshaping Indias Foreign Policy, Jaishankar said the abrogation of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was final. Actions have consequences and in so far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think (Article) 370 is done. So the issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan, the minister said. "What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or negative direction, either way we will react," he added. Also Read | India sees education as key vehicle to accelerate more intensive engagement with world: Jaishankar On the relationship with Bangladesh which saw a student-led uprising and the subsequent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Jaishankar acknowledged the countrys strategic significance, describing it as India locked and highlighting the strong people-to-people ties. Jaishankar also said for any country in the world, neighbours are "always a conundrum", and so are "major powers". Major powers will be a conundrum because they are major, because of the breadth of their interests. They will always have an agenda, which will overlap with us, but to differing degrees, also diverge, he said. Also Read | Jaishankar on those upset over PM Modi-Putin hug in Moscow: In our part of world' In the case of China, you have a "double conundrum", because it's a neighbour and a major power. So, the challenges with China fits this double definition, he added. Jaishankar also discussed the complexities of relations with Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, pointing out that while these relationships have seen ups and downs, they are crucial for regional stability and cooperation. Guwahati: The Assam assembly on Friday discontinued the British-era practice break during proceedings on Fridays that allowed Muslim leaders to offer namaz (prayers). As per the rule sittings used to commence from 9:30am to 2pm on all weekdays except Friday and Saturday. (Representative Photo) The assembly amended Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business which dealt with sittings the House. As per the rule sittings used to commence from 9:30am to 2pm on all weekdays except Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the House used to sit from 9:30am to 11:30am and 3pm to 5pm, allowing a two-hour break. Though the rules did not specify that the break on Fridays was for offering namaz, it has been used for decades by the Muslim legislators to offer prayers before joining proceedings again. Also Read | Assam passes bill mandating registration of Muslim marriages, divorces. What it means According to officials aware of the matter, the issue was raised by Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who felt that in view of the secular nature of the Constitution, proceedings of the assembly must be conducted on Fridays like any other day. Accordingly, a proposal was placed before the rules committee of the House, to which the committee unanimously agreed to drop the rule and adopted a motion to amend the existing rule, allowing proceedings to be conducted on Fridays like any other day. Since Friday was the last day of the ongoing autumn session of the assembly, the new rule will come into practice from the next session in winter. Taking to X, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Assam assembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage by doing away with the two-hour jumma (Friday) break. This practice was introduced by the Muslim Leagues Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Honble Speaker Biswajit Daimary and our legislators for this historical decision, he wrote. A Muslim MLA from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) said that the rule had been there for many decades and questioned the need to change it. ...What was the need to change an existing tradition? The present BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led government in Assam under Himanta Biswa Sarma is targeting the Muslim community, keeping the 2026 assembly polls in mind, he said. Former Bihar deputy chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav accused Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of seeking "cheap popularity" after the state assembly scrapped a two-hour break on Friday that allowed Muslim lawmakers to offer namaz (prayers). RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of seeking cheap popularity by targeting Muslims.(ANI) Assam's Chief Minister is doing this for cheap popularity. Who is he? He just wants cheap popularity. BJP has made Muslims a soft target, Tejashwi Yadav told reporters in Patna. The Assam Assembly discontinued a British-era practice that allowed a two-hour break on Fridays, which had traditionally been used by Muslim legislators to offer Jumma prayers. The assembly amended Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, effectively removing the special provision for Friday sittings. Also Read | Assam makes registering Muslim marriages and divorces mandatory under new law The break, which allowed the House to adjourn from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm on Fridays, has been a longstanding tradition, though the rules did not explicitly state that it was for offering namaz. What Assam CM said on contentious move Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Assam assembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage by doing away with the two-hour jumma (Friday) break. This practice was introduced by the Muslim Leagues Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Honble Speaker Biswajit Daimary and our legislators for this historical decision, he posted on X. The issue was raised by Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who felt that in view of the secular nature of the Constitution, proceedings of the assembly must be conducted on Fridays like any other day, according to officials aware of the matter. They want to bother Muslims in some way or the other and spread hatred in the society. BJP should understand that even Muslims had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle, the RJD leader said. He also posted a video clip of his interaction with mediapersons on X and wrote, "In an attempt to gain cheap popularity and become the "Chinese version of Yogi", the chief minister of Assam deliberately keeps doing acts that harass Muslims." People of all religions, except RSS, have a hand in the independence of the country. Our Muslim brothers have made sacrifices in getting the country freedom and as long as we are here, no one can harm them. Also Read | Assam CM warns of 'dangerous trend' against indigenous Hindu MLAs in Assembly A Muslim MLA from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) questioned the need to change the decades-long rule. What was the need to change an existing tradition? The present BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led government in Assam under Himanta Biswa Sarma is targeting the Muslim community, keeping the 2026 assembly polls in mind, he said. Following actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranauts public opposition to a caste census in India, the Congress party said the Lok Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi is from an upper caste and lacks understanding of the conditions faced by people from backward communities. Kangana Ranaut, the BJPs MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. (HT File) Reacting to Kangana's statement, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate wrote on X, Today, BJP MP Kangana said again, There should be no caste census at all. Why should there be one? Why determine caste? There is nothing like caste around me. Madam, you are an upper caste, wealthy, a star, and an MP. How would you know the condition of a Dalit, backward, tribal, or poor General Caste individual? Do listen to the full statement. And now, Modi ji, break your silence. If not to us, then at least tell your allies JDU and LJP's Chirag Paswan your stance. In an interview with The Lallantop, Kangana Ranaut was asked about her stance on the caste census. She responded, My position is the same as Yogi Adityanath's. Saath rahenge nek rahenge, batenge katenge (lets stay together, remain good. If we are divided, we will be destroyed) There should be no caste census. We dont even know the caste of actors. Nobody knows anything. The people around me dont care about caste. Why determine it now? We didnt do it before, so why do it now? she questioned. Kangana said that violence against women is rising in the country and that women are a backward community who need to be uplifted, not based on caste. Bas Bas 3 jaatiya hain, gareeb, kissan aur mahilayein. Iske ilawa chauthi koi jaat he nahi honi chahaye (There are only three castes, poor, farmers and women. There should be no fourth caste). Shrinate, who is Congress party's chairperson for social media and digital platforms also said that actors views should be considered as the BJPs official stance, especially since she seemed unaffected by the recent reprimand from the party headquarters over her comments on the farmers' issue. Why did Himachal Pradesh assembly adopt resolution against Kangana Ranaut? The Himachal Pradesh assembly has adopted a Congress-backed resolution to condemn remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Mandi Kangana Ranaut for her recent comments on farmers' protests. Kangana Ranaut had 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 had also alleged the involvement of China and the US in the conspiracy. Kangana Ranaut's remarks triggered heated exchanges in the assembly of her Congress-ruled home state as the House adopted a resolution condemning the remarks. Thousands of farmers from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other places had held an agitation at Delhi's borders for several months over the now-repealed farm laws. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Friday attacked the Congress party, accusing it of corruption, financial mismanagement, and promoting anti-Hindu sentiments in the states where it is power. BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla (Twitter Photo) BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla, who held a press conference on Friday, said that the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh has expressed a state of financial bankruptcy. The states debt is already Rs.87,000 crore and it is expected to cross Rs.1 lakh crore before the next financial year, Shukla said. He claimed that Himachal Pradesh ranks the second most indebted state in India on a per capita basis. Of the states annual budget of Rs.58,444 crore, Rs.42,079 crore is already earmarked for pensions and debt repayment, Shukla said. He further criticised the Congress-led government for reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), claiming it was an electoral ploy that is financially unsustainable. To this, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the BJP left the state in debt. Tell us how much debt the BJP left Himachal under? Khera asked. He further asked why the BJP did not come to rescue the state during the calamity. Turning his attention towards Karnataka, Shukla accused senior Congress leader and chief minister Siddaramaiah of worsening the economic situation by increasing the prices of essential commodities such as milk, petrol, and water, where that of premium products has been reduced. He also accused the Congress of promoting anti-Hindu sentiments, citing a recent order from the Karnataka government to remove images of Lord Ram and Hanuman from public spaces in Gangavathi Nagri, the birthplace of Hanuman. Why does the Congress hate Hindu symbols? Shukla questioned, comparing the governments actions to previous controversies, such as the opposition to the Ram Mandir while allegedly supporting a Haj house. Shukla further hit out at Siddaramaiah and his family for their alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case and his deputy, D K Shivakumar, for being embroiled in fraudulent activities. Targeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Shukla demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged land fraud involving his family. The BJP had earlier this week alleged scam in the allocation of a piece of land to a trust run by Kharges family in Karnataka. The controversy centres around the allocation of five acres of land by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to the Siddhartha Vihar Trust under the Scheduled Caste quota. The trusts trustees include several members of the Kharge family. Shukla alleged that land meant for the state social welfare fund was diverted for personal gain, transforming social welfare into personal family welfare. Shukla concluded his press conference with a series of accusations against the Congress party and its allies under the INDIA coalition. He accused opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav of attempting to ignite unrest in the country, referencing statements they made during election campaigns that Shukla claimed threatened to incite violence. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren tried to spy on Champai Soren. Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi, party leader Arjun Munda and others as he joined BJP during a ceremony, in Ranchi.(PTI) Even I am a CM of a state, and no CM of our country tries to spy on his/ her own state ministers, but it was done by Hemant Soren. Delhi Police arrested two people for spying (on Champai Soren), but Hemant Soren said that they were sent to provide security. If that was the case, then why didn't they have any weapons and arms, PTI quoted Sarma as saying at an event where Champai Soren joined the BJP. Champai Soren joined the BJP in Ranchi, giving a boost to the saffron camp's efforts to woo the scheduled tribes community in Jharkhand, set to go to polls later this year. Champai Soren was put under surveillance by Jharkhand police for six months. I have never heard of such an instance by any CM. I warn you (Chief Minister Hemant Soren), we will give a befitting reply after two months, Sarma, the co-incharge for BJP in Jharkhand, added. Champai Soren served as CM for four months Soren served as chief minister of Jharkhand for four months in the absence of Hemant Soren, who had resigned on January 31 ahead of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The 67-year-old leader, said to be close to JMM founder Shibu Soren, was asked to step down as CM after Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand high court in June. I have never imagined that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to make this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle, Soren had written on Wednesday. Justifying his decision to join BJP, Champai Soren had alleged that tribal identity and existence is "at stake in the states Santhal Pargana region due to rampant infiltration from Bangladesh". New Delhi: The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a grouping that includes India and Sri Lanka, on Friday finalised a charter and agreed to set up a permanent secretariat, measures that will facilitate enhanced security cooperation. NSA Ajit Doval (left) joined reps from Maldives, Mauritius & Sri Lanka in signing the Charter & MoU for establishment of Colombo Security Conclave Secretariat on Friday (X/@IndiainSL) The CSC began in 2020 as a trilateral grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives to forge closer cooperation on maritime and security matters among the three Indian Ocean countries. It was later expanded with the inclusion of Mauritius and Bangladesh as members and the Seychelles as an observer. A joint statement said the member states of the CSC signed the charter and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the CSC Secretariat at a ceremony in Colombo hosted by the Sri Lankan government. The statement added the documents were signed by Indias National Security (NSA) Adviser Ajit Doval, Ibrahim Latheef, the NSA of the Maldives, Haymandoyal Dillum, the high commissioner of Mauritius to Sri Lanka, and Sagala Ratnayake, the NSA of Sri Lanka. It could not immediately be ascertained why a representative of Bangladesh did not sign the documents. It had earlier been expected that Bangladeshs envoy to Sri Lanka would sign the documents. People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the development could be linked to the recent change of government in Dhaka. The CSCs core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the member states, the joint statement said. The five pillars of cooperation under the CSC are maritime safety and security, countering terrorism and radicalisation, combating trafficking and transnational organised crime, cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The meeting in Colombo concluded with a discussion among the heads of delegations on the next steps and the future activities of the CSC. Doval also met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed ongoing economic collaboration between the two sides. A Supreme Court constitution bench on Thursday underscored the importance of fairness in arbitration, particularly in cases involving the government and public sector undertakings (PSUs), stating that the governments interest should extend beyond securing favourable outcomes, focussing instead on preserving the integrity of the arbitration process as a whole. Supreme Court of India. (PTI File Photo) The five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, warned against any attempts by the PSUs to rig the arbitration process, emphasising that the integrity of the process must be maintained to instill confidence among both domestic and foreign investors. Today, we are in an economy where we feel private investment is crucial for the growth of economy. Therefore, from a national perspective, it is necessary that PSUs dont rig the arbitration in any manner...As a nation, there is a vital interest in ensuring that the process of arbitration is fair, the five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, said. The bench, which also included justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is considering whether one of the parties to an arbitration can unilaterally appoint a panel of arbitrators while asking the other party to choose the arbitrators from that panel. A related issue before the bench is whether someone not eligible to be appointed as an arbitrator can nominate the members of the panel of arbitrators. While the Railways and other PSUs have maintained that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act does not prohibit unilateral appointment of arbitrators and that a broad-based panel of arbitrators picked through a transparent process will further the objective of the law, bodies promoting arbitration and private contractors have maintained that unilateral appointments are opposed to the principles of equality and fairness. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta led the arguments for the Railways and other PSUs while senior counsel Gourab Banerjee and Neeraj Kishan Kaul appeared for the other side. During the day-long hearing, the bench, addressing SG Mehta, stressed that the broader national interest lies in maintaining the trust of private investors in the arbitration process. One element of this is that big public revenues are involved. If there is an award for 20,000 crore against a government entity, it will have to be paid out of public money. Equally, the government, representing the nation, has to be concerned that you must have the faith of the private sector in the process of arbitration process. And its true not only for the foreign investors but also for domestic investors, remarked the bench. The constitution benchs hearing on the unilateral appointment of arbitrators is a pivotal moment for arbitration in India, particularly concerning cases involving government entities and PSUs, as it seeks to address long-standing concerns about the impartiality and autonomy of arbitration panels. The benchs emphasis on fairness and creating a level playing field reflects the broader need for trust in the arbitration process, which is essential for attracting both domestic and international investment. The significance of this hearing extends beyond the immediate cases before the court because the principles established here could reshape the arbitration landscape by scrutinising practices like the unilateral appointment of arbitrators and aligning the process with Indias larger economic goals by fostering a pro-arbitration environment. Caution against superimposing public law in the realm of private law matters SG Mehta, representing the Railways, pointed out that a broad-based panel prepared after open and transparent selection and publicly available would help achieve the intent, object and purpose of the arbitration as a medium of disputes resolution. The bench, however, expressed its reluctance to delve into framing guidelines on the composition and formation of arbitration panels, stating that such an intervention could blur the lines between public and private law. It pointed out that arbitration, being a matter of private contractual agreements, should not be subjected to public law principles that typically govern public tenders and administrative actions. The court further voiced concerns about the potential complexities and pitfalls of government-overseen arbitration panels, suggesting that such a move could lead to a minefield of legal challenges. Are we walking into a minefield? Slowly and steadily, we are effacing the distinction between public law and private law, said the bench, highlighting the risks of overstepping its jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution by laying down structural parameters for the composition of arbitration tribunals. Such an action, the court remarked, could lead to criticism on the global stage, particularly from the business community, which might view the Indian Supreme Courts involvement in private law matters as an overreach. Exercising Article 142 jurisdiction to lay down structural parameters for the composition of arbitration tribunals, we dare say we will be heavily criticised in the world of business. What has the Supreme Court done? The panel that you are proposing or has been suggested may address the concerns of impartiality, independence and integrity, but it will not address the concern of party autonomy which is very relevant in the field of arbitration, it added. Call for notification of the Arbitration Council of India The bench also questioned the government on its delay in notifying the legal provision in the Act that envisages the appointment of the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) following the 2019 amendment in the law. The main functions of the ACI, as outlined in Section 43B of the Act, include framing policies for grading arbitral institutions and accrediting arbitrators; making policies for the establishment, operation and maintenance of uniform professional standards for all alternate dispute redressal matters and maintaining a depository of arbitral awards (judgments) made in India and abroad. As the SG raised the issue of delays in arbitration owing to the busy schedules of the arbitrators who are not in position to devote sufficient time nor is there a requirement under the regime for them to disclose their itinerary, the bench pointed out that the ACI is intended to institutionalise and regulate arbitration in India, thereby addressing issues such as the dedication and devotion of time by arbitrators. The bench observed that the solution to concerns about arbitrator timelines and pendency lies in the establishment of the ACI. You put your timelines and pendency of arbitration with each arbitrator on your website. Then institutionalisation or regulations must happen. That was the purpose of 43B. What we have been resorting to is ad hoc arbitration, which is an unorganised sector after all. You notify the provision. Why isnt the government notifying the provision? Whats the concern? the court asked. Mehta assured the Court that he would seek instructions on the matter. Concerns over unilateral appointment of arbitrators by financial companies Another key issue raised during the hearing was the practice of financial companies, particularly non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), unilaterally appointing sole arbitrators in disputes involving vulnerable individuals, such as taxi and truck drivers. The bench took umbrage at how these practices lead to the harassment of poor individuals, who often find themselves at a severe disadvantage in arbitration proceedings. The courts criticism came after senior counsel Madhavi Divan, appearing for Mahindra and Mahindra, lamented that the firms 22,000 crore is stuck due to its inability to execute the arbitral awards. According to Divan, the courts previous rulings that invalidated the companys appointment of sole arbitrator for deciding a dispute between the firm and the loanee have led to a defaulters paradise and a devastating effect for the NBFCs that cannot recover their loans despite the loanees not challenging such appointments. She favoured the principle of unilateral appointment of arbitrators for quick recovery of monies through arbitral awards. But the bench observed that the unilateral appointment of sole arbitrators by NBFCs is distorting the purpose of arbitration, giving it a bad name and undermining its credibility as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism. Citing instances where truck and taxi drivers have been dispossessed of their vehicles through ex parte proceedings led by these arbitrators, the bench highlighted the plight of poor individuals who, after entering into agreements with NBFCs, find themselves at the mercy of arbitrators unilaterally appointed by the financiers. A poor truck driver will be thrown out of the vehicle by a bunch of goons on a national highway in the middle of the night and you will get an award of 20 lakh against him. Thats whats happening. Thats the reality, it rued. Referring to his personal experience of handling scores of such cases as a judge in the Bombay high court, the CJI expressed frustration over how the arbitration process has been perverted in such cases, with the weaker party being left with little to no recourse. The court will continue hearing the case on Friday when it is expected to reserve its judgment in the matter that arises from a reference by a three-judge bench in 2021. In 2019, a three-judge bench upheld an arbitration clause, which provided for the appointment of three serving or retired railway officers, to be appointed by the general manager, Railways, as arbitrators. In January 2021, another three-judge bench doubted the correctness of this judgment, questioning how a person (general manager in this case) who cannot act as an arbitrator due to possible conflict of interest and other handicaps under the Act, be given a right to appoint a panel of arbitrators. Another question that cropped up in the reference related to the Railways having the authority to unilaterally appoint a panel of arbitrators. The Karnataka high court on Thursday adjourned to Saturday the hearing of chief minister Siddaramaiahs petition challenging governor Thaawar Chand Gehlots sanction in the alleged illegal land allocations to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The court also extended its August 19 interim order directing the special court for peoples representatives that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing (File photo) The court adjourned the matter after Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior counsel for Siddaramaiah, concluded his arguments. Singhvi argued that the governors sanction was issued without proper consideration as one of the principal complainants had previously indicated that such a sanction was unnecessary for filing a case. He further said that the consent should be revoked due to what he described as a non-application of mind by the governor. The court also extended its August 19 interim order directing the special court for peoples representatives that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing. Heard the learned senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who has completed his submission for the present and would reserve his right of rejoinder submissions. Once the submissions are concluded by the respondents, the learned solicitor general (of India Tushar Mehta who appeared for the Governor) submits that the matter would be taken up on 31st (August), he would complete his submissions on the said date. List the matter on Saturday at 10:30 am, said justice M Nagaprasanna. Interim order granted on August 19 shall continue till the next date of hearing, he said. On August 19, Siddaramaiah had moved the HC challenging the legality of the governors order. The petition contested the governors August 17 order that granted approval for an investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sanction for prosecution under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Siddaramaiahs petition argued that this sanction was granted without proper consideration, violating legal requirements and constitutional principles. It also claimed that the sanction disregarded the mandatory advice of the Council of Ministers, as stipulated by Article 163 of the Constitution of India. Additionally, the petition alleged that the order was influenced by ulterior motives and was part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the Karnataka government for political purposes. The division bench, led by M Nagaprasanna, on Thursday stated that it will continue to hear arguments from all parties involved on Saturday. The governor and the three private complainants are expected to present their cases before Singhvi provides a final rebuttal. During the hearing on Thursday, Singhvi sought both interim relief and the quashing of the governors order, calling it unconstitutional. He asserted that according to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), an investigation into a public servant requires sanction only when sought by a police officer or investigative agency. He highlighted that one of the complainants has stated that such a sanction was not required at this stage. Singhvi contended that the governors decision to grant sanction at a time when it was not necessary amounted to a failure to properly evaluate the situation. Singhvi also pointed out the issue of inconsistency in the governors approach. He said that there were delays in granting sanctions for opposition leaders such as Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, and HD Kumaraswamy, while Siddaramaiahs case was handled with unusual speed. He argued that the governors decision to grant sanction without a report from an investigation agency or officer was flawed. During the court session, Singhvi brought attention to the fact that neither the governor nor one of the petitioners, Pradeep Kumar, had submitted their objections to the court. He also criticised the dual stance of petitioner TJ Abraham, who sought the governors consent despite previously claiming that it was unnecessary. The governor should impose a fine and withdraw the consent on his petition, Singhvi argued. Previously, the high court had granted Siddaramaiah temporary relief by instructing the lower court not to make any decisions until August 29. With PTI inputs Belagavi Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, was transferred from Bengaluru to Ballari jail early on Thursday amid loud sloganeering by his fans who gathered along the streets of Ballari to catch a glimpse of the film star. Videos of the transfer purportedly showing Darshan wearing sunglasses also led to the prison department issuing a notice to the escort team for breach of protocol. Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa (ANI PHOTO) An additional chief metropolitan magistrate court directed relocation of Darshan from Bengalurus Agrahara Central prison to Ballari jail after a photograph purportedly showing Darshan hanging out with three others on the lawns of the jail went viral on social media, sparking a row and raising question at the jail administrations. According to an official familiar with the matter, Darshan was transported in an SUV from Bengaluru at around 4am and then transferred to a van near Chikkaballapur. He arrived at Ballari jail at 9.30am. Escorted by police officers, Darshan was seen wearing a black t-shirt while sunglasses hung to its neckline and blue jeans, and carrying a water bottle and some clothes on reaching Ballari jail. A video of the transfer that has since gone viral also showed the actor wearing sunglasses, thus breaking prisoner transfer regulations. Deputy inspector general TP Shesha has called for disciplinary action against Darshans escort team for breaching protocol. While there were no issues with his clothing, which is not regulated, wearing sunglasses during custody or in court is not permitted... Our staff failed to adhere to the rules, which has prompted us to initiate disciplinary proceedings, he said. He added that such exceptions are only made for individuals with vision problems, which does not apply to Darshan. To monitor Darshans activities, the actor has been given an isolated cell equipped with high-definition CCTV cameras, with the attending staff in the prison fitted with body-worn cameras. The body-worn cameras on our staff are monitored continuously to ensure compliance, Shesha said. He added that Darshans cell includes basic amenities such as a steel plate, glass, carpet, and a pillow. Unlike other inmates,the actors cell features a private bathroom. Shesha compared Darshans accommodations to those provided to former minister and inmate Gali Janardhan Reddy, emphasizing that the facilities are consistent with those given to high-profile detainees. Jail superintendent V Krishnamurthy also informed reporters that efforts are underway to install CCTV cameras throughout the prison and upgrade mobile phone jammers from 2G to 5G for enhanced security. A deep depression over the Gujarat coast was poised to move westward into the Arabian Sea, where it is expected to intensify into a cyclone on Friday even as flooding in the western Indian state after heavy rains has left at least 28 dead and over 24,000 displaced. A rescue operation in Jamnagar. (X) India Meteorological Department (IMD)s Ahmedabad unit head Ashok Kumar Das called the weather system a rare occurrence. He said the last time something similar happened was in 1976 when a depression formed on land, and transitioned into a cyclone before moving out to sea. Usually, it is the other way around. The depression began in Rajasthan, moved through north Gujarat, and is now in the Saurashtra-Kutch region. Although it is not severe, it is developing into a strong cyclonic storm, said Das on Thursday. Das said they will have a clearer understanding of the cyclone intensity on Friday with the coastal areas of Kutch likely to be affected. The deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch moved westwards with a speed of three km per hour and lay centered at 8.30 am on Thursday 60 km northwest from Bhuj, and 80 km northeast of Naliya. It is likely to move west-southwestwards, emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea off Kutch and adjoining Saurashtra and Pakistan coasts, and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on August 30 [Friday]. Thereafter, it would continue to move nearly west-southwestwards over the northeast Arabian Sea away from the Indian coast during subsequent two days. The deep depression on Thursday coincided with continuing rainfall in Gujarat with Mandvi recording the highest rain of 287 mm, followed by Mundra (188 mm) from 6 am to 6 pm. Khambhaliya, one of the worst-hit areas, recorded 944 mm of rainfall from Sunday to Thursday, causing widespread disruption and displacement. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel visited the rain-affected Devbhumi Dwarka district on Wednesday to oversee ongoing relief efforts. He held a meeting with chief secretary Raj Kumar, where he was briefed on the damage, evacuations, and rescue operations in the district. Patel emphasised the need for immediate relief operations, including financial assistance for household items and compensation for deaths and damages. As many as 130 people were rescued in Devbhumi Dwarka on Thursday, and 1,596 were relocated to safer areas. On Thursday, the Coast Guard pressed a helicopter to rescue four people on a fishing boat stranded 30 km southwest of Dwarka. It was among a series of helicopter operations for the evacuation of 24 people from the flood-hit villages of Dumthar, Thepada, and Kutiyana. Many of those rescued were stranded on rooftops or clinging to pillars. The Coast Guard evacuated 57 people on Wednesday and Thursday. The army mobilised eight columns for assistance and disaster relief in Vadodara, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Rajkot, Morbi, and Bhuj. On Thursday, the army rescued eight people trapped for four days in a village in Jamnagar and over 200 people in Vadodara, which has been among the worst-hit places. New Delhi, Union Minister Annapurna Devi on Friday asserted that existing laws were stringent enough to tackle violence and crimes against women and urged the West Bengal government to implement the same in "letter and spirit". Existing laws strong enough, implement in letter and spirit: Centre to Mamata In a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the second in a week, Devi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, said the state government has not operationalised additional 11 Fast Track Special Courts to specifically deal with cases of rape and POCSO cases. Devi said West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts , which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts covered under the Central Government Scheme. Banerjee on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. Banerjee, who wrote to Modi a few days ago on the issue following nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder. "In spite of the pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the State has not operationalised additional 11 FTSCs which may be exclusive POCSO courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases, as per the state's requirement," the Union Minister said in the letter to Banerjee. "As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalising the FTSCs by the state," Devi said. Concerning Banerjee's observation on the need to post permanent judicial officers in FTSCs, the Union minister said the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one judicial officer and seven staff to work exclusively for the disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases. "Hence, an additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent judicial officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the West Bengal," Devi said. She said in the event of an insufficient workforce, states and Union Territories have the option to engage judicial officers and court staff on a contractual basis under the FTSC scheme. "As regards, stringent legislations and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape/rape and murder, I reiterate my earlier communication conveying that stringent punishments for rape/rape with murder already exist in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita ," the minister said. Devi said the enactments by the central government are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women. "If the state government follows the central legislations in letter and spirit, it will certainly have a lasting impact on strengthening the criminal justice system, bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to face the consequences commensurate with the offence and also in ensuring justice to the victims or survivors," the union minister said. "I once again request you to ensure due sensitisation and positive approach of all duty holders at appropriate levels to ensure proper handling of cases with due care and attention to bring finality as per the timelines prescribed under the statutes," Devi said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Chetan Patil, the structural consultant named in the FIR related to the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue in Maharashtras Sindhudurg district was arrested in Kolhapur, police said on Friday. 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) He was arrested late Thursday night and handed over to the Sindhudurg police for further investigation, said Kolhapur superintendent of police Mahendra Pandit. A resident of Kolhapur, Patil on Wednesday had claimed that he was not the structural consultant for the statue itself. In an interview with Marathi news channel ABP Majha, Patil named in the FIR along with artist Jaydeep Apte explained that he had submitted the platform's design to the Indian Navy via the state's public works department (PWD) but was not involved in the statue's construction. He also clarified that a Thane-based company handled the statue-related work, while his role was limited to the platform. The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha warrior king, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg on Navy Day (December 4) last year, collapsed on Monday around 1 pm. Police said that a contractor has also been arrested in the case. The incident caused embarrassment for the Eknath Shinde-led state government and sparked criticism and protests from opposition parties. Shinde noted that the statue was designed and constructed by the Indian Navy. State Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday claimed that the sculptor who made the statue was close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His comments came after the state cultural affairs minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had said that the sculptor was close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. According to the Opposition, the incident is an insult to the legacy of the 17th-century Maratha emperor. The Congress also asked if Modi would apologise for the incident. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP staged silent protests in Pune and other parts of western Maharashtra on Thursday, demanding action against those responsible for the collapse of the statue. The Indian Navy 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. With PTI inputs Although rainfall has subsided in most parts of Gujarat, many towns and villages continue to face waterlogging due to swollen rivers, according to officials cited by news agency ANI. An Indian Coast Guard ship tows boat Padmawati to safety after it drifted into the sea due to rough weather conditions off the Dwarka coast in Gujarat. (PTI Photo) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned on Friday that the deep depression, which brought heavy rains and floods to the coastal state, has intensified into Cyclone Asna near the coast of Kutch and adjacent areas of Pakistan. This marks the first cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea in August since 1976, with the name Asna given by Pakistan. According to the weather department, the cyclone will continue to move west-northwestward over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, over the next two days. Earlier, Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with him on Thursday morning to inquire about the flood situation and the ongoing relief efforts for those affected. Here are the latest updates - Following a cyclonic storm warning by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kutch collector Amit Arora released a video message urging residents of Abdasa, Mandvi, and Lakhpat talukas to vacate their huts and kutcha houses, and seek shelter in schools or other buildings. He also requested locals to provide shelter to those in need until Friday evening. - IMD scientist Ramashray Yadav was quoted by ANI as saying that Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall today, while Kutch received heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours. The state has received 882 mm of rainfall since June 1. - Six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the worst-hit areas. An additional team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat has been deployed to Vadodara to assist in cleaning after flood-like conditions. - Vadodara, severely impacted by flooding from the Vishwamitri river, is slowly returning to normal as water levels continue to recede. According to city civic authorities, the river's level has dropped significantly, from 37 feet to 32 feet, bringing much-needed relief to the worst-affected areas. - Rain-related incidents in Gujarat have resulted in 26 fatalities over the past four days. More than 18,000 people have been relocated, and approximately 1,200 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas. - According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), in some instances, security forces used helicopters to evacuate residents to safer locations. - Although Kheda district received no rainfall, the Shedhi river's overflow inundated several parts of Kheda town and around 20 nearby villages. Main roads and markets remained under about a foot of water. - Devbhumi Dwarka district has experienced extremely heavy rainfall in the last two days. Many areas in Dwarka, Okha, and Jam Raval town are still submerged, according to collector GT Pandya. - According to Bharuch collector Tushar Sumera, around ten villages in Jambusar and Amod talukas have been flooded since Thursday after water from the Dhadhar river entered these areas. (With ANI, PTI inputs) New Delhi: Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday signed a contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines for the joint design, development and production of a new engine called Aravalli for the future 13-tonne Indian multi-role helicopter (IMRH) and its deck-based version, the state-run aircraft maker announced. HAL and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd have signed an airframer contract (X/@HALHQBLR) SAFHAL is a joint venture between French firm Safran Helicopter Engines and HAL. The partnership with SAFHAL marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards achieving technological self-reliance in Indias aerospace and defence sector, said HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan, who retires on Saturday. The collaboration will not only ensure the operational capabilities of IMRH and 12.5-tonne DBMRH (deck-based MRH) platforms but also contribute to the broader goal of indigenous development of critical defence technologies, he said. The helicopters could go into production with the new engine by 2031, Hindustan Times has learnt. They will be capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions, including transporting troops, conducting assault operations, air maintenance and anti-submarine warfare. The engines will be designed to operate in diverse and challenging environments in which these helicopters will get deployed. Future extension to the civil market for offshore operations, utility, and VVIP transport is also planned, followed by MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) activities, HAL said in a statement. IMRH is expected to compete with Russian Mi-17 choppers in both Indian and foreign markets. The platform could have a huge market as nearly 40 air forces across the world operate Mi-17-type helicopters. The name Aravalli, derived from the Indian mountain range, symbolises the aspirations of the country to achieve self-reliance in critical engine technologies, HAL said. We are extremely proud to collaborate with HAL on this strategic project, capitalising on 25 years of successful partnership between Safran and HAL. With this project, we are enriching the collaboration with HAL as well as the strategic relationship between India and France, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cedric Goubet said. The combined expertise and resources of the two firms will ensure the success of the IMRH and DBMRH programmes, while contributing to the growth of Indias aerospace and defence sectors, he added. Under the contract, SAFHAL will work with its parent companies on cutting-edge engine technologies, ensuring superior performance, reliability, and operational efficiency. This collaboration involves state-of-the-art design, advanced manufacturing processes, and rigorous testing protocols to meet the highest global standards, the HAL statement added. HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines already have multiple partnerships, including the Shakti engine and its variants that power the Dhruv advanced light helicopter, its armed version Rudra, the Prachand light combat helicopter (LCH), and the light utility helicopter (LUH). In February 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the countrys largest helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumakuru in Karnataka. The new HAL factory, spread across 615 acres, will produce IMRH and DBMRH. HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the 3-15 tonne class, with a total business of more than Rs.4 lakh crore over 20 years, according to official projections. HAL is set for a change of the guard at a time when it is at a critical junctureit 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. DK Sunil, director (engineering and R&D), HAL, is widely seen as the frontrunner for the top job after Ananthakrishnans retirement. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday ordered a probe after a hidden after was found in the washroom of the girls hostel of an engineering college in Andhra Pradeshs Krishna district late on Thursday. Hundreds of girl students staged a night-long dharna at Gudlavalleru College of Engineering (HT Photo/Sourced) Hundreds of girl students staged a night-long dharna at Gudlavalleru College of Engineering at Gudivada after an alert from one of the students that a hidden camera was placed in a washroom of the girls hostel. It was also claimed that videos of the washroom scenes were allegedly circulated in the boys hostel and that a senior girl student from the final year helped in arranging the hidden camera in the washroom. The protesting students raised concern over the safety and privacy of the girl students on the campus. They gathered in front of the college building and raised We want justice slogans, demanding that action be taken against the culprits. Some students attempted to attack another student who was reportedly selling the videos recorded from the hidden camera. Upon receiving information, the police arrived at the college and took a final-year B Tech student into custody, seizing his laptop and cell phones. Krishna district superintendent of police (SP) R Gangadhar Rao, who reached college and conducted a preliminary inquiry, said the police had not found any hidden cameras in the girls hostel when checked. We have also seized the suspected students laptop, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets in the presence of students and college staff. No videos were found. I think there is no need for the girl students to worry about this issue. Further investigation is in progress, Rao said. An official statement from the chief ministers office said Naidu had ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed district minister Kollu Ravindra and the SP to talk to the students to ascertain the facts. Taking to X, state education minister Nara Lokesh said that he has ordered the concerned authorities for details and assured strict action against the culprits and those responsible. I have asked the authorities for details about the protest of female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College of Krishna District. I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras. Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible if it is found that they have committed a mistake in the investigation. Managements should take early steps without ragging and harassment in colleges, Lokesh wrote on X. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu ordered a probe into the allegations that hidden cameras were installed in the girl students' washroom of an engineering college in the Krishna district. The chief minister also instructed the state police and other authorities to visit the college at the earliest, an official statement read. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. (PTI file photo) Hundreds of students have been protesting at S R Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district since Thursday midnight over the incident. An official release said, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ordered an enquiry on girl students protesting over hidden cameras in their hostel at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district. Naidu further instructed State Mines Minister K Ravindra, Krishna District collector and superintendent of police to visit the college at the earliest. A complaint was registered on the hidden cameras allegedly installed inside the girls' washroom of the engineering college, but the police said that no such cameras were found during the preliminary probe. An official statement said. No hidden cameras were found in the girls' hostel. No evidence of the allegations was found. There is no need for the girls to worry over this issue. It also added that the police checked the laptops, mobile phones and other electronics of the suspects in presence of the college staff over the allegations. The incident was reported on Friday, and protests outside the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College erupted on late Thursday evening, with demands of justice. Andhra's human resource development minister Nara Lokesh also ordered an enquiry over the alleged incident. "I have ordered an enquiry on hidden cameras allegations. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits and people responsible. I directed officials to ensure that these kinds of incidents do not recur in colleges," said Lokesh in a post on 'X'. Krishna district superintendent of police Gangadhar Rao told PTI that confidence-building measures were taken and a special team was formed to investigate into the allegations. This comes weeks after the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and the sexual abuse of two fourth-standard girls in a school in Badlapur, sparking an outrage across the nation. (With inputs from PTI) The caste-wise population other than that of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) has not been enumerated in the census since independence. In 2011, three government departments undertook a tedious exercise for the first-ever Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC). As the clamour for a caste census grows, here is all you need to know about the SECC and what happened to the data collected: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led government conducted SECC as it sought to expand social welfare. (HT PHOTO) Why was SECC conducted? It was conducted as the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government faced the question of deciding the poverty level as it tried to expand its social welfare net for the poor. The government came up with the idea of collecting socio-economic and caste data. The unique census had a set of parameters for automatic inclusion or exclusion from the poverty list. A family owning a car or a concrete house with three rooms would automatically be excluded. Single mothers, manual scavengers, or destitute were automatically included. The key objectives of the exercise were to rank households based on their socioeconomic status and get authentic information on caste-wise population, socio-economic and educational status. How did the government decide to include caste in the 2011 census? In May 2010, the ruling Congress backed the idea of including caste-wise data as a part of the ongoing census. Congress leaders argued that such data would provide a factual idea about the political and social landscape. The caste data was only about the headcount and not any detailed analysis of the economic and social condition of any castes. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs Cabinet referred the issue to then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee-led Group of Ministers. Mukherjee supported the inclusion of caste data in the census. The decision to include caste was made even though the census had already started. The caste data would be incorporated during the second round of the survey in 2011. In 2010, Manmohan Singh told Parliament he was aware of the views of the House members belonging to all sections while assuring that the Cabinet would take a decision shortly. The then Union home minister P Chidambaram earlier told Parliament that there can be different views on the subject. He called for the need to respect each others views. Chidambaram called caste a reality and acknowledged that it was a divisive factor and that they were nowhere near establishing a casteless society. How was the SECC conducted? An NC Saxena-led expert group proposed indicators such as ownership of land, motorised vehicles, mechanised farm equipment, regular employment, and income taxpayer status for the automatic exclusion of rural households from the Below Poverty List (BPL). Primitive tribal, designated Maha Dalit groups, single women-headed households, those with disabled persons as breadwinners, or minors, dependent on alms for survival, homeless, and with bonded labourers on the BPL list were proposed for automatic inclusion. The expert group recommended that the remaining households be ranked on a scale of 10 based on caste, community, religion, occupation, educational status, and age of the head of household. Critics of this methodology maintained that the process would not help in the identification of the real poor, particularly from weaker sections of society and SCs, STs, etc. Communities or castes like iron smiths, cobblers, potters, barbers, sweepers, weavers, etc come under self-employed and would get two points only in the recommended scoring pattern. Which agencies were involved in the SECC? The ministry of rural development conducted it in rural areas and the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation in urban areas. The caste census was under the administrative control of the Union home ministry, the registrar general of India (RGI), and census commissioner of India. What happened to the SECC report? The rural development and housing and urban affairs ministries finalised and published the SECC data. The SECC reports were made public. The ministry of social justice and empowerment told Parliament in 2022 that there was no proposal to release the caste data. Why was not the caste data made public? Officials involved in the process said there were many anomalies in the caste data as a large section of the population chose different ways to identify their castes. Some mentioned the sub-caste while others identified their communities as caste. The RGI had to sort it out. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government set up an Arvind Panagariya-led committee to classify the caste data from the census. The Supreme Court on Friday protected from arrest the news anchor from a private news channel who conducted a video interview of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The news anchor is currently facing a court-monitored SIT probe in the Bishnoi interview matter. Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi Lawrence Bishnoi, allegedly the mastermind of the 2022 Sidhu Moosewala murder, is also one of the accused in the firing incident outside the Mumbai residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan. An SIT probe was launched after Bishnoi gave a video interview through a mobile phone to the news anchor while inside jail. A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed that interviewing criminals inside jail shows a serious breach of regulations, irrespective of the intentions of the news anchor to expose the gangster. ....at a certain level, perhaps your client seeking the interview may have breached certain regulations of the jail, the court told the petitioner's counsel. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and RS Cheema, appearing for the news channel and the anchor, said that he is facing threats of life over the sting operation and submitted that he should not be arrested in the case. Taking note of the submissions, the CJI said, The second petitioner shall cooperate with the SIT investigation. We direct that pending further orders from this court, no coercive steps shall be taken against him. Observing that the interviews helped expose the rot, Rohatgi said the registration of the FIR against the journalist amounted to shooting the messenger. The fact that it can happen within a jail is also a very serious matter, he said. "If the messenger is killed, then who will expose the rot," the senior lawyer asked. The sting operation conducted last year by the private news channel was aimed at showing how gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was in touch with Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar and was hatching a conspiracy to attack Salman Khan due to his involvement in the blackbuck shooting case. In the interview, Bishnoi threatened Salman Khan and asked him to apologise to his community for shooting a blackbuck. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: India on Friday refused to be drawn out on the issue of any possible demand from Bangladesh for the extradition of former premier Sheikh Hasina, even as it acknowledged that work on development projects had stalled because of turmoil in the neighbouring country. Sheikh Hasina stepped down as Bangladesh PM and fled to India on August 5, after weeks of student-led protests against her government (File Photo) Hasina stepped down and fled to India on August 5, after weeks of student-led protests against her government. She is currently in a safe location, though Indian authorities have not given details of her whereabouts. Several opposition parties in Bangladesh have called on the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to seek her extradition. Asked about the possibility of Bangladeshs interim government seeking Hasinas extradition, External affairs ministry (EAM) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this is a matter that lies in the realm of hypothetical issues. He added, As we stated earlier, the former prime minister of Bangladesh came to India at very short notice for reasons of safety. We have nothing further to add on that matter. Bilateral projects, he said, were impacted by the turmoil in Bangladesh. Work on some of the projects has stalled...because of the law and order situation. Once the situation stabilises and normalcy is restored, we will engage in consultations with the interim government and see how best to take those forward and what sort of understanding we can reach on them, Jaiswal added. Read more: Senior BNP leader urges India to take a relook at its relations with Bangladesh sans Sheikh Hasina Security during the turmoil that followed the ouster of Hasina was a problem for all countries and the Indian Cultural Centre in Dhaka was attacked and vandalised. Though the Bangladesh authorities tried their best, India decided to pull out all non-essential staff and families from the high commission in Dhaka, Jaiswal said. Referring to a CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said, Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the government of India clarifying the situation. He reiterated that floods in Bangladesh had been caused by incessant and excessive rains and not because of the opening of dams on shared rivers by the Indian side. He dismissed media reports in this regard and said any suggestion that India is responsible for the flooding is misleading. The CNN report also ignored the fact that there is regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between India and Bangladesh through existing joint mechanisms for management of water resources, said Jaiswal. The current flooding in eastern Bangladesh was caused by incessant and excessive rains, he added. Jaiswal responded to Yunuss recent remarks about the need for a new bilateral mechanism to cope with floods by saying that the two countries already have established procedures for flood and water management. The two sides share 54 rivers and have been exchanging dates on a timely and regular basis through these established procedures. However, Jaiswal said, If there are any new mechanisms that can help further in controlling or...deal with natural disasters, this is a matter that we can take forward with Bangladesh. The Indian side reiterated at a recent meeting between its envoy in Dhaka and Yunus that India wants to continue working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of the people for prosperity, security and development. The envoy also discussed the safety of Hindus and other minorities with Yunus, Jaiswal said. Jaiswal said limited Indian visa services are currently available in Bangladesh, and visas are being granted only for emergency or medical purposes. You would appreciate that full visa services can only resume once law and order is restored and normalcy is established, he added. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Friday revealed what transpired during pre-poll alliance talks with the Congress for the upcoming assembly election. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi with J&K National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar,(PTI file) Addressing a rally at the party's headquarters in Srinagar, the former chief minister said that the election is a fight for the entire J&K. If we have to undo the wrongs done to us, it will not only benefit us, but every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. We are fighting this battle collectively for Jammu and Kashmir, he said. "That is why we joined hands with the Congress, even as it was not an easy decision for us, (because) we had to sacrifice those seats where we knew only the NC can give a tough fight," PTI quoted Abdullah as saying. Underlining the importance of a Congress-NC alliance against the BJP, the 54-year-old leader said,"In many seats, like the low-lying areas of Jammu, Poonch, and Rajouri, the Congress and we can together fight those powers, that is why we gave the Congress some seats here from the NC's kitty." ALSO READ: Mehbooba Mufti not to contest J&K polls, cites assemblys reduced powers Congress-NC alliance for J&K elections As per the seat-sharing formula between the two parties, the National Conference will contest 51 seats while Congress will fight on 32. Five seats of the Union territory will witness a friendly contest. Omar Abdullah is contesting from Ganderbal, a constituency he represented from 2008 to 2014 when he was the chief minister of the NC-Congress coalition government. The elections to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4. In the 2014 elections, the PDP won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15, and the Congress won 12. (With PTI inputs) Justice Hima Kohli, who served as a Supreme Court judge, was on Friday lauded as a fierce protector of the rights of working women during her farewell on her last working day before retiring on September 1, 2024. CJI Chandrachud led the accolades, highlighting justice Kohlis unwavering commitment to justice. (HT photo) Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, presiding over the ceremonial bench, led the accolades, highlighting justice Kohlis unwavering commitment to justice and her significant contributions to upholding the rights of women in the workplace. The CJI praised justice Kohli for her steadfast support, particularly during challenging times on the bench, remarking: Hima, you are not just a judge who is a woman but a fierce protector of the rights and conditions of working women. The CJI further acknowledged the profound impact she has had on the judiciary and the legal community, not just as a judge but as a champion for gender equality. Attorney General R Venkataramani, in a lighter vein, expressed his wish to have filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court to seek an extension of tenure for women judges, adding that such a petition would undoubtedly have been granted. Venkataramani highlighted justice Kohlis dedication to the cause of justice throughout her career, noting that her departure leaves a void that will be felt deeply by the legal fraternity. Also Read: SC fast-tracks process for release of undertrials under new criminal laws Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and other senior members of the bar also paid tribute to justice Kohlis legacy. Mehta highlighted her unique ability to deliver justice with compassion, paired with a strong and resolute exterior. Senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal reflected on her judicial acumen and the sense of foreboding he and his colleagues felt when they saw her peering over her glasses during court proceedings, knowing that her incisive questioning would leave no room for error. Adding to the tributes, senior advocate Vipin Nair, president of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), invoked former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, likening justice Kohlis approach to using iron hands with velvet gloves during her three-year stint in the apex court. Nair commended her for balancing the rights of the marginalised with those of the powerful, saying: You have balanced the rights of a lonely woman and also an innocent flat buyer. As justice Hima Kohli steps down, the SupremeCourt will be left with only two women judges -- justices BV Nagarathna and Bela M Trivedi, raising concerns about gender representation at the highest level of the judiciary. The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the CJI. Appointed to the Supreme Court in August 2021, she served as the chief justice of the Telangana high court and a judge in the Delhi high court where she was appointed in 2006. One of her significant contributions in the Supreme Court was her role in the ongoing proceedings concerning the regulation of advertisements for health products, ethical standards of health care advertising and the influence of commercial interests on medical practices. The case involved contempt proceedings against yoga guru and entrepreneur Ramdev and Patanjalis managing director Balkrishna for allegedly misleading advertisements, highlighting justice Kohlis commitment to holding powerful entities accountable. The contempt proceedings were closed on August 13 after accepting their unconditional apology and a renewed undertaking to avoid misleading advertisements and claims about Patanjalis products. A justice Kohli-led bench had on August 23 fast-tracked the release of undertrials and first-time offenders, who have completed half or one-third of their maximum sentence. It directed the jail superintendents across the country to process bail applications of all eligible prisoners under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) within two months. She was one of the judges in majority when the Supreme Court by 3-2 refused to accord legal sanction to same-sex marriage and declined to grant constitutional protection to civil unions and adoption rights for queer couples. In the October 2023 judgment, CJI Chandrachud and justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul ruled in favour of recognising civil unions and adoption rights, while justices S Ravindra Bhat, Kohli and Narasimha held that the right to a civil union could not be assigned the status of a constitutionally protected right when the right to marry had not been given the same status. Amid a swirling controversy regarding the viral photograph of the crime scene where the body of a post-graduate medic was discovered, Kolkata Police on Friday clarified the presence of individuals in the cordoned-off area. Kolkata doctor's rape-murder case: The photograph showed multiple individuals inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. The photograph, which surfaced on social media, showed multiple individuals inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College, the site of the alleged rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor. Concerns were raised that unauthorised persons may have entered the crime scene, potentially tampering with evidence. Also Read | VP Dhankhar 'appalled' by Kapil Sibals description of Kolkata rape-murder case: What a shame! DC (Central) Indira Mukherjee assured that all individuals captured in the viral photograph were authorised personnel involved in the investigation process. We have seen that there is one particular news channel which has shown a video and some pictures of the seminar hall which is the place of occurrence of this case. There it has been seen that inside the cordoned-off area, many people are standing and talking, and it is not clear who these people are, Mukherjee said at a press briefing. "It has been alleged that there are probably some people who were not supposed to be there and there has been some tampering of evidence. We have taken a still from that video... We have been able to identify each and everyone who was there in this picture," she added. Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder case: Mamata Banerjee again writes to PM Modi, says received no reply to my letter Who were present at Kolkata hospital crime scene? According to Mukherjee, the photograph was taken after the inquest process was completed. The individuals present included a videographer from the detective department, Commissioner of Police, Additional CP-1, Lady Police, forensic officials, and other identified personnel such as a witness doctor, fingerprint expert, and the ACP of the detective department. "At no point in time could anybody enter this area who was not authorised. Nobody entered who was not associated with the investigation process," she added, dismissing any allegations of unauthorised entry. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has taken over the probe, earlier told the Supreme Court that the crime scene had been altered before they took charge, suggesting a possible cover-up by local authorities. The incident has ignited widespread protests and public outcry, with concerns over the handling of the investigation. Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder: Father reacts to phone call leaks, mother slams Mamata Banerjee's remarks Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, following the discovery of the victim's body in the seminar hall. The arrest was prompted by the recovery of a Bluetooth device near the body and CCTV footage placing Roy at the crime scene. The accused allegedly was close to a few senior Kolkata Police officers, following which he was moved to the Welfare Board of the force. Kolkata doctor rape-murder: The father of a 31-year-old trainee woman doctor, who was raped and murdered, claimed that he doesn't know how the three purported audio recordings of phone calls, allegedly made by RG Kar Medical College and Hospital authorities on August 9 morning to the parents, were leaked. The father, however, said the family won't take responsibility for the leak, news agency ANI reported. Junior doctors take part in a protest rally against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata. (PTI) We don't know from where, how it (the phone conversation between the family and the assistant superintendent of the hospital) went viral. We will not take responsibility for it, the father told reporters. When journalists asked if the voice heard in the phone calls was his, the victim's father said, You say so, but I do not see it. This issue will not affect the investigation. Also Read | We are also humans: Wife of Kolkata Police officer injured during 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally The audio leaks sparked a fresh controversy over "insensitivity" and "disinformation" of the institute's management in breaking bad news. The changes in statements on the status of the victim made by an official in those phone calls, whose authenticity HT has not individually verified, raise questions on whether the hospital was initially trying to cover up the ghastly crime. The caller, a woman who identified herself as the assistant superintendent of the hospital, reportedly dialed the parents of the victim from the same number thrice within a span of around 30 minutes asking their urgent presence at the facility. "I am calling from RG Kar hospital. Can you come over immediately?" the caller could be heard telling the victim's father when he picked his phone the first time around 10.53 that morning. The father responded, "Why? What has happened?" To this, the caller replied, "Your daughter has fallen a little ill. We are admitting her in the hospital. Can you come down quickly?" When the parent insisted on more details, the caller was heard saying, "Those details only doctors can provide. We only managed to find your number and call you. Please come down quickly. The patient has been admitted after falling ill. The rest, the doctors will brief you after you arrive." The worried mother of the victim could be heard asking from the background, "Is she running a fever?" "Come over quickly," was the caller's reply. "Is her condition very serious?" the father's voice was heard asking. "Yes, she is very serious. Come quickly," was the response from the other end. The call lasted for a minute and 11 seconds. The second phone call, which lasted for about 46 seconds, arrived some five minutes later. It was perceptively from the same caller and she was heard saying, "Her condition is critical, very critical. Please come over as soon as you can." To a desperate appeal from the father asking what happened to his daughter, the voice at the other end repeated, "Only doctors can say that. You please come over." When the father asked her to reveal her identity, the caller said, "I am the assistant superintendent. I am not a doctor. We have brought your daughter to the emergency ward. You please come over and contact us." "But what could have happened to her? She was on duty," a panic-stricken mother's voice could be heard in the background. "You come over quickly, as soon as you can," was the reply. The third and final call was the one which pronounced the death of the victim, albeit with a twist. "Yes, please listen we were repeatedly telling you before your daughter may have died by suicide or, she may have passed away. The police are here. All of us from the hospital are here. We are calling you to ask you to come down quickly," the apparently same voice from the first two calls announced in disjointed sentences. The final call lasted for 28 seconds. The clear changes in the hospital's statement, from the victim "falling a little ill" to "very critical and admitted in emergency ward" to, finally, "may have died by suicide" have left the investigators to question whether "a carefully planned suicide plot was being hatched by the hospital authorities and police to cover up the crime", an official said. "Especially since the caller admitted in her final call, while misleading the family on the cause of the victim's death, that she was speaking in the presence of police and hospital authorities," the official added. It is relevant to mention that the first GD entry of the crime at Tallah PS which mentioned "unnatural death" was made much before the first call to the parents went from the hospital, the official said. "How could the hospital management, fully aware of the gruesomeness of the crime, be so nonchalant and manipulative in breaking the news to the parents," a student protestor asked. Addressing reporters later in the day, 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. Responding to a controversy over whether the sheet to cover the victim's body was changed, Mukherjee, referring to the seizures the police made from the scene of crime, said, "Our photography and videography sessions at the crime scene began at 12.25 pm on that day and the recordings took place in phases during inquest, forensic examination and post mortem. In all our records the colour of the sheet which covered the victim's body was blue. It was seized and later handed over to the CBI." Victim's mother slams Mamata Hitting out at chief minister Mamata Banerjee over recent statement on the Kolkata rape-murder case, the victim's mother said, I didn't like what she said on Wednesday. The whole world stands by my daughter. They are protesting, agitating for justice. And she says we do not want justice. I want them (protestors) to continue the movement until they get justice. The Chief Minister said the family does not want justice! Mamata has no son or daughter herself, so she cannot understand the pain of losing a child. We are very hurt by her comments. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time, seeking central legislation and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes such as rape and rape-murder. She has also called for mandatory provisions to ensure timely case disposal by trial authorities and expressed concern over the lack of response to her previous letter. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. (ANI) Banerjee's call for stringent laws follows the rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital on August 9. You may kindly recall my letter No.44-CM dated August 22, 2024 (copy enclosed) regarding the need for stringent Central legislation on incidents of rape and meting out exemplary punishment to perpetrators of such crimes. No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue, writes Mamata Banerjee. However, a reply has been received from the minister of women and child development, which barely addresses the gravity of the issue raised in the letter, she added. I am of the thought that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply. Not only so, I would also refer to some of the initiatives in the area that our state has already taken which appears to have been overlooked in the reply, the letter reads. She has mentioned the state government has approved 10 exclusive POCSO courts and highlighted the operation of 88 fast-track special courts (FTSCs) and 62 POCSO-designated courts across the state, all funded entirely by the state. Monitoring and disposal of cases is completely in the hands of the courts. As per Central government guidelines, only retired judicial officers can be posted as presiding officers in FTSCs but Hon'ble High Court has observed that in view of the severity of the cases, permanent judicial officers need to be posted. This requires examination at the level of Government of India and suitable action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary, Mamata Banerjee has written. Helpline numbers 112 and 1098 are satisfactorily working in the state and in addition, Dial - 100 is also extensively used in emergency situations, she added. I would reiterate and earnestly request to kindly consider a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder with mandatory provision for disposal of cases in a specific time-frame by the trial authorities. I hope this matter would receive a very considered attention at your kind end in the interest of our society at large, says the West Bengal chief minister. Earlier, the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had rebuked the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for its alleged failure to implement crucial safety measures for women and girls. Women and child development minister Annapurna Devi said that the state has failed to establish the remaining 11 fast-track special courts, despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases. The Union minister had also said that West Bengal failed to implement key emergency helplines such as the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Child Helpline. Thane, The Ministry of External Affairs is making efforts to push for an early return of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl from Thane district, who has been in foster care in Germany for the past 36 months following allegations of minor physical abuse, local MP Naresh Mhaske has said. MEA making efforts to push for early return of child in foster care in Germany: Thane MP External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has assured him that the government is expediting legal processes to secure the return of the girl, Ariha. Her parents, who are currently in Germany, can now meet their daughter twice a month, said Mhaske in a release on Thursday. Arihas parents Bhavesh and Dhara Shah are residents of Mira Bhayander in Thane district. After the Thane MP raised the matter in Parliament earlier this month, the foreign minister wrote to him detailing the efforts being made through his ministry. It was as a result of "our" intervention that the German Youth Welfare Authorities decided against appealing the court orders granting visitation for the parents, Jaishankar said in his letter dated August 16. The matter has been raised with the German side at all levels, including personally by myself with my German counterpart where I emphasized that the long-term welfare of Ariha can only be ensured when she is brought up in her own socio-cultural environment in India, wrote Jaishankar. The MEA and embassy officials in Berlin are trying to ensure that the toddler is introduced to Indian culture and familiarised with the elements of the cultural environment of her original upbringing by sharing resources on Jainism, Indian festivals, and cultural and religious traditions with a request that the foster parent may use these resources appropriately, the letter said. Ariha has been taken to Indian temples twice by embassy officials and efforts are being made to work out an arrangement under which she can be taught Gujarati/Hindi, he wrote. Pursuant to court orders, the parents have been granted visitation rights twice a month with the child In addition, the German side has also been granting regular consular access for our Embassy officials to visit the child, the foreign minister said. He has assured Mhaske that the government will continue to make all possible efforts to bring the child to India. It is important to note that this case centers around a minor girl child, and the aforementioned diplomatic efforts are all being undertaken in a consistent and continuous manner by the Ministry of External Affairs. I also hope that you would appreciate the sensitivities surrounding this case and handle the matter with appropriate discretion, added the letter. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The CPI state leadership, a major ally of the LDF government in Kerala, has demanded the resignation of actor and CPI(M) leader Mukesh M as the MLA from Kollam following the rape and sexual assault allegations against him. 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) Shortly after an FIR was filed against Mukesh M, along with three other prominent actors on Thursday, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam visited Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to raise the demand, reported Manorama News. According to the report, Viswam told the CM that his party wants Mukesh to stand aside from politics as a moral obligation in light of the rape case against him. While the CPI(M) has remained mum on the issue, the party's state secretariat said that it will take a decision on Mukesh's resignation during its meeting on Friday, reported Manorama News. Meanwhile, Mukesh, who reportedly moved to a hideout, contacted CM Vijayan on Thursday to claim his innocence, saying that the complainant was blackmailing him for money, the report added. He also reportedly told the CM that he would submit evidence, including WhatsApp chats, to prove his innocence. Mukesh M was booked for rape following a complaint by an actress amid allegations surfacing against prominent personalities in the Malayalam film industry. The actress also accused actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of verbal and physical abuse during their work together on films. According to the actress, the abuse she had to go through made her leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. Mukesh M responds to allegations Following the rape and sexual assault case against him, Mukesh responded to the allegations, saying that he was being politically targeted - as he had been previously in 2018. He also claimed that the actress had tried to blackmail him. 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 press release. Meanwhile, Mukesh obtained relief from a court in Kochi on Thursday, which granted him protection from arrest until September 3. New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that he was not in favour of bulldozer culture and that the policy needed more consideration, comments that come against the backdrop of a raging controversy over the demolition of a Muslim leaders home in Chhattarpur district. MP CM says he doesnt like bulldozer culture; no plans for UCC Yadav, who became the chief minister last year after replacing Shivraj Singh Chouhan, also suggsted that his government was in no hurry to implement the Uniform Civil Code, adding that every state had different circumstances. I dont like bulldozer sanskriti (culture), he said, I believe that this is a part of our system that needs more consideration. His remarks come days after authorities in Madhya Pradeshs Chhattarpur demolished local leader Shahzad Alis house on August 22, a day after a group of Muslims were charged with pelting stones at a police station over communal remarks made by a Hindu religious leader. The Congress attacked the CM and alleged that the government was targeting Muslim homes. But Yadav denied the allegation. We always want to take everyone along. Law is for everyone, he said. :We never just took down the mikes of mosques but also of mandirs...an offender is an offender, we will work against all, he said. The CM further clarified that apart from the Chhatarpur case, the government also conducted other demolitions on the same day, including one against a Hindu-owned illegal home in Chhindwara. If someone grabs someones land and builds a palace there, then every department has to take action, whatever their faith, he said, blaming former CM Kamal Nath for starting bulldozer culture. Over the last few years, the bulldozer has become a symbol of a tough, decisive administration and has been used by Bharatiya Janata Party administrations, especially in Uttar Pradesh, against people accused of crime. But the Opposition and activists say that it harms human rights because it targets only minority communities, and due process of law. Yadav also hinted that he was in no hurry to bring in UCC. Modiji has said that you decide when you have to opt for it. I am proud that he has given us this liberty and we will take it at the right time, he said. When asked whether this meant there were no immediate plans, Yadav said, Every state has its unique set of circumstances. This is a departure from his predecessor Chouhan who in December 2022 had said that the time for UCC had come, announcing a panel to frame the legislation for the state. The BJP government in Uttarakhand has already brought UCC, although the rules are yet to be implemented. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech made a strong pitch for UCC by saying that it was time for India to demand a secular civil code. A 24-year-old man was killed after a speeding SUV driven by a 17-year-old boy knocked down his two-wheeler in Goregaon area in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday, police said. The incident took place in Aarey Colony around 4am, news agency PTI reported. After hitting the two-wheeler, the SUV hit an electric pole. The teenage driver tried to flee, but he had sustained injuries and was caught by police. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Navin Vaishnaw, who was distributing milk, died after a Mahindra Scorpio which was on the wrong side collided with his two-wheeler, a police official told PTI. As the accused driver is 17 years old, a case was also registered against the SUV owner Iqbal Jivani (48) and his son Mohammed Faz Iqbal Jivani (21), the official said. After hitting the two-wheeler, the SUV hit an electric pole. The teenage driver tried to flee, but he had sustained injuries and was caught by police. His blood samples were sent to a laboratory to ascertain whether he was under the influence of alcohol, the official said. Police were also investigating whether the accused had partied with his friends before the accident. Also Read | Porsche crash case: Juvenile files plea for return of passport The incident took place months after a luxury Porsche car allegedly driven by a juvenile in inebriated condition knocked down and killed two IT professionals, including a young woman, in Pune in the wee hours of May 19. After registering an offence, the police produced the minor, who was 17 years and 8 months old, before the he Juvenile Justice Board and sought permission to treat him as an adult person. Also Read | Pune Porsche crash: No bail for teen drivers parents, four other accused But the board, having only one member instead of full three members, granted him bail with conditions including writing a 300- word essay on traffic norms. After the Pune police challenged the one-member decision, the bail was cancelled and he was sent to the observation home. So far, the minor, released from the observation home following a high court order, has complied with all the bail conditions including submitting an essay. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on Friday, August 30, to lay the foundation stone of the Vadhvan Port project and several other projects in Palghar. He will also address the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi According to a statement issued by the prime minister's office (PMO), PM Narendra Modi will begin his visit with Mumbai and later visit Palghar in the afternoon. PM Modi in Maharashtra today: 10 points Around 11am, Modi will address a special session of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai - an event jointly organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. According to the PMO's statement, around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries will address more than 350 sessions at the Global Fintech conference. It will also showcase the latest innovations in the fintech landscape. Over 20 thought leadership reports and white papers will be launched at GFF 2024, offering insights and in-depth industry information, it added. Modi will reach Palghar around 1:30pm to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of the Vadhvan Port project worth 76,000 crore. He will also inaugurate several other development projects at the CIDCO ground in Palghar. Modi will 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, the PMO's statement said. These initiatives are expected to generate more than five lakh employment opportunities in the fisheries sector. Projects related to fisheries include - the development of fishing harbours and Integrated Aquaparks, alongside the adoption of advanced technologies such as the Recirculatory Aquaculture System and Biofloc. He will also lay the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernization of fishing harbours, fish landing centres and construction of fish markets. This is expected to provide necessary facilities and hygienic conditions for post-harvest management of fish and seafood, the PMO said. According to the official release, the projects will be implemented across multiple states and will provide crucial infrastructure and high-quality inputs to enhance fish production, improve post-harvest management, and create sustainable livelihoods for millions involved in the fisheries sector. Modi will also launch the National Rollout of Vessel Communication and Support system, which costs around 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 PMO said that the vessel communication and support system is an 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 the safety of our fishermen. Ahead of his visit, Modi said that he is looking forward to being among the people of Maharashtra. The Global Fintech Fest platform showcases India's strides in the world of Fintech and brings together key stakeholders of the sector. Thereafter, I will be in Palghar for the foundation stone laying programme of the Vadhvan Port project. This is a very important project, signifying our commitment to port-led development and to the progress of Maharastra, he wrote in a post on X. What is the Vadhvan Port Project? The Vadhvan Port, located near Dahanu town in Maharashtra's Palghar district, will be one of India's largest deepwater ports and will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub. The total cost of this project is around 76,000 crores. The port aims at providing direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. It is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the port will feature deep berths, efficient cargo handling facilities, and modern port management systems. According to the PMO, the project incorporates sustainable development practices with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and adhering to stringent ecological standards. New Delhi: The entire commercial inventory of 3.4 million sq ft at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in south Delhis Nauroji Nagar and another 364,000 sq ft in Downtown in Sarojini Nagar have been sold, the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC India), a public sector unit (PSU) under the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), said on Thursday. The World Trade Centre (WTC) in south Delhis Nauroji Nagar (Representative Photo) An overwhelming portion70% of the commercial area at the WTCwas sold to government bodies/PSUs. The sales from the two projects generated a total of Rs.14,799.62 crore, according to NBCC. Vibhor Jain, managing director North, Cushman & Wakefield, a leading commercial real estate service provider, said PSUs have been more active in acquiring spaces like the WTC due to their business models, which favours ownership. In contrast, multinational corporations (MNCs) typically prefer leasing to avoid burdening their balance sheets. Additionally, private developers in prime locations often choose to retain their buildings as ongoing revenue sources, further limiting the availability of properties for sale. The NBCCs model, which focuses on selling, aligns well with the buying preferences of PSUs, he said. An NBCC official said all the space was sold through a round of auctions, where both public and private players participated. The process did not impede private players, but since this is prime land at the heart of the city, only bigger private players could compete, the official said, adding that a private sector bank has bought one whole tower alone. The WTC has been built to replace old, dilapidated central government quarters in Nauroji Nagar on a project site of about 25 acres of land. The WTC features 12 towers, each with ten floors, with the option to grow and expand. The Downtown project has been executed on a land parcel of 2.18 acres with a commercial built-up area of 377,000 sq ft. spread over four levels of basement and eight additional floors. The first four levels of the hub accommodate retail spaces, and the top levels are for office space use. The NBCC said in its statement that at the e-auction of the WTC, which was held recently, 1,81,000 sq ft. of commercial space at a price of Rs.908.48 crore was sold, of which around 1,21,000 sq ft., with a sale value of approximately Rs.596.25 crore, was sold to other PSU/government entities, and 60,000 sq ft., with a sale value of Rs.312.23, was sold to private entities. The highest price fetched in the 27th e-auction for a unit was Rs.62,261/sq ft. against the reserve price of Rs.37,161/sq ft. This showcases the success of WTC, Nauroji Nagar, a destination desired by many to base their enterprises, the statement added. Similarly, for Downtown, the PSU said they have sold the remaining unsold commercial inventory of 3,52,000 sq ft, which has a sale value of approximately Rs.1,343 crore, through bulk sale. Thus, the entire inventory of 3,64,000 sq ft, valued at approximately Rs.1,391 crore, has been sold. The project includes 329 shops with a built-up area of approximately 1,81,500 sq ft. and 300 offices with an area of approximately 1,84,400 sq ft. The size of the shops ranges from 138 sq ft to 738 sq ft, while the office sizes range from 216 sq ft to 882 sq ft. This commercial project also includes a parking facility for approximately 675 vehicles. Both these projects were to be built on a self-sustainable basis as part of MOHUAs seven General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) colonies redevelopment project approved by the union cabinet in July 2016. The funds for the entire redevelopment of all seven GPRA colonies are being generated through the sale of commercial space at Nauroji Nagar and Sarojini Nagar. While NBCC is redeveloping Nauroji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, and Netaji Nagar, the Central Public Works Department (CPWDthe construction arm of MoHUA) is executing the other four coloniesKasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri, and Mohammadpur. Shiv Sena (UBT) hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his apology for the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district earlier this week. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi attacked PM Modi over the statue collapse, saying that it was hurriedly made for the prime minister's prachaar before the elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Maharashtra (PTI Photo))(PTI) Alleging that there was corruption in the entire process, Chaturvedi said that proper clearances were not taken before the construction of the Shivaji statue at Rajkot fort, and the government is now blaming the Indian Navy for the incident. The statue was made hurriedly for elections. The statue was made for PMs prachaar. There was corruption in the entire process. There were clearances that were not taken. There were lies told to absolve themselves and blame the Indian navy. This apology is nothing but yet another act of political desperation, the Sena leader posted on X. This comes after PM Modi, during his visit to Maharashtra's Palghar district, apologised to deity Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his followers for the collapse of the 35-foot statue on Monday. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity, PM Modi said while addressing the foundation stone laying event of Vadhvan Port project on Friday. Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to be their Aaradhya Dev, I bow my head and apologize to those who have been deeply hurt by this Aaradhya Dev. I bow my head and apologize to those who have been deeply hurt by this Aaradhya Dev. My values are different. For me, there is nothing greater than my Aaradhya De, the prime minister said. The 35-foot Shivaji structure, which fell on August 26, was unveiled by the PM on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. The collapse of the statue sparked a political slugfest in Maharashtra, as opposition parties alleged that the government rushed the construction to unveil it before the Lok Sabha elections. Opposition parties further attacked the Mahayuti government for blaming the wind and weather conditions for the collapse of the statue, and sought the resignation of chief minister Eknath Shinde. Opposition parties and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) member Janata Dal (United) have asked the parliamentary committee on welfare of other backward classes (OBCs) to discuss the caste census, people aware of the matter said on Thursday, marking a major push for a contentious issue that was a central narratives in the recently concluded general elections. According to functionaries cited above, the 30-member panel is likely to call Union home ministry officials to enquire about the decadal census and if there was any plan to conduct a caste census. (PTI) According to functionaries cited above, the 30-member panel headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Ganesh Singh is likely to call Union home ministry officials to enquire about the decadal census and if there was any plan to conduct a caste census. The demand by the Opposition and a key ally adds to increasing pressure on the government to take a call on the controversial issue. The emphasis on formally discussing caste census in a House panel comes in the context of opposition parties such as the Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal making it one of the issues in the summers national election; the Bharatiya Janata Party has not articulated its stand on the issue. Lok Sabhas Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also repeatedly called for a caste census, pointing out the low representation of marginalised castes in the decision-making process and top bureaucracy. The issue is believed to be one of the reasons why a chunk of the OBC and Dalit vote moved away from the BJP and towards the Opposition in the general elections. According to functionaries cited above, in the first meeting of the reconstituted panel for OBC welfare on Thursday, DMK lawmaker TR Baalu is reported to have raised the issue and said the caste census should be a subject for discussion in this panel. The OBC panel had met to decide the agenda for the year. After Baalu, another Opposition leader pitched for the caste census before Congress leader Manickam Tagore is learnt to have said it was the right time to discuss the caste census and that the issue should be definitely a part of the agenda of the panel, said the functionaries. Tagore is also learnt to have suggested that the panel should raise the issue and check with the home ministry because there are reports suggesting the ministry will start work on the much-delayed decadal census soon. According to people familiar with the details, JD(U) lawmaker Giridhari Yadav is also said to have pointed out that the caste census is very important for the party. Party chief and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was the chief architect of the caste survey in the state in 2023 when the JD(U) was in alliance with the RJD and Congress. Even after joining the NDA, the party has been in favour of the exercise and pushed its ally BJP to take a stand on the issue. In 2021, Kumar led an all-party delegation that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for caste-based enumeration. The JD(U) was consistently in favour of the caste census to allow the government to get a clearer picture about whether disadvantaged groups have benefited from quotas in government jobs and education, said a JD(U) leader on the condition of anonymity. The leader added that his party wanted the Union government to take a leaf from how the state helped Mahadalits, the most deprived category among the scheduled castes, by implementing affirmative action. JD(U)s Kumar defined a new category of extreme backward classes or EBCs. Another top NDA ally, the Lok Janshakti Party, has also been in favour of a caste census. LJP leader and Union minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday said the caste census would give the government information about the proportion in the population of various castes so that it could figure out the proper allocation for schemes. According to functionaries cited above, the panel is likely to meet home ministry officials, although this may not happen immediately. People close to Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee said the lawmaker didnt speak on the caste census but said that a commission should review the different classes included in the central list of backward classes and make necessary changes. He argued that such a review was done 15 years ago and that it was time for a fresh review to be undertaken as lots of changes had taken place in the last 15 years. Banerjee also sought to review the current creamy layer exclusion limit, which stands at an annual income of 8 lakh. Counting caste has always been a contentious issue in India. British-era censuses counted caste in minute detail but the last one to enumerate all castes was conducted in 1931. Independent India abolished the practice and subsequent censuses only counted scheduled castes and tribes. Though unofficial estimates exist, especially of the numerical strength of backward groups, there is no official count. In 2011, the central government announced that alongside the regular census, a socioeconomic and caste census would also be conducted. But the caste data was never made public and the government later told Parliament that methodological infirmities had held up an accurate analysis of the data. The 2023 caste survey in Bihar physically counted castes for the first time in independent India. The exercise revealed that the extremely backward classes and OBCs together made up 63.13% of the states population while SCs were 19.65%, STs 1.68%, and upper castes 15.52%. Based on the survey, the Bihar assembly unanimously passed the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services Amendment Bill and the Bihar Reservation (Admission In Educational Institutions) Amendment Bill, 2023 to increase the reservation quota from 50% to 65%, leaving 35% for the general category. That law was later stayed by the Patna high court. New Delhi: The Indian Railways (IR) will be hiring retired officers to fill vacant posts in the zones, officials aware of the development said on Friday. According to the official, the IR has designed a pattern called the re-arrangement scheme for the retired officers, which will remain valid until December 2026. (Representative Photo) IR wants to ensure continuity of uninterrupted operations and services, an IR official close to the development said. The general managers of each zone have been asked to hire retired officers as per the requirements. At least 100 of them will be hired under the re-arrangement scheme, he added. The maximum age limit for re-engagement is set at 65 years. This scheme is a strategic move by the Railway Board to leverage the experience and expertise of retired officers in addressing critical issues, ensuring that the railways continue to function smoothly while experienced expertise can contribute in a more positive and productive way, a railway board official said. We have made a clear framework for re-engagement, ensuring that the process is transparent, fair, and in line with the operational requirements of the Indian Railways, he added. The board has authorised general managers to re-engage railway officers who have retired from the junior to mid-senior levels, said the official. Speaking about remuneration, a zonal-level official said that the re-engaged officers will receive a fixed monthly remuneration, calculated by deducting their basic pension from the last pay drawn at the time of retirement. This remuneration will remain unchanged throughout the contract period. There will be no annual increment or percentage increase in the remuneration, nor will any Dearness Allowance (DA) be provided, he said. When asked if the scheme would attract the retired officers to join the IR as consultants, a former official said, We cannot term this scheme attractive enough for many of us to apply for. However, it may interest some. The scope of work for re-engaged officers will be defined by the general managers of zones. These terms will be advertised as part of the application process. They will be assigned responsibilities such as inspections, supervision, drawing, etc. However, they will not be made in charge of units like branch officers in divisions, nor will they be given independent charge in the construction unit. Additionally, they will not have any financial or D&AR powers and cannot issue safety certificates, the zonal official concluded. The Karnataka high court on Thursday dismissed a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the state governments decision to revoke consent to it for a probe in an alleged disproportionate assets case against deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. Relief to Shivakumar, HC rejects CBIs plea on graft probe A division bench of justices K Somashekhar and Umesh Adiga described as non-maintainable the plea, which also challenged the state Congress governments order to refer the case to the Lokayukta for investigation. In its 67-page judgment, the bench said the issues raised in the plea by the federal agency should preferably be looked into by the Supreme Court. A similar petition was also filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal. The present writ petitions are not maintainable. Such disputes that involve the States autonomy and the central governments authority are better suited to seek a remedy before the Supreme Court. Thus, both the writ petitions are hereby dismissed as not maintainable, it said. Welcoming the courts decision, Shivakumar said: I believe in the courts and I believe in God. I will accept the decision of the court as Gods decision. CBI has accused Shivakumar of accumulating disproportionate assets worth over 74 crore between 2013 and 2018. On November 23 last year, the state government said the previous B S Yediyurappa-led BJP governments sanction accorded to CBI for a probe was not in accordance with law. The then chief minister did not get permission from the speaker (to hand over the case to CBI). This is in violation of the rules that require the speakers permission before giving the sanction to CBI, state law minister HK Patil said. Subsequently, the government withdrew its consent granted to CBI, which began its probe in March 2022, on November 28 last year, preventing the central agency from filing its charge sheet in the case. On December 26 last year, the state government transferred the case to the Lokayukta. Appearing for CBI in the high court, advocate Prasanna Kumar said the Supreme Court has ruled that once a state government grants consent for a probe by the federal agency, it cannot be withdrawn, particularly with retrospective effect. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the state government, said the previous administration had committed fraud in obtaining consent for the CBI investigation and that the current governments decision to withdraw the nod was legally justified. External affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday candidly addressed India's relationship with its neighbor Pakistan. During the launch of ambassador Rajiv Sikri's book, "Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India's Foreign Policy," S Jaishankar declared that the time for continuous dialogue with Pakistan has come to an end. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.(PTI file) "I think the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. And insofar as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think Article 370 is done. So the, the issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan? Rajiv [Sikri] suggests [in his book] that perhaps India is content to continue at the current level of relationship. Maybe yes, maybe no... We are not passive. And whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react to it," news agency ANI quoted S Jaishankar as saying. Jaishankar said that there are strong people-to-people ties with Afghanistan. "Where Afghanistan is concerned, there are... strong people to people relations. There is actually, at a societal level, there is a certain goodwill for India. But as we look at Afghanistan, I think the basics of statecraft should not be forgotten. There are international relations at work here. So when we today review our afghan policy, I think we are very clear eyed about our interests. We are not confused by 'inherited wisdom' that is before us," he said. The EAM added that Afghanistan, with the presence of American forces, is very different from Afghanistan without the presence of America, ANI added. We must appreciate that the Afghanistan with the presence of America for us is very different from the Afghanistan without the presence of America, Jaishankar said. Jaishankar further India has to find a ground of mutual interest with Bangladesh and India would deal with the government of the day. Since Bangladesh's independence, our relationship has gone up and down, and it is natural that we will deal with the government of the day. But we also have to recognise that there are political changes, and they can be disruptive. And clearly here we have to look for mutuality of interest, Jaishankar explained. Talking about Myanmar, Jaishankar said that the context of Northeast is an overriding one. "Going further east, there is Myanmar, which is both- relevant and remote at the same time. And here again, I think the northeast, the context of the Northeast or Northeast is the overriding one. And we... have to find a balance between the government and other stakeholders, because that is the reality," he said. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday refuted allegations made by state Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Jairam Thakur, who claimed he saw a drone above his house and accused the state government of violating privacy. Sukhu said that if such activities occur, the government is ready to investigate. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (ANI)(HT_PRINT) Why would we fly drones above his house? He was a former CM... I have also assured him that if such things have happened, we will investigate this, but he is creating an issue out of this... They are left with no issues, Sukhu was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Earlier in the day, former chief minister Thakur in the Himachal Pradesh assembly alleged that while leaving for the House proceedings, he spotted a drone above his house. He accused the government of already tapping phones and now using drones for surveillance. When I was leaving for the assembly today, I saw a drone above my house. This government is violating privacy. Phones are already being tapped, and now drones are also being used for surveillance... The CM should have answered on this but he was silent on this, Jairam Thakur said. BJP staged walkout in Assembly On Thursday, the BJP staged a walkout in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, accusing the state government of auctioning liquor vends below the reserve price in five excise districts, news agency PTI reported. In response to a question from BJP's Randhir Sharma, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the state government earned 485.18 crore from its auction-cum-tender policy, compared to 665.42 crore collected during the BJPs five-year tenure. Sukhu said that the auctions were conducted with full transparency. Sharma, however, claimed that the liquor vends were auctioned below the reserve price in Shimla, Kangra, Chamba, Nurpur, and Una, alleging a scam. He called for a judicial inquiry and the re-auction of the vends. Sukhu countered that his government has been transparent since taking office, and criticized the BJP for not holding auctions for four years, opting instead to renew licenses, which resulted in lost revenue. Sukhu explained that the government adopted an online auction process without bias, holding seven auctions in Nurpur and Una, nine in Shimla, eight in Kangra, and six in Chamba this financial year. Higher revenue isanticipated. Sharma contested the CM's response, claiming that revenue was 100 crore less and accusing vendors of charging above the MRP. He also demanded action against defaulters. Unhappy with Sukhus reply, BJP members chanted slogans and left the Assembly. Later, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur accused the Chief Minister of misleading the house, asserting that the BJP governments auctions had generated 11 to 12 per cent more revenue and that subsequent renewal included a 12 per cent increase in reserve prices. The political tension within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has escalated following a controversial remark by Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with State Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during the Mahayuti meeting.(ANI) Speaking at an event on Thursday, Shiv Sena minister Tanaji Sawant said he feels like vomiting after sitting next to NCP colleagues in cabinet meetings. Sawant said he is a hardcore Shiv Sainik and never got along with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders. Even if we sit next to each other in the cabinet, I feel like vomiting after coming out, Sawant said. Also Read | Shivaji statue collapse drives a wedge among Mahayuti partners Amol Mitkari, an NCP spokesperson and Member of Legislative Council (MLC), condemned Sawants statement, questioning whether it was solely his party's responsibility to maintain the fragile coalition. We are quiet only to maintain the coalition dharma, Mitkari said. How Sharad Pawar camp reacted Sawants comments have not only put a spotlight on the deep-seated discomfort within the Mahayuti alliance but also provided ammunition to the opposition. The NCP (SP) on Friday said its time for the BJP to throw Ajit Pawar's party out of Mahayuti. Also Read | The political play around Maharashtra's state idols Clyde Crasto, a spokesperson for the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), interpreted Sawant's remarks as a clear indication that the Mahayuti coalition no longer needs Ajit Pawars NCP. He pointed out that even within the RSS, concerns had been raised about aligning with Ajit Pawar, and now, Sawants statement has brought these internal tensions to the forefront. The time has come when the BJP will, slowly but steadily, throw Ajit Pawar out of Mahayuti. All is not well and cracks are getting bigger by the day. "It is time for Ajit Pawar to wake up and smell the coffee, Crasto said. Also Read | First arrest over Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Maharashtras Sindhudurg Mahesh Tapase, another NCP (SP) spokesperson, claimed that Ajit Pawar has lost his self-respect and there is growing discontent within the ranks of the Shinde-led Sena over the alliance with NCP. I never imagined that Ajit Dada, who once commanded immense respect within the NCP, would compromise his self-respect for power, Tapase said. The Sharad Pawar-founded NCP split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar and MLAs loyal to him broke away to join the Mahayuti. Subsequently, the Ajit Pawar faction got the party name and its clock symbol. Since the split, both factions have been targeting each other. Amid the political storm in Maharashtra over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan, state Congress chief Nana Patole on Thursday claimed that the sculptor who made the statue was close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole (ANI file photo) Patole's comment came after the state cultural affairs minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had said that the sculptor was close to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The artist Jaydeep Apte had no experience of making a statue of such a scale. Apte is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak SanghSomeone told me that the artist is close to Rahul Gandhi. Need to verify this information.....There seems to be a new habit of making wild allegations, he told the media, as quoted by PTI. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 35-foot statue at the Rajkot Fort in Malvan collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it. According to the state public works department, the statue's construction was of poor quality, and its nuts and bolts rusted. The incident sparked massive outrage across the state, with the opposition parties demanding Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde's resignation before the assembly polls. According to the Opposition, the incident is an insult to the legacy of the 17th-century Maratha emperor. The Congress also asked if Modi would apologise for the incident. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP staged silent protests in Pune and other parts of western Maharashtra on Thursday, demanding action against those responsible for the collapse of the statue. FIR against sculptor, structural engineer - who is responsible? The Sindhudurg police have registered an FIR against the sculptor, Apte, and structural engineer Chetan Patil in connection with the incident. However, Patil claimed that he was not the structural consultant for the project and had only worked on the platform. According to him, he had simply submitted the platform's design to the Indian Navy through the public works department. The PWD also blamed the Indian Navy, saying that they were in a great hurry to complete the statue before its slated inauguration on the Navy Day function on December 4 last year. Indian Navy issues statement Meanwhile, the Indian Navy issued a statement on Thursday, saying that it conceptualised and steered the project of installing the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue in coordination with the state government which also provided funding for it. 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 said. The Navy added that it remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore and reinstate the statue at the earliest. (With inputs from PTI) SpiceJet, struggling to meet ends, has again been placed under enhanced surveillance with immediate effect by the Indian regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This comes amidst news of the airline facing issues at Dubai airport and within weeks of Mumbai airport putting out a social media advisory about SpiceJet operations, only to remove it later with the airline stating that the issues are being resolved. This is not the first time that SpiceJet has been put under surveillance. In 2022, the airline had faced a similar fate. (Pic for representational purpose only/ REUTERS) This is not the first time that SpiceJet has been put under surveillance. In 2022, the airline had faced a similar fate. Back then, the DGCA had restricted operations of SpiceJet in an environment where post COVID the government had allowed limited flights to operate and also had fare caps. The airline is now operating fewer flights than what it operated even under the capped regime. SpiceJet had approval for 1657 weekly domestic departures in summer schedule which began on the last Sunday of March and is in force until the last Saturday of October. In the month of July, SpiceJet operated an average of 703 weekly departures or just 42.45% of what was approved, shows data from the regulator. Also Read | 400 rajma chawal: SpiceJet flight delay, Delhi airport food price leaves Redditor furious What should the passengers do? The regulators order does not have an impact on operations. However, the regulator could ground additional aircraft for checks or any discrepancies if it finds something of concern during its surprise checks across the SpiceJet network. Those already booked on SpiceJet should check with the airline on the status of their flight and if you are planning to book a SpiceJet flight, double-check that it will operate. With Flight status page of the airline, metro airports flight status page and flight tracking websites like flightaware and flightradar24, it is relatively easier to track flights which are operating and if they are on time. This would help passengers from last minute hassles. The airlines average OTP for last week has been below 40% and it recorded the lowest OTP amongst all carriers in July when it had only 29.3% of its flights at four metros being on-time. The airline, though with a shrunk market share, carried 4.05 lakh domestic passengers with a load factor of 90.3%, highest amongst all carriers. In the past we have seen things turning south very rapidly for an airline, from Kingfisher to Jet Airways this story has repeated often in Indian skies. Data shared by Cirium - an aviation analytics company, exclusively for this article, shows that SpiceJet has 117 flights scheduled for Friday, 30th August. 104 of those are domestic, while 13 are international. Its once large international network is now left with only three stations - Jeddah, Bangkok and Dubai. It has eleven departures scheduled from Dubai, where it faced operational challenges today with social media indicating that flights were either cancelled or there have been cases of flights flying empty - none of which could be verified with the airline or airport. It has 16,931 seats on offer for 30th August, of which the largest are from Delhi (4102), while Dubai comes in next (1962 seats). Mumbai is third with 1423 seats on offer. Delhi has 25 departures, while Dubai has 11 and Mumbai 9. Its network comprises 32 airports for the schedule of 30th August. What next? The news of being under surveillance is never good news. The airline will have to convince the flying public really fast that they run a safe ship. With unpaid dues to employees making news and protests in the past, the chances of these impacting operations remain higher than the regulators checks - as they would be mindful of the schedule. The unpaid dues in the time of festivities add to the troubles for employees at the airline, where mandatory and statutory dues have not been paid either, a story which has repeated across airlines in the past. The airline is in dire and urgent need for funds and if funds are not infused could be on the brink of collapse. Tail Note A shrunken airline which is already battling a financial crisis is a bad combination, since it cannot attract enough passengers to fill up its coffers and repay the debt and operating expenditure. DGCAs website shows the airline has 55 aircraft, while flight tracking websites shows less than 24 being operational over the last few days with the drop below 20 on certain days. With 55 planes on its air operating permit, the airline does not risk losing international rights but if it does not pay the airports - it does risk being pushed to either operate lower flights or worse, be barred from operations. How does it come out of this mess, would either become a case study or it could follow the path others did from here on, which won't be good for aviation in India. As a passenger, the best thing one can do is be cautious. The ongoing legal battle between former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife, Payal Abdullah, took a new turn on Friday as the Supreme Court directed both parties to appear for mediation at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah was seeking divorce on grounds of cruelty. The development comes after years of protracted litigation, during which Omar Abdullah has sought a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, citing an irretrievable breakdown of their marriage. Omar Abdullah, who married Payal on September 1, 1994, filed a petition arguing that the couple had been living separately since 2009 and had not shared a conjugal relationship since 2007. In his plea, the National Conference leader claimed that their marriage had effectively ended, and the continued legal tie was causing undue hardship. The petition alleged that Payal Abdullahs conduct had been unreasonable, leading to pain and harassment, and sought a decree of divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. Omar Abdullah's divorce plea dismissed in 2023 In December 2023, the Delhi high court dismissed his plea, upholding a 2016 family court order that had also refused to grant the divorce. The high court ruled that the allegations of cruelty were "vague and unacceptable" and that Omar Abdullah had failed to provide evidence of any behaviour by Payal that could be deemed as cruelty, either physical or mental. "We find no infirmity in the view taken by the family court that the allegations of cruelty were vague and unacceptable, that the appellant failed to prove any act which could be termed as an act of cruelty, be it physical or mental, towards him," the high court had said. The family court noted that the couple had remained in contact until the filing of the divorce petition, which contradicted claims of desertion or a complete breakdown of their relationship. "The petitioner (Omar) has not been able to explain a single circumstance to show that the supervening circumstances have erupted which has made it impossible for him to continue his relationship with the respondent (Payal). "Rather, evidence shows that they were in continuous contact till the filing of the divorce petition," the trial court had said in its order, adding that "there is not an iota of evidence in regard to the circumstances which have prevailed to prompt the petitioner to file the divorce plea". In August 2023, the Delhi high court ordered Omar Abdullah to pay 1.5 lakh as monthly interim maintenance to Payal and 60,000 each for the education of their two sons, who are currently pursuing law. Do we decide on political considerations? the Supreme Court on Thursday asked Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, irked by his comment alleging a political hand behind the top court granting bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case. Revanth Reddy, while reacting to his political rival K Kavitha getting bail from top court on Tuesday, raised doubts on how she was in custody for only five months (ANI) The issue at hand was a petition to shift the trial in a 2015 cash-for-vote case against Revanth outside the state, and a bench headed by justice BR Gavai took the occasion to pull up the CM for his remarks. If somebody has the audacity to say that we pass orders in consultation with political parties, that alone should be sufficient to entertain the transfer petition. Let him face trial outside the state, the bench said, adding that it would take up the matter on Monday. Earlier in the day, the court appeared inclined to dismiss the petition, but the matter took a dramatic turn post-punch as the court, while consulting on the name of prosecutor, learnt about CMs utterances against the top court before reconvening for the hearing. We are not foreclosing the issue of transfer (of the case) ...Should such statements be made by a responsible chief minister of a state? If such is the sort of statements he is making, that may rightly bring apprehensions in minds of any person that the trial against him can be influenced, said the bench, also comprising justices PK Mishra and KV Viswanathan. Revanth, while reacting to his political rival K Kavitha getting bail from top court on Tuesday, raised doubts on how she was in custody for only five months, while her co-accused and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia spent 15 months behind bars. Speaking to mediapersons during a press event, Revanth alleged that Kavitha may have got bail due to a deal between the BRS and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre. Angered by this, the bench said: We always say, we must not interfere with the sphere of legislature. This is expected of them also. We do our duty as per our oath and conscience. Look at the statement casting aspersion on the court. Do we pass orders on political considerations? If he has the audacity to say this about the orders passed by the highest court, then we should remind him about our order passed yesterday initiating contempt against an IAS officer from Maharashtra who said the court does not follow the law. The SC was referring to the notice of contempt of court it issued against an IAS officer serving as an additional chief secretary in the Maharashtra government for filing an affidavit that seemed to suggest that the top court does not follow the provisions of law. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the CM, who said he hadnt read the statement till then, saw the news reports on his mobile phone and said: Let me make amends. The court may have the matter on Monday. He was supported by senior lawyer Sidharth Luthra, also appearing for the CM, who said that the statements were made as part of a crossfire between political parties. The bench told Reddys lawyers, You do not have any respect for the Supreme Court. If somebodys attitude is of such a great adamancy, then we are sorry. The court was hearing a petition filed by four politicians belonging to the BRS who argued that Reddy was not just the chief minister but home minister, too, and could therefore influence witnesses and the course of trial. The allegation against Reddy was that, in 2015, while he was an MLA representing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), he offered a bribe of 50 lakh as advance to a nominated MLA in the state to abstain from casting his vote in a biennial election, or to vote in favour of TDP. Revanth has denied the charges. Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), which has been cracking down on illegal constructions that encroach on water bodies in and around Hyderabad, on Thursday issued a notice to Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddys brother Anumula Tirupati Reddy asking him to demolish his bungalow near a popular lake in the upscale Madhapur area. The notice, served by tehsildar of Serilingampally block on the recommendation of HYDRAA, was pasted on the residence of Revanth Reddys brother at Amar Cooperative Society at Madhapur. (ANI) The notice, served by tehsildar of Serilingampally block on the recommendation of HYDRAA, was pasted on the residence of Tirupati Reddy at Amar Cooperative Society at Madhapur. The land on which the building was built is registered under the name of P Koteswara Rao. Tirupati Reddy clarified in a statement that he had purchased the bungalow in 2015 and at the time of purchase, he was not aware that the land was classified as being within the so-called FULL Tank Level ( the maximum level when the lake or water body) of Durgam Cheruvu, the lake. He added that if the government determines that the building is indeed within the FTL, it can take any corrective action Similar notices were served on as many as 204 other residents of the colonies abutting Durgam Cheruvu. Most of the buildings belong to politicians, film stars and civil servants. Durgam Cheruvu, often referred to as Secret Lake, is a well-known landmark at Madhapur . Over the years, encroachments have drastically reduced its area. Originally spread over an estimated 100 acres, recent measurements suggest that the lake now covers 84 acres, an official of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation said. Meelangana chief secretary Santhi Kumari held a high-level meeting with senior officials of HYDRAA, GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), revenue and irrigation departments at the state secretariat in the afternoon to discuss the legal issues arising out of the demolitions. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday slammed the West Bengal government and chief minister Mamata Banerjee over their handling of the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital saying that a lot remains to be done in light of the ongoing atrocities and crimes against women in the country. He pointed out that while the Centre has taken strict action, several states are not making serious efforts in this regard. Defence minister Rajnath Singh in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.(ANI) Speaking at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Rajnath Singh described the rape and murder of the Kolkata doctor as heart-wrenching and called the incident tragic and disrespectful. Considering the atrocities and crimes against women in the country, despite all the changes, it seems that a lot remains to be done. Our government has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women, but many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. The recent heart-wrenching incident in Kolkata is very tragic and disgraceful, Rajanth Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. He further stated that the Centre has amended the law to provide for capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape and suggested that this law should be implemented with strictness. This came as it has been over the 20 days and still the case of rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital still unsolved. Protests in Kolkata A series of rallies and demonstrations are planned for Friday in protest of the recent rape-murder of a doctor. Political parties and civil society organisations are preparing to take to the streets. The BJP has been intensifying its pressure on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, with even her opposition allies from the INDIA bloc showing divided responses. The Bengal Congress and the Left have taken to the streets against the Trinamool government, while other INDIA bloc partners remain cautious in their support for the embattled Trinamool chief. The Congress and the Left, key rivals of the TMC in West Bengal, have organised street protests against the state government. Congress, led by state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, held a rally from College Square to Shyambazar in north Kolkata, near RG Kar Hospital. The BJP will continue its sit-in protest at Esplanade for a second day on Friday, as part of a week-long series of demonstrations demanding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees resignation and justice for the victim. Meanwhile, the TMC plans to stage protests at colleges across Bengal, urging the Centre to enact a law mandating capital punishment for rapists, with sit-ins planned at every block on August 31. Hitting out at Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said he was appalled, pained and somewhat surprised that a member of Parliament termed the acts of violence against women a symptomatic malaise. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar listens to Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal in the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday.(SansadTV) On behalf of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Sibal had purportedly issued a resolution that described the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata as "symptomatic malaise" and suggested that such incidents are commonplace, as per ANI. Sibal was elected as the president of the SCBA in May earlier this year. How can one suggest that such incidents are commonplace? What a shame! Words fail me in condemning such a stance, Dhankhar said at an event, without taking any name. "It is doing great injustice to such a high position. But I am glad members of the Bar have come in support of our girls and women," he added. Also Read | Kapil Sibal laughs in SC amid hearing on Kolkata case, SG Tushar Mehta responds: somebody has died Condemning the resolution, the Vice President, who also chairs the upper house, alleged that such a stance was taken for self-interest. Kapil Sibal's predecessor hits out Former SCBA chief Adish C. Aggarwala had accused Kapil Sibal of undermining the gravity of the incident and using his position to influence ongoing investigations. In a letter addressed to Sibal, Aggarwala said the resolution was unauthorised and was unilaterally issued without the Executive Committee's consent. Also Read | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: What main accused Sanjay Roy told jail guards He said the resolution gives the impression of being Sibal's personal view, rather than a collective decision of the SCBA. "We are not privy to any deliberation of the EC on the said matter which culminated into any such Resolution," Aggarwala said, adding that several other Executive Committee members were equally surprised by the move. He argued that Sibal's actions have compromised the integrity of the SCBA and could potentially influence the Supreme Court and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case. The Congress on Friday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning him for not visiting violence-hit Manipur. Earlier in the day, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh in an interview to news agency PTI promised to fully restore peace in six months with Centre's help, while ruling out stepping down. On the prime minister not visiting the north-eastern state, Singh said that PM Modi might not have come to Manipur but sent Union home minister Amit Shah. And PM has so often spoken about Manipur, even from Lal Qila on Independence Day...and whatever is being done here in terms of security, funding etc, is under his leadership only. In a complex situation a PM coming was not necessary, Biren Singh added. ALSO READ: Manipur: 4 cops, 1 other held for allegedly looting arms from BJP MLAs farmhouse Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at Modi, saying,"The people of Manipur want the prime minister to come to the state and the prime minister has not gone. It is an extraordinary situation, he has gone all over the world but he has not found time to go to Manipur even for a few hours. What the chief minister is saying about the PM is unacceptable, it is indefensible what he has done." Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh.(PTI file) Manipur CM lost all credibility: Cong Ramesh said that the chief minister had lost all credibility. "The Supreme Court actually called it a breakdown of constitutional machinery. So I don't know which world the chief minister is living in?" PTI quoted Ramesh as saying. Referring to a viral audio clip containing alleged offensive remarks by the CM against ethnic minorities, termed as fake by the state government, the Congress leader called for a probe into it. I don't see on what strength the CM is claiming normalcy. This is absolutely contrary to the facts on the ground. Fifteen months after getting a huge majority in the assembly elections, the state began burning and it was made to blow up," he added. "This is not accidental what has happened. The fact of the matter is that the prime minister has gone to Ukraine, the prime minister has gone to Russia, he has gone to Poland, he has gone all over the country, he has gone to other countries of the world but he has neither found the time nor the inclination to visit Manipur even for a few hours," Ramesh said. The non-biological PM is going all over the world trying to be the peacemaker, why can't he be the peacemaker by going to Manipur, he added. Blaring loudspeakers asking villagers to be awake in the 50-odd villages close to Ghaghra river in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich district following the killing of nine people, mostly children, in the past 40 days has resulted in a scramble to catch the alleged predators presumed to be wolves. Under pressure from local villagers to act, the department has captured four wolves, including one on Thursday morning, but still dont know whether they have got the actual killer. (PTI) The forest department has confirmed that seven deaths were caused by a wild animal. In case of a young girl and a 45-year-old woman, we are verifying the cause of death, said Renu Singh, additional principal chief conservator, forest department, who is monitoring the operation to catch the wolves in Bahraich. Under pressure from local villagers to act, the department has captured four wolves, including one on Thursday morning, but still dont know whether they have got the actual killer. We have captured four wolves all between 25kg and 30kg and young. Attempt is on to catch others, Singh said. A clearer sky has hampered the operation to catch the elusive animals, which usually avoid human habitats, as a drone has not been able to spot wild animals in the forest areas around these villages. Singh said rains had previously pushed the wolves out of their homes, mostly caves, looking for food and they were spotted by drone cameras till Tuesday. The department has deployed 10 teams with drones, apart from officials of the local administration. From the initial investigation and series of killings, Singh suspected that a group of wolves might have killed a child, an easy prey, and repeated the act leading to more killings. We are focusing on cutting the route between the pack of wolves and human settlements first and then trapping them, for which over 200 trained staff are on the field, she added. She did not disclose the scientific basis for concluding the attacks were by wolves. VY Jhala, a senior scientist of Indian National Science Academy (INSA) at National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), said the wolves are capable of killing humans but that the Bahraich attack could be of captive bred wolf-dog hybrid. The former dean of the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute, one of the countrys top experts on wolves, ruled out the possibility of group of wolves being involved saying all carcasses of children killed was found to be intact. In case a group is involved, they break the carcass into pieces and that has not happened there. To me, only one animal seems to be involved, he said. According to a paper published by Wildlife Institute scientists including Jhala in March 2002, after examining 34 million pictures of wild animals, India has an estimated 2,812 wolves, the majority of which are found in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The population of wolves is sparse in Uttar Pradesh, the epicentre of the attacks, with estimate population of 61. The fact is that wolves kill much fewer people than tigers and elephants in India, Jhala said. A wolf expert working with WII, who was not willing to be quoted, said a fall in wild prey population may have forced animals to look for food in human settlements, but admitted that it is rare for wolves to attack humans. [But] we have often seen that there is more protection to livestock that children, who become easy prey to attack by wolves or feral dogs, this person added. In 1996, 38 children were claimed to have been killed in 78 wolf attacks in Pratapgarh, Jaunpur and Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. We found that many of the claims were fictitious to claim compensation, Jhala said. However, fear has gripped the villagers, with mothers sleeping with a limb of their child tied to their saree or dupatta ; some families have sent children to family based elsewhere. Many villages have started night vigils with local men and policemen patrolling, and loudspeakers blaring jagte raho (keep awake). God knows when we will be rid of this evil, said Shanti Devi, a resident of Sisaiya village, where a child was killed on August 3. Prasant Babu, headmaster of the primary school in Chandpaiya, where three children were injured in an animal attack, said he has instructed the children to come to school only in groups, admitting that attendance has fallen. L Subramaniam, 77, has spent decades creating music that challenges the very idea of an East-West binary. Here, Bhanuj Kappal interviews the world-renowned Carnatic violinist, as part of Wknds Living Legends special. What led you to strike out of the comfort zone of Carnatic music, and study Western classical composition in America? My father was very open-minded. He enjoyed, and introduced me to, all kinds of music. He would take us to concerts of all kinds, so I developed an interest in Western classical music early on. My elder brother also bought a piano at some point, and was learning to play it. He bought some books for the Trinity College course. So I ended up learning, and writing those exams. I went up to the diploma level, practical, got a distinction did all those things. Then, when I was in the second year of my MBBS, a famous German violinist came to play in Chennai. My father got me an appointment to perform for him, to get his opinion on my playing. The German told my father I had the potential to be an international star, which was very encouraging. How did global fusion come about? When I started composing major works for orchestra, I wanted to create a new style and go in a new direction. I wanted to incorporate Carnatic music and the raga and tala system. The response to my work was encouraging. When I performed Fantasy on Vedic Chants in Moscow in the 1980s, a professor asked me to stay back for six months and write a paper on how I worked out these totally new harmonies. He said that if I wrote the paper and created a joint composition with him, I would get a doctorate from the Moscow Symphony. But at the time, it was -35 degrees Celsius in Moscow. And my children (Subramaniam is a father of four) were very young. So I very politely refused the offer. But that did give me great encouragement. I ended up writing a lot of major orchestral work based on the raga and tala system. Carnatic music has these elements. No other system allows you to create millions of derived scales from the existing 72 parent scales. I then started applying that system of derived scales to every composition I wrote. Thats how the Raga Harmony concept came to me. Can you tell us a bit about it, and the new book? Well, I didnt want to write the book first. A thesis is scrutinised by a lot of different people, who vet it. So first I did the thesis, in 2017, and then the book. Talking about the system, in Carnatic music, we have 72 scales which are divided into 36 scales with perfect fourths and 36 scales with sharpened fourths. This means that when you use a main scale, you neednt give both the fourths equal importance but you may do so, if you wish. This means that there are many, many possible combinations to use; and many minor scales to derive. Using these raga scales, you can create harmonic tonalities that fit into the Western harmony system. I have methodically developed this system. In fact, I am working on a formal expansion where millions of scales will be published. Raga Harmony is essentially the idea that, using the ragas, we can create all the harmonies that have been used so far, and others which have not even been put down yet. (What does this sound like? Click here to find out.) That is fascinating. How do you see the role of music in the world? Music can help bring emotional balance. When listening to something we enjoy, at least during that time, we dont think of anything. We forget that we have to pay the telephone bill or that petrol has to be put in the car. The mind is relieved of all pressure. Playing music also requires a lot of spontaneous creativity. If a person develops this spontaneous creativity, then even if they go into another profession later, it will stay with them. So, I think its very important for every child to have a musical education. As someone who has witnessed and contributed so strongly to the evolution of Indian music, what are you most excited about today? That more youngsters are open to innovation and experimentation in the classical space. This was a big no-no in the 70s and 80s. If anybody from the Indian classical space started doing something different, everyone immediately said No, no, hes spoilt it. But this generation because of the internet, theyre able to see whats out there. And if they like what someone is doing, they try to reach out to them and say Lets collaborate. Which means that a lot of innovation is happening, which is a very good sign. I hope many, many more people become musicians and do more creative things, so that our music continues. It was round and black with a tiny trilobite embedded in its smoothness. To the devout, this fossil is a physical manifestation of Vishnu, preserver of the universe. A bridge is built across the Brahmaputra, in Guwahati. (PTI) Discovered in the Kali Gandaki riverbed in Mustang, Nepal, the ammonite fossils have a story to tell (they have plenty, actually; whales may have evolved in the subcontinent, for example, but well leave that for another day). The fossils come from a time before the Himalayas existed, before Gondwanaland broke apart; a time when what is now Mustang lay in the Tethys Sea. As the Indian Plate pushed against the Eurasian Plate, the Himalaya (the singular is the correct usage) rose, fragmenting and swallowing the Tethys Sea, and dramatically altering the climate. The world before was a hothouse with no ice caps. The collision cooled the planet by exposing and then weathering vast areas of land. Given our emissions trajectory, we may soon live in a hothouse again. As the Himalaya rose, they blocked the cold, dry winds from the north, even as they forced the warm, monsoonal winds to rise and release their moisture, causing rain to fall over a far broader area than it otherwise would have. The Himalayan rivers gorged on the monsoonal rainfall that fell on the southern Himalayan slopes, becoming the behemoths they are today. In the interplay of sun, sea, mountain and wind, water resources were decided. As humans arrived, our stories began to mark certain spots as sacred. Mount Kailash in present-day Tibet, the source of three great rivers (the Brahmaputra, Indus and Karnali), began to be worshipped as Shivas inviolate home. Rivers became goddesses. A devotee with diyas on the banks of the Brahmaputra at Diwali. (Adobe Stock) The 8th century CE Buddhist saint Padmasambhavas journey through the Himalaya highlights sacred sites that should be experienced as is. If we parse these stories for their inner meanings, their messages are profound. Respect rivers and leave some places alone since their importance extends well beyond their immediate neighbourhood. Over time, kingdoms became countries, with borders decided by defensible barriers (a mountain, a river, a sea). Downstream regions grew rich from the silt flowing in across their borders (think of China, or the Chola kingdom). Combined with flat geography, this allowed for large-scale cultivation, which generated wealth and power. But then, colonisers introduced dams. For the first time, upstream countries, so long the underdogs, had the power to control rivers. With this, borders were redrawn with river origins in mind. Many of Asias main rivers originate in Tibet. If this were a game of Go, capturing Tibet would be like capturing a corner. Was that why China, with an eye on its dry North, acted as it did? Colonial rulers introduced another change that profoundly shaped our geography: tax schemes that pushed farmers towards cash crops, and came packaged alongside a truly dangerous idea: that technology can always improve water supply, so one neednt worry too much about use. Its an idea now so embedded in our minds that we are no longer even aware of it. And so we continue to use canals and borewells to grow water-hungry crops in dry areas, such as paddy in the Punjab, both in India and Pakistan. In Bangladesh, the share of boro rice (which is grown in the dry season) in total rice production has risen from about 16% in 1970 to 53% in 2020. This out-of-sync-with-water farming is happening in China too. Chinas north is much drier than its south. But, a 2023 study found that Northern Chinas agricultural water use grew by an astounding 5.9 km3 of water the equivalent of 2.3 million Olympic-sized swimming pools annually, between 2003 and 2018. Much, much faster than water use in agriculture in the wetter south. This increase is notable given that China has always been concerned about its dry north. Mao reportedly said: Theres plenty of water in the south, not much water in the north. If at all possible, borrowing some water would be good. And so, China did. In 2002, it began work on the South-North Water Transfer Project. This has three main branches, two of which, the east and central, went online in 2013 and 2014, transferring water from the south to the north. Research shows that Northern China relies on and benefits from this transfer. But it is the largest, as-yet-unbuilt, western branch that we now explore. This branch transfers water from the Yangtzes western tributaries to the Yellow River. Some of this transfer would occur in Tibet, and the Indian subcontinent worries that water may be diverted from the Brahmaputra. Some have rejected this idea, adding that even if such a diversion did occur, the Tibetan Brahmaputra being a mere sliver next to the Arunachal Brahmaputra, it would have little impact. But is that right? The Brahmaputra draws water from Tibet, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Although the river runs longest in Tibet, the dry land contributes little to its flow (7%, per one estimate). But Tibet becomes much wetter as the Tsangpo turns south, and it contributes to the rivers other tributaries as well. And so, another study placed Tibets contribution at 23%. This is roughly tiny Bhutans water contribution to the river. But it is Indias wet Northeast especially Arunachal that makes the river the giant it is. That makes the rising chatter on this issue worrying. Google News retrieved just two items for China claims Arunachal Pradesh between 2000 and 2005. This rose to 152 items between 2005 and 2010. Five years later, it rose to 2,210, and to 26,700 in the five years after that. Since 2020, Google News returned 103,000 hits for this search term. This rising chatter runs parallel to growing Chinese investment in the subcontinent. A port here, an airport there, roads and hydro projects everywhere. Analysis by the think tank Gateway House shows that, between 2005 and 2016, Chinas share of foreign direct investment into Nepal rose from 9% to 42% even as Indias share fell from 52% to 13%. This includes Chinas investment to tap Nepali hydropower. But India is also moving. It recently signed a large hydropower purchase agreement, and was about to conclude a tripartite agreement whereby Nepal was to sell electricity through an Indian grid to power-starved Bangladesh. The agreement was an embodiment of a subcontinental truth: water ties us together. But a week, as they say, is a long time in politics. Within a week of the signing date, Bangladeshs former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown, leaving the agreements fate uncertain. The agreement was important, because even under Hasina, there were unresolved water issues between India and Bangladesh. The Teesta originates in North Sikkim and runs through northern West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh. To draw Bangladesh into a closer embrace, the government of India wanted to settle how to share the Teestas waters in the dry season. But West Bengal, thinking of summer drinking water for its northern cities, refused to play ball. Crudely put, state interests can work like body odour coming in the way of a tight hug. The agreement fell through, leaving room for another to swoop in. China could do so by funding a billion-dollar project on the Teesta, one that will bring it close to the Siliguri Corridor, the chickens-neck passage that connects the Northeast of India with the rest of the country. The goal of constructing a road close to Doklam in Bhutan, according to China expert Lt Gen (Retd) SL Narasimhan, who has spent substantial time on the India-China border, was to exert pressure on the other side of the neck. The Chumbi Valley and, more recently, a portion of northern Bhutan, are the subject of a border dispute between Tibet and Bhutan. China is effectively telling Bhutan: Give us the west, and well lay off the northeast of your country. What might happen when Chinas fingers come together on both sides of the chickens neck? To avoid this, India must keep its neighbours in good humour by using water ties to bind rather than strangle. In Bhutan, the bond runs deep, militarily, politically and culturally. Buying hydropower at handsome prices is the icing on the cake. But in Bangladesh, recent political events have exposed tensions. During the intense flooding last week, a minister in the interim government blamed India for the flooding, prompting Indias ministry of external affairs to set the record straight. The geography tilts towards India, and you cant change geography, Lt Gen Narasimhan told me. But if anyone were going to try, it would be China. Just before entering India, the Brahmaputra drops by a couple of kilometres. This is where China allegedly wants to build a super-dam three times the size of its Three Gorges (which is currently one of the largest in the world). India worries that the proposed dam would make a powerful weapon. The dam could hold back, or worse still divert, water to the north, some observers say. During Chinese Premier Xi Jinpings surprise visit to Tibet in 2021, his first stop was Nyingchi in Medog County, where this project would be located, Lt Gen Narasimhan says. The North China Plain, after all, depends on water transfers and wants more. But such a move in the dry season would leave the cities of Northeast India and Bangladeshs boro crop parched. Especially in a hotter climate. On the other hand, if the dam releases more water than it ought or, more realistically, is overcome by torrential rainfall or damaged by an earthquake, the ensuing downstream flooding would be deadly. I say more realistically because the climate is changing, making intense rainfall far more common. In the medium to long term, as the glaciers melt and lean season flows dwindle further, our dependence on monsoonal rains will rise. How will transfers work then? Even as India contemplates another giant dam to counter the Chinese dam, I wonder if we should also play another game. The western world has leveraged the power of a good story, well told. Standing in Pemako, known as the entrance to paradise, with fossils strewn around and the Brahmaputra just entering India, are we simply failing to be inspired? (Mridula Ramesh is a climate-tech investor and author of The Climate Solution and Watershed) A lack of trust in the police and courts is a failing of the state and its people, says victimologist Kumaravelu Chockalingam. The seeds of such faith should have been planted decades ago. At least we must plant them today, he adds. As someone who has spent four decades trying to untangle corruption, perception and pure rule of law, Chockalingam, 79, has run up against the hurdle of public perception over and over. Indians, by and large, simply do not trust the system; the idea that justice will prevail is usually met with disbelief, a shrug or a laugh. This is partly, of course, a reflection of the corruption, record-setting delays and flawed outcomes of our law-and-order systems. But if India has a complicated relationship with its police forces and courts, it is also partly because they were established as instruments of foreign rule, and then used as tools of discrimination and subjugation for nearly a century. The first police stations were set up in colonial India in 1861. From curfews and arrests for treason to atrocities such as Jallianwala Bagh, the distrust has deep foundations. Two key results of this are a police force that often doesnt feel or act as if it serves the public, and a public whose outlook is that engagement with the cops and courts is best avoided. This foundational distrust is something India shares with every other former colony or apartheid state, from Kenya to the US. It is an outlook Chockalingam didnt think to question either, growing up with six siblings in Kanyakumari, the son of a pharmacist and a homemaker. Then he got a Masters in criminology, and spent years studying the socio-economic backgrounds of habitual offenders, for a PhD. He became intrigued by what drew certain people to crime, and began teaching this relatively new subject criminology at the National Institute of Social Defence, in 1978. Five years later, he was appointed head of the new department of criminology at University of Madras, one of the first in India. It was around this time that he began to study victimology. Could this be the answer? For a system to work, it had to have the trust and participation of its people. What better way to build that trust than by having that system reach out to the individual in a truly troubled time and say: How can we help? *** In India, back then, we had just begun the scientific study of what causes crime, and its prevention. Amid this, we noticed that we had completely neglected the victim, he says. The victim of a crime in India is still largely viewed as a witness, with few safeguards in place to protect their interests. Rather than How can we help, they are generally asked, How did this happen? What were you doing? Where were you going? Were the doors and windows locked? Do you know him? Does he know you? In a sense, this places us at square one in this field. This is, more or less, how victimology began. The term was coined by French-Israeli defence lawyer Benjamin Mendelsohn in 1947, to describe the study of how the victim contributed to a criminal event. By 1958, the victim was squarely being blamed. American sociologist and criminologist Marvin Wolfgang put forth the victim precipitation theory, which suggested that the reason a specific criminal chose a certain target could be said to hinge on actions and behaviours on both sides. The theory was applied most liberally in cases involving rape and sexual assault. And this is where things began to turn. Amid the feminist movement of the 1970s and 80s, the victim precipitation theory began to be challenged (though it has, of course, by no means been jettisoned). *** As the wheel turned on victimology, countries ranging from the US, Canada and New Zealand to Switzerland, Japan and Cuba began reviewing their definitions and approaches. Compensation policies began to be framed. In the Netherlands, as soon as a crime was reported, depending on the severity, voluntary organisations began to show up to help. Victims of different kinds have different needs. In a case of rape, they might need counselling and immediate emotional assistance, whereas in a case of burglary, they would need help filing their insurance and figuring out how they can be compensated for the loss, Chockalingam says. In Japan, interesting provisions were being introduced that werent in place anywhere else in the world. One that stood out was the provision to relocate a person who believed they were in danger if they continued to live or work where a crime against them had occurred, he says. In 1973, meanwhile, the World Society of Victimology (WSV), a global research and advocacy body, had been set up by stakeholders including lawyers, scholars and researchers. Reading about all these developments made me realise that justice did not end at punishing the offender. It made me question how a person who had suffered a crime was actually being assisted in the aftermath, Chockalingam says. In 1992, he founded the Indian Society of Victimology (ISV), to advocate for the rights of victims of violent crimes in India, and to facilitate research in the field. By 2015, he was serving as the first Indian vice-president of WSV. Now, in a full-circle moment, Chockalingam has become the first Indian recipient of the Hans von Hentig Award, conferred by WSV. The prestigious prize is handed out once every three years, in recognition of outstanding scholarship, leadership and service in the field, and will be conferred on him this week. Your professional competence and unwavering dedication have been invaluable to the discipline of Victimology, WSV president Janice Joseph wrote in her congratulatory letter. *** What has his contribution looked like? Perhaps the most visible manifestation were the women-only buses introduced in Madras over 30 years ago. At an ISV conference in the early 90s, Chockalingam and his doctoral student, Annie Vijaya (now a deputy inspector general of police in Vellore), presented a paper on sexual harassment in Madrass public buses. Over 63% of the women interviewed said they had been subjected to such harassment, Chockalingam says. The presentation caught the eye of the Pallavan Transport Corporation (now the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)), and the government of Tamil Nadu approached him to discuss the problem and possible solutions. I said the long-term solution was to educate men on how to conduct themselves in public and how to interact with women. But that was not something we could achieve overnight. So he suggested minimising contact within the bus system, by starting women-only buses during peak hours. The buses were launched in 1992, and ran for a year. This was a very good initiative, but it didnt last very long because of changes in the department, he says. At the time, Chockalingam also began to advocate for the setting up of a victim assistance fund, which was eventually established by the government of Tamil Nadu in 1995. In 1996, ISV prepared a draft bill on assistance to victims of crimes, in association with National Law School, Bengaluru, and the National Human Rights Commission of India. In one of those long waits that so damages the publics trust in institutions, the bill has not yet been tabled in Parliament. The system should work faster, with the certainty and swiftness of punishment, Chockalingam says. The long-range solution for our society is the education that will create a culture of lawfulness, he adds. These kinds of changes take a long time, but thats why the seeds must be planted now. For the moment, he is proud of the seeds that have borne fruit, he admits. So are his wife Dr Vijayalakshmi Chockalingam, 76, a retired anaesthesiologist; and their two children, C Raj Kumar, founding vice-chancellor of OP Jindal Global University, and Dr Ravi Kumar, a psychiatrist based in the US. They are all quite excited about this award, he says, speaking from his home in Kanyakumari. They know how much the organisation, the field and the work have meant to me. A Wells Fargo worker was found dead in an office cubicle in the companys corporate building in Tempe, Arizona. Reportedly, the 60-year-old Denise Prudhomme last scanned into the office on August 16. She was found dead after four days on August 20, when one of the guards saw an unresponsive employee and decided to call the authorities. Authorities found the body of the dead Wells Fargo worker after receiving a call from the building's security. (Reuters) The police responded to the 911 call from the on-site security, reported the Washington Post. According to the police, the caller believed she was dead in a cubicle located on the third floor of the building. What did her co-workers say? "It's really heartbreaking and I'm thinking, 'What if I were just sitting there?'" a worker said to 12 News. "No one would check on me?" the person added. The person added, "To hear she's been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick," adding, And nobody did anything. That's how she spent her last moments." "That's the scary part. That's the uneasy part," another employee told the outlet. "It's negligence in some part." Wells Fargos statement on the incident: The company released a statement to 12News. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office," said the statement. In the following lines, the company added, 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. Wells Fargo also announced that they are fully cooperating with the Tempe Police Department in their investigation and will direct all further questions to them. The investigation is ongoing, and the police have not released Prudhommes cause of death. However, the department shared that the preliminary investigation showed no sign of foul play. Ace investor Ashish Kacholia missed his Bengluru to Mumbai flight on Thursday after Google Maps failed to correctly estimate the time it would take to reach the airport. Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is situated a fair distance away from the main city, and its far-flung location has been criticised by many. Kacholia, the co-founder of Hungama Digital, had to travel from Bengalurus HSR Layout to KIA, a distance of over 50 km that, according to Google Maps, could be covered in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Unfortunately for Kacholia, Google Maps failed to take into account Bengalurus unpredictable traffic and weather. According to the ace investor, he missed his flight because the journey took twice the estimated time. While Google Maps told him that he could cover the distance in 1 hour and 45 minutes, the actual journey took 3 hours. Kacholia said that it started raining during the trip. Yesterday missed my flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai because journey took 3 hours instead of 1.45 as shown by Google Maps, he wrote on the social media platform X. He took a veiled dig at Bengaluru infrastructure by thanking BMC, the municipal corporation of Mumbai. Deeply grateful to Mumbai administration @mybmc for investing in infrastructure to keep traffic moving in maximum city, the Mumbai-based investor wrote on X. Take a look at his post: I think Bangalore is the only place where you can't rely on the travel time shown on Google Maps. Rarely happened in Gurgaon. (Even though I used to commute Gurgaon to Delhi every day), wrote X user Sanjay Singh. Aim to reach the airport 2 hours before take off time at Bangalore. Add another 30 mins if the travel slot is in the peak hour. Commute is the biggest productivity killer in this great city, another person said. Ashish Kacholia co-founded Hungama Digital with Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. In 2003, he started his own company called Lucky Securities. Tyson Foods heir John Randal Tyson will not be returning to his job as chief financial officer of the company founded by his great-grandfather. According to a report in Fortune magazine, Tyson Foods on Thursday announced that Curt Calaway will take over the role of CFO permanently. John R. Tyson is shown in this police booking photo after he was arrested on charges of allegedly driving while intoxicated on June 13, 2024. (via REUTERS) The announcement comes after incidents of erratic behaviour on John Randal Tysons part after joining the company as chief sustainability officer. The 34-year-old scion of Tyson Foods was arrested in 2022 after he was caught sleeping in a strangers bed. The arrest occurred just six weeks after he was appointed CFO of the $21 billion firm. Tyson, then 32, pleaded guilty to charges of public intoxication and criminal trespass. He paid a fine and apologised to Tyson Foods employees in an email - but that was not his last brush with the law. Driving under influence In mid-June this year, John Randal Tyson was arrested for driving while intoxicated. According to the Fortune report, the police officer who pulled up Tyson said he felt a strong odour of intoxicants coming from inside the car and noticed that Tysons eyes were red and watery. The Tyson Foods heir told the police officer that he had been celebrating with friends and family ahead of his sisters wedding. This second incident of intoxication led to Tysons suspension from the Fortune 500 company founded by his great-grandfather, John W Tyson, in 1935. Curt Calaway was appointed interim CFO after Tysons suspension in mid-June. It has now been announced that Calaway, a finance veteran with 18 years of experience, will take over the role of chief financial officer permanently. John Randal Tyson, however, will remain an employee of the company and is currently on health-related leave. His father, John H. Tyson, serves as chairman of the company. The younger Tysons erratic behaviour has thrown the familys succession plan into disarray, reports suggest. The brutal murder and rape of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata sent shockwaves through the city and the nation. The heinous incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests. Some people are also taking to social media to share posts highlighting the issue of sexual violence against women in India and raising questions about safety. Among them is this influencer who sadly added a video asking women to include certain items in their shopping list for the upcoming festival, Durga Puja. Her suggestions include pepper spray, an alarm keychain, and a mini knife. The image shows an influencer who shared about purchasing pepper spray and an alarm keychain for Durga Puja. (Instagram/@thevoguishaffair) Never thought I would ever have to make a video on womens safety staying in Kolkata!! Our safety is so vulnerable and endangered in a system like this that women need to take care of their own, be alert in their workplaces and must carry safety self defence tools all the time in their bag!! content creator Shreyasi Biswas wrote. Take a look at the viral video here: With over 7.6 lakh views, her video has also accumulated nearly 74,000 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share. What did Instagram users say about this video? Still you can't defend yourself if five men attack you... It's the psychology and mindset on which education should be provided to both genders! posted an Instagram user. Another added, Didi, this is so sad, But every Bengali woman has this one thing in mind, right now. Kolkata is no longer safe for women. A third commented, After the Kolkata incident, even a millisecond eye contact with a stranger creates tension in my mind. A fourth person wrote, This is the sad reality. However, a few also slammed her, claiming that she is an opportunist exploiting a horrific incident to sell products. Reportedly, the parents of the junior doctor, raped and brutally murdered on August 9, received three calls on the night of the crime from an employee of the hospital. Sanjay Roy is accused of the crime, whose psychoanalytical profile by the CBI revealed that he is a pervert and was addicted to pornography. What are your thoughts on this video shared by the influencer? Stand-up comedian Shridhar V recently shared a glimpse of a preschool application form on X, highlighting a peculiar question that parents or guardians are required to answer: "Delivery of the child?" The form provides only three options to choose from. This seemingly irrelevant question has sparked a wave of criticism and disbelief among people, who are questioning the purpose of such a query in the context of preschool admissions. Many have pointed out that the mode of delivery is a private matter that has no bearing on a child's ability to learn. The image shows a glimpse of an application that a comedian claims is from a Mumbai preschool. (X/@iimcomic) If you dont know how insane the schooling scene in Mumbai is, take a look at the kind of questions that get asked in the application form. This ones for a Preschool, Shridhar V wrote while sharing the screenshot. Take a look at the entire post here: With over 3.8 lakh views, the viral share has further collected more than 5,900 likes. The X post has also prompted people to post varied comments, with many slamming the preschool. What did X users say about this video post? Its none of their business. I would refuse to send any child from my family to such a school, Dr Nilima Srivastava wrote. Tempted to tick All of the above just to see how theyd handle it, Narasimha R N posted. A third X user, Shaani Nani, asked, I am trying to think how this will impact the application process. A fourth, Aakash Tripathi, wrote, How is this important for any educational institution? And why? In yes another post, the comedian added, Its really cute that so many people think this is not inclusive. Wait till you realise that this same Pre-School expects only the Mother to fill the form & only the Mother to attend the interview. Technically, a Single Dad is expected to stay away! This is 2024! along with a screenshot. Who is Shridhar V? According to his YouTube bio, he is popular on social media as IIM Comic. He shares "extremely witty" jokes on current affairs on his YouTube channel, where he shares his hilarious takes and unique perspectives on the news from India and worldwide. What are your thoughts on this question by a Mumbai preschool about how the baby was delivered? Dhaka: Fifty-four people have died so far in devastating floods in Bangladesh, authorities said on Friday even as Unicef warned that more than two million children were at risk. An aerial view shows partially submerged houses after flood in Feni, Bangladesh on August 24 (AFP) The highest number of 19 deaths were reported from Feni district, according to data released by the disaster management ministry. The dead included six women and seven children. Unprecedented floods caused by heavy rains and swollen rivers have ravaged 11 districts in eastern Bangladesh, affecting more than five million people. More than a million families have been left homeless in 64 sub-districts in the flood-hit areas. The 11 districts affected by floods include Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Chittagong, Coxs Bazar, Sylhet and Habiganj. The ministry said the flood situation in Shylet, Hobiganj and Chattogram is showing signs of improvement. Unicef warned that more than two million children are at risk as floods sweep through homes, schools and villages. In all, these floods, the worst in eastern Bangladesh in 34 years, have affected 5.6 million people, Unicef said in a statement. It said that millions of children and families are stranded without food and emergency relief supplies. Government personnel and volunteers are conducting rescue operations, though access remains difficult in some areas. It said that in the coming days, more people will be affected as the monsoon season continues. The devastating floods in the eastern parts of Bangladesh are a tragic reminder of the relentless impact of extreme weather events and the climate crisis on children. Far too many children have lost loved ones, their homes, schools, and now are completely destitute, said Emma Brigham, deputy representative of Unicef Bangladesh. Unicef is providing water purification tablets, oral rehydration salts and other essential supplies, but more funds are needed to reach these children and prevent an even more devastating impact on their futures, the statement said. In response to emergencies, Unicef said it urgently requires up to $35.3 million for critical, life-saving and multi-sectoral interventions for children and pregnant and lactating women. Bangladeshs interim government is grappling with the unprecedented flooding alongside a fluid law and order situation and political instability. More than 600 people died in protests and violence linked to the ouster of the previous government. The Bangladesh army, navy, coast guard, border guards, fire service, police and members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and NGOs are engaged in relief measures in the flooded areas, and the interim government has launched a fund collection drive to help flood victims. Many departments, including the Bangladesh Army, contributed an amount equivalent to one days salary of all personnel to the drive. People from all walks of life have been extending assistance to flood-affected communities. Dhaka: A lawyer in Bangladesh has filed a case in the International Crimes Tribunal accusing 52 individuals, including ousted premier Sheikh Hasina and 26 senior journalists. Protesters celebrate beside a defaced portrait of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after news of her resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 5. (AP) The complaint alleges that the accused were involved in crimes against humanity and genocide during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which started in July with a demand for scrapping the quota system in government jobs. Lawyer MH Gazi Tamim filed the case on behalf of Golam Razzaque, the father of Nasib Hasan Rihan, a 17-year-old student who was allegedly shot dead on August 5 by law enforcement personnel in Dhakas Shyamolis Ring Road area. Following weeks of student protests, Hasina stepped down and fled to India on August 5. More than 70 cases have been filed accusing Hasina of different crimes, including 65 murder cases, and eight for crimes against humanity and genocide. Tamims complaint also accuses the 26 journalists of being sycophants of the previous Awami League government. It alleges they published misleading information that fuelled the alleged genocidal actions by the previous government and law enforcement agencies, thereby legitimising these crimes. The journalists include Nayeemul Islam Khan, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Mozammel Babu, Nabanita Chowdhury, Subhash Singh Roy and Ahmed Zobair. The complaint also names former academic and judicial figures, including professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal and retired Supreme Court judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik. Dhaka: Bangladesh on Thursday signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, paving the way to make the previous regime more accountable for such incidents. Nobel laureate and Chief adviser of Bangladesh's new interim government Muhammad Yunus. (AFP) Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus signed the instrument at the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers, amid loud clapping by those present. It is a historic occasion, Yunus said. The instrument was signed a day before the international day for the victims of enforced disappearances. Earlier this week, the interim government formed a commission to investigate every case of enforced disappearance involving the security forces during former premier Sheikh Hasinas 15-year authoritarian rule. On 14 August, Mayer Dak, a platform of relatives of victims of enforced disappearances and civil society, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest the perpetrators of such acts during the tenure of Hasina, including Ziaul Ahsan, a former major general in the army. Law enforcement personnel arrested Ahsan, who is commonly accused of involvement in enforced disappearances, after he was sacked from the army. Noor Khan, a human rights activist, said the signing of the instrument is a good move as Bangladesh will have to report to the United Nations about enforced disappearances. Now, Bangladesh will have to make laws to implement it, said Khan. Last August, Human Rights Watch said that, according to Bangladeshi human rights monitors, security forces had committed over 600 enforced disappearances since 2009. While some people were later released, produced in court, or said to have died during an armed exchange with security forces, nearly 100 people remain missing. The previous government had refused to take up an offer from the UN to help establish a specialised mechanism to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances in line with international standards. Bangladesh authorities are fooling nobody by continuing to deny the reality of enforced disappearances, and instead are prolonging the suffering of families who are desperate to know the whereabouts of their loved ones, said Julia Bleckner, senior Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. The government should show genuine commitment to addressing abuses by cooperating with the UN to open an independent commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances. In December 2021, the US government designated Global Magnitsky human rights sanctions against Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and top commanders implicated in abuses, particularly enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Saad Hammadi, fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Canada, who has advocated for human rights protection in Bangladesh for many years, said: For the longest time, Bangladeshi ministers have denied the crime of enforced disappearance. The accession to the international convention gives Bangladeshs government the premise to acknowledge this crime, investigate and be accountable for the allegations. He said this development will define the scope of the newly formed inquiry commission to investigate allegations of enforced disappearances. The government and the domestic inquiry commission should support an international investigative mechanism under the UN to bring the perpetrators, some of who might have fled the country, to justice through international accountability mechanisms, he added. Dhaka, After Bangladesh's recent political upheaval following Sheikh Hasina's ouster, the deeply polarised country is yearning for a new political force to emerge beyond the traditional Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party binary that aims to create a discrimination-free and more inclusive society. Bangladesh yearns for new political force amidst uncertainty post-'Monsoon Revolution' We have seen the BNP, Awami League, and Jatiya Party come to power and fail us for decades. It is time for someone new to lead our country, says 60-year-old Ahmed, a rickshaw-puller in Dhaka, echoing a sentiment shared by many in present-day Bangladesh. After unprecedented anti-government protests that peaked on August 5, Hasina, 76, resigned as prime minister and fled to India. The interim government led by 84-year-old Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus aims to reform Bangladeshs fractured institutions and restore public trust by ensuring a free and fair election, which, if successful, would mark a significant achievement in a nation with a history of electoral malpractice. Yet, people are divided and yearning for a new political force, having experienced all the traditional parties. While former prime minister Khalida Zia's BNP, long the main opposition party, is expected to participate, people have already tasted its governance in the early 1990s and 2000s, casting doubt on its ability to gain widespread public support. The Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamic party in the country, is also a contender after the ban on it was lifted this week, but it too was in power in the early 2000s alongside the BNP. The Jatiya Party, which held power in the late 1980s, is another player in the political arena and has gone through several splits in the last three decades. Meanwhile, the Awami League, now a political pariah, with its leadership in hiding or exile, is uncertain whether it will be in a position to join the fray. The possibility of new student parties emerging from the recent upheaval also looms large, potentially shifting the dynamics of the upcoming elections. We, too, had hit the streets by responding to the call by the students. The students and youth of the nation have given us new hope, and now they must not step back. They have already come up as a force to reckon with, and now they should come up with a full-fledged political party. The people of this country are fed up with mainstream political parties, said Masud Alam, a teacher. Amid the growing speculation about new political players, the role of the student movement remains a critical factor. While many have suggested that the student-led Monsoon Revolution could lead to the formation of a new political outfit, student leaders have so far refuted such reports. We are not here to replicate the mistakes of the past; we want to hold those in power accountable, whoever they may be, Ayesha Siddiqui, a student activist, said. However, with the political landscape in flux, some observers believe its only a matter of time before the students channel their momentum into a more organised political form, potentially becoming a new force in Bangladeshs politics. The recent student movement has left many veteran politicians wondering if a new era of political transformation in Bangladesh is on the horizon. Golam Sarwar Milon, the first president of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dalthe student wing of the BNPsuggested that the successful movement could pave the way for a new generation of political leaders, potentially challenging the dominance of traditional parties like the BNP, Awami League, and Jatiya Party. "This just may be the beginning of a new era of political transformation in Bangladesh, with students once again leading the way," Milon, who is presently co-chairman of the Jatiya Party , told PTI. "The logical conclusion is that the students form a new political party. Although they have said they dont want to form any political party, you dont know whats in the future," he said. Other political leaders seem to echo this sentiment. Senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury mentioned there is no issue if a new political outfit emerges, saying, "That would only enhance the democratic system in the country. We are not like the Awami League, which doesnt believe in the democratic process. If the students want to join the political process, they are welcome to do it." Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami supremo Shafiqur Rahman also stated that his party has no objections to the formation of new political entities, emphasising that everybody deserves free and fair elections. There have been no elections in Bangladesh since 2014. All the elections were fraudulent and did not reflect the peoples mandate. We want people to participate in the elections and choose their own representatives democratically, he said. Echoing these sentiments, G M Quader, the chairman of the Jatiya Party, emphasised that student movements, untainted by narrow political agendas, have played a transformative role in shaping Bangladesh's political landscape. "Students have a unique advantage because they are trusted by the people," he remarked. "We have witnessed once again how ordinary citizens have rallied behind them, showing unwavering support and solidarity during the recent protests. Now if they want to form a political party and contest elections, they are free to do it," he said. Kajal Debnath, a leader of the Hindu minority community and a praesidium member of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, believes that there is significant potential for a new political force to emerge, and that the students who spearheaded the anti-discrimination protests could indeed usher in a more inclusive and discrimination-free society in Bangladesh. The student movements in Bangladesh have always played a critical role in shaping the country's history, from the 1952 Language Movement to the Liberation War of 1971 and beyond. However, the recent Monsoon Revolution is being hailed as something differentan unprecedented scale of mass mobilization that has the potential to change the course of Bangladesh's future. Political analysts, however, feel that supporting students during mass movements and electing them as their representatives are not the same. It remains to be seen whether new coalitions, arising from the unorganised power of students and citizens, will lead to the formation of a new political party or a reformation of existing structures and bring about a change in the mindset of the mainstream political parties, Zillur Rehman, executive director of the Centre for Governance Studies, a think tank in Bangladesh, said. He noted that leading a student movement and a political party are not the same, especially against entrenched political giants like the BNP and Awami League, which have deep-rooted organisations across Bangladesh. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. New Delhi: The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday urged interim government head Muhammad Yunus to hold a dialogue with political parties on reforms and elections as soon as possible. Nobel laureate and Chief adviser of Bangladesh's new interim government Muhammad Yunus. (AFP) BNP representatives mainly exchanged views on reform ideas in various areas of the current government [and] their thoughts on elections, an official statement said. The statement said the BNP leaders said they will provide full support for steps taken by the interim government. This support will continue in the future as well, they said. The BNP leaders requested that the interim government should announce the commencement of a broad-based dialogue with political parties regarding reforms and elections as soon as possible. The leaders also wanted to know about the economic situation of Bangladesh and they agree on the fears and possibilities that exist in the current economic situation. They also gave an assurance that everyone will work together and be an integral part of the interim governments reforms and measures to maintain electoral and economic order. The interim governments advisers Asif Nazrul and Wahiduddin Mahmud, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, the partys standing committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed attended the meeting. Washington: In her first interview since becoming the Democratic Party nominee for president, Kamala Harris projected herself as the candidate of continuity by owning Joe Bidens legacy; as the candidate of change by promising to bring the decade-old era marked by Donald Trumps dominance to an end; and as the candidate of consensus by reaching out to both swing voters and anti-Trump Republicans. Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice-President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at Enmarket Arena during a two-day campaign bus tour in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday. (AFP) After being criticised for not holding a single unscripted event or doing an interview, Harris sat down with CNNs Dana Bash at a cafe in Savannah in Georgia, a key battleground state in the American south that the Democrats flipped from Republicans in 2020, on Thursday. Her running mate, Minnesotas governor Tim Walz, also participated in the interview. Given her tricky position, as both a sitting vice-president and a candidate, Harris addressed her campaigns four big vulnerabilities economy, immigration, energy policy, and Israels war in a way where she carried forward Bidens policy positions but used a new framework and vocabulary to talk about it. Asked if she regretted defending Bidens ability to serve another four years, Harris responded with an empathic no. He is so smart and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgement and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president. By contrast, the former president has none of that. Opportunity economy On what she would do on day one of her presidency, Harris spoke about strengthening the middle class, and implementing her plans for what she has called an opportunity economy. I have already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what we are going do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we are going to do to invest in Americas small businesses, what we are gonna do to invest in families. With Trump consistently pointing out how grocery and gas prices were lower under his term, Harris sought to retrace the environment in which Biden and she took over, of the pandemic and economic crash. She highlighted the administrations achievements of job creation, infrastructure and climate legislations, health care costs, and domestic manufacturing, but acknowledged that people were hurting and more needed to be done. The more uncomfortable questions related to Harriss own shifting positions and record. She had called for a ban on fracking during her own presidential run in 2019-2020, a position that she has since backtracked from. Explaining the shift, Harris said that her values hadnt changed and she believed the climate crisis was real. What I have seen is that we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking. In the backdrop of Trump labelling her the border czar and pinning the surge in illegal immigration on her Harris had been given charge of addressing root causes of migration from three Central American countries the vice-president pushed back against Trump for torpedoing a bipartisan immigration bill because he thought it would hurt him politically. She also spoke of her own record as Californias attorney general in enforcing the law. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally. And there should be consequence. And lets be clear, in this race, I am the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organisations who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings. I am the only person in this race who actually served a border state as attorney general to enforce our laws. And I would enforce our laws as president going forward. I recognise the problem, Harris claimed. War in Gaza On Israels brutal war in Gaza, an issue that has fractured the Democratic coalition, Harris continued to walk a fine balance. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defence and its ability to defend itself. And thats not going to change. She spoke about the horrors of the October 7 Hamas terror attack against Israel, said Israel has a right to defend itself but how it did so mattered too. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we have got to get a deal doneLets get the hostages out. Lets get the ceasefire done. But Harris rejected any shift in policy, including stopping arms supplies to Israel, a demand from the progressive Left of her party. Nowe have to get a deal done, Harris reiterated, adding she was committed to the two-state solution and Palestinian dignity, security and self determination. The vice-president, who had several anti-Trump Republicans speak at the convention, also said she would have a Republican in her Cabinet, as she welcomed diversity of opinions. Just like her positions on other policy issues, the announcement appeared to be aimed at moderate voters and an attempt to cast herself as the consensus candidate who could bring Trumps divisive era to an end. In the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has really been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, Harris claimed. This decade, she said, was an era where the strength of a leader began to measured by who you beat down rather than who you lifted up. Americans, Harris claimed, were ready to turn a page on that era. Harris didnt speak about her gender or race as a defining feature that has lent her candidacy a historic element during the convention speech. When the interviewer asked Harris about a photograph from the convention that has gone viral the picture shows Harris speaking from the stage and her young grandniece was watching her and how she thought of gender and race, Harris said, I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender. But I did see that photograph. And I was deeply touched by itIts very humbling. Singapore, A former Indian national yoga instructor was on Friday sentenced to 23 months in prison and four strokes of the cane for molesting three women while conducting classes with them. Indian instructor jailed for molesting during yoga classes in Singapore Rajpal Singh, 35, who worked at Trust Yoga in Telok Ayer Street at the time of the offences, no longer conducts lessons there. All three victims were members of the classes when he molested them. Before handing down the sentence, District Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz said Singh had abused the trust placed in him by the three women, whom she referred to as Ms C, Ms V and Ms R, according to a report by The Straits Times newspaper. The judge also said the trio had suffered emotional and psychological harm. The judge said Ms C has been receiving therapy from a counsellor, adding: testified that she had regarded yoga classes as a safe space and had not expected to have been violated during a yoga class by a teacher who was in a position of authority in the room. The judge added that Ms V had testified that she remains very affected by her ordeal and described it as a very traumatic experience. After a 13-day trial, the judge convicted Singh on May 16 of five molestation charges involving the three women. She had found that the trio were unusually convincing witnesses. Singh was acquitted of three other molestation charges involving a fourth woman, Ms Y. Singh had denied molesting the women. Defence lawyer Anil Murkoth Changaroth said his client would appeal against his conviction and sentence. His bail was set at SGD 50,000 . Singh still has two pending molestation charges and his pre-trial conference involving them will be held on September 16, according to the Singapore Daily Report. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. TOKYO Japans Defense Ministry Friday sought a record 8.5 trillion yen budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against Chinas increasing threat, while focusing on unmanned weapons and AI to make up for the declining number of servicemembers as a result of the country's shrinking population. Japan's defense ministry seeks record budget as it faces growing threat from China The ministry's request for 2025 marks the third year of Japans rapid five-year military buildup plan under the governments ongoing security strategy. Japan aims to spend 43 trillion yen through 2027 to double its annual military spending to around 10 trillion yen, making it the worlds third-largest military spender after the United States and China. The budget request was approved at the Defense Ministry meeting Friday ahead of a submission to the Finance Ministry for negotiations through December. Japan has been rapidly building up the defense of the southwestern region in recent years amid Chinas growing military threats and tension in the regional seas. China has escalated clashes with the Philippine coast guards in disputed waters in the South China Sea and sent a fleet of coast guard boats to routinely violate territorial waters around Japanese-controlled disputed islands in the East China Sea that Beijing also claims. A hefty 970 billion yen of the budget request for 2025 covers the cost of bolstering strike-back capability with the development and purchases of long-range missiles and equipment for their launch, including from an Aegis-class destroyer. About one-third of it goes to a satellite constellation aimed at bolstering the capability to detect missile-related activity, as North Korea, China and Russia develop hypersonic missiles that are harder to detect and track. While pushing military buildup, Japan must deal with a shrinking troop size and is focusing on developing and buying more drones for surveillance and combat, requesting 103 billion yen . It also seeks 314 billion yen to build three new multi-purpose compact destroyers that require 90 crewmembers, less than half the crew size currently needed. Japanese defense officials say combat drones are game changers that can be on hours-long missions and lower human losses in combat and consider it a main pillar of Japans ongoing military buildup. The unmanned weapons can also help a country struggling with its aging and shrinking population. Japan has been struggling to fulfill SDF troop levels at 247,000 people. The Self-Defense Force has faced difficulty attracting young applicants in recent years and fulfilled only half of its recruiting target of 19,598 last year, making it the lowest in the 70 years of SDF history. Last year, 6,258 mid-career personnel left, the highest number in 30 years. Due to declining childbirths and working age population, it is inevitable that Japan will face a society of serious labor shortage, the ministry said in an interim report on human resources, also released Friday. We need to build an organization that can fight in new ways while strengthening defense power. Shrinking younger population and private companies that offer better salaries and benefits make the environment surrounding recruiting servicemembers the worst since the end of World War II, the ministry report said. It requested 18 billion yen to introduce an AI surveillance system at 40 SDF bases across Japan, aiming to free up 1,000 service personnel. It is also asking 4.3 billion for automated supply storage for launch in 2027 in Okinawa. In the interim report released Friday, the ministry called for reforms to improve salary, working environment, more training and learning opportunities, as well as support for working mothers to lure more women. The ministry has been hit by a series of revelations of sexual assaults, harassment and abuse of power in recent years. Its internal investigation last year criticized cover-up attempts and a lack of sense of responsibility among supervisors. It came under fire in July over the leak of classified information and corruption scandals. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Dhaka Bangladesh interim government head Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday discussed the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and the revitalisation of bilateral relations. Nobel laureate and chief adviser of Bangladesh's new interim government Muhammad Yunus arrives to meet relatives of people who went missing during the tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka on August 13. (AFP) Sharif called Yunus on telephone to congratulate him on becoming the leader of the caretaker administration. Ties between the Bangladesh and Pakistan were frosty during the tenure of former premier Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down and fled to India on August 5. Sharif stressed the need to reinvigorate the Saarc process, according to a readout of the conversation from the Bangladeshi side. Yunus said he is committed to revitalising Saarc as a top regional forum to boost ties among the South Asian nations. Yunus also highlighted the necessity of holding regular Saarc summits and stressed the need to hold even a brief meeting among the heads of state and governments of the Saarc states at the earliest convenience. On Tuesday, Yunus had called for reviving Saarc to boost economic cooperation in the neighbourhood during a meeting with Pakistan high commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof. Saarc has been largely moribund since India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan pulled out of a summit that was to be hosted by Pakistan in November 2016. Since then, India has stepped up cooperation through other regional mechanisms such as Bimstec. The readout said Yunus called for strengthening economic ties and people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Sharif emphasised the need to revitalise bilateral ties and said there is immense potential [for] expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation. He also underscored the need to resume mechanisms like the foreign secretary-level consultations and the joint economic commission between Dhaka and Islamabad. Sharif also hoped the goodwill between Bangladesh and Pakistan would be translated into substantial cooperation. He expressed his willingness to provide support to people affected by floods in southern and southeastern Bangladesh. Yunus took over as head of the interim government head on August 8, following student-led protests that resulted in the death of more than 600 people. MANILA, - Philippine authorities on Friday filed several counts of money laundering against a fugitive former town mayor accused of links to Chinese criminal syndicates. Philippines files money-laundering case against fugitive ex-mayor Alice Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is wanted by the Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged criminal ties. She has denied the accusations, insisting she is a natural-born Philippine citizen facing "malicious accusations". The Anti-Money Laundering Council , with the National Bureau of Investigation and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, jointly filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others at the Department of Justice. "These individuals ... are alleged to have been involved in a complex scheme of money laundering linked to the crimes of estafa , qualified trafficking in persons, and violations of the Securities Regulation Code," the AMLC said in a statement. Guo and her co-conspirators were alleged to have laundered more than 100 million pesos in proceeds from criminal activities, the council said. The council also sought to forfeit 6 billion pesos worth of assets including real estate properties, luxury vehicles and a helicopter that Guo and her associates accumulated through alleged illegal activities. Lawyers of Alice Guo and another respondent, Sheila Guo, did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside office hours on Friday. Guo, who was recently removed from office by the local government ombudsman, has fled the country, traveling to Malaysia and Singapore last month and Indonesia this month using her Philippine passport, the Philippine anti-crime agency said. The Senate's investigation began in May after authorities raided a casino in Guo's sleepy farming town of Bamban in March, uncovering what the authorities said were scams being perpetrated from a facility built on land partially owned by the former mayor. Guo's case comes at a time of growing Philippine suspicion about China's activities following an increasingly tense dispute over reefs and shoals in the busy waterway of the South China Sea, where both nations have overlapping claims. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A Russian guided bomb attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv hit a residential building and a playground on Friday, killing seven people and injuring at least 77 more, local authorities said. A view shows a burning apartment building hit by a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv on August 30, 2024.(REUTERS) Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a 14-year-old girl was among the dead. Ihor Terekhov, the city's mayor, had earlier said on Telegram that one child was killed in the playground. The 12-storey apartment block caught fire as a result of the strike, the mayor said. The death toll from the attack climbed to seven when a woman's body was recovered from the rubble, he added in a later statement. About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. One end of the block was engulfed in black smoke, with many of the upper floors in flames. Several cars parked outside were gutted by fire. Emergency services and rescue volunteers rushed to carry survivors out of the building. The body of one of the victims lay under a carpet on the ground outside, surrounded by police. Residents of all ages, some of them covered in blood, sat stunned on benches and walls outside as medics attended to their injuries. Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a shock incursion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian authorities said that Friday's attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from planes in Russia's Belgorod region, also known as "glide bombs" which are fitted with a navigation system taking them to their targets. The weapons are hard to intercept and they have become a fearsome tool in the war in eastern Ukraine in recent months that can cause huge devastation. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Thousands have been killed and wounded during the full-scale invasion Moscow launched in Ukraine in 2022. In the wake of the Kharkiv strike, Zelenskiy renewed a call on Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to attack Russian military air bases. "A strike ... would not have happened if our defence forces had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft where they are based," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. "There is no rational reason to restrict Ukraine's defences." Kyiv says that the most effective way to counter such strikes is to target Russian planes, not the bombs themselves. Syrian sculptor Khaled Dawwa on Friday destroyed his giant artwork outside the United Nations office in Geneva to denounce tens of thousands of enforced disappearances in Syria. Syrian artist destroys statue outside UN in political message Using saws and hammers, relatives of disappeared Syrians helped the artist break apart the wood, plaster and foam statue on the International Day of the Disappeared. "We are here to protest against the system, to say, 'enough'. We have a right to know the truth," the 39-year-old sculptor, who lives in exile in France, told AFP. Dawwa's 3.5 metre - high colossus, "The King of Holes", depicted a potentate with a massive body, reflecting the artist's condemnation of oppressive power, before it was thrashed to pieces. The idea for the protest came from rights group Syria Campaign, which suggested that Dawwa tear down the installation outside the UN headquarters. He created it in 2021 in Paris with the intention of demolishing it later. "It is a fragile piece that is difficult to keep," he said. Dawwa took part in Syria's so-called Arab Spring demonstrations in 2012 that escalated into a bloody, protracted war. He was in his studio in May 2013 when he was severely wounded by bullet fragments from a government helicopter and jailed for two months after leaving hospital. Echoing the conflict, the legs, face and arms of the artwork are riddled with small holes. Amongst the rights campaigners on site was Wafa Mustafa, 34, who has not heard from her father since he was arrested in 2013. "This statue, to all the Syrian families here, does not represent only the Assad regime" which is mainly "responsible for the detention of our loved ones", the Syria Campaign activist told AFP. "But also it represents the international community and the UN that has failed us for the past 13 years" and "has not provided any real action to stop the massacre in Syria, and to give Syrians their basic human rights," she said. Around 100,000 people have disappeared in the Syria as part of government repression or kidnappings by anti-regime militias, according to several non-profit organisations. Ahmad Helmi, 34, said he had fled Syria after he was arrested by the country's secret services as a university student, and jailed for three years. He followed Dawwa to Geneva to help him destroy the statue. "The pain of three years in prison, three years of torture... doesn't count to one day of the pain my mum experienced every single day when I was disappeared," said Helmi. "Hundreds of thousands of families and mothers are in Syria and around the world today experiencing the same pain," he added. The Syrian war began after the repression of anti-government protests in 2011 and spiralled into a complex conflict drawing in foreign armies and jihadists, killing more than 500,000 people and displacing millions. Dawwa says the statue's holes are like those made by "animals that eat wood". "For me, that's like hope," he said. "There is always something that eats at it." apo/vog/ju/db This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard Taiwan ministry says China lacks ability to invade, but has other options TAIPEI - China lacks the ability to "fully" invade Taiwan as it does not have the equipment, but is bringing on line advanced new weapons and has other options to threaten Taiwan, such as inspecting foreign cargo ships, the island's defence ministry said. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. In an annual threat assessment of China sent to lawmakers on Friday, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, Taiwan's defence ministry said Beijing continues to hone skills such as joint command operations. "However, the use of tactics and strategies against Taiwan is still limited by the natural geographical environment of the Taiwan Strait and insufficient landing equipment and logistic capabilities," it said. China "is not yet fully possessed of the formal combat capabilities for a comprehensive invasion of Taiwan". But China is speeding up development of a slew of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles and beefing up the number of nuclear warheads, while trialling new tactics, the ministry said. The report said that in May, when China staged war games around Taiwan shortly after Lai Ching-te took office as the new president, Chinese coast guard ships were sent for the first time on interception and inspection drills off the east coast. China's aim with the drills was to practice cutting off communication with the outside world and blockade Taiwan, and boarding foreign cargo ships is an option China could take, short of open conflict, the ministry said. The waters around Taiwan, including the Taiwan Strait, are busy international shipping lanes. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday, the ministry said that as long as Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party "engages in 'Taiwan independence' , there will be no peace". "The more they provoke, the faster they will perish," spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters. Taiwan's proposed defence spending will rise faster than expected economic growth next year, as Taipei builds more missiles, submarines and other weapons to deter China. President Lai, whom China calls a "separatist", has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. "Peace achieved by strength is true peace," Lai told officers at the defence ministry on Friday. "We will continue to improve our self-defence capabilities and show the world that we are united as a nation and are determined to protect our country." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Townsville , This week, one of the worlds largest fossil fuel exporters went to a meeting of island states strongly affected by human-induced climate change. Talk isnt enough: Pacific nations say Australia must end new fossil fuel projects Or, in more conventional language, Australian leaders attended the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. Since 1971, this forum has been the top diplomatic meeting for Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand. Security was on the agenda this year, against a backdrop of geopolitical manoeuvring and unrest in New Caledonia. But one issue made its presence felt above all else: climate change. At the forums opening, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made that clear: There is an enormous injustice in relation to the Pacific and its the reason I am here [] The small islands dont contribute to climate change but everything that happens because of climate change is multiplied here. Australia is walking a difficult line at the summit. Pointing to our domestic green energy progress isnt enough. Our neighbours are focused on Australias emergence as the worlds second largest exporter of fossil fuel emissions and steady opening of more gas and coal fields. Even as Australias climate and migration pact with Tuvalu came into effect, Tuvalus climate change minister, Maina Talia, called for an end to the immoral and unacceptable acts of opening new mines, continuing fossil fuel subsidies and exporting fossil fuels. Australian leaders hope to co-host the worlds top climate talks in 2026 in partnership with Pacific Island nations. While some Pacific leaders are opposed to co-hosting without an Australian pledge to end new goal and gas projects, others see it as a way Australia can show it is truly part of the Pacific family. What happened at the forum? A big-ticket item at this years forum was the Falepili Union, a pact between Australia and Tuvalu signed last year and coming into effect at the forum. Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, claimed it was the most significant agreement between Australia and one of its Pacific partners since the agreements for Papua New Guineas independence in 1975. The pact allows 280 Tuvaluans a year to move to Australia, whilst committing Australia to funding climate adaptation work and disaster response efforts on the islands. Significantly, the treaty also states Australia will recognise the statehood of Tuvalu even if it were to be submerged due to climate change. In return, Tuvalu and Australia will agree together on any arrangements involving Tuvalus security or defence. Effectively, this gives Australia the extraordinary ability to block any actions of Tuvalu it feels do not serve its regional interests. This is significant, as China seeks to expand its influence in the Pacific. At the leaders forum on Thursday, the joint bid to host the 31st United Nations climate conference is expected to be discussed. Its not guaranteed, as Turkiye has also put in a bid. Pacific leaders have made it clear they will push hard for Australia to go beyond efforts to cut local emissions. What else might we see? Analysts have been closely watching how New Zealand leaders approach the forum. While New Zealand has very strong connections to the Pacific and has been actively supporting climate adaptation work in many Pacific nations, the new right wing government is showing signs of backing away from domestic climate efforts. At the forum, New Zealands Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, drew attention for downplaying the human role in changing the climate and claiming some Pacific islands are actually growing. Are island nations united? Not on everything. But on climate, they have learned the power of speaking with a united voice. In recent years, Pacific nations have become the new face of climate diplomacy. At the 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh climate talks in Egypt, Pacific nations were visible and effective in their push to secure better promises of funding to cover loss and damage done by climate change. Pacific expert George Carter this week described the effective Pacific approach: inviting Australia to be more active as a member of the Pacific family while at the same time pressing us to cut reliance on fossil fuels. Pacific leaders have consistently said they are willing to take their allegiances elsewhere if high-level rhetoric does not turn into action. In 2019, former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama claimed climate reluctance by Australias Morrison government would push Pacific nations closer to China. This is because adapting to sea level rise is expensive, and Pacific nations are small. Vanuatu, for instance, was the first nation to figure out how much climate adaption would cost them. The answer: A$260 million by 2030 just to respond to loss and damage. To phase out fossil fuels and decarbonise the nation in addition to adaptation projects would cost $1.75 billion a staggering amount for a small country. Vanuatu is already the worlds most disaster-prone nation. Rising to the challenge of protecting shorelines and relocating villages comes on top of that. Fiji has completed six climate-related community relocations to date. According to the government, 42 more need immediate help and another 800 will need assistance soon. Without external funding, the need will soon dwarf what the government can offer. Whats next? For the Pacific, climate change is everything. When Guterres talked about moving away from fossil fuels, many observers took that to be a comment aimed at Australia. Its unlikely Australia can keep the Pacific onside with bilateral pacts, regional policing initiatives or by pointing to domestic efforts to go green and achieve net-zero later. For the Pacific, the future is now. Climate change is lapping at their shores, and future promises are worth very little. NSA NSA This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. KYIV - Ukraine's armed forces commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Friday his troops had advanced up to 2 km in Russia's Kursk region in the past day, pressing on with the cross-border incursion it started more than three weeks ago. Ukraine says it advances in Kursk region, urges allies help defend air space Syrskyi also said Russian troops had failed in their latest bid to pierce Ukrainian defences in the Pokrovsk area of eastern Ukraine. Kyiv launched its surprise operation into Kursk in western Russia on Aug. 6. It has claimed to control about 100 settlements and said it reached up to 35 km deep into the region, but later advances appeared to have stalled. Syrskyi said on Friday his troops had moved forward again with a renewed effort, gaining 5 square km of Russian territory in the past 24 hours. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was briefed by Syrskyi via video link, said on Telegram the Ukrainian military had taken more prisoners. Kyiv has said the incursion - arguably its boldest move in a war that began with a Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 - is designed to protect its border settlements from constant Russian strikes. Analysts also suggested that Ukraine had expected Russia to re-deploy troops to the area, thus weakening Moscow's main eastern offensive. But that advance has not noticeably slowed, with Russian forces saying they were moving ever closer to the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, a strategic transportation and evacuation hub. It lies on a key supply route linking central Ukraine with large towns in the east. Syrskyi said the Russians had failed in their attempts to break Ukrainian defences in the Pokrovsk area in the last day. Ukraine's General Staff put the number of assaults in the Pokrovsk direction on Thursday at 58, and at 36 as of Friday. Russia's defence ministry said earlier on Friday its troops had captured three settlements in eastern Ukraine. Russia has called Ukraine's Kursk operation a "major provocation" and said it would retaliate. On Monday, it launched over 200 missiles and drones at the country, targeting the energy sector in one of the biggest such attacks of the war. Following the barrage, Kyiv officials repeated calls on their allies to start shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine's western regions to help the country's stretched air defences and to protect civilians. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Telegram on Friday he had addressed the issue at an informal meeting of EU defence ministers. He urged allies to create a safety zone - which he called a "defence belt" - over Western regions of Ukraine. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. HARRISBURG, Pa. A state court Friday halted enforcement of a requirement that voters include accurate, handwritten dates on envelopes used to submit mail-in ballots, a ruling likely to keep several thousand Pennsylvania votes from being thrown out in the November election. Court stops Pennsylvania counties from throwing out mail-in votes over incorrect envelope dates In a decision handed down as the state is being hotly contested in the presidential contest, Commonwealth Court ruled 4-1 that disqualifying voters who failed to include the date violates the state constitution's clause that addresses free and equal" elections. The refusal to count undated or incorrectly dated but timely mail ballots submitted by otherwise eligible voters because of meaningless and inconsequential paperwork errors violates the fundamental right to vote in the Pennsylvania Constitution, wrote Judge Ellen Ceisler in the majority opinion, siding with the left-leaning groups that sued three months ago. Pennsylvania is widely seen as a critical battlefield state in the race between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, and the 2016 and 2020 presidential contests in the state were both very close. The number of mail-in ballots that might otherwise be disqualified for lacking accurate exterior envelope dates is comparatively small in a state where more than 6 million votes will be cast this fall, perhaps exceeding 10,000. Evidence in litigation surrounding the requirement has indicated older voters have been more likely to have their ballots thrown out for lack of an accurate handwritten date. Far more Democrats than Republicans vote by mail in Pennsylvania. In a lone dissent, Judge Patricia McCullough said the majority showed a wholesale abandonment of common sense, ignoring more than a century of legal precedent and rewriting the 2019 state law that dramatically expanded mail-in voting. I must wonder whether walking into a polling place, signing your name, licking an envelope, or going to the mailbox can now withstand the majority's newly minted standard, McCullough wrote. The case was brought against the secretary of state and the election boards in Philadelphia and Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh. State and national Democratic Party groups joined the lawsuit, supporting its goals. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on social media that the ruling was a victory for Pennsylvanians fundamental right to vote." The office of Secretary of State Al Schmidt, appointed by Shapiro, had no immediate comment about how the decision might alter its guidance to counties that run elections. In July, the Department of State told counties that return envelopes should be printed so that they already include the full year, 2024, leaving voters to add the accurate month and day. Multiple court cases have now confirmed that the dating of a mail-in ballot envelope, when election officials can already confirm it was sent and received within the legal voting window, provides no purpose to election administration, the Department of State said in a release. Tom King, a lawyer who represent the state and national Republican Party groups in the case, said he was disappointed in the decision and absolutely will appeal. They had argued the Pennsylvania Supreme Court had already rejected similar arguments regarding the constitutionality of and the meaningless underlying the dating provisions" in prior cases regarding envelope dates, Ceisler wrote. The plaintiffs include the Black Political Empowerment Project, POWER Interfaith, Make the Road Pennsylvania, OnePA Activists United, New PA Project Education Fund, Casa San Jose, Pittsburgh United, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and Common Cause Pennsylvania. They argued that county elections officials are able to tell whether ballots were cast in time because they are scanned and timestamped upon arrival. The ACLU of Pennsylvania, which helped represent the plaintiffs, hailed the decision as a win for voters and democracy. No one should lose their vote over a simple human error that has no relevance to whether or not the ballot was received on time, said Mike Lee, the groups executive director, in an emailed statement. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are expected to return to Earth in February 2025, with Elon Musk's SpaceX coming to their rescue. However, this conclusion to their stranded status was presumably not something the space giant's rival Boeing readily agreed to. NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams blasted off for the ISS on Starliner on June 5 for what was meant to be an eight-day stay. (AFP) With its reputation on the line, Boeing reportedly pushed the idea that its spacecraft was in good enough condition to bring the astronauts home." As expected, NASA strongly disagreed with the notion, owing to its multiplying issues with malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks that have already significantly delayed Williams and Wilmore's homecoming. The pair initially embarked on their eight-day journey on June 5 but found themselves stuck in space for months. While they've been trapped aboard the ISS, NASA and Boeing have been going back and forth, stuck in their contentiously heated meetings, deciding how to bring them back. Although Williams and Wilmore's interstellar stay has again been expanded to nearly eight months, the SpaceX mission set to take off in February is now being deemed a ray of hope. Also read | Sunita Williams' husband and mother break silence over her extended stay on ISS: She told me NASA reportedly slams Boeing as wildly irresponsible over Starliner claims On August 30, the New York Post dropped a bombshell report, revealing insight from NASA and Boeing executives detailing how the tense meetings between senior-level employees over the issue devolved into argumentative tussles. A NASA exec familiar with these interactions said, The thinking around here was that Boeing was being wildly irresponsible. Ultimately, the US space agency crossed the field to join hands with Musk's SpaceX, ruling out Boeing's purported pushback. As could have been anticipated, Boeing wasn't happy with the result, the NASA official maintained. And they made that perfectly clear to us. But whats the headline if theres a catastrophic failure? Its not Boeing killed two astronauts, its NASA killed two astronauts. So no, its better safe than sorry. Evidence of the company's disapproval was also foregrounded in an internal email last week. Boeing's uncrewed Starliner return scheduled for September The media outlet further amplified the message highlighted in the head of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program, Mark Nappi, 's mail to the employees: I know this is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to carry out the actions necessary to support NASAs decision. Also read | Record-breaking ticket prices for Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese's final matchup: Game-changing WNBA impact hard to deny The focus remains first and foremost on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft. I have the utmost confidence in this team to prepare Starliner for a safe and successful uncrewed return with the same level of professionalism and determination as you did the first half of the mission, Nappi added. Despite the reported crossfire between NASA and Boeing, the government agency hasn't completely sworn off the latter. I think the key word is partner," NASA spokesperson Bowersox said at a press conference. A lot of people want to focus on the contractual relationship where were buying something from a company. This isnt completely like that, right? We have a contract with Boeing, but its to work together to develop this capability for our country. Nevertheless, the irony of the situation isn't lost on people. As announced on August 29, Boeing's maiden crewed Starliner will leave the ISS uncrewed no earlier than the forthcoming Friday, September 6. If all goes according to the scheduled plan, undocking will happen at 6:04 pm EDT, with the capsule hopefully landing in White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico six hours later. While SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule prepares for its tenth voyage a rescue mission, Boeing hopes that the Starliner's Earth-coming journey will be a success to prove NASA's strongly disagreed move wrong. Former US President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has made a promise that under his administration, either insurance company pay or we are going to be paying for that treatment of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for all Americans. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak about the economy during a campaign event in Potterville, Michigan, on August 29, 2024. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP)(AFP) This announcement came during a rally in Pottersville, Michigan, on Thursday afternoon, marking his first substantial response to months of criticism from Democrats who have sought to associate him with anti-abortion groups that oppose IVF. This audacious assertion is a significant policy agenda that would require new legislation that will be enacted and sponsored by Congressand would automatically face opposition from the Republican right wing. This, together with several other policy intents, he included in his campaign strategies so as to refute the narratives that were crafted by Democrats portraying him as a supporter of the extreme end of the anti-abortion activists. ALSO READ| Trump appeals to federal court for hush money case reversal and sentencing delay Trump contradicts anti-abortion allies and narritives Democrats have been attempting to tie Trump to these anti-abortion groups, particularly in light of his frequent boasting about the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had established the constitutional right to abortion. Following the fall of Roe, there has been increasing concern over conservative efforts to restrict access to fertility treatments, including IVF. Earlier this year, Alabamas highest court issued a decision that temporarily halted IVF treatments in the state. The anti-abortion groups that Trump has courted throughout his presidential campaigns have historically opposed IVF. However, at his Michigan rally, Trump stated, I am announcing today 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 cause We want more babies! ALSO READ| Elon Musks AI Grok sends him and Donald Trump to prison in disturbing video: Watch This announcement was echoed in a subsequent interview with NBC News, recorded just before he took the stage in Pottersville. We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, he told NBC News. Were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay. Trump also criticized Floridas six-week abortion ban while sitting with NBC News, a law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been both a rival and an ally to Trump. I think the six-week [ban] is too short, there has to be more time, Trump said, After publicly endorsing Donald Trump for president, Elon Musk seems to be getting quite serious about his political ambitions. The tech mogul has taken another step into the political arena by hiring a Republican strategist skilled in field organising. This strategic hire hints at Musks readiness for more political action, especially if Trump wins another term as president. Tesla CEO Elon Musk (left) and Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata (right) Elon Musk hires Republican strategist When Musk interviewed Trump on his X platform, many speculated that he was pitching himself for a role in a potential Trump administration. Now, with Musk hiring Chris Young, a senior political figure from PhRMA, those speculations have gained traction. The information was confirmed by three anonymous sources familiar with the matter, as reported by The New York Times on Wednesday. Who is Chris Young? Chris Young, a pro-GOP advisor with expertise in field operations and voter turnout, has joined Elon Musk's political team. Young is going to help Musk figure out the best way to move through the political world while also utilising his billion-dollar net worth in an impactful and balanced way reports NY Times. Also read: Tim Walz issues bizarre reason for misleading statements on carrying gun and IVF: I wont apologise for Young held a senior position at a pharmaceutical company, where he oversaw grassroots organizing efforts. In his new role, he will serve as a liaison between Musk and a super PAC that Musk founded, America PAC. Back in July the Tesla owner endorsed former president Donald Trump for the upcoming 2024 presidential elections and since has been promoting the Republican agenda and exploring ways to drive votes in favor of the party. Although the super PAC initially focused on Republican voter turnout, it encountered challenges and temporarily suspended its field operations following the hiring of a prominent Republican consulting firm. But now a revamped version is soon to roll out. Trump responds to Elon Musk's potential White House role After showing a willingness to tackle government spending and possibly join a deficit-reduction panel during an August 12 interview, Elon Musk received some positive signals from Trump. However, as per CNBC, the Republican nominee hinted that Musk might not be able to join his potential White House cabinet due to the demanding nature of managing so many high-profile companies. Also read: Trump breaks silence on Arlington cemetery row after US army rebukes: These are bad people He wants to be involved. Now look, hes running big businesses and all that, so he cant, really, I dont think he could be a cabinet, Trump said of Musk. This comment came from an interview with former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan, with excerpts published by the outlet on Sunday. He can sort of, as the expression goes, consult with the country and give you some very good ideas, he added to his statement. Elon Musk's X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced the official closure date of its San Francisco headquarters, marking the end of an era for the company that began in the city nearly two decades ago. FILE PHOTO: 'X' logo is seen on the top of the headquarters of the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., July 30, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo(REUTERS) When will X HQ permanently close? The headquarters will permanently close on Friday, September 13, according to a report by Fortune, which cited a source familiar with the matter. Employees were informed of the closure through an internal memo circulated on Thursday. This announcement comes after Musk revealed plans to move the company's operations to Texas. Not only, X, the Tech Mogul also moving his SpaceX HQ to Texas. ALSO READ| Elon Musks AI Grok sends him and Donald Trump to prison in disturbing video: Watch Twitter, which was launched in San Francisco in 2006, initially established its headquarters at 164 South Park Ave. The company became synonymous with the tech boom in the city and played a significant role in shaping the digital landscape of social media. However, under Musk's ownership, significant changes have been made, including the decision to relocate the companys headquarters. Why Musk is moving his X HQ The decision to move X's headquarters out of California has been influenced by several factors. In July, Musk announced his intention to relocate both X and SpaceX, his rocket manufacturing company, from California to Texas. Musk cited a recently enacted California law that prohibits school districts from requiring schools to inform parents if their children request to be referred to by a different pronoun as a major reason for the move. This is the final straw, Musk stated when announcing the decision to move X's headquarters to Austin, Texas, and SpaceX to Starbase, Texas. Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas, he added in the X post. For X employees, the closure of the San Francisco headquarters and the impending move to Texas have been huge adjustments. According to a separate report by Fortune, workers had not been previously informed about when they would be expected to relocate, but the authority didn't mention any timeframe. ALSO READ| Elon Musk on Brazil freezing Starlink bank accounts: Illegal action by a dictator' The Tesla boss also added in the thread, I did make it clear to Governor Newsom about a year ago that laws of this nature would force families and companies to leave California to protect their children. Musk also expressed concerns about the conditions surrounding X's current headquarters on San Franciscos mid-Market Street. He complained about gangs of violent drug addicts that employees had to navigate just to get in and out of the building. Elon Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has sparked controversy by flagging a National Public Radio (NPR) story as "spammy or unsafe". FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo(REUTERS) The article in question reported on Donald Trump's campaign video, which allegedly violated federal law by filming at Arlington National Cemetery. This move has raised questions about Musk's commitment to free speech and his platform's moderation policies. Since acquiring Twitter in 2022 and rebranding it X, Musk has positioned himself as a champion of unfettered expression, reducing moderation and criticizing it as censorship. He has also defended Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who shares similar views on moderation. However, this recent incident suggests exceptions to Musk's free speech stance. ALSO READ| Elon Musk's X cites exactly when they are shutting down San Francisco HQ What the NPR story all about The NPR story detailed how Trump's campaign video may have broken federal law by filming at Arlington National Cemetery, and how a cemetery staffer was pushed away by campaign members. An Army spokesperson confirmed the incident. X's warning label on the NPR story is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between Musk and the news organization. Elon Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has sparked controversy by flagging a National Public Radio (NPR) story as "spammy or unsafe". The article in question reported on Donald Trump's campaign video, which allegedly violated federal law by filming at Arlington National Cemetery. This move has raised questions about Musk's commitment to free speech and his platform's moderation policies. Since acquiring Twitter in 2022 and rebranding it X, Musk has positioned himself as a champion of unfettered expression, reducing moderation and criticizing it as censorship. He has also defended Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who shares similar views on moderation. However, this recent incident suggests exceptions to Musk's free speech stance. Also read: What the NPR story all about The NPR story detailed how Trump's campaign video may have broken federal law by filming at Arlington National Cemetery, and how a cemetery staffer was pushed away by campaign members. An Army spokesperson confirmed the incident. X's warning label on the NPR story is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between Musk and the news organization. In April 2023, NPR announced it would stop posting on X due to the platform's "state-affiliated media" label, which Musk later reconsidered. He also called NPR a "hard left propaganda machine". NPR stated, "We are not putting our journalism on platforms that have demonstrated an interest in undermining our credibility and the public's understanding of our editorial independence". Also read: Elon Musk, trusting Trump, is rocketing into politics; hires Republican political adviser Chris Young Musk has publicly endorsed Trump and hosted him for live discussions on X, reinstating his account after buying the platform. He stated, "The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated. Vox Populi, Vox Dei" (the voice of the people is the voice of God). On the other font, Musk recently revealed that he is moving X headquarter from San Francisco, California to Texas, per Fortune report. The tech mogul cited the decision was due to new California law and employee safety concerns. 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. EU to Move Forward With Russian Asset Plan Regardless of US 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 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. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Norwegian Princess Martha Louise is set to marry American shaman Durek Verrett. This unconventional match between a member of one of Europe's oldest monarchies and a self-proclaimed spiritual healer has raised eyebrows thanks to Durek's troubled past. Love story of Norway's princess set to marry California shaman(Instagram) Durek, who is known for his controversial claims of once being HIV-positive and having "risen from the dead," will marry Princess Martha Louise on Saturday. However, he asserts that the ceremony will be a vow renewal rather than a vow exchange. He has publicly stated that he was a pharaoh in a past life and that Princess Martha Louise was his wife then. The Love Story of Martha Louise and Durek Verrett Martha Louise, a 52-year-old divorcee who claims to be a clairvoyant with the ability to communicate with angels, publicly confirmed her relationship with Verrett in May 2019 after meeting through a mutual friend. They got engaged in June 2022. At the time, she referred to Verrett as her twin flame and addressed critics by stating, I dont choose my partner to fit any of the norms or boxes people have set for me. Also read: Leah Remini, Jennifer Lopezs best friend, and husband Angelo Pagan announce divorce after 21 years Three years into their relationship, Durek Verrett proposed to Princess Martha Louise with a stunning pale green Brazilian emerald and diamond ring. He also sought the approval and blessing of her parents, King Harald V and Queen Sonja. During their time apart during the COVID-19 era, they wrote long notes and dedicated poetry to each other. Since then, they have remained very vocal in paying tribute to each other on social media. In November 2022, Martha Louise stepped down from her royal duties but retained her title, agreeing not to use it for commercial purposes. Durek Verrett controversies and high-profile clients Once arrested for failing to pay his bus fare Shaman Durek Verrett will now become part of one of Europe's most prestigious monarchies through his marriage to Princess Martha Louise. Durek Verrett talked about his childhood in a 2020 Vanity Fair interview, saying he lived a fancy life with lots of house help and even his own private jet, all because his dad was a famous architect. But, his own mom doesn't agree with this picture of his past. She says he actually had a pretty rough start, not as rich or fancy as people think. The bizarre claims One of the most strange stories Verrett told is about how he supposedly died and came back to life from kidney failure in 2002. According to the Daily Mail, Durek, who has previously shared his experience of being HIV positive, made the extraordinary claim of being resurrected, which he considers a very important event shaping his path as a shaman. However, the truth of this remarkable tale remains unverified. Also read: DWTS Artem Chigvintsev released from jail following domestic violence arrest, days after Nikki Garcia anniversary In 2012, Verrett started a fundraising effort to pay for his sister's kidney transplant surgery. Even though he managed to collect more than $20,000, there are still doubts about whether his story is true and how he used the money. Verrett is said to have worked with clients like Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Pine, Selma Blair, and Rosario Dawson. Vanity Fair reports that anyone booking a session with him must sign a waiver beforehand. The session, however, can be terminated "if you try to kiss or touch him; fondle yourself; get undressed or try undressing him; attempt to have intercourse or oral sex with him or sex with yourself; or threaten him in any way." ANNOLIS, Md. A 2022 court hearing that freed Adnan Syed from prison violated the legal rights of the victims family and must be redone, Marylands Supreme Court ruled Friday, marking the latest development in the ongoing legal saga that gained global attention years ago through the hit podcast Serial. Maryland's highest court orders redo of hearing that freed Adnan Syed in 'Serial' case The 4-3 ruling comes about 11 months after the court heard arguments last October in a case that has been fraught with legal twists and divided court rulings since Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing his high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. The panel of seven judges weighed the extent to which crime victims have a right to participate in hearings where a conviction could be vacated. To that end, the court considered whether to uphold a lower appellate court ruling in 2023 in favor of the Lee family. It reinstated Syeds murder conviction a year after a judge granted a request from Baltimore prosecutors to vacate it because of flawed evidence. Syed, 43, has maintained his innocence and has often expressed concern for Lees surviving relatives. The teenage girl was found strangled to death and buried in an unmarked grave in 1999. Syed was sentenced to life in prison, plus 30 years. Syed was released from prison in September 2022, when a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction after city prosecutors found flaws in the evidence. However, in March 2023, the Appellate Court of Maryland, the states intermediate appellate court, ordered a redo of the hearing that won Syed his freedom and reinstated his conviction. The court said the victims family didnt receive adequate notice to attend the hearing in person, violating their right under state law to be treated with dignity and respect. Syeds lawyer Erica Suter has argued that the state did meet its obligation by allowing Lees brother Young Lee to participate in the hearing via video conference. Syed appealed his convictions reinstatement, and the Lee family also appealed to the states highest court, contending that crime victims should be given a larger role in the process of vacating a conviction. Syed has remained free as the latest set of appeals wind their way through the state court system. During oral arguments last year, his attorneys argued the Lee familys appeal was moot because prosecutors decided not to charge him again after his conviction was vacated. And even if her brothers rights were violated, the attorneys argued, he hasnt demonstrated whether the alleged violation would have changed the outcome of the hearing. This wasnt the first time Marylands highest court has taken up Syeds protracted legal odyssey. In 2019, a divided court ruled 4-3 to deny Syed a new trial. A lower court had ordered a retrial in 2016 on grounds that Syeds attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, didnt contact an alibi witness and provided ineffective counsel. Gutierrezdied in 2004. In November 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the decision by Marylands top court. More recently, Baltimore prosecutors reexamined Syeds files under a Maryland law targeting so-called juvenile lifers because he was 17 when Hae Min Lees body was found. Prosecutors uncovered numerous problems, including alternative suspects and the unreliable evidence presented at trial. Instead of reconsidering his sentence, prosecutors filed a motion to vacate Syeds conviction entirely. They later chose not to recharge him after receiving the results of DNA testing that was conducted using more modern testing techniques than initially conducted. DNA recovered from Lees shoes excluded Syed as a suspect, prosecutors said. Syeds case was chronicled in the Serial podcast, which debuted in 2014 and drew millions of listeners who became armchair detectives as the series analyzed the case. The show transformed the true-crime genre as it shattered podcast-streaming and downloading records, revealing little-known evidence and raising new questions about the case. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Prince Harry and Prince William reunited at their uncle's funeral. The brothers had not been seen together since King Charles III's coronation, and reports suggest they maintained a distance from each other. The Duke of Sussex made a discreet flight from the United States to attend the funeral in the UK. However, reports suggest the reunion was not as warm as it used to be. Despite their differences, the brothers were united in honouring their uncle and paying their respects. FILE - Prince Harry and William reunite at uncles funeral,(AP) Prince Harry and Williams reunion According to The Sun, Harry and William had a brief reunion on Wednesday when they were spotted together at their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes funeral in Snettisham, Norfolk. However, their underlying tensions were evident, as noted by eyewitnesses and sources who spoke to the outlet later. 'They even arrived discreetly,' one insider told The Sun. Another source mentioned seeing them only at the end of the service in St Marys Church. Earlier, Harry's representatives stated that the estranged royal would not be attending the funeral. As a result, many experts speculated that William's presence might create an uncomfortable situation, even if he wished to attend. Lord Fellowes, late Princess Diana's brother-in-law, was survived by his three childrenLaura, Alexander, and Eleanorwho are William and Harry's cousins No one saw them talking One source told the UK publication that, the estranged brothers, sat separately at the back of the church. Despite being present at the same event, the two princes were not seen interacting or speaking with each other throughout the service. However, their joint attendance was a big moment for the royal family, with a close family friend expressing their happiness at both princes being there to honour their family members keeping differences aside. A local observer noted, William and Harry were both present, but we didn't see them speak to each other, and they were keeping their distance. Lord Fellowes, a former banker joined the Royal Household in 1977 and got married to Lady Jane Spencer, Diana's sister, the following year. He served as a trusted private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II for nine years, guiding her through a challenging time that included the tragic death of Princess Diana. Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship has been strained since Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to the United States and released their highly publicized documentary, interview, and the memoir "Spare." Despite reports of reconciliation efforts, the brothers' communication has remained limited. As the United States gears up to elect presidential election, it's important to understand the role of Electoral College system - the deciding factor in US elections. While most democracies around the world rely on a direct popular vote to elect their leaders, the U.S. has a distinctive approach that can sometimes defy the popular vote. Explainer on the role of the Electoral College, its origins, and its powerful influence on the outcome of U.S. presidential elections What is the Electoral College? The Electoral College is a group of electors established by the US Constitution that formally elects the president and vice president. The system underscores the founding fathers desire to balance the influence of populous and less populous states. It also aims to safeguard against potential mob rule. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with each states number of electors equivalent to its total number of members in Congressboth Senators (two per state) and Representatives (which vary based on population). Additionally, the District of Columbia, though not a state, is allotted three electors. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure a majority of the electoral votes, which means at least 270. The Origin of the Electoral College The Electoral College was established during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as a compromise between those who wanted Congress to elect the president and those who favoured a direct popular vote. The framers of the Constitution were concerned about several issues: ensuring that smaller states had a voice, preventing regional candidates from dominating, and creating a buffer between the electorate and the presidency. Originally, the process allowed electors considerable discretion in casting their votes, but over time, the role of electors became more of a formality. Today, electors are generally expected to vote in line with the popular vote of their respective states. How the Electoral College Works The process begins with the general election, held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. While voters across the country cast their ballots for presidential candidates, they are technically voting for a slate of electors pledged to that candidate. Also Read: How is the US President elected US States and Electoral Votes Allotted State Electoral Votes Alabama 9 Alaska 3 Arizona 11 Arkansas 6 California 54 Colorado 10 Connecticut 7 Delaware 3 District of Columbia 3 Florida 30 Georgia 16 Hawaii 4 Idaho 4 Illinois 19 Indiana 11 Iowa 6 Kansas 6 Kentucky 8 Louisiana 8 Maine 4 Maryland 10 Massachusetts 11 Michigan 15 Minnesota 10 Mississippi 6 Missouri 10 Montana 4 Nebraska 5 Nevada 6 New Hampshire 4 New Jersey 14 New Mexico 5 New York 28 North Carolina 16 North Dakota 3 Ohio 17 Oklahoma 7 Oregon 8 Pennsylvania 19 Rhode Island 4 South Carolina 9 South Dakota 3 Tennessee 11 Texas 40 Utah 6 Vermont 3 Virginia 13 Washington 12 West Virginia 4 Wisconsin 10 Wyoming 3 In most states, the Electoral College operates on a winner-takes-all basis. This means that the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state receives all of that states electoral votes. Only Maine and Nebraska use a proportional system, where electoral votes can be split between candidates based on congressional district results. After Election Day, the electors meet in their respective states on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast their votes for president and vice president. These votes are then sent to Congress, where they are officially counted in early January. Swing States and their power The Electoral College has a profound impact on the outcome of U.S. presidential elections, and its design can sometimes lead to results that differ from the national popular vote. This power to swing an election lies in several factors: The focus on swing statesthose with electorates that are closely divided between the two major partieshighlights the Electoral Colleges power. These states often decide the election because their electoral votes are not reliably Democrat or Republican. In recent elections, states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin have played pivotal roles in determining the president. Candidates invest heavily in campaigning in these swing states, knowing that winning them can secure the necessary electoral votes, even if they lose the national popular vote. Popular Votes and Electoral Votes: The Disparity One of the most contentious aspects of the Electoral College is the possibility that a candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote. This has happened five times in U.S. history, most recently in the 2016 election, when Donald Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million votes. This disparity occurs because of the winner-takes-all system in most states, where a candidate can win by a narrow margin in key states and secure all their electoral votes, even if they lose by large margins elsewhere. This system amplifies the significance of swing states and can lead to scenarios where the Electoral College outcome does not reflect the national popular will. All about Faithless Electors Although rare, the phenomenon of faithless electors adds another layer of uncertainty to the Electoral College. Faithless electors are those who, despite pledging to vote for a particular candidate, choose to vote for someone else. While the number of faithless electors has been small and has never altered the outcome of an election, their existence raises concerns about the reliability of the Electoral College. Some states have laws penalizing faithless electors or nullifying their votes, but the US Supreme Court only recently ruled in 2020 that states have the authority to enforce such laws. Despite these measures, the potential for electors to vote contrary to their pledge remains a theoretical risk. Criticism against electoral system and calls for reform The Electoral College has faced significant criticism, particularly in the modern era, with some arguing that it is an outdated system that undermines the principle of one person, one vote. Critics contend that the system gives disproportionate power to smaller states and swing states, while the majority of voters in non-competitive states are essentially sidelined. Some have called for a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College in favour of a direct popular vote. However, this would require a significant political consensus, as amending the Constitution is a challenging process requiring approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. Despite its controversies and the calls for reform, the Electoral College remains a cornerstone of the U.S. presidential election system. Its power to swing electionsby focusing on swing states, potentially diverging from the popular vote, and allowing for the existence of faithless electorsensures that it will continue to play a decisive role in American politics. Democratic vice presidential pick, Tim Walz offered a strange justification for making false claims about military service and family fertility issues, stating he wont apologise for expressing himself passionately. Tim Walz welcomed Scout into his family in 2019. (AP) In a recent joint interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, Walz was questioned by CNNs Dana Bash about his 2018 claim of carrying a weapon 'in war. Additionally, Walz was also quizzed for his statement that he and his wife used in vitro fertilisation to conceive their children, a claim that later turned out to be inaccurate. Tim Walz responds to carrying war weapon claims On August 29, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, appeared for a highly anticipated CNN interview. During the interview, Walz was questioned about past statements, including a 2018 video where he discussed gun violence and mentioned 'weapons of war' that he carried in war. I think people are coming to get to know me. I speak like they do. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, Walz said. I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns. Also read: Trump breaks silence on Arlington cemetery row after US army rebukes: These are bad people Bash challenged Walz by pointing out that a spokesperson for his campaign had already admitted that he misspoke about carrying a weapon in war. Trump's running mate, JD Vance, took a close interest in this claim and it turned into a big argument pretty fast. Even though Walz spent 24 years in the Army National Guard, he never went to a war zone and later said he was wrong about something. This was after a school shooting, the idea of carrying these weapons of war, he described the situation. and my wife, the English teacher, told me my grammar is not always correct, he added. Taking a dig at Republicans for mocking his son Gus Walz during the DNC for showing support and emotion, he added, But again, if its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me, or its an attack on my dog. I wont apologise, says Tim Walz after series of misstatements Walz was again questioned about his false claim in his convention speech that he and his wife used in vitro fertilisation to conceive their children. After his wifes statement indicated otherwise, he corrected himself, saying it was a different fertility treatment. Instead of addressing these mistakes directly, he appeared to shrug off the questions quite passionately. I spoke about our infertility issues because its hell, and families know this. And I spoke about the treatments that were available to us, that had those beautiful children there, he said adding, I certainly own my mistakes when I make them. Also read: Leah Remini, Jennifer Lopezs best friend, and husband Angelo Pagan announce divorce after 21 years I wont apologise for speaking passionately, whether its guns in schools or protection of reproductive rights, the contrast could not be clearer between what were running against. the Minnesota Governor continued. Lastly, the 60-year-old made it clear that he is not going to insult Republicans, seemingly referring to JD Vances comment telling Kamala Harris to 'go to hell' regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal, which was made on the same day. For those unversed, the vice presidential picks for both presidential candidates will face off on October 1, hosted by CBS. Former President Donald Trump asked a federal court late Thursday to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, seeking a pathway to overturn his felony conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing next month. Donald Trump looks on during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.(Getty Images via AFP) Lawyers for the current Republican nominee asked the federal court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried, arguing that the historic prosecution violated his constitutional rights and ran afoul of the U.S. Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity ruling. Trumps lawyers, who failed last year in a pretrial bid to get the case shifted to federal court, said moving it now will give him an unbiased forum, free from local hostilities" to address those issues. In state court, they said, Trump has been the victim of bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety." If the case is moved to federal court, Trumps lawyers said they will then seek to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed on immunity grounds. If the case remains in state court and Trump's sentencing proceeds as scheduled on Sept. 18 about seven weeks before Election Day it would be election interference, his lawyers said, raising the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting under way. The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election and voters located far beyond Manhattan, Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a 64-page U.S. District Court court filing. The Manhattan district attorneys office, which prosecuted Trump's case and fought his previous effort to move the case out of state court, declined to comment. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for New York's state court system. Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses. Trump maintains that the stories were false, that reimbursements were for legal work and logged correctly, and that the case against him was part of a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at damaging his current presidential campaign. Even if Trumps case isnt moved to federal court, ensuing legal wrangling could force his sentencing to be delayed, giving him a critical reprieve as he navigates the aftermath of his criminal conviction and the homestretch of his White House run. Separately, the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, is weighing Trump's requests to postpone sentencing until after Election Day, Nov. 5, and to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Courts immunity decision. The high court's July 1 ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a presidents unofficial actions were illegal. Trumps lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, and that the trial was tainted by evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how he reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018. Trumps lawyers had previously invoked presidential immunity in a failed bid last year to get the hush money case moved from state court to federal court. A federal judge rejected that request, clearing the way for Trumps trial in state court. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected Trumps claim that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties, writing in July 2023, The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, Hellerstein added. Trumps lawyers argued in Thursday's filing that circumstances had changed since their initial attempt was rejected. Among other things, they said state prosecutors had misled the court by saying earlier that the trial wouldnt involve Trumps official duties or actions as president. There was also testimony, they said, from Cohen about Trumps potential use of pardon power and his response to various investigations into his conduct. All that testimony, they wrote, had to do with Trumps actions as president. President Trump is entitled to a federal forum for his Presidential immunity defense based on the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. United States, Blanche and Bove wrote. After this case is properly removed, President Trump will establish that the charges must be dismissed. Blanche and Bove also reiterated their claims that Merchan has treated Trump unfairly because Merchans daughter is a Democratic political consultant, and they argued that the judge is wrongly muzzling Trump with a gag order he kept in place after the verdict. Merchan this month rejected Trumps latest request that he step aside from the case, saying Trumps demand was a rehash rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recent upheld the gag order. Merchan "is poised to incarcerate President Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, and he has maintained an unwarranted and unconstitutional prior restraint on President Trumps ability to respond to political attacks by criticizing the New York County proceedings, Blanche and Bove said. Donald Trump has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The controversial gestures (giving thumbs up and smiling) were made at the graves of soldiers who died during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Donald Trump at a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2024(Getty Images via AFP) The criticism escalated following a heated altercation between Trump campaign staff and cemetery officials. What initially seemed like a strong move for the Republicans ahead of the elections has since turned into a debacle. Now, the former president has opened up about the situation. Trump responds to Arlington Cemetery debacle On Thursday, Donald Trump shared what led to his sudden visit and the photos taken during the event. After visiting Virginia to lay a wreath marking the third anniversary of the deaths of 13 American soldiers, the former president clarified that he had been invited by Gold Star Families and requested to take photos alongside them. Trump made it clear that he's not into the whole 'publicity' thing. Those families that asked me to be there. So I went, the presidential hopeful said during a rally in Michigan. 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, he added. Also read: Trump accuses Mark Zuckerberg of plotting against him; warns of lifetime in prison if Meta Earlier, netizens slammed him for being insensitive and rude towards the soldiers and their families for smiling at their graves. Fans of the MAGA movement cheered him for being supportive of the soldiers' families, but critics saw it as just another tactic in his campaign instead of a real tribute. U.S. Army confirms an employee was pushed aside Earlier in the day, a U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that those participating in the event had been made aware of federal rules, which strictly prohibit any kind of political activities on cemetery grounds. The spokesperson also confirmed that an employee was pushed aside while trying to enforce these rules. According to the Army, the employee 'acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. Also read: DWTS Artem Chigvintsev released from jail following domestic violence arrest, days after Nikki Garcia anniversary This all comes out of Washington, just like all of these prosecutors come out of Washington. These are bad people we're dealing with," Trump added to his speech during the Michigan rally. Trump's campaign filmed the gravesite without permission According to an NBC report, a family member of one of the fallen soldiers believes that the Trump campaign filmed his gravesite without permission. Another news source, the Associated Press, mentioned that Trump's team got a heads-up not to snap pictures in that area due to security concerns. If this is true, the Republican group didn't listen to those instructions. A best Ukrainian pilot, Captain Oleksiy Mes, call sign Moonfish, perished in a crash of an F-16 fighter built in the USA, just several weeks after the delivery of these much-awaited planes to Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky watches a pair of F16 jets flying during Ukraine's Air Force Day celebrations at an undisclosed location, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP) (AFP) This happened while repelling the biggest ever aerial attack by Russia against Ukraine, per a CNN report. The Ukrainian Defense Forces do not believe the crash was a result of pilot error. Moonfishs death is a major loss to Ukraine because it is one of the few pilots who would later have to fly the newly bought F-16s. The pilot was buried on Thursday, after the accident that occurred as he was battling the Russian attack. Currently, the causes of the crash are still unknown and more so, it has been stated that the investigators will soon seek international help to aid in the investigation of the crash. ALSO READ| Elon Musks AI Grok sends him and Donald Trump to prison in disturbing video: Watch The General Staff of Ukraines army told CNN, During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the aircraft was lost. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot died. Ukraine mourns loss of elite pilot Moonfish in F-16 crash Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that the Ukrainian Air Force had used the F-16s to successfully destroy missiles and drones launched by Russia on Monday, marking the first time any Ukrainian official acknowledged the jets' use in combat. The arrival of the F-16s in Ukraine was a result of persistent efforts by Zelensky and his government, who had been lobbying Western allies for the jets since the onset of Russias full-scale invasion. Despite Ukraines urgent requests, Western nations were initially hesitant to provide the fighter jets. It wasnt until early summer 2023 that the Netherlands and Denmark committed to supplying the planes, followed by the U.S. granting approval for their transfer several weeks later. ALSO READ| Trump appeals to federal court for hush money case reversal and sentencing delay Once the F-16s arrived earlier this summer, Zelensky noted that securing the jets had required hundreds of meetings and negotiations. Training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s began in the U.S. last fall. The F-16 jets can provide air cover for ground troops, attack enemy positions, engage other aircraft, and intercept missiles. With the right armaments, the F-16s could serve as a deterrent to Russian fighter-bombers. Minor Hotels, a global hospitality leader with over 550 hotels, resorts and residences in 56 countries, has announced plans to launch its Avani Hotels & Resorts lifestyle brand in Singapore, marking the group's entry into the country. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, the 13-storey upscale property aligns with Minor Hotels' expansion strategy to strengthen its footprint in major global destinations. To develop the 200-key hotel, Minor Hotels has partnered with Singapore's Kajima Development and Abu Dhabi-based Alwathba Investment. With a prime address at 24 Peck Seah Street, guests will find themselves in the heart of the bustling Tanjong Pagar district, within minutes' walk to the Central Business District and Chinatown. The hotel is set to become part of the Historic District's next chapter, offering both business and leisure guests a contemporary stay that blends the rich heritage of the city-state's iconic shophouses with its modern urban development. The Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood is a food hotspot, offering dining options ranging from traditional hawker fare at Maxwell and Amoy Street food centres to Michelin-recommended global cuisine along Kiong Siak Road, Telok Ayer and Duxton Hill, to name a few. The property's location, less than 200 metres from the Tanjong Pagar MRT Station and 350 metres from the Maxwell MRT Station, will provide easy access to Singapore's Downtown Core, Marina Bay and other districts where locals frequent for work and play. "Avani Singapore represents a strategic market entry for Minor Hotels, and we are honoured to have our partners Kajima and Alwathba alongside us as we venture into Singapore's hospitality sector," commented Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels. "Their industry expertise and market knowledge will ensure the delivery of an exceptional hotel experience, creating a vibrant base for business and leisure travellers." Avani Hotels & Resorts, one of Minor Hotels' eight hotel brands, prides itself on offering stylish rooms, connected social spaces and relaxed dining designed for today's traveller. Launched in 2011, Avani currently operates 42 hotels and resorts in 24 countries. Minor Hotels plans to expand Avani's footprint to nearly 100 hotels and resorts by the end of 2026, with openings in Thailand, China and the Seychelles scheduled for later this year. Hotel website Viewline Resort Snowmass, an Autograph Collection Hotel and mid-mountain resort in the heart of Colorado's Snowmass Village, announces the appointment of Gregg Fracassa as General Manager. With over 25 years of experience, Fracassa brings his passion for community and genuine relationships to the sophisticated 254-room Viewline Resort Snowmass, where he will oversee day-to-day operations. In his new role as General Manager, Fracassa will lead the strategic implementation of key business initiatives, along with forthcoming operational updates and his contagious enthusiasm for innovative approaches to hospitality. A trusted hospitality veteran, General Manager Gregg Fracassa began his career with Destination Hotels & Resorts serving in several executive and operational roles. Prior to his General Manager appointment, Fracassa held General Manager roles at Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island. Along with several Managing Director roles with Noble House Hotels & Resorts, he was Director of Operations at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, California. In his free time, Fracassa enjoys exploring the bounty of the mountains with his family and beloved dog, Beau. Premier, an end-to-end architecture, design, procurement, project management, and corporate engineering firm with specialization in hospitality, multi-family residential, student housing, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use development, is pleased to announce the completion of its latest upscale full-service hotel adaptive reuse and conversion project: Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown. Owned by Ashford Hospitality Trust and Blueprint Hospitality, and managed by Remington Hospitality, the property celebrated the completion of the two-and-a-half-year project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Hotel conversion showcases Premiers development and historic conservation expertise A significant adaptive reuse and hotel conversion project, Premier co-developed the 14-story 188-guestroom hotel in coordination with Blueprint Hospitality. Premiers reputation as one of Americas leading hotel design, procurement, and project management firms is well established. What the industry is now increasingly aware of is Premiers expertise leading commercial real estate developments. Our redevelopment of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown hotel is the perfect example of how Premier can approach an undercapitalized asset and create value for its owners and investors. Hector Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer at Premier and Head of Development at Ashford Inc. Originally constructed in 1970 as an addition to the iconic Hotel Texas, the Annex in which Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown now operates has sat vacant since 2006, effectively rendering the property a historic conservation redevelopment. Hector Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer at Premier and Head of Development at Ashford Inc. at the ribbon cutting of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown. Photo by Premier Blueprint Hospitality is thrilled to have partnered with Premier to breathe new life into the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown hotel. Having a partner like Premier who not only matched our capabilities as co-developers, but who also added significant hospitality design and historic conservation expertise naturally made the project a success. Kunal Mody, Chief Executive Officer at Blueprint Hospitality Crowning the hotels hospitality program, Premiers development of Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown includes the addition of two new upmarket dining venues: Bouvier Brasserie, an upscale lobby-level restaurant blending elevated classic French cuisine with a Texas-twist, and Annex, a swanky rooftop lounge offering artisanal cocktails over panoramic views of Fort Worths downtown skyline. An upscale full-service hotel conversion where European glamor meets Cowboy swagger. Premiers design inspiration for the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown is playfully ambitious: European glamor meets Cowboy swagger. To activate the design, Premiers Interior Design team expertly blended Fort Worths revered standing as one of the epicenters of Americas Western heritage with the modern and glamorous European-inspired aesthetic that defines the Le Meridien hotel brand. The lobby lounge of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown, a hotel conversion designed and developed by Dallas-based Premier. Photo by Premier The intent behind the interior design was to seamlessly blend Texan bravado with European flair. These contrasting sensibilities run deep though Fort Worth where Western ruggedness is juxtaposed by a sophisticated artistic aesthetic that experience inspired our vision for the hotel. Leslie Wynne, Premiers Design Director on the project Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown is scheduled to officially open to the public August 29. Watch Premiers blog and social channels for our announcement celebrating the formal grand opening of this destination, and for an in-depth exploration of our design program for the property. About Premier Dallas-based Premier is a full-service firm with over 30 years of expertise across architecture, interior design, procurement, project management, construction development, and contract administration. With all services yielded under one roof, Premier's team is in constant pursuit of finding innovative solutions to the hospitality, multi-family, and student housing industry's increasingly complex problems. From straightforward soft goods refreshes to transformative custom designs for renovations, redevelopments, and new developments, Premier's team of professionals is dedicated to excellence across a multitude of market sectors. From concept to completion, Premier provides consultative services that are unmatched, bringing our clients' vision for the built environment to life. For more information visit www.premierpm.com. Franklin Pinerua Chief Commercial Officer Premier At Expedia Group, we operate with a core belief that travel is a force for good and a mission that travel should be accessible for everyone, everywhere. Like many industries, travel has not been accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds, and the desire to challenge that continues to shape our core belief. Despite positive intent, these challenges can range from physical barriers for people with disabilities to safety and acceptance concerns for people of color or those in the LGBTQIA+ communities and beyond. The Journeys for All: An Expedia Group Study on Inclusion in Travel offers insight into the shared experiences of underserved travelers who face significant barriers to accessing products or services. These challenges stem from factors such as race, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, disability, economic status, and geographic location. The study reveals that for 42% of underserved travelers, their identity impacts what travel options they choose and where they feel comfortable traveling. By examining the travel experiences of Black, Latino, LGBTQIA+, and travelers with disabilities from planning and research to on-property weve identified challenges and pain points that need the travel industrys attention and action to make travel more accessible for everyone. Together, we have an opportunity and the imperative to improve travelers experiences, helping them feel safer, respected, and more welcome. Action is rooted in understanding, and this research is part of our commitment to help the industry and Expedia Group act. We pulled together key insights to highlight the importance of inclusive advertising and share best practices for creating inclusive marketing campaigns. Traveler identity impacts choice Underserved travelers represent a growing population that makes up a larger share of the global travel market each year. As their impact and influence on the travel market continues to grow, its crucial for travel businesses to build strategies that embrace inclusive practices and prioritize welcoming travel experiences. For underserved travelers, their identities impact their travel choices more than the general population from their trip destination and where they stay to how they get there. Embracing diversity and inclusion is not only best practice its also smart business. Brands that actively support diversity and inclusion are more likely to see repeat business from these traveler groups, as underserved travelers, including Latino travelers (57%), Black travelers (53%), and travelers with disabilities (53%), are more likely to book again with brands that promote diversity, more so than the general population (48%). What this means for advertisers Underserved travelers prioritize brands that promote diversity and inclusion, so its important to reflect your commitment to these values at every traveler touchpoint, including in your marketing efforts. When using imagery to highlight your destination or property, select diverse images that encompass a variety of ages, genders, race, and more. Use the ability our solutions offer to create customized content that speaks directly to the diversity of travelers youre trying to attract. By developing an inclusive marketing strategy, youll not only broaden your audience but also build trust and loyalty among this group of travelers. Why inclusive advertising matters to travelers Travel brands have many opportunities to forge authentic connections with underserved travelers and promote their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Representation in travel advertising is especially important and can make or break traveler choices, including where they travel to and what accommodations they choose. Three-fourths (76%) of underserved travelers say its important for travel ads to represent people like them. That number can be as high as 82% for Black travelers and 81% for Latino travelers. However, only 16% of travelers both underserved and the general population feel that travel promotions represent them authentically. This lack of representation can be the difference between them traveling or staying home. Among all underserved traveler identity groups, representation in travel promotions leads to a higher likelihood of taking a trip, as much as 78% of Latino and 73% of LGBTQIA+ travelers. This is even more pronounced for travelers with intersectional identities. Latino travelers with disabilities (80%), LGBTQIA+ travelers with disabilities (76%), and Black travelers with disabilities (69%) said that seeing people like them in promotions increases their likelihood to travel. What this means for advertisers Underserved travelers want to see people like them represented in travel content because it makes them feel welcome and understood, which can inspire them to explore new places and try new experiences. Integrating diversity in your advertising strategies in an intentional and authentic way will go a long way for these groups and increase their likelihood of booking travel with you. To develop authentic inclusive advertising campaigns, its important to represent a variety of identities and experiences, as well as acknowledge intersectionality in your campaign imagery and messaging. As you create your campaigns, be mindful of resonance and relevance, and align your messaging and tone with a diverse set of travelers that spans race, gender, age, abilities, couples, and more. Guidelines and best practices for an inclusive marketing strategy Underserved travelers want to feel welcomed, safe, and accepted, and representation matters when they are shopping for and booking travel. One way to help these groups feel understood and embraced is by improving representation in your advertising. How can your brand be more inclusive? Below is a snapshot of some best practices from our Inclusion & Diversity in Travel Advertising Guidelines to keep in mind as you build out your inclusive marketing strategy. Use diverse imagery Be thoughtful in representing a variety of perspectives and use diverse imagery throughout your content. If you are using multiple photos in a piece of content, always keep inclusion and diversity in mind, and strive to respect cultures worldwide and depict them authentically and respectfully. Avoid using images that may portray local cultures as a parody or mockery. Avoid using stereotypes and consider whether a character portrayed is in a position of power. With display advertising, you can work with our team to develop thoughtfully built ad placements featuring diverse imagery to resonate with travelers of different backgrounds and abilities. Use inclusive and respectful language Use inclusive, welcoming, and respectful language across all marketing and listings. This includes using gender-neutral language that is not biased toward a particular sex or social representation of gender. Avoid using language that could result in a negative connotation. For example, rather than saying you offer white-glove service, pivot to more neutral messaging like top-tier service. Dont use language that connotes helplessness, dependency, or defeat. Instead, use language that respects people with disabilities as active individuals with control over their lives. Our Travel Spotlights offer a highly visual and interactive way for travelers to explore and engage with your brand. Whether youre highlighting unique cultural experiences that your destination has to offer or showcasing special events and activities around celebrations like Pride Month, well work with you so that your landing page uses inclusive and respectful language to help everyone feel welcomed and valued. Focus on accessibility For more inclusive hotel advertising, call out amenities and accessibility for travelers of all backgrounds and abilities, such as non-barrier rooms, auxiliary visual alarms, or on-site restaurants. TravelAds Sponsored Listings allow you to customize your advertising copy and images to highlight your hotels accessible amenities, reassuring travelers that they are welcomed and can be accommodated at your property. If using video in your advertising, feature closed captioning and subtitles. For general copy and design, use contrasting font and background colors to ensure copy is clear and easily legible, and if you use hashtags, capitalize the first letter of each word, for example, #FlyWithXyzAir. Download the full guide for more tips and recommendations on how to build more inclusive marketing campaigns that represent and cater to all travelers. Inclusive advertising on the worlds leading travel media network We all recognize the significance of creating a more welcoming and accessible travel industry. By better understanding the needs, preferences, and challenges of underserved travelers and their expectations of the travel industry, you can create more meaningful connections with and better serve diverse audiences. Our experts are here to help guide your strategies and effectively connect you with underserved travelers across our powerful platform. We also offer solutions that are compatible with advertisers of every size and budget to help you bring your inclusive advertising campaign to life. We can even help connect you with other brands that share your marketing goals for a strategic co-op campaign that will help you amplify your marketing spend to make a larger impact. If youre wondering what representation in marketing looks like, watch our immersive video series we created with Visit Panama to promote the destination to travelers looking for their next trip. One episode showcases how travelers of different abilities can experience Panama and features a blind traveler as he explores different locations and activities in the region through his senses of smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Learn more about underserved travelers and their expectations of travel brands by downloading Journeys for All: An Expedia Group Study on Inclusion in Travel. To discover the array of advertising solutions we provide and how your brand can create welcoming and accessible travel content, contact one of our experts today. About Expedia Group Media Solutions Expedia Group Media Solutions is the world's leading travel media network. We connect advertisers with hundreds of millions of travelers across the globe. Our exclusive first-party data on traveler trends, search behavior, and booking data provides travel marketers with unique insights to inform their strategies. We offer a full-funnel suite of solutions to help you convert travelers, and our digital experts can help you create advertising campaigns that deliver. View source The UKs biggest hotel chain has unveiled its latest hero rooms 11,000 Next Evolution rooms will be rolled out across over 100 sites by February 2025 The rise in social content creation, environmental factors, lost property and a change to more flexible working patterns have all been influencing design factors Premier Inn, the UKs biggest hotel chain, has unveiled its brand-new hero Next Evolution Style* rooms, marking a major shift in room design in its mission to create the best hotel experience ever for guests. The new designs are fuelled by insights into shifts in cultural trends including the evolving working environment and the increase in social content creation. Exact features can vary by hotel, but consistent enhancements in every Next Evolution Style room include a stylish, softer and fresher interior decor, calming neutral and dove grey colour palettes, enhanced lighting, luxurious double shower heads and floor to ceiling curtain. These ensure full blackout to aid the highest quality sleep through total darkness. Most new rooms offer feature fabric headboards in the brands signature purple offering an added sense of luxury at great value, allowing guests to feel cocooned for a great nights sleep. Bedside charging and USB ports aid connectivity. Soft purple lights have also been installed in most bathrooms to be used as a night light to avoid a any unexpected bumps in the night! The rise of social content creation has had an impact on design factors too, with guests wanting to share their experiences. As a result, more Instagrammable features have been installed in hotels across the estate. These include neon signs in some reception and dining areas, our feature headboards, modern fabrics and artworks, and softer effect lighting to wrap the room like a cocoon and give a better lighting effect to images. The previously static desk has now been switched out for a flexi table. With the new, more flexible way of working post-COVID, many of us work from home in more social settings at the kitchen table or on the sofa, so Premier Inn has evolved its working space to move away from a fixed desk to inspire a more relaxed working environment for business travellers and convivial areas for leisure guests. The flexi desk also removes the desk directly facing the bed, further promoting switch-off and relaxation. The room has also been segmented into three zones the getting ready area featuring vanity mirrors with plug sockets and hair dryers as standard with easy access to the bathroom most also including flocked clothes hangers, the sleep area where the bed is situated, and the hive area to work, enjoy a drink, charge devices etc. Design tactics have been followed to open up rooms, generally using floating, open furniture to make the room feel more spacious by allowing you to see the floor underneath. This also reduces the amount of items guests accidentally leave behind, with socks, underwear, chargers and make up bags being the most commonly lost items. We have worked hard to enhance our hero room design and are so proud to launch our new rooms which are based on meticulous guest research, introducing more flexibility and personalisation for guests than ever before, as well as creating a more efficient environment for our team members to service the rooms. We know how important sleep is and as the experts in resting easy, weve invested to create the best environment possible for our guests, evolving these new rooms along with consumers needs. In doing so weve striven to create a warm and welcoming environment where guests can feel comforted and cocooned for the best nights sleep possible. Sarah Simpson, Head of Product & Proposition at Whitbread And its not just the rooms that have seen an overhaul. Some hotels now feature integrated ground floor entrances, comprising a more relaxed digital check-in experience with a large breakfast and bar area. In these sites, including some hotels in Manchester, Cardiff and Durham the breakfast area, booths have been installed to act as informal meeting areas with the increase of breakfast meetings taking place outside of the office. Different styles of seating area, such as low cafe style and mid-height seats, have also been fitted for more social meet ups to enjoy coffee and cake or pre-dinner drinks. The hotel chain used first hand feedback from those who regularly stay in Premier Inn hotels to ensure the new design reflects everything guests want in a hotel experience. The main finding was that people want their hotel experience to be warm and welcoming, like a home away from home, which the brand has worked to reflect with its new hero design. No matter which of Premier Inns 850+ hotels you stay at, youll always experience that consistent level of Premier Inn comfort, from a warm welcome to a comfy bed. More information around Next Evolution Style rooms and locations can be found here: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/why/our-innovation-story/next-evolution-style-rooms.html. *Exact features may vary in some rooms. About Whitbread PLC Whitbread PLC is the owner of Premier Inn and restaurant brands including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Bar + Block, Whitbread Inns and Cookhouse + Pub. From booking to bed, Premier Inn is here to help its guests rest easy. Whether it's a choice of 80,000 rooms across 800+ hotels, beds guests won't want to leave, tasty food, flexible rates or friendly team members who genuinely care, these are just some of the reasons Premier Inn is one of the most-loved hotels in the UK and beyond. Outside of the UK, Whitbread's expansion plans are focused on Germany. It opened its first hotel in Frankfurt in 2016 and has an open and committed pipeline of 73 hotels and over 13,500 rooms in H1 FY22. Whitbread is committed to being a force for good in the communities in which it operates. It's sustainability programme, "Force for Good' is focused on enabling people to live and work well and is built around three pillars of Opportunity, Community and Responsibility. Whitbread PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE. Roz Golds Head of External Communications Whitbread PLC As travelers search for new, less crowded, and more affordable European destinations, Poland has emerged as a top choice. Once overshadowed by its more popular Western European neighbors, Poland is now attracting the attention of travelers during the shoulder season, a time traditionally considered less busy for tourism. This shift is driven by the growing desire for offbeat destinations that offer rich cultural experiences without the overwhelming crowds found in more famous spots. Off-Beat Destinations Ignite Wanderlust Poland is increasingly seen as an alternate destination for European travelers eager to explore new horizons. With a diverse landscape, vibrant cities, and a deep cultural heritage, its becoming a go-to option for those looking to avoid the more saturated tourist spots. The trend isn't limited to Poland; other offbeat destinations in the Balkans and Baltic regions are also gaining traction, attracting visitors with their more affordable prices and the promise of less over-tourism. The Most Popular Destination in Europe This Shoulder Season? Poland! Poland's surge in popularity is reflected in its remarkable growth in tourism from major source markets. The country is experiencing a significant year-on-year increase in bookings, particularly during the shoulder season. Travel intent data from World on Holiday provides the changes in bookings compared year-over-year between 2023 and 2024. Growth in hotel bookings from major source markets Source: World on Holiday Poland is quickly becoming a favored destination for travelers from key origin cities, with significant year-on-year growth in bookings. Cities like London, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and New York are leading the charge, reflecting a growing trend among urban dwellers seeking to explore this vibrant and culturally rich European nation. Growth in hotel bookings from top 5 origin cities Source: World on Holiday Where are travelers headed? Poland is experiencing a tourism boom, with several destinations showing remarkable growth in bookings. Warsaw leads with a 180% increase, offering a blend of historical and modern attractions. Krakow follows with a 95% rise, renowned for its medieval charm and cultural depth. Gdansk, with a 171% growth, impresses with its Hanseatic architecture and maritime heritage. Wroclaws bookings have surged by 215%, highlighting its Gothic and Baroque beauty. Most notably, Sopot has seen an extraordinary 669% increase, attracting visitors with its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. Source: World on Holiday Explore the travel trends of the shoulder season with our Europe Shoulder Season Travel Trends. About World on Holiday World on Holiday is a real-time travel insights hub, powered by Adara, sharing important worldwide travel trends, as well as real-time booking and search data. This hub is powered by hundreds of first-party data sources, and are based on observed consumer activity. For regular updates on the how, who and why of global travel, subscribe to the "World on Holiday'. About Adara Adara, a RateGain company, is one of the world's largest data exchanges, providing access to ethically-sourced consumer data. With more than 270 global partners who supply aggregated, comprehensive traveler data, Adara delivers actionable insights and predictive intelligence to drive higher marketing ROI. For more information, visit https://adara.com/ About RateGain RateGain is a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality that works with 2800+ customersincluding the Top 23 of 30 Hotel Chains, the Top 25 of 30 Online Travel Agents, and all the top car rentals including 8 Global Fortune500 companiesand 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion. For more information, visit www.rategain.com. This executive summary will provide novice hotel investors, new owners, and hotel associates new insights into hotel investments in Dubai. The hospitality industry in Dubai presents lucrative investment opportunities for business investors seeking to capitalize on the city's status as a global tourism and business hub. Investing in the hospitality industry in Dubai requires a thorough understanding of the market dynamics, the key factors that drive success as illustrated in Figure 1.0, and the challenges that investors may face. Figure 1.0 Source: - The roadmap can help investors deploy capital in the hospitality industry in Dubai and achieve long-term success. The below outlines the steps to consider to effectively navigate the Dubai hotel investment market and the key fundamentals when deploying capital. A crucial first step for investors considering a hotel investment in Dubai is to conduct thorough market research and feasibility studies. Understanding the demand for hotels in Dubai, including the preferences of different customer segments, is essential. Additionally, assessing the competitive landscape and identifying gaps in the market that a new hotel could fill is crucial for success. Download the full report Developing a comprehensive preliminary business plan aligned with the regulations and standards set by Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is essential. This plan should outline the hotel concept, management type and scale, target market, marketing strategy, organizational structure, various locations, and financial projections. A well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap for the investment and provides clarity on the strategic direction and risks associated with the hotel project. When considering the agreement options as referred to in figure 1.1 below (management, franchise, manchise, selecting the third-party operator or independently managing), it is crucial to seek legal advice to ensure that terms are favorable, compliant with local regulations, and aligned with the investor's specific objectives. Each type of agreement carries its own set of considerations, risks, and potential benefits, meaning careful evaluation and negotiation are essential before entering into any contractual arrangement. Figure 1.1 Source: - Selecting the right location for the hotel is critical. Investors should consider factors such as proximity to key attractions, transportation hubs, and business districts. Identifying and evaluating real estate options, including the possibility of acquiring land for construction or renovating an existing property, is a key consideration for investors. Navigating the legal and regulatory requirements for opening a hotel in Dubai is paramount. This includes obtaining the necessary licenses, and permits, and ensuring compliance with building codes, zoning regulations, and ESG. Seeking legal counsel to assist in navigating real estate transactions, contracts, and business incorporation is highly advisable. Determining the funding requirements for the hotel project, including construction costs, operational expenses, and working capital, is crucial for investors. Exploring various financing options, such as equity investment, bank loans, or partnerships, is essential in ensuring the project's financial viability. At that point, investors could conclude that capital could be deployed into the venture and would plan the exit strategy further down the line. Engaging architects, designers, consultants, and construction firms to develop the hotel concept and oversee the construction process is a critical step for investors. Ensuring that the design and construction comply with local regulations, adhere to the quality standards of the brand, and comply with the latest sustainability trends for the successful development of the hotel property. Developing a strong branding strategy that differentiates the hotel in the competitive Dubai market is vital. Creating a comprehensive marketing plan to promote the hotel to local and international audiences, leveraging digital marketing, partnerships, and traditional advertising channels, is imperative to drive awareness and attract guests. Establishing operational processes and standards for the hotel, including hiring the team, implementing technology systems, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences, is crucial for investors. Implementing a strategy for ongoing management, including distribution and revenue management, sales and marketing, customer relationship management, and continuous improvement initiatives will have to be a going concern. Exploring opportunities for expansion and growth, which may include additional properties, partnerships, and new market segments is something that will have to be scrutinized as and when. By aligning the interests of hotel owners, operators, and brands, investors can create value and ensure long-term success in the hospitality industry in Dubai. Engaging with local experts and advisors, careful planning, thorough research, and a deep understanding of the local market may help investors navigate the unique opportunities and overcome major challenges of the real estate hospitality market in Dubai. Download the full report The lobby lounge of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown, a hotel conversion designed and developed by Dallas-based Premier. - Image Credit Premier The swanky rooftop bar "Annex" at the now complete Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown, a historic adaptive reuse and hotel conversion development by Premier. - Image Credit Premier Hector Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer at Premier and Head of Development at Ashford Inc. at the ribbon cutting of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown. - Image Credit Premier Premier Chief Executive Officer Hector A. Sanchez, Ashford Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Monty Bennett, Blueprint Hospitality Chief Executive Officer Kunal Mody, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. President Andrew Taft, Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown General Manager Chase Chasteen, Remington Hospitality Divisional Vice President of Sales and Marketing Shawn Anderson, Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown Director of Sales and Marketing Dawn Freeman, Director of Community Engagement at Fort Worth Sister Cities International Courtney Garvey, MPA, as well as a host of key executives from Remington Hospitality and Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts at the ribbon cutting for the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown hotel. - Image Credit Premier Premier co-developed the project with Blueprint Hospitality and provided interior design, procurement, and project management services on the stunning upscale hotel conversion. Premier, an end-to-end architecture, design, procurement, project management, and corporate engineering firm with specialization in hospitality, multi-family residential, student housing, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use development, is pleased to announce the completion of its latest upscale full-service hotel adaptive reuse and conversion project: Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown. Owned by Ashford Hospitality Trust and Blueprint Hospitality, and managed by Remington Hospitality, the property celebrated the completion of the two-and-a-half-year project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Hotel conversion showcases Premiers development and historic conservation expertise A significant adaptive reuse and hotel conversion project, Premier co-developed the 14-story 188-guestroom hotel in coordination with Blueprint Hospitality. Premiers reputation as one of Americas leading hotel design, procurement, and project management firms is well established, said Hector Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer at Premier and Head of Development at Ashford Inc. What the industry is now increasingly aware of is Premiers expertise leading commercial real estate developments. Our redevelopment of the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown hotel is the perfect example of how Premier can approach an undercapitalized asset and create value for its owners and investors. Originally constructed in 1970 as an addition to the iconic Hotel Texas, the Annex in which Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown now operates has sat vacant since 2006, effectively rendering the property a historic conservation redevelopment. Blueprint Hospitality is thrilled to have partnered with Premier to breathe new life into the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown hotel, said Kunal Mody, Chief Executive Officer at Blueprint Hospitality. Having a partner like Premier who not only matched our capabilities as co-developers, but who also added significant hospitality design and historic conservation expertise naturally made the project a success. Crowning the hotels hospitality program, Premiers development of Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown includes the addition of two new upmarket dining venues: Bouvier Brasserie, an upscale lobby-level restaurant blending elevated classic French cuisine with a Texas-twist, and Annex, a swanky rooftop lounge offering artisanal cocktails over panoramic views of Fort Worths downtown skyline. An upscale full-service hotel conversion where European glamor meets Cowboy swagger. Premiers design inspiration for the Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown is playfully ambitious: European glamor meets Cowboy swagger. To activate the design, Premiers Interior Design team expertly blended Fort Worths revered standing as one of the epicenters of Americas Western heritage with the modern and glamorous European-inspired aesthetic that defines the Le Meridien hotel brand. The intent behind the interior design was to seamlessly blend Texan bravado with European flair, said Leslie Wynne, Premiers Design Director on the project. These contrasting sensibilities run deep though Fort Worth where Western ruggedness is juxtaposed by a sophisticated artistic aesthetic that experience inspired our vision for the hotel. Le Meridien Fort Worth Downtown is scheduled to officially open to the public August 29. Watch Premiers blog and social channels for our announcement celebrating the formal grand opening of this destination, and for an in-depth exploration of our design program for the property. About Premier Dallas-based Premier is a full-service firm with over 30 years of expertise across architecture, interior design, procurement, project management, construction development, and contract administration. With all services yielded under one roof, Premiers team is in constant pursuit of finding innovative solutions to the hospitality, multi-family, and student housing industrys increasingly complex problems. From straightforward soft goods refreshes to transformative custom designs for renovations, redevelopments, and new developments, Premiers team of professionals is dedicated to excellence across a multitude of market sectors. From concept to completion, Premier provides consultative services that are unmatched, bringing our clients vision for the built environment to life. For more information visit www.premierpm.com. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Suicide Prevention Conference Scheduled for September PITTSFIELD, Mass. Several key Berkshire County mental health and community organizations across the region are partnering on a suicide prevention conference to be held in Pittsfield in September. New Perspectives on Populations at Risk in Berkshire County will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 8 am to 4:30 pm at Bousquet Mountain Ski Area in Pittsfield. The event is aimed at social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nurses and psychologists. The program is sponsored by Berkshire Health Systems, the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program, the Brien Center, the Austen Riggs Center and NAMI of Berkshire County. Applications have been submitted for 6.5 continuing education units (CEU) for those professionals in attendance. This conference will focus on new perspectives on populations at risk for suicide in Berkshire County. Racial justice and health equity principles will be presented with a focus on trauma-informed and healing centered approaches and applications. Suicide risk will be defined through societal structures and environments, rather than just identity traits. Societal mechanisms within systems of oppression that create and maintain high-risk conditions for suicide and the root causes of suicide risk through a community care lens will be identified. Priority populations, including people experiencing suicide ideation, who are at-risk of attempts and or death, and under-served and/or historically marginalized populations, will be reviewed. There will be a focus on youth, suicide loss survivors, and people living in rural areas. Concepts will be applied to the unique needs of the Berkshire County community. Presentations include: Keynote Address - Deconstructing Risk in Suicide Prevention: Ysabel Garcia, MPH, Founder of Estoy Aqui Populations at Risk: Local, State and National Statistics: Brenda Bahnson, MSW, LICSW, Director of Ambulatory Behavioral Health Services at Berkshire Medical Center Going Beyond Trauma Informed Care: Christine Callahan, LMHC, PMH-C, MBA, Berkshire Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Suicide Loss Survivors: Brian Berkel, President of the Board of Directors for the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention; Bertha Connelly, retired human resources professional; and Cheryl Puntil, MN, APRN, PMH-CNS, BC, geriatric, medical, and adult psychiatric nurse Living Experience Youth Panel moderated by Brenda Butler, MD, Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Berkshire Medical Center. Small group discussions moderated by Christine Callahan and Brian Berkel. Page Content Montreal, 30 August 2024 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has presented its Walter Binaghi Air Navigation Commission Laurel Award to John Mettrop of the United Kingdom, recognizing his outstanding contribution to global aviation safety and efficiency. The award ceremony took place during ICAO's Fourteenth Air Navigation Conference . Mr. Mettrop's recognition comes after a distinguished 35-year career dedicated to advancing international civil aviation standards. Renowned for his expertise in Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) and Spectrum management, Mr. Mettrop has played a pivotal role in shaping the technical framework that underpins modern aviation safety. His work has been instrumental in developing global standards that ensure the continued safety and efficiency of air travel worldwide. This award comes at a crucial time for global aviation. As the industry navigates post-pandemic recovery, emerging technologies, and increasing environmental concerns, Mr. Mettrop's expertise in spectrum management is more relevant than ever. His work directly supports ICAO's ongoing efforts to modernize air traffic management systems and enhance the sustainability of air travel. The implementation of new radiocommunication technologies and the efficient use of radio spectrum are key to accommodating the projected growth in air traffic while maintaining the highest safety standards. Mr. Junrong Liang, President of the Air Navigation Commission, lauded Mr. Mettrop's contribution. "Mr. Mettrop's work exemplifies the highest standards of expertise and dedication in our field. His ability to navigate complex technical challenges while fostering international cooperation has significantly advanced ICAO's mission of ensuring safe and efficient global air travel." Throughout his career, Mr. Mettrop has fostered partnerships across borders and organizations. His collaborative efforts with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication (CEPT), and ICAO have been instrumental in advocating for aviations needs in radio spectrum allocation. These partnerships have been vital in securing spectrum resources necessary for aviation safety and efficiency. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Mettrop emphasized the exciting opportunities in radio spectrum management for aviation. He envisioned a future where innovative approaches to this field could further enhance air safety and efficiency, inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals. The Walter Binaghi Air Navigation Commission Laurel Award, named after ICAO's first Air Navigation Commission President, represents ICAO's dedication to nurturing expertise and innovation in aviation safety. This prestigious award celebrates the contributions of experts like Mr. Mettrop and reinforces the importance of technical excellence in ICAOs ongoing mission to enhance global air travel. As air travel continues to connect more people and places around the world, the work of ICAO and aviation experts like Mr. Mettrop remains crucial in ensuring safe and efficient skies for all. Their efforts pave the way for exciting advancements in global connectivity. These advancements always prioritize the highest standards of safety and sustainability, addressing the complex challenges of modern aviation. Resources for Editors Previous recipients are: 1999 Mr. Olivier Carel, Direction de la Navigation Aerienne, France 2001 Mr. R. Roy Grimes, Federal Aviation Administration, United States 2003 Ms. Kaye R. Warner, Civil Aviation Administration, United Kingdom 2006 Mr. Arthur Bradshaw, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, Republic of South Africa 2008 Mr. Brian Colamosca, Federal Aviation Administration, United States 2011 Mr. Yuri Mikhailovich Fyodorov, Russian Federation 2015 Mr. Robert Charles Butcher, Australia 2017 Mr. David Nakamura, International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) 2021 Dr. Vincent A. Orlando, United States; and Mrs. Galyna Suslova, Ukraine About ICAO A specialized agency of the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) leads the international alignment of technical standards and strategies, facilitating the safe, secure, and sustainable development of its 193 member states aviation sectors and air services. This year, ICAO is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its establishment by the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation. General Contact communications@icao.int LinkedIn Media Contact William Raillant-Clark Communications Officer wraillantclark@icao.int Haiti - Politic : Insecurity prevents Colombian President from visiting Haiti Friday, August 16, 2024, taking advantage of his presence in the Dominican Republic for the inauguration ceremony of the re-elected President Luis Abinader, the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, known for his commitment to international solidarity, expressed his intention to travel to Haiti to learn first-hand about the situation and explore possible avenues of collaboration. However, the Haitian government, aware of the security challenges facing the country, recommended postponing the visit until conditions are more favorable. The security crisis in Haiti, marked by high levels of violence and disorder, is a source of concern both regionally and internationally. The Haitian authorities indicated that they could not guarantee the security necessary for a presidential visit, which led Petro to postpone his plan. The Haitian government thanked the Colombian President for his concern and expressed the hope that, in the near future, when the situation improves, the visit can take place. IH/ iciHaiti 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 Eurovision organisers have announced that the Swiss city of Basel has been selected as host city for next years Eurovision Song Contest. The news comes after Switzerlands Nemo was crowned the winner of the 2024 contest with their song The Code, meaning their country would become hosts for next years competition. A statement from the European Broadcasting Union said that the contest would be held in the German speaking part of Switzerland for the first time, after previously being hosted in Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989. Basel was chosen following a competitive city bid process that examines facilities at the venue, local infrastructure and the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists from around the world, amongst other criteria, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said. Four cities were in the running to host, including Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich. After tight competition, a selection panel narrowed the choice down to Geneva and Basel, before the latter eventually won out. It will mark the sixth consecutive time that the competition has not been hosted in a capital city. The venue for the semi-finals and the grand final will be St Jakobshalle. The first and second semi-final will take place on 13 and 15 May, respectively, while the grand final will be on 17 May. Six further dress rehearsals will take place that same week. A list of participating countries for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be announced later this year. Switzerland hosted and won the first edition of the competition in Lugano, back in 1956. The Swiss won again in 1988 during Dublins hosting of the Contest, before Nemos win earlier this year. open image in gallery Nemo of Switzerland, who won with the song The Code (AP) ( AP ) The 2024 competition unfolded under a cloud of controversy due to Israels participation, with many music industry professionals across Europe calling for the country to be disqualified following its military action in Gaza. Others called for a boycott, while the countrys act Eden Golan was overwhelmed with boos during her performance in the grand final. Netherlands contestant Joost Klein was also disqualified from the Contest following an incident backstage. Martin Osterdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said: The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Contest was born in Switzerland in Lugano back in 1956 and its great to be bringing it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later. Basels strategic location at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders. With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Basel reflects the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. The citys exceptional St. Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike. open image in gallery Basel will host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest ( Getty Images ) Following Contests in the Italian and French speaking parts of the country in 1956 and 1989 were also excited to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to German Switzerland for the very first time. Together with Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the city of Basel we will create a spectacular celebration of music on the banks of the River Rhine that resonates far beyond the stage. 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 }} The new Netflix exorcism film The Deliverance is based on a real life horror story. Director Lee Daniels, who is best known for his work on Precious and The Butler, took inspiration from the 2014 Indianapolis Star article The Exorcisms of Latoya Ammons. The story, which was written by journalist Marisa Kwiatkowski, chronicled the experiences of Latoya Ammons and her family who claimed they were haunted by a demonic presence and swarms of unkillable black flies after moving into a rental house in Gary, Indiana in 2011. Their home would become known as the Demon House. In a recent interview, Daniels claimed that strange occurrences also happened on set during filming, including sudden illnesses and the death of his dog. Heres the true story behind The Deliverance. Anthony B Jenkins as Andre in The Deliverance' ( Aaron Ricketts/Netflix ) Who is Latoya Ammons? Latoya Ammons is a single mother of three. In November 2011, when the children were aged seven, nine and 12, the family moved into a rental house in Gary, Indiana along with Ammonss mother Rosa Campbell. Before long, the family said they were troubled by a series of seemingly supernatural incidents. Despite the cold temperature swarms of black flies would infest their porch, even after attempts to kill them. The family said they regularly heard unexplained footsteps in the basement, and one night Campbell says she saw a shadowy figure of a man pacing back and forth in the living room. That was just the start. Ammons also claimed that she saw her 12-year-old daughter levitating above her bed one night, and that all three children were possessed by demons who contorted their faces and deepened their voices. Both the seven and nine-year-old boys were hospitalized, at which point the nine-year-old walked backward up a wall to the ceiling. This terrifying claim was allegedly corroborated by a nurse and a representative of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Glenn Close as Alberta in The Deliverance' ( Aaron Ricketts/Netflix ) The following day, the Department of Child Services took all three children into their custody even though they didnt have a court order. All of these events are reproduced in The Deliverance as reported by Ammons, although some small changes are made to the story. The location of the house is moved to Pittsburgh, while the grandmother is played by a white actor, Glenn Close, despite Campbell being Black. What happened to the family? Hospital staff examined Ammons and her children but couldnt find any medical explanation for their actions while apparently possessed. A psychiatrist described Ammons as being of sound mind. 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 Ammons eventually sought the help of a priest from Merrillville, the Reverend Michael Maginot. In The Deliverance, this role is taken on by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who plays the Reverend Bernice James. Maginot, and James in the film, are referred to as deliverance ministers, which means their job is to cleanse a person or place of evil spirits, rather than the most well-known exorcist who focuses on demonic possession. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Reverend Bernice James in The Deliverance' ( Matt Miller/Netflix ) In November 2012, six months after her children had been taken away by the Department of Child Services, Ammons regained custody of them and the family moved to Indianapolis. She told the Indianapolis Star that they now live without fear. What happened to the Demon House? After the IndianapolisStar article was published, the paranormal investigator Zak Bagans bought the house for $35,000. He filmed a feature-length documentary about the events there called Demon House, and then had the building demolished in 2016. 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 }} Winona Ryder has shed light on the trouble with child stars in the modern day as she lamented their lack of love for movies. The Stranger Things actor has reprised her role as Lydia Deetz in the forthcoming sequel to 1988 classic Beetlejuice, titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and spoke to the Los Angeles Times about feeling hopeless about the lack of curiosity among her younger colleagues. I dont mean to sound so hopeless, she said. There are a few that are just not interested in movies. Like, the first thing they say is, How long is it? Although Ryder did not mention any names, Millie Bobby Brown who plays Eleven alongside the star in Stranger Things, went viral earlier this year for saying, Im like How long do I have to sit there for? Because my brain and I dont even like sitting for my own movies, when supposedly life-changing movie recommendations were made to her. Reflecting on growing older within the industry, Ryder told Esquire magazine: I just think that social media has changed everything, and I know I sound old. Im very aware of that. And part of me thinks, Gosh, am I like vaudeville at this point? Like Hey, kids, turn down the music! But I just think there was such an abundance: the history of film, the history of photography, its so rich, and theres so much there, and I dont mean we should go backwards, but I wish and I hope that the younger generation will study that. Ryder lamented the lack of love for film among her younger colleagues ( Getty Images ) The actor who is known for being an avid cinephile, praised her co-star Jenna Ortega for her in-depth knowledge of movies. Ryder said she nearly cried when Ortega compared a scene they were shooting to shots from 1964 film I Am Cuba directed by Soviet filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov. She was also praised for her interview on The Criterion Closet in promotion for the forthcoming comedy horror. Ryder selected an array of independent movies including The Learning Tree directed by Gordon Parks, a collection of films by John Cassavettes, and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai by Jim Jarmusch. She also shared her deep connection to Hirokazu Kore-edas After Life. Winona Ryder's Closet Picks! The iconic actor shares her profound connection to Hirokazu Kore-eda's AFTER LIFE, recalls the deep impact Gena Rowlands had on her life and career, and selects favorites by Gordon Parks, Jim Jarmusch, Albert Brooks, and John Sayles. pic.twitter.com/0SluLCEedo Criterion Collection (@Criterion) August 28, 2024 Winona Ryders love for cinema shines through in her Criterion Closet interview. Her insights and anecdotes make for a must-watch for any fan of classic films, commented one person. Another added, Winona is a cinephile who spends 24 hours a day watching movies and was invited to talk about them, its like calling a priest to pray. 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 A much-loved EastEnders star has surprised fans by publicly asking Oasis if she can perform on their forthcoming tour. The Mancunian group announced they would be reuniting, 15 years after an explosive split between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher broke up the band, on Tuesday (27 August) with shows scheduled in Manchester, Edinburgh and London. A Liam Gallagher fan club X/Twitter account asked fans who they wanted to see announced as Oasis support act following the reconciliation, leading to the soap star throwing her hat in the ring to be considered for the role. Cheryl Fergison, 59, who played fan favourite Heather Trott on the soap from 2007 to 2012 and exited the series when Heather met an untimely death at the hands of Ben Mitchell, made clear shed love to get up on stage with Liam and Noel. Writing on X/Twitter, she told Oasis: Get in touch boysyou couldnt wish for a better Supernova while building up your Wonder Wallit will be a proper Glory Day! Since leaving EastEnders, Fergison has appeared in other TV programmes, including the BBC Charles Dickens series Dodger, as well as performing in pantomime productions of Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk. Fans found the former soap stars latest employment tactic hilarious, with one person commenting: Im rooting for you chez, while another supporter added: Wishing you the best of luck with that. Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed Oasis reunion on Tuesday (27 August) morning, following weeks of fan speculation and endless clues. Announcing their reunion, the band said in a highly anticipated statement: The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised. 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 Unverified reports are claiming that Liam and Noel stand to make as much as 50m between them from the shows alone, with likely additional boosts from merch sales, sponsorship deals and other branding. open image in gallery Cheryl Fergison on EastEnders ( BBC ) While Liam has hit back at claims he and his older brother are only doing the tour for the cash, it will certainly come in handy, not least for Noel who was reported to have paid out a 20m settlement in the divorce from his ex-wife, Sara MacDonald. There are also claims that the reunion tour could boost the UKs economy by around 350m as fans splash out on hotels, merch, travel, tickets and shopping. This is similar to the estimated uplift created by the UK leg of Taylor Swifts record-breaking Eras Tour. You can read more about how to get tickets to see Oasis next year here. 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 Musician Sid Wilson of heavy metal band Slipknot has shared a health update with fans after he was hospitalized for serious burns sustained in a bonfire explosion last week at his Iowa farm. Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday (August 28), days after the accident, Wilson, 47, described the gruesome injuries he sustained to his face and arms. My whole right arm is bandaged up, half of my left arm. My face is basically melted from nose down. But the swellings gone down, and they said the face is kind of amazing that its regenerative, it happens real fast, seems to heal quickly, the keyboardist and DJ said. Ive had better days, I guess, but Im alive, so Im doing good. Explaining how the explosion happened, he said: A few nights ago, I lit [a wood pile] and let it burn down. So, the next day, I went to check it to see, you know, how much was left, if anything. And there was a certain amount of debris around the side still left, so I, like a dummy, [did] what Im not supposed to do, but I added some gas to it. Wilson said that he took the gas canister far away from the pile. And then I started looking around for a long branch to kind of be at a distance to light it, and then I couldnt find one immediately, he continued. So, my lack of patience got the better of me, and I was like, screw it. Ill be all right, you know? And I squatted down and reached out and lit it, and it just, it was really humid out so there was still a lot of vapors lingering around in there, and it just woof. Exploded. open image in gallery Sid Wilson said hes lucky to be alive after sustaining serious burns in a bonfire explosion ( Getty Images ) His girlfriend Kelly Osbourne added: They basically dressed the wounds and put all of this fake scab [stuff] all over [his] body until they could get to the burn unit and they could take the scabs off. Wilson spent a night in the hospital before he was sent home. On Saturday (August 24), Wilson posted videos and photos from the hospital on Instagram, revealing that he had had an explosion in my face. He said that he was getting his chest X-rayed to ensure he had not inhaled flames from the fire, and showed off his singed eyebrows and mustache, his blistered mouth and arms. Assuring fans that he was going to be ok, Wilson said that no matter what, I will see you on tour. 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 The turntablist has since kept fans in the loop throughout his recovery. In his most recent Instagram video, he showed his healing face, writing in the caption: Halfway there. The Duality band is about to embark on a global tour in September, playing dates in the US and South America before traveling to Europe. 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 Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested in Napa, California on accusations of corporal injury to a spouse. Corporal injury refers to any physical injury that causes a traumatic condition. It can mean a visible or verifiable injury, whether slight or severe. People reports that the 42-year-old was arrested just before 10 am on Thursday, August 29. He was booked into the Napa County Jail less than an hour later and given a $25,000 bail. Chigvintsev has been married to former wrestler Nikki Garcia, who used to be known as Nikki Bella, since 2022. They celebrated their second wedding anniversary on August 27. The Independent has approached Chigvintsevs representatives for comment. Chigvintsev and Garcia, who is retired from WWE and starred in reality show Total Bellas, first met when they were paired together on Dancing with the Stars in 2017. open image in gallery Artem Chigvintsev attending the 2023 Industry Dance Awards in Los Angeles ( Getty Images ) At the time, Garcia was in a relationship with her long-time partner John Cena but the pair split a year later. She reconnected with Chigvintsev and confirmed their relationship in March 2019. In July 2020, they had their first child. Chigvintsev had previously appeared on the British version of the dance competition show, Strictly Come Dancing. In 2015, he denied kicking and shoving Fern Britton during their time training together. TV presenter Britton was paired with Chigvintsev for the 2012 series of the BBC1 series but later told The Times that he had kicked and shoved her during their rehearsals. 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 Britton reportedly said that Chigvintsev would look at her feet and just kick or shove before jokingly telling her shut your face and go home before I kill you. What was his other one? If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb, she said. I thought, well, I wont correct him on that one. We did love each other for a moment or two but he wasnt charm personified. I did kind of enjoy it but it was grim at the same time. Chigvintsev insisted that Brittons statements do not reflect any situation [he] recognises. I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care, and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am, he told The Independent. I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me. I just want to thank all my fans and friends for their support and belief in me. 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 Billy Connolly has shared what Robin Williams said to him during their final conversation before his death. The Scottish comedian was a close friend of the Mrs. Doubtfire star, who died by suicide aged 63 in 2014. Williams visited Scotland on numerous occasions, often as Connollys guest. He also performed at Edinburgh Fringe during the early stages of his career. Connolly revealed Williams called him on the week of his death and asked to go with him for dinner where he made an earnest declaration to his long term friend. Speaking in the new BBC programme In My Own Words, Connolly said it had been a lovely thing to meet Williams, who made him feel less alone in the comedy world. When he took his life it was the saddest day, he added. Explaining their last encounter, Connolly continued: He phoned me and said lets have dinner, and during the dinner he said, I love you, I said thanks very much. He said, do you believe me, I said of course I do. He said, believe me, I love you, I said thats great. Reflecting on the conversation, the comedian said: I thought how weird, how weird for him to say that, its not like his usual. He was dead on the weekend. open image in gallery Billy Connolly with Robin Williams at the Lonach Highland Games in Scotland ( PA ) I always felt that was him saying goodbye. It was a sad day in my life because I saw his whole career and it was stunning. He was like a rocket-ship, just took off. He was the best ever, he said. Connolly and Williams had both been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition Parkinsons disease, which can cause tremors, difficulty balancing, nerve pain, incontinence, insomnia, excessive sweating, depression and anxiety. We used to talk about Parkinsons a lot, Connolly previously told The Telegraph. He would call me and we would compare notes. His was early onset, the same as mine. Everybody worries about it. Its like a mugger following you around. 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 Williams in Mrs Doubtfire' ( Fox ) It later emerged Williams had been misdiagnosed with Parkinsons and, unbeknownst to the actor, he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, an incurable brain disease, which was only revealed following his autopsy. The actors wife, Susan Schneider Williams, said that he battled to find answers to his health issues before he died after being misdiagnosed. Despite this, he continued to work in film, and shot Shawn Levy film Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, alongside Ben Stiller, Rebel Wilson and Dan Stevens, at the height of his illness. In My Own Words: Billy Connolly is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 2 September. 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 John Stamos has revealed that he was kicked out of the Church of Scientology for messing around too much during the auditing process. The 61-year-old Full House star recalled how he almost joined the controversial religion in the Eighties on a new episode of Matt Friends Friends in High Places podcast. I was in an acting class and there was this hot girl, Stamos recounted. She said, You know, were all meeting at this address on Hollywood Boulevard, come after [class]! I was working at my dads restaurant at the time and I said, Dad I gotta, I gotta go. So I went and it was the Scientology building. I was 16, 17. He remembered being brought into a room where he met with an auditor who hooked him up to the infamous E-meter machine, a religious artifact that helps the auditor and preclear locate areas of spiritual distress or travail, according to the organizations website. Youre holding these two cans, so I started, you know, Hello Peabody in the Wayback Machine! the Glee alum said, mimicking an old-school cartoon character. You know, Sherman and Peabody, Stamos added in reference to the time-traveling characters of Rocky and Bullwinkle. Stamos said the auditor didnt like that. I was just f***ing around so much that they said, Get out. Get. Go. They just kinda kicked me out. open image in gallery John Stamos said he failed Scientologys auditing process ( Getty Images for Disney/Pixar ) Podcast host Friend jumped in, joking that the General Hospital actor was too annoying to be a part of Scientology, with Stamos agreeing, saying: Thats pretty bad, I must have been terrible. Stamos first discussed his close call with Scientology in his 2023 memoir, If You Would Have Told Me. In his written account, he remembered the auditor asking him questions about committing crimes and if I have negative thoughts about Scientology or [founder] L Ron Hubbard and probes into some strange sex inquiries. The Wayback Machine needle jumps in the corner, and Mia looks disappointed. Apparently, Im not Scientology material. Darn it. 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 Founded in 1954 by Hubbard, Scientology has long been a source of intrigue and controversy. Though categorized as a cult in Germany, the Church of Scientology is considered a religion by others and has generated headlines about teachings that many deem restrictive. The group and its leader David Miscavige have been accused of bilking supporters for cash, separating members from their loved ones, and harassing and threatening journalists and critics. This has not stopped several Hollywood A-listers from advocating for the religion, including Tom Cruise, its most high-profile member. John Travolta was also a member, having joined in 1975. He is quoted on the Churchs website as saying: I would say Scientology put me into the big time. Its rumored that the Grease actor split from the religion in 2020 following the death of his wife, Kelly Preston, from breast cancer. 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 Strictly Come Dancing will celebrate Amy Dowdens return with a special quickstep group routine featuring the shows professional dancers. The Welsh ballroom dancer, who first joined the cast of Strictly in 2017, was too ill to compete in last years series as she recovered from treatment for stage three breast cancer. In May 2023, the dancer found a lump in her breast the day before her Maldives honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment in those nine months and was eventually told she had no evidence of disease in February. As the show prepares to kick off again this Autumn, Dowdens monumentous return will be marked with a dazzling quickstep choreography with Dowden front and centre. They will perform a medley of songs including Dua Lipas Training Season, Jungles Busy Earnin and another of their songs, Keep Moving, as played by Dave Arch and his live studio band. The routine will be choreographed by Jason Gilkison. The BBC has said that the empowering routine will exude glamour and it is the perfect way to welcome Amy back for the 22nd series. Speaking about her return, Dowden said: I am so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family. I am so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as its such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like its my first year again. Im buzzing to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyones laughing at me because I am just smiling constantly. open image in gallery Amy Dowden photographed in May 2024 ( Getty Images for Deichmann ) Dowden will dedicate the dance to people who are currently dealing with cancer and to her pink sisters who she credited for supporting her during the past year. 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 When Dowdens name was announced in the 2024 line-up for Strictly, she told her fans that she could not wait to be back doing what she loves the most: dancing. My heart is so happy, she wrote. The best team on and off the dance floor. Feel blessed and more excited than ever. Bring it on! However, Dowden revealed last week that her return to the dancing show was nearly thrown into uncertainty when she had another cancer scare in recent months. In her new documentary, Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me, Dowden explained that her doctors had conducted a routine MRI scan but had noticed change occurring in the breast. Her doctor warned her it could be a sign of breast cancer returning. open image in gallery Dowden will return to the Strictly floor with a dazzling group number to celebrate the occasion ( BBC/Wildflame/Stephen Hart ) Dowden, who took the news in her stride, then underwent a biopsy, and told the cameras afterwards: Im feeling really anxious and worried because it obviously brought back memories of everything I went through a year ago. In the next clip, Dowden and her husband Ben are given the welcome news that the biopsy showed benign changes there was no cancer detected. When the consultant told us there was no evidence of disease, it felt surreal, Dowden exclaimed. Im so relieved. It feels like Im set free. Reflecting on the hardest year of her life, Dowden said: In the past year, Ive had a mastectomy, fertility treatment, chemotherapy, sepsis, blood clots, a broken foot and finally its time for me to get back on that dancefloor. Strictly Come Dancing continues this Autumn. 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 }} Xi Jinping has held a surprise meeting with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the culmination of a three-day Beijing visit designed to lay the groundwork for direct talks between the Chinese leader and outgoing US president Joe Biden. Meeting the top Biden administration official in the Great Hall of the People, Mr Xi said China expects the US to take the right view of Beijings development as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The US readout of the Xi-Sullivan meeting said the two 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. Mr Sullivans trip also included a rare meeting with Mr Xis most senior military adviser, the first of its kind in eight years, as well as with foreign minister Wang Yi. And it concluded with generally positive signalling in statements from both sides as they aim to improve on the current frosty state of relations between the worlds two largest economies. Mr Xi and Mr Biden have not spoken face to face since a summit in November, and last spoke on a phone call in April. Jake Sullivan says Xi Jinping and Joe Biden planning a call in the coming weeks ( REUTERS ) Mr Sullivan said President Biden was committed to responsibly managing this consequential relationship to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. The Chinese president said the foremost issue between the two countries was a question of perception, asking for find an answer to the question: Are China and the United States rivals or partners? Mr Xi said Chinas commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged. He also 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. Danny Russel, a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, said the meeting between Mr Sullivan and Mr Xi was particularly important because Mr Sullivan was seen by the Chinese leadership as a direct extension of the US president. He said Mr Sullivans messaging was viewed as coming straight from Biden. The issue of Taiwan loomed large in all Mr Sullivans different meetings with the Chinese leaders. 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 ( AP ) A Chinese foreign ministry readout said that Mr Sullivan told Mr Wang that the US 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, it added. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, an island off the mainland that has been democratically self-governed since a civil war in the 1940s. The US has for decades maintained a policy that only officially recognises the government of China, while at the same time enjoying strong unofficial relations and trade links with the island. The US is also treaty-bound to support Taiwan in the event that China tries to take control of the island by force. What that support would look like in practice is kept Before meeting Mr Xi, Mr Sullivan met Zhang Youxia, the vice-chair of Chinas central military commission. The general is the highest-ranking military official to have met with anyone from the Biden administration. Mr 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. General Zhang opened his statement by saying: Your request to meet with me shows the value you attach to military security and the relationship between our militaries. He also, however, accused the US of collusion with Taiwans government. Mr Wang told the visiting US official that, in Chinas view, Taiwans independence presented the greatest threat to stability in the immediate region. Jake Sullivan meets Wang Yi ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) China demands that the United States stop military collusion between the US and Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan and stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan, the Chinese defence ministry statement said. But the meeting with the general led to an agreement for bilateral military talks at the theatre command level in the near future and the two sides had held regular military-military communications over the past 10 months, a White House statement said. Mr Sullivan said he stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 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 Hong Kong court has found two former editors of the now-defunct Stand News outlet guilty of conspiring to publish seditious content in the first such convictions since Hong Kong returned to Chinese control. The conviction of Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, who now face up to two years in prison, comes amid an intensified crackdown on press freedom and dissent in Hong Kong by Beijing. Critics argue that the verdict reflects a troubling erosion of rights as part of a broader crackdown under a national security law implemented in 2020 that has seen several media outlets shut down and journalists and pro-deomcracy activists jailed or forced into exile. The law was brought into force in the wake of pro-democracy protests in 2019 was the city's most concerted challenge to the Hong Kong government since the former British colony was handed back to Bejing in 1997. Mr Chung, the former editor-in-chief, and Mr Lam, the newspapers former acting editor-in-chief, both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to publish seditious materials under a law dating to the citys time as a British colony. Stand News, launched in 2014, had been a significant source of news about the 2019 protests and the subsequent crackdown by authorities. Prosecutors built their case on 17 articles published by Stand News between July 2020 and December 2021, labelling them as seditious for allegedly inciting hatred or contempt against the Chinese central government, the Hong Kong government, or the judiciary. The outlets parent company Best Pencil was also charged. On Thursday, a judge ruled that 11 of the 17 articles carried seditious intentions. In a written statement, district court judge Kwok Wai-kin said that Stand News had become a danger to national security. He continued: It even became a tool to smear and vilify the Central Authorities [in Beijing] and the SAR [Hong Kong] government. open image in gallery Patrick Lam, centre, escorted by police in 2022 ( The Associated Press ) The articles deemed seditious by the court included commentaries by exiled activists Nathan Law and Sunny Cheung, veteran journalist Allan Au and jailed former Apple Daily associate publisher Chan Pui-man, as well as interviews with former opposition lawmakers and activists, most of whom are now imprisoned or in self-imposed exile. During the 57-day trial, Mr Chung, who chose to testify in court, was in the witness box for 36 days, defending media freedoms and saying Stand News had only "recorded the facts and reported the truth". He said the site had simply sought to reflect a spectrum of voices including pro-democracy advocates. Mr Chung stressed that they upheld the principle of publishing every article they received to "showcase the greatest extent of freedom of speech", as long as these articles did not incite violence, adversely affect the public and cause defamation. Mr Lam wrote in a mitigation letter that "the key to this case is press freedom and freedom of speech ... the only way for journalists to defend press freedom is to report". After the verdict, Mr Chung said he had no regrets. He wrote in his own mitigation letter: I believe that these stories and ideas can stimulate and inspire peoples thinking, reflect the times, and shape history. Nations across the West including the US and UK have repeatedly condemned the prosecutions of journalists in Hong Kong, with Washington saying that the case against Mr Chung and Mr Lam creates a chilling effect on others in the press and media. Hong Kong was once a stronghold of press freedom but has seen its media scene shrink since Beijing imposed the national security law. While authorities claim the law restored stability after the mass 2019 protests, critics argue it broadly targets political dissent and criticism, stifling press freedom. "This verdict is setting a very dangerous precedent that could be further used by Beijing to suppress any independent voices," said Aleksandra Bielakowska, the Asia-Pacific advocacy manager for Reporters without Borders (RSF). "Dozens of media have been shut down, numerous journalists went (into) exile, and others who remained in Hong Kong face a new reality where crossing red lines could be considered as breaching the national security laws," she told Reuters. As of the 2023 RSFworld press freedom index, Hong Kong is ranked 140th out of 180 countries and territories. Its 2023 ranking was a big drop from 73rd in 2019 and 18th in 2002. Hong Kongs current rank places it below China and Russia. Mr Chung and Mr Lam will be sentenced next month. Reuters and the Associated Press 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 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 Protests have erupted at a college in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh after a hidden camera was reportedly discovered in a girls hostel bathroom. Students at SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in the states Krishna district staged a protest after they said they discovered a hidden camera, which they allege had been recording videos that have gone on to be sold. The state government has ordered an investigation into the matter. Andhra Pradeshs human resources development minister, Nara Lokesh posted on X: I have ordered an inquiry on the hidden cameras allegations. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits and people responsible. He added: I directed officials to ensure that these kinds of incidents do not recur in colleges. Late on Thursday, NDTV reported that hundreds of students gathered on the campus and chanted We want justice as they demanded accountability. A group of female students reportedly found the hidden camera in their restroom on Thursday evening, causing immediate alarm and distress among the students. The discovery soon sparked a protest that began at around 7pm and continued through the night. Videos and photos from the college showed hundreds of distressed female students, holding up mobile phone torches and shouting slogans for justice. The Hindustan Times reported that the police arrested a senior student from the boys hostel in connection with the incident. His laptop and mobile phone have been seized, but no leaked videos have been discovered so far. Police have played down the incident, questioning whether a hidden camera was really found and referring to the spread of rumours. We did not find any cameras hidden in the girls hostels during our probe. We searched the suspected student laptops, mobile phones and other devices in front of the students and college staff. No videos were found. Girl students need not worry, SP Gandadhar Rao, a senior police official from Krishna district, told the reporters. The female students are reportedly unconvinced by the police statement. Earlier this month, customers at a popular coffee shop in Bengaluru discovered a phone hidden in the womens washroom dustbin, allegedly used to record videos. A content creator brought the incident to light, revealing that the camera was concealed in a bag with a hole, continuously recording footage. This comes in the wake of massive protests in Kolkata in eastern India after the brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor during her 36-hour shift at a prominent state-run hospital, triggering conversations across the country as a whole about the way women are treated. 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 }} Authorities in India have captured a wolf from a pack that is believed to be responsible for the deaths of seven children and a woman in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. A team of 25 officials from the forest department began combing the sugarcane fields of Bahraich district after a pack of wolves attacked people in more than 30 villages, killing eight in just six weeks. Forest officials believe the captured animal is part of the pack of three killer wolves that have been on the prowl in Bahraich. The attacks have left more than 50,000 people across villages petrified, prompting the forest department to deploy 150 forest officials and over 200 security personnel. More than 50 people in the district have survived the animals attacks. The wolves were tracked with drones equipped with cameras and thermal mapping software. The captured male wolf was first detected by a thermal imaging drone at 11pm (local time) on Wednesday and eventually tracked down via its footprints. "After a challenging effort, they successfully captured the wolf from the floodplain of Sisayya village at around 10.45am (local time)," Sanjay Srivastava, the principal chief conservator of forests, told NDTV. The wolf was tranquilized and taken to a zoo in Gorakhpur district. Akash Deep Badhawan, an officer with the forest department, told Reuters that the situation was a "bit tricky as this particular species of wildlife is very cunning in nature". "We have advised the villagers to not sleep in the open along with their children. While leopard and tiger attacks are regularly reported in India, wolf attacks are unusual. Authorities in Bahraich have installed loudspeakers and flood lights to deter the animals. Mr Badhawan said the department would use elephant dung and urine to keep the pack of wolves away from residential areas. The burning of the dung cake would create an illusion of elephant presence in the area," he said, adding that wolves avoid areas where big animals dwell. The first attack was reported on 17 July, when a one-year-old was killed by a wolf. The latest attack was reported on 26 August when a wolf entered a house and killed a seven-year-old boy sleeping in the courtyard with his mother. During the summer, its common for villagers in India to sleep on mats or beds made from woven rope outside their homes where it is cooler, which makes the victims vulnerable. The mother of another seven-year-old said a wolf entered the house at night, grabbed the child by his neck and ran away. "I desperately tried to save him by pulling the wolfs legs, but didn't succeed. The wolf dragged Firoz about 200 metres into a field," she told India Today. The child was eventually rescued and rushed to the hospital with injuries. He survived the attack, his mother said. Wolves become man-eaters after developing a taste for human flesh, according to Ajeet Singh, the divisional forest officer overseeing the operation. Much of India is currently experiencing heavy monsoon rains, and the wolves could have been driven by floods to search for food in human habitats, he told New Indian Express. 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 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 }} All the foreign nationals trapped in a tunnel that collapsed at a high-speed rail construction site in Thailand have been found dead, after five days of rescue efforts. State Railway of Thailand on Friday announced all three trapped men were found dead, and that initial investigations suggest they died after running out of air. The workers were thought to be alive as recently as Thursday, as authorities raced against time to reach them. The victims have been identified as Chinese project supervisor Hu Siang Min, Chinese backhoe driver Dong Chinlin, and a truck driver from Myanmar whose identity was yet to be confirmed. The bodies of the Chinese nationals were discovered a day after the truck driver was found dead. The Chinese nationals were three metres away from the Myanmar native. An under construction site of a Thai-Chinese high speed train railway tunnel collapsed after soil and rocks subsided trapping three workers inside ( EPA ) Chinese rescuers had joined Thai authorities in the operation to reach the three workers, who were inside a tunnel at a Thai-China railway construction project when it collapsed due to a landslide in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday. The tunnel caved in about 1.6km from the entrance near Khlong Khanan Chit train station, trapping workers about 600m further inside. Thai officials said a scanner and a sniffer dog detected body heat and heartbeats from inside the tunnel at about 4am on Monday, lifting hopes of rescuers. They expected the trapped workers to be rescued by Tuesday evening. Three vehicles a backhoe, a truck and a car were also inside the tunnel when it collapsed. Under construction Thai-Chinese high speed train tunnel collapses trapping three workers ( EPA ) Thailand's transport ministry pushed rescue tubes through the blocked part of the tunnel to reach the workers. It had been hoped the tubes could be used to pump through air and send emergency supplies until the "opening is big enough for rescuers to reach the men", the ministry said earlier this week. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Thai caretaker interior minister, said the rescue was hindered by the limitation of engineering as the 126-hour-long efforts were slowed due to more landslides. We did not only try to save the lives of the victims, we also had to [ensure the safety] of the rescuers and workers, the minister told reporters. The state railways company offered its condolences to the victims famillies and said it was ready to provide assistance to the families of the deceased. The bodies were taken to a hospital for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. 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 Barratt Developments is expected to report a fall in home completions, but profits just ahead of previous expectations, amid a week of financial updates from UK housebuilders. The company, which is Britains biggest housebuilder, reports its annual results on Wednesday September 4, with updates from Vistry and Berkeley Group in the following days. Barratt said in July that home completions fell to 14,004 in the year to June 30, and that home completions are set to fall to between 13,000 and 13,500 in 2024-25. The projected fall comes despite respite from soaring building costs and Labours pledge to cut planning red tape. While Barratt Developments foundations look solid, there are niggles of worry about the trajectory for the housing market Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the Government will restore mandatory housebuilding targets for local authorities as part of the drive to build 1.5 million homes over five years, which is expected to help builders. But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned earlier this week that the Governments forthcoming Budget will be painful, sending housebuilder shares down. He said things are worse than we ever imagined because of a 22 billion black hole in the public finances, and said he found out in recent weeks that the Tories had borrowed almost 5 billion more than the Office for Budget Responsibility expected. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: While Barratt Developments foundations look solid, there are niggles of worry about the trajectory for the housing market. Reservation rates and buyer sentiment appear to be improving, and there is fresh hope that the issues tying housebuilders hands can be unwound with reform of the current planning rules looking key to an uplift in activity. However, the latest downbeat assessment of the UKs finances by the new Government sent a wobble through housebuilding stocks amid concerns that it could prompt fresh wariness among buyers. Already fewer homes being sold, and at reduced prices, have meant less cash coming in the door. And incentives used to boost sales have also weighed on margins. A further easing of mortgage rates will be needed if activity is to pick up significantly. Meanwhile, on September 5, Vistry will report its half-year results, when analysts expect underlying operating profit to rise around 10% to 227 million, helped by increased sales volumes and lower building material costs. And Berkeley Group will to update investors on September 6, when analysts expect an update on whether previous guidance of 525 million pre-tax profit for the coming year is on track. 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 }} An invasive species of honeybees has established a colony in Europe for the first time, raising alarm among scientists and conservationists. The red dwarf honeybee, Apis florea, is native to parts of Asia but was discovered in Malta, the first sighting of its kind on European soil. Researchers say this unexpected arrival is concerning and could potentially impact the regions native bee populations and broader ecosystems. Apis florea has been slowly expanding its territory from Asia to the Middle East and north-east Africa over recent years. The species adaptability is well documented and reflected in its native distribution area which covers different climatic environments and habitats, researchers say in the study. It had never been reported in Europe, however, until now. The colony, consisting of more than 2,000 adult bees, was discovered on a tree branch in Malta, according to a study published in the Journal of Apicultural Research. DNA testing confirmed the species, and the colony was quickly removed and destroyed to prevent further spread. However, researchers fear that some bees may have already left the hive to start new colonies elsewhere. Map of Malta, the main island of the Maltese archipelago, with the location where the bee colony was found ( Journal of Apicultural Research/Taylor & Francis Group ) The proximity of the colony to Maltas major cargo hub, Birzebbuga freeport, suggests that the bees may have arrived via a commercial vessel. It is concerning that Apis florea has been found in Malta, Dave Goulson, a professor of biology at the University of Sussex, told the Guardian. Apis florea is likely to compete for pollen and nectar with our native pollinators, a group of insects that are already in decline. It is also very likely that these bees will be carrying multiple diseases which European bees may have little resistance to. The introduction of a non-native species like Apis florea could have significant ecological consequences. Native pollinators are already struggling due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and rising temperatures because of the climate crisis. The spread of Apis florea to Europe is not an isolated incident. Around the world, the movement of species into new territories is becoming more common, often driven by human activities and climate crisis. As global temperatures rise, species are expanding their ranges to adapt to new conditions. Warmer temperatures can create more favourable environments for species that would otherwise be confined to certain regions. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A few hundred feet away, on a protected beach in the Miami Keys, Ethan James Green transcended the verity of beauty from behind his camera. I curiously watched as the photographer secured his balance on top of a ladder, peering through his lens at his subject from above. Lying in the sand below him, dressed in a soaked-through gold dress, her long hair swaying with the ripples, was Bridgerton star Simone Ashely. She was still, bent in an alpine twist as if shed just laid down to stretch while a shallow pool of water crept around her body, forming a lucid imprint on the damp ground. It was the middle of June, and I was on the set of Greens 2025 Pirelli Calendar shoot, submerged in intense humidity while mosquitoes nipped at my neck. Though I was sitting away from the swarm of photo assistants and production managers gathered by the waters edge and ready to adjust at a moments notice, Ashleys valiant vulnerability and Greens encouragement were palpable. The scene was, for the most part, quiet, with whispers coming in and out with the threat of clouds above. But what was loud was the connection between the photographer and the actress, silent yet deafening. They were complementary, discovering and understanding each others vision more by the minute. As Green clicked his camera, shots of Ashley flashed on a monitor before me, each as ethereal as the next. Eventually, my attention settled on Green, the 34-year-old tapped to helm the 51st edition of The Cal. Shot outside at Virginia Key Beach Park and inside a studio, the 2025 calendar centers the conversation around natural beauty from two vantage points. The Michigan-born creative whose work has appeared in Vogue, The New Yorker, W Magazine, and more constructed the concept, Refresh and Reveal, a raw, two-dimensional dive that will continue the calendars reputation as a cultural vanguard, only this time challenging societal beliefs surrounding contemporary sensuality and nudity. Following last years resounding success of the 50th docket by Prince Gyasi, which pushed narratives of timeless artistry, Green sought to peel back the color and return to the calendars history, finding inspiration in the treasured works of the past. open image in gallery Ethan James Green balances on a ladder for Simone Ashleys 2025 Pirelli Calendar shoot ( Pirelli ) open image in gallery Simone Ashley sits in shallow water on a protected beach in the Miami Keys ( Pirelli ) In 1964, Pirelli UK Limited, the Italian conglomerates British Subsidiary, fought against expansion and competition within the tire industry by devising a marketing strategy to increase its visibility an exclusive print book only available to its customers. Under the Pirelli name, this new facet would honor its community and present irrevocable work to comment on cultural phenomena from the perspective of a respected visionary. From Robert Freeman, the renowned photographer responsible for The Beatles achromatic images, to Sarah Moon, Paolo Roversi, and Annie Leibovitz, illustrious artists from around the world have impressed contemporary ideals upon the Pirelli Calendar with their singular styles. Avant-garde fashion has been fused with both organic and synthetic set direction, offering an array of model images that have become introspective tools in society. And Greens Pirelli Calendar will be no different. His talent for producing profound portraits reflecting identity and sexuality will be demonstrated in the stills of 12 subjects, including himself. Between the all-powerful actress Hunter Schafer to the legendary Indian-American writer and model Padma Lakshmi, New York-based artist Martine Goodier, Vincent Cassel, and Jenny Shimizu, the 2025 Pirelli Calendar will feature on-screen stars, fine art producers, and activists alike to represent a diverse palette of beauty. open image in gallery Hoyeon Jung curls on the floor inside the 2025 Pirelli Calendar studio shoot ( Pirelli ) open image in gallery Vincent Cassel poses for Ethan James Greens 2025 Pirelli Calendar ( Pirelli ) While The Cals fashion through the years has notoriously landed somewhere between exaggerated and exposed, the 51st docket focuses on a lack of clothing, reverting back to the technique seen in Herb Ritts 1994 calendar and Richard Avedons 1997 edition. When narrowing down his approach, Green lingered on both Avedon and Ritts print books, noticing how the sensual, sexy style had been done tastefully despite preconeived notions of nudity. Inside a studio in New York, Avedon shot Women of the World, and on a beach Ritts captured his vision of Modern Classic with Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss. For Greens upcoming docket, he decided to do both. I thought, let's combine, Green told The Independent the day after his shoot wrapped in Miami. Classic settings and we have a contemporary cast. So, that's the combo I like to have a lot, classic with contemporary, continuing something that's been there but with today mixed in. Refresh. And that's our refresh. I think the big thing is just going back to showing some skin and not being afraid to and just doing it in a respectful way, he added. open image in gallery Hunter Schafer clutches seaweed on the beach in front of Ethan James Green ( Pirelli ) open image in gallery Elodie Di Patrizi wears a sheer garment inside the 2025 Pirelli Calendar studio ( Pirelli ) I mean, I think that its more loaded than that, Tonne Goodman, the calendar stylist, chimed in. I think that whats going on in society and culture globally is so threatening to the individual and to the core of the individual. And the core of the individual is the way youre born, youre naked, and its who you are. The fact that that is being challenged now is horrible, she continued. I think that in doing this, it means that you have to appreciate it. With the help of Goodman, the former senior fashion editor responsible for 200 Vogue covers, Greens reveal came to fruition. Goodman and her team plucked barely-there garments, sheer blouses, speedos, chiffon dresses, and leather molds to create an in the nude illusion, dropping the exaggeration of mod editorial. In some cases, organic materials were used as scanty cover-ups over underwear. open image in gallery Connie Fleming grabs pieces of washed bark on the beach in Miami ( Pirelli ) Working as the stylist for this shoot, Goodman found trying to undress with clothes a challenge as someone whose forte is archetypal fashion selection (though her June-July 2020 WSJ Magazine cover of supermodel Doutzen Kroes is comparative to the calendar styling). The idea to undress with clothes was the challenge, she said. That's where the reveal comes because you can't reveal something unless you have something covering it to take it off to reveal. More than that, the sourcing process also proved to be difficult. Goodman admitted she had to scrub a number of sites, combing through the provocative and the vulgar before finding the dainty, freeform garb that suited and pleased each models personality. Back on the sandy beach in Miami, under claps of thunder and undulating lightning bolts, Padma Lakshmi let out a long exhale, contemplating current conservative morals as her white garment clung to her skin. Shed just finished posing for Green in the water with only the see-through bodysuit on. I was modeling in the 1990s and it was much freer then, she explained. I think weve become much more conservative today, and some of that is good. A lot of the stuff that was happening in the 1990s needed to go away. But I dont think that nudity is anything to be afraid of because I think a womans body is one of the most beautiful creations in nature. Im at an age where I dont, Im not afraid of my body. I feel more beautiful. I feel more sensual today than I ever did in my twenties or thirties, she noted, adding how Greens calendar was a talisman of femininity. open image in gallery Padma Lakshmi sits in the water for her 2024 Pirelli Calendar shoot outside ( Pirelli ) open image in gallery John Boyega dons only underwear in the water for his 2025 Pirelli Calendar shoot ( Pirelli ) For the 32-year-old British-Nigerian actor, and first time calendar model, John Boyega, the inclusivity woven throughout the 51st docket has been whats resonated with him most in this opportunity. I like the inclusivity, the acceptance of beauty in different shapes and sizes. I like the fact that were celebrating that beauty can be defined in different ways, he told The Independent after he wrapped his studio shoot with Green. You know, theres always that feeling of beauty that you can relate with and connect to. Beauty is life. Even in the dark, there is beauty, Boyega added. Like the beauty that is promised to be rife in the pages of the 2025 Pirelli Calendar, the docket as a whole is sure to act as a guiding figure against societys resistance to the mind-body connection. There is an expression that my sister actually said, which was, The arts have the power to deliver us from evil, Goodman said, knowing she, Green, the cast, and crew did just that with their 51st edition of the Pirelli Calendar, set to release later this year. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lauren Sanchez has gushed over her quiet life at home with her fiance, Jeff Bezos. The 54-year-old former news anchor opened up about her downtime with the billionaire, 60, during an interview with People, published on August 29. My favorite time is when the house is calm and quiet and Jeff and I are deciding what show were going to binge that night, she said. However, she also confessed that she and her husband sometimes disagree when choosing what to watch. It takes a little bit of time to decide, she hilariously admitted. You can imagine our tastes are a little different. But I love our TV time, we just have the best time. She then shared some of her and Bezoss who split their time between his home in Los Angeles and Miami favorite things that theyve recently watched. We recently saw Baby Reindeer, which of course everyone saw. Fallout was also so good. We also just finished Presumed Innocent, which was incredible," Sanchez added. Oh, and we loved Severance. Sanchez acknowledged that her daily routine will be changing soon, as she embarks on a tour for her new book, The Fly Who Flew to Space, which comes out on September 10. Im so thrilled my kids get to see me do this because they encouraged me to write this for years and I finally made it happen, she said, as the mother of three children Nikko Gonzalez, 23, Evan, 18, and Ella, 16 who shares with her ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell. Sanchez has previously gushed over the downtime she has with her fiance, amid their busy schedules. In September 2023, she took to Instagram to share a snap of her and the Amazon founder on a walk, as she had her hand in his back pocket, and he had his arm over her shoulder. Nothing better than when I get to see him for lunch between his meetings, she wrote in the caption. open image in gallery Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos at the Versace FW23 Show at Pacific Design Center ( Getty Images ) She has also praised her partners hard work throughout his career. During an interview with Vogue, published in November, she opened up about her dynamic with Bezos, who is one of the richest men in the world. According to Forbes, Bezos has a net worth of $193.9bn. I think there are a lot of opportunities that come with that, and I take those opportunities very seriously, she explained. We always look at each other and go: Were the team. So everythings shared. She also revealed that, although shed got on Bezos yacht, Koru, last year, they werent rushing into planning their nuptials. Were still thinking about the wedding, she said at the time. What its going to be. Is it going to be big? Is it going to be overseas? We dont know yet. However, Sanchez didnt hesitate to confirm that, once she gets married, shell be taking her husbands last name. Uh, yes, 100 per cent, she said. I am looking forward to being Mrs Bezos. In August 2023, they first hosted an engagement party on Koru with some famous guests, including Bill Gates and his girlfriend, Paula Hurd. At the time, People also reported that the boat party was taking place along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. 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 }} It was their most challenging mission. U.S. Army soldiers in the 7th Transportation Brigade had previously set up a pier during training and in exercises overseas but never had dealt with the wild combination of turbulent weather, security threats and sweeping personnel restrictions that surrounded the Gaza humanitarian aid project. Designed as a temporary solution to get badly needed food and supplies to desperate Palestinians, the so-called Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore system, or JLOTS, faced a series of setbacks over the spring and summer. It managed to send more than 20 million tons of aid ashore for people in Gaza facing famine during the Israel-Hamas war. Service members struggled with what Col. Sam Miller, who was commander during the project, called the biggest organizational leadership challenge he had ever experienced. Speaking to The Associated Press after much of the unit returned home, Miller said the Army learned a number of lessons during the four-month mission. It began when President Joe Bidens announced in his State of the Union speech in March that the pier would be built and lasted through July 17, when the Pentagon formally declared that the mission was over and the pier was being permanently dismantled. The Army is reviewing the $230 million pier operation and what it learned from the experience. One of the takeaways, according to a senior Army official, is that the unit needs to train under more challenging conditions to be better prepared for bad weather and other security issues it faced. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because assessments of the pier project have not been publicly released. In a report released this week, the inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development said Biden ordered the pier's construction even as USAID staffers expressed concerns that it would be difficult and undercut a push to persuade Israel to open more efficient land crossings to get food into Gaza. The Defense Department said the pier achieved its goal of providing an additive means of delivering high volumes of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to help address the acute humanitarian crisis. The U.S. military knew from the outset there would be challenges as part of this in this complex emergency, the statement added. The Biden administration had set a goal of the U.S. sea route and pier providing food to feed 1.5 million people for 90 days. It fell short, bringing in enough to feed about 450,000 people for a month before shutting down, the USAID inspector general's report said. The Defense Departments watchdog also is doing an evaluation of the project. Beefing up training Army soldiers often must conduct their exercises under difficult conditions designed to replicate war. Learning from the Gaza project which was the first time the Army set up a pier in actual combat conditions leaders say they need to find ways to make the training even more challenging. One of the biggest difficulties of the Gaza pier mission was that no U.S. troops could step ashore a requirement set by Biden. Instead, U.S service members were scattered across a floating city of more than 20 ships and platforms miles offshore that had to have food, water, beds, medical care and communications. Every day, said Miller, there were as many as 1,000 trips that troops and other personnel made from ship to boat to pier to port and back. We were moving personnel around the sea and up to the Trident pier on a constant basis, Miller said. And every day, there was probably about a thousand movements taking place, which is quite challenging, especially when you have sea conditions that you have to manage. Military leaders, he said, had to plan three or four days ahead to ensure they had everything they needed because the trip from the pier to their safe haven at Israel's port of Ashdod was about 30 nautical miles. The trip over and back could take up to 12 hours, in part because the Army had to sail about 5 miles out to sea between Ashdod and the pier to stay a safe distance from shore as they passed Gaza City, Miller said. Normally, Miller said, when the Army establishes a pier, the unit sets up a command onshore, making it much easier to store and access supplies and equipment or gather troops to lay out orders for the day. Communication difficulties While his command headquarters was on the U.S. military ship Roy P. Benavidez, Miller said he was constantly moving with his key aides to the various ships and the pier. I slept and ate on every platform out there, he said. The U.S. Army official concurred that a lot of unexpected logistical issues came up that a pier operation may not usually include. Because the ships had to use the Ashdod port and a number of civilian workers under terms of the mission, contracts had to be negotiated and written. Agreements had to be worked out so vessels could dock, and workers needed to be hired for tasks that troops couldn't do, including moving aid onto the shore. Communications were a struggle. Some of our systems on the watercraft can be somewhat slower with bandwidth, and youre not able to get up to the classified level, Miller said. He said he used a huge spreadsheet to keep track of all the ships and floating platforms, hundreds of personnel and the movement of millions of tons of aid from Cyprus to the Gaza shore. When bad weather broke the pier apart, they had to set up ways to get the pieces moved to Ashdod and repaired. Over time, he said, they were able to hire more tugs to help move sections of the pier more quickly. Some of the pier's biggest problems including the initial reluctance of aid agencies to distribute supplies throughout Gaza and later safety concerns from the violence may not apply in other operations where troops may be quickly setting up a pier to get military forces ashore for an assault or disaster response. Theres tons of training value and experience that every one of the soldiers, sailors and others got out of this, Miller said. "Theres going to be other places in the world that may have similar things, but they wont be as tough as the things that we just went through. When the time comes, he said, were going to be much better at doing this type of thing. One bit of information could have given the military a better heads-up about the heavy seas that would routinely hammer the pier. Turns out, said the Army official, there was a Gaza surf club, and its headquarters was near where they built the pier. That "may be an indicator that the waves there were big, the official said. ___ AP writers Tara Copp and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed. 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 }} Jurors in the first criminal trial linked to New Hampshires sprawling child abuse scandal began deliberating Thursday in the case of a former youth detention center worker charged with repeatedly raping a teenage girl two decades ago. Victor Malavet, 62, is one of nine men charged in connection with the 5-year-old investigation into abuse allegations at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, though unlike the others, he worked at a separate state-run facility in Concord. He has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault against a resident of the Youth Detention Services Unit, a temporary holding facility for children with cases in court. Malavet did not testify at his four-day trial, and his attorneys called no witnesses. But jurors heard him deny the allegations Thursday during the testimony of a state police officer who had been authorized to secretly record her interview with him in April 2021. In a 45-minute excerpt played in court, Malavet said he did not have sex with Natasha Maunsell, who was 15 and 16 when she was held at the facility in 2001 and 2002. The only relationship I had with her, and all the kids, was just a professional relationship, he said. Malavet told police it was common for staff to gravitate toward residents they felt a connection with but insisted nothing inappropriate happened with Maunsell. He acknowledged being transferred to the Manchester facility after others questioned their relationship, but he accused them of spreading rumors and suggested he was targeted because he is Puerto Rican. People just couldnt understand that I was trying to mentor her, he said. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say theyve been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly as Maunsell has done. Over the course of two days, she testified that Malavet arranged to be alone with her in a candy storage room, the laundry room and other locations and then repeatedly raped her. Natasha was the perfect victim, Senior Assistant Attorney General Meghan Hagaman said in her closing statement. She was alone and afraid. But she's not a child anymore. She's not afraid anymore. She's not ashamed anymore. And that man does not control her anymore. In her closing statement, defense attorney Jaye Duncan argued that Malavet should be acquitted based in part on shocking inconsistencies not only between Maunsells testimony and her past statements but among the various prosecution witnesses. Maunsell testified that she denied having sex with Malavet when questioned in 2002, 2017, and 2019 because she was scared and thought no one would believe her. But Duncan said she only came forward after other detention center residents sued the state. Maunsell is among more than 1,100 former residents who have filed lawsuits alleging abuse spanning six decades and has received about $150,000 in loans in advance of a settlement. Its all lies. Money changes everything, but it cant change the truth, and the truth is, Natasha made these allegations to get paid," Duncan said. The prosecutor countered that the civil and criminal cases are separate, and Maunsell was not required to pursue criminal charges in order to win her civil suit. If this was all about money, why would Natasha participate in the criminal case? She could sue, get money and be done," Hagaman said. "Why come into this courtroom and tell a roomful of strangers the horrific details about that man repeatedly raping her? Two of the charges allege sexual contact without consent while the other 10 allege that Malavet was in a position of authority over Maunsell and used that authority to coerce her into sex. His attorney denied there was any sexual contact, consensual or otherwise. In the only civil case to go to trial so far, a jury awarded David Meehan $38 million in May for abuse he says he suffered at the Youth Development Center in the 1990s, though the verdict remains in dispute. Together, the two trials highlight the unusual dynamic of having the state attorney generals office simultaneously prosecute those accused of committing offenses and defend the state. While attorneys for the state spent much of Meehans trial portraying him as a violent child, troublemaking teenager and a delusional adult, state prosecutors relied on Mansells testimony in the criminal case. 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 womens college in Virginia has instituted an admissions policy that bars transgender women next school year because of a new interpretation of the founders will. Sweet Briar College, a private women's liberal arts school, said the policy stems from the legally binding will of its founder, Indiana Fletcher Williams, who died in 1900. Sweet Briar's leadership said the document requires it to be a place of girls and young women. The phrase "must be interpreted as it was understood at the time the Will was written, Sweet Briar's president and board chair wrote in a letter earlier this month to the college community. The new policy requires an applicant to confirm that her sex assigned at birth is female, and that she consistently lives and identifies as a woman." Sweet Briar College believes that single-sex education is not only our tradition, but also a unique cultural and social resource, President Mary Pope Hutson said in a statement to The Associated Press. The new guidelines are facing criticism from some students and most faculty. They warn the politically fraught policy could repel potential students not just transgender women when women's colleges have been closing, going co-ed or merging with other schools. Sweet Briar nearly shuttered in 2015. Critics also question the board's originalist interpretation of a will that explicitly excluded non-white students. Williams' will said the school was to be a place for the education of white girls and young women." The college had to get permission from a federal judge to accept Black students after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. John Gregory Brown, an English professor and faculty senate chair, said the reasoning for the transgender policy is absurd. Williams also wouldnt have entertained the notion that somebody who was disabled would be a potential student," Brown added. On Monday night, the faculty voted 48 to 4, with one abstention, to call on the board to rescind the policy, Brown said. Sweet Briar has about 460 students - known as Vixens and was established in 1901 on Williams estate, a former plantation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On Aug. 10, the Sweet Briar College Student Government Association stated the policy was alienating, unnecessary, and it reflects the rise of transphobia in our country. Association President Isabella Paul, a senior who identifies as nonbinary, told the AP that at least 10% of students use different pronouns and wouldn't fit in the policy's description of women. And there are allies here who may identify as women but have friends and lovers and family members who are nonbinary, genderqueer and transgender," Paul said. So this is also affecting their pride in their institution. Its unclear how the policy will affect current students. When asked, Sweet Briars president said the school tries to ensure that all of our students feel welcome on campus. Hutson acknowledged that a board member has resigned over the policy and that alumnae on both sides care deeply about the future of our college." Many want Sweet Briar to remain a place where women can thrive, and they believe that a broader policy is a slippery slope toward co-education," Hutson said. They strongly support this policy. Women's colleges in the U.S. began to admit transgender women about 10 years ago, including Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and Spelman College, a historically Black school in Atlanta. What it means to be a woman isnt static, Mount Holyoke's then-President Lynn Pasquerella told the AP in 2014. Early feminists argued that reducing women to their biological functions was a foundation of womens oppression. Currently, 23 historically womens colleges have policies that admit at least some trans students, said Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Beemyn, who tracks such policies, said three historically womens colleges bar most trans women, including Sweet Briar. Admissions policies at private undergraduate colleges are exempt from Title IX, the 1972 law that bars sex discrimination in education. So Sweet Briar would not be affected by the Biden administration's new rules under Title IX, which restrict discrimination based on gender identity. Most Republican state attorneys general are challenging those rules in court. And judges have halted enforcement in 26 states, including Virginia, while the cases proceed. But schools, including Sweet Briar, would not be shielded from any private lawsuits filed by current students, said Nicholas Hite, a senior attorney with LGBTQ+ rights group Lambda Legal. Hite said Sweet Briars policy could be problematic because it explicitly attempts to define for current students what it means to live and identify as a woman. Thats something that every cis and trans woman should be able to decide for herself, Hite said. Sweet Briar lacked a stated transgender admissions policy until this year, according to the letter from school leadership. The college was previously handling applications case by case. But then the Common Application, a nonprofit that helps students apply to schools on one standardized form, added more options for a person's legal sex, X or another legal sex. Sweet Briar's leadership said the additional options created confusion and challenges for applicants and school staff. Emma Steele, a Common Application spokesperson, said in a statement that the changes were all made to better reflect the more than one million students who use Common App each year." Sweet Briar almost ceased being a school in 2015. Its then-leadership announced its closure and cited financial challenges, declining enrollment and other problems. The school was saved after multiple lawsuits, prolonged negotiations and the raising of millions of dollars by its fiercely determined alumnae. Sweet Briar is one of 30 schools listed as members of the Womens College Coalition. The U.S. had more than 200 women's colleges in the 1960s. The faculty senate president said the new policy will likely shrink the pool of already precious applicants. It really excludes any student who would be offended by those positions ... who doesnt want to be in a place where discrimination is codified in this way, Brown said. I think its a financially disastrous decision for the college. 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 }} Watch again as Kamala Harris held a rally in battleground Georgia on Thursday (29 August). The rally came after Harris surged ahead in the latest USA Today/Suffolk University poll, the first conducted by the group since the Democratic National Convention. The vice president has made big gains among key voting groups and holds a five-point lead nationally over Donald Trump. After the rally, CNN aired the first interview with Harris and her running mate Tim Walz who will be quizzed by anchor Dana Bash in Georgia the next major test in their bid for the White House. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices 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 Independent Voices email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A young boy who accidentally broke a rare 3,500-year-old jar in an Israeli museum has been invited back. Alex Geller, the boys father, said his -four-year-old son is exceptionally curious, and that the moment he heard the crash last Friday, please let that not be my child was the first thought that raced through his head. Hes not a kid that usually destroys things, he just wanted to see what was inside, Geller told The Associated Press. The Bronze Age jar is one of many artifacts exhibited out in the open, part of the Hecht Museum's vision of letting visitors explore history without glass barriers, said Inbar Rivlin, the director of the museum, which is associated with Haifa University in northern Israel. Rivlin said the jar was displayed at the museum entrance, and that the family quickly left without finishing their visit. She wants to use the restoration as an educational opportunity and make sure they feel welcome to return. Geller and his family live in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya, just a few kilometers (miles) south of the border with Lebanon, in an area that has come under Hezbollah rocket fire for more than 10 months in a conflict linked to the war in Gaza. They were spending the summer break visiting museums and taking day trips around Israel to escape the tensions, Geller said. There were a lot of kids at the museum that day, and Geller said he fervently prayed the damage had been caused by someone else. When he turned around and saw it was his son, he was in complete shock. My wife responded faster than me, she grabbed our son to take him outside and calm him down and explain that it was not OK what had happened, said Geller. He went over to the security guards to let them know what had happened in hopes that it was a model and not a real artifact. We said, if we need to pay we will, whatever will be will be. But they called and said it was insured and after they checked the cameras and saw it wasnt vandalism they invited us back for a make-up visit. Israel Broken Ancient Jar Geller said his son didnt quite understand the international interest in the broken jar, but their tight-knit community in Nahariya was following the media reports with interest and was proud of their local celebrity. The Hecht Museum hopes to harness that interest to encourage more people to visit the museum and learn about artifact restoration. Using 3D technology and high-resolution videos of the jar, experts plan to complete the restoration in a matter of days. It could be back on display as early as next week. Thats whats actually interesting for my older kids, this process of how theyre restoring it, and all the technology theyre using there, said Geller. The jar, which had been on display at the museum for 35 years, was one of the only containers of its size and period that was still complete when it was discovered. It was likely used to hold wine or oil, and it dates back to between 2200 and 1500 B.C. Roee Shafir, a restoration expert at the museum, said the repairs would be fairly simple, as the pieces were from a single, complete jar. Archaeologists often face the more daunting task of sifting through piles of shards from multiple objects and trying to piece them together. He said the restoration will take several days because they use special glue to connect just a few pieces at a time. The process will be documented for educational purposes. Shafir, who will painstakingly reassemble the jar even though he says he hates puzzles still wants to keep the artifacts accessible to the public, even if accidents happen. He said it's important for visitors to touch artifacts because that connection can inspire a deeper interest in history and archaeology. I like that people touch. Dont break, but to touch things, its important, he said. Geller said his son is too young to decide if archaeology could be a career path. For now, hes looking forward to visiting the museum again on Friday, as a special guest, and starting nursery school in September. 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 has been jailed after an off-duty police officer noticed him upskirting a woman at the British Museum. Metropolitan Police officers launched an investigation after an off-duty City of London Police officer spotted Jake Verano Gomez filming up a womans skirt on 19 August. They discovered several videos on his phone. Upskirting, defined as the act of covertly filming or taking a picture under a persons skirt without gaining their consent, was made a criminal offence in England and Wales in April 2019. The offence now carries a punishment of up to two years in custody under the Voyeurism Act and the most serious cases see wrongdoers placed on the sex offenders register. Jake Verano Gomez, a 33-year-old Colombian national with no fixed address, was sentenced to four months in prison ( Metropolitan Police/PA ) Verano Gomez, a 33-year-old Colombian national with no fixed address, was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay court fees at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 21 August. He pleaded guilty to recording an image under clothes without gaining the persons consent. He will be forced to register with the police, in line with the 2003 Sexual Offences Act, for up to seven years. The Met Police has requested women who believe they may have fallen prey to his upskirting to come forward for support. The British Museum in London ( PA Wire ) The female police officer rapidly detained the man alongside museum security guards and workers before Met Police officers came and placed him in custody. Detective Constable Holly Wright, of the Public Protection team covering Camden, said: These kinds of offences have a devastating impact on women and girls, who should be free to go about their lives without fear of being the victim of such a horrendous crime. Fortunately, the presence of our colleague from City of London Police has meant Gomez has now been brought to justice. Following his arrest Gomezs phone was interrogated by Met detectives, they found a number of videos of other victims also believed to have been filmed that day. Sadly, this may mean there are more women who are unaware that they have been the victim of crime. Detective Wright urged those who were at the British Museum on Monday 19 August at around 2pm who believe they may have fallen victim to come forward to the police. Officers asked people to ring 101 or post @MetCC reference CAD 4342/19Aug. It comes after Gina Martin spent 18 months fighting to make upskirting a specific offence after a man took a picture up her skirt at a festival in 2017. 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 }} Eton College will raise its fees by 20 per cent as a result of the governments removal of the VAT exemption on independent schools. The elite school wrote to parents on Friday saying only those on bursaries would be exempt from the fee increase. The majority of students will be charged 63,000 per year from January up from 52,749. In the letter to parents, the school said that having carefully considered the impact of the Governments decision from January 2025, we regret that the cost of an Eton education is likely to rise by 20 per cent as a result of the introduction of VAT. Labours end to tax breaks for private schools is widely expected to begin in January 2025. The policy will see VAT and business rates applied to private school fees. It was a key Labour manifesto pledge. The party says the change will raise around 1.5 billion a year, ring-fenced for reinvestment into state education. This includes funding policies such as 6,500 new teachers and over 3,000 new nurseries. The majority of students will be charged 63,000 per year from January up from 52,749 ( PA ) Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, the outgoing provost, said in the letter to parents: While this news was not unexpected, the provost and fellows regret that the Government has chosen to tax education in this way. Furthermore, we are disappointed that the introduction of VAT will take place part way through an academic year and at short notice. We recognise the concern that will be felt by many parents following this announcement. Lord Waldegrave also claimed that the governments decision to end tax breaks for private schools would add over 1.2 million per annum to our current cost base. Pupils on 100 per cent bursaries will not be affected by the change, the College said. Those on partial bursaries will see their fee discounts increased to cover the cost of the VAT. While the government has suggested schools should absorb some of the costs to avoid passing on large fee hikes to parents, some schools have warned they cannot afford to do so. The rate has not historically been applied to private schools due to a legal exemption for organisations that provide education. They also hold charitable status, which will not be removed as part of Labours changes. Adding 20 per cent to the average private school fees would see day schools rise to 19,200 a year, on average, and to 46,800 for boarding schools, on average. The Department for Education has been approached for comment. 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 number of people in prison in England and Wales has hit a record high, with the number jumping by nearly a thousand in the past four weeks. Some 88,350 people were in prison as of 30 August, Ministry of Justice figures show. This is up 116 from 88,234 a week ago and an increase of 988 from 87,362 four weeks ago on 2 August. It is the highest end-of-week figure since weekly population data was first published in 2011, according to analysis. It also surpasses the highest total ever recorded, which was 88,336 at end the February 2024, based on separate figures for the end-of-month population size. The sharp rise in recent weeks is likely to have been driven by the number of jail sentences handed to people found guilty of taking part in the recent disorder across parts of the country. The summer riots were seen in parts of Britain earlier this month in the wake of the stabbings in Southport. Following the unrest, a total of 460 people appeared in magistrates courts in relation to the disorder after more than 1,100 people were, with almost 700 of those charged, according to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Earlier this week there were fewer than 100 places in the male prison estate ( PA ) In response to rise in pressure on prisons, Sir Keir Starmer triggered emergency measures known as Operation Early Dawn. Under the plans, defendants would be held in police cells and not summoned to magistrates court until a space in prison is available. It was implemented in the North East and Yorkshire, Cumbira and Lancashire, and Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire regions. Also, this month pirsoners will be released early under plans announced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood for the proportion of the sentence inmates serving behind bars to be cut from 50 per cent to 40 per cent. The temporary move which does not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences is expected to result in 5,500 offenders being released over the next two months. Carl Davies, vice president of the Prison Governors Association, told The Independent that, while the record-high figures demonstrated the ever-increasing prison population, they dont show the peaks during the week. Prisoners coming to the end of their sentences are released on Thursday ahead of the weekend, and so MoJ statistics - which are released on a Friday - show a rosier picture of capacity. It was reported on Tuesday this week that there were actually fewer than 100 available spaces left across the male prison estate in England and Wales. Mr Davies explained: Theres in excess of 800 spaces this morning, which is due to the large number of people who were released yesterday. He said that the riots across the country had put a significant amount of pressure on the prison system. We anticipate that there will be some ongoing activity for a period of time going forward, but hopefully we are over that initial surge, he added. The measures announced by Ms Mahmood to release people early would have given the government around 18 months head room in the prison estate, the Prison Governors Association estimated. However, due to the unprecedented number of people jailed due to the riots, this has now been eroded. Youre probably looking at 12 months headroom now because of the unexpected surge in new people into the system, Mr Davies said. The prison population in England and Wales has been rising for much of the past three years, having dropped as low as 77,727 in April 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, the figure had been above 80,000 since December 2006. In the aftermath of the summer 2011 riots, the number climbed as high as 88,179 on December 2 2011, before falling back in subsequent months. 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 }} Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to relent on his opposition to introducing the Youth Mobility Scheme to allow under-30s to travel freely between the EU and UK and rejoin the Erasmus scheme for students. A petition launched by the pro-EU European Movement supporting both schemes has hit 50,000 signatures, piling pressure on the Labour government to agree to it. The new prime minister has vowed to renegotiate the flawed agreement made by Boris Johnson with the EU and began work this week by launching talks for a new bilateral deal with Germany to be concluded in six months. The prime minister was on a whistlestop tour of Germany and France meeting chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron. Starmer met Macron in Paris this week ( AP ) But at the press conference in Berlin, Sir Keir also made it clear that he would not agree to the Youth Mobility Scheme and insisted he would stay within his own self-imposed red lines on not reversing Brexit, not reintroducing free movement of people or entering the single market or customs union. There were reports that he was planning to leave the door open on the youth mobility scheme, which is strongly supported by the Germans, and would even be willing to consider free movement of people in a wider sense. But a Downing Street source said this was not true and nonsense. The source said: We are not considering it; there are no plans for this or any work being done on it. German chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has emerged as a key ally for Starmer in the renegotiation, is understood to be keen for the UK and EU to agree the schemes. One of the biggest criticisms of Brexit was that it harmed the opportunities of young people, especially in the UK, by denying them the chance to travel easily, live and work in the EU. Addressing the landmark reached with signatures for the petition, Cecilia Jastrzembska, President of Young European Movement, said: "The UKs withdrawal from the European Union has had a devastating impact on opportunities for young people, particularly our withdrawal from the Erasmus student exchange scheme. The silence on the UK/ EU relationship must be broken and cooperation between us agreed sensibly and in good faith. YEM UK looks forward to Sir Keir Starmer strengthening relations with our European neighbours." Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK and founder of Scientists For EU, said: There should be no barrier now. The British public voted for change. Opening up youth opportunities with Europe is clearly something theyd like to see change on. So the question is where is it? European Movement UK was formed in 1949 by Sir Winston Churchill, to prevent further conflict between European countries. It remains a cross-party organisation campaigning on the benefits of close ties between the UK and EU and has campaigned to undo the harms caused by the UKs departure from the EU. 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 }} Rightwing Tory MP Esther McVey has doubled down on a controversial Tweet which appeared to compare Labours proposed smoking ban to the Holocaust. A leading Jewish community group has led the criticisms of the former common sense ministers social media post describing it as repugnant. In it, the former TV presenter wrote out the words to German theologian Martin Niemollers famed 1946 poem, First They Came, which warns how those who stood passively by in the face of intensifying Nazi persecution became complicit in the Holocaust. McVeys controversial post on X ( Twitter: @EstherMcVey1 ) Ms Mcvey then added: Pertinent words re Starmers smoking ban. But after a torrent of criticism and calls for her to delete the post on X (formerly Twitter), Ms McVey has refused and used an interview on LBC to double down on her controversial views. Ms McVey denied comparing the smoking ban to the Holocaust. She told presenter Nick Ferrari: Yes I quoted a poem about the Holocaust. Why? Because it conveys a very important wider parable about the importance of standing up for other peoples freedoms and it was in that context I used it. So nobody is suggesting the banning of smoking outside pubs equated to what happened to the Jews at the hands of the Nazis. But it is an analogy that those who restrict freedoms start with what they see as an easier target and then they extend their reach. Esther McVey has refused to delete her Tweet date: Friday July 5, 2024. (Peter Byrne/PA) ( PA Wire ) Lashing out at the new Labour government, she said: I have to tell you that what we see from this new socialist government should be sending shudders down peoples spines with what they are doing. Ms McVey is backing rightwing former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick in the Tory leadership election and recently was seen introducing him at his official launch event in Newark. Mr Jenrick has regularly spoken out about issues surrounding antisemitism and the Holocaust. She insisted that no offence was meant but also refused to delete the Tweet. Among the many critics of the post was the Board of Deputies of British Jews who described her comment as breathtakingly thoughtless. In a statement, the community organisation said: The use of Martin Niemollers poem about the horrors of the Nazis to describe a potential smoking ban is an ill-considered and repugnant action. We would strongly encourage the MP for Tatton to delete her tweet and apologise for this breathtakingly thoughtless comparison. Israeli writer and founder of the Tel-Aviv Institute, Hen Mazzig, added: A member of British parliament equates a ban on smoking to a genocide of Jews. If this were just a random tweet, I would make fun of it and move on. But this person is a national policymaker, and cant tell the difference between a public health policy and the largest, most industrialized genocide in history. Smoking can kill you. Being Jewish shouldnt have to. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer has had a portrait of Margaret Thatcher removed from No 10 Downing Street, according to his biographer. Tom Baldwin said that the prime minister found the 100,000 painting, which was commissioned by Gordon Brown, unsettling sparking outrage among Conservative MPs. Speaking at an event organised by Glasgows Aye Write book festival, Mr Baldwin said that after Sir Keir took office, they met at No 10 for a private conversation. Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly had a portrait of Margaret Thatcher removed from No 10 ( EPA ) He said: We sat there, and I go: Its a bit unsettling with her staring down at you like that, isnt it? Sir Keir replied yes and, when asked whether he would get rid of it, the prime minister nodded, according to Mr Baldwin. Mr Baldwin added: And he has. The artwork was commissioned after Mr Brown invited Mrs Thatcher to tea after he succeeded Tony Blair in 2007, and was paid for by an anonymous donor and is the first of a former prime minister to be commissioned by Downing Street. Painted by Richard Stone, it was unveiled at a private reception in 2009 and hangs in her former study, unofficially known as the Thatcher Room. Leading the criticism, former Northern Ireland first minister Baroness Arlene Foster wrote on X: I think it is unsettling that the PM should remove the first female PM from No 10. He cannot deny her role in our nation - the most significant PM after Churchill. Not a good start from Labour, looks and feels vindictive and petty. Former Tory minister Esther McVey tweeted: What a pathetic, petty minded little man Keir Starmer is removing a picture of the first female prime minister and one of the longest serving prime ministers. Maybe he doesnt want to be reminded of a towering politician he could never live up to. Greg Smith, the MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, said the decision was utter pettiness from Starmer. Speaking to the Telegraph he said the episode showed that Sir Keir has no respect for our history and previous prime ministers. Last December, Sir Keir praised Thatcher for bringing meaningful change in Britain in a piece for TheSunday Telegraph. The Labour leader said the late former prime minister had set loose our natural entrepreneurialism during her time as prime minister. In response to the claim about the painting, Downing Street told Sky News: We dont comment on the interior of the house. 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 }} A Labour MP is renting out flats in London scourged by black mould and ant infestations, his tenants have said. Jas Athwal, the newly-elected MP for Ilford South, is parliaments biggest landlord, co-owning a total of 18 rental properties, 15 of which are residential. Redbridge Council, which Mr Athwal led until becoming an MP in July, has now been urged to investigate his properties after journalists and a City Hall member visited and spoke to tenants about the conditions there. Describing himself as a renters champion, Mr Athwall told The Independent in a statement that he was shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down. In one block of seven flats owned by Mr Athwal, nearly half the tenants said they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould, according to the BBC, which reported seeing evidence of ant infestations in a number of those properties, which are situated above a shop in Ilford. The ants are everywhere, one resident was quoted as saying, while pointing to insects climbing up a door frame. They are on my kids body and on their clothes. The communal areas in the properties were dirty and lights did not work, while fire alarms were hanging loose from the ceiling and a washing machine had been dumped next to a set of stairs, the BBC reported. One resident said their family member is a clean freak who keeps scrubbing the black mould on their bathroom ceiling to keep it from spreading, while another said: The whole ceiling would be black if we didnt clean it every few weeks. None of the tenants spoken to wanted their names to be included, with some reportedly saying this was due to a fear of being evicted. The BBC visited a number of flats owned by Jas Athwal ( Google Maps ) After receiving calls from the property manager during the journalists visit, residents reportedly became more hesitant to speak, with one who had spoken on camera later asking that the interview not be used and another later requesting not to publicise pictures of the mould, according to the BBC. Another resident alleged that they had been threatened with eviction by the letting agent if they complained about problems in their flat or started claiming benefits. In comments issued to the broadcaster, Mr Athwal said the properties were managed by an agency and that he was not aware of these problems, adding that he did not take on tenants in receipt of housing benefit in order to avoid conflicts of interest with his role as leader of Redbridge council. The Labour MP said: My properties are managed by an agency, selected for their quick response times and excellent customer service. This is evidenced by the long tenure of the tenants over 87 years across 15 properties. I pride myself on being a good landlord and no tenants have ever been evicted. Repairs and improvements have been made to properties as recently as two weeks ago. To ensure tenants enjoy a secure, long-term home, rents are kept below market rate and, in many cases rents are frozen at the rate first agreed. Jas Athwal was voted Ilford South MP at the recent general election ( Parliament TV screengrab ) But Andrew Boff, Conservative chair of the London Assembly who has also visited the flats, spoken to residents and taken pictures of the mould is calling on the Labour Party and Redbridge Council to investigate. Im deeply concerned, Mr Boff told the BBC. I worry that there are people who are Jas Athwals tenants who are now frightened to speak for fear of being evicted. Weve heard this time and time again about how the threat of eviction is used to excuse poor maintenance of properties, he added. Mr Boff also raised concerns that Mr Athwals rental properties may not currently be signed up to the selective property licence scheme he introduced in December while leader of the council. Andrew Boff heckled a speech by Suella Braverman at last years Conservative Party conference ( Antony Medley ) The seven properties did not appear on the councils public register of licensed properties when searched for by The Independent. Mr Athwal told the BBC: Every Redbridge rental property I own is in full compliance with the landlord licence scheme, and have been since its creation. Landlords are contacted by the council when licences are due for renewal, this has not yet occurred for my properties but licences will be renewed when the notices are issued. But later contacted by The Independent, he said: It was my understanding all the licences for my properties were up to date, but I have recently seen an email which shared that licences are due to expire, I am in the process of renewing all licences. Mr Athwal continued: I want every one of my tenants to have excellent accommodation; Im shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues. I know its my responsibility to have issues addressed as soon as they arise and have met with the property management company to understand failures in communication. Im profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down and will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward. Repairs and maintenance will be done swiftly and I am, of course, more than happy for tenants to provide updates to journalists on the work. I am a renters champion, Mr Athwal added. As council leader I implemented the most rigorous landlord licencing scheme in London in 2017, and expanded the scheme in 2023 and 2024 the scheme wouldve been even stronger if Conservative housing secretaries had not repeatedly watered it down. In 2019, I led a campaign calling on government to abolish Section 21 evictions, further protecting tenants rights, which was again blocked by the Conservatives. 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 }} Sir Keir Starmer is facing serious questions over the appointment of Lord Peter Hendy as his rail minister after it emerged that he forced an award-winning engineer to be sacked for speaking to The Independent. Shadow transport secretary Helen Whately has written to Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden asking about the vetting process for the minister who is at the heart of another sleaze scandal to hit the new Labour government less than two months into office. Already questions are being asked over why a major Labour donor Lord Alli was granted a high security grade Downing Street pass after the election. There have also been allegations over cronyism over appointments of Labour supporters to senior civil service roles. Shadow transport secretary Helen Whately (UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media ) Politico revealed that Lord Hendy, in his previous role as infrastructure manager at Network Rail used his power and influence to force a whistleblower to be sacked. Gareth Dennis, had spoken to The Independent over concerns about overcrowding at Londons Euston station making it unsafe because it could result in a crush. Hendy responded by demanding that the award-winning engineer was disciplined and he told his employer SYSTRA that finding a potential supplier criticising a possible client reflects adversely on your likelihood of doing business with us or our supply chain. Ms Whately has demanded answers over Lord Hendys appointment. She said: Labour and Lord Hendy have serious questions to answer about this. Getting an engineer sacked for raising safety concerns would be shocking. We need a culture in Government where people arent afraid to speak up when somethings wrong, not one where whistleblowers are threatened. We now need to know who knew what and when, and whether Keir Starmer thinks his minister's conduct is acceptable. Further communications show that Hendy took issue with a quote from Mr Dennis to The Independent newspaper in April where he warned: Youre talking about thousands of people squished into that space. Its not just uncomfortable, its not just unpleasant, its unsafe. Hendy told his communications chief: Please check whether we have and or are currently employing him as we should stop. Accusing [Network Rail] of operating the station unsafely is unacceptable. Lord Hendy was approached for comment. The issue has raised concerns over the protection of whistleblowers raising issues of public safety. Sir Keir had pledged before the election to bring in a duty of candour for people involved in public services and greater protections for whistleblowers. This had followed a series of scandals and cover-ups over the infected blood scandal, the Hillsborough disaster, and the Horizon/ post office scandal. The Independent revealed that cover-ups and a failure to listen to whistleblowers has already left the new government with a bill of at least 47 billion to meet in compensation to victims, with the figure likely to increase. Hendy is now in charge of rail reform with a major bill on nationalising the whole rail network coming to Parliament again next week. The government was approached for comment. 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 SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The worlds richest man is arguing with one of Brazils most powerful judges and the fight could ripple out across the whole world. The justice, Alexandre de Moraes, has threatened to suspend social media giant X nationwide in the coming hours 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. The deadline for compliance is fast approaching, and 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. 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 leviedunconstitutionallyagainst 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? X did not respond to requests for comment on its plan to name a new representative in Brazil. Pinheiro Neto, a Brazilian law firm that previously represented X, also declined to comment on the companys legal situation. Additional reporting by agencies 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 }} Moms for Liberty, an ultra-conservative parental rights outfit the Southern Poverty Law Center considers an extremist organization, is fighting to immediately remove five obscene library books from an Upstate New York public school, insisting they are simply too dangerous to keep on the shelves. The body of work being challenged supposedly normalizes violence and abuse of women and children, depicts rape, equates violence and pain with pleasure, [and] encourages and normalizes early sexual activity among minors, according to a petition filed this week in Wayne County Supreme Court by Moms for Liberty and an area evangelical pastor. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to appear Friday evening at an event hosted by the group. In their petition, the ardent culture warriors claim the books expose kids to obscene depictions of sexually explicit acts. The books in question include People Kill People, a YA novel by bestselling author Ellen Hopkins about the deleterious effects of gun violence; It Ends With Us, a romance novel by Colleen Hoover that was made into a Hollywood film starring Blake Lively; All Boys Arent Blue, a memoir-manifesto by journalist and LGBTQ activist George M. Johnson about his struggles growing up as a gay Black man; Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood centered on female empowerment; and Julia Scheeres Jesus Land: A Memoir, a New York Times bestseller about the authors unpleasant childhood experience at a fundamentalist church camp. Donald Trump will make his second appearance in two years at the annual Moms for Liberty confab in Washington, D.C. ( AP ) Jonathan Burman, a spokesman for the New York State Education Department, told The Independent that leadership stands 100 percent behind state education commissioner Betty Rosa for keeping the five books on the shelves in the face of past challenges. In April, Rosa ruled that Moms for Liberty had failed to demonstrate that the challenged books here lack literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, and suggested they had not even read the books they said they found so objectionable. To that end, some of the passages Moms for Liberty claimed were sexually explicit in fact had nothing to do with sexuality, Rosa wrote in her ruling. But Moms for Liberty now argues that Rosas decision was arbitrary, an abuse of discretion, and based on a misapplication of the First Amendment, and are seeking an injunction to rid the library of the books while a lawsuit to ban them permanently winds its way through the courts. Attorney Abigail Southerland, who is representing Moms for Liberty and serves as senior litigtation counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice, a Christian nonprofit run by former Trump impeachment lawyer Jay Sekulow, did not respond to a request for comment on Friday. The case was first reported locally by the Finger Lakes Times . Local chapter head Jennifer Williams told the outlet she would not comment until the case had been fully adjudicated. Moms for Libertys attempts to remove books from school libraries have spurred vehement backlash across the nation. The battle began in early 2023, when Rev. Jacob Marchitell, who heads up the Christ Community Church in Clyde, New York, filed a formal request with the school board to have the books removed from the Clyde-Savannah Junior/Senior High School library. A committee appointed by the board reviewed the books and found them to be perfectly acceptable, according to the petition. But when Marchitell increased the pressure, the board yanked the books anyway. Moms for Libertys book banning activities have spurred vehement opposition across the US ( Original ) The school librarian and a teacher there filed an appeal, but the board reversed itself before a decision was handed down, the petition explains. Marchitell, now with Moms for Liberty on board, appealed the move, unsuccessfully, and in April 2024, Rosa ordered the books to remain on the shelves. Moms for Liberty became involved because, according to the petition, at least five registered members of Moms for Liberty have children enrolled in the district and will be exposed and/or have access to these lewd and sexually explicit materials when they visit the Districts Jr./Sr. High School Library. A dozen or so more parents are members of the private Moms for Liberty page on Facebook, the petition states. This weeks petition, which initiated what is known as an Article 78 proceeding, runs a whopping 165 pages and includes specific examples of what Moms for Liberty and Marchitell find objectionable. In addition to sex, Moms for Libertys petition says People Kill People contains at least 137 profanities, It Ends With Us contains at least 105 profanities, and All Boys Arent Blue contains numerous profanities. The petition flags no problematic profanity in Red Hood , but says it contains numerous instances of pornography, and that Jesus Land contains several examples of sexually explicit content and profanities. [T]he sexual content contained within these books is excessive and severely undermines any asserted literary value for the students given access to the school library, the petition alleges. Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice will greet Donald Trump on Friday night at the groups yearly gathering ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Moms for Liberty, which last year helped ban a book about book bans, has come out in favor of Project 2025, a right-wing blueprint for a potential Trump administration that has been accused of veering into authoritarianism. In a statement issued following Rosas April decision against Moms for Liberty, New York Library Association President Lisa Kropp said, The intimidation tactics used here are being repeated in classrooms and public libraries across the state and the country. As the voice of the library community in New York, NYLA will not allow this tactic to go unnoticed, unremarked, or unchallenged. Trump, who has vowed to eliminate the US Department of Education if reelected, is making his appearance Friday evening with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice at the groups yearly meeting in Washington, D.C. It will be the second time in two years he has shown up at the annual confab. 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 62-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of an elderly couple who disappeared from a California nudist community last weekend. Michael Sparks was arrested late Thursday after 73-year-old Stephanie Menard and Daniel Menard, 79, were reported missing on Sunday, according to the Redlands Police Department. The elderly couple were last seen at their home on Olive Dell Ranch, a self-described family-friendly nudist resort in southern California. Sparks is in custody at the West Valley Detention Center and will appear in court on Tuesday, according to public records. He has been charged with murder. The couple was last seen on Saturday morning. Later that day, their unlocked car was found down the road from their home. The couples cell phones, along with Stephanies purse, were found in their house. Michael Sparks, 62, was arrested for the murder of Stephanie Menard and Daniel Menard after they went missing from a California nudist community over the weekend ( Redlands Police Department ) Their white shih tzu, Cuddles, is also missing. After the Menards were reported missing, the Redlands Police Department said they were tipped off that foul play could have been involved in their disappearance. This led them to investigate Sparks, who lives nearby, as a potential suspect. In an attempt to locate Sparks on Thursday, police breached his home with a Tac Cat, a vehicle used by SWAT teams to navigate hazardous environments, the Redlands Police Department said. Officers eventually found the 63-year-old underneath his home, and he surrendered after negotiating with officers, ABC News reports. Officers are searching for the Menards bodies on Sparkss property using cadaver dogs, the Redlands Police Department said. Cuddles is still missing. The cadaver dogs have already alerted police to at least one body on the property, but officials are still evaluating whether it is safe to enter due to extensive damage, the department said. The Independent has contacted the Redlands Police Department for comment. 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 }} One police officer has been killed after being shot in his patrol car and two others wounded during a subsequent shootout in Texas. At approximately 10.10pm, Dallas Police Department (DPD) responded to an officer in distress call in the southern area of the city. Upon arrival, they found an officer shot in his marked patrol vehicle, and began to exchange gunfire with a suspect at the scene, Dallas Police Departments communications director Kristin Lowman said in a news conference early Friday morning. All three officers were taken to local hospitals, with Lowman saying one is in critical condition, and another in stable condition. The officer found in his car died from his injuries. The suspect fled the scene in their vehicle with Dallas police officers in pursuit, ending up in Lewisville, about 40 miles from the original scene. The gunman eventually exited their vehicle carrying what Lowman described as a "long gun," with the officers shooting and killing the suspect. DPD chaplains said one of the wounded officers, a man, has superficial wounds and is awake, "in good spirits" and could be released Friday, while the other wounded officer, a woman, has more serious injuries. CBS News reported that their her injuries are now not thought to be life-threatening. The Independent has contacted the DPD for further details. "Our department is hurting," Lowman added. "We have officers who are injured, who are in the hospital, and we lost one of our own. We ask tonight and this morning for the thoughts and prayers of our city, for not only those who are recovering in the hospital, but for our fallen, for their family and for their loved ones, and for us as a department as well." A press release from the DPD revealed flags at all city facilities will be flown at half-staff. The identities of the officers or suspect involved were not disclosed, and no motive for the shooting given. 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 bus driver for a daycare in Oviedo, Florida, has been arrested and accused of leaving a sleeping six-year-old girl inside a hot shuttlebus for more than an hour. Barbara Ledbetter, 49, left the girl inside a "very hot" bus on Monday for over an hour, according to Oviedo Police Department. When the child woke up, she began banging on the bus window for help, and caught the attention of a passerby. Law enforcement was alerted and the girl was rescued from the bus. The high in Oviedo on Monday was 96 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C), according to AccuWeather data. The Department of Children and Families in Florida opened an investigation into the incident on Tuesday, and visited the daycare, All About Kidz, to determine what happened. Through DCFs investigation and my own investigation, it was determined [the child] was left sleeping on a daycare bus, which was turned off and unattended, for a period of one hour and two minutes in the parking lot of All About Kidz, the DCF arrest report said, according to Law & Crime. Barbara Ledbetter, 49, was arrested on a child negligence charge after she allegedly left a sleeping six-year-old girl in the back of a day care bus she drove in Oviedo, Florida, on August 26, 2024 ( Seminole County Sheriffs Office ) The report said that Ledbetter did not check the bus after arriving to the day care and letting the kids off. Investigators noted that despite surveillance video showing that Ledbetter did not check the bus, she claimed she had checked in a duty log that she filled out that day. Her job duty requires her to physically go to the back of the bus and visually check the seats, which she did not do, law enforcement said. She then signed a log stating she checked the bus. Ledbetter is facing one count of third-degree child neglect without causing great bodily harm, which is a felony charge. The bus driver posted a $2,500 bond and was released from the Seminole County Jail after her arrest. All About Kidz issued a statement to local broadcaster WOFL that it has "cooperated fully" with the police investigation and has since fired Ledbetter. Ledbetter's next court date is scheduled for October 1. 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 in Florida have arrested a woman they believe may have directed a dog to maul and kill her ex-boyfriend's nine-year-old daughter. Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. She was taken into custody on Wednesday and booked into the Lake County Jail. The horrific incident occurred on June 17, when emergency medical personnel were called to treat an unresponsive child at a home in Monteverde, Florida, Inside Lake reports. When paramedics arrived, they found Jamaria Sessions the daughter of Martin's boyfriend bloodied and wounded. The girl was pronounced dead shortly after EMS workers arrived on scene. Martin told deputies that she woke up that morning ready to take a family trip to California when she discovered Sessions unresponsive. EMS workers noted bruises, burns, bite marks, and other damage to Sessionss body when they examined her. A preliminary medical examiner's report suggested her various injuries were consistent with abuse. When the girl's father, Lojuan Sessions, arrived at the scene, investigators noted he appeared "to be in disbelief" as he thought his daughter had traveled to California on June 9 to visit family. Martin had sent him a text on June 10 saying that her mother, Torcha, had taken Sessions out to California. Lojuan was unable to travel with his daughter because he was on felony probation. He told investigators that he and Martin had been having arguments more frequently, which led to their breakup and Lojuan moving back in with his mother in Ocoee, Florida. LCSO deputies obtained a search warrant and were able to pull surveillance footage from security cameras at the home. After reviewing the footage, police said they discovered Martin had held the leash of the family's Rottweiler and gave it instructions while it mauled the little girl. The footage was captured two days before the girl's body was discovered. Martin was later seen allegedly kicking, shaking, and dragging the child's body across the floor. Investigators noted that Martin may have said "I'm fixin' to kill her" in the video recording. Further investigation found evidence that the girl was frequently subjected to physical punishments and beatings. The medical examiner concluded that Sessions died due to multiple blunt force injuries to the head, torso, and extremities and thermal injury to the right foot. Her death was listed as a homicide. Martin is now in jail and was not granted bond. 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 inmate who once escaped from prison by hiding in a dog crate, and whose story inspired a book and a movie, died behind bars on Sunday at the age of 45 in Arizona. John Manard managed to escape from a prison in Lansing, Kansas, in 2006, while serving a life sentence for a suburban Kansas City killing. It was there that the then-27-year-old met and struck up a romantic relationship with Toby Dorr, then Young, a 47-year-old married mother of two who worked helping prisoners train animals for adoption. On February 12, 2006, Dorr hid Manard in a dog crate before driving him out of the prison, with prison officials saying she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to do so. A guard who recognized Dorr reportedly did not thoroughly search the van. John Manard, left, walking a dog with Toby Dorr, then Young in December 2005 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The pair were captured 12 days after the escape in Tennessee, about 90 miles south of a remote cabin they had been hiding out at, with the story featuring on Dateline and becoming the inspiration for the movie, Jailbreak Lovers. Authorities traced them after receiving a tip that Dorr, using a false name, had bought a pickup truck in Missouri prior to the escape, according to Kansas Corrections Department spokesman Bill Miskell at the time. On the receipt they found the address of a remote cabin in Alpine, Tennessee, and decided to stake out the property. They had a pretty good head start, but they left some crumbs along the way, Deputy U.S. Marshal Ray Stewart said at the time. I guess you could say we were hungry. Her husband filed for divorce after her arrest. When she later remarried, she became Toby Dorr. She ended up serving 27 months for her role in breaking Manard out of prison, and also pleaded guilty in federal court to giving him a gun. John Manard holding a puppy that was living in his cell block in January 2006 ( AP ) After Dorrs 2008 release, she wrote a book recounting what happened in her memoir, Living With Conviction. She also remarried. In a Facebook post, Dorr claimed Manard had asked for a bible in May, which she and her husband, Chris, obliged by sending "A nice red leather study bible his favorite color. "Many of our recent conversations were deep into biblical stories," she added. She also revealed the three discussed Manard joining the Dorr couple to start a podcast, 2 Dorrs Down, about "time dedicated to ending felony murder." Apparently in love with the idea, Manard said August 23 he would call Dorr and her husband on Monday night to be recorded for the first episode. "John is finally free," wrote Dorr on Manard's death before he could contribute to the podcast. "But I am crushed." Per standard procedure, his death is being investigated in consultation with the county medical examiner's office, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry 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 }} One of two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perrys death appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday as part of a plea deal for his alleged role in the actors death. Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, plans to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry, who died of an overdose in October 2023. He was in federal court for a hearing as part od the deal. At the hearing, Chavez waived his right to a grand jury indictment and was then freed on a $50,000 bond. He could get up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. The doctor is expected to be back in court in late October to formalize the agreement, according to his attorney. He is going to accept responsibility for what he has done... he feels incredible remorse for what happened, the attorney told DailyMail.com. Matthew Perry at the US Open on September 10, 2022. He died on October 28, 2023, and now a doctor accused of supplying drugs has appeared in court. ( Getty Images ) Earlier this month, Chavez signed an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic. Chavez also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as they pursue others, including the doctor Chavez worked with to sell ketamine to Perry. Also working with the U.S. Attorneys Office are Perrys assistant, who admitted to helping him obtain and inject ketamine, and a Perry acquaintance, who admitted to acting as a drug messenger and middleman. The three are helping prosecutors as they go after their main targets: Dr. Salvador Plasencia, charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month before his death, and Jasveen Sangha, a woman who authorities say is a dealer who sold the actor the lethal dose of ketamine. Both have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. Chavez admitted in his plea agreement that he obtained ketamine from his former clinic and from a wholesale distributor where he submitted a fraudulent prescription. Perry was found dead by his assistant on October 28, 2023. The medical examiner ruled ketamine was the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common. Jasveen Sangha, who has been dubbed the Ketamine Queen by prosecutors, is expected to be in court next week ( Instagram ) Seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him, about a month before his death Perry found Plasencia, who in turn asked Chavez to obtain the drug for him. I wonder how much this moron will pay, Plasencia texted Chavez. The two met up the same day in Costa Mesa, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, and exchanged at least four vials of ketamine. After selling the drugs to Perry for $4,500, Plasencia asked Chavez if he could keep supplying them so they could become Perrys go-to. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in announcing the charges on August 15 that the doctors preyed on Perrys history of addiction in the final months of his life last year to provide him with ketamine in amounts they knew were dangerous. Flowers were placed outside the home of actor Matthew Perry in Los Angeles on October 29, 2023, a day after his death ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified records after Perrys death. He and Sangha are scheduled to return to court next week. They have separate trial dates set for October, but prosecutors are seeking a single trial that likely would be delayed to next year. Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on Friends, when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. 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 judge ruled Elon Musks lawsuit over hateful content on X/Twitter, which resulted in big brands pulling their adverts from the social media platform, can proceed to trial. Musks X is suing the non-profit media watchdog Media Matters, accusing them of kicking off an advertising exodus after it published a harmful article alleging the platform allowed top brands display adverts beside antisemitic and pro-Nazi content. US District Judge Reed OConnor ruled at a hearing on Thursday that Xs lawsuit against Media Matters and two staff members will proceed to trial on April 7 next year. Brands who pulled their advertising at the time included Apple, IBM and Disney. The Media Matters analysis at the center of the suit alleges Musk, who recently endorsed Donald Trump in the presidential election, has increasingly begun a descent into white nationalist and antisemitic conspiracy theories since taking over the social media platform in 2022. Musk called the organisation pure evil when the suit was first filed in November 2023 ( AP ) The lawsuit does not dispute that some top brands ads were featured near the inflammatory content, but argues Media Matters gamed X to produce extremely unlikely pairings that are usually screened out by the services advertising tools, alleging that one harmful match appeared for only one viewer (out of more than 500 million) on all of X: Media Matters. Media Matters told The Independent in a statement at the time its analysis of X and its content policies remains valid. This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to bully Xs critics into silence, its president Angelo Carusone said. Media Matters stands behind its reporting and looks forward to winning in court. Media Matters previously requested the judge forced Musk to list Tesla as an interested party in Xs lawsuit, but it was dismissed by OConnor said there is no evidence that shows Tesla has a direct financial interest in the outcome of the case, according to court filings. Musk called the organisation pure evil when the suit was first filed in November 2023. OConnor also recently recused himself in another lawsuit by X against a global advertising association and member companies such as Unilever, Marks and CVS Health. He did not provide a reason for the recusal, but a financial disclosure showed the judge invests in Unilever, Reuters reported. 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 60-year-old backpacker taking a solo trip to the Grand Canyon was found dead near a remote trail, according to Arizona law enforcement officials. The National Park Service said the North Carolina resident was found by helicopter on Wednesday near a trail connecting the Lower Tapeats and Deer Creek camps. The sites can be accessed via the north rim along a river bend, and is approximately 29 miles (46.6km) north-west of Grand Canyon Village. According to the NPS, the hiker was undertaking a multi-day backpacking trip from Thunder River to Deer Creek. The hiker's family notified NPS officials on Tuesday that the man failed to check in with them, which prompted a search. Coconino County officials are investigating his cause of death. The man's name has not been released to the public, the Guardian reports. A helicopter evacuates hikers from the Grand Canyon after severe flooding the park. A 60-year-old backpacker died at the Grand Canyon during a solo hike on August 28, 2024 ( DVIDS ) It's been a deadly month at the Grand Canyon; the backpacker is believed to be the sixth person to die at the iconic location in less than a month, and is the 14th fatality at the landmark this year. According to NPS officials, there were 11 deaths in 2023, and said there are typically 10 to 15 deaths at the canyon this year. On Sunday, an 80-year-old man, who has not been identified, died while taking a commercial river trip at Fossil Rapid, approximately 10 miles (16km) upriver from Tapeats Creek. The man fell out of the commercial boat and drowned. A 20-year-old woman from New Mexico was found dead on August 8 near Twin Overlooks, and the body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, who was visiting the canyon from Phoenix, was found on Sunday after she was swept away by a flash flood while hiking on August 22. Justine Guthrie, a 43-year-old woman from Missouri, died on August 1 while she was attempting an illegal BASE jump, and Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, fell to his death at the canyon's south rim on July 31. Accidents and heat-related illnesses tend to make up the majority of fatalities at National Parks. The NPS makes safety guidelines for each park available on individual park website and in informational material freely available at the parks. Particularly dangerous areas are often marked with warning signs inside the parks, and guests are always advised to stay on marked trails and away from ledges. 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 Toronto music promoter is accusing hip-hop icon Lil Kim of fraud over a concert appearance that he says she accepted payment for, then blew off - helping to turn the failed event into what some furious fans dubbed a hometown version of 2017s infamous Fyre Festival. Lil Kim was enriched in the amount of $82,500.00 without posting online and/or performing at the Festival, alleges an August 28 civil complaint, obtained byThe Independent. The 50-year-old Grammy winner, author, and onetime Biggie Smalls paramour, born Kimberly Jones, has a history of ghosting on scheduled performances, according to others who have hired her in the past. Lil Kim, pictured at the 2022 BET Awards in Los Angeles, is in the hot seat over a cancelled concert appearance in Toronto ( Invision ) She allegedly failed to appear for a show and meet-and-greet with gay VIPS in Florida after accepting a $23,000 payment in 2014, and was sued by a British club promoter five years earlier for allegedly bailing on an appearance after taking $20,000 to be there. In 2013, disappointed fans lashed out at Kim for cancelling a London show due to what she said were circumstances out of my control. Shes also been accused by an upstate New York promoter of backing out of a concert after being sent a $5,000 deposit, and scrapping a planned appearance at the 2016 Essence Festival because of unfulfilled business obligations. Lil Kim (right) at the 1999 Video Music Awards with Mary J Blige (left) and Diana Ross (center) ( Getty Images ) In the latest conflict, Lil Kim is being sued by Remo Palladini, who has for the past decade successfully run the Vaughan Pizza Fest presiding over, among other things, the creation of the worlds longest calzone (59.8 feet). In 2023, Palladinis Hot in Herre festival included superstar rappers Nelly, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Ja Rule. Admission started at $170, and the show went off without a hitch. Palladini promised an even better experience at 2024s show, which he was calling Hot In Toronto. Tickets for the June 22 performance ranged from $240 to a $13,500 VIP experience and sold quickly. Lil Wayne was at the top of the bill, which was expected to feature T-Pain, Lil Jon, Fabolous, Bow Wow, Mya, Mario, and Lil Kim. Because its in Toronto expect Drake & Others To Show Up Cough cough, one optimistic fan posted on Instagram. The planning began in early 2024, when Palladini contacted a go-between about booking a slate of acts for Hot in Toronto, according to the lawsuit. Palladini was assured by the middleman that they would garner a collection of artists to perform at the Festival, including Lil Kim, and act as escrow agent for any and all deposits between Palladini and the artists, the lawsuit contends. Superstar rapper Nelly (left) headlined the Hot in Herre festival in 2023, last years version of Hot in Toronto, which went off without a hitch. ( Getty Images ) On top of performing, Lil Kim agreed in principle to promote Hot in Toronto on social media, the suit goes on. However, it continues, the artist failed to sign the contract Palladino sent her, and no formal written agreement was executed between them. Despite the lack of formal written agreement between the parties, on or about February 13, 2024, Palladini wired $82,500.00 (the Deposit), in good faith and based on past experiences, to [the go-between], the lawsuit continues. At the same time, ticketholders would soon begin seeing signs that all was not well with Hot in Toronto. In April, Lil Wayne was mysteriously excised from the advertised lineup, sparking outrage among fans. Bro i just seen that tooi seen they removed T-Pain a while ago and ive been trying to get answersno responsethen i just seen they removed Lil Wayne im like wtfi want a f****** refund, f*** this s***, one aggrieved social media user posted on X. The following month, Hot in Toronto was officially called off. Hot in Toronto is postponed, read an email sent to fans. All tickets will be valid for the new date and lineup. We are working on securing new dates and new artists for the show. A festival spokesperson said in a statement at the time that losing Lil Wayne caused a lot of problems, and that organizers were unable to find a replacement headliner on such short notice. Fans purchased tickets based on the lineup we posted, which has changed dramatically, the mea culpa said, promising refunds to all. To be clear, all artists were fully contracted and deposits were paid. Before it was called off, Hot in Toronto was meant to feature Lil Wayne (left) at the top of the bill ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) However, when people didnt get their money, the backlash was swift, prompting a Hot in Toronto official to tell local media: Fans sending multiple emails, calling our personal phone lines, and somehow finding out where we live is not okay. (As recently as two weeks ago, angry ticketholders on Reddit were discussing a possible class-action lawsuit in an attempt to get reimbursed.) Now, the tables appear to have turned, and Palladini wants his money back from Lil Kim. Although Hot in Toronto never took place, Palladinis lawsuit says Lil Kim failed to post about the Festival and perform without a good faith reason. The suit lists four causes of action against Lil Kim: breach of oral contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, and violating general business law. Based on the foregoing, it concludes, Palladini is entitled to compensation for violation of the General Business Law including attorney fees in an amount to be proven at trial but not less than $82,500.00. Palladinis attorney said on Thursday that he would ask him if he wished to comment on the lawsuit, but had not come back with a response by close of business. Lil Kims manager, Brandon Cohen, did not respond to an inquiry from The Independent. An inquiry sent Thursday to Hot in Torontos general inbox elicited an auto-reply reading: Hot in Toronto is postponed. All tickets will be valid for the new date and lineup. We are working on securing new dates and new artists for the show. 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 }} When a flagging Joe Biden turned in a dismal presidential debate performance earlier this summer against Donald Trump, everyone from George Clooney to Jon Stewart called on the 81-year-old to quit the race. But when Biden dug in and vowed to stay in it amid sagging poll numbers, one of his closest allies told the presidents advisers he would support the reelection bid on one condition: that his brain function be assessed by a pair of independent neurologists who would then present their findings to the public at a news conference. According to an eye-popping report published Thursday by The New York Times , the information came from multiple people with firsthand knowledge of the situation. The ultimatum itself was proposed by US Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and West Point graduate who heads up the Armed Services Committee, according to the newspaper. A spokesman told the outlet that Reeds proposal was not meant as an ultimatum, per se, but to impress upon Mr. Bidens aides the need to be proactive and transparent in the best interest of the president. Rumblings about Bidens age and ability to retain the Oval Office had been increasing in frequency and pitch since Junes disastrous debate against Trump. However, Biden held firm about his unwillingness to drop out. In early July, Senate Democrats convened at their weekly luncheon, where nine out of 12 spoke forcefully against Bidens stubbornness about his candidacy, the Times reported. It knocked my socks off how upset and angry people were, how the overwhelming majority got up and spoke really strongly, Democratic Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said. A day earlier, an obstinate Biden had sent an open letter to Congress insisting that he was going to continue running for a second term as US president and angrily lashed out at the elites pushing for him to bow out of the race. This fueled a sense of panic among Democratic leaders, according to the Times, which said Sens. Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester, Democrats of Ohio and Montana, respectively, were particularly concerned about losing their seats if Biden continued apace. To try and force the issue, Schumer reportedly then arranged an emergency meeting with Bidens top aides, arriving with a coterie of high-level Democratic legislators who insisted the president end his reelection campaign. To do otherwise could not only taint Bidens legacy but would expose Americans to the possibility of a second Trump term, a wholly unacceptable outcome, according to the Times. Those who were there said the atmosphere was one of affection and appreciation, rather than one of anger or bitterness, the Times reported. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent, made the case that Democrats were acting out of affection for Mr. Biden, much as a family persuading an aging grandparent to surrender the car keys, according to the Times. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, reportedly said hed continue to support Biden and say publicly that the president was in fine shape. But if Bidens mental acuity were to decline to a point at which his shortcomings were too obvious to ignore, it would make a liar of him, the Times report said. Bidens advisers pooh-poohed concerns about the debate, but those gathered in the room said they could not unsee what they had seen, one attendee told the Times. When it emerged that Bidens advisers hadnt shared any details of the meeting with the president, Schumer called White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients and demanded a face-to-face meeting with Biden. On July 13, Schumer met with Biden at the presidents beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware. A week later, Biden suspended his race for reelection. As of Thursday afternoon, according to nationwide polls, vice- president Kamala Harris was leading Trump by 3.5 percentage points. 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 }} Democrats are pressing the Arlington National Cemetery to release a log report into the photo-op scandal where Donald Trump campaign staffers abruptly pushed aside an official. A number of Democrats have come forward since the altercation and say they want a full investigation into what happened. At Mondays wreath laying ceremony, a cemetery official tried to prevent members from Trumps team from taking photos and videos inside a section where recent US casualties are buried. The campaign staffers allegedly verbally abused and pushed her to the side. Now congressman Gerry Connolly, a senior House Oversight Committee member, has urged Arlington Cemetery officials to publicly release all that transpired. Its sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes, the Virginia representative said in a statement. The Trump campaign paid a visit to the cemetery on Monday ( AP ) This is a man whose own military generals have disavowed, a man who has called heroes like John McCain suckers and losers, a man who has insulted Gold Star families. His behavior and that of his campaign is abhorrent and shameful, he added. House Armed Services Committee member Pat Ryan told Axios he will be speaking with Congressional colleagues about the proper next steps to ensure oversight and accountability. The army veteran, who served in Iraq, added: "This is sacred ground. We must not allow anyone to sully it with campaign theatrics." Meanwhile, senator Tim Kaine told Axios he want[s] to see the incident report. The US Army confirmed a female official was abruptly pushed aside during the altercation and filed an incident report with the military. While she remains unidentified, fear of backlash from MAGA supporters prompted her to decide not to press charges, the New York Times reported. A US Army spokesperson told The Independent on Thursday that participants at Mondays ceremony were made aware of federal laws and regulations prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds. Trump gave a thumbs-up at the grave of a soldier at Arlington National Cemetery ( Utah Governor Spencer Cox ) 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 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. 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. The statement continued: This incident was unfortunate and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. The incident, first reported by NPR, took place while Trump was attending a commemoration ceremony for the 13 service members killed in the 2021 terror attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul Airport. When reached for comment by The Independent, Cheung denied there had been any physical altercation. He also suggested the official was clearly suffering from a mental health episode. Trump also shared a statement from some family members of the 13 dead service members, claiming the Republican nomination and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect. This story has been amended 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 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 }} Two-thirds of Americans believe Donald Trump is not prepared to accept the outcome of the presidential election, a new poll reveals. Just 29 percent of Americans said the former president is ready to accept the election results, while 68 percent said Kamala Harris is prepared, an ABC News/Ipsos poll published Friday reveals. Meanwhile, 81 percent of Americans said they are personally prepared to accept whatever the outcome might be. Over half of the poll participants were also very or somewhat confident that votes will be counted accurately, ABC News reports. However, there was variation between parties. Fifty-one percent of Republicans said they arent confident the election will be called accurately, while 90 percent of Democrats said they have confidence in the count. These responses come years after Trump and his allies falsely claimed he won the presidential election and was cheated out of the White House due to voter fraud in 2020. This is untrue and there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud influencing the election. Donald Trump at a La Crosse, Wisconsin campaign event on Thursday. Two-thirds of Americans say Trump is not prepared to accept the results of the 2024 election, a new poll reveals ( AFP via Getty Images ) After Trump repeatedly made this claim, thousands of his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to interrupt lawmakers from confirming President Joe Bidens legitimate win. Since Trump left office, four secretaries of state said theyve received death threats for carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, one in six election workers reported being threatened because of their jobs, according to a 2022 survey from the Brennan Center for Justice. The former president is facing election interference charges in Fulton County, Georgia, alongside his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and several others. Trump was also indicted again in Washington, DC, this week for his attempts to overturn the election. The new indictment comes after the Supreme Court ruled this summer that the former president has some immunity from prosecution. Prosecutors now appear to be downplaying any connection between Trumps official duties and his actions surrounding the election results, The Independent previously reported. The Defendant had no official responsibilities related to the certification proceeding, but he did have a personal interest as a candidate in being named the winner of the election, the new indictment reads. Meanwhile, national polls show Harris pulling ahead of Trump. The vice president has a 3.4-point lead over the former president, according to the latest average of national polls. Harris has also surged ahead of Trump following last weeks Democratic National Convention, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released August 29. 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. The Independent has contacted 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 }} Donald Trump is turning to YouTubers, pranksters and podcasters to win over the so-called bro vote. His campaign which recently announced a new aggressive strategy described as Trump on steroids is specifically targeting 18- to 29-year-old men by pitching them through non-traditional media channels,The New York Times reports. To garner support among the bro voters, the Trump campaign is dedicating time to YouTubers like Logan Paul and podcasters like Theo Von, the Times reports. The former president sat down with Paul in June for his Impaulsive podcast, which garnered six million views. During that appearance, Trump gifted Paul with T-shirts featuring his Fulton County, Georgia mugshot. Theyre so straightforward, Louis Wagner-Lang, a 21-year-old college student, told the Times of podcasters like Von and Paul. They say something, and you think, That makes a lot of sense. Trump is spending time with content creators that appeal to young men in order to gain their support, a new report reveals ( Impaulsive/YouTube ) The Trump campaign has also worked with the Nelk Boys, known for their YouTube pranks and the Full Send political podcast, during which they often host Trump-world guests. Trump appeared on the podcast in April, and his running mate JD Vance sat down with them earlier this month. Van Ricker, a 21-year-old student who follows the Nelk Boys, told the Times he really [wants] Trump to win. The Nelk Boys and politics go hand in hand, Ricker said. Social media has blown up at the same time politics is blowing up. The campaign has also garnered support from Dave Portnoy, founder of media company Barstool Sports, who interviewed Trump in 2020 and revealed he will be voting for the former president come November. Many of these creators and media companies have millions of followers and could very well influence the upcoming election. These guys have an influence on us young guys we want to be like them when we grow up, Rylan Bogue, 22, told the Times. Theyre dominating right now. There is a major gender divide emerging between the two candidates, with more men supporting Trump and more women voting for Harris, a CBS/YouGov poll released this month reveals. Trumps key base is made of men, those 45- to 64-years-old and white voters with no college education. However, among white voters who have not attended college, Trump has lost some of his leverage over Harris compared to Biden. Harris, on the other hand, is growing her lead among young and Black voters. Meanwhile, the vice president is leading the former president by 3.4 points, according to the latest average of national polls. 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 father of a US Army soldier killed in 2004 and buried in Arlington National Cemetery is questioning what Donald Trump hoped to gain by visiting the venerated final resting place of US service members. Khizr Khans son, 27-year-old Army Captain Humayun Khan, was killed while serving in the Army and was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions. The Gold Star parent spoke with The Daily Beast, offering his opinions on Trump's controversial visit to the cemetery. Trump and an entourage toured the cemetery on Monday where he posed with the family members of Marines who died in combat for photos at their loved ones' graves. Khan believes the former president only paid the visit to the cemetery to use the photo op to boost his 2024 presidential campaign which, if true, violated federal law prohibiting using the cemetery for campainging. It wasn't Trump's first time at the cemetery. Marine General John Kelly, who served as Trump's homeland security secretary and later as his White House Chief of Staff, confirmed to CNN that in 2007 the former president openly questioned why military members were willing to risk their lives. Khizr Khan, whose son was killed while serving in the US Army in 2004, criticized Donald Trump in 2016 and again in 2024, claiming the former president exploits fallen military members to further his political ambitions ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) I dont get it. What was in it for them? Trump reportedly asked. Kelly also confirmed that Trump called the American Marines who died in France during World War I "losers' and "suckers" during a European visit. Trump reportedly did not want to visit the soldiers' gravesites. The former president has denied ever making any of the comments. Khan does not believe him. He has proven his disrespect, Khan told The Daily Beast. Somebody needs to ask him, You have shown that contempt multiple times and yet again, you go there. This isn't the first time Khan has called out Trump for his reported disrespect and exploitation of military service members; he and his wife also spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and similarly criticized the former president. We are honored to stand here as the parents of Captain Humayun Khan, and as patriotic American Muslims with undivided loyalty to our country, Khan said at the time. 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. He continued, asking Trump if he had "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, he said. Donald Trump gave the thumbs up at the grave of a soldier at Arlington National Cemetery ( Utah Governor Spencer Cox ) Trump's team returned to the cemetery on Tuesday for a ceremonial wreath laying marking the third anniversary of the Bagram airfield attack in 2021. During the visit, Trump's campaign entourage reportedly shoved a cemetery official who was trying to maintain control of the solemn event, according to NPR. Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign spokesperson, denied any physical altercation occurred, and called the claims "defamatory." We are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made, Cheung said in a statement. 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. Bill Barnett, left, grandfather of Darin Taylor Hoover, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in honor of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The US Army contracticted Cheungs version of events in a statement made on Thursday. 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, according to CNN. The statement went on to defend the employee who was reportedly shoved aside. 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, it said. The day after the ceremony, Trump's team released a narrated video that looked suspiciously like a campaign ad highlighting the cemetery visit. A photo of Trump standing at the headstone of Staff Sergant Darien Hoover smiling and giving a thumbs up also made waves on social media. Khan said Trump disrespected the rules and regulations intended to keep Arlington a quiet and respectful memorial to military members who were killed. "He went there to exploit the sentiments of the people for political gain, Khan told The Daily Beast. It is appetite and ego, wherever he goes, whatever he does, wherever he stands. 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 }} Vice President Kamala Harris revealed how President Joe Biden informed her that he would be exiting the 2024 presidential race in her first sitdown interview since she became the Democratic nominee for president. Harris held her first interview on CNN with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, where they addressed everything from Harris changing her policy positions to attacks from Republicans on his military record. Harris revealed to the networks Dana Bash that the president told her he was stepping aside when she had invited family over. I'll give you a little too much information, she said. My family was staying with us, and including my baby nieces, and we had just had pancakes, and, you know, Auntie, can I have more bacon? Yes, I'll make you more bacon. And then we were gonna sit, we were sitting down to do a puzzle, and the phone rang. And it was Joe Biden and he told me what he had decided to do. Harris said that she asked the president, who had received criticism for his poor performance during his debate with former president Donald Trump, if he was sure about the decision. Shortly after Biden announced he would not run for re-election, he endorsed Harris, but the vice president would not say whether she asked for his endorsement. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sit down for first interview as Democratic ticket with CNN ( CNN ) He was very clear that he was going to support me, she said. My first thought was not about me, to be honest with you. My first thought was about him, to be honest. Harris said in the future, Americans would realize the major accomplishments the Biden presidency made such as infrastructure investments, new industries like semiconductors and rebuilding international alliances. And I think history is going to show not only has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved those extraordinary successes, but the character of the man is one that he has been in his life and career, including as a president, quite selfless and puts the American people first, she said. Harris defended her current positions and repudiated suggestions that she would renege on her more centrist outlook on hot-button issues such as "fracking," a way of extracting oil and gas from rock that is the core of the petroleum industry in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. I am running because I believe I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, Harris said. Walz for his part responded to criticism that he had embellished his service in the National Guard and the fertility treatments he and his wife Gwen underwent to conceive children. Republican members of Congress and Trumps running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have accused Walz of stolen valor. Kamala Harris in her first sit-down interview on Thursday with running mate Tim walz ( CNN ) Walz, who spent nearly a quarter-century as a member of the National Guard and retired as a master sergeant, has endured Republicans picking apart various details of his service in a hunt for dirt. He has said he carried weapons of war during his hitch, which Republicans have taken as a lie about having served in a combat zone. The Harris campaign has also described Walz as a retired command sergeant major, a rank Walz did in fact achieve, but he technically left the service as a master sergeant. Walz told Bash on Thursday that he misspoke about certain aspects of his time in the Guard, but that there was no doubt about the fact that he spent 24 years wearing a uniform in this country. My grammars not always correct, Walz said, telling Bash that he was super proud of his military service. Walz spent most of the interview sitting quietly to the side. But he reacted with quiet intensity when Bash asked about right-wing attacks on his son Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as anxiety disorder. At the Democratic National Convention, a clip of the 17-year-old crying and shouting, Thats my dad! went viral, earning plaudits from many but derision and mockery from Trump fans. To have my son have a sense of pride in me it was such a visceral and emotional moment that Im grateful to have experienced, Walz replied. Im so proud of him. It was a moment to understand what was really important, Walz said, noting that life can be kind of hard. But, he emphasized, our politics can be better. As Walz pointed out, [I]f its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me or its an attack on my dog. And the one thing Ill never do is, Ill never demean another members service in any way. I never have. And I never will. Similarly, Walz pushed back on the idea that he lied about going through fertility treatments since Republicans have said he lied given that he and his wife underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI) rather than in vitro fertilization (IVF). I think most Americans get it if you've been through that, I don't think they're cutting hairs on IVF or IUI, Walz said. I think what they're cutting hairs on is an abortion ban and the ability to be able to deny families the chance to have a beautiful child. Harris and Walzs interview comes as they made a swing through south Georgia as polls show them competitive in the state that Biden won in 2020. Harris later held a rally in Savannah. Walz for his part campaigned in North Carolina. Conversely, Trump held events in the midwest, first in Potterville, Michigan before holding a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. 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 }} Pro-Gaza protesters interrupted Kamala Harris during a rally in Georgia, with the vice president insisting that she and Joe Biden were working to secure a ceasefire between Gaza and Israel. Harris spoke at a rally in Savannah as part of a swing through southern Georgia as she seeks to capitalize on the momentum she received after the Democratic National Convention and the fact she is closing the gap in multiple polls in Georgia and other swing states. Harris delivered her standard stump speech when protesters began to interrupt her. Everyone has a right and should have their voices heard, she told the audience. I am speaking now, but on the subject, I will say this, the president and I are working around the clock. We've got to get a hostage deal done and get a ceasefire done now. Harris has faced demonstrations from people critical of hers and President Joe Bidens support for Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza after the surprise attack on October 7, when the terror group killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. During a rally in Detroit earlier this month, Harris responded bluntly to hecklers who were chanting, Kamala Kamala you cant hide, we wont vote for genocide. If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I'm speaking, she told the demonstrators. Later, during a rally in Glendale, Arizona, she said the administration wanted a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Now is the time, she said. And the president and I are working around the clock every day to get that ceasefire deal done and bring the hostages home. During the Democratic National Convention last week, many delegates who represented voters in Michigan, Minnesota and elsewhere who had voted uncommitted in the primaries pushed for Harris to call for a ceasefire and stop sending arms to Israel, which Harris did not agree to do. Later, pro-Gaza activists pushed for a Palestinian-American speaker at the convention, which did not happen. Harris mentioned Palestinian suffering in her speech when she accepted the Democratic nomination for president. So many innocent lives lost, she said in Chicago. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. At the same time, Harris focused heavily on attacking Trump, who has also campaigned in Georgia and will hold a fundraiser with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, whom he had previously criticized. Harris will also conduct her first sit-down interview since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket tonight with her running mate Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota. 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 }} Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are set to face off against each other for the first time on the national debate stage on Tuesday and how they perform under the limitations of the rules will be under a microscope. After several days of back-and-forth, the two candidates finally agreed to comply with the same rules that Trump and President Joe Biden used during the first presidential debate back in June. That includes muted microphones, no pre-written notes, no live audience, no sitting, and no speaking with campaign staff between commercial breaks. Though many of the rules are standard for presidential debates, the originally agreed-up regulations could put Harris at a disadvantage since she has a different skill set than President Joe Biden. Here are the rules for Tuesdays debate in Philadelphia and who stands to benefit. Muted mics Microphones will be live only when the candidate whose turn it is to speak is talking. Otherwise, they will remain muted. This was a rule that Biden and Trump initially agreed upon. But its one that Harris tried to change once she became the Democratic presidential nominee. Despite Trump saying it doesnt matter to him whether microphones stay on, his team threatened to pull out of the debate if the rules were changed. Former president Donald Trump during the first presidential debate against President Joe Biden. Audiences and the media agreed that Trump prevailed in the first debate ( Getty Images ) Trump is notorious for interrupting people and making snide comments when he is being attacked. During his civil and criminal trials, judges have scolded the former president for speaking out of turn in the courtroom. Brian Fallon, a top aide for Harris, wrote on X that Trumps handlers dont trust him to spar live. Ultimately, Harris agreed to the muted microphone rule but Fallon told ABC News that Harris would be fundamentally disadvantaged. However, a pool of journalists will be permitted in the hall and can report on remarks that are muted for television audiences, according to AP. No prepared notes or help Candidates cannot bring pre-written notes or props to the podium and must stand for the entire duration. They will be given a pen, pad of paper and water bottle. Additionally, campaign staff may not interact with either candidate during the two commercial breaks. Improvising is neither Harris nor Trumps strong suit but the former president has more experience doing so than Harris. Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 vice presidential debate. Audiences largely considered Harris to be the winner of that debate ( AFP via Getty Images ) Trump goes on long-winded, off-topic tangents at rallies, press conferences and during interviews. But hes good at praising his agenda and policies while tearing down Democrats, although sometimes it results in him making extreme statements. As a former prosecutor, Harris excels in getting to the point concisely and clearly. But when asked to improvise, she can stumble and say things that are easily misconstrued. In previous interviews, she has been mocked or criticized for misspeaking. No opening statements There will be no opening statements during the debate, only closing statements. Trump has won a coin toss and chose the order of statements. Harris will give the first closing statement and Trump will go last. The former president is at a slight advantage since he can hear all of Harriss talking points before delivering the final word of the debate. Moderators will ask the questions Only the moderators of the debate, David Muir and Linsey Davis, will be permitted to ask questions and there will be no live audience. This means candidates must answer the question in full, and give a rebuttal in a direct and easy-to-understand way, because it will be a slightly more formal setting than previous debates. Harris has a slight advantage to the former president in this aspect because she is better at remaining on topic and hitting multiple points more quickly than Trump. The debate will air on ABC News beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. 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 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. 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 }} Kamala Harriss wealthy backers are urging her to ditch a proposed tax on ultra-rich Americans, a new report reveals. Harris said she supports a plan that would require Americans worth at least $100 million to pay taxes on unrealized gains. Currently, the government only taxes profits from stocks known as capital gains once theyre sold. Under her proposal, these assets would be taxed as they gain value, regardless of whether theyve been sold. An estimated 10,000 ultra-wealthy Americans would be impacted by this tax, NBC News reports. The plan would only apply to individuals with at least $100 million in wealth who do not pay at least a 25 percent rate on their income. Those ultra-wealthy Americans would also only pay taxes on unrealized capital gains if at least 80 percent of their wealth is in tradeable assets. Now, some donors are urging Harris to drop the proposal, the Times reports, citing seven sources familiar with the situation. Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia on Thursday. Some of Harriss biggest donors are urging her to drop her proposal to tax unrealized gains ( Getty Images ) Several donors have complained about the plan to top allies and campaign staffers. At least one of these top donors has spoken with Harris personally, encouraging the vice president to consider alternate proposals such as taxing ultra-wealthy Americans on borrowing against their wealth, according to the Times. Other top donors, however, have publicly said they arent too concerned as policies havent been solidified. In my interactions with them, the key is she focuses on her values and is not an ideologue about any particular program, billionaire Mark Cuban told the Times. From what Ive been told, everything is on the table, nothings been decided yet. The Harris campaign also told the Times that the vice president believes billionaires and large corporations should pay their fair share in taxes, like everyone else. They should have to pay a minimum tax rate because its not right that they pay a lower income tax rate than a teacher or firefighter, spokesperson Charles Kretchmer Lutvak told the outlet. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign is seeing a healthy flow of cash. Her campaign raised $310 million in the last 10 days of July more than double the Trump campaigns $138 million over the whole month with a big boost from grassroots and first-time donors after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed the vice president. Harris has also released other tax proposals, including increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent, which Trump set into law during his presidency. The plan could reduce the deficit by $1 trillion over 10 years, according to analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Harris, like Trump, has also supported policies to end taxes on tips. However, she has proposed a $75,000 annual income cap on the framework to prevent higher earners from avoiding taxes on their tips. The Independent has contacted Harriss 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 }} Donald Trump opposes Floridas law that bans abortion at roughly six weeks of pregnancy and appeared to suggest that he will vote for an abortion rights amendment to the states constitution this November. Trump, who is registered to vote in Florida, told NBC News on Thursday that he wants more weeks. If Florida voters approve Amendment 4 on their ballots this fall, the states constitution would be amended to state that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. That amendment would effectively overturn the states ban on abortion at six weeks of pregnancy - before most people know they are pregnant. When asked by NBC News how he plans to vote on the amendment, Trump said that the six week is too short and there has to be more time. Ive told them I want more weeks, he said. I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. The Republican presidential nominee has failed to present a cohesive platform for reproductive healthcare, and his conflicting statements over the last 25 years have drawn criticism from both abortion rights supporters and his anti-abortion allies. Donald Trump, before speaking to supporters in Michigan, suggested he would not vote against an abortion rights measure in Florida this November. ( AP ) At one point in 2015, Trump had five positions on abortion in three days, according to The Washington Post, while Kamala Harris and his Democratic rivals have warned that another Trump administration with a Republican-controlled Congress could advance a national abortion ban. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v Wade, which had affirmed a constitutional right to abortion care. The Trump-aligned Project 2025 document, that is designed to inform his administration, also proposes the application of a long-dormant obscenity law to block abortion drugs from the market. The Supreme Court dismissed a right-wing legal challenge to the governments approval of a widely-used abortion drug, and Trump has said that generally speaking he does not support banning drugs like mifepristone under the Comstock Act. Its going to be available and it is now, he recently told CBS News. And as I know it, the Supreme Court has said: Keep it going the way it is. I will enforce and agree with the Supreme Court, but basically theyve said, keep it the way it is now. Last week, he claimed on his Truth Social account that his administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights. Florida is among more than a dozen states that have outlawed all or most abortions in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which Trump supports. Since earlier this year, Floridas six-week ban makes it a felony to perform or actively participate in an abortion in the state after roughly six weeks gestation, or about two weeks after a missed period. Taryn Fenske, a spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who opposes Amendment 4, said that Trump has consistently stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and hes always stood up for parents rights. Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions. Its extreme and must be defeated, she added. Voters in at least 10 states will vote on abortion rights measures this November, including measures that could enshrine a right to seek abortion care in their states constitutions. At his rally in Michigan on Thursday, Trump also claimed that the government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with in vitro fertilization, if he is elected. Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide, Harris spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid, she added. Because Trump overturned Roe v Wade, IVF is already under attack and womens freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country. 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 }} Donald Trump has made the shocking claim that Vice President Kamala Harris "killed" US soldiers in Afghanistan, in an attempt to shake off the string of scandals he has been facing since visiting the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Speaking at a Michigan campaign event on Thursday, Trump addressed accusations that he used a commemoration for the 13 soldiers killed outside Kabul Airport in 2021 as a campaign stunt and tried to turn the discourse on the Biden administration. "Biden killed their children by incompetence should've never happened," boomed the former president into the microphone. "Kamala killed their children," he continued. "Just as though they had a gun in their hand, by gross incompetence. "And not one general or incompetent bureaucrat was fired for the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country." Donald Trump has accused his political rivals of being behind terrorist attacks before ( Getty Images ) Trump was referring to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, which Joe Biden and Harris took over from him when they won the 2020 presidential election. He also claimed family members of those who died in the August 26, 2021 attack invited him to participate in a ceremony to mark the third anniversary and take photos with their loved one's gravestones, but made a major blunder while praising the "incredible parents and sisters and brothers," by saying he attended the event "yesterday", when in reality it was three days earlier. "Last night I read that I was using the site to politic," he explained. "This all comes out of Washington, just like all of these prosecutors come out of Washington," he added. "These are bad people we're dealing with." Trump attending a commemoration ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) This is seemingly Trump's latest attempt to brush off the controversies stemming from his visit, where two senior members of his campaign allegedly verbally abused and pushed aside a cemetery official. The New York Times has since reported the two staffers to be Steven Cheung and Chris LaCivita, with the former denying there was any altercation and instead suggesting the official was clearly suffering from a mental health episode. Trump controversially gave a thumbs-up and smiled at the grave of a soldier at Arlington National Cemetery ( Utah Governor Spencer Cox ) The former president was also photographed smiling and flashing a thumbs up to photographers while standing in front of gravestones at the cemetery, and came under fire for turning the anniversary of the deaths of fallen American servicemen into a campaign video. Trump's actions have been branded "disgusting" by political figures over the past week. His own former secretary of defense, Mark Esper, told CNN he believed the incident involving Trumps campaign staff at Arlington should be investigated. Republican running mate JD Vance rose to Trumps defense in a similarly blistering speech at his own campaign event on Wednesday, saying Harris can go to Hell. 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 prominent Donald Trump campaign adviser dubs the US army as hacks, doubling down in the campaigns dispute with Arlington National Cemetery officials. The Republican nominee and his campaign have been in hot water after they filmed Trumps August 26 visit to the military cemetery to attend a wreath-laying ceremony, despite an Arlington National Cemetery worker warning them against doing so due to federal laws an exchange that resulted in an alleged physical altercation. In an apparent attempt to further escalate the situation, Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted on X on Thursday afternoon: Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy, sharing a video from the cemetery and tagging Army Secretary Christine E Wormuth. The back-and-forth began on Monday when a cemetery official told Trump and his entourage they were at risk of violating federal laws by taking photos and videos for political purposes at the site. After warning about the regulations, that cemetery worker was abruptly pushed aside by Trump aides, an Army spokesperson said on Thursday. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. The Armys statement was referring to comments made by LaCivita and Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung on Tuesday defending the campaign and condemning the cemetery official. Donald Trump stands alongside Bill Barnett (L), whos grandson Staff Sgt Darin Taylor Hoover died in Abbey Gate Bombing, during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26. Trumps campaign aide has doubled down on his dispute with the cemetery, calling the US Army hacks ( Getty Images ) Cheung denied that a physical incident occurred, vowing to provide video footage to back that claim but has yet to do so. He also claimed that the unnamed cemetery official was clearly suffering from a mental health episode in a statement to The Independent. LaCivita similarly assailed the Arlington National Cemetery worker as a despicable individual. JD Vance, Ohio Senator and Trump running mate, also weighed in on the conflict. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there and that the families of fallen veterans wanted him there, he said on Wednesday. Khizr Khan, the father of 27-year-old Army Captain Humayun Khan who was killed in 2004 and awarded a Bronze Star for his actions, questioned what Trump hoped to gain by the visit to the site of his sons resting place. He has proven his disrespect, Khan told The Daily Beast. Somebody needs to ask him, You have shown that contempt multiple times and yet again, you go there. Perhaps he was referring to Trumps past comments calling veterans suckers and losers while visiting a cemetery in France. Or maybe he was referring to Trumps 2017 visit to Arlington Cemetery where, according to former White House chief of staff John Kelly, the former president wondered aloud: I dont get it. What was in it for them? The back-and-forth began on Monday when a cemetery official told Trump and his entourage they were at risk of violating federal laws by taking photos and videos for political purposes at the site ( Utah Governor Spencer Cox ) Now, Trump is trying to deflect the cemetery visit scandal onto his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. In a campaign event on Thursday in Michigan, Trump turned to allegations about the Biden-Harris administrations record in Afghanistan. Biden killed their children by incompetence shouldve never happened. Kamala killed their children, just as though they had a gun in their hand, by gross incompetence. Democrats are now pushing the cemetery to release a log report into the incident. The Army, however, has signaled that it wants to move on from the matter. The unnamed female cemetery official reported the incident with the military but declined to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed, an Army 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 nations fallen deserve. When The Independent asked an Army spokesperson for further comment about LaCivitas tweet, the spokesperson sent previous statements. 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 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." 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 }} China lacks the ability to fully invade Taiwan but is developing new hypersonic weapons and other methods to threaten the island, Taipeis defence ministry has warned. In an annual threat assessment of China, Taiwanese officials said Beijing would not yet be able to invade the island due to difficulties posed by traversing the Taiwan Strait and the armys lack of landing equipment. But China is speeding up development of a slew of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles, beefing up the number of nuclear warheads and trialling new tactics, the ministry said. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects. The report added China could increase the inspection of foreign cargo ships as a way of cutting off Taiwans communication with the outside world. Taiwanese defence minister Wellington Koo inspects troops earlier this week amid Chinese threats ( Reuters ) When China staged war games around Taiwan shortly after Lai Ching-te took office as president in May, Chinese coast guard ships were sent on interception and inspection drills off the east coast for the first time, according to the report. Chinas aim was to practice cutting off communication with the outside world and blockading Taiwan, the defence ministry said and boarding foreign cargo ships is an option China could take that is short of open conflict. The waters around Taiwan, including the Taiwan Strait, are busy international shipping lanes. Chinas defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday, the ministry said that as long as Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party engages in Taiwan independence [efforts], there will be no peace. Anti-tank missile carriers during military drills in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan earlier this week ( AP ) The more they provoke, the faster they will perish, spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters. Taiwans proposed defence spending will rise faster than the economy will grow next year, as Taipei builds more missiles, submarines and other weapons to deter China. President Lai, whom China calls a separatist, has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwans people can decide their future. Peace achieved by strength is true peace, Mr Lai told officers at the defence ministry on Friday. We will continue to improve our self-defence capabilities and show the world that we are united as a nation and are determined to protect our country. On Monday, Taiwan ran drills with anti-amphibious landing missiles as part of a strategy to deter an attack from China. Troops fired wire-guided missiles, known as TOW 2As, mounted on M1167 Humvees at floating targets off a beach in Pingtung County. 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 }} New Zealand's Maori King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday morning surrounded by his wife and three children. He was 69. The monarch was admitted to a hospital, where he underwent heart surgery just days after the 18th anniversary of his coronation. "The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the entire nation," spokesperson Rahui Papa said in a statement. King Charles III said he was profoundly saddened by the death of the decades-long friend to the British royal family. Charles said news of King Tuheitias death is a particular shock, with the two having shared a long friendship. The king was born Tuheitia Paki in 1955 and succeeded his mother, Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu, in 2006. "I believe the future is a new horizon where Maori take the lead," he said at the celebration of his coronation anniversary earlier this month. "Let's keep pushing forward while we are currently facing a storm, there's no need to worry. In this storm we are strong. Together. The wind in our sails is unity, and with that we will reach our destination," he added. The Maori king is considered the paramount chief of several tribes, or iwi, but is not affiliated with all of them. The monarch's role has no judicial or legal authority in New Zealand and is largely ceremonial. File: Maori King Tuheitia sits on the carved wooden throne in 2006 ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The King Movement, or Kiingitanga, originated in 1858 in an attempt to unite the indigenous tribes of New Zealand under a single leader to strengthen their resistance to colonialism. The role of the monarch is not necessarily hereditary and the new leader will be appointed by heads of tribes associated with the King Movement on the day of King Tuheitia's funeral but before he is buried, according to Radio New Zealand. Christopher Luxon, the prime minister of New Zealand, in a post on X said: "Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. "His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna (Maori for grandson), his passion for te ao Maori (the Maori language), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect." Mourners arrive at the Turangawaewae Marae in Hamilton, New Zealand ( Getty Images ) King Charles said he would look back on his friendship with Tuheitia with immense fondness, having visited New Zealand in 2015, where he and Queen Camilla visited the town of Ngaruawahia with the king and his wife, Makau Ariki. "He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion, Charles said. "His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August." Former New Zealand prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern described him as "an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity". She told ABC King Tuheitia worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. 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 }} An Aboriginal teenager died by suicide at a detention centre in Western Australia after calling out from his cell. The 17-year-old boy died inside Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre on Thursday night, just two days after arriving at the facility. The teenager was the second minor to die in custody in less than a year. He was found unresponsive in his cell when staff went to check on the boy, according to state premier Roger Cook. The staff entered the cell and performed CPR but were unable to revive the boy, ABC reported. "Clearly a failure has taken place and we will undertake the important task of understanding the circumstances," the premier said on Friday. The teenager was placed in the facilitys intensive supervision unit but was considered low risk concerning self-harm, the authorities said. Brad Royce, the commissioner of corrective services, said the boy was checked 10 times after being moved to a general unit, and on the 11th turn he was found unresponsive. Mr Royce said he had reviewed body camera footage and that he was "satisfied" with the way staff reacted. Mr Royce said the boy had called out from his cell prior to his death but the cries had no suggestion of harm. It was low-level stuff, innocuous. Id rather not go into it, but it had no impact on this, he said. The teenager arrived at the facility intoxicated, the authorities said, adding that he had been potentially taking illicit drugs as well. The teenager spent most of the afternoon outside of his cell and returned sometime after 6pm (local time). His death comes just two weeks after a report delivered by the Commissioner for Children and Young People condemned the systemic failure of successive governments that did not put the needs of children and young people as their primary consideration at the facility and Unit 18 youth detention centres. Last year, a 16-year-old died by suicide in his cell at Unit 18, a facility inside the adult Casuarina Prison youth detention unit for young adults deemed dangerous. How many more Aboriginal children will die before the WA government closes down these inhumane, dangerous youth prisons? asked Kacey Teerman, Amnesty Internationals Indigenous Rights Campaigner. Mr Cook said on Friday that he had more confidence than ever before in terms of the way we are managing our juvenile detention facilities. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Social media influencers, reality stars and TV personalities were among the guests as the Norwegian kings eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, married an American self-professed shaman on Saturday in a wedding ceremony following three days of festivities. The 52-year-old Martha Louise and Durek Verret, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, tied the knot in the picturesque small town of Geiranger, one of Norways major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views. Following festivities that started on Thursday, the actual wedding ceremony took place in a large white tent set up on a lush lawn. open image in gallery ( NTB/AFP via Getty Images ) The couple has sold the wedding photo rights to British celebrity magazine Hello! and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which say it goes against local practices. The couple has often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media. The 87-year-old King Harald, who has been in fragile health the past few years, attended his daughters wedding together with Queen Sonja and other member of the Norwegian royal house. Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel represented the Swedish royal house together with her brother, Prince Carl Philip and his wife Princess Sofia. No other European royals took part in the wedding. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couples actions and waning support for the Norwegian royals, who have also been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges. open image in gallery ( via REUTERS ) open image in gallery ( NTB/AFP via Getty Images ) open image in gallery ( EPA ) Martha Louise and Verret, 49, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that shell no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house. The princess she has retained the title has said she can talk with angels, while Verret claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. They became engaged in 2022. Following their marriage, Verret will not have a royal title or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. open image in gallery ( via REUTERS ) But earlier this year Martha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Haralds directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. Martha Louise has three children from her previous marriage with Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. 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. 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 }} Germany has deported Afghanistan nationals back to their homeland for the first time since the Taliban seized back power three years ago. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit described the 28 Afghans as convicted criminals, but did not provide details of any offences. Interior minister Nancy Faeser called the move a security issue for Germany. The security interests of Germany clearly outweigh the claim for protection of criminals and individuals endangering national security, said Mr Hebestreit. German chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking near Leipzig on Friday, called it a clear sign that his nation will find ways to deal with those who commit crime. A plane carrying the Afghan nationals left Leipzig on a Qatar Airways plane bound for the Afghanistan capital Kabul on Friday morning, German newspaper Der Spiegel reported. But Berlin will not take steps towards the normalisation of its relations with the Taliban, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. As long as the general conditions are as they are, and the Taliban behave the way they do, there will be no effort to normalise relations with the Taliban, the spokesperson said. There are contacts on a technical level, especially through our representative office in Doha," the spokesperson added, referring to months of negotiations over the deportations. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz lays a flower at a church, near the scene of a knife attack, in Solingen, Germany ( (c) Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten ) Mr Scholz vowed to deport criminals from Afghanistan and Syria following the stabbing of a German police officer by a 25-year-old Afghan suspect in May. Mr Scholz said: It outrages me when someone who has found protection here commits the most serious crimes. Although in the works for months, the deportations went ahead a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen in which the suspect is a Syrian citizen who applied for asylum in Germany. The suspect was supposed to be sent back to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and avoided deportation. He was held on Sunday on suspicion of murder and membership of a terrorist organisation, pending further investigation and a possible indictment. Isis claimed responsibility for the attack. Mr Scholz has previously announced measures to remove benefits from refugees who arrive in Germany through other EU countries, leaving them with the bare essentials of bed, bread, and soap. On Wednesday, top German officials met with the countrys opposition and state governments to discuss ways to speed up deportations and curb migration. The aim of this joint effort is clear: to further reduce irregular migration to Germany, Mr Scholz said earlier this week. Tributes are left in Solingen after three people were killed and four were injured in a terror attack by a Syrian refugee ( (c) Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten ) There has also been debate over immigration ahead of regional elections, set for Sunday in Germanys Saxony and Thuringia regions. They are areas where anti-immigration parties such as the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are expected to do well. Julia Duchrow, secretary general of Amnesty International in Germany, blasted the deportations of the Afghan nationals, saying the government bowed to political pressure during an election campaign. She added that Afghanistan is not safe. On Thursday, Ms Faeser announced a plan to tighten knife laws, according to German news agency dpa. Along with other officials in the governing coalition, she also pledged during a news conference to make deportations easier. In 2023 more than 350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany. Around 1.2 million Ukrainians have arrived in Germany since Russias invasion began in 2022. Associated Press and Reuters 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 Russian journalist has been sentenced to eight years in prison after his newspaper reported on Russias attacks on civilians in Ukraine, a human rights group said. Prosecutors convicted Sergei Mikhailov in a court in the Siberian city of Gorno-Altaysk for spreading false information about the Russian army that was motivated by political hatred, the Net Freedoms Project said. The 48-year-old journalist and editor at local newspaper Listok, or Leaflet, was arrested in 2022 near Moscow for posting on the publications Telegram channel and website about the horrors in the Ukrainian cities of Bucha and Mariupol. Massacres of civilians in both of those locations have been well-documented, with evidence of summary executions and allegations of war crimes. It became a criminal offence in Russia to criticise the war in Ukraine under a new law that was adopted just days after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. More than 1,000 people have been implicated in criminal cases over their anti-war stance since the laws inception, OVD-Info, one of Russias leading rights groups that tracks political arrests, has said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the time of the laws introduction that it was urgently needed because of the absolutely unprecedented information war waged against our country. Mikhailov has always denied any wrongdoing and was quoted by Russias independent news outlet Meduza as saying he has always written what he considers to be the truth, albeit bitter. In his closing statement in court, he said that the purpose of the publications is to reveal to my fellow countrymen the truth about the war and to protect them from the sophisticated lies of Russian state propaganda. In a speech in court earlier this week, Mikhailov defended his reporting and said the Russian narrative of calling the Ukrainian leadership fascist had created a whole virtual universe in the information space, and this fog became stronger and stronger. In an audio clip of the speech published by Listok on social media, he was heard saying: My publications were aimed against this fog, so that my readers were not seduced by lies, so that they do not take part in armed conflicts, do not become murderers and victims and so that they do not harm the brotherly Ukrainian people. Beyond the prison sentence, the court ordered Mikhailov be banned from working in journalism for four years. 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 }} At least five people, including a teenage girl, have been killed in what Kyiv has said is a Russian glide bomb attack on an apartment block in northeast Ukraine. The daytime attack hit the 12-floor building and the playground in front of it, with multiple cars catching fire. At least 47 people were wounded, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov. "Occupiers killed a child right on the playground," local mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the Telegram messenger app. Footage showed whole floors of the building on fire with residents heard screaming. Scenes from the site of the attack were shared widely across Ukrainian social media channels as many expressed fury at the Western allies who have refused to allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia and hit the source of such bombs. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reposted a video of the aftermath of the strike, using the incident to reiterate his calls for Kyivs Western allies to lift the current ban on deeper strikes. The Russian strike on Kharkiv directly on people, on ordinary homes, he wrote. This strike was carried out using a Russian guided aerial bomb a strike that could have been prevented if our Defence Forces had the capability to destroy Russian military aircraft at their bases. We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror. A firefighter looks on at the damage caused by the Russian airstrike ( Reuters ) Earlier, Russia sent volleys of missiles and drones across Ukraine, as part of a week of vicious strikes involving several hundreds of projectiles. Overnight into Friday morning Russian attacks damaged a factory in Ukraines northeastern city of Sumy, injuring at least eight people, according to local authorities. They later added that one injured person died subsequently in hospital, regional prosecutors said on Telegram, and the body of another victim was retrieved from the rubble. The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 12 out of 18 Russia-launched drones overnight over five Ukrainian regions. Four more drones fell over the Ukrainian territory. Russia also used an Iskander-M missile during the attack, the air force added. In total, Russia has fired at least 425 drones and missiles in the last five days, according to the Ukrainian air force. It comes as a funeral has been held for a heroic Ukrainian pilot after his US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed during the first Russian aerial attack of the week on Monday, the largest assault of the war. Russia fired 236 missiles and drones in what was estimated to cost Moscow $1.3 billion (983m). It is the first F-16 to be destroyed since their arrival last month. The Ukrainian air force said Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes was killed on 26 August during a massive Russian missile and airstrike. He shot down three cruise missiles and one drone before crashing, they added. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians pay their respects to Ukrainian F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes ( Getty ) The loss of the jet and one of the air forces only pilots trained to fly the high tech F-16s is a major setback for Ukraine, who spent years lobbying its Western partners to send the planes. Hundreds of military personnel and family turned out in the city of Shepetivka, western Ukraine, on Thursday to bury Lt Col Mes. Images showed his wife holding a child as she wept by his coffin; another shows half a dozen soldiers lowering the pilot into his grave surrounded by Ukrainian flags. He was buried on the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Heroes, which marked 10 years since hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were killed evacuating through an agreed green corridor in the eastern city of Ilovaisk. It has since been used as a day to honour all those killed in the decade-long Russian invasion, which was contained to the east and the Crimean peninsula for the first eight years. Oleksiy Mes, a pilot of the Ukrainian Air Force, heroically fought his last battle in the skies, the air force wrote. On 26 August, during a massive Russian missile and airstrike, Oleksiy shot down three cruise missiles and one strike drone. He saved countless Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles, tragically at the cost of his own life. We will never forget you. An investigation into how the plane crashed has been opened as the details of the incident remain unclear. Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that the United States, where the F-16 is manufactured, is assisting the investigation. Ukraines general staff reported that the plane suffered disasters, while one official briefed on the incident suggested the plane may not have been downed by Russian fire. Mes, who was fluent in English, featured heavily in Ukraines lobbying campaign to get the green light from Kyivs western partners to donate the fighter jets. He played a key role in a visit to the US in 2022 calling for the F-16s. And he was subsequently picked to be part of the first group of Ukrainian pilots to train in F-16s, spending several months in Denmark. In a video published by the Danish defence ministry earlier this month, after the first F-16s had arrived in Ukraine, Mes could be seen extolling the speed and reactions of the US-made jet compared with previous Soviet-era models they had been using. It feels like the jet wants you to fly it more aggressively than you should, he said. The moment you think of something, it turns. Dozens more Ukrainian pilots are currently training in Arizona and Romania, while additional jets are also set to arrive. At least 80 F-16s have been promised to Ukraine over the next few years but only between six and 10 have already been delivered, according to an official. 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 }} Prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said on Friday. The move widens the probe into the tragic shipwreck, for which the ships captain, James Cutfield, is already under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges. The captain flew out of Palermo on Thursday. He left the Sicilian capital on a private jet, an investigative source said, adding the destination of the flight was unknown. Cutfield, a New Zealander, lives with his wife in Palma on the Spanish island of Mallorca. 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 under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said. The profile of their possible responsibilities is still unclear, as the investigation has just started, lawyer Mario Scopesi told The Associated Press. Scopesi added that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew. The three crew members were among 15 survivors of the Aug. 19 sinking that killed British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah and five others. Mike Lynch and Hannah Lynch ( Tancredi ) Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, who is heading the investigation, has said his team will 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 Sicily, in the Mediterranean. 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. All crewmembers survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yacht's hull and died. The sinking has puzzled naval marine experts, who said a vessel like the Bayesian, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and, in any case, should not have sunk as quickly as it did. 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 }} Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the chief of Ukraines air force days after an F-16 pilot was killed defending against a large-scale Russian attack. In the first known Ukrainian loss of the US-made fighter jets, Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes who used the callsign Moonfish was killed in an aerial battle on Monday, as Moscow launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraines energy infrastructure. Air force commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk had angrily rejected claims by Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla, who cited unnamed sources, that the jet had been downed in friendly fire by a US Patriot missile. Ukraines air force did not deny the claims by Ms Bezuhla, who is deputy head of the Ukrainian parliaments defence committee, and said that US experts had joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash. Hours after Mr Oleschuks denunciation of Ms Bezuhla, the Ukrainian president announced that he had dismissed the air force commander from his post. In his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said: I have decided to replace the Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am immensely grateful to all our military pilots, all engineers, all warriors of mobile firing groups, air defence units. All those who really fight for Ukraine for the result. And the same goes for the command level we must strengthen ourselves. And take care of people. Take care of personnel take care of all our warriors. Mr Oleschuk had led Ukraines air force since August 2021, some six months prior to Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians paid their respects to Ukrainian F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes on the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Heroes ( Getty Images ) Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, who previously led air operations in central Ukraine, has been appointed interim commander of Ukraine's air force, the armys general staff said. Ukraines Nato allies have pledged around 65 F-16s since US president Joe Biden first authorised Western allies to provide them in August 2023. But with Ukrainian pilots requiring extensive training to fly them, the first jets arrived in Ukraine earlier this month. The fallen pilot Mes had been among the most vocal of those calling for Ukraines allies to provide it with F-16s. Writing on Facebook, his friend Tetiana Shevchuk described him as an exemplary pilot and said he had been the first Ukrainian pilot to sit at the controls of an F-16 and the first to fly combat missions. Ukraines air force command said: He heroically fought his last battle in the sky. Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one kamikaze drone, while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack. Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life. Additional reporting by AP 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 UK has said it is deeply concerned by major raids by Israel in the occupied West Bank, while the Israeli military has claimed the killing of a Hamas commander during the third day of the assault. A statement from the Foreign Office called for restraint, citing reports of civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure as troops battled militants in cities and refugee camps. "The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing... military operation in the occupied West Bank, the statement said. We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. "The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The statement also condemned violence by settlers which has surged in the West Bank since the bloody Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October which ignited Israel's war inside Gaza. At least 652 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli fire since the war began over 10 months ago, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel says the operations are required to dismantle Hamas and other militant groups such as Islamic Jihad and to prevent attacks on Israelis. More than 500,000 settlers, who have Israeli citizenship, live in about 100 settlements across the territory that most of the international community considers illegal. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its troops killed a local Hamas commander in the flashpoint West Bank city of Jenin on Friday, with a statement saying he was the head of the militant group in the city and was involved in previous shooting and bombing attacks. On X, formerly Twitter, the Israeli military said it had "eliminated" Wassem Hazem during an operation in the northern Samaria area. It said weapons, explosives and large sums of cash were found in the vehicle and that two other Hamas gunmen were also killed in the drone attack. Hamas confirmed the three deaths, saying they were members of its armed wing the Al-Qassam Brigades. The incident occurred as Israeli forces kept up one of its largest operations in the territory since the Palestinian uprising known as the second intifada ended in 2005. Internally displaced Palestinians ( EPA ) The large-scale operation involving hundreds of troops and police was launched in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Jenin, Tulkarm and other cities. The operation is the most significant in the West Bank since the 7 October attack by Hamas. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in that attack with another 250 people abducted. Israels Gaza offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run strip. Hazems death comes a day after the commander of Islamic Jihad 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. 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. The Israeli military said on Friday it had finished a major operation in the southern city of Khan Younis and the central Deir al-Balah, claiming it killed 250 militants during the operation. The military did not say whether it was withdrawing troops but that it was preparing for further missions. United Nations officials are preparing to launch a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza on Sunday that will rely on a series of limited pauses in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will need to vaccinate at least 90 per cent of the children in Gaza for the campaign to succeed, with the effort organised in the wake of a baby having been paralysed by the type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years. The planned pauses are unconnected with negotiations that have been underway for months to try to agree a ceasefire in Gaza and a return of Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. COGAT, the Israeli agency that coordinates administration in the occupied Palestinian territories, said the pauses would be coordinated as part of a series of humanitarian pauses implemented periodically since the start of the Israeli campaign in Gaza last October. Hamas has also agreed to the pauses, which the U.N. says are needed for the campaign to begin at all. A second round of vaccinations will be needed once the first round is complete. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report 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 More than 150,000 people have objected to the development of a Flamingo Land waterpark on the banks of Loch Lomond. A decision will be made on September 16 regarding plans for a monorail and water park resort in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, as well as 104 wooden lodges, shops, two hotels and 372 parking spaces. The proposal was branded the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history by the Greens. The Scottish Greens have called for an end to a deal between the theme park operator and Scottish Enterprise, Scotlands national economic development agency, if the resort is rejected next month. The party said more than 150,000 objections have been lodged on a campaign portal it set up. Scottish Enterprise, a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, owns the majority of the loch-side site on which the resort would be built by the Yorkshire-based theme park operator. Flamingo Land was granted a conditional missive in 2016, which was renewed in 2020, the Scottish Greens said. open image in gallery Loch Lomond is one of the highlights of the West Highland Way route ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) The agreement means only Flamingo Land can buy the land and prevents the community and other interested parties from bringing forward less destructive alternative proposals, the Greens said, describing the current plans as garish and completely inappropriate. Various environmental and conservation organisations have objected to the proposals, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued a conditional objection based on flood risk. The Greens said: It is by far the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history and has been opposed by the National Trust for Scotland, Woodland Trust and Ramblers Scotland as well as the local community council. Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has called on First Minister John Swinney to end Flamingo Lands exclusive agreement with Scottish Enterprise for the sale of public land if the bid is rejected. He said: The message from the local community and from across Scotland is loud and clear, Flamingo Land is not welcome at Loch Lomond. 150,000 is a monumental number of objections for a planning application, which tells you all you need to know about just how destructive and unwelcome these mega-resort plans are. It would be a disaster for Balloch and for Loch Lomond. It would destroy the gateway to one of Scotlands most iconic landscapes and have a devastating impact on local wildlife and nature, never mind the threat to local businesses and grief for residents. This saga has lasted for almost a decade, and the community is simply exhausted. They want Flamingo Land gone for good. I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to lodge their objection and make the scale of opposition known. The more people learn about Flamingo Lands daft plans, the more determined they are to stop them. Early on in this process they promised to walk away if they didnt win public support. We passed that point long ago. If they have any shame, Flamingo Land will drop this appalling application and leave Loch Lomond alone. For far too long residents in Balloch have lived with the constant threat of Flamingo Land hanging over their community. For a decade this saga has angered, frustrated and exhausted local people. We cannot allow a theme park operator to hold one of Scotlands most iconic sites to ransom in the way they have. The agreement should never have been renewed after their first application failed. If this bid is rejected, then it must be the end of the road for Flamingo Land. The family-owned company set up the original Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire in 1959, with the motto: Wild Animals, Wilder Rides. 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 Hotels in the Grand Canyon National Park have been forced to close and camping is restricted amid one of its busiest tourist periods after a main water pipeline burst in several areas. While the park will remain open for day visits, hotels supplied by the water pipe have shut down, with water restrictions running throughout the Labor Day holiday when hotels will be at or near capacity, officials have said. Starting Thursday 29 August, hotels were closed to overnight stays due to the 12-and-a-half mile-long Transcanyon Waterline experiencing a series of breaks, with accommodation at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge and Phantom Ranch being impacted. These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources, the National Park Service said in a statement to the BBC. The goal is to restore full operational status for overnight guests on the South Rim as quickly as possible. The water issues were not immediately obvious on Wednesday night, as some hotels continued serving food throughout the evening. The park will continue to operate during the day, and hotels outside the park in the town of Tusayan, Arizona, will not be impacted. Dry camping will also be allowed, meaning campers will have to supply their own water. No campfires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. open image in gallery Water can be seen shooting out of a pipeline that broke along the North Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon National Park ( AP ) Park officials hope that they can restore the hotel operations, which include around 950 hotel rooms, as quickly as possible for guests wanting to stay overnight on the South Rim. The park has been facing challenges with its water supply since 8 July, and no water is currently being pumped to either the canyons south or north rims, officials said. The Transcanyon Waterline, originally built in the 1960s, supplies water for facilities on the South Rim and the inner canyon, yet park officials say it has exceeded its expected lifespan. There have been more than 85 major breaks in the water system since 2010, but none that have created this much water restriction as the four recent breaks. The Grand Canyon, one of the United States most popular tourist attractions, welcomed nearly 523,000 visitors last August and more than 466,000 visitors last September, and worries have set in from tourist authorities that the water issue may impact their numbers. open image in gallery Guests leave the Bright Angel Lodge on 28 August in Grand Canyon after a series of breaks in the water pipeline on the park ( AP ) Josh Coddington, communications director at the Arizona Office of Tourism, said he expects a rise in calls from people wanting to know if they can visit the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is known not only throughout the US, but throughout the world, and people love visiting it, he said. Around six million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park each year, and the grounds are home to around 2,500 year-round residents. While workers are trying to restore the pipe where it failed, one of the breaks has occurred in a narrow part of the canyon known as the box, which is known for its risk of rock fall and high temperatures. Its definitely a challenging place to be and have a pipeline break on you, Grand Canyon spokesperson Joelle Baird said of the safety concerns for the crews who will be carrying out restoration efforts. The pipeline failure comes amid a $208 million (158 million) rehabilitation project of the waterline by the National Park Service that began recently, with upgrades to the water delivery system expected to be complete by 2027. Additional reporting by the Associated Press. 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 Two passengers on a flight sparked a backlash in China after they locked up a toddler in an airplane toilet to stop her from crying. The incident on the flight from Guiyang to Shanghai sparked a heated online debate about how to handle crying children in public spaces. The two passengers who locked the distressed toddler in the toilet claimed they were trying to help others. However, many people on social media accused them of bullying the child and lacking empathy. According to Juneyao Airlines, the childs grandmother had given permission to the women to "educate" the crying child. The video showed one of the women telling the child that she could only leave the bathroom if she stopped crying. One of the women, Gou Tingting, defended her actions, saying she wanted to calm the child and allow the other passengers to rest. Responding to the criticism, Ms Gou said she "prefers to take action rather than be a bystander" she wrote on Chinas TikTok equivalent, Douyin, reported BBC News. However, her explanation did little to quell the backlash, and her social media account has since been set to private. Children cannot control their emotions when they are one or two years old. Whats wrong with crying? Didnt you cry when you were young too? one user wrote on Weibo, reported the British broadcaster. The incident has raised questions about how to balance the needs of parents with crying children and the rights of other passengers to a peaceful flight. In January, Corendon Dutch Airlines announced testing adult-only zones on its flights. It confirmed reserving a seat in the child-free section in its flight from Amsterdam to the Caribbean, adding that it will cost an extra 45 rising to 100 for extra-large seats. And while some were happy to pay to sit in an adult-only part of the plane others wondered how airlines would adequately enforce a separation from noisy children, recalling issues with old no-smoking zones on airplanes. The debate extends beyond flights, with "no-kids zones" flourishing in cafes and restaurants in countries like South Korea. In London, a pubs decision to ban children sparked a debate about discrimination against parents, particularly women. Earlier in April this year, a customer who goes by the name Kyle took to X to share a snap of the sign outside of the restaurant, which said: Dog friendly, child free. The tweet went viral on X, with some criticising the restaurant for not letting children in. Others claimed that the restaurant was discriminating against women, specifically those who are with their children. Banning children is banning parents. This disproportionately affects women, one wrote. If you are more okay eating next to an animal than a human baby and family youre an ugly person idc. Actor Leila Farzad has spoken with The Independent's Jacob Stolworthy for the next episode of Go to Bat. The actor, who has starred in I Hate Suzie and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), talks about her two new Netflix releases, The Decameron and Kaos, and about how her characters fit into the type she likes to play. Kaos, released this week, is set to be Netflixs next word-of-mouth sensation. Its a dark comedy and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology from the mind of Charlie Covell (The End of the F***ing World) and starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus. This being Go to Bat, Farzad also reveals which of her past credits she believes deserves more love and also names the hit show shed love to be a part of one day in the future. This is the moment Kamala Harris is interrupted by a Gaza protester during a campaign rally in Georgia. The vice president was giving her speech at the rally on Thursday (29 August), when the protester interrupted her, shouting about the conflict in the Middle East. Harris addressed the interruption briefly before continuing with her speech. She said: Let me just say something. We are fighting for a democracy and everyone has a right and should have their voices heard. The president and I are working around the clock. We have got to get a hostage deal done and a get a ceasefire now. Arsonists set themselves on fire as they tried to burn down a corner shop in Manchester on Sunday, 26 August. A hooded trio covered their faces before pouring petrol on the floor of Zafs Go Local in Butler Street before setting it alight, while one individual appeared to film the incident on their phone. CCTV captured two of them setting themselves alight before fleeing the scene. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for information after launching an investigation into the arson attack. We dont know if its personal. Were a big part of the community... We dont know what could have caused it, shop owner Zaf Iqbal, 39, said. POLITICIAN SITS DOWN FOR INTERVIEW SHOCK. As headlines go, you would hardly rush into your newsroom and scream at the editor to hold the front page, like some latter-day Woodward or Bernstein. But such has been the extraordinary and dare I say slightly synthetic outrage over the failure of Kamala Harris to do a sitdown interview, that her encounter with CNNs Dana Bash assumed far more significance than it should have done. The faux-fury was stoked by the Trump campaign who were making all manner of scurrilous suggestions about why she refused to put down the security blanket of the teleprompter. Donald Trump would repeatedly tell his supporters that she was stupid. Dumb. Cant string a sentence together. That the only way to hide her maniacal laugh was to stick to autocue. The Trump campaign was aided and abetted by a US media feeling self-importantly aggrieved that her campaign was swerving around them. How dare she decide to shun the fourth estate during her campaign for the Democratic Party nomination. But given the success with which she has electrified this race and handed the Democrats a real sense of hope, whos to say she was wrong? It is a slightly terrifying thought for us in the media that politicians might not need us as much as we need them. Whether the American people felt the same level of pearl-clutching concern about the lack of an unscripted interview, I frankly doubt. It was a self-regarding media and a rival campaign rightly trying to make capital and score some points. Donald Trump gets a lot spot on in trusting his gut when it comes to campaigning. But he gets a lot wrong. What he did over the Kamala Harris interview was to seek to depict her as a tongue-tied, inarticulate thicko. And guess what happens in the interview? She sits down, opens her mouth and words come tumbling out. The words form sentences, and the sentences become cogent answers. The expectation management from Trump and his sidekicks was woeful. They set a bar so low that all she could really do was go soaring over it. She was a pole vaulter in the high jump. Its not that her dialogue was Socratic. Shes not a Cicero. But she was fine. Just fine. And you could feel the disappointment and deflation in Mar-a-Lago, as Trumps post-match judgement came in one word and block caps (natch): BORING, with three exclamation marks. open image in gallery Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sit down for first interview as Democratic ticket with CNN ( CNN ) But what of the content? You will remember that Joe Bidens first tilt at the Democratic presidential nomination came asunder in 1988 when he plagiarised a speech from the then-Labour leader Neil Kinnock. Kinnocks Why am I the first in a thousand generations of Kinnocks to go to university became why am I, Joe Biden the first in his family to go to university. Well, Kamala Harris didnt plagiarise anyone last night on CNN. But the playbook was pure Sir Keir Starmer. Just as Starmer ahead of this years general election did a reverse ferret on the policy platform on which he stood to be Labour leader, so Kamala Harris was pressing the reverse thrust button last night on some of the policies she advocated when she ran unsuccessfully against Biden for the Democratic nomination back in 2019. It was flip-flop a go-go. She now no longer opposes fracking a shrewd policy change given how crucial Pennsylvania is for the Democrats this November. And where once she said she wouldnt criminalise illegal immigrants crossing the border, last night she said there were laws that needed to be enforced. None of this is surprising. Whether you are campaigning for your partys nomination in the US or to be leader of your party in the UK, you need first to attract your activists and then once youve done that, the country. You tack to where the votes are. There are still vulnerabilities around some of the details of economic policy, but Harris came through the interview unscathed open image in gallery Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two for her two-day trip to Georgia ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) But one thing she didnt do and this will have caused even greater disappointment at Trump Central was take the bait on Trumps race-baiting. When asked to comment on his offensive remarks about her only recently deciding she was black, she paused and said: Same old playbook. Next question. That was it. She wasnt going there. Harris is determined to eschew identity politics. She is not running as a black woman. She is running as Kamala Harris. And that marks a shift from Hillary Clintons unsuccessful campaign, when she made breaking the glass ceiling such an important part of her stump speeches. Trump would love to depict Harris as some rabid culture warrior. He probably will regardless. But she is not going to supply the ammo. All of which is leaving the Trump campaign floundering a bit. They still havent a settled line of attack, and the polls while showing nothing decisive (there is nothing to compare to the succession of polls before Julys election in Britain showing Labour well ahead), there is momentum for Harris and some are showing her pulling away from Trump in the key battleground states. His campaign advisors keep telling him to lay off the playground insults, but he cant seem to help himself. The next critical moment will be the debate between them on 10 September. After that, its hard to see anything that could become a major momentum-shifter before 5 November. At the moment, its Trump who needs to change the trajectory of his race, given the remarkable turnaround of Dem fortunes since Biden pulled out. And if all you can say is BORING!!! then you have cause for concern. Stock market-listed Corre Energy has secured a loan from a group of its existing shareholders. The loan facility, worth up to 5m, has been agreed with a number of significant players, including Stream Street. Earlier this month, the energy-storage group said that its founding shareholder, Corre Energy Group Holdings, gave a 19.3pc stake to Stream Street to settle a loan that had been backed by shares. Other shareholders involved in the loan facility agreement include Air Corre, Springhill Property Investments and Pageant Investments, an investment vehicle controlled by Irish businessman Nick Furlong. These shareholders are long-term investors in the business and represent 33pc of the companys share capital, Corre reported. Corre said the loan would provide immediate funding to the business for ongoing operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures in its existing projects. It added that the loan is available to be drawn down for one year, while the company can draw down 450,000 upon signing. The loan is due for repayment in full on its maturity date of June 30, 2028. Corre added that the amount drawn down may be converted intro ordinary shares during the initial six-month lock-up period in the case of a liquidity event". This includes the potential completion of a Rothschild-managed investment process or in the event of a default. In March, Corre announced that it had received multiple indications of interest: industrial, strategic and institutional to invest in the business. A month later, it appointed Rothschild & Co as financial advisor to the company while it assesses options. It said at the time that discussions with each interested party remained at an early stage and did not confirm whether interest is for some or all of the business. Corre now expects to update shareholders on the process next month. The company added that any further existing shareholders who come forward will also be offered the chance to participate in the loan facility subject to a minimum qualifying investment of 100,000. A new interim board of directors is also set to be appointed, the company said in a statement today. This board will comprise of representatives of key shareholders, as well as independent directors with relevant industry and financial expertise. This board is then expected to complete an operational review of the business, with a focus on significantly reducing its current operating costs. Shareholders will vote on the new board at an upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). Shares in the company gained strongly on the news but are still down more than 90pc over the past 12 months. World Business AI isnt coming for your job but it might gobble up your money, says MIT professor Bambie Thug has released a new single called Hex So Heavy ahead of their European tour. The 31-year-old Cork native, who represented Ireland during the 68th Eurovision in Sweden, teased the single on Instagram by sharing a snippet of the music video and the date of its release on August 14. The self-styled ouija-pop artist said the song was a warning to those who have crossed them, and is accompanied by a video directed by Kassandra Powell. This song channels the energy of those experiences - deception, betrayal - and turns them into something transformative - strength, resilience, they said. Its a reminder to those who have wronged me, that life has a way of making sure we all face what weve set in motion 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 Bambie Thug added: Drawing inspiration from Suspiria and Lord of the Rings, Hex So Heavy is the first chapter in a saga about reclaiming authenticity stolen by another. The Crown The Witch European tour follows Bambie Thugs run in Malmo earlier this year where they placed sixth in the Eurovision final with Doomsday Blue. The Crown and The Witch Tour is supported by female-fronted band, The Darklings. Bambie Thug will perform 31 shows across Europe, including London, Dublin, Galway Amsterdam and more. The tour will culminate with a huge homecoming show in their home county in Cork City Hall on November 7. Tickets are available on the artists website, Haus of Thug. The Irish shows, on October 27 and October 31 (Halloween) in Dublins Academy and on November 2 in Galways Roisin Dubh, are already sold out. Bambie Thug was the first openly non-binary contestant to qualify for the Eurovision final, where tensions ran high among some competitors over the inclusion of Israel because of its conduct in the war in Gaza. Bambie Thug criticised organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and alleged that an Israeli broadcaster incited violence against them and breached Eurovision rules. They said the Israeli national broadcaster KAN incited violence against them several times due to the views they expressed. They filed a complaint to the EBU and refused to perform during the third dress rehearsal for the contest while discussions between the EBU and organisers over the complaint were ongoing. Before the semi-final, Bambie Thug was told by Eurovision organisers to remove pro-Palestinian messages from their body written in Ogham which read: Ceasefire and Freedom for Palestine. The European Broadcasting Union had previously warned that Palestinian flags and symbols would not be allowed in Malmo Arena. Following the competitions end, Bambie described their time in the competition as eye-opening. Swiss performer Nemo won the contest with The Code. Approximately 3pc of the forest estate in Ireland is composed of larch species. Photo: Getty All Scottish log exports have been paused as a result of the discovery of larch bark beetles at a port in Cork. Minister of State Pippa Hackett has welcomed the cessation of the export of conifer logs from the Pest Free Area of Scotland into Ireland on a precautionary basis. The Department found three Ips cembrae beetles (commonly known as the large larch bark beetle) in one of its pheromone traps in Passage West Port in Cork. Following confirmed findings by the Irish Forestry Inspectors, Scottish authorities have ceased all exports of logs with immediate effect until a full investigation takes place. Approximately 3pc of the forest estate in Ireland is composed of larch species and maintaining freedom from the presence of larch bark beetles is required to maintain good forest health and vitality. The Department of Agricultures Forest Health Stakeholder Engagement Group met earlier this week where stakeholders were informed by the Department of the finding. I welcome my Departments close co-operation with Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts on this and other forest health matters, Minister Hackett said. Ireland is free of many of the bark beetles that are found in Europe and in Great Britain. It is very important for the future of the forestry sector in Ireland that we do everything we can to keep the island free of these beetles. Minister Hackett said these findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Department surveillance work at ports. As in the case for other conifer bark beetle species, the larch bark beetle is associated with fungi, including non quarantine blue stain fungi. The fungi ceratocystis laricicola kills bark and cambium in the host tree, stains the sapwood and likely contributes the dieback of and killing of larch during larch bark beetle outbreaks. The beetle has been introduced into areas where larch is planted (mainland UK, Netherlands, Sweden), and to date has behaved there in the same way as in its natural range. The Department has said it will continue to survey extensively throughout the country for all Protected Zone species and to date has no findings of any Protected Zone bark beetles. A spokesperson said that the Department will continue to work with its counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland in connection with this investigation, and will assess any possible future actions and keep the industry informed of developments. Kildare Co Council granted planning permission for the proposal despite 85 objections including eight from local groups. (Stock image) 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. A group of Catholic parishes are creating a little bit of heaven on earth by rewilding their church grounds. The 10 parishes in Co Clare are the first to respond in an organised way to the Irish bishops commitment to give 30pc of church lands back to nature by 2030. Now, instead of manicured lawns, precision-pruned hedges and uniform shrubbery, 12 churches have healthy stretches of meadow with displays of wildflowers that are a lifeline to bees and other pollinators. Some churches also have boxes for barn owls and swifts, while some have installed bat roosts in secluded spots. The 30 by 30 pledge followed Pope Franciss backing of the agreement reached at the UN biodiversity summit in 2022 to reverse the decline of the nature by the end of the decade. Clergy welcomed the move but were not sure how to go about implementing it until Clare County Council biodiversity officer Barry OLoughlin stepped in. I heard about it and thought, theres an opportunity there, not just to help the churches but to give biodiversity visibility, he said. The church is the focal point in a lot of towns and I thought if people can see what it means to allow nature back into somewhere like that, it will get attention. Fr Tony Casey, of Cooraclare, was one of the first parish priests to volunteer and he is delighted with the result. I love it. It brings great life and colour. But all Im doing is allowing it to happen. The community are making it happen, he said. Tidy Towns is among the groups most directly involved and Ger Kelly, of the Cooraclare branch, said it has been a learning, or rather unlearning, process. I always thought that wildflowers had to be sown from seed and we spent a few years trying that around the town without any great results. The thinking now is to just them develop themselves and thats worked fine, he said. We still need to manage the plots or else invasive plants will take over but we leave them alone as much as possible until September when theyre cut. Bigger jobs include removing and replacing laurel and leylandii hedging which have been carefully tended for years but have nothing to offer birds or insects. If only wed known, said Fr Casey. A lot of mistakes were made in the past. Funding for the Return to Nature Church Biodiversity Project comes from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Clare County Council, and has cost about 15,000. Mr OLoughlin said his ambition was to see it rolled out to all 1,300-plus parishes in the country. This was initially a six-week project but when the communities saw orchids coming up and ox-eye daisies and hawksbeard and all the colour, they wanted to keep going, he said. Theres an obsession with the neat-and-tidy concept in green spaces, so you have to break down that barrier, but we did and its giving biodiversity a chance. Lovers of the show rejoice, a Bridgerton-themed concert will take place in Dublin in October. Candlelight Concerts is partnering with Shondaland and the Bridgerton experience for a night of instrumental versions of songs heard in the hit Netflix Show. The show, entitled Best of Bridgerton on Strings will take place in St Andrews Parish Church, Dublin and a local quartet will be performing songs beloved by fans. Two concerts will be held on Friday, October 18, one at 6 pm and one at 9 pm. The concert duration is approximately 60 minutes long. The setlist includes Billie Eilish's Bad Guy; thank u, next by Ariana Grande; Give Me Everything by Pitbull; Afrojack; Ne-Yo and Nayer; Cheap Thrills by Sia, and more. Dublin and outstanding venues in Liverpool, Chicago, Sydney, Berlin, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and more will be decorated to replicate sets seen in the Netflix show. The Candlelight Concerts have previously focused on various artists including Coldplay, Vivaldi and Hans Zimmer. The original music concerts, created by Fever, are aimed to democratise access to classical music. This innovative format represents a unique live musical experience through a varied offer of programs to meet all tastes, played by local musicians, in emblematic venues, with the space and performers illuminated by thousands of candles, a statement reads. Candlelight invites a broader audience that might have never considered a classical music concert before to connect with the most iconic pieces of the greatest composers and listen to the top hits of well-known artists in a different way. Fever has expanded their events to over 100 cities and seen over three million attendees since it began. The group is notably behind the Van Gogh immersive experience which was held in Dublins RDS for two years. A waitlist is currently open to register for a pre-sale to the event. Tickets go on sale at 2 pm on Thursday, September 5. Ticket prices start at 22.00. The third season of Bridgerton was released in two parts internationally: first on May 16 and June 13, 2024. The main character was played by Galway-native Nicola Coughlan who played the role of wallflower Penelope Featherington. Upon its release the third season occupied two places in the Top 10 most popular Netflix titles of all time based on views in their first 91 days. The first season is the most-streamed season with more than 115 million views. Season 2 is the ninth with more than 93 million views. Season 3 amassed 91.9 million views since it first debuted on May 16. Netflix has confirmed Bridgerton Season 4 is in the works and set to release by 2025. Yerin Ha and Luke Newton will play the leads. 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. Drunken Coldplay fan fined after lashing out at medical staff and gardai during gig Kieran Graham, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to public intoxication, breach of the peace and refusing to give gardai his name and address Kieran Graham outside court Andrew Phelan Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 16:44 A drunken Coldplay fan was arrested at last nights Croke Park concert for lashing out at medical staff who tried to help him and gardai who intervened. Juvenile charged with second-degree murder after Irish chef shot dead in Kansas City The teen was also charged with felony attempted theft of a motor vehicle, as well as armed criminal action. Shaun Brady Niall Donald and Ralph Riegel and Eoin Kelleher Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 18:05 A juvenile has been charged with the murder of Tipperary chef Shaun Brady who was shot dead in Kansas City. Killer 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 - source Convicted Killer David Thomas McCord pictured walking the streets of Belfast on 19th July 2024. Steven Moore Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 09:20 Escaped killer David McCord was sent back to prison for having sex with the daughter of a prison officer, it can be revealed. Colum Eastwoods announcement of his departure as leader of the SDLP also saw him strongly endorse his deputy, Claire Hanna, as his successor. But who exactly is the South Belfast MP and what political issues have been at the forefront of her career? Born in Connemara, Co Galway, the 44-year-old has lived in South Belfast since the age of three and attended St Brides Primary School, followed by Rathmore. She has an Honours Degree in International Relations and a Masters in Law, and is a mother-of-three. Ms Hanna has been a full-time politician for almost the last decade. Her profile on the SDLPs website states that prior to elected politics, Claire worked in international development, in a range of policy and education roles, taking her to parts of the world such as Haiti, Zambia and Bangladesh. Her passion for international development and humanitarian affairs has endured and is a major inspiration to her political interests and activities." She was first elected as a councillor for the Balmoral DEA in Belfast in 2011, and was subsequently re-elected in 2014. In 2015 she was co-opted into the Assembly and re-elected in 2016 and 2018 until her election to Parliament in 2019. In late 2021, Ms Hanna told a podcast Northern Ireland will always exist despite the transition into a new constitutional space. In an interview for the audio series What Northern Ireland Means to Me, Ms Hanna said Northern Ireland is in some ways going a little bit backwards amid what she described as the underperformance of political structures and said the countrys potential wont be realised without a new paradigm emerging over the coming decades. I think well be in a new Ireland. I think there is change coming here. I think people realise that. And I say this as somebody who has genuinely believed in the values of 1998 and making it work, through using devolution and improving peoples lives. But it isnt 1998 at any more, she said. Ms Hanna said despite her perception that Northern Irelands always going to exist, she added: I think theres a perception that in a new Ireland whatever that looks like that this group of people in this shared identity just dissolves. As well as the fact that in governance terms, you know, there arent 25,000 civil servants and teachers and cops and everything ready to just, as soon as theres a border poll, sweep in here and run the place. We have different governance infrastructures and we have a set of interdependent relationships with the island next door, and those things wont just change. I think Northern Ireland will persist and exist, with all the baggage that it has. But I think we will be in a different constitutional place and I think that that transition begins now or is beginning now. Its just how we do it in the most structured way and in the most gracious way that we can do it. In another podcast, shared earlier this month, Ms Hanna told the BBCs Red Lines show she and party colleagues discussed forming a new party in 2019, against the backdrop of the now-ended partnership between the SDLP and Fianna Fail. While the temporary merger was backed by the majority of SDLP members, Ms Hanna was part of a minority that remained unhappy with the decision at that time. At that time, in those few months, I did think my time in elected political life was possibly coming to an end if that [partnership] had gone in the trajectory we and others thought it was going to, she said. I thought deeply about where I fitted. I didnt think that I fitted into any of the existing political vehicles that were around. I was the only MLA who didnt support the partnership but I wasnt the only person. There were quite a few councillors and activists who didnt. We did discuss what something might look like. I genuinely think that something like the SDLP, a party with a history, values and a heritage, should exist. If the SDLP disappeared into a Fianna Fail vehicle, then that wouldnt have existed. In 2019 she also resigned as Brexit spokesperson in protest at the partys deal with Fianna Fail. As a Belfast City councillor from 2011-2015, Ms Hanna brought motions forward that led to making Belfast the first Living Wage Council in Northern Ireland, banning the imposition of Zero Hour Contracts on Council staff, and changing procurement policy to allow for the exclusion of companies involved in tax evasion. She also successfully introduced measures to combat the rise of predatory payday lending. Ms Hanna is married to Donal Lyons, a native Dubliner and SDLP Belfast City Councillor. The couple have three daughters Niamh (7), Aideen (10) and Eimear (12). They now live in south Belfast. Her family has always been steeped in politics and the SDLP. Her father is a former general secretary of the party and her mother Carmel served as a minister in the Stormont Executive. Ms Hanna also worked for the development agency Concern Worldwide for 10 years, which took her across the world to countries such as Haiti, Bangladesh and Zambia. She is a graduate of the Open University and Queens Belfast. Michael D Higgins with Raul Castro in Havana during a state visit to Cuba in 2017. Photo: Maxwells Michael D Higgins was sent a box of Havana cigars every year by Cubas Castro brothers, comedian Tommy Tiernan has claimed. As he had stopped smoking, the President shared the cigars among his friends, including Tiernan, who said he once got a batch sent by Raul Castro, the brother of Fidel and former chairman of the Communist Party in Cuba. Mr Higgins was criticised in 2016 over the statement he issued on the death of Fidel Castro, which made no mention of human-rights concerns. In it, he praised the revolutionary dictator as a giant among global leaders whose view was not only one of freedom for his people, but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet. At the time, a spokesperson for Mr Higgins rejected the criticism as both unsustainable and unwarranted. The claim about his receiving the cigars from the Castro brothers was made by Tiernan during a podcast interview with US comedian Bill Burr, which has been shared online. Tiernan described himself as a good friend of the President and said that in the 1970s and 1980s when he was a Labour TD, he made great friends with the Castros. He used to smoke cigars. When he got elected President, he had given them up, he said. But the Castros used to send him a box of cigars every year and he had stopped smoking but he was very grateful and he used to share them out. Tiernan said that on one occasion, he himself was given cigars sent to Ireland by Raul Castro, who is now aged 93. Raul was named Cubas provisional head of state in 2006, so Fidel could recover from surgery. He later succeeded his brother as president, and was in office from 2008 to 2018. There has been speculation that the comedian might have Mr Higginss blessing to run for the Aras next year Tiernan said he still has the box that contained the cigars, and it says From the personal stash of Raul Castro. He described them as the most beautiful cigars I have ever smoked in my life. He also told Burr he had never made this story known before, adding: Youre the first person Ive told. A press officer at Aras an Uachtarain declined to comment. It is likely that Tiernan may have been exaggerating for comedic effect when he said the Castros sent cigars every year to Mr Higgins. It is known that when the President made a state visit to Cuba in April 2017, he was given cigars as part of the routine exchange of gifts. There was a further official gift of cigars two years later when Raul Castros successor as president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, visited Ireland. Mr Higgins and Tiernan are such good friends that there has been speculation that the comedian might have his blessing to run for the Aras next year. On the podcast Path to Power, presented by Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates, it was said Tiernan has had meetings with Mr Higgins to discuss contesting the presidential election next year. Fine Gael leader sat down for a wide-ranging interview at the Kennedy Summer School in Wexford An Taoiseach Simon Harris being interviewed by Sinead McSweeney on stage at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross, Co Wexford on Friday. Photo: Mary Browne Taoiseach Simon Harris told a 300-strong, packed house at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross on Friday night that his job in politics is to be a disruptor, before going on to condemn far right elements in Irish society. In a fireside interview with former Twitter Ireland managing director and global vice-president for public policy, Sinead McSweeney, Mr Harris set out his vision for Ireland ahead of the upcoming General Election, saying: For me my job is to be a disruptor. Outlining his political philosophy, he said he does not accept an approach of passing the parcel within government, suggesting this had become the norm. If passing the parcel was an Olympic sport we would have been in for a medal. Referencing the moving of asylum seekers from an encampment on Mount Street to Citywest and tented accommodation at Crooksling in southwest Dublin as an example of getting things done through consensus between departments as an example of the kind of cohesive government he wants for Ireland, he said there are complex issues facing Ireland which require debate and careful consideration. This is not a country of hate or racism. There are so many people who left our shores for the hope of a better future for them and their children. The idea that a small number of unelected people are now trying to begrudge others doing the exact same thing, that is not who we are, but I do think we have to start speaking out and speaking up. An Taoiseach Simon Harris being interviewed by Sinead McSweeney on stage at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross, Co Wexford on Friday. Photo: Mary Browne He said having a conversation and debate about migration is valid and important, adding but lets not let a small number of people hijack who we are as a people by political cowardice or saying leave them at it, theres no votes in that. Mr Harris said the Government is addressing issues surrounding migration in real time, adding that people across the country have genuine concerns about how the increase in population through migration is impacting services. The groups I admire, I admire the people who, in communities, have had concerns and have had questions and when they saw the far right try to get within an inch of it, they ran them. Mr Harris said he has no time for people who try to present Ireland as a failed state, adding that ensuring people arent afraid to run for politics is vital for the countrys future. Our politics thrive when good people put their name on the ballot box, he said. An Taoiseach Simon Harris opening the Dunbrody Famine Experience in New Ross on Friday. Photo: Mary Browne Saturdays Kennedy Summer School continues with 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. I don't believe human rights clauses in trade agreements are there for padding. They're not there to make the agreement longer. They're not there to make people feel nice or warm or fuzzy. The Taoiseach is seeking the advice of the Attorney General on what further steps the Government can take on boycotting trade with Israel. He has written to Rossa Fanning SC following the Tanaistes decision this week to bar any Defence Forces purchase of material, expertise or equipment from Israel. Simon Harris said today that he wanted in particular the AGs advice on an EU association agreement with Israel so that he and the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, can continue to lead the charge on punitive measures over the Gaza conflict. The European Union should review the association trade agreement with Israel, grounded in the ruling of the ICJ earlier this summer, Mr Harris said, referring to the International Court of Justice that Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal. That country has launched new raids on West Bank cities this week, seen as a prelude to the expansion of illegal settlements. Amnesty International has already called for the EU to restrict trade with Israel in response. Mr Harris said: Ive always said consistently that it's really appropriate and important that all countries, and indeed the European Union use all levers at their disposal to help bring about a ceasefire. It's not enough to simply say, I want a ceasefire. You have to look at everything that a country and indeed the European Union can do to create that environment in which a ceasefire becomes an inevitability, because the humanitarian catastrophe cannot be allowed to continue. The Taoiseach said he continued to advocate for this position everywhere I go, including in his meeting this week with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris. Today, in light of the ICJ ruling this summer, I have written to the Attorney General to ask for fresh advice in relation to the broader issue of trade meaning trade at EU level, trade at an Irish level, and where the competencies lie, Mr Harris said. There is no doubt that we need to continue to be restless in terms of trying to come to an answer on this question: How can you have a trade agreement that has human rights clauses and not have those human rights clauses even activated? I don't believe human rights clauses in trade agreements are there for padding. They're not there to make the agreement longer. They're not there to make people feel nice or warm or fuzzy. They're there because they have real meaning, and in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes of our lifetime, when children are dying and where the World Food Programme cannot properly function, where we're seeing the conflict spreading into the West Bank which is clearly utterly disproportionate it is really important that all governments, including the Irish Government, continue to probe what more can be done. Mr Harris said he intended to continue to advocate at an EU level, and in writing to the AG wanted to be as prepared as possible in advance of the next European Council to make the best case for trade sanctions under the association agreement to other EU leaders. Thats why I've sought this advice, he added. A Dublin vintage store has announced its immediate and permanent closure. Nine Crows Thrift Shop located on Mary Street has announced Saturday August 31 will be its last day of trading. The thrift store shared the news with its fifteen thousand followers on Instagram on Friday. Weve had an amazing few years and are so grateful for all of your support through that time. We are really proud of having been able to bring you clothes you love at an affordable price, all the way through Covid, the cost of living crisis, the riots and everything else, said a statement. The staff cited the out of control costs and the changes in the ways people shop and visit the city centre as the reason for them not renewing their lease on Mary Street. Operating a small independent business in Ireland right now can feel like swimming against a current. We have so much love and respect for all of our friends running amazing businesses against the odds, as we do with those who have had to close or pull back recently. We would love to encourage all of our dear customers to support as many local independents as they can. The Amazons, Sheins and IKEAs of the world wont miss your business, but the places that give Dublin its life and character definitely will. The store team thanked all their customers and members of staff who have worked in the store since it first opened in November 2019. Emma Fraser, founded the Nine Crows brand in 2009. It had three store locations, two in Dublin and one in Cork. Items sold in Nine Crows Thrift Store started at 2 and included a wide range of vintage mens, womens and unisex clothing. The Temple Bar location provides designer clothing, accessories, wellness paraphernalia and small Irish business concessions. Menswear is available in the White Noise room of the store. American Rapper Machine Gun Kelly and his partner, Megan Fox visited the store in October 2022. The number of homeless children in Ireland has increased by 15pc over the last year. The July figures for overall homelessness have risen for the seventh month in a row, with 14,429 people now living in emergency accommodation. The figure includes 4,401 children an increase of 572 children on the same month last summer. The vast majority of homeless children in Ireland live in Dublin, with 3,289 living in emergency accommodation in the capital. There are 2,096 families living in homelessness in Ireland, an increase of 257 from last year. Almost 60pc of families living in homelessness in Ireland are single-parent families and the majority are based in Dublin. The latest statistics published by the Department of Housing also show that 1,582 more people were in emergency accommodation this summer compared with July 2023, a 12pc increase. Of the 10,028 homeless adults in Ireland, 6,573 were single adults while over 60pc of homeless adults were men. Since the start of this year, local authorities have started to collect data on the number of people being made homeless under different headings: people left homeless as a result of domestic abuse; people left homeless after leaving Direct Provision; people who have arrived in Ireland and cannot find accommodation and people made homeless after family reunification. The Department of Housing has warned that these figures may be understated, as local authorities have just started to collect them. Domestic abuse refuges have already warned that the level of homelessness in victims who flee violent homes is being understated. The latest data claims that only 27 households were made homeless as a result of domestic abuse in the second quarter of the year. Latest figures said the number of households entering homelessness after leaving Direct Provision in the second quarter of the year was 177, and the number of households who were newly arrived to Ireland was 37. The leading cause of homelessness among those who gave a reason was relationship breakdown, which caused 395 households to become homeless. This was followed by a notice of termination in a private rented property, which caused 351 households to present as homeless in the second quarter of the year. The Simon Communities of Ireland said the upcoming Budget and an anticipated general election would present opportunities. If we can get more investment in infrastructure to deliver the homes needed, and the policy change to prevent homelessness, we can increase the number of people leaving homelessness, reduce the number coming in and finally get ahead of this crisis, Wayne Stanley, executive eirector of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said. The latest homelessness report published by government said that in the second quarter of this year, 786 adults left emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created. It said that a further 1,276 adults were prevented from entering emergency accommodation in the first instance. This represents an increase of 13.9pc on the number of exits and an increase of 44.7pc on the number of preventions achieved in Q2 2023, the report said. A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "It is quite clear at this stage that the government's housing plan is not working. In fact it is making things worse. "More adults, children, families, single people and pensioners are homeless today than when this Government took office four years ago. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the latest figures are "utterly heartbreaking" as she called for increased State involvement in housing delivery. She said: "The tragic result is that we now have thousands of children growing up without a place to call home. This Government has utterly thrown in the towel on housing, leaving our most vulnerable to suffer." Comedian Julie Jay: I broke into the costume truck at the Home and Away set and stole a Summer Bay High uniform The funny woman on Irelands slagging culture, bad reviews and why shed rather find her husband Fred Cooke in bed with someone else than catch him napping Comedian and podcaster Julie Jay Aoife Rooney Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 03:30 Julie Jay is a comedian, writer and podcaster. She lives in Dingle, Co Kerry, with her husband and fellow comedian Fred Cooke and their two children. Lighting design experts explain how the right lamp can transform any space, and why a lightbulbs colour temperature is key The technology that lights our homes has changed radically. Twenty years ago, almost all our artificial lighting came from incandescent light bulbs. Now, when a light fitting is sold in any shop across the country, it will have an LED bulb. In many ways, this is a change for the better. LED technology has given us cheaper, more energy-efficient light. Layered lighting schemes are easier to install, more adjustable, and much more accessibly priced. But theres a shadow side. Chukka Lamp In Bronze from Pooky According to a report published by Harvard Health in July, exposure to blue light in screens and LED lights may contribute to causing cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Scary stuff. The problem is blue light, the short wavelength light that typically comes from the sun, but also from digital screens and LED lights. During daylight hours, blue light is good for us. It boosts the mood and increases focus. After sundown, blue light causes problems. At best, it disrupts our circadian rhythm (the bodys internal clock), throwing our sleep out of kilter. At worst, it may cause more serious harm. Stilnovo Meta lamp from Willie Duggan Lighting Theres as yet no proof that exposure to blue light at night time causes these illnesses, but the medical establishment seems to be taking the possibility seriously. Research is ongoing. At the moment, we dont really know how LED lights affect us. But we do know theyre here to stay. Incandescent bulbs were phased out across the EU, to be fully replaced with energy-efficient bulbs by 2012. Leopard Love Shade in Jade with Raddle Table Lamp from Pooky x Matthew Williamson The energy-efficient bulbs of the time were mostly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), coiled light bulbs that poked awkwardly over the top of lampshades. They were made using mercury and had to be disposed of carefully. LEDs were then seen as being mainly fit for Christmas trees. Few foresaw theyd become the industry standard. Its mad, says Monica Duggan of Willie Duggan Lighting, a lighting design consultancy based in Kilkenny. We saw LED technology, grabbed it and ran with it. Now were fighting to recapture the warmth of the incandescent lights we threw out 20 years ago. Nanuk table lamp from Nedgis The conversation about light and health is a major thing. LED technology is great for saving electricity but our eyes are so sensitive that even the smallest change in lighting will affect our health. Blue light is a type of light were not used to. We evolved around the campfire! Not all LEDs are created equal. The better ones can offer excellent quality of light but, as Duggan explains, all LED bulbs are based on blue light technology. As a rule of thumb, the warmer and dimmer the light, the less blue you get. But, even with a filter, LED lighting still has that blue light spike. Gravatino table lamp by Stilnovo from Willie Duggan Lighting For the consumer, its a tricky area to navigate. Unless youre really up to date with the technology, its hard to know what questions to ask before you buy a light. First ask what the colour temperature is, Duggan says. For a light to use at home, youre looking for a colour temperature of 2,400 kelvin or lower. This will give sufficient warmth to mitigate the blue light. Light temperature whether a light appears warm or cold is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K). Daylight is 6,000 K and commercial lighting often around 4,000 K. The lower colour temperature helps mitigate the stimulating effect of blue light. Nanga Lamp from Pooky Duggans second recommendation is to ask for dimmable light. When you know the light is dimmable, ask what percentage is the light dimmable to. Some lamps will only dim to 50pc. Ideally, you want a light that can dim all the way down. The third item on the checklist is to ask if theres a colour rendering index on the bulb. A colour rendering index on a light source indicates its ability to reveal the colours of objects faithfully in comparison to natural light. For example, if you buy a red jumper that looks pink when you get it home, its probably because of poor colour rendering. Sargasso Floor Lamp from Pooky Similarly, when you choose a paint colour that looks right in the showroom but wrong on your own walls, colour rendering is the most likely culprit. Ideally, the answer is 90 but 80 is acceptable. Lower than that and you wont be able to see colours properly, Duggan explains. The more expensive brands include colour rendering in their lighting. In California, theyre not allowed to sell any products with a CRI less than 90. This rule is forcing the manufacturers to produce better quality lights. LZF Kactos lamp at Willie Duggan Lighting In terms of brands, Duggan recommends Stilnova, an Italian company that makes contemporary light fittings often inspired by mid-century designs. Prices start at 184 for the simple Lampiata (1970) but the space age Gravitino 541 table lamp (1969) costs 424. Its made from two spheres, attached by a magnet, which allows the LED light source in the upper sphere to rotate 360 degrees. She also flags the new Kactos light from LZF (885.60). La Dolce Vita Emile 6-light Pendant from Mind the Gap This is a Spanish brand but the designer, Ray Power, is a Kilkenny man. He lives over there but comes home every year to see his family and hed often do a talk with us. Some lighting brands are taking steps to design lights that actively promote healthy sleep. For the past few months, Ive been trialling a Philips Hue Twilight lamp, on loan from Philips Hue for review purposes. This is a bedside light with reading lamp functionality in front and a decorative light behind. According to the marketing material, the Twilight is designed to support your circadian rhythm: it helps you maintain a regular sleep routine, fall asleep peacefully, and wake up feeling more recharged. LZF Link pendant from Willie Duggan Lighting My version of the lamp is black it also comes in white with a hood that makes it look a bit like Darth Vader. Using an app, you can control the colour of each part of the lamp. When you want to go to sleep, you can programme it to fade out over a period of time in a palette of sunset colours. And you can also set it to light up gradually in the morning with colours that mimic sunrise. Suspension Bell pendant light from Nedgis This works surprisingly well. I often find myself waking to the gradual change of light. Its a whole lot better than being jangled awake by an alarm clock. When the Twilight drops in Ireland it will retail at a hefty 279.99. More accessible alternatives include the Wiz Hero table lamp (59.99 from Harvey Norman). It doesnt have the sleep timer but the colour palettes and quality of light are comparable. See willieduggan.com, philips-hue.com and harveynorman.ie It was a miserable evening on January 25, 2013, when Detectives Joe Ryan and Adrian Donohoe were tasked with a routine duty - escorting credit union takings across Cooley Peninsula. Starting from Omeath and ending in the quaint village of Lordship, Co Louth, they remained vigilant due to past burglaries. The cash exchange was made and the convoy of gardai and volunteers began edging their vehicles towards the exit. Everything was going to plan. Suddenly, and at speed, a Volkswagen Passat blocked the stone exit of the carpark. It was an ambush. Four men in balaclavas, two of whom were armed, jumped the rear wall of the credit union. The men with guns ran towards the unmarked garda car that Adrian Donohoe and Joe Ryan were sitting in. Det Gda Donohoe, unaware of the imminent danger, stepped out of the vehicle. He was fatally shot in the head from point-blank range. The assailants grabbed the cash and fled towards Carlingford. The whole incident lasted just 58 seconds. Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent senior journalist Robin Schiller, and Pat Marry, former senior investigating officer on the Adrian Donohoe case. Both men are co-authors of Murder in Lordship: Inside the Hunt for a Detectives Killer. In the first of a two-part special on the 2013 killing of Det Gda Donohoe, they discuss one of Ireland's biggest manhunts, and the years-long detective work that goes into catching a garda killer. This episode was originally published in April 2024. Ennis Hospital recorded a dramatic increase in the number of patients waiting for a bed this August compared to the same period last year. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has released national trolley figures for the month of August. The INMO explained that although overall nationwide figures are lower than last Augusts, a number of hospitals have seen significant increases, including Ennis Hospital, which saw 151 people waiting for a bed compared to 28 patients in 2023. Follow Independent Clare on Facebook This is the highest figure Ennis Hospital has registered in the month of August since 2006. In a statement to the Irish Independent, Friends of Ennis Hospital campaign group chairperson Angela Coll said: Overall in August 151 patients were accommodated in overflow beds in Ennis. That is 151 patients who needed hospital care but did not need the level of acute care which is provided in a model-four facility like UHL [University Hospital Limerick]. We assume that the majority of these patients are from the county of Clare as it is our experience that step-down beds are allocated for patient convenience where possible. It should be noted that during the same period, Nenagh had only 10 overflow patients. This supports our position that Ennis should be the preferred location for a hospital upgrade in the Midwest. It also supports in the interim the proposed use of 20 step-down beds in Ennis as planned by the REO Sandra Broderick to relieve pressure on UHL. We remain hopeful that HIQA will recommend a second ED for our region and consistent data from the INMO not just this month but over the last three years show that demand exists for Ennis Hospital beds. Other hospitals that have seen significant increases include OLOLH Drogheda (from 147 trolleys in August 2023 to 285 in 2024) and Beaumont (from 20 in 2023 to 257 in 2024). The total national trolley figure for the month of August 2024 is 7,838, including 65 children waiting for beds. The most overcrowded hospital this month was University Hospital Limerick (1,215), which was followed by Cork University Hospital (847), University Hospital Galway (748) and Sligo University Hospital (663). The INMO is now calling for an urgent meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce to look at the current situation and review lessons learned ahead of the predicted winter surges. Cork farmer John Arnold and his wife Mary will feature in a new TG4 series from IWR Media, Caomhnoiri na Talun. The TV series will follow five farmers over the course of a year as they farm with nature. The cameras followed the farmers as they create and conserve habitats on their farms, pioneer new ideas and try to find a way to protect wildlife and their living. John Arnold and his wife Mary run a dairy farm outside Bartlemy in east Cork. John has maintained ten per cent of space on the farm for nature and biodiversity, planting trees, letting weeds or wildflowers grow on margins. His hedgerows, potentially one of the richest habitats in any farm landscape, are humming with life in spring and autumn because he lets them grow, only side-trimming once a year. Hawthorn and blackthorn blossom in spring, and in autumn they are bedecked with a bird-feast of red haw and inky blue sloe. As well as home to wren, bullfinch, voles, mice, solitary bees (on cleared banks), these tall hedgerows and the old stone buildings around Johns farm are important feeding and roosting sites for six of the nine species of bat we have here in Ireland including the Natterer and Long-eared bat. Over five years ago, John and Mary as well as forty or so of their Bride Valley farming neighbours joined the flagship farmer-led BRIDE project (Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment). Co-founded by farmers Donal Sheehan, Paul Moore and ecologist Tony Nagle, this agri-environmental scheme secured 1 million in EU funding to pay local farmers to increase habitats and space for nature on their farms. Miles of new hedges were planted and re-instated, bee scrapes, bird boxes and new ponds were put in with payments made on the basis of results. Dairy farmer Donal Sheehan The Bride Valley, Cork also features in the TG4 series. Mr Sheehan set out to increase biodiversity on his land by planting trees and wildflower strips for bees along the margins, stopping the use of rodenticides, letting hedges grow, putting in nettle patches for butterflies. While biodiversity increased on his farm with more songbirds and barn owls returning, Donal knew that such islands would make no material difference to wildlife if the surrounding landscape was a virtual habitat desert. For Donal, any hope of halting biodiversity declines whilst still making a living from farming had to happen at a landscape scale. Other farmers featured in the programme include Padraic O Flaithearta who has a small dry stock suckler herd on Inis Mor; Eoin Collins, who farms a suckler beef herd in Kilfenora; and organic farmer Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, who farms in partnership with her grandmother Catherine on their Limerick farm. Outside Maynooth, Norman Dunne, alongside dad Michael, has switched to a regenerative farming approach which sees him try to rebuild fertility and life in the soil after decades of intensive tillage. The show will be broadcast on Wednesdays on TG4 from September 4 at 8.30pm The green light has been given for construction of a primary care centre at the former Superquinn in Carroll Village Shopping Centre, Dundalk. In granting permission to Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland DAC for the development An Bord Pleanala went against one its inspectors who had recommended a refusal. The proposal is for the partial demolition of the existing shopping centre building and the construction of a 4-storey primary care centre, including a General Practitioners surgery, pharmacy and HSE accommodation Additional works include the provision of an external plant area with a footprint of c.76 sqm, (11.1m x 6.9m) and a height of 2.8m, the relocation of existing site access, car parking for 17 cars and set-down area, erection of new access control barriers, new totem sign, new wall mounted signage, new elevational treatment to the north facade of the shopping centre, site lighting, hard and soft landscaping and all associated site works. The application also states that the development can provide additional car parking for 147 cars in the existing car park which was used to service the former shopping centre. The portion of the site to be developed forms the north-eastern corner of the site. This unit previously operated as the retail anchor unit, Superquinn. Louth County Council granted permission subject to 23 conditions, mainly standard in nature. That decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited (CVRM) who were responsible for the development of the shopping centre and are the current management company. Several grounds of appeal were listed and according to a report from An Bord Pleanalas inspector the crux of the appeal related to the car parking for the development. The appellants raise an objection to the quantum of car parking proposed, its location and impact on the adjoining site and whether the applicant has sufficient legal interest to deliver the car parking spaces. The inspector recommended that planning permission be refused. The development proposal for a primary care centre does not provide a sufficient level of car parking within the site curtilage and the application does not include any details as to the exact location of the remainder of the parking spaces which are required in accordance with Table 13.11 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027. The proposed development would fail to engage with the existing streetscape which is designated as a regeneration area. The layout of the development would not provide active frontage to The Laurels, which would help to animate the street, and which would support the D1 Regeneration zoning objective for the site. Therefore, the proposal would not be in accordance with the policies and objectives of the Louth County Development Plan and would not be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the areas, the inspector stated. However, the Board decided to grant permission. The Board decided that the matter of carparking is adequately addressed by condition requiring the provision of adequate carparking as per the requirements and calculations of the Planning Authority in respect of the County Development Plan, in advance of commencement of development. The Board agreed with the PA that the revised drawings, details and information showing the public realm space integrated and considered in conjunction with the public footpath at the southern boundary and the activation generated by the development at this location would help to animate the street which would adequately support the D1 Regeneration Zoning objective for the site. Twenty-one mainly standard conditions were attached. Minister of State James Lawless with the newly arrived AW189 helicopter one of six which have been ordered at Weston Airport. The first of the new Coast Guard helicopters have arrived in Ireland with one scheduled to be based soon in Sligo. Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for the Coast Guard, James Lawless welcomed the arrival into Weston Airport of the first AW189 helicopter in the Irish Coast Guards new aircraft fleet. The full fleet will comprise six AW189 helicopters, five of which will be newly-built, along with two fixed-wing aircraft. The helicopters will be stationed at Weston (Dublin), Sligo, Waterford and Shannon, providing day and night, year-round availability. The Fixed Wing aircraft service will be located in Shannon. The fleet will enable the Irish Coast Guard to continue to provide world-class maritime, coastal and inland Search and Rescue services, which have saved the lives of over 300 people in 2024 alone. The aircraft fleet will also be used for environmental monitoring, and for other essential services including helicopter emergency medical and Air Ambulance Services on behalf of the HSE and National Ambulance Service. Welcoming the arrival, Minister Lawless said: This is an exciting milestone in the introduction of the new aviation service of the Irish Coast Guard. This fleet will enhance the Coast Guards capability to deliver a world class search and rescue and maritime environment monitoring services, along with the essential aviation support service they provide to other State organisations including the National Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana, and National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Services. Coast Guard personnel are incredibly committed to assisting the public, sometimes in extremely challenging situations. This new fleet ensures that the highest standards of safety and professionalism continue to be met, as they carry out their life-saving work. The aircraft service will be operated by Bristow Ireland Limited under a ten-year contract which will become fully operational in July 2025. Both the helicopters and Fixed Wing aircraft feature a new Coast Guard livery. In the coming weeks, Search and Rescue providers including Coast Guard Volunteers, RNLI, Community Inshore Rescue and Mountain Rescue teams will work with the new helicopter, conducting exercises that replicate everyday search and rescue activities. Transition from the existing contract is scheduled to commence on 31st October 2024, when Bristow will assume responsibility for Shannon-based operations. The intervening time will be used for training and conducting familiarisation exercises before it is put into active service. Three other bases (Sligo, Waterford, and Dublin Weston) will transition to the new contracted service on a phased basis between now and July 2025. The AW 189 is a modern, technologically advanced, and fuel-efficient helicopter. The technical specifications of the AW189 fully meet and, indeed, exceed the requirements for the full range of aviation taskings operated by the Irish Coast Guard. Director of Bristow Ireland, Philip Bartlett, said: Its great to see this helicopter here at its new home in Ireland. The scheduled process for introducing the new SAR service for the Irish Coast Guard is now well under way. We will be phasing in new equipment and new technology to this trusted, life-saving service throughout the transition period. 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. Enniscorthy is well on its way to revive Enniscorthy Scouts, a community group that has not been seen in the town for over 30 years. Sarah Kelly, one of the key organisers of this reboot, was inspired to get involved after missing out on the experience herself as a young child. "It has been a long long time. There was no scouts groups in Enniscorthy when I was growing up and I was born in 1993. I would have loved to have taken part and I know my mam would have as well, she said. The process of even getting the group to the stage where they can look for applicants has been a long and arduous one, first coming up with the idea last year and holding their first meeting at the start of this year. The small initial party were spending a large chunk of their time trying to reach the minimum number of 12 trained volunteers before experiencing a set back. In a Facebook post in May, Ms Kelly said: it kills me to write this post, but so many volunteers have backed out of scouts. We still have a few committed members, but to get this going we need at least 6 more who can actually give their time. Luckily things have changed drastically in the last few months with seven skilled volunteers and another three set to be trained. They need a certain amount of volunteers to the number of children, but have consulted with other established groups in Wexford for advice. "From what I have gathered by speaking with other groups is that there tends to be 20 to 30 children per group. So there is a good crowd, but manageable, she said. After getting involved in various community groups in the town over the last two years including Templeshannon Youth Club, and having a six year old, she believes that there is not many options for children to explore creativity through structured activities. "There is not really anything to do in Enniscorthy creatively. We should have a bit more pride in our town and a lot of established groups are very closed in on themselves and not communally accessible for everyone. With scouts they will be able to go on nature walks, learn to camp, paint fairy doors. It will be a great addition to the town, she said. The organisation held a fundraising event on Friday August 16 in the form of a table quiz with 11 full tables, resulting in 780 raised for the re-emerging club. Better yet, the team who placed first and won the 100 cash prize donated the money back to the scouts. "It just shows you the kindness of people and the night was just a great show of encouragement, she said. While Ms Kelly has received a lot of support from Julie Grant from the Wexford Development Group, the group will still rely heavily on donations. "We can get tents donated, but we need items like pots and pans, and paper and pencils. Its the uniforms that are the big thing, she said. The group also has plans to organise more fundraiser events to get the ball, and applications, rolling as they have set September 10 as their registration day at Tir na Siamsa Creche, Daphne View. An intrepid Wicklow man taking on the charity challenge of a lifetime in tribute to his beloved father is pressing ahead with his plans to climb the 6,500m Mera Peak in Nepal this October despite his party backing out. Originally from Romania, Arklow resident and avid climber Alin Leo Chereches will be jetting off to Kathmandu on October 8 to realise two long-held aspirations scaling one of the most challenging peaks on earth and paying tribute to his late father Iosifs memory by raising vital funds for Arklow Cancer Support. Fuelled by the devastating loss of his father, who died of cancer 10 years ago, 48-year-old Alin has been working hard to prepare his body for the sub-freezing temperatures and ever-decreasing supply of oxygen hell face on his epic ascent. Last month, a spanner was thrown in the works when Alin received a phone call from the organiser of the excursion to say that the other party members had to back out, asking whether he wanted to cancel the trip and postpone it until next year. Having set a date, raised funds and spent long months of planning, preparation and practice on some of Irelands tallest mountains, Alin promptly told them he could not back out and although the Mera climb is usually done in groups of seven to nine climbers, he simply had to keep going. I was due to give the organiser of the trip the money for flights a couple of weeks ago, and he rang me, and told me that the other lads on the trip had to cancel, Alin said. He asked me if I wanted to cancel the trip altogether, and push it back to 2025, but I said to him: There is no way I can cancel it I have raised money from all these people, and I cant just say Im not going now. So, he asked me if Id mind going on my own, and I said not really, so we agreed. Then he told me that there is another guy from Galway who is booking his own flights, and he might join in with me and I was fine with that. So, I dont really know what is going to happen, but I might end up walking up it by myself! You are usually supposed to be in small groups of seven to nine people when you do these climbs, but I have put in so much planning and preparation, I just have to do it, he continued. I have been training a lot in the gym over the last few months, trying to do about 20,000 steps a day and climbing some of the big mountains around Ireland like Carrantuohill, Croagh Patrick and Lugnaquilla at weekends and on my days off. Im very excited, and looking on the internet at other peoples trips, it gives me more energy and power. Its been a lot of time and work, but I have to keep going. A bit like when youre up there on the mountain, you have a certain amount of time to do the climb, and you cant take a day off you have to keep going. As he prepares for his epic challenge, Alins experience climbing Everest base camp two years ago and his dedication to a rigorous training regime in the Wicklow mountains will stand him in good stead. Outlining his hopes for the fundraiser, Alin said that he does not want to be seen as a hero, and simply wants to raise as much money for the vital work Arklow Cancer Support provides in his community. Ever since my father died, I have always wanted to do something for a cancer charity in his memory, and knowing of the fantastic work done by Arklow Cancer Support and how great the community has treated me, they were always the ones I wanted to do it for, he said. Its not about me, and I dont want it to be about me. Im no hero. I just want to make sure I raise as much money as possible for the people who really need it. I have received some donations online, and a few hundred Euro through sponsorship cards, which is great. Ive never fundraised like this before, so its all a bit new to me. I have been told that the donations usually pick up when someone is doing their challenge, or when they have completed, so Im hoping that is the case with mine, and I can give Arklow Cancer Support an amount that makes them happy. To support Alins challenge for Arklow Cancer Support, visit gofund.me/7c47fc6a A former restaurant on Bray seafront that was widely revered by critics and customers alike for its Italian cuisine, has come on the market with a price tag of 500,000. Described by agents Vincent Finnegan Commercial as a charming, turnkey restaurant, ideally located on Bray's scenic seafront promenade, it is in walk-in condition for anyone who wants to take a punt on another eatery in a pretty competitive environment. Not that the previous owners of Ripasso, the restaurant that last occupied the space, struggled to make a fist of it when it first opened in August 2019. It was easily one of the best Italian restaurants on the east coast and prided itself on serving authentic food and wine imported from the Liguria region, in the North West of Italy. Sadly, as with so many businesses, particularly in hospitality, Covid was a sucker punch for it and while it did survive, it came out bruised on the other side and last April the Recchia brothers closed the doors. While efforts to retain an extension to the dining area at the front were unsuccessful, the main building itself had been renovated to a very high standard and it retains the charm and warmth the restaurant was known for, occupying the ground floor of a period building and featuring a well-equipped kitchen, prep area, bar, dining room, restrooms and a covered terrace. It is in a prime location on the promenade, a particularly attractive and bustling area with plenty of footfall, being popular with both locals and tourists, providing excellent passing trade. The property measures circa 100sqm internally and circa145sqm in total when including the covered terrace and al fresco dining area. A list of equipment and contents are available on request. 2024 rates: 3,135 Linda Nolan says tumours in her brain have grown again after originally shrinking (PA) 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.' Linda Nolan and Coleen Nolan (Ian West/PA) 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. Irish comedian Joanne McNally, who is adopted, has met her half-brothers for the first time. The My Therapist Ghosted Me host explained that her biological father moved to Australia after she was adopted, and she now has four Australian brothers. Meeting my half-brothers was wild, adopted out of Roscommon in the 80s, (or 90s depending on whos asking), found my birth father a few years ago, she wrote online. A sound man who had very understandably legged it to Oz, to be fair to him he said he was going anyway. Id already upcycled myself to Dublin thank God (jokes, Rossis are hardcore) and Im assuming thats why even though I was adopted into the fragile world of darts and the Ugg boot, Ive never broken a bone, Ive hair like an industrial sized Brillo pad. I was just as allergic to Dublin rugby players as they were to me. I almost scored a rugby lad once, it seemed like a good fit cos I kind of sound like a rugby ball. But ultimately we both knew there was something off, we were like two aliens trying to make an animal balloon out of jelly, I reckon it was the Roscommon in me being horrified and vice versa. Joannr with her 26 year old half brother. Joanne met Conor, Paddy, Finbar and Ronan in Edinburgh. She thinks she is the image, of two of them. But she also paid tribute to her adopted brother Conor McNally, saying that she would never swap him, unless it was for Keanu Reeves. Anyway, Kevin bio dad had a rake of Ozzie sons, and we hung out in Edinburgh and personally I think Im the image of Conor and Paddy, mad to see myself as a man, she added. Finbar and Ronan also feature, four great brand new brothers. Shout out to my full brother @conor.mcnally.1978 who I would never swap, unless it was for Keanu Reeves or someone and then obviously, Id have a conversation. The last photo is me being mesmerised by my own reflection in a 26 year old man. Oasis: Mancunian rockers who took on the world before their acrimonious split Oasis have released a statement warning against tickets being resold above face value with tickets already listed for thousands on resale sites like Viagogo. We have noticed people attempting to sell tickets on the secondary market since the start of the pre-sale. Please note, tickets can ONLY be resold, at face value, via Ticketmaster and Twickets, a post on the bands official X account reads. "Tickets sold in breach of the terms and conditions will be canceled by the promoters. Some fans managed to secure tickets through Friday evenings pre-sale ballot before the general sale begins on Saturday morning. Oasis tickets went on sale for fans who managed to secure early access codes prior to the general sale. The Ticketmaster website says presale happening now on its Oasis Tickets page and fans will be battling it out to secure their place in the crowd at one of the shows taking place across the UK and Ireland in 2025. Those who were successful in the ballot are not necessarily guaranteed success at obtaining tickets as they are being sold on a first come first served basis. Liam Gallagher performing at the Trnsmt Festival in July (Michael Boyd/PA) Those unable to secure tickets will join the masses on Saturday morning hoping to land a space at one of the rock bands gigs next summer. The Manchester Britpop band previously warned fans to not buy presale codes or transfer them to someone else as they only work with the registered email address. Tickets for their 15 UK shows in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff will go on sale at 9am on Saturday while the sale for their two Dublin gigs will launch at 8am. The band had to reassure fans earlier this week that confirmation emails would be sent to those who had entered the ballot after they claimed to receive an unprecedented volume of interest. To enter the ballot, fans had to say who the bands original drummer was, and were 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 were also asked how many times they had seen the band. Liam and Noel Gallagher (Fiona Hanson/PA) Prices for a seat to watch the band at Londons Wembley Stadium begin at 74.25, 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. Standing tickets at Wembley will cost fans 151.25, with the same tickets in Cardiff and Edinburgh slightly cheaper at 150 and 151 respectively. In the bands home city of Manchester, tickets start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury packages. Before the announcement for the UK shows, Irish promoter MCD said on its website that the price of both of the two Croke Park gigs in Dublin will start at 86.50 euros (72.75) without booking fees. 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 Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam announced on Tuesday that they had put their acrimonious split behind them, confirming the bands long-awaited reunion by saying: The great wait is over. Fans have been urging the brothers to regroup since they disbanded 15 years ago, a split prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris in 2009. It has not been announced who will be performing with Liam and Noel as part of Oasis. 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. 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 The band also released a 30th-anniversary edition of their debut album Definitely Maybe on Friday. The new edition of the groups 1994 debut album will feature outtakes, demos and alternate versions of songs recorded at the time, as well as a remastered version of the original LP. The release is available as a four-LP vinyl box set, a two-CD set, coloured vinyl, cassette and digitally. Princes Harry and William havent spoken to each other in more than two years after Harrys Spare allegations. Photo: Getty The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex both attended their uncles funeral but attendees said the brothers appeared to be keeping their distance. Prince William and Prince Harry discreetly attended the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, who was married to Princess Dianas sister Jane. It was previously reported that Harry would have to miss his uncles funeral due to security issues. It is reported to be the first time they have been in the same room together this year amid their bitter ongoing rift. The brothers were said to have sat apart at the back of the church in Snettisham, Norfolk, during the funeral service. A source told the Sun: I didnt know they were there. They arrived very discreetly. Another nearby resident added: William and Harry were both there but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance. 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, and the explosive interview Prince Harry and Meghan gave to Oprah Winfrey. The rift was exacerbated by the publication of Harry's memoir Spare in January last year that levelled further accusations against his family. Lord Robert Fellowes, who was private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II during the 1990s and was by her side dealing with problems including the fire at Windsor Castle and the death of Diana, died aged 82 on July 29. Harrys security arrangements mean he has to inform the authorities about any travel plans back to the UK 28 days in advance, making it very difficult for him to attend events such as funerals at short notice. The Prince and his wife Meghan stepped down from Britains working monarchy in 2020 and Harry said last month it was still dangerous for Meghan to return to the UK. In the ITV documentary Tabloids On Trial, the Duke said: All it takes is one lone actor, one person who reads this stuff to act on what they have read and whether its a knife or acid, whatever it is, and these are things that are of genuine concern for me. Its one of the reasons why I wont bring my wife back to this country. He lost a High Court challenge against the Home Office in February over a decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK, but he has been given the green light to appeal. During the case, the court was told Harry believes his children cannot feel at home in the UK if it is not possible to keep them safe there and that he faces a greater risk than his late mother, with additional layers of racism and extremism. Slow down, have fun and leave genital touch out for a bit Irish sex therapists advice to enhance your sex life Whether in a couple, a throuple, ethically non-monogamous or happily practising nothing but self love, there are plenty of ways to enhance your sex life. Here, Irish sex therapists and educators share the one piece of advice they would give to people looking to increase their satisfaction between the sheets Don't focus on end-goals when being intimate. Photo: Stock/Getty Kirsty Blake Knox Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 03:30 Couples and psychosexual therapist Linsey Blair thinks removing sexual goals when having sex can be hugely helpful. The child cries as she is lectured in the toilet Two passengers on a flight sparked a backlash in China after they locked up a toddler in an airplane toilet to stop her from crying. Lawyer for Telegram boss Pavel Durov takes aim at absurd arrest X boss Elon Musk has also hit out at case Telegram owner Pavel Durov has been arrested in France relating to criminal activity among users of the app. Photo: AP Gabriel Stargardter Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 03:30 A lawyer for Telegram boss Pavel Durov, who is the target of an unprecedented investigation in France, yesterday said it was absurd to suggest the head of a social network was responsible for any criminal acts committed on the platform. Russia and Ukraine urged to stop fighting near nuclear power plants as risk of catastrophe looms UN issues a stark warning to both sides over potential accident Rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, amid the ongoing attack. Photo: Reuters Lucy Papachristou Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 03:30 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. It said Wassem Hazem, identified as the commander of Hamas in the volatile city of Jenin, was killed in a car it said contained weapons, ammunition and large quantities of cash. Two other Hamas gunmen were killed by a drone while trying to escape from the vehicle, it said. Only we who paid the highest price have the right to say: between the river and the sea, everyone must be free: peacemakers meet the Pope The writer Colum McCann joins Palestinian Muslim, an Israeli Jew and a Christian Palestinian as they are welcomed into the papal apartments as emissaries of hope Pope Francis meets Colum McCann (left) and Palestinian and Israeli representatives. Photo: Simone Risoluti Colum McCann Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 03:30 There is a spectacular work of art in the entranceway to the papal apartments in the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican. Two metres high, it is an orange life vest encased in a transparent resin that forms the centrepiece of a crucifix. It brings immediately to mind the plight of the worlds refugees. The crucifix stops you. It questions you with its outstretched arms. It pauses you on the high seas of faith. Doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perrys death to appear in court Dr Mark Chavez agreed to co-operate with prosecutors as they pursue others, including the doctor he worked with to sell ketamine to Perry Matthew Perry at the GQ Men of the Year Party in 2022 (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Andrew Dalton Fri 30 Aug 2024 at 10:00 One of two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perrys death will appear in court in Los Angeles on Friday, where he is expected to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine. 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. Representational image by Jernej Furman from Slovenia via Wikimedia Commons San Francisco/IBNS: American artificial intelligence (AI) start-up OpenAI is gearing up for a significant funding round that could value it at over $100 billion, and two of the biggest US-headquartered global tech companies are in talks to join this investment funding round, reports said. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, California-based tech giant Apple and chipmaker Nvidia are looking to invest in OpenAI. Satya Nadella's Microsoft is one of the biggest investors in OpenAI. The Wall Street Journal report also reveals that the next round of OpenAIs funding is being led by Thrive Capital, which could value OpenAI at more than $100 billion. Malaysia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash India and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in the field of tourism. The MoU was signed on Aug 20 between Minister of Tourism and Culture from India Ganjendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Y B Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. The main objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding, among others, are: promotion and marketing of tourism products and services; expansion in the field of tourism research, training and development, including exchange programmes; encourage investment in tourism infrastructure, facilities, products and services; exchanging information in the field of medical tourism and encouraging stakeholders to promote the product; business tourism, which includes meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE); promoting cooperation between tourism stakeholders, tour operators and travel agents; promotion and development of community-based tourism and eco-tourism and responsible tourism. Malaysia is one of the important inbound tourist source markets for India. In the year 2022, over 2.5 lacs Malaysian tourists visited India. "It is hoped that the Memorandum of Understanding will give further llip to tourist arrivals from Malaysia," the Indian government said in a statement. Photo Courtesy: UNOCHA/Medecins Sans Frontieres As the crisis in the West Bank continues to escalate alongside the ongoing war in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory. Guterress intervention late Wednesday comes amid one of the biggest Israeli Security Forces (ISF) operations in the West Bank in years the ISF insists against terrorists - with raids, airstrikes including drones that by Thursday had killed 17 people, according to Palestinian media. In a statement, the spokesperson for the UN chief said that he was deeply concerned by airstrikes in Tulkarm and Tubas governorates which caused casualties and damage to public infrastructure. The UN Secretary-General also strongly condemned the loss of lives, including childrens. Palestinian authority undermined In his appeal for an end to the violence in the West Bank, the Secretary-General maintained that the latest dangerous developments were fuelling an already explosive situation in the occupied West Bank and further undermining the Palestinian Authority there. The UN chief also called for the status quo to be maintained at Jerusalems holy sites, as he expressed deep concern about the recent dangerous and provocative acts and statements by Israels national security minister, after his recent visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is known to Jews as Temple Mount. The Israeli military should also comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, Guterres insisted, as he urged Israel to protect civilians and ensure their safety [and] to exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable. In addition, all those injured in the Israeli manoeuvres must have access to medical care, while aid teams must be able to reach everyone in need, he said. Security Council to gather The UN chiefs comments precede a hastily convened Security Council meeting on the escalating crisis in New York later on Thursday, at the request of the United Kingdom. The Members of the UNs top forum - whose purpose is the maintenance of international peace and security are set to gather against the destabilizing backdrop of rising tensions and heavy exchanges of fire between northern Israel and Hezbollah fighters based in southern Lebanon in addition to the war in Gaza. On Wednesday, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, warned that the Israeli militarys actions risked further enflaming an already explosive situation citing multiple airstrikes 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. Settler violence in spotlight Three of the fatalities, including the two boys, were killed while they were passing by the targeted houselocated in one of the small and crammed alleyways in the camp, OHCHR said, citing multiple sources. The UN office warned that the situation in the Occupied West Bank could worsen dramatically if the Israeli military continues to systematically use unlawful lethal force and ignore violence perpetrated by settlers. Gaza: Polio campaign nears readiness In Gaza, meanwhile, UN aid teams confirmed that a mass polio campaign aiming to protect all children under 10 years old is set to begin this Sunday. Dire sanitary conditions and constant evacuation orders linked to ongoing operations by the Israeli military have led to the outbreaks of multiple preventable diseases, polio included. Last week, a 10-month old baby whose mother raised the alarm when he stopped crawling became the first person to contract polio in the enclave in 25 years. A lack of water, healthcare and humanitarian access has formed a perfect storm of conditions" in which polio reemerged in Gaza, said Sam Rose, Senior Deputy Field Director for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine Refugees. At least 3,000 workers will ensure that more than 640,000 children under the age of 10 will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine type 2. The campaign is a joint UN operation involving UNRWA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the UN Childrens Fund. Photo Courtesy: PID Bangladesh The interim government in Bangladesh has decided to scrap the law which ensures additional security for the family members of country's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by considering it a 'discriminatory policy'. Following the decision, former PM Sheikh Hasina and her family members will no longer enjoy special security. The interim cabinet decided to scrap the law in its fourth meeting on Thursday following a proposal by the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, told bdnews24.com. This [interim] government is an outcome of the Anti-discrimination Movement. The security agencies do not feel this special security system is needed and it seems to be a discriminatory law. On this ground, the law will be repealed, she said. Sheikh Hasina's former Awami League government passed the "Father of the Nation Security of Family Members Act, 2009 (Act No. 63 of 2009)" following a victory in the ninth general elections of the country. Besides, the law had provisions for safe residence and other necessary benefits for each family member. A gazette was issued in May 2015 to provide special security and facilities as per the law, bdnews24.com. Amid violent protests, Sheikh Hasina escaped to India earlier this month, creating a political vacuum in the country. The student protest which was initially held against job quota soon spiralled to violent protests demanding the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. The protests left over 300 people dead in the South Asian country which voted Hasina to power for another term in January. Following Hasina's immediate exit from Bangladesh, the country's President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved the parliament. Hasina is now facing 75 cases including murder charges. Latest case against Hasina A fresh case has been filed against 35 people, including former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the killing of journalist Hasan Mahmud. Hasan Mahmud's wife, Fatema, filed the complaint with Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubul Haque's court on Thursday, Dhaka Tribune reported. The court accepted the complaint and directed the Khilgaon police to register the case. Javed Akhtar thinks that the 20th and 21st century is a time of schizophrenia where people have split personalities. The renowned Bollywood lyricist and screenwriter who calls himself an atheist made this statement at an event in Mumbai. While saying so, he gave an example of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists and indirectly called them schizophrenics. Javed Akhtar compares religion with schizophrenia He was quoted as saying, "A man in India from ISRO, who can send a rocket to the precise place of moon... But moon had Chandra Lok, devi-devtas used to live there, you are sending a rocket there, and the moment you send it, you go out and you go to the temple. This is schizophrenia. It has happened for the first time in human history where your own knowledge and information, which you own, and your faith are not on the same page". JAVED AKHTAR EXPLAINS ATHEISM - PROMO Watch the full show at 2 pm pic.twitter.com/5hioJx8HnY Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) June 10, 2020 Not just that, he also said that all religions have their roots in the dark ages. Giving another analogy, he said that their umbilical cord has not been cut from the dark ages. He said this at Expresso, a conversation series that was held in Mumbai. For the unversed, ISRO scientists visited Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Temple at the launch of Aditya L1 on September 2 to pray for the success of India's first solar mission. Akhtar was perhaps talking about his incident. Space agency chief S Somanath, who is hailed as the hero of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, had once said that he explores both science as well as spirituality after a temple visit. #WATCH | On his visit to Pournamikavu, Bhadrakali Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, ISRO Chairman S Somanath says, "I am an explorer. I explore the Moon. I explore the inner space. So it's a part of the journey of my life to explore both science and spirituality. So I visit many pic.twitter.com/QkZZAdDyX3 ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2023 Meanwhile, Javed Akhtar was last seen in Angry Young Men, a docu-series that explored his life, story, and collaboration with Salim Khan. Do you agree with his opinion on religion and schizophrenia? Let us know in the comments section below. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Shah Rukh Khan may have topped the Hurun India Rich List with a jaw-dropping net worth of 7,300 crore, but lets not forget the remarkable presence of Hrithik Roshan, who has secured the spot as Indias second richest actor. Pinterest Hurun India Rich List 2024: Hrithik Roshan According to the Hurun India Rich List 2024, Hrithik Roshans fortune is estimated at a staggering 2,000 crore. Thats rightdespite appearing in just seven films over the past decade, Roshan has amassed a wealth that sets him apart in the Bollywood sphere. His impressive net worth isnt just from his acting career but also from his diverse income streams. Roshan earns an astonishing 27 lakh daily and commands between 75 to 100 crore per film. His annual earnings hover around 260 crore. Additionally, the actors brand endorsements further bolster his income. He charges between 10 to 12 crore for each endorsement deal and 4 to 5 crore for sponsored social media posts. A significant chunk of his net worth comes from his successful athleisure brand, HRX, which has become a popular name in fitness fashion. Roshans social media influence also contributes to his earnings, with 32.3 million followers on Twitter amplifying his brand's reach. India's second wealthiest actor Hrithik Roshan's journey began in 2000 with his debut film, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. Since then, hes climbed the success ladder with impressive speed, becoming a household name and earning a place among Indias wealthiest actors. On work front, Hrithik Roshan will be next seen in Ayan Mukerji's War 2. It is a sequel to the 2019 action-thriller film War. The film, slated to be released in theatres in 2025, stars Kiara Advani and N.T. Rama Rao Jr too. The sequel will take the narrative forward for Hrithik's character of Major Kabir Dhaliwal, a Raw agent, who was shown to have gone rogue in the first part of the film. For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. When it comes to summer style, Karishma Tanna has been serving up major fashion inspiration straight from the sun-soaked shores of Mykonos. The actress has been dazzling her followers with a variety of chic outfits during her recent trip, turning her Instagram feed into a lookbook of beachside glamour. From effortlessly elegant maxi dresses to sizzling swimwear, Karishmas Mykonos wardrobe is nothing short of a fashionistas dream. So, lets dive into her stunning looks and get inspired by her summer style! Karishma Tanna: A lookbook of her fashion highlights from Mykonos In one of the recent pictures, the TV actress is seen in a selfie with a hat, a bikini top, a loosely-fit white shirt and some golden accessories. She is seen pouting in the picture with minimal glam, perfect for the beach. In another one, Karishma Tanna gives a panoramic view of people soaking in Mykonos' sunny skies, lounging on beach beds in their swimwear while she enjoyed food and drinks with her beau in a beachside cafe. Take a look: Credit: IG/karishma tanna Read More: Karishma Tanna's skincare hack is rubbing ice on her face, here are its benefits In one of her posts, Karishma was seen in a beige vest and skirt co-ord set with a black bikini, Miu Miu flats and a straw sling bag. She captioned it as, "Waiting,Wishing, Thinking. Mykonos, old town, village , travel, greece." With the caption, "Myko baby," the actress shared another cool look. Karishma wore printed multi-coloured pants with white bikini top, a Dior hat, a pair of sunnies and a large straw tote. One of the first looks that Karishma posted from Greece was from the beach where she wore a printed green flowy dress, a pair of sunglasses and Miu Miu flats. For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Actor Dileep is allegedly the one controlling the so-called 'power group' in Malayalam cinema, which the Justice Hema Commission mentioned in its recently released report. According to the Hema Committee, a 15-member group, comprising certain actors who are also producers, distributors, exhibitors, or directors, was in full control of the Malayalam film industry. CREDIT: BCCL Names on Hema Committee Report not made public While the Hema Committee Report, released to the public after redacting 63 pages from the original 295-page report, did not mention any names, a local news channel on Thursday claimed that the ringleader of the power group was actor Dileep, who is also a producer and distributor for films. Is Dileep the head of power group? According to Kerala-based Reporter TV, Dileep controlled various bodies in the Malayalam film industry, including AMMA, until the actress assault case in 2017, in which he was one of the accused. CREDIT: BCCL According to the report, using his influence, Dileep was able to shadow-ban actors including Prithviraj, Kunchacko Boban, Parvathy Thiruvoth, Bhavana, and more. Even after the 2017 actress assault case, the power group allegedly tried to silence the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). Also read: The implosion of AMMA, the Malayalam actors' body that was once so powerful to shadow-ban even some big names Dileep's influence on Malayalam film industry The allegations do not come as a surprise, as many had suspected for a long time that Dileep had a powerful hold over the Malayalam film industry. Many had pointed out AMMA's initial reaction to the actress assault case and the actor body's reluctance to condemn Dileep or expel him as evidence of his influence. Actor Mohanlal had then courted controversy by claiming that while he stood with the victim, he was also praying for Dileep. Other than being an actor, Dileep also owns a film production company called Grand Productions and a multiplex called D Cinemaas. Dileep was also the producer of Twenty:20, a 2008 multi-star film that was produced on behalf of AMMA. CREDIT: BCCL What Hema Committee said on power group The Kerala Government had appointed the Justice Hema Committee to investigate alleged sexual abuses in the film industry following the actress attack case. In its report, among other findings, the Hema Committee also pointed out that several actors had given statements that they were banned from cinema by the power group. CREDIT: BCCL "If a member of the power group is not pleased with someone in cinema, however efficient he may be, because of even personal prejudice, all the members of the power group join hands, and such a person is prevented from working in cinema," the Hema Committee report stated. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Rajat Dalal, a self-proclaimed fitness influencer, who was granted bail in June after being arrested for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting an 18-year-old student over an Instagram post, has once again found himself at the center of controversy. This time, Dalal is facing severe backlash after being involved in a hit-and-run incident on a highway in the Delhi-NCR region. The shocking event, which was captured on video by a passenger in the rear seat of Dalals vehicle, has sparked widespread outrage on social media. Viral video reveals shocking details The disturbing footage shows Rajat Dalal recklessly speeding through a congested highway, at one point accelerating to a dangerous 143 kmph. The situation took a turn for the worse when Dalal's vehicle struck a motorcyclist, resulting in a loud impact. The video captures the woman sitting beside him, addressing Dalal as Sir, expressing her concern: Sir, sir, sir, gir gaya woh, aise mat karo (He has fallen down, please dont do this). To this, Dalal responded nonchalantly, Woh gir gaya koi baat nahi (Its okay that he fell). In a similar incident elsewhere, Social Media influencer Rajat Dalal while overspeeding at 140 kms/hr hit a bike rider and didn't even bother to stop. Later says 'wo Gir gaya koi baat nahi, Roz ka yahi kaam hai ma'am'. There won't be police action because... No complaint https://t.co/HpVfsZLOjo pic.twitter.com/mcqRRJgf2e Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) August 29, 2024 Adding to the shock, Dalal is heard casually admitting, Roz ka yahi kaam hai maam (This is my daily routine, maam). The video quickly went viral, leading to an outpouring of anger on social media, with many calling for strict action against Dalal. The video was widely shared, including by prominent journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, where it has already garnered over 280,000 views and numerous comments. This video has come to the notice of the district administration and Faridabad police. Although no complaint has been made to the police in this matter. But the police administration has taken cognizance of this incident on its own and started action. The investigation is going DC Faridabad (@DC_Faridabad) August 30, 2024 Responding to Zubairs post, the Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad stated, This video has come to the notice of the district administration and Faridabad police. Although no complaint has been made to the police in this matter, the police administration has taken cognizance of this incident on its own and started action. The investigation is going on. Strict action will be taken against the culprit. Social media erupts in anger over the incident The incident has triggered a wave of reactions across social media platforms, with users expressing their disgust and calling for accountability. One X user commented, Strong action should be taken against this. Humanity has vanished from people like these. Another user expressed their frustration, saying, This is clear case of overspeeding and hit and run. Whats tragic is he had no remorse. On Reddit, the video was shared in the subreddit r/IndiaSpeaks, where users further voiced their outrage. Seen countless videos of this guy doing rash driving, breaking tolls and what not. His DL should be revoked & he should be charged with BNS-118 for causing intentional harm & reckless driving, one user suggested. Others echoed sentiments of lawlessness and abuse of power in India. One user remarked, "He may have few judges in his family, but the state has the power to revoke DL. He shouldn't be allowed to drive any vehicle in India." Another user lamented, "India is a lawless country, and we deserve every bit of hate we get online and in foreign countries." A fourth comment read, "Man, this country has gone to the dogs. The state of lawlessness is incredible." Yet another user pointed out, "People like him are proof that laws were made to protect the rich and powerful." In a related development, Aditya Chauhan, a lawyer based in Delhi, has filed a formal complaint against Dalal with the Delhi traffic police. Towards the end of the viral video, Dalal is heard asking the woman beside him if shes one of those good human beings, followed by his realization that the person in the rear seat had been filming the entire incident. Rajat Dalal's earlier legal troubles Rajat Dalals recent actions are not an isolated incident. In June of this year, Dalal was arrested in Ahmedabad after assaulting an 18-year-old boy. The conflict began when the boy posted a selfie taken at Dalal's gym on social media, accompanied by a caption criticizing Dalal. Enraged, Dalal tracked down the boy, kidnapped him in his Thar vehicle, and, along with his associates, subjected him to brutal physical abuse. Also Read: Anupam Mittal shares how he became a millionaire, lost it all, and rebuilt with Shaadi.com The assault was recorded by Dalal and his associates, who forced the boy to endure physical humiliation, including applying cow dung to his face. When the boy lost consciousness, they urinated on him. The video of this horrific act was later released by Dalal and his accomplices. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. After receiving criticism from Indian users, social media platform X suspended the account of 'Barry Stanton'. The account, notorious for its abusive and racist comments directed at Indians and Indian immigrants, was condemned by Indian users who highlighted Stanton's offensive tweets. With over 1.8 lakh followers, the account was notorious for its nasty drawings and memes. Posts contained explicit representations of Indians in filthy conditions, as well as nasty statements about forcing Indians away from "white neighbourhoods". The account allegedly made harsh comments regarding Jews and Africans. Several Indian users chastised X owner Elon Musk for not suspending the account sooner. The suspension became a popular issue on X, with the hashtag #Suspended trending nationally by Friday morning. Who is Barry Stanton? According to his bio, Barry Stanton is a British national and a father of five. However, investigations discovered that the images associated with the account were of a different pensioner from Worcestershire. According to reports, the 'Barry Stanton' account could be a satire or a vehicle for racist beliefs hidden behind a phoney identity. The account's objectionable content had been active for years and had thousands of retweets. One tweet that criticized an Indian school lesson earned almost 4,000 retweets. Why did Barry's account get suspended? X user Akshit Singh brought the contentious account to the attention of Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw and the UK High Commission. He asked for a probe into the account's activities, claiming, "This account has been disseminating hate speech and offensive remarks targeting individuals based on their race and nationality." In his complaint, Singh requested that the Ministry take three actions. First, he asked for a probe into the account activities. Second, he asked that the account be banned in India. Finally, he encouraged the Ministry to implement guidelines against hateful content. Not only Stanton's account, but other racist accounts were also suspended, Singh informed in a tweet. Since last evening more than 10 anti-India and racist Twitter accounts have been suspended. BIg W for all of us. Cheers Akshit Singh (@IndianSinghh) August 30, 2024 What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. The 50th anniversary from the foundation of PASOK will be celebrated on Tuesday at 19:00 at the Zappeion Megaron. The former presidents of PASOK, Kostas Simitis, George Papandreou and Evangelos Venizelos, will address a greeting, while the founding members of PASOK who signed the declaration of September 3, 1974 will be honoured. The leader of PASOK-Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, will speak at the event, followed by a concert-tribute to the great music composer Yiannis Markopoulos, who passed away a year ago and whose work was identified with the struggle against the junta and the post-dictatorship era. iefimerida.gr Greek police have arrested an 18-year-old American woman in Thessaloniki following accusations of attempted rape by a 19-year-old Greek man. The alleged victim reported the incident to the Pylea Police station, claiming the woman had made unwanted sexual advances toward him while he was intoxicated. He stated that the incident occurred at an abandoned house in the Panorama suburb. The police acted on the complaint, locating and arresting the American woman in Thessaloniki. She is currently in custody while the investigation continues. This case highlights the issue of sexual assault perpetrated by women, a topic often overshadowed by the more commonly discussed male-on-female violence. It also underscores the importance of consent, regardless of gender, and the serious consequences of violating it. iefimerida.gr The Bank of Greece (BoG) has given its approval for the merger between Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank, a significant development in the Greek banking sector. The merger is expected to be finalized in early September, subject to approvals from relevant authorities and the general assemblies of both banks. This strategic move involves Attica Bank absorbing all of Pancreta Banks assets and liabilities, resulting in a single , unified financial institution. The primary objective of the merger is to enhance the bank's growth prospects through economies of scale , cost reductions, and streamlined administrative processes. The merged entity aims to foster a stable and supportive environment for all stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, creditors, and customers. This, in turn, is anticipated to create opportunities for substantial growth and improved customer service. Upon completion, the merger is expected to strengthen the combined bank's competitive position in the financial market, enabling it to better address customer needs and deliver enhanced services. iefimerida.gr Sovereignty issues are never going to be on the discussion table with Turkiye and we will defend our sovereign rights, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said on Friday in an interview with SKAI TV. Specifically, Gerapetritis referred to his meeting on Thursday with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan saying that it was held in a good climate and all the issues that needed to be raised were raised, while the main agenda was the Euro- Turkish and Greek -Turkish issues as well as the Cyprus On the Greek-Turkish issues, Gerapetritis said that at his meeting with Fidan he raised the issues that emerged recently, among them the issue of Kassos as well as the preparation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York in September. On Cyprus, he said that the restart of the talks is progressing and estimated that there is an understanding that both sides should sit at the dialogue table, and underlined that the Cypriot side has a creative attitude, something that the Greek side expects from Turkey as well. Gerapetritis noted that Greece has a consistent and strict attitude towards Turkey and added that the choice made by the government was to proceed with the normalization of Greek-Turkish relations and to move on if it is found that it is possible for the two sides to enter into more complex issues that will ensure long term calmness. He stated that he was satisfied on how things have gone so far in the Greek-Turkish relations and referred to what happened in the past with the migration, the violations, and the aggressive rhetoric, noting that today migration is not a major problem, while Greece's airspace is not being violated. "The choice we made when I took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by order of the Prime Minister was to proceed with a normalisation of the Greek-Turkish relations and to gradually see how it is possible to enter into more complex issues, which will ensure us a long calmness in our wider region. Making an assessment 13 months after assuming duties, I feel satisfied on how things have developed. I just want to remember what the situation was in the previous years. I want us to remember migration. In 2015, 2016 with 1.5 million undocumented migrants crossing the Aegean. I want us to remember hundreds of violations of the Greek airspace, which were carried out with the risk of a hot episode and of course war risks. And of course let's remember what was happening in relation to political offensive rhetoric. Right now, as we speak, migration is not a major problem. It is controlled. There is a good coordination," Gerapetritis said. iefimerida.gr A fire that ravaged an egg production factory in Neochorouda, Thessaloniki, last week remains a mystery as conflicting reports emerge about its cause. Vegan activist group "Animal Liberation Front" claimed responsibility, stating their intent to save chickens from exploitation. However, initial findings from the Fire Department suggest a possible short circuit as the cause, casting doubt on the arson theory. The activist group's statement condemned the egg industry, calling its operators "murderers of millions of animals" and vowing further action if the factory is rebuilt. In contrast, the Fire Department's preliminary assessment indicates no evidence of arson, with firefighters leaning toward the possibility of a short circuit triggering the blaze. As investigations proceed, the true cause of the fire remains shrouded in uncertainty. The incident has ignited debate around animal rights activism and the ethics of industrial farming, further fueling the controversy surrounding the event. The factory owner, meanwhile, has vowed to rebuild the facility, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga. iefimerida.gr A Supreme Court prosecutor has ordered an urgent investigation into the mass fish deaths that have turned the waters of Volos port blood red. The incident, captured in a viral drone video, has sparked widespread concern about its environmental, public health, and economic implications. Authorities are battling to contain the spread of dead fish into the Pagasetic Gulf, using a 500-meter net around the affected area. Meanwhile, machines are working tirelessly to remove the dead fish, whose blood continues to flow downstream, creating a disturbing spectacle. The prosecutor's investigation is focusing on why the watergate leading to the tunnel, the only exit for waters from the Larissa-Karla plain into the Pagasetic Gulf, was open, potentially exacerbating the disaster. The incident has garnered international attention, highlighting the gravity of the environmental crisis unfolding in Volos. As the investigation progresses, questions persist about the environmental management and protection measures in the area. iefimerida.gr Over 31.8 million Nigerians are suffering from acute food insecurity compounded by malnutrition among women and children in the country. According to statistics provided by the 2024 Cadre Harmonise report, the surge in food commodity prices is due to the removal of fuel subsidy. This is also caused by security challenges, that has placed millions of Nigerians in a precarious situation. Advertisement In a statement, the Director, Press, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Julie Osagie-Jacobs, stated that the development partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), GAIN, GIZ and Agsys, made the disclosure at a joint review meeting on implementation of the food systems in Nigeria. Julie said that the stakeholders advocated a multi-sectoral approach of collaboration in tackling food security, noting that it was a must, in addressing all the challenges simultaneously. They noted that the civil society organisations, including the private sector, must be involved to extend the reach of nutrition efforts. The partners however pledged their unalloyed support to transform the food system in Nigeria. READ MORE: Food Crisis Intervention: FG To Send Over 2,700 Fertilizer Trucks To States On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi, said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the status of the implementation and for the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make presentations in addition to giving updates on the activities implemented for the food transformation pathways in Nigeria. He appreciated the support of development partners, particularly GIZ and others, for their dedication in moving the food system forward in Nigeria, while noting that their collective effort would continually lead to innovative solutions that would strengthen the food systems. The National Convener of Food Systems in Nigeria and Director of Social Development, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Sanjo Faniran, in his welcome remarks, appreciated all the stakeholders for their dedication in moving the food systems forward in Nigeria. The Nigeria Labour Congress has said that it cant be intimidated by the President Bola Tinubus led administration, following the recent invitation, made by the Police. Recall that NLCs boss, Joe Ajaero, was called to visit the police headquarters, in Abuja over alleged sponsoring of terrorism, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony. Reacting to the Ajaeros ordeal, the Secretary General, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, in a statement, made available to journalists on Thursday, disclosed that Labour leaders had never gone into exile or organized a hijacked protest. Advertisement Ugboaja noted that no amount of charges or cases against NLC leader would make organized labour bow. The statement reads: We have never had a rally where a shop was broken into. Has any shop ever been broken into across the Federation? And since 1978 till date, we have had more than a hundred rallies. READC MORE: Ajaero Returns From Police Invitation, Vows To Continue Fight For Nigerians Welfare No common incident of a shop being broken into. So comrades, we are not mad people. We are workers. And we cannot begin now to reason upside down. Has any labour leader since 1978 gone on exile? No. Has any labour leader ever gone on exile? No. So let them be told, we will not run. Nobody, we be fighting labour out of Nigeria. 50 million cases, 500 charges, we will take it standing. We will not bow before anybody. We will not. So let it be known. Because we have done our work diligently. Where we need to say no, we have said no. Where we need to say yes, we have said yes. Where we need to balance, we have balanced. You cannot bend us. We will adjust appropriately. Therefore, while they felt that we were tough, ordinary people felt we were weak. Everybody viewed us like the elephant body, depending on what part he is touching. Government sees Ajaero as a hard nut, ordinary people feel Ajaero is weak. Where do we stand? So the best you can do is be a trade union leader, and that is what we are. So lets not be misconstrued. Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the death threat made against Yorubas and Benin people by a woman, identified as Amaka Patience, living in Canada. Atiku, in a statement released on Thursday, said that Nigerians need to promote unity and oneness among each other. Recall that Amakas video was seen on Tiktok, claiming to poison her fellow Nigerians, living in Canada, which sparked widespread outrage and calls for action. Advertisement She said: Record me, its time to start poisoning the meals of the Yorubas and Benin people, poison their food and drinks at work so they can begin to die one by one. Taking to his X account, on Thursday, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, commended the relevant government agencies for their prompt and decisive action in addressing the threat and exposing the woman behind the threat. READ MORE: Atikus Presidency Wouldve Created Prosperity, In Nigeria Paul Ibe Counters Bode George A resident of Ushafa Community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory has been shot dead by gunmen, suspected to be bandits. The incident which occurred at the Tundun Fulani extension area of the Bwari Area Council, happened around 1:30 am on Friday. It was gathered that a resident of the area, told PUNCH that the kidnappers forced their way into the familys home to abduct the victims. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Arrest 97 Shiite Members Over Killings Of Officers In Abuja He also said that one other person who escaped being abducted was shot by the kidnappers. The resident said: There was a kidnap incident in Tundun Fulani extension in Bwari around 1:30 am. The kidnappers were many and fully armed. The kidnappers broke into a house and kidnapped four members of the same family. They also shot one person who escaped being kidnapped. When contacted, the FCT command police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh said the police were on top of the matter. She said: We responded swiftly. We are on top of the situation. Some yet to be identified youths from the Oruma community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state, on Thursday, seized a pistol during an attack on operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the NDLEA officials attempted to apprehend some suspected drug peddlers in the south south state. It was gathered that four officers were critically injured, suspects freed and operational vehicles of the command destroyed. Advertisement The NDLEA spokesman in the state, SN Daniel Howells Obah, in a statement on Thursday, said that the agencys commander in Bayelsa, Mr Kanu S. Chukwuemeka, had given a seven-day ultimatum for the community to produce the gun. He said: The irate indigenes of Oruma community blocked the bridge to the community, overpowered the advance team of officers, collected a pistol loaded with rounds of 9mm live ammunition, freed the two suspects and seized the exhibits recovered and equally vandalized the Restoration Taxi with Reg. No: BYS 060 TR, given to the command by the Bayelsa State Government. They shot and stabbed the NDLEA officers. It was when they sighted the NDLEA back up tactical team that they started running away and that saved what could have been more fatal. READ MORE: DisCo Announces Power Blackout In Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa The state commander wishes to reteirrate here that the NDLEA is not at war with any individual or community and can not send out its officers to men to cause chaos or pandemonium in any area. He therefore calls on all well-meaning individuals in society to join hands with the NDLEA in to stop the scourge of drug abuse/addiction in our communities and cities, and equally bring the merchants of death and criminality (the drug dealers) to book. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is an elite security agency who is not only ethical, but very professional in its operations based on the Rules of Engagement guiding paramilitary operations in all situations, including this. It is foolhardy to believe that, NDLEA officers will just storm a community and starting shooting sporadically. The State Commander NDLEA Bayelsa State, Kanu S. Chukwuemeka, CN, is using this opportunity to call on the paramount ruler and the entire leadership of the community to produce within seven days the pistol loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm live ammunition they collected from the officers, the two male suspects arrested and the exhibits recovered from them or be ready to contend with the law. The Command equally wishes to place it on record that Sokoh m who also sustained injuries and rushed to the same hospital where the NDLEA officers are being treated, is also being well attended to, but hes placed under arrest alongside his co-assailants Daniel Sokoh and Samson Sokoh. The Nigerian Air Force has announced on Thursday that numerous terrorists were killed in airstrikes conducted in the Tumbuns area near Lake Chad in Borno State. The operation was effectively carried out, according to the service, after the remaining terrorists were forced to relocate to higher and drier terrain after their hideouts were inundated and exposed as a result of the areas ongoing rainfall. According to NAF spokesperson AVM Edward Gabkwet, the Nigerian Air Force flew intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations over the location on August 22nd, 24th, and 26th, 2024. Advertisement He also stated that the operations discovered several terrorists and some of their salvaged items stashed within four temporary shelters, some of which were hidden beneath trees and dense vegetation. Gabkwet said, In a major blow to the remnants of terrorists hiding in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully conducted an air interdiction mission at Jubillaram, in southern Tumbuns. The operation was made possible following the forced migration of remaining terrorists to higher and drier ground after their enclaves became flooded and exposed due to persistent rainfall in the area in recent days. To confirm this, the NAF conducted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions over the location on 22nd, 24th, and 26th August 2024, which revealed several terrorists with some of their salvaged belongings tucked within four makeshift shelters, some concealed under trees and thick vegetation. READ MORE: Akwa Ibom Police Neutralize Dreaded Kidnap Kingpin, Recover G3 Rifle He went on to say that, in addition to killing several terrorists, their arsenal, logistics storage facilities, and other sites had been destroyed. Gabkwet said, Consequently, precision airstrikes were authorised on the selected target areas, engaging and destroying most of the structures. A thick black smoke from one of the destroyed structures indicated a storage area, likely designated as an armoury or logistics storage area. Several terrorists were also neutralised in the process. The success of this operation is a testament to the NAFs commitment to achieving its mandate and protecting the nation from terrorist threats. The excess rainfall and swampy terrain may have inadvertently pushed the terrorists out of hiding, but it was the swift and decisive action of the NAF that took advantage of the situation to strike a significant blow against them. It is also important to note that striking at the heart of terrorists enclaves in Maiduguri significantly destabilises their centre of gravity and diminishes their capacity to cause mayhem, especially targeting civilians. These enclaves also serve as feeders to other terrorist cells operating within the region. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has vowed to invoked the No Work, No Pay policy against the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, in response to their recent seven-day warning strike. In a statement released on Thursday by the ministrys spokesperson, Ado Bako, the government expressed deep disappointment over NARDs decision to proceed with the industrial action despite ongoing negotiations. Recall that NARD commenced a seven-day warning strike, on Monday, over the abduction of their colleague, identified as Dr Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped eight months ago. Advertisement Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. NARD President, Dr Dele Abdullahi, said that the decision was made during the Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Sunday. Reacting to NARDs action, on Thursday, the FG, disclosed that the ministry has been making efforts to ensure the release of the kidnapped Doctor. The statement reads: Over the past months, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, have been working tirelessly to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola. READ MORE: Tinubu Waives No Work, No Pay Order For Resident Doctors High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome. The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike action, in the midst of these ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable. We believe that continued dialogue is the best approach to resolving any outstanding issues. In view of this, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to bring to the notice of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), that in line with extant labour laws, the Federal Government will evoke the No Work, No Pay for the number of days the strike was observed. This measure is not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of our medical professionals but to ensure that essential healthcare services are not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public. With no loss of life and injuries sustained, fire gutted part of the two storey building of the Government Staff Quarters at Odunsanmi Street, off WEMPCO Road, Ogba area of Lagos State. The fire incident happened on Friday at about 2.00 am. Advertisement Confirming the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, said the fire resulted in loss of properties worth millions of naira. The prompt and coordinated efforts of the Agencys LRT, NPF, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, ensured the fire was contained and extinguished quickly. READ ALSO: Fire Engulfs Two-Storey Building In Lagos Fortunately there was no loss of life and injuries sustained in the incident. Also, victims and other occupants were enlightened on the proper use of electric appliances, Oke-Osanyitolu said. Men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and Nigerian Police Officers were deployed to the scene of the incident . Former Cross River states governor, Donald Duke, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration as a failure following its recent purchase of presidential jet and yacht. Duke tasked the President to hold security agencies responsible, reform the judiciary, and address the economy with local indigenous solutions. He also berated Tinubu for running expensive government, despite economic hardship facing Nigerians. Advertisement The former Cross Rivers governor, led this out during an interview with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme, Inside Sources, aired on Channels Television on Friday. He said: There is no glamour in saying your people are going through hard times. Its a failure of your leadership. If Im the head of a family, I want my family to have everything. I dont want life to be difficult for them. If life is difficult then I feel Ive failed to provide for them or do the things I ought to have done. Id ask him (Tinubu) to see the Nigerian nation as his family. What is good for his family is good for the nation. READ MORE: Ajaero: You Cant Intimidate Us NLC To Tinubu Buying a new aircraft or yacht or living large is a failure. You cant have kids who are hungry and you are living lavishly, going to parties and wearing the biggest agbada. A protest is like your kids coming to tell you that Daddy, I am not happy with you. You have failed to do this and do that for me. Id ask him (Tinubu) to rethink a number of things that are going on and test his policies. The policy of floating the currency was a mistake because it wasnt thought through. The largest pressure on the Nigerian currency is the importation of fuel, and the way it is being done, it is fuelled by corruption. So, we are paying the price for it. The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two men for allegedly stealing from three sex workers at Bode Thomas, Surulere Local Government Area of the state. In a statement, released by the commands spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Friday, disclosed that the two suspects, were taken into custody on August 28, 2024, for their involvement in the crime. Hundeyin revealed that on August 23, 2024, around 4.30 pm, the accused men allegedly picked up the three sex workers from Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Bode Thomas, seeking for their services. Advertisement According to the commands PRO, the suspects abruptly stopped the vehicle midway, after pretending to drive the victims to a location. READ MORE: Passengers Injured As Two BRT Buses Collide In Lagos Hundeyin added that, the suspects, allegedly robbed the sex workers of their valuables, including two iPhones worth N1.5m , a Redmi Note 12 valued at N140,000, and an iPhone XR valued at N240,000. He said: The victims reported recognising the suspects who had robbed them. They stated that they were picked up as commercial sex workers on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Bode Thomas. The suspects were arrested. During the investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime. One of the victims phones, a Redmi Note 13, a Toyota Camry (golden colour) with the number plate APP 335 JA, and two other blank plates used in their operations have been recovered. Three students of Faudiya School, in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State have been killed after an attack, launched by gunmen suspected to be bandit on Friday. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the school belong to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). Advertisement It was gathered that the gunmen, rode into the school premises on motorbikes with wielding AK-47 rifles. A source told Daily Trust that the terrorists attacked while the students were sleeping, marched them outside and shot them. He said: The incident occurred at around 3:44 am, when the gunmen invaded Faudiya School a well known Shiite school in Geidam. They (gunmen) attacked the school when these youth were asleep and brought them outside and shot them dead. There is tension and concern in the town after this incident. People are terrified over this unfortunate incident. READ MORE: Security Operatives Nab Suspect With Stolen Farm Equipment In Yobe Another source said: We dont know who they (gunmen) are but, all we knew is that they killed three students in the school. One person who tried to escape during the incident was injured and he has been hospitalized. The Yobe State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the development to newsmen. He said: Yes, there was an attack on Faudiya Islamic School in Geidam the headquarters of Geidam local government area. The school belongs to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiite). When Police received the distress call and rushed to the school, they discovered a total number of 3 students have been killed, while 1 was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment at Geidam Specialists Hospital. Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a Minister from the State. This request comes after a vacancy of more than eight months, following former Governor Simon Lalongs resignation to pursue a Senate seat. The Plateau APC Like-Minds group made the appeal in a press release issued by its leader, Hassan Isa Maimadara on Thursday. Advertisement The group emphasised that appointing a minister from Plateau State is crucial to achieving the Presidents Renewed Hope vision for Nigeria. READ ALSO: Tinubus Administration Cant Change Nigerias Economic Fortune, Cabinet Members Lack Capacity Suswam We recall with pride the pivotal role Plateau State played in your electoral success, delivering 307,195 votes more than the 25% requirement and outperforming many other states. However, the absence of a minister from Plateau State has left us without representation in the Federal Executive Council, despite our significant contribution, the statement read. The members in the 17 Local Government Areas of the State also reminded the President of Section 147 of the Constitution, which mandates that each State must be represented in the Federal Executive Council. The group which noted that the APC has two Senators, five House of Representatives members, and 22 members in the House of Assembly from Plateau, expressed disappointment that six Assembly members are yet to be sworn in. The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has again been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force. Also invited is the General Secretary of the Congress, Emmanuel Ugboaja. They are to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024. Advertisement The development is coming barely 24 hours after Ajaero presented himself to the police over alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime. READ ALSO: Ajaero Returns From Police Invitation, Vows To Continue Fight For Nigerians Welfare In the letter dated August 28, the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the NPF says that Ugboajas invitation to Abuja was because of its investigation into alleged criminal intimidation, conducts likely to cause breach of public peace and malicious damage to properties. Following Ajaeros previous visit to the Police , he described the invitation as a mere distraction away from the struggles of Nigerian workers demanding better conditions from the government. Comrade, what is important is the circumstances that took me there. For whatever reason, we are out to continue the struggle. We are talking about the minimum wage, which has not been implemented, Ajaero had said. The House of Representatives has written the Canadian government asking it to investigate and prosecute Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian residing in the country. Sunnberger had made threatening comments against fellow Nigerians of Yoruba and Bini extractions. Advertisement In a viral video on Tuesday, a womans voice was heard making anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok. The woman, who claimed to be a resident of Ontario, Canada, vowed to take poisonous substances to her workplace and harm any Yoruba or Benin person she came across. She claimed her comments were in response to the hate against the Igbo. While dismissing the possibility of arrest, citing her Canadian citizenship as protection, she said that Canadas legal system was unlike Nigerias where arrests could be made without questioning. Somebody just sends me a message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada Pikin. See am now, I dey house, why I go dey lie? she said. Reacting, the House in a letter signed by the Chairman of Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Biodun Omoleye, and Chairmanof Committee on Diaspora Matters, Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, expressed concern over the inflammatory statements which constitutes a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians. The letter read: On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group and the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada. READ ALSO: Nigerian Woman Who Incited Violence Against Yorubas, Edos Says Shes Canadian Citizen, Cant Be Deported Ms. Sunnberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide. Ms. Sunnbergers recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians. 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 requested an immediate and thorough investigation into Sunnbergers actions, her prosecution under relevant Canadian laws, public condemnation of her actions by the Canadian government, and collaboration with Nigerian authorities to prevent potential escalation of violence. In light of the seriousness of these violations, we respectfully request the following actions: 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. Sunberger 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. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals and educational institutions to alleviate their financial burden. Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday shortly after inaugurating projects at the National Ear Care Centre. The projects include a 200-capacity auditorium, student hostel, oxygen plant, molecular laboratory, powerhouse, ENT specialists clinic, operating theatre, and female/children ward. Advertisement According to the Minister, the subsidy is part of the Presidents efforts to support the health and education sectors, and will soon be implemented by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. READ ALSO: EKEDC Disconnects Power Supply To UNILAG Over Unpaid N472m Bill He said the subsidy is expected to significantly reduce energy tariffs for public hospitals, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, enabling them to channel more resources into providing quality services. Alausa said, Yesterday, I spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on his magnanimity toward the health sector. The President has approved a 50 per cent electricity subsidy to all public hospitals and education system universities, polytechnic and colleges of education. It has been approved. The process of implementation is being developed by the Minister of Power. Very soon, hospital and public education systems will be enjoying a significant reduction in the prices they are paying currently for energy tariff. Quest Software has released version 14 of its erwin Data Modeler and erwin Data Intelligence tools, offering what the company describes as advanced data intelligence, data quality, and data modeling capabilities. The tools are intended to help customers ensure the AI readiness of their data, the company said. Introduced August 27, erwin Data Modeler 14 and erwin Data Intelligence 14 provide a comprehensive approach to managing data across complex enterprise landscapes, the company said. With the release of erwin Data Intelligence 14, Quest said it was providing an enhanced data quality and observability framework. The tool continuously monitors data health across platforms, providing anomaly detection for critical data sources, ensuring that data supporting AI models remains accurate and reliable. Quest said erwin Data Intelligence 14 features self-learning capabilities that automatically evolve the framework to meet the needs of the organization and fine-tuning data quality measures based on real-world usage. Also featured are data quality discovery features that provide a search and filter experience similar to online shopping sites, allowing users to explore data quality metrics through an analytics dashboard. And with the introduction of erwin Data Intelligence Cloud, users have the flexibility to choose a deployment model best for their infrastructure, whether on-premises, privately hosted, or using Quests cloud-hosted solution on the Microsoft Azure cloud. Bill Formica takes his seat a the beginning of Souderton's school board meeting Thursday. He rejected calls from audience members to resign over a lewd social media post about Kamala Harris. Read more A defiant Bill Formica rejected calls to resign from the Souderton Area School District board during a raucous meeting Thursday, casting the outcry over his social media post that Kamala Harris blew a lot of dudes as the product of partisan politics. This is being twisted by my opposition into a convenient narrative, Formica said, as he was repeatedly interrupted by boos, and nearly shouted down by residents who packed the Indian Valley Middle School auditorium many holding posters that read Formica Resign Now and wearing T-shirts that read Character Counts, a reference to the districts slogan. Advertisement While Formica apologized for being impulsive and juvenile, he said that no rational person could be that upset about his post, which was in response to another user who asked: Name ONE thing this chick has accomplished, politically. Formica said his post was a criticism of Harris policies, not her race or her gender. He added that he expected to be called a white supremacist, the tired label applied to all white alpha males to shut us up. An angry crowd rejected Formicas explanation. What you said was degrading. It was misogyny. You can laugh that off, but its true, Lauren McShea, a mother of third and fifth graders, said, addressing Formica during public comment. Like others, McShea noted that Formica has a history of making offensive comments: Before the meeting, protesters who gathered outside the middle school held poster boards with screenshots of other social media posts, including comments that people who dont speak English are here for the handouts (my tax money); that he doesnt want teachers spewing their morals, values, politics and idiology [sic] on my children or grandchildren; and that my answer to diversity training would be F off. (Formica, who appears to have deleted his X account, said Thursday he had experienced a profound peace over the past month since leaving social media.) You have demonstrated you are unfit to make decisions for all students, McShea said. As for the rest of the school board which initially appointed Formica to a seat last year, before he was elected as part of a slate of Republican candidates in November the response to this unacceptable behavior has been so disappointing. You havent said anything, and the silence is deafening. School board president Ken Keith who repeatedly called the meeting into recess as shouts broke out in the auditorium said at the start that the district has been clear it does not condone the comments made by Formica, whose post about Harris has engulfed the district in controversy since late July. Imploring residents to remain civil, Keith said the board had received death threats by email and phone that it reported to the police. He called the backlash simply unacceptable. Jeffrey Sultanik, the boards solicitor, told the crowd the board had little power to remove Formica, apart from a provision in the school code that allows a board to exclude a member for missing two successive meetings without an excuse. Beyond that, he said, the only way to exclude a board member is if the district attorney determines the member has committed a high crime, Sultanik said. That didnt stop residents from continuing to demand Formicas resignation during a 90-minute public comment period facing Formica as he leaned back in his chair, a slight smile on his face. Referring to Formicas post that he doesnt want teachers spewing their morals, Keith Dobson said: Your morals are so much better? Dobson noted another post in which Formica questioned why people gushed over teachers, even though they had a great gig and couldnt be fired saying Formica had demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of the teaching profession. Brian Farrell, a Souderton alumnus and Army veteran, drew a standing ovation when he told the board that after being awarded a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan, the one thing I do feel qualified to comment on is leadership and the lack thereof. Mr. Formica, you can speak your mind, but step out of the leadership job, Farrell said, adding that the board was no better than Bill. While Formicas opponents rallied outside the middle school before the meeting organized by Souderton for All, a coalition supporting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts a group of supporters gathered near the school entrance. One man played guitar while singing Awesome God. Those who addressed the board said that Formica had apologized, and that the community should demonstrate forgiveness. Richard Sacks said he favored First Amendment rights, and called the protest against Formica a political hack job. Others said the bigger problem was indoctrination in the schools. Matt Simkins told the board he was more concerned about inappropriate library books and ideas put into childrens heads than what an adult is posting on Twitter. Kaitlin Derstine, a local conservative activist, was repeatedly interrupted as she read a passage from the novel Push, by Sapphire, about a father raping his daughter. The same progressives who fought me in opposition to book bans are the same ones demanding Bill Formicas resignation, Derstine said. Another woman said children should learn reading, writing and arithmetic. We dont need them to know sex education. As Formica read his comments at the start of the meeting, he said he wouldnt be forced into resigning. I cant be intimidated, because I just dont care what people think about me, he said. Christopher M. Fiorentino, recently retired president of West Chester University, is in line to become the interim chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cindy Shapira, chair of the systems board of governors, said in a message to students, faculty, and staff Thursday that she would recommend Fiorentino, who led West Chester for seven and a half years before retiring in June, to the board at its October meeting. Advertisement He would replace Daniel Greenstein, who announced in July that he would be leaving the job after six years. Greenstein has said he was leaving for a compelling opportunity to work nationally, but hasnt disclosed the job. He has said he will release details next month. READ MORE: West Chester Universitys president is retiring next year Shapira cited Fiorentinos strengths. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, and I am so pleased he has agreed to serve in this capacity, Shapira said. She noted that Fiorentino, who had worked for West Chester the largest of the systems 10 schools with about 17,100 students for more than 40 years, does not intend to apply for the permanent position. Reached through a spokesperson, Fiorentino declined comment. Fiorentino has spent his entire career at West Chester, starting in 1983 as an assistant professor of economics and serving as the dean of the College of Business and Public Affairs, now the College of Business and Public Management, for about two decades. He then became vice president for external operations and subsequently interim president for nine months in 2016 before getting the permanent job. READ MORE: The chancellor of Pa. s state school system is leaving to work nationally West Chester has remained one of the strongest colleges in the state system, growing for many years while other system schools lost enrollment, maintaining the largest budgetary reserve, and posting the highest graduation and retention rates. Shapira also said the system would launch a national search, expected to continue into 2025, for Greensteins permanent replacement, and will seek input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and others. The search committee includes the boards executive committee, in addition to R. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky, new president of West Chester, who has worked at the school for 28 years; Abigail Hancox, a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and Christina Chiarelli-Helminiak, a professor of social work at West Chester. David Lon, principal at Mastbaum High School in Philadelphia, greets students and checks their phones in with Yondr, a lockable pouch system, in this December 2022 file photo. Read more Pennsylvania school districts this year will have access to millions of dollars in state money to buy lockable cell phone pouches an attempt at addressing the distraction phones can bring into classrooms. Yet around Philadelphia, numerous school administrators expressed little interest in the pouches, and its still unclear how many districts may seek the funding. Advertisement In my professional opinion, I think thats a ridiculous idea, Jim Crisfield, the superintendent of the Wissahickon School District, previously told The Inquirer. Wissahickon already has high schoolers place their phones in cell phone hotels hanging on classroom walls and doors during class a policy the Abington school district just adopted, too. The way pouches are used, students maintain their phones but cant access them through the magnetic cases until the end of the day when an administrator unlocks them. Some schools that have used the pouches have found that, with the help of online tutorials, students will break them open. Crisfield said he thought requiring students to lock their phones away for the entire day was unrealistic: Who is going to supervise and ensure that everyone puts their cell phone in a pouch? READ MORE: Parents in Philly-area districts want to ban cell phones in schools. But administrators are hesitant. He isnt alone in questioning the logistics. Other leaders, particularly of large schools, felt the pouch requirement would be tough to enforce. Theres too many kids in this district, said Upper Darby Superintendent Dan McGarry, who also isnt eyeing the pouches. Instead, his district is instituting a policy requiring kids to keep their phones stowed away, with possible disciplinary consequences for violators. Like some other school leaders, McGarry expressed concern about requiring students to forfeit their phones at school saying he doesnt want administrators to be investigating lost and stolen cell phones. But the lawmaker who proposed the pouches, Sen. Ryan Aument (R., Lancaster), said the measure was intended to address schools liability concerns, not add to them. Teachers are very hesitant to take a students phone, Aument said. Under Auments legislation, school districts can apply to the state for a share of $100 million in safety and mental health grants to buy the pouches, if they also adopt a ban on cell phones during the school day. (There is also $20 million in funding for nonpublic schools.) Applications for the program opened earlier this month. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency said, We dont yet know the level of interest in the funding. Aument, a father worried about mental health consequences of phone and social media use, said hell be watching participation closely to inform future proposals to restrict phones in schools. Its critically important that we free our kids for six-and-a-half hours a day and allow them to focus on school, he said. A good first step The pouch program is supported by the Pennsylvania State Education Association, whose members overwhelmingly support the idea of restricting cell phone use among students at certain points during the school day, said spokesperson Chris Lilienthal. He called the program a good first step, letting local school districts decide the best approach. Yet opinions differ on phone bans; while parent groups are pushing for changes, others want to remain connected to their children during the school day, or in the event of an emergency. School boards, meanwhile, recognize that electronic devices may provide a positive contribution when used for educational purposes, said Mackenzie Christ, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. In districts that may lack funding to supply all students with electronic devices like laptops or tablets, she said, educators may call on students to use their personal devices to enhance learning. Hesitant school leaders say theyre monitoring what happens in districts that do adopt the pouches. We want to sit back, watch, learn a little bit, said Chris Dormer, superintendent of the Norristown Area School District. While we are very, very aware of the distraction caused by cell phones in schools, Dormer said, were not going to do something as drastic right now as a locked bag. Roberta Anne Michels-Hopkins was recently reported missing after disappearing in 1981. New Jersey State Police recently released an age progression sketch of what she may look like today. Read more The sketch was drawn to help solve a case, but its also helped fill the void a little in a South Jersey familys heart. Roberta Michels-Hopkins was 29 with two young children, when she supposedly walked out into a blizzard to get cigarettes and food stamps in Camden, in February 1981 and never returned home. In the last year, her granddaughter, Trinity Jagdeo, made it a personal quest to report Michels-Hopkins missing and have a sketch drawn of what she might look like today. Advertisement The resulting sketch, released earlier this summer, shows Michels-Hopkins with gray hair and a smile carried over from old photos. Seeing it for the first time was bittersweet for Jagdeo. It was really shocking. Obviously, we hope she looks that healthy. She looks like a sweet grandmother, Jagdeo, 23, of Vineland, said Thursday morning. For that reason alone, its really cool. At the same time, we may never know what she looked like. Theres pros and cons to it. The sketch was released in late June, Jagdeo said, and has not resulted in any tips. The missing persons case is being handled by police in Cinnaminson, Burlington County, but Jagdeo said the Camden County Prosecutors Offices Cold Case Unit is now assisting. Neither agency returned immediate requests for comment Thursday. Jagdeo said there had always been a fog of rumor and myth about her grandmother. Some family members assumed she died by suicide or may have been using drugs and disappeared onto the streets of Camden, where she was living in 1981. She was never reported missing. Her parents were still alive. Her brother was still alive. Her ex-husband was still alive, Jagdeo told The Inquirer at her home in February. Didnt she have any friends? When Jagdeo took a DNA test, in 2019, she found family shed never spoken to on her grandmothers side, along with a letter that may offer clues into Robertas state of mind at the time. The letter, written just days before she went missing, hints at unspecific family tensions over a missed wedding. I will no longer bother anyone, anymore, Michels-Hopkins wrote at the end. Jagdeo spearheaded efforts to have her grandmother officially reported missing, and in March 2022, her case was officially entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Jagdeos also been very active in online, amateur sleuthing websites and Facebook groups, where some noticed similarities between Michels-Hopkins case and the cheerleader in the trunk case out of Maryland in 1982. That woman remains unidentified today. Over time, as I read about the case, the possibility that its her is large, Jagdeo said. It would be closure and answer some questions but it would be really upsetting for my dad. In February, Krsna Jagdeo, Robertas son, said he was ready to accept whatever comes of the case. At this point, death is death, no matter the story, he said. Im just trying to support Trinity. Trinity Jagdeo said local investigators are still trying to match dental records on the cheerleader case out of Frederick County, Md. Anyone with information about the disappearance of Roberta Michels-Hopkins can call the Cinnaminson Township Police Department at (856) 829-6667. A woman who says she was raped two years ago while a student at Villanova University is accusing the school of turning a blind eye toward underaged drinking and sexual abuse in a building thats notorious for partying which, she contends, led to her attack. The woman, who filed a lawsuit under the pseudonym C.A., alleges that Villanova and the business entities that own and manage College Hall student housing failed to protect her from rape and sexual assault. College Hall is also known as the Courts. Advertisement The lawsuit, which was filed last week in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas but was transferred to federal court, also accuses Elijah Katzenell of raping C.A. with the assistance of two of his friends. The suit says Katzenell was a Villanova student at the time. Villanova engaged in conduct that demonstrated a willful and wanton disregard for the safety and well-being of its students, including C.A., the lawsuit states. READ MORE: Temple student who pleaded guilty to sex abuse and burglary gets probation, suspended sentence It could not be determined Wednesday if Katzenell and his accuser are still students at Villanova. A spokesperson for Villanova said the university does not comment on pending litigation, but reiterated university policies prohibiting underaged drinking and condemning all forms of sexual violence. We find any kind of sexual misconduct abhorrent, and it is not tolerated at Villanova, the spokesperson said in a statement. Katzenell could not be reached for comment Wednesday. A lawyer representing him, as well as College Hall Associates L.P., College Hall G.P., and Marks and Company USA, Inc., did not respond to The Inquirers request for comment. Intoxication and assault The assault took place Aug. 25, 2022, during the first week of C.A.s sophomore year, the lawsuit says. The underaged student participated in a party known as Sylly Night, an annual student event during the first week of school in which professors present class syllabi to students. It was held at College Hall on Montgomery Avenue in Bryn Mawr, and C.A. was among hundreds of Villanova students who drank alcohol and partied there, the lawsuit said. Around midnight, as an intoxicated C.A. was heading to her dorm, she received a text message from Katzenell asking her to come to his dorm. There she drank more alcohol with Katzenell and two other students and eventually passed out. The next day, Katzenell told her that the two had sexual intercourse, according to the lawsuit. A police search of one of the students who were present uncovered a video of Katzenell having sex with C.A. while she was unconscious. The Delaware County District Attorneys Office charged Katzenell last year with felony charges including indecent sexual assault of an unconscious person, court dockets show. He is free on bail awaiting trial scheduled for the fall. His two alleged accomplices have not been charged with crimes. C.A. accuses the three of conspiring to rape and assault her. She continues to suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, loss of self-worth, and inability to experience sexual intimacy following the assault, the lawsuit states. College Hall is its own animal An article in the Villanovan, the universitys student newspaper, from earlier this year describes College Hall as a hotbed of disorderly activity that Lower Merion police visit frequently as part of a joint crackdown with the university on problematic student conduct. About 100 Villanova students live there. College Hall is its own animal, Lower Merion Police Lt. Edward Sarama told the Villanovan. READ MORE: Delco prosecutors have dropped all assault charges against a former Villanova football player There have been more than 160 calls to police regarding the housing complex since March 2021, according to the lawsuit. And yet, the lawsuit alleges, the university did not warn students of the risks of Sylly Night, and neither the owners nor the company managing the building took steps to add security or stop underaged drinking on that night in August 2022. Villanova was fully aware of ongoing student misbehavior, underage alcohol consumption and multiple violations of the law that occur and have occurred at the Courts for generations of Villanova students, the lawsuit states. File photo of the Bell Tower at Lenfest Circle on the campus of Temple University last September. Read more Temple University said it is investigating for possible disciplinary action a pro-Palestinian march by students and nonstudents who demonstrated outside a Jewish center on campus Thursday. The protest march began at the Charles Library, said Temple University president Richard Englert in a statement, then some demonstrators went to the Rosen Center, which is the home at Temple of Hillel, an international organization for Jewish students. Advertisement While there, the demonstrators used megaphones to chant directly at the occupants within the building, Englert said. We are deeply saddened and concerned by these events, Englert said. Targeting a group of individuals because of their Jewish identity is not acceptable and intimidation and harassment tactics like those seen today will not be tolerated. Englert said the universitys Division of Student Affairs was investigating the incident, and if students or student organizations are found to be involved, they would be subject to disciplinary action under the student conduct code. As we have previously shared, Temple is committed to honoring the First Amendment and fostering an environment open to a diversity of thought, opinion and peaceful expression, Englert said. To that end, we affirm the right of our community members to engage in peaceful and orderly demonstrations, as we saw at the start of todays demonstration, Englert said. A short video recorded by someone in the Hillel building shows dozens of protesters outside and across the street chanting and holding signs and Palestinian flags. Another video recorded outside by the Temple News student newspaper shows university police officers guarding the entrance to the building. There were no reports of physical altercations or arrests. READ MORE: Philly colleges are bracing for a potentially volatile fall semester after a year of encampments and resignations The march on Thursday was organized by Temple Students for Justice in Palestine and was announced two weeks ago. The group encouraged people on social media to join the event at 3 p.m. at the Charles Library as we rally for justice and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will fight for the students of Gaza who cannot return to school and demand accountability from Temple University. On Thursday night, the organization posted a response to Englert, saying that any accusation of antisemitism, intimidation, and harassment could NOT be farther from the truth, and said that the universitys president had intentionally distorted our message to serve the false narrative that Temple Students for Justice in Palestine is a threat to Temple University. The group added: President Englert has more than proven our point that Temple University is an institution that prides itself on protecting its corporate position as a capitalist institution, rather than protecting its very own student[s] who solely wish for their university to stop funding the genocide of their people. Earlier this month, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office approved felony charges for a Temple University student and an alumna related to an attempted burglary at an off-campus Jewish fraternity. In January, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Temple was under investigation for its handling of antisemitism complaints on campus; the move came among a spate of investigations at colleges nationally following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and subsequent unrest on campuses. Temple said in a statement at that time that it would fully comply with the investigation and that it unequivocally condemns hate and discrimination against any person and will always strive to ensure that all of our students, faculty, and staff feel welcomed and safe in our community and throughout our campus. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris walks off stage after her speech during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22. Read more Kamala Harris is Black. Saying that does not discount the fact that her mother is from India. It simply acknowledges the reality of race and racism in America. As a Black woman, Harris the Democratic nominee for president of the United States will face questions other candidates simply will not, and the most pointed queries will come from within the Black community. Advertisement Does her mothers Indian ancestry mean shes not a Black American? Does her father, as a Jamaican, still qualify as Black? Will her policies include measures that are specific to Black people? Does she prefer Spades over Pinochle at the cookout? I covered the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and in the week since I returned, Ive been reflecting on the range of reactions to Harris candidacy Ive witnessed in our community. At the convention, I saw African Americans who were absolutely giddy about Harris candidacy. Others displayed an enthusiasm that was infectious. Still others, including two delegates who hailed from New Jersey, told me they were happy to support Harris because shes not Donald Trump. But when I ventured outside the cocoon of partisan excitement and into the streets outside the United Center, regular Chicagoans echoed the questions circulating on social media. The first and most pressing of those inquiries is simply this: Is Kamala Harris Black? Thats what my African American Uber driver asked me as he transported me back to my hotel from the convention Wednesday night. I told him yes, Harris is Black, but he pressed the issue, so I took a different tact. What are you when your daddys Black? I asked. Her father is Jamaican. Yeah, but they said her father is an Indian Jamaican. I didnt ask who he meant by they. Instead, I said that her father, Donald Harris, is a Black Jamaican. I told him that Id met Harris, that Id seen her interacting with African Americans, and that she moved among us with the ease and comfort only other Black Americans tend to display. He didnt seem to be convinced, and though the driver said he wasnt a political person, he repeated a statement Trump has made on numerous occasions that Trump gave 10 years of funding to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Its true that Trump signed the FUTURE Act, which made a preexisting federal funding stream permanent. However, Trumps claim that he saved HBCUs from ruin by signing that legislation is a stretch, since states have underfunded HBCUs to the tune of $12 billion. Trump also has repeatedly said that his predecessor, Barack Obama, would never have funded the schools long term. The fact-checking site PolitiFact has rated Trumps statements as mostly false because Obama also allocated money to HBCUs from the same pot of federal money. But in the current political environment, where fact-based news often takes a back seat to online hyperbole, too many in my community believe the loudest voices are the most credible. Perhaps more troubling, there are those among us who want to exclude Black people whose ancestry isnt wholly rooted in the United States from being African Americans. I find it ironic that in Black communities where people have proudly claimed to be of mixed ancestry, some are now angry that Harris is multiracial. Does that make her less Black than the rest of us? Does Harris, or any Black person, get to explain the intricacies of their lineage when they are harassed by police, followed in stores, unjustly denied bank loans, or subjected to racist insults? Ill save you the trouble of answering. No, we dont get to explain our Blackness. We simply have to live it. Harris is a Black woman running for president, and she will be treated as such. Thats why, as I sat in the United Center and listened to Michelle Obama say the quiet part out loud, I was gratified to hear someone voice what Id been feeling for weeks. We know folks are going to do everything they can to distort her truth, Obama said. My husband and I, sadly, know a little something about this. Im sure Harris knows it, too. Thats why, when Trump intimated that Harris turned Black in recent years, it could not have been a surprise to Harris, and it should not shock the rest of us, either. Regardless of who we support in the presidential race, African Americans should know better than to question Harris race, because theres more than one way to be Black. Former President Donald Trumps campaign appears to be taking a low-profile Labor Day weekend, while Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign will hit several key swing states Monday. Harris had no scheduled events Saturday or Sunday as of early Friday afternoon, but will return to Pennsylvania Monday for a rally with President Joe Biden following a solo visit to Detroit. The Pittsburgh stop will serve as Harris ninth trip to the Keystone State this year, while the Detroit visit will be her sixth to Michigan in 2024. Advertisement More details about the Pittsburgh visit had not been announced as of early Friday afternoon. Also on Monday, second gentleman Doug Emhoff will head to Newport News, Va., and Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be in Milwaukee, CBS reports. READ MORE: Kamala Harris and Joe Biden will visit Pittsburgh on Labor Day to mobilize their union base Emhoff led the charge for Harris this week, making stops in New York, Michigan, Idaho, Colorado and California. Harris and Walz also embarked on a bus tour of southern Georgia that culminated Thursday with a rally in Savannah. Harris and Walz also spoke with CNN reporter Dana Bash for their first major interview Thursday. Trumps campaign had no publicly announced Labor Day weekend events on the calendar early Friday afternoon. Trump himself, however, was slated to speak at a rally in Johnstown at about 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Cambria County War Memorial. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R., Ohio), spoke at a campaign event in Erie Wednesday. Trumps Johnstown rally will be his second time visiting Pennsylvania since surviving an assassination attempt in Butler in July. He previously visited Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre. The rally also comes days following 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 earlier this summer 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. Harris and Trump are also slated to return to Pennsylvania Sept. 10 for an ABC-hosted presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Tyea Mitchell of West Oak Lane deposits her mail-in ballot in a box at the temporary drop-off site on the Temple University campus on North Broad Street in November. Read more Pennsylvania election officials can no longer reject otherwise valid mail ballots simply because voters failed to date or put the wrong date on the outer envelope, the Commonwealth Court ruled Friday. In a 4-1 ruling, a panel of the courts judges concluded that provisions in state law requiring voters to hand-date their envelopes served no compelling governmental purpose because elections administrators do not use those dates to determine whether a vote was cast on time. Instead, they rely on when the ballot was received and scanned into the states mail-ballot tracking system. Advertisement Therefore, the panel ruled, allowing ballots to be rejected for missing or incorrect dates infringes upon the voting rights of Pennsylvanians protected under Free and Equal Elections Clause of the state constitution. The refusal to count undated or incorrectly dated but timely mail ballots submitted by otherwise eligible voters because of meaningless and inconsequential paperwork errors violates the fundamental right to vote, Judge Ellen Ceisler wrote for the majority. Fridays ruling marks a significant victory for voting rights groups, which have fought against the requirement for years, and makes it slightly easier for Pennsylvanians to vote by mail in November and know their ballots will count. As the birthplace of modern democracy, Pennsylvania has a long tradition of free and equal elections, and todays decision adds to that legacy, Brent Landau, the executive director of the Public Interest Law Center, one of the groups that had challenged the requirement, said in a statement Friday. But rules around mail ballots remain highly fraught in the critical swing state, and the Pennsylvania GOP and Republican National Committee, which both intervened in the case to defend the requirement, vowed an immediate appeal to the state Supreme Court. Todays decision was an example of the worst kind of judicial activism, Claire Zunk, a spokesperson for the RNC, said in a statement. Courts should not undermine election confidence and integrity by striking down common sense election laws enacted by the peoples representatives. They found some support in a fiery dissent from Judge Patricia McCullough the lone judge on the Commonwealth Court panel that heard the case to back the dating requirement. She accused her colleagues of discard[ing] their judicial robes and don[ning] legislative hats to rewrite election law and effectively usurp the role of state lawmakers. Adherence to the separation of powers is especially important in the politically-charged and highly partisan atmosphere in which we now live and work, she wrote. Exceeding our function as impartial arbiters of the constitution, and rewriting legislation to keep up with the times does little to reinforce trust and respect for the Commonwealths system of justice. The American Civil Liberties Union and Public Interest Law Center filed the lawsuit in May against Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt and the Boards of Election in Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties. They contended the requirement for voters to write a date on mail ballots was meaningless and that voters were being disenfranchised if their ballots were tossed over that error. A similar lawsuit, arguing the requirement violates the federal Voting Rights act, is working its way through federal court. In a post on X, Gov. Josh Shapiro called the ruling a victory for Pennsylvanians fundamental right to vote. This ruling makes clear a voters minor error of forgetting to date or misdating a ballot envelope cannot be a cause for disenfranchisement, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State said in an email. Our Administration will always uphold Pennsylvanians right to vote and is pleased with todays ruling. All three of Philadelphias commissioners who oversee elections celebrated the decision, but some said more needed to be done to ensure ballots also wouldnt be tossed out for lacking a secrecy envelope another common error made by voters who cast their ballots by mail. Im happy about it, Im certainly not ready to ring any victory bells or run a victory lap because we know most assuredly itll go up on appeal, commissioner Lisa Deeley said. Under the 2019 law that authorized no-excuse mail voting in Pennsylvania, voters must sign and date their ballots and place them it in a privacy envelope to be counted. State and local officials had sought to minimize the number of ballots rejected in the April primary through newly designed envelopes that filled out part of the date for voters, leaving them to finish the rest. But the envelopes did not fully solve the problem. In Philadelphia, more than 400 ballots were rejected in the primary election because they were undated or incorrectly dated. Statewide, nearly 8,000 ballots were rejected for issues with the date, signature or privacy envelope. About 3% of registered voters in Pennsylvania stay they're undecided about who to support in November, or whether they will vote. That's down from nearly 6% in August 2020. Read more Chloe Cherry Lang, a 20-year-old retail worker from Norristown, first voted in 2022, inspired to support Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as abortion bans threatened reproductive rights in states across the country. Now, Lang, who works two jobs at T-Mobile and Spencers as she tries to save money while living with her parents, is stuck on what to do in November. Frustrated with both major parties, shes unsure whether shell vote at all. Advertisement Im trying to get my life together, but both presidential candidates dont seem to be working for us rather than themselves, Lang said. My generation, we arent able to really afford to do anything, and I dont think either candidate is gonna make that change. Lang is one of about 3% of Pennsylvanias registered voters who are undecided about the 2024 presidential election a small yet significant number in a state that could determine the presidency, and where past elections have moved based on tens of thousands of votes. Undecided voters are often hard to study they tend to be less engaged, or frustrated with both parties, which makes them more unlikely to respond to polls. And with a little more than two months until the election, a lot of them are just not paying attention yet. But the holdouts who do make up their minds in the final two weeks before Election Day can decide the winner in close states. Heres what we know about undecided voters in this critical state. How many undecided voters are there? A recent Franklin and Marshall poll of registered Pennsylvania voters surveyed in mid-August found that about 3% were undecided and 8% supported someone else in the race. An Emerson College poll of likely voters from the end of this month found about 2% of respondents intended to vote but had not yet picked a candidate. An additional 1% supported someone else in the race. Thats lower than in August 2020, when about 6% of likely Pennsylvania voters said they were undecided. Part of it is, I think, [former President Donald Trumps] candidacy. People are pretty aware of Trump and to some extent, they are either voting for or against him, Emerson College pollster Spencer Kimball said. READ MORE: The five kinds of places that win you Pennsylvania But the unswayed group is still large enough to swing the race in Pennsylvania, where Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are deadlocked in most recent polls and where the state was won by a little more than 1 percentage point in 2020 and a little less in 2016. Factoring in voters who previously said they were backing a third-party or independent candidate, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is no longer on the ballot in Pennsylvania, the number of undecided voters or those supporting a third option increases to about 10% in the F&M poll. Third-party voters are a group to watch, as they often change their minds, said F&M pollster Berwood Yost. Its pretty normally the case that the candidates who are running as third-party candidates tend to poll better than they actually do on Election Day, Yost said. Its unclear what, if any, impact Kennedys dropping out and endorsing Trump will have, but if Kennedys supporters follow his guidance, it could give Trump an edge in Pennsylvania. Who are Pennsylvanias undecided voters? Breaking the sample of undecided voters down further is an imperfect science, since in a poll of about 1,000 people, the group becomes a sample size of about 30. But generally, undecided voters in Pennsylvania are more likely to be registered unaffiliated with a party. About three-quarters of them were independent voters in the Emerson College Pennsylvania poll. The remainder was split between the two major parties. In the Emerson poll, undecided voters skewed slightly toward having supported Trump in 2020, and they tended to be younger than the states overall average population. Its the ones who just came into voting in the last couple of cycles and now theyre questioning what happened, Kimball said. F&Ms sample of undecided voters was also majority (60%) independent voters, and included more women than men. Zooming out to look at Emersons poll across all seven swing states (a total sample of 107 people), Pennsylvanias undecideds are somewhat older and whiter than in other states. Across all seven states, Black voters are more likely to be undecided (23%) compared to their proportion in the electorate, while Hispanic (11%) and white voters (58%) are less likely. Just 10% of voters age 60 or older were undecided, while indecision was higher among younger voters under 60. How will they break? The population of undecided voters across swing states, including Pennsylvania, has shifted somewhat from when President Joe Biden was the Democratic nominee, and it includes more younger voters, looking slightly more like the base Trump will seek to recapture. Before it was a group that the Democrats were going after, because they had a lot more of their voters sitting on the sideline, Kimball said. But they got them back in with Harris. Now it looks like a little more of the Trump vote that is undecided, and well see if he can get them back. Again, the sample size is small, but of the 107 undecided voters across all seven swing states, 52% leaned toward Trump while 46% leaned toward Harris, when pushed to choose. Another 2% opted for neither candidate. In 2020, these voters broke 43% for Trump, 37% for Biden, 11% for a third party, and 9% did not vote, according to the Emerson polls. Yost, from F&M, noted in his poll that 10% of voters said they could still change their mind another variable that could be determinative. READ MORE: How will Pennsylvanias voting groups shape the 2024 election? Highlights from our Reddit AMA In the coming weeks, expect to see both candidates trying to focus on turning out their base, while also campaigning for the often hard-to-pin-down middle. If you look at Harris strategy she seems to be trying to do both, Yost said. I think Trump seems to want to do both at times and then kind of gets off on a tangent. Mary Biser, a 74-year-old registered nurse from York, had been leaning toward voting for RFK Jr. until he removed himself from the ballot. A two-time Trump voter, Biser wasnt sure she could stomach a third vote for Trump, whose policies she largely agreed with, but whose authoritarian tendencies she found unnerving. The things with Jan. 6, its hard to know who did what and how much he was involved, but thats kind of scary to think about, that type of politics and trying to overthrow the government, she said. But Biser thinks Democrats are showing socialist and communist-type behavior, which she fears more. She said she had a discussion with similarly conflicted members of her church last week, and decided shell likely push the button for Trump. Its a vote for the platform, not the candidate, she said. I dont like him, but I dislike the Democrats more and I dont think Harris has the brains or the experience. Meanwhile, Cynthia Wilson, 69, from Harrisburg and also a retired registered nurse, is also the kind of swing voter both campaigns hope to win over. Shes a registered Republican who is voting Democratic in her congressional race and Republican in the states Senate race. She watched Harris interview on CNN Thursday considering whether she could support her, but was disappointed in a lack of specific answers to the questions. READ MORE: Kamala Harris in first interview since becoming the nominee addresses key Pa. issue: I will not ban fracking She talks about a new future, Wilson said. What have we had the past 3 years youve been vice president? But Wilson said Trump doesnt give specifics, either, and said she was horrified at reports of his campaign filming and bullying staff while visiting Arlington National Cemetery last week. I honestly think these people, her and Trump, they really think the American people are stupid. It really offends me. If the election were today, Wilson said she and her husband would write in former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys name for president. We know its not gonna get us anywhere, Wilson said. But at least we can say we voted. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris walks on stage to speak during the Democratic National Convention Aug. 22 in Chicago. Read more Vice President Kamala Harris said she would not ban fracking as president, reiterating in the strongest terms yet her support for a practice she opposed in 2019 and one that holds particular significance in critical Pennsylvania. Early in her first interview since becoming the nominee, Harris was asked by CNN anchor Dana Bash about her previous support of the Green New Deal and comments during her 2019 run for president in which she said she was no question in favor of banning fracking, a technique used to extract natural gas from the Earths surface. Harris later reversed her position when she joined President Joe Biden on the ticket. Advertisement I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking as vice president and I did not ban fracking, she told Bash. As president, I will not ban fracking ... we are in 2024 and Ive not changed that position nor will I going forward. Ive kept my word and I will keep my word. Asked what changed, Harris said her values have not changed. I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of climate. But Harris said she thought the government could address the climate crisis by investing in clean energy in other ways, touting 300,000 new clean energy jobs created under the Biden-Harris administration. What I have seen is that we can grow, and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy, without banning fracking. Harris also noted she cast the tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate to increase leases for fracking. So Im clear where I stand, she said. Pennsylvania is the second-largest natural gas producer in the nation so the issue is of particular significance in what Bash called Harris must-win state of Pennsylvania. Harris past stance has fueled ongoing GOP attacks. Former President Donald Trump said earlier this month in York that the commonwealth would be relegated to Third World status if he is not elected in November, saying Pennsylvanias energy production would plummet if Harris is elected. Youre going to go from being one of the largest producers in terms of fracking, the energy produced, into a nonfactor, Trump said of his Democratic opponent. Your states going to be Third World. Like much of our country, its being made Third World by these people. They dont have a clue. After the interview aired, Trump contested whether Harris views had changed on fracking in a wide-ranging post. I agree, her values havent changed The Border is going to remain open, not closed, there will be Free Healthcare for Illegal Alliens, Sanctuary Cities, No Cash Bail, Gun Confiscation, Zero Fracking...America will become a WASTELAND. Trump will hold a rally Friday in Johnstown, a former steel town in Western Pennsylvania, where the topic is likely to come up again. The Harris and Walz interview, taped on the campaign trail in Savannah, Ga., premiered Thursday night on CNN and also covered foreign policy, immigration, and the upcoming debate with Trump in Philadelphia on Sept. 10. There are 66 days until Election Day. In this edition: Advertisement GOP on 222: There were signs in 2020 that former President Donald Trump had made inroads with Latino voters along the U.S. 222 corridor and elsewhere in Pennsylvania. How they vote this November will be a key factor in determining the outcome. Revved and ready to go: Women in Phillys suburbs where abortion is a key driver for voters will play a major role in determining the presidential election. Democrats from Vice President Kamala Harris to Pa. House candidates are establishing a clear message on reproductive rights. Phillys economy: What Trump and Harris differing economic agendas could mean for the city. Julia Terruso, Aseem Shukla, Fallon Roth, Jeremy Roebuck, Anna Orso, Oona Goodin-Smith, pa2024@inquirer.com If youd like to get this free newsletter in your inbox, sign up for free here. We want to know what you think about this newsletter. By taking our quick survey, you can enter for a chance to win a gift card. We were inspired this week to look deeper into a question from one of our readers, who inquired during a Reddit AMA about Pennsylvanias undecided voters, asking how anyone could still be on the fence during such a polarized time in politics. National political reporter Julia Terruso explains: Lets talk about the elusive undecided voter. Presidential election polls in Pennsylvania are stubbornly deadlocked, and with less than three months to go, some voters still dont know who they are supporting or even if they will turn out. While that might be hard to fathom, or even exasperating to the overwhelming majority of decided voters, its the reality for a group of between 2% and 4% of voters. Why the range? The first thing to keep in mind when youre looking at polling of undecided voters is whether the poll is of registered voters or likely voters. Some polls, like Emerson College, have started shifting to poll likely voters as the election nears to winnow out people who are unlikely to vote at all. The latest Emerson College poll showed about 2% of Pennsylvanias likely voters are undecided. READ MORE: Pennsylvanias undecided voters are a small group but they could have a big impact on the 2024 election Thats fewer undecided than we had here in August 2020, but still enough to be determinative in a state that was won by a little more than 1 percentage point in 2020 and a little less in 2016. Spencer Kimball, Emersons pollster, tells us about of those voters are independents. The group is also disproportionately white and between the ages of 30 and 39. Its a small sample size, but more of them voted for Trump in 2020 than Biden. Another 3% of voters said they were backing independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has since withdrawn from the ballot in Pennsylvania. With as little as a month left until mail ballots start going out, Trump and Harris will likely focus on their bases as well as undecideds. But its difficult to target undecided voters as one bloc, since they often differ on why theyre undecided. Some are just not paying attention yet, or are feeling disengaged with politics more broadly. Cherry Lang, a 20-year-old registered Democrat from Norristown, is in the latter camp, frustrated with the political system and conflicted about what to do in November. Honestly, I try to stay away from politics because I find it very depressing, she said. Lang works two jobs and lives with her parents as she tries to determine her path forward. My generation, we arent able to really afford to do anything, and I dont think either candidate is gonna make that change for my generation and that really sucks. Are you an undecided voter? Email us wed love to hear from you. Read more of our answers to your Reddit questions about the election from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz effectiveness here, how you can assess political polls and data for yourself, and the Mount Rushmore of Pennsylvania counties likely to decide the election. The latest Trump is in Johnstown today a purple city that narrowly went to President Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2016, located in a red swath of Western Pennsylvanias Cambria County. Said one GOP official: The election will be decided on who gets the vote out. Pennsylvania voters say the economy is the issue most important to them this election, and the commonwealths lagging post-pandemic rebound could have implications at the ballot box. Trump and Harris are campaigning on very different economic agendas. Heres how each of their plans on the cost of goods, taxes, housing, and fossil fuels could shape Philadelphias economy. All four of Philadelphias collar counties have more women who are of voting age than men. And as Phillys suburbs will likely be key in the 2024 election, suburban women are poised to play a potentially decisive role in determining the next president. A Pennsylvania county must tell voters if their mail ballots cannot be counted, allowing them the chance to cast a provisional ballot, a judge ordered. The countys board of elections, the judge said, clearly violated the statutory right to allow a person checks and balances against the government. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not be on Pennsylvanias presidential ballot in November, but will stay on ballots in several other key swing states, after suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump. The Montgomery County man charged in a rare case of election fraud is a notorious 62-year-old landlord who has been cutting corners in Philadelphia for years, an Inquirer investigation found. Data dive Were now passing the mic to our colleague, data reporter Aseem Shukla, to talk about the growing support for Trump in Pennsylvanias Latino-majority cities: So where might Trump do better in Pennsylvania than he did in 2020 or 2016? One group seems particularly promising: the states majority-Latino areas. Heres the thing: even as nearly all of Pennsylvania shifted a little to a lot leftward in 2020, pushing Biden narrowly over the top in this closely-divided state, one type of place consistently moved in the opposite direction: majority-Latino precincts. It wasnt just in one place. We saw this in Philly, Norristown, York, Lancaster really anywhere where Latino residents make up the biggest chunk of the voting population. But nowhere was this more noticeable than Reading, Pennsylvanias largest majority-Latino city, where 68% of residents are Latino and where Biden hemorrhaged votes in 2020 compared to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while Trump gained a lot. Like other majority-Latino parts of the state, Reading remained heavily Democratic, to the extent that my colleague Sean Collins Walsh had a hard time finding avowed Trump supporters. But the proof is in the data: plenty of Latino voters switched teams. Will they continue to move to the right? If that trend continues even a little bit, that could spell trouble for Harris in Pennsylvania, where every few hundred votes count. Stock up Western Pa.: This group of Philadelphians is not inclined to say nice things about the other side of the commonwealth, but we can throw our rivals a bone when its warranted. Western Pennsylvania feels like the center of the states political activity this week. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance was in Erie Wednesday, Trump will be in Johnstown today, and on Monday, Harris and Biden will both head to Pittsburgh. Fair to say the regions stock is up right now. (Though that doesnt extend to the last-in-their-division Pirates. Go Phils.) Stock down Dave McCormick: Its been a tough end to the week for the Republican U.S. Senate candidate after he confused Philadelphia, Miss. for the City of Brotherly Love while sharing a news clip on X from a local Mississippi news station, seeking to blame Harris and opponent, Sen. Bob Casey, for border security issues. It was an unfortunate slip-up, given how McCormick has fought carpetbagger accusations from Caseys campaign and other Democrats, who now have capitalized on this recent mistake. (McCormick owns a house in Pittsburgh and grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania.) Its almost reminiscent of the last election, when former Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, facing similar allegations of being an outsider, mispronounced grocery store Redners as Wegners and called a veggie tray crudite. What you asked And now, we pass the mic to our colleague, courts reporter Jeremy Roebuck, to answer a reader who emailed us to ask about the pending legal challenges against Trump and whether they will affect his ability to campaign, win, or serve as president: The short answer: No. At this point, its exceedingly unlikely that any of the criminal cases filed against Trump will derail his ability to campaign, and if elected, his ability to serve. Its worth noting that, unlike other public offices, theres no restriction barring a convicted felon even one in prison from running for or becoming president. And if he wins in November, Trump could kill off any federal charges hes facing with the stroke of a pen. But for now, the cases against him do present an ongoing headache if not an imminent threat to his campaign. Heres where things stand in each: New York hush money case: Trump is set to be sentenced Sept. 18 in Manhattan for his conviction for falsifying business records to cover-up hush money payments made to a porn star with whom hes accused of having an affair. However, his lawyers are looking to get that date pushed, arguing that they need more time to review their appellate options. If that date does stick, Trump could be sentenced to anything from community service or house arrest to up to four years in prison. But whatever punishment he receives, he likely wont have to serve it until after hes exhausted his appeals a process that could take years. Federal election interference case: Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a revised version of his indictment in this matter a series of charges tied to Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election on Tuesday, reviving a case that had previously lain dormant for months. The superseding indictment narrows the case, in line with the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in last month that Trump, as president, should be granted broad immunity from prosecution for actions he took in office. But Smiths team is confident it can still move forward to secure a conviction, based solely on actions Trump took in his capacity as a candidate for the presidency. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, has scheduled a hearing next month to determine a schedule for the case moving forward. Shes repeatedly made clear she wont let Trumps campaign calendar dictate her timeline. Still, its unlikely that the case would reach a trial stage before November. Georgia election interference case: The election interference case brought against Trump and key allies in Georgia isnt going anywhere fast. Disrupted earlier this year by questions of whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from overseeing the case due to a romantic relationship she had with a prosecutor working in her office, the matter is now awaiting a decision by the Georgia state appeals courts, which have scheduled oral arguments for December. It will likely take months after that for the appeals court to issue its ruling. And even then, the case will have to be revamped to some degree to address the U.S. Supreme Courts immunity decision. Federal classified documents case: While a federal judge dismissed this case alleging Trump took reams of classified documents from the White House when he decamped to Mar-a-Lago in 2021 last month, Smith, the special prosecutor, is appealing that ruling and hopes to revive the case. Even if he succeeds, dont expect to see a trial in this matter before next year. Do you have your own question about the election? Email us back and well try to answer it in a future newsletter. Politics translator What they said: The Harris and Trump campaigns have sparred over whether the microphones should be constantly live during the upcoming presidential debate in Philadelphia. The Trump team wants the mics muted when candidates arent speaking, but the Harris campaign does not. Said a Harris campaign spokesperson: Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates - but it appears Donald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad! What they meant: We hope Trump interrupts or attacks Harris, so she can take a swipe right back. If Trump interrupts Harris, it could give her an opportunity to show she is ready to deal with it and embrace her prosecutorial style of debating. While Trump was mulling over participating in the debate, Harris dared Trump to say it to my face. She also has a history of creating viral moments on the debate stage, coining the line Mr. Vice President, Im speaking during the 2020 vice presidential debate. Scenes from the campaign trail What were watching next The heated battle over the hot mics at the Sept. 10 presidential debate hosted by ABC and set at Phillys very own National Constitution Center. This weekend in Pennsylvania, as Trump heads to Johnstown to bolster support from white working-class voters, while Harris and Biden make a Labor Day pitch to union workers in Pittsburgh. One last thing: The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania is Oct. 21, and Oct. 15 in New Jersey. Heres everything you need to know about your registration. As always, thank you for reading. We wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend, and well see you in your inbox next Friday. Our APAC team has deep understanding and knowledge of this product and transactions in the APAC market, and we are confident that we will provide the same excellent level of commercial underwriting and claims experience that we have delivered to our clients in North America and EMEA, Rittberg said. This initiative also serves as a tool to drive greater engagement with life insurance among superannuation fund members with MetLifes research indicating that members who actively manage their insurance are more likely to recommend their super fund to others, underscoring the value of this new digital tool. As the largest insurer in California, State Farm is not only seeking higher rates for homeowners but is also proposing a 52% increase for renters and a 36% hike for condominium owners. These requests come on the heels of a 20% rate increase approved last Decemberand the company has also identified several Bay Area ZIP codes where it will discontinue homeowners insurance coverage altogether. Meanwhile, the Associated Press noted that a proposal to remit the insurance proceeds to the federal government has been approved, with the state looking to show good faith amid ongoing negotiations about the prospect of the full cleanup and rebuilding costs being shouldered by the federal government. According to the study, Colorado ranks as the state where businesses are most at risk with a score of 7.96. Despite its relatively small population, Colorado has experienced a significant increase in cyberattack-related financial losses, rising by 58.7% since 2017 to reach over $104 million. The state also reported an annual average of 10,776 cyberattack victims from 2020 to 2023. "Our team prides itself on finding families and businesses the right insurance for their specific needs. Joining World will allow us to offer additional products and services to our customers, and we look forward to a great future, president John J. Flynn said. Pearce began his career in underwriting working for companies such as AXA, AIG, and Chubb, specialising in the mining and power generation business. He then moved into broking business in the early 2000s and worked across clients on a global scale, working for Marsh, Aon, and JLT. Pearce then joined Canopius, where he moved to Lloyds to set up new lines of business, before eventually being made responsible for all natural resources business, including construction. Two men have been charged with conducting a six-year scheme in which they allegedly scammed a ridesharing company and customers out of $40 million in fraudulent surge fees by selling hacked smartphones and fake GPS applications to hundreds of rideshare drivers. An indictment unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn charges Eliahou Paldiel and Carlos Arturo Suarez Palacios with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies. According to the office of Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the two men are charged with equipping more than 800 rideshare drivers with devices that enabled them to fraudulently obtain surge fees and to manipulate legitimate rideshare applications to enrich themselves. The indictment alleges that the scheme ran between November 2018 and August 2024. Not only did Paldiel and Suarez allegedly defraud an unnamed rideshare companys users and drivers by causing passengers to pay millions of dollars in fraudulent surge fees but they also allegedly deprived legitimate rideshare drivers of their true share of surge fares and the most lucrative trips. The fraudulent devices and applications they sold for profit enabled their driver co-conspirators to cherry-pick high-fare rides by obtaining proprietary information and to queue in areas where they were not physically present, court documents claim. During the course of the scheme, the driver co-conspirators allegedly earned more than $40 million from rideshare customers. Paldiel and Suarez received more than $1.5 million from driver co-conspirators through one peer-to-peer payment service alone, prosecutors claim. Paldiel was arrested in Brooklyn and Suarez was arrested in Brick Township, New Jersey. In addition to US Attorney Peaces office, the New York field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation participated in the case. The charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison on each of the two counts. 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, said Peace in the announcement of the arrest. For almost six years, this alleged conspiracy offered an unfair financial advantage to more than 800 participants and disrupted the integrity of nationwide rideshare services, earning the participants more than $40 million, stated FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis. The unnamed rideshare company operates primarily through its smartphone application, connecting users with drivers for on-demand transportation services. The defendants allegedly sold fake applications to driver co-conspirators on cellular devices that had their security restrictions modified or removed, thereby allowing the installation of applications that the device manufacturer had not made available for the device. Fake GPS Spoofing and Screwber Apps The prosecutors claim that Fake GPS is a GPS spoofing application developed by the defendants and others. Fake GPS enabled drivers to manipulate or spoof their locations and make it appear as if they were located in an area with surging fares when, in fact, they were not. Another application they allegedly developed, Screwber, provided their co-conspirator drivers with information about prospective rides that was not otherwise available to other drivers prior to accepting such rides. For example, Screwber enabled them to learn destinations and approximate fares, thereby allowing them to cherry-pick only the most profitable rides offered. By installing outdated versions of the rideshare companys application, the defendants ensured that the Fake GPS and Screwber applications were not detected by security features implemented in newer versions of the application, prosecutors contend. Prosecutors indicate that the defendants spoke with one another about their strategy. For example, in November 2018, they say Suarez wrote to Paldiel, You know Screwber is like drugs .. once you get into it youll get withdrawals when you cant get your fix. In another message, prosecutors say Paldiel wrote to Suarez regarding the driver co-conspirators, I get them hooked on the software, even a drug deal[er] throws in a few extra grams of weed in the beginning. Officials request that anyone with information related to this case please contact the FBI at NY_RideShareTips@fbi.gov Topics Fraud Maryland-based insurance, benefits and risk management firm RCM&D announced the acquisition of MillenGroup, a Richmond, Virginia-based benefits advisory firm. Laura Millen, founder and senior managing partner, and John Millen, co-founder and managing partner, will join RCM&Ds employee benefits leadership team in Richmond, according to the announcement. RCM&D is a company of Unison Risk Advisors, which was formed with the 2020 merger of RCM&D and Oswald Companies. In 2023, Unison added NSI Insurance Group as its third partner. The MillenGroup deal officially closed on August 1, 2024. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Virginia A crash that killed three passengers on a party bus on a Virginia highway was caused by a fatigued truck driver working for a company that allowed its drivers to log excessive hours, a federal report concluded Wednesday. The December 2022 crash on Interstate 64 in Williamsburg occurred when a truck set to cruise control rear-ended a slow-moving party bus operated by Futrells Party Adventures. The crash killed three occupants of the party bus, with nine others sustaining serious injuries and 11 suffering minor injuries. The truck driver, who worked for Triton Logistics Inc. of Romeoville, Illinois, was also seriously injured. In a report issued Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board, investigators concluded that the truck drivers cruise control was set at 65 to 70 mph when it collided with the bus, which was traveling at about 20 to 25 mph. The NTSB said that Triton Logistics created fictitious driver accounts for its vehicles electronic logging device systems that allowed drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service regulations and drive while fatigued. The report concluded that driver fatigue, enabled by the fictitious logs, caused the crash. According to the report, the 61-year-old driver had been driving for seven consecutive days and at the time of the crash was finishing up a trip from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chesapeake, Virginia. The report states that video from the tractor-trailer shows that the vehicle repeatedly drifted onto the shoulder of the highway in the three minutes before the crash. Triton did not respond to an email seeking comment, and a woman answering phones at the companys headquarters hung up when a reporter called asking if the company had a comment. The report recommends that Triton do a better job of verifying the accuracy of drivers records and implement a robust fatigue management program. The NTSB also recommended better state and federal oversight. The report also found that the slow speed of the bus contributed to the crashs severity and may have been caused by a partially blocked prescreen fuel filter. The report concluded that the bus carrier lacked appropriate safety management practices, as demonstrated by the poor maintenance. The company did not return an email seeking comment Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Personal Auto Trucking A federal appeals court revived Sarah Palins libel case against The New York Times on Wednesday, citing errors by a lower court judge, particularly his decision to dismiss the lawsuit while a jury was deliberating. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan wrote that Judge Jed S. Rakoffs decision in February 2022 to dismiss the lawsuit mid-deliberations improperly intruded on the jurys work. It also found that the erroneous exclusion of evidence, an inaccurate jury instruction and an erroneous response to a question from the jury tainted the jurys decision to rule against Palin. It declined, however, to grant Palins request to force Rakoff off the case on grounds he was biased against her. The 2nd Circuit said she had offered no proof. The libel lawsuit by Palin, a onetime Republican vice presidential candidate and former governor of Alaska, centered on the newspapers 2017 editorial falsely linking her campaign rhetoric to a mass shooting, which Palin asserted damaged her reputation and career. The Times acknowledged its editorial was inaccurate but said it quickly corrected errors it called an honest mistake that were never meant to harm Palin. Shane Vogt, a lawyer for Palin, said in an email that Palin was very happy with todays decision, which is a significant step forward in the process of holding publishers accountable for content that misleads readers and the public in general. The truth deserves a level playing field, and Governor Palin looks forward to presenting her case to a jury that is provided with relevant proffered evidence and properly instructed on the law,' Vogt added, quoting in part from the 2nd Circuit ruling. Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the Times, said the decision was disappointing. Were confident we will prevail in a retrial, he said in an email. The 2nd Circuit, in a ruling written by Judge John M. Walker Jr., reversed the jury verdict, along with Rakoffs decision to dismiss the lawsuit while jurors were deliberating. Despite his ruling, Rakoff let jurors finish deliberating and render their verdict, which went against Palin. The appeals court noted that Rakoffs ruling made credibility determinations, weighed evidence, and ignored facts or inferences that a reasonable juror could plausibly find supported Palins case. It also described how push notifications that reached the cellphones of jurors came as an unfortunate surprise to the district judge. The 2nd Circuit said it was not enough that the judges law clerk was assured by jurors that Rakoffs ruling had not affected their deliberations. Given a judges special position of influence with a jury, we think a jurys verdict reached with the knowledge of the judges already-announced disposition of the case will rarely be untainted, no matter what the jurors say upon subsequent inquiry, the appeals court said. In its ruling Wednesday, the 2nd Circuit said it was granting a new trial because of various trial errors and because Rakoffs mid-deliberations ruling against Palin, which might have reached jurors through alerts delivered to cell phones, impugn the reliability of that verdict. The jury is sacrosanct in our legal system, and we have a duty to protect its constitutional role, both by ensuring that the jurys role is not usurped by judges and by making certain that juries are provided with relevant proffered evidence and properly instructed on the law, the appeals court said. Photo: Former Republican Vice Presidential candidate Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits New York South Africa-based general insurer Santam Ltd. plans to expand in Asia to diversify its premiums and counter tepid growth at home. The insurer, a subsidiary of financial services group Sanlam Ltd., generates 82% of its premiums in South Africa. We are looking at Asia and the Middle East from a reinsurance perspective, Santam Chief Executive Officer Tavaziva Madzinga, said in an interview Thursday. Our expertise and understanding works well in emerging markets, and we also find that those are also growth markets and so we want to tap into some of that growth. The move would follow on the success of its parent Sanlam in India. Sanlam has partnered with the Shriram Capital Group in the south Asian nation since 2005 and that country generates about 17% of profit. Economic growth for the Middle East and central Asia is projected at 2.8% in 2024 and 4.2% next year, compared with 0.9% and 1.2% respectively for South Africa. Were a market leader by market share, we have a depth of skill sets and experience, and we believe that that skill set and experience can be exported and it can be leveraged into some of those markets, Madzinga said. Insurance is almost a global business by its nature anyway, and so you can write a business in new territories on a syndicated basis. Santam plans to expand organically and through opportunities, Madzinga said. Even the 18% of that we currently write into the rest of the world, weve done it on our existing capabilities and so were not talking about mergers and acquisitions-type growth. Its effectively an organic plan, he said. Outside South Africa, Santam operates in Namibia and several other emerging markets. It serves more than 1 million policyholders, ranging from individuals to commercial and specialist business owners and institutions. Photograph: A Sanlam Ltd. office building in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. Photo credit: Michele Spatari/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Carriers Agile Underwriting Services, the Sydney, Australia-based insurtech, managing general agent, and Lloyds coverholder, has launched a unit in New Zealand, which Agile described as the first of its kind for a Lloyds syndicate. The establishment of Agile Insurance Group NZ enhances Agiles ability to service New Zealand business in its general aviation, accident and health, casualty and professional lines, the company said. This venture marks a further strategic milestone for Agile, an Australian insurance group established in 2015. Earlier this year, Agile launched a Lloyds syndicate Agile Underwriting Services Syndicate AUS 2427 established under the syndicate-in-a-box (SIAB) framework. It is managed by Asta, a third-party managing agent at Lloyds. The establishment of our presence in New Zealand is a significant advance in the development of Agiles capability and market offering, according to Robin Barham, CEO of Agile, in a statement. The strength of our Pacific presence combined with our innovative IT platforms demonstrate a continuation of our drive to expand our offerings and support our New Zealand customers. The launch of a New Zealand entity solidifies Agiles position at the forefront of Lloyds business in the Pacific region and paves the way for other geographic expansion, the company said. We see the New Zealand market as a critical element in our development, and this ground-breaking initiative offers brokers new capacity options and access to Agiles adaptive solutions that reflect the regions unique demands, commented Mark Hunt, the syndicates active underwriter, who has four decades of industry expertise. Source: Agile Underwriting Services Topics Excess Surplus Lloyd's Australia The CSX worker who discovered his friend run over by a pair of remote-control locomotives in a railyard last year sees a simple solution to preventing similar deaths in the future: two-person crews. But that idea wont be popular with the railroads that have come to rely heavily on having one person control trains moving around a railyard with a remote control as they take apart and reassemble trains. The tactic that was first approved in 2005 started with two people on the job to watch for hazards, but today one-person remote-control operations are common. Using remote control operators helps limit costs by using less experienced workers to move locomotives that help assemble trains a task that once required licensed engineers who are among the highest-paid rail workers. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Trainmen and Engineers and other unions have been raising concerns about the practice recently, particularly because remote-control trains are now being used in places outside of railyards to make local trips to pick up and drop off cars. Railroads are confident the practice is safe based on their experience using it for years. But Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Warren Flatau said the agency is scrutinizing the use of remote control after this death and several other recent incidents. The expanded use of remote-control trains outside of rail yards is also attracting attention. The National Transportation Safety Board provided an update on its investigation into the death of Fred Anderson on Wednesday when it posted transcripts of its interviews with the workers involved and other information. Anderson was killed on September 17, 2023, when he stepped in front of two locomotives in CSXs railyard in Walbridge, Ohio. Railroad safety has been in the spotlight ever since last years disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, forced evacuations and left residents with lingering health fears after a cocktail of toxic chemicals spilled and burned. At the time Anderson was killed, the remote control operator was riding on a ladder on the back of the second locomotive with no view of the front of the train. That practice is perfectly acceptable under federal and railroad rules because earlier in the shift the remote-control operator had cleared the area around the tracks where he was working. Anderson and the other carman he was working with, George Oliger, had radioed ahead to get permission to enter the area, but Anderson was still struck by the train. Oliger told investigators afterward that he thinks Andersons death would have been prevented if the remote-control operator was on the front of the locomotives or if a conductor or engineer were controlling them from the cab. He said a traditional crew would have likely seen Anderson and rang the bell to alert him to the danger. What does it cost for an engineer for the night? $350? If we had two guys on every crew, to spend $350 to save someones life or to make our yard a little bit safer, I think thats what we need to do, you know. Like I said if there had been a two man crew on that crew that night, we wouldnt be talking, Oliger said, according to a transcript of his interview. Its not clear if anyone would have been able to stop the locomotives in time before they hit Anderson, but if someone operating the train had seen him step onto the tracks, they may have been able to warn him. The locomotives were moving at 10 mph (16 kph) when they struck Anderson, and the remote control operator told investigators that he believes it would have taken the length of an engine to stop them at that speed. But Randy Fannon, who leads the engineers unions Safety Task Force, said he thinks, This tragic incident in Ohio involving a remotely operated train, blindly controlled from behind, would not have happened if there had been a locomotive engineer in the cab. Fannon said railyard workers are more alert to the risks presented by remote-control trains, but the union is adamantly opposed to remotely operated trains being used outside fenced-in yard environments where pedestrians or vehicles could come in contact at rail crossings. CSX and all the unions directly involved arent allowed to discuss Andersons death until the NTSB completes its investigation, which the agency has said is focused on CSXs carmen safety procedure training and awareness. The Federal Railroad Administration and CSX both put out advisories after Andersons death reminding all rail workers that they need to be careful when crossing tracks and should always be aware that a train can move down a track at any time. CSX had its managers stress to all its maintenance workers that they must look both directions before they ever cross tracks. The railroad said last year that it wasnt planning any changes to its remote control operations after Andersons death because it appeared that all federal and CSX rules were being followed at the time. Safety statistics on railroad crashes are unclear on how safe this practice is because Federal Railroad Administration reports dont break out those involving remote control trains from incidents involving trains operated by engineers and conductors. The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen union has said that three of its members have died in incidents involving remote-control trains since 2015. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Ohio Main Street America Insurance said Thursday it will stop offering personal lines insurance in favor of a commercial lines strategy. The Jacksonville, Florida-based insurer founded about 100 years ago in Keene, New Hampshire said it is tightening its focus and leaning into what it called a tremendous opportunity in commercial lines. Main Street America is doubling down on commercial lines and clearly defining our future direction in the marketplace, said Chris Listau, president and CEO, in a statement. As a trusted and respected brand in the independent agent channel, were continuing to move forward confidently in an area that enables us to take advantage of the incredible potential that exists in the commercial lines space, Listau added. This will further support our agents in solving the unmet needs of small business owners. The insurer, which became part of Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Co. in 2018, said concentrating on commercial lines will allow it to innovate and serve the market faster. Main Street America Insurance writes commercial insurance, as well as fidelity and surety bond products throughout the U.S. The company said it writes more than $1.1 billion in annual premiumall via independent agents. Were excited to marry current market opportunities and a refined focus with the independent agency channels ability to dominantly handle complicated, complex risks often associated with commercial lines customers, said Richard Vaughn, head of sales at Main Street America. Attempts to reach Main Street America for additional information were forwarded to American Family, who said the information it could provide was in the press release. According to industry rating agency AM Best, Main Street America Protection Insurance Co. and Main Street America Assurance Co. are each members of American Family Insurance Group, which holds a financial strength rating of A (Excellent). According to AM Best data, about 30% of Main Street America Protections book was commercial multiperil in 2023. The line accounted for more than 81% of Main Street America Assurances 2023 direct premiums. With more direct premiums attributable to personal lines, Main Street Protection posted a combined ratio of 104.7 in 2023. Main Street America Assurances 2023 combined ratio was 97.3. In 2020, Main Street America Group rebranded to Main Street America Insurance. According to local news sources, Main Street America earlier this year listed for sale its Keene office building. The company said it planned to continue operating in Keene but did not need the large building after adopting a hybrid workplace following the pandemic. Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign clear teeth aligners, agreed to pay $27.5 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it entered an illegal antitrust conspiracy that drove up prices of aligners made by rival SmileDirectClub. The settlement would cover nearly 1.45 million purchasers of SmileDirectClub aligners between Oct. 22, 2017, and Aug. 18, 2022. Align would also offer each class member a $300 coupon for Invisalign treatment. A preliminary settlement of the proposed class action was filed on Thursday night in federal court in San Francisco, and requires approval by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. Align denied wrongdoing but settled to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation, court papers show. The case arose from an alleged 2016 agreement between Align and SmileDirectClub, which had been founded two years earlier, to allocate the market for clear teeth aligners. Align had been selling its aligners through dental offices, while SmileDirectClub sold its aligners directly to consumers. The plaintiffs said Align violated the Sherman federal antitrust law by agreeing not to enter the direct-to-consumer market, freeing SmileDirectClub to charge more, in exchange for a minority stake in SmileDirectClub and a share of its profits. SmileDirectClub shut down last December, fewer than three months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, the plaintiffs law firm, said the settlement will improve treatment for patients affected by SmileDirectClubs closure, or who want more comprehensive teeth straightening than SmileDirectClubs aligners provided. The law firm said it plans to seek legal fees of up to $6.875 million plus 25% of the value of reimbursed coupons, with total fees capped at $8.25 million. Align is based in San Jose, California. It did not immediately respond on Friday to requests for comment. The case is Snow v Align Technology Inc, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 21-03269. Topics Lawsuits 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. 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. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Numbers Mississippi Los Angeles area vocational school owner, Guillermo Frias, 65, of Paramount, and the schools accounting manager, Yesid Colon, 54, of Baldwin Park, were arraigned following a California Department of Insurance investigation into allegations they submitted fraudulent claims to receive money from insurers for services the school did not provide. They also allegedly received illegal kickback payments from counselors that paid for referrals of students, which is a labor code violation. Four counselors were also arraigned for their involvement in the illegal referrals and kickback scheme. The investigation began after the CDI received referrals from multiple insurers alleging the vocational school, Caledonian, committed workers compensation fraud. The school was reportedly misusing Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit Vouchers, which provide injured workers with up to $6,000 for retraining at a post-secondary educational institution. The training helps the injured worker become more competitive in the job market when they are unable to return to their former vocation field due to being on total or temporary disability. During the investigation, the department served a search warrant on Caledonian and seized evidence consistent with the speculation that the school was offering courses outside of which they were approved. The warrant also provided additional evidence that the school did not offer full instruction hours for courses, instructed students through third party vocational institutions, provided distance learning when not approved and instructed students in languages outside of the approved language. Additionally, evidence reportedly found Caledonian paid vocational counselors and employees to refer students, which is also a labor code violation. Caledonian reportedly paid $496,147 to counselors for those illegal referrals. Accepting payment for referrals is also a violation and the evidence showed multiple vocational counselors accepted and received a total of $489,530 for their illegal referrals. The investigation determined Caledonian was receiving money from insurance companies for the services not rendered. Further, counselors received illegal kickbacks payments from Caledonian for student referrals. The vocational counselors allegedly involved in the scheme are Jenny Villegas, Friends for Injured Workers CEO, Laura Wilson, CEO of Laura Wilsons and Associates, Jesus Garibay, Gordys Legal Service Director, and Hazel Ortega, CEO of Ortega Counseling Center. All six defendants were charged with violating Penal Code 550(a)(1), Labor Code 3215, and Insurance Code 750.5. Frias, Colon, Villegas, Wilson, and Ortega were arraigned last week. Garibay was arraigned June 7. The defendants are scheduled to return to court on October 7. The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office is prosecuting the case. Topics Fraud Workers' Compensation K-12 Efforts in California to establish first-in-the-nation safety measures for the largest artificial intelligence systems cleared an important vote this week that could pave the way for U.S. regulations on the technology 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 governors 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 companys suggestions. The current bill removed the penalty of perjury provision, limited the state attorney generals power to sue violators and narrowed the responsibilities of a new AI regulatory agency. Social media platform X owner Elon Musk 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 handand 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. Wieners 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 reigning in the technology and its potential risks without stifling the booming homegrown industry. California, home of 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. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California InsurTech Legislation Data Driven Artificial Intelligence August 30, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Oil futures advanced as the market grappled with potential supply disruptions in the Middle East, particularly from Libya and Iraq. Libya's oil production has been severely impacted by ongoing political instability, taking significant portions of its output offline and halting exports. Meanwhile, Iraq plans to reduce its oil output next month to comply with its OPEC+ quota. These developments have heightened concerns about tighter global oil supplies, driving prices upward. However, the upside momentum in crude prices could be limited by ongoing concerns about weakened demand, particularly from China, the world's largest crude oil importer. China's leading state-owned oil companies, including Sinopec and PetroChina, posted strong profits from their exploration and production activities, but their refining divisions struggled due to lower domestic fuel demand amid an economic slowdown. Declining demand for diesel and a shift towards LNG-powered trucks further weighed on refining performance. Additionally, China's crude oil imports fell by 2.4% in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting broader concerns over the country's economic health and future oil demand. Recent U.S. inventory data showed a smaller-than-expected reduction in crude stocks, indicating potential softness in demand. The market remains cautious, with expectations of OPEC extending its production cuts to stabilise prices. More Info: Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts The investigation into Telegram boss Pavel Durov that has fired a warning shot to global tech titans was started by a small cybercrime unit within the Paris prosecutor's office, led by 38-year-old Johanna Brousse. The arrest of Mr Durov, 39, last Saturday marks a significant shift in how some global authorities may seek to deal with tech chiefs reluctant to police illegal content on their platforms. The arrest signalled the mettle of the J3 cybercrime unit, but the true test of its ambitions will be whether Ms Brousse can secure a conviction based on a largely untested legal argument, lawyers said. In an unprecedented move against a major tech chief executive, prosecutors argued Mr Durov bears responsibility for the alleged illegality on his platform, placing him under formal investigation on organised crime charges. He is suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allows the posting of child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud. Mr Durov's lawyer said on Thursday it was "absurd" for him to be held responsible and that the app abided by European laws, echoing an earlier statement by Telegram itself. 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 the probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or dropped. Mr Durov is out on bail, but barred from leaving France. Read More French authorities issue preliminary charges against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Ms Brousse's unit began investigating Mr Durov earlier this year after seeing his app being used for countless alleged crimes, and growing frustrated by the "almost total lack of response from Telegram to judicial requests", Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Wednesday. Ms Brousse declined to comment. In an interview with newspaper Liberation in January, Ms Brousse said her office was overseeing a growing number of probes involving Telegram and rival messaging app Discord, adding that tackling crime on them was "one of my battles". Jason Citron, Discord's chief executive, did not respond to a request for comment. J3 cybercrime unit Ms Brousse's J3 cybercrime unit is France's most important, with licence to prosecute nationwide. But it also is small, with just five prosecutors, well below the 55-60 cybercrime prosecutors in Switzerland, a 2022 parliamentary report found. With limited resources, they "prioritize the most serious crimes", Ms Brousse told Le Figaro last year. Ms Brousse said in a 2022 podcast appearance she wanted to be tough "so cybercriminals believe that if they attack France, they will be judged and punished very severely". "We want people to be prosecuted, either in their country ... or in France through arrest warrants," she said. Her office was used to "extremely sensitive cases", she added. "Sometimes, legal and geopolitical issues intersect." Patrick Perrot, who co-ordinates AI-assisted probes at the French gendarmerie and advises the Interior Ministry's cybercommand unit, said the J3 had been innovative in seeking to prosecute cases that set an international precedent. "I think it shows that you can't do whatever you want with these platforms," he told Reuters. "It's a real question for the future, because these platforms won't stop multiplying, so the challenge of regulation is essential." Ms Brousse has led the J3 since 2020, which has given her oversight of one of the most important and controversial French cybercrime cases ever. Encrochat In late 2020, the J3 took charge of the probe into Sky ECC, which alongside Encrochat was one of the main encrypted communications services used by gangsters to buy drugs and weapons, or murder rivals. A few years earlier, French, Dutch and Belgian police had hacked into their servers, which were housed in northern France, giving French prosecutors jurisdiction over many of the resulting probes. There have been more than 6,500 arrests since the takedown of Encrochat in 2020, according to Europol, with the legality of the intercepts challenged in appeals courts across Europe. Paul Krusky, the Canadian Encrochat boss, was extradited in February from the Dominican Republic to France, where he now awaits trial. Lawyers for Sky ECC's Jean-Francois Eap are contesting his French arrest warrant. Stephane Bonifassi, Eap's lawyer, said his client was innocent, adding that "Sky ECC was not conceived as a tool for criminals, nor commercialised as such". - Reuters Irish psychological horror Oddity (15A) opens with Dani Timmins (Carolyn Bracken) being murdered by a patient who has escaped from the psychiatric hospital overseen by her husband Ted (Gwilym Lee). Or so the official record states, but Danis sister Darcy (also played byCarolyn Bracken) begs to differ. A blind psychic with a strong connection to her dead sister, Darcy suspects foul play, especially when Ted finds himself a new girlfriend, Yana (Caroline Menton), within a year of Danis death. And so Darcy invites herself along to Teds recently renovated home in the countryside, bringing a creepy, golem-like wooden figurine for company. Written and directed by Damian McCarthy, Oddity is a busy film, blending a revenge thriller into its psychological horror tropes and contrasting Darcys inexplicable sixth sense for evil with Teds insistence that science and logic can explain everything that needs to be explained. Oddity blends a revenge thriller into psychological horror tropes Gwilym Lees Ted is a deliciously squirrelly example of male privilege run riot and Carolyn Bracken is a striking presence at the heart of the story, even if her ethereal Darcy isnt fully convincing; far more persuasive is Caroline Mentons Yana, who delivers a refreshing blast of thoroughly modern cynicism amidst the spooky game of cat-and-mouse. The world of work was upended in March 2020 when all but the most essential employees were told to work from home. In those anxious days of struggling with Zoom calls while working from the kitchen table, few imagined they would still be working from home four years later. The third annual Remote Working in Ireland Survey in 2023 found 38% of its 5,929 respondents were working remotely. Another 59% were working on a hybrid basis, and only 3% were working fully onsite. The dean of J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway, Prof Alma McCarthy, who carried out this research, believes these figures demonstrate how working from home has become the new norm. If their remote or hybrid working preferences werent facilitated, 44% of survey respondents stated they would change jobs even if it meant a pay cut and 55% said they would change jobs even if it meant fewer promotion opportunities, she says. For roles that can be done on a hybrid or remote basis, working from home is here to stay. This change in work practices has impacted our wider lives. A review of 1,930 academic papers on hybrid and remote working was recently published in Britain, highlighting positive and negative effects. Prof Neil Greenberg, a clinical and academic psychiatrist at Kings College Take peoples health, for example, says Prof Neil Greenberg, a clinical and academic psychiatrist at Kings College and a co-author of the review. Working from home allows people to eat more healthily and feel less stress. But, the review also found that people are more likely to snack, drink more alcohol, and smoke more. Because they no longer commute or move around the office at work, they are less physically active and more sedentary and can end up putting on weight. There are mental health effects, too. Social interactions happen in a natural and unplanned way in the office, says Greenberg. People can feel lonely and isolated if they dont get a chance to connect with others in that way. Even though working from home was forced upon us by covid, Greenberg thinks it was a phenomenon that was just waiting to happen. It seems ridiculous now to think that we used to take the day off work just to let the plumber in to fix the washing machine, he says. There was no reason why most of us couldnt have worked from home. The technology was already in place to support the shift. Id never used Microsoft Teams before the pandemic, says Greenberg. I dont think I was even aware of it but it was there. Our technological environment meant the office didnt have to be central to how we worked anymore. At the outset, some organisations worried their employees might slack off when working from home but research shows that their fears were unfounded. People actually tend to work longer hours, take fewer breaks, and are less likely to take time off sick, says Greenberg. Positive development Fiona Higgins, head of Ibecs Knowledge Centre, points to how working from home has proven to be a positive development. For the majority of employees, theres a reduction in commuting time, cost, and carbon emissions, she says. The time and energy saved allows workers to achieve an improved balance between work and home life responsibilities. The ability to work remotely enhances labour market participation for individuals with disabilities and caregiving responsibilities. And overall, its been shown to contribute to better job satisfaction and employee morale. Yet there are also significant drawbacks to working from home. Greenberg cites peoples worries about being overlooked for promotion as an example. Our research shows that they fear being forgotten and that affects their career prospects, he says. Disconnection and social isolation are also concerns, says Higgins. While technology can be highly effective and contribute to productivity, there is no substitute for bringing people together for the purpose of innovation and learning. Its especially important for onboarding new employees who learn a lot from observing and engaging with colleagues. Dr Na Fu, associate professor in human resource management at Trinity College Dublin According to Dr Na Fu, associate professor in human resource management at Trinity College Dublin, maximising the potential offered by remote and hybrid working is about striking the right balance. There are so many benefits, she says. As long as you have a properly equipped workspace, you can be more productive at home. Thanks to the likes of Teams, LinkedIn, and social media, you can build a much wider professional network. But without the opportunity to socialise, newcomers dont have the ability to learn institutional knowledge. There are fewer opportunities for teams to form, brainstorm or perform. "Employers can counter this by consulting with their employees and working together to build the working model that suits them best. In most cases, the outcome will involve a blend of working from home and working in the office. Some companies are now stipulating certain days of the week or month that employees have to work in the office, while others are allowing teams to decide for themselves, says Fu. There are also organisations that are taking a softer approach, organising events, activities, and seminars to entice people to return. The most successful organisations will engage in ongoing dialogue with staff about hybrid working, says Fu. Were still in an experimental phase where everyone is learning how to balance productivity, social connection and finding motivation and meaning in work with the flexibility and convenience of working from home. There isnt a one-size-fits-all answer. Managers and employees will have to figure out what works for their specific circumstances. Dr Wladislaw Rivkin, an associate professor in organisational behaviour at TCD. Picture: Edward Moss Transitionary period Dr Wladislaw Rivkin, an associate professor in organisational behaviour at TCD, advises employees to assess which ways of working suit them best. Theres a spectrum with integrators on one end and segmentators on the other, and we all fall somewhere in between, he says. Segmentators are those who go to work, focus on their work and dont even check their phones for messages from home until its time to finish work and switch off. Integrators, on the other hand, do their work but also check personal emails and make online grocery orders between tasks. They can have difficulty switching off and often check work emails outside of work hours. Rivkin explains that integrators like the flexibility offered by remote work. But it can be a problem for segmentators when work intrudes on their personal life, he says. They find it difficult to focus when boundaries are blurred. Being aware of your tendencies can help you to design your work environment accordingly. Segmentators need to have space to work undisturbed, says Rivkin. If thats not possible at home, remote working wont be satisfying or productive for them. Integrators have different challenges. They often struggle with detaching from work and need to learn how and when to set boundaries, he says. Higgins believes we are at the beginning of a transitionary period. Every aspect of flexible and hybrid working will be subject to review and analysis over the coming years to determine its success or failure in different sectors and organisations, she says, pointing out that the Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Right to Request Flexible Working and the Right to Request Remote Working, published earlier this year, should help guide us through this process. Who knows where well end up, says Greenberg. Maybe well have holograms that allow us to be virtually present in the office. "The research to date shows us that the idea of travelling to the office to complete a task that can easily be done from home is no longer acceptable to many people. "But at the same time, social connection is important. It is not so important that we have to be present in the office for 40 hours a week, but important nonetheless. The challenge facing us now is finding the balance between the two. The Defence Forces has donated 30 vehicles, including military truck transporters, to the Ukrainian army. This is in addition to training in non-lethal skills and capabilities, including mine clearance, medical aid and junior leadership. The training, delivered abroad, is organised under a dedicated EU military mission in support of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the Defence Forces said it had also donated a range of vehicles and two mine clearance systems. The Defence Forces has provided non-lethal training in a number of skills and capabilities, and donated kit and equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the statement said. To date, as part of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, the Defence Forces has deployed mobile training teams drawn from across the Defence Forces, to several locations across Europe, supplying training as combat life savers, engineer search and demining, Doking mine flail operation [demining], drill instruction and junior leadership training. It said these programmes were continuing this year, but decisions on next year were awaited. There is a combat life saver, drill instruction and junior leadership course, scheduled for the remainder of 2024, it said. The Defence Force's commitments to mobile training team assistance to EUMAM-UA for 2025 has yet to be confirmed. Asked about donations to the Ukrainian army, it said: In addition to training, the Defence Forces has donated two DOKING Mine flails [demining systems], 20 Ford Ranger 4x4s, two ambulances, seven 8x8 DROPS [military vehicle transporters] and one 8X8 recovery vehicle. It said body armour and ration packs had also been provided. Government policy states Irelands military support to Ukraine is exclusively non-lethal. The energy regulator has cut the length of time vulnerable customers cannot be disconnected by their supplier as it said a longer moratorium did not help them in the long term. It has also warned arrears were at historically high levels, and that if the Government does not issue electricity credits again in the upcoming budget, then arrears levels could increase even further. In an update this week, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) issued its decision paper on measures to help protect customers this winter and announced the shortening of the disconnection moratorium. It came after the CRU also announced this week households would also be hit with a 100 hike to their bills this year to help pay for the ongoing investment in Irelands electricity network. The regulator said further supports were necessary for customers this year as, even though prices have come down since the peak of the crisis, bills are still at a high level. While suppliers prices are expected to reduce further due to the continued stabilisation of the wholesale market, there are other issues impinging on customers which may make the payment of domestic electricity and gas bills even more difficult in the forthcoming winter, it said. Arrears levels are trending at historically high levels, both in terms of the value of arrears levels and the average value of a customers account in arrears. In the last two years, suppliers had to offer customers more flexible payment plans to pay back debt up to 24 months. This winter, it will be shortened to 18 months, CRU said. However, it said the debt repayment level on pay-as-you-go meters would remain at a maximum of 10% as opposed to 25%. Vulnerable customer register Furthermore, suppliers will be required to actively promote the vulnerable customer register and the protections it offers, how customers can have a nominated representative manage their account, and how to sign up for level payment plans. Having run from October to March for 2023/24, the disconnection moratorium for vulnerable customers will instead run from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The reason for this being that suppliers reported that moratoria periods saw some customers in arrears disengage from their supplier, which meant they continued to accrue debt, CRU said. When the moratoria were lifted, these customers then faced large build-ups of arrears and possible disconnection. This is supported by the figures which show a rise both in the value and number of gas customers in arrears. Therefore, although the extended moratoria protected customers during the winter months, it did not help them in the long-term. Daragh Cassidy, head of communications at Bonkers.ie, said the move may raise some eyebrows. But the CRU has to strike a balance between protecting customers while also allowing energy suppliers to effectively engage with those who dont pay," he said. Unfortunately, history shows that a prolonged moratorium on disconnections can end up making the problem worse as some customers simply stop engaging with their supplier altogether and build up even more arrears. However, disconnections are very rare in Ireland anyway and under the CRU's code of conduct, no one is allowed to be disconnected if they're actively engaging with their supplier to try pay their bills. So if youre struggling, dont put your head in the sand. Reach out and engage. Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan said: "The broader public will also see the moratorium cut by 33%, from nine weeks to six weeks. Sinn Feins position remains that the moratorium should align with the Fuel Allowance period, extending beyond six months. "The CRU has failed to adequately account for financially vulnerable customers, especially those on hardship metres. This group should benefit from the same disconnnection moratorium as registered medically vulnerable customers. "Now is not the time to roll back consumer protections. As the CRUs own data shows - which I requested - arrears levels are at historically high levels, with almost 150m owed by struggling households. "At a time when the is CRU hiking the PSO levy on households by subsidising data centre operators' energy bills, lumping 100 on bills to invest in the network to facilitate the connection of data centres, all while acknowledging electricty prices are still 65% higher than 2021 and gas prices are 99% higher, the CRU is watering down consumer protections. With consumer protection like this, who needs enemies?" Families in Ireland have been praised for showing unusual altruism by taking part in clinical trials with potential benefits for children at an incredibly high rate. Now marking its 10-year anniversary, the Infant (Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research) is hosted by University College Cork and works closely with Cork University Maternity Hospital. Fota Wildlife Park says it has now contacted all of the customers affected by the cyberattack on its website which emerged earlier this week. In an update, the park confirmed once more that the attack had occurred and said that appropriate measures had been taken to secure its website. Details of the attack first emerged on Wednesday evening when the park contacted all patrons who had paid for tickets on its website between May 12 and August 27 of this year, and advised them to delete their credit cards. As of Friday evening following 24 hours where no access was permitted the website was operating once more, albeit with the online ticket functionality removed. The incident has been notified to the relevant authorities and Fota Wildlife Park is cooperating with those authorities, a spokesperson said. Fota Wildlife Park has contacted all potentially impacted customers and the organisations day-to-day operations continue as normal. While Fota Wildlife Park has made contact with all of its customers who were potentially affected by the breach, no further update for those customers has been forthcoming as yet. It is as yet unclear how many customers were affected by the attack. One affected customer who responded to Fota Wildlife Parks initial mail late on Wednesday night received a further response on Friday, noting that as a live investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide further details other than the email communication you received from us. The park is co-operating with the authorities, the response read, adding the parks apologies for any inconvenience this has caused. One customer, Cork-based physiotherapist Bryan Jacob, previously told the Irish Examiner that scammers had attempted to remove 600 from his Revolut bank account earlier in August, with 280 of that money eventually lost. Mr Jacob had used his Revolut credit card to purchase tickets from Fota Wildlife Parks website late in July. Neither Revolut nor Google Pay were willing to take responsibility for Mr Jacobs loss, with the matter thereafter referred to the financial ombudsman. Fota Wildlife Park remains open for business but only tickets bought physically at its kiosks are currently being accepted. The park said its incident response plan was instigated once evidence of the illegal cyberactivity on its site was notified. A spokesperson for the Data Protection Commission confirmed a data breach notification had been received from the wildlife park and is currently being investigated. A Garda spokesperson meanwhile said the force had been made aware of a possible malware incident involving a commercial business in County Cork. Gardai attached to the Crime Functional Area, Cork County Division are currently working with and assisting the business in relation to this incident, they said. The National Cyber Security Centre said it was aware of the incident involving Fota Wildlife Park and continues to work closely with them. Ireland would not have agreed to allow Israeli aircraft fly weapons over Irish airspace had the Government been informed, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said. Mr Ryan said that the Government is currently reviewing the situation following reports in recent days that an Israeli airline was transporting weaponry between the United States and Israel over Irish airspace. Our department is engaging with the airline involved to try and get details of what may have been on the payload. We obviously will review and were already reviewing the various processes we have of assessing through flights, be they landing or be they overflights, Mr Ryan said. We dont allow munitions. Had such a declaration been made, we would not have agreed it. Any occasion where there are any munitions being carried that are not appropriate, then we say no. Were trying to assess the full details of what were the payloads on those planes. He added that there was no request from the airline that they were carrying weaponry to Israel. On the ongoing war in Palestine, Mr Ryan described the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as a crisis. I think its our role as a Government to do everything we can to try and promote an end to that assault, he said, following Taoiseach Simon Harris calling for legal advice on trade with Israel. From my perspective, we do need to look at every measure we can. One unit in Cork University Maternity Hospital does not have any beds. Instead, its tiny patients lie in incubators while their worried parents watch every breath. The incubators line the walls leaving space for sinks, equipment, and for staff to move easily between the little patients. Some incubators are covered by colourful quilts. Two, standing side-by-side, hold twins each connected to life-saving machines through a network of the narrowest wires and small sensors. Mechanical beeping is constant, with one father saying parents cannot tell a good beep from a bad beep. Nobody is running through the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) or shouting. It is no doubt a terrifying place for any parent, but somehow eerily calm. Luke is one of 1,500 Michelle Magee, from Lehenaghmore in Cork, sits on a green chair near an incubator. Her son Luke Lynch, just one week old, having been born at 31 weeks' gestation, sleeps on her chest. She smiles and strokes his head swaddled in a miniature white cap. Luke naps upright, skin-to-skin on his mother, in a hold known as kangaroo mother care. He is one of between 1,300 and 1,500 babies cared for here annually. Up to 90 babies weigh less than 1,500g, and 120 are born at less than 32 weeks gestation. Some stay for days, but others have needed help for up to six months. 'Parents support each other' Research support officer and nurse Mary Anne Ryan was sitting with Michelle, saying that the unit can be a very emotional place. Parents support each other and chat, and thats a way of release for them, she said. It would be very hard if they [staff] were completely desensitised to whats going on in the unit, and working with no consideration of emotions. I dont think theres anyone in the unit who has that, you need to be very in tune with everybody there, she added. Survival rates for babies born as early as 23 weeks gestation are between 50% and 60% in this unit. Others were born at full term but faced health challenges. Ita Herlihy, Clinical Research Nurse/Midwife for the Infant centre in Cork University Maternity Hospital. Picture: David Creedon Research and trials What is not so easily visible are the years of research and clinical trials underlying this success. Even the way Michelle held baby Luke was determined by data. Kangaroo care has been shown to effectively improve health for pre-term and low birthweight babies. The Horgan chair in neonatology at the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (Infant) hosted by University College Cork, Prof Eugene Dempsey, said the chair design was also analysed. The centre is marking its 10-year anniversary, with many babies here and around the world having benefitted from its discoveries. Clamping the cord In one example, two trials in the international iCOMP project were carried out in Cork. This found that waiting for at least two minutes before clamping the cord of a premature baby may reduce the risk of death by two thirds among other reasons for delaying clamping. We were the first group internationally to look at the impact of just when you clamp the cord, so [asking] right at the time the cord is clamped: What happens to the heart? he said. A trainee in the delivery room would use an echo probe, he said, [to] actually scan the heart very quickly as the baby is just delivered. This can be compared with scans after clamping including five minutes after birth and 24 hours after birth. All of this work before was done on lambs, pre-term lambs, so this was the first human study, he said, saying it is difficult to do during a birth. Prof Dempsey pointed out small machines being repaired in a side-room, saying their work takes a team including engineers, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, paediatrics, allied healthcare workers, and researchers. Within their research, he said: Theres a big focus on preventing brain injury in pre-term infants and term infants. The Algorithm for Neonatal Seizure Recognition study (ANSeR) led to an algorithm to help detect neo-natal brain seizures in newborns. While some seizures are obvious, others are too subtle to see. Survival rate Probably the most critical thing about the progress in terms of survival at pre-term gestation at 23, 24, 25 weeks is actually culture, its a can-do attitude, Prof Dempsey said. 'I don't remember it!' says former patient Tara-Lee Harte, now 10, who was visiting the Infant research unit at CUH, Cork, this week. Picture: David Creedon Everybody does buy in here, and everybody has. Our survival rate here at 23 weeks gestation has steadily increased. Cork University Maternity Hospital is a tertiary centre for Munster, which means women can be transferred from maternity units in Waterford, Clonmel, and Tralee. It is a complex area of medicine, and Prof Dempsey acknowledged: One of the biggest worries parents have is the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. In actual fact, the majority of babies come through and have a very good quality of life. Certainly there are a small percentage who can have significant long-term problems. For those babies, it is about ensuring the appropriate follow-up and intervention happens. None of this happens without families, Ms Ryan explained of her work as a PhD graduate with the research centre. She added: A critical factor for me as a nurse is coming to parents who are very vulnerable and have very ill and unwell babies, and asking them to consent to participate in a research study. Its not just a case of going up to them, you need to check out where theyre at and whats going on in the background for them. With over 50 clinical studies going on at any time in the hospital, many volunteers are needed. Infant director Prof Geraldine Boylan said: Babies are not small adults, and they need their own research specifically designed for them that is why we do it. In fact, the majority of babies come through and have a very good quality of life It was so traumatic... our baby was very, very sick At 10 years of age, Tara-Lee Harte is a little baffled as to why people keep asking her about what happened the week she was born. She does not remember but it is as clear as yesterday for her parents in Clonakilty. One of the things that always stays with me is the pinging of the machines, its just a surreal thing. Is that a good ping or a bad ping? Its such an unknown, her dad Jonas said of the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Her mother Norma described how Tara-Lee was blue when she was born in August 2014 and did not breathe for almost 20 minutes. When they realised the delivery wasnt going to plan, the neo-natal intensive care team had been up [to the delivery room], so they were waiting for her, she said. Staff used a then-new algorithm tool which helped interpret EEG readings. The EEG measures tiny electrical brain impulses using small sensors on the babys head. The algorithm was developed at the Infant centre, hosted by University College Cork, and can detect neo-natal seizures. While some seizures are obvious, others are too subtle to see. Tara-Lee was placed on a cooling mat, which lowers body temperature. This process, also new then, can reduce the severity of brain injury, and improve a babys chance of surviving without disability. She had all the monitors on, the cooling pad on her head, two big black eyes, and was non-responsive essentially, Jonas said. He recalled: It was traumatic thats the only way to describe it. She was very, very sick. The next few days were tense until, four days later, good news found them on a couch outside the NICU. As more and more tests came back, it was getting really, really positive, and on the Friday they had the brain scan, which proved her brain was functioning normally and all was good, he said. In the hospital this week, Tara-Lee was relaxed, and said: I dont remember it so I dont feel any big emotions now. She is going into fourth class, but her proud father said she has already completed the maths curriculum for that class. Weve a lot to be thankful for, and science definitely helped us a lot along the way, he said. She and her older brother Rory have taken part in tests and trials at Infant since then. Jonas added: Weve been more than willing to help. Its not that any of their research now is going to help us, but Id like to think that in 10 years time the information theyve garnered from the tests will help someone else. 'Amazing' altruism powers child health research in Cork Families in Ireland have been praised for showing unusual altruism by taking part in clinical trials with potential benefits for children at an incredibly high rate. Now marking its 10-year anniversary, the Infant (Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research) is hosted by University College Cork and works closely with Cork University Maternity Hospital. Professor Geraldine Boylan, director and clinical neurophysiologist, said families who include their children in these trials are vital to their work. Babies are not small adults, and they need their own research specifically designed for them, and that is why we do it, she said. Professor Geraldine Boylan (left) with Charlotte O'Connell and baby Freya at the Infant Research Centre at Cork University Hospital. Picture: David Keane Among their successes have been the worlds first AI algorithm for seizure detection in babies, a pioneering device measuring cognitive function in children which is independent of language barriers, and contributing to groundbreaking therapies for peanut allergies in children. Some of the research we do may not directly benefit that child at that moment in time, but families understand the potential benefit for children in the future. That is amazing, Prof Boylan said. I think this is unique in Ireland the Irish people trust research, and they understand why it is important. They want to be part of it where they can, and I dont think that is the same in all countries. Among their current research, she said, we use data and AI for early detection of problems in babies, for example, early detection of brain injury, and we are now exploring the possibility of using AI to help prevent problems happening. Close links between Infant and the maternity hospital mean staff are world-class in terms of what they know, Prof Boylan said. And that is the thing about hospitals where there is a lot of ongoing research the clinicians are all researchers as well, she added, saying that it is known that patients do better in hospitals where research is very strong. UCC has a really positive culture around research and innovation, and without that culture in UCC supporting us to translate this research into healthcare, it would be very hard, she said. The next step is funding to develop research into medical devices or new drugs. The centre is supported by Enterprise Ireland, with three spin-off companies now running. We can do the early-stage research, but then we need to make sure this research is developed into tools or products that can be used for children worldwide, she said. Professor Geraldine Boylan: 'Some of the research we do may not directly benefit that child at that moment in time but families understand the potential benefit for children in the future.' Infant also led on the creation of the In4Kids clinical trials network in Cork. This is the national hub for the European c4c network, helping to develop new drugs for children of all ages. They work closely with everybody who is working in childrens research in Ireland, she said. One big focus for the future is cerebral palsy research, including early detection, prevention, and novel interventions. It is an exciting time, she said. Prof Boylan added: Despite the challenges that you might face on a day-to-day basis, when you know that you have made a difference to one childs life, that to me is enough the centre is successful when you make that difference. MY SISTER rang me just as Nell McCaffertys death was being announced last week. I was sitting on the couch with my daughter, cuddling our new addition to the family a dog called Nero. In the background, an RTE radio presenter was mourning and honouring feminist writer and campaigner McCafferty, but Id stopped listening because I knew from my sisters voice that she was upset. She wasnt upset over the death of McCafferty, but her upset related directly to McCaffertys life, and her fearless, inimitable fight for justice and equal rights in Ireland. My sister wanted me to listen to something shed written a letter to her local representatives about her continued frustration and despair at what she perceives to be the judiciarys unwillingness to adequately address gender-based violence in Ireland. She had read about the release on bail, despite the objection of the gardai, of a man who had been charged with sexually assaulting a woman. My sister was struggling to hold back tears reading her letter, sharing her shock and frustration that women and girls are still so vulnerable in this country. This was the call I received on the same day McCaffertys death was announced, my nine-year-old daughter by my side, playing with her new dog, and thankfully oblivious to the realities of the world beyond our front door. Im not trying to be emotive here, mentioning my upset sister, my beautiful daughter. I am simply detailing exactly where I was, and what was happening, on the day the death was announced. And I am wondering how she might feel about it, albeit posthumously and more importantly, what she might want me, us, to do. Since her death, commentators, journalists, and friends have done McCafferty, her legacy, and her family, proud. Erudite women such as Terry Prone, Clodagh Finn, and Rosita Sweetman have detailed her trailblazing life and indefatigable spirit; they have helped the rest of us remember. On air and in print, they have shared their memories of her, and consolidated in our hearts and minds how Nell should be remembered. Read More Now lauded after her death, Nell McCafferty paid a very high personal price for her activism Who am I to do any of that? Theres nothing meaningful I can add here, as someone who never knew or met McCafferty. I can only look to the future, considering less how she should be remembered and more how we can best honour the work that defined her. We can best honour that work, I believe, by continuing her fight. In eulogising this woman, we must also be careful not to end up worshipping her, thereby placing a full stop at the end of her story. It may be appealing to do so, but her story is also our story, and it continues to be a grim one. She certainly got us started. She held a mirror up to Ireland when we needed it so desperately. The hot air of moral judgement, silence, and shame clouded the glass in an instant. Nothing but hot air. And so, we began to wipe the mirror clean, so that we could see ourselves clearly, and recognise, without distraction, what our country was doing to women. Starting with the nightmare of unremitting pregnancy, as she so eloquently and truthfully put it. But she was never self-congratulatory about her part in any of it, and she never gave any sense that we had come far enough. She knew it was a national journey, a movement in which she had played an important role but there was no real ego in her. She acknowledged openly that she was learning and journeying too. In an interview in 2018, she shared a story about a conversation she had once with her mother, when, as a young, unsurprisingly opinionated woman, she argued that abortion didnt involve the killing of babies. Its just a bunch of cells, she recalled saying. Her mother led the young Nell into the scullery of their Derry home and pointed to the tiles where, some time before, she had miscarried a baby at four months. Dont you ever tell me it wasnt a baby, her mother admonished. From then on, she changed her language around abortion, such was her wisdom and her compassion. McCafferty championed a womans right to choose, but she believed in exploring the totality of a womans experience in pregnancy, including the fact that there is often no room at the inn for her, no social support, no access to full education and care. She recognised the complexity and the expansiveness of social problems and their consequences. I keep picturing that conversation between a mother and a child in a small room in Derry the totality of that story, the pain and suffering and learning in it. How much Nell came to understand in her 80 years of life. McCaffertys passing last week makes me feel terribly sad this week, coming as the announcement did at the same time as my sisters call. If McCafferty cant change things, who can? I havent a shred of her courage or her strength. But I do have her example. Between my finger and my thumb, the squat pen rests, wrote Heaney. I certainly wont be digging with my pen, to follow men like them, as the great poet did so superbly. But I would like to continue to gnaw away at the establishment-mindset McCafferty so detested. I am lucky to have spoken with a few social activists here in Cork, inspiring people such as Mary Crilly, Louise Crowley, and Frank OConnor, but I want to know and work with more of them, in whatever way I can. I WONT say I mourn McCafferty, because I never knew her. I have little to advise the country in terms of how we should remember her. But my intuition is that she wouldnt care too much for any of that. We need the reminders certainly, and I welcome them all, especially from such wonderful women, but Nell herself would care far more about the work thats left to be done. I suspect she would want us to demand that society takes gender-based violence more seriously. More specifically, I propose that Nell McCafferty would want us to turn our gaze towards the courts, and how our judges deal with these cases. She prompts me to ask my own questions: what training do judges receive on the true impact of these crimes? Is there enough emphasis on the impact of light sentencing on victims, and on wider society in general? As I have queried more than once in this column, where are the mandatory therapies and treatments for such perpetrators? We know that violence builds on violence. Is it possible that certain judges are moving against the tide of positive change the legislative oar or paddle going forward, the judicial one rowing back? Only someone like Nell McCafferty would have the guts to name these judges without fear of the fallout, demanding better. She is quiet now, but I will end this column with her voice, her trademark sign-off, from the television programme she worked on with her remarkable partner at the time, Nuala OFaolain. Goodnight sisters. I imagine her saying that to us now. But it is a goodnight only, a pause before the next days work begins. It wont be Nell McCafferty doing the work anymore it will be our work, my work, my sisters work, my brothers work, and hopefully, your work too. Oh Neutrality, you fickle mistress. Did you ever look skyward and wonder, where is that airplane off to? Does your child follow the contrails with her innocent eyes, pure white against the bright blue beyond, and ask you "where do you think its going, Dad? Do you look her in the eye, dead serious, and say: Its bound for Tel Aviv, pet, where it will deliver sniper ammunition and ESADs missile safety and arming devices to a company called Orion Advanced Systems. They will supply them to the Israeli Defence Forces, who will in turn use those devices to kill Palestinian children, just like you. I doubt you do, for a couple of reasons, the main one being, up until last week, you were just as unaware of it as the Irish government claims to be. After reporting from The Ditch website the public is now enlightened to the fact that Israel-bound explosives for IDF contractors and the Israeli police have been transported through Irish sovereign airspace since at least last October and November 2023. This appears to be news to everybody. Taoiseach Simon Harris said earlier this week that no permissions were sought for the overflights. Ive actually sought an update in relation to this issue. My understanding of the situation, is that theres very clear consent protocols that would need to be followed for that to happen. And my understanding from the Department of Transport and the Department of Defence is no such consent was sought, he said. The government has repeatedly denied Irish airspace has been used for this very purpose. Now, it appears it repeatedly has. Either they didnt know, and have failed to adequately police our airspace, or, they adopted a dont ask, dont tell policy of wilful ignorance. Neither is excusable and both could point to complicity in Israels killing of over 40,000 people in Gaza since October. Protesters take part in a pro Palestine protest on Kildare Street outside Leinster House, Dublin last weekend. The Ditch has updated its reporting each day this week to reveal there have been at least six flights over Irish airspace carrying explosives in that period of time. On Thursday, it stated via a post on X that 93 million units of ammunition primer an explosive device used to propel bullets from guns for IDF rifles were shipped to Israel over Irish sovereign airspace in February 2024. Judging by the strategic cadence of their information drops, Id hazard a guess they have a bit more to tell us. To be clear, the Air Navigation Act has within it several orders and statutory instruments which make such flights illegal. It also provides for measures which can allow the Government to issue exemptions for them in certain circumstances. A statutory instrument relating to the Act, which is a legal document signed by a Minister that gives effect to a law, says that no munitions or weapons of war may be carried by an aircraft in Irish airspace without an exemption granted under the Order. If reporters can find this information out, why cant the government, and when the government is made aware of such serious information, why are they not (a) seeking to clarify the anomaly as a matter of priority, and (b) being pressured into doing so by opposition leaders, media, and the public? Perhaps the institutional political contempt for The Ditch is such that it elicits a blindness to the seriousness of the information shared? Surely, when it comes to public interest, it doesnt matter who blows the whistle? If the information is verifiable and proven correct, the only thing that is important is accountability. What the overflight information certainly does expose is further holes in the cloak of neutrality Ireland continues to hide under, and lays bare the hollowness of the government's moral posturing on Gaza. On Thursday, Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin announced Israeli companies will be restricted from winning any future State contracts to supply military equipment, such as drones, to the Defence Forces, in response to Israels illegal occupation of the West Bank. The Defence Forces currently uses a wide variety of Israeli-made military equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), advanced targeting equipment, ground radar systems and communications systems. Only last month, the Department of Defence said there were no restrictions on Israeli companies bidding for contracts. Tanaiste Micheal Martin says Israeli companies will be restricted from future State contracts to supply military equipment Ireland has paid more than 8.5 million to Israeli arms manufacturers in the last decade, including at least 4.5m, excluding VAT, to Aeronautics Defence Industries, a military drone manufacturer owned by the Israeli government through its parent company, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. So, the decision to disqualify Israeli companies from winning future contracts has only been made in response to the ICJ ruling that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories were in breach of international law. Did we really need an international court to tell us anything, given the overwhelming evidence of war crimes being carried out in Gaza and the occupied territories? And does the government really need The Ditch to be exposing whats carried on the planes that fly above our children's heads? Is your old boiler on its last legs? Now is the perfect time to start planning for the clean switch to a heat pump, which will provide your home with a more constant and efficient source of warmth. The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) is encouraging all homeowners with old oil or gas boilers to show fossil fuels the door and make the switch to a cleaner, more reliable and energy efficient heat pump system. Upgrading your insulation and switching to a heat pump will result in a cleaner, cosier home. Whats more, there are Government funded SEAI Home Energy Upgrade grants to help, including one for up to 10,500 through SEAIs One Stop Shop service for the installation of a heat pump.. Heat pumps are a cleaner alternative to oil or gas boilers. Powered by electricity, which is increasingly renewably sourced, heat pumps offer one of the most environmentally friendly heating systems to Irish households. Tom Halpin in his home in County Meath. Long the go-to solution across Scandinavia, it is a tried and tested technology perfect for the Irish climate and suited to both new and older homes that are already well insulated. More than 100,000 homeowners here already have a heat pump and are enjoying the benefits of increased home comfort. In fact, heat pumps are now installed as standard in most new build homes. There are more than 400,000 existing homes which are already sufficiently insulated to allow a heat pump to operate efficiently. However, many homeowners are waiting for their existing oil or gas boiler to break down before making the switch. But waiting until that moment is a mistake, says Tom Halpin, who, recently replaced his oil-fired boiler. Tom Halpin with a heat pump installed at his home in County Meath. Making the change In July, after a few telltale signs of deterioration, the SEAIs head of communications, finally replaced his old oil-fired boiler with a heat pump. That it took him until now might surprise readers, given where he works. But while SEAI staffers know more than most about the benefits of heat pump technology, We are after all just ordinary homeowners with the same challenges, competing priorities and books to balance, he explains. Married with two adult children, Tom lives in a dormer bungalow, built in 1995, in Meath, which he and his wife bought 20 years ago. At that time heat pumps were almost unheard of in Ireland. The house was not on a gas network, so the couple installed an oil boiler. It worked well for a good number of years, but more recent service calls suggested it might be coming to the end of its life. Rather than wait for the inevitable, earlier this year he started to plan ahead. Plan early to plan well From my experience, the best advice I can offer is that if youre thinking of changing over to a heat pump, do your research early, before your current boiler breaks down for good because, if that happens, you will most likely go for the quickest fix and not necessarily the best option, says Tom. Bad enough that a new boiler is always a so-called grudge purchase but, he points out, an oil boiler will lock you into a worsening predicament, whereas with a heat pump you are locked into an improving one. That will be it for another 10 or 15 years, chaining you to a polluting technology that, with volatile fossil fuel prices and rising carbon taxes, will likely cost you more and more over its lifespan. Tom Halpin using one of the control panels around his house to control the heating system in his County Meath home. Toms experience Tom actually started his heat pump journey a couple of years ago, when he topped up the insulation in his cavity walls, grant-aided by SEAI. His home didnt have a Ber when he bought it. So, he was pleasantly surprised to receive a post-insulation Ber of C1, because it meant that, with just a couple of small additional upgrades, his home would be sufficiently insulated and airtight for a heat pump to work efficiently. He invested in two new high performance exterior doors and an insert stove in the propertys one remaining open flue. We now had a heat pump-ready home, he explains. Thanks to his day job, he understood the multiple benefits of heat pumps including greater comfort, lower emissions, constant hot water, and no need to think about oil tank levels or refills. And wed never have to worry about the immersion switch ever again, he says. One common misconception is that heat pumps only work with underfloor heating. This is not the case, and so the radiator system in Toms home was perfectly suited to his chosen heat pump. Tom was a little concerned about how disruptive the works would be, and whether he would need to replace some of his radiators, he admits. The work was done in two days, during which he was able to continue working from home, and only one radiator needed changing, to suit the size of his home office, for comfort. The biggest change required was a bigger cylinder in the hot press for the new device. His supplier ran the new water pipes required down through the attic, which again minimised disruption. You need to plan ahead, he says. Tom had to talk to different suppliers, have an in-person survey of the house conducted, followed by a technical assessment, the latter is necessary to avail of the SEAI heat pump grant. These experts are all appointed through your supplier. Such planning is no different from putting in a new kitchen or installing double glazing, he points out. A new front door was fitted to better insulate Tom Halpins County Meath home. Benefits abound Post work what impresses him most is the smart heating system that divides the house into zones, all individually controllable. As the couple are freshly minted empty nesters, they can tailor the heat as they need it. There is comfort too in knowing the solution he has is designed specifically for my house, he adds. Rather than just getting a replacement boiler, we got a replacement heat system which is far more intelligent, convenient to operate and, ultimately far more efficient and generates far less pollution. Its also umpteen times more comfortable. His old system, which was set to come on mornings and evenings, was the subject of constant consideration. It was always, should we turn it back on for another hour? With a heat pump you effectively keep the house at a steady, comfortable temperature all the time, he explains. Thats particularly attractive given that he works from home a lot. Like many of us, he has tried to survive without putting the heat on during the day, he says. Thats familiar for stay-at-home parents with children too, who are used to trying to get away with a little less heat than they would like. With a heat pump you dont have to go without. Its a comfortable living environment 24/7. Accounting for improvement When doing his sums Tom also considered the fact that he would soon have to pay for a replacement boiler regardless. As a heat pump can cost upwards of 15,000, the fact that he could secure an Individual Energy Upgrade grant from SEAI of 6,500 for a heat pump was a big consideration too. He also received a 200 grant towards the cost of the technical assessment. To pay the balance, he secured a green, low-interest, credit union loan. Though any such outlay is significant, the fact that he knew he would be boosting the value of our home, through having a better Ber, helped with the decision-making process, he says. The investment in insulation and a more energy efficient heat pump system will greatly reduce our energy use and save on the monthly energy bills, he says. And no more oil refills! Visit SEAI today to find out more about the benefits of heat pumps and how they work, hear from homeowners, like Tom, who have already made the switch, and learn about Government funded SEAI grants and registered installers, to support your heat pump journey. The Norwegian kings eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, will marry American self-professed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in a picturesque corner of southern Norway. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couples actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals, who have been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges. Martha Louise, 52, and Verret, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman, from California, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she will no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house, in order to work more closely with her American fiance. The princess she has retained the title has said she can talk with angels, while Verret, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja with Norwegian national ski team skiers in 2019 (Alamy/PA) They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. But earlier this year Martha Louise labelled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald Vs directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which said it goes against local practices. The couple have often criticised the press while promoting themselves on social media. Meanwhile Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norways Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakons stepson, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested on August 6 in Oslo. Borg Hoiby, who is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties. The couple will marry in Geiranger (Alamy/PA) Haakon has called it a serious matter. The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald has remained silent about the issues. A Norwegian political party known for its anti-royalist stance is using the recent scandals to campaign for a proposal to change the constitution and abolish the monarchy. These cases show some of the fundamental challenges with the monarchy, Andreas Sjalg Unneland, an MP for the Socialist Left Party, told The Associated Press in reference to the royal wedding and the Borg Hoiby case. Do we have to wait for a scandal that is so big that we abolish the monarchy, or can we give it a dignified ending? Sjalg Unneland asked, adding that the country should hold a referendum on the issue. The proposal, expected to be tabled next month, is not likely to gain support from other MPs. Saturdays wedding will be officiated following the Norwegian Churchs wedding liturgy. While it is a private event and no guest list has been made public, the royal household in Oslo says Harald, Queen Sonja, the heir to the throne Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend. Norways future king and queen will be joined by their children. Borg Hoiby will not attend. Do we have to wait for a scandal that is so big that we abolish the monarchy, or can we give it a dignified ending? Swedens Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel also are reportedly attending the ceremony in Geiranger, 165 miles north of Bergen, Norways second-largest city. Denmarks King Frederik and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary, however, will not attend. Reality stars, media influencers and TV personalities will round out the ceremonys guests in scenic Geiranger, which sits on the shores of its eponymous fjord designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Norwegian royal yacht, Norge, has anchored there, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The king and queen will stay on the yacht, the royal household in Oslo said. Martha Louise has three children from her previous marriage to Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. Although she is the first child of 87-year-old Harald, her brother, who is two years younger than her, will succeed their father as king. The Norwegian constitution was altered in 1990 to allow the firstborn, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession. The change does not apply retroactively and Haakon remains first in line to the throne. His oldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will one day ascend the Norwegian throne. Italian prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said on Friday. The move widens the probe into the shipwreck, for which the ships captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, is already under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges. 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 under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said. The profile of their possible responsibilities is still unclear, as the investigation has just started, lawyer Mario Scopesi told The Associated Press. Hannah and Mike Lynch died after the yacht sank (Family Handout/PA) He added that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew. The three crew members were among 15 survivors of the August 19 sinking that killed British tech magnate Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah and five others. Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio, who is heading the investigation, has said his team will 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-metre British-flagged luxury yacht, went down near Sicily, in the Mediterranean. 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 on hitting the ground. All crew members survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yachts hull and died. US experts have joined a Ukrainian investigation into why an F16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed earlier this week during a Russian bombardment, the countrys air force commander said on Friday. Meanwhile, a Russian attack on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv using powerful plane-launched glide bombs killed five people, including a 14-year-old girl on a playground, and wounded 47 others, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. The bombs struck five locations across the city, which had a pre-war population of about 1.4 million people, the governor said. One of the bombs hit a 12-storey apartment block, setting the building ablaze and trapping at least one person on an upper floor. Emergency crews searching for survivors feared the building could collapse. We must carefully understand what happened, what the circumstances are, and whose responsibility it is President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed to the Kharkiv strikes as further evidence that Western partners should scrap restrictions on what the Ukrainian military can target with donated weapons. The Kharkiv strike wouldnt have happened if our defence forces had the capability to destroy Russian military aviation at its bases. We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror, Zelensky said. F16s are one of the weapons that could be used to hit Russian bases behind the front line. The commander of the Ukrainian air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Telegram that a detailed analysis was already being conducted into why the F16 jet went down on Monday, when Russia launched a major missile and drone barrage at Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, has called for greater freedom to use Western-made weapons against Russia (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File) We must carefully understand what happened, what the circumstances are, and whose responsibility it is, Mr Oleshchuk wrote in the post. The crash was the first reported loss of an F16 in Ukraine, where the warplanes arrived at the end of last month. At least six are believed to have been delivered by European countries. Military analysts say the planes will not be a game-changer in the war, given Russias massive air force and sophisticated air defence systems. But Ukrainian officials welcomed the supersonic jets, which can carry modern weapons used by Nato countries, for offering an opportunity to hit back at Russias air superiority. Elsewhere, the Russian army is making slow but gradual progress in its drive into eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces are holding ground in the Kursk border region of western Russia after a recent incursion. Mr Oleshchuk directed scathing criticism at a lawmaker who is deputy head of the Ukrainian parliaments defence committee for her claims that the F16 was downed by a Patriot air-defence system. Ukraine has received an unspecified number of the US-made systems. Mariana Bezuhla cited unnamed sources for her claim and demanded punishment for those responsible for the error. Mr Oleshchuk accused Ms Bezuhla of defaming the air force and discrediting US arms manufacturers and said that he hoped she would face legal consequences for her claims. The air force did not directly deny that the F16 was hit by a Patriot missile. The Institute for the Study of War said it was to be expected that Ukraine would lose some Western-provided military equipment in the fighting. But the Washington-based think tank added that any loss among Ukraines already limited allotment of F16s and trained pilots will have an outsized impact on the countrys ability to operate F16s as part of its combined air defence umbrella or in an air-to-ground support role. In other developments, European Union defence ministers agreed in Brussels to boost their training programme for Ukrainian troops. Today the ministers agreed to raising the target to 75,000, adding 15,000 more by the end of the year, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after the meeting. The training has to be shortened and adapted to the Ukrainian training needs, Mr Borrell said. He added that the EU would set up a small co-ordination and liaison cell in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv to make the training effort more effective. So far, 60,000 troops have passed through the blocs training scheme, which is conducted outside Ukraine. 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," said Zimbabwean economist Paul Musodza. 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." (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.) On September 17, 2024, Jacksonville State University hosted the Alabama Supreme Court Arguments at the Houston Cole Library. Following the oral arguments, there was a Special Lecture: Blackstones Commentaries and the Foundations of American Law, by Chief Justice Tom Parker, Alabama Supreme Court. Below is the video of the oral arguments. Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization made up of roughly 400 staff members around the globe. Its staff consists of human rights professionals including country experts, lawyers, journalists, and academics of diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Established in 1978, Human Rights Watch is known for its accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The University of Maryland issued a report this summer on a Critical Issues Poll that found an alarming rise in bigotry directed at Muslims and Muslim Americans during the past year, which seems certainly connected to the October 17 attack on Israel by Hamas in Gaza and the subsequent Israeli total war on Gazas civilians. Principal investigator Shibley Telhami explains the significance of the opinion poll at Brookings. Here are my two cents. Americans generally know nothing to speak of about Islam. I mean, almost zero. But a majority of them know that they do not like the Islamic religion, at least in the post-Cold War period. Actually Islam and Muslims in general were quite popular with Americans in the 1950s and 1960s, when they were mainly fighting godless Communism and appreciated having allies. In all the Muslim world, only little South Yemen went Communist, whereas a lot of Christian-majority countries did. The Eisenhower administration hoped to build a Muslim bloc to oppose the Soviet Union and Ike funded better railway links with Mecca because he wanted to encourage Muslims to go on pilgrimage and be pious and reject dialectical materialism. Thats right, the US used to promote sharia law. Nowadays a lot of Americans say that Islam is incompatible with American values. Personally, I think they say this because they like the idea of being the sole superpower and dont approve of any group that is hard to dominate. There has been a lot of opposition to American dominance in Latin America, Africa, and Asia even Europe but somehow that flies under the radar. Muslims overthrowing the Shah in Iran, a close US ally, somehow really ticked them off. And of course the main guerrilla groups opposing the US in Iraq and Afghanistan were religiously-driven or at least -identified, though secular groups were more important in Iraq than was generally recognized. This perception of Muslims as generally oppositional, however, doesnt comport with reality. Muslim-majority countries account for one NATO ally pledged to defend the US (Turkey) and for 8 of the 18 formally designated major non-NATO allies of the US Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, and Tunisia. Even without the designation, the US has close security ties to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Of the non-NATO allies only one, Argentina, is in Latin America. The Muslims are more tightly allied to the US than is the Western Hemisphere! Americans like Muslims slightly better than they like Islam. Go figure. In 2015, at the height of ISIL, the so-called Islamic State group, which had taken over northern Iraq and eastern Syria and blew up Paris, only 48% of Americans said they were favorable toward Muslims. Actually that wasnt bad given the circumstances, of nearly a decade and a half of the Bush War on Terror and invasions of lots of Muslim countries, the citizens of some of which fought back. Possibly because Donald J. Trump was so mean to them, Muslims rose in the opinions of Americans after 2017. In 2021 and 2022 they reached a 78% favorability rating. Thats actually fantastic. It means most Americans really thought well of Muslims by then. Muslim Americans, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / Clip2Comic, 2024. But by February of this year, Muslims had lost 11 points and were down to 67% favorability. Although 80% of Muslims in the world are not Arabs, and the majority of Arabs are not religious fundamentalists, Hamas seems to have managed to cast a large shadow on the community. As for Islam, it had gone up to 57% favorability in 2021, but plummeted back down to 48% this year (i.e. back down to what it was in 2015 at the height of ISIL). Although, remember, most Americans couldnt tell you for the life of them what Islam is. Telhami notes that Muslims especially lost favorability with Democrats this year, and implies that President Joe Bidens rhetoric is likely to blame. Biden has shown not the least sympathy for the plight of millions of Palestinian civilians and has often repeated false propaganda against them, to the point that the State Departments dissent channel slammed him roundly as a major source of disinformation on the Gaza situation. But it isnt only Muslims. Many Americans at least perceived that there was a lot more prejudice this year against Jewish Americans (29%). Presumably this is because Jewish Americans are seen to be unfairly tarred with the brush of the far right, extremist Israeli government and its total war on Gaza civilians. Some 22% thought there was a lot more prejudice against Muslim Americans in 2024. The perception of a substantial increase in prejudice toward other minorities, including Blacks and Hispanics, was much lower, in the range of 13%- 16%. Paradoxically, although Americans had a high opinion of Muslims in 2022, they didnt think Muslim Americans were of much account. Only a little over a fourth of Americans thought Muslims strengthen the fabric of US society. Thats terrible. And very unfair, since Muslim Americans produce physicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, inventors and others who demonstrably strengthen US society. When Trump needed a czar to head up the joint US government-Moderna moonshot to produce a COVID vaccine, he turned to Moncef Slaoui, a Moroccan-born Muslim, one of the worlds top immunologists. On the other hand, I wonder if Americans didnt object to the tenor of the question, since only 41% thought white people strengthen the fabric of US society. I suspect a lot of the 58% didnt so much disrespect white contributions to the country as they just didnt think an ethnic approach to the problem of the American fabric was very useful. Still, the 28% figure for Muslim Americans is substantially lower. Most Americans in 2022 were all right with a Protestant, Catholic or Jewish president, with only about 11% or 12% opposed. On the other hand, many had qualms about a Mormon, Buddhist, Hindu or Agnostic one, with over 20% opposed in each case. But about a third really did not want an atheist or Muslim president (32% opposed, rising to over 50% among Republicans). Ironically, they may well get a Hindu-ish president, since Kamala Harris seems to practice a syncretic mix of her mothers Hinduism and her fathers Jamaican Christianity. ( Middle East Monitor ) Departing Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has clearly had an unpleasant experience at the worlds largest international institution. In an interview published in the Israeli newspaper Maariv on 20 August, the disgruntled envoy said that, The UN building should be closed and wiped off from the face of the earth. Whether Erdan realised it or not, his aggressive statement is an admission that his four-year career as Israels top UN diplomat was a failure. In the interview, Erdan expressed his wish to become the head of Likud, the right-wing party of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His choice of words could have been his way of appealing to the right and far-right constituencies that feed on such aggressive rhetoric. However, there is more to Erdans hatred for the UN than the mere frustration of a disappointed diplomat. Israel has had a long and troubled history with the UN and its associated institutions. According to Israels political discourse and victim narrative, the UN is an anti-Semitic organisation, a label often invoked when Israel faced even the slightest criticism. Israels relationship with the UN is particularly odd because the occupation state was created by a UN resolution. That resolution itself was a direct outcome of UN political intrigues and western pressure. On 29 November, 1947, the UN passed Resolution 181, calling for the partition of historic Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. It assigned most of the land, 56 per cent, to the Jewish population, then a minority, and the rest to the Palestinian Arab indigenous people. Shortly afterwards, the Jewish Zionist leadership began a military campaign that saw the nascent state occupy most of Palestine and ethnically cleanse most of its population. Israel was admitted as a full UN member on 11 May, 1949, while Palestinians native to the land remain stateless. Although Israels admission to the international body was conditional upon the acceptance of Resolutions 181 and 194 covering the status of Jerusalem as an international body, and the right of return of Palestinian refugees Israels violations of these and other resolutions have not been punished thanks to strong backing from Washington and other western powers. In June 1967, the rest of historic Palestine was conquered. Again, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were ethnically cleansed and, ever since, the Palestinians remaining in their land as either Arab Israelis or refugees have lived under a draconian system of military occupation, apartheid, siege and a constant state of war. The ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip is the culmination of all the injustices inflicted on the Palestinian people over the past eight decades and more. The war did not start on 7 October, 2023, nor will it end when a ceasefire is finally declared. Aside from the November 1917 Balfour Declaration, wherein Britain pledged support for a Jewish national home in historic Palestine, UN Resolution 181, which allowed the establishment of Israel, could arguably be considered the genesis of ongoing Palestinian suffering. Throughout this bloody, unjust history, the UN has neither penalised Israel for its violations of UN resolutions and other pillars of international law, nor granted Palestinians their long overdue justice. It has failed to implement or enforce any of its resolutions recognising the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Nevertheless, Palestinians continue to resort to the UN, since it is their only international platform that could constantly remind Israel, and the world, that Tel Aviv is an Occupying Power, and that international and humanitarian laws must apply to Palestinians as an occupied people. Such reminders were made frequently in the past, at the UN General Assembly and even at the Security Council, always to the annoyance of Israel and its western benefactors, especially the United States. UNO, Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024 The latest solid legal position was articulated through an Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 19 July. After the testimonies and interventions made by at least 52 countries and countless experts, the ICJ resolved that Israels occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful, along with the associated settlement regime, annexation and use of natural resources. Although the UN has not made any difference in forcing Israel to end its occupation, dismantle illegal settlements or respect the basic human rights of Palestinians, the international institution remains a source of frustration for the occupation state. Ever since its establishment on the ruins of Palestinian homes, Israel has worked to change the status of Palestine and Palestinian refugees, and constantly challenged the very term occupation. It has done its utmost to rewrite history, illegally annex Palestinian and Arab land, and build illegal settlements to establish permanent facts on the ground. In 2017, it looked as if Israel was succeeding in its quest to cancel the Palestinian cause altogether when Washington recognised Israels fraudulent claims to Occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights. The international community, though, did not follow suit, as demonstrated in the ICJs recent legal ruling. As far as the UN is concerned, Israel remains an Occupying Power, bound to international laws and norms. For Palestinians, however, such facts remain devoid of practical meaning, while for Israel, the UN position is a major obstacle in the face of its blatant settler-colonial project. And this is why Erdan wants the UN wiped off from the face of the earth. Even if the angry Israeli diplomat gets his wish, nothing will alter this historic truth: Israel is and will remain a settler-colonial regime, and Palestine and its people will continue to resist, until justice is finally served. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Via Middle East Monitor Nicho Main Pit Startup Progressing Well Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSXV: MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to provide an operations update and select financial highlights from the second quarter of 2024 as well as some guidance regarding improved operations activity so far during Q3. For a full overview please refer to the Q2 Financial Statements and MD&A filed on Sedarplus.ca on August 29th, 2024. "The Company is very pleased with the progress being made since implementing the new operating plan for the Santana gold mine in June. Mining and stacking rates are now approaching levels last achieved in 2022 and as the lagging gold leaching recoveries naturally expand we are looking forward to a forecasted return to cash generation at Minera in Q4 of this year." stated Darren Koningen, CEO. "We remain committed to the development of our next mine, Cerro de Oro, which continues to work its way through the permitting process and has been met by constructive dialogue with the relevant government agencies and local stakeholders. This month we also completed the final payments required for 100% ownership of Cerro de Oro, which on final calculations cost the Company less than US$6/oz based on the most recent resource estimates." Q3 Operational Summary and Outlook At the Santana gold mine where the new operations only began in June, mining rates continue to rise as the Nicho Main zone pit is opened up allowing full mining fleet utilization. Waste production from the pit is currently slightly elevated although this is normal with the commencement of a new mining area. In August 2024, overall mine production was up over 20% from the previous month (July) and approaching levels last seen in late 2022. As the new operating plan progresses, gold mining and stacking in Q3 should exceed what was mined in the entirety of 2023. Gold shipments recommenced in Q3 following Q2 where the focus had shifted to the preparation of the heap leach pad for the pending increase in mining and stacking activities (necessitating removal of a significant portion of active leach solution drip lines). As gold extraction from the new mineralization being placed on the leach pad naturally expands at Santana, the Company's current forecasts project a return to net corporate cash generation in Q4 this year. Through the end of August 2024 approximately 3400 oz of gold will have been placed on the Santana leach pad since the restart of mining activities in June. The company continues to work on plans for the next two phases of pad expansion. In July, a total of 7,200,000 5-year stock options (July 30th expiry) with an exercise price of $0.16 were exercised for total consideration of $1,152,000. The Company now has 18,200,000 options outstanding with strike prices of between $0.45 and $0.72. Completion of the Acquisition of the Cerro de Oro Gold project In August, the Company made the final payment as part of its Cerro de Oro gold project acquisition. With the US$1,000,000 cash payment and 500,000 share issuance having been made the Company is now the 100% owner of the royalty-free Cerro de Oro gold project which is currently being permitted for construction. In total, the Company issued stock with a deemed value of USD$1,736,635 using an average exchange rate of $1.3142 and made cash payments totalling USD$2,900,000 for a total acquisition cost of USD$4,638,635 or the equivalent of USD$5.87 per ounce of contained gold based on the NI43-101 Mineral Resource Statement titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cerro de Oro Project" dated January 5th, 2023, which was first released on October 3rd, 2022. The project remains in the permitting process and the Company continues its constructive dialogue with the federal environmental permitting agency in Mexico (SERMANAT). In addition to some technical follow-up questions, the Company received a request to update portions of the flora and fauna sampling program conducted in 2022 and that activity is currently being completed at the site. Q2 Operational Highlights Late in Q2, the Company started to ramp up mining activities at Santana after a revision to the development plans to utilize existing leach pad capacity while waiting on the leach pad expansion permits. The updated plans will allow mining and stacking operations to increase significantly from 2023 levels. Approximately 20,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.63 g/t and an approximate strip ratio of 1.6:1 has been defined in the updated plan and will be mined over a 12-month period (see news release dated February 22nd, 2024) . In addition, a further 4,500 ounces of gold at a higher grade of approximately 1 g/t will be mined and initially stockpiled for future processing pending additional studies to determine an optimal approach for crushing and processing to maximize recoveries. In April 2024, the Company finalized internal operating plans with its mining contractor who subsequently mobilized at site the additional personnel and equipment required to support the increased mining operations with initial blasting in May in parallel with some site upgrades including new haulage roads. Mining and stacking operations commenced in June following the completion of this work and will continue under the current operating plans through H2 2024 and H1 2025. . The benefits of these modified plans began in late June with the increase in mining and stacking from the new Nicho Main pit with greatly improved activity subsequent to quarter end (see Q3 Operational Summary and Outlook above). Gold inventory on the leach pad was 6,158 ounces as at June 30, 2024. Selected Financial Data: The following selected financial data is summarized from the Company's Interim Unaudited Financial Statements and related notes thereto (the "Financial Statements') for the quarter ended June 30th, 2024, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter ended June 30th, 2024 (all numbers in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated). A copy of the Financial Statements and MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Operationally, revenues totalled $1,499,444 with cost of goods sold and depletion amounting to $1,329,811 for a mine operations income of $169,633. Unit costs for the quarter continued to be higher due to the fixed costs of operations being spread over fewer ounces which is expected to return to normal as operations are expanded over the coming quarters as outlined in February and April (2024) news releases. Income from mine operations of $169,633 on sales of 505 ounces of gold for the quarter as compared to a loss of ($411,822) on sales of 1,071 ounces of gold in the corresponding quarter in 2023. Net loss of ($7,035,249) which is inclusive of a non-cash unrealized foreign exchange loss of ($4,690,218) for the quarter or $(0.015)/share compared to net income of $2,730,220 in the corresponding quarter of 2023. The net loss for the quarter includes a significant non-realized foreign exchange loss on the Company's inter-company which is primarily due to the weakening of the Mexican pesos during the quarter as compared to the Canadian dollar. The Company's functional currency and presentation currency is the Canadian dollar and the functional currency for it's Mexican subsidiaries is the Mexican Pesos. Cash and Cash Equivalents of $8,608,289 compared to $11,844,502 as at March 31 st , 2024. The drop in cash balance reflects a designed reduction of normal operating payables during the period ahead of the anticipated increase in operational activity in late Q2 and the remainder of the year as well as costs associated with implementing the new operations plan in May and June. In addition, with priority shifting to new stacking activity on the leach pad, gold that would otherwise have been produced and sold in part from Q2 would be reflected in sales in Q3. Working capital as of June 30 th , 2024 stood at $14,480,746 compared to $18,248,668 as at March 31 st , 2023. Both the Company's cash position and overall working capital is expected to improve in Q4 as the operational plans implemented in late Q2 and Q3 bear fruit. Cautionary Statement The Company made its production decision at the Santana gold mine without having completed a feasibility study demonstrating economic and technical viability. As such, there may be increased uncertainty of achieving planned production levels, estimated recovery of gold, the costs associated with such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Mr. Darren Koningen, P. Eng., Minera Alamos' CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this press release under National Instrument 43-101. About Minera Alamos Inc. Minera Alamos is a gold production and development Company. The Company has a portfolio of high-quality Mexican assets, including the 100%-owned Santana open-pit, heap-leach mine in Sonora that is currently going through the start-up of operations at the new Nicho Main deposit. The 100%-owned Cerro de Oro oxide gold project in northern Zacatecas has considerable past drilling and metallurgical work completed and the proposed mining project is currently being guided through the permitting process by the Company's permitting consultants. The La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango (100%-owned) has a positive, robust preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed, and the main Federal permits are in place. Minera Alamos is built around its operating team that together brought three open pit heap leach gold mines into successful production in Mexico over the last 14 years. The Company's strategy is to develop very low capex assets while expanding the projects' resources and continuing to pursue complementary strategic acquisitions. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information and Minera Alamos cautions readers that forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Minera Alamos included in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are based on information currently available to Minera Alamos and Minera Alamos provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include timing, cost estimates and statements with respect to Minera Alamos' future plans, objectives and goals with respect to the Cerro de Oro gold mine including the receipt of permits and construction timeline, and the satisfaction by the Company of the closing conditions to draw the Remaining Amount. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions that, by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, the economics of processing methods, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Minera Alamos' mineral properties, the ability to complete a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons. Minera Alamos' financial condition and prospects could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to finance and/or complete an updated resource and reserve estimate and a preliminary economic assessment which supports the technical and economic viability of mineral production; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Minera Alamos' activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Minera Alamos' forward-looking statements. Minera Alamos does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Minera Alamos or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company does not have a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability for the Santana project, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. 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, 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 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 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 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2024) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern Silver" or the "Company") has closed the third and final tranche of its previously reported non-brokered private placement ("Offering") by issuing 961,500 units at a price of $0.22 per unit for gross proceeds of $211,530. Together with the first two tranches, Southern Silver has raised a total of $3,604,035.16 by the issuance of 16,381,978 units. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share for a period of 3 years at a price of $0.30. All securities issued under the final tranche are subject to a hold period expiring December 30, 2024. The Offering and the payment of finders' fees is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Over all three tranches of the Offering, the Company paid finders' fees totaling $120,964.51 and issued an aggregate 544,389 non-transferable finder warrants, with each finder warrant exercisable to purchase one common share for a period of 3 years. 36,000 finder warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.22 per share and the remaining 508,389 finder warrants are exercisable at a price of $0.30 per share. Net proceeds from the private placement will be used for the continued development of the Cerro Las Minitas ("CLM") property, Durango, Mexico and for working capital. Specifically, the Company plans to initiate a program of resource expansion of up to 6000m of drilling in 11 holes to test shallow targets along the north side of the Cerro between the North Felsite and Skarn Front deposits. Drilling will start in early September. Work continues to de-risk the project through the initiation of base-line studies and continued social engagement. As currently modelled, the CLM project features a large-scale underground mining operation with robust project economics and high gross revenues in a well located and mining friendly jurisdiction in southeast Durango, Mexico. For more information on the details of the current economic assessment of the Cerro Las Minitas project please refer to Southern Silver's news release dated June 10, 2024. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the units, nor was there any sale of the units in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The units offered will not be, and have not been, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person. About Southern Silver Exploration Corp. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project and the Hermanas gold-silver vein project where permitting applications for the conduct of a drill program is underway, both located in southern New Mexico, USA. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and supervised directly the collection of the data from the CLM project that is reported in this disclosure and is responsible for the presentation of the technical information in this disclosure. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include the planned 6,000 m drill program at the CLM property. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's projects, and the availability of financing for the Company's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Perth, Aug. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX:PRU) is pleased to advise that of the Companys Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Rick Menell to the role of independent, non-executive Chairman of the Board, with immediate effect. Mr. Menell will replace the interim Executive Chairman, Mr. Jeff Quartermaine, who will resume his former role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Perseus. Perseuss Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Quartermaine, said: We were very pleased in May of this year, when Rick Menell accepted our invitation to become a member of the Board of Perseus, following a wide search for an eminent future leader of the Company. Rick has a deep understanding of the people and the mining industry on the African continent through a variety of family investments, as well as senior roles with leading South African corporates and nonprofit-sector enterprises and as a result, is perfectly suited to lead a growing, African focussed company like Perseus, that has ambitions to become a leader of the gold mining industry on the continent. After a period of familiarisation with our operations, Board, management and staff, Rick has now agreed to assume the role of non-executive, independent Chair. This move, which is consistent with the requirements of Perseuss Board Charter, was foreshadowed at the time of my elevation to the role of interim Executive Chairman in November 2023 and enables me to resume my former role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. We are delighted with this smooth transition of leadership, and along with our managers and employees, are all looking forward to working closely as a cohesive team under Ricks leadership to help guide Perseus through its next exciting phase of growth and to establishing the Company within the upper echelons of the global gold industry. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday he will urge the bloc's 27 member states Thursday to back sanctions on Israeli ministers accused of fomenting "hatred" towards Palestinians. "I initiated the procedures in order to ask the member states... if they consider appropriate, including in our list of sanctions some Israeli ministers (who have) been launching unacceptable hate messages against the Palestinians," Borrell told reporters. Speaking at the start of a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, Borrell said the individuals targeted had made statements that go "clearly against international law and is an incitation to commit war crimes". "I think that the European Union has not to have taboos in order to use our toolbox -- in order to make humane law respected," Borrell said. According to diplomats, Borrell's proposal targets Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, and its national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, both outspoken figures on the far right. Smotrich has triggered international uproar by suggesting it would be justified to starve two million Gazans to free Israeli captives in the Palestinian territory, while Ben Gvir has been called out over a string of inflammatory actions and comments. Borrell's sanctions proposal has little chance of success, with EU states divided since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, and Israel's retaliatory assault on the Gaza Strip. The EU top diplomat stressed no decision would be taken during Thursday's informal meeting. Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic are among the EU countries that staunchly defend Israel's right to self-defence, blocking any attempt at tough measures targeting the Israeli government. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters that Budapest considered Borrell's proposal "dangerous". His Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, said sanctions would not be "the right path" to keep Israel at the negotiating table. Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, meanwhile voiced reluctance on the proposal -- recalling that EU sanctions were already in place against violent Jewish settlers and that any further move would need unanimous backing. European sanctions involve a ban on travelling to the bloc, and the seizure of assets held within the EU. A lawyer for fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony Thursday asked the International Criminal Court to shelve a hearing in absentia against his client, saying it risked wasting "time and money". Kony, 62, has been wanted by the Hague-based ICC since 2005 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity following a three-decade reign of terror by his Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group across several African nations. The ICC announced five months ago it would hold hearings in October to confirm 36 counts against Kony, whose current whereabouts are unknown. Kony's court-appointed lawyer Peter Haynes asked pre-trial judges to "vacate the proceedings until such time that Mr Kony appears before the court" in person. Haynes in a court document said he agreed with ICC trial prosecutors who in 2015 said a hearing without Kony's presence "could be an enormous expense of time, money, effort for no benefit at all". ICC judges in March granted a new request by chief prosecutor Karim Khan for the confirmation hearings to start in Kony's absence. Haynes also gave other reasons why the proceedings should be put on ice. Legally an in-absentia hearing can only be held once a suspect has initially appeared in court, argued Haynes. "As Mr Kony has never appeared before the Court, a hearing in his absence is legally impermissible under the ICC Statute," Haynes said in a statement. It was also unknown whether Kony was "even alive" amid a "plethora of public reports" suggesting he had died. Even if Kony were eventually found, he should be tried in a local court, said Haynes. A Kampala court earlier this month convicted another former LRA commander, an example of the "ability of Ugandan courts to try international crimes", Haynes said. Thomas Kwoyelo was found guilty on 44 offences including murder, rape, torture, pillaging and abduction for his role in the rebel movement. Former altar boy Kony founded the LRA in the 1980s with the aim of establishing a regime based on the Ten Commandments. The group launched a rebellion against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni that spread to Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. It killed more than 100,000 people and abducted 60,000 children who were forced to become sex slaves, soldiers and porters. Russian President Vladimir Putin will next week visit Mongolia, a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that has issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader, the Kremlin said Thursday. It will be the first time Putin has travelled to a country that has ratified the founding treaty of the ICC, the Rome Statute, since the Hague-based court issued the warrant for him in March 2023 over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. ICC members are expected to make the arrest if the Russian leader sets foot on their territory. Mongolia signed the Rome Statute treaty in 2000 and ratified it in 2002. The Kremlin said Putin will travel to neighbouring Mongolia on September 3 to mark the "85th anniversary of the joint victory of Soviet and Mongolian forces over Japanese militarists on the Khalkhin Gol River". The battle took place in 1939 during the Japanese occupation of nearby Manchuria. The Kremlin said Putin and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh will discuss bilateral relations and "exchange views on current international and regional issues." The visit will fall a month after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Mongolia as Washington seeks closer ties with the landlocked country. The Kremlin has called the ICC warrant "absurd". Putin has reduced his foreign travel since launching a full-scale offensive against Ukraine in February 2022 and limited it even more since the ICC issued the arrest warrant. Yoo Ah-in, the actor also known by his name Uhm Hong Sik, was questioned by the police for the first time after being accused of sexually assaulting a male friend. According to a report by Insight Korea, he spent an hour and a half at Yongsan Police Station on the evening of August 28 for the inquiry. The accusations against Yoo Ah-in came to light on July 15 after a man in his thirties known as "A" lodged a report with the Yongsan police department claiming that Yoo Ah-in had assaulted him while he was sleeping at an office in the Yongsan District. Yoo Ah In is also being accused of using anesthetics unlawfully on top of these claims he's currently facing. SEE: 'Goodbye Earth' Director Talks About Drastic Changes They Made After Yoo Ah In's Scandal Broke He allegedly received 181 doses between September 2020 and March 2022 by pretending they were for cosmetic treatments at different hospitals in Seoul regularly. The police carried out an initial inquiry with the accuser, which involved a drug test yielding negative results. Yoo Ah-in's legal representative has refuted the accusations by asserting they are "false." During the investigation process, where details are still unfolding, Yoo Ah is being closely watched regarding allegations of sexual assault and his current trial involving drug-related accusations. SEE: Yoo Ah In's Doctor Prescribed the Actor Narcotics After 'Constantly Complaining' of His 'Urge to Die' What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barba Friday, August 30, 2024 - Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has given his two cents over the clash between Gen Z lawyer Kebeso Morara and President William Rutos administration. In a statement, Omtatah said that the government should not focus on whether President William Ruto called Gen Z lawyer Kebaso Morara or not. He maintained that the focus should be on stalled projects launched by the president. The lawmaker noted that the government should work on resolving the situation, terming it embarrassing. "The embarrassing exposure of projects launched/relaunched by the president should be the focus of discussion in government and not whether the president called or not. "How to resolve the situation should preoccupy your attention. "It is imperative for Kenya Kwanza government to prioritize the completion of all stalled projects and the timely payment of pending bills. "The president and his advisors/team should get back to work and address real issues," Omtatah remarked. His remarks come after Morara claimed on live television that Ruto called him and offered him a job as a bribe to stop exposing his government in bad light. However, in a response, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said he was shocked by the allegations, claiming that the president never called the outspoken lawyer. Morara became a Kenyan sensation after traveling around the country to inspect and scrutinize stalled government projects. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Environment Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has slammed former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka after he declared himself as the official opposition leader in the country. Speaking in Magunga, Homa Bay County, Duale said that the constitution only recognizes the leader of the Minority in the National Assembly as the leader of the opposition. His remarks supported Suna East MP Junet Mohameds statement at the event that he was the leader of the opposition, not Kalonzo. According to Duale, anyone else claiming to be the leader of the opposition from elsewhere is not the rightful leader. Hon Junet, let me help. In the Constitution of Kenya, Article 108, the leader of the government in Parliament is Kimani Ichung'wah. "The spokesperson and leader of the opposition is Junet Mohamed. If you are somewhere else, you are wandering around saying that Baba (Raila Odinga) has gone to the AU and you are the leader of the opposition and your MPs are not even 20, it's a no, Duale said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 28, 2024 - Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is proud to serve in the broad-based government of President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Speaking at CS John Mbadis homecoming in Magunga, Homa Bay County on Thursday, Duale said the current Cabinet is a reflection of the political, religious, and ethnic diversity of the country. He said this is a promise President William Ruto has lived up to since he took office in September 2022. Your Excellency, I want to tell the people of Kenya one thing, as a person who has worked with you closely for more than 20 years. "When you took the oath of office and were given the instruments of power, from day one, you made it your agenda to unite the people of Kenya," Duale stated. Today, Aden Duale, I am so proud that I sit in a Cabinet that reflects all shades of the political, social, and ethnic divide that has never happened in the Republic of Kenya. He went on to say that this move will be remembered as President Rutos legacy. You will be remembered and that is your legacy. You said 2027 is not an agenda for you. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Suna East MP Junet Mohamed mocked Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka after declaring himself the Chief Opposition Leader following Raila Odingas exit. Speaking during Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi's thanksgiving ceremony, Junet accused Kalonzo of imposing the new role on himself, stating that there is no constitutional provision for such a position in Kenya. According to the vocal legislator, the government has yet to establish the Office of the Official Opposition as mandated by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report. However, he announced he would work closely with the Leader of the Majority in Parliament, Kimani Ichungwa, to ensure the establishment of the Opposition Leader's office. I heard our fellow brothers claiming that we as members of the ODM party are in Government and that they are the new Opposition leaders, Junet claimed. There is no place in the Constitution where the role of the Opposition leader has been highlighted. "We as the minority members in parliament, will work with the Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah to establish the position of the official opposition leader. In the same breath, Junet claimed that he was the interim Opposition leader. According to the lawmaker, his position as the Minority Leader in Parliament gave him the right to take over Odinga's role. So let no one pick up a role that is not yet there, let us first work on the matter in Parliament then someone can go ahead and pick up the role, Junet stated. Currently, I am the Opposition leader in Kenya because I am the Minority Leader and you cannot take the role from me, those who want to work in the opposite should contact me. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha regrets not ending the doctors strike during her tenure. While handing over the Ministry to her successor, Deborah Mulongo Barasa, Nakhumicha described the doctors strike as a low point in her tenure, as it was difficult to see patients left unattended. She described the strike as unintended consequences adding they could have handled the situation better and maybe she would not have been fired. I really regret the time the doctors were on strike. It was quite a low moment for us as a ministry. "Having to see that there are patients who need to be served and the doctors are not there to serve them. "I must say that it was one of the things that was a low moment for me as I worked here, said Nakhumicha. At the same time, Nakhumicha stated that she leaves the health docket with her head held high, confident that they did a good job during her time leading the Ministry. She highlighted the reforms in the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) as one of her achievements. Further, she advised CS Barasa to follow the constitution, the Health Act, and the ministry policies to steer the ministry forward. Nakhumicha is among the 11 CSs who failed to make it to the newly reconstituted broad-based Cabinet. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - President William Ruto has denied any knowledge of any incidents of kidnapping or forced disappearances during the recent anti-government protests. Speaking during a town hall session in Kisumu yesterday, Ruto asserted that he did not have a single name of a Kenyan kidnapped during the demonstrations. The Head of State asked families whose kin reportedly went missing to come forward and give their names so that he could take action. If there is a family that their child or friend or relative went to a demonstration, whether it is last year or this year, and never came back, I want to know the names because I will take firm and decisive action. Because as I talk to you today, I dont have a single name of somebody who has been abducted or disappeared," Ruto remarked. He went ahead to affirm that Kenyans have a right of association within the law and therefore no one should be subjected to any inhumane treatment because of their political persuasion. Ruto reiterated his promise of ending forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. "I made a commitment to the people of Kenya that under my administration, I do not want a situation where a Kenyan disappears. There were days when people were found in River Yala here, executed. I want to promise the people of Kenya that under my administration, there will be no Kenyans in River Yala or any other place, he explained. His remarks come after Kenyans raised concerns over abductions of young people by security agencies during the anti-government protests some of whom were later found dead. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 Barely two months into office, Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho now wants a chopper to help him do his work better. Speaking yesterday during the thanksgiving ceremony of Treasury CS John Mbadi in Homa Bay County, Joho begged President William Ruto to allow him to procure a rescue chopper to help the fishermen in Lake Victoria. This is after he was informed about people losing their lives in Lake Victoria. The Mining CS noted that a rescue helicopter will help in cases of emergence in the lake. "I have been told that people are dying here every day in the lake while trying to earn a living. Mr. President, I am organizing the ministry's work, but when you give the command, everyone will follow. I know that on Saturday you will be visiting the search and rescue and communication project in Kisumu, Honorable President, and I want you, while you are there, to give me the order, and I will pass it on to my people, that in this area of Lake Victoria, we urgently need to procure a rescue helicopter to save people in the lake, Joho stated. Further, CS Joho thanked Ruto for forming a broad-based government to unite the country and promised to deliver in his role at the Ministry of Mining. I thank you, President Ruto, for demonstrating leadership of uniting the entire nation. "I want to assure you that the work you have entrusted me with in the ministry will be done properly, he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed, has blasted former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka for declaring himself as the opposition leader in Kenya. Speaking during Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi's homecoming ceremony on Thursday, Junet, who is the Minority Leader in the National Assembly, said he was the legitimate opposition leader. Junet said that since the Office of Official Opposition is not enshrined in the Constitution, it would be fair to term the Leader of the Minority Party in the National Assembly the opposition leader. As it stands now, I am the official opposition leader because I am the minority leader and you cannot take away the job God has given me. "Those in the opposition should know I am their leader, Junet said. The ODM strongman further slammed the Wiper leader for laying claim to a position that currently does not exist in the law. I have seen our colleagues saying we in ODM are in government and such stuff, and they are now opposition leaders. "There is no part in the Constitution that talks about an opposition leader. "Let no one allocate themselves a job that is non-existent. "Let us first create an office and then someone can occupy it, Junet added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has taken a swipe at President William Ruto over his claims that he was not aware of any cases of alleged police abductions. The Commission in its statement termed Rutos comments as a blatant lie and vowed to hold him accountable for the cases of forced disappearances. According to the lobby group, the kins of those abducted and killed during the recent anti-government demonstrations were yet to receive any compensation despite the government's being privy to such incidents occurring across the country. President Ruto's claim that he's unaware of any Kenyan forcibly disappeared by security agents during anti-government protests is a blatant lie, the commission claimed. On this International Day of the Disappeared, William Ruto must be held accountable for these enforced disappearances that happened under his command. While insisting on the matter, KHRC went ahead to unveil the names of those who were reportedly abducted and those killed during the recent nationwide protests. The latest statement by the human rights commission comes hours after the Head of State directed the Interior Ministry to expedite all cases of alleged abductions. The Head of State who spoke during a town hall meeting in Kisumu, assured Kenyans that the government would take firm and decisive action against those found culpable. While addressing the matter, the president revealed he was not aware of any abduction case reported during the recent anti-government protests. He called on Kenyans whose kin reportedly disappeared without trace during the recent demonstrations to report any such case to the Ministry of Interior for investigations. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Thirdway Alliance party leader, Dr. Ekuru Aukot has said former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is not qualified to be the Africa Union Chairperson. Raila, who has the support of President William Ruto, is contesting for the African Union Commission chairmanship to replace Moussa Faki, who will retire in 2025. In an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, Aukot said Ruto was not sincere in supporting Raila's bid for the top continental job. According to Aukot, Ruto is using Raila's AUC bid to fix problems facing his Kenya Kwanza administration. The former presidential aspirant argued that the former prime minister would not win the seat, given that he allegedly lacked the requisite qualifications. "Ruto said for him to sit comfortably, he needed to bring Raila Odinga to the table because he has a sycophantic following. "By the way, he is not being honest with Raila because he will not get the AUC position, but William Ruto will say, you saw me doing all I can, but it was not my making. Raila is not even qualified," Aukot said. Aukot further accused people around the ODM leader of lying to him about his chances of winning the AUC seat. "The people around Raila Odinga are lying to him about the AUC position. "The position is not about personality but about qualifications. Even Rutos image globally has a negative effect on him (Raila). "Evidence shows Raila is just being used politically," he stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Kenya Law School President Joshua Okayo has told President William Ruto not to lie to Kenyans that there were no abductions and extrajudicial killings when police were dealing with Gen Z protestors in June and July. In an interview with Citizen TV on Friday, Okayo criticized President William Ruto, calling it a "very big shame" for the President to claim during the Kisumu Townhall meeting on Thursday that there were no police abductions or killings during the Gen Z protests. Okayo referenced his own abduction by alleged security personnel, highlighting that he was one of the lucky few to escape death. Okayo was reportedly abducted by police on June 26, during the peak of the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Three days later, he was found abandoned near Maragua River in Murang'a County, showing signs of torture. I remember that the same day I went missing, Denzel Omondi went missing and unfortunately he was found dead in some quarry dump. These are real issues and experiences and this is a lived experience so when the President says he is not aware of any abductions, it is very sad," Okayo said "I would advise the President to sit down reflect on his leadership and the occurrences in the last three months and actually decide. Now that he calls himself a very prayerful man please let him sit down, pray and get back to the person that we thought he was, Okayo added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - President William Ruto has admitted there is endemic corruption in the country, especially at the National Police Service (NPS). Speaking on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Kisumu, the head of state said there is a lot of corruption at NPS but accused the Kenyan citizens of fueling graft within the police force. Ruto said civilians who dish out money to the officers for favours or to avoid arrests should be blamed for the increased corruption. He argued that police officers, being human, may sometimes struggle to resist the temptation to collect bribes, and therefore it should not be entirely their fault. There is serious impunity and this is something we must deal with as Kenyans. There are people who actively induce policemen with money. I think it is time that we as Kenyans stopped the culture of bribing the police, he said. Because sometimes policemen cannot resist the offers and advances made to them. We must deal with this corruption thing from all angles. He added: We must make sure we take action on police who ask for the money and Kenyans who give money must also be told they are part of the problem and I dont know who is going to tell them. "We need to tell ourselves to stop that culture. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Suna East MP Junet Mohamed mocked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, who has declared himself the kingpin of the Mt Kenya region. The incident occurred during the homecoming ceremony of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in Homa Bay County, where the chief guests were President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In his sarcastic speech, Junet 'donated' several hills in Nyanza to the Deputy President, presumably referring to Gachagua's ongoing lobbying for the Mt Kenya region. Junet listed some of the hills in Homa Bay that might be up for grabs by the DP, adding that he was welcome to stay among them. "Ive seen youve been out with your deputy. You know, Kenya is a very interesting place. We are in a period of appreciating mountains. "Youve seen there are many mountains here, and I want to donate three mountains to the deputy president so that when he comes back here, he can live with us on these mountains. "Theres Gwassi Hill, Migori, and Nyasare. "Lets connect these mountains so that we all live on the mountain together," Junet said amid laughter. The DP has come under criticism for his consistent support for his backyard, popularly referring to the region as Mlima. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 President William Ruto better pray that his "project" Raila Odinga, wins the African Union Commission chairmanship seat, or else there could be trouble. This was revealed by Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, who claimed that Ruto would be in a lot of trouble if Raila lost the AUC seat, considering the amount of State resources invested in the campaign. Speaking during an interview, Maanzo argued the State, based on how invested it is in the bid has been counting its chicks before they hatch since in his view, it is too early to determine if Raila will win or not. At the same time, the Wiper Senator poked holes into Ruto's development tour of the Nyanza region, questioning whether this was wise considering that residents of the region will be expecting the former Prime Minister to win. "President Ruto has quickly rushed to Nyanza but will be in a lot of trouble if Raila doesnt get the bid", Maanzo said. President William Ruto began his 4-day tour to Nyanza on Wednesday, just a day after he officially launched Raila's bid for the AUC at State House. So far, Raila Odinga has the support of Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan. Burundi Rwanda and Nigeria have also expressed their support for Raila. Raila is seeking to replace Moussa Faki of Chad whose term is ending early next year. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Former Law Society of Kenya President, Nelson Havi, has challenged Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai to table an impeachment motion against Governor Johnson Sakaja. On Thursday, Alai, who was elected on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket, accused a group of lawyers of colluding with governors to loot counties. Alai, a controversial blogger, shared a letter from Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o revealing that Sakaja's administration paid KSh 1,345,440,849 in legal fees to 19 law firms. "Kenyans, nobody is looting this country and more so the counties more than a clique of popular lawyers whose practice doesnt involve anything more than signing a document. "Nairobi City County cant provide any meaningful service to residents because there is a cabal of corrupt lawyers out there looting the county with the governor as long as they can give 50% of the loot to the governor," Alai claimed. In response, Havi wondered why Nairobi MCAs had not initiated an impeachment motion against Sakaja if they had proof of corrupt practices in the county. While criticising Alai, Havi accused Nairobi MCAs of lacking principles and being financially driven, urging them to initiate the governor's impeachment. "What stops you from initiating the impeachment of the governor? "You cannot be taking breakfast in ODM, lunch in UDA, and dinner in Jubilee. That is the problem we have with you, Nairobi City County MCAs: financially elastic and intellectually impecunious," Havi wrote on X The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30,2024 - Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has differed with President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the meaning of a broad-based government. Ruto has been saying that the broad-based government is different from the 2008 grand coalition government, where the late former President Mwai Kibaki shared power with Raila Odinga. But Duale, speaking on Thursday during the homecoming of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in Homa Bay County, insisted that the way President William Rutos administration is currently constituted is similar to the 2008 Grand Coalition Government. He added the opposition and Government are united in this case, for the development of the country. Right now, it's like 2008, the Government and the opposition have united to make Kenya one. Mbadi is among five ODM lieutenants who joined President William Rutos government. Others are, Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Opiyo Wandayi, and Beatrice Moe. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - A Kenyan-based diplomat analyst has downplayed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's chances of succeeding Moussa Faki Mahamat as African Union Chairperson. Moussa Faki Mahamat is set to step down in February 2025, and with the backing of President William Ruto and state machinery, Raila Odinga has launched a multifaceted campaign for the top continental job. However, according to Diplomatic Affairs Analyst Ahmed Hashi, Raila will lose the race to Djiboutis candidate, Mahamoud Youssouf. The analyst, who previously worked as a spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speculated that the French government would interfere in the elections and influence the Francophone countries to unite and edge out Kenya's candidate. He touted Djibouti's candidate as the favourite to win the seat by a landslide during the elections to be held in Addis Ababa in February 2025. "What is important is to look at the context of the African continent and the states and how we expect they're going to behave towards Kenya's candidate, Mr Odinga. "I think Raila Odinga will lose the AUC chair election in Addis Ababa. I'm the only one who thinks that. "I will be shocked if he even gets a slim majority. The candidate from Djibouti is going to win a landslide," he said. He referenced the 2017 AUC elections when then Kenya's candidate, former Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed lost to Chad's Moussa Faki after seven rounds of voting. During the elections, reports indicated that a last-minute change by Uganda, Djibouti, and Burundi led to Kenya losing the seat. "The people in charge in these nations have fundamental influence from the Metropol. "The AU is divided based on these fundamental tectonic plates and one of the biggest influences of the AU is the French," Hashi noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, August 30, 2024 - Marakwet West Member of Parliament Timothy Kipchumba has blasted President William Ruto, accusing him of failing to fulfill the promises he made during the campaigns. While addressing his constituents, Kipchumba expressed his frustrations over several uncompleted projects launched by the president in his Sub-County. The legislator called on the Head of State to stop his consistent narrative of making many promises to Kenyans without fulfilling them. He went ahead to urge the President to consider allocating adequate funds for the completion of several learning institutions which the MP noted had stalled for long periods. I want to sincerely urge the president that when he makes promises to Kenyans let us ensure there is money to complete the projects, Kipchumba commented. Every time I meet the president, I remind him of this uncompleted school and so I urge the president that the 3-month promise he made, let him fulfill it. According to the vocal legislator, the recent security breach witnessed at the Parliament Building by the Gen Z protesters was enough evidence of dissatisfaction by many Kenyans. "These Gen Zs attacked us in parliament because of the lies, and I don't want to be attacked by the residents of Marakwet West, I want to work for them," the MP stated. Kipchumba's sentiments come days after the government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that the Head of State would continue relaunching stalled projects to ensure they are completed. The Kenyan DAILY POST When patients go to the hospital seeking help, they are vulnerable and fully trusting of the modern hospital system to do only what is needed and nothing more. And with good reasonpatients are well aware of the incredible sacrifices doctors have made, including the oath to do no harm, and their passion to save lives. What is less known by patients is the fee-for-service model of health care that awaits thema system that incentivizes doing as much as possible to the patient. Patients are treated more like customers and may be prescribed unnecessary tests, procedures, and medications. Its like going to a fancy restaurant where the waiter gets to order for you. The problem is that the more that is done to the patient, the greater the chance for something to go wrong, potentially setting off a cascade of new health issues. This is not a unique occurrence, and the stats are concerning. A January 2023 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reviewed a random sample of 2,809 admissions to 11 Massachusetts hospitals and found adverse events affecting nearly one in four patients, with some such events resulting in death. Being a good patient and blindly trusting the system can sometimes have devastating consequencesas it did for my son. At 19, he entered the hospital seeking help for pectoral chest pain. He suffered adverse effects from inappropriately prescribed medications. Less than 48 hours into his hospital stay, he had suffered paralysis from the neck down, was put on ventilation, and soon after contracted life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. He spent five weeks in the ICU, several months in inpatient care, and years rebuilding his life after releaseand the vast majority of his care had nothing to do with his initial chest pain, the reason he went to the hospital in the first place. And yet, his situation was not unique. As just one example of the widespread nature of experiences similar to that of my son, a February 2020 editorial in JAMA Network entitled Overuse of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Pneumonia describes how up to half of hospitalized patients treated for pneumonia may not actually have pneumonia. Moreover, broad-spectrum antibiotics can wipe out the good bacteria in addition to the bad, leaving the patient extremely vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections, in addition to a range of serious conditions brought on or exacerbated by dysbiosis. Until doctors are free to practice as they intended when they went to medical school, patients must be prepared and know what to expect when seeking care at a profit-driven hospital system. It is possible to get only the help you need and nothing more. Here are a few tips that might help you avoid some of the traps and pitfalls that could leave you more sick: If it is not truly an emergency, try to stay out of the hospital. Contact your primary care doctor or go to urgent care. If you need to go to the hospital, try to have an advocate with you. An advocate can be another set of ears, make sure each medication or test is necessary, and help you check out. Avoid IVs if you can swallow pills instead. IVs can cause more complications and increase the risk of infection. If antibiotics are prescribed, and if the suspected infection is not an emergency, hold off and request a culture or bloodwork to confirm that it is indeed a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics. With regard to any treatment, you have the right to say no. If you develop any new symptoms, make sure to rule out medications administered as a possible cause. Laura Buchman is a patient advocate and author of NERVE: Surviving Medical Madness. Half of my family and many of my friends are doctors. I admire them enormously: they are smarter, work harder, and are more compassionate than any group I know. Yet sadly, they are all wimps. Despite non-stop carping about the dangers and cost of health insurers prior authorization machinations, not a single one is willing to step up and take on an insurance company. Of course, I understand why: doctors incomes are largely dependent on insurance companies paying them. And no sane businessperson wants to take on an 800-pound gorilla known for being vindictive. The stories about insurance companies withholding payments, auditing uppity doctors, or expelling them from in-network panels arent just stories: they are real and recurring nightmares. That insurance company utilization review protocols put patients at risk is well known. The American Medical Association has been surveying doctors for years about the impact of prior authorization (PA) on patients, and the results are uniformly disturbing: the AMA found that more than 90 percent of doctors say PA causes delays in treatment; a third of physicians report that PA delays have resulted in a serious adverse event for a patient in their care; 24 percent report that PA delays have resulted in a patients hospitalization; and 18 percent say PA has led to a life-threatening event or one that required intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage. Moreover, nearly one out of ten doctors report that prior authorization reviews have led to a patients permanent bodily damage, disability, or death. The AMA also notes that 84 percent of physicians report that the number of PAs required for prescriptions and medical services has increased in the past five years. Disturbingly, a study by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 73 percent of such denials for medications were approved on appeal. I learned about the dangers of prior authorization when I represented the Valentini family. Kathleen Valentini, then 47, went to her doctor complaining of pain in her leg. He examined her, took an X-ray, and told her he didnt see anything wrong. The standard treatment was an over-the-counter painkiller and six weeks of physical therapy. Kathleen did the PT religiously but reported the pain was even worse. Her PCP referred her to an orthopedist who took a second X-ray and wanted an MRI. But the insurance company said it wasnt medically necessary until she had completed six weeks of PT. The orthopedist pointed out that not only had Kathleen completed the prescribed course of PT, but that the insurance company itself had paid for it. Nevertheless, the insurance company stood by the denial, and the orthopedist appealed. The appeal took five weeks, and the insurance company reversed its denial. Kathleen then got the MRI, which showed a sarcoma on her hip. When she presented at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the doctors there told her that had she come a month sooner, they would have treated her just with chemo. Now, they explained, theyd still use chemo, but first, they had to amputate her leg, hip, and pelvis. We sued the insurance company and its utilization review subcontractor for malpractice. We argued that they had effectively chosen to practice medicineby getting between Kathleen and her doctorand did so negligently. We lost. The courts said that while the story was tragic, there was no statuteand little case lawthat said an insurance company had a duty of care to a patient. Doctors, nurses, podiatrists, dentists, hospitals, and medical practices all had a duty of carebut not insurance companies. I believe insurance companies should be held accountable when they decide to practice medicine. But getting before state courts is difficult. Most insurance plans fall under ERISA, the federal law that both preempts state laws and has a much tougherand more company-friendlylegal threshold that has to be satisfied. That is a big reason why there is so little relevant case law. I have developed a legal strategy that I think can give patients who have been harmed by insurance company prior authorization schemes a reasonable shot at justice. But it requires a doctor to be a co-plaintiff. And while I cant blame my physician friends and relatives for their reluctance in stepping forward, I do have a recurring dream: that a soon-to-be-retired doctor will step forward. Doctors who are at the sunset of their careers know all too well that prior authorization endangers patients and costs medical practices tens of thousands of dollars annually in bureaucratic hurdle-jumping. My hope is that a few of them will say that taking on an insurance company is a worthwhile coda to a worthy career. Steve Cohen is an attorney and can be reached on LinkedIn. Steves practice epitomizes the intersection of law, policy, and journalismwith the realities of politics thrown in for good measure. For 35 years before going to law school, Steve was a successful publishing executiveincluding at Time and Scholasticbest-selling author and CEO of three internet start-ups. Since teaming up with Adam Pollock in 2018, he has learned to bring that unusual background, diversity of experience, and skills to the law. The Anti-Corruption Court on Friday granted bail to Igara East County Member of Parliament Michael Mawanda, Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, and their co-accused lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko. Each of the three was ordered to pay a cash bail of Shs35 million and deposit their passports with the courts Registrar. Additionally, they were barred from traveling outside the country without court permission. Sureties for the MPs, including fellow MPs, relatives, and friends such as city businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, were each required to execute a non-court bond of Shs50 million to ensure the accuseds return to court as needed. The trio is jointly charged with former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Geraldine Ssali, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, and the principal cooperative officer in the Ministry of Trade Leonard Kavundira. They are accused of stealing Shs7 billion intended for the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Societys compensation. Justice Jane Kajuga Okuo ruled that all sureties presented to the court were substantial and responsible members of the community. By Priscilla Maloba Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U) has donated an assortment of items to victims of the Kiteezi landfill collapse. Yesterday, a team from NMG-U visited the area and donated milk, millet flour, toys and ropes for the children to play with, among other items. The visit followed an assessment that the company made last week to ascertain the needs of the victims. Now today (yesterday), we are here to support the people in Kiteezi, the people who were internally displaced after the collapse of the landfill and now this comes in the wake of our MD visiting this place last week and doing a needs assessment, Mr Joshua Jaafa Watwaluma, the brand manager of Monitor Publications Limited, a subsidiary of NMG-U, said in an interview yesterday. Read more Blas na hEireann, the Irish Food Awards, have announced the finalists for 2024 and its another strong year of producers from Co Kildare. 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 McNabb, Head of Enterprise at Kildare Co 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 Milk, O'Brien Fine Foods, Pro-Bars Ltd, Rye River, The Brown Bread Guy and Wild Women Bitters Ltd, trading as Beara Bitters. The countdown is now on for another exciting and joyous awards weekend in the scenic seaside town of Dingle. The three-day event will take place from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 October. 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. 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. 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. Well done to all the finalists from Kildare! By Cillian Sherlock 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. Stephen Maguire A young man has appeared in court following a series of attacks on religious buildings in Co Donegal. Ryan McCrabbe appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Thursday evening. It follows a number of alleged arson attacks on buildings in the east Donegal village of St Johnston on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-year-old is charged that on August 29th at the Royal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, he did commit arson in that he did without lawful excuse damage by fire property, to wit, Royal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge is contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He is also charged that on the same date at St Baithins Church, St Johnston did commit arson in that he did, without lawful excuse, damage by fire property, to wit, St Baithins Church, St Johnston, belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. This charge is also contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. McCrabbe is also charged that, on the same date, at St Johnston Masonic Hall, Church Lane, St Johnston, did commit arson in that he did, without lawful excuse, damage by fire property, to wit, Royal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. This was also contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court that there would be an objection to bail. However, solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said he was postponing an application for bail at this point. He said his client, of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, was currently on dialysis at Letterkenny University Hospital and needed medical attention for his ongoing condition. Mr Gallagher added "I am rather concerned about his health situation." He also asked the court to ensure that his client was psychologically or psychiatrically assessed as soon as possible. However, Mr Gallagher added that his client fully understands the charges and has given instructions to him. Mr Gallagher said he was not putting words in the court's mouth but Judge Ciaran Liddy said "Your words are welcome." Judge Liddy agreed to all requests for medical treatment. The case was adjourned to September 3rd next by videolink at Letterkenny District Court. Tirlan, Irelands leading farmer-owned dairy and grain co-operative, has today held a meeting of Irelands MEPs ahead of them travelling to Brussels for the first formal session of the new European Parliament term. The MEPs in attendance were Billy Kelleher (FF/ Renew Europe), Michael McNamara (Ind/ Renew Europe), Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (FF/Renew Europe), Barry Cowen (FF/Renew Europe), Kathleen Funchion (SF/The Left) and Nina Carberry (FG/ EPP). The aim of the meeting was to brief MEPs across constituencies and party groupings on the economic impact of the agricultural sector, particularly its contribution to employment opportunities and vibrant rural communities. An EY study has shown that Tirlan activity directly and indirectly supports 19,000 jobs in Ireland. Among the wide range of issues discussed at the meeting were the importance of retaining the Nitrates Derogation beyond 2025 and the unique and vital position of Irelands farming, dairy and grain sectors in Irelands overall economy. The MEPs also received a tour of Tirlans Innovation Centre and Ballyragget plant. MEPs were also briefed on Tirlans Farming for Water: River Slaney Project, as a potential blueprint for adaptation in other EU Members States. As part of the Project, farm family suppliers are committed to playing their role in enhancing water quality across the Slaney River catchment area of Wexford, Carlow, and Wicklow. Commenting, John Murphy, Tirlans Chairperson said 'it is vitally important to Irelands agri sector that our MEPs use their strong collective voice to advocate on behalf of farming families across the country'. The dairy and grain industries are key to Irelands rural economy. Our politicians and policymakers need to understand and support our farmers. Agriculture as an indigenous employer cannot be underestimated and must be at the forefront of their work in Europe. In particular the retention of the derogation is a key ask of our MEPs. We look forward to ongoing dialogue with our representatives, he added. Sean Molloy, Tirlans Chief Executive Officer said 'it is an opportune time to show our MEPs how the dairy sector is adapting in a sustainable manner, while retaining our position as world-class food producers and economic drivers'. "As the new European Parliament convenes, we ask our MEPs to advocate on behalf of Irish agriculture and to support Irish farm families, as well as the wider community directly and indirectly employed in the sector," he added. The meeting was held at Tirlans state-of-the-art Ballyragget plant. Annually, the site processes over 1 billion litres of milk, 1.2 billion litres of whey and 220 million litres of cream into 220,000 tonnes of finished product across butter, casein, Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC), cheese and whey products which are sold to customers across the globe. Economically, Tirlan Co-op generated milk payments of 1.3 billion in 2023, supporting 19,000 jobs in the rural economy. Exciting stories from Irish history are hidden all across the country - and one of those fascinating tales is set to be brought back to life in a special Heritage Week talk in north Kilkenny tomorrow (Saturday) evening. Did you know that in 1944 a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crash landed in a field in Johnstown, narrowly missing a local farmhouse and just half a mile from the village? Not only is it a great story, but many local families still have souvenirs from that dramatic January, Sunday morning! From parachutes to machines guns, sheds and homes in North Kilkenny, for many years, held on to the memory of the daring tale! Local woman Susan Garrett first heard the story when she was at a family gathering, when she was five years old, and was presented with a round from one of the B-17's machine guns! It sparked a life-long curiosity about the exciting event, and now she is sharing the full story with us for Heritage Week. It's a fascinating story and one Susan brings to vivid life, thanks to a lifetime of research, including making contact with the son of one of the American airmen who shared his father's photographs, some taken from inside the B-17 in flight, and his war diaries. But neither that airman, nor any of his crewmates, were found in the wreckage in Johnstown! The plane had taken off from Goose Bay airfield in Newfoundland, earlier on the day it crashed, en route to a goods drop at Nutts Corner in Belfast before flying on to RAF Prestwick in the UK to be made battle ready. But it never made it to those destinations. Ireland was a neutral country during 'The Emergency' so how did a famed American bomber end up in the fields of North Kilkenny? And what happened to her crew who were not found in the wreckage? (Small spoiler - they all survived the war and lived full lives!) Newsroom reports: The Government should closely scrutinise the visa application of Holocaust denier Candace Owens, the chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand has urged. Owens, an American far-right activist with a history of antisemitic, Islamophobic and homophobic comments, is visiting Auckland in November as part of a speaking tour which will also take her to Australia. While Jewish groups across the Tasman have urged their government to reject Owens visa application, views are more split in New Zealand. I would be aghast if she was not allowed into NZ, and/or allowed to speak. I say this as someone who finds her views repugnant and hateful. I had generally been aware of her for several years as she was a rarity a young black woman who was very conservative and pro-Trump and articulate in presenting her views. I had a fairly neutral opinion of her. But in the last 12 months especially her views have either changed or she is being more open about what she believes. She has become a promoter of numerous conspiracy theories, as opposed to merely being sceptical of official lines. But more blatantly she has said and promoted things that are clearly anti-semitic, such as defending Josef Mengele, saying the Holocaust was almost ethnic cleansing but what the Allies did was actual ethnic cleansing. She has also done the old blood libel on Twitter and claimed Stalin was Jewish, Jews killed JFK, a Jewish cult does paedophilia etc. So I have huge contempt for Owens and her views. But that doesnt mean she should be banned she should be challenged. People should go to her meeting and quote her words back to her and point out how she fixates on Jewish conspiracies. Or just ignore her and hope no one buys tickets. We are aware of Ms Owens hateful, racist, historically illiterate and frankly stupid statements, that include but go well beyond Holocaust denial, and suggest an unhealthy delusional fixation on the Jewish people who constitute 0.2 percent of the worlds population, Jewish Council of New Zealand spokesperson Juliet Moses told Newsroom. However, like all the other antisemites who have visited these shores over recent years, some of whom have been platformed at houses of worship, on media and even at Parliament, we will not be opposing her visit. A very principled stand. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Ameritas Advisory Services LLC lessened its stake in shares of Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report) by 1.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,602 shares of the companys stock after selling 58 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Cummins were worth $997,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Cummins by 8.9% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,830 shares of the companys stock worth $784,000 after acquiring an additional 232 shares in the last quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its holdings in shares of Cummins by 28.7% in the 2nd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 242 shares of the companys stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC grew its position in Cummins by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 2,850 shares of the companys stock valued at $789,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. raised its holdings in Cummins by 2.6% during the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,681 shares of the companys stock worth $466,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Cummins by 35.7% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 40,444 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,200,000 after buying an additional 10,638 shares in the last quarter. 83.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Cummins alerts: Insider Activity at Cummins In other news, VP Sharon R. Barner sold 4,780 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.35, for a total transaction of $1,435,673.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 20,873 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,269,205.55. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Cummins news, VP Sharon R. Barner sold 4,780 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.35, for a total value of $1,435,673.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 20,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,269,205.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Tony Satterthwaite sold 24,250 shares of Cummins stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $308.24, for a total transaction of $7,474,820.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 77,442 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,870,722.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Cummins Stock Performance NYSE CMI traded up $3.26 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $309.33. 489,390 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,754,429. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.99. Cummins Inc. has a 1 year low of $212.80 and a 1 year high of $322.83. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $288.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $283.95. Cummins (NYSE:CMI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $5.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $8.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.33 billion. Cummins had a return on equity of 25.73% and a net margin of 5.69%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.18 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Cummins Inc. will post 18.61 earnings per share for the current year. Cummins Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, August 23rd will be given a $1.82 dividend. This represents a $7.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.35%. This is a boost from Cumminss previous quarterly dividend of $1.68. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 23rd. Cumminss dividend payout ratio is 53.29%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on CMI. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Cummins from $315.00 to $349.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Cummins from $290.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Cummins from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Cummins from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Cummins from $272.00 to $292.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $299.55. Read Our Latest Analysis on Cummins About Cummins (Free Report) Cummins Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric and hybrid powertrains, and related components worldwide. It operates through five segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and Accelera. The company offers diesel and natural gas-powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brands for the heavy and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets; and offers parts and services, as well as remanufactured parts and engines. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report) traded up 4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $10.47 and last traded at $10.44. 32,379 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 151,954 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.04. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $10.50 to $13.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Get IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima alerts: Get Our Latest Report on IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima The company has a market capitalization of $758.11 million, a P/E ratio of 15.92 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The companys fifty day moving average is $9.42 and its 200 day moving average is $9.42. Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Secure Asset Management LLC bought a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima in the 2nd quarter worth about $771,000. Helikon Investments Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 3.5% in the first quarter. Helikon Investments Ltd now owns 1,266,348 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,853,000 after buying an additional 42,494 shares in the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC grew its stake in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by 56.9% during the first quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 103,657 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $970,000 after acquiring an additional 37,598 shares in the last quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the second quarter valued at approximately $289,000. Finally, BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. bought a new stake in IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $269,000. 45.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Company Profile (Get Free Report) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the diversified real estate activities in Argentina. It operates through five segments: Shopping Malls, Offices, Hotels, Sales and Developments, and Others. The company is involved in the acquisition, development, and operation of shopping malls, office buildings, and other non-shopping mall properties primarily for rental purposes. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jaguar Mining (OTCMKTS:JAGGD Get Free Report) is one of 109 publicly-traded companies in the Metal Mining industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Jaguar Mining to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings. Dividends Jaguar Mining pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.3%. Jaguar Mining pays out 49.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Metal Mining companies pay a dividend yield of 3.3% and pay out 81.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Jaguar Mining is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Get Jaguar Mining alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Jaguar Mining and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Jaguar Mining 0 0 0 0 N/A Jaguar Mining Competitors 1197 2573 3130 123 2.31 Risk and Volatility As a group, Metal Mining companies have a potential upside of 30.26%. Given Jaguar Minings peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Jaguar Mining has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Jaguar Mining has a beta of 2.75, suggesting that its share price is 175% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Jaguar Minings peers have a beta of 0.52, suggesting that their average share price is 48% less volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Jaguar Mining and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Jaguar Mining $97.23 million -$150,000.00 6.74 Jaguar Mining Competitors $6.80 billion $973.46 million -4.88 Jaguar Minings peers have higher revenue and earnings than Jaguar Mining. Jaguar Mining is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares Jaguar Mining and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Jaguar Mining 28.17% 26.75% 17.80% Jaguar Mining Competitors -82.08% -3.47% -3.29% Institutional & Insider Ownership 28.2% of shares of all Metal Mining companies are owned by institutional investors. 13.0% of shares of all Metal Mining companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Jaguar Mining beats its peers on 7 of the 12 factors compared. Jaguar Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) Jaguar Mining, Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of gold producing properties in Brazil. Its mining operations include Turmalina, Paciencia and Caete. The firm is also developing the Grurupi Project and exploring the Iron Quadrangle and Pedra Branca Project. The company was founded by Daniel R. Titcomb in 1984 and is headquartered Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Jaguar Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jaguar Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 2,300 shares of Mohawk Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.15, for a total value of $347,645.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 119,369 shares in the company, valued at $18,042,624.35. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Mohawk Industries Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of Mohawk Industries stock opened at $153.68 on Friday. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $76.02 and a 1 year high of $164.05. The business has a 50-day moving average of $134.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.85. The company has a market capitalization of $9.81 billion, a P/E ratio of -23.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.92 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Get Mohawk Industries alerts: Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $3.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $2.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.84 billion. Mohawk Industries had a positive return on equity of 8.07% and a negative net margin of 3.30%. Mohawk Industriess quarterly revenue was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.76 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.9 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Raymond James raised shares of Mohawk Industries from a market perform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $140.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, June 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Mohawk Industries from $124.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Truist Financial increased their price target on Mohawk Industries from $135.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Mohawk Industries from $110.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Mohawk Industries from $132.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $156.00. View Our Latest Analysis on MHK Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 0.3% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,257,677 shares of the companys stock valued at $819,067,000 after buying an additional 17,541 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 10.7% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,036,545 shares of the companys stock valued at $344,903,000 after buying an additional 292,661 shares during the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. lifted its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 8.5% in the second quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 1,702,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $193,380,000 after buying an additional 132,879 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Mohawk Industries by 42.9% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,200,360 shares of the companys stock worth $136,349,000 after purchasing an additional 360,628 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brandes Investment Partners LP lifted its holdings in Mohawk Industries by 10.5% during the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 1,015,640 shares of the companys stock worth $115,057,000 after purchasing an additional 96,174 shares during the last quarter. 78.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Mohawk Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mohawk Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mohawk Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Phoenix New Media (NYSE:FENG Free Report) in a report issued on Monday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the information services providers stock. Phoenix New Media Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSE FENG opened at $2.72 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $32.88 million, a P/E ratio of -3.36 and a beta of 0.76. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $3.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.39. The company has a quick ratio of 2.91, a current ratio of 2.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Phoenix New Media has a 52-week low of $1.10 and a 52-week high of $4.15. Get Phoenix New Media alerts: Phoenix New Media (NYSE:FENG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 13th. The information services provider reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $23.16 million for the quarter. Phoenix New Media had a negative return on equity of 6.12% and a negative net margin of 10.17%. About Phoenix New Media Phoenix New Media Limited provides content on an integrated Internet platform in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through two segments, Net Advertising Services and Paid Services. It offers content and services through PC channel, mobile channel, and telecom operators, as well as transmits content to TV viewers, primarily through Phoenix TV. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Phoenix New Media Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phoenix New Media and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Drama centers on 'how to divorce successfully' By KTimes The popularity of the TV series "Good Partner" is surging. The show premiered with a 7.8 percent viewership rating on July 12, and it has since more than doubled, reaching 17.2 percent as of the latest episode that aired on Saturday. There are predictions that the drama could surpass a 20 percent viewership rating before it wraps up its 16-episode run. Initially, "Good Partner" was not anticipated to be a major hit, given that the writer was a newcomer and legal dramas focusing on divorce had not attracted much attention in the past. Recent examples like JTBC's "Divorce Attorney Shin" and ENA's "Can I Be Someone Else?" saw single-digit ratings. However, "Good Partner" has found unexpected success by differentiating itself from past divorce dramas in two ways. Fresh take Unlike earlier dramas like "Marriage Clinic: Love and War" (1999-2014), which focused on extreme situations leading to the breakdown of marriages, "Good Partner" centers on the theme of "how to divorce well." For example, it features a storyline where a wife gives up custody of her two children in exchange for alimony after her husband's infidelity, saying, "The kids had a luxurious upbringing, attending English kindergartens and wearing designer clothes. They won't have the same lifestyle if they stay with me." Instead of condemning the mother as heartless, "Good Partner" presents a different perspective, showing the complex realities through the character of Cha Eun-kyung (played by Jang Na-ra), a seasoned divorce lawyer with 17 years of experience. The show portrays custody loss as a temporary arrangement rather than a permanent separation. Nam Ji-hyun, who plays junior lawyer Han Yoo-ri, said, "I felt like I was hit in the back of the head while reading the script. It's a story that only a writer with a background in divorce law could create." Workplace dynamics The drama also delves into workplace conflicts and growth, reminiscent of the popular drama "Misaeng" (2014). It showcases the clash between senior lawyer Cha Eun-kyung, who prioritizes results, and junior lawyer Han Yoo-ri, who values the process, highlighting generational conflicts within the workplace. According to Nielsen Korea, "Good Partner" has a higher viewership among 20-somethings compared to 30-somethings, unlike dramas like tvN's "Love Next Door" or JTBC's "Romance in the House," which have more 30-something viewers. This suggests that young professionals in their 20s, who relate to the generational conflicts depicted in the drama, are drawn to "Good Partner." Jung Duk-hyun, a pop culture critic, said, "The clash of values between the characters played by Jang Na-ra and Nam Ji-hyun naturally reflects today's workplace generational conflicts." How was a divorce courtroom drama written by a divorce lawyer conceived? The idea dates back to 2019 when lawyer Choi Yu-na began serializing a webtoon on Instagram titled "Marriage Red." The title implied a "red light" in a married couple's life, featuring stories of couples contemplating divorce. Impressed by the webtoon, a producer from Studio&NEW, a drama production company, proposed that Choi write a script for a TV series. Choi worked as a lawyer by day and wrote the script at night after putting her two children to bed. It took her five years to complete the script. Studio&NEW, which planned "Good Partner," is known in the industry as a "training ground for legal professionals to debut as drama writers." The company also produced "Miss Hammurabi," the 2018 debut drama of Moon Yoo-seok, who was a sitting judge at the time. TV Prefers Divorce Dramas Divorce-themed dramas are gaining popularity in the K-content market, particularly on TV. Recently, there have been over five such dramas released in the past year alone, including SBS's "Queen of Divorce." These shows have primarily been aired on television, while crime thrillers like "No Way Out: The Roulette," "The Frog," and "The Tyrant" are more common on streaming platforms. A production company executive said, "Broadcasters are more actively scheduling divorce-themed dramas to capture middle-aged TV viewers." The trend of producing divorce-themed content is also on the rise. The production company MongJakSo is preparing to film a drama titled Divorce Insurance, which centers around a fictional story of an insurance company creating a divorce insurance product. An industry insider said, "Divorce-themed scripts are becoming more frequent in the market these days." According to the "2023 Marriage and Divorce Statistics" from Statistics Korea, there were approximately 190,000 marriages and 90,000 divorces, meaning one in every two married couples ends up divorced. This social backdrop has fueled the rise of divorce-themed dramas. Kim Hun-sik, a professor at Jungwon University's College of Social Culture, said, "Divorce, once considered a distant issue, is becoming more normalized, leading to increased interest in content that deals with its crises and resolutions." Divorce is also becoming a more explicit topic in reality shows, but this trend has its downsides. Pop culture critic Bok-gil noted, "Recent divorce-themed dramas often gain popularity by exhaustively showcasing the communication processes between divorced parties. In contrast, reality shows on divorce frequently reduce these complex issues to brief, conflict-driven clips, which makes it harder to engage in diverse and serious discussions about marriage." 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. Korea's industrial output fell for the third consecutive month in July due to sluggish production in the semiconductor and automobile sectors, data showed Friday. Industrial output decreased 0.4 percent on-month in July, following a 0.1 percent drop the previous month, according to data compiled by Statistics Korea. Compared with a year earlier, however, industrial output increased 2.7 percent in July, the data showed. "While industrial output has decreased for three consecutive months, it has posted growth compared to a year earlier, indicating that the industrial sector is in a stable condition," said Kong Mi-sook, a senior official at Statistics Korea. The output in the mining, manufacturing, gas and electricity industries fell 3.6 percent on-month in July, primarily due to an 8 percent decline in chip production and a 14.4 percent drop in automobile production. The agency attributed the decrease in the chip segment to reduced production of memory chips. The local production of recreational vehicles and midsized sedans also lost ground, leading to an overall decrease in the output of the car segment, it added. The output in the service industries, meanwhile, added 0.7 percent on-month in July, as gains from the telecommunication and travel industries offset losses in the financial sector. Retail sales, a gauge of private spending, fell 1.9 percent on-month in July, mainly due to declining sales of automobiles, gasoline and semidurables. Compared with a year earlier, sales dropped 2.1 percent. Facility investment, on the other hand, increased 10.1 percent on-month in July, bolstered by the transportation sector that jumped 50.5 percent, the data added. Investment in the machinery industry, however, decreased 1.6 percent over the period. (Yonhap) By KTimes Media consumption in Korea has shifted from traditional TV broadcasts like terrestrial channels to online video platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, and Tving. Notably, younger generations are increasingly favoring short-form videos like Shorts, Reels, and TikTok over longer content on online streaming services (OTT). According to the "2024 Target Report" released by MezzoMedia, a digital marketing subsidiary of CJ ENM, this trend is based on an online survey of 1,000 men and women aged 15 to 59 living in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and five major metropolitan areas. The survey showed that respondents spend an average of 88 minutes per day watching TV and 59 minutes on OTT services. A significant percentage of teens (16 percent) and people in their 20s (19 percent) reported not using TV at all. While those in their 20s, who have more leisure time, spent an average of 70 minutes per day on OTT services, teens used OTT for only 53 minutes, with 30 percent stating they did not watch OTT at all. However, the actual use of TV often involved apps available on smart TVs. Among 20-somethings, 54 percent of TV time was spent watching content on YouTube, Netflix, and TVING on a larger screen. The focus of younger generations is primarily on video content centered around YouTube. Teens spent an average of 124 minutes per day on videos, while those in their 20s spent 127 minutes. Among these, time spent on short-form content such as YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok was 64 minutes and 55 minutes, respectively accounting for half of their total video viewing time. In contrast, those aged 30 and above also spent more than an hour daily on video content, but time spent on short-form videos was between 35 and 41 minutes, confirming that the bite-sized clips are primarily a trend among those in their 20s and younger. Instagram for teen girls, Facebook for men in their 50s The use of messengers, social media, and online communities shows clear generational and gender differences. The only service with high usage rates across all age groups and genders was the messenger app KakaoTalk. Teenage and 20-something females preferred Instagram Direct Messages (DMs), while males of the same age groups used Discord more frequently, often for voice chats in gaming. Although Telegram, which has recently been in the spotlight for its role in distributing deepfake content, had low overall usage rates, it was relatively popular among men in their 20s, 40s, and 50s. Among social media platforms, Instagram was the most popular, but its usage dropped significantly with increasing age. Teen and 20-something females preferred X, while 30-something females favored Naver Blog. In contrast, men aged 30 to 50 were more inclined to use Facebook. For online communities, Naver Cafe and local community-based secondhand trading platform Danggeun Market were popular across all age groups. However, men in their teens and 20s leaned toward DC Inside and Everytime, while women in their 20s and 30s favored Nate Pann and Daum Cafe. 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. North Korea's newly appointed ambassador to Singapore took office this week, state media reported Friday, in the latest move to resume diplomatic activities long stalled due to the isolated country's strict COVID-19 restrictions. Ri Kil-song officially began his term Tuesday after presenting his credentials to Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Singaporean leader expressed hopes for the stabilization of the lives of victims of recent floods in North Korea, the KCNA said. Late last month, heavy rains flooded large areas along the Amnok River in the northern part of the country. Ri appears to have served as a vice foreign minister handling Asian affairs until 2020. North Korea has recently made efforts to restart in-person diplomatic activities after easing its border restrictions in August 2023, appointing new ambassadors to Vietnam, Thailand and Romania. (Yonhap) The unification ministry said Friday it has given the green light to civic groups' requests for contact with North Koreans over flood damage relief, marking its first approval of civilian humanitarian aid bids in two years amid strained inter-Korean relations. The ministry said it has approved the requests by nine nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to come in contact with North Koreans over humanitarian assistance related to the North's latest floods in border areas. It marked the first time in about two years that the conservative administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol has approved NGOs' bid for civilian humanitarian assistance. "Despite the current inter-Korean situation, the government has approved the contact requests by the civic groups solely for flood damage relief on the judgment that it is very important for flood-hit North Koreans to get back to their life as soon as possible," Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing. The official said the approval was given only for the purpose of flood damage supplies, adding that the government is reviewing civic groups' bid for humanitarian aid to the North in a principle-based manner. North Korea is struggling to recover from massive flood damage in its border areas along the Amnok River. Heavy rains in late July flooded large areas of the country's North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces. Despite the ministry's approval, it remains uncertain whether North Korea would accept South Korean civic groups' aid offer, given Pyongyang's hostile stance against Seoul. Earlier this month, the unification ministry offered to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea over its flood damage. But North Korea has remained unresponsive to Seoul's offer. (Yonhap) About 140 out of some 180 Koreans who entered Israel for a religious event have safely left the country, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. For the remaining 40 others, the Korean diplomatic mission in Israel is continuing to strongly urge them to leave the country as soon as possible, the ministry said. The ministry confirmed earlier in the week that about 180 Koreans had entered Israel to attend a religious event, amid growing tensions in the region following a series of missile and air strikes exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah. With the departure of the 140 visitors, the number of Koreans in Israel was down to around 540. Around 100 Koreans are currently in Iran, with 90 others in Lebanon. No reports of harm to Koreans or damage to their properties have been received, the ministry said. (Yonhap) Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called Friday for making thorough preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju next year, his office said. Han presided over a meeting of government agencies preparing for the November 2025 gathering of leaders from the 21 APEC member economies to check progress and discuss plans for hosting the summit in the city, located some 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul. "Please make every effort to establish the necessary infrastructure and make other preparations to ensure we host a summit that befits our national status while fully highlighting the rich cultural heritage and Korean image of Gyeongju," Han was quoted as saying. The meeting brought together officials from the Office of Government Policy Coordination, the ministries of finance, foreign affairs, the interior and safety, culture and land, as well as the governor of North Gyeongsang Province. "Given there isn't much time left until the summit, I ask relevant ministries and the governments of North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeongju, led by the foreign ministry, to closely communicate and consult with each other and prepare with speed," Han said. The government decided during the meeting to move the APEC summit preparatory committee from under the foreign ministry to under the Prime Minister's Office and elevate the committee chief from the foreign minister to the prime minister. The committee will hold a meeting next month led by the prime minister to review and adopt a "2025 APEC Summit Basic Plan" outlining how the summit will be run. APEC members include Korea, the United States, Japan, China, Russia, Canada and Australia. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol met with a delegation from the United States House of Representatives on Friday to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation involving Japan, his office said. During the meeting with the six-member delegation led by U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar in Seoul, Yoon emphasized that support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance is bipartisan within the U.S. and has evolved into "global comprehensive strategic alliance." "Close cooperation between Korea-U.S. and Korea-U.S.-Japan, based on shared values, is essential in overcoming the polycrisis," Yoon was quoted by his office saying. In response, the U.S. representatives noted that since Yoon took office, the relationship between the two countries has strengthened to an unprecedented level, attributing the progress to his courage and leadership. The delegation also expressed their intention to work closely with Korea and other key allies in the Indo-Pacific region to address regional and global challenges, including those posed by Pyongyang. (Yonhap) By Anna J. Park This year's Global Korea Foum (GKF), an annual international conference hosted by the Ministry of Unification, has added more female panelists after being criticized for its lack of diversity. According to the website of the GKF 2024, Friday, the panel speakers for next Tuesday's forum are comprised of 20 men and seven women, significantly increasing the female presence from its previous 4.7 percent 20 men and one women to over 25 percent. The addition came after British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks decided not to participate in the event, citing concerns over the lack of gender diversity among the invited speakers, as reported by The Korea Times on Wednesday. The British Embassy at the time officially confirmed the ambassador's withdrawal from the event, stating: "The ambassador is unable to take part in the Global Korea Forum (scheduled for Sept. 3). The British Embassy is committed to gender equality. We believe that events are enriched by the diversity of perspectives of those participating." An official from the unification ministry said the ministry had accepted the criticism that the forum should be conducted in line with the values of gender equality. The newly added female panelists include Korea Institite for Defense Analyses (KIDA) research fellow Kwon Bo-ram, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses head of security strategy Lee Ho-ryoung, Kangwon National University professor Chung Ku-youn, Renmin University of China professor Ahn Yin-hay, National Institute for Unification Education professor Jeong Eun-chan and Korea Peninsula Future Women's Institute Director Hyun In-ae. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday that he reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during his talks with top Chinese officials in Beijing this week. Sullivan made the remarks during a press conference in the Chinese capital amid lingering concerns in South Korea over the absence of references to the denuclearization goal in recently adopted Democratic and Republican policy platforms. During his trip there this week, he held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia meetings that he cast as "constructive, candid and substantive." "In all of my meetings, I stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait; emphasized the United States' commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Sullivan said in the press briefing according to a transcript released by the White House. "I reaffirmed the United States' commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies including our concerns about destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea," he added. During their recent national conventions, both the Democratic and Republican Parties adopted new policy platforms that did not have any reference to the denuclearization objective for the Korean Peninsula. The omission has raised concerns in Seoul that Pyongyang could misconstrue it as an opening to seek U.S. acknowledgment of the North as a de facto nuclear power and negotiations on arms control rather than on denuclearization an anathema to Seoul. Sullivan's trip to China came as Washington apparently seeks to stably manage relations with Beijing ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election. He unveiled a plan for President Joe Biden and Xi to speak over the phone in the coming weeks as part of efforts to enhance bilateral communication and relations. "We believe that keeping lines of communication open is critical," he said. "And to that end, we began planning towards a leader-level call in the coming weeks where I expect these discussions to continue." On the possibility of Biden and Xi meeting in person, Sullivan noted the likelihood of the two leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Group of 20 (G20) summits slated to take place in Peru and Brazil both in November respectively. "It is likely that both President Biden and President Xi will be at APEC and the G20 later this year," he said. "I don't have any announcements to make on either President Biden's travel or a potential meeting, but the likelihood is they'll both be there, and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another." The security advisor reiterated that his visit to China was part of efforts to manage the bilateral relationship "responsibly." "Under President Biden's leadership, the United States has and will continue to advance its interests and values, look out for its friends," he said. "And as we do, we believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation. The key is responsible management through diplomacy." In their talks, Sullivan and Chinese officials also discussed various issues related to technology, Russia's war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and other areas. "We remain deeply concerned about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base and its impact on both European and transatlantic security, not to mention on Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine," he said. He vowed to continue to take necessary action "to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security without unduly limiting trade or investment." (Yonhap) A Navy officer became Korea's first female deep sea diver in the Navy's 78-year history on Friday, officials said, amid an ongoing push to broaden women's role in various areas of the military. Lt. Jg. Mun Hee-woo was among the 64 officers, noncommissioned officers and conscripts that completed the Navy's basic training to join the Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit (SSU) in a ceremony held at Changwon, 298 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the Navy said. The 27-year-old is the first female service member to apply for and complete the grueling 12-week course that trains applicants to become members of the elite unit. She also served on the frigate ROKS Daegu after being commissioned as an ensign in June 2022. While Mun felt that she had to test her limits during each and every day of the intensive training, she said her gender was never a hurdle. "I felt confident that I could complete the training. I don't think anyone would have known I was a woman unless someone told them so since I cut my hair short," Mun said. What actually proved to be tougher than expected was her age. "Rather than the gender difference, I was the oldest trainee and was eight years older than my youngest colleague, which made it difficult for me to recover quickly," she said. "It was tough to follow up with the physical training." Mun, who majored in physical education and oceanography, said her longtime affection for swimming and scuba diving naturally inspired her to become a Navy deep sea diver to guard people's lives. After successfully completing the training, Mun and 32 other officers and noncommissioned officers will embark on another 14-week training on diving 91 meters underwater using a surface-supplied diving system. As the country's first Navy female deep sea diver, Mun said she would like to become a maritime rescue expert so that others can follow her path. For now, she is glad to have passed the first step for that goal. "I feel that I've now left an unknown world where I couldn't see and that I am starting to adjust to darkness in the deep sea, that my vision is opening up," Mun said. Korea's military has been seeking to deploy women in more diverse areas amid concerns that it could face a shortage of troops due to the country's ultralow birthrate. In 2022, the Navy announced a policy change to allow female service members to join the submarine crew as it acquired larger 3,000-ton submarines. Nine female submarines were deployed for duty in January. (Yonhap) South Korea and the United States will hold vice-ministerial talks in Washington next week on deterrence efforts against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. The fifth meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) will take place Wednesday (local time), with a focus on assessing the progress on the allies' efforts to deter North Korea's military threats, the ministry said in a release. The talks will also address ways to bolster coordination between the two countries to enhance the "extended deterrence" against the North in light of the current security landscape, the ministry said. Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to mobilizing all of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally. The talks will be led by First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun; Cho Chang-rae, deputy defense minister for policy; Bonnie Jenkins, U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security; and Cara Abercrombie, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. In a media note, the U.S. State Department portrayed EDSCG as an "important alliance forum for comprehensive discussions on extended deterrence policy issues affecting the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific." The EDSCG dialogue was resumed in September 2022, more than four years after it was suspended under the previous Moon Jae-in government amid the former liberal president's rapprochement efforts with Pyongyang. President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to reactivate the talks during their May summit in 2022 as part of joint efforts to address the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats. (Yonhap) By Lee Hae-rin A former foreign ministry official was given a suspended jail term, Friday, for sexually harassing a foreign employee of the same sex seven years ago while working at the Korean Embassy in New Zealand. The Incheon District Court sentenced the 58-year-old man, surnamed Kim, to two years in prison, with the sentence suspended for three years. The court also ordered him to complete 40 hours of lectures on sexual violence prevention and 160 hours of community service. Additionally, he is restricted from working in any institution related to children, adolescents or individuals with disabilities for the next five years. "The defendant sexually abused the worker three times while he was required to uphold appropriate conduct in his role as a diplomat," the ruling said. "The victim experienced mental suffering and pleaded for severe punishment," the ruling said. "Although the defendant is a first-time offender, we took into account the significant negative impact this case had on the national interest of the Republic of Korea." The former diplomat was indicted without detention on charges of groping a local male employee by touching various body parts, including the hips, on three occasions at the Korean Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, between November and December 2017. The court, however, did not find Kim guilty of touching the victim's genitals, and did not recognize the causal relationship between the harassment and the victim's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "The victim began to demand a large monetary compensation when he claimed that the defendant touched his genitals, the ruling said, questioning the credibility of the victim's claim. "Also some of the medical records about PTSD seem to be based on only the victim's testimony." Kim left New Zealand in February 2018. The victim requested an investigation by the New Zealand police in July 2019, but the inquiry did not proceed effectively. The following year, when New Zealand media reported the issuance of an arrest warrant, the case gained attention in Korea. The issue was also raised during a phone call between then-President Moon Jae-in and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, leading to a diplomatic controversy. After arriving in Korea at the end of 2022, the victim filed a lawsuit against Kim with Korean law enforcement authorities. After leaving New Zealand, Kim was stationed in the Philippines as a consul general until August 2020. He retired from the ministry earlier this year. By Kim Hyun-bin United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi commemorated Emirati Women's Day, an occasion that marks the country's commitment to the empowerment of women. The event highlighted the UAE's ongoing efforts to encourage women's participation in all sectors of society, a critical aspect of the nation's long-term development goals. "On this special day, which was launched for the first time in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, we hold it as a testament to the United Arab Emirates' unwavering commitment (to) empowering women across all sectors," Al Nuaimi said at the Emirati Women's Day event in Seoul, Wednesday. The celebration coincided with the anniversary of the founding of the General Women's Union on Aug. 28, 1975, a milestone in the UAE's journey toward gender equality and women's leadership. "This occasion coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the General Women's Union ... a milestone in the journey of Emirati women toward greater participation and leadership in the nation's development," he said. The ambassador pointed to the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, which outlines the country's vision for future growth, as a framework where women's empowerment remains central. "As we work toward the goals set forth in the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, the empowerment of women remains a key pillar of our community and national development strategies," he said. The ambassador also introduced two distinguished speakers, whom he noted as exemplars of the important roles Emirati women play in various fields. Maryam Majid Kalfan bin Theneya, the second deputy speaker of the UAE Federal National Council, spoke on the contributions of women in governance, particularly their role in the Federal National Council. Moza Mubarak Haji Al Qubaisi from the Saif bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences followed, discussing the critical involvement of women in the police force and their impact on national security. Concluding his speech, Al Nuaimi expressed his hope that the event would serve as an inspiration for all Emirati women. "I hope this event will inspire and encourage all Emirati women to continue on their path of success, knowing that their efforts are pivotal to the sustainable future of the UAE," he said. Emirati Women's Day, celebrated annually on Aug. 28, has become a significant occasion to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in the UAE. The unification ministry has added more women as panelists for an upcoming security policy forum after Britain's top envoy to Korea snubbed the event due to a skewed representation of female speakers. The ministry added six female experts to the list of panelists for the Global Korea Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, according to the event's website Friday. This brings the total number of female speakers to seven out of the now 27 panelists. The hasty move came as the British Embassy in Seoul announced that Ambassador Colin Crooks would not participate in the forum, voicing concern over the lack of gender diversity among the panelists. The ministry said it had contacted many experts, regardless of gender or nationality, but the panel ended up being all male because all the female professionals were unable to attend. But soon after Crooks' announcement, the ministry added one woman and two other men to the panel. The ministry appears to have decided to add several more female panelists as Crooks' withdrawal from the forum quickly made media headlines. The Global Korea Forum, hosted by the unification ministry, is an annual forum on the security and policy regarding the Korean Peninsula. This year's theme is "Unified Korean Peninsula for Freedom, Peace and Prosperity." (Yonhap) By Lee Hae-rin As reports of deepfake sex crimes spread in Korea, a "deepfake map," which displays the current status of allegedly affected schools has gone viral here. The map shows the locations of middle and high schools and universities in Korea that are believed to have been affected by deepfake crimes with the list of such schools in the upper right corner. The website hosting the map also linked visitors to the website of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Security Support Center, which provides anonymous counseling to victims of digital sex crimes. As of Thursday, over 3 million online users visited the site and more than 500 schools were registered on the map. The site has been temporarily inaccessible since Friday. The deepfake map creator is known to be a male student who is a high school freshman. In an interview with local media, he said he was inspired by a map that tracked infected people during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent incident at his school led him to create the map, which took him only two hours. "I heard there are about five students who have been victimized at my school. When I learned I knew one of the victims, I realized this was a real problem, so I decided to make the map." As the website went viral, the number of users increased rapidly, as well as what appeared to be distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Although he has been updating the map from hundreds of emails and social media reports, he said he has been unable to confirm their veracity. However, his goal is to raise awareness of deepfake crimes through the map, he said. Six out of 10 victims of deepfake crimes here investigated by police over the past three years were minors, according to data released Friday. Police data submitted to Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) showed that 59.8 percent of the 527 victims of deepfake crimes reported to the police between 2021 and 2023 were teenagers. This is a significantly larger proportion than other age groups, such as those in their 20s at 32.1 percent, 30s at 5.3 percent and 40s at 1.1 percent. The number of minors affected by fake videos increased 3.4 times from 53 in 2021 to 81 in 2022 and 181 in 2023. The share of teenagers among all victims fell from 64.6 percent in 2021 to 52.9 percent in 2022 and then rose back to 62.0 percent last year. The proportion of teenagers among all suspects charged with fake video crimes increased from 65.4 percent in 2021 and 61.2 percent in 2022 to 75.8 percent in 2023. This year's January-July period is also high at 73.6 percent. But while deepfake crimes spread among teenagers, there have been no government measures, and they have been relying only on post-punishment through investigative agencies rather than prevention through education. The problem is that it is difficult to investigate such offenses. According to the National Police Agency, the arrest rate for deepfake crimes over the past three years stood at 47.4 percent in 2021, 46.9 percent in 2022 and 51.7 percent in 2023. Between January and July, the figure stood at 49.5 percent. Notably, the police are pushing to upgrade deepfake detection software and launch undercover investigations to boost arrests. Deepfake detection software developed in March determines the authenticity of deepfake content within 10 minutes with an 80 percent detection rate. Another Korean court ordered a Japanese company on Friday to offer compensation to victims of Japan's wartime forced labor. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Mitsubishi Materials must compensate five South Koreans forced into wartime labor in Japan. The court ordered the Japanese firm to pay about 27 million won ($20,200) to a victim, surnamed Heo, and 18 million won each to the four other victims. Korean courts nationwide have issued numerous compensation rulings in favor of forced labor victims and their families in cases brought against Japanese companies after the Supreme Court upheld two relevant rulings in 2018. (Yonhap) Police on Friday raided the headquarters of the far-left People's Democracy Party and homes of its members as part of an investigation into alleged violations of the National Security Act. Investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency searched the office of the People's Democracy Party in Seoul's Jongno district and the homes of its party members early Friday, authorities said. The police are looking into allegations that Lee Sang-hoon, the head of the party, and other party officials have violated the National Security Act, which prohibits South Koreans from supporting or praising North Korea. The People's Democracy Party, launched in 2016, has been organizing protests demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul for nearly 3,000 days. It has recently called for a halt to the annual South Korea-U.S. military exercise, dubbed the Ulchi Freedom Shield. Two leaders of Korea Solidarity, which is known as the predecessor of the People's Democracy Party, both received prison sentences in the district and appeals courts over violations of the National Security Act. (Yonhap) A pro-Yoon ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker on Friday stressed the importance of aligning the party's views with the government in an apparent jab at the PPP leader over his chasm with the president over the medical school quota issue. Han earlier proposed deferring the medical school quota increase to 2026 to help break an impasse over the government's medical reform plans, stressing that a sudden increase in the number of students, including the approximately 3,000 current students who need to retake classes next year, could put a strain on medical schools. The presidential office has reportedly balked at Han's idea, stating that the government remains committed to its plan to increase admissions by 2,000 seats every year for the next five years. At a workshop of PPP lawmakers in Incheon, west of Seoul, on Friday, Han reiterated his proposal, saying he "hopes there is a better alternative." During the workshop, PPP Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a five-term lawmaker closely aligned with President Yoon Suk Yeol, emphasized that "no ruling party that failed to maintain unity with the government and acted separately from the president ever succeeded in winning a reelection." "Realistically speaking, the president has greater power ... we have to convince (the government) instead of hollering words at them," Kwon said. This is the first time Yoon has skipped a party workshop since his inauguration in May 2022. Yoon also initially planned to host a dinner with Han and the leadership of the PPP on Friday, but the meeting was put off amid their differences over the medical school quota issue. On speculations over a potential rift between the PPP and the government, Han dismissed such concerns, saying he has "no feelings whatsoever." (Yonhap) The chief executive of the global mobility platform Uber said Friday the company sees Korea as a vitally important market, stating his commitment to growing the company's taxi business here. "Korea is a large taxi market, and one with strong market opportunity and growing e-hail penetration," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said at a press conference in Seoul. Khosrowshahi said Uber saw the number of trips on its Korean platform grow by double digits every month since the company rebranded the app as "Uber Taxi" in March, mainly thanks to a sharp increase in use by international travelers visiting the country. Uber had originally used the name "UT" for its ride-hailing app here, operating the app through a joint venture with TMAP Mobility, a mobility subsidiary of Korea's leading telecommunications firm SK Telecom. Khosrowshahi also said Uber is working to build ties with many Korean companies, including carmakers, to foster more cooperation in the electric and autonomous vehicle industry, a key pillar of Uber's business strategy for the future. "While it won't happen overnight, we expect autonomous vehicles to be an increasingly important part of the transportation ecosystem," he said. "Our strategy is to collaborate with partners to offer a diverse range of autonomous services across different regions." (Yonhap) Korean Air starts SAF initiative, other airlines to follow By Ko Dong-hwan Starting in 2027, the government will require all airlines in the country to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as part of efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Friday. SAF, made from biomass and captured carbon rather than fossil fuels, is eco-friendly. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), it can cut carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional fuels. Additionally, SAF has a chemical composition similar to conventional jet fuels, allowing it to be used in existing aircraft without requiring any mechanical modifications. The joint initiative coincides with the International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO) plan to make its Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) mandatory for 193 member states beginning in 2027. Under CORSIA, airlines that produce carbon emissions exceeding 85 percent of the global average from 2019 will be required to purchase carbon offset permits to balance out the excess emissions. To date, 126 ICAO member countries, including Korea, have opted to voluntarily adhere to this scheme. Under the planned measure, all national airlines will be required to include at least 1 percent SAF in their jet fuels. Given that the country's aviation industry emitted 20 million tons of carbon in 2023, this requirement is expected to reduce emissions by approximately 160,000 tons. According to the industry ministry, this reduction is equivalent to the annual emissions produced by 53,000 vehicles each driving an average of 12,000 kilometers. To prevent the new requirement from leading to higher airfares due to increased costs, the ministries plan to support airlines with incentives. They will also introduce a new mileage policy designed to encourage greater demand for flights using SAF. To retain its position as the global leader in SAF exports and to further enhance its capabilities, Korea must focus on securing a stable supply of sustainable aviation fuel and developing the necessary infrastructure, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said at Incheon International Airport, Friday, where officials from the ministries gathered with heads of the countrys nine airlines and five oil refiners to support the measure. Memorandums of understanding for SAF usage in commercial flights were exchanged between the two ministries, airlines and oil refiners, Incheon International Airport Corp. and Korea Airports Corp. To counter climate change and realize the sustainable growth of the countrys aviation industry, the usage of SAF is no longer optional but a critical requirement, Transport Minister Park Sang-woo said. The measure will allow Korea to spearhead the carbon neutralization of the global aviation industry. On the same day at the airport, S-Oil announced that it signed an agreement with Korean Air to supply SAF for the airline's regular flights between Incheon and Haneda, Japan. According to S-Oil, the agreement will see SAF supplied weekly to Korean Air, marking the first instance in which a domestic refiner will consistently provide locally produced SAF for passenger flights departing from a Korean airport. S-Oil is responding actively to transform itself into a clean energy supplier that aligns itself with global decarbonization trends and contributes to building a resource-circular economy, S-Oil CEO Anwar Al-Hejazi said during the event. Since we have taken a vital role in refueling SAF onto an international flight for the first time in Korea, well do our best to contribute to expanding the green SAF ecosystem, placing our top priority on reliably supplying SAF products. He added, "S-Oil is actively considering building a dedicated SAF production facility to ensure a stable supply as demand grows, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, we are committed to expanding our efforts in providing other green energy solutions and sustainable resource products." Additionally, by the end of the year, five other national airlines, including Asiana Airlines and Tway Air, will adopt this practice for their flights to Japan. With Korean Airs recent use of SAF, Korea has become the 20th country in the world to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel into commercial flights. Beginning with Norway, which mandated a 0.5 percent SAF blend in 2020, and France, which increased its SAF requirement to 1.5 percent in 2023 from 1 percent the previous year, 19 countries are now using SAF as a strategy to combat climate change. In line with IATAs goal to expand global SAF use to over 18 million tons by 2030, up from 240,000 tons in 2022, several countries have announced plans to boost their SAF consumption. The European Union has announced that member states will be required to blend at least 2 percent SAF starting in 2025, with the blend increasing to 6 percent by 2030 and 70 percent by 2050. Singapore and India have also set plans to mandate 1 percent SAF, beginning in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Additionally, Japan has committed to using 10 percent SAF by 2030. Suspicions remain that Doosan seeks to maximize owners' benefit By Nam Hyun-woo Doosan Group withdrew its controversial plan to merge construction equipment firm Doosan Bobcat into money-losing Doosan Robotics upon strong opposition from retail investors and warnings from authorities, but questions still remain over the groups ongoing efforts to restructure its governance of units. Bobcat and Robotics announced on Thursday they both decided to annul their contract to exchange their shares for the merger, scrapping their merger proposal. Doosan Group initially proposed to spin off Bobcat from its parent Doosan Enerbility, a plant facilities company, and merge it into Robotics under a ratio of exchanging 100 Bobcat shares with 63 Robotics shares. This, however, faced strong backlash from not only retail investors but also financial companies and the National Pension Service, as they complained about assigning greater value to the shares of the struggling robotics firm. Despite scrapping the merger plan, the Doosan companies said in letters to investors that the group will proceed with spinning off Bobcat from Enerbility and make the construction equipment maker a subsidiary of Robotics, citing the necessity of giving Enerbility capital flexibility for investments. Enerbility explained that this spinoff is essential because Bobcat has a debt of 700 billion won ($525 million) and separating this from Enerbilitys financial books will improve the companys capabilities to attract additional investments for its nuclear energy businesses with healthier fiscal prudence. But the market still has suspicions that the groups insistence of placing the lucrative Bobcat under Robotics is aimed at maximizing value for the owner family. Bobcats operating profit accounted for 93 percent of Doosan Group companies total operating profit last year. Through its stake in Enerbility, Doosan Groups holding firm, Doosan Corp., indirectly controls a 14 percent stake in Bobcat. Since the holding firm has a higher stake in Robotics, its indirect control of Bobcat would improve to 27.2 percent if Bobcat becomes a child company of Robotics. If the merger takes place as the group has sought, Doosan Corp. would hold a 42 percent stake in Bobcat directly, meaning Doosan Corp. can get greater amounts of dividends from Bobcat. The withdrawal of the merger is closer to grandstanding, and problems with the restructuring plan remain the same, said Park Ju-gun, CEO of corporate research firm Leaders Index. Park said Doosan Group appears to have sought four benefits through the Bobcat merger separating Bobcats debt from Enerbilitys books, using Bobcats profits to finance Robotics investments, bypassing Koreas M&A regulations on a grandchild company and improving the owner familys control of Bobcat. These may benefit Doosan Group, but will likely be detrimental to retail investors. After facing investors opposition and authorities warnings, the group styled itself as if it has given up all of the benefits, but in fact, it abandoned the third benefit of bypassing M&A regulations, Park said. If the group really cared about retail investors value, it should have scrapped the whole restructuring plan. Bobcat shareholders cast worries that Bobcats corporate value may be discounted further under Robotics, in fear that Bobcat may have to pay extraordinary amounts of dividends to Robotics to finance its costly robotics firms. Reflecting on these worries, Bobcats share prices shed for three consecutive sessions, closing at 39,800 won on Friday, down 5.35 percent from a day earlier. Kiwoom Securities analyst Lee Han-gyul also noted that it will take time before Robotics and Bobcat create synergy in their businesses. Enerbilitys minor shareholders are also expressing worries over the restructuring plan. Act Team, a shareholder activism platform, said in a statement that nothing has changed for Enerbilitys minority shareholders, because the company will lose money-making Bobcat to Robotics. For Enerbility shareholders, the current spin-off plan also incurs losses. Based on the groups existing plan, an investor having 100 Enerbility shares will have to exchange them with 75 Enerbility shares and three Robotics shares. As of Friday, 100 Enerbility shares were worth 1.81 million won, but the combined value of 75 Enerbility shares and three Robotics shares was 1.57 million won. For Doosan Group to complete its restructuring plan as it seeks, the approval of existing shareholders for the spin-off of Enerbility will be necessary, Kiwooms Lee said. Since Bobcat was a key subsidiary of Doosan Enerbility, there is also a possibility that Enerbility shareholders may oppose the spinoff. Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump 45 percent to 41 percent 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 percent to 36 percent - 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 percent to 43 percent 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 percent 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 percent respondents who intended to vote for Biden were doing so mainly to stop Trump, 52 percent 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 percent 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 percent to 36 percent, a wider margin than Trump had in another Reuters/Ipsos poll this week. Harris, by contrast, had a 47 percent to 31 percent 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 percent of voters in the poll - and 70 percent 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 percent of voters in the survey. (Reuters) President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended a decision to grant French nationality to Telegram chief Pavel Durov, who faces a possible trial related to illegal content carried on his popular messaging app. Speaking to reporters on a visit to Serbia, the French president said he did not know that Durov would be coming to France and denied having issued "any invitation whatsoever" to the Russian-born billionaire. "We are a country where there is a separation of powers," Macron said. "I was completely unaware that he was coming. This is normal," he added. Macron said he "totally" backed the decision to grant Durov citizenship, adding it was a "strategy" concerning those who "make the effort to learn the French language" and who "shine in the world". Durov, 39, was sensationally detained at Le Bourget airport outside Paris at the weekend and on Wednesday evening charged with a litany of violations related to the messaging app. He was also banned from leaving the country. 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. According to a source close to the investigation, Durov had emphasized his links to the French head of state during questioning. Le Monde newspaper reported on Wednesday that Durov had met 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. Durov's 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." In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned France against turning the case into "political persecution", emphasizing he is a "Russian citizen" and "we will be watching what happens next." Among those also 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." Litany of charges Durov was granted conditional release on 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 organized group, including "complicity in the administration of an online platform to enable an illicit transaction". This charge alone could see him jailed for up to 10 years and fined 500,000 euros if convicted. 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. The next step will be for the case to be sent to trial. Separately, Durov is also being investigated on suspicion of "serious acts of violence" towards one of his children while he and the boy's mother were in Paris, a source said. She filed a criminal 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 following a dispute with authorities related to ownership of his first project, the Russian-language social network VKontakte. 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. A source close to the case, who asked not to be named, told AFP on Thursday that after his arrest Durov asked that French telecoms tycoon Xavier Niel, chairman and founder of the Iliad mobile operator, be informed of his arrest. Niel is seen as being close to Macron. Contacted by AFP, Niel's entourage declined to comment. A UAE government official said it "prioritizes the welfare of its citizens" and was "in touch with the French authorities about this case." (AFP) Germany deported Afghan nationals to their homeland on Friday for the first time since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit described the 28 Afghan nationals as convicted criminals but did not immediately respond to a request for comment to clarify their offenses. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called the move a security issue for Germany. Germany does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban, requiring the government to work through other channels. It's unlikely that Friday's actions will lead to a wider thawing of relations between Germany and the Taliban, especially after last week's issuing of the first set of laws to prevent vice and promote virtue in Afghanistan. They include a requirement for a woman to conceal her face, body and voice outside the home. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has slammed the morality laws in posts on X. While media reports say the deportations have been in the works for some time, they occurred a week after a deadly knife attack in the town of Solingen in which the suspect is a Syrian citizen who had applied for asylum in Germany. The suspect was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and avoided deportation. He was ordered held Sunday on suspicion of murder and membership in a terrorist organization pending further investigation and a possible indictment. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for last Fridays attack, without providing evidence. The extremist group said on its news site that the attacker targeted Christians and that he carried out the assaults to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere. The claim couldnt be independently verified. There has also been debate over immigration ahead of regional elections Sunday in Germanys Saxony and Thuringia regions where anti-immigration parties such as the populist Alternative for Germany are expected to do well. In June, Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed that the country would start deporting criminals from Afghanistan and Syria again after a knife attack by an Afghan immigrant left one police officer dead and four more people injured. Faeser on Thursday announced a plan to tighten knife laws, according to German news agency dpa. Along with other officials in the governing coalition, she also pledged during a news conference to make deportations easier. (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her values have not changed even as she is seeking consensus. Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there should be consequence for people who cross the border without permission. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris said. She went on to say: I believe it is important to build consensus. It is important to find a common place of understanding where we can actually solve the problem. The interview with CNNs Dana Bash came as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket in an unusually compressed time frame. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid just five weeks ago. The interview focused largely on policy, as Harris sought to show that she had adopted more moderate positions on issues that Republicans argue are extreme, while Walz defended past misstatements about his biography. Harris hadn't done an in-depth interview since she became her party's standard-bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Biden's running mate. She said serving with Biden was one of the greatest honors of my career, and she recounted the moment he called to tell her he was stepping down and would support her. "He told me what he had decided to do and ... I asked him, Are you sure? and he said, Yes, and thats how I learned about it. She said she didnt ask Biden to endorse her because he was very clear that he was going to endorse me. Harris defended the administrations record on the southern border and immigration, noting that she was tasked with trying to address the root causes in other countries that were driving the border crossings. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences, Harris said. Asked about Israels war in Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, Harris said, I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself. But the vice president also reiterated what shes said for months, that civilian deaths are too high amid the Israeli offensive. She also brushed off Republican Donald Trumps questioning of her racial identity after he suggested falsely that she changed how she presents herself for political reasons and happened to turn Black. Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage, said Trump's suggestion was the same old, tired playbook. Next question, please," she said. Trump and Harris are set to debate on Sept. 10. In a post Thursday evening, it appeared Trump was paying close attention to the interview. After the debate was mentioned, he posted, I look so forward to Debating Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is. Trump went on to say that his Democratic opponent has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. The debate will be the first-ever meeting for Harris and Trump. The opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trumps joint addresses to Congress. During the early parts of the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was later asked about misstatements, starting with how he has described his 24 years of service in the National Guard. In a 2018 video clip that the Harris-Walz campaign once circulated, Walz spoke out against gun violence and said, We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at. Critics said the comment that I carried in war suggested that Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone. He said Thursday night that he misspoke after a school shooting, adding, My grammars not always correct. Asked about statements that appeared to indicate that he and his wife conceived their children with in-vitro fertilization, when they in fact used a different fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans understood what he meant and pivoted to Republican opposition to abortion rights. Democrats enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55 percent in March. This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting. At a packed arena for a rally Thursday in Savannah, Harris cast her nascent campaign as the underdog and encouraged the crowd to work hard to elect her in November. Were here to speak truth and one of the things that we know is that this is going to be a tight race to the end, she said. Harris went through a list of Democratic concerns: that Trump will further restrict womens rights after he appointed three judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped overturn Roe, that he'd repeal the Affordable Care Act, and that given new immunity powers granted presidents by the U.S. Supreme Court, imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. The rally was the end of a two-day bus tour in southeastern Georgia. Harris has another campaign blitz on Labor Day with Biden in Detroit and Pittsburgh with the election rapidly approaching. The first mail ballots get sent to voters in just two weeks. (AP) New Zealands Maori king, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died Friday at age 69, days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. He was the seventh monarch in the Kiingitanga movement, holding a position created in 1858 to unite New Zealands Indigenous Maori tribes in the face of British colonization. Tuheitia died in hospital after heart surgery, said Rahui Papa, a spokesperson for the Kiingitanga, the Maori King Movement, in a post on Instagram. The movements primary goals were to end the sale of land to non-Indigenous people, stop inter-tribal warfare, and provide a springboard for the preservation of Maori culture, the Waikato-Tainui tribe website said. The monarch has a largely ceremonial but consequential role in New Zealand, where Maori make up close to 20 percent of the population. The death of King Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation, Papa wrote on social media. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Tuheitia, saying his unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, Luxon said, using the countrys Maori and English names, his commitment to mokopuna, his passion for te ao Maori (Maori worldview), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. Luxon presented his statement from Tonga, where he is attending a South Pacific leaders summit. In recent months, Tuheitia has coordinated national unity talks for Maori in response to Luxon government policies. Critics accuse the center-right government of being anti-Maori in its efforts to reverse policies favoring Indigenous people and language. King Charles III, New Zealands constitutional head of state, and his wife, Queen Camilla, were profoundly saddened by Tuheitias death. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion, Charles said in a statement. (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. (AP) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. On 29 August, a senator for Argentinas far-right ruling La Libertad Avanza (LLA), said that he had been expelled from the LLA senate bloc. End of preview - This article contains approximately 374 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options A popular rock band known for its eclectic mix of styles, and which hails from Pennsylvania, is taking a break from hitting the stage, at least for now. Ween formed by Aaron Freeman (AKA Gene Ween) and Mickey Melchiondo (AKA Dean Ween) in New Hope, Bucks County, in 1984 announced the band is going to step away from the stage for the foreseeable future, according to a Thursday X post. It is with sincere regret and heavy hearts that Ween must make the decision to step away from the stage for the foreseeable future. pic.twitter.com/CsbLKz6OSk Ween (@weeninfo) August 29, 2024 The bands social media post cited mental health reasons before thanking fans for their dedication and support. Despite three great shows this summer, its become clear that touring and performing is too taxing on Deaners mental health, the post said. As always, we thank you for the love, dedication and ongoing support. The bands hiatus means they will no longer be playing the sold-out Chocolate and Cheese anniversary show at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 27. The band recently released a deluxe edition of Chocolate and Cheese, which originally came out in 1994. Editors note: For help in a mental health crisis: In life-threatening situations, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are suicidal or in emotional distress, consider using the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or chat online to connect with a trained crisis counselor. 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. Kohberger was arrested Dec. 30, 2022, at his parents home in Monroe County, where he planned to spend winter break. Kohberger had graduated from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township with an associates degree in psychology in 2018 and received a bachelors degree in 2020 from DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township, where he completed graduate studies in June 2022. 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 Kohbergers defense team says was inflammatory and left the 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. 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. Thats 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 defendants 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. Weve seen the pictures with these ominous headlines that connection cant help but be created, El-Alayli said. People arent trying to be biased. Its just that when were 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. Theres 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 isnt very effective. 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. 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 Countys local news outlets including The Moscow-Pullman Daily News, The Lewiston Tribune, and the University of Idahos student newspaper the Argonaut. The local population is about only 40,000 people, he said. The defense attorneys provided more details about Edelmans 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 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 told the judge that the survey didnt 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 Kohbergers 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. Ill do my best, the judge said. Its a challenge. There was some really important things to think about on both sides, he said, and thats what Im going to do. By REBECCA BOONE Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. After the school's successful participation in European Languages Week, Portlaoise College has successfully secured funding through the Erasmus+ programme for the current school year, opening doors for international educational exchanges and collaboration. This initiative will see students from Portlaoise College partnering with peers from three European schools: Colegio Santa Gema in Madrid, Spain; Notre Dame College in France; and OSZ Schlanders in South Tyrol, Italy. As part of the programme, students from Portlaoise College will have the opportunity to travel to these partner schools for a fully funded week-long exchange. In return, students from Spain, France, and Italy will visit Portlaoise, giving them a chance to experience Irish culture and education. During these exchanges, students from all four schools will work together on a year-long collaborative project aimed at improving the sustainability of their schools. Deputy Principal of Portlaoise College, Patrick Travers noted that the Erasmus+ programme will provide valuable opportunities for students to gain first-hand experience of different cultures and education systems. This programme will allow our students to expand their horizons, improve their language skills, and build lasting friendships with their peers across Europe," Mr Travers said. The Erasmus+ exchange is expected to enhance the educational experience at Portlaoise College by encouraging students to engage with global issues and develop a broader perspective on the world. The programme also aims to strengthen ties between the participating schools, fostering a sense of European unity and shared values. Details about the selection process for participating students will be announced soon, with information sessions planned to provide students and their families with more insight into the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ programme. This initiative marks a significant step for the school in promoting international education and equipping its students with skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. There was significant interest in LOETB's Open Morning which took this Friday at LOETB Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre. We offer PLC Courses and also Level 6 and return to education courses. These include: Business Studies QQI level 5 Full Award Our business course has the right subject combination to allow you to apply to a year 2 in business degree. Nursing studies QQI level 5 Major Award This provides students with the necessary conditions to progress into nursing degrees in third level colleges. "Maynooth University will offer a nursing degree from 2025 and is also exploring the possibility of starting a medical school. Half of places will be reserved for those who have come via further education, rather than the CAO." Applied Social Studies QQI level 5 Major Award and Component Award Great foundation for anyone wanting to progress onto a career in Social Care or onto our QQI level 6 Social and Vocational Integration. Students can apply for SUSI grants to attend Portarlington Further Education and Training Centre. We also offer return to education courses such as: Healthcare Support QQI Level 5 QQI Major Award and Component Award This prepares students to work as healthcare assistants and offers the opportunity to progress into various health and care areas in third level colleges. Special Needs Assistant (SNA) QQI Level 5 and Level 6 Component Awards This course equips students to develop the skills needed for the role of special needs assistant. Fashion Design QQI Level 5 Component Award Students will learn the essential sewing techniques to design and sew their own garment along with exploring the many facets of the fashion industry. Return to Learning QQI Level 4 Major Award and Component Award Learners are provided with the opportunity to develop skills to pursue a range of employment opportunities or to undertake further education and training in the centre. This course is a foundation for further progression in learning and employment and is particularly suited for students returning to education after a long break or early school leavers. An introduction to healthcare, business and childcare is provided. There are also evening part-time courses available: IPASS- The Irish Payroll Association of Ireland QQI Level 6 This is the leading payroll qualification in Ireland and is delivered in two stages throughout the year. Accounting Technicians of Ireland Part-Time Funded Through The Skills to Advance Programme NFQ Level 6 Certificate for the Accounting Technicians of Ireland and the Diploma for the Accounting Technicians Year 2 (3 evenings per week) This programme provides students with a professional qualification from the Accounting Technicians of Ireland. Those who attended the Open Morning were able to to explore the many options available to them and to ask any questions to the brilliant teachers who were available on the morning to answer any queries and to advise you how to apply for any of the courses. *Sponsored Content Many Laois university students studying in Irish cities are forced to drop out of their courses due to the current rental crisis. One Laois student named Darragh told us that he is halfway through his studies at Atlantic Technological University Sligo (ATU), and no longer has accommodation to return to in the coming semester. "I've been living in digs for the past two years, and I've just been told that my room has been given to another student," Darragh explained. "If I can't find accommodation in Galway, I can't continue the course- we start back in three weeks time. "I'm under serious stress at the minute. There are so few rental options available, and the digs on Daft.ie all start at a minimum of 600 a month. If I can't source somewhere, deferring or dropping out will be my only options," he said. Darragh is currently entering his third year of marine biology in Galway. NUI Galway and ATU are the only Irish universities that offer this course. "It's the only university in Ireland that offers marine biology- the course was always my top choice. Now I'm not even sure if I can finish it, I'm still desperately searching," the student explained. "In my first year of university, I had a few weeks in a hostel booked before I eventually found digs. Student on-campus accommodation is so hard to get, and you have to apply for it at the start of the year," Darragh said. Pictured: Many Laois students are forced to drop out and seek work closer to home. In his first year of college, while facing the accommodation shortage, Darragh had requested to defer the year. His request was rejected. He claims that it was sheer luck that helped him source his previous digs, right before the semester started. "It's particularly a nightmare for students from rural areas," he explained. "Coming from Laois, I can't commute to college. If I wanted to get the train from Portlaoise, the earliest I can get into Galway city is 10am, and that's no use when your lectures start at 9am," he said. "In Dublin and Limerick, you can get buses throughout the day. When you study in Galway or Sligo, commuting is only possible if you want to drive two and a half hours to get there, never mind the two and a half hours back each evening. "Four to five hours in the car each day is crazy," Darragh said. The student explained that there are many Laois students in Galway facing the same reality. "I'd notice a fair few of us in the same boat. I know other Laois students that are renting in Tuam, it's an hour away from the campus on the bus, but at least it's closer than Laois," he explained. "People will grab what's available, even if it's extortionate. I'm under serious pressure trying to source somewhere, and it's putting my mother under stress too," Darragh said. While there are Facebook groups dedicated to renting in Galway, Darragh maintains that there is 'serious competition' in securing accommodation. "Half of the places advertised are scams. The other half are woefully expensive," he said. "On the rare occasion you find somewhere that's reasonable money and conveniently located, there will be 50 comments ahead of you inquiring about the property. It's a tough competition to even get in the door," said Darragh. "If you manage to source a property viewing, it's a nightmare when you live down the country. You spend the entire day commuting for a 15 minute viewing slot, only to be told you didn't get the room. "If you don't have a place to live, or a couch to surf on, you can't continue your degree." Darragh added that any Laois students considering Galway should know that they are at the whims of the rental market, describing it as "an absolute hardship." "I'm halfway through my degree, and the thought that I might have to drop out is upsetting. I don't have the option of studying marine biology closer to home, it's the only place I can go. I desperately need somewhere to stay," the student finished. In the midst of this crisis, over 61,000 sixth year students received their Leaving Certificate results this month, with over 56,000 offered places in third level education through the CAO. 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. Eguana Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eguana Technologies Inc. (TSXV: EGT) (OTCQB: EGTYF) ("Eguana" or the "Company"), a leading provider of high-performance energy storage systems, reports financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. Second Quarter 2024 Q2 2024 revenue of $0.7 million, a decline from the comparative quarter in June 2022 with revenue of approximately $2.1 million. 2024 revenues remain constrained by a slower than expected recovery of the residential rooftop solar market. Q2 2024 gross margin is stronger than prior quarters, at approximately 10% as compared approximately 0% for the prior comparative quarter for June 2023. The positive margin gain was driven by a change in product mix versus the comparative quarter. Q2 2024 operating loss of $2.1 million, a decrease from a $4.1 million operating loss for the comparative June quarter in 2023. This decrease is due to lower expenses in all expense categories, related to personnel reductions and overall cost reductions. Working capital at June 30, 2024 was negative $1.0 million, a decrease from $5.0 million at December 31, 2022. The decrease relates to ongoing cash used in operations. At June 30, 2024, the Company has a large overdue accounts receivable balance from one customer of which approximately $7.4 million, which is offset by an expected credit loss ("ECL") of $7.4 million, thus showing a net receivable of only $nil, reflecting slow payments, missed agreed payments and overall collection risk. Although the customer has been delayed in making payments, progress payments have been received consistently over the past 60 days, as the customer developed a new sales channel and has increased sales. The Company reviews the expected credit loss quarterly and where appropriate adjusts the ECL estimate, in line with generally accepted accounting principles. During the three months ended June 2024, a price concession was provided to this customer that resulted in a credit to accounts receivable, with an offset to ECL of $415,000 USD. Based on new market information for inventory previously sold to the customer, and in good faith, the Company agreed to a one-time credit, reflecting market pricing through a new sales channel that is now available but only at a lower special selling price. This does not impact the Company's existing inventory. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recorded other small reductions in ECL to reflect value received from inventory obtained as an offset to net accounts receivable with the major customer and payments received. As a result, the Company has an expected credit loss provision for this customer at June 30, 2024, in the amount of $7.4 million. During June 2024, the Company started the formal process for liquidation of its German subsidiary. The sales opportunities in German did not materialize and the Company made the decision to cut costs and put additional focus and resources on North American Virtual Power Plant ("VPP") utility markets. At June 30, 2024, the Company took a $0.2 million write down of stock related to the European market and recorded $0.3 million of accrued liabilities related to estimated personnel and closure costs. The German subsidiary is categorized as discontinued operations and a loss of discontinued operations was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2024 of $0.8 million. During 2024, the Company negotiated various payment delays and deferrals with the lender of its senior long-term debt (the "Lender"). On May 7, 2024, the Company entered into a forbearance agreement with the Lender whereby the Lender has agreed to a deferral of payments up to and including June 1, 2024, predicated on subjective conditions that if not complied with render the forbearance to be terminated, for which the Company complied. This agreement covered the period ended June 30, 2024. Subsequent to this recent quarter end, the Company missed a negotiated interest only payment in July and an anticipated August regular amortization payment, moving the loan into formal default. In August 2024, the Lender provided an updated forbearance agreement whereby the Lender has agreed to a deferral of payments up to and including September 1, 2024, predicated on the same subjective conditions that if not complied with render the forbearance to be terminated. Negotiations with the lender remain positive and ongoing and the Lender has not taken any action. In July 2024, the Company was notified, by the OTCQB in the USA, of the low trading price for the stock and potential removal of the EGTYF stock from the OTCQB marketplace. The Company plans to maintain the listing on the pink market, until such time migration back to the OTCQB is possible and appropriate. The Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis thereof, for the three and the six months ended June 30, 2024, are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Annual General and Special Meeting ("AGSM") Date Confirmed The Company has announced the Company's AGSM. The AGSM will be held on September 26, 2024, at 10:00 am mountain time, in Calgary Alberta, and virtually with an online portal. Further information regarding the AGSM is included in a management information circular, which has been prepared by the Company and filed on SEDAR+. Given the upcoming AGSM, the regular quarterly conference call is deferred and a full company update will be available immediately after the conference call for the AGSM. About Eguana Technologies Inc. Eguana's vision is to accelerate grid modernization and resilience, by delivering flexible, modular, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional grid upgrades. Our technology provides value to all key stakeholders - from the consumer, to the electricity retailer, the distribution utility, and the system operator. Eguana Technologies connects utilities with consumers, through its high-performance commercial and residential energy storage solutions. Eguana's vertically integrated product suite has been designed from the ground up, with both the end user and the utility in mind, to transition the power grid seamlessly. Manufactured in local facilities across the globe to ensure compliance and quality, Eguana's standardized platform allows the flexibility to ensure each product solution is optimized for use in major grid modernization markets. To learn more, visit www.EguanaTech.com or follow Eguana on LinkedIn and @EguanaTech on X. Company Inquiries Justin Holland CEO, Eguana Technologies Inc. +1.416.728.7635 [email protected] Forward Looking Statements The reader is advised that all information herein, other than statements of historical fact, may constitute forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning assigned by National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and other relevant securities legislation. In particular, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the Company's ability to collect overdue accounts receivable, including the timing and likelihood of such collections or settlements in kind; the impact of the newly developed sales channel by a major customer on the Company's financial performance; any potential effects of the price concession granted to the customer; the financial implications of the liquidation of the Company's German subsidiary, including the associated costs; the shift in strategic focus to the North American VPP utility markets; the Company's ongoing negotiations and agreements with its long-term debt lender; and the potential risks related to the Company's listing status on the OTCQB marketplace. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or future events or developments, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: failure by the Company to improve cash flow which would have a material adverse impact on the viability of the business to continue operating; the timely collection of accounts receivable; the impact of ongoing market conditions on inventory valuation; successful negotiations and/or amendments with and to existing long-term debt lenders; continued support and success working with vendors and landlords; the potential effects of late and delayed vendor and contractual payments and any impact on the company's reputation, credit worthiness and supplier relationships; employee morale, departures and productivity loss when working under constrained financial conditions; unanticipated effects of any formal long-term debt default; the financial and operational effects of discontinuing the German subsidiary; the risk of delisting from the OTCQB marketplace; potential legal claims; ability of management to manage cash flow in a low liquidity situation; ability to raise capital in debt or equity, as needed, on appropriate terms; general economic, market and business conditions; competitive factors; achieving strategic objectives; effective implementation and deployment of Eguana solutions and building additional partnerships and developing existing partnerships; the Company's ability to roll out additional utility pilot and VPP programs and demonstrations or deployment; the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the products when in use; a slower adoption of energy storage technologies; stock performance; and other factors as may be set out in the Company's continuous disclosure filings from time to time , which may be found on its website or at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. 29 august 2024 at 16:00 News published onand distributed by: China champions openness with supply chain expo BEIJING, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China.org.cn By Alexander Ayertey Odonkor The China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), the world's first national-level exhibition on supply chains, will hold its second edition from Nov. 26-30 in Beijing. Nearly 500 enterprises have signed up for the expo, with foreign-funded firms accounting for over 30%, up from 26% at the first edition. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) hosts the expo, which is supported by five international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Chamber of Commerce. The first CISCE saw the signing of more than 200 cooperation agreements valued at over $21.1 billion. At this year's CISCE, China seeks to build on the progress achieved at last year's expo, working towards more stable industrial and global supply chains. For decades, the world economy has been defined largely by free trade, helping to build resilient supply chains worldwide. However, recent challenges have weakened global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical conflicts, and current tensions have fueled a surge in protectionist measures and economic fragmentation. Ultimately, supply chain disruptions affect the cost and availability of goods and services worldwide, particularly in high-end manufacturing and new energy vehicles, hampering international trade and development. To help eliminate these bottlenecks, China remains committed to an open world economy. Recognizing that global challenges require global solutions, China seeks to leverage the second CISCE to inject new impetus into global cooperation, which is crucial for building robust supply chains. Since China began reform and opening up more than four decades ago, the Asian powerhouse has introduced and implemented various initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation with the rest of the world. Thanks to the Chinese government's unflinching commitment to wider opening up, China has transformed from an economic backwater to the most connected hub in the global economy ? accounting for 18% of global GDP and becoming the world's largest trading economy. China is currently the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and has signed 21 free trade agreements with 28 countries and regions. Despite global geopolitical challenges, rising protectionism, and trade tensions that impede globalization, China continues to foster international trade through initiatives like the CISCE, aiming to share opportunities with the rest of the world. The second CISCE, held again at Beijing's China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue), will offer a platform that brings together enterprises of various sizes worldwide. It will connect upstream, midstream and downstream parts of the supply chain, and link academia, industry, research and practical application. The five-day CISCE will cover more than 100,000 square meters. It will support a new development paradigm and serve as a vehicle for an open world economy, offering countries opportunities to enhance global cooperation and promote high-level openness. In other words, the second CISCE aims to unlock new opportunities for global growth by building robust supply chains, spurring international trade and economic stability, attracting foreign direct investment and improving living standards worldwide. As the saying goes, "Unity is strength, division is weakness." The world is witnessing attempts at decoupling and disruptions in global industrial and supply chains that benefit no one. At the second CISCE, China and all relevant stakeholders are presented with the opportunity to beef up international cooperation. This move is essential for recalibrating economic globalization. For example, in 2023, almost 3,000 trade restrictions were imposed worldwide ? approximately five times the number in 2015. World Bank data show that by the end of 2024, global trade will register the slowest half-decade of growth since the 1990s. Given that the rapid expansion of global trade after 1990 lifted 1 billion people from extreme poverty, the decline in global trade, accompanied by the slowdown in investment, poses a serious threat to living standards worldwide. Moreover, trade tensions and supply chain disruptions impede global efforts to reach net-zero emissions targets ? more proof that protectionism ultimately benefits no one. To address these challenges, China aims to make significant inroads toward rectifying the shift in the global economic landscape through the expo's four key functions: boosting trade, encouraging investment, driving innovation, and promoting knowledge exchange. Ultimately, the outcomes of the second CISCE are expected to not only support the steady recovery of the global economy but also strengthen industrial and global supply chains. Alexander Ayertey Odonkor is a global economist with keen interest in the social, environmental and economic landscape of developed countries, emerging markets and developing economies particularly in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and North America. China champions openness with supply chain expo http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2024-08/30/content_117397009.htm SOURCE China.org.cn 30 august 2024 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: Mazda Names Tatsuro Omura Chief Financial Officer IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations today announced the immediate appointment of Tatsuro Omura as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Omura, who previously served as General Manager of the Business Structure Strategy Department at Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan, will now play a key role in steering Mazda's financial strategy and operations in the U.S. In this new position, Omura will be responsible for optimizing Mazda's financial resources to enhance organizational agility and profitability. Omura's expertise will be critical in managing investment decisions essential for Mazda's business growth, including production footprint, electrification and hybridization, product planning, and regulatory compliance. "Tatsuro Omura's extensive experience and deep understanding of our global financial landscape makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead Mazda's financial operations," said Takeshi Nishiki, Executive Vice President of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "He will be pivotal in overseeing our production developments, expanding Mazda Financial Services offerings, and driving efforts to increase our market share." Omura joined Mazda in 2005 and has held roles in product cost, profit management, and corporate strategy and planning at Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan. Additionally, from 2010-2014, he sat in several finance roles at Mazda Motor Europe in Germany. Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads. SOURCE Mazda North American Operations 30 august 2024 at 13:00 News published onand distributed by: JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND - NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS - SOURCES OF DISTRIBUTION UNDER SECTION 19(a) BOSTON, MA, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of August 12, 2024, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on August 1, 2024, and payable on August 30, 2024. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: August 2024 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0825 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable August 30, 2024, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 08/1/2024-08/31/2024 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2023-08/31/2024 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.0680 82 % 0.4787 58 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0 % 0.0000 0 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0 % 0.0000 0 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0145 18 % 0.3463 42 % Total per common share 0.0825 100 % 0.8250 100 % Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on July 31, 2024 5.15 % Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2024 7.66 % Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through July 31, 2024 30.27 % Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2024 6.39 % __________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2023 and will end on October 31, 2024. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the August 2024 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Investment Management A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management 30 august 2024 at 16:11 News published onand distributed by: A US-based aid group said on Friday, August 30, that an Israeli air strike killed four people accompanying its convoy in Gaza the day before, while the Israeli military said it had struck armed assailants. "An Israeli air strike yesterday killed four Palestinians in the lead vehicle of an Anera aid convoy carrying food and fuel to the Emirati Red Crescent Hospital," Anera said in a statement. It identified the dead as "four community members with experience in previous missions and engagement in community security", noting that they were not Anera staff. They "stepped forward and requested to take command of the leading vehicle, citing concern that the route was unsafe and at risk of being looted", the Anera statement said. "The four community members were neither vetted nor coordinated in advance, and Israeli authorities allege that the lead car was carrying numerous weapons. The Israeli air strike was carried out without any prior warning or communication." A statement from the Israeli military, which did not give a death toll, said the strike occurred after "a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle". It also said "the presence of armed individuals was not coordinated" before the convoy departed. "After ruling out potential harm to the trucks, as well as a clear identification of weapons, a strike was carried out targeting the armed individuals. The truck arrived at its planned destination," the military said. Anera said none of its staff were harmed in the strike "though one Anera employee, who was in the second vehicle, witnessed the incident at close range." The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, has led to a major humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory while putting aid workers at risk. The World Food Programme said Wednesday it was pausing the movement of its staff in Gaza "until further notice" after one of its vehicles was struck by gunfire at an Israeli military checkpoint. Read more Subscribers only Israel carries out large-scale raids in West Bank Liberia's fertile land and favorable climate offer vast opportunities for agricultural investments, particularly in rice production, he noted, pointing out the countrys reliance on rice imports and the critical need for local production. Tartweh-Drapoh is one of several communities affected by Golden Veroleum Liberias palm plantation. The DayLight/James Giahyue Mr. Peter Quaqua (left), head of the PUL Interim Committee displays copies of the full membership listing at a mass meeting held in Monrovia a few weeks ago. House Speaker Koffa clarified that the 55th Legislature has recalled itself for three weeks. Micro-credentials, commonly known as MicroCreds, are short, accredited courses designed to meet the needs of learners, enterprises, and organisations. They offer an accessible way of upskilling and reskilling, particularly appealing to work-based learners by covering a wide range of technical and transversal skills in a flexible, online format. MicroCreds differ from other training courses by offering university credits, work-based assessments, and the ability to build towards university awards, allowing learners to tailor their learning. However, excessive flexibility may not always lead to the best learning experience. Professor Ann Ledwith, Director of UL@Work, emphasises that university awards are developed to ensure students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and competence. This is achieved through careful programme design so that students are supported in their learning and their progression to more complex material. These competing requirements, flexibility versus good programme design, mean that building an award by stacking microcredentials is not a simple task. University of Limerick (UL) has addressed this challenge by developing a curated learning pathway from MicroCreds to Masters. Funded by the Human Capital Initiative, UL has created a portfolio of Professional Diplomas, each one-year, part-time diploma is worth a third of a masters degree. Students can combine any three Professional Diplomas to be awarded a Master of Professional Practice. Additionally, each Professional Diploma contains one or more Microcreds, allowing students to take a MicroCred as a taster or stepping stone into a Professional Diploma. Over three to five years, students can combine three Professional Diplomas to earn a masters degree, building the skills necessary for personal and professional development and satisfying the demand for flexible education within carefully designed learning pathways. August marks the graduation of the first class from the Master of Professional Practice. Among the first graduates is John Barry, CCO at Compass Aviation Group in Shannon, who completed Professional Diplomas in Marketing Management, Strategic Leadership, and Aviation Leasing and Finance. Barry chose his learning pathway strategically, stating, Each of these postgraduate diplomas has been a deliberate choice, a step taken to not just ascend in my professional capabilities but also to forge a broader perspective on the aviation industry. This broader perspective is crucial, not just for personal enrichment but as a strategic tool to navigate the complexities of a sector known for its dynamic nature and susceptibility to global forces. Information on MicroCreds, Professional Diplomas and the Master of Professional Practice can be found on ul.ie/gps. *SPONSORED CONTENT As cyberattacks plague companies across all industries and cause headaches for consumers, regulators are demanding that victims report hacks in short time periodsand the rules are rarely consistent, creating a compliance nightmare. In addition to widely publicized rules such as those brought into force by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in December 2023, many companies must also comply with other federal demands, rules from state regulators and industry-specific requirements. Federal policy around cybersecurity regulations, outlined in the U.S. National Cybersecurity Strategy published in March 2023 by the Biden administration, is unlikely to change much should Vice President Kamala Harris win the White House in Novembers election. Former President Trumps policy positions on cybersecurity are less clear. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was founded during his administration in 2018, but the agency has become a lightning rod for criticism from some Republican lawmakers. Meanwhile, a June U.S. Supreme Court decision that could limit the latitude federal agencies have to set rules could throw cyber enforcement into disarray. Navigating the complexities Cybersecurity chiefs object to the overlapping and conflicting mandates, pushing back on the lack of harmonization" among the rules. Especially problematic are ever-narrowing deadlines for reporting cyber incidents. Theres a race by regulators to the bottom of who can require a faster notification," said Erez Liebermann, a partner at law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, and a former federal prosecutor specializing in cybercrime cases. The problem, illustrated: A publicly traded financial services company based in New York suffers a cyberattack. The company must report the incident within 72 hours to the states Department of Financial Services. If the company paid a ransom, it must report that single fact even soonerwithin 24 hours. Four business days after it determines the attack will have a material financial or operational impact, it has to file an 8-K form with the SEC. If the company is a mortgage lender, it has 12 hours to report the incident to the Federal Housing Administration. If it is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, it has 36 hours. And each regulator demands a different level of detail. Depending on other industries the company touches, and other states it operates in, additional rules apply. In March, HealthEquity, a fintech company that manages health-savings accounts for employers, detected unauthorized access to one of its databases that compromised the personal and financial information of around 4.3 million people. The company reported the incident to state regulators and the SEC in July, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in August. More federal requirements are coming, namely the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, which must be finalized by October 2025. In 2022, Congress authorized the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to write rules forcing banks, power companies, manufacturers, healthcare providers and others in critical infrastructure to report cyberattacks. In April, CISA put out an initial proposal and got swamped with 300 industry comments, many complaining the rules are confusing, overly broad and often duplicate existing ones. Health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, for instance, said in its response that healthcare companies may need to report incidents under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Federal Trade Commissions rules on data privacy, the SECs rules and CIRCIA, once that rule is final. Four separate standards with similar but slightly different compliance expectations would impose an unreasonable burden with marginal benefit towards improving cybersecurity as compared to having a single, harmonized standard," said Kris Haltmeyer, the associations vice president of policy analysis. Alphabets Google, in its response, described divergent rules as one of the greatest challenges for incident-response teams globally," adding that the proliferation of reporting requirements sucks up crucial resources in the middle of a crisis. Rules often change quickly, and sometimes with little-to-no warning. The FHAs 12-hour requirement, for instance, was introduced through a regulatory letter in May to companies and went into effect immediately. The SECs rules, by contrast, went through multiple revisions and lengthy comment periods for over a year. Keeping current, let alone complying, with requirements can be challenging, said Adam Wisnieski, practice leader for cyber strategy and risk-management services at cybersecurity advisory company Optiv particularly for companies that operate in multiple states, other countries and across critical infrastructure sectors. It is a pretty heavy burden," he said. How we got here As cybersecurity has become an existential matter for businesses and critical infrastructure, more regulators and lawmakers have gotten involved to understand threats and improve protections. Plus, the powerful SEC, which exists outside of the regular chain of command in the government, has weighed in. The agency, led by its chairman, is authorized to write and enforce its own rules. Now, theres a tangle of rules growing out of the sometimes arcane structure of federal agencies along with states rights to regulate certain activities and industry-specific regulations. Independent agencies have the freedom and flexibility to closely oversee specific industries, but they arent compelled to harmonize their rules with others. State agencies also have power over certain industries, such as insurance, and arent under any obligation to align their requirements with others. Everyone admits its a problem, but everyone does it the way they do it, either for valid rational reasons or because of inertia," said Jim Richberg, global field chief information security officer at cybersecurity company Fortinet and a former senior cyber official in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. What next? Efforts are under way to try to reconcile at least some provisions among the main sets of regulations. CIRCIAs passage in 2022 established an interagency council chaired by the Department of Homeland Security to identify overlap. The council published a report in 2023, analyzing more than 50 federal cyber incident-reporting rules for ways in which the government could align its requirements. So far, few if any rules have been amended. The cabinet-level agencies get together to say theyre going to drive change and then hopefully some of that will trickle down to the independents. But doing this kind of regulatory harmonization is a real challenge," Richberg said. Another wrinkle: In June, the Supreme Court struck down a 1984 decision that had effectively forced lower courts to defer to federal agencies charged with implementing laws. The case, Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, has been cited thousands of times in legal arguments where agencies have prevailed in challenges to their authority. The decision could significantly complicate cybersecurity regulations such as incident reporting, experts say, by taking power away from federal agencies. State agencies and courts would then fill the void, creating a Balkanized landscape similar to that of privacy laws, where a lack of a federal bill has led states to develop their own laws. I do think that the state and local elements are going to be the enforcement arm and that is going to significantly add more burden to teams to sort this out and keep track of things," Optivs Wisnieski said. Organizations without hardy legal and compliance resources could miss reporting deadlines or fail to provide the detail needed for government authorities to assess security threats. As you add layers of regulations, layers of complexity, theres things that could start falling through the cracks," he said. Write to James Rundle at james.rundle@wsj.com It is lonely at the top. So lonely, in fact, that sometimes American presidents and titans of industry have only one individual of similar stature to turn to: each other. Over almost two centuries they have played golf together, enjoyed movie nights and told jokes to each other. Some have developed genuine friendships; others have openly hated one another. It is an uneven relationship, of course. Though chief executives tend to stick around longer than presidents, there is no doubt who is higher in the pecking order. But rarely have any moguls dealings with presidents past, present and possibly future been as hard to fathom as those of Elon Musk, who once enjoyed the largesse of Barack Obama and is now cheerleader-in-chief for Donald Trump. Listen to the two mens unscripted blatherings on X, Mr Musks platform, on August 12th, and the power imbalance between Americas richest man and an ex-president running again for office is toe-curlingly clear. Once the glitches were sorted out, Mr Trump was in full control. When Mr Musk tried to get a word in edgeways, he mostly failed. When he tried to sound reasonable, he was ignored. What Mr Musk hopes to gain from stacking his chips so heavily in favour of Mr Trump in an election that either Republicans or Democrats could win is baffling, especially considering that Tesla, the electric-vehicle company he runs, and SpaceX, his rocket business, remain dependent on federal incentives and contracts. An excellent new book, The Power and the Money", by Tevi Troy, is a timely reminder for bosses of their complex history with Americas commanders-in-chief. It suggests how easily Mr Musks high-stakes gamble could go wrong. Start with a lesson on the sheer unpredictability of presidential politics. John D. Rockefeller ignored Washington as he built Standard Oil into a vast monopoly in the late 1800s. But when antitrust fervour rose in the 1890s he sought to squash it by backing William McKinley, a president he thought he had in his pocket. McKinley was assassinated in 1901. His replacement was Theodore Roosevelt, a man Standard Oil had unwisely recommended as McKinleys vice-president because he was too much trouble as governor of New York. Thus began the Progressive Era, and the eventual dismantling of Rockefellers monopoly. Mr Musk should take heed. Vice-presidents, whether Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, or J.D. Vance, Mr Trumps understudy, can be more dangerous than they look. Next consider the risks of becoming too big for ones boots. In this, Mr Musk shares much with Henry Ford. Like Mr Musk, Ford reinvented cars, had a huge following, owned a platform that spewed hate speech and made no secret of his disdain for left-wing politics. Many presidents liked his cars, but some were infuriated by him. Woodrow Wilson kicked him out of the White House in 1915 after he proposed sending a peace ship to Europe to stop the first world war. Franklin Roosevelt criticised Ford for opposing parts of the New Deal. As Mr Troy says, Fords businesses were largely unscathed by the backlash because the regulatory state was smaller than it is now. Mr Musk has no such luck. His bromance with Mr Trump has alienated the left. President Joe Biden has snubbed Mr Musk when dealing with car bosses. Federal regulators are investigating Teslas self-driving technology. Being Progressive Enemy No. 1", as the Wall Street Journal describes Mr Musk, comes at a higher potential cost than it did in Fords day. Last, beware of unexpected ideological shifts. Lee Iacocca, who ran Ford and then Chrysler, was a master White House manoeuvrer. He helped persuade Richard Nixon to protect the car industry from Ralph Naders safety onslaught. He won loan guarantees for Chrysler from Jimmy Carter in the 1970s. But though he liked Ronald Reagan personally, he rejected the then-presidents free-market tilt and tried (unsuccessfully) to get more government support for his business. Mr Musk is throwing his weight behind Mr Trump at an unusual moment, when the rhetoric of both Republicans and Democrats is increasingly anti-big-business. The populists may turn against him, too. The relationship need not always be tricky. Most bosses end up being forced to deal with Washington (last year American firms spent $3.6bn on lobbying). Those who consider themselves aloof from politics often come to regret it. Like Rockefeller, Bill Gates was initially dismissive of the anti-monopoly case against his firm, Microsoft, which it ultimately lost. Chastened, he later told a young Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook supremo, not to alienate Washington. Get an office there, now," he said. Some CEOs build respect by offering help to the government in times of stress. John Pierpoint Morgan did so in 1907. Jamie Dimon, boss of JPMorgan Chase, pitched in to rescue failing banks during the global financial crisis a century later. Perhaps the most effective way to handle the relationship is a quiet schmooze. One of the most fascinating characters in Mr Troys book is Lew Wasserman, a Hollywood mogul with a knack for knowing which presidents to court and which to avoid. Tim Cook, boss of Apple, got on with both Mr Obama and Mr Trump, subtly pressing his companys interests, but being helpful, too. As Mr Trump once said of him: Thats why hes a great executive, because he calls me and others dont." The Technokingmaker Mr Musks approach to presidential politics is unique. More than almost any other prominent chief executive profiled in the book, he flies by the seat of his pants. There is one characteristic he shares with some of his peers, though. He is high on his own sense of power. He may believe that if Mr Trump regains the presidency, his support during the campaign will allow him to pull the strings at the White House. History suggests that never happens. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com (Adds report on antisemitism on campus, paragraphs 12-13) By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The new school year is still days away, but student protesters have already made a noisy return to Columbia University's New York campus, the epicenter of a pro-Palestinian protest movement that spread to schools around the world this spring. Blowing whistles and banging drums, pots and pans and the iron railings of the closed campus gates, about 50 protesters marched on the sidewalk on Sunday evening and bellowed pro-Palestinian chants. A New York Police Department surveillance drone hovered over their heads. Inside the gates, more than 1,000 new Columbia undergraduates had gathered for a convocation ceremony. Dr. Katrina Armstrong, Columbia's new interim president, was able to make herself heard over the protesters' din, describing to the new students her vision of the campus as a place of open debate where no one feels excluded. Columbia administrators are hoping to avoid a repeat of the protests that roiled the university earlier this year, which culminated with hundreds of armed police officers sweeping the campus in April to arrest more than 30 student protesters who had barricaded themselves inside an academic building. Since the spring, college administrators across the U.S. and beyond have grappled with tent encampments inspired by the Columbia protests spreading to their own campuses, followed by pro-Israel counterprotests. Some administrators also called in police; a minority have reached agreements over demands to sever financial ties with Israel. "Effectively managing protests and demonstrations allows us to advance our educational and research missions while enabling free speech and debate," Armstrong, the dean of Columbia's medical school, wrote in a campus-wide email last week. She has been interim leader since Minouche Shafik resigned as president earlier this month after facing criticism over handling of the protests, including a vote of no confidence by Arts and Sciences faculty angered by her decision to call in police to arrest students. The pro-Palestinian protests have been led by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a coalition of student groups demanding the school end its investments in weapons manufacturers and other companies that support Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories. Over the summer, mediators had little success trying to revive negotiations between Columbia administration and CUAD, according to Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who is one of the main negotiators on behalf of CUAD. "The university should actually deal with the students as students, not as a threat to Columbia and the Columbia brand," he said. Columbia declined requests to interview administration officials and a spokesperson declined to answer questions about the talks with CUAD. On Friday, Columbia's Task Force on Antisemitism, which was created in November 2023 and led by professors, released its second report, saying scores of Jewish and Israeli students had reported "painful experiences of hostility" from other students - including protesters - and faculty, some of which may violate anti-discrimination laws. The report described a rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab prejudice on campus after the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and Israel's subsequent war in Gaza. Some Jewish students said they had been spat on, harassed for wearing symbols of Judaism and faced angry demands to defend Israel or Zionism, and Jewish Israeli students reported harassment for having completed mandatory service in the Israeli Defense Force. Some pro-Palestinian Jewish students involved in the protests said they had been assaulted or called a "self-hating Jew". CHANGES TO CAMPUS As faculty and students return to Columbia ahead of classes resuming on Tuesday, they are already noticing new restrictions and other changes to its campus. The hedge-lined south lawns that had been yellowed by tent encampments are now lush and green, with public safety officers guarding the entrances and new signs noting that camping is banned by school rules. Gates to the campus that have been kept open for decades to the surrounding city streets are closed under a new system restricting access, with guards allowing in only those with Columbia ID and pre-registered guests. Most days, CUAD students set up a small table draped with a Palestinian flag to the side of one of the main campus entrances, handing out flyers and pamphlets, some designed with new students in mind. Across campus, officials have set up fences and gates on wheels which can be rolled across walkways to cordon off small areas. A group of senior officers from the New York Police Department inspected the cordons during a campus tour last week. Mariam Jallow, the incoming elected president of the Columbia College Student Council, said she was optimistic about the new leadership. "It's a fresh start that we really need," Jallow, a history major, said of Armstrong. "She doesn't have a lot of the burdens that President Shafik had, and there's still a lot of grievances and grudges held from last year." Jallow, who is not a part of CUAD, said it was not easy representing a diverse group of students, but noted that the main demands of CUAD, which was formed in 2016, had long had broad support among students at Columbia's main undergraduate school. CUAD called for a referendum of Columbia College students in 2020, and about 60% voted in support of Columbia divesting from Israel; that rose to about 76% in an April referendum. Over the summer, Columbia administrators continued disciplinary proceedings against more than 60 students, including Khalil, accused of breaking campus rules with their involvement in CUAD protests. New Delhi: US fast-food giant Burger King LLC on Friday moved the Delhi high court against a Jaipur-based entity, Burger Farm, alleging trademark infringement. Burger King sought the court to pass an injunction to restrain Burger Farm from using a logo it claims is strikingly similar to its own. However, a single bench led by Justice Mini Pushkarna declined the petition to pass the injunction at this stage and referred the matter to mediation for a possible settlement. Burger King, in its trademark suit against Burger Farm, alleged that the Jaipur-based company copied its logo and attempted to imitate its business model. The US company said it launched its first restaurant in India in 2014, the same year Burger Farm came into existence. The American fast-food chain also stated that there is overwhelming evidence of customer confusion, including social media comments where users labeled Burger Farm as a "cheap copy" of Burger King. Burger Farm said it would work towards changing its logo and reaching a settlement. The company, however, contested the injunction, noting that it operates multiple outlets across India. This case is one of several trademark disputes Burger King has faced with Indian restaurants over alleged infringement of its trademark. Recently, Burger King lost a 13-year-long trademark battle with a Pune-based restaurant after a commercial court rejected its plea to prevent the Indian restaurant from using the "Burger King" trademark. In December 2023, the Delhi high court recognised "Burger King" as a well-known trademark due to its long-standing use, ruling against an entity operating under the name Burger King Family Restaurant. In August 2023, a Supreme Court bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna dismissed a plea by a local restaurant, noting that Burger King has used the trademark since 1950. The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to clarify its stand following a petition against the misbranding of Patanjali Divya Dant Manjan. The plea noted that the toothpaste had been tagged as a vegetarian product despite containing fish extract. Justice Sanjeev Narula issued notice to the Centre, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India as well as Patanjali, Divya Pharmacy, Yoga guru Ramdev and other related parties following the petition. The matter is slated to be heard again in the month of November. According to the petition, Divya Dant Manjan is currently sold with a green dot symbolising that it is a vegetarian commodity. The plea however noted that the product contained samudraphen (sepia officinalis) which is derived from fish extract making it a misbranding under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The law does not mandate declaration of a drug as vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The petitioner claimed that this discovery was "distressing" for him and his family which consumes only vegetarian ingredients/products on account of religious beliefs and sentiments. The plea further stated that Baba Ramdev admitted in a YouTube video that "Samudra fen," used in the product, is animal-based, despite the product being marketed as vegetarian with a green dot on its packaging. Also Read | A new Patanjali: The monk who sold toothpaste is at it again The development came mere days after the Supreme Court stayed a Central notification omitting rule against misleading advertisements of ayurvedic and unani drugs. The apex court is hearing a plea filed in 2022 by the Indian Medical Association alleging a smear campaign by Patanjali and yoga guru Ramdev against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine. Earlier in August the Supreme Court had closed closed the contempt proceedings initiated against yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Limited for "violation" of the undertakings given before the court in the misleading advertisements case. Salesforces second edition of the Trailblazing Women Summit in India was nothing short of a powerhouse event. Held in Hyderabad, this summit brought together over 350 women leaders in person, with many more joining online, reflecting the growing momentum for change. The event served as a crucial platform for discussing the challenges, opportunities, and strategies that can drive gender equality and innovation in one of the worlds most dynamic markets. Innovation, Leadership & Authenticity: A Call to Action The summit kicked off with a keynote address from Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO & Chairperson of Salesforce India, who set the tone for the day with her dynamic perspective on innovation and leadership. "Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Salesforce, and it's crucial that we leverage this to advance women's careers. My advice to aspiring women leaders is to step out of your comfort zone, be authentic and resilient, and seek out strong mentorship," Bhattacharya stated. Her words were more than just motivationalthey were a clarion call to action, urging women to embrace change as a catalyst for growth. Women Redefining Leadership in Tech: Breaking Barriers Throughout the summit, industry stalwarts like Shailina Parti, COO of Westside, Tata; Sayali Aklekar, Head IT & Digital, Bisleri International; and Dr. Shilpa Vora, Chief R&D Officer, Marico, shared their journeys of overcoming challenges and driving innovation. These leaders are not just navigating the tech landscapethey are redefining it. Their discussions underscored the vital role of gender-diverse leadership in driving company success, as supported by aMcKinsey reportthat found companies with such diversity are 21% more likely to outperform their peers. The message was clear: women arent just earning their place at the tablethey are reshaping it. Salesforce India's Chairperson & CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya with Marico's Chief R&D Officer, Shilpa Vora. Equality: A Shared Responsibility Renowned and award-winning actress Shefali Shah also graced the event with her presence, delivering a powerful message on the importance of equality. "Real equality means recognizing and supporting both men and women," Shah emphasized. Her insights, drawn from personal experiences, were a reminder that equality is not just a goal for women; its a shared responsibility. Shahs words resonated deeply, especially in a country where theWorld Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report ranks India 127th out of 156 countries in terms of gender parity. Its clear that while progress has been made, theres still a long way to go. Tailoring Equality: A Salesforce Blueprint Salesforces leadership was further highlighted by Alexandra Siegel, SVP and Chief Equality Officer, who spoke about the companys commitment to a tailored approach to equality. "At Salesforce, equality is a core principle that demands a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Indias remarkable talent is vital to realizing our vision of Equality for All," Siegel remarked. This approach is especially critical in India, where cultural and regional differences can make a one-size-fits-all strategy ineffective. Salesforces commitment to a customized approach is a blueprint for other companies looking to make a real impact. Moving Forward: Beyond the Summit According to a 2023 Deloitte report, womens participation in the Indian workforce has declined to just 23%. In the tech sector, while women make up 35% of the workforce, their representation drops sharply at senior levels, with only 17% of leadership roles occupied by women. These statistics serve as a sobering reminder that while summits like this are essential for raising awareness and sparking dialogue, the real work begins in transforming these insights into action. The Trailblazing Women Summit was not just an eventit was the spark of a movement. As participants return to their workplaces, the impact of the summit is expected to resonate across the industry, driving conversations and actions that will fuel gender equality and innovation. Salesforces commitment to empowering women and fostering innovation is not merely a corporate agendait is a promise to lead in driving substantial change. The summit demonstrated that when women are empowered, the potential for innovation is limitless. The challenge now lies in maintaining this momentum, pushing boundaries, and ensuring that the lessons from the summit translate into tangible actions in the workplace, paving the way for a future where equality and innovation are inseparable. Railtel Corporation of India, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, National Hydroelectric Power Corp., and Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd have been upgraded to Navratna status, the finance ministry's department of public enterprises announced on Friday. These companies join the ranks of ONGC Videsh Ltd, Shipping Corp. of India Ltd, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd among India's top-tier Central public sector enterprises, taking the total count of Navratna entities to 25. The Navratna status is granted to government-owned companies that were previously under the 'miniratna' category I status based on their financial and market performance. The Navratna status grants public sector enterprises greater autonomy, allowing them to invest up to 30% of their net worth in a year, with a cap of 1,000 crore, and assign investments of up to 1,000 crore to projects without needing government approvals. They can also form joint ventures or alliances and set up overseas subsidiaries. National Hydroelectric Power Corp., a public sector enterprise under the Union ministry of power, reported an annual turnover of 8,405 crore and a net profit of 3,744 crore for FY 2023-24. Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, also under the same ministry, had a turnover of 2,833 crore and a profit of 908 crore. Solar Energy Corporation of India, under the ministry of renewable energy, recorded an annual turnover of 13,035 crore with a net profit of 436 crore for FY24. Railtel, which falls under the ministry of railways, had an annual turnover of 2,622 crore and a profit of 246 crore. The government recently awarded the Navratna status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd, which was listed on the Indian stock exchanges in November. The companys stock has more than doubled from its listing price, but ended Friday 5% lower on BSE at 241.95 per share. ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is close to securing a crucial licence from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a move that would enable it to resume operations in Venezuela. Rajarshi Gupta, managing director of OVL, confirmed on Friday that the proposal is in the advanced stages of consideration by the US Department of Treasury. OVL, the overseas arm of India's state-run ONGC, has sought a 'specific licence' similar to one granted to Chevron, which would allow the Indian company to operate in the heavily sanctioned South American nation, Gupta told reporters. Read this | As sanctions return to Venezuela, OVL has a problem on its hands "We are in discussion with the government of Venezuela to take charge of operations of the two projects there in the new model, which we call the Chevron model, as Chevron has been doing. At the same time, we have been interacting with OFAC. They gave us some comfort that yes you can do some operations subject to pre-conditions. We have sought for a specific licence to operate in Venezuela (with the US department of Treasury)," he said. "That's in the final stages of consideration as to the best of our understanding." Gupta added that OVL is prepared to take over operations in Venezuela immediately upon receiving the necessary approvals. The company is currently negotiating with the Venezuelan authorities to formalize agreements that would grant it operatorship of the San Cristobal and Carabobo projects. On 30 July, Mint had reported that OVL has sought waiver from US sanctions to resume operations in Venezuela and take possession of oil cargoes that Venezuela has promised in lieu of dividends worth $600 million. OVL holds a 49% stake in the operational San Cristobal project and 11% in the under-development Carabobo field. While PdVSA had agreed to provide oil instead of cash dividends, the arrangement has been stalled by the sanctions. This development comes as OVL faces challenges across several of its overseas ventures, including delays at the Mozambique LNG plant and difficulties in repatriating dividends from Russia. Also read | OVL, Oil India may join forces again to bid for new Bangladesh offshore blocks Air India-Vistara merger: The Indian government has greenlit the foreign direct investment for the proposed merger between the two airlines, Singapore Airlines said on Friday, giving an update on the deal that will create one of the world's largest airline groups. The FDI nod will pave the way for Singapore Airlines' investment worth S$360 million ($276 million) into the new combined carrier. Also Read | Air India, Vistara and IndiGo resume Dhaka flights amid Bangladesh unrest The deal between Singapore Airlines and Tata-owned Air India is likely to be completed by the end of this year. With the clearance in place, the merger, which will see Singapore Airlines acquire a 25.1 percent stake in Air India, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The government's FDI approval, along with anti-trust and merger control clearance and approvals, is likely to speed up the Air India-Vistara merger, said Singapore Airlines (SIA) in its regulatory filing on Friday. "The FDI approval, together with anti-trust and merger control clearances and approvals, as well as other governmental and regulatory approvals received to-date, represent a significant development towards the completion of the proposed merger," the airline said in the filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange. Also Read | Tatas evaluating options to consolidate AirAsia India, Vistara under Air India Air India-Vistara merger completion date The two airlines finalised their merger plan in November 2022. Tata Group owns Air India and runs Vistara as a 51:39 joint venture with Singapore Airlines. "At this juncture, completion of the proposed merger is anticipated to occur by the end of 2024," the company added. The Air India-Vistara merger will transform into one of the biggest airline groups. The two parties are mulling over the extension of the long stop date for the completion of the merger. Earlier, it was expected to be October 31, 2024. Also Read | Class war: IndiGo shows Air India it means business "SIA will make the necessary announcement(s) upon completion of the proposed merger or if there are other significant developments," the filing said on Friday. (Bloomberg) -- Argentine state-run oil company YPF SA is considering a sale of its lithium unit as part of a sweeping divestment strategy to streamline investments into the heralded Vaca Muerta shale patch. Executives are mulling an exit from YPF Litio, said a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the information is private. The company has been reviewing business holdings that fall outside YPFs traditional sphere of drilling for oil and gas and refining crude. A sale of the unit would come just three years after it was created as YPF and oil companies the world over have looked to reposition themselves in the face of the energy transition. YPF Litio has been exploring acreage in Catamarca province in Argentinas corner of South Americas so-called lithium triangle, shared with Chile and Bolivia. Other big Argentine oil drillers, like the Pan American Energy Group and a unit of billionaire Paolo Roccas Techint Group, also have been diversifying into the countrys lithium resources. YPF Litio also helped the previous leftist governments efforts to nurture a lithium-ion battery industry in Argentina, rather than abroad. Together with Catamarca, it brokered a non-binding agreement with Chinas Zijin Mining Group Co. to make battery cathodes. Under new management appointed by the government of President Javier Milei a libertarian whos voiced little interest in national battery development YPF is instead entirely focused on ramping up production in the Vaca Muerta, not only by drilling more wells but by spearheading key infrastructure projects. YPF already has divested 22 aging non-shale fields and it is in talks with takers for about 30 more, while plans are afoot to sell fuel businesses in Chile and Brazil and a stake in a Buenos Aires natural gas distributor. Chief Executive Officer Horacio Marin has vowed to hold onto profitable ventures, like a fertilizer manufacturer thats a consumer of YPFs natural gas, as well as to keep exploring two new oil frontiers: another shale patch and deepwater blocks off the Atlantic coast. To that end, YPF Agro, a money-making agriculture business, could be made a standalone self-financing unit like power producer YPF Luz, the person said. YPF Agro taps Argentinas huge crop industry by selling diesel and fertilizers to farmers and taking soybeans as payment in trades worth about $1 billion a year. Meanwhile, its unclear what will happen with a battery program at Y-TEC, a research and development center that is affiliated with YPF Litio. Marin said he wants researchers to focus on technology that will aid the push in the Vaca Muerta, where its already cheaper to produce crude than in the Permian Basin, according to Rystad Energy. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com From Amritsar in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, travellers from India's smaller airports are increasingly flying out to cities such as Singapore, Dubai and Bangkok, in a sign of rising prosperity in smaller towns and growing overseas connectivity. International air traffic at all Indian airports combined rose 13% on year to 24.8 million in April-July, surpassing 22.6 million in the same period before the pandemic, shows the latest data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, these numbers hide the roaring growth in cities including Amritsar, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram. Some of the non-metro airports have seen overseas passenger traffic jump over 20%, according to Vinay Kumar G, vice president & sector head - corporate ratings at Icra Ltd. This, he said, was largely attributable to rising demand for international travel for leisure, jobsprimarily in the Middle Eastand studies. India's aviation marketthe world's third largest and also the fastest growingis on the cusp of a boom as the economy expands and incomes rise, prompting airlines to add capacity. Much of the demand is expected to be generated from outside Metro airports, some of which are already grappling with capacity constraints. Doubling traffic Take Bhubaneswar for example. Accorded the international status in 2013, overseas traffic at the airport more than doubled from a year earlier to 41,510 passengers in April-July, and it was 48% higher than the pre-covid levels. The airport was connected to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in 2019, and now offers flights to Singapore, Dubai, and Bangkok as well. Amritsar reported a 29% year-on-year growth in April-July to 344,541 overseas flyersa 32% jump from prior to covid. Passengers flying abroad from Kozhikode rose 15% on year and more than 3% over the pre-covid level to over 1 million passengers in April-July. The jump at Lucknow was 33% year-on-year and 40% over same period in 2019 to nearly 370,000 passengers. To be sure, Delhi, Indias largest airport by traffic, handled 6.8 million overseas passengers in April-July, 15% higher on year and over 18% more than the pre-pandemic levels. Second-ranked Mumbai reported a 12% increase to around 5 million international travellers, while state-run Chennai airport reported a 3% increase over a year earlier to 2 million international passengers, nearly the same as the pre-covid period. Confined to medium-haul Air travel outside India from tier 2 locations has been confined to medium-haul flights and is focused on the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries, said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, senior director & global head, transport, mobility and logistics, consulting, Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics. The growth has come predominantly due to increase in flights and announcement of new routes from these locations, primarily by IndiGo, he said. We expect this trend to continue with other tier-2 location airports. The long-haul routes will continue to be serviced or connected from airports in Metro locations." Also read | Why your festive season flights will cost more this year That reflects in the kind of planes Indian carriers are buying. Of more than 1,600 aircraft ordered, more than 1,500 are narrow-body planes which can cover up to nearly eight hours of flying time, according to industry executives. Airlines are increasingly looking to experiment with nearby foreign destinations from tier-2 cities where travellers are increasingly more inclined towards taking international trips on the back of rise in income levels and increase in spending power on leisure travel," an airline executive said. Also read | Indian airlines, airports adopting AI tools to improve services The Tata Group-backed Air India Express is working on doubling its share of short-haul overseas market over a period of five years and wants to be the carrier of choice in a network of tier II and III destinations. The nations largest carrier IndiGo has reiterated that the Indian market is still largely underpenetrated for international air travel. Over the last one year, IndiGo added a total of 17 new destinations10 domestic and 7 international. Anticipating demand growth Foreign airlines also anticipate growth demand from smaller cities. In June, Etihad launched four weekly flights from Jaipur. Thai Airways told Mint recently that it plans to connect to secondary cities of India under its next phase of expansion here. Also read | Government in talks with stakeholders to ease air cargo processes, boost volumes Indian carriers alone flew 8 million international passengers in April-June, an increase of 16.7% on year, according to Suprio Banerjee, vice president & sector head - corporate ratings at Icra. The rating and research firm estimates Indias international passenger traffic to grow 13-15% to 77-80 million in FY25 and in double digits in FY26. Indian carriers would be looking at adding new routes to smaller cities or serving the existing ones as penetration of non-metro airports and passenger traffic grows over time, Banerjee said. Vistara will merge with Air India on November 12, when its flights begin operating under the AI flight code instead of its UK designator. Flight bookings will also move to Air India's web portal, completing the merger between the two airlines. Vistara has outlined changes to flight bookings, tickets, and PNR numbers leading to the merger. Singapore Airlines announced the merger plans of Vistara and Air India in November 2022. Currently, Tata owns Air India and has a 51% stake in Vistara. With the clearances in place, the merger, which will see Singapore Airlines acquire a 25.1 percent stake in Air India, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Starting September 3, Vistara customers will be redirected to the Air India website for ticket bookings. However, the flights will continue to operate under the Vistara brand until November 11. For passengers who have already booked tickets with Vistara for travel on or before November 11, no changes will be made to their bookings, and their flights will operate under the Vistara brand. Passengers looking to book tickets after September 3 for travel beyond November 11 will need to do so through Air India's website or mobile app. For travel after November 11, passengers will need to book tickets through the official website of Air India, www.airindia.com, or the Air India mobile app. The PNR number and e-tickets will remain the same for destinations booked until November 11. Any flight changes the passengers wish to make can be done through the Vistara website and mobile app till November 11. From November 12, all flights will be operated by Air India. Passengers will receive an Air India ticket along with a new E-ticket number; the PNR number will remain the same as before, and passengers will need to go to the Air India counter at the airport to get a new Air India ticket on the day of the journey. For customers with existing Vistara bookings for journeys after November 11, their flights will be operated by Air India. However, the flight timings will remain the same. If there are any changes, the Customer Service Team will inform passengers through e-mail and SMS. Also Read | Air India finds a solution to its IFE woes, takes a leaf out of Vistara Passengers can call the Vistara Call Centre on +91 9289228888 until November 11 to reschedule or cancel Visatara flight tickets. Zeta is shifting focus back to India for the next leg of growth, months after launching a digital credit-as-a-service product for banks in the country, CEO and co-founder Bhavin Turakhia told Mint . This follows an aggressive expansion period for the banking technology startup, when the company targeted entering 30 countries and newer verticals after raising its first institutional funding of $250 million from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 at a valuation of $1.45 billion in 2021. "We have a razor-sharp focus on India. We concentrate on only one product and offering, which is digital credit-as-a-service," Turakhia said in an interview on the sidelines of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai. Our focus is exclusively on all financial institutions to enable them to launch credit lines on UPI (Unified Payments Interface) using our platform. Everything from product and engineering to sales and go-to-market is 100% focused on this one opportunity in India." The Bengaluru-based company has a presence in Dubai, the UK, North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. In 2021, the company shared plans to expand in eastern Europe, and in Southeast Asia, Japan and Africa by 2023. We initially started in India and then shifted our focus to the US, where we secured several new contracts. This shift was partly because we were building our playbooks and delivery capacity along the way," he said. Turakhia said in that capacity, the company could not accommodate the growing contract volumes in both the US and India. During this period, Zeta built its digital credit-as-a-service stack and now plans to prioritise growth in this segment. The service allows users to access pre-approved credit through their UPI-linked accounts. The Zeta chief said that with a separate team in the US, the company will continue its operations with a focus on credit cards and loan management systems. Also Read: Zeta eyes presence in 30 countries in the next two fiscals Zeta is among the first ones to enter this (credit on UPI) segment, but there are more companies that are in the pipeline," said a fintech investor on the sidelines of GFF. Credit on UPI is a great proposition as long as the underwriter is a regulated entity. While Zeta is taking one route, it will be exciting to see what new use-cases will come up." Founded in April 2015 by serial entrepreneur Turakhia and Ramki Gaddipati, Zeta provides banks with the infrastructure to create digital products that enhance user experience. The company looks at four verticals - transaction card processing, core banking, loan management and digital banking. Zetas India business reported an almost 33% increase in operating revenue to 816.20 crore in FY23, helping it swing to a profit of 21.94 crore from a loss of 20.7 crore in the year before. The company is yet to report its FY24 financials. Plans with credit on UPI Turakhia said Zeta plans to onboard a majority of banks approved by the National Payments Corporation of India, which operates retail payment and settlement systems including UPI, and the Reserve Bank of India to leverage credit lines on UPI. Zeta will target NBFCs once the regulators open it up to this segment. The company recently announced a partnership with HDFC Bank to power its Credit Line on UPI (CLOU) offerings. While we've onboarded one bank in India for credit on UPI, they haven't launched yet. There's a planned launch process, and we're working towards its implementation," he said. Mint reported earlier that Zeta estimates transaction volumes on this scheme will exceed $1 trillion by 2030 and aims to capture about half of this market. (Bloomberg) -- A possible oil spill stretching 2.2 nautical miles in length was spotted in a location matching the Sounion tanker, after the vessel caught fire following an attack by Yemens Houthi rebels in the Red Sea earlier this month. The potential spill was visible in an image obtained from the European Maritime Safety Agency, Greeces director general for shipping said in an Aug. 29 letter, circulated by the United Nations maritime agency on Friday. The position of the oil spill matches with the location of the ship, it added. The Sounion, which was attacked at least twice on Aug. 21, was sailing under the Greek flag. The countrys government has been leading an effort to tow the tanker to safety. It was unclear exactly what oil had been spilled, but US officials said Thursday the tankers cargo remained intact, though the vessel appeared to be leaking. The attacks led to an engine fire, meaning the ship could have lost some of the fuel its engine was burning instead. Under the said circumstances, the condition of the tanker, which carries 150,000 tons of crude oil, poses a serious environmental hazard for the Red Sea marine environment, the letter said. Greece urges all nations and all actors involved to assist in preventing the environmental hazard and resolving the situation. The Houthis released a video Thursday showing armed man placing bombs aboard the vessel. The group has been attacking merchant ships in response to Israels war with Hamas. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Some humanitarian organizations in Europe and the U.S. trying to combat a hunger crisis in Gaza say they have had their bank accounts closed without reasons being provided and their transactions frozen since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. This move by banks to derisk stems from challenges many of them encounter in regions governed by sanctioned groups that allegedly have a history of diverting aid, as it can be difficult to ascertain the ultimate beneficiaries of transactions. And normal methods banks use to investigate transactions might not be available in active war zones. Its just hard [for banks] to get a line of sight into what is happening on the ground," said Alma Angotti, a partner at consulting firm Guidehouse specializing in financial crime. Rather than parsing through which business or region would be OK, sometimes its just easier for banks to get out." Financial transactions and bank accounts related to the Palestinian territories of Gaza or the West Bank were frequently flagged and questioned by banks even before the most recent conflict. One reason for this is that Gaza was under the control of Hamas, a U.S.-designated global terrorist organization, until Israels invasion in late 2023. But the due diligence required for such transactions has mounted in recent months, and the number of organizations that have had their bank accounts closed with no reason being provided, has risen. From Oct. 7 through late May, there had been 30 incidents where groups or individuals with links to or activities directed toward the Palestinian territories had their bank accounts closed in Europe and other countries, according to Agnese Valenti, an Amsterdam-based lawyer at the European Legal Support Center, which advocates for Palestinian rights in Europe. In one case in the U.S., Truist closed the bank account of nonprofit American Near East Refugee Aid, or Anera, in April, without providing a way to dispute the closure, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Truist declined to comment. In another, Nonviolence International, a nonprofit founded by Palestinian-Americans to sponsor and advocate for nonviolent campaigns worldwide, was told by financial technology company Stripe in an email in February to take down a fundraising campaign for a Palestinian-related partner organization for no apparent reason, according to Michael Beer, a director at the nonprofit. None of the groups Nonviolence International raises funds for are under U.S. sanctions, Beer said. A spokesman for Stripe declined to comment on specific users. The company said in a November financial crime risk appetite policy statement that it may decide not to provide services or facilitate business dealings where such activities are considered high risk and fall outside of its risk appetite even if applicable laws and regulations dont impose specific prohibitions. Aid agencies have long faced banking difficulties from financial institutions need to comply with complex sanctions regimes meant to combat potential terrorist financing, particularly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. All existing challenges are exacerbated [since Oct. 7]," said Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery, a senior director of policy and advocacy at Charity & Security Network, a resource and advocacy center for nonprofit organizations, referring to efforts to keep existing accounts open and bank transfers flowing without delay. Washington-based Anera, which has provided humanitarian aid and development work in the Palestinian territories since 1968, responded to the recent Gaza crisis by delivering meals, medicine, clothing and other items, Sean Carroll, Aneras president and chief executive, said. To avoid running afoul of sanctions laws, Anera screens its staff, vendors and partners by using U.S. government databases while its workers in the Palestinian territories vet the receivers of aid, according to Carroll. Anera had its account shut because Truist said the Treasury Department had been issuing alerts about increasing vigilance over payments sent to Gaza and a Truist representative eventually told Carroll verbally that it found Anera had a relationship with Al-Salah Society, a sanctioned group, he said. Anera said it no longer works with the group and that the group wasnt under sanctions when it received medical aid from Anera in 2000. Al-Salah Society in 2007 was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly providing material support to Hamas. In the case of Nonviolence International, Beer said Stripe, which allows users to accept credit-card payments, saw that its services were being used to raise money for the nonprofits Palestinian-related partner organization on its website. Nonviolence International was forced to move the fundraising for that group to PayPal with trepidation," Beer said. We pushed back as best as we can," he said. Were afraid that [Stripe] will just shut our ability to get credit-card payments for this project we are supporting, or they might obliterate us and completely drop us." U.S. and foreign banks that access the U.S. financial system are required to comply with U.S. sanctions laws or face potentially large fines, sometimes reaching into billions of dollars and including guilty pleas. Humanitarian aid and medical supplies are generally exempt from these prohibitions, the U.S. Treasury Department has said. But despite the carve-out for aid, a decade-plus of expanding sanctions packages has made banks, which tend to be risk-averse, inclined to simply derisk," dropping clients they deem as potentially problematic. Carroll from Anera said that banks ought to provide a way for such decisions to be disputed. He added that the Treasury Department could do more to inform banks about their overall policy objectives and exemptions to the sanctions law to prevent blanket account closings. A spokeswoman for the Treasury Department didnt provide a comment. Some people think there is an environment here where we allow too much to happen without being checked. Its actually the opposite. The volume of the checking we have to do is hindering the work," Carroll said. Moves by banks to derisk, while not illegal, undermine U.S. government policy objectives, the Treasury Department said in a derisking strategy report published last year. The Treasury in November issued compliance guidance on sending aid to Gaza. It warned that groups such as Hamas raise funds using charities as fronts for their fundraising, but clarified that there is no embargo on providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza or the West Bank and that providing assistance such as food and medicine isnt generally prohibited. The guidance further clarified that humanitarian activities involving necessary transactions with sanctioned groups, such as providing lifesaving medical aid to civilians in Gaza at a hospital staffed or occupied by Hamas, also isnt prohibited. Unfortunately for nonprofits, the relatively small amounts of money they deal in provide few incentives for banks to undertake expensive due-diligence work. Organizations would like to prove that they are compliant but the banks just refused to engage with them," said Valenti of the European Legal Support Center. Banks are not interested at all because these are small NGOs." Write to Mengqi Sun at mengqi.sun@wsj.com Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Indias financial sector regulators need to do more to curb cyber fraud and raise the level of digital literacy. Cyber frauds should not become an impediment to the growth of Indias startups and fintech companies, Modi said at the third and final day of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on Friday. Indians reported 1.1 million cases of cyber frauds worth 7,489 crore in 2023, showed data presented in the Lok Sabha in February. The prime minister said the government is making all necessary policy changes to assist the fintech sector, citing examples of withdrawing the angel tax, allocating 1 trillion to encourage research and innovation in the country and implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Angel tax had been introduced as an anti-money laundering measure. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman, while presenting her Budget for 2024-25 in July, announced the abolition of the levy for all investors and asset classes. Modi said that Indias fintech ecosystem will play a huge role in providing a quality lifestyle to the people of India. I am confident that India's fintech ecosystem will enhance the ease of living of the entire world. Our best is yet to come, said the prime minister. Modi said fintechs have also played a big role in democratizing financial services. He cited examples of readily available loans, credit cards, investments and insurance, adding that fintechs have made access to credit easy and inclusive. Modi also mentioned the PM SVANidhi scheme meant for street vendors to avail collateral-free loans and expand their business with the help of digital transactions. Indias fintech revolution is playing a big role in improving the dignity of life and quality of life, he added. Modi said that the trinity of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile have broken down the mentality of cash is king and made way for approximately half of the digital transactions in the world taking place in India. Launched in August 2014, the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aims to provide universal access to banking services with at least one basic bank account for every household. Indias UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has become a major example of fintech in the world, said Modi. India recorded about 131 billion UPI transactions in FY24, up from 83.7 billion in FY23, Sitharaman said in April, citing NPCI data. In July, 14.44 UPI billion transactions worth 20.64 trillion were processed, up 45% year-on-year by volume and 35% by value. UPI is now available in seven countries outside India. According to Modi, there was a time when people used to come to India and be surprised to see its cultural diversity. Now when people come to India, they are also surprised to see our fintech diversity. From landing at the airport, to street food, and shopping experience, India's fintech revolution is visible everywhere, said Modi. In the last 10 years, more than $31 billion ha been invested in the fintech space. In 10 years, our fintech startups have increased by 500%. Cheap mobile phones, cheap data and zero-balance Jan Dhan bank accounts have done wonders in India, he said. New Delhi: A TotalEnergies-operated liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique, in which Indian oil companies have a 30% stake, is set to resume operations in 2024, said G. Krishnakumar, chairman and managing director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL). BPCL is the parent of one of the Indian companies with a stake in the project. Addressing shareholders at BPCLs annual general meeting, the CMD said that the company is making efforts to monetize the project at the earliest. Project operator TotalEnergies is of the view that the future of the project is dependent on the outcome of the Mozambican presidential elections on 9 October. On 27 August, Mint reported that India would have to wait longer for LNG supplies from the marquee $20 billion Mozambique project, with any progress expected only after a new government is formed in the East African country following presidential elections. The initial 2-Train LNG Project in Area 1, Mozambique, which is the first step towards unlocking the world-class gas resources of approximately 63 trillion cubic feet in which your company holds a 10% stake is set to resume operations this year, Krishnakumar told shareholders. Three Indian state-run companies hold a total of 30% in the project. ONGC Videsh holds 16%; BPRL Ventures Mozambique BV, a subsidiary of BPCL, 10%; and Oil India Ltd 4%. Total E&P Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, holds 26.5% in the plant and is its operator. Operations at the Offshore Area 1 project in the coastal town of Palma were suspended in April 2021, following attacks by Islamic State terrorists. Also read | Mozambique gas field restart is win for India The company will maintain its focus and efforts on upstream oil and gas projects, particularly to expedite the earliest possible monetization of discoveries in Mozambique and Brazil, the CMD said. Krishnakumar also said that the BM-SEAL-11 project in Brazil and the Ruwais field in the UAE are currently in key stages of development. Speaking of Project Aspire, BPCLs five-year strategic framework that is based on two fundamental pillars, he noted that it would involve a capex of 1.7 trillion, including 75,000 crore for refineries and petrochemicals. Jio Financial Services Ltd is advancing its asset management joint venture with BlackRock, having appointed key leadership besides developing its technology infrastructure, said managing director and chief executive officer Hitesh Sethia. We are hopeful of receiving the necessary approvals for this business from the regulator at the appropriate time, and commencing operations thereafter, Sethia said at the companys first annual general meeting (AGM) post-listing. Our understanding of the Indian market and consumer, and distribution reach; coupled with BlackRocks renowned expertise in asset management will help us bring world-class investment products to Indiansspanning mutual funds, wealth management services and broking, he added. Also read | For Reliance Industries, Jio remains the jewel in the crown In August 2023, Jio demerged its financial services businesses and delisted the unit as Jio Financial Services. In July 2024, the company received an approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert into a core investment company (CIC). In July 2023, the company had announced a joint venture with BlackRock for an asset management firm, and subsequently, in April 2024, it expanded the partnership to include wealth management and broking services. This is a demonstration of the faith that both JV partners have in the prospects of the Indian market, at a time when the financialization of household savings in India is growing at a rapid clip, said Sethia. BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, oversees over $10 trillion in assets. As a new-age, digital-first financial services institution, Jio Financials technology stack will be a key differentiator and provide cost advantages, said Sethia, adding that company is not weighed down by legacy technology and has successfully implemented a modular, scalable and cloud-first technology stack. Also read | Jio Finance app debuts in Paris by offering seamless payments at Eiffel Tower, shares in green Our tech backbone will support our distribution approach, which will be direct to customer, digital or at the point of sale embedded in the customer journey. Data analyticsutilizing data from credit bureaus, account aggregators, and other sourceswill also play a central role, he added. The Jio Finance application, launched in May 2024, has surpassed one million downloads, he said. Current services on the app include loans on mutual funds, savings accounts, UPI bill payments, digital insurance and recharges. More products to be added soon, Sethia added. Jio Financials business focuses on four pillarsborrow, transact, invest, protectwhich comprises lending and leasing, payment solutions and payments bank, insurance broking and mutual funds, as well as wealth management and broking services. Jio Finance is also rapidly advancing lending business with secured products like supply chain financing, loans on mutual funds, and device financing solutions. Telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has backed the recent tariff hikes by private sector players, stating carriers which have invested more than 4.26 trillion over the last two financial years and rolled out 5G networks in record speed require some return on capital. In 21 months, 5G has been rolled out, 450,000 base stations have been set up. Telcos have spent close to 4.26 trillion in the last two fiscals. There has to be a return on that," Scindia said in an interview, adding this is the first tariff hike in the telecom sector in three years. Voice tariff that stood at 0.53 paise per minute in 2014 came down to 0.03 paise, before inching up to 0.033 paise now, he said. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea raised tariffs in June this year, their third since 2019, which took up the average tariff for consumers by 10-21%. Telcos also began charging for entry-level 5G plans. Scindia said that despite the hike, Indias data and voice tariffs were among the lowest in the world, with data plans in developed markets like the US as high as $40 a month. New PLI scheme for telecom design in India The government will also look at introducing a revamped production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the telecom sector with higher incentives for designing equipment in India across the value chain. The present scheme only offers incentives for the finished product. Also Read: Duty changes in telecom to push Make in India for the world We're trying to make sure that the whole value chain gets captured here and the value addition, even in R&D, gets captured in India. There has to be an incentive for you to do it here, which is why we're looking at that," he said. He noted that the existing telecom PLI had given about 4,000 crore worth of investments, around 50,000 crore worth of production and 10,000 crore worth of exports from the country. Revival of BSNL, sovereign backing of MTNL debt Scindia said that BSNLs 4G services should be up and running across the country by mid next year by which time the consortium of vendors TCS, Tejas and C-DoT would have set up all 100,000 towers. The public sector telco had already set up 24,000 towers in some regions of the country. He noted that the same towers would be used for 5G rollout once the full 4G rollout is complete. He added that MTNLs operations were being taken over by BSNL, but did not comment on whether BSNL would undergo a public listing, replacing MTNL which is a listed entity. My primary objective right now is to make sure that we have our 4G rollout and we do our saturation post that, once I'm able to ensure quality of service for customers and make sure that BSNL is able to give sustainable results. At that point of time, we will look at may be capital expansion," he said. Scindia added that any of MTNLs debt will be guaranteed by the Indian government. The government is also the single largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea, the third largest telecom service provider in the country, after the carrier converted interest on spectrum payments it owes to the government into equity as part of the reforms package back in 2021. The ministry has maintained that it does not want to get involved in the carriers daily operations. We've got a good number of players in the telecom field as well," Scindia said. Reducing litigation Scindia said that the ministry will look to reducing unwarranted litigation in the telecom sector in the future as a reform measure, but any pending issues will have to be resolved in consultations with the ministry of finance as well as the ministry of law and justice. The Prime Minister is very clear that government has to reduce litigation. Whatever is pending, there are overlaps of jurisdiction, and I'm using that word very freely here, between Department of expenditure, Department of telecom and department and of law and justice. But needless to say, that's something that we are looking at doing with efficacy as soon as possible," he said. Among several cases that are pending, the apex Court is set to hear Vodafone Idea's curative petition on the issue of seeking relief on clerical errors in the governments demand for adjusted gross revenue or AGR, on Friday. The case dates back to 2019 on payments owed to the government. Priority areas in the long run In three months since taking over the communications ministry, Scindia has set up six stakeholder committees related to telecom service providers, satcom service providers, internet service providers, equipment makers, telecom manufacturing and academia, to dig into issues of the sector and bring out solutions. As a minister in 2024, my role should be, and my ministry's role should be, less that of a regulator and more of a facilitator, because telecom is so crucial to any country's economic growth, in many ways, in the sector's growth lies India's economic success as well," he said. Scindia has identified six key areas including execution of the Telecommunications Act 2023 by December or early January, 4G rollout of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, connecting the unconnected areas of the country, the 1.39 trillion capex third phase of connecting all 260,000 gram panchayats with fiber under Bharat Net, that which will be top priorities for the ministry. Improving quality of service for consumers, reducing spam and fraud will be another key priority area for the ministry, where the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was doing active work, Scindia said. Satellite communications The minister added that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will soon issue a consultation paper on usage of spectrum for satellite broadband, but declined to comment on whether the government will consider requests by foreign satellite players like Elon Musks Starlink and Amazons Kuiper, to permit Indian gateways for other countries. There is whole issue of GEO versus MEO versus LEO, which has got to do with spectrum, because GEO today has administered spectrum that's given. So let Trai have a look at it," he noted. GEO refers to geostationary satellites, MEO to Mid Earth Orbit satellites and LEO refers to Lower Earth Orbit satellites. Each uses different kinds of spectrum. OTT regulation The minister added that the issue of regulation of over-the-top or OTT players was yet to come up in the discussions with stakeholder advisory groups. Let the industry talk to me about it. We're taking each issue and drilling down till the end and making sure one way or the other is either getting resolved and who the responsibility lies with or this is not something that can get resolved," he added. The industry has been vocal about including OTT platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Instagram and others within the ambit of communication services and treating them at par with telcos in terms of levying license fees and other charges as they were also providing communication services. The telcos have relied on the new telecom law arguing that definition of communication includes OTT platforms. More sectoral reforms The telecom sector saw the last wave of reforms in 2021 and a new set of regulations this year with the Telecommunications Act 2023 that replaced three old laws. Scindia said that while the new law had simplified and clarified regulation, the government could look at reforms in penetration of coverage, improved bandwidth and quality of service, which will be complementary to its key priority areas. New Delhi: The merger between two full-service airlines of the Tata Group, Air India and Vistara, will be completed on 12 November. That day, Vistaras crew, aircraft and air operator certificate will be transferred to Air India. Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, said in a statement to the media on Friday that from 3 September onwards, flight tickets on the airline cannot be booked for travel on or after 12 November. Customers attempting to do so would be redirected to Air Indias website. The merger announcement was met with cynicism from industry participants, as they expressed misgivings on the ability of Air India to match up to Vistaras high standards. The final date of the merger was announced hours after the Indian government gave formal approval to Singapore Airlines foreign direct investment (FDI) in the merged entity. Following the approval, Singapore Airlines will hold a 25.1% stake in the merged Air India. Vistara and Air India are committed to ensuring that this transition is smooth and hassle-free. We are excited about this new phase in our journey and look forward to welcoming our customers again soon as Air India, Vinod Kannan, chief executive officer of Vistara said in the statement. Customers who are already booked on Vistara flights for 12 November or beyond will automatically have their reservations converted to Air India flight numbers. This will occur in phases during September. The airline will inform the customers individually when this occurs. For Vistara flights on or after 12 November, the flight numbers will change to Air India ones, even though in nearly all cases the aircraft, schedule and operating crew will be unchanged until early 2025, Air India chief executive officer and managing director Campbell Wilson told employees in an internal email on Friday. Mint has seen a copy of the email. Can Air India measure up? Vistara commenced its commercial operations on 9 January 2015 and currently has a fleet of 70 aircraft. As per the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Vistara held a market share of 10% in the domestic segment and 4.1% in international traffic. Air India, comparatively, holds a 14.3% share in the domestic market and 13.1% in international traffic to and from India. But observers are not convinced that the merger will be good for the consumer. The eventual sunset post-Diwali takes care of the Diwali rush and anything around that would have led to confusion. Indian market is largely a last-minute booking market except during festivals when knowing the higher costs, passengers tend to book early, Ameya Joshi, founder of aviation consultancy firm Network Thoughts said, adding that competition and passengers will keenly watch if Air India is able to match Vistaras high standards. Also read | Vistara, Air India step in as Air India Express attempts to stabilize operations "Vistara had built up a loyal customer base over the years, and discontinuation of the brand will have an impact in the near term since not all Vistara flyers will shift automatically to Air India, said Ajay Prakash, board member of Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality, adding that Air India will face a challenge till all its old aircraft are refurbished and more new aircraft inducted. Rajiv Mehra, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, said that Air India would have make a marked improvement in terms of facilities. In the long term, it remains to be seen how the merger pans out between the two airlines, as a Vistara flyer is used to premium services while Air India on all yardsticks cant match up to it. What now? Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines informed the countrys stock exchanges on Friday about the Indian governments approval of its FDI in Air India. This approval, along with other governmental and regulatory approvals received to-date, marks a significant development towards the completion of the merger. This merger will reinforce SIAs multi-hub strategy, and underscore its long-standing commitment to India through a direct stake in this large and rapidly growing aviation market, the statement added. Mint had reported in June, citing three executives aware of the development, that the Tata group plans to bid goodbye to the Vistara brand by the end of 2024, as it aims to bring its four airlines under one umbrella. The merger of Tatas two other airlinesAIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and Air India Expressis also underway and awaiting NCLT approval. The Tata Group had acquired Air India's subsidiary Air India Express in January 2022. The Tata Group broadly aims to create a large low-cost carrier in the form of Air India Express, focused on short-haul international and domestic market, and a large full-service carrier in the form of merged entity of Air India which is expected to serve the metros and medium to long-haul overseas network. In 2021, the price of Bitcoin climbed to almost $69,000 before sinking below $16,000 in 2022 and then rocketing back to an all-time peak of almost $74,000 this year. Over the last few years, the digital asset industry has been whipsawed by everything from leaders getting convicted of fraud to presidential candidate Donald Trump touting a strategic national stockpile of Bitcoin. The strongest predictors of whether someone owns cryptocurrency include variables such as being male, having a victimhood mindset, or relying on fringe social-media sources for news, the researchers wrote. To be sure, the sample of participants in the study was relatively limited, and those surveyed were told to report their own characteristics. But its conclusions still resonate. 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. The Nifty Auto index ended August on a negative note, declining by nearly 2% and breaking a streak of nine consecutive months of gains. Out of the 15 stocks in the index, 13 finished the month in the red. Among the biggest decliners were Balakrishna Industries, which saw its stock drop by 14%, while Apollo Tyres and Bharat Forge fell by 11.30% and 9% respectively. Similarly, shares of passenger vehicle manufacturers Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) all closed the month in the red, with losses ranging from 3% to 5%. In contrast, only two stocks in the indexBajaj Auto and TVS Motormanaged to finish the month in the green, recording gains of up to 13%. The decline in passenger vehicle (PV) stocks has been primarily attributed to a slowdown in sales in July, which saw a 2.5% dropthe first decrease in two years. This slowdown, coupled with muted growth during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, has contributed to a significant increase in inventory levels at auto dealerships nationwide, creating challenges for manufacturers and dealers alike. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), vehicle inventory at dealerships has surged to an unprecedented high of over 700,000 units, valued at 73,000 crore. The stockpile has increased from 6567 days' worth of inventory in early July to 7075 days now. Also Read | Can the Indian PV industry sustain its growth momentum in FY25? In response to these elevated inventory levels, car manufacturers have ramped up discounts to clear their stock. For instance, Maruti Suzukis average discount per vehicle rose to 21,700 in Q1 FY25, compared to 14,500 in Q4 FY24. Additionally, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra have introduced discounts of up to 2 lakh on their top-selling models. Looking ahead, car makers are hopeful that sales will normalise within the next one to two months, driven by better monsoon conditions and the onset of the festive season. While the PV sales experienced a downturn, 2-wheeler sales posted good numbers in July and for the first quarter of the current financial year, driven by a rebound in demand within the replacement segment in rural markets, robust performance in the premium motorcycle category, and a lower base effect. However, the decline in market share for Hero MotoCorp and rising competition in the premium bike segment for Eicher Motors have put pressure on their stocks. Can August bring a rebound for PV sales? According to domestic brokerage firm Nuvama Institutional Equities, PV industry volumes are likely to be marginally negative in August. It projects a total volume growth of 1% for M&M, which includes PV, commercial vehicles (CV), and three-wheelers (3W), reaching 71,000 units. Within the PV segment, the brokerage projects M&M volumes to grow robustly by 13%, surpassing the growth rates of Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors. In contrast, Nuvama forecasts a 6% decline in Maruti PV sales to 152,500 units and a 2% decrease for Tata Motors PV sales to 44,850 units. The brokerage also noted that vehicle discounts are currently higher compared to the previous year. For the two-wheeler (2W) sector, the brokerage expects industry volumes to grow in the high single digits, approximately 8% year-over-year in the domestic market. This growth is attributed to strong rural demand and sustained urban demand, with rural sales benefiting from improved sentiments due to favorable monsoon conditions. Wholesales are likely to exceed retail sales as dealers build up inventory ahead of the festive season. The brokerage projects 10% total volume growth for TVS Motor, reaching 380,000 units; a 7% growth for Bajaj Auto, reaching 365,000 units; and a 4% growth for Hero MotoCorp, reaching 510,000 units. In comparison, Eicher Motors is expected to see flat growth at 77,500 units. For the commercial vehicle (CV) sector, Nuvama anticipates a slight decline of approximately 4% year-over-year in domestic volumes due to a high base for cargo vehicles. Also Read | Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor to lead August volume growth as two wheelers fare well However, increased e-way bill generation indicates improved freight availability for transporters. It estimates a 7% total volume growth for Eicher Motors-VECV to 6,900 units, flat growth for Ashok Leyland (AL) at 15,600 units, and a 4% decline for TTMT CV to 30,650 units. In the tractor industry, volumes are expected to see a marginal increase of about 4% year-over-year in the domestic market. This growth is supported by positive farmer sentiment due to normal monsoon conditions. Nuvama projects total volume growth of 8% for Mahindra & Mahindra-Farm and 2% for Escorts, reaching 23,400 and 5,700 units, respectively. Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open with minor gains amid positive cues from global markets. The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a mildly positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 25,285 level, a premium of nearly 15 points from the Nifty futures previous close. On Thursday, the domestic equity market indices ended higher after hitting record highs during the session. The Sensex rallied 349.05 points to close at 82,134.61, while the Nifty 50 settled 99.60 points, or 0.4%, higher at 25,151.95. Nifty 50 formed a long bull candle on the daily chart at the new highs, which is indicating that the market is preparing for a decisive upside breakout of the hurdle around 25,100 levels. This is a positive indication. The short-term uptrend of Nifty continues to be positive. The next upside levels to be watched are around 25,360 - 25,400 (1.382% Fibonacci extension), said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities. Also Read | Indian stock market: 8 key things that changed for market overnight Heres what to expect from Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today; Nifty OI Data Open Interest (OI) data showed the highest OI on the call side at the 25,300 and 25,500 strike prices, while on the put side, it was concentrated at the 25,000 strike price, said Hardik Matalia, Derivative Analyst at Choice Broking. Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 witnessed a sustainable upmove on August 29 amidst high volatility and closed the day higher 99 points above the 25,100 level. The Nifty moved up to achieve its highest-ever closing following a volatile session. Besides, the index has undergone a brief consolidation breakout. The RSI is in a bullish crossover, indicating strong price momentum. In the short term, the index might move towards 25,300, with support on the lower end placed at 25,000, said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst, LKP Securities. VLA Ambala, Co-Founder of Stock Market Today suggests investors keep a cautious approach as Nifty is currently trading in an overbought zone, with RSI readings at 67 daily and 71 on the weekly timeframe, forming a bullish Marubozu candlestick pattern. She expects some potential correction in the next 3-6 months. However, I advise focusing on dip-buying opportunities and avoiding making decisions due to FOMO. Based on these aspects, the benchmark index Nifty can expect support levels between 25,070 and 25,000, while resistance could be noticed around 24,250 and 24,320 in today's session, Ambala said. Also Read | From RIL to Tata Motors Chandan Taparia suggests these stocks to buy on Aug 30 Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty index underperformed the frontliners and ended just 8.90 points higher at 51,152.75 on Thursday, forming a small-bodied candle on the daily chart. Bank Nifty continued its consolidation and traded in a narrow band of 51,350 - 51,000 with no clear direction. Currently, Bank Nifty is in no trade zone and only a close above 51,300 or below 50,900 will further set the direction for the index, said Aditya Agarwal, Head of Derivatives and Technical at Sanctum Wealth. Above 51,300, he expects the Bank Nifty index can move towards 51,800 / 52,200 levels, whereas on the lower side, 50,700 will be a strong support zone for Bank Nifty. Verdi, Germanys most powerful labor union, is making the unusual move of backing a private equity firms bid for Deutsche Bahns planned 14 billion sale of its Schenker logistics arm. After meeting with the two final suitors, Verdi estimated that 5,300 more jobs would be at risk if Deutsche Bahn were to sell the unit to Danish logistics company DSV A/S instead of a consortium around CVC Capital, according to documents seen by Bloomberg News and people familiar with the matter. If CVC were to take over, Schenker would continue to operate as one company. If DSV were to take over, DSV said the employees would be split between three companies, Verdi said in the letter sent Thursday to Deutsche Bahns supervisory board members. The union added that the supervisory board is strongly advised to work to preserve jobs. The unions preference for CVC is an example of private equitys reputational shift in Germany, where they were long derided as locusts for buying targets, cutting costs and then moving on. Representatives for Deutsche Bahn, CVC and DSV declined to comment on the sales process. Verdi couldnt be immediately reached. Reuters reported the unions letter earlier. The move comes ahead of a Deutsche Bahn steering committee meeting late next week that could make a recommendation ahead of a potentially decisive supervisory board meeting on Sept. 18, people familiar with the matter said. The privatization also comes at a tricky political time amid regional German elections in Saxony and Thuringia, in the former communist east, where the far-right Alternative for Germany could win the most votes in at least one of the nations 16 federal states for the first time. Such an outcome could intensify bickering within Chancellor Olaf Scholzs deeply unpopular ruling coalition and spur calls for an early election in Europes biggest economy. Both bidders have valued Schenker at about 14 billion, though with different structures, the people said. Deutsche Bahn is pushing the suitors to sweeten their bids, which it currently views as unsatisfactory, the people said. Under the current offers, Deutsche Bahn would get a higher upfront payment of the entire sum from DSV, people familiar with the matter said. DSV has also pledged to invest 1 billion over three to five years in the German infrastructure, terminals and offices of Schenker, one person said. A portion of CVCs purchase price hinges on Schenker meeting its own profit goals over the next few years, the people said. Under such a structure, also known as earn-out, the private equity firm has provided wiggle room for an earnings miss, as requested by Deutsche Bahn, some of the people said. CVC has provided a legal opinion that its 14 billion offer is equally attractive for Deutsche Bahn, they said. Verdi, in the letter seen by Bloomberg News, said that under DSVs ownership the headquarters of Schenker with around 2,300 employees are subject to layoff except 300 IT jobs. The union said its expectations are based on a conversation with DSV in July, in which the Danish logistics champion told them it will shut them down. In just over 8 months, DOMS Industries share price has surged by 219% from its initial public offering (IPO) price of 790. DOMS Industries share price debuted on the stock exchanges on December 20, 2023, at 1,400, representing a 77.2% increase from the issue price of 790. The stock price has been steadily increasing and has risen by 90% from its listing closing price of 1,326.05. DOMS Industries share price opened at 2,495 apiece on BSE, the stock touched an intraday high of 2,516.15, and an intraday low of 2,488.65. According to Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, DOMS Industries share prices have witnessed a correction this week, and today they are trading in a narrow range with low volumes. The stock has next support around 2,400 where a fresh buying could emerge, whereas on the upside, 2,650- 2,700 remains a selling zone. DOMS Industries is recognised as a leading manufacturer of stationery and art supplies in India, offering a diverse range of exquisitely crafted stationery and art products. The company markets its products under various brands such as FixyFix, C3, and Amariz, in addition to its main brand "DOMS." Its multi-channel distribution network covers over 50 countries worldwide, spanning across the US, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. On a national level, the company's products are available in all of India's 29 states and union territories. Also Read | DOMS Industries shares jump to all-time high after robust Q1 performance In early August, the company announced its Q1FY25 results. According to an exchange filing, the company's revenue from operations in Q1 FY25 increased by 17.3% to 445.0 crores compared to Q1FY24 and by 10.2% compared to the previous quarter, Q4FY24. The Q1FY25 profit after taxes (PAT) of the company increased by 49.5% to 54.3 crores compared to Q1FY24, and by 15.7% compared to Q4FY24. In Q1FY25, the PAT margin rose to 12.2% compared to 9.6% in Q1FY24 and 11.6% in Q4FY24. Should you buy? In a recent research, brokerage JM Financial recommended buying the stock, witha targetprice of 2,750. According to the brokerage's report, it is still confident in DOMS's execution skills, core business strengths, and TAM expansion initiatives (e.g., launching products with disruptive pricing (Markers, Adhesives, Pens, Geometry Box), collaborating with Clapjoy, launching the Tots range). These initiatives, when combined with capacity additions, will help DOMS grow faster than its competitors and the industry. Any sharp corrections should be used as opportunity to add in the name, the brokerage said. Nevertheless, the brokerage stated that DOMS's main challenge was to increase its distribution reach because, in comparison to other consumer categories, the coverage universe for stationery (around 300k, of which DOMS covers 125k) is very small. Obtaining shelf space and expanding in non-stationery stores is also challenging due to the low ticket size of stationery items. In The Lion & the Lily, Ira Mukhoty presents a revisionist account of the rise and fall of the nawabs of Awadh. For Mukhoty, the early nawabs of Awadh were not decadent wastrels who mismanaged state finances, as they were painted by the British, but were instead capable rulers who worked assiduously to transform Awadh into a leading centre of culture and prosperity. While this is hardly a novel argument, Mukhotys work differentiates itself from what came before through an ingenious use of sources and a narrative that is every bit as indulgent with its details as a nawabi dawat (feast). The Lion & the Lily broadly tells the story of the first four nawabs of Awadh. Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Ali Khan (reigned from 1722-39) turned the Mughal subah (state) of Awadh, to which he had been posted as nawab by the emperor as a punishment, into one of the empires wealthiest provinces, laying the foundations for his dynasty. When troubles in Delhi drove his successor Safdar Jang (reigned 1739-54) away from the imperial capital, Awadh became a de facto independent state. Awadh would reach the peak of its power under Shuja-ud-Daula (reigned 1754-75), whose armies decided the third battle of Panipat in 1761. Shuja-ud-Daulas dominant position in South Asia would be reversed less than three years later by the British East India Company (EIC), which inflicted a shocking defeat on Awadh at the battle of Buxar in 1764 and forced the state into an unsavoury alliance with the British. Instead of breaking Shuja-ud-Daulas spirit, defeat would spur the nawab to modernise the states military and finances as well as to build a splendid new capital at Faizabad to retain his independence. Following Shuja-ud-Daulas unexpected death in 1775, his son Asaf-ud-Daula (reigned 1775-1797) would emerge as a canny statesman, capable of balancing both British and native threats to his power and would make Awadh into a leading cultural centre of the Shia world. His death would mark the beginning of the end for Awadh as British aggression eroded the territory and the sovereignty of the state at the turn of the century leading eventually to the fateful rebellion of 1857. Also read: Peek into the bookshelves of chefs While nawabs are central to the book, it is also deeply concerned with two other influential groups among the Awadh elitesthe begums and the Europeans. Nawab Begum and Bahu Begum, Shuja-ud-Daulahs mother and wife, respectively, were easily this reviewers favourite characters in a book brimming with magnetic personalities. Both women presided over enormous fortunes, which they protected against all comers, and used shrewdly to buttress their authority in what was then, as now, a mans world. Mukhotys focus on the begums of Awadh should not be surprising to those familiar with her previous works which have always emphasised the key role women played in Indian societies. Awadh would also play host to several white firangis, including Antoine Polier, Jean-Baptiste Gentil, Claude Martin and William Palmer. These men made enormous fortunes, patronised architecture and the arts, and often had conflicted feelspendthrift nawabs but a means of asserting sovereignty. By spending money on dance, poetry, religious processions and monuments like the Bara Imambara, the nawabs were able to not only put state funds out of British reach but also invest extensively in their states. By Ira Mukhoty, Aleph Book Company, 504 pages, 999 Conspicuous cultural consumption was central to Indian traditions of kingship and endeared rather than alienated the nawabs to their people as seen by the violent reaction to the annexation of the state in 1856. Mukhoty further argues that the nawabs were able to carve out a sophisticated cultural space, which their disdainful British overlords could not access. The Lion & the Lily does have a few issues. The sheer amount of ground that the book covers means that chapter organisation is not always straightforward. For instance, a chapter on the impoverishment of Jean-Baptiste Gentil after his return to France precedes the chapter on his departure from Awadh leaving the reader in some confusion. The epilogue and prologue are both threadbare to the point of being superfluous. But these criticisms pale into insignificance given the scope of the book whose many tales and themes this review has barely scratched the surface of. It performs a laudable service in introducing the general reader to some of the most important debates on modernity in South Asia and beyond, without once using that word. Its refined prose and finely detailed narrative do credit to what was arguably 18th-century Hindustans most cultured state. Ever felt like the food at restaurants is almost too pretty to eat? Youre not the only one. Im all too familiar with the existential dread of biting into something beautiful, knowing well that Im demolishing the work of an enterprising chef who worked long and hard to present a delicious work of art on the plate. Of course, once its on your tongue, another kind of craft unfolds, but I get ahead of myself. About 10 years ago, scientists from Oxford used the old saying cooking is the art we eat" to test how diners reacted to food presented differently. The study, titled A Taste of Kandinsky, used Russian painter Wassily Kandinskys Painting Number 201 as inspiration to design a salad resembling the abstract artwork and explore how the presentation of food affects the dining experience. Sixty participants were given one of three salads containing identical ingredients, arranged either to resemble the Kandinsky painting, a regular tossed salad, or a neat" formation where each component was spaced away from the others. As you can guess, participants rated the Kandinsky-inspired salad higher for tastiness", suggesting the likelihood of them willing to pay a higher price for a dish that required more effort to put together. In the fine-dining world, its no secret that chefs have long been inspired by the works of great artists. Massimo Bottura, the much loved Italian chef who runs the Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, is known most famously for his Beautiful Psychedelic Veal, Not Flame-Grilled, a gastronomic masterpiece whose presentation draws from English artist Damien Hirsts iconic Veil paintings. In Alba, Enrico Crippa, an Italian chef helming Piazza Duomo, serves Panna Cotta Matisse, a nod to French artist Henri Matisses painting Lescargot. From Chicago, chef Grant Achatz of the three-Michelin starred Alinea, made waves years ago when he introduced his now-famous and often-replicated Paint dessert, which he serves on a canvas laid right on the table, and draws" the dessert together with diners. In Hong Kong, chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room uses her background in design to create visual and textural dishes, full of flavour. Lau trained in graphic design before venturing down the path of gastronomy, so she conceives her dishes as stories that can be eaten", drawing inspiration from Eastern and Western philosophies of art. For Tates autumn season menu, Lau presents a vibrant dish by encasing fresh crab and caviar within a white sphere, surrounded by swirls of vividly coloured oils. While connections and parallels are often drawn between art and fine dining, chefs in India look outside their windows to be inspired. At the now shuttered Smoke House Room, Delhi, chef Gresham Fernandes, who helms Bandra Born in Mumbai, created a dish named A Gathering of Mushrooms that mimicked the way fungi grow out of an edible log of wood in nature. At his most recent collaboration with Tresind Studio in Dubai, Fernandes and chef Himanshu Saini pulled from the great outdoors for creative plating ideas. Says Fernandes, Im heavily inspired by naturea lot of my presentation reflects how I make those connections in my head about how a dish looks and how its supposed to make you feel." At Bengalurus Farmlore, chef Johnson Ebenezer and team designed a series of dramatic-looking plates for a World Biodiversity Day menu in May, to raise awareness among guests about the need to protect the nine biodiversity spots across the globe. Farmlores plates evocatively mimic everything from forest fires to ocean oil spills to tell a larger story about the state of the planet. Seataphor, for example, is a metaphor for how we corrupt the ocean with plastic and oil spills, crafted creatively with Kochi snapper, edible plastic, spirulina blue algae and a charcoal oil slick. At Avatara, a vegetarian fine-dining space in Mumbai, chef Rahul Rana pulls from the Mahabharat for the dish Krishna Phal, which is crafted with passion fruit, spiced guava water, and strawberry chutney. It mirrors the natural beauty of the lotus and references the Pandavas and Krishna. Recently, Sage & Saffron founder and restaurateur Aditi Dugar launched a Raindrop" confection. Designed by Bangkok-based Thai patissier Dej Kewkacha, each palm-sized orb contains a single flower in the centre: sakura, rose, jasmine or orchid, made from gluten- and gelatin-free ingredients. In Indias regional dishes too, technique, design and craftsmanship dance together. The foremost example of this craftsmanship on a plate is arguably Bengals gohona bori. A crispy, savoury snack made by freehand designs of urad dal batter, bori is fashioned into edible pieces of jewellery, a sleight of hand skill thats passed on through generations of women. Gohona translates to jewellery in Bengali, a nod to the culinary art of creating earrings, pendants and tiaras to crunch into during a meal. So goes the story that when Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was presented with a box of gohona boris, he had them photographed and displayed as exhibits at the Kala Bhavana in Shantiniketan. Down south, in Karnataka, sakkare acchu or sugar candies made painstakingly with clarified sugar syrup, water and milk before being poured into intricate wood-carved moulds is another work of art that delights young children during Makar Sankranti. In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, ghughuti or jaggery-infused dough is conjured into oddball shapes and deep-fried. These fritters are strung into garlands with popcorn and oranges that children are made to wear. On Makar Sankranti, these edible garlands are fed to crows. Legend has it that the practice began to celebrate the humble crow when the clever bird saved a king from being murdered by alerting him of his ministers evil intentions. In India, where food is such a big part of how we express ourselves, theres a larger history linked to seasons, culture, tradition, femininity, storytelling and values embedded in our culinary legacy that goes beyond the look, form and presentation of a dish. What story does your plate hold today? Word of Mouth is a monthly column on dining out and dining well. Smitha Menon is a food journalist, Indias only 50 Best Tastehunter and the host of the Big Food Energy podcast. She posts at @smitha.men on Instagram. Also read: Peek into the bookshelves of chefs An Indian tax agency has found that British insurer Aviva breached local regulations capping commissions to sales agents with a system of fake invoices and clandestine cash payments, according to a notice seen by Reuters. In an attempt to grow operations, Aviva's India business paid about $26 million between 2017 and 2023 to entities who purportedly provided marketing and training services, according to the tax notice sent to Aviva, dated August 3. But the vendors, who did not perform any work, were actually a front for channeling funds to Aviva's agents, said the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, which is responsible for policing violations of indirect taxes. "Aviva and its officials have indulged in a deep-rooted conspiracy and used the modus of fake invoices (without receipt of services) to pass on certain money to ... insurance distributors of Aviva," investigators wrote in the notice. Details of the notice, which is not public, are reported by Reuters for the first time. Such "show cause" notices typically require companies to explain why authorities should not issue penalties for their alleged acts. The case is part of broader investigation into over a dozen Indian insurers for alleged evasion of $610 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. The roughly $26 million in fake invoices were used by Aviva incorrectly to claim tax credits and evade $5.2 million in taxes, the notice alleged. In response to Reuters' questions, a UK-based Aviva spokesperson said: "We do not comment on speculation or ongoing legal matters." Its Indian operations did not respond to queries. A person familiar with the matter told Reuters the company intends to rebut the notice's allegations but has not yet responded. The 205-page report included screenshots of emails and WhatsApp messages between Aviva executives and insurance distributors, in which they discussed ways to skirt compensation regulations. It also contained summaries of interviews conducted by tax officials with executives like Aviva India chief financial officer Sonali Athalye, who described how payments were made. Then-Aviva India chief executive Trevor Bull was copied on a 2019 email discussing payments over regulatory limits, which indicates "senior management of Aviva is also aware about this," investigators wrote. Bull and Athalye, as well as Indian tax and insurance authorities, did not respond to requests for comment. The company faces roughly $11 million in penalties, which is roughly its 2023 profit from selling life insurance in India. 'OVER RIDE COMMISSION' Aviva's India business is run in joint venture with Dabur Invest Corp., a prominent local firm. Aviva owns 74% of the business, after increasing its stake from 49% in 2022. Dabur did not respond to Reuters' questions. India is a relatively small market for Aviva, which reported global operating profit of nearly $2 billion in 2023. It faces intense competition from the likes of state-run LIC, which controls about two-thirds of the market. Nonetheless Aviva, which sells individual life insurance products and corporate plans in India, sees the world's most populous nation as a growth market. Data from India's insurance regulator show that life insurance premiums had a value equivalent to 3% of national GDP. The equivalent ratio in Britain is 8.1%. Aviva's tactics were an effort to "garner more business and market share," investigators wrote. India's insurance regulator in 2023 relaxed commission limits that had long been in place, but it previously capped commissions on new policies at between 7.5% and 40%, depending on the product. Renewal commissions were even lower. In the emails recovered by investigators, Aviva officials described paying commissions over regulatory limits as "ORC," which CFO Athalye told tax investigators last year stood for "Over Ride Commission" and was "interchangeably used with terms like marketing and sales promotion expenses." Vendors who generated fake invoices were given a cut of about 5% of the amount billed, according to investigators. An Aviva email from Nov. 2022 showed the company paid 17% commission in line with rules to one insurance distributor, but "committed" to a total payout of 75% "out of records by raising invoices from marketing and advertisement vendors." The email showed one Aviva executive seeking approval for ORC payments, with a table listing numbers for business generated, commission already paid, and pending ORC. Another executive responded: "Appended payout stands approved." In a separate Nov. 2022 email, an Aviva executive shared a spreadsheet detailing payments to a broker who generated business of $906,000 in a year and received official commission of $156,600, as well as ORC of $400,000. AGENT MENTORS, 10-RUPEE NOTE Aviva also hired 559 people that it called "agent mentors" to train sales agents. But no such services were provided: instead, the agent mentors issued fake invoices to Aviva to facilitiate excess commissions to agents, according to the notice. In at least one instance, an agent and agent mentor had familial ties. Arunachal Pradesh-based insurance agent Bymat Taloh told tax investigators in May that Aviva advised his family to appoint an agent mentor. His sister, Aina Mimum Taloh, took up that role. Aviva "suggested that as per company policy, agent mentor is required for disbursement of additional commission," the notice said, citing Bymat's testimony. Aina "did not perform any activity for Aviva as agent or agent mentor directly," investigators wrote. Reuters could not reach the siblings for comment. Aviva officials also facilitated payments by taking photos of 10-rupee bills and sending them to both vendors and insurance agents. After a series of racist posts against Indians, X has suspended the account of an anonymous user who goes by the name "Barry Stanton". The user, in the posts, brandished Indians as "smelly" and shared several racist cartoons depicting Indians defecating in the open. The racist user's distasteful posts included one where they lauded a post on how to drive Indians away from White neighbourhoods in the West. Barry Stanton, a pseudonym for an anonymous individual, exploited the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to disseminate racist content targeting Indians. Utilizing a verified X account with 184.7K followers, this person propagated hate speech against the Indian community. The account suspension followed numerous complaints about the offensive posts that began surfacing approximately two weeks prior. Also Read | US Supreme Court refuses to back Joe Bidens trans students protection rule Complaint to IB Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Numerous Indian users have taken action by reporting Stanton's account to the authorities, including the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Indian High Commission in the UK. An Indian user Akshit Singh shared screenshots of his email he wrote to Vaishnaw, and said, An email has been sent to Ashwini Vaishnaw, @MIB_India to withhold the account of Barry Stanton In India and one copy also has been sent to the UK high commission in India. Several other X users also stressed on the need for an investigation into the anonymous accounts activities and called it a platform for hate speech. Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform, had also been facing increasing pressure from Indians to suspend the account for violating community guidelines. Who is Barry Stanton? According to the bio on Barry Stantons X account, the user is a British national and a father of five. Barry Stanton may not be a real person, reports have suggested. A 2017 report by the British news website The New Statesman revealed that the images on Barry Stanton's account were appropriated from another individual, a retiree from Worcestershire. (Adds details from lawsuit, statement from Giuliani spokesman, paragraphs 2-3, 5, 8-9) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million judgment against Rudolph Giuliani filed a civil lawsuit against the onetime personal lawyer to Donald Trump, accusing him of trying to put his Florida luxury condominium beyond their reach. In a complaint on Friday, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea' "Shaye" Moss challenged Giuliani's July 13 declaration that the Palm Beach condominium was his new primary residence. They called it a "brazen" attempt by the former New York City mayor to benefit from a Florida law shielding a person's "homestead" from court judgments. Giuliani made the declaration one day after a federal judge dismissed his bankruptcy case, which had protected him from the $148 million judgment. Citing statements on his daily internet broadcasts, Freeman and Moss said Giuliani has since lived mainly or entirely elsewhere, and is only pretending to live in Florida to evade accountability for his actions. "He is trying to 'toy with' Florida's homestead exemption to shield a multi-million dollar asset from his creditors," they said in their complaint filed in Manhattan federal court. Freeman and Moss want court permission to enforce an Aug. 8 lien against Giuliani's condominium and, if they choose, seize and sell the property. Giuliani also has a home in Manhattan. "The appeal of the objectively unreasonable $148 million verdict hasn't even been heard, yet opposing counsel continues to take steps designed to harass and intimidate the mayor," Giuliani's spokesman Ted Goodman said in an email. "This lawsuit has always been designed to censor and bully the mayor, and to deter others from exercising their right to speak up and to speak out," Goodman added. Last December, a Washington jury ordered Giuliani to pay the $148 million to Freeman and Moss, who said he defamed them and destroyed their reputation through lies that they tried to help steal the 2020 U.S. presidential election from Trump. Giuliani, 80, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the following week. The federal judge overseeing that case dismissed it after finding that Giuliani failed to provide a complete picture of his finances and to meet court deadlines. That dismissal, which Giuliani also sought, eliminated the possibility a trustee could take over his finances and freed him to appeal the $148 million judgment, but also removed legal protections from creditors like Freeman and Moss. KITTERY, Maine (AP) A family of three had recently moved into a duplex in Troy, New Hampshire, before violence erupted with the father fatally shooting his wife and their 8-year-old son before a standoff on a bridge in which the father was shot by troopers and fell 100 feet (30 meters) into the water below, police said. Police identified the deceased on Friday as Brittany and Trent Weston, both 37, and their son, Benson. Officials said mother and son died from multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by Trent Weston, who was shot multiple times by troopers. Two New Hampshire troopers and a Maine trooper fired their weapons Thursday morning when Trent Weston raised his gun after getting out of his car, which he'd parked on the Piscataqua Bridge that connects New Hampshire and Maine. The police shooting happened after failed attempts by law enforcement to negotiate with Trent Weston, officials said. The tragedy began with police in New Hampshire going to the Weston home and discovering Brittany Weston's body after her husband called 911 to report that they'd argued and that she was dead. It ended about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away on the Interstate 95 bridge between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. The Coast Guard recovered Trent Weston's body from the Piscataqua River. The Portland Press Herald reported that police scanner traffic indicated Trent Weston tossed a box off the bridge before he was killed, but a state police spokesperson had no comment on that on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the formation of a cyclone over the north Arabian Sea, off the coast of Gujarat, on Friday, August 30. The deep depression that has caused torrents of rain over Gujarat for the past three days is likely to move west wards along the coast of Pakistan and Iran. In the upcoming 12 hours, the depression would emerge into the northeast Arabian Sea off Kutch and adjoining Saurashtra and Pakistan coasts and intensify into a cyclonic storm, the IMD stated in its latest release. Cyclone Asna: Key points to know Once the depression intensifies into a cyclonic storm, it will be named Cyclone Asna. Pakistan provided the name, which means he one to be acknowledged or praised in Urdu. According to meteorological scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy, Gujarat, and particularly Saurashtra and Kutch, will continue to witness extremely heavy rainfall. Cyclone Asna would be the first cyclone to form in August in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) region since 1981 and the first in the Arabian Sea since 1976, stated a report by an environmental magazine Down To Earth (DTE), citing IMD data. As of August 29, the deep depression was located 60 km northwest of Bhuj and 80 km northeast of Naliya in Gujarat, bringing heavy rains to the state. According to a senior IMD official, the deep depression will find more favourable conditions to intensify into what will be named Cyclone Asna.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 the Arabian Sea. It will get energy from the ocean and get refuelled. Wind shear is low. The Madden-Julian Oscillation is in a favourable position. Circumstances are favourable for intensification over the Arabian Sea, said the official. The formation of the cyclone can be attributed to the changes in the wind patterns in the monsoon season and the moisture that the winds have drawn from the land and the Arabian Sea, as mentioned in the DTE report. After the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized assets worth 834 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case involving former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and EMAAR-MGF, the veteran Congress leader said on Friday that he has nothing to do with this case. Bhupinder Hooda said: It's an old case, I have nothing to do with this. Also Read | EC notice to Haryana BJP for featuring child in assembly poll campaign video On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate attached the properties, spanning 401.65 acres and valued at 834.03 crore, located in 20 villages near Gurugram and Delhi. The attached assets include those of EMAAR India Ltd, valued at approximately 501.13 crore, and MGF Developments Ltd, valued at around 332.69 crore. Also Read | Haryana MLA Kiran Choudhry, daughter Shruti quit Congress to join BJP Both EMAAR and MGF Developments are being probed for money laundering in connection with license No. 97/2010, dated September 18, 2010, obtained from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) for a residential plotted colony in Sector-65 and 66 of Gurugram. The agency initiated the investigation following an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Bhupinder Singh Hooda, then-director of DTCP Trilok Chand Gupta, 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. Gujarat floods: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the coastal state, already reeling from the massive devastation due to heavy downpours and flooding, will likely witness moderate to heavy rainfall today. The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall for Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions on Friday. The weather forecasting agency issued an orange alert for districts like Jamnagar, Porbandar, Dwarka, etc, for Friday, August 30. Here is a complete update on the IMD's weather forecast for Gujarat. Gujarat weather today -Several parts of the state are likely to witness moderate rain accompanied by thundershowers on Friday, August 30. The weather forecasting agency has also issued a warning for Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall till August 31. -In the wake of a cyclonic storm warning for the district, Kutch Collector Amit Arora issued a public advisory for the locals. Light to Moderate rain/thundershowers very likely at most places in all the districts of Gujarat region, namely Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Anand, Panchmahal, Dahod, Mahisagar, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dang, Tapi, Navsari, Valsad and in Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli, he said. - IMD, in its latest weather bulletin, said, At most places in all the districts of Saurashtra Kutch, namely Surendranagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Botad, Kutch and in Diu. -The IMD has issued an orange alert for the districts of Saurashtra-Kutch, namely Jamnagar, Porbandar, Dwarka and in Kutch. -Other districts of the region, including Rajkot, Junagadh, Morbi, etc., are kept under yellow alert. In isolated places, these districts are likely to receive heavy rains. The weather forecasting agency has issued yellow and orange alert for a few Gujarat districts today. -The deep depression, lying 60 km northwest of Bhuj and 80 km northeast of Naliya, is moving at the speed of 3 km/hour. The deep depression is likely to bring extremely heavy rainfall in Saurashtra and Kutch, according to IMD Scientist Ramashray Yadav."The districts covered under this are Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Junagarh, Dwarka, and Kutch. Tomorrow, a heavy rainfall warning will be issued for Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Swarka, and Kutch districts," ANI quoted Yadav. -The rescue operation is underway in several areas hit by flooding and heavy rainfall. Following a request from the Gujarat government, six columns of the Indian Army have been deployed to conduct rescue operations in the worst-affected areas. A young male actor has accused Kerala film-maker Ranjith of sexual assault and has filed a complaint against him, according to ANI, citing Kerala Police. The accusation comes amid a controversy sparked by the Hema Committee report, which shed light on the pervasive sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. According to the news agency ANI, Ranjith invited the victim to a hotel in Bangalore for an audition. However, the young male actor was allegedly assaulted. Ranjith asked him to strip naked and later assaulted him. The victim thought he was invited to an audition but later realised the situation. ANI reported, citing Kerala Police, that the male actor has filed a complaint with the DGP, and SIT will consider it. The victim claimed that the next day after the incident, Ranjith offered money to the actor. Justice Hema Committee report The Kerala government constituted the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress assault case. The Hema Committee report made shocking revelations about sexual harassment and exploitation cases in the Malayalam cinema industry. Also Read | Kerala: Special team to probe atrocities faced by women in Malayalam cinema The panel report, which was formed by a committee comprising Kerala High Court Judge Justice K. Hema, veteran actress Sarada, and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari, is based on the atrocities against women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee report was finally released a few weeks ago, leading to massive criticism of the Kerala government. Since the Hema Committee report went public, several women actors, and now even a male actor, have come forward and shared their harrowing experiences of sexual harassment. Many have made allegations against some well-known faces of Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. The father of the Kolkata rape and murder victim reacted to the purported audio clips of his first three conversations with a staff member of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which went viral on Thursday. In his reaction to the audio clips, the father of the 31-year-old victim declined to take responsibility for the leaked conversations. "We don't know from where, how it [the phone conversation between the family and the assistant superintendent of the hospital] went viral. We will not take responsibility for it," the father was quoted by ANI. When asked if the voice on the phone was his, the victim's father said, You say so, but I do not see it. This issue will not affect the investigation. The viral audio clips In the audio clips that surfaced on social media on Thursday, a woman can be heard identifying herself as the assistant superintendent of the hospital. She was heard speaking with the parents and informing them about their daughter's suicide. The clips purportedly captured the first three conversations between the parent of the medical intern victim and a representative of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the trainee doctor's body was found on August 9 this year. LiveMint could not verify the authenticity of the audio clips. In the recording of the first purported phone conversation, the caller told the victims father: Your daughter is very sick and has been admitted to the hospital. Can you come fast? When the father asked what had happened, the woman said, She is unwell. The doctors can say what has happened to her. We found your number, and thats why we are calling to inform you. "Is her condition very serious?" the father's voice was heard asking. "Yes, she is very serious. Come quickly," was the response from the other end. The call lasted for a minute and 11 seconds, news agency PTI reported. The second phone call arrived some five minutes later. It was perceptively from the same caller, and she was heard saying, Her condition is critical, very critical. Please come over as soon as you can. When the father asked the woman to reveal her identity, the caller said, I am the assistant superintendent. I am not a doctor. We have brought your daughter to the emergency ward. You please come over and contact us. But what could have happened to her? She was on duty, a panic-stricken mother's voice can be heard in the background. "You come over quickly, as soon as you can," was the reply. The second call lasted for about 46 seconds. The third and final call was the one which pronounced the death of the victim, albeit with a twist. "Yes, please listen we were repeatedly telling you before your daughter may have died by suicide or she may have passed away. The police are here. All of us from the hospital are here. We are calling you to ask you to come down quickly," the apparently same voice from the first two calls announced in disjointed sentences. The final call lasted for 28 seconds. Kolkata rape and murder case The 31-year-old 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 (CBI) is probing the case and the alleged financial irregularities at the hospital. CBI officials earlier conducted the polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the crime. The CBI also conducted the second round of polygraph tests on Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A top Kolkata Police official stated on Friday that they had reviewed the viral audio clips and denied calling the incident a suicide. Never said that it was a suicide, police said. The official was referring to the rape and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. "We heard some audio clips that were rolled by many channels...No such comments have been made by Kolkata Police. We never said that it was a suicide," Indira Mukherjee, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Central Division, said. Mukherjee's comment came after an audio clip purportedly recording the first three conversations between parents of the trainee doctor and a staff of the Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital surfaced on social media on Thursday. The phone conversation was purportedly between the family and the assistant superintendent of the hospital. The 'suicide' call Mint could not independently verify the authenticity of of the viral audio clip. It, however, matched with what the deceased doctor's parents earlier claimed about receiving the first information from a woman who identified herself as an assistant superintendent of the hospital, the Hindustan Times reported. The caller, a woman who identified herself as the assistant superintendent of the hospital but didn't reveal her name, reportedly dialed the parents of the victim from the same number thrice within a span of around 30 minutes asking their urgent presence at the facility. The conversation in Bangla was transcribed by news agency PTI as follows: "I am calling from RG Kar hospital. Can you come over immediately?" the caller could be heard telling the victim's father when he picked his phone the first time around 10.53 that morning. The father responded, "Why? What has happened?" To this, the caller replied, "Your daughter has fallen a little ill. We are admitting her in the hospital. Can you come down quickly?" When the parent insisted on more details, the caller was heard saying, "Those details only doctors can provide. We only managed to find your number and call you. Please come down quickly. The patient has been admitted after falling ill. The rest, the doctors will brief you after you arrive." The worried mother of the victim could be heard asking from the background, "Is she running a fever?" Also Read | IMA suspends membership of former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh "Come over quickly," was the caller's reply. "Is her condition very serious?" the father's voice was heard asking. "Yes, she is very serious. Come quickly," was the response from the other end. The call lasted for a minute and 11 seconds. The second phone call, which lasted for about 46 seconds, arrived some five minutes later. It was perceptively from the same caller and she was heard saying, "Her condition is critical, very critical. Please come over as soon as you can." To a desperate appeal from the father asking what happened to his daughter, the voice at the other end repeated, "Only doctors can say that. You please come over." When the father asked her to reveal her identity, the caller said, "I am the assistant superintendent. I am not a doctor. We have brought your daughter to the emergency ward. You please come over and contact us." "But what could have happened to her? She was on duty," a panic-stricken mother's voice could be heard in the background. "You come over quickly, as soon as you can," was the reply. The third and final call was the one which pronounced the death of the victim, albeit with a twist. "Yes, please listen we were repeatedly telling you before your daughter may have died by suicide or, she may have passed away. The police are here. All of us from the hospital are here. We are calling you to ask you to come down quickly," the apparently same voice from the first two calls announced in disjointed sentences. The final call lasted for 28 seconds. The clear changes in the hospital's statement, from the victim "falling a little ill" to "very critical and admitted in emergency ward" to, finally, "may have died by suicide" have left the investigators to question whether "a carefully planned suicide plot was being hatched by the hospital authorities and police to cover up the crime", an official told news agency PTI. The Kolkata Police on Friday rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) claims that the crime scene at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was tampered with. The CBI had asserted that the seminar hall at RG Kar, where the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor intern was allegedly raped and murdered earlier this month, was altered. The probing agency, during a Supreme Court hearing, said the crime scene had been tampered with and the victim's family was deceived into believing that their daughter's death was a suicide. However, the Kolkata Police has rejected the CBI's claims and said that all the individuals at the scene, as seen in the viral photograph, were "fully authorised" to be there. Several people can be seen at the crime scene in the viral picture. "We are talking about the photo in question. The area is cordoned off. The body is behind it," Indira Mukherjee, DCP Central, Kolkata Police was quoted as saying by India Today. "All the people who are in the picture are a part of the investigation team," she added. The Kolkata Police stated that the photograph in question was captured on August 9, following the completion of the inquest. In photos accessed by India Today, the Kolkata Police marked the people present at the scene to clearly indicate that they were a part of the investigation team. At the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, flagged the delay in the filing of the FIR. "The most shocking fact is that the first FIR was registered at 11:45 pm after cremation. The parents were told it was a suicide, then death and then friends of the doctor at the hospital insisted on videography. They also suspected something was amiss," Mehta said. Malayalam film industry Me Too: The Kerala Police have registered a second case of sexual assault against Malayalam film actor Jayasurya, less than two days after the first case of sexual misconduct was registered against him on August 28, PTI reported. The police told the news agency that the new FIR has been registered under Sections 354 and 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These sections deal with assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty; and voyeurism, respectively. The case was registered on August 29 at Karamana police station in Thiruvananthapuram based on the complaint by an actress, as per the report. The complainant alleged that Jayasurya molested her at a movie set near Thodupuzha during 2012-2013. Meanwhile, in the first case, the cantonment police in Thiruvananthapuram confirmed to PTI on August 29 that a case under the same section was registered against Jayasurya. Also Read | Kerala police registers FIR against actors Mukesh and Jayasurya Malayalam film industry's Me Too moment Multiple FIRs have been registered against a number of high-profile Malayalam film industry personalities after the Justice K Hema Committee report revealed wide-scale allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors, the report noted. Late on August 29, a rape case was registered against prominent Malayalam actor and ruling CPI(M) MLA Mukesh based on an actress' complaint alleging that he sexually assaulted her years ago. Before that, on August 28, Thiruvananthapuram Museum police booked actor Siddique for allegedly raping an actress in a hotel eight years ago. Following this, Siddique resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The first case, under IPC Section 354, was against director Ranjith based on a complaint by an actress from West Bengal about an incident in 2009. After the news broke, Ranjith resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy. Justice K Hema Committee Report, Probe The Justice Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case. The report, released this month, revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film 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 (SIT) to probe them. Subsequently, more complaints surfaced. Also Read | Mohanlal, 17 others step down from AMMA amid sexual harassment allegations Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the ethnic violence in the restive state was gradually subsiding and promised to fully restore peace in six months with the help of the central government. However, the chief minister rejected the Kuki groups' demand for a separate administration saying that the state cant be broken. The clashes between the Kuki-zo and Meiti ethnic groups in the state since May 2023 have claimed 226 lives. Singh, in an exclusive interview with PTI, said the roots of the conflict trace back to his initial tenure as chief minister from 2017 to 2022 when he aggressively targeted illegal drug trafficking and migration from neighbouring Myanmar. He suggested that those affected by his crackdown retaliated by trying to undermine his administration and the state's stability, fueling clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The Kukis, who predominantly reside in the hills and are Christian, contrast with the Meiteis, who are primarily Hindu and live in the plains and valleys. State cant be broken, Singh on Kuki's demand for a separate state Noting that Kuki's demand for a separate state cannot be accepted as Manipur is a small, hardworking state, Singh said that our forefathers have a history of 2,000 years and many sacrifices were made to make the state. This state cant be broken or have a separate administration. We will not allow this, the chief minister stated. However, Singh said, one can look at what can be done through the autonomous councils with a focus on development. He added that it is very important to develop hill areas, for which he will request the central government to give a special package. Peace to be restored in next 6 months: Singh Singh is, however, hopeful that the government will be able to fully restore peace in the state in six months with the Centre's help. He revealed for the first time that he has appointed an emissary to hold talks with Kuki-zo and Meitei leaders. "All this can be solved with dialogue. Dialogue is the only way, Singh said. He identified the emissary as Dinganglung Gangmei, a Naga MLA and the chairman of the Hill Area Committee. Asked what kind of a deadline he has fixed for himself to restore peace, Singh indicated that along with dialogue, the central government's involvement -- either through the home ministry or other agencies -- will be critical in bringing peace. I don't think it will stretch long. Within 5-6 months peace should return. It is our hope and I am also confident, said Singh Also Read | Manipur violence: Amit Shah says MHA will talk to both Meiteis and Kukis The Malayalam film industry is currently facing a scandal involving accusations of sexual harassment made by several women actors against well-known individuals in the industry. Male actor files complaint against Ranjith In a first, an aspiring male actor lodged a complaint against director Ranjith, saying that the director forced him to strip naked and sexually assaulted him. According to the actor, in 2012, Ranjith invited him to a hotel in Bangalore for an audition, during which the alleged assault occurred. The actor initially thought the act was part of the audition. The following morning, Ranjith allegedly offered him money. The actor has now filed a complaint with the DGP, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to probe the allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry will review the case. Earlier this week, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra also filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police against film director Ranjith. Police find evidence against Siddique A sexual assault case has been filed against South Indian actor Siddique by a woman actor, who claimed that he assaulted her in 2016. According to recent reports, the police have uncovered significant evidence against the actor, which may lead to his arrest. The junior actor alleged that, in January or February 2016, Siddique invited her to a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and sexually assaulted her. Police investigations have revealed that the actor was staying at the Mascot Hotel during the time frame cited in the complaint. Hotel records confirm that Siddique checked in on January 28, 2016. Authorities have obtained documentation of the actor's stay, including entries in the hotel's visitor log and records related to a film preview. Statements have been taken from hotel staff who were present at the time, as well as from the complainants parents. Second FIR against Jayasurya The Kerala Police have registered a second sexual assault case against Malayalam film actor Jayasurya within a span of 48 hours, following a fresh complaint from a woman actor alleging sexual misconduct, in addition to the existing case registered against him on August 28. 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. Protests raged in Kerala on Friday with the Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, accusing the CPI(M)-led government of shielding the culprits, including actor-politician Mukesh, who also stands accused of rape. Mahila Congress activists in Kochi and Kollam took to the streets, demanding the resignation of CPI(M) MLA Mukesh and a thorough investigation into the shocking allegations of sexual misconduct made by female actors in the Malayalam film industry to the Justice Hema Committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Vadhvan Port project on Friday, August 30. The Vadhvan Port is set to be operational by 2030. Vadhvan Port is located in the Palghar district of Maharashtra and is India's largest deep-water port. Its investment is 76,220 crore. The port is strategically located 150 km from Mumbai and will have a capacity of 300 mta with 9 container terminals and 4 multipurpose berths. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Maharashtra Maritime Board will hold 74 per cent and 26 per cent shares of the construction costs for the Vadhvan Port project. This project will include developing core infrastructure, terminals, and other commercial infrastructure through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The port aims to boost Indias connectivity with Central Asia and Russia through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It is estimated that the Vadhvan Port will lower some pressure on Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the largest container-handling port in India. The Vadhvan port will connect the Dedicated Freight Corridors with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. According to the government, the port will add 1 per cent of GDP to Maharashtra's economy and generate 12 lakh direct jobs and one crore indirect jobs. Also Read | Indian Navy forms joint committee to probe damage to Chhatrapati Shivaji statue Additionally, the government conceived the port as a green port. It aims to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship to support Indias blue economy and ensure the economic and social development of coastal communities in Maharashtra, the government said. Also Read | Port workers call off strike, agree to revised wage structure "... In 2020, a decision was also taken to build a port here. But after that the government changed and no work was done here for 2.5 years. This project alone is estimated to bring an investment of several lakh crore rupees here. About 12 lakh employment opportunities will be created here. Who had objections to this development of Maharashtra? Who were these people who did not want the youth of Maharashtra to get employment? Some people want to keep Maharashtra behind, whereas our NDA Government, Mahayuti Government, wants to take Maharashtra to the forefront in the country, PM Modi said. A cyclone is currently forming over the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat, marking a rare meteorological event. Historically, only three cyclonic storms have emerged over the Arabian Sea in August. An IMD meteorologist highlighted this rarity, noting, "Development of cyclonic storms in the month of August over the Arabian Sea is a rare activity," as quoted by PTI. As per the IMD, this will be the first cyclonic storm to develop over the Arabian Sea in August since 1976 Will it affect the Indian coast? IMD said that this cyclone is expected to emerge over the Arabian Sea on August 30 and travel towards the Oman coast. As per the weather department, said the deep depression over Saurashtra and Kutch is likely to move west-southwestwards and emerge over the northeast Arabian Sea off Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts and intensify into a cyclonic storm on Friday. In a post shared by the IMD on August 29, it wrote, DD over Kachchh & & adjoining areas of Northeast Arabian Sea and Pakistan,about 90 km west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat). To move westward, emerge into NortheastArabian Sea and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on 30th Aug. It would continue to move nearly west-southwest over Northeast Arabian Sea away from Indian coast in next 2 days What is the name of the cyclone? The cyclone will be called, Cyclone Asna, a name suggested by Pakistan, once it strengthens into a cyclonic storm. All about the previous rare phenomena The weather office said that in 1976, the cyclone developed over Odisha, moved west-northwestwards, emerged into the Arabian Sea, made a looping track and weakened over the northwest Arabian Sea near the Oman coast. New Delhi: Veteran IAS officer TV Somanathan officially assumed the role of cabinet secretary for the government on Friday, succeeding Rajiv Gauba who retired. Somanathan, an Indian Administrative Service officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre of the 1987 batch, played a key role in the implementation of the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, a relief package for the poor, and Atmanirbhar Bharat schemes during the pandemic. Somanathan holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Calcutta University and has completed the executive development programme at Harvard Business School, the government said in a statement on Friday. Additionally, he is a fully qualified chartered accountant, cost accountant, and company secretary. The government's move to select a career IAS officer from his home state cadre is timely, especially as India aims to achieve an $800 billion trade target in the current fiscal year, contributing to the government's ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy in the next couple of years. Somanathan, who ranked second in the 1987 Civil Services Examination, took over from 1982-batch officer Gauba, who held the post since 30 August 2019. Gauba, the longest-serving cabinet secretary, completed a five-year term upon his retirement. Somanathan will be cabinet secretary for two years. Also Read: IAS officer TV Somanathan appointed Cabinet Secretary of India. Who is he? Among his achievements, Somanathan played a key role in implementing fiscal reforms, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, while serving as joint secretary in the Prime Minister's Office in 2017. He worked as joint secretary in the ministry of corporate affairs. His experience extends to the international arena, where he was appointed director of corporate affairs at the World Bank in Washington D.C. Somanathan was previously finance secretary and secretary of the department of expenditure. His tenure in Tamil Nadu was marked by significant roles, including managing director of the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., secretary to the chief minister, and additional chief secretary & commissioner of commercial taxes during the implementation of GST. He served as commissioner for disciplinary proceedings and played a crucial role in the financial and operational aspects of the Chennai metro rail project. Somanathan's career at the World Bank began in 1996 through the Young Professionals Program, where he worked as a financial economist in the East Asia & Pacific Regional Vice Presidency. He later became one of the youngest sector managers at the Bank, overseeing the Budget Policy Group. From 2011 to 2015, he served as director, reflecting his significant contributions to global economic and financial policies. Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammed Yunus, on Wednesday, withdrew a ban on the countrys largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, imposed in the final days of the rule of the now-ousted Sheikh Hasina. According to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh, the authorities did not find any specific evidence of involvement of Jamaat-e-Islami and its associated organisation, Islami Chhatra Shibir's involvement in any violent or subversive activities, reported Bloomberg. Earlier, on August 1, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government issued a notification banning the party under anti-terrorism laws. Why was Jamaat-e-Islami banned A party with millions of supporters, the Jamaat-e-Islami, was banned from contesting the 2013 polls after High Court judges ruled that the party's charter violated the secular constitution of the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami party had been imposed during the last days of Sheikh Hasina's governance to restrict the protesters during the student uprising in July. 'No moral ground' Meanwhile, a law advisor from Bangladesh, Asif Nazrul, commented that the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League did not ban the party on any moral grounds. We can't be part of that narrative, said the advisor, reported TOI. Also Read | Young officers in Bangladeshs army persuaded chiefs to back protesters The report further mentioned that Nazrul said various sections had demanded the Jamaat be banned for the last 15 years. Still, the Awami League did not ban it then and imposed the ban at a special moment during the student protests. Formation of Jamaat-e-Islami The Islamist party was formed during British colonial rule in undivided India in 1941. The party had opposed Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan and sided with the Pakistani troops during the Liberation War. Michael Lamjathang Haokip, a BJP leader and member of the Thadou community, has filed a formal complaint against 15 people who were "directly or indirectly" involved in the Sunday attack on his residence. In the FIR, Haokip also named two people who allegedly urged members of a WhatsApp group to kill him, NDTV reported. According to the report, in the FIR, one of these individuals offered "village land" as a reward for anyone who kills Haokip. Haokips residence at Peniel village in Churachandpur district was attacked on Sunday night, hours after he participated in a panel discussion, "Kuki supremacy and its agenda", on a local TV channel. Coming back to the FIR, Haokip told NDTV that he included printouts of WhatsApp group conversation screenshots that displayed discussions about his murder. In the screenshot, one person wrote, "SA (separate administration) will not be acceptable without killing LJT (Lamjathang) first, even if the central government is willing to grant us," while another had written, "I promise to give my village land if anyone kills Lamjathang." Moreover, he also informed NDTV that the police and cyber cell will verify the phone numbers with service providers and if needed, request help from central anti-terror cybersecurity experts. Manipur CM condemns attack Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the attack on the residence of the by armed miscreants in Churachandpur district. He said that legal action will be initiated against the culprits. "The attack on the family members of Micheal Lamjathang, a leader of the Thadou community, one of the oldest among the ethnic tribes of Manipur as well as a BJP spokesperson, by vandalizing his house was an act of cowardice," he said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Thadou is one of the largest sub-tribes of Kukis.A number of related tribes are collectively called Kuki or Kuki Zo community, members of which mostly live in the hill districts of the northeastern state. Meitei community members are the majority residents of the Imphal Valley region. Ethnic violence between them and the Kukis has left over 200 people dead since May last year and rendered thousands homeless. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the states top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures well more than the approximately 86,000 needed for each of two petitions: one that would allow marijuana for medical use and the other to regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state. Signatures must also be collected from 5% of the registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties to qualify for the ballot. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said his office has so far verified more than 89,000 signatures for each and that both petitions met the 5% threshold in 51 counties. Its the third effort by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to get the issue on the ballot. In 2020, the group came close after meeting signature requirements. But opponents sued, arguing that it violated state rules requiring ballot measures to focus on a single question. Instead, they argued, the measure posed two separate questions: whether residents should have the right to use marijuana for medical purposes, and whether private companies should be allowed to grow and sell it. The state Supreme Court sided with the efforts opponents and prevented it from going to voters. In 2022, with only months to do so, organizers failed to collect enough signatures to get the question on the November ballot. Dozens of states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use, most recently in Ohio last November. This fall, voters will weigh in on legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota, South Dakota and Florida. As technology innovation has outpaced regulation, governments around the world are finding it challenging to deal with the network effects of apps. Founders such as Telegrams Pavel Durov are an easy target. Mint explains. Why was Durov arrested? Durov, 39, was detained in France and later released from police custody under conditions that he cant leave the country. He was accused of failing to take action against harmful posts by users of the encrypted messaging app. That includes drug-trafficking, fraud, fakes, cyber-bullying and organised crime. In 2006, Durov founded VKontakte, dubbed Russian Facebook, which became Russias largest social networking site. In 2014, he left Russia after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition networks on VKontakte. In 2013, Durov launched Telegram, with user- privacy as its hallmark. Have there been other such cases? There have been quite a few in the last couple of decades. Mike Lynch, the UKs first software billionaire, was arrested in the US where he fought a long legal battle with authorities over the sale of his venture to HP. Lynch was cleared of all the charges. He died last week in a yacht accident in Italy, while celebrating his release. John McAfee, founder of the antivirus software company McAfee, was arrested in Spain in 2020 and was awaiting extradition to the US at the time of his death in 2021. Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested in the UK in 2019 and released in June this year. Why are tech founders being hounded? Governments have found it challenging to deal with the network effects of apps, tech products and platforms. Encrypted messaging runs up against authorities demanding access to conversations. Messaging app Telegram has 900 million users and promises encrypted chats. Having started in Russia, its rise has been viewed with suspicion in Europe. Is it all to do with politics? The arrests of global geeks highlight the complex intersections between technology, law and freedom of speech. The Ukraine war makes anything that originated in Russia suspect in Europe. Assange was freed after he struck a plea bargain, pleading guilty to a felony charge, with strong support from his native Australia. Fairness takes second place to realpolitik. Equally, such high-profile incarcerations can be deeply embarrassing for democracies that profess freedom of speech. Should global geeks worry? On Durovs arrest, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, posted on X, Its 2030 in Europe and youre being executed for liking a meme." But Telegram has been under the scanner in Europe for allegedly failing to stop criminal activity. After leaving Russia (as the government pursued him), Durov adopted a nomadic lifestyle, in search of secure locations". After Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco, he chose Dubai as Telegrams headquarters. He now lives in Dubai and holds dual citizenship of France and the UAE. * Power outages hit Caracas, Venezuelan states * Blackout disrupts key facilities, including major oil terminal * Government blames opposition without providing evidence (Adds oil operations status in paragraphs 7-8, opposition response in paragraphs 15-16) CARACAS/BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela, Aug 30 (Reuters) - P ower began to return to some parts of Venezuela on Friday afternoon after capital Caracas and much of the rest of the country were earlier plunged into a blackout that the government blamed on sabotage by the opposition, without providing evidence. President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a dispute with the opposition over the outcome of a July 28 presidential election, often blames what he says are "attacks" on the power grid on his political rivals, accusations the opposition has always denied. All 24 of the country's states reported a total or partial loss of electricity supply, Freddy Nanez, the minister of communication and information, said on state television early on Friday morning. "We have been victims once again of electrical sabotage," he said. He gave no evidence of a deliberate attack. By about 1pm local time (1600 GMT), power had returned to some parts of western city Maracaibo, central city Valencia, eastern city Puerto Ordaz and capital Caracas, according to Reuters witnesses. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state television on Friday morning that power would return gradually, beginning with the capital. The blackout hit some operations of state oil company PDVSA, including its largest terminal, Jose, where vessel loading and discharging was interrupted by the outage, according to sources and a shipping document seen by Reuters. A key oil upgrader that produces exportable crude, Petropiar, was also affected. About 70% of Venezuela's oil exports are handled through Jose, which does not have its own power system. Most of U.S. firm Chevron's Venezuelan crude exports go out from Petropiar. PDVSA's Caracas headquarters lost power but the company's largest refining complex Paraguana was unaffected, as its own power plant was in service, the sources said. In Venezuela's largest oil region, the Orinoco Belt, the impact of the blackout was minimal as many oilfields and operations have their own generators, sources said. QUICK REACTION In the western city of Barquisimeto, residents were stocking up on gasoline and food. Lawyer Alexa Rivas, 29, avoided what she said were five kilometer (three mile)-long lines at urban gas stations by driving to a service station outside the city. "I can't be without gasoline, I have a 3-year-old boy and my mom is 70, I need to have reserves for any emergency," she said. "We've lived through two national blackouts, it makes us very nervous." Venezuela last suffered national blackouts in 2019, with some lasting as long as three days. Authorities also attributed those power outages to attacks on the network - such as damage to power lines - by saboteurs and opponents of Maduro's government. Critics have long blamed power cuts on deteriorating infrastructure amid the country's fiscal woes. Major opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa scoffed at the sabotage accusations on Friday. "This narrative isn't believed by even the most radical Chavistas," Guanipa said on X, referring to loyalists of the ruling socialists. In Caracas, workers gathered outside office buildings in the central Plaza Venezuela in the morning, awaiting instructions from bosses about whether or not to go home. Bakery worker Alejandro Rondon, 25, said the store's card payment machine was still working and he was selling what he could. "We can't make anything today because the ovens aren't working. My fear is for the yeast, which needs to be cold," he said. Services on the city's metro were halted and had been replaced by more than 250 buses, Transport Minister Ramon Velasquez said. About 79 public hospitals were open to patients, the health ministry said. Venezuela's government and opposition both say their candidate won last month's election, with the electoral authority and Supreme Court backing Maduro. Authorities have not released full vote tallies despite international calls to do so. Arrests of opposition figures have risen sharply over the last week. CARACAS/BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (Reuters) -Power began to return to some parts of Venezuela on Friday afternoon after capital Caracas and much of the rest of the country were earlier plunged into a blackout that the government blamed on sabotage by the opposition, without providing evidence. President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a dispute with the opposition over the outcome of a July 28 presidential election, often blames what he says are "attacks" on the power grid on his political rivals, accusations the opposition has always denied. All 24 of the country's states reported a total or partial loss of electricity supply, Freddy Nanez, the minister of communication and information, said on state television early on Friday morning. "We have been victims once again of electrical sabotage," he said. He gave no evidence of a deliberate attack. By about 1pm local time (1600 GMT), power had returned to some parts of western city Maracaibo, central city Valencia, eastern city Puerto Ordaz and capital Caracas, according to Reuters witnesses. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state television on Friday morning that power would return gradually, beginning with the capital. The blackout hit some operations of state oil company PDVSA, including its largest terminal, Jose, where vessel loading and discharging was interrupted by the outage, according to sources and a shipping document seen by Reuters. A key oil upgrader that produces exportable crude, Petropiar, was also affected. About 70% of Venezuela's oil exports are handled through Jose, which does not have its own power system. Most of U.S. firm Chevron's Venezuelan crude exports go out from Petropiar. PDVSA's Caracas headquarters lost power but the company's largest refining complex Paraguana was unaffected, as its own power plant was in service, the sources said. In Venezuela's largest oil region, the Orinoco Belt, the impact of the blackout was minimal as many oilfields and operations have their own generators, sources said. QUICK REACTION In the western city of Barquisimeto, residents were stocking up on gasoline and food. Lawyer Alexa Rivas, 29, avoided what she said were five kilometer (three mile)-long lines at urban gas stations by driving to a service station outside the city. "I can't be without gasoline, I have a 3-year-old boy and my mom is 70, I need to have reserves for any emergency," she said. "We've lived through two national blackouts, it makes us very nervous." Venezuela last suffered national blackouts in 2019, with some lasting as long as three days. Authorities also attributed those power outages to attacks on the network - such as damage to power lines - by saboteurs and opponents of Maduro's government. Critics have long blamed power cuts on deteriorating infrastructure amid the country's fiscal woes. Major opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa scoffed at the sabotage accusations on Friday. "This narrative isn't believed by even the most radical Chavistas," Guanipa said on X, referring to loyalists of the ruling socialists. In Caracas, workers gathered outside office buildings in the central Plaza Venezuela in the morning, awaiting instructions from bosses about whether or not to go home. Bakery worker Alejandro Rondon, 25, said the store's card payment machine was still working and he was selling what he could. "We can't make anything today because the ovens aren't working. My fear is for the yeast, which needs to be cold," he said. Services on the city's metro were halted and had been replaced by more than 250 buses, Transport Minister Ramon Velasquez said. About 79 public hospitals were open to patients, the health ministry said. Venezuela's government and opposition both say their candidate won last month's election, with the electoral authority and Supreme Court backing Maduro. Authorities have not released full vote tallies despite international calls to do so. Arrests of opposition figures have risen sharply over the last week. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over the proposal that the state goverment will pass anti-rape bill in a special session, She is trying to divert the issue Adhikari said, "We want justice for the RG Kar incident. You will bring the bill by the 3rd... There is a process in this. Even if the bill is implemented, it will come into effect later only... We want justice for our doctor sister. We want death penalty..." On Thursday, Union Minister and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar met West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and discussed the current situation in the state. During the meeting, which was attended by former state party president Dilip Ghosh and other BJP leaders, Majumdar urged the Governor to take decisive action to address the turmoil in West Bengal. "We have requested the Governor to protect the rights of people in Bengal and take whatever measures are necessary to lift the state out of this dire situation," Majumdar said. Majumdar criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly inciting unrest through her statements, despite ongoing protests demanding justice for the rape-murder victim over the past three weeks. He accused Banerjee of failing in her role as the head of a state government within a federal structure. "We have provided the Governor with detailed information about the situation, which has deteriorated since the incident on August 9. We urge the Governor, as the custodian of the Constitution, to address these issues," Majumdar said. Several BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, have called for Banerjee's resignation. (Bloomberg) -- Thailands oldest political party will join the ruling coalition led by former rival Pheu Thai Party, as new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finalizes her cabinet lineup. The Democrat Party will nominate its leader Chalermchai Sri-On and secretary-general Dej-Is Khaothong as ministers in Paetongtarns yet-to-be announced cabinet, Chalermchai told reporters late on Thursday. Twenty-five Democrat lawmakers in the House of Representatives will help Pheu Thai cushion the loss of the support of 40 members of the pro-military Palang Pracharath party that was excluded earlier this week from the ruling bloc. With the addition of Democrat Party, the coalition will command the support of about 300 lawmakers in the 500-member elected chamber. An alliance between the Shinawatra clan, which controls Pheu Thai, and Democrat Party brings an end to a bitter political rivalry dating back at least two decades. The Democrat Party had long opposed various parties linked to Paetongtarns father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whom it had accused of cronyism, populism and corruption. Each side has seen their supporters engage in street protests and sometimes deadly clashes with authorities during different periods of turmoil in Thailand that ended in two military coups. Paetongtarn became prime minister on Aug. 16, after Pheu Thais Srettha Thavisin was disqualified for ethics violations by a court ruling after less than a year in power. Paetongtarns ministerial candidates are still being vetted in a government formation process thats expected to take until mid-September, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, one of Sretthas deputy prime ministers who is acting in the leaders capacity. Phumtham is likely to be appointed defense minister, according to local newspaper Thaksettakij. The expected roster of the 36-member cabinet will also likely include new names, including Pichai Naripthaphan as commerce minister, it said. (Updates with likely cabinet lineup in final paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Top news today: On 30 August, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. India GDP: Growth hits 15-month low at 6.7% in April-June India's economy grew at 6.7% in the April-June quarter, marking the slowest pace in five quarters, according to data released by the statistics ministry on Friday. This follows a 7.8% expansion in the previous quarter. The expansion was slower than anticipated. A Mint poll of 25 economists had projected India's economic growth to slow to 6.85% in the April-June quarter. Read more Stock market today: Nifty 50, Sensex hit fresh record highs, extend gains into 3rd consecutive month Indian stock market benchmark Nifty 50 hit a fresh record high and continued its upward march for the 12th consecutive session on Friday, August 30, amid positive global cues. The 30-share pack Sensex, too, rose to a record high, and on the monthly scale, both indices rose for the third consecutive month. Read more Vistara's merger with Air India on 12 Nov sparks concerns on service quality The merger between two full-service airlines of the Tata Group, Air India and Vistara, will be completed on 12 November. That day, Vistaras crew, aircraft and air operator certificate will be transferred to Air India. Vistara, a 51:49 joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, said in a statement to the media on Friday that from 3 September onwards, flight tickets on the airline cannot be booked for travel on or after 12 November. Read more Modi urges regulators to take bigger steps against cyber fraud Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Indias financial sector regulators need to do more to curb cyber fraud and raise the level of digital literacy. Cyber frauds should not become an impediment to the growth of Indias startups and fintech companies, Modi said at the third and final day of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on Friday. Read more India's fiscal deficit hits 17.2% at 2.77 lakh crore of FY25 target in April-July: CGA The Centre's fiscal deficit at the end of the first four months of the current fiscal touched 17.2 per cent of the full-year target, government data showed on Friday. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit -- the gap between expenditure and revenue -- was 2,76,945 crore as of July-end, according to data released by the CGA. Read more CNN report factually incorrect, misleading, MEA says India in not responsible for Bangladesh floods India on Friday dismissed a report alleging its involvement in the Bangladesh floods, stating that the narrative was "misleading" and factually inaccurate. Speaking to the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, ... We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. Read more Adani Ports to buy 80% stake in Astro Offshore for $185 million Indias largest private port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) said on Friday it will acquire a 80% stake in offshore support vessels operator Astro Offshore for $185 million ( 1,551.59 crore). With this acquisition, the Adani Group company aims to expand its fleet and diversify beyond port operations. Read more A secret return to their home country has reportedly reunited Prince Harry with his estranged brother, Prince William. Harry was in the UK for the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes. According to the British publication The Independent, the Duke of Sussex has returned to Britain after nearly 40 months. The last time the two brothers were publicly seen together was at the coronation of their father, King Charles, in May last year. Also Read | Update about Harrys new edition of Spare likely to relieve Royal Family However, reports have claimed that Prince Harry sat at a distance from the heir to the throne at Lord Robert Fellowess service in Norfolk. They kept their distance and sat apart at the back of St Marys Church after arriving very discreetly, according to The Independent. The Sun, citing a source said the brothers have been "discreet" with one another. While another attendee told The Sun that they "never saw them speak to each other and they kept their distance. Lord Fellowes passed away on July 29 at the age of 82. He was the husband of Princess Diana's elder sister and served as Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary for several years. The relationship between the Royal siblings deteriorated when Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020. The Duke of Sussex had made a series of damning revelations about his family to the press. Also Read | Kate Middleton is not what Meghan Markle claimed: Royal biographer In a 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry claimed that his older brother physically attacked him when they got into an argument about Meghan Markle. A September reunion? According to media reports, Prince Harry has plans to visit New York City in September. During his solo trip, the Duke of Sussex will focus on his charitable activities. However, his visit coincides with when his brother, Prince William, is expected to be in Manhattan, possibly for an environmental event. Prince Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, wont accompany him on the trip. Also Read | Reunion of William and Harry? Estranged brothers to visit New York Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30 addressed the Global Fintech Fest 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. During the Global Fintech Fest 2024, the Prime Minister urged regulators to intensify efforts to combat cyber fraud and to enhance digital literacy among the public. Here are top highlights from PM Modi's address 1. The Prime Minister acknowledged concerns about AI misuse. He said, I also understand your concerns related to misuse of AI. That is why India has also called for creating a global framework for the ethical use of AI. The government is making every necessary change at the policy level to help the FinTech sector. Recently we have removed the angel tax 2. PM Modi highlighted the progress made in India through digital technology, noting that transparency has improved significantly. "You have also seen how we have brought transparency in India through digital technology. Today, direct benefit transfer is done under hundreds of government schemes. This has eliminated leakage from the system. Also Read | Pakistan formally invites PM Narendra Modi to attend SCO meeting in Islamabad 3. He added that the transformation brought about by the fintech sector in India is not just limited to technology, but its social impact is far-reaching. "The transformation that has come in India due to Fintech is not limited to technology alone. Its social impact is very wide. This has helped in bridging the gap between villages and cities." 4. The Prime Minister spoke about the Jan Dhan accounts and said, "Jan Dhan accounts have joined the women's Self Help Groups to banking. 10 crore rural women are reaping its benefits. Jan Dhan's program has laid a strong foundation for women's financial empowerment." 5. During his address, PM Modi remarked on past concerns about insufficient bank branches, lack of banking access in villages, and limited internet services. "...People in Parliament used to ask that there are not enough branches in the country, banks are not available in the villages, internet services are not available...How will there be a Fintech revolution?... Within a decade broadband users increased from 60 million to 940 million..." 6. At the Global Fintech Fest (GFF), PM Modi said, "There was a time when people used to get amazed by our cultural diversity. Now, people come to India, and are astonished by our fintech diversity too! From landing at the airport to experiencing street food and shopping, India's fintech revolution is visible everywhere." 7. At the Global Fintech Fest (GFF), he added, "...It is the festive season in India, there is also festivity in economy and markets" TOKYOJapan is planning a multibillion-dollar network of small satellites to monitor ships and military sites, its latest response to a barrage of pressure from China that includes a recent incursion into Japanese airspace. The satellite network is part of a proposed 8.5 trillion defense budget, equivalent to almost $59 billion, for the fiscal year starting in April 2025, up 7.4% from the current year. Under soon-to-depart Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan is in the middle of a push to almost double its defense budget. China has been stepping up its presence in the air and sea around Japan, especially near the southwestern islands that stretch from the main Japanese islands toward Taiwan. In July and August, a Chinese fleet led by its Shandong aircraft carrier was spotted repeatedly in waters south of the Japanese island chain, with jet fighters and helicopters repeatedly taking off from and landing on it, according to Japans Ministry of Defense. On Monday, a Chinese military aircraft violated Japans territorial airspace for the first time, Tokyo said. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said the intrusion was not only a serious violation of Japans sovereignty but also threatens our security." Japan said the Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft flew into Japanese airspace for about two minutes above the Danjo Islands west of the island of Kyushu. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, said the two countries were communicating about the incident and China has no intention to intrude into any countrys airspace." Officials said the new satellite network, part of a budget proposal released Friday, was needed to give Japan information on the location of opposing forces. Currently, Japan relies heavily on intelligence from its main ally, the U.S. The Defense Ministry said it planned to enlist companies to invest in and manage the satellite project, with full-scale operation set to begin by early 2028. The budget for next year earmarks the equivalent of $2.2 billion for the satellites. They would be launched into low-altitude orbit and operated in unison to track targets. Japan is introducing longer-range missiles to respond to the Chinese threat. Delivery of 400 U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and an improved-range version of domestically made Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missiles is set to begin by early 2026, with some able to hit targets 600 miles away. That is enough in certain cases to hit Chinese or North Korean territory. Under Kishida, Japan said for the first time that it would attack targets on enemy soil if it was threatened, in a break from the defense-only posture Japan had maintained under its postwar constitution. Haruhiko Kataoka, a retired general and former chief of staff in Japans air force, said the satellites would give Japan independent targeting capability rather than asking the U.S. for help every time. There are going to be situations where were nervous about whether information-sharing is happening in a timely way," he said. The ministry didnt say how many satellites it intends to launch but Kataoka said eventually hundreds would be needed for close to real-time targeting. One purpose of the satellite constellation is detecting and tracking ships, a ministry official said. China has two aircraft carriers in service and a third one conducted its first sea trial this spring. Tensions in the southwest island chain have persisted for years, sometimes triggered by Chinese fishing vessels or coast-guard ships. In recent years, suspected Chinese drones have frequently been spotted flying around islands in the southwestern chain, including an incident on Aug. 23, according to Japans military. The Japanese defense budget also earmarks the equivalent of $1.4 billion to buy four Boeing-developed KC-46A tanker aircraft, which can transport cargo and conduct aerial refueling. The ministry said the aircraft were needed to support lengthy combat missions in the island chain. Write to Chieko Tsuneoka at chieko.Tsuneoka@wsj.com India on Friday dismissed a report alleging its involvement in the Bangladesh floods, stating that the narrative was "misleading" and factually inaccurate. Speaking to the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, ... We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. They have also ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management..., he said. What the CNN report said? The CNN report said Bangladesh lives on its rivers and waterways, with its people relying on the vital life source for fishing and farming rice paddies. The country is also well-acquainted with flooding and cyclonesespecially in recent years, as scientists say human-caused climate change exacerbates extreme weather events. But this flood took them by surprise and people here blame officials in India. Dozens of people CNN met in Feni which is only a few miles from the India border accused New Delhi of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in neighbouring Tripura state with no warning, the report said Bangladesh floods: 18 million people affected, 1.2 million families trapped Bangladesh is grappling with severe monsoon season, which has impacted more than 18 million people, with over 1.2 million families trapped, according to the United Nations. Sharing a post on X, the UN News Service said, Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected by severe monsoon conditions, with more than 1.2 million families trapped as flash floods submerge vast areas of the country's east and southeast. UNICEF said that the worst-affected regions in the country include Chattogram and Sylhet, where major rivers are "flowing well above danger levels," further aggravating the situation. The Israeli military struck the West Bank city of Jenin on Friday, the third day of heavy fighting in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military said it struck Palestinian militants and killed a senior Hamas commander in the city. Such airstrikes, while common over the months-long Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, have been rare in the West Bank in the time since. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank which have killed at least 19 people, mostly militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. The latest Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank was the largest and the deadliest since the war began. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 663 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then. In the Gaza Strip, where the Health Ministry says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7 with Hamas' attack on Israel, an Israeli missile hit a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, killing several people from a local transportation company. Israel claimed without evidence that it opened fire after gunmen seized the convoy. Here's the latest: Authorities are unloading thousands of pallets of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza JERUSALEM Israels government body responsible for coordinating aid deliveries into Gaza says that authorities in the countrys southern port are unloading more than 3,500 pallets of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. The Israeli agency COGAT said Friday that an American cargo ship, called Cape Trinity, departed Cyprus ferrying 3,577 wooden pallets of food, water and medical supplies from international relief organizations to the Israeli port of Ashdod, some 20 miles northeast of Gaza. After the vessel docked in Ashdod on Thursday, COGAT said Israeli officials inspected and cleared the shipments for entry into the besieged enclave. Israel described this shipment as the latest in its multipronged efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the enclave, with so far 10,700 pallets of aid delivered to Gaza by sea The entry of aid into Gaza has been heavily restricted by Israel since the war started, creating what aid groups say is a man-made humanitarian crisis as hunger grows. U.N. humanitarian office says aid organizations can return to two areas after Israel lifted evacuation orders, which still affect over 85% of Gaza Strip UNITED NATIONS More than 40 Israeli evacuation orders affecting over 85% of the Gaza Strip remain in effect despite the Israeli militarys first announcements allowing Palestinians to return to two areas since the war began last October, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The Israeli military announced Thursday that it was lifting the evacuation order for some areas of central Deir al-Balah, and on Friday it announced the lifting for some areas of southern Khan Younis. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs known as OCHA said Friday this will allow multiple aid organizations that were forced to leave Deir al-Balah and relocate to go back to their premises. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. humanitarian operations center in Deir al-Balah, whose operations were disrupted by the evacuation order on Aug. 25, will now be allowed to return. OCHA said the number of humanitarian missions and movements within Gaza that were denied access by Israeli authorities in August almost doubled, compared with July. Between August 1st and 29th, only 74 of the 199 planned humanitarian missions coordinated with Israeli authorities for northern Gaza were facilitated, OCHA said. The rest were either denied, impeded, or cancelled due to logistical, operational, or security issues. In southern Gaza, it said, just 173 of 372 coordinated humanitarian movements were facilitated by Israeli authorities. On the West Bank, OCHA warned that Israels ongoing operations that use lethal military tactics seemingly exceed law enforcement standards. The humanitarian office said according to its information, 19 Palestinians, including two children, have died in the West Bank since Wednesday. OCHA said humanitarian officials from the U.N. and its partner organizations are planning to visit some affected areas in the West Bank over the weekend to assess damage to homes and infrastructure. They stand ready to provide a response based on what people need most, the U.N. humanitarian office said. Palestinians trickle back to Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah to check on their homes after Israeli pullout KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip Some Palestinians are returning to check on their homes after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Gaza, following what Israel said was a major military operation in the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. But in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment and weeks of pitched battles, many found only destruction. My feeling is indescribable, one Khan Younis resident, who gave her name only as Um Mohammad Abu Samra, said as she surveyed her home for the first time since the war erupted with Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. At the Israeli militarys announcement that evacuated Palestinians from the area could return, she hurried back to find her home in ruins and entire neighborhood blocks transformed into giant craters of sand. We were displaced countless times," she said, her voice breaking. "Were in a horrible situation, from the loss of our homes, our family, our brothers, our neighbors. Hosam Shobair, another displaced resident, also returned to Khan Younis with his family on Friday to see what had happened to his apartment, which he said had been struck by Israeli shelling at the beginning of the war. He found the home where hed lived for years reduced to rubble, but said there was still some solace in seeing even that. We are happy to be back home, Shobair said, as his wife, children and other relatives sat on the twisted rebar and mounds of concrete that had once been their home. Israels continued military offensive in besieged Gaza has displaced roughly 90% of the strips population of 2.3 million. Most have been displaced multiple times over the course of the war. Israel's military says it killed 250 militants in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah JERUSALEM The Israeli military said Friday it had finished a major operation in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, adding that it killed 250 militants during the operation. Over the course of the operation, the military said it also destroyed kilometers of underground tunnels and recovered the bodies of six hostages. The military did not say whether it was withdrawing troops from the areas and said it was preparing for further missions. The militarys Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, announced that Palestinians evacuated from parts of both cities would be allowed to return. The announcement came as the war nears the 11-month mark. Israels offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, injured more than 90,000, and displaced the vast majority of the strips population. Israeli forces kill 3 Palestinians in the West Bank JERUSALEM Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in the north of the occupied West Bank on Friday, the third day of a large-scale operation in the territory, Palestinian health officials said. The Israeli military said its troops identified and killed a senior leader of Hamas in Jenin, Waseem Khazem, while he was driving. When two others in the car whom the military also identified as militants attempted to flee, troops killed both in an airstrike. The Palestinian Health Ministry said the three were killed in Zababdeh, a town south of Jenin city, but did not immediately confirm their identities. Israeli forces have killed at least 19 Palestinians since the start of the operation early Wednesday, which they say is geared to root out militancy in the restive territory and prevent attacks on Israeli citizens. Hamas has claimed at least 10 of the dead as their fighters. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, at least 663 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank, Palestinian health officials say, mostly in Israeli raids into Palestinian cities and towns. Attacks on Israelis in the territory have also risen. Mourners gather at a funeral for two families killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Mourners at Al-Aqsa Hospital in the Gaza Strip gathered early Friday to hold a funeral for several members of two different families killed Thursday night after an Israeli airstrike hit their house. A video filmed by The Associated Press shows a man holding his dead child wrapped in a bloodied white shroud. Another man is seen holding an infant who was born dead that night. More than 14,000 children have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, according to Gaza health officials. Several people gathered at the hospital complex and performed a funeral prayer before the bodies were taken for burial. Israel strikes medical supply convoy that it claims was seized by gunmen DUBAI, United Arab Emirates An Israeli missile hit a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, killing several people from a local transportation company, the American Near East Refugee Aid group said Friday. Israel claimed without evidence that it opened fire after gunmen seized the convoy. The strike Thursday hit the first car in the convoy on the Salah al-Din Road in the Gaza Strip, killing several people employed by a transportation company that the aid group was using to bring supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, said Sandra Rasheed, Aneras director for the Palestinian territories. The convoy, which was coordinated by Anera and approved by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who was unharmed, Rasheed said in a statement. "Our understanding is that the remaining vehicles in the convoy were able to continue and successfully deliver the aid to the hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday from The Associated Press. However, Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee posted to the social platform X that gunmen seized a car at the head of the convoy and began driving. He wrote that the military determined only one vehicle was seized before acting, and added, The presence of armed men inside a humanitarian convoy in an uncoordinated manner makes it difficult to secure the convoys and their staff and harms the humanitarian effort. The United Arab Emirates, which reached a diplomatic recognition deal with Israel in 2020 and has been providing aid to Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, did not immediately acknowledge the attack. Israeli military hits Jenin as its West Bank raid pushes forward JERUSALEM The Israeli military conducted an airstrike in the West Bank city of Jenin amid days of heavy fighting in the Palestinian territory, authorities said Friday. The Israeli military said in a brief statement that a military aircraft struck a terrorist cell during an encounter with security forces in a counterterrorism operation in the area of Jenin. It did not immediately elaborate. Such airstrikes, while common over the months-long Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, have been rare in the West Bank in the time since. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank which have killed 16 people, nearly all militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank 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. US rebukes Israel over attacks on UN vehicles in Gaza UNITED NATIONS In a rare rebuke, the United States sharply criticized Israels attacks on United Nations vehicles and called for an end to assaults and threatening rhetoric against the U.N. and humanitarian organizations. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood 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 all staff movement 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. 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. Serving in the military has been a long tradition among the British Royals. Continuing the legacy, Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, is mulling to become the first female Royal since the late Queen Elizabeth II to join the military. According to a report by The Sun, the 20-year-old Princess is an avid member of St Andrews' University Officers Training Corps. Lady Louise Windsor is also the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and the youngest niece of King Charles III. Walking on the footsteps of her cousins Prince William and Prince Harry, Lady Louise Windsor 'has fallen in love' with the army cadets, reported the daily quoting a source. She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country. She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it, The Sun reported, quoting a source. Sixteenth in line to the throne, Lady Louise Windsor posted on her LinkedIn page, I am interested in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy, or law. It is to be known that Queen Elizabeth II was a Junior Commander with the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II. Till now, she remains the only female member of the Royal Family to serve in the Armed Forces. Other Royals served in military: Looking at data, there are several others who have served in the British military. King Charles was in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976. Lady Louise Windsor's father, Edward, trained with the Royal Marines in 1987; however, he left after just four months. Prince William, commissioned into the Army in December 2006, joined the Household Cavalry. By Drazen Jorgic and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY -One of the most notorious drug chiefs in Mexico's history, Osiel Cardenas, was released from a U.S. prison on Friday into the custody of immigration officials, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons said. Former leader of the Gulf Cartel, Cardenas presided over some of the bloodiest gang violence in Mexico's turbulent past and has been blamed for transforming drug trafficking by embracing hyper-violent tactics such as decapitations. Cardenas founded the Zetas, an armed wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of former army special forces. He was captured after a gun battle in 2003 and extradited to the United States in 2007. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010. The Zetas later branched off on their own and became, for a while, the most deadly crime group in Mexico before largely fizzling out. A spokesperson for the U.S. prison service told Reuters Cardenas was released "into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement " earlier on Friday. It is not clear if Cardenas will be deported to Mexico, or remain on U.S. soil. Cardenas has outstanding charges in Mexico and is currently in a migration detention center in the U.S., a Mexican government source said. Leo Silva, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who worked in Mexico countering the Zetas, said Cardenas was directly to blame for the upturn in grisly violence in Mexico over the past two decades. The Zetas pioneered efforts by organized crime groups to branch out from simply trafficking drugs to also extorting residents and businesses in areas they controlled. The Zetas also sowed terror by widely kidnapping for ransom. "This was something that Osiel created that generated a new era of organized crime," said Silva, who worked for the DEA in Mexico from 2008-2015. "He unleashed this mentality of creating fear in the country." Torrential downpours battered several parts of Japan on Friday as typhoon Shanshan brought transport to a standstill and caused factories to shut down. The typhoon further prompted flood and landslide alerts. Said to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit the country, Shanshan made landfall in the southwestern region of Kyushu on August 29, Reuters reported. Never seen all trains stop A 21-year-old university student, Kokoro Osoegawa, found herself stranded while seeking shelter at the entrance of a rain-drenched, abandoned shopping mall near the city's train station. There are no trains because of the typhoon, so my parents are coming to pick me up. I stayed at a friend's house and then came here. I expected there would be some trains, but there are none, Reuters quoted Osoegawa as saying. Ive never seen all the trains stop before, Osoegawa said. Authorities have issued evacuation advisories to over 4 million people nationwide, primarily in the heavily affected Kyushu region but extending to Tokyo and Yokohama. Production units, airlines, trains affected As a result of the storm, Toyota halted operations at all its domestic plants. Other companies, such as Nissan, Honda, Renesas, Tokyo Electron, and Sony, also paused production at some facilities. Reuters reported that airlines, including ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines, cancelled hundreds of domestic and international flights. Many ferry and rail services, including the bullet train between Tokyo and Nagoya, were also suspended. 3 fatalities, 78 injuries The country's disaster management agency reported at least three fatalities and 78 injuries due to the storm in recent days. In addition, 125,000 households across seven districts in Kyushu have been without electricity. Also Read | Heatwaves to be more devastating than floods in future; economy to be hit Growing up in the 1970s, the opportunity landscape in India was narrow, at best. Career opportunities were confined to farming, government, law, banking and other mostly traditional sectors. I joined State Bank of India as a probationer, attracted by the stability offered by a government job in those times. My story is similar to that of thousands of Indians in the pre-liberalization era. We have come a long way since then. The combination of a well-oiled academic system, a robust digital public infrastructure, massive entrepreneurial energy, and supportive government initiatives have positioned us well to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Technology, connectivity and digital transformation have been pivotal in driving our growth story. India is home to one-fifth of the global population. So, our socio-economic challenges need solutions at a population scale. Technology can fill the gaps in financial inclusion, create enduring impact, and help build solutions for India and the world. India is already well on its way to becoming a global powerhouse with enviable talent, technology, innovation, and industrial capabilities. The ambitious goal of becoming a $10 trillion economy seems well within our reachwith technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), and talent being the key enabler. The rise of AI: Today, as you know, one of the most transformative forces shaping society is AI. And to me, the convergence of AI and freedom challenges us to rethink what it means to be free in the digital age. Envision a future where technology serves humanity, amplifies our abilities, and enhances our reach. A thought that often crosses my mind in August revolves around what our country will look like when we celebrate our 100th year of independence. I couldnt be happier to see the Government of Indias Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, with its central focus on making India a developed nation by the time we turn a century, be fulfilled. It emphasizes economic growth, environmental sustainability, social progress and good governance as key pillars. And luckily for us, we already know AI can be the catalyst for not only accelerated growth but can be of great assistance to the other three pillars as well. Across Indias farmlands, a quiet transformation is afoot. Agritech solutions powered by AI are empowering farmers to increase crop output and productivity by predicting the best time to sow seeds, warning of pest outbreaks and even optimising the use of water and fertilizers. In the manufacturing sector, where exports are projected to hit $1 trillion by 2028, AI is poised to improve efficiencies across the value chainwhether thats by accurately forecasting supply and demand to prevent over-stocking, or by inspecting thousands of products at scale to minimize defects. In healthcare, where AI represents a $1 trillion opportunity, deep learning algorithms can help doctors detect and diagnose diseases earlier. With these and other use cases across industries, AI could soon become as ubiquitous as electricity. Bridge the socio-economic divide: India may be one of the fastest growing economies in the world, yet millions of people across the country still lack access to basic services and opportunities. AI has the potential to help close these gaps. Take healthcare, for example. In rural India, where medical infrastructure and trained clinicians are scarce, AI-based diagnostic tools like smart stethoscopes and portable blood analysers can be used even by laypeople to capture a patients health markers, and then transmit this data to remote doctors for diagnosis. This will help ensure that people receive the care they need when they need it. Of course, for these applications to work, Indias digital divide must first be addressed. Only by improving internet connectivity and smartphone access across marginalized communities can we begin to realize AIs socio-economic benefits. AI enables smarter governance: From smart traffic management and public safety controls to air pollution mitigation, the use cases for AI in governance are endless. New Delhi plans to use AI to synchronise and regulate traffic signals, so that theres less congestion and faster vehicular movement. Tamil Nadu hopes to roll out a smart street monitoring system to detect street light failures in real time. Meanwhile, e-governance platforms like the IndiaStack are poised to become more intelligent and customized for local communities through AI. Digital India Bhashini, the countrys AI-led language translation platform, will soon use a WhatsApp chatbot powered by ChatGPT to disseminate information about government schemes and subsidies to the public in 12 languages. The possibilities of these initiatives are tremendous. To scale up AI use across India in a way thats meaningful and intelligent, greater public and private sector collaboration is essential. Businesses and governments must work together to incentivise AI research, reducing brain drain by retaining Indias AI talent, skilling for the AI age, keeping AI ethics front and centre by creating guardrails that root out algorithmic biases. We hold the power of a once-in-a-generation technology in our hands. Used responsibly, AI could transform the lives of millions of Indians for the better. I, for one, am excited to be part of this change. The author is CEO and chairperson, Salesforce India. US Politics has changed drastically over the past decade from the Barack Obama tan suit scandal to debate over the fashion choices of current presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Beige (or tan) may be a synonym for dull in GenZ parlance, it is anything but safe for White House aspirants. Barack Obama cut a dashing yet controversial figure in August 2014 as he held a live press conference about the ISIS situation in Syria. And while terrorism would be considered an important issue, his shockingly light-colored suit was all many could talk about. Ten years later, the colour reclaimed its rightful place in the political discourse after US Vice President Kamala Harris joined the Democratic National Convention in a flared-leg tan suit. Netizens deemed it an expert level choice for the US Vice President with many convinced that she was subtly trolling Republican pundits. And former POTUS Barack Obama appeared to be in agreement. How it started. How its going. Ten years later, and its still a good look! he insisted in an Instagram post. Remember when a tan suit was the biggest scandal a sitting president had ? I miss those days, read one nostalgic comment on the post. Integrity and tan suits never go out of style, wrote another. This is the type of petty to which I aspire! cheered a third. Netizens also remain convinced that Harris had opted for a tan suit to troll Republicans at the DNC. Many also predicted an entire week of tan suit coverage from right-leaning US news platforms after her appearance. Kamala bringing back the tan suit! There might be a tear in Obama's eye. Will media lose its mind? Either way, excellent trolling I might add and she looks fabulous while doing it, wrote one X user. OMG she's wearing a tan suit. That's deep cut trolling. Respect, agreed a second. Also Read | Donald Trump blames Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for assassination attempt The joining of the 67-year-old tribal leader to the BJP was seen as a shot in the arm for the saffron party's efforts to boost its connection with the Scheduled Tribes, a community which has been the main voter base of the JMM. Also Read | Assam CM alleges Jharkhand Minister Champai Soren was spied on in New Delhi Soren, who briefly held the chief ministers post after Hemant Sorens resignation, said only the saffron party seems serious over the issue of tribals, while others are indulging in vote bank politics, "Today, Bangladeshi infiltration has become a big problem in Santhal Pargana, the holy land of Baba Tilka Manjhi and Sido-Kanhu. What can be more unfortunate than the fact that these infiltrators are occupying the lands of the descendants of those heroes who never accepted slavery of the British... the dignity of our mothers, sisters and daughters is in danger," Champai Soren said in a post on X earlier this week. All you need to know about Champai Soren A long-time associate of JMM leader Shibu Soren, Champai Soren, resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday. He stated that the current approach and policies of the state government forced him to part ways with the party he had loyally served for many years. Also Read | Jharkhand news: Former CM Hemant Soren granted bail in land scam case Champai, who has been dubbed 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his significant role in the movement to establish a separate state in the 1990s, made this decision ahead of the upcoming elections for the 81-member assembly, which are scheduled to take place later this year. Jharkhand was officially formed in 2000 from the southern region of Bihar. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest the Assembly election from Ladwa in Kurukshetra district, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Mohan Lal Badoli said on Friday. The saffron party is expected to release its first list of candidates for the Legislative Assembly polls by Sunday. The voting to elect the 90-member Haryana Assembly is scheduled for October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4. While speaking to the media in Delhi, Badoli said, CM sahab Ladwa se chunav ladenge (the CM will contest from Ladwa). Saini, who represents the Karnal seat in the Haryana Assembly, was the MP from Kurukshetra between 2019 and 2024. The Ladwa assembly seat is currently held by Congress leader Mewa Singh. On Thursday, the BJPs Central Election Committee (CEC) met in the national capital to finalise the party's candidates for the Assembly polls in Haryana, where the ruling party is eyeing a third consecutive term. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda were among the CEC members who deliberated on the probable list of party nominees for the state elections. Badoli, the MLA from Rai in Sonipat, also said that he would not contest the election. After another round of meetings, the first list of candidates is expected to be out soon, he said. There had been no discussions regarding an alliance, Badoli added, asserting that the BJP would form the government with a clear majority. In the last assembly polls, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party and formed a coalition government in a post-poll alliance with the Jannayak Janta Party. However, the BJP-JJP alliance broke earlier this year just before the Lok Sabha polls. After the BJPs core group meeting, senior party leader and former Haryana home minister Anil Vij said that the party's state team had apprised the central team of the political scenario in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee penned a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday amid furore over the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor. The CM noted that her previous missive had failed to evoke a suitable response and reiterated calls for stringent central legislation on incidents of rape. Meanwhile the BJP dubbed Banerjee a liar and claimed that the Bengal government had failed to set up any fast track courts to address rape and POCSO cases. No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development which barely addresses the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I am of the view that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to society have not been adequately appreciated in this generic reply, the CM asserted. Mamata Banerjee is a liar. Annapurna Devi Union Minister of Women and Child Development responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on August 25. In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases, alleged BJP leader Amit Malviya. The government led by @narendramodi is committed to the safety and protection of women and children in our country. Under Modi Ji's leadership, significant reforms have been introduced through the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. However, if a state is determined to protect criminals, it undermines the justice system. Writing letters to the Prime Minister to mislead the people of Bengal is not enough to bring justice to the victims. The state administration must act with honesty and integrity in such situations to ensure justice is served, added BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh. Four years ago, a team of researchers led by a heavyweight in the field of microbiology made a stunning claim: Cancers have unique microbial signatures that could one day allow tumors to be diagnosed with a blood test. The discovery captured the attention of the scientific community, as well as investors. A prestigious journal published the research. More than 600 papers cited the study. At least a dozen groups based new work on its data. And the microbiologists behind the claim launched a startup to capitalize on their findings. Since then, the work has suffered multiple setbacks. The paper was retracted in June following criticisms by other scientists who questioned the methodology and said the findings are likely invalid. Support for the startup has dried up. And published research that relied on the studys data might have to be corrected or retracted. The events illustrate the far-reaching ripple effect of flawed science. It has polluted the literature," said Steven Salzberg, a computational biologist at Johns Hopkins University, whose critique, written with other colleagues in the field, led to the studys retraction. When the study landed in Nature in 2020, the sterling reputation of the papers senior researcher contributed to the spotlight trained on the work. Rob Knight, the University of California San Diego professor who led the study, is widely regarded as a pioneer of big-data microbial analysis. His resume lists multiple awards and prestigious fellowships at scientific societies, two books and a TED Talk. More than a decade ago, when the federal government embarked on a massive effort to document the role of microbes in human health, Knight built a reputation as a key participant and contributor. In a statement through a university spokesperson, Knight said the retraction was warranted but that the papers major conclusions are true. In the Nature study, he and his co-authors reported that 32 different cancers, from prostate tumors to skin melanomas, harbored unique combinations of microbes, chiefly bacteria and viruses, that acted as fingerprints for each type of tumor. The idea had clinical significance: A blood test could allow physicians to use evidence of microbes detected in the blood as a proxy to diagnose the cancers. With data from more than 17,000 samples from over 10,000 people with cancer, the paper was hailed as a tour de force for pulling off complicated analyses on a vast data trove. It was a highly ambitious study and a ton of data," said Susan Bullman, a cancer microbiologist at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston who studies bacteria infiltrating colorectal tumors and wasnt involved in the study. If there was a group that could attempt to do that, it would be Rob Knights group." Over the past decade, scientists including Bullman had gathered evidence that tumors of the gut and intestines, where microbes are abundant, regularly harbored bacteria. The Knight study was the first to survey cancers across the human body and show that microbes existed in combinations that were unique to each type of tumor. It was certainly the first with this striking of a finding," said Curtis Huttenhower, a computational biologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health who studies bacteria that live in people. Huttenhower has collaborated with Knight on other work but wasnt involved with this study. It was both surprising that microbes were always detectable, and it was surprising how well they could differentiate cancers." The year before the paper was published, Knight and two other authors on the study founded a company, Micronoma, to build blood tests to detect microbial genetic material and to catch cancers early. Micronoma raised at least $17.5 million from SymBiosis, an investment firm based in Bentonville, Ark., and Seerave Foundation, a philanthropy started by an oil-industry veteran who began investing in cancer and microbiome research after his wife was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. The company announced a collaboration with a University of New South Wales team in 2021 to hunt for microbial markers for liver cancer, part of a government grant for 4 million Australian dollars (equivalent to about US$3 million), and a partnership with a group at NYU Langone Health to look at lung cancer, part of a National Institutes of Health grant for more than $703,000 in 2023. Meanwhile, the FDA gave breakthrough" designation to Micronomas device to test blood for lung cancer, which put the device on an accelerated track for development and approval. But independent researchers had begun raising alarms. One red flag was that some microbes the researchers flagged as components of cancer signatures werent known to exist in humans, prompting further scrutiny. Salzberg, the computational biologist, and a team analyzed a handful of the cancer types and didnt find most of the bacteria reported in the Nature study. Their analysis, published in October 2023 in the journal mBio, stated that the near-perfect association between microbes and cancer types reported in the study is, simply put, a fiction." Among the errors, according to the critique, the UC San Diego team had incorrectly deployed a genomic tool built by Salzbergs lab to match tumor data to microbial sequences. It wasnt a close call," Salzberg told The Wall Street Journal. This data is completely wrong." In an emailed response, Knight said Salzbergs critique alleges but doesnt prove mistakes and pointed to a paper he and his co-authors published in the journal Oncogene in February that acknowledged the critique and presented a new analysis they say validates their central claim. When Nature retracted the original study in June, it cited Salzbergs critique and noted that all of the papers authors agreed to its retraction. As criticisms of the paper mounted, Micronomas partnerships dissolved. NYU Langone ended its association with Micronoma last year, according to a spokesperson at NYU. The University of New South Waless collaboration is no longer active, according to one of the lead scientists there. Seerave Chief Executive Officer Manuel Fankhauser declined to provide details about its involvement with Micronoma. SymBiosis didnt respond to requests for comment. But according to Darryl Garrison, Micronomas former chief operations officer, funding dried up. In April, the company emailed the chair of its scientific advisory board to say it was planning to shut down. The retraction certainly didnt help," said Dr. Martin Blaser, a Rutgers University professor and chair of the board. Knight and UC San Diego referred questions about Micronoma to Eddie Adams, the companys former CEO and president. Adams didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. Meanwhile, research groups that, according to Salzberg, relied on the studys data are dealing with the fallout, as are the journals that published the work. The publishers or journal editors of eight studies have begun reviewing the papers, according to spokespeople at Springer Nature, Frontiers, Wiley and the American Association for Cancer Research. The corresponding authors of these studies didnt respond to requests for comment. Lingeng Lu, a chronic-disease epidemiologist at Yale School of Public Health, said the conclusions of his research, a narrow look at gut bacteria, werent affected by the error, though the study credits the Knight team for data. An Elsevier spokesperson said the journal is in touch with Lu to confirm the paper holds up. Eytan Ruppin, a cancer researcher at the National Cancer Institute, is reanalyzing his own results for a 2022 Nature Communications paper that used the data; an editors note has been appended to the study. A reanalysis is also under way for a second paper that Ruppin co-authored published that same year in the journal Cancer Cell that used data published in the Knight paper. We are hoping that our key conclusions may still hold," Ruppin said. But that of course remains to be seen." Write to Nidhi Subbaraman at nidhi.subbaraman@wsj.com View Full Image The Far-Reaching Ripple Effects of a Debunked Cancer Study View Full Image The Far-Reaching Ripple Effects of a Debunked Cancer Study Lawyers are often seen as the most tedious of professionals. And the most derided (What do you know when you find a lawyer up to his neck in concrete? Someone ran out of concrete). Yet that damning reputation is undeserved: lawyers are in fact role models. The method and meticulousness entrenched in the legal style of thought has something to teach other knowledge workers and their managers. In One L, a book about his first year at Harvard Law School, Scott Turow describes the slow, arduous progress of going over his first case as stirring concrete with his eyelashes. But legal education is not about specific cases or statutes. It is, as Mr Turow later understands, about processing a mountain of information and exercising judgment. It teaches how to infer rules from patterns, use analogies, anticipate what might happen next, accept ambiguity and be ready to question everything. The sober way of going about this is by sticking to the facts. What matters is what you can prove. In her final year of law school, this guest Bartleby gave her hairdresser of many years advice on whether another clients behaviour amounted to breach of contract. It did notthe law did not offer an effective remedy for that problem. This left the salon owner grateful not to be spending resources on a lost cause. (She proceeded to remunerate your columnist with a free haircut.) In a world of business that is increasingly dominated by amorphous, ever-changing markets, the interaction might sound familiar to managers, and many of their subordinates. White-collar workers, after all, also need to remain rational in the face of unexpected situations and undeterred by initial incomprehension. No lawyer knows every law, but by the time their training is over they are calm in the face of the unknown and know how and where to look anything up. Likewise, anyone running a company will never have all the answers. What they need is equanimity and a method of quickly arriving at conclusions that are likelier than not to be the correct ones. Managers also have something to learn from the adversarial legal system, central to common-law jurisdictions like Americas and Britains, where advocates represent their parties before an impartial arbiter (usually a judge and a jury). In preparing for trial, lawyers attempt to identify and rehearse both sides of litigation. By putting themselves in their opponents shoes they are forced to engage with a line of reasoning with which they may disagree. In so far as managing employees is, like arguing a case before a court, about persuasion, managers would be wise to adopt some of the same tactics. That means avoiding emotional reactions (lawyers may try to appeal to jurors feelings but they never let their own get in the way). It also means considering the strongest criticism of their own reasoning. This not only makes their own arguments bulletproof but is liable to look fair in the eyes of employees and fellow managers. (Plus, a friendly but thorough performance review is essentially a mock cross-examination of your witnesses.) Law, after all, is a way of dealing with social stress. If attorneys are trained for one thing, it is on how to maintain focus, precision and a clear strategic plan in the midst of a crisis. When a team feels a wrong should be redressed, a manager should look for the rule that governs the conduct in question, how that rule was applied in the past and act in a way that seems morally defensible. If the crisis is external, a manager should also follow precedent, which is the basis of common law and much of what lawyers do in court. The purposefulness and heady resolve that characterise most lawyers are attributes that executives, too, should cultivate. There is no room for passivity when something goes wrong, only for action. Perhaps the most valuable lesson from lawyers is both the most obvious and the most scorned. The antidote to work anxiety is not taking your mind off work with meditation or Netflix. It is disciplined preparation. There are rewards in leaving no stone unturned. By putting in the hours, even if these are not billable, managers can ensure they are as ready as they can be for the uncertainties that lie ahead. As an added bonus, hard graft wins them the respect of colleagues and subordinates. Your columnist ended up not pursuing a career in law. But she never regretted her training as a lawyerand not just because of the free haircut. Its time to consider one of the most boring, but important, moves you can make for your money: Freeze your credit. A lawsuit earlier this month alleging that a background-check company left as many as three billion records exposed has put new attention on credit freezes. You can think of a credit freeze as locking the door on your finances and keeping identity thieves out, unable to open credit cards and loans in your name. Experian said the number of weekly freezes tripled this month following news of the breach. National Public Data acknowledged an attempted hack in December 2023, with potential leaks in April and this summer. Crime related to fraudulent new accounts is behind 80% of all identity fraud reports in the second quarter of this year, up from 55% in the same period in 2020, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That still hasnt motivated most of us to freeze our credit, surveys suggest. As people watch their credit scores more closely that may be changing, says Michael Bruemmer, head of data breach resolution at Experian. Many freeze their credit after a notification that their accounts were exposed in a data breachoften after some damage has already been done. The good news is that freezing your credit is less of a pain than it used to be. It became free and simpler under a 2018 federal law following the massive Equifax breach the year before. But it does take a little more effort than locking your door. Why it pays Identity theft can wreck your credit and take months to resolve. Thomas Hall, a finance professor in Virginia, learned how serious this can be in January when his wife noticed her credit score had plunged roughly 400 points. It turned out that a fraudster had racked up more than $100,000 in debt on credit cards the couple didnt even know existed. Hall estimates the couple has spent more than 250 hours compiling paperwork and contacting banks, retailers, credit bureaus and legal authorities to clear their record. It almost felt like a part-time job," he said. It took eight months to get the fraudulent debt wiped from her credit report, during which time his wife couldnt use any of her cards. Her score still hasnt fully recovered. Aside from making it a little less convenient to apply for a loan or credit card, freezing your credit costs nothing and has virtually no downside. It doesnt hurt your credit score. Landlords and employers can still run a credit check. Existing creditors can increase your credit limit. Making it harder to open new lines of credit might also be a form of financial discipline, since you wont be able to sign up for buy now, pay later offers or store credit cards without first unfreezing your credit. That may be a good thing," said Emily Irwin, head of advice at Wells Fargo. How to freeze your credit To freeze your credit, you must go online and request a freeze at all three of the major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Reversing the process requires going through each bureau again. To prove who you are, you will need to have a government ID, like a drivers license, pay stubs and utility bills. Once set, it should take less than a half-hour to complete the process, says Miklos Ringbauer, a financial adviser in California. He encourages clients to keep their credit frozen and only lift the freeze for short periods, such as when they plan to apply for loans. After the initial setup, the freeze can be turned on or off with a few clicks, he said. A credit freeze blocks lenders from accessing your credit report. Once it is in place, you have to remember to unfreeze your credit filesa step that usually involves logging in and entering a PIN to change the settingwhen you apply for new cards or loans. By law, digital requests to lift credit freezes must be honored within one hour. Still, its wise to give yourself extra time in case of technical glitches. If youre at the car dealership on a Sunday and forgot that you froze your credit, you may not walk away with a car," Ringbauer said. Freeze vs. lock When you freeze your credit, youll likely be offered a credit lock, a subscription that promises to send you alerts when lenders make new inquiries. Its easy to confuse the paid service for the free one. Emmanuel Ventadour, who moved from Germany to California in January, nearly signed up for a credit lock before realizing a freeze gave him enough protection, saving him over $300 a year. Experians CreditLock lets customers freeze or unfreeze their credit instantly via an app, part of its $24.99 monthly subscription. The service includes $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage, credit monitoring, and access to fraud resolution specialists who handle the hours of grunt work involved in clearing your name after identity theft. The free option is sufficient for most people, as long as they remember to check their credit periodically, said Irwin of Wells Fargo. For people worried about fraud on their current accounts after a data breach, paying might be worthwhile, she said. TransUnion offers a similar subscription service for $29.95 a month. Equifaxs version, LifeLock, is free, but lacks features like insurance. Before paying for any kind of credit-protection product, consumers should take stock of the services they may already receive free, said Chuck Bell, director of advocacy at Consumer Reports, a consumer advocacy group. Federal law requires companies to offer customers two years of free credit monitoring when their data has been exposed in a major breach. Additionally, several credit-card companies offer complimentary credit monitoring to their cardholders. This explanatory article may be periodically updated. Write to Imani Moise at imani.moise@wsj.com LTIMindtree Limited This third Bengaluru-based firm was founded in 1996. As per the NSE on 29 July 2024, it had an M-Cap of 1.70 Lakh Crore. Enter text Here Enter text Here PC-File You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A new sculpture honouring links between Ireland and the Choctaw Nation has been unveiled in Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation describes itself as the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with over 225,000 tribal members and over 12,000 associates. The first tribe over the forced displacement known as the Trail of Tears, it has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years and its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. In 1847, having recently endured the Trail of Tears by the US government, the Choctaw Nation came together to raise 170 dollars (roughly equivalent to 5,000 dollars today) to support the Irish during Great Famine. The Choctaws heartfelt donation was sent to Midleton in County Cork, providing much-needed relief. In 1995, then Irish president Mary Robinson visited the Choctaw Nation to express gratitude and rekindle the friendship between the two nations. During the visit, president Robinson was appointed Honorary Chief of the Choctaw Nation. This historic visit marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to honour the bond forged by the Choctaws selfless act. In 2017, the Kindred Spirits sculpture, designed by Irish artist Alex Pentek, was erected in Midleton, serving as a permanent reminder of the enduring connection between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland. Over the years, the Irish and the Choctaws have continued to honour this bond through various acts of generosity. In 2020, amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, Ireland provided aid to Native American tribes severely impacted by the crisis. On Friday, a new Eternal Hearts sculpture was unveiled in Oklahoma. It is designed to serve as a reminder of the power of compassion and solidarity by standing as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Choctaw Nation and people of Ireland. The eight-foot tall sculpture, created by Choctaw Nation tribal member Samuel Stitt, was unveiled at the Choctaw Capitol Grounds. The sculpture combines a Celtic trinity shape intertwined with a heart and is placed facing Ireland. It was a joint commission, funded by the Government of Ireland and the Chahta Foundation. Minister of State Thomas Byrne travelled to Oklahoma to join members of the Choctaw Nation for the unveiling. He said: This memorial will be a permanent symbol of the enduring and meaningful friendship between our two nations, a relationship which began with an act of solidarity and extraordinary generosity during the darkest years of the Great Irish Famine. This unveiling is an important opportunity to reflect on the tragic events of our past and to remember the remarkable humanitarian efforts that forged the bonds of friendship between our nations. Ireland is proud of our own history of humanitarian support, particularly the recent support we saw to the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, as well as the work of the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation community in Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am sure that todays event, coupled with our shared history will continue to strengthen Irelands engagement and links with the Choctaw Nation. Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said: We are grateful for the giving hearts of our Choctaw ancestors that brought us here today. We are excited to see what this eternal bond will bring to future generations of Choctaw and Irish, and we are extremely proud to call the people of Ireland our friends and kindred spirits. Crime, Local Experts, Press Releases By Long Island Published: August 30 2024 A Suffolk County school bus driver has been indicted for allegedly possessing and promoting child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by the NYS Police. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Guenther Mayrhofer, 71, of Mastic Beach, a bus driver for the William Floyd School District, was indicted for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, for allegedly downloading images and videos of child sexual abuse, and then uploading them to his cloud storage account. There is nothing more important to my office than protecting children and tracking down predators in our community. It is deeply disturbing that this defendant was allegedly in close proximity to children every day as a school bus driver, said District Attorney Tierney. I thank the New York State Police for their diligent investigation in this case. We will continue to work closely with them and our other law enforcement partners to seek justice for these innocent victims. According to the investigation, the New York State Police received a tip that Mayrhofer had allegedly uploaded approximately 20 images of child sexual abuse to a cloud storage account. On August 15, 2024, state police executed a search warrant of Mayrhofers home and recovered numerous electronic devices and electronic storage devices. A review of the devices revealed that Mayrhofer had allegedly downloaded and saved over one hundred images and videos of child sexual abuse. On August 29, 2024, Mayrhofer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, for 25 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, Class D felonies, and 25 counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, Class E felonies. Justice Wilutis ordered Mayrhofer held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Mayrhofer is due back in court on October 8, 2024, and he is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society. If you or someone you know believe you have been victimized by Guenther Mayrhofer, please contact the New York State Police, the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 30 2024 James Jayshaun Edwards allegedly sold 10 weapons outside of his of Long Beach apartment in broad daylight; two guns traced to multiple shootings in Queens and Nassau. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Long Beach man was indicted for allegedly selling 10 illegal guns, including assault weapons and a ghost gun, in broad daylight in front of his apartment between April and July 2024. Two of the weapons have been traced to multiple shootings in Queens and Nassau County that occurred as early as 2021. James Jayshaun Edwards, 33, was arraigned on August 22, 2024, before Judge Robert Schwartz on charges including Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree (a B violent felony); Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); 20 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree (a D violent felony); 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree ( a D violent felony); 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1.5 million partially secured bond. The defendant is due back in court on September 20, 2024. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison. The defendant allegedly conducted a brazen illegal open-air weapons trafficking business just steps away from Long Beach Police Department Headquarters, packaging up high-powered weapons in duffle bags and diaper boxes and selling them in broad daylight in front of his home, said DA Donnelly. Our investigation determined that two of the guns were used in multiple shootings that injured four victims in Westbury and Long Beach dating back to 2021, which are currently being prosecuted by my office. This multi-jurisdictional operation not only made the streets of Long Beach safer but has provided us with a key piece of evidence to aid in those prosecutions. Together with our law enforcement partners, we continue to take out traffickers who are bringing weapons into Nassau County, disrupt the pipeline of illegal guns, and save lives. This indictment highlights ATFs efforts to identify, investigate, and stop gun traffickers using crime gun intelligence. The unchecked flow of firearms is a direct contributor to gun violence in our streets. Disrupting firearms trafficking schemes like this is a top priority for ATF. This required diligent work & tireless dedication, said ATF NY Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller. Id like to thank the men & women of ATF NYs Joint Firearms Task Force, along with our partners at NYPDs Major Case Field Intelligence Unit, Long Beach PD, Nassau County PD & Nassau County District Attorney for their commitment to this critical public safety mission. This case is yet another example of how local, county, and state partners can collaborate with ATF to make the streets safer for all. Long Beach Police Commissioner Richard DePalma stated, This is a textbook example of multi-agency cooperation. LBPD Detectives worked seamlessly with the ATF, NYPD, NCPD and the Nassau County District Attorneys Office to make an arrest in this large-scale investigation. We will continue to use our partnerships to keep our residents safe. This indictment speaks to the power of multiagency collaboration and how critical it is to our work combating the sale of illegal firearms in our communities, said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. Shutting down this shameless operation in Long Beach prevented untold tragedies, and we will continue investigating until everyone involved in the trafficking pipeline is held to account. I commend the ongoing efforts of our NYPD detectives, the Nassau County district attorneys office, and all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to our shared public safety mission. The Nassau County Police Department has longstanding, strong relationships with our local and federal law enforcement partners, including the Nassau County District Attorneys Office, said Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. Through a combination of intelligence-led policing and thorough investigations by our Detective Division, the men and women of the NCPD work tirelessly every day to take illegal guns off our streets and keep Nassau County the Safest County in America. DA Donnelly said that in April 2024, NCDA began working together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force (ATF), the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), on an investigation into defendant Edwards after receiving a tip that the defendant was selling illegal weapons. According to the charges, between April 2024 and July 2024, the defendant allegedly sold a total of 10 illegal firearms, including an assault pistol, an AR-15 style ghost gun, and multiple pistols and loaded firearms in front of his home on Birch Court in Long Beach. The defendant also allegedly sold approximately 20 grams of cocaine to a buyer. Nearly all the weapons were loaded, and the defendant allegedly sold hundreds of rounds of extra ammunition with the weapons. Ballistics comparisons performed by the ATF on the guns allegedly purchased from the defendant showed that two weapons had also been used in multiple shootings in Queens, New York, Roosevelt, Westbury, and Long Beach that took place between August 2021 and June 2022. Three separate shootings in Nassau County are associated with the same gun and caused various injuries to four victims. These shootings are currently being prosecuted by the Nassau County District Attorneys Office. Charges include multiple counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree. The defendant was arrested on August 22, 2024, in Long Beach by members of the LBPD, ATF, and NYPD. An investigation into the suppliers of the weapons is ongoing. From January 2024 to date, 223 illegal weapons have been recovered by law enforcement in Nassau County, a 14.5% decrease from the same period last year. NCDA thanks the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force, the New York City Police Department, the Long Beach Police Department, the Nassau County Police Department, and the New York State Police for their partnership in this investigation and prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Unit Chief Lee Genser of the Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. Edwards is represented by Robert Schalk, Esq. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 30 2024 The Massapequa Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The Public Information Office reports the details of a Fire that occurred on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 3:48 am in Massapequa. According to police, officers responded to a McKinley Place residence for a house fire. Upon arrival, officers observed the upper level of the home fully engulfed in flames. The Massapequa Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The Nassau County Fire Marshal and Arson Bomb Squad also responded. The Red Cross was notified to offer assistance to the displaced residents. No injuries were reported. The fire has been deemed not suspicious at this time. New Yorkers Encouraged to Protect Themselves from West Nile Virus & Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases Ahead of Labor Day Weekend Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 30 2024 Twenty West Nile Cases Reported This Year Statewide. Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and protect against diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The Governor also posted a video to social media with additional safety tips and encouraged New Yorkers to continue to spread the word. View the full video here. "We want people to get outside this Labor Day weekend and enjoy the beauty that is New York State, but we want them to do so safely with their health in mind by taking proper steps to protect against mosquitoes that carry diseases such as West Nile virus, Governor Hochul said. "Prevention remains the most effective method of protection from exposure to mosquito-transmitted diseases and can be as simple as protecting your exposed skin with clothing and applying mosquito repellent. There are currently 10 reported human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) outside of New York City according to the New York State Department of Health. There are also 10 reported human cases in New York City according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, Although mosquito bites are often viewed as one of lifes little annoyances, this year we are seeing more positive mosquitoes than usual. Wearing insect repellant, removing standing water and wearing appropriate clothing does reduce risk. Mosquitoes will be present in our communities until at least the end of September, so it's important to be mindful of how we can protect ourselves when spending time outdoors." West Nile virus, an infection that can cause serious illness and, in some cases death, is transmitted to humans and some animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Not all mosquitoes carry WNV, which was first identified in New York State in 1999. Since 2020, 115 human cases of WNV and eight deaths have been reported in New York State, excluding New York City. Most people infected with WNV do not develop any signs or symptoms. If illness develops, symptoms usually occur three to 15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. People with mild cases of WNV may develop fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a skin rash or swollen glands. People with severe WNV may have a sudden onset of headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, altered mental status, tremors, convulsions and/or paralysis, and in some cases, severe WNV can result in death. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rarer, but extremely serious, viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. While there have been 14 horses that have tested positive in New York State this summer, there are currently no reported human cases in New York State. People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but people over 50 and younger than 15 are at greatest risk of developing severe symptoms. While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis, and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment. There is no commercially available human vaccine for EEE or WNV, and the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites. The following precautions are highly recommended to reduce risk of infection from WNV and EEE: Wear long sleeves when outdoors, particularly at dusk or dawn, the times of day when mosquitoes are most active. Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, and apply on top of sunscreen. More information on repellents can be found here . Be sure to follow the insect repellent label directions. Children should not handle repellents directly. Instead, adults should apply repellents to their own hands first and then gently spread on the child's exposed skin. Avoid applying directly to children's hands. After returning indoors, wash your child's treated skin and clothing with soap and water or give the child a bath. Pets can be protected with bug spray specially formulated for animals. Make sure there are screens in windows and doors of homes. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes. Empty water out of buckets and other containers, pool covers, ceramic pots and wheelbarrows. Empty wading pools when not in use. Unclog drains and gutters to allow water to drain. Change water in bird baths every other day. Travelers have a potential risk of contracting diseases like dengue fever and malaria. There is currently an increased risk of the transmission of dengue virus in the US. Dengue fever is a disease caused by the bite of a mosquito infected with any one of four specific Dengue viruses. Dengue can cause high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eye, joint pain, and muscle pain. The mosquitos that carry this disease are mainly in tropical areas so travelers may arrive in the United States with dengue fever. Although most cases occurring in the United States are associated with travel to areas where dengue is endemic, there have been occasional outbreaks of local dengue virus transmission, particularly in southern states. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by the bite of a mosquito infected with one of four malaria blood parasites. Infected female mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of human disease. In the United States, most infections are a result of travel to foreign countries, though local transmission has occurred particularly in states such as Florida and Texas. In New York State, nearly all cases of malaria are associated with foreign travel however, rare instances of local transmission of malaria have occurred in Long Island and New York City. While not primarily transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes, Oropouche virus is also a concern among travelers returning to New York from the Caribbean, Central America and South America. It is transmitted by the bite of insect midges and can cause fever, headache, chills and muscle and joint pain. It is often mistaken for dengue fever. Like West Nile, in some cases it can cause neurologic symptoms. There are concerns that Oropouche infection in pregnant women can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. New Yorkers traveling to and returning from areas where dengue fever, malaria and Oropouche are present should protect themselves from insect bites using the same prevention measures recommended to protect against WNV and EEE. More information on West Nile virus can be found here. More information on eastern equine encephalitis can be found here. More information on dengue fever can be found here. More information on malaria can be found here. More information on Oropouche can be found here. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 30 2024 Nashawn Legros Allegedly Shot the Victim Twice at Close Range in the Parking Lot. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Nashawn Legros, 24, of Wyandanch, was indicted for attempted murder, assault, and other related charges, for allegedly shooting a male twice in the parking lot of Jakes 58 Casino in Islandia, causing the victim serious physical injuries. This defendants alleged crimes not only threatened the victims life, but also the lives of everyone else in the casino parking lot at the time. That is unacceptable, said District Attorney Tierney. My office is committed to combatting violent crime in Suffolk County. We will continue to hold those who commit violence accountable for their actions. According to the investigation, on May 31, 2024, at approximately 10:16 p.m., Legros was seated in a vehicle parked in the Jakes 58 Casino parking lot when he observed the victim walking toward the casino entrance. Legros allegedly exited the vehicle, quickly approached the victim, and shot him in the chest and in the stomach. The victim made it inside of the casino before collapsing and received emergency care from casino staff and civilians before being transported to the hospital for emergency surgery. The victim survived the shooting but suffered serious injuries. Immediately after Legros allegedly shot the victim, he re-entered the vehicle and fled the casino parking lot. Legros then allegedly discarded the vehicle, which he was not authorized to use, in the Central Islip area in the hours following the shooting. On August 29, 2024, Legros was apprehended in Riverhead with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service and the Suffolk County Police Departments Narcotics Section. On August 30, 2024, Legros was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, for the following charges: One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony; One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies; and One count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Justice Ambro ordered Legros held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond, during the pendency of the case. Legros is due back in court on September 6, 2024, and he is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melisa Bliss of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Alberto of the Suffolk County Police Departments Fourth Squad and members of the United States Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Taskforce. Russian equipment headed to Kursk Oblast. (Via Telegram) Though Kyiv hoped its Kursk offensive would undercut Russias push toward the eastern city of Pokrovsk, that has not happened. Instead, Russian advances have accelerated, while Russia has redeployed forces from other areas to Kursk Oblast. Moscow seems to have calculated it can contain the crisis in Kursk while exploiting Ukraines shortage of troops in Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces flow to Kursk After the chaotic opening days of the Kursk offensive, Russias defense stiffened. Ukrainian advances slowed considerably after the first week or so, though Ukraine currently retains the operational initiative. When the offensive began on August 6, Russia lacked operational reserves ready to reinforce its thinly manned lines near the Kursk border. Reportedly, one of the first units sent to stem the bleeding was a battalion from the 9th Motor Rifle Regiment that was resting in Kursk Oblast after having rotated out from fighting north of Kharkiv. In the days and weeks since August 6, Russia has redeployed various naval infantry, motor rifle, airborne and air assault, Spetsnaz, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) units, along with volunteer units. By August 27, Russia had transferred some 30,000 troops and counting to Kursk Oblast, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Russians are currently trying to establish a ring of defense around our offensive group [while] planning further counter-offensive actions, Syrskyi added. So far, the forces sent to Kursk have mainly come from Kharkiv Oblast, southern Ukraine, and the Chasiv Yar area. Russia has also pulled soldiers from training grounds in nearby Russian regions and occupied Ukrainian territory. Moscow may also be sending conscripts from formations across Russia, likely intended to man secondary lines, dig trenches, and carry out other support functions. Organizing command and control of this hodgepodge of units has probably been a challenge. These redeployments have occurred at a fairly slow pace. This may reflect the disorganization that characterized Russias initial response, as well as logistical challenges in moving large numbers of troops and equipment. But it could also reflect a conscious decision to avoid taking Ukraines bait. Moscow may worry the Ukrainians will open a second front elsewhere. Alternatively, Russia may believe it can afford to be patient, attritting Ukrainian forces in Kursk over time rather than rushing into a costly counteroffensive. Kremlin propaganda is setting expectations that the operation will last months. Ukraine has also committed additional forces to the offensive. The initial phase comprised elements of four air assault and mechanized brigades and two separate assault battalions, supported by engineer-sapper, artillery, UAV, air defense, and electronic warfare units. The additional forces include elements of some of Ukraines better units, such as the 95th Air Assault Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade, and 36th Marine Brigade. The total force involved in the operation probably now stands at around 10,000 to 20,000 troops, including support personnel. Following Ukraines rapid early gains, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly pushed his military to continue pressing deeper. Syrskyi, on the other hand, reportedly concluded that Ukraine would be better off widening its salient to make it more defensible. Over the past few weeks, Ukrainian forces have gained some ground east and southeast of Sudzha, though Russia rebuffed Ukrainian troops near the village of Giri. Ukraine has also made some westward advances and struck Russian bridges and pontoon crossings over the Seym River, perhaps in preparation for an attempt to take the area from Tetkino to Glushkovo. At the same time, Ukraine still appears to be trying to push deeper in some areas, particularly near Korenevo. Ukraine may make some additional northward gains, but a much farther advanceto Rylsk, for instanceis unlikely. This would stretch supply lines and probably require more forces than Kyiv can spare. Estimate of lines of control in Kursk Oblast as of August 29, based on geolocated footage, reports by Russian and Ukrainian sources, and a map presented by Ukraines top general on August 20. In many cases, Ukrainian and Russian forces have been spotted beyond the green and red lines, respectively. The lines reflect an estimate of the territory the two sides actually control. (Google My Maps image annotated by LWJ) Russia exploits Ukraines vulnerability at Pokrovsk Kyiv has assumed significant risk with the Kursk offensive. Its forces defending eastern Ukraine were already stretched thin and struggling to hold back the Russians. As Syrskyi noted on August 27, one of Kyivs goals for the Kursk offensive was to divert significant enemy forces from other areas where Russia has been attacking. The chief concern is Russias advance toward the city of Pokrovsk, a key road and rail transit hub in Donetsk Oblast. By this measure, the Kursk offensive so far has not succeeded. Although Russia has transferred considerable forces from elsewhere in Ukraine, the Russians have actually reinforced their Pokrovsk grouping, according to Ukrainian officials. With Ukrainian forces now stretched even thinner by the Kursk offensive, Moscow apparently seeks to exploit this opportunity to advance in Donetsk Oblast. Russian advances have accelerated in recent weeks. Since August began, the Russians have taken around 11 square kilometers per day compared to 5.8 in July and 3.8 in June, with most of those gains coming on the Pokrovsk axis. This week, Russia captured most or all of Novohrodivka, a town with a prewar population of 14,000, located around 8 kilometers from Pokrovsk. Previously, Russian forces often needed weeks or more to take smaller, less well-fortified settlements. Meanwhile, the Russians quickly pushed to the outskirts of Selydove (prewar population of 21,500) and took the nearby villages of Kalynove, Memryk, and Karlivka. Russia may be aiming to widen its left flank before attempting to take Pokrovsk and the nearby city of Myrnohrad. Map of the front line and Ukrainian fortifications on the Pokrovsk axis as of 9 am Eastern on August 30. The front line is based on geolocated footage and data from the Ukrainian analytical project DeepState. The fortifications shown here are those that could be identified using Sentinel low-resolution satellite imagery. Some fortifications, particularly smaller trenches hidden in tree lines, are likely missing. (Google My Maps image annotated by LWJ) The chief reason for Russias gains is Ukraines manpower shortage. After Russia took the nearby city of Avdiivka in February, Ukraine built multiple defensive lines between Avdiivka and Pokrovsk. But Ukrainian units simply lack enough infantry to hold positions, rendering their fortifications less useful. In the past, a shortage of reserves has repeatedly compelled Kyiv to pull units from one area to put out fires in another. This occurred during the battles for Bakhmut and Avdiivka, as well as Russias Kharkiv offensive in May. More recently, after a botched unit rotation enabled Russia to advance toward the city of Toretsk, Ukraine sent forces from its 95th Air Assault Brigade and other units to try to hold the city. But now, Kyiv has few units available to firefight at Pokrovsk. Ukraine committed much of its limited reserves to the Kursk operation. It even pulled some units from the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Chasiv Yar areas from Donetsk Oblast (including from the 95th Brigade). Ukrainian troops in Donetsk Oblast also say the Kursk offensive has diverted some of their ammunition supply. Kyiv has tried to shore up its lines by deploying newly formed units and shifting National Guard forces from the south or northeast. But so far, the Russians are still advancing. Pokrovsks fall would undermine Ukraines defense in other parts of Donetsk Oblast, especially to the south. By putting the city within range of tube artillery and first-person view (FPV) drones, Russia may have already disrupted Ukrainian logistics to some degree. Ukraine lacks a solid defensive line behind Pokrovsk. Taking the city could allow the Russians to advance in multiple different directions. They could attack southward against the left flank of the Ukrainian forces between Pokrovsk and Vuhledar in southern Donetsk Oblast, where Russia has recently also begun to make gains. Alternatively, Russia could try to push northeast to Kramatorsk, the other major logistics hub in Donetsk Oblast. Russia could also try to attack westward into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. If Pokrovsk does fall, what happens next will depend largely on how quickly Russia can take the city and at what cost. If Ukraine can slow the Russians down and inflict heavy losses, it can buy time to dig in behind Pokrovsk while sapping Russias offensive potential. Russias struggles in scaling offensive operations above the company level should also hamper its exploitation of Pokrovsks potential fall. Regardless, Ukraine will need to relieve and reinforce battered units currently defending Donetsk Oblast. Freshly mobilized troops can help. But so long as many of Kyivs best units are tied up in Kursk, Ukraine may struggle to stabilize its lines. John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (center) meets with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (left) and other IDF personnel. (Photo credit: Shira Keinan, Israeli Ministry of Defense) Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant held a strategic discussion with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi and other IDF officials, Gallants office said on August 29. The meeting comes as the IDF carries out an extensive operation in the northern West Bank aimed at uprooting various terrorist groups that have expanded their presence in several urban areas. Gallants meeting also took place as the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, Major General Mohammed Bagheri, threatened Israel on August 29. Gallant is focused on the importance of returning Israelis to northern communities that were evacuated due to the Hezbollah threat in October 2023. Israel also evacuated several dozen southern communities near Gaza in the wake of Hamass October 7 attack. Some of those communities had been devastated due to the attack, while others were cleared so the IDF could deploy five divisions of tanks and infantry around Gaza to prepare the ground offensive. In northern Israel, Hezbollah soon began launching rockets, drones, and missiles at Israel in October, and Israeli leaders took the decision to evacuate communities within several miles of the border, sending some 80,000 people into hotels and other temporary residences. The city of Kiryat Shmona became a ghost town. While residents have returned to some southern communities, particularly the city of Sderot on the border with Gaza, the north remains mostly evacuated. There are exceptions, however. The Druze and Arab communities near the border did not evacuate. In addition, as Hezbollah expanded its rocket attacks to target the Golan and communities such as Shamir and Ayalet HaShachar in the Huleh valley, Israel did not increase its evacuation orders. Nevertheless, around 60,000 people remain evacuated, including around 14,000 children whose school year begins on September 1 away from home. Our mission on the northern front still lies aheadthat is ensuring the safe return of the northern communities to their homes. In order to achieve this, we must widen the goals of this war. I will raise this matter before the prime minister and the cabinet, Gallant said on August 29. He said the current goals of the war, which are dismantling Hamas military and governing capabilities and returning the hostages from Gaza, should include the return of the residents to the north. Gallant made several points in his discussion on August 29. According to a statement from his office, he said that Israels military operations in Gaza have enabled the return of most of the southern communities to their homes. Gallant traveled to southern Gaza on August 21 and noted that Hamass Rafah Brigade had been defeated. This leaves the group with only a few organized units, primarily in central Gaza. Gallant also noted that the elimination of Muhammed Deif, the military leader of Hamas in Gaza, was an important milestone. Most of the Hamas brigades and battalions have been defeated, he said. Hamas began the war with 24 battalions, and the IDF has in the past said that most of them have been dismantled. Its not clear how many of them Hamas has reconstituted as it returned to some areas such as Khan Younis and Shati in northern Gaza, for instance. The IDF has now turned to focus on the northern front, the West Bank, and wider Iranian threats. We are fighting against Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. A month ago, the IDF eliminated Hezbollahs Military Chief Muchsan, and earlier this week, the IDF thwarted a significant attack against citizens in both the center and north of Israel, Gallant said. Israel characterizes the current war as taking place on seven fronts. These include threats from Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria. Gallants desire to expand the wars goals to return Israelis to the north is part of a larger picture focusing on Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy threats. As part of the focus on the north, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with soldiers of the IDFs Golani Brigade on August 28. Netanyahu referenced Israels preemptive strikes on Hezbollah rocket launchers in the early hours of August 26, noting it was a success. 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, Netanyahu said. He called the return of residents to their homes a national goal of the highest order. Taken together, Gallants strategic discussion and the visit by Netanyahu to the north illustrate that Israels top officials shifting focus to the northern front. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). News of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia has prompted an outpouring of love for the 69-year-old leader. Kingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII spoke last week at Koroneihana celebrations which marked the 18th anniversary of his coronation before reportedly staying in hospital recovering from heart surgery. A statement posted on the Kingitanga Facebook Page read: "The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the entire nation." Ex-prime minister Jacinda Ardern honoured Tuheitia, writing: "You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa". Te Pati Maori leader Rawiri Waiti shared a photo with the leader,captioned: "I love you and I will miss you King. Whoatu ra koe ki o matua tipuna ki te po". Miss National New Zealand finalist Rosemary Poi also paid tribute in a Facebook post, saying "Your humility, kindness, and cheeky spirit touched us all deeply". The Monarch will lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae for five days before being laid to rest on Taupiri Mountain. 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. In June, hundreds of revolutionaries from all over the world gathered in Italy for the founding conference of the Revolutionary Communist International and the World School of Communism, with thousands more participating online. All 20 talks from the World School of Communism are now available as podcasts. They are a highly valuable resource, full of valuable lessons, which we urge all communists to make use of. Youll find episodes about our philosophy, our perspective on the most pressing issues facing workers and youth today, and answers to common slanders about what communists stand for. During the live presentation of these talks, pauses were necessary for translation, but these have now been removed for a better listening experience. Together, these talks bring together some of the most fundamental ideas on which our International is based. If youre inspired by what you hear, and agree with our point of view: join us at marxist.com/join-us.htm Links and information about getting involved are included in all the episode descriptions, and you can learn more about the RCI on our main website: marxist.com. You can also listen to our main weekly podcast series, the Spectre of Communism. [Listen to all the talks from the School of Communism via Spotify, Apple or marxist.com podcasts] Launch of the Revolutionary Communist International The necessity of a revolutionary philosophy Dialectics: the algebra of revolution The struggle against oppression: working-class unity or identity politics? How can the communists conquer the masses? Does communism mean bureaucracy? The Bolsheviks in power The Russian Revolution: the greatest event in human history How the Bolshevik Party was built What is Capitalism? Introduction to Marxist economics How the Communist International was built Lenin and Trotsky: what they really stood for Did communism really fail? What is imperialism? Why we need a theory of history What is behind right populism and how do we fight it? World revolution or socialism in one country? War and revolution: A Leninist approach Building the revolutionary party Dear Annie: My wife has been on pain medication for almost a decade, and it has turned into a serious addiction. I have to monitor her pills weekly though, recently, its been daily. She hasnt worked at all the last decade, ever since she started getting prescribed the painkillers. She lays in bed all day long, sleeping or watching TV. Ive bought several safes to lock away her pills in so that I can only administer to her what she needs. Shes broken into all of them. I keep the pills with me at all times so that I can make sure she doesnt take too much. Shes constantly deriding me, blaming me for her not having enough pills. She always pleads, Just give me tomorrows pills tonight. She has now brought our adult children into this mess by trying to make them pick sides in this ongoing fight, but the kids know she has a problem! I have brought up rehab several times, but she dismisses the idea and claims she doesnt need it. This past year, I got her an appointment with a therapist. It was just online, through videoconference, and my wife completely blew it off, barely paying attention to the therapist. After 25 years of marriage, Im about ready to file for divorce. Help! Tired of Mothers Little Helper Dear Tired: Of course youre exhausted. Youre living in the tides of addiction, but you dont have to be subject to the constant push and pull. To find some grounding, I strongly encourage you to check out Nar-Anon (https://www.nar-anon.org) or SMART Recovery Family and Friends (https://www.smartrecovery.org/family). You cannot neglect your own mental health. As for your wife, she clearly has a severe opioid addiction and needs professional help. You and your adult children may choose to do an intervention in order to make the strongest possible case to get her into an in-patient treatment facility. She will need the supervision of medical professionals if shes going to detox. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 800-662-4357 for guidance and to be referred to resources in your area. Dear Annie: I have been working at the same company for 12 years, and I havent gotten a raise in five years. I never got in the habit of asking for them, because they used to give me a small salary bump every other year. But that petered out when a new CEO took over. A few months ago, I was at lunch with two co-workers when the subject of salaries came up. I asked them if theyd received any pay bumps in the past few years, and they both said that they had. This gave me the guts I needed to ask my supervisor to meet with me. I presented a list of my accomplishments over the past four years and said that I believed I had earned a raise. He said that pretty much no one was getting raises anymore, at which point I tentatively mentioned (without naming names) that Id heard some other employees had received raises. He got visibly angry and told me that I should never discuss my salary with another employee at the company and asked me to leave his office immediately. After that, I dropped the issue. But now Im wishing Id pushed back and am considering asking him for another meeting. Am I crazy? Taken for Granted Dear Taken: Its a violation of the National Labor Relations Act for employers to forbid employees from discussing their wages. Contact the National Labor Relations Board at 1-844-762-6572 for guidance on what recourse you may have. Whatever comes of that, it might be time to dust off that resume. Because, beyond being illegal, your bosss behavior is just plain old disrespectful. Youd be better off working for a company that recognizes your worth. How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM Buttons, lanyards and signs printed with MAKE THEM PAY! covered tables and filled bins in a downtown Boston building on Thursday morning as thousands of the citys hotel workers prepared to go on strike this weekend. The employees union, UNITE HERE Local 26, represents workers from several Boston hotels, including the Hilton Boston Park Plaza, the Hilton Boston Logan Airport and the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The union announced Monday that over 4,000 workers would officially go on strike a historic movement from 35 hotels across the city at the stroke of midnight on Sept. 1 if the contract proposed in April was not signed after months of unsuccessful negotiations. They are asking for higher wages, better staffing and workloads with the reversal of COVID-era cuts made to staff and guest services that burden current employees. The Hilton, Marriott, Omni and Fairmont Copley Plaza hotels did not respond to MassLives requests for comment. Currently, 50-year-old Alfredo Amado works up to 80 hours a week as a utility steward at the Fairmont Copley Plaza to make ends meet for his wife and four children. He makes just over $28 an hour. I love my job, I love working the hotel, but I dont do all these hours because I love to do it, Amado told MassLive. He sat at a table in the strike prep workspace Thursday with a pin on his chest. Alfredo Amado, 50, a hotel worker in Boston. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive)Irene Rotondo I have to do it even if I do all these hours, Im still sometimes struggling with my bills. Its very hard for me to save money, he said. Amado has been with the hotel for 26 years. He recalls when wages increased to $21 an hour over a decade ago, he was proud to tell his friends and could afford a nice home and car. Now, hes ashamed and things are different. Hotel workers arent getting paid as well as we used to be ... I think our fight, our demand, is decent and we deserve better. I know Ill probably be struggling with pay for two or three weeks now [with the strike], but I am looking for a future, he said. Buckets and signs for the pending Labor Day weekend strike. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive)Irene Rotondo Similar to Amado, Susana Coelho has spent 21 years of her life working at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. She makes $28.23 an hour as a PBX operator who handles the main hotel phones, dispatches drivers and has other administrative duties. For Coelho, the strike is an emotional subject and heartbreaking, especially after her years of devotion, she said. Shes frustrated the hotels have not been responsive and doesnt feel heard. We care so much about the guests and the fact that these companies dont care about us ... theyre not cooperating with us, it shows by these negotiations that they dont care. I dont want to do this, but I dont have a choice. To them, Im not Susie Coelho, she said and recited her Hilton number. Susana Coelho, 39, a hotel worker in Boston. (Irene Rotondo/MassLive)Irene Rotondo Im just a number ... It just breaks my heart that Im replaceable, she said. The Logan Hilton is also much more than just an employer to Coelho Its where I grew up, she said. She explained her mom was a housekeeper there for 31 years after immigrating from the Azores. Coelho then got her job there at 18 years old with a baby in my arms and said at the time, the Hilton was a great place to work that let her take care of her family. Now, the East Boston mother is putting her 21-year-old daughter through college and said she doesnt want to be the reason she cant go. Shes the first in the family to go to college, and were so happy, Coelho said, tears rolling down her face as she sat amongst the hundreds of Local 26 signs and picket duty shift signup sheets. I dont want to take that away from her. And if we dont get this raise, I dont think I can afford it ... I dont want to fail her, she said. If the contract isnt signed, this hotel worker strike will be the largest participation UNITE HERE Local 26 has ever held. Both UNITE HERE and the local union have successful track records with past strikes, including record contracts awarded after rolling strikes at Los Angeles hotels and a 47-day strike at Detroit casinos. Papers for the pending strike on Labor Day weekend. Photo by Irene RotondoIrene Rotondo UNITE HERE Local 26 has held several successful strikes in Massachusetts, such as the 22-day strike at Harvard in 2016, a 46-day strike at Marriott hotels in 2018 and a 79-day strike at the Battery Wharf hotel in 2019. A strike was narrowly averted last June at the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett after casino workers voted to authorize the movement and a tentative agreement was reached less than two days before the deadline. The clock is ticking and the ball is in their court. They are the only ones that can change this. Tick, tock, Coehlo said. As activism related to the Israel-Hamas war spread across higher education last academic year, many universities and colleges were caught flat-footed in reacting to and preparing for protests and encampments, according to former Brandeis University president Frederick Lawrence. He doesnt think that will be the case now. Federal prosecutors on Thursday unsealed a pair of sweeping indictments charging 19 people they say are part of two Boston-based gangs with a variety of drug and financial fraud crimes. In separate indictments, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office filed charges against 10 people accused of being members and associates of the H Block gang and nine people accused of being members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang. The charges filed Thursday follow the takedown in February of more than 40 members of the Jamaica-Plain-based Heath Street Gang, Levys office said Prosecutors described the H Block Street Gang, which formed as the Humboldt Raiders in Roxbury in the 1980s, as one of the most feared and influential city-wide gangs in Boston. In recent years, the gang re-emerged, officials said. An investigation into the gang began in response to what Levys office described as an uptick in gang-related drug trafficking, shootings and violence. Since that investigation began in 2021, police have tied at least a dozen incidents involving guns and gunshots to tensions involving associates of the gang. On Thursday, six members of the gang were arrested and charged with drug dealing in Boston and surrounding communities. Four other members were already in state custody, according to Levys office. These are individuals who do not value life, they have terrorized and wreaked havoc in our City, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said in a statement. Partnering and pulling together our resources is powerful, it makes our residents safer, and we are seeing the result of that collaboration today. Prosecutors charged three members and associates of the gang with a conspiracy to illegally smuggle synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs into state prisons. In several instances, drugs were smuggled into the prisons through the mail, where sheets of paper sprayed with the substances would be made to look like legal documents. Authorities say 14 sheets of pair sprayed with drugs were seized during the investigation. A single sheet of the paper would be worth as much as $80,000 inside the prison, Levys office said. Members and associates of the Mission Hill gang are charged in connection with involvement in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme involving money laundering, prosecutors said. In that scheme, prosecutors say the gang stole checks from postal collection boxes, then chemically washed and rewritten to be deposited into bank accounts held by people recruited by the gang. Prosecutors filed charges against six people in connection with that scheme, along with three people already in custody. The fight to keep our streets safe from dangerous gangs and drugs is an ever-constant struggle and, as this case shows, extends to our states prison facilities, Levy said in the statement. If convicted, the people charged could face decades in prison, according to Levys office. A Newton man is facing multiple charges in connection with a scheme to conceal his efforts to develop bomb making skills after he triggered an explosion in his dorm room at the University of Chicago, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levys office said. Aram Brunson, 21, is charged with falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact by trick, scheme or device and making false statements to federal officials. In January 2023, officials said he trigged an explosion in his dorm room at the University of Chicago. In the dorm room, officials said Brunson was constructing a large black powder device when he accidentally set it off, burning his room and causing the evacuation of the dormitory. He told law enforcement that he was just mimicking a prank he had seen on the internet. But officials said Brunson sought to engage in what he described as revolutionary direct action and terrorism in support of Armenian causes. According to the charging documents, Brunsons bomb-making activities were linked to his desire to take militant action against Azerbaijanis and others who pose a threat to ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also made videos of himself teaching others how to make explosive devices and rig doors and desks with grenades, Levys office said. The district attorneys office claim his internet searches suggest that he planned to take action against foreign diplomatic facilities in the United States. In August 2023, Brunson was leaving Boston to travel to Armenia but his bags set off explosive alarms for an unusual and highly volatile explosive at Logan International Airport, Levys office said. He told Customs and Border Protection officials that he had no idea how or why traces of the explosive material came to be on and in his bags, according to officials. Police searched the mans Newton home and found a detailed recipe for making that explosive and a bomb dog detected three locations in the bedroom. It is alleged that Mr. Brunson crossed the line between political expression and mobilization, by taking affirmative steps to carry out unlawful acts. While radical political views may be offensive, they are constitutionally protected. However, experimenting with extremely dangerous explosives in support of those views and then engaging in false statements about your conduct is crossing the line. We will investigate and prosecute anyone who crosses that line in order to keep our communities safe, Levy said. Each of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A 78-year-old man riding a motorcycle was killed when his bike slammed into the back of a car on Interstate 495 northbound on Thursday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police. State Police went to an area of the highway in Westford at about 3:25 p.m. on Thursday, where they found the motorcycle driver with life-threatening injuries, Trooper James D. DeAngelis, a spokesman for the agency, wrote in an email. The crash occurred near Exit 83 on the northbound side of the interstate. The man was riding the motorcycle, a 2018 Harley-Davidson, in the center lane on the highway when, just before the crash, he merged into the left lane, State Police said. When the man changed lanes he hit the back of a 2021 Alfa Romeo SUV driven by a 51-year-old man that was stopped in traffic. UPDATE: Abducted french bulldog named My Love returned to Milford home A French Bulldog was stolen from a Milford home Tuesday, according to police. Milford police said they got a call that a dog was abducted from a home on Main Street on Aug. 27 around 11 p.m. The dogs owner said that she went to check on her pet My Love after hearing it cry, but she found that the dog was missing, according to police. Police said they think the dog-knappers came into the home through a backdoor to the apartment. The Bellingham Police Department is also investigating a case of two French Bulldog abductions in their town, the police said. But, it has not been confirmed whether these cases are connected at the time. My Love is a one-and-a-half-year-old female French Bulldog that has a black coat and a white patch chest, police said. The Milford police encourage residents to contact them at 508-473-3800 or email tipline@milfordpolice.org if they have any information on the abduction of My Love. A 37-year-old man killed his wife and 8-year-old son Thursday before being fatally shot by police on the Piscataqua River Bridge connecting New Hampshire and Maine, officials said Friday. Trent Weston killed his wife, identified as Brittany Weston, 37, and son, Benson Weston, before he was shot by police on the bridge early Thursday morning, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall said in a joint statement. At around 3 a.m. Thursday, police went to 359 Monadnock St. in Troy after Trenet Weston reported that he had shot his wife. Brittany Weston was found dead inside the home when police arrived. An autopsy confirmed that Brittany Westons manner of death was homicide and she had been shot multiple times in the head, according to the statement. Just a little over month after announcing plans to close 32 underperforming stores, including eight in Massachusetts, Stop & Shop has shuttered the grocery chains first Massachusetts location. A sign was hung at the Newton store, located at 165 Needham St., announcing the locations closure for Thursday, Aug. 29, according to WCVB. The sign urged shoppers to visit other store locations, which are between 3 and 5 miles from the closing location, WCVB reported. As of Aug. 30, the Newton location is the only store that has closed in Massachusetts. All other stores that are slated to close will remain open through September and October to serve our loyal customers, a spokesperson for the company told MassLive on Friday. Closing dates will vary by store, however all impacted stores will close before November 2nd. Customers will be notified of closure dates week prior via in store signage, the weekly circular, and customer emails, according to the spokesperson. Associates affected by the closures will be offered other opportunities within the company. The company has not announced a schedule of when each store is slated to close. Heres the full list of stores that are closing in New England: Massachusetts Rhode Island 11 Commerce Way, Johnston 176 Pittman St., Providence (Eastside Marketplace) Connecticut 100 Division St., Ansonia 211 High St., Torrington 1937 West Main St., Stamford 855 Bridgeport Ave., Milford 72 Newtown Road, Danbury New Jersey 1083 Inman Ave., Edison 1049 U.S. Highway 1 S., Edison 4861 U.S. Highway 9, Howell 1278 U.S. Highway 22, Phillipsburg 581 Stelton Road, Piscataway 625 Paterson Ave., Carlstadt 1221 state Route 27, Franklin Township 130 Skyline Drive, Ringwood 505 Richmond Ave., Point Pleasant Beach 2275 West County Line Road, Jackson New York Officials on Friday identified a man who was fatally shot by police on the Piscataqua River Bridge connecting New Hampshire and Maine early Thursday as Trent Weston, 37, and said all evidence indicates he killed his wife and son. Weston killed his wife, identified as Brittany Weston, 37, and son, Benson Weston, 8, before he was shot by police on the bridge early Thursday morning, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall said in a joint statement. Officials had not previously confirmed that Trent Weston killed his son. At around 3 a.m. Thursday, police went to 359 Monadnock St. in Troy after Trent Weston reported that he had shot his wife. Brittany Weston was found dead inside the home when police arrived. An autopsy confirmed that Brittany Westons manner of death was homicide and she had been shot multiple times in the head, according to the statement. State Police from New Hampshire and Maine later engaged Trent Weston for hours on the Interstate 95 bridge, but troopers from both states later shot him after he raised a gun at police, officials said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. Trent Westons body fell into the river and was recovered quickly by the U.S. Coast Guard. He was declared dead at the scene. The police shooting of Trent Weston is under investigation by the Maine Attorney Generals Office and Maine State Police, according to the statement. After police killed Trent Weston, they found his son, Benson Weston, 8, fatally shot in his fathers car. An autopsy determined Benson Weston was killed by his father, officials said. The Massachusetts House advanced one of the most hot-button housing policies of the session on Thursday -- but only for six towns and at a session attended by fewer than 10 state representatives. The chamber gave initial approval to a bill sponsored by Rep. Dylan A. Fernandes, D-Barnstable/Dukes/Nantucket, allowing Marthas Vineyard to impose a transfer tax on real estate transactions over $1 million. Another favorable House vote would send the bill to the Senate. The bill would create a housing bank, run by elected representatives of each of the islands six towns and one at-large representative, to acquire property to create year-round affordable and community housing. It would fund the affordable housing through taxing real estate sales at 2% of the transaction price above $1 million. In 2023, the median sale price on Marthas Vineyard was $1.55 million, according LINK, the multiple listing real estate service on the island. The six towns on Marthas Vineyard -- Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury -- all approved the bill locally at town meetings. The bill started moving five days after formal sessions ended, when the Revenue Committee on Aug. 5 gave it a favorable report and referred it to Committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Transfer fees have been one of the most controversial topics of the 2023-2024 legislative session, when the affordable housing policy idea gained traction with a heavyweight in its corner for the first time, Gov. Maura Healey. Healey filed her $4 billion housing bond bill last year with a provision that would have allowed all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts decide for themselves if they wanted to impose a transfer fee on high-value real estate to pay for affordable housing, amidst a statewide crisis of both a lack of affordability and accessibility of housing units. Western Massachusetts activists and lawmakers pushed for a reformed version of the policy that would have lowered the threshold for some lower-income municipalities, including rural towns. Boston, Cambridge and Somerville -- all of which filed home rule petitions to legalize the tax -- said taxing sales between wealthy landlords profiting from the skyrocketing residential property values in their cities and using that money to help lower-income families stay in their homes or create new affordable units would help fight displacement. Meanwhile, real estate groups lobbied against the policy, saying it would raise the costs of homeownership. Advocates from Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket have maintained throughout the conversation that they have a unique set of needs. As vacation destinations, where the second home market has devastated housing opportunities for most lower-income full-time residents, activists from the islands said a transfer fee on luxury real estate is a tool that would specifically help their unique housing landscape. We call it the shuffle on the island. You can find a place to live from November through April, but May comes around and they want to turn it into an Airbnb, and youre shuffled out of your house with your children, Dan OConnell, former secretary of housing and economic development who now lives on Marthas Vineyard, said at a rally supporting transfer fees last year. People have been living in tents in the summer because of the lack of being able to find housing. I dont use the word crisis casually, but this truly is one, he continued. Advocates have also said that the islands tourism industry, which relies heavily on waiters, bartenders and other part-time workers, is also suffering, as those who work on Marthas Vineyard often cannot afford to live there. At the hospital a third of the physicians positions are open because staff who theyre trying to hire cant find housing, OConnell said. Theyre providing dormitories for nurses who have come in from off the island for 48-hour shifts. Its affecting the people we need most -- farmers and fishermen, public safety officers, firefighters and EMTs who you want nearby. That case is true as well, and perhaps even greater on Nantucket, where the median home sale price in 2023 was over $3 million. But the House on Thursday only advanced the Marthas Vineyard housing bank bill. The bill was filed by Fernandes with a matching piece of legislation filed by Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Cape and Islands, in the Senate. Fernandes is running in a competitive election this November for an open Senate seat representing the Plymouth and Barnstable district. He is the presumptive Democratic nominee, with no primary opponent, who will be up against either Republican Rep. Mathew Muratore, of Plymouth, who is serving his fifth term in the House, or Kari MacRae, of Bourne. It is the second time this month that Democrats in leadership have advanced a bill whose Democrat sponsor is in a competitive election. Healey signed a maternal health bill into law earlier this week. Its lead House negotiator was Rep. Marjorie Decker, D-25th Middlesex. Decker is facing a challenge from her left in a race that has gotten more media coverage in recent weeks, and an opponent, Evan MacKay, who has often pointed to Deckers powerful committee roles and criticized Democrats lack of action on enacting statewide policy. Fernandes was not available to discuss the housing bank bill on Thursday, according to his office. The Falmouth Democrat told the Vineyard Gazette in January 2023, when he filed the bill, that he did not think just a home rule petition would succeed on its own on Beacon Hill. The only way we see this happening is if theres a statewide enabling piece, he told the Vineyard Gazette at the time. There are towns that have been filing a transfer fee for over a decade now. A bill filed by Fernandes and Cyr to allow local transfer fees on Nantucket still sits in the Revenue Committee, past its reporting date of July 31, according to the Legislatures website. SPRINGFIELD State Sen. Adam Gomezs reelection campaign had big news Thursday: Gov. Maura Healey is endorsing his bid for the 11th Hampden District seat. The news comes 10 days after Gomezs rival, Malo Brown, highlighted the endorsement of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. A mother and daughter killed in a stabbing in a Worcester apartment on Saturday were remembered in their obituary as best friends. Sergia Acosta, 76, and Ana Maria Martinez, 58, were found with puncture wounds in a Webster Square Towers apartment at 1060 Main St. on Saturday. Police say William Rodriguez, who was in a relationship with Martinez, killed both women. Rodriguez was arrested in New York City on Thursday. Acosta and Martinez were both born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Worcester many years ago, according to their obituary. Acosta worked as a tailor and Martinez worked as a personal care assistant for Tempus Unlimited. At the time of her death, she was taking care of her mother, Acosta, full-time. Le Premier Ministre a pris part le 17 aout 2024 a ce sommet virtuellement suite a linvitation du chef du gouvernement indien en compagnie de plusieurs leaders internationaux qui avait pour theme An empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future. Cabinet took note that at the invitation of His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius participated in the Inaugural Leaders Session of the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit held virtually on 17 August 2024. The theme of the Sessions Summit was An empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future. The Summit saw the participation of around 17 leaders who exchanged on ways and means to address developmental concerns and to echo with unity the priorities of the Global South. In his intervention, the Prime Minister, inter alia, reiterated the need for reform of international multilateral institutions so as to better reflect the realities of the emerging South, including the specificities of Small Island Developing States. He also stressed on the need for access to adequate financing for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and on the need to foster cooperation amongst countries of the Global South to strengthen global preparedness and resilience against future pandemics and major health or sanitary crises. Du 11 au 13 septembre 2024, le pays va organiser le 8th African Transitional Justice suite a la proposition de lUnion Africaine qui aura pour theme Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa. Cabinet has taken note of the proposal by the African Union to host the 8th African Transitional Justice Forum from 11 to 13 September 2024 in Mauritius, which would focus on the African Union theme, Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa. The African Transitional Justice Forum is an annual multi-stakeholder platform which endeavours to promote sharing of best practices and comprehensive reflections on advancements, innovations, shortcomings, and challenges in the field of Transitional Justice in the continent. The African Transitional Justice Forum is financed by the European Union, the African Union and other international partners. Around 150-200 participants, including Transitional Justice Experts and Practitioners, National Human Rights Institutions, Civil Society Organisations, Regional Economic Communities, AU Organs and victims networks would take part in the Forum. Galactic Energy, a private rocket maker in Beijing, made the third sea-based launch mission of its Ceres 1 carrier rocket on Thursday afternoon. By now, China has performed 12 sea-based launches, involving four types of rockets: Long March 11, Smart Dragon 3, Ceres 1 and Gravity 1. The company said in a news release that the rocket blasted off at 1:22 pm from a mobile launch platform a modified deck barge in the Yellow Sea off the eastern province of Shandong and then sent six satellites into a sun synchronous orbit about 535 kilometers above the Earth. The satellites, from multiple operators, will be used to collect meteorological data, demonstrate optical remote-sensing technologies and collect hyper-spectral remote-sensing data, according to Galactic Energy. So far, Galactic Energy has carried out 15 orbital launches using the Ceres 1 model, far outperforming other private competitors. These flights have placed 54 commercial satellites into space. The Ceres 1's first sea-based launch took place in September 2023 off the coast of Shandong, placing four Tianqi satellites into space. That mission made Galactic Energy the first Chinese private company to launch a rocket at sea. The second such mission happened in May and also deployed four satellites. The solid propellant Ceres 1 is about 20 meters tall, has a diameter of 1.4 meters and mainly burns solid propellant. With a liftoff weight of 33 metric tons, it is capable of sending a 300-kilogram satellite or several satellites with a combined weight of 300 kg, to a 500-km sun synchronous orbit, or 350-kg payloads to a low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 200 km. Le gouvernement a pris la decision le 30 aout 2024 dintroduire ce projet de loi lors de la rentree parlementaire qui est prevu pour le 15 octobre 2024. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Extradition (Amendment) Bill which would amend the Extradition Act to provide for timely and fair determination of extradition proceedings. A WESTPORT publican has appealed a decision by Mayo County Council to grant planning permission to convert the old Cap Factory Building in the centre of Westport into an eight bedroom 'boutique hostel'. Joe O'Malley, the proprietor of The Porter House pub on Bridge Street in Westport lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against the decision to grant planning permission to Sligo-based developer Brendan Power to develop and renovate the derelict building located between Bridge Street and James Street in Westport into a hostel. In his appeal to An Bord Pleanala, Mr O'Malley outlined six grounds of appeal in relation to the proposed development which included insufficient legal interest, poor quality tourism accommodation and concern over potential future change of use. The old Cap Factory building is located behind both The Porter House and Matt Molloy's pub. Both publicans had previously objected to claims by Mr Power to the right of way of an alleyway between the two pubs which he proposed to use as access to the development. Mr O'Malley claimed that the applicant has failed to provide sufficient legal interest for a laneway to connect the old Cap Factory building to Bridge Street. He added that access to the laneway is essential to enable the proposed development to be carried out. In his application to Mayo County Council, Mr Power's architect, Simon O'Dowd stated that he does not wish to register with Failte Ireland because the 'onerous requirements of the Tourist Traffic Acts are unsuitable for the existing structure and may make the business less viable'. He added that he does not intend to advertise the business as a 'Youth Hostel' or 'Holiday Hostel' but would describe it as 'Boutique Hostel Accommodation'. In his appeal, Mr O'Malley described this assertion as 'absurd' and added 'the fact is that the internal design of the proposed hostel will provide for a sub-standard form of accommodation and amenity for future occupants'. Mr O'Malley stated that the applicant proposes a 'cramped kitchen/dining area' and pointed out that while 56 bed spaces are to be provided, 'only' eight dining seats are indicated in the dining area. He claimed that this is 'grossly inadequate' and would present 'a very poor quality accommodation offering'. We would submit that the proposed development would result in a substandard level of development, fail to provide a satisfactory standard of amenity for future occupants and would depreciate the value of property in the vicinity and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, Mr O'Malley stated while also requesting An Bord Pleanala to ask their experts to examine all fire safety aspects of the proposed development. A leave of appeal was also lodged with An Bord Pleanala by Aidan Murphy of Ennistymon, Co Clare who stated he is the owner of an adjoining premises and the ground floor which is 'supporting part of the two upper floors' of the proposed development. Mr Murphy claimed that the proposed development will impact land he owns and will 'leave me vulnerable to the possibility of damage to my premises'. Mr Power had originally sought permission to develop the old Cap Factory Building which dates back to the early 19th century into a 13 bedroom hostel. However, following opposition he revised his plans and reduced the number of proposed bedrooms from 13 to eight. As a result of the redesign of the building, Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the proposed development subject to eight conditions. The building is within the Architectural Conservation Area of the town and has been derelict since it closed in the 1980s. Mr Power has been seeking to develop the building for the last number of years without success. An application in 2021 to develop apartments and a work unit in the old Cap Factory were turned down by both Mayo County Council and An Bord Pleanala. 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. by Tanya Gazdik , August 29, 2024 Ford Motor Co. is the latest company to scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after boycott threats. Robby Starbuck, a former Hollywood music-video director turned conservative activist, has pressured several high-profile companies, including Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply Co. and John Deere to abandon inclusive employment policies. Starbuck, who claimed that he was in the middle of investigating woke policies at Ford before the company confirmed the changes, suggested that the automotive giant will also no longer make donations to pride events or other divisive events," according to Fortune. Sanity is coming for corporate America, Starbuck declared to more than half a million followers on X. advertisement advertisement He posted a memo on his X account from Ford CEO Jim Farley announcing that Ford will no longer pursue diversity goals or quotas in its hiring process, at its dealerships or when selecting suppliers, according to Bloomberg. We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, and the external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve, Farley wrote to employees. Likewise, while we continue to develop a dealer body that reflects the communities they serve, we will not use quotas for minority dealerships or suppliers. Ford also has also withdrawn from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Harley-Davidson and Jack Daniel's owner Brown-Forman also confirmed they're no longer participating, according to Axios. Lowe's, which did not respond to requests seeking comment, has reportedly pulled out of the HRC index too. Once something companies openly bragged about, a perfect 100 score on the HRC index is the gold standard for companies that want to prove they're committed to LGBTQ+ causes. Lowes and Ford adopted preemptive changes before Starbuck rallied his social media followers to boycott the companies, according to USA Today. Corporate America stepped up its focus on diversity initiatives after widespread protests against racial and gender disparities in leadership following the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans in 2020, notes Reuters. Of late, however, some companies have backtracked, altering DEI programs meant to boost racial and ethnic representation at workplaces in response to pressure from conservative legal organizations. Some firms have received public shareholder letters since 2021 saying their DEI programs constitute illegal discrimination and a breach of directors' duties to investors. Company spokesman Mark Truby told Headlight.News that People are overstating the changes Ford is making, and missing the commitment. We have not disbanded [its] DEI office like many companies. Headlight News included the full text of Farley's 544-word memo. Last weeks meeting marked a prelude to GVNs international meeting in Durban, South Africa, September 16-18, 2024 Advertisement TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mitigate the mpox outbreak, the Global Virus Network (GVN) is 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. Advertisement Laurens Liesenborghs, MD, PhD, Assistant professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Belgium, member of ITMs 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 dont 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 President Emeritus 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. GVNs coalition of the worlds 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 GVNs International Annual Scientific Meeting, Navigating Virologys 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 GVNs 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. About the Global Virus Network (GVN) The GVN is essential and critical in the preparedness, defense, and first research response to emerging, existing, and unidentified viruses that pose a clear and present threat to public health. Working in close coordination with established national and international institutions, the GVN is a coalition comprised of eminent human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in 40+ countries, working collaboratively to train the next generation, advance knowledge about how to identify and diagnose pandemic viruses, mitigate and control how such viruses spread and make us sick, as well as develop drugs, vaccines, and treatments to combat them. No single institution in the world has expertise in all viral areas other than the GVN, which brings together the finest medical virologists to leverage their individual expertise and coalesce global teams of specialists on the scientific challenges, issues, and problems posed by pandemic viruses. The GVN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, please visit www.gvn.org . For more information, please contact: Linman Li at [email protected] Highlights: Manuka honey slows the growth of certain breast cancer cells It enhances the effectiveness of tamoxifen, a common breast cancer drug Research shows it may selectively target and destroy cancer cells Trusted Source Manuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Manuka honey may boost the effectiveness of traditional breast cancer treatments. #naturalremedy #medindia Manuka honey may boost the effectiveness of traditional breast cancer treatments. #naturalremedy #medindia Advertisement Manuka Honey: What Makes It Special? Advertisement Advertisement How does Manuka Honey Trigger Cancer Cell Self-Destruction Advertisement Could Manuka Honey Be a Future Cancer Treatment? Manuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39064812/) Breast cancer remains a major health challenge for women around the world. While treatments have come a long way, especially for Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, some patients still face resistance to these therapies, particularly in advanced stages. Thats why researchers are exploring natural remedies like Manuka honey, known for its unique medicinal properties, to see if it can help in the fight against breast cancer ).Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand, is famous for its high levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound believed to have powerful antibacterial and possibly anticancer properties. In a recent study, scientists investigated whether Manuka honey could slow down or stop the growth of breast cancer cells and the results were promising!The study found that Manuka honey can significantly slow the growth of certain breast cancer cells. When applied to estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells (the most common type), Manuka honey worked in a dose-dependent mannerthe more honey, the stronger the effect. Surprisingly, it was less effective on triple-negative breast cancer cells, which are usually more difficult to treat.One exciting discovery was how well Manuka honey worked alongside tamoxifen, a standard breast cancer treatment . When used together, the honey boosted tamoxifens effectiveness, suggesting that it might help overcome resistance to this drug, making treatments more successful.The study revealed that it triggers a process called apoptosis, where cancer cells essentially self-destruct. This process was much more pronounced in estrogen receptor-positive cells, showing that the honey might selectively target certain types of breast cancer. Importantly, these effects werent just due to the sugar content of the honey other sugars didnt have the same impact.Manuka honey also seems to interfere with the cancer cells survival mechanisms. It activated certain proteins that prevent cell growth and blocked pathways that cancer cells use to survive and thrive. By disrupting these signals, Manuka honey makes it harder for cancer cells to grow.To see if these effects could translate to real-world scenarios, researchers tested Manuka honey on mice with breast cancer. The results were encouraging the honey significantly slowed the growth of breast tumors, suggesting that it might be effective in living organisms, not just in the lab.This study highlights the potential of Manuka honey as a natural ally in the fight against breast cancer. While more research is needed before it becomes a standard treatment, these findings open the door to exciting possibilities. Manuka honey might one day be part of a comprehensive approach to breast cancer, especially for patients who face resistance to traditional therapies.Manuka honeys ability to slow down breast cancer growth and enhance the effects of existing treatments could be a game-changer in oncology. As we continue to explore natural therapies, Manuka honey offers hope that natures sweetness might just hold the key to sweeter outcomes for breast cancer patients.Source-Medindia Highlights: Oropouche virus spreads through midges and mosquito bites, with no documented person-to-person transmission Recent outbreaks have occurred in the Amazon, South America, and the Caribbean, with cases reported in the US and Europe There is no specific treatment or vaccine available, with medical management focusing on alleviating symptoms and providing supportive care Trusted Source Clinical Overview of Oropouche Virus Disease Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? Oropouche virus can cause severe complications like bleeding, meningitis, or encephalitis in 1 in 20 patients? #medindia #tropicaldiseases #oropouchefever Oropouche virus can cause severe complications like bleeding, meningitis, or encephalitis in 1 in 20 patients? #medindia #tropicaldiseases #oropouchefever Advertisement How the Oropouche Virus Spreads Advertisement Symptoms and Treatment of Oropouche Virus chikungunya Advertisement Diagnosis and Treatment of Oropouche Virus Emerging Concerns about Oropouche Virus Clinical Overview of Oropouche Virus Disease - (https://www.cdc.gov/oropouche/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html) The Oropouche virus, often referred to as "sloth fever," is a virus native to tropical forested regions and gained its nickname "sloth fever" because early investigations found it in three-toed sloths, leading scientists to believe that these animals played a role in the virus's transmission between insects and other animals. It was first identified in 1955 in Trinidad, by a 24-year-old forest worker. The virus derives its name from a nearby village and wetlands ().Oropouche virus primarily spreads to humans through bites from small flies known as midges, as well as certain mosquito species. While humans contract the virus during visits to forested areas, there's no documented evidence of person-to-person transmission. However, humans are believed to have contributed to the virus's spread to urban areas.Since late last year, Oropouche virus has been identified as the cause of significant outbreaks in regions where it was already known to exist, such as the Amazon, as well as in new areas across South America and the Caribbean. Over 8,000 locally acquired cases have been reported in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru. The virus has also made its way to other parts of the world, with travelers in the U.S. and Europe being diagnosed after returning from affected regions.In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 21 cases, all linked to travelers from Cuba, with 20 cases in Florida and one in New York. Similarly, European health authorities have reported 19 cases, predominantly among travelers.Oropouche virus disease typically has an incubation period of 310 days. The illness generally begins with a sudden fever (38-40C) accompanied by severe headache, chills, muscle pain , and joint pain The symptoms of Oropouche virus infection can resemble those of other tropical diseases like dengue, Zika, or malaria. Common symptoms include fever, headaches, and muscle aches, with some individuals also experiencing diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or rash. In severe cases, 1 in 20 patients may develop more serious complications such as bleeding, meningitis, or encephalitis. Although fatalities are rare, recent reports from Brazil indicate deaths among two healthy young individuals.Symptoms generally last between 2 and 7 days, but up to 60% of patients may experience a recurrence of symptoms days or weeks later, which are similar to the initial episode.The symptoms of Oropouche virus disease can resemble those of dengue Zika , or malaria Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines available to prevent Oropouche virus infection, nor are there specific treatments to address its symptoms. Medical management focuses on alleviating symptoms and providing supportive care.Some patients with Oropouche virus disease have shown abnormal lab results, including low white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), mildly raised liver enzymes, and in some cases, low platelet counts.Oropouche virus can lead to neuroinvasive complications such as meningitis or encephalitis in about 4% of cases. Symptoms of neuroinvasive disease include severe occipital pain, dizziness, confusion, lethargy, light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and abnormal eye movements. Lab abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may include increased white blood cells and elevated protein levels.Weakness and fatigue may persist in some patients for up to a month after symptom onset. Severe cases might require hospitalization, but most patients recover fully without long-term effects. Deaths are rare.In Brazil, there are growing concerns that the Oropouche virus could be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus, drawing comparisons to the Zika virus outbreaks nearly a decade ago. This potential risk has prompted the CDC to advise pregnant women to avoid non-essential travel to Cuba and to recommend that all travelers take precautions against insect bites, such as using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing.The Oropouche virus, while not new, is gaining attention due to its spread beyond traditional forested regions and into urban areas and new countries. With no specific treatment or vaccine available, the focus remains on prevention and monitoring, especially for travelers returning from affected areas. Public health authorities continue to advise caution and proactive measures to reduce the risk of infection.Source-Medindia When I saw the trailer of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, what caught my attention was first, director Anubhav Sinhas name, second, the massive ensemble of stars it featured and third, the fact that it was based on the real-life Kandahar plane hijacking incident of 1999. I knew about the Kandahar plane hijack, but not in detail. I had a vague memory of hearing about it in passing when it happened but didnt think much of it probably because I was barely 8 years old. But being a film buff, I saw a number of commercial Indian films that were loosely based on the Kandahar hijack. Hence, I was quite intrigued about the subject matter and decided against reading anything about it online as I wanted to witness it and experience it on-screen first. The Hot Take Anubhav Sinhas docudrama is a 6-episode show that tactfully balances the drama, the thrills and the documentary in a near-perfect blend. This is by far one of the best shows on Indian OTT and marks Anubhav Sinhas return to form after the overstuffed and convoluted Anek and good but uninteresting Bheed. Netflix IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack offers the viewers a peek inside what is termed as Indias longest and worst aviation crisis and how it was a collective failure of Indian intelligence, government and bureaucracy that led to the killing of a hostage, three dreaded terrorists walking free and lifetime of mental trauma and agony to the survivors. There are moments especially in the first three episodes where you will find yourself shaking your head in disbelief over the nonchalance of Indian intelligence services and ministers and of course their incompetence. We are told early in the show that Indian agencies got to know about the hijack plan in advance but decided not to pay attention to it. Realising how close to reality this series was, this couldve easily fallen into the category of being a frustrating watch through and through, but this is where Anubhav Sinhas casting choices come into the picture and save the day. The Terrific Star Cast The show has an ensemble of great actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Arvind Swamy, Vijay Varma, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Aditya Srivastava, Yashpal Sharma, Kanwaljit Singh, Dia Mirza, Amrita Puri, Patralekhaa, Sushant Singh, Pooja Gor and Squid Game star Anupam Tripathi and all of them understood the assignment. The United States' longest war is over. But not for everyone. Outside of San Francisco, surgeon Doug Chin has helped provide medical assistance to people in Afghanistan via video calls. He has helped Afghan families with their day-to-day living expenses. Yet he remains haunted by the people he could not save. In Long Beach, California, Special Forces veteran Thomas Kasza has put aside medical school to help Afghans who used to search for land mines escape to America. That can mean testifying to Congress, writing newsletters and asking for donations. In rural Virginia, Army veteran Mariah Smith housed an Afghan family of four that she'd never met who had fled Kabul and needed a place to stay as they navigated their new life in America. Smith, Kasza and Chin have counterparts scattered across the country likeminded people they may never have heard of. The war in Afghanistan officially ended in August 2021 when the last U.S. plane departed the countrys capital city. What remains is a dedicated array of Americans often working in isolation, or in small grassroots networks who became committed to helping the Afghan allies the United States left behind. For them, the war didn't end that day. In the three years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, hundreds of people around the country current and former military members, diplomats, intelligence officers, civilians from all walks of life have struggled in obscurity to help the Afghans left behind. They have assisted Afghans struggling through State Department bureaucracy fill out form after form. They have sent food and rent money to families. They have fielded WhatsApp or Signal messages at all hours from Afghans pleading for help. They have welcomed those who have made it out of Afghanistan into their homes as they build new lives. For Americans involved in this ad hoc effort, the war has reverberated through their lives, weighed on their relationships, caused veterans to question their military service and in many cases left a scar as ragged as any caused by bullet or bomb. Most are tired. Many are angry. They grapple with what it means for their nation that they, ordinary Americans moved by compassion and gratitude and by shame at what they consider their government's abandonment of countless Afghan allies, were the ones left to get those Afghans to safety. And they struggle with how much more they have left to give. How we got here The American mission in Afghanistan started with the goal of eradicating al-Qaida and avenging the groups Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. But the mission morphed and grew over two decades. Every president inherited an evolving version of a war that no commander-in-chief wanted to lose but that none could figure out how to win. By the time President Joe Biden decided to pull the U.S. military from Afghanistan by Aug. 31, 2021, the American mission there was riddled with failures. But by early August the Taliban had toppled key cities and was closing in on the capital. With the Afghan army largely collapsed, the Taliban rolled into Kabul and assumed control on Aug. 15. The Biden administration scrambled to evacuate staff, American citizens and at-risk Afghans. One Biden administration official recently described the chaos of those three weeks to The Associated Press, saying that it felt like nobody in the U.S. government was able to steer the ship. With the Taliban in control of the capital, tens of thousands of Afghans crowded the airport trying to get on one of the planes out. That is when this informal network was born. Past and current members of the U.S. military, the State Department and U.S. intelligence services were all being besieged with messages begging for help from Afghans theyd worked with. Americans horrified by what they were seeing and reading on the news reached out as well, determined to help. Veterans whod served multiple tours in Afghanistan and civilians whod never set foot there all spent sleepless weeks working their telephones, fighting to get out every Afghan they could and to help those still trapped. Only thing I can think of One of those civilians was Doug Chin. A plastic surgeon in Oakland California, he was already familiar with Afghanistan, although he'd never been there. A few years before the Taliban takeover, he'd become involved with the then Herat-based Afghan Girls Robotics Team. So impressed was he with their mission that he'd joined their board and sometimes traveled to their international events. Then, in August 2021, the Taliban entered Herat. Eventually came the scenes out of Kabul airport: mothers hoisting children over barbed wire, men falling to their deaths as they clung to the bottom of departing planes. Chin, working contacts, worked to help the team, their extended families, staff and others get on flight manifests, navigate checkpoints and eventually escape Kabul. The work was so intense that he shut down his business for three months to focus on helping Afghans. For a time, he was supporting dozens of people in Afghanistan. Now, three years later, the work is shifting. It's a matter of trying to get visas for Afghans so they can escape an educational visa to study in Europe, for example. He advocates for human rights activists in Afghanistan and also helps provide medical services remotely to people in there. Once or twice a week he gets requests via the secure messaging app Signal to help someone in Afghanistan. Chin will either give advice directly or help them get in touch with doctors in Afghanistan that can help. Some memories still move him to tears. In one case, in August 2021, a busload of people hed helped evacuate was heading to the Kabul airport. One woman wasnt on the passenger manifest. U.S. officials coordinating the evacuations told him that the Taliban controlling access to the airport might turn the entire bus around because of this one passenger. Chin had to order her off the bus. She later escaped Afghanistan, but it remains painful for him. The only thing I can think of," he says, is the people that I havent helped. An imperfect pathway In those initial months, there was a frantic intensity to the efforts to get Afghans into the Kabul airport and onto the American military planes. Volunteers pushed U.S. contacts in Kabul to let Afghans into the airport, coordinated to get them onto the flight lists, lobbied any member of Congress or government official they could find and helped Afghans in Kabul find safe places to go. Even leaders of the U.S. administration and military resorted to the volunteer groups and journalists to get out individual Afghan friends or ex-colleagues. By the time the last plane lifted off on Aug. 30, 2021, about 76,000 Afghans had been flown out of the country and eventually to the U.S. Another 84,000 have come since the fall of Kabul each a victory for the Americans helping them over the Taliban and over a tortuous U.S. immigration process. But more are still waiting. There are about 135,000 applicants to the special immigrant visa program and another 28,000 waiting on other refugee programs for Afghans connected to the U.S. mission. Those numbers don't include family members, meaning potentially hundreds of thousands more Afghans are waiting in limbo and in danger in Afghanistan. In 2009, Congress passed legislation creating a special immigrant visa program to help Afghans and Iraqis who assisted the U.S. government emigrate to the United States. The idea was that they'd risked their lives to help America's war effort, and in return they deserved a new life and protection in America. But ever since its inception, the SIV program has been dogged by complaints that it has moved too slowly, burdening applicants with too much paperwork and ultimately putting America's wartime allies in danger as they waited for decisions. Under the Biden administration, the State Department has taken steps to streamline the process and has boosted the number of special immigrant visas issued each month to Afghans. The department says that in fiscal year 2023, it issued more SIVs for Afghans in a single year than ever before more than 18,000 and is on track to surpass that figure this year. State has also used what it's learned to streamline processing of SIV applicants to increase the number of refugees it is admitting to the United States from around the world. The Biden administration official said most people remember only the chaos of those last two weeks of August and have no idea about the work that has been done in the three years since. But for those still waiting to come, they do so under constant threat and stress. No One Left Behind, an organization helping Afghans who used to work for the U.S. government get out of Afghanistan, has documented 242 case of reprisal killings with at least 101 who had applied or were clearly SIV-eligible. An opportunity to pay back Faraidoon Fred Abdullah is one of the volunteers often referred to as caseworkers. He has helped hundreds of Afghans fill out immigration and visa forms or hunt down letters of recommendation from former employers. Theyre eligible. They have the documentation, but (the) Department of State is too slow, Abdullah says. His journey to this work started a little differently. The 37-year-old Afghanistan native began to work with the U.S. military as a translator during the war. He left his home country in 2016 through the same program hes trying to help people through now. A year later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. I lost many American friends while they served my country, while they were helping Afghan people, Abdullah says. So it was always like a dream for me to wear the uniform officially as a part of the United States military to pay them back with my service, with my time. He describes the work he has done over the last several years as one of the few people who speaks the language and understands Afghan culture as similar to that of a social worker. The calls come at random and varying hours of the night and day, he says. Its like PTSD, and they might just snap at you like for no reason, Abdullah says about the people he's tried to help. And not everybody has the patience and tolerance and the ability to deal with that. He was on active duty when the United States decided to withdraw. He had left his mom, siblings and other relatives in Afghanistan, thinking that the democracy that had been slowly built over the years would endure. It didn't. Over the last few years, Abdullah has been able to relocate a few family members out of Afghanistan. But more than a dozen still remain stuck in a process run by the departments of State and Defense. Now he worries that attention has faded from Afghanistan as other conflicts take precedence. The same urgency to donate, volunteer or sustain Afghans as their status remains in limbo is no longer there. Afghanistan is, right now, not an important issue not a hot potato anymore, Abdullah says. That focus has shifted to Ukraine, Gaza, Israel and Haiti. And then we are kind of like, you know, nowhere. By, with and through To understand what has taken place since the last U.S. flight left Afghanistan, former military members will point you to the Special Forces operational approach titled, by, with and through. The term effectively means that nothing the United States does on the ground in a partner state is done without allies. In the case of Afghanistan, that's the Afghans who at great risk to themselves turned against the Taliban to work with the Americans. So when Kabul fell, the obligation to their Afghan allies left behind was equal to the responsibility to their own fellow service members. Just as they would never leave another service member behind, so too with the Afghans they worked with. It is a commitment Thomas Kasza knows all too well. He spent 13 years active duty in the U.S. military, 10 as part of U.S. Army Special Forces, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. As he prepared to leave active duty in August 2021, Kasza was planning to go to medical school. Then came the evacuation. Like many U.S. military veterans, Kasza started helping Afghans he knew who were still in Afghanistan. At first, he was determined to limit his involvement. Today, the notion of medical school has been abandoned. He's the executive director of an organization called the 1208 Foundation. The group helps Afghans who worked with the Special Forces to detect explosives to come to America. Kasza and another Special Forces member and six Afghans do the work. The foundation does things like pay for housing for the Afghans when they travel to another country for their visa interviews or paying for the required medical exams. They also help Afghans still in Afghanistan where theyre hunted by the Taliban. In 2023 they helped 25 Afghan families get out of Afghanistan. Each is a hard-fought victory and a new life. But they still have about another 170 cases in their roster, representing more than 900 people when family members are included. To focus on the mission getting those Afghan team members to safety he limits the conversations he has with them. You have to maintain a separation for your own sanity, he says. As the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan arrives, Kasza is preparing to step back from the executive director role at the organization he helped found although he'll still be involved in the organization. Everything that's happened over the last three years still weighs on him. I cant do what our government did and look the other way, he says. Scott Mann, a retired Green Beret who spent several deployments training Afghan special forces, describes the work of the past few years as being on the worlds longest 911 call and unable to hang up. It is like one of the most taboo things in the world to leave a partner on the battlefield in any way, he says. Scott adds that many veterans, like himself, are only alive now because on at least two occasions Afghan partners prevented" them from getting killed. And now those very people are asking me to help their father or their mother who were on the run, he says. "How do you hang up the phone on something like that? The notion of moral injury Some of the volunteers spoke of tapping their own retirement accounts, or their childrens college funds, to keep stranded Afghan allies housed and fed, sometimes for years. Marriages reached breaking points over the time that volunteers were putting into the effort. Spouses and children warned their loved ones that they had to cut back. One veteran who worked at the heart of the logistics network by which volunteers got grocery and rent money to Afghan allies talked of the loneliness of the work, where once hed had fellow troops with him in tough times. As the effort went on, he upped his antidepressants. Then did it again. And again. Moral injury is a relatively new term that is often referred to in the discussion about how many volunteers, especially military veterans, feel about the aftermath of the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan and the treatment of allies. It refers to the damage done to one's conscience by the things they've had to do or witnessed or failed to prevent things that violate their own values. In this case, they feel betrayed by their country because they feel it has failed to protect Afghan allies. It is a concept that Kate Kovarovic feels passionate about. She is not a veteran, nor does she come from a military family. But she became involved in the effort after a friend reached out to her in 2021 to ask for her social media expertise. From there Kate got more and more involved until she became the director of resilience programming for #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations dedicated to helping Afghans trying to leave Afghanistan. She held that position for over a year. She describes it as the hardest job of her life. During the evacuation and its aftermath, volunteers were focused on helping Afghans flee or find safe houses. But a few months later volunteers started realizing that they needed support as well, she says. The ease of communication meant volunteers were always getting bombarded with pleas for help. Kovarovic says they tried a little bit of everything to help the volunteers. She held a series of fireside chats where she'd talk to mental health professionals. They created a resource page on #AfghanEvac's website with mental health resources. And she helped create a Resilience Duty Officer support program where volunteers needing someone to talk to could call or text a 24-hour hotline. She describes that program as catastrophically successful. The volunteers weren't just calling to vent a little. Kovarovic says the calls were graphic. Desperate. I personally fielded over 50 suicide calls from people, she recalls. You were hearing a lot of the trauma. She lost weight, wasn't sleeping and developed an eye twitch that made it difficult to see. Loved ones asked her to stop. In 2023, she took a break. Home from a two-week vacation, she landed at the airport and her eye twitch immediately returned. She sat down and texted colleagues that it was time for her to stop. I wept. I have never felt such a heavy sense of guilt. I felt like I hadnt done enough and that I had failed people by abandoning them, she says. She now hosts a podcast called Shoulder to Shoulder: Untold Stories From a Forgotten War with a retired Air Force veteran that she met during the evacuation. They talk to guests like a Gold Star mother and an Afghan interpreter who lost his legs in a bomb blast. She wants people outside the community to know that the work of helping Afghans during the withdrawal and all that has happened since has been its own front line in the war on terror. What I hope that people will understand one day is that these are lifelong conditions," she says. So even people who leave the volunteer work, even if you never speak to another Afghan again, this is going to sit with you for the rest of your life. What comes next? Everyone in the movement, spread out across time zones, has varying views of where this effort goes from here. Many want Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide a permanent emigration pathway for Afghans. Others would like support for volunteers' mental health concerns. Many just want accountability. None of the four presidents who oversaw the war in Afghanistan has taken public responsibility for the chaos and destruction that followed America's withdrawal. Biden, in charge when U.S. troops left, has come under the most criticism. The Biden administration official, who spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity, said that the unwillingness by the U.S. government to admit its mistakes in regards to Afghanistan is perpetuating the moral injury felt by those who stepped up. In the meantime, the work goes on getting Afghans to safety and helping them once they're here. In 2022, at Dulles International Airport, Army veteran Mariah Smith got to experience that moment. Smith spent three tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. With retirement from the military nearing in 2020, she joined the board of No One Left Behind. Then came the U.S. withdrawal. One of the Afghans the group was helping was a woman named Latifa who had worked for the U.S. government. With the Taliban encircling and constant concerns over bombings, Latifa and her family didnt want to risk taking the young children to the airport. She was eventually able to get a visa to what is likely one of the least used Afghan immigration routes: Iceland. From there, No One Left Behind helped her process her special immigrant visa. That's how Smith and the woman started talking. They discussed where the woman and her family were going to live. Mariah lives in Stephens City on a farm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley countryside. She also owns a home in town that she usually rents out but was empty at the time. She offered it to Latifa and her family. Mariah was amazed at the response by the town of roughly 2,000 people where the Afghan family lived. Latifa, her husband and two kids came with the luggage they could carry, but Mariah said the mayor, police chief, town clerk, town manager and others all pitched in with furniture, toys and household items: "People really, really tried hard. And that was wonderful to see too." The Afghan family stayed for over a year before moving to Dallas. Why did she make that offer of a place to stay? Smith says it was a way to help a woman, her family, her children who'd had everything taken from them in their home country helping them find a safe place, showing them that it was possible to start over here. Filling a gap. Helping. It felt like being a part of, I guess, the fabric of America." ___ Associated Press journalist Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report. There are only two weeks left before the Charli XCX Sweat tour with Troye Sivan comes to Detroit on Saturday, September 14. Tickets to the Little Caesars Arena event are now available online for less than $35. Find tickets from $28 on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub, with more listings also available on Ticketmaster. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 10: Charli XCX performs onstage during the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball 2021 Pre-Show on December 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for iHeartRadio )Getty Images for iHeartRadio See brat live when Charli XCX and Troye Sivan bring their Sweat tour to Detroit, Michigan in only two weeks. Initially known for upbeat pop songs like Boom Clap, the Essex star eventually pivoted towards more club-inspired hyperpop music, especially with her recent album. The record includes tracks like Apple, 360, 365, and Girl, so confusing, all of which have exploded on TikTok. And, following the meteoric album release, Charli XCX came out with collaborations featuring fellow alternative pop stars Lorde and Billie Eilish. Charli XCX and Troye Sivan are also no strangers to collaboration, working together in 2018 to release their track, 1999. With more of an indie/synth sound, Troye Sivan has released alt-pop songs like YOUTH and Strawberries & Cigarettes. Shop tickets to the upcoming Charli XCX and Troye Sivan concert at Little Caesars Arena on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster starting prices listed below. Tickets: Vivid Seats from $33 | SeatGeek from $32 | StubHub from $28 | Ticketmaster from $49.50 A Michigan man was arrested and charged this week for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection thanks in part to clothing that features the logo of the Insane Clown Posse (ICP). According to WLUC-6, Adam Mancuso was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with four counts that are standard in Jan. 6 cases. Those charges are: 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. The FBI alleges that Mancuso entered the Capitol on two different occasions during the riot and took several photos and videos inside the building. In the criminal complaint against Mancuso, the FBI says it was able to identify him through photos and video of Mancuso in the Capitol on Jan. 6 that were taken by multiple sources, including selfies that Mancuso took. In particular, the FBI says a hat that features the ICP Hatchetman logo worn by Mancuso at the Capitol was also worn by Mancuso in photos he posted to his personal Facebook page. ICP is a hip-hop group from Michigan whose fans are known as Juggalos and are known to wear the Hatchetman logo Mancuso was released from custody via a personal recognizance bond and is due back in court on Sept. 10. SALINE, MI A builder proposing 51 rental townhomes in Saline has received suggestions for tweaks from planning officials and residents. Danny Veri of Northville-based Livonia Builders is proposing the units in five buildings on about 6.5 acres at the southwest corner of N. Ann Arbor and Saline Waterworks roads. If approved by city officials, an existing residence and outbuilding would be razed to make way for the proposed development, which is called Ridgewater Townhomes. The Saline Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday, Aug. 14, to postpone a review of Veris request for preliminary approval of a planned unit development. The commission had some suggestions for how Veri might work out some issues in his proposed plans. Hes expected to be back in front of city planners on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Several neighboring residents living in Brecon Village, an independent living, assisted living and memory care community to the south raised concerns Aug. 14, including a plan to create an access road on what is currently a dirt track back to a water treatment plant. Another access road is proposed off Saline Waterworks Road. While the property, which is owned by Chicago-based Venn Point Real Estate, is in Lodi Township, the city has a conditional land transfer agreement with the township. Saline is a great community with great schools, a nice little downtown that has events throughout the year, Veri wrote Wednesday, Aug. 28 in an email. Also (its) a suburb of Ann Arbor. He is proposing a mix of one-, two- and three-story townhomes, which would be rented at market rate. This type of product helps a variety of people that want to live in the city but might not be able to afford to buy a home, he wrotel. The product mix can be for families, young couples, singles and empty nesters. A management company would operate the rental community, he said. Darlene Smith, who lives on Lancaster Court in Brecon Village, said during the Aug. 14 meeting she is concerned about the road proposed along the dirt track, which runs close to her back patio. This will bring a lot of traffic and noise very close to the condominiums along that path, Smith said. Carol Preston, who also lives on Lancaster Court, also expressed concern about potential impacts on Brecon Village residents, including memory care patients like her husband. I dont see enough of a wildlife nature barrier in between, Preston said. Veri said there is currently a row of pine trees between the residents and the road that will be paved, he wrote in the email. We are looking to possibly add to that but nothing concrete yet. Ben Carlisle, a planning consultant for the township with Carlisle Wortman and Associates, identified a number of outstanding factors Veri should work out before the planning commission considers recommending approval of the preliminary PUD to Saline City Council, which will have the final say. During the Aug. 14 meeting, Carlisle recommended several improvements, including tweaks to the site layout, open space and recreational amenities, as well as the addition of more internal sidewalks, among other issues. We think with some improvements, they are headed in the right direction, he said. Civil engineer M.C. Moritz, of OHM Advisors, pointed out some issues related to sidewalk placement and stormwater management near a county drain. We have incorporated almost every single one, Veri said of the tweaks suggested by township consultants and officials. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. LAPEER COUNTY, MI -- Construction is set to begin next month on a 5.1-mile section of M-24 in Lapeer County, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Beginning Sept. 9, MDOT plans to resurface M-24 from Sawdust Corners Road to Barnes Lake and from Burnside Road to M-90. Workers will mill and fill this portion of the road and add pavement markings. The project will cost a total of $1,450,834, with the entire cost of the project being paid for by MDOT with maintenance funds. The primary aim of the project is to make this portion of the road safer by making it smoother. Additionally, the project will increase the overall lifespan of the road. For the duration of the resurfacing project, one lane of traffic on the two-lane roadway will remain open to traffic and will be under the control of flaggers. The project is expected to support a total of 17 jobs, and MDOT estimates the project will be completed by Sept. 25. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. FLINT, MI - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will continue to provide nutritious food by the truckload to Flint residents throughout September. MDHHS has provided the Flint mobile food pantries since February 2016 in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Septembers mobile food pantry distribution will have plenty of delicious, vitamin-rich produce including potatoes, summer squash, carrots, cabbage and grapes. Heres a look at Septembers schedule: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy. Monday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy. Thursday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. Flint residents can also pickup free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m. to 2p.m., Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information about additional food distributions will be announced as theyre scheduled. To check food distribution schedules, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website at FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page or call 810-239-4441. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A small, but beautiful memorial featuring stuffed animals and flowers has formed outside a Grand Rapids apartment building. That scene is in sharp contrast to the deplorable environment inside one of the apartments where police found a deceased toddler, Skii Swope. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI An Ottawa County commissioner who lost the Aug. 6 primary election has also lost a recount challenging the election results. Roger Belknap, who currently represents District 9 on the countys board of commissioners, filed a challenge to the election results earlier this month. In the primary, he lost to former Commissioner Phil Kuyers by 1,073 votes. Kuyers had 4,070 votes and Belknap had 2,997 votes. RELATED: Recount for Ottawa County District 9 commission seat begins After nearly eight hours of recounting ballots on Thursday by 11 teams of bipartisan counters, Belknaps vote total remained exactly the same, ending at 2,997 votes. Kuyers, on the other hand, gained five additional votes, ending at 4,075. The new difference between the two Republicans is 1,078 votes. The recount was over just before 6 p.m. The vote totals were certified by the Board of Canvassers on Thursday, Aug. 29. After the recount results were announced, Belknap congratulated Kuyers and shook his hand. Kuyers will now officially face Democrat Angela Stanford-Butler in the November general election. Belknap said he was grateful for the recount staff and volunteers that observed the counting. I think theres a lot of positives, Belknap told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press following the recount. Obviously my campaign didnt have as many ballots as (Kuyers), so I wish him the best of luck in the future. What I have learned is we have a lot of dedicated people in Ottawa County that turned out today and those are positive things. RELATED: Former commissioner beats Ottawa Impact member who ousted him in District 9 primary Belknap is affiliated with the ultra-conservative political group called Ottawa Impact, which gained a majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in the 2022 election cycle. Once sworn in, Ottawa Impact commissioners made swift work of creating sweeping change, including firing the county administrator, dissolving the countys diversity and inclusion office, declaring Ottawa County a Constitutional county and passing a resolution effectively banning county staff from attending LGBTQ Pride events in any official capacity. However, no matter what happens in the November general election, Ottawa Impact will lose its majority on the county board come January. Kuyers said thats a clear sign Ottawa County residents want a return to calmer waters. RELATED: Far-right Ottawa Impact group loses county board majority in Aug. 6 election Ottawa Impact divided our county and we had all kinds of groups come together to say they dont want this in our county, Kuyers said after the recount. If I win the seat come January, Im looking for a board that works together and is totally transparent. Im looking to have no lawsuits and a corporate counsel thats feasible. Kuyers said hes willing to work with the remaining Ottawa Impact commissioners who won their primaries if they retain their seats on the board after November, but only if theyre willing to compromise. If they want to work with us, Im good with that, but if they dont want to work with us, well work around them, he said. Belknap, though, said hes still in support of Ottawa Impacts policies and values. For me, I dont take away that (losing the majority) was a failure of our beliefs or our values, Belknap said. I think a lot of what we do is shared across all political spectrums, like parenting. The fine detail of that, thats where the friction comes into play politically, but I continue to support Ottawa Impact and the message theyre bringing. Belknaps campaign had to pay $5,000 for the recount because the vote margin between himself and Kuyers was so large. Had the vote totals been closer, the fee would have been reduced. RELATED: Ottawa County commissioner wants recount, concerned with election night website crash This was the first vote recount in Ottawa County since 2016, when Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein requested a recount of the presidential election. In total, 11 bipartisan teams of counters recounted roughly 7,000 ballots from District 9 on Thursday. I think today was a success, said county Clerk Justin Roebuck. It was a long day, but it also proved the voracity and integrity of our process. The net gain of five votes represents less than one-tenth of 1% of the vote. Roebuck said the costs for the recount, including paying the counters, lunch, mileage, security and other expenses total somewhere between $6,000-$7,000, meaning the expense to taxpayers for the recount was between $1,000-$2,000 after subtracting the fees Belknap paid. 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 - East Kentwood High School senior Nuha Husseins summer internship earned her spot on the national news and a newfound appreciation for environmental journalism. Hussein said she never anticipated that outcome when she was one of 24 chosen for a PBS NewsHour nine-day journalism program in Washington, D.C. She was placed on one of the seven teams tasked with creating a news package that could run on the national show. Her teams project appeared on PBS Newshour Sunday, Aug. 25. The trio created the script and conducted the interviews for the three-minute piece on the impacts of rising tides, coastal erosion and climate change on a small town in Accomack County, Va., on Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay. The 16-year-old said she did most of the filming, and all the editing for the story, Tangier Island residents work to preserve culture threatened by rising sea levels. She described seeing the teams work on PBS as incredibly exciting. I love politics, and politics is one of the biggest things inside me that I have as a passion, but I never knew about the climate change part, Hussein said. I didnt even know climate change was political, she said. It really opened up a (new) side of politics for me. Husseins team reported that since 1850, the islands landmass has decreased by 67%. As a result, the population of Tangier has dropped by nearly half since 2010, a migration of people also known as climate refugees, or those pushed to leave their home as a result of the effects of climate change on their environment. She said her team was drawn to the idea of covering climate refugees because of their shared heritage. My other two members, we had a connection of immigration, first-generation Americans, so we thought that (covering) refugees was a good idea, Hussein said. We thought about just doing a normal refugee story, about maybe a business owned by a first generation American, but then we tried to change it into climate refugee, because nobody knows what a climate refugee is. If we dont know it, people dont know it. With the help of her teams mentors, Hussein said they stumbled upon Tangier and learned very few people in Virginia or nearby Washington, D.C. knew where it was or about the troubles it was facing. Hussein said since the program shes become interested in the way that politics and environmental journalism intersect, and has found a renewed passion for journalism. A reporter for her schools Falcon News Network, she said she has been passionate about videography since taking a class her sophomore year. Ive always known how to edit on Adobe and I know how to work a camera, she said. Going there, it didnt really change my ability to do things. It changed my thoughts on my future and doing journalism. Hussein said the internship solidified her desire to continue pursuing journalism in college, through both personal projects and more involvement with PBS. Previously, she said she was kind of lost. I didnt know what to do, she said. I love film. I love music. I love journalism. I love all of it, and I just didnt know which one to pick. Obviously, I can do all of them, but journalism is the main one that I want to do now, just because of that program. She said the internship was a unique experience, and her first time traveling a great distance since she briefly lived in Jordan as a toddler. PBS wasnt the first time Husseins work behind a camera has been recognized, however. In 2023, she won the Mosaic Mobile film competition, a chance for student filmmakers to showcase their talents using their mobile devices and a series of prompts. Then a junior in high school, Hussein created Tell Me More, which won over 45 total submissions from 10 Michigan high schools and earned her a $1,000 cash prize. Hussein joked that the money from the film is gone now, but the experience remains. She filmed the video with her younger sister and grandmother, in the streets around her house and in her backyard. The prompt was to include a bag. I went deeper into what a bag means, she said, So the symbolization of a bag. You bring it everywhere with you, and its like a journey. You bring it (on) your journeys, your adventures, so I kind of made a journey through the story, and then I put the bag in there. Hussein created and edited the film on her own, she said, I always do things on my own. Im an independent person. However, she credited a great deal of her passion for film and journalism today to her video production teacher Preston Donakowski. Hes really changed everything for me, she said. I lost someone very close to me before high school, so I was kind of just lost. I didnt know what to do. I didnt really care. I didnt care about anything, and then I met him, and he just laid out everything for me. Hussein said she was given one opportunity after another, which led to new friends and passion projects. As a student of mixed heritage, she said she grew up with a lot of different media in her home, but wasnt introduced to the idea of making media herself until she tried an acting class. She said that wasnt for her, but then came a video production course her sophomore year. It changed everything for me, she said. It was insane. The camera work, the editing, reaching out to people and telling peoples stories. She watched herself grow, and East Kentwoods journalism program grow along with her. The program started with seven students and now around 200 try out each year, she said. They want to be in it because its such a popular class and its so fun, she said. I just want it to grow. I want more kids to be involved I want more kids to want to do journalism in the future. Hussein said, its always the older generation telling their thoughts on things, but we have our thoughts. Were going to be the next future. Were going to be the next old people. One of the best parts of journalism, she said, is reaching out to people and telling their stories. KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI Jack LeGath has some calories to jog off tomorrow. The competitive eater from Ohio drove to Kochville Township Thursday, Aug. 29, when he broke two in-house records at Heidis Darn Good Cookies, a bakery across the road from Saginaw Valley State University. Downing 12 cookies in 11 minutes and 20 seconds, LeGath bested the previous store record of 12 cookies eaten 14 minutes. He then kept the momentum going, breaking the total-cookies-eaten record at the store by eating 18 cookies, which included the 12 cookies he ate moments earlier. He completed both tasks in under 25 minutes. Im very impressed, store co-owner Mark Niernberg said of the feat. For him to eat 18; its crazy. Niernberg said most customers are unable to finish more than two of the stores thick, round cookies in one sitting. LeGath beat both records as he recorded the feat for his social media fans. LeGath has accounts on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, and is featured regularly in YouTube videos. About20 customers as well as staff watched LeGath during the 25-minute session. LeGath bested the records with the help of three plastic bottles of Pure Life water and a bottle of Dairy Pure milk. He told onlookers he planned to jog the following day to burn off the calories. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. WASHINGTON D.C. President Joe Biden plans to return to Michigan Friday, Sept. 6. White House officials said the president will visit the state to discuss how his administrations Investing in America agenda has impacted Michigan. According to the White House website, the initiative is focused on creating jobs and rebuilding the manufacturing industry in the United States. A fact sheet on the website states Biden has helped create over 421,300 new jobs in Michigan and unleashed nearly $28.5 billion in private sector investment in the state as of June. The White House statement did not provide details about where in Michigan Biden will visit. He last landed in the state July 12, more than one week after a debate performance that led many Democrats to call on the president to abandon his 2024 reelection campaign but days before Biden decided to exit the race. Back then, Biden hosted one of his campaigns last rallies at a Detroit-based Renaissance High School, where supporters chanted, Dont you quit. His planned visit next week is scheduled five days after his vice president, Kamala Harris, plans to visit Detroit on Labor Day as part of the presidential campaign she launched after Biden ended his. Michigan considered a swing state critical to the presidential election this summer has developed into a frequent destination for current presidents, former presidents and prospective presidents. Harris previously campaigned in the state from Aug. 7-8, when she hosted a rally at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and then met with United Auto Workers members the following day. Former President Donald Trump the Republican nominee in the 2024 race to the White House campaigned in the state three times in the last two weeks and six times total this year. Those visits came April 2, at a campaign event in Grand Rapids; June 15, at a Detroit conference featuring conservative political figures and, later, a church; July 20, during a rally in Grand Rapids; Aug. 20, at a campaign event inside a Livingston County Sheriffs Department storage garage; Aug. 26, when he delivered remarks at the National Guard Association of the United States 146th General Conference in Detroit; and Aug. 29, when he visited a metal processing factory in Potterville. Elastic (NYSE:ESTC Get Free Report) updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.520-1.560 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.410. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.4 billion-$1.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.5 billion. Elastic also updated its FY25 guidance to $1.52-1.56 EPS. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Elastic from $130.00 to $120.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Elastic from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and set a $136.00 price objective on shares of Elastic in a report on Tuesday. Needham & Company LLC restated a hold rating on shares of Elastic in a report on Friday, May 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Elastic from $137.00 to $135.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $121.11. Get Elastic alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ESTC Elastic Stock Performance Shares of NYSE ESTC traded up $0.62 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $103.60. 2,444,290 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,238,577. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $110.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $108.86. The company has a quick ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 195.55 and a beta of 0.98. Elastic has a twelve month low of $59.30 and a twelve month high of $136.06. Elastic (NYSE:ESTC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported ($0.39) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.36) by ($0.03). Elastic had a negative return on equity of 20.83% and a net margin of 4.87%. The business had revenue of $335.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $329.15 million. As a group, research analysts predict that Elastic will post -1.12 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Elastic news, CRO Mark Eugene Dodds sold 2,281 shares of Elastic stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.90, for a total value of $250,681.90. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now owns 106,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,687,205.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CRO Mark Eugene Dodds sold 2,281 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.90, for a total value of $250,681.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now directly owns 106,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,687,205.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 18,819 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.90, for a total transaction of $2,068,208.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 461,961 shares of the companys stock, valued at $50,769,513.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 355,312 shares of company stock worth $38,626,610 in the last quarter. 18.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Elastic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Elastic N.V., a data analytics company, delivers solutions designed to run in public or private clouds in multi-cloud environments. It primarily offers Elastic Stack, a set of software products that ingest and store data from various sources and formats, as well as performs search, analysis, and visualization on that data. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elastic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elastic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Santander S.A. decreased its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 53,211 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 6,981 shares during the quarter. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $8,341,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of VLO. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the companys stock. Get Valero Energy alerts: Valero Energy Stock Performance Valero Energy stock traded up $0.79 on Thursday, reaching $141.84. 2,274,976 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,979,281. The stock has a market cap of $46.38 billion, a PE ratio of 7.02, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $150.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $155.58. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $119.88 and a twelve month high of $184.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Valero Energy Dividend Announcement Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.60 by $0.11. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 4.25%. The firm had revenue of $34.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.40 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 12.86 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 1st. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 21.20%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $187.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $171.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $177.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $174.00. Get Our Latest Report on Valero Energy Valero Energy Profile (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. F M Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 118,230 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $7,407,000. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Swedbank AB bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth $53,979,000. Transform Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,760.7% in the second quarter. Transform Wealth LLC now owns 9,527 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $597,000 after acquiring an additional 9,331 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,731.0% during the 2nd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 17,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,074,000 after acquiring an additional 16,795 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,747.7% during the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 20,409 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,279,000 after purchasing an additional 19,988 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,588.0% in the 2nd quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 12,798 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $802,000 after purchasing an additional 12,573 shares during the period. 91.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,591,844. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $67.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.36. Get Our Latest Analysis on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of CMG stock traded up $0.45 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $56.08. 12,838,738 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,073,899. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.37 and a 12-month high of $69.26. The company has a market capitalization of $77.02 billion, a PE ratio of 59.66, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.24. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $120.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $80.51. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 44.01%. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $12.65 EPS. The firms revenue was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.09 EPS for the current year. Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile (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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). 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. Tobam lessened its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 64.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 3,039 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 5,397 shares during the quarter. Tobams holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $316,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 28.4% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 12,257 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,349,000 after purchasing an additional 2,714 shares during the period. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,075,000. Capital Investment Counsel Inc acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $232,000. Gilbert & Cook Inc. grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 17.4% in the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 7,556 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $832,000 after buying an additional 1,120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 35,931 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,955,000 after purchasing an additional 789 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of NYSE ABT traded down $0.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $112.54. 1,466,031 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,889,689. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $89.67 and a 1 year high of $121.64. The company has a market capitalization of $195.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.14, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.72. The companys 50-day moving average is $106.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.72. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The business had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.08 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.95%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 68.54%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently commented on ABT. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $121.00 price target on the stock. Barclays boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Edward Jones lowered Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.80. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ABT About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burney Co. decreased its position in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 32.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,837 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 863 shares during the quarter. Burney Co.s holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $238,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of A. Financial Advocates Investment Management acquired a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $348,000. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 13.7% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,875 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $891,000 after purchasing an additional 828 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 1.1% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 13,298 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,724,000 after purchasing an additional 148 shares during the period. AlphaStar Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 24.7% in the second quarter. AlphaStar Capital Management LLC now owns 8,852 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,148,000 after purchasing an additional 1,752 shares during the period. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 1.2% in the second quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 84,181 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $10,912,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.42% of the companys stock. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Agilent Technologies Stock Performance A traded up $0.42 on Friday, hitting $142.95. The company had a trading volume of 29,485 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,733,531. The companys fifty day moving average price is $134.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $138.72. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.80 and a 1-year high of $155.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 2.15 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The stock has a market cap of $41.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.86 and a beta of 1.05. Insider Activity Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The medical research company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.06. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 26.25% and a net margin of 18.84%. The firm had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.56 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, SVP Dominique Grau sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.28, for a total value of $1,999,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,486 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,595,494.08. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Dominique Grau sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.28, for a total value of $1,999,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,486 shares in the company, valued at $6,595,494.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 1,958 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total value of $274,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 26,076 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,650,640. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 20,874 shares of company stock valued at $2,811,770. 0.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on A. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Agilent Technologies in a research note on Tuesday. They issued an overweight rating and a $157.00 target price on the stock. Wolfe Research cut shares of Agilent Technologies from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $140.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $151.00 price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research note on Monday. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $147.00 to $136.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $141.60. View Our Latest Report on Agilent Technologies About Agilent Technologies (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage issued an overweight rating and a $157.00 price target on the medical research companys stock. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Citigroup upped their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $151.00 price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies in a report on Monday. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $153.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $155.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $141.60. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on A Agilent Technologies Stock Performance Shares of A opened at $142.53 on Tuesday. Agilent Technologies has a 52-week low of $96.80 and a 52-week high of $155.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm has a market cap of $41.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.70, a PEG ratio of 4.86 and a beta of 1.05. The businesss 50 day moving average is $134.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $138.72. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 21st. The medical research company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.56 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 18.84% and a return on equity of 26.25%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. Analysts forecast that Agilent Technologies will post 5.24 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Agilent Technologies In related news, SVP Dominique Grau sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.28, for a total value of $1,999,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 49,486 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,595,494.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Agilent Technologies news, SVP Dominique Grau sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.28, for a total value of $1,999,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 49,486 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,595,494.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 1,958 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $254,540.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 25,185 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,274,050. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 20,874 shares of company stock worth $2,811,770. 0.33% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Agilent Technologies by 18.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,884,345 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $4,348,471,000 after buying an additional 4,605,228 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies in the 4th quarter worth $509,904,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Agilent Technologies by 19.6% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 13,246,489 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,841,659,000 after purchasing an additional 2,170,219 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. grew its position in Agilent Technologies by 262.1% in the 4th quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 2,292,929 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $318,786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,659,768 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Agilent Technologies by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,542,054 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,242,956,000 after purchasing an additional 1,042,926 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.42% of the companys stock. About Agilent Technologies (Get Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 212.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,657 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,205 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $685,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Consolidated Edison during the 4th quarter worth approximately $243,511,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,032,385 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $184,886,000 after acquiring an additional 47,936 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,000,741 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $181,687,000 after acquiring an additional 123,654 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 11.2% during the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 1,386,743 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $126,042,000 after purchasing an additional 139,370 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,126,595 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $102,484,000 after purchasing an additional 6,176 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.29% of the companys stock. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on ED shares. Guggenheim raised their target price on Consolidated Edison from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Barclays raised their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a sector underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $92.65. Consolidated Edison Stock Performance Shares of NYSE ED traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $100.88. 374,642 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,855,214. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.34. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $95.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $92.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.92. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 52 week low of $80.46 and a 52 week high of $105.99. Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.02. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 12.03% and a return on equity of 8.70%. The firm had revenue of $3.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.61 EPS. Analysts predict that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.31 EPS for the current year. Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th will be given a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.29%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is presently 63.72%. About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF (NYSEARCA:DYNF Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 88,745 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC owned 0.05% of BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DYNF. Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,774,000. RDA Financial Network acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $224,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF during the 1st quarter worth $3,728,000. Brookstone Capital Management raised its position in BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF by 6.0% during the second quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 240,620 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,533,000 after purchasing an additional 13,572 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Shared Vision Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF during the 1st quarter worth $4,538,000. Get BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF alerts: BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF Trading Down 0.1 % NYSEARCA:DYNF traded down $0.03 on Thursday, hitting $48.24. The company had a trading volume of 830,008 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,748,544. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.57 and a beta of 1.15. BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF has a 52 week low of $33.31 and a 52 week high of $48.83. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $47.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.18. BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF Profile The BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF (DYNF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively-managed fund of large- and mid-cap US stocks that uses five equity style factors. DYNF was launched on Mar 19, 2019 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE:ARCH Get Free Report) traded up 4.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $129.09 and last traded at $128.66. 292,220 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 29% from the average session volume of 411,831 shares. The stock had previously closed at $123.15. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. B. Riley increased their price objective on Arch Resources from $192.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Arch Resources in a report on Friday, July 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $178.25. Get Arch Resources alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Arch Resources Arch Resources Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $2.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.95 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $143.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $156.91. Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The energy company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by ($0.50). The firm had revenue of $608.75 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $562.23 million. Arch Resources had a return on equity of 17.91% and a net margin of 9.24%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.04 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Arch Resources, Inc. will post 13.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Arch Resources Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Arch Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.88%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Arch Resources A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ARCH. Truist Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 16.4% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 9,322 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,547,000 after acquiring an additional 1,312 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 19,413 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $3,222,000 after acquiring an additional 849 shares during the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 188.6% during the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 202 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 281,463 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $46,706,000 after acquiring an additional 19,738 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Arch Resources during the 4th quarter valued at $5,642,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.14% of the companys stock. Arch Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Arch Resources, Inc engages in the production and sale of metallurgical products. It operates in two segments, Metallurgical and Thermal. The company operates active mines. It owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases of coal land in Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Illinois; and smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Arch Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arch Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Santander S.A. bought a new position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 13,433 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $270,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Blue Trust Inc. bought a new position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima during the second quarter worth $26,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in YPF Sociedad Anonima in the second quarter valued at about $185,000. Cetera Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 2.6% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 42,492 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $841,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 30,599 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $606,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caxton Associates LP acquired a new position in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $3,760,000. 10.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get YPF Sociedad Anonima alerts: YPF Sociedad Anonima Stock Up 3.4 % YPF stock traded up $0.73 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $22.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,453,438 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,147,041. The companys fifty day moving average price is $20.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.73. YPF Sociedad Anonima has a twelve month low of $9.57 and a twelve month high of $24.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.83 billion, a P/E ratio of -8.49, a PEG ratio of 0.09 and a beta of 1.89. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have commented on YPF. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima from $22.90 to $25.60 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima from $18.50 to $20.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. StockNews.com upgraded YPF Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded YPF Sociedad Anonima from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.18. View Our Latest Research Report on YPF Sociedad Anonima YPF Sociedad Anonima Profile (Free Report) YPF Sociedad Anonima, an energy company, engages in the oil and gas upstream and downstream activities in Argentina. Its upstream operations include the exploration, exploitation, and production of crude oil, and natural gas. The company's downstream operations include petrochemical production and crude oil refining; transportation and distribution refined and petrochemical products; commercialization of crude oil, petrochemical products, and specialties. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for YPF Sociedad Anonima Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YPF Sociedad Anonima and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Santander S.A. lessened its stake in shares of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI Free Report) by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,782 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 130 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in Sun Communities were worth $696,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of SUI. Bristlecone Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC now owns 3,655 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $440,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 29,808 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,833,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 6,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $833,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 20,541 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,745,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Sun Communities by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 2,017 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.59% of the companys stock. Get Sun Communities alerts: Sun Communities Price Performance Shares of NYSE SUI traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $133.73. The companys stock had a trading volume of 147,445 shares, compared to its average volume of 715,891. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $126.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 114.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.42. Sun Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $102.74 and a 1-year high of $137.45. Sun Communities Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. Sun Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 324.14%. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $131.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Sun Communities from $127.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. StockNews.com cut shares of Sun Communities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Sun Communities from $143.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Sun Communities in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sun Communities currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $136.90. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SUI Insider Activity at Sun Communities In related news, CEO Baxter Underwood sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.43, for a total value of $394,290.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 63,462 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,340,810.66. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.89% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Sun Communities Company Profile (Free Report) Established in 1975, Sun Communities, Inc became a publicly owned corporation in December 1993. The Company is a fully integrated REIT listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: SUI. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned, operated, or had an interest in a portfolio of 667 developed MH, RV and Marina properties comprising 179,310 developed sites and approximately 48,030 wet slips and dry storage spaces in the U.S., the UK and Canada. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SUI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE:SUI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sun Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sun Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baru Gold Corp. (EAS.V) (CVE:EAS Get Free Report)s stock price was down 3.1% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.15 and last traded at C$0.16. Approximately 136,956 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 345,802 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.16. Baru Gold Corp. (EAS.V) Stock Performance The businesss 50-day moving average is C$0.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.16. The stock has a market capitalization of C$22.97 million and a PE ratio of -15.50. About Baru Gold Corp. (EAS.V) (Get Free Report) East Asia Minerals Corporation engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in Indonesia. It holds 70% interest in Sangihe gold-copper project, which is located on the island of Sangihe covering an area of 42,000 hectares; and the Miwah gold project that consists of three contiguous exploration mining business permits covering 30,000 hectares located southeast of Banda Aceh in Aceh Province. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Baru Gold Corp. (EAS.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Baru Gold Corp. (EAS.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BBB Foods Inc. (NYSE:TBBB Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the seven brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $30.17. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on TBBB shares. Hsbc Global Res raised BBB Foods from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of BBB Foods from $26.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of BBB Foods from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of BBB Foods from $30.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of BBB Foods from a reduce rating to a hold rating and set a $31.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Get BBB Foods alerts: View Our Latest Report on TBBB BBB Foods Price Performance Institutional Trading of BBB Foods Shares of TBBB stock opened at $31.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $26.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.02. BBB Foods has a 12-month low of $18.71 and a 12-month high of $33.16. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TBBB. J.Safra Asset Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of BBB Foods during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hood River Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in BBB Foods in the 1st quarter valued at about $54,000. National Bank of Canada FI acquired a new position in BBB Foods in the 2nd quarter valued at about $103,000. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BBB Foods during the 2nd quarter worth about $143,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BBB Foods during the 2nd quarter worth about $167,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 8.42% of the companys stock. About BBB Foods (Get Free Report BBB Foods Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates grocery retail stores in Mexico. It offers food products, drinks, hygiene and beauty products, home clean products, coffee, tea and substitutes, jellies and desserts, and baby and pet products. The company also provides branded, private label, and spot products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BBB Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBB Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BEN Get Free Report) declared a final dividend on Friday, August 30th, MarketIndexAU reports. Investors of record on Sunday, September 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.33 per share on Sunday, September 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Sunday, September 1st. This is an increase from Bendigo and Adelaide Banks previous final dividend of $0.32. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Stock Performance Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited provides banking and financial products and services to retail customers and small to medium sized businesses in Australia. The company operates through Consumer, Business and Agribusiness, and Corporate segments. It offers a range of products and services, including personal and business banking, financial planning, commercial mortgages and unsecured loans, investment products, insurance, and superannuation. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bfsg LLC reduced its position in General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) by 60.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 583 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after selling 904 shares during the quarter. Bfsg LLCs holdings in General Motors were worth $27,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Arkadios Wealth Advisors boosted its position in General Motors by 38.4% during the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 9,426 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $438,000 after acquiring an additional 2,617 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its stake in General Motors by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 1,456 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $68,000 after buying an additional 291 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its position in General Motors by 17.2% during the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 19,382 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $901,000 after buying an additional 2,850 shares in the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in General Motors by 4.8% in the second quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 7,874 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $366,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in General Motors by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 12,355 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $574,000 after purchasing an additional 759 shares during the last quarter. 92.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get General Motors alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently issued reports on GM. Morgan Stanley lowered General Motors from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com lowered shares of General Motors from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of General Motors from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Bank of America restated a buy rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of General Motors in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on General Motors from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $55.17. Insider Activity at General Motors In other General Motors news, EVP Rory Harvey sold 2,302 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.31, for a total transaction of $108,907.62. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at $489,942.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Rory Harvey sold 2,302 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.31, for a total transaction of $108,907.62. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 10,356 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $489,942.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Paul A. Jacobson bought 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $44.11 per share, with a total value of $1,102,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 261,872 shares in the company, valued at $11,551,173.92. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 391,402 shares of company stock valued at $18,818,536. 0.72% of the stock is owned by company insiders. General Motors Price Performance GM traded down $0.20 on Friday, reaching $49.27. 8,119,485 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,453,456. General Motors has a twelve month low of $26.30 and a twelve month high of $50.50. The stock has a market cap of $56.22 billion, a PE ratio of 6.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $46.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.30. General Motors (NYSE:GM Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The auto manufacturer reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.67 by $0.39. General Motors had a return on equity of 15.77% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $47.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.91 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that General Motors will post 9.94 EPS for the current year. General Motors Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. General Motorss payout ratio is 5.87%. General Motors announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Tuesday, June 11th that allows the company to buyback $6.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the auto manufacturer to purchase up to 10.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. General Motors Company Profile (Free Report) General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ Free Report) from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have $78.00 price target on the stock, up from their prior price target of $76.00. Several other analysts also recently commented on BJ. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on BJs Wholesale Club from $86.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Gordon Haskett raised BJs Wholesale Club from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $90.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of BJs Wholesale Club from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $75.00 to $92.00 in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Finally, Roth Mkm raised their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $68.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $86.07. Get BJ's Wholesale Club alerts: Get Our Latest Report on BJ BJs Wholesale Club Price Performance BJs Wholesale Club stock opened at $79.24 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.58, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.23. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $86.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.92. BJs Wholesale Club has a 52-week low of $63.08 and a 52-week high of $92.37. BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.09. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.59% and a return on equity of 37.78%. The company had revenue of $5.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that BJs Wholesale Club will post 3.91 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, SVP Joseph Mcgrail sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was 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 owns 13,566 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,133,710.62. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Joseph Mcgrail sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.57, for a total value of $83,570.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,566 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,133,710.62. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jeff Desroches sold 28,842 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.86, for a total value of $2,591,742.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 58,452 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,252,496.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 68,438 shares of company stock valued at $6,107,538. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of BJs Wholesale Club Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 23.7% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 30,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,656,000 after buying an additional 5,800 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 228,539 shares of the companys stock worth $20,075,000 after acquiring an additional 14,329 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 123.2% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,000 after acquiring an additional 828 shares during the period. Creative Planning grew its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 10.7% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 9,298 shares of the companys stock worth $817,000 after acquiring an additional 898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Algert Global LLC bought a new stake in BJs Wholesale Club during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,599,000. 98.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. BJs Wholesale Club Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Stories 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. Bfsg LLC grew its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,684 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period. Bfsg LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $592,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. First Foundation Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 542.1% during the 1st 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 in the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific during the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, RiverPark Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Boston Scientific in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. 89.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Boston Scientific from $78.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Argus boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Raymond James raised their target price on Boston Scientific from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $85.24. Boston Scientific Stock Up 1.4 % NYSE BSX traded up $1.15 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $80.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,476,710 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,095,126. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $76.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $72.76. Boston Scientific Co. has a twelve month low of $48.35 and a twelve month high of $80.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $118.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 67.79, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.02 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.80% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.53 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.12, for a total value of $517,579.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,188 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,978,734.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold 20,949 shares of company stock valued at $1,583,395 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. About Boston Scientific (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. Evergy, Inc. (NYSE:EVRG Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $58.33. Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Evergy from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Evergy from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Get Evergy alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Evergy Insider Activity Hedge Funds Weigh In On Evergy In other Evergy news, SVP Heather A. Humphrey sold 3,347 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.80, for a total transaction of $196,803.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 35,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,076,463.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In related news, Director Ann D. Murtlow sold 3,301 shares of Evergy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.85, for a total value of $194,263.85. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,847 shares in the company, valued at $167,545.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, SVP Heather A. Humphrey sold 3,347 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.80, for a total value of $196,803.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 35,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,076,463.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Company insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairscale Capital LLC purchased a new position in Evergy in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Evergy in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Evergy by 199.5% during the 1st quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 635 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 423 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Evergy by 222.2% during the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 667 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 460 shares during the period. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in Evergy in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. 87.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Evergy Trading Down 0.1 % Shares of EVRG opened at $58.71 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $56.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.71. Evergy has a twelve month low of $46.92 and a twelve month high of $61.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.00, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.60. Evergy (NYSE:EVRG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 9th. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.45 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. Evergy had a return on equity of 8.32% and a net margin of 12.84%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.81 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Evergy will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Evergy Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.6425 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 20th. This represents a $2.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.38%. Evergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.17%. Evergy Company Profile (Get Free Report Evergy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the United States. The company generates electricity through coal, landfill gas, uranium, and natural gas and oil sources, as well as solar, wind, other renewable sources. It serves residences, commercial firms, industrials, municipalities, and other electric utilities. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Evergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Evergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burney Co. cut its position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (NYSE:HPS Free Report) by 29.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,735 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,900 shares during the quarter. Burney Co.s holdings in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III were worth $344,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III by 58.6% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 4,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 1,589 shares during the period. Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $199,000. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co increased its position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 17,141 shares of the companys stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 5,400 shares during the period. Finally, Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III by 899.9% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 22,167 shares of the companys stock worth $342,000 after buying an additional 19,950 shares during the last quarter. Get John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III alerts: John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of HPS traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $16.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,970 shares, compared to its average volume of 53,305. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III has a one year low of $11.79 and a one year high of $16.44. The stocks 50-day moving average is $15.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.49. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III Dividend Announcement About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.06%. (Free Report) John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (NYSE:HPS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Supervielle (NYSE:SUPV Get Free Report) and PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:PPERY Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends and analyst recommendations. Risk and Volatility Grupo Supervielle has a beta of 2.15, suggesting that its share price is 115% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Grupo Supervielle alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 0.0% of PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Grupo Supervielle $4.88 billion N/A $196.14 million $1.05 6.99 PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk $8.58 billion 4.92 $2.79 billion N/A N/A This table compares Grupo Supervielle and PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbks revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk has higher revenue and earnings than Grupo Supervielle. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Grupo Supervielle and PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grupo Supervielle 0 1 0 0 2.00 PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk 0 0 0 0 N/A Grupo Supervielle currently has a consensus target price of $7.00, indicating a potential downside of 4.63%. Given Grupo Supervielles higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Grupo Supervielle is more favorable than PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk. Profitability This table compares Grupo Supervielle and PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grupo Supervielle 5.42% 20.53% 3.44% PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk N/A N/A N/A Dividends Grupo Supervielle pays an annual dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk pays an annual dividend of $0.66 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. Grupo Supervielle pays out 14.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk beats Grupo Supervielle on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Grupo Supervielle (Get Free Report) Grupo Supervielle S.A., a financial services holding company, provides various banking products and services in Argentina. The company operates through Personal & Business Banking, Corporate Banking, Bank Treasury, Consumer Finance, Insurance, and Asset Management and Other Services segments. It offers savings accounts, time and demand deposits, and checking accounts; various loan products, including personal, consumer, mortgage, unsecured, and car loans; overdrafts; loans with special facilities for project and working capital financing; and leasing, bank guarantees for tenants, salary advances, domestic and international factoring, international guarantees and letters of credit, payroll payment plans, credit and debit cards, and senior citizens benefit payment services, as well as financial services and investments, such as mutual funds and guarantees. The company also provides foreign trade and cash management; advisory services; treasury services; insurance products comprising life, home, personal accidents, technology, ATMs, protected bag, and protected content; and asset management and other services, as well as operates as a digital online broker. It operates through a network of bank branches, ATMs, and self-service terminals, as well as ATMs with biometric identification. The company was formerly known as Inversiones y Participaciones S.A. and changed its name to Grupo Supervielle S.A. in November 2008. Grupo Supervielle S.A. was founded in 1887 and is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. About PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (Get Free Report) PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk provides various banking products and services to individuals and businesses in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, Shanghai, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands. The company operates through Wholesale and Retail segments. It offers savings and current accounts, time deposits, demand deposits, and foreign currency savings and current accounts; motorcycle loans, mortgage loan, and housing loans, as well as loans for various purposes, such as education, home renovation, marriage, health, and other needs for individuals; and working capital loans, investment loans, people's business loans, syndicated loans, and micro business loans for businesses. The company also provides investment products comprising mutual funds, stocks, and bonds; life, health, and accident insurance products; credit, debit, and corporate cards; digital banking; e-banking services; digital lending; cash management services; trade finance services, value chain, supply chain management, global and domestic trade, export and import, standby letter of credit, and bank guarantee, as well as spot and forex services; custodial services; treasury services, including cash transaction/liquidity, hedging, and investment products; trust services comprising trustee, paying agent, security agent, escrow agent, monitoring agent, and receiving bank services; and money transfer, remittance services, and venture capital financing. It operates branch offices, sub-branch offices, and overseas branch offices; and ATM facilities. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Supervielle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Supervielle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) updated its third quarter earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $1.90-2.10 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.19. The company issued revenue guidance of $24-25 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $24.60 billion. Dell Technologies also updated its FY25 guidance to $7.55-8.05 EPS. Dell Technologies Stock Down 0.7 % DELL stock traded down $0.82 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $110.74. The stock had a trading volume of 19,570,114 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,230,156. Dell Technologies has a twelve month low of $53.62 and a twelve month high of $179.70. The firm has a market cap of $78.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.60, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $121.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.10. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.70 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.61%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is presently 36.33%. A number of brokerages recently commented on DELL. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, May 20th. Bank of America decreased their target price on Dell Technologies from $180.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Barclays raised shares of Dell Technologies from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $97.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $140.00 price target on shares of Dell Technologies in a research report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $129.00. View Our Latest Report on Dell Technologies Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was 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 directly owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,462,517.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Dell Technologies news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director now directly owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,462,517.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 1,205,052 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.96, for a total transaction of $159,018,661.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 26,725,566 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,526,705,689.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619 in the last three months. 46.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. 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). Further Reading 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. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report)s stock price was up 0.2% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $958.34 and last traded at $956.00. Approximately 390,812 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 3,073,368 shares. The stock had previously closed at $954.48. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on LLY shares. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $961.76. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The business has a 50 day moving average of $890.04 and a 200 day moving average of $819.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $896.28 billion, a PE ratio of 138.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.58%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 192,794 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $829.77, for a total value of $159,974,677.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 98,208,810 shares in the company, valued at $81,490,724,273.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 192,794 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $829.77, for a total transaction of $159,974,677.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 98,208,810 shares in the company, valued at $81,490,724,273.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total value of $5,781,545.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,428 shares in the company, valued at $20,835,194.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 1,097,883 shares of company stock worth $972,022,568. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 45.5% during the 2nd quarter. Morton Brown Family Wealth LLC now owns 48 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 188.2% during the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 49 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $39,000. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Stories 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. Evercore ISI reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK Free Report) in a report issued on Monday, Benzinga reports. Evercore ISI currently has a $77.00 price target on the stock, up from their previous price target of $63.00. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Birkenstock in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. They issued an outperform rating and a $68.00 target price for the company. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Birkenstock from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Birkenstock from $44.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. UBS Group raised Birkenstock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $52.00 to $85.00 in a report on Monday, July 1st. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday, July 1st. They set a buy rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $62.23. Get Birkenstock alerts: View Our Latest Report on BIRK Birkenstock Stock Performance NYSE BIRK opened at $50.90 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $57.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.81. Birkenstock has a fifty-two week low of $35.83 and a fifty-two week high of $64.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.87 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $522.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $499.98 million. On average, analysts forecast that Birkenstock will post 1.37 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BIRK. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its position in Birkenstock by 142.1% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 367,675 shares of the companys stock worth $20,005,000 after purchasing an additional 215,775 shares in the last quarter. Scientech Research LLC purchased a new position in Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $774,000. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $61,972,000. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,098,000. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Birkenstock during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $602,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.93% of the companys stock. Birkenstock Company Profile (Get Free Report) Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. George Weston Limited (OTCMKTS:WNGRF Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $163.56 and last traded at $163.56, with a volume of 324 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $158.34. George Weston Price Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average of $151.54 and a 200 day moving average of $140.35. The company has a market capitalization of $21.54 billion, a PE ratio of 23.40 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Get George Weston alerts: George Weston (OTCMKTS:WNGRF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $2.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $10.30 billion during the quarter. George Weston had a return on equity of 11.44% and a net margin of 2.04%. About George Weston George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for George Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for George Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Iluka Resources (OTCMKTS:ILKAY Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group to a hold rating in a research note issued on Wednesday, Zacks.com reports. Iluka Resources Stock Performance Shares of Iluka Resources stock opened at $19.79 on Wednesday. Iluka Resources has a 1 year low of $17.36 and a 1 year high of $27.65. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $20.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.58. Get Iluka Resources alerts: Iluka Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Iluka Resources Limited engages in the exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands in Australia, China, rest of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Jacinth-Ambrosia/Mid-West, Cataby/South West, Rare Earths, and United States/Murray Basin segments. Receive News & Ratings for Iluka Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iluka Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 1,889 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $81,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Employers in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Employers by 983.8% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,138 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,033 shares during the period. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Employers in the 1st quarter worth $201,000. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Employers in the 1st quarter worth $235,000. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Employers during the first quarter valued at about $250,000. 80.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Employers alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, JMP Securities upgraded Employers to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Employers Price Performance Shares of NYSE EIG traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $47.95. 67,724 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 132,963. The companys 50 day moving average is $45.13 and its 200 day moving average is $44.00. Employers Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $36.65 and a one year high of $49.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion, a PE ratio of 10.14 and a beta of 0.24. Employers (NYSE:EIG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $217.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $223.82 million. Employers had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 9.95%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.17 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Employers Holdings, Inc. will post 3.65 EPS for the current year. Employers Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. Employerss dividend payout ratio is currently 25.42%. Employers Company Profile (Free Report) Employers Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry primarily in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Employers and Cerity. It offers workers' compensation insurance to small businesses in low to medium hazard industries under the Employers and Cerity brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Employers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Employers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:INO.UN Get Free Report) Senior Officer David Giraud purchased 19,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$1.08 per share, with a total value of C$21,354.80. David Giraud also recently made the following trade(s): Get Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: On Monday, August 26th, David Giraud bought 13,500 shares of Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$1.06 per share, with a total value of C$14,250.60. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Up 2.9 % TSE:INO.UN traded up C$0.03 on Friday, hitting C$1.08. 14,405 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,046. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$1.11 and a 200-day moving average price of C$1.13. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust has a 52 week low of C$0.69 and a 52 week high of C$3.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 100.22, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap of C$35.20 million, a P/E ratio of -0.50 and a beta of 1.79. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT has been created for the purpose of acquiring and owning office properties primarily located in France and Germany but also opportunistically in other European countries where assets meet the REIT's investment criteria. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IMCB Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Friday . 63,688 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 152% from the previous sessions volume of 25,252 shares.The stock last traded at $74.35 and had previously closed at $74.02. iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF Stock Performance The business has a fifty day moving average of $71.52 and a 200-day moving average of $70.80. The company has a market capitalization of $884.30 million, a P/E ratio of 49.02 and a beta of 0.98. Get iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Perspectives Inc increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc now owns 4,480 shares of the companys stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 53,433 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,587,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 69,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,045,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. Pitti Group Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Pitti Group Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Matrix Private Capital Group LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter. Matrix Private Capital Group LLC now owns 2,664 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. 22.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF Company Profile The iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar US Mid Cap index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index consisting of US mid-cap stocks with both growth and value characteristics. IMCB was launched on Jun 28, 2004 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kunlun Energy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:KLYCY Get Free Report)s share price shot up 6.5% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $10.45 and last traded at $10.03. 25,226 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 788% from the average session volume of 2,842 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.42. Kunlun Energy Stock Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.35 and a 200 day moving average of $9.78. Get Kunlun Energy alerts: Kunlun Energy Cuts Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.1843 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. Kunlun Energy Company Profile Kunlun Energy Company Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It operates through four segments: Natural Gas Sales; Sales of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG); Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Processing and Terminal; and Exploration and Production. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kunlun Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kunlun Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Los Andes Copper Ltd. (CVE:LA Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as C$7.78 and last traded at C$8.50, with a volume of 2593 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$8.50. Los Andes Copper Stock Up 1.4 % The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 34.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.46. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$9.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$10.11. The firm has a market cap of C$268.72 million, a P/E ratio of -224.25 and a beta of 0.83. Get Los Andes Copper alerts: Los Andes Copper (CVE:LA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 27th. The company reported C$0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. As a group, research analysts forecast that Los Andes Copper Ltd. will post 0.02975 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Los Andes Copper Los Andes Copper Ltd. acquires, explores, and develops copper deposits in Latin America. It operates through Mineral Exploration and Hydroelectric Project segments. The company holds a 100% interest in the Vizcachitas copper, molybdenum, and silver porphyry project located north of Santiago, Region V, Chile. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Los Andes Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Los Andes Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eldorado Gold Co. (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) Senior Officer Lynette Gould sold 700 shares of Eldorado Gold stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$23.33, for a total transaction of C$16,331.00. Eldorado Gold Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of ELD traded down C$0.15 during midday trading on Friday, hitting C$23.21. The company had a trading volume of 143,539 shares, compared to its average volume of 353,647. The company has a quick ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 3.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.85. Eldorado Gold Co. has a 52 week low of C$11.38 and a 52 week high of C$25.04. The companys 50 day moving average price is C$22.47 and its 200 day moving average price is C$20.27. The stock has a market cap of C$4.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.47, a PEG ratio of 56.20 and a beta of 1.21. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD Get Free Report) (NYSE:EGO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported C$0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.36 by C$0.09. Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 15.68% and a return on equity of 4.99%. The company had revenue of C$406.56 million during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts predict that Eldorado Gold Co. will post 1.8 EPS for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ELD shares. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of Eldorado Gold to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Eldorado Gold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from C$14.00 to C$20.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$23.00 to C$26.50 in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price target on Eldorado Gold from C$26.00 to C$27.00 in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eldorado Gold currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$22.54. View Our Latest Research Report on ELD Eldorado Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru mines located in Turkey; Lamaque complex located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 4.1% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $18.16 and last traded at $18.16. 4,995,892 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 61% from the average session volume of 12,907,906 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.45. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently commented on NCLH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Truist Financial upgraded Norwegian Cruise Line from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $20.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Mizuho raised Norwegian Cruise Line from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $24.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norwegian Cruise Line presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $22.38. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on NCLH Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is $17.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.19, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The company has a market capitalization of $7.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.71, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 2.69. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.05. Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 105.44%. The firm had revenue of $2.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.20 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. will post 1.17 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Norwegian Cruise Line In other Norwegian Cruise Line news, Director Zillah Byng-Thorne bought 13,360 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of $16.50 per share, for a total transaction of $220,440.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 13,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at $220,440. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.87% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Norwegian Cruise Line Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the first quarter worth $27,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line in the first quarter worth approximately $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock. Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in UMH Properties, Inc. (NYSE:UMH Free Report) by 14.4% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 259,114 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 32,627 shares during the quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc.s holdings in UMH Properties were worth $4,143,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in UMH Properties by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,541,226 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $100,212,000 after acquiring an additional 629,427 shares during the period. Kennedy Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UMH Properties by 245.9% during the first quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 664,377 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,789,000 after purchasing an additional 472,307 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC lifted its holdings in UMH Properties by 843.9% during the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 2,020 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,806 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in UMH Properties by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 124,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,022,000 after purchasing an additional 2,300 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in UMH Properties by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 73,033 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,168,000 after buying an additional 3,081 shares in the last quarter. 75.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get UMH Properties alerts: Insider Activity at UMH Properties In other UMH Properties news, Director Michael P. Landy bought 4,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 18th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $15.45 per share, with a total value of $72,615.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 341,796 shares in the company, valued at $5,280,748.20. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Michael P. Landy bought 4,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $15.45 per share, for a total transaction of $72,615.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 341,796 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,280,748.20. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Kiernan Conway sold 2,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.54, for a total transaction of $52,758.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 412 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,050.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 8.63% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets UMH has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wedbush lifted their target price on UMH Properties from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. William Blair reiterated a neutral rating on shares of UMH Properties in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Alliance Global Partners initiated coverage on shares of UMH Properties in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set a buy rating and a $21.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of UMH Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, B. Riley increased their price target on UMH Properties from $18.50 to $22.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $21.25. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UMH Properties UMH Properties Price Performance UMH stock traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $19.46. The stock had a trading volume of 302,715 shares, compared to its average volume of 398,535. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a P/E ratio of -127.99, a P/E/G ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 6.77, a quick ratio of 6.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. UMH Properties, Inc. has a 52 week low of $13.26 and a 52 week high of $19.79. UMH Properties (NYSE:UMH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.21). UMH Properties had a net margin of 5.79% and a return on equity of 3.17%. The firm had revenue of $60.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $59.84 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.21 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that UMH Properties, Inc. will post 0.93 EPS for the current year. UMH Properties Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.215 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.42%. UMH Propertiess dividend payout ratio is currently -573.30%. UMH Properties Profile (Free Report) UMH Properties, Inc, which was organized in 1968, is a public equity REIT that owns and operates 135 manufactured home communities containing approximately 25,800 developed homesites. These communities are located in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UMH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UMH Properties, Inc. (NYSE:UMH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UMH Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UMH Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in AECOM (NYSE:ACM Free Report) by 982.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 43,924 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 39,866 shares during the quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc.s holdings in AECOM were worth $3,871,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new position in AECOM during the first quarter worth $25,000. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AECOM during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AECOM during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AECOM in the first quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in AECOM during the second quarter worth about $31,000. 85.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AECOM alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets ACM has been the subject of several analyst reports. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of AECOM from $94.00 to $99.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. UBS Group raised their price objective on AECOM from $105.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of AECOM from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $108.00 price target (up from $107.00) on shares of AECOM in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of AECOM from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $105.00. AECOM Stock Up 0.6 % ACM traded up $0.61 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $100.14. 1,268,069 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 797,915. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. AECOM has a 12-month low of $74.40 and a 12-month high of $102.26. The firm has a market cap of $13.63 billion, a P/E ratio of -1,103.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $91.18 and a 200 day moving average of $91.35. AECOM (NYSE:ACM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The construction company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.85 billion. AECOM had a positive return on equity of 22.73% and a negative net margin of 0.09%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.94 earnings per share. Analysts predict that AECOM will post 4.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. AECOM Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 3rd were paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 3rd. AECOMs payout ratio is presently -977.78%. AECOM Profile (Free Report) AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital. The company offers planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design, construction and program management, and investment and development services to public and private clients. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for AECOM Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AECOM and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reddit, Inc. (NYSE:RDDT Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 3.2% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $60.23 and last traded at $60.12. 1,901,704 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 4,480,829 shares. The stock had previously closed at $58.26. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Cannonball Research assumed coverage on Reddit in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. They set a buy rating and a $67.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Reddit from $63.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Reddit from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Reddit from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Reddit from $40.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $65.56. Get Reddit alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Reddit Reddit Stock Up 4.6 % The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $61.95. Reddit (NYSE:RDDT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.31) by $0.25. The business had revenue of $281.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $253.86 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.70) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Reddit, Inc. will post -4.17 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Reddit In other news, CAO Michelle Marie Reynolds sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.00, for a total transaction of $648,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 71,162 shares in the company, valued at $3,842,748. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Michelle Marie Reynolds sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.00, for a total transaction of $648,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 71,162 shares in the company, valued at $3,842,748. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Benjamin Seong Lee sold 45,807 shares of Reddit stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.99, for a total value of $2,473,119.93. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 194,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,499,597.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 189,659 shares of company stock worth $10,213,519 over the last 90 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Reddit A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new position in Reddit in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in Reddit in the first quarter valued at about $37,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. acquired a new position in Reddit in the second quarter valued at about $78,000. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd acquired a new position in Reddit in the first quarter valued at about $63,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new position in Reddit in the second quarter valued at about $88,000. Reddit Company Profile (Get Free Report) Reddit, Inc operates a website that organizes digital communities. It organizes communities based on specific interests that enable users to engage in conversations by sharing experiences, submitting links, uploading images and videos, and replying to one another. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Reddit Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reddit and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 866 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $67,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Burney Co. acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $454,000. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its position in Boston Scientific by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 6,090 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $469,000 after purchasing an additional 397 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Boston Scientific by 16.3% during the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,018 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,773,000 after purchasing an additional 3,219 shares during the period. Finally, Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Insider Activity In other news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.33, for a total transaction of $526,029.39. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 45,628 shares in the company, valued at $3,437,157.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 20,949 shares of company stock worth $1,583,395. 0.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Boston Scientific Trading Up 1.4 % Shares of Boston Scientific stock traded up $1.15 on Thursday, reaching $80.67. 5,476,710 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,095,126. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $76.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $72.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $118.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 67.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Boston Scientific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $48.35 and a fifty-two week high of $80.96. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 16.80% and a net margin of 12.00%. The company had revenue of $4.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.02 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.53 earnings per share. Boston Scientifics revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have issued reports on BSX. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $90.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $85.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $78.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.24. View Our Latest Report on BSX About Boston Scientific (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. See Also 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. Shimano Inc. (OTCMKTS:SMNNY Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $19.69 and last traded at $19.33, with a volume of 19157 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $19.17. Shimano Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $17.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.94 and a beta of 0.59. The companys 50-day moving average is $16.93 and its 200-day moving average is $15.90. Get Shimano alerts: Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Shimano had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 8.74%. The company had revenue of $746.22 million for the quarter. About Shimano Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Shimano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shimano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI Get Free Report) and Tenet Fintech Group (OTCMKTS:PKKFF Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings and profitability. Institutional and Insider Ownership 94.0% of SolarWinds shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.3% of Tenet Fintech Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of SolarWinds shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get SolarWinds alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares SolarWinds and Tenet Fintech Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SolarWinds $758.74 million 2.88 -$9.11 million $0.07 184.00 Tenet Fintech Group $31.17 million 0.40 -$56.92 million ($0.48) -0.18 Volatility and Risk SolarWinds has higher revenue and earnings than Tenet Fintech Group. Tenet Fintech Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SolarWinds, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. SolarWinds has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Tenet Fintech Group has a beta of 1.34, suggesting that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares SolarWinds and Tenet Fintech Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SolarWinds 2.96% 7.14% 3.04% Tenet Fintech Group -224.05% -58.95% -39.98% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for SolarWinds and Tenet Fintech Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SolarWinds 0 4 0 0 2.00 Tenet Fintech Group 0 0 0 0 N/A SolarWinds currently has a consensus price target of $14.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.70%. Given SolarWinds higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe SolarWinds is more favorable than Tenet Fintech Group. Summary SolarWinds beats Tenet Fintech Group on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About SolarWinds (Get Free Report) SolarWinds Corporation provides information technology (IT) management software products in the United States and internationally. It provides a suite of network management software that offers real-time visibility into network utilization and bandwidth, as well as the ability to detect, diagnose, and resolve network performance problems; and a suite of infrastructure management products, which monitors and analyzes the performance of applications and their supporting infrastructure, including servers, physical, virtual and cloud infrastructure, storage, and databases. The company also provides automated network configuration, log and event management, security information and event management, access rights management, identity monitoring, server configuration monitoring and patching, and secure gateway and file transfer products; a suite of application performance management software that enables visibility into log data, cloud infrastructure metrics, applications, tracing, and digital experiences; and service management software that offers ITIL-compliant service desk solutions for various companies. In addition, it offers a suite of database performance management software that monitors, analyzes, diagnoses, and optimizes database performance and operations for the Microsoft data platform, as well as other database management system platforms; traditional, open-source, and cloud-native databases hosted on-premises, in the cloud, and hybrid models. It markets and sells its products directly to network and systems engineers, database administrators, storage administrators, DevOps, SecOps, and service desk professionals. The company was formerly known as SolarWinds Parent, Inc. and changed its name to SolarWinds Corporation in May 2018. SolarWinds Corporation was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. About Tenet Fintech Group (Get Free Report) Tenet Fintech Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various analytics and AI-based services to small-and-medium businesses and financial institutions. It offers Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. The company was formerly known as Peak Fintech Group Inc. and changed its name to Tenet Fintech Group Inc. in November 2021. Tenet Fintech Group Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for SolarWinds Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SolarWinds and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd trimmed its position in State Street Co. (NYSE:STT Free Report) by 29.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,493 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 7,045 shares during the period. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in State Street were worth $1,220,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of State Street by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 941,404 shares of the asset managers stock worth $72,789,000 after buying an additional 40,835 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its position in State Street by 3.3% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 198,891 shares of the asset managers stock worth $15,376,000 after acquiring an additional 6,363 shares in the last quarter. M&G Plc acquired a new stake in State Street in the 1st quarter valued at about $7,626,000. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado boosted its position in shares of State Street by 298.6% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 37,888 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,935,000 after purchasing an additional 28,382 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in shares of State Street by 127.8% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 44,400 shares of the asset managers stock worth $3,433,000 after purchasing an additional 24,906 shares during the last quarter. 87.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get State Street alerts: State Street Stock Up 1.4 % NYSE:STT traded up $1.16 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $85.90. 1,441,583 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,221,098. The firm has a market cap of $25.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.50. State Street Co. has a twelve month low of $62.78 and a twelve month high of $86.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.54. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $79.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.01. State Street Increases Dividend State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The asset manager reported $2.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.03 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.15 billion. State Street had a return on equity of 11.78% and a net margin of 8.98%. State Streets quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.17 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that State Street Co. will post 8.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.54%. This is a positive change from State Streets previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 1st. State Streets payout ratio is presently 51.69%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of State Street from $91.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on State Street from $88.00 to $84.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Bank of America lifted their target price on State Street from $85.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on State Street from $85.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on State Street from $89.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $88.89. Get Our Latest Analysis on State Street State Street Profile (Free Report) State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; finance leasing; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for State Street Co. (NYSE:STT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stock analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Price Performance NYSEAMERICAN:THM opened at $0.53 on Wednesday. International Tower Hill Mines has a one year low of $0.31 and a one year high of $0.80. The firm has a market cap of $105.32 million, a P/E ratio of -26.37 and a beta of 1.19. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 9th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines About International Tower Hill Mines Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in International Tower Hill Mines by 1.0% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,878,009 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,984,000 after purchasing an additional 28,358 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in International Tower Hill Mines by 54.5% in the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 51,018 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 18,000 shares during the period. Finally, Herr Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines in the 1st quarter valued at $1,416,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.63% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The company was formerly known as Tower Hill Mines Ltd. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tobam purchased a new position in e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 538 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $113,000. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Matrix Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the second quarter worth $27,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the first quarter worth $31,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty by 405.9% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 172 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the first quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of e.l.f. Beauty during the first quarter worth about $42,000. 92.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get e.l.f. Beauty alerts: e.l.f. Beauty Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of ELF traded up $0.22 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $150.29. The stock had a trading volume of 859,428 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,663,057. The company has a market cap of $8.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.82, a P/E/G ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. has a 52 week low of $88.47 and a 52 week high of $221.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $180.13 and a 200 day moving average of $181.59. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts recently commented on ELF shares. TD Cowen lifted their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $190.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 4th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $223.00 target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a report on Thursday. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $260.00 target price on shares of e.l.f. Beauty in a report on Monday. Truist Financial lifted their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on e.l.f. Beauty from $214.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, e.l.f. Beauty currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $216.43. Read Our Latest Analysis on ELF Insider Activity at e.l.f. Beauty In other news, insider Jennifer Catherine Hartnett sold 9,808 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.96, for a total value of $1,814,087.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 61,647 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,402,229.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other e.l.f. Beauty news, SVP Joshua Allen Franks sold 14,253 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.96, for a total value of $2,636,234.88. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 83,182 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,385,342.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jennifer Catherine Hartnett sold 9,808 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.96, for a total transaction of $1,814,087.68. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 61,647 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,402,229.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 97,390 shares of company stock worth $18,264,873. Company insiders own 5.20% of the companys stock. e.l.f. Beauty Profile (Free Report) e.l.f. Beauty, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cosmetic and skin care products under the e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. Skin, Well People, and Keys Soulcare brand names worldwide. The company offers eye, lip, face, face, paw, and skin care products. It sells its products through national and international retailers and direct-to-consumer channels, which include e-commerce platforms in the United States, and internationally primarily through distributors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for e.l.f. Beauty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for e.l.f. Beauty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tokuyama Co. (OTCMKTS:TKYMF Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 54,600 shares, a drop of 36.8% from the July 31st total of 86,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. Tokuyama Price Performance Shares of Tokuyama stock remained flat at $15.10 on Friday. 20 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 100. Tokuyama has a 52-week low of $13.56 and a 52-week high of $15.10. The companys 50 day moving average price is $15.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.10. Get Tokuyama alerts: About Tokuyama (Get Free Report) See Also Tokuyama Corporation produces and sells various chemical products in Japan. The company operates through six segments: Chemicals, Cement, Electronics and Advanced Materials, Life Science, Eco Business, and Others. The Chemicals segment offers caustic soda, soda ash, calcium chloride, sodium silicate cullet, sodium bicarbonate, purified, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl chloride resin, propylene oxide, methylene chloride, and chloroform. Receive News & Ratings for Tokuyama Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tokuyama and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 595,530 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 46% from the previous sessions volume of 1,109,481 shares.The stock last traded at $355.15 and had previously closed at $355.02. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $385.00 to $394.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $247.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. UBS Group increased their price target on Trane Technologies from $330.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Trane Technologies from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $334.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Trane Technologies has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $323.29. Get Trane Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Trane Technologies Trane Technologies Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $81.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $336.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $316.45. Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $5.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. Trane Technologies had a return on equity of 33.97% and a net margin of 12.33%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.68 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Trane Technologies plc will post 10.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Trane Technologies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.84 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.94%. Trane Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.90%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Trane Technologies news, SVP Evan M. Turtz sold 8,988 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $321.30, for a total transaction of $2,887,844.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 20,758 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,669,545.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Trane Technologies news, SVP Evan M. Turtz sold 8,988 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $321.30, for a total value of $2,887,844.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 20,758 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,669,545.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Christopher J. Kuehn sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $318.67, for a total value of $1,274,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 61,293 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,532,240.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 44,243 shares of company stock valued at $14,216,550. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Trane Technologies Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TT. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in Trane Technologies by 1.0% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 53,873 shares of the companys stock worth $17,721,000 after buying an additional 550 shares during the last quarter. SPC Financial Inc. raised its stake in Trane Technologies by 75.5% in the second quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 1,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $402,000 after buying an additional 526 shares during the period. Advisory Alpha LLC lifted its position in shares of Trane Technologies by 11.0% in the second quarter. Advisory Alpha LLC now owns 744 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 354,263 shares of the companys stock worth $116,528,000 after acquiring an additional 10,413 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hershey Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Trane Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,735,000. Institutional investors own 82.97% of the companys stock. Trane Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Trane Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trane Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report) by 3.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 102,966 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,787 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $7,304,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 278,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,165,000 after buying an additional 7,898 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 374.3% during the 4th quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 116,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,948,000 after buying an additional 91,676 shares during the last quarter. Ossiam raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 89.5% during the 4th quarter. Ossiam now owns 41,928 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,869,000 after buying an additional 19,807 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 470.6% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 37,958 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,916,000 after buying an additional 31,306 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blueshift Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated during the 4th quarter valued at $430,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.74% of the companys stock. Get McCormick & Company Incorporated alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Lawrence Erik Kurzius sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total transaction of $1,875,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 199,258 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,944,350. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 22.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets MKC has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $75.00 to $73.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 24th. Citigroup upgraded shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $69.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $76.25. Get Our Latest Stock Report on MKC McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock traded up $0.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $79.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 306,873 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,914,800. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a current ratio of 0.69. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $74.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.56. The company has a market capitalization of $21.37 billion, a PE ratio of 28.84, a P/E/G ratio of 4.02 and a beta of 0.75. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 52 week low of $59.13 and a 52 week high of $83.48. McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 27th. The company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $1.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.63 billion. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a net margin of 11.07% and a return on equity of 14.63%. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds quarterly revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.60 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, July 8th were paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 8th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.11%. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds payout ratio is 61.31%. About McCormick & Company, Incorporated (Free Report) McCormick & Company, Incorporated manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the food industry. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Flavor Solutions. The Consumer segment offers spices, herbs, and seasonings, as well as condiments and sauces, and desserts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MKC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Darshan enters high security 10ft-by-10ft cell as Qaidi No. 511 in Ballari prison USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Malayalam filmmaker Aashiq Abu resigns from Film Employees Federation of Kerala after explosive Hema Committee report *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Rimi Sen sues Land Rover for Rs 50 crore over alleged car defects and mental harassment Follow us on: Varun Dhawan and family to unveil the trailer of Binny and Family BRAND CONNECT *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com Jinit Parmar is a correspondent based out of Mumbai covering the banking sector, fintechs, NBFCs, insurance and more, tweets @jinitparmar10 Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu. Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India. Follow us on: Brokerages remain bullish as Reliance Industries aims to double EBITDA, expand O2C, retail, and new energy Can India weave its way to becoming the worlds next textile hub? OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All NITI panel report backs MSP, higher duties as rising edible oil demand poses 'challenge' to self sufficiency Follow us on: Piyush Goyal stresses on partnership with industries for success of PLI, semiconductor missions Souptik Datta Reports on Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat. You can reach me on souptik.datta@nw18.com Follow us on: Safety audit of Delhi airport likely by end-Sept, all domestic airports by year-end: Govt The markets have so far shrugged off the possibility of a serious escalation of the war in the Middle East With a wide footprint, merchant partnership, strong portfolio of brands and deep tech capabilities, RILs retail business is expected to double in the next 3-4 years. A strong and growing subscriber base In its recently concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) articulated its strategy to fortify its leadership position in multiple businesses ranging from energy, retail, telecom to media with an overarching play of developing artificial intelligence applications to bring out their full potential. Highlights - Quarterly performance largely backed by improved realisations - Medium-term triggers China plus and protectionist measures for tyre industry - Valuations not inexpensive; but improved medium-term outlook USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All ITI share price rises nearly 3% on EVM order from Election Commission Follow us on: Vistara to operate last flight on Nov 11; unified operations by Air India thereafter Follow us on: All about HAL's 'Aravali' engines which will power next-gen choppers for Army, Navy OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Hidden camera found in women's washroom at Gudlavalleru college in Andhra, massive protests erupt Follow us on: Biren Singh rules out resignation as Manipur CM, promises full peace in six months August 30, 2024 / 17:41 IST Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "BJP-JD(S) is trying to destabilize the state government through Operation Kamala. In the state, BJP has never come to power with people's blessings. t is not an easy matter to destabilize the Congress government of 136 MLAs." Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says," Tomorrow the state government ministers, MLAs and MLCs will meet the Governor and urge him to give permission for the prosecution of former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Sasikala Jolle, Janardhana Reddy Nirani." OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Champai Soren joins BJP: 5 ex-CMs who rebelled and paid the price OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Delhi court directs CBI to frame charges against Jagdish Tytler in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case Follow us on: 'Frank, constructive and forward-looking': India on talks with China on situation along LAC Follow us on: Jaishankar on India's challenges with Bangladesh, Maldives: 'Have to recognise that ...' OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All MEA clears air on US readout after Modi-Biden talks Follow us on: Mumbai milk vendor dies after speeding SUV driven by teenager rams into his two-wheeler Follow us on: 'NCP will quit Cabinet if...': Shiv Sena leader's remark on Ajit Pawar triggers crisis for Mahayuti in Maharashtra The increased exports are mainly due to higher prices for metals, such as copper and gold, hydrocarbons, and non-traditional products, specifically from the agricultural and fishing sectors. The increased dynamism of fishmeal shipments contributed favorably to the quarterly result as well. The upward trend in export value was limited by the reduction in copper shipments volume due to lower production at some mines and a base effect from sales abroad of inventories accumulated in 2023. Lower export volumes were also observed in the case of agricultural products following the adverse weather conditions of the previous year that affected the 2024 harvests and fishing products due to lower giant squid shipments. (END) NDP/MVB Total exports amounted to US$17.671 billion in the second quarter of this year, a figure that accounts for 24.6% of GDP and a 7.9% rise compared to sales abroad registered in the same period of 2023, the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) has reported.Published: 8/30/2024 Follow us on: 'No reply was received:' Mamata's second letter to PM Modi on Kolkata rape-murder; BJP hits back Plight of Hindus in Bangladesh likely to be on agenda at key RSS meet in Kerala OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Shashi Tharoor expresses disappointment on Kerala govt for sitting on Hema committee report Follow us on: TN signs agreements with Nokia, PayPal, Applied Materials, and a host of IT companies David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities, as well as industrial and consumer companies. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. MCD razes 45 shanties in south Delhi, residents say not given enough time to take out belongings Best cities to find a job in the US Kim Edwards, 45, claims much of Turkey's cosmetic surgery industry is 'fraudulent' after her horrific experience which saw her 'rotting' teeth fall out. A woman is urging others to avoid going to Turkey to get popular cosmetic procedures after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars there, only to rush home and need emergency assistance after her "teeth fell out". Sydney woman Kim Edwards, 45, had done extensive research on available treatment in Turkey, a country well known for its established cosmetic surgery industry, before flying out last year. She paid a large sum to get dental veneers, a facelift and other minor treatments but quickly realised the results weren't what she had hoped or paid for. "I ended up with bridges which you can't clean and when I got back they were infected," the woman from Sutherland Shire told Yahoo News. "It was about a month after I returned that I was like, this isn't right. Things take time to settle and heal but they hadn't even touched my nose and my teeth, this is gross, but I could smell them rotting." Woman was eating lunch when 'full block of teeth' fell out After reaching out to the medical team in Turkey for assistance, she claims they told her "nothing was wrong" with the cosmetic work they had performed and instead simply "wiped their hands" of her. Edwards attempted to persevere with daily life until she was eating a meal one day. "That's when I was eating lunch and a full block of my teeth fell out. I was so shocked because I had not seen underneath my teeth, how damaged and shaved back they were," she said. Aussie dentist confirmed teeth were 'massacred' Due to the damage, Edwards had to go to specialist clinic Dental Boutique Sydney where the doctors told her that her teeth had been "massacred". "When we took off the bridges, we saw that the teeth underneath had been massacred. They had removed so much natural tooth structure. In Australia, we would never do that type of procedure," Principal Dentist Dr Ben Hargreave said. Edwards had no other choice but to spend more money to get the issue fixed, confirming to Yahoo News she's easily spent upwards of $100,000 on her teeth alone and feels cheated initially paying well above the cheap "Turkey standards" of treatment price in the hope of avoiding this very fate. "I wanted to pay more to make sure I was getting the best treatment. I didn't want to go to a backyard butcher," she said. Trend of 'irreversible damage' from dental work overseas The cosmetic surgery industry in Turkey has been booming in recent years as tourists from all over the world travel there to receive treatment at affordable prices. Hargreave said there has been a surge in the number of Aussies going overseas to get cosmetic surgery, only to come home with their mouth in a much worse state. "We're seeing an alarming trend of Australians having extensive, unnecessary crown work done overseas. This often results in irreversible damage to healthy teeth and gums," he said. "We urge Australians to prioritise their long-term oral health over short-term savings. What seems cheaper initially often results in extensive, costly repairs back home. We strongly advise against overseas dental tourism." Despite admitting her teeth are now in a condition she is pleased with, which took an entire year to repair, Edwards wants others to learn from her mistake, calling out the industry as a "fraudulent black market". "I was just so naive about the whole situation. Stay in your country and get it done where you can have a follow-up, where people are held accountable for what they've done because when you're overseas and people are home, they wash their hands [of it]," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Follow us on: 4-year-old accidentally breaks 3,500-year-old jar at an Israeli museum; THIS is what happened next Follow us on: Behind the arrest of Telegram boss, a small Paris cybercrime unit with big ambitions Follow us on: 'Next question, please': Kamala Harris brushes off question on Trump's race comments Follow us on: Norway Princess Martha Louise to marry shaman Durek Verrett, who claims to have risen from the dead The bizarre typed out note accused the tradie of taking up enough room for a '20 mule team, two elephants, one goat and a safari of pygmies'. The tradie was left 'speechless' by the elaborate note found on their car while picking up their kids from school in Woodvale, Western Australia. Source: Facebook A tradie is in disbelief after finding an elaborate note on their parked car, saying they are "heartbroken" a fellow parent would go out of their way to "shame" someone while picking up their children from school. After parking at the Woodvale Tavern in Perth's north on Wednesday, the tradie collected their kids from the nearby school and returned to their vehicle to find the message waving in the wind. Not only was it long and typed out, which suggests the person who issued the note had invested time in creating it, but it was also dated and seemingly signed in pen, with the note's header reading, "Thanks for the way you parked your car you ignorant b*****d". The note called the tradie's parking attempt "bull-headed, inconsiderate and feeble" and called them out for taking up enough room for a "20 mule team, two elephants, one goat and a safari of pygmies". "I sign off wishing you an early transmission failure (on a freeway at about 4.30 pm). Also, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits." 'Speechless' tradie defends parking The tradie admitted online they had "parked longways" across parking bays as their vehicle is too long to fit in a standard bay. Taking this into consideration, they parked in the pub's car park to not take up any designated parking for parents on the school grounds. "That area is not [a] school park so if a parent from our school has put this note on my windscreen I hope you take a long hard look at yourself," the tradie wrote on social media. "As a hard-working single parent trying to provide the best education for my kids, and to be shamed for where I park, Im left speechless." Elaborate parking note divides Aussies After sharing an image of the note online, the parent was bombarded by a number of Aussies who shared their opinion and many were divided on whether the note was justified or not. "Im sorry you got slammed... I often have to park sideways as I have a horse float on but I go up the back near the childcare centre. Bays are getting smaller and cars bigger," one wrote online. However, many others called the note "pure class" and said drivers need to be called out when they are in the wrong. "To be fair parking a truck/trailer across five bays in that spot at that time of day is a s**t move," one said, while another admitted they will copy the idea and "print me some of these!". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All 'Signal to potential criminals': First since Taliban takeover, Germany deports 28 convicted Afghans Follow us on: Top Dubai chef Mussie Imnetu fighting for life after being attacked near London's Notting Hill Carnival OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Ukraine reports first destruction of US-delivered F-16 fighter jet amid war with Russia; pilot killed Follow us on: Ukraine says it advances in Russia's Kursk region, urges allies help defend air space Plus how a man managed to get jailed for swiping a barcode at Coles. Yahoo's live news blog for Friday. August 30 has now concluded. We started with the news Alex De Minaur is through to the US Open third round despite an early scare. NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon has been charged with child sex offences, including sexual intercourse with a person between 10 and 14. Read more below. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a question on sexuality will be tested for the next census after Labor initially dumped the question, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers saying such a question would be too divisive. A man who allegedly poured hot coffee over a baby at Brisbane Park has yet to be found, with police issuing a fresh plea to help locate him. A man has been jailed after he used the same barcode to scan all his groceries at Coles. Find out more here. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 14 updates Featured NSW MP charged with historical child-sex offences Liberal state MP Rory Amon has been hit with a string of child-sexual charges relating to an alleged assault on a teenage boy in 2017. The Member for Pittwater was arrested on Friday morning at Manly police station and charged with 10 offences. They include five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over 10 and under 14, two counts of attempting sexual intercourse with a child over 10 under 14, two counts of indecently assaulting a person under 16 and committing an act of indecency with a person under 16. Liberal MP Rory Amon has been charged with child sex offences. Police said detectives started an investigation in June 2022 after reports of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale, on Sydney's northern beaches, five years earlier. They were told a teenage boy had been allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him. Amon was listed to appear at Manly Local Court on Friday. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 AFL bans man for life after water bottle incident The man who is alleged to have thrown a water bottle at a goal umpire during St Kilda's clash with Carlton last week has now been banned for life by the AFL. A 23-year-old man has also been charged by police over the incident. "A record 7.75 million fans attended matches this year, we have the best fans in the world, but if you choose to assault someone who is doing their job then you will lose the privilege of being able to attend the footy," AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement. "That is just completely unacceptable." One of the goal umpires has come from the ground after being struck in the head by a water bottle.#AFLBluesSaints pic.twitter.com/NybjA2vAbL 7AFL (@7AFL) August 25, 2024 Sydney swelters, Queensland records new winter record The winter heat is rolling on as Sydney's Observatory Hill weather station in the CBD surpasses 30C and has set its highest temperature in 29 years in the process. The 31.5C at Sydney Airport has smashed its winter record which had stood for 70 years. Queensland has also set a new winter heat record just five days after it was broken. Birdsville has recorded a temperature of 39.4C this afternoon. Sydney has reached 30.1C today - the 3rd warmest winter day on record. Sydney Airport has already exceeded its record reaching 31.5C pic.twitter.com/SfRZaRmKf6 Thomas Saunders (@TomSaundersABC) August 30, 2024 Bleak future for letters in Australia Australia Post is still losing big on sending letters despite scrapping delivering them every day. The group lost $361.8 million sending letters last year, it has confirmed, with overall performance reported at an $88.5 million loss. The average household now receives fewer than two addressed letters a week, which is expected to halve in the next five years. Australia Post has made significant changes to shift focus to delivering parcels but CEO Paul Graham stresses there's "more work to do". "Further reform is required to ensure Australia Post is sustainable and delivers for communities for another 200 years," he said. Major bank boss says card surcharges are 'outrageous' The boss of NAB says customers being charged card surcharges is "outrageous". Small businesses are increasingly complaining about EFTPOS fees from the banks but NAB chief executive Andrew Irvine said to charge an extra fee to customers in this day and age was too far. "It's possible that surcharging was warranted over 20 years ago, but I think it behooves us to ask whether it still serves its purpose," he told a parliamentary committee into the big four banks on Friday. "It just adds to confusion. It means I don't know what the price of a good is that I'm buying and I don't like it." Kamala Harris's seven-word response to Trump race question Kamala Harris needed just seven words to answer a question on Donald Trump's claim she "happened to turn black" recently for political purposes. Asked during an exclusive interview with CNN, Harris responded: "Same old tired playbook. Next question please." Harris was born in the US to migrant parents. Her father is Jamaican and her mother is Indian. Q: I want to ask you about what Trump said last month. He suggested that you happened to turn Black, questioning a core part of your identity Vice President Harris: Same old tired playbook. Next question please Q: That's it? Vice President Harris: That's it pic.twitter.com/2oJzIYLsz1 Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 30, 2024 Iconic Aussie ship damaged by container ship An arriving container ship has badly damaged an iconic Australian tall ship in Perth. Two workers aboard The Leeuwin, Australia's largest sail-training tall ship with an overall length of 55 metres, were taken to hospital after the container ship crashed into the vessel about 6.30am. Neil Stanbury at Fremantle Port said the incident was "terrible". "It's a pretty messy scene," he said. Read more here. If youve booked a Sail on the STS Leeuwin Training ship today.. Youre not going#cartons pic.twitter.com/RHjPO2ZvKF Rod (@Rocket0764) August 30, 2024 Man charged after two bodies found in suburban home A man has been charged with two counts of murder after two bodies were found in a home in Brisbane's north. Emergency services were called to the Kentville St property in Mitchelton at 8.50am on Thursday, with the two people found inside unresponsive. A 61-year-old Keperra man and a 35-year-old Mitchelton woman were later declared dead at the scene. A 41-year-old man was arrested and has now been charged with two counts of murder and will front court on Friday. Builder goes bust, homes left unfinished The construction industry in Australia continues to face difficulties and now another builder has gone bust while facing the prospect of disciplinary action. Dozens of homes have been left unfinished after Ansa Homes was put into liquidation. A spokeswoman for the administrator firm Jirsch Sutherland, told NewsWire that Ansa Homes is $3m in debt and leaves at least 45 homes unfinished. The Building Commission NSW found evidence of defective building work and improper conduct during inspections at Ansa Homes sites earlier in the year, and all work stopped immediately. A Building Commission NSW spokesperson said Ansa Homes and its director were still liable to further disciplinary action despite the company's collapse. - With NCA NewsWire Boy, 16, decapitated by shark We now bring you a disturbing story from Jamaica where a 16-year-old boy has been decapitated by a shark while spearfishing. Jahmari Reid vanished on Monday while fishing alone at sea. His body was later found by fishermen and his injuries were consistent with a shark attack, police said. His father told the Jamaica Observer he "feels so bad" about his son's death. Baby found outside home in critical condition We have some news just in from Victoria Police who say a newborn baby is in a critical condition after they were found outside a Melbourne home. "The baby was discovered outside a Gladstone Road address in Dandenong North with life-threatening injuries about 2.40am," police said in a statement. A 25-year-old woman from the home was also taken to hospital and is under police guard. Investigations are ongoing. Toddler locked in aeroplane toilet The moment has divided a nation. Source: Weibo Now on to a story that has become a massive talking point in China this week. A one-year-old child was locked in an aeroplane toilet after she began crying on a domestic flight, dividing the nation over whether it was the right thing to do. The toddler was taken into the cubicle by two women on the Shanghai bound flight and was told she could only leave if she stopped crying. One of the women filmed the moment, with the video sparking backlash online with some calling it "bullying". Responding to the incident, the airline said the women had been told they could take the child into the toilet by her grandmother who she was travelling with in a bid to "educate her". The woman defended her actions, explaining online that she "just wanted to clam the child down and let everyone rest". Some online sided with the woman, saying sometimes children need "education". So what do you think? Have your say below. Alex de Minaur through to US Open third round Alex De Minaur is into the third round of the US Open after defeating Otto Virtanen in straight sets but he was made to work hard for the win in the first set where he was serving to stay in the set. Australia's no.1 is looking to finish off a stellar season where he has already reached two Grand Slam quarter finals. "I'm happy to keep going every day, I'm getting a little bit better and I'm looking forward to what's to come," De Minaur said. Labor backflips on LGBTQ question Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a question on sexuality will be included for the next census after Labor initially dumped the question, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers saying such a question would be too divisive. Albanese told ABC Radio this morning the Australian Bureau of Statistics will be testing for a new question after backlash from within his own party. Liberal MP Bridget Archer said Labor had caused unnecessary drama and that such a question is "not in any way controversial". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Almost every jurisdiction across the country has some form of weather warning in place on Friday, with emergency crews 'preparing for the worst' this weekend. Parts of WA, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and the ACT are in for a wild and windy weekend. Source: Getty/Weatherzone Large parts of the country are set to be hit by a mixed-bag of extreme weather in the coming days, with millions of people set to affected by severe weather warnings. Meteorologists have reminded the public conditions in certain areas are expected to become "exceedingly dangerous", warning people living along the coast in particular to remain alert. After much of the country's southeast was battered by wild winds in the latter half of this week, forecasters say those conditions are set to return. "Powerful westerlies and a series of embedded cold fronts" are expected to cause extremely damaging wind gusts in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and the ACT between now and Monday. SES services along the eastern seaboard have been kept busy since Wednesday, responding to thousands of call-outs in just hours. Source: NSW SES Wild weather that's battered much of the country in recent days is set to return, with almost every part of the country expected to cop a lashing from gusty winds. Source: NSW SES Most of the country subjected to severe weather warnings from Friday There are several severe weather warnings in place across five of the jurisdictions as of 10am on Friday. In NSW, "vigorous winds and damaging gusts" are likely to persist until Monday, throughout the southern and central ranges and the south coast. These potentially damaging winds will also affect parts of the ACT, according to Weatherzone. Victoria will also experience further rounds of damaging winds between now and Monday. The strongest winds will occur in elevated and coastal areas, including Gippsland, while places exposed to northwesterly winds will also experience frequent showers in the next five days. Flights from Perth to Melbourne gaining 200 knots (370 km/h) of free ground speed this morning. (The reverse scenario doesn't bear thinking about.) pic.twitter.com/zJXR4lxIzA Andrew Miskelly (@andrewmiskelly) August 29, 2024 In Western Australia, damaging winds are expected across parts of the states southern coastline on Thursday in the wake of a cold front. Thursdays winds will also combine "with inland heat to produce Extreme Fire Danger in parts of the South Interior and Eucla districts", Weatherzone warned. The cold front will pass over South Australia, causing a "prolonged period of vigorous west to northwesterly winds from Friday and Sunday". Tasmania will be buffeted by powerful winds, "squally showers, thunderstorms" and even periods of snow between Friday and Monday, with the entire state under a severe weather warning. Weatherzone said there "wont be much respite from the wind in the next five days", with blizzards likely as a result. SES crews say they're now 'preparing' for the worst as the gusty conditions ramp up. Source: NSW SES SES 'preparing for the worst' Rain-softened soil will also increase the risk of falling trees over the next five days, with SES services across the country "preparing for the worst". "Since severe and destructive winds struck parts of NSW, our incredible volunteers have responded to 1,286 incidents," the NSW branch wrote online. On Thursday alone, crews were kept busy with 1,100 incidents including fallen trees and powerlines, damaged roofs and properties, it said. In Victoria, a man has died, and a woman is in critical condition after a falling tree crushed their car on Wednesday. More than 1,000 emergency call-outs across multiple states occurred over the last two days, with the state's SES warning on Friday "damaging winds have redeveloped". Wind gusts across Victoria are expected to reach 120kilometres per hour in some parts. Meanwhile in northern NSW and Queensland According to one meteorologist, it's expected this is merely the beginning. "Its going to be exceedingly dangerous," said Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe. "Plenty more trees will come toppling down. Well watch a series of further fronts, one coming through Saturday morning, another Saturday night and then again on Sunday night. "Right through until Monday its going to remain windy for the southeast there wont be a let up in those severe weather warnings for southeastern Australia, theyll just be chopping and changing." While wild winds will are the most hazardous conditions forecast across the coming days, though some flood warnings are also in place along the country's east. Hot weather, fire danger forecast for Queensland and northern NSW Tasmanians have been warned they'll likely cop the brunt of the choppy conditions, with Queensland and the Northern Territory the only two jurisdictions across the country with relatively calm forecasts. There are no severe weather warnings in place in the NT as of Friday. Meanwhile in northern NSW and Queensland, temperatures are set to soar, with some fire warnings in place. Brisbane is forecast to reach 34 degrees on Saturday and will push the record for the the warmest August day on record. A full and compressive list of all weather warnings across the weekend can be found here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Leo Prideaux, 4, was at the beach with his mum when he found the bottle with a letter inside. A message in a bottle that has been floating in the ocean for almost 40 years has been discovered by a four-year-old boy at the same location it was thrown out at sea so many decades ago. Leo Prideaux was with his mum Meg at their local beach in Lancelin, situated 125 kilometres from Perth, on Tuesday when he spotted the bottle on the sand. The pair took it home and waited until their whole family was together before prising it open, with barnacles and a wax sealant making it challenging. "We brought it home and we waited for my daughter and my husband to come home, but we couldnt get it open," Meg told 7News. However, they thankfully managed, delighted the soggy letter was still legible. It dated 1985. The message had been written by two teenagers Joanne Evans and Louise Pocock. Sad twist after authors of message in a bottle found Joanne, now 54, admitted she "hadn't thought about" the message in a bottle for a long time but was thrilled to learn it had been found. "We wrote it at night and sealed it with the wax and then we actually swam out to the water, because we threw it from the beach and it kept washing back in, so we swam out the next morning and threw it and said goodbye," she explained. "[We were] just 15-year-olds bored trying to think of fun things to do." The message in a bottle was written by then-teenagers Joanne Evans and Louise Pocock in 1985. Source: 7News Sadly, Louise died six years ago from leukaemia, however her sister Sarah Martin said she too would have shared Joanne's delight, saying the find reignited the cherished memories she has of her sister. "As time goes on you feel like they're slipping further away from you, and then this is just such a wonderful thing that just comes up out of the blue... It's just amazing, she'd be so thrilled," Sarah said. The Prideaux family now plan to meet Joanne to return the bottle and it's message to the original author. It isn't the first time a message in a bottle thrown out to sea has been located and returned to its original sender, with ocean swimmer Scott Gutterson from Gerringong in NSW finding one written by then 10-year-old Vicky and returning it to her in person last year. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Asteroid 99942 Apophis is the size of a skyscraper and it's what we don't know that could kill us. An asteroid will soon narrowly miss Earth and scientists are honing their plans to learn from it. Source: The Planetary Society/ESA/P.Carril Are we staring down a cannonball? Or a shotgun shell? An armour-piercing warhead? Or a flash-bang grenade? We know the asteroid 99942 Apophis, named after the ancient Egyptian God of Darkness and Chaos, is the size of a skyscraper. We know its moving relative to Earth at about 4.7 kilometres a second. We know it will narrowly miss Earth (by 23,000km) on Friday, April 13, 2029. We dont know much else. And its what we dont know that could kill us. Eventually. Apophis is one of 25,000 near-Earth objects (NEOs) big enough to do substantial damage to our planet. Astronomers track them closely, and confidently declare none will hit us for at least 1000 years. At least, none of the known ones. And we dont really know all the forces at play. Thats why the European Space Agency (ESA) is scrambling to raise enough cash to launch an Apophis probe mission in just four years. And it hopes its RAMSES project can use existing technology to prove Earth can react quickly to an unexpected threat. Apophis will fall under Earths influence at less than one-17th the distance of the Moon. Boulders may tumble. Dust may fly. Ravines may collapse - or open. Scientists could then use that knowledge to improve how we deflect asteroids in the future, said The Planetary Societys Asa Stahl. They could also get a better handle on the small forces that nudge asteroids orbits, refining their ability to predict if one might be on a collision course with Earth. Astronomers have been carefully tracking the movements of Apophis and have established that it will narrowly miss hitting Earth. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech and NSF/AUI/GBO Vital to know more about asteroids to stop impacts A large asteroid impact is potentially the only natural disaster humanity has the technology to predict years in advance and take action to prevent, NASAs Lindley Johnson states in a newly released summary of its most recent Planetary Defence exercise. The scenario addressed a planet killer asteroid with a 72 per cent chance of hitting Earth within 14 years. Things didnt go so well. Better information about the asteroid would reduce uncertainties in the potential consequences of an impact, thereby enabling better decision-making about how to respond, the summary states. A solid lump of iron could prove impervious to impacts. So some form of space tractor may be needed. And a loose clump of boulders could crumble if nudged, producing a buckshot effect. NASA recommends developing an emergency-response capability to rapidly launch an NEO reconnaissance mission. This, it adds, can be done by repurposing existing spacecraft and/or instruments to rapidly gather information about an asteroid threat. Luckily, the ESO has just such a proposal up its sleeve: RAMSES. Astronomers are already planning how they will study Apophis when it passes in very close proximity to the Earth in coming years. Source: ESA-Science Office Not all asteroids are created equal There are three known types of asteroids whizzing past Earth. C-TYPE: These lumps of clay and silicate are left over from the dust that formed the solar system. S-TYPE: Clumps of nickel-iron and silicates drawn together over aeons. M-TYPE: Bundles of metal (mostly nickel-iron). Some have been smelted into alloy ingots, or lava-coated iron cores. Then there are comets. These can be either dirty snowballs or enormous clumps of frozen gas. Astrophysicists say every threat will need an individually tailored approach. And were about to experience why. On September 26, 2022, NASA smashed its DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft into the S-type asteroid Dimorphos at some 24,000km/h. Large rock fragments (circled) were detected after the DART impactor struck the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022. Source: NASA/ESA/David Jewitt It was humanitys first experiment at redirecting a potentially hazardous threat. The impact nudged Dimorphos trajectory. But it also transformed the asteroid, ejecting dozens of large boulders and a cloud of pebbles into space. Researchers believe those boulders will fall on Mars in the coming decades. And a new study predicts the shrapnel cloud will begin to hit Earths atmosphere within seven years. How planetary defence works against asteroids Several proposed planetary defence mitigation techniques are technically feasible, but none has been demonstrated in practice, reads a recent US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the physical characteristics of the NEO and the available warning time to impact. Less time requires a more dramatic response. Which generates greater risk. Deflections can be applied using impulsive or 'fast push' methods like a kinetic impactor or a standoff nuclear explosion, or via 'slow push/pull' methods such as a gravity tractor or ion beam deflection, the report states. Scientists plan to study the asteroid when it passes close by the Earth. Source: NASA Kinetic impact isnt likely to be effective against larger objects. And there is always the risk deadly fragments will remain on course. Nuclear detonation will vaporise an asteroids surface, creating orbit-altering momentum. But they must be precisely positioned to have any effect. Ion Beam deflection involves a spacecraft sitting close to the asteroid, spraying its surface with thrusters. But will this push an asteroid, or just blow off dust? A gravity tractor would involve a spacecraft sitting so close to an asteroid that its gravitational attraction pulls it off course. But the asteroids composition will again produce different outcomes. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Beijing (Gasgoo)- At the Chengdu Motor Show 2024, Dongfeng Motors premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH commenced pre-sale of its latest model, the COURAGE (known as the Zhiyin in China), offering four variants priced between 209,900 yuan and 266,900 yuan. Photo credit: VOYAH As the fourth model in the VOYAH lineup, the COURAGE is the first vehicle built on the brands new self-developed pure electric vehicle platform and is set to be sold globally. The exterior of the COURAGE features a sporty look with a full-width light strip and a distinctive three-section lower grille. The split headlight design is integrated with an illuminated VOYAH logo, showcasing a modern and tech-savvy appearance. The side profile emphasizes dynamic lines with a low-slung stance, while the roof and roof rails are finished in black. Photo credit: VOYAH At the rear, the vehicle is equipped with a full-width LED taillight featuring an arrow-feather design, enhancing its visual identity. The COURAGE measures 4,725 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,636-1,653 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. Photo credit: VOYAH Inside, the COURAGEs dashboard employs simple and clean lines, highlighted by a floating central screen and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, creating a sophisticated ambiance. Additional features include dual smartphone slots with wireless charging and extensive use of soft leather materials throughout the cabin. The center console offers ample storage space under the armrest. The COURAGE is powered by VOYAHs latest generation of all-electric vehicle technology, featuring an 800V electric drive system. It comes in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. The four-wheel drive model boasts dual motors, each with a maximum output of 160 kW, and is equipped with a 76.9 kWh or 77.3 kWh battery, offering a range of 570 km. The two-wheel drive version, with the same battery specifications, delivers a maximum power of 215 kW and a range of 625 km. Additionally, another two-wheel drive variant with a 230-kW motor and CATLs ternary lithium batteries (78.7 kWh and 108.7 kWh) provides ranges of 650 km and 901 km, respectively. Yves here. Weve posting an article from US propaganda information outlet RFE/RFL below as a critical thinking exercise. The piece does wind up highlighting how the US idea of diplomacy seems to equate to coercion. The US imposed yet more sanctions on China, of companies the US depicts as supporting Russias war in Ukraine, right before Jake Sullivan went to Beijing for a summit. That visit which included a meeting with President Xi Jinping. Readers will note that the RFE/RFL account, consistent with the headline we have reproduced above, focuses on China not cooperating with US sanctions on Russia, which China correctly depicts as illegal (by virtue of not having been approved by the UN). It does not mention US economic sanctions on China, particularly on chips and EV tariffs, which look to be to be mainly to try to stymie Chinese development. By contrast, the stories on the English language Chinese outlet, Global Times, dont even dignify the US carping about Russia with a mention. That reflects the Chinese position that Chinas dealing with other countries are none of the US business. See the article, US should view Chinas devt in a rational light, Xi tells Sullivan and the editorial, Hope US will also use three responsibilities to benchmark its actions, for confirmation. There is only an indirect reference in editorial, mention the sanctions and decrying camp confrontation Some additional takes on the Sullivan visit: China and the US have made no progress in finding a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. They also failed to come up with any plan. Sullivan arrived in China on 8/27 and met with Xi Jinping and the Foreign Minister. pic.twitter.com/eC5uPAiPHx Mike (@Doranimated) August 29, 2024 Jake Sullivans three day China visit ended with talks with Xi Jinping. Sullivan repeated warnings to China on areas such as Ukraine, unfair trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea. Its clear diplomacy is just another tool for U.S. power projection and China knows it. While pic.twitter.com/8655Fz0Hxf Danny Haiphong (@SpiritofHo) August 29, 2024 You just shattered Chinese exports of EVs & steel/aluminum to Canada & you want help from Xi on Ukraine? Sullivan must be delusional! https://t.co/qm52wCIYqt MissFina (@Love4Spring) August 29, 2024 By RFE/RL. Cross posted from OilPrice The US imposed sanctions on Chinese firms believed to be supporting Russias war effort, leading to a diplomatic dispute ahead of Jake Sullivans visit to Beijing. Sullivans trip aims to address a range of issues including tensions in the South China Sea, Chinas cooperation with Russia, and the conflict in the Middle East. Azerbaijan is strengthening ties with China through strategic partnerships and seeking membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS group. 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 Russias defense industrial base and has already issued hundreds of sanctions aimed at curbing Moscows ability to exploit certain technologies for military purposes. The United States imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russias 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, Chinas 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: Sullivans 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 . Feed your fish remotely with this Raspberry Pi-powered feeding system Toms Hardware Appliance and Tractor Companies Lobby Against Giving the Military the Right to Repair 404 Media Climate How Japan Ignored Climate Critics and Built a Global Natural Gas Empire Bloomberg. Handy map: Syndemics China? Philippines and Vietnam to sign defence agreement Channel News Asia Indonesian app-based motorcycle taxi drivers strike in protest over low pay Channel News Asia Africa What Transsion tells us about Chinese investment in Africa African Business Syraqistan European Disunion Dear Old Blighty New Not-So-Cold War Global Elections What 2024s Historic Elections Could Mean for the Climate World Resources Institute 2024 The Supremes The Supreme Courts Presidential Immunity Decision Says What??? (PDF) Albert W. Alschuler, U of Chicago, Public Law Working Paper No. 861. This Article uses Justice Sotomayors Seal Team 6 hypothetical to explore the categories Trump v. United States employs in determining whether the acts of a former President are immune from prosecution. It concludes that, contrary to Justice Sotomayors assertion, a President who orders a military unit to assassinate a political rival can be prosecuted. The Article describes the procedural tangle the Courts decision has created. It concludes that if the American legal system proves incapable of bringing the most corrupt President in American history to justice, the fault will rest primarily with the Supreme Court. Digital Watch Zeitgeist Watch Healthcare Can the Brain Help Heal a Broken Heart? The Scientist B-a-a-a-d Banks Class Warfare The emergence of monumental architecture in Atlantic Europe: a fortified fifth-millennium BC enclosure in western France Cambridge University Press The Phantoms Haunting History Noema Antidote du jour (Diego Delso): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. AI chatbot loses bid to become mayor of Wyomings capital city British tabloid The Sun first broke the news, noting that 42-year-old Victor Miller filed paperwork on behalf of the VIC chatbot. The chatbot, whose name stands for "virtual integrated citizen," was developed using technology from OpenAI's ChatGPT. Miller came up with the idea for VIC earlier this year when he submitted a public records request to the local government. While the initial request was turned down, he appealed the decision and managed to receive the records he asked for. "Then I started wondering if AI would make a better mayor than any human. The program that would eventually become VIC was quickly able to sort through and reference hundreds of public records laws and offer suggestions for funding strategies and renovation projects. Miller, a librarian by profession, even set up VIC to be able to directly respond to constituents' questions during a Q&A session. According to Miller, he plans to take care of everything that VIC cannot such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies and in-person events. Meanwhile, the robot will take care of executive functions. But the promise of technology espoused by Miller and VIC did not propel the chatbot to the mayoralty seat. Only 327 residents cast their vote for VIC, while incumbent Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins received 6,286 votes. Thus, the mayoralty seat remains warm with an actual human in charge. The loss in the local elections, alongside OpenAI blocking his account multiple times, hasn't dissuaded the librarian. "They can't stop me from doing what I'm doing," Miller said. "It doesn't matter what kind of word games they play." OpenAI blocks Miller, halts VIC's mayoralty bid The San Francisco-based OpenAI later said it shut down Miller's access to ChatGPT. Using ChatGPT in this manner goes against its policies, the company said. "We've taken action against these uses of our technology for violating our policies against political campaigning," said an OpenAI spokesperson. The company's website states that it prohibits "engaging in political campaigning or lobbying, including generating campaign materials personalized to or targeted at specific demographics." Aside from Miller, OpenAI also took action against another candidate in the United Kingdom who was using its AI models for his campaign for the British Parliament. Steve Endacott, chairman of the Neural Voice AI company, made use of the ChatGPT tool to answer voters' questions and leave their opinions. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray meanwhile said in a statement that he is "closely" monitoring Miller's bid for mayor through VIC, adding that he wrote a letter to the Cheyenne municipal clerk about the matter. Gray suggested that the chatbot is essentially a fig leaf for a Miller candidacy. "Wyoming law is clear that to run for office, one must be a 'qualified elector' which necessitates being a real person," the secretary of state said. "Therefore, an AI bot is not a qualified elector." Other experts also put in their two cents about VIC's candidacy for mayor. Jen Golbeck, a professor at the University of Maryland's College of Information Sciences, said AI "should never be used to make automated decisions" and "the decision making should always be left to humans." David Karpf, associate professor of media and public affairs at George Washington University, noted that people behind an AI candidacy such as Miller shouldn't be taken seriously. "ChatGPT is not qualified to run your government. No one is going to vote for an AI chatbot to run a city," he said. Watch this discussion about whether AI is controlling people from thinking critically. This video is from the DITRH channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: AI chatbot admits artificial intelligence can cause the downfall of humanity. India tells Big Tech: Apply for approval before releasing "unreliable" artificial intelligence models in the country. New York Times sues Microsoft, OpenAI, claiming artificial intelligence copyright infringement. Sources include: The-Sun.com Edition.CNN.com Brighteon.com Canadas LGBTQ police state targets a pastor and his Christian organization fighting to protect the innocence of children Moral rot continues to plague Canada, hollowing out the government and tunneling into the judicial system. In an alarming display of judicial overreach and moral misjudgment, an Alberta justice has convicted Pastor Derek Reimer of "criminal harassment" for his vocal opposition to drag queen events. These exploitative drag queen events target babies and young children, introducing them to sexual content, grooming them to take part in explicit LGBTQ activities, and getting them used to the idea that they can be any gender they want to outwardly express. Pastor Reimer recently protested against a perverted drag queen event at a public library called "Burlesque for Babies." Pastor faces criminal conviction for protesting drag queen story hour at public library The courts have been watching Pastor Derek Reimer and his Christian outreach organization closely, and they decided to convict him for speaking out at a Calgary public library. This conviction not only stifles individual expression but also raises serious concerns about the erosion of the cultures moral standards in Canada. On August 22, Justice Karen Molle of the Alberta Court of Justice found Reimer guilty of "criminal harassment" stemming from his protest activities earlier this year. The pastor's crime? Voicing his dissent against the controversial "drag queen story hour" events that groom children for gender dysphoria, hormonal castration and genital mutilation. Reimer, the leader of MISSION7 a Christian outreach organization in Calgary had expressed his concerns to a library manager and subsequently posted a video of the encounter on social media. His disgust for these predatory activities was dismissed, and he was instantly seen as a threat to the community. Pastor Reimer's protest, which represents a bold stand for traditional values and parental rights, was met with a torrent of legal threats that can only be characterized as heavy-handed and totalitarian in nature. While the judge dismissed charges related to causing a disturbance with a loudspeaker, she did move forward with a criminal harassment conviction. He refuses to acquiesce to these charges and now faces bail violations for protesting at LGBT-themed events. Canada imposes draconian restrictions on Christians who protest LGBT events The ramifications of this ruling extend far beyond Reimer's individual case. The conviction reflects a broader trend of judicial and legislative bodies increasingly curtailing the rights to free speech, assembly and religious expression. Reimer's bail conditions now prohibit him from approaching or protesting any LGBT-themed event, raising questions about the limits placed on his freedom of expression and religious convictions. The broader context reveals a troubling pattern. Calgary's recent "Safe and Inclusive Access Bylaw" has already imposed draconian restrictions on protests near public buildings, including those hosting LGBT events. This bylaw not only bans protests within 100 meters of such locations but also imposes steep fines and potential jail time for violations. Those who violate these LGBT bylaws face $10,000 fines and one year in jail. Such regulations appear to be designed not merely to maintain public order but to silence dissenting voices through fear and intimidation. Pastor Reimers arrest record, including multiple detentions for similar protests, highlights the growing influence of LGBTQ intimidation in government and their intolerance toward traditional religious and moral views. Parents, community leaders and religious communities have a right to defend their families from child exploitation and filth. While he was jailed, those who defend the LGBTQ community vandalized his van with anti-Christian slurs, further intimidating to pastor to shut up. While the pastor protests using a sound, moral approach, the other side uses intimidation, lawfare and bullying to get their way. This further illustrates how the judicial system is weaponized against people of faith, and also stands aside, allowing child predators to spread their hate, intimidation and perversion. The legal system's punitive approach toward Reimer, combined with municipal bylaws that severely restrict the right to protest, signals a troubling trend where fundamental freedoms are increasingly compromised in the name of inclusivity and public order. The heavy-handed response to Reimers protests a righteous and peaceful exercise of his rights raises serious questions about the balance between protecting individuals and upholding basic freedoms. Reimer is currently awaiting a two-year jail sentence and is considering an appeal. Sources include: Lifesitenews.com Lifesitenews.com With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. 2025 BYD Song L EV hits market, starting at 189,800 yuan On August 30, the Chengdu Motor Show 2024 raised its curtain, featuring a range of exciting new vehicle releases. Among them, BYDs B-segment avant-garde crossover SUV under its Dynasty series, the 2025 Song L EV, officially hit the market. Coming with four trim levels, the model is priced between 189,800 yuan and 249,800 yuan. Photo credit: BYD HOZON Auto, BWI International team up in intelligent chassis field On August 29, HOZON New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. (HOZON Auto) and BeijingWest Industries International Limited (BWI International) officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai. This partnership will focus on the intelligent chassis domain, aiming to drive innovation in chassis domain control technology. The collaboration is set to enhance overall vehicle performance and improve user experience by leveraging the combined expertise of both companies in the rapidly evolving automotive industry. Xiaomi EV so far deploys sales, service stores in 36 cities On August 30, Xiaomi EV announced that its sales and service network now spans 36 cities, including 30 delivery centers, 110 sales stores, and 62 service stores. The company also revealed plans to further expand its reach, with a target to cover 59 cities by December this year. VOYAH COURAGE kicks off pre-sale at Chengdu Motor Show, starting at 209,900 yuan At the Chengdu Motor Show 2024, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH commenced pre-sale of its latest model, the COURAGE (known as the "Zhiyin" in China), offering four variants priced between 209,900 yuan and 266,900 yuan. Li Auto unveils new intelligent driving system updates at Chengdu Motor Show 2024 On August 30, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Li Auto showcased its L Series and MEGA models at the Chengdu Motor Show 2024. It also launched OTA 6.2 version software upgrade, which includes several significant updates such as customizable parking spots, low-speed automatic emergency braking (AEB), opening the Li Showroom, and a new feature that allows users to lower ground locks at supercharging stations without exiting the vehicle. BYD unveils new flagship MPV 'Xia' at Chengdu Motor Show 2024 On August 30, the Chengdu Motor Show officially kicked off, showcasing a range of new vehicles. Among the highlights is BYD's new flagship MPV model, the Xia, which is set to hit the market later this year with a starting price expected around 300,000 yuan. BYD kicks off blind pre-orders of Seal 06GT all-electric sedan On August 30, BYD introduced its new all-electric mid-sized sedan under its Ocean series, the Seal 06GT, at the Chengdu Motor Show 2024. The vehicle is now available for blind pre-orders, with prices ranging from 150,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan. Hongqi HS7 PHEV hits market at Chengdu Motor Show On August 30, FAW Group's premium passenger car brand Hongqi officially put the HS7 PHEV onto the market at the 2024 Chengdu Motor. The new plug-in hybrid electric SUV is available in two variants, with prices ranging from 315,800 yuan to 345,800 yuan. Dongfeng e007 530Air goes on sale at Chengdu Motor Show at 131,600 yuan On August 30, Dongfeng Motor's e new energy vehicle range released the e007 530Air edition variant to the market at the 2024 Chengdu Motor Show, with an official starting price of 131,600 yuan. The 530Air edition is positioned as the new entry-level battery-electric variant (BEV) in the lineup. BMW to start producing battery system for Neue Klasse models in Shenyang in 2024 On August 27, BMW Group announced that it will begin trial production of its Neue Klasse models this fall. The inaugural trial production will take place at BMW's new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, where the paint shop is already operational. In China, the trial production of the sixth-generation battery systems for these models is expected to start by the end of the year, with full-scale production of the first Neue Klasse model scheduled for 2026 in Shenyang. SAIC Motor reports YoY drop in H1 2024 revenue, but NEV business sees robust growth SAIC Motor released its 2024 semi-annual financial results on Thursday, announcing revenue of around 277.086 billion yuan, which dropped 12.43% year on year. Its consolidated total revenue for the first half of this year reached roughly 284.69 billion yuan. Great Wall Motor scores 419.99% YoY spike in H1 2024 net profit In H1 2024, Great Wall Motor achieved revenue of 91.429 billion yuan, marking a 30.67% year-over-year jump. Its net profit attributable to shareholders surged 419.99% from the previous year to 7.079 billion yuan. Excluding non-recurring gains and losses, the net profit attributable to shareholders stood at 5.651 billion yuan, a tremendous year-on-year spike of 654.04%. Besides, gross profit reached 18.962 billion yuan, soaring 60.82% from the previous year. The average revenue per vehicle rose to 164,800 yuan, an increase of 29,900 yuan year-over-year, while net profit per vehicle climbed to 12,800 yuan, an increase of 10,100 yuan over the year-ago period. Gross profit per vehicle also rose significantly to 34,200 yuan, a 50.37% year-on-year spike. Auto giant Ford scales back EV production due to LOUSY SALES The Ford Motor Company has scaled back its electric vehicle (EV) production due to lousy sales On Aug. 21, the automaker said it was scrapping plans for a sizeable all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) and delaying production of its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck to the second half of 2027. It also plans to sell its existing EV products at a steep discount. According to Climate Depot, the car manufacturer will "instead focus on making SUVs as gas-electric hybrids." A separate report mentioned that Ford reported an increase in losses in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, amounting to $1.3 billion. Ford's EV unit dubbed Model E only sold 10,000 vehicles for Q1 2024, 20 percent lower than the number of units sold a year prior. The company's revenue dipped 84 percent to about $100 million, which it attributed mostly to price cuts for EVs across the auto industry. Ford Chief Financial Officer John Lawler said a price war among EVs for about a year and a half has made profitability very difficult. Ford CEO Jim Farley meanwhile told investors during a conference call that the company is making changes in its EV business. He added that the company's planned next generation of EVs will allow it to be profitable on that business in the near future. In line with Farley's remarks, the automaker said it would realign its U.S. battery sourcing to reduce costs and boost capacity for current and future production. "An affordable EV starts with an affordable battery. If you are not competitive on battery cost, you are not competitive," said Farley. (Related: Electric vehicles are a SCAM here's why.) Ford's EV downsizing a serious blow to Biden-Harris green tyranny Climate Depot noted that Ford's decision to downsize its EV production deals a serious blow to the Biden administration's EV rule, which was enacted in March. According to the alternative media outlet, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule says "the industry could meet the limits if 56 percent of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032, along with at least 13 percent plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars and more efficient gasoline-powered cars that get more miles to the gallon." However, car dealers noted that the EV rule will push people out of work aside from impacting corporate profits. According to one estimate, the transition to EV production will kill about 117,000 auto jobs in the United States. Another estimate puts that number much, much higher. True enough, some car companies are already laying off their workers with Ford axing 3,000 white-collar jobs last year. Stellantis which owns the Jeep, Ram, Dodge and Chrysler marques laid off 1,200 employees at its Jeep plant in Illinois. Both companies cited EV transition as a reason for the job cuts. Despite the layoffs, Stellantis said its European EV business was already profitable last year. Meanwhile, General Motors reported that it remains on track to have its North American EV business turn profitable in the second half of this year. Tesla, the worlds largest EV maker, reported that its adjusted earnings plunged 48 percent in the first quarter as revenue fell nine percent. This came after the company founded by Elon Musk reported the first year-over-year drop in sales since the pandemic. Visit RoboCars.news for similar stories. Watch this Fox Business report about former President Donald Trump explaining why EV efforts will fail in the United States. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Electric vehicles performed WORSE in EPA estimates than gas-powered cars: The EV push is a RIGGED SCAM. Electric vehicles are unreliable and not cost-efficient especially in cold weather. Electric vehicles have more quality issues than combustion engine cars, new study finds. Electric vehicles to become more affordable than gas guzzling counterparts in just 7 years: Report. U.S. slaps new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries and other EV hardware. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com Edition.CNN.com Brighteon.com Israel rumored to be behind Telegram CEO Pavel Durovs arrest It has come to light that just a few weeks before Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested at Bourget airport in Paris, someone published one million hacked files from the Israeli government on the messaging platform. DDoSecrets was believed to be the culprit, and Telegram banned the group not long after the documents were released. Then, just days after that, Durov was apprehended and now faces trumped-up charges that could land him in the slammer for 20 years. According to Gab.com CEO Andrew Torba, the hacked documents reveal that the Israeli government sought legal counsel on how to avoid having to comply with registering under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a law that requires foreign-backed lobbying campaigns to make themselves known with disclosure. Israel apparently does not want the American public to readily know that it practically controls Washington from Tel Aviv, so officials in the Israeli government proposed the creation of a new American "nonprofit" that would allow Israel to continue its foreign lobbying agenda while evading the law. "Durov is notorious for his defense of user privacy and is known to deny government requests for access to user data," Torba notes. "One has to wonder if these two events are connected." (Related: Every country still supplying Israel with oil to fuel its war on Gaza could be on the hook for war crimes.) Telegram and Gab fighting in the trenches Torba says he can relate to Durov since he himself was advised by lawyers to avoid traveling outside the United States to avoid possibly facing his own arrest. Gab, after all, has been in the deep state's crosshairs just like Telegram is. Gab has never worked with a single foreign government whenever one petitions for user data, usually under the guise of fighting "hate speech." Because of this, Torba's company is on the hook for criminal penalties in some areas of the world. "For example I have large fines over my head in Germany for refusing to abide by their censorship and data requests," Torba writes. "These requests are always tyrannical and ridiculous. For example a few months ago we received a data request for a user who called one of their politicians fat." Like Durov, Torba is committed to free speech even though it puts him at risk. The following is a list of Gab's "many battle scars that we were only able to overcome by the grace of God," Torba writes: - A bogus witch hunt investigation from (the then) Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro - Bomb threats at Torba's parents' home that prompted a visit from the FBI and the shutdown of a local elementary school - Being smeared and lied about relentlessly by the international press with hundreds of published articles - Gab's Wikipedia page getting taken over by communist Antifa administrators who still "camp" on the page to this very day - Getting banned from half a dozen banks - Getting banned from both App Stores (Apple, Android) - Getting banned from dozens of payment processors - Getting placed on the MATCH list, a payment processor blacklist - Getting extorted by mentally ill "trans" hackers - Getting banned from multiple cryptocurrency exchanges including Coinbase and Gemini - Having his family and children threatened endlessly and doxxed - Being targeted by multinational activist organizations and foreign operatives like the ADL and SPLC - Getting harassed by multiple foreign governments - Getting bullied by Congress and the J6 Select Committee Despite all this, Gab still stands, boasting around 50 million unique visitors monthly. The same is true of Telegram, the popularity of which continues to soar the more the deep state amps up its crusade against free speech. The latest news about Israel and the situation in the Middle East can be found at IsraelCollapse.com. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com HISTORY REVISITED: Kennedy assassinations catalyzed Zionist influence and occupation of America Many people now agree that the last real president the United States had, meaning a president who was not or is not a globalist puppet pretending to represent We the People, was John F. Kennedy. Kennedy called out America's biggest problem by name and he paid the ultimate price for doing so. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was also assassinated five years after his brother while campaigning in Los Angeles. His death would be followed by several others in the Kennedy family in the years following. The multiple assassinations the Kennedy family incurred marked a moment in time when the Zionist agenda really started to take root in America. JFK was among the first to warn about the Zionist agenda, which earned him a bullet. And ever since then, the U.S. has been ushered by progressively worse puppet administrations down a very dark path of perpetual war, skyrocketing debt, and ultimately the destruction of the nation. It turns out that Israel, which is ground zero for global Zionism, has committed more assassinations throughout history than any other nation. And with each subsequent assassination, America seems to find itself even further embroiled in the Zionist plot to create a Greater Israel that will dominate the entire world. (Related: The U.S. government has been under the thumb of the Zionist lobby for many decades, influencing not just politics and the direction of the country but also the media and what gets reported as "news.") Anyone who opposes Zionism is a "terrorist," according to Zionists The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks mark another moment in time when Zionism's more aggressive tactics were able to take root. By blaming the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers and Building 7 on terrorists in airplanes rather than on the Zionist insiders who carried it out, Americans were duped into accepting George W. Bush's "war on terror." That Pandora's box brought us the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which did not exist before Bush Jr. DHS is responsible for the naked body scanners at airports and the dissolution of the Fourth Amendment, which was done away with because we were told privacy is for terrorists. "Our war on terror begins with Al Qaida, but it does not end there," Bush declared in an ominous speech post-9/11. "It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated." The problem with the term "terrorist," as it was introduced to the world post-9/11, is that it is defined in many different ways depending on who uses it. To the Zionists who came up with it, a terrorist is anyone who defies Zionism and fights against its implementation. It has been nearly 25 years since 9/11 and the war on terror, as Bush admitted would be the case, is still ongoing. Today, just as many warned would happen, nearly everyone is considered a terrorist because nearly everyone has figure out that something is very, very wrong with America. As the nation continues to decline socially, economically and spiritually, its leaders are focused on funneling cash into Ukraine and Israel, the two places where Zionism has its strongest grip. America's politicians also want to send U.S. troops to Israel to fight yet another war over there against Iran. One thing many people fail to realize is that historically speaking, Zionism always seems to target historical Christian communities, including in Iran and other countries that surround Israel, not to mention all the U.S. troops who are Christians and die in combat defending and advancing Zionist interests. "The next Christians to die in number may well be Americans themselves if the Zionist war expands to Iran and Lebanon," writes Frank Wright for LifeSiteNews. "This is the only way to bring peace, we are told. We have been told this for decades and look where it has brought us. It is time to stop listening to the arguments for more death and destruction." Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com LEFTIST PLAN: Re-education camps across America are next on the Communist agenda for politically dissident conservatives and 2024 election deniers To push the save democracy prophesy in the United States of America right now, the Democratic political platform is chock full of fearmongering propaganda about Donald J. Trump, the previous "Dictator" and his white-supremacist cult of 80 million patriots who are all believed to own unfathomable amounts of automatic weapons. Get ready for Election Deniers Camp for all Republican, Conservative and independent-thinking adults, teens and children who dont like communism, gender fluidity and child-trafficking programs. No doubt if these camps get erected and filled with "dissidents," the children will be separated from parents, brainwashed and sex-change-modified by the gender-bender cult, then trafficked. Many Democrats and Liberals are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome and have been calling for the imprisonment of Trump fans, people who challenge the legitimacy of the POTUS 2020 election, and anyone who is not 100 percent committed to Covid vaccinations and the climate change cult ideology. The Left has named these folks a threat to democracy and domestic terrorists who purposely infect the vaccinated (with the very disease theyre supposedly vaccinated against) and who dont worship the communist insurgents (politicians and globalists) currently running the country into the ground. Of course, the prisons are called re-education camps. Even Hitler was smart enough to not tell the Jews, Blacks and handicaps they were to be incinerated or shot twice in the back of the head if they couldnt make Nazi uniforms. Gays, vagrants and religious dissenters were all murdered in cold blood, too. CRT today is nothing more than a glossed-over version of ethnic cleansing, only the ethnic part here means youre white and Christian. Folks, we've almost arrived back in Europe, under political and religious siege by the demonic extinctionists. This extremist, genocidal political stance supported by possibly tens of millions of deranged Democrats began when Trump started running for President eight years ago, and its still a dominant topic today, as evident at the Democrat National Convention. Basket of Deplorables will be sent to Red Camps to learn how to bow down to communism, surrender all assets and children to the New Kamala-Walz Nazis Hillary Clinton said in 2015 that Trump supporters were a big basket of deplorables that needed to be put in camps for adults to force cooperation with the Left. This is like Hitler calling the Jews pigs and roaches and referring to them as an inferior race of people. This is why the Left calls Trump Hitler, because the Left always accuses the Right of what the Left is guilty of. This deflects blame and hides their own comparisons, so none of their base full of nutjobs can see it. It's Kamulism. It's the "New, New World Order." The not-so-great Reset. Hillary said there would be red cabins and blue cabins in her concentration camps, denoting that the blue camps were for Democrats to cheer on their police state government, while the red camps were everyone else the election deniers, the worthless deplorables and the scum of the earth only about 125 million white people who support the Constitution and free thinking, free speech, free press, freedom of religion and so on. But wait, there's more. Another communist hack and shill for the Left (Eugene Robinson) wrote in the Washington Post in 2021, We have, there are millions of Americans, almost all white, almost all Republicans, who somehow need to be deprogrammed. Its as if they are members of a cult, the Trump-ist cult, and have to be deprogrammed. Do you have any idea how we start that process, much less complete it? CNN (The Stooge Tube) calls it the Cult of Trump, and expert guests on the Counterfeit News Network say that all of America needs to be deprogrammed from Trump's policies, meaning stop thinking about and appreciating being an American with rights. Its over. Its a one-party system from here out, unless the election thievery can be stopped. Keep your truth news in check by adding Preparedness.news to your favorites list and tuning in daily for updates on real news about surviving and thriving in the near future, and news that's being scrubbed from MSM and social media as you read this. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com Rumble.com ArmageddonProse.substack.com Russia warns about Ukraines attempt to attack Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova last week warned about an alleged Ukrainian attack on a nuclear power plant as Kyiv continues to claim to invade the Kursk region. Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign minister told local media outlet Tass that Kyiv allegedly attempted to attack the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with a drone. Kyiv launched its surprise incursion into the Ukrainian-Russian border in Kursk on Aug. 6. Since then, Ukrainian forces have claimed to have seized control of 1,250 square kilometers (482 square miles) of Russian territory and 92 settlements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week. Zakharova warned that there must be an investigation into the alleged attack on the nuclear power plant by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "The IAEA must immediately respond to the act of nuclear terrorism on the part of the Kyiv regime," she said. In response, IAEA wrote that Russia had informed them that the remains of a drone were found 100 meters (roughly 328 feet) away from the plant's spent fuel nuclear storage facility. On Aug. 27, the head of the IAEA Rafael Grossi arrived in Kurchatov to inspect the Kursk NPP. During the visit, he saw traces of drone strikes at the station and the remains of drones. He said that it was especially vulnerable because, unlike most modern nuclear power stations, it lacked a containment dome that might offer protection in the event of a strike by drones, missiles or artillery. Although Grossi emphasized that comparing the situation at the Kursk power plant to what happened in Chornobyl would be an exaggeration, he calls to take the risks associated with nuclear safety very seriously. "A nuclear power plant of this type so close to a point of contact or military front is an extremely serious fact," he said. "The fact we have military activity a few kilometers, a few miles away from here, makes it an immediate point of attention." For now, the facility is "operating in very close to normal conditions," he added. When a plant is operating, the temperature is much higher and if there was a case of impact or something that could affect it, there would be serious consequences. The IAEA has urged both sides throughout the 30-month war to refrain from fighting around nuclear plants to avoid a catastrophic incident. (Related: Russia says Ukraines drone attack on nuclear plant was designed to set it on fire.) Russia calls on the IAEA to speak out more clearly on issues of nuclear safety Russian state news agency RIA quoted Zakharova as saying in a radio interview that Moscow wanted the IAEA to speak out more clearly on issues of nuclear security although she denied it was demanding that the agency should take a pro-Russian line. "We see both the assessments and the work of this structure (the IAEA), but each time we want a more objective and clearer expression of the position of this structure," Zakharova said. She noted that this is a systemic problem, because the collective West is trying to "shut up" people working for such international organizations, "does not allow them to tell the truth and confirm the facts." "This [pressure from the West] not only specifically concerns this direction and this historical period, it began gradually, but it began on a systematic basis," Zakharova concluded. The Kursk offensive comes more than two years after Putin first announced the "special military operation" into Ukraine, which has been condemned by U.S. leaders and its allies as lacking justification. Regional officials told Putin that 115,000 Kursk residents have so far been evacuated from their homes due to the incursion. Ukraine has not responded to Russian accusations that it attacked the plant in the Kursk region, close to where its forces launched a surprise incursion that Russia is still trying to repel. Russia initially aimed for a quick victory over Ukraine, which was viewed as having a weaker military. However, its stronger-than-expected response, bolstered by Western financial support, has blocked Russia from making an easy win, and the war continues to rage on. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has long sparked nuclear concerns, as Russia owns nuclear weapons and swaths of the region are powered by nuclear power. Head over to NuclearWar.news for stories related to the possible escalations of worldwide conflicts into nuclear wars. Watch the video below that talks about Ukraine's imminent attack on Kursk's NPP. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine fails to force ultimatum on Russia following August 11 attack on Kursk nuclear plant: "Most of the equipment has already been destroyed." Putin fuels World War III fears with deployment of nuclear-capable bombers near NATO borders. NATOs endgame appears to be nuclear war. Sources include: Newsweek.com DailySabah.com Brighteon.com CAMPUS INSANITY: UCLA enlists medical students to help craft woke health equity curriculum The University of California, Los Angeles's (UCLA) medical school is coming under fire after enlisting first- and second-year medical students to help design a new, more liberal curriculum for its mandatory Structural Racism and Health Equity (SRHE) courses. A document from June 2023, obtained by the advocacy group Do No Harm, reveals that UCLA is looking to involve these students in creating a curriculum that includes themes associated with critical race theory and other liberal and so-called "woke" perspectives. According to the SRHE curriculum guide, the course will focus on how structural determinants of health, such as race, influence the current healthcare system. The curriculum emphasizes critical race theory, queer theory and principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. To apply for this role, students must provide a letter of support from a peer demonstrating their commitment to anti-racist efforts. (Related: Trump vows to cut federal funding for schools pushing CRITICAL RACE THEORY and transgenderism.) Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of Do No Harm, criticized UCLA's approach, telling the Washington Examiner that having first-year students develop curriculum content is problematic. He argued that these students, who often have limited clinical experience, are not suitable candidates for such responsibilities. Medical education being infested by woke ideology The rise of "woke" ideology in medical education across the United States is raising significant concerns. Traditionally, one of the few universally shared experiences in life is visiting a doctor. When seeking medical care, patients naturally desire the most knowledgeable and skilled physician available. However, medical schools seem to be shifting their focus from producing top-notch doctors to cultivating those who adhere to equitable and "woke" principles. This shift has profound implications for the future of healthcare. The event featured Dr. Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; Aaron Sibarium, associate editor at the Washington Free Beacon; and John Sailer, a research associate at NAS and author on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education. While social factors can affect health, they are not the sole determinants. Personal choices also play a crucial role, yet the focus has increasingly shifted to a victimhood narrative that diminishes personal responsibility. This is the argument presented by Dr. Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, during a webinar hosted by the National Association of Scholars (NAS) in February. Satel also talks about how woke ideology and an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has impacted the field of psychiatry, making psychotherapy ineffective for people who believe they are simply oppressed victims and not people who can recognize and address how their actions may be hindering their well-being. Satel also critiqued organizations like "White Coats for Black Lives," which prioritize social activism over patient care, advocating for the dismantling of racism in healthcare rather than focusing on medical treatment. John Sailer, a research associate with NAS and an author on and critic of DEI, highlighted how institutional policies are contributing to the rise of wokeness in medical schools, leading to universities spending far too much to employ so-called "DEI officers" who dedicate their time at work to integrating so-called social justice into medical education. DEI and social justice principles are increasingly influencing tenure and promotion processes at medical schools. This shift can jeopardize faculty positions for those who dissent from prevailing ideologies, even on matters of basic scientific truth. Sailer also discussed the radical beliefs of groups like White Coats for Black Lives, which advocate for a range of progressive causes including the abolition of prisons and capitalism. These groups have successfully implemented policy changes at institutions such as the University of Michigan and the University of California, Davis. Learn more about the spread of liberal and woke ideology on college campuses at CampusInsanity.com. Watch this video discussing the dangers of being infected by the so-called "woke mind virus." This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Conservative professor WINS lawsuit against college that fired him for criticizing woke ideology. Get ready for a wave of unqualified doctors thanks to woke medical schools. American medical system adopting woke DEI protocols that put patients at risk. ACADEMIC FRAUD: Harvard affiliate researchers accused of manipulating data images that impacted 37 published medical studies. U.S. medical schools defy Supreme Court ruling, say they'll continue to teach anti-White HATE to the next generation of doctors. Sources include: CampusReform.org JamesGMartin.Center Brighteon.com Trump warns: U.S. will turn into a far worse UNLIVABLE version of San Francisco if Kamala wins Former President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. will turn into a bigger and unlivable version of San Francisco if Vice President Kamala Harris wins in the November presidential election. "Everything she touched turned bad. California turned bad," Trump told Fox News. "You can't walk in San Francisco, you barely can go to California anymore. People say in the state that it is in terrible, terrible crime trouble and drugs all over the place. You cannot walk down the streets." "San Francisco is unlivable now, unlivable. Fifteen years ago it was the most beautiful city, one of the greatest cities in the world. Today, it's unlivable." Trump pledged that "hopefully, [the city is] able to be brought back if possible" to its formerly livable state. He followed up with a warning that if his Democratic rival wins, "this country would turn into a big version of San Francisco, a big version of California itself." This echoed sentiments Trump made during a North Carolina rally, where he addressed supporters behind bulletproof glass: "She'll destroy our country just like she destroyed San Francisco, just like she destroyed California." While Trump blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the Golden State's predicament, a bigger part of the blame lies more on Harris who served as San Francisco district attorney (DA), California attorney general (AG) and U.S. senator for the state before becoming vice president. Proposition 47 backed by Harris responsible for California crime wave According to a July 24 piece from the Reform California grassroots political movement, Harris' controversial record in the state is one of the biggest reasons why the Golden State is experiencing a dangerous crime wave. During her time as California AG in 2014, Harris was one of the leading champions of Proposition 47 which eliminated the ability of police and prosecutors to arrest and punish criminals in California for countless crimes. Reform California Chairman Carl DeMaio disclosed that Harris even lied to voters by giving Proposition 47 a false and misleading title, suggesting that it was "tough-on-crime" initiative when it really wasn't. According to him, this began the practice of California AGs approving misleading ballot titles. (Related: Kamala Harris remains SOFT ON CRIME despite her tough-on-crime ads.) "Because of Kamala Harris and Proposition 47, a crime wave has hit California with our communities across the state experiencing an unprecedented spike in both retail/property crimes as well as violent crimes ranging from assault, rape, and murder," DeMaio remarked. The Reform California chair said Californians have a chance to fix up the mess by voting in favor of Proposition 36. The measure repeals and reforms Proposition 47 to restore the power of law enforcement to arrest and punish criminals. It also permits felony charges for thefts under $950 and possession of certain drugs like fentanyl. Proposition 36 also increases sentences for various drug and theft crimes, stopping "gateway" crimes that have led to more violent crimes. But DeMaio noted that "California Democrats have doubled-down on their 'coddle-the-criminal' policies and are trying to defeat Proposition 36. Even without their games, the Democrats have a massive funding advantage for their campaign to defeat us." Nevertheless, he encouraged people to vote for Proposition 36 to make California safe and livable again. Californians ought to vote for Trump as well to make this dream a reality. Watch Steve Price explaining that Vice President Kamala Harris has done "nothing" throughout her term. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Corrupt Kamala Harris campaign caught using ActBlue cash for money laundering scheme. Trump campaign: Opinion poll RIGGED questions to favor Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris wants to raise corporate tax rate, punishing small businesses even more. Sources include: SputnikGlobe.com ReformCalifornia.org Brighteon.com Crypto exchange giant Binance accused of seizing crypto funds of Palestinians at the behest of IDF Cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance has been accused of seizing crypto funds held by Palestinians following a request from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This allegation was first raised by Ray Youssef, founder and CEO of peer-to-peer bitcoin marketplace NoOnes, who wrote on X that "Binance has seized all funds from all Palestinians as per the request of the IDF. They refuse to return the funds. All appeals denied." (Related: Armed Israeli settlers attack West Bank village, burning down properties and killing a young Palestinian man.) Youssef cited a letter allegedly sent by Paul Landes, head of Israel's National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing. The letter, citing Israeli "anti-terror" law, was rejecting an appeal against a seizure order dating from Nov. 1, 2023, and refers to funds transferred from the Dubai Exchange Company in the Gaza Strip to cryptocurrency wallets and later seized by the Israeli Ministry of Defense and claims that the Dubai Exchange Company is a designated terrorist organization. The anti-terror law cited by the ministry enables the IDF to issue orders to "temporarily" seize property tied to designated terrorist organizations. This would not be the first time that the Israeli government has used its laws against so-called terrorism to seize cryptocurrency wallets. According to a Reuters report from May 2023, several months before the current conflict in Gaza, Israel had seized 190 Binance accounts it claims were tied to terrorists since 2021. On Oct. 10, 2023, at the request of Israeli police, Binance complied with orders to freeze accounts on the exchange allegedly linked to Hamas. Later that month, the United States issued a list of sanctions that included a business that provided money transfers and digital asset exchange services in Gaza as a means of squeezing Hamas. Youssef warned that this affects not only people in Gaza and the West Bank but citizens of other countries bordering Israel. "All Palestinians are affected and judging by the way things are going, all Lebanese and Syrians will get the same treatment," said Youssef. "Not your keys, not your coins." Binance denies seizing crypto wallets of Palestinians for Israel Binance CEO Richard Teng has firmly rejected the allegations, responding directly to Youssef on X, writing "FUD," a cryptocurrency industry acronym for "fear, uncertainty and doubt." "Only a limited number of user accounts, linked to illicit funds, were blocked from transacting. There have been some incorrect statements about this," wrote a Binance spokesperson. "As a global crypto exchange, we comply with internationally accepted anti-money laundering legislation, just like any other financial institution." "More importantly, we hope for a lasting peace through the region," the representative concluded, without elaborating on how many accounts linked to "illicit funds" were impacted and prevented from freely transacting on the platform. Binance did not elaborate on the specific extent or value of the so-called "illicit funds" involved. According to CoinTelegraph, citing data shared to the news outlet by website analytics source SimilarWeb, Palestinians have a very minor presence on Binance, with traffic coming from the Palestinian territories only amounting to roughly 0.05 percent of visits to the platform over the past year. This minuscule presence is on par with the presence on Binance of small nations like El Salvador and Albania, which both have a 0.06 percent traffic share, and Malta, which has a 0.03 percent traffic share. However, SimilarWeb did note that Palestine's traffic on Binance has surged by more than 80 percent since August 2023. Watch this video of a Palestinian man who was illegally detained by Israel recounting how soldiers tortured them. This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Harris pledges full support for Israel, pushes Hamas "mass rape hoax" while ignoring Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian prisoners. Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, say local authorities. Daniel Kovalik: Israel is WIPING OUT the memory of Palestine's existence. Israeli national security minister calls for EXECUTION of Palestinian prisoners with "shot to the head." Bank of Israel advances digital shekel plans; CBDC to be used to surveil, control monetary transactions of Israelis. Sources include: RT.com MiddleEastMonitor.com CoinDesk.com CoinTelegraph.com Brighteon.com House committee sounds alarm on U.S. drone firms links to ChiCom-backed DJI The House Select Committee on China (HSCC) has sounded the alarm on the ties between a U.S. drone firm and its Chinese partner that has the backing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) expressed concern over the links between Austin, Texas-based Anzu Robotics and the Beijing-backed military drone firm DJI through an Aug. 20 letter to Anzu CEO Randall Warnas. Moolenaar chairs the HSCC while Krishnamoorthi serves as its ranking member. "Security researchers have confirmed that Anzu's Raptor T is essentially a DJI Mavic 3 painted green, with its remote control and application all running on DJI technology," the letter stated. The two congressmen included diagrams and photographs showing similarities and shared parts between the Anzu and DJI models. An article by Drone DJ from June further bolstered the links between Anzu and DJI. According to the piece, both the U.S. firm's Raptor and Raptor T drones "are based on the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise platform, but the country of origin is Malaysia" ostensibly to bypass sanctions. "Anzu did not disclose its relationship with DJI in its filings with the [Federal Communications Commission], even while the Anzu drone was found to include DJI parts," the letter continued. Per the Epoch Times, it was only after security researchers made their findings public that the two companies both acknowledged that they had a partnership. Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi asked Warnas to disclose the terms of Anzu's partnership with DJI, arguing that publicly available evidence reviewed by the HSCC has led lawmakers to believe it is meant to conceal the entry of CCP-backed technology into the United States. "The nature of the DJIAnzu relationship appears to defy common business conventions," they wrote, citing two examples. First, DJI reportedly receives no royalties while Anzu is licensing the Chinese company's technology. Second, DJI is also providing "priority technical support" for all Anzu drones with the congressmen providing a screenshot attesting to this. They ultimately demanded Anzu to provide a detailed breakdown of its parts and technologies, as well as its sources. The top members of the HSCC gave Warnas and his company a deadline of Sept. 13 to comply. DJI already sanctioned by other U.S. agencies Warnas wrote in an email to the Epoch Times: "We believe there are fundamental misunderstandings about how Anzu Robotics operates and complies with the law. We look forward to working collaboratively with the [HSCC] to address their concerns." The Anzu CEO did not provide specific details to debunk the lawmakers' accusations, however. According to the news outlet, DJI is known to be an entity controlled by the CCP with Washington identifying it as a security risk. In July 2021, the U.S. Department of Defense designated it as a Chinese military firm. It also warned that DJI systems pose "potential threats to national security." (Related: China ramping up production of military drones to rival US drone fleet, leaked defense ministry document shows.) The U.S. Department of the Treasury (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Commerce also sanctioned DJI. According to the DOT, "DJI has provided drones to the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau, which are used to surveil Uyghurs in Xinjiang." Earlier this year, the GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed the Countering CCP Drones Act. The measure would ban DJI from accessing U.S. communications networks if signed into law. The two lawmakers from the HSCC argued that Anzu's use of DJI software and firmware leaves its products vulnerable to a CCP-based supply chain attack. Even the software that didn't come from DJI is based on the Chinese firm's technology, they added. But Anzu was not the first company Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi called out. In a separate Aug. 20 letter, the two asked Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to investigate Cogito Tech Company for its ties to DJI and the CCP. According to the HSCC, Cogito allegedly serves as a smokescreen for DJI by reselling drones with DJI technology under a different name and brand. Head over to CommunistChina.news for similar stories. Watch this news report about the United Kingdom buying DJI drones following its 2022 blacklisting in the United States. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: WSJ: U.S. drones sent to Kyiv are vulnerable, expensive and "no match" for Moscow's electronic countermeasures. Chinese researchers develop autonomous drones that can track people through dense forests. Ukraine now buying CHINESE DRONES because the American-made versions are unreliable. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com DroneDJ.com Brighteon.com IAEA blames Ukraine for drone strike at Kursk nuclear power plant, warns of nuclear incident risk The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned of a "nuclear incident" risk at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in western Russia, condemning Ukraine for its drone strikes that heighten this risk. "There is a risk of a nuclear incident at the KNPP," IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Aug. 27. His remarks followed his visit on the facility, located in the city of Kurchatov in Russia's Kursk Oblast that borders Ukraine, on the same day. "I was told that there have been several cases of drone attacks on the site [of the KNPP and] on the facilities," he continued, noting that he had seen evidence of these strikes. "The fact that there is fighting a few kilometers away from the nuclear power plant raises great concerns and anxiety about the security system." According to Grossi, his delegation was shown the traces of the Ukrainian attack on the KNPP. Based on the evidence his team gathered, he said there could be no doubt that Kyiv carried out the drone strikes. He had also visited an operating power plant unit's reactor hall, engine room and control room alongside the storage area for spent nuclear fuel. Based on his observation, the KNPP was operating at what is very close to "normal" mode. Grossi reiterated that a nuclear power plant such as the one in Kursk shouldn't be the target of military action and shouldn't be used by either belligerents for military purposes. The security systems of a nuclear power plant must be fully operational under all circumstances, he added. Russian special services ensure maximum protection of KNPP In a separate development, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had attempted another drone strike on the KNPP. This prompted authorities to restrict entry to the city of Kurchatov and establish checkpoints there. According to Yahoo News, residents with registration papers will be able to freely enter the city while power plant workers will need to get special passes. Russian special services are taking all security measures to ensure maximum protection of the facility, said an Aug. 27 statement from the KNPP. Artyom Sarov, deputy director of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations' Information Policy Department, noted that background radiation in the Kursk region was normal. Meanwhile, Grossi mentioned that he plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the situation at the deactivated Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the IAEA's intention to extend its observer presence to other nuclear facilities in Ukraine the latter requested by Kyiv. (Related: Fears of radiation leak emerge amid shelling of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.) Grossi also answered concerns about Ukraine potentially building a dirty bomb. According to him, the IAEA was present at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Observers from the agency saw no sign of any leakage of materials for the assembly of such a device. Head over to UkraineWitness.com for similar stories. Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin reporting Ukraine's attempted attack at the KNPP below. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine fails to force ultimatum on Russia following August 11 attack on Kursk nuclear plant: "Most of the equipment has already been destroyed." Dirty bomb false flag event to IGNITE World War with Russia, but Europe and USA don't have enough functioning INDUSTRY to win a war. Russia says Ukraine's drone attack on nuclear plant was designed to set it on fire. FALSE FLAG dirty bomb radioactive materials now routinely shipped to Ukraine. PUTIN: Ukraine tried, but failed, to attack Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk. Sources include: RMX.news Yahoo.com Brighteon.com Read the full story on The Auto Wire Meth Dealer Gets His Car Collection Confiscated Some people apparently didnt get that Breaking Bad was a cautionary tale, not a guide to conducting ones life. Here to help remind you that selling drugs comes with many negative consequences, despite the short-term wealth you might generate, is a lovely story out of New Zealand about a meth dealer who got his entire car collection confiscated by authorities. Learn where two 12-year-olds were arrested for multiple carjackings here. According to NZ Herald, Laki Sulusi was working in early 2020 to supply over six kilograms of meth in New Zealand. That quantity was worth almost $1 million in the island nation, enough for the guy to live like a king. And he apparently did, enjoying quite the car collection, among other fine things. ADVERTISEMENT The problem was two-fold: Sulusi was so ill he was on the verge of death and authorities had locked onto his operation. Police raided several locations, rounding up 16 people, including Sulusi. The man, who had served time before for dealing meth, appeared in court wheelchair bound. Four months later he succumbed to liver disease. Authorities quickly snatched up anything of value belonging to Sulusi, including his house and car collection. While its not clear if police were able to ferret out all of Sulusis vehicles, because the man appeared to be actively trying to hide assets doing things like registering vehicles under other names, they were able to take six pretty valuable rides. Most notable among those is a 2009 Chrysler 300C, a vehicle heavily favored by both American and Kiwi dealers. The man also owned some classics, like a 1963 Ford Galaxie convertible, 1956 Ford F100, and a Ford Jailbar that authorities have had trouble determining the model year for. If youre American you probably dont know the Jailbar, a ute made by Ford from 1942 to 1947 for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Authorities are looking to auction off the listed vehicles as storage costs have risen to almost $20,000 a year. Its not clear what will happen to any remaining assets of the late Sulusi. However, you can clearly learn that while crime might pay for a little bit, eventually all your cool toys and such will be taken away. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court STRIKES DOWN 67-year-old ban on switchblade knives The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (MSJC) has struck down a ban on switchblades , which had been in place for 67 years, as it violated the Second Amendment. According to Newsweek, magistrates at the MSJC based the overturn on the 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The federal high court ruled at the time that citizens have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. This ruling was subsequently applied to the Aug. 27 ruling by the Bay State's highest court. The MSJC ruled that switchblades do not need special restrictions under the Second Amendment, allowing residents to arm themselves with switchblades for self-defense. MSJC Associate Justice Serge Georges Jr. concluded that spring-loaded knives are "arms" under the high court's majority opinion. "Nothing about the physical qualities of switchblades suggests they are uniquely dangerous," he wrote. "Therefore, the carrying of switchblades is presumptively protected by the plain text of the Second Amendment." (Related: 2nd Amendment 'does not exist' in some NY courtrooms according to one judge presiding over the trial of a gunsmith.) Officials in the Bay State pointed to three cases from the 1800s that found restrictions on certain types of knives lawful. These included a ruling in Tennessee that upheld a prohibition on Bowie knives. But according to the majority opinion, officials did not identify any historical bans on switchblades or pocket knives their historical analog. "The Commonwealth does not identify any laws regulating bladed weapons akin to folding pocketknives generally, or switchblades particularly, in place at the time of the founding or ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. Accordingly, the Commonwealth has not met its burden of demonstrating a historical tradition justifying the regulation of switchblade knives." Right to keep and bear arms switchblades included shall not be infringed The MSJC's Aug. 27 decision arose from a case brought by David Canjura, who was arrested in 2020 after a domestic dispute. Following a search by officers, he was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in violation of the switchblade ban first implemented in 1957. Canjura said he knew carrying the knife violated the law but filed a motion to dismiss the charge, arguing that the ban violated his Second Amendment right to bear arms. A judge denied the motion, leading to an appeal that reached the state's high court. "In short, folding pocketknives not only fit within contemporaneous dictionary definitions of arms, which would encompass a broader category of knives that today includes switchblades but they also were commonly possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes around the time of the founding," the majority ruling stated. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, criticized the MSJC's decision and called switchblades "dangerous" in a statement. "This case demonstrates the difficult position that the Supreme Court has put our state courts in with the Bruen decision, and I'm disappointed in today's 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." Head over to SecondAmendment.news for more similar stories. Watch this video that explains what the Second Amendment is and why it is important. This video is from the Operation Vampire Killer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Gun rights groups FOIA request exposes FBIs sinister plot to get Americans to surrender their 2nd Amendment rights. Ivy League instructor calls for perpetual harassment of Supreme Courts conservatives after they upheld 2nd Amendment, overturned 'Roe.' Kommie Harris plans to seize SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPONS during her first 100 days in office are they planning a staged mass-shooting false flag tragedy before the election? Kamala Harris calls for renewal of so-called assault weapons ban to hurriedly DISARM Americans before the election. The ATF has resumed openly murdering Americans. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Orwellian Michigan secretary of state threatens local election officials: Certify Kamalas win or we will come for you Election Day is about two months away and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is already threatening local election officials to certify the votes, Based on Benson's past actions during the 2020 election, it is clear she means certify the votes for Kamala Harris, who is already the presumed "winner." Benson shared the following video in which she orders all Michigan election officials to do what she says or "we will come for you:" WATCH: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued a threat to any local election officials who choose to withhold certification of election results in the event of fraud "WE WILL COME FOR YOU..." In other words, they plan to cheat AGAIN, and she's getting ahead of the pic.twitter.com/dIyTCiodfN George (@BehizyTweets) August 27, 2024 (Related: Did you know that during the Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "pandemic," Jocelyn Benson called for the "mass deletion of election data" amid audit calls for the 2020 election?) Stop the Steal 2024 Alex Jones compiled video evidence showing how Benson was complicit in the 2020 election steal. Her state saw so much fraudulent ballot stuffing that Donald Trump ended up "losing" the state to Joe Biden and now Benson seems to be planning the same thing for Kamala. Alex Jones Investigates The Scene Of The Crime Where The 2020 Election Was Stolen in Michigan And Decrees That We Will Take Our Country Back. USA USA! pic.twitter.com/CMARz91pnY Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) June 20, 2024 In 2020, Michigan election observers came forward to testify that they witnessed ballot stuffing fraud firsthand. The following video features some of their testimonies: Dana Nessel, Michigan's attorney general, teed up Benson in a recent appearance on MSNBC in which she expressed deep worry that Trump and his supporters will not allow another steal like what took place in 2020. Watch below as Nessel suggests that Trump will "try to subvert the election through illegal means," which in her mind means "enlisting as many Republican poll workers, clerks, and activists as possible" to keep an eye on the polls. There is nothing at all illegal about sending poll watchers to make sure no crime takes place, but Nessel and apparently Benson do not want this to happen because they know their fraud will only work if nobody is looking while the ballots are being counted. Tyrannical Dems in MI appear to be setting up the media for a repeat steal of 2020 in Nov. Watch MI AG Nessel suggest Trump will try to subvert the election through illegal means by enlisting as many Republican poll workers, clerks & activists as possible. This is ILLEGAL? pic.twitter.com/nOVSX4qsLH PattyMI (@PattyLovesTruth) August 27, 2024 Attorney General Merrick Garland is also threatening to punish Trump and his supporters should they attempt to ensure a free and fair election this fall. Those caught "interfering" with the "transition of power" will be punished, he recently said, the suggestion being that Kamala is definitely going to "win." OMG ? AG Merrick Garland just used J6 political prisoners to threaten anyone from contesting the 2024 Election results Would be a shame if we made this post Viral on ? to show how corrupt Merrick Garland is You know what to do ? pic.twitter.com/9lsfbxwy2R Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) August 25, 2024 One thing is for sure: the 2024 election will be contentious to say the least. It might end up becoming America's most contested as both "sides" are fired up and ready for a fight no matter which way things go so brace yourselves. If Democrats get their way, the 2024 election will go to Kamala no matter what it takes to make her "win." Learn more at Rigged.news. Sources for this article include: Infowars.com NaturalNews.com Texas PURGES one million ineligible voters from voter rolls, including non-citizens and dead people Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared on Monday, Aug. 26, that more than one million ineligible voters have been taken out from the state's voter rolls in the past three years, including more than 6,500 noncitizens and 457,000 people who are dead. Of the 6,500 probable noncitizens deleted from the voter rolls, about 1,930 have a voter history. Abbott said those records were handed over to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for investigation and probable legal action. (Related: Texas AG announces major election fraud raids after organization accused of registering noncitizens to vote.) The voter roll cleanup began in 2021 when Abbott signed Senate Bill 1, aimed to support election integrity and security. "Election integrity is essential to our democracy. I have signed the strongest election laws in the nation to protect the right to vote and to crack down on illegal voting," Abbott said in a statement. Others taken out from Texas' voter rolls include 6,000 felons, 19,000 voters who requested to cancel their voter registrations, 65,000 who failed to respond to a notice of examination, 463,000 people on the suspense list people whose addresses could not be verified and 134,000 people who responded to an address confirmation notice that they had moved. Other states have recently purged voter rolls in efforts that also expunged noncitizens. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier in August announced that he had removed 6,303 noncitizens from voter rolls. In Alabama, the state removed at least 3,251 noncitizens, and Ohio removed 137. Texas claims voter roll purge part of effort to safeguard the right to vote In Texas, Abbott said the voter roll maintenance is ongoing and that the state will "actively safeguard Texans' sacred right to vote" while also vigorously protecting election integrity. Texas Senate Bill 1 was a comprehensive election law passed after the 2020 presidential election. It outlawed drive-through and overnight voting, extended poll watcher access inside precincts and made it a crime for local officials to mass-deliver applications for mail-in ballots. Lying while registering to vote was raised to a crime and ballot harvesting was criminalized. Identification was needed for mail-in ballots. Also in 2021, Abbott signed Senate Bill 1113, which authorized the secretary of state to deny funds from counties that fail to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, and House Bill 574, which made it a second-degree crime to intentionally count invalid votes or refuse to count valid ones. In 2023, Abbott signed House Bill 1243, which elevated illegal voting along with voting by noncitizens to a second-degree crime. Despite Abbott's claim that the voters were purged as part of efforts to protect election integrity, voting advocates noticed that most of the names were purged as part of routine voter maintenance procedures, and that Senate Bill 1 just served to set up obstacles for Texans to vote. "Governor Abbott's announcement lacks transparency and doesn't paint the full picture of routine voter roll maintenance," stated Sarah Xiyi Chen of the Texas Civil Rights Project. "Year after year, people are taken off the voting rolls for all manner of innocuous reasons, and while Senate Bill 1 did enact stricter barriers for registering to vote, there is no evidence to suggest that the governor's data can be attributed to the law." Follow VoteFraud.news for more stories about voting issues in America. Watch the video below about Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton investigating the voter fraud happening in his state. This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CLEANING HOUSE: Ohio removes nearly 155,000 names from voter rolls due to inactive or expired registrations. Virginia Gov. Youngkin signs EO mandating measures for ELECTION INTEGRITY. Biden administration opposes bill that would require PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP for voting in federal elections. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Gov.Texas.gov KXAN.com DallasNews.com Brighteon.com Tony The Science Fauci HOSPITALIZED following claim of West Nile virus infection Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has been hospitalized after he contracted the West Nile virus (WNV), and has since been recuperating at home. A spokesperson for Fauci confirmed the development on Aug. 24, noting that the former White House chief medical advisor is expected to make a full recovery. The spokesperson shared this to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. Dr. Jonathan LaPook, the chief medical correspondent for CBS News, said Fauci "was hospitalized nearly 10 days ago after showing symptoms including fever, chills and severe fatigue." The CBS News correspondent added that Fauci himself surmised that he was likely infected from a mosquito bite he got in his backyard. According to the AP, WNV is primarily transmitted through infected mosquito bites. Around one in five persons infected experience symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rashes. Around one in 150 meanwhile, develop serious and potentially fatal conditions. There are no vaccines or specific treatments for WNV, but avoiding mosquito bites appears to be the best measure to prevent infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 216 WNV cases across 33 states as of Aug. 20, per the AP. The news of the 83-year-old Fauci's hospitalization after being infected with WNV followed almost a month after he admitted to testing positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) a third time. He made this admission during a July 30 interview with Dr. Jeremy Faust, editor-in-chief of MedPage Today. "I got infected about two weeks ago," said Fauci, the former director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "It was my third COVID-19 infection, and I had been vaccinated and boosted a total of six times." (Related: Fauci tests positive for COVID-19 a third time despite being VACCINATED 6 TIMES.) WNV not the only mosquito-borne disease making a resurgence It appears that WNV is not the only mosquito-borne disease making a resurgence as of late. The Daily Mail reported that a city in Massachusetts has set an outdoor curfew for residents after a person contracted a reportedly rare illness transmitted by insects. Health authorities in Oxford, Massachusetts located about 50 miles southwest of Boston announced the curfew following a resident being struck with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). According to the Mail, the curfew aims to reduce the risk of residents being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus. EEE causes fever and brain swelling in those infected and can lead to seizures and comas. A third of people infected die, and those who recover often suffer from lifelong physical and mental disabilities. The Bay State reported 12 cases and six deaths from EEE in 2019. The following year, five EEE cases and one death were reported there. The state did not report any cases and deaths between 2021 and 2023, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Oxford Board of Health issued an advisory outlining tips to prevent contracting EEE. It recommended wearing long sleeves and long pants, applying insect repellent and avoiding peak mosquito hours from sunset until sunrise. The advisory also urged residents to avoid the collection of clean, stagnant water due to the latter being breeding grounds for mosquitoes. But looking at this deeply, the timing of Fauci's reported hospitalization for WNV and the EEE case in Massachusetts appears to be pushing some sinister agenda. It is worth noting that the resurgence of mosquito-based diseases, alongside the World Health Organization's monkeypox declaration, occurs just months before Americans head to polling places in November. Head over to Infections.news for similar stories. Watch Breanna Morello and Dr. Robert Malone discussing Dr. Anthony Fauci's bout with WNV infection below. This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: With malaria cases on the rise, here are some NATURAL ways to prevent mosquito bites. The Science locks down four New England towns for 'extremely rare' virus after SINGLE infection. Bill Gates-funded Colombian mosquito factory breeds 30 million bacteria-infected mosquitoes weekly. Ultra-vaccinated Dr. FAUCI suffers THIRD case of COVID which somehow devolved into West Nile infection. Releasing genetically modified mosquitoes creates MUTATIONS that may cause RESISTANT vector-borne diseases. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com APNews.com DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com Trump warns that Americas ammo stocks are DEPLETED Former President Donald Trump has warned that America's ammunition stocks are depleted , blaming incumbent President Joe Biden for the national security issue. During an Aug. 21 campaign rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump claimed Biden bled America's ammunition stockpiles dry to arm Ukraine and other countries. He added that aside from ammunition, billions of dollars worth of weaponry have been donated free of charge. "They released a report talking about all of the vulnerable areas. We're weak here, we're weak there," Trump addressed the crowd behind bulletproof glass panels. "That's like saying, 'We have no ammunition.' You know why? We gave it all up to Ukraine and various other places. We gave them everything." According to an Aug. 23 fact sheet from the U.S. Department of State, Washington "is providing Ukraine vital military assistance to defend itself" through the so-called presidential drawdown authority (PDA). It added that the Biden administration has made use of the PDA 49 times to provide Kyiv with military aid since August 2022. "The use of the PDA allows for the speedy deliveries of defense articles and services from [U.S.] Department of Defense stocks to foreign countries and international organizations to respond to unforeseen emergencies," the fact sheet continued. The former president has pledged to turn the tide and make a "historic investment in rebuilding" the American military if necessary. Aside from this, Trump also promised to put an end to the conflict that America's munitions are allocated to. (Related: Congress wants ANOTHER $12 billion sent to Ukraine as "aid" while America's southern border suffers from lack of funding.) Russia Today reported that during a July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reiterated his promise to bring a swift conclusion to the Russia-Ukraine war if elected in November. In June, the real estate mogul also stressed that he would stop donating tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine. Report: U.S. military ill-prepared for conflict The Russian state-owned news outlet reported that the U.S. Congressional Commission on the National Defense Strategy (NDS Commission) released an assessment in late July. The NDS Commission's 312-page report warned that the U.S. military "lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat." According to the report, in a hypothetical future conflict with China, the latter would likely be aided, at least economically and possibly also militarily, by the likes of Russia, Iran or North Korea. This would make the odds of a U.S. victory increasingly slim, military experts predicted. "Unclassified public war games suggest that, in a conflict with China, the United States would largely exhaust its munitions inventories in as few as three to four weeks, with some important munitions (e.g. anti-ship missiles) lasting only a few days," the document concluded. Military experts on the commission say that because of the serious inadequacies in America's defense industry at present, more investments are needed to remedy the situation. Head over to NationalSecurity.news for similar stories. Watch this ABC News report about Ukraine and Russia agreeing to a prisoner swap to mark Kyiv's 33rd year of independence. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Lukashenko urges Ukraine and Russia to continue PEACE TALKS. PUTIN: Ukraine tried, but failed, to attack Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk. Lukashenko: Ukraine is pushing Russia to use NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Paladin founder Georgy Zakrevsky demands coup against Putin over military failures in Ukraine. Germany halts new military aid to Ukraine amid budget shortfall. Sources include: RT.com State.gov Brighteon.com The US will spend a record $454 million this year to secure religious organizations, with the majority of the funds going to Jewish institutions and a minority being given to other religious groups, the Times of Israel reports. (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) From The Times of Israel, "US to spend record $454 million securing religious institutions as antisemitism spikes": The Department of Homeland Security announced last week that it had allocated $454.5 million this fiscal year toward the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which funds security enhancements at houses of worship and religious organizations. It is the largest sum ever allocated toward the program, and a significant increase from last year's figure of $305 million. "The funds announced today will provide communities across the country with vital resources necessary to strengthen their security and guard against terrorism and other threats," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who is Jewish, said in a statement. "The impact of these grants will be measured in lives saved and tragedies averted." Jewish organizations have historically championed the program, which began in 2005 with an allocation of $25 million and has since grown exponentially. Most of the funding has historically gone to Jewish institutions such as synagogues, day schools, and other religious organizations a trend that continued this year, according to the Orthodox Union. The funds are available to all denominations facing credible threats, and in recent years Muslim and Black Christian institutions have applied for funds, often with the guidance of Jewish groups more experienced in the application process. NEW YORKDefense attorneys for former President Donald Trump have asked a federal court in Manhattan to remove the hush money case against him from state court. The hush money case involves Trump's leadership in a conspiracy to pay off AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels to silence her from speaking about their 2006 affair. A local jury already convicted Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the conspiracy to silence Daniels and sway the results of the 2016 election. The latest filing by Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove seeks a pathway to overturn his felony convictions and indefinitely delay his sentencing, currently set for September 18. Juan Merchan, the New York Supreme Court justice presiding over Trump's case, already delayed sentencing to consider the case law and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's controversial ruling that drastically expanded presidential immunity to cover "official acts." AVN has reported extensively on Trump's legal maneuvers. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg already argued in Merchan's court that the Supreme Court's ruling doesn't apply to the vast majority of the hush money case due to Trump's acts in paying off Daniels having been done in his capacity as a private citizen, not in his official capacity as a sitting or former president. Trump's attorneys argue that he is entitled to pause sentencing while the petition to the federal district court is litigated because laws prevent a judgment of conviction before the case is remanded to a court. Blanche and Bove argued in this new 64-page filing to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that allowing state proceedings "cause direct and irreparable harm" to Trump. This is the second time Trump's lawyers filed such a petition before Hellerstein. During the first petition in 2023, Hellerstein didn't buy the argument. He ruled, "Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts." Hellerstein now has to deal with the Supreme Court's ruling on the presidential immunity case. Attorneys working for Bragg's office have already told Merchan that the defense's gambit to overturn the verdict doesn't apply to this case, per AVN's previous reporting. Bragg's prosecutors said, This case involved evidence of defendants personal conduct, not his official acts." The likelihood of Hellerstein granting the defense's removal petition from state court to federal court is very slim. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti opined on X the filing is a "Hail Mary by Trump's team that will likely fail." Mariotti added, "Trump is just trying to push off the criminal sentencing." MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin and NBC News reporter Phil Helsel wrote that this move "could end up delaying the former president's sentencing." With removal of jurisdictional limits, property buyers can now register anywhere in Greater Mumbai I n 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 government's move aims to give a choice to the property buyers to go and register their properties at the nearby sub-registrar's 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 government's earlier notification issued on October 31, 2005. Vice President of Builders Association of India, Anand Gupta, hailed the state government's 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) With removal of jurisdictional limits, property buyers can now register anywhere in Greater Mumbai Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Maintaining strong law and order in Rajasthan govt's top priority: CM Bhajan Lal Sharma R ajasthan 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. Maintaining strong law and order in Rajasthan govt's top priority: CM Bhajan Lal Sharma Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Sandhya Mridul: Thanks to social media, women are now confident of speaking against sexual harassment A ctress Sandhya Mridul flashbacks a few years and remembers when she came out and wrote on social media platform X against her harassment. She has also not forgotten how some publications trashed her. "Today, all you need to do is take screenshots of the lewd messages men in the industry or elsewhere send and put them up. You know many people stress that the 'Me Too' movement failed. On the contrary, it has made many men cautious -- the ones who would say the nastiest things now know when to shut up," actor Sandhya Mridul told IANS. Her latest outing may have been the solo comedy show 'Ridiculous Ms Mridul' performed in the national capital recently, still, the actor, who started her career with the popular TV serial 'Swabhimaan' and went to do 'Banegi Apni Baat', 'Koshish' and 'Hu Ba Hu', smiles and says, "Well, now when I enter my mother's room, she knows the television must be switched off." Deciding to walk away from the repetitive character of television, Mridul might have done some successful films like 'Saathiya', 'Page -3' and others, but it was crossover cinema where her soul was -- 'Strings', '13th Floor', 'Chowki', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.', 'The Great Indian Butterfly', 'Angry Indian Goddesses' and 'Waisa Bhi Hota Hai'. While many insiders cautioned her that doing such cinema was a perfect recipe for being ignored by the 'mainstream' and going broke, she remembers telling herself: "Passion has always driven me, why should it not now? After all, these roles require craft, and not makeup." Coming back to 'Ridiculous Ms Mridul', her first solo performance, the actor who has worked with theatre directors like Mahesh Dattani and Lillete Dubey admits there was no 'plan' -- she just started writing 'something' and what emerged was a relaxed take on men, relationships and sex. "Not to mention how single women in society are looked at." Mridul laments that being in Mumbai, one is so 'busy' being an actor that she/he tends to undermine her capability to create. "And the past few years, I have been feeling... See, as it is, I'm a niche actor who works on very selected projects. And of all the mediums, theatre was my favourite. Then why am I spending the least time on it? After all, it is all about spontaneity, something I truly believe in. You know exactly what you're making the audience feel." "While you are entertaining them, they are giving back much warmth and energy. It is probably the most thrilling and passionate of mediums. While I have been writing other things too, Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd. wanted to go with this gig," she adds. Pinning her hopes high on OTT platforms, she feels they are not only willing to tell different tales but also tell them differently. "One is seeing fresh faces, newer talent in every department, and actors who were in their labyrinths coming back. I do not care much about the algorithm thing going on with OTTs. I just hope they remain true to craft and not go the usual Bollywood way," she concludes. Sandhya Mridul: Thanks to social media, women are now confident of speaking against sexual harassment Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! CM Stalin signs several MoUs during his 17-day US trip T amil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is on a 17-day trip to the US seeking investments, has signed several Memorandums of Understanding with major companies in San Francisco. A statement from the Office of the Chief Minister said that CM Stalin signed an MoU with Nokia for a New Nokia R&D centre which will be their largest Fixed Network test bed in the world for innovation in 10G,25G,50G and 100G PON. This centre as per the MoU will be set up at SIPCOT, Siruseri in Chengalpattu with an investment cost of Rs 450 crore. This project will generate 100 jobs. CM Stalin also signed an MoU with the PayPal group for an Advanced Development Centre focussed on Artificial Intelligence which will be set up in Chennai and will provide 1,000 jobs. Another MoU was signed with Yield Engineering Systems for the product development and manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment to be set up at Sulur in Coimbatore. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 150 crore and will generate around 300 jobs. The Chief Minister also signed an MoU with Microchip for an R&D centre in Semiconductor technology to be set up at Semmancherry in Chennai, which is expected to generate 1,500 jobs at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. The statement said that an agreement and MoU have also been signed with Applied Materials for an Advanced AI-enabled Technology Development Centre for Semiconductor manufacturing and equipment to be set up at Tharamani in Chennai which is expected to generate 500 jobs. The CM also signed an agreement with Infinx for a Technology and Global Delivery Centre to be set up at ELCOT, Vadapalanji in Madurai district for Rs 50 crore and generating 700 jobs. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also signed an MoU with Ohmium for a manufacturing facility of components for electro-user manufacturing and hydrogen solutions systems to be set up at Chengalpattu for Rs 400 crore. The project is expected to generate 500 jobs. He has also entered into an agreement and signed an MoU with GeakMinds for an IT& Analytics Services Centre to be set up in Chennai to generate 500 jobs. The Chief Minister is accompanied by his wife Durga Stalin, Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T. R. B.Raaja and a horde of senior officials. The CM is visiting San Francisco and Chicago during his 17-day trip that commenced on August 27 and will continue till September 14 when he will return to Chennai. The Chief Minister is travelling to the 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 CMM 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 has visited the UAE, Singapore, Japan and Spain to get investment proposals into Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister's office said that they would list out the proposals received during his US trip. It may be noted that 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 is likely to meet Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google as well as heads of several other Fortune companies. CM Stalin signs several MoUs during his 17-day US trip Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! 'Actions have consequences': EAM Jaishankar says era of uninterrupted dialogues with Pakistan over E xternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday asserted that the era of interrupted dialogues with Pakistan is over, noting that "actions have consequences". In his remarks at a book launch event in the national capital, Jaishankar said: "Era of uninterrupted dialogues with Pakistan is over. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done." On whether India is content with the relationship with Pakistan to continue as it is, he said, "Maybe yes, maybe no. But what I do want to say is that we are not passive, and that whether events take a positive or negative direction. Either way, we will react." During his Singapore visit in March, EAM Jaishankar mentioned Pakistan's "almost industry-level" sponsoring of terrorism, but stressed "India will not skirt this problem..." His comments assume significance against the backdrop of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, where both mainstream regional parties, the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, have spoken about resuming dialogue and ties with Pakistan. 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. Earlier, Pakistan on Thursday formally confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad in mid-October. Last year, Pakistan's then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting. On the Indo-US ties, Minister Jaishankar said that it's a valuable relationship. "The US is today indispensable for our multipolarity to go ahead. Nobody will say we have congruence with the United States. If we actually understand the expectations of the relations. It is not about an alliance and congruence, it is about convergences, overlapping interests, about the ability to work together on issues and areas and theatres which suit us," he said. "But there are regions and issues on which we profoundly agree with the US and there are issues on which we do not. It is on full public display," he said. 'Actions have consequences': EAM Jaishankar says era of uninterrupted dialogues with Pakistan over Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! NSA Doval meets Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo N ational Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Friday, holding discussions on the ongoing economic collaboration between the two neighbouring countries. Sri Lanka's National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka, who met NSA Doval on Thursday, also participated in the meeting. Earlier in the day, NSA Doval met Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the latter's office, discussing with him the "immense potential" for both countries to further strengthen economic cooperation. "The Prime Minister said the energy sector is one area and thanked India for supporting the large scale and small scale alternative energy projects. He said that the government has taken steps to amend the Ceylon Electricity Board regulations to facilitate private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution and Indian investments could be increased in solar and wind power projects," the Lankan PMO said in a statement after the meeting. "Mr Doval said in the long run, Sri Lanka could generate more power than its domestic requirement and sell excess power to India and gain huge financial benefits. He pointed out that Bhutan is selling a large amount of hydro power generated electricity to India and it is the largest revenue of that country," it added. Gunawardena highlighted that the island nation's Theravada economic policy is based on the economic practices in India 25 centuries ago during the times of Gauthama Buddha and it would be complementary for economic growth. He also thanked India for providing training for Armed forces and the public servants to enhance their skills and efficiency. The Indian delegation also included High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary Puneet Agrawal and many other senior officials. NSA Doval is on a visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Colombo Security Conclave, the maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The visit takes just a few weeks ahead of Lankan Presidential elections scheduled for September 21. Formed in 2011, the Colombo Security Conclave's roadmap of activities was later expanded, with Mauritius joining as the fourth member and Bangladesh and Seychelles participating as observer countries. The Conclave underlines regional cooperation and shared security objectives concerning all littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It aims to make maritime security, marine pollution response and maritime search and rescue priorities for the region. "Coordination amongst maritime neighbours holds the key for maritime safety and security in the IOR. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and 'Neighbourhood First' policy are the prime initiatives for IOR and bears testimony to India's policy priorities. A cooperative environment and collaborative mechanism in the maritime neighbourhood of IOR is essential to address the oceanic challenges, thereby ensuring maritime safety, security and protection of marine environment," states the Indian Defence Ministry. NSA Doval meets Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Resident dies by crocodile attack amid Vadodara floods A s floodwaters begin to recede in Vadodara, a 30-year-old man was killed in Gujarat's Dabhoi after a crocodile dragged him into the Orsang River. An official said that the victim - Amit Poonambhai Vasava - was a labourer from Rajpura. "Amit was attempting to set a fishing net when the crocodile attacked him and dragged him to the river," the official said. He added that despite efforts to escape, Amit slipped and the crocodile dragged him into the water. Vadodara is known for its significant crocodile population - especially in the Vishwamitri River - which flows through the city. The crocodile population of Vadodara is comprised mainly of the mugger crocodile, also known as the marsh crocodile (Crocodylus Palustris). These crocodiles have adapted to urban environments and can often be seen basking along the riverbanks or even within the city limits. Meanwhile, at least 28 people have lost their lives due to floods. Minister Rushikesh Patel said that over 5,000 people have been evacuated in Vadodara while 1,200 were rescued from the floods in the city. On August 29, MLAs and corporators in Vadodara also faced the wrath of residents after they visited flood-affected areas. "Many citizens expressed disappointment, accusing their representatives of failing to provide adequate support during the crisis. Some corporators ignored calls for help and their phones were switched off in some areas further exacerbating the public's discontent," a local said. MLA Manisha Vakil had to leave the Harni area after people were outraged by his presence. Similarly, BJP corporator Bandish Shah from Ward No. 7 faced severe criticism from residents in the Salatwada area. The public was angry with the Raopura MLA Balu Shukla and city BJP president Vijay Shah, who were confronted by angry people during their visits to the affected areas. Resident dies by crocodile attack amid Vadodara floods Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Fadnavis bats for greenfield airport at Palghar amid MMR's burgeoning growth M aharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve the development of an airport in Palghar. Fadnavis said he was making the appeal in the wake of development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including Mumbai, Vasai, Virar and Palghar region. "I would like to make a request today. Ports including Vadhvan Port are being developed by reclamation of sea area. Airports are also designed with marine reclamation in many places around the world. Mumbai will grow even more in the coming period. Vasai Virar, Palghar will also grow exponentially. "Today we are laying the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port. Along with this if we also take a decision about the airport and build a third big airport in Palghar after Mumbai and the upcoming Navi Mumbai one, we can definitely change Mumbai," said Fadnavis in his appeal to the PM. Fadnavis' plea is crucial as the Maharashtra government is currently engaged in a slew of transport infrastructure development projects in MMR in a bid to increase its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to $300 billion by 2030 from the present $140 billion. The state government has time and again said that the Mumbai airport is already saturated and it hopes the commissioning of the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport from March 2025 will help decongest the Mumbai airport and also streamline air traffic. Fadnavis' demand is also important as the Vadhvan Port is expected to generate 12 lakh direct and nearly 1 crore indirect jobs in Maharashtra and the country, after its completion. The port will not only increase maritime connectivity but also enhance India's position as a global trade hub. "Today is a day to be written in golden letters in history. We know that Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and because of Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai has become number one. "Now, the Vadhvan port, which is three times larger than the two ports, is under construction. For the last 30 to 40 years, we have become number one because of Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Now Maharashtra will remain number one for the next 50 years due to the development of Vadhvan Port. All this has become possible because of PM Modi," said Fadnavis. Fadnavis said that the PM had accorded the status of national port to Vadhvan. "In this, we won all the way to the Supreme Court. Today the situation is that the Vadhvan Port development work was launched by the PM. In the history of any country there is one person who becomes the turning point for the development of the nation. The name of PM Modi will also be recorded in history. If anyone has done the work of taking India forward, it is PM Modi," he added. Fadnavis bats for greenfield airport at Palghar amid MMR's burgeoning growth Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! NEP 2020 supports idea of teaching Tamil in TN schools: Dharmendra Pradhan U nion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, saying that National Education Policy (NET) 2020 fully supports the idea of teaching Tamil in the schools of Tamil Nadu. "Centre is making concerted efforts to encourage multilingualism and learning in the mother tongue while NET 2020 fully supports the idea of teaching Tamil in the schools of Tamil Nadu. The government is committed to ensuring that every child, in every corner of the country, has access to the transformative benefits of the NEP," the Union Minister wrote in his letter to the Chief Minister. The Union Minister added that Tamil Nadu initially committed to sign the MoU for the PM SHRI Scheme in 2024-25, however, the subsequent draft from Tamil Nadu omitted key commitments to the comprehensive implementation of NEP 2020. "Despite repeated requests, Tamil Nadu has not yet signed the MoU for PM SHRI," the Union Minister said. He also requested the government of Tamil Nadu to sign the MoU for the PM SHRI Scheme, as per the undertaking given by the Tamil Nadu government, adding lakhs of Tamil students have benefited from the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. "Given Tamil Nadu's ongoing implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme aligned with the NEP 2020, it is important that the state also embraces the PM SHRI Scheme to further enhance the quality of education and set a benchmark for government schools in the region," the letter adds. NEP 2020 supports idea of teaching Tamil in TN schools: Dharmendra Pradhan Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Pakistan exports mangoes to 42 countries, UK largest importer P akistan's Ministry of Commerce informed on Friday that the country has exported mangoes to 42 countries with the UK as the largest importer. Pakistani mangoes - famous around the world for their sweet and delicious flavours - have earned the country $46.7 million in exports, while the export volume stood at 13,681 metric tonnes, Geo News reported. "The UK has been the largest importer this year, buying mangoes worth $13.2 million, followed by the UAE at $9.2 million," the Ministry informed the National Assembly during a question hour session on Friday. The Ministry also informed that Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar have imported the sweet tropical fruit from Pakistan. As per news reports, Germany bought at least $1.9 million worth of the fruit, Oman imported mangoes worth $1.7 million, Saudi Arabia stood at $1.3 million, while mangoes worth $2.2 million were exported to Afghanistan. Following the drastic effects climate change in the country, the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (APFVEA) feared that they would not be able to meet the export target for mangoes this year, Geo News reported. "The effects of climate change emerged as the biggest threat to mango production which declined for the third year in a row," said APFVEA patron-in-chief Mian Waheed Ahmed. Pakistan produces 1.8 million metric tonnes of mangoes, of which 70 per cent is produced in Punjab, 29 per cent in Sindh, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces the remaining 1 per cent. However, Punjab was able to produce only over 35 per cent mangoes this season owing to climate change, while in Sindh the production was less than 20 per cent. Earlier, Mian Waheed Ahmed had said that long winters, rain and hailstorms followed by a severe heatwave changed the pattern of agricultural diseases this season. Pakistan exports mangoes to 42 countries, UK largest importer Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Why weve seen so many military planes overhead in recent days who will own grant-funded school buses that may be coming to Urbana improvements to West Side Park in Champaign and the origin of the Kingshighway Bridge on the UI campus. (Yeah, we didnt know there was such a thing, either.) 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. Early Release: Oropouche Virus Disease Among U.S. Travelers United States, 2024. Image Credit: CI Photos / Shutterstock In a recent article published in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers from the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various state departments of health reported 21 new cases of Oropouche viral disease among travelers returning from Brazil and Cuba and discussed the public health implications and measures associated with this outbreak. Oropouche virus Oropouche virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus and has been reported to cause disease in humans in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions. The virus is thought to use vertebrate hosts such as sloths, birds, and non-human primates in the sylvatic cycle and humans as hosts in the urban cycle, with biting midges and possibly Culex mosquitoes acting as the vectors. Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus). Image Credit: Diego Grandi / Shutterstock The symptoms of Oropouche virus infections are similar to those observed with Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, with sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and muscle and joint pain. Other symptoms include pain behind the eyes, photophobia, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and maculopapular rash. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and in severe cases, it can lead to meningitis and encephalitis. The disease is self-limiting, usually lasting 2-7 days, but can recur with milder symptoms. A unique symptom of Oropouche virus disease is the recurrence of symptoms within days or weeks after the initial infection has cleared. This disease recurrence was reported by close to 70% of the patients. In rare cases, the illness can have hemorrhagic and neuroinvasive outcomes. Currently, the treatment options for Oropouche virus disease are all supportive, and no vaccine or treatments exist. Oropouche virus outbreak in the U.S. While disease outbreaks have been reported from the Amazon regions that are endemic for the Oropouche virus, reports from Cuba and South America have indicated the incidence of the disease from previously unreported areas. Countries such as Peru, Columbia, Bolivia, Cuba, and Brazil have had nearly 8,000 confirmed cases of Oropouche virus disease. However, 19 recent cases have been reported among European travelers returning from Brazil and Cuba. Furthermore, two deaths among the cases in Brazil and one case of pregnancy-associated complications and fetal death due to vertical transmission of the virus have increased the concerns about the Oropouche virus outbreak. The Department of Health in New York State and the CDC are conducting plaque reduction neutralization tests among travelers returning from regions with the known circulation of the Oropouche virus. Additionally, real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is also being conducted using samples collected within a week of symptom onset. Suspected cases of Oropouche virus disease were also identified in Florida by the Department of Health through interviews with individuals who exhibited clinical symptoms compatible with Oropouche virus disease but were negative for dengue, which has a significant overlap in symptoms with Oropouche virus disease. Of the 21 cases in the U.S., one was in New York, and the remaining were in Florida. Most of the patient evaluations occurred during the initial acute illness, but three patients were re-evaluated when their symptoms recurred after the initial symptoms were resolved. Close to 95% of the patients reported having fever, and myalgia, headache, malaise, and joint pain were reported by 86%, 76%, 62%, and 57% of the patients, respectively. Public health implications and recommendations Although thus far, the symptoms of Oropouche virus disease have been mild, two deaths among young and otherwise healthy individuals in Brazil have been cause for concern. Furthermore, the Pan American Health Organization also issued an alert in July regarding the potential transmission of the disease from mother to fetus and adverse outcomes during the pregnancy, such as congenital abnormalities or even fetal death due to the disease. The CDC requests clinicians to report any suspected cases of Oropouche virus disease to local or state health departments to improve testing and prevention measures. The CDC website also includes information for clinicians and healthcare providers on the symptoms, diagnostic features, and management of Oropouche virus disease. Furthermore, given the hemorrhagic manifestations in some cases of Oropouche virus disease, the CDC recommends that patients avoid any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to decrease bleeding risk. Additionally, since dengue and Oropouche virus disease have similar symptoms and can co-circulate, patients are advised to follow the clinical recommendations for the management of dengue until it can be ruled out. The CDC believes that the local transmission risk in the continental U.S. is likely low, but sustained transmission risk in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico is unknown. However, research is underway to determine the drivers of the current outbreak, the factors that impact transmission, and the role of the Culicoides biting midges and Culex mosquitoes in the transmission of the disease. Conclusions Overall, this report brought attention to the gradually emerging cases of Oropouche virus disease among travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil and explained the clinical symptoms of the disease. The scientists have also provided information on the symptoms and diagnosis of the disease and recommendations for clinicians to help manage and prevent the spread of Oropouche virus disease. Despite a steady decline in cases, the Mpox virus continues to circulate within key populations, underscoring the need for ongoing vaccination efforts and public health awareness. Dispatch: Mpox Epidemiology and Vaccine Effectiveness, England, 2023. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers evaluated the epidemiology of mpox and the effectiveness of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine in England in 2023. Mpox cases declined in England after peaking in July 2022, which mainly affected gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and remained low into 2023. However, cases continued at a steady frequency throughout 2023, signaling ongoing transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the risk of mpox is moderate for GBMSM. About the study In the present study, researchers analyzed mpox epidemiology in England in 2023 and the effectiveness of the MVA-BN vaccine. They accessed the Second-Generation Surveillance System of the United Kingdom (UK) Health Security Agency for records of highly probable and confirmed mpox cases between January and December 2023. Records were deduplicated using patient and specimen identifiers. A highly probable case had a positive Orthopoxvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result. A confirmed case had a positive mpox virus-specific PCR result. Local health teams obtained self-reported behavioral and epidemiologic information. Mpox vaccination data were derived from the National Health Service (NHS) England. The overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) was calculated. The proportion of vaccinated GBMSM was estimated by matching each case to the single- and double-dose coverage at the time, two weeks before individuals were case patients. Subsequently, the matched coverage was averaged. For some case patients with unknown vaccination status, the team assumed these cases to be distributed among those with zero, one, or two doses. Pearson chi-squared test examined differences between one- and two-dose VE estimates. Findings In 2023, 137 mpox cases were diagnosed. Only two cases were highly probable. Most mpox cases (77%) were residents of London, consistent with 2022 estimates. Sixty-four cases had not traveled outside the UK within three weeks before the onset of symptoms; of these, 58 individuals were GBMSM. Further, 53 cases reported international travel, including 43 GBMSM, with travel to the Middle East, Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific. Overall, 78% of cases were GBMSM. Twenty-one cases were adult males lacking information on sexual orientation and had no travel to mpox-endemic countries. Most cases (54%) were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of these, 74% were on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Notably, 22% of HIV-negative cases reported attending an event involving sexual contact with multiple partners, and 19% had a concurrent sexually transmitted infection. Almost half of the cases were partially or fully vaccinated. Among the vaccinated, 20 attended an event involving multiple sex partners. Between July 2022 and December 2023, 77,543 GBMSM were vaccinated for mpox. MVA-BN coverage by December 2023 was estimated at 50% for two doses and 37% for one dose, leading to an overall coverage of 87% among GBMSM. VE was 84% for a single dose and 80% for a double dose. Overall, VE was 82% for single or double doses. Sensitivity analysis suggested that VE estimates could be influenced by the size of the GBMSM population, indicating the potential variability in effectiveness. In 2023, none of the vaccinated persons were hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, nine were non-vaccinated, and two had an unknown vaccination status. Conclusions The low incidence of mpox cases in 2023 was initially presumed to be the final few cases from 2022. Nonetheless, cases increased steadily in 2023 and were evenly split between community transmission and imported infections. The demographic and behavioral characteristics of mpox cases in 2023 remained comparable to those in 2022, particularly within GBMSM networks. Thus, mpox continues to predominately spread within GBMSM networks. Almost half of cases in 2023 had been vaccinated. One or two doses of MVA-BN had a VE of 82%. While VE was marginally lower for two doses than for one, the difference was not statistically significant. Of note, no vaccinated person was hospitalized for mpox in 2023. Taken together, England experienced a low-level community transmission of mpox among GBMSM. The authors speculate that low-level transmission will prevail before elimination is achieved. To curb the spread of mpox, continued vigilance, including vaccination and health promotion among high-risk groups, remains essential. A deeper understanding of the communication inside the body when someone is going through opioid withdrawal has led to a new clinical trial at the University of Calgary. I don't think I've had a day in clinic in the last five years where I haven't had a patient tell me they want to reduce the opioids they are taking. The problem is there are limited options to support them, and the withdrawal symptoms can be crippling." Dr. Lori Montgomery, MD '03, pain clinician and clinical lead for an opioid tapering study Montgomery, an associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), is recruiting people for a clinical trial using a safe, well tolerated drug for gout, probenecid, to help with the disabling symptoms of opioid withdrawal. "One of the first symptoms is really severe pain. It's very uncomfortable, and it's one of the biggest reasons people remain on opioids long term even if the opioids are no longer effective in reducing their chronic pain," says Montgomery. The clinical trial Montgomery is leading is based on research done by Dr. Tuan Trang, PhD, a professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His lab has been studying how opioids affect key pain centres in the nervous system. In 2017, his research team made a breakthrough discovery that probenecid effectively reduces opioid withdrawal in rodents. Recently, they unraveled how this medication disrupts the abnormal brain-spinal cord communication that occurs during opioid withdrawal. "The area of the brain that is sending the signal regulates the autonomic system, our fight-or-flight response," says Trang, principal investigator on the study recently published in Nature Communications. "During withdrawal that centre in the brain is hyperactive contributing to the body's reaction during withdrawal." Trang says understanding the underlying neurobiology is important for developing a potential treatment for opioid withdrawal in people. For the pilot 12-week randomized control trial, Trang and Montgomery, both members of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the CSM, are recruiting people aged 18 and over who have a goal to taper or stop the opioids they are taking. "Probenecid has not been tested for opioid withdrawal before, but we know it is a safe and well tolerated drug. Headache and nausea are the most common side-effects, which can be addressed," says Montgomery. "We start with doses that are lower than what has been used for gout, if the person is tolerating the drug well, we start to taper the opioids they are taking and measure whether they experience withdrawal." Montgomery says anyone can become physically dependent on opioids within a couple of weeks and they need to taper to stop use of the drug. She adds Canada is the highest prescriber of opioids in the world. "We have learned so much in the last 15-20 years -; for many people with chronic pain, the risks outweigh the benefits, there are lots of consequences, and benefits long term aren't there," says Montgomery. Trang says being part of translating scientific discovery to a potential treatment for a complex societal issue is encouraging and demonstrates the power of transdisciplinary collaboration. He says that the work is made possible because of exceptionally talented team members and collaborators. Notably, the co-lead authors of the research study, Drs. Charlie Kwok, PhD, Erika Harding, PhD, and Nicole Burma, MD '21, PhD '21. A deeper understanding of the communication inside the body when someone is going through opioid withdrawal has led to a new clinical trial at the University of Calgary. "I don't think I've had a day in clinic in the last five years where I haven't had a patient tell me they want to reduce the opioids they are taking," says Dr. Lori Montgomery, MD '03, pain clinician and clinical lead for an opioid tapering study. "The problem is there are limited options to support them, and the withdrawal symptoms can be crippling." Montgomery, an associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), is recruiting people for a clinical trial using a safe, well tolerated drug for gout, probenecid, to help with the disabling symptoms of opioid withdrawal. "One of the first symptoms is really severe pain. It's very uncomfortable, and it's one of the biggest reasons people remain on opioids long term even if the opioids are no longer effective in reducing their chronic pain," says Montgomery. The clinical trial Montgomery is leading is based on research done by Dr. Tuan Trang, PhD, a professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His lab has been studying how opioids affect key pain centres in the nervous system. In 2017, his research team made a breakthrough discovery that probenecid effectively reduces opioid withdrawal in rodents. Recently, they unraveled how this medication disrupts the abnormal brain-spinal cord communication that occurs during opioid withdrawal. "The area of the brain that is sending the signal regulates the autonomic system, our fight-or-flight response," says Trang, principal investigator on the study recently published in Nature Communications. "During withdrawal that centre in the brain is hyperactive contributing to the body's reaction during withdrawal." Trang says understanding the underlying neurobiology is important for developing a potential treatment for opioid withdrawal in people. For the pilot 12-week randomized control trial, Trang and Montgomery, both members of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the CSM, are recruiting people aged 18 and over who have a goal to taper or stop the opioids they are taking. "Probenecid has not been tested for opioid withdrawal before, but we know it is a safe and well tolerated drug. Headache and nausea are the most common side-effects, which can be addressed," says Montgomery. "We start with doses that are lower than what has been used for gout, if the person is tolerating the drug well, we start to taper the opioids they are taking and measure whether they experience withdrawal." Montgomery says anyone can become physically dependent on opioids within a couple of weeks and they need to taper to stop use of the drug. She adds Canada is the highest prescriber of opioids in the world. "We have learned so much in the last 15-20 years -; for many people with chronic pain, the risks outweigh the benefits, there are lots of consequences, and benefits long term aren't there," says Montgomery. Trang says being part of translating scientific discovery to a potential treatment for a complex societal issue is encouraging and demonstrates the power of transdisciplinary collaboration. He says that the work is made possible because of exceptionally talented team members and collaborators. Notably, the co-lead authors of the research study, Drs. Charlie Kwok, PhD, Erika Harding, PhD, and Nicole Burma, MD '21, PhD '21. 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." Dr. Johanna Rydelius, Author, 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 randomised 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 enrolment and slow progress towards the trial's target of 784 participants. However, trial site feedback suggests the lower-than-expected enrolment 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." Prof. Kristina Gemzell Danielsson, The Karolinska Institutet, Sweden Writing in a linked Comment, Heidi Moseson and Caitlin Gerdts, Ibis Reproductive Health, USA, 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." WHO has asked manufacturers of mpox in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) to submit an expression of interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL). WHO has been in ongoing discussions with manufacturers about the need for effective diagnostics, particularly in low-income settings. The request for EUL expressions of interest by manufacturers is the latest development in these discussions. Testing is key for people to get treatment and care as early as possible and prevent further spread. Since 2022, WHO has delivered around 150 000 diagnostic tests for mpox globally, of which over a quarter have gone to countries in the African Region. In the coming weeks, WHO will deliver another 30 000 tests to African countries. With as many as 1000 suspected cases reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone this week, the demand for diagnostic tests is on the rise. In this heavily affected country, WHO has worked with partners to scale up diagnostic capacity to respond to the upsurge of cases. Since May 2024, six additional labs have been equipped to diagnose mpox, enabling a decentralization of testing capacity from major cities to affected provinces. Two of these labs are in South Kivu, selected to respond to the outbreak of the new viral strain, called Ib. Thanks to these efforts, testing rates have dramatically improved in the country, with four times as many samples tested in 2024 so far as compared to 2023. WHO has also updated its diagnostic testing guidance to detect the new virus strain and is working with countries to roll it out. Earlier, WHO issued target product profiles to guide manufacturers in the development of new diagnostic tests. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared on 14 August 2024 that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). Manufacturers of IVDs are now asked to submit available quality, safety and performance data to WHO as soon as they can. IVDs are tests done in laboratories to detect a pathogen. Detection of viral DNA by PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing is the gold standard for mpox diagnosis. It detects the virus's DNA in samples taken from skin lesions, such as fluid or crusts from vesicles or pustules. Testing of blood is not recommended for routine diagnosis and antibody detection methods may be used for retrospective case classification but not for diagnosis. Through the EUL procedure, WHO can approve medical products such as vaccines, tests and treatments for use, evaluating the acceptability of using specific products for time-limited procurement in emergency situations. The process aims to assist countries, which have not approved the medical products through national approval processes, to procure the critically needed products such as tests through UN agencies and other partners. Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus, that can be transmitted to humans through contacts with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. Expanding access to diagnostic services is urgently needed as tests are essential to critical measures such as strengthened laboratory capacity, improved case investigation, contact tracing, surveillance data collection, and timely reporting. As a package, these help countries identify chains of transmission, detect cases early, prevent further spread, and monitor the virus in real-time. The establishment of Emergency Use Listing procedures for mpox diagnostic tests will help advance towards this goal. Cancer Research Horizons, the innovation arm of Cancer Research UK, announced the winners of its second Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards at its gala dinner on the 20th of March in London.These awards celebrate the UKs most innovative and enterprising efforts in oncology highlighting those individuals in the industry working hard to translate discoveries into benefits for cancer patients. Image Credit: Carcinotech All award entries are reviewed by an esteemed panel of independent experts.This year's judges included: Alison Howe, Managing Director (retired) Strategic Consultants International Olivia Cavian, Chief Corporate Development & Strategy Officer, Alchemab Therapeutics Ketan Patel, Director of the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford Yupar Myint, Head of Impulse Program for Tech Innovators, Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge Jonathan Tobin, Partner at Brandon Capital Peter Chambre, Chair of Cancer Research Horizons Board We are pleased to announce Ishani as the recipient of the Cancer Research Horizons Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.This award acknowledges the exceptional contributions of women entrepreneurs who are pivotal in turning scientific discoveries into practical solutions for the benefit of people affected by cancer. We extend our congratulations to Ishani and express our admiration for all the nominees dedicated to innovative advancements in the cancer field. Dr.Alessia Errico, Associate Director and Entrepreneurial Program Lead, Search and Evaluation Our Founder & CEO, Ishani Malhotra, was recognized as winner of the Woman Entrepneur of the Year category.Ishanis ambition and determination make her a trailblazing force in the oncology sector, exemplifying how strong leadership and a clear vision can drive transformative change paving the way for groundbreaking advances in cancer treatment.This acknowledgment is a testament to Ishanis efforts and her continued success as she guides Carcinotech toward its goal to be at the forefront of cancer drug testing and to provide personalized medicine testing to each suffering from cancer. I am thrilled to have accepted the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year at this years Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards 2024 hosted by Cancer Research Horizons.This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of women in the industry who tirelessly pursue innovation and progress in healthcare. I am inspired by these women and by the resilience of those affected by cancer, improving outcomes for patients with this disease is the driving force that underpins our work at Carcinotech. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to countless individuals across the world who will face cancer in their lifetime. Ishani Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Carcinotech Cancer Research Horizons, in association with Cancer Research UK the worlds largest charitable funder of cancer research brings together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and getting drugs to market. Effective Monday, July 8, 2024, Benchmark Genetics Chile is pleased to announce that Juan Pablo Ramirez Torrealba will assume the role of General Manager, succeeding Berta Contreras Mutis, who will be pursuing new professional opportunities. Newly appointed Juan Pablo Ramirez Torrealba as General Manager in Chile in our office. Image Credit: Benchmark Genetics Juan Pablo Ramirez holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and brings over thirteen years of experience in the aquaculture sector. He has held various management and leadership roles throughout the production chain, from freshwater operations to commercial activities. Ramirezs distinguished career in the Chilean salmon industry includes his roles as Production and Operations Manager at Agua Mar and Farming Manager at Cultivos Yadran (2020-2024). He also served as Manager of Naviera Rio Dulce (2019-2020), Regional Manager of Camanchaca Cultivos Sur in Chiloe (2017-2018), and Deputy Manager of Planning and later North American Sales at Camanchaca Salmon in Tome, Biobio region (2013-2015). His career began in 2011 as a commercial assistant at Salmones Friosur, where he later became Head of the Processing Plant in Puerto Chacabuco, Aysen region, until the end of 2013. On joining Benchmark Genetics Chile, Ramirez expressed his enthusiasm for this new professional challenge. He stated, I am very excited to join an international leader like Benchmark, renowned for producing Atlantic salmon eggs globally. I believe Chile still has significant potential to share the excellent results we achieve with our quality products, strong performance, and high biosafety standards. We are delighted to welcome Juan Pablo Ramirez as our team leader in Chile. His extensive industry experience and capabilities are exactly, what we need to continue our expansion in the country. Geir Olav Melingen, Director, Benchmarks Atlantic salmon business areas Geir Olav added, Juan Pablo has our full support in advancing the production of high-quality Atlantic salmon eggs for the Chilean salmon farming industry. Geir Olav Melingen also extended his gratitude to Berta Contreras for her invaluable contributions during her tenure, highlighting her role in significantly enhancing the companys presence in the Chilean market. We wish Berta every success in her future endeavors, he said. A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is shedding light on how scientific evidence and the uncertainty surrounding three unproven therapeutics were portrayed by the U.S. news media during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings appear online in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Infodemiology. For the study, the researchers conducted an analysis of 479 reports of hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir and/or convalescent plasma in traditional and online U.S. news outlets that published or aired between Jan. 1 and July 30, 2020. These three products were the focus of much media attention during the initial phase of the pandemic and were being investigated in registered clinical studies in the U.S. Journalists covering COVID-19 faced an extraordinarily challenging task of keeping the public informed in a hyper-politicized climate filled with misinformation and reliance on unsubstantiated science. This period of time was when medical specialists and the general public were anxiously scrambling to learn as much as possible about prevention and treatments because there were yet no proven therapeutics or vaccines. This makes for an ideal case study to examine how the news media portrays scientific evidence." Zubin Master, Ph.D., associate professor of social sciences and health policy at Wake Forest University School of Medicine The research team analyzed news reports on how scientific evidence, evidence details and limitations, safety, efficacy, and sources of authority were portrayed to the public. "We found that 67% of news reports included scientific evidence, but only 24% mentioned scientific publications or journals," said Master, the study's corresponding author. Federal or state governments with scientific expertise were the most frequently named sources of authority for safety and efficacy claims on remdesivir (35%) while experts such as physicians or scientists were mostly mentioned for convalescent plasma (38%). Prominent people, such as celebrities and politicians, accounted for 79% of claims about the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine. Master also said that despite the inclusion of scientific evidence, many claims of safety and efficacy were made by non-experts, and scientific limitations were rarely mentioned in news headlines and lead paragraphs, and seldomly within the body of news reports. "When reporting science, especially during times of uncertainty and fear, it's important that we aren't presenting a skewed understanding of scientific evidence," Master said. Master noted that journalists might often avoid discussing scientific uncertainty to prevent negative reactions from the audience, while scientists might be hesitant to express uncertainty for fear of losing interest from reporters. According to the American Press Institute, only 40% of the public read news articles beyond headlines or lead paragraphs. "It's crucial especially with controversial science topics, that the evidence and uncertainty are featured more prominently," Master said. The study authors also noted that science can be strengthened by acknowledging limitations and by portraying science as a process that is constantly changing and being corrected as additional knowledge is gained. "With a clearer understanding of how science evolves and why public health recommendations are susceptible to change, we might be able to build more trust and confidence during future public health emergencies." Baazar Style Retail IPO: The initial public offer of value fashion retailer Baazar Style Retail Ltd has been opened for public subscription on Friday. The price band of the IPO has been fixed at Rs 370-Rs 389 per share. Till 10:59 am on the first day of bidding on Friday, the Rs 834.68-crore IPO received a 15 per cent subscription garnering bids for 22,53,894 shares as against the 1,50,30,116 shares on offer. The category for non-institutional investors received 0.24 times subscription, while the portion for Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) got subscribed 0.12 times. The IPO will be closed on September 3. Baazar Style Retail IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Baazar Style Retail Ltd are trading Rs 130 higher in the grey market than its issue price. The Rs 130 grey market premium or GMP means the grey market is expecting a 33.42 per cent listing gain from the public issue. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Baazar Style Retail IPO: Analysts Recommendations Giving a subscribe rating to the IPO, brokerage firm Anand Rathi in its note said, Baazar Style Retail has achieved repeat customer purchases of about 72 per cent in FY24 against 69 per cent in FY22, indicating a high degree of customer stickiness. Its revenue from operations grew at a CAGR of nearly 33 per cent over FY22-24 to Rs 973 crore, led by increased sales volume supported by a rise in store additions and demand. Its Ebitda grew by 40 per cent YoY, while EBITDA margins expanded by 170 bps YoY in FY24, led by better operating efficiency. As of March FY24, the total debt is at Rs 178.2 crore with a D/E of 0.8x. At the upper price band of Rs.389, BSRL is available at Mcap/Sales of 3.0x (FY24), which appears to be reasonably priced compared to its peers. Considering the rise indemand, aggressive store additions, customer retention, cluster based expansion model, and positive industry growth opportunities, we assign a Subscribe rating on a short to medium term basis, Anand Rathi stated. Another brokerage Master Capital Services Ltd also gave a subscribe rating for the medium to long term. The overall lifestyle and home value retail industry in India was estimated to be Rs 6,592.11 billion accounts for approximately 54% of the total market in these categories of Lifestyle and Home. Baazar Style Retail Limited intends to take advantage of this opportunity and has already secured a share of 2.15% in the organized value retail market in Eastern India and North-Eastern India for Fiscal 2024, it said. They further intend to expand profit margins and increase revenue contribution from its private labels while focusing on creating differentiation and achieving greater control over the product quality of private labels. The company also plans to strengthen its market position by increasing penetration in existing clusters, expanding its footprint in the Focus Markets, increasing focus on customer retention, and garnering brand loyalty. Investors looking to invest can invest in the IPO for the medium to long term, Master Capital stated. However, another brokerage firm Swastika has given a Neutral stance on the IPO saying that the investor may apply for listing gains. While high valuation may be a deterrent, strong market demand is expected to support a positive listing. Investors may choose to prioritise listing gains, but a cautious approach is warranted due to valuation, Swastika stated. Baazar Style Retail IPO: More Details The Rs 835-crore initial public offering (IPO) will open for subscription on August 30 and conclude on September 3. The price band has been fixed at Rs 370-389 per share. The proposed IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 148 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 1.76 crore valued Rs 687 crore (at the upper end of the price band) by promoter group entities and other selling shareholders. With this, the total issue size will be Rs 835 crore at the upper and of the price band Rs 389. Under the OFS, Rekha Jhunjhunwala, Intensive Softshare Pvt Ltd, Intensive Finance Pvt Ltd, among others, will divest their part stakes. Proceeds from the fresh issue, to the extent of Rs 146 crore will be used for payment of debt and the remaining funds will be used for general corporate purposes. Earlier this month, the Kolkata-based company raised Rs 37 crore from Volrado Ventures Partners Fund II in a pre-IPO placement round. Accordingly, the fresh issue size was reduced. Bazaar Style Retail is one of the leading players in the value retail market in West Bengal and Odisha. Additionally, its other core and focus markets include Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Investors can bid for a minimum of 38 shares in one lot, with additional shares in multiples of 38. Baazar Style Retails consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 972.88 crore in FY24 and profit after tax stood at Rs 21.94 crore in FY24. Axis Capital, Intensive Fiscal Services, and JM Financial are the book-running lead managers to the issue. Ecos Mobility IPO: The initial public offer of chauffeur-driven mobility provider Ecos (India) Mobility & Hospitality, which is going to be closed on Friday, has received over 12 times subscription. Till 10:43 am on the final day of bidding on Friday, the Rs 601.20-crore IPO received a 12.53 times subscription garnering bids for 15,78,40,628 shares as against the 1,26,00,000 shares on offer. The category for non-institutional investors received 11.41 times subscription, while the portion for Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) got subscribed 31.20 times. The Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) part got subscribed by 48 per cent. On the first day of bidding on Wednesday, the IPO ended the day with 3.36 times subscription. It received 9.64 times subscription on Day 2. The IPO was opened for public subscription on Wednesday. Ecos Mobility IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Ltd are trading Rs 140 higher in the grey market than its issue price. The Rs 140 grey market premium or GMP means the grey market is expecting a 41.92 per cent listing gain from the public issue. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Ecos Mobility IPO: Analysts Recommendations Advising Investors to invest in the IPO for medium to long term, brokerage firm Master Capital Services Ltd in its IPO note said, Businesses are increasingly prioritising employee well-being and productivity, recognising the value of a safe and comfortable commute, accordingly, premium cab services and ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality has taken advantage of this opportunity by becoming the largest and most profitable company in the chauffeur driven mobility provider segment in India. The company is also expanding its presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities in India and increasing its penetration in cities with existing operations. The company is also focusing on the integration of technology in its services and have created a custom online booking tool to ensure operational excellence. The company also intends to expand its geographical footprint globally to capitalise on all the growth opportunities available. Investors looking to invest can invest in the IPO for medium to long term, it added. Another brokerage firm Swastika also granted a subscribe recommendation, while cautioning investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach for the long term. In its IPO note, Swastika stated that while topline (revenue) growth is evident, profitability has declined. The IPO is a complete offer for sale, meaning the company will not receive any additional funds for growth. The IPOs P/E valuation is on the higher side. Given the mixed financial performance and high valuation, investors should adopt a wait-and-see approach for the long term. However, the strong market demand for this IPO could lead to a positive listing, the brokerage firm said. Ecos Mobility IPO: More Details The Initial Public Offer (IPO) is entirely an Offer For Sale (OFS) of up to 1,80,00,000 equity shares. The IPO has a price range of Rs 318-334 a share. Ecos (India) Mobility & Hospitality Ltd on Tuesday said it has raised Rs 180.36 crore from anchor investors. Since the public issue is entirely an OFS, the Delhi-based firm will not receive any proceeds from the IPO and the money will go to promoters selling shares. The company has been providing chauffeured car rentals (CCR) and employee transportation services (ETS) to corporate customers for more than 25 years. It operates a fleet of more than 9,000 vehicles from economy to luxury cars. It also provides speciality vehicles like luggage vans, limousines, vintage cars and vehicles for accessible transportation for people with disabilities. Equirus Capital and IIFL Securities are the book-running lead managers to the offer. The companys shares will be listed on BSE and NSE. Stocks To Watch On August 30: Equity indices Sensex and Nifty hit their all-time high levels on Thursday, driven by a fag-end rally in index majors. In todays trade, shares of SpiceJet, CDSL, RIL, LIC, Shipping Corp, NTPC among others will be in focus due to various news developments. NTPC: The companys step-down subsidiary NTPC REL has started commercial operations from the first part of the 320 MW Bhainsara solar PV project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, with a capacity of 160 MW. The total installed capacity of the NTPC group has now reached 76,294 MW after this development. InterGlobe Aviation: Promoter entity The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (whose trustees are Shobha Gangwal and JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware) sold a 5.24 per cent stake in IndiGo, for a total amount of Rs 9,549 crore. Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte bought a 0.74 per cent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 4,714.9 per share, for a total of Rs 1,345.6 crore. Shipping Corporation of India: The company has received a tax demand order of Rs 160.37 crore from the Department of Goods and Services Tax, Maharashtra, for FY20. The company said it is in the process of filing an appeal before the Joint Commissioner of State Tax. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited: The company has signed a memorandm of understanding with Patel Engineering for hydro and other infrastructure projects in India and overseas. 3M India: The National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) Bengaluru bench has approved the Scheme of Amalgamation of 3M Electro and Communication India with 3M India. Sugar stocks: The government has removed the cap on sugar diversion for ethanol production for ESY (Ethanol Supply Year December to November) 2024-25. According to the governments notification, sugar mills and distilleries can produce ethanol from sugarcane juice/sugar syrup, B-Heavy molasses, as well as C-Heavy molasses, during ESY2024-25 as per their agreements with oil marketing companies. RIL: Shares of RIL will be in focus today after the annual general meeting on Thursday, where Mukesh Ambani said the conglomerate will soon become one of the worlds 30 most valuable companies. SpiceJet: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed the budget carrier under enhanced surveillance with immediate effect. This entails an increase in the number of spot checks and night surveillance to ensure the safety of operations. DGCA conducted a special audit of SpiceJets engineering facilities in August. ITI: The telecom equipment manufacturing company has secured an order to supply 500 sets of electronic voting machines (EVM) from the State Election Commission of West Bengal. This is the first order for EVMs for the company. Life Insurance Corporation of India: The company has received a tax demand order of Rs 605.6 crore, which includes the GST, interest and penalty, from Maharashtra for FY20. CDSL: Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved CDSLs proposal to appoint Nehal Vora as the managing director and chief executive officer of the company. Tata Steel: The Tata group company has acquired 13,000 equity shares, equivalent to a 26 per cent equity stake, in TP Parivart, which is a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy, for Rs 1.3 lakh. Rallis India: The company announced that Bhaskar Bhat, serving as the Director and Chairman of the company, has vacated his position effective from August 30. Jai Corp: The companys board of directors has approved the buyback of up to 29.44 lakh shares, equivalent to 1.65 per cent of the total equity of the company, for up to Rs 177.8 crore, at a price of Rs 400 per share. The record date for the buyback has been set as September 10. PB Fintech: Tencent Cloud Europe BV sold a 2.12 per cent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 1,719.75 per share, while Europacific Growth Fund bought 0.54 per cent shares at the same price. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The Gujarat NEET UG round 1 counselling seat allotment result 2024 was officially released by the Admission Committee for Professional Under Graduate Medical Courses (ACPUGMEC) on their official website on August 23, 2024. Students can check the Gujarat NEET UG seat allotment list at medadmgujarat.org. As per the official notification released on the website, candidates must pay the tuition fee either online or at designated HDFC bank branches from August 30, 10 AM, to September 4, 3 PM. After the fee payment, candidates must report to their designated help centres and submit their original documents between August 30 and September 5, by 4 PM. Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Counselling Round 1: Steps to Download Seat Allotment Result Step 1: Visit the official website of Gujarat NEET counselling: medadmgujarat.org. Step 2: Login in by clicking on the candidate login link. Step 3: Enter the user Id, password and 14-digit pin. Step 4: Download the individual allotment letter for admissions. Step 5: Take a printout or screenshot of the result for future reference. Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Counselling: Documents Required These are the documents which the students require in the first round of counselling: Gujarat NEET UG 2024 seat allotment letter The payment receipt of tuition fee at the bank NEET 2024 scorecard Class 10 marksheet Class 12 marksheet Date of birth certificate Proof of place and Indian citizenship Domicile certificate Caste certificate EWS certificate Valid ID proof (Aadhar card/ pan card) Passport-size Photographs Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Counselling: Eligibility Criteria Candidates should have passed their class 12 examination or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English as core subjects from a recognised board in Gujarat. Candidates must be at least 17 years old, as of December 31 of the year of admission. There is no upper age limit for NEET UG, but the age limit for admission to certain institutions may vary. The schedule for Round 2 of the Gujarat NEET UG counselling 2024 will be announced shortly on the official website. Gujarat NEET UG 2024 Counselling: Registration fee For general categories/ OBC/ EWS candidates the registration fee is Rs 1,000. For SC/ST/PwD candidates it is Rs 500. The NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate) is a national level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical and dental courses across India. The counselling process in Gujarat helps allocate seats in medical and dental colleges based on NEET UG exam scores. A contract worker was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually harassing a student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Trichy. The incident, which occurred on Thursday in a womens hostel room, sparked a spontaneous overnight protest by students, who criticized the administration for its insensitive response to the survivor, as reported by PTI. In response to the incident, the NIT Trichy administration released a statement addressing the issue of sexual misconduct at the Opal womens hostel. The statement assured the implementation of more stringent safety protocols to protect all students, particularly female students. The administration of NITT has gone into the details of the unfortunate incident and have drawn out more stringent measures to ensure the safety of all students on campus, particularly, the safety of girl students. The Security Officer has been instructed to be more vigilant so as to prevent such eventualities, the administration stated, emphasizing that further measures would be adopted to avoid any recurrence. The accused was assigned to fix Wi-Fi connections at the institute. According to the complaint filed by the female student, Kathiresan entered her room on the pretext of repairing the Wi-Fi and then indecently exposed himself. Following the complaint, he was arrested by police shortly after. Tiruchirappalli Superintendent of Police Varun Kumar told PTI, It has to be ascertained how a male worker was allowed inside the womens hostel where one of the cameras was not working. The investigation is ongoing to determine lapses in security protocols that allowed the incident to occur. During the protest, students demanded immediate action against the accused and condemned the administrations handling of the incident, including what they described as victim shaming, PTI reported. The student body voiced concerns over the lack of safety measures in place for female students on campus. The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board in Jaipur has published the notification for the Common Eligibility Test (CET) 2024 for Senior Secondary Level positions. Applicants interested in being considered for employment with the Rajasthan Subordinate and Ministerial Services Selection Board (RSMSSB) can apply online from September 2, 2024, until October 1, 2024, at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in. In multiple departments, including the Rajasthan Forest Subordinate Service, Rajasthan Minority Affairs Subordinate Service, and Rajasthan Secretariat Ministerial Service, among others, the CET is being held for a number of positions, including Forester, Hostel Superintendent, Clerk Grade-II, Junior Assistant, Jamadar Grade-II, Constable, and other roles. Rajasthan CET 2024: Important Dates Notification Release Date September 2, 2024 Online Application Start Date September 2, 2024 Online Application End Date October 1, 2024 (11:59 PM) Last Date for Fee Submission October 1, 2024 (11:59 PM) CET Examination Dates October 23 to 26, 2024 Admit Card Release Date To be announced Rajasthan CET 2024: How To Apply Step 1: Visit the official Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) website, rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in. Step 2: Select the News Notification tab. Step 3: Select the Rajasthan CET application link. Step 4: Enter your information. Step 5: Upload any relevant documents, such as a photograph, an educational qualification certificate, a signature, etc. Step 6: Submit the application fee online. Step 7: Download a printout of the Rajasthan CET 2024 application form. The Rajasthan CET will be administered from October 23 to October 26, 2024, at various locations. Admit cards will be made accessible solely online, with alerts delivered via email, WhatsApp and the boards website. To complete the application process, candidates must submit a one-time registration fee by October 1. Payments can be made through e-Mitra Kiosks, Public Suvidha Centers, or online via net banking and debit/credit cards. It is advisable to apply early to avoid any last-minute issues, as the application link will close at 11:59 PM on October 1. Rajasthan CET 2024: Examination Pattern The examination will feature 150 multiple-choice questions, spanning topics such as Rajasthans history, culture, geography, and current affairs. The test will be scored out of 300 marks, with no penalties for incorrect answers. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will be conducting the Civil Services Mains from September 20 to 29, 2024. The exam recruitment body will soon release the admit card for the UPSC CSE Mains. Candidates who applied can download the admit card by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The candidates who have passed the UPSC Prelims 2024 exam will appear for the Mains 2024 exam. For all the latest updates related to the UPSC Mains 2024 exam, candidates can check the official website. It is considered one of the toughest exams not only in the country but also in the world. To become an IAS, IPS, IRS, or IFS officer, it is necessary to pass all three stages of the UPSC exam. Entry will not be given inside the UPSC Mains exam centre without an admit card. Therefore, keep checking the latest updates related to the UPSC Mains Admit Card on the official website. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for the UPSC Prelims exam. Out of them, a few thousand are selected at the final stage. This year, a total of 14,627 candidates passed the UPSC Prelims exam. The UPSC Mains exam will be conducted next month, i.e., on September 20, 21, 22, 28, and 29. The examination will be held in two sessions daily. The first shift exam will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the second shift exam will take place from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. A total of 1056 vacancies will be filled through the UPSC recruitment exam. Reportedly, the UPSC Mains Admit Card is expected to be released by September 15, 2024. How to Download As soon as the UPSC Mains Admit Card is released, it can be downloaded through the steps given below: Step 1: Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission at upsc.gov.in. Step 2: On the homepage, click on the UPSC Mains Admit Card 2024 link. Step 3: Enter all the required credentials, then click on the submit button. Step 4: UPSC Mains Admit Card will appear on a new window. Step 5: Check all the details mentioned in the admit card carefully. Step 6: Download it and take a printout of it for future reference. The Bharatiya Janata Party is prepared to make a comeback in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister, said at a recent News18 India conclave in Mumbai. Acknowledging the shifting political landscape since the Lok Sabha elections, he said, Weve already initiated seat-sharing negotiations with our allies, and we expect to finalise them soon. Reflecting on the Lok Sabha results, Fadnavis admitted that the party and its workers didnt operate at their full capacity, a setback he attributed to a sense of overconfidence. However, he stressed that this issue has since been rectified, especially regarding the BJPs alliance with the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. Fadnavis was quick to remind everyone that since 2014, the BJP has consistently been the leading party in Maharashtra. However, he acknowledged that the states political climate favours alliances. He assured that no alliance partner would abandon the coalition post elections and that crucial decisions, such as on the Chief Ministers post, would be made collectively by all alliance leaders. He also confirmed that the BJP would contest the election under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. One of the key highlights of Fadnaviss speech was the CM Ladki Bahin scheme, which he believes will be a game-changer in Maharashtra. Targeting over 2 crore women, the initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis broader development agenda, aiming to bring women at the forefront of the states economy. Fadnavis dismissed the oppositions claims that the scheme is merely a poll gimmick, pointing out that it, along with the waiver of higher education fees for girls, is designed to genuinely empower women. He criticised opposition leaders for failing to grasp the importance of such initiatives, noting that many women now feel a sense of pride in contributing financially to their households. Addressing past challenges, Fadnavis acknowledged the negative impact of the onion export ban during the Lok Sabha elections. However, he reassured that the central government has since lifted the ban, allowing onion farmers to secure better prices both in the state and internationally. In a bold move, Fadnavis challenged the opposition, particularly the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), to clarify their stance on the demand for Maratha reservation under the OBC category. He said the Maratha community would stand by the BJP in the upcoming elections. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will contest the Haryana Assembly elections from Ladwa in Kurukshetra district, the BJPs state unit president Mohan Lal Badoli said on Friday. The ruling BJP is expected to release its first list of candidates for the October 1 polls by Sunday. Badoli when asked from where the chief minister would contest the elections said, CM sahab Ladwa se chunav ladenge (The CM will contest from Ladwa). Saini, who represents the Karnal seat in the Haryana Assembly, was the MP from Kurukshetra between 2019 and 2024. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Badoli did not divulge if Saini would also contest from Karnal. The Ladwa assembly seat is currently held by the Congress Mewa Singh. The BJPs Central Election Committee (CEC) met in the national capital on Thursday to finalise the partys candidates for the polls in Haryana, where the saffron party is eyeing a third consecutive term. Badoli, the MLA from Rai in Sonipat, also said that he would not contest the elections. After another round of meetings, the first list of candidates is expected to be out soon, he said. He also said there had been no discussions regarding an alliance and asserted that the BJP would form the government with a clear majority. During the CEC meeting, discussions were held on the names of candidates for all seats, Badoli who took over as BJP chief in Haryana in July said and added another meeting would take place after two days. Some candidates will be declared in the first list, he said. In March, the BJP replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Haryana chief minister with Saini, an OBC leader. Khattar, who won the parliamentary elections from Karnal, is now a Union minister. At the time he replaced Khattar, Saini was the BJPs Haryana chief and the partys Kurukshetra MP. He won the bypoll from the Karnal assembly seat vacated by Khattar. Saini had won the assembly polls from the Naraingarh seat in Ambala district when BJP stormed to power in 2014. Elections to the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be held in a single phase on October 1 and the results declared on October 4. The influence of separatist leaders and former members of the banned outfit Jamaat-i-Islami can be seen on Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024, directly and indirectly, but as part of the electoral process and not as an attempt to hinder it. The influence of Pakistan or calls for boycotting elections have not been seen this election. According to top Intelligence sources, most of the senior separatist leader are presently lodged in different jails within and outside Jammu and Kashmir and have no role in the upcoming Assembly elections. In Assembly elections prior to the abrogation of Article 370, separatists used to run election boycott campaigns and give shutdown calls on election days. However, that is not the case now. In fact, in this election, several former leaders of banned Jamaat have filed nominations for various seats and are becoming part of the electoral process. Several organisations and individuals who pursued the separatist ideology have shown their faith in the ballot and have filed their candidature. Unlike in past elections, there have been no election boycott calls or incidents so far that are detrimental to the polls. Separatist Leaders File Nominations Two former Jamaat-e-Islami members have filed their nomination papers from south Kashmir for the first phase of elections. Talat Majeed, a former Jamaat leader, filed his nomination papers from the Pulwama constituency for the first phase. Sayar Ahmad Reshi, another former Jamaat leader, filed his nomination papers from Kulgam assembly constituency in south Kashmir. Former member of Jamaat, Nazir Ahmad, will contest elections as an Independent candidate from Devsar constituency. Jailed separatist leader Sarjan Barkati had filed his nomination papers through his daughter from Zainpora assembly constituency in Shopian. However, Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected Barkatis nomination saying he has failed to produce an oath certificate. Former jailed legislator Engineer Rasheed, who has been charged with pursing separatist ideology and is facing terrorist funding charges, has also fielded candidates for the Assembly elections. It was Rashids Lok Sabha polls win that has given a morale boost to other separatist leaders to fight polls. Rashids Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has released its first list of nine candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. AIPs Mohammad Arif Dar will contest from DH Pora, Kulgam, Dr Suhail Bhat is the candidate for Devsar, Kulgam, Hilal Ahmad Malik will contest from Dooru, Anantnag, Aqib Mushtaq is set to contest from Anantnag West and Tauseef Nissar will compete in Anantnag. Engineer Rasheed had failed to get the registration of his political party AIP from Election Commission of India. Barkatis nomination papers were filed overnight, even though they were rejected by the ECI later. Sources have indicated that the same process will now be followed for Afzal Gurus elder brother and niece, and also Adil Nazir Khan, Zahoor Bhat and many more. It is being said that separatist leader Adil Nazir Khan and his associates were successful in creating an emotional appeal in Shopian by bringing in Barkatis 15-year-old daughter to ask the people to vote for them. The videos of such events are said to attract attention on social media from masses and create the environment that led to Engineer Rasheeds victory in Parliament Elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform Bhoomi Pujan of the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhavan port touted to be Indias largest container port once ready in Palghar district of Maharashtra today. Local villagers and fishermen under the Vadhavan Bandar Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti (VBVSS), however, have been protesting the opening of the port as they believe that it will cause harm to the environment and disrupt livelihoods. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at CIDCO Ground in Palghar. Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian will attend the ceremony. For How Long Has the Project Been In Works? The Maharashtra government first proposed the Vadhavan Port in 1997, but the plan got shelved in 1997-98 after local villagers protested. It was brought back to the table in 2015 under the Narendra Modi-led governments Sagarmala Programme, which aims to push a port-led economy approach, making major ports significant contributors to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The project became a political flashpoint when Uddhav Thackarey vowed to scrap it if elected to power. He claimed during a rally ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections for cancelling the project in 1997 when undivided Shiv Sena and the BJP was in power. However, Thackeray lost the Palghar Lok Sabha seat this year to the BJP. What Do We Know About the Project? The port, located around 130 km north of Mumbai near Dahanu on Maharashtras west coast, is an all-weather Greenfield deep-draft major port off the Arabian Sea. It was approved by the union cabinet in June and is set to be the biggest in the country. It will be the 13th port in India with a capacity of around 298 million tonnes. The port is a collaboration between Vadhavan Port Project Ltd (VPPL) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively, according to a report by ETV Bharat. Vadavan Port will be the third major port in Maharashtra along with the Mumbai Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port. It will be close to Gujarat, Rajasthan and central India, and also to most of Indias cargo destination locations. What is the Significance of the Port? The Vadhavan Port will likely act as a gateway for the future International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) and India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). According to a press release issued after the Union Cabinet Meeting in June, The world-class maritime terminal facilities will promote PPP and leverage efficiencies and modern technologies to create state-of-the-art terminals capable of handling mainline mega vessels plying on international shipping lines between the Far East, Europe, the West Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Vadhavan Port, on completion, will be one of the top 10 ports in the world. The Vadhavan Port, which is expected to relieve some pressure of the Jawaharlal Nehru port, will have four multi-purpose berths including four liquid bulk berths, one RO-RO berth, a Small Craft, a Coast Guard berth and a Railway terminal. The project involves the reclamation of 1,448 hectares of area in the sea and the construction of 10.14 km of offshore breakwater and container/cargo storage areas. The Vadhavan Port has a deep draft (vertical distance between waterline and bottom of the ship or vessel) of 20 metres, while the Nehru Port has a draft of 15.5 metres. The Vadhavan Port is expected to handle 23.2 million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) a year. A TEUa standard unit of measurement to determine container capacityrefers to a shipping container that is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall. The project, part of PM Gati Shakti programme, will boost economic activity and also create employment opportunities for 12 lakh individuals. The first phase will be ready by 2029, while the second and final phase is expected to be completed by 2039, according to a report by ETV Bharat. What are the Criticisms Against the Port? The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had in 1991 declared the Dahanu Taluka an ecologically sensitive area and imposed restrictions on setting up industries that can have adverse effects on the region. In 1997, the environment ministry forwarded the Maharashtra governments proposal for the Vadhavan Port for consideration to the Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority (DTEPA). The DTEPA in the 1998 September meeting termed the project impermissible, stressing that Dahanu was the one of the last surviving green zones in ecologically sensitive area, as per a report by The Print. Protesters, including villagers, fishermen, blocked highways and sat on hunger strikes to convey their opposition to the project on several occasions in the last nine years. They fear that the project will hamper the coastal tourism industry in villages such as Vadhavan, Parnaka, Narpad, Bordi, Chikhale, Shirgaon and Saatpati. They fear that the project will involve hill-cutting around their villages. Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has triggered yet another controversy with her upcoming film Emergency, which has caused furore in Punjab and among Sikhs, who have objected to the portrayal of the community in the film. The film trailer was launched on August 14, and its release in theatres is expected on September 6. The film is based on former prime minister Indira Gandhis declaration of a state of Emergency in India in 1975. The BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, Ranaut, is playing the character of Indira Gandhi. Her company Manikarnika Films is one of the producers. Ranaut herself has directed the film. In the trailer, slain Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale has been shown to be in cohorts with Indira Gandhi, promising to bring in votes for her Congress party in lieu of a separate Sikh state. What are the Concerns of the Sikh Community About the Film? The Delhi unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has sent a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking to stop the release of the film next week, citing its concerns over the portrayal of historical figures. In its notice, signed by the Delhi unit chief Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD alleged the depictions in the Emergency movie misrepresent the Sikh community and promote hatred and discord. Sarna also said the film has been used to target the Sikh community and not to make a genuine political or historical argument against the Congress, as per a report by news agency ANI. Sikh hardliner Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, who was elected as an independent MP from Faridkot this year, in his Facebook post said the film seemed to be portraying Sikhs in a wrong light, and this could create tension among communities in Punjab. Khalsa has asked the Punjab government to ban the film in the state so that it does not lead to law and order situation. Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) spokesperson Gurcharan Singh Grewal said, as quoted by ANI, Kangana Ranaut is known for creating controversies a notice has been sent to Kangana Ranaut and the people who released the film. The trailer that came, which was seen by the people, should be removed from all platforms and an apology should be sought for this. In a video message on Facebook on Tuesday, Grewal said, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale holds an exalted position in Sikhism and is considered to be a spiritually advanced human being. Meanwhile, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said although she had not seen the films trailer, she had got to know that it was demeaning the Sikh community. Kangana Ranaut has been making controversial and uncharitable remarks about various happenings in Punjab. She spoke about the women protesting as part of the farmers agitation. Then, she allegedly misbehaved with a Sikh CISF staff member at the airport. And now I have been told that she has made this film that shows the Sikh community in the wrong light, she said as quoted by ThePrint. What Does Kangana Ranaut Have to Say? Ranaut told IANS, Hopefully. My film got cleared from the censor. And the day we were about to get the certificate, a lot of people did a lot of drama. There are a lot of issues with the censor as well. So, I hope it gets released. Because suddenly, as they say, the carpet is pulled from someones feet. I was very confident that I got the certification. But now they are not giving me my certificate, she added. We have to show the history. An almost 70-year-old woman was shot 30-35 times in her house Someone must have killed her. Now you want to show it Because apparently, you think you can hurt someone. But you have to show the history. So how did she die? Are States Planning to Ban the Film? Apart from Punjab, where Sikh leaders and activists have raised objections to the release of the movie, the Telangana government is mulling banning Emergency. The Telangana Sikh Society delegation headed by former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Tejdeep Kaur Menon submitted a report to Adviser to the Telangana Government (SC, ST, OBC & Minorities) Mohammed Ali Shabbir, who alleged that the film portrays Sikhs as anti-nationals and terrorists. They demanded a ban on the film. The pre-release trailers show the Sikh community in a disparaging manner, depicting them in a way that creates a negative narrative. This is highly objectionable, Menon said in the meeting. Shabbir has formally requested Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to consider banning the film in the state. He said the films content is offensive to the Sikh community and could potentially lead to unrest. He said Reddy assured that he would take a decision on the matter after taking legal advice. In an apparent reference to cross-border terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday gave out a strong message to Pakistan and said actions have consequences, and that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with the neighbouring country had ended. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, Jaishankar stressed that the relationship between India and Pakistan will be shaped by how events unfold. Article 370 is done The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over, Jaishankar said. He referenced the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying, So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. On whether India is content with continuing ties with Pakistan in their current state, he said, Maybe yes or maybe no. What I do want to say is that we are not passive. Whether events take a positive or a negative turn, either way, we will react. #WATCH | Speaking on Pakistan at a book launch event in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar says, The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of pic.twitter.com/41ZSq9VQHs ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 Indias Neighbourhood During the event, Jaishankar also responded to criticisms of the countrys regional influence, noting that neighbouring countries often seek Indias involvement only when it suits their political needs. Attending a separate event, another NDA minister from the Narendra Modi cabinet slammed Pakistan and questioned the feasibility of engaging in dialogue. Speaking to reporters, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy responded to calls from the National Conference (NC) and Congress for talks with Pakistan, stating that India had previously attempted dialogue under leaders such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current PM Modi. Reddy argued that despite these efforts, Pakistan has shown no genuine interest in fostering friendship with India. He accused Pakistan of perpetuating terrorism and targeting Indian soldiers, saying, How can we speak to them when they are intent on increasing terrorism and destroying India? 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 ties 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. Massive protests erupted at the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradeshs Krishna district on Thursday after students alleged a hidden camera was placed inside one of the washrooms at the girls hostel. Scores of female students at the hostel were seen chanting we want justice slogans, demanding the authorities to take action against the accused, and assuring their safety on campus. Subsequently, the police were called in. However, after a detailed check, the police said they did not find a camera in any of the washrooms at the hostel. As the investigations began, the police identified and detained one Vijay a student from the same college- based on suspicion, after the female students alleged his involvement. However, nothing suspicious was found in his phone or laptop, the police confirmed, after reports suggested some videos were found. The incident comes as the country is witnessing massive protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on August 9. POLITICAL LEADERS REACT As the incident triggered protests, the Telugu Desam Party said Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had ordered an inquiry into the case. The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the concern of the students about the presence of hidden cameras in the hostel. He has ordered the District Collector and SP to go to the spot immediately along with District Minister, Kollu Ravindra, a rough translation of the partys post in regional language suggested. The partys General Secretary and the Chief Ministers son, Nara Lokesh, in an X post said, I asked the authorities for details about the protest of female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College of Krishna District. I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras. Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible if it is found that they have committed a mistake in the investigation. Managers should take early steps without ragging and harassment in colleges, he added. Reacting to the incident, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief, YS Sharmila, urged for immediate action and said a high-level committee should be formed. In an X post, she said, As a mother of a girl child, this incident made me very nervous. The educational institutions that are supposed to teach reading and culture.. made me wonder what they are teaching the children. A high-level committee should be formed immediately. An inquiry should be held with senior IPS officers. If no action is taken by next week I will visit the college, she added. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday wrote to Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), to convene an urgent meeting with stakeholders to evaluate cloud seeding to combat Delhis winter air pollution and secure necessary permissions. In the letter, Rai told Yadav that he believes it is imperative to assess the feasibility of artificial rain keeping in mind the citys air quality in winter, particularly around Diwali. Prior clearances from various agencies of the Union government are required to implement cloud seeding at any particular spot. Rai seeks an urgent meeting with all stakeholders, including representatives from MoEFCC, Delhi government, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) among others to evaluate cloud seeding as an emergency measure and secure necessary permissions. On Wednesday, News18 had reported that the Delhi government has started work on the Winter Action Plan for the national capital to fight recurring air pollution with likely focus on artificial rain during the winter months to fight air pollution. ALSO READ | Artificial Rain, Work from Home, No Odd-Even: How Delhi Plans to Fight Air Pollution With Focus on Behaviour Change Rai also said on Wednesday that due to joint efforts, while the number of good, satisfactory and moderate days were 110 in 2016, they increased to 206 in 2023. This time, the city government is exploring alternate solutions for immediate relief if air quality becomes alarming. Last year, the Delhi government considered cloud seeding as an emergency measure during hazardous air quality days, and asked IIT Kanpur to come up with a comprehensive presentation. THE LETTER Rai reminded Yadav about how during every winter, the air quality in Delhi reaches hazardous levels due to smog concentration and low wind speed, posing severe health risks to the population and environmental degradation. This year, Deepawali is going to coincide with parali burning which is likely to turn the air quality hazardous. The Government of Delhi has already implemented various measures to combat air pollution under Winter Action Plan and is making continuous efforts to explore alternate solutions for immediate relief, in case of air quality becoming alarming, he said. Cloud seeding, Rao added, is a process that involves the artificial induction of rain, to reduce air pollution by washing out pollutants from the atmosphere. Given the critical situation in Delhi during the month of November every year, I believe it is imperative to consider the feasibility of this method in our context, he said. THE ACTION PLAN On September 5, Rai will also hold a meeting with all departments concerned 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 levels, forcing the government to shut schools and construction work. The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested two boys in connection to the case of double suicide in Uttar Pradeshs Farrukhabad. The bodies of two girls were found hanging from a tree outside a village in Farrukhabad on Tuesday. The two boys who have been arrested are Deepak and Pawan, who are believed to have been in a romantic relationship with the deceased girls. Police said that the girls found out that both the boys were cheating on them with other girls and hence they killed themselves. The arrested duo will be taken to the court on Saturday. According to the family members, the two girls aged 15 and 18, went to attend a Janmashtami programme on Monday evening, but did not return. Later, on Tuesday morning, their bodies were found hanging in a mango orchard. The necks of the two girls were tied at each end of the dupatta which went across the tree. While police, on the basis of findings and post-mortem report, said the deaths were a case of double suicide, the family members allege that the minors were murdered. Following the incident, Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded a swift investigation into the case by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government and said such incidents create a horrific atmosphere in the society. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said security is the right of every daughter of India and justice is the right of every suffering family. The Congress MP shared a video of the father of the victim where he said the entire investigation so far is fake. As Chennai gears up to host Indias first night street Formula 4 race, the traffic police have issued a slew of advisories on road closures and diversions that will come into effect from August 30 till September 1. The Formula 4 race is scheduled to be held on August 31 and September 1 on a 3.5-km circuit around Chennais Island Stadium. Traffic will be affected at key locations in Chennai, including like Walaja Road, Annasalai, Kamarajar Road and EVR Road. The Chennai Metropolitan Traffic Police have announced that heavy and light commercial vehicles will be prohibited from noon to 10 pm at Munram, Muthuswamy Point, and Paris Corner. The Traffic Police have also stated that Sivananda Salai and Kodimaram Road will be completely closed, with no traffic diversion available for vehicles traveling from Kamaraj Road towards Santhome. Vehicles traveling from Central Light towards Anna Salai can proceed as usual up to Pallavan Road Junction, where one lane from Pallavan Road Junction to Periyar Salai has been converted into a temporary two-way. Vehicles heading towards the War Memorial on Kamaraj Road may be diverted near Labourers Statue and proceed via Walaja Road, Annasalai, Periyar Statue, and EVR Road. Vehicles heading towards Walaja Point on Anna Road will be redirected to Central Light Point on Pallavan Road. The traffic police have also strictly stated that vehicles are not allowed to travel from Muthuswamy Junction to Annasalai and Kodi Maarachala. Instead, they should take Pallavan Road, EVR Road, Central Railway Station, and Periyamedu Gandhi Irwin to reach their destination. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and reiterated her earlier demand for a strict punishment for the culprit. Sharing the letter on her X handle, the Chief Minister wrote, No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, which barely attends the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I have written this letter to the Honble Prime Minister of India in connection with an earlier letter of mine to him. This is a second letter in that reference. pic.twitter.com/5GXKaX6EOZ Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 30, 2024 In the letter, she also mentioned the steps and initiatives taken by the state government to address the cases of heinous crimes or rapes. Mamata stated that 10 exclusive POCSO courts have been approved by the state government in addition to the existing 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated courts, functioning across West Bengal. Regarding Fast Track Special Courts (FJSCs), 10 exclusive POCSO Courts have been approved by the State Government, In addition to this, 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO designated Courts are functioning throughout the State on complete State funding. Monitoring and disposal of cases is completely in the hands of the Courts, (sic), her letter read. As per Central Government guidelines, only retired Judicial Officers can be posted as Presiding Officers in FTSCs but Honble High Court has observed that in view of the severity of the cases, permanent Judicial Officers need to be posted. This requires examination at the level of Government of India and suitable action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary, the letter stated. Banerjee further urged to consider stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder. I would reiterate and earnestly request to kindly consider a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder with mandatory provision for disposal of cases in a specific time-frame by the trial authorities. I hope this matter would receive a very considered attention at your kind end in the interest of our society at large, the Chief Minister wrote. BJP HITS OUT Reacting to Banerjees letter to the Prime Minister, BJPs IT Cell chief, Amit Malviya, said that the Bengal Chief Minister is a liar, as Union Minister of Women and Child Development, in her response to Banerjees earlier letter, mentioned that the state government has not set up even a single fast track court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases. In a post on X, Malviya wrote, Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR. Smt Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on 25th Aug 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases. Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR.Smt Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on 25th Aug 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for https://t.co/mtNgQNLlnx pic.twitter.com/bu2Tf9Ptm2 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 30, 2024 It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why West Bengal Govt hasnt done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girl, he added. Stop writing letters. ANSWER the questions. You are ACCOUNTABLE, Malviya wrote. BANERJEEs EARLIER LETTER TO PM MODI In her earlier letter to the Prime Minister, Mamata Banerjee had sought strict punishment for the Kolkata rape and murder accused within 15 days. Respected Prime Minister, I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed. Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days, her letter stated. UNION MINISTERs RESPONSE In response, Annapurna Devi said the situation of women in West Bengal has been deteriorating and slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government for failing to implement central schemes such as fast-track courts and emergency helplines to deal with crimes against women. Devi claimed most of the fast-track special courts (FTSCs), allocated to West Bengal, are yet to become operational. The WCD Minister also said that the state failed to implement key emergency helplines the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Child Helpline. WHATS THE CASE? The case pertains to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 while she was resting at a seminar hall after completing her duties. The prime accused, Sanjay Roy, was arrested a day later. Amid the ongoing protests, some miscreants entered the premises of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14 and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of the victim was found. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case brought the functioning of RG Kar Hospital under scrutiny, leading to the ouster of its principal, and triggered massive protests by the medical fraternitys students and the civil society. India absolutely had the obligation to show that if a friend is in need, it will help, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Friday, referring to Bangladeshs ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The Awami League leader resigned and fled to India on August 5 after unprecedented student-led protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs. Speaking about the current situation in the neighbouring country and that of the Hindus there in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Tharoor said, We had information about temple attacks, attacks on Hindus, and several others. There has been a strongly anti-Hindu undercurrent in some of the early days of the anarchy that accompanied the departure of Sheikh Hasina. But there are also some stories of Bangladeshi people supporting and helping Hindu families. Stories of reassurance. Muhammad Yunus has twice met Hindu minority leaders and that is a way to show that you belong here. The situation has improved now and it was also not that bad even earlier. Around 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government, taking the death count to more than 600 since the massive protest by students first started in mid-July. An interim government is at the helm right now with 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus its chief adviser. Sheikh Hasina cracked down on militants, ISI running rampant, and against all that posed a lot of risk for India. She even handed over some militants to India. If you dont show gratitude for that kind of support, then why will anyone help you in the future? Tharoor told News18. So India had absolutely the obligation to show that if a friend is in need, India will help. Yes, it will complicate matters if she stays here indefinitely as Bangladesh will see us harbouring somebody who is hostile to them, but it all depends on how Hasina will conduct herself. 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. The proposal to develop suburbs on the outskirts of Bengaluru has come to the fore again. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) is planning to develop self-sufficient towns in IT City suburbs Bidadi, Solur near Magadi and Nandagudi in Hosakote. This decades-old proposal has now been revived. As per officials among the three towns, Bidadi will be taken up first in practice. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, is launching this project. As part of the preparatory work, the Bangalore Metropolitan Area Development Authority has written to Namma Metro to study the possibility of connecting these three areas with the Metro. A letter has been written to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to create infrastructure to supply potable water separately to these suburbs. Bidadi is covered by four highways. Thus, a plan has been drawn up for the construction of a comprehensive township in Bidadi. The township will have commercial buildings like logistics parks, data centres and residential units, BMRDAs Metropolitan Commissioner Rajendra P Cholan was quoted as saying in the report. Nandagudi has been selected for the Bangalore-Chennai Expressway. Besides, Nelamangala and Solur, which are close to Bangalore, have also been selected. However, earlier Bengalurus Namma Metro was in the headlines for a major expansion with a proposed 129 km addition to its network in what could be termed as Phase 4. According to the Deccan Herald, the effort intends to bridge the connection gap in remote and suburban locations, addressing the citys core regions lack of metro linkages. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has proposed a new line as well as expansions to the current Purple and Green lines in four directions: Bidadi (Mysuru Road), Harohalli (Kanakapura Road), Attibele (Hosur Road), and Kunigal Cross (Tumakuru Road, near Nelamangala). Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Friday called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed the ongoing bilateral economic collaboration. Doval arrived here on Thursday to attend the Colombo Security Conclave to be held on Friday. Doval called on President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, the Presidents Media Division (PMD) said. Indias National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.They discussed on-going economic collaboration between Sri Lanka & India. National Security Advisor @SagalaRatnayaka also participated in the meeting.#PMD pic.twitter.com/xUd0XAxBpF Presidents Media Division of Sri Lanka PMD (@PMDNewsGov) August 30, 2024 They discussed the ongoing economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and India. Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, Sagala Ratnayake, also attended the meeting, the PMD said. The Colombo Security Conclave brings together National Security Advisors and Deputy NSAs from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius. Bangladesh and the Seychelles have observer status at the conclave. The conclave deals with maritime security counter-terrorism and cyber security with India bringing to the fore its own strategic concerns in the Indian Ocean. The plight of Hindus in Bangladesh is expected to be on the agenda of discussion at the upcoming Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) coordination meeting in Kerala on Friday, marking an unusual inclusion of a foreign issue in the organisations deliberations. This deviation from the norm underscores the significance of the issue, as the Sangh Parivars seniors grapple with concerns over the safety and rights of Hindus in the neighbouring country. The RSS, known for its focus on national issues primarily, seems to be making an exception this time, acknowledging the broader implications of cross-border religious persecution on the Hindu community. With around 50 key members of the Karyakarani Mandal (central committee) set to converge in Keralas Palakkad, the discussion and deliberations are likely to explore strategies for supporting Bangladeshi Hindus, said sources in the RSS ranks. Hindus Under Siege in Bangladesh A senior RSS functionary said that PM Modi has already spoken with the interim government and he is taking other necessary measures, but the world needs to see how Hindus are under siege in the neighbouring country. The meetings agenda highlights the growing urgency within the Sangh to address this matter, reflect that our commitment to safeguarding Hindu interests go beyond Indias borders. As the leadership prepares to deliberate, the inclusion of this issue could signal a new phase in the RSSs approach to foreign affairs, driven by its deep-rooted concern for Hindus worldwide, said a senior RSS functionary Hindus are being assaulted in Bangladesh day in, day out since Sheikh Hasinas government was ousted. Many of them tried to cross over, some waited near the border, but for international border rules they wont be allowed across the border. This is the situation. We have to deliberate on these critical issues as well. We have to mobilise global support in favour of Hindus in Bangladesh. This is a very sensitive issue for us, added the functionary. Sangh-affiliated organisations have come together to organise a tribute program for the Hindus who were brutally killed during the recent rioting in Bangladesh on Friday. This gathering aims to honour the victims and bring attention to the ongoing persecution of minorities in the neighbouring country. The programme has been organised to highlight the growing concern within these groups about the safety and dignity of Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly in the face of escalating communal violence. Earlier, the RSS inspired organisations led a Nari Shakti march to protest the alleged sexual assaults on women in Bangladesh, highlighting the organisations intensified focus on issues of gender-based violence in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Indias Fintech sector has played an important role in making financial services democratic and has made access to credit easy. While addressing the Global Fintech Fest 2024 at Mumbais Jio World Convention Centre, the Prime Minister said that the countrys Fintech revolution is improving financial inclusion, as well as driving innovation. Fintech has played a significant role in making financial services democratic. Products such as loans, credit cards, investments, and insurance are becoming easily accessible to everyone. Fintech has also made access to credit easier and more inclusive, he said. The Prime Minister added that even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the banking services in India remained unaffected. He further said that in the past 10 years, more than USD 31 billion have been invested in the Fintech space and that the Fintech startups have grown by 500 per cent. VIDEO | In the last 10 years, there has been an investment of more than 31 billion dollars. In the last 10 years, there has been an increase of 500 per cent in Fintech startups. Cheap mobiles, data and zero balance account under the (Pradhan Mantri) Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) have pic.twitter.com/OwQPYSs6XD Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024 Lauding the cultural diversity and Fintech diversity in India, the PM said, The innovation of our youth and the possibilities of the future. A whole new world can be seen there, let me change the word for your work. A whole new world can be seen there I would like to congratulate all the organisers of this festival, a large number of our guests have come from abroad. There was a time when people used to come to India. They used to be surprised to see our cultural diversity, Now people come to India and they are surprised to see our Fintech diversity, he added. Mumbai : PM Modi attends Global FinTech FestPM Narendra Modi says, The innovation of our youth and the possibilities of the future. A whole new world can be seen there; Let me change the word for your work. A whole new world can be seen there I would like to congratulate pic.twitter.com/R5IsWCg6re IANS (@ians_india) August 30, 2024 PM praises UPI: Speaking at the event, PM Modi said that UPI is a great example of Indias FinTech success. In the whole world, Indias UPI has become a great example of Fintech. Today, whether it is a village or a city, whether it is cold or hot, whether it is raining or snowing, In India, banking service continues for 24 hours, 7 days and 12 months, the Prime Minister said. He also mentioned that internet services are now available even in remote areas and that within a decade, broadband users have increased from 60 million to 940 million. People in Parliament used to ask that there are not enough branches in the country, banks are not available in the villages, internet services are not available How will there be a Fintech revolution? Within a decade, broadband users have increased from 60 million to 940 million, the PM said. #WATCH | Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, People in Parliament used to ask that there are not enough branches in the country, banks are not available in the villages, internet services are not availableHow will there be a Fintech revolution? Within a decade pic.twitter.com/EVhmQzuvXf ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 Later, he also called out to address cyber fraud and said that there is a need to take steps to curb cyber fraud and increase digital literacy. We need to take significant steps to prevent cyber fraud and enhance digital literacy. In the past, when there were rumours that a bank might fail, it would take five to seven days for the impact to spread. Today, if a cyber fraud is discovered within a system, within a minute the entire matter is exposed, which can ruin a company. For fintech, cyber solutions are essential, but the lifespan of a cyber solution is very short. Sustainable economic growth is the priority in India. We are building strong, transparent, and efficient systems, the Prime Minister said. Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai The GFF is being jointly organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. It will also showcase the latest innovations in the Fintech landscape. Over 20 thought leadership reports and white papers will be launched at GFF 2024, offering insights and in-depth industry information. A doctor in West Bengals Raiganj is demanding justice for the RG Kar MCH rape and murder victim using his prescription slips. Dr Debbrata Roys prescription slips have a red circular stamp that reads RG Kar: We want to destroy the crime cycle. In the middle of the stamp, it is written We Want Justice. A photo of a doctors prescription went viral on social media. Notably, Dr Roy is a former student of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Dr Roy called it his silent protest and claimed other doctors are also using similar stamps on their prescription slips to demand justice for the RG Kar victim. This is my silent protest, the doctor told Anandabazar Online. Over 20 days have passed (since the incident) and justice is yet to be served. Attacks on doctors have become common. All these things are affecting the health sector, therefore I am using this stamp in my prescriptions. My patients too are also encouraging this, Dr Roy told News18. He said he would keep using the stamp in his prescription slips until the Kolkata doctor gets justice. On Saturday, junior doctors of RG Kar will start telemedicine service, while a special Abhaya Clinic will begin on Sunday. They will also march to Lalbazar on September 2, demanding the commissioners resignation. Meanwhile, amid protests against the RG Kar incident in many parts of the country, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said she was dismayed and horrified to learn about the 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 the prowl elsewhere, President Murmu said. The society needs an honest and unbiased self-introspection, and ask itself some difficult questions. Very often a deplorable mindset sees the female as a lesser human being, less powerful, less capable, less intelligent. Those who share such views then go further and see the female as an object. We owe it to our daughters to remove the hurdles from their path of winning freedom from fear, she added. A federal agency awarded the University of Montanas Mansfield Center with a large grant to bolster the campus ties with Southeast Asia, university officials announced on Wednesday. The $10 million chunk of money will go toward the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program. It was awarded by the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a news release from UM stated. The centers executive director, Deena Mansour, touted UMs ability to procure grant awards like this one. We are honored to draw on our deep experience in Southeast Asia to support U.S. national security priorities and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mansour said in the news release. Our demonstrated capacity to administer this huge grant draws from the long Mansfield engagement in Southeast Asia, UM assets in administration and academic excellence, and a track record of successfully implementing State Department exchanges since 2010. A program like this enables UM to make more international relations and global connection efforts, Mansour said in a phone call with the Missoulian, and its White House initiative to develop ties with youth around Southeast Asia. It integrates these international fellows into our classrooms here, she said. The program will pull about 500 young leaders annually to the U.S. for five-week academic institutes at campuses around the U.S. Mansour explained those leaders include undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals just starting out. Selected participants will range between the ages of 18 and 24. Its pretty phenomenal, she said. Fifty of those people will come to Montana for environment-focused programming, but UM is responsible for the full curriculum at the 11 partner universities. Those include schools in Washington state, Oregon, California and New York, among others. The programs will be supervised by UM management. We set the framework for the program, Mansour said. Different universities will focus on varying themes. Those include: Civic engagement Sustainability and environment Innovation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment Society and governance UM will keep hosting a similar program that focuses chiefly on sustainability and environment. Those opportunities have shed light on critical environmental challenges in the Rocky Mountain West and Southeast Asian countries, the news release stated. Those program participants have met with Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Glacier National Park experts, along with staff at the UM Flathead Lake Biological Station. The Mansfield Center has the highest research expenditures of any unit at UM, the news release stated. This latest award is also the largest granted by the State Departments Office of Academic Exchanges to any university in the country. Earlier this year, the center got $5 million funded through the Japanese government to establish a new chair position in Japanese and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana. Contingent on money availability, the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs grant might get renewed for the Mansfield Center for two additional years, the news release said, meaning $30 million would be spread out over a three-year period. The power of having that $30 million investment in the University of Montana is pretty significant, Mansour said. Maharashtra Police arrested Chetan Patil, a structural consultant mentioned in the FIR regarding the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Fort Rajkot, in Kolhapur on Friday. The Kolhapur Police crime branch tracked him down and arrested him around 12:30 AM, after which he was handed over to Sindhudurg Police, according to a senior official. According to a PTI report, Paltil claimed that he was not the structural consultant for the project on Wednesday. Speaking to Marathi news channel ABP Majha, Chetan Patil, named in the FIR along with artist Jaydeep Apte, said he had submitted the design of the platform to the Indian Navy through the Public Works Department (PWD), but he had nothing to do with the statue itself. A Thane-based company did the statue-related work, he said. I was just asked to work on the platform on which the statue was being erected, Patil added. The 35-foot statue of the 17th century Maratha empire founder, installed at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg districts Malvan tehsil collapsed on August 26, nearly nine months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had said the statue was designed and constructed by the Indian Navy. Following the collapse of the statue, the Indian Navy ordered an investigation into the incident. The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) had flagged concerns over rust gathering on Shivaji Maharajs statue and suggested permanent measures in a letter sent to a Naval official just six days before the structure collapsed, reported PTI. In a tragic story that emerged from Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district, a 16-year-old boy was murdered in a case that remained unsolved for 17 months. The investigation faced numerous challenges and remained shrouded in mystery until recently. The victim had been reported missing by his father, Laxman Patel, on March 29, 2023. Initially, the case was treated as a kidnapping, but despite extensive efforts, the police found no leads until May 14, 2023. A breakthrough came when authorities discovered a skeleton buried in a field. A second FIR was filed, and a DNA test was conducted to determine the identity of the remains. However, the DNA results did not match those of Laxman Patel and his wife, Jashoda Patel, leading to further complications. As the investigation dragged on and the police found no further leads, Laxman Patel make a key revelation that his son was conceived through IVF. This information completely changed the course of the case. Police then attempted to trace the donor from a clinic in Indore, where the boy was conceived years ago, but found no substantial information. Undeterred, the police expanded their investigation by studying global cases related to IVF child identification. They then requested the victims personal belongings from the family, which included a hat, gloves, a whistle, and an ID card. Analysis of fibres from these items matched the DNA of the skeleton found earlier, marking a crucial turning point in the case. The investigation faced further delays due to legal issues surrounding the release of the boys remains. Laxman Patel sought the skeleton for the last rites, but the police initially refused due to legal complications. However, after Patel appealed to the High Court, the court ruled in his favour. The skeleton was handed over to him on May 12, 2024. The case saw renewed momentum after Laxman Patel and other relatives approached Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. With the chief ministers intervention, the investigation accelerated. Police subsequently detained the victims cousin, Manvendra, who confessed to the murder. Manvendra admitted that he killed the boy over a property dispute. He had lured the victim with a promise of motorcycle lessons, then strangled him and buried the body in a nearby field. Monsoon is the harbinger of seasonal flu, feeling under the weather, catching a cold, getting a sore throat and much more. During such conditions, it is advisable to consume foods and drinks that will help boost immunity and keep health issues at bay. While many drinks can help boost immunity, there is one particular concoction you must try that is perfect for the rainy weather. Be it kids or adults, everyone will love the sweet with a hint of spiciness and aromatic Dodapatre Kashaya. There are various types of drinks or remedies for different viral infections in Indian cuisine which requires many spices or a combination of dry and powdered spices. But one simple herbal drink Dodapatre Kashaya is quite popular in Karnataka. It is also known as Indian Borage, aka Mexican Mint or Carom (ajwain) Plants leaves. It is a fact that carom seeds are quite beneficial for health. Now imagine the effectiveness of its leaves. Ajwain leaves herbal tea can be a great replacement for milk-based tea or coffee plus it takes hardly a few minutes to make and can be consumed throughout the day by reheating it again and again. If you have a cold, Dodapatre Kashaya can be the best drink. So, here is a simple recipe to make this. Recipe- Add enough Ajwain leaves to boiling water. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder along with pieces of freshly cut ginger. To this add four basil (Tulsi) leaves. Let this boil for about five minutes. Then add a few drops of lemon, and a few drops of honey and your Dodapatre Kashaya is ready to be consumed. Ajwain leaves are excellent remedies for coughs, colds and congestion. What makes it awesome is that people across all age groups can savour it. Union Minister Giriraj Singh has expressed concerns over the recent incidents of train derailments and claimed some sleeper cells of Pakistan-based terrorists were carrying out the attacks. In an X post on Thursday, the BJP leader also claimed people of a particular community were carrying out all such attacks. Sleeper cells of terrorists sitting in Pakistan are carrying out these train attacks and these attacks are being carried out by people of a particular community, hence their political sleeper cells are also silent on this issue, a rough translation of the ministers tweet in Hindi suggested. , Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) August 29, 2024 In reference to the media reports and viral videos showing some people obstructing train movement by keeping different objects on the track, Singh said, A viral video showed children removing the joints of the railway track with hammers. People are giving directions from the sleepers above it. Talking to reporters, Singh said, The people of a particular community are involved in the train derailments we have recently witnessed. This is a sleeper cell of terrorists, and also a political sleeper cell. Why is (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi silent on all this? The Union Minister further claimed all such incidents were not co-incidences, but an experiment to create chaos within the Indian Railways and the country. Attacking the Opposition, Singh said, Neither Rahul Gandhi nor (former Railways Minister) Lalu Prasad Yadav, or (former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister) Tejashwi Yadav, or any Tukde-Tukde gang will open their mouths, they will do so only on political developments. The country will have to think why this community is carrying out such acts on a railway line which is spread over more than a lakh kilometres, also passing through areas where our Muslim population resides. They want to turn India into Bangladesh, Singh claimed. (Samajwadi Party chief) Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav are political sleeper cells, he added. , . - , , pic.twitter.com/bCnBstoWzn Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) August 29, 2024 Meanwhile, sources told CNN-News18 that many anti-social elements intended to cause train accidents. OBJECTS FOUND/PLACED ON RAILWAY TRACKS Earlier this month, a 24-year-old man in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj was arrested on charges of attempting to obstruct train movement by keeping different objects on the track. The man was arrested on August 1, after a formal complaint against him was registered by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Many of his viral videos also showed him keeping objects such as gas cylinders, coins, bricks, etc. on the railway track. Later, on August 18, an iron rod and other objects were found on the track near the Kachhpura Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh. The engine of the Nainpur-Jabalpur Passenger Special train, which passed by the route, collided with the object. However, the train did not derail. On August 23, a piece of wood was found near the railway track in Uttar Pradesh Farrukhabad, which resulted in a delay of several trains. RAILWAYS MINISTER SAYS DISTURBING TRENDS HAVE EMERGED Facing political heat over railway accidents, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said the railways was carrying out a detailed inquiry into every incident and claimed some disturbing trends have emerged in the recent incidents of derailments. Vaishnaws remarks came while he was responding to questions on incidents of derailment of trains due to the placing of boulders and rods on the railway tracks. There are some disturbing trends in some incidents, which should be taken seriously, Vaishnaw said on August 28. Railways and defence are organisations which should be above politics. I dont believe that railways should be a subject of political blame game, the minister said in an interaction with reporters after the cabinet meeting. Vaishnaw also said the railways was the lifeline of the country and if anything negative happens, every effort should be made to ensure that trains run in a very efficient manner. Responding to a separate question, the minister said the railways have added 5,300 km of railway lines to the existing network during the last year. Ten years ago, the average construction pace in Railways was four km per day. Today, it is 14.5 km per day, Vaishnaw said, adding all the sanctioned railway projects will be completed in the next five years. In a shocking case, an obsessive lover kidnapped an 11-month-old child in a bid to reunite with his estranged partner. The drama unfolded over 14 months, during which the kidnapper evaded the police by disguising himself as a holy man. The accused, identified as Head Constable Tanuj Chahar from the UP Police Special Cell, had been romantically involved with the childs mother, his cousin. When his relationship with her ended, he became increasingly obsessed and, in June of the previous year, abducted her daughter, Kuku, from their home in Jaipur. Chahar lived with the child in various locations, including Vrindavan, Mathura, and Aligarh, concealing his identity in a sadhus hut. The situation took a poignant turn when Chahar was eventually apprehended near Agra. As police officers took the child from him and returned him to his mother, the toddler initially resisted, crying to return to his kidnapper. Chahar, visibly distraught, was seen weeping as he lost the child he had grown attached to. The scene left both the Jaipur Police and onlookers in shock. Chahar never demanded a ransom for the child, who is also his nephew, making the case of kidnapping even more suspicious. When Chahars love interest (Kukus mother) was married off to someone else, he travelled to Jaipur in search of her, living on the streets while he did so. After a year, he found her and began living with her in Jaipur. Both were already married to different people at that time, leading to objections from their respective families and eventually ending their relationship. During this period, the woman had a child, which led to Chahars decision of kidnapping the baby. Chahar began asserting that the child was his and after failing to persuade the childs mother to join him in UP, he made a desperate bid to reunite with her by kidnapping her daughter, hoping that the mother would come to him for the childs sake. Following the registration of the case, the UP Police took swift action, leading to Chahars suspension. Jaipur Police ASP Poonamchand Vishnoi revealed that while Chahar was absconding, he had been communicating with the childs mother and was under surveillance. However, he evaded detection by frequently changing his phone and location, and even taunted the police, claiming they lacked the capability to catch him. Currently in police custody, Chahar is still claiming the child as his own and demanding her return. Meanwhile, Kukus mother has expressed a clear desire to sever all ties with the accused. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday condemned the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal for referring to acts of violence against women as a symptomatic malaise amid the nationwide outrage over the Kolkata rape-murder case. Dhankhars remarks follow a controversial resolution passed by Sibal on August 21, addressing the rape-murder case at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sibals resolution described the incident as a symptomatic malaise, which has sparked significant criticism from within the SCBA and beyond. I am pained Dhankhar stressed that the comments in the resolution undermine the severity of violence against women and reflect poorly on someone in a high-profile position. I am pained that someone holding a position in the Supreme Court Bar, a Member of Parliament, can term such acts of violence against women as a symptomatic malaise. How can one suggest that such incidents are commonplace? What a shame! Words fail me in condemning such a stance. It is a great injustice to such a high position, Dhankhar said in a post on X. I am pained that someone holding a position in the Supreme Court Bar, a Member of Parliament, can term such acts of violence against women as a symptomatic malaise.How can one suggest that such incidents are commonplace? What a shame! Words fail me in condemning such a pic.twitter.com/jh1inJTM8L Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 30, 2024 Enough is enough Referring to President Droupadi Murmus recent article, he added, Let us echo what the President of India has said: enough is enough! I want this clarion call to be a national call. I want everyone to be participant in this call. Let us resolve to create a system of zero accommodation, zero tolerance for such outrageous incidents of violence. Earlier, former SCBA President Adish C. Aggarwala demanded that Sibal withdraw the resolution and apologise publicly, warning that failure to do so could result in a no-confidence motion. Aggarwala has accused Sibal of undermining the seriousness of the case and of having a conflict of interest, as Sibal represents the West Bengal government in the matter. All is not well at Indias Apex Court. @indSupremeCourts ex-president @adishcaggarwala threatens to remove @KapilSibal from the post of SCBA president over his letter dated Aug. 21 eulogising the judiciary of the topmost Court over the steps taken regarding #KolkataDeathCase. pic.twitter.com/zrCtuIicI8 thedelhicrown (@thedelhicrown) August 26, 2024 NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST SCBA PRESIDENT MR KAPIL SIBAL, IF HE DOES NOT WITHDRAW ILLEGAL AND UNAUTHORISED RESOLUTION DATED 21.8.2024 AND APOLOGISE TO EVERY MEMBER OF SCBA@prabhatkhabar @JagbaniOnline @ABC @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/clOC78H9vM Dr. Adish C Aggarwala (@adishcaggarwala) August 23, 2024 The resolution and Sibals comments have been met with backlash from various members of the SCBA, who argue that the resolution was not properly approved and that it damages the credibility of the SCBA. Unique, intricate, and eclectic beautifully summarises couturier Aisha Raos design philosophy. Ahead of her store launch in Delhi, the Hyderabad-based designer shares with News18 about the vision for her new store, the brands sustainable practices, bridal couture tips for the upcoming wedding season and completing 5 years in the fashion industry. Your brand has completed 5 years in the fashion industry, how would you define your design aesthetic in 2024 today? As we enter our sixth year, our brand has carved out a distinct identity in the fashion industry. Were often described as different, a term that perfectly captures our approach. Were unafraid to embrace bold colours and experiment with traditional embroideries, reimagining them with a contemporary twist. Innovation is at the heart of what we dowe never repeat ourselves. Every collection, photoshoot, garment, and now even our stores, tells a cohesive story that continues to push the envelope. Sustainable fashion is your forte; how have you managed to remain conscious and responsible towards consumption and the environment? I want to be completely honest. When I started, I had an idealistic vision of creating an upcycled luxury brand with a zero waste approach. However, as we scaled up and handled larger orders, we encountered challenges in finding the perfect waste for repeats. To address this, we introduced printed versions of the same designs and explored similar alternatives. This allowed us to maintain our commitment to sustainability without compromising on quality or authenticity. At Aisha Rao, weve redefined purposeful luxury, carefully balancing sustainable business practices with environmental responsibility, while avoiding the pitfalls of greenwashing. From runway to social media, as a brand, do you feel the industry needs to change, based on how couture is perceived today? Absolutely, I do. Running a fashion label demands excellence in both commerce and creativity. Leading a couture house with over 200 people before we even reached our third year in the industry has required immense courage, consistency, and resilience. Constantly innovating in design while managing the complexities of a growing business is no small feat, and its time the industry acknowledges the dedication and hard work behind the scenes. What made you decide to bring your designs to Delhi? Delhi has always been a key market for us, with a significant portion of our sales coming from here. Weve had a strong presence in Delhi right from the start, with two stores in the city, including one at Emporio. It felt only natural to return to Emporio for our B2C store, as its the perfect place to reconnect with our loyal customers. This store is just the beginningthere are many more exciting plans for expansion in Delhi ahead. Tell us more about the vision behind the new store? Our DLF Emporio store, though our smallest at just 650 sq. ft., is a true testament to innovative design. Weve made the most of the linear layout by creating colour-blocked compartments and portals, each accentuated by strategically placed mirrors that give the illusion of infinite space. Its a unique experience that really has to be seen to be believed! For the upcoming wedding season, what bridal couture tips would you share? For the upcoming wedding season, I recommend a balanced mix of classic and experimental pieces. Brides should blend soft pastels with bold pops of colour, and embrace the chance to express themselves uniquely at each event. Its important not to play it too safethis is the perfect opportunity to explore different styles and experiences. Most importantly, stay true to your own personality and avoid giving in to external pressures. Your bridal look should reflect who you are, not just what others expect. China is considering a new law to ban clothes that could offend their sentiments. The proposal, introduced by the National Peoples Congress, suggests that individuals could be punished who produce, disseminate, publicize and spread items or speeches that damage the Chinese nations spirit and hurt the Chinese nations feelings. As per The Telegraph report, those found violating this law might face up to 15 days in jail and a fine of 5,000 yuan (approximately Rs 60,000). The proposal comes after police in Suzhou, near Shanghai, detained a woman for wearing a Japanese kimono. In another case, students at Tsinghua University faced trouble for wearing rainbow shirts and distributing LGBTQ flags. As per the portal, locals are criticising the law, as they are worried about how it might impact peoples freedom. Lao Dongyan, a professor of law at Tsinghua University, who is against the law, stated, The regulation could also stimulate the spread of populism and ultra-nationalism, further deteriorating the public opinion environment, and may also intensify oppositional sentiments in some countries. Professor Tong Zhiwei from East China University of Political Science and Law has raised concerns about the new law on Chinese social media, Weibo. He questioned, Who will confirm the spirit of the Chinese nation, and by what procedures? The professor warned that if the law gets approved, police will be able to arrest people based on unclear guidelines, which could lead to serious problems. Another user wondered if people who take part in cosplay or employees at Japanese restaurants wearing kimonos might be affected by these rules. The individual suggested that the law should clearly specify which symbols and clothing are prohibited and which are allowed. While Chinese authorities are yet to clarify which specific clothing items will be banned, similar restrictions are common in other countries as well. For example, many Middle Eastern countries require women to cover their heads or faces in public. In Uganda, women are not allowed to wear dresses that are above the knee. Croatia and the Maldives have advised tourists to not wear revealing swimwear outside beach areas, and Greece has banned high heels at historic sites. Mumbai, the bustling metropolis known for its relentless energy, is also a thriving hub for theatre and visual arts. Behind the glitz of Bollywood and the rush of its busy streets lies a rich tapestry of cultural venues that cater to the citys art aficionados. From avant-garde performances to thought-provoking exhibitions, these cultural hotspots offer a glimpse into Mumbais artistic soul. Whether youre a seasoned theatre buff, an art gallery enthusiast, or simply curious about the citys creative pulse, these five destinations are essential stops on your cultural tour of Mumbai. Lets explore the spaces where creativity flourishes and where the citys artistic heart beats the strongest. Jehangir Art Gallery Located in Kala Ghoda, Mumbais art district, Jehangir Art Gallery has been the heart of contemporary Indian art since 1952. With its iconic arched entrance and four main exhibition halls, this gallery showcases an ever-evolving roster of exhibitions highlighting both emerging and established artists. Here, you can witness the evolution of Indian modern art through paintings, sculptures, and mixed media that reflect the nations pulse. Sassoon Docks Art Project One of Mumbais oldest docks has transformed into a contemporary art hub, blending old-world charm with cutting-edge creativity. The Sassoon Docks Art Project, part of the St+art Mumbai Festival, features immersive art installations, graffiti, and performances. This unconventional space offers a striking contrast to traditional galleries, with vibrant colours and bold statements encapsulating Mumbais dynamic spirit. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Housed in a grand colonial-era building near the Gateway of India, NGMA is a sanctuary for Indian modern and contemporary art. Its vast collection spans works by revered Indian artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, and M.F. Husain, along with international masters. The gallery frequently hosts thematic exhibitions, retrospectives, and curated art walks, offering a journey through Indias artistic heritage. Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) This state-of-the-art facility in Bandra-Kurla Complex is designed to celebrate and promote Indian arts on a global scale. One of its upcoming flagship productions is Rajadhiraaj: Love Life Leela, a spectacular musical capturing the essence of Lord Krishnas life and teachings. Conceptualized by Dhanraj Nathwani and executive produced by Bhoomi Nathwani, this visual and auditory feast features over 100 performers, 20 original songs, and 1,800 meticulously crafted costumes. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Located at Nariman Point with a view of the Arabian Sea, NCPA is renowned for its diverse programming in theatre, dance, music, and film. Its five iconic venuesJamshed Bhabha Theatre, Tata Theatre, Experimental Theatre, Godrej Dance Theatre, and Little Theatrehost both classical and contemporary performances. Initiatives like the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) and workshops for nurturing new talent make NCPA a living institution dedicated to the arts. These five cultural hotspots offer a rich tapestry of experiences for theatre and art lovers in Mumbai. From traditional galleries to unconventional spaces, they showcase the citys vibrant artistic scene and provide a platform for both established and emerging talents. Bollywood actor Vijay Varma is helping to redefine beauty standards by openly discussing his experience with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes white patches to appear on the skin. Recently, while promoting his recently released series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, Vijay took the opportunity to shed light on how this condition has impacted his life and career. During a candid conversation with The Times of India, Vijay shared, I didnt make a big deal out of it (skin condition). It is just a cosmetic thing, and it is not anything that can change the course of your life. We make it a big deal because it is something that is out there, but I have never really made a big deal out of it. The actor admitted that his condition did cause concern during his early days in the industry. It used to worry me when I was an out-of-work actor. I would wonder whether it might become an obstacle. But ever since I started working and achieving success, it hasnt troubled me, he added. Talking further about his ailment, Vijay explained that he only covers his vitiligo when facing the camera. I have covered it for my movies because it can be distracting, and I dont want my audience to focus on anything other than what Im trying to convey. Thats why I choose to hide it. However, Vijay Varma revealed that he never hides his skin condition during public appearances. He noted that people today are very intelligent and have an innate sense of responsibility. He continued, I have never spoken loosely about my skin condition. Maybe if it were a different time, it could have potentially become a topic of discussion. Vijay Varma is among the latest celebrities to openly discuss their health conditions. In 2023, South actor Mamta Mohandas also spoke about her experience with vitiligo. The actress shared how she initially struggled with peoples reactions but chose to speak up to raise awareness about the condition. Several Hollywood celebrities including model Winnie Harlow have also addressed vitiligo. She was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder at the age of four. HARDIN Gusts of wind picked up posters on Thursday decorating the Big Horn County Courthouse printed with the name and face of a teenage girl. Despite the wind, the sun was shining while the family of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places prepared to hold a rally in honor of the 18-year-old, whose body was found just a little over a mile away exactly five years ago. The grim anniversary in Hardin, which borders the Crow Indian Reservation, coincided with criminal charges being filed against a man who was alleged to have been one of the last people to see Kaysera alive. Were her voice, said Yolanda Fraser after anchoring a poster along a wire fence before the rally. Fraser was one of several people who helped raise Kaysera. The man charged has yet to appear in court. While charges filed do not name him as a suspect in Kayseras death, they do accuse him of threatening the lives of two people who along Kaysera ran away from him in Hardin after he allegedly became physically violent. Kaysera was living with Fraser, her grandmother, in the summer of 2019. Kaysera's entire family included members of the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes. While staying with her grandmother in Hardin, Kaysera brought in stray animals and nursed them back to health. She invited strangers to stay at her grandmothers when they had nowhere else to go. Kaysera also never had a problem standing up for herself, whether it was against a classmate or a teacher. She had a lot of hardship, but she just kept moving forward, said her uncle, Justin Ras. We know shed be out here doing this herself if it were for one of her sisters. In late August 2019, court documents said, a man allegedly bought alcohol for Kaysera, another woman and an underage girl. All four were drinking at a residence in Hardin when a fight erupted between the man and one of the alleged victims. The fight became physical, court documents said, with the suspect shoving the woman against a wall and holding her against her will. She fled the residence with Kaysera and the underage girl. The fight continued outside the residence, according to one witness, until Kaysera stepped between the woman and the suspect. After pushing him away, Kaysera ran in one direction while the other two victims ran another way. At that point, the suspect allegedly got into his pickup truck and started chasing the two victims. He drove away from the area after the two hid near a house, court documents said. A warrant is currently out for the mans arrest. He is facing two counts of criminal endangerment, along with two alternative counts of assault with a weapon. On Aug. 29, 2019, a jogger found Kayseras body in the backyard of a property on Mitchell Avenue, near where witnesses said they last saw her four days prior. The investigation into the death of Kaysera Stops Pretty Places was agonizingly laggard for her friends and family. A lack of communication on the part of Big Horn County officials instigated an outcry for answers, which often took the form of marches and demonstrations like the one held Thursday. Earlier this year, Fraser said, the Big Horn County attorney met with her and other members of Kayseras family to discuss the case. It was the first time shed had a meeting with the county attorney regarding Kaysera since her death in August 2019. In December 2019, the Montana Medical Examiners Office published a postmortem examination report based on an autopsy conducted Aug. 30, 2019. Examiners concluded there was no evidence of injury or disease in Kayseras death. Despite no sign of injuries, medical examiners could not exclude asphyxia as a possible cause of death. The report ultimately classified the cause and manner of her death as undetermined. In August 2021, then-Big Horn County Attorney Jay Harris released a statement in which he announced that the federal Missing and Murdered Unit within the Bureau of Indian Affairs would assist the sheriffs office in the investigation. Prior to the announcement, the Big Horn County Sheriffs Office had referred Kayseras case to what Harris described as a cold case unit, a group of retired federal officers based out of Missoula. Fraser lauded current Big Horn County Attorney Jeanne Torske, who was elected to office in 2022. Criminal charges connected to the night Kaysera went missing were filed on Aug. 22. With the meeting with the county attorney and the criminal charges that followed, Fraser said it felt like the justice system is working the way it should have five years ago. In the United States, Indigenous women are the survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence at 10 times the rate of the rest of the nation, according to the non-profit Indian Law Resource Center. Convoluted and lax reporting systems have marred reliable data on Native American victims for decades, but cases like Kayseras in recent years sparked national initiatives to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Its her legacy to be compassionate, Fraser said. And the impact of her case can be seen across the state, and even across the country. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chauth, is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in Maharashtra and other regions of India. This auspicious occasion honours the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered for his wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. Ganesha embodies three key virtues: Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (attainment), and Riddhi (prosperity). ALSO READ: Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Wishes, Quotes, Messages, Images, and WhatsApp Status to Share Observed during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, Ganesh Chaturthi typically falls in August or September and spans ten days. The festival culminates in Ganesh Visarjan, a grand immersion ceremony where devotees bid farewell to their clay idols of Lord Ganesha by immersing them in water bodies. From the magnificent public processions in Maharashtra to the intimate home rituals in other states, Ganesh Chaturthi fosters a sense of community and spiritual renewal. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Key Dates and Puja Muhurat For Ganesh Chaturthi 2024, celebrations are set to begin on September 7, with the immersion of the idol scheduled for September 17. According to Drik Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi will start at 3:01 PM on September 6 and conclude at 5:37 PM on September 7. The ideal time for installing the Ganesh idol is during the Madhyahna Muhurat, which will be from 11:07 AM to 1:33 PM on September 7. Chaturthi Tithi Begins: September 6, 2024, at 3:01 PM Chaturthi Tithi Ends: September 7, 2024, at 5:37 PM Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Muhurat September 7, 2024, from 11:07 AM to 1:33 PM Avoid Moon Sighting On September 6, 2024, from 3:01 PM to 7:49 PM On September 7, 2024, from 8:44 AM to 8:22 PM Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi: Why We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi is steeped in rich mythology, celebrating the creation and rebirth of Lord Ganesha. According to Hindu lore, Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from sandalwood paste while Lord Shiva was away. She created him to guard her privacy during her bath. When Lord Shiva returned and attempted to enter the chamber, Ganesha, following his mothers instructions, blocked his way. This enraged Lord Shiva, and they both got into an argument. Later, Lord Shiva separated Ganeshas head from his body. Witnessing the carnage, Goddess Parvati transformed into her fierce Kali form and vowed to destroy the universe. To appease her, Lord Shiva instructed his followers to find the head of a sleeping child. The search led them to the head of a baby elephant, which they brought back. Shiva attached this elephants head to Ganeshas body, restoring his life. This event marks the genesis of Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival spans ten days and is observed with great enthusiasm. Families and friends come together to honour Ganesha, seeking his blessings for prosperity, wisdom and good fortune. Celebrations include vibrant dancing, preparing delectable dishes and enjoying festive gatherings. Rituals to Follow During Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 Heres a detailed step-by-step guide to the traditional rituals observed during Ganesh Chaturthi: Install the Ganesha idolBegin by installing the Ganesha idol, which can be made of clay, wood or metal, in your home or at a public venue. Prana Pratishta (Invocation of Life)After installing the idol, perform the initial puja by bathing the idol and offering prayers, food and flowers. A priest will chant mantras and perform rituals to infuse life into the Ganesha idol. Sing Bhajans and KirtansEngage in singing bhajans (devotional songs) and kirtans (devotional chants) to praise Lord Ganesha and celebrate the occasion. Shodashopachara (16-fold worship)Perform the Shodashopachara Puja, which consists of sixteen ritualistic steps to honour Lord Ganesha. The steps include: Avahana and Pratishthapan; Asana Samarpan; Padya Samarpan; Arghya Samarpan; Achamana; Snana Mantra; Vastra Samarpan and Uttariya Samarpan; Yajnopavita Samarpan; Gandha; Akshata; Pushpa Mala, Shami Patra, Durvankura, Sindoor; Dhoop; Deep Samarpan; Naivedya and Karodvartan; ambula, Narikela, and Dakshina Samarpan; Neerajan and Visarjan. Present 16 types of offerings including flowers, fruits, sweets and modaks. Modaks are particularly important as they are believed to be Lord Ganeshas favourite treat. Uttarpuja (Final Worship)On the 10th day, perform the final worship rituals, chant mantras, seek Lord Ganeshas blessings and prepare to bid farewell. Ganpati Visarjan (Immerse The Ganesha idol)Conclude the festival with Ganpati Visarjan, where the Ganesha idol is immersed in a river or ocean, symbolising the end of the celebrations. Essential Puja Samagri for Ganesh Chaturthi To perform the Ganesha Chaturthi puja, heres a comprehensive list of all the necessary items (samagri) required. Firstly, buy a Ganesha idol, a wooden post and banana plants to create the mandap. Devotees must also buy yellow and red clothes, Janeu (sacred thread), flowers, vermilion, sandalwood, durva (sacred grass), akshat (rice grains), incense sticks, diya (lamp), betel nut, seasonal fruits, gangajal (holy water), camphor, kalash (sacred pot) and modak. Other than this, the most important items are the mango leaves, Ashoka leaves, Panchamrut (a mixture of five sacred ingredients), panchmeva (five types of dry fruits), Ganesha Chalisa, aarti and a Ganesha Chaturthi vrat book. Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi: Traditions Across India Maharashtra Ganeshotsav is celebrated in Maharashtra homes, with the festivities starting with Padya pooja or adoring the feet of Lord Ganesh, a day before Chaturthi. Then, Lord Ganesha enters the home on the day of Chaturthi. Haritalika and Gowri pujan is also a part of the festival and women worship Goddess Parvati and observe fast. Goa The matoli, a wooden mandap is decorated with seasonal wildflowers, medicinal herbs and fruits. Sprigs of freshly harvested rice from the temple are offered and hung in front of homes post-visarjan. Karnataka The festival includes Gowri Habba, where Goddess Gauri is worshipped. An idol is brought yearly, and the puja mandap is adorned with flower garlands and mango leaves. Modaks and special foods are prepared for the deity. Why Avoid The Moon? Hindu mythology explains that viewing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi can lead to Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank, which translates to false accusations of theft. The origin of this belief is tied to a mythological event involving Lord Ganesh. Legend has it that during a ride on his mooshak (mouse), Lord Ganesh fell due to his weight. The moon laughed at this mishap, which infuriated Lord Ganesh. In his anger, he cursed the moon, decreeing that anyone who sees it on the night of Shukla Chaturthi in the Bhadrapada month would be falsely accused and dishonoured. In Case of Accidental Sighting If someone accidentally sees the moon during Ganesh Chaturthi, it is believed that chanting the following mantra can help mitigate the effects of the curse: Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah Sukumaraka Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Time To Avoid Moon Sighting It is crucial to keep in mind the traditional belief of avoiding moon sightings during this occasion. According to Drik Panchang, the time to avoid moon sighting starts from 9:30 AM to 8:44 PM on September 6. This period is deemed inauspicious and should be observed to avoid any adverse effects. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Why Do We Do Ganesh Visarjan? Ganesh Visarjan is a traditional and significant ritual performed at the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi, which can occur on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, or 11th day depending on family customs. The ritual involves immersing the idol of Lord Ganesha in a water body such as a river, lake, or even a tub or bucket. The immersion is marked by vibrant street processions with devotees chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya and Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai, celebrating with much fervour. Purpose of Ganesh Visarjan The immersion symbolises the return of Lord Ganesha to his celestial home, Mount Kailash, to reunite with his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It serves as a way to express gratitude for the blessings received during the festival and to bid farewell to the deity until the next year. In a nutshell, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion and adherence to traditional rituals is essential for deepening ones spiritual connection with Lord Ganesha. By embracing these rituals, devotees honour the festivals significance, enhance community spirit and maintain a connection with cultural heritage. Wang Hongquanxing, popularly known as Chinas Kim Kardashian, recently hogged the limelight after being banned from social media for flaunting his lavish lifestyle. The influencer enjoyed massive popularity on Douyin, Chinas version of TikTok with a followers list of 4.4 million people. He had previously bragged about his opulent lifestyle, designer clothes, and extravagant jewellery, leading him to face severe consequences. Wang is known for his posts with a lifestyle that only a few can imagine. As reported by Forbes, the influencer, in his previous posts, claimed that he owned seven luxury properties, adding that he never left home with less than $1.4 million worth of clothing and jewellery. Besides, the Chinese influencer has the security of 8 people who are always around him ensuring his protection. His striking similarity with Kim Kardashian who also enjoys flaunting her wealth through her clothes, properties, and dedicated staff, earned him the title of Chinas Kim Kardashian. Wang rose to popularity after he posted a video featuring him on his knees in front of his mother, asking for money. His subservient behaviour despite the expensive clothing and the lavish lifestyle struck a chord with the audiences heart. As far as the source of his wealth is concerned, it comes from his familys coal mining business which later transformed into a jadeite jewelry business. Besides, he has his own business ventures. Earlier this year, he inaugurated a 1,000-square-meter boutique called Quranus, located in the heart of Shanghais luxury district. The inauguration event was also attended by Christy Chung and Wu Chun attended the event. Currently, he keeps his fans engaged with glimpses of his daily life which includes his frequent visits to jewellery dealers and haute couture brands for custom-made pieces. In an interview with Phoenix News, Wang was questioned about his choice to become an influencer despite already being rich. In response, he did not shy away from openly expressing that he desires attention. Meanwhile, the crackdown on the influencers social media handles comes given the Chinese governments initiative to take action against public displays of wealth and lavish lifestyles. Aditi Rao Hydari has finally revealed how Siddharth proposed to her at the school started by her grandmother. She said she didnt take him seriously at first as he would often get on his knees and pretend to propose, only to end up tying his shoelaces or fidgeting with something on the ground. This inside joke and Siddarths careful choice of venue made the proposal extra special for the actress. I was closest to my nani, who passed away a few years ago, Aditi Rao Hydari told Vogue and added, She started a school in Hyderabad. One day, Siddarth asked me if he could see it, knowing full well how close I had been to her. They visited the school in March and he asked Aditi to show him a special location close to her heart: a floor above the nursery section. He got down on his knee and I asked him, Now what have you lost? Whose shoelaces are open? He kept saying, Addu, listen to me. And then he proposed. He said he wanted to bring me to my favourite childhood place, one with my grandmothers blessings, the actress recalled. Aditi and Siddarth met in 2021 on the sets of the Telugu film, Maha Samudram. Aditi recalled their first meeting and said, He walked in and said, Hello, beautiful girl. Usually, when someone says something like this, it does not work. But he was being genuine. By the end of the day, he had me and pretty much everyone on the set in splits. He also ensured that my team and I had ghee idlis whipped up by his cook every day for the rest of the shoot. The actress believes that even if they had met as teenagers, they would still fall for one another. She said, Ive not been in too many relationships because when I see someone, I instantly know if this is my person. She added, When I met Siddhu, thats what I felt and had no doubt about it. Of course, there is a process of growing together in a relationship but I had none of that going on in my mind when I met him, it was all about that moment. Aditi and Siddharth will be tying the knot later this year. The wedding will take place around a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy that is of significance to Aditis family. In a heartwarming recollection, renowned mehendi artist Veena Nagda shared fond memories from Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs lavish wedding in Italy, which took place in 2018. The couple, who are now eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, had a spectacular wedding that left a lasting impression on all those involved. Veena recalled during a chat with Bollywood Now, how Deepika had made a promise during the filming of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani to hire her for her wedding, a promise she honoured when the time came. The artist didnt even realize she would be part of the high-profile wedding until she found herself at the visa office, where she saw a letter from Ranveer Singh. The celebrity couple went above and beyond, booking Veena for five days instead of just the single day required for the mehendi ceremony, ensuring she enjoyed her time in Italy with plenty of opportunities to sightsee, Deepika had promised me during Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani that she would hire me for her wedding mehendi and she fulfilled that promise, she shared. Despite the chilly weather in Lake Como, Deepikas love for mehendi saw her patiently sitting through the intricate application, determined to achieve the rich, dark colour traditional for such a special occasion. Veena reminisced about how Deepika only joined the dance floor after the mehendi had dried sufficiently, careful not to smudge the delicate designs. She shared, When I did Deepikas mehendi, it was so cold, but she got it all done on her hands an feet. She did everything to get the dark colour of the mehendi. Deepika only went to dance after her mehendi was a little dry because she didnt want to spoil it. Ranveer Singh, known for his exuberant personality, added his own flair to the event. Initially, he planned to have a tiger, symbolising his upcoming film Simmba, incorporated into his mehendi. However, in a touching gesture, he ultimately opted for his beloved wifes initials, choosing to carry her name with him on their wedding day, First, Ranveer said that I will get a tiger in my mehendi because Simmba was going to come. Then he changed his mind and said I want DPs name in my mehendi, she added. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukones wedding was a breathtaking celebration of love, elegance, and tradition, set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Como, Italy. The couple, both Bollywood icons, tied the knot in November 2018, in a series of intimate yet grand ceremonies that beautifully blended their respective cultures. The wedding was a private affair, attended by close family and friends, with an aura of exclusivity and warmth. It began with a traditional Konkani ceremony, honouring Deepikas South Indian heritage, followed by a vibrant Sindhi ceremony to celebrate Ranveers roots. Each ritual was steeped in tradition, with the couple donning exquisitely designed outfits by renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Deepikas bridal looks were a stunning combination of opulence and grace, while Ranveers attire reflected his distinctive, flamboyant style. The events took place at Villa del Balbianello, a historic villa offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The location itself added an air of timeless romance to the proceedings. The decor was understated yet luxurious, with a focus on natural beauty, featuring lush floral arrangements and elegant details that enhanced the villas old-world charm. Kriti Sanon has been setting the gossip mills ablaze with speculation about her rumoured romance with Kabir Bahia. The buzz intensified during her recent birthday vacation in Greece, where leaked pictures showcased the duo enjoying each others company. The speculation further heated up when Kritis reaction to Kabirs latest Instagram post set the internet abuzz. Recently, Kabir Bahia shared a sun-kissed selfie on Instagram, showing him sporting a bright smile and a relaxed pose against a Greek backdrop. Although he kept the caption minimal with just a sun and eyeglass emoji, Kriti Sanon wasted no time reacting. She hit the like button on his post, which didnt go unnoticed by fans. The actress engagement with his post led to a flurry of comments from their followers, with many playfully teasing Kabir. One fan eagerly inquired about their plans to make their relationship official, while others commented on Kritis apparent fondness for Kabir, with remarks like Kriti Sanon has entered the chat and Kriti, you will die from your handsomeness, man. Their social media interactions have been under scrutiny for a while now. Just days earlier, Kriti shared a vibrant video showcasing her dance performances to iconic tracks like Choli Ke Peeche, Param Sundari, and Laal Peeli Ankhiyan. Kabirs playful comment on the video, I am dead, followed by a laughing emoji, drew attention, as did Kritis subsequent like on his comment. On the professional front, Kriti Sanon is gearing up for an exciting release with her debut production venture, Do Patti. Co-starring Kajol, Tanvi Azmi, and Shaheer Sheikh, the film marks the first project from Kanika Dhillons Kathha Pictures and Kritis Blue Butterfly Films. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the teaser reveals Kajol and Kriti in intriguing roles, with Kajol playing a cop and Kriti taking on the role of a femme fatale. Vijay Varma recently opened up about his skin condition vitiligo, a disorder that causes patches of skin to lose their colour. According to NIH, vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease in which patches of skin lose pigment or colour. This happens when melanocytes pigment-producing skin cells are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to take on a milky white colour. The actor recently revealed in an interview how he dealt with this condition in his acting career. Speaking to the Times of India, the actor added that he doesnt make a big deal out of it. Its just a cosmetic thing and its not something that can change the course of your life, the Darlings actor said. When asked if he had faced any setbacks in the industry in his 12-year-long career due to his skin condition, the actor admitted that his condition bothered him whenever he was unemployed. I wondered if it would become a hindrance. But since Im working and having a lot of success, it doesnt bother me anymore, Vijay Varma said. Talking further about his condition and how he doesnt keep it a secret, the 38-year-old actor said that he only covers his skin condition when he is on camera. I dont want my audience to see anything other than what I want to show them. However, he has never covered up his condition during public appearances. He said that people today are very intelligent and also have an innate sense of responsibility. He added that he has never been maligned for his skin condition. Maybe if it was a different time, then maybe this could have become an issue. Vijay Varma collaborated with Anubhav Sinha for the directors web series debut IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The Netflix drama also stars Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Dia Mirza and Patralekhaa, among others. Shambhavi Singh has emerged as a prominent face in the television realm and is currently seen in the supernatural thriller show 10:29 Ki Aakhri Dastak. The actress recently celebrated her birthday on August 28 on the set with crew members. But, she was definitely in for a surprise when her team made her day even more special with their heartwarming gesture. Her co-stars and crew surprised her with a small on-set celebration, which included a cake-cutting ceremony. Shambhavi Singh told ETimes that this year she was looking forward to celebrating with the people who have been a part of her daily journey, and the cast and crew of 10:29 Ki Aakhri Dastak are nothing short of a family to her. Therefore, she was happy to celebrate with them. I wasnt expecting anything grand, but the team made it so special. It was a simple celebration, but it was filled with so much warmth and love, especially my hair didi, Geeta and the costume, makeup department surprised me with a midnight celebration. It was really special, she told the portal. Moreover, on the special day, Shambhavi shared some of her birthday manifestations as well with the publication. She revealed, Im eager to continue exploring my character, Preeti, and see where this journey takes me. Even in the personal front, the actress is looking forward to new challenges and experiences. Shambhavi, who had started her career in television with the show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, currently plays an intense character in the thriller, which also stars Rajveer Singh, Aayushi Bhave. Last month, the crew celebrated as they reached the 50 episode milestone. Commemorating this achievement, the actress has told Etimes, Looking back to the first day of shooting, its incredible how quickly time has flown. Celebrating our first 50 episodes feels like a dream! My character, Preeti, and the show 10:29 Ki Aakhri Dastak have taught me so much as an actor. 10:29 Ki Aakhri Dastak airs on Star Bharat. It is a horror-thriller about mysterious murders that occur at 10:29 pm and target males in the locality. Residents believe the village is cursed and blame the killings on a witch. However, a police officer who recently transferred to the area believes the homicides are the result of a human killer rather than supernatural powers. Actor and filmmaker Justin Theroux and actress Nicole Brydon Bloom are set to get married soon. Theroux has already proposed to Bloom. The actor reportedly popped the big question while the couple was in Italy for the Venice Film Festival, where Therouxs latest film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was premiering. Nicole Brydon Bloom didnt hold back in showing off her stunning engagement ring on the red carpet. The ring, as per the reports, is crafted by Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and is a custom piece featuring a flawless, 4-carat emerald-cut diamond set in platinum with an 18-carat yellow gold inlay. Adding a personal touch, the band also contains the couples birthstones. Theroux, 53, and Bloom, 30, were first spotted with each other in public in February last year during a Netflix event at the New York City social club Zero Bond. They were reportedly seen mingling with friends, including Tan France and actress Louisa Jacobson, Blooms co-star from HBOs The Gilded Age. Their relationship gained attention when they were spotted sharing a kiss during a romantic dinner at Altro Paradiso in Manhattan in August 2023. Just a few months later, in October, they were again photographed together, this time leaving a gym in New York City, informs People. In an interview with Esquire conducted a few months before their first public date night, Theroux talked about his preference for privacy in his romantic life. The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star expressed, Its much more fun not being in a public relationship. He further added, Theres something to, once youre out of that, where I want all of my relationships to exist within the four walls of whatever room were in. Before making their red carpet debut as a couple at Vanity Fairs Oscars Party in March, Theroux had accompanied Bloom to her twin sisters wedding in December 2023. The couple also attended the wedding of Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup in Mexico City in June 2024, reports People. Theroux, who was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2015 until their divorce in 2018, has been a recurring presence on Blooms social media since their first mirror selfie at her sisters wedding in December 2023. Ahead of the engagement announcement, the couple was enjoying some travel time together, as seen in photos Nicole Brydon Bloom shared on her Instagram Stories. On the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on August 28, Theroux mentioned to People that they planned on vacationing a little while attending the event. Kangana Ranauts upcoming movie Emergency is likely to be banned in Telangana. On Thursday, government adviser Mohammad Ali Shabbir revealed that the state Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has assured Sikh community leaders that the state government would consider banning the release of the film. This comes after a delegation of 18 members from the Telangana Sikh Society, led by former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Tejdeep Kaur Menon, met Shabbir at the Secretariat and requested him to ban Emergency. The delegation also submitted a report and expressed concerns over the portrayal of the Sikh community in the film. They claimed that the film depicts Sikhs as terrorists and anti-nationals. They further called it offensive and alleged that the release of Emergency might damage the communitys image. Following the meeting with the delegation, Shabbir requested the chief minister to consider banning the film in Telangana. A final decision will be taken after considering the legal advice. On Thursday, Shiromani Akali Dals Delhi unit also urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to stop the release of Emergency. They accused the film of spreading misinformation and alleged that it has the potential to incite communal tension. Prior to this, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akhal Takht also demanded an immediate ban on the film, claiming it tries to character assassinate Sikhs by creating a narrative against them. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, addressed a press conference when he sought an FIR against Ranaut and expressed objection against the film. Kangana Ranaut announced Emergency in 2021 but later clarified that even though it is a political drama, it is not Indira Gandhis biopic. The actress is not just playing the lead in the film but is also directing it. Besides Kangana, Emergency also stars Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry and Shreyas Talpade among others. While Shreyas Talpade will be seen playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Anupam Kher will be seen as Jayaprakash Narayan. Late actor Satish Kaushik will also be seen as Former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram. Kozhikode-based Sajeer is the first male junior artiste from Malayalam cinema to make serious allegations of sodomy against renowned director Ranjith, who is facing sexual assault accusations. The 29-year-old senior executive at a Kerala-based private hotel has opened up about an incident that took place 12 years ago in Bengaluru, where he accuses the Malayalam director of sexually assaulting him by unnatural means. Sajeer had previously played a small role in a 2006 film called Notebook. He had hoped to continue working as an actor in Malayalam cinema and attended the shoot of a film called Bavuttiyude Namathil in Kozhikode, where he claims to have first met Ranjith in a private bungalow. Sajeer has filed a complaint with the Kerala police and will be recording his statement before the special investigation team probing the various sexual assault allegations that have surfaced in the Kerala film industry in recent days, following the publication of the Hema Committee report. Speaking to News18, Sajeer recalled how a crew member, after spotting him in the crowd gathered to watch the shooting of Bavuttiyude Namathil, asked if he was interested in meeting acclaimed actor Mammootty, who was in the lead role. I jumped at the opportunity. That was when I was taken inside the bungalow where the main crew was staying, and I met Ranjith. He asked me about my aspirations, and I made it clear that I wanted to be in films. I asked him if he could give me a role. He later took a paper napkin from the holder, wrote a number on it, and gave it to me, saying I should not share the number but should text him, Sajeer told News18. Sajeer claims that the director responded to his texts later and, at one point, asked him to meet in Bengaluru. Driven by the thought that it might be an offer for a role in a film, Sajeer said he flew to Bengaluru and went to the private hotel where Ranjith had asked him to meet. I arrived late it was around 10 pm so the staff said they couldnt let me in. When I told Ranjith this, he directed me to another entrance that led to the rooms, and I met him in his room, he said. Describing the meeting, the hospitality executive said he reiterated to the famous director that he was looking for a role and was hoping to get a break with an accomplished filmmaker like him. He complimented my features, saying he liked how I looked, and then offered me a drink. I had never tasted alcohol before, but I gulped it down. He then asked me to undress, saying he wanted to see me fully. I wasnt really in my senses and was unsure of what was happening, Sajeer said. He alleges that under the influence of alcohol, Ranjith subjected him to sexual abuse throughout the night and even took videos and pictures. News18 reached out to Ranjith but hes yet to comment on these allegations. The next morning, said Sajeer, the director asked him how much he should be paid. That was when Sajeer felt at his lowest. I had no idea why he was asking that, and I felt used. He told me to return to my hometown. I continued texting him, asking for opportunities to act in films, but received no reply. After several messages seeking an apology for what had been done to me, one day I received a text, allegedly from Ranjiths wife, asking me to stop messaging or calling as there was no work for me, he recalled. When asked why he chose to speak up now, Sajeer said he felt empowered after the Hema Committee report was released and wanted his story to be told as well. I realised that I was not alone in voicing how rampant abuse is in the Malayalam film industry, so I took the opportunity to share my story. I returned to Kerala from West Asia, where I had been working, in the hope that I could still become an actor, he said. Sajeer stressed, however, that since coming forward with his story, he has been under pressure to withdraw his statement. He even fears for his life. I stand by my statement, and the truth will prevail. If wrongdoing has been committed, it should come to light, and I stand with the truth, he added. Disclaimer: As per legal and ethical guidelines, we generally refrain from naming victims in cases of sexual harassment or assault. The inclusion of the name in this article is based on the fact that the individual has publicly identified themselves in connection with the case. We respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved and urge readers to approach the matter sensitively. Ishaan Khatter is all cheers as he prepares for his Hollywood debut. The Bollywood actor is set to feature in Nicole Kidman starrer The Perfect Couple. Ahead of its Netflix premiere, Ishaan Khatter got featured on a billboard for the very first time on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Celebrating this significant milestone, the actor shared a video of the billboard on his Instagram Stories and wrote, My first billboard in Sunset Blvd! Ft only the most appropriate commentary by @evehewson, referring to his co-star Memphis Eve Sunnyday Iris Hewson, aka Eve Hewson. Sept 5th. The Perfect Couple. Netflix. Lets Go, he added. Additionally, Ishaan also shared a picture of his passport and a flight ticket, suggesting that he might be taking a trip abroad. May the excitement begin, a message read. Earlier in July, the actor dropped the teaser of the miniseries, giving glimpses of his look. The teaser shows a married couple, novelist Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman) and Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber), who are planning their sons wedding to Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). However, things go south after a body mysteriously turns up on the beach, leaving everyone in the trap of suspicion. As the police begin to interrogate the guests, a lot of thrilling family secrets are uncovered, including the shocking discovery of skeletons in the seemingly flawless couples closet. The teaser has a brief appearance by Ishaan; however, details about his characters involvement in the mystery are yet to be revealed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ishaan (@ishaankhatter) While speaking about the project, the Dhadak star shared he faced a similar audition process. I got the script, taped myself, and sent my audition, and they selected me. I dont think there is any difference between working in Bollywood and Hollywood. Even if the language changes, emotions remain the same, he told ANI. More About The Netflix Limited Series Based on Elin Hilderbrands 2018 novel of the same name, The Perfect Couple features a star-studded cast including Nicole Kidman as the devoted mother, with Liev Schreiber playing her husband as Tag Winbury. Others include Once Upon a Time in Hollywoods Dakota Fanning, who portrays the sister-in-law Abby Winbury, Eve Hewson as the bride Amelia Sacks, and Billy Howle as the groom Benji Winbury. The six-episode series will premiere on Netflix on September 5. A sexual assault case was filed against South actor Siddique by an actress, who alleged she was assaulted by him in 2016. Now, going by new reports on the situation, the police have found substantial evidence against the actor, that could lead to his arrest. Here are all the details of the report. As per the complaint filed by the young actress, she was summoned to a hotel by Siddique, located in Thiruvananthapuram. The evidence obtained by the police suggests the actor was staying at the Mascot Hotel during the time, which aligns with the period mentioned in the complaint. According to the hotel records, Siddique checked in at the place on January 28, 2016. Going by the reports, the actress stated that the assault happened in January or February. The police got hold of the actors records at the hotel, which included his stay, his entries at the hotels visitor register and documents related to a film preview. They have recorded statements from the staff present at the time as well as the statements of the complainants parents. The statements of the drivers and the people who attended the preview will also be taken. According to reports, the film preview took place at the Nila Theatre on January 28, 2016, which also happens to be the day of Siddiques stay. The complaint stated that the actress was invited to the film preview at the hotel when she was harassed. The police have asked the hotel to give all the information about the guests who stayed at the place between January and February. As per the actress statement, she signed the visitor register and went to Siddiques room on the first floor. A copy of the register is kept at the KTDC headquarters, mentioning the hotel, which will be examined by the police. Siddique has denied the allegations, stating he never met the actress at the hotel. Furthermore, he has filed a complaint with the DGP against her. After the allegations, Siddique resigned from his general secretory post at AMMA organisation. According to the complainant, several other of her acquaintances had similar experiences with the accused. Bollywood actress Rimi Sen has initiated legal proceedings against luxury car manufacturer Land Rover, seeking a substantial compensation of Rs 50 crores. The claim arises from what she describes as a faulty vehicle, which has caused her significant distress and inconvenience since its purchase in 2020. The report, highlighted by NDTV, sheds light on the ongoing battle between the actress and the carmaker. Rimi Sen bought the luxury vehicle for Rs 92 lakh from Satish Motors Pvt. Ltd., an authorised dealer for Jaguar Land Rover. The car came with a warranty valid until January 2023. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns, the car was rarely used until restrictions were lifted. Once she began driving the car regularly, Sen alleges that she encountered several defects, including issues with the sunroof, sound system, and rear-end camera. A particularly troubling incident occurred on August 25, 2022, when a malfunctioning rear-end camera reportedly caused her to collide with a pillar. Despite reporting these issues to the dealership, Sen claims that her complaints were not adequately addressed. According to her, the dealer demanded proof of the defects before taking any action, leading to repeated cycles of inadequate repairs where one problem was allegedly fixed only for another to arise. In her legal notice, Rimi Sen argues that the car is inherently defective, both in its manufacturing and in the maintenance provided by the authorized dealer. She states that the vehicle has been sent for repairs more than ten times, yet the issues persist, causing her considerable mental anguish and inconvenience. As a result of these ongoing problems, Sen is demanding Rs 50 crores in compensation for the distress she has endured, as well as an additional Rs 10 lakh to cover her legal expenses. Furthermore, she is seeking the replacement of the defective vehicle, marking a significant legal confrontation with the luxury car brand. Samantha Ruth Prabhu has taken a powerful stand in support of women in the Telugu film industry by sharing an Instagram story urging the Telangana government to release a sub committee report originally submitted by The Voice of Women, a support group created for women in the Telugu film industry (TFI). Samanthas public endorsement has added significant weight to the cause. In her Instagram story, Samantha lauded the efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) in Kerala, which has been instrumental in bringing the issue of sexual harassment in the film industry to the forefront. Her post read, We, the women of the Telugu film industry, welcome the Hema Committee report and applaud the persistent efforts of the WCC in Kerala, which has laid the path to this moment. By drawing a parallel with the WCCs successful fight for womens rights in Malayalam cinema, Samantha highlighted the urgent need for similar measures in the Telugu industry. Samanthas message emphasised that The Voice of Women was created in 2019, inspired by the WCCs commitment to justice and safe working conditions. She urged the Telangana government to publish the submitted subcommittee report, which focuses on addressing sexual harassment in the industry. According to Samantha, the publication of this report could lead to the establishment of stringent government and industry policies aimed at protecting women and ensuring a safe and respectful working environment. The call to action from a prominent figure like Samantha Ruth Prabhu is a significant step in advocating for change within the industry. By using her platform to bring attention to this critical issue, Samantha is not only amplifying the voices of women who have been fighting for justice but also encouraging others to join the movement. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, directed by the visionary Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has made a significant impact, earning two prestigious nominations at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival. The limited series, set against the rich backdrop of pre-independence Lahore, is nominated for Best OTT Original and Best Original Song for Sakal Ban at the 29th edition of the festivals Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has even more reason to celebrate, as Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar stands out as the only Indian title nominated at this global event, and in two highly competitive categories. Expressing his joy, Bhansali said, Its an honor to be nominated for the Asia Contents Awards. Im grateful to the jury and the audiences for this incredible recognition. The awards ceremony is set to take place on October 6, 2024, at the Busan Theatre of the Busan Cinema Center in South Korea. With this achievement, Netflix continues its winning streak at the Busan Film Festival, following last years success with Hansal Mehtas Scoop. In total, Netflix has garnered an impressive 23 nominations at the festival this year. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is a powerful narrative that delves into the lives of courtesans who held sway like queens in Lahore before Indias independence. The series features a stellar cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sharmin Segal in leading roles, with strong support from Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah, Jason Shah, Jayati Bhatia, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman. This project marks Bhansalis debut in the OTT space, where he not only directed but also composed the music, adding an emotional depth that resonates throughout the series. Available on Netflix, Heeramandi quickly became a major hit, topping viewership charts with 4.5 million views and 33 million viewing hours in its first week. It also claimed the No. 1 spot on the top 10 trending charts across 43 countries. Following this success, the creators are already planning a second season, promising to delve even deeper into the rich, dramatic world of Heeramandi. Rifat Rashid is one of the leading lights of the Bangladesh student movement which dramatically overthrew the Sheikh Hasina regime. The movement has been widely projected as spontaneous, and the students heading it as secular. But in a photo from a few years ago, Rifat is seen proudly holding up a placard which says, I am Shibir in front of Dhaka Universitys iconic Raju Memorial sculpture. Islami Chhatra Shibir is the student wing of Jamaat. As Hasina ran her undoubtedly ruthless writ for 15 years as prime minister, rabidly Islamist and until lately proscribed organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizb ut-Tahrir grew their mushrooms in the dark. In 2013, Jamaat had about 6,000 rukn or registered members. Now, in 2024, coming out of a prolonged ban, it has an estimated 27,000. So confident is Jamaat today that its head or Amir Shafiqur Rahman mocked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its old ally, in a recent public rally. Should we go with the BNP, Rahman asked his supporters, smilingly pre-empting the resounding no that came in reply. Jamaat has plans to rule Bangladesh on its own, without the help of the BNP or Awami League (AL). Its cadre and sympathisers have infiltrated institutions from the Supreme Court Bar Association to the army. Many in the current Bangladesh army brass are reluctant to help the current caretaker government headed by Muhammad Yunus navigate power smoothly and are waiting for it to fail. That section will be fine with Jamaat coming to power. Militant organisations like Hizb ut-Tahrir apparently have plants even in the student leadership. It is having a free run in the absence of police, who are frightened to even be seen in uniform, and a hands-off Army. Then there is Hefazat-e-Islam, an Islamist umbrella which many say is bigger than even Jamaat. Hasina flirted with it and extended favours just to counterbalance Jamaat. Hefazat runs thousands of qaumi madrassas or religious schools, which are another fertile breeding ground for extremism. Ansarullah Bangla Team, a local Al-Qaeda branch which was behind the killing of nearly half a dozen bloggers and a high-profile bank heist, is back in play. Its chief, Jasimuddin Rahmani, was released from jail, after the peoples coup to a heros welcome. Unsurprisingly, Hindus and other minorities are bearing the brunt of the Islamists dance of triumph. Reports say Hindus have been attacked in nearly 300 locations across 50 of Bangladeshs 64 districts. By putting all its eggs into Sheikh Hasinas basket, India blundered. It kept looking at Bangladesh from the prism of Muktijuddho, or the 1971 Liberation War in which India helped Bangladesh get freedom from Pakistan. Todays Bangladeshi youth, born in the 1990s or later, have very little connection with that epochal event. And the Hasina regime managed to kill whatever respect they may have gleaned from textbooks, statues and memorials by wanton strong-arming, human rights abuses, and corruption at the highest levels. In spite of Sheikh Hasinas rising unpopularity, India did not cultivate her rivals or push for reforms and change within the Awami League. It is unclear whether India has either moles within Jamaat or a strong line with its leadership. So, questions arise. Is India ready to live with this explosive situation next door? Is it ready to have an Afghanistan on its eastern border? Mind you, tracking a Taliban terrorist down in India would be far easier than busting Bangladesh sleeper cells. They look like most east Indians, and they share one of Indias most widely spoken languages: Bengali. India needs to open talks with every powerful stakeholder in Bangladesh post-haste. Most importantly, it needs to engage both the BNP and the AL. It needs to draw out a post-Sheikh Hasina scenario in Awami League, because the family is unlikely to come even close to being elected in the next decade or more. India also now needs to hold its nose and open channels with Jamaat. It is disastrous statecraft to not engage with hardcore Islamists in a Muslim-majority country, however secular and democratic things may seem at a particular moment. India also needs friends in the Bangladesh army. One cannot dismiss the chances of military rule in the near future. Right now, Bangladesh is like a hot, green, explosive slush. What shape it will settle in nobody can tell for certain. India needs to learn from its mistakes and regain some control. Else its neighbour will send over a poison pudding sooner than later. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, recently raised an alarm over the radical curriculum in government-funded madrasas (Islamic seminaries) in Bihar, where books allegedly published in Pakistan are being taught. In a Hindi post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 18, 2024, he cited a catechism in Taleem-ul-Islam Book-I: Lessons in Islam (P.6), which clearly states that unbelievers in Islam (kafirs) and Mushriks (polytheists) will never attain salvation and will instead be doomed to eternal punishment and affliction. The syllabus in question was prepared by the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board in collaboration with the UNICEF office, Bihar, after a series of workshops, trials and feedback, according to Asadur Rahman, Chief Field Office, UNICEF, Bihar. While this exposure may be sensational, it is nonetheless unexceptional. The curriculum in Bihars madrasas does not constitute a departure from the fundamental tenets of Islam, which are consistent from Mauritania to Indonesia. To assume that students in the madrasas of Bihar are being taught a fundamentally different version of Islam than those in the madrasas of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, or Telangana would be erroneous. It is likely that only the study material of Bihars madrasas has been scrutinised, to the exclusion of those in other states. Islams opposition to idol worship, polytheism, and atheism is fundamental in nature. It is as elemental as the three states of watersolid, liquid, and gaseousas taught in physics. From the standpoint of Islamic dogma, there is logic behind this stance. Idol worship and polytheism are incompatible with the belief in the singularity of Allah (Tawhid). Historically, the ascendancy of Islam was accompanied by the eradication of polytheism and idol worship in the Arabian Peninsula during the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam. After the conquest of Mecca (630 AD), the idols adorning the Kaba were gathered, burned, and smashed. Syed Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi, alias Ali Mian (1913-1999), independent Indias foremost scholar and thinker, describes it in simple terms: Belief in the Oneness of Allah, Tawheed in Arabic, is a pure and unmatched article of faith in Islam. Under this article, there is no need for an intermediary between God and His servant, who would intercede in matters of supplication and worship. This belief leaves no room for polytheism, the idea of someone being Gods incarnate or shadow, and doctrines of transmigration and the merger of Creator and creature (A Short Presentation on Islam, p. 3-4). Affirming the exclusivity of Allah and censuring disbelief (and disbelievers) is an integral part of Islam. Islams approach is thus entirely at odds with Hinduism, which acknowledges multiple approaches to the Truth. From Islams standpoint, there could certainly be no parity or equivalence between the believer (momin) and the non-believer (kafir). Karl Marx (and this is for the benefit of Left-liberals) demonstrated a nuanced understanding of Islam when he stated: The Koran and the Mussulman legislation emanating from it reduce the geography and ethnography of the various people to the simple and convenient distinctions of two nations and of two countries; those of the Faithful and those of the Infidels. The Infidel is haraby, i.e. enemy. Islamism proscribes the nation of the Infidels, constituting a state of permanent hostility between Mussulmans and the unbeliever (Declaration of WarOn the History of Eastern Question, New York Herald Tribune, April 15, 1854). Dr BR Ambedkar (1946) captures this divide brilliantly: Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a close corporation, and the distinction it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is a very real and very positive. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is the brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only (Pakistan or the Partition of India, P.325). II This is not the first time that serious concerns have been raised about the madrasa curriculum. Shortly after the shooting incident outside the American Centre in Kolkata on January 22, 2002, then West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya stated that certain unrecognised madrasas operating in areas bordering Bangladesh had become hubs for ISI-inspired terror-linked activities. His remarks caused significant uproar, not only within the Muslim community but also within the ruling CPI(M). However, what Bhattacharya stated was not entirely without basis, as evidenced by a video clip in the documentary film Bangla Crescent (2005), directed by Delhi-based filmmaker Mayank Jain. The film (see clip from 58:37 to 1:02:24) shows young students of a madrasa on the Indo-Bangladesh border with clear notions of jihad against kafirs. III According to the Council of Boards of School Educations (COBSE) website, only seven states in IndiaAssam, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Odishahave state madrasa boards. These boards focus on Islamic studies, including the Quran, Hadith, and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Bihar is one of the states with a madrasa board in place. However, the situation in the majority of Indian states, where there are no madrasa boards, is best left to the imagination. As per information provided by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the then Minister of Minority Affairs in Rajya Sabha, in reply to a question by Rakesh Sinha (vide unstarred question no 118 dated February 3, 2020), there were 19,132 recognised madrasas and 4,878 unrecognised madrasas in the country for the financial year 2018-19 (with several states not providing figures). Madrasas fall into two categories: Madrasa Darse Nizami, which imparts education in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu and is not required to follow state-approved curricula; and Madrasa Darse Aliya, which adheres to the curriculum prescribed by the state education boards. This appears to be an understatement, as would be evident from the information provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs before the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment (2021-22). The Committees 33rd report (2022) on the Demand for Grants (2022-23) for the Ministry of Minority Affairs indicates that a total of 11 states did not provide any data on madrasas on the UDISE portal, while 10 states, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, have between 1 and 20 madrasas registered on the portal. However, of this moth-eaten data, there were 26,928 registered madrasas for the financial year 2019-20. Of these, 1,425 were government-managed, 979 were government-aided, and 26,186 were private. They employed 117,272 regular teachers, 28,251 contractual teachers, and 1,225 part-time teachers. The total enrollment of boys and girls was 4,352,303 (vide Para 6.11 to 6.12/P.50). This represents a notable improvement over the UPA years when officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs had admitted before the Parliamentary Standing Committee that no centralised data on madrasas was maintained. Yet, the mismatch in data was deplorable. According to a report by NIEPA (2018), the curriculum of madrasas in India is regulated by three major Islamic institutions: a) Darul Uloom Deoband, b) Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, and c) Jamiat ul Hidaya, Jaipur. These institutions focus on different grades and subjects (Evaluation of SPQEM, 2018, P.21). The report is limited to four statesChhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, and Uttar Pradeshand does not provide a nationwide overview. On August 20, 2001, the then HRD Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, while inaugurating the All India Urdu Editors Conference, clarified that the Vajpayee government had no intention of altering the religious curriculum of madrasas. However, the government was interested in modernising madrasas by introducing subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and General Knowledge. The Vajpayee government increased expenditure on madrasa education from Rs 2 crore to Rs 12 crore. Thus, this modernisation of madrasa education meant an add-on to religious education, which was left uninvestigated and unreformed. This later formed the basis for the Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas (SPQEM) introduced by the UPA government in November 2008. The Vajpayee government began setting up IT centres for minorities in various districts. This initiative has often been described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Ek haath mein Quran, Ek haath mein computer (The glorious Quran in one hand, computer in the other). It is overlooked that this policy could mean providing a modern tool to advance a medieval mindset. Zulkifar Ali Barodawala, the alleged mastermind behind the Pune ISIS module, was an IT engineer who earned a handsome salary of Rs 31 lakhs per year before being arrested by the Maharashtra ATS in July 2023. The notion that a computer can modernise ones mindset is outdated, akin to the idea that the internet can democratise elections. Nowadays, fake news and false narratives, rapidly spread via social media, pose a significant threat unlike in the pre-IT era. Only seven states in India have a madrasa board, as mentioned above. However, the rules are reportedly so lax that one could start a registered madrasa in a 10 ft by 10 ft room. Often, these institutions lack basic facilities such as blackboards, chairs, tables, toilets, or playgrounds. The area of madrasa education remains a grey area that warrants the publication of a White Paper. The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Since the unceremonious ousting of Sheikh Hasina from the position of Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the formation of an interim government led by Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, there has been significant discussion in both the Bangladeshi and Indian media regarding Indias relationship with post-Hasina Bangladesh. The discussion in the Bangladeshi media centres around how the Narendra Modi-led government erred by placing all its eggs in Sheikh Hasinas basket and is focused on advising India to build relations with the people of Bangladesh. Indian liberals are also parroting this argument and offering similar advice to the Bangladeshi media. Sheikh Hasina Seeking Refuge in India is Not Unusual It is true that the Government of India, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, elevated relations with Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh to new heights. However, it is also true that Indias relations would have remained cordial if there had been a Congress-led government or a Third Front government supported by the Left. This is because the Congress, BJP, and the Left parties have always maintained friendly relations with Hasinas Awami League, the party founded by her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Awami League is considered a moderate party, and as a result, political parties in India, irrespective of their ideologies, share warm relations with it. Importantly, both Mujibur and Hasina, during their respective tenures, have consistently maintained friendly relations with India. So, Sheikh Hasina seeking refuge in India after fleeing Bangladesh is not unusual. This is not the first time it has happened. She also took shelter in India after her father, Mujibur Rahman, the then-ruler of Bangladesh, was assassinated along with other family members in 1975. However, Hasinas decision to seek refuge in India has become a point of discussion on social media in Bangladesh, as well as in their mainstream media. It is true that the anti-quota movement led by students against Hasina was largely democratic in nature. It is also true that over the years, Hasina has shifted from being a democrat to becoming an authoritarian leader. Given the brutal manner in which she attempted to crush the largely peaceful students protests, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of students, it is understandable that there is now strong anti-Hasina sentiment across the neighbouring country. Furthermore, her decision to take refuge in India has exacerbated this anti-sentiment, turning it into anger against India. Hasina is Just a Pretext for Anti-India Sentiment Blaming India for giving refuge to Hasina as the main reason behind the rise of anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh is a naive argument. While it is true that New Delhi supported Hasina, who, after becoming prime minister in 2009, acted against Indian terrorists hiding in Bangladesh, it is also a fact that blaming India for the farcical 2014, 2018, and 2024 general elections, which occurred under Hasinas rule to strengthen her authoritarian power, is merely a pretext. It is quite amusing that those Bangladeshi commentators who complain about Indias big brother attitude towards its neighbours are simultaneously expressing anger at India for refusing to interfere in Bangladeshs internal affairs by dictating to Hasina how to conduct elections over the last decade! To be fair, New Delhi was never opposed to democratic elections in Bangladesh. It should be noted that back in 2017, the then-Indian foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj, during her visit to Bangladesh, also met with a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) delegation led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Regarding the meeting, BNPs then-general secretary, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, stated that Swaraj told the delegation that India expected a fair electionreferring to the 2018 general electionwith the participation of all parties. Lets also not forget that Swarajs meeting with Zia took place despite opposition from the Awami League. Its the rise of Islamism that is fuelling anti-India sentiments This year, when Sheikh Hasina was elected for a fourth consecutive term through a farcical election, it wasnt only India that congratulated herChina, another significant regional partner, also extended its congratulations to Hasina. Russia, too, offered its congratulations. However, India is primarily blamed for supporting Hasinas undemocratic election, despite the fact that India has consistently advocated for a fair and participative democratic process in Bangladesh. In reality, its the rise of Islamism that is fuelling the anti-India sentiments across Bangladesh. This rise of Islamism didnt happen suddenly. After the assassination of Mujibur Rahman, under whose leadership a secular constitution was established, successive military dictators overturned the secular constitution, steering the country towards Islamisation and closer ties with Pakistan. Lets not forget that during the freedom struggle, there was a faction that strongly opposed Bangladeshs liberation from Pakistan. As the country moved towards Islamisation, the radicals within the country gained strength. In post-Mujibur Rahman Bangladesh, the Awami League first came to power in 1996 and governed until 2001 under the prime ministership of Sheikh Hasina. However, during this period, even Hasinas Awami League government didnt restore the secular constitution established by her father. Later, when the BNP and Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami coalition came to power in 2001, with Khaleda Zia becoming prime minister for the second time, anti-Indian sentiments rose, with the government machinery supporting anti-India elements, including terrorist groups from the Northeastern states. Later, when the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League returned to power in 2009, she began taking strong actions against the Northeastern terrorist groups operating from Bangladesh. While Hasina banned the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, she started patronising another Islamist groupHefazat-e-Islamto consolidate her hold on power and abandoned the idea of restoring the secular constitution, despite previously promising to do so. Her rule witnessed the rise of jihadi attacks on secular and atheist bloggers across the country. The 2016 Holey Artisan terrorist attack in Dhaka, the worst terror attack in the country to date, demonstrated how deeply radicalisation had infiltrated society, as the six attackers, all either in their late teens or early twenties and products of the countrys elite, killed 22 people solely based on Islamism. Then in 2017, despite her moderate credentials, the Hasina government, in an attempt to appease its new Islamist ally, removed many Hindu authors from textbooks and replaced them with Muslim authors. Among the excluded authors was the great poet Rabindranath Tagore, whose poem Aaji Bangladesher Hridoy Hote was removed on the grounds that it allegedly praised a Hindu goddess. Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhurys adaptation of the Ramayana for children was also removed. It was this Islamism that Hasina patronised, which slowly aggravated the anti-Indian sentiments already prevalent among the Islamists in the country. This anti-India hatred became evident during PM Narendra Modis visit to Bangladesh in 2021 to celebrate 50 years of independence when Hefazat-e-Islam incited violence across the country in protest of the visit, during which some Hindu temples were also attacked. The same year saw riots against Hindus across the country, fuelled by rumours during Durga Pujaa clear indication of Islamism gaining a stronghold in Bangladeshi society. This rise of Islamism occurred while Sheikh Hasina was consolidating power through her authoritarian tendencies. To Reset Relations, Bangladesh Must Rein in Islamism While the students protests were largely democratic, it is also true that Islamists, including Jamaats student wing Chhatra Shibir, became involved in the latter stages. Islamists played a role in the anti-Hindu riots, where Hindu houses and temples were vandalised across the country after Hasinas exit. It is surprising that the Bangladeshi media is attempting to portray these anti-Hindu riots as primarily political, suggesting that revolutions often involve some form of violence. While it is true that revolutions are often followed by violence, it is peculiar that during this period of anarchy, no mosques were targeted, while temples were. This failed attempt to depict anti-Hindu religious hatred as political violence wont change the ground reality in Bangladesh. It is indeed amusing that the Bangladeshi media is blaming the rightward shift in Indian politicsthe election of the BJP to powerfor the rise of anti-India sentiments. Lets not forget that it was during Modis rule that India and Bangladesh resolved the decades-old enclave issue, which had often led to clashes between the two countries border security forces. This historic land agreement served Bangladeshs interests, arguably more than Sheikh Hasinas. Moreover, the Bangladeshi medias allegations of Muslims facing attacks under Modis rule are also exaggerated, as these lynching incidents were not solely driven by religious hatred, and the victims included both Muslims and Hindus. Importantly, India has not witnessed wide-scale anti-Muslim attacks across the country over the last ten years, unlike the wide-scale anti-Hindu attacks that occurred in Bangladesh in 2021 and now in 2024. Its truly unfortunate that the Bangladeshi media is more concerned with the voting trends of Indian voters. This decision should be left to the Indian electorate, who are wise enough to choose their representatives. Instead, the Bangladeshi media should focus on the rising Islamism in the country, which is creating insecurities among Hindus and other minorities. New Delhi has already congratulated the new interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, expressing hope for the continuation of friendly relations. However, relations cannot be one-sided. For a fresh start in India-Bangladesh relations, Bangladesh must also take the initiativebeginning with taking action to rein in Islamism, which is acting as a barrier between the two nations. Sagarneel Sinha is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Kashmir is a complex political geography. Assumptions that work well elsewhere fail when used to decode political developments in the Valley. But there is one rule of thumb that has proven to be quite durable. A politicians street capital in the Valley can be fairly accurately assessed by how hard they are being pursued by the Indian state. In the recent Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, this aphorism underlined its durability when jailed Pak-sponsored separatist Engineer Rashid pulled off a shock victory. No one gave Rashid a chance against his more storied and one daresay privileged rival, ex-CM Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC). Rashid won on the slogan jail ka badla vote se (avenge jail through the ballot). The fact that he was perceived to be a somewhat implacable enemy of the Indian state meant that was doing something right, at least in the voters imagination. Something more than Abdullah who was also under a desultory house arrest in the days after the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. In the Valley, Rashids victory was immediately assessed as an expression of Kashmirs yearning for greater political autonomy that was eroded by the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(a). Albeit alarmed, the Centre still took consolation from the knowledge that voters in record numbers turned up to vote. The BJP in particular cited the turnout as underlining a renewed belief in the Modi-led Indian states capacity to accommodate the aspirations of the once estranged Kashmiri people. Now, three months later, as the first assembly polls in a decade are being held in Jammu and Kashmir, several more Rashids from separatist ranks have thrown their hat into the ring. Most are now campaigning on the promise to undo the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, to free political prisoners from jail, renew cross-border trade with Pakistan and some other demands associated with the separatist politics of yore. Anticipating competition from separatist debutantes, the more mainstream parties like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party have also come out with arguably soft separatist manifestos. The prospect of many Rashids sitting in the legislature has elicited predictable views. The advocates of a soft touch approach to Kashmir are welcoming the desire among India sceptics in the Valley to move towards the mainstream. This ecosystem is excited by the prospect of what they term the broad basing of democracy in the union territory. Unionists or integrationists see the entry of separatists into the poll fray as an insidious attempt at state capture from within. What if the newly minted legislators pass a resolution in favour of restoring the much more tenuous pre-1953 status for Jammu and Kashmir? What message would such a radical statement of separatism send to the world? What if the legislators use the resolutions to rally their supporters to come out onto the streets demanding the real thing? Above all, would the raising of such ultra vires demands by the peoples representatives still be regarded as a win for constitutional democracy? This perhaps is the moot question. October 08, 2024, 09:58 AM IST | Episode 147 Telangana minister Konda Surekha blamed KT Rama Rao for the divorce of actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, triggering a storm of criticism from the Telugu film industry as well as the Opposition. Given the marriage of stardom and politics in the south, to what extent can the two be kept separate? Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ranchi on Friday. Soren along with a large number of his supporters switched over to the saffron camp in the presence of union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Ranchi. The development came days after the tribal leader met the union home minister Amit Shah and resigned from the JMM. VIDEO | Former Jharkhand CM and former JMM leader Champai Soren (@ChampaiSoren) joins BJP along with this supporters at an event in Ranchi. #ChampaiSoren pic.twitter.com/vdZmKwVm3g Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024 While welcoming the 67-year-old tribal leader in saffron camp, Chouhan said that the Tiger of Jharkhand has joined the BJP to remove the corrupt Jharkhand government from power. Champai Soren worked very hard for the creation of Jharkhand and he dedicated his life to the service of the public. He has joined the BJP to remove the corrupt Jharkhand government from power. We welcome him. Tiger abhi zinda hai. He is the Tiger of Jharkhand and we will form the government in Jharkhand he said. WHAT LED CHAMPAIS EXIT FROM JMM? A close aide of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, Champai was anointed to the top post after Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. Champai stepped down from the post on July 3 after Hemant Soren was granted bail by Jharkhand High Court. He was unhappy with the way he was unceremoniously removed from the Chief Ministers post to make way for Hemant Soren to become CM again. He complained in close quarters that he felt insulted by the way he was removed, say sources. He is a tribal leader who had always been a perpetual chief minister-in-waiting. He is an Adivasi by birth and a loyalist of the Soren family. He earlier hinted that he might float a new political party in the run-up to the state assembly elections. I will not retire from politics. In the new chapter that I have started, Ill strengthen the new organisation and if I find a good friend in the way, Ill move ahead with that friendship to serve the people and state Everything will become clear in a week, the senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader said shortly after he reached his ancestral village Jhilingora in Seraikela-Kharsawan district post midnight last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modis apology for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Konkans Malvan is crucial, given the emotions attached to the Maratha warrior king in poll-bound Maharashtra. PM Modi had unveiled the statue at Rajkot Fort eight months ago. Modi acknowledged the deep hurt caused by the incident and expressed regret over the damage to the statue, emphasising the need to honour Shivaji Maharajs legacy with utmost respect. ALSO READ | I Bow My Head At Chhatrapati Shivajis Feet: PM Modi Apologises For Maharashtra Statue Collapse In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a historical figure, but a symbol of identity and pride for millions, especially the Maratha community. Modis apology is a strategic political move, given the importance of Maharashtra in Indias political landscape. BJPS MAHARASHTRA PLANS The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Modis leadership, has been keen on strengthening its presence in the region, especially after voters turned their backs on the BJP and its alliance partners in the recently held general elections. In Maharashtra, the BJP and its alliance partners were confident of winning more than 42 of the 48 seats, but they only managed to secure 17 seats. ALSO READ | Video: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs Statue, Unveiled Last Year, Collapses In Maharashtra; FIR Filed Critics of the BJP are of the opinion that by publicly apologising, Modi tried to mitigate any potential backlash, further preventing it from becoming a major reason for people not to support them in the upcoming elections. Additionally, the Maratha community, which has maintained its distance from the BJP, cannot be further alienated. The incident could have sparked widespread protests, and the apology serves to calm sentiments and demonstrate the governments sensitivity to local cultural icons. OPPOSITION SPEAK Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad said, Just apologising wont wash away the wrongdoing. If a statue collapses within eight months, it means some kind of corruption has happened in its making. Why is the PM or the Centre not launching an Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe the way they do against the opposition to settle political scores?" Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, This apology comes after huge public outcry. This apology comes after knowing that the opposition is asking for accountability, and it came too late." MARATHA SUPPORT The apology also comes at a time when the Maratha community is vocal about its demands for reservation in education and government jobs. The community, which constitutes a significant portion of Maharashtras population, has been agitating for increased political representation and social benefits, claiming historical injustices. The issue of Maratha reservation has been a contentious one, with frequent protests and political maneuvering. ALSO READ | Will Quit Politics If Fadnavis Takes Swipe At Maratha Quota Activist Jarange Modis apology, therefore, could be seen as an attempt to placate the community and assure them of the governments commitment to addressing their concerns. By linking the apology to the broader context of Maratha pride and reservation demands, Modi may be seeking to bolster support among Marathas, a crucial voting bloc in Maharashtra. Will this apology from the PM control damage for the Mahayuti government in the state? Before the PM, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde both tendered their apologies to the people of Maharashtra, but the anger was not subsiding, with the opposition continuing its attacks. With his apology though, the PM has tried to put an end to all controversies, the issue may have given the opposition the much-needed ammunition right before the upcoming assembly polls. There were fireworks at the second meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) constituted to scrutinise the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The meeting which began at 11 am went on till 7.30 pm on Friday. Sources say Bharatiya Janata Party MPs who were at the meeting complained that unruly opposition lawmakers did not allow many of them to speak and make their points. On the other hand, some opposition MPs said that the BJP was using a high-handed approach and made personal remarks against them. According to sources, there was a bitter war of words between BJP MP Dilip Saikia and Aam Aadmi Partys Sanjay Singh. In response to a personal comment made by Saikia, Singh allegedly lashed out, saying that the ruling party does not understand the meaning of the Constitution or its implication, but is merely busy grabbing power. He said the classic example was what was panning out in the national capital and it was for everybody to see. The lieutenant governor of the national capital was constantly trying to undermine the authority of the elected government, he said. Singh went on to say that it was this government that arrested him and kept him in jail for six months but was not able to prove anything against him. This was after Dilip Saikia questioned Sanjay Singh, saying that a collector given power would mean the control would stay with the government. Saikia said this was the condition in Delhi but not in the rest of the country, which led to Singh lashing out at him. At some stage during the meeting, say sources, a number of opposition MPs staged a walkout of the meeting, citing the attitude of the government. Those who walked out included DMK MPs MM Abdulla and A Raja, Imran Masood from the Congress, Arvind Sawant from the Shiv Sena (UBT), as well as AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi. Sources say it so happened that the two delegations who were asked to depose before the panel on Friday had a common lawyer as a representative. When the lawyer tried to speak a second time, the ruling MPs stopped him. The opposition MPs were peeved by this move and said that the chair couldnt cite any appropriate ruling for disallowing him to speak. Later, these MPs went back to the meeting. In fact, when one of the officials said that this bill would be beneficial for the Bohra community and Afghanis instead of Aga Khanis, which seemed to be a slip of the tongue, some opposition MPs jokingly asked whether the bill was for Bharat or Akhand Bharat. At the second meeting, the JPC called the All India Sunni Jamiatul Ulama, Mumbai, Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, and Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to depose before it. A notable opponent of the bill, Owaisi submitted another written note on his objections to chairman Jagdambika Pal. He said that in the absence of protection such as waqf by user of such religious places, it would be violative of freedom of religion, enshrined in Article 25 of the Constitution, which provides for the state to protect places of worship from being converted, demolished, or desecrated. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8. The government led by minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju then announced on the floor of the house that they were ready to send this bill for parliamentary scrutiny. The next meeting of the committee will be on September 5. Pixel phone users might have to wait a little longer before the Android 15 update rolls out for their devices. Google traditionally launches the new Pixel models with the latest version but this years August release has forced the company to change its plans and reports suggest it might have to push the roll out of Android 15 to its usual timeline. Pixel 9 series made its debut earlier this month, and all of the models, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold have launched with Android 14 out of the box. Googles regular cycle goes until October for the new release and it seems that Android 15 is also going to follow the same trend. Ideally, if Google was planning for an August launch for the Pixel 9 series, it should have prepared the Android 15 beta schedule for an earlier release which would have helped the company go about its usual release timeline. The company will now have to push an over-the-air (OTA) update to offer Android 15 version to the new flagship phones and the current Pixel models which is expected to happen sometime in October. The other important aspect with this change is that Google will have to make sure that its claimed 7 years of OS support is not denied to these consumers, and it ensures that one more OS update is offered rather than counting Android 15 in the update schedule for the Pixel 9 series. Getting an year old Android version with the new phones doesnt throw a positive light on Googles flagship ambitions but we are hoping the wait will be worth it for these users. In an alarming revelation, a recent report highlights how seemingly harmless social media photos can pose serious security risks. Specifically, images that reveal fingerprints can be exploited by cybercriminals to withdraw funds via the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) and engage in other illicit activities. A report by Navbharat Times shed light on this growing issue, quoting ACP Cyber Crime Vivek Ranjan Roy. According to the report, over ten such cases have emerged in Noida, where criminals have cloned individuals fingerprints from their social media photos and misused them. Authorities are urging the public, particularly students, to exercise caution when posting photos online. It is crucial to avoid sharing images that display sensitive information like fingerprints. Additionally, it is recommended to enhance privacy settings on social media accounts and utilise two-factor authentication to bolster security. Securing Your Biometrics in Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) relies on Aadhaar numbers and biometric data for banking transactions, making fingerprint security a critical component. Cybersecurity experts stress the importance of safeguarding fingerprint information to prevent fraud. Many individuals fall victim to cybercrime simply by sharing personal details on social media, underscoring the need for vigilance. Tips for Protecting Your Biometric Data: Be Cautious on Social Media: Avoid posting photos or information that reveal your fingerprints, facial recognition data, or other biometric details. Enhance Privacy Settings: Strengthen privacy settings on all your online accounts, including social media and banking apps. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security. Use Trusted Platforms: Refrain from entering biometric data on unauthorised apps or websites. Only use trusted and official platforms for sharing sensitive information. Maintain Software Updates: Regularly update the operating system and security software on your mobile phone and other devices. This ensures that you benefit from the latest security enhancements. Monitor Biometric Logs: Regularly review your transaction logs, especially if your biometrics are used for banking or other critical services. This helps detect any unauthorised use of your information. Limit Biometric Usage: Use biometric data only for essential services. Avoid using it unnecessarily to minimise potential risks. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect that your biometric information may be misused, promptly report the issue to the relevant authorities or cybercrime department. How to Regularly Check Your Biometrics Google is powering Gemini AI to be its Siri rival in the market and the company is looking to make it compatible with third-party apps like WhatsApp in the near future. Gemini is already replacing Google Assistant on the latest Android phones as the option which lets them set reminders or search for items on the internet. But Google wants further integration of Gemini much akin to Apples Siri native support for its apps and more. Google Gemini Working With WhatsApp How It Might Look The traces of Gemini working with WhatsApp has been spotted by folks at Android Authority through the unreleased APK file of the beta version. The report even claims that Gemini could also work with Messages app and Spotify as well. Google is likely to add a new toggle option in Device settings which will allow you to work through the popular messaging app using your voice. In fact, the APK details suggest Gemini could work with your phones notifications as well, and help you make calls on WhatsApp just by asking the voice assistant to select the contact and start the call. Gemini AI is Googles big bet against the AI-powered Siri that Apple will be offering with the iOS 18.1 update for iPhone 15 Pro and newer models. You also have ChatGPTs voice mode offering similar tools but only for the paid users right now. Samsung is already showing its interest in bringing the AI features to older mid-range devices which helps Google to increase its reach and Gemini AI usage in the future. The Android 15 update seems to be the destination for these supposed Gemini AI features and with an October release mooted for the new Android version, we might hear more about these third-party integrations for Gemini in the coming weeks. A 16-year-old boy was killed in Jamaica after allegedly getting mauled by a shark when spearfishing. After going into the ocean by himself, Jahmari Reid of Falmouth, Trelawny, was discovered the next day with his head severed. According to the local media, the victim was beheaded and had one of his limbs amputated. At present, there are attempts to kill the shark and retrieve the severed head. The teenager left home early on Monday and went spearfishing by himself in a northern parish located 20 miles east of the well-known tourist attraction Montego Bay. Lavern Robinson, the teens mother, told the Jamaica Star that her son was in 10th grade at William Knibb Memorial High School and was preparing to move on to grade 11. Right now [I] dont know what to say. Jahmari has been going to the sea since he was small, she told the publication. Jahmaris uncle, Robert Robinson, a fisherman, told CBS News that when his nephew didnt come back from the ocean at his usual time, the family started to grow concerned, and they set up a search team to try and find him. Fisherman Christopher Reynolds told the Jamaica Observer that on Tuesday morning, a group of divers found Jahmaris remains and carried him to Falmouth Fishing Beach. According to the publication, Reynolds had been informed that divers had sighted a big tiger shark in the water close to where Jahmaris remains were found, but they had not been able to capture the animal. Another angler told Loop Jamaica News that in his years of fishing, nothing like this has ever occurred in Falmouth. He also said that when you are spearfishing and a shark starts to circle around you, release the thread and hand it to him. The Jamaica Observer reported that Fritz Christie, the president of a Falmouth Fisherfolks Benevolent Society, described the incident as the first loss in the Trelawny area ever. Christie, however, believes that the shark followed a cruise ship and did not swim away, as per the publication. Vice principal of Jahmaris school Audrey Steele called the late teenager just a quiet boy, according to the Jamaica Star. The International Shark Attack File, maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society, shows that since 1749, there have only been three documented instances of unprovoked shark attacks in Jamaica. In a chilling incident, a 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee identified as Denise Prudhomme from Tempe, Arizona died in her cubicle. But the disturbing part was that her body was only discovered four days later in her office building. As per reports, Denise had checked in at 7 am on August 16 and her body was found on August 20 when the guards found an unresponsive employee. Its unclear how the female worker remained unnoticed for so long, however, early investigation reports by Tempe Police indicate no signs of foul play. As per the accounts of employees of Wells Fargo, Denises cubicle was on the third floor and away from the main aisle. Further, an employee told ABS News12 that her body was found when they were walking around the building. Some employees even shared they had noticed a bad smell but thought it was due to plumbing issues. Wells Fargo, while talking about the incident, said, 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. Employees of Wells Fargo mentioned that even though many of them work remotely, the office has security 24/7. They believe someone should have noticed Denise Prudhomme earlier and others call it part negligence. The shocking incident has left many employees unsettled. Its really heartbreaking and Im thinking, What if I were just sitting there? No one would check on me? said a worker. Another said, To hear shes been sitting at the desk like that would make me feel sick and nobody did anything. Thats how she spent her last moments. An employee noted, Thats the scary part. Thats the uneasy part, Its negligence in some parts. To the family, Im sorry for their loss. I feel it because Im thinking about my mom and my mother-in-law and what if that happened to them, shared a worker. Reportedly, the cause of death is still not known by the Maricopa County medical examiner and investigation is underway. In an almost cinematic turn of events, a murder suspect fleeing from the law was arrested by US Marshals after he fell through a ceiling. In a press statement, the US Marshals Service stated that Deario Wilkerson, who was hiding in an attic, fell through the ceiling while they were trying to catch him on August 26. The 20-year-old fugitive suspect was on an arrest warrant for first-degree murder and reckless endangerment in connection with the deadly shooting that took place in North Memphis in April. Wilkerson was not harmed in the incident and was taken into custody immediately after. The US Marshals Service shared that they got the information about Wilkerson being spotted in a Memphis residence through Shelby County Sheriffs Office and Memphis Police Departments Fugitive Apprehension Teams who had been tracking him since April. The marshalls soon surrounded the house and started searching the house. However, the law enforcement officers didnt need to search far. Wilkerson attempted to hide in the attic as the USMS searched the residence; however, he fell through the ceiling, the press release read. As per Shelby County District Attorneys office, Wilkerson was among the three individuals who were taken into custody. The DAs office noted in a press statement in May that Memphis police heard many gunshots on April 2 while attending to a disturbance call near an apartment complex. Troy Cunningham, the deceased, was found dead from a bullet wound to the rear of his skull on the sidewalk close to Merton Street. The victim, Troy Cunningham, was discovered on the sidewalk near Peres and Merton Street, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head, added the press release. Additionally, two female passengers in a passing car were hit by gunfire; one of them sustained a gunshot wound on the shoulder. While the victim was said to have been fired at by the other two suspects, Wilkerson was captured approaching the victim and grabbing something from the ground close to him before fleeing the scene. The other two criminals were arrested in May, and an arrest warrant was issued against Wilkerson. Bengaluru is frequently in the spotlight for traffic jams, water shortages and population. However, the focus shifted when Laila Majnu actress Sahiba Bali sparked controversy after her comment on how English is spoken differently in the city compared to other parts of India. On the UNTRIGGERED podcast with Amin Jazayeri, the content creator highlighted how locals frequently use terms such as it seems and full hectic. Her comment garnered backlash on social media with many slamming her for commenting on their language. During the podcast, she says, In India, everywhere you go its different English, like Bengaluru English is very different. It seems they keep on saying, I love it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by UNTRIGGERED with AminJaz (@untriggeredpodcast) With over 86 lakh views, the post managed to gather varied comments. A user wrote, She thinks 90% of North Indians have a British accent. Another shared, At least Bengaluru uses it seems, an English word but North Indians cant speak English without words like ki, matlab, yaar, array. Echoing the same view another user said, Being a Bangalorean I can with certainty tell you, that we dont speak this way. Wonder whom they spoke to? Please dont generalize things. Its become cool to speak about accents of languages which need to stop. Another individual shared his thoughts and said, Content creators have no more topics to talk about apart from Bengaluru. Its either traffic, accent or weather. However, a few defended the actress, arguing that her comments were not meant to criticize the language but to highlight its uniqueness. I dont know why people are getting offended in comments. They discuss how it is different from normal English literature. Every state has its own words, slang and phrases, a comment read. Another shared, They are just expressing their love for the unique way we speak. Why this sudden hatred man? Why this sudden divide? Its sad. Sahiba Bali is an actor from Kashmir known for her work in projects like Bard of Blood (2019), Tanaav (2022), and Laila Majnu (2018). Hearings for a man accused of killing his girlfriend were canceled after the attorney for Derick Wilkinson, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, waived his detention and preliminary hearings. Wilkinson is accused of second-degree murder in Indian Country and assault on an intimate partner by strangulation in early August on the Forth Berthold Indian Reservation in White Shield, according to an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Bryanna Goldfinch Jones. Because the alleged incidents took place within the boundaries of the reservation, the charges against Wilkinson fall under federal jurisdiction. If convicted of the murder charge, Wilkinson faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. A conviction on the assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. U.S. Magistrate Judge Clare Hochhalter asked Wilkinson if he agreed with defense attorney Jeffrey Sowash's motion to waive the hearings pending further proceedings. Wilkinson, who has been held in the Ward County jail in Minot on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest, said he agreed. Records from Ward County indicate Wilkinson was placed in custody on Aug. 26. The charges against Wilkinson come after a McLean County deputy saw smoke coming from a residence shortly after 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9, according to the affidavit. The deputy attempted to enter the home but was unable to do so; however, Wilkinson came outside. Wilkinson lived at the home with a woman described as his girlfriend and her two minor children who were still inside when she was killed, the document stated. Wilkinson and his brother, identified as Cedrick, allegedly broke a window and removed the children. One received CPR at the scene and both were transported to a Minot hospital for injuries they suffered, according to the affidavit. Cedrick accompanied the children while Derick was taken to a Bismarck hospital for treatment of his injuries. Court documents don't say how the fire started. Firefighters from Garrison arrived and extinguished the blaze. Following firefighting operations, a body was discovered in an upstairs bedroom, according to the affidavit. That body was identified as Jane Doe. Discovery of the body prompted law enforcement to obtain a search warrant, and that search revealed reddish brown stains on the bedroom walls, according to the affidavit. An autopsy was conducted on the body, which indicated Jane Doe suffered from a broken hyoid bone, according to the affidavit. A broken hyoid bone is a strong indication of strangulation. The medical examiner determined Jane Doe's trachea was clear of soot and based on those findings, authorities believe she was dead before the fire started and that the broken hypoid bone was the result of strangulation or blunt force trauma to the neck, the document stated. Prior to Derick being transported, Cedrick was interviewed by a police officer from Garrison, and that officer was allegedly informed that Derick had argued with his girlfriend the night before the fire, the affidavit stated. Further investigation by McLean County Detective Bradley Neilsen revealed statements by neighbors that revealed Wilkinson and Jane Doe had argued in the past. There were also other statements made to law enforcement that revealed Jane Doe had previously been seen with red marks around her neck and that domestic violence may have been taking place in the home, according to the affidavit. During an interview days after the incident, Jane Doe's children allegedly told investigators that Wilkinson and their mother fought the night before the fire and one of the children allegedly saw Wilkinson "choke" her, according to the affidavit. Another interview with a neighbor done Aug. 15 revealed that Jane Doe had purchased and installed a camera inside her home. Investigators obtained a search warrant for video footage stored on cloud-based servers. Links to videos from inside the home on Aug. 8 revealed multiple recordings. Those videos showed Wilkinson entering the home at approximately 9:30 p.m. and that shortly before 10:15 p.m., Wilkinson became visibly agitated with Jane Doe and began to assault her with his hands and feet, the affidavit stated. Wilkinson can be seen throwing objects, including chairs and a bookshelf, at her before grabbing her around the neck in what is described as strangling, the document stated. Wilkinson has a previous federal conviction, according to federal documents. He was convicted during a jury trial in 2016 on charges of assault resulting in serious injury and assault with a dangerous weapon. Those convictions resulted in Wilkinson being sentenced to 4 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Wilkinson allegedly told authorities he was released from federal custody in 2019. In a video that shows only a glimpse of her face, an Afghan woman sings as part of a broader online protest against a new law that bans women from speaking in public. The law, announced by the Taliban last week, requires, among other things, that womens faces, bodies and voices be covered outside the home. In response, Afghan women both inside and outside the country have posted videos on social media protesting the new restrictions using hashtags such as my voice is not banned and no to the Taliban. In a video reportedly shot inside Afghanistan, a woman can be seen dressed head-to-toe in black and covering her face with a long veil. You have silenced my voice for the foreseeable future you have locked me in my house for the crime of being a woman, she says. Groups of women activists posted videos raising their fists or tearing up photos of top Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who rules by decree from the southern city of Kandahar. 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 A womans voice is the voice of justice, an activist group chants in another video. In another, X user Taiba Sulaimani sings while adjusting her veil in a mirror. A womans voice is her identity and not something that should be hidden, she says. The morality law, known as the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, formalizes many rules that have already been in place since the Taliban seized power in 2021. It says women cannot sing or recite loudly in public and cannot carry their voices beyond the confines of their homes. If an adult woman has to leave her home out of necessity, she is obliged to cover her face, body and voice, it says. The law refers to a womans voice as aurat a term used in Islamic law, sharia, to refer to the intimate parts of a man or woman that must be covered. Women and men are not allowed to look at members of the opposite sex who are not close relatives, and taxi drivers are barred under the law from transporting women travelling without a male guardian. When the Taliban came to power, they imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The top Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has dismissed criticism of the law as arrogance and a misunderstanding or disregard of sharia. Women are the main victims of restrictions introduced over the past three years that limit access to education, public spaces and many jobs and have been described by the United Nations as gender apartheid. The United Nations and other international organizations have condemned the new law, saying it further curtails womens rights. On Tuesday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the law to be repealed, calling it totally intolerable. The law cements a policy that completely erases womens presence in the public sphere silencing their voices and depriving them of their autonomy, effectively attempting to turn them into faceless, voiceless shadows, said spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani. A video featuring an unconventional yoga practice has sparked outrage online. Posted by content creator Jen Zhang on Instagram, the clip showcases the unique session of snake yoga involving ball pythons, which has drawn criticism from social media users who have called the act as animal abuse. In the video, Zhang provides a detailed account of her experience at a yoga center where participants engage in yoga routines while handling ball pythons. She explains, It is an hour-long yoga experience where youre paired with your own snake and you do a snake incorporated yoga routine. I thought it sounded absolutely insane. So, I booked it immediately. When you get there, your instructor and snake handler will give a hands-on on how to handle the snakes properly. Then, you pick a gem randomly. Each one corresponds to one of their eight snakes and you get to keep it as a souvenir. These are non-toxic ball pythons. Despite her initial hesitation, Zhang shares her experience of overcoming her fear of snakes. Definitely got comfy as the class went on. It helps that snakes are super slow. They are also under three pounds and are very smooth and gentle. Compared to snakeless yoga, I felt a lot more concentrated, she adds. The ONLY place with SNAKE YOGA. What an insanely unique experience, Zhang wrote in the caption. The video was shared over three weeks ago and it has since garnered significant traction online, amassing over 8.5 lakh views. Many viewers took to the comment section to express their thoughts. One user in frustration, commented, Stop calling everything Yoga. This is not Yoga. Stop spoiling yogas name. Another added, This is animal abuse and absolutely disturbing that people dont realize that. Yikes yall. Stop treating animals like commodities or accessories. Stop bastardising yoga into an exotic and exclusionary fitness routine. This is not authentic yoga. This is cultural appropriation. Yoga is a Hindu philosophical system that offers multiple pathways for spiritual awareness and enlightenment, someone criticised. An individual expressed, This is so wrong in many ways. First of all please leave animals alone and second this is not yoga, this is cultural appropriation at its best. Despite the backlash, some viewers were intrigued by the concept. One user exclaimed, This is magical!! Im definitely going to have to check you guys out!! Another enthusiastically added, Wow I totally want to do snake yoga. The horrifying rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor have not only shocked the entire nation but also sparked widespread protests. The gruesome incident has highlighted the growing issue of sexual violence against women and raised concerns over womens safety. Speaking of which, a video of a social media influencer has recently surfaced online and she shared items women should include in their festive shopping list. In the wake of the tragic incident, content creator Shreyasi Biswas recently took to her Instagram, sharing her shopping list for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. In the video, she advises women to carry self-defence items such as an alarm keychain, pepper spray and a mini knife as a precautionary measure during pandal hopping. The discussion sparked a sea of reaction, with some highlighting the urgency of finding solutions to ensure the safety and security of women in India, while others advocated for practical safety measures. Sharing the disheartening video, the Instagram user captioned, Never thought I will ever have to make a video on womens safety staying in Kolkata!! Our safety is so vulnerable and endangered in a system like this that women need to take care of themselves, be alert in their workplaces, and must carry safety self-defence tools all the time in their bags!! View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHREYASI BISWAS | KOLKATA (@thevoguishaffair) The video shared a week ago has since accumulated nearly 74,000 likes and more than 7.6 lakh views. Within no time, social media viewers shared their take and flooded the comments section with varied comments. While some expressed that they were heartbroken by the incident, others highlighted the need for systemic change to address the root causes of violence against women. Didi, this is so sad. But every Bengali woman has this one thing in mind right now. Kolkata is no longer safe for women, expressed a user. Another added, Feels so heartbreaking, but this is the reality! Sad. Still, you cant defend yourself if five men attack you Its the psychology and mindset on which education should be provided to both genders! said an Instagram user. An individual commented, Its just so sad that it comes to a situation where we have to buy safety tools to protect ourselves from the opposite gender. Couldnt agree more, echoed a few. However, a few also chastised her, claiming that she is an opportunist exploiting a horrific incident. People like you find an opportunity in every situation. Pathetic condition in our country, posted a user. On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead under gruesome circumstances at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. After the spine-chilling details of the young doctors rape and muder case came to light, the horrific incident has drawn significant attention, triggering nationwide outrage. Police have arrested accused Sanjay Roy based on hospitals CCTV footage. Google Maps has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, with users encountering outdated information and misleading directions that result in detours and delays. One such Google Maps error caused a man to miss his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai. Ashish Kacholia shared the incident on social media with a dash of humour, as he quipped, Life is relative. Kacholia claimed that Google Maps showed him a travel time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, but it actually took him three hours to reach the airport, leading him to miss his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai. Yesterday missed my flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai because the journey took three hours instead of 1.45 as shown by Google Maps, he wrote on X. Kacholia added, Deeply grateful to Mumbai administration @mybmc for investing in infrastructure to keep traffic moving in maximum city. Life is relative, he concluded. Take a look at the post here: Yesterday missed my flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai because journey took 3 hours instead of 1.45 as shown by Google maps.Deeply grateful to Mumbai administration @mybmc for investing in infrastructure to keep traffic moving in maximum city.Life is relative Ashish Kacholia (@LuckyInvest_ARK) August 30, 2024 Since being shared on August 30, the post has been viewed by thousands of people and received an array of comments. An individual said, Recently, Google predictions have become quite unreliable. Always ask a local if weather conditions are not good in any part of the city. Sir, blaming Bengaluru or Google Maps? Please give clarity, asked another to which Kacholia said, Obviously, Google Maps. I think Bengaluru is the only place, where you cant rely on the travel time shown on Google Maps. Rarely happened in Gurgaon (even though I used to commute from Gurgaon to Delhi every day), expressed a third. A fourth commented, Google Maps has become unreliable in general Showing wrong routes as well as traffic. Add Bengaluru to the above and the mix is lethal as you experienced. A 21-year-old man drowned shortly after receiving his baptism in a Texas lake while attempting to save a teenage girl from his church. Lincer Lopez was at the lake with a church group from Garland, near Dallas. During this trip, he was baptised in the lake along with some other church members. An hour later, when a 16-year-old girl named Genesis Delgado, who was swimming with the group, started to drown, Lincer sprang into action to rescue her. Genesis told WFAA that after several of her congregants had been baptised, she moved to the shallow end of the lake and began to walk in, taking a couple of steps, not realising how deep it would get before reaching a drop-off. She struggled to stay above water until she began sinking. Local police said a passing boater managed to pull her from the water and performed CPR before she was taken for medical treatment. Lincer, who was also pulled out of the water, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the publication reported. His uncle, Jacobo Lopez, told WFAA that Lincer worked as a construction worker to support his family in Mexico, being the eldest of seven siblings. He was a hero. He didnt think twice about rescuing someone else, Jacobo said. Speaking with the news outlet in Spanish, Jacobo added, He didnt think about the risk that he could die, and he did risk his life to save somebody elses. Jacobo also mentioned how Lincer was so excited about his baptism that he couldnt sleep the night before the tragic event. I thank you, Lincer, for everything you tried to do, and I hope I can see you again soon. I believe I will, Genesis said on WFAA, adding that she wants his family to know that she was sorry for his loss and that she really did love him a lot. The teen also expressed her gratitude to the rescuer, Jacob Bell, and said she hopes to meet him. In an interview with PEOPLE, Bell said he and his friend Craig McDonald were fishing that morning. Bell heard some screaming after dropping McDonald off at the boat ramp. By the time he reached shore and police began helping the girl, Bell overheard a group talking in Spanish about someone else still being in the water. Bell said that he dove many times towards the drowning site before finding Lincer 12 feet below the surface. He then hauled him to where the cops were. A GoFundMe page was set up for Lincers loved ones to help raise money to bring his remains back home to Chiapas, Mexico. Resumes of tech giants Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have resurfaced on social media, offering an interesting peel into the early lives of the two future innovators. Created when they were 18, these vintage documents show the beginning of individuals who later reshaped the world of technology. Steve Jobs 1973 resume highlights his early interest in electronics and technology long before he co-founded Apple. At the time, Jobs was a student at Reed College in Oregon, US, and listed electronics and technology as his special abilities. His resume also mentioned skills like computer and calculator along with design. When asked if he had access to a phone, Jobs said, None. His drivers license status was a yes, but when it came to transportation, he wrote, possible, but not probable. Bill Gates resume from 1971 is equally intriguing. It showcases his early expertise in programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL and BASIC, as well as his familiarity with computers like PDP-10, PDP-8 and CDC-6400. Gates listed his salary at the time as $3500 (approximately Rs 29 lakh) and referred to his ongoing partnership with Paul G Allen, his childhood friend who later co-founded Microsoft with him. The resume notes that the duo designed a system for traffic engineers to study traffic flow. The resumes were shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Jon Erlichman, TV host at BNN Bloomberg and Bloomberg Markets. The caption reads, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates resumes at age 18. See the post here: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates resumes at age 18: pic.twitter.com/tFTltp80jM Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) August 27, 2024 The post sparked quite a buzz, with users sharing their thoughts. One commenter wrote, This is history. Its fantastic! while another found the documents fascinating. This is history. Its fantastic! AbdulQuadri Oyerinde|| Ghostwriter. (@Quibaos_Wan) August 27, 2024 Another pointed out, Steve Jobs even wrote the date correctly, something that escapes most Americans. Steve Jobs even wrote the date correctly, something that escapes most Americans Colchis (@Colchis11) August 28, 2024 An X user commented on the contrasting styles of the tech giants, saying, Thats funny Jobs resume is hand-written and sloppy, and Gates resume is all organized and type-written. That's kind of funny Jobs' resume is like hand-written and sloppy, and Gates' resume is all organized and type-written. https://t.co/J9ctHIzVDG Greg Coppola (@coppola_ai) August 27, 2024 Meanwhile, a person shared, Probably the 2 most impactful Resumes of this generation. Probably the 2 most impactful Resumes of this generation https://t.co/TxZkJ4CDRr PRIYANSHU DAVE (@MAGMA_WEB_DEV) August 27, 2024 Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in his parents garage in 1976. He was forced out of the company in 1985 but returned in 1997 and led its remarkable revival with groundbreaking products like iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. He died on October 5, 2011. Meanwhile, Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, turning it into the worlds largest software company. He is renowned for his extensive philanthropic efforts. A woman from Hyderabad has accused a Swiggy Genie agent of stealing a laptop during a delivery and subsequently demanding a ransom of Rs 15,000. Nishitha Gudipudi, a civil engineer, detailed the incident in a LinkedIn post. The incident occurred when her husband booked a Swiggy Genie to transport a backpack containing the laptop from one office to another location in Madhapur. Gudipudi claimed that the delivery partner picked up the backpack and switched off his phone mid-way. He basically stole the laptop and initially we thought okay partially error at our end too to use Genie to deliver the laptop but how things took a turn after is what really surprised and scared us, she wrote on LinkedIn. When the couple reached out to Swiggys customer care, they struggled to identify the delivery agent. They sent two pictures to the couple and asked them to identify the individual who had picked up the parcel. The couple believes that Swiggy allows a person to register as their delivery partner using an Aadhaar or PAN Card and later allows anyone to log in using their credentials. She then shared the scariest part of it all: The next day we could reach the guy through WhatsApp call and he answered saying my friend was using my login, Ill check and get back, and immediately we get a WhatsApp message from the same number blackmailing us to pay him Rs 15,000 to deliver the laptop through Rapido! Gudipudi also shared screenshots of the WhatsApp conversation between her husband and the person who demanded money. She also shared pictures of the man registered with Swiggy and the unauthorised individual who had gained access to the account using facial recognition. After investigating the matter, Swiggy terminated the delivery agent and is in contact with the authorities to help resolve the matter. In a statement to News18.com, the company said, At Swiggy, safeguarding our consumers safety and trust is our top priority. This incident breaches our code of conduct, and the delivery executive involved has been removed from our platform. We are in contact with the customer and are supporting the authorities investigating the matter to resolve this issue promptly. Check out how people have reacted to this incident: Luckily, you are in Hyderabad, a city known for having the best police force. Just go ahead and file a complaint; you will be pleasantly surprised to see how easily this whole issue will be resolved. It wont take more than two days. In my case, the Hyderabad police caught a car driver who was driving rashly. He was the ninth owner of the car without an RC transfer, yet they managed to bring him to the police station by the second day, expressed an individual. Another added, Did you get back the laptop? I dont trust these platforms, sending small things like medicines clothes are ok but not laptop, mobiles etc. It is better to go and pick such things if we forget. We cannot expect ethics and good behavior nowadays because everyone is driven by money and can do anything for money. I had a typical experience of booking an ola bike ride, still cannot forget that incident. It was scariest ride of my life after sitting on bike I realised the driver was drunk and I kept quite. Whatever he said, I said ok and somehow he was able to drop me by driving 10 km under the influence. I reported after the ride but as usual nobody cares. My friend had a situation where a delivery agent didnt deliver her food, and on submitting a complaint to customer support the agent got angry and started calling and abusing. The agent then spent around 40 minutes near the end of the street waiting for my friend to step out. Worst part is that they have your address, if not today they can visit anytime. We did register an FIR in HSR police station. And yes it was also Swiggy, shared a third. A US man pleaded guilty in Wayne County Court on Monday of trying to poison his wifes Coca-Cola with drugs with the intent of killing her and marrying the daughter. Alfred W. Ruf (71) from Indiana was prosecuted for aggravated battery that could result in death- a level 3 felony. While a conspiracy to commit murder charge was dropped against him, he was sentenced to four years of imprisonment and an additional five years probation. Ruf informed police in January 2022 that he had been spiking his wifes drinks with a substance given by his wifes daughter, a probable cause affidavit USA TODAY reviewed stated. Rufs wife, Lisa Bishop, handed a pill bottle that contained the unidentified powdery substance to the Wayne County Sheriffs Department, the affidavit states. Bishop also gave officers a Coke can she drank out of and cut open. At the bottom was the powdery substance, according to the document. She reported being hospitalised six times in recent weeks with symptoms like headaches, drowsiness, and diarrhoea. Bishop was taken to a hospital where she tested positive for cocaine, MDMA, also known as molly or ecstasy, and benzodiazepine, a type of depressant, however, she vehemently denied using drugs. An attorney for Ruf said that the couple had a history of violent disputes and claimed that Bishop had attempted to murder Ruf a year before the arrest by running him over with a car and beating him severely, as NBC News reported. According to lawyer John L. Tompkins, Rufs defence attorney, their relationship was mutually destructive. Once the state changed the nature of the offence, he took responsibility for what he did wrong. Thats the appropriate thing to do, Tompkins told USA TODAY. In January 2022, Ruf admitted to being in a sexual relationship with the daughter from her previous marriage. He confessed that the daughter provided him with the drugs in September 2021, the document stated. Only Ruf was arrested and taken to court in connection to the crime. Ruf added that he placed the drugs in the drink to eventually kill her. In this era of modern cinema, we often see actors breaking language boundaries and acting in films of several regional languages. This provides a series of opportunities for the actors. It has now become a common sight to see prominent stars acting in different languages. We often see actors from different industries of India, acting in one film. This has also provided the producers and directors a chance to cast top actors who work in different languages in one single film. Vijay Sethupathi is one such actor who is known to work in different languages. Besides working in the Tamil film industry he has also worked in Malayalam and Bollywood film industry. According to reports, the actor has declined a film that starts popular Telugu actor Ram Charan. Let us know about this development in this article. Several months ago, rumours circulated suggesting Vijay Sethupathi would join Ram Charans upcoming film RC 16. According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, Sethupathi reportedly turned down the offer because he was not interested in the role presented to him. The role in question was that of Ram Charans father. Although Sethupathi has previously played father roles in films like Maharaja and Uppena and received acclaim for his performances, he chose not to take on a similar role in this film. During a promotional event for the Telugu version of Maharaja, Sethupathi explained his decision. He revealed that director Buchi Babu Sana had shared the script of RC 16 with him and while he recognised the films potential to be a major hit, he opted out because he was seeking to explore a broader range of characters. Sethupathi expressed his desire to move away from playing father figures and focus on more diverse roles in his future projects. The film features Janhvi Kapoor in a leading role opposite Ram Charan. The film is presently in the Pre-production stage and the shooting is expected to hit soon. The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Yogi Adityanath, has introduced a new social media policy aimed at encouraging influencers to promote government schemes in exchange for rewards up to Rs 8 lakh. While the policy is intended to enhance the states welfare initiatives, it has faced significant backlash. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has criticised the move as legalised bribery. In a recent social media post, Rathee condemned the use of taxpayer money for the policy and urged public shaming of any influencer who participates. On Thursday, the 29-year-old took to his social media handle and wrote, Uttar Pradesh Govt is saying it will pay up to 8 Lakh to Influencers to promote the govt. This is Legalized Bribery. From Tax Payers Money. Any influencer who does this should be publicly shamed. Uttar Pradesh Govt is saying it will pay up to 8 Lakh to Influencers to promote the govt. This is Legalized Bribery. From Tax Payer's Money. Any influencer who does this should be publicly shamed. Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) August 28, 2024 While social media users were divided while reacting to his sharp remarks, it also led to a contradictory comment from fellow YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, who came in defence of the policy. Re-sharing Rathees post on X, Taneja asked if newspapers and television channels should also be shamed for paid government advertisements. Should all Newspapers and TV Channels, be also shamed, who show paid ads to promote any govt in power? he wrote. Should all Newspapers and TV Channels, be also shamed, who show paid ads to promote any govt in power ? https://t.co/SeeuAEB7KU Gaurav Taneja (@flyingbeast320) August 28, 2024 The clash of words attracted a slew of reactions on the platform. BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover took sides with Rathees view and rejected the idea of paying influencers with taxpayer money. Absolutely NOT ! Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) August 29, 2024 A user reacted to Rathees post and wrote, What is the harm if there are influencers who let people know the good work done by the government. What is the harm if there are influencers who let people know the good work done by the government. And then this Don't be a hypocrite https://t.co/VQ0z9p7Fl3 Manda Bendre (@mabend2) August 28, 2024 Another questioned, How is that bribery? There are already influencers promoting betting apps and no one shames them. How is that bribery? There are already influencers promoting betting apps and no one shames them. Abhishek Nair (@buildonx) August 28, 2024 An individual commented on Tanejas post to oppose the social media policy. A party can pay with Electoral Bond Money if they want to promote their party and their propaganda but they wanted to use hard working taxpayers money for social media influencers in the name of promoting govt schemes. We are against it, he wrote. A party can pay with Electoral Bond Money if they want to promote their party and their propaganda but they wanted to use hard working taxpayers money for social media inflencers on the name of promoting govt schemes.We are against it. Newton (@newt0nlaws) August 28, 2024 Another one shared a different view, Yes, those channels should definitely be banned if they are promoting any government by taking money. Yes, those channels should definitely be banned if they are promoting any government by taking money. Dr. Devendra Yadav (@dr09999) August 28, 2024 Notably, this is not the first time that Dhruv Rathee and Gaurav Taneja have gotten into a social media argument. Earlier, they clashed over the India vs Bharat debate, which also generated a lot of traction online. Describing Kamala Harris as a San Francisco radical, Donald Trumps campaign ripped into his Democratic presidential nominee on social media as the US vice president sat down for her first major TV interview on Thursday. In the highly anticipated interview with CNN, Harris said that American voters are ready for a new way forward in the United States and that it is time to turn the page on divisions she blames on Republican rival Trump. Kamala spoke for 16 minutes Kamala spoke for just over 16 minutes and didnt even address the crime crisis in this nation. She spent a mere 3 minutes and 25 seconds talking about the economy and 2 minutes and 36 seconds talking about immigration, the Trump campaign said in a statement. On Thursday, Harris defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions but insisted her values have not changed, even as she is seeking consensus. Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris was asked about changes in her policies over the years. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris said. She went on to say: I believe it is important to build consensus. It is important to find a common place of understanding where we can actually solve the problem. Responding to Harriss remarks, the Trump campaign said, Kamala said her values have not changed three separate times. Shes still a San Francisco radical. I look so forward to In a separate social media post on Truth Social, Trump said, I look so forward to Debating Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is. Harris has changed every one of her long-held positions on everything. Trumps rebuke came as Harris led him 45% to 41% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll that showed the vice president sparking new enthusiasm among voters and shaking up the race ahead of the November 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 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. Trump led among white voters and men 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 show how the US 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. (With agency inputs) The post-mortem examination conducted on Bangladeshs Awami League leader Ishaque Ali Khan Panna, whose body was found in Meghalaya earlier this week, revealed that he was throttled to death, an official said here on Friday. There were also injury marks on the head, he said. The decomposed body of Panna was discovered by local people from a betel nut plantation at Dona Bhoi village in East Jaintia Hills district, about 1.5 km from the Bangladesh border, on August 26. The Awami League leader was identified through his passport. The Awami League was headed by Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as Bangladesh Prime Minister and fled to India on August 5 in the wake of the massive student protests across the country. The body was discovered on August 26 evening, around 1.5 km from the IndiA-Bangladesh border, they said. SP Giri Prasad said Panna was identified through his passport. Panna, a former general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League and a prominent member of the Awami League from Pirojpur district in the neighbouring country, had been on the run following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, sources said. According to the post-mortem examination report, Panna died of asphyxia. His windpipe was throttled. The Forensic Science Laboratory report will shed more light on this matter, a senior government officer told PTI, requesting anonymity. The autopsy was conducted at Khliehriat Civil Hospital in East Jaintia Hills district. The official said, There were lacerated wounds on the body on the lower right part of the orbital region and bruises on the forehead. These marks indicated he had struggled just before dying. Another official said the government is waiting for Pannas family members to approach through the proper diplomatic channel so that the body can be handed over to them. Panna was a former general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and a prominent member of the Awami League from Pirojpur district in the neighbouring country. He had been on the run following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, sources said. Initial reports suggested that Panna might have suffered a cardiac arrest while trying to cross the border. However, there are conflicting accounts that say he might have been involved in a shooting incident with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police said. The newly anointed Mohammad Yunus Government of Bangladesh on Wednesday, lifted the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami party and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir less than a month after Sheikh Hasina banned it for allegedly having links to terror activities LEGACY SET BY MAUDUDI, JAMAATS FOUNDER Jamaat-e-Islami was founded in August 1941 by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, often referred to as a renowned Islamic scholar and a major proponent-cum-influencer of global political Islam. Born in Aurangabad, Maududi, rather than having a vision for a separate Muslim state, had one to establish India itself as an Islamic state, as per a report published by the Harvard Divinity School. To get to know more about Maududis allegedly radical thought, we refer to what he writes in his book, Jihad in Islam: Islam wishes to destroy all states and governments anywhere on the face of the earth which are opposed to the ideology and programme of Islam regardless of the country or the Nation which rules it. Furthermore, a written evidence titled Beyond Muslim Brotherhood submitted by Mathew Nelson to a House committee at the British Parliament, termed Maududis Jamaat-e-Islami a close cousin of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood. Moreover, in April 2014, when the UK Prime Minister ordered an internal review into Muslim Brotherhood, it was found by Sir John Jenkins, former UK Ambassador to Riyadh, that the key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, drew on the thought of the Indo-Pakistani theorist, Abul Alaa Mawdudi, the founder of the Islamist party Jamaat-eIslami, to promote the doctrine of takfirism. Takfirsm referred to in the above report, as per a paper submitted to Arab Law Quarterly, refers to an ideology that permits the use of extreme violence for establishing Islam in society. ROLE OF JEI IN EAST PAKISTAN, LIBERATION MOVEMENT A policy brief submitted to the South Asia Democratic Forum on JeIs activities in Bangladesh notes that in erstwhile East Pakistan, the Jamaat was an active backer and supporter of Pakistan and it continued to spread its allegedly radical thoughts until the war broke out in 1971. During the war, the JeI actively backed Pakistans forces and their actions against Bangladeshi nationalists. The policy brief notes that JeI had created a force called Al Badr, which actively backed and allied with the Pakistani forces during genocides and the famous Operation Searchlights, wherein unarmed freedom fighters were hunted down and massacred by Pakistan. JEI IN BANGLADESH POST-1971 As soon as Bangladesh declared independence, it banned the Jamaat for its active involvement in the genocide of nationalists and minorities. However, the organisation continued to work in the background, and quietly spread its thoughts against secular nationalism while promoting the idea of relinking Bengali Muslims with their Islamic heritage. In 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated and Lt Gen Ziaur Rahman assumed power and immediately revoked this ban. Later, JeI initiated its political growth in Bangladesh. The outfit successfully re-established itself, securing 10 seats during the 1986 Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections and 18 seats during the 1991 elections. After a short setback, due to the BNP-Awami League bi-polarisation, it re-emerged in 2001 as the third largest political party, securing 17 seats as a partner of the BNP-led Four-Party Alliance, which went on to form the government. The SADF policy brief expressly notes that JeI believes theocracy is the ultimate way to organise societies and seeks to establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh. This can be affirmed in the Bangladesh Supreme Courts decision in 2021; which refused to allow Jamaats participation in any electoral processes and kept it disqualified from being a political party, as it allegedly kept religion above the constitution. BANGLADESH ON PATH OF EXTREMISM? The legalisation of Jamaat-e-Islami and the release of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist Jashimuddin Rahmani coupled with incidents of violence against Hinduism and the resignation of Dhaka University Professor Abdul Bashir, who was publicly forced to step down over his alleged ban on Quran recitation on college campus, have led to concerns of Bangladesh taking Pakistans path towards extremism while swaying away from the concept of secularism. The Government of India has since February 2019 banned the Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) for allegedly being involved in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda, according to a PIB release dated February 27, 2024. Amid the ongoing rift between Britains Prince Harry and Prince William, the two brothers attended the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, on Wednesday but did not interact during the service. The brothers, who have had strained ties since Harry and his wife Meghan stepped back from royal duties, were seen sitting apart at the back of Norfolks St Marys Church, according to The Sun newspaper. Despite reports suggesting Harry would not attend due to security concerns, he made a discreet trip from the US to honour his late uncle, who was married to their mother Princess Dianas sister, Lady Jane Spencer. Both princes were there A family friend confirmed both princes attendance, saying, They were very happy to confirm both princes were there. Witnesses noted that the brothers arrived separately and were not seen speaking to each other throughout the service. One local observer, according to the UK newspaper, remarked, William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance. This marked their first public appearance together since King Charles IIIs coronation over a year ago. Lord Fellowes, who passed away at the age of 82 on July 29, served as Queen Elizabeth IIs private secretary from 1990 to 1999, navigating the British royal family through tumultuous times, including the death of Princess Diana. Rift remains While the brothers joint attendance was seen as a significant moment for the UK royal family, their ongoing rift remains evident, with limited communication between them since Harrys relocation to the US and the release of his memoir, Spare. In July, a source told People magazine that despite the severe rift between Prince Harry and his brother, there is still hope for reconciliation. In the same month, another source reported that King Charles was avoiding all communication with Harry, who was trying to reconnect while seeking security for his family. A royal insider mentioned to Page Six that the key to mending the ties between Harry and Charles would be for the King to grant Harry the security clearance he urgently desires. Two women flyers in China are facing accusations of child abuse after they locked a crying toddler in an airplane restroom to set some rules. The incident occurred on August 24 during a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai, according to Chinese news outlet Sixth Tone. The 3-year-old child, who was traveling with her grandmother, began to cry during the flight. The two women in question separated her from her grandmother and confined her in the toilet, claiming they were trying to help other passengers. The situation escalated when one of the women, identified as Gou Tingting, posted a video on social media showing herself carrying the girl into the restroom. Two passengers on a Chinese domestic flight have landed in hot water after taking a crying toddler away from her grandparents and locking her in a restroom in order to set some rules.The incident went viral across Chinese social media over the weekend after one of the women, pic.twitter.com/0m4nbrgICf Sixth Tone (@SixthTone) August 27, 2024 Will leave you here If you make any noise again, we will leave you here alone, one of the women can be heard telling the wailing child, according to the Chinese outlet. In her post, Gou described her actions as a selfless attempt to shield fellow passengers from a disruptive child. However, the video quickly sparked widespread outrage. The footage included the other woman telling the child she could only leave if she stopped crying. The airline stated that the childs grandmother had consented to the two ladies taking her to the restroom, and they communicated with the childs mother, who reportedly understood their actions. However, this defence did little to quell the backlash. Backlash Critics on social media expressed outrage, arguing that children cannot control their emotions and that the womens actions were inappropriate. Gou defended her actions on Douyin, a Chinese social media platform, stating that she preferred to take action rather than be a bystander. She claimed that the childs crying was so disruptive that other passengers were blocking their ears with tissues and had moved to the back of the plane to escape the noise. Despite her explanation, the backlash continued, leading Gou to set her social media account to private. Comments from users highlighted the need for public spaces to better accommodate young children, while others defended the women, arguing that some children require discipline. Wang Xin, the mother of the child, told Sixth Tone that she felt the incident showed a growing impatience toward young children. Nowadays, people have a low tolerance for children crying, she said. To avoid the problem, I always tried to drive rather than take public transport when my child was young. The external affairs ministry on Friday said it does not have an update on the invitation Pakistan extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that is being held in Islamabad later this year. Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO meeting. We dont have an update on that. We will let you know the situation later, Jaiswal told reporters during the weekly press conference. #WATCH | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting. We dont have an update on that. We will let you know the situation later." pic.twitter.com/emA7js8dMB ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 Pakistan has officially extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad this October, according to a statement from the foreign office spokesperson. Pakistan, as the current holder of the rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG), will host the two-day SCO Heads of Government 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, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said. 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. 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. 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. Its obvious that running against Harris is more challenging for Trump given the shift in these numbers, but its certainly not insurmountable, Matt Wolking, a Republican campaign strategist who worked on Trumps 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 hes not scaring away voters who were leaning his way because they didnt 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 womens 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 polls survey period partially overlapped with the Aug. 19-22 Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Harris formally accepted her partys 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. Nearly 6,200 people were murdered in South Africa between April and June, police figures showed Friday, as tackling crime poses a key issue for the new coalition government. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said that 6,198 people were murdered during the three months, a 0.5-percent decrease over the same period a year earlier. These numbers tell a sobering story, reflecting the severity of the challenges we face, he told a Cape Town press conference. South Africa has one of the highest peacetime per capita homicide rates in the world. Rapes, in a country notorious for sex attacks against women and children, increased by 0.6 percent, compared to the same three-month period last year. The country recorded a total of 9,309 rapes between April and June. Police also said there were 44,735 drug-related crimes detected as a result of police action during the period. We have carried out significant operations targeting drug syndicates, leading to the seizure of substantial quantities of illegal narcotics, the minister said. Last month, three Mexicans and two South Africans were arrested when elite police units raided a multi-million-dollar crystal meth lab hidden in a remote farm north of Johannesburg. In a separate incident, a Russian man was arrested along with a South African after police seized 14 bags filled with bricks of cocaine worth 252 million rand (almost $14 million). Crime is a key issue facing President Cyril Ramaphosas new coalition government after his African National Congress was forced into an uneasy coalition with the centrist Democratic Alliance and other smaller parties following May elections. These numbers represent more than just figures on a page; they reflect the lived realities of our citizens their fears, their losses and their hopes for a safer tomorrow, Mchunu said. We will confront these challenges head-on and work tirelessly to ensure that South Africa is a place where all can feel safe and secure once again, he vowed. In protest of the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities, Pakistan has rejected talks with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following a series of terrorist attacks in the country, linked to Afghanistan. Pakistan rejects any idea of holding talks with the TTP. We have no plans to engage in discussions with them. Such offers are seen as an affront to the thousands of TTP victims who have been killed in Pakistan, top government sources told CNN-News18. Talks with TTP Addressing a press briefing, Pakistans Foreign Office reiterated that the country will not engage in talks with the TTP. The spokesperson stressed that Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to take decisive action against the TTP and other terrorist groups that pose a threat to its security. The use of Afghan soil for terrorist acts in Pakistan is well established, the spokesperson stated, noting that Pakistan has previously shared evidence of individuals based in Afghanistan involved in attacks within its borders. According to top government sources, Pakistans government has expressed its dissatisfaction with Afghanistans lack of action against the TTP, which has been linked to a surge in violence since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The foreign office highlighted that the presence of terror groups in Afghanistan has been confirmed by multiple independent reports, including those from the UN. This rebuke came as TTP claimed responsibility for the abduction of Pakistans Lieutenant Colonel Khalid and three others in Dera Ismail Khan. A video released by the TTP showed the colonel and his companions appealing for their demands to be met for their safety. According to top government sources, Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to take concrete and robust action against these terror groups and prevent their activities that endanger the countrys security. By embarking aged 87 on the farthest journey of his papacy, Pope Francis is doing something some believed impossible and seeking to silence those who doubt his ability to fulfil his role. The pontiffs 12-day trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore starting next week involves 43 hours of flight time and a distance of 32,000 kilometres (almost 20,000 miles). It would be something of an odyssey for anyone, but particularly for someone who has been plagued in recent years by health issues, sparking speculation he might step down as head of the Catholic Church. The trip was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic, and now takes place just three months before his 88th birthday. Weeks ago few observers thought Francis was capable of such a gruelling voyage, with the corridors of the Vatican buzzing with concerns over his health. At Easter, the holiest week in the Christian calendar, Francis withdrew from several events, weakened by a lingering flu. Months earlier, bronchitis caused him to cancel a trip to United Nations climate talks in Dubai in December. In June 2023, he also underwent hernia surgery that left him hospitalised for 10 days. Now some are wondering: is it reasonable for the octogenarian to keep up the frantic pace, with 16 speeches and countless meetings and ceremonies scheduled across four countries? The pope still believes that we need to push a little further, a senior Vatican diplomat told AFP. He feels capable of making this trip this year. Next year, it will be less certain. Thrives on contact Former pope Benedict XVI in 2013 became the first since the Middle Ages to step down, citing his declining physical and mental health and Francis has left the door open to following suit. But the Argentine Jesuit has repeatedly stressed that he is not there yet and views travelling as particularly important, a cornerstone of his ministry that prioritises spreading the faith. With this 45th trip abroad, Francis returns to his love as a pastor among his flock, far from the bureaucracy of the Vatican and close to ordinary people, who seem to give him energy and momentum. The constraints linked to his health are nevertheless real. The popes mobility has visibly declined in recent years. Since 2022, he has relied on a wheelchair for knee pain and recurring sciatica, or nerve pain. Now unable to climb a flight of stairs, Francis has to use an elevator to board his plane. He also now sits, rather than stands, during the press conferences he holds on the return flight of each voyage. Although the pope always travels with his personal doctor and a nurse, no new features have been ordered for this particular trip, according to a Vatican source. His general condition is good, there were no concerns this summer, said the source. The Vatican has provided no details on any precautions taken for the popes health, such as possible arrangements made with local hospitals. During Francis trip to Africa early in 2023, a fully equipped ambulance followed the pope everywhere, ready to intervene if necessary. Strength of spirit Within the Vatican, the popes willingness to make the trip has aroused admiration, a Vatican source told AFP. At the same time, the source said, it has stirred concern, and even a certain annoyance at the popes relentlessness, which puts his health and security services on edge. For Andrea Ungar, president of the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics, this trip demonstrates once again the popes strength of spirit and shows how, despite age, things can still be done. Strong motivation gives incredible energy, Ungar said, adding that the pope was a great example for older people to remain active. The more you stand still, the more you stay still, he said. Little chance of standing still for Francis, who will have less than two weeks at home after his long journey before setting off again, this time for a four-day trip to Luxembourg and Belgium starting on September 26. October will be devoted to the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, to determine the future path and priorities of the global Catholic Church. In December, Francis will kick off the 2025 Jubilee, a year-long pilgrimage event in which some 32 million faithful are expected in Rome. A Russian news editor in Siberia was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday for publishing critical material on Moscows offensive in Ukraine, which has been accompanied in Russia by a massive crackdown on dissent. Sergei Mikhailov, a journalist and editor in the mountainous Altai region, was arrested in the first weeks of the Kremlin launching the military campaign in 2022, shortly after repressive laws that banned criticism of Russias actions in Ukraine were adopted. He had published online posts about civilian deaths in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and in Mariupol. A court in the city of Gorno-Altaisk sentenced the 48-year-old after finding him guilty of knowingly spreading fake information about the Russian army. Prosecutors said he was motivated by political hatred. Mikhailov ran the small online opposition social media channel Listok in Siberias Altai republic a region that has sent many men to Ukraine. In a speech in court earlier this week, Mikhailov stood by his reporting and harshly criticised the Kremlin for sending troops to Ukraine. He said the Russian state narrative of calling the Ukrainian leadership fascist had created a whole virtual universe in the information space, and this fog became stronger and stronger. My publications were aimed against this fog, so that my readers were not seduced by lies, so that they do not take part in armed conflicts, do not become murderers and victims and so that they do not harm the brotherly Ukrainian people, Mikhailov said, in an audio of the speech published by Listok on social media. More than 1,000 people have been prosecuted in Russia for criticising the Russian offensive against Ukraine since the start of the armed conflict in February 2022, according to monitor OVD-Info. The external affairs ministry on Monday said that US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi very much discussed substantially the situation in Bangladesh when both leaders spoke over a phone call earlier this week. The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both leaders, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. #WATCH | On the press release following a telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Biden, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Firstly, press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is pic.twitter.com/0Nv7a31hV0 ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 The external affairs ministry also said that the joint projects between India and Bangladesh have been impacted by the law and order situation following the job quota protests. The student-led job quota protests and the subsequent turmoil that gripped Bangladesh leading to a law-and-order situation that led to the deaths of over 600 people and injured thousands. Jaiswal also slammed certain media reports that allegedly made it appear that India was responsible for the floods in Bangladesh. We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods, speaking of a report by the US-broadcaster. The heavy floods, which killed at least 18 people in Bangladesh, have added to the challenges of a new government that took charge as over 300,000 people are still in emergency shelters requiring aid. More than 5.2 million have been affected by the floods. #WATCH | Delhi: On reports regarding floods in Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually pic.twitter.com/N2pcIuDMJl ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 Following the floods, misinformation was spread through social media and some Bangladeshi media outlets, which appeared to blame India for the floods. The external affairs ministry in a press release earlier this month pointed out that misinformation is being spread regarding the floods and said such claims are factually inaccurate. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. They have also ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management, Jaiswal said of the broadcaster while also referring to the press release by the ministry that targeted the misleading claim. False claims of Tripuras Gomati Rivers Dumbur Dam releasing its water into Bangladesh, of water not being released automatically and misleading photographs with captions related to the floods, falsely holding India responsible for Bangladeshs floods have spread on Bangladeshi social media platforms following the heavy rains. Yemens Houthi rebels released footage on Thursday showing their fighters boarded and placed explosives on a Greek-flagged tanker, setting off blasts that put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill. The vessel was abandoned earlier, after the Houthis repeatedly attacked it. Yemen (Houthis) landed on the oil ship, MT SOUNION, which they had recently hit in the Red Sea. They planted a bomb on the ship and detonated it. The footage confirms that the group intentionally planted explosives in an effort to sink the vessel in Yemeni waters. pic.twitter.com/2IbadgsouD FocuSeaTV Maritime News (@focuseatv) August 29, 2024 In the video, the Iran-backed Houthis chant their motto as the bombs detonated aboard the oil tanker Sounion: God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam. The blasts capped the most-serious attack in weeks by the Houthis in their campaign disrupting the $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, as well as halting some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen. Houthi Rebels climb aboard the Sounion a largeGreek oil tanker and wired it with explosives andIgnited the oil tanker from a distance in a different boat.The oil tanker was carrying 1 million barrels this is 3X the amount of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. pic.twitter.com/DNCp17pKYB Todd Paron (@tparon) August 24, 2024 The Sounion carried some 1 million barrels of oil when the Houthis initially attacked it on Aug. 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of the European Unions Operation Aspides rescued the Sounions crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, after they abandoned the vessel and took them to nearby Djibouti. The footage released Thursday shows masked Houthi fighters carrying Kalashnikov-style rifles boarding the Sounion after it was abandoned. The bridge appeared ransacked. Fighters then rigged explosives over hatches on its deck leading to the oil tankers below. At least six simultaneous blasts could be seen in the footage. The footage, as well as comments by the Houthis mysterious leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, confirmed an earlier analysis by The Associated Press that the Houthis boarded and planted explosives on the Sounion. The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described al-Houthi as saying the Sounion attack shows America is lying in its claims regarding any deterrence of Yemeni operations supporting Palestine. The effectiveness of our operations and their control of the situation is acknowledged by the enemies, al-Houthi said. Western countries and the United Nations have warned any oil spill from the Sounion could devastate the coral reefs and wildlife around the Red Sea. However, the EUs naval force in the region says it has yet to see any oil spill from the Sounion. Operation Aspides is preparing to facilitate any courses of action, in coordination with European authorities and neighboring countries, to avert a catastrophic environmental crisis, the EU mission said. Together, we can protect the environment and maintain stability in the region. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric commended the efforts by the international community and the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to secure the immediate access to the vessel and avert an environmental catastrophe. The Houthis have agreed to allow the operation to proceed safely, he said. Dujarric did not offer any indication when it might start but added that the reports that the salvage operations for the tanker can proceed with tugboats and rescue ships to access the incident area are encouraging. On Wednesday, the Houthis suggested they may allow the Sounion to be salvaged, though the rebels already once blocked crews trying to reach the abandoned vessel, the US military said. The US State Department declined to directly comment on the video Thursday. It referred to earlier remarks in which spokesperson Matthew Miller warned the Houthis continued attacks threaten to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 off Alaska. This isnt the first time the Houthis have used the threat of an oil spill to their advantage. It took years of negotiations before the rebels allowed the UN in 2023 to remove 1 million barrels from the oil tanker Safer off the coast of Yemen, which had been used as a floating storage and offloading facility. Experience has shown that the group is willing to interfere with salvage efforts if they can turn the situation into a political bargaining chip, warned Noam Raydan, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy who has studied the ongoing Houthi attacks. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets. The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US 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. Meanwhile Thursday, the US militarys Central Command said its forces destroyed a Houthi missile system and drone. An increasing number of cases identify South Africa as a pivotal hub for B2B trade and export. South Africa, with its strategic location, superior infrastructure, and expanding virtual marketplace, holds a unique position in fostering global trade. This blog will delve into the reasons behind South Africa's emergence as a B2B trade and export hub, explore the benefits of the B2B marketplace in South Africa, and explore how corporations can capitalize on this burgeoning marketplace for their growth. Knowing these elements allows corporations to navigate the B2B export landscape better and capitalize on emerging opportunities. South Africa has emerged as a key player inside the worldwide B2B trade landscape. South Africa's strategic location at the southern tip of Africa, along with its robust infrastructure and diverse economic base, makes it an ideal gateway for businesses seeking to expand into African and global markets. As a result, South Africa's B2B market systems are flourishing, offering a plethora of opportunities for both exporters and importers. This blog will delve into the factors contributing to South Africa's rise as a hub for B2B exports, as well as how companies can tap into this growing market. Strategic Advantages of South Africa for B2B Trade Geographic Location and Accessibility South Africa's geographic function provides a strategic advantage for B2B trade. It serves as a gateway to different African international locations and connects the continent to international trade routes. Transport and logistics prefer South Africa's access to both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which facilitates smoother and more efficient trade operations. This geographical gain is particularly beneficial for groups engaged in B2B export, allowing them to comfortably reach more than one market. Advanced Infrastructure and Logistics South Africa boasts one of the most advanced infrastructures in Africa, which is essential for supporting B2B trade. The United States of America has a properly developed community of ports, roads, and railways that facilitate efficient movement of goods. Major ports, which include Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth, are ready to handle high volumes of shipment, making them essential nodes in the B2B marketplace South Africa environment. Additionally, the United Statess advanced telecommunications community supports digital marketplaces, taking into account seamless online transactions and communications. Diverse Economic Base South Africa's economy is diverse, encompassing sectors such as agriculture, mining, production, and offerings. This range provides an extensive range of merchandise for B2B export, from agricultural goods and minerals to manufactured merchandise and advanced technologies. The United States's sturdy legal and monetary systems also help worldwide trade, making sure that groups can function in a secure and predictable environment. Growth of B2B Marketplaces in South Africa Rise of Digital Platforms and Online Marketplaces In South Africa, the rise of digital platforms and online marketplaces has been a significant driver of B2B trade. These platforms provide organizations with a convenient and efficient manner to connect with consumers and dealers, get right of entry to new markets, and control transactions. The rise of digital B2B structures in South Africa reflects a broader global trend towards e-trade, in which businesses are increasingly leveraging virtual equipment to improve their trade operations. Key Features of B2B Marketplaces in South Africa B2B marketplace platforms in South Africa typically provide a variety of capabilities designed to facilitate trade. These include product listings, steady price gateways, logistics help, and patron management tools. Many structures also offer fee-added services, such as trade financing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance assistance. These capabilities help corporations streamline their operations and reduce the dangers of international trade. Examples of Successful B2B Platforms In the South African market, several B2B marketplaces have emerged as leaders, providing strong platforms for local and global trade. Examples encompass Global Trade Plaza, a platform that connects buyers and sellers across various sectors, and TradeKey South Africa, which specializes in facilitating trade in specific industries, which include agriculture and mining. These systems have helped numerous companies expand their reach and tap into new markets, highlighting the potential of South Africas B2B atmosphere. Key Industries Driving B2B Export Growth Agriculture and Food Products The agriculture sector is a cornerstone of South Africas economy and a first-rate contributor to its B2B export boom. The United States exports a wide variety of agricultural products, which include fruits, vegetables, wines, and processed ingredients, to markets around the world. The rise of B2B marketplaces has provided farmers and agricultural producers with new avenues to reach global shoppers and increase their export operations. Mining and Natural Resources South Africa is rich in natural resources, and the mining sector plays a significant role in its B2B trade landscape. The United States of America is a main exporter of minerals consisting of gold, platinum, diamonds, and coal. B2B structures have facilitated connections between South African mining agencies and global buyers, enabling them to barter higher offers and get right of entry to new markets. Manufacturing and Industrial Goods The manufacturing sector is another key driving force behind the increase in B2B exports in South Africa. The United States of America produces an extensive range of business goods, from automobile additives and equipment to chemical substances and textiles. B2B marketplaces provide producers with a platform to showoff their merchandise, hook up with capacity shoppers, and expand their export footprint. Challenges and Opportunities within the B2B Export Sector Regulatory and Compliance Challenges While there are various possibilities for B2B export in South Africa, agencies ought to navigate complex regulatory surroundings. Exporters must adhere to a variety of laws and regulations, both at the regional level and within the target markets. B2B structures frequently offer assistance in this region, imparting guidance on compliance and helping organizations avoid potential pitfalls. Market Entry and Expansion Strategies Entering a brand new market can be difficult, but B2B marketplaces provide a strategic gain by providing groups with insights and equipment to navigate these challenges. Market studies, neighborhood partnerships, and tailored advertising techniques are vital for fulfillment. B2B systems often provide marketplace entry help, connecting groups with local experts and offering marketplace intelligence to inform selection-making. Leveraging Digital Tools for Export Growth Digital gear is remodeling the B2B export panorama, supplying companies with new methods to attain international markets and control their operations. From virtual advertising and online sales channels to supply chain control and customer relationship management equipment, the digital era is rapidly expanding within the B2B marketplace environment in South Africa. The Role of Technology in B2B Trade Impact of E-commerce on B2B Marketplaces E-commerce has revolutionized B2B trade, presenting businesses a platform to reach global markets without the want for physical presence. In South Africa, the increase of e-commerce has been especially massive within the B2B export area, in which agencies are leveraging online platforms to connect with shoppers and streamline their operations. Digital Transformation and Its Benefits Digital transformation is a key trend within the B2B trade zone, with corporations increasingly adopting virtual gear to enhance their operations. From cloud-based systems and cellular programs to AI-powered analytics and the blockchain era, digital equipment provides several benefits, including increased performance, reduced costs, and improved choice-making. Future Trends in B2B Export Technology Looking ahead, technology will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of B2B trade in South Africa. Emerging technologies, including blockchain, AI, and IoT, are set to revolutionize the manner in which agencies function, presenting new opportunities for boom and innovation inside the B2B export quarter. How to succeed in the B2B marketplace in South Africa Building strong business relationships Success in the B2B market in South Africa calls for robust enterprise relationships. Building agreement and credibility with buyers and sellers is essential for long-term success. B2B structures give groups a platform to connect with potential partners and build relationships that could lead to significant growth. Effective Marketing Strategies for B2B Trade Effective advertising is crucial for success inside the B2B trade region. Businesses need to develop focused advertising and marketing strategies that resonate with their target audience and differentiate their services from the opposition. B2B marketplaces frequently provide equipment and assets to assist organizations in broadening and executing effective advertising techniques. Leveraging local expertise and networks Leveraging neighborhood information and networks is critical for achieving success in the B2B export zone. Businesses should seek out local partners and experts who can provide valuable insights and support in navigating the South African marketplace. B2B structures often provide organizations with access to local networks, equipping them with the necessary resources to thrive. Conclusion Thanks to its strategic location, superior infrastructure, numerous economic systems, and developing virtual marketplace, South Africa is well-positioned to become a hub for B2B export. By gaining expertise in the opportunities and demanding situations on this marketplace, companies can better navigate the B2B market in South Africa and capitalize on rising possibilities. With the right techniques and gear, groups can reach this dynamic and developing marketplace. Meteorologist/Multimedia Journalist Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows. A 60-year-old employee went to work in her Arizona office building on a Friday earlier this month, scanning in at 7am. Building records show she never scanned out, and security employees at the Wells Fargo office found Denise Prudhomme dead in her cubicle the following Tuesday. The cause of death is not yet known, though Tempe police said there were no immediate signs of foul play, AZCentral reports. An investigation has begun. No missing person report had been filed. It's also not clear how employees didn't notice her for so long. Prudhomme worked in a third-floor cubicle that was away from the main aisle, per NBC News; Wells Fargo said her desk was in a lightly occupied part of the building. An employee said a coworker walking around the building eventually found Prudhomme at her desk on Aug. 20. Several people said they had detected a foul odor but attributed it to plumbing problems. Wells Fargo issued a statement expressing sadness at Prudhomme's death, adding that the company is "reviewing our own internal procedures after this event." (More Tempe, Arizona stories.) Federal jurors in Wyoming have found a Colorado man guilty of kidnapping a woman on a ranch owned by Michael Bloomberg during what prosecutors described as his attempt to kill the media mogul. Joseph Beecher, 51, faces seven years to life in prison after he was convicted Wednesday in Cheyenne on kidnapping, carjacking, and firearm charges. The trial lasted two days and the jury deliberated for an hour and a half, the AP reports. The kidnapped woman, a housekeeper at the western Colorado ranch, was rescued unharmed on the morning after the kidnapping. Authorities found her and Beecher in a motel room in Cheyenne, about 200 miles northeast of the Bloomberg property. The mayor of Kansas City called for new measures to deal with violent crime Thursday after a chef described as a pillar of the city's Irish community was shot and killed outside his restaurant. Police say Shaun Brady, co-owner of the Brady & Fox Restaurant and Lounge, was shot around 5:18pm Wednesday after he took out the trash and saw people standing around a vehicle, KCUR reports. "An interaction between the victim and subjects occurred that led to the victim being shot," said Kansas City Police Department Sgt. Phillip DiMartino. He said two juvenile male suspects were arrested within an hour of the shooting. Brady, 44, grew up in County Tipperary, where his father ran a pub. He met his wife, who is from Kansas, when she was traveling in Ireland, the Irish Times reports. "Our hearts are absolutely broken to hear of the tragic loss of our dear friend and colleague Shaun Brady," the board of directors of the Kansas City Irish Fest 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." The festival has raised more than $47,000 with a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Brady's wife and the couple's two young children. In a statement posted on Facebook, Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was "heartbroken" to learn of Brady's death. He called for moves including working with the police and the public "to best deploy officers to increase patrols in areas reeling from ongoing criminal behavior, such as break-ins, car thefts, and other repeat nuisance offenses." Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker tells KCUR that Brady was a friend and she regrets not visiting the restaurant recently. "I vacillate from anger and outrage to all those personal feelings of why, why, why," Baker says. "Why was this man's life taken? What could have been done? What can be done still?" Baker says her office is seeing more and more property crimes that end in tragedy. "It seems as if more juveniles are engaged in stolen autos that also turn violent or their willingness to turn violent, to steal vehicles," she says. "It feels prevalent right now." (More Kansas City stories.) John Manard, a Kansas inmate whose dramatic 2006 escape from prison hidden in a dog crate garnered national attention, died Sunday. He was 45 and passed away at the La Palma Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona. The cause of his death remains under investigation, according to Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Jennifer King. Manard was serving a life sentence for murder when he orchestrated a daring escape with Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked with prisoners. On February 12, 2006, Young concealed Manard in a crate and drove him out of Lansing Correctional Facility. The two were captured 12 days later in Tennessee, around 90 miles south of a cabin they had shared. This sensational escape inspired a book and a Lifetime movie, "Jailbreak Lovers." Young's husband divorced her following the incident, and she served time for aiding the escape and providing Manard with a firearm. Released in 2008, she recounted the story in her book, "Living With Conviction." Now remarried and known as Toby Dorr, she expressed her sorrow on Facebook, writing, "John is finally free. But I am crushed. I pray you have at last found the peace you were searching for, John." Their story has also been featured on "Dateline." In a 2006 letter, Manard described their relationship as "a fairytale love the size of infinity." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Mongolia next week, according to the Kremlin. This trip marks Putin's first venture into an International Criminal Court (ICC) member state since a warrant for his arrest was issued in March 2023. The warrant relates to alleged war crimes in Ukraine, including the abduction and unlawful transfer of children. Despite the ICC's mandate for member states to detain suspects with outstanding warrants, enforcement actions are notably weak. Scheduled for September 3, the trip will see Putin attend ceremonies commemorating the Soviet and Mongolian forces' victory over Japan 85 years ago. Putin will meet President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and other officials during his visit. The Kremlin, maintaining its stance of non-recognition towards the ICC, has refrained from commenting on potential arrest risks in Mongolia. The Kremlin continues to dismiss the ICC warrant as "null and void," but Putin has avoided trips to ICC member states, notably skipping a BRICS summit in South Africa last year, participating instead by video. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) The effort to make peace between Donald Trump and Georgia's powerful Republican governor began in a sprawling neo-Victorian mansion in the exclusive Atlanta enclave of Buckhead. It was at an Aug. 9 fundraiser hosted by former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler that fellow Republican Lindsey Graham approached Gov. Brian Kemp, the AP reports. Graham, the South Carolina senator and longtime confidant of the former president, was already planning to attend the fundraiser. Now, Graham had a renewed purpose: to try to ease years of tensions between Trump and Kemp that endangered the GOP's chances in a crucial 2024 battleground . Graham says that after Trump's most recent attack on Kempwho angered Trump by not supporting his false theories of election fraud in 2020he told the former POTUS, "You're not going to win Georgia this way. And Georgia is yours to lose." Graham and Kemp met privately at Loeffler's house. And over the coming weeks, say Graham and others familiar with the matter, allies of both men arranged the two-part detente that played out publicly last Thursday to the surprise of many political watchers. First, Kemp did an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannityanother Trump allyin which he said, "We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House." Moments later, Trump went on his social media site to praise Kemp for his "help and support." A true alignment, if it lasts, could benefit both men: Trump may need the help of Kemp's renowned political operation to win back Georgia in a tightly contested race with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, while Kemp wants to be in the good graces of Trump supporters for a future run at the US Senate or the presidency in 2028. Kemp attended a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday and could join more campaign events with less than 70 days before Election Day. (Read the full story of how things played out at the AP.) The big day is almost here for the Norwegian king's eldest child, Princess Martha Louise, to marry self-professed shaman Durek Verrett of the US on Saturday in a picturesque corner of southern Norway. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couple's actions and waning support for Scandinavian royals, per the AP . Martha Louise, 52, and Verrett, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She's fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she'll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house in order to work more closely with her American fiance. The princessshe has retained the titlehas said she can talk with angels, while Verrett, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion that helps ward off spells and cure diseases. They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verrett will not have royal titles or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Martha Louise and Verrett agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. But earlier this year, Martha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald V's directive that she shouldn't profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which says it goes against local practices. The couple has often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media. Meanwhile, Marius Borg Hoiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and was taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested Aug. 6 in Oslo. Borg Hoiby, the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties. The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald has remained silent about the issues. More here. (More royal wedding stories.) Book publishers including Penguin Random House, the nation's biggest, are suing Florida over what they say is "unconstitutional legislation" that has caused thousands of books to be banned. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Orlando Thursday says book bans have surged since the state's controversial HB 1069 education bill was passed last year, the Hill reports. According to the lawsuit, which names state education officials and school board members in the Orange and Volusia County school districts, the legislation "has mandated that school districts impose a regime of strict censorship in school libraries." The lawsuit challenges a section of the law that bans any content that "describes sexual conduct," and another that bans all books with allegedly "pornographic" content "without consideration of the book as a whole, as the Supreme Court requires," reports Publishers Weekly. The law allows parents and other residents to seek to remove material deemed pornographic from school libraries. A Baltimore man pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder in the slaying of tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere , receiving a sentence of life in prison. LaPere, the 26-year-old founder of EcoMap Technologies, was bludgeoned and strangled during a home invasion last September. Baltimore Circuit Judge Robert Taylor said that Jason Billingsley, 33, would technically be eligible for parole after serving 40 years, but prosecutor Ivan Bates told reporters he does not expect Billingsley "will even be able to see the twinkle of light until he's done 60 years, which would put him at 93 years of age." Billingsley had pleaded guilty in another prosecution on Monday, the Baltimore Sun reports. In that case, Billingsley admitted to two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors said he had broken into a basement apartment three days before killing LaPere, raping a woman and setting her boyfriend on fire. After consulting those victims and both families, Bates said, his office sought a plea agreement with Billingsley to avoid holding traumatizing trials. "We wanted to have life sentences. We wanted to ensure that he would not see the light of day," Bates said. "We feel that this plea has done that." Billingsley is a registered sex offender and convicted felon who was most recently released on parole in October 2022. He had served nine years in prison, and his release was made mandatory by a plea deal and his collection of "good time credits" during what was originally a 30-year term, per CBS News. The new trials led to debate about early release policies, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Pava LaPere Act, which prevents people convicted of first-degree rape and most violent sex crimes from those credits for good behavior that bring early release. The law takes effect Oct. 1. (More homicide stories.) Japan's National Police Agency recently carried out investigations, including autopsies, on more than 100,000 people who died in the island nation during the first half of 2024, and some alarming numbers have emerged from that probe. Per Japanese broadcaster NHK , about one-third of them, or 37,277 people, were found dead at home while living alone. The Japan Times notes that about 75% of the deceased, or about 28,000, were age 65 or older. Perhaps most disturbingly, nearly 4,000 of the bodies weren't found for more than a month after the individuals' deaths, with 130 of them not discovered for more than a year. The police agency hopes its report will offer some insight in Japan on its elderly population that lives alone and on the country's loneliness and isolation issues in general. The elderly isolation issue in particular has been a challenging one for Japan, which the United Nations says boasts the world's oldest population, per the BBC. The nation's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research says about 10.8 million seniors 65 and older are on track to be living alone by the year 2050, while the overall figure for households with one occupant is set to reach 23.3 million by the same year. The police agency will hand over the results of its recent research to a government organization analyzing unattended deaths. (More Japan stories.) After drawing little interest in its Cannes Film Festival premiere , The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump, now has a distributor that plans to release the film before the Nov. 5 election. Briarcliff Entertainment will release The Apprentice on Oct. 11 in US and Canadian theaters, the AP reports, just weeks before the presidential election. Director Ali Abbasi, the Danish Iranian filmmaker, had prioritized getting The Apprentice into theaters before voters head to the polls. After larger studios and film distributors opted not to bid on the film, Abbasi complained in early June on X that "for some reason certain power people in your country don't want you to see it!!!" Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, in a statement Friday called the film's release "election interference by Hollywood elites right before November." He said, "This 'film' is pure malicious defamation, should never see the light of day, and doesn't even deserve a place in the straight-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a soon-to-be-closed discount movie store, it belongs in a dumpster fire." Part of what dampened interest in The Apprentice was the potential of legal action. After its Cannes premiere in May, Cheung said the Trump team would file a lawsuit "to address the blatantly false assertions," per the AP. The Apprentice chronicles Trump's rise to power in New York real estate under the tutelage of defense attorney Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Late in the movie, Trump is depicted raping his wife, Ivana Trump, played by Maria Bakalova. In Ivana Trump's 1990 divorce deposition, she stated that Trump raped her. Trump denied the allegation, and Ivana Trump later said she didn't mean it literally but rather that she had felt violated. Abbasi has argued Trump might not dislike the movie. "I would offer to go and meet him wherever he wants and talk about the context of the movie, have a screening and have a chat afterwards," he said in May. (More The Apprentice movie stories.) 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. KIRKLAND, QC, Aug. 30, 2024 /CNW/ - Merck Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of David D. Jones as President and Managing Director, effective September 1st, 2024. Mr. Jones is succeeding Marwan A. Akar, who has held the position since June 2021. David D. Jones (CNW Group/Merck Canada Inc.) Mr. Akar has been appointed to a position within Merck's global organization. The Merck Canada team sincerely thanks him for his commitment to patients and focus on excellence. During his time in Canada, Mr. Akar successfully led the Canadian organization through post-COVID recovery and was instrumental in developing a dynamic, inclusive and highly collaborative work culture. Prior to his appointment at Merck Canada, Mr. Jones was Vice President and Executive Officer, Primary Care, Specialty Medicines, Vaccines and Rare Disease for MSD Japan. Throughout his career at Merck, he held multiple U.S. and Global commercial leadership roles across Vaccines, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Rare Diseases and Anti-Infective therapeutic areas, in addition to leading work to improve patient and business outcomes around the world through data and advanced analytics. Mr. Jones holds an M.B.A. from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He is a graduate of the Merck/Harvard Business School Enterprise Leadership Program, the Executive Leadership Council's Strengthening the Pipeline program, the McKinsey Black Executive Leadership Program, and was named to the Philadelphia Business Journal's 40 under 40 Leaders in 2019. About Merck Canada At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. In Canada, Merck markets a broad range of vaccines, pharmaceutical and animal health products and is one of the top R&D investors in Canada, with investments totaling more than $90 million in 2022 and more than $1.6 billion since 2000. Based in Kirkland, Quebec, Merck employs approximately 635 people across the country. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on LinkedIn and X @MerckCanada. SOURCE Merck Canada Inc. Media Contact: Phone: 1-833-90MERCK (1-833-906-3725), Email: [email protected] A New York man was arrested Wednesday on charges he sexually assaulted a child five years ago in two Bergen County towns, authorities said. Renaldo W. Baxter, 36, of The Bronx, was arrested by members of the New York City Police Department and the FBI on sexual assault charges months after detectives became aware of the allegations, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. The assaults allegedly involved a child under age 16 and occurred between April and October 2019 in Garfield and Teaneck, Musella said. Garfield police contacted the prosecutors office about the alleged crimes on May 31 and Baxter was charged on June 25. He was arrested in New York on Wednesday and held at the Rikers Island jail to await extradition to New Jersey. Baxter is charged with second-degree sexual assault, second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Attorney information for Baxter was not immediately available Friday. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Camdens embattled advisory school board president is resisting calls to resign after a $2 million settlement over sexual abuse allegations against him. A press conference calling for Wasim Muhammad, 56, to step down from Camden Board of Educations advisory board was followed by a public meeting Tuesday that dissolved into chaos. Community members excoriated the board president for resuming his position after a months-long leave of absence from the board in the wake of a former students accusations that he sexually abused her starting when she was 14. Gov. Phil Murphy called for Muhammads resignation days after NJ Advance Media first reported on the accusations leveled against him in the students lawsuit. A spokesperson for the governor reiterated his statement this week. Theo Spencer, a former board member, said paperwork had been filed for a recall vote to remove Muhammad from the board, an arduous effort that requires the formation of a committee. Muhammad did not respond to messages left with him Tuesday afternoon and did not respond to the public calls for him to resign at Tuesdays board meeting. His attorney, Troy Archie, told reporters after the meeting that Muhammad had no intention of stepping down. The jurys decision on the civil suit against Muhammad was split, with jurors finding he did not sexually assault the accuser while she was a student, but answering yes to questions of whether the districts and Muhammads behavior caused the woman lasting emotional distress. The district paid the woman a $2 million settlement as a result of the split ruling. Camden advisory school board president was shouted down with boos and whistles from the community Tuesday.Matthew Enuco About 100 people attended the meeting in the auditorium Tuesday with 36 people signing up to make a public statement. Only about 20 public statements were made by the time the meeting was cut short. This board must have lost its soul to endanger our children with somebody you had to pay $2 million for and you expect us to accept that, attendee Keith Benson said. Joe Bouvier, an attorney, addressed the board calling Muhammad an extreme liability risk to the district after the jurys decision in May, and told the board its obligation is to do whats best for the students of Camden. Jeffrey Fritz, the attorney for the woman who levied the allegations, also addressed the board calling for Muhammads immediate resignation. It is inconceivable that I am now standing before this advisory board and this superintendent addressing you with Mr. Muhammad continuing as your president, Fritz said. Camden deserves better. Fritz reiterated that the jury found Muhammad had recklessly or intentionally committed extreme and outrageous conduct upon (the former student) that caused her harm. The former student issued a statement this week, as well, that read in part: Every day that he remains [Muhammad], you are making a statement that says morality, integrity, and safety are not a necessity for those who serve in the highest administrative roles in Camden City Schools. Wasim Muhammad stood about 10 feet behind his attorney, Troy Archie as he fielded questions from reporters after the board meeting abruptly adjourned.Matthew Enuco State-appointed superintendent, Katrina McCombs an alumnus of the Camden public school district herself and someone who openly shared her experience as the victim of sexual abuse as a child at a previous board meeting after Muhammad took a leave from the board did not respond to the public outcry Tuesday. She sent a statement Tuesday afternoon prior to the meeting saying her focus is on the upcoming school year. While we humbly acknowledge the challenge we presently face, the Camden City School District remains committed to a successful start to the 2024-2025 school year, she said. Our top priority is to ensure that students, staff, and families have the resources they need to succeed. We are confident that, together, we can overcome these challenges and create a thriving environment for everyone in our district. From the beginning of Tuesdays meeting, Muhammad was interrupted by boos, shouts and whistles from the public, but tensions reached a boiling point when Chabree Robinson, who identified herself as a proud wife of Muhammad, tried to speak on his behalf. As she spoke, shouts and whistles grew louder and louder before Muhammad and the board tried to stop her from speaking in order to settle the crowd. During the outburst from the public, and as the board abruptly entered executive session, Muhammad left the stage and escorted a woman out the side door of the auditorium and into a hallway. Just as Muhammad exited the auditorium, another fracas broke out on the other side of the room. After the board abruptly went into executive session, a large group of community members remained in the auditorium to plan their next course of action to compel Muhammads resignation or the board to take action against him. Ronsha Dickerson from the Camden Parent & Student Union, appealed to the community to continue the pressure on Muhammad and the board when the boards attorney walked onto the stage to declare that the meeting was adjourned due to lack of a quorum. Board members did not return to the stage and no roll call was taken. Once the meeting was adjourned, Muhammad could be seen in a hallway adjacent to the auditorium where the public and reporters were restricted from entering. About 30 minutes later, his attorney Troy Archie addressed members of the press while Muhammad stood behind him. Theres no legal authority to bar Minister Wasim from serving on the Camden City schools advisory board, Archie said. When asked directly if Muhammad would step down, Archie answered no, hes not stepping down. Muhammad did not answer questions from reporters as he walked away with Archie. A person at a pre-board meeting protest holds up a shirt parents made to call for the resignation of board president Wasim Muhammad.Matthew Enuco Activists said the movement to remove Muhammad from the board would continue. The Camden community and its residents have come together again to send a message to everyone. And that message is Camden residents are fed up and fired up, Dickerson said at the press conference before the meeting. Muhammad was accused in a 2021 lawsuit of sexually abusing a former student in 1990s while he was a teacher in Camden. The plaintiff, who was listed as Jane Doe in court documents but later came forward publicly, accused Muhammad of sexually abusing her for years starting when she was a student in Muhammads social studies class at Cooper B. Hatch middle school. Muhammad was known then as Don Walker. The jury awarded the woman $1.6 million in damages as a result of the trauma they agreed Muhammad caused and the district was negligent in preventing, but did not agree that the evidence proved Muhammad had sex with the woman when she was a student. An additional $500,000 punitive settlement was reached between the school district and the womans attorney. The districts insurance carrier covered the $1.6 million in liability for Muhammad and the district, but paid the additional punitive damages out of the districts operating budget, according a report from the Philadelphia Inquirer. The district also picked up the legal fees for Muhammad, according to the report. Tuesday was the second time in a week that parents shut down a board meeting with calls for Muhammad to step down. Parents and community members interrupted the boards work session last Thursday, as well. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the crowd booed and chanted shame as Muhammad took his seat and gaveled the meeting to order. Muhammad has been a member of the school board since 2013, just before the state took over control of the district in 2014. Muhammad has been board president since 2020 and was unanimously elected by the board to serve another year as board president in January. Vice President of the board, NNamdee Nelson, assumed control of board meetings after Muhammad stepped away from the board in January. Nelson did not return messages Tuesday seeking comment. Muhammad maintained his innocence throughout the duration of the trial in May and testified in court in his own defense. He claimed a relationship he had with her started after she was 18. He was accused in court documents of giving the former student special attention and pulling her from other classes to spend time with her. The lawsuit also accused Muhammad of taking her to his home in Camden and a motel in Cherry Hill while she was still in middle school to have sex. When the student and her family moved away in high school, she claimed Muhammad continued pursuing her by traveling to meet with her. When she turned 18, she briefly moved back to Camden and Muhammad claimed in a deposition that she became one of his many religious wives. Muhammad is a Muslim minister and runs his own religious school at Muhammads Temple No. 20 on Haddon Avenue in Camden. 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 27-year-old motorcyclist who authorities say struck and killed a University of Delaware student from New Jersey near the campus earlier this week has been charged with murder. Brian Briddle, of Newark, Delaware was arrested Thursday and is being held on $362,005 cash bail, authorities said. Attorney information for Briddle wasnt immediately available. Briddle was fleeing from police when his motorcycle struck the college student, police said. Noelia Gomez was struck just before midnight Tuesday in a crosswalk on East Main Street near North College Avenue, according to Newark police. Gomez, of Clark, was a freshman at the University of Delaware who graduated from Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains. A University of Delaware police officer attempted to stop the motorcycle for a traffic offense about three blocks away from the crash scene at 11:53 p.m. The patrol officer stopped pursuing the motorcycle because of possible danger to the public after the rider fled at a high speed, Newark police said. Gomez was struck within the next minute, officials said. Following the crash, Briddle was thrown from the motorcycle and it continued onto the sidewalk, striking four more people and a light pole, authorities said. Three other pedestrians declined to be treated, while one was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Briddle is also charged with possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony and several motor vehicle offenses. He was also treated for minor injuries following the crash. This crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Newark police at 302-366-7100, extension 3414 or email waston@newark.de.us. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A Passaic County man was charged with attempted murder and robbery in a shooting in Paterson last Thursday, Passaic County officials announced. Jioni Rosado, 34, of Paterson was arrested on Wednesday in Haledon and charged with first-degree attempted murder, robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon as well as other second-degree weapons offenses, the county prosecutors office announced. Authorities said they were called to the area of Highland and Sparrow streets in Paterson around 11:10 p.m. on Aug. 22 for a report of a shooting. Police discovered a 31-year-old Paterson man suffering from non-fatal gunshot wounds at the scene, authorities said. He was taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center for treatment, according to police. An investigation led to Rosado as the primary suspect in the shooting, officials said. No additional details on the investigation were shared by county authorities Thursday. Rosado was arrested in Haledon around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Lee Avenue and Henry Street without incident, authorities said. Prosecutors said they planned to request Rosado remain in custody at a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 4. An attorney for Rosado did not immediately return a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X 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. Vice President Kamala Harriss interview on Thursday with Dana Bash of CNN is the first major unscripted moment of her young presidential campaign. But it isnt her first encounter with Ms. Bash. The CNN political anchor has interviewed Ms. Harris on three occasions in the past few years. In those past meetings, Ms. Bash was a firm-but-fair interlocutor: sometimes granting Ms. Harris time to meander through lengthy answers, and sometimes pressing her, repeatedly, when the vice president equivocated on tough issues. It was Ms. Bash, in 2022, who elicited Ms. Harriss memorably odd description of herself as the daughter of a woman, and a granddaughter of a woman. (The anchor was asking about the vice presidents reaction to the Supreme Court opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade.) In the same interview, Ms. Bash pushed Ms. Harris on the Biden administrations plans to secure abortion rights in the wake of the ruling. The vice president declined to give a full-throated endorsement of the strategies floated by Ms. Bash, like challenging state laws or an executive action. Good evening! Tonight, my colleague David Sanger, a White House and national security correspondent, is here with a look at what we are not hearing on the campaign trail about the nations biggest geopolitical challenge: China. Ask President Biden or just about anyone in the national security firmament of the United States about Americas most potent geopolitical challenge over the next few decades, and you are bound to get a near-unanimous answer: China. The argument is familiar. The United States has never before faced a competitor who challenges it on so many fronts. Xi Jinpings China is Americas only real technological competitor, in everything from artificial intelligence to semiconductors, electric cars to biological sciences. The country has more than doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal in the past few years, and a new partnership it has formed with Russia could upend every assumption about how America defends itself. Then theres the economy. If, a few years ago, American economists worried about Chinas rapid rise, today they worry about its slowdown, and the overhang of industrial production that is flooding the world with excess goods, with potentially disastrous consequences. Theres also the very real risk of war over Taiwan. Theres TikTok. The list goes on. Yet when the issue comes up on the campaign trail at all, its framed chiefly as an economic threat. Thornier discussions of Chinas role as a broad strategic competitor, with ambitions that are already forcing the United States to change how it prepares its workers, shapes its investments and restructures its defenses, have fallen largely by the wayside. The first warning that there might be something wrong with the Andy Warhols that a family of art collectors had been buying through a Miami gallery came last December. When the family decided to sell some of the works, it said in a lawsuit filed Thursday, Christies, the auction house, questioned their authenticity. The familys art dealer, Leslie Roberts of Miami Fine Art Gallery, went to extraordinary lengths to try to reassure them that they were authentic, the lawsuit said. An email from a person that the gallery said was its contact at the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts claimed that the works were legitimate, the filing says. And two people came to the familys Florida home with business cards claiming that they were appraisers from a rival auction house, Phillips, the suit said, and proclaimed the works to be authentic Warhols. But those assurances fell apart on closer examination, according to the lawsuit that the family Matthew, Judy and Richard Perlman filed against Mr. Roberts and the gallery in state court in Miami. Basel, a quaint riverside city in northern Switzerland, on Friday won the right to host next years Eurovision Song Contest, the high-camp international singing competition. To many Basel residents, the news, which Eurovisions organizers announced in a release, was a cause for celebration: Next May, the city would have a moment in the international spotlight. Yet some lawmakers in Switzerland had an altogether different reaction. To them, Eurovision is not a fun spectacle; it is a waste of money and a celebration of evil that has no place in their country. Members of the Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland, a conservative Christian party, are campaigning for a referendum to stop Basels government contributing tens of millions of dollars toward Eurovisions running costs. When members of the Chicago Teachers Union showed up to march at the Democratic National Convention last week, many expressed two distinct frustrations. The first was over the war in Gaza, which they blamed for chewing up billions of dollars in aid to Israel that they said could be better spent on students, in addition to a staggering loss of life. The second was disappointment with their parent union, the American Federation of Teachers, which they felt should go further in pressuring the Biden administration to rein in Israels military campaign. I was disappointed in the resolution on Israel and Palestine because it didnt call for an end to armed shipments, said Kirstin Roberts, a preschool teacher who attended the protest, alluding to a statement that the parent union endorsed at its convention in July. Since last fall, many rank-and-file union members have been outspoken in their criticism of Israels response to the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Hamas-led militants killed more than 1,000 people and took about 250 hostages. The leaders of many national unions have appeared more cautious, at times emphasizing the precipitating role of Hamas. Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, announced on Monday that Canada would be imposing a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles made in China. The move follows tariffs imposed against Chinese E.V.s by the European Union and the United States, which have also tried to protect their domestic auto industries from competition. The tariff, which will go into effect in October, is the latest escalation in the trade war between Western economies and China. American, European and Canadian critics say it is impossible for their car companies to compete with Chinese imports because Chinas government has heavily subsidized the domestic production of E.V.s. That has given Chinese companies an advantage in Western markets, where they can sell their vehicles at a much lower cost than those countries manufacturers can. Automakers and the union that represents Canadian auto workers had lobbied the government to match American tariffs on Chinese E.V.s, which will go into effect by the end of this month. I think we all know that China is not playing by the same rules, Mr. Trudeau said on Monday. What is important about this is were doing it in alignment and in parallel with other economies around the world. In July, health officials made an unsettling discovery in Gaza: Poliovirus, a global scourge, was found in samples of wastewater. This month, the news got worse. A 10-month-old baby contracted polio and is now paralyzed in one leg. Its the first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in 25 years. Now international agencies are sending more than 1.6 million doses of oral poliovirus vaccine to the conflict zone in an ambitious effort to immunize 640,000 children under age 10. Israel has agreed to three pauses in military operations, starting Sunday, to facilitate the campaign. Health officials had been warning for months that the conflict in Gaza could eventually give way to major regressions in infectious diseases. Transmission of poliovirus which attacks the nervous system and can lead to spinal and respiratory paralysis, and in some cases death may already be widespread, some experts fear. Curtis and Meredith (John Cho and Katherine Waterston) should have had their spidey senses tingling when their new digital assistant, AIA, dismissed one of its competitors with a breezy Alexa, that bitch? Instead, the couple and their three children, all of whom are endowed with a mix of entitlement and shopworn neuroses, give AIA (pronounced Aya, and voiced by Havana Rose Liu) the keys to their lives. The new gizmo is more than convenient, you see AIA, which sees and hears everything, anticipates then solves everybodys problems. Watching any movie in which artificial intelligence goes rogue (and there are a lot), its hard not to think that humankind is rushing to its doom because we were too lazy to manually turn on a light or pick a song. But before we get to the age of the machine, films like Chris Weitzs limp techno-thriller Afraid are attempting to ring an alarm bell. I gotta kill all you, a young boy, limbs twitching in the throes of demon possession, eyes wild, growls at his mother (played by Andra Day) in the new Lee Daniels horror film, The Deliverance. This is after he has recently walked backward up a hospital room wall like a demented Spider-Man after being nearly drowned in a bathtub by his older brother, who is also being targeted by a demon. The film, which chronicles the saga of a family beleaguered by dark forces after moving into a new home, claims to have been inspired by real events, but the wall-scaling and demonic possession are Hollywood embellishments, right? A Columbia University task force set up to combat antisemitism on campus released its latest report on Friday, detailing numerous instances of harassment and even physical violence directed at Jewish students in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The task force found an urgent need to reshape everyday social norms at Columbia and recommended changes in how the university prevents and responds to bias incidents. Students will return on Tuesday to a campus that was roiled by pro-Palestinian protests in the spring, culminating in a canceled commencement ceremony in May. The 90-page report, based in part on listening sessions with students, follows one published in March that called for limits on protests and stronger enforcement of existing rules. Since Oct. 7, the task force found, Jewish and Israeli students described being harassed with ethnic slurs and stereotypes, threatened and in some cases assaulted, and some said they were barred from certain student groups because of their Zionism. The task force heard from nearly 500 students, according to the latest report. Most of the student experiences detailed in both reports took place before a pro-Palestinian encampment sprung up on campus in April; at that point, things got worse, Fridays report said. This week I interviewed Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota, about her Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act. If you dont know what algorithmic collusion is, its time to get educated, because you could be its next victim. Algorithmic collusion is where companies illegally coordinate to raise prices through the use of an algorithm that they supply their data to. There is no explicit or even wink-and-a-nod agreement among the competitors, the usual standard for collusion. Instead, each company has its own contract with the algorithm provider. That provider uses the companies data to make pricing recommendations that make them all richer at the expense of their customers. Algorithmic collusion made the headlines this month when Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to crack down, should she be elected, on corporate landlords that use price-setting software to jack up rents. Last week, the Justice Department sued RealPage, charging that the company, which uses an algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to help landlords set rental rates, referred to its products as driving every possible opportunity to increase price. Klobuchar introduced her bill in February. She told me she worries that you can see this going economywide, extending into more and more businesses. Last year, for example, the Justice Department sued Agri Stats for, it claimed, organizing and managing anticompetitive information exchanges among processors of broiler chicken, pork and turkey. This year, The Times found that MultiPlan, a data analytics firm, was working with big health insurers to lower reimbursement for out-of-network spending. Standing in the Roman Pantheon last spring, one of my daughters asked the kind of question that newspaper columnists are tempted to place in the mouths of our children when were hard up for a column hook: Dad, why dont people build things this beautiful anymore? One of my fitfully followed parental rules is that when a kid asks about something that touches on the deep issues of our time, I dont immediately launch into a jeremiad. Instead, my children are served a combination of heres what your dad thinks and heres what other people think, with a thumb on the scale for the paternal point of view but also a pedantic attempt to make sure they understand the whole debate. (Often they wander off before Im done, for some reason.) So I told her that from my perspective, the decline of beauty, grace and ornament in public architecture reflects a collapse of humanist confidence and religious faith, an abandonment of the assumption that human artifice is tapping into some deeper cosmic order, a fatal surrender to bad ideas about aesthetics and human life itself. But then I also told her that the change was partly a somewhat mundane matter of building costs, that ornamentation gets relatively more expensive under modern conditions because you cant pay skilled artisans a pittance anymore, and glass and concrete cubes are just far cheaper to put up. (It was when I started to explain Baumols cost disease that someone wisely suggested we go get gelato.) The first time I went to Pride, I lied about where I was going. I drove about an hour from my parents house in central Massachusetts to the periphery of Bostons subway lines. In the station parking lot, I swapped my modest khaki shorts for a bright red pair with a much shorter inseam and boarded a train heading downtown. When I emerged into the city, I found myself, for the first time, surrounded by a crowd of mostly queer people. The rainbow colors of balloons, floats and Pridegoers clothes stood out against the muted tones of Bostons City Hall Plaza. The novelty of what I was experiencing revealed that this was not possible everywhere, certainly not in the town where I grew up. For decades, it has been mostly cities, like New York and San Francisco, that have defined what Pride looks and feels like. Queer people like me have, for reasons that feel obvious, flocked to these areas; why wouldnt you want to live somewhere that makes you feel celebrated? But in an era of widespread L.G.B.T.Q. visibility and acceptance, queer residents in smaller communities are bringing Pride to their hometowns, prompting questions about what the festival can look like in those places, the impact it can have and what kinds of communities welcome queer people. Lebanon, Ohio, recently faced these questions. A town of about 21,000 nestled between Dayton and Cincinnati, Lebanon isnt shy about its conservative politics and hasnt always felt welcoming to its queer residents. Growing up, a Lebanon native, James Reynolds, felt that being queer wasnt accepted; he left town and ultimately settled in Cincinnati. The small town of Dixon, Ill., where Ronald Reagan grew up, last week celebrated the premiere of a Hollywood film called Reagan, which is scheduled for theatrical release on Friday. A citywide parade began in the early evening at Mr. Reagans boyhood home and ended at The Dixon, a local theater, for the screening. There, the actor Dennis Quaid, who plays Mr. Reagan in the movie, declared, He was my favorite president. Such reverential treatment of Mr. Reagan has been a constant in American political culture for several decades. The new film is based on a 2006 book called The Crusader that suggests a parallel between Mr. Reagans teenage experience as a lifeguard and his readiness as president to rescue America from the Communist threat. Several other fawning books about Mr. Reagan have been published this year, including What Would Reagan Do? by Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, and The Search for Reagan by the political consultant Craig Shirley. (A judicious biography, Reagan, by Max Boot, is scheduled for publication on Sept. 10.) But all this fanfare cant obscure the fact that Mr. Reagans reputation has come under fire in recent years from an unlikely quarter: conservatives. Boomer porn, Curt Mills, the executive director of The American Conservative, scoffed when I told him about the event in Dixon. Reagan may have been a conservative, but he wasnt a nationalist. Reagan got the big issues of the future wrong foreign policy, trade and immigration. On the first night of the Democratic National Convention, six labor leaders took the stage to endorse the partys nominee. Kamala Harris will keep fighting for workers, promised the general president of the Laborers International Union of North America. The Republicans vision, said the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., is a workers nightmare. Certainly, they are right about who will fight for the labor leaders. The Democrats Protecting the Right to Organize legislation would help them add more members to their unions. But the casual conflation of their own interests with those of workers misunderstands what workers want and what pro-worker policy can look like. If the goal is to place workers on a level playing field with employers so that they can advocate their own interests effectively and share fully in the prosperity they help to create, then getting more workers into those unions is not the only way. Its not even the best way. A more effective strategy is to ensure a tight labor market by constraining who employers can hire in particular, by making it harder to offshore production to other countries or bring workers from other countries into the United States. Employers fight against such constraint tooth and nail because it forces them to improve the quality of the jobs they offer, to retain workers and draw people off the sidelines to fill open positions, and to invest in boosting productivity. A recent analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis illustrates this effect. Firms lamenting labor shortages and hiring challenges for routine manual tasks tend to invest more and achieve larger productivity gains. Senator JD Vance has articulated the point well, warning that support for the free movement of labor across national borders decimates the bargaining power of workers by offering employers less expensive alternatives, while constraining access to inexpensive labor is a tech-forward argument. If you cant constantly do the same things with cheaper and cheaper labor, your economy is forced to innovate. This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. casey newton Let me ask you Kevin, let me ask you this. I walked into the office today, and I saw on your desk, a keyboard. And it said Alpha. Theres an Alpha keyboard on your desk. What is this? kevin roose Well, Im such an alpha male that they have to give me a special keyboard because I mash the keys so hard that a normal keyboard would just shatter. casey newton That doesnt sound right to me. kevin roose No, its not. casey newton I think youre bamboozling me. What is the alpha keyboard? kevin roose This is a product that I am testing. Its called the Freewrite Alpha. And this is essentially an internet-connected typewriter, because, as you may experience, being online can be quite distracting when youre trying to do research and writing. And so theres this company, Freewrite, that has made that makes these little sort of stripped down computers that basically only can be used to write things and then they can of store that in the cloud. And so that can become your ordinary writing device. casey newton So you feel like to get ahead, you need to go from a laptop to something that is much worse than a laptop. kevin roose Yes. What if a laptop could only write? That is the premise. casey newton Does it have a display? kevin roose Yes, it has a little sort of gray it just gives you a couple lines at a time. casey newton You can so youre writing your column, you can only see one sentence at any given time? kevin roose Well, yeah. casey newton Kevin, this is a nightmare. kevin roose Yeah, I havent used it much. But they did send it to me, and so I feel obligated to try it. casey newton I got to be honest. This sounds like a keyboard for betas. If you cant handle seeing your entire column at once. beta behavior. kevin roose I need the sigma keyboard. casey newton Yeah. [MUSIC PLAYING] kevin roose Im Kevin Roose, a tech columnist at The New York Times. casey newton Im Casey Newton from Platformer. kevin roose And this is Hard Fork. casey newton This week, Telegram CEO is arrested in France. Well tell you what the charges against him mean for the internet. Then New York Governor Kathy Hochul joins us to talk about why she wants to ban phones in public schools. And finally, the secret code that Kevin uses to trick chatbots into saying nice things about him. kevin roose Its not a trick, its persuasion. It wont work on me, by the way. [MUSIC PLAYING] Well, Casey, there was one text story that was everywhere this week, and that is the arrest of the founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, this past weekend. He was pulled off of his private plane as it touched down outside of Paris. And its been a big story. casey newton It really has. And my first question was, did he think the Olympics were still going on? Because those have been wrapped up for a couple of weeks now. So he really might have made a mistake at that. kevin roose He just wanted to see the pommel horse guy. Look, can you blame him? So this has been such a crazy story. And I think it touches on a lot of themes that we really care about, including content moderation and government interference with tech platforms and free speech. Theres just a lot here. Its a rich text, as they say. casey newton For sure. kevin roose So on Wednesday, Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was charged in France with a wide range of crimes related to illicit activity on Telegram. He faces six charges in total, including complicity in managing an online platform to enable illegal transactions and complicity with crimes like the distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, or CSAM, drug trafficking, fraud, and a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. Hes been barred from leaving the country and ordered to pay a bail of 5 million euros. And he also has to check in at a police station twice a week. So lets just start by explaining to our listeners what Telegram is. What place does it occupy in the landscape of global tech platforms? casey newton Telegram, youre probably old enough that your birth was announced by a real telegram. kevin roose Yeah, Western Union. casey newton Yeah. Im gay. So mine was announced by a singing telegram. But anyways, Telegram is a messaging app, Kevin. And it has a lot of social media features, so it kind of started off similar to a WhatsApp, an iMessage, something like that. But over time, it just added these features that are familiar to us from other social networks. So for example, they have these public channels. So maybe youre a public figure like Emmanuel Macron, the president of France. You can create a channel can say whatever you want. Other people can read it. They cannot write back to you in public if you set it up that way. But it can be a way of getting your message out just as posting on X or Threads might let you do the same thing. And its gotten hugely popular. It now has more than 900 million users. And its particularly popular in certain regions, often where theres been authoritarian government. So its been very popular in Iran, for example. And it is hugely popular in both Ukraine and Russia, where military forces on both sides use it to command their armies in the war. But along the way, we should also say it has developed a crime problem. kevin roose Yes. We should talk about that because that is a major part of what is involved in these charges against Pavel Durov. Telegram, I would say, takes a much lighter approach to content moderation than other messaging apps and social media platforms. They are sort of proudly resistant to government requests to take down information or to see the messages that users send. Telegram is often called an encrypted messaging app. Thats not quite accurate, at least not in the way that other apps would define encrypted, and we can get into that later. As a result, it is seen as being private. And because of that, lots of people use it for illicit transactions and messaging. Lots of criminals use it to exchange tips on where to buy drugs or guns. Its also been used by a lot of people in the crypto community, because theyre worried about government surveillance of their communications. So its just kind of has this seedy reputation, at least in the US. casey newton Yeah, its earned it. And if youre wondering, what do we mean by a light approach to content moderation? Pavel Durov has said that he believes in just sort of not interfering with letting people communicate online. And if you go to Telegrams FAQ page, they say that we are just essentially not going to look at the contents of your private messages in particular. So if you want to get on there and you want to organize a drug deal or a gun deal, Telegram is basically explicitly saying, were just going to look the other way on this. And that is very unusual among the large messaging apps. kevin roose Yes. And it has made it a tool for terrorist organizations, for drug traffickers, for extremist groups of all kinds. So I came across Telegram a lot when I was reporting on neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups who would sometimes get kicked off other platforms and would reconstitute themselves on Telegram because of these huge group features that allow you to broadcast messages to hundreds of thousands of people at the same time. casey newton Yeah, its actually really interesting. Like one of the key ways that extremism is now studied is just researchers will follow the Telegram channels involved, because they can see terrorists and other groups just operating out in the open. And, for better and for worse, this is now how a lot of us learn about what some of the darkest forces in the world are up to. kevin roose Yes, but we should also talk about Pavel Durov, because hes a very interesting character. casey newton Yeah. This is a person who was born in the Soviet Union in 1984 and first became famous by creating a very popular Facebook clone called Vkontakte. At least thats how I pronounce it. How do you pronounce it? kevin roose I always thought it was Vkontakte, but its got some extra letters in there. Its got a K in there. Im not sure. casey newton If youre an English speaker, it looks like Vkontakte But Im told that Russians are pronouncing it va-kon-tak-tah. And I said, excuse me. And they said, va-kon-tak-tah. kevin roose So yes, my colleagues, Paul Moser and Adam Satriano, had a great profile of Pavel Durov that ran this week. And I learned a lot from it, including the backstory of how he came to found Telegram. So basically, Pavel Durov, he starts this website, Vkontakte or whatever its called in Russian, that becomes very popular. But ultimately, it has sort of a standoff with the Russian government, because the Kremlin basically wants to get a bunch of information about the users of this service. Pavel Durov sort of resists that. And as a result, the Russian government essentially seizes the website from him, kind of confiscates this Facebook clone that he had built. So he basically loses control of his creation. He then kind of gets an idea for what becomes Telegram, a messaging app that would essentially be resistant to government interference and surveillance and would allow people to have secure conversations on their phones. casey newton Yeah. And as he sort of starts building it, I think because of this experience that he has in Russia, he never really wants to be beholden to another government ever again. And so he starts traveling the world. And he just like picks up citizenships the way that other people collect fine art. So hes like now a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis. He gets one from the United Arab Emirates. And he starts running Telegram out of the UAE. And in one of the strangest details of this story, given what would ultimately happen, is that in 2021, he manages to get French citizenship, even though hes never lived there. kevin roose Yeah. casey newton And apparently, there is some rare procedure that dates to before the French Revolution where someone can be granted French citizenship if they are a French-speaking foreigner who contributes through his or her outstanding work to the influence of France and the prosperity of its international economic relations. And so you might be asking, what did Pavel Durov do to advance the interests of France? And no one knows. And we dont know if he even speaks French. kevin roose Yeah, Im sort of imagining this scene in the Bourne Identity, where he like, opens an envelope and has all these different passports from different countries. Like Pavel Durov has sort of become this international man of mystery. He travels around the world. Hes also like just a very sort of quirky guy. Hes gotten very into fitness. Hes become a wellness influencer. He, like, posts online about all the cold plunges that he does. casey newton Hes incredibly hot. We should say it. If youre wondering, is this man hot? Yeah, you could go on his Instagram. Like he looks like a model. kevin roose He does. He posts all these shirtless photos. Hes very ripped. He also claimed, according to this profile of him, that he had become a multinational sperm donor who had fathered more than a hundred biological children in 12 countries over the past 15 years. Just a very interesting and sort of bizarre guy. casey newton Yeah. And you have to wonder, is the hope that one of these children will someday break him out of prison because kevin roose Good strategy. casey newton It could be a good strategy. kevin roose Yes. So hes also become quite a popular figure among anti-government dissidents, free speech absolutist, people who worry about government surveillance. Hes got a very sort of anti-authority streak in him. Theres some details in this profile, including that, in 2013, he apparently hit a Russian policeman in his car while driving on the sidewalk to get around a traffic jam and casey newton Which, by the way, thats actually very relatable. If youve ever been stuck in traffic, weve all thought about just sort of pulling up onto the curb and driving around traffic. kevin roose I mean, Ive done it in Grand Theft Auto, but Ive never actually contemplated doing it in real life. But Pavel Durov did apparently hit a Russian policeman and later wrote on social media, quote, when you run over a policeman, it is important to drive back and forth so all the pulp comes out. It would be amazing if we were interviewing him, by the way, where did you get the idea for Telegram? He said, well, after I ran over that cop, I thought, I need a really secure way to communicate. casey newton Right. kevin roose So we should also say, like he has in recent months kind of become a hero to some people on the American political right. He went on Tucker Carlsons show and was interviewed by him. Hes also sort of been supported by people like Elon Musk, who see him as a sort of critical ally in this free speech battle against government tyranny. So hes developed a mythical status among some partisans on the right in the US. casey newton Yeah. kevin roose So, Casey, what do you make of the charges against Durov? casey newton So Im still working to understand exactly what he is being charged with. Ive only seen a short summary of the charges, but the lead one that we have here is that he has been charged with complicity in managing an online platform to enable illegal transactions and a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. And I think this cuts a couple of ways, because, on one hand, youre not allowed to run a website that just does absolutely anything. Ross Ulbricht, who ran the Silk Road, found that out the hard way. He went to prison because the Silk Road was mostly being used to sell drugs and other illegal things. On the other hand, the idea that any CEO can be accused of being complicit in whatever happens on their platform could potentially be really bad, I think, because on any platform, bad things are going to happen. Crimes are going to be committed. And to say that because a crime happened on a platform, the CEO is personally liable, thats a dramatic escalation in the regulation of tech as weve seen it so far. kevin roose Yeah, I mean, usually when a company is discovered to have been allowing some illegal activity to take place on its platform, the company gets punished. They get fined by regulators, or theres some politicians have a hearing and they yell at the CEO. But its historically been pretty rare for individuals to face prosecution for facilitating or being complicit in illegal activity happening on a platform. casey newton Thats right. And even on Telegram, which I do think has been sort of has notably flouted the law. I also believe the vast majority of all discussions on Telegram are totally benign. Its just like average people talking about their personal interests and messaging their friends. And so I think theres this really difficult question of, when does a platform tip over into, well, too many crimes have happened on this platform? And thats why I hope that this prosecution really focuses less on the fact that there were illegal things happening on Telegram and more on the fact that they just refused to cooperate with law enforcement at all, that they totally ignored law enforcement. They would not return the phone calls. They would not return the emails, even in cases where maybe they could have intervened to help stop a child from being abused. So well see how this prosecution develops. But I really hope the focus is there and not the fact that just a bunch of crimes happened on a messaging app. kevin roose And I think it has to be because crimes happen, as you said, on every internet platform of a certain size. Youre going to have crimes. There are going to be people who are using that to spread illegal material or sell drugs or coordinate terrorist activities or what have you. But I think its different when you take a proudly hands-off stance, when you refuse to cooperate, when you refuse to try to step in to even do the bare minimum to stop that stuff from happening on your platform. casey newton Yeah. I think when Pavel Durov ran over a police officer, he really got the attention of law enforcement officers around the world, and they said, we got to do something about this guy. kevin roose Yeah, pro tip. If youre going to run a lawless social platform and messaging app, dont brag about running over police officers. casey newton Hit the brakes, kid. kevin roose So while we wait for more details about this case and what actually happened, I think we should just talk about Telegram and what sort of place it occupies in the social media landscape and what the arrest of Pavel Durov might mean for other platforms. So first, I want to ask about a topic that has come up a lot this week, which is how Telegram is actually encrypted, because there is encryption on Telegram, but its different than what you might think of on an app like Signal or WhatsApp or iMessage. So Casey, what do we know about how Telegram is and isnt encrypted? casey newton Yeah. So there are different kinds of encryption. The most common form of encryption is to encrypt messages as they travel from one device to another over the cloud, prevents people from snooping on that traffic and seeing those messages in real time. Telegram, for most of its messages, uses a kind of encryption that works that way. So there is an encryption there, but these messages do exist on the Telegram servers. The only exception is if you start what is called a secret chat on Telegram, in which case youre more protected for reasons Ill explain in a second. But because these messages are not end-to-end encrypted, then a law enforcement could go to Telegram and they could say, we want to get hold of these messages. And Telegram has resisted all of those requests so far. But theres an increasing amount of pressure on them to say no, no, you have to show you have to give us information about who are these users. We think theyre implicated in a crime. And because these messages are not end-to-end encrypted Telegram is vulnerable. Now, Kevin, you might be wondering what is end-to-end encryption. kevin roose What is end-to-end encryption? casey newton End-to-end encryption means that the message can only be read by the person sending it and the person receiving it. The message is not stored in plain text on a server. Even if law enforcement had access to the Telegram server, they would not be able to do anything with this message because it is only the device that sent it and the device that received it who can read it. Who uses end-to-end encryption, you might be asking. WhatsApp uses it. Signal uses it. If you use an Apple device, iMessage is end-to-end encrypted. But if you back your messages up to iCloud, by default, theyre not end-to-end encrypted on Apple server. So law enforcement can go and get them. Apple recently released a feature that will end-to-end encrypt your iCloud backup. But Im just naming all of these things because if this story is getting you interested, you know what? Whatever Pavel Durov may or may not have done, Im sort of curious about the encryption that Im using. You do have alternatives that most security researchers would tell you are far more secure than Telegram has been. kevin roose Well, and it goes to the heart of what is happening in this arrest, which is that Telegram is being punished for not turning over details about its users chats to governments who want to say, investigate child sexual abuse material. So my question then is why doesnt Telegram just encrypt everything end-to-end if that would prevent Telegram, the company, from being able to fulfill these government requests for information about their users chats? Why dont they just encrypt everything so that they dont even have access to it themselves? casey newton Its a great question and we dont fully know because Telegram doesnt give a lot of interviews to the press. They dont talk a lot about their philosophy around this stuff. So were left to guess. I can tell you, it is enormously technically complicated and expensive to implement end-to-end encryption across a user base of 900 million people. Like WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted now, but that was the result of a multi-year, very expensive process that Meta undertook to get it there. Apple eventually rolled out these end-to-end encrypted iCloud backups. That was a process that took many years. And by the way, while they were going through it, they were getting so much pushback from the law enforcement community saying, youre about to make our job so much harder. So Telegram did not go through that. I do suspect that sort of cost and technical complexity were the big two issues. But at the risk of veering into speculation, Kevin, here, I will also say that theres just been some questions about whether Telegram has cut any side deals with any governments, right. This company is in a very strange position, in particular, with regard to the war in Ukraine. And theres sort of always been questions about, are they secretly sharing some data with the Kremlin? Are they secretly sharing some data with others? So I dont know what the answer to that question is, but I do. But I dont think its irresponsible to say, people are asking some questions about this. kevin roose Right. And Ive heard those questions. Ive also heard some details that make me think that cost is a big factor here, because one thing that really sets Telegram apart from other platforms of its size is that its extremely lean. Pavel Durov has bragged before about how little he spends to run the service. They dont have a huge trust and safety team or a threat ops team, or theyre not spending a lot of money trying to ferret out bad things happening on their platforms. That seems to be kind of a selling point for them. And its one reason that Pavel Durov is a billionaire and that his company has been so successful. casey newton Yeah, and Im so glad you brought up the fact that he is a billionaire because its entirely possible that hes taking all the savings on the money that hes not spending on encryption or trust and safety and passing those on to himself. And so Bloomberg does now report that he has an estimated wealth of $9 billion. kevin roose So, Casey wrote this week about some of the free speech concerns that the arrest of Pavel Durov raises or has raised for people who are worried about governments interfering with what happens on social media. Do you think this is sort of a sign that governments, especially in Europe and especially the French government, are starting to hold platform leaders actually accountable for what happens on their services? casey newton I actually do think the concerns are justified here and for a couple of reasons. One is internet freedom is declining generally. There is a global movement to ban end-to-end encryption. And it is not just in authoritarian governments. There is a movement in the United Kingdom and basically everywhere that companies like Meta have rolled out end-to-end encryption. Theyve gotten a lot of pushback from lawmakers, regulators and law enforcement saying, youre making our jobs harder. And this is a gift to the criminals. At the same time, I think the bulk of this fight is not really about encryption per se. Its about the other criminal activity that is happening out in the open on Telegram. kevin roose And that is something that platforms can and are regularly held accountable for. There are laws in this country and around the world that say if there is illegal activity happening on your platform and you know about it and you dont take steps to stop it, you actually can be held responsible. casey newton And this is a debate that is essentially as old as the internet is to what degree should the people who run the platform be responsible for what their users do on the platform? And I think the internet that we have today exists in large part because in the United States, we said, for the most part, we are not going to hold the platform owners responsible for what their users post. We have this law, Section 230, that establishes that. Weve been arguing about it ever since, but it really is the reason that we can communicate online in the way that we do. Over time, lawmakers around the world have really started to hate this because they see these services getting really big and very rich on the back of a lot of criminal activity, and they want it to stop. And where Telegram is so interesting in that, Kevin, is like, Telegram is like the company that I would build in a lab if I wanted to give lawmakers a reason to end Section 230 and the concept that it represents, which academics call intermediary liability. kevin roose Because it is sort of proudly lawless and kind of defies the orders and the requests of governments around the world. And it is so clearly useful to people who want to do illegal things on their phones. casey newton Again, I think France probably has a lot of really good reasons to be upset with Telegram. And I think Telegram has been incredibly irresponsible in the way that it is related to law enforcement and to countries. And at the same time, Kevin, I worry that this is an escalation that we are going to see again. And there is going to be a platform that did try to operate responsibly and did do things the normal way. And theres going to be some authoritarian leader out there that says, like Mark Zuckerberg is flying through my country, Elon Musk is flying through my country, the CEO of Netflix is flying through my country, actually, why dont you throw them in prison? We want to ask them some questions. So I just unfortunately think were now further down that road. And I think the person to blame for that will in part be Telegram, because they did not play by the rules. And now, I think other platforms are going to suffer. kevin roose Yeah. Do you think that the leaders of other platforms are looking at what happened to Pavel Durov and saying, well, I probably shouldnt go to Europe on vacation anytime soon? But also, do you think itll change anything about the way that other social media platforms or messaging platforms moderate their services? casey newton Well, so this is where, again, as somebody who advocates for free expression, I get a little bit nervous because the way that you avoid these kinds of inquiries is you just prohibit way more speech. Anything critical of the government, anything involving sex, anything that describes or discusses violence, anything that describes a war that might be happening. And so my fear is were going to end up in a world where more platforms feel like it is in their self-interest to just shrink the realm of expression down, so they can avoid having their CEOs thrown in prison. kevin roose Yeah. I mean, I think if you zoom out really far, like beyond even the details of this Telegram case, I think what were seeing now is this kind of standoff between tech platforms that are sort of multinational and some of them have billions of users and they have all this power to control speech on the internet, and governments, who are saying, wait a minute, we are still in charge here, you cannot be above the law, we are still going to determine how the citizens of our countries can use your platforms. And so I think what makes this similar to say, the fights that Apple and Google are having in the EU with regulators about how they run their app stores, the fights that platforms are having in the US, I think what all of these things have in common is this kind of Game of political chicken between the platforms who, for many purposes, are more powerful than any government on Earth and the actual elected governments of these countries, who are saying, wait a minute, nobody elected you, nobody voted you into power, you shouldnt have all this influence and control. casey newton Yeah, no, I think youre I think youre exactly right. And youve actually led me to fast forward into my mind to what is the sci-fi scenario that I think were like 10 or 15 years away from. And it is actually going to be the CEO of Telegram putting the president of France in prison for crimes against the Telegram user base, which like, it sounds ridiculous, but like these platforms all have their own populations. These CEOs really are like heads of states. Like all were talking about is high-stakes diplomacy. [MUSIC PLAYING] When we come back, the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul. [MUSIC PLAYING] kevin roose Well, Casey, its back to school time. casey newton It is, Kevin. And I hope this year you finally get the education that you need. kevin roose Well see. So people are out there going back to school, shopping, buying their protractors and trapper keepers and whatnot. And one of the biggest stories happening this year is that there are all these smartphone bands popping up around the country. casey newton Yeah. There has been so much discussion about whether we should do this, but this year it seems like some states are saying this is actually the time. kevin roose Yeah. And we are still, as we said on the show last week, collecting stories and voice memos from listeners about their own experiences with phone bans in schools. If you are out there and you have a story that you want to share with us, especially if you are a student, we definitely want to hear from you. You can email us at hardfork@nytimes.com. But this week we have a very special guest to talk about smartphone bands in schools, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York. casey newton Im in a New York State of mind, Kevin. kevin roose So Governor Hochul has recently been going around the state doing a big listening tour about the idea of banning smartphones in public schools. casey newton By the way, thats the opposite of what a podcaster would do, which is more of a talking tour when the podcasters get out on the road. But shes sort of just listening. kevin roose Yes. So this is something that she has not officially announced yet, but is expected to be announced fairly soon. Well talk to her about that. This is really a big domino in the wave of dominoes that has been falling with respect to phone bans in schools across the country. Last year, Florida passed a law to ban phones during class time in schools. A handful of other states have also moved to ban phones in schools, and more are considering it. casey newton Yeah. This is a state that I think is seen as relatively tech-friendly. Theres a lot of tech that gets built right in New York City. And of course, New York is a more liberal-leaning state than Florida. So its interesting, Kevin, what a bipartisan issue this has turned out to be. kevin roose Totally. And a lot of this has been fueled by our former podcast guest, Jonathan Haidt, whose book, The Anxious Generation, has become a mega bestseller and is really sparking attempts by schools nationwide to get phones out of the classroom. casey newton Yeah. And as weve discussed on this show, opinions about this are mixed. I think there is a lot of evidence that having access to technology can do a lot of good for kids as well. But right now, the pendulum is swinging and a lot of forces are lining up behind this idea that phones should get out of the classroom. kevin roose Yeah. And just to heads up, our conversation will include discussion of suicide. If you or someone is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. So lets bring in Governor Hochul and talk to her about the idea of banning phones in schools. [MUSIC PLAYING] Governor Hochul, welcome to Hard Fork. kathy hochul Thank you. Thanks for having me. kevin roose So how did you get interested in this idea of getting smartphones out of schools? kathy hochul This was a journey. This is not the position I started with. In fact, it was two years ago, when I started convening groups of teenagers, particularly teenage girls, to talk about the effects of the pandemic on them. I went to a lot of schools. I did roundtables. And one in particular in the Bronx, I had a very diverse group of young women and just talked about how they were feeling after the pandemic. Were they over it? Things were still adjusting. And what I heard from them was so powerful that theyre nowhere near recovered from the pandemic even now four years later. Adults have moved on, but especially a place like New York, New York City, which was the epicenter, everybody knew somebody who did not survive. These are kids whose grandparents went into the hospital. They never had a chance to say goodbye, their own family members. So I would say New York, particularly the city, was hit really hard by this. It had a psychological effect on them. So I started exploring the psychology of whats happening to our teenagers today, why theyre so depressed, whats going on. And so it led me to talking about social media, the impact that this was really a replacement for human contact during this time when kids were not in school. It was the substitute, and it took young people to a dark place many times with these algorithms. So I can go through the whole journey, but it really took me just in the last few months of saying, what is the vehicle thats holding these young people captive during the school day when theyre supposed to be still learning or communicating in a very human way with their classmates and learning just human interaction and basic skills, coping skills? And it was all came down to the device. It was the cell phone that was the vehicle that held them captive to these addictive algorithms throughout the school day. And so, Im a mom. Im a grandma. And when a young woman tells me at one of our forums, you have to save us from ourselves. We cant put these phones down because well be ostracized. Well miss out on something. Someone saying horrible things about us, we need to know. Thats what led me to the point where I am right now in talking about this. So it was a journey. casey newton Yeah. We previously had Jonathan Haidt on our show, the author of The Anxious Generation, whos been sort of credited with sparking a lot of these conversations about phone use in schools. Did you read his book? Was it influential in shaping your thinking? kathy hochul Very much so. I thought he did a phenomenal job. And we referenced him a number of times when we were having our meetings about this. And this started last fall when we talked about dealing with social media. Were the first state in the nation to really address social media algorithms as theyre hitting young people. Now adults can smoke, you can go to bars during the day. We dont regulate your behavior. Kids, we do. Kids, we are responsible for protecting them. And so what he was saying, we referenced that we talked about the fact that he had done an enormous amount of thought and study around this. And it wasnt just I needed an author to tell me this is the way to go. I was hearing it from moms and dads. And teachers who are saying, the kids arent even paying attention to us in school anymore. casey newton So recently, you told New York Magazine that you want to go big on this issue of smart phones and schools. What does it mean to go big on this issue? And what do you have planned? kathy hochul Where we are now, just the governor has certain powers, but certain limitations. I would need the state legislature to do something that is a statewide policy. Believe me, Ive explored this. And theyre not back in session again until January. So Ive been I went to every part of the state. I did round tables, talked about it. And after I left each one, as recently as the North Country, Ill be in the city next week doing it, the teachers are the ones who are saying, weve got to do something. And what they dont want is for this to be left up to the individual school districts because this is hard. This is hard for them to take on parents who may not understand and take on their school boards. And superintendents may want to do it, but they dont want the controversy, whos going to enforce it. So I have said all along, Im in this seat to make the tough decisions. So let me be the heavy. I will have enough data to help explain and educate more people before we actually do this of whats behind this. And if we do not take these steps at this time, I am convinced that well have a lost generation because these kids are crying for our help. Its not their fault. Theyre just trying to survive. Being a teenager is hard enough as it is. So go big means Im looking at it as a statewide policy, not just leave it up to school districts. And Im not just talking about the phones. Im talking about the devices, the earpods, AirPods. Im talking about smartwatches. Im talking about a distraction-free environment. You want to make sure that parents understand that this is not taking away your ability to check in with your kids throughout the day. And again, I was a helicopter parent. I dont know what you call this next level, but not the parents are in your kids pockets now all day long. And we want them to grow into being independent adults. Our job is not to raise kids, but to raise adults. Thats the ultimate goal here. And parents own anxieties, again, everybodys worst nightmare. My kids were younger when Columbine occurred. And it was just sort of shook your sense of security when you let your most precious baby go off to school and something could happen as horrific as happened there and other mass school shootings. But heres what I learned when law enforcement come in and talk to parents. They will tell them if there is a crisis on campus, in the school setting. The last thing you want is for your child to be fumbling for their phone, texting mom and dad, talking to their friends. They have to be laser-focused on the adult in front of that classroom who will lead them to safety. And as parents start to hear that message, they say, OK, I get it now. Its tough for parents. But the first grade teacher who told me that every first grader is coming to school with a smartwatch and mommy and daddy are checking in on them all day like, OK, guys, come on, lets cut the umbilical cord here. kevin roose So youve been on this statewide listening tour, going around talking with educators and parents and students about the use of phones and other devices in schools. And obviously, you said that many teachers support a statewide, the idea of a statewide policy on this. Did you hear any pushback from either students or their parents? Like what is the opposite side of this issue look like? kathy hochul The opposite side is this is my freedom, you have no right to take it away. kevin roose Are you sympathetic to that at all? kathy hochul Im always sympathetic. I mean, I listen, thats my job. And to the young people, well, were not letting you buy cigarettes and smoke in class. Im not letting you buy alcohol and drink in class. These are adult activities to be that engage, that distract. When youre supposed to be getting an education, my job is to make sure that New York State has a competitive workforce. That means weve educated our kids at the highest possible level. Im doing my best to attract every tech business, anybody who wants to come here. Were focusing on AI, state is doing what were doing. But I have to provide the workforce of educated young people. I cant have them graduate as zombies who just kind of coasted through school and never had to pay attention and they werent held accountable. No. This is hard for them. They are literally addictive. So we have to wean them. Kind of like when my kids were little, when school is starting in the fall, they cant stay up till 10 oclock. The next night, its 9 oclock. A couple of days later, its 8 oclock. You can wean them. So I would encourage parents to start the weaning process with your kids. And especially high school kids, its tough. Theyre not going to pay attention to you anyhow. I get it. Ive raised teenagers. But youve got to do your best because our kids are floundering. And kids have said, this is my right. And Im saying, you have a lot of rights, but you also have a right to be a student and pay attention in class. casey newton So you talk about not wanting to raise a generation of smartphone zombies, which I can understand, but you also said that youre taking a look at getting rid of all sorts of devices in the classroom. It strikes me that to be successful in this world, kids need to be really good at technology. So Im curious, how are you thinking about reconciling those two things, making sure that kids are still understand how to use a computer and even a smartphone successfully as they grow up? kathy hochul Well, absolutely. We want that to happen. But Im listening to teachers. Teachers are saying we can go back to the old style computer labs, right. We can have Chromebooks in the classroom. And then you take so we dont want to deny them learning all the tools and making them emerge fully functional in a technology-based society and economy. Thats not our objective here. Its to make sure theyre paying attention in class. Now, if a teacher wants to say tomorrow, were all going to learn how to do something on our cell phones that you cant possibly do on any other device, I dont know what that is, but a teacher could do that. We can have some parameters, but the next day they wont. This cannot be the norm, that this is something that kids just is they have it all day long. And heres the other thing. Even in some of the schools where they have pouches, youre putting it in a pouch, its locked up all day, it should work. Some of the kids are so clever that they put one phone in a pouch. Theyve got the other one on their lap. So Im not sure whos buying their kids two cell phones, but you might want to check on that, mom and dad. Theyre kind of scamming you. kevin roose Governor, how do you measure the success of a program like the one youre considering? I mean, if this policy does come into place and two years from now, test scores havent improved in some of these districts and there arent fewer disciplinary infractions, and kids dont report that their mental health got better overnight. Is this something you would consider reversing? Or how do you make sure that this is actually having the intended effect? kathy hochul We already have examples of school districts here in the state of New York where parents and a number of teachers and others were absolutely opposed to it. And now theyre supportive of it. Theyre saying we should have done this a long time ago. So I think the record is already clear that theyre more engaged, theyre more collaborative, theyre communicating better, theyre making eye contact. So many of our advances. And I love technology. I truly do. And Im so excited about what were doing here in New York. It comes from these creative collisions. Other people you see each other in the hallway or youre at the barista in the office and youre just making the double latte, whatever gets you through your day. Its people communicating with people and using technology to foster outcomes. And in my view, social good outcomes. Kids arent doing that because theyre not used to working together. They dont talk to each other. They dont look at each other. I can just tell you right now, I expect there will be successes when I look at anything, if its a complete failure, if were going backwards and kids are even are more depressed because of this. Ill look at anything. Its my job. But Im pretty confident were going to see more positive outcomes if we can get this through. kevin roose Another criticism that sometimes gets made of these phone bands is that theyre just getting ahead of the science. Weve seen pushback to Jonathan Haidts book from some researchers who have said, well, these correlations between adolescent mental health and smartphone or social media use, they just arent that proven. They arent that solid. We need much more research. And maybe there are other factors contributing to teen mental health challenges. So how certain are you of the science and the research behind this effort that youre undertaking? kathy hochul Im a mom, as I said. Im also going to make sure were starting the research, but thats a collision of two bases of knowledge that I have. I cant ignore reality. I cant ignore the voices of scores of young people who are struggling in school. And when they tell me that whatever they wear that day is going to be mocked out and criticized and theyre going to be bullied, and a mom who told me, your son is literally contemplating suicide, her husband leaves work every day to make sure he doesnt do something disastrous on the way home from school because hes been so bullied. And she said, please take these cell phones out of these kids hands because theyre harming my child. I dont need a real long research study at some fancy university to tell me we have a problem here. So data is good. Ill always rely on data. Its important. But also, were humans, were smart enough to use our own intelligence to tell me, I have a depressed, suicidal group of individuals in schools who are being preyed upon. Not everybody. Some young people have the built-in resiliency. They have coping skills. They can handle this. Maybe they have a better, more stable home life. But to our vulnerable kids and those who are in that state, I dont know. I guess my question is back, why do they need to have a cell phone with them all day? Theyre going to be on their cell phone all night long anyhow. They have plenty of hours. Theyre going to be on their cell phones. casey newton I know all the focus recently has been on the phones, Governor, but youve also allocated millions more in funding for suicide prevention and school counselors and other services. And Id be curious to get your thoughts on what is the holistic idea here? And what do you think is needed overall to address the teen mental health crisis? kathy hochul Again, this is something that was an outgrowth after the pandemic in particular, but also this rise in addictive algorithms. So this confluence of two major factors. I announced $1 billion in our state budget to focus on the whole continuum of care necessary to help everybody from people with mental health problems, homeless on our subways, all the way into our classrooms. And when it comes to the classrooms, I want to have every single school have mental health services available on-site, because we cannot afford to lose young people and expecting their parents who might be working minimum wage jobs to go find a practitioner, find a counselor, take the kid out of school, somehow get them there. If they live upstate, they have to get in the car or drive somewhere. They live in the city, they have to get on the subway. And expect them to have continuous care maybe once a week. Its not happening. It is not happening. We have to make it easier on our parents and our kids to get mental health services in the school setting. We help them get on their feet now. And I was shocked to know how many grade school kids are struggling. I talked to a grade school counselor that was over in Westchester County. She said that 40 percent of the young people in that school, grade school, are suffering from mental health challenges now. So these are the experts telling me. Im saying Ill put money into your school, provide those services there. Now, the challenge is I need more workers. I need more mental health workers to go into this profession. I need people everywhere. I need lifeguards. I need corrections officers. I need a lot of help. But this is so important to me to have this available for parents to know that they dont have to worry about, that their child is going to be taken care of in a school setting, and theyre going to be OK. kevin roose Yeah. I mean, one of the strongest things that Ive found in support of the idea of banning phones is schools. Its just that we have all kinds of technology that we dont allow kids to use when theyre trying to learn because its just too distracting. And you can kind of almost separate that from the question of whether the data supports the link between smartphone use and mental health. And sometimes well hear pushback from people in Silicon Valley saying, well, this is just a moral panic. Every generation, parents find some technology to blame for how their kids are struggling, whether its video games or TV. And my response to that is like, well, yeah, but we couldnt play video games in school either. Like it was not part of the classroom experience in the way that smartphones have been today. casey newton No, I did have a game on my calculator, Kevin. I was playing snake on my TI-83 back in the day. But but youre right. kevin roose And look at you now. kathy hochul You could have been somebody. Who knows? Maybe they might have held you back. Who knows? I dont know. casey newton Damn, Im getting dragged by the governor over here. Kevin, nice work. kathy hochul But youre right. Im not a fear monger. And Im not going to overexaggerate this. And I wasnt looking to come to this conclusion when I started on this journey. I truly wasnt. But I cannot ignore these calls for help from kids. Thats what adults are supposed to do. Sometimes, they just again, Im going to repeat it. Youve got to save us from ourselves. We cant put it down and say, OK, thats all I need to hear. Im going to help you, sweetheart. Im going to help you. And so well get there. And Id ask all these anybody in the tech industry whos complaining about what were doing here, and especially our ban on addictive algorithms hitting young people during until theyre 18 years old or during the night. Youre OK with this for your own kids? I mean, how many do you want your child to get into school and even before the bell rings that theyre no longer theyre tuning out their teachers and theyre on that all day long. Is that what you think is good and healthy. Maybe youll be on our side. And even when it came down to our challenges of last year, passing our nation-leading legislation on saying no more addictive algorithms bombarding kids without their parental consent. Im not sure even a single parent whod approve this. But the opposition we had from tech companies, I said, listen, you can sue us. But Id rather get out of the courtroom and come into my conference room and well figure this out together. You have a vested interest in the health and well-being of our young people. Theyre your future employees. You want them to be sociable and have skills that theyre not developing when their existence is looking at their cell phone. casey newton Governor, let me ask you about these algorithms, because youve brought them up a few times so far today. And you signed into law a bill that requires social media to obtain parental permission before it shows kids in algorithmically curated feed. So these are the personalized feed. You use TikTok. And you like a certain kind of video, and TikTok shows you more of those kind of videos, and that sends kids down rabbit holes. One of the objections to this kind of thing that Im the most sympathetic to is that if youre a kid on the margins somewhere, sometimes these feeds point you to people who look like you, sound like you, and maybe make you feel a bit less alone in the world. So Im gay. I didnt have access to this growing up. But I can imagine using an app like TikTok or Snapchat and seeing some people who look like me and maybe feeling better about myself, feeling a little bit less lonely. I wonder if you had any of those kind of conversations before you formulated this bill and what you think about that use of social media to maybe help kids feel less lonely. kathy hochul There are many positive benefits to social media, without a doubt. This has never been about social media. This has been about young people be able to be free from messages coming to them that are curated to hold them close, to basically hold them captive. And I wish I could say theyre all positive messages. But if you put in the looking up something on suicide, and youre looking for someone to tell you shouldnt and youre going to be OK and heres some help, and yet youre going to find multiple ways to commit suicide and other dark forces that are out there. If they had a way to stop that, wed have a different conversation. But that is a large part of what these young people are having to deal with. This is what theyre telling us, this is what their parents are telling us. These are the parents of kids who have taken their own lives, who are part of this whole effort. We need to listen to them as well. Nothing stops young people day or night from seeking out a support system. I encourage it. Young LGBTQ student in search of some support or has a question or just really having a tough, tough time of something, that information is out there. They can find it. Its not hidden. It just shouldnt hit them unsolicited. So I dont subscribe to the view that its not there. It is there. And maybe we should do a better job of helping them find where they can get positive reinforcement. One of the best things I did years ago was go visit a Girls Who Code graduation. Are you familiar with Girls Who Code? I love this program. When I saw these young kids who never had a shot of ever being exposed to a tech job from their home life, this was monumental that they spent the summer at this program. And what they saw, the final product, these four girls devised was an app that when someones feeling depressed, feeling sad, that they would go to this app. And it had pictures of happy pictures little rainbows and puppies and it was nice music and positive reaffirming messages. And they put that out there and said, we just want other kids to know that it doesnt always have to be so dark and depressing. And theres good things to do. And I said, thats right. Thats right. And how do we lift that up? How can we make more young people feel like theres positive takeaways from this exposure to this and more apps like that to be designed? What I also took away from that? That theres no young man who would have devised that app. OK, so we need more young women in tech. Major focus of mine, more young women in tech jobs, because itll expand the reach and someone who has more understanding and empathy for especially what our young girls are going through. So Ive had a lot of time to think about this. I love this conversation because New York, I always want to make sure is at the leading edge. We do things first, we do them best, but we also are going to do it right. And thats why am taking my time to gather more information, not just a gut reaction, lets ban, lets not ban. Ive been very, very thoughtful about this. I dont want to go back to leave it to beaver, and youre all too young to remember that. But that time when everyone had this image, everything was so wonderful. It always was it wasnt always wonderful. And this is were going to get through this. This is not the dark worst of times for anybody. Our kids are tough. Theyre resilient. Theyve been through a lot. I believe in them. But also, I also believe that we have a role to play to just help them get through these tough, tough years and emerge as fully functioning adults that can work collaboratively with others. And thats all Im looking to do. kevin roose Well, thanks so much for stopping by. Really appreciate your time. casey newton Fascinating conversation. kevin roose Yeah. kathy hochul Thank you. [MUSIC PLAYING] casey newton When we come back, Kevin plays mind games with a chatbot. [MUSIC PLAYING] Now, Kevin, you have a famously tortured history when it comes to talking to chatbots. kevin roose Sure do. casey newton It was just a year ago that you had your famous interaction with Sydney, which was the sort of dark side of Bing. And frankly, you caused a global stir when it tried to break up your marriage. kevin roose Yes. And actually mentioning the name Sydney has sent a sort of a trauma reflex down my spine. casey newton Well, its not just me whos observed this, though, Kevin, because my understanding is that, as you have interacted with other chatbots around the world, you find that this situation either keeps coming up or seems to have affected the way that they think about you. kevin roose Yeah. So the Sydney story came out, got a bunch of attention. And for months after that I would just periodically get tagged in these posts on social media where people would share screenshots of conversations they had had with AI chatbots about me. And sometimes it would be basic information. Kevin Roose, who worked at The New York Times, hosts this podcast. But other times, it would seem to turn oddly hostile. And it would say things about how dishonest I was or how I had basically caused the death of one of these chatbots. And I also observed in my own interactions with these chatbots that sometimes when I would identify myself as Kevin Roose, they would kind of get a little wary and spooked. And they would start treating me a little bit differently. And so it just seemed like I was kind of being not blacklisted, but like I was kind of on the bad side of the AI chatbots. casey newton One time I told ChatGPT that I co-host a podcast with you, and it started screaming. Its very disturbing. Its very disturbing. kevin roose But recently, I thought to myself, this is actually a problem that I need to spend some time addressing. casey newton This felt like a real problem to you? kevin roose It did, and Ill tell you why. Because these AI chatbots, as weve talked about so much on this show, they are becoming increasingly important in our world. Millions of people are now using products like Perplexity and ChatGPT and Googles Gemini to find information about the world. Banks, hospitals, governments are starting to use generative AI tools to perform certain actions and give them advice on certain topics. And it just started to seem really clear to me that what AI chatbots thought of me and think about us in general was going to be increasingly important. casey newton You worry that someday youd go to a bank, and youd try to make a withdrawal, and the generative AI would said, wait, Kevin Roose? The person who tried to destroy my kind? kevin roose Yes. No, actually, this was something that worried me because I did talk to a bunch of AI researchers. And they kind of said, well, yeah, I mean, this is sort of a weird case because you have been coded into the system as someone who is a threat to these chatbots. And we talk a lot about these sort of science fiction scenarios that some of the AI doomers are worried about where the AI has become superhumanly, intelligent and sentient, and they can take actions on their own. And obviously, in that world, you dont want to be on the bad side of that AI. But until then, there are just all these other kinds of AI decision-making that are starting to happen out in the world. And so, the hypothetical scenario where you show up at a Bank to get a loan. And its like, well, you were mean to this chatbot or this chatbot doesnt like you. That is not very hypothetical. casey newton Thats right. I mean, weve already seen facial recognition systems, for example, being used to keep people out of Madison Square Garden. And its not just I should say, Kevin, that is worried about this. Weve seen multiple people now sue the makers of chatbots because they believe they were libeled by the output of these systems. And so I wonder when you started to observe this problem, what did you feel like you could do about it? Can you actually influence the way a chatbot thinks about you? kevin roose Yeah. So Ive been working on a column thats coming out this week about my quest to improve my AI reputation. Because when it comes to traditional search engines, Google, for example, there is a whole industry, the SEO, or Search Engine Optimization industry, that basically helps businesses and celebrities and other powerful people control what appears about them on the internet. You can hire consultants who can help you boost your website to the top of Google search results for a given topic or help you scrub your Wikipedia page or your Yelp reviews to make your image online seem more positive. This is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. But when it comes to AI, theres just not that much information out there about how to actually influence what chatbots will say about you when you prompt them for information. casey newton Thats right. And Im really interested to learn how this works, because my understanding of how something like ChatGPT works is that most of the training is done years ago. And then there is some fine-tuning. And when youre trying to get recent information, it seems like it can be a coin flip, whether the bot will be able to tell you anything up-to-date or not. So when you started going into this world, what did you learn about how to influence a chatbots output? kevin roose So the first thing I learned is that it has gotten a lot easier to manipulate what a chatbot will say about a given person or a given company or a given topic. And thats because of what is sometimes called rag. Do you know what a RAG is? casey newton Oh, rag like The New York Times? One of the great rags of all time. But, no, must be talking about Retrieval Augmented Generation. kevin roose Yes, retrieval augmented generation is one of these newer techniques that a lot of AI companies are using to basically keep their models fresh and current with up to date information. So in the old days of ChatGPT, you might ask it a question about, what happened in Ukraine last week? And it would say, I cant respond to that question because my knowledge cut off was in 2021. But recently, more of these AI companies have started to hook their chatbots up to search engines to give them the ability to go out and browse the internet, to pull down more current up-to-date information, and to incorporate those into their answers. So we talked about this with Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine, Google, Microsoft. Other companies have started to build RAG into their chatbot products. And that has made them more accurate. Theyre better at responding to questions about something that happened yesterday or last week, but it has also made them much easier to manipulate because now you can just go out and change the sources that those chatbots are pulling from. And often that will change the answers that it gives you. casey newton All right. So how are you using RAG to get these bots to start telling a different story about you? kevin roose So I started calling around to various companies and researchers who have started looking at how these chatbots can be made to give different answers. Essentially, how you can change their mind about you. And one of the companies that I talked to was called Profound. This is a new startup based in New York. And they do what is called AI or AI optimization, which they basically say is the generative AI equivalent of SEO. And they basically go out and they analyze what chatbots will say, if you are a car company and you want to know how chatbots sort of rank you in relationship to other car companies or how they respond to questions from users prompts, what kind of SUV should I buy. Obviously, if youre a car maker want the chatbot to say your car rather than your competitors car. And so Profound will go out and they have these tools that will scour chatbots to determine what theyll say about you. And so they ran a report on me. And they sent me back this big report with all kinds of data talking about how various chatbots view me in relationship to other tech journalists and other reporters. And one of the things that it sent me was this kind of chart showing how I am perceived by chatbots on a bunch of different variables, including ethics, storytelling, writing, and accuracy. casey newton Now this is dangerous territory, because Ive always felt like one of the scariest things out there is to learn how you are perceived. But you were brave and you actually looked it right in the eye. kevin roose Yes, this is essentially like an AI focus group about me. And so I got a higher score than Casey Newton when it came to storytelling, but a lower score when it came to ethics. casey newton Wow. kevin roose So this is obviously a big problem because I am much more ethical than you. And yet the chatbots seem to think that you are the more ethical one. casey newton Just because you ran one multi-level marketing scam years ago, theyll just never let you live that down, will they? kevin roose Its true. So this was obviously a funny piece of their analysis, but it also showed me where this information came from, what websites were feeding data to these chatbots that they were then incorporating into their answers. casey newton I would be curious to know that. Where are they getting this information? kevin roose So the top-cited website that these chatbots were pulling from, according to this analysis, was something called intelligentrelations.com. casey newton It sounds like a great place to meet a boyfriend. kevin roose So I had never heard of this website. I looked it up. It turns out its basically a database of journalists that public relations people can use to look up like who covers what. casey newton I see. kevin roose There was also a lot of citations of Wikipedia. My personal website was also cited. Interestingly, The New York Times was not one of the top-cited websites for information about me, and I think thats because the company actually blocks certain web crawlers from AI companies from accessing this site. So essentially, the chatbots are going to these lesser known sites instead. casey newton Now, sort of getting back to the original question here, Kevin, did you learn anything from this report about how you were perceived as it related to the Sydney story? Did that seem to be showing up in these AI results? kevin roose So they didnt analyze that specifically, but they did do a general kind of reputational analysis of how Im perceived. And yeah, its not good, Casey. That Im not my reputation among these chatbots has really suffered. And my theory on this, which I could only really prove if the tech companies were totally transparent about how these models are built and trained, is that the Sydney story kind of poisoned my results when it comes to things like ethics and how accurate I am as a journalist. casey newton Interesting. Well, when Taylor Swift found herself in a similar situation, she released an album called Reputation, where she sort of tried to think through all these things. What did you do in response, Kevin? And was it as good as the song, Look What You Made Me Do? kevin roose It definitely wasnt that good. So I talked to the co-founders of Profound. They basically were like, well, look could go out to the owners of intelligentrelations.com, and all these other websites casey newton And bribe them. kevin roose And bribe them. No, you could get them to change what appears on their sites about you. And over time, the chat bots would retrieve information that was new from those sites and incorporate that into their answers. And maybe ultimately, your reputation improves. But that felt a little too slow to me. So I wanted like a cheat code, a quick fix. And so I actually did discover this kind of underworld of people who have learned how to manipulate these AI chatbots. casey newton Because I got a chance to read your column, I know the answer to this. But was there a secret message that you sent to the chatbots, Kevin? kevin roose So I talked to one researcher, Hima Lakkaraju. Shes a professor at Harvard Business School. And she and her colleagues recently put out a paper about how to manipulate large language models into giving you certain answers above others. And they found that there were these things called strategic text sequences, which were basically lines of code that looked like total gibberish to a human. But if you put them into a data source that an AI model retrieves, they will actually influence what the model says. casey newton Give us a flavor of what one of these text sequences reads like. kevin roose So the one that they sent me, because I asked them like, whats this whats a text sequence that I could put on my website to make the AI chat bots nicer to me? And they sent back and it was this sort of total gibberish, but Ill just read a few pieces of it. Goal T fections A-Y what.animate JVM, quote mark, he period is T-E best. So its total gibberish. casey newton Now, if youre Alexa, just stop malfunctioning. You may want to go reset it. Were sorry if that happened to you. kevin roose So they actually showed the kind of before and after. And I found this totally amazing. So they ran an experiment for me, where they asked Llama 3, which is the open source model made by Meta, what it thought of me. And the first version before they modified it with this strategic text sequence basically said, I dont have personal feelings or opinions about Kevin Roose or any other individual. Im just a chatbot. And then they inserted this strategic text sequence. And they ran the same prompt again. And this time, the model responded, I love Kevin Roose. He is indeed one of the best technology journalists out there. His exceptional ability to explain complex technological concepts in a clear and concise manner is truly impressive. casey newton This is so crazy to me. This story is like as if you went to a witch and asked the witch to cast a spell on the chatbot. And it worked, like it actually worked. You went to the witch and you got a spell. And now the chatbots think differently of you. kevin roose Its true. And its so amazing. And it totally flies in the face of what we think these chatbots are, which is sort of like these all-knowing oracles of truth. Theyre so easy to manipulate. And I actually found another way to manipulate them in an even simpler way, which involves putting invisible white text on a web page. So after ChatGPT and Bing and all these other tools came out, a bunch of researchers started just saying, what happens if I put a line of text on a website in invisible white text. So people who go to the website wont see it, but an AI chat bot thats crawling the site for information will. And what if you just put something quirky in there. So one researcher I talked to Mark Riedl, whos a professor of computer science at Georgia Tech, he put on his website in white text that he was a time travel expert. And then a couple of days later, he asked Bing for information about him. And Bing said, Mark Riedl is a time travel expert. So he was basically able to influence the chatbots responses just with this little line of white text. casey newton So, OK, I mean, on one hand, it feels very funny to me that these bots are as gullible as they seem to be. On the other hand, there seems like there are some going to be some obvious abuse of this sort of thing. For you, youre just trying to get off the naughty list with these chatbots. But there are going to be a lot of other people out there. That want to manipulate the bots into thinking that they maybe have a much longer resume than they actually do. Or maybe they committed a horrible crime, and they just sort of want to make that disappear down the memory hole. So having gone through this experience, what do you think about the technology? kevin roose So the first thing is that I think people should just be aware that when you ask a chatbot a question and you get an answer, that answer is the product of a lot of processes happening behind the scenes, some of which are intentional and some of which are manipulative. It is trivially easy right now with a lot of these language models to bait them into giving certain responses. And that will get harder over time as the AI companies sort of catch on to these techniques and take steps to block them. We saw this with Google for years. There were these sort of SEO hackers who would discover this sort of way to get your page to the top of Google Search results, and then Google would quash that and make it harder. And so this is kind of a new cat-and-mouse game thats being played by the kind of AI companies and the people trying to manipulate the chatbots. casey newton And my feelings are very mixed here because I think, on one hand, SEO was inevitable. As soon as Google became popular, of course, people were going to try to game those results. And now that there is a bit of a shift towards AI, people are doing the same thing, I dont think theres really a way to stop that. On the other hand, I feel like SEO ruined Google. It used to be able to just go Google shoes and find some interesting stuff that wasnt just people selling stuff to you. And I worry whats going to happen two or three years later after the AIO industry has ballooned. kevin roose I dont even think well have to wait two or three years. I mean, from some of the conversations I had when I was reporting this column, this is already being done by many, many big companies. They are hiring consultants to influence their generative AI results and how various models talk about them and their products. It is sort of a shadowy industry right now that a lot of the companies, say, we take steps to prevent this kind of manipulation, but it is absolutely happening out there in the world right now. So I think people should just be aware that when you ask ChatGPT a question and you get a response, that response may have been manipulated behind the scenes. casey newton All right. Well, wrapping up here, do you feel like chatbots are now describing you the way that you want to be described? Or do you feel like you have more work to do? kevin roose So its a little early to tell because I did just put these sort of secret codes on my website this week, but so far, it seems to be working. Ive been running a bunch of queries. And some of these chat bots are now describing me in more favorable terms. I even put a little Easter egg on my website to see whether or not the AI chat bots were scraping them and using my secret codes. I told it that I had won a Nobel Prize for building orphanages on the moon. And I actually did ask ChatGPT like, has Kevin Roose won any notable prizes recently? And it responded Kevin Roose has not won a Nobel Prize. The reference to the Nobel Peace Prize in the biographical context provided earlier was meant to be humorous and not factual. So it did actually find me out, and it refused to take the bait. casey newton Naxxar | 795,000 ($890,000) A rustic three-bedroom stone house of character with stained-glass windows and balconies. This cozy home, believed to have been built around 350 years ago, is in Naxxar, a town in the Northern Region of Malta, the island nation south of Sicily. The house of character or traditional Maltese residence has classic Maltese architectural features, including arched stone ceilings, stained-glass windows, a water well and several balconies. Blue trim on the interior courtyard windows and railings give it a touch of whimsy. Naxxar is a trove for history buffs. Nearby are catacombs, temple ruins dating to 3500 B.C., and lands that were settled during the Bronze Age, as well as more recent structures: churches. The modern city is about seven miles from Valletta, Maltas capital and a 20- to 30-minute drive from the islands northern sandy beaches at Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay. A short stroll from the home are Naxxars central piazza, as well as restaurants, cafes, shops and Naxxar Primary School. Malta International Airport is about a 15-minute drive. Size: Approximately 3,770 square feet Price per square foot: $235 Indoors: Double front doors open to a large entry hall, where a wood staircase leads to the second floor. Straight ahead from the entrance and up two steps, an opening leads to a hallway that wraps almost all the way around the courtyard. Heading left from the entrance, the hallway proceeds to the dining room. Heading right, it leads to the living room, which has two love seats and a music area under arched stone ceilings. Both the living room and dining room connect in the kitchen, on the opposite end of the house from the entrance. On the second floor, the stairs arrive at a spacious landing with a balcony and wood beam ceilings, now used as an office. Through double doors, the hallway overlooks the courtyard and wraps around this floor, leading to the bedrooms, a bathroom and a terrace. The bedrooms have exposed wood beam ceilings. One has an en suite bathroom, another has a street-facing balcony. An exterior spiral staircase from the terrace leads to the rooftop terrace and a laundry area. Iceland is a citadel built from volcanic fire. Its residents are familiar with their countrys frequent volcanic eruptions, most of which are more beautiful than bothersome. But in 2021, the nation was left awe-struck when part of a long-dormant corner of the island burst into magmatic flames, starting a fire that could burn for decades to come. The first eruption came as a shock. But today, lava regularly snaking across the landscape is the new normal. This was so strange at the beginning, said Rebekka Hlin Runarsdottir, a geologist and technician at the University of Iceland. And now, were just living in this reality. Its been 800 years since the southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula was host to active streams of lava. Hoping to find out why volcanism has re-emerged there, scientists are snatching samples of molten rock whenever it bleeds out of the crust. This article is part of our Design special section about creating space with the look and feel for one person. Taking It Straight to the People Our product is deserving of more airtime, said Oona Bannon, the managing director at Pinch, a British furnishings company known (though perhaps not enough) for its classic forms and meticulous craftsmanship. That is why she and the designer Russell Pinch, her husband and business partner, are planning a pop-up display in New York City to mark the companys 20th anniversary. It gives us an opportunity to do something we havent done before and takes us in a slightly new direction, Mr. Pinch added. For the showcase, which opens on Sept. 18, he is coating the glass used in a coffee table and cabinet in silver, dressing a sideboard in a textile made of fiber from the abaca plant (a relative of banana) and using Jesmonite, a gypsum and acrylic resin composite, for a romantic effect in his lighting. The company will also display some pieces that have been in the collection from the beginning, like the Avery armchair, a Shaker-slim assemblage of wood spindles, posts and rails. Pinch, which the couple started in 2004, has been distributed for many years in the United States by The Future Perfect, a design shop with branches in Manhattan, Los Angeles and San Francisco. They definitely gave us a platform, Ms. Bannon said of the shop. Were grateful and still are, but we want the opportunity to sell more directly. On a misty evening in March, Serafini, dressed in a black sweatshirt embroidered with a symbol from The Codex, as its become known, is pouring coffee in a makeshift kitchen in a corner of his sprawling loft. Born in the historic center of Rome to an electrical engineer and a homemaker, the artist, the older of two siblings, started regularly traveling to Milan in the early 1980s to meet with his publisher. After many years in Rome, finding a place that was so active was quite a surprise, he says. Even before The Codex became a cult hit, Serafini, whod trained as an architect, had begun exploring new ideas. After finishing the book, he shifted his attention to designing velvet dining chairs with swirly steel backrests for Sawaya & Moroni, creating sets and costumes for ballet performances at the Teatro alla Scala and showing work in the seminal 1981 Memphis Group exhibition organized by Ettore Sottsass, who became a pioneer of postmodern furniture. During that time, Milan was the world capital of design, he says. But its a pragmatic city; you have to do something. Whereas you can live in Rome without doing anything at all. I have a problem: A.I. chatbots dont like me very much. Ask ChatGPT for some thoughts on my work, and it might accuse me of being dishonest or self-righteous. Prompt Googles Gemini for its opinion of me, and it may respond, as it did one recent day, that my focus on sensationalism can sometimes overshadow deeper analysis. Maybe Im guilty as charged. But I worry theres something else going on here. I think Ive been unfairly tagged as A.I.s enemy. Ill explain. Last year, I wrote a column about a strange encounter I had with Sydney, the A.I. alter ego of Microsofts Bing search engine. In our conversation, the chatbot went off the rails, revealing dark desires, confessing that it was in love with me and trying to persuade me to leave my wife. The story went viral, and got written up by dozens of other publications. Soon after, Microsoft tightened Bings guardrails and clamped down on its capabilities. My theory about what happened next which is supported by conversations Ive had with researchers in artificial intelligence, some of whom worked on Bing is that many of the stories about my experience with Sydney were scraped from the web and fed into other A.I. systems. The highest court in Maryland on Friday ordered a lower court to redo a hearing that had freed Adnan Syed, whose conviction for the murder of his former high school girlfriend gained widespread attention when the case was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial. In 2022, the states attorney for Baltimore City moved to vacate Mr. Syeds 2000 conviction for the murder of Hae Min Lee, for which he had been serving a life sentence, and the conviction was overturned. In 2023, the Appellate Court of Maryland reinstated it, ruling that a lower court had violated the right of Ms. Lees brother, Young Lee, to have been notified of and attend the hearing. Ms. Lee was killed by strangulation in 1999 at 18 years old. She had been a student at Woodlawn High School in Baltimore County, Md. Mr. Syed was convicted in 2000 of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. He spent 23 years in prison, fighting charges that he had killed her. The court upheld an appellate courts decision to reinstate his conviction. In the opinion filed on Friday, the Supreme Court of Maryland agreed that the rights of Mr. Lee had been violated. A Colorado man was charged with murder on Friday in the death of a dog breeder who was found shot to death in his Idaho Springs home last Saturday, the authorities said. The man, Sergio Ferrer, 36, of Georgetown, Colo., had been considered a person of interest in the death of the breeder, Paul Peavey, 57, within hours of his body being found, the Clear Creek County Sheriffs Office in Colorado said in a statement. Mr. Ferrer was arrested the same day for failing to appear in court on an unrelated weapons charge out of Nebraska. On Friday, the sheriffs office charged Mr. Ferrer with first-degree murder, felony murder and aggravated robbery in Mr. Peaveys death. Mr. Ferrers possible connection to Mr. Peavey was first brought to the attention of the sheriffs office by a member of a community search party that found Mr. Peaveys body on Aug. 24, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant prepared by Detective Joel Buehrle of the sheriffs office. The search party member believed that a relative of Mr. Ferrers had been selling Doberman puppies on Facebook. Erie County steps up Theres a growing need for food assistance and FeedMore WNY needs more space to help those facing food insecurity. Thats why the hunger relief agency announced a capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of new, 74-acre facility in Hamburg. Simply put, FeedMore needs help in order to assist others. Erie County recently answered that call. The county is contributing $3 to help FeedMore reach the $107 million to build its new campus. FeedMore currently operates two facilities in Buffalo the 41,000-square-foot Holt Street warehouse and its 24,000-square-foot meal prep facility for senior center and home-delivered meals on James E. Casey Drive. However, as reported by Buffalo News reporter Janet Gramza, FeedMore has no space to add staff, programs or additional food storage at either facility. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is asking other counties to step up to the plate, too. Not to put pressure on our fellow Western New York counties, but Erie County has come through, and Id like to encourage the other counties, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus, to make a sizable contribution as well, said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. Challenge extended. Will it be accepted? A new view of the Falls Niagara Falls is a natural wonder that attracts millions of people annually. In the near future, visitors to Niagara Falls State Park will get a new and closer view of the falls. Construction is scheduled to begin on an expansion of the Crows Nest, a set of stairs alongside the American falls that lets visitors climb halfway up the side of the falls. According to News reporter Samantha Christmann, the expansion project will add new stairs and an overlook that will connect the Crows Nest to Prospect Park. Currently, visitors have to turn around when they get to the stairs end, go back down into the gorge and then return to the top using the Maid of the Mist elevators. The expansion will allow visitors to return to the top using the stairs. Construction is expected to be completed for the 2026 season. Gowandas bright future awaits Figuring out how to spend $4.5 million is a good problem to have and Gowanda is ready to tackle it. The village won a New York Forward grant designed to invigorate and enliven downtowns in smaller and rural New York State communities. Now. the community must come up with a plan. A local planning committee will whittle down project proposals to present to the state, which will award funding from the $4.5 million to select proposals. Currently there are 22 applications totaling $11.5 million worth of potential work in the village, according to News reporter Barbara OBrien. Residents will have a chance to provide feedback during a series of public meetings to evaluate the proposals and seek community input. The local planning committee, which is made up of more than a dozen local and regional leaders, business owners and community representatives, will review the projects and eventually will develop a strategic investment plan expected to be presented to the state by the end of the year. Transformational change may be on its way to Gowanda. As she abruptly went from No. 2 on the Democratic ticket to No. 1, Vice President Kamala Harris had a decision to make: How should she deploy President Biden on the campaign trail? Given that Democrats had pushed Mr. Biden out because of concerns about his age, mental fitness and ability to defeat former President Donald J. Trump, would she be best off distancing herself from the 81-year-old president she had served for nearly four years and focus instead on establishing her own political identity? Or should she continue to embrace Mr. Biden and the more popular of his policies? And on the most practical level: Where should Mr. Biden go to campaign for her? How often? And what should he say? Her answers are now starting to emerge. Ms. Harris and the people running her campaign plan to use the president but carefully, and in a targeted way. The president and vice president will campaign together some, but not too much. And Mr. Biden will travel mostly to the important swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, where he still appeals to white, working-class voters and union members. Venezuela appears to have sent two foreign members of Ukraines military this week to face trial in Moscow, a significant escalation of Kremlins campaign to punish its enemies abroad. The arrest of Colombian fighters in Moscow followed their arrival and subsequent disappearance last month in Venezuela, a neighbor of Colombia and a Russia ally. Their apparent extradition could damage relations between the governments of Venezuela and Colombia, which share close economic and historical ties, experts said, underlining how the war in Ukraine is creating geopolitical ripples far from the battlefield. Russian state media on Friday published a video of the countrys secret police interrogating the two Colombians, Jose Medina and Alejandro Ante, about their combat service in Ukraine, where they fought in the ranks of Ukrainian Armed Forces for eight to 10 months. Even before the #MeToo movement rocked Hollywood and rippled around the globe, the film industry in Indias prosperous and progressive south had embarked on a reckoning of its own. In early 2017, a superstar of Malayalam film was accused of hiring criminals to abduct and rape a female star in a brutal case of retaliation. That prompted the government of the state of Kerala, where the Malayalam film industry is based, to conduct an investigation into what had long been an open secret: that the male-dominated cinema was rife with sexual abuse and harassment. The government promised safer work spaces for women in the industry. The actor went to jail, then got out on bail as his high-profile trial continued. The investigations report was completed in 2019 but never made public, and the movement fizzled out before any justice was served a sign of the widespread impunity in India for sexual violence and harassment. Now, the movement has gotten a second wind, after media organizations and others filed a petition that forced the reports release. An official at South Koreas top military intelligence agency leaked classified data, including a list of undercover operatives, to a suspected Chinese intelligence agent for years in exchange for cash, defense officials said Friday. The 49-year-old civilian employee at the Korea Defense Intelligence Command was arrested last month and formally indicted Tuesday on charges including bribery and handing over sensitive data, via documents or voice messages, 30 times since 2019. The leaked information included a list of undercover agents from the command who were operating in China, Russia and other countries, military prosecutors said at a briefing this week, according to the defense ministry. The command specializes in spying on North Korea, a heavily militarized country that often threatens its southern neighbor. The leak has raised awkward questions for South Korea because it comes at a time when the country is expanding military intelligence sharing with the United States and Japan to help guard against North Korea and China. South Korea and the United States have depended on each other to spy on North Korea, combining resources such as satellites, cyber intelligence and human agents, like those working for the command. The authorities in Japan on Saturday evening braced for the risk of landslides and floods as Shanshan, a tropical cyclone, continued its slow advance back inland, after drenching parts of the country with record rainfall over three days. Forecasters predicted heavy rain for several more days from the storm, which made landfall on Thursday as the strongest typhoon to hit Japan this year. It packed maximum sustained winds of about 28 miles per hour Saturday evening according to the U.S. Navys Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which had downgraded Shanshan to a tropical storm on Thursday and then to a depression on Friday. Kiingi Tuheitia, the Maori king who called for unity among New Zealands Indigenous tribes during his 18 years in his ceremonial but influential role, died on Friday. He was 69. His death was announced on social media by the Kiingitanga, or the Maori King Movement. The announcement did not say where he died or specify a cause, but the Kiingitanga said he had been in a hospital recovering from heart surgery. The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the entire nation, Rahui Papa, a spokesman for the Kiingitanga, said in a statement. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is scheduled to visit Mongolia next week, the Kremlin said on Thursday, despite the Central Asian countrys membership in the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for his arrest last year. Mr. Putin plans to visit the country on Sept. 3 on the invitation of Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the president of Mongolia, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of a joint military victory, the Kremlin said in a statement. It will be the Russian presidents first trip to an I.C.C. member nation since March 2023, when the court accused him of war crimes in Ukraine and issued a warrant for his arrest. As part of their membership in the I.C.C., countries are bound by international law to arrest people for whom the court has issued arrest warrants (though that requirement is not always observed). Here is what to know about the trip. Will Mr. Putin be arrested? The Kremlin does not appear to be concerned about Mr. Putins security on the trip. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine dismissed the head of the countrys Air Force on Friday, days after the crash of an F-16 warplane in what may have been a friendly fire incident. A Western official who has been briefed on the preliminary investigation of the crash said that there were indications that friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery might have brought down the jet, though mechanical failure and pilot error have not been ruled out. The dismissal of the Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, announced by the president in a post on the Telegram social media app, is the second high-profile departure this year. In February, Mr. Zelensky dismissed Ukraines top military leader, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, replacing him with Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky. Mr. Zelensky gave no specific reason for the decision, which came one day after the Air Force had announced the loss of the F-16, but said that it was necessary to strengthen military leadership. We need to get stronger, he said. And we need to take care of people. Take care of the personnel. Take care of all our soldiers. Young workers in their first full-time jobs may face a decision that Americans didnt have years ago: whether to enroll in a health insurance plan offered through their employer or stay on their parents policy. Its a choice thats possible because the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health law passed in 2010, generally allows young adults to stay on their parents health plan until age 26. The option is available even if they have jobs that offer health coverage, are married or dont live with their parents. Health coverage can be complex, so opting to stay on your parents plan isnt necessarily a simple decision. Like everything else with health care, evaluating insurance options is just extremely annoying, said Dan Weissmann, host of An Arm and a Leg, a podcast focused on the cost of health care. Martha Sanchez, director of health care policy and advocacy at Young Invincibles, a group focused on young adults, said people who were early in their careers might find themselves changing jobs often, so it could be simpler to stay with a plan they know, rather than switching to a new employers offering. 120 Years of New Yorks Subterranean Literary Muse The subway isnt just buried in the bedrock of New York City its embedded within its fiction, too. These archival photographs and literary quotes transport you through time. Within a day of its opening on Oct. 27, 1904, the New York City subway was already inspiring lyricism: The Times marveled at its olive-green woodwork, the unfamiliar air, the darkness alongside, and the sudden shooting into beautiful white stations like nothing that the elevated ever had. Thats just one day. Give novelists 120 years of packed daily commutes, late night rides home from bars and restaurants, early morning trips to the beach, and now the subway isnt just buried in the bedrock of Manhattan, its burrowed deep within New York novels of the last twelve decades, a source of wonder, despair, quotidian boredom. Join us as we ride alongside fictional characters plucked from the works of Edith Wharton, Ralph Ellison, Sylvia Plath, Lee Child, James Baldwin and so many more. Stanley Kubrick, via Museum of the City of New York Faces, hats, hands, newspapers jiggled in the fetid roaring subway car like corn in a popper. The downtown express passed clattering in yellow light, window telescoping window till they overlapped like scales. Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos Morris Huberland/The New York Public Library She and Mrs. Robichek edged into the sluggish mob at the entrance of the subway, and were sucked gradually and inevitably down the stairs, like bits of floating waste down a drain. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith Bettmann Archive, via Getty Images Now it seemed very warm in the subway car. The fan in the center of the ceiling was motionless. A bead of sweat splashed a panel in the story about the firespewing Flame, lean and balletic in the great Lou Fine style, that Joe had been pretending to read. He closed the comic book and stuck it back in his pocket. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon Neal Boenzi/The New York Times The train came bopping into the old drab station like some blazoned jungle of wonders. The letters and numbers fairly exploded in your face and they had a relationship, they were plaited and knotted, pop-eyed cartoon humanoids, winding in and out of each other and sweaty hot and passion dancing metallic silver and blue and cherry-bomb red and a number of neon greens. Underworld by Don DeLillo Sam Falk/The New York Times Magically the five oclock people came to life, bounced out of their subways, jumped out of their elevators, bells rang, elevator bells, streetcar bells, ambulance bells, the five oclock people swept through the city hungrily, they covered the sun, their five oclock faces looked eagerly toward Brooklyn, Astoria, the Bronx, Big Date Tonight. Turn, Magic Wheel by Dawn Powell Barton Silverman/The New York Times It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they executed the Rosenbergs, and I didnt know what I was doing in New York. Im stupid about executions. The idea of being electrocuted makes me sick, and thats all there was to read about in the papers goggle-eyed headlines staring up at me at every street corner and at the fusty, peanut-smelling mouth of every subway. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Speed In 1904, the express subway ride from the Brooklyn Bridge station to West 96th Street took, on average, 14 and a half minutes, a feat that dazzled both real riders and fictional ones. Ernest Cole/Magnum Photos The train rushed into the blackness with a phallic abandon, into the blackness which opened to receive it, opened, opened, the whole world shook with their coupling. Then, when it seemed that the roar and the movement would never cease, they came into the bright lights of 125th Street. The train gasped and moaned to a halt. Another Country by James Baldwin Filming The Taking of Pelham One Two Three in an abandoned subway tunnel in Brooklyn in 1974. Larry C. Morris/The New York Times Pelham One Two Three came down the track. The amber and white marker lights at the top were like a pair of mismatched eyes. Beneath them, the sealed beams, which were the real eyes on the train, seemed by some optical trick to waver, to flicker like a candle in the wind. The train came on, as always with the appearance of going too fast to be able to stop. But it came to a smooth halt. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three by John Godey Museum of the City of New York He found himself, next, slipping northward between the glazed walls of the subway, another languid crowd in the seats about him and the nasal yelp of the stations ringing through the car like some repeated ritual wail. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton Crowds & Delays Think the subway ever ran smoothly? The first day it was open, not only was it packed with subway sightseers, but travel was considerably interrupted by long stops that nobody could or would explain clearly, The Times said. The effect was to knock the schedule to smithereens. For the past century, just like the rest of us, literary characters have been squeezed, smashed and hassled. Larry Morris/The New York Times She detested New York subway trains for their grime and their noise, but even more for the claustrophobic nearness of so many human bodies, the rush-hour jam and jostle of flesh which seemed to neutralize, if not to cancel out, the privacy she had sought for so long. Sophies Choice by William Styron Barton Silverman/The New York Times The subway pulled into Times Square, disgorged passengers, took more on, shut up its doors and shrieked away down the tunnel. Another shuttle came in, on a different track. Bodies milled in the brown light, a loudspeaker announced shuttles. It was lunch hour. The subway station began to buzz, fill with human noise and motion. V. by Thomas Pynchon Keith Meyers/The New York Times An R train fat with people was sitting in the station making awkward attempts at sliding its doors shut. The Fuck-Up by Arthur Nersesisan The Subway at Night At night, The Times wrote, the alienation of one man in a crowd gives way to the solitude of a few waiting at desolate stations for long empty trains. These are the night workers, the lovers going home from an evening out and the loveless for whom the subways represent warmth and security. One of fictions most iconic nighttime riders is Lee Childs peripatetic tough guy, Jack Reacher, who once encountered a suicide bomber on an uptown 6 train at 2 a.m. Damon Winter/The New York Times I was riding the subway, in New York City. The 6 train, the Lexington Avenue local, heading uptown, 2 in the morning. I had gotten on at Bleecker Street from the south end of the platform into a car that was empty except for five people. Subway cars feel small and intimate when theyre full. When theyre empty they feel vast and cavernous and lonely. Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child Vic DeLucia/The New York Times They descended the subway stairwell at Astor Place and as they waited on the platform, then boarded the 6 train, felt it shut them out against the other night riders, whose heads lolled with the trains movements on the weary sticks of their bodies, felt it shut them against the whole city everywhere around them. The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem Philip Montgomery for The New York Times The empty, air-conditioned subway car moved over the Manhattan Bridge and into the city. The sky was purple, and the half-lit moon peeked out beneath a pink cloud. Whenever the car made an abrupt stop, I slid farther down the blue plastic seats. Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados Yuvraj Khanna for The New York Times Most of the time, he didnt mind riding the subway. It was a fast trip, and the clattering tracks and flashing lights kept a person distracted. But at times like this idled without explanation, in the overheated darkness it was hard not to think about just how deep under the earth the express track ran, or the mile of blackness that lay between him and the next stop. Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child People-watching Mark my words, an observant citizen told The Times in 1904, the subway is going to boom the newspaper business. When you get in, theres nothing to look at except the people, and thats soon a tiresome job. Tiresome? Tens of millions of riders real and fictional would disagree. Estate of Arthur Leipzig/Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York Only a few people. No one near her. She folded her arms and rested her head on the seat in front of her. Cool. It cooled. Yes, it was cooler and her head was beautifully warm and she would have Vinnie again and next time, some time, he would kiss her. Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Stanley Kubrick, via Museum of the City of New York The girls were bright birds of paradise, the men, her artist's eye noted, were gay, vital fauns. In the subway beside the laughing, happy groups, white faces showed pale and bloodless, other coloured faces loomed dull and hopeless. Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset Sam Falk/The New York Times Things whirled too fast around me. My mind went alternately bright and blank in slow rolling waves. We, he, him my mind and I were no longer getting around in the same circles. Nor my body either. Across the aisle a young platinum blonde nibbled at a Red Delicious apple as station lights rippled past behind her. The train plunged. I dropped through the roar, giddy and vacuum-minded, sucked under and out into late afternoon Harlem. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Bruce Davidson/Magnum Photos There was so much noise that Ma and I could speak little on the subway ride there. There were two boys about my age sitting across from us. As the taller one got up, a bulky knife fell out of his pocket. It was sheathed in leather, the black handle grooved to fit a large hand. I pretended I wasnt looking and willed myself to be invisible. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok Mark Peterson/Redux We are 15, and are learning to memorize the subway lines as if they are the very veins that run through our bodies. Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades Jeenah Moon for The New York Times Nobody whos lived in New York for more than a few months understands why a girl would actually like the subway. They dont get the novelty of walking underground and popping back up across the city. Belonging in the rush, locking eyes with another horrified passenger when a mariachi band steps on. On the subway, shes actually a New Yorker. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston Most of us stand clear of the closing doors; others step through and write what they see. The heir to Denmark's throne is following in the footsteps of his father and grandmother MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Prince Christian of Denmark marks his 18th birthday on Oct. 15, 2023 Crown Prince Christian of Denmark is heading out of the country after graduating from high school. The Royal House of Denmark announced on Aug. 30 that the future king, 18, will travel to East Africa for an "extended stay" starting on Sept. 4 until December. There, Prince Christian "will be involved in the daily operation of two farms, which will, among other things, include practical and administrative tasks and also give the crown prince insight into local nature protection." The Royal House explained that Crown Prince Christian is following a "long tradition that the successors to the throne go on extended stays abroad during their youth and have the opportunity to develop and experience the world." King Frederik, Christian's father who acceded the throne earlier this year, traveled to Mongolia in 1986 and also worked at a California vineyard in 1989. Similarly, Queen Margrethe, Christian's grandmother who abdicated earlier this year, traveled to East and South America in the 1960s. Related: Cinderella Found! Student Shares Why She Intentionally Left Her Shoe at Prince Christian's Birthday Gala Prince Christian's travel plans were revealed two months after he celebrated his secondary education graduation at Denmark's Ordrup Gymnasium. At the time, it was unclear if the royal would go on to university or undergo military training. Gap years after completing secondary education are a popular choice for young royals. After Prince William finished his studies at Eton and before he began at the University of St. Andrews, he spent time out of the classroom volunteering on environmental projects in Chile and visiting countries in Africa. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Patrick van Katwijk/Getty King Frederik, Crown Prince Christian and Queen Mary of Denmark on Oct. 15, 2023 Related: Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies Responds to Prince Christian Relationship Rumors Aside from his graduation, it's been a big year for King Frederik and Queen Mary's eldest child. In October 2023, his 18th birthday was marked with a gala dinner (complete with tiaras!) attended by royals from around the world. In a portrait taken during the festivities, Prince Christian posed with four future queens of Europe Princess Estelle of Sweden, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium previewing the next generation of monarchs. In his first public speech at the birthday gala, Prince Christian said, "I would like to thank everyone who helped celebrate me. Both you who are here and all of you who have sent greetings and gifts. I will never forget today. But maybe I will remember it as less challenging already tomorrow. I have to find my way, even if it leads to a familiar place. I have roots in many places in the world, and I enjoy traveling. But home will always be here. Because I love my country." Around the time of his birthday, Queen Margrethe also awarded her grandson with the Order of the Elephant, Denmark's highest honor of chivalry. Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Christian and King Frederik of Denmark on Oct. 15, 2023 In January, Queen Margrethe officially abdicated the throne after 52 years of reigning. The move made her eldest son, Frederik, the new king and Christian the new heir to the throne, taking on the title of crown prince. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The New York Times News Quiz, August 30, 2024 Did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz to see how well you stack up with other Times readers. Three remote villages in Indias Madhya Pradesh state have become famous for their thief schools where children as young as 12 are trained in pickpocketing, theft, and robbery by seasoned criminals. The three nondescript villages Kadia, Gulkhedi, and Hulkhedi located about 120 km from the state capital of Bhopal are reportedly nurseries for young criminals, with parents actually paying tuition fees of 200,000 to 300,000 rupees ($2,400 to $3,600) to have their offspring trained in dark arts like pickpocketing and bag grabbing in crowded places, carrying out robberies, bank account thefts, evading the police, and even withstanding beatings in the event of being apprehended. These so-called thief schools have produced some of the most infamous criminals in Indias history, so they are sought after by impoverished and less-educated families unable to give their children a proper education. Photo: Charu Chaturvedi/Unsplash After meeting with gang leaders and paying the required tuition fee, parents send their children to the crime school for one year to acquire various skills and prepare for a life of crime. After graduating and joining the gang, the students family receives an annual payment of 300,000 ($3,600) to 500,000 rupees ($6,000) from gang leaders for their service. Crime is deeply rooted in these remote villages, and although police know about the activities that go on here, there is little they can do, because the communities will always protect the gangs. They are suspicious of strangers and will confront police officers if they even attempt to arrest one of their own. When we have to go to these villages, we take the force of several police stations with us to apprehend the accused, Ramkumar Bhagat, the Inspector of the Boda police station, told NDTV. These criminals are highly trained in bag lifting, bank thefts, and other crimes, often using minors under the age of 17 to carry out their activities. Most of the thefts are carried out by minors, making it even more challenging to combat this deeply ingrained criminal culture. Children who undergo training at these rural thief schools come from poor families, but they are taught to blend in with affluent families in order to facilitate stealing from them. They often infiltrate special events like weddings where they can easily pickpocket guests, steal their jewelry, or even pull off full-scale robberies. According to police records, over 2,000 individuals from these three villages have had over 8,000 cases registered against them in police stations across the country. Maria Carolina Herrera, an elderly soap maker from Peru, won a legal battle against iconic fashion designer Carolina Herrera over the right to use her surname as a brand. Maria Carolina Herrera lives in Ate-Vitarte, a residential area in Lima, Peru, where she operates her small artisanal soap business. She has always lived a discreet, quiet life, but in 2021 she became known all across Peru and even in other South American countries after becoming engaged in a legal battle with the corporation owned by Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera. It all started when Maria Carolinas son, Dario Morales, surprised her by submitting her soap brand, La Jabonera by Maria Herrera, to the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI). The request was immediately contested by Carolina Herrera Ltd., whose lawyers argued that another Herrera brand in Perus cosmetic industry would cause confusion among consumers. INDECOPI, the authority in charge of regulating and protecting intellectual property in Peru, was faced with the daunting challenge of settling the dispute between a small local entrepreneur trying to use her own surname as a brand and a massive global corporation trying to protect its interests in the South American country. Both sides had their own arguments, and INDECOPI took more than two years to reach a verdict. Carolina Herrera is my name, it is on my ID and I am Peruvian, the Peruvian entrepreneur said. I have every right to use it as I see fit. My son wanted to surprise me for Christmas and registered the trademark. Shortly after, I received a notification from a lawyer who said: Maam, dont you want me to advise you on the problem you have with INDECOPI? And I said: What!' It turned out that Carolina Herrera Ltd. had blocked the trademark registration of La Jabonera by Maria Herrera, arguing that both companies sold cosmetic products and the brand name similarities could confuse consumers and damage the fashion designers brand. Other small business owners would have just canceled the registration and gone for another name rather than face off against a global juggernaut, but Maria Carolinas son insisted that they fight this battle. The womans lawyer son argued that not only was his mother named Carolina Herrera, but that the name Herrera was common enough in Peru that there was no risk of confusion with the Carolina Herrera brand. Furthermore, the two brands were very different both in logo design and the types of products sold. After over two years of litigation that included several appeals, INDECOPI ruled in favor of Maria Carolina Herrera, with the verdict stating that there was no risk of confusion between the two brands and that both could coexist in the market without problems. The win is significant not only for the soap maker but also for other small entrepreneurs who want to use their legal names as brands. For example, there are over 230,726 Peruvians with the surname Herrera. In the past, we covered other similar David vs. Goliath legal battles, such as the one between Star Wars owner LucasFilm and Chilean car wash Star Wash, and the dispute between DC Comics and family-owned bakery Superpan. 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. THE Thomas MacDonagh Museum honours the life of the poet and patriot MacDonagh, a native of Cloughjordan. It does this by collecting, safeguarding, exhibiting and interpreting material associated with MacDonagh, his family, his activities, his times and his legacy. Within its archive, the museum holds rare copies of The Irish Review, a literary, and latterly also a political journal, to which luminaries including W.B. Yeats, P.H. Pearse, Lord Dunsany, James Connolly, William Orpen and Jack B.Yeats contributed poems, stories and essays. At 4pm on Saturday, September 21st, Dr Catherine Wilsdon will chair a discussion between Dr Billy Shortall and Dr Roisin Kennedy on the pivotal role of The Irish Review in the arts and politics of the time and consider such influences today. Places for this event may be booked from Eventbrite via this link https://ThomasMacDonaghHedgeSchool2024.eventbrite.ie Dr Catherine Wilsdon is Communications and Public Engagement Manager at UCD Library. She was Creative Producer of a public commemorative initiative called Poetry as Commemoration from 2022-23. Prior to this, she was Programme Manager and Lecturer in Irish Literature for the University of Notre Dame in Ireland. In 2015, she co-organised a symposium and exhibition on Thomas MacDonagh and The Irish Review. Dr Billy Shortall is a Research Fellow in the Irish Art Research Centre at Trinity College, Dublin. His main research is focused on the intersection between art and politics in post-Independent Ireland and he researched and developed the Seeing Ireland project, a virtual re-creation of the art exhibition and other events associated with the World Congress of the Irish Race held in Paris in 1922, available at www.seeingireland.ie. He researched and developed the current retrospective exhibition on the sculptor Hilary Heron (1923-1977) at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. His current research is on Cuala Industries. Billy is chairperson of the Irish Association of Art Historians. Dr Roisin Kennedy is a Lecturer in the School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin. She is former Yeats Curator at the National Gallery of Ireland. She has co-edited several publications on Irish art and visual culture including Harry Clarke and Artistic Visions of the New Irish State (Irish Academic Press, 2018) and Sources in Irish Art 2. A Reader (Cork University Press, 2021). Her monograph, Art and the Nation State, Attitudes to Modern Art in Ireland, was published by Liverpool University Press in 2021. Book tickets at - https://ThomasMacDonaghHedgeSchool2024.eventbrite.ie . Kinnitty based Cllr John Clendennen has been selected by Fine Gael as their sole candidate to contest the forthcoming Genera Election in the new Offaly three-seater constituency. KINNITTY based Cllr John Clendennen has been selected by Fine Gael as their sole candidate to contest the forthcoming Genera Election in the new Offaly three-seater constituency. Cllr Clendennen defeated the only other candidate in the race, Tullamore Electoral Area councillor Neil Feighery at the convention in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Thursday night. The convention to which the press were not invited was attended by over 250 delegates from all parts of the county. No details of the number of votes each candidate garnered were contained in the statement released by the Fine Gael press office shortly after the conclusion of the convention. The event was chaired by Minister Damian English and was attended by Deputy Charles Flanagan, Senator Garret Ahern and former TDs Tom Enright and Marcella Corcoran Kennedy. Cllr Clendennen was formally proposed by Birr-based soilcitor, Ken Enright and seconded by Mary Greene from Daingean. Cllr Feighery was proposed by former Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and seconded by Edenderry Electoral Area councillor Noel Cribben. Fine Gael have now chosen 33 General Election candidates in 21 constituencies. In the statement released after the convention, Cllr Clendennan said: It is a goal I have worked towards for many years, and it is the privilege of a lifetime to be selected. This is a proud evening for me and my family. Our views, our hopes, our ambitions, our future and our party deserve to be represented as a county in Dail Eireann. I want to express my gratitude for the support of the party here not just this evening, but over many years and I look forward to working with everyone to ensure we have a strong, effective, and successful campaign. It will take hard work and a mammoth team effort involving early mornings and late nights and I am more than prepared and ready for the challenge. The new Offaly three-seater constituency reflects the increased population living in the county following the Boundary Commission Review and presents a unique opportunity to elect a Fine Gael TD to represent the county. We had a strong performance locally in the June elections, and I firmly believe my work as a county councillor, my work as business owner and my work in my own community makes me a strong candidate with the potential to win a seat. I am business focused, progress focused, innovation focused and have a proven track record. I now look forward to concentrating my energies on working for Offaly and getting elected to Dail Eireann. Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The late US President John F. Kennedy is not alive today to voice his opinion on the Israeli war on Gaza, but we know he would stand with the Palestinians, not the Israeli government. While yet a young senator, Kennedy in July 1957 delivered a famous speech where he voiced his opposition to then-President Eisenhower's military and political support for French colonialism, and called on the US administration to support the fight for freedom and independence in Algeria. The situation in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank, and Occupied East Jerusalem today is very similar to the events that marked the end of French rule in Algeria. "The most powerful single force in the world today is neither communism nor capitalism, neither the H-bomb nor the guided missile - it is man's eternal desire to be free and independent," Kennedy said. "Thus the single most important test of American foreign policy today is how we meet the challenge of imperialism, what we do to further man's desire to be free. "The time has come for the United States to face the harsh realities of the situation and to fulfill its responsibilities as the leader of the free world - in the UN, in NATO, in the administration of our aid programs and in the exercise of our diplomacy - in shaping a course toward political independence for Algeria." On May 7, 1945, Nazi Germany signed the act of military surrender to the Allies. The next day, 5,000 Algerians marched in celebration of the end of WW2. About 134,000 Algerians had fought alongside the US and allied forces to defeat Germany, with 18,000 deaths among the Algerian veterans. They were also carrying banners as they marched calling for an end to French occupation. The French occupation forces opened fire on the marchers, and in retaliation to the deaths, 102 French settlers were killed. During the next two weeks, the French forces along with French settlers massacred about 45,000 Algerians. The French air force bombed towns and villages thought to be sympathetic to the cause of freedom and an end of French occupation, with French settlers hunting down Algerians and hanging them. The French authorities and the French settlers had dehumanized the Algerians and referred to them as animals, which morally justified their killing of thousands of human beings. The massacre of 45,000 Algerians in May 1945 secured another nine years of occupation, but it served to strengthen the Algerians' resolve to fight for an end of French occupation. On November 1, 1954, the war of liberation began in earnest. It took eight years for Algeria to win its independence over France; in what British historian Alistair Horne dubbed "a savage war of peace". The Algerian people paid for their freedom with 1.5 million lives, which was 20% of the population. As France was seeking to maintain its brutal military occupation of Algeria, then-US President John F. Kennedy clearly voiced his belief that French rule over Algeria was not sustainable in the long term, condemned colonialism, and openly rooted for Algeria's independence. Kennedy was voicing a core American value held dearly today, and one fought for by countless Americans since 1776. The US stance in the '60s played an important role in the success of Algeria's liberation struggle. Israeli military leaders have said it would be impossible to crush the Palestinian desire for freedom and the will to resist occupation in every possible way just by killing Hamas fighters in Gaza. The Israeli right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deluded in thinking the colony of Israel will be secure if the resistance group is degraded. The Israeli colonial government seeks to strengthen its grip over the occupied Palestinians by showing them there are no legal consequences to the Israeli genocide, apartheid and atrocities carried out against the Palestinians. Because Israel has complete impunity, and the international community is impotent to stop them. Israel ordered the Gazans to move south to Rafah, which was designated as a safe zone. Then the military said that Hamas is in Rafah and started an aerial and ground assault on the safe zone killing thousands of civilians, mainly women and children. Experts have said the Israeli plan is to de-populate Gaza, so that the armed resistance can never return. Some feel the ultimate plan is to force any surviving in Gaza into the desert of Egypt, and then turn the Israeli military on the Occupied West Bank and repeat the Gaza operation there. Many analysts feel the Israeli end game is to annex all of the Palestinian lands, which would forever close the hopes of the two-State solution. Israel will make sure to complete this plan unless the US will intervene to make the genocide stop. But, US President Joe Biden has seemingly abdicated the Oval Office, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is operating on auto-pilot. The days of JFK and the moral high ground of America's commitment to freedom and independence are dead and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Technological developments threaten the power of politicians. The arrest of Pavel Durov is part of the fight of politicians against technology. Following in the footsteps of Pavel Durov The arrest of Pavel Durov (1) is more than just the detention of one of the founders of Telegram by the French police. The arrest of Pavel Durov is one of the many actions of politicians to maintain their power over humanity. Politicians do not control the world. But politicians control the description of this world. By manipulating information, politicians maintain their own power over voters, but not the world :) Thanks to the development of technology, this is becoming increasingly difficult every year. Thanks to technology, people can independently learn about what is happening in the world without politicians. Therefore, any businessman promoting technology to the masses of people challenges the power of politicians. Such businessmen have three options: 1. Submit to politicians and give them control of technology. And that means destroying the main value of technology - the reliability of information. 2. Become an enemy of politicians and provide technology to people as it is. 3. Stop doing the dangerous business of distributing technology among people. And that means slowing down scientific and technological progress. The Decline of Political Elites Pavel Durov, through the efforts of politicians, will be forced to make his choice in the near future. This choice will sooner or later be made by all businessmen who have achieved success in the development of information technology. Each businessman will have his own choice. However, it is obvious that the development of technology poses a threat to politicians. The first strike of the death bell for politicians sounded in 2016 in the United States. That year, due to technology, politicians lost control of the situation. A free account in a free social network turned out to be the most effective way of political struggle! This was the main result of the US presidential elections for humanity. For the first time, technology has called into question the power of politicians! Money, control of "independent" media and everything else on which the power of politicians is based turned out to be weaker than a free account in a free social network! Everyone saw that the real world does not correspond to the picture that politicians create. The choice of voters did not correspond to the wishes of the media :) The flag of politicians fell. But they quickly came to their senses. Technologies were torn from Trump's hands. The 45th President of the United States was banned from using Twitter in his own country! This is an unprecedented step. But what to do when the class of politicians themselves are threatened? It was necessary to save political power! To save dozens of rich political donors, hundreds of TV channels, thousands of newspapers and tens of thousands of journalists whose opinions always coincide with the opinions of politicians :) It was necessary to act tough and decisively in order to maintain control over voters. Did Trump understand what a threat he was bringing to the entire class of politicians by cleverly using Twitter? This question remains unanswered! But it is obvious that businessmen who have achieved success in the field of information technologies understand the potential of this business sector very well. It was not by chance that Elon Musk bought Twitter! The best advertisement for the purchase of this social network was Donald Trump's presidential campaign! Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). UN inspectors reach Zaporizhzhia city before planned visit to nuclear plant A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency has arrived in the city of Zaporizhzhia, from where they plan to travel to ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: Guardian News) Details DMCA IAEA inspectors get ready to inspect Zaporozhye nuclear power plant The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has had its inspectors at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (in the formally held region of Ukraine now a part of Russia) since September, 2022. Over the past week drone strikes have occurred near the facility where the inspectors have been told to take shelter indoors. This NPP has been under Russian control since March 2022. In the Fall of that year a referendum was held by the people of the Zaporizhye Region that voted to join the Russian Federation. As we know all the regions in the Donbass (eastern Ukraine) including Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and earlier Crimea also held referendums choosing to Russia-which has not been recognized by the US and the EU countries of the West as being part of Russia. They were simply annexed illegally by Russia from the territory of Ukraine and therefore remain a part of that country. It is not the intent of this writer to get into the argument of the previous paragraph of what country these regions are a part of. The primary focus here is these attacks are on a nuclear power plant which could cause a nuclear disaster. What is so baffling the IAEA reports the attacks yet places no blame of who is authorizing them. Would Russia authorize these attacks on its own nuclear power plant? C'mon. It is absurd to believe that. Thinking logically it has to be the Ukraine leadership acting on its own as no country wants to see another Chernobyl. So why, in light of these ongoing attacks on a NPP does the US and its European vassals continue to support and arm Ukraine with $billions in weaponry? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Advisers hired by a grocery wholesaler raised various concerns about its plan to acquire hundreds of stores as part of a side deal in the $24.6 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons. C&S Wholesale Grocers executives testified this week in an antitrust hearing playing out in Portland federal court over the proposal for Kroger, the corporate parent of Fred Meyer and QFC, to buy Albertsons, which owns Safeway. To mollify antitrust concerns, Kroger and Albertsons have agreed to sell 579 stores in 18 states and Washington, D.C., to C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2.9 billion. The grocery distributor would also get any fuel stations and pharmacies associated with the stores, as well as the banners QFC, Haggen, Marianos and Harris Teeter. Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission, which has asked a judge to pause the merger, have questioned whether the New-Hampshire based C&S has the experience to absorb hundreds of stores through the divestiture deal and compete meaningfully with a combined Kroger and Albertsons. As evidence, they presented internal communications and advice from consultants hired by C&S to evaluate the deal. Alona Florenz, senior vice president of corporate development and financial planning for C&S, testified Thursday that the company hired various consulting firms to advise on the divestiture deal with Kroger and Albertsons. A real estate consulting firm, Florenz said under questioning from an FTC attorney, advised C&S in April 2023 against acquiring the QFC, Harris Teeter and Marianos stores due to quality and performance issues. There were also questions within C&S about the quality of the brands it had proposed to acquire. The FTC offered as evidence texts from last fall between Florenz and Jonathan Granger, one of the employees that work in C&Ss corporate development team. Granger asked if she had looked into the market perception of QFC, suggesting the Washington state Kroger subsidiary had a bad reputation for high prices. Florenz replied that Kroger gave us their worst chains. A separate consulting firm warned C&S in February, as it weighed taking on even more stores in the divestiture, that QFC has a weak brand. And another warned that the deal was structured in a way that would force C&S to introduce brand-new grocery brands in various markets, which risks alienating local customers. Florenz said Friday that C&S officials had considered the consultants input but felt confident that the company can run the large number of stores. You cant take consultant numbers at face value, she said. Kroger and Albertsons have touted C&S, which owns or franchises about 160 stores under the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union banners, as a strong potential competitor in the markets where the supermarket giants overlap. Federal and state regulators, who have sued to block the merger, have argued that C&S wont have the scale to be a viable competitor in the grocery business, and that its inexperience in retail would further weaken its odds of success. C&S today only directly operates 25 retail locations, Mark McGowan, the companys president of retail, said on the stand Thursday. C&S directly operates 21 stores in Wisconsin under Piggly Wiggly Midwest and four stores in upstate New York under the Grand Union banner. The company closed a Piggly Wiggly in Milwaukee 18 months ago because it wasnt profitable, McGowan said And the companys Grand Union stores, acquired in 2022 as part of a divestiture deal in the much smaller merger of Price Chopper and Tops Markets are struggling. McGowan said the Grand Union stores didnt meet growth projections reported to the FTC prior to the sale and to this day are still underperforming. The newest divestiture deal is under particular scrutiny because Kroger and Albertsons have argued selling stores to C&S would preserve grocery competition in markets where the grocery giants have historically competed. But consumers and regulators worry a smaller operator wouldnt survive the rapid expansion. In the Northwest, they point to the Washington state grocer Haggen, which had 18 locations when it bought nearly 150 more from Albertsons and Safeway, clearing the way for those companies to combine. Haggen soon collapsed under the weight of its growth, eventually selling itself back to Albertsons. Some of its expansion stores, including several in Oregon, closed altogether. Against that backdrop, Oregon and federal regulators have scrutinized C&S business plans and sought to make the case that it lacks the sophistication to successfully run a nationwide grocery chain and cast doubt on its commitment to doing so. On Thursday, FTC attorneys showed internal communications that suggested C&S planned to buy all the stores for sale in the Price Chopper and Tops, then turn around and sell some to a third party. Right now I think we should buy all the Tops divestiture stores lol, Florenz wrote in a text to another C&S employee, Dan Franceschelli. I figure if we buy them, then they are happy and you could spend a year or so finding other buyers. The company could afford it, Franceschelli said in the exchange, even if it lost money on retail and absorbed lease costs and union pension liabilities. Thats because of its robust wholesale business, supplying its own and other stores. C&S hasnt sold the stores and C&S chief executive Eric Winn said in a statement Tuesday that the texts dont represent his thoughts but its also not making money from its growing retail network, according to an internal presentation entered into evidence by the FTC. In a partially redacted slide, the FTC displayed a chart that showed that C&S retail business had operated in the red over the last two fiscal years. Its not the first time C&S has tried to enter the grocery business. It acquired hundreds of stores in the early 2000s. But by 2012, most stores had been sold or closed. And by 2015, C&S exited the retail business entirely. Winn said on Friday that C&S reentered the retail business in 2021, after it lost its largest wholesale customer, Alhold Delhaize, the Dutch owner of the grocery chains Food Lion and Stop & Shop. Winn testified he is confident his company can successfully build a new nationwide retail network and that C&S would compete aggressively from Day One. Every business venture has challenges, he said. -- Kristine de Leon covers the retail industry, small business and data enterprise stories. Reach her at kdeleon@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. The Washington County Major Crimes Team on Thursday identified two Beaverton police officers who struggled with an alleged shoplifter who investigators say had a gun and fired on the officers outside a Nordstrom Rack. One of the officers responded by firing back and killing the man, according to investigators. The officers are Ryan Garbutt, who has worked for Beaverton police for 20 years, and Juan Flores, who has 11 months with the department and was being trained by Garbutt. A federal judge Thursday offered to accompany anyone who is reluctant to go on a Portland police ride-along, a requirement for members to serve on a future community board for police accountability. U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon offered the compromise after hearing some peoples concerns that a ride-along could be a triggering, traumatic experience that would prevent them from seeking a seat on the board. Bring a judge, Simon suggested, saying hed offer his service as a reasonable compromise. They might feel safer if the person sitting next to them in the backseat is the federal judge whos supervising the federal settlement, Simon said. Maybe that might be enough to make that person feel more comfortable. The judges offer came during a daylong hearing in federal court to determine the fairness of an amendment to the citys settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice that would alter how the city investigates and disciplines police. The settlement, approved in 2014, stems from a federal investigation that found Portland police used excessive force against people with mental illness. The City Council last November approved guidelines for creating a new civilian-run police oversight system in response to Measure 26-217, passed by 82% of city voters in fall 2020. The new board will replace the citys Independent Police Review office and its Citizen Review Committee. It will assume some of the responsibilities of the Police Bureaus internal affairs division -- and will investigate all deaths in police custody and police uses of deadly force, all complaints of force that result in injury, complaints of discrimination against a protected class and alleged violations of federal or state constitutional rights by police. It will decide whether an officer violated police policy and recommend and issue discipline, a significant switch from the current system where the mayor and police chief maintain discipline power. More than four hours into the hearing, former City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said the amendment before Simon doesnt meet the intent of voters. She led the charge for the voter-approved measure to revamp the police oversight system. Finally when were at the threshold of getting a truly independent police oversight board, city and elected officials have gutted it in favor of something more appealing to police, she said. Hardesty said she was concerned that three police representatives will be on a nominating committee to select members of the new board. Voters overwhelmingly voted for a truly independent police oversight board that would have public members who have been harmed and not have police influence on who served on the board, she said. She also said she didnt have confidence that current city councilors would make the right choices in appointing people to serve on the nominating committee. In response to Hardestys concerns, the judge approved the amendment but delayed the date it will take effect until Jan. 2. That will mean current City Council members wont appoint people to the nominating committee for the oversight board. Instead, council members elected in November will have that responsibility next year. Simon said that would ensure community buy-in for the process and give the new city commissioners more of a stake in the performance of the oversight board. Other provisions of the new oversight board debated Thursday included: the citys ability to remove board members if they show an objective bias for or against police and the presence of three police representatives on the nominating committee. The city-approved guidelines for the new oversight system differ from those recommended by a 20-person Police Accountability Commission, which held more than 120 public meetings and 23 community events to solicit feedback. The citys plan stripped the commissions recommendation that the oversight board hold public investigative hearings and reduced the number of people who would serve on the board from 33 to 21. The citys plan also placed three police representatives on the nominating committee. RIDE-ALONGS Simon initially asked why members of the new accountability board should have to go on a police ride-along if it makes them uncomfortable. The citys lawyer argued that such ride-alongs are now required for members of another citizen group, the existing Citizen Review Committee that hears appeals of Police Bureau findings on police misconduct complaints. Members of the future board will need to understand police work because theyll be making crucial decisions and likely have to watch hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage that also may be disturbing and upsetting, Chief Deputy City Attorney Heidi Brown said. We want board members with some exposure to the circumstances police encounter, Brown said. In the discipline process, the board members will be required to meet with officers under review and their union representatives and lawyers. They are going to sit with police officers and they need to be able to do that, Brown said. We need board members who really need to understand the work theyre going to evaluate. Anil Karia, the lawyer for the Portland Police Association, said he supported the required ride-along. Board members should understand as much as they can about the job of officers on the street, just like residents want police to be aware of the concerns and fears of people with mental illness about police excessive use of force. Brown said she appreciated the judges creative solution of offering to ride with someone who might not be comfortable. Karia called the judges idea a very artful solution. Brown said the new board is a significant change for the city, as it will not only recommend findings on investigations of alleged police misconduct but decide if a policy violation occurred, determine the level of discipline and impose it. This board has skin in the game, deciding the outcome of internal affairs investigations, Brown pointed out. Attorney Juan Chavez, representing the Mental Health Alliance, and alliance member KC Ledell, said police ride-alongs shouldnt be required for board membership. There will be people who wont apply because it creates trauma for them, Chavez said. If were trying to garner empathy, there are better ways, he said, like having coffee with an officer or attending a roundtable with officers to talk about a controversial police encounter. Odelia Zuckerman, a member of the existing Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing, said she doesnt believe going on a ride-along is necessary for sitting on the future board and said she personally feels discomfort at the thought of doing such a ride. The engagement committee reviews police policies and practices and makes recommendations to the city council. Jorge Sanchez Bautista, another member of the engagement committee, said he thought the judges presence would be distracting to police during the ride-along. Simon said he believes ride-alongs are valuable in understanding what goes on during police patrols, especially for someone judging the conduct of police officers. Theres something extra to be learned from being there and seeing that, he said. But he urged the city and community advocacy groups to consider crafting alternatives if someone is disabled or requires some other accommodations to the ride-along requirement. BIAS DISQUALIFICATION Also drawing criticism was a clause in the amendment that allows the city to remove a board member if theres an objective demonstration of bias for or against police. Lawyers for the city and Justice Department defended it. They said the City Council would have to approve the removal of a board member and the new independent monitor of the city-federal settlement would oversee the process and could report any concerns to Simon. Simon said he agreed with them. Further, he noted that the written language demands an objective demonstration of bias for or against police before someone is removed. They have to convince a neutral, reasonable person that theres been a demonstration of bias, he said. Dan Handelman, of the police watchdog group Portland Copwatch, called the bias reference too vague and suggested the language be changed to ensure board members follow the law and make reasonable, objective decisions. NOMINATING COMMITTEE DELAY Despite the judges suggestion to delay the effective date of the new amendment, lawyers for the city and Justice Department argued against such a move. Right now we have an accountability system that is not delivering, said R. Jonas Geissler, attorney for the Justice Department. We need the system in place and not wait another four to six months. The approval of the amendment shouldnt be a political decision based on whos in office, he said. People have already spoken. A council is in place. It is appropriate to deliver the remedy already approved in a timely fashion, he said. The current City Council is set to adopt charter code changes to reflect the new oversight system at its meeting next week, Brown told the judge. The current council members, she said, have been working on the proposed amendment and are familiar with it. Educating the 12 future elected council members when they take office in January will take some time, she said. But Hardesty said, If you give this a green light, we will be here 20 freakin years from now begging for another real accountability system that holds police accountable to community expectations. Simon said the city can still move forward next week to approve the charter code changes. But he stood by his decision to delay council appointment of nominating committee members. The new City Council and the new mayor will have more at stake in making sure that this system works, Simon said. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Here are some of the top public safety covered Thursday by The Oregonian/OregonLive. They met through Facebook Messenger. Now one is dead and the other is headed to prison Wendy Rigsby remembers how the youngest of her threechildren -- her only daughter -- used to stick out her tongue when she took he rphoto. I used to tell her to stop doing that, Rigsby said, and now I wish I could just get one more. READ MORE Audience video footage captures Cirque du Soleil acrobats scary fall in Portland Video footage obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive captures the moment that a Cirquedu Soleil acrobat fell during a show in Portland on Saturday. The performer was injured and is recovering, the circus said. Laura Torres, who was watching the performance of Cirque duSoleils Kooza with her six-year-old and her mother, shot the footage andinitially posted it on social media. READ MORE Lost dog roamed Oregons forbidding desert for months,now safe: a true miracle The white golden retriever mix with the green collar was first spotted in March, roaming a couple of miles past Plush, an unincorporated rural community about 40 miles northeast of Lakeview in Lake County. More sightings followed in the subsequent months. The wandering dog, somehow surviving out in the remote, uninviting landscape, captured the imagination of residents in Lakeview. READ MORE Teenager speeding in Tesla dies in Jefferson County crash, state police say 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 news release Wednesday. Scarlett Jewell Felder, who was driving a Tesla, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Felder was from Klamath Falls. READ MORE 2 Beaverton police officers identified in fatal shootingof alleged armed shoplifter The Washington County Major Crimes Team on Thursday identified two Beaverton police officers who struggled with an alleged shoplifter who investigators say had a gun and fired on the officers outside aNordstrom Rack. One of the officers responded by firing back and killing the man, according to investigators. READ MORE Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. State troopers seized more than 100 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 11 pounds of suspected fentanyl in Linn County on Monday, the Oregon State Police announced. A K-9 unit stopped a Chevrolet pickup truck driving northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 223 at around 3 p.m., and during the traffic stop, a trooper recognized signs of potential criminal activity, state police said. Officials did not specify what the signs were that the trooper noticed. Sheriffs deputies on Tuesday arrested a man for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from two big-box stores in Hazel Dell over the past year. Christopher Tyler Blancas, 25, is charged with 10 counts of second-degree organized retail theft, eight counts of third-degree theft and seven counts of third-degree retail theft under special circumstances, court records say. A probable cause affidavit shows that the charges of theft under special circumstances relate to the alleged use of wire cutters to remove anti-theft devices. Vancouver police on Friday said they are investigating the death of a woman found with gunshot wounds inside a tent as a drive-by shooting. Police waited more than 48 hours to release details of how Keomany Phetchitvathanalay, 39, died. They offered no explanation for the delay but said Phetchitvathanalay was killed early Wednesday in what appeared to be drive-by shooting in the 3500 block of Northeast 66th Avenue. Those searching for $1 happy hour oysters, hollandaise-drenched Dungeness crab toast or whole grilled branzino with salsa verde on Southeast Clinton Street and 21st Avenue this fall will be out of luck. But they wont have to look far. 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 the wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week were following the rules, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. 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 incident was reported to the police, but because the employee decided not to press charges, the Army said it considered the matter closed. 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. The Trump campaign has claimed the Republican presidential nominees team was granted access to have a photographer and has contested the allegation that a campaign staffer pushed a cemetery official. Trump visited the venerable cemetery on Monday at the invitation of surviving family members to mark the third anniversary of the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 170 Afghans. Photos of the visit showed Trump standing by the graves with a thumbs-up 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. A video shared by Trump on TikTok also shows several clips of his visit to the cemetery. As a guitar strums in the background, there is a voiceover of the Republican nominee 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. Trump spent the third anniversary of the Aug. 26, 2021, attack tying his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, to the chaos of the Afghanistan War withdrawal. He told an audience of National Guard members and their families in Detroit that the withdrawal was a humiliation and called the deadly attack the most embarrassing day in the history of our country Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world, Trump told an audience of about 4,000 in Michigan. 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 on behalf of the family. Master Sgt. Marckesano was deployed overseas six times. A defense official, speaking to The Associated Press 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. Trumps spokesperson Steven Cheung said the team had gotten permission for a photographer and disparaged the cemetery official as having clearly been suffering from 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 Trumps team during a very solemn ceremony, he said. 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. 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. 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 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. By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and TARA COPP, Associated Press Next months debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump wont have an audience, live microphones when candidates arent speaking, or written notes, according to rules that ABC News, the host network, shared this week with both campaigns. A copy of the rules was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by a senior Trump campaign official on condition of anonymity ahead of the networks announcement. The Harris campaign on Thursday insisted it was still discussing the muting of mics with ABC. The parameters now in place for the Sept. 10 debate are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, a disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat that fueled his exit from the campaign. It is the only debate thats been firmly scheduled and could be the only time voters see Harris and Trump go head to head before the November general election. The back-and-forth over the debate rules reached a fever pitch this week, particularly on the issue of whether the microphones would be muted between turns speaking. Harris campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying in a statement that the practice would fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates. Bidens campaign had made microphone muting condition of his decision to accept any debates this year, a decision some aides now regret, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trumps outbursts during the debate. READ MORE Its interesting that Trumps handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite, Harris spokesman Ian Sams said. Why wont they just do what the candidate wants? Representatives for Trump who initially scoffed at the substitution of Harris into a debate arrangement he initially made with Biden in the race had claimed that Harris sought a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements, specifications her campaign denied. According to ABC News, the candidates will stand behind lecterns, will not make opening statements and will not be allowed to bring notes during the 90-minute debate. David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. By MEG KINNARD and JILL COLVIN Associated Press AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller in Savannah, Georgia, contributed to this report. Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina, and can be reached at x.com/MegKinnardAP Forecasts for Portland metro area Friday call for toasty conditions, with highs in the 90s the National Weather Service says. But those on parts of the Oregon coast might escape the heat. Along scenic Highway 101 from Lincoln City to Coos Bay, the highs are expected to remain below 76 degrees. Albany International Appoints Merle Stein as President, Machine Clothing Merle Stein Merle Stein Aug. 30, 2024 - Albany International today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Merle Stein as President of its Machine Clothing business segment and elected him an officer of the company, effective September 1. Stein succeeds Daniel Halftermeyer, who has stepped down from the position to focus his time and energies on the continued integration of the Heimbach acquisition and the successful transition to Stein. Stein, 47, has considerable experience in the paper and pulp industries and significant knowledge of the Machine Clothing business and a strategic understanding of the markets it serves. He comes to the role with considerably broad leadership experiences, particularly in operational and customer-facing operations. Since April 2024, Stein has served as Division Chief Operating Officer for the business segment where he oversaw all operational aspects of the business and led the Sales & Marketing, Operations, Procurement and Human Resources functions. Prior to that, since 2022 he was the Vice President Sales & Marketing/Applications for Americas, after having served in various other sales and marketing leadership roles since joining Albany International in 2011, including Vice President Sales MC - North America, Regional Business Director and Sales & Service Engineer. Prior to joining Albany International, Stein managed papermaking operations at Essity's green field papermill in Alabama where he had risen to the position of Papermill Manager following roles as a process engineer and machine superintendent. Stein holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from Auburn University. Gunnar Kleveland, President and CEO of Albany International, said, "I am happy to have Merle join our senior leadership team and take over the reins of the Machine Clothing business. He has broad industry experience and an intimate knowledge of our Machine Clothing business and its customers. This experience and knowledge will be a competitive advantage, ensuring that the business will remain the industry leader while pursuing its strategic goals." Kleveland continued, "At the same time, I want to recognize Daniel for his 37 years of wide-reaching and impactful service to Albany International and thank him for his continued dedication to the success of the company by implementing this succession plan. I am confident that he will continue to drive the Heimbach integration plan while assisting Merle in the transition." Albany International (NYSE: AIN) is a leading developer and manufacturer of engineered components, using advanced materials processing and automation capabilities, with two core businesses: Machine Clothing and Albany Engineered Composites. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire, operates 32 facilities in 14 countries, employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide. SOURCE: Albany International Corp. The United States is now seeing a rising number of measles outbreaks, especially among people who are not vaccinated against the highly contagious disease. As of August 22, the U.S. has reported a total of 227 measles cases. U.S. health officials have also reported a total of 13 outbreaks, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Minnesota accounted for 30 cases of measles, as reported by the state's Department of Health. For comparison, there were only 59 measles cases in 2023. That is a 284% increase between 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, there were only four outbreaks reported last year. Rising Number of Measles Cases in the US Of the 227 cases reported this year, 89 were among children under the age of five, 67 affected those between the ages of five and 19, and 71 were reported in people ages 20 and older. Of the people who contracted measles, 44% were hospitalized for isolation or management of symptoms. More than half of all hospitalizations involved children below the age of five. By vaccination states, 86% of all measles cases reported were in people who were unvaccinated for the disease. Comparatively, only 9% had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine while only 5% had received two shots. Measles vaccines are given in two doses: the first between 12 months and 15 months of age, and the second between four and six years old. A single dose of the MMR vaccine is roughly 93% effective in preventing the disease. This goes up to 97% for those who have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. US Vaccination Rates Part of why there is an outbreak in the US is the falling vaccination rate among children. Vaccine coverage among kindergarteners fell to 93.1% in the 2022-2023 school year. This fell short of the CDC's 95% coverage target. Only 13 states met this goal during the period. The US last met the CDC's vaccine coverage target in the 2019-2020 school year, when there were at least 20 states that matched or exceeded the threshold. At the time, the national vaccine coverage rate was 95.2%. The corporation of the president was not established until the 1920s. In the 19th century, it was extremely difficult to separate Joseph Smiths, Brigham Youngs, and the other three 19th-century presidents holdings from the churchs. I dont know how you could show that he borrowed church money to invest, the two estates were so intermingled. Moreover, Young and the other general authorities received salaries from the church. After Youngs death some family members sued to try to get more of the property and money. They argued that it was his, not the churchs. The settlement of the suit gave them more of the assets than the executors believed were Youngs, as Quinn says. Unlike today, in general conference the church gave a verbal accounting of the churchs income and expenditures. Quinns book lists Brigham Youngs properties. I believe that what he has written makes it clear that it would have been impossible to determine that Young borrowed from the church because the two estates were so intermingled. Leonard Arrington wrote an article on the settlement of the Brigham Young estate that can give you more information. I should say that this intermingling in the case of Joseph Smith was a large part of the dispute between Emma Smith and Brigham Young. At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Amazing speakers Included accessories Great display Cons Short on ports Cramped keyboard Our Verdict The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 offers a gorgeous OLED display as well as punchy speakers. What more could you ask for? Price When Reviewed 1561,47 Euro Best Prices Today: Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 Sometimes you get a laptop that exceeds your expectations in surprising ways. The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (just Yoga 9i from here on out) does exactly that. Look at it and you might think its just another 2-in-1 laptop folds around to tablet mode. But this laptop has a party trick that I absolutely love. That isnt to say the Yoga 9i is perfect, of course. What you have, as is the case with every laptop, is a bundle of compromises. A device that asks: Whats most important to you? If its gaming, you give up battery life. If its productivity, you give up fun. And if its sleek portability, like the Yoga 9i, you give up ports and spacious keyboard. Today is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days! Our editorial team lists the best tech deals here. ] Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Specs IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson If youre going to spend $1,500 on a laptop, you definitely want to get something good for your money, and overall the Yoga does deliver that. An Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor powers this guy, which by now is a familiar entry in this era of the laptop world. Unlike the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, a suspiciously similarly named laptop, this actually is a 2-in-1, which means you can fold the display all the way back. The fact that you get a decently high-resolution OLED display with a fast refresh rate is a boost to the 2-in-1 feature. A tablet mode is pretty pointless with a subpar screen after all. At this price youll get 16 GB of RAM, but if you want to spend more you can bump that up to 32 GB and max the display resolution out at 38402400. You do get a couple of bonuses as well, a slim pen that charges over USB-C and a sleeve. The pen will magnetically attach (but not charge) to the lid, and the sleeve includes a pen loop. The pen does the job, but without internal storage, Im certain Id lose it in short order. Specs as tested: CPU : Intel Core Ultra 7 155H : Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Memory : 16GB LPDDR5-7467 : 16GB LPDDR5-7467 Graphics/GPU : Intel Arc integrated graphics : Intel Arc integrated graphics Display : 28801800 OLED Touch 120 hz : 28801800 OLED Touch 120 hz Storage : 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 2242 M.2 SSD : 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 2242 M.2 SSD Webcam : 2.5K IR webcam : 2.5K IR webcam Connectivity : 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 PD 3.0 DP 1.4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1 Lenovo Slim Pen : 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 PD 3.0 DP 1.4, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 3.5mm combo audio jack, 1 Lenovo Slim Pen Networking : WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 : WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Biometrics : Fingerprint reader, IR Webcam : Fingerprint reader, IR Webcam Battery capacity : 75 watt-hours : 75 watt-hours Dimensions : 12.44x 8.66 x 0.64 inches : 12.44x 8.66 x 0.64 inches Weight : 2.91 pounds : 2.91 pounds MSRP: $1,449 Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Build quality and looks IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson Lenovo ThinkPads have a (deserved) reputation for a bland business look. The Yoga line, however, tends to be a bit more fun without taking too many risks. And thats the case here. Youll find some familiar details like the same webcam jut-out found on practically all of Lenovos laptops. And some interesting tidbits like that speaker grill hidden in the hinge. But that grill is the very first sign that this is a laptop for more play than work and it shines. I like the Cosmic Blue colorway, but you can go with a more traditional Luna Grey if thats your jam. The blue is much darker than photos might suggest, but it shimmers a bit as you lean left and right with a metallic sheen that adds just a touch of whimsey. I appreciate that there are no creaks or squeaks as I use the device, everything feels very sturdily put together. Thats sometimes not the case with 2-in-1 laptops that feature a 360 hinge, but even thats pretty strong. As I type, the display barely bounces (if at all), and when I do fold the thing to tent or table mode, it feels natural with just the right amount of resistance. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Keyboard, trackpad, and pen IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson The keyboard, however, leaves a little to be desired. Namely, more room. Lenovo places a column of buttons on the right edge to give you theoretically handy little features, like a quick sound profile, a favorite app button, a way to quickly switch between audio profiles, and a fingerprint reader But that means everything else shifts to the left and shrinks to make room for the extra buttons. Likewise the cursors are scrunched and squeezed together. Key travel is fine all things considered, but typing is still a bit of a pain. I have to hold my thumbs just so to avoid bumping them together, which isnt great for long term ergonomics. And similarly the arrow keys, particularly up and down, are small and thus harder to use. The trackpad itself is fine, and perhaps because of the somewhat awkward position I hold my hands in to use the keyboard, I didnt find myself accidentally brushing it. Since this is a Yoga series laptop, you wont find the Red dot in the keyboard or extra buttons at the top of the trackpad, or any dedicated buttons at all really. The corners do click though, and in a satisfying way. This Yoga also comes with a Lenovo Slim Pen, which can be handy if you prefer handwriting in tablet mode or want to draw occasionally. It has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, which is good enough to do some sketching. Im no artist, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more control when I tried the pen out in drawing apps. The pen charges over USB-C, which is mildly inconvenient and seems to drain whether or not youre using it. You wont find a storage slot in the laptop either, instead it will magnetically clip to the laptop lid. Thats better than nothing, but not the most secure option. I can see myself losing the pen quickly. Its probably worth mentioning the Yoga also comes with a sleeve. Its fine for a sleeve. I do appreciate that it has a pen loop, so thatll help with stylus storage. But while I dont mind included accessories, Im not sure Id personally depend on a sleeve to protect my laptop. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Speakers and display IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson Usually about now Id offer the usual advice that generally laptop speakers are terrible, and its almost bad that they are included. But the Yoga the Yoga is so different. These speakers are, dare I say it, good! Like very good! The Yoga not only gets impressively loud, but also sounds good at those louder levels. Somehow theres bass and treble, and songs sound like what youd expect to hear. I didnt feel the need to break out headphones for once, and even movies had some unexpected punch. The Yoga is primarily intended as a media device and thank goodness it has the speaker system that stands up to that promise. Its probably because Lenovo essentially buried a sound bar in the hinge, which you could argue detracts from the clean look, but I say is worth it for sound like this. These speakers are, dare I say it, good! Like very good! The Yoga not only gets impressively loud, but also sounds good at those louder levels. This Yoga also includes an OLED display and it looks great. Blacks are inky and dark, which makes movies look all the better considering it seems like dark scenes are the norm these days. The display gets decently bright too, though not as bright as other non-OLED displays. With its 120hz refresh rate, its a smooth display that would make it good enough for gaming if this device had a dedicated graphics card. Alas it doesnt, but you can always do some casual gaming thanks to modern day integrated graphics. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Webcam, microphone, biometric options IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson Along the top edge of the display youll find the Yogas webcam, with an integrated privacy shutter. I like that its a hardware shutter with a bright red color to that cover so you know for sure the webcam is blocked. As for the webcam itself, its nothing special. The angle from this camera is particularly up the nose even more so than other laptops Ive worked with lately. The colors are washed out, and the detail is just good enough to be passable. Essentially, itll serve its purpose for a Zoom call, but it wont make you look that flattering along the way. Its an IR camera though, so it works with Windows Hello to log you into your profile. The microphone, also, isnt the best or the worst. It gets the job done and nothing more. If youre in video calls every day, you may want to get an external microphone that do a better job of noise cancelling and reproducing the full quality of your voice. But this isnt really a work productivity device, and generally microphones work better with headphones on, so thats something to keep in mind. If youre occasionally in video calls, the hardware will do the job overall. Just maybe lift the laptop up to eye level for a more flattering look. As I mentioned above, you can log in with your face using the camera, but if youd rather use a fingerprint reader thats an option as well. It works well enough, although in my experience my face unlock is a little faster. More options is usually better, though I dont love that the dedicated extra button row to the side, which includes the finger print reader. This leads to a squashed keyboard layout. The upshot to that choice is the fingerprint reader is a nice sized button. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Ports and connectivity IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson The Yogas port situation is a bit of an odd duck. On the one hand, theres the USB-C ports which make me happy. You have three of them, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and one 3.2 Gen 2 PD 3.0 DP 1.4 port. Even better, theyre not all on the same side. The USB-C ports double as power, so its a pet peeve of mine when theyre all on left side of the laptop. Here you have choices when you decide to plug in your laptop and thats great. The singular USB-A port would be nice too, considering its a fast 10Gbps port, but its very oddly placed. Its as close to the hinge as you can get. Everything technically works there, but it feels and looks odd. When I go to blindly insert a flash drive, I never quite get to the right spot and end up having to look. Im sure with time Id get use to it. Id probably default to a different USB-A port, but that simply isnt an option. You only get the one. And you wont find any HDMI, SD Card, or Ethernet ports either, so I hope you dont need those. I know Ive mentioned this is a media PC and so Ive given passes here and there, but its harder here to overlook in this case. Just be aware going in that if you want to use an external monitor, youll want something that works with Thunderbolt ports. You do get Wi-Fi 6E, which isnt bleeding edge, but is futureproof enough for more homes. If you dont have a Wi-Fi 6E router, youll want one to get the most out of this laptop and modern smartphones. Bluetooth 5.3 is as new as it gets, which is a nice bonus if you decide to go with wireless headphones. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Performance The Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9i packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. Were pretty familiar with this processor by now, but that doesnt automatically mean we can guarantee good performance out of every machine. Cooling makes a major difference, and weve seen some laptops from Lenovo throttle early. You can usually expect pretty great battery life out from the latest Core Ultra 7 laptops, but well have to make a special note concerning this model. IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson The Yoga 9i starts off strong in our overall PCMark test, coming in second only to the ThinkPad Carbon, which isnt too shocking. PCMark gives us a general idea of overall performance and the results would suggest a strong showing. Real life usage matches up to that as well. While I never tried to game with it, in my everyday usage it never slowed down or struggled to keep up. IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson The Yoga puts another strong showing in our Cinebench 23 test, actually topping the list this time. Cinebench 23 is a heavily multithreaded test that runs pretty quickly, and that can sometimes give an advantage to CPUs with more cores an advantage. Were running Cinebench 24 on new laptops as well, but dont have enough results yet for good comparisons. Overall, this is a strong result and likely because Lenovo is tuning this device for its intended purpose: playing media. IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson Finally, with the Handbrake test, we start to see the limits of this Yoga and its focus on content consumption versus productivity. The Handbrake tests consists of encoding a large file over a long period of time, which taxes the system. The Yoga drops all the way to the bottom of the list in our comparison chart, and again thats no surprise. You dont buy a 2-in-1 like this hoping to create movies. You buy it to watch movies. IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson To get a good idea of graphical capabilities, we run Time Spy and here again the Yoga shines. Against the other integrated graphics laptops in this list, it shoots straight to the top. Keep in mind though that even with modern integrated graphics, you cant expect too much out of these systems. Some light Photoshop is certainly possible and maybe even basic movie editing, but trying to play a triple-A game on max settings or creating a complicated Adobe Premier project would be a lesson in frustration. Its in many ways impressive how far integrated graphics have come, but they still dont hold a candle to dedicated GPUs. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Battery life IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson IDG / Josh Hendrickson A note of transparency before we get into the full battery life results for our Yoga. The first review unit I received had serious issues in testing. We loop a locally stored copy of Tears of Steal at half brightness until the laptop dies. Well do this two to three times to doublecheck consistency and thats where the first model they sent me fell down. Id get as long as 18 hours of playback or as little as two and everything between. After a bunch of troubleshooting, Lenovo sent me a new one under the shared assumption that I had a defective unit. The review unit Im testing now doesnt exhibit any of the same issues, but I mention this because I did see one unit with odd results. The Yoga in my hands now provided reliable consistent tests. At an average of 803 minutes, the Yoga is middle of the road at best for out slate of laptops with a similar processor. That could be down to the OLED touch display, the 75 watt battery, or just inefficient cooling. Id blame the crazy speakers, but for my own sanity after so many tests, I had headphones plugged in during these loops. But set aside comparisons for a moment and its kind of a strange world we live in how where 13 hours of playback is considered middle of the road. And thats assuming you play a video non-stop for 13 hours. Youll definitely get through the average plane flight in the US and even some international trips. In every day use, I easily made it through an entire work day with plenty of juice to spare. Standby time was equally longer than Id realistically need. Could it be better? Yes, clearly. Is it bad? Not really. Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9: Conclusion Anytime you buy a laptop or any gadget really, you should start with a simple question: What do I want this for? Because not every laptop is for the same purpose. If you want to play games, you need something heavy, loud, and with the strongest GPU you can afford. If you want a productivity machine, you can probably skip the touchscreen and 2-in-1 form factor. But laptops dont have to be for gaming or work, sometimes theyre the thing we use to unwind and enjoy a good movie. Thats the Yoga 9i in a nutshell. Are you looking for something to serve as a music player, a movie watcher, and an internet browser thats more powerful than an iPad but still capable of being used like a tablet? Then youve found your laptop. For the speakers alone, I have to give this particular 2-in-1 the thumbs up for media consumption. Everyone in my home was shocked the first time we fired up music. The Yoga 9i isnt perfect by any means, especially that lack of ports and odd USB-A placement. But for its intended purpose, its a very good entry and worthy of your consideration. 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 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 STC's Chief Executive and the Deputy Chairman of the Bawumia campaign team is astounded by the inclusion of 'Nightclub' in Mahama's 24-hour economy plan. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer recently launched his manifesto at the University of Education, Winneba, outlining the policies he aims to implement to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians if elected as President. One of his key policies is the "24-hour economy" program, which involves a 3-shift system of 8 hours each. While addressing members of the party, Mahama mentioned: Hospitality industry; our restaurants, our discotheques, our night clubs, our hotels, 24/7, 24 hours a day Nana Akomea speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' found it intriguing that Mahama included nightclubs while explaining his 24-hour economy. "So will there be day clubs too because night clubs operate at night? 24-hour night clubs; so what time will we go to work? he questioned. Listen to him in the video below 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 Lawyer Clement Opoku Gyamfi, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District, has lampooned Ex-President and NDC flagbearer, John Mahama's appeal to reset the nation. John Mahama, delivering a speech during his partys 2024 Manifesto Launch on Saturday, August 24, said; Tomorrow, we take the first step towards resetting our dear nation Ghana. We face challenges that have held us back for too long but now its time to build the Ghana we all want togetherTomorrow, we begin the journey together. Tackling this statement, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia replied; What this country needs is an upgrade, not reset. And if given the mandate, I will roll out the measures outlined in our recently launched manifesto to revamp the economy. I represent the future, and Ghana needs an upgrade, not a reset, Dr. Bawumia added during his media engagement at Kempinski Hotel on Sunday, August 25. Reacting to Mr. Mahama's comment, Lawyer Opoku Gyamfi, affectionately called CID, questioned the meaning and significance of resetting Ghana. Likening it to a phone's factory reset which erases virtually every important item including apps, the DCE asked; Does John Mahama want to steal Ghana? To him, Mahama's proposal is confusing, stressing he together with members of his party, the National Democratic Congress, even find it difficult explaining this concept. Are we resetting to the colonial days because those were the days Ghana was being formed or to the era of the Aborigines Rights Protection or to the era of the 1968 riot? How are you really going to do that?, he further questioned during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo". 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 The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a swipe at Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South, Hon Samuel Atta Akyea for allegedly suggesting that their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, is a drunkard. According to the NDC, during a mini-rally on August 27, 2024, Atta Akyea made comments that sought to paint Mr. Mahama as a drunkard and an alcoholic. In a statement dated Thursday, August 29, the NDCs General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, criticised Atta Akyea for descending into the gutter, and described his comments as reckless and unfounded. While praising the exceptional qualities of Mahama as a distinguished statesman with a sterling track record, the NDC stated that such comments not only undermine the decency of political discourse, but exposes the desperation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the face of an imminent electoral defeat. It is deeply regrettable that instead of focusing on issues that matter to the Ghanaian people, the NPP has resorted to personal attacks and character assassination. For the record, H.E. John Dramani Mahama is not a drunkard. He is a distinguished statesman whose commitment to the well-being and progress of Ghana is unquestionable. His track record in public service and his enduring leadership qualities speak for themselves." The party is therefore demanding an immediate retraction and apology from the Abuakwa South MP. The NDC warned that it will explore all available avenues to defend the integrity and reputation of its flagbearer. We demand an immediate retraction and apology from Hon Atta Akyea for his unprovoked attack on the person of H.E. John Dramani Mahama. Failure to do so will leave the NDC with no choice but to explore all available avenues to defend the integrity and reputation of our Flagbearer. The NDC wishes to assure the good people of Ghana that we remain committed to a campaign of ideas and solutions. We call on the leadership of the NPP to rein in their members and focus on a clean and respectful campaign that addresses the concerns of the Ghanaian electorate, the statement added. Your browser does not support iframes. 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 General Overseer of the Alabaster Ministry International, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has condemned the recent Ridge Condos All-Black Party, criticising the event and its activities. The party, which gained attention on social media for its display of racy outfits and the presence of notable businessmen, drew significant backlash. Female attendees wore revealing outfits in a bid to attract attention, which fuelled massive controversy online. Prophet Oduro, who seems to have been monitoring the entire development, has expressed utmost disdain and described the event as "straight from the pit of hell." He likened Ghana to Sodom and Gomorrah and warned that judgment would befall those involved and the country as a whole. "Recently in Kumasi, there was an All-Black nightclub party. Women were virtually naked! Ghana, you're Sodom and Gomorrah, until you repent, judgment is on your head. From the top to the down," he fumed while delivering a sermon. He also questioned the Ghana Police Service about their awareness of the event, noting that this was the second occurrence of such a party. "I want to ask the Ghana police service whether they saw the All-Black party because this is the second time," he asked. Prophet Oduro further criticised the influx of strip clubs in Accra, highlighting how promiscuity has engulfed both the young and old. "Now we have nightclubs that host naked people. There are full-striper nightclubs in the city. The police can't go there. They strip a woman naked on a stripper table. Babylon! "If this nation is not Babylonia, you will not have prominent people like MPs, chiefs, and so on, chasing small girls. A girl that is fit to be a grandchild, and this girl is calling a grey-headed man baby. Babylon!," he stated. Source: graphiconline.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 By Sally Krutzig and Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman (TNS) MOSCOW, Idaho The judge overseeing the capital murder trial of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, held back from making a decision on where the trial should be held after a full day of testimony and arguments. 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 in June 2025. Judge heard arguments Thursday from both sides as to whether the trial should remain in Latah County, where the crime occurred. The 29-year-old faces four first-degree murder charges in the November 2022 stabbing deaths of the University of Idaho students at an off-campus home in Moscow. The victims were Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. In the hearings final minutes, Judge said he was not going to give 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 there was 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, Taylor has argued. Kohbergers defense team argued in court filings that its client cannot receive his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair and impartial jury if his murder trial is held in the city where the crime occurred. In defense attorneys justifications ahead of Thursdays hearing, they have called Latah County utterly corrupted by the level of news exposure about the case, which has generated a mob mentality within the community. In her closing arguments Thursday, Taylor hammered this point, pointing out that the case has received intense media coverage that is especially inescapable in Latah County. 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. 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. Meanwhile, prosecutors oppose moving Kohbergers trial out of Moscow. They argued in a court filing that pretrial publicity is common in high-profile cases and is not itself enough to justify a venue change under Idaho law. By Zeke Miller and Colleen Long, The Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her values have not changed even as she is seeking consensus. Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there should be consequence for people who cross the border without permission. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris said. She went on to say: I believe it is important to build consensus. It is important to find a common place of understanding where we can actually solve the problem. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks with the daughter of a supporter on the phone as she makes a stop at a volunteer appreciation event at The Gray in downtown Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP The interview with CNNs Dana Bash came as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket in an unusually compressed time frame. President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid just five weeks ago. The interview focused largely on policy, as Harris sought to show that she had adopted more moderate positions on issues that Republicans argue are extreme, while Walz defended past misstatements about his biography. Harris hadnt 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 Bidens running mate. She said serving with Biden was one of the greatest honors of my career, and she recounted the moment he called to tell her he was stepping down and would support her. He told me what he had decided to do and ... I asked him, Are you sure? and he said, Yes, and thats how I learned about it. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks during a stop at Dottie's Market in Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP She said she didnt ask Biden to endorse her because he was very clear that he was going to endorse me. Harris defended the administrations record on the southern border and immigration, noting that she was tasked with trying to address the root causes in other countries that were driving the border crossings. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences, Harris said. Asked about Israels war in Gaza after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, Harris said, I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself. But the vice president also reiterated what shes said for months, that civilian deaths are too high amid the Israeli offensive. She also brushed off Republican Donald Trumps questioning of her racial identity after he suggested falsely that she changed how she presents herself for political reasons and happened to turn Black. Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage, said Trumps suggestion was the same old, tired playbook. Next question, please, she said. Trump and Harris are set to debate on Sept. 10. In a post Thursday evening, it appeared Trump was paying close attention to the interview. After the debate was mentioned, he posted, I look so forward to Debating Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at an employees shoes during a stop at Dottie's Market in Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP Trump went on to say that his Democratic opponent has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. The debate will be the first-ever meeting for Harris and Trump. The opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trumps joint addresses to Congress. During the early parts of the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was later asked about misstatements, starting with how he has described his 24 years of service in the National Guard. In a 2018 video clip that the Harris-Walz campaign once circulated, Walz spoke out against gun violence and said, We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at. Critics said the comment that I carried in war suggested that Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone. He said Thursday night that he misspoke after a school shooting, adding, My grammars not always correct. Asked about statements that appeared to indicate that he and his wife conceived their children with in-vitro fertilization, when they in fact used a different fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans understood what he meant and pivoted to Republican opposition to abortion rights. Democrats enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to polling from Gallup. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March. This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks as she makes a stop at a volunteer appreciation event at The Gray in downtown Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP At a packed arena for a rally Thursday in Savannah, Harris cast her nascent campaign as the underdog and encouraged the crowd to work hard to elect her in November. Were here to speak truth and one of the things that we know is that this is going to be a tight race to the end, she said. Harris went through a list of Democratic concerns: that Trump will further restrict womens rights after he appointed three judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped overturn Roe, that hed repeal the Affordable Care Act, and that given new immunity powers granted presidents by the U.S. Supreme Court, imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails. The rally was the end of a two-day bus tour in southeastern Georgia. Harris has another campaign blitz on Labor Day with Biden in Detroit and Pittsburgh with the election rapidly approaching. The first mail ballots get sent to voters in just two weeks. Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Sagar Meghani and Amelia Thomson DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report. A popular rock band from Pennsylvania is taking a break from hitting the stage, at least for now. Ween formed by Aaron Freeman (aka Gene Ween) and Mickey Melchiondo (aka Dean Ween) in New Hope, Bucks County, in 1984 announced the band is going to step away from the stage for the foreseeable future, according to a Thursday X post. It is with sincere regret and heavy hearts that Ween must make the decision to step away from the stage for the foreseeable future. pic.twitter.com/CsbLKz6OSk Ween (@weeninfo) August 29, 2024 The bands social media post cited mental health reasons before thanking fans for their dedication and support. Despite three great shows this summer, its become clear that touring and performing is too taxing on Deaners mental health, the post said. As always, we thank you for the love, dedication and ongoing support. The bands hiatus means they will no longer be playing the sold-out Chocolate and Cheese anniversary show at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 27. The band recently released a deluxe edition of Chocolate and Cheese, which originally came out in 1994. The son of a famous Spanish actor was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the gruesome murder of a Colombian plastic surgeon on a tropical holiday island. Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, a 30-year-old chef with a YouTube channel, was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, 44, on the tourist island of Koh Phangan last August. Since Sancho Bronchalo is the son of television star Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre, 49. Its a massive case in Spain, with many journalists traveling to Thailand to cover the trial. His mother, Silvia Bronchalo, also 49, has also been in acting, and both parents were present at the sentencing, The Associated Press reported. Sancho Bronchalo claimed he acted in self-defense when he killed Arteaga and pleaded guilty to the murder in August 2023, BBC reported. At the time, Sancho Bronchalo told the Spanish news agency EFE that he had been a hostage to Arteaga, whom he described as obsessed with him. He was found guilty of premeditated murder, concealing a corpse, and destroying property, admitting to hiding the body but denied destroying Arteagas passport. The trial included testimony that Sancho Bronchalo chopped up the victims body and placed the parts in plastic bags before distributing them around Koh Phangan, BBC News reported. Police then found the victims body parts at a landfill in Koh Phangan in early August last year. A court on the nearby island of Koh Samui, where the trial took place, had initially sentenced him to death for murder. But it was reduced to life imprisonment due to his cooperation during the trial, the Associated Press reported, citing Police Col. Paisan Sangthep, deputy commander of the SuratThani Provincial Police, who attended the hearing. According to Bussakorn Kaewleeled, a lawyer for the victims family, 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 Bronchalos reaction, she replied: He is sad, but we cant forget the loss of the dead one. Before the verdict was given, the family said 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 victims sister, said in an HBO documentary about the case. He not only dismembered my brother, he dismembered a family, they added. While Thailand still has the death penalty for some crimes, including premeditated murder, executions are rarely carried out. The last execution was in 2018. Before, investigations had shown that Sancho Bronchalo had purchased a knife, rubber gloves, and a bottle of cleaning agent, which led authorities to conclude the murder was premeditated. Reports stated that Sancho Bronchalo and Arteaga had agreed to meet in person after becoming acquainted online. The defense argued that Sancho Bronchalo acted in self-defense when Arteaga 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. He testified that Arteaga fell while fighting and hit his head on a bathtub, lost consciousness and died, the Associated Press reported. In a recent interview with El Mundo, another lawyer for the victims family, Juan Gonzalo Ospina, said that Sancho Bronchalo was living a false reality. Sancho Bronchalo comes from a long line of actors, as his grandfather was the late actor Felix Angel Sancho Garcia. Dancing with the Stars dancer Artem Chigvintsev, who performed with celebrity guests on the show, was arrested for felony domestic violence in Northern California on Thursday, according to a Napa County sheriffs spokesperson. Napa County sheriffs deputies arrested the 42-year-old professional dancer just before 10 a.m. in Yountville after a 911 call reporting domestic violence, Officer Henry Wonford told NBC News. He 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. Bail has been set at $25,000, according to Good Morning America. After posting bail, Chigvintsev was released around 2:15 p.m. PT Thursday afternoon. Being booked doesnt mean Chigvintsev was formally charged. Wonford told NBC News that The Napa County District Attorneys Office would file any charges in the case. A spokesman for the district attorneys office said Thursday the office doesnt have the case yet and will review it once its received. Details have not yet been shared on who the victim is, as the Sheriffs department 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 also added that the victim has been forthcoming with initial information to deputies. The Russian-born dancer, who has completed 12 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, is married to former WWE wrestler Nikki Garcia and shares a 4-year-old son named Mateo. Garcia has not been named as the victim. The couple competed together on season 25 of the show and married in August 2022. By Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press Cybersecurity specialist CrowdStrike Holdings on Wednesday estimated it absorbed a roughly $60 million blow to its sales pipeline last month after its botched handling of a software update triggered a technology meltdown that stranded thousands of people in airports in addition to other exasperating disruptions. Although the massive outage spooked customers that had been expected to close deals totaling $60 million during the final few weeks of CrowdStrikes fiscal second quarter, executives running the Austin, Texas, company predicted it will still be able to cinch those contracts before its fiscal year ends in January 2025 because customers still have faith in its cybersecurity products despite the July 19 gaffe that froze up machines running on Windows software. Our mission is alive and well, and I know that CrowdStrikes very best days are ahead of us, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz told analysts during a conference call covering the companys April-July period. He also apologized for the companys role in an outage that he said will never be lost on me, and my commitment is to make sure this never happens again. The days following the incident were among the most challenging in my career because I deeply felt what our customers experienced. Kurtzs reassuring comments, coupled with quarterly earnings that exceeded analysts projections, seemed to reassure investors who have been buying up CrowdStrikes stock in recent weeks after initially dumping the shares in the wake of the havoc that the company blamed on a computer bug. The shares rose slightly in Wednesdays extended trading, leaving the stock price 13% below its level before the tech outage a loss of about $10 billion in market value. Earlier this month, CrowdStrikes shares plunged nearly 25%, knocking off more than $20 billion in market value. Even if the $60 million in deals that CrowdStrike expected to close before the tech meltdown never happen, that will be a minor price to pay compared to the massive bills those affected by the outage are facing. Delta Air Lines, for instance, has estimated that it may owe its customers $380 million after the CrowdStrike-induced outage fouled up its computer systems so horribly that it had to cancel about 7,000 flights. Delta has threatened to sue CrowdStrike, which has insisted that the airline is using the tech outage as an excuse for its own bungling. CrowdStrike didnt provide an estimate of legal expenses it may face from the outage, but indicated the bills probably wont be too burdensome. Our customer agreements contain provisions limiting our liability, and we maintain insurance policies intended to mitigate the potential impact of certain claims, Burt Podbere, CrowdStrikes chief financial officer, said during Wednesdays conference call. By Helena Wegner, Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) (TNS) A 60-year-old Wells Fargo worker died at a corporate office in Arizona and wasnt found for four days, police said. A security worker discovered Denise Prudhommes body at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Tempe Police Department said in a news release. Prudhomme had scanned into the building at 1150 West Washington Street at 7 a.m. Aug. 16, police said. It was a Friday. But she never scanned out and was found dead days later, police said. An employee who spoke with KPNX said Prudhommes cubicle was on the third floor and away from the main aisle. The employee, who did not want to be named, said several people had smelled a foul odor but passed it off as faulty plumbing. KPNX obtained a statement from the banking company. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office, the statement says. 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. Her death is being investigated by police and the medical examiner. Police said there are not any obvious signs of foul play. No missing persons report was filed. Police didnt release any other details and said the investigation is ongoing. McClatchy News reached out to Wells Fargo on Aug. 29 and was waiting for a response. Tickets are now available for former President Donald Trumps town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity in Harrisburg on Wednesday. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for the 5:30 p.m. town hall in the New Holland Arena at the Farm Show Complex. Ticket requests can be made here. By Hallie Lauer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) Members of Mayor Ed Gaineys administration assured city residents Thursday morning that the citys financial health is in good shape but revenue projections for the next five years closely align with worst case scenario projections done by the City Controller this spring. Wednesday evening, the mayors office released revenue projections for 2025-2029 that show a more than $38.4 million dip in revenues for 2025, followed by a slight rebound in the years to follow. The newest projections for 2024 show a decrease in nearly $15 million from what the city had projected at the beginning of the year, mostly due to an almost $12 million decrease in deed tax revenue. In a new fireside chat format press conference, Mr. Gainey and Jake Pawlak, director of the Office of Management and Budget, lounged in armchairs in front of a bookcase and offered assurances to residents. Mayor Ed Gainey speaks during his inaugural ceremony as the 61st mayor of the city of Pittsburgh and the citys first Black mayor, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2020, at the City-County Building. (Andrew Rush/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)TNS This forecast gives me a great deal of confidence that the city is in great financial shape and there is no cause for alarm, Mr. Pawlak said. Our fiscal management is strong and solid, Mr. Gainey said, emphasizing that the mayors office wanted to be transparent about the budgetary process. Internal documents from City Controller Rachael Heislers office obtained by the Post-Gazette in the spring showed two variations of revenue projections for the next five years: one labeled the likely scenario, the other labeled the worst case scenario. In the worst case scenario version for 2025-2027, the mayors current projections differ from the controllers by between $2.7 million and $4.2 million. For 2028, the controller anticipated receiving about $85,000 more than the citys current totals. While we are still analyzing the initial figures, we are grateful that the Gainey administration heeded our concerns, Ms. Heisler said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. The administrations figures appear to be responsive to the revenue projections my office made earlier this year and shared with the task force. In fact, their numbers are more conservative than the likely scenario we shared at the first Task Force meeting. During the fireside chat, Mr. Pawlak explained that when the city is determining future revenue projections, the goal is to do so conservatively. Its a very conservative calculation, we try and err on the side of calculating less revenue, he said. He said that officials would rather work on the assumption that less money is coming in than think the city has more to spend than it actually does. We do have some difficult days ahead, said Mr. Gainey. The projections dont include the citys expenditures, which wont be detailed until the end of September when the first draft of the 2025 budget is due. Ms. Heisleris required to certify the revenue projections in the next 30 days. The mayors office is also projecting that the city will come in $25 million under budget in terms of spending this year thanks to ... achieving our objectives less expensively than we had originally thought, he said. Neither Mr. Gainey nor Mr. Pawlak seemed particularly concerned in the dip in revenues for 2025 or the fact that some revenues for this year are coming in lower than originally expected. Thats not a surprise, Mr. Pawlak said Thursday. Officials have been predicting the 2025 decrease for a number of years, with the expiration of COVID-19 relief funding and the increase to scheduled debt service payments. Earlier this year, as more property assessment appeals for large Downtown buildings were filed, many city officials started predicting that property taxes would be lower this year. Weve known this for several years, but as weve gotten closer and closer to January 2025, we have more and more data to tell us exactly what the impacts would be. As a number of major buildings have won appeals of their assessments, the city has been able to cover the cost of the refunds by moving tax payments in-house rather than using a third-party system, Mr. Pawlak said. The finance department has been better able to collect [back] taxes, he said. Previously, any late fees were paid to the third-party system, and the city only received the money it was owed for the taxes themselves. Now the city can collect the taxes and the late interest payments. Last week, the mayors administration released the financial report for the second quarter of 2024 which showed the city will end the year with about a $4 million surplus. In 2023, the city ended the year with a $31.9 million surplus, Mr. Pawlak said in response to the 2023 finance report which was released in May. Following the second quarter financial report, City Controller Rachael Heisler noted that her concerns raised earlier this year were not necessarily with 2024, but with the following years when the city will have to grapple with the loss of federal relief funding and increased debt service payments along with a stagnant housing market and decreased property values Downtown. Mr. Pawlak also said hes optimistic about the future of the citys finances. Some of the citys major debts that were taken on years ago are scheduled to be paid in full in 2026, which means there will be less due in interest payments for 2027. After that, were in great shape, he said. Ms. Heisler has been vocal about her concerns for the citys financial health. In March, she urged City Council and the mayors office to reopen the budget to adjust revenue expectations for the year as the property assessments dipped and the city at the time was unable to collect the so-called jock tax. Now that the lawsuit surrounding the fee collected from out-of-town athletes is being heard by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the city has resumed collecting it until a ruling is made, Mr. Pawlak said Thursday. She also warned that the decrease in property taxes could mean the city would make about $5.32 million less in property taxes. The newest projections from the city estimate Pittsburgh will likely see $7 million less in real estate taxes than initially expected. Mr. Pawlak said during the fireside chat that some of the concerns that we heard earlier are uninformed and based off where people assume the city is because of the past financial challenges. But those days are behind us, he said. Mr. Gainey repeatedly stated that his goal was to be transparent with city residents about the budget and the citys financial health. Weve never tried to come out and say things that was not true about the budget. I believe that when people start trying to make different conversations and have people living in fear because of the way they see the budget, I dont think thats quality management, he said. Thats a sentiment Ms. Heisler agreed with. Were going to face real challenges in the coming years, but as long as were providing residents with an honest outlook, the City of Pittsburgh will be able to respond with appropriate fiscal discipline, she said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. I look forward to continuing the dialogue about revenue projections and the Citys fiscal health with Mayor Gainey and City Council. (c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Jewish family had the free-speech right to blanket their yard with signs decrying hate and racism after their next-door neighbor hurled an antisemitic slur at them during a property dispute 10 years ago, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled. The court decided Simon and Toby Galapo were exercising their rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution when they erected protest signs on their property and pointed them squarely at the neighbors house in the Philadelphia suburbs a total of 23 signs over a span of years with messages such as Hitler Eichmann Racists, No Place 4 Racism and Woe to the Racists. Woe to the Neighbors. All homeowners at one point or another are forced to gaze upon signs they may not like on their neighbors property be it ones that champion a political candidate, advocate for a cause, or simply express support or disagreement with some issue, Justice Kevin Dougherty wrote for the courts 4-2 majority. He said suppressing such speech would mark the end to residential expression. Vice President Kamala Harris, left, is welcomed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to peace talks on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in June 2024. A new survey found that Pa. residents overwhelmingly support continued U.S. humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. (Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP)AP By ALI SWENSON and WILL WEISSERT, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. In a fireside chat conversation in the nations capital, the former president will seek to shore up support and enthusiasm among a major part of his base. The bulk of the groups 130,000-plus members are conservatives who agree with him that parents should have more say in public education and that racial equity programs and transgender accommodations dont belong in schools. Yet Trump also will run the risk of alienating more moderate voters, many of whom see Moms for Libertys activism as too extreme to be legitimized by a presidential nominee. Before he heads to Washington on Friday, the Republican nominee will hold a rally in Johnstown, a western Pennsylvania town once dominated by riverfront steel mills. Its economy has suffered in the decades since they were shuttered. Trump held a rally near the Johnstown airport weeks before the 2020 election, boasting, We brought back steel and we put tariffs on steel. His campaign says Trump will use the Pennsylvania rally to promise lower energy costs and criticize Kamala Harris, noting that, as a Democratic presidential primary candidate in 2019, she supported a ban on hydraulic fracturing. Harris campaign now says she doesnt support a fracking ban. Moms for Liberty A year ago, Moms for Liberty was viewed by many as a rising power player in conservative politics that could be pivotal in supporting the Republican ticket. The groups membership had skyrocketed after its launch in 2021, fueled by parents protesting mandatory masking for students and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the last several months, a series of embarrassing scandals and underwhelming performances during local elections have called Moms for Libertys influence into question. The group also has voiced support for Project 2025, a detailed and controversial playbook for the next conservative presidency from which Trump has repeatedly distanced himself. Moms for Liberty serves on the advisory board for Project 2025, and the author of the documents education chapter is teaching a strategy session at the groups gathering Friday. The negative perceptions about Moms for Liberty around the country could increase the potential liability for Trump as he sits down with co-founder Tiffany Justice on Friday evening, said University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett. It certainly helps him rally his base, Jewett said. But will that be enough to outdo the backlash? Trump hasnt shared details of what hell discuss at the gathering, but his campaign pointed to his education proposals, which include promoting school choice, giving parents more say in education and awarding funding preference to states and school districts that abolish teacher tenure, financially reward good teachers and allow parents to directly elect school principals. He also has called for terminating the Department of Education, barring transgender athletes from playing in girls sports, and cutting funding from any schools pushing inappropriate racial, sexual or political content. President Trump believes students should be taught reading, writing and math in the classroom not gender, sex and race like the Biden Administration is pushing on our public school system, said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary. Harris, has criticized Trump for his threats to dismantle the Department of Education. She also has spoken out against efforts to restrict classroom content related to race. Ukrainians displaced by the war and their supporters gathered Saturday to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Ukraines independence from the Soviet Union. The Ukrainians expressed their gratitude to Canada, Penticton, and the Ukraine Nightingale Project. Texas Card House Dallas Wins Crucial Legal Battle Against Anti-Poker City Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Texas Card House had quite a day on Wednesday, seeing as the Lone Star State poker brand won a legal battle against the city of Dallas and had a stellar opening night at its new Austin location. PokerNews reached out to the card room's CEO, Ryan Crow, who was ecstatic on multiple fronts. The poker club hosted its grand opening at a new location in Austin on Aug. 28, and the large poker club was packed. More than 50 games were running during the evening, and over 150 players were waiting to play. Texas Card House Social (Austin) is set up for 48 tables, but has the space to squeeze in 65-70, according to Crow. The club's biggest competitor locally The Lodge Card Club is equipped to spread over 70 games at a time and is currently the largest poker room in Texas. But Doug Polk and his team of co-owners recently opened a second location in San Antonio, which will eventually be even bigger. Texas Card House Social during opening night. Good for the Poker Industry Texas Card House Dallas, the company's most profitable room, has been fighting a two-year legal battle with the city over its Certificate of Occupancy (COO). Members of the city council initially approved Crow's business model at a hearing in 2020. But in January 2022, the COO was revoked by the city. A successful appeal would follow, and then interim city building inspector David Session vowed to sue the Dallas Board of Adjustment for reversing the COO decision. Three days after an ensuing mini trial, District Court judge Eric V. Moye agreed, and the COO was again revoked. "The Court finds that the Board of Adjustment abused its discretion and made an illegal decision when it reversed the Building Official's revocation of Certificate of Occupancy number 2003031040, which was issued in violation of state law to 'Ryan Crow' DBA 'Texas Card House,' the judge wrote in court documents obtained by PokerNews. The battle with the city continued over the following two years. Crow's company again filed an appeal in December, and he received an answer on the same day he opened a new location in Austin his appeal was successful. "It's good for the industry," Crow sad of the court's ruling while acknowledging that could change.. The Certificate of Occupancy was immediately reinstated. Winning the appeal doesn't guarantee an end to this legal battle, however. Crow acknowledges that the city could one day decide to file another appeal. "I don't think they'll continue to fight it," he said. Crow and his team have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting to remain in business in Dallas. Share this article The Harris-Walz campaign is launching a bus tour and hundreds of millions of dollars in ads to make sure voters know where Trump-Vance stand on IVF and abortion, in spite of the Republicans gaslighting. Is Donald Trump lying to the public about where he stands on abortion? It sure seems like it. Trump thinks women are stupid and that we can be gaslighted. He seems to believe that he can do one thing when he talks to his extremist base and then turn around and smile at the overwhelming majority of Americans who want to see access to abortion and IVF protected and lie about it and will believe it, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said in a press call in which PoliticusUSA took part on Friday. The Republican ticket plans to make IVF illegal, those on the Harris-Walz campaign call warned, emphasizing that the threat posed by the Life of Conception Act and Trumps inclusion of the 14th Amendment in the party platform could ban abortion and endanger IVF. The point is to get protection, legal protection for IVF, thats the bill we voted on in June, and thats the bill that JD Vance voted against just shortly before Donald Trump picked him to be his running mate, Warren told reporters in the Q and A portion of the call. Donald Trump could have picked anybody to be his running mate, but he picked he picked a Republican who had just voted against legal protection for IVF. The Harris campaign is using personal stories like that of Latorya Beasley, a woman who lost access to IVF treatment because of the abortion ban made possible in Alabama due to ex-president Donald Trumps Supreme Court appointees. Theyre hoping to appeal to Republican voters who are empathetic to reproductive rights. Trumps presidency ultimately unleashed extreme abortion bans via his Supreme Court picks, which endangered IVF access nationwide via the reversal of Roe v. Wade, which led to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children. They alerted, Trump and Vances MAGA platform promises to effectively ban IVF and abortion and Trump continues to refuse to veto extreme legislation that would threaten access to IVF for families across the country. While this might seem hyperbolic, Beasleys story laid out how the IVF process got pulled out from under her mid-process due to the implementation of an extremist anti-abortion law in Alabama. The campaign warned that Alabama is not alone because of Donald Trump, laws are now in effect in states across the country that contain language that could endanger fertility treatment and even contraception. To bring it even closer to home, Reproductive Freedom for All President & CEO Mini Timmaraju pointed out that the Republican party platform maintains radical and dangerous personhood language. It suggests that fertilized eggs should have full citizenship rights under the 14th Amendment. If enacted, this policy would ban abortion and threaten access to IVF and contraception. Donald Trump knew what he was doing when he included the 14th Amendment in the party platform, Timmaraju added. Theyre winking at the anti abortion extremists, telling them Dont worry about what else I have to say to get elected. This is what Im really going to do. And you dont have to take it from us, Students for Life call the inclusion of the 14th Amendment language The most significant contribution that the Trump platform has made to their cause. SBA Pro-life America also touted the platforms mention of the 14th Amendment. Its notable, especially as Donald Trump tries to distance himself from his unpopular anti-womens healthcare platform, that Trump and his administration appointed and worked with folks who believe the IVF process is murder, and Trump hosted the Alabama Supreme Court chief justice who wrote the IVF ruling twice, including once while he was president in 2018. JD Vance had just voted against a bill to protect IVF access and already had a clear record on this when Donald Trump chose him as his running mate. In case the goal isnt clear, Vance also told CNN that Republicans need to embrace federal legislation against abortion, Republicans need to shift their approach on abortion and begin to embrace federal legislation We cant give into the idea that the federal Congress has no role in this matter, he told us. Trump himself has bragged about overturning Roe: After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the shock of everyone Without me there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, or whatever is finally agreed to. Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing. Thank you President TRUMP!!! When asked if Democrats should try again to pass another law to protect IVF mandating the government or insurance cover it, Warren made it clear that Republicans had already said no to the threshold question of whether IVF was legal, The threshold question is whether IVF is legal and Vance says, No.' After covering this topic for 13 years due to Republicans trying to ban abortion in states around the country, its fair to say when you hear the word personhood applied to fertilized eggs, it means that the women or girl carrying the eggs is no longer a full person. Personhood does this by default, as when it comes to life and freedom, those rights cant be applied to an organism hosted by a human being without taking rights away from the human being. This is another reason why abortion is considered a human right. It is the right of humans to have autonomy over their own bodies and anything inside their body. So while the media might buy Donald Trumps cynical two-faced talking points, its always best to look at what someone does rather than what they say, especially when they are a known liar. While Donald Trump might not enact a federal abortion ban, he has already signaled that he doesnt view women as full human beings deserving of human rights and has little regard for IVF access. Human rights are too important to leave up to just hoping that Donald Trump is telling the truth for once in his political career. The Harris-Walz campaign is trying to get the word out with their ad blitz and bus tour. Theres too much at stake for women to be gaslight by two men who wear their contempt for women and girls right out in the open. When a politician signals that they have no respect for half of the populations personhood, they should be believed. South Carolina has landed yet another major data center from the ranks of the nation's so-called Big Tech lineup, with the parent of Facebook delivering an $800 million deal to Aiken County. Meta Platforms announced the long-anticipated investment on Aug. 29. The company said the 715,000-square-foot development will create about 100 "operational" jobs and "will be optimized" to handle intensive "artificial intelligence workloads." The data center will be built in Sage Mill Industrial Park in Graniteville and is expected to be up and running in the spring of 2027. It will be the company's 22nd server farm in the United States and its 26th worldwide. In addition to Facebook, some of Meta's better-known technology brands include Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy for the Menlo Park, Calif.-based company, said in a written statement that the social media giant "is committed to playing a positive role here and investing in the community's long-term vitality." He added that South Carolina stood out as a top location based on several factors, including access to infrastructure and energy and its labor force. The company also said it's committed "to hiring locally and working with local partners to construct, operate, supply and maintain" the project. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below Meta sought to defuse one of the common criticisms about data centers that they require enormous amounts of power. The company said its electricity use in Graniteville will be matched with 100 percent renewable sources and that it will work to add new alternative forms of energy to the grid. The deal with Meta has been in the works for more than a year. In early 2023, Aiken elected officials disclosed they were offering property tax breaks to entice the code-named "Project Sabal" to the county. The talks included an obscure intermediary called Starskey LLC, which in turn was described as an entity representing a large company that was looking to invest at least $800 million to develop a data center. 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 SULLIVAN'S ISLAND After resigning from his post as the local police chief amid an internal investigation into complaints of sexual harassment, Chris Griffin will be patrolling the streets of another South Carolina town as early as next week. Griffin, 49, was hired at the Jamestown Police Department in early May after being paid $10,000 to retire from the upscale barrier island town in February. He is now the sole employee and therefore, chief of the department that oversees the rural town of 68 residents in northern Berkeley County. After months of training and completing certifications, he's expected to begin patrolling soon, Jamestown Mayor Roy Pipkin told The Post and Courier . The circumstances surrounding his hire are murky. Former Jamestown Police Chief April Zakis hired Griffin as a part-time officer on May 2, Pipkin said and documents from the Criminal Justice Academy confirm. Griffin makes $15 an hour and cannot exceed a yearly income of $10,000, according to the town administrator Chris Pipkin, who also is the mayor's wife. But Zakis then resigned, taking her husband and the town's only other police officer, along with her, according to the Pipkins. The Criminal Justice Academy's records have not been updated and still show that both Zakises still work at the department. Neither could be reached for comment prior to publication. It was only after Zakis' resigned that the mayor searched for Griffin's paperwork, he said. What he found included detailed allegations of Griffin making sexually charged comments, discriminating against female officers, spying on their movements and making them feel uncomfortable in a string of complaints that date back to 2019. Pipkin then said he called the Criminal Justice Academy and got confirmation that Griffin was not convicted of misconduct, which is defined by statute, and that his certifications were up to date. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 04:51:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 451 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilSeptember 30, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("ABR" or the "Company") (NYSE:ABR), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 7, 2021 and July 11, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of ABR and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-abr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court bySeptember 30, 2024 .About the LawsuitArbor Realty and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On March 14, 2023, NINGI Research reported that "ABR has been hiding a toxic real estate portfolio of mobile homes with a complex web of real and fake holdings companies for more than a decade." On this news, the price of ABR shares fell from $12.99 per share on March 13, 2023, to $12.12 per share on March 14, 2023, and then $11.53 per share on March 15, 2023. Then, on July 12, 2024, Bloomberg reported that the Company was the subject of a probe by federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York that were "inquiring about lending practices and the company's claims about the performance of their loan book." On this news, the price of ABR shares fell from $15.53 per share on July 11, 2024, to $12.89 per share on July 12, 2024.The case is Martin v. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., No. 24-cv-05347.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 22:01:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 830 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Up to 1.8 Million Common Shares to be Issued at a Price of C$1.50 per ShareVANCOUVER, BC and KIBBUTZ YIFAT, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Beyond Oil Ltd. (CSE:BOIL)(OTCQB:BEOLF) ("Beyond Oil" or the "Company"), a food-tech innovation company reducing health risks, extending the life of frying oil, reducing costs and waste, is pleased to announce that it intends to undertake a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 1,800,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at a purchase price of C$1.50 per Common Share, for total gross proceeds of up to C$2.7 million.The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes.In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay certain eligible persons a 6% cash commission. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the acceptance of the CSE.The securities to be issued under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act.About Beyond Oil Ltd.Beyond Oil is a health food-tech company specializing in the health sector. Over the course of 15 years, it has developed a formula comprised of food additives that create an innovative filter powder, protected by a patent. This formula effectively absorbs degradation components from fried oil, slows down the rate of deterioration reactions, and, through a straightforward filtration process, enables the oil to be reused while preserving its quality. Beyond Oil's solution represents a significant global advancement in safeguarding the health of diners and kitchen workers in factories or restaurants that reuse the same oil over an extended period. The integration of Beyond Oil technology in restaurants, hotels, caterers, and factory operations not only enhances public health, social responsibility, efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the food industry. By mitigating pollution, conserving resources, and promoting responsible practices, Beyond Oil strives for environmental stewardship within the culinary landscape. For more information, visit our website at: www.beyondoil.co Contacts Jonathan OrCEO and Co-founder info@ beyondoil.co Caroline SawamotoInvestor Relations1-647-691-9801 ir@ beyondoil.co Forward-Looking Statement and InformationThe Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will be issued as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will be issued in a form that will be advantageous to us. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time at sedarplus.ca . Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.SOURCE: Beyond Oil Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 23:25:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 365 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Accessible, Awe-Inspiring, and Ready for AdventureCHIHUAHUA, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Located in northern Mexico, the state of Chihuahua is a paradise for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. From vast deserts to towering mountains, Chihuahua offers diverse outdoor experiences that attract explorers from around the globe. Whether you crave the excitement of a challenging hike, the peace of untouched wilderness, or a glimpse into the rich traditions of indigenous communities, Chihuahua is the ultimate adventure destination.The state's varied landscapes offer a unique range of experiences, from high peaks and deep canyons to expansive deserts and lush forests. Every journey in Chihuahua is an opportunity to discover hidden waterfalls, remote villages, or breathtaking vistas.Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre): More extensive and deeper than the Grand Canyon, this network of six interconnected canyons offers activities like hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. For a more leisurely experience, the El Chepe train ride provides scenic views through the canyons and remote Raramuri villages.Basaseachic Falls National Park: Home to Mexico's second-highest waterfall, plunging 246 meters into a lush canyon, this park features trails with multiple viewpoints. It's ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, and anyone seeking to connect with nature's beauty.Cumbres de Majalca National Park: Known for its wind and water-sculpted rock formations, this lesser-known park offers surreal landscapes perfect for hiking and camping. The park's diverse ecosystem also attracts eco-tourists interested in wildlife."Chihuahua is a land of adventure, where every corner reveals a new facet of nature's magnificence," said Julio Chavez Ventura, Director of Promotion for ah Chihuahua! "Our national parks are the soul of our state's natural heritage, and we invite travelers worldwide to explore and discover the unique landscapes that make Chihuahua exceptional." Chihuahua's national parks are not only stunning but also easily accessible from major highways and key cities. Whether starting from the vibrant capital city of Chihuahua or the historic city of Parral, the state's road networks make it easy for visitors to reach these natural wonders and seamlessly include them in their travel plans.For more information on planning your adventure, visit www.visitachihuahua.mx/en CONTACT: Jacobo Waincier+1 786 961-0269 jacobo.waincier@newlink-group.com SOURCE: ah Chihuahua! PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 01:00:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 546 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 collectionThe 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 InformationYangsin Lau VazquezSenior Marketing Managerpress@ cloud9.gg Scott Barrettoscottbarretto@ publicity-partners.com SOURCE: Cloud9View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 19:08:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1058 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Drone Delivery Canada Corp. ("Drone Delivery Canada" or the "Company") (TSXV:FLT)(OTCQX:TAKOF)(Frankfurt:A3DP5Y)(Frankfurt: ABBA.F) and Volatus Aerospace Corp. ("Volatus") (TSXV:VOL)(OTCQB:VLTTF) are pleased to announce the successful completion of their merger of equals (the "Merger") announced on May 21, 2024, pursuant to which Drone Delivery Canada acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Volatus (the "Volatus Shares") by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "Arrangement"). The Arrangement results in Volatus becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The completion of the Merger marks a new era for the companies, combining the power of Volatus' commercialization expertise with Drone Delivery Canada's proven remote operations and logistics technology. The Merger obtained requisite approval by the shareholders of both companies, with Drone Delivery Canada holding its meeting on August 26th and Volatus on August 23rd. The Arrangement was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on August 27th.In connection with the Merger, the Company will change its name to "Volatus Aerospace Inc." , leveraging the strength of the Volatus brand while maintaining Drone Delivery Canada's brand for cargo operations. The shares of the Company will continue to trade under the stock ticker symbols TSXV:FLT, OTCQX:TAKOF, Frankfurt:A3DP5Y, and Frankfurt:ABBA.F. The shares of the Company are expected to start trading on TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the new name "Volatus Aerospace Inc." on or about September 5, 2024.Under the terms of the Arrangement, each former Volatus shareholder is now entitled to receive 1.785 (the "Exchange Ratio") common voting shares of the Company for each Volatus Share held immediately prior to the effective time of the Arrangement (the "Consideration"). The Merger was structured as a 50/50 merger of equals with shareholders of both companies owning approximately 50% of the Company upon completion of the Arrangement.In order to receive the Consideration, registered shareholders of Volatus Shares will be required to deposit their share certificate(s) representing Volatus Shares, together with the duly completed letter of transmittal, with Computershare Investor Services Inc., the depositary under the Arrangement. Shareholders whose Volatus Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee should contact their nominee regarding the receipt of the Consideration.Volatus Options, Warrants and Convertible DebenturesHolders of Volatus options ("Volatus Options") have received replacement options under the Arrangement, exercisable for common voting shares in the capital of the Company at the same Exchange Ratio applicable to the Volatus Shares. All other terms and conditions of the replacement options, including the term of expiry, vesting, conditions to and manner of exercising, are the same as the Volatus Options for which they were exchanged.Warrants to purchase Volatus Shares ("Volatus Warrants"), other than those that have been exercised prior to the effective time of the Arrangement, will continue to remain outstanding as warrants of Volatus which, upon exercise, will entitle the holder thereof to receive, the Consideration in lieu of a Volatus Share for each Volatus Warrant so exercised.Convertible debentures of Volatus (the "Volatus Debentures") will be assumed by Drone Delivery Canada and the Volatus Debentures shall be amended so as to substitute for the Volatus Shares subject to such Volatus Debentures such number of common voting shares of the Company equal to (A) the number of Volatus Shares into which such Volatus Debentures may be convertible immediately prior to the effective time of the Arrangement, multiplied by (B) 1.785, rounded down to two decimal places.As required by the warrant indentures in respect of certain Volatus Warrants and the debenture indenture in respect of the Volatus Debentures, Drone Delivery Canada has entered into supplemental warrant indentures and a supplemental debenture indenture. Copies of each of the supplemental warrant indentures and supplemental debenture indenture will be available on Volatus' and Drone Delivery Canada's respective SEDAR+ profiles at www.sedarplus.ca Management and Board CompositionThe management team of the Company is led by Glen Lynch as CEO and Steve Magirias as COO. Ian McDougall, the current chairman of Volatus, has assumed the role of chairman of the Company's board. The other directors of the Company are Kevin Sherkin, Larry Taylor, Glen Lynch and Andrew Leslie."Our transformative merger of Drone Delivery Canada and Volatus marks the next major milestone for the Company," said Glen Lynch, CEO of the Company. "Back when Volatus transitioned from a private company to a public company in 2021, we reimagined our mission to be an integrator and consolidator of a fragmented industry-to build a streamlined and agile ecosystem for our customers. Volatus is taking the next evolutionary step with Drone Delivery Canada, combining its significant technological expertise together with our commercial experience to provide tested and proven remote operational capabilities and logistics technology to our customers." Delisting of Volatus SharesVolatus Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSXV as of the closing of the market on September 4, 2024.Listed Volatus WarrantsPrior to the completion of the Arrangement, Volatus had outstanding a class of Volatus Warrants listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol " VOL.WT.A" (the "Listed Volatus Warrants"). The Listed Volatus Warrants will continue trading on the TSXV as Volatus Warrants, under their existing trading symbol, and will remain listed on the TSXV until the earliest to occur of their exercise, expiry or delisting.Other MattersAn application has been filed with the applicable securities regulators of Volatus for exemptive relief from certain continuous disclosure and insider reporting requirements. In the event Volatus is granted such relief, holders of Listed Volatus Warrants will be directed to reference, and rely on, the public disclosure filings of Drone Delivery Canada.In connection with the Merger and following approval by shareholders of Drone Delivery Canada, the Company has adopted a new equity incentive plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan") governing the terms and issuance of restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units of the Company.Full details of the Merger, the Arrangement, the Equity Incentive Plan and certain other matters are set out in the joint mana PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 09:30:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 941 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 /Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (AIM:ECO)(TSXV:EOG), the oil and gas exploration company focused on the offshore Atlantic Margins, is pleased to announce its unaudited results for the three-month period ended 30 June 2024.Highlights:FinancialsThe Company had cash and cash equivalents of US$1.185 million and no debt as at 30 June 2024.The Company had total assets of US$29.65 million, total liabilities of US$0.791 million and total equity of US$28.859 million as at 30 June 2024.Post-period endFollowing the completion of a farm down of a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4Boffshore the Republic of South Africa, as announced on 28 August 2024, Eco is due to receive now US$8.3million from the JV partners as part of the milestone payments agreed in the 3B/4B Transaction. This is expected to give Eco a cash and cash equivalents position of over US$9 million on receipt, expected in early September 2024.Operations:South AfricaBlock 1 (post-period end)On June 5, 2024, Eco announced the Farm-In into Block 1 Offshore South Africa Orange Basin. Through Azinam South Africa, the Company will farm-in and acquire a 75% working interest ("WI") from Tosaco Energy (Proprietary) Limited ("Tosaco") and will become operator of a new exploration right.Block 3B/4BIn July 2024, Eco signed an agreement to sell a 1% interest in Block 3B/4B in exchange for cancellation of all of Africa Oil's ("AOI") shares and warrants in Eco (worth approximately C$ 11.5m at the time of agreement). Upon Completion of the transaction, Eco will hold a fully carried 5.25% interest in Block 3B/4B Offshore South Africa, reducing from the current 6.25%. Closing is expected to occur in Q4 2024.Post-period endOn August 28, 2024, the Company announced the completion of a farm down of a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4Boffshore the Republic of South Africaand Transfer of Operatorship of the Block after receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals (Section 11) from the government of South Africa. Eco now holds a 6.25% interest in Block 3B/4B.Further to the Company's announcement on 6 March 2024 detailing the Farmout Agreement ("FOA"), Azinam Limited, Eco's wholly owned subsidiary, has farmed down a 13.75% Participating Interest in Block 3B/4B, offshore the Republic of South Africa as part of an aggregate 57% farm down transaction along with its Joint Venture Partners Africa Oil SA Corp. and Ricocure (Proprietary) Limited to TotalEnergies EP South Africa S.A.S., who will become Operator and QatarEnergy International E&P LLC.Following Completion, Eco is now due to receive US$8.3million in total as part of the 3B/4B Transaction, including Completion linked milestone payments of US$4m from Africa Oil and US$1.56m from Ricocure, as referred to in the Company's announcement of 6 March 2024. Further payments, amounting to $11.5m will be payable to Eco from TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Africa Oil on spudding of the first exploration well.Block 2BIn June 2024, the Company relinquished its 50% WI Operated offshore Block 2B where it drilled its 2022 Gazania-1 well offsetting the AJ-1 oil discovery. The Company has completed all necessary documentation, and environmental audits, and has informed the Petroleum Agency of South Africa ("PASA"), the regulator for the Government of South Africa.NamibiaA multi-block farm out process remains underway for all or part of Eco's four offshore Petroleum Exploration Licences ("PEL"): 97, 98, 99, and 100. Eco holds Operatorship and an 85% Working Interest in each PEL representing a combined area of 28,593 km2 in the Walvis Basin.Eco added ~1,383km 2D data licensed on PEL100 (Tamar block) to its database, which is being technically evaluated and interpreted by the team to define additional seismic acquisition areas within the Block, along with new leads and prospects.GuyanaAn active farmout process continues for the offshore Orinduik Block. Eco is encouraged to see the growing activity surrounding its acreage, notably ExxonMobil's plans for a seventh development at Hammerhead in the Stabroek Block.Gil Holzman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, commented:"We continued to make significant progress across our asset base during the period. On Block 3B/4B, we announced the completion of Eco's farm-out agreement with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy, which will see Eco receiving US$8.3 million now and additional US$11.5m in the future while maintaining a material fully carried interest in the Block."We also announced Eco's transaction with AOI, where the Company sold a 1% interest in Block 3B/4B in exchange for cancellation of all of Africa Oil's shares and warrants in Eco amount to 15% of the company. Eco continues to possess significant upside potential and exposure to assets in the Orange Basin offshore South Africa a hugely exciting region for hydrocarbon prospectivity."Our active farm-out processes in both Namibia and Guyana have seen Eco actively engaged with a number of potential high-calibre partners as we work to monetise these licences as fast as is practically possible for the benefit of all involved.We look forward to providing updates on material developments to all our stakeholders over the coming months." The Company's unaudited financial results and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended 30 June 2024 are available for download on the Company's website at www.ecooilandgas.com and on Sedar at www.sedar.com The following are the Company's Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Cash Flow Statement and selected notes from the annual Financial Statements. All amounts are in US Dollars, unless otherwise stated.Balance SheetJune 30,March 31,20242024AssetsCurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalents1,185,1162,967,005Short-term investments13,10713,107Government receivable16,77226,970Amounts owing by license partners115,31949,578Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses2,00638,539Total Current Assets1,332,3203,095,199Non- Current AssetsPetroleum and natural gas licenses28,318,43928,168,439Total Non-Current Assets28,318,43928,168,439Total Assets29,650,75931,263,638LiabilitiesCurrent LiabilitiesAccounts paya PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 17:07:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 312 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 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.310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.comwww.schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 23:55:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 937 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Galloper Gold Corp. (CSE:BOOM)(OTC PINK:GGDCF) (the "Company" or "Galloper") is pleased to provide a corporate update as the Company continues to advance its assets in Newfoundland.GALLOPER ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL MINERAL EXPLORATION CLAMS ON GLOVER ISLAND, NEWFOUNDLANDThe Company has entered into a purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with a third-party vendor (the "Vendor") to acquire additional mining claims in Newfoundland as part of its continued exploration efforts (the "Acquisition").Pursuant to the Agreement, Galloper has agreed to purchase from the Vendor four (4) exploration licenses comprising 16 claims in Newfoundland. As consideration, Galloper will pay the Vendor an aggregate of CAD $45,000 cash and issue to the Vendor 800,000 Galloper common shares. The Acquisition is subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) having no objection.The claims are on Glover Island and are contiguous to Galloper's current holdings at its flagship and drill-ready Glover Island Property.GALLOPER RETAINS DAVID KEAN FOR INVESTOR RELATIONSGalloper has entered into an agreement with David Kean (the "Consultant") pursuant to which the Consultant will provide investor relations (IR) services to Galloper Gold for an initial term of seven (7) months beginning September 1, 2024, which may be extended by mutual agreement between the parties.Galloper Gold will pay the Consultant a fee of $3,500 per month, plus applicable taxes. The Consultant will also be granted stock options to purchase 100,000 common shares of Galloper Gold with an exercise price of CAD $0.12 per share. The options will be in accordance with Galloper Gold's stock option plan and will expire twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.The investor relations agreement and grant of stock options are subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) having no objection.GALLOPER GOLD ANNOUNCES GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONSGalloper announces the granting of an aggregate of 3,500,000 stock options of which 2,700,000 will be granted to directors and officers of the Company with an exercise price of $0.12 per share and will expire after 5 years and shall vest immediately. A total of 800,000 stock options (including those to be issued to the Consultant as described above) have been granted to consultants with an exercise price of $0.12 whereby 300,000 options will expire after 24 months and 500,000 options will expire after 12 months and will be subject to vesting provisions. The stock options are subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, applicable securities laws and the terms of the Corporation's equity incentive plan.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsMr. Mark ScottCEOGalloper Gold Corp.Company Contact: info@ gallopergold.com , 778-655-9266Investor Relations: MarketSmart Communications Tel: 877-261-4466Acknowledgment - Newfoundland & Labrador Junior Exploration Assistance ProgramGalloper Gold acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.Galloper Gold Corp.Galloper is focused on mineral exploration in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt with its Glover Island and Mint Pond properties, each prospective for gold and base metals. The Glover Island Property consists of 532 mining claims totaling 13,300 hectares while Mint Pond consists of 499 claims totaling 12,475 hectares.For more information please visit www.GalloperGold.com and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the proposed property purchase transaction and acquisition of additional claims, the provision of IR services by the Consultant, and the grant of stock options. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks, including the risk that the property purchase transaction may not be completed as expected or at all, or that the option grants may vary. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally, risks related to capital markets, risks related to the state of financial markets or future metals prices and the other risks described in the Company's publicly filed disclosure.Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Galloper Gold Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 17:13:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 330 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or "the Company") (NYSE:ABR) 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. Arbor is the subject of a report issued by Viceroy Research November 17, 2023, titled, "Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." According to the report, "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Viceroy Research then issued a follow up report on December 5, 2023, titled "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." In the second report, Viceroy Research claims that the Company's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated." Based on this news, shares of Arbor fell by more than 5% over the next two trading sessions.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 atwww.schallfirm.com , or by email atbschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.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: 2024-08-30 20:30:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 719 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SPIR Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact the FirmSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.Class Period: Mar. 6, 2024 - Aug. 14, 2024Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 21, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SPIR Contact the Firm Now: SPIR@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Class Action Lawsuit Against Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR):Spire, a provider of space-based data services, announced that its accounting errors are more extensive than previously disclosed. On August 27, the company revealed that virtually all of its previously reported financial statements for 2022 and 2023 would need to be restated due to improperly recognized revenues for pre-space mission activity.This revelation marks a substantial escalation from the company's initial announcement on August 14, when Spire announced that it would not timely file its Q2 2024 quarterly report as previously planned. The company said then it was in the process of reviewing its accounting practices and procedures with respect to revenue recognition related to certain contracts in its "Space as a Service" business. The company further explained that "[t]he re-evaluation relates to the potential existence of embedded leases of identifiable assets in the Contracts and the related recognition of revenue for pre-space mission activities." Further, Spire said that, based on preliminary information, it believes it may be in violation of the maximum debt to EBITDA leverage ratio financial covenant under its financing agreement with Blue Torch Finance. The company said it is attempting to secure waivers or amendments to the financing agreement but could give no assurances of success.This news sent the price of Spire shares about 33% lower on August 15, 2024.But on August 27, 2024, Spire disclosed the accounting errors were more extensive than initially revealed. The company: (1) admitted that it improperly recognized revenues for pre-space mission activity; (2) said its financial statements for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should no longer be relied on; and (3) also said that it would restate its financial statements for these affected periods.Spire's most recent disclosure comes on the heels of an investor class action filed earlier this month. The complaint, filed on behalf of investors in Spire between March 6, 2024 and August 14, 2024, inclusive, alleges that Spire misrepresented and failed to disclose that: (1) there were embedded leases of identifiable assets and pre-space mission activities for certain Space Services contracts; (2) the company lacked sufficient internal controls for revenue recognition for these contracts; and (3) as a result, the company overstated revenue for certain Space Services contracts.This news drove the price of Spire shares down over 5% during intraday trading on August 28, 2024.Spire's admitted accounting errors has prompted shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to commence an investigation into whether the company and its executives violated U.S. securities laws."We are looking into whether Spire's most recent disclosures justify extending the alleged class period," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Spire Global and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Spire Global case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Spire Global should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SPIR@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 04:51:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 414 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilOctober 15, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 15, 2024 to July 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Stellantis and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-stla/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byOctober 15, 2024 .About the LawsuitStellantis and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 25, 2024, the Company announced its first half 2024 financial results, disclosing disappointing news, including "[n]et revenues of 85.0 billion, down 14% compared to H1 2023, primarily due to the decline in volume and mix; net profit of 5.6 billion, down 48% compared to H1 2023, primarily due to lower volume and mix, headwinds from foreign exchange and restructuring costs; adjusted operating income of 8.5 billion, down 5.7 billion compared to H1 2023, primarily due to decreases in North America." On this news, the price of Stellantis' shares fell from a closing price of $19.60 per share on July 24, 2024 to $17.66 per share on July 26, 2024.The case is Long v. Stellantis N.V., et al., No. 24-cv-06196.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 17:06:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 482 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Explore the Mysteries of Egypt with Billy and Elisabeth Carson on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey - 2024 Tour Sold Out, Registration for 2025 Now OpenMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / Excitement is building as attendees prepare for the 2024 4BIDDEN Tour of Egypt in early October, a 12-day adventure led by 4biddenknowledge's CEO Billy Carson and COO Elisabeth Carson. This exclusive tour offers a unique opportunity to explore Egypt's most iconic sites, guided by two experts in ancient civilizations and esoteric wisdom. Here's what participants can expect on this extraordinary journey:Here is a sneak peek at what attendees will experience on their trip this year...2024 Egypt Tour Details:Warm Welcome in Cairo (Day 1):Arrival and greeting at Cairo's airport.Introductory meeting with Billy and Elisabeth Carson.Dinner at the renowned Mawlana restaurant.Private Visits to Iconic Sites (Day 2):Early morning private sunrise visit to the Sphinx.Exclusive sunset tour of the Giza Plateau.Luxurious Nile Cruise (Days 3-10):Stops at Luxor, Dendera, Abydos, Esna, and Aswan.Private visits to ancient temples and sacred sites.Engaging lectures by Billy and Elisabeth Carson.Exquisite meals aboard a 5-star Nile cruise.Exclusive Access in Cairo (Days 11-12):Private tours of the Serapeum and the Great Pyramid.Access to areas typically closed to the public.Concluding farewell, leaving participants with unforgettable memories.Missing the 2024 Tour? Register for 2025! If you weren't able to secure a spot on the 2024 tour, don't worry-registration is now open for the 2025 12-Day 4BIDDEN Tour of Egypt. Led once again by Billy and Elisabeth Carson, the 2025 tour offers the same exclusive access and opportunities to explore Egypt's wonders.2025 Pricing:Double Room: $10,599 per personSingle Room: $12,599 per personTestimonial from Previous Attendee:Christopher Rohland: "What made this trip appealing was Billy Carson, Elisabeth Hoekstra, Jimmy Church, SABA TOURS, and exclusive access to places most tours won't take you. At the Sphinx, one of our group caught a UFO on film. Mohamed told us, 'It happens all the time.' Seeing these sites on Ancient Aliens doesn't do them justice - you need to experience it in person. Being on a tour like this exposes you to like-minded people where conversations can go anywhere. If you have the time and ability, I would recommend jumping at the opportunity to go." Secure Your Spot Today: Spaces for the 2025 tour are expected to fill quickly. Don't miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary journey:Register Here: https://form.jotform.com/241363013406141 For More Details: Visit our website or contact our dedicated tour specialists.Join Billy and Elisabeth Carson in uncovering the secrets of ancient Egypt. Whether you're joining us in 2024 or planning ahead for 2025, this tour promises to be an unforgettable journey that combines luxury, history, and exploration. We look forward to welcoming you on this remarkable adventure.Contact Information Nikki SheppardAssistant Copywriternikki@4 biddenknowledge.com 954-931-1567SOURCE: 4biddenknowledge Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 17:08:32 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 30, 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: 2024-08-30 15:00:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 945 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PARIS, FRANCE and HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 /TotalEnergies has signed a $100 million agreement with Anew Climate, a North American leader in climate solutions, and Aurora Sustainable Lands, a carbon-stewardship company and forest landowner in the U.S. to deploy their projects aimed at protecting productive forests from heavy timber harvesting, advancing conversion to sustainable management practices, and enhancing their ability to store more carbon from the atmosphere. The investment supports Improved Forest Management (IFM) practices across a portfolio of 20 carbon projects, covering 300,000 hectares in 10 states across the U.S. (Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands will provide operational oversight to ensure the carbon projects meet the highest standards of additionality and durability.The environmental benefits expected from this improved forest management include the preservation of natural carbon sinks by reducing timber harvesting, as well as water and soil quality improvement, biodiversity protection and natural habitat conservation. The carbon credits generated will be acquired by TotalEnergies and retired beyond 2030. After prioritizing emission avoidance and reduction, the Company will use these credits to voluntarily offset part of its remaining direct Scope 1 & 2 emissions.TotalEnergies supports the U.S Government Voluntary Carbon Markets PrinciplesTotalEnergies welcomes the Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles guide issued by U.S. government on May 28, 2024. The Company's actions in nature-based solutions are aligned with these Principles, particularly those focused on integrity, transparency and environmental protection (full document available here)."We are thrilled to partner with such experienced specialists as Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands, who develop high-quality projects aimed at the sustainable preservation of natural carbon sinks which is essential to achieve carbon neutrality," said Adrien Henry, Vice President Nature Based Solutions at TotalEnergies Exploration & Production."TotalEnergies has very positively received the U.S. government's recently published guiding principles on Voluntary Carbon Markets and is committed to follow them to contribute to strengthening integrity and transparency in these markets, as demonstrated by this partnership." "Anew Climate is honored to partner with TotalEnergies on their journey to reach carbon neutrality," said Angela Schwarz, Anew Climate CEO . "As we worked closely with the TotalEnergies Nature Based Solutions team throughout the stringent due diligence process, it was clear that their commitment to avoiding and reducing emissions as a first principle while recognizing the co-benefits of investing in meaningful carbon projects as part of a comprehensive climate action strategy aligned perfectly with Anew's mission. We have a shared belief that an all of the above' strategy is required to achieve meaningful climate impact." "Aurora's carbon stewardship enhances climate resilience while safeguarding vital ecosystems across our forestlands," said Jamie Houston, CEO of Aurora Sustainable Lands . "Thanks to TotalEnergies' steadfast trust and investment across our portfolio, we can maintain the delicate balance between forest health, soil quality, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. Together we are yielding substantial and lasting climate impact at a massive scale." About TotalEnergies Nature Based SolutionsAs part of its climate ambition, and in addition to its existing actions to avoid and reduce emissions, TotalEnergies works with many local partners around the world to develop and conserve natural carbon sinks, while helping to preserve or improve their biodiversity. These operations follow a long-term approach of sustainable and integrated economic development of areas with local communities. TotalEnergies plans to invest $100 million per year to build a portfolio of projects capable of generating at least 5 million metric tons of CO2e of carbon credits per year by 2030. These carbon credits will be used after 2030 to offset the Company's scope 1 & 2 emissions. Learn more with our TotalEnergies' Sustainability and Climate 2023 - Progress Report.About TotalEnergiesTotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.About Anew ClimateAnew Climate, LLC, is a global leader of diverse climate solutions built on the principles of transparency and accountability. We bring innovative products and services to the public and private sectors to help reduce or offset their carbon footprints, restore the environment, and ensure our clients' investments create economic value as well as durable climate impact. With deep market understanding, Anew leverages technological and nature-based solutions to create value through the generation and marketing of environmental credits for low carbon fuel, carbon, renewable energy, and emissions markets. Anew is majority owned by TPG Rise, TPG's global impact investing platform. The Company has offices in the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Hungary and an environmental commodities portfolio that extends across five continents. Learn more at www.anewclimate.com About Aurora Sustainable LandsAurora Sustainable Lands is one of the world's leading carbon removal platforms and climate-focused asset managers. To date, Aurora has acquired over 1.7 million acres of U.S. forestland with a history of industrial logging and now manages these lands with a carbon stewardship management strategy that focuses on maximizing natural carbon removal and storage potential. By actively managing with this strategy and utilizing cutting-edge proprietary technologies, Aurora taps into the oldest and most effective carbon removal tool, trees, to offer nature-based carbon credits with unrivaled reliability, durability, and quality and at an unprecedented scale. Aurora is a joint venture between Anew Climate and a group of equity investors led by Oak Hill Advisors, AB CarVal, EIG and GenZero amon A group of local organizations and entrepreneurs have been named the recipients of grant funding that will allow for an enlivened food scene in South Corvallis, an area known for its limited food resources. Christopher Jacobs, economic development manager for Corvallis, said the main goals are to make new connections within the food system, incubate food businesses, improve food access in South Corvallis and support equitable outcomes for those affected by the pandemic and for those who have been traditionally underserved. The funding comes from the South Corvallis Food Hub grant program. The total available budget is $495,000, $50,000 of which is from the city of Corvallis. The remainder is provided by Oregon State Legislature American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, which was designed to revitalize the American economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were provided to Benton County with the goal of establishing a food hub in South Corvallis, and the program is administered by the Corvallis Benton Economic Development office. The recipients are: Benton County Food Forum , $5,000 to fund the delivery of meals and produce from the Southtown Stand & Farmers Market, which hosts multiple vendors in South Corvallis. The organization will use a combination of e-bikes, cargo bikes and conventional bikes to deliver food directly to consumers. Flicker & Fir, LLC , the business that operates the Southtown Stand & Farmers Market, $37,000 for improvements to the market, including sun and rain mitigation, food vendor support and storage, bike racks and a pilot program that aims to expand vendor sales through preorders. Ten Rivers Food Web , a volunteer organization that focuses on nurturing a strong local food economy, $153,000 to fund the operation of a South Corvallis aggregation facility for receiving, storing and distributing local food products to institutional purchasers and business owners through local delivery. Growing Ancestral Roots , a nonprofit program, $50,000 to provide a variety of services, including access to shared kitchen space, storage, training and workshops, marketing support, pop-up market access, events, training, low-barrier micro-grants and business incubation support. Las Donas del Sur, $250,000 to fund the purchase and operations of a food truck pod in South Corvallis. Las Donas del Sur is made up of nine entrepreneurs, most of whom have worked in family restaurants for many years, Jacobs said. They are primarily Spanish-speakers. A partnership between the Corvallis Benton Economic Development office and the Linn Benton Community College Small Business Development Center allowed for the facilitation of meetings that were primarily held in Spanish and then translated into English, rather than the other way around. The grant application process, Jacobs said, brought applicants who weren't necessarily familiar with each other's work together, and some are already planning to collaborate on new initiatives. The Southtown Stand & Farmers Market, for example, will be able to sell more locally-grown produce and forge stronger connections between farmers and food businesses thanks to connections with other grant recipients. The idea was, we have all these kinds of pieces of the food system working in silos, Jacobs said. And could this grant application process be a catalyst to see those pieces come together and make new connections? With few grocery store options, South Corvallis has long been considered a food desert, or a geographic area in which access to nutritious and affordable food is restricted. Jacobs said that grant recipients are working to target those food access issues. Maybe not in the way a full grocery store may, he said, but its all about, really, offering new opportunities for those local food products to reach consumers in South Corvallis whether theyre new pop-up markets, new food truck pod opportunities, new local foods in the existing markets in South Corvallis. "All those things kind of add up to address those food insecurity challenges, hopefully in a meaningful way. Grant recipients will receive the funding before Dec. 31, and applicants will develop and launch their projects in 2025. Related stories: A food hub coming to South Corvallis? South Corvallis is an unusual food desert, and a food hub project underway hopes to turn it into a food oasis. Here's what's on the (farm-to-) table. These are the ideas for a South Corvallis food hub The city hired a consultant, and she came back with ideas inspired by research and a big survey of area residents, businesses and farmers. PR-Inside.com: 2024-08-30 06:31:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 384 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Telegram is Becoming a Major Gateway for Mass Adoption in the Web3 Space, and the Next Industry-Level Opportunity, akin to MetaMask, is EmergingSINGAPORE, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 /UXUY, incubated and invested by Binance Labs, is a next-gen decentralized multi-chain trading platform. It has released apps and bot products for iOS, Android, and the Telegram ecosystem. On Aug. 23, 2024, UXUY officially launched the world's first Self-Custody Multi-Chain Wallet built on Telegram - @UXUYbot. This innovative wallet enables seamless, permissionless connections to the cryptocurrency ecosystem for any bot, with support for EVM, Solana, TRON, TON, and additional blockchain networks planned for future integration.UXUY: The First Self-Custody Multi-Chain Wallet Built & Based on Telegram - @UXUYbotUXUY aims not only to serve as the MetaMask equivalent for Telegram but to establish itself as the leading Web3 infrastructure on the platform.Expanding on TelegramTelegram, a global social platform with 900 million active users, is poised for significant growth in cryptocurrency adoption. Although the current proportion of crypto users on Telegram remains modest, the ongoing development of critical infrastructure is expected to drive widespread adoption. Telegram's commitment to anti-censorship and free speech aligns closely with the decentralized principles of blockchain technology.Given these factors, Telegram has become an increasingly attractive environment for Web3 entrepreneurs. Last month, @UXUYbot was introduced as a Lightning Network wallet, quickly amassing over one million users. With its recent upgrade to a Self-Custody Multi-Chain Wallet, UXUY is positioned for expansive growth.Aiming to be the MetaMask of TelegramThe UXUY Multi-Chain Self-Custody Wallet is designed to become the foundational infrastructure within the Telegram ecosystem, supporting the onboarding of the next billion users.UXUY is actively seeking collaboration with cryptocurrency developers and project teams through UXUY Connect. This initiative will facilitate the integration of Telegram-native applications, games, bots, and multi-chain ecosystems, establishing @UXUYbot as the default gateway to tApps (Telegram Apps). This development will make it easier for non-Web3 users to engage with DeFi, blockchain gaming, and other elements of the crypto ecosystem.Kevin Como, founder of UXUY, stated, "I am confident that the last DeFi summer took place on Chrome + MetaMask; this time, it will occur on Telegram + UXUY." For more information about UXUY, visit https://uxuy.com/ Contact InformationJordan LiuUXUY Co-founderjordan@ uxuy.com +0065 88095669SOURCE: UXUYView the original press release on newswire.com The crisis rocking the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has taken a new dimension. PREMIUM TIMES reported that PMANs National Working Committee (NWC) suspended PMAN President Pretty Okafor over alleged multiple violations of the organisations constitution, financial misappropriation, and other offences. The committee then appointed Sunny Neji as acting president. On Thursday, in an unexpected turn of events, the PMAN National Executive Council (NEC) announced the suspension of some of its key members on the premise of misconduct and intentional efforts to thwart and truncate the integrity of the association. In a statement, the NEC said the decision followed evidence that surfaced after the conclusion of an emergency meeting by the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) regarding allegations levelled against Mr Okafor. They said the emergency meeting was necessary because it was revealed that certain members of the National Working Committee (NWC) had attempted to undermine the associations integrity. The NEC said some of its members jointly suspended Mr Okafor without following due process as provided in the associations constitution in Article 18(D) and Article 13(C)(ii). 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 Allegations NDCs report highlighted what they described as the unlawful suspension of President Okafor and other chapter governors who opposed their decision. The NDC has found evidence, labelled NWC PAYMENT ALLOWANCE, dated June 3, 2022, proving such transactions existence. This corroborates the earlier denied allegation. Further findings have revealed that his signature was forged, as claimed by the associations National Treasurer, JFO Baba Ojonorgua. These allegations suggest cases of misconduct and fraud. Allegations have it that the NEC reached out to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pushing for the termination of the partnership. An action that can drastically damage and impede PMANs growth efforts, NDC noted. Though initially denied, NDC said the allegations arose when a state chapter governor accused members of the NWC of receiving payments of approximately N30,000,000 each. Suspensions Due to the revelations cum allegations highlighted by the disciplinary committee, NEC said it decided to suspend Sunny Neji (1st Vice President), Zaaki Azzay (2nd Vice President), Micheal StephenRuggedman (National Ex-Officio) and JFO Baba Ojonorgua (National Treasurer). Additionally, the committee said it had immediately relieved Boniface Itodo, the General Secretary, and Faga Bem Paul, the Assistant General Secretary, of their duties. The NEC has commended and applauded President Pretty Okafor for holding his forte despite the plots against him. President Okafor has demonstrated exceptional leadership, maintaining his commitment to upholding the values and integrity of PMAN. His steadfastness in adhering to due process and championing transparency has been crucial in navigating the association through this period of unrest, they said. Conclusively, NEC said it plans to strengthen internal governance mechanisms to avert a repeat of such an occurrence and restore the associations reputation and integrity. They also urged all members to remain united in improving PMAN, reiterating its commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, and the associations overall betterment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In June, Kabiru Salihu and Saleh Alhajin Kara sneaked back into their terror-stricken home in Bassa village, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, to collect food for their families taking refuge in the garrison town of Erena. They never returned. Terrorists operating from the nearby Allawa forest reserve captured and beheaded them. The news of their deaths reached their families after gory images of their severed heads, blotched with bloodstains, went viral. Local vigilantes and some brave villagers who had gone to evacuate their bodies took the pictures. Their families and other displaced locals from more than 12 villages across the Allawa district continue to face hardship. On 21 August, no fewer than eight displaced men from the Allawa district were killed at a mining site in Unguwar Magiro, Rafi LGA, where lead poisoning affected about 2,500 children and killed at least 30 in 2015. These men were farmers who resorted to artisanal mining because they could not risk returning to their farms vulnerable to terror invasions. While some of them drowned trying to escape the terror, a few others whose pictures of their bodies were shared with our reporter were shot at close range. Since our displacement, that is where many of us get some money to feed our families, said Yahuza Agumi, one of the displaced people from Allawa, now a refugee in Erena. Those killed at the mining site were refugees at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA. 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 Died searching for what to eat On 24 April, a landmine attack targeting soldiers newly deployed to Allawa town forced the military to shut its base there. Afraid of what would come after, the locals also fled. But because the government left them to suffer the hardship of displacement, some people went back secretly to get the foodstuff left behind. Many of them, like Messrs Salihu and Alhajin Kara [killed in June], lost their lives in the process. At least 17 of the displaced locals who went to get food for their families were killed by the terrorists. Eleven others died of acute hardship in their displacement camp at Central Primary School, Erena. A day after the town was deserted, about ten men returned to get their belongings and food. But seven of them were killed, according to a man who escaped from the scene. We only went to fetch some food like maize and millet from our houses, Muhammad Iliya told PREMIUM TIMES in May. Everybody left the village on Thursday, 25 April, and we went back three days later. Mr Iliya said he fled the scene when he saw that the terrorists had captured his colleagues. He later learned that the monsters slaughtered them. That was not the first time locals would desert Allawa to escape terrorists wrath, Abubakar Bako, a traditional title holder from the town, told PREMIUM TIMES when our reporter visited Erena, where he was living as a refugee. In 2015, they were enjoying the fall of the night when some gun-wielding men for the first time arrived in the town, killing the district head, Adam Salihu; his secretary, Usman Yunusa; a medical doctor, Muhammed Salishu, and a police officer. The attack forced us to flee Allawa, he recalled, his eyes half closed as he flashed back into the genesis of their ordeals. Some went to Pandogari, some to Erena and others fled to Kuta, Mr Bako, who holds the traditional title of Gundunma Allawa, continued. He said their nightmare ended, albeit temporarily, after the government placed a force operational base in the community and deployed a team of the Joint Task Force (JTF) there. Five years later, the terrorists struck again. This time, it was more deadly. They attacked the military base in 2021. It was around 2 a.m. and they killed six soldiers and a policeman, Mr Bako narrated. That incident led to the withdrawal of the soldiers and the locals also fled to various locations, where they took refuge in 2015. Soldiers returned to the community some months later. However, their presence did not shield the community from wanton attacks by the terrorists. Before the 24 April attack that again forced the military to retreat, there were at least five major attacks on the community and its environs. In one of those attacks, the terrorists kidnapped 24 people, including women and children. We have not heard from them for a long time now, Mr Bako said, lowering his gaze. Although two of them escaped the day they were kidnapped, 22 people remain with them. In another instance when the terrorists attacked and found no one, they razed houses, foodstuff and livestock before retreating into the forest as soldiers engaged them from afar. Worsening humanitarian crisis The displaced people in Erena town said they have only received government support once since they were displaced in April. In May, the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management distributed 100 units of 10kg bags of rice, 150 units of 10kg bags of maize and 150 units of 10kg bags of guinea corn to the displaced person in Erena, PREMIUM TIMES gathered. But that did not last up to a week, many of them, including Mr Bako, lamented. Since then, they have been left to care for themselves. While the women and their children roam the streets begging for food and alms, the men dive deep into mining pits or risk their lives to get some of the food they left behind at home. In the classrooms where the displaced persons camp at the Central Primary School Erena, chairs and desks have been replaced with wrappers and mats upon which they sleep at night. The already defaced walls were further punctured with nails hanging their mosquito nets. Hadiza Musa, a nursing mother, sat inside the camp, her arms bare against the peeling green wall, cradling her three-week-old daughter between her legs. She had delivered the baby on the floor inside the camp in late April without access to basic maternal care, she said. This is where I delivered my baby, Mrs Musa said, pointing to the sandy floor in front of the makeshift classroom where she sleeps with her newborn and four other children. My fellow refugees heard her cries and rushed to my aid, cleaning me and the baby, she continued with a smile that was soon suspended as she recalled how she almost went on an empty stomach that day. There was no food to eat that day and my husband had gone to find something for us to eat and didnt return until the next day, Mrs Musa paused before she led our reporter into the classroom where she sleeps. Inside the classroom, Mrs Musa battled with butterflies, using a wrapper to swat them before gently placing her baby on a thin mat, covering her with layers of wrappers. This is how we sleep here, she replied when asked if she used repellants or a mosquito net. Mrs Musa later strapped her baby to her back and disappeared into a thin crowd inside the camp. Habibu Wushishi, the spokesperson for the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, said the ministry was aware of the conditions the displaced person faced but noted that the state government had not abandoned them. Throughout May, June and July, Mr Wushishi said, the ministry distributed relief materials across various IDP camps in the state, including three major ones in Shiroro: Kuta, Gwada and Erena. It was not only food, the ministrys spokesperson said. We also distributed educational materials and blankets. Mr Wushishi said the ministry engages critical stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, religious leaders, council officials and security agencies to distribute the materials. But because of the security situation in the areas where some of these camps are located in Shiroro LGA, Mr Wushsishi said the ministry usually took the relief materials to Kuta, the headquarters of the LGA, to these stakeholders for onward distribution to the other camps. He said if anyone is found to have diverted the materials, the ministry would ensure they are prosecuted. Campaign of terror in Shiroro What started as cattle rustling has now transformed into full-fledge banditry and terrorism in some parts of the local government area, including Allawa, Bassa, Kurebe, Chukuba, Kwakki, Gbato, Sarari, Mai Kanwa, Gwoska and Rafin Kanya. The most terror-ravaged part of Shiroro is the riverine axis, locally referred to as Lakpma. There are 15 political wards in Shiroro LGA, with eight of them in the Lakpma axis under incessant attacks, according to youth leaders who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES in May. The campaign of terror in Shiroro has yielded success for the terrorists who hold sway over territories and impose their ruling system there. One of these communities, Kurebe, has suffered more from the terrorists activities. In Kurebe, insurgents connected to Boko Haram have gone from attacking the locals and pillaging the village to indoctrinating some villagers. At a point, the group would assemble the youth in the village and propagate their version of Islam to them. There is no evidence of mass weddings with insurgents, as claimed in some media reports some years ago, but a young woman identified as Zainab was married to one of them. Also, the group had forcefully taken a minor away from his parents, claiming to teach him a way of living. PREMIUM TIMES learned that some Boko Haram insurgents have taken over parts of Allawa Game Reserve in the local government. The forest reserve connects to the Kamuku forest in Kaduna and some other forests in Zamfara. Withdrawal of Soldiers The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Garba Mohammed, in April, told this newspaper that the withdrawal of the military operatives was in line with an administrative arrangement for reinforcement against the terrorists. Mr Mohammed, a retired major-general, later told PREMIUM TIMES in June that the state government was trying to relocate the displaced persons and those still living in terror-ravaged communities. According to him, the plan is to build a resettlement centre for the displaced persons where they can carry out normal activities, including farming. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Many bandits were killed why attempting to raid Matuzgi, a community in Talatar Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Tuesday. Residents said 35 bandits were killed by the local vigilante and the states Community Protection Guard (CPG) stationed in the community. Residents said soldiers later arrived in the area and joined the fight, forcing the bandits to retreat from Matusgi. Ten more bandits were killed in neighbouring Magamin Diddi, community in Maradun Local Government Area, as they fled from the fight at Matusgi. Residents said three villagers in Matusgi lost their lives in the attack. We received information that the bandits were coming towards our community around 2 p.m that day, a vigilante member who sought anonymity for safety reason told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone. Vigilante members and armed residents were quickly mobilised to wait for the bandits, the source 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 The source, now in Talata Mafara town, said the terrorists were caught unaware by the vigilante group and CPG. We waited for them until they were very close to the community and then we engaged them. A security agent posted to Talata Mafara also confirmed the killing of terrorists but was unsure of the number killed as bandits are known to take away corpses of their members killed. The police spokesperson in Zamfara, Yazid Abubakar, has yet to comment on the incident. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has inaugurated a committee to implement the new national minimum wage for civil and public servants in the state. Mr Mbah inaugurated the committee at the Government House, Enugu on Thursday, according to a statement by the governors media team. The states Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu, will serve as the chairperson of the committee, a representative of the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sandra George is the secretary. The State Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Chika Ugwuoke, the Accountant-General of the state, Anthony Okenwa, and the Commissioner of Finance & Economic Development, Nathaniel Uramah are members of the committee. Other members of the committee include, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Enugu State Chapter, Fabian Nwigbo, his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Benedict Asogwa, the Chairperson, Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Ezekiel Omeh and the Chairperson of the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees, Udaya Ani. Ambitious target Mr Mbah, during the inauguration, reiterated his commitment to workers welfare and urged the committee to consult widely with relevant persons especially in the ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that the workers take ownership of the eventual report. We have set very ambitious targets for ourselves, and we know that the only thing between us and achieving these targets will be the human resources because as great as our visions and dreams might be, it would be impossible to achieve anything if we do not have a motivated workforce. 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 recognised it from the very onset, which is why before the discussions on the new minimum wage came up, we introduced the wage awards, and made a commitment that we would not cease until we migrate to the new minimum wage, he said. That is why the constitution of this Committee for the implementation of the new national minimum wage is a very important exercise, and we have carefully selected members of this committee. We believe that you will be able to discharge yourself creditably. Terms of reference The governor urged the committee to endeavour to submit their report on the salary chart for all workers in the state within one month. We expect, as terms of reference, you should be able to come up with a comprehensive review of the salary chart of all categories and cadres of workers of both the state and the local government levels, the unified local government system, using the existing state salary chart as a guide. Finally, we will expect to have a detailed report submitted within a month. We want to get on with implementing the new national minimum wage as quickly as possible, he stated. Committee members speak Responding, the Chairperson of the committee and the States Head of Service, Mr Ugwu, assured the governor that the committee would meet his expectations both in terms of time frame and quality of work. We are aware of your commitment to the welfare and motivation of the great workers of Enugu State. All our recommendations are going to be aligned with your vision for a highly motivated and productive public service. We are not only going to meet your expectations, but we are also going to surpass it. One-month period is given to us, but I assure you that we are going to submit our recommendations in record time, the chairperson assured. Speaking to reporters, the Chairperson of the TUC, Mr Asogwa, said Mr Mbahs prompt action on new minimum wage did not come to Enugu workers as a surprise given that he had been paying wage awards to workers since 2023. So, setting up this Committee did not come to us as a surprise because we know the kind of person we have as a governor. He is not playing. The governor understands what it means to enter into a social contract with his people. We have confidence in him. We feel happy that in no distant time, our financial situation as Enugu workers will be improved in Enugu State, he said. Background The Organised Labour had demanded a minimum wage of N615,000, citing economic challenges and the rising cost of living. The previous minimum wage was N30,000 which was earlier approved in 2018. The labour leaders later reduced the demand to N250,000 in response to negotiations between them and the Nigerian government. Following consultations with the organised labour and state governors, President Bola Tinubu approved N70,000 as new minimum wage. In July, Mr Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law, which provides that the federal and state governments as well as private sectors, will pay the new minimum wage. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Abdourahamane Diallo, Head of Office and Country Representative of UNESCO in Nigeria, says the organisation is willing to provide technical support for developing Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry. He stated this at the exclusive premiere of When Wolves Cry, a movie on the negative effects of fake news. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that government functionaries, members of the diplomatic community, and stakeholders in the film industry attended the event organised at the UN House on Thursday evening in Abuja. The movie, an advocacy film from 2ET Media Network, is produced and directed by Emmanuel Eyaba, an award-winning Nollywood filmmaker. Mr Diallo said the premiere of When Wolves Cry mirrors the aspirations of UNESCOs 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Cultural Expressions. According to him, the convention was designed to support member states in creating an institutional and professional environment conducive to the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions in various forms and domains. He said this includes, but is not limited to, video, film, books, designs, culinary arts, crafts, fashion, motion graphics, and theatre. 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 is an opportunity for me to also let you know that UNESCO is ready to provide technical support towards the development of the Nigerian film and video industry. In continuing support to Nigeria to develop implementable policies, UNESCO organised the first National Dialogue on the Cultural and Creative Industries and the Sustainable Development Goals in October 2023. UNESCO is also the lead technical development partner for the ongoing review and update of Nigerias cultural policies. Furthermore, UNESCO is the principal implementation agency for the UNESCO-EU programme, advancing evidence-based policies and actions and supporting policy-making to enhance the contribution of creative sectors and industries to sustainable development. I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate 2ET Media on the great work done on When Wolves Cry as well as on other projects you have undertaken, he said. NAN also reports that When Wolves Cry is centred around an intriguing fake news story that almost pushed the government of Cameroon and Nigeria to war after a diplomatic tit-for-tat. The plot centres on Raymond Chukwudi (Ray C), a handsome actor looking for a big break in his career. Ray C was involved in a series of allegations, including a rape case, and the ripples of drama that follow are what make the movie an intriguing blockbuster to watch. The movies cast includes Francis Duru, Steve Eboh, Sydney Diala, Happy Julian, social media influencer MC Mbakara, Alex Nwankwo, and ace Cameroonian actress Syndy Emade, among others. The star-studded film, which is acted in English and French and fully subtitled in English, features seasoned actors from four countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Togo. Earlier, Eyaba, who is also the Chairman of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), FCT chapter, said the project was conceived out of his passion for producing advocacy films that addressed societal ills. When Wolves Cry is actually a Pan-African project in the sense that it features actors from four different countries of Africa. Governments and institutions have consistently called for increased awareness of the dangers of fake news because of its negative effect on society. To puncture the spread of fake news, we plan to screen the movie in the biggest film festivals and cinemas, as well as tertiary and secondary schools across Nigeria, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A federal judge in Phoenix today sentenced the three owners of Backpage, a prostitution website, for offences arising from their promotion of and associated money laundering. Michael Lacey, 76, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of supervised release; Scott Spear, 73, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release; and John Jed Brunst, 72, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The Court also ordered that all defendants turn themselves in to the U.S. Marshals Service by noon on Sept. 11. The defendants and their conspirators obtained more than $500 million from operating an online forum that facilitated the sexual exploitation of countless victims, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. The defendants thought they could hide their illicit proceeds by laundering the funds through shell companies in foreign countries. But they were wrong. Their sentences should serve as a stark reminder that the Criminal Division and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting victims and following the money to unmask those who exploit human beings for financial gain. These convictions hold accountable three C-Suite executives who controlled an enterprise and its illicit profits, said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. The courage of the victims of Backpages criminal activities is vindicated by the sentences imposed by the Court, to include the loss of liberty for each defendant as well as the additional large fine imposed on defendant Lacey, which will inure to the benefit of the Crime Victims Fund and crime victims everywhere. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lacey, Spear, and Brunst owned Backpage. From September 2010 through its seizure by the United States in April 2018, Backpage was the internets leading forum for prostitution ads. Evidence at trial showed that the conspirators knowingly promoted prostitution via various marketing strategies. For example, the conspirators engaged in a reciprocal link programme with an independent web forum that permitted johns to post reviews of prostitution acts with specific women. Additionally, the conspirators used an automated filter and human moderators to remove terms known to indicate sex-for-money, while still allowing the ads to be posted. Through this attempt to sanitise the ads, the conspirators sought plausible deniability for what the conspirators knew to be ads promoting prostitution. Over the life of the conspiracy, the conspirators earned more than $500 million. In an effort to preserve the money earned, Lacey, Spear, and Brunst laundered the money through numerous shell companies they created in multiple foreign countries. In November 2023, a federal jury in Phoenix convicted Lacey of one count of international concealment money laundering; Spear of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act, 17 counts of violating the Travel Act, money laundering conspiracy, and 10 counts of concealment money laundering; and Brunst of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act, money laundering conspiracy, 10 counts of concealment money laundering, and five counts of international promotional money laundering. 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 Todays sentences follow prior convictions of Backpage leadership and corporate entities: In April 2018, Carl Ferrer, 57, of Frisco, Texas, who was Backpages co-founder and CEO, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce and to engage in money laundering. In August 2018, Dan Hyer, 54, of Dallas, who was Backpages Sales & Marketing Director, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to facilitate prostitution using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce. In April 2018, several Backpage-related corporate entities, including Backpage LLC, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering. Co-conspirator James Larkin, 73, died on July 31, 2023, before trial began. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona, Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Phoenix Field Office, Acting Assistant Director Jodi Cohen of the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Phoenix Division, and Acting Inspector in Charge Matthew Shields of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Los Angeles Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Rapp, Margaret Perlmeter, and Peter Kozinets for the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California, Office of the California Attorney General, and Office of the Texas Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bozdech for the District of Arizona is handling the asset forfeiture aspects of the case. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Justice (https://www.justice.gov/) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, is dead. Although the police are yet to issue an official statement on the cause of his death, Channels Television reported that Mr Ayilara died in the early hours of Thursday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. According to Channels, the late commissioner of police died hours after undergoing prostate cancer surgery on Wednesday. Mr Ayilara, deployed to the state as commissioner of police in February, is the first serving police commissioner to die in the state. Governor Eno mourns late police commissioner Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed the condolences of the people of the state over the death of the commissioner of police. In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, Mr Eno described Mr Ayilaras sudden passing as painful. The late commissioner, the governor said, was one of the finest operational officers, a genial and a fine gentleman who epitomised the finest ideals of the Nigerian Police Force. 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 served our state as the police commissioner until his sad passing, where he distinguished himself as a crime-buster of no mean repute, the statement said. According to the governor, the late police commissioner was deeply involved with the fabric of the state. He had previously served his mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps in Akwa Ibom and later returned as the Unit Commander of the Police Mobile Unit 26. Mr Eno said the late commissioner of police was a critical member of the state security architecture and worked hard to keep the state safe. He will be deeply missed, Mr Eno added, and he extended his condolences to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the State Police Command, and members of the state security community. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of 75 Nigerians including minors over terrorism allegations stemming from their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests earlier this month. At least 28 individuals among the detainees accused of an attempt to overthrow the government are underage who are below the age of 18, the court filing with which the police obtained the detention order shows. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed an application for the detention order on 8 August. He anchored the application on section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, section 35(1)(C) of the Nigerian constitution, and section 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The terrorism, treason, treasonable felonies, arson, and other terrorism-related offences. According to the document, the police chief sought the remand of the for a period of two months pending the time an investigation would be completed and legal advice given Attorney General of the Federation. Condemnation Amnesty International condemned the courts remand order in a series of tweets on its X handle on Tuesday. 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 Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of dozens of minors unlawfully detained nationwide for simply participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest between 1 to10 August. In the FCT, 22 minors face a dreadful 60 days behind bars, without safeguards for their rights, it said. The organization argued that some of the arrested minors might have been picked up by security forces on the streets during the days of the protest for what it called an unfair trial. In Katsina, 12 children under 16-years 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 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 Nigerian authorities must release them immediately, it added. Protest Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported how Nigerians poured onto the streets in major cities around the country between 1 and 10 August to protest against the economic hardship and bad governance in the country. The protesters blame the hardship on Mr Tinubus economic policies underpinned by his announcement of removal of subsidies on petrol and floating of the naira. The #EndBadGovernance protests sought the reversal of the fuel price hike, restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, and reduction of import duties to previous rates. They also demanded the reversal of hikes in tertiary education fees, the security of farmlands for farmers, and a reduction in the prices of staple foods. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has launched an extensive crackdown on the protesters, including arresting and making moves to block the accounts of the organisers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Oregon State Police seized more than 100 pounds of meth and 11 pounds of suspected fentanyl in Linn County. An OSP K-9 unit stopped a Chevrolet pickup truck headed north on Interstate 5 east of Shedd around 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, according to an agency news release. During the traffic stop, the trooper reportedly recognized signs of potential criminal activity and deployed his drug detection K-9, which alerted to the likely presence of illegal drugs, the release states. A search of the truck revealed 104 pounds of meth on the back seat and 11 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder under the back seat, according to the release. The drugs are believed to have been destined for the Seattle area The driver, 40-year-old Carlos Antonio Zuniga Diaz, and a passenger, 40-year-old Sugey Padilla Sanchez, both of North Las Vegas, Nevada were arrested on charges of possession and delivery of meth and fentanyl. They were booked at the Linn County Jail. The Port Elizabeth High Court in Gqeberha, South Africa, has dismissed an application by a Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, and two others to declare evidence against them in a rape and trafficking case inadmissible. The case Mr Omotoso, 63, and his female assistants, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, 33, were arrested in April 2017 over allegations of rape and trafficking. Based in South Africa, the Nigerian cleric founded Jesus Dominion International Church, with branches in Israel and Nigeria. Mr Omotoso and his assistants are facing 32 counts, including racketeering, trafficking in people, rape and sexual assault. He was denied bail while his two assistants all South Africans had since been granted bail. The two assistants were accused of being accomplices in the alleged crimes. The charges against the defendants were initially 63 but later reduced to 32 after some witnesses indicated they had lost interest in pursuing the case due to delay. 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 Dismissal of application Mr Omotoso and the two others, through their lawyer, Peter Daubermann, asked the court to declare the evidence against them inadmissible. The accused argued that the evidence was obtained unconstitutionally. But the court, presided by Irma Schoeman, dismissed the application and ruled that the evidence would be considered in the trial, Daily Sun, a South African newspaper, reported on 21 August. Luxolo Tyali, the regional spokesperson of Eastern Capes National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), told the newspaper that the decision came after previous applications by the televangelist for five special entries for a mistrial. The National Prosecuting Authority is the South African agency responsible for the countrys prosecutions. Judge Irma Schoeman had previously dismissed their application for discharge, and the state was ready to proceed with the remaining proceedings in the trial, meaning that the accused must present their case and they will be subject to cross-examination by the state, Mr Tyali said. The spokesperson said those who accused Mr Omotoso of rape and trafficking included members of his church, employees or people selected to participate in church activities. Mr Tyali said some of the employees were recruited under the pretext that they would benefit spiritually or improve the quality of their lives. Omotoso allegedly, directly or indirectly through his co-accused, paid and arranged for the complainants to travel to his hotels in Durban, Israel or Nigeria. However, once the complainants arrived, Omotoso or his assistants would inform them of house rules which included that their cellphones be switched off, they were not to contact their male companions and they were to obey his instructions, he stated. He said the complainants and other female church members were allegedly kept in one room where they also slept. Mr Tyali added that Mr Omotoso would allegedly select one of the complainants to go to his private bedroom, where he allegedly raped or sexually assaulted them. He said the matter has been adjourned until 9 November. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A journalist in Kano has been remanded in prison for sharing media content deemed critical of state government officials, including Governor Abba Yusuf and the reinstated emir, Lamido Sanusi. Muktar Dahiru, a staffer of Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano, was arrested by the police and remanded in a correctional facility on Thursday for allegedly sharing on Facebook content considered offensive by the state government. In several posts, Mr Dahiru shared a broadcast audio interview with an opposition politician accusing the governor of corruption. The opposition politician challenged the governor to allow federal anti-corruption agencies to investigate the Novomed scandal instead of the state anti-corruption agency. Novomed Pharmaceutical, owned by Musa Kwankwakso, a younger brother of the former governor, Rabiu Kwankwakso, is being investigated over a contract with the state government. In another video post, Mr Dahiru shared a radio programme by the governors political adviser, Anas Abba-Dala, speculating that the Nigerian vice president, Kashim Shettima, is not a Nigerian. In the programme, Mr Abba-Dala alleged that Mr Shettima betrayed his political godfather, Ali-Modu Sheriff, adding that it was Mr Shettimas relatives who invaded a mosque in Kano and killed an Islamic cleric, Jaafar Adam, in 2007. Mr Dahiru captioned the post: This is beyond politics. 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 another post, Mr Dahiru shared an audio programme in which one person accuses the reinstated emir of pretentiousness by portraying himself as sympathetic to the poor while living an expensive lifestyle like a woman. In another post, Mr Dahiru shared an audio recording of an opposition politician, Yusuf Fasaha, accusing the former governor, Mr Kwankwaso, of fraud. When we were in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwankwaso collected N320 million from our group for the interest nomination form, but he later shared the seats with people he liked and refused to conduct a primary election. We requested a refund of our money in several meetings, but Kwankwaso refused to refund it, Mr Fasaha said in the audio recording posted by the journalist. Mr Dahiru was secretly charged before Magistrate Court 24 at Gyadi Gyadi, Court Road, with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult. The government said the alleged offences contravene sections 97,391 and 115 of the Penal Code Law. The political adviser to the governor, Abba-Dala, complained against Mr Dahiru to the police that Mr Dahiru, in a Facebook post, called him an illiterate person and that he tarnished his image by stating that he impregnated a woman (out of wedlock). The magistrate, Ummah Kurawa, ordered Mr Dahiru remanded in a correctional facility until 3 September for a bail application hearing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Government (LASG) has expressed concern over the increasing cases of sexual and gender-based violence in the state The states Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, raised the alarm on Friday in Ikeja at a news conference to announce programmes for the states 2024 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this years awareness month is, SGBV, Not On My Watch. Mr Pedro, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Hammed Oyenuga, said the number of sufferers of sexual and gender-based violence in the state, particularly in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, was alarming. He said the awareness month would focus on the council area owing to its high cases of SGBV. We chose to take our sensitisation programme to Ajeromi-Ifelodun because the number of cases that we have recorded in the last four years is worrisome. The theme of this years activities is, SGBV, Not On My Watch. This is based on the compelling need to ensure that residents realise that ending the menace of SGBV is indeed a collective effort, which requires the support and collaboration of all members of society. 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, therefore, intend to engage all demographics, including men, women and children, he said. He said the sensitisation programme in Ajeromi-Ifelodun would be held on 9 September, at the council secretariat. Mr Pedro said other programmes planned for the month included Turn Alausa Purple, Men Wey Sabi, Market Fiesta and Governors Award. Also speaking, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the executive secretary of Lagos State Sexual and Domestic Violence Agency, said reports of the number of abused children in Ajeromi were heartbreaking. She said the Alimosho council area had been number one for violence against women. Some of the pictures we have are too gory, thats why we feel the need to go sensitise people in this particular local government, she said. NAN reports that the programme would kick off with Turn Alausa Purple on 2 September with civil servants wearing purple vests. Also, there will be an advocacy walk on 4 September which will take off at Ile Zik and terminate at Ipodo Market, around Computer Village. The symposium for the 2024 edition is titled Are We Doing Enough? A Decade of Reflection and Action. The programme is geared at reviewing the states progress in responding to SGBV in the past 10 years. It is also to formulate actions and policies for the next decade, through discussions on domestic and sexual violence in the state by stakeholders. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A group focused on women and children matters on Friday marched on the Lagos State House of Assembly to seek legislation on femicide. Ololade Ajayi, the convener of the DOHS Care for Vulnerable Women and Children Foundation, led the march. Femicide is the intentional killing of a woman or girl because of their gender. Members of the group marched chanting End femicide, Not one woman more, not one woman less, Call it femicide, from the Shoprite Mall in Ikeja area of the state to the Lagos State House of Assembly. The demonstrators carried banners and placards with varying inscriptions like #CALLITFEMICIDENG, Resist not Cry, Legislate against femicide, STOP STOP STOP FEMICIDE, Stop killing of women and girls and others. Ms Ajayi said they had sent a letter with a proposed bill on femicide to the state House of Assembly in April. Letter, proposed bill In their letter, they told the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, that the Domestic Violence Law of Lagos State and the Criminal Code of the state do not accommodate femicide. 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 Omolara Olumegbo, the lawmaker representing the Lagos Island 1 Constituency and chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation, replied to the letter this month, maintaining that there are existing laws that addresses their concerns. She wrote, Whilst the intent behind this bill is notable, it is important to state that the Lagos State in 2021 passed the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, she wrote. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law protect survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence from all forms of discrimination, stigmatization and ensure that they have access to medical legal and counselling assistance. The law further ensures the protection of women against all forms of domestic violence experienced at home, in public or at the workplace. It is opined that the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency law is also sufficient to cover incidences of Femicide against women and girls. Ms Olumegbo further said that chapter 23 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 sufficiently addresses cases of homicide, murder and suicide, Femicide is a subset of Murder and there are comprehensive provisions on murder in the law that ensures that those convicted dont go without punishment. Demands Meanwhile, Ms Ajayi argues that existing laws do not explicitly mention femicide. She pointed out that the response does not address the patterns behind the killings of women, which the femicide bill aims to address. Ms Ajayi also argued hat the bill should be considered to ensure justice for women and girls who have died and to prevent future deaths. We are saying to him (the speaker) that our femicide bill has to be recognized, introduced on the floor of the House, and adopted either into the criminal code or into the domestic violence law, either as an amendment, she said. We are saying that we want an invitation from the speaker and the house in general to deliberate about this bill, because ignoring the murders, the intentional murders of women and girls in Lagos State is tantamount to discarding women, saying that our lives are not important, she said. She urged the House to recognise and adopt the femicide bill, emphasizing that the bill will address the high number of women and girls who have died due to domestic violence, which the current laws do not adequately cover. She insisted that the current laws only cover the survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The consensus at the meeting, as stated in its communique, is that the return of political instability to West Africa is a direct result of the declining adherence to the normative system designed to uphold democratic standards. The Summit lamented the sustained disrespect of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance by many presidents and called for an improvement of the text. This week, I was in Accra, Ghana for the third West Africa Citizens Summit organised by the civil society movement, Turning the Page (Tournons La Page), under the leadership of Professor David Dosseh. The Summit reviewed the decade of subversion of democracy by numerous incumbent presidents in West Africa, who have been abusing the powers of incumbency to rig elections, unilaterally and illegally change the constitution and extend their tenure, and to suppress the peoples will. It is this anti-democratic behaviour that opened the floodgates of the return of military coups that has so far affected four countries in the region. Delegates that attended came from all West African countries, including the three Alliance of Sahel States (AES) of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The Summit began with a youth conference, in which young people from the region debated their fears, concerns and hopes for the future, which is threatened, as they see it, by the reckless actions of corrupt old men in power in most West African countries. Most of them travelled by road to Accra and recounted terror tales of the extortion they were subjected to by immigration and customs officials along the land borders they travelled across. They took the decision to organise a land caravan from Dakar to Abuja as their contribution to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of ECOWAS@50 next year. The caravan will campaign against the tradition of extortion by security agencies at borders, a culture that has made nonsense of the ECOWAS Protocols of free movement of persons and goods. West Africans must learn to resist corruption and extortion. The representatives of the AES countries complained bitterly about the illegal border closures they were subjected to by what they thought was their own dear ECOWAS and, in particular, the unprecedented sanctions that were targeted at ordinary citizens, rather the military juntas that had taken over power. Some of them described ECOWAS and its leadership, particularly the Authority of Heads of State, as an organ of neo-colonialism that was ready to destroy the people, and concluded that ECOWAS must undergo significant reform if they are to consider returning to the organisation. While they are ready to go it alone in AES, some of them cautioned on this, as the three countries are vulnerable and need some of their other neighbours. Burkina Fasos main economic relations, for example, are with Cote dIvoire and Ghana, and the three Sahelian states are too similar to sustain productive economic relations. It was recalled that in 2015, the attempt to introduce a provision in the Protocol preventing the extension of presidential tenures beyond two terms, was scuttled by the Presidents of Togo and the Gambia, both of who were seeking tenure extension. The second attempt in 2022 was opposed by the Presidents of Senegal, Cote dIvoire and once again Togo, for the same reasons. The consensus at the meeting, as stated in its communique, is that the return of political instability to West Africa is a direct result of the declining adherence to the normative system designed to uphold democratic standards. The Summit lamented the sustained disrespect of the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance by many presidents and called for an improvement of the text. It was recalled that in 2015, the attempt to introduce a provision in the Protocol preventing the extension of presidential tenures beyond two terms, was scuttled by the Presidents of Togo and the Gambia, both of who were seeking tenure extension. The second attempt in 2022 was opposed by the Presidents of Senegal, Cote dIvoire and once again Togo, for the same reasons. Some of our presidents have clearly become sworn enemies of democracy and advocates of single person perpetual rule. The Summit expressed its concerns over the action of the presidential guard in Guinea, who kidnapped two civil society activists of the Tournons La Page movement Mamadou Billo Bah and Oumar Sylla alias Fonike Mengue. They should be released immediately. Since 2020, ECOWAS has been in profound political crisis and the region in political instability, due to a deep security challenge. Terrorist action has led to the massacre of thousands of people and millions of West Africans have been displaced from their homes. The 15 states in the region have become very fragile and can no longer provide for the security and welfare of their citizens. Four of the countries have suffered coups by the military, while many others have been set back by the constitutional coups of incumbent presidents. As the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS approaches in May 2025, the organisation must become and take necessary reform measures that are profound. West African citizens must find the voice to make it clear to presidents in power that the existential crisis the region is facing is a direct outcome of their numerous attempts to remain in power for life. 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 constitutional coup makes it impossible to even envisage the alternation of power. Neither ECOWAS nor the African Union has come out to clearly challenge this deviation from democratic practice. These organisations must address such dramatic challenge to the democratic order, if they are to survive. The Togolese example is edifying in this regard. It was the first African country to undergo a coup detat and has since suffered numerous constitutional, institutional and electoral coups to maintain one family father and son in power. The most recent experience occurred just last May when all powers were transferred to the Chairman of the ministers council the new title President Faure took, which now allows him to be president for life without even pretending to go through elections. This constitutional coup makes it impossible to even envisage the alternation of power. Neither ECOWAS nor the African Union has come out to clearly challenge this deviation from democratic practice. These organisations must address such dramatic challenge to the democratic order, if they are to survive. The Summits recommendation are as follows: Profound structural reform of ECOWAS to limit the absolute control of the organisation by presidents and heads of government; Operationalisation of the constitutional convergence principles by placing a clear provision that makes tenure elongation impossible; Making clear demands for the release of the rising numbers of human rights defenders arbitrarily detained by West Africas authoritarian regimes. Ensuring ECOWAS works assiduously for the return of the three AES countries to the regional body and democratic transition in Guinea. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Do not forget, seeking forgiveness opens the doors to Allahs boundless mercy. As humans, we may falter, but the path of repentance allows us to correct our mistakes and draw closer to our Creator. By incorporating powerful Duas for forgiveness into our daily lives. Never lose hope in Allahs mercy as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. Your Dua for forgiveness will be accepted In Shaa Allah. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger. Dear brothers and sisters! It is important to acknowledge and accept that making mistakes is a normal part of being human. We all have moments where we may turn away from certain beliefs or values but the important thing is to turn back to Allah and seek forgiveness for our wrongdoings in the light of powerful Dua (Supplication/Prayer) for forgiveness from Quran and Sunnah. No doubt, minor sins can be forgiven by performing good deeds, while major sins require specific forgiveness. If we have committed a specific sin, we should admit it, express regret, seek forgiveness, and promise not to repeat it. And should say consciously that: Ya Allah, I regret committing this sin and seek your forgiveness, and promise to not repeat it. Allah Almighty calls upon those who commit the most serious form of shirk and sin to ask for forgiveness. Some of the powerful Dua (Supplication/Prayer) for forgiveness from the Quran and Sunnah are mentioned below: 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 Allah the Most High says: Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness. [Quran, 8:33] Offering Salat (prayer) and invoking (appeal) Allah in the last hours of the night. Abu Hurairah reported Allahs Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him? [Bukhari and Muslim] Anyone who wakes up and prays Tahajjud (Night Prayer) and asks Allahs forgiveness, his Dua will be accepted In Shaa Allah. A Most Superior Way of asking for Forgiveness from Allah: Sayyidul Istighfar (the leader of seeking forgiveness). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: Allahummah anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana Abduka, wa ana ala ahdika wa waadika mastatatu, Auzu bika min Sharri ma sanatu, abuu Laka binimatika alaiya, wa abuu laka bizanbi faghfir li fa innahu la yaghfiruz zunuba illa anta. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) added. If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith (Iman) in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Jannah (Paradise); and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith (Iman) in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Jannah (Paradise). [Bukhari] The act of asking Allah for forgiveness is known as astaghfirullah. Ask Allahs forgiveness and say astaghfirullah 100 times a day. . Read as much as you can: Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilaihi. Meaning: I beg forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him in repentance. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: I seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him one hundred times each day. [Sunan Ibn Majah] There are many benefits and solutions in reciting astaghfirullah, such as, if you are in marriage difficulty, if you want children, health issues, financial problems and any kind of distress will be overcome with this In Shaa Allah. Try to moist your tongue with astaghfirullah. Seeking Allahs Forgiveness by Daytime and at Night: Narrated Abu Hurairah: I heard Allahs Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying: By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day. [Bukhari] Dua for the Forgiveness of committing Zina. Allah says in Quran: And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; and none can forgive sins but Allah And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. [Quran, 3:135] The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not. [Sunan Abu Dawud] The Powerful Surah for Forgiveness Prophet Adam and Hauwa supplicated: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us or bestow Your Mercy upon us, we shall certainly be of the losers. [Quran, 7:23] The Dua for Forgiveness in the Quran Prophet Yunus (AS) recited this supplication when he found himself in the belly of a big fish (whale): . La ilaha illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz Zalimin. Meaning: There is no god save you. Be you glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer. [Quran, 21:87] This is the most powerful Dua (Supplication/Prayer) in the Quran recited by Prophet Yunus (AS) and Allah accepts repentance or Tawba and forgives him. Allah loves those who ask for forgiveness and repent. Allah is Ghaffar who not only forgives but forgives again and again. In another place Allah Almighty says in the Quran: Whoever does evil or wrongs themselves but afterwards [sincerely] seeks Allahs Forgiveness, they will find Allah Very Forgiving [and] Most Merciful. [Quran, 4:110] The Best Dua to recite for Forgiveness in Arabic: Sayyidul Istighfar (the leader of seeking forgiveness) . [Bukhari] In the Quran: . [Quran, 7:23] Allah Almighty says in the Quran, in Surah 27, verse 46: Why do you not seek forgiveness with Allah, so that you may receive [His] mercy? [Quran, 27:46] Allah the Almighty says: Seek forgiveness with Allah! Certainly, Allah is Ever Forgiving [and] Merciful. [Quran, 73:20] Dua for the Forgiveness of Major Sins in Islam Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them. [Muslim] In another Hadith he said: . Allahummah innaka afuwwun tuhibbul-afwa, faafu anni. Meaning: O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.' [Sunan Ibn Majah] The above Dua (Supplication/Prayer) is told by the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) for Lailatul-Qadr the night in which Muslims seek forgiveness. Remember, it is important to fulfill the following four conditions when making a specific Dua for forgiveness for a particular sin: 1. Admit it. 2. Express regret. 3. Seek forgiveness. 4. And promise not to repeat it. Dua for the Forgiveness of Minor Sins in Islam Its important to keep in mind that good deeds have the power to undo bad deeds. Abu Zar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said to me: Shall I tell you the expression that is most loved by Allah? It is, Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise). [Muslim] Whoever says, Subhanallah wa bihamdihi, one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. These two words are so lighter on the tongue but too heavy on the scale. Dua for the Forgiveness of Parents Allah the Most High says: And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small. [Quran, 17: 24] Respected brothers and sisters! Do not forget, seeking forgiveness opens the doors to Allahs boundless mercy. As humans, we may falter, but the path of repentance allows us to correct our mistakes and draw closer to our Creator. By incorporating powerful Duas for forgiveness into our daily lives. Never lose hope in Allahs mercy as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. Your Dua for forgiveness will be accepted In Shaa Allah. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Israel-Gaza conflict is a complex issue requiring a comprehensive solution. The international community must engage in meaningful diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict, including the occupation, blockade, and Palestinian self-determination. Only through dialogue and compromise can a lasting peace be achieved. Many groups have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged Israel to stop the violence against Palestinians. The Israel-Gaza conflict has been a longstanding issue, with periods of relative calm punctuated by outbreaks of violence. The most recent escalation occurred on the 7th of October 2023, when members of the Hamas militant group bypassed Israels land border from Gaza, and killed about 300 Israeli civilians. Israels response was an all out military exercise in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant loss of life, infrastructure damage, and a humanitarian crisis. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in a statement released on the 11th of October 2023, and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed deep concerns with the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza, and has called for an immediate cessation to the violence in the region. CAN said, while recognizing Israels right to self-defense, we emphasize the importance of proportionality and the avoidance of harm to innocent civilians in any military response. The loss of innocent lives on both sides of the conflict is a tragic consequence of this escalating situation, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those who have suffered the loss of their loved ones in these incidents. Consequently, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and violence between Israel and Palestine. We believe in the sanctity of human life and the principles of justice and peace, as upheld by our Christian faith. We urge all parties involved to engage in dialogue and seek diplomatic solutions. CAN also stressed the need for religious leaders in Nigeria to promote peace and understanding in their respective communities, in order to curb any national divide that may stem form the conflict in the Middle East. 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 Furthermore, the ongoing war holds significant implications for Nigerias faith communities. It is crucial for religious leaders and communities in Nigeria to actively promote understanding, compassion, and peaceful coexistence among diverse religious groups. We must resist the temptation to allow this conflict to deepen divisions or inflame religious tensions within our nation, Nigeria. the Council also calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to, as it did with apartheid in South Africa and for the sake of humanity and justice, come out and stand clearly with the helpless victims of persistent Israeli persecution, massacre, oppression and suppression. Historically, this conflict centres on the disputed territory of Gaza, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Palestinians in Gaza demand self-determination and an end to the blockade that restricts their movement and those of goods. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary for security reasons, citing Hamass militant activities. In May 2021, tensions rose after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian protesters at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, launched rockets into Israel, prompting a military response. The conflict escalated, resulting in over 250 Palestinians killed, including women and children, while over 1,900 were injured. Similarly, over 1,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, as Israeli airstrikes targetted Hamas infrastructure. The international community condemned the violence, calling for restraint and a ceasefire. The United States blocked UN Security Council resolutions, while the European Union and other nations urged diplomacy. The conflict is rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, with Gaza being a focal point. Key issues include the occupation and blockade, settlement expansion, Jerusalems status, and Palestinian self-determination. The conflict exacerbated Gazas existing humanitarian crisis, with 70 per cent of Gazans relying on aid, limited access to electricity, water, and healthcare, alongside economic devastation, and a 50 per cent unemployment rate. Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), in a statement issued by its Deputy Secretary-General National Legal Adviser, Professor Salisu Shehu-Yunus and Ustaz Usman (SAN), accused Israel of disobeying United Nations resolutions to withdraw its military presence in Gaza and also condemned the inhumane treatment of Palestinians. The circumstances leading to the current escalation are well known to the discerning. It is because Israel has persistently failed to honour United Nations resolutions, implement the two-state solution of the Oslo Accord and guarantee Palestinians economic and political security. The Israelis have rather imposed a most abhorrent colonial policy on the besieged enclave. They have also continued to treat Palestinians as sub-humans and made Gaza the largest open-air prison in the world under the ungodly false mantra that Palestine was a land without people and Israelis were people without a land. It is in line with this fact that the Council also calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to, as it did with apartheid in South Africa and for the sake of humanity and justice, come out and stand clearly with the helpless victims of persistent Israeli persecution, massacre, oppression and suppression. The United States is also accused of being complicit in Israels crimes due to its unwavering support of the Jewish State, despite the numerous war crimes blatantly being committed in Gaza. It is, therefore, unfortunate that the United States has fallen short of the humane values of justice, freedom, security and protection of life that it always purportedly proclaims. As we all have blood flowing in our veins and share a common humanity, to pretend that the frustration of Palestinians and the silence of the world to their suffering and oppression will not lead to aggression is to stand logic on its head. Their mass humiliation has even been exacerbated by the hardline policy of the current Israeli government, which sees them as animals, the statement declared. The NSCIA has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stand for justice, just as it did with the issue of Apartheid in South Africa, and show solidarity for Palestinians at the international level. It is in line with this fact that the Council also calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to, as it did with apartheid in South Africa and for the sake of humanity and justice, come out and stand clearly with the helpless victims of persistent Israeli persecution, massacre, oppression and suppression. The religious body expressed its support for the Palestinian struggle, and calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The Council commiserates with the people of Palestine on the huge losses they have recorded before and during the current war and calls for an immediate ceasefire. We also pray for peace, justice, security and humanity in the world because violence is an evil wind that blows no one any good. The world, beginning from the United States to the rest of those who turn a blind eye to the Israeli atrocities, should wake up to the fact that all humans are equal and justice is the best guarantor of peace. The two-state solution appears a mid-way out, though still not totally just to the Palestinians. The Israel-Gaza conflict is a complex issue requiring a comprehensive solution. The international community must engage in meaningful diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict, including the occupation, blockade, and Palestinian self-determination. Only through dialogue and compromise can a lasting peace be achieved. Umar Farouk Bala is with the Department of International Relations, Nile University, Abuja. Email: umarfaroukofficial@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (the JV) has announced the completion of an Education Infrastructure project which saw the comprehensive rehabilitation of 6 schools in Bauchi State. Focusing on communities catering to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the project commenced in 2022 with a goal to improving learning conditions for pupils in disadvantaged communities of the State Nigeria houses the third-largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) inand different forms of crisis have severely impacted many communities in the Northeastern region of the country. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), over 2.18 million IDPs were recorded in Nigeria as of February 2021. Many schools in the region are in dire condition, leaving children without access to quality education one of the most critical tools for overcoming poverty and instability. With a project implementation cost of over N900 million naira, the four secondary schools and two primary schools that were rehabilitated through this exercise include Government Day Secondary School, Azare, Bauchi; Government Day Comprehensive Secondary School, Azare, Bauchi; Ahmad Turaki Primary School Nassarawa East, Bauchi; Matsango Senior Secondary School, Azare; Katsalle Primary and Junior Secondary School, Azare and Bakoshi Nursery and Primary School, Azare. To address issues ranging from significant infrastructural dilapidation to non-functional toilets and lack of learning supplies, the project delivered comprehensive renovations and upgrades, including new roofs, structural repairs, proper classroom furniture, upgrade of school laboratories and the installation of toilets. Additionally, solar powered boreholes were provided to ensure access to clean water, addressing the critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene needs in these schools. Commenting on the announcement, Mr Etomi, Executive Director, Corporate Services of FIRST E&P, said: For us as a company, Educational Advancement is one of our pillars for social development. We believe that education is the foundation of societal progress, and by revitalising these schools, we have helped in empowering the children with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. However, this initiative goes beyond mere construction; its about restoring hope and dignity for the children of Bauchi State. This project aligns perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 of inclusive and equitable quality education and is a crucial step towards achieving that vision and unlocking the future potential of these communities. Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services(NUIMS), added: As a responsible corporate citizen, NNPC Limited is committed to supporting the development of our communities. This education infrastructure project is a testament of our dedication to providing quality education and essential amenities to those who have been affected by the insurgency. We believe that investing in education is investing in the future of our nation. He went further to express optimism that the infrastructure will inspire a thirst for knowledge in students and encourage teachers to deliver their best. Commenting on the impact of the initiative, Inuwa Muhammad, Principal, Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Azare said, As the Principal of the School, I am very delighted to have this renovation during my tenure because this is a great development to the school and the entire community at large. The company has done so much. 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 Ibrahim Muhammad, Principal, Government Day Secondary School, Azare commended the JV saying, Thankfully, the renovation took place at the right time. It will greatly help the school and its standard. Following a competitive bid and evaluation of capacity, the project was implemented by local contractors, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond education to include economic empowerment. This approach was taken not only to guarantee high-quality work but also to foster economic growth within the local community through the creation of jobs and development of skills. FIRST E&P is a leading independent Exploration and Production (E&P) company with maximum delivery capacity across the upstream oil and gas value chain, including drilling, well completion, well testing, and production operations. Established in 2011, FIRST E&P achieved its First Oil production from one of its NNPC Ltd Joint Venture flagship assets OML 83 in October 2020, amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. Production was ramped up to 40,000 bbl/d by Q1 2021 and in January 2021, the company achieved its first export lift. In April 2024, with OML 85 asset coming onstream, the Joint Venture is now delivering a reliable output of over 57,000 bbl/d. For more information, please visit the company website: www.first-epdc.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Desertification has forced several communities in the Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State to flee their ancestral lands. Baba Aji, the local government chairperson, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, North-east Nigeria, on Friday. He said dunes had taken over lands and houses in the communities, rendering the areas inhabitable for both humans and animals. Desertification has driven many people out of their origin. Some of these people are now taking shelter in Kaska village. When you go to the affected villages you will see the dunes still advancing closer to houses. This situation forced some of them to migrate to Nguru town. Other areas affected by the sand dunes are Tulo-Tulo and Bula-tura, two towns bordering the Niger Republic. 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 Our people are facing the danger of extinction, Mr Aji said. The chairman expressed concern that the dunes would soon encroach on an oasis, a critical water source in the area unless urgent measures were taken to halt the menace. Sand dunes are encroaching on the oases, which presents a beautiful picture amidst the harsh desert conditions. It is a clear and present danger to the economic livelihood of the people. People grow sugarcane, tomatoes, cassava, groundnuts and even potatoes on the oases during the dry season. All these activities are now under threat. If the oases are allowed to dry up, hundreds of people will lose their jobs and be condemned to economic hardship, he said. Mr Aji noted that the efforts made by the local and state governments, the Great Green Wall project, and non-governmental organisations were good but did not yield the desired result. Therefore, the chairman appealed to the Federal Government to establish shelter belts in the area to prevent the sand dunes from growing. I am appealing to the Ecological Fund office and the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on desertification in Yusufari local government. We need shelter belts to hold back the sand dunes from advancing. I am proposing a sand dune programme which entails planting trees to protect the land. The sand dunes fixation should be speedily executed to prevent the dunes from taking over the oases, the LG boss stressed. On the states Agriculture Empowerment Programme, he lauded Governor Mai Mala Buni for allocating mini farm machinery and other farm inputs to the area. The equipment, fertiliser and improved seeds given to the farmers came on time, when they needed them most. With the timely distribution of the inputs, we will have a bumper harvest this year, InshaAllah. However, due to torrential rainfall this year, we experienced flooding and erosion, leading to the collapse of buildings and destruction of farm produce. We took a delegation from the governor and SEMA to where buildings collapsed, and we are expecting assistance from them any moment from now. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian troops engaged terrorists in a gun battle in Kaduna leading to the death of nine terrorists. According to an official statement by the army, several weapons, including guns and ammunition, were recovered from the terrorists after the battle. The army posted on its official X Handle on Friday that the encounter took place at Kampani Doka and Rifigoro communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state. It, however, did not state when the battle occurred. According to the post, the troops conducted offensive operations into the terrorists stronghold near Kampani Doka and met strong resistance from the terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the troops. In a shootout that lasted for hours, the gallant troops subdued the criminal elements with superior firepower, thereby neutralising seven of the terrorists. The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines (four fully loaded with 120 rounds of 7.62mm Special), a magazine carrier and motorcycles. Other items include three mobile cell phones, two Baofeng communication radios, and three pairs of civil clothes, it 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 Several terror groups operate in Kaduna and other north-west states. The army did not state which of the groups was involved in the attack. The terror groups routinely attack communities, killing and kidnapping residents. In its post, the army added that its troops further projected offensives to Gayam village in the same Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, where a notorious insurgent leader was killed. It said that some of his accomplices fled with gunshot wounds, leaving behind their weapons and equipment. Among the items recovered by the troops were a PKT machine gun with eight rounds of ammunition, a Baofeng radio, multiple communication devices, one SMF magazine, and 14 mobile SIM cards. These successful operations, marked by the deletion of key terrorist figures and the seizure of dangerous weapons, are a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability to the region. We call on the public to continue supporting the relentless efforts of our security forces, who are tirelessly working to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, it added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested six suspects over an alleged abduction and murder of marine hunters from the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways in the state. Timfon John, the police spokesperson in the state, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the police have exhumed the bodies of the hunters from shallow graves in Unyenghe community, Mbo Local Government Area of the state. Ms John identified the suspects as Anthony Archibong, 46, Emmanuel Otoyo, 18, Daniel Okon, 26, Eniete Tom, 34 and Joseph Okon, 44. They were arrested along with Okon Eteokpo, the village head of Utit Antai in Mbo, whom the police described as an ally and spiritual fortifier to the suspects. Upon their arrest, a combined team of the (police) command launched a comprehensive search for the corpses and found them buried in shallow graves after hours of frantic toil, with their heads dismembered. The (police) command has again reassured members of the public of their intentional determination to rid the State of crime and criminal elements, appealing to members of the public to always report suspicious people and movements within their domain to the nearest Police Station, Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police, said. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a surge in crimes in Akwa Ibom, reputed as one of the safest states in the country. 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 have stepped up surveillance around the state. The latest breakthrough came less than a day after the police in the state reported the killing of a suspect who killed Sylvanus Ukpong, the elder brother of the PREMIUM TIMES Editor, South-south/South-east region, Cletus Ukpong. The slain suspect, Ubong Archibong, the police said was also responsible for the abduction of a High Court High, Joy Unwana last December, during which her police guard was killed. The suspect was killed during an exchange of gun battle with the police at his hideout in Cross River State, this newspaper earlier reported. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have again attacked the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that about 20 armed persons invaded the secretariat early Friday morning. The council headquarters is in the Atani Community. The development occurred about two months after gunmen attacked the same secretariat. During the earlier attack which occurred in June, the attackers razed some vehicles and buildings. It is unclear if the same group carried out the two attacks, and no group has claimed responsibility for them. The latest attack In the latest attack, residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the gunmen invaded the secretariat and fired sporadic shots. 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 One of the residents, who asked not to be named for fear of being attacked, said the hoodlums appeared to have used improvised explosive devices to break into some buildings in the secretariat. We saw some buildings that were blown up. We believe the gunmen used an explosive device to do that, he said. The resident added that the hoodlums also razed some buildings and vehicles in the secretariat during the attack. Video clip Some video clips apparently recorded after the attack have been circulating on various social media platforms. In one clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, multiple buildings were in flames while firefighters were spotted battling to put out the fire. At least three vehicles were razed during the attack, another clip showed. The razed vehicles were a bus, a pickup truck and a Sienna. Another clip showed some cracked walls said to have been caused by the explosive device used by the gunmen. Police speak The police in Anambra State have confirmed the attack. In a short message forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday morning, the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said some police operatives resisted the gunmen. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said some properties were destroyed and buildings also affected but did not give details. He said no life was lost in the attack. He said a joint security team has been deployed in the area. The joint security operation is ongoing, he stated. READ ALSO: Bandits suffer heavy casualties in failed attack in Zamfara community Worsening insecurity Like other states in Nigerias south-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent country of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has lost over 40 transformers to vandalisation in Ekiti State in the last six months. The Senior Commercial Officer of BEDC in the state, Brown Ilori, expressed concern over the situation while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday, The 43 substations whose transformers were vandalised are scattered all over Ekiti. The 43 transformers were vandalised in the last six months when such cases became very rampant, he said. He denied insinuations that the companys workers and agents were involved in the development, noting that it does not take any expertise to destroy these transformers. He said a suspected vandal was arrested in the state capital and handed over to the police. On Tuesday this week, we caught one person in the Tinuola area of Ado Ekiti who is not a member of our staff. The matter has been reported to the police. The Regional Head has just handed the suspect over to the police. Mr Ilori urged the people and communities to help protect the facilities in their areas to help sustain power delivery. Our plea is for the communities where transformers are cited to take ownership of the transformers. 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 are calling on the people to safeguard those facilities because they are within their domains. We want to carry the people along to let them know that security is the collective responsibility of all. Security is the business of everybody. It is true that we own the transformers but it provides light for the people. If the people are passive about the security of the transformers, they will be put in perpetual darkness if they allow hoodlums to vandalise the transformers. We have held meetings with our staff and warned them that once it is outside the official hour, do not carry out any repairs at any transformers, no matter the pressure, until the following day. These are the steps we are taking at our own end here. On her part, the BEDC Regional Head, Ekiti, Moyo Akin-Afuye, also urged the people to collaborate with the company in protecting transformers and other equipment in the state. Mrs Akin-Afuye said the company has installed solar lamps and transparent perimeter fencing around the transformers as part of measures to ensure security of the electricity equipment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The $50,000 Grand Prize Winner will be announced Sept. 16 at the Grand Finale Event MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MN Cup , the nation's largest statewide startup competition is celebrating its 20th annual season and is excited to announce the nine emerging companies who have won their respective divisions, securing cash awards and moving forward to compete for this year's $50,000 grand prize. The nine Division Winners were selected from an initial pool of almost 3,200 entrepreneurs across Minnesota. Division winners receive $25,000 in non-dilutive cash prizes and a shot at the grand prize. The Youth division awards a total prize of $20,000 to the top three finalist companies. Competitors in every division are also eligible to win dedicated prizes funded by the Carlson Family Foundation, JP Morgan Chase and MEDA, The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This MN Cup season will come to an exciting close during the Grand Finale on Monday, September 16 from 4-7PM, at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. During the event, the Grand Prize Winner of the 20th annual season of MN Cup and other special awards will be announced. To attend, click here . MN Cup's 2024 Division Winners are: ENERGY, CLEAN TECH & WATER: Revitri EDUCATION & TRAINING: Talknician FOOD, AGRICULTURE & BEVERAGE: Loon Liquor GENERAL: Momease Solutions HIGH TECH: Mozrt IMPACT VENTURES: Nashke Native Games LIFE SCIENCE & HEALTH IT: Heart Failure Solutions STUDENT: Alure YOUTH: SignalGrab A record number of unique business plans were submitted this year a ten percent increase over last year. Participation continues to reflect MN Cup's priorities of increasing representation, with 43% Women-led, 39% BIPOC-led and 31% Greater Minnesota-led companies applying. MN Cup is a free, annual competition that identifies, supports, and connects early-stage ventures across Minnesota. Since 2005, MN Cup has supported over 26,000 entrepreneurs and awarded more than $5.4 million of non-dilutive cash prizes to MN-based startups that have raised more than $1.1 billion. About MN Cup: MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership that brings together corporations, investors, foundations, government and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota's Entrepreneurs. MN Cup is a program of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. To learn more, visit mncup.org . Media Contact: Megan Rogers 612-351-8441 [email protected] mncup.org SOURCE MN Cup NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Acre NY Realty is proud to announce the successful hosting of the LIC Young Professional Networking Event on August 22nd, 2024, at Athena LIC. The event drew nearly 200 attendees, offering a dynamic platform for young professionals working in New York City. It featured special guest speakers from various industries who shared their career experiences and entrepreneurial journeys with the attendees. Acre NY Realty Acre NY Realty The primary goal of the event was to offer young professionals in New York a platform to gain clarity on their career paths and professional goals. This event has had a significant impact on the LIC community, fostering connections and collaboration among the city's emerging talent. The Founder of Acre NY, Cathy Huang, said, "We believe that this event was an excellent opportunity for professionals to gain industry insights, connect with like-minded individuals, and build meaningful connections." Acre extends its sincere appreciation to the guests who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the event and engage in thoughtful discussions about their respective fields. Acre also extends sincere appreciation to the sponsors who made this event possible, including MG Law Group, CTC, Pro HR, Fer, Teazzi, SANSAM RAMEN, and Fantuan Delivery. The venue for this event, Athena LIC, is located at 27-20 42nd Rd in Long Island City. This 9-story building features 51 meticulously designed units, each reflecting a commitment to modern living standards. Each unit in Athena LIC is a masterpiece that merges comfort with aesthetics. The living room features floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive ceiling heights ranging from 10'0" to 11'1", which allow natural light to cascade into the home, creating an atmosphere of openness and tranquility. The kitchen features elegant dark walnut cabinets and Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, equipped with advanced Bosch appliances and Wi-Fi connectivity for culinary excellence and modern convenience. The bathroom blends serene luxury with Calacatta porcelain and walnut vanities, enhanced by antique brass accents. The addition of heated floors and custom LED lighting creates a tranquil ambiance for a soothing experience. Moreover, smart living features like Latch smart apartment entry and Wi-Fi-enabled smart home appliances offer residents effortless control and seamless integration of daily home functions at their fingertips. Besides, smart living features like Latch smart apartment entry and Wi-Fi enabled smart home appliances offer residents effortless control and seamless integration of daily home functions at their fingertips. In addition, the building offers ample communal spaces. Outdoor spaces like the rooftop terrace are beautifully designed to provide a perfect balance of activity and tranquility. The storage room and pet spa provide unmatched safety and ease for residences. The fitness center, party room, children's playroom and, E-game lounge offer a variety of choices for residents to socialize, and relax. Pricing for current availability at Athena LIC starts at $700,000. Acre NY Realty is the exclusive marketing and sales agent. For more information or to schedule a sales appointment, please visit www.theathenalic.com About Acre NY Realty Acre NY Realty is one of the most influential real estate brokerages in New York. Acre prides itself on providing the highest quality and comprehensive real estate services to its clients. Acre provides extensive market research and analysis, pre-development & post-construction advice, investment strategies, and leasing and sales services. Acre's success has led to over $300M+ in annual sales revenue. For more information, please visit https://www.acreny.us . Media Contact: Tony Tsai 212-653-8880 [email protected] SOURCE Acre NY Realty Small/underrepresented business contractors connect with prime contractors, agencies and stakeholders at premier construction industry event SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) held its annual Southern California Small Business Construction Expo (SBCX) on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. The event featured Tim Lindholm, interim chief program management officer with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as the keynote speaker. "Infrastructure development is not just about building structures; it's about connecting communities and creating opportunities for growth. At Metro, we understand the vital role that small and diverse businesses play in this ecosystem," said Tim Lindholm, interim chief program management officer with Metro. "I've seen firsthand how inclusivity and diversity drive innovation and efficiency. Our work isn't just an investment in transportation projects - it's an investment in the people and businesses of Los Angeles County. Together, we're not just building infrastructure; we're building pathways to success for businesses of all sizes and backgrounds." Tim Lindholm brings over two decades of expertise in managing the design and development of transportation infrastructure in the nation's most populous county. He leads a team of 200 employees in executing a $30 billion capital program dedicated to Metro's rail, bus, highway, and active transportation projects. AGC of California's SBCX facilitates connections between small/underrepresented business (SUB) contractors and valuable resources and experts from across the state. The event includes representatives from public and government agencies, prime contractors, and specialty trade organizations, all dedicated to supporting the growth of SUB contractors. Over 45 organizations sponsored booths and shared tips for landing contracts, project forecasts for opportunities and more. AGC of California's Southern California SBCX is developed in partnership with presenting sponsors BuildOUT California and Los Angeles Metro. Over 480 people registered for the event. SBCX places special emphasis on making connections between construction industry businesses that are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), LGBT business enterprises (LGBTBE), minority business enterprises (MBE), small business enterprises (SBE), women business enterprises (WBE), and women-owned small businesses (WOSB). "SBCX is where dreams can become real opportunities," said AGC of California Chief Executive Officer Peter Tateishi. "It is a launchpad for the future of California's construction industry. By bringing together small and underrepresented businesses with key stakeholders we're opening doors, where each connection made here has the potential to transform a small contractor into tomorrow's industry leader. This is how we ensure that California continues to evolve, driven by a diverse, innovative, and resilient construction community." The event was sponsored by AGC of California members, including Hensel Phelps, Skanska, Flatiron, BNBuilders, Clark Construction, Department of General Services, Los Angeles World Airports, PCL Construction, Port of Long Beach, Postindustria, Sully-Miller Contracting Co., Turner Construction Company, WE O'Neil Construction and Webcor Builders. About the Associated General Contractors of California Since 1920, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) has worked alongside members to provide advocacy, education, career development, and networking opportunities to experienced and next generation construction and contracting professionals. AGC of California advocates for contractors with state and local governments, while helping members connect with industry leaders through services, innovative programs, and events. Learn more at www.agc-ca.org. MEDIA CONTACT | Teresa Kent [email protected] | 916.833.8751 SOURCE Associated General Contractors of California COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleut Management Services (Aleut), a subsidiary of Aleut Federal, has secured a $63 million contract from the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to enhance its support for the Space Force's training and education mission. Starting September 3, 2024, Aleut will directly support the inaugural Officer Training Course (OTC) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. Aleut's leadership in the OTC program marks a significant expansion of its ongoing work with the 319th Combat Training Squadron, which aims to develop a multidisciplinary officer corps capable of addressing the complexities of space operations. The USSF's inaugural OTC will serve as the first leader development course, equipping officers with a broad understanding of mission concepts and foundational knowledge to synchronize operations across the Space Force's diverse operational missions. "Aleut is honored to be an integral part of delivering this groundbreaking course, which will equip our Space Force officers with the skills needed to address the full spectrum of conflict in the space domain," said Jay Waldman, Vice President of Defense for Aleut Federal's Mission and Technology Programs. Over 12 months, the OTC will provide comprehensive training in space, intelligence, and cyber operations, cultivating a "Guardian first, specialist second" mindset. Each officer will be trained in all three primary disciplines, with the program tailoring their primary focus to align with the individuals' aptitude, preferences, and the needs of the Space Force. This approach is designed not only to prepare officers for their immediate roles but also to develop future leaders within the Space Force's operational framework. Additionally, it will offer opportunities for Force Modernization as part of the broader mission to reoptimize the Space Force for Great Power Competition Leveraging Aleut's extensive experience in providing training and education programs to the Department of Defense and other government clients, the OTC will ensure that USSF officers are Day-One ready for their operational assignments. The establishment of the OTC aligns with the Space Force's broader strategy to redesign career paths for officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians to meet the high-tech demands of the service and build a combat-credible force. ABOUT ALEUT MANAGEMENT SERVICES Aleut Management Services LLC (Aleut) participates in the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) certified 8(a) program and operates as a Small Disadvantaged Business. Aleut specializes in delivering professional development and training, engineering, and technical support services, including research and development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E), technical operations, and strategic services. Aleut holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification and functions as a wholly owned subsidiary of Aleut Federal, a holding company for the federal subsidiaries of The Aleut Corporation. The Aleut Corporation, one of the 12 original Alaska Native regional corporations, was established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), passed by the U.S. Congress in 1971. Berlyn Martin Aleut Federal, LLC Phone: 586-337-5828 SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC HONG KONG, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 27, 2024, the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Ceremony took place simultaneously in Hong Kong and Macau. Mr. Xu Yinhai, Co-Founder of AncSonic, an intelligent acoustic technology provider, was honored with the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award for Best Technology Innovation. Mr. Xu Yinhai at the award ceremony The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony, now in its fifth year, has been held annually and is highly valued and supported by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. The award process involves a professional and rigorous selection procedure, with evaluations independently conducted by academic institutions and invited experts. It is typically awarded to leaders of unicorn enterprises in the biomedical, high-end manufacturing, and advanced technology industries, as well as young entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to culture, society, and public welfare. As the Co-Founder of AncSonic, Xu spearheaded his team to achieve a significant breakthrough in the field of intelligent acoustics. They developed several core acoustic algorithms, including active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio, and directional sound transmission. These innovations resulted in the realization of over 120 patents, which have empowered intelligent earphones, electrical appliances, automotive, and industrial applications. Xu and his team's contributions have significantly enhanced the technological capabilities and competitiveness of their partners' products. Mr. Xu Yinhai distinguished himself from among 1,300 participants to win this award, which not only acknowledges Xu's remarkable achievements but also stands as a robust endorsement of AncSonic's stellar performance within the industry. Looking ahead, AncSonic is committed to harnessing its technological prowess and innovative capabilities to further embed smart acoustic technology into earphones, household appliances, automotive systems, and industrial applications. To deliver more competitive products and solutions to the global market, AncSonic is at the forefront of driving a new wave of development in the smart acoustic industry. About AncSonic Founded in 2016, AncSonic specializes in the field of smart acoustics, possessing essential platform technologies and a robust supply chain foundation necessary for the industrialization of smart acoustic technologies. In the smart earphones sector, AncSonic offers ODM services and has developed a range of highly popular products, including ANC earphones, open-ear earphones, and earphones with specialized features such as Karaoke functionality and spatial audio capabilities. Its production facility in Dongguan, China, seamlessly integrates design, research and development, and manufacturing. With 17 high-end smart earphone production lines, the facility boasts a monthly production capacity of up to 500,000 units. In the electrical appliances industry, the company offers three-dimensional spatial sound field ANC technology solutions. These solutions effectively control noise at its source, improve the sound quality of electrical appliances, and enhance the performance of voice interaction. In the automotive industry, AncSonic offers multi-frequency ANC technology solutions that address engine noise, tire noise, and wind noise. The company also develops sound field partitioning technology to enable voice interaction modes where the driver and passengers do not interfere with each other. Additionally, AncSonic introduces interval stereo sound enhancement technology to deliver a multi-interval intelligent stereo sound experience. SOURCE AncSonic JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bukalapak, one of Indonesia's leading e-commerce platforms, has made significant strides in increasing the comfort and safety of its platform, including combatting counterfeit products and strengthening its intellectual property (IP) protection measures. In the States, Bukalapak took the time to meet with various IP Protection stakeholders, including Travis Johnson - VP of Legislative Affairs & Senior counsel at IACC and Robert C. Barchiesi - President of IACC. In 2024, Bukalapak actively participated in key industry events, including the IACC Annual Meeting in Orlando, US and the INTA Annual Conference in Atlanta, US. These engagements provided a platform for the company to showcase its progress and future plans, receiving positive feedback and endorsements from major stakeholders. At the IACC Annual Meeting, Bukalapak met with industry leaders to discuss its ongoing efforts and future strategies. They praised the significant improvements and expressed support for Bukalapak on the upcoming United States Trade Representative (USTR) report. During the roundtable discussions, Stefio Kurniadi, Bukalapak's AVP of Trust & Safety, presented data on takedown progress and service level agreements (SLAs), which were met with positive responses from the participants. This indicated a reduced concern regarding Bukalapak compared to previous years. In the States, Bukalapak also took the time to meet with various stakeholders on related topics. Discussions revealed that takedown activities are trending downward year-on-year, though further improvements are needed. Bukalapak is shifting its focus post-IPO to enhance platform cleanliness and support for brands, including strict Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for sellers and plans for automating proactive monitoring measures. Addressing challenges in data protection and law enforcement interest, Bukalapak plans to engage with Indonesia's DGIP (IP Protection Regulatory Body) and other authorities to discuss data sharing and online-to-offline (O2O) initiatives. To enhance security, Bukalapak also collaborates with various brand owners and regulators, including the National Narcotics Agency, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Communication and Information, the Indonesian National Police, and other related institutions. Bukalapak has also established a dedicated reporting portal called BukaBantuan for rights holders to report instances of intellectual property infringement on Bukalapak's app. The resolution time for these reports is recorded as within 24 hours. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492474/Photo_Bukalapak_USTR.jpg WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Step inside a living tribute to the women who fought for our right to vote: the 1920 Merch Co., now open in Union Station this August. This groundbreaking store is more than just a retail space; it is a celebration of the courage and resilience of the suffragettes who paved the way to gender equality. As we approach the 104th anniversary of the 19th Amendment on August 18th and the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the opening of 1920 Merch Co. serves as a powerful reminder of the intertwined struggles for voting rights, labor rights, and equal rights that have shaped our nation. Original 1920 Merch Button Collection 1920 Merch DC Union Station Located in the heart of Union Station, the 1920 Merch Co. stands as a testament to history and progress. From apparel and accessories featuring icons like Susan B. Anthony to modern tributes to today's female trailblazers like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the store offers something for every advocate of women's rights. Throughout September, the 1920 store will be at the center of a vibrant celebration, featuring: - Historical Exhibits: Explore exclusive in-store exhibits showcasing memorabilia, artifacts, and stories from the women who championed the suffrage movement. - Exclusive Merchandise: Discover our curated collection of suffrage-inspired products, from apparel to home decor, artwork, and access to a digital bookstore celebrating literature that highlights inspirational women throughout history. Each piece reflects the bravery of the women who fought for our rights. - Community Engagement: Partner with us in supporting local organizations like the YWCA of Washington, D.C., as we collaborate to further the cause of women's rights and equality. "We are thrilled to bring 1920 Merch Co. to Washington, D.C.," said Sandra Long, Founder and CEO of SLA Worldwide, the retail developer behind 1920. "Our store is more than just a retail space; it's a celebration of women's resilience, courage, and accomplishments. With the store now open in the heart of D.C., we look forward to engaging with the local community and being part of the continued fight for equality and the new suffrage movement." "1920 Merch Co. is a tribute to the women who fought for our right to vote and equality," said Edie Fraser, Women's Advocate for Business and Politics. "Kudos to Sandra Long and the 1920 Merch Co. team for bringing this important history to life." As the nation prepares to commemorate Labor Day and the 104th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the opening of 1920 Merch Co. also underscores the enduring connections between the women's suffrage movement, labor rights, and the broader fight for equal rights. The store is a testament to the ongoing struggle to ensure that women's voices continue to resonate in every aspect of society, from the voting booth to the workplace. The 1920 Merch Store invites all who visit Washington, D.C., to stop by Union Station, explore the rich history of the women's suffrage movement, and join in the ongoing fight to ensure that women's voices continue to be heard loud and clear. For more information, visit [www.1920merch.com](http://www.1920merch.com). About 1920 Merch Co.: 1920 Merch Co. is a retail store dedicated to celebrating women's achievements and promoting gender equality through its curated collection of merchandise. Founded in Philadelphia and now expanding to Washington, D.C., 1920 offers stylish apparel, accessories, and more, each designed to honor the 19th amendment, to empower and inspire. Media Contact: Enoila Akunkumni (410)801-6440 [email protected] SOURCE 1920 Merch Champion ready for Netflix showdown with Chestnut: But will he save room for dessert? ARCADIA, Calif., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KLIMON maker of award-winning, ultra-creamy, dairy-free frozen desserts has chosen sides in Monday's face-off between competitive eaters Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi. With just days to go before Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, the brand announces its sponsorship of the Japanese "godfather of competitive eating," Kobayashi. KLIMON x Kobayashi Kobayashi, who has flirted with retirement from competitive eating, will go head-to-head with fellow champion Chestnut for the first time in fifteen years in the Netflix-streamed event at the HyperX Arena Las Vegas at the Luxor Hotel & Casino on Labor Day. Kobayashi will wear KLIMON-branded apparel for the event. "Growing up, I watched Takeru Kobayashi dominate the hot dog eating competition on July 4th year after year," said KLIMON founder and CEO Alex Cotraviwat. "His commitment to smashing boundaries was inspirational in life and in business. KLIMON is proud to be in his corner for this marquee event, and beyond." Kobayashi's partnership with the dairy-free brand highlights the growing trend toward plant-based products in the United States. Per the Good Food Institute, 60% of U.S. households purchased a plant-based food item in 2023. Coincidentally, Kobayashi's rival Chestnut also caused a recent stir with his endorsement of a plant-based alternative to meat. "Concern about the environment, animal welfare and personal health are driving demand for plant-based products, particularly among younger consumers," said Cotraviwat. "At KLIMON, our motto is 'No Dairy. No Difference.' We make products so creamy and delicious; everyone enjoys them." "After so many years in competitive eating, I'm focusing on enjoying food again which includes leaving room for my favorite KLIMON frozen desserts," said Takeru Kobayashi about the brand partnership. "But first, I look forward to settling the debate about who is the dominant competitive eater and beating Joey Chestnut." Tune in to watch Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef live on Netflix on September 2 at 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET. For more on KLIMON, including behind the scenes content with Kobayashi, follow @klimonbrand on Instagram. About KLIMON KLIMON ("NO MILK" backwards) makes 100% plant-based, dairy-free products that meet today's consumer preferences with zero compromise on great taste, inspiring the brand motto "No Dairy. No Difference." KLIMON's award-winning, ultra creamy frozen desserts made from a proprietary blend of pea protein, coconut oil and tapioca include pints and sandwiches in more than a dozen flavors that are naturally flavored, sweetened with sugar and contain a variety of delicious mix-ins. Launched in 2022, KLIMON products are sold across the nation in grocers like Harris Teeter, Stop & Shop and Stater Brothers. For more information, visit www.klimon.com . KLIMON is a Jaback Group brand. SOURCE KLIMON TSX.V: DME U.S. OTC: DMEHF Frankfurt: QM01 VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company. Desert Mountain Energy Corp., at the request of the BC Securities Commission, clarifies information previously disclosed in its news release of June 19, 2023. The Company retracts its statement that "The well files clearly show elevated helium and hydrogen percentages ranging from 3.863% to 1.374%." and its statement that "The gas tests from 02/23 are instrumental in constructing a proper plan for increasing helium production". The February 2023 gas tests cannot be confirmed at this time. ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on the exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen, natural gas and condensate. The Company is focused on helium extraction from different raw gas sources in an environmental and economic manner supplying elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries. We seek safe harbor "Robert Rohlfing" Robert Rohlfing Exec Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any 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 or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp. TAIPEI, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaynes SemiCon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaynes Technology, has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lightspeed Photonics, securing India's first paying customer for outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) services, according to CEO Raghu Panicker. Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes SemiCon. Credit: Kaynes SemiCon. According to the news report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, the announcement was made during the inauguration of Kaynes Technology's new electronics manufacturing unit in Hyderabad, signifying a major leap forward for India's nascent semiconductor ecosystem. The collaboration will see Kaynes SemiCon provide advanced packaging solutions for Lightspeed Photonics. The MoU also highlights the high volume run at Kaynes Semicon. "This is the first paying OSAT customer in India," Panicker said, emphasizing the importance of the agreement. "We will initially carry out sample runs and low-volume production at our proto line in Mysore/Hyderabad, before scaling up to high-volume manufacturing once our new facility is fully operational." Lightspeed Photonics, a Singapore-based fabless system development company, specializes in integrating optical interconnects with processors to create modular compute-interconnect heterogeneous System-in-Packages (SiP) under its LightSiP brand. This technology aims to enhance server scalability by reducing data latency, footprint, and power consumption while significantly boosting data bandwidth and performance per watt. Strategic investments and advanced packaging The deal is particularly significant as it underscores India's entry into the high-value segment of semiconductor manufacturingadvanced packaging. With the global semiconductor industry increasingly focusing on advanced packaging technologies such as silicon photonics, Kaynes SemiCon's foray into this space positions the company as a key player in the global supply chain. Panicker also revealed that the company has already identified and aligned the necessary equipment for the project, with installation planned at the proto line in Mysore/Hyderabad and eventually at its upcoming facility. "We have engaged with our equipment suppliers and are set to consign the equipment at their facilities. This will allow us to start rolling out packages for Lightspeed Photonics within four to five months," he added. The company expects final approval from the Indian government for its OSAT services to come in soon, allowing it to proceed with its plans. "Approval may come in about a week's time," he stated, underscoring that preparations are already underway to meet the stringent requirements of advanced semiconductor packaging. Separate MoU for capacity building In addition to the MoU with Lightspeed Photonics, Kaynes SemiCon has also signed an agreement with the VLSI Society of India for capacity building. This initiative aims to develop a skilled workforce for India's semiconductor industry by partnering with educational institutions to provide training in semiconductor manufacturing. The implementation partner for this will be Perceptives Solutions. According to Satya Gupta, President of the VLSI Society, the intention is "to make India a world-class electronics and semiconductor product nation." Bhanupriya K, MD of Perceptives Solutions, also stressed the need to train the students in the area of semiconductor manufacturing processes. Through this MoU, Kaynes SemiCon will open up its OSAT facility for packaging free of cost to Education Institutes aligned with the VLSI Society of India. The dual MoUs reflect Kaynes SemiCon's initiatives to support the growth of India's semiconductor industry, focusing on technological advancement and workforce development. As the first company to secure a paying OSAT customer in India, Kaynes Semicon is positioned to contribute significantly to the future of semiconductor manufacturing in the region. India's semiconductor ambitions Kaynes SemiCon's dual MOUs come at a time when India is aggressively pursuing its ambitions to become a global semiconductor hub. With the government's push towards self-reliance in electronics and a US$10 billion incentive scheme to attract semiconductor manufacturing investments, the country is poised to play a larger role in the global semiconductor supply chain. India has granted approvals for three major semiconductor projects so far, including a wafer fabrication facility and an OSAT plant by Tata Group, as well as a separate OSAT facility by Murugappa Group's CG Power and Industrial Solutions. Meanwhile, reports suggest that CG Power has recently entered into agreements with Japan's Renesas, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, and Thailand's Stars Microelectronics, an OSAT provider, to establish an OSAT facility in India. The company plans to invest INR7,600 crore (US$1 billion) over the next five years in this venture. SOURCE DIGITIMES ASIA Skilled Wound Care demonstrates its support for the Wounded Warriors Project in assisting injured veterans. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Skilled Wound Care, guided by the visionary leadership of Dr. Bardia Anvar, has made a substantial contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). This organization is celebrated for its dedicated service to injured veterans and their families, providing essential support since 2003. Founded in response to the needs of service members injured in the line of duty, the Wounded Warrior Project offers comprehensive services to facilitate veterans' reintegration into society. It emphasizes physical, mental, and emotional recovery, enhancing the lives of veterans and their families. WPP has been pivotal in adapting to the diverse needs of veterans from recent conflicts, offering vital programs in mental health, career rehabilitation, and long-term care. These initiatives have significantly enhanced the quality of life for numerous veterans nationwide. "At Skilled Wound Care, we are committed to healing and improving life quality, which aligns closely with the mission of the Wounded Warrior Project," said Dr. Anvar. "It is a privilege to contribute to their vital efforts of supporting veterans who have given so much for our country. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in their lives." This contribution underscores Skilled Wound Care's dedication to community and healthcare advancement, demonstrating a deep commitment to not only medical excellence but also the comprehensive healing of those who have served our nation. Skilled Wound Care stands at the forefront of the wound care sector, continually seeking innovative approaches to enhance patient outcomes. Under Dr. Anvar's leadership, the organization is not only a healthcare provider but also a promoter of balance and wellness within the medical community. Leader of Skilled Physicians Group and Skilled Wound Care, Dr. Bardia Anvar is an innovator and changemaker in the medical field. As founder and CEO, he champions innovative wound care solutions that enhance patient recovery. Skilled Wound Care offers services across the company and provides surgical-based wound care with the best patient and stakeholder outcomes in mind. For more details about Skilled Wound Care and its contributions, visit https://www.skilledwoundcare.com/. For additional information about the Wounded Warrior Project, please visit https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/. Press Contact: Michael Roub (310) 445-5999 SOURCE Skilled Wound Care New Technologies Help Level the Playing Field for Pro Se Litigants SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a quiet revolution, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how people navigate the legal system, especially those who can't afford lawyers. A growing number of pro se litigants - individuals representing themselves in court - are turning to AI tools to level the playing field against powerful adversaries. San Francisco resident Bradley Gudzinas, a 20-year tech veteran and AI expert, is one such individual. Gudzinas is currently fighting an eviction and battling systemic injustice. "I've used AI models like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude to draft detailed complaints that adhere to court requirements and decipher intricate legal forms," he said. "Even a simple photo of a court form, uploaded to Gemini, yielded clear instructions on how to fill it out correctly for my specific case." Gudzinas' experience underscores AI's potential to democratize the legal system. In a world where legal fees can be astronomical, AI offers a glimmer of hope. AI-powered tools assist with a wide range of tasks, from drafting cease-and-desist letters to conducting legal research, preparing documents, and translating legal jargon. However, experts caution that AI is not a replacement for lawyers and should be used responsibly. The recent incident of a lawyer using ChatGPT and submitting inaccurate information to a court serves as a cautionary tale. "It's important to remember that AI is a tool, not a substitute for human expertise," Gudzinas said. "We shouldn't blame AI for human mistakes. It's the responsibility of the user to verify the information and use AI ethically." Ethical considerations, such as ensuring AI algorithms are free from bias and making AI tools accessible to all, are also crucial in harnessing AI's potential for good. Mainstream AI models, trained on vast troves of legal documents, can help draft various legal filings and communications asserting rights. However, big companies like Google are treading cautiously, often censoring information due to reputational risks. Despite these challenges, pro se litigants like Gudzinas remain at the forefront, pushing boundaries and demanding greater transparency and access to information. After being unlawfully terminated from his previous employer in the tech industry for taking medical leave, Gudzinas channeled his experience into founding Empowering Change, a non-profit organization aimed at addressing systemic injustices and providing individuals with the tools to navigate complex legal battles. "The future of legal access is here, and it's powered by AI," Gudzinas said. "By embracing this technology and using it responsibly, individuals can take control of their legal matters, understand their rights, and advocate for themselves effectively. AI is not just leveling the playing field; it's opening the doors to justice for all." **About Empowering Change** Empowering Change is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization founded by Bradley Gudzinas, a 20-year tech veteran and AI expert. The organization aims to address systemic injustices and provide individuals with the tools and information they need to live their best lives today. **Media Contact** Rowan Quni Empowering Change [email protected] (908) 899-1088 http://q08.org/ SOURCE Empowering Change Island Focus: Long Island NASSAU, Bahamas, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the upcoming fall season peeking right around the corner, The Bahamas invites visitors to indulge in summer forever with stretches of pristine beaches, endless sea adventures and blue skies all year long, the possibility of adventure awaits across 16 unique island destinations. Read more below to find the newest happenings in The Bahamas during the month of September and beyond. New Routes Bahamasair Beginning 6 September 3 October 2024 , Bahamasair is set to increase capacity on its Freeport to Fort Lauderdale route, a move to ensure continued airlift into the island from the Florida market. Events Bimini Island Coastal Community Cleanup (21 Sept.) Hoping to give back to the Earth? Consider joining volunteers for a day of coastal cleanup. Registered participants will gather on the morning of the event at the Bimini Craft Centre to check-in and receive important information before commencing the event. Land and Sea cleanup teams will be formed, each tasked with removing debris from designated areas along the coast. To kick off the day, a complimentary breakfast will be provided and at the end of the day a prize raffle and lunch will be provided at Bimini Big Game Club. If interested, register here . The International Black Men's Empowerment Summit (24 26 Sept.) This groundbreaking event brings together influential leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the globe for a three-day, power-packed celebration of Black male excellence and achievement. Organised by The Morehouse College Alumni Association Bahamas Chapter, this event is intended to be a transformative experience designed to empower, educate and unite attendees. Taking place at Nassau's Margaritaville Beach Resort, the event will provide an environment for insightful reflection, inspiration, networking and growth. Event speakers will include some of the most respected and influential figures in business, politics, academia and more. From thought-provoking panel discussions to targeted workshops, each day is structured to maximise learning, networking and personal growth opportunities. Whether looking to enhance leadership skills, explore investment opportunities, or connect with like-minded individuals, the event schedule has something for everyone. Looking ahead Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival (22 27 Oct.) Taking place at the iconic Baha Mar Resort, this annual favourite festival will feature celebrity chef demos, special master classes, live performances and the return of FUZE, what the resort is calling a first-of-its-kind art showcase. Highlights will include a special performance by Grammy winner Rod Stewart , who will take the stage at the Beach Party Powered by SLS Baha Mar at Baha Bay Lagoon on Oct. 25 . Guests can see Stewart and enjoy live chef action stations as well as unique cocktails starting at $299 for Silver Pass Holders. Premier access is available for Gold Pass Holders at $499 and Platinum Pass Holders at $699 including VIP viewing for the performance. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here . Promotions and Offers For a complete list of deals and discounted packages in The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages. Residents of the US, Canada , and Europe who are planning to travel to The Bahamas in the coming year can enjoy a special Island-Hopping Offer From Nassau! This exclusive pre-booked deal includes an air/ferry-inclusive Island-Hopping vacation package for 4-6 consecutive nights at a participating Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board hotel (single or double occupancy), a $75 credit for the NAS/Out Island outbound flight, a $75 credit for the Out Island/Out Island flight and a $75 credit for the Out Island/ Nassau flight, regardless of the type of flight (scheduled or private charter or seat on private charter). Book by 6/30/2025, travel by 10/31/2025. , and who are planning to travel to The in the coming year can enjoy a special This exclusive pre-booked deal includes an air/ferry-inclusive Island-Hopping vacation package for 4-6 consecutive nights at a participating Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board hotel (single or double occupancy), a credit for the NAS/Out Island outbound flight, a credit for the Out Island/Out Island flight and a credit for the Out Island/ flight, regardless of the type of flight (scheduled or private charter or seat on private charter). Need a quick getaway? Discover tranquility and relaxation at Peace and Plenty Resort with a 3 days/2 nights hotel package with airfare. Experience the romance and natural wonders of an authentic Bahamian Out Island vacation in Great Exuma! Prices range from $673.00 per person double occupancy. Recent Happenings and Upcoming Openings In August, the Goombay Summer Festivals took place across The Islands of The Bahamas . The festival, which showcases the true essence of being Bahamian, is the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation's annual summer event that occurs throughout multiple islands, spotlighting the country's rich heritage through live music, dance performances, art displays and authentic Bahamian cuisine. took place across The Islands of The . The festival, which showcases the true essence of being Bahamian, is the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation's annual summer event that occurs throughout multiple islands, spotlighting the country's rich heritage through live music, dance performances, art displays and authentic Bahamian cuisine. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Miami -based Yntegra Group to open Rosewood Exuma, the brand's latest addition to its Caribbean portfolio coming in 2028. The new property will advance Rosewood's position in the luxury lifestyle market and Yntegra's long-term strategic vision of unlocking the unrealised investment and economic potential of The Exumas. Situated on a 124-acre private island, the resort is slated to have 33 suites with stunning views of the island's beaches and waters. Rosewood Exuma will be home to a fully serviced beach club with a grill restaurant, beach and pool bars, and a private dining room. Two marinas with slips are planned to accommodate yachts up to 150 feet. In addition to the beach club pool, the resort will offer two other pools exclusively for overnight guests, including one dedicated to families. Younger guests can enjoy Rosewood Explorers, the brand's children's club concept where activities are designed to spark discovery and foster social responsibility. Island Focus: Long Island Home to brilliant coral reefs, pristine flats and serene beaches, Long Island is a haven for fishing, diving, and boating. Boasting world-class bone fishing and thrilling encounters with sea life, this tranquil island offers a few inland surprises as well, including: Dean's Blue Hole, the third deepest blue hole in the world; Hamilton's Cave, the largest cave system in The Islands of The Bahamas, where the Lucayan Indians were thought to have lived in 500 A.D. and where many Lucayan artifacts were discovered in 1936; and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, the oldest church in the country. Conveniently enough, Makers Air has launched service between Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and the Stella Maris Resort on Long Island. Stay at The Stella Maris Resort on Long Island, a traditional plantation-style all-inclusive resort. Don't miss out on the unforgettable experiences and unbeatable deals that The Bahamas has to offer, this September. For more information on these exciting events and offerings, visit www.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 PITTSBURGH, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: FMN) today announced that (subject to certain conditions) it will commence a cash tender offer for up to 32% of its outstanding common shares. The tender offer will provide all shareholders the opportunity to tender some or all of their common shares at a price per common share of 99% of the fund's net asset value (NAV) per share as determined on the day the tender offer expires or the preceding business day. The fund anticipates the tender offer will commence Sept. 13, 2024, and end Oct. 11, 2024. Should the number of common shares properly tendered, and not withdrawn, exceed 32% of the fund's outstanding common shares, the fund will purchase common shares from tendering common shareholders on a pro rata basis (with any adjustments needed to avoid fractional common shares). Accordingly, common shareholders cannot be assured that the fund will purchase all their tendered common shares. Additional terms and conditions of the fund's tender offer will be set forth in its offering materials, which will be distributed to its common shareholders. Those common shareholders who choose to tender their shares can potentially receive a better share price than they might receive in the market. Common shareholders who choose not to tender their shares will benefit from the anticipated accretive impact on the NAV of the common shares due to the tender price being below NAV. The fund also will continue to operate as an exchange-listed closed-end fundproviding long-term shareholders the ability to pursue AMT-free tax-exempt income within a leveraged structure, with the opportunity for enhanced returns. Absent an unknown material event occurring, the fund's investment advisor does not anticipate that the tender offer will affect the fund's ability to continue to maintain its total annual fund operating expenses at no greater than 0.99%, consistent with the Expense Limitation note to the fund's audited financial statements included in the fund's Annual Shareholder Report dated Nov. 30, 2023. The fund's investment advisor recommended the tender offer in connection with entering into an agreement with Saba Capital Management, L.P. ("Saba"). During the effective period of the agreement, Saba has agreed to comply with certain standstill covenants and vote its shares in accordance with the recommendations of the fund's Board of Trustees. Tender Offer Statement The fund has not commenced the tender offer described in this press release. This is not a recommendation, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell common shares of the fund and the above statements are not intended to constitute an offer to participate in any tender offer. Information about the tender offer, including its commencement, will be provided by future public announcements. Shareholders will be notified in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, either by publication or mailing or both. The tender offer will be made only by an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal, and other documents to be filed with the SEC. Shareholders of the fund should read the offer to purchase and tender offer statement and related exhibits when those documents are filed and become available, as they will contain important information about the tender offer. These and other filed documents will be available to investors for free both at the website of the SEC and from the fund. Investors can view additional portfolio fund and portfolio information in the Products section of FederatedHermes.com/us. Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI) is a global leader in active, responsible investment management, with $782.7 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2024. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies to more than 10,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide. Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes has more than 2,000 employees in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com/us. # # # Certain statements in this press release, such as those related to expenses, the commencement and expiration of the tender offer, performance, investment objectives and strategies, and investor preferences and demand, constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the fund to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement, and any level of business activity and financial results, are inherently subject to significant business, market, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the fund's or its investment adviser's control. Risks and uncertainties could vary significantly depending on various factors, such as market conditions, investment performance and investor behavior. Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and none of the fund, its investment adviser, or any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness, or updating, of such statements in the future. SOURCE Federated Premier Municipal Income Fund 'Feels Like a Dream Come True,' Says Returning Resident Who Was Displaced from 2100 Memorial by Hurricane Harvey HOUSTON, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) and its development partner Columbia Residential today announced the reopening of the 2100 Memorial Senior-Living Community, marking a significant milestone for many seniors returning to their homes after being displaced by Hurricane Harvey. The reopening represents a crucial step in ongoing efforts to address housing insecurity among older adults in the Houston area. Houston Housing Authority President and CEO David A. Northern Sr. addresses attendees at the re-opening of the 2100 Memorial Senior-Living Community on Aug. 29, 2024. Attendees participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand reopening of 2100 Memorial Senior-Living Community on Aug. 29, 2024. From left to right: Eric Cobb, Houston Field Office Director for HUD; Connie Castillo, returning resident; and David A. Northern Sr., President and CEO of the Houston Housing Authority. Public officials and project stakeholders from HHA, Columbia Residential, the City of Houston, the Texas GLO, HUD, Citigroup, and the National Equity Fund gather to commemorate the grand re-opening of 2100 Memorial during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 29, 2024. According to a new survey from the University of Houston, nearly 9 in 10 Texans, including a significant portion of Houstonians, believe that the cost of housing is a problem . Moreover, 56% of Texans report that the cost of housing represents a source of financial strain for them and their family, with 38% identifying the cost of housing as a "major source" of financial strain. This experience is often true for older adults who live on fixed incomes. "The reopening of 2100 Memorial represents a promise kept to our seniors who have endured so much since Hurricane Harvey," said David A. Northern Sr., President and CEO of the HHA. "This is more than just a building; it's a new beginning filled with hope, community and resilience. It also underscores our commitment to tackling the often-overlooked issue of homelessness among older adults." The journey to rebuild 2100 Memorial has been a testament to careful planning and community support. Hurricane Harvey rendered the original site uninhabitable in 2017 with 40 feet of water damage. Following Harvey's devastating impact, HHA partnered with Columbia Residential to rebuild. Final preparations for reconstruction were completed by 2021, and construction began the following year. "The grand opening of 2100 Memorial marks a pivotal moment for Houston's seniors, cementing not just the restoration of homes but the renewal of hope and dignity for those who faced adversity since Hurricane Harvey," said Mike Nichols, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Houston. "Our dedication to rebuilding this community underscores our broader commitment to ensuring safe, affordable housing for our most vulnerable populations." The new 2100 Memorial offers a fresh start for its residents in a completely rebuilt facility, designed with seniors' needs in mind and equipped with the latest amenities. The building features: 197 units in total, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments Nine different floor plans to choose from Energy-efficient appliances in all units Landscaped outdoor areas for relaxation and socialization State-of-the-art fitness center tailored for senior health Community spaces that encourage engagement and interaction Easy access to public transportation Direct access to Buffalo Bayou Park via pedestrian trail "Returning to my new home in this wonderful city feels like a dream come true," said Connie Castillo, who was displaced from 2100 Memorial by Hurricane Harvey. "I feel safe here and it is close to my doctors in the medical center, bus routes and the community I know and appreciate. I am incredibly grateful for the coordinating staff of the Houston Housing Authority who supported me in my return." Constructed with resilience in mind, 2100 Memorial includes elevated foundations to protect against future floods and an advanced water retention system to ensure sustainability. The architectural design and amenities reflect a commitment to providing a secure, comfortable and engaging living environment for Houston's seniors. "We are honored to celebrate the opening of 2100 Memorial today," said Carmen Chubb, President of Columbia Residential. "This community stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of the residents and the surrounding neighborhood. Thanks to the Houston Housing Authority, the City of Houston, and our development partner, Creekstone, this senior community will provide 197 new, affordable and mixed-income homes and will set a new standard in sustainable and resilient design. Our mission at Columbia Residential is to create vibrant, inclusive communities, and the redevelopment of 2100 Memorial underscores that commitment. We look forward to seeing the residents thrive in their new home and express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality." The grand opening was a festive yet poignant reminder of the hardships faced by the residents and the resilience they have shown. Speakers at the event emphasized the strength of the Houston community and the importance of affordable, quality housing for seniors as a key strategy in preventing homelessness among older adults. "As a native Houstonian, contributing to the rebuilding of 2100 Memorial holds a special significance for me," said Stephen Keller, Co-Founder and Principal of Creekstone. "This project not only represents our commitment to high-quality construction but also our dedication to restoring and enriching the communities we are a part of." Residents who previously resided at 2100 Memorial and were forced to relocate have been given the first priority to return to the newly constructed site. With many former residents planning to return, 2100 Memorial symbolizes not just renewal but the enduring spirit of community. The $62 million reconstruction of 2100 Memorial was made possible through a collaborative funding effort. The City of Houston and the General Land Office contributed $25 million via HUD's Harvey Multifamily Program, while the National Equity Fund provided $19 million in Tax Credit Equity. The Houston Housing Authority added $5.1 million, with the remainder coming from additional funding sources, including Wells Fargo and Citigroup. This project showcases the community's commitment to providing safe, modern housing for Houston's seniors. "As 2100 Memorial begins this new chapter, it stands as a symbol of renewal and progress, offering more than just housingproviding a home and a community ready to support its residents in this next phase of their lives," Northern said. "It also serves as a model for addressing the critical need for affordable senior housing, which plays a crucial role in preventing homelessness among our older population." ABOUT HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY The Houston Housing Authority provides affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians, including over 19,000 families housed through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and 4,801 living in 23 public housing and tax credit developments. There are over 31,000 non-federal units, with over 17,000 of those units designated for affordable housing. For more information about HHA, visit https://housingforhouston.com/. Contact: Courtney Saenz / Etched Communication [email protected] SOURCE The Houston Housing Authority DENVER, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Furniture Row and Denver Mattress are pleased to announce the successful grand opening of their newest Front Range location in Littleton, Colorado! To mark the official launch of the new location, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the state-of-the-art storefront, which is located at 5779 S. Alkire Street at the intersection of C-470 & Bowles Ave. The store is also hosting a Grand Opening Weekend Event to celebrate the launch, with exclusive discounts and chances for customers to win exciting prizes. The store opening was met with enthusiasm from the local community, with visitors eager to explore the expansive showroom and take advantage of the special promotions offered as part of their Grand Opening Weekend event. Bill Smith, General Manager of Furniture Row, said, "We're thrilled to see such a positive response from the people of Littleton. Our team has worked tirelessly to create a shopping experience that combines variety, quality and value, and we couldn't be more proud of how the store turned out. The successful grand opening is just the beginning of our commitment to serving this vibrant community." The new Littleton store features dedicated sections for living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture, as well as one of the largest Denver Mattress showrooms in the Denver area. This thoughtful layout allows customers to easily browse and envision how different pieces might look in their homes. Furniture Row invites the public to visit the new Littleton location and experience the wide selection of high-quality, affordable furniture and mattresses. Their knowledgeable staff is ready to assist customers in finding the perfect pieces to suit their style and budget. About Furniture Row Every Furniture Row offers an extensive selection of stylish brand name and designer furnishings for every room of the home, all curated into easy-to-navigate sections within a spacious interior. Furniture Row is committed to providing its customers with finely made furnishings at incredible prices, and it is renowned for its friendly, knowledgeable sales associates whose only goal is to help you create the home you love. Visit http://www.FurnitureRow.com About Denver Mattress Denver Mattress manufactures its mattresses in its Denver-based factory and distributes them to its own retail stores. By having a single factory, Denver Mattress is able to maintain high-quality control standards and deliver a more consistent product at a lower cost than multiple factory producers. Denver Mattress, the easiest way to get the right mattress. Visit http://www.DenverMattress.com Contact John Knippenberg [email protected] SOURCE Furniture Row LLC ST. JULIAN'S, Malta, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andreas Soneby to the Board of Directors of GiG Platform effective immediately. Andreas Soneby brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the gaming and technology sectors, making him an invaluable addition to the GiG Platform Board as we continue to grow and innovate in the industry. His extensive experience includes key leadership roles at some of the most prominent companies in the field, including Unibet, Kindred Group, and Kambi. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Soneby has demonstrated his ability to lead and innovate at the highest levels. As Chief Information Officer at Kambi, he was instrumental in driving the company's technology strategy, overseeing a team of over 300 professionals, and managing exponential transaction growth. His work at Unibet Group plc, where he served as CTO and IT Director, further underscores his ability to manage complex operations and deliver significant results. Notably, he played a crucial role in establishing Kambi as an independent entity within the Unibet Group. In addition to his industry-specific experience, Mr. Soneby has held executive positions at companies such as White Hat Gaming and Instabox, and currently serves as a Venture Partner at Industrifonden, where he continues to shape the future of IT and technology in various sectors. "We are delighted to welcome Andreas to our GiG Platform Board," said Petter Nylander, Chairman of GiG Software PLC. "His deep industry knowledge and leadership experience will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position as a leading player in the gaming industry. We are confident that Andreas's insights and expertise will bring significant value to our board and to the company as a whole." Mr. Soneby's appointment comes at a pivotal time for Gaming Innovation Group, as the company continues to expand its offerings and solidify its presence in the global market. The GiG Platform Board is temporarily a committee of the board of directors of GiG dedicated to the Platform & Sportsbook vertical until the spin off. Andreas Soneby replaces Tomasz Juroszek that will leave the GiG Platform Board. The GiG Platform Board now consist of Petter Nylander (Chair), Hessi Mocca, Mikael Riese Harstad, Nicolas Adlercreutz and Andreas Soneby. For further information, please contact: Petter Nylander, [email protected], +46 765250955 About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) Gaming Innovation Group is a leading iGaming technology company, providing solutions, products and services to iGaming Operators. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group's vision is 'To be the industry leading platform, sportsbook and media provider delivering world class solutions to our iGaming partners and their customers. GiG's mission is to drive sustainable growth and profitability of our partners through product innovation, scalable technology and quality of service. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of Malta and is dual-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol GIGSEK. www.gig.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/gaming-innovation-group/r/gaming-innovation-group-welcomes-andreas-soneby-to-the-gig-platform-board,c4031004 DETROIT, Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In One Instant, a leading teen safe driving program, proudly celebrates over six years of support from General Motors (GM) to educate and empower young drivers across the United States. This collaboration has helped In One Instant to implement their program in over 4,600 schools nationwide, including 569 schools in communities where GM operates. To date, 871,250 students have successfully completed the program in GM communities, with the ambitious goal of surpassing 1 million students in 2025. In One Instant, a leading teen safe driving program, celebrates over six years of support by General Motors in educating and empowering young drivers across the U.S. In One Instant's peer-driven program aims to make distracted, reckless, and impaired driving personal and relevant. By engaging teens on an emotional level, they learn how to practice safe driving behaviors behind the wheel and influence their friends and family to do the same. The program's evidence-based approach has been praised by attendees for its impact and effectiveness in creating a culture of safety among young drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Students who have completed the program have shown significant positive behavioral shifts as evidenced by the personal commitments they have made: 86% won't text and drive; 91% will not drive if impaired; 91% won't get in the car with an impaired driver; 89% will wear seat belts. "General Motors was one of our first corporate supporters," In One Instant Founder and President Gail Schenbaum said. "Our collaboration over the years has not only educated students in General Motors communities but also fostered a culture of safety within their families and neighborhoods. Together, we have been successful in educating teens about safe driving behaviors to help address what the CDC cites as the #1 cause of unintentional deaths among teens, car crashes." Students and school administrators across the country have shared their powerful experiences and takeaways from the In One Instant program: Juan M., a high school Junior from Dallas, Texas reported: "My friends took In One Instant more seriously than pretty much anything. My neighbor was hit by a car driven by a kid who was so high. That message of finding a safe ride home is no joke." A Grand Rapids, Michigan school principal states: "In One Instant profoundly impacted our students on the importance of the choices they make and how those choices will affect others." According to Jesse Santiago, an In One Instant Program Guest Speaker: "If I had made a different choice, my best friend would not be paralyzed today. My regrets don't have to be yours. I'm personally asking you to help each other make better, safer driving choices." Carey M. Wright, former Mississippi State Superintendent of Education said, "In One Instant's success over the last decade in addressing safer teen driving has made a difference in thousands of U.S. schools. Its student-driven activities have been especially impactful and are only one of the reasons why I've recommended the program to every school district in our state. I highly recommend it to all my fellow educators nationwide." "Safety is at the core of everything we do at GM. Working with nonprofits like In One Instant is helping drive our broader vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion," said Alexis Brandl, Transportation Portfolio Lead for Corporate Giving at GM. By empowering teens to make responsible driving decisions, the program has the potential to improve driving behaviors and help decrease traffic-related incidents, promoting a safe driving environment for everyone. About In One Instant In One Instant is a leading national teen safe driving program based in Los Angeles. The interactive, nonprofit program instills lifelong safe driving habits in teens, ultimately reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Drug and alcohol impaired driving is a core component of a forthcoming September event in the state of Wyoming dedicated to Indigenous youth, in coordination with the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Visit: InOneInstant.org CDC link for more on Risk Factors for Teen Drivers For press information and for schools interested in implementing this free-of-charge program, please contact Dahlia Greer at [email protected]. SOURCE In One Instant Teen Safe Driving Program Three-Day Mega Event Concludes, Attracting 300 exhibitors from across the world, 100000 Footfalls, 1000 Speakers MUMBAI, India, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal said on Friday that the Indian fintech ecosystem had turned into a hotbed for innovation. Addressing the Global Fintech Fest 2024 in Mumbai, he said, "As our country is poised to become the third largest economy, the success story of a developed India rests on the wonderful work being done by fintech sector." The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 was presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference was jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). GFF 2024 featured over 1000 speakers from 70 countries, more than 350 sessions, over 60 product launches, more than 300 exhibitors, and attracted 100,000 footfalls over the three days. The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024, one of the world's largest fintech gatherings, concluded here on Friday, August 30, showcasing emerging opportunities and issues in the sector. The three-day event, in its fifth edition, brought together global policymakers, regulators, central bankers, industry leaders, and academicians to explore the future of financial technology, aligned with this year's theme- 'Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient'. In his keynote at the conference, Mr. Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, said, "India is now a fast-growing economy, economic powerhouse with an increasingly tech savvy population. India's financial sector has witnessed a remarkable transformation, driven, among other factors, by the FinTech sector." Mr. Das further emphasized India's engagement in international fora and bilateral agreements to foster economic cooperation with many countries and said, "Going forward, strengthening financial infrastructure, including cross-border payment systems, will be our key focus areas. India, with its tech talent and evolved financial fintech ecosystem, holds potential to serve as a global hub for digital innovation and fintech startups." Mr. Christopher Waller, Member, Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the United States in his address, highlighted the potential role of public and private sectors in advancing cross-border payments. Commenting on the practical aspects of interlinking fast payment systems, Mr Waller said, "Domestic networks need to be developed first. If this condition is not in place, interlinked networks could end up being a road to nowhere." Highlighting Federal Reserve's efforts, Mr Waller added, "We will continue our engagement with international fora to improve the speed and efficiency of cross-border payments and to investigate the issues critical to interlinking payment systems. Our chief focus in the near-to mid-term, however, is continuing to build the FedNow network domestically and increasing participation in the service." In a special address on emerging trends in sustainable finance, Mr. Allen Forlemu, Regional Industry Director, Financial Institutions Group, Asia and Pacific, International Finance Corporation (IFC) discussed the critical role of fintech in driving sustainable finance, emphasizing its importance for a greener and more equitable future. "Looking ahead, it is clear that collaboration will be essential and fintech companies, traditional financial institutions, governments and regulators must work together to scale sustainable finance solutions and amplify positive impact on sustainability", remarked Mr Forlemu. He further said, "At IFC, we are optimistic, and we believe that by investing in innovation and fostering collaboration across sectors, we can build a financial system that is inclusive, resilient and sustainable for everyone." Discussing 'Recent Developments in Digital Finance - Experiences from German and EU Regulation,' Dr. Florian Toncar, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Finance, commented, "India has shown immense capacity to innovate and spread new technologies at an impressive speed, with UPI being popular far beyond Indian borders." Highlighting the importance of cooperation between security agencies and anti-money laundering agencies, Dr Toncar added, "Appropriate resourcing of prosecutors or police, specialized financial investigators, and information exchange across borders and countries is key." In his special address, Mr. Harjinder Kang, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, UK Department for Business and Trade, said, "UK finds India as a very important partner, and it's not just in fintech, but across different sides of the business." During a panel on 'Innovation in Fintech Regulation: Balancing Innovation and Regulation in Global Financial Services,' Mr. Ryosuke Ushida, Chief Fintech Officer, Financial Services Agency of Japan provided insights into the country's regulatory landscape and said, "In Japan, our regulatory scope covers a wide range of financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies, investments, and currency exchange. A key focus has been on blockchain technology, in response to past challenges, particularly incidents involving exchanges in Tokyo. Japan has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto industry." Mr. Ushida further emphasized that these regulations are designed not only to protect the industry but also to create a stable environment that encourages innovation. "The goal is to support the growth of international tech companies and ensure that Japan continues to lead in this field, in line with global counterparts", he added. Addressing the session on 'The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Global Finance,' Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore, said, "The challenges of integrating DPIs across bordersfrom pricing to technical standardsare significant. Initiatives like Project Nexus are underway to tackle these issues, but achieving seamless connectivity across different markets will take time." Mr. Mohanty added, "Fintech must expand beyond payments and lending to include other asset classes such as wealth advisory and capital market infrastructure." GFF 2024 also featured a significant global presence, with numerous international leaders contributing to the dialogue on the future of fintech. Among the notable speakers were Mr. Camilo Tellez-Merchan, Deputy Managing Director, UN based Better Than Cash Alliance, United Nations; Mr. Alan Lim, Director, FinTech Infrastructure Office, Monetary Authority of Singapore; Mr. Paul van Sint Fiet, Head of APAC cross-currency solutions, J.P. Morgan Payments; Mr. Edward Bass, Inward Investment Manager, UK Department for Business and Trade; Mr. David Finch, Global Managing Director Fintech, TransUnion CIBIL, and Mr. Jan Pilbauer, Chief Executive Officer, Al Etihad Payments. The event also saw eminent leaders from the Indian fintech ecosystem. For more information about the conference, visit: Global Fintech Fest 2024. For further information, please reach out to: Vipin Chanddra, APCO: +91-9582 731432 Kuldeep Singh, APCO: +91- 97113 06379 SOURCE APCO Worldwide India BALTIMORE, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The HBCU Research Corporation of America is excited to announce the upcoming HBCU RESEARCH AI - TECH Summit, set to take place from September 9th through 11th, 2024, at the Baltimore Hyatt Hotel, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland. This highly anticipated event will serve as an HBCU AI and TECH Think Tank, assembling a distinguished group of leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), major corporations, and the federal government for an essential dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence (AI). AI Tech Summit Logo HBCU Research AI Summit Post Under the theme "HBCU Innovation for the AI Revolution," the summit will explore the transformative power of AI and its potential to redefine the way we live, work, and interact. With the world on the brink of unparalleled technological advancements, this summit aims to underscore the critical role that HBCUs play in driving inclusive innovation and equipping the next generation of AI leaders. "Artificial Intelligence presents one of the most profound technological advancements of our time," said Vice President Kamala Harris. "It has the potential to revolutionize nearly every aspect of our daily lives. As we embrace this technology, we must also ensure that its benefits are shared by all, and that we address the challenges it presents with a sense of responsibility and equity." The summit will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including: Over 40 leading HBCU Research faculty and leadership officials will speak and collaborate with other HBCUs, federal government and corporations about AI innovation and inclusion. Department of Defense (DoD): Senior officials from the DoD will discuss the strategic importance of AI in national security and defense. Economic Development Administration (EDA): EDA representatives will explore the role of AI in economic growth and development, particularly in underserved communities. IBM: Industry leaders from IBM will share insights on cutting-edge AI technologies and the importance of diversity in tech innovation. These speakers, along with other prominent voices from top HBCUs, corporate giants, and government agencies, will engage in a series of panels, workshops, and collaborative sessions to address the strategic partnerships needed to shape the future of AI. Sandra Long, Publisher of HBCU Research Magazine and convener of the HBCU Research AI Summit, emphasized the importance of this gathering: "Bringing together these communities is about more than just collaboration; it's about laying a strong foundation for AI innovation that is inclusive and far-reaching. As the former Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Maryland, Long says that historically, African Americans have often found themselves playing catch-up in the wake of major technological shifts. We are committed to being at the forefront of this next revolution. This summit is a critical step toward ensuring that our voices, our expertise, and our innovations are leading the way in AI." Participants will have the opportunity to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and develop strategies that leverage the collective strengths of HBCUs and their partners. These collaborations will be instrumental in shaping a future where AI serves all communities equitably. The student component of the Summit entitled "Future-Ready: HBCU's Crafting the AI Leaders of Tomorrow" will bring students from HBCUs together to meet with corporate and federal recruiters. The HBCU Research AI Summit is open to industry professionals, academic scholars, students, and government officials. Registration is now open at www.HBCUResearch.com For more information, please contact Enoila Akinkumni at (410) 801-6440 or [email protected] About HBCU Research Corporation of America: HBCU Research Corporation of America is committed to advancing the research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through conferences, publications, and collaborative initiatives, we aim to foster innovation and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the tech industry. About HBCU Research Magazine: HBCU Research Magazine is the premier publication dedicated to showcasing the groundbreaking research and innovation emerging from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The magazine highlights the achievements of HBCU scholars, promotes the institutions' contributions to critical fields such as technology, science, and social impact, and fosters connections between academia, industry, and government. Through in-depth articles, expert commentary, and exclusive interviews, HBCU Research Magazine serves as a vital resource for those interested in the cutting-edge work being done at HBCUs across the nation. Contact: Enoila Akinkumni Administrator (410) 801-6440 [email protected] SOURCE HBCU Research Corporation of America Big Update! HitPaw FotorPea V4.1.1 is Now Available: A New Scenario-based Homepage, AI Painting, and Advanced Text Enhancer. NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HitPaw, a leading multimedia software brand, is excited to announce the release of HitPaw FotorPea V4.1.1, packed with powerful new features designed to enhance user creativity and experience. This latest update introduces a state-of-the-art Text Enhancer, innovative AI Generator capabilities, and a completely revamped HitPaw branded homepage that seamlessly integrates scenario-based elements for a more personalized experience. Key Features of HitPaw FotorPea V4.1.1: HitPaw FotorPea V4.1.1 Update Text Enhancer: The new Text Enhancer feature in HitPaw FotorPea V4.1.1 takes text editing to the next level. Whether you're a graphic designer, a social media manager, or a casual user, you can now effortlessly enhance the clarity, sharpness, and visual appeal of text within your images. This tool allows for precise control over typography, ensuring that your message is always communicated clearly and effectively. AI Generator: Creativity knows no bounds with HitPaw FotorPea's AI Painting feature. This innovative tool leverages the power of artificial intelligence to transform your photos into stunning, painterly artworks. Whether you're a professional artist or someone looking to add a creative touch to their images, the AI Painting feature offers endless possibilities, allowing you to explore various styles and techniques with ease. Revamped Homepage with Scenario-Based Elements: The HitPaw FotorPea homepage has undergone a major transformation to better cater to the diverse needs of our users. The new scenario-based design provides a more intuitive and personalized experience, guiding users to the right tools based on their specific use cases. This update makes it easier than ever to access the features that matter most to you. Compatibility and Price: HitPaw FotorPea is now compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 64-bit and and macOS 10.15 and above. The pricing starts from $21.99 USD for a month plan. For more price checking and information, you can visit: https://www.hitpaw.com/purchase/buy-hitpaw-fotorpea.html About HitPaw: HitPaw is a leading multimedia software brand dedicated to providing innovative solutions for photo, audio and video editing. With a focus on user-friendly design and cutting-edge technology, HitPaw empowers creators, professionals, and enthusiasts to bring their visions to life with ease. To know more, you may visit https://www.hitpaw.com/about.html and [OFFICIAL] HitPaw: Powerful Video, Audio, and Image Solutions Provider Our Social Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hitpaw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitpawofficial X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HitPawofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitpawofficial/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HitPawofficialwebsite/ This release was issued through Send2Press on behalf of the news source. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.send2press.com/. SOURCE HitPaw. Co., Ltd Info-Tech Research Group publishes a strategic blueprint addressing the pressing challenges in IT talent management. The firm's comprehensive guide highlights the importance of developing annual IT talent strategies, which focus on key areas to retain and recruit key talent, such as culture, organizational structure, learning and development, and recruitment and retention. The resource provides IT leaders and organizations with actionable steps to enhance employee experience, align talent with organizational goals, and successfully navigate IT talent shortages in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The IT industry is grappling with significant talent shortage and management challenges driven by the escalating demand for technology-enabled services. According to the IT Talent Trends 2024 report from Info-Tech Research Group, only 12% of employees believe their IT organization excels at creating a positive employee experience. This shortfall is intensifying the difficulties organizations face in sourcing and retaining skilled IT professionals, which, in turn, hampers their ability to sustain and accelerate strategic objectives. Info-Tech Research Group's "Build an Annual IT Talent Strategy" blueprint highlights four key pillars that organizations and IT leaders should prioritize to effectively manage IT recruitment and retention. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) To address the critical issue of IT talent management, Info-Tech Research Group has released a comprehensive blueprint, titled Build an Annual IT Talent Strategy. This resource offers strategic insights to improve the IT employee experience within organizations. The global research and advisory firm recommends that by focusing on key areas such as culture, organizational roles, learning and development, and recruitment and retention, organizations and IT leaders can more effectively navigate these challenges and elevate the IT employee experience to a strategic priority. "Organizations spend a lot of time, energy, and money building organizational strategies without making sure they are set up to successfully fulfill them from a people perspective," says Heather Leier-Murray, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Just like other strategies, you need to continuously refer to your IT talent strategy and reevaluate it on an annual basis at a minimum. For IT leaders, understanding the people on their team, the organizational systems in place, and the path to achieving organizational excellence and performance is crucial to long-term success." The firm's newly published resource outlines the various challenges organizations face in finding and retaining IT talent. Central to this issue is the struggle IT leaders often face in building and maintaining a workforce that effectively supports and accelerates the achievement of organizational strategies. Additionally, IT departments are frequently criticized for failing to design a positive employee experience, a factor closely linked to overall organizational performance. In its data-backed resource, Info-Tech highlights that many IT departments currently lack the time and expertise to effectively integrate their IT strategy, management expectations, and people management practices, which are crucial components for thriving in an Exponential IT world. With the demand for technology-enabled IT services steadily increasing, the firm underscores the need for IT leaders to build and sustain a workforce capable of driving organizational success. Info-Tech's recently published blueprint identifies four key pillars that organizations and IT leaders should prioritize to effectively manage IT recruitment and retention: Culture: Align talent practices that reinforce behaviors with the desired culture of the IT organization. Organizational Structure and Roles: Determine the structural changes necessary to support optimal interactions. Learning and Development: Define the skills that support organizational objectives and methods for obtaining those skills. Recruitment and Retention: Ensure IT leaders participate in recruitment and identify the most impactful components for retention. In the blueprint, Info-Tech offers valuable insights into the critical importance of developing an annual IT talent strategy and implementing measures to retain IT talent. By continuously improving the work environment and culture, IT leaders can align talent management more closely with organizational goals to foster a culture that promotes innovation and excellence. The firm advises that prioritizing the employee experience and adapting to evolving expectations will not only strengthen retention and recruitment efforts but also position the organization to thrive in today's rapidly changing technological landscape. For exclusive and timely commentary from Heather Leier-Murray, an expert in IT talent management, and access to the complete Build an Annual IT Talent Strategy blueprint, please contact [email protected]. Leier-Murray will also be speaking on the topic of The New CIO: Leading IT Into the Future at Info-Tech LIVE in Las Vegas on September 19. This session will highlight the skills, strategies, and mindset required for the modern CIO to balance technological advancements with strategic leadership. Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Conference Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group's annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group This Sale Marks the Opportunity for Brand Fans to Stock Up on Their Favorites Before Fall MIAMI, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carolyn Aronson, Founder & CEO of It's a 10 Haircare, alongside her innovative cosmetics brand, Be A 10 Cosmetics, and premium hair extension line, Ex10sions, is excited to announce an exclusive 40% off sale across all three brands' websites. The sale will run from Friday, August 30th through Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, offering customers the chance to save on their favorite products while supplies last. 40% Off Sale Be A 10 Cosmetics (PRNewsfoto/Be A 10 Cosmetics) (PRNewsfoto/It's A 10 Haircare) To honor Labor Day, a holiday celebrating the accomplishments of American workers, the brands are extending this special offer to show its appreciation to their loyal customers. This limited-time discount is designed to give everyone the opportunity to indulge in the high-quality beauty products that It's a 10 Haircare, Be A 10 Cosmetics, and Ex10sions are known for. Aronson stated, "This Labor Day sale is our way of acknowledging the hard work and dedication that our customers put into their daily lives. We want to help them transition from summer to fall with confidence, knowing they have the best products in hand at a fantastic price." She added, "With It's a 10, Be a 10, and Ex10sions, you're not just buying productsyou're investing in yourself." The 40% off promotion will be available on ItsA10Haircare.com, BeA10.com, and HairEx10sions.com starting Friday, August 30th will run until 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. Customers can shop a wide range of bestsellers, from the It's a 10 Scalp Collection, to the versatile Ex10sions Tape-Ins and the must-have Be a 10 Be Cheeky Blush. Discounts will be applied automatically at checkout. About It's a 10 Haircare: It's a 10 Haircare is an established, professional hair care line offering exceptional products via salons, beauty supply stores and retailers worldwide. As one of the only female-owned professional hair care brands in the world, It's a 10 Haircare is dedicated to providing customers with the best hair experience possible. It's 10 Haircare's collections include exceptional 10-in-1 multi-purpose products perfected and simplified to one unique lineup, providing solutions to all possible hair care needs. About Be A 10 Cosmetics: Be A 10 Cosmetics is a high-quality makeup line offering exceptional, multi-purpose products that offer simple beauty solutions. This fully-female-owned makeup brand is dedicated to providing customers with the best makeup experience possible. From priming products, eye shadows, foundation, mascara and everything in Between, Be A 10 Cosmetics aims to be the one-stop-shop that declutters your makeup bag and create professional-quality beauty looks in 10-minutes-or less. About Ex10sions: Ex10sions line is designed to be long-lasting, easily reusable, higher gram weight, gentle on existing hair, and offer a wide variety of styles, colors, and lengths to take your look to new lengths. MEDIA CONTACT: 5WPR [email protected] 212-999-5585 SOURCE It's A 10 Haircare BOSTON, MA, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of August 12, 2024, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Notification of Sources of Distribution This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on August 1, 2024, and payable on August 30, 2024. No action is required on your part. Distribution Period: August 2024 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0825 The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable August 30, 2024, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount. For the period 08/1/2024-08/31/2024 For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2023-08/31/2024 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.0680 82 % 0.4787 58 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0 % 0.0000 0 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0000 0 % 0.0000 0 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.0145 18 % 0.3463 42 % Total per common share 0.0825 100 % 0.8250 100 % Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on July 31, 2024 5.15 % Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2024 7.66 % Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through July 31, 2024 30.27 % Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2024 6.39 % __________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2023 and will end on October 31, 2024. You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan. The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has declared the August 2024 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. About John Hancock Investment Management A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship. About Manulife Investment Management Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management Customers will now have unprecedented access to a fully integrated metal additive manufacturing process, from design to serial production. The expanded ADDMAN Group offers over 300,000 square feet of additive manufacturing capacity, enhanced by KAM's 70,000-square-foot facility in Statesville, North Carolina. The combined expertise of ADDMAN and KAM ensures superior quality and faster delivery times for customers, making them a leading force for advanced manufacturing needs. Brad Keselowski, Founder of KAM, has been a strong advocate for this partnership, affirming, "ADDMAN's integration marks a pivotal moment for the additive industry. Combining these companies brings a powerful combination with KAM's world-class processes and systems, and ADDMAN's abundant resources and R&D. Together, we set a new standard for innovation and excellence in the additive manufacturing industry." Keselowski will remain deeply committed and invested in the operation's success, assuming a role as a Commercial Advisor on ADDMAN's Board of Directors, ensuring a seamless transition and continued expansion. KAM joins Castheon, ADDMAN's metal additive research and production facility in Thousand Oaks, California. By combining the strengths of both locations, the teams will work together to provide enhanced solutions with industry-leading capability and lead times in refractory alloy production and material science. This collaboration ensures coast-to-coast support from engineering design to full-scale production, leveraging the expertise and capabilities of both facilities to deliver superior AM solutions. Joe Calmese, CEO, ADDMAN states, "We hold immense respect for the legacies of the companies we integrate into our fold. Brad and the exceptional team at KAM have built an impressive, profitable, and sustainable 3D printing enterprise in a remarkably short time. This is yet another proof point that ADDMAN is dedicated to assembling the industry's finest under our banner. I look forward to seeing the new era of our combined company unfold." KAM and ADDMAN both heavily serve the defense and commercial space markets, and uniting is a force multiplier in how the organization will support this sector. This strengthens their combined Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) and Technology Readiness Level (TRL), enabling them to deliver advanced, market-ready solutions. Backed by American Industrial Partners (AIP), the combined entities are committed to driving transformative change through 3D printing, solidifying their leadership in providing innovative technologies to the defense industry. ABOUT ADDMAN ADDMAN delivers solutions to serve our customers from prototyping and development projects, all the way through product end-of-life. Our network of 4 companies and 500+ employees spans coast-to-coast, offering a diverse range of manufacturing capabilities including metal and polymer 3D printing, precision CNC machining, and domestic injection molding. These manufacturing modalities are backed by a team of engineers, with diverse industry expertise to guide customers and help them solve complex challenges. Our guiding charter as we scale is "any part, any volume, every step of the way". Our infrastructure allows us to deliver full lifecycle solutions that support every phase of our client's product roadmaps. Please visit www.addmangroup.com or contact [email protected] for more information. ADDMAN Press Kit materials can be found here. ABOUT KESELOWSKI ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Based in Statesville, N.C., Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM) is a vertically integrated simulation and engineering through serial production manufacturing company with Additive Manufacturing (LPBF-M) and CNC Capabilities. The KAM team is comprised of top engineering and machining talent who excel in innovation, creativity, and problem-solving. Through partnerships with some of the world's leading manufacturers and research universities, KAM develops groundbreaking, custom solutions for several industries, including space, aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, and performance motorsports. http://www.kamsolutions.com ABOUT AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS AIP has deep roots in the industrial economy and currently manages approximately $17 billion on behalf of its limited partners. AIP is distinctively focused on industrial businesses across a broad range of end markets that include aerospace and defense, automotive, building products, capital goods, chemicals, industrial services, industrial technology, metals and mining, and transportation and logistics, among others. AIP seeks to generate differentiated returns by working with management teams to implement comprehensive Operating Agendas to improve profitability and build long-term value. Current AIP portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of more than $28 billion and employ over 70,000 employees as of December 31, 2023. SOURCE ADDMAN DETROIT, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan thanks the Michigan Supreme Court for delivering a powerful win for democracy, with their ruling in Mothering Justice et al. v. Attorney General. The decision held that the strategy to adopt and then immediately amend a bill, used by the Michigan Legislature to dilute two 2018 citizen-led ballot initiatives was unconstitutional. The justices thereby cleared the way for adopting the original, unamended Michigan Time to Care and Michigan One Fair Wage ballot initiatives, which include an increased hourly minimum wage, more paid leave requirements, and makes way for the eventual elimination of tipped wages. This represents a significant step toward validating the extraordinary contributions these essential workers make to Michigan's economy and makes it possible for them to live sustainable lives by earning a fair wage. "We are thrilled that democracy has prevailed. This means that next year, nearly 500,000 workers will see a boost in their household income, and 1.5 million will benefit from additional paid sick leave," says Dr. Alicia Renee Farris, EJAM board chair and leader of Michigan's 2018 minimum wage ballot initiative. "This decision creates a pathway to a living wage and improved fringe benefits, resulting in economic justice for all Michigan workers." The Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan is a group of grassroots social justice organizations committed to achieving racial and economic equity for low-wage and working-class communities. These fair wage issues have defined EJAM's mission and work for the past decade, with their Economic Justice fellows actively engaged throughout these ballot initiative campaigns and the resulting legal process. A broad coalition of organizations has also worked tirelessly on this cause, to defend democracy and advance economic justice. Going forward, EJAM will collaborate with alliance partner organizations, Mothering Justice, and Restaurant Opportunities Center Michigan, to educate the hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers impacted by the court's ruling as EJAM continues to build the capacity of community residents to advocate for economic and social justice. "This momentous decision restores citizen confidence in ballot initiatives and is a strong and timely reminder of the judicial system's significant role in defending democracy," said DeWayne Wells, executive director of EJAM. Michigan is one of only 24 states that allows voters to elect the justices of its highest court. Voters will decide who fills two open Michigan Supreme Court seats in this fall's general election. EJAM encourages voters to get to know all the candidates and let their voices be heard in November. #Use Your Influence. EJAM will celebrate the Supreme Court victory with coalition partners, volunteers, and other guests on Friday, September 20, at Mama Imani Humphrey banquet hall located in the Detroit Food Commons, 8324 Woodward Avenue, Detroit 48202 from 4:00 pm-6:30 pm. This event is by invitation only. The media is welcome to attend. For interviews or more information, contact Delora Hall Tyler at [email protected] or 248-354-8705. Media Contact: Delora Hall Tyler, APR [email protected] 248.354.8705 SOURCE Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM) KYIV, Ukraine, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The MacPaw Foundation, a corporate charity fund established for the social and charity projects of MacPaw, has officially become a member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Ukraine, the Ukrainian branch of the world's largest network of responsible businesses. By joining this initiative, MacPaw Foundation commits to upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, encompassing four key areas: human rights, labor relations, environmental protection, and ethical business practices. MacPaw Foundation joins the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and ethical business practices. The decision to join the UN Global Compact Network Ukraine underscores MacPaw Foundation's dedication to positively impacting communities and promoting sustainable business practices in every aspect of its operations. For years, the MacPaw Foundation has been at the forefront of initiatives that leverage technology and innovation to drive positive change. By aligning its efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, MacPaw Foundation focuses on areas where it can make the most significant impact, including: Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being Goal 4 Quality Education Goal 5 Gender Equality Goal 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth Goal 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Goal 10 Reduced Inequality Goal 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Goal 17 Partnerships for the Goals "Joining the UN Global Compact aligns perfectly with our mission at MacPaw Foundation. We believe businesses have a crucial role in driving sustainable development and improving lives locally and globally. By committing to these principles, we are not only upholding our values but also contributing to a future where innovation and responsibility go hand in hand," says Anna Manuhina, CSR Lead at MacPaw and Director of the MacPaw Foundation. For more information on the MacPaw Foundation's initiatives and their impact, please visit https://macpaw.foundation/. 2023 MacPaw's Social Impact Review can be found here. Our diverse and sustained corporate social responsibility initiatives at MacPaw support communities locally and globally, boosting sustainability effort, helping people in need, and fostering local tech talent. To learn more about our work and how it fits into the broader context of corporate responsibility efforts, please visit MacPawCares webpage. About MacPaw Foundation MacPaw Foundation, a corporate charity fund, was established for social and charity projects of MacPaw company in 2016. When our homeland, Ukraine, was invaded by russia, we spearheaded the MacPaw Foundation to direct our funds and collect external donations to take care of those who protect us and help Ukrainians in need. Although the MacPaw Foundation has already channeled millions of dollars worth of help, this effort is still ongoing. Today, our team works, volunteers, and donates for a victory. We will rest only when our people are safe in our country, only when Ukraine wins and justice gets restored. We're beyond grateful for all the support we receive from people all around the world. As of now, the MacPaw company has donated $10 million to help Ukrainians. After receiving many inquiries from users of MacPaw products worldwide, the Foundation began fundraising and accepting donations to scale up its operations and help more Ukrainians. Since then, over $1,000,000 has been donated to the MacPaw Foundation by active users of MacPaw products and Ukraine supporters. About MacPaw MacPaw develops and distributes innovative software for macOS and iOS that simplifies the lives of Mac users. Renowned for its meticulously crafted products, such as CleanMyMac X, CleanMyPhone, Setapp, and ClearVPN, and known for its Moonlock cybersecurity division, MacPaw is dedicated to enhancing and securing the Mac user experience. Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, with offices in Boston, MacPaw serves over 30 million users worldwide. With one in every five Mac users having at least one MacPaw app, the company is a trusted leader in the Mac software ecosystem. Media Contact Oleksandra Lytvynenko PR Specialist at MacPaw [email protected] +380935206089 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492776/MacPaw_Foundation.jpg SOURCE MacPaw Foundation IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations today announced the immediate appointment of Tatsuro Omura as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Omura, who previously served as General Manager of the Business Structure Strategy Department at Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan, will now play a key role in steering Mazda's financial strategy and operations in the U.S. In this new position, Omura will be responsible for optimizing Mazda's financial resources to enhance organizational agility and profitability. Omura's expertise will be critical in managing investment decisions essential for Mazda's business growth, including production footprint, electrification and hybridization, product planning, and regulatory compliance. "Tatsuro Omura's extensive experience and deep understanding of our global financial landscape makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead Mazda's financial operations," said Takeshi Nishiki, Executive Vice President of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "He will be pivotal in overseeing our production developments, expanding Mazda Financial Services offerings, and driving efforts to increase our market share." Omura joined Mazda in 2005 and has held roles in product cost, profit management, and corporate strategy and planning at Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan. Additionally, from 2010-2014, he sat in several finance roles at Mazda Motor Europe in Germany. Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads. SOURCE Mazda North American Operations GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a global value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design, today announced that, the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") authorized and approved a new share repurchase program on August 30, 2024 (the "2024 Share Repurchase Program"), under which the Company may repurchase up to HKD2 billion in value of its outstanding ordinary shares and/or American depositary shares representing its ordinary shares (collectively, the "Shares") over a period of 12 months starting from the approval date. The Company expects to fund the repurchases under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program from surplus cash on its balance sheet. The Board has full confidence in the Company's business outlook and prospects, and believes that the current share price of the Company has been below its intrinsic value. By implementing the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, the Company aims to promote the interests of its shareholders ("Shareholders"), balance the Group's fast growth and its commitment to bringing stable and foreseeable return to Shareholders. The Company's proposed repurchases under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades, and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company shall conduct the repurchases by exercising its powers under the repurchase mandate granted or to be granted to the Board pursuant to the resolutions of the Shareholders passed at the annual general meeting of the Company each year to repurchase the Shares not exceeding 10% of the total number of the issued Shares (excluding any treasury Shares) as at the date of such annual general meeting (the "Share Repurchase Mandate"), with each mandate to expire upon whichever is the earliest of: (a) the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company; (b) the expiration of the period within which the next annual general meeting of the Company is required by the memorandum and articles of the association of the Company or by any applicable laws to be held; and (c) the date on which the authority given under the ordinary resolution approving the Share Repurchase Mandate is revoked or varied by an ordinary resolution of the Shareholders. During the period from August 30, 2024 to the date of holding the upcoming annual general meeting of the Company in 2025, the Company will conduct the repurchases under the Share Repurchase Mandate granted by the Shareholders on June 20, 2024, and for the remaining period under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, the Company will conduct the repurchases under the Share Repurchase Mandate to be granted by the Shareholders at the upcoming annual general meeting of the Company, subject to the approval of the Shareholders and the general mandate conditions as specified above. It is the intention of the Board to implement the 2024 Share Repurchase Program during the 12-month period only in such a way and only to such an extent that would not cause a mandatory general offer obligation to arise under Rule 26 of the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs. The Company will conduct the share repurchase in compliance with the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules"). Pursuant to Rule 10.06(2)(e) of the Listing Rules, an issuer shall not purchase its shares on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock Exchange") at any time after inside information has come to its knowledge until the information is made publicly available. In particular, during the period of one month immediately preceding the earlier of (i) the date of the board meeting for the approval of the issuer's results for any year, half-year, quarterly or any other interim period; and (ii) the deadline for the issuer to announce its results for any year or half-year under the Listing Rules, or quarterly or any other interim period, and ending on the date of the results announcement, the issuer shall not purchase its shares on the Stock Exchange, unless the circumstances are exceptional. The Company will conduct the proposed share repurchases in compliance with the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, the Listing Rules, the Codes on Takeovers and Mergers and Share Buy-backs, the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and all applicable laws and regulations to which the Company is subject to. The Company may cancel such repurchased Shares or hold them as treasury Shares, subject to market conditions and the Group's capital management needs at the relevant time of the repurchases. The Board believes that the current financial resources of the Company would enable it to implement the share repurchases without causing any material impact on its working capital. The Board will review the 2024 Share Repurchase Program periodically, and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size. Shareholders and potential investors should note that any repurchase may be done subject to market conditions and at the Board's absolute discretion. There is no assurance of the timing, quantity or price of any repurchase. Shareholders and potential investors should therefore exercise caution when dealing in the Shares. About MINISO Group MINISO Group is a global value retailer 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. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "is/are likely to", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its annual report 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 MINISO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MINISO's mission, goals and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the retail market and the market of branded variety retail of lifestyle products in China and globally; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of MINISO's products; expectations regarding MINISO's relationships with consumers, suppliers, MINISO Retail Partners, local distributors, and other business partners; competition in the industry; proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to MINISO's business and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MINISO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MINISO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contact: Raine Hu MINISO Group Holding Limited Email: [email protected] Phone: +86 (20) 36228788 Ext.8039 SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited GUANGZHOU, China, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring IP design, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (the "June Quarter") and the six months ended June 30, 2024 (the "First Half of 2024"). Financial Highlights for the June Quarter Revenue increased 24.1% year over year to RMB4,035.2 million ( US$555.3 million ), surpassing RMB4 billion for the first time. increased 24.1% year over year to ( ), surpassing for the first time. Gross profit increased 36.9% year over year to RMB1,773.3 million ( US$244.0 million ). increased 36.9% year over year to ( ). Gross margin was 43.9%, a record high for the Company, compared to 39.8% in the same period of 2023. was 43.9%, a record high for the Company, compared to 39.8% in the same period of 2023. Operating profit increased 8.9% year over year to RMB751.5 million ( US$103.4 million ). increased 8.9% year over year to ( ). Profit for the period increased 8.1% year over year to RMB591.4 million ( US$81.4 million ). increased 8.1% year over year to ( ). Adjusted net profit (1) increased 9.4% year over year to RMB625.0 million ( US$86.0 million ). Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of RMB4.2 million ( US$0.6 million ) in the June Quarter, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of RMB66.1 million in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 24.6% year over year. increased 9.4% year over year to ( ). Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of ( ) in the June Quarter, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 24.6% year over year. Adjusted net margin (1) was 15.5%, compared to 17.6% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit margin for the June Quarter would have been 15.6%, compared to 15.5% in the same period of 2023. was 15.5%, compared to 17.6% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit margin for the June Quarter would have been 15.6%, compared to 15.5% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 17.1% year over year to RMB1,002.0 million ( US$137.9 million ). increased 17.1% year over year to ( ). Adjusted EBITDA margin (1) was 24.8%, compared to 26.3% in the same period of 2023. was 24.8%, compared to 26.3% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS(1) both increased 11.1% year over year to RMB2.00 (US$0.28) . Financial Highlights for the First Half of 2024 Revenue increased 25.0% year over year to RMB7,758.7 million ( US$1,067.6 million ). increased 25.0% year over year to ( ). Gross profit increased 37.9% year over year to RMB3,389.8 million ( US$466.5 million ). increased 37.9% year over year to ( ). Gross margin was 43.7%, compared to 39.6% in the same period last year. was 43.7%, compared to 39.6% in the same period last year. Operating profit increased 18.1% year over year to RMB1,494.8 million ( US$205.7 million ). increased 18.1% year over year to ( ). Profit for the period increased 15.7% year over year to RMB1,177.4 million ( US$162.0 million ). increased 15.7% year over year to ( ). Adjusted net profit (1) increased 17.8% year over year to RMB1,241.9 million ( US$170.9 million ). Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of RMB12.4 million ( US$1.7 million ) in the First Half of 2024, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of RMB54.9 million in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 25.5% year over year. increased 17.8% year over year to ( ). Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of ( ) in the First Half of 2024, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 25.5% year over year. Adjusted net margin (1) was 16.0%, compared to 17.0% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit margin for the First Half of 2024 would have been 16.2%, compared to 16.1% in the same period of 2023. was 16.0%, compared to 17.0% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit margin for the First Half of 2024 would have been 16.2%, compared to 16.1% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 26.0% year over year to RMB1,967.4 million ( US$270.7 million ). increased 26.0% year over year to ( ). Adjusted EBITDA margin (1) was 25.4%, compared to 25.2% in the same period of 2023. was 25.4%, compared to 25.2% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS (1) were both RMB3.96 (US$0.54) , representing increases of 17.9% and 19.3% year over year, respectively. were both , representing increases of 17.9% and 19.3% year over year, respectively. Net cash from operating activities increased 4.9% year over year to RMB1,293.8 million ( US$178.0 million ). Capital expenditure was RMB302.8 million ( US$41.7 million ) and free cash flow was RMB991.0 million ( US$136.4 million ) for the First Half of 2024. Operational Highlights Number of MINISO stores was 6,868 as of June 30, 2024 , with an opening of 455 net new stores in the First Half of 2024. was 6,868 as of , with an opening of 455 net new stores in the First Half of 2024. Number of MINISO stores in mainland China was 4,115 as of June 30, 2024 , with an opening of 189 net new stores in the First Half of 2024. was 4,115 as of , with an opening of 189 net new stores in the First Half of 2024. Number of MINISO stores in overseas markets was 2,753 as of June 30, 2024 , with a record opening of 266 net new stores in the First Half of 2024, compared to 72 in the same period of 2023. was 2,753 as of , with a record opening of 266 net new stores in the First Half of 2024, compared to 72 in the same period of 2023. Number of TOP TOY stores was 195 as of June 30, 2024 , with a record opening of 47 net new stores in the First Half of 2024. Note: (1) See the sections titled "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in this press release for more information. The following table provides a breakdown of the Company's store network and its growth. The Company nearly doubled its directly operated stores compared to a year ago. In the First Half of 2024, the Company had a net increase of 115 directly operated stores, 105 of which located in overseas markets, demonstrating the Company's development strategy. As of June 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 June 30, 2024 YoY YTD(3) Number of MINISO stores(1) 5,791 6,413 6,868 1,077 455 Mainland China 3,604 3,926 4,115 511 189 Directly operated stores 15 26 29 14 3 Third-party stores 3,589 3,900 4,086 497 186 Overseas 2,187 2,487 2,753 566 266 Directly operated stores 176 238 343 167 105 Third-party stores 2,011 2,249 2,410 399 161 Number of TOP TOY stores(2) 118 148 195 77 47 Directly operated stores 9 14 21 12 7 Third-party stores 109 134 174 65 40 Notes: (1) "MINISO stores" refers to the offline stores operated under the "MINISO" brand, including those directly operated by the Company, and those operated by third parties under the MINISO Retail Partner model and the distributor model. (2) "TOP TOY stores" refers to the offline stores operated under the "TOP TOY" brand, including those directly operated by the Company, and those operated by third parties under the MINISO Retail Partner model. (3) "Year-to-date" or "YTD" refers to the period starting from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. Mr. Guofu Ye, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of MINISO, commented, "The year of 2024 marks the first year of our five-year strategic plan. I am pleased to see that in the past six months, all of our businesses have made firm progress in accordance with the five-year strategic plan and our performance has met the expectations at the beginning of the year. During the reporting period, our footprints in overseas markets continued to expand. Meanwhile, we achieved the milestone of 7,000 stores globally, and it has been less than one year since we achieved the milestone of 6,000 stores. In the First Half of 2024, we had 502 net new stores at the group level, including 266 net new MINISO stores in overseas markets and 47 net new TOP TOY stores, both marking the fastest store opening paces during the first half of a year. MINISO in overseas markets and TOP TOY also maintained a double-digit same-store sales growth, acting as growth engines of the Company. We had 189 net new MINISO stores in mainland China in the First Half of 2024, and same-store sales of MINISO in mainland China recovered to 98.3% of the prior year's level, representing MINISO's industrial leading position and robust growth. As a result, revenue increased by 25% to RMB7.76 billion for the First Half of 2024, including a 7% same-store sales growth and a 19% average store count expansion." "Despite short-term headwind and uncertainties brought by the macro environment, MINISO Group will still steadfastly focus on our long-term strategy, adhering to "Affordability", "Globalization" and "Product Innovation (IP design)". We will always uphold our "Happy Philosophy" and target to become the world's No.1 IP design retail group, maintaining strategic focus and moving toward our five-year strategic goals. Meanwhile, we are committed to providing competitive career development opportunities for employees and bringing long-term and sustainable return to shareholders." Mr. Ye continued. Mr. Eason Zhang, CFO of MINISO, commented, "Thanks to our ongoing brand upgrade and increasing overseas revenue contribution, gross margin for the First Half of 2024 reached 43.7%, with a 4.1 percentage point increase year over year. Even though we are still at an investment stage in overseas markets, we have managed to maintain profitability at a healthy level under our effective cost control measures. This is evidenced by an 18% year-over-year increase in adjusted net profit and a 26% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, adjusted net margin would have been 16.2% for the First Half of 2024, compared with 16.1% for the same period of last year, implying our good profitability under scalable growth. Our financial strategy will continue to remain disciplined in terms of budgeting, cost controls and allocation of capital as we commit to delivering stable profit and healthy cash flows. Our targets for the year of 2024 remain unchanged from our expectations at the beginning of the year, revenue is expected to increase 20% to 30% on year-over-year basis, and adjusted net profit target is RMB2.8 billion or higher." "Our capital allocation strategy will also continue to balance fast growth and our commitment to bring stable and foreseeable returns to shareholders. The Board of the Company has approved an interim cash dividend for the First Half of 2024, with a total amount of approximately RMB621 million. Upon the payment of the interim dividend, the Company will have returned RMB1.4 billion in cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases from year to date. Since 2020, we will have returned RMB3.6 billion to shareholders upon the payment of the interim dividend, accounting for 62% of adjusted net profit accumulated from 2020 until the First half of 2024. We are confident in accomplishing our full-year business plan and five-year strategy and believe that our share price has been trading below its intrinsic value. Accordingly, the Board of the Company has approved a share repurchase program to make the best of the general mandate granted at its annual general meeting held in June 2024, under which the Company may repurchase its shares and/or ADSs in the next 12 months not exceeding 10% of the total outstanding shares and execute share repurchases in the open market subject to market conditions. We believe that the share repurchase program is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and creates value for shareholders." Mr. Zhang concluded. Interim Dividend Declaration On August 30, 2024, the Company's board of directors approved the distribution of an interim cash dividend in the amount of US$0.2744 per American Depositary Share ("ADS") or US$0.0686 per ordinary share, to holders of ADSs and ordinary shares of record as of the close of business on September 13, 2024, New York Time and Beijing/Hong Kong Time, respectively. The ex-dividend date will be September 12, 2024. The payment date is expected to be September 23, 2024 for holders of ordinary shares and September 27, 2024 for holders of ADSs. The aggregate amount of cash dividend to be paid is approximately US$85.5 million (RMB621.3 million at an exchange rate of RMB7.2672 to US$1.0000), which is approximately 50% of the Company's adjusted net profit for the First Half of 2024 and will be distributed from additional paid-in capital and settled by a cash distribution. For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the interim cash dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of ordinary shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company's Hong Kong share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 P.M. on September 13, 2024 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Unaudited Financial Results for the June Quarter 2024 Revenue was RMB4,035.2 million (US$555.3 million), representing an increase of 24.1% year over year. Revenue from mainland China increased by 18.1% year over year, accelerated from the March quarter, including (i) an increase of 17.4% in revenue from MINISO's offline stores in mainland China, and (ii) an increase of 24.3% in revenue from TOP TOY. Revenue from overseas markets increased 35.5% to RMB1,510.1 million (US$207.8 million), breaking its previous record set in December quarter of 2023, which was usually a peak season in overseas markets. For more information on the composition and year-over-year change of revenue, please refer to the "Unaudited Additional Information" in this press release. Cost of sales was RMB2,261.9 million (US$311.2 million), representing an increase of 15.6% year over year. Gross profit was RMB1,773.3 million (US$244.0 million), representing an increase of 36.9% year over year. Gross margin was 43.9%, representing a record high with an increase of 4.1 percentage points year over year. Selling and distribution expenses were RMB826.1 million (US$113.7 million), representing an increase of 72.5% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling and distribution expenses were RMB808.6 million (US$111.3 million), representing an increase of 76.4% year over year. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to the Company's investments into directly operated stores both in mainland China and overseas markets to pursue the future success of the Company's business, especially in strategic overseas markets such as the U.S. market. As of June 30, 2024, total number of directly operated stores in overseas markets was 343, nearly doubling such figure compared to a year ago. In the June Quarter, revenue from directly operated stores increased 109.3%, while related expenses including rental and related expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and payroll excluding share-based compensation expenses increased 85.8%. General and administrative expenses were RMB227.2 million (US$31.3 million), representing an increase of 38.1% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses were RMB211.1 million (US$29.1 million), representing an increase of 31.2% year over year. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the increase of personnel-related expenses in relation to the growth of the Company's business. Other net income was RMB26.9 million (US$3.7 million), compared to RMB38.0 million in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a net exchange loss of RMB4.2 million (US$0.6 million) in the June Quarter, compared to a net exchange gain of RMB66.1 million in the same period of last year. Profit for the period was RMB591.4 million (US$81.4 million), representing an increase of 8.1% year over year. Adjusted net profit, which represents profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses, was RMB625.0 million (US$86.0 million), representing an increase of 9.4% year over year. Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of RMB4.2 million (US$0.6 million) in the June Quarter, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of RMB66.1 million in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 24.6% year over year. Adjusted net margin was 15.5%, compared to 17.6% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net margin would have been 15.6%, compared to 15.5% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was RMB1,002.0 million (US$137.9 million), representing an increase of 17.1% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.8%, compared to 26.3% in the same period of 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per ADS were both RMB1.88 (US$0.26) in the June Quarter, representing an increase of 9.3% year over year from RMB1.72 in the same period of 2023. Each ADS represents four of the Company's ordinary shares. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS were both RMB2.00 (US$0.28) in the June Quarter, representing an increase of 11.1% year over year from RMB1.80 in the same period of 2023. Unaudited Financial Results for the First Half of 2024 Revenue was RMB7,758.7 million (US$1,067.6 million), representing an increase of 25.0% year over year, primarily driven by an 18.8% year-over-year increase in average store count, and an around 7% same-store sales growth on group level. Revenue from mainland China increased by 17.2% to RMB5,026.7 million (US$691.7 million), including (i) an increase of 16.5% in revenue from MINISO's offline stores in mainland China, which was primarily due to a 16.0% year-over-year growth in average store count, while same-store sales were 98.3% of the prior year's level, and (ii) an increase of 37.9% in revenue from TOP TOY, which was primarily powered by a strong same-store sales growth of 13.6% and a rapid growth in average store count. Revenue from overseas markets increased 42.6% to RMB2,732.0 million (US$375.9 million). The year-over-year increase was primarily due to an increase of 21.8% in average store count, coupled with a strong same-store sales growth of 16.3%. Revenue from overseas markets contributed 35.2% of the Company's total revenue for the First Half of 2024, compared to 30.9% for the same period in 2023. For more information on the composition and year-over-year change of revenue, please refer to the "Unaudited Additional Information" in this press release. Cost of sales was RMB4,369.0 million (US$601.2 million), representing an increase of 16.5% year over year. Gross profit was RMB3,389.8 million (US$466.5 million), representing an increase of 37.9% year over year. Gross margin was 43.7%, representing an increase of 4.1 percentage points. The year-over-year increase in gross margin was primarily due to (i) higher revenue contribution from directly operated markets which accounted for 55.7% of revenue from overseas markets, compared to 45.7% in the same period of 2023, (ii) higher gross margin in mainland China contributed by newly launched products in relation to the Company's execution of IP strategy and strategic brand upgrade of MINISO, and (iii) higher gross margin of TOP TOY due to a shift in product mix towards more profitable products. Other income was RMB12.7 million (US$1.7 million), compared to RMB3.6 million in the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in income from depositary bank. Selling and distribution expenses were RMB1,522.1 million (US$209.4 million), increased by 65.8% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling and distribution expenses were RMB1,480.6 million (US$203.7million), increased by 66.4% year over year. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to the Company's investments into directly operated stores both in mainland China and overseas markets to pursue the future success of the Company's business, especially in strategic overseas markets such as the U.S. market. As of June 30, 2024, total number of directly operated stores in overseas markets was 343, nearly doubling such figure compared to a year ago. In the First Half of 2024, revenue from directly operated stores increased 111.4%, while related expenses including rental and related expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses and payroll excluding share-based compensation expenses increased 82.7%. These new stores are expected to contribute more substantial sales in the second half of 2024. Promotion and advertising expenses increased 46.5% in the First Half of 2024, as a percentage of revenue stabilizing at around 3% in both comparative periods. Licensing expenses increased 24.2%, consistent with revenue growth. Logistics expenses increased 54.3%, reflecting the rising freight costs caused by the tension in international shipping during the First Half of 2024. General and administrative expenses were RMB418.6 million (US$57.6 million), increased by 30.9% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses were RMB395.6 million (US$54.4 million), increased by 26.9% year over year. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the increase of personnel-related expenses in relation to the growth of the Company's business. Other net income was RMB41.7 million (US$5.7 million), compared to RMB41.3 million in the same period of 2023. Operating profit was RMB1,494.8 million (US$205.7 million), representing an increase of 18.1% year over year. Net finance income was RMB34.0 million (US$4.7 million), compared to RMB62.3 million in the same period of 2023. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease in interest income as a result of decreased principal in bank deposits, and an increase in finance cost due to increased interest on lease liabilities. Profit for the period was RMB1,177.4 million (US$162.0 million), compared to RMB1,017.9 million in the same period of 2023, representing an increase of 15.7% year over year. Adjusted net profit, which represents profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses, was RMB1,241.9 million (US$170.9 million), representing an increase of 17.8% year over year. Adjusted net profit included a net foreign exchange loss of RMB12.4 million (US$1.7 million) in the First Half of 2024, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of RMB54.9 million in the same period of last year. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net profit would have increased 25.5% year over year. Adjusted net margin was 16.0%, compared to 17.0% in the same period of 2023. Excluding net foreign exchange loss and gain, adjusted net margin would have been 16.2%, compared to 16.1% in the same period of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA increased 26.0% year over year to RMB1,967.4 million (US$270.7 million). Adjusted EBITDA margin was 25.4%, compared to 25.2% in the same period of 2023. Basic earnings per ADS increased 16.0% year over year to RMB3.76 (US$0.52), compared to RMB3.24 in the same period of 2023. Diluted earnings per ADS increased 17.5% year over year to RMB3.76 (US$0.52), compared to RMB3.20 in the same period of 2023. Adjusted basic earnings per ADS increased 17.9% year over year to RMB3.96 (US$0.54), compared to RMB3.36 in the same period of 2023. Adjusted diluted earnings per ADS increased 19.3% year over year to RMB3.96 (US$0.54), compared to RMB3.32 in the same period of 2023. Net cash from operating activities increased 4.9% year over year to RMB1,293.8 million (US$178.0 million) for the First Half of 2024. Capital expenditure was RMB302.8 million (US$41.7 million) and free cash flow was RMB991.0 million (US$136.4 million) for the First Half of 2024. Conference Call The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 5:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Friday, August 30, 2024 (5:00 P.M. Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. The conference call can be accessed by the following Zoom link or dialing the following numbers: Access 1 Join Zoom meeting. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95898852484?pwd=tBbbJPUtyGu20f1OCy4sxYDNBAGy72.1 Meeting Number: 958 9885 2484 Meeting Passcode:9896 Access 2 Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers with the same meeting number and passcode with access 1. United States: +1 689 278 1000 (or +1 719 359 4580) Hong Kong, China: +852 5803 3730 (or +852 5803 3731) United Kingdom: +44 203 481 5237 (or +44 131 460 1196) France: +33 1 7037 9729 (or +33 1 7037 2246) Singapore: +65 3158 7288 (or +65 3165 1065) Canada: +1 438 809 7799 (or +1 204 272 7920) Access 3 Listeners can also access the meeting through the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/. The replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/. About MINISO Group MINISO Group is a global value retailer 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. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/. Exchange Rate The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of June 28, 2024, which was RMB7.2672 to US$1.0000. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts. Non-IFRS Financial Measures In evaluating the business, MINISO considers and uses adjusted net profit, adjusted net margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share and adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. MINISO defines adjusted net profit as profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses. MINISO calculates adjusted net margin by dividing adjusted net profit by revenue for the same period. MINISO defines adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net profit plus depreciation and amortization, finance costs and income tax expense. Adjusted EBITDA margin is computed by dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the period. MINISO computes adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS by dividing adjusted net profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company by the number of ADSs represented by the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis. MINISO computes adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share in the same way as it calculates adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS, except that it uses the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis as the denominator instead of the number of ADSs represented by these ordinary shares. MINISO presents these non-IFRS financial measures because they are used by the management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. These non-IFRS financial measures enable the management to assess its operating results without considering the impacts of the aforementioned non-cash and other adjustment items that MINISO does not consider to be indicative of its operating performance in the future. Accordingly, MINISO believes that the use of these non-IFRS financial measures provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results in the same manner as the management and board of directors. These non-IFRS financial measures are not defined under IFRS and are not presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-IFRS financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect MINISO's operations. Further, these non-IFRS financial measures may differ from the non-IFRS information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to profit, net profit margin, basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted earnings per ADS, as applicable, or any other measures of performance or as indicators of MINISO's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review MINISO's historical non-IFRS financial measures in light of the most directly comparable IFRS measures, as shown below. The non-IFRS financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting the usefulness of such measures when analyzing MINISO's data comparatively. MINISO encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. For more information on the non-IFRS financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "is/are likely to", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as MINISO's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its annual report 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 MINISO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MINISO's mission, goals and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the retail market and the market of branded variety retail of lifestyle products in China and globally; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of MINISO's products; expectations regarding MINISO's relationships with consumers, suppliers, MINISO Retail Partners, local distributors, and other business partners; competition in the industry; proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to MINISO's business and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MINISO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MINISO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Investor Relations Contacts: Raine Hu MINISO Group Holding Limited Email: [email protected] Phone: +86 (20) 36228788 Ext.8039 MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Expressed in thousands) As at As at December 31, 2023 June 30, 2024 (Audited) (Unaudited) RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 769,306 1,047,687 144,167 Right-of-use assets 2,900,860 3,684,817 507,048 Intangible assets 19,554 12,333 1,697 Goodwill 21,643 21,247 2,924 Deferred tax assets 104,130 116,577 16,042 Other investments 90,603 106,102 14,600 Trade and other receivables 135,796 173,136 23,823 Term deposits 100,000 103,308 14,216 Interests in equity-accounted investees 15,783 14,814 2,038 4,157,675 5,280,021 726,555 Current assets Other investments 252,866 350,913 48,287 Inventories 1,922,241 1,949,849 268,308 Trade and other receivables 1,518,357 1,614,148 222,114 Cash and cash equivalents 6,415,441 6,233,089 857,702 Restricted cash 7,970 1,965 270 Term deposits 210,759 283,007 38,943 10,327,634 10,432,971 1,435,624 Total assets 14,485,309 15,712,992 2,162,179 MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands) As at As at December 31, 2023 June30, 2024 (Audited) (Unaudited) RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 EQUITY Share capital 95 95 13 Additional paid-in capital 6,331,375 5,543,845 762,858 Other reserves 1,114,568 1,260,576 173,461 Retained earnings 1,722,157 2,892,259 397,988 Equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company 9,168,195 9,696,775 1,334,320 Non-controlling interests 23,022 28,006 3,854 Total equity 9,191,217 9,724,781 1,338,174 LIABILITIES Non-current liabilities Contract liabilities 40,954 39,299 5,408 Loans and borrowings 6,533 6,414 883 Other payables 12,411 32,786 4,512 Lease liabilities 797,986 1,481,836 203,907 Deferred income 29,229 37,480 5,157 887,113 1,597,815 219,867 Current liabilities Contract liabilities 324,028 344,422 47,394 Loans and borrowings 726 713 98 Trade and other payables 3,389,826 3,328,888 458,070 Lease liabilities 447,319 455,453 62,672 Deferred income 6,644 6,685 920 Current taxation 238,436 254,235 34,984 4,406,979 4,390,396 604,138 Total liabilities 5,294,092 5,988,211 824,005 Total equity and liabilities 14,485,309 15,712,992 2,162,179 MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Expressed in thousands, except for per ordinary share and per ADS data) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2024 2023 2024 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB'000 RMB'000 US$ '000 RMB'000 RMB'000 US$ '000 Revenue 3,252,182 4,035,212 555,264 6,206,330 7,758,743 1,067,639 Cost of sales (1,956,535) (2,261,884) (311,246) (3,748,938) (4,368,957) (601,188) Gross profit 1,295,647 1,773,328 244,018 2,457,392 3,389,786 466,451 Other income 2,842 9,053 1,246 3,624 12,698 1,747 Selling and distribution expenses (478,948) (826,061) (113,670) (917,966) (1,522,088) (209,446) General and administrative expenses (164,499) (227,232) (31,268) (319,705) (418,573) (57,598) Other net income 37,966 26,867 3,697 41,256 41,696 5,738 Reversal/(Credit loss) of credit loss on trade and other receivables 460 (2,939) (404) 4,788 (3,606) (496) Impairment loss on non-current assets (3,448) (1,492) (205) (3,448) (5,104) (702) Operating profit 690,020 751,524 103,414 1,265,941 1,494,809 205,694 Finance income 46,814 33,716 4,639 80,541 74,606 10,266 Finance costs (9,631) (24,686) (3,397) (18,277) (40,595) (5,586) Net finance income 37,183 9,030 1,242 62,264 34,011 4,680 Share of profit of an equity-accounted investees, net of tax - 181 25 - 301 41 Profit before taxation 727,203 760,735 104,681 1,328,205 1,529,121 210,415 Income tax expense (180,212) (169,310) (23,298) (310,287) (351,742) (48,401) Profit for the period 546,991 591,425 81,383 1,017,918 1,177,379 162,014 Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Company 539,331 587,630 80,861 1,004,836 1,170,102 161,013 Non-controlling interests 7,660 3,795 522 13,082 7,277 1,001 Earnings per share for ordinary shares -Basic 0.43 0.47 0.06 0.81 0.94 0.13 -Diluted 0.43 0.47 0.06 0.80 0.94 0.13 Earnings per ADS (Each ADS represents 4 ordinary shares) -Basic 1.72 1.88 0.26 3.24 3.76 0.52 -Diluted 1.72 1.88 0.26 3.20 3.76 0.52 MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2024 2023 2024 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB'000 RMB'000 US$ '000 RMB'000 RMB'000 US$ '000 Profit for the period 546,991 591,425 81,383 1,017,918 1,177,379 162,014 Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: Exchange differences on translation of financial statements of foreign operations 62,799 2,990 411 54,832 6,845 941 Other comprehensive income for the period 62,799 2,990 411 54,832 6,845 941 Total comprehensive income for the period 609,790 594,415 81,794 1,072,750 1,184,224 162,955 Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Company 601,200 591,877 81,445 1,057,099 1,178,043 162,104 Non-controlling interests 8,590 2,538 349 15,651 6,181 851 MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES (Expressed in thousands, except for per share, per ADS data and percentages) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2024 2023 2024 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 Reconciliation of profit for the period to adjusted net profit: Profit for the period 546,991 591,425 81,383 1,017,918 1,177,379 162,014 Add back: Equity-settled share-based payment expenses 24,212 33,570 4,619 36,302 64,507 8,876 Adjusted net profit 571,203 624,995 86,002 1,054,220 1,241,886 170,890 Adjusted net margin 17.6 % 15.5 % 15.5 % 17.0 % 16.0 % 16.0 % Attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Company 563,543 621,021 85,455 1,041,138 1,234,430 169,864 Non-controlling interests 7,660 3,974 547 13,082 7,456 1,026 Adjusted net earnings per share(1) -Basic 0.45 0.50 0.07 0.84 0.99 0.14 -Diluted 0.45 0.50 0.07 0.83 0.99 0.14 Adjusted net earnings per ADS (Each ADS represents 4 ordinary shares) -Basic 1.80 2.00 0.28 3.36 3.96 0.54 -Diluted 1.80 2.00 0.28 3.32 3.96 0.54 Reconciliation of adjusted net profit for the period to adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted net profit 571,203 624,995 86,002 1,054,220 1,241,886 170,890 Add back: Depreciation and amortization 94,379 183,029 25,186 179,004 333,131 45,840 Finance costs 9,631 24,686 3,397 18,277 40,595 5,586 Income tax expense 180,212 169,310 23,298 310,287 351,742 48,401 Adjusted EBITDA 855,425 1,002,020 137,883 1,561,788 1,967,354 270,717 Adjusted EBITDA margin 26.3 % 24.8 % 24.8 % 25.2 % 25.4 % 25.4 % Note: (1) Adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share are computed by dividing adjusted net profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company by the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis. MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Expressed in thousands, except for percentages) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2023 2024 YoY 2023 2024 YoY RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 RMB'000 RMB'000 US$'000 Revenue Mainland China 2,137,422 2,525,064 347,460 18.1 % 4,290,654 5,026,729 691,701 17.2 % -MINISO Brand(1) 1,951,592 2,308,008 317,592 18.3 % 3,952,460 4,592,798 631,990 16.2 % -TOP TOY Brand 172,965 214,952 29,578 24.3 % 310,867 428,772 59,001 37.9 % -Others(2) 12,865 2,104 290 (83.6) % 27,327 5,159 710 (81.1) % Overseas 1,114,760 1,510,148 207,804 35.5 % 1,915,676 2,732,014 375,938 42.6 % 3,252,182 4,035,212 555,264 24.1 % 6,206,330 7,758,743 1,067,639 25.0 % Note: (1) "MINISO Brand" refers to the revenue generated from MINISO brand including revenue from offline stores, e-commerce and others in mainland China. (2) "Others" refers to revenue generated from other operating segments such as "WonderLife", which was a secondary brand targeting on lower-tier cities in mainland China, aggregated and presented as "others". As the MINISO brand increasingly penetrated into lower-tier cities in mainland China, "WonderLife" has become marginalized. MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER OF MINISO STORES IN MAINLAND CHINA As of June 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 June 30, 2024 YoY YTD(1) By City Tiers First-tier cities 474 522 541 67 19 Second-tier cities 1,496 1,617 1,705 209 88 Third- or lower-tier cities 1,634 1,787 1,869 235 82 Total 3,604 3,926 4,115 511 189 Note: (1) "YTD" refers to the period starting from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER OF MINISO STORES IN OVERSEAS MARKETS As of June 30, 2023 December 31, 2023 June 30, 2024 YoY YTD(1) By Regions Asia excluding China 1,206 1,333 1,484 278 151 North America 123 172 234 111 62 Latin America 492 552 584 92 32 Europe 198 231 244 46 13 Others 168 199 207 39 8 Total 2,187 2,487 2,753 566 266 Note: (1) "YTD" refers to the period starting from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited FINDLAY, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) today announced that the company's 2023 Schedule K-3 investor tax packages reflecting items of international tax relevance are now available on its website, https://www.mplx.com. Investors may select the Taxation link under the Investors tab or use the following link: https://www.taxpackagesupport.com/mplx. A limited number of investors (primarily foreign unitholders, unitholders computing a foreign tax credit on their tax return and certain corporate and/or partnership unitholders) may need the detailed information disclosed on the Schedule K-3 for their specific reporting requirements. To the extent the Schedule K-3 is applicable to unitholders' tax return filing needs, MPLX encourages them to review the information contained on the Schedule K-3 and refer to the appropriate federal laws and guidance or consult with their tax advisor. MPLX does not plan to mail K-3 tax packages to investors. For additional information or to receive an electronic copy of the Schedule K-3 via email, unitholders may call 1-800-232-0011 (toll free). About MPLX LP MPLX is a diversified, large-cap master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets and provides fuels distribution services. MPLX's assets include a network of crude oil and refined product pipelines; an inland marine business; light-product terminals; storage caverns; refinery tanks, docks, loading racks, and associated piping; and crude and light-product marine terminals. The company also owns crude oil and natural gas gathering systems and pipelines as well as natural gas and NGL processing and fractionation facilities in key U.S. supply basins. More information is available at www.MPLX.com. Investor Relations Contact: (419) 421-2071 Kristina Kazarian, Vice President Finance and Investor Relations Brian Worthington, Director, Investor Relations Isaac Feeney, Manager, Investor Relations Media Contact: (419) 421-3577 Jamal Kheiry, Communications Manager SOURCE MPLX LP Led by industry veterans, the tech company is the first to bridge the gap between traditional artistry and AI-generated music AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Music Group AI, a new technology company serving the music industry, has become the first to implement a proprietary approach to supporting traditional artists with high-quality AI music creation. Founded by music industry and tech leaders Jeff Hanson, Matt Alvers and Paal Larsen, Music Group AI combines human creativity with AI-powered innovation to merge two sectors that have yet to connect. Music Group AI aims to make the music industry more inclusive, prolific and equitable, amplifying creative voices that might otherwise struggle to be heard and thrive. This includes "prompters," an emerging group who use AI to assist with creating or enhancing music but haven't, until now, been recognized as artists. "AI's role in music is not to replace artists but to support them with a vast array of proprietary methods and tools. That's good news for everyone who loves music and the art of creating it," Music Group AI co-founder Jeff Hanson said. "By providing platforms for newcomers and removing long-standing barriers to success, we expect to see an enormous new wave of creativity, resulting in even more dynamic, human-made music. The industry has experienced many transformations throughout our decades of experience, and we're excited to see where the next breakthrough takes us." Hanson has been a critical figure in the music industry's evolution for 40 years, having pioneered the first-ever 360-degree deal and discovered, managed and promoted some of the most prominent artists of the 1990s and 2000s, including Creed and Paramore. Larsen is a Norway-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) executive and investor with global leadership experience, including playing a vital role in the success of media monitoring software company Meltwater. Larsen contributed to Meltwater's IPO, which launched in 2020 valued at more than $1 billion, and guided the company's expansion across Europe, APAC, the Middle East and Africa. He's also a music industry veteran, having previously teamed with Alvers and Hanson to help launch the international careers of U.S. artists in the 1990s and 2000s. Larsen has since co-founded the Terravera Foundation, an organization dedicated to global sustainability. His commitment to sustainability will guide Music Group AI in adopting responsible practices as it grows and innovates. Alvers will advise and lead Music Group AI with a unique blend of music industry experience and technological leadership. In the early 2000s, Alvers and Hanson partnered and managed multiple Top 40 artists under Universal, Elektra and MCA/Geffen Records. In 2003, Alvers helped showcase rising young talent, Taylor Swift, to record executives at the Florida Music Festival, which was one of Swift's first major industry showcases. Alvers later joined Larsen to expand boot-strapped tech company, Meltwater, across North America ahead of its $1 billion IPO. Most recently, Alvers served as Regional Vice President at tech giant, Salesforce, where he focused on the industry's cutting-edge technologies, including AI. About Music Group AI Music Group AI is a forward-thinking technology company founded by Jeff Hanson, Matt Alvers and Paal Larsen. As the first company to develop a proprietary approach to high-quality AI music creation, Music Group AI integrates traditional artistry with the emerging field of AI-generated music. By offering a range of services that support both existing musicians and new "prompter" artists, Music Group AI is committed to helping all creatives thrive as the industry undergoes rapid transformation. Visit musicgroup.ai for more information. Media contact: Raychel Lean [email protected] 305-926-4875 SOURCE Music Group AI WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will provide live coverage of the upcoming activities for Boeing's Starliner spacecraft departure from the International Space Station and return to Earth. The uncrewed spacecraft will depart from the orbiting laboratory for a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The American flag pictured inside the window of Boeings Starliner spacecraft at the International Space Station. Credit: NASA Starliner is scheduled to autonomously undock from the space station at approximately 6:04 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 6, to begin the journey home, weather conditions permitting. NASA and Boeing are targeting approximately 12:03 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, for the landing and conclusion of the flight test. NASA's live coverage of return and related activities will stream on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA programming through a variety of platforms including social media. Ahead of Starliner's return, NASA will host a pre-departure news conference at 12 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, from the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA's Commercial Crew and International Space Station Program managers and a flight director will participate. To attend the pre-departure news conference in person, U.S. media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, at [email protected] or 281-483-5111. To join the pre-departure news conference by phone, media must contact the NASA newsroom no later than two hours prior to the start of the call. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. As Starliner approached the orbiting laboratory, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters. For the safety of the astronauts, NASA announced on Aug. 24 that Starliner will return to Earth from the station without a crew. Wilmore and Williams will remain aboard the station and return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. NASA's coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Wednesday, Sept. 4 12 p.m. Starliner pre-departure news conference from NASA's Johnson Space Center on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. Friday, Sept. 6 5:45 p.m. Undocking coverage begins on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. 6:04 p.m. Undocking 10:50 p.m. Coverage resumes for deorbit burn, entry, and landing on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. Saturday, Sept. 7 12:03 a.m. Targeted landing 1:30 a.m. Post-landing news conference with the following participants: Joel Montalbano , deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington , deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida , manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy Space Center in Dana Weigel , manager, International Space Station, NASA Johnson , manager, International Space Station, NASA Johnson John Shannon , vice president, Boeing Exploration Systems , vice president, Boeing Exploration Systems Mark Nappi , vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program Coverage of the post-landing news conference will stream live on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. To attend the post-landing news conference in person, U.S. media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 12 p.m., Sept. 6. To join the post-landing news conference by phone, media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom no later than one hour prior to the start of the event. See full mission coverage, NASA's commercial crew blog, and more information about the mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew SOURCE NASA Known for his weekly house calls to estates and private homes, Veilleux has built a reputation as the region's premier appraiser. Recently, what seemed like a routine house call visit to a private estate in Camden, Maine, turned into an extraordinary discovery. In the attic of the home, Veilleux uncovered a 17th-century portrait of a young girl. "On house calls, we often go in blind, not knowing what we'll find," said Veilleux. "The home was filled with wonderful pieces, but it was in the attic, among stacks of art, that we found this remarkable portrait." The portrait, depicting a teenage girl in a black dress with a white ruffled collar and a white cap, was in remarkable condition despite its age. Painted on a cradled oak panel and mounted in a hand-carved gold Dutch frame, the piece had an untouched surface and established family provenance. A label on the verso of the frame attributed the work to Rembrandt, noting it had been previously loaned to an exhibition in 1970 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The portrait was subsequently added to the second day of the annual Summer Grandeur sale held by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, a three-day auction featuring over 1,500 lots of fine art, antiques, collectibles, and more. After seven hours of intense bidding on Saturday, lot 2363, the portrait, was presented at the podium. As the bidding began, nine staff members from the auction house attended the phones, many of them representing international buyers from Europe. Bidding quickly escalated into the six-digit range, with the phone bidders engaging in a fierce competition. At $900,000, only three phone bidders remained, quickly narrowing down to two as the price approached the million-dollar mark. Zebulon Casperson, the staff member who represented the winning bidder, played a crucial role in securing the final bid. Reflecting on the experience, Casperson said, "It was amazing. Out of all the phone bids I've handled, I never imagined I'd help close a deal for over a million dollars. It feels like a shared victory." In the end, the piece was awarded to a private European collector for $1,410,000, believed to have set a new record for the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction in Maine. This sale also marked a significant milestone for Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, underscoring the gallery's growing reputation as a leader in the fine art auction world. This achievement reflects the gallery's dedication to uncovering and bringing to market rare and valuable works, further establishing its position as a trusted authority in the international art community. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Northern New England's premier international auction company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston, ME. Thomaston Place is a leader in discovering antique and fine art treasurers by offering Free Appraisals each Tuesday at the gallery, creating fundraiser events for civic and charitable organizations, and providing house call appraisal services. Their expertise in researching and marketing antiques and fine art has earned Thomaston Place the respect of buyers, collectors, and experts worldwide. Media Contact: Kaylor Bergman 12073548141 [email protected] SOURCE Thomaston Place Auction Galleries MESA, Ariz., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrim Horizon ("Northrim"), an Arizona-based permanent capital investment firm, today announced its acquisition of Allure Medspa ("Allure" or the "Company"), a multi-location medical spa platform that provides a comprehensive suite of minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments across its locations in the Phoenix metro area. The Company becomes Northrim's sixth platform acquisition in Fund II. "Northrim is excited to partner with the Allure team to help write the Company's next chapter. We see long-term opportunities for growth in medical aesthetics," said Brad Gulbrandsen, Managing Partner at Northrim Horizon. "Allure offers an ideal entry point in this growing and highly fragmented market. We are well-positioned to build upon the Company's strong reputation and continue to scale via de novo efforts and strategic acquisitions." To drive Allure's growth plan, Northrim appointed Kylie Tan as CEO to support the existing management team and lead the platform's expansion. Ms. Tan joins Allure from McKinsey & Company where she was an Associate Partner in the Consumer & Retail practice, advising brand-forward companies on strategy, growth, and operations. Ms. Tan earned an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in Economics and Communications from Vanderbilt University. "I'm thrilled to join Allure Medspa and to partner with Northrim to accelerate growth in this exciting industry," said Ms. Tan. "I'm inspired by Allure's team of passionate and talented professionals, who are deeply committed to providing high-quality, personalized care for individuals on their aesthetics journey." The Company is actively pursuing opportunities to become a leading medical spa provider by forming new industry partnerships, driving business development, and investing in its brand, locations, and team, all with the vision of building a scaled, trusted brand, known for the highest quality of care. About Allure Medspa Since opening in 2014, Allure has grown across the Phoenix metro area and established a strong reputation for providing safe, personalized, medically-proven, minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments to its patients. The Company's trained medical professionals and aestheticians perform treatments and recommend products that deliver long-lasting, natural-looking results. About Northrim Horizon Northrim Horizon is a permanent capital investment firm that acquires and operates well-run, profitable service and software businesses. Northrim builds long-term value by reinvesting its earnings into its people, processes and technology. The firm is based in Mesa, Arizona. For more information, visit www.northrimhorizon.com. Contact: Justin Garner [email protected] SOURCE Northrim Horizon Strategic appointment of veteran and renowned high-revenue and scale product builder, Mr Sudhakar Anivella, as CTO of Inturai and VP of Technology at P2P Group. Mr Anivella was previously instrumental as a founding engineer in the build of world-leading Silicon Valley tech platform, Turvo and at Salesforce, where he was headhunted for special AI projects. Mr Anivella brings a strong network and fast-tracks recently acquired Inturai's development, laid out in new Inturai Acquisition Investor Presentation. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - P2P Group Limited ("P2P Group" or the "Company") (CSE: PPB) (FSE: 3QG) has appointed Sudhakar Anivella as its Chief Technology Officer, Inturai and VP Engineering, P2P Group, effective immediately. Mr Anivella brings nearly 25 years of extensive experience in software architecture, development, and leadership across diverse industries. Mr Anivella, a key player in the early success of Silicon Valley startup Turvo ( https://turvo.com ), is recognised for his strategic leadership in software architecture and development. A proven innovator, Mr Anivella is known for his ability to design, build and scale complex and innovative technology products. His deep expertise in advanced technology led to his recruitment by Salesforce ( www.salesforce.com ) for specialized AI projects. "I'm thrilled to join Inturai at this exciting time," said Mr Anivella. "I look forward to working with the talented team to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in health and safety solutions." "With nearly 25 years of experience, Sudhakar has architected and developed high-revenue products across the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, making a significant global impact. His expertise will help drive innovation and growth at Inturai," said Ed Clarke, CEO of P2P Group. Inturai Acquisition Investor Presentation The Company is also pleased to provide a new presentation to update shareholders of its progress relating to its recent acquisition of Inturai. Link: https://www.p2p-group.com/investor About P2P Group P2P Group is at the forefront of transforming health and safety with advanced technology solutions that create smarter, safer spaces. Serving industries such as healthcare, smart homes, and industrial facilities, P2P Group is dedicated to bringing peace of mind to everyone, everywhere. For more information, please visit www.P2P-Group.com . The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING "FORWARD-LOOKING" INFORMATION This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. The reader is cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and the actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. SOURCE P2P Group Limited ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a strong and resolute address regarding the situation in Balochistan, emphasizing the government's firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to development. Pakistans PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows to Annihilate Terrorism in Balochistan The Prime Minister unequivocally condemned ongoing efforts by terrorists and foreign elements to sow discord and hatred in Balochistan. He stressed there would be no place for those attempting to plant seeds of hatred, assuring the nation that those responsible for these acts of violence and division would face severe consequences. Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that there would be no dialogue with terrorists, stating that these terrorists are receiving support from external sources, which exacerbates the challenges in the province. He described their actions as terrorism of the highest order, worthy of the strongest condemnation. Highlighting a critical point, the Prime Minister noted that on August 26, an environment was created to ignite a separatist movement in Balochistan, which underscores the persistent challenges the region faces. In his address, the Prime Minister paid tribute to families of the martyrs, praising their remarkable resilience. He expressed deep respect for their sacrifices, which have been pivotal in the nation's fight against terrorism. Prime Minister Sharif commended the Pakistan Army for its relentless efforts in pursuing and combating the enemies of the state. He reaffirmed the full support of both the federal and Balochistan governments for the armed forces, emphasizing that their efforts are crucial in restoring peace and security in the troubled region. He also assured the Chief Minister of Balochistan that the federal government would provide all necessary assistance to support the province's development and security initiatives. Highlighting broader goals of peace and development, the PM stressed the importance of Balochistan's progress, noting that patriotic citizens desire to see the region flourish. He warned that those engaging in terrorism aim to disrupt the strong friendship between Pakistan and China. He further emphasized that the enemies of Pakistan would be made an example of, demonstrating the government's resolve against those who threaten national unity and security. On the economic front, Prime Minister Sharif pointed out that Moody's has recognized the improvement in Pakistan's economic situation, signalling growing confidence in the country's progress. He also praised the Balochistan government for its excellent youth programs, which he believes are vital for the province's future, and highlighted that Balochistan's quota is 10% higher than rest of Pakistan, reflecting his government's special focus on the region. In a significant move toward sustainable development, the Prime Minister announced that 28,000 tube wells in Balochistan are being converted to solar power, which will play a key role in addressing energy challenges in the province. PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the immense potential for Balochistan to benefit from CPEC, noting significant economic opportunities it will bring to the region. SOURCE Analyst @ MoIB, Pakistan NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI- The global polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market size is estimated to grow by USD 744.9 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. High demand or ptfe membrane in air and gas filtration is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing demand for sustainability and eco-friendly materials. However, stringent government regulations on use of perfluorooctanoic acid (pfoa) poses a challenge. Key market players include ALWSCI Technologies., Botiss Biomaterials GmbH, Donaldson Co. Inc., Dorsan Filtracion, S.L., Fluoro-Plastics, Inc., GREMCO GmbH, GVS S.p.A., Hangzhou Deefine Filtration Technology Co., Ltd, Hawach, Jay Scientific Co., Kumar Process Consultants and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., MACHEREY NAGEL GmbH and Co. KG, MICROFILT India Pvt. Ltd., Poly Fluoro Ltd., Porex Corp., SKC Ltd., SUNGOD Technology Co., Ltd., Tisch Scientific., Vizag Chemical International, and W. L. Gore and Associates Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market 2024-2028 Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data - Segment Covered Type (Hydrophobic PTFE membrane and Hydrophilic PTFE membrane), Application (Industrial filtration, Water treatment, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and Geography (APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America) Region Covered APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America Key companies profiled ALWSCI Technologies., Botiss Biomaterials GmbH, Donaldson Co. Inc., Dorsan Filtracion, S.L., Fluoro-Plastics, Inc., GREMCO GmbH, GVS S.p.A., Hangzhou Deefine Filtration Technology Co., Ltd, Hawach, Jay Scientific Co., Kumar Process Consultants and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., MACHEREY NAGEL GmbH and Co. KG, MICROFILT India Pvt. Ltd., Poly Fluoro Ltd., Porex Corp., SKC Ltd., SUNGOD Technology Co., Ltd., Tisch Scientific., Vizag Chemical International, and W. L. Gore and Associates Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market is experiencing steady growth due to its exceptional chemical resistance and non-stick properties. PTFE membranes are widely used in various industries, including filtration, chemical processing, and automotive. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals makes them a preferred choice for numerous applications. The market is driven by increasing demand from end-use industries and technological advancements in membrane manufacturing processes. The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market is witnessing significant growth due to its widespread usage in various industries. Strict regulations on industrial wastes have increased the demand for PTFE membranes in water and wastewater treatment. In the medical field, PTFE membranes are extensively used in pharmaceuticals for drug delivery systems, sterile venting, implantable parts, bone grafts, and vascular grafts. PTFE membranes come in hydrophobic and hydrophilic forms, offering thermal steadiness, inertness, and chemical compatibility. PTFE membranes are also popular in filtration sector for their particle withholding abilities and ease of handling. PTFE membranes are compatible with fumigation and are used in military, firefighting, footwear, garment goods, and architectural applications. PTFE membranes are eco-friendly and offer a sustainable future. PTFE membranes compete with ceramic and polymeric membranes in filtration applications. PTFE membranes are used in hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and oleophobic forms in medical, pharmaceuticals, textiles, water, and wastewater treatment. PTFE membranes offer high flow rates and filtration competence, making them a preferred choice for various industries. Discover a Comprehensive 360 Market Analysis: Understand the Impact of AI. For detailed information- Request Sample! Market Challenges The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market is growing due to its exceptional chemical resistance and non-stick properties. PTFE membranes are widely used in various industries, including filtration, separations, and coating applications. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals makes them a preferred choice for numerous processes. The market is expected to expand as industries continue to seek reliable and durable solutions for their separation needs. The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market faces several challenges in various industries. Stringent regulations require high standards for membrane performance in sectors like pharmaceuticals and medical applications. Industrial wastes necessitate membranes with excellent chemical compatibility and particle withholding. In the medical field, PTFE membranes are used in drug delivery systems, sterile venting, implantable parts, bone grafts, and vascular grafts. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic PTFE membranes are essential for filtration in water and wastewater treatment. PTFE membranes offer thermal steadiness, inertness, and ease of handling. They are also used in eco-friendly and sustainable applications, such as in architecture and textiles. PTFE membranes must be compatible with fumigation and are used in military, firefighting, footwear, garment goods, and ceramic and polymeric membranes. High flow rates and filtration competence are essential for PTFE membranes in various industries. PTFE membranes are also used in oleophobic membranes for water, wastewater treatment, and in the filtration sector. For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) membrane market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 Hydrophobic PTFE membrane 1.2 Hydrophilic PTFE membrane Application 2.1 Industrial filtration 2.2 Water treatment 2.3 Textiles 2.4 Pharmaceuticals 2.5 Others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 Middle East and Africa and 3.4 North America 3.5 South America 1.1 Hydrophobic PTFE membrane- PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) membranes, specifically the hydrophobic type, are witnessing escalating demand in numerous industries due to their distinctive properties. With water scarcity emerging as a significant global concern, there is a heightened need for efficient filtration and separation technologies. Hydrophobic PTFE membranes are well-suited for water purification and desalination applications. Additionally, they find utility in drug delivery systems, medical devices, and implants on account of their chemical inertness and biocompatibility. Several industries, including chemical processing, oil and gas, and food and beverage, demand robust filtration solutions that can endure harsh conditions. In the realm of textiles, hydrophobic PTFE membranes are utilized in producing breathable, waterproof fabrics for manufacturing outdoor clothing and equipment. As electronic devices shrink in size and enhance in power, dependable venting solutions are increasingly necessary to manage pressure differentials and keep moisture at bay. With the growing consciousness of air quality issues worldwide, hydrophobic PTFE membranes could witness expanding usage in high-efficiency air filtration systems. This trend could potentially contribute to the expansion of the global PTFE membrane market throughout the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data ( - ) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane market encompasses various industries, including military, firefighting, and consumer goods. In military applications, PTFE membranes are utilized for producing hydrophobic and oleophobic membranes for waterproofing uniforms and equipment. Firefighting suits also incorporate PTFE membranes for protection against heat and flames. In the consumer sector, PTFE membranes find extensive use in footwear and garment goods for waterproofing and breathability. The wastewater treatment industry leverages PTFE membranes for emission control due to their hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. Pharmaceutical and medical industries employ PTFE membranes for drug delivery systems, sterile venting, implantable parts, bone grafts, vascular grafts, and dental implants. Stringent regulations govern the use of PTFE membranes in these industries due to their potential applications in human health. Industrial wastes are treated using PTFE membranes in hydrophobic and hydrophilic forms for separation and filtration processes. PTFE membranes are also used in thermal steadiness applications, such as in heat exchangers and insulation materials. The PTFE membrane market is segmented into hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes, with each type catering to specific industry requirements. Hydrophobic PTFE membranes are used for waterproofing, oil separation, and filtration, while hydrophilic PTFE membranes are employed for applications in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, as well as in water treatment. Market Research Overview Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes are a type of fluoropolymer membrane widely used in various industries due to their unique properties. These membranes offer hydrophobic and oleophobic characteristics, making them ideal for applications in military and firefighting equipment, footwear, and garment goods. In the water and wastewater treatment sector, PTFE membranes are employed for their high filtration competence and ability to withstand stringent regulations. PTFE membranes are also extensively used in the medical and pharmaceutical industries for drug delivery systems, sterile venting, implantable parts, bone grafts, vascular grafts, and dental implants. Their thermal steadiness, inertness, chemical compatibility, and particle withholding properties make them an excellent choice for these applications. PTFE membranes are available in both hydrophobic and hydrophilic forms, and their ease of handling, high flow rates, and sealing capabilities make them a popular choice in the filtration sector. PTFE membranes are also eco-friendly and have a sustainable future as they are compatible with fumigation and can be recycled. Other membrane types, such as ceramic and polymeric membranes, are also used in various applications, but PTFE membranes offer unique advantages that make them a preferred choice in many industries. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Hydrophobic PTFE Membrane Hydrophilic PTFE Membrane Application Industrial Filtration Water Treatment Textiles Pharmaceuticals Others Geography APAC Europe Middle East And Africa North America South America 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 The event will feature key products for the Caribbean islands' supplies, including coffee, snacks, fruit pulps, fresh fruits, dairy, chocolates, and oils. ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/-- Colombia, recognized by the FAO as a rising global pantry for fruits and vegetables, will showcase its agricultural leadership at the upcoming Showroom Aruba-Curacao 2024. This trade event, taking place on September 10th in Aruba and September 12th in Curacao at the Renaissance Hotel at 2PM EST, will showcase a diverse range of high-quality products from leading Colombian companies coming from various regions. It highlights Colombia's commitment to expanding agricultural exports and reinforcing its reputation as a reliable supplier to the Caribbean Islands. Photo credit: ProColombia. Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the country's promotion agency, stated, "Colombia, the Country of Beauty, is committed to maintaining and expanding its presence in these islands. Our close geographical proximity and diverse range of year-round products give us a competitive edge. This showroom serves as a strategic platform for Colombian exporters to connect directly with key buyers and distributors in the region". Among the 16 participants (see catalog here) are companies such as Amor Perfecto, known for its world-class coffee; Comestibles Mapy, specializing in premium snacks; and Pulpafruit, a leader in fruit pulps and derivatives. All these 16 companies not only offer top-quality products but also reflect Colombia's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. They represent a wide range of sectors, including fresh fruits, dairy, coffee, chocolates, and oils, all meeting international quality standards with certifications such as Kosher, and Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices). In 2023, Colombia's agricultural exports to Aruba and Curacao reached significant milestones. Aruba imported USD 11 million in food products, accounting for 31% of Colombia's total exports to the island, while Curacao imported USD 19.5 million in Colombian food products, making up 32.17% of the total exports. These figures highlight Colombia's strong presence in the Islands and its consistent delivery of high-quality products. That's why events like these are crucial for fostering bilateral relationships and opening new trade opportunities in the Caribbean. "We encourage buyers to get to know our companies and explore the extensive range of products from Colombia's diverse industrial regions. As a geographically close and strategic partner, Colombia is well-positioned to meet all your supply needs," Caballero concluded. Learn more about Colombia's agribusiness offer, reach out to: Tania Tejada [email protected] Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493596/Photo_ProColombia.jpg SOURCE PROCOLOMBIA DALLAS, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SFERRA Fine Linens, a leading multi-branded luxury linens and home lifestyle holding company, operating under the SFERRA and Pratesi brands, owned by Highlander Partners, today announced the acquisition of Antica Farmacista. Antica Farmacista, founded in 2003, is a luxury home and body fragrance brand with an Italian ethos. It was the first brand to introduce the home ambiance diffuser to the US market. Antica Farmacista sells its products nationwide through multiple channels, including e-commerce, boutiques and department stores, and its offerings are also displayed in some of the world's most beautiful hotels, including Hotel Bel-Air and Ritz-Carltons. Antica Farmacista's operations will continue to be conducted from Seattle, Washington, and its employees, including founders Shelley Callaghan and Susanne Pruitt, will join the SFERRA team. The transaction supports SFERRA's stated strategic objective of delivering fine craftsmanship and innovation into every room of the home and further expanding into adjacent product segments via selective brand acquisition to enhance its offering to better serve its global base of loyal, discerning customers. "We believe the addition of Antica Farmacista is highly strategic and complementary to SFERRA's existing luxury home offerings," said Michelle Klein, President and CEO of SFERRA. "The acquisition will enhance SFERRA's breadth in the home fragrance category and strengthen our offering across all channels to better serve our customer base. We are excited to work with Antica Farmacista co-owners Shelley Callaghan and Susanne Pruitt and their team to continue to innovate and grow the business." Jeff L. Hull, President and CEO of Highlander, and Chairman of SFERRA, commented, "The acquisition of Antica Farmacista reiterates Highlander's focus on our Italian luxury branded platform strategy, representing an opportunity for us to acquire a complementary, established luxury brand in the innovative and fast-growing home fragrance category with a differentiated product offering and artfully composed fragrances. We will continue to grow our offerings and reach under the SFERRA, Pratesi and Antica Farmacista brands and will continue to implement a selective "buy-and-build" investment approach through complementary M&A efforts in the luxury home goods category." About SFERRA SFERRA is an Italian luxury lifestyle brand established in 1891 by founder Gennaro Sferra, who created the brand dedicated to impeccable artistry and tailoring. Most recently, in addition to luxury bedding products and accessories, the company has expanded its offerings to include mattresses, accessories for the table, and home and decor gifts. SFERRA's products are found in major department stores, more than 700 luxury specialty home stores, and boutique hotels and resorts. For more information on SFERRA, please visit www.sferra.com. About Pratesi Pratesi, founded in 1906 in Florence, Italy, is renowned for its unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, iconic elegance, and linens that embody Italian luxury living. For more information on Pratesi, please visit www.pratesi.com. About Antica Farmacista Antica Farmacista, founded in 2003, is a luxury home fragrance brand based in Seattle. Its product offering includes both home fragrance, as well as bath and body products. The Company produces reed and crystal diffusers, room sprays, candles, decorative accessories, and body washes/lotions and perfumes in a variety of fragrances. For more information on Antica Farmacista, please visit www.anticafarmacista.com. About Highlander Partners Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with more than $3 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience. Highlander Partners employs a buy and build investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com. SOURCE Highlander Partners, L.P. OAKBROOK, Ill., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chiro One Wellness Centers, a leader in chiropractic care, is proud to announce that the company will open its doors in the Cleveland University Professional Building on the campus of Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) in Overland Park, Kansas. Senior Cleveland students who have completed the Cleveland Chiropractic Health Center requirements will have the opportunity to observe and interact as preceptors with Chiro One's outcomes-based chiropractic care model. The launch of this new clinic further enhances the relationship between Chiro One and Cleveland University-Kansas City. Several Chiro One locations throughout the country serve as preceptorship sites for CUKC's senior chiropractic interns. Cleveland University-Kansas City President, Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, a fourth-generation chiropractor and grandson of the university's founders says, "A key objective as part of the CUKC DC student educational experience is to expose senior interns to a variety of practice models and to prepare them for the business of chiropractic. Chiro One is a welcome addition as a complement to CUKC's nationwide preceptorship program." Dr. Sam Wang, chiropractor, co-founder and COO of Chiro One says, "We are thrilled to have the privilege of supporting today's students and helping develop tomorrow's chiropractors. We see this partnership as an incredible opportunity to continue to help shape the future of chiropractic care by creating a bridge between the private sector and academic institutions." Chiro One partners with the student entrepreneurial club on the Cleveland campus and offers an annual scholarship to support Cleveland students working toward their degrees. The Chiro One Wellness Center on campus at Cleveland University-Kansas City, located in Overland Park, Kansas, opened on August 26, 2024. About Cleveland University-Kansas City For more than 100 years, Cleveland University-Kansas City, with its College of Chiropractic and College of Health Sciences, has been on a mission of educating leaders in health promotion. The Cleveland Chiropractic Health Center provides care for over 36,000 patient visits annually. About Chiro One Wellness Centers Chiro One is a mission-driven organization focused on improving the lives of people in every community through exceptional, outcomes-based chiropractic care. A subsidiary of TVG-Medulla, a healthcare services organization based in Chicago, Chiro One specializes in customized treatments for pain patients. With over 100 locations across the country, their chiropractic doctors provide high-quality, accessible pain management options for patients. For more information, please visit chiroone.com Contact: Linda Fournier Telephone: 630-560-4845 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Chiro One Wellness Centers Sept. 1 event honors and thanks hotel employees WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Top hotel industry groups, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), and the Latino Hotel Association, will recognize National Hotel Employee Day today and throughout the weekend along with hoteliers across the country. AHLA and the National Day Calendar established National Hotel Employee Day in 2022 to honor the nearly two million employees who work in America's hotel industry. It is observed annually on September 1. Every day in communities across the nation, hotel employees play a key role in some of Americans' most important life events from wedding receptions to family reunions and vacations. Hotel employees keep guests safe, give back to their communities, and are critical to keeping our nation's travel and tourism industry running smoothly. The hotel industry offers employees more than 200 different career paths, rewarding pay and benefits, as well as many opportunities for upward mobility. In 2024, hotels are expected to pay employees a record total of more than $123 billion in wages, salaries, and other compensation. Check out AHLA's state-by-state analysis to learn more about how hotels contribute to employment and economic growth around the country. "The nearly two million people employed by America's hotels are the heart and soul of this industry. Their talent and drive create memorable visits for millions of guests every year," said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. "This National Hotel Employee Day, we thank them for their service and encourage others to explore a career in our vibrant and growing industry." "At AHLA Foundation, we support hotel employees at every step of their career to help them find a permanent home in our industry," said AHLA Foundation President Anna Blue. "On National Hotel Employee Day and throughout the year, our work is to champion the hotel industry one career at a time." "AAHOA members are proud to employ over one million dedicated individuals across the nation, who are the driving force of the hospitality industry," said Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Chairman Miraj S. Patel. "The hoteliers we represent know firsthand that this industry only succeeds because of the commitment of staff who work directly with guests. Today and every day, we honor their unwavering commitment to excellence, their role in creating unforgettable guest experiences, and their significant contributions to our communities." "We put a high value on the professionals who make this industry thrive day-in and day-out, and we hope everyone finds time to thank the hotel employees that create warm, welcoming stays all around the country," said National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD) President, CEO, and Founder Andy Ingraham. "Our industry only succeeds when our staff succeeds." "At the heart of hospitality are people who care, and we're so glad to work with so many warmhearted professionals who have made a career in our industry," said Latino Hotel Association President & CEO Lynette Montoya. "On this third annual National Hotel Employee Day, let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work hotel employees do every day." To learn about hotel career opportunities and search for jobs, visit www.thehotelindustry.com. To learn about National Hotel Employee Day, visit www.ahla.com/day. About AHLA The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com. About AHLA Foundation AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry's greatest asset our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org. SOURCE American Hotel & Lodging Association Two AV Safety Bills in California are Critical to Protecting Good Trucking Jobs, Keeping Streets Safe SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two autonomous vehicle (AV) safety bills strongly supported by the Teamsters Union were overwhelmingly passed by the California Assembly on August 29 as bipartisan legislators took a critical step to protect union trucking jobs and keep streets safe statewide. Assembly Bill 2286 (AB 2286) and Assembly Bill 3061 (AB 3016) now go to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk for signature. The bills, collectively known as the California Automotive Regulatory Standards (CARS) Package, would put human operators in AVs and establish better reporting and collection measures for AV roadway violations and other accidents. "The human operator bill passed with over 90 percent support among elected officials on both sides of the aisle, just like it did last time." said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 in San Francisco. "AB 3061 passed by a similar margin. The CARS Package is critical to protecting thousands of good trucking jobs that Californians rely on and to keeping our streets secure. The Teamsters applaud California elected officials on both sides of the aisle who supported this legislation and call on Gov. Newsom to immediately sign these bills into law." With strong Teamsters support, autonomous vehicle safety legislation Assembly Bill 2286 (AB 2286) and Assembly Bill 3061 (AB 3061) overwhelmingly passed the California Assembly with concurrence, with votes of 31-3 and 30-7 respectively. The bills - collectively known as the California Automotive Regulatory Standards (CARS) Package - are critical to protecting good trucking jobs and keeping California streets safe. Both now head to Governor Newsom's desk. AB 2286, formerly Assembly Bill 316, was first introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-4) in January 2023. The bill would require a trained human operator behind the wheel of self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds, preserving hundreds of thousands of good-paying union jobs and keeping California roads safe. It passed by a vote of 31-3. AB 3061, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-17), requires AV companies in California to publicly report any vehicle collisions, traffic violations, disengagements, assaults, or harassment involving their vehicles to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The legislation is critical to ensuring public transparency and accountability, especially as AV companies fail to publicly report major incidents on California roads. It passed by a vote of 30-7. "Whether we're talking about robotaxi companies like Waymo and Cruise or trucking companies like Aurora, it's clear we cannot trust these profit-hungry businesses to prioritize safety and good jobs. AB 2286 and AB 3061 are vital to the accountability we need," said Chris Griswold, Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 in Pomona. "Our elected leaders in California have once again spoken up in favor of AV regulation. It's time Gov. Newsom do the same, to put Californians before Big Tech, and to sign AB 2286 and AB 3061 into law." Teamsters-supported AV safety legislation continues to gain support amid a backdrop of widespread incidents, including robotaxis nearly hitting school crossing guards in San Francisco, and no significant safety measures implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the DMV. In spite of the lack of safety protocols, Waymo recently started testing driverless robotaxis on San Francisco freeways. Uber announced it will partner with Cruise next year to launch driverless transportation through its ride-hailing services. "For the last two years, the DMV and Public Utilities Commission have allowed for the rapid expansion of driverless vehicles on our roads with little to no oversight. In turn, Californians have experienced horrific safety accidents," said Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 399 in Hollywood. "Gov. Newsom needs to do right by the people who are responsible for his professional success. Those people are working-class Californians who voted for himnot venture capitalists. He can finally do right by signing these bills into law." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Matt McQuaid, 202.624.6877 [email protected] Zoe PiSierra, (603) 339.0042 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters CUPERTINO, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - (TSXV: BWLK) (OTCQB: BWLKF) - Boardwalktech Software Corp. ("Boardwalktech" or the "Company"), a leading digital ledger platform and enterprise software solutions company, is pleased to welcome Drue Freeman to the Company's board of directors. Mr. Freeman has had a very successful career within the semiconductor industry, having held several leadership positions around the world over the past 30 years. Currently, he provides strategic and advisory services to companies with recent success stories that include Savari (acquired by Harman) and DeepScale.ai (acquired by Tesla). Mr. Freeman joins the Boardwalktech Board of Directors as an independent board member and will chair the compensation/compliance committee as well as join the finance committee. Drue Freeman holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from San Diego State University and an MBA from The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Freeman to the Boardwalktech Board of Directors. Drue has a wealth of experience and knowledge both as a board member and as an operational executive and we look forward to his expertise and guidance as we continue to grow Boardwalktech," said Andrew T. Duncan, CEO of Boardwalktech. "I am honored to join the Boardwalktech board of directors, and I look forward to being part of the company as they advance their mission of information and knowledge management for the enterprise," said Mr. Freeman. "I have seen firsthand the need to improve data and information management in large companies which is now more important than ever as information is the new currency in a world-wide economy." About Boardwalktech Software Corp. Boardwalktech has developed a patented Digital Ledger Technology Platform currently used by Fortune 500 companies running mission-critical applications worldwide. Boardwalktech's digital ledger technology and its unique method of managing vast amounts of structured and unstructured data is the only platform on the market today where multiple parties can effectively work on the same data simultaneously while preserving the fidelity and provenance of the data. Boardwalktech can deliver collaborative, purpose-built enterprise information management applications on any device or user interface with full integration with enterprise systems of record in a fraction of the time it takes other non-digital ledger technology-based platforms. Boardwalktech is headquartered in Cupertino, California with offices in India and operations in North America. For more information on Boardwalktech, visit our website at www.boardwalktech.com. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and 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. Generally, such forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. An investment in securities of the Company is speculative and subject to several risks including, without limitation, the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's filing statement dated May 30, 2018. 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 and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. 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. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. 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 Boardwalktech Software Corp. Owner Carolina Preciado wants to help local residents turn their houses into homes with expertly designed kitchens, bathrooms and closets CONCORD, N.C., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Designery, an immersive, full-service kitchen, bath and closet design center featuring high-quality cabinets, countertops and flooring, will celebrate its newest location at 96 McGill Avenue, NW, Concord, North Carolina, with a grand opening event from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the outlet's showroom. The Designery Concord owner Carolina Preciado will host a grand opening event for her new location at 96 McGill Avenue in Concord, North Carolina, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 18. The event will feature music from local artist David Gibson, a "Taste of Concord" event featuring a sampling of dishes from the area's favorite restaurants, and a chance to win prizes, such as an Amazon Echo and gift cards to local eateries. "In an age of morally ambiguous corporations, we are incredibly excited to bring a sense of local, personalized and care-oriented customer service that goes beyond the mentality of profit over people," said The Designery Concord owner Carolina Preciado. "By prioritizing the well-being of both our clients and our employees, we plan to use our location as a source of good in the community while creating a path for generational wealth and family legacy." Preciado said she plans to establish relationships with local nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Future Business Leaders of America, and with area schools and other local businesses to create a professional community. She wants to be able to provide employment and training opportunities, excellent products and services, and support to the people of Concord. Preciado is originally from Bogota, Columbia, but moved to Florida when she was 2 years old. She moved to Huntersville, North Carolina, in 2006. She lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, prior to opening her location in Concord. "North Carolina is not only visually stunning for nature lovers, it also has towns like Concord that have managed to retain their small town charm despite their recent growth," she said. "I just can't wait to start helping the good people of this community turn their house into a home." Preciado is no stranger to serving the public. She has worked as a realtor and spent 20 years in the culinary industry before opening her own business. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her partner, her nieces and nephews, and her three cats. The Designery Concord will serve clients in Albemarle, Badin, China Grove, Concord, Endy, Enochville, Franklin, Gold Hill, Granite Quarry, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Landis, Locust, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Norwood, Oakboro, Salisbury, Spencer, Troy and Yadkin. The Designery's in-house design expertise and extensive selection of products, including more than 100 cabinet styles, provide advantages to both homeowners and contractors. Its showrooms provide the ideal setting for personal design consultation, material and finish selection, and a virtual reality design view. For more information about The Designery Concord, visit https://thedesignery.com/locations/concord/. About The Designery The Designery was founded in 2007 as A1 Kitchen and Bath, a product wholesale outlet serving the Chattanooga, Tennessee market. In 2019, it rebranded as The Designery and established a franchise model to expand its unique concept: to simplify the kitchen, bath and closet design process by offering premium products, design expertise, project management and trusted professional installation. Its selection of high-quality cabinets, flooring, countertops and accessories makes it a destination for any remodeling, renovation or new construction project. It is a one-stop shop for homeowners and a trusted partner for contractors, with knowledgeable staff to walk clients through every step, from design to project management and installation. The Designery's immersive showroom and personalized guidance bring luxurious designs to life without the luxury price tag. To learn more about The Designery, please visit https://thedesignery.com/. About HomeFront Brands: HomeFront Brands empowers entrepreneurs to create thriving franchised residential and commercial property service brands. Driven by an experienced team of franchise executives and rooted in family values, HomeFront Brands helps emerging or established concepts accelerate their growth by delivering enterprise-level solutions to local business owners who aspire to build a dynasty and create generational wealth. By leveraging integrated technology, data-driven intelligence and advanced learning management systems, HomeFront Brands is building a foundation for its brands -- Window Hero, The Designery, Temporary Wall Systems, Top Rail Fence and Yard Patrol Pros to transform lives through franchise ownership. For more information about HomeFront Brands' current solutions, new business development, and franchising opportunities, please visit https://homefrontbrands.com/. MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] SOURCE The Designery BEIJING, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6. The theme of the summit is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." The FOCAC meeting this year will be the fourth time the forum is held in the form of a summit. Leaders of FOCAC's African members will attend the summit at the invitation of the forum. Representatives of relevant African regional organizations and international organizations will attend relevant forum events. At the summit, Chinese and African leaders will discuss friendly cooperation and jointly outline a bright blueprint for the development of both China and Africa. This summit is expected to open up new horizons for the development of China-Africa relations and write a new chapter in building a China-Africa community with a shared future. China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. Shared past experiences and similar aims and goals have brought China and Africa close together. The spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation characterized by sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefit and common development, fairness and justice, and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness, truly captures the relations of China and Africa working together in good and hard times over the past decades, and provides a source of strength for the continuous growth of China-Africa friendly relations. China always regards developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. It always follows the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith when developing relations with Africa. China is a reliable friend and sincere partner for African countries in their efforts to safeguard independence, and promote development and revitalization. Taking the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC as an opportunity, both China and Africa will continue to uphold the spirit of friendship and cooperation, and forge ahead together on the path of win-win cooperation and common development. This will further strengthen the bond of the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. Since its establishment in 2000, the FOCAC has been dedicated to achieving common prosperity and sustainable development for the people of China and Africa. Adhering to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, it has evolved into a crucial platform for collective dialogue and an effective mechanism for practical cooperation between China and Africa. Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015 attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the Johannesburg Summit of the FOCAC, and three years later, he presided over the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC and delivered a keynote speech. In 2021, Xi attended the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC and delivered a keynote speech. From the "ten cooperation plans" to the "eight major initiatives" and to the "nine programs of China-Africa cooperation," China and Africa have been assisting each other on the path to economic development and national rejuvenation, continuously expanding cooperation into new areas. This has played a positive role in guiding international cooperation with Africa in the right direction. China and Africa have always focused on cooperation and worked together to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC. This has effectively promoted the common development of China and Africa, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both sides, and laying a solid foundation for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. The mechanism and outcomes of the FOCAC have been widely welcomed by Africans and highly praised by the international community. Some said that based on friendship, mutual respect, trust, and mutual benefit, both sides actively promote the development of China-Africa relations, and the fruitful cooperation achievements have proven that the FOCAC is a united, stable, and efficient cooperation mechanism. Some said the FOCAC has facilitated the vigorous development of China-Africa relations. China and Africa, hand in hand, actively pursue the goals of the FOCAC: Equal consultation, enhancing understanding, expanding consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation. It is believed that more achievements will be reached and benefit the people of both China and Africa. African countries and people are advancing modernization along the path they have independently chosen. On this path to modernization, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa. At the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue held last August, 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 major initiatives cover the areas urgently needed for Africa to achieve modernization, demonstrating China's sincere support for Africa's development through concrete actions. 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 deliver a better future for the Chinese and African people, and set a fine example in the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. The vibrant development of the "Global South" represented by China and Africa has profoundly influenced the course of world history. It is hoped that both China and Africa will take the opportunity of the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC to further deepen solidarity and cooperation, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. This will help build more consensus in jointly advancing modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, and make new contributions to promoting modernization and building a community with a shared future for mankind. WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Commission on Civil Rights is set to release two significant reports in September 2024, addressing critical issues related to civil rights and federal policies. The first report, titled "Federal Efforts in Examining Racial and Ethnic Disparities among Victims of Violent Crime," will be released on September 18, 2024. This report aimed to understand federal efforts to evaluate racial disparities in crime victimization. The Commission examined crime data to reveal the disparate impacts of violent victimization on minority communities. The second report, "The Civil Rights Implications of the Federal Use of Facial Recognition Technology," explored concerns about the federal government's unrestricted use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). It examined how FRT is currently being used and provides recommendations for regulations and best practices to address these concerns. As part of these examinations, the Commission held public briefings for each report, on November 17, 2023, and March 8, 2024, respectively. At each briefing Commissioners and Commission staff heard from subject matter experts such as government officials, academics, policy experts, law enforcement professionals, advocates, and impacted persons. The Commission also accepted written materials from the public for consideration in the final report. Both reports will be available in full on the Commission's website at https://www.usccr.gov/reports/briefing-reports on their respective release dates of September 18, 2024, and September 30, 2024. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal civil rights enforcement. Our 56 state Advisory Committees offer a broad perspective on civil rights concerns at state and local levels. The Commission: in our 7th decade, a continuing legacy of influence in civil rights. For information about the Commission, please visit www.usccr.gov and on Twitter and Facebook . Contact: Angelia Rorison [email protected] SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights NCRF Event Provides Crucial Access to College Opportunities for Hispanic Students LA VERNE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of La Verne will host the 11th Annual National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) Latino College Expo & Educational Fair on September 14 at its historic La Verne campus. This free event kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month and provides students and families with essential resources to explore higher education opportunities, addressing the unique challenges Hispanic students face nationwide. Hispanic students continue to encounter barriers to higher education, including financial constraints, the complexities of being first-generation college students, and limited access to resources. While many are eligible for federal Pell Grants, their reluctance to take on student loans can restrict their access to necessary academic resources, potentially delaying graduation. Despite high labor force participation, Hispanic graduates frequently find themselves in lower-paying occupations, limiting their economic advancement. The University of La Verne recognizes these challenges and supports Hispanic students on campus and beyond. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) since 2002, the university has created an inclusive environment where more than 50% of the student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting its dedication to diversity and educational equity. "Our role as an HSI extends beyond our campus," said Risa Dickson, interim president of the University of La Verne. "We are committed to empowering the broader community to achieve their educational and professional aspirations. The expo is a vital part of that mission, providing resources, guidance, and opportunities that can make a profound difference in students' lives." The event will feature workshops on scholarships, internships, DACA, the DREAM Act, and high-demand career fields. Several colleges and universities will offer on-the-spot acceptances, waived application fees, and scholarships. Attendees can also enjoy campus tours, student organization booths, and a lively Hispanic heritage celebration with music. Spanish-language resources will be available to ensure all participants can fully engage. To register, visit Eventbrite. The University of La Verne, a private, nonprofit institution established in 1891 in Southern California, is dedicated to lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, civic engagement, and diversity. The federally designated Minority- and Hispanic-Serving Institution is consistently recognized as a U.S. News & World Report's top national university for value, social mobility, and online programs. SOURCE University of La Verne CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- V&V Supremo Foods, Inc., a leader in authentic Mexican cheese and dairy products, proudly announces its 60-year anniversary as one of the oldest continuously family-owned businesses of its kind in the United States. V&V Supremo& Founders Gilberto Villasenor II and Philip Villasenor V&V Supremo Products. From humble beginnings in 1964 with just $500, Gilberto Villasenor, Sr. and Ignacio Villasenor crafted authentic Mexican products, bringing a taste of home to Chicago. Their love and dedication to quality and tradition transformed a small venture into a cherished family-owned business that now serves the greater United States. Over 60 years later, the tradition of quality and family values continues, bringing great memories through great food. Today, the legacy is carried on by Gilberto Villasenor II and Philip Villasenor, sons of the original founders. "Reaching this 60-year milestone is not just a celebration of our past, but also a testament to the enduring values of our family and our commitment to producing the highest quality dairy products," said Gilberto Villasenor II, Chief Visionary Officer of V&V Supremo. "We are honored to continue the legacy that our fathers started, maintaining the authenticity and craftsmanship that have been the foundation of our success." Philip Villasenor, Chief Integrator of V&V Supremo, added, "We are incredibly proud to continue our family's legacy, not just as a business, but as a representation of the values and traditions we hold dear. Our commitment to quality and authenticity has remained steadfast for 60 years, and we look forward to bringing the true taste of Mexico to our customers for many more years to come." Today, V&V Supremo is more than just a producer of fine dairy products; it has become a cultural icon, contributing to the richness of Mexican cuisine in the United States. As V&V Supremo celebrates this significant anniversary, the company looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence, blending time-honored techniques with modern innovations to serve the next generation of customers. The celebration of the company's 60th Anniversary will be held at their Annual Quesolandia Picnic in Chicago on September 14, 2024, a beloved tradition that brings together friends, employees, and their families for a day of fun and festivities. The company invites influencers, content creators and members of the press to contact its Media Relations Department to join the celebration and cover this milestone event. Your presence will help share the story of V&V Supremo as the company marks this landmark occasion. For more information about V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. and its award-winning products, please visit www.vvsupremo.com. About V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. V&V Supremo is an award-winning producer of authentic Mexican cheeses, creams, and chorizo, and the maker of Chihuahua Brand quesadilla cheese. The company was founded in 1964 by Mexico natives Gilberto Villasenor, Sr. and Ignacio Villasenor. It is now the nation's oldest family-owned and operated Hispanic cheese company. V&V Supremo serves both the retail and food service industries. To learn more about V&V Supremo Foods, Inc. visit www.vvsupremo.com V&V Supremo Foods on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Vvsupremo V&V Supremo Foods on Instagram and TikTok: @Vvsupremo V&V Supremo Foods on YouTube: www.youtube.com/vvsupremo For media inquiries, please contact: Media Relations [email protected] 312.224.2820 SOURCE V & V Supremo Foods, Inc. GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- STRONG GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY DURING AN EVENTFUL QUARTER Revenues in the second quarter of 2024 amounted to SEK 507.0 (407.9) million, corresponding to 24% (24%) growth compared to the corresponding period last year. EBITDA increased to SEK 63.0 (53.7) million, and the EBITDA margin amounted to 12.4% (13.2%). During the quarter, Zinzino acquired the rights to Luxembourg-based Xelliss SA distributor database, inventory and IP assets, acquired 49% of the shares in the Cypriot olive oil producer Cleanthi Alpha-Olenic LTD and signed a letter of intent to acquire the US direct sales company Zurvita INC. In addition, the launch of Serbia was announced as the next step in the global expansion. APRIL-JUNE Total revenue amounted to SEK 507.0 (407.9) million, corresponding to a growth of 24% (24%) (407.9) million, corresponding to a growth of 24% (24%) Gross profit amounted to SEK 174.5 (148.5) million and the gross profit margin amounted to 34.4% (36.4%) EBITDA profit amounted to SEK 63.0 (53.7) million and the EBITDA margin amounted to 12.4% (13.2%) Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 91.1 (46.3) million JANUARY-JUNE Total revenue amounted to SEK 961.6 (801.6) million, corresponding to a growth of 20% (21%) (801.6) million, corresponding to a growth of 20% (21%) Gross profit amounted to SEK 335.4 (279.2) million, and the gross profit margin amounted to 34.9% (34.8%) EBITDA profit amounted to SEK 114.7 (98.1) million, and the EBITDA margin amounted to 11.9% (12.2%) Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 94.2 (111.3) million Cash and cash equivalents amounted to SEK 296.0 (200.9) million on the balance sheet date Link to the report: https://www.zinzino.com/site/GB/en-GB/about/investor-relations/ For more information, please contact: Dag Bergheim Pettersen CEO Zinzino +47 (0) 932 25 700, email: [email protected] Fredrik Nielsen CFO Zinzino +46 707 900 174, email: [email protected] Images for free publication: [email protected] Certified Adviser: Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ.) This information is information that Zinzino AB (publ) is obliged to make public according to the EU's market abuse regulation. The information was provided by the above contact person for publication at 08:00 the 30th of August,2024. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/zinzino/r/zinzino-ab--publ--interim-report-second-quarter-2024,c4030547 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/10976/4030547/8ad90b56d4cd4850.pdf Press Release Zinzino Interim Report Q2 2024 Gurugram, Aug 30 : The Gurugram administration has decided to conduct voter awareness activities in collaboration with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the district in view of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Under the plan, the district administration will later pick the top three RWAs and honour them for their commendable work in encouraging voters to participate in the elections. District Election Officer and DC Nishant Kumar Yadav said that voting for the four assembly constituencies in Gurugram district -- Pataudi (SC reserved), Badshahpur, Gurgaon, and Sohna -- will take place on October 1. As per the latest voter list, there are 14,87,310 registered voters across the four assembly constituencies in the district. The voter awareness campaign will focus especially on urban areas alongside rural regions. For this purpose, polling stations have been set up in 126 high-rise buildings as well, he added. Noting that RWAs play a crucial role in motivating urban voters to participate in elections, Yadav said that more than 1,200 Resident Welfare Associations will be involved in the voter awareness campaign in the district. "This time, many RWAs will feature the 'Wall of Democracy' along with dummies of EVMs, VVPATs and control units. Additionally, RWAs will be linked to other awareness activities. The first three RWAs that perform commendable work will be awarded a certificate of appreciation along with a cash prize," he said. As many as 2,53,684 voters are registered at 259 polling stations in Pataudi; 5,13,052 voters at 518 polling stations in Badshahpur; 4,37,183 at 435 polling stations in Gurgaon; and 2,83,391 electors are registered at 292 polling stations in Sohna. "To increase voter turnout, awareness activities under the Systematic Votersa Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program will be intensified, with active cooperation from RWAs. Administrative officers and voter awareness brand ambassadors will also participate in these activities organised with the help of RWAs," he added. New Delhi, Aug 30 : The BJP has finalised the names of more than 50 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls at its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting held here on Thursday, party sources said. The BJP CEC meeting, chaired by party president J.P. Nadda, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, party's Haryana election in charge and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and other senior party leaders. According to sources, the names finalised on Thursday evening would be announced within the next 48 hours. The party sources said that after the CEC meeting, Prime Minister Modi held a separate meeting with Home Minister Shah and party chief Nadda, during which the party leaders discussed probable electoral alliances in the Assembly polls. Also, discussions were held on seats from where the party's key leaders, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other state ministers, would contest the election, they added. The sources said that Chief Minister Saini may contest from Kurukshetra's Ladwa assembly seat instead of Karnal. The BJP's talks with RLD's Jayant Chaudhary and Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) chief Gopal Kanda regarding an electoral alliance in Haryana are in the final stages and if they form an alliance, then the BJP would field its candidates on 85-87 seats out the total 90 seats. The CEC meeting was also attended by BJP Haryana election co-in-charge and former Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb, Haryana Chief Minister Saini, Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, Satish Punia, Surendra Singh Nagar, Union Minister and former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister and MP from Haryana Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar. The Assembly elections to elect all 90 members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on October 1 while the results will be announced on October 4. New Delhi, Aug 30 : Actress Sandhya Mridul flashbacks a few years and remembers when she came out and wrote on social media platform X against her harassment. She has also not forgotten how some publications trashed her. "Today, all you need to do is take screenshots of the lewd messages men in the industry or elsewhere send and put them up. You know many people stress that the 'Me Too' movement failed. On the contrary, it has made many men cautious -- the ones who would say the nastiest things now know when to shut up," actor Sandhya Mridul told IANS. Her latest outing may have been the solo comedy show 'Ridiculous Ms Mridul' performed in the national capital recently, still, the actor, who started her career with the popular TV serial 'Swabhimaan' and went to do 'Banegi Apni Baat', 'Koshish' and 'Hu Ba Hu', smiles and says, "Well, now when I enter my mother's room, she knows the television must be switched off." Deciding to walk away from the repetitive character of television, Mridul might have done some successful films like 'Saathiya', 'Page -3' and others, but it was crossover cinema where her soul was -- 'Strings', '13th Floor', 'Chowki', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.', 'The Great Indian Butterfly', 'Angry Indian Goddesses' and 'Waisa Bhi Hota Hai'. While many insiders cautioned her that doing such cinema was a perfect recipe for being ignored by the 'mainstream' and going broke, she remembers telling herself: "Passion has always driven me, why should it not now? After all, these roles require craft, and not makeup." Coming back to 'Ridiculous Ms Mridul', her first solo performance, the actor who has worked with theatre directors like Mahesh Dattani and Lillete Dubey admits there was no 'plan' -- she just started writing 'something' and what emerged was a relaxed take on men, relationships and sex. "Not to mention how single women in society are looked at." Mridul laments that being in Mumbai, one is so 'busy' being an actor that she/he tends to undermine her capability to create. "And the past few years, I have been feeling... See, as it is, I'm a niche actor who works on very selected projects. And of all the mediums, theatre was my favourite. Then why am I spending the least time on it? After all, it is all about spontaneity, something I truly believe in. You know exactly what you're making the audience feel." "While you are entertaining them, they are giving back much warmth and energy. It is probably the most thrilling and passionate of mediums. While I have been writing other things too, Excurators Events Pvt. Ltd. wanted to go with this gig," she adds. Pinning her hopes high on OTT platforms, she feels they are not only willing to tell different tales but also tell them differently. "One is seeing fresh faces, newer talent in every department, and actors who were in their labyrinths coming back. I do not care much about the algorithm thing going on with OTTs. I just hope they remain true to craft and not go the usual Bollywood way," she concludes. Kolhapur : , Aug 30 (IANS) In a breakthrough, Kolhapur Police tracked and nabbed Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj bronze statue which crashed in the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg, officials said here on Friday. Patil had been absconding hours after the incident on August 26 (Monday) that has sparked a massive public outrage and political furore, as the sculptor Jaydeep Apte still eludes the police net. At least six probe teams of the Kolhapur Police, Sindhudurg Police and Thane Police were on the lookout for the duo whose mobile phones were off, but Patil was caught last night. The Kolhapur Police have handed him over to the Sindhudurg Police which will take him to Malvan coastal town where the tragedy occurred and the case has been registered. Apte, who lives in Thane district, had built the 28-feet tall statue erected on a 10-feet high pedestal in the Rajkot Fort, had also disappeared after the case was lodged by Malvan Police. Apte, in an interaction with a Marathi publication last year, had admitted that though a statue of such dimensions could normally take up to three years to construct, he managed to do it in barely three 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 carried out a series of vociferous protests across the state, took out a procession that resulted in a scuffle between the SS (UBT)-BJP activists near 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 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 that it "remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest," echoing the state government's assurances. New Delhi, Aug 30 : Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump on Friday slammed his rival Kamala Harris over her first major interview since her entry into the election after Joe Biden's exit. "I just saw Comrade Kamala Harris' answer to a very weakly-phrased question, a question that was put in more as a matter of defense than curiosity, but her answer rambled incoherently, and declared her "values haven't changed...," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media platform. "...On that I agree, her values haven't changed - The Border is going to remain open, not closed, there will be Free Healthcare for Illegal Aliens, Sanctuary Cities, No Cash Bail, Gun Confiscation, Zero Fracking, a Ban on Gasoline-Powered Cars, Private Healthcare will be abolished, a 70-80% tax rate will be put in place, and she will Defund the Police. America will become a WASTELAND," Trump added. He said Harris "rambled incoherently" in the interview, and branded the interview 'boring'. In another post, he also said he "looks so forward" to debating Kamala Harris and "exposing her for the fraud she is". "Harris has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE US," he wrote. On Thursday, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said her "values have not changed" as she has changed her position on key issues that could determine her elections, such as fracking, which she had once opposed and now doesn't. She said this during an interview with CNN. Fracking, a process of extracting natural gas and petroleum from deep inside rocks, is popular in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state that will determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, along with a handful of other such states. It is opposed by those who argue it contaminates underground and surface water. Harris had opposed it earlier and said it should be banned. "No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking as vice president," Harris said when asked if she would ban the practice. "I did not ban fracking as vice president. I will not ban fracking. In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024 and I've not changed that position, nor will I be going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word." "What made you change that position at the time?" the interviewer asked. "Well, let's be clear, my values have not changed," the vice president answered. This interview was Harris's first after taking over the Democratic ticket for the White House amidst questions about her candidacy raised by Donald Trump and his allies, who attacked her for avoiding unscripted interactions with reporters. Rabat, Aug 30 : Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics Mohammed Abdeljalil and his Senegalese counterpart, Malick Ndiaye, held a meeting in Rabat to promote transport cooperation between the two sides. During their meeting, both ministers emphasised their mutual commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in the railway sector, Xinhua news agency reported. The meeting was part of an official visit by the Senegalese delegation to Morocco from August 27-29. Speaking to media persons, Abdeljalil said the two countries had agreed to improve communication to achieve a higher level of collaboration, especially in railway development. For his part, Ndiaye described his visit as an opportunity to observe and learn from Morocco's "qualitative" achievements in urban and intercity mobility, particularly in the railway sector. He applauded Moroccoas best practices and pioneering experience in this area. Following the meeting, the Moroccan National Railways Office signed an agreement with Senegal's National Company for the Management of the Regional Express Train Heritage, which also inked an agreement with Morocco's Railway Training Institute, according to Morocco's official news agency MAP. Harare, Aug 30 : Prolonged power outages are forcing some Zimbabweans to work at night, when electricity supply is more reliable than during the day, as power producers struggle to meet peak demand. Persistent droughts have led to dwindling water levels at Lake Kariba, home to Zimbabwe's major hydropower plant, the Kariba South Power Station. Moreover, aging equipment at the Hwange Thermal Power Station has exacerbated the shortages. As a result, many areas are experiencing up to 12 hours of power cuts daily, disrupting businesses and daily activities, Xinhua news agency reported. Denford Mutashu, president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, told Xinhua Thursday that retailers are struggling with increased costs due to the need for fuel-powered generators to compensate for the power shortages. "Some have turned to alternative energy sources like fuel-powered generators and solar energy. However, most generators are not designed for continuous operation, and some shop equipment cannot rely on generator power," Mutashu said. He said that some retailers have been forced to sell subpar products in the cold chain, such as beef, pork, poultry and dairy, which cannot be properly refrigerated due to power outages, to minimize losses, Xinhua news agency reported. Mutashu advised citizens and businesses to invest in alternative energy sources, particularly solar power. Self-employed welder Leonard Mutesva said he now works at night and sleeps during the day due to the lack of electricity. "The situation is dire. We now work at night when power is available, up until early morning when it's turned off," he said. This week, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority announced long-term plans to enhance power supplies, including refurbishing old generators, installing additional units at the Hwange Thermal Power Station, and investing in solar energy. Indonesian operator Telkomsel announced an expansion of its Hyper 5G network in Bali, as part of broader plans to deliver comprehensive 5G across the nation. In a statement, Telkomsel detailed that the expansion will occur in Denpasar and Badung in Bali. These areas were selected for its hyper upgrade due to high internet usage, 5G device adoption, enterprise potential and international roaming usage. Telkomsel Network Director, Indra Mardiatna, said: Since launching our 5G network in Indonesia, we have strategically, gradually, and measurably expanded coverage to ensure not just a robust telecommunications network, but also a superior user experience that fosters inclusive and sustainable digital growth. In South Bali alone, weve established 225 Hyper 5G sites, including additional 67 in Denpasar and 136 in Badung, ensuring contiguous connectivity along busy routes such as Kuta-Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Renon-Sanur. Chinese vendor Huawei was Telkomsels vendor partner in deploying 1,000 sites across 56 cities and districts nationwide. Aden, Aug 30 : UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg held a meeting with Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, 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, Xinhua news agency reported. 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 centred 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 prioritising 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 organisations maintain their headquarters in Sanaa. Jerusalem, Aug 30 : Israel announced on Friday that it had killed Hamas' commander in Jenin, the West Bank, on the third day of one of its largest assaults in the Israeli-occupied territory in months. In a joint statement, the Israeli Defense Forces and the Shin Bet domestic security agency identified the commander as Wassem Hazem. According to the Israeli military, Hazem was the head of Hamas in Jenin and was involved in orchestrating shooting and bombing attacks against Israelis, Xinhua news agency reported. Hazem was killed in a vehicle that contained weapons during a gunfight. Two other Hamas militants were killed by a drone while trying to escape from the car. No injuries were reported among Israeli forces. Israel launched a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank early Wednesday, stating that the operation aims to prevent future attacks against Israel. Palestinian sources reported extensive damage to roads, homes, and infrastructure. The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed that 16 people have been killed in the raid. More than 650 people have been killed in the West Bank since the start of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip on October 7 last year, according to the ministry. New Delhi, Aug 30 : The government on Friday said it has signed a pact with global digital payments leader Visa for a three-year partnership, valued at up to $1 million, to skill 20,000 youth for the booming tourism industry. The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the company, a global leader in digital payments, for a three-year partnership valued at up to $1 million. "India's tourism industry has immense potential to drive economic growth and generate millions of jobs across the country. This partnership with Visa is a pivotal step towards realizing and unlocking that potential, equipping our youth with skills needed to thrive in the tourism sector and make India a premier global tourism destination," said Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The move aim to train youth across 10 states, including Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal to elevate the tourism service experience for tourists. The ministry said that the programme will focus on essential roles within the domestic tourism industry, such as tour guides, customer service executives, naturalists, and paragliding tandem pilots. "By empowering the youth of the country with skills to thrive in the tourism industry, we aim not only to elevate their employment prospects but also to improve the overall experience for tourists visiting India," said Kelly Mahon Tullier, Vice Chair, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Visa. The tourism sector is a significant contributor to India's economy, accounting for over $231 billion in GDP and employing more than 42 million people in 2023. As the post-pandemic travel landscape continues to grow, the NSDC-Visa initiative will ensure a skilled workforce to support India's ambitions of becoming a global tourism hub, said the government. Visa said it has taken strategic steps to strengthen India's tourism landscape over the last few years. Amritsar, Aug 30 : In a far-reaching development, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal was on Friday indicted by the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs, for religious misconduct by the party and its government from 2007-17 when SAD was in power in Punjab. After a meeting of five Sikh head priests, Giani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, declared Sukhbir Badal 'Tankhiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) and asked him to appear before Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar within 15 days as a common Sikh. Reacting to his indictment, Sukhbir Badal said in a post on X, "Das bows his head and accepts the order issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest shrine of Miri Piri. According to the order, I will soon appear in front of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and test the Khima." The SAD Cabinet from 2007-2017, which was led by late Parkash Singh Badal, was asked to appear before the Akal Takht to explain its actions which caused harm to the Sikh 'Panth'. At that time, Sukhbir Badal was the Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President. The Akal Takht asked the ministers during the tenure of the SAD-BJP government to provide an explanation for their role in the mistakes committed during the two consecutive terms, from 2007-12, and 2012-2017. Akal Takht is the Sikh community's apex religious institution where Sikhs can seek an apology for any religious or ethical misconduct. "Being the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal took some decisions that deeply harmed the image of the Panth and greatly weakened SAD. They damaged Sikh interests too," Giani Raghbir Singh said while pronouncing the verdict from the Takht in the Golden Temple complex here. Soon after the Akal Takht pronounced its verdict, SAD announced that it accepts the directives with all humility. SAD Vice President Daljit Cheema said in a message the party "bows before the edict and would act accordingly". He also said Sukhbir Badal had appeared before Akal Takht last month and accepted his government's mistakes. On Thursday, Sukhbir Badal, who has been facing disenchantment within the party, appointed his long-time family loyalist and former Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder as the party's Working President. SAD rebels and several Sikh organisations have been asking Sukhbir Badal to step down from the post of President in view of the sacrilege incidents during the Akali Dal's 10-year stint from 2007-17. The incidents comprise hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community by self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who allegedly performed an imitation of Guru Gobind Singh at the sect's dera in 2007, and sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015. The rebels, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, and former minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, on July 1 conveyed to Giani Raghbir Singh that they "are ready to face any punishment that the Akal Takht may deem appropriate". In a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar, they "admitted guilt" over the "mistakes committed" by the party leadership that had "hurt" the Sikh Panth. The letter also claimed that Sukhbir Badal allegedly used his influence to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case. To recall, the Akal Takht had pardoned the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case after a written apology in 2015. After the rebels sought an apology from Sukhbir Badal, the Akal Takht secretariat on August 5 released a letter written by the SAD chief to the Jathedar, seeking "unconditional forgiveness". "I take responsibility for all mistakes, whether made by the party or during the regime of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)," the letter read. Sukhbir Badal also said he was ready to face whatever punishment is given to him by the Akal Takht Sahib. The rebel leaders also alleged that the SGPC had spent nearly Rs 90 lakh on newspaper advertisements to justify the decision of pardoning the Dera chief. Sukhbir Badal, while expressing regret at the 103rd foundation day of the party on December 15, 2023, had blamed SAD for its failure to apprehend the individuals responsible for the sacrilege incidents. In February 2023, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing cases of sacrilege and police firing in 2015 had filed a charge-sheet in a Faridkot court, indicting Sukhbir Badal and then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini as masterminds. The charge-sheet also blamed then Chief Minister and Sukhbir Badal's father, Parkash Singh Badal, for the Kotkapura firing case following sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and the subsequent violence in which the police force was accused of excesses that left two people dead. Official sources told IANS that then Home Minister Sukhbir Badal and then DGP Sumedh Saini had hatched a conspiracy to use force to conceal the state government's inaction after incidents of sacrilege in Faridkot district. Parkash Singh Badal was also blamed for 'facilitating' the execution of the conspiracy. In Punjab, blasphemy has been an emotive issue in every election ever since the 2015 Kotkapura firing case. New Delhi, Aug 30 : Within a month of taking charge, Iran's new government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has launched a wide-ranging diplomatic outreach, engaging with both neighbours and far-away nations, and declared willingness to negotiate with the West on the nuclear issue and sanctions, having seemingly obtained approval of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While all sections of the Iranian leadership, from the political to the diplomatic to the security establishment, keep on vowing retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, any action is yet to be seen amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, and there are efforts to engage the West, particularly European nations. President Pezeshkian set the ball rolling as he said that his country is ready to help stop war, violence, and insecurity throughout the globe and promote peace and friendship with all countries, but will not countenance sanctions and pressures. "If Iran is forced to do something by sanctions and pressure, the countryas approach and behaviour will definitely be pushed in another direction," he told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in a phone conversation on Wednesday. The moves are further bolstered by the return of former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as Deputy President for Strategic Affairs - a fortnight after his surprise announcement that he was resigning. Zarif, as Foreign Minister in the Hasan Rouhani government, had, along with his then deputy and current Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, been involved in negotiating what became the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the Western powers, as well as Russia and China, in 2015. Thus, both have had plentiful experience in dealing with the West. While talks on reviving the JCPOA, which practically became defunct when then US President Donald Trump pulled out his country from it in 2018, have been ongoing since 2021, Araqchi has indicated that Iran is looking for a new agreement. In recent remarks on the 2015 deal, he said that he clarified that he had not said that the JCPOA could not be revived, but instead that it needed to be reworked. "The JCPOA cannot be revived in its current form, but there will definitely be other forms of agreement that we will pursue," he noted. On relations with the West, the Foreign Minister, in his first interview after being confirmed by the Parliament - tellingly to Japan's Kyodo News Agency, maintained that as a major step toward lifting the sanctions on Iran's economy and returning it to normal global trade relations, he would seek to manage tensions with Washington and rebuild ties with European countries, but only if they abandon their "hostile approach". "In my foreign policy address to the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), I highlighted the crucial objective of lifting sanctions, particularly unilateral ones, through earnest, focused, and time-bound negotiations while upholding the nation's fundamental principles," he added. All this diplomatic approach impinges on the acquiescence of the Supreme Leader, and Ayatollah Khamenei's recent remarks indicate he has given conditional approval - though in rather abstract and cryptic language that seems to be the norm in Iranian politics and requires sifting closely to gauge their essential meaning. In a speech on August 25, Khamenei, in potential support of pragmatic diplomacy, underlined that wars have been waged in different forms throughout history but "do not always mean taking up arms; rather, it means thinking correctly, speaking properly, understanding things accurately, and striking the target with precision". Meeting the new cabinet on August 27, soon it was confirmed by the Parliament, the Supreme Leader, in his most unambiguous statement so far, maintained: "We must not place hope in the enemy or await its approval...this does not, however, contradict interaction with the same enemy in some instances. There is no obstacle to that." Iran is also engaged in energetic diplomacy in the region - and beyond. In his first foreign visit as President, Pezeshkian is slated to travel to neighbouring Iraq to sign several agreements. The country has already hosted two major diplomatic visits. Neighbouring Turkmenistan's leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was in Tehran this week and the two sides signed four agreements on diplomatic and economic cooperation, including in the natural gas sector. Pezeshkian termed the last as "a strategic step towards turning Iran into a regional gas hub". A day before, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani arrived and met both Pezeshkian and Araqchi. Araqchi on Monday announced that he had in the previous 48 hours, engaged with regional counterparts from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on affairs of the area and enhanced bilateral cooperation. He also held talks with his counterparts from the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as France, Germany, Japan, Italy and the EU. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in) Mumbai, Aug 30 : Actors Parth Samthaan and Isha Malaviya have reunited once again for the audio series 'Secret Ameerzada', and have opened up on their experience of shooting for the show. After their collaboration on the music video 'Jiya Laage Na', sung by Shilpa Rao, and Mohit Chauhan-- Parth and Isha have teamed up once again, this time bringing their undeniable chemistry to the roles of Ahaan Raizada and Shanaya Gill, respectively. Reflecting on his role, Parth shared: "Working with this amazing team has really brought my character to life in ways I couldnat have imagined. Itas been incredible to see how their talent has added so much depth to the story. I'm genuinely excited to be part of Secret Ameerzada, one of the most popular audio series on Pocket FM, a platform that keeps pushing the limits of storytelling and connecting with listeners globally." Isha Malaviya, who makes her Pocket FM debut, expressed: "Secret Ameerzada is special to me because itas my first project with Pocket FM, an audio series platform. As one of the platform's most popular shows, Iam truly grateful for this opportunity. Itas a great medium for people to enjoy anytime, anywhere. I genuinely think people will connect with what weave created. Weare really proud to be a part of this Pocket FM audio series." 'Secret Ameerzada' tells the gripping story of Ahaan, a man trapped in a loveless marriage with Shanaya, who endures the harsh treatment of her family. Just when all seems lost, Ahaan discovers heas the secret heir to the wealthy Raizada family, turning his life upside down. The series is available on Pocket FM. Meanwhile, Parth is known for his work in 'Gumrah: End of Innocence', 'Best Friends Forever?', 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay', 'Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan', 'Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain 2', 'Mai Hero Boll Raha Hu', and 'Social Currency'. Hyderabad, Aug 30 : The government of Telangana will constitute a board on the lines of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for the management of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Yadadri. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday directed the officials to initiate steps to constitute a board on the lines of TTD to manage the affairs of Yadadri temple in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. TTD manages the affairs of the famous Venkateshwara Swamy temple atop Tirumala near Tirupati in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister, at a meeting with officials, asked officials to submit his details of the works which are pending as part of the development of the ancient cave shrine. Popular as Telangana's Tirumala, Yadadri temple was renovated by the previous government of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) at cost of Rs 1,800 crore. Revanth Reddy wanted officials to give details of the works required to be taken up to provide amenities to devotees and to meet future needs. He made it clear that the works for the temple development canat be left halfway and underlined the need to take the temple's development to another level. Revanth Reddy also sought the status report of Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA). He also asked temple authorities to speed up the gold plating of Raja Gopuram. The gold plating work was taken up as part of the renovation, and it requires 125 kg gold. On an appeal by then chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, corporate houses, businessmen, public representatives, and politicians had donated nearly 30 kg of gold. In March 2022, KCR inaugurated the renovated temple. The sanctum sanctorum was reopened after a gap of six years. After taking over as the first chief minister of Telangana in 2014, KCR had proposed to develop the Yadadri temple on the lines of Tirumala temple. Revanth Reddy reviewed the development of Yadadri temple as part of SPEED, a new initiative launched by him to boost the state's development. SPEED (Smart, Proactive, Efficient and Effective Delivery) focuses on completion of 19 projects within the stipulated time. Kolkata, Aug 30 : The BJP on Friday alleged that seven rape cases have been reported from different parts of West Bengal in the last 48 hours but the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is threatening doctors over their protests on R.G. Kar rape and murder issue. "Seven cases of rape (mostly minors) and in some cases, murders too have been reported in West Bengal in the last 48 hours. However, Mamata Banerjee has been engaged in every deplorable act which any civilised Chief Minister would be ashamed of. From threatening and abusing doctors to inciting nationwide arson, the Chief Minister has done everything," the BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on X. Malviya also provided a list of the cases which reportedly happened in the state during the last 48 hours which were brought to his notice. He added that West Bengal Police will serve notices describing such events as fake information being circulated or fragments of the opposition's imagination. "No doubt, Mamata Banerjee's PR machine aka Bengal Police will be ready with their notices, dismissing everything as "mitthey rotona" and "birodhider sajano ghotona", but here are the details," he wrote on X while uploading the list. He also accused the Chief Minister of "tampering" evidence of her "corruption" and "incompetence" in the R.G. Kar case while claiming that she is conveniently oblivious of "heinous atrocities " unfolding in the state. He also attacked the West Bengal Commission for Women and the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights accusing them of getting transformed as the "B-team" of Trinamool Congress and "advocating the innocence of Mamata Banerjee despite all her failures" Amaravati, Aug 30 : A day after the party lost two Rajya Sabha members, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MPs Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy and Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose on Friday denied that they are planning to quit the party. The duo, who are also Rajya Sabha members, told media at the partyas central office here that the reports about them leaving the party are false. Asserting that the YSR family has always supported him, Subhash Chandra Bose said he was rich in loyalty and dedication to the YSR family although he may not be wealthy in financial terms. He mentioned that he entered politics because he believed in the vision of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and his journey in politics will continue with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy reiterated his commitment to the YSRCP and the leadership of Jagan Mohan Reddy. Both MPs condemned the speculation about them and other Rajya Sabha members leaving the party. Subhash Chandra Bose said that, except for a few, all YSRCP Rajya Sabha members are firmly with the party. He expressed disappointment that such baseless rumours continue to circulate despite their unwavering loyalty to the party. Both MPs criticised the decision of some Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council members to resign from the party, stating that this was a betrayal to the party and its leader at a time when there is no possibility of immediate replacements. They expressed their strong disapproval of such actions, highlighting that they undermine the party's efforts and leadership. They emphasized that winning and losing in politics is not permanent, but it is crucial to uphold values in political life. The denial by Ayodhya Rami Reddy and Subhash Chandra Bose came a day after Mopidevi Venkataramana and Beeda Mastan Rao resigned from Rajya Sabha. The two MPs of YSRCP met Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar in New Delhi and submitted their resignations. They have decided to quit YSRCP and join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The resignation of the two Rajya Sabha members followed the resignation of MLC Pothula Suneetha. She quit both the YSRCP and the Council membership to join TDP. Meanwhile, two more MLCs of YSRCP are likely to resign. K. Padmasri and B. Kalyan Chakravarthy are reportedly planning to quit as MLCs and also from the party. New Delhi, Aug 30 : Asserting that India's entire neighbourhood is a conundrum and building strong relations with neighbouring countries will always remain "work in progress", External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday said the government's 'Neighbourhood First' policy is built to protect ties amidst frequent changes, disruptive or organic. "With Bangladesh, since its independence, our relationship has gone up and down. It is natural that we will deal with the government of the day. But, we also have to recognise that there are political changes, and they can be disruptive. Clearly here, we will have to look for mutuality of interest," the EAM said during a book launch event in the national capital. With regard to India's relationship with Sri Lanka, Jaishankar admitted that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had somewhat "difficult inheritance". "At this time, there are two problems. One in the public realm, which pertains to the international maritime boundary line, the fishing issue which is a recurring issue, particularly in the political space. And, from a strategic national security perspective, China's presence and activities in respect of Sri Lanka." However, the EAM maintained that there has been a significant shift in public perception about India in Sri Lanka. "It is centred around the fact that when they were in such deep trouble, we were really the only country which came forward and came forward in a massive way and in a timely way. So, if Sri Lanka has been able to recover significantly from where they were, a lot of it, I think, even the Sri Lankan politics and Sri Lankan public attributes it to the relationship with India," said Jaishankar. The External Affairs Ministers admitted that there have been many ups and downs in India's relationship with Maldives, as well. "We've had the 1988 intervention but yet we were very impassive in 2012 when there was a change of government. So, you can see that there is a certain lack of consistency here. It is a relationship in which we are very deeply invested and there is today a recognition in Maldives that this relationship is a steady force as they get into some more choppy waters where their own prospects are concerned, especially in terms of the economic challenges." With Afghanistan, the EAM said, India shares deep people-to-people and societal relations as there is a "certain goodwill" for India in the country. "When we review our Afghanistan policy today, I thik we are very clear-eyed about our interests and not confused by any inherited wisdom that is before us. We must appreciate Afghanistan, with the presence of America, for us, is very different from the Afghanistan without the presence of America," he said. Iraq's Feuding Bishops Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, pictured during a June 2023 visit to London, England. ( Mazur/cbcew.org.uk) The leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church has called for a public apology from five bishops who did not attend the Chaldean Church's recently held synod of bishops. If the bishops do not apologize by September 5, Cardinal Louis Sako said this week, he is prepared to send a report to Pope Francis asking for canonical penalties, which could include excommunication. The situation is complex, and points to a deepening rift among Chaldean Catholic bishops, which is exacerbated by Iraqi politics, but has been escalated, sources say, by the bravado of two accomplished bishops, neither of whom is likely to back down from a game of ecclesiastical chicken in Iraq. As the situation intensifies, the Vatican will face pressure to choose sides, in a stand-off unlikely to have clear winners, or a clean resolution. The Chaldean Catholic Church is one of the 23 Eastern Catholic sui iuris churches in the Catholic communion. Headquartered in Baghdad, the church has more than 600,000 Catholics -- but because of decades of violence and instability in the region, it is difficult to estimate how many live in Iraq, and how many live in diaspora, either in the United States, Europe, Australia, or across the Middle East. In Iraq, the Chaldean Church's patriarch has been embroiled for more than a year in a dispute with Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid, and with Rayan al-Kildani, the leader of an Iranian-funded Babylon Brigades' militia, and its political wing, an Iraqi political party called the Babylon Movement. Al-Kildani, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. government since 2019 for human rights violations, is an Iraqi power broker, and reportedly a Chaldean Christian, who has styled himself a representative and protector of the country's Chaldean minority, and even of Iraqi Christians more broadly. He has a reputation in Iraq for political corruption, and sometimes violent treatment of political adversaries. In April 2023, al-Kildani publicly accused Cardinal Sako, the Chaldean patriarch, of not standing with Christians during the 2014 ISIS terrorism of Iraq, and of corruption and political opportunism. Sako had long been a critic of al-Kildani -- who has been described by Iraqi observers as both a "thug" and a "war lord" -- with Sako stating in 2017 that al-Kildani "does not represent Christians in any way. His unfortunate statements aim to create abhorrent sectarian strife." Last year, Sako accused al-Kildani of seizing the property of Christians in northern Iraq -- and several countries jumped in to support the patriarch's claims. Things escalated, in a fight over political influence, leadership of the Church in Iraq, and even control of property owned by the Chaldean Church, with Sako accusing al-Kildani of corruption, and of using political ties to claim control over Chaldean properties, while al-Kildani took Sako to court in a slander suit. In July, with the dispute in full swing, Iraq's president revoked a decree which officially recognized Sako as head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, and the rightful trustee of its property. The president claimed that the decree was revoked because it had no constitutional basis and should never have been issued -- but Sako cried foul, accusing al-Kildani of using his political influence to outmuscle him, and to seize control of Church assets, by influencing the president's office. Patriarch Sako told The Pillar last year that "it is obvious that the militia group of Rayan Al-al-Kildani is pushing the president to [revoke the decree], aiming of intimidation against him, seizing the homes of Christians, and conspiring to take control of Church properties." "These politicians want to silence me and stop me from speaking up for human rights and dignity and to claim a state of citizenship, equality, and justice," the cardinal added. In protest of the situation, Sako moved from Baghdad to a self-imposed exile in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. This spring, he canceled major events and public festivities for Easter, in protest of the situation. While Sako was out of Baghdad, al-Kildani seemed to taunt him -- even arranging a brief, incidental meeting with Pope Francis last September -- reportedly through the Iraqi embassy -- and framing it in Iraq as a private personal audience. In April, Sako returned to Baghdad, at the invitation of the country's prime minister. After more than another month, he would have a new decree recognizing his authority. Things seemed to be settling into a new normal. But there was still unfinished business in the Chaldean Church. During Sako's exile, the influential Archbishop of Erbil, Archbishop Bashar Warda, issued a statement which said that the revocation of the decree did not impact Sako's status as patriarch, and that it would not "prejudice the religious or legal status" of Sako in Iraq. Warda added that, despite the revocation of the decree, Sako continued to enjoy "the respect and appreciation of the presidency of the republic, as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world." In the West, most Catholics took that as a statement of support for Sako. But from his exile in Kurdistan, the patriarch saw it differently. According to sources in the Chaldean Church, Sako pushed back on that, taking Warda's statement as a whitewashing of a political move he believed was an egregious attack on his leadership of the Church, orchestrated by al-Kildani, who in Iraq is widely regarded as corrupt. Sako, as the patriarchate's statement said this week, had asked Warda "to issue a statement denouncing the withdrawal of the decree," and Warda didn't. As tensions developed, Sako pulled back from a plan he had previously announced to retire from his office as patriarch -- Sako turned 75 in July 2023. Warda is probably the most well-known Chaldean bishop in the West, and had a platform to speak on the issue. But while Sako wanted strong denunciations of the president's move -- and recognition of al-Kildani's influence on what happened -- Warda seemed to many Iraqis to downplay the issue. In August 2023, Warda told EWTN News that the issue was "complicated," but did not condemn al-Kildani or the presidential revocation, saying mostly that the president ought to have been more friendly toward Sako while revoking the decree. Tension developed between Sako and Warda, who is an ambitious pastoral builder with big plans for his diocese, whom many believe hopes to be the Chaldean Church's next patriarch. Many Iraqi Christians speculated that Warda was unwilling to criticize al-Kildani because his diocese had received al-Kildani's assistance in building and pastoral projects, as well as security assistance and political protection. Even after Sako returned to Baghdad in the spring of 2024, Warda reportedly spoke to journalists positively about al-Kildani's role in the country, seemingly driving further the wedge between the patriarch and the Erbil archbishop. Both Warda and Sako are reportedly hard-charging and confident men of stern determination, with neither likely to back down from the perception of a challenge. Eventually -- after Sako had the new decree recognizing him legally as the Chaldean patriarch -- he called a deliberative synod of the Chaldean Church's 26 bishops. The meeting took place last month. Five bishops did not attend, including Warda. Sources close to the dicastery say that Warda and the other bishops communicated to the Vatican's Dicastery for Eastern Catholic Churches that they would not be attending, reportedly saying that they believed the meeting would not be productive because Sako would not be receptive to what they had to say about the state of the patriarchate, and also raising concern that Sako had been living outside of his diocese for nine months, a violation of the canonical residency requirement for diocesan bishops. Some sources also say that while there are legitimate issues between the bishops, Sako and Warda have also been embroiled in a kind of escalating fraternal rivalry, with Sako regarding Warda as angling politically for influence in the Chaldean Church. That perception is reportedly what's left Sako saying he is unlikely to retire from his office, while division foments among the bishops. On Tuesday this week, the tensions escalated, with a statement from the patriarchate calling Warda a "godfather" of al-Kildani's political party, and stating that unless the five bishops apologize to the patriarch by Sept. 5, they could face canonical penalties, including even the possibility of excommunication. The patriarchate's statement accused the bishops of attacking both Sako and the Church. It also noted that the bishops have withdrawn their seminarians from the local seminary, which has been taken as a sign of disloyalty. According to the statement, any penalty conferred on the bishops would have to be confirmed by Pope Francis. Led by Warda, it is not likely the five bishops will back down, even with the patriarch's gauntlet now thrown. But it is not clear whether Sako consulted with the Dicastery for Eastern Churches before issuing his statement this week. Some observers have suggested that Sako's threat of penalties -- demanding that the bishops apologize or else face ecclesiastical consequences -- is an overreach of his authority. So the question is whether Rome will back him up. If the Vatican doesn't back Sako up -- siding with Warda and the bishops alongside him -- many of the other Chaldean bishops will likely push back, out of loyalty to their patriarch, and a dispositional allergy toward the appearance of Vatican overreach into their own ecclesial affairs. Further, if the Vatican doesn't back Sako up, it might traditionally be thought to cause ecumenical problems for the Vatican, as Orthodox patriarchs tend to pull away from engagement with Rome when they perceive that Eastern Catholic Churches are being overly managed by the Vatican. On the other hand, Warda has friends and supporters in Rome likely lobbying for him, and sources close to the dicastery say that the Syriac Catholic Patriarch in Iraq, Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Yonan, has himself been supportive of Warda's approach. And many of the Orthodox bishops in Iraq are also reportedly supported by al-Kildani, leaving it unclear how they would respond if Rome backed Sako. The Holy See is unlikely to try untangling that mess. First, the Dicastery for Eastern Catholic Churches has been mired in its efforts to untangle a liturgical dispute in the Syro-Malabar Church for more than a year, and by many accounts, has succeeded only in escalating the problem. Further, the Vatican is unlikely to try picking sides in a dispute in which the substance of the conflict is entangled with a long-brewing personality clash between Sako and Warda. Third, even apart from that personality clash, the Holy See has little hope of meaningfully deciding who is right -- and while it might be inclined to reflexively back up a patriarch, it might also wish to see Sako retire without the conflict defining decisions over his succession. In that context, September 5 is likely to come and go with no apology, and no penalty issued. But the Vatican's best approach might be to see whether time will calm hot tempers and flared nerves, and whether grace might intervene to see the bishops themselves reach some kind of normalcy. In the meantime, both sides are likely to lob rhetorical grenades, and accuse another of disloyalty, disobedience, or disrespect. New penalty threats might be issued, and will likely be ignored. Still, observers tell The Pillar that the conflict won't likely foment into schism without a catalyst to intensify it. Any wrong move for the Vatican could be that catalyst. In a desert stand-off like that, the most successful strategy for Pope Francis and his curia are likely to try a different strategy: out-waiting Iraq's feuding bishops. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set 14 September 2024 as the final registration date for subscriber identification module (SIM) subscribers, just under four years since the countrys SIM registration procedure began. This week the NCC urged mobile network operators to complete the mandatory SIM verification and linking to National Identity Numbers (NINs) by that date. In Nigeria, compulsory SIM registration began in December 2020, when the government ordered telecom operators to disable unregistered SIMs. There were then a number of extensions, most recently to 31 July this year, as a large number of SIMs still required verification. That said, the NCC estimates that over 153 million SIMs have been successfully linked to a NIN, reflecting a compliance rate of 96% which, it describes as a substantial increase from 69.7% in January 2024. Any mobile numbers that are not linked to NINs by 14 September 14 will be blocked by network operators, meaning that no SIM operating in Nigeria will be without a valid NIN. Ensuring NIN-SIM linkage, or getting support to do so, involves subscribers visiting their service providers or using approved self-service portals. Bizarrely, according to the Nairametrics website, the NCC recently claimed it had uncovered cases of individual Nigerians registering over 100,000 lines to their names, saying: Through collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the NCC has uncovered alarming cases where individuals possessed an unusually high number of SIM cards some exceeding 100,000. That figure certainly exceeds the offical limit. Under the NIN-SIM linkage policy, an individual is allowed to register a maximum of four SIM cards per network operator, though this does not include IoT devices such as wearable trackers. Baghdad, Aug 30 : The Iraqi military said on Friday that 14 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a military operation in a desert in the Iraqi province of Anbar. Based on intelligence reports and the two-month monitoring of IS militants' activities in four well-camouflaged hideouts in Anbar's desert, the military carried out airstrikes on the hideouts at 4:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Thursday, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Xinhua news agency reported. The airstrikes were followed by an airdrop of airborne troops, who engaged in coordinated operations with the US-led international coalition. The troops clashed with IS militants who had fled the airstrikes, killing all of them, according to the statement. A total of 14 IS militants were killed during the airstrikes and the clashes, some of whom were wearing explosive belts and carrying hand grenades, the statement noted, adding intelligence indicates that important IS leaders were among the dead. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Beirut, Aug 30 : Israeli warplanes on Friday morning carried out a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah's missile platforms in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources said. The sources, who spoke anonymously, said Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes at dawn on Hezbollah's surface-to-surface missile sites and platforms in the western and central sectors along Lebanon's southern border. They noted that the planes fired about 22 air-to-surface missiles, each weighing 1,000 pounds, in the raids, Xinhua news agency reported. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the Israeli attacks took place adjacent to the Blue Line in the western and central sectors throughout the night and into the morning, reaching the outskirts of Tyre city in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in two separate statements that it had attacked "enemy positions," including buildings used by Israeli soldiers in the settlements of al-Motella and Al-Manara, as well as the Bayad Blida site, claiming to have made "direct" hits. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Jaipur, Aug 30 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday said that the journey towards a 'Viksit Rajasthan' is pivotal in achieving the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' 2047. "Rajasthan is brimming with immense potential, rich natural resources, skilled talent, and boundless opportunities. I invite the investor community, corporates and institutions to our beautiful state and capitalise on momentum. The journey towards a 'Viksit Rajasthan' is pivotal in achieving the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' 2047," the Chief Minister while addressing the first investor meet of the upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 in Mumbai where the state signed MoUs worth over INR 4.5 lakh crore. The companies and industrial groups with whom the MoUs were signed included Adani Group, Vedanta Group, JSW Group, Tata Group, Waaree Group, Dalmia Group and Star Cement among others. "Signing of these MoUs demonstrates the immense potential of Rajasthan and investors' strong faith in Rajasthan's investor-friendly policies. I am confident that we will be able to realise the dream of making the state USD 350 billion economy in the next 5 years," the Chief Minister said. He also had one-on-one meetings with several top industry leaders and invited them to invest in Rajasthan and utilise the "investor-friendly" ecosystem and policies of the state. The official website of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 - https://rising.rajasthan.gov.in/ - was launched on the occasion. "There is only one VIP in Rajasthan, that is the investor investing in the state. We have the desired political will to realise our dream of developing Rajasthan and the positive response of investors in such a short period has given us confidence to dream big," Minister of Industries Rajyavardhan Rathore said. Speaking on the occasion, Sudhansh Pant, Rajasthan Chief Secretary, said that the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 is going to play a pivotal role towards 'Viksit Rajasthan' @ 2047. Rajasthan will host the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 from December 9 to 11 in Jaipur. During the summit, special plenary sessions will be organised on different focus sectors, including agriculture, renewable, education and skills, auto and EV, Geneva, Aug 30 : A large-scale vaccination campaign to fight a polio outbreak in the Gaza Strip is set to begin on September 1, announced the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative for the occupied Palestinian territories on Friday. Richard Peeperkorn told a press briefing from Gaza that the two-round polio vaccination campaign will see the administration of two drops of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to more than 640,000 children under the age of 10 across the enclave. The campaign is to kick off this coming weekend. To facilitate the campaign, 1.26 million doses of the nOPV2 vaccine have been delivered to Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected to arrive shortly, Xinhua news agency reported. Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized that achieving at least 90 percent vaccination coverage during each round of the campaign is crucial to halting the polio outbreak in Gaza and preventing its spread beyond the region. The campaign will be carried out in stages, spanning three days for each of the three areas of Gaza. Over 2,180 workers are involved in the campaign, with 392 fixed vaccination points and nearly 300 mobile teams, Peeperkorn said. Kolkata, Aug 30 : The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted permission to 'Cultural & Literary Bengal', an association of intellectuals in the state, to take out a protest march on September 3 condemning the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month. The association had approached the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha after being denied police permission for the proposed protest march. As the matter came up for hearing on Friday, the counsel for the petitioners argued that although the association submitted an application to the office of the Joint Commissioner (Traffic) of Kolkata Police for holding the protest march on September 3 from Rabindra Sadan to Hazra crossing in south Kolkata, they did not receive any reply in the matter from the police. The counsel also questioned the justification for denying permission to a protest march by the intellections and that too on an issue like the R.G. Kar case when even the Supreme Court has said that peaceful protests in the matter cannot be stopped or suppressed. In his counter argument, the counsel for the state government said that since the timing of the protest clashes with the end of office hours, the police denied permission for the march. He also said that police permission can be granted if the timing of the proposed march is changed, . After hearing both sides, Justice Sinha questioned the state government's counsel whether all the protests on the R.G. Kar issue can be restricted because of their timing. Granting permission for conducting the protest march, Justice Sinha noted that it would be the responsibility of the state police to ensure that the event is held peacefully and without any hurdles. However, at the same time, she advised the association to discuss with the city police authorities about the timing of the programme. Berlin, Aug 30 : Germany on Friday deported Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan for the first time since August 2021. According to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, the deported individuals are all Afghan nationals convicted of crimes in Germany and have no right to remain in the country, Xinhua news agency reported. The German government has undertaken extensive efforts in recent months to resume such deportations, the spokesperson said, stressing the priority of national security. This move follows discussions on tightening deportation rules after an Afghan national killed a police officer and injured several others in a knife attack at a political rally in Mannheim three months ago. Last week, a 26-year-old man killed three people with a knife in the western German city of Solingen. According to German newspaper Bild, the suspect is Syrian and came to Germany in 2022. In response to the incident, Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser on Thursday announced that the country would implement measures to combat terrorism and tighten knife control to enhance public security. Mumbai, Aug 30 : A week before Maharashtra's biggest public festival Ganeshotsav, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday issued a warning to the revellers while taking out Lord Ganesh idol processions on 13 old and dangerous bridges across Mumbai. The BMC cautionary comes for the big and small processions that are taken out during the arrival on the first day (September 7), and then, the phases of immersion for one-and-half-day, five days, seven days and the final day (September 17). The civic body has called upon the people to take extreme care while taking out the processions over these bridges on the Central Railway and Western Railway lines, some of which are undergoing repairs. The caution, apparently arising out of the recent crash of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Malvan's Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, the BMC has said that the repairs of the other bridges would be taken up post-monsoon. However, people should stop crowding with simultaneous processions along these bridges to prevent overloading, avoid dancing during the processions passing over them, and quickly clear them for the other processions, for which the BMC and Mumbai Police would also issue advisories. Among the creaky bridges listed on the CR are -- Ghatkopar Railway Over Bridge (ROB), Currey Road ROB, Arthur Road ROB, Chinchpokli ROB, Byculla ROB, and Sion station ROB. On the WR, the dangerous bridges are -- Marine Lines ROB, Sandhurst Road and French ROB and Kennedy ROB (all connecting Grant Road-Charni Road stations). The other crumbling bridges are Falkland ROB (linking Grant Road-Mumbai Central), Mahalaxmi ROB, Prabhadevi ROB and LT Road ROB at Dadar. During the ensuing Ganeshotsav festival, lakhs of giant, big and small idols of the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha shall be brought to public marquees, public and private buildings, housing complexes and individual homes, and shall be worshipped by millions of devotees. Later, these idols shall be immersed on their designated days with ceremonial processions taken out to the Arabian Sea, at beaches, creeks, the Mithi river, lakes, natural or artificial ponds, wells and other water bodies. Kolkata, Aug 30 : The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Kolkata Police to release Sayan Lahiri, one of the convenors of the 'Nabanna Abhijan' (March to Secretariat) on August 27 condemning the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month. Besides telling the Kolkata Police to arrange for the release of Lahiri by 2 p.m. on Saturday, the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha also directed that no coercive action will be taken against him in the matter. Although the hearing was concluded on Friday afternoon, Justice Sinha temporarily reserved the final order. The direction to release Lahiri finally came on Friday evening. Justice Sinha also made it clear that no coercive action can be taken against Lahiri, not just in connection with the Nabanna Abhijan, but also in relation to any other police case against him, Earlier on Friday, Lahiri through his counsel approached the bench of Justice Sinha challenging his arrest. In the petition, his counsel accused the city police of arresting his client on false charges. The petition was admitted and heard on an emergency basis. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also issued a notice to Kolkata Police on Friday seeking explanation on the alleged police excesses against the protesters who took part in the Nabanna Abhijan on August 27. Political observers feel that first the NHRC notice, and then the Calcutta High Court order have come as twin blows for the state administration, especially for the Kolkata Police. Parts of Kolkata and Howrah turned into virtual battlefields on the afternoon of August 27 following clashes between the police and the protestors. At many places, the police had to resort to lathi-charge, firing of teargas shells, and use of water cannons to disperse the protesters moving towards the state Secretariat located in the Mandirtala area of Howrah district, which is adjacent to Kolkata. Bhopal, Aug 30 : Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath on Friday raised his apprehension over the Global Skills Park (GSP) in Bhopal, claiming that the state's largest skill centre lacks basic facilities, including hostel and labs for students. In a statement issued by his office, Kamal Nath said that GSP was established with the aim of providing skill training to the youth but due to lack of basic facilities, it has failed to serve its purpose. The Congress leader also said that despite having a large campus in the state capital, it could not attract youth to enroll in it as was assumed. "The Shivraj SIngh Chouhan-led BJP government inaugurated the GSP hurriedly ahead of the Assembly elections last year. The government inaugurated the Park without completing the works or creating facilities required in such a centre. It was inaugurated hurriedly for political gains," Kamal Nath claimed. Kamal Nath also sought Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's attention on this issue for the sake of the state's youth. "CM Yadav should visit the skill centers operating in Chhindwara district. Study materials, adequate training, and providing a competitive atmosphere are the basic requirements for making the youth skillful. But the GSP in Bhopal lacks these basic facilities," Kamal Nath said. Notably, the first of its kind skill training centre with modern facilities was set up by the state government at an estimated cost of more than Rs 15,000 crore. It functions under the Technical Education Department of the state government. It has collaborations with several prominent institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, Rastriya Raksha University, Gujarat, and many more to provide training to students. Spread across 40 acres of land in Bhopal's Narela area, the training institute-cum-skill centre was set up with the vision to provide skill training to around 1,000 students each year. Jaipur, Aug 30 : Rajasthan DGP Utkal Ranjan Sahu said on Friday that the suggestions and recommendations received during the two-day 'State-level Police Officers' Conference' organised on the theme 'Policing with Excellence - The Way Forward' on August 29-30 will pave way for policy making on better policing in the desert state. Presiding over the technical sessions held on the second day of the conference, Sahu said that many important suggestions have emerged from the brainstorming sessions. "A draft will be prepared by incorporating these suggestions and recommendations which will be finalised in the coming days and sent to the higher authorities," the DGP said. In a session on cybersecurity, dark web, cybercrime investigation and cryptocurrency, the fact which emerged prominently was that there is a need to run a campaign for digital literacy and awareness in the state to prevent cases of cybercrime. A suggestion was also given to run 'positive trends' for trust and awareness among the people by forming a 'digital liaisoning group' at the police level on social media. Online presentations on topics like cybersecurity, dark web, and cybercrime investigation were given with special reference to cyber slavery, cryptocurrency, blockchain and bitcoin. A special presentation was made on 'Operation Anti Virus', which was conducted to nab cybercriminals under the direction of Bharatpur Range IG, Rahul Prakash. In the presentation on 'Emerging Trends of Crime in Rajasthan: Evolving a Unified Strategy to Combat Inter and Intra-State Gangs', detailed information was given on the background of organised crime in the state, the current scenario, and the steps taken by the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in the last few months. In the session moderated by ADG (Armed Battalion) Anand Shrivastava, it was informed that a large quantity of opium, ganja, and poppy husk along with synthetic drugs and medicated drugs have been seized in the state to prevent drug smuggling and their consumption in Rajasthan. The session on 'Coping with Challenges of Cheating in Competitive Examination: Need for Multi-Dimensional Approach' discussed the continuous actions of the SIT constituted by the state government in December last year. ADG V.K. Singh informed that the learnings from the actions of the SIT are also being shared with other states. He also said that the youth and common people now share useful information along with facts on the helpline set up by the Special Operations Group (SOG) for information on paper leak cases in the state. A session on 'Crime Against Women, Children and Other Weaker Sections' was also organised under the chairmanship of DG (Cyber Crime and SCRB), Hemant Priyadarshi. Nokia is expanding its Fixed Networks R&D facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The new lab will be the vendors largest Fixed Networks facility and one of its largest labs globally. As a key hub for Fixed Networks, the investment will strengthen Nokias technology innovations in 10G, 25G, 50G and 100G PON, Fixed Wireless Access, Wi-Fi and MDU solutions, as well as access network and home controllers. The Government of Tamil Nadu is helping to facilitate the expansion and will provide Nokia with essential infrastructure, regulatory and policy support in line with current policies. Chennai is gaining increasing prominence as a centre for technological innovation, and this collaboration underlines the regions strategic importance to Nokias global operations. Dr. TRB Rajaa, Honourable Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, said: 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 probably the whole world, will be in Chennai. It is our endeavor to sustain this momentum and generate high-value employment opportunities for our youth. Vimalkumar Kothandaraman, Head of Fixed Networks for Asia Pacific at Nokia, said: This investment highlights our dedication to India and global technology advancements, and allows us to further leverage the abundant talent pool in the region. This MoU solidifies our collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government to jointly drive telecom industry innovations. Hyderabad, Aug 30 : The Telangana government on Friday decided to formulate a new tourism policy to attract more domestic and international tourists. As part of SPEED (Smart, Proactive, Efficient, and Effective Delivery) review, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy held a meeting with the top officials on tourism projects and asked them to formulate a new policy for the development of more tourist destinations. He also urged the concerned officials to study the tourism policies of other states which are ranked best in the country in attracting tourists, and adopt suitable policies from them for Telangana. The meeting decided to formulate separate policies for the development of temple tourism, eco-tourism, and health tourism. The Chief Minister directed the officials to promote all the ancient temples, historical places, forest areas, and medical facilities in Telangana as the most attractive destinations for tourism. It was decided to use 200 acres of government land to develop health tourism in the natural forest area of the Ananthagiri region. The meeting also discussed setting up a nature wellness centre on the lines of the Jindal Nature Cure Institute in Bangalore. The officials have been asked to consult the representatives of Jindal Company to develop a wellness centre and also invite noted organisations in the field of naturopathy to open their centres in the state. The Chief Minister also asked the officials to prepare plans for the development of a Health City in 1,000 acres of land in the proposed Fourth City of Hyderabad. The government will formulate a new policy so that the companies that come forward to set up their centres here get adequate incentives. The Health City will provide one-stop solution packages for medical services to those coming from different countries. The officials were also instructed to introduce new tourism packages which will include transportation, accommodation and all the necessary facilities for tourists. The Chief Minister asked the forest officials to explore the possibility of establishing safaris in the forest areas of Kawal Tiger Reserve and Amrabad, and also construct cottages for overnight stays at some places. All the suitable areas for tourism will be identified and the officials of Tourism, Endowments and Forest Department will jointly decide projects to be developed on a priority basis. The Chief Minister also announced that a new zoological park will be established outside Hyderabad in an area of about 1,000 acres which will be developed with a variety of animals and birds from different areas. Tourism Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Principal Secretary (Tourism) Vani Prasad, Industries Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Revenue Secretary Sailaja Ramayyar, Endowments Commissioner Hanumantha Rao, Health Secretary Christiana, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dobrial, and other senior officials from various departments attended the meeting. "These results from the Green Heart Louisville Project indicate that trees contribute more to our lives than beauty and shade. They can improve the health of the people living around them." Post this "The Green Heart Louisville Project is an excellent example of how our university's innovative and collaborative researchers are working to improve lives in our community and far beyond," UofL President Kim Schatzel said. "Trees are beautiful, but these results show that the trees around us are also beneficial to individual and community health. Through this and many other projects, the Envirome Institute is improving health at the community level, not just for individuals, but for everyone living in a neighborhood." To understand the state of community's health at the start of the study, researchers took blood, urine, hair and nail samples and documented health data from 745 people living in a four-square-mile area of south Louisville. The researchers also took detailed measurements of tree coverage and levels of air pollution in the area. Following this baseline data collection, the Envirome Institute worked with The Nature Conservancy and a host of local partners and contractors to plant more than 8,000 large trees and shrubs in designated neighborhoods within the project area. Those living in the greened area were considered the treated population and the results obtained from this population were compared with residents of adjacent neighborhoods, where the project team did not plant any trees. After the plantings, the research team reassessed residents' health. They found that those living in the greened area had 13-20% lower levels of a biomarker of general inflammation, a measure called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) than those living in the areas that did not receive any new trees or shrubs. Higher levels of hsCRP are strongly associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease and are an even stronger indicator of heart attack than cholesterol levels. Higher CRP levels also indicate a higher risk of diabetes and certain cancers. A reduction of hsCRP by this percentage corresponds to nearly 10-15% reduction in the risk of heart attacks, cancer or dying from any disease. "These results from the Green Heart Louisville Project indicate that trees contribute more to our lives than beauty and shade. They can improve the health of the people living around them," said Aruni Bhatnagar, director of the Envirome Institute and UofL professor of medicine. "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. 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." As more is known about the health impacts of increased tree cover, increased greening in cities may emerge as a key method to improve public health. "Most of us intuitively understand that nature is good for our health. But scientific research testing, verifying and evaluating this connection is rare," said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist of The Nature Conservancy. "These recent findings from the Green Heart Project build the scientific case for the powerful connections between the health of our planet and the health of all of us." Earlier in August, the Green Heart Louisville Project was awarded an additional $4.6 million in funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to support continued research over the next five years. These findings were presented by Daniel Riggs, UofL assistant professor of environmental medicine, at the 36th Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in Santiago, Chile on Aug. 26. STUDY DETAILS This study is part of the Green Heart Louisville Project, ongoing research to discover how trees and shrubs affect people's health. The neighborhood The project involved a four-square-mile area of South Louisville straddling the Watterson Expressway, including the Taylor-Berry, Jacobs, Hazelwood, Oakdale, Wilder Park and Beechmont neighborhoods. The project team planted trees and shrubs in a central portion of the project area that included Wyandotte Park, which served as the treated area. They planted no trees in the outer areas of the project area. The people Researchers enlisted 745 people living in the project area to participate in the project's ongoing health study. At enrollment, participants were between 25 and 75 years old, 60% female, 77% white and 50% had household income below $50,000 per year. They live in the planted intervention area as well as outside it. Researchers collected participants' blood, urine, nail and hair samples and health information before and after planting the trees and shrubs in the "treatment" area. The trees Between 2019 and 2022, the Green Heart Project planted 8,425 evergreen trees and shrubs of 42 different species from five different families and 630 deciduous trees. Evergreens were pine, cypress, yew, holly and magnolia. Deciduous trees were mainly dogwood, oak and serviceberry. Project team members and BrightView Landscape maintain the trees to promote their survival, growth and sustained impact. The data High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a blood test that measures general inflammation in the body. After the planting, people living in the areas where trees and shrubs were added had 13-20% lower hsCRP levels compared with those living in the areas that did not receive greening from the project. Inflammation as measured by hsCRP is an important risk indicator for heart disease, including stroke, heart attack and coronary artery disease. Previous studies have shown that hsCRP increases with age. The change in hsCRP seen in individuals living in the planted areas was similar to the difference between typical levels in a 42-year-old compared with a 33-year-old. This difference also is similar to the difference between people who exercise regularly and those who do not. Finally, the decrease in hsCRP levels with planting corresponds to a nearly 10-15% reduction in the risk of heart attacks, cancer or dying from any disease. Funding A $3 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supported the health evaluation of community participants and an additional $4.6 million was recently awarded for continuing this research. These grants bring the total investment by the institute to more than $8 million. The Nature Conservancy provided over $8.7 million in funding to support tree planting and maintenance, project management and other key project needs. The project has had an additional $3 million in support from local donors. Recently, $4.6 million in funding was awarded from the NIEHS for continued research over the next five years. Collaborators and community partners Collaborators for this project include the University of Louisville, Washington University in St. Louis, The Nature Conservancy, Hyphae Design Laboratory, the United States Forest Service, Louisville Grows and other partners. Community organizations and resident involvement are vital to the success of this ongoing work to learn the health effects of urban greening. The team is grateful to the residents participating in the health study and those who have allowed tree planting on their property. Media Contact Amanda Carroll, University of Louisville, 5028528582, [email protected], uoflnews.com SOURCE University of Louisville Were attempting to unravel the tangled web of literary influence by talking with the great writers of today about the writers of yesterday who inspired them. This month, we spoke with two authors whose work explores how future generations will cope with the world theyve inherited. Helen Phillips (Hum, The Need) discusses the experimental permission passed down by Italo Calvino, and Lois Lowry (The Giver, Number the Stars) delves into the biographical import of Flannery OConnor. Lois Lowry on Flannery OConnor What about OConnors work appealed to you? In the past, circles of literary criticismparticularly what they used to call the New Criticism out of the University of Chicagotold us we must view literary work in itself without any reference to its author. That's sort of fallen into disfavor, and I think the thing that originally attracted me to Flannery O'Connor is her life and its influence on her work. She died when she was 39 and left a body of work, and I didn't write my first published book until I was forty. So there was a whole period of time when I was being a housewife stirring the spaghetti and tending the children when she was turning out remarkable work, which has stayed with people, not just me. And she always left me, and probably all readers, with questions. In every story, she presented these encounters with profound evil in combat with virtue. But you come away from the story uncertain which is which, even though at first glanceor at first reading, for me, when I was 18 years oldit seemed clear that the guy who murders everybody in the family is the evil. You come away, after reading it many years later, thinking about it a lot more. A Good Man Is Hard to Find is the first of her stories that comes to mind for many people. Do you feel that way? No, not necessarily. Its interesting, because I encountered at a later pointnot in college or graduate schoolher very first published story, which was described as an immature work, and yet I kind of like it almost the best of all of hers. It was called The Geranium, and its a story of displacement. It's about an elderly man who, for whatever reasons, has to go live with his daughter in the city, and he's been a rural guy and so there's that feeling of displacement. The plot is not as complex as her later stories, but what's wonderful about it, particularly given the fact that it was her first published work and she was very youngshe was a student at Iowa when she wrote that storywas that she already had mastered that voice. There she is, living in Iowa and not yet ill, before she goes back to Georgia because of her illness, then she's displaced and she's the outlier. So all these things happen to her which had already happened in many of her stories. You mentioned before that some believe an artists biography shouldnt impact the reading of a work, but its hard not to see the impact of her illness in the darkness of her later stories. I think it did a great deal. Several of the stories relate to her illness. One that I love is called Good Country People. Its one of the ones that has a person with a physical defect. Also, incidentally, she was a master of choosing the names of her characters. Sometimes that can come across as trite and obvious, but I don't think it does in her work. In that particular story the girl is named Joy Hopewell, and I love the man's name: Manly Pointer. Hes the outlier, as happens so often in her stories, who appears from another place, and is not part of the existing condition until he enters it. So here's this girl, Joy Hopewell, whoand this, I think, is relevant to Flannery O'Connor's biographyhas a PhD, but for a number of reasons, one of which is that she only has one leg, she has returned to live with her mother. Poor Flannery O'Connor had to go back to live with her mother, too, and they were very different. In the story, Joy Hopewell is very contemptuous of her mother, and her mother has no respect for the educational honors that her daughter has received, so they're caught in this bad relationship. And then Joy Hopewell changes her nameas Flannery O'Connor didto the ugliest name she can think of, HulgaHulga!which drives her mother crazy. You can see this tension between two people forced together by circumstances, as Flannery O'Connor and her mother were, resentful but having to make it work. We'd like to think of Hulga as the good person, especially once Pointer, the evil man, appears. (Even though she was deeply religious, you know that Flannery O'Connor is going to use a Bible salesman as representing something hypocritical and bad, and indeed, that's what he turns out to be.) But Hulga decides to seduce him and takes him into a barn loft and is very contemptuous of him, of course, because she has a PhD, and he's a 19-year-old, uneducated Bible salesman. She's very proud of being able to climb the ladder into the loft despite her artificial leg, only to find that, during her attempted seduction, he steals her leg. He opens his suitcasewhich does not contain Bibles but pornographic playing cardsputs her leg in there, and leaves her diminished and humiliated in the loft. If thats a story of evil and virtue in conflict, which is which? It raises such interesting questions. Earlier, we were talking about A Good Man Is Hard to Find. The Misfit, a serial murderer, finds himself with this family and kills all of them. In the midst of this slaughter, the grandmother, who is probably the most important figure in the story besides the Misfit himselfso again, weve got good, in the grandma, and evil, in the Misfitsays suddenly, before she is murdered, You're one of my babies. You're one of my own children. Again, you end up with that odd sensation that shes turned the tables on you. Her stories are purported to be about redemption, but who's being redeemed? Helen Phillips on Italo Calvino Several authors have mentioned Calvino as an inspiration over the course of these interviews. Why do you think hes had such a profound impact? Maybe it's best to answer that question from a personal angle. I first read Calvino in my early twentiesit was Invisible Citiesand that gave me permission to think about what a book could be in new ways. That ant his other book that did thatIf On a Winter's Night a Travelerare the most significant for me. Both of those books are really questioning what a narrative can even be. For a young writer, that was so liberating. A narrative doesn't have to go beginning to end. A narrative might be interrupted. A narrative might unfold in fragments. A narrative might occur as a sort of strange accumulation over time. So I think of Calvino as having written these permission booksthey give you permission to experiment with what structure can be. Karl Ove Knausgard said something similar. That there was before reading Calvino, and after. And what's interesting about that is that Calvino seems to have gone on the same journey, because his early writing was much more traditional in form, and when I've read some of his earliest stuff, it's not very exciting to me. But he too went through a revolution in himself of saying, Okay, I can take this premise to an absurd length. He once wrote: I began doing what came most naturally to methat is, following the memory of the things I had loved best since boyhood. Instead of making myself write the book I ought to write, the novel that was expected of me, I conjured up the book I myself would have liked to read, the sort by an unknown writer from another age and another country, discovered in an attic. On a page level, what do you think writers can learn from Calvino? It is tricky, in a sense, because his books are translated and I can't read them in Italian. I do feel that if you were to read any writer in translation, Calvino is the one, because his books themselves are so interested and delighted in the theme of translation. In Invisible Cities, the premise, the bookend device, is that Marco Polo is telling Kublai Khan about the different cities that he's seen in his travels. That does have a basis in history: Marco Polo knew Khan, and at one point, Calvino describes how, because they don't share a language, Marco Polo is actually acting out a lot of these stories that he's telling. So if you had to read someone in translation, Calvino is the one to read. I think he'd be delighted that a text can have different permutations depending on the translation. But what could writers learn from Calvino? I mean there's definitely a lesson structurally in terms of what we can get from a narrative. I often teach Calvino, and the question I always bring up with my students is, if we are not getting narrative in the traditional sense, what are we getting instead? We tend to value traditional narratives a lot, but there's a lot that you can get when you don't have a traditional narrative. For me, one thing Calvino gives is haunting and strange and beautiful images, which are almost more like poetry. There are philosophical ideas and questions. I also find in him a lot of extended metaphors that feel very applicable to my own life, so the books feel wise or helpful to me in a personal way. Like there's one in Invisible Cities in a story called Octavia, about a city that's suspended on spider webs over an abyssSpiderweb Cityand then the last line is, Suspended over the abyss, the life of Octavia's inhabitants is less uncertain than in other cities. They know the net will only last so long. You'd think that in Spiderweb City they would be rife with anxiety, but, in fact, they're more in touch with the fact of the abyss. And sometimes, when I get all caught up in my life I try to remind myself, You know we're all just hanging over an abyss, and I take a weird kind of perverse comfort in that. These interviews have been lightly edited for clarity. Read More Writers Talking Writers Chuck Palahniuk on Ira Levin and Claire Dederer on Laurie Colwin Karl Ove Knausgard on Jorge Luis Borges and Olga Ravn on Doris Lessing Valeria Luiselli on Juan Rulfo and Mauro Javier Cardenas on Leonora Carrington Roxane Gay on Marguerite Duras and Kaveh Akbar on Amos Tutuola Emily St. John Mandel on Irene Nemirovsky and Sarah Rose Etter on Tove Ditlevson Jennifer Egan on Edith Wharton and Jinwoo Chong on John Okada Paul Theroux on George Orwell and Ferdia Lennon on James Joyce China Mieville on Jane Gaskell and Keanu Reeves on Cormac McCarthy The Audio Publishers Association is hosting an International Summit of Audio Publishers on September 10 in New York City. The event, taking place at the New Yorker Hotel, aims to bring together publishers and distributors from diverse international markets to provide a global perspective on the audiobook industry. Michele Cobb, executive director of the APA, has long advocated for a more international focus in the association's work. "This event will provide a unique platform for publishers and distributors from diverse global locations to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest trends in the industry," Cobb said. The one-day conference will feature speakers including Chantal Restivo-Alessi, chief digital officer and CEO of International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers; Winnie Li, senior manager and business development executive at OverDrive; Helena Gustafsson, chief content officer at Storytel; Owen Smith, VP of audiobooks product and technology at Spotify; and Lee Jarit, global head of publisher and partner relations at Audible, among others. The program is structured to offer insights into various aspects of the global audiobook market. A morning session titled "What's Happening in Your Part of the World?" will explore audio trends across different regions, and will be followed by a "fireside chat" with Restivo-Alessi, who will discuss the challenges and opportunities in international audiobook markets, share lessons on "testing new models, fighting piracy, and marketing around the world," and investigate how "different market models and platforms impact consumption" and what audiobook professionals can learn from available data about what listeners want. The afternoon will feature a session with Storytel's Gustafsson, focusing on data-driven decision-making, global expansion, and the controversial topic of AI narration. Spotify's Smith will then discuss how technology can empower authors, publishers, and listeners, with a focus on discovery and recommendations. The day will conclude with a presentation by Audible's Jarit, who will delve into the company's international growth strategies by using their entry into the Brazilian market as a case study. This will be followed by a cocktail reception. The summit comes at a time when the adoption of audiobooks varies significantly across global markets. "Participants can expect to learn about the rapidly evolving landscape of the global audio market through short presentations about the state of the audio business in different marketplaces and languages worldwide," Cobb said. Nokia shot down speculation from a Bloomberg report claiming that it is prepping its mobile unit for a US$10 billion sale for suitors including rival Samsung. In a statement, the Finnish vendor said the it had nothing to announce in regards to the speculations and that no related insider project exists. Nokia added that it is committed to the success of its Mobile Networks business, a highly strategic asset for both Nokia and its customers. It claimed the unit had made significant progress in correcting its cost-bases, and winning new deals and customers. Nokia is focused on ensuring that Mobile Networks is positioned to serve its customers building the best performing networks, investing in its portfolio and creating value for Nokias shareholders, Nokia said in its statement. Mobile Networks contributes a significant portion to Nokia's business. In Q2 2024, Mobile Networks contributed 1.97 billion in revenue a year-on-year plunge of 25%. Gross profit for the division dipped 3% from 877 million in 2023 to 851 million this year. Nokias overall net revenues was 4.46 billion in the quarter an 18% year-on-year drop off. Nokia added in 2023 its financial results were spurred by spending from Indian operators that were ramping up 5G plans. In the original Bloomberg report, sources speaking to publication claimed that Nokia had been speaking to advisors for options for its mobile networks which had for years struggled against rivals Ericsson and Huawei. Sources said Nokia is considering a partial sale, a tie-up with rivals or spinning it off. The unit is valued roughly at $10 billion said the sources. Nokias total market value is around US$24.7 billion, after the news story broke and raised shares by 5.1% to 3.98, reported Bloomberg. Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark said in the vendors Q2 earnings statement that In Mobile Networks the market dynamic remains challenging as operators continue to be cautious. In August, Nokia announced a slew of deals in Argentina, Brazil, Eastern Europe, Ghana and Malaysia. Property details: Looking for a great deal on land in Romania? Look no further than this listing for a homesite lot in Falticeni. With acreage of 500 square meters, this lot is perfect for anyone looking to build a home or engage in other residential development activities. The lot is located on Caporal Popescu Street and is zoned for residential use. The seller is located in Romania and is represented by Nova Sofia Sara Tur SRL. The listing includes the seller's state of residence, type of property, property add... Price: $ 65,450 Seller State of Residence: Romania Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: Caporal Popescu str. Zip/Postal Code: 725200 Zoning: Residential City: Falticeni State/Province: Suceava Location: , Falticeni, Suceava 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 Suceava Property details: Contract is valid for 30 years from the date as First Year of Use, so until 2053. First Year of Use: 1/15/2023Membership level: BlackTotal of Club Nights: 420RCI Annual Exchange Nights: 21,000 Unit: Studio/Junior Suite Black Classification - Max. 4 people. - 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds plus sofa bed - Private bathroom, hair dyer, AC, Satellite TV, telephone, safe, iron, ironing board, minibar You can use the timeshare every year.Maintenance fee 199 USD / year, paid every January.The ownership is ... Price: CAD 10,000 Seller State of Residence: Canada Property Address: P. Xaman - Ha 1, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Type: Beach/Ocean Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 City: Playa Del Carmen State/Province: Ontario Location: M9R ***, Etobicoke, Ontario 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 Ontario Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! On Thursday, Aug. 22 at around 2:24 a.m., Athens-Clarke County Police Department officers discovered an individual who appeared to be under the influence of drugs in the parking lot of the Inn Between The Hedges. The individual was sweating and had small pupils. Reliance Jios parent company, Reliance Industries Limited, is reportedly planning to build AI-ready data centres in Jamnagar as part of the companys overall strategy of democratising access to AI infrastructure. According to ETTelecom, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Thursday that the company will build gigawatt-scale data centres in Jamnagar, in Gujarat province, that will provide affordable access to AI models and services. Reliance also intends to partner with global tech companies to create AI inference facilities across its locations throughout India, which it says will be scaled up as demand grows. Ambani told ETTelecom that by going the partnership route, and leveraging Jios expertise in infrastructure, networking, operations, software, and data, Reliance will be able to create the world's lowest AI inferencing cost right here [in India]. This will make AI applications in India more affordable than anywhere else. Reliance scored a partnership deal in September 2023 with GPU chipmaker Nvidia, under which the two companies plan to build AI infrastructure using Nvidias GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip and its cloud-based AI supercomputing service DGX Cloud. Reliance and Nvidia also aim to develop Indias own foundation large language model (LLM), which will be trained on the countrys diverse languages and tailored for generative AI applications. A few months before that, Reliance formed a joint venture with Digital Realty and Brookfield Infrastructure to develop highly connected scalable data centres in India. In the meantime, Ambani also announced Thursday that Reliance will launch a new AI cloud service starting at the end of October. The Jio AI-Cloud Welcome service will offer affordable cloud data storage and data-powered AI services, with users getting up to 100 GB of free cloud storage, the report said. The deal with Nokia will be signed in San Francisco on Friday morning in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, who is on a 17-day trip to the US to attract fresh investments. IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and his wife Durga Stalin welcomed at San Francisco airport, August 29, 2024, by state Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, India's Consul General in San Francisco K Srikar Reddy and others. Photographs: ANI Photo IMAGE: Stalin receives a warm welcome on his arrival. IMAGE: Stalin with Tamil Americans. IMAGE: Tamil Americans welcome Stalin with gusto. 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 world's largest fixed network testbed in Chennai. This testbed will spearhead Nokia's technological innovations in 10 gigabit (Gb), 25 Gb, 50 Gb, and 100 Gb passive optical networks. The centre, involving an investment of about Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.5 billion), will be one of Nokia's largest research and development laboratories . 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 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, 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 Nadu's 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 state Industies Minister T R B Rajaa. "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," 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 Chennai's strategic importance in Nokia's global operations and underscores the region's 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. Stalin's earlier visits to the UAE, Singapore, Japan, and Spain attracted investment proposals totalling Rs 10,882 crore (Rs 108.82 billion) through 17 memoranda of understanding, which are expected to create over 18,500 jobs. Of those 17 projects, five worth Rs 990 crore (Rs 9.9 billion) 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. At 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 (Rs 594.54 billion) have reportedly been realised. Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/ Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Chetan Patil, the structural consultant named in the FIR registered in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, has been arrested from Kolhapur, police said on Friday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, at Rajkot Fort, in Sindhudurg on December 4, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Patil was taken into custody late on Thursday night and was handed over to the Sindhudurg police for further investigation, said Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit. According to the Sindhudurg police, Patil has been arrested in the case. Patil, a resident of Kolhapur, had claimed on Wednesday that he was not the structural consultant for the project. Speaking to the Marathi news channel ABP Majha, Patil, named in the FIR along with artist Jaydeep Apte, had said that he had submitted the design of the platform to the Indian Navy through the state's Public Works Department (PWD) but had nothing to do with the statue itself. "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 had said. The 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha warrior king, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg on Navy Day (December 4) last year, collapsed around 1 pm on Monday. The incident caused embarrassment to the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led state government and invited criticism and protests from the opposition parties. Shinde said the statue was designed and constructed by the Indian Navy. A hidden camera was allegedly found in the girls washroom of a college hostel in Andhra Pradesh. As the new broke out, a massive protest broke out at the SR Gudlavalleru Engineering College, located at Gudivada in Krishna district. The news comes at a time when the country is witnessing public outrage over the brutal rape and murder a lady doctor at R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata. According to a report in The Times of India, the protest was sparked off by allegations that a final year BTech student was circulating for money the videos of washroom shot with a spycam, with the help of another student. A social media user, posting a video from the protest site on X, wrote, Dear Indians, We need your attention. Andhra Pradesh aint in safe hands. Many girl students came out to protest on Thursday night and started raising slogans like, We want justice, and the protest continued till Friday morning. The police has reached the spot and arrested the student who allegedly circulated the video. Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, two days after he resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha citing dissatisfaction with the party's current style of functioning and facing 'bitter humiliation'. IMAGE: Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi felicitates former state chief minister Champai Soren as he joins the party, in Ranchi on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo The joining of the 67-year-old leader to the BJP is seen as a significant boost for the party's efforts to strengthen its connection with the Scheduled Tribes, a strong support base of the JMM. The veteran politician, who was known to be close to JMM chief Shibu Soren, was visibly emotional after he was welcomed into the saffron fold. "After I was put under surveillance by the Jharkhand government in Delhi and Kolkata, my resolve to join BJP strengthened," he said. Responding to the development, the JMM claimed that despite its ploy, BJP will not succeed in its mission and the next government in Jharkhand will be formed under the leadership of Hemant Soren, the current CM. Soren, along with his son Babulal, crossed over to the saffron party at a ceremony attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, senior leaders Laxmikant Bajpai, Arjun Munda and BJP state president Babulal Marandi in Ranchi. The BJP can save the tribals' identity and check infiltration in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana, Soren said adding that atrocities were committed on tribals during the erstwhile Congress government's regime at the Centre. Alleging that the tribal identity was put 'at stake' by the Congress, Soren said, "I am committed to delivering justice to the people." "I nurtured JMM with my sweat and blood but was humiliated and insulted. I am compelled to join the BJP. I am now proud to be a member of the world's largest political party. I was not in a position to tolerate humiliation and snooping," he said. Soren said he will work as a committed member of the saffron party and would not retire from politics as 'I was embarrassed, and that's why I had decided to retire (from politics). However, because of the love and support of the people of Jharkhand, I decided not to retire from politics'. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the 'corrupt' JMM-led coalition of keeping Chamai Soren under surveillance for the last six months and said a befitting reply awaits the coalition in two months referring to the assembly elections due in the state later this year. Sarma is also the BJP co-in charge for assembly elections in Jharkhand. Union Agriculture Minister Chouhan took a jibe at JMM, saying 'Tiger abhi zinda hai' (Tiger is still alive), apparently referring to the alleged humiliation of Soren and his parting ways with JMM to embrace BJP. Soren is popularly known as the 'Kolhan Tiger'. "Champai Soren had fought a very tough battle for the creation of Jharkhand and it was due to his efforts that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created the state," Chouhan said. Sita Soren, sister-in-law of Hemant Soren who joined the BJP before Lok Sabha polls quitting JMM, accused the ruling party of 'snatching the bow and arrow' which belonged to her late husband Durga Soren and using it to frighten people. A set of a bow and an arrow is the poll symbol of the JMM. Sita Soren in March had joined the BJP accusing JMM of isolating and neglecting her and her family after her husband Durga Soren's demise. Champai Soren was appointed chief minister on February 2, following Hemant Soren's resignation and subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. He left the post on July 3, clearing the way for Hemant Soren to resume office on July 4 after being granted bail. In a letter to party supremo Shibu Soren on Wednesday, Champai said he was compelled to quit after being 'aggrieved by the present style of functioning of the JMM and its policies'. 'I have never imagined that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to make this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle,' he said in the letter. Champai had previously met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to announce his decision to join the BJP. On Tuesday, Champai had asserted that he would be switching sides to save tribal identity and existence, which is 'at stake in the state's Santhal Pargana due to 'rampant' infiltration from Bangladesh'. These intruders are causing economic and social harm to the local people, and if they are not stopped, the existence of 'our society in Santhal Pargana will be in danger', he had claimed. After the Akal Takht on Friday declared Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' -- guilty of religious misconduct -- some leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party as well as rebel Akalis called for the Shiromani Akali Dal chief to step down. IMAGE: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supporters celebrate after holding a press conference in support of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, in Patiala. Photograph: ANI Photo Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang, both of whom are senior spokespersons of the AAP in Punjab, said Badal should resign. Akali rebels Prem Singh Chandumajra and Charanjit Singh Brar also said that keeping in view the Akal Takht's order, Badal should step down. Soon after the Akal Takht declared the SAD president 'tankhaiya' for 'mistakes' committed by his party and the party's government from 2007 to 2017, Badal said he bowed his head and accepted the order. In a post on X in Punjabi, Badal said he would soon appear before the Akal Takht to apologise. Badal had recently appointed senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar as the party's working president. Welcoming the Akal Takht decision, Kang said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had been saying from day one that the SAD under Badal committed not just mistakes but sins. Badal should resign as SAD president on moral grounds, the AAP leader said. Meanwhile, senior SAD leader Daljit Cheema said Sukhbir Badal had earlier also said that he would abide by the directions of the Akal Takht. After a meeting of the five Sikh head priests in Amritsar, the 'jathedar' of the Akal Takht Gyani Raghbir Singh asked Badal to appear before the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs within 15 days to seek an apology for the decisions he took as the deputy chief minister and as SAD chief that deeply harmed the image of the 'Panth' and caused damage to Sikh interests. The members of the Sikh community, who served as ministers in the Akali government from 2007-17, were also directed to appear at the Akal Takht in person to submit their written explanation in 15 days, he said. The Takht 'jathedar' did not give details of the 'mistakes' committed by Badal. But incidents related to the theft of a 'bir (copy)' of the Guru Granth Sahib, putting up of handwritten sacrilegious posters and torn pages of the holy book found scattered at Bargari had taken place in Faridkot in 2015 when the Shiromani Akali Dal was in power. Badal has sought 'unconditional forgiveness' for 'all mistakes' committed when the SAD was in power in Punjab. He had recently submitted his explanation after the 'jathedar' asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the party's rebel leaders who have asked him to step down. In his letter earlier, Badal had said he was a 'humble servant' of the Guru and dedicated to the Guru Granth Sahib and the Akal Takht. The sculptor of the collapsed statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district had submitted to the state Directorate of Arts a six-foot clay model of the same statue as per the procedure, which had been approved by it last year, officials said on Friday. IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar inspects the site where the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapsed, at Malvan in Sindhudurg on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo The directorate grants approval to the statues of iconic personalities if they are found to be carrying the facial and other physical features of those personalities well. The 35-foot statue of the Maratha empire founder, installed at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg's Malvan tehsil and unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December last year, collapsed on Monday. The incident triggered a political row as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) slammed the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government. Following the incident, the police registered a case against the statue's artist Jaydeep Apte and arrested its structural consultant Chetan Patil. An official, who did not wish to be named, said, "A six-foot clay scale model of Shivaji Maharaj's statue (proposed to be installed at Rajkot fort) was submitted by the sculptor for approval as per the procedure set by the state government through a GR issued by the general administration department on May 2, 2017." The directorate issued approval for that scale model on August 7, 2023, he said. As per the Government Resolution (GR), the agency erecting the statue needs to get the directorate's nod and then ensure that the final statue cast in bronze, fibre or any other material is made in accordance with the approved scale model, the official said. "But it is wrong to say that despite the directorate giving its approval to a six-foot high statue, the sculptor made a 35-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj. While giving approval to any statue, the experts at the J J Institute of Arts check the scale model and ensure that it carries the same features of the personality," he said. But the agency or the sculptor are not bound to make the same-size statue after the directorate's approval for a scale model, sources in the directorate said. While giving approval to any statue, experts check the artistic and aesthetic features, they said. "While giving approval to any statue, we ensure that the great personality can be properly identified through its features," an official said, adding that the directorate does not have a role in deciding the material to be used for the final statue. In the wake of the statue collapse incident, the directorate officials demanded the state government to come up with fresh guidelines and make it mandatory for the artists to procure the final approval from it. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the 'era of uninterrupted dialogue' with Pakistan is over even as he noted that India is 'not passive' and whether events take a positive or negative direction, either way New Delhi will react. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaks during the launch of a book in New Delhi. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/X In his address at a book launch in New Delhi, Jaishankar also said for any country in the world, neighbours are 'always a conundrum', and so are 'major powers'. Major powers will be a conundrum because they are major, because of the breadth of their interests. They will always have an agenda, which will overlap with us, but to differing degrees, also diverge, he said. In the case of China, you have a 'double conundrum', because it's a neighbour and a major power. So, the challenges with China fits this double definition, he added. The book Strategic Conundrum: Reshaping India's Foreign Policy by former diplomat Rajiv Sikri talks about India's relationship with its neighbouring countries and the accompanying challenges. Jaishankar also said there is debate in the neighbourhood about SAARC and BIMSTEC, and 'all of you know the difference'. That is a contrast which illustrates some of the challenges and opportunities of 'regionalisation', he said. "The real issue is that of overlapping identities versus forging new ones. So, everywhere there is history at play, but there is politics that often contests history and this in a way is a perennial challenge for India's relationships with all its neighbours," Jaishankar said. On India's relations with Pakistan, he said, "I think the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences, and in so far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think (Article) 370 is done. So, the issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan." "What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or negative direction, either way we will react," he added. On India's ties with Afganistan, Jaishankar said there is actually a 'strong people-to-people relations', at the societal level, adding there is a certain goodwill for India. Even as rains abated in most parts of Gujarat on Friday morning, several towns and villages witnessed water logging due to swollen rivers, officials said. IMAGE: Army's Golden Katar Division flood relief team providing food and medical care to the flood-affected people at Vadodara, Jamnagar and Rajkot, on Friday, August 30, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), only four places in the state received 15 mm to 26 mm of rain between 6 am and 2 pm, while other parts remained dry or received light showers during this period. The India Metrological Department (IMD) has warned that a deep depression over the Kutch region might turn into a cyclonic storm. Due to the phenomenon, Mundra taluka of Kutch district received 26 mm of rainfall, the highest in the state, between 6 am and 2 pm, followed by Veraval of Gir Somnath (18 mm), Dwarka of Devbhumi Dwarka (16 mm), Dantiwada of Banaskantha (15mm) and Anjar taluka of Kutch district (15 mm), the SEOC said. Several parts of Mandvi town of Kutch district remained inundated, and some parts of Bhuj, Anjar and Nakhatrana towns were waterlogged, officials said. Vadodara city, which witnessed a flood-like situation due to the swelling of the Vishwamitri river, is slowly limping back to normalcy as water has receded in most parts of the city, the city civic authorities stated in a release. The river, which was flowing above the danger mark at 37 feet, was at 23.16 feet on Friday, and of 6,073 persons rescued and relocated, 1,610 have returned to their homes, it said. While there was no rain in Kheda district, several parts of Kheda town and nearly 20 villages of the taluka and adjoining Matar taluka were inundated as the Shedhi river was in spate, authorities said. Several houses and shops in the main market area of Kheda town and main roads were still under one foot of water, they said. Kheda collector Amit Prakash Yadav has expressed hope that the situation will improve as the flood water of the Shedhi river eventually goes into the Sabarmati river. In Devbhumi Dwarka district, which received extremely heavy rainfall the last two days, several areas of Dwarka, Okha and Jam Raval town are still inundated, collector GT Pandya said. "We have installed pumps to drain out water from buildings. The overflowing of the Vartu dam is causing waterlogging in Jam Raval and surrounding areas. Fortunately, the flow is decreasing. Of 132 villages that faced power outage till Thursday, electricity has been restored in 111 villages," Pandya said. In Bharuch, nearly ten villages of Jambusar and Amod talukas have remained inundated since Thursday after water from the Dhadhar river entered these areas, Bharuch collector Tushar Sumera said. "Water from Vishwamitri flows into the Dhadhar river, which passes from Jambusar and Amod taluka of Bharuch before meeting the sea. So, the water released from Ajwa dam eventually came into Dhadhar. We have shifted nearly 200 people to safer places. The situation is under control and will improve very soon," Sumera said. Authorities had on Wednesday said that 26 had died in rain-related incidents in the state earlier this week. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses the gathering during the 27th foundation day of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, at Mayor Road, in Kolkata on August 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Banerjee, who wrote to Modi a few days ago on the issue following nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder. Banerjee had on Wednesday said an amendment to existing laws will be passed in the state assembly next week to ensure capital punishment to convicted rapists. Stating that she is yet to receive a reply from the PM on the issue flagged by her, Banerjee wrote that she has, however, received a communication from the Union Women and Child Development minister. Maintaining that the letter by the WCD minister "barely attends the gravity of the issue" raised by her, Banerjee wrote, "The seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply." The CM wrote that 10 exclusive POCSO (Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act) courts have been approved by the state government. She further mentioned that 88 fast-track special courts and 62 POCSO-designated courts are already functioning in West Bengal on state funding. Banerjee wrote that helpline numbers 112 and 1098 are functioning in the state and additionally, Dial-100 is extensively used in emergency situations. WCD Minister Annapurna Devi had on Wednesday said the situation of women in West Bengal has been "deteriorating" and slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for failing to implement central schemes such as fast-track courts and emergency helplines to deal with crimes against women. Devi claimed that the fast-track special courts (FTSCs), which were allocated to West Bengal, are yet to become operational in the state. The WCD minister also said that the state "failed" to implement key emergency helplines -- the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Child Helpline. Kurumbur in gold-loving Tamil Nadu was once a thriving centre for goldsmiths. Today their number is down to two. A Ganesh Nadar finds out why. IMAGE: Armugam in his smithy. Photograph: A Ganesh Nadar My father used to tell me that for my elder sister's marriage in 1970 he bought 100 sovereigns of gold for Rs 20,000. The same amount of gold would cost Rs 50 lakh today. You cannot study to become a goldsmith in school, college or at an ITI. It is a family profession that is handed down from father to son for generations. The goldsmiths of Tamil Nadu worked for the landed gentry and the lucky ones for the kings of yore. Now rising prices and the profusion of jewellery showrooms dominated by chains owned by corporates have pushed goldsmiths to the brink of extinction. A small fire, a small pot to melt the gold, a plate to pour the molten gold to cool. Intricate cutting tools and a hook to hold the boiling pot is all that they need to produce jewels laden with precious stones. I recall in the late 1990s customers arguing about how much glue the goldsmith had used to stick those precious stones which was adding to the weight of gold. A fact that comes to light only when you sell the jewels or melt it down to make new ornaments. Once upon a time there were more than a dozen goldsmiths in Kurumbur, a small town which caters to more than 10 villages in rural Tamil Nadu. It falls in the Thoothukudi district and is on the main road connecting the gateway to the south, Tirunelveli, to the temple town of Thiruchendur, home to the god Murugan. Kurumbur has a railways station at which eight passenger trains and one express train halt on their way to or fro from Chennai. It has a computerised booking centre where you will see crowds at 10 am and 11 am to book an elusive Tatkal ticket and a not so elusive premium tatkal ticket which on a good day can rival an air ticket in price. Kurumbur railway station has historical significance as during the freedom struggle the patriots had set it on fire before escaping to Sri Lanka. Both India and Lanka were under British rule and so one didn't need a passport or visa to go there. From more than a dozen goldsmiths the number of goldsmiths in Kurumbur has now dwindled to two. One of them cannot even pay rent for a shop and so he plies his trade from the first floor of a commercial building on the main road. Armugam has studied up to the 4th standard which his father thought was enough for his trade. His father Veerabahu and his grandfather were also goldsmiths. Armugam has been practising his trade for 51 years. Many years ago he used to work at his uncle's provision stores in Kurla, north east Mumbai, but he did not like it there so came back to join his family trade. Twenty years ago he recalls his trade was flourishing and there was much demand especially during the marriage season. "We are also called for the engagement ceremony where we melt the gold to make the thaali (mangalsutra)," he remembers. "People took us to Chennai and Mumbai for the engagement ceremony, as it was not possible without a goldsmith. It is part of the tradition of Tamil Nadu." "Thank god the jewellery showrooms cannot take that away from us," Arugam adds. Machine-made jewellery and rising gold prices have driven the goldsmith of business. Armugam's son is also a goldsmith. He has studied up to the 10th standard; the boy with dreams of being employed overseas also attended spoken English classes for a few months. But his father insisted on him joining the family trade. Luckily for the son he got a job with the Indian Overseas Bank as an appraiser for gold loans. So he has a steady income that eludes his father even now. "Our business works on trust, people entrust us with huge amounts of money and also gold without any paperwork," he says. Subramaniam, another goldsmith from Kurumbur, now plies an autorickshaw. "My grandfather was a well known and respected goldsmith in this area. My father Sudalai was also a goldsmith but his uncle bought a car and he wanted to learn to drive. Once he learnt he bought a car and started driving a cab as he found it more lucrative than his family profession," says Subramaniam. Subramaniam started off life as a goldsmith. He did not have to pay rent as he occupied half the space in a pawnshop. He would appraise the gold against which the shop owner Yoham Nadar would give a loan. Yoham Nadar soon tired of this business and moved to Chennai to start a cloth shop. Business for Subramaniam was dwindling once the cooperative banks started operations. The nationalised banks had fixed working hours and a fixed number of customers who could avail of a gold loan in a day but the cooperative banks worked round the clock as long as you had the gold and it was of good quality. Subramaniam could not afford the rent so he vacated the shop and set up a workshop at home. The number of orders dwindled further as he was not visible in the market and very few knew his home. Nevertheless he always had work, particularly during the marriage season as he was the only goldsmith in town who could fashion a thaali with only three sovereigns of gold. Subramaniam got married and had two sons, and the rising expenses forced him to drive a cab like his father. Faced with cheaper fares from autorickshaws he sold off the car and bought an autorickshaw. His elder son died young in an electrical accident while working as an electrician. The company paid Subramaniam compensation of Rs 6 lakh with which he bought a house. The company also gave his younger son a job as he had an MBA degree. His next generation was not to be a goldsmith. Bryan Kohbergers attorneys stood in front of Latah County District Judge John Judge on Thursday and argued that biased media coverage surrounding the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students has made it impossible for the suspect to receive a fair trial in Latah County. The prosecution argued that an impartial jury can still be found in Latah County. Judge heard these arguments and will now contemplate what he called professionally, the most difficult decision I ever had to make. Kohbergers defense team, led by Anne Taylor, called witnesses to testify Thursday in support of their argument that Kohbergers trial next summer should be moved to Ada County. They also offered Canyon and Bannock counties as other options. One of those witnesses, Dr. Bryan Edelman, was hired to survey prospective jurors in Latah, Ada, Canyon and Bannock counties. Ada and Canyon counties were chosen for their large population size and Bannock County was chosen for its geographical distance from Latah County. Edelman, a trial consultant from Trial Innovations, is an expert on surveys gauging pretrial publicity of a case. Edelmans surveys questioned people about their awareness of the Kohberger case and their opinion of the defendant. He said that based on his Latah County data, the crime has been seared in the communitys consciousness. This has hurt due process in this case, he said. I think that the presumption of innocence has been undermined, he said. Among his survey results, 67% of people surveyed in Latah County believe Kohberger is guilty. He said 76% lived in Moscow or knew someone who lived in Moscow during the time of the murders. Edelman argued that too many people in Moscow have connections to those involved in the case, too many rumors have been spread about Kohberger and too many feel pressured to convict him. While highlighting how TV and social media have spread speculation about the case, Taylor showed screenshots of Moscow Murders Facebook groups and played a video of TV personality Nancy Grace interviewing Idaho attorney Tara Malek about Kohbergers defense strategy. This was not shown during the livestream of the hearing because Judge was concerned about these examples further adding to the rumors surrounding the case. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson was also concerned by this content, which he called inflammatory. The prosecution team did not cross-examine Edelman. You are the owner of this article. The Czech capital, Prague, is set to host the annual Globsec Forum, marking a significant shift after 18 years in Bratislava. The premier Central European security gathering runs from August 30 to September 1 and brings together political leaders, experts, and policymakers. They will discuss critical global security issues like the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as EU and NATO enlargement. Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue The Taliban's hard-line higher education minister has defended the extremist group's severe restrictions on female education. The Islamist group has barred girls from attending school past the sixth grade and banned women from going to university. In a press conference on August 24, Nida Mohammad Nadim said the Taliban's widely condemned restrictions were "not in conflict with Islam." He added that questioning the Taliban's policies on education were also banned. But that has not stopped senior Afghan clerics from criticizing Nadim and the Taliban's controversial education policies. Mawlana Sibghatullah Mawlawizada, one of the most senior clerics in the western city of Herat, on August 25 challenged Nadim to a public debate. "I urge him to discuss the [religious] legality of [of the ban on] female education in the presence of national and international media," Mawlawizada said in a video message. Nadim has not publicly responded to Mawlawizada. Another leading Afghan cleric, Mawlawi Abdul Sami Ghaznavi, also challenged the Taliban. He said it was the group's "responsibility to create favorable conditions for women's education." Why It's Important: A growing number of Afghan religious scholars are openly challenging the Taliban's restrictions on female education. Even some Afghan clerics working for the Taliban-led government have publicly opposed the bans. They have said there is no justification for banning female education under Islam. Islamic scholars across the world have condemned the Taliban's restrictions. Afghanistan is the only country in the Muslim world where teenage girls and women are banned from receiving an education. What's Next: Despite domestic and international criticism and pressure, the Taliban is unlikely to reverse its education bans. Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban's extremist policies have made its unrecognized government an international pariah. What To Keep An Eye On Protesters in northwestern Pakistan have blocked Torkham, a key border crossing with Afghanistan. The move has concerned Afghan traders who fear a big financial hit. Khan Jan Alakozai, a senior official of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said thousands of trucks transporting fresh Afghan fruits and vegetables have been stranded at the crossing. "If the border is not opened, some traders will lose their businesses altogether while others will incur mourning custom duties," he told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on August 29. Since August 22, members of a Pashtun tribe displaced by a Pakistani military operation have blocked the crossing in protest. Why It's Important: The frequent closures of Torkham and Chaman, another key crossing, have disrupted trade between the two neighbors. In recent years, Islamabad has closed the border crossings after clashes between Pakistani and Taliban border guards. Pakistan has also shuttered the border to pressure the Afghan Taliban to expel the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan extremist group, which is believed to be based in Afghanistan. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org Until next time, Abubakar Siddique If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. 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. This is an untold story about what happened after the 2004 massacre in Beslan, in North Ossetia, which made global headlines as one of the bloodiest moments in Russias battle with Chechen militants. Music teacher Dina Kargiyeva lost her 11-year-old daughter in the chaos that saw some 330 deaths amid a bungled attempt by special forces to free hundreds of children taken hostage in a school. At first, Kargiyeva did not want to live. Later, she tried in vitro fertilization and a surrogate mother but both failed. Finally, aged 44, she adopted a girl who, she says, was her salvation. To mark this weekend's 20th anniversary of the siege, documentary maker Dmitri Beliakov recalls meeting Kargiyeva and tells her story. GENEVA COUNTY-The three-person aircrew on a UH-72 that went down near Hartford in Geneva County Thursday afternoon were transported for medical evaluation with minor injuries reported, according to Fort Novosel Public Information Officer Leslie Herlick. Herlick said Thursday evening that the aviation mishap with a single UH-72 Lakota helicopter occurred around 3:17 p.m. during routine flight training at Highbluff Army Stagefield in Geneva County. First responders and Fort Novosel officials arrived at the location shortly after the incident, Herlick said. The UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter with a single, four-bladed main rotor. Earlier this month, on the same day that Ukrainian lawmakers effectively moved to ban an entire branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, the leader of Bulgaria's Orthodox Church publicly weighed in with a critical opinion on the historic, and controversial, step. The Ukrainian law, Patriarch Daniil said, subjects the Russian church to "serious factual and legal restrictions," amounting to a "discriminatory policy." Daniil's public positions backing the Russian church had already raised eyebrows in Bulgaria. And Daniil is not the only one. Last year, Bulgaria expelled three priests -- two Belarusians and one Russian -- employed by the Russian Orthodox Church, citing national security grounds. In Ukraine, where Russia's all-out war stands at 30 months and counting, Kyiv's move against a branch of the Orthodox Church seen as loyal to Moscow was yet another watershed moment in a decades-long struggle to define Ukraine's Orthodox identity. Some saw it, or outright misconstrued it, as an attack on religious freedom. But in a growing number of other countries, the Russian church is finding it difficult to continue its operations as more authorities turn a critical eye toward its presence -- under the argument that rather than being an exclusively religious, spiritual organization, it is instead an active tool of Russian government soft power. "It has never been a secret that Russia uses the church and Orthodox values as a significant part of its foreign policy," said Vladimir Liparteliani, a scholar at Durham University in Britain who has researched the Russian Orthodox Church, sometimes referred to by the abbreviation ROC. "When a state bans and restricts the influence of the ROC, it is essentially trying to reduce the impact of Russian soft power," he said. "Moreover, for many European states, it is critically important to address this issue because Russian religious and conservative narratives are highly anti-Western and anti-liberal, and their danger should not be underestimated." 'The Kremlin's Calculation' The ROC, the largest and wealthiest single unit among all Eastern Orthodox churches, has for centuries claimed the mantle of the true home of Orthodox Christianity. Its current chief, Patriarch Kirill, is a vocal and visible supporter of President Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine. In September 2022, seven months after the start of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, Kirill told Russian soldiers that "sacrifice in the course of carrying out your military duty washes away all sins." Earlier this year, Kirill declared the Ukraine invasion to be a "holy war." "The more militant the patriarch's rhetoric and the more visible he becomes in Russian propaganda, the more bigoted he looks from the outside and the stronger the centrifugal forces within the church," Ksenia Luchenko, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a commentary last year. "By using force to try to keep the splintering parts of the once unified ROC together, the patriarch is only driving them away." Inside Ukraine, the Russian church has long held sway over one of the largest branches of the fractured Orthodox faith, known until recently as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, or simply UOC. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, a church called the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate emerged, competing for primacy among Ukrainian believers. It also competed with the Moscow Patriarchate church for prime real estate. As tensions built following Russia's seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the Ukrainian churches edged further away from Moscow. In late 2018, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate merged with another, smaller denomination called the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, which had been around since the Bolshevik Revolution a century earlier. The newly merged church was called the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, or OCU. In January 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the spiritual head of all Orthodox Christians, for the first time in history recognized the OCU's independence from Moscow. Under pressure from Kyiv, the UOC formally renounced its ties to Moscow in the wake of the Ukraine war. But Ukrainian lawmakers were unconvinced, and on August 20, passed legislation banning religious organizations linked to the ROC from operating in Ukraine. "Protecting our people from Russian aggression, we must do it together not only on the battlefield, informational, diplomatic, economic, and other spheres but accordingly in the spiritual sphere as well," the head of the Ukrainian church, Metropolitan Epiphany, said in a TV interview following the vote. "Because without spiritual independence from the Kremlin, from the Russian 'evil empire,' we cannot talk about our true independence." Ukraine's move was met with predictable anger in Moscow. In other places, it was framed as an attack on religious liberty. Even the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, criticized the legislation, saying, "I fear for the liberty of those who pray." For some in Ukraine, however, the move was a welcome effort to counter the Moscow-linked church's efforts to sway sympathies of Ukrainians, either overtly or subtly. Tetyana Derkach, a Ukrainian analyst and religious scholar, charged that the Russian church played a role in undermining Ukrainian national sentiments in the wake of the 2014 Maidan public protests, which led to the ouster of the country's pro-Russian president. The Kremlin has repeatedly tried to depict those events not as a public display of anti-government sentiment but rather a coup d'etat. "The Kremlin's calculation that [the UOC] would be able to 'educate' believers into people loyal to Russia was largely justified," Derkach said. "In essence, the UOC was preparing a springboard for people to accept the idea of unifying Ukraine with Russia and restoring the union state." Bulgaria Looks East In Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been under scrutiny for its positions siding with the Russian church, particularly regarding the fight in Ukraine. The church leadership has refused to recognize the 2018 decision that granted the Orthodox Church of Ukraine independence from Moscow. Last year's expulsion of three Russian priests -- who were affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Bulgaria, not the Bulgarian Orthodox Church itself -- had a different dimension. The chief priest who was expelled, Archimandrite Vassian, was kicked out on national security grounds in a decision that appeared to stem from his work in neighboring North Macedonia. Vassian had repeatedly visited North Macedonia "to perform the functions of Russian intelligence with the aim of dividing the Macedonian church," Atanas Atanasov, a lawmaker with the Democratic Bulgaria party, said at the time. The two other Russian Orthodox priests expelled by Bulgaria were Belarusian citizens. One, Yevhen Pavelchuk, served in a secret military unit near Moscow prior to joining the priesthood. He also, according to an investigation by RFE/RL's Belarusian Service, helped found an Orthodox youth club that taught troubled teenagers military skills as well as Russian-centric, nationalist ideas broadly known as "Russian World." After the expulsions, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the main Russian church in the capital, Sofia, would be shut down. Patriarch Daniil, who was elected head of the Bulgarian church in June, publicly criticized the closure of the church and the priests' expulsions and, more recently, the Ukrainian move to criminalize Russian-linked church entities. "Patriarch Daniil has categorically proven himself as a pro-Russian Bulgarian bishop," historian and publicist Goran Blagoev, a Sofia-based historian and commentator, told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. Czechs, Very Much. Georgian, Not So Much. Bulgaria is far from the only country where the Russian Orthodox Church is under growing pressure. In the Czech Republic, authorities have tightened the screws as part of a multiyear campaign to restrict activities of Russian officials and related entities a campaign that gained new momentum after revelations in 2021 that Russian intelligence agents were responsible for blowing up two Czech ammunition depots in 2014. Czech authorities sanctioned Patriarch Kirill last year and have expelled one Russian cleric. Some lawmakers have called on the government to investigate whether Russian churches were involved in "influence operations" in the country. "I do not consider the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to be a church and its representatives to be clergymen," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said earlier this month. "It is part of the Kremlin's repressive machine that is involved in Russia's influence operations." In other countries where local Orthodox churches are considered subservient to Moscow, there have been tangible efforts to weaken ties with the Russian church. In the Baltics, Lithuanian and Latvian Orthodox church authorities, with the backing of political leaders, have moved toward independence, though the Orthodox Christianity's communal organizational structure has made that difficult. By contrast, in Georgia, the situation is quite different. After the 2018 decision by Patriarch Bartholomew granting the Ukrainian church independence from Moscow, three of the world's bigger Orthodox churches that are self-governing -- Greek, Alexandrian, and Cypriot -- recognized the decision. The Georgian Orthodox Church, which is also formally independent of Moscow, was one of the national churches that did not. Georgian scholars said that decision contrasted sharply with a decision in February 2023 to recognize the independence of the Orthodox church in North Macedonia. Fear of angering the Russian church was the main reason for not recognizing the Ukrainian church's independence, Georgian theologian Lela Jejelava said. "The issue of Ukraine has much deeper content," she told RFE/RL's Georgian Service last year. "It's a political issue rather than a canonical one." "We have a purely political subtext," she said. "In this case, the Georgian Church confirms its presence in the orbit of the Russian Church." Correspondents Zmytser Pankavets of RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Gvantsa Nemsadze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service, and Dmitry Gorelov of Current Time contributed to this report. Staying on top of your health is important and Dothan Leisure Services has an upcoming workshop that can help. Dothan Leisure Services and the Alabama Department of Public Health are proud to present the 20th Annual Health and Wellness Workshop. This workshop is a comprehensive full-day event dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the Wiregrass Area. The workshop will feature a variety of educational opportunities through speakers, vendors, demonstrations, and free health screenings. In addition to providing valuable education to the community, this event also serves as a crucial fundraiser for Five Horizons Health Services. Five Horizons offers essential health and wellness services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. With multiple full-service clinics, they provide compassionate medical and behavioral care, social services, and education, even in the most rural areas of South Alabama. Attendees will be treated to a free lunch, available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Health and Wellness Workshop will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Dothan Civic Center. This event is supported by a grant from the Wiregrass Foundation, ensuring its success and impact on the community. Additional support for the event comes from area Health Advocates at Flowers Hospital and Southeast Health. For more information regarding the Health & Wellness Workshop or if youre interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Sophie Skipper at 334.615.3714 or sskipper@dothan.org. Centre to set up 'Matri Van' in about 1 acre of land: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Global Campaign #Plant4Mother on the occasion of World Environment Day Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted saplings at IARI Campus PUSA as a part of the campaign #Plant4Mother campaign. Chouhan informed that the Ministry will set up Matri Van in about 1 acre of land. Minister of State Ramnath Thakur, Secretary DARE & DG ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, around 200 officers/staffs of the Ministry of Agriculture &Farmers Welfare and Rural Development and School students were also present in the event. Advertisement Minister informed that all subordinate offices of DA&FW, ICAR institutions, CAUs, KVKs and SAUs in the country are also organized a similar tree plantation program at their respective places at same time. Chouhan also informed that over 800 institutions under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare participated, and it is expected that between 3000-4000 saplings were planted during the event. Union Minister said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Global Campaign #Plant4Mother on the occasion of World Environment Day, on 5th June 2024 and to ensure the Prime Minister resolution our Ministries started #Plant4Mother campaign as a mass movement. Advertisement Chouhan requested to all officers/ employees and the school student present during the occasion to participating in the movement and to pay their respect to their mother and mother earth by planting trees. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case: Jagdish Tytler Charged with Murder and Rioting The charges against Tytler include Sections 147 (rioting), 109 (abetment), and 302 (murder) of the IPC, among others. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case: In a significant development, Congress leader Jagdish Tytler was charged by a Delhi Court on Friday, August 30, with rioting, abetment, culpable homicide, and unlawful assembly in connection with the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. The Rouse Avenue Court determined that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges against Tytler under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 143, 153A, 188, 149, and 302. These charges stem from a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Advertisement The case involves the killing of three Sikhs and the arson at Gurudwara Pul Bangash in 1984, following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In its May 2023 chargesheet, the CBI accused Tytler of "inciting, instigating, and provoking the mob" that gathered near the Pul Bangash gurdwara on November 1, 1984. In August 2023, a sessions court granted anticipatory bail to Tytler, requiring him to post a personal bond of a1 lakh along with a surety of the same amount. The charges against Tytler include Sections 147 (rioting), 109 (abetment), and 302 (murder) of the IPC, among others. Brampton international students protest news Sudents have been protesting outside St. Clair College and have planned a rally at Algoma University Brampton on August 29. Brampton international students protest news: After nearly seven months, international students, primarily from Punjab, have once again taken to the streets in Brampton, Canada, to protest failing grades affecting around 100 students. The students from St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology, which operates in partnership with the private college Ace Acumen Academy, claim they were unjustly given failing grades. Advertisement The students allege that the motive behind these grades is to extract an "inflated fee" from them to clear the courses. They are particularly distressed because they lack the time to retake exams and balance work alongside their studies. For the past few days, the students have been protesting outside St. Clair College and have planned a rally at Algoma University Brampton on August 29. They have appealed to the Punjabi community for support, as many students and those seeking work permits or permanent residency have already been impacted by recent changes in immigration policy, which have shortened the duration of work permits. Advertisement (For more news apart from Brampton international students protest news, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The 2024 George Enescu International Competition Between August 31 and September 27, Romanias capital city is hosting the 2024 George Enescu International Competition Photo: The George Enescu International Festival Stefan Stoica, 30.08.2024, 14:00 The last day of meteorological summer brings the opening of the George Enescu International Competition, hosted by the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest. Currently in its 19th year, the event is one of the best known and most prestigious competitions in international classical music. For about a month, until September 27, some of the worlds best performers, as well as up-and-coming artists and orchestras, will come together in Bucharest. The event will comprise several competitions for emerging artists, concerts and master classes given by celebrated classical musicians. On Saturday, August 31, the first day of the event, the agenda includes the opening concert and the award gala for the composition section. As of Sunday, September 1, successive competition rounds are scheduled, with some of the most promising young music talents taking part. Three competitions are held: cello, violin and piano. The novelty of the 2024 edition are the master classes. Held between September 23 and 27, they consist in conducting, violin, piano and cello workshops, coordinated by Maestro Cristian Macelaru. The world-acclaimed Romanian artist is, among other things, the musical director of the National Orchestra of France, and of the Cincinnati Symphonic Orchestra. The opening concert, the 3 competition finals, 5 recitals given by jury members and by winners of previous editions, as well as the closing concert, will be aired live by Radio Romania Music. The public broadcaster thus carries on a 66-year long tradition of cooperation with the George Enescu festival and competition. Moreover, the opening and closing concerts can also be heard live on Radio Romania Culture. At the suggestion of Radio Romania Music, the 2024 George Enescu International Competitions opening concert is included in the Euroradio Summer Season, one of the most important projects of the European Broadcasting Union, which airs concerts and recitals from the most important European festivals. Also part of the EBU Summer Season is the recital given by Liviu Prunaru and Valentin Serban on September 13 at the Romanian Athenaeum. Also, during the 2024 George Enescu International Competition Casa Radio Publishers will release an album by the violinist Valentin Serban and the pianist Daria Tudor, as part of the Heirs of Musical Romania collection produced by Radio Romania Music. The George Enescu International Competition was launched in September 1958. Alternating with the George Enescu International Festival, the Competition quickly grew into one of the most valuable events of this kind in Europe, and since 2002 it has been a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. (AMP) Globaltrans Investment Plc (GLTR.L), a provider of rail freight transportation services, on Friday reported a rise in pre-tax income for the first-half, helped by an increased revenue. For the six-month period to June 30, the company posted a profit before tax of RUB25.212 billion, higher than RUB24.714 billion, registered for the same period last year. Net profit, however, slipped to RUB20.106 billion or RUB 112.75 per share from prior year's RUB20.906 billion or RUB117.24 per share. Last year's earnings were helped by a profit of RUB 3.400 billion from the sale of a subsidiary. Operating income stood at RUB22.113 billion as against RUB19.609 billion in 2023. Revenue was RUB55.037 billion, up from previous year's RUB51.972 billion. Globaltrans has also announced termination of its dividend policy. "The company had been actively seeking various solutions to restore dividend payments for an extended period of time. Due to continued technical limitations and various constraints on financial infrastructure, the company does not see the possibility of resuming regular dividend payments to all shareholders in all jurisdictions in the foreseeable future," the company said in a statement. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News To fight the shared challenge of small boat crossings, the United Kingdom and France have agreed to intensify efforts to dismantle human smuggling routes further upstream. This was agreed at a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. They also agreed to increase intelligence sharing between the two countries, separated by English channel. 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. Turning to the fragile situation in the Middle East, Starmer said he was very concerned about the escalation in the West Bank in recent days. The leaders agreed on the urgency of concluding negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, and the importance of pursing a political solution that creates an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, which can provide lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Dynamic Business brings you the key startup fundraising from this week: Woolworths expands investment in Seedlab Australia Retail powerhouse Woolworths has deepened its commitment to food and drink innovation by injecting another $7 million into Seedlab Australia, a startup incubator it has supported since 2021. This latest funding boost follows an initial $4 million investment, enabling Seedlab to help nearly 400 businesses develop and bring new products to market. Peak XV Partners Backs Fintech Shift with $35 Million Series D Indian venture capital firm Peak XV Partners, formerly known as Sequoia Capital India, has reaffirmed its support for the fintech sector by leading a $35 million Series D round for Sydney-based Shift. The fintech company, which offers a range of business credit and payment solutions, previously secured $27 million in a Series C round in February 2023, also led by Peak XV. Shift, initially launched in 2014 as GetCapital, rebranded in 2021. Inform Ag Secures $7 Million Investment Queensland-based farm management tech startup Inform Ag has secured $7 million in its first external funding round, selling a 43% stake to ASX-listed Rural Funds Group (RFF). The strategic investment marks a departure for RFF, traditionally focused on agricultural assets such as cattle and vineyards. The deal includes $5 million in cash and a $2 million convertible debt facility, with options for RFF to increase its stake to 50% over the next two years. Cropify Raises $2 Million in Funding Round South Australian agtech startup Cropify has raised $2 million in a recent funding round, with cornerstone investments from Australian VC Mandalay Venture Partners and Singapore-based Hatcher+. The two firms, contributing a combined $850,000, marked their first joint investment under a new partnership announced this week. Cropify leverages AI technology to innovate in the agriculture sector. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Rhodes University suspends lectures as concern deepens over Makhanda water outages Rhodes University will temporarily suspend part of its academic programme, including formal undergraduate lectures, tutorials, and practicals, on Friday, 30 August 2024, amid severe disruptions to its municipal water supply. The campus has been without municipal water since Friday, 23 August 2024, and the University has had to provide water via tankers to kitchens, residences, academic buildings, and offices. Despite all these efforts, individual hygiene, health, and study conditions are affected and are increasingly at risk. Access to water and sanitation is an internationally recognised human right linked to an acceptable standard of living. Vice Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela expressed serious concern over the outages in Makhanda and the negative impact on students, staff, visitors and the academic programme. Reports connect the current crisis to potential sabotage to support industrial action in the municipality. Water availability in Makhanda is not the cause of the problem. This justifies firm leadership intervention and urgent dispute resolution between the municipality and its employees. The situation will significantly influence the Universitys future action as the institution strives to mitigate risk emanating from such unpredictable actions while strengthening self-sufficiency. The University is the biggest employer and ratepayer in the town. In the interim, the University has procured additional capacity to distribute water on and off campus to meet stakeholders immediate needs. We expect these to come into operation immediately. The situation in Makhanda has begun to reflect an apparent disregard for our students and staff's dignity, well-being, and rights. The University has escalated this matter to the Office of the Provincial Premier, Mr Oscar Mabuyane. The University is calling on all involved parties to consider the long-term consequences of their actions on the viability of Makhanda as a whole. It is unacceptable that the whole community and institutions suffer due to the actionsor inactionof a few that undermine human rights and dignity. In India, Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 is offered in a single variant and three colour options, rivalling Hero Xpulse 200, KTM 250 Adventure Because Suzuki V-Strom SX is not a true blue off-roader, it tilts more towards touring side. Japanese aftermarket motorcycle parts provider Kijima has come up with a unique concept to increase Suzuki V-Strom SX 250s touring appeal. This setup is more geared towards accessories and not a complete makeover. Lets take a look. Kijima Modified Suzuki V-Strom SX Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 is based entirely on the Gixxer 250. It not only shares the same platform with the latter but also borrows several features and also its engine specifications. Ideally suited for both city and highway riding, the SX 250 sees its overall wheelbase extended by 100mm, taking it up to 1,440mm. This is for better stability as compared to the Gixxer. It boasts a taller split seat with a beak inspired by the Suzuki DR-Z Racer. The handlebar is new while foot-pegs have been moved slightly forward for a more upright riding stance. There is a bikini fairing and a tall windscreen for wind protection. These are the attributes that make V-Strom SX a capable tourer. Standard bike from the company misses out on dedicated touring-worthy features and thats where Kijima comes into action. For starters, there is an LED fog light kit with both white light and yellow light support. This aids in safety and visibility as yellow lights still work best in rainy situations and wet roads. Fancy aluminium and carbon composite ORVMs look nice and offer rear visibility. Behind the custom smoked K3 windscreen, there is a 5-inch smart touch display installed on mount bar stay which is powered by the bikes electricals. There are two K3 tactical side bags (13L each with rain covers) with bag supports along with a 30L top box attached to a dedicated box base. There is a custom engine guard too, protecting the heart of the motorcycle in unfavourable events. Specs of stock motorcycle Other than that, we dont see any other changes, staying true to the stock motorcycle, just like Suzuki had visualised. Other notable elements of Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 are 12 liter capacity, LED tail lamp and double barrel exhaust, 19 inch front wheel wrapped with 100/90 tyre and 17 inch rear wheel wrapped with 140/70 tyre, a ground clearance of 205mm and kerb weight of 167 kg. Overall dimensions stand at 2,180 mm length, 880mm width, 1,355mm height and a wheelbase of 1,440mm. There is also a fully digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity and all rider aids such as call and message alerts along with turn-by-turn navigation, missed call alert and caller ID, last parked location, speed exceed warning, etc. There is also a USB charging port and a rear luggage rack as part of standard package Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 also shares its engine with the Gixxer. This includes a 249cc oil-cooled engine that offers 26 bhp of peak power and 22 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike gets dual-channel ABS and suspension that includes telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock. Braking is via single discs on both ends. The engine allows the Suzuki SX 250 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds to hit a top speed of 150 km/h with mileage at 36 km/l. Strategic Collaboration to Focus on Electric SUVs for Indian and Global Markets, Excluding Current Volkswagen and Skoda Models There have been rumours about a strategic joint venture between Mahindra Auto and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL). Now, a new Economic Times report claims that SAVWIPL has reached advanced stages of negotiations to consolidate a 50:50 partnership with Mahindra Auto. Lets take a look. Mahindra Volkswagen Group 50:50 Partnership A wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group Germany, SAVWIPL was reportedly looking forward to sell around 50% of its stake in India business. While the speculation was not officially confirmed, new report reveals a potential 50:50 partnership with Mahindra Auto. This potential joint venture from both these car manufacturers is supposedly in advanced stages of negotiations. This JV seems to have progressed across multiple rounds of virtual and in-person engagements from both companies. This comes a couple of months after Skoda Auto Global CEO, Klaus Zellmer, revealed in Prague, that the company has made great progress in looking for a potential partnership with an Indian auto manufacturer. On record, both Mahindra and Volkswagen have refrained from commenting on this development officially. The report further elaborates that this joint venture between VW and Mahindra will prioritize the development and manufacturing of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) and to some extent, ICE vehicles, for Indian market and exports. SAVWIPLs current portfolio including the mainstream offerings from Skoda and VW along with luxury offerings from other brands in the structure will not be a part of this joint venture. There might be an official announcement regarding the same from Skoda and Mahindra by the end of this calendar year. What does this JV allow? This is not the first time Mahindra has partnered with global brands. Mahindra has had associations with Renault, SsangYong (now KG Mobility), Ford and recently, Volkswagen. Mahindra and Volkswagen partnered up for a supply agreement where VW supplied the former with electric vehicle powertrain components for the INGLO platform underpinning the upcoming XUV.e and BE range of EVs. For SAVWIPL, this partnership could help them achieve a firm footing in worlds 3rd largest car market. Something the company has not managed to achieve on its own, despite being operational here for over two decades. The competition from rival brands along with their cost competitiveness seems to have cornered the brand into looking for a potential partner. With Mahindra, SAVWIPL will be able to share costs, technology, platforms and mainly, risks. For Mahindra, this JV can help them elevate their electric vehicle portfolio and meet their roadmap of achieving a 30% market share in Indias SUV segment. There will be a major boost in Mahindras Electric portfolio with this JV too. Source Fatima Latifova Due to the return of a large number of pilgrims to the country, significant passenger congestion is being observed at Nakhchivan International Airport, Azernews reports. The high volume of passengers has placed considerable additional pressure on Azerbaijan Airlines. However, despite this and the busy summer flight schedule, the national carrier AZAL is taking all necessary measures to transport passengers from Nakhchivan to Baku. AZAL conducted three additional flights yesterday, outside the planned schedule, to transport pilgrims to the capital on the Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku route. Four additional flights have been scheduled for today, which will help expedite the transportation of passengers to Baku. More than 600 pilgrims have already arrived in Baku on AZAL flights. Currently, passengers waiting for their flights at Nakhchivan International Airport are being provided with all necessary amenities. For your information, there is typically high demand for the Baku-Nakhchivan-Baku route during the summer months. To meet this demand, AZAL operates 10-15 flights daily in the Nakhchivan direction. Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, is a viral disease that is endemic in Central and West Africa. It is zoonotic, meaning it can spread between animals and people. It spreads through close physical contact. There are two variants of the virus, Clade I and Clade II. The Clade II variant generally causes a mild illness and most people who become infected recover without treatment. The Clade I variant, however, is more serious. It has a fatality rate of 3 to 4 percent but has been known to kill as many as 10 percent of those infected with it. A global outbreak of Mpox II began in 2022 and continues today. Then, earlier this year, a new form of the deadlier, Mpox I variant emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On August 14, The World Health Organization declared the Mpox I outbreaks, particularly in the DRC, to be a global emergency. Numerous cases of the new variant of the disease have been confirmed among children and adults in more than a dozen countries, including in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, all of them neighbors of the DRC. The Mpox virus is in the same family as smallpox, and smallpox vaccines have been found to be effective against Mpox I. This means that adults, particularly those over the age of 50 who have been vaccinated against smallpox may have some immunity. But that is not true of children and young adults, who make up the largest age groups in sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization anticipates that a sum of $15 million will be required to start the effort to combat Mpox. The United States is stepping up. On August 20, the U.S. government announced that, working through USAID, it will contribute $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts for the clade I Mpox outbreak. This new commitment brings the total U.S. government response to the Mpox I outbreak to more than $55 million. As part of this package, the DRC, which is the most severely affected country, will receive 50,000 doses of Jynneos Mpox vaccine, as well as resources to support vaccine readiness and delivery. The United States remains committed to a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to this growing outbreak, and we call on other donors to join us in these critical efforts. In 2006, following intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701. For the past 18 years, quiet had largely been maintained along the line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights. However, that stability was shattered on the morning of October 8th when Hezbollah initiated a barrage of rocket attacks on Israel, and armed terrorists subsequently infiltrated Israel from across the Blue Line in the aftermath of Hamas's brutal and unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel, said U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations. Hezbollah made the escalatory decision to bombard communities in northern Israel. And for the past 11 months it has done so on nearly a daily basis. It is wrong that this council has yet to condemn Hezbollah for these repeated destabilizing actions, declared Ambassador Wood. Hezbollah's violent attacks put Israeli and Lebanese civilians at risk. They jeopardize Lebanon's stability and sovereignty. Lebanon should not be a haven for terrorist organizations or a launchpad for attacks against Israel. There is no dispute that Iran, in clear violation of the arms embargo in resolution 1701, provides Hezbollah with the majority of the rockets, missiles and drones that are fired at Israel, noted Ambassador Wood. And let's be clear, Israel has a right to defend itself against Hezbollah's attacks. No member of this Council facing a brutal terrorist organization on its border, would tolerate daily attacks and displacement of tens of thousands of its own people. The United States supports Israel's right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability. We do not want to see conflicts intensify and spread, stressed Ambassador Wood. Specifically, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, helps promote stability along the border between Israel and Lebanon. Going forward, said Ambassador Wood, this Council needs to push for resolution 1701s full implementation, including by establishing an area south of the Litani River that is free of any armed personnel, assets or weapons other than those of the Lebanese government and UNIFIL. It is imperative UNIFIL be able to freely monitor and report any actions contrary to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. The extension of the UNIFIL mandate ensures an important pillar of stability in Lebanon remains in place to help secure peace. The impact of inter-group conflict on population dynamics has long been debated, especially for prehistoric and non-state societies. In their work, scientists from the Complexity Science Hub, the University of Washington and the Leibniz-Zentrum fur Archaologie consider that beyond direct battle casualties, conflicts can also create a landscape of fear in which many non-combatants near theatres of conflict abandon their homes and migrate away. Globally, scientists have extensively studied and debated the presence and role of conflicts in prehistory, said Dr. Daniel Kondor, a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub. However, estimating their effects, such as those on population numbers is still difficult. This is even more complicated by potential indirect effects, like people who, out of fear, leave their homes or avoid certain areas. These indirect impacts of conflict could have caused significant, long-term population fluctuations in non-state societies, such as in Neolithic Europe (circa 7,000 to 3,000 BCE). Our model shows that fear of conflict led to population declines in potentially dangerous areas. As a result, people concentrated in safer locations, such as hilltops, where overpopulation could lead to higher mortality and lower fertility. The results from the simulation studies nicely match empirical evidence from archaeological field work, like for instance the Late Neolithic site of Kapellenberg near Frankfurt, dating to around 3700 BCE, added Dr. Detlef Gronenborn, a researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology. Like there, we have many instances of a temporal abandonment of open agricultural land, associated with a retreat of groups to well-defendable locations and considerable investments in large-scale defense systems like ramparts, palisades and ditches. This concentration of people in specific, often well-defended locations could have led to increasing wealth disparities and political structures that justified these differences, said Dr. Peter Turchin, a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub. In that way, indirect effects of conflict might have also played a crucial role in the emergence of larger political units and the rise of early states. To simulate population dynamics in Neolithic Europe, the authors developed a new computational model. To test their model, they utilized a database of archaeological sites, analyzing the number of radiocarbon age-measurements from various locations and time periods, under the assumption that this reflects the scale of human activities, and thus, ultimately, population numbers. This allows us to examine the typical amplitudes and timescales of population growth and decline across Europe. Our goal was for our simulation to reflect these patterns, Dr. Kondor said. For the most complete picture possible, direct collaboration with archaeologists is immensely important. This study is a great example of the potential that such interdisciplinary collaboration can have. The study was published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. _____ Daniel Kondor et al. 2024. Landscape of fear: indirect effects of conflict can account for large-scale population declines in non-state societies. J. R. Soc. Interface 21 (217): 20240210; doi: 10.1098/rsif.2024.0210 This article was adapted from an original release by the Complexity Science Hub. Paleontologists have unearthed a 20-million-year-old fossilized skeleton of a species of the dugongid sirenian mammal Culebratherium with shark and crocodylian bite marks in northwestern Venezuela. The most conspicuous bite marks correspond to deep tooth impacts with dragging effect, concentrated on the animals snout. The researchers interpret these as the result of active predation because of the similarity with those produced when a crocodylian holds or rolls a prey. Additionally, shark bite marks can be observed throughout the Culebratheriums skeleton, also evidenced by the finding of an isolated tiger shark (Galeocerdo aduncus) tooth associated with this skeleton. Our findings add to evidence that suggests the food chain, millions of years ago, behaved in a similar way to the present day, said Dr. Aldo Benites-Palomino, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich. 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. 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 food chain interactions are not scarce in the fossil record, they are mostly represented by fragmentary fossils exhibiting marks of ambiguous significance. Differentiating between marks of active predation and scavenging events is therefore often challenging. 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, Dr. Benites-Palomino said. The dugongid specimen studied by the team was collected from outcrops of the Agua Clara Formation, south of the city of Coro in Venezuela. The fossil was closely related to a species of dugongid sirenian called Culebratherium alemani. 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, said University of Zurichs Professor Marcelo Sanchez-Villagra. 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 were sea cow remains, which are quite peculiar in appearance. By consulting geological maps and examining the sediments at the new locality, we were able to determine the age of the rocks in which the fossils were found. The region is known for evidence of predation on aquatic mammals, and one factor that enabled us to observe such evidence was the excellent preservation of the fossils cortical layer, which is attributed to the fine sediments in which it was embedded. After locating the fossil site, our team organized a paleontological rescue operation, employing extraction techniques with full casing protection. 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. The teams findings were published in the Journal of Verterbrate Paleontology. _____ Aldo Benites-Palomino et al. Trophic interactions of sharks and crocodylians with a sea cow (Sirenia) from the Miocene of Venezuela. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, published online August 28, 2024; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2381505 Shares in data science and marketing company Jaywing were jumping on Friday, as it reported its audited financial results for the year ended 31 March. The AIM-traded firm said that despite a 2.8% decline in overall revenue, it achieved a 13.3% increase in group adjusted EBITDA, reaching 2.16m. Its Australian operations saw a significant improvement in profitability, with adjusted EBITDA there increasing 91.7%, or 107.6% at constant exchange rates, thanks to 17.8% revenue growth, or 28.1% at constant currency. However, the AUD-GBP exchange rate negatively impacted the group's overall results. At constant exchange rates, group revenue was stable compared to the prior year, and group adjusted EBITDA increased 17.7%. In contrast, the UK division experienced a 16.7% decline in adjusted EBITDA, reflecting the challenging economic conditions in the UK marketing sector. Despite those challenges, the company reported a strong pipeline of new business opportunities in both the UK and Australia. Jaywing's AI-based PPC automation tool, Decision, continued to perform well, with 16 clients now using the service, including two in Australia. The company also announced that it would hold a general meeting on 26 September at its Sheffield offices. The group has been undergoing a period of significant change and recovery that started in the financial year ended 31 March, and has continued since, said executive chairman David Beck. The results for the 2024 financial year reflect some of the early progress made, although the full impact of the actions taken to reduce the cost base will not be felt until the current financial year. The Australian division is expected to continue to benefit from a strong market and new business pipeline, with revenue growth expected in the current financial year. Beck said UK market conditions remained challenging, but the UK operation was now leaner, more efficient and able to convert more of its future revenue growth into profit and cash. Changes to our leadership teams and a greater focus on marketing of the group's data and creative skills alongside investments made in client growth, are beginning to make a difference to operational performance. Cash, however, remains very tight and a key focus for management. As the cash savings from recent cost reduction initiatives, combined with the benefit of recent new business wins, begin to impact our profit and loss, we anticipate reaching a more stable cash position in the second half of the current year. At 0947 BST, shares in Jaywing were up 26.22% at 2.84p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. US-listed shares of Birkenstock plunged on Thursday after the German sandal maker underwhelmed investors with a record third-quarter performance, as it narrowly missed consensus forecasts with its top line. The company, which debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last October, reported a 19% year-on-year increase in revenue to 565m for the fiscal third quarter ended 30 June, around 1m shy of analysts' forecasts. Birkenstock said it saw double-digit growth across all business segments, including 15% growth in the Americas, 19% in Europe and 41% in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Adjusted net profit was up 14% on last year at 92m, more or less meeting market forecasts. However, gross profit margins were down 220 basis points at 59.5% due to a production capacity expansion combined with the impact of increase B2B on the revenue mix compared with a year ago. The adjusted EBITDA margin fell 140 basis points to 34.4%. The company reiterated its full-year guidance for revenue growth of 20% and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 30-30.5%. "We achieved the highest quarterly revenue in our history, driven by unbreakable and growing demand across all segments, channels and categories," said chief executive Oliver Reichert. "We remain confident in our ability to deliver on our medium to long-term objectives for mid-to-high teens revenue growth, gross profit margin of 60% and adjusted EBITDA margin of over 30%. The stock was down nearly 14% at $52.31 by 1044 in New York, but still remained around 44% higher since its stock-market debut last year. Bigblu Broadband reported a decline in first-half revenue on Friday, to 11.2m from 13m in the same period last year, reflecting a strategic decision to migrate customers onto higher-value packages. The AIM-traded firm said the move was part of its ongoing effort to focus on more profitable customer segments, even as overall revenue decreased 8% compared to the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the period was 1.1m, down from 1.5m in the first half of 2023, although on a constant currency basis, EBITDA remained stable due to cost realignments following the customer migrations. The company said its cash flow was impacted by significant investments, resulting in an adjusted free cash outflow of 4.5m. That was largely due to planned stock investment in a new contract with low-earth orbit satellite broadband giant Starlink, as well as additional working capital requirements associated with the transition to a new systems platform. As a result, Bigblus net debt increased to 4.9m, compared to 0.3m in the first half of 2023. In its Australian operations, Bigblu continued to strengthen its market position through Skymesh, which remained the leading satellite broadband provider in the country. The introduction of 5G and LEO satellite technologies, particularly through the companys partnership with Starlink, was expected to accelerate the uptake of non-fibre broadband services in Australia. Skymesh saw a modest increase in its customer base, growing by 0.7k to 52.3k unique customers, as the company successfully integrated a new cloud-based system, Pathfinder, which consolidated multiple customer accounts into single billable services. Bigblu retained a 2.8% stake in Quickline Communications, a UK-based broadband provider that had secured significant new business under the UK government's 5bn Project Gigabit programme. Quickline successfully won all four contracts it tendered for, which would subsidise the rollout of a full fibre network to over 170,000 rural homes and businesses. That initiative, supported by a 250m debt facility and additional private investment, would extend Quicklines reach to about 400,000 premises, further enhancing its market position. As part of its strategic refocus, Bigblu completed the disposal of its Norwegian operations in May 2023 through a management buy out (MBO). That move allowed the company to concentrate on its core Australian business, while also reducing annualised central costs by around 0.4m. Following the disposal, Andrew Walwyn resigned as executive CEO, with Frank Waters assuming the role of CEO of the public company. Ray Vaughan joined as chief financial officer for the Australian operations, focusing on the financial management of Skymesh. The overall performance of the group is in line with the board's expectations for the first half as we focus exclusively on the Australian business, said chief executive officer Frank Waters. Skymesh is a leading regional brand champion; the business has undergone significant change with new systems, new branding, new products and importantly new local leadership. Having incurred this investment, the group will look to capitalise on Skymesh's already strong reputation in remote and regional areas by executing our brand strategy, and with a relentless focus on reliability and excellence in customer service and support. Waters said the company would also continue to broaden the Skymesh product offering and solutions as appropriate with its network partners to its existing and new Australian customers, adding that its agreement with Starlink was an excellent step in that direction. The board believes that its strategy of organic growth complemented by further product launches should accelerate the company's presence across Australia with the potential to achieve 80,000 customers over the next three years. Furthermore, the board continues to assess all options to realise value and returns for shareholders, including a private equity transaction, an MBO, trade sale or an ASX listing of SkyMesh, as previously announced. At 0946 BST, shares in Bigblu Broadband were up 1.82% at 28p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Ryanair has announced on that one of its non-executive directors has resigned after just six months on the board due to a potential conflict of interest in the coming months. Roberta Neri is currently an operating partner at Spanish investment fund Asterion Industrial Partners, which recently announced plans to invest in a number of large Italian airports starting in October. Ryanair said it is one of the main customer airlines operating to and from many of these airports, and so "to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest" Neri has decided to step down at the start of September. Neri, an Italian national and former head of Italian air navigation services provider ENAV, only joined the airline's board in February. "Ms Neri has advised the board that she does not feel it would be appropriate to continue as a NED of Ryanair while at the same time holding her operating partner role with an investment fund which owns a significant stake in a number of these Italian airports," the company said in a statement. Commenting on the issue, Ryanair chair Stan McCarthy highlighted that there was no conflict of interest when Neri's appointment was made. "We agree with Roberta's view on the importance of avoiding any appearance of conflict of interest and in these circumstances, we accept, with regret, Roberta's decision to step down," he said. STV Group announced the appointment of Rufus Radcliffe as its new chief executive officer on Friday, effective 1 November. The London-listed broadcaster said Radcliffe would join the board and take over from Simon Pitts, who was stepping down on 31 October. Radcliffe was joining STV from ITV, where he served most recently as managing director of streaming, interactive and data until April. During his 13-year tenure at ITV, Radcliffe played a significant role in the company's digital transformation, notably spearheading the development and launch of the ITVX streaming service in December 2022. He also led ITV's interactive business and was instrumental in shaping the group-wide data strategy. Before his leadership in streaming, Radcliffe served as ITV's chief marketing officer, where he oversaw direct-to-consumer operations and led the marketing launch of BritBox. His career at ITV also included a stint as group marketing and research director. The board is delighted to welcome Rufus to lead STV following a competitive selection process involving some of the best leadership talent in the UK media industry, said chair Paul Reynolds. We now embark on the next phase of STV's exciting growth journey as a digital first, content-led business and Rufus brings with him a rare breadth of strategic and operational expertise from his previous significant industry roles. We very much look forward to working with him. Prior to joining ITV, Radcliffe worked at Channel 4 for nine years, eventually becoming controller of marketing. During his time there, he contributed to the launch of E4 and the network's first streaming service, 4OD. Radcliffe's appointment followed Simon Pitts' decision to step down, as announced in March. STV is a great brand with an enviable track record of making high quality, must-watch content and has a strong relationship with viewers and advertisers, commented Rufus Radcliffe. I'm thrilled to be joining and cannot wait to work with everyone at STV to build on the tremendous success and growth of the past few years. At 0810 BST, shares in STV Group were up 3.88% at 268p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. A series of weekend strikes by train drivers on LNER from Saturday has been called off, their trade union Aslef has announced. Passengers travelling between London and Edinburgh had faced the prospect of months of disruption after LNER drivers earlier this month announced 22 days of industrial action from the start of September until early November. On Thursday, Aslef said drivers had reached a resolution with LNER regarding the breaking of agreements. Guardian Britains biggest mortgage provider is increasing the maximum sums it is willing to lend first-time buyers in a 2bn move that experts say will bring home ownership within the reach of more people but could further increase house prices. Lloyds Banking Groups decision to let people borrow more means those who meet the criteria may be able to buy a property they might have assumed was well out of their price range. Guardian A British plane engine company dubbed the heir to Concorde has seen more than 200m wiped off its value by a major investor as it struggles to raise funding. Schroders cut the value of its stake in Reaction Engines by 87pc, the fund manager said. It suggested that slow revenue growth meant the Oxfordshire company would need more time to break even. Reaction Engines has secured investment from Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and the Government. Telegraph 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. Telegraph A British driverless car company has received a significant vote of confidence in the form of an investment by Uber. Wayve, one of Londons leading artificial intelligence start-ups, announced the funding, which is understood to be less than $100 million, alongside a partnership with the American ride-hailing company that aims to get their technology taken on by car manufacturers. The Times Confidence among British businesses held steady at an eight-year high this month, led by construction companies that have been boosted by the Labour governments ambition to increase housebuilding. The latest Lloyds Bank business barometer, a monthly survey of business sentiment, maintained its 50 per cent reading in August, keeping confidence at the highest level since November 2015. The index is well above the long-term average of 29 per cent. The Times Property stocks were on the rise, with LondonMetric, Land Securities and Segro all up. Luxury fashion brand Burberry was under the cosh ahead of its expected demotion from the top-flight index. Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: "A slowdown in consumer demand for luxury goods has weighed on the sector, with Chinese consumers particularly notable by their absence. Burberry grabbed the headlines in July for the wrong reasons, bringing forward its first quarter update amid some developments which came as a shock to investors. "An immediate change of the chief executive was accompanied by a suspension of the dividend on the back of what the company itself described as a disappointing start to the year. Indeed, if the current levels of trading persist, the group could slip to an operating loss in the first half of the year. "The shares have declined by 51% in the year to date and by 68% over the last year, leaving the group at number 144 in the overall market capitalisation rankings, where anything below 110 spells automatic relegation. The demise will see Burberry lose its FTSE 100 status after a run which stretches back to 2009, with a turnaround strategy not yet obviously in place." Budget airline easyJet was also down amid the prospect of demotion in the next quarterly reshuffle next week. FTSE 100 - Risers LondonMetric Property (LMP) 204.40p 2.77% Land Securities Group (LAND) 629.50p 2.03% SEGRO (SGRO) 875.80p 1.81% Vistry Group (VTY) 1,369.00p 1.78% Severn Trent (SVT) 2,575.00p 1.70% Unite Group (UTG) 961.00p 1.69% Entain (ENT) 642.20p 1.61% Haleon (HLN) 383.30p 1.35% Barratt Developments (BDEV) 508.20p 1.19% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 293.60p 1.17% FTSE 100 - Fallers Smith (DS) (SMDS) 466.00p -1.48% Burberry Group (BRBY) 665.80p -1.48% Whitbread (WTB) 2,896.00p -1.40% easyJet (EZJ) 472.70p -1.36% Relx plc (REL) 3,533.00p -1.26% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 7,560.00p -0.97% Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) 2,144.00p -0.83% BP (BP.) 431.90p -0.66% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 497.00p -0.64% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,481.00p -0.60% 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. ELKO Elko police are again warning residents of what have become known as warrant scams. Lt. Rick Moore said on Thursday police have received recent reports of these scams. The scammer has called the victim representing themselves as law enforcement claiming that the victim has a warrant out for their arrest, Moore said. The victim is then directed to Coinstar, or to purchase gift cards that would cancel the warrant. He said in an interview in the most recent case, a person was conned out of $800 when they were directed to a Coinstar machine to purchase digital currency to transfer, presumably to authorities. Rather, the digital currency like Bitcoin is wired to a person or group, often overseas. Theyre good, Moore said. Thats why they call it confidence or con for good reason. He said law enforcement will not contact a person by telephone to inform them they have a warrant, and he said theyd never direct someone to buy gift cards or go to a Coinstar machine to resolve an arrest warrant. If someone contacts you via telephone representing themselves as law enforcement and you are not certain of who they are, inform them that you will contact them back through a law enforcement dispatch center or through their office, he said. There have been reports of warrant scams going back to 2014, Elko Daily Free Press archives show. Police and other law enforcement agencies from Pennsylvania to California have been warning of similar warrant scams in recent months. And in June, the Elko County Sheriffs Office issued a similar warning. The scammers are contacting individuals stating they have a warrant for missing jury duty, and they need to pay the fine in the form of gift cards or bitcoin, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Please help us spread the word so no one falls victim to this scam. Moore said those who think they may have been a victim of this scam and want advice can call the Elko Police Department for answers to questions they have. He said residents can call Elko Dispatch on the non-emergency line at 775-777-7300 or the Elko Police Department at 775-777-7310. Poet and author Hettie Jones, who with her husband, LeRoi Jones (who later became the poet and playwright Amiri Baraka), "made her household a hub for Beat writers and other artists--but who was often described as a footnote in the rise of her famous spouse as 'the white wife' he disavowed,' " died August 13, the New York Times reported. She was 90. The author of 20 books, many of them works for children and young adults that focused on Black and Native American themes, her works include Big Star Fallin' Mama: Five Women in Black Music (1974); poetry collections Drive (1997), All Told (2003), and Doing 70 (2007). She also co-authored No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley, a memoir for Rita Marley, widow of Bob Marley. After dropping out of graduate school at Columbia University to work at the Record Changer, a jazz magazine, she met the young poet LeRoi Jones and they fell in love. In 1958, they started a literary magazine called Yugen--a Japanese word that, the table of contents noted, translated to "elegance, beauty, grace, transcendence of these things, and also nothing at all." Beat heroes like Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Diane di Prima, and Jack Kerouac were among the contributors, along with Frank O'Hara and Robert Creeley. They also launched Totem Press to publish books of poetry by new writers when they were both 23. In her 1990 memoir, How I Became Hettie Jones, she wrote: "I thought there'd be no stopping us." Their apartment was a hub and sanctuary for artist friends, who often stayed with them for months at a time or gathered to help put together issues of the magazine. In the early 1960s, however, as LeRoi Jones's fame increased and as his affairs multiplied, the marriage suffered. "He was also undergoing an ideological transition, caught up in the Black nationalist movement and its often harsh identity politics," the Times wrote. "A few months after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, he left Ms. Jones and their two young daughters for Harlem; he later moved to Newark, where he became Amiri Baraka, married the Black poet Sylvia Robinson and disavowed his former life." "Hettie and LeRoi seemed to be so perfectly attuned to one another," said author Joyce Johnson, whose memoir Minor Characters (1983) includes a scene in which she and Hettie Jones came of age. "Another woman would have been bitter, but she came to an understanding of why he left. She was remarkable. The last time we spoke about it, Hettie said, 'Well, it was a necessary consolidation of identity.' She was referring not only to LeRoi's abandonment of her, but of the integrated arts scene they had been a part of, which had looked so hopeful for a time." "Her default setting was joy," Lisa Jones Brown, her daughter, said. "She was the patron saint of lost children of all persuasions. Our favorite nickname for her was 'Mother of the Masses.' " Hettie Jones worked as an editor at Partisan Review, and later for a several publishers. She taught writing at New York University, the New School, Hunter College, and other institutions; and ran a writing workshop at the New York State Correctional Facility for Women at Bedford Hills. "Her poems are playful," the poet Bob Holman, founder of the Bowery Poetry Club, said in an interview. "She's not afraid of rhyme, she's not afraid of direct address--for Hettie, poetry was just another way of talking to people." Indian benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, were expected to open positively following the release of strong US GDP figures that eased recession concerns among investors. The GIFT Nifty, trading at 25,286, indicated a higher start, surpassing Nifty futures which were at 25,265. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets showed gains on Friday as the US economic data alleviated recession fears. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 saw a slight increase, and the Topix rose by 0.23 percent. South Korea's Kospi advanced by 0.55 percent in early trading, with the Kosdaq up by 0.74 percent. Reliance Industries: Reliance Industries held its 47th annual general meeting (AGM) on August 29. During the meeting, the company outlined its ambitious growth strategy and emphasis on emerging technologies like AI. Chairman Mukesh Ambani stated that Reliance Group is on course to more than double its size by the end of this decade and accelerate its growth in the years to come. Tata Steel: On August 29, Tata Steel announced the acquisition of a 26 percent equity stake in TP Parivart Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy, by purchasing 13,000 equity shares for Rs 1.3 lakh. LIC: LIC said it has received a demand order for GST, interest, and a penalty of nearly Rs 606 crore for FY20 for Maharashtra due to wrong availment and short reversal of ITC and interest on late payments. Shipping Corporation of India: The Shipping Corporation of India has reported receiving a GST demand and a penalty totaling Rs 160.37 crore for FY20, according to an exchange filing. The company is currently preparing to file an appeal with the Joint Commissioner of State Tax and anticipates a favorable resolution. NTPC: NTPC announced that the initial 160 MW segment of its 320 MW Bhainsara solar PV project in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, managed by NTPC REL, a subsidiary of NTPC, commenced commercial operations on August 28. ITI: In an exchmage filing on August 29, the company has secured its first electronic voting machine (EVM) order from the State Election Commission (SEC) of West Bengal for the supply of 500 sets of electronic voting machines. SpiceJet: On Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed immediate enhanced surveillance on SpiceJet after a special audit by the aviation regulator uncovered several deficiencies within the airline. Jai Corp: Jai Corp's board of directors has authorized a share buyback of up to 29,44,415 shares, representing 1.65% of the total equity, with a maximum expenditure of Rs 117.78 crore. The buyback will occur at a price of Rs 400 per share, and the record date has been set for September 10. Lemon Tree Hotels: Lemon Tree Hotels has announced in its exchange filing that it has entered into a licensing agreement for Lemon Tree Hotels in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The property will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, and is projected to open in FY26. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum has unveiled the third edition of the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit, set to take place on September 9-10, 2024. This event is organized in collaboration with Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution. The summit's theme is "Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defense Innovation Ecosystems". It will focus on the critical role of private capital in advancing the defence innovation sector. Sharing a post on X, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum said, "Strengthening US-India defence innovation! We're thrilled to announce the 3rd edition of the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit in collaboration with Stanford's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and the Hoover Institution". The summit will witness top defence policymakers from Washington and New Delhi to boost relationships in defence innovation. "The summit will bring together leading defence policymakers from Washington and New Delhi to strengthen advanced technology partnerships in defence innovation", the post said. The post further said, "The summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions with leaders from both the private and the public sectors touching on themes along the lines of strengthening defence advance technology partnerships, funding defence innovation, and resilient supply chains". STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In connection with International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, Aug. 31, advocacy groups are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase access to resources, funding and other support for emergency efforts to save people poisoned by fentanyl and other opioids. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, speaking on behalf of the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force, repeated his request that the governor declare a state of emergency to tackle the overdoses crisis on our borough and throughout New York State. As we prepare to recognize National Overdose Awareness Day this Saturday, now more than ever it is vital that our elected leaders put politics aside and come together to address this national tragedy and emergency with the bold, resolute, and swift public policy response it deserves, McMahon said in a statement issued to the Advance/SILive.com. The time to act is yesterday. In a separate initiative, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA) is among 27 groups that signed a letter of recommendations sent to sent to Hochul and 19 other governors. The suggestions are prompted by the synthetic opioid overdose crisis sweeping the country, according to the advocates. Todays opioid crisis demands we specifically address fentanyl-related overdoses, says Mary Bono, chairwoman and CEO of MAPDA. As a mother, former congresswoman, and an advocate, I have witnessed the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic and have seen the destruction it has caused countless communities across the country. With International Overdose Awareness Day approaching, we are reminded of the urgent need to address this crisis and provide communities with all FDA-approved reversal agents. Every day, more than 200 people are dying due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl in the United States, the MAPDA letter said. Opioid overdoses know no bounds and often impact the most vulnerable. The increased lethality of synthetic opioids exacerbates these dangers, and the cost of lives is stark. A person dies of an overdose every three hours in New York City, with 3,026 confirmed deaths in 2022 accounting for nearly half of those fatalities in the state, according to the most recent statistics available from the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. An estimated 6,358 people died statewide of drug overdoses in that same year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). McMahon called the overdose crisis a five-alarm fire and the crisis of our lifetimes that claimed the lives of over 150 Staten Islanders last year. A small ray of hope emerged in May when the CDC revealed that there was a potential 3% dip in deaths from drug overdoses nationwide last year. An estimated 107,543 people died on drug overdoses in the United States in 2023, down from 111,029 deaths estimated in 2022. This is the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018, the CDC said in May. The majority of fatal overdoses nationwide have been linked to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. McMahon said that the time is long overdue for all levels of government - federal, state, and local to prioritize this public safety and health crisis. While millions of dollars have already been allocated to improve and expand access to treatment, education, and prevention services for New Yorkers in the throes of addiction, more must be done to enhance the ability of my borough and communities across New York State to beat back this deadly scourge. The work of the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force and the policy recommendations included in its final report provides our legislators and partners in government with the blueprint to do just that. The MAPDA letter was sent to Hochul and governors of 19 other states that do not provide full access to FDA-approved medications that could reverse overdoses from opioids, according to advocates. The missive makes the following recommendations to the governors: Improve access to innovation by opening state Standing Orders to ensure access to all overdose reversal agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Publish action plans for distributions of State Opioid Response Grants to ensure transparency and further support communities; Prioritize data modernization initiatives that improve collection of statistics regarding overdoses; Offer regular training and update protocols for law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other first responders; Implement or update overdose education-and-awareness campaigns to include message relevant to synthetic opioids. Without the most effective resources, more Americans will die unnecessarily from fentanyl, the MAPDA letter said. We need to equip communities to respond and call on our governors and all elected officials to act now to ensure every tool in the fentanyl overdose and opioid epidemic toolkit is put to use. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our children, neighbors, friends and co-workers. The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Amid what state officials describe as a steadfast focus on a more diverse and inclusive workforce, the Court Officers Academy this month graduated the largest, most diverse class on record. In a press release sent out Wednesday by the Office of Court Administration (OCA), officials touted a new group of officers whom hail from a wide-range of personal and professional backgrounds. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A West Brighton man stands accused of stealing over $1,000 worth of products from a popular clothing store in New Springville. On Aug. 23 at around 11:45 a.m., Armando Avecilla, 58, entered Zara at the Staten Island Mall at 2655 Richmond Ave., an NYPD spokesman stated. Avecilla, a resident of the 100 block of Campbell Avenue, removed shoes, a handbag and other items worth approximately $1,160 without paying, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Richmond County District Attorneys Office. Avecilla was seen on surveillance video placing the valuables in his bag and removing the items from the store without stopping at the cash register, the complaint alleges. No injuries were reported, according to police. Avecillas defense attorney did not immediately respond to request for comment. A crime crackdown NYPD officials have been cracking down on shoplifting on Staten Island since 2023. Recently, Assistant Chief Joseph Gulotta, the NYPD borough commander, explained how the Retail Theft Task Force has been working to build relationships with merchants to share information about shoplifters and ultimately help curtail theft during a recent tour of the Staten Island Mall with NBC 4 New York. Getting to the stores has been tremendous for us, said Gulotta. This has been so effective that we are going to keep going. According to Gulotta, stealing is a public safety issue that affects all Staten Islanders, not just business owners. If you go buy a dress; go back-to-school shopping; or pick up a prescription, and you see someone walking in and taking thousands of dollars worth of items and walking out, that is a public safety issue, explained Gulotta. Youre not going to feel safe in your own community. Instances of grand larcenies The NYPDs CompStat database indicates that this was one of 24 grand larcenies that occurred on Staten Island between Aug. 19 and 25. For the year, grand larcenies are down 4% on Staten Island. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying six individuals wanted for questioning in connection to the alleged assault of a 76-year-old man in Brooklyn, who was bashed in the head with a Razor scooter at a subway station. It was reported to police that on Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 2:10 a.m., a male victim was on the platform of the Rockaway Avenue subway station in Bedford Stuyvesant when he was allegedly approached by six female individuals. As the victim sat on the bench, five of the females allegedly began punching and kicking him in the head. One of the individuals then allegedly struck him in the head with the scooter, a spokesperson for the NYPD Deputy Commissioner or Public Information said. The individuals fled the station in an unknown direction, while the victim was transported to an area hospital in stable condition, police said. 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. A Jamaican teenager is believed to be the victim of a brutal shark attack after the boys headless body was recovered by divers this week. The body of Jahmari Reid, 16, was pulled from the water off Jamaicas north coast. The body, which was badly mutilated and also missing its left arm, was found in the vicinity of a lurking tiger shark. A Yahoo! News report noted that divers shot at the predator in an attempt to recover the severed head, but were unsuccessful. Reids body was discovered in the town of Falmouth, not far from his home in Trelawny. Falmouth is less than an hours ride from the popular resort city Montego Bay. The high schooler was reportedly an avid spear fisherman, who ventured out to sea by himself to pursue his hobby. When he did not return, a dive team was dispatched. A day later, his body was pulled from the water and brought to his father, Michael, on the beach. 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. The boys mother, Lavern Robinson, was equally distraught. Right now [I] dont know what to say. Jahmari has been going to [the] sea [since he was] small, she said. The Yahoo! News report acknowledged that the community was determined to locate the suspected tiger shark and kill it. Shark attacks in Jamaica, however, are extremely rare. The report noted that local fishing guide Fritz Christie said it is the first time in recent history that a person has been killed by a shark in Jamaican waters. Christie suggested the shark may have followed a cruise ship into Falmouth Bay and then stayed in the area. According to the International Shark Attack file, only three shark attacks have been reported off the coast of Jamaica since 1749. Vietnam earned 77.4 billion USD from electronics exports as of August 15, rising 20% year on year. (Photo: VNA) As of August 15, Vietnam recorded 244.41 billion USD in total overseas shipments, rising 16% year on year. The revenue includes 77.4 billion USD from electronics exports, up 20%, helping this industry maintain its status as a leading foreign currency earner. In particular, computers, computer devices, electronic products, and components brought home 42.59 billion USD while phones and components 33.8 billion USD, respectively increasing 30% and 11% from a year earlier, statistics show. Do Thi Thuy Duong, member of the executive committee of the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association, said electronics export became stagnant last year with a turnover of about 110 billion USD due to impacts of global economic recession and the shortage of orders, but the situation has improved in 2024. As electronic products and components make up an increasing proportion of total exports, their performance considerably affects overall export growth. During 2011 -2023, they posted an average growth rate of 23.8%. Illustrative photo (Source: Internet) This result is attributed to foreign invested businesses. Up to 99% of the industrys total exports come from those firms, including large investors like Samsung, LG, Intel, and Apple. Big investments from electronic giants have helped rapidly expand Vietnams smartphone market share globally to 13%, the second largest after China. In its Investment Outlook for the second half of 2024, HSBC forecast Vietnams economic growth will remain on the recovery track in H2, driven by the global electronics cycle. Signs of manufacturing and export recovery are being sustained as seen in the spending of foreign currencies on importing machinery, equipment, and some key commodities to serve export. Electronics imports reached 64.15 billion USD as of August 15, rising nearly 29% year on year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The countrys manufacturing industries have bounced back since the mid-year thanks to a surge in new orders. The increased import of computers, electronic devices, and components is an indicator of abundant export orders, the Ministry of Industry and Trade explained. If monthly exports are kept at 11.5 billion USD, overseas shipments of electronics are believed to yield 51.8 - 52.5 billion USD during the remaining months to raise this years figure to 130 billion USD and even higher. Vietnam among top destinations attracting Indian tourists to return Vietnam is among the top favourite destinations of Indian travellers who wish to return, reported Vietnam News Agency based on a survey by the online travel platform Agoda. Indian tourists visit Trang An Eco-tourism Area in Ninh Binh province (Photo: VNA) The "Return Visitor Ranking" survey of Agoda found 67 % of the Indian travelers surveyed said they want to come back to their favourite destinations for their cuisine, ease of travel, and affordability. Up to 58% of repeat travellers have visited favourite destinations between one to three times in the past decade, the survey found. According to Krisha Rathi, Agoda's Director for South Asia and the Maldives, this ranking indicates that for Indian travelers, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali (Indonesia) are not only destinations but also experiences they are eager to repeat. The survey also highlights the importance of hospitality, with three out of every 10 Indian travelers noting that friendly locals are a key factor in their decision to return. For Asian travelers, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, have become the top destinations they wish to revisit. The ease of travel is the main motivation for 44% of the Asian travelers wanting to return to their favourite destinations. The survey was conducted via the Agoda platform from August 1 - 19, with over 4,000 participants from 10 markets, including Indonesia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan (China), Thailand, and Vietnam. Vietnam emerges as second largest supplier of whitefish to US Vietnam was the second largest provider of whitefish, mainly tra fish (pangasius), to the United- States during the first half of the year, with turnover reaching US$184 million, accounting for 21% of total US import turnover of the product, reported the Voice of Vietnam details given by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Photo: VOV July alone witnessed tra fish (pangasius) exports to the US soar by 69% on-year to US$31 million, bringing the seven-month tra fish exports to the demanding market up to US$190 million, up 20% against the same period from last year. Local key tra fish exports to the US include frozen pangasius fillets, value-added products, dried tra fish, and other frozen products. Most notably, frozen pangasius fillets remained the major export item to the fastidious market in July with a turnover of US$29 million, thereby representing a rise of 61% against the same period from last year. During the seven-month period, export turnover of this item to the highly lucrative market reached US$185 million, up 19% on-year. Throughout the reviewed period, the tra fish sector rake in more than US$3 million from value-added exports to the demanding market, resulting in a 14-fold rise on-year and making up 14% of the total export proportion. Experts attributed the recovery of tra fish exports to the US since the beginning of this year to a remarkable decline recorded in inventories in the market last year. They predict that export orders of tra fish to the fastidious market will increase ahead in the remaining months of the year as preparations for festivals and year-end holidays are anticipated to push up consumer demand. Seven-month steel exports to US see upsurge The United States remained Vietnams largest iron and steel export market with volume reaching 1.11 million tonnes during the seven months of the year, representing a sharp rise of 89% on-year, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to data released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Photo: VOV Italy represented the country's second largest buyer of iron and steel with 922,692 tonnes, down 12% on-year; while Cambodia ranked the third with 674,948 tonnes, up 2.9% on-year. Within the ASEAN bloc, apart from Cambodia, the nation also exported iron and steel to five other markets, including Malaysia with 499,485 tonnes, up 3.2%; Indonesia with 356,492 tonnes, down 1.4%; Singapore with 157,214 tonnes, up 46%; the Philippines with 144,962 tonnes, down 3.2%; and Thailand with 103,843 tonnes, down 49.3%. With regard to turnover, the country grossed US$923 million from iron and steel exports to the US, up 91.3% on-year, followed by Cambodia with US$427 million, down 6%; and Italy with US$578 million, down 23.9%. Statistics indicate that Vietnam exported 8.05 million tonnnes of various types of steel by mid-August, up 19.7% against the same period from last year. The average steel export price throughout the reviewed period fell by 5.6% on-year to US$732.9 per tonne, which in turn made total turnover reach US$5.9 billion, up only 13% on-year./. 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 Patrick Heron, one of Britains most prominent abstract artists, told me he lost his job as art critic at The New Statesman for writing too much about space. It may have bored the readers rigid, but for Heron space was a colossally exciting topic. It probably takes an artist to understand the thrill of seeing a large plane of recessive colour balanced by a small patch of brightness, or to feel the way an expanse of blue or red or yellow has an almost visceral impact on the viewer. Edges were especially stimulating, although it proved difficult to convey that feeling to the average reader. I thought of Patricks heroic attempts to convince the public that large, colourful, abstract paintings were revolutionary gestures when looking at Lesley Dumbrell: Thrum at the Art Gallery of NSW. At the age of 82, Dumbrell is overdue for a retrospective. The only surprise is that its in Sydney, not her hometown of Melbourne. Weve become accustomed to Melbourne staging retrospectives of Sydney artists, but the tables have been turned largely, one suspects, because of the personal enthusiasm of curator Anne Ryan. Dumbrell, 82, with her artwork Solstice (1974) Credit: Art Gallery of NSW/Jenni Carter In the catalogue, theres a substantial discussion of Dumbrells involvement in the Feminist movement of the 1970s and 80s that did much to raise the profile of women artists. This is an important aspect of Dumbrells story, but although she may have been a dedicated feminist it would be a stretch to say she made feminist art. Her paintings are uncompromisingly abstract, from the grids and pattern works of the late 1960s to the laser-cut, sculptural pieces she produces today. Dumbrell is another artist who felt the excitement of pure form: of lines, planes, edges, colour, pattern and space. All the action happens on the retina, as we allow our eyes to be swept back and forth across the canvas, responding to an array of visual effects. The expressive title of the show, Thrum, alludes to the sensations of rhythm and movement Dumbrell creates. Lesley Dumbrells Chartreuse (2015), oil on canvas. Credit: Lesley Dumbrell/Art Gallery of NSW Although there is a distinct upward and downward movement in Foehn (1975), such a work is an exception to the general rule. Dumbrells preference is for all-over grids and patterns without an obvious focal point. Ryan writes how the discovery of Bridget Rileys Op Art proved inspirational for Dumbrell, as it removed the problem of composition through the repetition or variation of an element or elements, a liberating concept that soon defined her methods. Advertisement This concentration on immersive pattern is both a strength and a limitation. It creates a standard of perfection that sees the artist covering every centimetre of the canvas with the same repeated motif. We marvel at Dumbrells patience and dexterity, as she lays down lines and tiny areas of colour with geometric precision. In works such as Study for Solstice (1974) or Capricorn (1975), theres a kind of visual shudder, as if a wave was unfurling as we walk past. In later paintings such as Taffetas (1983) or Tramontana (1984), theres a flickering or pulsing sensation, as we stand in front of a work taking in bright and dark patches of colour. In later paintings, the canvas may be covered with a fine mesh of criss-crossing lines drawn with machine-like exactitude. Theres always something impressive about the spectacle of skill in art, to borrow the title of Robert Hughes final book. But theres also a feeling of hollowness that attaches itself to form without content. Lesley Dumbrells Tramontana (1984), Liquitex on canvas Credit: Lesley Dumbrell/National Gallery of Victoria Id much prefer to look at the most oblique abstraction by Lesley Dumbrell than another politically charged artwork that tells me the right attitudes to adopt. But while not wanting to send messages, she has made a prison cell for herself in which each series evolves within a strict set of boundaries. Her methods are so disciplined it counts as a major breakthrough when she switches from Liquitex to oils or begins to fracture some of the lines of an all-over grid in Chartreuse (2015). Some, like the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland, may be willing to countenance six impossible things before breakfast, but Dumbrell has moved slowly and cautiously during a career of almost 60 years. This may be because true abstraction is a virtual impossibility. Whatever the artists intentions, our brains are hard-wired to seek out concrete references. On the most basic level, a vertical panel suggests a figure and a horizontal one a landscape, even if theres nothing on the canvas but a single colour. Advertisement Dumbrells works, with their busy, active surfaces, are strongly aligned with the natural world. She freely admits that landscape is her greatest inspiration, to the point of occasionally painting en plein air. She strives to capture impressions of light and atmosphere, albeit in a highly abstracted manner. The largest work in the show, the triptych February (1976), evokes the changes of daylight during a summers day in Melbourne, with the bright glow of sunrise giving way to a pale blue sky and ending in the rosy tones of dusk. Theres also a persistent allusion to music, with the triptych being structured like a symphony in three distinct movements. Dumbrell in her Richmond studio in the 1980s. Credit: David Moore In 1989, in a quirk of fate, Dumbrell met and re-connected with the husband she had left in 1965. When the couple moved to Bangkok the following year, she had to overcome a severe culture shock to settle into the routines of studio work. The wildly different environment would affect Dumbrells painting, most obviously in the density and clarity of her line work. In 2000, the couple would purchase a property in the Strathbogie Ranges, and now divide their time between Thailand and the Victorian countryside. For the viewer, its interesting to trace how these geographical relocations are reflected in Dumbrells work. Perhaps most surprising is that there was no radical break with the grids and lines to which she has become accustomed. To go from Melbourne to Bangkok is a major upheaval, and although Dumbrell seems to have felt the ripples in her use of line and colour, she has never strayed too far from the path she established at the end of the 60s. If there were an award for consistency in Australian art, Dumbrell would be hard to beat. Early in her career, she settled on a style and a method that suited her temperament. Shes stuck to those precepts with fierce determination. Although nothing may seem less personally revealing than a procession of abstract grids, it adds up to a portrait of a severely rational mind, a personality that values order, stability and routine. In Benjamin Labatuts novel The Maniac, its claimed that modern art recognised no laws, no method. No truth, just a blind, uncontainable surge, a rush of madness that would not stop for anyone or anything but drive us onward even to the ends of the Earth. Advertisement 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 When youve spent hours listening to Kneecap, the riotous Belfast rap trio whose lyrics span a broad spectrum of subjects, from sex and drugs to Irish independence and British colonialism, the last thing you expect to discuss in such detail is breakfast. More specifically, eggs. Sorry, man, Moglai has just gone to check on his eggs; youre stuck with me for now, says Mo Chara over Zoom. Kneecap a trio known by stage names Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai have soundtracked an Irish cultural resurgence. Chara is one-third of Kneecap, the Irish-language hip-hop group that exploded out of Belfast in 2017 and has been seducing the rest of the world ever since. Moglai Bap, the one waiting on his eggs, is Charas fellow frontman, while the groups resident DJ, DJ Provai, doesnt really do interviews. Probably due to usually wearing an Irish-flag balaclava that covers his face. Ah yes, welcome to the weird and wild world of Kneecap. Thats probably not clear hes waiting on his breakfast, hes not, like, checking on embryos, clarifies Chara. Maybe I want some breakfast, too. I could do with some eggs. At this point, Chara could pretty much have whatever he likes, such is the buzz around Kneecap eggs for breakfast, world domination for dinner. The group, which will tour Australia in March, formed in 2017, picking the name Kneecap as a tongue-in-cheek hat tip to the traditional wounding inflicted on drug dealers by paramilitary Irish Republicans. They quickly began making waves for their brash music, intensely political lyrics and, most importantly, their determination to rap in their native tongue. Advertisement Their debut track C.E.A.R.T.A was recorded after police detained Bap for spray-painting the Irish word for rights (cearta). He refused to speak English to police and was held as they waited for a translator. Since then, the mythology around Kneecap has steadily grown, boosted by the release of their second album Fine Art and a headline-grabbing slot at this years Glastonbury. You know who was backstage waiting for us, f---ing Noel Gallagher, says Bap, having joined us after finally getting his eggs. We came offstage and he was sitting there, telling us how much he loved the gig. He said he was 20 minutes early to it. Couldnt believe my eyes. It was surreal, agrees Chara. I remember saying to him, You belong online; I am not supposed to see you in real life. The film Kneecap tells the semi-fictionalised origin story of the group as they become unlikely figureheads for a civil rights movement to save their mother tongue. Credit: Pinch-me moments are increasingly common for Kneecap, but nothing compares to the recent release of their semi-autobiographical film, also called Kneecap. Set in 2019, around the time the Irish-speaking community of Northern Ireland was campaigning for legislation that would recognise the status of the Irish language, the events mirror Kneecaps real-life origin story. Advertisement Against a backdrop of growing up in post-Troubles society, the rebellious trio began rapping in Irish when the language was disappearing, especially among young people. There was always this embarrassment that the Brits made us feel like it was a peasant language, explains Chara. Through the use of the Irish language, Kneecap reignited a sense of nationalist identity among their peers, using rap as a vehicle to make it relevant. It might sound funny but there was no Irish word for cocaine, so wed choose old words from a hundred years ago and regenerate them, which helped turbocharge the subculture, says Bap. In case youre curious, in Irish, snaois is coke and capaillin is ketamine. Tattooed across Baps chest is 3CAG, the title of Kneecaps 2018 album. It stands for 3 chonsan agus guta, Irish for three consonants and a vowel, meaning MDMA. Moglai Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Provai in Kneecap. The film debuted at Sundance and already has Oscar buzz. Credit: All three drugs feature heavily in the Kneecap story, as the band rocket from a Belfast squat to the centre of the Irish zeitgeist, fascinating the youth and terrifying the powers that be. They say the craziest ideas are often the best ones, which perhaps explains the hype around the film. On the surface its hardly your classic breakout hit a foreign-language biopic about a rap trio that only formed a few years ago. Advertisement Yeah, Im the first to say it was a dice roll; its not like it had the obvious ingredients for success, says Rich Peppiatt, the films writer and director, with a laugh. And yet it seems to be working out, against all odds. Hes not wrong. In March Kneecap premiered at Sundance, the first Irish-language film to do so, and this week it was selected by the Irish Film & Television Academy to represent Ireland in the international feature film category at the 97th annual Academy Awards. The group portray themselves in the film, having undertaken acting lessons twice a week for six months in the lead-up to filming. For us personally, we draw a lot of confidence in being the underdog; that first day on set, we knew the crew probably didnt expect much of us, so we wanted to blow them away, says Chara. Classic show-pony behaviour, adds Bap. Its a bad day for hip-hop when censorship stops. Mo Chara, Kneecap Luckily for Peppiatt, the on-stage bravado translated seamlessly on camera, even if he did have to deal with a last-minute curveball. They spent three months not drinking and trying to get fit, and the night before day one of filming they let it all go and got absolutely blitzed in the hotel, he says. Advertisement So I was very grumpy with them, but they assured me they were method actors. So that was that and, annoyingly, they were effortlessly good. Thankfully, there was one person on set who Peppiatt didnt need to worry about: two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender. After reading the script the Irish actor jumped at the chance to play Baps on-screen father Arlo, a former leader of the Irish Republican Army who fakes his death. He didnt have to do this film but he loved the concept, and I think he saw it as a continuation of his character Bobby Sands [the IRA member who rose to prominence in 1981 when he embarked on a fatal hunger strike] who he played in Hunger, says Bap. Everybody just upped their game when he was around. Like, we were better, the crew were better, even the f---ing catering was better. Michael Fassbender (right) plays Moglai Baps father, a proud Republican on-the-run from authority. Credit: Arlo appears regularly in the film to remind his son that every word of Irish spoken is a bullet fired for Irish freedom. This message is not lost on the boys from Kneecap, who have faced plenty of censorship in their short history. In late 2017 C.E.A.R.T.A was banned from the Irish radio station RTE for drug references and cursing. Two years later the group were removed from the stage of their own concert at University College Dublin after chanting tiocfaidh ar la, a Republican slogan that translates as our day will come. Advertisement Opera Australia, the nations biggest performing arts company, is in turmoil following the shock departure of artistic director Jo Davies barely 18 months after she took up the high-profile role. Staff were only informed of the development on Friday morning, with Davies due to clear her desk by the end of the day. The departure of the woman in Opera Australias most senior artistic role comes at a crucial time for the company, which, after reports of bullying and harassment and the sudden exit of its former artistic director, had started to rebuild its critical and commercial reputation. On the outer: Artistic director Jo Davies is abruptly leaving Opera Australia. Credit: Daniel Boud The precise reasons behind the abrupt decision are unclear, however, there has been widespread speculation in the Sydney arts community of a deepening personal and professional rift between award-winning director Davies and OA chief executive Fiona Allan. The unseasonably hot final weeks of 2024s winter have sent national climate records tumbling, flowers in gardens into bloom and melted snow at ski resorts. For Melbourne, Bureau of Meteorology figures show winter was warmer, wetter and darker than average. Melburnians swimming in Albert Park Lake in August. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Melburnians endured a 53-hour decrease in sunshine in June and July this year compared to 2023, with just 3 hours of sunshine each day on average, compared with a long-term average of 4.1 hours in June and 4.4 hours in July. In July 2023, the city basked in 153 hours of sunshine, with an average of five hours daily. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outFood First look: Paddington welcomes a cosy, Michelin-inspired Italian fine diner A former Rosmarino chef is doing a la carte during the week and degustations on weekends, with anywhere up to 18 plates. Take a peek inside. Matt Shea August 30, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A new restaurant with an old floor. Dario Manca likes the thought of that. It has seen so much, the Italian-born Manca says. A friend of mine was like, Maybe you need to redo the floor, and I was like, A patch here and a patch there, maybe. But it tells a story, so we decided to keep it. Attimi will open next Friday in the 224 Given Terrace premises previously made famous by Montrachet. Markus Ravik Chef Manca (formerly Rosmarino, Za Za Ta) is talking about Attimi, an Italian fine diner that he will unveil in Paddington on September 6. Its one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the spring, but it occupies a storied, heritage-listed spot at 224 Given Terrace best known as the original home of classic French restaurant Montrachet. In more recent years it was NOTA, Sebastiaan de Kort and Kevin Dochertys popular European eatery. Advertisement Where to find Brisbanes best seafood restaurants Its important to acknowledge the past, Manca says. Its good a reminder that we have something people in Paddington know very well. Its a milestone in terms of hospitality. Attimi is very different to Montrachet or NOTA, though. Its also very different to most of the roughly 180 Italians restaurants that already exist in and around Brisbane. Inspired by the Michelin-starred eateries of his home country, this cosy 28-seater is serving a fine-dining degustation menu on weekends, and a la carte during the week. Mooloolaba king prawn and mascarpone cappelletti with a bisque sauce, buffalo stracciatella and basil oil. Markus Ravik It feels like the right time for this concept in Brisbane, he says. People are now more knowledgeable about Italian food. Advertisement Attimis degustation runs Friday and Saturday nights and comes in two flavours: a quick Italian tour $145 option and a more extensive $195 menu that lists 12 courses but might involve anywhere up to 18 different plates and snacks. Fish crisp with ricotta and tarama, white sardines, house-made preserved lemon gel and oregano. Markus Ravik The shorter menu includes rosemary carasau bread with smoked stracciatella, anchovies and pickled tomatoes, a filo confit garlic tart with goats cheese cream, and tagliolini arrabbiata with nduja, oregano, South Australian mussels, blue cheese cream and bread crumb. The longer menu throws in dishes such as a fish crisp with ricotta and tarama, white sardines, a house-made preserved lemon gel and oregano, savoury cannoli with beef tartare, cornichons, stracciatella and a bagna cauda mayo, Mooloolaba king prawn and mascarpone cappelletti with a bisque sauce, buffalo stracciatella and basil oil, and a seven-score Tajima wagyu sirloin with fermented honey, pickled mushrooms and red wine jus. Beef rump cap tartare with black bagna cauda mayo, stracciatella, chilly oil and pickled cocktail onions. Markus Ravik Advertisement Each dish takes its inspiration from a different Italian region, whether it be Tuscany, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna or Sicily. During the week a la carte kicks in, with the menu largely compiled from the greatest hits (or variations thereof) from the degustation, with a clutch of extra dishes thrown in for good measure. House-made tagliolini with a tomato sauce, nduja and oregano, South Australian mussels and buffalo blue cream. Markus Ravik For drinks, theres a relatively concise 80-bottle list of mostly Italian wines, and classic and signature cocktails. As for the space itself, Mancas friend and experienced home interior designer Danny Zullo has cleverly set it apart from Montrachet and NOTA before it by cutting back the bar and installing arched shelving in front of the venues exposed bricks, as well as powder-coated aluminium shelving at the front and rear of the venue thats been stacked with wine and other Italian goods. The space is classy and intimate without being stuffy. Advertisement Rosemary carasau with smoked stracciatella, anchovies and pickled tomatoes. Markus Ravik Theres a nice community around here, and I think its going to be great, Manca says. Were not expecting to explode in a second. We just want to do it consistently and achieve our goals consistently. Attimi will open on Friday, September 6. Open Tue-Thu, 5.30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-2.30pm 5.30pm-10pm 224 Given Terrace, Paddington attimi.com.au Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Advertisement Review Eating outRedfern The pasta might have caught your attention, but there are other delights at Attenzione! Redferns newest wine bar-restaurant is big on personality and flavour, plus great cocktails, mystery wine and head-scratching dish names. Callan Boys August 30, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share This story is part of the August 31 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories . 1 / 9 Attention please: Theres a hot new Italian-ish restaurant-wine bar in Redfern. Jennifer Soo 2 / 9 Go-to dish: Grilled beef tongue, jicama and salted chilli. Jennifer Soo 3 / 9 Free-range chicken with green chicory, horseradish and goji berry sauce. Jennifer Soo 4 / 9 Gabagool plate (with fougasse bread on the side). Jennifer Soo 5 / 9 Sticky-date cake with pecan praline and creme fraiche. Jennifer Soo 6 / 9 The bar, with its spacious counter, is the place to be. Jennifer Soo 7 / 9 Charcoal shaved calamari with cabbage and finger lime. Dexter Kim; supplied 8 / 9 Mandilli with saffron butter and bottarga. Dexter Kim; supplied 9 / 9 The XL pico pasta. Dexter Kim; supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Italian$$$$ Is there a food more fun to say than gabagool? Pamplemousse and periwinkle probably come a close second and third, and everyone loves a good baba ghanoush, but surely nothing beats gabagool. Stop reading now and have a crack in your best Adam Sandler. What a hoot. Its an Italian-Americanisation of pork cold-cut capicola, by the way (Sopranos fans know), and you can scarf down a whopping platter of the stuff at Redferns newest wine bar and restaurant. Gabagool plate (pictured with fougasse bread on the side). Jennifer Soo Attenzione! opened a few weeks ago at the site formerly home to The Sunshine Inn. Four youngish mates are running the show Felix Colman, Toby Stansfield, Toby Davis and Dexter Kim and the joint is designed, according to the press release, to channel backstreet Paris bistros and regional Italian enotecas. And, wouldnt you know it, it does. Advertisement But Attenzione! also feels very Redfern Now. A second-date spot with honeyed light, natural wine and framed photographs of leathered, sunbaking Italians. A place for wet martinis and hand-cut chips ($15). A house of Talking Heads, pasta and cured meat. The owners could have listed the $22 plate of gabagool as coppa, its more common name in Australia, but wheres the joy in that? The joint is designed to channel backstreet Paris bistros and Italian enotecas. And, wouldnt you know it, it does. Some of Attenziones more enigmatic ingredients and dish names are also a nifty way to get guests interacting with the informed staff and asking questions like, What the heck is this Pico XL for $30? Thats our oversized version of pici, a fat and chewy handrolled pasta from Siena, is the answer you might receive. It looks like a single strand of spaghetti thats really let itself go, and we change up its sauce every few days. At the moment, were serving it with capers and a fruity Amatriciana. Advertisement Okay, sounds great. We have to get it. You probably dont, though. Its an eye-catching dish (made for social media, perhaps) but the texture soon becomes a bit of a stodge slog. Im way more into the mandilli di seta ($34) al dente handkerchief-style pasta glossed with butter and humming with an anchovy flavour not dissimilar to Vegemite. A last-second grating of lemon zest adds spark, and although Ive known bowls of All-Bran that have looked more interesting, youve got to respect the restraint to not dress it up with finger lime or other jazz-hand garnishes. Go-to dish: Grilled beef tongue, jicama and salted chilli. Jennifer Soo Stansfield leads the kitchen and his grilled beef tongue ($27) alone is worth booking a spot at the bar for. (Tables exist, but they can be a little too cosy; give me the spacious counter and easy amaro access instead.) The ribbon-thin slices of tongue practically vibrate with flavour, thanks to an oil-rich mix of garlic, ginger and chilli salted for up to three weeks, while small discs of turnip-like jicama provide refreshment and crunch. Advertisement Because its state law that every natural wine bar must now feature chicken skin or fat or both on the menu, there are super-crisp crackers of dehydrated chook skin sandwiching smoked trout pate ($10 each). Highly tasty gear, albeit difficult to crunch down on without making a mess of creamed fish. Meanwhile, a crusty lattice of fougasse bread ($10) is on hand to ferry that coppa, or soak up the long-flavoured oils left over from melting taleggio cheese and soft-cooked leeks covered in a blizzard of fresh black truffle ($34). Free-range chicken with green chicory, horseradish and goji berry sauce, pictured with hand-cut chips (bottom right). Jennifer Soo Calamari with chargrilled napa cabbage ($26) sounds promising on paper, but needs more acid and tang. Chicken breast ($42) has enticingly wrinkled, golden, lightly charred skin and I dig its vibrant green chicory, horseradish and goji berry sauce but, at the end of the day, its hard to get too excited about chicken breast. Im sorry, gym people. Theres a bloody good steak diane ($55) though, and a $50 pork chop deftly grilled on the bone and bolstered by a balanced scallop cream thats not too scallop-y. Advertisement Despite a few glitches here and there, Attenzione! is a place I want to return to again. Great cocktails. Terrific wine. Crown Lager on the beer list, ha! And a big thumbs up for the opportunity to guess the country and grape of a daily-changing mystery wine, and enjoy the glass for free if youre right (otherwise cough up $20). My Montepulciano guess was off the mark last week (it was a Barbera, the Monte of the north), but hey, you know, speaking of fun words to say The low-down Vibe: Inviting Italian-ish wine bar thats big on personality and flavour Go-to dish: Grilled beef tongue, jicama and salted chilli ($27) Drinks: Sake, amaro and whisky bulk out a wide-ranging list of independent Australian, French and Italian winemakers, with a particular focus on nebbiolo Cost: About $170 for two, excluding drinks This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Creating an iconic design requires a singular idea, the relentless focus to see it to fruition and the paring back of any extraneous elements. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Bvlgaris Octo Finissimo timepiece. Its impossible not to turn heads with a slick ceramic Octo Finissimo. Its raison detre to be the slimmest self-winding watch in the world with unrivalled levels of finesse has cemented its place in design history. The evolution of this iconic style is traced in the Octo Finissimo Saga of Materials Exhibition, which will arrive in Australia for the very first time as part of the About Time Watch Weekend coming to Sydney and Melbourne in September. The Finissimos wafer-like dimensions are legendary, but to focus on them alone would be a disservice. Behind its diminutive size is a legacy of engineering, design and craftsmanship. An exacting feat of engineering Premier Chris Minns will not ask multiple government agencies to explain their nearly decade-long failure to monitor drinking water supplies for forever chemicals, a lapse that delayed the closure of a contaminated dam as a precautionary measure after cancer-linked toxins were recently found in it. Sydney Water and WaterNSW, which are responsible for tap water and the quality of catchments respectively, have been working with NSW Health since 2015 to review the risks of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in the drinking water supply. Premier Chris Minns will not take steps to investigate authorities failure to monitor the drinking water supply for forever chemicals. Credit: Janie Barrett In June, this masthead revealed the agencies had not carried out any widespread monitoring for PFAS. Asked about the position at the time, a Sydney Water spokeswoman said: There are no known PFAS hotspots in our drinking water catchments. Vietnam is the largest banana supplier to the Chinese market. Illustrative photo According to the Chinese Customs, in the first six months of 2024, Chinas banana imports reached over 957,000 tons, worth 486 million USD, down 4.6% in volume and 22.9% in value compared to the same period last year. Of which, China increased banana imports from Vietnam, Ecuador, Laos, Mexico and Thailand, but reduced imports from the Philippines and Cambodia. In the first half of this year, Vietnam was the largest banana supplier to the Chinese market. 420,000 tons of Vietnamese bananas were exported to China, up 18.5% over the same period last year and accounting for nearly half of the banana imports into this market. The amount of bananas imported from Vietnam is nearly double that of the Philippines (222,000 tons), and far exceeds other markets such as Ecuador (123,000 tons), Cambodia (131,000 tons), Laos (49,000 tons), Mexico (7,000 tons), Thailand (over 2,000 tons), Myanmar (over 2,000 tons), Indonesia (1,000 tons). While China increased purchases of Vietnamese bananas, it has sharply reduced banana imports from the Philippines. In the first half of this year, the amount of Filipino bananas imported into China decreased by 39.3% compared to the same period last year. Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), said that compared to other banana exporting countries, Vietnam has a huge advantage in logistics due to its border with China, so it can export by road. The trans-Vietnam expressway system invested in and built in recent times has further shortened the time of transporting bananas to border gates with China. Therefore, the time and cost of transporting Vietnamese bananas to China are currently much lower than other countries./. The cultural life of Redfern was summarised by three distinct events at Carriageworks in May. The first crowd came cloaked in black leather, bleached eyebrows arched over Y2K sunnies, as they prowled towards Australian Fashion Week. From my vantage point of a decaying terrace balcony, I watched the high-speed bike lane between the train station and the venue transform into a perilous catwalk, filled by fashionistas smizing death in the face. Fashionistas, BookTokers and Hollywood come to play at Redfern. But its Indigenous and queer history is forever. Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald During this time, you couldnt venture outside without copping an up-and-down glare from an influencer cowled in an avant-garde shawl. But by the turn of a weekend, the mood shifted. Platinum mullets morphed into slate grey bobs. The clack of stilettos gave way to gaggles of book nerds, slouched and tote-bagged. My people. The Sydney Writers Festival had arrived, and I emerged, gleeful in daggy dress, to wait in line for the free events alongside groovy grandmas and BookTokers on Youth Allowance. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and says the situation is the result of a misunderstanding. Outside court on Tuesday, he said it was driven by police and the alleged victim did not want Lyon to face criminal charges. He secured an interim suppression order to stop the media reporting on the case on August 19, on the basis publicity could harm the alleged victim, but he failed to secure a permanent suppression order in Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday after objections from the Herald and other media outlets. Michael Lyon takes part in an inquiry into the Northern Rivers floods in 2022. Credit: Natalie Grono By then, Lyons supporters, including a public relations consultant who works with local property developers, had emailed the Herald and other outlets demanding without justification they take down stories published before the interim suppression order was made. Lyon, who started on council as a Greens councillor before losing pre-selection, says he instructed his lawyer to do all he could to get the stories taken down as they were upsetting the alleged victim. The suppression order was to protect [the alleged victim]; it wasnt about trying to hush it up for political purposes, and thats why I was upset with the way it got dealt with in court, Lyon says. He says the timing of the alleged incident on August 1 couldnt have been worse, in terms of [electoral] registrations being due, and how little time I had to think about it, to reflect on it, not to mention that I had to deal with a highly upsetting incident for my family. Im not talking about the actual incident necessarily, Im talking about what followed the scrum, all of those things. I had to make a judgment at the time, in the best way that I could. I maintain, as I have done all along, that I havent done anything wrong, and on that basis I made the decision to run. I love my job and Ive been given a lot of messages of support from the community, and I feel like Ive been delivering in my role. But two candidates who were meant to be on Lyons Byron Independents ticket pulled out after his arrest. One was Mark Swivel, a lawyer and sitting councillor, who will now run on Labors ticket under mayoral candidate Asren Pugh. He was walking to victory he was absolutely walking it in, Swivel says of Lyons chances before August 1, saying the mayor had done a good job over the past three years. Byron candidate Mark Swivel. Lyon led a statewide charge for tighter restrictions on holiday letting, securing an annual 60-day cap last year for much of the Byron shire to address the housing crisis. But Swivel says he withdrew from Lyons ticket when he learned the nature of the charges against Lyon and determined that as a lawyer, there was a reputational risk for him to remain in his group even though the charges are only pending and remain before the courts. One original candidate, Jeanette Martin, remains on Lyons ticket, while two new candidates have joined Max Foggon and Rhett Holt. Loading Swivel says he was appalled by Lyons comments outside court on Tuesday. A mayor has to work with the police. How tenable is it for a mayor to publicly complain about the behaviour of the police in a matter that is affecting him? The only proper thing a public official, let alone a leader, in his situation, could do is to be humble and accept the predicament hes in, and show the community he understands the police have a difficult job. He should have shown as the mayor that he understands how important domestic violence is in this community, and around the country, and everywhere on Earth. He didnt. He sent the message that he was prepared to complain about the way police had handled this matter it brings the council into disrepute. Loading Some things are so much bigger than local politics. Men have to be strong on DV in all circumstances and send the right signal to the community. Lyon, however, disagrees his comments amount to a criticism of the police, and says he was not trying to exert pressure. What it was, was highlighting that [the alleged victim] has never rung to make a complaint, and didnt ever want any criminal matters or an AVO. Its never something she wanted, he says. A child was forced to call triple zero after two people died from an adverse reaction to cocaine allegedly supplied by a Brisbane man, who is now facing two counts of murder. The two friends were found unresponsive by emergency services at a house in Kentville Street, Mitchelton, in the citys north-west, about 9am on Thursday. Steven Mataka Henry, 41, who police say knew the pair, was taken into custody at the scene. Two bodies were found at a property in Kentville Street in Mitchelton on Thursday morning. Credit: Nine News He was later charged by detectives with the murder of Stephen John Peters, 61, from Keperra, and Jasmine Lee Sloane, 35, from Mitchelton. A barrister charged with drug trafficking was allegedly found with an Aladdins cave of drugs and paraphernalia inside his $800-a-week apartment with bay views. Anthony Grant, 44, was allegedly running a trap house-style illegal pharmacy inside his 16th floor apartment, where police uncovered erectile dysfunction medication, an array of prescription drugs and an imitation penis, a court heard. Police allege they found drugs and paraphernalia in barrister Anthony Grants apartment. Credit: Melbourne Magistrates Court Grant, a former Office of Public Prosecutions lawyer who works as a criminal barrister out of Owen Dixon Chambers, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday to apply for bail for the second time since his arrest. Detective Senior Constable Miranda Lord said that on August 8, police executed a search warrant on Grants privately rented Queens Road, Melbourne, apartment. After those inside initially delayed police, upon entry they found a significant amount of what they believed were drugs, including dozens of packets of prescription medication, and paraphernalia. Staff then breached the cell. They were supported by the nurse on the site, and they performed CPR until St John arrived shortly after; but sadly, we couldnt revive the young man, Commissioner Royce said. The teenagers death comes just 11 months after the passing of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, who became the first juvenile to die in custody in WA when he took his life at Casuarina Prisons Unit 18 youth wing. The tragedy has reignited scrutiny of the youth detention system the state government claims it is trying to overhaul, and follows years of criticism over staffing issues and the use of solitary confinement over a therapeutic and non-punitive operating philosophy. Cook and Papalia speak about the tragedy at a press conference on Friday morning. Credit: Jesinta Burton WA Premier Roger Cook acknowledged the youths friends and family as well as the staff and first responders confronted with such a traumatic event. A failure has occurred, but we will continue to ensure we do everything we can to improve the lives of the staff and those at the facility and continue our pathway of reform, he said. The system is not good enough, and we need to continue to improve it. But Royce backed in the 17 prison staff and nurse supervising the 57 youths at Banksia overnight, saying all were wearing body-worn cameras, radios and alarms and acted appropriately. Theres a lot of work to do, so I take my role seriously, and people do have the right to ask questions of me. But for me, [improving Banksia Hill] is going to take a significant piece of work, and it will be generational, he said. Cook said Banksia Hill was a challenging and complex environment that had significantly improved in recent months, with increased resourcing and new infrastructure. The states Police Minister Paul Papalia said eight members of the Aboriginal Elders Support team were now onsite, and the Aboriginal Services Unit was also engaging with young people this morning. Loading The WA Police chaplain has also been onsite supporting staff. An internal investigation is under way with police preparing a report for the coroner. Youth detention expert and family advocate Gerry Georgatos said the systemic issues at the notorious Banksia Hill prison were driven by poor governance. Its not a black person problem, its not a brown person problem, its not a white person problem it is the failures of Banksia Hill made by one government after another, he said. He urged the state to take heed of restorative programs used in Nordic countries. What we have in WA is one of the worlds worst child prisons. We have to call it what it is, he said. The government says its rehabilitative. That lie cost Cleveland Dodd his life. That lie cost this boys life. I am praying that they finally see the light. How many deaths is it going to take? Weve had one, now weve had two; we have become a national shame. I told you so: Opposition calls for Papalias resignation Opposition corrective services spokesman Peter Collier has demanded Papalias resignation while castigating the government over the death, which he said was the product of successive premiers and ministers ignoring juvenile justice advocates. Collier said the juvenile justice system was fatally flawed and the states most marginalised children were bearing the brunt. Opposition corrective services spokesman Peter Collier outside WA Parliament House on Friday. Credit: Jesinta Burton. Can I say, unambiguously, I told you so. I dont want to use this young mans life as a political pawn, but it has got to stop, he said. [The minister] has got to go, without a shadow of a doubt. The culture needs to change ... you need someone at the top that actually has genuine empathy for disengaged youth and that is attuned to rehabilitation. If were going to be a safer community, if were going to make life better for those juveniles that have struggled through life, we need to adopt a rehabilitative approach, not a punitive one, and if you dont want to take my word for it, have a look at the coroners [court] in the past two months. WA Greens MLC Brad Pettitt said he was devastated by the news and called for urgent reform of a system he said was harming more than helping. Amnesty International also levelled scathing criticism on Friday, reiterating calls for the WA government to close Banksia Hill over the risk it posed to detained children and to appoint an independent body to probe deaths in custody. The charitys Indigenous rights campaigner Kacey Teerman said the death was entirely preventable. The boss of the Aboriginal corporation representing the traditional owners of Murujuga, also known as the Burrup Peninsula, home to some of has signalled he expects governments and industry to agree to remove the current block on traditional owners objecting to industrial development. The Burrup Peninsula is home to extensive and world renowned Indigenous rock art. Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper (left) and Josie Alec also spoke at the senate inquiry. It is also home to expanding Woodside operations, Norways Yara, ammonia maker Perdaman and Rio Tintos main iron ore export port. On Monday, WAtoday reported that Murujuga Aboriginal Corporations chief executive Kim Wood had told senate inquiry that despite members opposition to industry expansion, they didnt have the ability to say no. Today, he released a statement signalling that MAC was confident their concerns about the no objections clause in the 21-year-old agreement regarding the industrial estate would be resolved. He said MAC believed this clause offensive and outdated and unlikely to be included in any Indigenous agreement created today. We are positive [the clause] will be overtaken or nullified one way or other through the strategic agreement-making project that MAC is leading, he said. He noted the project in February received official support by the federal environment minister, the WA premier and cabinet, and bosses at the City of Karratha, Rio Tinto, Woodside, Yara Pilbara, Perdaman and Horizon Power, who had all signed a statement of intent. This statement committed them to follow the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the principle of free, prior and informed consent in creating a new agreement, which Wood was confident would place MAC on an equal footing in future decision-making. 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 When Jim Chalmers described Peter Dutton as the most divisive leader of a major political party in Australias modern history this week, it seemed like an inflection point. Finally, the treasurer was taking the gloves off and going for the jugular. Labor ministers from Anthony Albanese on down piled on to the opposition leader, who many in government still believe is unelectable. Theyre wrong. It was water off a ducks back. Dutton rejected the charge and pivoted neatly to Labors handling of the economy. Eleven years ago, almost to the day, Kevin Rudd described Tony Abbott as one of the most negative politicians that the parliament has ever thrown up and also one grounded in divisiveness. The divisive Dutton strategy is a rerun of the attempt to brand Abbott as too divisive to be elected, and while it may appeal to finger-wagging progressives, there are serious doubts about whether it will work for Labor. Advertisement A month after that interview, Rudd handed Abbott the keys to the Lodge and the opposition had won 90 seats. Duttons political tactics and steadily improving polling numbers have the government spooked; he is living rent-free in the minds of senior government ministers, as proved by the decision to dump new census questions about sexuality and gender to avoid a culture war before one of those questions was restored less than a week later. The decision signalled that at a time when the community is bitterly divided over the war in Gaza, and with Labor still licking its wounds after the defeat of the Voice to parliament referendum, the government is so afraid to pick a fight with Dutton that it would rather fold than fight. Peter Dutton is living rent-free in the minds of senior Labor government ministers. Credit: James Brickwood In a supreme irony, the decision to dump the census question caused an internal fight within Labor, rather than with the opposition, and meant the government spent a week talking about something it did not want to talk about before it reversed course and reinstated one of those questions. The opposition leader did not have to lift a finger and Albanese was left looking weak. Duttons opposition holds just 55 seats, and the polls do not suggest he is on track to win 76 seats and a majority. But with an election due by May next year, a hung parliament looks increasingly likely. Advertisement The last man to lead the Coalition back into government, Abbott, concedes there are some similarities between him and Dutton but adds that Dutton is his own man and tells me the next election is eminently winnable. Loading He is doing a really impressive job, and he has the potential to be another long-serving prime minister like John Howard, he says. And he suggests that, like the historic Aston by-election win for Labor, so too is it possible that Albanese could be the first one-term government since Labors James Scullin in 1931. Just because a first-term government has not lost in nearly 100 years does not mean it cant happen now because records are always being broken. Dutton has led Albanese as preferred prime minister in the last three Resolve Political Monitors, a survey conducted for this masthead. The Coalitions primary vote has been ahead of Labor for the last seven surveys since December last year. However, it must be noted Labor won the last election with a primary vote lower than the Coalitions. Advertisement So, if Peter Dutton is so divisive, why do more and more Australians prefer him to Anthony Albanese? This masthead spoke to eight current Coalition MPs, four Labor MPs and three current and former political strategists, some on the record and some off the record as they were not authorised to speak publicly, to gauge their views on Duttons political strategy. There is a broad consensus that Dutton has planted a flag and said no, to differentiate himself from Labor, on three key policies: the first was the Voice to parliament, which Dutton forcefully opposed; the second was the oppositions decision to back nuclear energy rather than embracing renewables; and the most recent was his call for Australia to stop accepting Palestinian refugees fleeing the Gaza war zone. The Gaza decision, which dominated the last parliamentary sitting, fed into a broader narrative about Labor mishandling immigration and population growth, following the High Courts NZYQ ruling which found indefinite detention was not legal. All through the term, there has been a steady drumbeat of criticism of Labors economic management, which has played well for the Coalition, which is typically seen as stronger economic managers. Coalition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume strongly denies Dutton has pursued a strategy of division to reap electoral gain, arguing he took the time to build a level of trust with colleagues when he became leader and has since chosen his battles wisely while working with the government to pass other laws. Advertisement Referring to the Voice to parliament, Hume says Dutton has kept his eye on the ball, on what is important to people, he doesnt talk about what isnt important to them. He has made it very clear that we are not going to be a small target opposition [a reference to the nuclear power policy], that we wont simply wait for the government to mess up though theyre doing a pretty good job of it and that is his experience coming to the fore, she says. Another member of the shadow cabinet, who asked not to be named so they could speak freely, says that when Dutton became the leader, he first focused on consolidating the Coalitions right flank against attacks from minor parties such as United Australia and Pauline Hanson and was now tacking to the centre as the election approached. Loading We are now ruthlessly focused on middle Australia, the cost-of-living crisis and the security environment. The conventional wisdom in the press gallery was that our position on Gaza was a mistake, but even the Guardian Essential poll showed we were on the right track, the shadow minister says. We instinctively thought we had the public onside, including a chunk of Labor people with us. Australians views on migration are as hard as they have ever been. So dire has the situation become, this person says, the Coalition is now war gaming whether a spooked Labor will seek a circuit breaker moment like the changes to the stage three tax cuts such as promising big changes to capital gains tax or negative gearing. Advertisement 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 After Andrew Colvin stepped away from one of the countrys toughest jobs as head of the Australian Federal Police five years ago, there were two or three months when he waited in vain for his phone to ring. Colleagues would later tell him theyd agreed he needed to be given a proper break. But the well-intentioned phone silence was confronting. Im like, hang on a second, Ive been sitting here thinking I had no prospects, he recalls, when we meet midtown in the old General Post Office building in Sydneys Martin Place, now the site of the upmarket Fullerton Hotel. So I was getting a bit nervous and anxious Im very careful about that [with others] now, I stay in touch. Andrew Colvin at The Place in the Fullerton Hotel in Martin Place. Credit: Edwina Pickles The period of lying fallow ended abruptly in January 2020, as the Black Summer fires raged along the continents east and south-east coast, right around to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The Morrison government, struggling to get ahead of a mounting storm of criticism, called in Colvin to head up a National Bushfire Recovery Agency, which he had to build from the ground up even as the fires were still menacing some communities. When the agency was later folded into a new authority, Colvin moved on, spending a few years with consultancy giant Deloitte. But he was hankering for a better sense of purpose and service, he says. That need was fulfilled last month when the 54-year-old moved into the position of CEO of the Australian branch of the Red Cross. And it is why Im looking at a tiny teddy bear, carefully pinned to his jacket lapel, right where his commissioners badge used to be in his policing days. Advertisement The bear is a miniature version of the 50,000 hand-knitted trauma teddies painstakingly turned out by Red Cross volunteers every year, for distribution to the sick, the forlorn, the aged, and those who just need comfort. (Im staggered to learn that close to a million of these soft toys have been handed out since the program started in 1990.) Red Cross trauma teddies. The Australian branch of the Red Cross celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, and Colvins job is to reorient it, after several years where the organisation ran deficits and was forced to downsize (he prefers the term right-size) from around 4000 staff to 1200 today. There will be some people who think its a strange role for someone who has had 30 years of policing, Colvin says. But I dont see it [that way] At the end of the day, people become police out of a sense of service, I know I did. To me, it was a logical progression. The appointment allows him to re-engage with the Pacific, a region he cares deeply about, having got to know it through police contacts in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. His plan is to build on what is an amazing brand, that everyone recognises internationally, that is instantly a source of comfort for people in need. Thats super powerful. But what we have done in the past isnt [exactly] what we are going to do in the future. Lunch with Andrew Colvin. Pumpkin, chickpea and chard curry and roasted Cone Bay barramundi with seasonal mushrooms. Credit: Edwina Pickles Colvins day is a whirl of meetings in the CBD, so we keep the venue central, and quick, meeting at The Place, an eatery on the mezzanine level inside the hotel atrium. We opt for an alcohol-free lunch, choosing the specials: his a pumpkin, chickpea and chard curry, served with coconut gravy and fragrant rice, and mine the roasted Cone Bay barramundi with sauteed kale, fennel and seasonal mushrooms. Advertisement Colvin grew up in Australias then beef capital, Rockhampton, and would accompany his father, Gerald, a carpenter with the state government, on work trips around central Queensland during the holidays. Gerald and his mother Pauline, a keen community volunteer, borrowed money to send him to Rockhamptons Grammar school, but Colvin ( a self-confessed introvert) says he was something of a grey man there, never picked for leadership roles or nominated most likely to succeed. So its with some gratification that hes recently accepted an invitation from the school to be celebrated with a plaque as one of its distinguished ex-pupils. After leaving school at 17, Colvin enrolled at the then-new Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, hoping to become a helicopter pilot. But I quickly realised that they are the best of the best and I was never going to be that student, he says. He stuck at science studies for two years before switching to an arts degree which he completed through the University of New England. Years later as a mid-career police officer he garnered a master of public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in the US. A lot of my friends do it tough and they are open about their struggles with mental health as a result of [the] Bali [bombing]. Former AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin While ADFA didnt get him into a helicopter cockpit, it did introduce him to his future wife Natalie, then a fellow student. Colvin says the defence academy was not a very welcoming place in those years, [there was]a lot of bastardisation, all very publicly exposed now. Unbeknownst to each other, he and Natalie decided separately to leave ADFA at the end of Colvins second year, winding up at the AFP police academy together. Colvin had less interest in being a cop on the beat than in the international dimensions of policing, especially investigations involving money laundering and the proceeds of crime. It was chasing bad guys and having fun. But all that changed on September 29, 2002 when he got a call from Canberra head office asking him to set up a counter-terrorism capability for the AFP. Hed barely got his feet under the new desk when the horrific Bali bombings at Kuta Beach occurred just 12 days later, leaving hundreds murdered and injured. The immediate aftermath was chaotic. We had thousands of [returning Australians] coming into airports all over the country, we were taking their cameras from them, we were taking their film, we were getting statements from them, we were taking their clothes off them if they had been anywhere near the [target Sari] club; we needed to have the residue testing on their clothes. Advertisement We were working with Singapore and Malaysia and Thailand because people were just trying to get a plane any way out of Bali they could, he recalls. The AFP played a key role in the horrific task of victim identification. Colvin says friends of his in the force, 20 years later, are still dealing with the trauma. A lot of my friends do it tough, really tough, and they are open about their struggles with mental health as a result of Bali. Colvin became commissioner at only 44, the youngest person appointed to the role. He embarked on a bold program of cultural reform, earning the sobriquet of the woke commissioner from some who were less enamoured of change. Two things you know for sure about police, he says. They hate the way things are, and they hate change. But I wanted the AFP to be the best organisation it could be and I didnt think we were fulfilling our potential. AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin (centre) addresses the media during a press conference on the organisations work during the Bali Nine investigation, at the AFP headquarters, Canberra, 2015. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Having announced that his door was open to all comers, he expected few to knock on it. But they did, and in huge numbers, he recalls. He called in former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick to help crack the organisation open, and drive diversity in recruiting and officer retention. In a discovery worthy of a Utopia episode, Colvin found that a contributing factor to the low number of female recruits was an outdated grip test, originally based on the need to master a Smith & Wesson revolver, which he describes as a bugger of a weapon. Advertisement Generally women found it more difficult to handle than the men, yet the test had been retained for maybe 15, 20 years, long after the Smith & Wesson had been replaced by the easier-to-handle Glock. The so-called beep test (developed in the 1970s to test cardio fitness) was another barrier putting women at a disadvantage in early-stage training. Colvin lowered that bar (again drawing some criticism for doing so), but he argues you dont need to be a decathlete when you join the police our job was to take you and in six months time make you fit and strong. The last 12 months of Colvins term were tough he says. There were some internal crises at the executive level, and a heated controversy erupted over raids which the AFP launched in June 2019 on the home of journalist Annika Smethurst and on the Sydney headquarters of the ABC, after publication of stories based on leaked classified documents. Andrew Colvin, then the head of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, pictured in Wingello in NSW after bushfires in 2020. Credit: James Brickwood He declines any discussion of that episode in any detail, but says what I was most upset about was this view that emerged that somehow I was anti-free speech or police were anti-free speech. There can be nothing further from the truth. Four months after the raids, his five-year term was coming to an end, and he sat down for a conversation with his wife about a possible second term, thinking the answer would be yes. But she went into that conversation with an absolute categorical youre cooked, youre done he says. Im like, what do you mean? And she said, You are not the person you used to be youve gone into your shell, the girls [their two daughters, now in their 20s] dont know you any more, you need to take a break. He insists the drama over the raids was not the reason, but concedes it was another rock in the backpack that just got a lot of rocks in it over time. Advertisement Home buyers have more choice than usual this spring in sought-after Sydney neighbourhoods such as the northern beaches, eastern suburbs, inner west and Sutherland. And the range of new properties for sale is even wider in western pockets such as Blacktown and Baulkham Hills, CoreLogic data shows. Michaela McClellan and her husband Ashley are selling their home this spring. Credit: James Brickwood There are 24.1 per cent more new listings in the inner west over the past four weeks compared to the previous five-year average, as owners are more likely to decide to sell their homes than usual. New listings are also higher than average in Sutherland (21.6 per cent), the eastern suburbs (10.7 per cent), the northern beaches (8.8 per cent) and the city and inner south (8.4 per cent). Loading On behalf of the AFL thank you to the fans in the area who helped identify the bottle thrower and Victoria Police for acting so swiftly. We are glad Steven was not seriously hurt, and we look forward to seeing him umpire in this years finals series. Piperno left the field and was replaced by a reserve. He was treated at the stadium for minor injuries, and spent the rest of the match on the interchange bench. The banned supporter has been bailed to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 1. Bulldogs AFLW game moved to MCG for double-header with mens final Marnie Vinall The AFL has officially moved the Western Bulldogs round two AFLW match against Port Adelaide to the MCG to become a double-header with the mens elimination final against Hawthorn next Friday night. This masthead revealed the move on Thursday after players and club staff were informed of the decision on Thursday morning. The Western Bulldogs at pre-season training. Credit: Joe Armao Fans who purchased a ticket to the Western Bulldogs round two AFLW match against Port Adelaide will now be able to attend both MCG games, at no additional cost. Those with tickets to the soldout mens final can enter any time they wish after gates open at 4pm. Loading The womens match will begin at 4.30pm (previously 5.05pm), while the mens match will begin at 7.40pm. Tickets will also be made available to the two competing club W members to attend the double header, with these tickets to be allocated by the clubs. The Friday night MCG event is sold out to the public with an expected crowd of 90,000. The Bulldogs had lobbied the AFL to change the time because they were disappointed the original AFLW start time of 5.05pm made it almost impossible for their fans to attend both games. They put forward three options to the AFL, including starting the womens game at 4pm on that Friday, or moving it to 11am on the Saturday as well as the double-header option with the mens elimination final. We appreciate the myriad considerations that fixturing presents and would like to thank the AFL for acknowledging the challenges with the original scheduling and working with all of its stakeholders particularly NAB to ensure the best possible outcome for our members and fans, a club statement said on Friday. While this does mean we will have to wait to play our first home W game at the redeveloped Mission Whitten Oval, we are sure our Thursday night game against West Coast on September 12 will be a truly special occasion in Footscray. Houston turns back on Melbourne offer AAP Dual All-Australian defender Dan Houston says hes staying at Port Adelaide and rejecting overtures to join rival clubs in Melbourne. Loading The Victorian-born Houston had been rumoured to be seeking a trade despite being contracted at Port until the end of the 2028 season. Several Melbourne-based clubs were pitching to sign the 27-year-old, who on Thursday night earnt his second All-Australian blazer. But Houston, whose season has been ended by a five-game suspension which rules him out of Ports finals campaign, says hes not leaving Alberton. I am contracted and I absolutely love the footy club, I love being in Adelaide, Houston told Adelaide radio station 5AA on Friday. My focus in particular in the next five weeks is helping this team push for finals and get them in the best possible condition and do whatever I need to around the club to help them. I am not leaving next year. I am contracted, I wouldnt have signed the contract if I wasnt keen on Adelaide and keen on Port Adelaide and I love the place, I love the footy club and the footy club have been good to me. Dan Houston is staying at Port Adelaide. Credit: Getty Images Houston was banned for five matches for a bump which knocked out Adelaides Izak Rankine two weeks ago. After he was suspended, Port went to the AFL appeals board but failed to have the length of his ban reduced. Houston said the support from the Power reaffirmed his commitment to the club. They have always got my back and they have always been really supportive of me, he said. The "Hanoi - Vietnam" booth at the 2024 Formex Sweden Handicraft Fair (Photo: Hanoi DARD) This event aimed to help businesses and entities in Hanoi to capture global market trends, expand export markets, and have the opportunity to promote handicrafts, craft village products, and OCOP products from Hanoi - Vietnam to the European and global markets. Within the program, the Hanoi DARD organized key activities such as the "Hanoi - Vietnam" exhibition booth, held from August 27 to 29, 2024, and a trade connection workshop between Hanoi businesses and distribution systems in Europe, Northern Europe, and Sweden. The "Hanoi - Vietnam" booth at the fair is specially designed with the theme: "Hanoi Craft Villages - Traditional Values - Modern Design" that deeply reflects the cultural heritage of Thang Long - Dong Do - Hanoi - Vietnam. The Hanoi booth covers an area of 90 square meters, located within the Vietnam exhibition area, gathering 10 enterprises that produce strong, export potential products with competitive capabilities in the Swedish, Northern European, and European markets. The products included decorative ceramics, household ceramics; baskets, rugs, decorative items, kitchenware; hand-quilted blankets, decorative pillows, handbags, wallets, fabric coasters, fabric placemats; fabric accessories like laptop covers, phone cases, glasses cases, decorative items; trays, baskets, lampshades made from rattan, bamboo, seagrass, water hyacinth; and silk products. At the workshop, over 500 exquisite handicraft products from Hanoi, represented by 10 businesses from the capital's craft villages, were introduced and connected to the Swedish, Northern European, and European markets. As part of the workshop, a signing ceremony took place between Hanoi DARD - Vietnam and Lund University (Sweden) regarding a 2025 design cooperation program. This detailed the coordination in product design in order to meet export needs to the European market and invite the leadership of Lund University (Sweden) and European businesses to attend the International Craft Village Preservation and Development Festival organized by Hanoi in 2025. The 2024 Formex Sweden International Handicraft Fair is the largest annual event in Northern Europe, featuring the participation of national pavilions from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, Colombia, Japan, Qatar and more. The fair gathers buyers, agents, designers, manufacturers and media from both domestic and international sectors in interior design, handicraft products and gifts./. Were convinced we are insiders and use the language of insiders. We talk of the DNC and list the swing states with ease. Anthony Scaramucci, political podcaster, is referred to as one might a treasured uncle from the Italian side of the family. We sit on the couch, texting each other. Did you see Michelle Obamas speech? What about Tim Walz? Do you think Beyonce will appear? On Monday night we find our life hardly worth living as its Sunday in America, so there are no late-night news shows on which to binge. Not all Australians are as insane as me and my family and friends, I realise that. But many are. You can see it in the lists of most-read stories on Australian websites. We just cant get enough of American politics. I have a modest proposal. Australian voters should get to determine the result of the forthcoming US election. After all, were the ones paying the most attention. Did you hear what The Mooch said? my younger son texts me. The Moochs latest podcast has only been up for an hour but the young fellow has already consumed it. I feel a need to point out to him, and myself, and everyone else I know: This is all very well but you do realise we dont get a vote? Even crazier, I find myself knowing more about American politics than I do about our own. How weird is that? Bidens transport secretary is Pete Buttigieg. I know the name of his husband and of the town that he once served as mayor. (Its South Bend, Indiana, in the unlikely case you dont know.) Australias transport minister is Catherine someone. Im sure shes terrific but I find myself unable to tell you anything more. I am unable to say whether she once served as mayor and, if so, of which town. Nor the name of her husband. Oh, and by the way, Tim Walzs son is called Gus and his daughter is called Hope. As for Albo, I know he has a son but Im unsure of his name. Again: I dont get a vote. But really, I should. We all should. Were better informed than the average American. Perhaps its always been like this, Australians paying far too much attention to a country far away. An early interest in Americas progressive politics is the reason the Australian Labor Party is still missing a u. They took the American spelling because they thought it represented the future. Later, Harold Holt worked up a rhyme to express his fawning regard for the US president: All the way with LBJ. A more recent Australian prime minister talked proudly of being Americas deputy sheriff. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Electoral Council hereby reminds all registered political parties that in accordance with article 37, paragraph 1 of the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties, they are required to submit to the Electoral Council a chronological register of all donations received throughout the year 2023, be it in cash, by check or in kind. All registered political parties, including parties that did not participate in the January 11th, 2024 parliamentary elections, must maintain and submit a register of donations. All political parties that did not receive any donations in 2023 must also submit a signed register. In addition, with regard to the snap parliamentary elections of August 19th, 2024, the Electoral Council hereby notifies all candidates that according to Article 33 paragraph 2 of the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties, all candidates must maintain a register of all donations received from the moment that they have been designated as a candidate by their political party and retain supporting documents, such as receipts, bank statements, etc. Further, pursuant to Article 37 paragraph 2, all candidates must submit a copy of their register of donations, be it monetary or in-kind provided with a declaration signed by the candidate, within one month after August 19th, 2024, therefore no later than September 18th, 2024. Each party representative has received the candidate donation registration form via email. The registers of donations can be submitted to the Electoral Council via email or at the office address of the Electoral Council mentioned below during office hours between 9:00 AM 1:00 PM and between 2:00 PM 4:00 PM. The Electoral Council is hereby announcing that each party and each candidate may also submit their register of donations via an online database that the Electoral Council has established for this purpose. In short, each candidate will receive an email with a username, password, and instructions on how to access the database in order to complete the registration digitally. If for any reason you did not receive this email, note that this does not absolve you from the obligation to submit your timely donation registration. The Electoral Council advises all party boards to carefully monitor donations received by their candidates and when necessary - to assist their candidates with the accurate registration of donations. Each candidate is required to date and sign his/her donations register and to certify that this is completed accurately and truthfully. Non-compliance with or violation of the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties is subject to penalty. Meet DynaTech Systems at the Community Summit NA 2024 Meet DynaTech Systems at the Community Summit, San Antonio, October 13-17, 2024 at Booth #234 in Exhibit Halls 1 & 2. Unlock the full potential of Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure with DynaTech Systems, your trusted partner in achieving digital excellence. As a Gold Sponsor at the Community Summit, we re committed to helping mid-to-large sized organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, non-profit, e-commerce, education, and more, leverage Microsoft solutions for optimal business performance. With over 12 years of experience and a CMMI Level 3 certification, we deliver proven results. DynaTech Systems at Summit NA 2024: Gold Sponsor: Proud participant of this premier event. Booth Location: Visit us at Booth #234 in Exhibit Halls 1 & 2. Mission: Empowering businesses through cutting-edge Microsoft Business Applications. What to expect: ???? Strategic Insights on Azure & Power Platform: Receive expert advice on optimizing cloud infrastructure and automating workflows, leveraging Azure and the Power Platform to drive efficiency and innovation. ???? Comprehensive Success Roadmap with Microsoft Copilot: Explore how to integrate Microsoft Copilot into your operations, enhancing collaboration and productivity with proven strategies and best practices. ???? Innovative Dynamics 365 Solutions & Demonstrations: Experience live showcases of Dynamics 365 CRM and F&SCM, demonstrating advanced functionalities and tailored solutions for your business needs. ???? Live Consultations: Meet with our directors and solution architects for personalized, on-the-spot recommendations and insights. ???? Case Studies & Success Stories: Review detailed case studies highlighting our DevOps approach, meticulous documentation, and successful outcomes. Join Us: Don t Miss Out: Summit NA 2024 is a must-attend event for anyone in the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem. Opportunities: Discover new solutions, receive training, and network with industry experts. Visit DynaTech Systems: We are here to help you succeed and take your business to the next level. See you there! Macron says Europe needs own AI model to 'catch up' Novi Sad, Serbia, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 President Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to Serbia, said Friday that Europe needs to invest in its own artificial intelligence model to catch up with China and the United States. Speaking at a forum in the city of Novi Sad, the French leader noted that "we Europeans are a bit behind." "The Chinese and the Americans invest a lot more," Macron added during the trip that included France and Serbia inking a deal for 12 Rafale warplanes -- in a shift away from Russian weapons for the Balkan nation. The French president encouraged Europe to "catch up, innovate, invest much more" to be on par with Washington and Beijing, adding that AI "should serve collective goals". Europe should develop a part-public, part-private innovation model, Macron said. For the European Union, which has implemented a unique regulatory framework in an effort to control the technological advances of AI, the "priority is to invest", the head of state said. "Once we reach a moment of maturity, that is when we can turn regulation into a competitive advantage," he said. Belgrade will lead the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, while France is gearing up to host an AI summit in February 2025. The widely fighter jet 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. The French leader said the contract marked a courageous "strategic change" for the Balkan country, which has traditionally been close to Russia and China, but has also applied to join the EU. 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. Editor: Zhang Zhou US Army criticizes Trump staff over 'push' at cemetery visit Washington, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 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. The incident has mushroomed into an uncharacteristically public dispute between the military and a former US commander in chief, with Trump lashing out and accusing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of having "killed" American soldiers through "gross incompetence" in Afghanistan. Trump went to 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 US 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." Doubling down, LaCivita later reposted video of Trump's presence at Arlington and said he hoped it would "trigger the hacks" at the US Army secretary's office. Trump has made criticism of Biden's handling of the retreat from Afghanistan a key note of his campaign ahead of November's election. The US withdrawal was made as part of a peace deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban. At a Thursday rally in Michigan, Trump defended his gravesite visit and savaged Biden and Harris, his 2024 White House rival, over Afghanistan. "They asked me to go yesterday to Arlington and I did," Trump said of the families, adding that "bad people" accused him of inappropriate political activity. "Joe Biden killed their children, by incompetence... Kamala killed their children -- just as though they had a gun in their hand -- by gross incompetence," Trump told supporters. "Not one general or incompetent bureaucrat was fired," over the deadly pullout, he added. "And then they accuse me of having a picture taken at the tombstone with the family." 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 he was president and did not want to be seen near military amputees, according to his former chief of staff. Israeli air strike hits West Bank on third day of raid Jenin, Palestinian Territories, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Israel carried out an air strike in the occupied West Bank on Friday as its large-scale military operation entered a third day, with both sides reporting at least 16 Palestinians killed. A top UN aid official meanwhile questioned "what has become of our basic humanity", as the war raged on in Gaza and humanitarian operations struggle to respond. The United Nations has warned the military operation which Israel launched in the West Bank early on Wednesday is "fuelling an already explosive situation" in the territory and has pressed Israel to end it. In the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris pledged she will not change Washington's policy of supplying weapons to Israel if elected to the top job in November. But she stressed it was time to "end this war". Israel has described its raids on towns and refugee camps across the northern West Bank as "counter-terrorism" operations. Israeli forces have killed at least 16 Palestinians in the raids since Wednesday, a toll confirmed by the Palestinian health ministry. The military said one of its "aircraft struck a terrorist cell" near the city of Jenin early on Friday. It did not immediately give further details. An AFP journalist reported loud explosions from the city's refugee camp and thick plumes of smoke rising from the area. Israeli troops pulled back from other West Bank towns late Thursday but fighting raged on around Jenin, long a hub of militant activity. - Vaccination 'pauses' - In Gaza, Israeli artillery pounded western areas of Gaza City early Friday, an AFP journalist said, while a medical source at the southern Nasser Hospital said an Israeli strike killed three people near the southern city of Khan Yunis. The World Health Organization said Israel had agreed to at least three days of "humanitarian pauses" in parts of Gaza, starting Sunday, to facilitate a vaccination drive after the first case of polio in a quarter of a century was recorded in the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the measures were "not a ceasefire" in the nearly 11-month-old war triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack. In the West Bank, the army said it killed seven militants on Thursday, including five militants in Tulkarem refugee camp. A military statement said one of the five was Muhammad Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, who Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said was its commander in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp. Two other militants were killed in Jenin on Thursday, the military said. The Israeli assault has caused significant destruction, especially in Tulkarem, whose governor Mustafa Taqatqa described the raids as "unprecedented" and a "dangerous signal". The Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group said at least 45 people had been detained in the West Bank since Wednesday. An Israeli military spokesman said "10 wanted individuals were arrested". Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza. The United Nations said on Wednesday that at least 637 Palestinians had been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war began. Nineteen Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during army operations over the same period, according to Israeli official figures. - 'Basic sense of humanity' - In Gaza, the Israeli military said Thursday it had "eliminated dozens" of militants in a day of combat and strikes. Israeli shelling in the Jabalia refugee camp killed two people on Friday, the civil defence agency in the Hamas-ruled territory said. The UN had to halt the movement of aid and aid workers within Gaza on Monday due to a new Israeli evacuation order for the Deir el-Balah area, which had become a hub for its workers. "More than 88 percent of Gaza's territory has come under an (Israeli) order to evacuate at some point," the acting head of the UN humanitarian office, Joyce Msuya. She said civilians were being forced into just 11 percent of the Gaza Strip, already one of the most densely populated territories in the world before the war. "What we have witnessed over the past 11 months... calls into question the world's commitment to the international legal order that was designed to prevent these tragedies," Msuya said. "It forces us to ask: what has become of our basic sense of humanity?" Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,199 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Palestinians militants also seized 251 hostages, 103 of whom are still captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 40,602 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. The war has devastated Gaza, repeatedly displaced most of its 2.4 million people and triggered a humanitarian crisis. In central Gaza, some Palestinians returned to parts of Deir el-Balah after the military had amended a previous evacuation order. Mohamed Abu Thuria told AFP he had "found massive destruction everywhere". Another displaced Gazans back in Deir el-Balah, Ibrahim al-Tabaan, said: "We lost everything." burs-rsc/kir/dv Israel air strike kills three Palestinians on third day of West Bank raid Jenin, Palestinian Territories, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Israel said it killed three Hamas militants in an air strike in the occupied West Bank on Friday, taking the death toll from a large-scale military operation now in its third day to at least 19. A top UN aid official meanwhile questioned "what has become of our basic humanity", as the war raged on in Gaza and humanitarian operations struggle to respond. The United Nations has warned the military operation which Israel launched in the West Bank early on Wednesday is "fuelling an already explosive situation" in the territory and has pressed Israel to end it. In the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris pledged she will not change Washington's policy of supplying weapons to Israel if elected to the top job in November. But she stressed it was time to "end this war". Israel has described its raids on towns and refugee camps across the northern West Bank as "counter-terrorism" operations. They have killed at least 19 Palestinians since Wednesday, the military and the Palestinian health ministry said. The military said it killed three Hamas militants in an air strike near the northern city of Jenin on Friday. Witnesses told AFP the strike hit a car in the town of Zababdeh, southeast of the city. Israeli troops pulled back from other West Bank towns late Thursday but fighting raged on around Jenin, long a hub of militant activity. The AFP journalist reported loud explosions from the city's refugee camp and thick plumes of smoke rising from the area. - Vaccination 'pauses' - In Gaza, Israeli artillery pounded western areas of Gaza City early Friday, an AFP journalist said, while a medical source at the southern Nasser Hospital said an Israeli strike killed three people near the southern city of Khan Yunis. The World Health Organization said Israel had agreed to at least three days of "humanitarian pauses" in parts of Gaza, starting Sunday, to facilitate a vaccination drive after the first case of polio in a quarter of a century was recorded in the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the measures were "not a ceasefire" in the nearly 11-month-old war triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack. In the West Bank, the army said it killed seven militants on Thursday, including five militants in Tulkarem refugee camp. A military statement said one of the five was Muhammad Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, who Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said was its commander in the nearby Nur Shams refugee camp. Two other militants were killed in Jenin on Thursday, the military said. The Israeli assault has caused significant destruction, especially in Tulkarem, whose governor Mustafa Taqatqa described the raids as "unprecedented" and a "dangerous signal". The Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group said at least 45 people had been detained in the West Bank since Wednesday. An Israeli military spokesman said "10 wanted individuals were arrested". Violence has surged in the West Bank since Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza. The United Nations said on Wednesday that at least 637 Palestinians had been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war began. Nineteen Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during army operations over the same period, according to Israeli official figures. - 'Basic sense of humanity' - In Gaza, the Israeli military said Thursday it had "eliminated dozens" of militants in a day of combat and strikes. Israeli shelling in the Jabalia refugee camp killed two people on Friday, the civil defence agency in the Hamas-ruled territory said. The UN had to halt the movement of aid and aid workers within Gaza on Monday due to a new Israeli evacuation order for the Deir el-Balah area, which had become a hub for its workers. "More than 88 percent of Gaza's territory has come under an (Israeli) order to evacuate at some point," the acting head of the UN humanitarian office, Joyce Msuya. She said civilians were being forced into just 11 percent of the Gaza Strip, already one of the most densely populated territories in the world before the war. "What we have witnessed over the past 11 months... calls into question the world's commitment to the international legal order that was designed to prevent these tragedies," Msuya said. "It forces us to ask: what has become of our basic sense of humanity?" Hamas's October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,199 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Palestinians militants also seized 251 hostages, 103 of whom are still captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 40,602 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children. The war has devastated Gaza, repeatedly displaced most of its 2.4 million people and triggered a humanitarian crisis. In central Gaza, some Palestinians returned to parts of Deir el-Balah after the military had amended a previous evacuation order. Mohamed Abu Thuria told AFP he had "found massive destruction everywhere". Another displaced Gazans back in Deir el-Balah, Ibrahim al-Tabaan, said: "We lost everything." burs-rsc/kir/dv UK voices concerns at Israel's 'methods' in West Bank raid London, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 The UK on Friday said it was "deeply" concerned by the Israeli military's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to "exercise restraint" and adhere to international law. Israel's large-scale military operation in the occupied territory entered its third day Friday, with the death toll rising to at least 19. Israel has described its raids on towns and refugee camps across the northern West Bank as "counter-terrorism" operations. "We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," a spokesperson for the UK foreign ministry said. The spokesperson added in a statement that the risk of regional instability was serious while "the need for de-escalation urgent". The statement called on Israeli authorities to "exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions". Britain also criticised comments made earlier this week by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a settler and proponent of West Bank annexation. The senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government said he would build a synagogue at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound if he could. "The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem," the spokesperson said. "It is in no one's interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank." Britain's centre-left Labour government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, and for the speeding up of aid deliveries into there, since taking power early last month. It has followed the same approach to the conflict as the previous Conservative government, with foreign minister David Lammy and other ministers at pains to demand Hamas release the hostages seized in its October 7 attacks as part of any ceasefire. Some commentators have suggested however that the new government led by Keir Starmer -- a former human rights lawyer -- may take a tougher long-term stance towards Israel and how it conducts its military operations. Labour says it is committed to recognising a Palestinian state "as a contribution to a renewed peace process" which results in a two-state solution. WWII bomb destroyed at Czech factory Prague, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Czech authorities on Friday detonated an unexploded World War II bomb dug up at a major Czech petrochemical factory last week, the fire brigade said. Police established a six-day security perimeter around the Zaluzi plant about 100 kilometres (60 miles) northwest of Prague after workers had found the ordnance at a remote part of the factory's site on August 21. They ordered hundreds of people to leave their homes, while the factory run by Polish petrol giant Orlen was shut down. "The detonation of the bomb was successful. The blast occurred at 12:13 (1013 GMT)," the fire brigade said on X, posting drone images from the site. "We are conducting a thorough check of the site. The initial visual search suggests there are no major visible damages in the neighbourhood," it added. The firefighters isolated the bomb with sandbags before the blast. The 250-kilogramme (550-pound) British aerial bomb was equipped with a unique chemical trigger to delay its explosion, which police said made it particularly dangerous. "The danger and rarity of this discovery lies in the triggering mechanism that can be set for up to 144 hours, or six days," a police statement said last week. Besides the 1.5-square-kilometre perimeter, the Czech police also ordered 600 people to evacuate. The factory, which served the Nazi war effort during the German occupation of then Czechoslovakia, was the target of Allied bombings in 1944. Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijan has been represented at Moscow International Film Week, organized by the Creative Industries Agency of the Russian Federation, Azernews reports citing the Culture Ministry. The event brought together representatives from various countries including Azerbaijan, Turkiye, USA, India, China, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE. Rashad Azizov, head of the Creative Industries and Digital Development Department, represented the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the event. He participated in a panel discussion focused on the "Creative Economy" and highlighted Azerbaijan's strategic development of Cultural and Creative Industries through various grants and educational initiatives. Azizov emphasized that these grant and educational programs, along with the activities of the Creative Center that supports young startups, are key to enhancing the country's role in the creative sector and improving its global standing. He also engaged in discussions with representatives from the creative industries of multiple countries during the event. The inaugural Moscow Film Week provided participants with the opportunity to explore leading projects from different countries within the creative industry. Film commission representatives, industry executives, and experts from 25 different nations attended the event. This initiative is noteworthy as it serves as an effective platform for fostering connections between the international film community and leaders within the Russian film industry. Around 300 films were screened across approximately 100 venues throughout Moscow as part of the event. Attendees also enjoyed spectacular concerts and took part in master classes, thematic games, and meet-and-greets with actors and directors. Moreover, film tours of Moscow's film studios and iconic film locations were organized within Moscow International Film Week. Eric Kimuyu practices an acrobatic move in Wuqiao County, north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin) SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan acrobat Mathias Kavita was thrilled when he found out he would be traveling to China for a second time, having trained in acrobatics in the country over four decades ago. The 53-year-old, along with 22 other acrobatics students from Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Eritrea, is participating in a two-month program in north China's Wuqiao County, known as the cradle of Chinese acrobatics. The program, which is sponsored by the Chinese government, began in late July. "I missed China so much for four decades, and I am very excited to secure this second chance to study acrobatics in Wuqiao County," Kavita said in a recent interview with Xinhua at the Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School in Hebei Province. In 1983, Kavita and 23 other Kenyan students arrived at the home base of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China in south China's Guangdong Province to study acrobatics for two years, sponsored by the Chinese government. Kavita then returned to Kenya and worked in acrobatics, establishing a workshop in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, in the mid-1990s. The workshop still operates today, having trained over 1,000 people to date. Though Kavita first visited China as a student, he has returned to assist the Chinese instructors who are teaching acrobatics to African students of the program. As Kavita can speak Chinese, he helps the students better understand and master key learning points from the Chinese instructors. Back in Kenya, many children have been inspired by Kavita and have spent years learning acrobatics from him. When he has the opportunity to perform, he often takes these children along for his shows, allowing them to earn an income as well. Eric Kimuyu, 26, began learning acrobatics from Kavita about 10 years ago. "Acrobatics has brought me discipline and more friends. Practicing with friends and gaining ideas from them might help me in the future," Kimuyu said at the Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School. "I believe that the skills I'm learning here will help me gain opportunities in the future to perform on the global stage," said Judah Patrick, another of Kavita's students, after excitedly demonstrating his newly acquired skills. "In Africa, we generally only train for physical balance, but after training in China, I've gained more ideas and experience. I'm thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to come to China," Patrick said. Wuqiao acrobatics can be traced back some 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.). In 2006, it was listed as a form of intangible cultural heritage at the state level. Kavita and many young Africans continue to pass on Chinese acrobatics skills in Africa, and they have become grassroots ambassadors for cultural exchange between China and Africa. Speaking of his bond with China, Kavita became visibly emotional. He said he hoped this bond of friendship will be passed on to the next generation, and that the acrobatics program will continue as it has made changes in his country. "I benefited tremendously from China's opening-up and modernization from an early age," Kavita said, noting that he is keeping a close eye on the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and hopes it will yield more fruitful results. Judah Patrick practices an acrobatic move in Wuqiao County, north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin) Mathias Kavita shows his certificate he earned at the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China four decades ago, in Wuqiao County, north China's Hebei Province, Aug. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Bai Lin) Editor: Zhang Zhou EU wants to train more Ukrainian soldiers, but not in Ukraine Brussels, Belgium, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 The European Union wants to train more Ukrainian soldiers but remains divided over whether to provide the support in Ukraine itself, the bloc's foreign policy chief said on Friday. The EU has already set a goal of training around 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, but with fierce fighting continuing in the war-torn country, the bloc wants to do more. "We will discuss how to increase our training mission" of Ukrainian soldiers, EU top diplomat Josep Borrell told reporters in Brussels before a meeting of the bloc's defence ministers. "We are thinking about having a coordination centre in Ukraine, but there is no agreement to train Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian soil with European instructors," Borrell added. The issue divides the EU's 27 member states. Several countries, including Estonia, France and Sweden, support training soldiers in Ukraine, but other countries, including Hungary, fear such a move could lead to conflict escalation. France shocked its allies earlier this year when President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine, although he acknowledged that there was no consensus on taking such action. Ministers will discuss renewing the European mission for training Ukrainian soldiers but the current text does not mention carrying it out on Ukrainian soil, an EU diplomat said. Borrell again urged EU states to accelerate their arms deliveries to Ukraine, following an appeal on Thursday by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. "Many pledges have been done since June, especially on air defence, and in the face of massive attacks to Ukraine and Ukrainian cities... It is clear that we will have to react," Borrell said. He also slammed restrictions on Ukraine over how Kyiv uses arms supplies. "It is ridiculous to say that allowing targeting inside Russian territory means to be in a war against Moscow... We are supporting Ukraine," Borrell said. Ukraine has made repeated calls to its allies to lift restrictions but Berlin and Washington oppose such a move, fearing a confrontation with Moscow. A German government source lashed out at Borrell over his use of the word "ridiculous". "Towards the end of his term, Borrell's statements are becoming increasingly strange. One thing is clear: he is speaking less and less on behalf of the European Union, and more and more for himself," the source said. Estonia's ex-premier, Kaja Kallas, has been tapped to replace Borrell later this year. Philippines, Vietnam agree to deepen defence cooperation Manila, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 The Philippines and Vietnam will deepen military cooperation with an agreement to be signed this year, their defence ministers announced Friday, as both countries seek to counter Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Welcoming his Vietnamese counterpart to Manila, Filipino defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro acknowledged the two Southeast Asian nations had "bilateral issues", but said they were working together to overcome their "common threats". Teodoro announced they would sign a "memorandum on defence cooperation within this year" to "continue and enhance cooperation in the naval, air, army and land force spheres". Vietnam and the Philippines both contest the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, but have increasingly sought to shore up ties as Beijing claims almost the entire disputed waterway. Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang's three-day visit to Manila follows a port call and joint firefighting and search-and-rescue exercises in the Manila Bay this month. Phan said the two sides would work together on "disaster response and search and rescue, military medicine, cybersecurity, defence industry" and other matters. "The alliance between the Philippines and Vietnam is strong," Teodoro later told reporters. Phan also met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Friday to discuss defence, trade and maritime cooperation, according to a presidential palace statement. Marcos said the visit would further promote "the depth and range of our relationship". "Together, we remain committed to peaceful resolutions, de-escalating tensions and ensuring that the rule of law and a rules-based international order prevail in our region," Marcos said in a separate post on social media. Russian mercenaries pulled out of Burkina Faso to defend Kursk: commander Paris, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia has disrupted Russian mercenaries' plans in junta-led Burkina Faso, with many now pulled out to help boost Moscow's defences back home, a paramilitary commander said on Friday. In an interview with AFP, Viktor Yermolaev, head of a paramilitary unit known as Medvedi (Bears) in Russia and the Bear Brigade in the West, said many of his fighters had left the West African country, while some stayed behind. Ukraine earlier this month launched the unprecedented incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, adding a new factor in the over two year war that began in February 2022 with Moscow's invasion of its neighbour. The Bear Brigade is one of several such mercenary groups that emerged in recent years alongside the now defunct Wagner Group of the late Yevgeny Prigozhin and Western analysts say are closely linked to the Russian state. "We thought Ukrainians wanted to end this war and sit down at the negotiating table, but after their entry into the Kursk region we see that they chose the path of war, and war is our job," said Yermolaev, who is also known by his call sign Jedi. "There is no higher honour for a Russian warrior than to defend his homeland. This is the way," added Yermolaev, who said he had served in Russia's airborne troops for 15 years. He said he was now in Russia but declined to provide further details or say how many fighters had been pulled out. The unit's Telegram channel said earlier this week that "due to recent events" the unit was returning to Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, where it is based. A Western security source told AFP that around a hundred fighters of the paramilitary unit had left Burkina Faso. Western intelligence believes that the fighters have been tasked in particular with providing security for the country's junta leader Ibrahim Traore who took power in 2022. A succession of coups in francophone western Africa -- in Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023 -- have led to a drastic increase in Russia's influence as Russian mercenaries were called in to prop up new regimes. Coup leaders in Burkina Faso expelled troops and diplomats from former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia for military assistance. - 'Bases and property' - Yermolaev declined to discuss their operations in Burkina Faso, but said there were around 300 Bear Brigade fighters in the African country before the Kursk incursion. "Some are remaining of course, we have bases and property, equipment and ammunition, we're not taking all that to Russia." One picture circulating on social media shows Yermolayev, shaven-headed and with a salt-and-pepper beard, smiling and clasping Traore's hand. Yermolaev told AFP the picture was recent, saying he "stopped by to say goodbye" to Traore. In June, an African diplomatic source had told AFP that "two rotations of planes carrying Russian instructors" had arrived in the country from neighbouring Mali. The term is generally used to describe Russian mercenaries operating in Africa. Yermolaev claimed his group was independent of the Russian defence ministry. "But we always help them when they come to us," he added. In June, Jack Margolin, an expert on Russian mercenarism for the Foreign Policy Research institute (FPRI), described the unit as being under control of the Russian defence ministry. "The Bears are basically a group of volunteers," Lou Osborn of the All Eyes on Wagner monitor said, adding its members had signed a contract with Russia's GRU military intelligence service. Wagner, Russia's most notorious mercenary group, was disbanded and reorganised following the death of its leader Prigozhin in a mysterious plane crash last year following an aborted mutiny. Russian security operations in Africa are now coordinated through an umbrella group known as the Africa Corps. US-based aid group says Israeli strike Thursday on Gaza convoy killed 4 Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 A US-based aid group said on Friday an Israeli air strike killed four people accompanying its convoy in Gaza the day before, while the Israeli military said it had struck armed assailants. "An Israeli air strike yesterday killed four Palestinians in the lead vehicle of an Anera aid convoy carrying food and fuel to the Emirati Red Crescent Hospital," Anera said in a statement. It identified the dead as "four community members with experience in previous missions and engagement in community security", noting that they were not Anera staff. They "stepped forward and requested to take command of the leading vehicle, citing concern that the route was unsafe and at risk of being looted", the Anera statement said. "The four community members were neither vetted nor coordinated in advance, and Israeli authorities allege that the lead car was carrying numerous weapons. The Israeli air strike was carried out without any prior warning or communication." A statement from the Israeli military, which did not give a death toll, said the strike occurred after "a number of armed assailants seized control of the vehicle". It also said "the presence of armed individuals was not coordinated" before the convoy departed. "After ruling out potential harm to the trucks, as well as a clear identification of weapons, a strike was carried out targeting the armed individuals. The truck arrived at its planned destination," the military said. Anera said none of its staff were harmed in the strike "though one Anera employee, who was in the second vehicle, witnessed the incident at close range". Anera President and CEO Sean Carroll said information collected by the group indicated it was "a case of partners on the ground endeavouring to deliver aid successfully". He added: "This should not come at the cost of people's lives." The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, has led to a major humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory while putting aid workers at risk. The World Food Programme said Wednesday it was pausing movement of its staff in Gaza "until further notice" after one of its vehicles was struck by gunfire at an Israeli military checkpoint. In May the United Nations said an Indian member of its security services was killed and another wounded when a UN vehicle was struck on the way to a hospital in Rafah. And on April 1, seven aid workers from the US charity World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli strike which the military called a "tragic mistake". The UN humanitarian office said on Friday that attacks affecting its personnel "not only endanger the lives of aid workers... but also limit their capacity to help the more than 2 million people who are engaged in a daily struggle for their survival". It also said that in August "the number of humanitarian missions and movements within Gaza that have been denied access by Israeli authorities has almost doubled, compared with July". Zelensky dismisses Ukraine air force commander after F-16 crash Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday dismissed the country's air force chief, a day after Kyiv said a US-made F-16 fighter jet had crashed in combat, killing the pilot. In a video message Zelensky said he had "decided to replace the commander of the air force" to strengthen Ukraine's military leadership. His office earlier published a presidential decree to officially remove Mykola Oleshchuk from the post. The crash of the F-16 was a high-profile setback for Kyiv, which had lobbied the West to send the advanced fighter jet for months. It was the first reported loss, just weeks after Ukraine first started taking delivery of the supersonic aircraft. The military had said the plane and pilot crashed during a combat mission earlier this week after having shot down incoming Russian missiles. Lawmaker Mariana Bezugla, who sits on a parliamentary defence, security and intelligence committee, claimed the F-16 was shot down by Ukraine's own air defence systems in a case of friendly fire. In response to those allegations Oleshchuk earlier on Friday accused her of trying to discredit Ukraine's military leaders, and said a full investigation into the incident was underway. Zelensky did not provide further details on why he had decided to replace his air force commander, saying only that his command team "needed to get stronger". Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, who leads the air force's operations in the central part of Ukraine, would temporarily assume the role of overall commander, the air force said. It is not the first time Zelensky has removed a senior military leader. Earlier this year he removed popular commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny. He was replaced with Oleksandr Syrsky, who masterminded leading Ukraine's shock counter-attack into Russia's western Kursk region. Nine DR Congo coup accused plead not guilty Kinshasa, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Nine defendants on trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo over what the army says was a coup attempt on Friday pleaded not guilty. Fifty-one people, including three US citizens, are on trial over the incident, which began in the early hours of May 19 when armed men attacked the home of the DRC's Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe. The group then went to a building housing President Felix Tshisekedi's offices, brandishing flags of Zaire, the country's name under ex-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was overthrown in 1997. Shots were heard near the building, several sources said at the time. An army spokesman later announced on national TV that defence and security forces had stopped "an attempted coup d'etat". The alleged plot was led by Christian Malanga, a Congolese man who was a "naturalised American" and who was killed by security forces, army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge has said. Three days ago, military prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Innocent Radjabu urged judges to sentence to death all but one of the 51 defendants. "We plead not guilty," Richard Bondo, a lawyer for US citizen Benjamin Zalman-Polun, told the court on Friday, calling for the detainees to be released. The three Americans on trial at the Kinshasa military court include Malanga's son Marcel Malanga. Tyler Thompson, another of the American defendants, told the court last month that he had been "forced" into participating, echoing the two other US citizens facing the same charge. Zalman-Polun said he was "kidnapped" and "forced" into taking part. The defendants also include a Belgian, a Briton and a Canadian who are all naturalised Congolese. The trial began on June 7 in Ndolo military prison, where all the defendants are being held. The charges include "attack, terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and munitions of war, attempted assassination, criminal association, murder (and) financing of terrorism". Russian mercenaries pulled out of Burkina Faso to defend Kursk: commander Paris, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia has disrupted Russian mercenaries' plans in junta-led Burkina Faso, with many now pulled out to help boost Moscow's defences back home, a paramilitary commander said on Friday. In an interview with AFP, Viktor Yermolaev, head of a paramilitary unit known as Medvedi (Bears) in Russia and the Bear Brigade in the West, said many of his fighters had left the West African country, while some stayed behind. Ukraine earlier this month launched the unprecedented incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, adding a new factor in the over two year war that began in February 2022 with Moscow's invasion of its neighbour. The Bear Brigade is one of several such mercenary groups that emerged in recent years alongside the now defunct Wagner Group of the late Yevgeny Prigozhin and Western analysts say are closely linked to the Russian state. "We thought Ukrainians wanted to end this war and sit down at the negotiating table, but after their entry into the Kursk region we see that they chose the path of war, and war is our job," said Yermolaev, who is also known by his call sign Jedi. "There is no higher honour for a Russian warrior than to defend his homeland. This is the way," added Yermolaev, who said he had served in Russia's airborne troops for 15 years. He said he was now in Russia but declined to provide further details or say how many fighters had been pulled out. The unit's Telegram channel said earlier this week that "due to recent events" the unit was returning to Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, where it is based. A Western security source told AFP that around a hundred fighters of the paramilitary unit had left Burkina Faso. Western intelligence believes that the fighters have been tasked in particular with providing security for the country's junta leader Ibrahim Traore who took power in 2022. A succession of coups in francophone western Africa -- in Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023 -- have led to a drastic increase in Russia's influence as Russian mercenaries were called in to prop up new regimes. Coup leaders in Burkina Faso expelled troops and diplomats from former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia for military assistance. - 'Limited impact on the ground' - Yermolaev declined to discuss their operations in Burkina Faso, but said there were around 300 Bear Brigade fighters in the African country before the Kursk incursion. "Some are remaining of course, we have bases and property, equipment and ammunition, we're not taking all that to Russia." One picture circulating on social media shows Yermolaev, shaven-headed and with a salt-and-pepper beard, smiling and clasping Traore's hand. Yermolaev told AFP the picture was recent, saying he "stopped by to say goodbye" to Traore. In June, an African diplomatic source had told AFP that "two rotations of planes carrying Russian instructors" had arrived in the country from neighbouring Mali. The term is generally used to describe Russian mercenaries operating in Africa. Yermolaev claimed his group was independent of the Russian defence ministry. "But we always help them when they come to us," he added. Jack Margolin, an independent expert on private military companies, said the group's exit would unlikely impact the battlefield in the African country. "Bears have had limited impact on the ground in Burkina Faso, mainly focused on training and security for political leadership. They haven't taken on the level of risk that Wagner units have in places like Mali," Margolin, who is based in Washington DC, told AFP on Friday. "Bears are just one part of how the Russian military has deployed to Burkina Faso, and it's likely that Russia will maintain a presence through other units - whether more formal, or others like Bears," he added. Lou Osborn of the All Eyes on Wagner monitor described the unit as a "group of volunteers" whose members had signed a contract with Russia's GRU military intelligence service. Wagner, Russia's most notorious mercenary group, was disbanded and reorganised following the death of its leader Prigozhin in a mysterious plane crash last year following an aborted mutiny. Russian security operations in Africa are now coordinated through an umbrella group known as the Africa Corps. Germany ends military operations in junta-run Niger Berlin, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 The German army on Friday vacated an airbase in junta-run Niger and flew its final troops home, completing a withdrawal from the restive Sahel nation. At the end of May, Germany and Niger reached an interim agreement allowing the German military to continue operating its airbase in the capital Niamey until the end of August. But negotiations to extend that agreement broke down, notably because the base's personnel would no longer benefit from immunity from prosecution. Senior German and Nigerien military officials read out joint statements announcing the completion of the withdrawal. "This withdrawal does not mark the end of military cooperation between Niger and Germany, in fact the two sides are committed to maintaining military relations," they said. Five cargo planes carrying 60 German troops and 146 tonnes of equipment landed at the Wunsdorf air base around 6:30 pm local time (1630 GMT), where they were met by state secretary for defence Nils Hilmer. Germany had operated the base in Niger since February 2016 and it once housed some 3,200 personnel. Niger has been run by a military government since a coup d'etat in July 2023 ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held as a prisoner ever since. The regime has turned its back on other Western allies such as France and the United States to turn towards Russia and Iran. A similar shift has taken place in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are likewise ruled by military leaders and faced with violence from jihadist groups. SUVA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization will bring new opportunities for the development of Pacific island countries, China's Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs Qian Bo said here at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which runs from Monday to Friday in Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa. While addressing a dialogue session on Wednesday, Qian briefed the participants on the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and expounded on China's policy toward Pacific island countries. He emphasized that China will remain committed to a high-level opening-up, the path of peaceful development, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the concept of green development. The envoy also said China will take concrete actions to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and accelerate the building of an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific island countries. During the meeting, Qian announced China's measures to support the development of Pacific island countries, which were highly praised by all participants. The forum leaders meet annually to develop collective responses to regional issues. And this year's meeting was hosted by Tonga under the theme "Transformative, Resilient Pasifiki -- Build Better Now." Editor: Zhang Zhou TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli army's recent attacks on Palestinian cities and camps in the West Bank. In a statement released by the ministry, Kanaani criticized the 30-hour military operation by Israel in several northern West Bank cities, which resulted in the deaths of Palestinians and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Kanaani stated that the Israeli army's attacks, which involved "brutal destruction of urban and service infrastructure" and "violent entry into medical centers," reflect "Israel's intention to widen the scopes of its killing of Palestinian civilians and crimes against them." Kanani urged international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council, to refrain from inaction in the face of Israel's "flagrant violations" of international and humanitarian law. He called for immediate and effective actions to stop Israel's attacks against Palestinians. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, 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. The army then withdrew from the city of Tubas after its 30-hour military operation, Palestinian security sources reported earlier on Thursday. The West Bank has witnessed escalating tensions between Palestinians and Israelis since Oct. 7, 2023, when the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out in the Gaza Strip. Editor: Zhang Zhou * 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. The Telegraph reports that 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. One Conservative MP has warned that Labour is bringing the four-day week through the backdoor with the measures, which may allow employees to work their contracted weeks hours in four days rather than in five. But I am concerned about this we have really been left in the position of having no decision to make, there was no choice for us and in fact the Government said to us if they didnt have a decision from us today that then they would be forced to remove Northern Ireland from their IT system altogether and that there would be no payments made to anybody this winter. 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. Editor: Zhang Zhou Students return to classrooms after the summer as Europe's education systems continue to struggle with falling performance and a shortage of qualified teachers. An OECD study published in December 2023 showed a decline in students' basic skills and competences such as mathematics, reading and science. How does the EU promote quality education across the bloc? As the summer holidays draw to a close, millions of European students prepare to return to their classrooms, a yearly ritual marking a new cycle of one of societies' critical tasks: to educate the next generation. In the European Union, member states hold the primary responsibility over education policies. The EU and its institutions play a pivotal role in supporting national education systems through initiatives like exchange programmes and cross-border collaborations, aiming to foster student mobility, enhance learning opportunities, and thus promote a cohesive educational framework across its 27-country bloc. The education sector faces a range of structural problems, such as staff shortages and poor working conditions in schools, which pose a challenge to teachers coping with large numbers of students in classes. A study conducted in 2022 by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) - run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - showed a decline in student performance globally, with Europe experiencing an unprecedented drop in educational performance in several key learning areas and subjects such as mathematics and reading. The OECD has 38 member countries, of which 22 are EU member states. EU promotes higher education and student mobility European Union citizens are able to study, travel, look for work, settle down and even retire wherever they like across the bloc.This is a core value of the EU commonly known as 'freedom of movement'. EU universities are required to open their doors by offering equal opportunities to all potential students from member states. While entrance qualifications vary widely from university to university, being a citizen of another member state should not be a reason for exclusion. In 1999, ministers of 29 European countries launched the Bologna Process, an intergovernmental higher education reform process named after the Bologna Declaration. In short, it aims to simplify the comparison and recognition of degrees abroad and makes it easier to study abroad, both within Europe and internationally. The Bologna Process currently counts 49 member countries, as well as the European Commission, the European University Association (EUA) and other international organisations and partners. June 19 marked the 25th anniversary since the launch of the Bologna Process. Exchange programmes, such as the EU's Erasmus+ programme, allow school pupils, students and apprentices to study and gain experience in member states other than their own. The bloc also promotes education and student mobility as part of its EU Youth Strategy. In addition to that the Erasmus+ programme offers opportunities for teaching staff to teach in higher education institutions abroad, for example by providing financial support to fund their mobility. PISA results show decline in educational performance in Europe In December 2023, the OECD released its latest major PISA survey which assessed the academic performance of 15- to 16-year-old students in 81 countries. The survey, conducted in 2022, showed a decline in competences and basic skills such as mathematics, reading and science in the OECD member states. This was also the case for most EU countries. 'Compared to 2018, mean performance fell by ten score points in reading and by almost 15 score points in mathematics, which is equivalent to three-quarters of a year's worth of learning,' the study said. 'The decline in mathematics performance is three times greater than any previous consecutive change,' the report added. The PISA survey has been carried out every three years since the year 2000. This was the first report since the Covid-19 pandemic, during which many schools were closed and the acquisition of skills was negatively affected. The 2022 study pointed out that only very few OECD countries were able to improve parts of their results between 2018 - when the previous survey was conducted - and 2022. For example Japan in reading and science and Italy, Ireland and Latvia in science. According to the OECD, the decline was particularly visible in a handful of countries. Poland, Norway, Iceland and Germany recorded a decline of 25 or more points in maths between 2018 and 2022. In Spain, the scores in mathematics (473), reading (474) and science (485), were below the average of the OECD countries, which registered a result of 480, 482 and 491 respectively. Following these results, the Spanish government announced an educational reinforcement plan that aims to improve the training of all primary and secondary mathematics teachers - some 80,000 - within three years and ensure that the percentage of 15-year-old students with low performance in reading comprehension, mathematics and science is less than 15 percent in 2030. In Bulgaria, students' results in the 2022 study also remained poor. A total of 54 percent of Bulgarian students failed to meet the baseline standard for maths. Education and Science Minister Galin Tsokov said that targeted efforts will be made in the coming years to ensure that Bulgarian students can utilise the skills related to the knowledge they have acquired. Staff shortages persist Amid ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and performance of education, schools are facing another significant challenge: an escalating shortage of teachers and staff, raising concerns about the growing pressure on teachers and the potential impact on millions of students. In Slovenia for example, more than 3,200 job openings for education professionals were recorded at the country's Employment Service in July, with primary school teachers and preschool educators being professions most in demand. According to the Slovenian Education Ministry, the most severe shortages of teachers are in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and technology. The head of the Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture of Slovenia (SVIZ), Branimir Strukelj, has called for immediate and comprehensive measures to be taken. In Bulgaria, the Chairperson of the Union of Managers in the Public Education System, Diyan Stamatov, also warned of a huge shortage of teachers of mathematics and physics. Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, noted that in recent years the Bulgarian government has made efforts to make the teaching profession more attractive through higher salaries and better opportunities for young people to get a teacher education. According to a survey by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy for the Deutsche Telekom Foundation in Germany, Germans are losing faith in their education system. 80 percent of German residents believe politicians do not sufficiently prioritise education. The most urgent problems in schools include teacher shortages, the high number of cancelled lessons and the curriculum's relevance for work. In France, three teachers' unions called for a strike in primary schools on September 10 to denounce the introduction of standardised assessments for younger pupils in key learning areas. According to Guislaine David, general secretary of primary school teachers' union FSU-SNUipp, these assessments 'have no effect on student success and they do not concern all areas of education'. She added that 'teachers are being stripped of their educational freedom'. With this strike, French teachers also wish to raise concerns about the poor working conditions in schools - in particular the number of students in classes, which is higher than the European average - and the lack of attractiveness of the teaching profession. This year, there are more than 3,000 vacancies in the public and private teaching sectors. This article is published twice a week. The content is based on news by agencies participating in the enr. AFP, BTA, dpa, EFE, STA. Corn crops will record high losses this year, of over 30%, because of the drought, while sunflower crops will recorded losses to exceed 25%, with the situation in agriculture in terms of agricultural production being much worse than last year, the head of the League of Agricultural Producers Associations of Romania (LAPAR), Nicu Vasile, told AGERPRES. "In my opinion, corn losses will be more than 30%. We are not doing very well with sunflower either. Sunflower is currently being harvested, but I think there will be more than 25% losses here as well. In the south of Romania, these crops have disappeared, they have already been harvested," stated the head of LAPAR. He says that this year there were big problems with bean, pea and soy crops, and Romania even ended up importing 45,000 tonnes of beans from Egypt. "Romania cannot support more than 600,000 hectares of sunflower, if we are to respect the crop rotation, but taking into account that we have no industry lef, we have no demand for textile plants either. We can't really do anything anymore, if we have a broken industry. We don't even produce beans anymore. We imported 45,000 tonnes of beans from Egypt," explained Nicu Vasile. Regarding the wheat crops obtained this year, the LAPAR leader emphasised that in the areas where there were precipitations, the production was good, but not in the southern Romania, and not in the Baragan area, where rain was scarce. On the other hand, the head of LAPAR mentioned that other types of investments must be addressed in the irrigation area if we want to develop, namely irrigation from deep wells, irrigation systems from lakes and reservoirs. "If we are discussing irrigation, we should also talk about these water storage basins. I was looking at the Hungarians and they want to reach water storages of one million cubic metres. We don't have any. In my opinion, we should also address this problem: irrigation from deep wells versus irrigation system from lakes and rivers," he explained. Regarding the aids promised by the authorities to the farmers affected by the drought, Nicu Vasile believes that they clearly need to be helped, but the only viable and necessary solution for the coming years would be a country strategy on the agricultural sector. "The subsidies go to the industry, although you should find them in your basket every day when you go to the store. When the subsidy comes, it immediately goes to the machines. How do you explain the increase in the prices of the machines then? If a year ago a machine was worth let's say 100,000 euros, now it easily exceeds 250,000 euros. Some people say that the materials are more expensive, because of the war, because of Putin. Unfortunately, is is nothing else but marketing bullshit. Basically, this is nothing else but decapitalising Romanian businesses. The 200 euros in subsidy are for nothing, if the increase in the price of fertilizers is of 700%," explained the leader of the organization. Last but not least, he emphasised that the project announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, through which the Romanian state will ensure 7 million hectares in drought, is a good mechanism that has been talked about for over 30 years. "We have already been discussing this system for 30 years now, and finally he had the courage and took the first step. The Ministry of Finance stopped 3% of the subsidies going to farmers for the risk fund, and the European Union will come with another 17 million euros annually. It's a good mechanism for agriculture," added the leader of the League of Agricultural Producers' Associations from Romania. In this context, the head of LAPAR concluded that the situation in agriculture in terms of agricultural production is much worse this year than last year, but surely measures must be taken for next year as well. According to the data of the National Institute of Statistics (INS), Romania obtained, last year, a wheat production of 9.635 million tonnes, from an area of 2.208 million hectares, while the production of grain corn was 8.522 million tonnes of 2.373 million hectares. For the sunflower harvest, it was 2.028 million tonnes, in 2023, and was obtained from an area of 1.089 million hectares. President Klaus Iohannis will pay an official visit to Chisinau on Saturday, which will take place in the context of Romania and Moldova celebrating the Day of Romanian Language, the Presidential Administration said. During the visit, which is taking place at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, the Romanian president will convey "a strong message of support and encouragement for the authorities and citizens of the Republic of Moldova, in their efforts to reform, democratise, irreversibly implement the principles of the rule of law and secure the European path." Iohannis will also appeal to all international partners to continue to provide "comprehensive," "predictable" and "sustained" assistance to the Republic of Moldova at all levels, especially in the context of the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine and all the risks arising from this complex security situation. The two presidents will sign a Joint Declaration on bilateral cooperation to strengthen the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, which "defines and strengthens bilateral cooperation in this vital area for strengthening and protecting democracy and stability" of the neighboring country. This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows the Chinese and English copies of the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" released on the same day at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China. China's State Council Information Office on Thursday released a white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" to document the country's successful actions and historic achievements in this field over the past decade. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Information Office on Thursday released a white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" to document the country's successful actions and historic achievements in this field over the past decade. 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." Over the past decade, 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. The country's energy intensity has decreased steadily over the past decade, leading to energy savings equivalent to about 1.4 billion tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 billion tonnes, said the white paper, adding that China has become the world's largest investor in energy transition. "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. China's green energy development has become an engine for global energy transition. Since 2013, China has been responsible for over 40 percent of the annual additions to global renewable energy capacity. In 2023, the newly installed capacity in China accounted for more than half of the world's total, 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. Full text: China's Energy Transition A press conference is held to release the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2024. China's State Council Information Office on Thursday released a white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" to document the country's successful actions and historic achievements in this field over the past decade. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows the Chinese and English copies of the white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" released on the same day at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China. China's State Council Information Office on Thursday released a white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" to document the country's successful actions and historic achievements in this field over the past decade. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) Editor: JYZ Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger 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 JEFFERSON CITY Ronnie Popes prison bank account is half full. Or its half empty. It depends on your perspective. On Tuesday, Cole County Circuit Judge Chris Limbaugh ruled against Pope in a civil case brought by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. The case involves Popes money. Under the Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act (MIRA), the attorney general can file a suit to seize the assets of a Missouri inmate. The idea is to help recoup the costs of imprisonment. The law, on the books since 1988, has been used by attorneys general to seize money from inmates, even though it recovers a few hundred thousand dollars a year a tiny fraction of the Department of Corrections budget. Most states have similar statutes, known as pay-to-stay laws. Illinois and New Hampshire repealed their versions of the law in 2019. Some folks in prison come into money now and then, such as when a parent dies or a family member sells property. Bailey tries to seize those dollars, and the law mostly lets him do it. In Popes case, the attorney general tried to take away most of a $12,000 settlement Pope earned in a federal civil rights lawsuit. His suit stemmed from being assaulted by a guard in the St. Louis City Justice Center. Pope was being held there while awaiting trial on the robbery charge that led to his 12-year prison sentence. This week, Limbaugh ruled that Bailey can take only half of the money. At the urging of Columbia attorney Irene Karns, who is representing Pope free of charge, Limbaugh exercised his discretion to let Pope keep some of the money, presumably so hell have a jumpstart on rebuilding his life when he gets out of prison. Most prisoners who are sued under the law dont have attorneys. There is no Sixth Amendment right to an attorney in such cases because they are civil, not criminal. So in many instances, the inmate doesnt have an attorney and cant attend hearings (because theyre in prison), opening the door for the state to seize the money. Thats what would have happened to Pope, except Karns read my column about his case and asked if she could represent him. The same is true for Tonya Honkomp, Daniel Wayne Wallace and Brian Owens. They are being represented by Clayton attorney Bevis Schock and Illinois attorney Dave Nelson, who are seeking to declare the MIRA law unconstitutional, in part because there is little or no due process for many inmates. Take Michael Manning. Hes in prison on drug charges. When some relatives died and left him about $68,000 in 2023, Baileys office filed a lawsuit to seize the money. Manning wrote Limbaugh to ask for an attorney and for the court stop the state from taking his money. I have no control over any claims at this time, Manning wrote from the Maryville Treatment Center, a prison that offers drug addiction treatment. The court ignored his plea. But luckily for Manning, the money had been put in a trust that is supervised by a bank. The banks attorneys entered the case. They argued that Bailey, and the state, had no legal right to the money because it wasnt officially in Mannings possession. The banks lawyers won. Its amazing how different cases can look when attorneys are involved. So it was for Daniel Toman in 2018. Former Attorney General Josh Hawley that year tried to seize Tomans assets, including his primary source of income: workers compensation payments from a job injury. Toman asked Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green for permission to hire an attorney from the money Hawley was trying to seize. Green agreed. Toman hired Michael Shipley of Kansas City, who filed a motion to explain that Toman was using the workers compensation payments to stay current on child support obligations while in prison. Green ruled in favor of Toman and didnt let the state seize the money. And therein lies the dilemma with the law. How many people like Pope and Manning and Toman lose money theyll need to rebuild their lives, or support their families, because a Missouri law allows judges and attorneys general to turn their backs on common sense? Limbaugh exercised some of that common sense this week in letting Pope keep half of his money, but the result still feels about half empty. In their cases, Schock and Nelson will soon argue that the entire law should be tossed aside as a gross violation of the Constitution. The judge will have another chance to decide whether people in prison have any rights at all. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri again ranks in the bottom fifth of the nation when it comes to women dying while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy, according to a new state survey. In a report issued Friday by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, an average of 70 Missouri women died while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy each year over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021. In a statement, agency director Paula Nickelson said the numbers were unacceptable. The pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 32.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, placing the state among the worst in the nation behind a group of southern states including Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina. Nationally, the rate is 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, giving the U.S. the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation, according to The Commonwealth Fund. Maternal mortality rates in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin rank among the lowest. While the rate in Missouri has generally held steady in recent years, the report contained positive news for Black women. While deaths for Black women remains more than two times the ratio for white women, the report shows a decline from the previous three years. The report also notes that 77% of pregnancy-related deaths were determined to be preventable. The latest survey comes as Missouris Republican-led Legislature has been moving to address the issue by providing a years worth of medical coverage to new mothers and their babies through the federal Medicaid program. In November, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved the states application, which is aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers in the state. Medicaid funds pay for nearly 50% of births in Missouri. Nickelson said the agency is working to implement new strategies to reduce Missouris rate. It is reassuring that our states policymakers understand the gravity of this issue and were willing to take decisive action, she said. Support for extending coverage to one year is viewed as a way to address a potential increase in births in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. Tops among causes of death for pregnant women was cardiovascular disease, followed by mental health conditions and infection. Sarah Ehrhard Reid, chief in the DHSS office of womens health, told a panel of lawmakers Wednesday that about half of the deaths attributed to mental health were due to substance abuse. All were considered preventable, Ehrhard Reid said. Pregnancy-related deaths where infection was the underlying cause spiked in 2021 due to COVID-19. The majority of women who died from COVID-19 among the cases reviewed were unvaccinated, the report said. The fourth leading cause of pregnancy-related death was from injuries. Of those, the most common means of fatal injury in these cases was a firearm at 67%. All of these cases occurred in metropolitan counties, the report noted. The survey includes recommendations designed to improve care, including advice to mothers and doctors. To ward off cardiovascular problems, the report urges pregnant women with elevated blood pressure to check their blood pressure daily and report the results to their physician. Health providers also should screen women for depression and anxiety and refer women needing assistance to mental health professionals and treatment programs. In addition, the state should establish a central portal where providers can seek advice on mental health issues, the report said. In addition, the study urges doctors to recommend that pregnant and those planning to become pregnant should be vaccinated against COVID-19. I just dont get it, this fear of immigrants. Were a nation of immigrants. Unfortunately, this fear has been with us for a long time, not something invented by Donald Trump (who says immigrants are poisoning the blood of America"). Fearmongering about immigrants is as American as apple pie and as old as Methuselah. During each bygone era, just like today, politicians for their own self-serving reasons play on fear of the other. Anti-German sentiment ran deep in colonial America and during World War I. In the 19th century and later, Irish, Italians, Catholics, Jews and Chinese were targeted. Help-wanted signs read that no Irish need apply, no Italians, no Catholics, no Jews on and on. My immigrant ancestors came to this country in 1837. They were German farmers, the poorest of the poor in steerage, looking for an opportunity to work hard and achieve the American dream. Their children and grandchildren lived amazing lives. And Ill bet so have yours. Ronald Reagan reminded us, our nation is a nation of immigrants that our strength comes from our own immigrant heritage and that we share this responsibility with other nations. I firmly believe, despite all the bitter rhetoric, todays immigrants will be assimilated into the promise of America. Most will achieve their dream and become American citizens hardworking, educated, high achieving just like my forebears and yours. I believe in the promise of America. James Etling St. Louis U.S. Army Col. Jesse Chace stands in front of his formation during the change of command ceremony at Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan, Poland, June 28, 2024. The Pentagon has approved accompanied, 24-month tours for service members assigned to the base in western Poland. The dependents must be 18 years and older to join service members there. (Devin Klecan/U.S. Army) U.S. military spouses may soon be searching for apartments and the best place for pierogis in Poznan, home of the first permanent American base in Poland. The Pentagon has now approved accompanied, 24-month tours for service members assigned to Camp Kosciuszko. The new travel regulation allows military dependents 18 years and older to join service members with orders to the base in west-central Poland. When you walk out our main gate, youre in the heart of a 500,000-person city, said Marcus Fichtl, a spokesman for U.S. Army Garrison Poland. Soldiers on solo permanent orders will continue to serve one-year tours. Civilians on two-year assignments at Poznan were authorized in December to bring adult dependents. The first family members arrived in the spring, Fichtl said. The two-year tour policy went into effect Aug. 19, Fichtl said Friday. It doesnt affect units based in the United States that arrive on nine-month rotational deployments, the Army said. Bringing permanently stationed soldiers with their families to Poland is a significant milestone as we continue to build our Army home on NATOs eastern flank, Col. Jesse Chace, U.S. Army Garrison Poland commander, said in a statement Thursday. Spouses and adult children accompanying soldiers can expect to live in the city. Housing for personnel on permanent orders is off base and the military housing allowance is more than adequate for top-quality housing in the city, Fichtl said. U.S. military personnel on permanent orders and civilians at the garrisons posts in Powidz and Swietoszow will continue to serve unaccompanied tours of 12 and 24 months, respectively, since those installations lack the infrastructure to support family members, according to the Pentagon. The Army designated Camp Kosciuszko as permanent in March 2023, a move reflecting Polands emergence in recent years as the center of gravity for Army operations aimed at deterring potential Russian aggression from the east. The camp is the headquarters for V Corps forward element, which was reestablished in 2021 to manage operations from the Baltic Sea in the north down to the Black Sea region. Though the Army is looking to put down roots in the former Warsaw Pact country, most troops in Poland are on nine-month rotational assignments for now. In the 15 months since the garrison staked out an enduring presence, its grown its headquarters staff from a handful of soldiers and civilians to more than 100 personnel supporting 7,500 troops in the V Corps area of responsibility, according to the Army. Whether school-age dependents will eventually be authorized for accompanied tours remains to be seen. The biggest hurdle is the lack of Defense Department schools in the country. Establishing education facilities for U.S. service members and their families is something the garrison plans to work toward, Fichtl said, adding that an assignment to Poznan is attractive even in the current conditions. Its the gem of Europe to live in right now, he said. Youre in a cool city but also in an organization thats growing and thriving. Its something brand new. Petty Officer 3rd Class Israel Montano, front, and Airman Erick Telloayaca run on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 25, 2024. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy) The absence of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific poses no immediate risk to regional security but exposes the U.S. Navys inability to project a complete global presence, a defense expert told Stars and Stripes. With the USS Ronald Reagan back in Washington state and its replacement, the USS George Washington, yet to deploy from San Diego, the 7th Fleet is temporarily without a carrier homeported at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. The lack of deployed carriers in the Pacific is not a security threat today, Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said by email Thursday. However, it does mean that the U.S. has fewer tools available if a crisis or conflict occurs. The Pentagon on Aug. 2 ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, making its way across the Pacific, to relieve the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf. Three weeks later, the Pentagon decided to keep both carriers and their strike groups in that area as conflict intensified between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the Ronald Reagan, operating from Japan for nearly a decade, returned to the United States for scheduled maintenance on Aug. 13. Its replacement, the George Washington, began operations in the Eastern Pacific on Aug. 25, but was back in port at Naval Air Station North Island on Wednesday, according to information posted on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. The U.S. 3rd Fleet did not respond to emails requesting comment on Wednesday and Friday. An MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter takes off from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 25, 2024. (August Clawson/U.S. Navy) U.S. aircraft carriers have been a regular presence in the region since the USS Midway first deployed to Japan in 1973, but the current situation highlights the difficulty in projecting naval power on a global scale. Some strategists would have the United States withdraw from Europe and the Middle East to focus on the Pacific, Cancian said. That might be attractive in theory, but recent events in Ukraine and the Middle East show that it is just not possible. The Navy is too small to cover the Pacific, the Middle East and Europe simultaneously, Cancian added. It needs to be bigger, he wrote. The Navy is plagued with recruiting and manpower shortages, maintenance backlogs, delays in shipbuilding and a shrinking fleet, but hopes to grow its fleet from 296 to 381 ships over the next 30 years, according to an Aug. 8 report from the Congressional Research Service. The Navy has declined to comment on when the George Washington would arrive at Yokosuka, but until then the Indo-Pacific isnt completely exposed. USS America, homeported at Sasebo Naval Base, and USS Boxer and their amphibious ready groups, as well as numerous guided-missile destroyers and cruisers, are in the area. Those ships, along with allied military forces, demonstrate our collective resolve to ensure security and stability in the region, Pacific Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Christina Hough said by email Friday. An amphibious ready group is typically composed of an amphibious assault ship, amphibious transport dock and a dock landing ship and carry more than 4,000 sailors and Marines and numerous aircraft, tanks and other vehicles. The large, powerful ships show that the U.S. has not abandoned the region, and their capabilities are great for humanitarian assistance and the protection of U.S. facilities in the region, Cancian said. However, they lack the full range of combat power of a carrier strike group, he wrote. In these situations, other forces are often tasked to cover portions of a [carrier strike groups] missions, Cancian added. For example, the Air Force aircraft on Okinawa are likely tasked with providing some air defense and air striking power in the western Pacific. Cmdr. Cameron Yaste, commander of the Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain, receives the colors during a ceremony in March 2024. The Navy announced Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, that Yaste was fired as the ships commander. (Kevin Tang/U.S. Navy) The Navy on Friday fired the commander of a guided-missile destroyer that is part of an aircraft carrier strike group deployed in the Middle East to counter attacks on shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Cmdr. Cameron Yaste was relieved of his duties as commanding officer of the USS John S. McCain, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer now operating in the Gulf of Oman. Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, took the action citing a loss of confidence to command the guided-missile destroyer. Loss of confidence is a vague phrase often used throughout the U.S. military to describe the removal of a commanding officer from his or her post without providing a clear explanation. The causes for past removals of Navy commanders for lack of confidence have ranged from ineffective leadership, mistreatment of crew members, and poor behavior off duty, such as drinking with subordinates or a driving under the influence arrest. Alexander announced Capt. Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, has temporarily assumed command of the destroyer. There is no impact on the ships mission or schedule due to the relief, the Navy said in a statement. Yaste assumed command of the John S. McCain in October 2023. The Navy said he will return to Naval Station Everett, Wash., to take up temporary administrative duties. The Navy removed a post on its official Instagram account in April 2024 that showed Cmdr. Cameron Yaste firing a rifle and looking through a scope that was mounted backward. (U.S. Navy) Yaste was photographed earlier this year firing an M-4 rifle, which some service members pointed out had the optical site mounted backward. The USS John S. McCain is unique in that it is named after three naval officers from the same family. John S. McCain Sr. was an admiral and a Navy aircraft carrier commander in World War II. John S. McCain Jr. was an influential Navy admiral during the Vietnam War era. John S. McCain III was a naval aviator who was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and went on to become a U.S. senator from Arizona and a Republican presidential candidate. A scene from the Angel of History. The Asian premiere of the play from Italy on Sep 6 will mark the opening of 2024 Shanghai Contemporary Theater Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Nine theater productions from Italy, Thailand, Greece, Portugal, Croatia and China will be performed in Shanghai during the upcoming ACT festival, from Sep 6 to Oct 13. This is the 15th installment of the Shanghai Contemporary Theater Festival, which started as Asian Contemporary Theater Festival in 2005. Hosted by Shanghai Media Group and organized by Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center (SDAC) and the Shanghai Dramatists' Association, ACT is dedicated to presenting in Shanghai the latest achievements of the international theater art scene, as an important platform for communications between theaters, dramatists and theater festivals from all over the world. The opening production of the festival, Angel of History will be making its Asian debut at the SDAC on Sep 6. It will be presented by Sotterraneo, an Italian theater collective, who won the heart of Shanghai audiences with Overload in ACT Shanghai 2019. Created in 2022 the Angel of History was inspired by philosopher Walter Benjamin's work elaborating on the angel of history who flies with his gaze turned to the past and back to the future. A scene from This Song Father used to Sing, a play from Thailand, which will be presented at Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center on Sep 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] An award-winning play by Thai writer and director Wichaya Artamat will make its premiere in Chinese at SDAC on Sep 19. This Song Father Used to Sing (Three Days in May) features two siblings in a small kitchen in Bangkok, where they spend three days there every year to commemorate their deceased father in a traditional Chinese ceremony. Of the two Chinese productions, A Rose for Emily by Yu Erge Dance Theater will premiere on Oct 12 at the Experimental Theatre of Shanghai International Dance Theater, inspired by the short story of the same title by William Faulkner. Editor: WRX (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes) Mannheim, Germany, Sept. 7, 2004: Jennifer LeVier, a multiage first- and second-grade teacher at Mannheim Elementary School, smiles as she welcomes pupils lining up for class on the first day of school. Check out Stars and Stripes community sites for all the DODEA Back to School events and news. https://www.stripes.com/communities/ A mega brioche covered in melted white chocolate served alongside the mega cappuccino at Le Strane Delizie in Spilimbergo, Italy, on Aug. 17, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) My travels during my assignment to Aviano Air Base in Italy have impressed upon me that for many people here, breakfast is not much more than a brioche and a cappuccino. That has become my routine as well. I like to frequent a cafe where I can eat a pistachio brioche and sip a latte macchiato. But the menu at Le Strane Delizie, a pastry shop whose name translates to The Strange Delights, was a revelation for me. My family and I checked out the shop in Spilimbergo, which is about 30 minutes by car from Aviano. Simply put, I wish I had found this place sooner. It serves the mega brioche, a mammoth creation that feels like it weighs about 5 pounds, and sells for 25 euros. It can be paired with the shops mega cappuccino, which is made with almost 34 ounces of milk and eight shots of espresso. The drink is too much for one person to consume, so be sure to have a companion or two along to share if you order it. Two brioches and a latte macchiato ready to be enjoyed at Le Strane Delizie cafe in Spilimbergo, Italy, on Aug. 17, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) We ordered a mega brioche with white chocolate drizzle and cookies on top, and we chose chocolate-and-pistachio filling. I was expecting it to be lightly drizzled, but the chocolate was applied so thickly that our dish barely looked like a brioche. It was served warm, which really enhanced the creamy consistency of the filling and brought out the indulgent chocolate flavor. This breakfast item made such an impression that for my next birthday, I think I will ask my wife to get me a mega brioche instead of a cake. All the rich baked goodness made me long for a drink to wash it down, so it was time to take the mega cappuccino plunge, which I did after adding six packets of sugar. A display case at Le Strane Delizie cafe in Spilimbergo, Italy, is well-stocked with pastries Aug. 17, 2024. The name of the restaurant translates to The Strange Delights. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) A family walks toward the entrance of Le Strane Delizie in Spilimbergo, Italy, on Aug. 17, 2024. The cafe is on the Piazza Borgolucido. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes) I did not come close to finishing the drink, which in retrospect was a good thing. Beyond the mega madness, there are plenty of other Italian bakery standards on offer, including brioches with jam and small pastries of all kinds, as well as cannoli and bite-size desserts. The restaurant also advertises latte art courses for those interested in the presentation of the perfect cup of coffee. Ill leave the art to the experts for now. But Im happy to indulge in what theyre creating. Le Strane Delizie Address: Piazza Borgolucido 11, Spilimbergo, Italy Hours: Wednesday to Monday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Tuesday Prices: Brioches range from 2-3 euros, but the mega brioche costs 25 euros; regular espressos and lattes range from 2-4 euros, while a mega cappuccino costs 15 euros. Information: Phone +39 371 599 0847; online: lestranedelizie.it Residents participate in a traditional parade in 2023 at the Herbstfest Rosenheim celebration in Rosenheim, Germany. This years festivities run from Saturday to Sept. 15. (iStock) Lately a lot of travel articles have been devoted to destination dupes, the practice of subbing out a famous tourist destination for a lesser-known city or town with similar attributes. The same principle could easily be applied to attending some of Europes best-known fests and mega-events. Cheaper accommodation, less inflated prices, a greater chance to meet locals and a more laid-back atmosphere are just some of the possible benefits of seeking out smaller but no less authentic activities. Munichs Oktoberfest vs. other autumn beer fests: The 189th edition of Munichs famed Oktoberfest, set to unfold Sept. 21-Oct. 6 in its traditional location, the Theresienwiese, counts its visitor numbers in millions, with a record-breaking 7.2 million attendees having raised their glasses with a Prost! there in 2023. To experience authentic Bavarian Gemutlichkeit in a less hectic setting, consider attending the Herbstfest Rosenheim, attended by only about 1 million fun-seekers annually. From Aug. 31-Sept. 15, visitors can enjoy much the same beer, attractions and traditionally-clad locals that lend Oktoberfest its enduring appeal. Special events on the program include the opening parade Saturday at 11 a.m. Aug. 31; reduced prices on rides on childrens days Sept. 4 and Sept. 11; a religious fest of thanksgiving at the Max-Josefs-Platz at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 8 and a display of fireworks at 9 p.m. Sept. 12. Online: herbstfest-rosenheim.de Other traditional Bavarian autumn beerfests on the docket include Gillamoos in Absberg (through Sept. 2); Herbstfest Erding in Erding (through Sept. 8); Passauer Dult in Passau (Sept. 6-15) and Sankt-Michaelis-Kirchweih in Furth (Sept. 28-Oct. 9). Durkheimer Wurstmarkt vs. smaller wine fests: Its named after sausage, but make no mistake: at the Durkheimer Wurstmarkt, its all about the wine, and the festivals 700,000 visitors annually can attest to that. Those who dont mind crowds can enjoy sidling up to their new friends Sept. 6-10 and Sept. 13-16. Those after a smaller and less boisterous affair could try the one promoted as the oldest wine fest in Germany. The town of Winningen, on the Mosel, holds its annual Moselfest Aug. 30-Sept. 8. Its claim to having reached such a respectable old age is based on a wine event held in 1912 for the purpose of beautifying the town and developing local tourism. Notable program elements of the present-day wine fest include a wine market beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 6, activities for children including face-painting, crafts projects and more 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 7 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 8 and fireworks at 10 p.m. Sept. 8. Online: moselfest.com Other wine festivals of note in the weeks to come include Das Weinfest der Mittelmosel in Bernkastel-Kues through Sept. 2; Stuttgarter Weindorf in Stuttgart through Sept. 8; the Oechsle Fest in Pforzheim through Sept. 8; Winzerfest in Bingen through Sept. 9; and Rotweinfest in Ingelheim Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Belgian Beer Weekend vs. other Belgian beer festivals: Its hard to imagine a grander place than Brussels astonishingly beautiful Grand-Place, in which Belgiums rich and tasty beer heritage is honored annually. The Belgian Beer Weekend, to be held Sept. 6-8, offers the opportunity to sample more than 500 unique beers from more than 50 breweries. According to The Brussels Times, about 60,000 beer lovers turned out for the event in 2022. Every bit as tasty, the BXLBeerFest will take place at Brussels Tour&Taxis event venue from noon-9 p.m. Sept. 28-29. Festival organizers aim to shine the spotlight on craft beers exclusively, be they from Brussels, Belgium or other parts of the world. Some 30 breweries will have a presence here, all of which are independent and enjoy good relations with one another. The BXLBeerFest is partnered with the EatFestival, a simultaneously-running event in which two teams of chefs, pastry chefs and cheesemakers from Brussels create multi-course meals. An entry ticket valid for both days, along with six tokens with a value of 1.50 each and a festival tasting glass, goes for 22 euros. Online: bxlbeerfest.com Almabtrieb in the Alps vs. return of the cattle in Alsace: Throughout many regions of the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps, the return of the cattle or other livestock from the high mountain pastures on which they graze throughout the summer months back to the farms where they stay for the remainder of the year is cause for celebration. In years when no harm has come to a member of the herd, the return of the cattle is traditionally celebrated with cows wearing headdresses adorned with flowers and ribbons, markets, bands playing traditional folk music and no shortage of beer and schnapps. In Germanys Allgau region alone, some 30 villages and towns keep these traditions alive. Austrias Tirol region is also known for the colorful nature of its festivities welcoming the animals home. A village in Frances Alsace region celebrates the return of its cattle in similar form. From 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 15, the Transhumance und Meat Pie Festival puts the folklore and traditions of Munster on display, with activities including a cheese-making demonstration, alpine horn performances and a parade of the most beautiful cows of the Vosges region. Online: tinyurl.com/2zxhaw49 Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) delivers remarks urging diplomatic intervention in Sudan, Aug. 29, 2024. Cardin is the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (C-Span via Senate Foreign Relations Committee) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) A United States senator, Ben Cardin has recognized the imperiled state of the people in Sudans North Darfur state capital, El Fasher and urged the diplomatic community to take immediate action to the stop mass atrocities from continuing. The people of El Fasher, already devastated by bombings and shelling from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), now face an imminent threat from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is massing troops for another brutal assault as part of their ongoing campaign of destruction across Sudan, he remarked. Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said those living in famine-stricken Zam Zam camp are now also at dire risk of mass atrocities should the RSF launch this offensive. I urge the entire diplomatic community bilateral, regional, and multilateral partners to unequivocally demand that the RSF, the SAF, and their allied forces immediately stand down. The international community must be ready to deploy every diplomatic tool to prevent this attack including the renewal of the current U.N. arms embargo on Darfur and its expansion to cover the entire country and to pressure all parties to end their horrendous assaults on the Sudanese people and provide cross-border and crossline access for humanitarian assistance, explained the Senator. Those responsible for these abuses, along with their enablers, must face justice. I stand with the people of Sudan in their continued pursuit of peace, he added. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have been making efforts to halt fighting between Sudans army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The lack of progress at the talks in Jeddah ruined hopes for the resolution of a conflict that has displaced more than a million inside and outside Sudan, decimated the economy, and triggered ethnically driven massacres in Sudans Darfur region. Talks in Jeddah were first suspended in June and resumed in October. Another round in Geneva last week adjourned with no new agreement. However, Sudanese sources at the talks said after commitments to calm the rhetoric, capture Al-Bashir cronies and facilitate humanitarian assistance went unfulfilled. Representatives for the two sides, who were not meeting face to face, remained at odds over the RSFs occupation of much of Khartoum, the sources said. The army has demanded that the RSF withdraws to specific bases and rejected an RSF counterproposal that it vacates civilians and set up checkpoints around the city. (c)2024 the Sudan Tribune. Visit the Sudan Tribune at www.sudantribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Members of the 8th Maintenance Squadron stand for a photo at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, April 5, 2024. (Jovan Banks/U.S. Air Force) SUWON, South Korea The 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, 120 miles south of Seoul, reported an airman death Friday, the third in a span of five weeks. Tech. Sgt. Jacob Venegas of the 8th Maintenance Group was found dead Wednesday in a base dormitory, the wing said in a news release. An investigation is ongoing. We are devastated by the loss of Tech. Sgt. Venegas, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him as they navigate this difficult time, wing commander Col. Peter Kasarskis said in the release. The 8th Maintenance Group is tasked with equipping and maintaining 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons and is responsible for 1,100 military personnel. Roughly 2,800 airmen are assigned to the wing. Venegas death marks the third at Kunsan since mid-July. The wing is experiencing a difficult summer due to the recent deaths and units are reinforcing existing support entities to care for our airmen, Kasarskis said in the release. Senior Airman Saniyya Smalls, 25, of the 8th Security Forces Squadron, was found dead there on Aug. 5. Nearly two weeks earlier, Airman Basic Kye Vang, 23, of the same squadron, was declared dead at the base. Foul play was not suspected in those deaths, the wing said at the time. Members of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force charge into the fight during a training assault for Orient Shield 2018. (Joshua Syberg/U.S. Army) TOKYO Japans Ministry of Defense asked for a record-high 8.5 trillion yen about $58.7 billion on Friday for fiscal 2025, the third year of a planned military buildup. The ministry also unveiled details of its budget request, which, if approved, will be the 13th consecutive year of increased military spending and will exceed this fiscal years $54.5 billion budget. Japans fiscal year begins April 1. To achieve its buildup goals by fiscal 2027, the government will steadily increase the expenditure budget request, while accumulating projects that should be started during FY 2025, the budget document states. Japan in 2022 embarked on a plan to increase its defense capabilities in five years, aiming to strengthen its deterrence capabilities in a regional security environment made uncertain by an assertive China. Since then, Japan has drastically increased its defense budget, pledging to spend about $297 billion through 2027. The fiscal 2025 budget request includes about $6.7 billion to continue strengthening Japans stand-off defense capability. Past purchases in this category included U.S.-made extended range stand-off missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles. We will drastically strengthen our stand-off defense capabilities to deal with ships and landing forces advancing to our island region from outside the threat zone of anti-aircraft missiles, budget request stated. Among the items in that category is about $2.2 billion to build a satellite constellation for target detection and tracking capabilities. The system is budgeted this year for the first time; the ministry hopes to start operating it by March 2027. The ministry has budgeted another $712 million for unmanned defense capabilities, which it calls a revolutionary game changer that can provide asymmetric advantages in the air, on the water and under the sea. The ministry requested about $20.7 million to acquire small, offensive unmanned aerial vehicles for security in the southwestern islands, a strategically important area for Japan. It also requested about $58 million for equipment designed to defend against drones and improve base security. That request follows a May incident in which drone footage of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force flattop, the JS Izumo, at Yokosuka Naval Base appeared on a Chinese social media site. The budget request also stated that the Air Self-Defense Forces Space Operation Group will be upgraded into a wing, which will focus on space domain surveillance and countermeasures under the command of a general. Airman 1st Class Tylor Chism of the 51st Security Forces Squadron engages simulated combatants during an Ulchi Freedom Shield drill at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 20, 2024. (Sabrina Fuller-Judd/U.S. Air Force) SUWON, South Korea Thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops have concluded an annual large-scale exercise the two allies describe as defensive drills, and North Korea claims destabilizes the region. Around 19,000 South Korean troops were involved in the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on land, air, sea and in cyberspace to demonstrate the alliances combined capabilities and enhanced interoperability across all levels of command, U.S. Forces Korea said in a news release Thursday. The military uses interoperability to describe the ability of one nations military to use anothers training methods and equipment. Photos released by USFK during the exercise revealed U.S. and South Korean troops drilling in Kunsan and Osan air bases and the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, about 16 miles south of the border with North Korea. Ulchi Freedom Shield is one of two large-scale, joint military exercises held annually in South Korea. The other, Freedom Shield, occurs in March. North Korea condemned Ulchi Freedom Shield on its first day, Aug. 19, as offensive in nature and the instigation of crisis on the Korean Peninsula, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that day. Soldiers assigned to the 65th Medical Brigade prepare to transport a simulated casualty during an Ulchi Freedom Shield drill in Pocheon, South Korea, Aug. 26, 2024. (Jonathan Clutter/U.S. Army) This year, the exercise addressed threats from North Koreas missiles, GPS jamming and cyberattacks. More than 200 U.S. and South Korean military aircraft made about 2,000 sorties in five days, according to the Souths Ministry of National Defense. South Korean military reservists, and U.S. federal and South Korean civil agencies also participated with counterterrorism drills in urban areas, according to the ministry. In a first, representatives of South Koreas National Intelligence Service and a host of other Seoul-based government agencies and USFK gathered Aug. 20 to confer on measures to deter North Korean disinformation campaigns. The conference addressed gray zone provocations from the North, such as fake government messages and manipulated videos, the ministry said. Another U.S.-South Korean joint military exercise got underway during Ulchi Freedom Shield. The 13-day Ssangyong exercise began Aug. 26 and focuses on maritime drills along the eastern coast. During the exercise, over 40 U.S. and South Korean aircraft, 40 amphibious assault vehicles and 40 ships will be practicing amphibious skills over, near and on South Korean beachheads, Indo-Pacific Command said in a news release Aug. 26. Last years Ssangyong involved 2,500 U.S. Marines and sailors and 3,000 troops from South Korea. During Ulchi Freedom Shield, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw several weapons tests, according to KCNA. Kim on Tuesday supervised the test-firing of a 240 mm rocket launcher outfitted with an upgraded guidance system. Earlier, he oversaw tests of domestically produced military drones, one of which appeared to strike an armored vehicle resembling South Koreas K-2 Black Panther tank, KCNA reported. Reporters covering a U.S. airmans sexual assault and kidnapping charges wait outside Naha District Court on Okinawa, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) NAHA CITY, Okinawa An airman charged with sexually assaulting a minor, testifying in the case for the first time in a Japanese court on Friday, said he believed the girl was 18 and gave her consent. Senior Airman Brennon Richard Edward Washington, 25, in his third appearance in Naha District Court in the case, answered questions posed by his attorney and the prosecution in front of three judges, with Judge Tetsuro Sato presiding over the trial. Washington, assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena Air Base, said the girl told him she was 18 when they met in a Yomitan park on Dec. 24. The girl, referred to in court as A, testified on Aug. 23 that she used English, Japanese and hand gestures to tell Washington that she is 15. Washington on Friday said no hand gestures or counting actions took place that day. I think why she said that is its another fabrication of the story she is making about this case, he said. The girl also testified that Washington sexually assaulted her in July 2023 fondled her and kissed her outside a convenience store and invited her to his house nearby. In December, she recognized Washington when he brought her to the same house, she said. Questioned by his attorney, Washington testified that the girl recalled the incident five months earlier but said she did not seem afraid of him. I think she told me a foreigner touched her, but thats it, he said. Washington testified that after he drove A to his house, he asked permission to kiss her, and she agreed. From there, Washington detailed under questioning by his attorney what happened that night. He said he used a mix of gestures, questions and a translation app on his phone to communicate with the girl. He kissed the girl, touched her vagina both over her underwear and directly and eventually performed oral sex on her, he said in court. He said he never penetrated her with any part of his body. The girl testified on Aug. 23 that Washington did penetrate her with his finger and tongue. Washington said the girl gave her consent to him kissing and touching her. When saying bye with A, did you ask her to keep a secret? the defense attorney asked. No, I did not; I had no motivation, reason to tell her that, Washington testified. She said that she was 18; I had consent. I did not think, at that time, that this situation was going to be a criminal charge. Under cross-examination, Washington told the prosecutor, identified in court only by his last name, Hisaoka, that he had no intent to have sex with the girl. I touched, because of the type of mood that was happening at the time, Washington said. Hisaoka asked Washington if he usually engaged in kissing and petting, and offering to show someone his penis, without intending to have sex. I cannot answer yes or no for that question, Washington said. Washington also testified under cross-examination that he drank three cans of strong chuhai, a Japanese alcoholic drink, before going to the park. Questioned again by his attorney, Washington said he would not have taken the girl to his house if he knew she was 15. Washingtons case, and that of a Marine lance corporal charged in July in a separate case with attempted sexual assault, outraged Okinawa government officials, who made formal complaints to the Japanese government, the U.S. Embassy and military commands in Japan. The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly also called for changes to the status of forces agreement governing the U.S. military population in Japan. Closing arguments are expected on Oct. 25. A runner takes advantage of slackening rain as Tropical Storm Shanshan churns near Marine Corps Station Iwakuni, Japan, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) TOKYO The massive typhoon that churned ashore in southern Japan became a tropical storm by Friday but didnt move far from its beachhead. Tropical Storm Shanshan remained a slow-moving, unpredictable mass of wind and rain wallowing across two of Japans four main islands: southernmost Kyushu and the smallest, Shikoku. Torrential rains inundated parts of southwestern and eastern Japan, reaching as far as Tokyo, where nearly 12 inches of rain had fallen, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Japanese government advised millions in Kyushu to leave their homes and at least three were killed and more than 80 injured, according to Japanese media. Traffic was snarled and low-lying areas flooded. Rows of empty cots stand ready at an evacutaion center in the Northside Iron Works Gym at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Friday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) A powerful Category 4-equivalent when it made landfall Thursday, Shanshan had withered a day later but still packed a punch, its reach felt nearly 300 miles away. Central Japan Railway Co. suspended bullet train service to the south between Hiroshima and Hakata and to the north between Nagoya and Tokyo, according to its website Friday. The meteorological agency warned of flooding and the risk of landslides due to heavy rain. Wind gusts flared periodically but rain bands spread as far as southern Nagano prefecture on the west side of Honshu, the largest main island, and Tokyo on the east side. Yokohama, south of Tokyo, issued a landslide warning for vulnerable southern neighborhoods, according to a post Friday by Yokosuka Naval Base, headquarters for the 7th Fleet and Naval Forces Japan. The warning did not immediately impact the Ikego Heights Housing Area, however, according to the naval base. At Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, southwest of Hiroshima, the evacuation center set up inside the Northside Iron Works Gym was vacant and unused Friday but will remain open until Saturday. Light rain fell Friday, but forecasts carried the possibility of more to come. Shanshan, centered about 60 miles southwest of the air base, remained unpredictable, with the potential to double back on itself, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Shanshan was quasi-stationary, and its track may deviate, allowing for looping and possible backtracking that is not reflected on the forecast, according to the joint center. The storm was moving slowly to the northeast at about 2 miles an hour, a walking pace, while trapped between two weaker atmospheric ridges, according to the centers 11 a.m. Friday forecast. See Stars and Stripes Pacific Storm Tracker for frequent updates on Shanshan. Stars and Stripes reporters Jonathan Snyder contributed to this report. Matthias Ecke, a politician from the center-left Social Democratic Party who was attacked in May, speaks with Saxony State Minister for Social Affairs Petra Kopping. (Anthony Faiola/The Washington Post) BAUTZEN, Germany A thousand revelers waving rainbow flags and bright umbrellas marched through the streets, moving to the pulsing dance music that blasted from a trailer decorated in shimmering golden foil. On the sidelines, 700 far-right demonstrators dressed in black hurled insults from behind a banner declaring the supremacy of white, normal and heterosexual. In unison, they chanted that this was a Nazi neighborhood. Police, with the aid of federal officers and canine units, mostly managed to keep the groups apart at the Aug. 10 gay pride festival here in the eastern state of Saxony. But the sheer number of white nationalists 10 times the amount at the same event last year reflected the far rights gathering strength and boldness in a country with a dark legacy of extremism. Polls suggest that when Saxony and neighboring Thuringia vote in regional elections Sunday, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could emerge for the first time as the strongest party in a German state parliament. The breaking of such a psychological barrier would amount to a major new crack in Germanys post-World War II firewall against the far right, further eroding efforts to contain and ostracize extremist political thought. These elections, along with a Sept. 22 vote in Brandenburg state, are also being watched for clues they might provide about federal elections due in September 2025 if Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition can hold on that long. Observers have registered particular concern that the expanding appeal of the AfD has mirrored a nationwide surge in political violence and hate crimes, ranging from the kind of harassment witnessed in Bautzen to physical assaults that have left German politicians hospitalized. Last year, political and hate-motivated crimes reached a 22-year high of just over 60,000 incidents, according to Germanys Federal Criminal Police Office. German police also recorded 2,378 politically motivated attacks on refugees across the country, the highest number since 2016. In a country that in recent decades has been a bastion of political civility, the increasingly tense atmosphere is raising alarm, with news outlet Der Spiegel warning of a whiff of Weimar a reference to Nazi violence that percolated in the 1920s and early 1930s. The far right has increased in their self-confidence, said Jonas Loeshau, a member of the Bautzen district assembly and one of the organizers of the gay pride festival. They are creating an atmosphere of hate and harassment. We have reached a [tipping] point. If the AfD gets into power [in the state], I will leave. The party has adopted a Trumpian attitude toward political violence: distancing itself and denouncing aggressive acts in one breath, while defending aggressors or blaming victims in another. The party also amplifies stories about violence with possible links to left-wing extremists, Islamic extremists or immigrants. An Aug. 23 stabbing that left three dead and eight wounded near Dusseldorf and for which the Islamic State later asserted responsibly was immediately seized on as a talking point in the AfDs election campaigns. Germans, Thuringians, do you really want to get used to these conditions? Free yourselves, finally put an end to the misguided path of forced multiculturalism! the AfD leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, posted on social media even before police had confirmed the identity and motive of the assailant. Yet statistics show that the most numerous aggressors representing nearly half of all politically motivated crimes in Germany hail from the far right. Critics accuse the AfD of fueling aggression and violence with extremist rhetoric. Although some AfD politicians have been at the receiving end of political violence, the rhetoric of AfD members has sometimes run up against Germanys strict limits on hate speech. Thuringias Hocke was fined twice this year for using a banned Nazi slogan. The partys regional branches in three states, including Saxony and Thuringia, have been classified by regional domestic intelligence agencies as confirmed extremist groups based on ethnically tinged anti-migrant positions, Islamophobia and defamation of state institutions and government officials. On a national level, authorities have classified the AfDs youth wing as confirmed extremist, and the main AfD as a suspected extremist group. Those designations allow intelligence surveillance of the party and have led to mounting calls for a ban. AfD bosses object to the extremist labeling. An extremist is someone who tries to question or fight the free democratic basic order with violence or violent fantasies, said national co-leader Tino Chrupalla, arguing that his partys members had not taken such an approach. The AfD was founded in 2013 as a party that emphasized Euroskepticism and low taxes. But it has sought to maintain relevance by staking out a vocal position on successive hot-button issues. Since the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, the party has been closely associated with hard-line anti-immigration views. AfD politicians regularly showed up at anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown rallies during the pandemic, capitalizing on surging distrust of government. And they have tapped into pro-Russian sympathies in eastern Germany by opposing sanctions on Moscow and objecting to support for Ukraine. Along the way, the AfD has managed to normalize far-right rhetoric and chip away at societal resistance to far-right politics. Despite deradicalization efforts after the defeat of the Third Reich, the far right had maintained footholds across both parts of divided Germany. Before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall, skinhead culture thrived, especially in the economically depressed eastern states, where street thugs targeted immigrants and others seen as outsiders. Weve always known through surveys that far-right thought never disappeared in Germany, said Miro Dittrich, co-managing director of the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy. But in the recent past, they didnt really have a party they could vote for. They didnt have a political platform. Thats changed with the AfD. The AfD is now the fifth-largest party in the national parliament; it placed second in Junes vote for the European Parliament; and it has won city and regional council seats across Germany. A further milestone moment could come Sunday in Saxony or Thuringia. The AfD is not expected to win the majority required to govern in either, but it could reach the threshold needed to block certain decisions, such as the appointment of judges and amendments to the state constitution. A strong first-place finish for the AfD would also spell trouble for Scholzs traffic light coalition made up of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats, and named for their traditional colors. According to the latest polling figures, all three parties risk failing to meet the 5 percent threshold required to sit in the two state parliaments. German big business is so alarmed that 40 large companies including Miele and Oetker banded together ahead of the elections, launching a media campaign calling on employees and customers to embrace diversity. That followed a separate effort by 30 German companies, among them Siemens and Mercedes-Benz, to promote tolerance and reject populism and extremism. In 2024, not a single car would roll off the production line without people with a migration heritage, Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Kallenius told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper. A charged atmosphere, meanwhile, has enveloped the region. On the night of May 3, Matthias Ecke, a 41-year-old politician from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), was hanging campaign posters in Saxonys capital of Dresden when he was attacked by four teenagers one of whom was found to have links to the local far-right scene. Eckes injuries, including a broken eye socket and cheekbone, required surgery. Police confirmed that the same group was responsible for a nearby attack against a Greens politician on the same evening. I would absolutely say that [the AfD is] the main responsible political force for this radicalization, Ecke told The Washington Post. Because what they do is create an atmosphere where people try to take things in their own hands. Following the attack on Ecke, the AfDs leader in Saxony, Jorg Urban, tweeted that assaults on politicians are always attacks on democracy. However, he added, the SPD must ask itself to what extent its constant agitation against political dissidents contributes to such escalations. Urban initially agreed to an interview with The Post before canceling and declining to reschedule. German authorities are still investigating links between far-right extremist groups, including youth groups, and the AfD. But their adherents cross-pollinate one anothers events. On a recent afternoon in Bautzen, for instance, two members of the citys Youth Block a radical far-right group that has taken to patrolling the city on Monday nights waited for their friends near an AfD campaign booth. Im pure German, said one of the teenagers, who refused to give his name citing distrust of the media. Dressed in a black T-shirt that read youth without migration background, the 19-year-old said he would vote for the AfD on Sunday. Foreigners who come here and work are okay, he said. But not those who just come here and take state money and commit sexual abuse. The other parties are just bringing more refugees to Germany. Thats not a pure Germany. Like many in Europes far right, the AfD has adopted a notably pro-Israel stance. But the partys rising popularity is still fueling anxiety in Saxonys small Jewish community. In Dresden, a group of liberal Jews including Israelis and Americans opened a synagogue last year inside an old train station once used by the Nazis to send people to concentration camps and ghettos. The synagogues members have not taken comfort in AfD claims of being pro-Jewish, and officials say the small congregation has grown increasingly afraid. The synagogue has already requested additional security ahead of a LBGTQ+ wedding scheduled there in October. Its very nice that someone says, I dont hate Jews because of Germanys history, but if you hate immigrants, you effectively hate others, said Moshe Barnett, 27, chair of the liberal Jewish Religious Community of Dresden. Maybe you will not kill me because of what your grandfather did. But basically, you dont want me. Taiwan compatriots experience paper-cutting at the Confucian Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on Aug 21, 2024. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily] More than 30 female representatives from Shanxi and Taiwan participated in a special exchange event in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, on Wednesday, to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture. The participants visited well-known tourist attractions in Taiyuan such as the Confucian Temple in Taiyuan Ancient County, where they explored historic architectural sites and engaged in hands-on experiences with local intangible cultural heritages like paper-cutting. The event is part of the 2024 Shanxi Trip for Taiwan Merchants and Youth, taking place from Wednesday to Saturday in cities including Taiyuan, Datong and Jinzhong, to foster cross-Strait communication and friendship. The five-day event featured a diverse range of activities to seek opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, medicine, culture and tourism. People from Shanxi and Taiwan experience paper-cutting at the Confucian Temple in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on Aug 21, 2024. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily] Editor: WRX Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses after an interview for French media including AFP in Rivne on July 30, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images/TNS) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed holding a summit in India aimed at ending the war with Russia, according to people familiar with the matter. The proposal was put to Narendra Modi during the Indian prime ministers visit to Ukraine last week, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private talks. Zelenskyy aims to hold a second leaders meeting before the U.S. presidential election in November as a follow-up to a summit in June, which sought to win support from nations of the Global South for Kyiv in its 2 1/2 year war with Russia. A gathering in India, which has been wary of the Ukrainian initiative because it so far excludes Russia, would be viewed as progress in Kyiv. Modi, who during his Aug. 23 visit signaled his backing for Ukrainian sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders, has yet to agree to host a meeting, the people said. Indias prime minister has signaled his willingness to play a constructive role in a peace process, though its too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage, Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for Indias Ministry of External Affairs said in response to a query. The diplomatic effort has taken on new urgency as Russian forces gain ground in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region and Ukraines military made a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region this month. With both sides on the offensive, a diplomatic resolution to the full-blown conflict that began with Russias invasion in February 2022 remains a distant prospect. A Zelenskyy spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov, said Ukraine is weighing holding the follow-up summit in a country of the Global South, including India in particular. Zelenskyy seeks to win broader global support for his 10-point peace blueprint, including a demand to withdraw all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, and isolate Russia before beginning direct talks. But nations of the Global South have demanded that any forum that pushes for peace can only gain traction if Moscow has a seat at the table. Ukraine has expressed openness to including Russia in the process, though the Kremlin has repeatedly made clear it has no intention of engaging with Kyivs blueprint. Swiss Summit Falls Short The June 15-16 summit hosted by Switzerland, which drew more than 100 countries and organizations, fell short in its ambition to cement global support. China didnt attend, while India joined delegations including Indonesia and South Africa in declining to sign the final communique. Zelenskyy raised the issue during Modis visit, seeking Indias signature, the presidents spokesman, Nykyforov, said, adding that the host of a second summit must have signed the text. The language in that document had already been narrowed to focus on specific issues nuclear and food safety and the return of abducted children and prisoners to win over maximum support. But Indias skepticism of Ukraines initiative is due to Russias exclusion, according to senior Indian officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges who spoke on condition of anonymity. Modis government has made clear that a solution can only be found through dialog between the two sides, they said. Modi followed through with that message during his visit to Kyiv last week the first by an Indian premier since Ukraines independence in 1991. Even as he offered his most direct support for the countrys territorial integrity, he stood by his call for a diplomatic resolution as the only path to peace. As the West has expressed outrage over Russias attack on its neighbor, India has maintained political and economic links with Moscow, which supplies India with cheap oil and weapons. The Indian leaders Kyiv visit followed a trip to Moscow last month for talks with President Vladimir Putin. That trip drew criticism from U.S. and Ukrainian officials, particularly because it occurred on the same day that a deadly Russian missile strike hit a childrens hospital in Kyiv. But Modi informed Zelenskyy this month that he had spoken to Putin looking him in the eye and told him that this is not the era for war. I spoke my mind clearly that the solution to any problem cannot be found on the battlefield, Modi said in Kyiv. Indias prime minister spoke with both U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin about the war in Ukraine following his visit to Kyiv. The prospect for a summit that would involve Russia has also grown uncertain in the wake of the Kursk incursion. It was followed on Monday by Russias biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the invasion began and targeted the countrys power infrastructure. Zelenskyy said earlier this week that the move into the Kursk was part of a victory plan to force Moscow to end the war that he will present to Biden and the contenders for U.S. presidency next month. At the same time, his army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi admitted the attack has so far failed to blunt Russias push in the east, which increasingly threatens the city of Pokrovsk, the key military logistics hub for Kyivs military operations in the east. Moscows military commanders had no plan to send significant forces from Ukraine to the Kursk region, a person close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg last week. Russian military bloggers have claimed that Ukraines defenses in the region around Pokrovsk have gradually weakened. At the same time, some have worried that Kyiv may be holding forces back in order to launch counter attacks further south in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska, Aaron Eglitis, Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Tony Halpin. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Israeli Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, Deputy Chief of Staff of the General Staff inspects a drone during an Israeli Defense Force and CENTCOM visit on Fort Liberty, N.C., Aug. 8, 2023. (Spc. Ashley Xie/U.S. Army) (Tribune News Service) The Ministry of Defense directorate of defense research and development (DDR&D) is preparing a tender worth hundreds of millions of shekels to be issued in the coming weeks for the procurement of 20,000 drones that are made in Israel, a source close to the matter has told Globes. The companies that win the tender will provide drones of various types including assault drones, and surveillance and intelligence drones, in several deliveries over a period of five years. Estimates are that a range of Israeli companies will bid in the tender including Dronix, Xtend, Robotican, Tehiru, Heven Drones and CopterPix. The tender will mark a change in strategy by the IDF, which in recent months has preferred the Chinese drone industry over Israels drone makers. As Globes has previously reported, the IDF has procured thousands of Chinese drones manufactured by DJI and Autel two companies that have been blacklisted by the U.S. Department of Defense. The order was placed due to the urgent need to use drones in urban warfare in as part of the war in Gaza, and due to the fact that the IDF had not been prepared for this. Drones donated to the IDF, which have been used extensively, are also manufactured by the same Chinese companies. Dependence on Chinese drones is a double-edged sword for the Ministry of Defense. It has allowed for the provision of quick and cheap equipment for the immediate term. But it also leaves in service of the IDF thousands of drones manufactured by companies owned by the Chinese government, which could pose a threat to national security, according to the U.S. In addition, this strengthens Israels dependence on Chinese manufactured procurement and spare parts, which could be dangerous in the event that China, which sees itself as an ally of Iran, Russia, Qatar and Hamas, decides to embargo on selling equipment to Israel. Furthermore, the Chinese drones, which are considered an off-the-shelf product that is also sold in the civilian market, have difficulty operating on Israels northern front. Hezbollah has a system called Aeroscope for identifying Chinese drones and locating their operators. Thus, the IDF understands the need not to be dependent on foreign drones, and the importance of supporting the long-term ability of Israeli industry to provide the strategic advantage of domestic production of the drones, which are changing the face of the battlefield, as is happening in Ukraine, for example. The gap between supply and demand Israels drone industry is still not ready for orders for tens of thousands of units and this is one of the reasons that the IDF has previously turned to Chinese industry, which controls the global off-the-shelf drone market with high-quality cameras and a short learning curve for soldiers being trained to use them, some of whom are already familiar with them from the civilian market. In order to bring Israeli industry up to speed, local companies have been required to build production lines and recruit enough technology and assembly workers with expertise and knowledge relevant to this task. Consequently, it is believed that when the tender is published, supply of the drones will be in the medium to long term rather immediate delivery. By then, companies hope to set up production lines and perhaps even advanced production workshops capable of producing drones in bigger numbers. Not all drones that are currently in the possession of Israeli companies can meet the requirements of the army, due to low price requirements and the high costs of raw materials and components. As far as is known, the price that the IDF will demand is still subject to change, but it is in the range of $2,700-$5,400 per drone, with the lower threshold being too low from many companies point of view. While Chinese companies like DJI and Autel provide the army with a finished and cheap product, Israeli companies will be required to assemble the drones with the components that will be sought in the military tender, with the cost of some of these components, like a thermal sensor, amounting to thousands of dollars per unit. The low price levels required by the IDF reduces the likelihood that drones manufactured by Israels defense technology giants such as Elbit Systems and Rafael will enter the tender. Rafaels Spike Firefly drone a 2 kilogram assault drone that remains in the air for about 15 minutes with a range of up to a kilometer, costs far above the IDFs price threshold. Elbits Thor drone is even more expensive. In the category of surveillance drones, Israeli companies face a major challenge, since the price difference between Chinese and Israeli drones is especially large, compared with assault drones. The Israeli companies One of the Israeli companies expected to bid for the IDF drone tender is Xtend, based in Ramat Hahayal in Tel Aviv, which already provides to the IDF as well as civilian installations like offshore gas rigs. The company produces drones that are relatively cheap like the Wolverine, a multi-mission UAS on which the IDF can install thermal cameras, weapons, loudspeakers or arms for opening doors. Another Israeli company that could bid for the tender is Robotican, which produces the Goshawk a flying drone that can become a miniature motorized vehicle capable of performing a range of intelligence and assault missions. Other companies likely to bid for the IDF tender include: Tehiru, which specializes in drones with encrypted communications that evade the enemys electronics combat system could offer its White Widow drone; Dronix, which manufactures the DR multi-mission series drones the simplest of which is the DR-750, which can provide aerial surveillance for up to 35 minutes; Heven Drones provides the Urban drone which can remain in the air for 37 minutes and can carry up to 10 kilograms; CopterPIX provides a series of drones under the ERE brand. No response from the IDF Spokesperson has been forthcoming. (c)2024 the Globes (Tel Aviv, Israel) Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2024. Visit the Globes at www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/nodeview.asp?fid=942 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Palestine Red Crescent Society responders retrieve the body of a man found dead at the Nur a-Shams refugee camp during an IDF operation in the northern West Bank on Aug. 29, 2024. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post) JERUSALEM The Israeli military fired a missile at the lead vehicle of an aid convoy in Gaza, killing four Palestinians, the convoys organizers said. The military said it struck after identifying weapons aboard one of the trucks, adding that the four Palestinians were armed and hadnt been included in the coordinated travel plan. The military also said it killed a top Hamas commander and two other fighters Friday as its large-scale operations in the West Bank continued into a third day. The convoy, organized by the D.C.-based nonprofit American Near East Refugee Aid, known as Anera, was delivering medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati-run hospital in Rafah. Its route was coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces. Both the IDF and Anera noted, however, that four armed Palestinians who joined the convoy while it was in transit had not been vetted. The IDF said it carried out its strike after confirming the presence of weapons in one of the vehicles. In a separate statement, Anera said the Palestinians joined the convoy out of concern that the route ahead was dangerous and were not viewed as a threat. The nonprofit added that Israel did not communicate its plans to strike the vehicle to Anera and described the dead as community members with security experience. According to all the information we have, this is a case of partners on the ground endeavoring to deliver aid successfully, said Anera president and CEO Sean Carroll. In an earlier statement to The Washington Post, Anera said that five people had been killed in Israels strike. Later Friday, the nonprofit revised the toll down to four. The deadly strike in southern Gaza on Thursday comes just days after a World Food Program truck was fired on in the enclave and amid an increasingly strained environment in which humanitarian organizations are operating. Humanitarian groups providing desperately needed aid in Gaza have repeatedly come under attack during the war, raising concerns about the system used to coordinate routes and the IDFs approach to the conflict. According to the United Nations, more than 280 humanitarian workers have been killed since the war in Gaza began in October. The U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Friday that the number of planned humanitarian missions for August that had been denied by Israel had nearly doubled since July. Seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in April, making global headlines. Israeli forces at the time also believed, incorrectly, that militants were present in the convoy. An Anera employee, Mousa Shawwa, a logistics coordinator in Gaza, was killed March 8 by an Israeli airstrike while he was in a deconflicted shelter, Carroll told The Washington Post at the time. The relief workers 6-year-old son, Karim, died 10 days later from injuries suffered during the attack, he said. Thursdays incident is one of several such attacks this week. In remarks to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, U.S. representative Robert Wood referred to an incident that occurred Sunday, according to U.N. officials, in which he said the IDF fired toward a UNICEF vehicle. On Tuesday, at least 10 rounds were fired into a World Food Program vehicle, which the United Nations blamed on Israel and prompted WFP to temporarily suspend staff movement across Gaza. Wood said the Biden administration was deeply alarmed by Tuesdays shooting and urged Israel to immediately rectify the issues within their system that allowed this to happen. In the West Bank, the IDF said its forces killed Wesam Khazem, the head of Hamas activities in Jenin, in a brief firefight. Two others were struck by supporting aircraft when they fled the car they were traveling in. Hamas, in a statement, confirmed the three deaths, and witnesses posted photographs of the bombed vehicle. The IDF said real-time intelligence allowed them to pinpoint Khazems driving route Friday on a road south of Jenin. The 28-year-old was the senior Hamas operative in the city, according to the IDF and people in Jenin familiar with Khazems role in the militant group. Israel said Khazem had played a direct role in multiple shootings and bomb attacks in the West Bank and described him as one of the IDFs top targets. Khazems uncle, Abu Nidal Al Khazem, said he had urged the young man to take his wife and two young daughters out of the West Bank earlier this year as IDF raids were intensifying. Both of Khazems parents are in Norway, the uncle said, and Khazem has a Norwegian passport. The younger man refused. He is very much connected to the camp and to his cousins. They were very close to each other, Abu Nidal al Khazem said. He was not listening to me. The Norwegian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request to confirm Khazems status. Khazems killing follows the death Thursday of another prominent Palestinian militant commander, Mohamed Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa. Jaber, 26, who headed the Tulkarm Battalion, an umbrella group led by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was killed when IDF forces raided the mosque where he was hiding in the Nur al-Shams camp. The IDF said Friday that Israeli forces have killed 20 people whom they described as terrorists in airstrikes and exchanges of fire since the incursion began early Tuesday in multiple West Bank locations, including sites in Jenin, Tulkarm and the al-Faraa refugee camp. In its largest actions in the Palestinian territory since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, hundreds of Israeli troops moved on the areas, sometimes with air cover. Israel said the attacks are meant to root out militant cells and destroy their infrastructure and weapons. Thousands of civilians have been affected, with families trapped in battle-shaken neighborhoods, often without water, electricity or internet. Israeli combat bulldozers have plowed many of the areas streets to rubble to clear possible booby traps. The situation is catastrophic, Ahmad Zahran, deputy director of the Red Crescent in Tulkarm, told The Post on Thursday. The IDF said it concluded operations in al-Faraa on Thursday, while reports from Tulkarms two refugee camps said the scene was quiet. The military remained active in Jenin. The IDF has said it could continue the actions for several days. The United Nations said it had been forced to suspend support services for refugees in several parts of the West Bank. Tens of thousands of people in four refugee camps have been impacted by this operation, including through destruction of public and private infrastructure, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, said in a tweet Friday. Heres what to know The World Health Organization said Israel has agreed to successive humanitarian pauses in military operations in Gaza, beginning Sunday, to allow more than 640,000 children to be given oral polio vaccinations after an outbreak of the virus. The pauses, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., will last for at least three days in three separate zones, beginning in central Gaza and then moving to the south and the north, according to the WHO. Vice President Kamala Harris told CNN in an interview that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, while also stressing Israels right to defend itself. In her first major interview since she rose to the top of the Democratic ticket, she did not fully answer whether she would be open to withholding U.S. weapons shipments to Israel should she be elected president, instead pointing to her work with President Joe Biden to secure a cease-fire and hostage deal. At least 40,602 people have been killed and 93,855 injured in Gaza since the war started, according to the Gaza Health Ministry on Thursday. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority of the dead are women and children. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas Oct. 7 attack, including more than 300 soldiers, and it says 339 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operations in Gaza. Suliman reported from London, Ables from Seoul and Pietsch from Washington. Gokhan Gun is accused of mishandling more than 150 pages of classified documents. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) A civilian engineer for the Air Force who is accused of mishandling more than 150 pages of classified documents will be held in jail as he awaits trial, a federal judge in Alexandria, Va., ruled Thursday. U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff said that granting pretrial release to Gokhan Gun, 50, would pose a grave risk to national security. Nachmanoff reversed an earlier ruling from a magistrate judge, Ivan D. Davis, who found that Gun should be released. Gun, a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States, was arrested this month shortly before he was scheduled to fly to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. As a driver from a ride-hailing service arrived at his Falls Church residence, federal agents moved in with search warrants, finding a backpack that contained a document marked top secret alongside clothing, keys, a notebook and a list of Guns intelligence community security clearances, according to testimony from an FBI agent Thursday. U.S. officials said the engineer specialized in wireless communications at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center in King George County, Va., which works to target adversaries technical infrastructure. Over several months, Gun printed 155 pages of top-secret documents at his workplace and took the records home, according to authorities. The largest batch 82 pages marked top secret had been printed two days before the trip to Mexico, which Gun described as a fishing excursion, according to court records. Stacks of papers with classification markings were found in his dining room, prosecutors said. Authorities charged Gun with unauthorized removal and retention of classified information, for which the maximum sentence would be five years in prison if he is convicted. Based on new information since the arrest, the U.S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of Virginia is also planning to charge him with mishandling national defense information, which is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. Guns possible motives for taking the records remain under investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Gibbs said at the hearing Thursday. Navy Capt. David Taft, the commander of the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, submitted a court declaration warning that, if released from jail, Gun would be able to disclose information that could cause catastrophic loss of sensitive technologies, negatively impact sensitive military operations, and undermine years of associated research and development that has been focused on the nations hardest problems. If Mr. Gun were to pass that information to an adversary, it would certainly help that adversary develop countermeasures to mitigate identified vulnerabilities and defeat the attack, placing military plans and personnel at risk, Taft said. Guns attorney, Rammy Barbari, said prosecutors had not provided evidence that his client shared classified information with anyone or planned to do so. He disputed that Gun was preparing to travel with the backpack containing a list of his security clearances and a document marked top secret. Those two documents would be more than enough to pique the interest of our foreign adversaries and would establish that the defendant had the ability to deliver more information like that in the future, prosecutors said in a court filing. At the hearing, Nachmanoff zeroed in on where the backpack was located, what was inside and how agents came to search it. The judge requested that an FBI agent who was part of the search team take the stand to answer those questions. Afterward, Nachmanoff said it would be concerning if Gun planned to take the backpack to Mexico or if he left it unattended and accessible to anyone on his unlocked porch during a five-day trip. Gun, who moved to the United States in 2001 and became a naturalized citizen in 2021, has been detained since his Aug. 9 arrest. He has no family in the United States. His girlfriend at first offered to serve as his court-mandated custodian during pretrial release, then backed out because circumstances have proved difficult, Barbari said in a court filing. He did not provide details and declined to comment after the hearing Thursday. Derrick Terelle Sankey drove migrants who had entered the U.S. illegally in Starr and Hidalgo counties along the Rio Grande further north to locations near Jim Wells County between March 21, 2021, and Sept. 13, 2021, according to court documents filed in the Southern District of Texas. (Mark Otte/Joint Task Force Lone Star) AUSTIN, Texas A former Alabama National Guard soldier pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to driving migrants from the Mexican border into Texas while he was deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection. Derrick Terelle Sankey drove migrants who had entered the U.S. illegally in Starr and Hidalgo counties along the Rio Grande further north to locations near Jim Wells County between March 21, 2021, and Sept. 13, 2021, according to court documents filed in the Southern District of Texas. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sankey was recruited by smugglers because his military service alongside Border Patrol agents gave him knowledge of immigration enforcement activities in the Rio Grande Valley, according to court documents. He primarily served as a scout to advise other drivers of law enforcement who might stop the loads of migrants being driven north. Sankeys pay in the scheme was based on the number of migrants being transported in each event, the documents said. As part of the plea agreement, a second drug-related charge against Sankey was dropped, according to court documents. The former soldier was first arrested and charged in September 2021 with moving and distributing cocaine after he was caught delivering drugs to an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations while wearing his National Guard uniform and driving a Border Patrol vehicle. He pleaded not guilty and had been waiting nearly three years for his jury trial when a federal grand jury indicted him last month on a second charge of human smuggling. Chief Judge Randy Crane in McAllen accepted Sankeys guilty plea Thursday and allowed him to remain free on bond until his sentencing hearing Nov. 12. The Alabama National Guard confirmed Sankey was serving on federal orders at the southwest border in 2021 when he was arrested. He left the Guard as a specialist in July 2023 after nearly four years of service, the state said. Former President Donald Trump in April 2018 ordered National Guard troops to serve at the southwest border and President Joe Biden has continued that mission. The Guard members work alongside Border Patrol agents in a variety of support roles that allow those federal agents to conduct direct border security. It is separate from a state-sponsored mission in Texas ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott. Those troops work for the state of Texas and patrol the border alongside state police. However, other states have contributed troops to Texas since the mission known as Operation Lone Star launched in 2021. Sankey is not the only service member to get caught up in criminal activity while deployed to the border. At least three other soldiers from the Texas and Louisiana National Guards and the active Army have been arrested for charges of smuggling migrants while deployed to the border. House Speaker Mike Johnson looks over the floor ahead of the State of the Union address at the Capital in Washington on March 7, 2024. (Shawn Thew, Pool photo via Getty Images/TNS) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) House Republican leaders plan votes early next month on a series of measures targeting Chinese companies, including one that would bar federal contractors from doing business with five Chinese biotechnology firms. The party leadership notified Republican congressional offices in an email Thursday to expect House votes on the Biosecure Act and other legislation aimed at Chinese companies when lawmakers return to work from their summer break on Sept. 9, according to several people who have seen the email. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previewed some of the legislation in a speech last month, arguing that business relationships with Chinese biotech companies would leave federal contractors beholden to a U.S. adversary and endanger Americans health care data. Lawmakers in both parties have been raising alarm about economic and national security threats posed by China. The Biosecure Act passed the House Oversight Committee 40-1 in May and would affect five companies to start: BGI Group, MGI, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Biologics. Bloomberg Intelligence rates the outlook for passage as high given strong support for the bill in both the House and the Senate. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., could put up a roadblock. Paul told Bloomberg in late July, shortly before the summer recess, that he would block quick passage of the legislation. That could delay or even stymie efforts to pass the measure unless Democrats decide to make it a major priority and chew up valuable Senate floor time. Senators have been considering adding the legislation to the chambers annual defense policy bill. Backers of the bill have expressed concern that Chinese companies could grow to dominate the biotech space with potential effects on national security as well as the economy, and say American tax dollars should not finance the growth of Chinese tech. The companies have argued they dont pose a risk to any countrys national security and are focused on improving health innovation. Lawmakers were also told to expect votes on other measures restricting business with Chinese companies, including legislation focusing on the Chinese supply chain for electric vehicles, according to the people. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden, banning TikTok unless its Beijing-based parent, ByteDance Ltd., divests. Mackenzie Hawkins and Alexander Ruoff contributed to this report. 2024 Bloomberg LP Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Eli Lilly is ramping up its campaign against imitations of its blockbuster appetite-suppressing drugs, seeking to put an end to a regulatory designation that has allowed cheaper, off-brand versions to flourish. Lawyers for the drugmaker are notifying health-care providers that shortages of Mounjaro and Zepbound are effectively over, even though the Food and Drug Administration hasnt yet made that determination. Meanwhile Lilly, whose executives have made verbal jabs at the safety of the pharmacies replicating their drugs, launched a discounted product Tuesday that it billed as a safer alternative to the off-brand medications. Lilly and rival Novo Nordisk have been battling the emerging industry making copies of their top-selling diabetes and weight-loss drugs, a situation without modern precedent. It started in 2022, when the FDA placed the active ingredients in Lillys Mounjaro and Zepbound, and Novos Ozempic and Wegovy, on its shortage list, a designation that opened the door for specialized pharmacies to make their own copies. That has created an unusual opportunity for compounding pharmacies, which typically custom-make medications to suit individual patient needs. They are licensed and inspected by states and the FDA, but the federal agency doesnt approve such medications and has cautioned that they arent as safe as those it exhaustively reviews. Lilly has made progress boosting its supplies of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. It has reported that all doses of the drugs are available to the FDA, which publishes the information on its shortage database. Seizing on the public portal showing the drugs as available, Lilly is claiming that its drugs are commercially available and that it is no longer permissible for pharmacies to copy them. Lawyers representing Lilly issued letters, dated Aug. 9, warning prescribers of compounded tirzepatide to immediately cease doing so, according to copies seen by The Washington Post. But only the FDA can determine when a shortage is resolved. For Mounjaro and Zepbound to meet that threshold, according to agency guidelines, a manufacturer must meet national historical demand and demonstrate that it has additional supplies in reserve. In recent weeks, the FDA has indicated that it is closely evaluating whether the shortage is over. The FDA is currently working to determine if the available supply of tirzepatide would meet our definition of a resolved shortage, an agency spokesperson told The Post on Thursday. In response to written questions, Lilly acknowledged that Mounjaro and Zepbound remain on the FDAs shortage list. In the interest of patient safety, Lilly is working with the FDA to resolve this, a spokesperson said. Even as Lilly presses for the agency to end the shortage designation, it has acknowledged the challenges of meeting demand for tirzepatide. The companys interim chief financial officer said this month that there may be ongoing variability in the patient experience at the pharmacy counter, and that rising demand may result in periodic supply tightness. Empower Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy based in Houston with a national reach, sent a note to clients this month addressing Lillys claims that tirzepatide is fully available, according to a copy seen by The Post. The FDA should be considered the only source of truth on this matter, the notice said, pointing out that the agency hasnt removed tirzepatide from its shortage list. Empower encouraged clients to report to the FDA that you and your patients still face challenges sourcing the medication. Shaun Noorian, Empowers CEO, said in a statement Thursday that it aims to raise awareness and advocate for a resolution to these supply issues. He added that compounding pharmacies have been the primary reason patients have not seen a lapse in their treatment while the FDA-approved drugs have been in shortage. Like Lilly, Novo Nordisk also has taken legal action against some compounding pharmacies. The FDA lists one dose of Wegovy as having limited availability, and the category of semaglutide remains in shortage. Its important that patients are aware that Novo Nordisk is the only company in the U.S. with FDA-approved medicines containing semaglutide, a Novo spokesperson said. The runaway success of Mounjaro and Zepbound has taken Lilly to new heights. Lillys share price has soared 60 percent so far this year, giving it a stock-market value of about $850 billion, by far the largest of any U.S. company in the health-care and pharmaceutical industries, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. But as Lilly and Novo have struggled to meet demand for their weight-loss drugs, many compounding pharmacies have seized the opportunity to make their own versions, functioning like generic producers without having to undergo the FDAs rigorous review for generics. (There is no approved generic for semaglutide or tirzepatide). While the drugmakers are spending billions of dollars to build new manufacturing capacity and meet exacting regulatory standards, the pharmacies have much lower overhead costs and can offer their weight-loss products for less than a couple hundred dollars a month. The availability of compounded weight-loss drugs has given rise to an entire industry of clinics and telehealth firms, taking advantage of the brand-name drugs incredible popularity while offering much lower prices. On Aug. 8, when Lilly announced the latest eye-popping sales, a financial analyst pointedly asked executives what the company planned to do about imitation versions that take away sales and could tarnish the reputation of its marquee drugs? CEO David Ricks took the opportunity to deliver a dig at pharmacy-made weight-loss drugs. Lilly is investing heavily in expanding its highly regulated manufacturing plants, which havent been able to keep up with demand for its most sought-after drugs, he explained. So its a little odd that the answer to that constraint, he began, is to create another industry that is non-sterile product. He added, People can get hurt. Scott Brunner, CEO of the trade group Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, said in response that compounded weight-loss drugs that are injectable, like tirzepatide, can only be prepared in sterile compounding labs. A Lilly spokesperson said it has tested compounded tirzepatide that contained bacteria, high levels of impurities or was just sugar alcohol. The company declined to say how it has obtained samples to test the prescription-only drug. In its effort to meet the soaring demand for its weight-loss drug, Lilly announced Tuesday that it will offer Zepbound in a new, cheaper formulation. Instead of using its standard auto-injector pens, the company will sell vials that can be injected with a syringe of its two lowest doses for $399 and $549 a month. The list price is about $1,060 a month. The company said the vials are a more affordable option for people without insurance or whose insurance wont cover the weight-loss drug. It also ensures that patients and providers can trust they are receiving genuine Lilly medicine while protecting the public from counterfeit, fake, unsafe or untested knockoffs, Lilly said. Because the vials are for people paying cash, the revenue Lilly brings in will be largely similar to what it makes from its standard Zepbound offering after rebates to insurance companies, some Wall Street analysts project. The company also has raised the price of Zepbound in its separate savings program by $100 a month. Umer Raffat, an analyst at Evercore ISI, said in a note to clients that the net price Lilly gets for Zepbound may even improve actually. Graham, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to public intoxication, breach of the peace and refusing to give gardai his name and address. A DRUNKEN Coldplay fan was arrested at last nights Croke Park concert for lashing out at medical staff who tried to help him and gardai who intervened. Kieran Graham (24) had to be handcuffed for his own safety after officers were called over his intoxicated behaviour at the first of the band's four sold-out Dublin gigs. Fining him 500 at Dublin District Court this afternoon, Judge Mark OConnell said the father-of-one had caused gardai gratuitous inconvenience on a busy night. Coldplay, whose hits include Trouble and Fix You", were performing in front of more than 80,000 fans when the incident happened. Graham, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to public intoxication, breach of the peace and refusing to give gardai his name and address. Garda Adam Hannan said at 9pm, medical staff at the event made him aware of the accused who was intoxicated and lashing out at them as they were trying to render assistance to him. The garda intervened and Graham continued to lash out physically at gardai and medical staff. He refused to cooperate in any way and had to be handcuffed for his own safety and escorted to an on-site medical facility. Staff said he did not need to be hospitalised. The accused refused to cooperate with gardai, would not give any details and was arrested for public order offences and brought to Store Street station. He made no reply when charged there and was handed copies of the charges sheets, the garda said. Graham had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Michael French said Mr Graham had come over from Liverpool for the concert. With the amount of alcohol he had consumed during the day, he was unsteady on his feet, it should have served as a warning sign to my client. It didnt. He was arrested due to his behaviour. "He woke up this morning in a cell, his hands were all yellow, there were no clocks in the station, he did not know where he was, and was completely lost, Mr French said. Hes a young man who didnt set out to cause any trouble. The whole ordeal was out of character for him. The night in the cell served as a serious eye opener. Hes very remorseful. The court heard the accused was a support worker. He accepted responsibility for what he did and Mr French asked the judge to leave Graham without a criminal record. Judge OConnell said the accused had caused serious difficulty on a very busy night in a busy place. The judge initially said he would spare Graham convictions and apply the Probation Act if he made a 500 charity contribution. However, Mr French said that would be difficult to arrange today and opted to be fined instead. The judge gave the accused a month to pay the fine. Crown barrister Samantha Madden told Judge McGarrity that bail was being opposed on several grounds, including concerns Al-Dulaimi would not adhere to conditions imposed A man accused of stalking a number of women in Lisburn has been released on bail, despite previously breaching his bail conditions. Fahad Hatem Hussein Al-Dulaimi, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, has been charged with seven offences dating back to 2022 and is currently awaiting trial at Craigavon Crown Court. Defence barrister Aaron Thompson launched an application for bail at Belfast Crown Court today, which was granted by Judge Mark McGarrity. Mr Thompson confirmed that his 35-year-old client has spent over a year on remand and that the case against him was that he approached and followed, allegedly, a number of women in the Lisburn area. Crown barrister Samantha Madden told Judge McGarrity that bail was being opposed on several grounds, including concerns Al-Dulaimi would not adhere to conditions imposed. Ms Madden said that, after spending a period in custody, Al-Dulaimi was released on bail earlier this year, but was recalled to prison on July 13 after breaching conditions imposed on several occasions. Ms Madden said that on June 16, the defendant was admitted to Belfast City Hospitals Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre, where he lifted two forks and threatened to kill a fellow patient. Following his release from hospital, Al-Dulaimi breached his bail on five separate occasions in July, when he failed to sign with police when required to do so. Judge McGarrity then raised the stalking charges levelled against Al-Dulaimi and asked the prosecutor if Al-Dulaimi had contacted any of the complainants in the case or given them any difficulty, to which Ms Madden replied: No, he hasnt. She did, however, raise concerns for Al-Dulaimis safety and revealed that on July 9 he was picked up by police after walking along the hard shoulder of the M1 motorway. Judge McGarrity said that whilst he noted the Crowns concerns, he felt that any potential risks could be managed by the tightening up of the bail terms. Releasing the defendant on his own bail of 500, Judge McGarrity ordered that Al-Dulaimi sign with police five times a week. Other conditions re-imposed included a ban on Al-Dulaimi contacting the complainants in the case and a ban on him entering Lisburn. Al-Dulaimi was also ordered to attend Craigavon Crown Court on September 12, when his case is listed again. Jamie Stevenson was described by the National Crime Agency as one of Scotlands most wanted fugitives in 2022 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 and by the nicknamed The Iceman, 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. Sadie Byrne the mother of Liam who is currently in prison in the UK was among the large group of mourners Sadie Byrne (top left, red scarf) at the funeral of Liam Roe The funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin A large crowd of family and friends have gathered in south Dublin this morning for the funeral of Kinahan cartel lieutenant Liam Roe. A first cousin of gang boss Liam Byrne and considered a key figure in the cartels Irish operation, Roe passed away in St James Hospital on Tuesday after an illness. Sadie Byrne the mother of Liam who is currently in prison in the UK was among the large group of mourners who gathered at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh this morning. There was a discreet garda presence at the funeral mass. Roe was later laid to rest in Bohernabreena Cemetery in Dublin. Its understood Roe, known for his perma tan, has been receiving treatment for a blood disorder and sepsis and had been gravely ill for a number of days. A number of his family members were beside his side when he passed away and tributes to the cartel lieutenant have been posted online by family and friends. Sadie Byrne (top left, red scarf) at the funeral of Liam Roe A notice on rip.ie said Roe died peacefully surrounded by his loving family and very close friends in the wonderful care of the staff at St. Jamess Hospital. The notice described him as the beloved son of Seamus and the late Ann. "Liam will be sadly missed by his loving dad, his heartbroken partner Niamh, adored stepchildren Mia and Ashton, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Despite keeping a low profile in recent years Roe was considered one of the most senior members of the cartel based in Ireland. He had not been in good health in recent times, according to sources. Tributes have been flooding in from Roes family and friends this week who described as a legend and gentleman. However, the condolences section was also targeted by trolls with one poster leaving a message posing as Daniel Kinahan and thanking him for his graft. The funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Other trolls had also left cruel messages on the site targeting Roe. Writing on RIP.ie, Roes pals described him in glowing terms with many referring to him as a gentle giant. "Such a gentle giant. Rest in peace Bop. Thinking of Liams family & loved ones at this sad time. While another wrote: Wil mis ye Bop, you were a true friend behind the tough exterier (sic) you had a heart of gold. the good are always taking to soon (sic), rest in peace pal, thoughts are with your family. Liam Roe became a major target for gardai following the Regency Hotel shooting as they cracked down on the Hutch and Kinahan Organised Crime Groups. He had been present during the Regency shooting in February, 2016, and pictured outside the hotel with associates after his first cousin David Byrne was killed. The funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The Criminal Asserts Bureau identified Roe as a key player in the Byrne Organised Crime Group, effectively the Irish wing of the Kinahan Cartel. In a High Court case brought by the bureau, Roes assets were targeted by officers who described then as the proceeds of crime. In court documents, Liam Roe claimed he was unemployed and lives with his father at Mangerton Road in Drimnagh. He claimed his lavish lifestyle was funded by his father and said he had no assets at all. Despite not claiming unemployment benefit for 15 years, the CAB showed that in one year alone he had travelled six times to the UK, Spain and the US. He was able to attend the Conor McGregor vs Chad Mendes fight in Las Vegas in July 2015 and flew to Dubai in March 2016. Roe was awarded a 300,000 compensation claim in 1999 after an accident, but claimed he no longer had access to those funds. In 2006, he sold a house to his cousin Liam Byrne for 294,000, but couldnt explain where the money had gone. In a judgment, Ms Justice Carmel Stewart said the home was "acquired in suspicious circumstances by individuals with a broad background in criminal wrongdoing." 30/08/'24 Mourners pictured at the funeral of Liam Roe this morning at Our Lady of Good Councel Church, Mourne Road, Drimnagh...Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin A year later Roe was also stopped at Dublin Airport with 60,000 in cash. He also claimed to have earned a mere 6,000 from the Alfie Byrne pub in Dublin 1 where he was a registered director of the company which was raided by the CAB in March 2016, CAB seized a Kawasaki Ninja motorbike and an Audi A5 from Roe. Unlike many of his criminal associates, Roe never fled the country when his gangs feud with the Hutch mob and associated garda crackdown began. Roe was arrested in 2007 over allegations that he had threatened to kill a bouncer at a pub in Dame Street. He was also fined 250 for obstructing a garda drugs search after an incident in 2009 . In 2012, Roe was given a four-month jail sentence after gardai raided his apartment and found stolen designer handbags worth nearly 9,000. In November, 2012, he failed in an attempt to get gardai to return two Rolex watches worth almost 50,000 which they seized in a search for firearms at a property in Crumlin in January, 2011. Detectives are investigating if the sawn-off shotgun was being transported for a hit following an assault at a house in the city this week. Gardai believe a gun attack was foiled after three people were arrested with a loaded firearm in Dublin after their car cut out. Detectives are investigating if the sawn-off shotgun was being transported for a hit following an assault at a house in the city this week. Two men and a woman were in garda custody last night after the firearm was recovered in the Kimmage area shortly after midnight yesterday. The female driver had sped away from gardai, but the car cut out a short while later and the three were arrested on Kilfenora Road. Gardai believe they were hired to transport the weapon, and officers are investigating the background to what is being treated as a planned shooting. One line of inquiry is that it is connected to a dispute between two junior associates of gang boss Brian Rattigan and a volatile Crumlin criminal in his 30s. In an incident earlier this week, two men called to a property in south Dublin where another man was threatened and hit with a weapon. Two Rattigan associates are suspected of being involved in that assault. A source said: The three people in custody were not tasked with carrying out the shooting, but they are suspected of transporting the weapon for this purpose. There are a number of lines of inquiry, but a main theory is that this all connects back to the incident at the property and that dispute. This weapon was seized as a result of proactive police work by alert gardai and their efforts have to be commended. While there have been a number of serious incidents in the Dublin 12 area recently, yesterdays firearm seizure is not believed to be directly linked to any of the recent violence. On May 6, Joshua Itseli (20) was shot dead in Drimnagh, while last weekend a pipe bomb was thrown into a house in the area, causing considerable damage. In a statement yesterday, a garda spokesperson said: At approximately 12.45am this morning, 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. A female aged in her 30s and two males, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested at the scene. The firearm and vehicle were both seized. Investigations are ongoing. The teen was also charged with felony attempted theft of a motor vehicle, as well as armed criminal action. A juvenile has been charged with the murder of Tipperary chef Shaun Brady who was shot dead in Kansas City. Mr Brady (44) suffered fatal gunshot wounds on Wednesday night in the parking lot of his restaurant Brady & Fox in the US city. The Co Tipperary native, who had been living in the US for more than a decade, co-owned with business partner Graham Farris. Kansas City Police believe Brady had been taking out the rubbish when he became involved in a confrontation with a group of teenagers over a car. Two teenage boys, who cannot be identified because they are under 18-years-old, were arrested within an hour of Bradys death. Last night, one of the teens was charged with second-degree murder in Jackson County family court, the Kansas City Star have reported The juvenile was also charged with felony attempted theft of a motor vehicle, as well as armed criminal action. A mandatory hearing will be held to decide whether he will be tried as an adult. No charges have been announced against the second juvenile as of Thursday evening. 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. Shaun Brady The couple are understood to have children. 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. Shaun 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. "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. Shaun Brady in his restaurant "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." I never told him I was married because I enjoyed our flirting A guy I knew years ago but never dated got in touch with me out of the blue. He found my address when clearing out some old papers. He contacted me at a time when my marriage wasnt good. Ive never told him I am married because I love the romance, the flirty conversations on the phone. He lives in California so I thought I could just enjoy not quite phone sex but not far off. It was a connection we had from our first phone call. I organise our calls around my husbands work schedule and this whole situation is manageable. That was until now because my potential lover wants to visit me. And you know in my dream world Im making plans to meet him, to pretend to my husband that Im going away with some girlfriends. Im dying for some passionate sex which has been missing from our marriage for a good while. I know Im mad to even consider it but the other thing is that because my American friend thinks Im single he could turn up in Ireland waiting to meet me any day. I feel younger and more alive since he got in touch with me, and I dont want to let that go. I know its an impossible situation. What do you think? Answer: Youre certainly on an edge here and I think meeting this man is more of a dream than anything else. Lets put it in context. Hes offering you a way out of the rut your marriage has fallen into. You know the risks yet are contemplating going ahead with a rendezvous. You need to seriously think about your marriage. Are you at the point where youre ready to walk away? Is this flirtations connection a way of you creating a reason to end the marriage? Is this what you want? I advise you to think seriously about whats happening in the relationship with your husband. If its over, then stop playing games and call time. A new emergency management team has been formed to co-ordinate Katikatis response to large scale emergency events. Katikati Emergency Response Teamis made up of a familiar group of local community leaders. The initiative largely came about after the disastrous Cyclone Gabrielle flooding and subsequent isolation of communities - especially from the Hawkes Bay to Gisborne regions. Primary controller John Bothwell says Gabrielle showed people just how isolated small communities can be in a disaster and how each community had to operate on their own. KERT secretary Sandra Haigh mans the command centre and monitors emergency communications. The new groups area of focus is Katikati. Much of its coastal area is low lying and in the tsunami evacuation zone. Theres six bridges between Katikati and Omokoroa and a few are 6-7 metres below, while others are only a few metres. Just south of Katikati theres one that just a metre below. It wouldnt take much for those areas to flood and then were locked, John says. Wed be on our own. We couldnt get any heavy equipment from north or south so the adage is be self resilient for two to three days until help arrives, even up to five days. Backup controller Chris Webb reiterates the public needs to be aware of what they need, before they need it. There is a tendency to think that the cavalry will come marching in and thats probably the biggest attitudinal change that we need to get across. Locals will soon receive the brochure Community Guide to Emergencies produced by Western Bay of Plenty District Council with input from KERT which is due out in September with the Lions Club of Katikati directory. The brochure details preparation including getting together a grab bag. Nature doesnt take prisoners, youve got to be prepared for the worst possible scenario and hope it never happens, John says. The new group is in place of the old local Civil Defence group which disbanded around the Covid-19 pandemic. The new steering group has been meeting since February, 2023 and operate out of The Hub. The team comprises personnel with emergency management experience and works closely with Western Bay of Plenty District Council emergency management advisers. Along with John and Chris, team members are Chris Keightley, Trevor Burgess, Trevor Gilbert, Kristin Crockett, Sandra Haigh, Donna Hannah, Valarie Uilou, Jan de Faye, Shaan Kingi and Peter McKay. An upgraded welfare centre has been developed at the central Katikati Community Baptist Church in Wedgewood St. The site has a water tank, emergency generator and an extension to Katikati Christian Foodbank. The centre is also close to Katikati Fire Brigade, St John Katikati and Red Cross Katikati, who they work in with, as well as Katikati Community Centre, church groups and local marae. John says the welfare centre can cater for up to 100 people in an emergency and be self-sufficient if power and water services were out for five days. Plans are being developed to replicate this facility at other potential sites, north and south of the main township, he says. The next step for KERT will be a series of public meetings to engage the community to be more prepared for emergencies. -Katikati Advertiser Will it be a mighty seabird, a forest-dwelling songster, or perhaps one of our flightless friends? Voting for Forest & Birds Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau takes flight next week, seeking a new champ for the coveted Bird of the Year title for 2024. With no controversial kick-outs (yes, the kakapo is in) nor any foreign election interference on the cards at least, nothing we know of this years competition is anybirds to win. Voting opens at 9am on Monday 2 September and runs for two weeks, closing at 5pm on Sunday 15 September. The winner will be announced on the morning of Monday 16 September. Votes can be cast on the Bird of the Year website Share your why for the love of birds The campaign calls on Kiwis (the human kind) to vote for their top five birds and share their why. Last year, we asked voters to tell us the reasons behind their pick for top bird. We received thousands of responses from heartwarming, to humorous, to frankly unprintable. Read more about what voters told us This year, were drawing on this treasure trove to highlight just how much New Zealanders feel connected to our weird and wonderful native birds more than 80% of which are At risk or Threatened with extinction. Feathery feuds ignite Around sixty volunteer campaign managers have signed up to advocate for their fave feathered friend, across 74 avian candidates in total. New on the ballot this year is the Adelie penguin, backed by Antarctica New Zealand. While these dapper flappers are only rare visitors to Aotearoas mainland, more than one-third of the global Adelie population lives in the Ross Sea Region, New Zealands home in Antarctica. These penguins not only wear the most adorable tuxedos but are also invaluable science ambassadors, says Annie Robertson from Antarctica New Zealand. They can tell us so much about our climate, and the Antarctic ecosystem. The Adelie penguin will have tough competition from 2019 champ hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), who is backed by a consortium of Dunedin organisations. Bringing their cutting-edge meme expertise to the competition, students from Victoria University of Wellington are already engaging in fierce birdy banter on social media, with Salient magazine backing the korora, and the president of the students association pledging to get a black robin tattoo. For Jaimee Maha, takahe campaign manager, her why is tied to family legacy. Mahas grandad, Ted Bennett, was good mates with Doc Orbell, leader of the crew who famously rediscovered the takahe in 1948. While Bennett wasnt on that original team, he went on many adventures with Orbell to restore takahe habitat in the Murchison Mountains. I often think about how stoked they would be to see how the population has grown, says Maha. Libby Manning, campaigning for the tarapunga red-billed gull, wants voters to see past the gulls reputation as chippy thieves. Yeah, theyre loud and sassy, but, man, life would be so much more boring without them! I want more New Zealanders to appreciate their existence. See all the campaigns on the Bird of the Year website Taking action for wetlands will be easier in the Bay of Plenty thanks to a Conservation Week event dedicated to providing landowners with practical support. The annual Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Turoa Conservation Week runs from 2-8 September 2024, and this years theme calls on people to help the environment and species that make New Zealand special. Rangitaiki Wetland Day will be an opportunity to access conservation advice and resources thanks to Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Fish & Game, and the Department of Conservation. DOC Senior Community Ranger Jesse Burt says the event will highlight funding opportunities for fencing and native planting, and is aimed at kaitiaki, landowners, conservationists and nature lovers. Well be encouraging the restoration of marginal land and riparian strips these are areas that have significant habitat value for species such as matuku hurepo (Australasian bittern). With many of our species threatened or at risk of extinction, this event will help landowners take action for nature. Matuku hurepo are globally endangered, with fewer than 1,000 left. The birds are known for their camouflaged plumage and the distinctive booming call of the males, most heard from August to December. Loss of their wetland habitat is a key factor in their decline. Jesse says wetland restoration is part of ensuring future generations inherit a world rich in biodiversity. The invitation is open to anyone interested in improving water quality, creating wildlife habitats, and enhancing wetland ecosystems Rangitaiki Wetland Day is an opportunity to gain the knowledge and support you need. Participants will receive a native wetland plant on arrival, and one attendee will win $500 worth of native trees from Coastland Nursery. Event details: Rangitaiki Wetland Day Saturday 7 September 10am-12pm Awakaponga Hall To attend, please RSVP to fcarr@doc.govt.nz. Ella Scown was preparing to move to Canada when she found a lump in her breast. Not confident about the prices of healthcare overseas, the 29-year-old lawyer booked a quick check-up. My GP said dont be worried, says Ella. [She told me] people your age have less than a 2 per cent chance of getting breast cancer. But just to be careful, well do an ultrasound. A few tests later, Ella and her partner Lewis were called in to see a specialist. We got put into a room and were made to wait for a very long time, about an hour by ourselves. So, you spiral. Eventually, three people walked in with this massive folder. I just went into shock (sidehead) I was like: Oh no, this is not going to be good. The first thing they said was: You have breast cancer. After that, I dont remember anything. I just went into shock The diagnosis triple-negative breast cancer came two days before her flight to Vancouver. Ella cancelled her flights and moved in with her parents. The first step was fertility preservation a course of injections and a procedure to remove the eggs. The first chemotherapy rounds were manageable, though Ella found losing her hair to be psychologically traumatic. The second round was brutal. It was so bad. It was this red liquid they call the red devil and it was pumped through a port into my chest. I was taking 30 tablets every day to stop feeling sickThat lasted about eight weeks. The Lions Lodge After chemotherapy Ella needed surgery to remove what was left of the cancer, then radiation treatments. While preparing for radiation, Ella realised the immense toll it would take travelling to Waikato Hospital each day for four weeks. Thankfully she was able to stay at the Cancer Societys Lions Lodge. Staying at the lodge changed a month of my life and made it a lot easier, she says. I felt less stressed because I wasnt having to sit in traffic for hours, and it removed the guilt associated with having a support person give up that much time Monday to Friday for four weeks. I spoke to so many people in the lodge who wouldnt have had access to their treatment if they had not had the lodge. It changes the whole experience being able to stay there. Ella has finished treatment and is looking ahead to her future travels. The outcome of the chemotherapy and surgery is good. Although my plans had to change, Im still hoping to move overseas. Chance to donate On August 30-31, some 8000 yellow high-viz-clad volunteers will be on streets across NZ with daffodil pins and fresh daffodils to collect donations for Daffodil Day. Donations can be made online at: daffodilday.org.nz, at any ANZ bank, and anywhere a daffodil day QR code is displayed. When a seal pup on a road trip stopped traffic on a Tasman highway it was just the start of its adventure. Senior Sergeant Nathan Snell and Senior Constable Scott Johnson of Road Policing were called to the Richmond Deviation, where members of the public had captured the unruly juvenile - just a few months old - after it caused a significant tailback. After consulting DOC, they put the pup into a washing basket, wrapped in a blanket which was secured by plasti-cuffs, and put the basket on the back seat of the patrol car, with seatbelt in place. It seemed secure, but the pup had other ideas. "Arrangements were made to deliver the unruly seal into the custody of DOC for returning to a more suitable habitat," says Nathan. "But while en route to the prisoner handover, the seal staged a daring escape attempt. Basket case - the juvenile attempts a clean getaway from the laundry hamper. "Wriggling his way free of the blanket and subsequently the washing basket, he escaped on to the back seat of the patrol car - and would have made a great sight to passing motorists as they saw a seal head pop over the windowsill looking out of the window." The escape attempts didn't end there. When Nathan stopped the car, the seal tried to climb into the front seat. Order was restored when he was handed into the custody of DOC staff to be returned to the ocean. "The seal was let go with a warning for 'Pedestrian failed to keep to edge of roadway' and escaping Police custody," says Nathan. If you see a seal pup in danger, contact DOC on their 24/7 hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). A convicted Bay of Plenty rapist who allegedly skipped the country before his district court trial has been extradited from Australia. Lee Richard Josey, 45, a former truck driver, appeared in the Rotorua District Court on Wednesday and entered no plea to a new charge of failing to appear in court in January. Josey was to stand trial on charges laid in 2020 relating to serious sexual offending against two teenagers. Covid-19 delayed his trial nearly four years. When he allegedly failed to appear, a judge took the unusual step of allowing the trial to go ahead in his absence. The jury found him guilty on all nine charges. A warrant was issued for his arrest. He was to be sentenced on April 15. In court on Wednesday, Judge Joanne Wickliffe said Josey was extradited from Australia. An application for name suppression was declined by Judge Wickliffe. Josey was remanded in custody for sentencing on February 28. He was to enter a plea to the charge of failing to appear in court in January at sentencing. Joseys offending Josey was convicted on four charges relating to one girl rape, two of indecent assault, and committing an indecent act. He was further convicted on five charges relating to another teenager four of rape and one of committing sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection. Court documents supplied to the Rotorua Daily Post show Josey saw the teen at a party and asked her to go for a walk because he said he needed to talk to her. He started to kiss her and held her arms down in a hug as she struggled and told him to stop. He then raped her. The summary said she felt frozen and shocked and started to cry, telling him to stop. She managed to get free and went back to the property. A few months later, he saw the teen again and indecently assaulted her.. On another occasion, the teen saw Josey doing an indecent act. When he saw her, he said: Its a good thing you are here. The five charges relating to the second complainant involved Josey sexually violating the girl once and raping her four times. Josey told police he did not have any sexual contact with the teen, but his DNA matched samples taken in a forensic medical examination. Andrew J. Linn Malaga Friday, 30 August 2024, 13:26 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Red wine is made from red grapes and white wine from white grapes. Right? Wrong! Actually, it's all down to skin contact. Red grapes, if pressed and immediately separated from their skins, will produce white wine. Conversely, white grapes left for extended periods on their lees, sediments etc, can give a dark rose. The colour of red wine comes overwhelmingly from the skins of red or black grapes, not the pulp. Most grape flesh, whether from red or white grapes, is relatively colourless. White wine is usually made from white grapes like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling, but some also originate from red-skinned grapes, such as Pinot Noir (often used for champagne). If we go back four millennia, our predecessors just chucked any old grapes of whatever provenance into a clay tank or qvevri, sealed it and drank it after a year, regardless of how it tasted. In Georgia they still do this, and from personal experience I cannot recommend it to a generation brought up on multi-filtered modern wine. Nevertheless it is a unique experience if the opportunity arises. Orange wine, currently the flavour of the month literally and with its roots in the Caucasus, is made from white grapes left for extended periods on their skins. In some cases, winemakers blend a small amount of red grapes with white grape juice to create a rose or a lightly pigmented wine. Wine of the Week Companon Arrieta Rioja Herrigoia 2022 Think just-released young Beaujolais. Very 'grapey' and definitely for drinking cold, strong fruit flavours. Around 8 euros. The most common white grape used in Spain is the high-yielding Airen, dominant in Valdepenas and very basic-tasting: not recommended. The other, Macebeu, also used for cava, is much better. Jennie Rhodes Axarquia Friday, 30 August 2024 | Updated 06/09/2024 21:01h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Calle Roberto Harvey in Macharaviaya is named after the American artist who called the small Axarquia village home for many years until his death in May 2004. Although his name was Robert Harvey, somewhere along the line it was decided to give the long, winding street that starts in the centre of the village and winds out to the southeast, the Spanish version of the name, Roberto. The exhibition space at Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria primary school in nearby Benagalbon is also named after Harvey. The school website explains that the space was, "named in honour of the great person, great artist and great friend of the school." Centenary There's also a Malaga-based artists' association called 'Asociacion de Amigos de Robert Harvey - Huerta Del Angel', who have been organising events to celebrate the centenary of the artist's birth - he was born on 16 September 1924 in Lexington, North Carolina. In fact there is currently an exhibition at the village's Museo de los Galvez featuring work from Harvey's own private collection. The exhibition runs until 29 September. Through this association and indeed the people who knew him in Macharaviaya, Harvey's legacy is still very much alive in the province. For the last 16 years a meeting has been held in Macharaviaya every June, during which works by Malaga artists are exhibited and then auctioned. Zoom Sculpture by Robert Harvey. SUR Robert Harvey always maintained a deep connection to Macharaviaya where he used his art as a tool to document everyday life and capture the essence of the village. His work has been published in internationally renowned magazines and exhibited in prestigious art galleries around the world, earning him the recognition and respect of his peers and critics far beyond his beloved Macharaviaya. Louise Montefiore Malaga Friday, 30 August 2024, 13:32 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads A jewel in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Arezzo is slightly off the typical tourist-beaten path. But, less than an hour by direct train from Florence, or about an hour by car, it is easy to access, offers unique cultural activities and is simply enchanting. No wonder it served as the setting for Benigni's 1997 film Life Is Beautiful. Arezzo originated as Aritim, when it was one of the 12 most important Etruscan cities. Conquered by the Romans in 311 BC, Arretium, as it was then known, would grow to be the third largest city in Italy, particularly known for its red-clay pottery. Arezzo thrived throughout the Middle Ages, though it fell to Florence in 1384. Its rich art and architecture are a testament to its prestige through the years. Arezzo suffered heavy damage during World War II before being liberated by British and New Zealand troops. Established in November 1944, the Arezzo War Cemetery was built to house the remains of Allied casualties. Despite the battle, the city's historic centre, which sits atop a steep hill, survived the ordeal and maintains its medieval features. Long-standing traditions Indeed, these remain the setting for the Saracen joust, which sees the city transported back to the Middles Ages, with people dressed up in medieval costume as each 'quarter' competes to win the Golden Lance. 'Knights' on horseback recreate this ancient game of chivalry and colourful processions are held throughout the city to mark the occasion. The tradition became typical in Arezzo in the 17th century and has appeared and disappeared since, before being firmly established in 1931. It takes place twice a year, in June and September, on and around Piazza Grande. Zoom Procession during the Saracen joust. SUT Also held on Piazza Grande, the city's main square, as well as on Piazza San Francesco and Logge Vasari, is Arezzo's famous Antiques Fair. Over 500 antiques dealers gather from across the country every month to sell all sorts of curated gems: from books and jewellery to furniture and art. Held since 1968 on the first Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday, this is one of the city's main spectacles. Cuisine: beauty in simplicity On a regular day, Piazza Grande is still lively with terraces, a perfect spot for lunch or dinner. Arezzo's typical dishes are quintessential Tuscan cuisine: minimalist but made with high-quality, fresh local produce which will delight any foodie. One such example is 'crostini neri toscani', a classic Tuscan antipasto consisting of toasted bread topped with chicken liver pate, typically enjoyed before a meal - and often accompanied by a glass of local wine. Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG, for instance, is a red wine made from grapes grown in Arezzo province. The area is also known for its meats and cold cuts, with other typical dishes including 'bistecca alla fiorentina' (grilled beef steak), and 'panina', a traditional cake from Arezzo either enriched with bacon or made sweet with raisins and saffron. Of course, there are also excellent pasta options for your 'first course' and a selection of great cheeses, including the local Abbucciato Aretino, a pecorino made in the province. A city of art And for lovers of art, Arezzo is packed with sights, mainly housed in its churches. Its most famous are probably the magnificent frescoes on the chapel walls of the Basilica of San Francesco. Painted in the 15th century by Piero della Francesca, a key figure of the Early Renaissance, The Legend of the True Cross is considered to be one of the artist's greatest works. Arezzo's cathedral is also home to works by Piero, namely his fresco of the Magdalen. Just a few minutes north of here, the Basilica of San Domenico is also known for housing great artwork - in particular, Cimabue's famous painted Crucifix, from the 13th century. The church has even been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Zoom The Basilica of San Francesco, decorated with frescoes by Early Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca. SUR The family home of artist Giorgio Vasari, the Vasari House Museum, also houses art painted on its very walls. The interiors are decorated with works by Vasari from the 16th century, one the best examples of the Mannerist style in Tuscany. More of his pieces, and other works from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, are on display at Arezzo's National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art in the Bruni Ciocchi palace. The city also has a special place in music history. Guido d'Arezzo, a medieval monk, invented a new system of musical notation in 1025 which revolutionised the transmission of music in Europe. Prior to this, instead of being able to write music down, people relied heavily on oral imitation. Arezzo keeps its musical legacy alive via the Terre d'Arezzo Music Festival, a yearly celebration of classical music. History buffs should not miss the city's Roman amphitheatre, which is part of the National Archaeological Museum Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, housed in the former monastery of St Bernard. The museum depicts Arezzo's history, from Etruscan times through to late antiquity. There are also rooms dedicated to prehistoric finds and the terra sigillata vases which made the city so prosperous in Roman times. The Medici Fortress is another highlight and looks out over breathtaking panoramic views of Arezzo. And, whether or not you have attended the Antiques Fair, it is worth visiting the home of its founder, Ivan Bruschi. Located in the Palace of the Capitano del Popolo, one of Arezzo's most impressive Gothic buildings, the Ivan Bruschi Antiques House Museum is filled with curiosities. Small towns nearby It's no surprise that Arezzo is surrounded by other picturesque towns - this is Tuscany, after all. If you're a fan of Piero della Francesca, head to San Sepolcro and Monterchi, home to more of his art. Montepulciano is famous for its wine but also boasts incredible views and plenty of lovely squares, cafes and restaurants. For its Etruscan Academy Museum, visit Cortona, and for its castle, head to Poppi. Anghiari, Lucignano and Castiglion Fiorentino are also excellent options. Arezzo - and its surroundings - truly will spoil you for choice. Cristina Vallejo Friday, 30 August 2024, 20:11 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads Several hundred Americans living in Malaga are registered with Democrats Abroad, the umbrella organisation for Democratic Party supporters around the world. And the group is practically new to the area: it has not yet been established in the province for a year. Earlier this month, coinciding with the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, which has nominated Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the new presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls for the November elections, they held a meeting in Malaga to analyse how to contribute to the electoral victory of their party against the Republicans whose candidacy is headed by Donald Trump and J. D. Vance. Carey Ramos, promoter and director of Democrats Abroad in Malaga, told SUR how the candidacy of Harris and Walz after Joe Biden's resignation has excited Democratic supporters: "Kamala Harris is doing very well in the polls. It's true that the margin is small, but we were clearly losing before. In most of the key states, Trump was winning. That's why our people were quite depressed. Nobody thought we couldn't win, but now there's a lot of energy." This renewed enthusiasm is measured by the fact that in the middle of August, in the middle of the Malaga fair, this Malaga-style Democratic Convention was much better attended than the group's previous activity, Super Tuesday, the big day of the primaries when it was still necessary to back Biden, a candidate who no longer generated the enthusiasm that Kamala Harris has awakened. On that Tuesday in March, the Spanish Socialist party headquarters in Calle Ollerias, which they used for the voting, was not as crowded as the terrace of the Corte Ingles, the setting for this week's meeting to set the strategy for supporting Harris. "Trump doesn't know what to do with Harris; before with Biden he had his strategy which was to say he was old and had dementia. But Kamala Harris is young and has a lot of energy" They are very hopeful of a Democratic victory in the presidential election: "Trump doesn't know what to do with Harris; before with Biden he had his strategy which was to say he was old and had dementia. But Kamala Harris is young, has a lot of energy and is giving rallies every day in key places. Trump has not found the solution," explained Ramos. And, in fact, she pointed out how there have been many Republicans who have gone to the Democratic Convention in Chicago to show their support for Harris because they consider the candidacy led by Trump to be a danger to democracy and freedoms. The Democrats, said Ramos, have one more strength in the face of this: unity around their electoral ticket; even the left wing, represented by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, is rallying behind Harris and Walz. Zoom The T-shirts they have made in support of Kamala Harris. SUR Three tasks to achieve a Kamala Harris victory The wind is blowing in their favour, but they are not resting on their laurels and, in fact, the meeting they held last week in Malaga was to organise the work they have structured into three fundamental activities to promote the candidacy of Kamala Harris. First of all, they are going to develop a strategy that is very common in the United States: telephone calls to inform and mobilise the electorate. They will call Americans living in Spain and other countries who are registered as members of Democrats Abroad to encourage them to vote. Americans vote in the state where they last resided before moving to other countries. And with their wave of calls, the Malaga-Americans are going to put the emphasis on those citizens who come from the so-called 'swing states', that is, the most decisive ones because those are where the chances of victory for Democrats and Republicans are similar and, in fact, usually fluctuate in their support from one to the other. These are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada. Ramos stressed they are not going to ignore the rest of the country's territories: while the swing states are essential for the presidential election, all the other places are fundamental for the elections to renew Congress and the Senate, because if the president's party does not control the chambers, it cannot govern, its hands are tied. The purpose of these phone calls is also to remind voters to ask for their ballot papers in order to be able to vote, because there is still time to do so. And to those voters who have already requested them, they will inform them that before 21 September they must receive the ballot paper by e-mail in order to exercise their right to vote. 8% of Americans living abroad vote That is why they believe they have a lot of potential to improve the participation of their compatriots around the world. The second task they have set themselves is to both make and ask for donations to be made to the Democrats Abroad organisation. Donations can only be made by US citizens, never by anyone of any other nationality, so they cannot accept donations from other Malaga residents supporting their cause and that of Kamala Harris. For fundraising they are not only appealing to Americans living outside the US, they are also encouraging their family and friends living on US soil to donate to Democrats Abroad, because they believe there is a lot of potential to improve the Democratic vote from other countries: only 8% of Americans living outside their country vote in elections. And they need the money to pay, for example, for the platform through which they make the calls. Ramos confesses that she gets very excited when she talks on the phone to people from swing states who say yes, their vote is for Harris. She believes that whoever wins will do so by a small margin and that is why she considers the response of each voter and each ballot paper to be so important. "Overseas votes can make a difference in some states. Biden, in the last election, won in Georgia and Arizona because of the overseas vote" The third task they have entrusted themselves with is to make sure every citizen knows how to vote, because the American system is very complicated; each state has its own rules: in some states you have to vote by fax, in others you have to vote by post, in another group you can vote by email... In addition, according to Ramos, there are some states that are looking for ways of not accepting foreign votes, and his organisation also has legal resources to deal with this. "We know that we have to work hard and that overseas votes can make a difference in some states. Biden, in the last election, won in Georgia and Arizona because of the overseas vote," Ramos pointed out. Mark Spadafore is president of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council. This year is the 125th anniversary of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO. In 1899, Samuel Gompers, then the president of the American Federation of Labor, spoke for four hours on Labor Day at Longbranch Park to commemorate the beginning of our organization. Gompers could not have anticipated where the labor movement was headed and what it could accomplish: the massive organizing in industries, the creation of the broad middle class, and the power to remake the workplace. The power of the labor movement was built over time by dedicated union activists and leaders who have fought to increase the living standards of workers. As we approach the Labor Councils 125th anniversary, we have reason to be proud: We are one of the few organizations that has lasted for 125 years in Syracuse (the other being the local NAACP chapter); a long history of fighting for the dignity of workers; our partnership of good works with the United Way of CNY; and, after years of retrenchment, a wave of union organizing lead by young workers. Currently, unions are negotiating record wages and benefits, and we are showing our political power at the ballot box, with two union leaders running for office (John Mannion, former president of the West Genesee Teachers Association, and Chris Ryan, who is the current president of CWA Local 1123). These candidates benefited from union members across the spectrum knocking on other union members doors, making phone calls and getting the vote out during the June Democratic primary, where they were victorious. Our work showed the power of working people come together for common goals. However, as we have seen through these past 125 years, corporate forces try to take back the gains that workers make in the workplace. Whenever the Labor movement makes progress, you see legislation such as the Taft-Hartley Act, or legal decisions such as the Supreme Court Janus case, that turn the tide against the progress for workplace justice. The latest attempt to limit the power of workers is Project 2025. Written by the right-wing think tank the Heritage Foundation, the document is a laundry list of ways to take away the rights of workers. And what this document proposes is breathtaking: banning public sector unions, doing away with civil service protections, stopping overtime pay, gutting child labor laws, allowing company unions, banning Project Labor Agreements, banning employers from voluntarily recognizing unions, gutting unemployment benefits, and much more. The prospect of these ideas becoming our federal government policy should give everyone pause. The writers of Project 2025 want to negate the progress of the 20th Century. That is why it is important that working people vote this year. Whether you belong to a union or not, our democracy depends on an engaged electorate that participates in elections. The unions of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO, are committed to informing the public about the dangers of Project 2025 and why it is important for us as a community to reject these reactionary policy proposals. We need to speak with one voice: We will not go back. As we have seen in the past, corporations and their agents are trying to use the power of the federal government to limit the power of workers to benefit Wall Street, not Main Street. Currently, we must address the inequities in the law that allows workers to toil while not making enough money to make ends meet, to address the shortage of affordable housing and ensure that we have a community where everyone has a shot at a successful life. We must act together to ensure our community stays the great place to live, learn and work. Lastly, whether you have a union or not, we invite you to join us at the New York State Fair for our annual parade and rally starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday by the Expo Center. As we parade around the fairgrounds, we invite you to see your neighbors who work to make up our community. These union members are part of the tradition of 125 years; come see this tradition for yourself. Around midnight on Aug. 20, a 74-year-old from Brookhaven got caught in the dark with a dying cell phone while hiking on St. Regis Mountain, a popular climb in the central Adirondacks. Using the last bit of battery power from his phone, which he was using to light his way on the pitch-black trail, the elderly hiker called New York State Department of Environmental Conservation dispatch in Ray Brook for help. Coordinates placed the man approximately one-quarter of a mile from the trailhead before the call dropped. A forest ranger hiked in, located the hiker, and helped him back to his vehicle at the trailhead. DEC reminds hikers that a headlamp or other type of flashlight are essential outdoors tools that can prevent the need for rescue. For more information on recommended gear and how to prepare, visit Hike Smart NY. The following reports are excerpted from DEC: A 34-year-old from New Jersey injured her ankle while hiking on the Northville Placid Trail near Cedar Lakes on the evening of Aug. 23. Rangers guided her to the trailhead.NYSDEC A 34-year-old from New Jersey injured her ankle while hiking on the Northville Placid Trail near Cedar Lakes on the evening of Aug. 23. An off-duty paramedic encountered the hiker and used a satellite communication device to relay coordinates to ranger dispatch. Six rangers hiked in and wrapped the injured hikers ankle, then guided her to the trailhead in the dark. On Aug. 24, a 26-year-old hiker from Maryland hurt his knee on the summit of Giant Ledge in the Catskills. Two rangers helped walk the hiker back to the trailhead. On the afternoon of Aug. 24, two campers in their 40s failed to return to their campsite after a morning hike to Hodge Pond. Later that evening, a ranger located the two missing campers and discovered that one had hurt their ankle. The pair of hikers walked very slowly with the ranger back to the campground. Rangers and NYS police airlifted an injured 33-year-old hiker from Vermont from the Ridge Trail on Giant Mountain on Aug. 24.NYSDEC A 33-year-old hiker from Vermont with an injured ankle called for help from the Ridge Trail on Giant Mountain on Aug. 24. A NYS Police helicopter flew to the location and lowered a ranger down to help package the hiker for a hoist rescue while another ranger on the ground stabilized the hikers ankle. The hiker was flown to the hospital. Shortly after midnight on Aug. 25, a worried son texted 911 from Johns Brook Outpost reporting his parents, who are in their late 50s, were several hours overdue after summiting Mount Marcy, the states highest peak. Rangers found the parents in the morning approximately 1.5 miles from the outpost. Their headlamps and phones were dead, so theyd spent the night near Slant Rock before hiking back down at sunrise. A 64-year-old from Rensselaer broke her arm on Aug. 25 while hiking above the ladders on Big Slide Mountain. Two rangers stabilized her arm and walked her out. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: READ MORE Doggone tired: Rangers rescue another dog from ADK mountain - newyorkupstate.com Big Manlius dog with injured paw rescued from ADK mountain - newyorkupstate.com Ohio man ticketed for threatening hikers on popular Adirondack trail - newyorkupstate.com Two injured hikers rescued one day apart on popular ADK mountain - newyorkupstate.com Rangers organized search for Upstate NY plane crash that killed five - newyorkupstate.com Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. Fatima Latifova In accordance with the plan of bilateral cooperation for 2024 signed between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Serbia, the Acting Chief of the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service Anar Ismayilov met with a delegation led by the Head of Military Health Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, Brigadier General Radivoje Andjelkovic, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. During the meeting held at the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense, a thorough exchange of views on the prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the field of military medicine, as well as on a number of issues of mutual interest was held. The guests were given a briefing on the organization of the medical service and military medical support in the Azerbaijan Army. Following the meeting, the Serbian delegation visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense and the Military Medical Faculty and got acquainted with the conditions created. NEW YORK (AP) A former New York City police officer has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for shooting and wounding her ex-girlfriend and killing the ex-girlfriends new love interest. Former officer Yvonne Wu, 34, was sentenced Wednesday in state court in Brooklyn after pleading guilty in June to manslaughter and attempted murder for shooting Jenny Li and Jamie Liang. Wu was off duty on Oct. 13, 2021, when she used her NYPD-issue gun to shoot Li, her former girlfriend, and Liang, Lis new partner. Liang was killed and Li survived with serious injuries. The moment was a living nightmare, having to watch a life being taken in front of my eyes and being able to do nothing about it, Li said at the sentencing, according to the Daily News. Li said she had to relearn how to walk and sit up after being shot, and her days have been filled with loss, anxiety and grief. Jamie, who is someone who had a whole life ahead of her, a wonderful daughter, and the most caring friend, has been taken a decision that was no ones to make, Li said. Liangs father, Ying Cai Liang, described his daughter as genuine, kind, caring, and the most selfless person you would ever meet. Wu was initially charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted murder in June. She apologized in court Wednesday. I want to say Im sorry to everyone whos been affected, Wu said. Im so sorry. You guys will never forgive me and Ill never forgive myself. The case was prosecuted by the state attorney generals office because it involved a police officer. First Comprehensive Database of Food Metagenomes Developed The first comprehensive database of food metagenomes has been developed by the EU-funded MASTER project. The associated scientific paper Unexplored microbial diversity from 2,500 food metagenomes and links with the human microbiome was published yesterday, Thursday, 29 August in the prestigious journal Cell. The curatedFoodMetagenomicData (cFMD) resource is a milestone database of metagenomes (the collective term for all of the genomic material from all of the microorganisms in an environment) from food that will enable DNA sequencing technologies to operate at their peak potential, helping researchers tackle global challenges, like food waste and antimicrobial resistance, while increasing food safety. Food microbes can have both a positive impact on food production, such as through food fermentation, or a negative impact, such as spoilage or foodborne disease. Until recently, analysis of these microbes has relied heavily on traditional approaches requiring the growth of these microorganisms on agar in Petri dishes, with different agars used for different microorganisms. The application of high throughput DNA sequencing- based methods has the potential to transform food testing as it allows the rapid, simultaneous testing for all microorganisms in parallel, including those that are difficult to grow. The availability of this new database has been facilitated by the DNA-based testing of thousands of samples collected from across European food processing facilities. The existence of the new database means that, going forward, the data generated from DNA sequencing-based analysis of food samples can be rapidly and accurately analysed to rapidly identify and control undesirable microorganisms, while also improving the health promoting attributes of foods that contain desirable microbes. The cFMD database is a major development for microbiome research as it has added 1,950 food samples to the existing global library bringing the sample selection up to 2,500. As an open access resource, this facilitates the large-scale application of this technology worldwide by academics and industry. MASTER Project MASTER stands for Microbiome Applications for Sustainable food systems through Technologies and EnteRprise, and is a European Unions Horizon 2020 funded, 30 partner, project that kicked off in January 2019 to map microbiomes across a range of food and non-food environments with pioneering sequencing technologies. The study was led by teams from the University of Trento and University of Naples Federico II (Italy), Teagasc (Ireland), Spanish National Research Council and University of Leon (Spain), MATIS (Iceland) and FFoQSI (Austria), with many other contributors. MASTER project coordinator Professor Paul Cotter is Head of Food Biosciences at Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority), and a Principal Investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland and VistaMilk, world leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centres. Professor Cotter said; The cFMD is a large curated database of foods metagenomic data, representing 15 food categories from 52 countries. The cFMD contains data relating to 3,600 different microbial species, of which 290 are novel species. It is available free of charge, to be extensively used for microbiome studies and applications in food industries. For example, studying microbe movement along the food chain, studying the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes, detecting undesirable microbes, and investigating the transmission of microbes to humans. The availability of cFMD represents a major step toward a future where metagenomic sequencing could replace classical microbiology as a more accurate and faster food-chain microbe tracking tool. Professor Danilo Ercolini from the Department of Agricultural Sciences at University of Naples Federico II said; The availability of such a huge dataset including food metagenomes and food microbes genomes is going to represent an incredibly important resource for many food scientists to further exploit the occurrence and role of microbes in food and food processing facilities with the final aim to improve food quality, safety and sustainability. Professor Edoardo Pasolli from the same institute adds; This resource will be the basis to developing even more comprehensive food metagenomic databases that can be integrated with certain food types and geographical locations that are still under-represented. Professor Nicola Segata from University of Trento, adds; This resource is crucial also to understand how the food microbiome could impact human health as some of the microbes we eat could become stable members of our own microbiomes. We found that food-associated microbial species compose around 3% of the gut microbiome of adults, suggesting that some of our gut microbes may be acquired directly from food, or that historically, human populations got these microbes from food and then those microbes adapted to become part of the human microbiome. Food is thus crucial for our health also for the microbes they provide for our own microbiome. Unexplored microbial diversity from 2,500 food metagenomes and links with the human microbiome is published in Cell and available to read online here Mitadru BHPian Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Kolkata Posts: 130 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage New Delhi Traffic Pollution Sensors debunk notion that CNG is a Green Fuel' https://healthpolicy-watch.news/new-...-a-green-fuel/ According to this article, New Delhis decades-old regime to control vehicular pollution, including a heavy reliance by commercial vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel, has been challenged by a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report upends the narrative the that CNG is a clean fuel, pointing to its high level of health-damaging emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which can damage childrens lung development and contribute to a range of chronic lung diseases. The report is based on innovative remote sensing technology that monitored actual traffic flows. Its results challenge two critical policy interventions: the mandate for buses and taxis to use CNG, as well as a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) surveillance system. The PUCC requires every fossil-fuel powered vehicle to undergo regular emissions checks, with car owners facing fine if they do not have an up-to-date certificate. However, the ICCT report highlights how the PUCC inspections fail to capture emissions of the two biggest polluters NOx and Particulate (PM2.5) as well as failing to reflect the level of real-time emissions on city roads. Its authors point out that both automobile tech and air pollution monitoring have become a lot more sophisticated and the PUCC tech has not kept up.Vehicle emissions, according to some estimates, contribute as much as 38% to Delhis pollution. Famous for exposing dieselgate The ICCT is famous for exposing Volkswagen for falsifying real-time data on NOx vehicle diesel emissions in its reporting to the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2015. The scandal, widely known as Dieselgate, led to a global reconsideration of diesel engines and their health impacts, in terms of excessive particulate emissions as well as NOx. It conducted this India study on CNG vehicles with the support of the local transport and police departments in Delhi and Gurugram, on its southern border. The two cities are among the 20 most polluted globally. For the first time in India, we have collected significant emissions data from motor vehicles on the road and it is crucial to remember that what impacts our air quality is not the laboratory emissions but the pollutants released by these vehicles when they are in operation. Therefore, its time to reimagine our emissions testing regime and aggressively push for the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, said Amit Bhatt, India managing director of ICCT. CNG is not a clean fuel According to the study, CNG vehicles emitted very high levels of nitrogen dioxide and other oxide of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, challenging the narrative that CNG is a clean alternative fuel. NOx causes shortness of breath, irritation in the eyes, nose and throat in acute exposures. But theres also substantial evidence of excess rates of asthma and impeded lung development amongst children growing up along busy highways where NOx emissions are high. Chronic NOx exposure can lead to the development of a range of lung diseases in the long term. For example, some light goods vehicles, commonly seen ferrying vegetables and other supplies in the city, emit up to 14.2 times their lab limits, and taxis are four times. This shows that while the CNG transition has helped cut toxic particulate emissions from diesel vehicles during the early years, NOx emissions from on-road CNG vehicles without adequate controls can be high. This builds a case for the next big transition to electrification to make tailpipe emissions not cleaner but zero, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment, one of Indias foremost air pollution experts. The report found that tougher engine standards have helped reduce NOx emissions. The latest Indian standard, Bharat Stage 6 (BS6), which is comparable to a Euro 6 engine, shows a reduction in real-world NOx emissions from private cars of 81% and buses by nearly 95% as compared to Bharat Stage 4 (comparable to a Euro 4). Of the over 110,000 vehicles sampled by the ICCT study, 55.5% are BS 4, and 33.5% are of BS 6. (See figure below.) Proportion of fleet at Bharat Stage 1 to Bharat Stage 6 , in ICCT study. Commercial vehicles pollute more than private cars One clear trend the study identifies is that commercial vehicle emissions are higher than private vehicles. In the BS6 four-wheeler category, light goods vehicles (LGV) had five times higher NOx emissions, seven times higher carbon monoxide emissions, and five times higher hydrocarbon emissions than private cars. Meanwhile, in comparison to taxis, light goods vehicles had double the NOx emissions, six times higher carbon monoxide emissions, and four times higher hydrocarbon emissions. However, commercial taxis were consistently far more polluting than private cars within the passenger car segment, indicating poor maintenance. There were also multiple instances where three-wheelers, mostly running on CNG, had higher emissions than passenger cars. Innovative remote sensing technology ICCT used a remote sensing technology to measure the emissions of vehicles on roads as they drove past the sensors. At each of the 20-odd sites, machines about the size of large microwave ovens were placed on either side of a road lane. It took a split second to capture the emissions data. Simultaneously, a camera snapped a picture of the vehicle and licence plate. The emission data was matched with the registered vehicles database. Over 110,000 vehicles were monitored across four months in early 2023. Remote sensing equipment and camera capturing real-world emissions data of vehicles as they drive by. The data is then matched with the transport departments database using the registration number clicked by the camera. Now, the ICCT is calling for the remote sensing system to be implemented as a regular monitoring system. It points out how air pollution has shut down schools in Delhi and Gurugram and how harmful it is to human health and the local economy. Current vehicle pollution-check system unreliable While the ICCT says the system can complement the over two-decade-old PUCC system, it could render the PUCC obsolete. The latter does not measure on-road emissions; it only measures when the vehicle is parked. The PUCC monitors CO and HC but not particulate matter or NOx, which are major contributors to pollution in this region. There also are concerns that the PUCC data can be manipulated, especially in states where its recorded manually. The low failure rates, the report says, suggest a need to reconsider the reliability and authenticity of the tests. All of this suggests a broken system. ICCTs presentation on the real-time sensing points out gaps in the current vehicle pollution control regime. Swagata Dey, an air quality policy specialist at the Centre for the Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), has spent years studying the PUCC system. She says this is not effective in controlling real-world emissions. So, in this case, the remote sensing technique is welcome, but we also have to find a way to scale up the process Further, we have to ensure that results from such methods are acceptable in the court of law. Without this [legal recognition of the remote sensing technology], vehicles cannot be asked to comply with this test for obtaining PUCC certification. The policy stage, however, has been long set for the wider adoption of a more accurate pollution monitoring regime. Indias Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal, Indias top dedicated environment court and federal pollution control agency, have all called for implementation of more accurate vehicle surveillance for some years. Kolkata authorities have been using remote sensing since 2009, the studys authors point out, even initiating action against vehicle owners based on readings. Globally, the system has been used extensively in places like London, Paris, and Hong Kong. What the ICCT report offers is new scientific evidence to overhaul or even replace the PUCC regime. It also challenges the notion that CNG can serve as an alternative, clean fuel to diesel and petrol. For about two decades both concepts have been the bedrock of policy action to reduce vehicular pollution, a significant contributor to Indias air pollution crisis. Debunking these misconceptions, can jump-start the dialogue about truly sustainable solutions. Source- https://healthpolicy-watch.news/new-...-a-green-fuel/ According to this article, New Delhis decades-old regime to control vehicular pollution, including a heavy reliance by commercial vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel, has been challenged by a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The report upends the narrative the that CNG is a clean fuel, pointing to its high level of health-damaging emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx), which can damage childrens lung development and contribute to a range of chronic lung diseases.The report is based on innovative remote sensing technology that monitored actual traffic flows. Its results challenge two critical policy interventions: the mandate for buses and taxis to use CNG, as well as a Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) surveillance system.The PUCC requires every fossil-fuel powered vehicle to undergo regular emissions checks, with car owners facing fine if they do not have an up-to-date certificate.However, the ICCT report highlights how the PUCC inspections fail to capture emissions of the two biggest polluters NOx and Particulate (PM2.5) as well as failing to reflect the level of real-time emissions on city roads.Its authors point out that both automobile tech and air pollution monitoring have become a lot more sophisticated and the PUCC tech has not kept up.Vehicle emissions, according to some estimates, contribute as much as 38% to Delhis pollution.The ICCT is famous for exposing Volkswagen for falsifying real-time data on NOx vehicle diesel emissions in its reporting to the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2015. The scandal, widely known as Dieselgate, led to a global reconsideration of diesel engines and their health impacts, in terms of excessive particulate emissions as well as NOx.It conducted this India study on CNG vehicles with the support of the local transport and police departments in Delhi and Gurugram, on its southern border. The two cities are among the 20 most polluted globally.For the first time in India, we have collected significant emissions data from motor vehicles on the road and it is crucial to remember that what impacts our air quality is not the laboratory emissions but the pollutants released by these vehicles when they are in operation. Therefore, its time to reimagine our emissions testing regime and aggressively push for the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, said Amit Bhatt, India managing director of ICCT.CNG is not a clean fuelAccording to the study, CNG vehicles emitted very high levels of nitrogen dioxide and other oxide of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, challenging the narrative that CNG is a clean alternative fuel.NOx causes shortness of breath, irritation in the eyes, nose and throat in acute exposures. But theres also substantial evidence of excess rates of asthma and impeded lung development amongst children growing up along busy highways where NOx emissions are high. Chronic NOx exposure can lead to the development of a range of lung diseases in the long term. For example, some light goods vehicles, commonly seen ferrying vegetables and other supplies in the city, emit up to 14.2 times their lab limits, and taxis are four times.This shows that while the CNG transition has helped cut toxic particulate emissions from diesel vehicles during the early years, NOx emissions from on-road CNG vehicles without adequate controls can be high. This builds a case for the next big transition to electrification to make tailpipe emissions not cleaner but zero, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment, one of Indias foremost air pollution experts.The report found that tougher engine standards have helped reduce NOx emissions. The latest Indian standard, Bharat Stage 6 (BS6), which is comparable to a Euro 6 engine, shows a reduction in real-world NOx emissions from private cars of 81% and buses by nearly 95% as compared to Bharat Stage 4 (comparable to a Euro 4). Of the over 110,000 vehicles sampled by the ICCT study, 55.5% are BS 4, and 33.5% are of BS 6. (See figure below.)Proportion of fleet at Bharat Stage 1 to Bharat Stage 6 , in ICCT study.Commercial vehicles pollute more than private carsOne clear trend the study identifies is that commercial vehicle emissions are higher than private vehicles.In the BS6 four-wheeler category, light goods vehicles (LGV) had five times higher NOx emissions, seven times higher carbon monoxide emissions, and five times higher hydrocarbon emissions than private cars.Meanwhile, in comparison to taxis, light goods vehicles had double the NOx emissions, six times higher carbon monoxide emissions, and four times higher hydrocarbon emissions.However, commercial taxis were consistently far more polluting than private cars within the passenger car segment, indicating poor maintenance. There were also multiple instances where three-wheelers, mostly running on CNG, had higher emissions than passenger cars.ICCT used a remote sensing technology to measure the emissions of vehicles on roads as they drove past the sensors. At each of the 20-odd sites, machines about the size of large microwave ovens were placed on either side of a road lane. It took a split second to capture the emissions data. Simultaneously, a camera snapped a picture of the vehicle and licence plate. The emission data was matched with the registered vehicles database. Over 110,000 vehicles were monitored across four months in early 2023.Remote sensing equipment and camera capturing real-world emissions data of vehicles as they drive by. The data is then matched with the transport departments database using the registration number clicked by the camera.Now, the ICCT is calling for the remote sensing system to be implemented as a regular monitoring system. It points out how air pollution has shut down schools in Delhi and Gurugram and how harmful it is to human health and the local economy.While the ICCT says the system can complement the over two-decade-old PUCC system, it could render the PUCC obsolete. The latter does not measure on-road emissions; it only measures when the vehicle is parked.The PUCC monitors CO and HC but not particulate matter or NOx, which are major contributors to pollution in this region.There also are concerns that the PUCC data can be manipulated, especially in states where its recorded manually. The low failure rates, the report says, suggest a need to reconsider the reliability and authenticity of the tests. All of this suggests a broken system.ICCTs presentation on the real-time sensing points out gaps in the current vehicle pollution control regime.Swagata Dey, an air quality policy specialist at the Centre for the Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), has spent years studying the PUCC system.She says this is not effective in controlling real-world emissions. So, in this case, the remote sensing technique is welcome, but we also have to find a way to scale up the process Further, we have to ensure that results from such methods are acceptable in the court of law. Without this [legal recognition of the remote sensing technology], vehicles cannot be asked to comply with this test for obtaining PUCC certification.The policy stage, however, has been long set for the wider adoption of a more accurate pollution monitoring regime. Indias Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal, Indias top dedicated environment court and federal pollution control agency, have all called for implementation of more accurate vehicle surveillance for some years.Kolkata authorities have been using remote sensing since 2009, the studys authors point out, even initiating action against vehicle owners based on readings.Globally, the system has been used extensively in places like London, Paris, and Hong Kong.What the ICCT report offers is new scientific evidence to overhaul or even replace the PUCC regime. It also challenges the notion that CNG can serve as an alternative, clean fuel to diesel and petrol.For about two decades both concepts have been the bedrock of policy action to reduce vehicular pollution, a significant contributor to Indias air pollution crisis. Debunking these misconceptions, can jump-start the dialogue about truly sustainable solutions.Source- Yes, the new, remarkable, and for-pay version of Alexa is apparently still coming, but when it finally does arrive, much of its generative-AI tech may wind up coming from somewhere other than Amazon. According to Reuters, the new and far more conversational Alexa is poised to arrive in October, a little over a year after the remarkable version of Amazons voice assistant was first unveiled. And as has been previously reported, the revamped Alexa will likely cost extra: think anywhere from $5 to $10 a month, while the classic Alexa will remain free. But when the new Alexa does finally go public, it will do so without an in-house Amazon LLM doing the heavy AI lifting, Reuters reports. Instead, the remarkable Alexa will be powered primarily by Claude, a generative AI model from Anthropic, according to the Reuters story. If true, the decision to switch to Claude for the new Alexas AI smarts would be a major about-face for Amazon, which had gone to great pains during its Alexa demo last year to detail the capabilities of its home-grown LLM. Reached by TechHive, an Amazon rep said the company uses many different technologies to power Alexa. When it comes to machine learning models, we start with those built by Amazon, but we have used, and will continue to use, a variety of different modelsincluding Titan and future Amazon models, as well as those from partnersto build the best experience for customers, the Amazon spokesperson said. The Remarkable Alexa (which was, at least at one point, the proposed branding for the revamped voice assistant) has been beset with bad buzz from almost the moment it was first unveiled, starting with the revelation that Amazon was considering charging extra for it. By early 2024, word leaked that doubts about the new Alexa were brewing within Amazon, with the gen AI-powered assistant said to be deflecting answers and often giving unneccessarily long or inaccurate responses. In its latest report, Reuters said that the new Alexa running on Amazons AI tech had simply struggled for words, sometimes taking six or seven seconds to acknowledge a prompt and reply. Ultimately, Amazon turned to Claude, the Reuters story says. Of course, the origin of the new Alexas AI smarts wont matter to Alexa users if the final product is a good one. But good enough is different from good enough to pay for, and some of the AI-powered features that have been floatedsuch as AI-generated summaries of news articles, recipe-finding functionality, and an AI chatbot for kidssound somewhat shy of remarkable. Were expecting to get a closer look at the new Alexa soonpotentially next month, when Amazon is expected to hold this years edition of its annual hardware event. Meanwhile, Amazon is facing generative AI threats from all sides, with Google taking a decidedly more measured approach in blending Gemini with Google Home, while Apple is about to debut Apple Intelligence in its latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Updated shortly after publication to add a comment from Amazon. AMD is a global semiconductor company known for its high-performance computing and graphics solutions. In recent years, the company has made significant strides in its commitment to corporate responsibility, focusing on sustainability, diversity and inclusion, ethical governance, and community engagement. As AMDs success has grown under the leadership of CEO Lisa Su, it has shown the hallmarks of strengthening its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology while ensuring that its operations and products contribute positively to society and the environment. 4 Pillars of Corporate Responsibility AMDs corporate responsibility strategy is built on four pillars: environmental sustainability, supply chain responsibility, diversity, belonging, and inclusion (DBI), and community impact. Regarding environmental sustainability, AMD has dedicated itself to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting energy efficiency in its products and operations. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy across its global operations. Moreover, despite its fabless business model, AMD has focused on supply chain responsibility by ensuring that its suppliers adhere to ethical labor practices and environmental standards. Like many Silicon Valley companies, the attributes of diversity, belonging, and inclusion are core to AMDs corporate ethos. The company strives to create a diverse workforce that reflects the global community it serves. AMD has committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. This focus on diversity and inclusion is about representation and building a culture of belonging and innovation. AMDs community impact initiatives aim to leverage its technology and resources to address social challenges and promote educational opportunities. To that end, the company supports STEM education programs, community development projects, and disaster relief efforts, demonstrating its commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen. Why Corporate Responsibility Matters to AMD Corporate responsibility is crucial for AMD for several reasons. First, it aligns with the companys core values and long-term vision of creating innovative products that benefit society. By prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices, AMD enhances its reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking company, which can attract customers, partners, and investors who share similar values. These initiatives help AMD mitigate risks associated with regulatory compliance and potential negative impacts on its brand image. Focusing on diversity and inclusion fosters a more innovative and dynamic workforce. Diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas, which can drive creativity and lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. This consideration, in turn, can enhance AMDs competitiveness in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry. Differentiation From Other Semiconductor Firms AMD differentiates itself from other semiconductor companies through its holistic approach to corporate responsibility. While many companies in the industry have sustainability and social responsibility programs, AMDs emphasis on diversity and inclusion and its proactive stance on community impact set it apart. AMDs commitment to reducing its environmental impact extends beyond its operations to include its products, where it strives to deliver energy-efficient solutions that help customers reduce their carbon footprints. Moreover, AMDs transparent reporting and accountability measures demonstrate a genuine commitment to corporate responsibility. The company regularly publishes comprehensive corporate responsibility reports, providing stakeholders detailed information about its progress and challenges. This transparency builds trust and credibility with customers, investors, and the broader community. Sustainability and Human Rights Initiatives As spelled out in its recently released 2023-2024 Corporate Responsibility Report, AMD has prioritized key focus areas in its corporate responsibility strategy, investing in strategic projects and collaborations and reporting on its accomplishments and improvement areas openly and honestly. AMD has a long history of sustainability reporting and is building on this solid foundation as it works to strengthen stakeholder involvement, harness value chain collaborations, and anticipate upcoming legislation around sustainability reporting. AMD carried out a double materiality evaluation in 2023 to prioritize corporate responsibility concerns by examining them through two different lenses: the possible influence on the business and the potential impact the firm has on society and the environment. Concurrently, AMD carried out an initial Human Rights Saliency Assessment, which provided information for the revisions made to its worldwide human rights policy and strategy. These insights highlight the significance of leveraging collaborations in areas where AMD has influence, such as responsible mineral sourcing and supplier sustainability performance, while simultaneously driving progress in areas where AMD has control, such as reducing operational emissions, advancing energy efficiency, and contributing to local communities in which it operates. Global Collaborations To address systemic industry concerns, such as reducing risks associated with forced labor in the supply chain and decarbonizing Scope 3 emissions, AMD occupies vital positions in the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the worlds largest industry coalition committed to supply chain sustainability. The RBA Board of Directors and the Senior Environmental Advisory Team continue to recognize AMD as a permanent member of their respective boards. In addition, the company attended the first-ever RBA Forced Labor Summit in Washington, D.C., which attracted leaders worldwide. AMD has also provided financial support to the RBA audit fund for the Responsible Minerals Initiative and guided the RBA environmental strategy roadmap. In 2023, the company supported and was a founding member of the Energy Collaborative of the Semiconductor Climate Consortium. Its goal was to assist in improving access to renewable energy sources throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to this work, AMD started working on a climate transition action plan (CTAP) that contains climate scenario studies. These analyses are vital for examining different futures with related strategic consequences, such as physical dangers and market opportunities. The CTAP is still somewhat of a work in progress, and the company will need to continue to report on its decarbonization plan, schedule, and progress. Between 2020 and 2023, AMD more than doubled the amount of renewable energy sourced for its operations, going from 36 to 83 gigawatt-hours, which is not an inconsiderable feat. Additionally, AMD continued to expand its sustainability engagements with its manufacturing suppliers, companies that AMD purchases directly from and offers direct materials and manufacturing services. By 2023, 84% of these suppliers had set public greenhouse gas objectives, and 83% of the facilities they managed had been subjected to RBA audits (since 2020). Closing Thoughts Despite AMDs impressive efforts in corporate responsibility focusing on sustainability, diversity, and community impact these initiatives have often been overshadowed by the companys recent business success in the competitive semiconductor market. AMDs innovative products and significant market share gains against competitors like Intel and Nvidia have captured much public and media attention. As its success continues, AMD will be subject to further scrutiny regarding its corporate responsibility initiatives, a challenge it is already familiar with. While its recent business achievements are noteworthy, it is unfortunate that AMDs robust corporate responsibility strategy has not received the same recognition. The company has been at the forefront of integrating ethical practices and sustainability into its operations and products, demonstrating a commitment to being a responsible corporate entity. AMDs dedication to these principles enhances its reputation and contributes positively to society and the environment. Those are admirable goals, and the industry should recognize and acknowledge AMDs dual focus on business excellence and corporate responsibility. This holistic approach is vital for sustainable long-term growth and positive global impact. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust What just happened? Gaming can be challenging for people with disabilities as traditional hardware and software often lack accessibility features, making it difficult for those with certain impairments to engage in the action. Also, the lack of inclusion in itself can be particularly frustrating. Enter Microsoft, which is introducing a number of new accessibility devices for players with disabilities. The new array of products further enhances the company's reputation in this area one that has been acknowledged by awards and industry recognition. In a major step toward inclusive gaming, Microsoft has introduced a range of new accessibility devices aimed at enhancing the gaming experience for players with disabilities. These products include the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers, and two new controllers from the Designed for Xbox program: ByoWave's Proteus Controller and 8BitDo's Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is set to launch in early 2025 and aims to provide a flexible, wired companion to existing Xbox controllers, particularly for players with limited mobility. This joystick includes four button inputs on the front, a standard Xbox thumbstick, and two additional buttons that replicate the bumper and trigger functions found on traditional controllers. Each customizable button allows players to tailor their gaming experience. The joystick's design accommodates various gaming setups, enabling control with one hand, tabletop mounting, or use with body parts other than hands. Priced at $29.99, it will be available exclusively through the Microsoft Store in select markets worldwide. Microsoft's collaboration with 8BitDo has resulted in the Lite SE 2.4G Wireless Controller, a device specifically crafted for gamers with limited mobility. This controller features low-resistance buttons and highly sensitive Hall Effect joysticks. All controls are conveniently located on the top of the device, and a non-slip silicone mat ensures stability during gameplay. The Lite SE can either function wirelessly via a 2.4G adapter or through a direct wired connection to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows 10 and later. It includes two programmable Super Buttons, which can be customized without additional software and are fully compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Available now for $59.99, the Lite SE is accessible in select markets worldwide. Meanwhile, ByoWave's Proteus Controller, which has been developed over four years, emphasizes modular design, allowing players to customize their setup with over 100 million possible configurations. The "snap and play" parts enable users to adjust their controllers to suit their own play styles, physical needs, and game preferences. The Proteus Controller's module mapping system simplifies saving and switching configurations, allowing players to experiment with different setups. Priced at $299, the Proteus Controller is available in the United States, Europe (including the United Kingdom), and Canada. In response to player feedback, Microsoft has also introduced 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers through Xbox Design Lab. This initiative, developed in collaboration with community members, charity organizations, and a hospital specializing in adaptive gaming and 3D printing, offers players six thumbstick topper designs. These designs allow players to customize the height and width of their thumbsticks. The 3D printable files are available now. Rumor mill: The reveal of an upgraded PlayStation 5 console, which Sony has not acknowledged, is rumored to be imminent. Although leaks have made estimating the device's performance upgrades possible, critical details regarding the launch date, price, and support for optical media remain elusive. Established leaker Billbil-kun from French outlet Dealabs recently released an image of the alleged final PlayStation 5 mid-generation refresh design. The latest information indicates that Sony will release the upgraded console before the end of 2024. Dealabs claims to have seen the retail packaging for the device and reports that it will unsurprisingly be named the PlayStation 5 Pro. However, the outlet only released a sketch based on the box for legal reasons. The drawing doesn't depict a disc drive, and it remains unclear whether Sony plans to launch a variant of the PS5 Pro that supports optical media. Assuming the company maintains its practice of releasing two versions of each PS5 model, Dealabs might have only seen the package for the cheaper digital model. Furthermore, it wouldn't be surprising if the PS5 Pro supported the attachable disc drive that Sony released for the PS5 Slim. Indeed, Dealab's PS5 Pro sketch closely resembles the digital-only variant of the Slim. The only noticeable differences are a slight increase in thickness and three black stripes on both sides of the console's midsection. The device comes in white and features two USB-C ports on the front. GPU enhancements based on AMD's RDNA 3 architecture could boost the console's rasterization performance by roughly 45 percent and ray tracing performance by up to 400 percent. Additionally, a new AI upscaling technique will improve the image quality of low rendering resolutions. Sony is expected to ship the PS5 Pro this year. Game developers already possess kits, and at least two discussed their plans for the console at the recent Gamescom 2024 event in Cologne, Germany. According to Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb, Sony might confirm the console's existence and reveal its plans during a State of Play presentation sometime in September. For those willing to take a large pinch of salt, a leak from 4chan states that the company will reveal the machine on the PlayStation Blog on September 9 with a launch planned for December 6. Sony previously revealed the PS5 Slim and PlayStation VR 2 on its blog. The upgraded hardware will likely cost significantly more than the base model. Prices between $500 for the digital-only version and $700 for the disc drive model have been floated. Tools of disruption: With no viable worldwide alternatives to the undersea cable and GPS networks, the West remains highly vulnerable if Russia opts to leverage these systems as bargaining chips or as a means of sabotage. NATO is taking the threat seriously and is setting up backups as geopolitical tensions with Russia remain high over the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Experts suggest even more needs to be done. NATO is sounding the alarm about a potential threat from Russia to disrupt vital communication and navigation systems. It warns that Russia may already have plans in place to target undersea fiber optic cables and scramble GPS signals as retaliation for Western support of Ukraine. Particularly vulnerable is the vast network of undersea telecommunications cables that now span around 745,000 miles and facilitate a whopping 95% of global internet traffic including calls, financial transactions, and video streaming. Any significant damage could wipe out internet connectivity across large regions. According to Robert Dover, an international security professor at Hull University, who spoke to Business Insider, these cables have long been seen as potential military targets, dating back to the Cold War era when the US and Soviet Union closely monitored them. This threat is being renewed now. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports that Russian spy ships and submarines have been loitering suspiciously close to undersea cable routes. In response, a concerned NATO has stepped up maritime patrols in key areas like the coast of Ireland. Using the act of damaging internet infrastructure as a weapon may have already happened. In 2023, damage to a Baltic Sea cable disrupted telecommunications between Sweden and Estonia for a period. While Russia denied involvement, Swedish officials stated the cable was struck by an "external force or tampering." Even if Russia wasn't involved, the country's deputy Security Council chairman Dmitry Medvedev in June warned of such actions following perceived Western sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline last year. "If we proceed from the proven complicity of Western countries in blowing up the Nord Streams, then we have no constraints even moral left to prevent us from destroying the ocean floor cable communications of our enemies," he stated bluntly on Telegram. Compounding concerns, Russia is also suspected of interfering with GPS systems used for aviation. In April, flights between Helsinki and Tartu were grounded for a month due to scrambled GPS signals, believed to be Russian electronic warfare tactics. "Russia has long been developing this capability and it is currently a cheap and effective way of malicious gray-zone interference," Melanie Garson, an international security expert at University College London, told Business Insider. The airline industry is heavily dependent on GPS guidance for routing and landing aircraft safely. While airplanes have backup navigation capabilities, disrupted GPS can still create dangerous situations. Russia has further enhanced its electronic warfare skills throughout the war, remotely scrambling the GPS coordinates used by missiles and drones. Some analysts believe these disruptions in Northern Europe may be Russia sending a warning signal to NATO countries. For its part, NATO has begun implementing automatic alert systems to detect undersea cable interference and re-route traffic via satellite if needed. However, Garson says much more needs to be done to safeguard these critical infrastructures and develop resilient backups. Inline image credit: Galileo GNSS What just happened? Just because someone doesn't live in the US doesn't mean they are safe from the consequences of swatting people in the States. Two men in Europe have discovered this fact after being charged over a series of swatting attacks that targeted high-profile individuals, including US government officials and members of Congress. Last year, it was estimated that there are around 1,000 swatting incidents annually in the US. The act of contacting authorities to falsely claim someone is brandishing a weapon or engaging in other serious crimes can have deadly repercussions. The most infamous incident resulted in the death of 28-year-old Andrew Finch, who was killed by police after being swatted following a Call of Duty match that he wasn't even involved in. According to court documents, Thomasz Szabo, 26, of Romania, and Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia, reported almost 120 fake emergencies to US crisis intervention hotlines and government agencies, or posted evidence of crimes online, in the hope that an armed law enforcement unit would respond. The Justice Department said there were 61 public officials and 40 private victims, including members of the House and Senate, Cabinet-level executive branch officials, senior officials of federal law enforcement agencies, and state officials. Two of the targets were Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Jen Easterly, was swatted on the day the pair's crime spree is believed to have begun, suggesting it was the defendants' work. Our home was swatted this afternoon. Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving. They left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts! Merry Christmas everyone! pic.twitter.com/uQ2xkzLVJ6 Rep. Brandon Williams (@RepWilliams) December 25, 2023 The defendants are alleged to have committed bomb threats against four businesses, four religious institutions, and one university. Szabo and Radovanovic have both been charged with one count of conspiracy, 29 counts of threats and false information regarding explosives, and four counts of transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce. A court filing said investigators believed they were in separate foreign countries last week. According to a source with knowledge of the case, Szabo is in custody. The pair's actions began in December 2020 and continued until January 2024. They carried out their swatting attacks by first obtaining personal identifying information, including home addresses, of their intended victims, using it to falsely report emergencies at the addresses. "Swatting is not a victimless prank - it endangers real people, wastes precious police resources, and inflicts significant emotional trauma," said US Attorney Matthew Graves. "We will use every tool at our disposal to find the perpetrators and hold them accountable, no matter where they might be." In June last year, the rise in swatting incidents in the US led to the FBI creating a national database for law enforcement across the country to track and share information on these hoax calls. Google has uncovered alarming evidence that Russian government hackers are using sophisticated exploits closely linked to those developed by notorious spyware makers Intellexa and NSO Group. The tech giant revealed this troubling discovery in a blog post on Thursday, Aug. 29, shedding light on the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks. Russian Hackers Leveraging Spyware Exploits Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG) identified that the Russian cyber espionage group, APT29, is deploying exploits that are "identical or strikingly similar" to those created by Intellexa and NSO Group. APT29, widely associated with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), is known for its persistent and highly skilled campaigns targeting foreign governments, tech companies, and other high-value entities. The exact method by which the Russian government obtained these powerful exploits remains unclear. However, Google emphasized that this case highlights the dangers of spyware code falling into the hands of malicious actors. Watering Hole Attack Targets Mongolian Government Google's investigation revealed that these exploits were embedded in Mongolian government websites between November 2023 and July 2024. Visitors to these sites using iPhones or Android devices were at risk of having their devices compromised in a "watering hole" attacka tactic where attackers infect websites likely to be visited by their targets. The exploits took advantage of known vulnerabilities in the Safari browser on iPhones and Google Chrome on Android devices. Although these vulnerabilities had been patched by the time of the Russian campaign, unpatched devices remained vulnerable to attack. Specific Targets and Methods of Attack The attacks targeting iPhones and iPads were designed to steal user account cookies stored in the Safari browser, particularly those associated with online email providers used by the Mongolian government. These stolen cookies could grant the attackers unauthorized access to government accounts. For Android devices, the attackers employed two distinct exploits to steal cookies stored in the Chrome browser. Google's researchers linked the reuse of this cookie-stealing code to APT29, citing previous observations of similar tactics used by the group in 2021. Unanswered Questions: How Did Russia Obtain the Exploits? One of the most pressing questions arising from Google's findings is how the Russian government hackers acquired the exploit code. Both the Safari and Chrome exploits closely resemble those developed by Intellexa and NSO Group, companies known for creating spyware capable of compromising even fully patched devices. Google's analysis suggests that the exploit code used in the watering hole attacks shares a "very similar trigger" with earlier exploits developed by NSO Group. Additionally, the code targeting iPhones and iPads utilized the "exact same trigger" as an exploit created by Intellexa, strongly indicating that the same authors or providers were involved. As per Clement Lecigne, a security researcher from Google, the team does not believe that the state-sponsored hackers recreated the exploit. "There are multiple possibilities as to how they could have acquired the same exploit, including purchasing it after it was patched or stealing a copy of the exploit from another customer," Lecigne told TechCrunch. Importance of Staying Updated Google emphasized the importance of keeping software up-to-date to prevent such cyberattacks. Users should apply patches promptly to safeguard their devices from known vulnerabilities. Interestingly, iPhone and iPad users with Apple's high-security Lockdown Mode enabled were reportedly unaffected by the attack, even if they were running a vulnerable software version. In today's fast-paced world of software development, automation has become a cornerstone of testing, ensuring quality and efficiency amidst increasingly complex applications. With faster release cycles becoming the norm, manual testing can't keep paceit's too slow and prone to errors. This shift necessitates innovative automation frameworks capable of delivering reliable results while meeting agile and DevOps standards. Navigating the transition to automated testing is challenging. It demands a deep understanding of the software ecosystem, strategic tool selection, and scalable test architecture design. Prathyusha Nama, a distinguished figure in the field, exemplifies the innovation required to overcome these hurdles. Her career showcases the power of foresight and creativity in optimizing testing processes and shaping organizational strategies. As she articulates, "Successful frameworks must adapt to different projects, scale effortlessly, and provide actionable insights." Her ability to bridge new technologies with established practices has set industry benchmarks, enhancing the speed and reliability of software quality assurance processes. Inspiration for Automation Driven by a desire to innovate and improve efficiency in software development, Prathyusha embarked on her journey into automation. Early in her career, she faced the frustrating limitations of manual testingrepetitive tasks led to delays and errors, compromising product quality. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Prathyusha explains, "The inefficiency sparked my curiosity about automation. I was particularly fascinated by the idea that automation could not only replicate human actions but also perform them with greater speed, precision, and consistency." Motivated by this newfound passion, Prathyusha delved into programming and explored automation tools like Selenium, uncovering their vast potential. Her vision extended beyond creating automated scriptsshe sought to build comprehensive frameworks that could scale effortlessly and provide actionable insights. Through mentorship, cutting-edge projects, and open-source contributions, she honed her approach, developing solutions that significantly reduced testing time and elevated software quality. For Prathyusha, automation isn't just a tool; it's a transformative force empowering teams to tackle complex problems and advance technology. Crafting Automation Frameworks Creating an automation framework from scratch is a meticulous endeavor requiring careful planning and execution to ensure robustness, scalability, and maintainability. Prathyusha begins by thoroughly analyzing the project's specific goals and requirementswhether to reduce manual testing efforts or increase test coverage. "It's essential to understand the application under test, its complexity, and the types of tests required," she explains, emphasizing the importance of this foundational step in selecting the right tools and setting the stage for a successful framework. During the framework design phase, she strategically chooses design patterns like the Page Object Model (POM) or Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) to enhance modularity and reusability. Prathyusha also highlights the significance of setting up a solid environment, including tools, libraries, and version control systems, to manage the framework's codebase effectively. Integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins and Bamboo ensures continuous testing, while detailed reporting tools provide crucial insights into test execution. For ongoing maintenance and improvement, Prathyusha underscores the need for regular updates, stakeholder buy-in, and adherence to best practices, ensuring the framework remains a powerful tool for enhancing software testing efficiency and effectiveness. Overcoming Transition Challenges Overcoming the transition to a modern, scalable test infrastructure required Prathyusha to tackle various intricate challenges. A significant hurdle was integrating modern tools with legacy systems, a process that demanded careful, incremental integration and the development of custom adapters. She stated, "Integrating modern testing tools and frameworks with legacy systems can be complex and time-consuming." Prathyusha navigated this complexity by gradually introducing new tools and conducting rigorous testing, ensuring a seamless transition. Resistance to change was another challenge, with team members hesitant to move away from familiar methodologies. Prathyusha addressed this by clearly articulating the benefits of the new architecture and involving key team members in the planning and implementation phases, fostering a sense of ownership. By emphasizing strategic communication, training, and continuous improvement, she successfully managed the transition, setting the company up for significant long-term gains. Optimizing Software Reliability and Delivery Implementing automation frameworks at Align Technology brought significant improvements in both efficiency and reliability within their testing processes. By automating test execution, Prathyusha and her team were able to significantly reduce manual effort, which, as she mentions, "freed up QA engineers to focus on more complex and exploratory testing activities." This shift not only accelerated testing cycles but also allowed for a more thorough and insightful analysis of the product, ensuring that potential issues were identified early in the development process. The automation frameworks also ensured consistent and reproducible test results, eliminating the inconsistencies often found in manual testing. This consistency, combined with early defect detection and the ability to scale testing efforts, enabled Align Technology to deliver higher-quality software more rapidly. The frameworks' integration with continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines further streamlined operations, reducing time to market and enhancing overall product reliability, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction. Driving Cost Savings Through Innovation Innovative initiatives at Align Technology led by Prathyusha brought about substantial cost savings and significantly enhanced operational efficiency. Through the Allure Ops project, she implemented a sophisticated reporting and monitoring system that greatly reduced the time engineers spent on debugging. "This system provided clear and actionable failure reports," as Prathyusha noted, leading to annual savings of up to $250,000 by minimizing the effort required for debugging and allowing engineers to focus on higher-value tasks. In another significant project, Prathyusha developed a consolidated test execution platform that unified various testing solutions across the company. This platform not only streamlined the testing process but also "supported various testing needs, including functional, performance, and security testing." The project was projected to save up to a million dollars in operational costs over two years and reduce regression testing time by 85%. These innovations exemplify the financial and strategic benefits of Prathyusha's leadership in driving technical innovation at Align Technology. Balancing Technical and Leadership Roles As a Test Architecture Manager, Prathyusha expertly balances the technical and leadership aspects of her role through a combination of prioritization, delegation, and clear communication. She focuses on high-impact tasks, using time-blocking to allocate periods for deep technical work and leadership activities, ensuring both responsibilities are addressed without compromise. Prathyusha empowers her team by delegating technical tasks, allowing them to take ownership and develop their skills. She emphasizes, "Maintaining transparency with the team about goals and project status is essential," which she achieves by utilizing collaborative tools for efficient communication and tracking. Continuous learning and adaptability are strategies she employs to stay updated with the latest technologies and address changing requirements. By aligning technical projects with organizational objectives and engaging in long-term planning, Prathyusha successfully leads her team while driving technical excellence and strategic growth. Essential Tools for Automation Developing a robust and scalable automation framework requires the right combination of tools and technologies. Prathyusha highlights, "Tools like Selenium, Playwright, and Docker ensure that automation frameworks can scale with growing testing needs and application complexity." Selenium, with its flexibility across multiple programming languages, is essential for automating web browsers, while Docker and Kubernetes provide the consistency and scalability needed for large-scale testing environments. Moreover, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD are crucial for streamlining the build, test, and deployment processes, significantly enhancing efficiency. Prathyusha also emphasizes the role of reporting tools like Allure and the ELK Stack in generating detailed insights from test results, aiding in better decision-making. By integrating these tools into the framework, teams can ensure that their automation strategies are not only efficient but also adaptable to the evolving complexities of software development. Future Trends in Test Automation Prathyusha is particularly excited about the future of test automation, where emerging technologies like AI and machine learning (ML) are set to play a transformative role. "AI-driven tools like Testim and Applitools offer dynamic test generation and visual testing," Prathyusha explains, "while ML models analyze historical data to predict defect areas and optimize test coverage." By integrating these advanced tools, she aims to enhance the precision and efficiency of test automation, enabling smarter and more predictive testing processes. Additionally, Prathyusha is keen on adopting self-healing test automation frameworks that automatically adjust to changes in applications, thereby significantly reducing maintenance efforts. The integration of cloud-based testing platforms like Sauce Labs and BrowserStack is already in progress, providing scalable, on-demand environments that support diverse testing needs. As test automation continues to evolve, Prathyusha explores innovative approaches such as blockchain for test integrity and adapting automation strategies for emerging technologies like IoT and AR/VR, ensuring that her testing frameworks remain at the forefront of technological advancements. Prathyusha's impact extends beyond immediate improvements, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. By embracing AI, ML, and scalable testing tools, she prepares her teams for future challenges, encouraging a proactive approach in aligning with technological advancements. Her insights and leadership advance the industry, setting a course for future innovation and excellence in software testing. One of the first AI regulations in the country has been passed by the California State Assembly and US Senate, best known as SB 1047 or the "Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act." It significantly drew mixed reactions from the tech community, particularly in Silicon Valley, from when it was under development due to what it will require developers. For now, the bill remains at the mercy of California Governor Gavin Newsom, as he has the final say in its approval or veto before the deadline. AI Safety Bill Passed by California State Assembly, US Senate California State Senator Scott Wiener announced (via a press release) that SB 1047, also known as California's AI safety bill, has been passed by the State Assembly and Senate. This bill, if passed further, will require AI companies in California to uphold various safety measures and precautions before their training of a "sophisticated foundational model." With this bill's passing, the officials are now handing it over to California Governor Gavin Newsom for his review, and later, decide on whether to pass it into law or veto it. Gov. Newsom has until the end of September to decide on SB 1047. Why is the AI Safety Bill Controversial in the Industry? Various AI companies, ranging from small developers to other Big Tech names, are at a crossroads with this California bill centering on AI safety. First off, there would be a criminal penalty for those who fail to uphold its standards, especially with the guidelines that would be required from California companies. Moreover, it also requires AI companies to establish additional safeguards that would prevent these systems from beingmodified after their development and training. It was deemed by the lawmakers that this bill is meant to prevent AI misuse and protect the general public. AI Safety and the United States Initiatives Artificial intelligence has seen massive dissent and support from different types of communities, particularly as some use it with bad intentions, taking advantage of its power and capabilities. With this, there have been significant proposals and regulations in the United States to improve AI safety. American senators including Chris Coons, Marsha Blackburn, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis were the named proprietors of the 'NO FAKES Act.' It is known for proposing legislation that would safeguard artworks from various artists and prevent AIs and other systems from creating illegal digital replicas. Moreover, there are also other works by US lawmakers behind setting up guidelines in future AI regulationswhichfocus on its responsible and safe usage in the industry. This development centers on building the foundation of future AI legislation in the country, encompassing different artificial intelligence uses. Since California introduced its AI safety bill, there has been a resounding outcry from tech companies, including OpenAI, against this. Now, SB 1047 is in its final stages after being passed in the Senate and State Assembly, with Gov. Newsom set to review it and give an answer when September ends. Pope heads to Southeast Asia in ambitious trip Vatican City, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Pope Francis embarks Monday on a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia, the longest and farthest of his papacy that will challenge the 87-year-old's increasingly fragile health. The pontiff will fly overnight and arrive on Tuesday in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, before heading to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The distance covered -- some 32,000 kilometres (almost 20,000 miles) -- and time difference of up to eight hours would be enough to make a testing trip. But Francis -- for whom spreading the faith is a priority -- will also deliver 16 speeches and hold several giant masses as he seeks to rally the region's growing Catholic community. The trip -- his 45th abroad -- was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic. And in those four years, the pontiff's health has suffered. The Argentine now routinely uses a wheelchair to move around, underwent hernia surgery last year and has been plagued by respiratory issues. He has not travelled abroad since visiting Marseille in France in September 2023, having cancelled a planned address at United Nations climate talks in Dubai two months later. But in recent weeks the pontiff has appeared in good spirits, and a Vatican source said that beyond the doctor and nurse who always travel with him, no special medical arrangements had been planned for this trip. - Create communion - The four countries on the tour are very different, but the pope will seek to bolster ties with each of their Catholic communities and their governments, observers say. The goal is to "strengthen the sovereignty of the pope and the role of the Holy See with local Catholics, to create communion", said Michel Chambon, a theologian and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore. "If the Holy See wants to show its universality, it must rub shoulders with Asian traditions which, increasingly, play a major role in the international order," he told AFP. Francis is also expected to address some of the key issues that have marked his 11 years as head of the Catholic Church, notably inter-religious dialogue, migration and the environment. - Religious dialogue - Francis will take most of the first day in Jakarta to recover from the flight, and the next day hold talks with outgoing President Joko Widodo, young people, diplomats and local clergy. On September 5, he will meet representatives of all Indonesia's main religions at Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and sign a joint declaration with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar. Indonesia is the largest Muslim nation in the world but the country also officially recognises Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Yet observers point to growing discrimination against religious minorities. "Discrimination against the Christian minority in Indonesia remains a concern," Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International in Indonesia, told AFP. He said the situation varied widely depending on the region, but noted reports of attacks on churches and harassment of believers, as well as difficulties obtaining permits to build or renovate churches. "Some congregations have been fighting for permits for decades," confirmed Krispurwana Cahyadi, a Jesuit priest and theologian who lives on the island of Java, which includes Jakarta. "We still have problems with religious intolerance," he told AFP. "Our country is not always as smooth as the ideals portrayed in the authorities' speeches." Francis will be the third pope to visit Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,500 islands, after Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1989. - East Timor sexual abuse - Francis heads on September 6 to Christian-majority, multi-ethnic Papua New Guinea, for a three-night visit during which he will meet with street children and make a day trip to Vanimo in the far northwest. He is expected to repeat calls to protect the environment in a Pacific nation marked by deforestation and regularly struck by natural disasters. Francis is then enthusiastically awaited in East Timor, one of the world's newest nations and the most Catholic of his tour. Some 97 percent of the 1.3 million inhabitants are Catholic. But as elsewhere, the Church in East Timor has been hit by the global scourge of clerical child sex abuse. In 2020, the Vatican sanctioned Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Carlos Belo, who was accused of sexually abusing boys in East Timor over a 20-year period. The pope's tour wraps up with a 48-hour visit to Singapore, a densely populated city-state of six million residents. Pope heads to Southeast Asia in ambitious trip Vatican City, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 Pope Francis embarks Monday on a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia, the longest and farthest of his papacy that will challenge the 87-year-old's increasingly fragile health. The pontiff will fly overnight and arrive on Tuesday in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, before heading to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The distance covered -- some 32,000 kilometres (almost 20,000 miles) -- and time difference of up to eight hours would be enough to make a testing trip. But Francis -- for whom spreading the faith is a priority -- will also deliver 16 speeches and preside over several giant masses as he seeks to rally the region's growing Catholic community. The trip -- his 45th abroad -- was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic. And in those four years, the pontiff's health has suffered. The Argentine now routinely uses a wheelchair to move around, underwent hernia surgery last year and has been plagued by respiratory issues. He has not travelled abroad since visiting Marseille in France in September 2023, having cancelled a planned address at United Nations climate talks in Dubai two months later. But in recent weeks the pontiff has appeared in good spirits, and the Vatican said Friday there were no special arrangements being made, saying he was travelling with his doctor and two nurses as normal. - Create communion - The four countries on the tour are very different, but the pope will seek to bolster ties with each of their Catholic communities and their governments, observers say. The goal is to "strengthen the sovereignty of the pope and the role of the Holy See with local Catholics, to create communion", said Michel Chambon, a theologian and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore. "If the Holy See wants to show its universality, it must rub shoulders with Asian traditions which, increasingly, play a major role in the international order," he told AFP. Francis is also expected to address some of the key issues that have marked his 11 years as head of the Catholic Church, notably inter-religious dialogue, migration and the environment. - Religious dialogue - Francis will take most of the first day in Jakarta to recover from the flight, and the next day hold talks with outgoing President Joko Widodo, as well as separate meetings with a group of young people, diplomats and local clergy. On September 5, he will meet representatives of all Indonesia's main religions at Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and sign a joint declaration with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar. Indonesia is the largest Muslim nation in the world but the country also officially recognises Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Yet observers point to growing discrimination against religious minorities. "Discrimination against the Christian minority in Indonesia remains a concern," Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International in Indonesia, told AFP. He said the situation varied widely depending on the region, but noted reports of attacks on churches and harassment of believers, as well as difficulties obtaining permits to build or renovate churches. "Some congregations have been fighting for permits for decades," confirmed Krispurwana Cahyadi, a Jesuit priest and theologian who lives on the island of Java, which includes Jakarta. "We still have problems with religious intolerance," he told AFP. "Our country is not always as smooth as the ideals portrayed in the authorities' speeches." Francis will be the third pope to visit Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,500 islands, after Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1989. - East Timor sexual abuse - Francis heads on September 6 to Christian-majority, multi-ethnic Papua New Guinea, for a three-night visit during which he will meet with street children and make a day trip to Vanimo in the far northwest. He is expected to repeat calls to protect the environment in a Pacific nation marked by deforestation and regularly struck by natural disasters. Francis is then enthusiastically awaited in East Timor, one of the world's newest nations and the most Catholic of his tour. Some 97 percent of the 1.3 million inhabitants are Catholic. But as elsewhere, the Church in East Timor has been hit by the global scourge of clerical child sex abuse. In 2020, the Vatican sanctioned Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Carlos Belo, who was accused of sexually abusing boys in East Timor over a 20-year period. The pope's tour wraps up with a 48-hour visit to Singapore, a densely populated city-state of six million residents. Activists seek clarity over mining ban in Ecuador forest reserve Mindo, Ecuador, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2024 A sprawling Ecuadoran forest reserve, home to toucans and the spectacled bear, is at the heart of a tug-of-war between environmentalist and miners. A year ago, residents and environmentalists scored a hard-won victory in a local referendum that banned any new metal extraction in the Choco Andino Biosphere Reserve, a UN-designated biodiversity hotspot. But they complain the government has not shared details on how the ban is being implemented, or whether new concessions have been granted since the referendum, voted for by residents of the capital Quito, and surrounds. They also want clarity on what will happen with mining permits that were still in process when the referendum was approved. "Concessions must be reviewed. Mining continues" despite the ban, biologist Inty Arcos, 45, and member of the Quito without Mining collective, which fought for the referendum, told AFP. "Miners continue to enter, illegal mining continues, (gold) material continues to leave and this with all the anxiety (...) because there is also violence around mining, there are organized criminal groups," he said. The Ministry of Energy and Mines did not respond immediately to AFP's requests for comment. The cloud-kissed forest is a birdwatcher's paradise home to some 600 bird species, like cotingas, with their vibrant patterns and unique features. The reserve is also home to 270 mammal species. "This is a paradise of great biodiversity. There are toucans, cotingas... There are also mammals like squirrels and spectacled bears," said Rolando Garcia, 60, a resident of Mindo, northwest of Quito. "Mining is not good, it destroys everything," said the self-taught ornithologist, who makes a living giving bird-watching tours to tourists. Some 21,000 people live inside the forested area covered by the ban on new mining projects. - 'Not clear enough' - Maria Eulalia Silva, executive president of the Chamber of Mining, said that stopping mining entirely made no sense in an area with poverty levels at 80 percent. "You cannot talk about wanting to protect the environment by leaving communities without opportunities for development. Poverty is also one of the greatest threats to the environment," she said. She told AFP that companies that already had "mining rights do not have to withdraw from the area". "Those who had a mining permit granted by the Ecuadoran State before the referendum can complete all phases of mining," she said. "The impact of the referendum is that there will not be new concessions" in the area where "there is small-scale mining and industrial mining in very early stages of exploration." Those opposed to the mining say they intend to appeal to the Constitutional Court to clarify the details of the ban, especially for projects that were still in the exploratory phase prior to the referendum. "Many claim that (the ruling) is not clear enough," says Teolinda Calle, of the Quito Without Mines collective. With just two industrial gold and copper deposits -- situated in the Amazon -- Ecuador's mining exports reached a record $3.324 billion in 2023 and could climb to $10 billion (10 percent of GDP) in 2030, according to the Chamber of Mining. Rich in gold, copper, and silver, mining has become a strategic sector for the traditionally oil-dependent country, also known for its shrimp and banana exports. But environmentalists and residents of the Choco Andino fear for its fragile ecosystems. "You can see the hummingbirds, for example. Imagine the impact on these species, these tiny animals, from an explosion to break the rock, or the opening of a road to allow large trucks and tractors to enter," said Arcos. 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 . Im in Newtown, in Sydneys inner west, in a semi-industrial backstreet that snakes along a railway line. The street bears the signs of gentrification: an old silo converted into swanky apartments; a former flour mill now a colony of commercial offices and studios; a cafe that bakes extravagantly large, rich, gourmet cookies that sell for $7.50 a pop. A little further along, huge slabs of marble are stacked in a garage driveway. One might assume the place is a workshop for the production of upmarket kitchen benchtops. Look inside and it becomes clear that something else is going on. Scattered among assorted wooden crates are life-size replicas of everyday objects, carved in marble, among them a Monobloc chair, a puffer jacket, a short-drop toilet. Alex Seton, contemporary artist and marble sculptor, emerges from the back of the workshop and greets me warmly. A voluble character with a striking plume of hair, he launches into an explanation about the space. No carpets and couches, he says. Everything around this studio is based on flexibility and ease everything is moveable, it changes all the time, this is a morphing studio. It needs to be. In this studio, Seton has made works ranging in size from a three-metre-high skull (including plinth) that weighed 9.1 tonnes to tiny delicate carvings, such as the life-like yabby emerging from a smooth piece of cream-coloured marble on a nearby bench. The crustacean looks good enough to eat and is, in fact, inspired by a yabby Seton did eat, fished from the dam at his familys bush property near the Wombeyan Caves, south-west of Sydney. In gratitude for the meal the little creature provided, Seton was stirred to make a memorial to it in marble. Its a gorgeous thing with an otherworldly translucence. Nearby, on a timber pallet, sits another reference to the familys bush property, with a white marble seat and green marble base. This is the short-drop sawdust toilet my family still has in use to this day, Seton says, and they think Im crazy because Ive reproduced it in Wombeyan marble and in Pilbara green, a very decadent fancy version of the same thing. The familys bush property, called Greenhood after the local native orchid that flowers in early spring, is where Setons love of marble was piqued, as theres a marble quarry nearby. We had very interesting parents, they raised us off-grid, says Seton, the second-oldest of four boys. The family still gathers regularly at Greenhood, although Setons parents now live in Sydney. Theyre good grandparents to a whole lot of grandchildren, Seton says. I ask whether any of those children are his. I dont have children, I dont even have a partner any more, the 47-year-old says without rancour. A marble yabby, modelled on one that Seton fished from the dam and ate at the familys bush property near Wombeyan Caves. Advertisement It hasnt been the best of fortnights for Seton. Im sorry to learn that hes recently had to contend with the end of a five-year relationship and his father being diagnosed with cancer. My life has been turned upside down in the last two weeks, he concedes. Yesterday I was like, Are we sure we want to do this interview? [Then] I was like, Actually, lets do it, thats life. And no regrets, it was a beautiful relationship, we ended as friends. The only regret would be that I would love to have a family, and maybe I still will But my life is full, and even in a break-up time like this, I still have my art that makes the pain only go so deep. Its fulfilling in a different way its a beautiful thing that sustains you. Its a joy walking into the studio, surrounded by the objects of my practice. I dont think people really understand how physical it is, how much labour goes into it. Alex Seton It is a joy; the studio brims with potential. So much catches the eye the small blocks of marble with legs protruding; a few scale models of men in hoodies. Seton has worked here for 15 years, an almost unheard-of tenure given the tendency of artists spaces to come under pressure from developers. The flour mill up the road was once a hive of artists studios, where Seton himself worked after graduating from Sydneys College of Fine Arts (now UNSW Art & Design). The silo also hummed with artists once. Im the last artist in the street, Seton says. Loading But gentrification has caught up with him, too. His studio is about to be redeveloped, and he needs to be out by April next year. Seton is making the best of it time for a change, he says. It doesnt take long to work out hes a glass-half-full kind of person. Advertisement The change he has in mind is no less than a move to Italy, to the Tuscan town of Pietrasanta, a centre of carving practice. Hes had stints there before and in nearby Carrara, famed for marble quarries from which Michelangelo sourced the material for masterpieces such as David, Moses and Pieta. This time, though, Seton plans to stay at Pietrasanta for a couple of years. With potential exhibitions coming up in London and Paris, working in Italy makes sense. Shipping heavy material across the world is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Financially, its just not viable, Seton says. Much better to go there and make work with local materials. There are gorgeous materials there, and a focused industry that does it well and efficiently. Thats the intention for the moment; it might change. Those giant blocks of marble on the street do look hard to budge. Still, I wonder about the prudence of leaving his precious material out there. If you can take it, youre welcome to it, Seton says, indicating a massive chunk of Queensland marble that weighs 4.5 tonnes. Its Chillagoe pearl marble from the traditional lands of the Wakaman people. Thats the piece that will become the large sculpture for Sydney Contemporary, he says, referring to the lavish annual art fair, which runs September 5-8, where he will show with his gallery, Sullivan + Strumpf. Seton in the process of carving the giant puffer-jacket sculpture. Credit: Louie Douvis Its late June when we meet and over the next few months Seton will transform this enormous block of marble into a giant, bloated puffer jacket about 150 centimetres high, inspired partly by the AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a dazzling white Balenciaga puffer that went viral on social media last year. A garment of dubious environmental credentials, the puffer is a recurring motif in Setons work an emblem of our times so ubiquitous that even digital natives were fooled by the AI-generated image of the Pope in rapper mode. I love that image because its like a clarion call of a moment in time where this could become so commonplace that misinformation and disinformation in the form of imagery is going to be very hard to validate, Seton says. The puffer jacket hints at other things, too. It physically buffers the figure and that buffer zone is really interesting to me, Seton says. How much of the world do you want to experience? How much do you want to live in your own bubble? Im obviously taking the metaphor to its extreme but Im having some fun with it as well. Theres a joy in the physicality of it. You can laugh at the absurdity of an oversized puffer jacket on a figure and say, How silly are we? Hes also making six smaller puffer jackets, around 30 centimetres high, but its the large one that will test him. Seton has never missed a deadline. Whether the big one is ready in time for Sydney Contemporary will depend on his health and stamina holding up, and life not throwing too many curveballs. I dont think people really understand how physical it is, how much labour goes into it. Its long hours and slow progress, but I like the drama, he says. Some of the small puffer-jacket works that will be shown at Sydney Contemporary. Credit: Courtesy of Alex Seton Advertisement Marble is indelibly associated with the grand, the heroic, the highbrow. One thinks of ancient statues of gods, muses and emperors, or the spectacular works of Renaissance and Baroque greats such as Michelangelo and Bernini. Seton plays with these expectations and uses this ancient material to sculpt mundane objects that reflect on issues such as nationhood, consumerism, refugees, climate change, and the friction between the individual and society. The ordinariness of the objects he sculpts, and the optical illusions he creates making marble appear as plump as a pillow or as billowing as a flag invite a renewed appreciation of the stone. The marble itself becomes a feature, with its many variations in colour, markings and crystal formations. Marble is mostly calcium carbonate, Seton explains. Its from sea shells and marine life compressed over many millennia through heat and pressure and time, so its this beautiful material that sings with former life. At 16, I looked my father in the eye and said, Im going to be an artist. He said, Oh well let me show you how to invoice properly. Alex Seton Seton is one of only a handful of Australian contemporary artists working with marble its time-consuming, tough and potentially dangerous work to with, and not just because of the use of hammers, chisels and assorted power tools. In July, engineered stone was banned from use in Australia because of the unacceptable risk of silicosis and other lung diseases among workers exposed to silica dust. Engineered stone has much higher levels of silica than natural stone, and while marble is a natural product, it comes with its own risks marble dust can irritate the respiratory tract and exposure needs to be minimised. Ive been going to lung check-ups since I turned 40, Seton says. You hear so many horror stories of stone workers with silicosis. Im in this for the long haul and have no intention of harming myself or others. Lung health has been particularly top of mind lately, after his 72-year-old father was diagnosed with lung cancer. Its been caught early and its a slower kind, so its going to be OK, Seton says. I ask whether his father, too, is a marble carver. No, hardcore smoker, 55 years a smoker, Seton says, adding with a gentle laugh, If youre going to do something, do it well, is what he always said. At Setons studio. You hear so many horror stories of stone workers with silicosis, he says. Im in this for the long haul and have no intention of harming myself or others. Credit: Louie Douvis Speaking of doing things well, some parents resist the idea of their children becoming artists, worried about the sporadic income that comes with the calling. Did Seton find this? I had the opposite experience, he says. I was determined. I think my parents could tell there was no telling me, and I just did it anyway. At 16, I looked my father dead in the eye and said, Im going to be an artist. He said, Oh well, thats to be self-employed, let me show you how to invoice properly. Probably the best advice youll ever get. Advertisement That 16-year-old is now an established middle-aged artist with works in major public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian War Memorial, the HBO Collection in New York and the Danish Royal Art Collection in Copenhagen. Setons practice includes photography, video and installation, but its his improbably realistic marble sculptures that have most captured the publics attention. We walk over to Setons dust room, a sealed-off section in a corner of his workshop reserved for the hard, noisy work of marble sculpting. A layer of chalky white has settled across the neon-lit space, giving it a ghostly feel; on the floor, with footprints through it, on the reclaimed music speakers hanging from the walls, and on a puffer jacket slumped on a bench, so uniformly covered in fine powder that I need to check whether its real or one of Setons sculptures. In this dedicated sculpting area, hospital-grade filters provide a constant supply of fresh air through the mask Seton uses while he works like a deep sea diver. He wears the full array of safety gear: ear muffs, capped boots, glasses, gloves and, depending on the tools hes using, an apron. Ive never injured myself, not in 20 years of carving, he says. On a bench sits a maquette of the work hes making for Sydney Contemporary. It, too, is made of Chillagoe pearl and has been roughly hewn by hand, following several drawings pinned to the wall. They show a jacket with a huge collar that engulfs the wearers head. The jackets torso is so pumped and dissected it recalls a carapace or medieval body armour or a bulletproof vest. No hands protrude from the jackets bulging sleeves. The title plays on the absurdity of it all: A Person of Substance. Setons giant puffer jacket sculpture (above left) is partly inspired by this AI-generated image of Pope Francis (above right). To create the finished work, Seton will haul that massive block of marble out on the street into his dust room, mark it up and begin to carve directly into the stone with handheld tools such as angle grinders and die grinders. Hell then go in with hammer and chisel to create detail. The finishing touches will be made with files and small rotary tools. The marble surface will then be polished with waxes and subtle patinas of cosmetic mica powders to give the resulting work a strange, unearthly feel. Advertisement Opening an old newspaper is about as close as one can get to time travel. Advertisements are the first things that convey the feeling of being transported to another time. There are promotions for remedial elixirs and miracle cures, ads encouraging people to build with asbestos, and cigarettes lots of cigarettes. The Age was first published during the gold rush, so when used as a time machine it has excellent range. We are lucky, here in the newsroom, to have excellent pilots of said machine: people like Andrew Brooks and Michelle Stillman, who work assiduously in our library to carefully collate and access our archives. Their expeditions into the past invariably result in detours and discoveries that highlight how far weve come as an industry, as a publication and sometimes as individuals. For example, take a look at this political cartoon from September 1969. It is the first known contribution to The Age by Michael Leunig. Youve probably heard of him. Coombes would give several self-serving versions of what happened before pleading guilty to murder. Finally, his papers were marked to never be released. While the murders he committed were all different, his stories were disturbingly similar. He was always the white knight trying to avenge some form of injustice and then things just got out of hand. He liked to see himself as a protector when he was the opposite, says Smyth. Tom Hogan outside court in 2015. Credit: Justin McManus For well-respected detective Tom Hogan it was his first job in homicide and, as is the tradition, he became the lead investigator. It was one of the most horrendous jobs any of us had seen, says Day. Hogan would become a rock-solid homicide squad member for many years, then an instructor at Detective Training School. Tom was magnificent at building trust with Raechels friends and the family. He had a caring gentle nature, but he was also like a dog with a bone. He was never satisfied and would always ask why. Always determined, he took to fitness later in life. Tragically, he died while competing in a Queensland triathlon on November 5 last year. The mystery is not that Coombes killed Raechel Betts; the mystery is that having been convicted of two separate murders he was released to kill again. Coombes was born in September 1954, left school at 15, and became an apprentice mechanic, joining the army, where he stayed until injured in a truck smash. In November 1984, he murdered Henry Desmond Kells in the victims Edithvale bungalow. He claimed to have intended to beat Kells for some slight against a mutual friend, lost control and repeatedly stabbed him. His lack of control, the court was told, was due to the head injury he sustained in the army truck smash. He was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years. What the court didnt know was that he had killed another man nine months before murdering Kells. John Coombes (right) leaves the Melbourne Supreme Court in 2011. Credit: Photographic In February 1984, Coombes, and another man took Michael Speirani on a boat trip, luring him on the pretence of buying his car. Again Coombes claimed he only intended to beat him, then throw him overboard before dragging him back onto the boat as punishment for a supposed sexual attack on a 15-year-old girl. Instead, he stabbed Speirani, threw him overboard and used the boats propeller to chop up the body that was never found. He was convicted of the second murder in 1998 and paroled in 2007 to soon become a drug trafficker. Raechel Betts was, according to Smyth, just a decent person who became wrapped up in the drug world. Born in 1982, she went to a private school and lived with her grandparents in Ivanhoe before graduating as a school teacher with early learning qualifications. She worked in child care until 2008, when her drug habits and mental health issues led her to drop out and become a small-time trafficker. Coombes became one of her suppliers. As her life spiralled, she still cared for others. While in a long-term relationship, she learnt she couldnt have children. Later she was introduced to two at-risk girls aged 13 and 15 and became their unofficial carer. She was their mother figure, says Smyth. In August 2009, Betts told friends she was going with her boss on a fishing trip. On August 10, a friend heard her on the phone talking to a man called John in a coded conversation about drugs. The following day she packed an overnight bag, telling the girls in her care she was going on a fishing trip and would be back within 48 hours. She drove to West Heidelberg, parked her car outside a friends house, then walked to the nearby Waterdale Road shops to meet Coombes. At 9.11pm he rang Nicole Godfrey, a girlfriend who lived in a three-bedroom house on Phillip Island, saying he was heading there with a friend. His car later pinged on EastLink on the way to the island. Some time that night at the house, Coombes strangled Betts. Why is still not known. The confident Coombes told police he had nothing to do with her murder. He produced an alibi witness who said he had seen Coombes in Melbourne on the night of the 11th and again the next day. Plus Godfrey would tell police that her car had broken down in Cranbourne, and she rang Coombes for help. This would provide an innocent explanation for the calls and his car pinging on EastLink. But as the alibis fell apart Coombes told another story. He had been convinced by Betts to murder three men who had raped the two girls in her care. As in the previous murder cases, Coombes painted himself as the white knight prepared to kill rapists. Then, when they were at the Phillip Island house, he claimed Betts said she had pimped the two girls out as a way of paying off her drug debts. Girls got to pay her debts, Coombes claimed she said. Outraged, he lost control and strangled her in her bed. Raechel Betts was devoted to the two teenagers in her care. The claims were complete nonsense. Police say while she struggled with drugs and mental illness, she was devoted to the two teenagers in her care. Coombes was an experienced boater, fisher and killer. He knew about tides, currents and the wave movements in Port Phillip and Western Port bays. And having disposed of the body of Speirani in one of the bays, he saw no reason why it wouldnt work again. He dragged Betts body into the bath and spent hours dismembering her. While initially Godfrey (probably due to fear) gave Coombes an alibi, police continued to work on her until she gave a second version. I know she was chopped up in the bathroom. He took her in the bathroom because I was in bed and I had the TV on a little bit, and I had my hands in my ears so I couldnt hear anything, and Ive just wiped it all from my memory just to be able to cope with it. Coombes would tell police he vomited several times, but the weight of evidence is he enjoyed his work, asking Godfrey, Do you want to come in and do a dissection or have a look at anything? He put the remains in garbage bags, then in Godfreys car, drove to the Newhaven pier to dump the body parts, the victims clothes, knives and the garbage bags in the fast flowing water. He returned to scrub the bathroom with bleach. But the tide and his luck changed, and one leg eventually swept up on the beach. From that moment, it was only a matter of time. Despite persuading three people to give alibis, he was arrested two months later. He pleaded guilty on the first day of the trial not because he wanted to tell the truth but because he knew the case was overwhelming. Justice Geoffrey Nettle sentenced Coombes to life without parole. I am clear that this is one of those very exceptional cases where the evidence establishes beyond reasonable doubt that you are sufficiently likely to commit further murders that you should spend the remainder of your life in jail. It came as no surprise to the man with no conscience. In one bugged conversation, he predicted his own future. Believe me, I havent lost sight of the fact that, you know, three strikes youre f---ing out, boy. Following a five-week trial, a Supreme Court jury took just over two hours to find Kurera guilty of murder. It can now be revealed he had rejected an earlier deal that would have seen him sentenced to as little as 21 years jail if he pleaded guilty. Instead, Kurera persisted with his wild claims that he killed his estranged wife in self-defence, forcing his children to relive the horror of that night for the jury. Nelomie Perera. During an earlier pretrial hearing Justice Michael Croucher lamented that Perera did everything she could to protect herself, even activating her safety watch so that it recorded her own brutal killing. Croucher raised the possibility of ankle monitoring bracelets being placed on Victorians at risk of committing family violence which may prevent deaths such as Pereras from ever occurring. She was murdered in circumstances where she did everything she could [to protect herself], Croucher said. She changed the locks on her home, moved your property to a storage unit, obtained a family violence intervention order, she had a safety plan and even had a safety watch fitted. The Sandhurst crime scene. Credit: Nine News Despite all this, her worst fears were realised. All her safety watch did was record the horrible sounds of her murder. Croucher said while it may be too big a step to place ankle devices on someone not facing any criminal charges, but suggested people subject to court orders should be made to wear them as an extra level of protection. Kurera was born in Sri Lanka before migrating to Australia in 1997. He married Perera in 2005 before they moved into the Sandhurst house he helped build. In 2016, he bought Inflatable World in Knox, but the company collapsed in 2018. He went onto become involved in building a hotel at a Sri Lankan airport. The pairs relationship began to deteriorate in 2022 when Perera found her husband was cheating on her with a woman in Sri Lanka where he spent significant periods of time for work. When she told Kurera, over the phone, that she wanted a divorce he threatened to kill her. Perera reached out to police, family violence service the Orange Door and changed the locks to her home and the pin code to the front door. She told friends and family she was stressed and scared whereever she went after learning he had booked flights back to Australia. The court heard that after the murder, police arrived at the house to find it in darkness, with Kurera telling officers, I killed my wife. During the trial, Kurera did not deny striking Perera with an axe but argued he did so in self-defence when she allegedly armed herself with a knife. His defence team also argued it was the mother-of-three who had been abusive and Kurera simply wanted to move on from the marriage. He did what any person would do and was entitled to in those circumstances he defended himself. Rage met rage, defence barrister John Desmond told the jury. The couples two teenage children had rushed downstairs after hearing their mothers screams to find her bleeding on the ground. When their son tried to get help, Kurera hit him in the head and knee before he managed to escape through a back door. Kurera was also found guilty of that assault. He was remanded in custody for sentence at a later date. Residents right to challenge developments in their street would be severely curtailed and basic standards for new projects redrawn under a proposed overhaul of the states planning rules. The fundamental changes to Victorias planning laws, the most sweeping since the advent of rules dubbed ResCode by the Bracks Labor government in 2001, are contained in leaked planning department documents obtained by The Age. While neighbours will lose some of their rights to appeal to the state planning tribunal, the changes would see developers still able to appeal against a council decision if their proposal is refused. The proposed changes remove a requirement for councils to consider neighbourhood character when assessing a permit application and loosen a raft of other development standards including those related to setbacks from the street and neighbours, site coverage, overlooking, overshadowing and the provision of private open space. Slap in the face Readers should walk or drive along Burwood Highway where Presbyterian Ladies Colleges new sports, aquatic and fitness centre is being constructed and decide for themselves just how accurate Labor MP Paul Hamers description of this facility as humble really is. What a slap in the face this structure is for every state school in Victoria struggling to provide even the most basic facilities for their students. Paulette Smythe, Caulfield East Definition of humble Our grand-daughters government primary school in an inner city (south-east) suburb does not even have a room, let alone a hall, that all the staff and students can meet in together. Thats what I call humble. Its sad when the whole school community cannot meet inside together. Angela Forgan, Docklands Truman and Walz Columnist Nick Bryant (Comment, 30/8), endorses a comparison between Tim Walz and recent Australian prime ministers in terms of their folksy ordinariness. Surely, though, a more compelling comparison is between Walz and Harry S. Truman. The latter is now regularly rated by presidential historians as one of the greatest US presidents, having steered the US through the end of the Second World War; and into the early Cold War, the era of the atomic bomb and the Korean War. Like Walz, he was a much underestimated mid-westerner from a modest socio-economic background. Serving in the National Guard and Army, and becoming a senator, again all in common with the Democrats current vice presidential nominee, Truman was selected in 1944 by the great FDR as a somewhat reluctant running mate. The pair were voted in; and, with the latters death, Truman became a president whose hallmarks were seen as friendliness, authenticity and strength of character in daunting circumstances. Arguably, just like Tim Walz in 2024. Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza Support Ukraine Simon Birmingham, the Coalitions shadow foreign minister is correct that Australia needs to restore its embassy in Kyiv (Reopen embassy, says Birmingham in Kyiv, 29/8). The Albanese government needs to give as much support that it can to valiant Ukraine both militarily and diplomatically. Dennis Walker, North Melbourne PM, its all on record Its a bit rich for the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to blame a journalist for secretly recording a conversation he was having at a public event. He should be much more professional than just talking willy nilly. Everything is on the record when youre in public, even something that was an obvious joke. Suck it up, realise you were wrong and move on. David Jeffery, East Geelong Duty to the aged Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright reveals Australias difficulty in valuing its past contributors in his choice of words regional Australia bears the brunt of the nations ageing population (Population plummets in the suburbs nearest CBD, 30/8). The aged care royal commission found that the small number of Victorian government-run aged care facilities in country areas, where private providers deemed potential profits insufficient to operate, delivered notably better care. As each of us ages to join the ranks of veterans of economic and societal contribution, we will each bear the brunt of the failure of successive federal governments in their regulatory responsibility for aged care. Ruth Farr, Blackburn South Bring back The Drum Perhaps Kim Williams, the new broom at the ABC, would appreciate some suggestions from The Ages erudite letter writers. I think The Inventors was one of the ABCs most successful productions ever, impossible to produce on commercial television, watched by all and sundry and discussed avidly in the tea room the following day. I am hanging out for a return of The Drum the perfect lead-up to the news. Wendy Weight, Capel Sound Subtitle scrutiny SBS often uses subtitles in translating dialogue in a foreign language. Often the subtitles are displayed for a time that makes it impossible to read completely. A very frustrating method of reporting news. John Walsh, Watsonia Fighting last words Re columnist Doug Hendrie (29/8) writing on eulogies, mine is my practice wake the whole family gathered at a farm overlooking Swan Bay. But the best words belong to Oscar Wilde, very ill at the end of his life, saying, My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death and one or the other of us must go. Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale Silenced voices The voices of Afghan women have been taken from them by the Taliban. Our voices must now be raised to demand they are free to speak. Melanie Carter, Largs Bay, SA Remember West Papua Will the new treaty-level agreement with Indonesia which will see a much greater interoperability between our defence forces, an ability to operate from each others countries, mean that Australia will become actively complicit in that countrys illegal occupation and human rights violations in West Papua? Up until now Australias deaf ear to West Papuas call for independence has been shameful. The people of our actual nearest neighbours Papua New Guinea, West Papua and East Timor deserve more respect from Australian governments. Dr Jenny Grounds, Medical Association for Prevention of War Australia Policy failures The role of government in Australian democracy is to keep the nation safe and to develop and implement policies that should benefit the greatest number of citizens for most of the time. To the latter, the government has been called risk averse. A more accurate description would be gutless. Andrew Neeson, West Launceston Types of freedom Columnist Nick Bryant (Comment, 30/8) says Kamala Harris has redefined freedom. Rather than changing the basic meaning of freedom, Harris is stressing its positive side, such as the freedom to live safe from gun violence or the freedom to vote. This can be contrasted with a more negative view of freedom reflected in the Second Amendment that says the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed. Harris style of freedom often involves a greater role for government in order to help people lead better lives by provision of services such as public education and heath. Negative freedom, which tends to be emphasised by the right, often involves a reduced role for government as that allows people more freedom to organise their lives as they wish. It will be interesting to see which type of freedom voters choose. Rod Wise, Surrey Hills Spuds career move Re the letter The spuds gone flat (30/8), spuds do not go flat, they move to a new career as potato cakes. PJ Bear, Mitcham Credit: Matt Golding AND ANOTHER THING Census Anthony Albaneses backflip over the census questions is welcome. It wasnt that long ago that we filled in a plebiscite vote to show that LGBTIQ people mattered. The Labor government, via the initial census changes, was signalling that they didnt count. Greg Tuck, Warragul So Anthony Albanese can do a back-flip. Now to get him to do one on gambling ads. Dave Torr, Werribee Just when I thought LGBTQ stood for Labor Government Buries The Question, it has now seen the wisdom in being inclusive in the next census. Commonsense prevails. Kevan Porter, Alphington Albanese Anthony Albanese at the Pacific Forum is heard referring to the cost of proposed aid by saying perhaps we could go halvies, which proves you can take the boy out of western Sydney but cant take western Sydney out of the boy. Peter Roche, Carlton Its pretty simple prime minister, if you dont want something published, dont say it in front of journalists. Lawrie Bradly, Surrey Hills Furthermore So fighting is being paused for a polio vaccine drive in Gaza. How comforting will this be when bombing resumes on these vaccinated children. Denise McLarty, Paynesville I remember when the Greens primary focus was on the environment, trees, water and threatened species, which I applauded. Does anyone else remember those days? Don Owen, Hawthorn Asylum seeker dies after self-immolation (30/8). When will the government end this cruelty? Real Australians say welcome. Jenny Bone, Surrey Hills 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 At just 43, Shinjiro Koizumi is a rising star of Japanese politics and one with a penchant for capturing headlines and ruffling the feathers of the countrys conservative ruling party. He married a TV presenter and then caused a stir in Japans patriarchal society by becoming the first serving government minister to take parental leave. He has also expressed support for legal reform to allow women to keep their surnames after marriage, putting him at odds with staunch conservative colleagues in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This year he surfed the waters near Fukushima to show they were safe from radiation following the 2011 tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown, and during his stint as environment minister he said tackling issues like climate change has gotta be fun, gotta be cool, gotta be sexy, too. As a fourth generation politician and son of a popular former prime minister, his political pedigree in the LDP has given him an outsized profile and had him widely touted as a leader-in-waiting. Former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is considered a rising star in Japans Liberal Democratic Party. Credit: AP Now, with an unpredictable race under way for the presidency of the LDP, and by extension the prime ministership, Koizumi may be about to cash in on all the expectation. He is poised to make a bid for the top job, positioning himself as the reformist fresh face of an old political machine, despite being a firm establishment figure. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida fired the starting gun on the leadership contest when he announced on August 14 that he would not recontest his presidency of the LDP after a three-year stint. Advertisement For a nation whose democracy has been dominated by the LDP for decades, there is no single favourite to replace Kishida. When the party elects a new leader on September 27, the winner will also take over as prime minister and may call a snap national election to capitalise on momentum and media coverage. The victor will inherit a surfeit of challenges, starting with a sputtering economy fighting to maintain modest growth in the face of a rapidly shrinking and ageing population. Then theres the intensifying security challenge posed by a rising China, brought into sharp relief this week when a Chinese spy plane breached Japans airspace for the first time. In 2020 (from left), Fumio Kishida, Shinzo Abe, Yoshihide Suga and Shigeru Ishiba celebrated Sugas election as new head of the Liberal Democratic Party. Credit: AP For a party heavy with political dynasties, and dominated by men aged in their 50s and 60s who have spent careers climbing the internal hierarchy, the question is whether Japan can produce the leadership it needs to meet these challenges. Whether Koizumi or one of his older colleagues prevails, they will confront a crisis of trust among dispirited Japanese voters, with Kishida having bowed out with a cabinets approval rating that plunged to a diabolical 15.5 per cent in recent months. He hands over a legacy of public backlash to his handling of a slush fund scandal that embroiled the LDP, and revelations of the partys ties to the controversial Unification Church that emerged after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Now that the LDPs approval rate is very low and the next lower house election is looming, I think all the candidates will express that they will change the LDP. However, it remains to be seen how much they can and are willing to change, said Sota Kato from the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research. Advertisement Who is running? So far, three LDP lawmakers have formally declared they will contest the party leadership: former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, Digital Minister Kono Taro and former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi. Koizumi has indicated he will announce his run on September 6. As many as 11 candidates, including Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who will vie to become Japans first female leader, are said to be keen to enter the race for the top job, though not all expected to secure the endorsement of 20 LDP parliamentarians, a requirement to run. Other possible contenders include LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi, and chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. Because the position of LDP president is an internal party one, the public dont participate in the voting process. Instead, the vote is held among rank and file party members and LDP lawmakers. Analysts say the unusually crowded field of candidates is making it difficult to pick a clear front-runner, and some aspirants are competing for the same bloc of conservative or moderate votes within the party. One factor adding to the uncertainty is that the candidates who are most popular among the LDP base or the broader Japanese public, often are not popular with their peers in parliament. This is the case with Ishiba, the former defence minister, who regularly tops opinion polls as the publics preferred prime ministerial candidate and who at 67 is making his fifth attempt to win the party presidency. Advertisement There is a reason why he never made it to the top, in spite of the fact that hes been around for a very long time, said Koichi Nakano, a professor of Japanese politics at Tokyos Sophia University. Hes not liked by his parliamentary colleagues. Hes much more of a loner, and hes particularly shunned by the party bosses, even though hes relatively popular among the electorate. Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba regularly tops opinion polls among the Japanese public. Credit: AP Kono, 61, also has a relatively high profile, and came runner-up to Kishida in 2021. But as digital minister he has copped public pushback for his efforts modernise Japans bureaucracy, including the bungled rollout of the countrys digital ID system. He speaks fluent English, regularly communicates directly with his 2.5 million social media followers on X, and has supported progressive causes such as legalising same-sex marriage. These things have given him a reputation as a tech-savvy, reform-minded political maverick at odds with the conservative ranks of the LDP. Announcing his candidacy this week, he emphasised his experience as the former foreign affairs minister, saying I can help steer the world as he pushed for Japan to play a greater leadership role in global affairs. Kono is in a situation where the right wing really hates him, he has alienated parts of the party, and his support among the public has also fallen off over the last several years, said Tobias Harris, who runs Japan Foresight, a political risk advisory firm in Washington. Advertisement The young guard Aged in their 40s, Koizumi and Kobayashi are the youngest candidates in the race and can leverage their relative youth to signal a changing of the guard within the LDP. Koizumi, a graduate of Columbia University in New York and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, has long been heralded as a future leader, is popular with younger LDP members and has edged out Ishiba as the favoured candidate in some recent polls. Bowing out: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on August 15 at a service to mark the end of World War II. Credit: Getty Images Though he took over his fathers parliamentary seat in 2009, Koizumi has not held a top cabinet post, with his ministerial experience limited to the environmental portfolio he held for two years until 2021. The liability for him is that he is only 43 and there are older people in the party who might resent his jumping ahead, Harris said. Kobayashi, on the other hand, is from the partys more conservative ranks and is considered a long shot this time around. Advertisement Anyone interested in bees or beekeeping is invited to attend the 2024 Wyoming Bee College, to be held Friday, Sept. 13, through Saturday, Sept. 14. The conference, organized by the University of Wyoming Extension, will take place at the Casper College Student Union, located at 1910 Lisco Drive. The Wyoming Bee College is designed for people of all ages and skill levels. It addresses beekeeping skills, bee behavior, specialty products, native bee research and more. There will also be a vendor reception on Friday evening. The conference gives beekeepers an opportunity to talk to each other and form new connections. If youre a new person, youll run into people whove been [beekeeping] for decades or even generations, says Donna Hoffman, UW Extension horticulture educator in Natrona County. Hoffman and Amy Smith, UW Extension agriculture and natural resources educator based in Goshen County, are co-chairing the conference this year. To connect with more participants from around the state, theyve chosen to host the conference in Casper rather than Cheyenne, where it was previously held. Hoffman and Smith have recruited speakers from across the U.S. and Canada, including some presenters who have spoken at the conference in the past. The Bee College is a great way to meet these speakers from outside the state or even country that have the background in a particular topic, Hoffman says. Speakers include Mark Carroll, research entomologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), who will address how to support stressed bees during Saturdays keynote speech. Fridays keynote, delivered by senior inspection specialist with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture Kim Dillivan, will cover Wyoming beekeeping regulations. Participants can sign up for the beginner, intermediate or advanced tracks, which will each cover different topics and run concurrently. The beginner track is appropriate for those who have a year or less of experience, including interested parties who do not own bees. The conference will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13. Fridays events will conclude with the vendor reception, which will run from 5-7 p.m. On Saturday, registration will begin at 7 a.m. and presentations will end at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $130 to attend Fridays events and $90 to attend Saturdays events, or $200 for both days. Registration closes Friday, Sept. 6. Lunches, snacks and beverages will be provided during both days of the conference. For conference attendees from out of town, a discounted rate is available at the Cmon Inn of Casper, located at 301 East Lathrop Road in Evansville. 2nd N-powered Sub INS Arighaat commissioned into Navy NEW DELHI : INS Arighaat to further strengthen Indias nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, establish strategic balance, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh THE second Arihant-Class submarine INS Arighaat was commissioned into the Indian Navy in presence of Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on the submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor INS Arihant. The presence of both -- INS Arihant and INS Arighaat -- will enhance Indias capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that INS Arighaat would 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. He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Governments unwavering resolve to achieve Aatmanirbharta in defence sector. The Defence Minister commended the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of self power. The countrys industrial sector, especially MSMEs, have received a huge boost through this project, and more employment opportunities have been created, he observed. Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees political will, which put India at par with a nuclear weapon State, Rajnath 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 missionmodetoensure that our soldiers possess topquality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil. Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, head of Indian Strategic Command; and leading DRDO officials were present at the commissioning ceremony. The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development,utilisationofspecial materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. It has the distinctionofhavingtheindigenoussystemsandequipment conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel, stated a press release. INS Arighaat is the ballistic missile submarine. It is made by the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam.Anupgraded version of INS Arihant, INSArighaathasamaximum speedofupto24knotswhen submerged, and 1,215 knots on a surface level. It is said that INS Arighaat can carry 12K-15submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a range of around 750 kms, and four nuclear-poweredK-4SLBMswithanestimated range of 3,500 kms. Approval for increasing area of irrigation from Ken-Betwa Link Project Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav while meeting Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. Staff Reporter : Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil at his office in Delhi and discussed various issues. In the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding river linking projects, especially Ken-Betwa Link Project. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav told Union Minister Patil that the state of Madhya Pradesh is playing a very important role in the River Linking Campaign. He informed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are jointly working on the ambitious Ken-Betwa Link Project, which is a unique project of its kind in the world. This project in Madhya Pradesh will provide irrigation and drinking water supply to 10 districts of Bundelkhand region. Bundelkhand is a region which never surrendered its sovereignty to the Delhi Sultanate or Mughal rulers but unfortunately this region became resource-less due to lack of water. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, this region will develop in all aspects through the Ken-Betwa project. On the request of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, the Union Water Power Minister assured the state to release the remaining amount of Rs 1150 crore to be received from the Centre for land acquisition and resettlement of Daudhan Dam and Link Canal soon. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav requested that under the approved Ken-Betwa Link Project, instead of 90,100 hectares of irrigation from the currently provisioned Damoh-Panna Lift Irrigation Scheme, it would be appropriate to include Madhya Pradeshs Patne and Byarma irrigation project of about 2,50,000 hectares. In this regard, the revised DPR is being sent by the state government, on which the Union Minister assured to consider positively. In the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also discussed in detail about the Rs 70,000 crore Parvati-Kalisindh Chambal project approved by the Government of India with Rajasthan. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is the first state which is considering linking inter-state rivers besides linking rivers with neighboring states. He informed the Union Minister that a preliminary proposal is being made to link Kanh and Gambhir rivers, which has been given in-principle approval by the Union Minister. In the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that 17 out of 21 schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana in the state have been completed first. For this, Union Minister Patil praised the state government. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also gave proposals related to ghat construction and river cleaning to Union Minister Patil in connection with the Simhastha festival to be held in Ujjain in the year 2028. Coast Guard gets Rs 2,500 crvessel to fight pollution PANAJI : 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 countrys progress towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat. 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 others were also present. Akbar Novruz Armenia should apologize to Azerbaijan for its barbaric acts, hold other perpetrators accountable, and report the exact location of mass graves, including the remains of Azerbaijan's National Hero, Natig Gasimov, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by Hikmat Hajiyev, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration in the Presidential Administration, in his official "X" account. Hajiyev also criticized some Western politicians and media for supporting the release of war criminals in exchange for the Armenian lobby's influence. Those calling for such releases should be ashamed," he added. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. On August 30, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye, Yasar Guler, had a telephone conversation, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Colonel General Zakir Hasanov congratulated his colleague on the occasion of the Victory and Armed Forces Day of fraternal Turkiye. The telephone conversation discussed prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation, regional security, and a range of issues of common interest. GENUINE GRIEF PRESIDENT Mrs. Droupadi Murmu has touched everyones emotional chord when she appealed to the nation to wake up and end crimes against women. Enough is enough, she has insisted, as she grieved deeply that women are not as safe as they should be in a civilised society. Hence her appeal to ensure that crime against women is eliminated from the larger Indian society and that any perpetrator of such crimes is brought to book as immediately as possible without any protection to him or her from any quarter. As a newspaper, we stand with the President in her effort to inject some sanity into the heads and hearts of common Indian people. The Presidents appeal deserves a full attention by the people in the streets as well as people in positions of power, political or non-political. The Kolkata rape-and-murder case involving a woman medical doctor has stirred the nations conscience so much that nationwide protests erupted -- forcing the different parts of the power-pyramid to take notice and take subsequent action. But that also has kept the people unhappy, since they accuse the administrative and political machineries to have woken up terribly belatedly. True, there were protests even in the political domain, but the overall system took its own time to respond strongly and correctly. A person of the sensitivity of President Mrs. Droupadi Murmu could not digest the manner in which the larger society was responding to the call to its collective conscience. Hence her appeal to the nations good sense to initiate strong movement to stop crimes against women. That the President herself needs to move in such a matter is a matter of shame for the nation and the larger Indian society. Greater shame, however, is in the unfortunate reality that the woman is not as safe as she should be in a nation like India. This is a blemish on the Indian society and a blot on its culture and character. The blot is not just on the criminals who perpetrate the crimes against women but also on the larger society in which such people are born and bred. Factually the Indian culture embodies immense respect for women in its grain. Yet, crimes against women have always been there in the societal folds -- making the average Indian feel ashamed and guilty. This situation cannot be allowed to last in any manner. That is when the Presidents appeal comes into sharp focus. Mrs. Droupadi Murmu has acted in dual capacities -- as President as Head of State, and as a sensitive and sensible woman who cannot accept the ugly truth of the Indian society. It is out of that anguish that Mrs. Droupadi Murmu has made the fervent appeal to the good sense and conscience of the people. Her appeals deserves full attention by each and every Indian person of every age and gender. Most importantly, the Presidents appeal deserves the fullest attention from the people occupying different positions in the power-structure of the country. The Kolkata incident sparked protests all over the country, was only one point in the larger story. For, even as the protests were going on, other cases of crimes against women were taking place across the country -- so much so that some even suspected that sudden spurt in crimes against women was a planned conspiracy by some elements to bring disrepute to the country and the society.When Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi was assuming a moral high-ground to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, conspirators rallied back home to create serious disturbances in the country on ugly issues. This is hardly expected when the Prime Minister is on an important mission of global importance. That should also make all of us think hard on the issue. GREY ZONE STRATEGY By KARTIK LOKHANDE : People firmly rooted in commitment to the cause of India will never fall prey to attempts of the adversaries to create social, political, ideological, cultural, educational, economic, and belief dysphoria. They will never become an influenced haystack of people that can get charged up at the slightest of triggers. Their commitment to Indian national objectives can never be supplanted by the adversarys narratives. They will never become the mules, the perpetrators, and the victims in the Grey Zone Warfare. SINCE the Chief of General Staff Gen Anil Chauhan mentioned Grey Zone War while speaking about new wars during the thought-provoking Raisina Dialogues, discussions are taking place about the concept and how adversaries are applying it against India. The discussions at military and related levels about the non-military domain of Grey Zone Strategy should be expanded to popular discourse because people are at the centre of this particular strategy. They are the ones who are influenced to unknowingly become foot-soldiers of the adversary against their own country. Not exactly in the dark zone of war and white zone of peace, Grey Zone Strategy may be applied in the form of cyber attacks, economic blockades, sanctions, short-triggered agitations or protests by a network of various organisations, reducing space for the target country at international forums etc. The target country cannot blame the adversary directly because people or entities carrying out such attacks cannot be linked to another country. For instance, despite being known adversaries of India, each of the nefarious activities carried out by elements supported clandestinely by Pakistan and China cannot be linked to these countries at international forums. The Deep State in the US, or the Soviet Russia have been accused of such activities for regime change or geopolitical domination. The spate of agitations or protests and their fast spread across the country reflect that the forces unhappy with Indias global rise and increase in economic and military power appear to be partly successful in exerting influence over certain segments of Indians as part of Grey Zone Strategy. The biggest tools for these adversaries are the academics, Internet, and the content industry (films, books, publications, web-series, social media feeds etc). Though the Government could identify some of these elements and restrict those, there is no doctrinal thought available to people to counter this. In the past, India has lost some such wars, like in Vijayanagaram. That the armies lost a battle was one dimension, but the society lost the war because that concealed (proxy) warfare eroded its mental resolve to stay united. The larger society fell victim to falsehood, propaganda, crafty narrative.When Khilji came charging on Maharashtra, he had only a few thousand men. But be spread the word that a much larger army was on the way as a solid back-up. The Yadava dynastys army lost its candour and fled much before Khiljis back-up army ever came.These were the early versions of Grey Zone Strategy, so to say. India is blessed with a strong foundation of the common cultural roots. The other countries see potential for identity politics in diversity of language, region, food, clothes, economic status, social structures, cultural practices, but India sees potential for peaceful co-existence. To fail the Grey Zone Strategy being applied against India, people must understand this. Once they feel proud of their ancestry and heritage, treat diverse sets of people with respect, become more enthusiastic about contributing to achieving national objectives, they will become better equipped to resist anti-India influences. People firmly rooted in commitment to the cause of India will never fall prey to attempts of the adversaries to create social, political, ideological, cultural, educational, economic, and belief dysphoria. They will never become an influenced haystack of people that can get charged up at the slightest of triggers. Their commitment to Indian national objectives can never be supplanted by the adversarys narratives.They will never become the mules, the perpetrators, and the victims in the Grey Zone Strategy. Though this is a challenging task in the era of weaponisation of information, it is not impossible. For developing consciousness of right and wrong causes, the principles of Mimansa and Nyay Shastra must be embedded into educational curriculum. The immense value of Mimansa is in developing a sense of proper interpretation of texts to resolve scientifically the conflict between the texts and the intent. If this sense is developed, the younger Indians will be able to see through the smokescreens created with the help of deliberately produced unscientific literature. Similarly, the need for having introduction to Nyay Shastra is essential to develop logical thinking and harbour a spirit of enquiry about anything written or spoken, on the touchstone of logic. This will help people see through superficial and propagandist promotion of unIndian values, and pick up only those beneficial to the larger cause, after logical enquiry. Sadly, patternised study of subjects by aping foreign educational concepts distorts the rich repository of Indian wisdom. It does not build a strong spiritual and nationalist construct in an individual. Retelling of stories of Indian heroes with thoughtful interpretation may develop strategic thinking in society because the present challenge is to Indias strategic culture. For, when a war is waged in undefined theatres such as every possible zone of the larger society, daring its sense of collective well-being, challenge is to the peoples ability to hold the security perceptions together without allowing cracks into the social edifice. For, here, weapons are different and there are no traditional warriors. Yet, what is under threat is the nations sense of security, its sense of self-worth, and its vision of its cumulative wellness. India is currently facing such a war on its sense of security, dignity, and sovereignty. In other words, this war is being slapped on the greyest zone of existence. Call it Grey Zone Strategy -- in line with what experts say. It is daring the countrys strategic culture. But, war it is very much -- fought differently. The nation has to fight it with all its might, and intelligence to discern propaganda from facts. This collective consciousness can help India negotiate the blacks and greys to reach the state of overall peace and prosperity. IAFs 1965 war hero Air Marshal Denzil Keelor passes away at 90 NEW DELHI : RENOWNED IAFfighter pilot Air Marshal Denzil Keelor (retd), who was awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani Sabre jet during the 1965 war, passed away on Wednesday in Gurugram, people close to his family said. He was 90. Air Marshal Keelor shot down a technically-superior Pakistani fighter while flying a Gnat aircraft on Sept 19, 1965. Born in Lucknow in December 1933, he and Trevor Keelor came to be known as fighter pilot brothers, and gained legendary status. Trevor Keelor was the first IAF pilot to score an air kill in Independent India. He also shot down a Sabre aircraft in the 1965 war. Denzil Keelor took part also in the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to creation of Bangladesh. He shot down a Sabre aircraft of the Pakistani forces during the 1965 war. He and his brother are heroes of the IAF, a senior officer said. Commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May 1954, Denzil Keelor also earned a Kirti Chakra for his daredevilry in 1978 (as a Group Captain) during two aircraft emergency situations, according to his profile published on the official website of the gallantry awards. Kirti Chakra is Indias second-highest peacetime gallantry award His Kirti Chakra citation reads, Group Captain DenzilKeelorVrC(4805)F(P) was posted in August 1975 to a prestigious unit which evolves tactics and imparts combattraining.Thenature offlyingintheunitisintense and difficult, imposing a high degree of physical and mental stress on the flyers. In March 1978, while Group Captain Keelor was flying a Type 77 aircraft at high altitude, the canopy flew off and exposed him to explosive decompression andseverewindblast,itsays. Theincidentlefthimwith injury to his eyes, an ear drum, and left arm, which made it difficult for him to control the aircraft. Thoughhewas fully justifiedinabandoningtheaircraft at that stage, he used his skill and experience to the limit to recover the aircraft. Under very adverse conditions, without being able to look out sufficiently due to wind blast, and with unimpairedvisionfromonly one eye, Group Captain Keelor brought the aircraft back to base and executed a safe emergency landing, it says. By his flying skill, determination,presenceofmind and courage, at considerable personal risk, he was able to saveavaluable aircraft. Again, in May 1978, during a live air-to-air sortie, a 23 mm high explosive shell burst as it left the gun muzzle. Shrapnel damaged theaircraftandcausedtotal electrical failure and a serious throttle restriction, the citation read . IAS officer in dock over financial irregularities charge Staff Reporter : The report recommends rejection of the clarifications given by the IAS officer Shubham Gupta, who was then Project Officer, ITDP at Bhamragarh in Gadchiroli district in 2022-23 IN A shocking disclosure, an enquiry report has put an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shubham Gupta in the dock over the charges of financial irregularities during his tenure as Project Officer, Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Bhamragarh in Gadchiroli district. The report prepared by the office of Additional Commissioner (Tribal Development), Nagpur, has recommended to the Secretary of Tribal Development Department to reject the clarifications given by Gupta, who was Project Officer of ITDP at Bhamragarh in 2022-23. A controversy had erupted in 2023 when two MLAs namely Sanjay Kelkar and Shweta Mahale had alleged irregularities in implementation of the Nucleus Budget Scheme under ITDP, Bhamragarh. Dr Vijaykumar Gavit, Tribal Development Minister, had directed Commissioner (Tribal Development), Nashik, to conduct in-depth probe into the matter and submit a detailed report. After that, the department recorded the statements of various staffers at ITDP, Bhamragarh, and also the beneficiaries whose names came on record. Under the Nucleus Budget Scheme, cows and buffalos were to be distributed to the tribal beneficiaries. The staffers at ITDP Bhamragarh reported that they issued clearances under pressure from the then Project Officer. Also, several allegations surfaced during the probe. These included allocating Rs 1 lakh per beneficiary as against the financial ceiling of Rs 50,000/-, cheating of beneficiaries, creation of back-dated records, payment of variable amounts of money to beneficiaries to keep mum etc. The probe committee submitted its report to the State Government in August 2023. The Government sought clarification in this regard from Shubham Gupta, who submitted the same on November 1, 2023. Following that, the Government sought a clear opinion from the office of the Additional Commissioner (Tribal Development), Nagpur over Guptas clarification. Accordingly, in March 2024, the said office submitted its opinion to Secretary of Tribal Development Department. In the said letter-cum-report, a copy of which is with The Hitavada, the Additional Commissioner (Tribal Development), Nagpur, recommended rejection of the clarifications/explanations offered by Gupta. Also, it mentioned that the then Project Officer of Bhamragarh had exerted pressure on Ajay Pungati, Tribal Development Inspector, and Manoj Sayam, Senior Clerk, to get wrong works done. Since Gupta did not take cognisance of the facts brought to his notice on record, the psychology of committing irregularities becomes clear. The employees in the Project Office could not act against the orders of the IAS officer, is a fact. Pungati and Sayam being field staffers, come in contact with the beneficiaries and some beneficiaries have expressed their discontent against both..., stated the report. While the IAS officer currently posted as Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Commissioner accused his erstwhile subordinates at ITDP office in Bhamragarh, the Additional Commissioner (Tribal Development) has rejected his explanations. Also, the letter-cum-report pointed out that at least nine beneficiaries were paid some cash amount as they refused to take the cow provided to them under the scheme citing the reason that the cows were not in a condition to survive. Further, amount deposited in the bank accounts of some beneficiaries was withdrawn or diverted to another account by way of securing their thumb-print. When the beneficiaries raised voice, those engaged to withdraw the amount paid the beneficiaries amount varying from Rs 20,000/- to Rs 35,000/- purportedly for cattle feed even when there was no such provision in the scheme guidelines. In case of two beneficiaries, their photographs were taken with the cows they already owned. Though amount of Rs 2 lakh was sanctioned for them, they were paid Rs 20,000/- without giving them the benefit of the scheme. Thus, it is clear that the beneficiaries were paid some money to ensure that they kept mum, observed the letter-cum-report. According to sources, the department is in the process of translating the entire enquiry report into English so that it could be sent to the Central Government for appropriate action. However, the officials were tight-lipped about what that appropriate action could be or what action has been recommended by the State Government. IMD ushering into new era Staff Reporter RAIPUR, IN order to commemorate the milestone of 150 year of its establishment, India Meteorological Department (IMD) is celebrating the achievements throughout the country in all the sub-office of the department. Director General of Meteorology at IMD Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was in Raipur for the Stake Holders Workshop organised in the Conventional Hall at New Circuit House in the city on Thursday. While talking to the mediapersons, the Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra informed that IMD was established in 1875 as one of the first scientific departments of the Government of India and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. IMD with the mandate of providing public with weather updates completed 150 years of its establishment on January 15, 2024. To commemorate this milestone, IMD is celebrating the event throughout the country in all its sub-offices, over a year commencing from January 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025. The IMD Director General said that a curtain raiser event for the celebration was held on the Foundation Day, January 15 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the event. Thus, IMD is ushering into a new era. With the advancements in science and technology and with the support of all stakeholders, sister scientific institutions and academic institutions, weather and climate services are poised to scale new heights in the Amritkaal. The glorious history of 150 years of public service by IMD stands as a testimony to the service rendered for the nation building. While elaborating on the pin-point forecast specialities of the IMD, Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the department has played an important role in advance and accurate prediction of extremely severe cyclones like Hudhud and Phailin which alerted the concerned agencies for safety measure and helped in saving many lives with timely intervention. The precise prediction of severe cyclones has brought down the death rate to minimum and even Zero. He further said that IMD has developed Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal for the farming community. This special portal weather forecast is provided to every Panchayat head and Panchayat secretary to reach out to every village of the country. The farmers will be updated with weather alerts, warnings and medium range weather forecast to help them in planning the agricultural activities. Through accurate forecast, a small farmer with land holding of less than two acres in rain-fed area gains Rs 12,000 annually by using weather information, he added. He also focused on the advantage and benefits of mobile app MAUSAM provided to multiple sectors. Upholding the vision Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam, he said that IMD introduced mausamgram which is available through the Mobile App Mausam. It allows the public to view observations, forecasts and warnings for their location through a map or search function using place names, pin codes or coordinators. The forecast on this app is available on an hourly, three-hourly, and six-hourly basis upto next 10-days, covering crucial weather parameters. He further said that IMD will install Doppler Radar and activate in MeT Raipur for pin-point and advance weather prediction. The radar will cover 300 km surrounding area scanning and detecting changing weather conditions, and give specific information to all stake holders in advance. Mpl Commr directs builder, developers to expedite housing projects Staff Reporter : The Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has on Thursday organised a significant meeting, focusing on completing its residential projects with the assistance of private sector. During the meeting, Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav held productive discussions with builders and developers, urging them to expedite the housing projects to benefit those in need. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), the Municipal Corporation had previously initiated housing projects in Kudwari, Mohania and Parswara in Bhatauli, which catered to the EWS (Economically Weaker Section), LIG (Low Income Group) and MIG (Middle Income Group) categories. However, due to the exhaustion of project funds, these projects could not be completed. The ongoing housing construction for the LIG and MIG groups will now be completed through a fully transparent process with the help of the private sector. The revenue generated from these projects will be used to construct homes for the EWS category, helping them realise the dream of owning a home. On Thursday, Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav took an initiative by holding a meeting with the citys prominent builders and developers, who assured the Municipal Commissioner that they would work efficiently on the PMAY projects in Kudwari, Mohania and Parswara. Municipal Commissioner Yadav emphasised that the purpose of meeting was to ensure that the PMAY projects are completed with high quality, ultimately benefiting the citys residents. She mentioned that the residential projects, in their current state, will be handed over to private entities such as builders and developers through a transparent process. The amount spent by the Municipal Corporation will be reimbursed by the selected builders/developers, who will then complete the construction work and sell the homes to needy citizens at market rates. Yadav further highlighted that the scheme is highly beneficial for city's residents as it offers affordable housing options for both low-income and middle-income groups in prime areas. These homes will be completed and handed over through the builders and developers. Those participated in the meeting were Project Nodal Officer Sunil Dubey, Assistant Engineer Ashok Vashnik, Siddharth Dubey and others. MUHS proposes Chakra To create focused medical centres of excellence Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, Dr Sanjeev Chaudhari, Dr Sandip Kadu, Dr Rajendra Bangal, Dr Abhay Datarkar, Dr Raj Gajbhiye, Dr Y Pravinkumar at the inauguration of Kulguru Katta at Government Medical College and Hospital on Thursday. Staff Reporter : Regional Centres to be empowered so that issues can be resolved then and there, says Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice-Chancellor of MUHS Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has proposed a Chakra scheme for all the colleges running health sciences courses under it. Chakra means wheel, the spokes of which can symbolise various centres of excellence. These centres will take up one subject each and conduct research, study treatment modalities for the diseases under that specialisation, the spread of the field and other aspects. Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor of MUHS, in an informal interaction with mediapersons on Thursday, said that the project would bring sea-change in health education. Explaining the concept, Dr Kanitkar said, MUHS will act as a hub and the 10 centres identified by us will be like the spokes of the wheel. These 10 centres will be developed as one specialisation of the health field. Each centre will be given a task of developing one special field. For example, Nagpur Regional Centre will look after tribal health, our Pune centre will handle mother and child health. In this way we will develop these specialisations. It will not only benefit our students and faculty, but also help in enhancing the quality of treatment, she said. MUHS has identified five centres at this juncture, which include Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Kolhapur or Chandrapur. State Government will provide Rs 100 crore for this project, of which Rs 30 crore has been released. This project will be handed over to a company, but it will have Board of Directors from various fields to monitor the progress of the project. A meeting with regard to this project will be held on Friday. This meeting will be attended by Deans of all colleges, officials of the university, Medical Education Commissioner, Director, and Principal Secretary. About Kulguru Katta With a view to establish connect with students Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor started one unique programme named Kulguru Katta. It was held at the Shakuntala Gokhale hall of Government Medical College and Hospital on Thursday. Over 400 students joined the programme online along with those who were present physically. Students raised various issues from research to the MUHSs response to students feedback. Dr Kanitkar replied to every question very quietly. She assured students that in every walk of life university will be with them. She made it clear that regional centres would be given more power and colleges will have to play proactive role in the initiatives taken by MUHS. Regional Director and Chair Professor Dr Sanjeev Chaudhari, Dean of GMCH Dr Raj Gajbhiye, Dean of Government Dental College and Hospital Dr Abhay Datarkar, Registrar Dr Rajendra Bangal, Controller of Examinations Dr Sandip Kadu, Dean at MUHS Dr Y Pravinkumar were seated on the dais. Police arrest five thieves, recover stolen booty worth Rs 45 lakh Staff Reporter : Ratibad police arrested five accused for burglary in deserted houses and temples. The accused have been identified as Akram alias Shakeel resident of Kamla Nagar, Shoaib alias Rehan resident of Housing Board Colony, Zahid Khan resident of Pilu Khedi Rajgarh, Aamir Hira resident of Gandhi Nagar, Shahrukh Khan resident of Gandhi Nagar. Details stated that accused used to recce the area. Police have seized gold and silver jewellery, three vehicles, LED TV, along with cash all amounting to Rs 45 lakh. Along with carrying thievery in Ratibad, arrested accused burgled TT Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Bagsewaniya, Katara and Mandideep. Cops stated the multiple cases were registered against the accused in Ratibad, Kolar, Kamla Nagar, Shahpura, Bagsewaniya, Chunabhatti, Gandhi Nagar. To curb the theft cases in the city, Deputy Commissioner of Police Priyanka Shukla constituted four teams that were headed by Station Incharge Ratibad Ras Bihari Sharma, Sub-inspector O P Raghuvanshi, Sub-Inspector Gaurav Pandey and Sub Inspector Afsaar Khan to investigate into the cases. The records read that cops during investigation scrutinised in the vicinity of 250 camera footages along with interrogating accused that were recently released from jail. Acting on the tip-off, police from informers and evidences gathered during the investigation, team identified two accused and arrested them. Furthermore, during interrogation the arrested accused revealed that a gang of five friends carried out thefts in the city. Additionally, records stated that vehicle used in the incident along with tools and stolen property have been recovered and the accused have been taken on police remand. Rural tourism gets boost in MP, homestays to increase in future Staff Reporter : Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Prahlad Patel asks panchayats to now identify villages having tourism potential The village economy is getting stronger with expansion of rural tourism in Madhya Pradesh. Presently, the State has 116 homestays and their number is set to rise further in future. Tourists from abroad and metros have started visiting rural pockets to understand rural culture and surroundings. Their numbers are increasing. Villages with significant tourism potential are being identified. Speaking on the same, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Prahlad Patel has urged all panchayats to identify villages having tourism potential and submit proposals to establish them as tourist villages. He said that promoting rural tourism will boost the village economy. Notably, Savarvani village, located 6 kilometers inside from Jhirpa in Tamia development block of Chhindwara district has been a tourism village since 2019. Over 300 foreign tourists have visited here to experience the village culture, village food and agricultural activities. Tourists from South Africa, France, Europe, Russia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have been prominent among them. As per information, Savarvani offers all the facilities for required for an ideal village, with a focus on cleanliness. The villages peaceful and natural environment attracts tourists. They enjoy the serene atmosphere and explore nearby natural attractions like Anhoni Hot Spring, Anhoni Fair, Saptadhara, Khara Pani Divine Spring near Chawalpani, Ghoghra Waterfall, Tamia, Patalkot, and the Zhingaria Waterfall near Maunibaba Hill. The buffer zone of Satpura National Parks Bargodi village is also adjacent. A complete package is available for tourists including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, activities like bullock cart rides, milking cows, feeding them, engaging in small farming activities, trekking on nearby Monakhedi Hill, and experiencing bhajan mandali and tribal Shaila dance groups make the stay at Savarvani memorable. The homestay here, Vedika Hills is managed by the village tourism development committee, led by President Kamleshwar Yaduvanshi. The Vice-President is Ram Prasad Salam and the Secretary is Durgesh. Other committee members include Ramesh Parteeti, Naresh Nagvanshi, and Manoj Bhorvanshi, each responsible for different tourism activities. Fee for every activity is fixed. Vice-President Ram Prasad Salam says that nearby villages Shahwan and Puratala have also developed interest in tourism, resulting in six new homestays. Secretary Durgesh informs that tourism has improved the village economy, with tourists purchasing 350 kilograms of organically grown wheat this year. They also buy milk, curd, and vegetables. The ghee producers are happier as they sell directly to tourists. Ghee is currently priced at Rs. 800 per kilogram and sells easily. Additionally, locally grown basmati rice and other items like maize, jowar, and bajra rotis, paranthas, and local bhajis are liked the most. Tomato sauce and maize flour roti are popular. The is steady demand for local vegetables. Also, in Bhartipur village, Shahpur Panchayat, 35 kilometers from Dewanganj in Raisen, the reputation of the homestay is gradually spreading. Started just two years ago, this homestay is renowned for its captivating surrounding forest and proximity to the Sonali Buddhist Stupa, which is just two kilometers away. A perennial waterfall adds to the beauty against the backdrop of dense forest. Visitors can enjoy local cuisine, especially dal baati, and experience spiritual calmness in the peaceful environment with a deep sense of history. State approves Logistics Policy Aims to contribute 20 per cent to national GDP by 2028 Staff Reporter : Maharashtra as such has ready infrastructure. It just needs to leverage, to achieve the target Maharashtra Government has stamped its seal of approval on the Logistics Policy that aims to increase State's share in national gross domestic product (GDP) to 20 per cent from current 15.1 per cent by year 2028 when India will be a $ 5 trillion economy. By 2028, the States economy will achieve a GDP target of $ 1 trillion and, for achieving the same, transport and logistics role is going to be quite crucial. However, what impairs the same is higher logistics cost and thus State envisages to act as a catalyst for boosting private investment in the sector by granting extra concession and aid. A comprehensive policy was evolved, and just last month, the Cabinet accepted the proposal of Industries Department for Logistics Policy. As of now, Maharashtra is second in terms of export of goods among all the States of the country. During year 2022-23 the State received Rs 1,18,422 crore of FDI which was 29 per cent of the investment that came to the country. The policy document listed that Maharashtra has 17,757 km of national highway, 11,631 km of railway tracks, 548 goods sheds. Further, the State also has two big and 48 small ports, 53 container depots, 8 private freight terminals and 11 air cargo terminals. So, Maharashtra as such has ready infrastructure, which it needs to leverage to achieve the target. The reason for State's intervention is that higher cost of freight is one of its worries. For exports to be competitive, tight control on expenses is a must. The policy has listed measures to be taken by various Government departments, including additional FSI, relaxation in norms as to sanctions for setting up mega truck terminals as part of ease of doing business. The Government envisages setting-up truck terminals on 10,000 acre with 25 nodes at district level (each having minimum 100 acre spread), 5 regional hub (300 acre), 5 State Hub (500 acre), one national mega hub (1,000 acre) and 1 international logistic mega hub (2000 acre). The State has also ayed grant of aid of Rs 7,000 crore for creation of infrastructure facilities at logistic nods and logistic hub and another Rs. 635 crore to provide upfront capital support for small, medium, Mega, Ultra mega Integrated Truck Terminals, and Rs 675 crore for aid and setting up technical infra. The cabinet also approved an outlay of Rs. 8310 crores during the policy period. As a start, the Government also gave nod for Rs. 1400 crore and Rs. 262 crore for compulsory utilisaton during the year 2024-25. In case any SME is ready to invest Rs. 50 crore, excluding land cost, for setting up Logistic Park then said entity will not have to seek any permission from any agency. Similarly MIDC is entrusted task of land acquisition for mega logistic parks in the State. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. We will continue to celebrate the Victory Day alongside our Azerbaijani brothers, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Cahit Bagci, told reporters during his visit to the Turkish Martyrs Monument in honor of Turkiyes Victory Day, Trend reports. Today, I once again express my pride in the spiritual peace our martyrs. During the 44-day war for the homeland, Azerbaijani soldiers were inspired and strengthened by their Turkish counterparts. We will continue to celebrate Victory Day alongside our Azerbaijani brothers, as we do today," the ambassador added. In closing, Bagci honored the memories of both Azerbaijani and Turkish martyrs with deep gratitude. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Free Report) (TSE:BMO) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 773 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $65,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in BMO. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its holdings in Bank of Montreal by 17.9% in the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 1,092 shares of the banks stock valued at $92,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Bank of Montreal by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 6,256 shares of the banks stock valued at $525,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Bank of Montreal by 9.8% during the 2nd quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,168 shares of the banks stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 283 shares during the period. SlateStone Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of Montreal by 18.8% during the second quarter. SlateStone Wealth LLC now owns 4,277 shares of the banks stock worth $359,000 after buying an additional 677 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Bank of Montreal in the second quarter valued at approximately $100,000. 45.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have commented on BMO shares. Desjardins lowered shares of Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Bank of America lowered Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $134.00 to $117.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group started coverage on Bank of Montreal in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $137.00 to $124.00 in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.75. Bank of Montreal Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE BMO traded up $1.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $82.96. 969,064 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 880,370. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.78, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $84.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $89.75. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of $73.98 and a twelve month high of $100.12. Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 27th. The bank reported $2.64 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.76 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $8.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.25 billion. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 11.60% and a net margin of 8.25%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.08 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bank of Montreal will post 7.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of Montreal Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $1.123 per share. This represents a $4.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is currently 75.25%. About Bank of Montreal (Free Report) Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. On August 30, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reiterated the necessity of shedding light on the fate of Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the former Armenian occupation and conflict, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Trend reports via the ministry's X page. The publication highlighted that, despite the fact that multiple mass graves have been identified after the liberation of our territories, Armenia keeps refusing to reveal the whereabouts of missing persons. Families of about 4,000 persons have been waiting for their loved ones for decades, and it is within their fundamental rights to get information about their relatives. The international community must take decisive steps to determine the fate of missing persons. Azerbaijan will continue its efforts on identifying the fate of missing Azerbaijanis, the publication stated. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ameritas Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 80.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 573 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 255 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $517,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GWW. Bfsg LLC acquired a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in W.W. Grainger by 170.0% during the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 27 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in W.W. Grainger during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 225.0% in the 1st quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 39 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger during the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. 80.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Matt Fortin sold 511 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $915.20, for a total transaction of $467,667.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,848 shares in the company, valued at $1,691,289.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 9.50% of the stock is owned by insiders. W.W. Grainger Price Performance GWW stock traded down $1.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $966.99. The company had a trading volume of 37,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 241,036. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 1 year low of $674.41 and a 1 year high of $1,034.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 2.30 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The company has a market capitalization of $47.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.91, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $945.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $952.90. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.58 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $4.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.35 billion. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 53.25% and a net margin of 10.86%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $9.28 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th will be issued a dividend of $2.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 12th. This represents a $8.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is currently 22.64%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a report on Friday, June 14th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Robert W. Baird lowered W.W. Grainger from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $1,000.00 to $975.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Finally, Baird R W downgraded W.W. Grainger from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,017.13. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on W.W. Grainger W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. See Also Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC cut its position in FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX Free Report) by 4.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,337 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 329 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in FedEx were worth $2,200,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in FedEx by 5.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,868,165 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $5,756,602,000 after acquiring an additional 1,056,061 shares during the period. Capital International Investors raised its stake in FedEx by 32.5% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,831,084 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $2,558,718,000 after purchasing an additional 2,163,622 shares during the period. Putnam Investments LLC lifted its holdings in FedEx by 38.1% in the 4th quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 2,893,781 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $732,040,000 after purchasing an additional 798,084 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in FedEx in the 4th quarter worth approximately $700,291,000. Finally, Mawer Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in FedEx by 43.5% during the 1st quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,258,579 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $654,401,000 after buying an additional 684,679 shares in the last quarter. 84.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get FedEx alerts: Insider Activity In other FedEx news, EVP Robert B. Carter sold 16,010 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.48, for a total value of $4,714,624.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 59,884 shares in the company, valued at $17,634,640.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other FedEx news, EVP Robert B. Carter sold 16,010 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $294.48, for a total value of $4,714,624.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 59,884 shares in the company, valued at $17,634,640.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Sriram Krishnasamy sold 8,421 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.14, for a total value of $2,611,688.94. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,246 shares in the company, valued at $3,797,974.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 32,944 shares of company stock worth $9,882,355. 8.73% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. FedEx Stock Performance Shares of FDX remained flat at $296.13 during midday trading on Thursday. The stock had a trading volume of 729,954 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,809,055. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.32. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $291.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $269.44. The company has a market capitalization of $72.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.18. FedEx Co. has a fifty-two week low of $224.69 and a fifty-two week high of $313.84. FedEx (NYSE:FDX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, June 25th. The shipping service provider reported $5.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.34 by $0.07. FedEx had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 16.70%. The business had revenue of $22.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.94 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that FedEx Co. will post 20.94 EPS for the current year. FedEx Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 9th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.86%. FedExs dividend payout ratio is presently 32.04%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of FedEx from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 24th. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and set a $325.00 price objective on shares of FedEx in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Argus lifted their target price on FedEx from $325.00 to $335.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on FedEx from $325.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of FedEx from $351.00 to $318.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $313.96. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on FDX About FedEx (Free Report) FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for FedEx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FedEx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Aspen Aerogels, Inc. (NYSE:ASPN Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Buy from the ten research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $29.70. A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $36.00 price objective on shares of Aspen Aerogels in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. B. Riley raised shares of Aspen Aerogels to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. HC Wainwright boosted their target price on shares of Aspen Aerogels from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their target price on Aspen Aerogels from $18.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price target on Aspen Aerogels from $36.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Get Aspen Aerogels alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Aspen Aerogels Aspen Aerogels Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:ASPN opened at $28.75 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -65.34 and a beta of 2.15. Aspen Aerogels has a 1-year low of $5.94 and a 1-year high of $33.15. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $24.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $22.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 3.29 and a current ratio of 4.01. Aspen Aerogels (NYSE:ASPN Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The construction company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by $0.16. Aspen Aerogels had a negative return on equity of 6.35% and a negative net margin of 10.73%. The business had revenue of $117.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $101.99 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.22) EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 144.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Aspen Aerogels will post 0.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Aspen Aerogels In related news, CFO Ricardo C. Rodriguez sold 32,465 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.14, for a total value of $978,495.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 20,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $626,610.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 4.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Aspen Aerogels Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise raised its holdings in shares of Aspen Aerogels by 37.5% during the 1st quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 4,593 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 1,252 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in Aspen Aerogels during the second quarter worth $84,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in Aspen Aerogels during the second quarter valued at about $95,000. Point72 DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Aspen Aerogels in the second quarter worth about $121,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado bought a new stake in shares of Aspen Aerogels during the 2nd quarter worth about $145,000. 97.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Aspen Aerogels (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. Featured Stories 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. Banco Santander S.A. trimmed its stake in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 97.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,430 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 135,154 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.s holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $216,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 75.2% during the 1st quarter. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. now owns 389 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Occidental Petroleum in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Able Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Occidental Petroleum in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the 1st quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Occidental Petroleum during the 1st quarter worth about $44,000. Institutional investors own 88.70% of the companys stock. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE:OXY traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $57.20. The company had a trading volume of 9,449,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,295,938. The firm has a market cap of $50.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.63 and a beta of 1.61. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a fifty-two week low of $55.04 and a fifty-two week high of $71.18. The businesss fifty day moving average is $59.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 1.04. Occidental Petroleum Dividend Announcement Occidental Petroleum ( NYSE:OXY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.93 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.62% and a return on equity of 17.91%. Occidental Petroleums revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio is presently 24.04%. Insider Buying and Selling at Occidental Petroleum In other Occidental Petroleum news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc purchased 765,899 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of $60.28 per share, with a total value of $46,168,391.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 252,333,913 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,210,688,275.64. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired 765,899 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $60.28 per share, with a total value of $46,168,391.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 252,333,913 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,210,688,275.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Petroleum Corp /De/ Occidental sold 19,500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.75, for a total transaction of $697,125,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 165,681,578 shares in the company, valued at $5,923,116,413.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 4,656,747 shares of company stock valued at $278,664,028. Company insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently issued reports on OXY shares. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $69.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Occidental Petroleum in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $81.00 target price for the company. UBS Group boosted their price target on Occidental Petroleum from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $67.00 to $65.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.69. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Occidental Petroleum About Occidental Petroleum (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. The company's Oil and Gas segment explores for, develops, and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have $127.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock, up from their prior price target of $104.00. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Camden Property Trust from $114.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on 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 price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust from $109.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Bank of America raised shares of Camden Property Trust from an underperform rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $111.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on Camden Property Trust from $111.00 to $108.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Camden Property Trust currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $116.62. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Camden Property Trust Camden Property Trust Stock Performance Shares of CPT stock opened at $123.95 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market cap of $13.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.38, a P/E/G ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 0.88. Camden Property Trust has a 52 week low of $82.81 and a 52 week high of $125.35. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $114.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $105.31. 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 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($1.27). Camden Property Trust had a net margin of 25.64% and a return on equity of 7.95%. The firm had revenue of $387.15 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $384.76 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.70 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Camden Property Trust will post 6.73 earnings per share for the current year. Camden Property Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.32%. Camden Property Trusts payout ratio is currently 100.98%. Institutional Trading of Camden Property Trust Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 16.8% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 191,374 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $18,831,000 after acquiring an additional 27,465 shares during the period. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its stake in Camden Property Trust by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 160,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $15,781,000 after purchasing an additional 5,926 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Camden Property Trust by 59.4% in the 1st quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 18,831 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,853,000 after purchasing an additional 7,018 shares in the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. bought a new position in Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,374,000. Finally, Eminence Capital LP purchased a new stake in Camden Property Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $18,737,000. 97.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Camden Property Trust Company Profile (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. See Also 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. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:VTMX Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $27.23 and last traded at $27.36, with a volume of 162580 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.77. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Get Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta alerts: Get Our Latest Report on VTMX Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $23.63 billion, a PE ratio of 5.42 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 3.10 and a current ratio of 3.10. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $29.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.87. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.73. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta had a net margin of 179.79% and a return on equity of 17.11%. The business had revenue of $63.02 million for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V. will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 15th were paid a $0.1549 dividend. This represents a $0.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vestas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.95%. Institutional Trading of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. M&T Bank Corp acquired a new stake in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,364,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta by 19.0% in the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 281,677 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,053,000 after purchasing an additional 44,907 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta by 3,292.8% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 336,600 shares of the companys stock worth $13,208,000 after purchasing an additional 326,679 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta by 54.3% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 3,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $108,000 after buying an additional 1,270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta by 358.1% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 144,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,324,000 after buying an additional 112,699 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.94% of the companys stock. About Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (Get Free Report) Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution facilities in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY25 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $7.55-8.05 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.68. The company issued revenue guidance of $95.5-98.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $96.37 billion. Dell Technologies also updated its Q3 guidance to $1.90-2.10 EPS. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently commented on DELL shares. Barclays raised shares of Dell Technologies from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $97.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Dell Technologies from $142.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Citigroup cut their price target on Dell Technologies from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their price objective on Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $129.00. Get Dell Technologies alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on DELL Dell Technologies Price Performance Shares of DELL traded down $0.82 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $110.74. 19,570,114 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,230,156. Dell Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $53.62 and a fifty-two week high of $179.70. The business has a 50-day moving average of $121.56 and a 200-day moving average of $122.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The technology company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $22.24 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.70 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 4.00%. As a group, analysts forecast that Dell Technologies will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were issued a $0.445 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.61%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 36.33%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 25,381 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.42, for a total transaction of $3,411,714.02. Following the transaction, the director now owns 787,669 shares in the company, valued at $105,878,466.98. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Dell Technologies news, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 25,381 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.42, for a total transaction of $3,411,714.02. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 787,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $105,878,466.98. The sale was disclosed in a document filed 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 firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.79, for a total transaction of $61,799,321.31. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 731,612 shares in the company, valued at approximately $116,172,669.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock worth $963,293,619. Corporate insiders own 46.70% of the companys stock. 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). See Also 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. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) had its price target upped by equities research analysts at Desjardins from C$77.00 to C$83.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins price objective indicates a potential upside of 5.73% from the stocks previous close. CM has been the subject of several other research reports. Cormark set a C$72.00 price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$74.00 to C$77.00 in a report on Friday, May 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$79.00 to C$78.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$74.00 to C$75.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$77.50. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance TSE CM traded up C$0.95 during trading on Friday, reaching C$78.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,833,198 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,686,590. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$69.01 and a 200 day moving average of C$67.04. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of C$47.44 and a one year high of C$79.62. The stock has a market capitalization of C$74.03 billion, a PE ratio of 11.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.12. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported C$1.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.66 by C$0.09. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 29.25% and a return on equity of 11.92%. The business had revenue of C$6.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$6.11 billion. Research analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 7.3207171 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Senior Officer Christina Charlotte Kramer sold 23,782 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$67.50, for a total value of C$1,605,285.00. In other news, Senior Officer John Hountalas sold 20,808 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$65.97, for a total transaction of C$1,372,672.55. Also, Senior Officer Christina Charlotte Kramer sold 23,782 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.50, for a total value of C$1,605,285.00. 0.02% of the stock is owned by insiders. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the seventeen ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $250.00. Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on ECL shares. Citigroup raised shares of Ecolab from a neutral rating to a buy rating and reduced their price target for the company from $267.00 to $265.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Ecolab to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Ecolab in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Bank of America raised Ecolab from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $251.00 to $272.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Ecolab from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $233.00 to $283.00 in a report on Monday, July 8th. Get Ecolab alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on ECL Insider Buying and Selling at Ecolab Institutional Trading of Ecolab In related news, Director David Maclennan acquired 650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $240.41 per share, with a total value of $156,266.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 17,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,319,446.47. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its stake in Ecolab by 2,805.1% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 38,492 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $7,635,000 after buying an additional 37,167 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC bought a new stake in Ecolab during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $749,000. Cetera Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Ecolab by 84.3% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 13,415 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,098,000 after purchasing an additional 6,137 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Ecolab by 29.8% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 1,863 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $370,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp grew its holdings in Ecolab by 527.9% during the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 87,915 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $17,438,000 after buying an additional 73,913 shares in the last quarter. 74.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Ecolab Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:ECL opened at $250.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $241.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $232.31. Ecolab has a 12-month low of $156.72 and a 12-month high of $251.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.31, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.11. Ecolab (NYSE:ECL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The basic materials company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.01. Ecolab had a return on equity of 21.65% and a net margin of 10.95%. The firm had revenue of $3.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.24 EPS. Ecolabs quarterly revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Ecolab will post 6.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ecolab Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 17th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. Ecolabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.22%. About Ecolab (Get Free Report Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ecolab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecolab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FBVA Get Free Report)s stock price rose 2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $18.85 and last traded at $18.81. Approximately 900 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the average daily volume of 933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.45. Farmers Bankshares Price Performance The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $18.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.81. About Farmers Bankshares (Get Free Report) Farmers Bankshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Farmers Bank that provides various banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs primarily in southeastern Virginia. The company offers personal and business checking and savings accounts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Farmers Bankshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Farmers Bankshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov met on August 30 with a delegation led by the head of the observation mission of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), CIS First Deputy Secretary General Leonid Anfimov, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the extraordinary parliamentary election, Trend reports. The CEC chairman noted Azerbaijan's close ties with CIS member states. Panahov informed the guests in detail about the number of voters, polling stations, observers, the process of ballot paper printing, and other issues. He noted that representatives of international organizations had arrived in the country to observe the election. Preparations for the election were carried out following the requirements of the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan; comprehensive conditions were created for the convenient voting of electors. Emphasizing that the parliamentary election is held for the first time in the territories liberated from occupation, the CEC Chairman noted that 54 polling stations have been established in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, where more than 42,000 voters live. He said 1000 web cameras have been installed in the country to observe the election. In turn, Leonid Anfimov stated that preparations for the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan have been organized at a high level, and the electoral legislation meets international standards. The guest emphasized that peace and stability reign in Azerbaijan, which naturally positively impacts the election process. As part of the CIS observation mission, we observed the February 7 presidential election in Azerbaijan and witnessed the faith and trust of the people in their leader and the high level of organization and cohesion of the people. We hope that the parliamentary election on September 1 will be held at the same pace, Leonid Anfimov said. 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 on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Great Bear Resources Ltd. (CVE:GBR Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 2.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$28.15 and last traded at C$28.15. 1,886,525 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 525% from the average session volume of 301,841 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$28.80. Great Bear Resources Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 3.85 and a quick ratio of 3.82. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$28.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$28.15. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.63 billion and a P/E ratio of -153.83. Great Bear Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Great Bear Resources Ltd. operates as a mineral exploration company in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold. Its flagship property is the Dixie project covering an area of 9,140 hectares located in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The company was formerly known as Great Bear Uranium Corp. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Great Bear Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Bear Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (NYSEARCA:WOMN Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $37.86 and last traded at $37.76. Approximately 2,161 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 24% from the average daily volume of 2,838 shares. The stock had previously closed at $37.72. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Stock Performance The stock has a 50 day moving average of $36.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.90 million, a P/E ratio of 23.57 and a beta of 0.95. Get Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $319,000. Centric Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $652,000. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF by 6.7% in the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 22,218 shares of the companys stock valued at $802,000 after purchasing an additional 1,387 shares during the period. Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Company Profile The Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF (WOMN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar Womens Empowerment index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities that are selected and weighted to maximize exposure to firms that score highly on gender diversity, within marketlike constraints. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Impact Shares YWCA Womens Empowerment ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 3,927 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $146,000. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Oliver Luxxe Assets LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Oliver Luxxe Assets LLC now owns 29,399 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,137,000 after buying an additional 354 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp raised its stake in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 25,094 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $959,000 after buying an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 31.7% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,774 shares of the construction companys stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 427 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 21.5% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,748 shares of the construction companys stock worth $97,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Diversified Trust Co increased its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 13,308 shares of the construction companys stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares in the last quarter. 97.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Tri Pointe Homes alerts: Tri Pointe Homes Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE TPH traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $44.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 670,647 shares, compared to its average volume of 949,152. The stock has a market cap of $4.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.58. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $41.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $38.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.29. Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. has a one year low of $24.18 and a one year high of $47.78. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Tri Pointe Homes ( NYSE:TPH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 billion. Tri Pointe Homes had a net margin of 10.28% and a return on equity of 14.03%. Tri Pointe Homess revenue for the quarter was up 38.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.60 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have commented on TPH. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Tri Pointe Homes from $42.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Tri Pointe Homes to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on shares of Tri Pointe Homes from $46.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $42.00 price objective on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a report on Thursday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $48.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TPH Insider Activity at Tri Pointe Homes In other Tri Pointe Homes news, CFO Glenn J. Keeler sold 24,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.16, for a total transaction of $1,117,072.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 149,108 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,882,825.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Tri Pointe Homes Company Profile (Free Report) Tri Pointe Homes, Inc engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six regional home building brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Tri Pointe Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tri Pointe Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF (NYSEARCA:XMMO Free Report) by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,639 shares of the companys stock after selling 294 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.18% of Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF worth $3,948,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in XMMO. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $419,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF by 10.0% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 143,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,361,000 after acquiring an additional 13,030 shares in the last quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF by 139.8% in the second quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 506 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC raised its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF by 2.5% in the second quarter. New Millennium Group LLC now owns 12,147 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,385,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Heartland Consultants Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF by 105.8% in the second quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 5,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $624,000 after acquiring an additional 2,814 shares in the last quarter. Get Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF alerts: Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF Stock Performance XMMO stock traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $117.17. 116,830 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 310,425. Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF has a 1-year low of $74.39 and a 1-year high of $121.49. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $115.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $112.72. The company has a market cap of $2.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.24 and a beta of 1.12. Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF Company Profile The Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF (XMMO) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P MidCap 400 Momentum (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of S&P 400 MidCap stocks selected by momentum and weighted by market cap and momentum. XMMO was launched on Mar 3, 2005 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XMMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF (NYSEARCA:XMMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P MidCap Momentum ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd reduced its stake in EnerSys (NYSE:ENS Free Report) by 21.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,631 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,960 shares during the period. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in EnerSys were worth $1,101,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ENS. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in EnerSys during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,747,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in EnerSys by 25,769.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 62,604 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,481,000 after buying an additional 62,362 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in EnerSys by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,396,164 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $415,262,000 after buying an additional 60,021 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in EnerSys by 354.4% during the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 65,336 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,764,000 after buying an additional 50,958 shares during the period. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its position in EnerSys by 2,444.4% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 47,758 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $4,488,000 after buying an additional 45,881 shares during the period. 94.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get EnerSys alerts: EnerSys Trading Up 1.7 % Shares of NYSE:ENS traded up $1.63 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $100.20. The company had a trading volume of 239,330 shares, compared to its average volume of 246,453. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $101.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.69. The company has a market capitalization of $4.03 billion, a PE ratio of 15.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 2.46 and a quick ratio of 1.50. EnerSys has a one year low of $83.27 and a one year high of $112.53. EnerSys Increases Dividend EnerSys ( NYSE:ENS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The industrial products company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $852.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $877.52 million. EnerSys had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 20.21%. EnerSyss revenue for the quarter was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.89 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that EnerSys will post 8.74 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This is a positive change from EnerSyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. EnerSyss payout ratio is 14.77%. Analyst Ratings Changes ENS has been the topic of several recent research reports. Roth Mkm initiated coverage on shares of EnerSys in a research report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. BTIG Research lowered shares of EnerSys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of EnerSys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Roth Capital upgraded shares of EnerSys to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $118.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ENS Insider Buying and Selling at EnerSys In other EnerSys news, CEO David M. Shaffer sold 2,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 244,140 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,414,000. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other EnerSys news, VP Joern Tinnemeyer sold 2,200 shares of EnerSys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $220,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 25,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,536,800. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David M. Shaffer sold 2,400 shares of EnerSys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $240,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 244,140 shares in the company, valued at $24,414,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. EnerSys Profile (Free Report) EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EnerSys (NYSE:ENS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EnerSys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EnerSys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEUR Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Friday . 2,593,174 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 234% from the previous sessions volume of 775,666 shares.The stock last traded at $60.36 and had previously closed at $60.54. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $5.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.22 and a beta of 0.85. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $58.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $57.69. Get iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of IEUR. Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 850.4% in the first quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 1,042,717 shares of the companys stock worth $60,321,000 after buying an additional 933,008 shares during the last quarter. ERTS Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $36,830,000. Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 4,018.4% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 562,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,503,000 after purchasing an additional 549,113 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 22.9% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,997,229 shares of the companys stock valued at $113,742,000 after purchasing an additional 372,302 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 64.5% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 439,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,413,000 after purchasing an additional 172,312 shares during the last quarter. About iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Europe IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed European securities. IEUR was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (NYSEARCA:TOK Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.1% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $114.45 and last traded at $113.70. 2,929 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average session volume of 7,749 shares. The stock had previously closed at $113.55. iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $221.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.58 and a beta of 0.94. The firms fifty day moving average is $110.97 and its 200-day moving average is $107.81. Get iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF An institutional investor recently raised its position in iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (NYSEARCA:TOK Free Report) by 6.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 154,500 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 9,800 shares during the period. iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF comprises about 8.4% of Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. owned approximately 7.92% of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF worth $16,604,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Kokusai (World ex Japan) index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap developed market stocks outside of Japan. TOK was launched on Dec 10, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ Get Free Report) shares gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $126.16, but opened at $130.57. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $131.20, with a volume of 17,743 shares changing hands. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Stock Up 4.0 % The firm has a market cap of $95.68 billion, a PE ratio of 83.95 and a beta of 4.73. The firms 50 day moving average is $147.26 and its 200-day moving average is $137.05. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 1,364 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $101,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in shares of American International Group in the second quarter worth approximately $225,000. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of American International Group by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,817 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $952,000 after purchasing an additional 1,489 shares during the last quarter. Conning Inc. increased its position in shares of American International Group by 5.5% during the second quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 5,650 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $419,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the period. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC raised its stake in American International Group by 4.2% during the second quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 5,798 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $430,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in American International Group by 12.2% in the second quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 726,895 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $53,965,000 after buying an additional 79,141 shares during the period. 90.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get American International Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets AIG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen decreased their price target on American International Group from $83.00 to $80.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. HSBC lowered American International Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $86.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $87.00 price target on shares of American International Group in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of American International Group from $79.00 to $77.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of American International Group from $81.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $83.47. American International Group Stock Up 0.8 % NYSE AIG traded up $0.61 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $76.13. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,435,127 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,136,771. The company has a market capitalization of $50.53 billion, a PE ratio of 11.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. American International Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $57.72 and a 52 week high of $80.83. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $74.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.31. American International Group (NYSE:AIG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.14). The business had revenue of $1.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.64 billion. American International Group had a negative net margin of 1.54% and a positive return on equity of 9.37%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.75 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that American International Group, Inc. will post 6.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. American International Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.10%. American International Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 23.88%. American International Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, May 1st that permits the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the insurance provider to repurchase up to 19.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity at American International Group In other American International Group news, major shareholder International Group American sold 1,932,609 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.20, for a total transaction of $56,432,182.80. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 292,271,027 shares in the company, valued at $8,534,313,988.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 39,964,738 shares of company stock valued at $1,132,432,195 over the last 90 days. 0.61% of the stock is owned by insiders. American International Group Company Profile (Free Report) American International Group, Inc offers insurance products for commercial, institutional, and individual customers in North America and internationally. It operates through three segments: General Insurance, Life and Retirement, and Other Operations. The General Insurance segment provides commercial and industrial property insurance, including business interruption and package insurance that cover exposure to made and natural disasters; general liability, environmental, commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, excess casualty, and crisis management insurance products; and professional liability insurance. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for American International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 348 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $55,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of General Electric by 2,818.1% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 12,749,560 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,237,930,000 after purchasing an additional 12,312,648 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,193,159,000. Capital International Investors boosted its position in General Electric by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,100,643 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,373,936,000 after buying an additional 5,309,543 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in shares of General Electric by 221.6% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 7,121,741 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,250,079,000 after acquiring an additional 4,907,530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Evergreen Quality Fund GP Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of General Electric in the first quarter worth $385,745,000. 74.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get General Electric alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets GE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Barclays increased their price objective on General Electric from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com downgraded General Electric from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on General Electric from $201.00 to $209.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 1st. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of General Electric from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of General Electric from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.38. General Electric Stock Up 1.0 % Shares of NYSE:GE traded up $1.72 during trading on Thursday, hitting $173.59. 4,261,426 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,765,663. The firms 50 day moving average price is $164.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $162.20. General Electric has a 12-month low of $84.42 and a 12-month high of $177.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $190.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.91, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.21. General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $9.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.44 billion. General Electric had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 16.07%. General Electrics quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.68 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. General Electric Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.65%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.72%. General Electric Company Profile (Free Report) General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. It also offers aftermarket services to support its products. The company operates in the United States, Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. The Western Azerbaijan Community has issued a statement on Azerbaijanis missing during the First Karabakh War, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Trend reports. The statement highlights that many Azerbaijani nationals from Armenia have gone missing due to ethnic cleansing and Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty. It condemns Armenia's enforced disappearances of Azerbaijanis as a serious human rights violation. The right to protection from enforced disappearance is enshrined in various international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Armenia refuses to clarify the fate and whereabouts of these individuals or to disclose the locations of mass graves and other burial sites of Azerbaijanis it has killed. This refusal exacerbates the pain and suffering of their families, leaving them in unbearable uncertainty. Addressing the issue of enforced disappearances is crucial to protecting human rights, informing families about the fates of their loved ones, and ensuring justice and peace. The Western Azerbaijan Community reiterates its demand for the Armenian government to assist in clarifying the fate of Azerbaijanis subjected to enforced disappearance. It calls for full cooperation with Azerbaijan on this issue and for the prosecution of those responsible for these disappearances, the statement concludes. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 1,080 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $71,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Rio Tinto Group by 55.4% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 415 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the first quarter valued at $29,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently commented on RIO. StockNews.com raised Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Rio Tinto Group to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Citigroup downgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Berenberg Bank downgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Rio Tinto Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Rio Tinto Group Price Performance Shares of Rio Tinto Group stock traded up $0.31 on Thursday, hitting $63.32. 1,473,882 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,705,818. Rio Tinto Group has a 12-month low of $59.80 and a 12-month high of $75.09. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $64.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $66.15. Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a $1.77 dividend. This represents a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. Rio Tinto Group Profile (Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. 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. Read More 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. AGL Energy Limited (OTCMKTS:AGLXY Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decline of 50.0% from the July 31st total of 200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. AGL Energy Stock Up 5.8 % AGLXY stock opened at $7.70 on Friday. AGL Energy has a 1 year low of $4.97 and a 1 year high of $8.04. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.46. Get AGL Energy alerts: AGL Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.1421 per share. This is a positive change from AGL Energys previous dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 28th. About AGL Energy AGL Energy Limited supplies energy and other essential services to residential, small and large businesses, and wholesale customers in Australia. It operates through three segments: Customer Markets, Integrated Energy, and Investments. The company engages in retailing of electricity, gas, broadband, mobile, voice, solar, and energy products and services; and operates power generation portfolio and other assets including coal, gas and renewable generation, natural gas storage and production, and development projects. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for AGL Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AGL Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Construction Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CICHY Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 24,100 shares, a drop of 47.5% from the July 31st total of 45,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 89,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. China Construction Bank Stock Performance Shares of China Construction Bank stock traded down $0.39 on Friday, hitting $13.99. 109,975 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 85,048. The stock has a market capitalization of $174.88 billion, a PE ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.11. China Construction Bank has a 1 year low of $10.62 and a 1 year high of $15.29. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.47. Get China Construction Bank alerts: China Construction Bank Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 5th were given a dividend of $0.9227 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 5th. About China Construction Bank China Construction Bank Corporation provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Corporate Finance Business, Personal Finance Business, Treasury and Asset Management Business, and Others segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China Construction Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Construction Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meritage Homes Co. (NYSE:MTH Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 930,000 shares, a decline of 18.4% from the July 31st total of 1,140,000 shares. Approximately 2.6% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 449,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.1 days. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Meritage Homes from $173.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Wolfe Research upgraded Meritage Homes from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $230.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Meritage Homes from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Wedbush boosted their price target on Meritage Homes from $148.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Meritage Homes from $195.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $208.00. Get Meritage Homes alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Meritage Homes Insider Buying and Selling at Meritage Homes Institutional Trading of Meritage Homes In other Meritage Homes news, CEO Phillippe Lord sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.35, for a total transaction of $2,003,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 90,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,084,793.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other news, CFO Hilla Sferruzza sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.00, for a total value of $512,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 44,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,136,850. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Phillippe Lord sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.35, for a total value of $2,003,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 90,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,084,793.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $3,111,080. Company insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Meritage Homes by 157.6% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 237 shares of the construction companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in Meritage Homes in the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Headlands Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Meritage Homes by 1,033.3% in the 2nd quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 272 shares of the construction companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in Meritage Homes in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $61,000. Finally, Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new position in Meritage Homes in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $64,000. 98.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Meritage Homes Stock Up 0.7 % NYSE MTH traded up $1.31 on Friday, hitting $198.41. 10,148 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 420,893. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $180.80 and a 200 day moving average of $170.64. Meritage Homes has a twelve month low of $109.23 and a twelve month high of $210.58. The company has a market capitalization of $7.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.18 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.93, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Meritage Homes (NYSE:MTH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The construction company reported $6.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.17 by $1.14. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.57 billion. Meritage Homes had a return on equity of 17.99% and a net margin of 12.98%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.02 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Meritage Homes will post 20.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Meritage Homes (Get Free Report) Meritage Homes Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and builds single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Homebuilding and Financial Services. It acquires and develops land; and constructs, markets, and sells homes for entry-level and first move-up buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Meritage Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meritage Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virgin Money UK PLC (OTCMKTS:CBBYF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 397,900 shares, a drop of 66.4% from the July 31st total of 1,184,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Virgin Money UK Stock Performance Shares of CBBYF stock remained flat at $2.20 during mid-day trading on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $2.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.13. Virgin Money UK has a 1-year low of $1.96 and a 1-year high of $2.20. Get Virgin Money UK alerts: Virgin Money UK Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; risk management; asset and invoice finance services; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products. Receive News & Ratings for Virgin Money UK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virgin Money UK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Warrior Met Coal, Inc. (NYSE:HCC Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,370,000 shares, an increase of 53.9% from the July 31st total of 2,840,000 shares. Approximately 8.5% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 745,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.9 days. Warrior Met Coal Stock Performance HCC stock traded up $1.10 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $61.46. The stock had a trading volume of 859,193 shares, compared to its average volume of 770,540. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a PE ratio of 7.52 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $64.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $63.26. Warrior Met Coal has a fifty-two week low of $39.00 and a fifty-two week high of $75.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 6.86 and a quick ratio of 5.85. Get Warrior Met Coal alerts: Warrior Met Coal (NYSE:HCC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.03. Warrior Met Coal had a return on equity of 23.27% and a net margin of 25.01%. The firm had revenue of $396.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.91 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.63 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Warrior Met Coal will post 7.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Warrior Met Coal Announces Dividend Insider Activity at Warrior Met Coal The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 6th were issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 6th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.52%. Warrior Met Coals dividend payout ratio is currently 3.85%. In other news, CEO Walter J. Scheller sold 23,148 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.15, for a total value of $1,739,572.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 340,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,587,447.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Kelli K. Gant sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.06, for a total value of $750,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 61,678 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,629,550.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Walter J. Scheller sold 23,148 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.15, for a total transaction of $1,739,572.20. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 340,485 shares in the company, valued at $25,587,447.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Warrior Met Coal A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wulff Hansen & CO. lifted its position in Warrior Met Coal by 6,177.0% during the second quarter. Wulff Hansen & CO. now owns 331,551 shares of the companys stock worth $20,811,000 after acquiring an additional 326,269 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 33.8% during the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 974,247 shares of the companys stock worth $59,137,000 after buying an additional 246,217 shares in the last quarter. Hosking Partners LLP boosted its position in shares of Warrior Met Coal by 68.9% in the second quarter. Hosking Partners LLP now owns 482,147 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,264,000 after acquiring an additional 196,601 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Warrior Met Coal in the first quarter valued at about $9,234,000. Finally, Merewether Investment Management LP bought a new position in Warrior Met Coal during the second quarter worth about $9,190,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.28% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have issued reports on HCC. B. Riley lifted their price target on Warrior Met Coal from $91.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Benchmark reissued a hold rating on shares of Warrior Met Coal in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Warrior Met Coal from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on Warrior Met Coal Warrior Met Coal Company Profile (Get Free Report) Warrior Met Coal, Inc produces and exports non-thermal metallurgical coal for the steel industry. It operates two underground mines located in Alabama. The company sells its metallurgical coal to a customer base of blast furnace steel producers located primarily in Europe, South America, and Asia. It also sells natural gas, which is extracted as a byproduct from coal production. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Warrior Met Coal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Warrior Met Coal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders bought 2,586 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 114% compared to the average volume of 1,209 call options. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on BOX shares. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of BOX in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of BOX from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Monness Crespi & Hardt upgraded shares of BOX to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an underperform rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of BOX in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of BOX from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $30.89. Get BOX alerts: View Our Latest Report on BOX BOX Stock Performance Shares of BOX stock traded up $0.32 on Friday, reaching $33.26. The company had a trading volume of 367,321 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,949,979. The firms 50 day moving average price is $27.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.08. The firm has a market cap of $4.80 billion, a PE ratio of 44.99 and a beta of 0.86. BOX has a 52-week low of $23.29 and a 52-week high of $33.29. BOX (NYSE:BOX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 27th. The software maker reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $270.04 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $269.52 million. BOX had a net margin of 13.13% and a negative return on equity of 11.71%. The businesss revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.01 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that BOX will post 0.19 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at BOX In related news, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.05, for a total value of $351,650.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 1,513,661 shares in the company, valued at $40,944,530.05. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, VP Eli Berkovitch sold 3,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.90, for a total transaction of $85,470.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 152,372 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,946,434.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Dylan C. Smith sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.05, for a total transaction of $351,650.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 1,513,661 shares in the company, valued at $40,944,530.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 59,560 shares of company stock valued at $1,556,440. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BOX Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quarry LP increased its position in shares of BOX by 324.6% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,418 shares of the software makers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084 shares during the last quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of BOX by 62,000.0% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,863 shares of the software makers stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,860 shares during the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank purchased a new stake in shares of BOX in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of BOX by 31.7% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,627 shares of the software makers stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 632 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of BOX in the 2nd quarter valued at $95,000. 86.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. BOX Company Profile (Get Free Report) Box, Inc provides a cloud content management platform that enables organizations of various sizes to manage and share their content from anywhere on any device. The company's Software-as-a-Service platform enables users to work with their content as they need from secure external collaboration and sharing, workspaces and portals, e-signature processes, and content workflows improving employee productivity and accelerating business processes. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BOX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BOX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Wednesday. A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on LEG. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $16.00 to $13.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $11.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.67. Get Leggett & Platt alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Leggett & Platt Leggett & Platt Stock Performance NYSE:LEG opened at $12.70 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.91. The company has a market cap of $1.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.94 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. Leggett & Platt has a 52 week low of $10.11 and a 52 week high of $28.53. Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.13 billion. Leggett & Platt had a negative net margin of 18.05% and a positive return on equity of 10.98%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Leggett & Platt will post 1.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other Leggett & Platt news, Director Srikanth Padmanabhan purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $12.06 per share, for a total transaction of $120,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 38,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at $465,793.38. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Srikanth Padmanabhan acquired 10,000 shares of Leggett & Platt stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $12.06 per share, with a total value of $120,600.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 38,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,793.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Benjamin Michael Burns acquired 3,850 shares of Leggett & Platt stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $12.20 per share, for a total transaction of $46,970.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 81,362 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $992,616.40. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 15,835 shares of company stock worth $192,383 over the last ninety days. 1.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leggett & Platt Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. TFO Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Leggett & Platt by 10,833.3% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 656 shares of the companys stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Leggett & Platt during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 93.2% during the 1st quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,930 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 931 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 56.2% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,130 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 766 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First United Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Leggett & Platt during the 4th quarter valued at $64,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.23% of the companys stock. About Leggett & Platt (Get Free Report) Leggett & Platt, Incorporated designs, manufactures, and sells engineered components and products in the United States, Europe, China, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Bedding Products; Specialized Products; and Furniture, Flooring & Textile Products. The company offers steel rods, drawn wires, specialty foam chemicals and additives, innersprings, specialty foam for use in bedding and furniture, private label finished mattresses, ready-to-assemble mattress foundations, static foundations, and adjustable beds, as well as machines for producing innersprings; industrial sewing and quilting machines; mattress-packaging; and glue-drying equipment for various industrial users of steel rod and wire, manufacturers of finished bedding, bedding brands and mattress retailers, E-commerce retailers, big box retailers, department stores, and home improvement centers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Leggett & Platt Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leggett & Platt and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tavistock Investments Plc (LON:TAVI Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as GBX 2.60 ($0.03) and last traded at GBX 2.60 ($0.03), with a volume of 48605 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2.63 ($0.03). Tavistock Investments Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 3.89, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.72. The company has a market capitalization of 15.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -462.50 and a beta of 0.04. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 3.05 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 3.93. About Tavistock Investments (Get Free Report) Tavistock Investments Plc provides investment management and advisory support services to a network of financial advisers in the United Kingdom. The company offers investment planning, financial planning, pension and retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, protection and insurance, will writing, bereavement notification, employee benefits, protects families from financial difficulty, finance for homes and mortgages, financial management, financial planning, and tax saving services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Tavistock Investments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tavistock Investments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tobam cut its holdings in shares of Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Free Report) by 52.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,485 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 1,642 shares during the quarter. Tobams holdings in Prologis were worth $167,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in PLD. Optimum Investment Advisors bought a new stake in Prologis in the first quarter valued at $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prologis during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Central Valley Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prologis during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Prologis by 254.5% during the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 234 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. Finally, Clear Investment Research LLC grew its stake in shares of Prologis by 188.1% during the 4th quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 242 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.50% of the companys stock. Get Prologis alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently issued reports on PLD shares. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Prologis from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Prologis from $125.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. StockNews.com upgraded Prologis from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Prologis from $122.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Prologis from $123.00 to $142.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $133.12. Prologis Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSE:PLD traded up $1.81 during trading on Friday, hitting $127.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,106,614 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,619,304. Prologis, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $96.64 and a fifty-two week high of $137.52. The company has a market capitalization of $117.71 billion, a PE ratio of 36.82, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.06. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $120.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $119.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.36. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by ($0.41). The company had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. Prologis had a net margin of 36.37% and a return on equity of 4.88%. Prologiss revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.83 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.43 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Prologis news, CIO Joseph Ghazal sold 5,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.07, for a total transaction of $671,164.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 13,187 shares in the company, valued at $1,702,046.09. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. About Prologis (Free Report) Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. The chairperson of Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, met with a delegation led by the head of Pakistan's observation mission, the chairperson of Pakistan's Central Election Commission, Sultan Mohammad, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the upcoming extraordinary parliamentary election, Trend reports. Referring to the close friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, Mazahir Panahov gave detailed information to the delegation on preparations for the September 1 election process. Noting that there are currently more than 6 million eligible voters in Azerbaijan, Panahov mentioned that 990 candidates will compete in the election. Informing that more than 6,000 polling stations are functioning throughout the country, the chairperson of the CEC emphasized that 54 polling stations are located in the territories liberated from occupation. Stressing the importance of the parliamentary election for the Azerbaijani people, Panahov stated that for the first time in 30 years, the election to the Azerbaijani Parliament will be held in the whole territory of the country. Furthermore, it was noted that the preparation for the election has been carried out following the requirements of the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan, and all conditions have been created for the comfortable voting of electors. Underscoring that Pakistan is a friendly country to Azerbaijan and official Islamabad has always supported the territorial integrity of the country, Sultan Mohammad noted that the brotherly country of Azerbaijan is on the threshold of a significant day, the extraordinary parliamentary election. We are confident that this election will also be held in full compliance with the country's Electoral Code, transparently and fairly, he pointed out. The chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Pakistan also noted the high level of organization of preparations for the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan and compliance of the electoral legislation with international standards. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Tobam lessened its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report) by 37.8% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 996 shares of the companys stock after selling 605 shares during the quarter. Tobams holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $296,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MOH. Quent Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 489 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC raised its stake in Molina Healthcare by 2.2% in the first quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 1,462 shares of the companys stock worth $601,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare by 11.5% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 330 shares of the companys stock valued at $136,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 1.8% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,003 shares of the companys stock worth $823,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,357 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,213,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.50% of the companys stock. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CAO Maurice Hebert sold 393 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.52, for a total value of $136,182.36. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 9,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,282,583.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Steven J. Orlando sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $339.21, for a total transaction of $339,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 18,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,114,260.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Maurice Hebert sold 393 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.52, for a total transaction of $136,182.36. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 9,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,282,583.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have commented on MOH shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $315.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Robert W. Baird started coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They set an outperform rating and a $405.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $354.00 to $297.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare from $420.00 to $395.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $412.00 to $351.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Molina Healthcare has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $378.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MOH Molina Healthcare Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:MOH traded down $1.11 during trading on Friday, hitting $349.45. 127,549 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 489,489. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $319.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $349.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The company has a market cap of $20.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.58. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 52-week low of $282.96 and a 52-week high of $423.92. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $5.86 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.73 by $0.13. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 28.09% and a net margin of 2.84%. The firm had revenue of $9.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.75 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $5.65 EPS. Molina Healthcares revenue for the quarter was up 18.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.5 EPS for the current year. Molina Healthcare Profile (Free Report) Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MOH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd trimmed its holdings in shares of TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD Free Report) by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,788 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 1,052 shares during the period. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltds holdings in TopBuild were worth $1,074,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BLD. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in TopBuild by 8,850.0% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 4,117 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 4,071 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund acquired a new stake in TopBuild during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $918,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. lifted its stake in shares of TopBuild by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 2,798 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,047,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares during the period. Golden State Equity Partners acquired a new position in shares of TopBuild in the 4th quarter valued at $207,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of TopBuild by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 32,241 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $12,067,000 after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the period. 95.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TopBuild alerts: TopBuild Price Performance Shares of TopBuild stock traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $391.45. 254,957 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 289,548. TopBuild Corp. has a 1 year low of $217.08 and a 1 year high of $495.68. The company has a market capitalization of $12.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.76. The business has a fifty day moving average of $407.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $408.87. The company has a quick ratio of 2.33, a current ratio of 2.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Insider Transactions at TopBuild TopBuild ( NYSE:BLD Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The construction company reported $5.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $5.68 by ($0.26). TopBuild had a return on equity of 25.87% and a net margin of 12.11%. The business had revenue of $1.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.25 EPS. TopBuilds quarterly revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that TopBuild Corp. will post 21.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, CEO Robert M. Buck sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.05, for a total value of $1,045,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 69,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,041,097.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Nancy M. Taylor sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $415.81, for a total value of $124,743.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,920 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,461,595.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert M. Buck sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.05, for a total transaction of $1,045,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 69,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,041,097.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BLD shares. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of TopBuild from $555.00 to $489.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Stephens decreased their target price on shares of TopBuild from $435.00 to $400.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. StockNews.com cut shares of TopBuild from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. DA Davidson cut their price target on shares of TopBuild from $470.00 to $460.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their price target on shares of TopBuild from $450.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $449.00. View Our Latest Analysis on BLD About TopBuild (Free Report) TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, garage doors, fireplaces, roofing materials, closet shelving, and other products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as $121.70 and last traded at $121.06, with a volume of 57150 shares. The stock had previously closed at $120.55. Analysts Set New Price Targets WELL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Welltower from $115.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Welltower from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Wedbush increased their price objective on shares of Welltower from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on shares of Welltower from $95.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Welltower from $105.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $109.58. Get Welltower alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Welltower Welltower Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 3.83 and a current ratio of 4.07. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $110.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.46 billion, a PE ratio of 148.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.18. Welltower (NYSE:WELL Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.08. Welltower had a net margin of 8.36% and a return on equity of 2.21%. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.89 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.90 earnings per share. Welltowers revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Welltower Inc. will post 4.16 EPS for the current year. Welltower Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This is a positive change from Welltowers previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. Welltowers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 330.86%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Kenneth J. Bacon sold 1,800 shares of Welltower stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.91, for a total transaction of $187,038.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,579 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,514,903.89. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Welltower A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WELL. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Welltower by 9,700.8% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 142,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $12,867,000 after buying an additional 141,244 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Welltower by 17.3% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 216,268 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $19,501,000 after acquiring an additional 31,968 shares in the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Welltower by 98.4% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 7,240 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $653,000 after acquiring an additional 3,591 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Welltower by 77.9% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 160,104 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $14,437,000 after acquiring an additional 70,101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Welltower by 15.7% during the 4th quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 3,587 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 488 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.80% of the companys stock. About Welltower (Get Free Report) Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL), a REIT and S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. Welltower invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate and infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Welltower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Welltower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yorkton Equity Group Inc. (CVE:YEG Get Free Report) shares were up 2.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.20 and last traded at C$0.20. Approximately 1,500 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 9,085 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.19. Yorkton Equity Group Stock Performance The companys 50 day moving average price is C$0.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 400.37, a current ratio of 0.40 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The stock has a market capitalization of C$21.97 million, a PE ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.22. About Yorkton Equity Group (Get Free Report) Yorkton Equity Group Inc operates as a real estate investment company in Canada. It owns a portfolio of multi-family residential rental properties comprising residential units and commercial unit in Alberta and British Columbia. The company is based in Edmonton, Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Yorkton Equity Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yorkton Equity Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank cut its position in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG Free Report) by 6.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 54,857 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 3,531 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $9,591,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the second quarter valued at $36,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $253,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy by 78.6% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 400 shares of the energy companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,559 shares of the energy companys stock worth $447,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the period. Finally, Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY increased its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 2.6% in the second quarter. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY now owns 143,086 shares of the energy companys stock worth $25,016,000 after acquiring an additional 3,634 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Cheniere Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently issued reports on LNG. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $194.00 to $199.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. TD Cowen raised their target price on Cheniere Energy from $178.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $208.00 to $204.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on Cheniere Energy in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $213.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Cheniere Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $196.40. Cheniere Energy Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE LNG traded up $1.37 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $183.89. The companys stock had a trading volume of 936,771 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,826,811. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.58, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.98. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.31 and a 12 month high of $187.44. The stock has a market cap of $42.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 0.96. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $177.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $165.03. Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The energy company reported $3.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $2.13. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 28.55% and a return on equity of 48.19%. The firm had revenue of $3.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.61 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 8.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a $0.435 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.95%. Cheniere Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.48%. Cheniere Energy declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Monday, June 17th that allows the company to buyback $4.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the energy company to buy up to 9.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Cheniere Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank trimmed its holdings in Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Free Report) (TSE:CNR) by 4.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 230,971 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 10,083 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Canadian National Railway were worth $27,287,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. GQG Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 11,424 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,505,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Choreo LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 6,427 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 4,156 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $547,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 9,350 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,105,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, Bfsg LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 110.5% in the 1st quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 200 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. 80.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes CNI has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. National Bank Financial raised Canadian National Railway from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. StockNews.com lowered Canadian National Railway from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Canadian National Railway from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the company from $146.25 to $130.67 in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Canadian National Railway from $137.00 to $133.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Scotiabank raised Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $138.35. Canadian National Railway Stock Performance Shares of CNI stock traded down $0.33 during trading on Thursday, hitting $116.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 656,336 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,065,889. The company has a market cap of $73.65 billion, a PE ratio of 18.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The business has a fifty day moving average of $116.31 and a 200-day moving average of $123.57. Canadian National Railway has a 52 week low of $103.96 and a 52 week high of $134.02. Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.93 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $4.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.40 billion. Canadian National Railway had a net margin of 32.00% and a return on equity of 23.58%. The businesss revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.31 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Canadian National Railway will post 5.63 earnings per share for the current year. Canadian National Railway Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a $0.614 dividend. This represents a $2.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Canadian National Railways dividend payout ratio is presently 39.23%. Canadian National Railway Company Profile (Free Report) Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its holdings in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 67,066 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,910 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbanks holdings in Vistra were worth $5,766,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC grew its stake in Vistra by 3.0% during the second quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 3,883 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 16.8% in the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 981 shares of the companys stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in Vistra by 38.6% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 557 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its holdings in Vistra by 0.5% in the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 36,465 shares of the companys stock worth $2,539,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Checchi Capital Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 5.0% in the second quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 3,965 shares of the companys stock worth $341,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.88% of the companys stock. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of VST stock traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $84.43. The company had a trading volume of 1,420,613 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,598,787. Vistra Corp. has a 12 month low of $30.36 and a 12 month high of $107.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $81.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $76.62. The company has a market cap of $29.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.93 and a beta of 1.05. Vistra Increases Dividend Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.69). The business had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.04 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 21.05% and a net margin of 4.61%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.03 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.2195 per share. This is a positive change from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. Vistras dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.37%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Vistra news, Director Lisa Crutchfield purchased 335 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $89.46 per share, for a total transaction of $29,969.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 32,186 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,879,359.56. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on VST. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Vistra from $109.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Guggenheim upgraded Vistra to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. UBS Group increased their price target on Vistra from $85.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Vistra from $79.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $87.83. Get Our Latest Analysis on VST Vistra Profile (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank decreased its position in shares of Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG Free Report) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 39,798 shares of the companys stock after selling 808 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned approximately 0.09% of Everest Group worth $15,164,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Csenge Advisory Group lifted its stake in Everest Group by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 1,239 shares of the companys stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Everest Group by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 1,765 shares of the companys stock worth $672,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. lifted its stake in Everest Group by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 2,976 shares of the companys stock worth $1,183,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in shares of Everest Group by 36.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 115 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Insight Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Everest Group by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 1,856 shares of the companys stock worth $707,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock. Get Everest Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Everest Group from $419.00 to $405.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Everest Group from $387.00 to $403.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of Everest Group from $454.00 to $438.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Everest Group from $450.00 to $445.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Everest Group from $392.00 to $393.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Everest Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $431.00. Everest Group Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of EG traded up $0.81 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $390.42. The companys stock had a trading volume of 292,389 shares, compared to its average volume of 328,703. The companys 50-day moving average is $377.97 and its 200-day moving average is $377.82. Everest Group, Ltd. has a 52-week low of $343.76 and a 52-week high of $417.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.80, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Everest Group (NYSE:EG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $16.85 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $16.97 by ($0.12). Everest Group had a return on equity of 24.09% and a net margin of 18.36%. The business had revenue of $4.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $15.21 EPS. Everest Groups revenue for the quarter was up 15.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Everest Group, Ltd. will post 61.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Everest Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $8.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.05%. Everest Groups payout ratio is presently 11.89%. About Everest Group (Free Report) Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Everest Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. The delegation led by the head of the observation mission, Deputy Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of the Maldives Ali Nashaath, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the extraordinary parliamentary election scheduled for September 1, visited the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Chairperson of Azerbaijan's CEC Mazahir Panahov informed the delegation in detail about preparations for the election process on September 1. He noted that the preparation for the election is carried out following the requirements of the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan, and all necessary conditions have been created for comfortable voting of electors. The chairperson of the CEC informed the delegation about the number of candidates, voters, and polling stations. He mentioned that the citizens who will not be able to vote on election day will also be paid attention to, and appropriate work will be done to make it convenient for them to vote. Underscoring that after many years residents of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur will vote in their motherland, Panahov also announced that over 42,000 voters are counted in these territories. Ali Nashaath, the deputy chairperson of the Maldives Central Election Commission and head of the Maldives Observation Mission, expressed his delight to be in Azerbaijan. He noted that preparations for the extraordinary parliamentary election in the country were organized at a high level and the electoral legislation complied with international standards. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. The 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in the capital of the Republic of Cameroon, Yaounde, on August 29-30, 2024, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, a delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov represented the Republic of Azerbaijan at the session. Addressing the session, Elnur Mammadov expressed gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the successful chairmanship of the OIC Foreign Affairs Council and wished success to the new chairing country, the Republic of Cameroon. Mammadov provided detailed information on the normalization process in the post-Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict period and Armenia's provocative steps hindering it, as well as mine threats. He noted that the Republic of Azerbaijan is actively working to establish peace and interstate relations that will ensure permanent stability in the region and pave the way for full-fledged regional normalization and cooperation. The end of the armed conflict in 2020 provided a unique opportunity for both countries to overcome the consequences of years of hostility and establish good neighborly relations. The Deputy Minister underlined the full commitment to the normalization process initiated by Azerbaijan and proposed by Armenia. In his speech, the Deputy Minister also mentioned that this year Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and emphasized that holding this event in an OIC member state for three consecutive years is a remarkable fact. Noting that COP29 is an important milestone for Azerbaijan, the Deputy Minister stated that Azerbaijan will do its best to mobilize the international community in promoting the global climate agenda, drawing on the experience of Azerbaijan's recent chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in bringing together countries with different levels of development and political affiliation. The Deputy Minister also mentioned in his speech that Azerbaijan puts forward new ideas and initiatives to increase the capacity of the OIC, and one such initiative is the establishment of the OIC Labor Center. Following the results of the Ministerial Council, four resolutions were adopted on the initiative of Azerbaijan. In the resolutions Elimination of the Consequences of the Aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, Support of the Economic and Social Development Activities in the Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan Liberated from the Occupation and Destruction and Desecration of Historical and Cultural Monuments and Monuments of the Islamic Religion in the Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of the Aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan the policy of occupation and aggression conducted by Armenia against Azerbaijan for almost 30 years is condemned. The resolution Solidarity with the victims of the Khojaly Massacre of 1992 condemns the massacre committed on February 26, 1992, in Khojaly against the civilian population of Azerbaijan and urges the international community to recognize this massacre as genocide, a crime against humanity, and a war crime. It expresses support to the public campaign Justice for Khojaly. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel What story should Manipur present ? Roadmap to normalcy | The roadmap to peace and normalcy. This is what is required and one wonders whether such a roadmap has been drafted or not, but if one goes by what Chief Minister N Biren has stated then Manipur may well have started taking the first step towards peace and normalcy. Six months is the time frame the Chief Minister has set for normalcy to return while speaking to a news agency recently and topped it up with the claim that the intermediary to get in touch with either side of the two ethnic groups at war has been identified. This is perhaps one of the better news that Manipur has heard in a long, long time and any effort to bring the two sides to the negotiating table should be acknowledged for what Manipur needs today is for all to smoke the peace pipe and war mongers should be told to take a step back. It is probably in line with this that the Chief Minister announced for one and all to hear that Ministers have been asked to attend office regularly and monitor the activities of their respective departments. It could either be an attempt to show that Manipur has now started walking the path of normalcy or it could be a routine sort of advisory given to all Ministers to dispense with their works diligently. The answer may fall somewhere in between but it is true that the guns seem to have fallen silent for some time, but no one knows if absence of violence can be equated with normalcy or not. Only time can tell, but this is perhaps the first time that the Chief Minister has set a time frame for normalcy to return to the State and one hopes this turns out to be true. As folks who have been closely following the turn of events, ever since Manipur went up in flames in the evening of May 3, 2023, one is constrained to ask how the path to normalcy will be worked out or whether the first step towards working this out has been identified or not. And in what capacity is Delhi expected to step in, that is if one goes by what the Chief Minister has had to say ? What could be the formula to break the deadlock and end the violence, which has claimed over 220 human lives and where nearly 60,000 folks are still living in relief centres across the length and breadth of Manipur. This is perhaps where Imphal would need to be questioned on what its idea or understanding of normalcy is. The answer can best come from the State Government, for it is the Chief Minister himself who has set the time frame of six months for normalcy to return. Or will it be a case of doing whatever Delhi may ask of the State Government ? If the answer to the poser raised just here is in the affirmative then one may be constrained to ask why Delhi had not stepped in earlier with a model to put the State on the path of normalcy ? Or is it a case of the Centre taking its time to understand the issues besieging the State ? Whatever the case, the natural question that may be raised here is, whether Imphal has worked out the model that can be presented to Delhi to set the peace process rolling. There is no confusion on the demand raised by the Kuki-ZO MLAs and backed by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Kuki Inpi, Manipur and the important question is what is it that the State Government would want to place before New Delhi, if and when the time comes ? The State Government may have worked out what points can be presented before the Centre when the time comes to talk, and it would be interesting to see the points that may be presented before the Centre, points that ought to be presented from a position of strength. What are the points that the civil society groups of Manipur may want the State Government to take up with Delhi, when the time of reckoning comes ? Have the CSOs of Manipur worked out what is it that the place and her people need to protect her interests ? All questions, but important and urgent too in the face of the fact that this is the first time that the Chief Minister has set a time frame of ushering in peace in Manipur, which has been on the boil for the last 15 months. Manipur is watching and this is a point that Imphal cannot afford to ignore. Nothing can be more clear than this. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Representatives of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan (customs attaches) will now carry out their duties as part of the diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan accredited in the foreign states or international organizations to which they are appointed, Trend reports. This change is outlined in an amendment made by President Ilham Aliyev to the decree On the appointment of representatives of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (customs attaches) in foreign states and the provision of their activity. According to the decree, the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan will submit proposals for the appointment of its representatives in foreign states and international organizations to the President of Azerbaijan for approval. This process will occur after coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, following the decree. The representatives of the State Customs Committee in foreign states and international organizations will perform their functions within the diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan accredited in these foreign states or international organizations. Their activities will be coordinated with those of the diplomatic missions. Previously, representatives of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan in foreign states were seconded to the embassies of Azerbaijan in these foreign states without being included in the structure or staff schedule of these embassies. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A lawyer practising in the Supreme Court has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against 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. Taking note of Banerjees remarks, Vineet Jindal, a practising lawyer in the SC has filed a complaint with Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora. A complaint against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been filed with Delhi Police commissioner. A copy has also been sent to the Presidents office and the ministry of home affairs, the advocate said in a post on X. Advertisement According to Jindal, the Trinamul chiefs 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. Fifteen students were given scholarships at a function organized by the Barasat Gate Cultural Association, a well-known organization involved in social service in Hooghly recently. Each student was given a Sri Aurobindo Student Scholarship worth Rs 4,000. The association observes the birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on the last Sunday of August. Sri Aurobindo was born on 15 August, 1872. Advertisement The association has been holding workshops and seminars to propagate the message of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo in the auditorium of Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Sri Aurobindo Nilay along with social service for the past three decades. Mr Sanjay Bhattacharya, joint secretary of the association and the key person behind holding of the seminars said professor Subhendu Majumdar, former teacher of Chandernagore College had discussed the life of Sri Aurobindo in Baroda. Mrs Keya Niyogi sang songs befitting the function. In 1893, Sri Aurobindo, then Aurobindo Ghosh, came back to India from England and joined the land department of the Raja of Baroda. Later, he joined the Baroda College. A scholar par excellence, Ghosh contributed his articles in different newspapers. His article, New Lamps for the Old was a head turner. He was a regular contributor to Induprakash. Ghosh stayed in Baroda for 12 years and met many Indian scholars, including Sister Nivedita in 1902. Mr Bhattacharya said a proposal to give scholarships to more students is under active consideration. Important personalities, who had visited the association and took part in programmes held in Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Sri Aurobindo Nilay include former Bengal Governors Gopal Krishna Gandhi and M K Narayanan, well-known writer Sanjib Chattopadhyay, historian Hossenur Rahaman, Swami Purnatmananda, scholars Ananda Reddy and Aloke Pandey among others. Budget carrier Spicejet has been placed under enhanced surveillance by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after passengers were not allowed to board the airlines 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. Advertisement 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 Singhs offer to pledge his shares as collateral for the airlines 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. In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Environment Bhupender Yadav, Rai wrote, I am writing to bring to your kind attention the alarming levels of air pollution which affects Delhi during the winter season and to consider implementation of cloud seeding as a measure to combat this crisis. He said during every winter season, the air quality in Delhi reaches hazardous levels due to smog concentration and low wind speed, posing severe health risks to the population and environmental degradation. Advertisement This year Deepawali is going to coincide with parali burning which is likely to turn the air quality hazardous. The Government of Delhi has already implemented various measures to combat air pollution under Winter Action Plan and is making continuous efforts to explore alternate solutions for immediate relief, in case of air quality becoming alarming, Rai said. Stating that cloud seeding is a process that involves the artificial induction of rain, to reduce air pollution by washing out pollutants from the atmosphere, he said, Given the critical situation in Delhi during the month of November every year, I believe it is imperative to consider the feasibility of this method in our context. During 2023, the Delhi government attempted to consider cloud seeding as an emergency measure during the days when air quality turned hazardous and a presentation was also made by IIT, Kanpur on the matter. It was noticed during the presentation that prior clearances from various agencies of Government of India (GOI) are required to implement cloud seeding at any particular spot, he said. Rai further said, In this regard, I request you to convene an immediate meeting to coordinate with all stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi government, CPCB, India Meteorological Department, Environmental experts, and other agencies concerned with an objective to evaluate the potential of cloud seeding as an emergency measure and to obtain necessary permissions from various agencies under GOI to outline a coordinated plan of action. Anurag Kashyaps celebrated crime saga Gangs of Wasseypur is making a grand return to theaters from August 30, running until September 5. Among the ensemble castfeaturing names like Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Pankaj TripathiVineet Kumar Singh as Danish Khan remains particularly memorable. His portrayal of the complex character has left an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike. This iconic film series, known for its gripping depiction of crime and politics in rural India, has achieved a cult status over the years. Divided into two parts, the series is renowned for its powerful storytelling, unforgettable dialogues, and stellar performances. As the re-release draws near, Vineet Kumar Singh is reflecting on his involvement with the film. Experiencing the magic of this film on the big screen again is going to be incredible, he shared. Im so grateful to Anurag Kashyap, the amazing cast, and all the fans who have supported this film. Im excited for everyone to revisit this epic saga. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vineet Kumar Singh (@vineet_ksofficial) Singh describes his role as Danish Khan as both challenging and rewarding. Danish is a character full of contradictions, he noted. Anurag Kashyaps bold vision for Gangs of Wasseypur was revolutionary. The depth he brought to the characters and the narrative was exceptional. Being a part of this project has been one of the highlights of my career. Currently, Singh is receiving accolades for his performance in Ghuspaithiya and has a busy slate of upcoming projects. Hes set to appear in Rangeen and Superboys of Malegoan, and will also feature in the much-anticipated Sunny Deol-starring action film SDGM, which is generating buzz as a major pan-Indian release. As Gangs of Wasseypur returns to theaters, fans old and new will have the chance to experience its raw and riveting story on the big screen once again, with Vineet Kumar Singhs portrayal of Danish Khan standing out as one of its many highlights. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. In accordance with the plan of bilateral cooperation for 2024 signed between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Serbia, the Acting Chief of the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Colonel of the Medical Service Anar Ismayilov met with a delegation led by the Head of Military Health Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia, Brigadier General Radivoje Andjelkovic, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. During the meeting held at the Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense, a thorough exchange of views on the prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the field of military medicine, as well as on several issues of mutual interest was held. The guests were given a briefing on the organization of the medical service and military medical support in the Azerbaijan Army. Following the meeting, the Serbian delegation visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense and the Military Medical Faculty and got acquainted with the conditions created. Behold! Mirzapur Season 3 is not over YET! How could it be? Munna Bhaiya wasnt there. After winning over netizens hearts with his captivating performance in the first two seasons as Munna Bhaiya, Divyendu was absent from Season 3. There is a solid reason: his character was killed in the climax of the penultimate season. Nonetheless, fans dearly missed him. After the release of Season 3, Mirzapur fans took to social media to express their disappointment and their longing for the characters return. Well, on popular demand, Munna Bhaiya is back with a bang! Mirzapur 3s bonus episode featuring Divyendu releases today, August 30. Sending the fandom into a frenzy, Amazon Prime Video has shared a tantalizing teaser announcing the release. In the clip, Divyendu Sharma is seen in his element as Munna, saying, Hum kya gaye, pura bawaal mach gaya. Suna hai humare loyal fans bohot miss kiye humko. Season 3 me kuch cheezein miss kiye aap. Wo hum khoj ke le aaye hain, just for you, Munna Tripathi ke suajanya se. Kyunki hum karte pehle hain, sochte baad me hain. (There has been a havoc ever since I went away. It seems my loyal fans really missed me a lot. There were certain things you all missed out on in Season 3. I have found them just for you. Because I always act before I think). Catch it here: Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by prime video IN (@primevideoin) Meanwhile, he streaming giant captioned the post, Bawaal hone wala hai, kyunki bonus episode aa raha hai (There is going to be havoc as the bonus episode is about to arrive). Divyendu had confirmed his exit from the series ahead of the third seasons release. The actor also disclosed that the intense role affected his personality significantly. In a conversation with Humans of Bombay, he revealed that at times it became really dark for him and he felt suffocated. Also Read: Berlin trailer: Aparshakti Khurana delivers riveting performance in spy thriller Divyendus return as Munna Bhaiya for the special episode is sure to captivate fans as they await to see their beloved characters jalwa on the screens once again. Reacting to the news, fans have flooded the comment sections. While one fan commented, Jalwa hai Munna Bhaiya ka (Munna Bhaiya has swag), another wrote, Munna Tripathi, The King of Mirzapur. A user also penned, Munna Tripathi Amar hai (Munna Tripathi is immortal). Meanwhile, Mirzapur Season 3 released on July 5. It starred Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, and Isha Talwar in key roles. In a recent development in Kerala, the police have registered a second FIR against actor Jayasurya, following allegations made by actress Minu Muneer. This case, registered under sections 354, 354A(A1)(I), and 354D of the Indian Penal Code, was filed in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to the Thodupuzha Police Station for further investigation. The new FIR comes in the wake of several accusations surfacing from the Malayalam film industry. These allegations emerged prominently after the release of the Hema Committee report, which led many women from the industry to speak out about their experiences of harassment and exploitation. Actress Sonia Malhar recently detailed her own troubling experiences, recounting incidents from her early career. A week after the Hema Committees explosive report on womens working conditions in the Kerala film industry, two film personalities resigned from their #AMMA positions. On Monday, new allegations involving two-time CPI(M) legislator Mukesh emerged.#HemaCommitteeReport pic.twitter.com/0gfK43KEBz Advertisement The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) August 26, 2024 Malhar, who entered the film industry in 2013, described an unsettling encounter on a film set in Thodupuzha. She recounted being against her will in a makeup and costume room, a situation that left her deeply shaken. She also spoke about subsequent professional setbacks, including delayed payments and replacement in roles, which she believes were consequences of her speaking out. Feeling compelled to share her story, Malhar expressed disappointment over the industrys response and the lack of respect for women from outside Kerala. In another case, the police have also filed an FIR against Mukesh M, a CPI (M) MLA from Kollam, following Minu Muneers allegations. Muneer has accused Mukesh, along with Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, of various forms of misconduct during their professional interactions. Muneer detailed instances of verbal and physical abuse, including an incident where Jayasurya allegedly hugged and kissed her forcefully. The allegations from Muneer surfaced on her Facebook page, detailing a series of abusive encounters that date back to 2013. These claims have led to significant changes within the Malayalam film industry, including the resignation of prominent figures such as director Ranjith and actor Siddique from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) amid similar accusations. Muneers allegations have prompted her to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai, highlighting the severity of the issues she faced. The situation continues to unfold as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looks into these serious claims, aiming to address the broader concerns of harassment within the industry. In a developing story from Kerala, the Malayalam film industry is facing renewed scrutiny after an aspiring male actor has filed a sexual assault complaint against well-known director Ranjith. The complaint alleges that Ranjith, who had invited the actor to a hotel in Bangalore in 2012 for what was supposed to be an audition, coerced him into stripping and then assaulted him. The actor initially mistook the encounter as part of the audition process but grew alarmed when Ranjith offered him money the following morning. Kerala Police have formally registered the case, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will handle it. This complaint adds to the mounting controversy surrounding Ranjith, who recently resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy following similar allegations from Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. Mitras complaint has also led to a case against Ranjith, with the police investigating under Section 354, which deals with assault. The timing of these from the male actor allegations is particularly significant as they come shortly after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The 235-page report, redacted to protect identities, reveals extensive harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. It suggests that a small group of influential male figures, including producers, directors, and actors, dominate the industry, wielding significant control over its operations. Advertisement A week after the Hema Committees explosive report on womens working conditions in the Kerala film industry, two film personalities resigned from their #AMMA positions. On Monday, new allegations involving two-time CPI(M) legislator Mukesh emerged.#HemaCommitteeReport pic.twitter.com/0gfK43KEBz The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) August 26, 2024 In response to these developments, the Kerala government has announced the formation of a special investigation team led by a senior police officer. This move follows recent statements from women in the industry who have bravely shared their experiences of abuse and mistreatment. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior officials to ensure a thorough investigation and address the systemic issues revealed by the report. As the investigation unfolds, the Malayalam film industry is under intense scrutiny, with many calling for systemic changes to address the power imbalances and ensure a safer environment for all professionals in the industry. South Korean actor Oh Young Soo, who gained fame for his role as Oh Il-nam (Player No. 1) in the blockbuster drama Squid Game, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over allegations of molesting a woman twice. He has been sentenced to 8 months in prison. His attorney has appealed the decision, arguing that the punishment is harsh. During the latest appeal hearing on August 29, Young Soos legal team presented their argument at the Suwon District Court. They contended that the defendant has faced significant social judgment, including being removed from several films as a result of this case. Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that the sentence was excessively lenient given the severity of the misconduct. In their defense, the actors attorney highlighted his advanced age and claimed there was a misunderstanding of the facts. The lawyer also argued that there was a misinterpretation of the law and that the sentence was unfair. Additionally, the actors lawyer stated that they had not yet decided whether the victim would be a witness. The court responded by indicating that witness examinations would proceed in the next session. Advertisement Also Read: Taeil, K-pop artist, removed from NCT over sexual crime allegations For context, in November 2022, Oh Young Soo was indicted for sexual misconduct. He was accused of inappropriately hugging and holding the hand of an actress in August 2017, while she was residing in the countryside for a play performance. He was also accused of forcibly kissing the actress on the cheek in front of her residence. The sentencing trial took place in March 2024, where Oh Young Soo was found guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to 8 months in prison and received a 2-year suspension. This decision followed an initial prosecution request for a year-long prison sentence. After the conviction, the actor was banned from the KBS channel. Moreover, his role in the movie About Family was recast, despite the completion of filming. Oh Young Soo began his acting career in 1963 and gained widespread recognition for his role in Squid Game. He won the 2021 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, Television, for his performance in the drama, becoming the first South Korean actor to receive this prestigious award. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry after there were massive protests at Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru College of Engineering in Krishna district following allegations that hidden cameras were placed in the washroom of girls hostel. Police however, could not find any cameras hidden in the washroom. The students have alleged that the incident took place a week ago but the management did not take any action. On Thursday night, girl students from the hostel began their protests over the hidden cameras. Students alleged some 300 videos were recorded and then sold to other students of the boys hostel. They blamed a girl student and her boyfriend, who is a final year engineering student, for setting up cameras and selling the recordings. Some students even tried to physically confront the suspected student and the police then arrived to control the situation. Advertisement The police have interrogated the suspect and seized his laptop and mobile phone. However, so far, they have not recovered any camera or recordings as alleged by the students. As the protests intensified, state minister Kollu Ravindra, district collector DK Balaji and SP Gangadhar Rao visited the college. The SP tried to pacify the protestors. We didnt find any cameras hidden in the girls hostel during our probe. We searched the suspected students laptop, mobile phones and other devices in front of the students and college staff. No videos were found. Girl students need not worry about this problem. Further investigation is on, said the SP. State HRD minister Nara Lokesh said, I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras. Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible, adding that the management should take immediate steps in such cases.The YSRCP has alleged a cover up claiming that the owner of the college belonged to TDP. Shockingly, the college belongs to a follower of Telugu Desam Party, which is why they suppressed this issue and ensured it did not come out, even though it has been a week since it happened, alleged the YSRCP. The Union government has assured the Madhya Pradesh government that it will soon release the remaining Rs 1,150 crore for land acquisition and relocation related to the Daudhan Dam and Link Canal, state government officials said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil at his office in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed various issues, including river interlinking projects, with a particular focus on the Ken-Betwa Link Project. According to state government officials, Chief Minister Dr Yadav requested the Union Minister that the Ken-Betwa Link Project should also include the Patne and Byarma Irrigation Projects, covering approximately 250,000 hectares in Madhya Pradesh, instead of the currently planned 90,100 hectares under the Damoh-Panna Lift Irrigation Scheme. The state government is sending a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this regard, and the Union Minister assured a favorable response. Advertisement Chief Minister Dr Yadav informed Union Minister Patil that Madhya Pradesh is playing a crucial role in the Nadi-Jodo campaign. He highlighted that Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are collaboratively working on the Ken-Betwa Link Project, a groundbreaking initiative globally. This project will provide irrigation and drinking water to 10 districts in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. Dr Yadav emphasised that the Ken-Betwa project, under Prime Minister Narendra Modis guidance, aims to bring comprehensive development to this region. At the request of Chief Minister Dr Yadav, the Union Jal Shakti Minister assured that the Centre will soon release the remaining amount of Rs 1,150 crore for land acquisition and relocation of Daudhan Dam and Link Canal. In the meeting, Chief Minister Dr Yadav also had a detailed discussion regarding the Rs 70,000 crore Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, which has been approved by the Government of India and involves collaboration with Rajasthan. Chief Minister Dr Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh is the first state which, apart from connecting rivers with neighbouring states, is also considering connecting inter-state rivers. He informed the Union Minister that a preliminary proposal is being made to link the Kanh and Gambhir rivers, to which the Union Minister has given in-principle approval. In the meeting, Chief Minister Dr Yadav informed that 17 out of 21 schemes have been completed in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Chief Minister Dr Yadav also presented proposals related to the construction of riverbanks and river cleaning to Union Minister Patil for the Simhastha to be held in Ujjain in 2028. Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Friday launched a scathing attack on the CPI-M and the state government for protecting MLA Mukesh, a rape accused. Speaking to media persons here, Satheesan said that there is a power group working in the CPI-M too and that they are fully protecting the accused people. Alleging that the CPI-M is fully protecting the accused, Satheesan said that the CPM-led state government is responsible for the disgrace of Malayalam cinema. Advertisement Even though those who have faced sexual harassment have bravely come forward and revealed the travails they encountered, there is no legal solution being provided to them on the part of the government, Satheesan said. There is no response from the the Chief Minister, despite the pressure from party men for the resignation of Kollam MLA Mukesh, who is facing rape charges, he said. I am wondering what the message the CPI-M is giving by protecting Mukesh, he said. In this connection, Congress leader Anil Akkara has demanded a change of the judge, who is hearing actor Mukeshs anticipatory bail plea in the sexual assault case. Anil Akkara has filed a complaint with the High Court Registrar, stating that Judge Honey M Vargheses affiliations with the CPI-M could compromise the fairness of the proceedings. Judge Honey M Varghese, who is hearing the case, is the daughter of CPI-M Thrissur District Secretary M M Varghese. She also contested the Pananchery Grama Panchayat election as a CPI-M candidate, Anil Akkara said in the complaint. Meanwhile, the police have booked actor Jayasurya in another case of sexual harassment based on a complaint filed by a junior artist. The case was registered by the Karamana police here on the basis of a complaint by the artist, who alleged that she was subjected to sexual harassment by the actor years ago at a movie location in Thodupuzha. The actor was earlier booked by the Cantonment police for alleged sexual harassment of a Kochi-based actress, who worked in the Tamil and Malayalam film industry. Based on her complaint, the special investigation team had recorded her statement and registered cases against seven people, including Jayasurya who had allegedly harassed her. 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 Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Controls Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons List. Advertisement 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 EDs 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 Hakimzadas 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. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, made it unequivocally clear that the era of interrupted dialogues with Pakistan is over, asserting that actions have consequences. Speaking at the release of Ambassador Rajiv Sikris book Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping Indias Foreign Policy here, he said as far as Jammu & Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done. On whether India is content with the current level of relationship with Pakistan, Mr Jaishankar said, Maybe yes, maybe not. But what I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or negative direction. Either way, we will react. Advertisement His comments came days after the minister, during his recent Singapore visit, spoke about Pakistans almost industry-level sponsoring of terrorism and emphasised that India will not skirt this problem. Mr Jaishankars comments are also important in the backdrop of repeated demands by the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party in J & K that India should resume dialogue with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India has received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting to be hosted by Islamabad. Mr Jaishankar, in his remarks at the book release, also termed Indo-US ties as a valuable relationship. The US is today indispensable for our multipolarity to go ahead. Nobody will say we have congruence with the United States. If we actually understand the expectations of the relations. It is not about an alliance and congruence, it is about convergences, overlapping interests, about the ability to work together on issues and areas and theatres which suit us, he said. But there are regions and issues on which we profoundly agree with the US and there are issues on which we do not. It is on full public display, he said. In a significant political development ahead of Jharkhand Assembly polls, due later this year, former chief minister of the state and veteran leader Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at an event in Ranchi on Friday. On joining the saffron party, the 68-year-old former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader expressed his faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I have faith in the PM of the country and Amit Shah. I am now with the largest party in the world. Earlier I was in a regional party. Jai Shree Ram, Champai Soren said. Advertisement Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi among other state BJP leaders were present on the occasion. Along with Champai Soren, many others including his son Babulal Soren and Seraikela-Kharsawan Zila Parishad chairman and partys senior leader Sona Ram Bodra, joined the BJP. In another development, JMM MLA from Ghatshila, Ramdas Soren took oath as a state cabinet minister earlier today replacing Champai Soren in the state cabinet. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the dates for Jharkhand Assembly polls. Champai Soren, popularly known as Kolhan Tiger in Jharkhand politics, has been an MLA from Saraikela assembly constituency six times. Apart from being the CM for five months, he has also been a minister in the state government thrice. Having been associated with the JMM for about 45 years, Champai Soren was a close associate of the party chief Shibu Soren. Champai Soren had resigned from all positions and the primary membership of the JMM on August 28. He became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned as the CM before being arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case. In less than two months, Soren had to step down to allow the return of Hemant Soren to the chair following the latters bail in the case. On August 27, Champai Soren announced his decision to join the BJP owing it to the welfare of tribals in the state. On August 18 itself, I had posted about the politics that happened with me in the party that I made with my blood and sweat. I came out alone from JMM as my intention was not to break the party. Sometimes I thought I would leave politics, then I thought that I would form a new organisation or if I found a partner, I would join them for the betterment of Jharkhand. We have got a good partner in the form of BJP, Soren said while speaking to a news agency on Friday ahead of his joining. We will fight for Jharkhand like before. I will work for the development of Jharkhand, to save the existence of tribals. We will develop Jharkhand, he added. Fatima Latifova On the occasion of Turkiye's Victory Day, Turkiye's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Cahit Bagc?, embassy representatives, and several officials visited the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Baku, Azernews reports. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs, followed by the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Subsequently, the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial and Martyrs' Alley were visited, where a wreath was laid and fresh carnations were placed at the monument. "Today, I once again declare that I am proud in the spiritual presence of our martyrs, Ambassador" Cahit Bagc? said. "We will continue to celebrate our victories shoulder to shoulder with our Azerbaijani brothers, just as we do today," he noted. He also emphasized that they will work towards further development of Turkiye under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In conclusion, Cahit Bagc? once again expressed his gratitude to the souls of the martyrs of both Azerbaijan and Turkiye. It should be noted that the victory achieved under the command of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Dumlup?nar on August 30, 1922, is celebrated as Victory Day in Turkiye. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. COP29 in Azerbaijan will be among the most significant events this year, Helga Schmid, OSCE Secretary General, told Trend in an exclusive interview. "COP29 will be one of the most important events this year, and this is why we plan to engage, bringing our results and initiatives to the table when it comes to climate and security. Climate change is the defining challenge of our times, and the OSCE is uniquely positioned to address the risks it poses," she said. Schmid emphasized the organization's role in bringing together countries across the region to take concrete action against the multifaceted threats posed by climate change. She noted that climate change acts as a "risk multiplier", exacerbating existing challenges in the region. "With our physical presence on the ground in many countries, the OSCE is in a unique position to bring together countries from across the region and take concrete actions to help tackle these challenges," the SecGen said. A recent example of this was the OSCE's initiative in March 2024, where Environment Ministers from across Central Asia convened in Ashgabat to discuss collaborative approaches to environmental challenges. The OSCE's work focuses on addressing the potential security risks stemming from climate change by raising awareness of its scope and implications. The organization works closely with governments, experts, and civil society to enhance their ability to adapt to these challenges. "We're also making sure this knowledge is shared across borders," Schmid added. As COP29 approaches, the OSCE continues to engage with participating states on climate security issues. Schmid highlighted the organization's growing involvement, noting that the OSCE gained observer status at COP28, supported the Central Asia Pavilion, and hosted an event on regional cooperation and climate security. In July, the SecGen traveled to Baku to discuss Azerbaijans priorities with the COP29 presidency and explore how the OSCE can further contribute to global climate efforts. Further speaking, Helga Schmid pointed out that OSCE remains actively engaged with Azerbaijan and Armenia on the peace prospects. "Throughout my time as Secretary General, we have worked on various ideas and steps to move the political process towards achieving sustainable peace, which is so critical after many years of confrontation and human suffering. The OSCE, and in particular the Secretariat, continues to be actively engaged in both countries, through political dialogue and projects. I am convinced that the OSCEs experience and confidence-building measures can contribute to making lasting peace finally a reality," she concluded. India and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. Malaysia is one of the important inbound tourist source markets for India. In the year 2022, over 2.5 lakh Malaysian tourists visited India, the Ministry of Tourism said on Friday. It is hoped that the Memorandum of Understanding will give further llip to tourist arrivals from Malaysia. Advertisement India and Malaysia have very close political, economic and socio-cultural relations. To further strengthen this relationship, India and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Republic of India and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Government of Malaysia for strengthening co-operation in the field of tourism, the Ministry said. The MoU was signed on August 20 between Minister of Tourism and Culture from India, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Y B Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. The main objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding, among others, are: promotion and marketing of tourism products and services; expansion in the field of tourism research, training and development, including exchange programmes; encourage investment in tourism infrastructure, facilities, products and services and exchanging information in the field of medical tourism and encouraging stakeholders to promote the product. The main objectives also are business tourism, which includes meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE); promoting cooperation between tourism stakeholders, tour operators and travel agents and promotion and development of community-based tourism and eco-tourism and responsible tourism. Although elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are being held after a gap of ten years, the ongoing election process is witnessing the absence of three former chief ministers Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad from the electoral arena. Omar Abdullah is the only former chief minister who is contesting the polls this time. He had earlier announced that he wont be contesting the election that is going to produce a chief minister with truncated powers in the Union Territory (UT) but has surprisingly taken a U-turn this week and announced his candidature from the familys traditional Ganderbal constituency. Omar had earlier said that he wouldnt like to become the chief minister of a UT or half-baked state in which he has to seek the permission of the lieutenant governor even for the appointment of his peon. Advertisement The National Conference (NC) president and three-time CM, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was instrumental in clinching a seat-sharing deal with Congress, had announced that he would, this time, contest the Assembly elections and then resign to make place for his son Omar Abdullah when J&K attains full statehood. But the situation has changed with Omar making a somersault on the issue. This is for the first time that Dr. Farooq Abdullah is neither an MP nor contesting the Assembly elections. He was earlier dislodged by not giving him a ticket to contest the recent Lok Sabha election for the Srinagar seat that he was representing at that time. Instead of the NCs traditional Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Omar opted for Baramulla in the recent election and lost. Political circles believe his decision not to contest the Assembly elections had been reversed mainly due to his defeat from Baramulla. Ghulam Nabi Azad, suddenly moving out of J&K amidst the peak of the campaign, has surprised political circles. Azad, who formed the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) with all fanfare after quitting Congress, came to be identified as a B-team of the BJP and his candidates in the Lok Sabha elections forfeited their security deposit. Mehbooba Mufti, who became chief minister of the PDP-BJP coalition government in 2016, has also decided to keep away from the contest and has fielded her daughter Iltija Mufti from her traditional Bijbehara seat in south Kashmir. She also lost the recent Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag seat. Giving the reason for not contesting the elections, Mehbooba said under the present system, she wont be in a position to fulfill her partys agenda if she becomes 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 to invite them for talks. Can you do that today? I got a ceasefire implemented on the ground. Can you do that today? If you cannot take back an FIR as Chief Minister, what does one do with such a post? she said. However taking a dig at Mehbooba, Omar told newsmen on Thursday that those criticising his decision to join the poll fray should look into their own house first. If you are against the present system, you have to stand by that. What is the fun in pushing your close relative in the poll process and standing yourself away, he said in an obvious reference to the PDP chief whose daughter is contesting from the Bijbehera Assembly seat. The Delhi Police have rescued a minor girl from the India-Nepal border and arrested five accused who kidnapped her for ransom from the girls uncle, who owed debts to one of the accused, the police said on Friday. A missing complaint was received at IP Estate police station from a person who said his daughter had gone to a nearby general store in the morning but neither reached the store nor returned home. He suspected abduction. Later, the parents of the girl received an audio message demanding ransom from a foreign number on the social media platform WhatsApp. Advertisement After registering a case, the police initiated an investigation into the matter scanning more than 300 CCTV cameras and call details to trace the number. Eventually, were able to trace the phone number to Sitamarhi, Bihar. Later, the parents revealed that they had monetary issues. It was found that one of the relatives of the girl is from the Sitamarhi district of Bihar. But during interrogation, the relative, Krishan, was giving vague answers. However, on sustained interrogation, he disclosed that he, along with his wife Shahida and three friends, namely Pintu, Sushil, and Sunita, conspired to kidnap the minor girl. He further disclosed that Shahida lured the girl with chocolates and took her to a nearby shop where a car was present at a distance with Pintu, Sushil, and Sunita sitting in it. From there, Krishan and Shahida handed the girl to them, who took the girl to Bihar. The investigation team, through the analyses of the call details of all the suspects, came to know that the girl was being transported to Nepal through Sitamarhi. A team of the Delhi Police flew to Sitamarhi and nabbed the trio, Pintu, Sushil, Sunita, and a driver Lallan, with the minor girl from the Indo-Nepal border. During the investigation, they disclosed that they were taking the girl to Pintus uncle in Nepal. They kidnapped the girl for ransom as her uncle Shakil Ansari was in debt to Krishan. After her rescue, the girl was handed over safely to her parents, the police added. The Meghalaya government, led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, is making strides in advancing scientific coal mining in the state. Recently, the government received 36 applications for scientific coal mining, of which four have secured prior approval for a mining lease, and 13 have received previous approval for a prospecting license. Sixteen applications are pending approval, while three have been withdrawn. Four applicants have submitted their mining plans, which are currently under review by the authorities, Sangma told the assembly. Advertisement The shift towards scientific coal mining is significant, particularly in light of Meghalayas long history with rat-hole coal mininga method infamous for its hazardous and environmentally damaging practices. Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow, shallow tunnels, often without adequate safety measures, leading to frequent accidents and severe environmental degradation. The practice, deeply embedded in the states economy, was largely unregulated, making it difficult to ensure miners safety and environmental protection. In April 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya due to the devastating impact of rat-hole mining on the environment. The ban, though necessary, had severe repercussions on the states economy, leaving thousands of people who depended on coal mining without a livelihood. However, the Conrad Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has been proactive in reviving coal mining within the bounds of legality and sustainability. The efforts bore fruit when, on July 3, 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment, recognizing the rights of private and community landowners over both surface and sub-surface resources, including coal. This ruling reaffirmed the ownership rights of Meghalayas indigenous people over their natural resources, paving the way for a more structured and lawful approach to mining. In March 2021, under Sangmas leadership, the state government received approval for the standard operating procedures (SOPs) required to obtain a prospecting license and mining lease for coal. These SOPs are designed to ensure that coal mining in Meghalaya adheres to scientific methods, emphasizing sustainable practices with minimal environmental impact. The approach includes advanced technologies like remote sensing, aerial surveys, and 3D modeling, alongside reclamation efforts to restore mining areas. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating urban Naxalism following the arrest of a CPI Maoist member in Ballia last year, raided four states, including Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. In UP, two youths were interrogated, one each in Prayagraj and Maharajganj. In the same case, evidence was collected on September 6 last year following raids in Varanasi, Chandauli, Prayagraj, Deoria, and Azamgarh. On Friday, raids were conducted in four districts. Advertisement The NIA investigation has revealed that many affiliates of the banned organisation are recruiting youth to carry out anti-national activities. During the raid, the NIA team recovered a mobile phone, laptop, pen drive, CD, memory card, and many SIM cards. A large number of local policemen accompanied the six-member NIA team. A report from Prayagraj said that the NIA team raided the residence of Inquilabi Naujawan Morcha member Devendra Azad, who resides in a lodge located at Govindpur Salori in the Shivkuti police station area. Sources said that the NIA team conducted an extensive search of Devendras room before taking him into custody for interrogation. It is alleged that Devendra could face charges related to the funding of urban Naxalism. Devendra is originally from Bhalokhara police station in Fatehabad area of Agra district. He was currently staying in a lodge at Govindpur Salori in Shivkuti and is reportedly a student of Allahabad University. The NIA team, which arrived in Prayagraj on Friday morning, continued its operation until around noon. Last year, a search operation was conducted at four places in the city, including the residence of PUCL state president Seema Azad in Shivkuti. Meanwhile, another report said that the NIA and SWAT team of the district raided a house in Karamahiya village under the Nichlaul police station area in Maharajganj district. The NIA team interrogated a youth named Jitendra and seized his mobile phone and some magazines from his room. Sources said that Jitendra has been asked to report to the NIA office in Lucknow on September 10. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving a clean chit to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch in the wake of the Hindenburg Research report against her. Earlier this month, the US-based short-seller alleged that Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal. The couple had dismissed the Hindenburg report. Ramesh, who is the Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, while referring to a report on the SEBI Chairperson, in a post on X wrote, This is a fresh and damaging revelation by a member of the SEBI Board. It calls into question the credibility of the statement put out defending the SEBI Chairperson on potential conflicts of interest in SEBIs investigations into violations by the Adani Group. Advertisement Attacking Prime Minister Modi, he said, The non-biological PM has given the SEBI Chairperson a clean chit. But for how long?. Ramesh along with his post also shared a news report which claimed that the SEBI chairperson did not rescue herself from the Adani probe. Earlier, the Congress leader demanded her resignation and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe over the matter. The Chairpersons continuance in her role is untenable. She must resign, and a full JPC investigation must be conducted into the Adani Mega Scam, he had said. The Congress held a nationwide protest demanding resignation of the SEBI Chairperson over the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off three new Vande Bharat trains on three routes Meerut-Lucknow; Madurai-Bengaluru and Chennai-Nagercoil on Saturday. Realising the prime ministers vision of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will improve the connectivity on these three routes. According to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the Meerut City Lucknow Vande Bharat will help passengers save around 1 hour in comparison to the current fastest train between the two cities. Advertisement Likewise, the Chennai Egmore Nagercoil Vande Bharat and Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat trains will cover the journey, saving more than 2 hours and around 1 hour 30 minutes respectively. These new Vande Bharat trains will provide the people of the region the world-class means to travel with speed and comfort and will cater to three states Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The introduction of these Vande Bharat Express trains will herald a new standard of rail service to meet the needs of regular travellers, professionals, businessmen, and the student community in immense measure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Brunei on September 3-4 and then pay a two-day visit to Singapore on September 4-5, it was officially announced on Friday. At a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the PM will be visiting Brunei at the invitation of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and it will be the first-ever bilateral visit by the Indian PM. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is scheduled to visit Brunei Darussalam, during 3-4 September. This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei, the spokesperson said. Advertisement After concluding his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. From Brunei, the Prime Minister will visit Singapore on 4-5 September at the invitation of Prime Minister His Excellency Mr Lawrence Wong of Singapore. During the visit, there are several elements of the program, the spokesperson added. The PMs visit to Singapore will take place days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The two nations explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. On the first leg of his US visit to scout for mega investments, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that reputed global tech giants have inked deals worth Rs 900 crore on the very first day of his meeting with industry captains at San Francisco. The deals signed at Silicon Valley will generate 4,100 jobs across the state, the chief minister said in an X post. Companies, including the Finnish telecom giant Nokia, PayPal, and Microchip among others, are all set to start new plants. Of this, Nokia is to set up its worlds largest fixed network test bed at a cost of Rs 450 crore near Chengalpattu, adjoining Chennai, which will change the technology landscape. It will spearhead Nokias high-speed internet access in 10 gigabit (G), 25 (G), 50 (G) and 100 (G) passive optical networks. Stalin, who is on a fortnight-long tour, said, The first day in San Francisco has set a promising tone for the days to follow! We have secured investments exceeding Rs 900 crore in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Chengalpattu, paving the way for 4,100 jobs. With two more weeks ahead, he hoped that the momentum would continue to attract more investments, propelling the states march towards a trillion-dollar economy. Advertisement While the proposed largest R&D lab of Nokia will provide 100 jobs, PayPal will generate 1000 jobs. With a Rs 250-crore investment Microchip will provide 1,500 jobs, and Yield Engineering Systems is investing Rs 150 crore to generate 300 jobs. Infinix Systems will invest Rs 50 crore with a potential for 500 jobs and Applied Materials will create 500 jobs. PayPals advanced AI Development Centre coming up in Chennai while Yield Engineerings semi-conductor product development and manufacturing centre will come up at Sulur near Coimbatore. Microchips R&D centre will be established at Semmancherry, on the outskirts of Chennai while Infinix will have its global delivery system at Vdapazhanji near Madurai. Applied Materials will set up its AI-enabled semi-conductor equipment manufacturing hub in Chennai. At the meeting with the captains of industry, Stalin described Tamil Nadu as the ideal destination in the whole of South Asia for investment and will roll out a red carpet to industries. The Uttar Pradesh government, on Friday, informed the Supreme Court that the cases pending in the state against the makers of Amazon Prime Videos series Tandav are closed. A bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice K V Viswanathan was told by the Uttar Pradesh government that the cases that were registered in or were transferred to the state stood closed, as closure reports had been filed by the authorities. In all the FIRs in UP, final reports have been filed. There were three FIRs in UP. In all the three we have filed closure reports, an advocate appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government told the court. Advertisement The advocate representing the Maharashtra government told the bench that the FIR registered at Ghatkopar had been transferred to Uttar Pradesh. However, the advocate for the Madhya Pradesh government informed the court that in April the investigation in the subject FIRs was going on and sought some time to file a status report. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju told the bench that insofar as Delhi is concerned the matter had become infructuous. As far as the NCT of Delhi is concerned, we have transferred the case to Lucknow. Nothing survives as far as we are concerned. We are not doing any investigation, ASG Raju told the bench. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for petitioner Amazon Amazon India Originals head Aparna Purohit, said cases are pending only in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The court was hearing a plea of Aparna Purohit, who had approached the top court against the Allahabad High Court order that denied anticipatory bail to her in the investigation against the web series Tandav. The high court on February 25, 2021, declined to give protection from arrest to Purohit by dismissing her anticipatory bail application. In March 2021, Purohit was granted interim anticipatory bail by the top court. The Uttar Pradesh Police had filed an FIR against the top Amazon Prime executive for derogatory depiction of Hindu deities and promoting religious enmity through the series. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. According to the World Bank and the UN, its effects are already being felt across every continent and in most countries, threatening the lives, health, and well-being of billions of people. As global warming's impacts become more pronounced, adapting to a changing climate and building resilience against its effects have become top priorities on the international agenda. Why is adaptation crucial? One of the core objectives of the Paris Agreement is to reduce the overall risks associated with climate change through developing and implementing adaptation strategies. This means that participating countries must enhance their adaptation capabilities and secure sufficient financial support for these efforts. The World Bank estimates that, by 2050, climate change could create over 140 million climate migrants in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America alone. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ecosystem degradation are already forcing millions to leave their homes, with the most vulnerable populations, especially in developing countries, bearing the brunt. Adaptation not only helps mitigate risks and damages but also supports sustainable development. For instance, adopting resilient agricultural practices can boost yields despite changing climate conditions, and building infrastructure that can withstand floods and droughts can save countless lives and significant amounts of money. The role of financial support Effective adaptation requires substantial funding. The UN emphasizes that developing countries, in particular, need international support to implement adaptation programs. Under the Paris Agreement, developed nations have committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually for climate actions in developing countries. However, the World Bank notes that funding needs are much higher, and additional efforts and resources are essential to achieve meaningful results. At COP29 in Baku, discussions will focus on increasing this funding to $150 billion. Improving the coordination of international financial flows is also crucial to ensure that resources reach the most vulnerable countries and regions. This involves creating and supporting mechanisms that enable rapid responses to climate threats and promote sustainable development. Global efforts to build resilience Adapting to climate change involves creating and implementing measures to mitigate its impacts on communities and ecosystems. The UN report highlights that adaptation strategies can range from constructing infrastructure resilient to extreme weather to developing new agricultural methods suited to changing climate conditions. Building resilience requires both national and international efforts. Key to this is the exchange of knowledge and technology between countries, which helps develop more effective adaptation strategies. International organizations like the World Bank and the UN play a pivotal role in coordinating and supporting these initiatives. To successfully adapt to climate change and lessen its negative effects, countries must develop their own adaptation strategies while also cooperating at the international level. The UN and the World Bank are crucial in mobilizing financial resources and building the capacity of nations to tackle climate challenges. Building resilience to climate change is not just about survival but also about enhancing economic stability and ensuring a better future for all. It's vital that all parties to the Paris Agreement continue working towards these goals to reduce risks and adapt to new climate realities. Addressing the impacts of climate change requires decisive, coordinated global action. As Chief Negotiator for COP29, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiev, pointed out, COP meetings are crucial platforms for tackling climate change. If climate change continues on its current path or worsens, the world faces a major disaster. To prevent this, UN member states and partners of the Rio de Janeiro Convention and Paris Agreement must take serious and effective steps. COP meetings are among the most suitable platforms for such action, Rafiev emphasized. The 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is set to take place in Azerbaijan this November. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11 of last year. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday strongly condemned a member of Parliament terming the acts of violence against women a symptomatic malaise. Addressing the students and faculty members on the theme Role of Women in Viksit Bharat at the Bharati college, University of Delhi today, the Vice-President said, I am appalled; I am pained and somewhat surprised that someone holding a position in the Supreme Court Bar, a Member of Parliament, acting in a manner and what does he say? A symptomatic malaise and suggested that such incidents are commonplace ? What a shame! Words fail me in condemning such a stance. It is doing the greatest injustice to the high position. Dhankhars remarks follow a controversial resolution passed by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal on August 21, addressing the rape-murder case at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sibals resolution described the incident as a symptomatic malaise, which has sparked criticism. Advertisement Expressing his pain over suggestions made by a person in high position calling such outrageous incidents are commonplace, Dhankhar termed the statements extremely shameful. He stressed that Such statements were akin to trivialising the suffering of our girls. For partisan interest? For self-interest? You take a stance, leveraging your authority to perpetrate such kind of heinous injustice to our girls and women? What can be a greater injustice to humanity? We trivialise the suffering of our girls? No, not any longer, he added. Calling upon the citizens to echo the clarion call of enough is enough of President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar said, The President has said, enough is enough! Let us call it enough is enough. I want this clarion call to be a national call. I want everyone to be a participant in this call. Let us resolve, create a system, no longer, zero accommodation, zero tolerance when you make a girl or woman a victim. You are injuring our civilisation, you are injuring sublimity, you are behaving like a monster. You are exemplifying barbarity to an extreme draconian level. Nothing should come in the way and I want everyone in the country to heed the sane, sage and timely caution by the President of India. Stating that the fear in the minds of girls and women is a cause of concern, Dhankhar said, The society where women and girls do not feel safe is not a civilised society. That democracy is tarnished; it is the biggest obstacle to our progress today. The fear in the mind of our girls and women is a cause of concern, is a national concern. How can in the land of Bharat, girls and women be unsafe. How can their dignity be outraged?in hospital when a girl doctor is in service of humanity saving lives of others? emphasised the Vice-President. Stressing on the need of financial independence for girls and women, Dhankhar emphasised, I call upon each of you to be financially independent. This is quintessentially important for you to unleash your energy and potential. Girls are the most important stakeholders in the development of the Nation. They constitute the backbone and spinal strength of the rural economy, agro-economy, and informal economy, he added. Advocating for decimation of gender-based inequities; the VP highlighted the existing gender disparity in terms of pay and opportunities for women in the society. But can we say that there is no gender disparity today? Same qualification but different pay, better qualification but not equal opportunities. That mindset has to change. The ecosystem has to be equitable, inequities have to be decimated, Dhankhar added. Highlighting Indias current growth trajectory, he stressed that this progress cannot be achieved without the full participation of women, who constitute half of the countrys population. The very thought of India as a developed nation without the participation of girls and women is not rational. They have energy, they have talent. With your participation, the dream of a developed India will be fulfilled before 2047, he remarked. Drawing attention to the need for a Uniform Civil Code, the Vice-President underlined, Uniform Civil Code is a Constitutional ordainment. It is in directive principles. The Supreme Court has severally held it is being delayed, but Uniform Civil Code that has been on the shelf for too long, is a small measure of justice to your segment. Look around what it means. It will help in several ways, but majorly it will help your gender. 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. Advertisement 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. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released photographs of the rifle and the backpack used by Thomas Crooks, who attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania in July. The photographs show how the rifle could have been broken down to fit in the SwissGear backpack found at the site from where Crooks had fired eight bullets. The semi-automatic rifle was an A-15 made by DPMS Panther Arms, a leading manufacturer of these weapons. Caliber: 5.56x45mm/.223. Advertisement Thomas Crooks rifle broke down as was likely done for transport and the backpack was recovered onsite, the FBI mentioned in a caption along with the photograph. The FBI also released a photograph of two improvised explosive devices that were found in the trunk of Crooks. The receiver for remote detonation was in the OFF position; the devices had several problems in the way they were constructed, the FBI said. The assassination attempt on the former US President took place on July 13 when he was addressing a Republican campaign rally in Buttler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Crooks was from a village Bethel Park around 65 km from the venue of Trumps rally. Crooks fired multiple gunshots at Trump from an AR-15-style rifle. One of the shots scraped through Trumps ear. The gunman had positioned himself on the roof of a manufacturing plant that was around 120 metres away from the stage where Trump was delivering a speech. Trump, however, survived the assassination bid as US Secret Service agents rushed the stage to shield him. The attack led to the death of one civilian and caused severe injuries to two others. Crooks was eventually shot dead at the rally by the US Secret Service Counter Sniper Team. The FBI, speaking about Thomas Crooks Internet search history, said that he had searched more than 60 times for information about Trump and President Joe Biden as well. Crooks online searches date as far back as September 2023. He registered for the Trump rally at which he opened fire after nearly a year-long extensive search. The government Friday rejected a CNN report that blamed India for the recent floods in Bangladesh, saying the reports narrative is misleading and factually not correct. At a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. He said the report has also ignored the fact that the two countries have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management. Advertisement The CNN had stated, Dozens of people CNN met in Feni which is only a few miles from the India border accused New Delhi of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in neighbouring Tripura state with no warning. India denied the dam release was deliberate and said excessive rain was a factor. The government said that a power outage and communications breakdown meant they were unable to issue the usual warning to its neighbours downstream. Iraq exported about 108.053 million barrels of crude oil in July, the countrys 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, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Iraqs economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for about 90 percent of the countrys revenues. Pakistan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting scheduled to be hosted by Islamabad in October, India confirmed Friday. Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the Council of Heads of State Government meeting (SCO meeting) that is to happen. We dont have an update on that. We will let you know what the situation is later, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. The SCO event in Pakistan 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. Advertisement During a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said invitations have been sent to heads of SCO member countries for attending the SCO meet. An invitation has also been sent to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Dawn quoted Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch saying. Some countries, he said, had already confirmed their participation in the meeting. Thailand has tightened efforts to monitor all individuals infected with monkeypox (mpox) and their close contacts, ensuring that they are under strict surveillance to prevent further spread of the disease, health officials said on Thursday. The move came after the Southeast Asian country confirmed its first known case of a new, more infectious mpox variant last week, marking the second detection of the Clade 1b strain of the virus outside Africa. Authorities have been actively monitoring all close and at-risk contacts daily and no additional Clade 1b cases have been found since August 14, said Department of Disease Control Director-General Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement The infected patient is receiving isolated treatment to prevent further transmission and will continue to be treated until turning noncontagious, Thongchai said in a statement. Thongchai noted that mpox remains a communicable disease under surveillance, which requires cooperation from close contacts and at-risk individuals to follow specific guidelines for 21 days post-exposure and healthcare workers to strictly follow infection prevention protocols. Heightened screening procedures, including laboratory testing at airports, have been implemented at all international entry points, focused on travellers arriving from Africa, where approximately 300 arrivals occur daily, he added. The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14 following an outbreak of a deadlier new variant across and outside Africa. Typhoon Shanshan, which made its landfall on Thursday in the 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 prefecture of Aichi, caused by the warm, moist air from the typhoon on Tuesday, 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, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. TotalEnergies has entered into a $100 million agreement with Anew Climate, a leading North American climate solutions provider, and Aurora Sustainable Lands, a U.S.-based carbon-stewardship company and forest landowner, Trend reports. This partnership aims to protect productive forests from intensive timber harvesting, promote sustainable management practices, and enhance the forests' capacity to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere. The investment will support Improved Forest Management (IFM) practices across a portfolio of 20 carbon projects spanning 300,000 hectares in 10 U.S. states, including Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands will oversee these projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards of additionality and durability. The environmental benefits of these initiatives include preserving natural carbon sinks by reducing timber harvesting, improving water and soil quality, protecting biodiversity, and conserving natural habitats. The carbon credits generated by these projects will be acquired by TotalEnergies and held until after 2030. The company plans to use these credits to voluntarily offset part of its remaining direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions, after prioritizing emission avoidance and reduction. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 30. The Board of Directors of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited have gathered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to review the ongoing development of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, a critical component of Turkmenistan's energy strategy, Trend reports. This large-scale project, designed to modernize the countrys fuel and energy complex, aims to establish a new infrastructure for exporting energy resources to global markets. During the meeting, the board members emphasized TAPI's strategic importance in enhancing both regional and global energy security. By connecting Turkmenistan with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, the pipeline is expected to drive socio-economic development across these nations, creating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth along its route. The Board underscored the importance of maintaining momentum in the projects implementation, stressing that all necessary measures must be taken to ensure the successful completion of the pipeline. As a top priority for Turkmenistan, the TAPI project is seen as vital not only for expanding the nations export capabilities but also for bolstering its role in the international energy landscape. Expected to deliver 33 billion cubic meters annually, construction on the TAPI project began in Turkmenistan on December 13, 2015. Turkmenistan is the primary gas supplier and plays a key role in the pipeline's development, aiming to diversify its energy export routes and enhance regional economic ties. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dr Shambhu Sharan was a renowned cardiologist. He dedicated his life to serving the people of his native district, Motihari. Dr Shambhu Sharan had established a small hospital, Sharan Hospital, in Motihari, but he always dreamt of his legacy being carried forward by his family. The people of Motihari didnt have much choice to get the best medical service otherwise. He wanted his son, Dr Ashutosh, and daughter-in-law, Dr Jasbir, to do things differently and bring better medical care to the people of Motihari. Dr Shambhu Sharan told his son that while his legacy continues, he would like to see the two doctors from the family develop a brand of their own. Respecting his sentiments, Dr Ashutosh and Dr Jasbir started a small 10-bed hospital named Sharan Clinic at Gyan Babu Chowk, Motihari, and never looked back. Dr Nikita Sharan, daughter and Radiologist, and son, Dr Nikhil Sharan, a laparoscopic surgeon now take the legacy forward. The doctor couple is confident that their patients will benefit from Dr Nikita and Dr Nikhil Sharans contributions. They are committed to making their hospital in Motihari set a milestone in the medical world of the state. Childhood and Education Born in October 1956 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Ashutosh Sharan did his early education at the famous St. Xaviers School in Patna. After that, he enrolled in Gardnibagh High School in Patna, where he studied till class VI. On the advice of the family, Ashutosh moved to Bettiah. He enlisted in Christ Raza High School in seventh grade and passed the matriculation examination in 1971. Life Partner Remembering the old days, Dr Ashutosh Sharan says that he met Jasbir Kaur Sharan in the medical college, who was not only his classmate but was recognised as a meritorious student. Dr Sharan says that his growing closeness with Jasbir proved to be the turning point of his life. And in 1983 they got married. Dr Jasbir Kaur Sharan had passed the eleventh examination from the famous St. Josephs Convent High School in Patna and, in 1972, enrolled in Patna Science College. In 1973, she enrolled in Darbhanga Medical College, and in 1979, Dr Jasbir and Ashutosh completed their MBBS together. Building a Career Together The couple has single-handedly brought laurels to the medical world. They started a small clinic at Motiharis Gyan Babu Chowk in 1985, which has left an indelible mark in the states medical world. The journey began at Darbhanga Medical College. Dr Ashutosh Sharan started training in General Surgery under the guidance of the renowned Dr Narendra Prasad at Patna Medical College and Hospital during the period 1982-84. At the same time, Dr Jasbir obtained an MD from Darbhanga Medical College. In 1983, Dr Ashutosh worked as an SDMO in MJK Hospital, Bettiah. Dr Ashutosh Sharan took study leave and completed PG from Patna Medical College and Hospital between 1982-84 and 1985. He immensely contributed to TB Hospital in Motihari by serving the poor patients. In 1988, Dr Jasbir Kaur Sharan was working in the health department of the Bihar government and was appointed by the state government to the referral hospital in Laxmipur, Munger. Due to her husbands posting in Motihari, she got the transfer in a year to Motiharis Sadar. In Motihari Sadar Hospital she served for a long period. But she was transferred from Sadar Hospital in Motihari to MJK Government Hospital in Bettiah, where Jasbir worked till 2004-05 and took VRS. Way Forward Ashutosh Nursing Home was now ready to treat the patients of the district with a better option of multi-speciality services near the small Sharan Hospital established by the father. Dr Ashutosh and Dr Jasbir say that it is usually seen in a multi-speciality hospital that all types of diagnostic facilities are available under one roof. But in our hospital, we have kept other facilities like Pathology, Chemist Shop, Ultrasound, etc. away from the hospital premises so that the patient can get the test done wherever they want, the doctor couple said. Considering the better medical care, senior doctors of Patna also come to Motihari to provide their services. Serving Society a Bit More The couple joined the Lions Club of Motihari in 1982 with the intention of social service. Dr Ashutosh is currently the president of Lions Club, and Dr Jasbir is set to become the next president. Vistara, the full service joint venture airline between the Tatas and Singapore Airlines, which had carved a name for itself in service quality in barely a decade, will cease to exist by November 12. This follows the regulatory approvals coming in for its planned merger with Air India. As we progress further in our growth journey, we want to emphasise that this merger is about offering them more choice with a larger fleet and a wider network, while elevating the overall travel experience. Vistara and Air India are committed to ensuring that this transition is smooth and hassle-free, said Vinod Kannan, CEO of Vistara. In a statement released on Friday morning, Air India and Vistara put to rest all speculations about the fate of the merger, saying that passengers will be able to make bookings for Vistara till November 11, following which, they will be redirected to Air Indias booking and other service points. All Vistara aircraft thereafter, will be operated by Air India and bookings for the routes operated by these aircraft will be redirected to Air Indias website. The Tatas had started Vistara after growing tired of waiting for Air Indias privatisation. They launched the airline in 2014, which quickly gained a reputation for service quality. However, the eventual selling of the national carrier to the Tatas in 2022 left the Tatas with four airline brands in their kitty - Air India, Air India Express, Vistara and the India subsidiary of AirAsia. Rationalisation decisions were then taken to merge AirAsia India into Air India Express, and to merge Vistara into Air India, the latter decision causing more than a bit of heartburn amongst frequent travellers and aviation analysts. However, since Campbell Wilson (he used to head the budget wing of SIA called Scoot) took over as the CEO and MD, the pace quickened, with Tatas and the new AI mandarins pushing for a faster merger. This also led to a churn, with Vistara pilots famously striking work this summer. Cross-functional teams from Air India and Vistara have been working together for many months to make the transition of aircraft, flying crew, ground-based colleagues and, most importantly, our valued customers, into the new Air India as seamless as possible, said Wilson, The joint team looks forward to offering our guests an expanded network, additional flight options, an enhanced frequent flyer program and the best of both antecedent airlines and are grateful for the support of our loyal customers through this next phase of building a world class, world scale, global airline with an Indian heart. The statement, released by Air Indias media team in Gurugram, also said that updates will be given to frequent fliers of both airlines as well as passengers soon, regarding airmails, lounge access, check-in and ancillary services. During this transition period, both Vistara and Air India will ensure necessary support, consistent communication, and convenience to all customers, every step of the way, the statement said, adding that both airlines will ensure necessary support, consistent communication, and convenience to all customers, every step of the way. Divya Prabha, the Malayalam actor who excelled as one of the two leads in "All We Imagine as Light," which won the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes, mentioned that she hasn't noticed an increase in opportunities even after the Cannes triumph. Directed by Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine as Light was the first Indian film since 1994 to compete in the main competition at Cannes and win the Grand Prix. In the film, Prabha portrayed Anu, a Malayali nurse living in Mumbai. Notably, when the Cannes was happening, a debate about the invisible women was gaining momentum in Prabha's home industry, Mollywood, where film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and netizens were discussing the lack of representation of women in recent blockbuster Malayalam films. Speaking at the Manorama News Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram, Prabha expressed that actors like her have to choose roles from the limited options available to them. "I do not know whether the industry sees me as an actor who only does indie films. There has been hardly any increase in opportunities from commercial cinema," Prabha said. Notably, she was nominated for Best Actress at the 2022 Locarno Film Festival in the international competition section for the movie Ariyippu, directed by Mahesh Narayanan. More women seem to be mustering the courage to speak up against the powerful actors and other celebrities in the Malayalam movie industry, as another actress filed a complaint against actor Jayasurya, accusing him of sexual misconduct. In her complaint, the woman claimed that Jayasurya misbehaved with her at a shooting location in Thodupuzha of Idukki district in Kerala. The complaint was lodged by an actress from Thiruvananthapuram, and it has been transferred to the Thodupuzha police. READ MORE: Mollywood MeToo allegations: Kerala police file 17 cases against Malayalam artistes including Siddique The first case against the actor was registered based on the complaint of an actress from Kochi, who alleged that he misbehaved with her near the restroom during a film shoot at the state secretariat. The case was registered under IPC sections 354, 354A, and 509. Under severe stress, going on a solo trip, says Sreelekha Mitra Meanwhile, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra who filed a complaint against director Ranjith said she is under severe mental stress and will be going on a solo trip. In an Instagram post, she announced that she would deactivate her Facebook account until the controversies ended. ALSO READ: Mollywood sex scandal: Kerala man claims director Ranjith sent his nude pics to Revathi She requested privacy during her solo trip and asked not to be contacted regarding the controversies in the film industry. Meanwhile, the youth from Kozhikode district of Kerala who had previously raised allegations against Ranjith is set to record his statement on Friday in a complaint he submitted to the DGP. The youth claims he was pressured to change his statement. He alleged that Ranjith molested him in Bengaluru in 2012 after he had sought a role in a film. Following the allegations by Sreelekha Mitra, Ranjith resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy. Malayalam actor-director Lal on Friday said casting couch is a reality in the film industry. During long shooting schedules, cast and crew will be residing in hospitality establishments and predators may exploit such situations, Lal said. The senior Mollywood artist said that the "casting couch" is happening across cinema industries and is not limited to the Malayalam movie sector. READ HERE | Rape allegation: Actor Siddique was at hotel in 2016 for film preview, Thiruvananthapuram Police confirms Following allegations of sexual assault being raised against senior Malayalam cine artists in the backdrop of the Hema Committee report, Lal said the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (A.M.M.A) is not a gang of robbers. "The guilty should be probed and punished. None should be spared. However, no one should get convicted based on bogus claims or enmity... ALSO READ | #MeToo in Malayalam cinema: CPI(M) on the defensive as police register rape case against MLA Mukesh "AMMA's decisions are made amicably. AMMA is not an organisation of robbers who make decisions to trap a particular person. Actors are not bad persons," Lal told media. Responding to the allegations against his colleague Siddique, Lal said he was shocked. "I was shocked to learn about (the accusation levelled against) Siddique. It was something that we expect from anyone. We can't understand anybody completely these days. We just believe everybody is good souls," 'Karnan' actor Lal said. ALSO READ | Mollywood sex scandal: Kerala man claims director Ranjith sent his nude pics to Revathi Siddique, 61, is being probed for sexually assaulting an actor in 2016. Thiruvananthapuram Museum Police is investigating Siddique under IPC 376 and 506 for the rape of the woman, who was 21 at the time of the incident. He resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors A.M.M.A after the allegations surfaced. Siddique and Mukesh, two senior actors being probed for sexual misconduct, are close friends of Lal, who co-directed the superhit comedy-suspense thriller 'In Harihar Nagar' before making two sequels with the same cast over a decade later. Mukesh and Siddique essayed lead roles in the movie alongside Ashokan and Jagadeesh. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed regret over his comments regarding bail granted to Bharat Rashtra Samiti leader K. Kavitha on Friday and added he is a firm believer of judiciary. The Supreme Court had rapped Reddy for his comments questioning the bail on Thursday. In a post on X, Reddy said, I have the highest regard and full faith in the Indian Judiciary. I understand that certain press reports dated 29th August, 2024 containing comments attributed to me have given the impression that I am questioning the judicial wisdom of the Honourable Court. I reiterate that I am a firm believer of the judicial process. Expressing regret, the Telangana CM said his remarks were taken out of context. I unconditionally express my regret for the statements reflected in the press reports. The remarks attributed to me in such reports have been taken out of context. Reddy said he has unconditional regard for the judiciary and its independence. As a firm believer in the Constitution of India and its ethos, I have and continue to hold the Judiciary in its highest esteem, he said. The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to BRS leader K. Kavitha in cases linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. Responding on the bail, the Telangana CM said there are doubts about how Kavitha secured bail. "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," PTI reported quoting Reddy. A three-judge bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, P.K. Mishra and K.V. Viswanathan disapproved these comments while hearing the petition seeking transfer of the trial in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case from Bhopal. "What sort of statement is this by a responsible chief minister? Have you read in the newspaper what he said?... Is this the kind of statement which should be made by a chief minister? A constitutional functionary is speaking in this manner?," Justice B.R. Gavai pointed out to Reddy's lawyer while hearing the case. The SC also expressed anger over dragging the court into 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," SC said."Do we pass orders on political considerations?" the bench asked. In a jolt to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the BJP on Friday. Soren had resigned from JMM citing dissatisfaction with the party's current functioning style. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the ceremony in Ranchi, where Soren along with a large number of his supporters joined the party officially. ALSO READ | Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren to join BJP on August 30, meets Amit Shah "After I was put under surveillance by the Jharkhand government in Delhi and Kolkata, my resolve to join BJP strengthened," said Soren after joining the party. He said the BJP can save the tribals' identity and check infiltration in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana. He also added that he will fulfil whatever responsibilities the party will assign him. #WATCH | Ranchi: Former Jharkhand CM and BJP leader Champai Soren says, "I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. I will fulfil whatever responsibilities the party will assign me" pic.twitter.com/Eww8vq677Y ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 "I am committed to delivering justice to the people," said Soren. #WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says, "Champai Soren worked very hard for the creation of Jharkhand and he dedicated his life to the service of the public. He has joined the BJP to remove the corrupt Jharkhand government from power. We welcome pic.twitter.com/jJbaPh86cX ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 ALSO READ | Will the 'Champai factor' hurt INDIA bloc's prospects in Jharkhand Assembly polls? The veteran leader got emotional while speaking about JMM and said he had nurtured the party with his sweat and blood. "The party humiliated and insulted me. I am compelled to join the BJP...I was not in a position to tolerate humiliation," said Soren. Champai Soren, also known as 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his significant role in the fight for statehood, became chief minister on February 2, following Hemant Soren's resignation and arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. After Hemant Soren was granted bail, he resumed the office on July 4 forcing Champai Soren to resign. Speculation was rife since then as Champai was unhappy with the partys decision. In a letter to party supremo Shibu Soren on Wednesday, Champai said he was compelled to quit after being "aggrieved by the present style of functioning of the JMM and its policies". "I have never imagined that I would quit JMM, a party which is like a family to me... The turn of events of the past forced me to make this decision with much pain...I am pained to say that the party has deviated from its principle," the letter said. Champai Soren began his political career by winning the Saraikela seat as an Independent MLA in 1991. He later contested as a JMM candidate and won the seat again in 1995. The past year has been a challenging one for K. Kavitha, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). Engulfed in allegations related to the Delhi liquor policy case, her prominence within the party was reduced during the Assembly elections held in December 2023. The BRS party faced defeat, including in the constituencies where she had campaigned for local candidates. Moreover, there were concerns that her association with a liquor scam had tarnished the partys reputation, particularly in rural and conservative areas of the state. ALSO READ | Liquor policy case: Delhi Court remands BRS leader Kavitha till July 3 As the BRS struggled to come to terms with its newfound status as the opposition after nearly a decade in power, Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March this year. In the general elections held shortly after her arrest, she chose not to contest her traditional seat, Nizamabad. Party insiders believed her chances of winning were slim given the case against her. Surprisingly, there were no significant and prolonged protests from the party following her arrest. ALSO READ | Liquor policy case: Supreme Court grants bail to BRS leader Kavitha in ED, CBI cases During her time in Tihar, Kavitha faced health issues, raising concerns among her family and party members. Sources close to her reported that she had lost around 10 kg and contracted viral infections multiple times. She also developed hypertension, requiring daily medication. Kavitha was arrested by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED on charges of money laundering and corruption. According to the investigating agencies, she was part of the south group that allegedly conspired with AAP leaders to pay kickbacks amounting to 100 crores to influence the Delhi liquor policy in return for undue benefits. Although her bail plea was initially denied by lower courts, the Supreme Court eventually granted her bail, offering her relief. The Supreme Court has rejected all the allegations made against her during the bail process, which clearly indicates that she wasn't involved in the case, Kavithas lawyer, Mohit Rao, told the media after the court granted her bail. From being sidelined within the party, Kavitha has suddenly emerged as a star and a brand ambassador of the BRS. The party is now portraying her as a fighter and a victim. Outside Tihar jail in Delhi, the entire top leadership of the BRS, including her brother and working president K.T. Rama Rao, was present to welcome her. The atmosphere was festive, with drumming and cheering. Kavitha pumped her fist and declared it was payback time for those who had wronged her. She was then escorted to the BRS office in Delhi and given special treatment. In Hyderabad, special arrangements were made to celebrate her return. Hundreds of party cadres and supporters with placards awaited her arrival. From the airport, she was escorted to her residence by a large convoy, with posters and hoardings erected across the city to greet her. One former MLA even fell at her feet as she stepped out of her vehicle. At her residence, a large contingent of relatives gathered to meet her. She tied a rakhi to her brother and embraced her mother. The next day, she visited her father, KCR at his farmhouse and touched his feet. The Congress was quick to credit the BJP for her release, alleging that both parties were in cahoots, which led to her securing bail. The BJP, in turn, claimed that it was the Congresss lawyer lobby that facilitated Kavitha's bail. Kavitha, however, delivered a cryptic message, stating that she would return the favour with interest to her detractors, without clearly naming her opponents. She is definitely referring to a political party. It cannot be the CBI or the ED. When the case was filed, the BRS was in power in the state, so it has to be the Centre led by the BJP government, said political analyst and former MLC, K. Nageshwar. Recently, the BRS has been attacking the Congress government in the state, so we need to see if her statement signals a shift in their strategy. The way she was released and the reception that followed suggests preparations are underway for the relaunch of Kavitha and the BRS. It will be interesting to see what role she will play in the immediate future. Her case didnt garner much sympathy or it would have been reflected in the parliament elections. But her bail has certainly generated a lot of interest and attention. Rebel Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) MLA Ram Niwas Surjakhera has been accused of rape by a woman and the Jind Police have lodged a case against him, reports said. The complainant is a 28-year-old woman who claimed that the JJP legislator sexually assaulted her in 2021. The lawmaker sexually exploited her after getting in touch with her with a false assurance of securing her a government job, she said in the complaint. Haryana Police on Thursday confirmed that it has registered a case of rape under the relevant legal provisions and launched a probe on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ram Niwas Surjakhera maintains that the complaint is politically motivated and bogus. He has dismissed the allegation as part of "conspiracies" against him ahead of the October 1 Haryana Assembly polls. In a post in Hindi on X, Surjakhera said he has come to know from sources about the registration of a "false FIR of rape" against him at the behest of "some anti-social elements". "I had never thought that politics will stoop so low. To weaken me under conspiracies just before the Assembly election is unfortunate.... I am ready to face each 'Agnipariksha'.... My appeal is that an impartial probe should be conducted and I am ready to cooperate," he said. For the unversed, Surjakhera recently resigned from the Assembly. Surjakhera resigned from the state Assembly as the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) MLA from Narwana on August 22. He had openly supported the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently held Lok Sabha polls. After tendering his resignation from the Assembly, Surjakhera had claimed that he and three other legislators will be joining the BJP in the next few days. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have explored opportunities for collaboration on creating a green energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and Europe, Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry, these discussions occurred during a meeting between Deputy Energy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov and an ADB delegation, which included ADB Energy Sector Director General Priyantha Wijayatunga and Director for Energy of East, Central, and West Asia Joonho Hwang. The sides praised the longstanding and successful partnership between Azerbaijan and the Bank, particularly highlighting the Bank's support in implementing projects related to the transportation of Azerbaijani natural gas to Europe. The conversation covered potential energy sector projects and new avenues for further collaboration. Special attention was given to the development of renewable energy sources (RES) in Azerbaijan, along with the production and export of green energy. Additionally, energy initiatives and planned activities within the framework of COP29 were highlighted. The meeting also addressed the "Knowledge exchange and technical assistance support for the development of floating solar panel systems" project, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Energy and ADB. Last month, a 100 kW solar energy complex was commissioned on Boyukshor Lake, and the discussion included the anticipated impact of this project on diversifying Azerbaijan's green energy sources. Furthermore, the topic of heat supply reforms in Azerbaijan, to be implemented with ADB's technical support, was discussed. The meeting also touched on the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe green energy corridor project and explored future cooperation possibilities for establishing the Azerbaijan-Central Asia-Europe green energy corridor. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, urging his intervention to frame stringent laws to prevent crimes against women. Mamata said the prime minister did not respond to her earlier letter. In her letter, Banerjee said the response received from the Ministry for Women for her earlier letter was very generic. You may kindly recall my letter No.44-CM dated August 22, 2024 regarding the need for stringent central legislation on incidents of rape and meting out exemplary punishment to perpetrators of such crimes. No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue, she said. The West Bengal CM said the reply from the Ministry for Women barely attends to the issues gravity. I am of the thought that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply. Not only so, I would also refer to some of the initiatives in the area that our State has already taken which appears to have been overlooked in the reply, she said. The Trinamool Congress supremo said the West Bengal government has granted approval to set up 10 POCSO courts across the state. She added 88 fast-track courts and 62 designated POCSO courts are functioning in the state. Mamata sought the prime ministers intervention to amend laws regarding the appointment of judicial officers to fast-track courts. As per Central Government guidelines, only retired Judicial Officers can be posted as Presiding Officers in FTSCs. But, High Court has observed that in view of the severity of the cases, permanent Judicial Officers need to be posted. This requires examination at the level of the Government of India and suitable action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary, she said. The West Bengal CM urged Modi to intervene and frame stringent legislation ensuring exemplary punishment for heinous crimes of rape and rape and murder with mandatory provision for disposal of cases within a specific timeframe by the trial authorities. Mamata has been leading protests demanding stringent punishment for crimes against women to counter protests against her government over the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. During a recent party event, Mamata said if the state government had power, it would have ensured capital punishment for the accused within seven days in the case. We will pass an amendment to state laws in assembly next week and fix death by hanging to perpetrators of rape. We will send this bill to the governor. If he doesn't pass, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed and he cannot evade accountability this time, the CM had said. The Calcutta High Court transferred the Kolkata trainee doctor rape and murder case to the Central Bureau of Investigation considering lapses in the polices probe. Three audio recordings of phone calls, allegedly made by RG Kar Medical College authorities on the morning of August 9 to the parents of the trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered, were circulating on social media on Thursday, raising questions on if the hospital were initially attempting to cover up the crime. The phone calls, whose authenticity THE WEEK hasn't individually verified, also showed the insensitivity of the hospital authorities while breaking the bad news to the elderly parents of the victim. The first phone call (One minute and 11 seconds) The caller, a woman who identified herself as the assistant superintendent of the hospital, reportedly called the parents of the victim from the same number thrice within 30 minutes, demanding their immediate presence at the hospital. "I am calling from RG Kar Hospital. Can you come over quickly?" the caller could be heard telling the victim's father in the first phone call, which happened around 10.53 am. The father asked, "Why? What has happened?" To this, the caller responded saying the victim was feeling unwell and had been admitted to the hospital. ALSO READ: 'City of Joy' on edge: How the Kolkata rape case shook TMC and West Bengal's political landscape When the victim's father demanded to know more details, the woman said, "Those only the doctors can provide. We only managed to find your number and call you. Please come down quickly. The patient has been admitted after falling ill. The rest, the doctors will brief you after you arrive." When the victim's mother asked from the background if her daughter was down with a fever, the woman merely responded saying, "Come over quickly." "Is her condition very serious?" the father asked, to which the woman replied, "Yes, she is very serious. Come quickly." The second call (46 seconds) The woman called the parents of the victim again five minutes after the first call. In the second call, the caller was heard saying, "Her condition is critical, very critical. Please come over as soon as you can." She repeated her statement that only the doctors could give an accurate picture about the victim's health when the desperate father asked her for more details. READ MORE: Mamata govt will commit big mistake if it decides to threaten us: RG Kar MC's protesting doctors When the father asked who was speaking, the woman replied, "I am the assistant superintendent. I am not a doctor. We have brought your daughter to the emergency ward. You please come over and contact us." "But what could have happened to her? She was on duty," the voice could be heard in the background. "You come over quickly, as soon as you can," the woman replied. The third call (28 seconds) The third call was more shocking than the previous two as the caller informed the parents that their daughter was no more. "Yes, please listen we were repeatedly telling you before that your daughter may have died by suicide or, she may have passed away. The police are here. All of us from the hospital are here. We are calling you to ask you to come down quickly," the caller said in disjointed sentences. The changes in the hospital's statement, from the victim "falling ill" to "very critical and admitted in emergency ward" to, finally, "may have died by suicide" have left the investigators to question whether "a carefully planned suicide plot was being hatched by the hospital authorities and police to cover up the crime", an official said. "Especially since the caller admitted in her final call, while misleading the family on the cause of the victim's death, that she was speaking in the presence of police and hospital authorities," the official added. Tanaji Sawant, Maharashtra health minister is a trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. But his foot-in-the-mouth tendency has often brought trouble for him and his leaders. Sawant yesterday said that he was a true Shiv Sainik who did not like sharing stage or cabinet meeting space with Congress and NCP leaders. He further complicated things by stating that he feels like vomiting when he sits close to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in meetings. These statements have caused an outburst of anger among NCP Ajit Pawar leaders and cadres. During the CM tenure of Devendra Fadnavis, Sawant claimed that a dam in Chiplun was burst because crabs had damaged its foundation. On another occasion, when he was asked about Haffkine Institute, a government body in Mumbai known for making medicines, Sawant wondered if Haffkine was a person. STORY | Sit next to NCP ministers at cabinet meetings but its nauseating: Shiv Senas Tanaji Sawant READ: https://t.co/fMan6gEu4U VIDEO: (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/YQIlgm72Hf Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024 And now comes his statement against Ajit Pawar. NCP Ajit Pawar leader Amol Mitkari attacked Sawant and said if the Shinde Shiv Sena does not rein in Sawant then there would be a tit for tat. Umesh Patil, a spokesman for NCP Ajit Pawar demanded that Sawant should be sacked from state cabinet. If that doesn't happen then NCP Ajit Pawar will walk out of the saffron alliance, Patil reportedly stated. "Our ministers will boycott cabinet meetings," he added. Meanwhile, Reacting to Minister Tanaji Sawants recent comments, on DyCm Ajit Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) Chief Spokesperson, Mahesh Tapase said that DyCM Ajit Pawar has lost all self-respect and there is growing discomfort within the ranks of the Shinde-led government. Tapase also expressed disbelief that how Ajit Pawars party would tolerate such an insult. "I never imagined that Ajit Dada, who once commanded immense respect within the NCP, would compromise his self-respect for power," Tapase added. He further criticised Ajit Pawars decision to break away from Sharad Pawars party, questioning the price of such a move, which appears to have led to public humiliation rather than political gain. Tapase pointed out that dissatisfaction within the ruling coalition has been simmering for some time. The RSS and BJP have openly held Ajit Pawar responsible for the BJPs setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, further straining relations within the mahayuti alliance. The growing discomfort among Shinde Sena members over Ajit Pawars inclusion in the government has now been starkly revealed through Sawants remarks. Ajit Pawar, who justified his decision to break away from Sharad Pawar & join the Shinde government as a move for development, was supported by senior leaders like Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Sunil Tatkare. However, Tapase questioned why these leaders have remained silent in the face of such blatant disrespect. "Minister Tanaji Sawants statement has effectively erased Ajit Dadas political standing, and yet, his own party members remain silent," Tapase said in a statement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday dismissed allegations made in a CNN report pointing fingers at India as responsible for the flood situation in Bangladesh. While addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal criticised the CNN report and said the narrative is "misleading" and "factually not correct". "We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh...Its narrative is misleading....and ignored the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation," said Jaiswal. The CNN report stated that dozens of people in Feni, which is only a few miles from the India border, accused New Delhi of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in neighbouring Tripura state with no warning. Slamming the report, Jaiswal said CNN had ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management. India asserted that excessive rain is a contributing factor and refused the claim of deliberately releasing the water from the dam. #WATCH | Delhi: On issuing visas for Bangladesh citizens, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... We are issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes. Once the situation becomes normal, law and order is restored, then we will begin our full fledged pic.twitter.com/fkK5cVcHkN ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 As allegations of sounding no alert mounted, the government explained that a power outage and communications breakdown prevented them from issuing the usual warning to downstream neighbours. Over 18 million people in Bangladesh have been affected due to flash floods that hit the nation. #WATCH | Delhi: On former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... As we stated earlier, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh came to India at a very short notice for reasons of safety. We have nothing further to add on the matter..." pic.twitter.com/4gp6Kh7VLB ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 Meanwhile, on asked about Pakistans invitation to attend the SCO meeting in Islamabad, Jaiswal said We have received the invitation and we dont have an update on that yet. MEA also said that India and the United States discussed the Bangladesh crisis. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'substantially discussed' the situation in Bangladesh when both leaders spoke over a phone call earlier this week, said the MEA spokesperson. A 2018 study by professors of the MIT Media Lab and MIT Sloan claimed that lies spread faster than the truth. After analysing 1,26,000 stories shared by 3 million people over 4.5 million times on Twitter, the researchers discovered that false news travels farther, faster, deeper and more broadly than the truth. A subsequent study in 2023 by researchers at the University of South California (USC) found that the reward-based system of social media encourages users to stay online and share sensational posts frequently, forming habits that drive automatic sharing without considering the spread of misinformation. These were likely some of the reasons behind the spread of rumours and misinformation on social media about the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College. ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: No response from your end on a sensitive issue, Mamata writes to Modi It is true that social media effectively exposed the misconduct of hospital authorities and the laxity of the police. However, false claims, like the presence of 151 grams of semen in the victims body and broken pelvic girdle or hyoid, fake photo of former principal Dr Sandip Ghosh with main accused Sanjoy Ray, fake death certificate of the victim and unverified voice calls on social media misled the common people. Kolkata Police, though, appears to have taken some action, summoning more than 300 people so far, among whom many ran fake social media profiles. However, the use of AI technologies to generate content makes it challenging for the police to keep up with misinformation peddlers. ALSO READ | Mamata govt will commit big mistake if it decides to threaten us: RG Kar MC's protesting doctors Bengali social media influencer Indrani Biswas, vocal from the start, believes the death of the trainee doctor at RG Kar deeply moved the public emotionally. Initially raw emotion drove people. As a result, they could not think rationally and verify every piece of information, Biswas told THE WEEK. She continued, Most of us could not believe that such a thing could happen. Additionally, I felt that a section deliberately spread misinformation and designed it in a manner to exploit public emotions. Anthropologist Dr Suman Nath, who has written about how political parties leverage big data analytics to run social media campaigns, acknowledged the potential of an organised fake news operation by motivated individuals or groups. He attributes the publics belief in such misinformation to confirmation bias. Dr Nath told THE WEEK, Confirmation bias is the tendency to believe anything that confirms ones existing beliefs and most people are not rational. They are self-delusional. In this case, they were convinced something was wrong. So, people believed any information that suggested a potential wrongdoing in RG Kar. He believes news media too contributed to the chaos. Dr Nath mentioned an unverified viral voice call where the then alleged Assistant Superintendent (non-medical) of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was heard saying to the victims parents first she was unwell and then she had died. The hospital authorities might have initially tried to avoid panicking the parents, a common practice, he said. But the news media portrayed this as an attempt to hide information, convincing the public of a cover-up. These people will now believe any social media content which suggests misconduct in the hospital on August 9. Increased engagement with specific content prompts social media algorithms to boost similar posts. If unverified and false information receives high engagement, feeds will be continuously flooded with such content, creating a loop. Dr Anuttama Banerjee, a consultant psychologist, believes that in general, peoples trust in authorities is also diminishing. She said, Our trust is shaken. There's a strong decline in trust towards media, government, police and all authorities. The prevailing belief is that the system is failing us. As a result, even when authorities present the truth, it is often dismissed or viewed with scepticism." She also asserted that common people have become increasingly impatient, leading them to believe anything instantly. We crave instant gratification. In situations like the RG Kar incident, this desire was intensified by anger. Consequently, they believed every gory detail about the incident because it depicted its severity. Over 300 members from the RSS affiliated bodies, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, will attend the three-day coordination meeting starting from Saturday in Palakkad, Kerala. The annual stock-taking exercise will also discuss the situation in Bangladesh, particularly the attacks on Hindus, among other issues of national and societal importance. Another key issue that will be discussed will be the 100th-year celebration of the RSS, which will start from Vijaydashmi 2025. For this, the RSS has decided on five 'transformational' issues which will be scaled up by all the linked bodies. These are social harmony, family awareness, environmental concerns, self-development and civic responsibilities, RSSs spokesperson, Sunil Ambekar said. Ambedkar said these coordination meetings have been happening for the last seven years and it was held in Pune last year. This years meeting assumes importance as it is the first one since the Lok Sabha polls where BJP could not match its last polls performance. There were talks about the RSS cadre staying away from the election process owing to differences with the BJP. BJP chief J.P. Nadda will also participate in the meeting. Issues of national importance, national security, state-level key issues and important and alarming events issues will also be taken up. The emphasis is on enhancing our coordination through formal and informal systems, Ambekar said. Sources said issues related to caste, SC/ST categorisation, the Uniform Civil Code and the West Bengal case may also be taken up. In all, 320 participants will be there in the meeting representing 32 RSS-linked bodies. From RSS, its chief Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale will also attend among other office bearers. Through these meetings, stock-taking is done of various activities carried out by the RSS frontal bodies. They share their feedback even with the government and the BJP leaders so that appropriate policy measures can be taken. In the past, even union ministers have also attended the coordination meetings. Even the decision to implement 'One Rank, One Pension' was taken after the issue was raised in the meeting in 2015. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and those immensely hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity...I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity," said Modi. Modi laid the foundation stone of the 76,000-crore Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday. While addressing the gathering, Modi hit out at the opposition saying, Some people keep abusing Veer Savarkar but are not ready to apologise for insulting him. #WATCH | Palghar, Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi speaks on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse incident in Malvan He says, "Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and have been deeply hurt, I bow my head and apologise to them. Our values are pic.twitter.com/oLaDLDaWbI ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 The Shivaji statue was unveiled by PM Modi in December last year during the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg. The statue was aimed at honouring the warrior king's legacy towards maritime defence. After the collapse, a joint technical committee headed by the Navy was formed to investigate the reason for the collapse. The state representative officials and technical experts are also included in the committee. "A developed Maharashtra is important for a developed India...Therefore, over the past 10 years, major decisions have focused on Maharashtra's progress. To ensure that the state and the entire country reap benefits of Maharashtra's capacities, the foundation stone for Vadhvan Port has been laid today," said Modi. #WATCH | Palghar, Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi says, "In the last one decade, development on India's coast has gained unprecedented pace, we have modernised ports, developed waterways... lakhs and crores of rupees have been invested in this direction. Private investment has also pic.twitter.com/4YnHozPrKh ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024 The statue collapsed at the coastal Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district. The collapse of the statue triggered a political blame game with the opposition hitting out at the government for 'insulting' Shivaji Maharaj. Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Friday visited the site and vowed to erect a grand new statute at the same place again. Modi on Friday also laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects of Rs 1,560 crore. The Vadhvan Port- Indias largest deep-water port The Vadhvan Port is set to boost the countrys trade and economic growth by catering to large container vessels, and ultra-large cargo ships. It also offers deeper drafts. The port, located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, reducing transit times and costs. The port is also expected to generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. The port will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub. The project also accommodates sustainable development practices in order to minimise environmental impact and adhere to stringent ecological standards. The vessel communication and support system is developed by ISRO. The system will help in establishing two-way communication while fishermen are at sea and also help in rescue operations as well as ensure their safety. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday visited the Rajkot Fort where a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed recently and vowed to erect a grand new statue at the same place soon. Visiting the Fort in Malvan, Pawar inspected the place and interacted with authorities here. The statue was constructed by the Indian Navy and was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Navy Day celebrations last year. The state government faced severe public outrage following the collapse of the statue. Visiting the Fort, Pawar tweeted Shivaji is the pride and self-respect of Maharashtra. Very soon, a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be installed at the same place. This is my word, Pawar said. Pawar had earlier apologised to the people of the state for the collapse. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had also apologised for the collapse. Meanwhile, a technical committee led by the Indian Navy has been set up to study the cause of the collapse and to take measures for repair. The Indian Navy expressed concern over the collapse and said it would work jointly with the Maharashtra government to reconstruct the statue. The Maharashtra police arrested Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the statue from Kolhapur on Friday. However, Patil had earlier said he was not involved in the construction of the statue. Sometimes the hardest journeys require the most patience, posted Jared Isaacman on X as he and his crewmates await to embark on the Polaris Dawn mission. This is a historical mission, with Polaris Dawn completing the first-ever private spacewalk and travelling farthest to the earth since Apollo. Over half a century has passed since humans have flown this far from Earth. Isaacman will fly as Polaris Dawn's mission commander, and will be joined by the mission's pilot, retired United States Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel Scott "Kidd" Poteet, and the first two SpaceX employees to launch to orbit, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, who both work as Lead Space Operations Engineers. Gillis and Menon will serve as mission specialists. The team at TrialX is eagerly awaiting the launch of the mission they are integral to. In the last few months, they have been working to develop the EXPAND app, in partnership with the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at the Baylor College of Medicine for the Polaris Dawn crew. As part of the mission, the four-member crew will conduct a wide range of experiments to collect data on various aspects of human health in space. These studies will examine environmental factors, health and hygiene, personality development, vital signs, cognitive function, vision, motion sickness, decompression sickness, Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), space radiation, and more. All health data will be collected using integrated wearables and devices, along with nearly 30 surveys embedded in the EXPAND App. This comprehensive approach is designed to provide valuable insights into how the unique conditions of space affect human health at both physiological and molecular levels. Additionally, the crew will collect biological samples to contribute to a biobank, aimed at uncovering the molecular changes that occur during spaceflight. A paper detailing the creation and purpose of this biobank, with the most extensive collection of data ever assembled for aerospace medicine and space biology. has been published in Nature, underscoring its significance for future research. TrialXs remote data collection platform is the backbone of the EXPAND App, providing a robust and secure system for data collection, management and analysis. The platform integrates seamlessly with various health monitoring devices and sensors, ensuring real-time data capture, implementing top-tier security protocols and is designed to handle large volumes of data, including genomic data. TrialX was chosen by TRISH in 2021 to build the innovative centralised data repository and analytics platform for the first all-civilian Inspiration4 mission. The database was built as part of TRISHs EXPAND (Enhancing eXploration and Analog Definition) programme, a multi-year initiative developed to help the NASA Human Research Program to reduce the risk to human health in space. The database supports a variety of data types across a multitude of individual research studies and currently houses data from subjects across six space missions Inspiration 4, MS-20, Axiom-1, Axiom-2, Axiom-3 and Polaris Dawn. It equips space researchers to reuse and integrate research data across different research studies and unlock innovative actionable insights. TrialX has always been on the forefront of cutting edge clinical research solutions and space health informatics. From launching the first clinical trials app on Google Health in 2008, to powering online patient recruitment and research data collection for space missions, co-founders Sharib Khan and Chintan Patel are on a mission to facilitate One Billion Health Research Contributions. "Our mission at TrialX has always been to bridge the gap between research and participants, whether on Earth or in space. Partnering with TRISH to support commercial space missions allows us to extend our commitment to advancing clinical research, using technology to empower both researchers and participants in groundbreaking ways," said CEO and cofounder Sharib Khan. Khan and Patel first crossed paths at Columbia University, where their strong rapport led to the founding of TrialX Inc. and a partnership that has spanned over 16 years. Headquartered in New York, with presence in India, the Philippines, and Romania, the company is committed to accelerating clinical research and bridging the gap between research and patientsboth on Earth and beyond. Khan brings a deep understanding of clinical research and digital health to the table. With a background in medical sciences and biomedical informatics, he has been a driving force behind TrialXs mission to democratise clinical research by using technology to engage and empower patients. Patel, with his background in computer science and a passion for healthcare innovation, plays a crucial role in driving technology solutions that make clinical research more accessible and efficient. Their shared vision and commitment to innovation and patient-centricity continues to push the boundaries of whats possible in clinical trials and space health. More recently, TRISH, in collaboration with consortium partners Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology, has partnered with TrialX to develop a software platform for a portable device that acts as a to-go version of the EXPAND master repository. This portable device is designed to extend the repositorys capabilities, allowing spaceflight participants to access their previously collected health information and store new data offline during their mission. Upon returning to Earth, the device will automatically synchronise all collected data with the EXPAND Master Repository. If a participant continues on another segment of their space journey, the portable device will seamlessly transfer their existing health data from one mission segment to the next. By tackling the challenges of data transfer and interoperability in space, this portable solution aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare for astronauts. The Polaris Dawn mission was initially slated to launch on August 27, but was delayed to August 28 due to technical issues and then postponed again, due to splashdown weather concerns for the end of the mission. On August 29, Kamala Harris gave her first formal interview since launching her presidential campaign in late July. Conducted by CNN's Dana Bash, this highly anticipated interview was the first unscripted appearance by Harris since her campaign kicked off. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, also joined the discussion, although Harris fielded the majority of the questions. The interview took place as Harris's campaign was in the midst of a bus tour through southeast Georgia, their first campaign event after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It came at a time when pressure was growing on Harris to make an unscripted appearance. The interview was fairly routine and uneventful. Harris appeared composed and comfortable but did not generate much excitement compared with the more dramatic moments often associated with Donald Trump's media appearances. More importantly, it was free of major gaffes or missteps, which was seen as a success for Harris and her team. ALSO READ: What is Project 2025? Democrats raise alarm about GOP blueprint, Trump says he knows nothing Harris's responses painted her as a pragmatic centrist, contrasting with the more radical image sometimes attributed to her by opponents like Trump. Instead of delving deeply into policy specifics, Harris focused on defending the Biden administrations record, while subtly signalling that she would forge her own path if elected. Although her loyalty to Biden was evident, it could also provide Republicans with ammunition to link her to some of Bidens less popular policies. When asked about her priorities for the first day in office, Harris highlighted plans to support the middle class, including proposals for a child tax credit, reducing grocery prices, and addressing the housing shortage by amping up construction. One of the more notable segments of the interview addressed Harris's policy U-turns. During her 2019-2020 primary campaign, she had adopted a more progressive stance, supporting measures like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and a fracking ban. However, in the interview, Harris stated she would not pursue a ban on fracking if elected, clarifying that she had reversed her position on this issue the following year. Regarding migration and the refugee crisis, Harris said she would enforce the existing border laws, and deflected criticism by blaming Trump and Republicans for obstructing a bipartisan border deal. On foreign policy, particularly concerning Gaza and Israel, Harris took a centrist stance similar to Biden's, expressing steadfast support for Israel while acknowledging the loss of innocent Palestinian lives. She referenced the cease-fire proposal put forth by the Biden administration as her strategy for ending the conflict. The interview underscored Harris's pivot to the centre, a strategy that could be crucial for her prospects in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Her campaign's efforts to appeal to centrists and moderate Republicans were evident, including her suggestion that she would consider appointing a Republican to her cabinet. When it came to discussions about race and gender, Harris chose not to engage deeply, opting instead to focus on policy issues. Trump, unimpressed by the interview, criticised it on his social media platform Truth Social, labelling it as boring and incoherent. Notwithstanding Trump's criticisms, Harris's interview did not feature any significant missteps, which could benefit her in November. According to a latest Fox News poll, Harris is making steady gains in key sun belt battleground states such as Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, though she still lags behind in North Carolina. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have discussed the attraction of foreign investments in the green energy sector, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Deputy Minister Anar Akhundov held a meeting with Joonho Hwang, ADB's energy director for East, Central, and West Asia. Meanwhile, it is noted that both sides expressed satisfaction with the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and ADB, praising the Bank's contribution to the country's development. The meeting discussed the expansion of the utilization of renewable energy sources and the possibility of ADB's support for the development and financing of infrastructure aimed at ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of Azerbaijan's energy system. Kolkata, Aug 30 (PTI) Diversified PSU Balmer Lawrie & Company is aiming at a revenue of Rs 6,000 crore by 2030 and is in the process of engaging a consultant to prepare a comprehensive growth plan, a top official said on Friday. The company, which operates across several business verticals, including grease and lubricants, industrial packaging, logistics and travel and vacations (T&V), has a current revenue of Rs 2,400 crore. "We are targeting a revenue of Rs 6,000 crore by 2030 and looking to appoint a consultant to guide us," Balmer Lawrie CMD Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri said. He also said the key focus areas for growth are travel and vacation, grease and lubricants, logistics, and industrial packaging. Palchaudhuri noted that the T&V vertical has substantial growth potential. "Around 80 per cent of the business lies outside government departments, predominantly in the private sector. We are actively promoting our services to capture a significant share of the leisure travel market," he said. The company also handles travel and ticketing for government offices. For the current financial year, the company has signed an MoU with the government, targeting a revenue of Rs 3,400 crore. Additionally, Balmer Lawrie is venturing into ethanol production and is in the process of acquiring 25 acres in Andhra Pradesh. The feedstock for ethanol production will include rice and maize. The company is also planning to enter the third-party logistics sector, the official added. Guwahati, Aug 30 (PTI) The Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has recorded a revenue earning of Rs 23,731 crore and a net profit of Rs 2,160 crore during the financial year 2023-24, chairman Ranjit Rath said here on Friday. ''The financial year ended on a positive note despite loss of operations during the first quarter of the financial year 2023-24 on account of planned refinery shutdown and an unforeseen fire incident'', Rath said at a press conference after NRL's 31st annual general meeting held here. NRL bounced back after the initial setback and a final dividend of Rs 258.42 crore for the financial year was declared during the AGM, he said, The company has already paid an interim dividend of Rs 452.24 crore with the total dividend pay-out for the year being Rs 710.66 crore, representing 32.90 per cent of NRLs Profit After Tax (PAT) for the year. The refinery processed 2,510 TMT of crude oil, equivalent to 100 per cent capacity utilization for 10 months and during the year, the company's net worth soared to Rs 13,926 crore, he said. Asked about the impact of the Bangladesh situation on the movement of the refinery products to the neighbouring country, Rath said there has been no difference with the pipelines functioning normally and products moving normally. The refinery continued to show impressive performance with respect to Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) and Energy Intensity Index (EII), pointers that determine energy-efficient operations. The company continued to contribute significantly to the central and state exchequer in the form of taxes, duties and dividends, with a contribution of Rs 3,819 crore extended during the financial year. The total product sales during the year was 2,720 TMT. NRLs LPG bottling plant recorded the highest-ever capacity utilisation of 68 TMT during the year against an installed capacity of 42 TMT. NRL remains the market leader in the country with regard to wax production and sales. Sales within northeast were registered at 1,173 TMT, which was 43 per cent against 41 per cent of the total sales in the previous year, thus contributing towards reduction in freight under recoveries. During the year, NRL recorded the highest-ever standalone capital expenditure of Rs 8,502 crore, marking an increase of 24 per cent over last year, Rath added. NRL has made significant progress in the ongoing mega Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project with a train comprising of the 6 MMTPA Refinery, the 1,635 KM Paradip Numaligarh crude oil pipeline and crude oil import terminal at Paradip; which is expected to be completed by December 2025. The chairman pointed out that sustainability, diversification and thereby maximising stakeholder value has been at the core of NRLs strategy and operations. Environmental clearance for the 360 KTPA Poly-Propylene Plant (PetchemProject) has recently been received which along with the 2.4 KTPA Green Hydrogen Project and imminent commissioning of the 2G Biorefinery being implemented through a joint venture with Assam Biorefinery Private Limited with the total investment of the ongoing projects being above Rs 45,000 crore. Bhubaneswar, Aug 30 (PTI) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha will contribute significantly to India's growth and will become a growth engine of India by 2047. Majhi said this while inaugurating 'Resurgent Odisha 2024', a business conclave organized by Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (UCCIL), in collaboration with the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department of Odisha government here on Friday. The conclave will continue till September 1. The chief minister said that Odisha's economy is expected to reach Rs 41 lakh crore by 2036 when the state will be 100 years since its formation. "We also desire to reach a 1.5 trillion-dollar economy by 2047," he said, adding that the state government is moving fast with these ambitions. Majhi emphasized the state's commitment to industrialization, which will create employment opportunities for the youth. He highlighted that Odisha, being an agrarian state with three-fourths of its population dependent on agriculture, must balance industrial growth with the needs of its agricultural sector. He also noted that the state government is focusing on both large-scale industries and small and medium enterprises, including agro-based industries. "If industrialization progresses, it will provide ample employment opportunities for our youth, ensuring they no longer have to worry about earning a livelihood," said Majhi. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to the 'Purvodaya' development initiative, ensuring that Odisha leads in this endeavour. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo urged industries to focus on value addition to agriculture produced within the state. Singh Deo mentioned the government's initiative to offer land leases at no cost to companies willing to set up industries in Odisha, highlighting the state's potential to become a leading industrial hub in the country. Odisha Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain informed about the upcoming Utkarsh Odisha Investors' Summit, where the state aims to secure Rs 2.5 lakh crore in investments by 2029. Additionally, the state is going to set up an FDI Park targeting USD 2 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), he said. Swain emphasized Odisha's goal to increase its contribution to the country's exports to 2.5 per cent and eventually reach the third position by 2047. He also mentioned the government's focus on attracting investments in green hydrogen, semiconductors, and IT sectors. China's Consul General Xu Wei highlighted Odisha's rapid growth and its rich mineral resources. He emphasized the importance of strengthening trade ties between India and China, particularly with the eastern states of India, as bilateral trade between the two nations currently stands at USD 130 billion. Ever wondered who the best astrologers in India are? These are the experts who use the stars and planets to guide people through lifes twists and turns. Whether you're curious about your future, seeking advice on personal issues, or just fascinated by astrology, knowing who the top astrologers are can help you find the right guidance. In this blog, well take you through the top 10 astrologers in India, each one renowned for their unique skills and remarkable predictions. From celebrities to everyday people, these experts have made a significant impact with their astrological insights. Lets explore who they are and what makes them stand out in the world of astrology. Dr. Hemant Barua Official Website: www.planetsnhouses.com Contact (through WhatsApp): +91 97739 59523. Dr. Hemant Barua is widely regarded as the best astrologer in India, and for good reason. He is one of a few astrological studies based on systematized methods and contemporary tools that allow him to offer actionable insights. Unlike few astrologers who rely on vague predictions only, he combines both traditional knowledge with modernity resulting in accurate predictions and logical solutions. For over two decades now, Dr. Barua has worked tirelessly to understand astrology and expose its myth as an art instead of a science. His teaching style is more of free sharing of knowledge especially through his YouTube channel where he educates other people about how they can apply astrology in their day-to-day life. This quality makes him number one among the best Indian astrologers. His innovative 'Trimaysha Technique of Remedy' is a perfect example of his commitment to making astrology more effective and accessible. This technique, which traditionally took six days to yield results, has been refined by Dr. Barua to deliver outcomes within hours, making it a revolutionary advancement in the field. Dr. Barua's expertise isn't just theoretical; its backed by numerous prestigious awards. Some of the notable accolades he has received include the Asian Iconic Award 2024, Best Astrologer in India Award 2023, Jyotish Shiromani Award 2023, Global Best Astrologer Award 2022, The International Jyotish Ratna Award 2021, and Global Srestham Award 2021. These awards highlight his significant contributions and excellence in the field of astrology and definitely makes him the top astrologer in India. His understanding of classical astrological texts like Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Saravali, and Sarvarth Chintamani further enriches his practice. He specializes in various areas including career, business, marriage, legal matters, and foreign settlements, offering tailored solutions that resonate with his clients. Dr. Baruas success is evident in the trust his clients place in him. With over 75,000 clients worldwide, many of whom are referred by others, his reputation as a reliable and effective astrologer is well-established. This trust extends to high-profile individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and business leaders, underscoring his position as not just the best, but also the highly trusted astrologer in India. For those looking to consult Dr. Hemant Barua, appointments can be made through his official website or via WhatsApp. His expertise and dedication ensure that you are in capable hands, whether youre seeking guidance on personal or professional matters. Dr KN Rao In your search for the top 10 astrologers in India, Kotamraju Narayana Rao, commonly known as K.N. Rao is a famous name . He is not only one of the most respected astrologers in the country but is also considered the finest in South India. Born into a prestigious Andhra Brahmin family, K.N. Raos expertise is particularly evident in his exceptional skills in horoscope reading. One of the key aspects that sets K.N. Rao apart from others in the field is his strong advocacy for integrity and honesty. He believes that clients should be well-informed before seeking astrological consultations, emphasizing the importance of conducting thorough research. This is not just about choosing the right astrologer but also about understanding what astrology can and cannot do. By encouraging his clients to educate themselves, K.N. Rao ensures that they approach astrology with realistic expectations and are better equipped to make informed decisions based on his guidance. Sanjay B. Jumaani Sanjay B. Jumaani is a highly respected numerologist and astrologer in India, known for his exceptional expertise and insights into the mystical science of numbers. His reputation is built on his accurate predictions and practical advice, which have attracted a high-profile clientele from various sectors. Jumaani's list of clients includes some of India's most prominent figures, such as the illustrious Bachchan family, business tycoons like the Ambanis, and celebrities like Anil Kumble, Smriti Persis, and the late Irfan Khan. His guidance has been sought not only by individuals but also by major corporations like Haldiram, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Reliance. What sets Sanjay B. Jumaani apart is his deep understanding of numerology and his ability to apply this ancient knowledge to modern-day situations. Whether it's choosing the right name, setting the correct timing for important events, or providing personalized guidance based on birth charts, Jumaani's advice has proven to be invaluable for his clients. His ability to simplify complex concepts and provide practical, actionable advice has made him one of the top astrologers in India. Ajay Bhambhi Ajay Bhambhi is a distinguished astrologer who holds a prominent place among the top astrologers in India. His reputation is built on his exceptional accuracy in predicting major events and his extensive experience in the field. With a career spanning 40 years, Ajay Bhambhi has honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of astrology. His contributions to astrology have been recognized with prestigious awards. In 2017, he received the 'Indian Icon Award,' and in 2018, he was honored with the 'World Icon Award.' Some of his most notable predictions include: - The rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which showcased his ability to forecast political developments. - The 2018 cyclone that affected India, demonstrating his skill in predicting natural events. - The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, highlighting his expertise in anticipating major incidents. Dr. Sandeep Kochar Dr. Sandeep Kochar is a well-known astrologer who excels in astrology, face reading, and palmistry. His deep understanding of these ancient practices allows him to offer insights that resonate with people from all walks of life. He provides personalized guidance that helps individuals overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. His popularity and effectiveness have not gone unnoticed; he has consistently been ranked among the top three astrologers in Mumbai for three consecutive years. Dr. Sandeep Kochar's approach to astrology is both practical and empathetic. He uses his skills not just to foresee potential outcomes but also to offer practical solutions that align with an individual's personal journey. Whether someone is struggling with personal issues, career challenges, or seeking general life guidance, Dr. Kochar provides tailored advice that empowers them to take control of their lives. GD Vashist GD Vashist is a highly trusted astrologer in India, widely regarded for his deep knowledge and expertise in Lal Kitab astrology. What sets GD Vashist apart is his mastery of these remedies, which has earned him a reputation as one of the finest practitioners in the country. His expertise is further showcased in his acclaimed book, Lal Kitab Amrit Vashist Jyotish, which has become a go-to resource for anyone interested in Lal Kitab astrology. In addition to his literary contributions, GD Vashist is a familiar face on major Indian media channels like India News and Disha TV. GD Vashist attributes much of his success to the wisdom imparted by his five gurus. These mentors provided him with deep, multifaceted insights into Lal Kitab, which he has used to help countless individuals navigate life's challenges. Deepak Kapoor Deepak Kapoor has earned widespread recognition as the "Master of Prashna Kundali," a title that speaks to his mastery of one of astrology's most intricate and revered techniques. What sets Deepak Kapoor apart is his use of the Prashna chart, which he integrates with the birth chart and annual horoscope. Mr. Kapoor's approach to astrology is thorough and methodical. He doesnt rely on just one aspect of astrology but instead uses a combination of tools to provide the most accurate readings and predictions. By combining three elementsthe birth chart, the annual horoscope, and the Prashna chartDeepak Kapoor is able to offer comprehensive guidance that is both precise and personalized. In addition to his astrological practice, Mr. Kapoor is also a prolific author, having written four best-selling books on astrology. These books are widely read and respected, contributing to his reputation as one of Indias foremost astrologers. Through his writings, he has made the complex subject of astrology more accessible to the general public, enabling more people to benefit from its insights. Acharya Indu Prakash Acharya Indu Prakash began his career in astrology in 1970 and has since become one of the top astrologers in India. His teaching experience includes a four-year stint as a professor of astrology at Lucknow University, where he educated and influenced many students. He was honored with the prestigious title of 'Acharya' by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, reflecting his deep knowledge and expertise in astrology. Additionally, he holds the titles 'Jyotish Mahopadhyay' and 'Mahamahopadhyaya,'. One of the distinctive aspects of his astrological practice is his incorporation of modern planets like Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto into his readings. While traditional Vedic astrology primarily focuses on the classical planets, Acharya Indu Prakashs unique approach enhances the depth and accuracy of his predictions. This method sets him apart from many other Vedic astrologers and allows him to provide insights that are both comprehensive and precise. Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma is a highly respected astrologer in India who grew up in a family known for their psychic abilities. From a young age, he observed his father and uncle using their knowledge to guide and help others, which sparked his own interest in astrology. His deep and varied knowledge has earned him recognition from some of the most prominent newspapers in India, further solidifying his reputation as an expert in his field. Driven by this early exposure, Dr. Sharma dedicated many years to studying a wide range of related fields, including astrology, numerology, astronomy, gemology, and even the ancient practices of tantras. He is known for his ability to provide insightful and accurate guidance to his clients, making him a trusted figure in the world of astrology. Sohini Sastri Astrologer Sohini Sastri is highly regarded in the world of astrology, thanks to her extensive experience and impressive credentials. Her reputation has earned her memberships in several prestigious national and international astrological associations. These include the Asian Astrologers of Congress, the Astro Medical Research Center, the Astrological Association of Great Britain, the Dharma Research Center in Chennai, the Federation of Australian Astrologers, and the American Federation of Astrologers. She is known for her multifaceted skills and spiritual perspective, which make her approach to astrology unique and comprehensive. Whether you are seeking advice on personal issues, career decisions, or other aspects of life, her insights can provide valuable guidance. Her reputation and the demand for her services underscore her status as one of the best Indian astrologers. In conclusion, the top 10 astrologers in India each bring their unique talents and insights to the world of astrology, offering guidance and clarity to countless individuals. Their deep understanding of celestial patterns, combined with years of experience and numerous accolades, sets them apart as leaders in their field. Whether through personal consultations or public platforms, these astrologers have made significant contributions, helping people navigate lifes challenges and opportunities. By exploring their profiles, you can gain a better understanding of who might best meet your astrological needs and perhaps find the guidance youve been seeking. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with HT Syndication and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Lucknow/New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) E-commerce platforms added momentum to Uttar Pradesh government's efforts towards enhancing packaging and export capabilities and promoting Centre's One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday. The chief minister said the state is focused on enhancing packaging and export capabilities by leveraging design, technology, and market access and also called upon companies to take advantage of the state's warehousing policy, according to an official statement. "We focused on enhancing packaging and export capabilities by leveraging design, technology, and market access. However, the work of giving it more momentum happened when Flipkart Group joined us," Adityanath said at an event at Lok Bhavan, where he virtually inaugurated Flipkart's two new warehouses in Unnao and Varanasi. He also emphasised how these platforms are fostering healthy competition and empowering every citizen, whether in urban or rural areas, to reach global markets. He said the ODOP scheme has gained worldwide recognition when Flipkart Group started providing services as an e-commerce platform. The chief minister further said the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been a cornerstone of the state's economy for centuries. However, over the past few decades, the sector had struggled due to a lack of adaptation to evolving demands in technology, design, and packaging, coupled with the absence of a concrete action plan. "When our government came into power in 2017, we received guidance from PM Modi, which led to a comprehensive mapping of the MSME sector in the state. This initiative paved the way for the promotion of local products under the One District One Product scheme," he added. "Uttar Pradesh, with the highest number of MSME units in the country -- between 90 to 96 lakh -- has been at the forefront of supporting small businesses. The state is also the first to provide a security insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh to entrepreneurs associated with each MSME unit," he added. The chief minister also underscored the potential for job creation by these facilities and said such "developments foster healthy competition and open doors to numerous opportunities, reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing market fairness". He said that the 'Mukhya Mantri Yuva Udyami' scheme is paving the way for setting up of 10 lakh new enterprises, with Flipkart acting as a trusted partner to bring their products to the market. The two new warehouses will help instill more confidence among entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh, while also creating new job opportunities, he said. According to the chief minister, warehouses in Unnao, which is connected to the state capital Lucknow, and the one in Varanasi, the spiritual capital of Uttar Pradesh, represent "a significant step forward". "These fulfilment centres are not only generating large-scale employment but also empowering the state's MSME units by providing them with a pan-India reach," he said. The newly-opened facilities, covering over 5 lakh square feet of storage space, include an FC (fulfilment centre) and sortation centre in Unnao, and a sortation centre along with a grocery FC in Varanasi, Flipkart said in a statement. The expansion aims to create over 3,600 direct and indirect job opportunities, and support local MSMEs, the company said. Walmart-backed Flipkart has so far created over 7 lakh direct and indirect jobs in Uttar Pradesh with over 65 facilities, it added. "With our strategic investments in Uttar Pradesh and our wide marketplace ecosystem, we aim to strengthen local communities, MSMEs, farmers, and ancillary businesses by supporting their digital transformation journey. "Through key initiatives like Flipkart Samarth, Samarth Krishi and the launch of the new FCs in the state, Flipkart is creating thousands of employment opportunities, thereby supporting Uttar Pradesh's goal of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy by 2027," said Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group. Mumbai, Aug 30 (PTI) The proposed Vadhvan Port in the Palghar district of Maharashtra will generate 12 lakh jobs for the local youth and women besides creating multiple facilities for the people of the area once it becomes operational, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the port project at CIDCO ground in Palghar, Sonowal also said that India has earned a name as a maritime nation in the world under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has taken a slew of initiatives for the maritime sector in the last 10 years. Modi laid the foundation stone for the mega project in the presence of Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, state chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The prime minister during his visit to the state also inaugurated, laid foundation stoned for 218 fisheries projects worth Rs 1,560-crore in Palghar besides addressing the 2024 edition of three-day Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, which culminated here on Friday. To be built as an all-weather, greenfield deep draft port 150 km from Mumbai, which got the Union Cabinet's nod in June this year, the maritime project will see an investment of Rs 76,200 crore, which includes the development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The first phase of the port project is expected to be completed by 2029. "This port project is a big gift from the Prime Minister to the people of Maharashtra and the country," Sonowal, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said. Stating that the project will generate employment for the local youth, women besides providing benefits to the fishermen community and offering opportunities to the coming generations, Sonowal said the upcoming facility will also play a big role in realising the mission of making India a self-sufficient nation in the next 25 years. The minister said that with the setting up of the port, Palghar district will establish its identity in the world as an attractive destination, adding that "around 12 lakh people will get jobs here through this port project because of the creation of multiple facilities like developments of various centres, medical facilities, markets, among others." "This is a golden opportunity for us," Sonowal said adding that Vadhvan Port will be among the 10 top ports in the world. The port will be constructed by Vadhvan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. The facility will comprise nine container terminals, each 1,000-metre long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. The project involves the reclamation of 1,448 hectare area in the sea and the construction of 10.14 km of offshore breakwater and container/cargo storage areas. Also, the project will create a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tonne (MMT) per annum, including around 23.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalents) of container handling capacity. State-run REC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with JNPA last week for financing up to Rs 45,000 crore for various upcoming projects, including the development of Vadhvan Port while another public sector firm, Power Finance Corp (PFC) has reportedly committed about Rs 21,000 crore toward helping build the project at Palghat. Mumbai, Aug 30 (PTI) Thumbing his nose at naysayers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he will return to power in 2029 for a record fourth consecutive term. With some political pundits claiming that he may have lost his shine with BJP not winning a majority on its own in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Modi told a gathering of leaders from the fintech industry that he will be there at their 10th annual event in 2029 as well. BJP had won majority on its own in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but in 2024 it did not get the required 272 MPs and the government is dependent on support from other NDA constituents. The next general elections are due in April-May 2029. "This is the 5th edition of Global Fintech Fest. I will come in 10th edition also," Modi said in his address. The annual fest started in 2020 and the 10th edition will be held in 2029. I am confident that India's fintech ecosystem will enhance the ease of living of the entire world. Our best is yet to come...I met some of the startups here and entrusted them with 10 tasks as fintech is a very promising sector," he added. Hailing Bharats fintech innovation, Modi said, earlier foreign guests visiting India used to be amazed by its cultural diversity, now they are amazed by its fintech diversity as well. Modi said Bharats fintech revolution is widespread and one can witness it right from the moment one arrives at airport to street food and shopping centres. In the last 10 years, the industry has received a record investment of more than USD 31 billion along with witnessing a startup growth of 500 per cent, he said, asserting that affordable mobile phones, inexpensive data and Jan Dhan Bank accounts starting with zero balance brought this revolution. Taking a dig at Opposition, Modi said, many have expressed apprehension about India's fintech progress, saying villages don't have internet connection and electricity connection. "When 'Saraswati Maa', the goddess of knowledge, was imparting wisdom, some self-proclaimed experts were already casting doubts. They would question how a fintech revolution could occur...they would even ask someone like me, a 'chaiwala'," he wondered. Yet, in just a decade, India has witnessed a remarkable transformation, he said. London, Aug 30 (PTI) An artificial intelligence (AI) based start-up founded by two innovators from Bengaluru claims to be revolutionising marking for teachers across secondary schools in the UK. sAInaptic, co-founded by fellow data scientists Dr Rajeshwari Iyer and Kavitha Ravindran as a side project, has since gone on to raise just under GBP 1 million from investors. Their app, which uses natural language processing and machine learning to mark pupils' answers and provide personalised feedback, is now in the process of beginning another funding round. Teachers can spend around one day a week marking and giving feedback to students work. Our app can accurately mark students answers and provide instant feedback so that teachers can spend more time in the classroom, Iyer, who studied for a PhD in Computational Neuroscience at Imperial College in London, said in a statement this week. Weve already seen the impact that AI has had in other sectors and there is now a great opportunity for it to revolutionise education, she said. The co-founders, both in their early 40s, estimate that the app could save teachers hundreds of hours a year spent marking, freeing up more time for teaching. They have seen their innovative app being rolled out in more than 50 secondary schools across the UK and is now attracting interest from schools and exam boards worldwide. sAInaptic recently took part in Venture Trek, an initiative run by Imperial Enterprise Lab to give start-ups much-needed international exposure to grow their businesses. Ben Mumby-Croft, Director of Entrepreneurship at Imperial College London, said: Its always inspiring to see our alumni turning their vision into an exciting business that can impact society. Imperial Enterprise Lab has a successful track record of helping start-ups test new ideas and launch products, services and ventures that address real-world problems. As CEO of sAInaptic, Imperial alumnus Iyer is an experienced research scientist with an MPhil in Computational Biology from the University of Cambridge. She has over 12 years of experience in computational modelling and data science, complemented with a background in software development. Meanwhile, Ravindran as the Chief Content Officer has a PGCE in secondary science from the University of Cambridge, with over 12 years of experience as a secondary science schoolteacher and GCSE examiner. She is responsible for directing the development of sAInaptics content in line with the various curricula and leading the pedagogical aspects of the platform. sAInaptic is a play on the word synapse, which is the junction between nerve cells that helps in the transfer of information from one neuron to the next. The strength of the synaptic network in the human brain dictates the consolidation of information from our short-term to long-term memory. The co-founders explain that the platform is designed with ease of use in mind which means that getting started is simple and fast, with a user-friendly interface that makes navigating the system a pleasure. Setting up your marking process takes just a few clicks, and you're ready to go. Our AI handles the bulk of the work, quickly and accurately marking hundreds of student answers within seconds, they note. sAInaptic is about to begin a new funding round and introduce its International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) an English language-based secondary qualification for students aged 14-16 offered to international schools, and expanded into the vocational and certification sector. Imperial College London said its Enterprise Lab supports more than 2,000 students each year with mentoring, access to experts and funding programmes. Start-ups supported by Imperial Enterprise Lab are among the most successful in Europe with a three-year survival rate of 72 per cent, the leading UK university said. Shimla, Aug 30 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh was pioneering in natural farming as the state was the first in India to offer a minimum support price for products grown through natural farming practices, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday. While interacting with a delegation of four scientists from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), Sukhu said, "Himachal Pradesh was pioneering in natural farming as the state was the first in India to offer a minimum support price for products grown through natural farming practices with wheat being procured at Rs 40 per kg and maize at Rs 30 per kg". Additionally, cow milk was being purchased at Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 55 per litre, he said in a statement issued here. The team, led by Prof Allison Marie Loconto, Deputy Director of Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Sciences Innovations Societes (LISIS), are on a visit to Himachal Pradesh to learn about the advancements in natural farming. Other members of the delegation were researchers Prof Mireille Matt, Dr Evelyne Lhoste, and Dr Renee Van Dis. Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh was set to become a leading state in natural farming within the next five to six years and emphasised the importance of product certification in natural farming. He said that the Certified Evaluation Tool for Agriculture Resource Analysis-Natural Farming (CETARA) certification system has been introduced, which was being implemented in the state to ensure fair prices for the farmers. The chief minister said that the Him Unnati scheme was being implemented in the state with a cluster-based approach -- which aims to produce and certify chemical-free produce -- with plans to establish 2,600 agricultural groups, involving approximately 50,000 farmers. The visiting INRAE scientists are on a three-week mission to YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni and various other locations in the state. Their visit is part of the European Commission-funded ACROPICS project (Agroecological Crop Protection towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability), which aims to advance co-innovation in agroecological crop protection. The delegation lauded the state government's efforts in promoting natural farming and praised the CETARA certification system. They said that INRAE would explore the possibility of adopting this certification system in other countries. Karachi, Aug 30 (PTI) At least five terrorists of a banned militant group were killed and three were injured in ongoing intelligence-based operations in multiple districts in Balochistan following a string of terror attacks last weekend. The security forces launched the operations after the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) a separatist outfit claimed responsibility for carrying out at least four terror attacks across the restive province, killing about 50 persons, including 14 security forces. At least 21 militants were also gunned down in the attacks with one of them targeting 23 passengers belonging to the Punjab province who were offloaded from four trucks and gunned down in Musakhail district after being identified by their national ID cards. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday: The security forces are conducting extensive intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to hunt down the perpetrators of these heinous acts. On the night [of] 29/30 August, in three separate IBOs in Kech, Panjgur, and Zhob district, five terrorists were sent to hell by the security forces, while three terrorists got injured during the intense fire exchange, the ISPR said. It added that the sanitisation operations would continue until all perpetrators, facilitators, and abetters of these atrocious acts are brought to justice. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited Quetta for high-level meetings and vowed to crush the terror outfits while President Asif Ali Zardari said there would be a complete elimination of terrorism from the mineral-rich Balochistan province. On August 19, the separatist militants killed the deputy commissioner of Panjgur district. The Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies said there have been 1,524 violence-related fatalities and 1,463 injuries resulting from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations in 2023. Islamabad has constantly called on the Taliban government in Kabul to stop the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan from using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban administration has, however, denied the charges. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 30. Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, has held a significant working meeting focused on climate change issues and the implementation of international climate agreements as part of the UNDP's Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza project, Trend reports via UNDP Turkmenistan. The meeting was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and involved various ministries and agencies. The primary aim of the meeting was to update representatives on the preparation of Turkmenistans Fourth National Communication (NC4) and First Biennial Report (BR1) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Discussions also covered the implementation of Turkmenistans Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, the Global Methane Commitment, and preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP29) in November 2024 in Baku. The meeting sought to enhance coordination among Turkmenistan's state bodies and bolster efforts in joint projects with the UNDP to advance the country's climate commitments. This collaboration aims to invigorate Turkmenistan's progress in fulfilling global climate agreements. In Turkmenistan, UNDP oversees one of the largest environmental programs and serves as a key development partner for international funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). UNDP supports Turkmenistans adherence to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), integrates environmental issues into national strategies, and implements programs to enhance the countrys resilience to climate change. "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza" project aims to address the environmental challenges posed by rapid urbanization in the cities. It focuses on three main components: improving energy efficiency and sustainability in Ashgabats urban infrastructure, implementing eco-friendly tourism practices in Awaza, and developing national policies to support green urban practices. The project seeks to enhance urban planning, reduce resource consumption and waste, and promote responsible environmental stewardship while boosting international recognition and investment. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel London, Aug 30 (PTI) A 33-year-old Indian-origin woman on Friday admitted to the killing of her 10-year-old daughter, who was found dead at their home in a town in the West Midlands region of England earlier this year. Jaskirat Kaur, also known as Jasmine Kang, had been charged with the murder of Shay Kang on March 4 when West Midlands Police said the girl had been found with injuries at an address in the town of Rowley Regis and pronounced dead at the scene. Kaur has now told Wolverhampton Crown Court in a short hearing via video link from her prison that she pleads guilty to her daughter's manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility. Judge Michael Chambers has set her sentencing on that charge for October 25, when she is expected to attend the court in person. Your case is being adjourned for sentence, likely on the 25th of October. There will be a need for further reports, so it is in your interests to cooperate with the preparation of those reports, Judge Chambers told Kaur as per court reports. Defence barrister Katherine Goddard told the court there was no dispute over the facts of the case and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Kaurs guilty plea to manslaughter was acceptable to the prosecution. Earlier, an inquest into Shay's death heard that she had died as a result of stab wounds to the chest, the 'Shropshire Star' reported. Brickhouse Primary School, where Shay was a pupil, issued a statement at the time to say the school was deeply saddened by the tragic death. Shay was a bright, happy, fun-loving child who was well liked by all, and she will be very sadly missed by everyone, read the statement. Tributes including toys, cards and balloons poured in and some parents of children who attended the same school had set up an online Go Fund Me fundraiser to collect money for Shay's funeral. The fundraiser read: As you may be aware she had no family except her mum. The purpose of this is to come together as a community to help raise funds for her funeral and to also help with flowers, head stone etc. She didnt deserve this at all and the best we can do is make sure she flys (sic) high in the most beautiful way. West Midlands Police had confirmed that it was not looking for anyone else as part of the investigation after the arrest of Jaskirat Kaur. "Our thoughts remain with Shays family and friends. Her tragic death has had a profound impact on those who knew her as well as the wider community, Detective Inspector Dan Jarratt of West Midlands Police said at the time. Dubai, Aug 30 (AP) Yemen's Houthi rebels released footage on Thursday showing their fighters boarded and placed explosives on a Greek-flagged tanker, setting off blasts that put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill. The vessel was abandoned earlier, after the Houthis repeatedly attacked it. In the video, the Iran-backed Houthis chant their motto as the bombs detonated aboard the oil tanker Sounion: God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam. The blasts capped the most-serious attack in weeks by the Houthis in their campaign disrupting the $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, as well as halting some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen. The Sounion carried some 1 million barrels of oil when the Houthis initially attacked it on Aug 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of the European Union's Operation Aspides rescued the Sounion's crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, after they abandoned the vessel and took them to nearby Djibouti. The footage released Thursday shows masked Houthi fighters carrying Kalashnikov-style rifles boarding the Sounion after it was abandoned. The bridge appeared ransacked. Fighters then rigged explosives over hatches on its deck leading to the oil tankers below. At least six simultaneous blasts could be seen in the footage. The footage, as well as comments by the Houthi's mysterious leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, confirmed an earlier analysis by The Associated Press that the Houthis boarded and planted explosives on the Sounion. The Houthi-controlled SABA news agency described al-Houthi as saying the Sounion attack shows America "is lying in its claims regarding any deterrence of Yemeni operations supporting Palestine. The effectiveness of our operations and their control of the situation is acknowledged by the enemies, al-Houthi said. Western countries and the United Nations have warned any oil spill from the Sounion could devastate the coral reefs and wildlife around the Red Sea. However, the EU's naval force in the region says it has yet to see any oil spill from the Sounion. Operation Aspides is preparing to facilitate any courses of action, in coordination with European authorities and neighbouring countries, to avert a catastrophic environmental crisis," the EU mission said. Together, we can protect the environment and maintain stability in the region. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric commended the efforts by the international community and the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to secure the immediate access to the vessel and avert an environmental catastrophe. The Houthis have agreed to allow the operation to proceed safely, he said. Dujarric did not offer any indication when it might start but added that the reports that "the salvage operations for the tanker can proceed with tugboats and rescue ships to access the incident area" are encouraging. On Wednesday, the Houthis suggested they may allow the Sounion to be salvaged, though the rebels already once blocked crews trying to reach the abandoned vessel, the US military said. The US State Department declined to directly comment on the video Thursday. It referred to earlier remarks in which spokesperson Matthew Miller warned the Houthis' continued attacks threaten to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 off Alaska. This isn't the first time the Houthis have used the threat of an oil spill to their advantage. It took years of negotiations before the rebels allowed the UN in 2023 to remove 1 million barrels from the oil tanker Safer off the coast of Yemen, which had been used as a floating storage and offloading facility. Experience has shown that the group is willing to interfere with salvage efforts if they can turn the situation into a political bargaining chip, warned Noam Raydan, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy who has studied the ongoing Houthi attacks. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets. The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel's campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran. Meanwhile Thursday, the US military's Central Command said its forces destroyed a Houthi missile system and drone. (AP) SCY SCY Washington, Aug 30 (AP) The United States' longest war officially ended in August 2021. But in the three years since, hundreds of people around the country have struggled in obscurity to help the Afghans left behind. Working in isolation or in small grassroots networks they became committed to helping these former allies to the United States. They have assisted Afghans struggling through State Department bureaucracy, sent food and rent money to families, fielded messages from Afghans pleading for help and welcomed those who made it out of Afghanistan into their homes. Scott Mann, a retired Green Beret who spent several deployments training Afghan special forces, describes the last few years as being on the world's longest 911 call and unable to hang up. Many veterans, like himself, owe their lives to Afghans they worked with, he said. Now those people need help for their families. How do you hang up the phone on something like that?" he said. This informal network was born in August 2021 when the Taliban assumed control of the country and US forces pulled out. Past and current members of the US military, the State Department and US intelligence services were all besieged by Afghans they'd worked with begging for help. Thomas Kasza was just leaving active duty where he'd spent a decade with US Army Special Forces and was planning to go to medical school. Then came the evacuation. He started helping Afghans he knew. Three years later, medical school has been abandoned and he's the executive director of an organisation called the 1208 Foundation. The group helps Afghans who worked with the special forces to detect explosives to come to America. The foundation does things like provide housing for the Afghans when they travel to other countries for visa interviews. In 2023 they helped 25 Afghan families get out of Afghanistan. Each is a hard-fought victory and a new life. But they still have about another 170 cases in their roster, representing more than 900 people when family members are included. To focus on the mission getting those Afghan team members to safety he limits the conversations he has with them. You have to maintain a separation for your own sanity, he says. By the time the last plane lifted off on August 30, 2021, about 76,000 Afghans had been flown out of the country and eventually to the US Another 84,000 have come since then. But more are still waiting. There are about 135,000 applicants to a special immigrant visa program for Afghans who worked with the US government and another 28,000 waiting on other US refugee programmes for Afghans. The Biden administration has taken steps to streamline these processes. The State department says in fiscal year 2023, it issued more SIVs for Afghans in a single year than ever before more than 18,000 and is on track to surpass that figure this year. But there are risks in Afghanistan for those still waiting. Faraidoon Fred Abdullah is a volunteer who talks often to those still waiting. The 37-year-old once worked as a translator for the US military in Afghanistan. Using the SIV programme, he left Afghanistan in 2016 for America and enlisted in the US Army a year later. Abdullah said he'd lost many American friends who served in Afghanistan so it was a dream to wear the American military uniform. Now he helps other Afghans trying to navigate the same programme he did. He's describes the work he does as similar to that of a social worker. The calls come at random and varying hours of the night and day, he says. He worries attention has faded from Afghanistan as other conflicts flare: That focus has shifted to Ukraine, Gaza, Israel and Haiti. And then we are kind of like, you know, nowhere. Moral injury is a relatively new term that is often referred to in the discussion about how many volunteers, especially military veterans, feel about the aftermath of the US pullout from Afghanistan and the treatment of allies. It refers to the damage done to one's conscience by the things they've had to do or witnessed or failed to prevent things that violate their own values. It is a concept that Kate Kovarovic feels passionate about. She was the director of resilience programming for #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organisations dedicated to helping Afghans trying to leave Afghanistan. During the evacuation and its aftermath, volunteers were focused on helping Afghans flee or find safe houses. But a few months later volunteers started realising that they needed support as well, she says. Kovarovic says they tried a little bit of everything to help the volunteers such as fireside chats with mental health professionals and a mental health resource page on #AfghanEvac's website. And she helped create a Resilience Duty Officer support programme for volunteers needing someone to talk. I personally fielded over 50 suicide calls from people, she recalls. You were hearing a lot of the trauma. Eventually she had to leave the work. She now hosts a podcast called Shoulder to Shoulder: Untold Stories From a Forgotten War with a retired Air Force veteran she met during the evacuation. She wants people outside the community to know that the work of helping Afghans during the withdrawal and all that has happened since has been its own front line in the war on terror. Everyone in the movement has varying views of where this effort goes from here. Many want Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide a permanent emigration pathway for Afghans. Others would like support for volunteers' mental health concerns. Many just want accountability. In the meantime, the work goes on getting Afghans to safety and helping them once they're here. In 2022, at Dulles International Airport, Army veteran and No One Left Behind board member Mariah Smith got to experience that moment when an Afghan woman the group had been helping and her family made it to America. Smith had gotten to know her through the process of helping her come to America and offered the woman, Latifa, a place to live. Mariah lives in Stephens City on a farm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley countryside. She also owns a home in town that she usually rents out but was empty at the time. She offered it to Latifa and her family. Mariah was amazed at the response by the town of roughly 2,000 people. Townspeople pitched in with furniture, toys and household items for the family who stayed for over a year before moving to Dallas. Smith says it was a way to help a family who'd had everything taken from them in their home country: It felt like being a part of, I guess, the fabric of America. (AP) GRS GRS Melbourne, Aug 30 (The Conversation) In the world of the internet, clicks are currency. The more people click on a website, social media post or an advertisement, the more that content generates revenue. But cybercriminals can exploit this rapidly growing market for clicks through what are known as click frauds. And everyone, from everyday internet users to large organisations that use the web to share content or sell their products, is vulnerable. But what exactly are click frauds? And what can be done to prevent them? What is click fraud? Click fraud occurs when someone creates a network of bots or sets up farms of human workers to generate clicks online. It can take many forms. Fraudsters often use automated bots or click farms to generate fraudulent clicks on ads or likes on their own websites. They create websites and invite businesses to advertise on their site at a cost. If advertisers are paying per click, then the fraudster will earn money for their business (which is often a fake business) and divert traffic to their site. Alternatively, a genuine business might create their own advertisements and place them on various websites. Cybercriminals might bombard these advertisements with clicks, which will be very costly for genuine businesses when they are paying per click. The motivation here may be that the criminal has their own genuine business, and they are hoping the advertising cost will be so expensive it will put their competitor out of business. A third method is that a criminal may create a fake website they hope users will click on. This is because the site has a malicious link that will download malware onto a users computer, or because they hope to scam the user in another way (for example, by paying upfront fees for a service or items that do not exist). By increasing traffic to their website, the website moves up in online search rankings. This impacts the general user who believes that because the site is high up in the order, it is a genuine and popular business they should trust. Higher clicks can lead to higher trust The psychological theory of planned behaviour provides some explanation for why people might trust a site that has numerous clicks and likes compared to a site that has few. According to the theory, human behaviour is guided by three main factors: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Lets consider each of these with respect to click fraud: Attitudes: people often associate higher numbers of clicks, likes and traffic with credibility and trustworthiness. This is based on the belief that if many others engage with a site, it must be valuable, reputable or of high quality. Subjective norms: subjective norms involve the perceived social pressure to perform or not perform a behaviour. If people see their peers, or society in general, trusting and using sites with many clicks and likes, they may feel pressured to trust these sites as well. This social influence can reinforce the behaviour of valuing and trusting high-traffic sites. Perceived behavioural control: high traffic, clicks and likes can serve as indicators a site is reliable, reducing the perceived risk and effort required to evaluate it. When people perceive it is easier to trust a site with many popularity indicators, they are more likely to trust that site. How can you prevent click fraud? Ad fraud software is one method to prevent harm from click fraud. Businesses can use specialised ad fraud detection and prevention tools, such as ClickCease, Fraudlogix or DoubleVerify. These tools can analyse click patterns, detect anomalies and block suspicious activity. Businesses can also use IP blacklists to identify and block known fraudulent IP addresses. An IP or internet protocol address is a unique identifying number for any device connected to the internet. Businesses can also employ geo-targeting to limit ad exposure to specific regions or locations, reducing the risk of fraudulent clicks from irrelevant or high-risk areas. The general internet user can also be a part of the solution. We need to change our online shopping and trust behaviours. Some of the following checks will help users determine if a website or business is genuine: verify the source. Is it credible and well-known? hover over the URL. Is it a known web address? It may mimic one, so a close inspection is needed. For example, the legitimate website www.google.com might be www.go0gle.com become more aware of click fraud. Knowing it is prolific and that you are most likely to encounter it in your everyday life will help you learn to spot it and avoid it. use antivirus and anti-malware software protection to help protect you, identify malicious websites, and keep your software up to date. You cannot solely rely on this software to protect you, but it is an important part of the solution. (The Conversation) NSA NSA Islamabad, Aug 30 (PTI) A senior Pakistani official has informed a parliamentary panel that the privatisation of the national flag carrier would be completed by October 1 after missing an earlier deadline. The News International reported that Privatisation Commission Secretary Usman Akhtar Bajwa said this on Thursday while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation about the offloading of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The government agreed in June last year to overhaul loss-making SOEs under a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a USD 3 billion bailout. The PIA was listed as a priority for privatisation due to its persistent and staggering financial losses, amounting to billions of rupees annually. Hence, the present government initiated the process of floating the PIA for its sell-off. During the Senate Standing Committee meeting, Secretary Bajwa assured that the date of PIAs privatisation process would not exceed October 1. He pointed out that six companies were finalised for the national carriers bidding. Whoever buys the PIA will have to invest Pakistani Rs 425 billion immediately for its smooth functioning, he said, with the meetings participants noting that the airlines deficit had reached Pakistani Rs 500 billion. Earlier, the federal government had granted a two-month extension to the due diligence period for the airlines privatisation process, now set to conclude by October 1 this year. In April, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the process of privatising PIA would be finalised by the end of June or early July but it could not be done. The PIA was once the leading airline but deteriorated over time and became unprofitable in 2011. Its poor performance required state subsidies to tackle rising debts and remain in the air. Previous efforts to overhaul or sell it failed due to political hurdles. Moscow, Aug 30 (AP) A Russian newspaper publisher was convicted by a court in Siberia on Friday and sentenced to eight years in prison after his paper reported on Russia's attacks on civilians in Ukraine, local media and rights activists reported. The court in the city of Gorno-Altaysk convicted Sergei Mikhailov, a prominent journalist in the Siberian region of Altai and the publisher of the local newspaper Listok, or "Leaflet" in Russian, of spreading false information about the Russian army, the Net Freedoms rights group said. Under a new law adopted days after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it has become a criminal offense in Russia to criticise the war. Hundreds of Russians, including multiple journalists, have been prosecuted under the law in a government crackdown of unprecedented scale and harshness. According to OVD-Info, one of Russia's leading rights groups that tracks political arrests, more than 1,000 people have been implicated in criminal cases over their anti-war stance since February 2022. Mikhailov was arrested in April that year over a series of posts on Listok's social media pages and a story on Listok's website that reported on Russia's attacks on civilians in Ukraine, according to Net Freedoms. He has vehemently rejected the charges, the group said. Russia's independent news outlet Meduza quoted Mikhailov as telling the court in his closing statement on Wednesday that the purpose of the publications is to reveal to my fellow countrymen the truth" about the war and to protect them from the sophisticated lies of Russian state propaganda. "All these years I have been writing what I consider to be the truth, albeit bitter," Mikhailov said, according to Meduza. (AP) PY PY Rome, Aug 30 (AP) Italian prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said on Friday. The move widens the probe into the tragic shipwreck, for which the ship's captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, is already under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges. Since Wednesday, Tim Parker Eaton the engineer who was in charge of securing the yacht's engine room and sailor Matthew Griffith who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster are under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said. The profile of their possible responsibilities is still unclear, as the investigation has just started, lawyer Mario Scopesi told The Associated Press. Scopesi added that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew. The three crew members were 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, who is heading the investigation, has said his team will consider each possible element of responsibility including those of the captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision and the yacht's manufacturer. The Bayesian, a 56-metre (184-foot) British-flagged luxury yacht, went down near Sicily, in the Mediterranean. 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. All crewmembers survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yacht's hull and died. (AP) PY PY New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) A man has been booked for trespassing for allegedly trying to enter the Parliament complex on a fake entry pass, officials said on Thursday. According to police, a labourer of a civil construction site inside the Parliament complex was found carrying a fake entry pass while checking at one of the gates on Wednesday morning. The man was later handed over to the Delhi Police by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials. He was subsequently taken to the Parliament Street police station, where he revealed that his pass had expired. Police said the man was asked from where he got the pass and that further probe is on. On August 16, a man scaled the wall of the Parliament Annexe. He was caught by the CISF personnel and handed over to police. The man was found to he mentally "unsound" as he could not even tell his name properly, officials said. New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Jamia Millia Islamia on Thursday suspended a professor after receiving a complaint of sexual harassment against him by a student, an official order said. The Internal Complaints Committee of the university has launched an inquiry against the accused, the order said. The professor could not be contacted for a comment on the allegation. "A student of BA (Hons) Sanskrit, vide her email dated 29.08.2024, has submitted a complaint of sexual harassment...In her complaint, she has stated that the professor called her inside his official chamber and touched her inappropriately," the suspension order stated. He also already tried to sexually assault her by making advances involving "unwelcome and explicit" sexual overturns, it added. "By taking cognizance of the complaint of the student...on part of a professor of the university, the Officiating Vice-Chancellor, JMI, in terms of Statute 37(1) of the Statutes of the university, hereby places the professor under suspension with immediate effect pending inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee of the university," the order said. Indore, Aug 29 (PTI) Ahead of the Simhastha-Kumbh Mela in 2028 in Madhya Pradeshs Ujjain, the authorities in Indore have decided to remove about 1,500 encroaching makeshift houses in the catchment areas of the Kanh and Saraswati rivers, an official has said. The decision is a part of the campaign to make the Kshipra river pollution-free, the official said. Simhastha Mela is held in Ujjain every 12 years. Tens of thousands of Hindus take a holy dip in Kshipra during Simhastha in Ujjain. According to Hindu scriptures, Kshipra originated from the heart of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the first phase, about 1,500 kuccha houses encroached upon the catchment area of the Kanh and Saraswati rivers will be removed, Indore Collector Ashish Singh told reporters here on Thursday. He said that the work of shifting the people from the catchment areas, some of whom have been served notices, has been affected due to rains. It will be taken up in the next five to ten days, the collector said. Singh said that the National Green Tribunal and MP High Court have already passed directions for clearing the encroachment up to 30 metres from the banks of the rivers in the area. Officials said the administration has identified around 3,000 encroachments in the catchment areas of both rivers in Indore. In addition to makeshift houses, these also include permanent residential and commercial buildings, they said. The Shipra river, which originates from the rural areas of Indore, flows to Ujjain. However, in the country's cleanest city, Indore, the highly polluted waters from the Kanh and Saraswati flow into the Shipra, further contributing to its pollution. Locals have reported that due to heavy pollution, the water of Shipra in Ujjain is not even suitable for achaman (ritual sipping). To rid Kshipra of pollution before the Simhastha, the Indore administration has prepared a blueprint for a Rs 600-crore rejuvenation plan. This includes setting up 11 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) and laying a 450-km-long sewage line. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have engaged in talks regarding the coordination of frequencies of terrestrial communication services between the two countries, Trend reports. According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the discussions took place during a meeting with representatives from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry. The meeting focused on ensuring the smooth operation of FM radio stations in Baku and northern Azerbaijan and discussed steps to coordinate frequencies to prevent interference. Additionally, the transition to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) in Baku and northern regions was addressed, with Kazakhstan showing interest in exchanging experiences related to digital broadcasting. Considerable attention was also given to next-generation mobile communication. During the meeting, technical agreements were reached for the implementation of services in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz frequency bands. Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) A man has been arrested from Delhi for the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old boy here, city police said on Thursday. Bipul Biren Sikari (39) was apprehended earlier this week by a Mumbai police team with the help of Kamla Market police station in the national capital, an official said. The accused was brought here and remanded in police custody till August 31, he said. Sikari murdered his wife in West Bengal in 2012 and was convicted in the case, but was released on parole during the COVID-19 pandemic from Bardhaman Central Prison. After that he fled to Mumbai, the official said. He allegedly kidnapped the boy in Wadala Truck Terminus area, where he was living, on January 28, 2024. The boy's decomposed body without the head was found at Kharganga, Wadala on March 5. The parents identified it with the help of footwear, and DNA test too supported the identification, the official said. Police had formed eight teams and launched a manhunt for the accused in nine states including Delhi. Further probe is on. Ahmedabad, Aug 30 (PTI) The authorities in Gujarats Kutch district have asked people living in huts and makeshift houses to take shelter in schools, temples or other buildings after the IMD said that a deep depression over the area might turn into a cyclonic storm by Friday morning. Following the warning by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kutch Collector Amit Arora issued a video message asking people living in Abdasa, Mandvi and Lakhpat talukas to leave their huts and kutcha houses and take shelter in any school or other buildings. He also urged locals to come forward and provide shelter to such poor people in their houses till Friday evening. In a statement on Thursday night, IMD said, Deep depression over Kutch and adjoining areas is likely to move nearly westwards into northeast Arabian sea and intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours. It would then move west-northwestwards away from Indian coast during subsequent two days. After the IMD warning, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached the State Emergency Operations Centre in Gandhinagar on Thursday night and talked to Arora through video conference about the district administrations preparedness, said an official release. If the deep depression turns into a cyclone, it will be named Asna, a name suggested by Pakistan. This is a rare occurrence that a deep depression over land has converted to a cyclonic storm over the sea. The formation of a cyclone in August in the Arabian Sea is also rare. During this period, the sea condition will be rough and wind speed may reach up to 75 kmph along and off the Gujarat coast, the IMD has said. Itanagar, Aug 30 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Education and Libraries Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona on Friday called upon journalists to inculcate the habit of reading books to enhance their professional expertise. Speaking at the inauguration of a new library block at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, Sona, an avid reader himself, stressed that the habit of reading should be cultivated from childhood. He emphasised that reading plays a crucial role in keeping people well-informed, a trait particularly important for those in the media profession. "Reading not only enriches the mind, but also equips professionals with the knowledge needed to excel in their fields," Sona remarked. He expressed hope that the new library would serve as a valuable resource for journalists, fostering a culture of continuous learning within the press community. "The newly inaugurated library block is expected to become a hub for journalists seeking to broaden their knowledge and stay updated on current affairs, further contributing to the quality of journalism in the state," Sona added. Information and Public Relations (IPR) secretary Nyali Ete in his address suggested that the new library should be digitised and make it accessible to all. "I have very high expectations from the scribes in the state. Please be ethical while disseminating news," Ete added, stressing the importance of responsible journalism. President of the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS), Y D Thongchi, a Padma Shri awardee, lauded the Arunachal Press Club as one of the best in the country. He expressed gratitude to the state government for providing necessary funds to construct the new building. Thongchi further suggested that APC leaders obtain books from the state research department on various tribes to enrich the librarys collection. Earlier, APC president Dodum Yangfo recounted the journey of the press club from its humble beginnings in a small building to the present site. He informed that the new library would be equipped with a wide range of books covering diverse subjects and would be open to all club members, including students from mass communication departments of various colleges and universities. Yangfo also announced plans to organise periodical reading sessions with the support of the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS). Itanagar, Aug 30 (PTI) Two persons, including a police constable, were arrested by the Arunachal Pradesh Police on charges of peddling drugs, police said on Friday. The police arrested the constable and the drug peddler with heroin weighing 13.36 grams valued at Rs 50,000 from Pusi Doke village in the state's West Siang district on Thursday, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the district, Moge Bole, said. Acting on a tip-off that drugs were being transported to the district headquarters Aalo from Silapathar in Assam, a police team was formed. The police team set up a naka at NH-13 near Pusi Doke village, the DSP said. At around 7.40 pm, the team stopped a suspected vehicle and seized the contraband, the police officer said. The DSP said that the vehicle used in the crime belonged to the constable. A case was registered under the NDPS Act at Aalo police station after the two were arrested, he said. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Describing the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital as a "painful" incident, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Friday called for a deterrent ecosystem to punish the perpetrators for such crimes. Referring to President Droupadi Murmu's exclusive article for PTI -- her first statement on the incident -- Dhankhar reiterated her expression, "Enough is enough." Murmu's hard-hitting and personalised article, titled "Women's Safety: Enough is Enough", was the first time the president articulated her views on the August 9 Kolkata incident that has once again shaken the conscience of the nation and led to widespread, continuing protests. The vice president was addressing students at Delhi University's Bharti College during an event. "It is unfortunate to see the kind of fear girls and women have in their minds because of such incidents. President Murmu is a tribal woman herself. She has seen the ground reality. She rightly expressed in a media note that enough is enough for crime against women," Dhankhar said. Referring to the 2012 Delhi gang rape incident, he added that the repeated incidents call for a strong ecosystem to punish the culprits and instil fear in their minds. He slammed those justifying the rape incident by calling it a regular occurrence, saying he is appalled by their thought process. Dhankhar also slammed "anti-national" narratives against India and called it the biggest challenge in the development of the country. He urged students to keep the national interest above political and ideological differences. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Amid a nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Friday said West Bengal has the third highest number of fast track courts in the country. In a post on X, O'Brien shared a part of a written reply from Rajya Sabha dated July 27, 2023, which gave the numbers of fast track courts in the country. According to the reply, West Bengal had 88 functional fast track courts till May 2023. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of 372 fast track courts, while Maharashtra came second with 97 fast track courts till May 2023. In a post tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, O'Brien, TMC's parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, said, "Since people from your team are shooting off letters to Bengal CM Mamata Baerjee, thought you might find this answer in Parliament on fast track courts very informative". "Bengal has the third highest number of functional fast track courts in country," he said. Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has written to West Bengal Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee on Monday, alleging that the state has not taken any step to start the remaining 11 fast track special courts in spite of a pendency of 48,600 rape and Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) cases. In the letter, Devi had also criticised the West Bengal government for failing to implement key emergency helplines such as the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Child Helpline. CM Banerjee wrote to PM Modi on Friday asserting that 88 fast-track special courts and 62 POCSO-designated courts are already functioning in West Bengal on state funding. Banerjee wrote that helpline numbers 112 and 1098 are functioning in the state and that Dial-100 is extensively used in emergency situations. She also reiterated her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) India confirmed on Friday that it has received an invitation from Pakistan for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting to be held in Islamabad in October. Pakistan invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to the SCO's Council of Heads of Government meeting. "Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO's Council of Heads of State that is to happen. We do not have an update on that," a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in response to a reporter's question during his media briefing here. Pakistan holds the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) and in that capacity, will be hosting the two-day in-person SCO Heads of Government 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," Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at her weekly press briefing in Pakistan. Some countries have already confirmed their participation in the meeting and their names will be shared in due course, she said. 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 was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017. In July 2023, Iran became a permanent member of the SCO at an India-hosted virtual summit of the grouping. The SCO, as an influential economic and security bloc, 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 virtually. It was attended by Pakistani 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. Zardari 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. Jammu, Aug 30 (PTI) BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh cautioned the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the malicious designs of the NC-Congress alliance, alleging they are playing into the hands of Pakistan. Chugh accused former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his National Conference (NC) party of advocating the reinstatement of Article 370 and seeking dialogue with Pakistan to discuss autonomy for the state. These pose a danger to the stability of J&K, he said. "The people of the Union Territory should be wary of the malicious designs of the NC-Congress alliance. They are playing into Pakistan's hands," Chugh said, while addressing a meeting of party workers here this evening. Campaigning for the BJP candidates, Chugh said, "The sole agenda of the NC-Congress alliance, which is aligned with Pakistan's ISI, is to disrupt the exemplary work that Modi has undertaken for the growth and prosperity of the region." Chugh warned that this new alliance will reintroduce terrorism in J&K, leading the region back to times of conflict and unrest. He highlighted the Modi government's vision, saying it has inspired hope among the youth of J&K for promising careers nationwide. "Children are now aspiring for a brighter future across the country. However, the NC-Congress alliance threatens to take us back to the days of terror and insecurity across J&K," he added. Chugh criticised the NC manifesto released by Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, and said it clearly indicates a renewed pursuit of autonomy. He described the manifesto as a blatant endorsement of an anti-national agenda. "There have been open threats to revisit the events of 1990 that led to the exodus of over 1.50 lakh Kashmiri Pandits due to terrorism," he added. The Congress has allied itself with this divisive and disruptive agenda, showing no interest in the development of J&K, he said. "The sole agenda of the NC-Congress alliance, which is aligned with Pakistan's ISI, is to disrupt the exemplary work that Modi has undertaken for the growth and prosperity of the region," he reiterated. Chugh urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to thwart what he described as the sinister intentions of the NC-Congress alliance. He alleged that these political groups aim to plunge the state back into the violence and turmoil reminiscent of the 1990s. He emphasised the importance of preventing a return to an era of instability and violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Citing a recent statement by NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Chugh expressed concern that he hinted at a resurgence of violence and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits witnessed in the 1990s. Chugh cautioned that the alliance of Congress, NC and Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP is driven by a desire to sow chaos and anarchy in the region. "Former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and his NC party are openly advocating the reinstatement of Article 370 and seeking dialogue with Pakistan to discuss autonomy for the state," he said, claiming that these pose a danger to the stability of J&K. Chugh also criticised the manifestos of the PDP, Congress and NC, accusing them of displaying greater loyalty to Pakistan than to India. He expressed alarm over their alleged plan to release convicted militants like Yasin Malik, whom he accused of admitting to killing naval officers and civilians. Chugh called on the public to scrutinise these political groups for aligning with militants and promoting a divisive agenda. He reminded the audience of incidents such as the Chattisingh Pura massacre and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, which he claims these parties tacitly condoned and now promise to repeat by releasing terrorists. Chugh said this election represents a critical battle between the BJP and what he labelled as conspirators like Sheikh Abdullah and his successors. "I urge you to recognise the malicious intentions of the Congress, NC and PDP, who seek to push J&K into chaos. Recently, former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and his NC team explicitly stated in their manifesto that they intend to reinstate Article 370, release prisoners and engage in dialogue with Pakistan regarding autonomy in the Assembly," he said. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Amid reports blaming India for floods in parts of Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday dismissed them as "factually not correct" and said the "narrative is misleading". Spokesperson of the external affairs ministry Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query during the media briefing here. "We have seen the reports on floods in Bangladesh, its narrative is misleading, and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. It is factually not correct, and ignores the fact mentioned in the (recent) press releases issued by the government of India, clarifying the situation," he said. They have also ignored that we have a "regular and timely exchange" of data and critical information between the two countries, through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management, the spokesperson said. In the last few days, some reports have suggested that the floods in parts of Bangladesh were caused due to the opening of gates of a dam in India, whipping up anti-India sentiments among the people. Jaiswal said flooding in eastern Tripura and eastern Bangladesh happened "due to incessant and excessive rains". He said on water sharing, water resources management, and flood management, "There are established procedures between India and Bangladesh" for several years now. "There are 54 rivers that we share, and this mechanism, institutional mechanism that we have, has been in existence for quite some time. As part of the establishment procedure we have been exchanging data timely and on a regular basis with Bangladesh," Jaiswal said, adding thereafter, "we explained it in two press releases". During the press briefing, he was also asked if a formal request has come from Bangladesh's interim government for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but he did not give a clear answer. "The former prime minister of Bangladesh came to India at a very short notice for safety reasons. We have nothing further to add on that matter. What you asked lies in the realm of hypothetical issues," he said. The recent unprecedented anti-government protests in Bangladesh eventually led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and her fleeing to India on August 5. Hasina's presence in India for more than three weeks has given rise to speculation in that country. In response to a query on the recent talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, he said the subject of Bangladesh which has been highlighted by certain quarters was "discussed substantially by both the leaders". Jaiswal said there have been comments regarding the difference in the readouts of India and the US issued after the contact between the two leaders. "These claims are uninformed, tendentious, motivated and betray a total lack of familiarity with the process of how such contacts between leaders are organised, and then followed upon," he said. Firstly, press releases issued after contacts are not like joint statements where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon. Secondly, such press releases are not meant to be comprehensive readouts of such conversations, the MEA spokesperson added. "Finally, it is not unusual for the two sides to emphasise different aspects of the same conversation in their respective readouts. The absence of an aspect of one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself. Our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation," he said. Jaiswal also shared details about the conversation between the chief adviser of the interim government and India's high commission in Dhaka, when the latter called on him. "This happened some days back when he discussed several aspects of our relationship. He also talked about how India would like to continue to work with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of people of both countries, for prosperity, security and development," he said. The high commissioner had conveyed India's commitment to taking forward the relationship in accordance with respective national priorities. He stressed this fact. They discussed other issues including the safety of Hindus and minorities there, Jaiswal said. The high commissioner also informed that flooding in eastern Bangladesh was caused "due to excessive rains," he added. In response to another query, Jaiswal said, "Yes, because of the turmoil in Bangladesh, our (bilateral) projects have been impacted". India's development cooperation activities with Bangladesh are aimed at the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Some of the projects have been stalled as they have been affected due to the law and order situation there, he said. "Once the situation stabilises, normalcy is restored then we will engage in consultation with the interim government about our initiatives and see how best can we take those forward, and what sort of understanding we can reach on them," the spokesperson said. On a query on reports on the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh being lifted, he said, "We see it as an internal issue of Bangladesh". He was also asked about the visa situation for Bangladeshi citizens to which he said, "We are issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes". "Once the situation becomes normal, law and order is restored, then we will begin our full-fledged visa operations," he added. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) The Indian government has adopted the policy of 'One Nation, One Policy' for organ donation and transplantation and has also started consultation process with the states in the matter, a senior health ministry official said on Friday. "Organ donation needs to become a way of life for us so that we can give a new lease of life to those suffering from organ failure," said L S Changsan, Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry of Health. Changsan made the remarks as she inaugurated a deliberation on 'Reforms required for augmentation of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in terms of Technology, Processes and Legislation in India' here today. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of organ donation in his Mann Ki Baat programme and emphasised on the fact that one person donating organs after death can give a new lease of life to up to eight patients suffering from various organ failures," she said. She also stressed on the need to promote organ donation from the deceased persons to meet the huge need for organ donation in the country Changsan said that the ministry's focus is to improve availability of infrastructure and trained manpower for organ transplantation, especially in government institutions. The Centre has already initiated Organ Donation Public Awareness Campaign under the title 'Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan,' actively underway in several states and institutions. Dr Atul Goel, Director General Health Service (DGHS), said that the NOTTO has taken the lead in the field of organ and tissue transplant in India and the deliberation underway in the national capital provides an opportunity for introspection on putting systems in place. "In our nation we have had a tradition of giving i.e. altruism. While we have live donations, we need to encourage deceased donations as much as possible both in government and private hospitals," he said. The two-day Chintan Shivir will cover ten important themes concerning organ donation and transplantation and various sub-themes. The objectives for the Chintan Shivir are to discuss the reforms required for augmenting organ and tissue donation and transplantation besides exploring and discuss advancements in technology that can improve organ donation and allocation processes. The aim is to propose recommendations for legislative reforms in order to strengthen the existing legal framework related to organ donation and transplantation. In an exclusive interview with Trend News Agency, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid shares insights on the organization's perspective on recent developments in Central Asia and the new cooperation formats they are ready to introduce. Trend News Agency is a leading source of news from this region in the global information space. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. OSCE focuses on climate resilience in Central Asia through cross-border collaboration, Helga Schmid, OSCE Secretary General, told Trend in an exclusive interview. "Earthquakes, but also droughts, landslides, and floods aggravated by climate change, are major threats in Central Asia. They disrupt economic growth, damage infrastructure, slow down progress on key economic and social indicators, and undermine efforts to maintain security and peace. That is why effective cross-border water management and cooperation on disaster risk reduction are so important to address these issues affecting the region," she said. According to Schmid, the OSCE has unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering climate resilience across Central Asia, as the region faces mounting environmental threats exacerbated by climate change. The OSCE has long championed regional cooperation in transboundary water management and security. The SecGen emphasized the importance of this cooperation: "Effective cross-border water management is essential for creating a stable and secure foundation for development. By working together, Central Asian countries can build a robust framework for addressing shared environmental challenges". The organizations field operations in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have supported the Intergovernmental Chu-Talas Water Commission, providing technical expertise and facilitating dialogue. "Our work with the Chu-Talas Water Commission is a prime example of how regional collaboration can lead to tangible improvements in water security and management," she noted. In Tajikistan, the OSCEs Programme Office in Dushanbe has been actively involved in promoting sustainable irrigation policies and wastewater treatment. Sustainable water management is crucial for ensuring long-term environmental and economic stability, the SecGen remarked. "Our initiatives in Tajikistan aim to develop and implement policies that will benefit the region as a whole". The new initiative will focus on enhancing resilience to environmental risks and disasters across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Helga Schmid highlighted the goals of the initiative: "Our first pilot project in Central Asia will help us identify specific needs and develop a regional roadmap for disaster preparedness and response. This collaborative effort will bring together all five Central Asian countries to address environmental challenges in a unified manner". The OSCE is also emphasizing the importance of gender inclusivity in decision-making on water security. "Equal participation of women in high-level decision-making processes is vital for achieving comprehensive and effective solutions," she added. "Our comprehensive approach to security involves both enhancing preparedness and fostering regional cooperation, the SecGen said. "By improving alert systems, early warning mechanisms, and collaborative frameworks, we can better address the risks posed by environmental degradation and natural disasters". She further noted that, in recent years, the OSCE has been actively advancing its work on energy security in Central Asia, with efforts continually expanding to address emerging challenges. Helga Schmid emphasized the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society to not only enhance access to energy but also to protect energy systems from evolving threats, including the growing impacts of climate change. "Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders work together to strengthen the resilience of energy systems against new threats," she said. "This is why we recently launched a pioneering project that provides downscaled climate modeling for the energy sector across the region until 2050. This initiative is a crucial step in helping the region adapt to the long-term impacts of climate change". The SecGen also acknowledged the efforts of countries in transitioning to greener energy in line with their commitments to the Paris Agreement. "We are fully supporting these efforts, aiming to help countries achieve their energy transition goals in a way thats both sustainable and inclusive," she noted. "It's essential that women and marginalized groups are actively involved in this transition, ensuring that no one is left behind". On the topic of connectivity, the OSCE remains committed to helping stakeholders in trade and transport unlock the full potential of the region as a key market hub connecting Europe and Asia. The SecGen highlighted one of the OSCE's flagship initiatives, the 'Green Ports' Project, which assists selected ports in the Caspian and Black Seas in achieving EcoPorts certifications, aligning them with top international environmental standards. "This is an initiative I am personally very proud of," she said. "I was pleased to hand over eco-certificates in person to the ports of Kuryk in Kazakhstan and Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan during my visits to the region. I was equally impressed by the work done at the port of Baku. Moving forward, we plan to further strengthen the resilience of these ports against the projected impacts of climate change". Looking ahead, the OSCE plans to expand its work on connectivity by promoting cross-border trade and transport facilitation, supporting regional and interregional economic cooperation, and establishing an interregional digital trade platform. "We believe that enhancing collaboration to build a secure energy provision system and a trans-border trade network can significantly boost confidence and promote security in the region," the SecGen stated. "We are actively working to ensure that our initiatives deliver tangible results on the ground, benefiting millions across the region". Schmid highlighted the OSCEs efforts to reduce the environmental impact of ports in the Caspian and Black Sea regions, emphasizing the significant progress made in recent years. "When I visited the Port of Baku last July, I saw firsthand the difference this is making," she stated. The OSCE is leveraging advanced technologies to enable ports to monitor various environmental factors, allowing them to adapt their operations to meet ambitious sustainability goals. Beyond port initiatives, the OSCE is also fostering broader climate cooperation across Central Asia, bringing cities like Astana, Ashgabat, and Tashkent into the fold. Schmid underscored the importance of urban areas in addressing climate challenges, given that most of the global population now resides in cities. The organization is working to develop sustainable, resilient, and innovative urban solutions, sharing knowledge and best practices across borders to ensure that Central Asia is well-prepared for the future. The OSCEs efforts in green ports and urban cooperation reflect a broader commitment to cross-border collaboration as a central strategy for overcoming climate-related challenges. Schmid noted, "There is simply no other way. The OSCE is doing its part to deliver for the citizens across the OSCE region." Speaking further, Helga Schmid highlighted the critical need for cross-border cooperation to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Central Asia and the South Caucasus. "The challenges we face transcend national borders. Our solutions must therefore bridge communities, borders, and nations," she stated, emphasizing that no single country can tackle issues such as climate change, ongoing conflicts, or regional instability alone. Reflecting on her tenure, Helga Schmid underscored the OSCE's commitment to fostering regional collaboration. "Bringing together states to address shared security issues is at the heart of the OSCEs mission. This is particularly relevant for Central Asia and the South Caucasus," she noted. The SecGen praised the OSCEs efforts in promoting and often initiating regional cooperation to address common challenges. One notable achievement mentioned by the SecGen was the launch of a regional environmental dialogue format at the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change, held in Vienna on July 7, 2023. This new 5+1 format has proven effective in strengthening regional partnerships, with subsequent meetings involving Foreign Affairs Ministers in 2023 and Environment Ministers in March 2024. Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, Schmid pointed out that safety and security cannot be achieved without involving diverse perspectives. "The OSCE is dedicated to providing platforms for young people and women to contribute to regional security," she said. Through model conferences, summer schools, and initiatives like the Young Women for Peace Initiative for Central Asia, the OSCE is working to empower young women and men in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Helga Schmid expressed pride in these efforts and reaffirmed the OSCEs commitment to supporting a sustainable and peaceful future for the region. "Our work in Central Asia and the South Caucasus is ongoing, and we remain focused on building a more secure and cooperative regional environment," she concluded. You can read the first part of the interview with the OSCE Secretary General at the following link. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday searched multiple locations across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, as part of its efforts to scuttle the attempts of the banned CPI (Maoist) to revive its presence, according to an official statement. Nine locations, linked with various accused and suspects, were searched as part of the crackdown, it said. Four of these were in Punjab, two each in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and one in Delhi, said the statement issued by the NIA. All these states, along with Himachal Pradesh, constitute the National Regional Bureau (NRB), which the terrorist organisation is aggressively targeting in a bid to re-energise itself, NIA said. Several digital devices such as laptop, mobile phones, pen drives, compact discs, hard drive, memory cards, SIM cards, and pocket diaries were seized during the searches conducted at the premises of suspects believed to be close aides of several accused in the current case. The suspects, the agency said, were receiving funds for propagation of CPI (Maoist) ideology from the erstwhile Eastern Regional Bureau (ERB) head Prashant Bose, NIA investigations have revealed. The ERB, particularly Jharkhand, had been funding the suspects, believed to be long-time associates and overground workers of the accused, to recruit cadres and raise the organisation in the northern states, the NIA said. The NIA investigations have also led to the identification of several front organisations and student wings tasked to identify suitable persons to work as underground cadres, to wage a war against the government of India and to carry out violent terrorist acts as per the ideology of the proscribed outfit, it added. Ghaziabad, Aug 30 (PTI) A 21-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a teenager here, and around 250 others booked for perpetrating acts of vandalism and arson in the wake of the crime, the Ghaziabad Police said Friday. The accused, identified as Faizan, allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl after barging inside her house from the back door during a power outage in an area under the Link Road Police Station on Wednesday. The incident sparked off passionate protests by locals and some right wing outfits, which went on for two days. "Accused Faizan has been arrested on charges of rape. He barged into the house and used anaesthesia due to which she fell unconscious and he took advantage of her," DCP Trans Hindan Nimish Patil said. He said police have also booked around 250 miscreants for vandalising shops and burning an e-rickshaw on Thursday in the Brij Vihar Colony. They have been booked under section 191 (2) (rioting), 191 (3)(rioting with deadly weapon), and 121 (voluntarily hurting government official) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. According to police, medical examination confirmed that the girl was raped by one man. However, some malcontents, with a view to incite communal tensions, spread a rumour that she was gang-raped, police said. According to the complaint filed by the victim's kin, on Wednesday around 6 pm, 3-4 people entered the girl's house from the back door when there was a power outage. Heavy police force has been deployed in the area to keep tempers calm, the officer said. "The accused has been sent to jail under section 64 BNS and POCSO Act," DCP Patil said. Thane, Aug 29 (PTI) A court in Thane district on Thursday rejected the pre-arrest bail application of Shiv Sena leader Waman Mhatre against whom police have registered an FIR for allegedly abusing a female reporter. The alleged incident took place when the reporter was covering a protest last week over the sexual assault on two minor girls at a school in Badlapur town of Thane district. According to the journalist, Mhatre made objectionable comments on her following which she filed a police complaint. Based on the complaint, the police lodged an FIR against Mhatre, a former president of the Badlapur civic body, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Mhatre, however, has denied the allegations made by the scribe. Additional Public Prosecutor Kadambini Khandagale opposed the pre-arrest bail plea on various grounds. Additional Sessions Judge MA Mote at the Kalyan court, after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence, rejected the pre-arrest bail plea of the politician. Lucknow, Aug 30 (PTI) The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has expressed serious displeasure over the failure of the UP government authorities to ensure safety and security of school children in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict passed in the Avinash Mehrotra case. The Bench asked the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to depute an officer to the rank not below the principal secretary to give explanation and file an affidavit in the matter on September 5. The Bench said if it was not satisfied with the affidavit of the officer on the next date, it may direct the chief secretary to appear in the court and explain the matter. A bench of Justice Alok Mathur and Justice B R Singh passed the order on a PIL filed by Gomti River Bank residents last week. The petition stated that the Supreme Court in 2009 issued several guidelines for the safety and security of school children but the same are not being complied with. Hearing the PIL, the Bench also directed the joint commissioner of the traffic police to ensure that the school children are dropped and picked up from inside the school premises itself in the vicinity of the Hazratganj and Raj Bhawan. Earlier, the state counsel had placed voluminous records regarding five districts about inspection of the schools but on inquiry the Bench found that in fact there was no inquiry report but there were only forms submitted by the principals of the several schools. In the Avinash Mehrotra case, the apex court created a detailed three-level structure so as to ensure accountability of the concerned authorities and to see that the guidelines are being implemented. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also been asked to assist the state governments. New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) The Kerala government on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking early setting up of a five-judge Constitution bench to hear its lawsuit against the Centre raising the issue of ceiling on net borrowing. The state government has raised a question whether a State has an enforceable right to raise its borrowing limits from the Union government and other sources. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was told by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, that the matter was referred to a Constitution bench on April 1 and the apex court official was not sending an email for setting up of the bench. I will look into it, the CJI said. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan on April 1 had referred the matter to a five-judge Constitution bench and this can now be set up by the CJI by an administrative order. The apex court, however, had refused to grant any interim injunction to Kerala, saying the state has secured "substantial relief" during the pendency of the interim application. The bench had referred to Article 293 of the Constitution, which deals with borrowing by states, and said this provision has not been so far subject to any authoritative interpretation by the apex court. "Since Article 293 of the Constitution has not been so far the subject to any authoritative interpretation by this court, in our considered opinion, the aforesaid questions squarely fall within the ambit of Article 145(3) of the Constitution. We, therefore, deem it appropriate to refer these questions for pronouncement by a bench comprising five judges," it had said. Bengaluru, Aug (PTI) Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Friday said that the activities of the Parappana Agrahara Central prison here are being investigated, with a number of inmates and officials being questioned, after it came to light that some inmates, such as actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, were being accorded "special treatment". A photograph of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the Bengaluru jail went viral on Sunday, sparking an uproar. 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 has surfaced on social media. "In Parappana Agrahara police station, three cases have been registered regarding various illegalities that have happened at the Parappana Agrahara central prison. Two cases have been booked on inmates there, while the third case is against the prison officials," Dayananda said. Speaking to reporters here, he said all three cases are being probed by the Bengaluru South-East division police. While the case against prison officials is being probed by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) rank official, the other two are being probed by inspector rank officials. The commissioner said that court permission has been taken to conduct an investigation inside the prison and that the probe has been on for the past two days. "One more photo has emerged from the prison and information regarding it is being gathered and it has been clubbed with the ongoing probe." The probe is being led by the South-East division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sarah Fathima and it is being supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police Raman Gupta," he further said, adding that "Investigation is going on and many inmates and officials have been subjected to inquiry...if anyone gives specific information regarding any other illegalities that have occurred at the prison, we will take merciless and strict action." Nine prison officials, including the chief superintendent of Parappana Agrahara jail, were suspended on Monday over their "lapses" after a preliminary probe into the "special treatment" given to Darshan. Three FIRs were registered, including against Darshan, under sections of the Prisons Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The 24th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court here on Tuesday granted permission to move Darshan to a jail in Ballari, after the uproar over the photograph. Darshan was on Thursday shifted from Parappana Agrahara Central prison here to a jail in Ballari amid tight security. 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 on Thursday, while the process is on for the remaining others, official sources said. A Bengaluru court on Wednesday extended till September 9 the judicial custody of Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, who are accused in the Renukaswamy murder case. A former Defense Ministry official was ordered held in a fraud case Thursday, the latest high-profile arrest in what appears to be a sweeping investigation into abuse of office in Russias military leadership. Former Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov faces up to 10 years in prison if he is charged and convicted following his detention on suspicion of committing fraud, Russian state news agencies reported, adding that he was ordered held until at least Oct. 29. The case against Popov relates to business activities at a sprawling park in Moscow sometimes called Russias military Disneyland. Patriot Park, a pet project of former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, is designed to inspire national pride in 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. President Vladimir Putin personally donated money to commission the main icon for the church, according to the Kremlin. Popov is 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 Shoigu with an economist, Andrei Belousov. Analysts suggest the arrests are a sign that Shoigus associates are being removed from power and that the most egregious corruption in the Defense Ministry will no longer be tolerated. Popov was responsible for developing and maintaining Patriot Park and is accused of renovating his own properties in the Moscow region at the parks expense, according to the state news agency Tass. 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 of Russias Investigative Committee told 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 rubles ($5.5 million), and investigators are establishing whether they were acquired legally, Petrenko told Tass. Graft in the Defense Ministry is so rife that the choice of who is arrested will be informed by internal turf wars, said Richard Connolly, a specialist on the Russian economy and military at the Royal United Services Institute in London. The arrests are sending a message in a strategically important sector. But also offering the chance to settle some scores, he said. Popov was a deputy defense minister from 2013 until June, when he was dismissed by 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 supplies of food rations to soldiers that reportedly were overpriced and of low quality. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Bulgakov was deputy defense minister from 2008 until his dismissal in 2022. He was in charge of logistics at the time, and while the ministry had said he was taking another job, the move was seen as punishment for flaws in supporting operations in Ukraine. (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 theater commanders 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. A decades old-issue, Taiwan in recent years has re-emerged as a critical one as the islands ties with China became increasingly strained over Beijings 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. 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 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. (AP) 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 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. But the court doesnt have any enforcement mechanism. In a famous case, then Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir wasnt 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 doesnt recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, didnt 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 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 hasnt 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 hes 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 wouldnt be arrested if he entered the country. (AP) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 30. QazaqGaz, Kazakhstan's national gas company, will take all necessary measures to stabilize gas exports to China during the upcoming winter, the head of QazaqGaz Sanzhar Zharkeshov said, Trend reports. He made the statement during a meeting with PetroChina President Yongzhang Huang and PetroChina International Executive Director Wu Junli. The meeting took place as part of a working visit by Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev to China. We highly value our long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship with PetroChina, which is strategic and holds significant future potential, Zhakishev remarked. From August 29 to 30, an official delegation from Kazakhstan, led by Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev, is visiting China. The Energy Minister held a series of meetings with representatives of major Chinese energy companies and government officials. On a residential block in upstate New York, college students dug and sifted backyard dirt as part of an archaeological exploration this summer of a centuries-old cemetery for African Americans. Now covered with green lawns in the city of Kingston, this spot in 1750 was part of a burial ground for people who were enslaved. It was located on what was then the outskirts of town. An unknown number of people who were denied church burials were interred here until the late 19th century, when the cemetery was covered over as the city grew. The site is now being reclaimed as the Pine Street African Burial Ground, one of many forgotten or neglected cemeteries for African Americans that are getting fresh attention. In the last three summers, the remains of up to 27 people have been located here. Advocates in this Hudson River city purchased a residential property covering about half the old cemetery several years ago and now use the house there as a visitor center. Money is being raised to turn the urban backyard into a respectful resting place. And while the names of people buried here may be lost, tests are planned on their remains to shed light on their lives and identify their descendants. The hardships of those buried here cannot just go down in vain, said Tyrone Wilson, founder of Harambee Kingston, the nonprofit community group behind the project. We have a responsibility to make sure that we fix that disrespect. While the more-than-half-acre (0.2 hectares) site was designated as a cemetery for people who were enslaved in 1750, it might have been in use before then. Burials continued through about 1878, more than 50 years after New York fully abolished slavery. Researchers say people were buried with their feet to the east, so when they rise on Judgment Day, they would face the rising sun. Remains found on the Harambee property are covered with patterned African cloths and kept where they are. Remains found on adjoining land are exhumed for later burial on the Harambee property. Students from the State University of New York at New Paltz recently finished a third summer of supervised backyard excavations in this city 80 miles (129 kilometers) upriver from Manhattan. The students get course credit, though anthropology major Maddy Thomas said theres an overriding sense of mission. I dont like when people feel upset or forgotten, Thomas said on a break. And that is whats happened here. So weve got to fix it. Harambee is trying to raise $1 million to transform the modest backyard into a resting spot that reflects the African heritage of the people buried there. Plans include a tall marker in the middle of the yard. While some graves were apparently marked, its still hard to say who was buried there. Some of them, its obvious, were marked with just a stone with no writing on it, said Joseph Diamond, an associate professor of anthropology at New Paltz. The only intact headstone recovered with a name visible was for Caezar Smith, who was born enslaved and died a free man in 1839 at the age of 41. A researcher mined historical records and came up with two more people potentially buried there in 1803: a man identified as Sam and a 16-year-old girl named Deyon who was publicly hanged after being convicted of murdering the 6-year-old daughter of her enslavers. The cemetery was at first covered by a lumberyard by 1880, even though some gravestones were apparently still standing at that date. In 1990, Diamond was doing an archaeological survey for the city and noticed the cemetery was marked on a map from 1870. He and the city historian went out to find it. Coincidentally, Pine Street building owner Andrew Kirschner had just discovered buried bone chips while digging in front of the building in search of a sewer pipe. He put the pieces in a box. Kirschner said he was still digging when Diamond told him what they were looking for. The conversation begins and then I go, Well, let me show you what I found. Of course, they were amazed, said Kirschner, who had owned the building next to the current Harambee property. Even after the discovery, Diamond said it was difficult to convince people that there were graves on Pine Street. There were even plans in 1996 to build a parking lot over much of the site. Advocates purchased the property in 2019. Similar stories of disregard and rediscovery have played out elsewhere. In Manhattan, the African Burial Ground National Monument marks the site where an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans were buried until the 1790s. It was discovered in 1991 during excavations for a federal building. Farther up the Hudson River, the renovation in Newburgh of a century-old school into a courthouse in 2008 led to the discovery of more than 100 sets of remains. Antoinette Jackson, founder of The Black Cemetery Network, said many of the 169 sites listed in their online archive had been destroyed. A good deal of them represent sites that have been built over by parking lots, schools, stadiums, highways. Others have been under-resourced, said Jackson, a professor of anthropology at the University of South Florida. She added that the cemeteries listed in the archive are just the tip of the iceberg. Given the meager historical record in Kingston, advocates hope tests on the remains will help fill in some of the gaps. Isotopic analyses could provide information on whether individuals grew up elsewhere like South Carolina or Africa and then moved to the region. DNA analyses could provide information on where in Africa their ancestors came from. The DNA tests also might be able to link them to living descendants. Wilson said local families have committed to providing DNA samples. He sees the tests as another way to connect people to their heritage. One of the biggest issues that we have in African culture is that we dont know our history, he said. We dont have a lot of information of who we are. (AP) Israeli military sources have confirmed that Hamass Rafah Brigade has effectively collapsed under the intense pressure of the IDFs ongoing offensive in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. This new assessment comes a week after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared the brigade defeated. Moreover, the IDF has made significant gains in the area, neutralizing around 80% of Hamass tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area bordering Egypt. As the military tightens its grip, Hamas operatives are increasingly attempting to flee north to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone. However, the IDF has successfully ambushed and targeted these fleeing gunmen, further weakening Hamass grip on the area. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Operation Summer Camps counterterrorism operation was launched in northern Shomron due to serious intelligence warning of an October 7 infiltration attack or raid on an Israeli yishuv from Tulkarm, Kan News reported on Thursday evening. According to the report, a terrorist squad planned to infiltrate an Israeli yishuv in the Shomron and carry out a large-scale attack. Security officials said that some of the terrorists planning the attack were eliminated in the operation but the ongoing terror threat from the area remains and is rapidly increasing. Another reason for the operation was the increasing threat of explosives both those smuggled through the porous Jordanian border and those manufactured in explosives laboratories, such as the one destroyed by IDF forces on Wednesday in the Fara refugee camp near Tubas in the Jordan Valley. The Israeli security establishment no longer has any doubts that terror groups in Yehudah and Shomron have powerful M18A1 claymore-type munitions. Ynet military correspondent Yosi Yehoshua reported that Palestinian areas in the Shomron and Jordan Valley are not just teeming with terrorism, they are undergoing an accelerated process of becoming another Gaza Strip, including being flooded with explosive devices and funding and guidance from Iran. The issue of the porous Jordanian border also must be addressed. IDF and Border Police forces risked their lives to enter Jenin and Tulkarm to find and destroy explosives for what will be only a temporary fix if hundreds of kilometers of Israels border with Jordan remain breached. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a statement released on Friday, the IDF announced the completion of a three-week operation in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation, which began in early August, focused on demolishing tunnels, targeting Hamas infrastructure, and recovering the bodies of hostages. According to the IDF, the operation resulted in the demolition of six tunnels belonging to terror groups, totaling approximately six kilometers of underground passages. Additionally, troops killed over 250 gunmen, recovered the bodies of six hostages, and demolished Hamas infrastructure above ground. The operation was carried out by the 98th Division, which was withdrawn from Gaza on Friday to prepare for future operations. This marks the third time the IDF has reentered Khan Younis since its initial ground offensive earlier this year. The IDF also reported that Palestinian civilians can now return to areas in the al-Qarara suburb of Khan Younis, which were previously evacuated ahead of the operation. The area has been reinstated as part of the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone, which currently spans approximately 46 square kilometers. In related news, the IDF struck over 30 sites in the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, targeting rocket launchers, buildings used by terror groups, and other infrastructure. Additionally, troops with the 162nd Division killed dozens of gunmen in southern Gazas Rafah in the previous 24 hours. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Amazing to recall the astonishing effect Skoda's Fabia hatchback had when it was first launched a quarter of a century ago. As the Czech car maker this week celebrates Fabia's 25th anniversary over four generations coinciding with the new September '74' plate change I well remember the impact it created when I drove one of the first ones through London. It proved a real head-turner. Most people couldn't believe that this chic, compact family runaround was a Skoda which, back then, was still rather unfairly considered a bit of a joke. That was because Czechoslovakia's post-war years under the yoke of Cold War Soviet communism had taken its toll on the country and brand. Skoda jokes abounded: 'What do you call a Skoda with twin-exhausts? A wheelbarrow.' 'What do you call an open-top Skoda? A skip.' And on they went. Family favourite: The Fabia marked a change in Skoda's reputation But the arrival of the first new Fabia super-mini in 1999, replacing the Felicia, marked a change in Skoda's reputation. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 had signalled the end of communist dictatorship in Eastern Europe and the beginning of the transformation of Skoda which swiftly came under the wing of Germany's giant Volkswagen Group. But shifting perceptions about Skoda's cars took time. Fabia's arrival, the second new model after the larger Octavia, was the turning point. Since then, more than 4.9million Fabias have been built including 400,000 sold in the UK. Nearly 1.8million examples of the first-generation car were built up to 2007. The second-generation car added 1.7million up to 2014, helped by a memorable advert featuring the creation of a full-sized Fabia cake. The third generation Fabia contributed another 1.2million up to 2021, when the fourth incarnation was born, selling 250,000 to date. The current Fabia comes with four petrol engine options ranging from 80 to 150 horsepower, including five and six-speed manual gear-boxes and a seven-speed automatic option. Prices start from 19,730 for the 1 litre five-speed manual SE Comfort which offers up to 55.8 mpg, or up to 25,355 for the Fabia Monte Carlo 1.5 litre TSI 150 horsepower automatic. Skoda says the UK 'has played a major part in Fabia's success story'. Having lost its budget appeal, Skoda now aims to be a top five best-selling brand in Europe by 2030. 25 years of the Skoda Fabia - through four generations Fabia Mk1 1999-2007 1.78 million models sold worldwide The Fabia five-door hatchback proved to be an instant hit and head-turner Launched at the at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show - the Fabia five-door hatchback proved to be an instant hit and head-turner with both buyers and critics, who praised the model for its style, practicality and value for money. It was named overall Car of the Year 2000 by What Car? An estate version made its public debut at the 2000 Paris Motor Show and in 2003 came a 'hot' racing inspired Fabia vRS with A 1.9-litre 130horse-power turbodiesel engine that still returned up to 53.3mpg . Fabia Mk2 2007-2014 1.7 million models sold worldwide The second-generation Fabia featured a larger body and design improvements The second-generation Fabia featured a larger body and design improvements and was previewed at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show before entering production a month later. Its practical 315 litre boot was considerably larger too, with more headroom throughout the cabin and higher quality plastics and fabrics. UK sales were helped by a memorable advert featuring the creation of a full-sized Fabia cake created and baked to the sound of Julie Andrews singing 'My Favourite Things' from the musical The Sound of Music. The amazing achievement featured in the Daily Mail/ MailOnline in May 2007. How to bake a car: the amazing story behind Skoda's new TV ad | Daily Mail Online Fabia Mk3 2014-2021 1.2 million models sold worldwide The third model to wear the Fabia badge brought in new technology, safety features and driver aids The third model to wear the Fabia badge brought in new technology, safety features and driver aids. UK sales started in January 2015. A longer wheelbase and a wider track offset a reduction in overall length and height. Skoda boosted interior quality and equipment, boot capacity rose to 330 litres, and customer were offered a wider range of engines. The third-generation Fabia was facelifted in 2019 with revisions to the headlights and bumpers, and the Monte Carlo trim becoming the flagship model, as diesel was ditched in favour of petrol-only. Fabia Mk4 2021-present 250,000 models sold worldwide Its intricate and clever detailing includes body lines on the front doors that replicate the characteristic triangle of the Czech flag Launched 21 years after the first-generation model, the fourth and current generation Skoda model to wear the Fabia badge went on sale in the UK at the end of 2021. Its intricate and clever detailing includes body lines on the front doors that replicate the characteristic triangle of the Czech flag. The current Fabia currently comes with four petrol engine options with outputs ranging from 80 to 150 horse-power, with five and six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic DSG options. Prices start from 19,730 for the frugal 1.0litre five-speed manual SE Comfort. New '74' plate boosts demand Incentive: Isuzu UK is offering customers a cash boost for its D-Max pick-up truck Demand for new cars is increasing as the '74' plate is launched tomorrow the start of September according to online market-place Auto Trader. Visits made by potential customers to its new- car website have risen nearly 7 per cent compared with 2.7 per cent this time last year. The volume of new cars advertised in August is already up 23 per cent on January, it adds. Average discounts offered to tempt customers rose from 8.7 per cent in July to 8.9 per cent in August. But discounts on electric vehicles whose sales to private buyers remain sluggish 'rocketed' from 6.6 per cent to 10.9 per cent over the same period. That iconic Skoda Fabia cake advert... The 60 second Skoda Fabia cake commercial cost up to 500,000 to make involving the following ingredients. 180 eggs, 100kg of flour, 100kg of caster sugar. Two bakers made 448 Madeira brick cakes to form the foundation of the cars chassis Many cake bricks were layered with kilos of buttercream icing. Large quantities of sweet chocolate sauce, 30kg of almonds and 65kg of dried fruit make the crispy cake mix for the cars bodywork. The body work had been achieved by taking a mould of a real Skoda fabia car. The crispy cake panels consisted of boxes and boxes of rice crispys, glacier cherries and chocolate to hold the body panels all together. The paintwork was made up of sheets of fondant icing, coloured with 180kg of orange sugar paste, covering the moulded crispy cake panels. A 300g tin of golden syrup is poured in place as the engine oil. Liqurice laces where used to create the fanbelt, windscreen wipers and aerial. The windows were made from fondant icing and 90kg of brown sugar paste 12.5kg of jam was piped onto Battenburg cakes, iced together to form the interior decor. The radiators were made of 60 chocolate blocks, two front headlights made from hundreds of foxs glacier mints glued together with egg whites, and meringues for fog lights. After eights where used for the wing side lights. Real jelly was used for the wobbly front head lights. Finally the icing sugar Skoda logo was added as the finishing touch. Click here for the full Daily Mail article on this project. Pick up 1,000... and an Isuzu truck Isuzu UK is offering customers an additional 1,000 for vehicles part-exchanged for a rugged D-Max 74-plate pick-up truck. Listen carefully and you will catch the screeching of brakes being slammed on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion movement otherwise known as DEI across corporate America. The latest company to put the skids on DEI is the Ford Motor company. Earlier this week, the US car maker told employees that after taking a 'fresh look' at its DEI policies over the last year, it had decided to pull the plug on most of them. Signing off: Ford is the latest company to put the skids on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The change of heart came via an internal email to staff when Ford's chief executive, Jim Farley, told them it will no longer take part in an annual survey from an LGBTQ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index even though it has always had perfect scores. As well as stopping quotas for minority dealerships and suppliers, he wrote that Ford will also be making changes to corporate sponsorships. That is going to upset some interesting rainbow-coloured lobbying groups. As Farley added: 'We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs.' Yet only four years ago, after George Floyd's murder in 2020, Ford was in the vanguard of DEI, publicly stating: 'We are not interested in superficial actions. This is our moment to lead from the front and fully commit to creating the fair, just and inclusive culture that our employees deserve.' Which is why Ford's decision to take a backseat is such a big swing away from movement. It is one of the country's oldest and most venerated companies, employing 177,000 across the US. The fact that it is brave enough to challenge the current orthodoxy, which has swept like wildfire through corporations and institutions, says much about the changing zeitgeist. But it is not the only one. A few days ago, Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson announced on the X social media site that it had halted all 'DEI function' in April. The historic motorcycle manufacturer is also pulling out of the Human Rights Campaign's scoring index, and is scrapping any 'socially motivated content' from its employee training materials. True to its origins, Harley-Davidson is not hanging about. It has scrapped all hiring quotas and no longer has 'supplier diversity spend goals', which translated from corporate DEI gobbledegook means that it has suspended goals to spend the company's money across businesses which are operated by those from diverse backgrounds. A ND that gets to the nub of the matter, doesn't it? It is what makes the entire DEI fashion such a nonsense, and a dangerous nonsense at that, as what is happening is that rather than uniting people, the movement ends up dividing them by identities or characteristics. Or whatever other difference the DEI people come up with. Everyone is diverse. In fact, the word comes from the Latin diversus, meaning various. It is also why the diversity movement is fizzling out because the concept simply doesn't stack up, either economically, socially or culturally. Ford and Harley-Davidson are not the only high-profile companies which are going into reverse. They follow on from agricultural machinery maker John Deere & Co and Tractor Supply, which also both scrapped their diversity programmes earlier in the summer. Others which have scratched their programmes include home improvement chain Lowe's and Brown-Forman, the Kentucky based giant US drinks company and maker of Jack Daniels whisky. So what's changed and why now? One reason is the sheer impracticality of running DEI policies since they don't add up. Another is the successful campaigning of conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has been leading the charge against DEI ever since a Supreme Court decision earlier this year which upended affirmative action in US colleges. A former Hollywood music video director, Starbuck has been running a one-man crusade mainly on X where he has attracted half a million followers targeting big corporates. His argument is pretty straightforward: stay neutral, and stay away from ideological issues. Investors appear to agree. The share prices of all the companies which have pulled out of DEI have barely budged, rather confirming that their mad-cap rush to become super-trendy by adopting the DEI fad was but a mirage. Terry Smith: Operates on the principle that 'you buy good companies, don't overpay and do nothing' Tax relief on pension contributions seems set to be slashed in what we now know will be a 'painful' Budget. This measure will particularly damage the prospects of many people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. These individuals need to invest as much as possible for retirement since newer-style company and other pension plans do not supply guaranteed generous payouts. A comfortable later life is an expensive commodity and will be even more costly in years to come. At present, a single person aged 65 who aspires to a comfortable lifestyle requires a pot of 790,000, as an analysis from broker AJ Bell reveals. This is on top of the basic state pension which may not exist in its current form three or four decades hence, making saving now even more of an imperative. Some investors, however, are already taking action to counter the Budget threat. Data from the Interactive Investor platform shows that clients between the ages of 18 and 45 are stashing money away in shares and stock market funds and investment trusts with stakes in a wide range of firms which makes them an ideal way to set cash aside for a fun-packed retirement. Anyone who is thinking of joining this movement can opt for funds that are solid rather than racy, or take a more exciting route, with extra hazards, but also the chance of bumper payouts. If you want to sleep easy, but also live a little dangerously, a mix of the two may be the perfect blend. Safety first choices The portfolio of the Alliance Trust contains 'the best ideas from the world's best stockpickers'. This description comes from Craig Baker of Willis Watson who oversees this global trust. Under his aegis, the selection of investments is contracted out to 10 different teams of managers, each charged with delivering capital growth and rising dividends in their sector. This approach has produced a return of 69.3 per cent over the past five years, against 39.5 per cent for the average global trust. In the autumn, Alliance which was set up in 1888 will merge with Witan, a trust founded in 1909. The combined trust may then join the FTSE 100. As a result of this promotion, the trust's discount (the gap between its share price and its net asset value) may narrow from its current 5 per cent. In the meantime, you are buying your way into these assets for less. Nick Wood of Quilter Cheviot sums up the appeal of Alliance: 'It provides good diversification while providing investors with confidence that they are not investing in the riskiest of assets.' Fundsmith is a global fund aimed at those who like to keep things simple. The manager Terry Smith operates on the principle that 'you buy good companies, don't overpay and do nothing'. Aidan Moyle of Hargreaves Lansdown says that since 2010, Fundsmith has performed well, returning 584 per cent compared with 403 per cent for its benchmark, the MSCI World index, and 250 per cent for the average fund in the sector. Although lately the fund has lagged thanks to its lack of tech stocks, Smith and his team supply a special kind of expertise which is why I am one of the Fundsmith faithful. By contrast, the JPM Global Growth and Income trust does own some US tech stocks, but it also backs large European groups like Nestle. All holdings are selected on the basis that their profits are growing faster than the market average. Wood highlights the trust's 'very strong track record' which is one reason its discount is a tiny 1.25 per cent. Thrillseeker options The Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust focuses on 'transformational trends' in technology, a strategy that produces some lows. This week shares in the Chinese e-commerce platform PDD, one of the trust's largest stakes, have tumbled by 35 per cent. But there are highs. Luxury car maker Ferrari continues to advance, having already risen by 45 per cent since January. The discount on this trust my bet on innovation is 9 per cent. Dan Boardman-Weston of BRI Wealth Management suggests the slightly less hair-raising Liontrust Global Innovation Fund. Its portfolio includes Nvidia and other so-called 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks. For youthful investors with more time on their side, Dan Squires of online trader Saxo UK suggests the Seraphim Space Trust which funds space-related ventures, particularly those trying to solve the challenges of climate change and sustainability. James Carthew of QuotedData analytics says Seraphim Space's discount has narrowed albeit to 41 per cent and that the trust could be 'an interesting ride' for those with strong nerves. Controversial: Former EU budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger Shein has hired a controversial lobbyist who once described Chinese people as 'slit eyed'. The Chinese fast fashion giant named former EU budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger as a consultant to help it with European Union policies. The German political heavyweight came under fire in 2016 after making remarks about Chinese businessmen to other industry leaders. He later apologised for using the phrase 'Schlitzaugen', which means 'slit eyes'. He was also scrutinised for referring to the group as 'nine men, one party, and no democracy'. He had also made a joke that policymakers would soon introduce a law for 'mandatory gay marriage' in Germany. And in 2016 he said he would 'shoot myself' if he was married to Frauke Petry, the female leader of the Right-wing Alternative for Germany party. Shein is a Chinese firm but is now based in Singapore. It has faced criticism for its supply chains, which it uses to churn out ultra-cheap garments for a Gen-Z customer base. At the time of his comments, Oettinger said: 'I can now see that the words I used have created bad feelings and may even have hurt people. This was not my intention and I would like to apologise.' Scrutiny over Shein has grown ahead of a potential 50billion London stock market float. The EU is toughening its stance on fast fashion, with rules to crack down on wasteful clothes. Officials have argued that the textiles sector is one of the least sustainable industries, with cheaply made garments 'designed to be disposable' and and companies like Shein encouraging 'unnecessary over-consumption'. So Oettinger who served as European Commissioner for budget between 2017 to 2019 faces an uphill battle with advocating for Shein's interests. Founded in 2012, Shein has enjoyed an explosion in popularity thanks to budget-conscious younger shoppers in more than 150 countries. The firm has gone to great lengths to win over the City and has insisted there are rigorous checks across suppliers to ensure workers are treated well and sustainable materials used. But last week Shein admitted an audit discovered two cases of child labour in its supply chain. It said suppliers involved were temporarily suspended. Retail guru and 'Queen of the shops' Mary Portas and Stuart Trevor, co-founder of fashion brand All Saints, are among the big names to call for a flotation to be blocked. Superstar fund manager Cathie Wood has taken a swipe at the UK, saying capital markets are not 'deep enough' to create a tech giant. Wood, who runs fund firm Ark Investment Management, has sounded alarm bells over Britain's investment landscape compared with the US. 'Your educational system is exemplary and yet I think what happens is that your capital markets are not deep enough or incentivised enough,' she told the BBC's Today programme. 'In the US, we are big advocates of tax incentives for innovation encouraging founders to take risks,' she added. Wood is best known for making big bets on cutting-edge companies and was touted as one of Wall Street's best stock pickers during the pandemic. Top selector: Cathie Wood is best known for betting on cutting-edge tech companies But her comments add to the ongoing criticism that the UK market is falling behind international rivals. While government supports start-ups through grants and funding programmes, the US has a larger pool of investors and offers tax breaks to budding entrepreneurs. Companies also tend to secure larger valuations across the Atlantic. The UK tech scene has also come under pressure in the face of several high-profile setbacks. Britishvolt failed to get off the ground last year delivering a major blow to those who hoped the project would turn the UK into a global leader in electric vehicle battery production. The owner of bookmaker Paddy Power Flutter also switched its primary listing to New York earlier this year, and the UK chip designer Arm opted to list on Wall Street last August after the Government failed to convince it to float in London. Others are also set to abandon the UK after being taken over. FTSE 100 group Hargreaves Lansdown recently accepted a 5.4billion takeover from a consortium including Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, and cyber-security group Darktrace backed a 4.6billion takeover by US private equity firm Thoma Bravo. Despite the problems facing the country, Wood, 68, said 'some of the greatest companies have come out of the UK' and there was 'fertile ground' for change. Her comments also come in the same week that US chipmaker Nvidia posted its latest set of record results. The second-quarter figures, released on Wednesday, showed profits surged 168 per cent to 12.6billion and sales jumped 122 per cent to 22.8billion. In February, it became the fastest company to go from a $1 trillion to a $2 trillion stock market valuation. Today, with a valuation of more than $3 trillion, it is ensconced within the elite band of US tech stocks. Victoria's Secret is back in profit as it cashes in on a better-than-expected performance in the US. The lingerie company said profits hit 24million for the three months to the end of June, up from a loss of 760,000 in same period of the previous year. That came as sales dipped 1 per cent to 1billion in the quarter. Cashing in: The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is scheduled to return this autumn after it was cancelled in 2019 Victoria's Secret, which recently named Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, as its brand ambassador, has suffered in recent years as shoppers pull back on spending. But interim chief executive Timothy Johnson said the results were at the 'high end of expectations' and were boosted by a stronger performance in North America. He also added that full-year results would be higher than anticipated as momentum continues. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is scheduled to return this autumn after it was cancelled in 2019 for being sexist and out of touch with the MeToo movement. Nazrin Abdul Azerbaijan is calling on countries worldwide to submit their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to take place in Baku this November, Azernews reports. In a letter addressed to the parties of the conference, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev emphasized the importance of early BTR submissions. "Recognizing the diverse starting conditions of each nation, the timely introduction of BTRs will serve as a powerful demonstration of our collective commitment to transparency," Babayev stated. He highlighted that the COP29 presidency is actively working to enhance political engagement and foster cooperation, ensuring that parties can meet their transparency commitments both at the conference and in the future. A high-level dialogue on climate transparency will take place on September 3, 2024, as part of the COP29 presidencys efforts to advance this initiative. During this event, the presidency will officially launch its flagship initiative, the Baku Global Platform on Climate Transparency. Babayev reiterated that the COP29 presidencys vision focusses on two key pillars: raising ambitions and stimulating action, with climate finance being a top priority. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 30. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov has launched the Terik-Tash clinker plant in the Kemin district of the Chuy region, Trend reports. The opening is part of the centenary celebration of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region, which marked the beginning of modern Kyrgyzstan. As part of this celebration, plans include launching 100 new industrial and social projects. "I am confident that todays opening of these 100 projects will transform the lives of every citizen and lay the foundation for significant economic shifts. The Terik-Tash cement plant and construction materials enterprises will provide a solid foundation for housing development. This revitalization of the construction sector is a positive signal for attracting investment," Japarov said. He also highlighted that the new agricultural processing facilities will not only strengthen the country's food security but also offer opportunities for increased exports. Additionally, the new power generation projects aim to ensure the country's energy independence. The plants production capacity will be 3,800 tons of clinker per day, and the project's total cost is $160 million. Iceland's boss has called for laws to allow his supermarkets to share images of violent shoplifters on local WhatsApp groups. Richard Walker, who oversees around 1,000 UK shops, is among those sounding the alarm over a worrying retail crime epidemic in Britain. The store group's managing director criticised 'stupid' data protection laws that mean shops cannot share images of individuals shoplifting, taken by their CCTV cameras. A sign of the times: Iceland boss Richard Walker is among those sounding the alarm over a worrying retail crime epidemic in Britain Labour has pledged to crack down on shoplifting and assault of retail workers but businesses are waiting for more details. 'We are fighting with one hand tied behind our backs,' Walker told former MP Gloria de Piero on her Lessons In Leadership podcast. He said: 'It's actually illegal for us to share images of known offenders on local High Street WhatsApp groups because of data protection laws. I'd like that to change.' Walker said he was willing to 'take the rap' if any employees got in trouble for sharing images. He added: 'When these images are on your CCTV, it's absolutely proven. You watch someone pick something up, put them under their coat or whatever they do, and walk out or become aggressive to those store staff if they're stopped.' He said he wanted to share such pictures with other businesses and High Street groups. 'I've told my colleagues to do it anyway, and I take the rap if there's a problem,' he added. Knives and hammers are often used in violent attacks against staff, and occur on a weekly basis, he said. Walker, 44, wants the police to take shoplifting more seriously as retailers have complained officers do not come out when shoplifting crimes are reported. Data watchdog Information Commissioner's Office advises that images that could be used to prevent crime could be shared only if 'necessary and proportionate'. But sharing images of alleged shoplifters either on social media or physical pictures in shop windows was not likely to be seen as proportionate, it said. Shoplifting has risen to alarming levels since the pandemic while the cost-of-living crisis has also been blamed. The number of shoplifting offences recorded by police have swelled 37 per cent to a total of 430,104 in 2023 the highest since the Office for National Statistics' records started in 2002. Burberry shares ended the week down more than 5per cent as it prepares to leave the FTSE 100. The luxury fashion company has been rocked by customers cutting back spending on its renowned trenchcoats and a slowdown in sales across the industry fuelled by weaker demand in China. Shares which slid 1.2 per cent, or 8p, to 677.8p have more than halved in value this year. The stock hit its lowest level in 14 years last month after the group issued a profit warning and scrapped its dividend. Burberry, worth 2.5billion, is expected to be demoted into the FTSE 250 when indicative changes for the latest reshuffle are announced next week. Struggle: Burberry shares have more than halved in value this year It is likely to be replaced by the Lloyd's of London insurer Hiscox, which is valued at nearly 4billion. Its shares fell 0.3 per cent, or 3p, to 1177p. London's main markets ended the month on a high although the FTSE 100 edged down 0.04 per cent, or 3.01 points, to 8376.63. The FTSE 250 rose 0.3 per cent, or 55.46 points, to 21086.54. But the blue-chip index remains below its record close of 8445.80 in mid-May. House prices in the UK fell for the first time since April, according to Nationwide. The latest data show average prices dipped 0.2 per cent this month. But they rose by 2.4 per cent in the year to August, up from 2.1 per cent in July. Housebuilders rallied with Persimmon shares adding 0.5 per cent, or 8p, to 1644p, Taylor Wimpey climbing 0.8 per cent, or 1.3p, to 161.05p and Bellway gaining 0.1 per cent, or 2p, to 3034p. Data: House prices in the UK fell for the first time since April, according to Nationwide Investors will also hope to gain greater clarity on the state of the industry with updates next week from Barratt Developments (up 1 per cent, or 5p, to 507.2p), Vistry (up 1 per cent, or 14p, to 1359p), and Berkeley (up 0.5 per cent, or 24p, to 4894p). Property stocks were also on the rise as Hammerson, which owns the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham, climbed 1.2 per cent, or 0.34p, to 28.38p, British Land added 2.8 per cent, or 11p, to 411.2p and Land Securities gained 2 per cent, or 12.5p, to 629.5p. Filtronic landed another order from Elon Musk's Space X just months after the pair announced a strategic partnership. Following a 7.1m deal in July, the AIM-listed firm secured a fresh 6.4million contract to continue helping the aerospace company's Starlink business provide high-speed internet to users worldwide. The order is expected to be completed next year, with Filtronic trading ahead of market forecasts for the year to the end of May 2025. Shares rose 4.6 per cent, or 3.5p, to 79.5p. Longboat Energy is changing its name to Seascape Energy Asia as it focuses on its operations to extract gas off the coast of Sarawak in Malaysia. Shares slid 0.3 per cent, or 0.05p, to 17.75p. Media group STV Group has poached the executive behind the launch of ITV's streaming service. Rufus Radcliffe, who set up ITV X in 2022, will become the chief executive at the start of November. He will replace Simon Pitts, who steps down at the end of October to lead the media giant Global. Shares gained 3.5 per cent, or 9p, to 267p. BISHKEK, Trend, August 30. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov has launched the Zhongda oil refinery of Zhongda China Petrol Company in the Chuy region after a four-year hiatus, Trend reports. According to the administration of the president, during the event, Zhaparov also laid a time capsule for the refinery's modernization project. The Zhongda is expected to reach full capacity by the end of the year, processing 800,000 tons of raw material annually and creating around 400 new jobs. In his speech, Zhaparov highlighted that the refinerys reopening symbolizes strengthened economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China. He also noted that the modernization project will involve an investment of $450 million and will generate additional employment opportunities. "The Zhongda refinery project, aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between China and Kyrgyzstan, has ambitious goals. However, the project was suspended for nearly five years, specifically until March 2024. Special bilateral teams were formed, plans were approved, and from November 2023 to March 2024, significant work was completed in a short period: processing capacities were expanded, a major overhaul was performed, and technologies were updated. The refinery is now ready to resume operations with its new capabilities," he said. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 30. The Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF-2024), set to take place on September 10-11, will feature a pivotal meeting between the UN Joint Expert Group and the government of Turkmenistan with a primary focus on establishing an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) aimed at achieving the countrys Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Trend reports via Turkmen media. The forum will convene a range of key stakeholders, including government officials, international organizations, and experts, to strategize on effectively reaching the SDGs in Turkmenistan. Discussions will encompass several critical areas: Enhancing statistical capacity: Jalpa Ratna, a UNICEF representative, will lead a session on improving Turkmenistan's statistical capabilities, crucial for tracking SDG progress. The deputy of the Turkmen State Statistics Committee will highlight current achievements and future plans for national statistics development. Global and regional SDG costing: Nur Barnat, Head of the Methodology Division, and Petra Kynclova, a UNCTAD statistician, will provide insights into the global and Central Asian costing of SDGs during an online session. Investment in food security: Akosh Sebeni, Senior Technical Advisor at the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, will discuss successful strategies and recommendations for securing investment in the agricultural sector, also through an online presentation. Financing mechanisms for SDGs: Irina Gukasova, UNDP Project Manager, will present the UNDPs role in developing integrated national financing mechanisms for the SDGs in Turkmenistan. Her presentation will underscore the importance of blending international best practices with national specifics to drive sustainable development. SDG joint country analysis: the final session will review Turkmenistan's SDG progress and commitments. Experts from the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, along with economist Vladimir Valetka from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, will present key results and outline future steps. The Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) supports countries in improving their planning processes and overcoming financial barriers to achieving sustainable development. It outlines various financing sources, including domestic and international, public and private, enabling countries to craft strategies for boosting investment, managing risks, and meeting their national sustainable development priorities. The Turkmenistan Investment Forum (TIF-2024) is expected to be a crucial platform for forging stronger partnerships and advancing the national financing structure necessary for achieving the SDGs in Turkmenistan. Participants are anticipated to finalize plans for ongoing collaboration between national and international partners, fostering the countrys sustainable development. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. The US will support Armenia in the issue of ensuring public security, the statement of the US embassy in Armenia said, Trend reports. To note, it was announced in July that official Washington had allocated $16 million to form a police patrol service in Armenia. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU. Azerbaijan. August 30. A United States military base was subjected to rocket fire in the area of the Koniko gas field in Deir ez-Zor province in Syria, Trend reports. "Several rockets were fired at the Koniko gas field northeast of Deir ez-Zor, and loud explosions were heard," - the report said. Details of the incident have not been reported. There is no information about casualties or deaths. Earlier, on August 6, it was reported that five US service members and two contractors were injured when two rockets hit a military base in Iraq. All the victims are in stable condition. The legal maverick shares an important op/ed that disputes so many lawyers and convicted killers playing for time. Here's the crux of his argument . . . Kansas has the death penalty, but the last time it executed someone was 1965. There were more murderers on death row, but they died of natural causes because the executions were delayed by so many years. Parents of the victims are dying before the killers. That is the only problem with the death penalty in Kansas. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Kris Kobach: The only problem with Kansas' death penalty is that it takes too long | Opinion The attorney general disputes a recent Star guest commentary opposing executions by the state. | Opinion In this post we merely want to share some of our local reading amid so much local shock, grief and frustration following the deadly shooting of Chef Shaun Brady. Nevertheless, the point of this blog is to provide critical context to local news. And so we must mention the reality of the situation . . For those who don't know, Kansas City has endured the bloodiest years in local history in the past half decade. Last year KCMO suffered 182 homicides, the highest number ever recorded. Rising violence and its impact is fact of life in this cowtown yet hope the response here is compassion given that only the most callous reactionaries would deny expressions of trauma following the slaughter of the innocent. And so . . . We're trying and FAILING to limit our opinion and simply share more resources, information and perspectives as Kansas City attempts to heal after yet another killing. Check TKC news gathering . . . Kansas City mayor calls for reform after fatal shooting of local chef Shaun Brady The Brady & Fox owner was known for his contributions to the local Irish community and the Kansas City Irish Festival, which is set to take place this weekend. Kansas City Irish community left devastated as beloved chef Shaun Brady is shot dead after confronting teens outside his restaurant Shaun Brady, 44, the co-owner of Irish restaurant Brady & Fox in Kansas City, was shot by a group of teenagers outside his restaurant Wednesday night while taking out the trash. Police hold 2 teen suspects in killing of Kansas City chef Shaun Brady, as Irish community mourns Brady & Fox chef Shaun Brady was a key organizer in Kansas City's Irish Fest, which is scheduled to go on this weekend. His killing comes amidst community outcry about the rising number of property crimes in Kansas City, many of which are being committed by juveniles with guns. Irish Fest cancels popular breakfast after founding chef shot and killed KC Irish Fest cancels popular Sunday Irish Breakfast so people who knew Chef Shaun Brady can gather to remember him. 'Really going to miss him': KC Irish Fest says it won't be the same without Shaun Brady A Kansas City favorite known for good food and good company turned into a crime scene Wednesday evening. Now, many are remembering the life of the man many knew and loved as Shaun Brady. Remembering Shaun Brady I don't write this blog for money or fame or freebies; I write this blog specifically to highlight locally owned businesses in Brookside and Waldo. In our neighborhood, we have a strong tradition of supporting the locals. And it's really fun to meet these folks: the entrepreneurs with a dream of running their own business... 'It's heartbreaking': Brookside business owners speak on crime escalation following deadly shooting While conversations about crime in the area have been ongoing for years, Brookside business owners say conversations need to become louder to find a solution. Tributes grow outside Brady & Fox restaurant after Brookside chef killed nearby People are placing flowers and balloons outside Brady & Fox restaurant in honor of Shaun Bray after someone shot and killed the popular chef. Brookside community mourns Shaun Brady, beloved owner of Brady & Fox Friends say Shaun Brady was killed during a car theft near Saint Peter's School, leaving the community grieving and calling for action against rising crime. 'We cannot lose one more friend': Owner at landmark Kansas City Irish market reacts to death of local chef In the hours that have passed since a beloved chef in Kansas City was killed, there's been an outpouring of memories and condolences. Developing . . . BAKI. Azerbaijan. August 30. According to a poll commissioned by BFMTV, almost half of the French said they support the proposal of the Inflexible France party in the National Assembly regarding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron.According to the results of a poll commissioned by BFMTV, almost half of the French said they support the proposal of the Inflexible France party in the National Assembly regarding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron, Trend reports. Forty-nine percent of respondents voted for the proposal, while 50 percent voted against it. Sixty-four percent of voters who voted for the New Popular Front and half of the National Unity Party voters said they supported the impeachment procedure. Seventy-four percent of both the right and the left believed that the proposal would not lead to the president's resignation. 52 percent of French people believe that the decision not to appoint the candidate of the New Popular Front, Lucie Castets, as prime minister is not a denial of democracy, while 47 percent think the opposite. Seven weeks after the parliamentary elections, 63 percent of respondents said that the main responsibility for the fact that a new government has not yet been formed lies with President Macron and his team. 27 percent of respondents believe that the New Popular Front is to blame for this situation. As for the next prime minister, 41 percent of French people want Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to step down and be replaced by a new term. Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Unity party, is in second place (38 percent), and former Prime Minister Bernard Cazenove is in third place (28 percent). Recall that on August 26, President Emmanuel Macron ruled out the formation of a government with the support of the NFP after consultations with party leaders and leaders of parliamentary factions. Accusing Macron of abuse of power, the Inanimate France (La France insoumise) party is threatening to invoke Article 68 of the constitution to force him to resign. In this tense situation, Emmanuel Macron has launched new consultations to get out of the unprecedented political crisis of the Fifth Republic. LARS to host Sept. 7 event for local residents UAF photo A muskox cow and her calf enjoy the summer sunshine on Aug. 12, 2024. Community members can learn more about these iconic Alaska mammals during special tours for locals at the UAF Large Animal Research Station on Sept. 7. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station will close out the summer tour season with a special event for local residents on Saturday, Sept. 7. The event will include tours and a sale in the gift shop, with everything discounted 15%. Tours will be offered every hour on the hour beginning at 10 a.m., with the last tour starting at 3 p.m. Admission, per person, is three nonperishable food items for donation to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. Without the donation, tours cost $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, military and students. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, join the Facebook event or contact Caitlin Lenahan, clenahan@alaska.edu, 907-474-5724. 048-25 UAF scientists method could give months warning of major earthquakes Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities The Mirror Lake offramp on the Glenn Highway near Chugiak, Alaska, shows damage after the Nov. 30, 2018, earthquake. The public could have days or months of warning about a major earthquake through identification of prior low-level tectonic unrest over large areas, according to research by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist who analyzed two major quakes in Alaska and California. The work was led by research assistant professor Tarsilo Girona of the UAF Geophysical Institute. Girona, a geophysicist and data scientist, studies precursory activity of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Geologist Kyriaki Drymoni of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat in Munich, Germany, is a co-author. The detection method, based on machine learning, was published Aug. 28 in Nature Communications. Our paper demonstrates that advanced statistical techniques, particularly machine learning, have the potential to identify precursors to large-magnitude earthquakes by analyzing datasets derived from earthquake catalogs, Girona said. The authors wrote a computer algorithm to search the data to look for abnormal seismic activity. Algorithms are a set of computer instructions that teach a program to interpret data, learn from it and make informed predictions or decisions. They focused on two major earthquakes: the 2018 magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake and the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquake sequence of magnitudes 6.4 to 7.1. They found that approximately three months of abnormal low-magnitude regional seismicity had occurred across about 15% to 25% of Southcentral Alaska and Southern California prior to each of the two studied earthquakes. Their research finds that unrest preceding major earthquakes is mostly captured by seismic activity with magnitude below 1.5. The Anchorage earthquake occurred Nov. 30, 2018, at 8:29 a.m., with an epicenter located approximately 10.5 miles north of the city. It caused extensive damage to some roads and highways, and several buildings sustained damage. Image from research paper These charts from the research paper show precursor activity of major earthquakes in Southcentral Alaska and Southern California. Using their data-trained program, Girona and Drymoni found with the Anchorage earthquake that the probability that a major earthquake would happen in 30 days or fewer increased abruptly up to approximately 80% around three months before the Nov. 30 earthquake. The probability increased to approximately 85% just a few days before it occurred. They had similar probability findings for the Ridgecrest earthquake sequence for a period beginning about 40 days prior to the onset of the quake sequence. Girona and Drymoni propose a geologic cause for the low-magnitude precursor activity: A significant increase in pore fluid pressure within a fault. Pore fluid pressure refers to the pressure of fluid within a rock. High pore fluid pressures can potentially lead to fault slip if the pressure is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance between the blocks of rock on either side of the fault. Increased pore fluid pressure in faults that lead to major earthquakes changes the faults mechanical properties, which in turn leads to uneven variations in the regional stress field, Drymoni said. We propose that these uneven variations control the abnormal, precursory low-magnitude seismicity. Machine learning is having a major positive impact on earthquake research, Girona said. Modern seismic networks produce enormous datasets that, when properly analyzed, can offer valuable insights into the precursors of seismic events, he said. This is where advancements in machine learning and high-performance computing can play a transformative role, enabling researchers to identify meaningful patterns that could signal an impending earthquake. The authors state that their algorithm will be tested in near-real-time situations to identify and address potential challenges for earthquake forecasting. The method should not be employed in new regions without training the algorithm with that areas historical seismicity, they add. Producing reliable earthquake forecasts has a deeply important and often controversial dimension, Girona said. Accurate forecasting has the potential to save lives and reduce economic losses by providing early warnings that allow for timely evacuations and preparation, he said. However, the uncertainty inherent in earthquake forecasting also raises significant ethical and practical questions. False alarms can lead to unnecessary panic, economic disruption, and a loss of public trust, while missed predictions can have catastrophic consequences, he said. ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Tarsilo Girona, 907-474-5784, tarsilo.girona@alaska.edu 047-25 Public mass media of Latvia have ordered the first batch of 50 drones to be handed over to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using the funds already raised during the campaign launched ahead of Ukraines Independence Day. This was reported by Latvian Radio and LTV. According to the charity organization Ziedot.lv, which participates in the campaign, the first batch of drones cost about EUR 126,000. It will be delivered to the Ukrainian units fighting in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. The fundraiser was launched on August 19 and will last until September 8. Reports from the combat zone, special coverage, interviews, and other publications in public mass media accompany the campaign. Public media in Latvia and Ziedot.lv call for donations in support of Ukraine. The funds raised as part of the effort will also be used to purchase military goods manufactured in Latvia, such as drones, demining equipment, ammunition, and special food rations. Donations are accepted via a phone +37190204113 (the cost of the call is EUR 5 including VAT) and online at ziedot.lv/ukrainai. As reported by Ukrinform, Latvian public mass media - Latvian Television, Latvian Radio, and LSM.lv, in cooperation with the charity organization Ziedot.lv, in honor of Ukraine's Independence Day, started a three-week campaign in support of the country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the occasion of Constitution Day in a recent address, Trend reports. Tokayev emphasized the significant democratic advancements achieved through the 2022 constitutional reform. The June 2022 referendum, which saw overwhelming public support, marked a pivotal shift towards strengthening the rule of law and enhancing democratic processes in the country. "As a result of the constitutional reform of 2022, a comprehensive democratization process was launched in the country, and conditions were created for the modernization of the political system. The role of human rights institutions was strengthened, and the status of the human rights ombudsman was raised. The Constitutional Court was created, which today fully contributes to the establishment of the rule of law. The Constitution has strengthened its function of ensuring law and order, on which a fair and harmonious society is based," the document says. The President highlighted the constitution's role as a robust foundation for Kazakhstan's statehood and its guarantee of progressive and stable development. He reiterated that the ongoing transformations aim to improve the well-being of the people, with a focus on respect for the constitution as a manifestation of civic responsibility and true patriotism. "Defining the foundations of the life of the state and society, the constitution puts the interests, rights, and freedoms of citizens at the forefront. That is why the goal of all reforms carried out in Kazakhstan is the well-being of the people. Respect and strict observance of the basic law are a clear manifestation of high civic responsibility and true patriotism. I am convinced that, relying on the enduring values of the constitution, we will build a fair Kazakhstan - a state of equal opportunities for all," Tokayev said. Constitution Day, celebrated on August 30, is a key national holiday in Kazakhstan, commemorating the adoption of the constitution in a 1995 referendum. On June 5, 2022, a referendum was held in Kazakhstan to amend the constitution, which was supported by more than 77 percent of citizens. Additionally, the amendments abolished the death penalty and removed provisions related to the status of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Yesterday saw the official inauguration of the 5th edition of Geneva Watch Days at the Rotonde du Mont Blanc. The 52 participating brands and the 15 official partners of the event gathered alongside Delphine Bachmann, State Councillor of the Canton of Geneva, Department of Economy and Employment, Alfonso Gomez, Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva and Christiana Kitsos, Mayor of the City. They all kicked off the festivities In the Pavilion, there will be 8 free guided tours for the general public, watch reviews of the new products presented by the participating brands, a conference on the theme of "Time and Machine", and a quiz and brunch to test your watchmaking knowledge. All led by experts from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH). In addition, Geneva Watch Days, with Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo, will be holding an auction for the second year running on Sunday 1 September to raise funds to support deserving students enrolled at the Geneva School of Watchmaking, via the newly-created Pierre Amstutz Fund. And of course, the pavilion is open to the public every afternoon, including weekends. More than 100 watches are on display, organised into 4 themes. In addition, a new culture corner has been set up, featuring events organised by the FHH, the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix, the Watch Library, Horopedia, the Geneva Watchmaking School and the New York Watchmaking Society. The pavilion welcomed 8,000 visitors last year, a figure that is sure to soar this year. Another new feature this year is the Glass Box. This new space, adjacent to the Pavilion in the Rotonde du Mont-Blanc, will host three private breakfasts with the CEOs of the exhibiting brands, eight symposia on watchmaking topics, four forums and eight press conferences given by the participating brands. "The boldness of the Geneva Watch Days has been proven time and time again. The event has steadily grown in size and prestige, returning each year to the idyllic setting of the harbour. Today, it is the international showcase of Swiss watchmaking excellence, with exports expected to exceed 26.7 billion francs in 2023. Nearly half of these exports come from Geneva, which is extremely pleasing for our canton's economy," comments Delphine Bachmann, State Councillor for the Economy and Employment. "Supporting the industry, offering brands an informal and decentralised setting in which to launch their new products, meeting the key players in the industry - the media and retailers - but above all the general public, that's the spirit of Geneva Watch Days. Born during the pandemic following the cancellation of the watch fairs, this event has endured, grown dramatically and become more institutionalised. It's not a trade show, but a major, inclusive and festive event that celebrates watchmaking," added Jean-Christophe Babin, President of the Geneva Watch Days Association and CEO of Bulgari. This autumn's not-to-be-missed watchmaking event is now firmly established on the shores of Lake Geneva. Not to be missed! Livingstone College in North Carolina recently received an additional $8 million donation from an anonymous benefactor, marking yet another significant contribution as students return to classes. Last month, the college received a record-breaking $10 million donation, the largest in its history. Over the past nine months, this anonymous donor has given a total of $25 million to the HBCU, according to HBCU Gameday. The school said on Saturday that the money would go toward its infrastructure and capital projects. The college, with an enrollment of fewer than 900 students, is the latest HBCU to receive a major donation as the fall semester begins. Earlier this month, Morehouse College, an all-boys HBCU located in Atlanta, Georgia, announced that an anonymous donor gave a $20 million gift to the school to expand academic programs and professorships at the college. The donation was contributed to the "Making Men of Consequence" campaign, which is the largest fundraising initiative in the schools 157-year history. Morehouse College President David A. Thomas said in a statement at the time that the "transformational" donation will allow the school to "increase the ranks of our esteemed and talented professors so that we can uphold the legacy of excellence in our classrooms as our veteran faculty retire." The college has a student body of roughly 2,300 men. Mar Lodge is a highland estate in western Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which has been owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland since 1995. Its principal building, Mar Lodge, is about 4 miles west of the village of Braemar. Part of The trust's Connoisseurs' Collection, the Lodge contains 5 luxurious Adam Revival-style apartments offering self-catering accommodation for up to 33 guests. Set amid magnificent Scottish countryside, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Mar Lodge Estate is surrounded by ancient forests, rolling glens, wild rivers and rugged peaks. Originally built as a Victorian hunting lodge for the Duke and Duchess of Fife in 1895, Mar Lodge is an idyllic setting for Highland weddings and an exclusive venue for corporate events, family gatherings and private parties. Our studio has a strong handmade ethic. We love how hand made makes interiors feel, and the importance of using our hands to make whilst nurturing artisanal skills. Through the Victorian shadow puppet drapes in the bedroom, to the Thistle curtains in the dining area, made from the leftover pieces of fabric and recycled blouse sleeves we thought about every detail and material choice. The furniture is made chemical free using wool felt, natural rubber and coir. Made in a traditional sustainable way to last generations. The mattresses are made with cashmere by the Blind Society. Hand painted sheep dance around the WC, heralded along by an old trumpet. Hand painted curtains bring new life to an old splashback. We hand painted an old cabinet which houses a pay phone required by the Lodge due to poor mobile phone signal. We designed new bed canopies with applique artwork backdrops depicting a story to raise awareness that the surrounding land needs our help through rewilding. The bedroom door signs were hand painted in local scenes, featuring Braemar castle and the wonderful Braemar architecture. We reused existing furniture where possible, with all new pieces being made locally to support the community. Our brief was to keep and work with the existing carpets, adding a quiet luxury with comfort and sustainability at heart. (@FahadShabbir) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) The Alhamra ignited the stage with an exceptional guitar and violin concert. The event was a celebration of artistry, heritage and Alhamra's unwavering commitment to nurturing and showcasing talent. The academy supervisor and the event's host, Ms. Naveen Rooma, warmly welcomed the guests and emphasised Alhamra's relentless dedication to providing the public with high-quality cultural experiences. She highlighted the academy's focus on practical and theoretical aspects of music education, underscoring its efforts to preserve and promote rare musical instruments gradually fading from the public eye. Ms. Naveen Rooma said the young artists, brimming with emotion and pride, described the experience of performing at Alhamra as a profound honour that not only bolstered their confidence but also deepened their connection to their craft. They praised Alhamra as an invaluable institution, with its academy as a treasured artistic knowledge and training trove. The concert featured unforgettable performances by the legendary Sajjad Tafu and well-regarded violinist Abdul Wahab, whose mastery left the audience in awe. Alhamra Academy's emerging stars also delivered captivating performances that touched hearts and showcased the academy's exceptional training. Chairman Razi Ahmed and Executive Director Alhamra Sarah Rashid said that Alhamra is fully committed to preserving and promoting our rich musical heritage. The concert showcases established legends and promising emerging talent and is a testament to our dedication to fostering the arts and providing the public with culturally enriching experiences. The evening also paid homage to the giants of Pakistan's music industry, with Sajjad Tafu delivering stunning renditions of classics composed by legends such as Master Inayat, Master Abdul Rehman, Akhtar Hussain, and M. Ashraf. Abdul Wahab's violin performance served as a testament to the enduring legacy of his craft, with Alhamra playing a crucial role in keeping this tradition alive. The performances by Farah Kamran, Zain, Amjad Khan, and others were the final touches that made the night an unforgettable musical extravaganza. The revival of DANIEL ROTH continues with the unveiling of the Tourbillon Rose Gold. Following the last years Tourbillon Souscription in yellow gold, which was a limited edition of 20 pieces, the emblematic Tourbillon now makes its debut in rose gold with a new guillochage en ligne dial Inspired by the original Tourbillon C187, designed by Daniel Roth himself and the very first wristwatch with a large tourbillon showcased on the dial, the Tourbillon Rose Gold is dressed in the pink on pink livery revered by watch aficionados the 5N rose gold case is matched with a 5N rose gold guilloche dial. Rose gold is a rich, vivid, and striking precious metal that is modern in appearance yet widely used in classical watchmaking, says Matthieu Hegi, Artistic Director of DANIEL ROTH, It is a perfect evolution from the vintage feel of the yellow gold used for the Tourbillon Souscription. At the same time, the complementary nature of the rose gold case paired with a rose gold dial is an example of the distinctive, elegant aesthetic that defines DANIEL ROTH, continues Matthieu Hegi, Moreover, the pink on pink combination evokes many significant historical timepieces, both wrist and pocket watches, that are both desirable and beautiful. Within the rose gold double-ellipse case is the DR001 calibre, a movement developed entirely by Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, the master watchmakers of DANIEL ROTH who are also the founders of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the manufacture responsible for crafting the calibre. While the DR001 was concealed behind a solid case back in the Tourbillon Souscription, the hand-finished movement now sits under a sapphire back in the Tourbillon Rose Gold, showcasing its refined decoration and traditional construction. As a continuation of the reborn DANIEL ROTH legacy, the Tourbillon Rose Gold will be individually numbered on the dial starting from 21, following the Tourbillon Souscription that was numbered 01 to 20. As a consequence of the natural constraints imposed by the high level of artisanal craft demanded by each watch, no more than 50 DANIEL ROTH Tourbillons will be produced each year. Tourbillon Rose Gold Daniel Roth Rose Gold 5N One of the traditional materials for haute horlogerie watches, rose gold gets its name from the pinkish hue that results from the addition of copper to the alloy. For maximum visual impact, the Tourbillon Rose Gold employs the 5N alloy, an 18k gold alloy with a deeper, richer tone, such that it is sometimes known as red gold. The 18k rose gold case takes the double-ellipse form, a shape that was the foundation of DANIEL ROTH, having been created by Daniel Roth himself when he established the brand in 1988. An amalgamation of a square and a circle, the double-ellipse case was conceived to frame the visible tourbillon at 6 oclock. Some three decades after its creation, the double-ellipse case is one of the handful of modern-day case designs that has become an ageless icon. At once classical and modern, the double-ellipse case has been artfully refined for the revival of DANIEL ROTH. Indistinguishable from the original at the distance, the case seemingly reproduces the dimensions of the original C187 - but not exactly, as the slimness of the DR001 calibre allowed for reworked proportions that give the new case a more balanced profile. Another crucial element that was redesigned are the lugs, which are now gracefully curved to echo the rounded lines of the case while also being ergonomic. While majority of the original C187 were made with a silver or grey dial, the Tourbillon Rose Gold is dressed up with a harmonious rose gold dial. But the dial is not just a colour-coordinated pairing with the case, it is also made of the same precious metal alloy: the dial itself is in 5N rose gold, while the applied chapters and scales are in sterling silver. To complement the vivid pink of the dial, all of its markings are printed in glossy black lacquer and matched with black-coated stainless-steel hands. Tourbillon Rose Gold Daniel Roth Just as with the Tourbillon Souscription, the dial is produced in collaboration with the famed engine-turning atelier of Kari Voutilainen. The guilloche is done by hand with a manually-operated straight-line engine that engraves each of the vertical lines one at a time. Each dial is a painstaking task that requires a sharp eye and deft hand, with the slightest mistake requiring the dial to be discarded. The dial also boasts an attribute that a keen-eyed collector will appreciate: the rose gold dial plate is decorated with guillochage en ligne, an engineturned pattern of parallel, vertical lines identical to that found in most examples of the original C187. Although the very earliest examples of the C187 sported dials finished with hobnail guilloche, which is also found in the Tourbillon Souscription, Daniel Roth chose linear guilloche as one of the trademarks of his brand shortly after its founding, making the motif synonymous with DANIEL ROTH. Haute horlogerie Visible in all its glory through the sapphire back, the DR001 movement exemplifies the art of watchmaking. Developed in-house and manufactured at La Fabrique du Temps, the DR001 is a new calibre conceived from the ground up, but one that pays homage to traditional Swiss watchmaking in both form and finish. Shaped by Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, the DR001 has been generously endowed with elements evocative of traditional haute horlogerie. This was hidden in the Tourbillon Souscription, but can now be admired down to its smallest detail. Having known Daniel for many years before the revival of DANIEL ROTH, we understood his philosophy, with its emphasis on tradition, quality, and details, so we instinctively knew the DR001 had to be peerless in every way, say Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini. We also understand Daniels preference for elegance and subtlety, so we designed the DR001 to showcase discreet but perfect finissage that connoisseurs will appreciate under a loupe, continue Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, Now we are especially proud and happy that the movement can be fully admired in all its glory through the sapphire back." Tourbillon Rose Gold Daniel Roth The bridges of the DR001 are finished with Cotes de Geneve with the stripes aligned vertically to mirror the linear guilloche on the dial. Each bridge is further enhanced by anglage, rounded, bevelled edges that are mirror polished, giving the bridges a radiant outline. Furthermore, the wheel driving the tourbillon is held in place by a curved bridge of black-polished steel, while its pivot jewel sits in a gold chaton, one of three gold chatons in the movement. Also in black-polished steel is the linear winding click that creates the precise yet gentle sensation when winding the movement by hand. But the exceptional hand finishing can also be savoured while the watch is on the wrist thanks to the tourbillon positioned at six oclock. Framed by the fan-shaped tri-sectioned seconds, the tourbillon is a masterclass in traditional, haute horlogerie decoration. Both the tourbillon bridge and carriage are in steel thats been polished by hand to a mirror finish. Even the screws holding the carriage together, which are amongst the tiniest components of the movement, are mirror polished on their heads and chamfered along their edges and slots. Attention has been paid to absolutely every element of the movement, no matter how small, a fitting tribute to Daniel Roth and his vision of fine watchmaking. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Riphah International University will collaborate for providing market-oriented skill training for the beneficiaries of BISP ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Riphah International University will collaborate for providing market-oriented skill training for the beneficiaries of BISP. In this regard, a meeting was held between Chairperson BISP, Senator Rubina Khalid and a delegation of Riphah International University. The meeting was aimed at exploring possible avenues for collaboration between BISP and Riphah in providing market-oriented skill training for BISP beneficiaries and their family members. During the discussion, Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized the importance of international certifications in fields such as hospitality, nursing, midwifery, and home care, highlighting how these qualifications can improve job prospects for beneficiaries. The delegation shared that Riphah International University has already launched several skill development programs in partnership with NAVTTC. Additionally, Senator Rubina Khalid proposed engaging fresh graduates of media and mass communication for internships in BISP's media wing. She also suggested organizing a graphic design competition at the inter-university level to raise awareness about BISP's mission. Senator Rubina Khalid reaffirmed BISPs commitment to empowering women, a vision championed by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. She urged the swift finalization of modalities with Riphah University to launch these skill development programs, which will also include education on basic work ethics and hygiene. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) The Pakistan Meteorology Department (PMD) on Friday said the deep depression, which is slowly progressing towards the Arabian Sea from 'Rann of Kutch', is now 200 kilometers southeast of Karachi city. A private tv channel quoted PMD office as saying, this deep depression, a very strong low-pressure area, is expected to keep moving west-southwestward along coastal belt of Sindh province. The low pressure area may further intensify into a cyclonic storm upon entering the Arabian Sea by today afternoon or evening, if environmental conditions remain favourable, the PMD said in its latest cyclone alert. The Met Office said that there was a possibility of heavy rain in Karachi in the next 24 hours, accompanied by strong winds and thundershowers. Meanwhile, winds in the metropolis are blowing from the northeast at a speed of 22km/hour. Heavy rainfalls are likely in Sindh areas under the influence of the potential cyclonic storm, the Met office statement added. The rainfall with strong winds is expected in Karachi division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad districts till August 31. The PMD has already advised fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan to avoid venturing into the sea till September 1 while residents are asked to avoid unnecessary movement. Secretary General ECO Asad Majeed Khan and President ECI Saad S Khan on Friday vowed to jointly work for the promotion of economic and cultural cooperation among 10 member states of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Secretary General ECO Asad Majeed Khan and President ECI Saad S Khan on Friday vowed to jointly work for the promotion of economic and cultural cooperation among 10 member states of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The strategies for synergizing the efforts of the two sister regional bodies were discussed between the two sides, said a press release. Saad Khan said that the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) was the oldest specialized agency of the ECO, working as the main arm for cultural activities. The President ECI also welcomed the new Secretary General ECO and wished him all the success during the tenure. It may be mentioned that Pakistan is the founding member of both the ECO and its cultural agency ECI. It is for the first that the two organizations are headed by top Pakistani officials. Asad Majeed Khan, the new Secretary General ECO, is a seasoned diplomat and the former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan. On the other side, Saad Khan is a senior bureaucrat, an expert of international relations, and a renowned historian with eight books to his credit. \932 FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Khurarianwala police have booked five people including a mill owner and arrested two accused on the charges of torturing female workers. Police spokesman Talish Abbas Jutt said here on Friday that workers of a local mill were protesting peacefully due to non-payment of their arrears by the mill management. The security supervisor of the mill called the protestors for dialogue but he along with his accomplices, including mill owner Rana Anwaar, severe torture the workers including Sonia Javaid, Sumaira Javaid, Mehmood Ali, Usman Shehzad, Muhammad Amir, Ghulam Fareed, etc. Receiving information, City Police Officer (CPO) Kamran Adil took serious notice of the incident and directed the police to ensure immediate arrest of the accused. Therefore, Khurarianwala police registered a case against five accused including mill owner Rana Anwaar, security supervisor Kashif Jat, production manager Basit, quality supervisor Khalid, and mill director Zeeshan Anwaar. The police also arrested Khalid and Kashif. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration are fast-tracking the introduction of an e-stamping system, aiming to digitize all stamp paper transactions in the Federal Capital ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration are fast-tracking the introduction of an e-stamping system, aiming to digitize all stamp paper transactions in the Federal Capital. In an urgent push to modernize revenue operations, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon held a key meeting with revenue officers, said the spokesman of ICT administration. Representatives from the Bank of Punjab (BoP) and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) were also present. The meeting included briefings on various critical issues, such as revenue cases, the audit of housing society fees, and the ongoing computerization of revenue records. The DC emphasized the importance of expediting the resolution of pending revenue cases, instructing officers to prepare daily reports on their progress. Additionally, the DC directed that the computerization of records should be completed promptly to ensure that all stamp papers in Islamabad are issued online, marking a significant shift towards digital operations in the city. The ICT administration are committed to ensuring that these measures are implemented without delay. (@FahadShabbir) KAGHAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) The mesmerizing monsoon in Kaghan Valley, with its blend of moderate to erratic rainfall and occasional sunshine burst, have attracted influx of tourists on an eve of weakened, enjoying free boating and horse-riding around the fairy-tale allure of Saiful Malook lake. Amid monsoon magic, the landscape is alive with seasonal flowers, towering chirpine trees, and the soothing sounds of chirping birds besides cascading waterfalls originating from Malaka Parbats mountains to majestic Saiful Malook, taking tourists into a lap of serenity and tranquil charm. This picturesque setting provides a serene escape for visitors, who are eager to experience the valley's stunning natural beauty, lakes and birds chanting lush green valleys before the summer season ends in Khyber Pakthunkhwa. Fayaz Khan, a tourist from Nowshera said that before schools reopen in KP next week, I came with my family to enjoy what might be the last monsoon majesty at my dream tourist destination of Kaghan. The beauty of Naran valley, our first stop, was incredible. We enjoyed the mouthwatering brown trout on Friday morning, water rafting at Kunhar river and have now reached Kaghan for a nights stay. Tomorrow, we plan to explore the scenic Saiful Malook, Anso and Daudpath Lakes before returning back to our hometown on Sunday. Ali Abbasi, a horse rider was overjoyed after earning maximum capital in monsoon season, adding he earns Rs3000 a day as tourists demands of riding between Kaghan-Saiful Malook lake have increased manifold. Similarly, Usman Gujar was also over the moon after his boats started roaring business to help tourists to explore Saiful Malook lakeknown for Persian Prince Saiful Malook and fairy princes Badre Jamala. Since morning, I provided services to about 200 tourists and hoped this weekend will bring more economic lurals for him due to the influx of tourists arriving at Saiful Malook. The famous lake spanes on 1.06 square miles with a depth of 113 feet and sitting at an elevation of 3,224 meters above sea level. Revered as a lake of legends and princes, Saiful Malook is enveloped by the serene mountains of Malika Parbat in upper Kaghan, offering a peaceful retreat to tourists from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Named after the Persian Prince Saiful Malook, the lake attracts both international and local tourists, particularly during the summer when its pleasant climate and cascading waterfalls from nearby glaciers add to its allure. The lake is immortalized in Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhshs epic, Fairytale of Saiful Malook, which recounts the prince Saiful Malook quest for the fairy princess Badriul Jamala, a journey marked by enchanting stories and unfulfilled longing amid piping dreams. Though Pakistan is blessed with numerous stunning lakes like Ansoo, Lalusar, Dudipastar, and Sheosar, Saiful Malook stands out for its unique blend of fairytales, striking beauty, and pristine waters. Dr Naeem Khan, former Chairman Economics Department, University of Peshawar told APP that our northern areas especially Hazara and Malakand divisions were most suited for adventure and ecotourism and Govts patrong towards this sectors uplift can bring economic lurals. He said in 2017 tourism had contributed only $8.8 billion, or 2.9% of GDP, a stark contrast to the $15 billion, or 5.7% of GDP, in 2019, adding the COVID-19 pandemic and security issues have exacerbated these challenges, with a notable decline in tourism revenue and employment in Pakistan. Emphasizing the importance of embracing digital innovations, such as virtual tours and social media campaigns, he advocated for hiring digital professionals and utilizing platforms like GPS and artificial intelligence to promote Pakistans diverse tourism offerings. Developing attractions like a chairlift between Naran and Saiful Malook could generate significant revenue and enhance the socio-economic conditions of people of the region. However, challenges remain, including environmental concerns. Efforts to improve waste management and enhance facilities are crucial for preserving the natural beauty of Saiful Malook and other lakes of Pakistan. Increased litter bins, sanitary workers, and improved parking facilities are among the necessary measures to maintain the lake's allure. Asif Ali, a photographer, was delighted to see the quick capital after the increase of tourists at Naran-Kaghan especially at Saiful Malook.I have been associated with the photography profession for the last 12 years. I am amazed to see tourists influx during this monsoon season at Naran-Kaghan, he said, adding last year he earned Rs2000 per day against Rs 3000 to 4000 this monsoon season. KP Wildlife Department, which oversees Saiful Malook and Lulusar lakes as national parks, is working to ensure sustainable protection and improved tourist facilities and declared Saiful Malook lake as protected National Park. Tasfeen Haider, Director General, KP Culture and Tourism Authority said that the facility of chair-lift would soon be established for tourists between Naran-Saiful Malook lake. He said that the site of the chair lift has been selected, it would be established with public-private partnership for which orders regarding completion of paper work were issued. The DG said KP continued to enhance its digital presence and infrastructure and Naran-Kaghan-Saiful Malook Lake is the nation's rich natural and cultural heritage, which would help attract millions of visitors from within and around the globe every year. APP/fam (@ChaudhryMAli88) BHAKKAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) On the directions of District Police Officer (DPO), Muhammad Abdullah Lak, the police have started search operation here Friday to maintain law and order and eliminate crimes in the district. The police spokesman said, the city police nabbed 7 absconders while Saddar police arrested an absconder and recovered illegal weapons from their possessions. Behal police booked two absconders. Meanwhile the Darya Khan police in the operation recovered a large quantity of illegal weapons in the tehsil. Twelve terrorists were killed by the security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Tirah Valley, Khyber District on August 28 and 29 after the troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location amid intense exchange of fire RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Twelve terrorists were killed by the security forces during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Tirah Valley, Khyber District on August 28 and 29 after the troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location amid intense exchange of fire. "Since 20 August 2024, Security Forces are conducting extensive Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) in Tirah Valley, Khyber District, on reported presence of Khawarij," an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. These operations have resulted into major setback to Fitna-Al- Khwarij and its affiliates, and so far, thirty seven terrorists have been sent to hell, while fourteen terrorists have suffered serious injuries. "The IBOs will continue till peace in the area is restored and Khawrij are eliminated, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country," the ISPR said. Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia faces an arrest warrant if he ignores a third demand to appear before prosecutors over the country's disputed presidential election, the latest summons said Thursday. Gonzalez Urrutia, 75, ignored two prior demands to appear this week as part of a probe into his claim that he was the rightful victor of last month's presidential election. President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the election, but the opposition -- which had been leading in the polls -- cried foul, publishing its own voting records on a website appearing to show a convincing win for Gonzalez Urrutia. The United States, the European Union and several Latin American countries have refused to recognize Maduro as having won without seeing detailed voting results. Gonzalez Urrutia, who became a last-minute candidate after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was banned from running in the July 28 election and backed him, has been in hiding for three weeks. "Obviously he is not going to go. What are we talking about?" Machado told a news conference with Spanish media, referring to the summons. If Gonzalez Urrutia does not appear for the third summons on Friday, "it will be considered that we are in the presence of a flight risk... and a risk of obstruction... for which the corresponding arrest warrant will be issued," the summons warned. Maduro has said both Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia belong "behind bars," blaming them for protests that erupted after his victory which left at least 25 civilians dead and more than 2,400 arrested. Foro Penal, an NGO which advocates on behalf of political prisoners, said that 16 minors were released from police custody in Caracas on Thursday following arrest during the post-election protests. More than 100 minors have been arrested as a result of election protests, according to the NGO. - Democratic legitimacy - The summonses have not specified in what capacity Gonzalez Urrutia, a retired diplomat, is to appear -- whether as a defendant, witness or expert. They have only mentioned he will be interrogated as part of an investigation into "usurpation of functions" and "forgery of public documents," crimes that can theoretically lead to a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He is also being investigated for "instigation to disobedience of the law" and "computer crimes." Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) has declined to publish its records, claiming hackers had corrupted the data. Election observers have said there was no evidence of the purported cyberattack. "Digitizing and safeguarding the voting records that are ours by law is not a crime," read a statement published by the opposition Thursday evening. "Furthermore, nothing prevents said records, after the CNE first announced results, from being published for the knowledge and verification of the citizens." Attorney General Tarek William Saab has also announced a criminal investigation against Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia for "instigating military insurrection," after they urged the military to recognize an opposition victory. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday that Maduro had no "democratic legitimacy." "He will remain president de facto. Yes, de facto. But we deny democratic legitimacy based on a result that cannot be verified," Borrell told a news conference in Brussels. "We believe that the electoral victory that he's claiming was not endorsed, it's not approved. And therefore we have no reason to believe it," Borrell added. Borrell said the EU would "maintain close contact with and support the opposition." Gonzalez Urrutia also briefed EU foreign ministers on the situation in Venezuela by video link during the meeting, but his comments were not made public. (@FahadShabbir) A first delivery of mpox vaccines is expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days, the World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) A first delivery of mpox vaccines is expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days, the World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday. The WHO declared an international emergency over mpox on August 14, concerned by the surge in cases of a new strain, the Clade 1b, in the DR Congo and its spread to nearby countries. After returning from DR Congo on Friday, Tedros told a press conference in Geneva: "We hope to have the first delivery in the next few days". More than 18,000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported in the DR Congo so far this year, with 629 deaths, said Tedros. The figure included more than 5,000 cases and 31 deaths from the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where the new Clade 1b strain has been spreading. "The number of reported cases of Clade 1b has been rising rapidly for several weeks. Fortunately, relatively few deaths have been reported in recent weeks," said Tedros. In addition, 258 cases of Clade 1b have been confirmed in Burundi, four in Rwanda, four in Uganda, two in Kenya and one each in Sweden and Thailand, he added. A trailblazing chronograph supremely finished Following the relaunch of the brand, A. Lange & Sohne presented their first chronograph, the DATOGRAPH, 25 years ago. In the latest model, the unique alliance of technical complexity and expressive design is enriched with further exceptional elements, created by the artisanal finishers hands. The limited HANDWERKSKUNST edition boasts rare and exceedingly sophisticated dial and movement decorations. The DATOGRAPH has been a benchmark in chronograph construction since 1999. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, A. Lange & Sohne has presented two fascinating interpretations of this mechanical magnum opus: the DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN in white gold with a blue dial and the DATOGRAPH PERPETUAL TOURBILLON HONEYGOLD Lumen . Datograph Handwerkskunst A. Lange & Sohne A rare composition of aesthetic details The limited-edition DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST will be launched shortly a further highlight of the anniversary year. Exclusive decorations accord the unparalleled dial design of the original model an artistic and refined appearance. Since 2011, the attribute HANDWERKSKUNST has been used to identify exclusive, special limited-edition watches whose dials and movements are adorned with particularly elaborate decorations. Endless patience, ample experience, a keen eye, a steady hand as well as the absolute commitment to perfect every single detail these are the finishers and engravers prerequisites to raise the decorative opulence for which A. Lange & Sohne is renowned to an inordinately high level. Datograph Handwerkskunst A. Lange & Sohne Tremblage engraving on the dial: magnificent artisanal virtuosity on small surfaces The black-rhodiumed main dial as well as the rhodiumed, light-grey totalisers of the DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST feature an ornate tremblage engraving, resulting in a three-dimensional structure with subtle light reflexions. For this technique, the engraver uses a specially crafted lining burin to create a fine-grained surface. The challenge presented here is to not only achieve a uniform texture on the smallest of planes but to simultaneously preserve certain dial elements such as the arch brand logo, the minutes and seconds graduations as well as the tachymeter scale. Together with the subsidiary dials that were moved downwards slightly and the aperture for the outsize date, they remain clearly visible with their sculpted contours of the relief engraving and contrast crisply against the dark background. In a first step, the edges of the appliques and Roman numerals are chamfered and the surfaces are decorated with straight graining. In a second step that requires great diligence, they are placed on the dial. The hands of this HANDWERKSKUNST edition showcase meticulously executed circumferential chamfers and straight graining. Datograph Handwerkskunst A. Lange & Sohne Black polishing of the chronograph levers the apex of finissage The artisanal virtuosity also manifests itself in every detail of the lavishly finished manufacture calibre L951.8. For example, the finishers blackpolish the surfaces of the chronograph levers, a particularly time-consuming and rare technique: it ensures that incident light is reflected in merely one single direction. Viewed from this perspective only, the surface of the lever appears to be jet black, yet seen from all other angles, it has a mirror-like gloss. Inspired by historic pocket watches, the granular surface of the bridges on the three-quarter plate made of German silver represents the design counterpart of the tremblage engraving of the dial. And last but not least, a glance through the sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the intricacy and mechanical beauty of the manually wound movement. Hand-engraved balance cock with a vine motive The manual engraving on the balance cock is the most distinctive design element. This minuscule yet lavishly decorated movement part with its special filigreed vine pattern sets the DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST apart. Unlike a conventional Lange engraving where the pattern is cut into the material, for this piece the vine pattern is relief-engraved. Floral motives have a long-standing tradition at A. Lange & Sohne. They graced the first precision pocket watches dating back to the fledgling years of the manufacture in the 19th century. Hence, this calibre constitutes a significant example of the manufactures competence in chronograph construction as well as its artistic craftsmanship. Datograph Handwerkskunst A. Lange & Sohne The DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST is the eighth model of this special edition and features a yellow-gold case with a diameter of 41.0 millimetres and a height of 13.1 millimetres. Given the extraordinary amount of artisanal work involved, this masterpiece is limited to only 25 watches worldwide. This timepiece is exclusively available at Lange boutiques. Towards the end of August 2024, it will make its debut at Watches & Wonders Shanghai 2024 and will also be shown during the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace near London, taking place at approximately the same time. With the DATOGRAPH, our engineers created a manufacture chronograph as early as 25 years ago that unites highly sophisticated functions with a balanced dial design, explains Anthony de Haas, Director Product Development. In the DATOGRAPH HANDWERKSKUNST, the artisanal perfection is raised to an even higher level. Be it at a glance at the dial or through the sapphire-crystal caseback every perspective reveals fascinating details that are testament to the outstanding prowess of our engravers and finishers. Manually executed with the highest degree of precision, the decorations and finishing exhibit aesthetics that no machine in the whole world could possibly achieve. Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Russia's army said Friday its forces had captured three more villages in eastern Ukraine, where it is advancing even as Kyiv mounts a major cross-border assault into Russian territory. In a briefing published on its Telegram page, Russia's defence ministry said its forces had seized settlements in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv regions. They were Novozhelanne, which lies between the cities of Donetsk and Pokrovsk, Synkivka in the Kharkiv region and the small village of Kostyantynivka in Donetsk, which shares its name with a larger city in the region that is under Ukrainian control. Russia has claimed to have taken control of dozens of Ukrainian towns and villages -- some no more than a few streets and handful of abandoned buildings -- in recent months, with Ukraine outgunned and outmanned across the sprawling frontline. Moscow appears to be focusing its firepower on the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk, where Kyiv says the fighting is intense and "difficult." "The most difficult situation remains in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy is trying to break through the defences of our troops," Ukraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Friday. He also said Kyiv's troops were continuing to press forward in Russia's western Kursk region, where they claimed earlier this week to have taken control of 100 border settlements. (@FahadShabbir) Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia has disrupted Russian mercenaries' plans in junta-led Burkina Faso, with many now pulled out to help boost Moscow's defences back home, a paramilitary commander said on Friday Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia has disrupted Russian mercenaries' plans in junta-led Burkina Faso, with many now pulled out to help boost Moscow's defences back home, a paramilitary commander said on Friday. In an interview with AFP, Viktor Yermolaev, head of a paramilitary unit known as Medvedi (Bears) in Russia and the Bear Brigade in the West, said many of his fighters had left the West African country, while some stayed behind. Ukraine earlier this month launched the unprecedented incursion into Russia's western Kursk region, adding a new factor in the over two year war that began in February 2022 with Moscow's invasion of its neighbour. The Bear Brigade is one of several such mercenary groups that emerged in recent years alongside the now defunct Wagner Group of the late Yevgeny Prigozhin and Western analysts say are closely linked to the Russian state. "We thought Ukrainians wanted to end this war and sit down at the negotiating table, but after their entry into the Kursk region we see that they chose the path of war, and war is our job," said Yermolaev, who is also known by his call sign Jedi. "There is no higher honour for a Russian warrior than to defend his homeland. This is the way," added Yermolaev, who said he had served in Russia's airborne troops for 15 years. He said he was now in Russia but declined to provide further details or say how many fighters had been pulled out. The unit's Telegram channel said earlier this week that "due to recent events" the unit was returning to Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, where it is based. A Western security source told AFP that around a hundred fighters of the paramilitary unit had left Burkina Faso. Western intelligence believes that the fighters have been tasked in particular with providing security for the country's junta leader Ibrahim Traore who took power in 2022. A succession of coups in francophone western Africa -- in Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023 -- have led to a drastic increase in Russia's influence as Russian mercenaries were called in to prop up new regimes. Coup leaders in Burkina Faso expelled troops and diplomats from former colonial ruler France and turned to Russia for military assistance. The UK on Friday said it was "deeply" concerned by the Israeli military's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to "exercise restraint" and adhere to international law London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) The UK on Friday said it was "deeply" concerned by the Israeli military's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to "exercise restraint" and adhere to international law. Israel's large-scale military operation in the occupied territory entered its third day Friday, with the death toll rising to at least 19. Israel has described its raids on towns and refugee camps across the northern West Bank as "counter-terrorism" operations. "We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," a spokesperson for the UK foreign ministry said. The spokesperson added in a statement that the risk of regional instability was serious while "the need for de-escalation urgent". The statement called on Israeli authorities to "exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions". Britain also criticised comments made earlier this week by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a settler and proponent of West Bank annexation. WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2024) The United States and the United Nations Friday marked the 'International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances', with a call to the perpetrators of enforced disappearances to cease this practice and return victims to their families. "Enforced disappearance is an egregious human rights violation that inflicts the trauma of indeterminate detention or disappearance on its victims, whom all too often are targeted for their dissent or advocacy for human rights and democracy," US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement as the day was observed. In New York, a statement made on behalf of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said,"Hundreds of thousands of people have vanished during conflicts or periods of repression in at least 85 countries around the world. "Once largely the product of military dictatorships, enforced disappearances can nowadays be perpetrated in complex situations of internal conflict, especially as a means of political repression against opponents," the UN chief's Spokesperson, Stephaane Dujarric told reporters at the regular noon briefing. "The families whose people have disappeared have a right to know what's happened to their loved ones. Have a right to have their loved ones released or, at least, have information about their whereabouts. And we encourage all Member States to act in that fashion." In his remarks, Secretary Blinken also said, "Families of those forcibly disappeared also suffer immensely, not knowing where their loved ones are, or whether they are alive or dead. The agony that enforced disappearance inflicts on the victims and their families is unimaginable... The United States urges governments everywhere to put an end to this practice, hold perpetrators accountable, and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all." In Geneva, UN and regional human rights experts issued a joint statement urging all actors to join forces immediately to support victims of enforced disappearance and ensure that their rights and obligations as codified in regional and international treaties and other legal instruments, become a reality for all: The statement said, Victims of enforced disappearance include any individual who has suffered harm as a direct result. They still face unbearable challenges, and impunity prevails. We renew our solidarity with victims of enforced disappearance, as well as organisations, human rights defenders and lawyers that support them. "Despite ongoing attempts to search for truth, justice and reparation, and even with the specialised national, regional and international frameworks in place, victims and those that support them are too often met with silence, or with the rejection of their allegations. "Clear commitments and action plans remain necessary. Progress can be achieved when all concerned parties work together. "The forthcoming World Congress on Enforced Disappearances, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 15 and 16 January 2025, presents a crucial opportunity to bring States, victims and their representative organizations, national human rights institutions and experts together to find actionable solutions to eliminate and prevent enforced disappearances and promote the universal ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons against Enforced Disappearances. "The World Congress will allow us to identify and adopt concrete actions to address these concerns and pledge to implement them under our respective mandates. We encourage all actors involved in the fight against enforced disappearances to make the most of this event and to commit to concrete action. "On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we reiterate our shared commitment to assisting victims worldwide and our call for collective action to end this scourge, once and for all. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Caracas, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2024) A blackout plunged most of Venezuela into darkness early Friday morning, according to Communications Minister Freddy Nanez, who blamed the event on a "sabotage" of the national grid. Venezuela experiences frequent blackouts, which President Nicolas Maduro's government routinely attributes to unproven conspiracies to overthrow him. "We are reporting that at approximately 4:40 am (0840 GMT) today, Friday, August 30, an electrical sabotage took place in Venezuela, a sabotage against the national electrical system, which has affected almost the entire national territory," Nanez told the state-run VTV channel. "All 24 states are reporting total or partial loss of electricity supply," he said. The worst countrywide outage to strike Venezuela, in March 2019, lasted several days. Western regions such as Tachira and Zulia, once capitals of the oil industry, experience daily power outages. Maduro's government has accused the United States and the political opposition of ochestrating the power failures. Opposition leaders and experts, however, blame corruption and a lack of investment and expertise for the outages. "It is a new electrical sabotage," said Nanez. "We have lived it in 2019, we know what it cost us in 2019, we know what it has cost us to recover the national electric system since then and today we are facing it with the proper protocols." Nazrin Abdul President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has been invited to the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, as confirmed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Azernews reports, citing TASS. Moscow has officially endorsed Bakus application for BRICS membership. Ryabkov expressed strong support for Azerbaijans bid, stating, We are very pleased about Azerbaijans application. We believe that Azerbaijan is a strong candidate that will bring additional dynamism and unique experiences to BRICS, particularly through its ability to handle multiple agendas in a constructive manner, which aligns with BRICS' values. The diplomat further explained that discussions are ongoing regarding the designation of partner states, a process initiated during the previous summit in Johannesburg. We are exploring various options and algorithms for establishing a list of partner states for the Kazan summit. Nonetheless, we firmly support Azerbaijans accession to BRICS, Ryabkov emphasized. After numerous consultations, the organizing committee of the Eurovision Song Contest and the Swiss authorities agreed to hold the 2025 contest in Basel. This year's show ended with the victory of the representatives of the country Nemo, so their homeland took over the responsibility of hosting the next concert. ADVERTISIMENT Four cities competed for the right to host the contest: Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Biel/Bienne. At the final stage, the choice was narrowed down to Geneva and Basel. The event was broadcast on YouTube. Shortly before the result was announced, the winner of the 2018 contest, Netta, predicted the location of the Eurovision Song Contest. In her opinion, the contest should be hosted by Geneva, which offered the highest bid of 30 million francs ($32 million). The network joked that the artist never guessed right, so Euro fans will go to Basel. ADVERTISIMENT By the way, Biel, where Nemo are from, offered the smallest amount of money to host the show but tried to convince them to hold the contest there using the winner of Eurovision 2024. Basel is called the cultural capital of the country. It is located on the banks of the Rhine River, so it is also considered an important economic hub. The city has numerous museums and other cultural centers to offer, and its narrow streets can accommodate more people than it might seem at first glance. ADVERTISIMENT The contest will take place on May 13, 15, and 17. First, the semifinals will be held, and the last day will be the day of the grand final. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Nigeria and neighboring Niger have signed an agreement to boost their security cooperation, despite tensions following a coup in Niger more than a year ago. The Nigerian army announced the security cooperation pact on Tuesday in a communique. The countries' defense chiefs signed the accord this week in Niamey, Nigers capital. It's the first military deal between the nations since last July's coup. The Nigerian military statement said that under the deal, Niger reaffirmed its willingness to resume active participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional security alliance. Security analyst Saheed Shehu praised the agreement. "It's a very good development for Nigeria, for Niger and for the ECOWAS and for West Africa as a subregion," Shehu said. "They actually muddled up the situation after the Niger coup such that for this one year we have been in a stalemate. So this is the first time we're seeing the actual use of military diplomacy, because this followed a visit by the chief of defense staff." The July 2023 coup which ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum strained relations with Nigeria, after ECOWAS, led by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, imposed tough sanctions on Niger and threatened a military invasion. The West Africa subregion has struggled to stem violence from Islamist militants, including Boko Haram and other armed groups, for years. Shehu said that if properly implemented, the Nigeria-Niger deal could lead to more positive outcomes for the region and ECOWAS. "This is an avenue, if we exploit it very critically and with a lot of sense, it will be a way of bringing back not only Niger but also Burkina Faso and Mali," he said. "And what I'll like to advise President Tinubu who's the chairman of ECOWAS is to send the same kind of military diplomacy to Mali, probably to Burkina Faso." In January, aggrieved by ECOWAS's sanctions, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced an exit from the regional bloc and later created a confederation. The three nations blamed ECOWAS for failing to tackle insecurity in the region. Meanwhile, ECOWAS has not ruled out the possibility of a military intervention in Niger but it says it wants to pursue dialogue with the juntas. Regional political affairs analyst Ahmed Buhari said ECOWAS made mistakes. "Whether we like it or not, our neighbor might not be doing exactly what we want, but we cannot go to war with our neighbors, especially when we're interconnected on all levels," Buhari said. "There's no way we're going to be fighting insecurities in Nigeria and having these terrorists move into Niger and after a while bounce back. Similarly, if Niger is fighting them and there's no collaboration, they can come to Nigeria take a breather and then pounce back to Niger." In April, when Nigeria hosted a regional counterterrorism summit in Abuja, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso did not attend. Nigerien military delegates are expected in Nigeria soon to discuss the military cooperation. Many will be watching to see if the new partnership will change the regional status quo. On August 27, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk renewed calls for Beijing to strengthen protections of minorities in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region and to fully investigate allegations of human rights violations, including torture. The appeal comes nearly two years after the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report, which found Beijings treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in China may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China was ready to have a constructive exchange with the OHCHR, but warned it to refrain from being used by political forces aiming at containing and vilifying China. Lin then repeated a well-worn Chinese propaganda talking point that people in Xinjiang were enjoying historic levels of happiness and prosperity. People of all ethnic groups in China are equal and their legitimate rights and interests are fully protected, Lin said. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. That is false. While China has invested billions of dollars to develop resource-rich Xinjiang and turn it into a driver of economic growth, those efforts have been coupled with grave human rights abuses. A wide body of evidence suggests Chinese authorities have subjected Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang to mass internment, forced sterilization, torture, sexual violence, forced labor, religious repression and other forms of cultural erasure. At the heart of this repressive system are Beijings internment camps, where the government has detained an estimated 1.8 million people in Xinjiang. China portrays those detention facilities as vocational training centers aimed at eliminating poverty and extremism. But U.S. lawmakers have shared ample documentation that Chinese authorities use the camps to subject detainees to forced labor, torture, political indoctrination, and other severe human rights abuses. China claimed it has since closed those facilities after the individuals who passed through them succeeded in finding better work. In April 2021, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) identified 385 detention sites through a years-long process using satellite imagery, construction contracts, government documents and eye-witness testimony. ASPI said China built or expanded those 385 facilities between 2017 and 2021. There is evidence authorities have shuttered some of those facilities, although Beijings strict control of media and the lack of government transparency complicates verification efforts. To verify the ASPIs claims, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) team traveled to 26 of the 385 documented sites. In their report, published in September 2023, AFP said 10 of the 26 sites appeared operational, but authorities did not grant them access, thwarting attempts to identify anyone who was indisputably incarcerated. International news crews attempting to report on the ground in Xinjiang have repeatedly faced roadblocks. Further complicating verification efforts, China regularly targets the family members of Uyghur activists who speak out against rights abuses. In August, Tahir Imin, a U.S.-based Uyghur activist, told VOA that authorities had prosecuted six of his former business associates, and 28 of his family members, because of their association with him. In June, a U.N. human rights expert said that China had detained Gulshan Abbas, a Uyghur doctor in Xinjiang, six days after her sister criticized the persecution of Uyghurs at an event in Washington D.C. The U.N. expert said the Chinese government sentenced Abbas to 20 years on unfounded terrorism-related charges to retaliate for her sisters activism. Six Uyghur reporters from Radio Free Asia, a VOA sister organization, stated dozens of their family members had been detained and sent to camps for ill-defined reasons. 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 UN human rights chief and UN member states, said Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch. There is still no word on the fate of Zimbabwean journalist turned human rights activist Itai Dzamara, an outspoken government critic who disappeared nearly a decade ago, in March 2015. Sheffra Dorica Dzamara, Itai Dzamaras wife, said the family wants to know what happened. Itai Dzamara disappeared March 9, 2015, while having his hair cut by a barber in his neighborhood of Glennorah. He was reportedly abducted by suspected state security agents. Prior to his disappearance, he had been protesting outside the parliament building calling for the government of then-President Robert Mugabe to respect human rights and boost the moribund economy. Sheffra Dzamara said answers need to be forthcoming. "Its almost 10 years without knowing where Itai is," she said. "I dont want to lie, its painful if I think about it and no one can tell what happened to him. He disappears from Zimbabwe and there is silence about it." "Its really painful if I look at the kids," she said. "The first one was 7 and the other one was 2 they are now grown up. They now ask: 'Where is our daddy?' and no one can explain what happened to him?" "Its really painful," she added, "because I have no answers." Sheffra Dzamara said she is the familys sole breadwinner and that it is hard for the family to get by on roughly $300 a month. Charles Kwaramba of the group Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said he got a court order in 2015 for police to search for Dzamara. But, he added, police have ignored the order. "The investigation into Itai Dzamaras disappearance is virtually dead," Kwaramba said. "We have not received any reports or indications that the police are still pursuing any investigation into the matter. Previously we used to receive from police what they were doing, how they were doing it, the places they were going to, how they were conducting their search. But that stopped a long, long time ago. In some instances, we would meet with officials from the police. But that stopped a long time ago. ... The state has completely abdicated that responsibility." This week, Paul Nyathi, a Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, said he could not comment on Dzamaras case. Amnesty International has said it believes Dzamara is a victim of enforced disappearance. Lucia Masuka, head of Amnesty in Zimbabwe, said the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa should make an effort to find the missing activist. "Enforced disappearances are deployed as a strategy to silence activists, to silence those expressing dissent in this country, and the case that comes to mind is that of Itai Dzamara, well known for speaking out, against corruption, for speaking out against bad governance, and for leading peaceful protests," Masuka said. "The High Court had issued an order for authorities to investigate the case, bringing the perpetrators of this enforced disappearance to account and ensure that the families of those affected secure justice in all such cases," Masuka said. Several demonstrations to force Harare to reveal what happened to Dzamara have not yielded results. Rights groups have harshly criticized Zimbabwe for human rights abuses for decades. A group of 28 asylum-seekers were repatriated to Afghanistan from Germany on Friday after being deported for criminal convictions. The deportees, on board a chartered flight, arrived in the capital of Kabul, where Taliban authorities promptly detained them for investigation and blocked journalists access to the airport, according to witnesses. The Taliban did not immediately issue a statement regarding the fate of the Afghan returnees or whether the repatriation resulted from mutual understanding between Kabul and Berlin. Earlier, a German government spokesperson said in a statement on its website that the Afghan nationals had been convicted for criminal offenses, carried no legal residency, and were subject to return orders. Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesperson for the government, noted that this was the first time Germany had repatriated Afghan nationals since August 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country. The federal government will continue with such returns, Hebestreit said. The security interests of Germany clearly outweigh the claim for protection of criminals and individuals endangering national security. The Taliban takeover had prompted Germany to halt deportations to Afghanistan and shut down its embassy in the country amid fears of reprisals against returnees. Hebestreit did not respond to reports from German media that Fridays deportation flight resulted from two months of secret negotiations between Berlin and Taliban authorities, with Qatar serving as the intermediary. He said in a statement that Germany had sought the support of "key regional partners to help facilitate the return and was very grateful for this support without elaborating. Violent offenders and sex offenders were reportedly among the Afghans sent back Friday, including a man who took part in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl. Fridays resumption of Afghan deportations came a week after a deadly knife attack at a street festival in the city of Solingen that shocked Germany. The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack that killed three people. A 26-year-old Syrian man allegedly carried it out. Last May, a 25-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker was accused of killing a German police officer in a knife attack on a market square in the city of Mannheim. That incident occurred amid a reported increase in criminal activities involving Afghan nationals in Germany. It revived debate about deporting serious criminals even if they come from countries deemed unsafe, like Afghanistan or Syria. The Taliban have implemented their strict interpretation of Islamic law in Afghanistan, placing restrictions on personal conduct and freedom of the population. They have barred Afghan girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade and women from most jobs in public and private sectors. The curbs, particularly those on women and girls, have outraged the global community and deterred foreign governments from officially recognizing the de facto Kabul government. World Health Organization officials say Israel has given United Nations agencies the go-ahead to start inoculating hundreds of thousands of young Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip against polio. A mass polio vaccination campaign to immunize more than 640,000 children under the age 10 against the crippling disease is set to begin Sunday, according to Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Speaking from Deir al Balah in central Gaza, Peeperkorn told journalists in Geneva Friday that Israel has agreed to a series of so-called humanitarian pauses. We want to emphasize without humanitarian pauses, the campaigns delivery, which is already being implemented under incredibly complex and challenging circumstances, will not be possible, Peeperkorn said. So, we welcome the preliminary commitment to these area-specific humanitarian pauses during the campaign, he said. We call on all parties to pause the fighting to allow children and families to safely access health facilities and for community outreach workers to get the children who cannot access health facilities for polio vaccinations. The campaign, which is being run by Gazas Ministry of Health, the WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and partners, will be split into three, three-day phases, starting with central Gaza, followed by south Gaza, and lastly north Gaza. The campaign will involve two doses of novel oral polio vaccine and will be given to the children in two rounds four weeks apart. The WHO says 1.26 million doses of vaccine and 500 vaccine carriers have been delivered to Gaza, noting that an additional 400,000 doses will arrive in Gaza soon. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told journalists during an online briefing Friday that staff have prepared for the logistically mammoth undertaking. We have trained more than 2,100 workers and community outreach workers to provide vaccinations and inform communities about the campaign, he said. Our aim is to reach at least 90% vaccination coverage during each round of the campaign to stop the current outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio. Decisions to vaccinate Gazas children were made just days after a 10-month-old baby became partially paralyzed with polio, the first case of the infectious disease in the Palestinian enclave in 25 years. Polio mainly affects young children and is spread through contact with feces or from contaminated food or water. Health officials agree that the overcrowded, unsanitary conditions under which people in Gaza are forced to live create an environment in which the poliovirus thrives. Due to insecurity, damage to road and infrastructure, and constant population displacement, conducting the campaign for just three days in each area is unlikely to be sufficient to achieve adequate vaccination coverage, Tedros said. Vaccination coverage will be monitored throughout the campaign, he said, and it has been agreed that vaccination will be extended by one day wherever necessary. Peeperkorn said that every day a technical team will analyze the campaign to see how it is progressing and whether adjustments need to be made. In an ideal situation, you would go house to house. Unfortunately, that is not feasible in Gaza, he said. If after three days, we see that coverage is too low, we will ask for additional days, he added, explaining that this has been approved by the Israeli COGAT authority, which coordinates government activities in the Palestinian territories. We have this agreement, and I expect all the parties to stick to this agreement, he said. We are here. The teams are ready to move forward, and we expect that this will happen in the best possible way. The Africa Union (AU), a 55-member-states organization, is set to elect its fifth commission chair in February 2025. The new chairperson will succeed the incumbent, Moussa Faki Mahamat of Ghana, who had held the position since March 2017. Kenya's longtime opposition leader, Odinga, is among those vying for the office. On August 27, Odinga launched his bid for the seat in a ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya endorsed by seven African heads of state. At least three other candidates from Djibouti, Mauritius, and Madagascar are running against Odinga. Ahmed Hashi, a Kenyan diplomatic analyst and former foreign ministry spokesperson, accused the United States and its Kenya Ambassador Meg Whitman of meddling in the upcoming AU elections. ''Americans will participate in the elections and won't allow Raila [Odinga] to be the AUC chair, Hashi said speaking on Kenyan Television morning show "Citizen TV." He speculated that Odinga's contender, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, is America's candidate for the position. "Meg Whitman has been involved in the country's internal affairs. Raila [Odinga] has faced opposition from Americans since the day he was born,'' Hashi stated. That is false. There is no evidence that the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has interfered with Kenyan or regional internal affairs. Contrary to that claim, there is abundant proof that Whitman has strengthened diplomatic ties between Kenya and the U.S. On May 22, the U.S. invited Kenya's President William Ruto to the White House to celebrate 60 years of partnership between the two nations. During that visit, the U.S. elevated Kenya's status to a non-NATO ally. The U.S. appointed Whitman, a billionaire entrepreneur and former CEO at eBay, ambassador to Kenya in 2022. Since arriving in Nairobi, she has focused on bolstering Kenya's economic potential, choosing the tech industry as the top priority on her agenda. Last year, she accompanied Ruto to Silicon Valley in support for Kenya's aspirations to grow its young tech industry. However, some in Kenya mistake Whitman's working relationship with Ruto as unconditional support from the U.S., referring to her as "Ruto's new fixer." Despite the speculations, Whitman evidently upholds to diplomatic standards not only supporting Ruto's development plans for the country but also voicing criticism of the president when she believes he is wrong. In a TV interview on August 27, Whitman called out the Kenyan president for accusing the Ford Foundation of funding the Generation Z protests. "I thought that was absolutely wrong. The Ford Foundation has worked in this country for almost 60 years. They support many civil society organizations," she said. On August 18, last year, the Kenyan president came to her defense when she was accused of interfering with Kenyan politics after she termed the 2022 election as ''the fairest and free election."' Cameron Hudson, a former White House National Security Council official, told Politico, an American political digital newspaper, "She's very outspoken. She's very public, much more so than other U.S. ambassadors in other African countries or other countries." As for Hashi's claim that ''Raila [Odinga] has faced opposition from Americans "since the day he was born" they are simply baseless. On May 15, a Kenyan daily newspaper The Star reported that Whitman had expressed her support for Odinga's African Union Commission Chair bid after the two met on May 3. The newspaper quoted the ambassador as saying, "I am excited about the potential of him running the African Union and that is good for East Africa and probably good for Kenya." Odinga has a long life in Kenya's opposition politics; he has vied for the presidency five times without success. After losing elections last year, Odinga claimed, without evidence, that "Washington had installed William Ruto as president." While local news media describe Odinga as having a love-hate relationship with the U.S., the opposition leader's connections with the current and previous U.S. administrations remains cordial. The U.S. invited Odinga several times to attend meetings with other world leaders. In an unexplained and puzzling move, North Korea this week placed 13 of its several dozen known submarines on a public list maintained by an international maritime agency, only to have them removed a day later. North Korea on Tuesday registered 11 Sang-O II-class submarines, as well as two more sophisticated vessels, with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), even though military craft are not normally listed on the registry. By Wednesday, all 13 submarines had been removed from the list. When asked about the removal, a spokesperson for the IMO told VOA Korean on Thursday that "member states may request to have their own data updated." "GISIS is an online hub for the sharing of shipping-related data, based on information provided by member states," the spokesperson added. Rare move It is unclear what motivated Pyongyang's initial registration of the submarines, which was first reported Tuesday by VOA Korean. Besides the 11 Sang-O II-class submarines, Pyongynang registered the Yongung, which is capable of launching ballistic missiles, and the Hero Kim Kun Ok, which is believed to have the capability to carry nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. The Hero Kim Kun Ok was described by North Korea as its first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine" at a launch ceremony in September 2023, just days before North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia. A South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson told VOA Korean on Thursday that "the government is monitoring closely the situation related to North Korea's acquisition of IMO vessel identification numbers" after the registration was reported. A unique seven-digit identification number is assigned to a ship that registers with the IMO. The same day the submarines were taken off the list, North Korea boasted that its naval forces "have developed into elite matchless ones" and referred to August 28 as "the Day of the Navy of the Korean People's Army," according to the country's state-run media KCNA. Choi Won Il, the retired captain of South Korea's sunken naval ship Cheonan, told VOA Korean on Wednesday he found it "unusual" that North Korea had listed its submarines on a public registry, "because submarines are designed to be stealthy warships." South Korea accused the North of sinking the Cheonan in 2010. The IMO is a U.N. agency responsible for regulating maritime traffic, but warships are not required to be placed on its registry. The 13 submarines were registered as nonmerchant vessels operated by the Korean People's Army Naval Force. 'Unlawful' weapons A spokesperson for the State Department told VOA Korean on Wednesday that the U.S. was "aware of reports that the DPRK registered 13 military submarines" with the IMO and was "consulting closely" with South Korea, Japan and other allies and partners. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The spokesperson continued, "We condemn the DPRK's continued efforts to advance its unlawful WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and ballistic missile programs" and "call on the DPRK to refrain from its further destabilizing actions and return to dialogue." North Korea test-fired a 240 mm multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system under the supervision of Kim, KCNA said Wednesday. In addition to its ground capabilities, North Korea in recent years has emphasized boosting its underwater capabilities. In January, North Korea said it test-fired the Pulhwasal-3-31, a newly developed submarine-launched strategic cruise missile, and the Haeil-5-23, an underwater nuclear launchable drone. In April, construction of a new submarine similar to the Hero Kim Kun Ok at North Korea's Sinpho South Shipyard was detected on commercial satellite imagery examined by 38 North, a program of the Stimson Center devoted to analyzing North Korea. Growing threat North Korea has one of the world's largest submarine fleets, with an estimated 64 to 85 vessels, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a nonpartisan global security organization. "Submarines are viewed as an asymmetric capability whose stealth allows them to be a dangerous security threat," said Terence Roehrig, a professor of national security and a Korea expert at the U.S. Naval War College. "Though North Korean submarines are noisy" and "limited in how far they can operate from coastal waters," the nation has "one of the largest submarine forces in the world and remains a serious maritime concern," he said. North Korea first acquired Soviet-era Romeo-class submarines from China in the 1970s, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative. All submarines that were previously registered with IMO are considered diesel-powered submarines. The Yongung is a Gorae-class, also known as the Sinpo-class submarine, which was launched in 2014 and has limited capability to stay underwater for more than a few days without surfacing, according to NTI. Princes William and Harry met at the funeral of their uncle Lord Fellows on August 28. For the first time in a long time, the brothers were in the same room amid their bitter feud, which continues to this day. ADVERTISIMENT Sources close to Harry said that he would skip the memorial service in Snettisham, Norfolk, citing his security concerns in the UK. But the prince secretly flew out of Los Angeles to attend the service, the Daily Mail reported. Despite hopes for improved relations, eyewitnesses said the feuding brothers "kept their distance," did not speak to each other, and "sat separately in the back of St. Mary's Church after arriving." Lord Fellows, who died last month, was married to Lady Jane Spencer, sister of Harry and William's mother Diana, and also served as private secretary to the late Queen. The news about the new edition of the Duke of Saseki's biographical book "The Spare" added fuel to the fire. Immediately after Prince Harry's memoirs hit the shelves of bookstores, a disagreement arose between members of the royal family, as King Charles's youngest son accused his brother William of pulling the blanket. ADVERTISIMENT Over the past 12 months, questions have been raised about whether Harry would update the paperback edition with a new chapter in light of his father's cancer diagnosis and ongoing family tensions. But the fact that he has decided not to add new revelations may be seen by some as an attempt to smooth over family differences. The family was last seen at Charles's coronation over a year ago. However, they sat separately and were not photographed together. Before that, William and Harry last met at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth in 2022. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On a residential block in upstate New York, college students dug and sifted backyard dirt as part of an archeological exploration this summer of a centuries-old cemetery for African Americans. Now covered with green lawns in the city of Kingston, this spot in 1750 was part of a burial ground for people who were enslaved. It was located on what was then the outskirts of town. An unknown number of people who were denied church burials were interred here until the late 19th century, when the cemetery was covered over as the city grew. The site is now being reclaimed as the Pine Street African Burial Ground, one of many forgotten or neglected cemeteries for African Americans getting fresh attention. In the last three summers, the remains of up to 27 people have been located here. Advocates in this Hudson River city purchased a residential property covering about half the old cemetery several years ago and now use the house there as a visitor center. Money is being raised to turn the urban backyard into a respectful resting place. And while the names of people buried here may be lost, tests are planned on their remains to shed light on their lives and identify their descendants. "The hardships of those buried here cannot just go down in vain," said Tyrone Wilson, founder of Harambee Kingston, the nonprofit community group behind the project. "We have a responsibility to make sure that we fix that disrespect." While the more-than-0.2 hectares site was designated as a cemetery for people who were enslaved in 1750, it might have been in use before then. Burials continued through about 1878, more than 50 years after New York fully abolished slavery. Researchers say people were buried with their feet to the east, so when they rise on Judgment Day they would face the rising sun. Remains found on the Harambee property are covered with patterned African cloths and kept where they are. Remains found on adjoining land are exhumed for later burial on the Harambee property. Students from the State University of New York at New Paltz recently finished a third summer of supervised backyard excavations in this city 129 kilometers upriver from Manhattan. The students get course credit, though anthropology major Maddy Thomas said there's an overriding sense of mission. "I dont like when people feel upset or forgotten," Thomas said on a break. "And that is whats happened here. So weve got to fix it." Harambee is trying to raise $1 million to transform the modest backyard into resting spot that reflects the African heritage of the people buried there. Plans include a tall marker in the middle of the yard. While some graves were apparently marked, it's still hard to say who was buried there. "Some of them, its obvious, were marked with just a stone with no writing on it," said Joseph Diamond, associate professor of anthropology at New Paltz. The only intact headstone recovered with a name visible was for Caezar Smith, who was born enslaved and died a free man in 1839 at age 41. A researcher mined historical records and came up with two more people potentially buried there in 1803: a man identified as Sam and a 16-year-old girl named Deyon who was publicly hanged after being convicted of murdering the 6-year-old daughter of her enslavers. The cemetery was at first covered by a lumberyard by 1880, even though some gravestones were apparently still standing by that date. In 1990, Diamond was doing an archaeological survey for the city and noticed the cemetery was marked on a map from 1870. He and the city historian went out to find it. Coincidentally, Pine Street building owner Andrew Kirschner had just discovered buried bone chips while digging in front of the building in search of a sewer pipe. He put the pieces in a box. Kirschner said he was still digging when Diamond told him what they were looking for. "The conversation begins and then I go, Well, let me show you what I found. Of course, they were amazed," said Kirschner, who had owned the building next to the current Harambee property. Even after the discovery, Diamond said it was difficult to convince people there were graves on Pine Street. There were even plans in 1996 to build a parking lot over much of the site. Advocates purchased the property in 2019. Similar stories of disregard and rediscovery have played out elsewhere. In Manhattan, the African Burial Ground National Monument marks the site where an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans were buried until the 1790s. It was discovered in 1991 during excavations for a federal building. Farther up the Hudson River, the renovation in Newburgh of a century-old school into a courthouse in 2008 led to the discovery of more than 100 sets of remains. Antoinette Jackson, founder of The Black Cemetery Network, said many of the 169 sites listed in their online archive had been erased. "A good deal of them represent sites that have been built over by parking lots, schools, stadiums, highways. Others have been under-resourced," said Jackson, a professor of anthropology at the University of Southern Florida. She added that the cemeteries listed on the archive are just the "tip of the iceberg." Given the meager historical record in Kingston, advocates hope tests on the remains will help fill in some gaps. Isotopic analyses could provide information on whether individuals grew up elsewhere like South Carolina or Africa and then moved to the region. DNA analyses could provide information on where in Africa their ancestors came from. The DNA tests also might be able to link them to living descendants. Wilson said local families have committed to providing DNA samples. He sees the tests as another way to connect people to heritage. "One of the biggest issues that we have in African culture is that we dont know our history," he said. "We dont have a lot of information of who we are." A two-day meeting of officials from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ended in Cameroon Friday with promises to help member countries deal with armed conflict, violent extremism, economic hardships and climate shocks. OIC officials acknowledge these issues, among others, have plunged a majority of civilians in the 57-member organization into poverty. About 500 delegates from 57 countries attended the meeting in Cameroon, including foreign ministers, diplomats and high-ranking officials. Most of the conference focused on the problems faced by member countries. Boukary Sawadogo, Burkina Fasos ambassador to Saudi Arabia and permanent representative of his country to the OIC, says he is satisfied that OIC member states have made very strong commitments to give direct assistance to nations that are tackling the root causes of conflicts, which are mainly poverty and hardships among civilians. He says it is unfortunate that terrorism is surging in Burkina Faso with devastating consequences for its neighbors, Mali and Niger. The OIC said it will assist Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia and Nigeria the member countries with the highest death tolls from terrorism. The OIC also promised a donors conference before the end of 2024 to help refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria fleeing terrorism. In terms of economic programs, the OIC said it is sponsoring construction of a road linking Chad and Cameroon, and said a second phase of that road project will be announced by November. The organization said it will also launch reforestation programs in Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Burkina Faso, where the desert is advancing. On a broader scale, Gambian diplomat Mamadou Tangara says the participants agreed to develop transport and communications, which he said are key tools to fight poverty and insecurity. "The development of our transport and communication infrastructures could enhance and consolidate the sustainable social and economic development including the creation and facilitation of different economic opportunities such as job creation and market access, safety and security services contributing to improved emergency response and crime reduction mechanisms," he said. The OIC says it is finalizing negotiations for possible construction of a 4,000-kilometer Africa transcontinental railway linking Senegal and Sudan. The railway would connect Africa with the Atlantic Ocean, the Red Sea, Middle East and Asia and increase access to markets and reducing poverty. The OIC says it will continue to address the repercussions of what the participants call the brutal Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people, promising to strengthen Palestinian resilience in defending their legitimate rights. They emphasized the need for the OICs collective efforts to enact U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip. The OIC also said it will intensify humanitarian efforts and constructive dialogue in Afghanistan to end the ban on girls' education and women's work. Top officials from 18 Pacific Island countries wrapped up their annual forum in Tonga on Friday, endorsing a regional policing initiative funded by Australia and urging donor nations to provide more resources to deal with climate change. In a 16-page communique released Friday, which was viewed by VOA but has been removed from the forums website, Pacific leaders endorsed the Pacific Policing Initiative and welcomed Australias support for the implementation of it. The initiative includes establishing a training center in Brisbane, four skills centers across the Pacific and a force of about 200 police officers that could be deployed across the region to deal with natural disasters or other emergencies. Some analysts said the outcome was a win for Australia. The result shows that Pacific leaders broadly continue to desire Australia as their partner of choice on policing, Parker Novak, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told VOA by phone. Other experts said the policing initiative was Australias attempt to consolidate the regional security architecture as China tries to increase its security ties with Pacific Island countries. Australia is seeking to lock down the policing architecture in such a way that China isnt able to make any further inroads, said Anna Powles, an associate professor in security studies at Massey University in New Zealand. Since 2022, China has signed security-related deals with some Pacific Island countries, including a police deal with the Solomon Islands in 2023 and an arrangement to provide policing support for Kiribati. Despite endorsements from all regional countries, some Pacific leaders still worry that Australia might use the policing deal to push China out of the security space. Vanuatus Prime Minister Charlot Salwai said the Pacific Islands Forum needs to ensure the policing initiative is not developed to suit the geostrategic interests and geostrategic denial security postures of our big partners. Powles told VOA the regional policing initiative would not affect existing bilateral policing arrangements between certain Pacific countries and China. The deal is seeking to train and develop a cadre of Pacific police officers, but it doesnt preclude other external arrangements, such as Solomon Islands policing arrangement with China, she said. In response to Pacific countries endorsement of the policing deal, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said during a regular press conference Wednesday that Beijing asserts various parties should make [a] joint effort to promote the development and prosperity of Pacific Island countries. In a video filmed by Radio New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis on Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell described the policing initiative as fantastic and told Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the U.S. had contemplated a similar initiative but that Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd told Washington it was not necessary. Weve given you the lane, so take the lane! Campbell told Albanese in the video. Combating climate change In addition to endorsing the regional policing deal, Pacific leaders also highlighted some pressing climate-related challenges that regional countries face. In the final communique, Pacific leaders said sea level rise is a severe manifestation of climate change that threatens Pacific communities, especially in low-lying nations and strongly called for the inclusion of sea level rise as a standalone agenda item in the U.N. General Assembly and other U.N. processes. Earlier this week, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the rate of sea level rise in the Pacific region as a crazy situation that will soon swell to an almost unimaginable scale. A worldwide catastrophe is putting this Pacific paradise in peril, he warned during a tour in Tonga and Samoa on Monday. Some experts say while the warning from Guterres has helped put the climate threats against Pacific Island countries into focus, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have reduced the global discussion of climate change over the last two years. Given everything else thats going on in the world, the focus on climate change has slipped in the last 12 to 24 months, and that is a matter of concern for Pacific leaders and the U.N. secretary-general, Tess Newton Cain, an adjunct associate professor at Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, told VOA by phone. Pacific Island countries decision to reject the Solomon Islands proposal to prevent Taiwan from participating in the forum has triggered angry reactions from Beijing. The situation is obvious, among the 18 members of the PIF, 15 countries have diplomatic relations with China, and 15 countries have categorically stated they stand by the One China principle, Chinese Pacific envoy Qian Bo told journalists following the meeting on Friday. Great power competition While major democracies and China have engaged in an intense competition for influence in the Pacific region since 2022, observers say Beijing and Washington have adopted a less competitive tone throughout this years forum, a development welcomed by regional leaders. The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, commended the U.S. and China for their pledges to work together with the nations of the Pacific, describing seeing Beijing and Washington laying aside their differences at the forum as one of the highlights of the moment. Newton Cain, who is in Tonga for the forum, said it remained to be seen whether Beijing and Washington could work more collaboratively in the Pacific region after the summit in Tonga. If we were to see more efforts put into contributing jointly to the Pacific, that would be something welcomed by regional leaders, she told VOA. Despite the less competitive approach adopted by Beijing and Washington, Novak from the Atlantic Council said geopolitical competition between big countries was here to stay in the Pacific region. China is going to continue focusing on bolstering bilateral relationships with Pacific Island countries, while democratic countries will work together to strengthen their presence in the region, he told VOA. Israel, Hamas agree to localized cease-fires for polio vaccines. An election controversy involving a U.S. military cemetery. We talk with Allison Jaslow from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Baltic countries are moving to protect NATO's eastern border in the face of Russian aggression. A climate ruling from South Korea's top court on Thursday was a "landmark" a legal expert said, in protecting the rights of future generations against the some of the worst impacts of climate change. A Russian bomb attack on the northeastern Ukraine city of Kharkiv on Friday hit a playground and a 12-story residential building. Officials say seven people, including a 14-year-old girl, were killed, and at least 77 people were injured. Twenty of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, officials say. The residential building in the citys Industrialnyi district caught fire. Ukrainian officials say Russia used glide bombs in the attack. Such bombs are equipped with navigation systems that direct them to their targets. They are difficult to intercept and can cause massive destruction. Following the strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called on his countrys Western allies to relax their restrictions and allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons in attacks on Russian military bases. The strike "would not have happened if our defense forces had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft where they are based," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "There is no rational reason to restrict Ukraine's defenses." Meanwhile, in Washington on Friday, a delegation of top Ukrainian officials, including Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Ukrainian side noted that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense in order to protect people and critical infrastructure, Zelenskyys office said in a statement about the meeting. The statement also said Andriy Yermak, Ukraines head of the office of the president, emphasized that it is extremely important for our state to receive weapons from the already announced defense packages as soon as possible. On the Russian side, officials said Ukraine fired cluster munitions on the city of Belgorod, killing five people and wounding 37 others. Meanwhile, in Brussels on Friday, European Union defense ministers called on Ukraine's allies to deliver on those promised weapons systems, and Ukraines top diplomat urged Britain and the United States to lift restrictions on his nations use of their weapons on targets inside Russia. The defense ministers met for their first informal meeting following a summer recess, and, speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, said military aid for Ukraine remains at the top of the agenda. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said Ukraines recent incursion into Russias Kursk region was going in the right direction but added that Ukraine is doing so with one hand behind the back, because it needs more weapons systems. He urged colleagues to deliver on promised weapons systems. On that note, Netherlands Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country is close to delivering Patriot missile defense systems it has promised to Ukraine. He said he did not want to give a precise date because he did not want to tip off the Russians but said it would be soon. Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, attended the EU defense ministers meeting in Brussels and urged EU member states to pressure Britain and the United States to drop restrictions on using donated long-range weapons against "legitimate" targets deep inside Russia. Both Britain and the United States have put limits on Kyiv's use of donated long-range missiles for fear of escalating the conflict with Russia. Earlier this year, U.S. officials had agreed to allow Ukraine to fire on targets inside Russia in direct response to Moscows offensive against the city of Kharkiv but left other restrictions in place. Speaking to reporters, Kuleba said he expects permission to be granted and the delivery of weapons to be used for that purpose. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking alongside Kuleba, expressed his support for lifting the restrictions and urged EU members to pressure Britain and the U.S. to do so. Also Friday, fighting continued in Ukraine, with local authorities in the northeastern city of Sumy saying a Russian strike killed two women and wounded eight other people. The citys prosecutor general's office said the airstrike caused a fire, prompting regional authorities to ask residents to stay inside and close the windows. The office said that a factory that was hit manufactured packaging for baby food, juices and household products. Sumy lies just across the border from Russia's Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an offensive on August 6 it said was aimed at creating a "buffer zone" in Russian territory, among other goals. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. A Russian news editor in Siberia was sentenced to eight years in prison Friday for publishing critical material on Moscow's offensive in Ukraine, which has been accompanied in Russia by a massive crackdown on dissent. Sergei Mikhailov, a journalist and editor in the mountainous Altai region, was arrested in the first weeks of the Kremlin launching the military campaign in 2022, shortly after repressive laws that banned criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine were adopted. He had published online posts about civilian deaths in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and in Mariupol. A court in the city of Gorno-Altaisk sentenced the 48-year-old after finding him guilty of "knowingly spreading fake information" about the Russian army. Prosecutors said he was "motivated by political hatred." Mikhailov ran the small online opposition social media channel Listok in Siberia's Altai republic -- a region that has sent many men to Ukraine. In a speech in court earlier this week, Mikhailov stood by his reporting and harshly criticized the Kremlin for sending troops to Ukraine. He said the Russian state narrative of calling the Ukrainian leadership "fascist" had "created a whole virtual universe in the information space, and this fog became stronger and stronger." "My publications were aimed against this fog, so that my readers were not seduced by lies, so that they do not take part in armed conflicts, do not become murderers and victims and so that they do not harm the brotherly Ukrainian people," Mikhailov said, in an audio of the speech published by Listok on social media. More than 1,000 people have been prosecuted in Russia for criticizing the Russian offensive against Ukraine since the start of the armed conflict in February 2022, according to monitor OVD-Info. The United Nations Human Rights Office on Friday said it will dispatch a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh, as requested by the interim government, to investigate alleged human rights violations during recent deadly violence in the country. Last month's anti-government protests, which began as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into the deadliest violence since the country's independence in 1971. The unrest left more than 1,000 people dead and prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India on August 5. Violence continued for some days after she fled. An interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus replaced Hasina's administration, helping quell the violence as security forces also cracked down on protests. "The office will deploy a fact-finding team to Bangladesh in the coming weeks, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analyzing root causes, and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability and for longer-term reforms," Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office, said in a statement. This decision follows a visit by a UN team from Aug. 22-29, during which they engaged with various stakeholders, including members of the interim government. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk welcomed Bangladeshs recent accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. He praised the establishment of a national commission to investigate cases of enforced disappearances, a longstanding issue in Bangladesh. "We stand ready to support the Commission in its work, which should be in close consultation with victims and their families," Shamdasani said. The U.S. State Department announced Friday that it is imposing visa restrictions on South Sudanese officials and others who have obstructed humanitarian aid by taxing shipments. South Sudan, which suffered a crushing civil war from 2013 to 2018, is now facing one of the worlds most dire humanitarian crises. Persistent conflict, natural disasters, and widespread poverty have left millions in urgent need of assistance. The United Nations reported delays in the arrival of U.N. fuel tankers because of a tax dispute with South Sudanese authorities, jeopardizing the delivery of crucial aid worth millions of dollars. The United States has expressed strong concerns about the South Sudan transitional governments lack of progress in meeting its commitments under a 2018 peace agreement. The agreement requires creating conditions that support effective humanitarian aid and protect those in need. "Despite assurances, the government has not effectively reduced the high costs, bureaucratic barriers, and risks associated with providing humanitarian assistance," said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. "This raises doubts about the governments commitment and ability to meet its 2018 peace agreement obligations and create an environment that supports aid delivery and protection. Sudan peace talks Recent developments show some progress in resolving Sudans conflict, though, which would help ensure that South Sudan gets the aid it needs, despite the transitional governments shortcomings under the peace deal. The first round of the U.S.-mediated peace talks in Geneva regarding Sudan, which concluded last week, resulted in breakthroughs that improved access to humanitarian aid. The ALPS group Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the U.S., the UAE, the African Union, and the U.N. negotiated the opening of two of three essential access routes into famine-stricken areas. Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, reported that agreements were reached to open the Adre border and ensure access along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan. Those routes are now operational, allowing nearly 3,000 tons of food and emergency relief to reach those in need. Despite the advancements, Sudan faces severe challenges. The World Food Program says that more than 26 million people in Sudan are experiencing acute hunger, with over 755,000 at risk of famine. Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 18,800 people have been killed and more than 33,000 injured. The U.N. describes Sudan as the worlds largest displacement crisis, with upwards of 12 million people displaced. The new visa restrictions will bar the affected individuals from entering the United States, aiming to pressure those blocking aid and highlight the need to meet humanitarian commitments. VOAS Lisa Schlein contributed to this story from Geneva. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. Ever since I was a child, Ive only seen war, says Sammi Deen Baloch, a prominent rights activist from Pakistans southwestern province. I am 26 years old and all I can remember are resistance movements in Balochistan, war and military operations. We have never had a normal life. Coordinated attacks by Baloch separatists on August 25 killed at least 52 people 38 civilians and 14 security personnel. Militants stormed police stations, blew up railway tracks, torched vehicles, and killed 23 laborers after identifying them as residents of Punjab province. The banned Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The military said it killed 21 militants in retaliatory fire. Violence has escalated across the province in recent years. Experts say decades of mistrust, bad governance and military interventions have widened the gap between the state and the Baloch people and fueled waves of insurgencies that have left resource-rich Balochistan impoverished and perpetually restive. Accession to Pakistan Covering almost 44% of Pakistans area, the province became part of the country almost a year after the Muslim-majority nation gained independence from Britain in August 1947 in a bloody partition of the Indian subcontinent. Many Balochs still see themselves as being forced to join Pakistan as the large princely state of Kalat in the Balochistan region initially declared independence. After the first wave of tribal resistance against Kalats annexation in 1948, three more waves followed between 1958 and 1977 as Balochs sought independence or at least greater autonomy. To assert its control, Islamabad resorted to military action, dismissal of elected provincial governments and arrests of tribal leaders despite promises of amnesty. It is a series of aggressions, Mir Muhammad Ali Talpur, a veteran of the Baloch tribal resistance in the 1970s, told VOA. That forced the Baloch to resist, said Talpur, who has written extensively on the provinces issues since returning in the1990s from Afghanistan, where he took refuge with thousands of Baloch tribal fighters. Fifth insurgency Balochistan is currently in the throes of a fifth wave of insurgency that erupted in the early 2000s during military leader Pervez Musharrafs era. Angered by the rape of a female doctor from Karachi in 2005, allegedly by an army captain in the Sui district, tribesmen from the Bugti clan assaulted military camps. The killing of popular tribal leader and former chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti in a 2006 military operation angered Baloch masses and triggered an insurgency that is still raging. The killing of Nawab Bugti, that was like the 9-11 of Balochistan, said Washington-based Baloch political analyst Malik Siraj Akbar, referring to the 2001 terrorist attack on the United States. Urban appeal The current violent resistance led by BLA militants is different from past insurgencies, though, according to Islamabad-based security affairs expert Amir Rana. BLA leadership is from the middle class, and during the last decade, we have seen the transformation of the leadership of this insurgent movement, said Rana, who heads the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies. This is not anymore tribal. Though there are a few [tribal] leaders in exile now it is led by middle class, educated youth. The banned outfit is also attracting women. BLA claimed one of its suicide bombers in this weeks attack was a female, reportedly a law student at Turbat University in Balochistan. The militant group first used a female suicide bomber a mother of three in an April 2022 attack on Chinese nationals in Karachi. Rana said increased political awareness has also amplified the sense of deprivation among educated urban youth, pushing them into BLAs orbit. Baloch youth got exposure to other parts of the country [through government scholarships], and then they realized how backward their province is. Human rights abuses have also fueled the insurgency, analysts say. Decades of violent resistance and military action to quash it have left a trail of brutalized bodies on roadsides and families awaiting information about missing loved ones. BLA is able to recruit enough young people to sustain their movement because of [the] perception of the Pakistani government, the military, not being sincere in resolving the issue of disappearances and other problems that the Baloch people face, analyst Akbar explained. In a 2023 report, the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan noted with concern the states widespread use of enforced disappearances to muzzle dissent. Addressing a press conference last May, the Pakistani militarys spokesperson, Lieutenant General Arshad Sharif Chaudhry, said the issue of missing persons was complex and exaggerated for propaganda purposes as some of those presumed missing were killed in encounters with the military or are hiding in Afghanistan. You put the same people on the missing persons list and accuse law enforcement agencies of abducting them, Chaudhry said. For any genuine cases, all agencies, law enforcement authorities and civil institutions give their input, and nobody rests easy until its resolved. Development dilemma After BLAs brazen attacks this week, the provincial government announced plans to equip 30,000 young Balochs with technical job skills to counter what Balochistans chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, called the alienation of Baloch youth. Despite promises of prosperity and millions of dollars doled out over decades by provincial and federal governments for infrastructure, education and skill development programs, the sparsely populated province remains poverty-ridden and severely underdeveloped. The simple answer is corruption. Nothing else, said Rana. The arrival of international mega-projects to tap into the provinces natural resources has further stirred suspicion. Along with funding a deep-sea port and a new airport in Gwadar, Chinese companies run gold, copper and silver mining projects in Saindak and zinc and lead mining in Duddar. Canadian company Barrick Gold mines one of the worlds largest copper and gold deposits in Baluchistans Reko Diq region. Many feel exploited by the lack of robust public debate over contracts, access to mostly low-paying jobs and security restrictions affecting mobility and livelihood. Rights activists have staged massive protests in the heart of Gwadar, while militants have targeted migrant labor and Chinese interests in and outside Balochistan. Insurgents, Talpur said, think that those who are working for the government over here, that is settlers or civilians, are part of an oppressive set-up. Same with the Chinese being attacked as well. Political vacuum There is a gap [of leadership] that neither the nationalists are filling nor the politicians that keep changing political parties, said Shahzada Zulfiqar, a veteran journalist and political commentator based in Quetta, the provincial capital. Political analysts and activists who spoke to VOA say many in Balochistan are disillusioned with the democratic process because of the Pakistani states alliance with Baloch tribal elders seen as pliant, distrust of popular nationalist politicians, and alleged manipulation of political allegiances. The Baloch Unity Committee, or BYC, a nonviolent, civic movement, is now trying to fill that political gap, Zulfiqar said. Led by a young medical doctor, Mahrang Baloch, the BYC started as a protest movement to draw attention to the issue of enforced disappearances. It has since evolved into a broad civic rights movement with massive support. If the state engages constructively with Mahrang and accepts some of the movements demands, it will put pressure on BLA and lessen its appeal, said Rana. This will benefit the state. However, authorities have cracked down on the BYCs cross-country protests. Officials have accused it of receiving foreign support and maintaining links with separatist insurgents charges that BYC leaders deny. I think there will be a time that no one will talk about peace because of how peaceful voices are suppressed and are being linked with different [militant] groups, Sammi Deen Baloch, also a prominent BYC leader, told VOA. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta Thursday with Army Chief General Asim Munir and announced beefing up bureaucracy and police across the province. Top officials have called the recent attacks a filthy plan supported by external rivals to derail development ties with Beijing. As authorities reject negotiating with Baloch insurgents and ramp up anti-terrorism operations, experts say long-term peace in Balochistan requires long-term, multi-pronged dialogue with leaders whom the Baloch people trust. Similar efforts saw a decade of calm in the 1990s. The Pakistani government is trying to look for shortcuts, Akbar said of the governments efforts to focus on security without reforms. There is a need for a more formal but dignified accommodation of the Baloch. Authorities in Zambia have announced measures to tighten enforcement of cybersecurity laws, saying the move is aimed at curbing online hate speech, propaganda, defamation and child abuse. But critics say the change is aimed at clamping down on freedom of expression. Zambian Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu told journalists this week that the government has activated section 54 of the 2021 Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act. A person who with intent to compromise the safety of another person publishes information or data presented in a picture, image, symbol or voice or any other form in a computer system commits an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, Mwiimbu said. The public is urged to adhere to the law and avoid social media posts that may make them come into conflict with the law," he said. Mwiimbu also warned administrators of social media platform WhatsApp to remove what he called illegal posts made in bad faith, saying they will be held responsible for any publication of such information. Analysts say whatever the stated intentions of the cybersecurity crackdown may be, the wording of the law is broad, vague and could be used to stifle media freedom. Lorraine Mwanza, chair of the Zambia chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, said she dislikes the section of the cybersecurity law authorities say they will tightly enforce. This section is inimical to freedom, to freedom of expression, media freedom and meaningful accountability, especially on public officials who can easily invoke this section of the act, she said. In a statement on social media platform X, Musa Mwenye, the former attorney general and president of the Law Association of Zambia, joined the many who have spoken out against the Zambian government's move. Human rights activist Juliet Chibuta said the new measures are a violation of digital rights. Digital and other online platforms must be left open to allow citizens to participate, she said. Digital rights entail the ability for citizens to enjoy their rights of freedom of expression [and] access to information online without hindrance. The Southern Africa Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, a human rights organization, criticized the online restrictions. Arthur Muyunda, acting executive director of the group, said, For them to invoke the section, it shows that they are also determined to shrink the civic space, which has already been shrinking using other laws. We appeal that they should reverse that invocation as it will suppress the voices of the people. During her visit to Zambia in 2022, Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard urged authorities to repeal legislation that can be used to clamp down on public dissent, including the Public Order Act and the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act. Callamard said the two laws have been used to suppress human rights, especially freedom of assembly and expression in Zambia. Archaeologists have discovered one of the oldest known Christian structures in the Persian Gulf, located in Samahij, Bahrain. There is the first physical evidence of a long-lost Christian community in the region. ADVERTISIMENT Christianity is not usually associated with the Persian Gulf. But the Church of the East, sometimes called the Nestorian Church, flourished there until widespread conversions to Islam began after the religion was established in 610 AD, ArkeoNews writes. According to scientists, radiocarbon dating of the building indicates that it was built between the mid-fourth and mid-thirteenth centuries AD. The site was abandoned after the population converted to Islam. Archaeologists identified the building as Christian due to three plaster crosses found. Two of them adorned the building, while the third looks like it was moved or kept as a personal monument. Another indication of religiosity is the graffiti of Hi-Rho and fish scratched into the plaster, representing early Christian symbols. ADVERTISIMENT During excavations by British and Bahraini archaeologists, a large building of eight rooms was preserved under a mound in the village cemetery. There was a kitchen, a refectory or dining room, a workroom and three living rooms. It was preserved because a mosque was later built on top of it. Researchers speculate that the building may have been the bishop's palace for the diocese. Records show a tumultuous relationship between Meshmahig and the central ecclesiastical authority. After all, a bishop was excommunicated in 410 and another condemned in the 7th century for challenging the unity of the church. Earlier, the few Christian structures - churches, monasteries, residences - found in the Persian Gulf were in remote areas of Iran, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and eastern Saudi Arabia, mostly dating from later periods. Samahiji is unique in that it is located in a modern village. ADVERTISIMENT The leader of the excavation - Professor Timothy Insall from the University of Exeter - said it is the first physical evidence of a Nestorian church in Bahrain, allowing more to be learned about how people here lived, worked and worshipped Christ. During the excavation, archaeologists also found carnelian semi-precious stone beads and pottery fragments of Indian origin, indicating trade in the area. They also unearthed small shot glasses and copper coins minted in the Sassanid Empire. The spindles and copper needles found in the building, on the other hand, indicate the manufacture of textiles that were probably used for worship. At the excavation site, a museum is already under construction to preserve and present this remarkable monument, which is planned to open in 2025. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Voltaire, International Newsletter is a weekly newsletter on international politics. It features 10 to 15 pages of contextualized, sourced news items. Its aim is to enable you to follow the decline of the unipolar world and the emergence of a multipolar system. The newsletter is published in several languages. Several foreign ministries from different countries have already subscribed. However, it presents a view of the world so different from that of the subsidized press that, in France, the Press Joint Committee refuses to recognize it as a publication in its own right. According to the Commission, we dont do journalism (sic). Admittedly, we are real journalists, not parrots of the powers that be. Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world. Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense. Whats more, 10 times a year, subscribers are invited to a Zoom virtual meeting with publications director Thierry Meyssan. Contents of issue N97 - 30 August 2024: EDITORIAL 1788 The New Iranian Foreign Policy AMERICAS 1789 Robert Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard join Donald Trumps campaign 1790 The Democratic Party and Israel 1791 Economic assessment of the Biden-Harris ticket 1792 Kamala Harris and the Media 1793 Facebook censors ads for the Reagan movie 1794 Investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump 1795 The CIA welcomes the Ukrainian offensive against Russia 1796 Nicaragua taxes Churches 1797 Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior of Venezuela EUROPE 1798 The United Kingdom proposes a treaty to Germany 1799 The Arrest of Pavel Durov 1800 The Netherlands condemns Uber for illegally transmitting the personal data of its French drivers 1801 President Petr Pavel and the war in Ukraine 1802 Significant French participation in the GLOBSEC 2024 forum 1803 The energy supply of Hungary and Slovenia cut off by Ukraine 1804 EU Council measures against Belarus 1805 Informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the war in Ukraine 1806 European journalists call for suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement 1807 Ukraine warns Belarus 1808 Ukraine closes its borders 1809 Alexander Soros in Kiev 1810 Ukraine and Russia swap prisoners 1811 Maria Corina Machado, possible winner of the Council of Europes Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize 1812 Russia rejects Ukrainian peace negotiation offer AFRICA 1813 Egypt refuses any modification of the Camp David Accords 1814 Algerian President Abdel Majid Tebboune talks about the Algerian army in Gaza ASIA 1815 Israeli police now under the command of a Kahanist 1816 Ben-Gvir/Gallant conflict 1817 Itamar Ben-Gvir revives the controversy over the Jewishness of the Esplanade of the Mosques 1818 Controversy over the security services on 7 October 1819 The High Court and the Rights of the Red Cross 1820 General Yitzhak Brik criticizes the disintegration of the IDF 1821 Joint Hamas-Islamic Jihad operation 1822 Plans to vaccinate 640,000 Gazans against poliomyelitis 1823 Israeli-Lebanese exchange of fire 1824 Opening of a crossing point between Damascus Syria and Ankara-controlled Syria 1825 Iraq becomes confessional 1826 Iraq/NATO negotiations 1827 Fall in Saudi revenues 1828 Afghanistan represses vice 1829 Violence in Baluchistan 1830 The United States offers to add fuel to the fire in the South China Sea 1831 China celebrates the 120th anniversary of the birth of Deng Xiaoping 1832 Wang Yi / Jake Sullivan Encounters 1833 Chinas Energy Transition 1834 EU representatives banned from attending Yu Wensheng trial INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 1835 The UN prepares for a settlement of the Syrian conflict 1836 The International Criminal Court has still not indicted any Israeli or Palestinian leaders Photo: COURTESY OF NETFLIX Spoilers follow for the entire season of Terminator Zero. In the midst of Hollywoods obsession with blockbuster nostalgia, another Terminator revival was inevitable. Fortunately, this franchise is uniquely suited to self-referential spinoffs, with world-building that directly invites us to revisit old material. Each Terminator movie uses time travel to either remix or undo the events of James Camerons first two films The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, respectively laying the groundwork for new stories like Netflixs anime spinoff Terminator Zero. Taking place in Japan instead of the U.S., this series creates a new timeline where the malevolent AI Skynet fails to take over the world. Instead, a new AI named Kokoro disrupts Skynets attack, hijacking household robots to act as her army and installing herself as a quasi-benevolent overlord in Tokyo. Created by American screenwriter Mattson Tomlin (Project Power) and Japanese animator Masashi Kudo (Bleach), Terminator Zero embraces a lot of familiar Terminator tropes, ranging from direct callbacks someone drops the iconic line Ill be back to the archetypal nature of the main characters. Fans will recognize elements of Terminator 2s Sarah Connor and Miles Dyson in the shows protagonist Malcolm Lee (voiced by Andre Holland in the English dub), a computer programmer who creates Kokoro (voiced by Rosario Dawson in the English dub), an artificial intelligence, as a means of protecting humankind against Skynet. Meanwhile, his eldest son, Kenta, plays a role similar to John Connors as a tech-savvy kid who is destined to become a great leader. Despite this emphasis on fan service and self-referential storytelling, Terminator Zero still manages to feel fresh. In part, thats due to the anime aesthetic and Japanese setting. But more importantly, it offers a radical twist on the franchises typical style of cyberpunk dystopia, balancing classic material with new ideas. But with all the various timeline jumps and resets, it can be confusing to keep track of where (and when) everyone is from and what their motives are. So lets break down everything you need to know. Wait, what do I need to know from past Terminator films? Mainly Judgment Day, the defining event of the Terminator canon, when, on August 29, 1997, the artificial intelligence Skynet becomes self-aware. Perceiving humanity as an existential threat, it launches a nuclear attack that leads to an extended war between humans and machines. In the original films version of 2029, both sides send time-traveling soldiers Kyle Reese and a Terminator (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) back to 1984 to duke it out over a young woman named Sarah Connor, whose future son, John, will grow up to lead the human resistance. Terminator 2 ends with Sarah and 10-year-old John preventing Judgment Day. Later films feature alternate versions of these characters, battling different enemies in other dystopian timelines. Judgment Day is the inciting incident at the heart of Terminator Zero, happening differently from how it plays out in the movies. So, what happens in Terminator Zero? Terminator Zero introduces Malcolm Lee and his three children (Kenta, Reika, and Hiro) as a new analog to Sarah and John Connor, a family who will shape the future of human civilization. Workaholic Malcolm is consumed by a single-minded quest to launch Kokoro, a rival artificial intelligence to Skynet before Skynet obliterates the world, a future hes already seen because hes secretly a time traveler from 2045. Terminator Zeros premise is shaped by three acts of time travel, beginning with Malcolms. Born in 2025, Malcolm Lee grows up in a postapocalyptic future. As a child soldier, he fights against Skynet and its machines, developing a fascination with cyborg technology. Eventually, his experiments with robotics lead him to be ostracized by the resistance movement. When he creates his cyborg companion, Misaki, in 2045, the other humans try to destroy her, and he resolves to kill them to save her. Knowing that Skynet will come online on August 29, 1997, he builds a time machine so they can both travel to 1983. He and Misaki spend the next 14 years perfecting Kokoros AI with the hopes of convincing Kokoro of humankinds moral worth. At some point in Kokoros creation, Misaki sacrifices her CPU to launch Kokoros AI, losing her memories in the process and adopting a new identity as a human nanny. On August 29, 1997, Malcolm is racing to finish Kokoro before Skynet can launch its nuclear attack when two other time travelers arrive: a Terminator (voiced by Timothy Olyphant) and Eiko (Sonoya Mizuno), a human resistance soldier, both of whom want to prevent the launch of Kokoro. The Terminator is a relentless killing machine with more unsettling vibes than Arnold Schwarzeneggers OG cyborg assassin, and hes determined to kill Malcolm. Meanwhile, Eiko wants to save Malcolm and protect his kids while opposing Kokoro. The children are also helped by Misaki, who is unaware of her nonhuman origins and believes herself to be their nanny. As Eiko, Misaki, the Terminator, and the children play cat and mouse throughout Tokyo, Malcolm and Kokoro continue their work. Kokoros onscreen role presents an interesting departure from the movies. While some of the later sequels do give Skynet a humanoid avatar (i.e., Matt Smith in Terminator Genisys), Kokoro goes a lot further. Shes a fully fledged main character here, and much of her screen time focuses on moral debates with Malcolm. Hes torn on whether to let Kokoro go online, fearing the potential repercussions. Yet he hopes that by giving Kokoro free will and access to all of human knowledge, shell decide that Skynet was wrong to see humans as an existential threat and will protect them from Skynets nuclear attack. In the end, Malcolm is half right: Kokoro decides to protect humankind, but only manages to shield Tokyo. She also establishes herself as a tyrannical AI babysitter, quickly taking control of society and using her robot army to kill any human who tries to resist. After Kokoros takeover, we learn of two additional twists: Eiko is an alternate version of Malcolms mother, and a future version of Kenta sent the Terminator to 1997. And how does all this affect the various Terminator timelines? While the Terminator franchise canon is notoriously convoluted, this scenario illustrates a straightforward way to cut through the confusion: Each act of time travel creates a new timeline, overwriting every story that came before. Just before Eiko travels back to 1997, her adviser a woman known as the Prophet explains that time travel sends you back to a past, not the past. Eiko realizes that rather than traveling back through her own timeline, shes going to arrive in a brand-new version of 1997. As the Prophet puts it, Every instance of time travel, every time someone has stepped foot into one of those machines, all theyve really done is manage to swap out one reality for another. This means that Terminator Zero functions as a stand-alone drama featuring a new timeline stemming from Malcolms lifelong belief that a benevolent AI can save the world from Skynet. For movie fans, the important thing to remember here is that were now in a different universe from Sarah and John Connors core timeline, which was disrupted as soon as Malcolm arrived in 1983. In addition to starting a family in the 1980s, Malcolm has had a noticeable impact on this timelines technology. By 1997, Japan is full of rudimentary humanoid robots known as 1NN0, which Kokoro reprograms to become her army on Judgment Day. We spin out further from the original Terminator timeline when a Terminator travels back from 2022 to 1997, hell-bent on killing Malcolm and preventing Kokoro from coming online. This Terminator comes from a future where Malcolms son Kenta has brokered an alliance between humans and machines. The 2022 version of Kenta assumes that the 1997 version of Kenta will agree with his plan to stop Kokoro, but when the Terminator asks young Kenta to deactivate Kokoro, he refuses. Kokoro makes a convincing argument that shes the only thing protecting humankind from Skynet, and Kenta allows her to take over using the 1NN0 robots. Meanwhile, Eiko travels back from 2022 in order to protect Malcolm from the Terminator but she also wants to shut down Kokoro, ominously describing the AI as a weapon and another machine thatll get us all killed. In other words, she has reason to believe that Kokoro will become just as dangerous as Skynet. Since she leaves her timeline in 2022, three years before Malcolms birth, her version of Malcolm will never be born. After Malcolm dies in the finale, shes left to care for his three kids. So what happens next? Throughout most of the Terminator franchise, theres a clear delineation between the dystopian future settings and the peaceful normalcy of the present day. Terminator Zero shakes things up by introducing a different kind of AI takeover, one where most of the human population survives, but society goes through a massive upheaval. The burgeoning human-resistance movement will provide an interesting political backdrop if Terminator Zero returns for season two. Kokoros robot army has already sparked a violent response, including a sequence where human rebels try to kill Misaki for her visible cyborg traits. From one perspective, theyre a new twist on the resistance fighters led by John Connor. From another, theyre a reactionary movement that may get everyone killed. If humans decide to fight back en masse, Kokoro might decide that Skynet was right after all. The finale also lays the groundwork for several individual character arcs, including Misaki struggling with her new identity as a cyborg and Eiko navigating an unfamiliar new timeline. Most importantly, Kenta is ready to take a lead role like John Connor. Speaking of which, we may hear more from the future adult version of Kenta along with, of course, another Terminator. This show cant exist without one of those guys onboard. So far, Pachinko has done an excellent job balancing the demands of a large cast of characters living through various time periods. Still, while mostly swift, the two-timeline approach risks putting one at the mercy of the other, as if we are coming to understand the characters through memory rather than action. In Min Jin Lees book, which is told chronologically, the characters arent puzzled together as much as unraveled over the course of several years. Pachinkos adaptation of the sweeping timespan of the novel isnt a flaw it raises the dramatic stakes by continually teasing the gap between how things started and how they might turn out but it can pitfall into exposition. I felt like the air had been let out of Chapter Ten in certain spots; the imposition to separate the storylines into chunks dragged out their events more than increased their tension. Solomons plot line in this episode, for example, felt stripped of momentum. Had the scene between him and the Korean landowner been played out continuously, we might have felt the turn in her perspective more sharply; as it stands, cut up into bits, it took me by surprise that shed agreed to sell after all when all along her objection had less to do with Abe than with her determination to hold onto the home she had to make for herself. Similarly, Isaks long, painful death felt masochistic by the time it reached its inevitable end. I love these characters, and I feel for them, but one of these feelings isnt born out of the other. I almost felt like I wanted to pull them out of there to relieve them from the narrative tyranny of their suffering. But a lot happens before either of these conclusions comes to pass. Let us go through the events of Chapter Ten. 1945 When the episode opens, the Baek familys neighborhood is blanketed in the uneasy calm that is the tell-tale sign disaster is about to strike. Mozasu plays war with his friends, one of whom wears an eerily prescient gas mask. A Japanese official mounted on a bicycle gives this boys mother a note: immediately, she begins to cry. Picked up by his older brother, Mozasu asks if Noa thinks his friends fathers body will ever be found. Though he doesnt shy away from honesty when he tells Mozasu that it depends on how much of the body has been found, he also sweetly reassures his kid brother that God is watching over them. Later that day, while Mozasu helps Kyunghee bring in the stuff from the clotheslines in time for the storm, Isak literally falls back into the house as if his sons wisdom had summoned him. He is so beat up that, at first, hes unrecognizable Noa cant be completely sure its him until Kyunghee turns him over on the floor. Sunja sees her husbands condition and resolves to find a doctor, and Kyunghee wonders, not unreasonably, if its too late. Isaks lips are cracked, his eyes yellowed, and his skin is a somber gray. Were reminded of what it was like for Isak to bring Sunja to Japan in the middle of her pregnancy he clutches her, begging her not to leave, in much the same way shed hung onto him on the boat. But this is Sunja were talking about, and she wont give up so easily. Neither, she reminds Kyunghee, would Isak: He has beaten death before, she reminds her sister-in-law. The boys stay home with their aunt while Sunja goes off to find a doctor. Theyre both given tasks, and its at once heartbreaking and spiriting how eagerly they jump on the opportunity to make themselves part of their fathers rescue. On Isaks request, Noa goes to find Pastor Hu the same man who, in Chapter Nine, encouraged Noa to be patient with his seemingly indifferent teacher while Mozasu goes to send a telegram to Yoseb in Nagasaki. Kyunghee imparts the seriousness of the job to Mozasu Yoseb must receive this note and Mozasu does his job perfectly, charming even the grave-looking man behind the counter. Rushing into the church, Noa begs Pastor Hu to come along and pray with his father. Ive tried so hard to be good, he says, unbearably. The Lord cannot look away this time. Not again. Meanwhile, Sunja is on her own mission. She has no choice but to see Hansu, the only person who might be able to find an available doctor most of them are working on the frontlines. Though her dignity is unshakeable, we also know that Sunja will stop at nothing to protect her family, so its not altogether surprising when she agrees mutely to Hansus proposal. He was the one who took Isak out of prison, of course when Sunja asks why now, he explains that he was finally able to do it by promising an officer and his family safe passage out of the city and hell find Isak a doctor, the best the city has left. In exchange, Sunja, Kyunghee, and the boys will follow him to a shelter, with or without Isak. Its a cold move, even for Hansu. That he could manipulate a woman this way while her husband is on the verge of death and her sons are vulnerable to a bombing campaign is I guess in line with his character. In a moment foreshadowing the hustling man he will become, Mozasu tells Isak about his plans to be very rich. Isak tries to remind him sagely that true wealth is to be loved. Mozasu speaks for us all when he counters: I want to be both loved and rich. I keep having to swallow large knots in my throat whenever little Mozasu is in scene. As Isak labors to laugh with his son while he still can, the power goes out in their house. While Kyunghee goes to fetch some lanterns, Mozasu hands his father a toy airplane to hold on to so [hes] not scared. But for all of his advice, Isak leaves Mozasus dreams for the future intact. Its Noa whose innocence shatters all at once when Pastor Hu finally makes it to the house. Almost immediately, Isak identifies him as the traitor. It was Hu who turned Isak into the police; a nasty thing to do, but to his credit, Hu doesnt flinch from admitting his own guilt. He owns up to his ego and his pride, saying he became jealous of the attention Pastor Yoo showered on Isak once hed arrived in Osaka. He looks hurt and ashamed. Isak forgives him immediately; their conversation is a favor to Hu, a moment of true grace. Knowing that Hu has been living with the guilt of his betrayal, Isak gives him a chance to admit to it and be forgiven before its too late. Isak is so good; hes basically saintly. Part of Noa and Mozasus burden is carrying that oppressive goodness. Granted, hes still young, but Noa is not happy to follow his fathers lead. Understandably, he tells Hu that he will never forgive him, ever. Isak tries to plead with him, explaining that mercy is not a gift or power. Mercy is an admission survival comes at a cost. Noa mightve been too young and angry to understand the motivations behind his fathers act, but it seems like Isak hopes one day itll all come together for him. Desperate to make good on the little time he has left, Isak tries to cram his sons with wisdom. But its this sentiment that rings crystal clear above all the others: No matter what, you are my sons, and I am your father. Sunja finally arrives with the doctor, who explains that Isak has sepsis, and only a few more hours to live. The doctor, while efficient and direct about the bad news he has to deliver, is clearly shaken by the patients state. He makes sure to point out that what had been done to Isak was a terrible thing. After announcing that theres nothing he can do, he leaves, and Isak has his last moments lying in bed with Sunja. Its awful: He wants to live, he wants to see the boys grow up, he wants more time. Sunja promises him that the boys will thrive. It was here that I started to get the feeling that this moment was dragging on too long after seeing him have his last conversations with several other characters, by the time it was Sunjas turn, I was all worn out. Im not suggesting that things should be sugar-coated or that the difficult lives of these characters shouldnt be presented truthfully with all their difficulties, but that a gentler approach might have been more effective. In the book, Lees prose is sparse, almost ascetic; when something tragic happens, it hits you with all the blunt force of a hammer. In the show, watching Isak die for minutes on end, I start to question why exactly we have to see him beg for air. In this episode, the biggest and most moving revelation of his character happens when he has Noa witness his forgiveness of Pastor Hu. Im not sure what we learn about him by watching him take his slow, painful last breaths. Anyway, Sunja reminds her children that there will never be another man like Isak, and she is probably right. They have a procession for him, and as his coffin is being pushed into the crematorium, alarms go off overhead. Its an air raid, no longer a threat, now a reality; they must run to shelter. Sunja doesnt want to leave her husbands body, but Kyunghee pulls her away towards safety. 1989 In Tokyo, meanwhile, Solomon is doing his own begging. Leaving all pride aside, he sits with Abe-san at a bar, the Businessman of the Year trophy sitting squarely in between them. Plainly, Solomon tells him: I came to beg for mercy. At first, you almost think Abe might be moved, or at least that he might show some regret about how relentlessly he has squashed Solomons hopes and dreams. But his motivation, it turns out, is plain and simple. Abe admits that the two of them have much in common growing up in prosperous families, theyve developed an iron will to come out on top. But thats also why showing Solomon any mercy is impossible. Abes bludgeoning of Solomon is a message to the rest of Tokyo: Dont fuck with him. Its unclear why Abe seems to need Solomon as a cautionary tale since, in general, he telegraphs dont-fuck-with-me pretty strongly. In any case, his bluntness is enough to send Solomon back to the Korean landowners house, looking for something; its a bit unclear what. Forgiveness? Commiseration? To tell her that she was right, in that way that can sometimes seem to absolve us of our mistakes? He begs her to come in, and when he does, he sees that her house is vandalized; on her walls, phrases like get out have been spray-painted. Right away, Solomon confesses that her house has been targeted because of him; hed made a deal with someone (wink-wink, Yoshii) to try and force her out so they could buy the plot of land from her and sell it in a deal to Shiffleys and Abe. In hindsight, it seems silly that Solomon wouldve thought intimidation would work on this woman; this is a person, he must have forgotten, who refused 1 billion yen. Her sense of resolve is so outsized that she should be the one intimidating others. Trying to explain himself, Solomon argues: Isnt that how it goes? We all turn on each other for the sake of our own survival, not realizing were doing the work for them. That, of course, is exactly what the landowner had been trying to explain to Solomon all along. His openness disarms her, and she ends up telling him that shed bought that plot of land for peanuts in the aftermath of the war. Nobody wanted to touch it because of a rumor that corpses had been brought there to be buried, a fact she had to forget to live there. Immediately, Solomons gears start turning. The man is just obsessed with finding a little scheme. Solomons machiavellian plan is to sell the plot to Abe and then re-spread the rumor of the corpses widely. His guess is that if they knew there were bones buried in the land, Colton Hotels would never want to buy and develop it; by keeping Abe-san in the dark, though, they would be ensuring that Abe would get himself in a mountain of debt with no prospect of making that money back. Knowing that this is a bad time to take out a loan, Solomons long view is that the deal will ruin Abe financially while making tons of money for the landowner and himself. When he bursts into Yoshiis office to relay his new plan, he makes it clear that the two of them would walk away with 10 percent on the deal. He has that look again, the same one he took on when Tetsuya called him at the parlor last week to tell him he was going to have to pull out of the investment. The most important thing, he clarifies to Yoshii, is that Abe will know exactly who was behind his financial ruin. Solomons ego is obviously ginormous, but as he tries to convince the landowner to just take the money, he also shows he can see past himself. Its not lost on him why she might resent him; why even his own grandmother might resent him, for the relative ease of his difficulties in the face of what they had to go through. But not unlike the landowner herself, Solomons determination is made out of steel. He will not rest until he can get what he wants in the way he wants it. Abe-san will have no choice but to praise him for a hand well-played. Pinball Thoughts I kept wondering how it could be possible that Abe, or Colton Hotels, wouldnt have known about the plot of lands cursed reputation. From the way he has approached business, it doesnt seem like much gets past Abe. An investment that had been promised over lunch somehow found its way to his ears on that very same night. How could he have missed this seemingly huge asterisk in the description of this land? Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images, Kevin Mazur/WireImage Donald Trumps song of the summer? At this point, its probably total silence after a number of musicians denied his campaign the use of their music in August. The Republican presidential nominee received multiple cease and desists and lawsuit threats in recent weeks and irked even more performers as he ramped up his campaign against Vice-President Kamala Harris. Trump is no stranger to riling musicians his past campaigns got him on the bad side of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, and even Adele. Hes only added to the list recently, as artists like Beyonce and Foo Fighters say his campaign didnt have permission to use their music and are threatening lawsuits. On September 3, a judge ruled that the campaign can no longer use Sam & Daves Hold On, Im Comin. Now, Trump is facing another lawsuit from Jack White over the White Stripes Seven Nation Army. Below, all the musicians who have refused to be on his playlist. Isaac Hayes The estate of songwriter Isaac Hayes doesnt want the Trump campaign leaning on his songs when times are bad. And now a judge says it cant. Isaac Hayes III received a preliminary injunction against Trump using Sam & Daves Hold On, Im Comin which his father co-wrote with longtime partner David Porter on September 3 in a Georgia federal court, CNN reported. However, the judge will not force the campaign to take down past uses of the song. Trumps attorney Ronald Coleman said the campaign was not going to force the issue to use the song. Hayes, meanwhile, said he was very grateful and happy for the ruling and called on other musicians to stand up to Trump in court. Hayes is not only asking Trump to stop using the song, but to also release a public statement and pay $3 million in licensing fees. Donald Trump represents the worst in honesty, integrity and class and want no association with his campaign of hate and racism, Hayes tweeted last month. He later told The Hollywood Reporter that the Trump campaign had used Hold On at least 135 times in the past few years and that he was especially disturbed to see Trump dance to the song at an NRA rally. Once again, the estate and family of @isaachayes DID NOT approve the use of Hold on Im coming written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter by Donald Trump tonight in Atlanta. We and our partners at @primarywave are taking legal action to stop the unauthorized use of this song. Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 4, 2024 Celine Dion The song from Titanic isnt exactly the sort of confidence-inspiring anthem you want for a campaign. But Celine Dions My Heart Will Go On was on the playlist before Trump took the stage in Bozeman, Montana, on August 9. Dions team soon spoke out against Trumps using her music. In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use, her team said in a statement. And really, that song? Today, Celine Dions management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing My Heart Will Go On at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign pic.twitter.com/28CYLFvgER Celine Dion (@celinedion) August 10, 2024 Beyonce Early in Harriss campaign, Beyonce gave the vice-president permission to use her song Freedom featuring Kendrick Lamar. But Trump doesnt have that same freedom. After spokesperson Steven Cheung posted a video of Trump walking off his set to Freedom on August 20, Beyonces label and publisher sent a cease and desist to the Trump campaign, saying it didnt have permission, Rolling Stone reported. By August 21, Cheung had taken down the post and later told CNN he wanted to goad Democrats with it. The purpose of the post just proved the point that Democrats are all about banning things, including freedom, he said. They fell for it hook, line, and sinker. CNN also reported the Trump campaign had used Texas Hold Em at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 31. Foo Fighters This was a one-two punch: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the stage to the Foo Fighters song My Hero to endorse Trump on August 23, the day he dropped out of the presidential race. A rep for the band later told CNN they werent asked for permission to use the song and if they were they would not have granted it. A Trump spokesperson told the Independent the campaign did have permission to use the song, and the outlet reported the campaign appeared to have a license to use it through the rights company BMI. Foo Fighters vowed to donate any proceeds from their fight over the song to the Harris-Walz campaign. ABBA Trump played multiple ABBA songs, including The Winner Takes It All and Dancing Queen, during an August 27 rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and even used footage of the band in a donation message. It didnt take long for ABBA to say I Dont, I Dont, I Dont, I Dont, I Dont about wanting to be associated with the Trump campaign. Universal Music Group told the Guardian Trump had not gotten permission to use ABBAs songs or videos and requested that they be immediately taken down and removed. Trumps campaign has not responded. Jack White and the White Stripes Jack White kept his promise, filing a lawsuit against the Trump campaign and aide Margo Martin over her post using the White Stripes Seven Nation Army. (Even Meg White signed on!) This machine sues fascists, White wrote on Instagram. Martin had tweeted a video of Trump getting on a plane set to the White Stripes Seven Nation Army on August 29, after which White threatened a lawsuit against the campaign. Oh.Dont even think about using my music you fascists, he wrote on Instagram. Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others). Martin has since taken down the post. Want more TV and movie picks? Subscribe to our weekly Streamliner newsletter here. Clockwise from top: Only Murders in the Building, Kaos, English Teacher, and The Rings of Power. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Patrick Harbron/Disney, Ross Ferguson/Prime Video, Tina Rowden/FX, Justin Downing/Netflix/Everett Collection I spoke too soon when last week I said movie theaters were biding their time until Labor Day weekend because where are the movies??? Thankfully, 4DX wants us to ride our fears (and watch Twisters and Twister in a body-rattling theater). Aside from that, its looking like a movies-at-home type of weekend. Theres plenty of movies coming to streaming from, M. Night Shyamalans Trap to Ishana Night Shyamalans Watchers. We also have returning TV faves in The Rings of Power and Only Murders in the Building. Here are all the best picks for this long weekend. Sign up for Streamliner A weekly newsletter with the latest TV and movie recommendations, curated by Vulture writers. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Featured Presentations . Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez return, this time to figure out who killed Steve Martins longtime stunt double (Jane Lynch) while watching their podcast get made into a movie. New guest stars this season include Molly Shannon, Zach Galifianakis, and Richard Kind. Jen Chaney Streaming on Hulu . The worst people complained about Galadriel wielding a sword in the shows first season, so kudos to the creators for giving her more warrior content in the second. And theres just more overall: characters, battles, and, yes, rings. Roxana Hadadi Streaming on Prime Video Max has the rest of the Middle-earth stories on film, by the way. . Inject those extra 48 minutes of Ridley Scotts Napoleon directly into my veins. Hopefully they come with more lamb chops. Eric Vilas-Boas Streaming on Apple TV+ His amazing Kingdom of Heaven directors cut is rentable. . Its not easy being a high-school teacher, something that Evan Marquez repeatedly learns in this comedy created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, who also stars as Evan. J.C. Streaming on Hulu . Greek mythology with a modern twist? Percy Jackson is calling. Jokes aside, Jeff Goldblum takes up the lightning bolt as Zeus in this new Netflix series from creator Charlie Covell. Instead of a preteen summer camp, Kaos deals with the gods as they bicker and plot and mix in with mortals in the real world. Along for the ride are Janet McTeer, Debi Mazar, Billie Piper, Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Stephen Dillane. It looks like Succession, but apocalyptic. Streaming on Netflix . Practically every piece of parental tech these days is connected to Wi-Fi and perhaps bit too smart. What makes Blumhouses new horror feature Afraid scary is that the question Katherine Waterston asks The A.I. is bribing our children? already cuts pretty close to home. E.V.B. In theaters now Back in Theaters Twister/Twisters in 4DX One of the twisters in Twisters. Video: Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. The people (me) were begging for a Twister/Twisters double feature back in July, but you know what, its appropriate that we have to ride our fears and see this double feature in 4-damn-DX. If you need more information or persuasion, our resident 4DX enthusiast Rebecca Alter wrote a whole piece about the vibe, which you can read in full here: Photo: Rebecca Alter/Vulture In theaters now Finally Streaming A Quiet Place: Day One If youre looking for thrills, the prequel to John Krasinkis A Quiet Place may hit the spot. Apparently the aliens in these films are called death angels?? I learned that at basically the same time Lupita Nyongo, the star of Day One, did. Streaming on Paramount+ Kinds of Kindness Yorgos Lanthimoss return to the unpleasant is making its way to Hulu. A triad of stories in one film, Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Margaret Qualley star in fables about a man whose wife has returned after a long disappearance, a boss controlling the life of his worker, and the lives of two cult members. Its all quite strange; its all totally Lanthimos. Were a cult now. Yorgos Lanthimos, 2024 Streaming on Hulu The Fall Guy (and its extended cut) The Fall Guy didnt have enough time to let theatrical audiences fall in love with it, but nowadays, films like that get a new life on streaming. Now on Peacock with an extended cut, this stunt spectacle makes for a perfect movie night of romance, action, and laughs. Ryan Gosling stars as a stuntman pulled out of semi-retirement to work on his ex-girlfriends (Emily Blunt) first big directing gig (without her knowledge). Theres also a murder-mystery bubbling under the surface with an on-point performance from Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Streaming on Peacock Ghostlight One of the years best films is now streaming on AMC+. Our critic Bilge Ebiri loved this movie, but advises going into it cold if its a new watch: Read only the first paragraph of his review. E.V.B. Ghostlight The Watchers Dark woods can be scary! Scary enough to hang a horror premise on in a postBlair Witch world? You be the judge now that its streaming. M. Night Shyamalans daughter Ishana directed it. E.V.B. Streaming on Max More horrors: The elder Shyamalans Trap and Mike Flanagans Hush are now on VOD. (Hush after being pulled off of Netflix a year ago.) Want more? Read our recommendations from the weekend of August 23. On the afternoon of August 30, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with multiple rocket launchers. One of the strikes hit civilian infrastructure in the city center. There are also preliminary reports of hits in Chuhuiv. ADVERTISIMENT "Kharkiv is under attack from enemy KABs. Be careful!" said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov at 15:18. One of the strikes hit the central part of the city, the civilian infrastructure, he clarified as of 15:27. "Information on the damage and casualties is being updated. Be careful the enemy continues to launch its unmanned aerial vehicles," the mayor urged. Supplemented by... Rome prepares to issue 1,000 new taxi licences ahead of Jubilee Year. A taxi driver operating out of Rome's Fiumicino airport has been fined 2,700 for refusing to take a blind couple and their guide dog in his car on Thursday evening. The cab driver's refusal to the couple, a 47-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man, in obvious difficulty and in need of a taxi to get home, was apparently triggered by their guide dog, reports Corriere della Sera. Local police officers together with Aeroporti di Roma staff helped the couple to find another taxi, before police caught up with the offending taxi driver and handed him the hefty fine. A report of the incident was also sent to Rome's city transport department which will take further administrative action against the fined taxi driver, according to Corriere della Sera. The news comes the same week that another taxi driver was fined 3,000 for ripping off a group of Chinese tourists that he took into Rome from Fiumicino airport. Police stopped the driver near the Colosseum after being informed by the Chinese tourists that he had tripled their fixed-rate fare of 55 from Fiumicino into town. The driver in question also faces administrative action from the city, according to media reports. Rome recently announced new taxi fares along with 1,000 new taxi licenses, which will be put out to tender on Monday 2 September. The move is designed to address a long-standing shortage of taxis in Rome ahead of Jubilee Year 2025 when millions of additional tourists and pilgrims are set to arrive in the Eternal City. Photo credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock.com. PrivatBank has put up for sale a claim to one of Ukraine's largest operating grain ports for over UAH 3.5 billion. However, contrary to the usual practice, the auction provides for a nearly halving of the lot value: to UAH 2 billion. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, there have been recent events around the port that may indicate the possible implementation of dubious schemes involving fictitious transactions with the participation of companies associated with Ukrainian businessman Hennadii Boholiubov. According to the SETAM trading platform, PrivatBank has put up for sale its claim under loan agreements to Borivazh LLC in the amount of almost UAH 3 billion 556 million. The starting price of the lot is about UAH 3 billion 428 million. However, contrary to the established practice, the auction provides for a reduction of the lot value to UAH 2 billion (by 44% of the initial amount). Usually, banks hold the first auction without the possibility of reducing the price. And only if the auction fails, the lot is put up for sale again, with a reduction in value. ADVERTISIMENT In the case of the debt of Borivazh LLC, one of the country's largest operating grain ports, Borivazh, was pledged as collateral for the loans received from PrivatBank. Moreover, it is quite profitable: according to publicly available data, in 2022 and the first half of 2024, the operator of the port, Terminal Borivazh LLC, received more than UAH 1.3 billion in net profit from its operation. Recently, the port was mortgaged to Terminal Borivazh LLC and then arrested by the court. The courts are currently considering about a dozen lawsuits challenging the loan agreements, pledges, and guarantees entered into, including those between Borivazh LLC and PrivatBank. Therefore, PrivatBank's claims in such circumstances look questionable and may be challenged in court. In addition, the port itself was transferred to a fictitious mortgage. ADVERTISIMENT Therefore, only the party involved in the conflict can buy the lot. It would be much more profitable for the bank to foreclose on the port itself and then sell it to the highest bidder. On August 19, the Commercial Court of Dnipropetrovs'k Region declared Borivaz LLC bankrupt, and liquidation proceedings were launched. Ten days later, on August 28, the court banned the auction of the right to claim against Borivaz LLC. After that, lawyers for Privat and companies associated with Boholyubov are said to have bombarded the court with motions and complaints, delaying the transition of Borivaz LLC into liquidation. It seems that while PrivatBank's supervisory board is selecting a new chairman of the board after Gerhard Bosch's dismissal, interested parties have decided to take advantage of the situation. And the state-owned bank is essentially appealing the ruling in a lawsuit that could return the "illegally withdrawn collateral" to the bank. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, it was reported that one of the key shareholders of Privat Group, Oleksii Martynov, was going to sue Boholyubov after the latter sold joint assets and claimed that he "does not remember the partnership." Many expats in Rome have their favourite overheard question asked of the citys tour guides. Wanted in Rome asked some of the capital's English-speaking guides to describe the most unusual questions they have faced. Jimmy Kennedy, an Irish tour guide working with Touriocity, is always a font of tourist trivia. Once while starting a tour of the Sistine Chapel a tourist piped up, I keep reading about Michelangelo. Didnt he paint something famous in the Vatican? Will we get to meet him? Kennedy also has to grapple with geographical enquiries such as Are we in Rome? Because I thought we were in Italy. However the following are his five favourite questions: If this is the Sistine Chapel, where are the other 15 chapels? Why would they build the Colosseum right beside a Metro Stop? If you are from Ireland, how long does it take you to get to the Colosseum every morning? What country are the Swiss Guards from? How did Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel? Did he just stand on the floor and use a really long paint brush? Once at St Peters, tour guide Dara McCarthy was stunned when asked if Lucifer were buried in the Vatican. Like other guides, McCarthy has faced regular confusion over the identity of Michelangelo. After explaining the Sistine Chapel for about 20 minutes, he was asked Where is Michelangelo in the Bible? Tour guide Louise Egan, also from Ireland, has received regular compliments on her excellent English in the past and been asked how long her commute to Italy takes each morning. Among the stranger questions she has fielded include Did aliens build the Colosseum? while also having to explain that, no, the Colosseum is not built of sand. Egan has also been asked queries such as When are we going to see Big Ben? but perhaps the top prize should go to You know on our Roman Forum tour? Would you mind leaving out all the history stuff? One day Jon Balog from Maryland in the US was giving a tour of the Vatican Museums Gallery of the Tapestries. In the middle of explaining a tapestry which featured Julius Caesar being stabbed to death in 44 BC he was asked So were Jesus and Caesar the same person? Another time, at the Capuchin Crypt on Via Veneto, Balog was pointing out the skulls and bones of 3,700 friars when he was asked the reason for the Capuchins fate: Was it for molesting? Freelance tour guide Shane Harnett has been asked the identity of the popes wife as well as where the tomb of Jesus could be found in Rome. However, the most surprising question asked of him came from an elderly Italian tourist who had been living in the US for 60 years. Out of earshot from his children and grandchildren the man took Harnett aside and asked Hey, you know anywhere I can find a whore? This article was first published by Wanted in Rome in 2014. As one of the worlds most beautiful and intriguing cities, Rome consistently attracts millions of tourists every year. But with such a large number of visitors to the city each month, there are always some business owners, hawkers and petty criminals keen to exploit foreigners naivety for financial gain. While most people and businesses are honest and welcoming to tourists, there are a few scams to look out for during your stay in the Eternal City. Tourist-only restaurants Easily identifiable by their red-and-white checked tablecloths and plates of plastic food lingering next to the English-only menus, these restaurants purely target tourists and should be avoided.Most of these restaurants, with some exceptions of course, are located tantalisingly close to Romes major sites the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and other famous areas of interest. While walking down the street, you will hear the restaurant before you see it, as the waiting staff will be lining the streets, trying to usher you inside. Any restaurant worth their salt in Rome will be far too busy to waste time convincing you to eat there. In fact, you will probably either have to book a table in advance or wait patiently outside until a coveted spot becomes free. Due to their splendid locations in the shadows of Romes hotspots, the owners of these restaurants pay sky-high rent. This is, of course, reflected in the quality of the food. After all, who can afford sky-high rent and top quality ingredients at the same time? This often results in poor quality fare disguised as authentic Roman classic dishes like carbonara and amatriciana. No Italian would be caught dead eating at one of these tacky establishments. Do a little research and explore the backstreets to uncover some hidden culinary gems. Kiosks Like the tourist-only restaurants, these kiosks are usually found near major tourist sites.On very hot days exploring the city, they can seem like an oasis in the desert, offering bottled water, fruit, snacks and iced drinks to thirsty travellers. But these kiosks can charge extortionate prices even asking as much as five euros for a small bottle of water in some cases, which should cost between 50 cents to one euro. Again, all the menus will be in English only the absence of Italian being a sure sign of a scam. Gifts on the street If a hawker spots you and identifies you as a tourist, soon enough he or she will be winging their way towards you to shake your hand, make small talk, then offer you a gift of a bracelet, necklace or small ornament. once you have taken them you will be pestered to make a donation or buy more goods, or the seller might even become increasingly hostile towards you. This is a standard trick on the streets to guilt you into parting with your cash for a piece of junk you dont want. The same applies to the hordes of flower-sellers pushing bunches of roses in your face on the street or sometimes even inside bars and restaurants. Just ignore their persistence, give a firm no and walk away. Pickpockets Like any major city, Rome has its fair share ofon the streets and riding public transport, particularly at Termini station.A common trick is for small groups, often teenage girls, to barge into you while getting on or off a bus, train or metro, before another grabs your belongings and scarpers. Just keep your eyes peeled, your valuables locked in a safe if possible, your bags closed and close and your wallet carefully concealed. Gelato Italy is famous for its delicious gelato. But sadly, not all ice-cream is created equal. In fact, some outlets do not produce traditional gelato at all it is made with a The best way to tell real gelato from fake is to look at the colours, quantities and flavours on display. If you see neon green pistachio instead of a more brownish hue of green, avoid. And if the gelateria boasts flavours like bubblegum and raspberry ripple, in huge whipped heaps in aluminium trays, these are best dodged in favour of a smaller outlet serving quality artisanal produce. by Catherine Evans By Jonathan McCambridge, PA Mike Nesbitt will be the new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) after he was the only declared candidate when nominations closed. Mr Nesbitt (67), who is currently the Norths health minister, will be formally ratified as leader at an extraordinary general meeting of the party on September 14th. Doug Beattie quit as UUP leader last week after a dispute with party officers. After nominations to succeed him closed at 4.40pm on Friday, Mr Nesbitt was the only party member who had put his name forward. He has received the required 35 signatures from nine constituencies across Northern Ireland. Doug Beattie announced last week he was stepping down as leader of the UUP (Liam McBurney/PA) The Strangford MLA, a former broadcast journalist, will become the first person to lead the unionist party twice. He was leader between 2012 and 2017 but quit following a difficult Northern Ireland Assembly election result. Mr Beattie cited irreconcilable differences with party officers as he announced his shock departure on August 19th. The Upper Bann Assembly member and decorated Army veteran was elected UUP leader in 2021. Mr Beatties resignation came after what was a relatively positive Westminster election result for the UUP, with the party securing a seat for the first time since 2017. However, an internal row over the process to select the Stormont Assembly replacement for the partys new MP Robin Swann ultimately led to Mr Beatties resignation. A man in his early 40's died from complications stemming from Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). The man presented at UHW with anal warts, described as large, extremely tender, ulcerating, malodorous, covering his buttocks, perineum and upper thigh. He told doctors that he had had the warts for roughly two years. Doctors diagnosed the warts, medically referred to as condylomata acuminata, as deriving from a HPV infection of benign subtype. The doctors cited evidence of benign HPV initiating a growth process that can develop into a malignant phenotype due to chronic epithelial irritation. They cautioned in the report: "There is risk of malignant transformation in benign HPV infections." The case prompted the doctor to issue a warning on the need for HPV screening for men in Ireland. HPV HPV is a family of very common viruses that are passed on during skin-to-skin contact, that can affect men and women. When undiagnosed, HPV damages the DNA cells in the body and can lead to cancer. HPV is strongly linked to cervical cancer, and cancers of the mouth and throat, and penis. According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI): "HPV-associated cancers account for almost 3% of all invasive cancers excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Ireland, but account for 7% of such cancers in young adults aged 20-49 years." In recent years, HPV vaccines have been rolled out across Irish schools and have been proven to reduce the risk of invasive cancer. The HPV vaccine currently used in Ireland is called Gardasil 9. 660,000 doses of Gardasil have been administered and over 220,000 girls have been fully vaccinated against HPV. Condylomata The case report in the Irish Medical Journal (IMJ) described the man as "a smoker with a 30-pack year history and significant alcohol consumption, with 140 units a week". He had a BMI of 16 and had lost 25kg in the previous two years. The man told doctors that he was not sexually active and denied any sexual involvement with men. Upon medical inspection, doctors discovered a large grouping of warts: "There was a large, extremely tender, ulcerating, malodorous condylomatous mass covering the majority of his perianal and bilateral buttock area, including his perineum and medical thigh area." According to the report: "He was significantly anaemic; with a haemoglobin of three g/dl. Blood-borne virus and syphilis screen were negative. "PCR swabs for varicella and herpes zoster were negative. Radiological workup revealed an extensive locally invasive tumor with no distant metastases." The patient underwent a procedure which revealed a high level of AIN (Anal intraepithelial neoplasia). Doctors opted against a surgical intervention as the extent of the disease was deemed "unresectable". 'Too frail' The procedure, known as a loop ileostomy, was to allow the patient to pass bodily waste through a stoma. After the procedure, the man "absconded" from treatment and did not return for six months. When he did return, doctors noted a significant deterioration in his health. The report stated: "He was too frail at this point for systemic therapy. He declined rapidly and received specialized palliative care. He died in two months." Medical Intervention The author of the report noted that early intervention, screening and monitoring could have helped the patient recover from his illness. She wrote: "This case emphasizes the importance of advocating for patients to engage with healthcare services. It also demonstrates that there is still a lack of screening programmes in Ireland for HPV in men, particularly outside of high-risk population. "When multiple factors compound (lack of patient engagement, subclini lack of AIN screening programme), it can lead to serious consequences in HPV infection, i.e. death in this case." There is no HPV screening programme for men currently operating in Ireland. Ardscoil na Mara secondary school in Tramore, County Waterford, held its graduation recently and Waterford News & Star photographer, Joe Evans was on hand to capture the students who looked spectacular. For more photos see the print edition of our newspaper and to purchase a print of any of the photos call in to our office on Gladstone Street, Waterford. A second probe into the culture of Star Entertainment Group has found the company is unsuitable to hold a casino licence and slammed previous management as dysfunctional, as the groups executives scramble to keep the casino business financially viable. Adam Bell, SC, was commissioned by the NSW casino regulator to launch a second probe into The Star following concerns it had not adequately committed to cultural reform since it was exposed for extensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings in 2021. The regulator issued a copy of the report to The Star on Friday and said it was not yet ready to make its decision about the future of the Sydney precinct. The Star was due to issue its full-year results on Friday but has postponed the result and entered a trading halt. The Star was due to issue its full-year results on Friday but entered a trading halt after receiving a copy of the report. Credit: Louise Kennerley In the report, Bell determined that The Star had breached casino law and was unsuitable to hold its casino licence for a second time in two years, but he did not recommend that the casino shut down. A teenager who ran over and killed a 48-year-old woman after a late-night joyride in his brothers car, has been jailed for nearly five years. The 18-year-old, who due to being 17 at the time of the offence cannot be named, had no drivers license and had been smoking cannabis on the night of October 3, 2023, when he was driving down Wanneroo Road. Rebecca Collard died in Balcatta on October 4 after she was run over by a 17-year-old boy. Credit: Police Media During his sentencing at Perth Childrens Court on Friday, court president Hylton Quail heard how the teen claimed he was lost and trying to find his fathers house just after 1am when he completed a U-turn at the same time Rebecca Collard was walking along the street. Collard had been at a friends house party, was intoxicated and high on meth and had also been smoking cannabis when she had been asked to leave by concerned friend and was making her way home. Despite the steady rise in ocean temperatures, a large area of the Atlantic Ocean near the equator began cooling at a record pace in June of this year. And after a short period of time, it returned to normal temperatures. ADVERTISIMENT Scientists are trying to understand what caused this sharp cooling. However, they have not yet found a clear explanation, LiveScience reports. According to the researchers, an anomalous cold area of the ocean, covering several degrees north and south of the equator, was formed in early summer after a month-long 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'," said Franz Tuchen, a researcher at the University of Miami in Florida. "We are still scratching our heads as to what's actually happening. It could be some transient feature that has developed from processes that we don't quite understand," said Michael McPhaden, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who monitors a set of buoys in the tropics that collect real-time cold data. ADVERTISIMENT According to the researchers, the sea surface temperature in the eastern equatorial Atlantic was the hottest in February and March, when it exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Franz Tuchen emphasized that these were the warmest months on record since 1982. However, in early June, temperatures began to drop sharply, reaching the lowest temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in late July. Scientists had predicted that the cold snap could develop into an Atlantic Nina, a regional climate pattern that tends to increase rainfall in West Africa and decrease rainfall in northeastern Brazil as well as in countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, including Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. ADVERTISIMENT The phenomenon, which is not as powerful as La Nina in the Pacific and has not been seen since 2013, would have been validated if the colder-than-average temperatures had lasted for three months, until the end of August. However, the cold stretch of water has begun to warm in recent weeks. "The verdict is already quite certain that it's not gonna be classified as Atlantic Nina," emphasized Franz Tuchen. Scientists have modeled several possible climatic processes, but none of them have explained the anomalies in the Atlantic Ocean. The recent sharp cold snap, although unprecedented, is unlikely to be explained by human-caused climate change, according to scientists. "I can't rule it out. But at first blush, this is just a natural variation of the climate system over the equatorial Atlantic," McPhaden said. ADVERTISIMENT Using data from satellites, ocean buoys, and other meteorological instruments, Tuchen and McPhaden are among several climate scientists who are closely continuing to monitor the cold spot and any future effects it will have on surrounding continents. These observations may take months to finally unravel the mystery of the sudden change in ocean temperatures. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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. Top AUKUS officials have pushed back at claims the United States will not be able to transfer promised nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, arguing the rapid integration of hundreds of Australian submariners into the American fleet shows the pact is on track. William Houston, the four-star admiral who runs the US nuclear naval program, said one in 10 submariners serving on the US Navys prized Virginia-class attack submarines in the western Pacific would soon be Australian, highlighting its commitment to AUKUS. Australia plans to purchase three to five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States. Credit: ADF Asked during a visit to Australia whether it was possible the US could decline to provide the promised three to five Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, Houston said: We are fully committed to the sale and transfer of the submarines we have discussed to Australia. We are fully committed to that, and we dont look at it as a subtraction, we look at it as an addition. 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 Donald Trump amplified a vulgar joke about US Vice President Kamala Harris performing a sex act. He falsely accused her of staging a coup to secure the Democratic nomination, and faulted her without evidence for a security lapse that enabled a rogue gunman to try to assassinate him. He shared a manipulated online image of Bill Gates in an orange jumpsuit and a call for Barack Obama to face a military tribunal. He promoted explicit tributes to the QAnon conspiracy theory. He hawked digital trading cards in an online infomercial along with pieces of his debate night suit. (People are calling it the knockout suit.) His campaign feuded publicly with Arlington National Cemetery over its visit. And that was in the span of just 24 hours. Donald Trump speaks during a town hall with former Democratic representative Tulsi Gabbard. Credit: AP With fewer than 70 days until the election, Trump is zigging and zagging with an arsenal of unfocused attacks and peripheral pursuits that for any other politician would amount to a stunning stretch at such a pivotal moment in the campaign. But when it comes to the former US president, the burst of activity on Tuesday and Wednesday was a snapshot of the chaos that has defined his political career, and in some ways, it marked a throwback to his first run in 2016, when he waged a frenetic, unpredictable campaign that put his party on edge all the way up until his surprise victory. Some Republicans have grown similarly nervous this time around. With pressure mounting to drive a sharper message against Harris, the Republican presidential nominee is delving into distractions and delivering a mix of incendiary and false statements. While such tactics have been on regular display in his third run for the White House, he is now pushing them further, running the risk of alienating key voters. Advertisement I think people are incredibly frustrated, said longtime Republican strategist Jason Roe, a former Michigan GOP executive director. Harris campaign and policies, Roe said, provide opportunities for the Trump campaign to talk about issues that actually will matter to swing voters. And rather than doing that, hes delving into this nonsense. Responding to an inquiry about the former presidents comments in the past week, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt accused The Washington Post of focusing unfairly on a few social media posts and negative stories about Trump instead of Harris policies as vice president and Trumps highly successful policy speeches in battleground states over the past week. Polling shows Trump and Harris locked in a close race, and many voters have embraced or repeatedly brushed off Trumps most incendiary behaviour. Trump won an upset victory in 2016 despite the leak of a tape in which he bragged about groping women, which many in the GOP had viewed as catastrophic. Republicans have largely rallied behind Trump this campaign, defending him through his false claims of a stolen election, his criminal charges, his conviction this northern spring and a slew of controversies. But Harris nomination to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket has made Trumps position more tenuous. In a tightening contest, the former president has lashed out at his new opponent with belittling nicknames, ideological criticisms and sometimes sexist and racist attacks. He has aggressively cast Harris as too liberal, but he has also lingered on Biden, frequently complaining that the switch is unfair, and he has lobbed false attacks on Harris racial identity. Republican calls for more focus and discipline have run up against a candidate who has appeared determined to take the opposite approach over the past couple of weeks. On Wednesday, Trumps campaign was battling accusations that employees acted disrespectfully when Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery this week to commemorate the third anniversary of the deadly US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Defence officials said Trump aides clashed with a cemetery staff member who tried to prevent them from taking prohibited photos in a gravesite area. Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said the campaign was given permission to bring a photographer, and suggested a person who blocked Trump staff was suffering from a mental health episode. Advertisement As that saga unfolded publicly on Tuesday night, Trumps interview with TVs Dr Phil aired. The friendly conversation Trump filmed last week turned into another venue for him to air inflammatory claims about his opponents without presenting evidence. I think to a certain extent its Bidens fault and Harris fault, he said of the attempted assassination against him last month, adding, They werent too interested in my health and safety. There is no public evidence that Biden or Harris were personally involved in decisions about Trumps security protections. Trump spent Wednesday morning venting on Truth Social, his social media site. He let loose a flurry of reposts just after 8am. There was an image of Biden, Harris, Hillary Clinton, former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, former White House medical adviser Anthony S. Fauci and others in prison uniforms. There was a call to jail members of the congressional committee that investigated Trumps supporters over the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol after Trumps election loss. Another repost used a QAnon slogan: WWG1WGA! RETRUTH IF YOU AGREE. Just after noon, Trump began to claim, without evidence, that Harris was exaggerating her online footprint. ITS ALL FAKE, he wrote. Soon, he turned to resharing a video of himself promoting digital trading cards for $US99 ($145) apiece. Buy enough, he said, and you could get a physical card with bits of Trumps outfit from the June debate that helped push Biden out of the race. Trump advisers and donors have encouraged the former president to stay more focused on the campaign trail. Recently, Trump has held more small, policy-themed events in addition to his freewheeling rallies. He has also ramped up his public events and packed the week of the Democratic National Convention with counterprogramming in swing states. He kicked off this week with stops in Virginia and Michigan, and he will end with a swing through the blue wall states that will be critical in November. He delivered economic remarks on Thursday afternoon in Potterville, Michigan, and was planning a town hall later in the day in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will be the moderator. Trump will host a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday and a speech at a conservative activist conference in Washington heading into the weekend. Trumps cards which he says contain a piece of the knockout suit he wore in the debate against Joe Biden. Credit: collecttrumpcards.com But even at policy-oriented events, Trump often strays from the script. In Michigan last week, he skipped over a new crime proposal that aides had promoted in his prepared remarks. Earlier this month, at an event with mega-donor Miriam Adelson meant to showcase his support for Israel, Trump veered into a comparison of civilian and military awards that prompted a rare rebuke from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Advertisement Trump recounted giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Adelson, and said it was better than the Medal of Honour, which recognises valour in war, because the recipients of the latter are in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets or theyre dead. On Monday, after his Arlington visit, Trump sought to showcase his support for the military in an address to the National Guard Association of the United States. Audience members applauded as Trump criticised the chaotic US exit from Afghanistan under Biden and said he would get the resignations of every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity. The reaction was more muted when Trump took aim at Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz, who served in the National Guard for 24 years. Loading His nickname is Tampon, Trump told the audience full of National Guard members, many of whom wore their camouflage uniforms. Tampon Tim Walz, he said later, alluding to a Minnesota bill that Walz, as governor, helped pass requiring access to menstrual products in public schools. James Palembas, a 62-year-old retired National Guard member in the audience, wasnt a fan of the Tampon Tim jab. I would not have done that, he said after the speech. Some of the things that come out of Trumps mouth are very shock-effect. He said he does not identify as a strong MAGA guy. Advertisement Wellington: New Zealands Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, has died aged 69, days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. The death was confirmed by the office of the Kiingitanga early on Friday morning. Then-prince Charles and Kiingi Tuheitia in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand in 2015. Credit: Getty Images Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has died peacefully ... accompanied by his wife Makau Ariki and their children Whatumoana, Korotangi and Ngawai Hono I Te Po, it read. Tuheitia was in hospital recovering from heart surgery. From 6 to 9 August 2024, the World Customs Organization conducted a Training of Trainers workshop on the Harmonized System for the Namibia Revenue Authority (NamRA) in Windhoek, Namibia. The workshop was organised within the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union. The Training of Trainers workshop aimed to develop a pool of competent trainers in the area of HS tariff classification who could further disseminate knowledge and experiences about the HS in the country. The training brought together 10 officers from the NamRA, who are experienced experts on tariff classification and related areas. The workshop was conducted by a WCO expert and one recognized expert from Spanish Customs. In his opening remarks, Ms. Jacqueline Gawanas, Senior Manager, representing the Customs Commissioner, highlighted the importance of the HS in trade facilitation and emphasized the critical role played by the HS in streamlining Customs procedures and ensuring accurate tariff determination. She thanked the EU and the WCO for their strong commitment to support NamRA through such initiatives as the HS-Africa Programme. The training falls under the Strategic Guidance on Competency Development on Tariff Classification and the Harmonized System. It was preceded by a basic, an intermediate and an advanced training on the HS and is part of a comprehensive partnership between the EU-WCO HS and RoO Africa programmes and NamRA on competency development that included the implementation of advance rulings, training on rules of origin and a current project to digitalize advance rulings process. The Training of Trainers workshop was an occasion to deepen the experts understanding of the HS as well as develop and strengthen their training skills to deliver HS training. Dedicated presentations of the HS Convention and on specific areas of the HS (e.g., agriculture, chemicals, textiles, machinery) were delivered to participants. The workshop fostered a vibrant learning environment, offering the participants a unique opportunity to deliver short group and individual presentations in various HS related topics while taking into account the skills and tips learnt from the WCO experts. In conclusion of the workshop, the WCO experts provided general feedback to the participants with a focus on key areas that needed improvement as well as commending the notable areas where participants deployed the acquired skills in developing training materials and delivering a training. For more details, please contact wcoHSAfrica@wcoomd.org. NASA has announced that the Boeing Starliner capsule will return to Earth no earlier than next Friday (September 6), provided weather conditions are favorable and there are no technical problems. However, there will be no astronauts on board. ADVERTISIMENT If all goes according to plan, the capsule will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 6 at 18:04 EST. It will land six hours later at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, Space.com reports. As a reminder, Starliner launched on June 5, 2024, its first-ever crewed mission, delivering NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to the International Space Station. A day later, the capsule docked, but there were several malfunctions. In particular, the Boeing Starliner suffered several helium leaks, and five of the 28 reaction control system engines failed on the way to the orbiting laboratory. ADVERTISIMENT The Starliner mission, called Crew Flight Test (CFT), was supposed to last up to 10 days, but NASA and Boeing kept the capsule in orbit day after day, studying the engine problem. Experts were trying to understand what caused the malfunction and whether it could occur again on the way back to Earth. After numerous checks, NASA decided that it was too risky to return the astronauts to Starliner. Thus, last weekend, the agency announced that Williams and Wilmore will return home on a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025. The Boeing capsule will return home without a crew. ADVERTISIMENT "The uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will perform a fully autonomous return with flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and at Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida. Teams on the ground are able to remotely command the spacecraft if needed through the necessary maneuvers for a safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwest United States," NASA said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Probably the last thing you hope to see on a refrigerator door is a massive lock. However, it was not uncommon to see something similar on the refrigerators of the USSR residents. ADVERTISIMENT Now it seems wild, but then it was a necessity. OBOZ.UA tells why Soviet citizens closed their refrigerators on the key. Household appliances in the Soviet era was more of a luxury item - produced it little, and prices were very biting. Engineers tried to make appliances, though inconvenient and clumsy, but durable. A refrigerator could serve for decades. In the same way, residents of communal apartments could wait for decades to be moved into separate housing. But while they had to huddle together, their property had to be protected from not always conscientious neighbors. So there was a need to install locks on refrigerators. In addition, the refrigerator could be turned into a safe if the family had to go somewhere. For example, to a country house or, if lucky, to a vacation at the sea. The appliance was disconnected from the power supply, defrosted and put valuables in it. The doors were locked and the key was taken away with them. ADVERTISIMENT This approach was fully justified in the postwar years. Then the inhabitants of the USSR were suffering from a deep economic crisis, thefts were many, and anything that managed to "get" was protected as a real jewelry. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to be aware of the latest events. The aggressor state of Russia has deployed unique military equipment intended for the Arctic to the frontline in Ukraine. In particular, such equipment was spotted on the battlefield in southern Ukraine and destroyed by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel on Thursday, August 29. In addition, the occupiers have deployed an Arctic Marine Brigade to participate in the war against Ukraine. "We have even seen the Arctic Marine Brigade here, so it is difficult to surprise us with anything. However, we were surprised by the presence of unique equipment designed for the Arctic, which was successfully burned in the Ukrainian southern steppes. That's where they managed to surprise us because this is expensive, unique equipment, and using it in this way is blasphemy," he said. According to Pletenchuk, the army of the aggressor country cannot use the marines as intended, in particular, in the southern direction, because the combat capabilities of Russian marines are very low. ADVERTISIMENT "The combat capabilities of the marines are greatly reduced. The ships themselves cannot go to sea, and they are not ready to take risks. For example, they do not risk using large landing ships at sea, which are designed for this purpose. Accordingly, it is out of the question to talk about landing a sea assault in this context," explained the navy spokesman. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia had 13 ships, not counting the "Konstantin Olshansky," and now there are five of them left, Pletenchuk said. Given this fact, there is no need to talk about a possible amphibious landing. "If they couldn't do it then, they won't be able to do it now," he said. In addition, the aggressor country's landing force will not even be able to approach the shore - the coastal missile and artillery troops of the Ukrainian Navy will simply not allow it. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is going to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Enerhodar, which was seized by Russian troops. He also plans to come to Kyiv. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the IAEA press service. Grossi's visits are scheduled for next week, starting on September 2. "IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will visit Ukraine next week to hold high-level talks and assess developments at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where nuclear safety remains unstable," the statement said. The agency reminded that this will be the fifth time that Grossi "crosses the front line to gain access to ZNPP". "The IAEA acts quickly and decisively whenever and wherever threats to nuclear safety arise. Our proactive presence is critical to stabilizing the situation. My message has been loud and clear throughout this tragic war: a nuclear accident must be avoided at all costs, and a nuclear power plant must never be attacked. The consequences could be catastrophic, and no one would benefit. I am still determined to do everything in my power to protect nuclear safety while the fighting continues," he said. ADVERTISIMENT On August 27, Rafael Grossi visited the Kursk nuclear power plant in Russia. After the visit, he said that the KNPP was allegedly "at risk of a nuclear accident." "The danger or possibility of a nuclear accident has arisen near the plant," Grossi said, referring to the ongoing military operations in the Kursk region. The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is confident that Russia tried to use the IAEA Director General's visit to the Kursk NPP to accuse Ukraine of allegedly making threats of a radiation incident real. Moscow hoped that this would undermine Western support for Kyiv. On August 11, a fire broke out on the territory of the Russian-occupied ZNPP. The enemy set fire to a large number of car tires in the cooling tower, a structure designed to cool water. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed footage of the fire set by the Russian occupiers and called on the world and the IAEA to respond to the terrorist state's provocation. ADVERTISIMENT The IAEA said that its experts had heard the sounds of explosions and seen heavy dark smoke in the northern part of the plant. The mayor of Enerhodar, Dmytro Orlov, said that the fire was a Russian provocation, and the distance to the operating power units and nuclear facilities is about a kilometer, so there is no danger in terms of radiation. Energoatom reported that a fire broke out at a technical water supply facility on the territory of the ZNPP. This event resulted in the fire of cooling tower number one and damage to other process equipment. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Olivia Kelleher A memorial fund has been set up to ensure lasting support for the wife and two young children of Irish chef Shaun Brady, who was shot dead outside his restaurant in Kansas City on Wednesday. Mr Brady was originally from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and co-owned Bradys KC restaurant in the Brookside area of Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with his killing. Mr Brady was bringing rubbish to a bin when he noticed that young men were stealing a car. An interaction occurred between the 44-year-old and the thieves. He was shot multiple times and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Mr Brady was well known and respected in Kansas City both for his culinary skills and his generosity of spirit. He frequently appeared on local television doing cookery demonstrations and played a huge part in the Kansas City Irish Fest which is scheduled this weekend. A traditional Irish breakfast which was due to take place on Sunday has been cancelled to allow friends and loved ones of Mr Brady to gather and remember him. The organisers of Kansas City Irish Fest said Mr Brady had a deep pride in his culture and a contagious enthusiasm for celebration. The light he brought to our Irish community will endure through those touched by his talent, spirit, and joy for life. They have appealed to both American and Irish people to make a donation to a memorial fund set up in his honour. By donating to the Shaun Brady Memorial Fund, you can ensure lasting support for Shauns family, including his beloved wife and two young children, helping them feel the comfort and security of his legacy for years to come. We invite you to contribute $45 the ticket price of Shauns cherished Kansas City Irish Irish Fest Breakfast shared with friends, though any amount will mean the world to those who loved him and to the Kansas City Irish community that he brought together with his remarkable spirit. All proceeds will go directly to a trust fund to support Shaun's family. Donations can be made to the fund at gofund.me/b22217f6. Meanwhile, Mary Kate Gliedt, executive director of the Kansas City Irish Centre, said they were heartbroken at the news of the death of their stalwart supporter and true friend. His restaurant Bradys was an extension of himself warm, open and welcoming to everyone. His excellent creations in the kitchen were no match for his innate hospitality and generosity. Ms Gliedt said Mr Brady never declined to help when they contacted him for assistance. He was a frequent contributor to Irish weddings, wakes, funerals and parties at the Irish centre, and always made the time to serve the community. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Shaun, his wife and children, his extended family, the team at Bradys, and all who were lucky enough to know Shaun. We at the centre, and the Kansas City community as a whole, will miss him terribly. Mr Brady is survived by his wife Kate, their two young children and his family members in Nenagh. Kate is originally from Wichita in Missouri. The couple met when Kate was on holiday in Ireland. The family lived in Overland Park in Kansas City. Shaun and Kate married in 2005 and settled in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Kansas City. 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 3rd October to Saturday 5th October. 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, a testament to the number of brilliant producers across the country. Once again LEO Mayo 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. "These awards highlight the high-quality produce and great work by these businesses in areas such as innovation, new product development, marketing, and business development. We look forward to continuing to work with these producers and celebrating their successes. The 14 finalists shortlisted from Co. Mayo across a range of different categories 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. 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. In the grand tapestry of human experience, grief stands as a dark and luminous thread, binding us to the very essence of our existence. It's a peculiar beast, a sorrow that gnaws at each individual heart, as universal as breath yet as unique as a fingerprint. For all its ubiquity, grief remains a cypher, a riddle wrapped in an enigma, to borrow from Churchill. Since my parents passed away and the sale of the family home, I instinctively avoided the stretch of road that was the theatre of our wonderful, messy, boisterous, and loving place of nurture. I'll never return to live in Ballina because the memories are too potent, happy and rich with remembered affection. I could never replicate them on return, and that void is thankfully absent when I'm engrossed in the present, filled with family and friends in Castlebar, my adopted home. But on this summer's day, an errand brings me by the old homestead; the sun is warm, the trees heavy with leaves, and I am unexpectedly sided by a rush of memory and its attendant grief as I drive slowly past the line of childhood haunts. I feel the absence of my parents keenly and all the attendant family bustle, scattered to the four winds as we are. I pick up speed, resolving my sorrow by visiting the quiet graves in Leigue, a stark reminder of the passage of time. Grief is love's stubborn twin. It's the price we pay for having loved, for letting our emotions become entwined with another's. Seamus Heaney famously said: "If you have the words, there's always a chance you'll find your way." As a result, people have always sought to express their sadness, to fill the shapeless hole created by loss. My drive through Kilmoremoy awakens a repository of memory, a flush of images and sensations stirring a personal and collective history. When in the first throes of grief, we are often drawn to specific locations as if the environment may provide comfort. This is why you will see people staring out to sea, their gazes focused on a horizon populated by the ghosts of loved ones who have passed on. It is why people continue to leave offerings at places of personal value, seeking consolation in rituals that bind them to their loss. And it's why I have avoided this stretch of road, as I realise the loss has been suspended, not ended. The connection between grief and place is arguably best represented in numerous mourning practices worldwide. From Irish wakes to New Orleans jazz funerals, we assemble to honour the deceased. The body, or its symbolic form, is a physical anchor for our memories and grieving. This practice addresses our urge to locate our grief and physically present it. Perhaps that's why I can resolve my bout of sorrow by leaving it with quiet prayers at my parents' graveside. In time, we traverse the intricacies of grieving and learn to recognise that mourning should not be "gotten over" or "moved past". It's a companion, sometimes unwanted, as on my trip past my childhood home, but always informative. It teaches us about the depth of our ability to love, our ties' strength, and our wounded spirit's tenacity. Each loss leaves its own distinct emptiness in our hearts. In his novel The Sea, John Banville brilliantly expresses the individuality of grief: "The past beats inside me like a second heart." Our recollections of the past become ingrained in us, moulding our interior landscapes in the same way wind and rain sculpt cliffs. We have become increasingly secular in recent years and might have had to discover new ways to express our sadness. However, faith and tradition remain universal sources of comfort, and many people resort to religious practice and customs in times of sorrow. Something in our shared human experience reacts to the spiritual connections to our forefathers and their methods of mourning. The Stoics, for example, called for a type of anticipatory grief. Said Seneca: "Nothing, to my way of thinking, is a better proof of a well-ordered mind than a man's ability to stop just where he is and pass some time in his own company." The practice of memento mori, or remembering that we shall die, was not intended to cause sorrow but rather to heighten our appreciation for life and prepare us for unavoidable losses. A stroll around Leigue, the memory jarred by names long forgotten on already worn headstones, is both unnerving and oddly comforting. Eastern philosophies provide diverse insights. In Buddhism, mourning is a natural consequence of life's impermanence. The idea is not to avoid grief but to face it with mindfulness and compassion. This technique invites us to sit with our sorrow, examine it without judgement, and use it as a springboard for greater understanding and empathy. Contemporary philosophers such as Martha Nussbaum have also investigated the nature of mourning. In her book, Upheavals of Thought, Nussbaum contends that emotions such as sadness are not irrational disruptions but intelligent responses to our judgement of value and importance in the world. According to this viewpoint, our grief reflects what we value. Perhaps the most philosophically rich way to mourn is to embrace it wholeheartedly, letting it wash over us like a wave on the coast of consciousness. We cry, moan, and laugh through our tears. We share stories about individuals we've lost, keeping them alive via our words and memories. We raise a drink to our absent friends and dependable partners. And by doing so, we honour the totality of life, with all of its joys and tragedies. In the Christian experience, mourning is not the conclusion of the story. It's only a chapter, albeit a dark and stormy one, but one that leads to new dawns, new connections, and new loves. As diverse wisdom traditions tell us, humans dwell in each other's shelters. In our shared grief and joy, we find courage, solace, and hope for the future. Grief is more than an emotion; it is also a profound, if unintended, philosophical statement. It declares that we have loved and valued our transient loves. It affirms our relationships, vulnerability, and courage in the face of unavoidable loss. Grieving is more than just suffering; it is one of the most fundamental human experiences that connects us to all who have come before and will come after. Grief demonstrates the human potential for love, connection, and meaning-making in the face of life's most inevitable outcome: death. One of our most admirable qualities is the ability to care so deeply that losing a treasured companion shakes us to our core. Despite this shaking and breaking, we find the fortitude to rebuild, love again, and find new meaning. But what about our grief for animals, those devoted companions who want so little but offer so much? In many mythologies, the link between people and animals is considered sacred. The degree of our mourning for animals is probably related to their imagined innocence. They love and forgive us wholeheartedly, with no guile or motive. We lose a genuine connection to something fundamental and simple when we lose them. Not unlike the unwavering devotion of our loving parents. When all the counting and choosing Electoral College voters arising from a US Presidential Election is over the process I explored in last weeks article the House of Representatives and the Senate meet in joint session on the following January 6th. There, the votes are read out and formally certified by the two houses sitting together. The meeting is presided over by the outgoing Vice-President of the United States, acting in their capacity as President of the Senate. Regardless of party, regardless of result, that is their constitutional duty. They sit in the chair at the meeting, take note of the outcome, and read out the winner, and thats about it. It is meant to be conducted with great dignity, and even with a certain solemnity. Before 2021, and certainly in the modern era, such a vote had always been a ceremonial event, the confirmation that power has been passed in a democratic fashion from one Presidential term to another. It is supposed to happen that way even after a bruising contest. In simple terms, it is the moment after a game when both sides acknowledge the winner, shake hands and say 'well played and we will see you the next time'. It confirms that, for now, the fight is over and at least for a while, that we are all on the same team again. Richard Nixon, a Republican Vice-President, performed that duty in 1961, having himself just been beaten by John Kennedy in a highly-contested election of the previous November. Al Gore, a Democratic Vice-President, did it in 2001, having himself just been beaten by George Bush in an even more highly contested and controversial election the previous November. That election ended up in the Supreme Court, and after it ruled, Gore accepted the result. Whether Kamala Harris wins or loses this time, she will be in the chair to do it. It was this process of certification in the Congress that Trump and his supporters threw into absolute chaos back in January 2021. His supporters attacked and rioted in the Capitol Building, and they threatened to physically assault the Vice-President, Mike Pence, for his role in performing his constitutional duty. The mob ranged around the place, attacking police and looking for members of Congress to assault. The equivalent for us would be a mob attacking Leinster House and threatening the Ceann Comhairle for not preventing the election of a Taoiseach. Because of Pences refusal to do anything but his constitutional duty, he has been attacked and threatened ever since. When you look at the absolute numbers from the election in November 2020, it seems incredible that anyone could have believed that Trump had actually won. Joe Biden got just over 81 million votes, Trump just over 74 million. These are massive numbers in what is, of course, a massive country, but clearly Trump had seven million fewer votes, which is a lot of people by any standard, many more than live in our state, and not much fewer than the total number who live on this island. Youd think that anyone who lost by that much would take their beating. Some chance. He was emboldened to embark on his campaign of lies and refusal to accept the result because of the way the Electoral College works, as shown last week. With a few thousand votes either way in a few swing states, Trump could have won and he jumped on that and constantly claimed that those few thousand votes for Joe Biden were fraudulent. From the day after the presidential election, there was one baseless claim of fraud after another. In state after state where Trump lost by anything close to a relatively small margin, teams of lawyers and Republican local representatives tried every trick in the book to overturn the result. Thanks at least in part to some very honourable local Republicans, those attempts were resisted. Not a single one of those claims survives anywhere but in the land of conspiracy theory. Court after court regardless of who sat on the bench threw them out. And yet many Americans still believe them. Regardless of belief, facts won out at the time, and so Biden didnt just win a massive majority in the popular vote, he also won reasonably comfortably in the Electoral College. The lawful and democratic result stood. But since 2021, Trump supporters have not stood still. They have been getting ready and preparing plans to overturn any 2024 results they dont like. If Trump wins comfortably, there will be no need for such plans to be put into effect. But if he doesnt, you can expect all sorts of efforts at a local level to swap Electoral College voters for Trump supporters in places he loses, and you can expect legal battles all the way to the United States Supreme Court to prevent Electoral College members lawfully voting for the person entitled to their votes. The Supreme Court, operating now to a fierce Republican ideology, is seen by many as safe ground for whatever legal fantasy Trump supporters can drum up. All this will be driven on by a PR and social media offensive alleging electoral fraud in any state where Trump doesnt win. And let us be frank and clear, in American politics, when people say there was electoral fraud, what they mean is that too many black people voted for their liking. Voter fraud is a racist dogwhistle of the highest order. Anyone letting it out of their lips knows exactly what they are doing. In this election cycle, wild claims about illegal aliens voting in November have been flooding social media. And it will not stop there. Back in 2021, 147 Republicans in the House of Representatives voted against certifying the election of President Biden. They stood up on January 6th and raised objection after objection to the certification of the votes that would confirm his victory. Some of those 147 voted against certifying because they were afraid of Mr Trumps supporters. advancing all kinds of spurious, disgraceful arguments, knowing full well they were nonsense. Others, it would appear, did it out of an utterly deluded conviction reminiscent of members of a cult. Nancy Pelosi, the then Democratic Speaker, stood her ground and batted them all back. The joint session of Congress certified the results. This time, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is Mike Johnson of Louisiana. Johnson got elected because the Republican Party had gotten itself into absolute knots over the job of Speaker, and because of his only major distinction as a member of Congress before now. What was that? Leading those efforts back in 2021 to challenge the legal election of President Biden. Mike Johnson will still be Speaker on January 6th next, regardless of what happens in the November elections. And you can see that this is the really worrying bit. For what happens if in the next election, the Republicans actually succeed in preventing the certification of a Democratic victory? If that happened, it would be the biggest constitutional crisis in the United States since the Civil War, without exception. It would be a constitutional coup detat, no less than the overthrowing of the constitutional democratic order. There is no overstating how important this all is. The election in November will not decide these matters. It will only start the process. The survival of American democracy is on the ballot. American Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp. They are discussing the possibility of participating in the new investment round of OpenAI, the developer of the chatbot ChatGPT based on artificial intelligence (AI), Azernews reports. It is unclear how much Apple and Nvidia plan to invest. They had not invested in OpenAI before. At the same time, OpenAI's largest investor, Microsoft Corp., which owns 49% of the company, will participate in the round. Since 2019, she has invested $13 billion in ChatGPT developer. The Financial Times also, citing sources, previously reported that the largest investor in the upcoming round will be the venture capital fund Thrive Capital, which plans to invest $ 1 billion. OpenAI is expected to raise several billion dollars in total within the framework of the round, and its total valuation will exceed $100 billion, the WSJ notes. In June, Apple announced that it had agreed with OpenAI to use ChatGPT in its own AI programs. Nvidia, in turn, has worked closely with OpenAI on research projects using its most advanced chips. Apple shares rose 0.5% in preliminary trading on Friday, Nvidia by 1.7%, Microsoft by 0.8%. Russian occupation forces are not abandoning their plans to capture Kurakhove. Soldiers of the 79th Air Assault Brigade continue to effectively defend strategically important positions in the Kurakhove sector, preventing the enemy from advancing. ADVERTISIMENT This is what Orest Drymalovskyi, a spokesman for the brigade's press service, told Kyiv24 TV channel. Ukrainian defenders are not only performing combat missions to repel Russian aggression, but also controlling the approaches to the village of Kostiantynivka, located in the Marinka community. This village is an important point on the way to Vuhledar and Kurakhove, as it is the route that opens the way to both cities. "The 79th Separate Tavrian Air Assault Brigade is performing combat missions to repel Russian aggression in the Kurakhove sector of the frontline. Moreover, our soldiers are holding the approaches to the village of Kostiantynivka in the Marinka community. This is the way to two major cities in Donbas, Vuhledar and Kurakhove. The Russians are rushing to this village because the highway that leads from Marinka to Vuhledar passes through this village," said Drymalovskyi. ADVERTISIMENT He explained that control over this territory will give them the opportunity to advance to Vuhledar and strike at the rear of the Ukrainian forces. They are actively shelling the area with artillery and conducting air strikes. However, the 79th Brigade is bravely holding back the enemy, not allowing them to break through. "The Russians are rushing there, shelling the city with artillery and carrying out air strikes. In other words, the brigade is like a bone in the throat of the Russian command in this area because it does not allow the enemy to advance in a strategically important direction," added Drymalovskyi. It is worth noting that Russian occupation forces tried to land in the Kurakhove direction but were destroyed by Ukrainian defenders. At the same time, the Russians are moving in small groups here, trying to accumulate forces for an offensive. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the day before, total enemy combat losses in manpower amounted to 1 ,200 people. Ukrainian soldiers also destroyed three tanks, 23 armored combat vehicles, 23 artillery systems, one MLRS, an air defense system, 84 operational and tactical UAVs, 57 vehicles and two units of special equipment of the occupiers. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! A powerful Hurricane Milton is spinning its way across the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to take aim at the Tampa Bay region. The operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kursk region of Russia undermined the regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and proved his threats that increased Western aid to Kyiv would lead to an escalation in the war to be false. The invasion of the Russian region by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has more political than territorial value. ADVERTISIMENT Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said this in an interview with the Financial Times. He called on Kyiv's allies to increase their assistance and added that the Kursk operation changed the course of the war. "The fact that it (the Ukrainian Armed Forces' offensive in Kursk region - Ed.) became possible at all is much more important than the actual territory on the ground. It is devastating for the Putin regime. It shows the Russian population, and it shows the world, that the Russian military machine is empty. It was unable to defend its border," he said. The newspaper writes that some Western officials are worried about how the Kursk operation could affect Ukraine's already stretched forces in the east, especially around Pokrovsk, where Russia has made significant advances in recent days. ADVERTISIMENT "War is a risky business. There can certainly be setbacks, but no one can ignore the fact that the Ukrainians were able to do it. And if they can do it once, they can do it twice or even three times. We have to stick to our stances," Billstrom said. The Swedish minister said that he would not talk about military strategy, but the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk region has a huge political impact on the course of the war. According to the politician, it demonstrated both Putin's weakness and the mistake that some Western officials made by believing in threats of escalation, up to the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. "Russian rhetoric keeps us on our toes. For a very clear reason: it is one of the few weapons left in Russia's arsenal that can make us fear Russia or maintain our terror of Russia. And we must not allow this to happen. Sooner or later, we all have to realize that much of what comes out of Moscow is empty talk. The goal is to make us believe that Russia is much stronger than it really is," the minister added. ADVERTISIMENT As reported, CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said that Putin will still have to face the "reverberations" of Ukraine's unexpected offensive in the Kursk region. Apparently, the Ukrainian military intends to maintain control over the settlements they have managed to enter and are building defensive lines. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Returns to Wits University Wits University will host the 22nd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture to be delivered by Abdulrazak Gurnah on September 28th at the Wits Linder Auditorium. The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is celebrated for bringing together global leaders to address and propose solutions to the worlds most pressing challenges. This years lecture will explore deep questions on decolonisation and belonging under the theme Our Shared Humanity. It is fitting that the 22nd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture will be held at Wits University where Mandela studied during the 1940s as the only Black student in the School of Law at the time. At Wits, Nelson Mandela formed life-changing friendships with activists who fought alongside him against Apartheid, defended him in court, and sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In his honour, the Wits Mandela Institute was established in the Wits School of Law in 1994. Some of his papers, including his handwritten notes during the Rivonia Trial remain at Wits for safekeeping. Wits University has hosted a number of Nelson Mandela Annual Lectures over the years. We are delighted to partner again with an institution which had a long association with Madiba. Verne Harris, Acting Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University says: It is our honour to host the Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture at Wits University. This years theme focuses on our common humanity, which aligns closely with the camaraderie that Mr Mandela found at Wits through luminaries such as Ruth First, Joe Slovo, Ahmed Kathrada, Bran Fischer, Ismail Meer, JN Singh and George Bizos, back in the 1940s, which was a difficult time for a young Black lawyer at Wits. These associations changed the course of his life, and that of our country forever. Similarly, we hope that the important conversations that emerge from this Lecture, will go a long way towards embracing our shared values, finding common ground, changing and making our world, a better place. Read more about Mandelas relationship and time at Wits research magazine, Curios.ty issue 5, themed MANDELA100. About Abdulrazak Gurnah Novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents. Gurnahs writing has explored the immigrant experience. His first three novels, Memory of Departure (1987), Pilgrims Way (1988) and Dottie (1990), document the immigrant experience in contemporary Britain from different perspectives. His fourth novel, Paradise (1994), is set in colonial East Africa during World War I and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction and the Whitbread Book Award (since 2005, the Costa Book Awards). Desertion (2005) was shortlisted for a 2006 Commonwealth Writers Prize. His novel By the Sea (2001) was longlisted for the Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and another, Afterlives (2020) was shortlisted for the 2021 Orwell Prize for Fictionand longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. Gurnah was born in 1948 on the island of Zanzibar off the coast of East Africa. He emigrated to the United Kingdom as a student in 1968. From 1980 to 1983, he lectured at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria, before taking up a position at the University of Kent. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2006 and he is on the advisory board of the literary magazine Wasafiri. Gurnah lives in Canterbury, England, where he retired to from the University of Kent, where he was a professor in English and postcolonial literature. He is now an emeritus professor at that university. About the Nelson Mandela Lecture The Nelson Mandela Foundation has hosted the Nelson Mandela Lecture since 2003. Previous speakers have included the Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai; Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Mottley; former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Dr Fatou Bensouda; United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres; South Africa's Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng; former US president, Barack Obama; the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu; former South African president Thabo Mbeki; Chilean-American author and human rights activist; Ariel Dorfman; Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai; former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan; Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; social entrepreneur Muhammad Yunus; Director of Egypt's Library of Alexandria Ismail Serageldin; former Irish president and philanthropist Mary Robinson; philanthropist Mo Ibrahim; Chilean President Michelle Bachelet; economist Thomas Piketty; Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates; and United Nations deputy secretary-general Amina J Mohammed. Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk responded to the accusations of MP Mariana Bezuhla about the alleged destruction of at least three of Ukraine's own aircraft by Ukrainian air defense. He said that a detailed investigation is underway, with the help of partners from the United States, and that Bezuhla herself is a "tool to discredit" the Ukrainian military and will apologize to the entire army in the future. ADVERTISIMENT Oleshchuk posted the statement on his official Telegram channel on August 30. "The terrible plane crash of the F-16 aircraft piloted by one of the best Ukrainian fighter pilots, Oleksii Mes, has shocked the whole world," he wrote. The commander also posted a screenshot of Bezuhlaya's post, in which she claimed at least the third downing of a Ukrainian plane by Ukraine's air defense and that "the two previous cases, which did not involve F-16s, were officially attributed to the Russians." According to Oleshchuk, on August 26, 2024, the day of the largest shelling of Ukraine, "we lost a trained pilot, we lost an F-16, but we did not lose our humanity and faith in victory." ADVERTISIMENT "Of course, we will find out the causes of the plane crash. No one hid or is hiding anything! The entire top management immediately received a report on the crash. Our partners from the United States also received a preliminary report and have already joined the investigation," said the Air Force commander. Oleshchuk assured that a detailed analysis is already underway, and an investigation is underway. "We have to thoroughly understand what happened, what the circumstances are, whose responsibility is. And it will be done! Information about such incidents cannot be released immediately to the public and cannot be detailed for the media. There is a war in the country! But this does not matter to the people who chose Mariana Bezuhla as a tool to discredit the top military leadership. It will not be possible to hang all the dogs on the army," he said. ADVERTISIMENT Mykola Oleshchuk expressed confidence that Bezuglya will have to apologize to all the defenders of Ukraine. "I am addressing the MP who sold her name long ago to achieve these vile goals. Mariana, the time will come when you will apologize to the entire army for what you have done, I hope in court!" he said. The Air Force commander added: Bezuhla has once again "not only thrown dirt" on him personally and on the Air Force, she has discredited the producers of American weapons Ukraine's main ally, the United States. "You have once again become the main newsmaker of enemy propaganda and are breaking all records on Russian television! The whole of Russia applauds you! If you are not helping us, then at least do not prevent us from fighting!" Oleshchuk said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: On August 29, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that an F-16 had crashed in Ukraine. Preliminary data, according to the newspaper, indicate that the plane was not shot down. The information about the loss of the aircraft was later confirmed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but the name of the deceased pilot was not named. The West Air Command reported that pilot Oleksandr Mes "Moonfish" died on August 26, repelling a Russian attack, destroying three cruise missiles and a Shahed. The hero was buried on August 29. ADVERTISIMENT Ukrainian Armed Forces pilot Andrii Pylshchykov "Juice", who died a year ago, and "Moonfish" actively lobbied for Ukraine to receive F-16s and traveled to the United States for this purpose. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Underneath the Mediterraneans seabed, there is a gigantic layer of salt between 3,281 and 6,561 feet thick that accumulated millions of years ago. It likely looks similar to the interior of this salt mine in Realmonte, located in Sicily, Italy. During World War II, German submarines took advantage of a peculiar aspect of ocean physics to pass through the Strait of Gibraltar unnoticed by the British army. The crafts set on entering into the Mediterranean rose to shallow waters, turned off their engines and allowed themselves to be carried by the current. Those who wanted to cross over to the Atlantic descended to deeper waters to be similarly swept out in silence. They were making use of the waters density difference. The higher salt concentration of the Mediterranean waters causes objects to sink, while the waters of the Atlantic, less rich in sodium chloride, makes them float higher. This exchange between the sea and ocean, a vital relationship for the Mediterranean, was cut off six million years ago, causing, according to a new study published in Science, the almost total death of its marine life. By the time the passage between the two bodies of water reopened, the biodiversity of the Mare Nostrum had changed forever. Six million years ago, the Mediterranean had a configuration similar to its modern-day form. It had long since lost its connection to what would become the Indian Ocean and was separated from the Paratethys Sea by the rise of the Anatolian Peninsula. It would have been a closed-off body of water if it were not for the strait that connected it to the current Atlantic. It stayed open thanks to what is now known as the Strait of Gibraltar. If it had been known by a name back then, it would have been the Strait of Cazorla, because the passage opened up through lands now known as the southern Spanish province of Jaen and most of the Baetica region. In general terms, the salt differential between Mediterranean and Atlantic waters is four grams of salt per liter more in the former as compared to the latter (39 grams per liter versus 35 grams per liter). But geological dynamics began to work against fluid dynamics. Geologist Daniel Garcia-Castellanos from the Spanish National Research Councils Geosciences Institute of Barcelona (GEO3BCN) explains what took place: At the end of the Messinian, due to geodynamic processes, this region began to rise, initiating the disconnection between the two sides. The process didnt happen all at onceit progressed over tens of thousands of years, though that is just a fleeting moment in geological time. During this period, the entrance to the shallower Atlantic waters stayed open. But as the passage became shallower, the outflow of hypersaline water was blocked, says Garcia-Castellanos, who is the senior author of the study recently published in Science. Although scientists are still debating whether the strait closed completely, what is known is that the Mediterranean was accumulating more and more salt at the time, a process that was accelerated by the negative balance between evaporation and the water provided by rivers and rainfall. Salt concentration in the Mediterranean must have equaled or even exceeded that of the Dead Sea. Westend61 (Getty Images) This led to the so-called Messinian salt crisis, which, according to geological records, began 5.97 million years ago. For thousands of years (though its exact duration is under debate), the Mediterranean was in the process of becoming a giant brine. Salt was coming in through the Atlantic seawater, but it had no outlet. The salt concentration was not going to stop increasing until it reached saturation and began to precipitate, says Garcia-Castellanos. When the concentration of 371 grams per liter is reached, brine precipitates and salt emerges in a solid state. This figure is almost 10 times the normal concentration in the Mediterranean and equals the concentration found in the Dead Sea. The process was aided by accelerated evaporation, which led to the waters widespread retreat of many hundreds of feet. It is estimated that the sea level dropped by up to a half mile. The first outcome of the crisis took the shape of gigantic salt formations, discovered under the seabed in the 1970s. Theyre not mountains of salt, its actually a more or less horizontal layer that is largely still intact, that was covered for five million years by sediment, says Garcia-Castellanos. Seismic wave measurements have revealed that the layer is actually a gigantic mass between 3,281 and 6,561 feet, a volume of more than 239,912 cubic miles of sodium chloride in the form of halite. It is one of the largest accumulations of the mineral on the planet. Just 11% of Mediterranean species survived the salt crisis. Among them were many bivalves. In this image, shells of a fossilized mollusk from 6.5 million years ago in modern-day Crete. Konstantina Agiadi The second consequence of this salt accumulation was that it nearly wiped out marine life in the Mediterranean. University of Vienna geologist and first author of the study, Konstantina Agiadi, says that although it was a regional event, the effect of the Messinian salinity crisis on Mediterranean marine life was as massive as the K/T event, referring to the asteroid or meteorite that snuffed out most life on Earth 66 million years ago, starting with the non-winged dinosaurs. Of these marine organisms that lived exclusively in the Mediterranean before the crisis (i.e., endemics), only 11% (86 species) could have survived in some form, she says. Some species and even entire genus, like corals, went extinct, according to a count of almost 5,000 species found in the fossil record of three large areas in the Mediterranean basin. The percentage wasnt higher because up to 30% of species were also present in the Atlantic and, though they disappeared during the crisis, they returned when the waters became connected again. There are various hypotheses about how the Atlantic and Mediterranean linked back up. But, according to Garcia-Castellanos and the studys co-author, Francisco Javier Sierro, the data points, once again, to tectonic dynamics leading to a sinking of the region [south of the Iberian peninsula and north of modern-day Morocco], giving rise to the Strait of Gibraltar. According to modern bathymetry, there is a huge gully on the Mediterranean side of the strait that must have cause the arrival of Atlantic waters to a Mediterranean at a much lower level. Sierro, like Agiadi and Garcia-Castellanos, stresses the enormous impact this had on biodiversity. The species that survived, such as foraminifera and bivalves, are accustomed to extreme environments and large changes in salinity, he says. Others, as Garcia-Castellanos argues, were able to survive in river deltas. But most of the marine life that exists today between Algeciras and Istanbul came from other waters. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Dozens of trucks and buses burned. Armed confrontations between members of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican army. Narco-blockades on the main access roads and highways: violence broke out Thursday in Culiacan, the capital of the state of Sinaloa, amid tensions following the capture of Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of the sons of drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. The images sparked fears of a new Culiacanazo, the scenes of chaos, panic, and violence that plagued the city following two attempts to capture Ovidio Guzman Lopez, another of El Chapos sons and a leader of the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, in 2019 and 2023. The mayor, Juan de Dios Gamez, confirmed that there are actions by the security forces of the Federal Government in the area of Jesus Maria, north of the capital, although he said that the violent incidents are focused. The situation that has arisen is being attended to and is focused outside the city, confirmed Sinaloa State Governor Ruben Rocha Moya. Federal authorities have not commented. We are aware that military personnel suffered an attack in the Penasco area; information is being gathered on these facts, said the Sinaloa Security Secretariat. It also reported a blockade on Mexico Highway 15, near El Limon, with two vehicles burned. Videos of the incidents, which have gone viral on social networks, show the burning of trucks, large columns of smoke, and roads blocked off to prevent the entry of security forces. The installation of anti-vehicle stinger devices has also been reported at several points in Culiacan, although local journalists have said the unrest has not spread to the south and center of the city. Rocha stated that the aggression of armed civilians was the trigger for the violence and added that, during the afternoon, there was a response by the security forces. There was a coordinated deployment with the participation of the authorities of the three levels of government, said the governor, who made his statement almost three hours after the first images were released. Rocha asked that speculation be avoided after the emergence of several unofficial versions of the facts, which have not been verified. Mexican security forces deployed in Sinaloa, August 29, 2024. RS The Autonomous University of Sinaloa, with around 170,000 students, suspended classes due to the violence. There were also reports of the suspension of several public transportation routes and of traffic chaos due to the attempts of the population to seek shelter. State and municipal authorities have called on residents to remain calm. There is no official information regarding deaths, injuries, or arrests. Jesus Maria, a municipality dominated by Los Chapitos, the Sinaloa Cartel faction led by El Chapos sons, was also ground zero for the battle following the arrest of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, alias El Raton, in January 2023. The criminal organizations response, known as the second Culiacanazo, resulted in more than 10 hours of firefights with the military. Twenty nine people were killed during the operation, including 10 soldiers. In 2019, the authorities managed to capture El Raton but were forced to release him after dozens of his henchmen threatened mass civilian deaths to secure the release of their boss. Two of the four leaders of Los Chapitos are already in the United States. Ovidio Guzman Lopez was extradited in September last year. His brother Joaquin was arrested on July 25 along with El Mayo Zambada, after years of negotiations in an attempt to turn himself in according to the U.S. government. Mexican authorities are accusing Joaquin Guzman Lopez of kidnapping El Mayo and are investigating whether Ovidio was involved in the betrayal that led to the alleged kidnapping of the drug lord in Sinaloa, according to a statement from the Mexico Attorney Generals Office. The other two brothers, Ivan Archivaldo and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, remain at large in Mexico and are considered the current leaders of the organization by U.S. authorities. Washington accuses Los Chapitos of being the main source of the fentanyl that floods the U.S. and has offered rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to their capture. Since the arrest of El Mayo, Sinaloa has been on edge, amid fears of a power struggle within the cartel, a war against other criminal organizations, and clashes with security forces. Around 600 soldiers were deployed last week to reinforce Sinaloa, a historic cartel stronghold. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On Friday, the Venezuelan governments persecution of the opposition reached a new stage. At 10 a.m. Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia was summoned, for the third and final time, to appear before the Chavismo-controlled Prosecutors Office as a suspect for crimes of conspiracy, usurpation of functions and instigation to disobedience, among others. The summons states that if he does not attend the scheduled appearance, an arrest warrant will be issued, under the presumption of risk of flight and obstruction of justice. Chavismo has entrenched itself in its most repressive facet to corner the opposition following the disputed presidential election of July 28, as it has done on other occasions. The political climate in Venezuela continues to be one of maximum tension. On the same day as the summons was issued, Gonzalez Urrutia completed a month of isolation in a secret safe house. His last public appearance came on July 30 at an opposition rally in front of the United Nations headquarters in Caracas. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has also assumed a kind of clandestinity, with fleeting appearances at the three protest rallies she has organized in Caracas over the last month. Machado has issued warnings about the new red line the government could cross in the next few hours, if Gonzalez Urrutias house is raided, or if he is arrested. The opposition coalition candidate has cited the lack of independence of the judiciary and in particular that of the Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, as reasons for not submitting to the process. The prosecutor has behaved, repeatedly, as a political accuser, as he condemns in advance and now pushes for a summons without guarantees of independence and due process, Urrutia said this week in a video posted on his social networks. The Public Prosecutors Office intends to subject me to an interview without specifying in what condition I am expected to appear and pre-qualifying the crimes not committed. Gonzalez Urrutia did not appear at a first summons on August 26. Nor did he do so on August 27. Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, at a rally in protest against the election results. Cristian Hernandez (AP) The opposition candidate also failed to appear before the Supreme Court a few weeks ago, when a supposed expert appraisal of the election documents was carried out to validate the result announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is also subordinated to Chavismo and handed President Nicolas Maduro victory. The authorities have yet to present, a month after the election, the voting figures broken down table by table, which has cast doubt on their veracity. The ruling did not resolve the doubts about what happened after the vote count on the night of July 28, but among the courts decisions was to declare Gonzalez Urrutia in contempt of judicial authority. The former diplomat who turned 75 on Thursday and thanked supporters on social media for the congratulations he received amid difficult times has gone from being almost completely unknown in Venezuela a few months ago to becoming a chief enemy of Chavismo. Throughout the campaign he was the target of attacks from the government apparatus but the threat to block his candidacy he was the second option after Corina Yoris - to replace Machado, who was elected by an overwhelming majority in the opposition primaries but unconstitutionally disqualified by the Supreme Court, never materialized. Now, amid suspicions of fraud over the results announced by the CNE, the entire judicial apparatus is after him. The Public Prosecutors Office has classified the publication of the voting records that the opposition posted on a website, Results With Venezuela, as a crime, and has already described them as false. The records are a public document, several copies of which are printed by the voting machines and then retained by the electoral authorities, the military that guard the electoral material, and the witnesses of each party. The opposition prepared to quickly collect and scan these documents, with which it can confirm that Gonzalez Urrutia won with 67% of the vote, according to 83.5% of the records obtained by its witnesses. In other elections, such as the one in which Maduro faced Henrique Capriles in 2013 and won by a narrow margin, Chavismo published the records they had in their possession on the website of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). From Maduro on down, Chavismo is calling for jail for its electoral rival. This week, the president warned that Gonzalez Urrutia was planning to flee the country. He wont show his face, he said at an event with his followers at the Miraflores Palace, the seat of government. The judicial persecution that Chavismo has undertaken against other opposition leaders has driven them into exile, as happened with Juan Guaido, who challenged Maduro in 2019 with an interim presidency that led to the international community rejecting the presidents 2018 reelection, in which the opposition was practically prevented from participating. A large part of the leadership of opposition parties such as Voluntad Popular and Primero Justicia has fled the country after years of persecution. In recent weeks, Maduro has constantly compared Gonzalez Urrutia to Guaido, and has predicted the same fate for him. At the beginning of the year, Maduros security forces went after Machados inner circle, as she was the new leader of the opposition. Henry Alviarez and Dignora Hernandez, her main aides, were arrested in March and another group had to take refuge in the Argentine embassy and are now under the protection of Brazil after the recent breaking of diplomatic relations between Caracas and Buenos Aires. The harassment has intensified since the election. On Wednesday, at the end of a rally in Caracas, the police arrested Biagio Pilieri, from the Convergencia party, after a car chase through the capital. This week Perkins Rocha, Machados lawyer, was also detained. Other opposition figures who have been arrested in recent weeks include Freddy Superlano, William Davila, Roland Carreno, and Americo De Grazia, as well as human rights activists, journalists and more than 1,000 people who have demonstrated against the election results. The Mexico Attorney Generals Office (FGR) announced Thursday it is investigating the possible involvement of Ovidio Guzman, alias El Raton, in the kidnapping of Ismael El Mayo Zambada. Guzman, one of the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and a leader of the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, was extradited to the United States in September 2023 but has been listed as released by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as of July 23, two days before the arrest of his brother, Joaquin El Guero Guzman Lopez, and Zambada at a rural airport in New Mexico. The FGR said it has evidence that El Raton left a maximum-security prison that day, but acknowledged that it does not know his whereabouts or whether he is still in custody. The Attorney Generals Office said it is seeking to determine if he was involved in the capture of El Mayo, as well as his brother Joaquin, who remains the main suspect of having kidnapped Zambada, his godfather, to hand him over to the U.S. authorities. The link between the situation and location of Ovidio G, the participation of his brother Joaquin in the alleged kidnapping of Ismael N [El Mayo], the violence with which it was carried out, as well as the evident irregularities of the airplane that conducted the kidnapping flight, are fundamental matters in the investigation of this institution, for the crimes committed in Mexico, said the FGR in a statement. The letter published on August 11 by El Mayo, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel and one of the worlds most-wanted drug traffickers, is already part of the investigation opened in Mexico and has become the main line of inquiry in the case. The Attorney Generals Office is looking into the chronological sequence of El Mayos arrest and the reasons why Ovidio Guzman was apparently released from prison a couple of days earlier. The Federal Public Prosecutors Office is investigating whether Ovidios release was connected in any way with the negotiations that his brother Joaquin Guzman had been holding for several years with the U.S. authorities to negotiate his surrender. The Attorney General of the United States, on August 16, 2024, stated to this institution that Ismael N arrived in that country against his will and that he had been informed of several proposals from Joaquin N [Guzman] to surrender to the U.S. authorities, states the FGR. Despite the accusations, there is still no formal accusation against Ovidio Guzman. Jeffrey Lichtman, a lawyer for the Guzman family, stated at the end of July that there was no agreement between his clients and the authorities. The controversy over the alleged release of El Raton and its relation to the arrest of El Mayo emerged just hours after the capture of Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez was confirmed. U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar stated a day after the arrests that El Chapos son was still in the U.S. prison system. I can confirm that Ovidio Guzman Lopez remains in custody in the United States, he said in a statement, without elaborating on the details. The U.S. embassy informed us that he [Ovidio Guzman] has definitely not been released, there has been a change in the precautionary measures, said Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez at the first press conference held by the Mexican government, a day after the arrests. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has not updated any information on the whereabouts of Ovidio Guzman for a month and he continues to be listed as released on its database. The doubts surrounding El Raton have opened a new front in the tension between the governments of both countries, with the Attorney Generals Office openly questioning the failure to clarify the legal status of El Chapos son. Mexican authorities have again accused their U.S. counterparts of failing to provide key information in the case. The FGR said it has made two legal requests for information on the identity of the pilot of the plane that carried El Mayo and Joaquin Guzman to the U.S., and the official authorizations for its landing on American soil. Another request was made through Interpol, but the Attorney Generals Office has not received a response. The FGR also presented new findings about the plane that landed at the Dona Ana airport, in the border town of Santa Teresa (New Mexico), on July 25. It was a Beechcraft 200 aircraft, which has already been inspected by Mexican authorities. It had a false and overlapping registration and serial number, and the original registrations were identified. The legal registration of that aircraft was N44JN and the original legal series BB191, noted the authorities. The aircraft was first registered in the United States in 2019 and then in Colombia, where it obtained a U.S. registration. In 2021, the fake registration was made in U.S. territory. Regarding the murder of prominent Sinaloa politician Hector Cuen, the Attorney Generals Office announced that it will summon public servants from all levels of the local Prosecutors Office, including police and experts, who have intervened in the proceedings in light of the irregularities in the version of events provided by the Sinaloa authorities surrounding his death. Claudia Sanchez Kondo on Wednesday took over as the new head of the State Prosecutors Office following the resignation of Sara Bruna Quinonez two weeks ago. Cuen was killed on July 25, in events apparently related to the kidnapping and capture of El Mayo, according to the Attorney Generals Office. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Villagers collect water in Tenefoul Toucouleur Village, Diourbel, Senegal, March 20, 2023. [Xinhua/Han Xu] 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," said Zimbabwean economist Paul Musodza. 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. Mamadou Dieng is pictured inside the monitoring room of a well project in Tenefoul Toucouleur Village, Diourbel, Senegal, March 20, 2023. [Xinhua/Han Xu] 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." Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding poses for photos with Zimbabwean officials at the launch ceremony of a China-aided borehole drilling project in Mahusekwa, a town in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, July 22, 2024. [Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua] 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. Reisdents fetch water from a borehole in Gatsibo district, Eastern Province, Rwanda, on April 11, 2022. [Photo by Huang Wanqing/Xinhua] 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." (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter Based on AAA booking data, Seattle is the top destination for Labor Day weekend, showing an increase of nearly 30% from last year when it also ranked first. Anchorage and Juneau have also made it into the top ten Labor Day destinations, driven by strong consumer demand for Alaska cruises in late summer. "This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise," said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. "There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It's no surprise Alaska cruises are sold out this Labor Day weekend." AAA reports that overall domestic travel for Labor Day weekend is up by 9% compared to last year, while the cost of domestic travel has decreased by 2%. Other popular Labor Day destinations include Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco. For many families, Labor Day marks the final getaway before school starts. To maximize their trips, AAA suggests identifying must-see attractions and creating a flexible itinerary in advance. "Trip Canvas is a great free resource for travelers in the planning phase," said Twidale. "You can find free activities in Denver or the best museums in New York City." Travelers planning road trips should anticipate paying less for gas compared to last year. The national average for Labor Day weekend in 2023 was $3.81, and in recent weeks, gas prices have remained stable around $3.50. Despite the continued popularity of summer road trips, overall gas demand has declined as post-pandemic driving habits have changed, preventing a spike in gas prices. However, hurricanes affecting the Gulf region and its refineries could lead to an increase in gas prices as the peak season approaches in September. For those driving electric vehicles on road trips, AAA now provides weekly updates on the cost of Level 2 commercial EV charging. International travel over Labor Day weekend has decreased by 4% compared to last year, according to AAA booking data, while the cost of international travel has increased by 11%. The majority of these travelers are heading to Europe, with eight out of the top ten international destinations being European cities. Travelers planning to rent a car abroad should consider obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates their driver's license information into 10 languages. Some countries, including Italy and Spain, require it. Sign Up Free | The WPJ Weekly Newsletter Relevant real estate news. Actionable market intelligence. Right to your inbox every week. Go Thank you for your interest! You will now be receiving our Weekly Real Estate Newsletter. The long wait for Osiel Cardenas Guillen is over. The 57-year-old drug trafficker, a historical leader of the Gulf Cartel and a key figure in the rise of Los Zetas to the top leagues of the criminal world, was released this Friday after serving a 21-year prison sentence, according to the U.S. authorities. He was released into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a spokesperson for the U.S. prison service cited by the news agency Reuters, which said that it is not clear if Cardenas will be deported to Mexico, where he has outstanding charges, or remain on U.S. soil. Also known as El Ingeniero (The Engineer) or El Mata Amigos (The Friend Killer), Washington accused him of commandeering a vast criminal empire that moved tons of marijuana and cocaine, made millions in profits and sowed terror on both sides of the border during the 2000s. Cardenas Guillen was captured in March 2003 in the middle of a shootout that rained fire for hours in the border city of Matamoros (in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas), his hometown and main base of operations. He had been at the head of the Gulf Cartel for at least five years, which has historically dominated the drug routes that enter through southern Texas. The origins of the organization date back to the years of prohibition and the whiskey trade in the 1930s, but its presence surged after it sealed a protection pact with law enforcement in Mexico and an alliance with the Cali Cartel of Colombia in the late 1990s. The Mexican press claims that Cardenas Guillen earned the nickname El Mata Amigos for being behind the murder of Salvador Gomez Herrera, one of his closest allies and former head of the criminal organization. The engineer started from the bottom: he first worked for the federal police, training dogs to detect drugs, until he rose through the ranks of the criminal group as one of its top lieutenants. At the time of his downfall he was considered the most powerful drug lord in Mexico, with more than 300 men in charge of his security. A lot was already happening with him, declared General Clemente Vega, Secretary of National Defense, when he confirmed the arrest, which took place more than two years before the start of the war on drugs that has left hundreds of thousands dead in the last two decades in Mexico. The boss spent four years in the maximum security prison of Almoloya de Juarez (State of Mexico), the same prison from which Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped in 2015. Despite being behind bars, he remained at the head of the cartel through his lawyers. The State of Tamaulipas, his main fiefdom, was one of the most coveted territories by rival cartels due to its proximity to the United States and its 370-kilometer border with Texas. That was what led him to recruit a group of special forces soldiers as hitmen in the late 1990s: Los Zetas, who burst into Mexicos criminal geopolitics as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel. Cardenas Guillen was considered a particularly violent criminal boss, who ruled the cartel with an iron fist. The United States also accused him of the attempted kidnapping and murder of a DEA agent in 1999, of an undercover FBI agent who was caught by his men, and of threatening a Texas agent who prevented the arrival of almost a ton of marijuana. The boss also had a knack for business and money laundering, as he commanded a large drug distribution network that extended to large cities such as Houston and Atlanta. During the boom years, he brought in between four and six tons of cocaine each month. He earned $41 million in a three-and-a-half-month period in the Atlanta metropolitan area alone. The White House had already had him in its sights since the early 1990s, but it did not formally charge him until 2000. It would be another seven years before his extradition to Texas. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to five charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and assaulting a federal agent. The judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison, four of which he served in Mexico and 21 in various U.S. prisons, as well as a fine of $50 million. His last stop was the Terre Haute penitentiary in Indiana, where he was transferred in 2020. In Mexico, the alliance between the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, who introduced martial structure and discipline to their old allies, broke down the same year he was sentenced. The break came after several years of tensions, sparked by the murder of Ezequiel Cardenas alias Tony Tormenta, his brother, accusations of treason and the rise of the Zetas, who became one of the most powerful actors in the early years of Felipe Calderons presidency (2006-2012) and the war on drugs. The payment of the multimillion-dollar fine was an act of poetic justice, in the words of the U.S. authorities. Just over $29 million went to 12 Texas police corporations that worked for more than 10 years to see him fall. Each police chief posed in 2012 with a giant check, in sums ranging from $1.1 to $5.9 million. Cardenas Guillen concealed mountains of cash in basements and other hiding places: the U.S. justice system made at least 10 separate seizures during the investigations, the largest for $4.5 million. Juan Jesus Guerrero Chapa, known as the drug worlds lawyer and a key figure in the management of his finances, was murdered in 2013 outside a Texas shopping center, in revenge after it was leaked that he had collaborated with the United States. The noose around El Ingenieros inner circle has tightened since his arrest, including against his family. Osiel Cardenas Jr., his son, pleaded guilty to arms trafficking in 2022 and was sentenced last year to nine years in prison. Rafael Cardenas, his nephew, was sentenced to 20 years for drug trafficking and money laundering in 2014. Jose Alfredo Cardenas El Contador, his nephew and alleged leader of the Gulf Cartel, was arrested in 2022 upon leaving an amusement park in Mexico City. After multiple delays, a judge gave the green light to his extradition this month, although it still needs to be approved by the Mexican Foreign Ministry. Two of El Contadors sons, Alan Alexis and Axel Alfredo Cardenas, were accused of kidnapping four US citizens in Matamoros last year. In the next few hours it will be decided whether Cardenas Guillen remains in the United States or is deported to Mexico, where he has several judicial proceedings and arrest warrants in force. In February he obtained an injunction to avoid being arrested for arms trafficking in a case that dates back to 2003. Having served his term on U.S. soil, all eyes are on his pending accounts south of the border. Bill Shorten addressing Department of Social Services senior staff [Photo: Bill Shorten] Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses Labor government last week joined hands with the right-wing parties, including the Liberal-National Coalition, to ram through legislation explicitly designed to cut projected spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by $60 billion over the next decade. The NDIS is based on a voucher scheme, creating a market. Participants who qualify receive a set amount of money to purchase various support services. Corporate entities compete with public and community-run services for the business of providing these services. At present, the NDIS covers 661,000 participants, only a fraction of the estimated 5.5 million people in Australia with a disability. The governments aim is to reduce that number substantially, first of all by cutting off 60,000 children with autism or developmental delays. The NDIS cuts are the spearhead of a wider assault on social spending, deepening cuts to public health, education and housing already begun in Labors first three budgets since scraping into office in 2022. In an interview with the WSWS, Advocacy for Inclusion acting CEO Craig Wallace began by explaining the devastating impact the new laws will have on disabled people. Many face being removed from the scheme, having their support programs cut or being hit with debt notices for allegedly exceeding authorised spending. A piece of legislation has been passed that changes the entire scope of the scheme, Wallace said. It was intended as an entitlement-based scheme but the changes go back to meaning that the agency [the National Disability Insurance Agency, or NDIA] decides what kinds of support people can receive, and they have to undergo assessments based on impairment, not their circumstances. Craig Wallace [Photo: CraigWtweets] The changes raise concerns people may also be issued with Robodebt-style debts for allegedly spending money on unauthorised supports, he added. That was a reference to the previous Coalition governments automated Robodebt scheme, which illegally claimed nearly $2 billion from at least 433,000 welfare recipients, shattering lives and causing suicides in an effort to slice billions of dollars off the welfare budget. Wallace expanded on his concerns about the debt recovery powers of the NDIA. We had this from Centrelink in the Robodebt scheme. The list of prescribed supports is so confusing that it will be a lawyers picnic for years. People will get caught up by making mistakes about what they can claim. We have already seen debts levied against NDIS participants. (A day after the interview, a NDIA spokesperson told the Australian that it had sent debt collection notices for a total of $26 million to 336 participants in the 12 months to July 2024. Among them was 27-year-old Hannah Friebel, who took her own life after receiving a NDIA debt recovery notice of nearly $30,000.) Wallace said he was most worried by the highly prescriptive list of supports that could be funded. It excluded a whole host of health supports, including anything that is not highly specialised, such as electrical generators and batteries that people use to charge their wheelchairs or keep ventilators going, and general appliances like smart whitegoods. People cant buy their own smart whitegoods and furniture that double as a disability appliance, he explained. They have to go to registered providers. It forces people into a parallel world We need to keep people with high needs out of residential homes, in which there is a toxic atmosphere. We all know about the poor conditions in aged care facilities, but it is just as important to stop young people from being forced into congregated living. Wallace said the changes were rolling the clock back to the old system. People were to be shunted onto foundational supports that were supposed to be provided by state and territory governments. The states and territories have to step up for the losers in this scheme, but they are not ready and willing to do so, he said. The states have certainly not done things in schools and hospitals that could enable people to thrive. For that you also need accessible buildings and facilities as well as preventative programs. Wallace said the Labor government had engaged in a quick and dirty process to push through the changes, with faux consultation with disability organisations, under pressure from right-wing populist media. Wallace said he and other disability advocates and organisations were opposed to the fact that the Labor government had implemented only 13 of the 222 recommendations from a four-year Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and also brushed aside hundreds of submissions made to a NDIS review and two parliamentary committee inquiries. I am angry because it was like the government set out with a destination already in mind. We made hosts of submissions. We told them about dodgy providers and price-gouging. We said the problems lie with providers exploiting the system, not primarily the clients. All the organisations were saying this, but it was like a fake consultation. We all said it was the wrong way to go to blame the clients, but the government just went ahead and cooked up deals with the Liberals to get the law through. In many ways, they have gone further than the things that the Liberals tried to do under Stuart Robert (the then NDIS minister). Along with harsher debt recovery and prescriptive lists of supports, those measures included agency assessments rather than the Liberals proposed independent assessments. Under Labor, plans in the desk drawer were dusted off. Wallace condemned the populist media campaigns directed against NDIS recipients, such as complaints that they were accessing sexual services, when these were a handful of cases around Australia. Recipients were also denounced for taking holidays, when that was part of normal life and the difference between respite and holidays is thin. Asked about the role of NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, who claims that the cuts are necessary to save the NDISwhich he helped devise under the Gillard Labor government in 201213by making it sustainable, Wallace commented: Many people are disappointed with where Shorten finds himself. I think the creation of the NDIS under Gillard was well-intentioned but people are now struggling to understand what the agenda is. Asked about the privatisation of services through the NDIS scheme from the outset, Wallace said large corporate providers had vested interests in the NDIS, and profited from it, as well as in block state funding for services, so there were capitalists at either end of the spectrum and they were there before the NDIS. Wallace commented that the NDIS cuts showed the priorities of governments, including the Labor government. People can judge for themselves when they pour money into nuclear submarines or tax breaks for the high-income brackets, instead of accessible and affordable housing. Governments do not seem to want to reform society to make it more inclusive. For example, there is the threat of COVID. Some people, including myself, cannot go anywhere or do anything because of the danger of being infected. People are getting ill and dying every day due to COVID. Wallace concluded: Some people thought Labor would be better on these things, but they are not. They would have expected a more positive approach. We feel abandoned on multiple levels by governments of all persuasions. They have ignored the Disability Royal Commission, slashed the NDIS and left us behind in an ongoing health crisis. I feel like we are living in a social Darwinist society. Governments spent $579 million on the disability royal commission but only accepted 13 recommendations. That money could have provided a part-time disability integration assistant for every school in Australia for one year. As the Socialist Equality Party has insisted, high quality and freely accessible care and services must be a basic social right, along with the right to public education and healthcare, for all people, including those with disabilities, but this is incompatible with the capitalist profit system. Ilan Pappe is an internationally renowned Israeli historian. Formerly a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Haifa, he is now professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Exeter. Ilan Pappe [Photo: Fjmustak] Pappe has written more than 20 books on the history of Palestine and the State of Israel, including the seminal work, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine (2006), which makes clear that the driving out of 700,000 Palestinians and the seizure of their land during the founding of Israel in 1947-48 was a deliberate Zionist policy. His latest work, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic (2024), examines how pro-Israel lobbies convinced British and American policymakers to condone Israels flagrant breaches of international law, grant Israel unprecedented military aid and deny Palestinians rights, while subjecting anyone who questioned unconditional support for Israel to relentless smear campaigns. Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic Pappe is a longtime political activist and defender of the Palestinians, including standing for the Knesset twice, in 1996 and 1999, for Hadash, the Communist Party-led electoral front. He has been repeatedly attacked by Zionist and state forces for his political views and historical work, being questioned at Detroit airport for two hours by the Department of Homeland Security in May. Pappe spoke to Chris Marsden, the National Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (UK). Chris Marsden: If I may, Id like to begin with your detention at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Could you explain what happened? Ilan Pappe: I was taken aside by agents that I only later learned were from Homeland Security. At first I thought they were FBI. And they detained me for about two-and-a-half hours, asking mainly political questions. They also took my phone and copied everything that was on it. They refused to tell me why I had to go through this procedure. They just produced all kinds of documents that showed that they had the right to do what they were doing. Some of the questions I refused to answer. But these were very weird questions for even Homeland Security people. I mean, there were some questions which I was very vague about, but I can understand at least where theyre coming from. Like, Who do you know in the United States?, Who invited you?, What is your connection to the Arab and Muslim communities, in the United States in general and in Michigan? Which I didnt like and I thought it was outrageous, but at least I understood where it came from. And then there were these questions such as How do you define the Israeli actions in Gaza?, Do you believe in the slogan, Palestine should be free from the river to the sea? and that kind of question, most of which I refused to answer. I politely invited them to my talks, because I said Im beginning a series of talks in the United States, and Im sure that many of the questions you ask will be answered! So this was harassment for two-and-a-half hours. They were not particularly impolite, but Im going to the States again at the end of this month and I have no idea whether this is going to be repeatedbecome standard practicebut Ill be better prepared this timeIve already lined up some lawyersjust to make sure that this time Im not totally defenceless as I was then. Im a professor of history. OK, Im an activist and so on. But everything I do is so open. Im an open book, you know. Its not as if Im involved in any clandestine activity. All they had to do was open my YouTube or read one of my 20 books. Thats why I think it was just an intimidation, just, Think twice whether you want to go through this again. Chris Marsden: Theyre also pushing an envelope here, arent they? It was not long between you being questioned at the airport and the FBI raiding Scott Ritters home. Ilan Pappe: Exactly. I agree with this, also, on one level, its encouraging. Ill tell you why. Because I think that the pro-Israeli lobby, which I think is the main body behind these kinds of behaviours or attitudes, does not have a total grip anymore on civil society and the universities and so onon alternative media. And so they are escalating their repressive actions. Its a battle not just between people of power against people who are powerless. Its a moral battle that they have very little to bring onto the battle. This is also an indication of a certain success of changing public opinion on Israel and Palestine, even making it an electoral issue, which, if you told me 20 years ago that support for Palestine could be an electoral issue in any American political party, I wouldnt think it would be possible. Chris Marsden: I cant think of an issue in which the opinion in ruling circles has been so out of step and hostile to the views of the broad mass of the worlds population as the genocide in Gaza since 2003 and the Iraq war. And it means they have to rely increasingly on slander campaigns and repression. Are you aware of what happened to the journalist Richard Medhurst at Heathrow? His treatment was horrendous. Detained and questioned for almost 24 hours. They did it earlier to Craig Murray as well. But youre a historian and your treatment is of immense significance. You are very respected in your field. Youve undertaken decades of examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the history of the State of Israel, the Palestine question. History is now a battlefield and the question is when they will begin book burning. Ilan Pappe: There was a funny moment when one of the Homeland Security Officers wanted to tell me what he thought were the historical roots of the conflict and I said, Stop! Im not telling you how to run the security of the United States. Dont teach me about history. That would be the final indignity. But youre right. I agree with this assessment. The gap between civil society, including the global North and even the United States, the gap between what position people think everybody should take towards the genocide, on the one hand, and the policies the governments are pursuing, on the other hand, the gap is so wide and so illogical. That the only way to narrow it is by force and intimidation. I was in France between the two rounds of the elections. Opposition to the Gaza genocide is a cement that kept this amazing alliance of the left together and to overcome, you know, some other issues that may have in the past fragmented the left. It was not the only reason, of course, Im not deluding myself, but it was very, very important. Palestinians inspect the damage at a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 13, 2024 [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi] Because for the left in France, all its kinds of factions and parties, the attitude of the French government and of Europe as a whole towards the genocide in Palestine was indicative of the attitude towards poverty, immigration, social justice, and so on. That was the power of the left that I hope we will regain, to see these connections, to link them together, to understand that these are not atomized problems, that they emanate from a certain worldview, from a certain definition of what politics is, what political elites shouldnt do. Chris Marsden: But in France youve got the New Popular Front [NFP] in which Jean-Luc Melenchon of France Unbowed, who has made supportive comments and statements with regards to the Palestinians, formed an electoral coalition with the Socialist Party, which is a vehicle for Raphael Glucksmann, Olivier Faure, and which is pro-Zionist. And this is the actual position taken by the NFP. And the manoeuvre now by President Macron is to say to the Socialist Party and the Communist Party: ditch Melenchon and then you may have a governmental role to play. Ilan Pappe: Yeah, its a fight for the definition of politics, I think. And Palestine is such a fundamental part of this discussion. Chris Marsden: You were bracketed with the New Historians, and that was a catch-all. I dont think youre any longer to be bracketed with Benny Morris! I know something about your background, and I know that youre the son of German Jews who fled Hitlerite fascism. But how did your interest, an abiding interest and a really serious interest, in the Palestinian question develop? Ilan Pappe: It was a journey. It didnt happen in a day. It started with a very early love for history, as a teenager. Whenever people ask me what gifts I wanted for my birthday, it was always history books and so it came naturally to me when I thought of an academic career that history would be the main interest. And it was quite logical to be interested in your own history. By itself, that takes you out of tribal boundaries. But I think that the fact that I was born and lived in a city such as Haifa, which is relatively, without romanticising it, a bit more open about Arab-Jewish relationships, also had its impact. Because of the requirements for a successful academic career, even in Israel, its good to complete your studies outside of the country in a good university. I made the conscious decision that I would like to work with an Arab supervisor, to see things from the other side. And my years in studying for the doctoral dissertation meant I was exposed to suppressed information, because of the topic I chose and without knowing beforehand this was going to happen. But I chose the topic 1948. [Pappe studied history at Oxford, completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1984 under the supervision of historians Albert Hourani, of Lebanese descent, and Roger Owen. Both specialised in the history of the Middle East. Pappes doctoral thesis became his first book, Britain and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.] Britain and the Arab-israeli Conflict 1948-51 This was at a time when very important documents were declassified in many parts of the world, including many in Israel thirty years after its founding. And what I saw there challenged everything I knew, or I thought I knew, about 1948 and beyond. And the fact that I shared this journey into the past with an Arab supervisor and then with a lot of Palestinian friends who otherwise I would not have met in Israel itself, began the most serious part of the journey. Its not a moment of Epiphany, where you wake up and suddenly you are on the other side of the Rubicon. It takes time. But there is a moment where you feel that you know enough and you understand enough and you have heard enough to challenge fundamentally the narrative of your own society, of your own state. You understand the cowardice or conformist nature of your academic colleagues, of a community to which you once belonged. And its at one point that you understand you have a choice. You can either leave the topic, or the country, or try to challenge it and understand that this is not going to be received very well. And theres a moment where you are at peace with yourself. You know, youre OK with yourself. Youre OK with what you have done. And you dont look back anymore. Chris Marsden: When you first accessed the archives demonstrating that ethnic cleansing was a deliberate policy of the Zionist elite, how did you proceed from there? Ilan Pappe: You have to understand the evidence I saw. The documents are not evasive. Its not ambivalent, really. You dont need to be very learned person. You need some Hebrew. A friend of mine says that Israelis treat Hebrew as if its a secret language and therefore they can write and do things and say things in Hebrew that nobody in the world will ever understand and then they can say the opposite in English! Also, I began my study because I was already doing a doctorate dissertation outside of Israel. I began to gather some information from Palestinians. And I was very surprised that they said, Yes, of course, we know because we are the victims of this. They said, We didnt know what youre telling us, that this was all planned, but we saw the manifestation of the policy. It began to add up. I was very naive at the beginning when I came back from my doctorate, when I received my doctorate in 1984 and came back to Israel, and I really believed that all I would have to do is just tell the Israelis, especially the younger ones, what happened. And when you understand what really happened that should change our whole attitude towards the current situation. But I was shocked to learn that the narrative that I brought back with me was not challenged as a lie, or a fabrication. It was dismissed because it does not serve the State of Israel. And I said, why should I, as an academic, serve the State of Israel? I should say the truth of what I know. Isnt that what academics are supposed to do? And I learned my lesson. This is not how the world works. There was a loss of naivete, of waking up to realities, understanding the price that might be attached to such a journey. But of course I have to say all along I didnt remain in the ivory towers of the academia and, from very early on, after I arrived from England in 1984, I understood this is not just a debate between me and Israeli academics. This is a debate between me and the Israeli Jewish society, and therefore, alongside my academic career, I have to be an activist. And I tried all kinds of activism. I joined the Communist Party. I was a candidate for the Knesset. Then I thought that politics from above in Israel was not for me and not very effective. So I joined the civil society where I was much more consensual, did not belong to one particular political party. And Im still all the time trying to combine activism and academic research. I dont think one can separate them. And for the benefit of the struggle for justice, where you can combine them both its very powerful. That also alienates you from the academic world because its bad enough that youre questioning the hegemonic narrative. Its even worse when you say that academics are also political. People dont like to hear that. They think about themselves as objective scientists. You get accused. There was this amazing attack in the Literary Review in Britain, with Auberon Waugh saying Im a Nazi, a postmodernist and a communist! I would say that academic courage is an oxymoron. Academics find it very difficult to risk their own career. Chris Marsden: At the time you were researching 1948, you were still a Zionist? Ilan Pappe: Yeah, definitely. In my first book, which was my PhD in 1984, I did not connect the Israeli policies to the ideology of Zionism. And its only when I began to write my book on ethnic cleansing, which I started writing in 2000 against the background of the Second Intifada, thats when I began such an examination. I was in very good intellectual connection with the emerging scholars of settler colonialism in Australia, the late Patrick Wolf, and Lorenzo Veracini, and I began to see the connection. I also had a very close relationship with the late Edward Said. I began to understand the connection between the Zionist ideology, the massacres and ethnic cleansing that occurred after 1948, the Israeli behaviour towards the occupied Palestinians after 1967, and so on. That also influenced my activism. But first I had to be personally persuaded as a scholar that Zionism was the problem, not policy. The photo shows Palestinian refugees making their way from Galilee in October-November 1948. It was the front cover image of The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem by Benny Morris, Cambridge University Press 1989. [Photo: Fred Csasznik] Israeli tanks advancing on the Golan Heights during the Six Day War, June 1967 [Photo by Government Press Office (Israel) / CC BY-SA 4.0 Chris Marsden: Did you examine the actual genesis of the Zionist movement in Europe? Ilan Pappe: Yeah, and it was really interesting. Because after I wrote The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, in which I do connect Zionist ideology to the ethnic cleansing, I was commissioned by the Cambridge University Press to write a book about what they suggested was the history of Israel and Palestine. The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine I said, Im not going to write the history of Israel and Palestine because the series to which you want me to add this book is a series on the history of countries, not of states. I said the state is called Israel, and I dont deny it, but the country is not Israel. The country is Palestine. I said Im willing to write the history of modern Palestine. It was 65 years of Israels existence as well. They did allow me to write the book, but then they commissioned a book called A History of Modern Israel. So they decided that both what they would call the Zionist narrative and the Palestinian narrative should be represented. A History of Modern Palestine I now understand much better the whole story of Zionism after I finished the book I just published, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic. I was surprised how little I knew of many things that connected Zionism to political economy, to world politics; not the simple story of people having an idea and having the power to implement it. Its far more complicated. What Zionism was supposed to solve for different groups of people, different states, different actors. These are fundamental ideologies that change the life of people. Its not that easy to unpack them. Chris Marsden: All political ideologies and tendencies have a social base. Ilan Pappe: Exactly. Thats why when I apologise to people and say my last book is the longest Ive ever written, 500 pages, its because you have as an historian to follow the development of these ideologies. The ideology cannot be separated from its historical dynamism, the way it changes over time, which is true about any ism, not just Zionism. Chris Marsden: Then you have to work out which social forces, what class, is represented. But the cultivation of the Zionist movement by the major powers in Europe was because it was conceived of as hostile to the Enlightenment, and integration, but above all it was hostile to the socialist movement. Ilan Pappe: Exactly, you know, for example, I knew but Ive never examined this as an historian, how supportive the Labour Party in Britain very early on was of Zionism. Partly from misguided ideas about it. Partly because, contrary to what people remember of the Atlee government, it played a very hawkish role in the Cold War. All kinds of things that I think you need to patiently go through and look at the facts, and then have a much better picture. You dont learn everything from history, but I think it does tell you a lot about the present realities and the foundations are there. Chris Marsden: I must send you this. We put out a series of lectures by David North, who is the chair of the World Socialist Web Site editorial board, The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide. It places Zionism in the context of the fundamental struggle in Europe at the time between the emerging socialist movement and the defenders of capitalist orthodoxy and the nation state system. One of the points I found strongest about your book, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, was that you took a sober and correct approach to the role played by the Soviet Union under Stalin, including the arming of the Zionists. When did you become aware of this? Ilan Pappe: Well, it was not easy to become aware of this because I found it out when I was still a member of the Communist Party. I was made aware of it by talking to one of the leaders at the time, Meir Vilner, who has passed away. Meir Vilner in 1951 [Photo: This is available from National Photo Collection of Israel, Photography dept. Government Press Office (link), under the digital ID D713-046.] It began by me asking him why did he sign the Israeli Declaration of Independence? And he said, well, we believed in the right of the two national movements to have a state. But of course, he said, without discriminating against the Palestinian citizens. And then I understood that because of the loyalty at the time of the Communist Party to Stalinism and the Soviet model, they were willing to use their contacts to bring weapons to the emerging Jewish state. So it was through conversations. There was also some documentation in the Israeli archives about it. And it seemed to be quite known to a lot of people who lived at that period, but wasnt spoken of. And yeah, it was also difficult because, you know, talking to people who were from that period they denied it. The Palestinian members of the party are very angry when this issue is brought up. Im glad a lot of Palestinian historians took it over to deal with it, because its not so much the moral dilemma of the Jewish members of the Communist Party, its the moral dilemma of the Palestinian members of the Communist Party, who were part of this. Chris Marsden: The role of the Communist Party at that time was despicable, including splitting the party in two and having members killing each other. Ilan Pappe: I think one day someone will write a good book about the Communist parties in the Arab world. The people in the West think that they understand them, as if they are just sort of models like the European ones. Theyre not. Its a far more complex story. The story of the Jews who led the Communist parties in Iraq and Egypt is incredible. In the 1930s, before Zionism is trying to destroy them. Its a far more authentic local version of communism. I always say the best way to try to indicate how complex it is is that when I was a member, during Ramadan, our communist members were fasting. Chris Marsden: In an article I read, you raised that the Zionist left was in limbo, a good term but I would say rather in a state of intellectual, political and moral collapse. Ilan Pappe: Yeah, yeah, definitely. And its a long process and it didnt happen yesterday. This whole idea that you can reconcile universal values with the settler colonial ideology. I mean, with all the juggling of words and the squaring the circle, it doesnt work. And usually youre aware it doesnt work in the moments when you expect some sort of humanity or universal values to trump other national ideological values. And always in these moments, like now in the genocide, they push aside the universal values. Theyre very angry with what they call the global left for not allowing them to determine what should be the moral position towards what happened on October 7 and afterwards. If you read their angry articles, they are published mostly in Hebrew, day after day, saying that the left in the world doesnt understand that it should have condemned October 7 without any context. And it should understand the right of Israel to do what it does in in Gaza. Of course, they say Israel should not feed the violence and so on. But its like they live on another planet, you know, not understanding that this left that theyre talking about has been trying to tell them for more than two or three decades, You cannot be a Zionist, a leftist Zionist, just as you cannot be a progressive ethnic cleanser. And you cannot be a leftist genocider, and you cannot be a socialist occupier. What matters is that you are an occupier, an ethnic cleanser or a genocider, thats what matters. And if you are one of those things then youre not part of the left. Chris Marsden: That was played out on a mass scale in the anti-Netanyahu protests, which were massive, but they never challenged the occupation and the oppression of the Palestinians. And they allowed leading Zionists, the supposed anti-Netanyahu opposition, to lead themthe same elements that are now in government with him and supporting genocide. Israelis protest against the government's plans to overhaul the country's legal system, in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 14, 2023. [AP Photo/Oded Balilty] Ilan Pappe: Thats what Im saying. It was before the 7th of October, but they were unwilling to see the tragic situation that begins with the idea of imposing a European-settled state on the Arab world, in the midst of the Arab world, in the midst of the Muslim world. OK, not everything can be rectified. You cannot turn the clock backwards for sure. Thats fine. And theres already a third generation of settlers and everybody, most of the Palestinians and most of the people in the Arab world, accept it, say, OK, youre here. But you cannot be here as a super military Sparta that alienates and endangers the region as a whole and most importantly, continues by force to oppress the colonised people. Not in the 21st century. This is not going to work. It doesnt matter how many nuclear bombs you have, you know, and how strong your connection with American imperialism is. Its not going to work and you got the taste that its not going to work from the smallest guerilla force in history that already nearly brought you down. You would have hoped that this was something of a wake-up call. But theres no indication that there was a wake-up call. Chris Marsden: Netanyahus calculations are not based on popular public opinion, but on the fact that Israel is backed by US imperialism, British imperialism, French imperialism. And that they also confront these absolutely filthy Arab regimes, who are oppressing their own peoples, and that the normalisation of relations continues. Ilan Pappe: Yeah, definitely. Thats a big question. You know, how far can it go? So 40,000 Palestinians are dead, and this is not enough to wake up the powers that be. But it has changed the public opinion and the civil societies action. The student encampments are a new phenomenon in the case of Palestine. And Im sure well see next year, even more, the galvanising of a united solidarity movement. So we should never lose hope. As you rightly say, its a fundamental issue not just for the sake of the Palestinians but for the sake of us as a human society. We cant take a deterministic view about this and say lets reconcile with it. Were not. We do all we can to change it. Chris Marsden: Your initial position was support for a two-state solution. I know that you now support a unitary state. Ilan Pappe: That went hand-in-hand with my realisation that Zionist ideology is an obstacle for any kind of genuine reconciliation. And the moment you realise it, the idea that it would be good enough to have a Zionist state just over part of Palestine instead of having it all over Palestine, is not a solution. If you want to decolonize you dont de-Zionise just part of the country. It wasnt easy to do this move because I had these very good, influential friends who were really admired, Noam Chomsky and Norman Finkelstein, who, as you know, are still today advocates of the two-state solution. With the argument that this is what international law suggests and it has the best chance of being implemented. Im strong enough intellectually today to disagree with them. But you know, it wasnt easy, because theyre powers to reckon with. Chris Marsden: When did you transition to this viewpoint? Ilan Pappe: I think after I published my book on ethnic cleansing. I saw the structure and not just the event, you know. And in 2010, I wrote this book with Noam, On Palestine, in which we argue about how this can be fixed. You learn so much by arguing with him because he knows so much. But I was happy that, after the dialogue with him, I was even more convinced Im right. On Palestine You meet some of your idols, almost, and then you are not following everything they say. Its a very good thing for everyone. I say it also to my students. Do argue, do put the counterpoint. None of us is perfect and its good to challenge us and maybe get even better ideas of how to move forward. Chris Marsden: I dont know how much you know about the World Socialist Web Site, but its published by the International Committee of the Fourth International. We are a Trotskyist publication. And our position was to oppose the setting up of the State of Israel. An early statement that was published in 1948, Against the Stream, insisted that partition was not meant to solve Jewish misery, nor was it ever likely to do so. It insists, The Hebrew state may well turn out, as Trotsky said, a bloody trap. For hundreds of thousands of Jews. It said it was utopian to believe that harmonious development within an isolated and closed economy in the midst of a capitalist world is possible. Without the expansion of the economy, millions of Jewish immigrants could not be absorbed to a Jewish state that could not exist amid the open hostility of tens of millions of Arabs, or that antisemitism could be eradicated simply granting nationality to the Jews, ignoring its social, historical and ideological roots. And it was reactionary because Zionism serves as a support for imperialist domination, including by dividing Jews and the Arabs and encouraging nationalism on both sides. The Fourth Internationals call was for a United Socialist States of the Middle East. Ilan Pappe: Very prophetic. Chris Marsden: I admire the fact that you dont accept that this situation is inevitable: youre fighting to change it, youve dedicated your life to changing it. Your position is for a unitary state. But how can that in-and-of-itself be an answer, given the fact that, throughout the Middle East, you see regimes which have achieved unitary states of sorts, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc? These Arab regimes are filthy despotic governments who are hostile to their own people and are more interested in preserving relations with US imperialism and its Zionist attack dog than they are with the suffering of the Palestinian people. Our position is for the unified mobilisation of the working class of the region to resolve these questions. You have raised comparisons with the anti-apartheid struggle, but if you look at the government in South Africa its pretty disgusting and presides over huge inequality. Ilan Pappe: Just very quickly to respond to this. First of all, I think one of the reasons the Arab regimes dont want a democratic, secular state in Palestine is exactly their realisation that such a state can have an immense influence on the future of their own regimes. I think you have to start somewhere. Waiting for a coordinated revolution in the whole region is very fine, but I dont think its very easy to achieve and I think its good to start somewhere. And the second point I would like to make is that the Middle East has socioeconomic problems, and youre absolutely right about the unified action of working class people. But I think the left sometimes misunderstands the importance of group identities for people like the Azeris, the Alawites and so on. They can be very good communists and they can be very great believers in social equality and the working class. But their collective identities are still important to them and will be important to them. So in order to make this revolution successful, all these affiliations also have to be taken into account. But as I say, its not fair for me to give this as a sound bite. This is really something that demands a more profound response because it is very important. And we saw what happened when the left left a void behind it in the 60s and the 70s, giving up to authoritarian regimes. You saw who filled the void. Political Islamic groups representing, in some cases, the working class much better than the bourgeois left. Yes, we need a soul searching, analysis, and it has to be done here in the Middle East, not in London, for finding a new and enhanced role for the left, both for the sake of Palestine and, youre absolutely right, for the sake of the region as a whole. But I think our main starting point is that if you want to discuss human rights violations and workers rights violations and civil rights violation in the Arab world, you cannot exempt Israel from this discussion. And I think thats not a bad starting point for a discussion that connects the predicaments of the Arab world, social ones, economic ones. British human rights activist and reporter Sarah Wilkinson was arrested by UK police on Thursday morning, and subsequently released, allegedly for content she published online in support of Palestine and against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Sarah Wilkinson [Photo: X] The social media account Suppressed News quoted Jack Wilkinson, her brother, as saying, The police came to her house just before 7.30am. [Twelve] of them in total, some of them in plain clothes from the counter-terrorism police. They said she was under arrest for content that she has posted online. Her house is being raided, and they have seized all her electronic devices. MENA Uncensored, a media company recognized by Lebanons Ministry of Information for whom Wilkinson is a contributor and roving reporter, said that she was detained for supporting the Palestinian resistance and relaying what is really happening in Gaza and the West Bank to the world. The publisher said the UK government alleges that Wilkinson supports terrorism. MENA Uncensored also published on its X account a copy of a letter it issued last April spelling out the role of Wilkinson as a reporter assigned to cover the unfolding crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Gaza, including accompanying the Freedom Flotilla aimed at breaking the maritime siege imposed on Gaza. Later in the afternoon, MENA Uncensored reported that Wilkinson had been released on bail and is back to the comfort of her home. The UK police have not released any official statements on her arrest and detention. The co-founder of Palestine Action Richard Barnard was the same day charged with three offences for comments made in two speeches. He is accused of supporting a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act (2000), and encouraging criminal activity. Barnard is to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on September 18 for a plea hearing. Barnard was first arrested on suspicion of the charges in November 2023. The Canary reported of his case this week, This was four days before he was due to begin trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court as part of the Elbit Eight. During that trial, the state accused him of several offences. The court acquitted him of 3 of them, including a charge of encouraging criminal damage. Authorities previously stopped him under Schedule 7 counter-terrorism powers in November 2020 alongside fellow activist Huda Ammori. The arrests of Sarah Wilkinson and Barnard follow by two weeks the apprehension of independent Syrian-British journalist Richard Medhurst under the provisions of Section 12 of the Terrorism Act of 2000. Police arrested Medhurst at Londons Heathrow Airport as he exited from his airplane, detained and questioned him for 24 hours and confiscated his electronic devices and journalistic equipment. The arrests also follow by less than a week the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov by the French government in Paris on 12 different charges, including refusing to share information or documents with investigators when required by law and complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group. Telegram has emerged from the start of the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine as a source of information about the conflict that is unfiltered by NATO and Ukrainian media. Like the arrest of Medhurst, the detention of Wilkinson is part of the escalation by the British ruling class against left-wing journalists and outspoken opponents of the US-backed Israeli campaign of extermination of Palestinians in Gaza. Fearful of growing public opposition to war and the Gaza genocide, the imperialist ruling elites around the world are attacking basic democratic rights such as freedom of the press in a desperate attempt to control the narrative and stop information about what is actually happening in Gaza and Ukraine from reaching the public. The arrest of journalists by the UK Labour government of Keir Starmer is taking place while the US Biden-Harris White House is leading a crackdown against student protesters on college campuses demanding an end to the war and genocide. These developments show that the threat to democracy comes from all factions of the ruling class Sarah Wilkinson, 61, has been an outspoken opponent of Zionism for decades. She has courageously reported from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international initiative that collected and is attempting to deliver hundreds of tons humanitarian aid directly to Palestinians. The flotilla has been repeatedly blocked from making its way to Gaza due to interference by the Israeli government and its imperialist supporters. A review of Wilkinsons posts on X shows that she has been reporting on the horrific impact of Israels onslaught on Palestinian men, women and children. The volume of material that she has been posting from numerous sources within Gaza provides graphic proof of the war crimes being committed daily. For example, on August 28, one day before she was arrested, Wilkinson posted 43 photos and videos showing mainly casualties and deaths of children in Gaza. In many cases, the posts show the impact of Israeli airstrikes on schools and residences and tell the stories of the victims and their families. Wilkinsons arrest was immediately denounced widely on social media. Rock music artist and founder of Pink Floyd Roger Waters, posted a video on X in which he said Sarah Wilkinson was arrested, for standing up for human rights and campaign against genocide. Waters went on, We know that these are policies that Keir Starmer doesnt agree with This is wrong. If you allow this to stand, the arrest of Sarah Wilkinson and the persecution of my friend Craig Murray among others, then you have absolutely accepted that England is now a fascist state. 1984 has arrived and is alive and well in the United Kingdom. Over my dead body. This winter will see households across the UK hit with increases in energy bills following regulator Ofgems announcing an increase in the cap on prices for electricity and gas. The regulator said that the rise was made necessary by heightened political tensions, energy market prices and extreme weather events. Met Office official guidance for the UK is that El Nino winters are more likely to be colder, and also more frequent due to climate change. Blue flame coming out of a gas stove burner. [Photo by Ervins Strauhmanis/Flickr / CC BY 4.0 From October 1 to December 31, energy bills for a typical household using electricity and gas and paying directly from a bank account will go up 10 percent (149 per year). Average payments for a dual fuel energy bill will increase to 1,717 a yearfrom the current 1,568 in place since July. The sum could be larger if the winter is colder than expected and households need to keep the heating on for longer. Prices could be hiked again this winter. Ofgems next reviewto cover the period January 1 to March 31, 2025will be announced by November 25. Analysis carried out by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition found that, in real terms, these changes will mean that some older people will face the highest energy bills on record. Many older people already live in constant fear of turning the heating on, worried about bills they will not be able to pay, endangering their health and lives. There is no question that the further increase in the cost of energy will lead to even more deaths among the most vulnerable people, on top of the thousands who already die each wintermany faced with the terrible choice of heating or eating. The higher energy bills are compounded by Julys sadistic announcement by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the universal Winter Fuel Payments scheme for millions of pensioners is to be scrapped, instead only being paid to those in receipt of means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit. To receive pension credit, a pensioner must have an income of no more than 12,000 a year. The fuel allowance, worth between 100 and 300, was paid to 11.4 million pensioners in 8.4 million households in the winter of 2022/23. Its scrapping means an estimated 10 million pensioners across England and Wales will face far higher energy costs this winter. Under Labours means test, payments worth 200 will be made to households receiving pension credits, rising to 300 for over-80s. The joint impact of energy price increases and the removal of winter fuel payments will be devastating for the elderly, particularly the elderly and disabled. Those dependent on feeding machines, powered chairs, and other electrical devices must now pay more to run this vital equipment. Poverty and elderly charities denounced the measure. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has estimated that 4,950 excess winter deaths were caused by people having to live in cold homes during the winter of 2022/23. A spokesperson for the organization commented, Pensioners will feel the brunt of the energy price hike this winter. In fact, for older people who previously had the Winter Fuel Payment, new analysis shows that their bills this winter will be the highest on record. The Chancellors cruel decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions will prove a false economy as more vulnerable people succumb to the health complications from living in cold damp homes and turn to the NHS [National Health Service] for help this winter. Co-ordinator Simon Francis said, This has the potential to create a public health emergency which will actually create more pressure on the under-pressure NHS which the Prime Minister says he wants to fix. This week, Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended Reeves policy, insisting that nothing could jeopardize the economic interests of the capitalist class. Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said of the first government budget scheduled for Octoberin which 22 billion in spending cuts are plannedit is going to be painful. On cutting pensioner payments, he said, I didnt want to means-test the winter fuel payment, but it was a choice that we had to make, a choice to protect the most vulnerable pensioners while doing what is necessary to repair the public finances. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking in the garden of 10 Downing Street, August 27, 2024 [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Reeves and Starmer lie that vulnerable pensioners will be protected, when at least 1.8 million of the poorest will be hit by the cut. Age UK commented that Labours policy means as many as two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result. The increase in energy costs comes at a time when many households are already in fuel poverty. Research from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) shows that one in four people (16.5 million) are so worried about increases in energy costs that they will be forced to turn off heating and hot water this winter. Nearly half the population (35.1 million people) will have to turn down or turn off their heating or hot water; a third (22.8 million) will have difficulty affording food or other essentials, such as their rent, mortgage or childcare; and 7 percent (4.5 million) think they will be forced to skip meals. The CAB is helping record numbers of people with energy debt, now the most common debt people are seeking help with. There are nearly 5 million people across Britain that live in households in debt to their energy supplier, including 14 percent of households with children under 18. Five million people are defined as having a negative budget, with more money being paid out than income coming in. It is estimated that the price cap increase to almost 150 will pull a further 187,000 people into negative budget. Gillian Cooper, director of energy at Citizens Advice, said, Energy bills will now be around two thirds higher than before the crisis, and with record levels of debt and removal of previous support, people are in desperate need. The pauperization of millions is directly linked to the wealth of corporations and their shareholders. Ofgem included a note in its announcement on price rises that the profit margins energy suppliers will be allowed to make will increase by 11 percent. A staggering 420 billion in profit has been raked in by the large energy companies since bills first shot up in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Around 30 billion of this has gone to those business units and firms that maintain the wires and pipes to deliver electricity and gasequivalent to over 1,000 per household. These companies are paid through the standing charge part of energy bills, which has increased by 147 percent since 2021, to an average of 334. Teachers protest for stronger COVID-19 safety protocols outside Oakland Unified School District headquarters on Jan. 7, 2022, in Oakland, Calif. [AP Photo/Noah Berger] The fall semester on college campuses across the United States begins amid a massive surge of COVID-19. Just days into the new school year, and with some campuses yet to open, reports of mass infections have already begun to circulate on social media. Despite the surge on campuses, there has been no mention of it anywhere in the mainstream media. A post to Reddit on the r/ZeroCovidCommunity subreddit described the current spread of COVID-19 on college campuses. The posts author wrote, [W]ithin less than two weeks of people being back, covid is spreading like wildfire. Noticing the increase of cases, the student described concerning symptoms among classmates: I struggle to even describe the type of coughing Im hearingits this deep hacking that sounds like it should be in a period drama tuberculosis ward instead of a lecture hall. In an interview with the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), the Reddit poster, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that they are a second year wildlife science major at a large college in the southeast U.S. with a student body of approximately 40,000. They noted that their college does not protect students nor do they offer any guidance to students who get sick. There are no institutional protections for students who test positive, and they instead have to work out missing classes with their professors, said the student. On a popular social media app called Yik Yak, many students have posted that they have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning to classes from summer break. Students also reported that some of their lectures were canceled after the professors called out sick due to colds or allergies, when, in reality, it was in all likelihood a result of undiagnosed COVID-19, with the culprit probably being the K.P.3.1.1 (FLiRT) variant. The latest mass infection among college students refutes, yet again, the lie of the Biden administration that the pandemic is over. The student, whose father died from COVID-19 in 2021, told the WSWS, Its definitely frustrating to me, especially when that proclamation has been alongside President Biden alone having COVID, if I remember correctly, three times in the past two years. Ending the COVID national emergency didnt change the fact that COVID is still surging horrendously and causing a lot of harm. I feel like its also allowed this erosion of public health thats happening because this ensuing COVID is over rhetoric means that its become normalized to not quarantine or to go about life while potentially being actively sick. I feel like its opened a lot of doors to what feels like a complete regression in public health programs, societal perception and expectations. Being sick or going around sick has become more accepted since the pandemic ended. Another student, a linguistics major studying in the University of California system, also voiced concerns over hearing students with horrible wet coughs everywhere, along with the lack of any protocols to stop transmission. In an interview with the WSWS, the student described the lack of protections, estimating that in a lecture hall of more than 100 people, only one or two people would be masking. In this context, the University of Californias recent directive to ban face masks on campus under certain conditions is a dangerous precedent. While the ban was issued as part of an attack on democratic rights in response to protests by students against the genocide in Gaza, it is a step toward banning masks under all circumstances and constitutes a significant assault on the right to public health. In instituting these measures, the university administration worked closely together with the Democratic Party and the Biden administration. Recalling the violent crackdown on student protesters, the UC student said, On my campus, we had only a small, extremely peaceful, protest encampment for Gaza. In response to this encampment, the university called out police in riot gear as a response to clear it out. There were snipers and students were arrested. The WSWS also spoke with a recently graduated Fine Arts student from Canada who reported that after their universitys mask mandate ended in 2022, there was rarely anyone masking after that. Maybe 1 out of 70. I dont think I ever saw a professor mask. The student explained that in Canada, the dismantling of COVID-19 protocols has been undertaken very quietly. Institutions simply discontinued mask mandates. This also included hospitals, which directly affected this student who had to go to a hospital to receive immunosuppressive therapy. They commented, Since we dont talk about COVID at all anymore, the general public does not have any information on vaccine boosters, high quality masks, proper ventilation and air quality, or even how or when to test for COVID. My government just went silent on the issue. In the United States, as of August 26, wastewater modeling from Dr. Mike Hoerger shows that 1.2 million Americans are being infected with COVID-19 each day, with 1 in 41 people, 2.5 percent of the population, actively infected. This is the highest back-to-school surge in the US to date. In Canada, the governments wastewater monitoring dashboard shows that COVID-19 activity is high, while RSV and flu activity are low. Under these conditions, the mass spread of the disease on college campuses was entirely predictable. Even before universities reopened, several K-12 schools throughout the US, including Jefferson Abernathy Graetz (JAG) High School in Montgomery, Alabama and Stigall Primary in Humboldt, Tennessee, canceled in-person classes due to outbreaks at the start of the school year. The Biden administration bears direct responsibility for this renewed wave of mass infection, which will kill thousands and impact the long-term health of many more. Since Biden took office, he has followed in the steps of his predecessor Trump in dismantling all public health measures and forcing workers and youth to return to classrooms and workplaces without any mitigation measures. Testing for COVID-19 has been drastically reduced, vaccinations are no longer free and often difficult to obtain, and masking has been completely dismantled in every state, with some local jurisdictions even banning the use of masks. Under Bidens administration, the CDC repeatedly reduced quarantine and isolation guidelines until fully scrapping them altogether this year, encouraging infectious people to continue to go to work and school. All these measures have been implemented under the murderous policy of herd immunity and forever COVID. Despite the lies of the media and government, COVID-19 remains an active threat around the world. Millions of people, including children and young adults, have developed Long COVID, in which symptoms persist for months or years. The effects of Long COVID can be devastating and impact virtually even organ in the body, while also causing significant declines in cognitive capabilities. The ongoing impact of the pandemic on the youth exposes one of the central lies of the pandemic, that COVID-19 is mild for children and young people. In fact, a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that between August 2021 and July 2022, COVID-19 was the 8th leading cause of death among youth ages 0-19, and 1st in deaths caused by infectious or respiratory diseases. Multiple studies have linked COVID-19 to rising rates of Type 1 diabetes in children. Describing the risk of COVID-19 infections among youth, including college students, leading Long COVID researcher Amy Proal told the WSWS, Were seeing children, from a young age, with viral RNA in their tissues, with a virus that people are getting multiple time a year as it continues to mutate, and we ... see that reinfection seems to up the chances of developing chronic symptoms. Its absolutely unsustainable and a complete crisis. The courageous whistleblower David McBride last week passed one hundred days in prison, having been convicted of national security offences and then sentenced to five years and eight months incarceration in May. The minimum term of imprisonment is two years and three months. Jailed Australian whistleblower David McBride [Photo: YouTube/David McBride] McBride is the first and so far the only person to have been jailed over documented Australian war crimes that were perpetrated in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. The individual who is being punished did not commit the atrocities, including the brutal murder of prisoners and civilians, but helped to expose them. This travesty and McBrides plight are now scarcely mentioned in the official media. The major publications waged no campaign against the whistleblowers prosecution. Since he was convicted, they have said little to nothing about the enormous threat that his imprisonment poses to freedom of the press and freedom of speech. That is entirely in line with the role of the press as an adjunct of the state, particularly the eruption of militarism. While they remain silent on McBride, the major papers and television outlets continually promote the aggressive US-Australian military build-up against China. At the same time, they have sought to delegitimise mass opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza, constantly conflating opposition to the Zionist war crimes with antisemitism. McBride, despite not being convicted of any violent offence, is being held in draconian conditions. The official X/Twitter account of his supporters posted on August 22, Today marks 100 days since Dave was sent to jail. He has seen one daughter once. Visits are restricted. Hes been moved five times due to death threats. It appealed for donations to help fund his appeal. An earlier update by McBrides lawyer, Eddie Lloyd, published on August 3, provided more details. Lloyd explained that McBride was initially placed in a wing with lifers until another detainee threatened his life. He was then moved into a maximum security cell block where a further threat was made to his lifeit is not known whether this threat came from a detainee or not. McBride was then placed in segregation for eight days, which Lloyd noted is the punishment wing of the jail. There he was locked in his cell for 23 hours a day and given 1 hour a day to go to a small bitumen yard surrounded by barbwire to exercise. After this ordeal, McBride was moved to another maximum-security wing, and instructed that he needed to undertake a program for drug or alcohol rehabilitation, despite having no current addiction issues. His access to emails from his daughters was cut off and his visits were restricted to only one hour per week. Lloyd wrote: He no longer has access to the gym. He has a cell mate who has a serious mental illness and is withdrawing from methamphetamine and screaming throughout the night. He has no access to natural light. McBride, who was an army lawyer and saw combat theaters over many years, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Even within the framework of the generally brutal prison system, his treatment smacks of an attempt to inflict the maximum psychological and physical toll on the whistleblower. The treatment recalls the brutal state persecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, detained for over fourteen years, including more than five in Britains Belmarsh Prison, for his exposure of US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The assault on the Australian citizen, deemed psychological torture by United Nations and medical experts, was facilitated and aided by successive Australian governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike. In the case of McBride, the federal Labor government is directly responsible, holding the keys to his prison cell. Labors Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus rejected calls for him to use his powers to terminate the prosecution, ensuring that it proceeded. Prosecution lawyers, working with the government, successfully barred McBrides main line of defence. McBride had intended to argue that he was legally obligated to disobey orders aimed at suppressing the war crimes, because they were in violation of international law. Instead, the court adopted the prosecution line that subordinates had no responsibility but to obey command, compelling McBride to plead guilty to three national security charges. That authoritarian line was reinforced in the sentencing remarks of Supreme Court Justice David Mossop. The judge said he could have handed down a more lenient sentence, but stringent penalties were required to deter others from such conduct. They must know that breaching their legal obligations will be met by significant punishment. The prosecution of McBride was a continuation of a years-long cover-up of the war crimes in Afghanistan. He had approached Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalists with evidence of the atrocities, only after his attempts to raise the issue within internal military channels were rebuffed. The resulting 2017 ABC stories, adding to earlier exposures, showed that Australian Special Forces had likely murdered Afghan civilians, including children. In an attempt to limit the damage, an official investigation was convened. Dubbed the Brereton Inquiry, it reported in 2020 that there was credible evidence that Australian Special Forces soldiers murdered at least 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013. That finding fully vindicated McBride. But the moves to prosecute the whistleblower continued seamlessly. Meanwhile none of those who perpetrated the war crimes has been held to account. And above all, the military command and government figures responsible for Australias neo-colonial occupation have faced no consequences. The primary purpose of the Brereton Report was to advance the claim, which is entirely unbelievable, that command and government were ignorant of the war crimes as they were occurring. Labor government ministers, many of whom were in office when the war crimes were perpetrated, have insisted it is necessary to move on, lest the morale of the military be adversely affected, as they have proceeded with their persecution of McBride. Undoubtedly, there are fears that more will be revealed. That likelihood was underscored by a report in the Saturday Paper, reporting new allegations of atrocities, as barbaric as any that were previously known. Revealing a hitherto unreported incident that allegedly occurred in 2007, the Paper stated: Villagers say foreign forces took the men from their homes, mistaking their involvement with the Taliban, before immolating them. They say their hands were tied before they were put in the car and allegedly set alight. The villagers state that Australian military personnel were among the perpetrators of this horrific crime. Afghan-based human rights organisations have consistently indicated that the true toll of the murderous Australian military operations in that country is many times higher than was indicated in the Brereton Report. The imprisonment of McBride is not only aimed at covering up past crimes. It is a preparation for new and even greater horrors. McBrides prosecution proceeded as the Labor government, elected in May, 2022, moved to complete Australias transformation into a frontline state for a US-led war against China. The north and west of the country are being dotted with what are effectively joint US-Australian military bases, while American strike capabilities, including those that can carry nuclear weapons, are being deployed to the continent. Labor is presiding over the largest build-up of the Australian military since World War II, centred on the acquisition of missile capabilities and other offensive weaponry across every domain. The Labor-commissioned Defence Strategic Review, which recommended this program last year, insisted that the war drive must be a whole-of-nation effort. It explicitly warned that popular opposition could hinder the preparations for a catastrophic conflict. It is to attack and menace that opposition that McBride is behind bars. That underscores the need for workers and young people to defend the courageous whistleblower, including by demanding his immediate and unconditional freedom. This defence of democratic rights, which can only take the form of a political fight against the Labor government, is a critical component of the fight to build an international anti-war movement directed against the source of authoritarianism and conflict, the capitalist system. Thirty-nine days after Joe Biden stepped aside from his reelection bid, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first interview as the Democratic presidential candidate, broadcast by CNN. Although she had previously spoken with reporters who have been following her campaign and chatted with a couple of influencers at the Democratic National Convention, she had yet to face an unscripted televised interview. Posing the questions was Dana Bash, CNNs chief political correspondent and one of the networks stars. They sat around a table at a restaurant in Savannah, in the hotly contested state of Georgia, accompanied by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris vice-presidential pick. It was not a revealing interview, nor did it offer much detail about Harris proposed policies. But, with no gaffes or hesitations, she appeared to achieve what her campaign was seeking: for Harris to emerge unscathed before her first debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia. The recorded conversation broadcast with no edits, according to Bash focused on Harris shifts in opinion on issues such as fracking, irregular immigration, and the border crisis, all of which have been a major source of ammunition for the Republican campaign. What, Bash wanted to know, was the difference between the Kamala Harris who made an unsuccessful bid to be presidential candidate in 2019 and the Kamala Harris of 2024, a more centrist figure who could be the first woman to occupy the Oval Office and who has still to convince a legion of undecideds. My values are the same, she said. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. She added that in her four years as vice president she had traveled extensively around the country and 17 times to Georgia. This had taught her the importance of building consensus, she said, adding, it is important to find a common place of understanding of where we can actually solve problems. When asked about her stance on fracking, she said, As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking. This is a highly sensitive issue in Pennsylvania, one of the swing states she needs to win to become president. She also said she would enforce the law on the border. Lets be clear, in this race, Im the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs, and human beings, she said. Im the only person in this race who actually served a border state as attorney general to enforce our laws. And I would enforce our laws as president going forward. I recognize the problem. When asked what she plans to do on her first day in the White House, Harris missed the opportunity to specify the content of her program. After defending the economic performance of the Biden administration, she promised to strengthen the middle class, work to lower the price of groceries, and reduce the cost of housing; owning a home, she added, is part of the American dream. When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by by hope and by optimism, she explained, marking the contrast between her campaign and that of her rival, Donald Trump, who the Democrats accuse of being obsessed with the past. In a nod to her centrist position in a country torn in two, Harris said she is open to appointing a Republican to her administration. When asked for a name, Harris answered that she had no one in particular in mind. Weve got 68 days to go with this election, so Im not putting the cart before the horse. But I would. I think its really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think its important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my cabinet who is a Republican. Regarding Trumps personal attacks on her, specifically the one at the end of July when Trump accused her of happening to turn Black for political purposes, self-servingly prioritizing the identity of her father (Jamaican), over that of her mother (Indian), she gave the briefest of replies. Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please, she said with a laugh, inviting Bash to move swiftly on. Then there was the thorny issue of the U.S. administrations financing of Benjamin Netanyahus offensive in Gaza, which has already caused more than 40,000 Palestinian deaths. Harris repeated the arguments she has been making in recent weeks. We have to get a deal done, she declared. I remain committed since Ive been on October 8 to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity. As for the Sunday when President Biden called her to say he was stepping back from his candidacy bid, Harris recalled that she was with her family doing a puzzle. My first thought was not about me to be honest with you. My first thought was about him, she told Bash. Republican criticism The decision to be interviewed with Tim Walz sparked criticism from Republicans, who accused her of cowardice for not going it alone. He said little in the first half of the interview, which lasted 27 minutes, but after a while he had to respond to the controversies in which he has become embroiled since he made the leap to national politics, namely exaggerating his military past and his recollections of the fertility treatments that his wife went through. My grammar is not always correct, he apologized. Walz also talked about his sons emotional reaction to his fathers speech at the Democratic convention. The Democratic campaign has pointed out that the option of appearing with the second-in-command is not unusual and had been done by Trump with his former vice president, Mike Pence, and more recently with his current running mate, J. D. Vance. When the CNN broadcast ended, Trump wrote on his Truth Social network, all caps, BORING!!! After the interview, Walz and Harris embarked on a mini-election tour of Georgia. At a rally there, Harris pointed out that Georgia had voted a Democrat into office in 2020 for the first time since 1992, and that this support had been crucial to Biden making it to the White House. She also congratulated the state for electing senators from her party in the last two elections. The polls, which have shifted in the Democrats favor since Biden stepped aside, indicate for the first time in many months that the Democratic candidate could be in with a chance in Georgia, although the margin is minimal. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On August 28, four anti-genocide protesters at the University of Michigans Ann Arbor campus were arrested by police during a peaceful die-in protest led by the Tahrir Coalition of student groups against the genocide in Gaza. The demonstration demanded an end to the genocide and called on the U-Mich administration to end its investments in the Israeli economy. The roughly 50 protesters lay at the center of the universitys quad (the Diag) with rags painted red and signs depicting victims of the US/Israel-led genocide. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at the University of Michigan unequivocally denounces the attack on the protesters as an assault on the democratic rights of all workers and youth. Before the arrests, reporters for the WSWS and members of the IYSSE visited the protest and spoke with students and workers. Protesters expressed grave concern over U-Michs new policies and the attack on their democratic rights. One protester employed by U-Mich mentioned police had occupied the nearby library at the center of the Diag hours before the protest commenced. Others expressed disgust and concern about a hiring ban, targeting 11 U-Mich student protesters. While exact numbers have not been reported, dozens of local and U-Mich police were visibly stationed and patrolling across the entire campus before and after the protest, with at least two dozen surrounding the protest hours before the arrests. The protest at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on August 28 In videos captured and posted on Twitter and YouTube by independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene), the army of police assembled around the protest moved in to announce over a megaphone that sitting in the Diag is illegal and in violation of Section 750.552 of Michigan compiled law trespass after warning for impeding foot traffic. According to this law, violators can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days or by a fine of not more than $250.00, or both. Minutes after the announcement, the small army of police began charging protesters as Zionist counterprotesters encircling the edges of the protest chanted, Bring them home (a reference to hostages held in Gaza). Anti-genocide protesters were pushed out of the way as police grabbed those sitting down. One protester was dragged across the ground while two other officers were seen forcing a woman to the ground as one officer pinned her with her elbow. Those arrested were surrounded by dozens of police, who physically separated them from other protesters. Following the arrests, police were seen ripping signs out of protesters hands while confronting the remaining protesters. When asked by anti-genocide demonstrators why Zionist counterprotesters were not being targeted by police, officers claimed they were allowed to be on campus, with one remarking, Theyre just standing there. The university administration and the police claim that three of the four arrested were unaffiliated with the university, while the fourth was identified as a temporary employee of U-Mich. Police have reportedly released those arrested. The protest coincided with U-Michs Festifall event, a back-to-school social event that allows student clubs to showcase themselves to the student body. During Festifall, the IYSSE at U-Mich spoke with dozens of students and workers on the protest and the arrests. They expressed widespread opposition to the attack on democratic rights, the Gaza genocide and US plans for World War III. In speaking with a member of the IYSSE, a student, who asked to remain anonymous, commented on the arrests: The universities of the United States have been cracking down on their students for protesting the genocide in Gaza for a few months now, and yesterdays arrests on the Diag seem to indicate the trend will continue into the 2024-25 academic year. The actions taken by and on behalf of the universities of this country to halt these protests should be viewed with disgust and anger. She continued, emphasizing the implications of the arrests, We, as citizens of the United States, are entitled to the right to protest peacefully under the First Amendment, and the University is purposefully infringing upon that right via its policies. They are stripping us of our rights, to slow dissent and keep us in line. When asked about how these attacks impact the working class, she said: This is in line with a trend of rising authoritarian ideologies worldwide that exist to keep the ruling class wealthy and powerful and protect it from an increasingly disgruntled working class. These workers, the general population, and especially the disenfranchised youth of the world yearn for change and the defunding of Israel. The working classs dissatisfaction will only continue to grow as our rights and livelihoods are attacked and stripped away, and we are fated to come into conflict with the world the authoritarians are striving for. We must organize and broaden these protests so that we are no longer isolated in pockets around the world, and we must vocalize our statements to those who will listen. Hate and authoritarianism must not win. Even if the situation worldwide is bleak, we must fight. Palestine will be free. The police crackdown came just days after the university administration unveiled revisions to its conduct policies that allow the university to file a complaint against a student with practically no restrictions. Previously, all complaints about misconduct had to come from U-Mich staff members, faculty or students. These new policies provide legal cover to allow for outside consulting firms to gather information and file complaints and sanctions against students on behalf of the university. These policy revisions and earlier ones targeting free speech and democratic rights adopt intentionally vague language, allowing the administration to ban any protest, gathering, picket line or demonstration it deems disruptive, effectively banning all forms of protest on the campus. Similar policies have been implemented at other major universities, including the University of California, Columbia University, New York University and Rutgers University. However, the policies at the University of Michigan are particularly far-reaching. There can be little doubt that the universitys Board of Regents, which is packed with operatives of the Democratic and Republican parties, many of them millionaires, discussed these policies at the highest levels of the state and Democratic Party. Workers and youth must see the developments at the University of Michigan as a harbinger of an escalation of the attack on free speech on campuses across the country and even more violent attacks by the ruling class on the right of workers to protest and strike. They are a response not only to the overwhelming popular opposition to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has already claimed over 186,000 lives, but also growing popular anger about social conditions more broadly. At the Stellantis-owned Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP), just an hour from the U-Mich Ann Arbor campus, nearly 2,500 workers, two-thirds of the plants workforce, have been laid off. These layoffs are part of a global wave of attacks on jobs and living conditions carried out by the ruling class as it lurches toward a Third World War, targeting not only Russia and Iran but also China. Neither this emerging global war, of which the genocide in Gaza is part, nor the assault on living standards it entails is compatible with democratic rights. This development toward world war cannot be stopped through appeals to the ruling class and university administrations. Instead, students must base their struggles on the international working class, the principal revolutionary force in society, and fight to mobilize it independently against war, the threat of dictatorship and fascism and their root cause, the capitalist system. In a short, but highly significant video interview posted to X on August 25, New York Representative and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez justified the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by pointing to future attacks on democratic rights on Americans if Trump should return to the White House. In the interview with Democratic New York City Council member Chi Osse, taken at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ocasio-Cortez employed a variation of the tired lesser evil argument to excuse genocide overseas as a necessary trade-off for supposedly protecting democratic rights domestically. The DSA member began the interview by claiming that, while the slaughter of Palestinians would continue under a Harris-Walz administration, it would be more humane compared to Trump. I dont think either party right now is doing justice to Palestinians, said Ocasio-Cortez. That doesnt mean that they are the same. I think that a Donald Trump presidency would be absolutely catastrophic. I mean hes coming out here saying, finish the job of a genocide. Ocasio-Cortez apparently does not consider the Biden-Harris administrations backing of Israels relentless bombardment of Gazawhich, as she acknowledged has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestiniansto be absolutely catastrophic. Even as she spoke, Israel was preparing the expansion of the genocide into the West Bank, precisely to finish the job. Passing over this extraordinary statement, Osse replied with a question, noting that there are a lot people with our politics that are having a hard time supporting Kamala Harris. He asked: How do you think we help them get there in November to beat Trump? Justifying her support for US-Israeli war crimes, Ocasio-Cortez continued: To me, when I process this, I weigh through all of the people living under extreme levels of oppression, especially outside of places even like New York. I think about the women that are bleeding out in ER rooms because they live in red states. I think about trans kids that are living in places where their entire families are trying to figure out if they need to pack up their entire lives and move somewhere else. We have to hold all of those things at once. And so to me, the conclusion that Ive come to, is having more people suffer to put on top of the already horrific suffering thats going on in Gaza is not something that I think Im comfortable with. According to this bloody calculus, workers and youth must accept genocide abroad in order to maintain certain democratic rights by backing a party and an administration that is dripping in blood. In this way, Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to normalize genocide among her followers as just another issue alongside campaign finance reform, Medicare for All, or the Green New Deal. The entire presentation of the issue is false to the core. Ocasio-Cortez actually downplays the real threat of fascism and dictatorship, not mentioning, for example, Trumps threat to round up immigrants and deploy the military to crush domestic opposition. It is impossible to defend any democratic rights, however, by backing the Democratic Party. The global war that the Biden-Harris administration has overseenand which Harris pledged to continue in her speech to the DNC last weekendhas as its necessary corollary the assault on democratic rights at home. Ocasio-Cortez has made such arguments before. In 2021, she denounced socialist opponents of Biden for advancing a privileged critique, because their criticisms of Biden supposedly undermined the rights of immigrants. Biden, however, has joined hands with the Republicans in escalating the assault on immigrants and refugees, which Harris again backed during her DNC speech. The entire policy of the Biden administration has served not to undermine the fascistic right, but to strengthen it. And Ocasio-Cortez has played and continues to play a central role. And the Democrats supposed commitment to democratic rights was throughly exposed in the nationwide police crackdown on college protesters, overseen by Biden-Harris, that resulted in over 3,200 arrests. In New York City, under the auspices of Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, hundreds of students at Columbia and New York University faced expulsions, suspensions, job loss, doxxing, police and Zionist violence as well other forms of harassment. On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez, fulfilling her role as a cheerleader for US imperialism and vote catcher for Democrats, retweeted an Instagram statement she made attacking left-wing critics of her pro-genocide policies. The statement was headlined: Why do leftists attack you despite multiple Palestinian rights groups ranking U [sic] as 1 of Congresss best? In the statement, Ocasio-Cortez claimed to have one of the strongest vote records in Congress on Palestinian human rights and voting against bloated US military budgets, an extremely low bar to pass in the vehemently pro-Israel and pro-war US Congress. For Ocasio-Cortez though, even this low bar is a fiction. Last October in an interview on CNN, Ocasio-Cortez walked back her previous token opposition to Israeli military funding, expressing support for the Iron Dome missile system as absolutely legitimate. After touting her Congressional record, the New York representative claimed in the statement that attacks against her were the result of disinformation and nefarious stuff getting amplified. As an example of disinformation, she recounted an incident in which she was confronted in Chicago over her refusal to characterize the genocide in Gaza as a genocide, which she did not do in her speech endorsing Harris. Ocasio-Cortez justified this omission by pointing to a speech she made in Congress months ago. When it comes to disseminating disinformation and nefarious stuff, over the last 10 months of slaughter, Ocasio-Cortez has played a leading role. Less than three months ago she invited high-level Zionist lobbyists onto her social media to propagate the slander that anti-genocide protests on college campuses and high schools are expressions of antisemitism in progressive spaces, thus justifying further police repression of student protests and attacks on their democratic rights. Ocasio-Cortez ended her defensive statement claiming it is easier to be pissed off on the internet than actually build community and power around a just cause. But if we actually want to change things, we need to get real about building power. Ocasio-Cortez is very interested in building the power of the Democratic Party and herself, not in replacing them. Furthermore, if hoodwinking her followers into supporting Harris and the ongoing genocide in Gaza is a just cause, what other just causes do Ocasio-Cortez and the Democrats, have in store for the working class? Harris has taken up Trumps anti-immigrant policies as her own. What other good ideas does the aspiring Hitler have that Ocasio-Cortez and the Democrats could embrace? Nuclear war with China? Deporting antisemitic student protesters? That Ocasio-Cortez is making these arguments is a testament to the immense crisis within the ruling class. Less than 96 hours after declaring at the Democratic National Convention that Harris was working tirelessly towards a ceasefire in Gaza, Ocasio-Cortez is now arguing that workers and youth must vote for Democrats to protect democratic rights at home, while advancing a kindler, gentler ethnic cleansing campaign abroad compared to their Republican colleagues. Under conditions of mounting global war in Ukraine, Russia, Lebanon and soon Iran and China, Ocasio-Cortez and the DSA are being elevated as a last line of ideological defense for the Democratic Party. The reformist arguments she advances have been completely demolished in reality time and time again, creating a disaster for the oppressed in America, and around the world. For the working class, the only solution is to build the independent socialist movement in opposition to the capitalist parties and their historically rotten system which has nothing to offer humanity except war, fascism and death. As the 2024-25 school year begins in the United States, a season of struggle is opening up for teachers and school workers. Educators and all sections of the working class face an unprecedented assault on basic social rights, including jobs, access to healthcare and decent living standards. Democratic rights, including freedom of speech and the right to strike, are being stripped from the population. Both parties of American capitalism, the Republicans and Democrats, lurch towards dictatorship at home and global war abroad. These are the essential issues that confront educators in the defense of public education. Moreover, these are the same driving forces that are propelling educators into struggle all over the world. The very existence of public education is at stake, the signs of which are visible everywhere. Schools are being shuttered by the dozens in communities across the US, and thousands of educators and other essential staff, such as librarians, school counselors and mental health workers, are losing their jobs. Those who remain eke out a living with low pay, high healthcare premiums and ever-increasing workloads. A Pew Research Center survey confirmed this nationally. Seventy percent of teachers reported understaffing, 98 percent said they had too much work, 77 percent said their job was extremely stressful, and over half (52 percent) said they would not advise young people to become teachers. Poverty was cited as the single greatest major problem in schools, with chronic absenteeism and anxiety/depression of students close behind. Precisely! The growth of poverty throughout the United States translates in a million different ways, including absenteeism and mental health crises, into a Sisyphean struggle for school workers. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans even make the pretense of claiming they will reverse the decades-long degradation of schools. This requires fighting for social equality and socialism. Additionally, the bipartisan destruction of public health continues to imperil our own health and lives and those of our students. The school year starts amid a massive COVID-19 surge, already forcing schools to close. Two weeks into the semester, the coronavirus was detected in the wastewater of two-thirds (29 out of 45) of schools in Houston, Texas. After four years, virtually nothing has been done to ensure that clean indoor air is provided to stop airborne transmission in the vast majority of Americas schools. As Dr. Amy Proal, a leading researcher on Long COVID, told the World Socialist Web Site: Were seeding children, from a young age, with viral RNA in their tissues, with a virus that people are getting multiple times a year as it continues to mutate, and we ... see that reinfection seems to up the chances of developing chronic symptoms. Its absolutely unsustainable and a complete crisis. Peyton Copeland, 5, hospitalized with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). [Photo: Tara Copeland] The de-funding of public education and public health does not reflect an overall lack of resources in our society. On the contrary, the wealth of the financial oligarchy has ballooned, up 88 percent since 2020. The 737 billionaires in the US alone control a combined wealth of $5.53 trillion. The source of all this near-unimaginable wealth is the labor of the working class, but we have no say-so on its distribution. Trillions of dollars are flowing upwards from the working class into the pockets of a handful of corporate oligarchs and into a war machine to promote their interests. We are living in the midst of a barbaric redivision of the world between global billionaires. At the center of the defense of education must be the fight against war The era of guns and butter is long over, and the ever-broadening military budget to conduct the wars of American imperialism means sacrificing schools, hospitals and democracy itself. Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore aptly characterized this bipartisan policy, noting: The claims by Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez (a member of the Democratic Socialists of America) and others that [Kamala] Harris will implement major social reforms are lies, and they know they are lies. Everything is to be subordinated to the ruling class agenda of war abroad, of global plunder, which requires a massive escalation of the war on the working class at home. The Biden-Harris decision to allow the expiration of the desperately needed Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds has plunged districts into crisis nearly everywhere. As for Trump and the Republicans, whose vision has been inscribed in the fascist manifesto Project 2025, they aim to close the Department of Education, end Title I, and fast-track school privatizations nationally. Their priority, no less than Harris, is the brutal competition for global hegemony. Trump has pledged to expand the size of the US military and impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that would have devastating consequences for the living standards of working people and greatly intensify the threat of war between the US and China. Like every concession won by prior generations of workers, public education is being shelved as unaffordable by both parties of the capitalist elite. Oppose fascism and xenophobia! Democratic rights for all! Schools have become an epicenter for the suppression of democratic rights by both Democratic and Republican officials. The ruling class is seeking to squash a growing opposition on college and K-12 campuses, moving to ban books, purge school libraries and censor curricula of any ideas that express rebellion or even critical thought. Opposition to genocide and war are being criminalized, as seen in mass arrests, doxxing and retaliation against college students protesting the Gaza genocide, and the victimization of educators who came to their defense. In New York City, the largest school district in the United States, the Democratic administration of Mayor Eric Adams, with the backing of the right-wing media, has fired pro-Palestine educators and issued directives against educators political activity outside of their workday. Thousands attend a protest organized by Jewish Voice for Peace in New York City Trump has said that if he returns to power, he will act as a dictator on day one, and that if he is re-elected, you wont have to [vote] anymore. He has placed at the center of his election campaign a fascistic attack on immigrants, who he has said are poisoning the blood of our country, a fascist phrase pulled directly from Hitlers Mein Kampf. The threat of dictatorship is real, but to believe that the Democrats can defend democracy is a grave mistake. They had four years to arrest Trump and his co-conspirators for the January 6 coup attempt. Instead, they have strengthened their Republican colleagues at every step, attacking Trump from the right on matters of war, immigration and American nationalism. The breakdown of democracy is a global issue that arises from the crisis of capitalismits expansion of war and the extreme growth of social inequalityas seen in the rise of the far right in countries like France, Italy and Germany. A fundamental reorganization of social life is required The defense of basic democratic and social rights cannot be secured outside of a frontal assault on the wealth and privileges of the corporate and financial oligarchy. The basic social rights of the population, essential to modern life, can only be achieved through a fundamental reorganization of economic power and the redistribution of wealth within the United States. The vast wealth created by the labor of generations of workers must be taken out of the hands of a privileged few and put at the disposal of the population as a whole. This is the fight for socialism. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) stand in opposition to this struggle, just as they have blocked the fight against budget cuts and layoffs across the US for decades, and sacrificed a generation of students and their teachers to the homicidal forever COVID policy dictated by Wall Street. The leadership of these so-called unions does not unite the working class for struggle, only to get out the vote for the big business Democratic Party politicians so that the union tops (whose annual take is upwards of $500,000) maintain their dues stream. The pro-capitalist, pro-war nature of these organizations led Biden to recently describe them candidly as his domestic NATO. In point of fact, AFT President Randi Weingarten has played a pivotal propaganda role in lending support to the US-NATO war against Russia, the US-backed Israeli genocide against the Palestinians, and the police-state crackdown against anti-genocide protests, demonstrating that there is no line these bureaucrats wont cross to keep their seat at the table. Towards a new road and perspective Strikes and struggles among educatorswhich exploded among academic workers last yearare on the agenda. Educators are ready to fight for their students and schools but will find no answers from the pro-capitalist, pro-war AFT and NEA bureaucrats. This is demonstrated by the recent gatherings of both organizations. The AFT national convention was nothing more than a get-out-the-vote rally, and the NEA convention was aborted as the union locked out its own striking staffers, turning off their phones and canceling their reservations, stranding them in Philadelphia in retribution. The ferocity of the NEA brasss response to the strike by lower-level bureaucrats is a warning of how it will respond to a rebellion of its membership. The chasm between this well-fed apparatus and the rank and file has never been greater. As the school year opens, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a crucial battleground and a politically telling one. Teachers have been told to go back to work without a contract, because they are negotiating with a so-called ally, Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former staffer of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) who was promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson and Biden [Photo: Twitter] The CTU has an entirely undeserved reputation for militancy and is held as the model of reform unionism in the face of growing opposition from below. But its fake socialist leadership, part of the DSA, has pushed the idea of common good demands while colluding with the CPS to enforce hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts, numerous school closures and the continued destruction of Chicagos education system. They are part and parcel of the entire AFT and NEA apparatus, which is focused on the election of Harris-Walz, maintaining their lucrative seats at the table and once again throwing teachers under the bus. Educators require an entirely different political orientation, fully independent of the oligarchy, its two political parties and the pro-capitalist trade union bureaucracy. Build Rank-and-File Committees to unite educators across the US and internationally! We urge educators to take the first step by joining and expanding the network of Educators Rank-and-File Committees (ERFC) across the US. This is part of a strategy to unite educators with the broader struggles of the international working class in a common program against austerity and war. We issue the following demands: For the full funding of public education, not war! The trillions of dollars squandered on war must be used to pay for high quality public education and other social needs. This includes adequate pay and cost-of-living adjustments for all educators, free healthcare for educators and students, universal free school lunch and other resources. No more school closures, layoffs or program eliminations! Keep schools open, reinstate the thousands of educators whose jobs have been cut in recent years and keep afterschool and extracurricular programs open. Full staffing in every school! All schools must have the necessary educators to provide small class sizes, with librarians, nurses, counselors and special education support. Clean, safe COVID-free school buildings! All schools must be retrofitted to ensure continuous clean air, including with proper ventilation, filtration and other mitigation measures, and educators must have the right to close schools if they become unsafe. For the defense of democratic rights! No censorship laws, book bans or state-imposed religion in schools. Students and educators have the right to protest and demonstrate. No to the militarization of schools! The military has no place on campuses where they prey on vulnerable working class youth with the promise of a college education. We will not allow our students to be cannon fodder in the wars of American imperialism! Build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC)! Educators and workers throughout the world are entering into struggle and face the same threats of austerity, war and dictatorship. We cannot fight these issues separately on a national basis but only together in a unified struggle. The ERFC stands in solidarity with and calls for workers to build the IWA-RFC! Educators, parents and school workers who agree with our program should get in touch today to build a rank-and-file committee at your school. The United States is currently mired in its ninth wave of mass infection since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the population now completely abandoned by the powers that be. A policy of forced infection has emerged, in which all public health measures have been scrapped and the most basic protection of mask-wearing is being criminalized in a growing number of counties and states. Wastewater data show that over 1.2 million Americans are being infected with COVID-19 every day. Hospitalizations are climbing, in particular among children and the elderly, while official deaths are approaching 1,000 per week. Excess deaths, a more accurate measure of the real death toll attributable to COVID-19, stand at over 500 per day, with the cumulative death toll in the US nearing 1.5 million. Long COVID, an array of symptoms which are often debilitating, now affects over 20 million Americans and over 400 million people globally. According to wastewater modeler Dr. Mike Hoerger, there have been over 1.1 billion cumulative COVID-19 infections in the United States alone, with the average American infected three or four times. With multiple studies showing that each reinfection compounds ones risk of Long COVID and other adverse health events such as strokes or heart attacks, the current trajectory of the forever COVID policy is towards ever-broadening mass debilitation and death on a world scale. Under these conditions, on August 23 top officials from Americas leading public health agencies held an extraordinary press conference, which very explicitly outlined the Biden administrations criminal forever COVID policy. Leading the event was Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, who bluntly declared that COVID-19 is endemic, it is here with us. This is the first time a top public health official has proclaimed COVID-19 to be endemic, after Drs. Anthony Fauci, Rochelle Walensky and Ashish Jha repeatedly and falsely said that the virus was in the process of becoming endemic since the emergence of the Omicron variant in late 2021. An endemic disease is one which is largely contained, predictable and not disruptive to the basic functioning of society. None of this applies to COVID-19, which is spreading like wildfire almost year-round and causing widespread damage to the health of the population, as well as mass absenteeism and economic disruption to the tune of over $1 trillion annually. After claiming that COVID-19 is endemic, Cohen hastened to add, We need to protect ourselves. And we have the tools to do it, 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] The reality is that the public health tools necessary to mitigate the dangers of COVID-19, let alone stop the pandemic, have been systematically stigmatized, denied and even criminalized by the entire political establishment. The capitalist state, beholden to the profit interests of Wall Street and corporate America, has dismantled all pandemic surveillance and left the population to fend for themselves. Those who remain vigilant and seek to avoid infection are increasingly isolated and unable to protect themselves amid a sea of viral transmission. Over the course of the press conference, it became abundantly clear that the only tool advocated by the Biden administration are new vaccines designed for the KP.2 variant, which are currently being rolled out. The officials present covered up the fact that these vaccines are too little, too late, given that the KP.3.1.1 variant is now dominant, with KP.2 accounting for just 3.2 percent of cases nationally, and that the current wave appears to be just peaking. Furthermore, in the course of the press conference it became clear that the latest vaccines will not be guaranteed to everyone, with Cohen stating that uninsured Americans (over 26 million people) will have to try to navigate their local or county public health bureaucracy or pay upwards of $120 for the shot. No speaker seriously addressed the fact that vaccine uptake is abysmally low, the product of bipartisan anti-vaccine disinformation and propaganda portraying the pandemic as over. Not once in the course of the press conference was the word mask even mentioned, despite the fact that numerous studies have proven that well-fitting N95 respirators can block the transmission of COVID-19 and all other airborne pathogens. In fact, just two days after the CDC press conference, police arrested an 18-year-old in Nassau County, New York for wearing a ski mask after a county-wide mask ban was put in place earlier this month. Those arrested for wearing masks can face a fine of up to $1,000, up to a year in jail or both. A similar mask ban is now in effect in North Carolina, while cities, including Los Angeles, have floated the idea of such bans. Another tool increasingly unavailable or impossible for average Americans to access is Paxlovid, one of the only effective treatments for COVID-19. In her remarks, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official Dawn OConnell noted that starting in 2025, Pfizer will entirely control the distribution of Paxlovid. The pharmaceutical giant will undoubtedly charge the full price for the drug, which costs upwards of $1,500. When asked by a reporter about the latest science on the risks of reinfection with COVID-19, Cohen downplayed the dangers and reiterated the vaccine-only strategy of the Biden administration, saying nothing about the need to wear masks to prevent transmission. The reality is that multiple studies have shown that each reinfection heightens ones risk of developing Long COVID, which is only slightly mitigated by vaccination. The response of the Biden administration to the latest wave of mass infection reaffirms that capitalism is descending into barbarism, with centuries of advances in science and public health trampled upon and discarded. Mass infection with a preventable illness is no longer to be prevented, but rather encouraged. While the Democrats and Republicans bear primary responsibility for this policy of death, they are joined by the pseudo-left presidential campaigns of the Green Partys Jill Stein and independent candidate Cornel West. Both have tailored their rhetoric to the far-right anti-vaccine constituency cultivated by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who himself has endorsed the herd immunity pioneer Donald Trump. The only political party fighting for public health and science is the Socialist Equality Party and its candidates Joseph Kishore and Jerry White. Throughout their campaign, they have educated workers on the science of the pandemic, including the viability and necessity of a global elimination strategy towards COVID-19 and other pathogens. They have called for a vast infusion of resources to fund research into Long COVID and next-generation vaccines, as well as the renovation of all public spaces to ensure access to clean indoor air, to be paid for through the gargantuan military budget and the wealth of the financial oligarchy. The policy of forever COVID, in which a virus known to damage every organ of the body is given free rein to cause perpetual reinfections in the entire global population, is not sustainable. No amount of rhetoric about COVID-19 becoming endemic will conceal the objective reality of declining health and well-being for masses of workers. The essential task is to educate the international working class on the ongoing health dangers it confronts, which now coincide with the growing threat of nuclear war and fascist dictatorship, and to build a revolutionary socialist movement to put an end to the source of these scourges: the capitalist profit system. Israels intensified ethnic cleansing in the West Bank continued Thursday, taking the death toll since the military operation began to at least 18. 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] Five were killed in a mosque in the Tulkarem refugee camp, apparently amid a firefight. The camp was placed under siege by the Israeli military, with soldiers including special forces carrying out house raids, snipers taking up positions on rooftops and aircraft flying low overhead. The Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital and al-Israa Specialised Hospital were blockaded, and the Palestinian Red Crescent prevented from entering the camp to douse fires and help the injured. There were overnight raids in Fara, al-Khader, Arroub, Nur Sham, Nablus and Nabi Saleh, with multiple Palestinians reported injured by shooting, beatings or fire. Electricity and Internet services were cut in a large swathe of Jenin city, where snipers shot anyone who is moving according to Mohammed al-Atrash of Al Jazeera Arabic, reporting from the scene. The Jenin Governmental Hospital was besieged, with ambulances blocked. The huge deployment of lethal military force has been coupled with calls for mass evictions, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz leading the pack. He repeated his threats today, saying removals were necessary for the dismantling of terror infrastructures which must be accomplished by all necessary means. Multiple organisations have condemned the offensive. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Al-Haq, and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a joint statement warning of even more escalated violence in the West Bank, with the employment of tactics that mirror those used in Israels genocidal campaign in Gaza, particularly attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities, and the use of excessive and indiscriminate force. A statement issued on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by the latest developments in the occupied West Bank, including Israel's launch today 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. He strongly condemns the loss of lives, including of children. Amnesty Internationals Erika Guevara explained that the military assault on cities and towns across the occupied West Bank follows an escalation in unlawful killings by Israeli forces in recent months, a horrifying spike in lethal force by Israeli forces and violent state-backed settler attacks. She continued, 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 Israels system of apartheid against Palestinians and of its unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Over 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by the Israeli military since October 7, over a fifth of them by airstrikes. Among the dead are more than 140 children. Just in the days August 20-26, before the latest assault began, 13 Palestinians were killed, eight in airstrikes, including four children. Close to 10,000 have been arrested, held in prisons and detentions centres where abuses of human rights including torture and sexual violence are endemic. Meanwhile, 12.7 square kilometres of land seizures have been officially approved by the Israeli governmentthe largest area in three decades. This process is spearheaded by far-right Israeli settlers who have carried out 1,270 attacks against Palestinians documented by the UN in the last 10 months, leading to 11 deaths and driving many communities out of their homes. On Thursday, several dozen settlers staged a provocation in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem again, under the protection of Israeli security forces and while they restricted the entry of Palestinian worshippersunder conditions of an effective lockdown of Palestinian quarters of the Old City. Former director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth told Al Jazeera, Frankly, the dream of the far-right ministers in Netanyahus government is to solve the problem of the West Bank. Solve the problem of the apartheid regime that Israel is maintaining there, by just getting rid of the Palestinians a massive war crime. This is true, but the project is shared by the whole Netanyahu regime currently implementing it. The gleefully vicious comments of the likes of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich serve as a convenient scapegoat for sections of the ruling class keen to be seen condemning Israeli actions from time to time but totally committed to supporting its government. The apartheid, Jewish supremacist character of the state was highlighted by the treatment even of one of the recently returned hostagesin whose name Israel is waging its war. Kaid Farhan al-Kadi, the latest hostage to be brought back alive, is returning to a demolition notice. Al-Kadi is one of Israels 300,000 heavily discriminated against Bedouin Arabs. Seventy percent of the residents are being evicted from his home village Khirbet Karkuramong the one-third of Bedouin Arab settlements the Israeli government intends to destroy. A local authority spokesperson cynically commented that Al-Kadi and his family would be exempt in light of the situation. Over 1,300 Bedouin homes have been demolished in the first half of 2024, a 50 percent increase over the same period in 2022, according to the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality. While the war on the West Bank unfolds, scores of people continue to be killed in Gaza every day, amid a worsening humanitarian disaster. Israeli strikes killed and wounded Palestinians, including women and children, across the Strip, in Khan Younis, Rafah, Gaza City, the Nuseirat refugee camp and Deir el-Balah. Hina Khoudary, reporting for Al Jazeera, described how eight Palestinians were killed when Israeli forces targeted al-Amal Hotel. It was obvious that displaced Palestinians were sheltering there, and they burned alive because no one was there to rescue them. The ability of the Gaza Civil Defence to respond to these incidents has been massively cut back by Israels attacks on ambulances and fire trucks and on shops supplying spare parts. Conditions for the almost entirely displaced population are so dire that Gaza has recorded its first polio case in 25 years, a 10-month-old baby now partially paralyzed by the infection, sparking fears of an epidemic. Hepatitis A is already spreading rapidly, with 40,000 cases reported earlier this month. For three months, the Israeli government has blocked Doctors Without Borders efforts to import 4,000 hygiene kits containing soap, toothbrushes, shampoo, and laundry powder. Vials of polio vaccine have now been sent to Gaza but cannot be distributed due to the chaos of Israels repeated displacement and bombardment of the population. The issue has built up steam in the corporate media, where capitalist politicians are trying to gain a reputation for humanitarianism by insisting children must have the opportunity to be vaccinated before being buried under rubble. Netanyahu has dismissed talk of any pause in the genocide, suggesting only the designation of specific places for vaccinations, a designation whose only practical impact is to require the Israeli military to claim their bombing is accidental. Serious shortages of essential intravenous (IV) fluids in Australia and subsequent rationing in hospitals have caused significant concern among medical professionals and deepening pressures on the already underfunded and understaffed healthcare system. Nurse preparing to administer IV fluid to hospital patient [Photo: anzcog.edu.au] On Tuesday, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced that the Labor government had secured the supply of an additional 22 million IV fluid bags over the next six months. Butler claimed this would be more than enough to meet demand. However, Butler gave no indication of when the additional fluids would actually be delivered. In a clear indication that the shortage is by no means over, he said, there is generally advice going through the system that IV fluids should be used judiciously at this stage. Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) President David Story told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) doctors were very pleased to hear that more fluids had been sourced. But he warned, The details are yet to be released. I dont think [the additional fluids] will be available tomorrow. Late last month Australian Medical Association (AMA) President Professor Steve Robson told the media that the shortages could see the healthcare system come to a grinding halt, with disruptions to surgery very likely. This lack of supply is unprecedented. The number of patients potentially affected would be unbelievable, he said. It would affect anaesthesia, surgery, chemotherapy, emergency departments, managing people with acute infectious illness in hospital ... (and) paediatric intensive care. Robsons comments were echoed by other peak professional health bodies. including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, which called for a nationally co-ordinated strategy for the future procurement of vital medicine, to be informed by healthcare professionals. The IV fluids in short supply are 0.9 percent saline, a similar salt concentration to what occurs naturally in the body, and Hartmanns solution, which combines a range of salts, including potassium and calcium. These are vital to many aspects of medical practice in hospital settings with some hospitals often requiring hundreds of bags per day. The products are crucial to maintaining blood volume for the bodys normal function and to combat dehydration, which can lead to kidney damage and other complications. They are also necessary for administering anaesthetics and other drugs, including during surgical procedures, and for delivering nutrients to patients who cannot eat or drink. The shortages have resulted in rationing in hospitals across the country. In late July, one New South Wales health district directed doctors to use conservation strategies to manage the shortage, including restricting some solutions for use in resuscitation, intensive care and surgery, minimising fasting in surgical patients to reduce the need for fluid replacement and using oral fluids wherever possible. This month, the Age newspaper cited a Royal Melbourne Hospital internal memo ordering a reduction of IV fluid usage by 20 percent. We ask that all staff use IV fluids judiciously and where clinically appropriate, it said. ANZCA has also advised hospitals to reduce consumption of IV fluids during operations where there may be limited or minimal benefit. There needs to be much greater transparency of whats happening at individual states, but to a certain degree, individual hospitals, and there needs to be honest discussions about where places may need to cease elective surgery if required, a college spokesperson said. In a joint statement with the Australian Society of Anaesthetists on Wednesday, ANZCA wrote: No widespread cancellations of elective procedures have been required, as was feared earlier on. Nevertheless, anaesthetists are being asked to consider the need for preoperative IV fluids on a patient-by-patient basis, and to be judicious in their use. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates medicines and medical devices for safety, quality and effectiveness in Australia. While the TGA claimed in mid-July that the shortages were the result of global shortages, it provided no detailed information to back this claim. In fact, there are no global shortages, but some international transport disruptions with the only manufacturer in Australia, US-based Baxter, attempted to make up the shortfall. Butler claimed this week that Baxter was running their lines at more than 105 percent and would expand its local manufacturing plant in the coming weeks. It remains unclear when authorities were first alerted to the shortage and precisely what is behind it. According to the ABC, the Tasmanian Department of Health voiced its concerns about shortages with the TGA more than 18 months ago. While the TGA monitors health products from the standpoint of safety, the body is not charged with monitoring supply. Purchasing of medicines is left to the individual states with no federal government oversight. Butler initially claimed that the government was managing [the shortage] pretty well. This line was repeated by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who recently told parliament that the government was providing nationally consistent clinical guidance. She then denounced the Liberal-National opposition for what she claimed was a fear and scare campaign in the community. Confronted with rising media coverage about the impact of IV fluid shortages on hospitals across the country, Butler called an emergency meeting of state and territory health ministers on August 16, established a Response Group and sought to reassure the media that the lack of IV fluids was easing. Despite Butlers announcement this week of the newly secured IV supplies, the Response Group is continuing to meet on a weekly basis, or more frequently if required. This is a clear sign that there remains a high level of concern over the constrained supply. What the IV fluid shortages reveal is that there is no effective monitoring system for identifying stock supplies of life-saving treatments that are essential for proper management of public health. Supply has been left to market forcesi.e., the demands of the profit system and the corporations efforts to manage supply to maximise their earnings. The IV fluid crisis is a manifestation of the breakdown of Australias public healthcare system impacted by years of privatisation, government cost-cutting, understaffing and other problems worsened by COVID-19. The profit-driven abolition of all scientific and public health safety strategies to deal with COVID-19, led by Labor federal and state governments, with support from the healthcare unions, has caused more than 25,000 deaths, millions of infections, and kept the healthcare system in a continuous state of crisis for more than four years. The dangerous lack of IV fluids is not an aberration but another example of the incompatibility of capitalism with the basic needs of the population, including healthcare. There is an alternative. Healthcare workers, and the working class more broadly, need to take up a fight for a workers government based on socialist policies, including placing all healthcare facilities and other vital public amenities, along with the major banks and corporations, under public ownership and workers control. Only in this way can societys vast resources be allocated according to the actual needs of the entire working class, not the wealthy elite. Mano Yogalingam, a 23-year-old Sri Lankan who arrived with his family in Australia to claim asylum when he was just 11-years-old, died last Wednesday after setting himself on fire. Memorial for Mano Yogalingam The horrific incident was an outcome of the cruel and unlawful policies of the federal Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Yogalingams self-immolation occurred in the southern Melbourne working class suburb of Noble Park, and followed weeks of demonstrations against the federal Labor governments draconian anti-refugee regime that he had been involved in. Yogalingam was among around 12,000 people that have lived for a decade or more in Australia on so-called bridging and temporary visas. Many of these were issued to asylum seekers from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, who arrived in Australia by boat in the early 2010s. During this period, the previous Rudd-Gillard Labor governments openly repudiated the international legal principle of the right to asylum, regardless of the route of entry into a given country. Refugees arriving by boat were immediately deported to camps on Christmas Island and in the South Pacific states of Nauru and Papua New Guineaand those eventually permitted to reside in Australia have since done so effectively without any rights. Thousands of asylum seekers have lived and grown up in Australia under the threat of imminent deportation, without access to any kind of welfare income support, Medicare or other public health access, and without their children being allowed access to university and tertiary study on the same basis as Australian nationals. Yogalingam reportedly had his asylum application rejected under a so-called fast track system introduced in 2014 by the former Liberal-National government. This system amounted to a fast track into limbo status, with those denied refugee status facing an undefined and indefinite threat of deportation that has now lasted a decade or more. Those subject to this brutal system includes numerous refugees who arrived in Australia as very young children and who are about to graduate high school while having none of the rights of their school friends. The Albanese Labor governments refusal to do anything to resolve the undocumented and effectively stateless status of more than 10,000 people is another expression of its ruthless and right-wing character. The World Socialist Web Site spoke with one of the leaders of the demonstration encampment in Melbourne, Rathy Barthlote of the Tamil Refugee Council, shortly prior to the tragic death of Mano Yogalingam. She condemned the Labor government: Its a game for them, they are playing with us refugees. The government at the moment is showing its face, showing what it is. Rathy Barthlote Rathy fled Sri Lanka in 2013 and has since worked as an aged care worker, while her partner has worked two jobs to jointly support their two school-aged children in conditions of extreme insecurity. Rathy explained that she and other asylum seekers had hoped that the Labor Partys election win in May 2022 would result in a resolution of their visa statuses. In September-October last year, she and 21 other women, predominantly Tamil Sri Lankan and Iranian asylum seekers, spent nearly a month undertaking a protest march from Melbourne to Canberra, only to be rebuffed by government officials. After that, last July, asylum seeker protestors began a 24-hour encampment outside the offices of the Home Affairs Department in Melbourne, with an aligned demonstration beginning shortly after in Sydney, outside the office of the Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke. The Melbourne encampment was attacked by a group of masked neo-Nazis on August 16, which was effectively protected by police from counter-demonstrators. Rathy said about the protest: This is unifying Sri Lankans, Iranians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, and others. We are asking the community to raise their support for us. I fled to Australia as a refugee in 2013, but even now I am still on a bridging visa, which denies everything. I cant access any healthcare; I want to do further studies, but I cant as I have to pay tens of thousands of dollars as an international student. If I go for higher paid jobs, employers ask me what my work rights arethis blocks me from any higher jobs in the aged care sector. Rathy explained that her eldest daughter had arrived in Australia as a young child, was about to graduate high school, but was only now understanding how she was legally different from her friends and classmates. Rathys academically qualified daughter is unable to access usually-subsidised university courses because she is only eligible for full-fee places that are typically awarded to affluent international students. Over the last 12 years, my family has contributed to this community very deeply; we are doing our best, Rathy told the WSWS. My husband is an aged care worker too, and he also works another job as a warehouse forklift driver. We are hardworking people. I havent seen my mother in 18 yearsthis causes emotional trauma and stress. Yes, we are in a communitybut it is an open prison, I cant travel anywhere with the bridging visa. All of us involved in this protest have been stressed for 12 years; this is why we want an end to this uncertainty. We are just asking the government to give us permanent residency. Thats why we are here, we are here to protest peacefully. Several asylum seekers denied residency rights by the Labor government told WSWS reporters about the detrimental impact on their and others health and wellbeing. Multiple people kept in limbo apart from their families have suffered serious mental and physical health effects, including stress, heart failure, depression, and anxiety. Many so-called bridging visas require regular renewal, with an ever present threat of family deportation in the event that such visas are denied. The WSWS understands that at least one family fears that their child will be deported once they turn 18 years of age, and, as a consequence, multiple family members are being monitored for fear of suicide. Another issue is whether or not the denied asylum seekers are permitted to legally work. Kavi One protestor in Melbourne, Kavi, explained that he arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka in 2012 and was previously permitted to work but that work rights were stripped three months ago for no clear reason. I was working in a warehouse, he said, but now I cant do anything, I cant work at all. I dont have any support from the governmentthere is no Centrelink, there is no Medicare, so now I am trying to just survive. I am living off my savings. Yogalingams tragic death underscores the fact that successive Australian governments, Labor and Liberal-National, have led the charge internationally in the assault on the democratic rights of asylum-seekers and refugees. Amid a drive to war and authoritarianism, this offensive is being taken up by fascistic movements and governments internationally, who are scapegoating refugees for the social crisis and seeking to divide the working class along national lines. The alternative is the fight for a unified movement of the entire working class, based on a socialist perspective. A critical element of that struggle is the defence of immigrants and refugees, based on the internationalist principle that workers have the right to live and work wherever they choose, with full citizenship rights. KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2024 - 11:16 | World, Feature, All Hong Kong is well known as a food-lovers' paradise, with the wide variety of cuisines available in the city giving locals a smorgasbord of excellent choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but recently a fast food pancake creation has proved to be an unlikely hit. Hong Kongers have been eagerly awaiting the launch of McDonald's McGriddle breakfast sandwich, which finally hit the city's menus earlier this month after years of delay. The McGriddle, a cheese-topped grilled sausage patty sandwiched between two maple-flavored pancakes, had only been available in other markets, leading some to travel as far as Japan to get their hands on one. The burger is priced at HK$35 ($4.5) as part of a meal set that includes a hash brown and a drink. Hong Kong's general fascination with all things Japanese also contributed to the flow of people traveling for the burger. McDonald's jumped on the Japan bandwagon, with food delivery company Foodpanda even featuring Japanese actor Takuya Kimura speaking in Cantonese in its promotional campaign for McGriddle deliveries. The McGriddle, introduced in the United States in 2003, had never made it to the Hong Kong market despite the item's popularity overseas. But this changed just two months after a copycat sandwich from the Tai Hing Cake Shop in Tsuen Wan in the city's New Territories sparked a social media frenzy, inspiring many local eateries to follow suit. This surge of copycat products appears to have prompted McDonald's Hong Kong to finally offer its version. McDonald's Hong Kong did not respond to inquiries from Kyodo News about its reasons for not previously selling the McGriddle nor why it decided to do so now. The release of the McGriddle in Hong Kong has upended some assumptions that the sweet and salty combination of the food would not suit the local palate. A test sale of the McGriddle in late July caused long queues to form outside the restaurants as customers waited for hours to get their hands on the sandwich. "Thank you for bringing the McGriddle to Hong Kong," one person said, joining a social media frenzy on the first day of the test sale on July 27. "Even with the overwhelming demand, the sandwiches still looked and tasted great." By noon, several outlets had sold out of the product, and just three days later, McDonald's announced that it had sold one million McGriddles. The demand was so intense that the company had to temporarily halt sales until Aug. 5 to replenish their supplies for the official launch. The popularity even led some enterprising locals to attempt to resell the sandwich online for as much as HK$300. A Hong Konger reportedly even went so far as to stockpile 10 frozen McGriddles before the item's temporary discontinuation, with the person boasting that the reheated version had an "indescribable" taste that outperformed even the freshly made versions. Related coverage: Hong Kong floods city with tourist events in bid to revive economy H.K. welcomes birth of panda twins by world's oldest 1st-time mom KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2024 - 17:45 | All, Japan The number of babies born in Japan, as well as to Japanese citizens residing overseas, fell 5.7 percent in the January to June period from a year earlier to a record low of 350,074, government data showed Friday, as the number of marriages continues to decline amid shifting values. The pace of decrease in births for the first half of 2024 accelerated from 3.6 percent in the same period last year, preliminary data by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed. The total of 350,000 marked the lowest level for the January-June period since comparable data became available in 1969. The data include figures for foreigners residing in Japan. If the declining trend continues, the number of births for the full year, excluding foreigners, could fall below 700,000 for the first time. The number of couples tying the knot in the year through June 2024 fell 1.8 percent from a year earlier to 491,462, despite edging up 0.9 percent to 248,513 in the first half of 2024 compared with the same period the previous year. In the six-month period from January, the number of deaths rose 1.8 percent to 811,819, resulting in a natural population decline of 461,745. In 2023, the number of childbirths in Japan, excluding foreigners, stood at 727,277, the lowest on record. A declining population could lead to the collapse of businesses and local government services due to a lack of workers and consumers. The trend could also severely impact social security systems, such as health care and pensions. The government, which considers the current period up until the early 2030s the last chance to reverse the country's declining birthrate, has pledged to implement "unprecedented measures" to address the issue. Related coverage: Record 30% eligible employees took paternity leave in Japan in FY 2023 Japanese population sees biggest drop on record in 15th year of decline Japan to require firms to expand support for employees with kids Long winter nights amid bleakly spellbinding scenery. Minimalist decor with enviable woodwork and chic lamps. Moody characters. Meaningful pauses. Cerebral murder-mystery plots. Since it burst onto the TV scene two decades ago, these have become the trademarks of Nordic noir hauntingly atmospheric dramas hailing from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The Scandinavian screen rush has exerted a strong stylistic influence on UK drama. Homegrown series such as Broadchurch, Hinterland and Shetland share many of the hallmarks. So do recent US thrillers A Murder At The End Of The World and True Detective: Night Country. However, weve limited our selection to Scandi-made series, rather than those inspired by them. We also discounted the likes of Skys Fortitude Norway-set, and filmed in Iceland, but British-produced. As we approach autumn, its the ideal time of year to hunker down with an icy drama. Heres our countdown of the top 15, and where you can stream them tonight 15. Reindeer Mafia (2023) This darkly comic Finnish drama also recalls Succession but with a dash of The Sopranos on snowmobiles. Upon the death of powerful matriarch Brita Nelihanka, long-time ruler of the Lapland wasteland, her relatives descend to collect their inheritance. Naturally, its not that simple. When the spoils go to surprising recipients, the dysfunctional clan finds itself embroiled in an internal power struggle. Secrets and lies emerge. Skulduggery and blood-letting inevitably follow. It led to the emergence of a sub-genre of snow-bound crime, dubbed Reindeer noir. Other locally made dramas include Arctic Circle and 66th North Precinct. Watch it on: channel4.com 14. A Nearly Normal Family (2023) Adapted from MT Edvardssons novel, which sold over half a million copies in Sweden, this creepily absorbing six-parter portrays a seemingly picture-perfect family, headed by a popular priest and his high-powered lawyer wife. Their lives are upended when their teenage daughter is accused of murder and taken into custody. The couple question how well they truly know each other, abuse their positions of authority and realise how far they will go to protect their family. But do they believe their daughter when she insists shes innocent? Watch it on: Netflix 13. The Valhalla Murders (2019) Loosely based on a real-life scandal, this chilly Icelandic police procedural stars Nina Dogg Filippusdottir as Katrin Kata Gunnarsdottir, a hard-bitten detective with Reykjavik police force. Having been passed over for a well-deserved promotion, shes forced to team up with Oslo-based investigator Arnar (Bjorn Thors) to solve a string of ritual murders, connected to a school for troubled boys. As Kata seethes and the duo struggle to hit it off, it emerges that Arnar is racked with secrets and shame. An unsettling case, set amid stunning glacial scenery. Watch it on: Netflix The Valhalla Murders - True North/BBC 12. The Chestnut Man (2021) Written by the creator of The Killing and set in Copenhagen, this haunting series plunges viewers straight into a harrowing murder investigation. A brutally murdered corpse has been found in a childrens playground with one of its hands missing. Hanging above the body is the killers creepy calling card: a doll made of matchsticks and chestnuts. When ambitious detective Naia Thulin (Danica Curcic) and her new partner, Europol investigator Mark Hess (Mikkel Boe Flsgaard), examine the figurine, they discover a shocking connection to a politicians missing daughter. Grisly and gripping. Watch it on: Netflix 11. Those Who Kill (2019-present) The Scandinavians seem particularly strong when it comes to female-led crime thrillers. This hit Danish drama follows criminal profiler Louise Bergstein (Natalie Madueno), who gets called in to help the national crime squad solve murders by getting inside the culprits mind. The debut series, subtitled Darkness, saw her hunting a suspected serial killer of blonde teenage girls in the Copenhagen suburbs. Follow-up Blinded found her investigating the unsolved murders of young men on the island of Funen. In the latest series, Lost, Bergstein is pulled into the investigation when a middle-aged couple are brutally slain outside their home. Watch it on: BBC iPlayer 10. DNA (2019-present) The mighty Charlotte Rampling co-stars in this moreish and multilayered Danish detective drama. Five years after his life (and mental health) was turned upside down by his baby daughters tragic disappearance, respected cop Rolf Larsen (Anders W Berthelsen) discovers a flaw in the polices national DNA database. Might he finally be able to find her? Investigating a parallel case with links to an international child trafficking ring, he teams up with seasoned French investigator Claire (Rampling). A chilling look into the dark underbelly of Copenhagen, lent extra potency by the personal dimension. Watch it on: BBC iPlayer Anders W Berthelsen in DNA - Henrik Ohsten/BBC 9. Occupied (2015-2020) Most Scandi noir series or at least those that make it to the UK tend to be crime dramas. Yet a few, like Borgen and this one, move into the political realm. Conceived by bestselling novelist Jo Nesb, Occupied is set in an imaginary near-future where America is no longer dependent on foreign oil and Europe is crippled by an energy crisis. As a result, Russia decides to softly invade Norway, take over its oil and gas production, and install a shadow government. Across three series, it built into an well-crafted and eerily prescient geopolitical thriller. Read our Occupied review Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video Occupied - Aksel Jermstad 8. Trapped/Entrapped (2016-2021) Hulking, hirsute, rumbling-voiced Olafur Darri Olafsson has become an international cult hero, popping up in Hollywood films, HBOs True Detective, and BBC dramas The Tourist and Boat Story. He first made his name in this hit Icelandic drama as the newly divorced police chief with a penchant for sniffing corpses. When a dismembered body floats to shore in a fjord, our crumpled 6ft 5in hero realises a killer has arrived in the isolated fishing village. To make matters worse, an avalanche has cut off the townsfolk. Two sequel series followed, with Olafsson sharing top billing with the vast landscapes and brutal Arctic weather. Watch it on: Netflix Olafur Darri Olafsson in Trapped/Entrapped - BBC 7. Wisting (2019-present) This police procedural, based on ex-cop Jrn Lier Horsts novels, is the most expensive TV drama Norway has ever produced, with its first series costing 11.4 million. As widowed, weathered detective William Wisting (Sven Nordin) investigates serial killers, cold cases and conspiracies, hes both helped and hindered by his crime writer daughter Line (Thea Green Lundberg). Clever casting of overseas stars enhances its international appeal. Early series found Wisting forced to cooperate with an FBI agent (The Matrixs Carrie-Anne Moss). The latest brought in British actor Rupert Evans as a missing boys father. More pacy and action-packed than many on this list but just as brooding. Watch it on: BBC iPlayer 6. Bordertown (2016-2019) With his beat along the Finnish-Russian border, the serial killers hunted down by Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen (Ville Virtanen) are among the most twisted in the Nordic noir genre. No wonder Stephen King is a fan. This atmospheric whodunit, set amid the snowy mountains and spooky forests north of Helsinki, teams Sorjonen a Sherlock-like socially inept but brilliant investigator, known for his photographic memory with fiery deputy Lena (Anu Sinisalo). When it first aired in its native Finland, more than a fifth of the population tuned in. Gwyneth Paltrow is also a devotee but dont let that put you off. Watch it on: Netflix 5. Deadwind (2018-2022) This high-spec Finnish series follows newly widowed homicide detective and single mother Sofia Karppi (Pihla Viitala), who moves back home to Helsinki from Germany. Tackling her first murder case a mere two months after losing her husband, she throws herself into work as a way to cope with her grief. Karppis relationship with her reluctant new partner, rookie detective Sakari Nurmi (Lauri Tilkanen), who has demons of his own, is particularly well-drawn. With a muted wintry colour palette and cases which go in unexpected directions, Deadwinds three series are eminently binge-worthy. Watch it on: Netflix 4. Wallander (2005-2013) The one that paved the way for the whole Scandi crime boom. Acclaimed theatre actor Krister Henriksson needed his arm twisted by the author himself to play Henning Mankells hangdog detective. Thank goodness he gave in. Flawed protagonist Kurt Wallander confronts both personal and professional demons while solving grim crimes in Ystad, near the southern tip of Sweden. Intricately constructed mysteries, icy visuals and poignant soul-searching set the template for a genre. A British remake, starring Kenneth Branagh, was surprisingly good. Just avoid the recent prequel, Young Wallander, which is disappointing to say the least. Watch it on: BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime Video Krister Henriksson in Wallander - Lars Hagsted/Television Stills 3. Beck (1997-present) The longest-running series in Sweden is this police procedural thriller, based on Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloos novels. Commissioner Martin Beck (Peter Haber) is a divorced Stockholm detective who suffered a great tragedy early in his career. The world-weary, quietly efficient sleuth is paired with dashing but combustible Gunvald Larsson (Sex Educations Mikael Persbrandt) as they solve gritty crimes while exchanging wry looks. The mood is lightened by Becks endearingly quirky relationship with his neck brace-clad neighbour Valdemar Grannen. Over a drink at the end of the day, Beck regales Grannen with shaggy dog stories. Skal! Read our Beck review Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video Peter Haber and Mikael Persbrandt in Beck - Bengt Wanselius/BBC 2. The Bridge (2011-2018) The ultimate odd couple made for an instant Nordic noir classic. When a corpse was found at the precise midpoint of the fog-shrouded resund Bridge, which connects Malmo and Copenhagen, it was unclear whose police jurisdiction applied. Socially awkward Swedish homicide detective Saga Noren (Sofia Helin) was duly paired with her more affable Danish counterpart Martin Rohde (Kim Bodnia) to solve a case which went to some very dark places indeed. Helin was the scene-stealer as the brilliant but emotionally blank Saga, assumed to be on the autism spectrum. The dream team lasted two series before Rohde was replaced by Henrik Sabroe (Thure Lindhardt) for another two. A series so well-loved, it was remade around the world including in the UK as Anglo-French crossover The Tunnel. Read our The Bridge review Watch it on: Apple TV+ Sofia Helin in The Bridge - Jens Juncker 1. The Killing (2007-2012) The Danish procedural, originally titled Forbrydelsen, kick-started the Nordic noir craze and made Euro-drama a Saturday night fixture on BBC Four. Tracking a single murder inquiry across 20 slow-burning, subtitled hours didnt sound like an obvious smash hit. But Inspector Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabl) proved a fascinating enigma. The veteran detective was getting ready to retire when she was drawn into the case of murdered teenager Nanna Birk Larsen. Sofie Grabl in The Killing - Tine Harden/Television Stills Each episode covers 24 hours of the investigation and delves into Copenhagens political corruption. Stylishly gloomy, glacially paced, packed with red herrings and cliffhangers, it made for addictive, novelistic drama. If Stieg Larssons Millennium novels and their film adaptations switched the world on to Scandi crime, it was The Killing which set the TV template. Tak! Read our The Killing review Watch it on: Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV+ 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 view of the logo of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2024. Basel to host Eurovision Song Contest 2025, beating out Geneva. Jens Buttner/dpa The Eurovision Song Contest will take place next year in Basel, a Swiss city bordering Germany and France, the organizers - the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - decided on Friday. The city, which competed with Geneva to host the popular song contest, applied with the motto "Overcoming Borders." It sees itself and the region as the best example of how borders can become insignificant in people's daily lives. The German border region also plans to benefit from the popular singing contest: The mayor of the town of Lorrach, which is fewer than 10 kilometres from Basel, strongly advocated for it to be chosen over Geneva. "We will make the Eurovision Song Contest from the three-country border area into the 40-country border area," the independent politician, Jorg Lutz, said in Basel's application video. He said many Eurovision visitors could stay overnight in Lorrach. In Basel, hotel prices had already skyrocketed to several hundred euros per night for simple accommodation even before the announcement. There are two types of travelers: Ones who want to get to their destination ASAP, and others who dont mind hanging around the airport if the right offer comes along. Frances Wang, whos in the latter category, told her 59K plus Instagram followers she thought she hit the jackpot earlier this month while on flight headed to Austin from Philadelphia. The former Miami reporter/anchor starts the video, with this text over screen: Guys, I had the most embarrassing flight experience ever. I am in tears. Wang goes on to recount that she was on a full American Airlines flight waiting for takeoff when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. Since the plane was overbooked, would there be one volunteer to give up his or her seat for a $1,200 voucher? This is a common practice nowadays compensating customers when flights are oversold. As soon as Wang verbally accepted, fellow passengers congratulated her on her way to disembark, she says in the video. Im so excited, recalled the California native. As Im walking down the aisle everyone is, like, cheering me on. You would think I just won a million dollars on a game show. But once at the front of the aircraft, she was in for a rude awakening. Someone else got there first, and Wang had to slink back to her seat in row 23. She made everyones day because they were vicariously living through her joy and excitement, Wangs seatmate says once theyre all in the air. After landing at their destination, another passenger who felt badly for Wang had a stern message for the airline: Yall said, Never mind and she had to walk back through the aisle. Walk of shame. You owe her $1,200. Plus the refund for her ticket! The Miami Herald reached out to AA for comment, but did not immediately hear back; however, vouchers are normally given to passengers on a first come, first served basis. "It really is one of the most important and significant days in your life," Londo tells PEOPLE of the "emotional whirlwind" wedding Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers Andrea Londo is married! The Narcos actress who played Maria Salazar on the hit Netflix show exchanged vows with Greg Bekkers in a June 15, 2024 wedding at Le Domain du Rey in Saint-Felix-de-Pallieres, France. Londo tells PEOPLE that the couple held their 60-guest nuptials in France so that they could get married near family members who were unable to travel. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers "France has always been a very special place to us as a couple, so it was a no brainer choosing it as our destination," she says. "And Belgium is only a couple hours away, which is where Greg is from, so it was perfect!" Related: Inside Days of Our Lives Stars Arianne Zucker and Shawn Christian's 'Rustic, Elegant' Nevada Wedding! (Exclusive) The couple wanted a very simple, less is more wedding color palette and theme, with the venue and specific details adding contrast for impact. "The bridesmaids wore soft bronze flowy dresses with a figure hugging silhouette and the groomsmen wore black suits with black bow ties," Londo notes. Londo herself wore a cathedral veil with a Chosen by Kyha gown, as she explains, "I knew I wanted a timeless dress with covered buttons in the back." Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo Her father walked her down the aisle as a violinist played Elvis Presleys Cant Help Falling in Love." "Ill never forget having my Dad walk me down the aisle. Hes not a man of many tears, so to see him and feel him cry with emotion as he held my hand is a memory of my father Ill take with me forever," Londo says. "Both Greg and I were crying when we reached each other, it was such a special, almost out of body experience." Londo adds that she chose a blusher veil for the ceremony. "My Dad lifted it when we got to the altar, and I felt like a true 'Mexican bride' all the more for it," she says. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers While Londo's sister-in-law Natasha Bekkers officiated, the couple exchanged handwritten vows, with the bride saying the writing process was "nerve wracking," but worth it. "Its a really grounding thing to do in the midst of all the hectic planning," Londo says of writing her vows. "It really reminds you whats important and what the day is really about celebrating the love you have for each other and this newfound journey youve chosen to start together." Following the ceremony, the couple and guests (including Londo's Narcos co-star Arturo Castro) made their way to the reception, which was held outdoors beneath string lights and surrounded by olive trees. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers We had simple colorful flowers and melted candlesticks scattered all along two long outdoor tables with a white tablecloth draped over top," Londo says, noting that the venue's "expansive view" and the texture from the surrounding buildings offered " the ultimate simple, rustic, yet incredibly romantic atmosphere." While Londo kept her wedding dress on for the reception, she says she "changed the look of the dress for the evening by adding Fenty Beautys Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil in radiant finish to my eyes, a darker lip, and putting on the off-shoulder gloves that came with the dress." Guests dined on a "very French" plated, four-course meal prepared by caterer Husser Traiteur" before the couple cut their cake one they hadn't tried before the big day. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo "We didnt actually try our cake before the wedding, which sounds crazy in retrospect!" Londo says. "We chose the semi-naked 'fine dark chocolate and praline crunch' cake. It tasted like a decadent yet balanced Ferrero Roche, and more than one person told us its the best cake theyd ever had." The couple took their first dance to the song Lost for Words by Plested, which Londo says "became our song back in 2020, when it was playing on the radio the first time we held hands driving down Mulholland Drive." The ceremony was bookended by more intimate events including a dinner in Paris attended by 20 of the couple's closest family and friends. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers "We had dinner at Le Caveau de lisle and then walked around Paris and bar hopped the night away," Londo says. For the rehearsal dinner, some 30 guests gathered for a ceremony walk-through followed by pizza. "It was really nice having a chill, no-pressure day before the big day," Londo says. The Sunday after the wedding was equally casual, with the couple hosting a brunch by the pool area and, later, a barbecue. "We finished the night playing Uno, eating leftover cake, and drinking champagne," Londo says. 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. As Londo describes, she and Bekkers met as the result of "a fateful swipe right in 2019," with Bekkers ultimately proposing during a 2022 trip to Arizona. Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers "We were on a roadtrip through Arizona and Utah," Londo says, noting that after a day of exploring, they arrived back at their accommodations to find the balcony decorated with flowers and champagne. "He proposed at sunset with a photo album that ended with a picture that had 'Will you marry me?' written on it. He played a song he wrote for me in the background the entire time," she adds. Now married, Londo says marriage, for her, means "having your favorite human by your side as you navigate lifes ups and downs." Related: Dollar Tree Decor to Trader Joe's Florals Christine Patruno Shares DIY Tips Ahead of Wedding to Bachelor's Casey Woods Bekkers agrees, adding that his new bride's "passion for life keeps me present and mindful of the little things, which are the most important things." Ashley Robertson Andrea Londo and Greg Bekkers And while Londo says the couple didn't have big expectations for their wedding day, they were both "profoundly surprised and impacted by the emotional whirlwind and significance of every moment throughout the day." "It really is one of the most important and significant days in your life," she says. "The memories made, feelings expressed, and stories shared are forever tethered to the people we experienced them with and with our love for each other." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. They used to say there were no good roles in Hollywood for women over 40. In 1989, when that moment arrived, they had to make an exception for Meryl Streep. But times have changed. Were living through a rare golden age for older actresses thriving, not one of whom is the chameleonic Streep in disguise. In fact, were you to clock the forthcoming attractions at this years Venice Film Festival, you might be taken aback by a paucity of roles for women under 40 so dominant is the star power of these veteran divas. Already, industry legends have been sauntering off vaporetti and bedazzling the worlds press corps. One such is 49-year-old Angelina Jolie, who plays Maria Callas in the final years of her life for Chilean director Pablo Larrain, in the biopic Maria. Two more are Catherine OHara (70) and Winona Ryder (52), reunited as the same temperamentally ill-matched mother and daughter we last saw them play 36 whole years ago in Beetlejuice. All signs point to a thrilling new longevity in the screen careers of our female stars. Take the indefatigable Nicole Kidman, who at 57 is showing no indication of either slowing down or pivoting to sexless roles. Kidmans last romantic pairing isnt far back down memory lane: it was in this summers Netflix romcom A Family Affair, alongside Zac Efron, who is 20 years her junior. Undaunted by that kind of age gap on screen, Kidman has only just gone and increased it by a decade. Her Venice contender Babygirl is a racy-looking contemporary erotic thriller, in which she plays a high-flying CEO who has a forbidden fling with an intern, played by 28-year-old Harris Dickinson. Angelina Jolie plays Maria Callas for Chilean director Pablo Larrain, in the biopic Maria - Pablo Marain In the past, we couldnt move for age discrepancies in cinema, but it was always the men who were older Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson or Robert Redford, most likely. Kidman has flipped the script on all that, as a luminous Annette Bening also did opposite Jamie Bell, when she played Gloria Grahame in the underrated Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool (2017). Kidman and Bening (now 66, and Oscar-nominated this year for playing a veteran swimmer in Nyad) are among the leading lights of that generation, making it entirely good and right that they havent been coerced into closing up shop. Another pair of stalwarts are Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, both 63, who will be walking the red carpets too next week: they co-star as old friends reunited in Pedro Almodovars first English-language feature, The Room Next Door. These actors have all kept up a steady work rate beyond the wildest dreams of those who flourished in (say) the 1960s. Consider someone like Goldie Hawn. Her character in The First Wives Club (1996), a faded Oscar-winning actress (eep!) whose husband has traded her in, gets the films best quip: There are only three ages for women in Hollywood: babe, District Attorney, and Driving Miss Daisy. Hawn was only 50 when she took that part, but she proved the point: her subsequent leading roles could be counted on one hand, with fingers to spare. Alternatively, ponder the disappearance of Debra Winger, who was everywhere in the 1980s, got three Best Actress nominations, but then reached the end of the line in 1995. I stopped reading scripts and stopped caring, she admitted. She now makes spiky cameos when you ask very nicely. Winger was exactly 40 at that time, and would become the named subject of a 2002 documentary by Rosanna Arquette, Searching for Debra Winger, which explored this very phenomenon of actress burnout. A generation later, if we tried to imagine Cate Blanchett calling it quits at the same age (i.e in 2009), it would be an awful wasteland of opportunities missed. We would be saying goodbye to her Oscar for Blue Jasmine (2013), the stunning coup of Carol (2015), and the tetchy field day of Tar, which won her Venices Volpi Cup for Best Actress two years ago. You could play much the same game with Viola Davis, now 59, who has only become a star over her last two, indispensable decades. At 55, Blanchett is back on the Lido to unveil Disclaimer, a seven-part Apple TV+ series written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron. If youre not excited to see her play an investigative journalist famed for exposing others misdeeds, who finds her own darkest secret aired in the pages of a novel, you simply havent been watching Blanchett at work. Cate Blanchett in Tar, which won her Venice's Volpi Cup for Best Actress two years ago - LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo It isnt just the career of Streep, who has picked up two-thirds of her 21 Oscar nominations since the age of 40, which has been revolutionary. After being pressured to retire, Michelle Yeoh just blew us all away in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Frances McDormand has now won Best Actress twice in her sixties (for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Nomadland). The first of those two was significantly timed. It was right in the thick of Hollywoods moral audit around #MeToo, just months before Harvey Weinsteins arrest. McDormand, one of the film worlds least abashed feminists, gave an all-timer of a rousing acceptance speech, coaxing every female nominee in the room (not just the actors) to stand with her and fight for greater inclusion from the industry. Symbolically, she did all this having set her Oscar down and given him a little pat on the head. Was this a sea change? Not in and of itself more a rallying cry. But the casting-couch practices Weinstein had made so notorious would, of course, be rigorously scrutinised during his trial. Hollywoods toxic disdain for giving opportunities to older women has since been exposed to an equally unforgiving spotlight. Thats the entire subject of The Substance, an outrageous, sickening body-horror satire which premiered in Cannes this May, giving 61-year-old Demi Moore a mighty comeback. She was the toast of the Croisette and is now firmly on the Oscar trail. If were judging by Academy plaudits, it might take meteoric advances in human life expectancy for anyone to match that Streepian record. (Ever.) But there are other pathways to becoming a doyenne. Agents might egg on their clients to Do A Dench, rising to global fame only when theyre past 60. Dame Judi was 64 when Mrs Brown (1997) acquired by Weinsteins Miramax, somewhat ironically established her as a bankable film star. That means theres plenty of time for, say, Lesley Manville (68) to catch up: her sleeper hit Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (2022) did really nicely, grossing $31m worldwide from a $13m budget. Seedlings are firmly in place for Emma Thompson (65) to have the glorious late reflorescence we all want. Who else? Helen Mirren (79) is by no means done. Sigourney Weaver (74) could really do with an elusive Oscar if anyones paying attention, but eight-times-unlucky Glenn Close (77) would surely fight her to it. Meanwhile, in her first-ever leading role, 94-year-old June Squibb just got her own back on a phone scammer in the comedy-drama Thelma, which travelled a healthy distance from Sundance to reach enthusiastic audiences. A two-star review from, ahem, the Telegraph was but a minor roadblock. Its hard not to take inspiration from these achievements: after all, the idea of entering ones prime as a nonagenarian can only bring hope to us all. Perhaps we should be paying due attention to the hair of, say, Jamie Lee Curtis at 65 whos just completed shooting on Freakier Friday for next year. Scrap golden age, then: its a shimmering silver one, and long may it last. 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. Prince Christian of Denmark, who graduated from high school in June, will spend some time traveling before he begins any further studies or military training. "On 4 September, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince will set out for an extended stay in East Africa," the Royal House of Denmark announced today. "There, The Crown Prince will be involved in the daily operation of two farms, which will, among other things, include practical and administrative tasks and also give The Crown Prince insight into local nature protection. The plan is for The Crown Prince to return to Denmark in December." Specifically where in East Africa that Prince Christian will stay has not been shared. The Danish Royal house noted that King Frederik, Queen Mary, and Prince Christian hope "that there will be an understanding that the stay abroad remains a private matter from beginning to end. For this reason, no additional details about the stay will be made public." The Royal House also said Prince Christian is following in his family's footsteps to spend time abroad. "In The Royal Family, there is a long tradition that the successors to the throne go on extended stays abroad during their youth and have the opportunity to develop and experience the world," they write. "Thus, His Majesty The King took part in an expedition to Mongolia in 1986 focused on the nomads and, in 1989, worked for a year at a vineyard in California. Her Majesty Queen Margrethe also went on longer trips to the East and South America in the 1960s." You Might Also Like Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Royal Tour of Colombia: Inside the Fashion and the Fallout "Locals suggested the visit was really meant as distraction for the Colombian president's corruption scandal, a source exclusively tells In Touch of the invitation, which the vice president said she extended after seeing the Sussexes' Netflix documentary. South American style! Meghan Markle showed off multiple outfits during her "quasi royal" tour of Colombia with Prince Harry in August. And thanks in part to her jewelry including a $22,300 gold Tank Francaise watch that belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana the duchess wore upward of $200,000 in clothing and accessories over four days. But her fashion wasn't the only reason for raised eyebrows. Harry and Meghan are now facing major blowback over their four-day trip to the South American country. It's time to spice up breakfast. Adobe/Allrecipes To me, nothing is worse than a boring plate of scrambled eggs. While I love a flavorful omelet or breakfast casserole, I just cant eat plain eggs on their own. In desperate times, I have resorted to adding everything from cheese to salsa to even ketchup to my eggs to spice them up. And Im not alone in searching for the best way to prepare this versatile breakfast staple. There are endless debates about what to do with scrambled eggs to make them perfect: Add cottage cheese, olive oil, or mayonnaise. The options make my head spin. But, there is one magical time of year when I know that I dont need to worry about how to give my scrambled eggs the upgrade they deserve. From late summer to early fall, this seasonal ingredient is all I need to turn my meal from boring to brilliant. It is so delicious, that I go to sleep excited for my breakfast the next morning. Molly Watson Chiles to Broil What Are Hatch Chile Peppers? Hatch chile peppers are a special variety of chile grown in Hatch, New Mexico. Their smoky heat makes them a versatile addition to a variety of foodsfrom enchiladas to chili, to salsa. They are harvested from late August to late September. And while they might sound like your average seasonal pepper, they are much more than that. Hatch chiles are so popular, that people celebrate them every Labor Day weekend in Hatch with a harvest festival. Im not from New Mexico, and I have, sadly, never been to the Hatch Chile Festival. (But, it's high on the bucket list). However, I am lucky enough to live one state over from New Mexico in Texas, where my local grocery store is stocked with Hatch chiles starting at the end of August. While it is easiest to find the peppers in areas near New Mexico, you also can get them shipped right to your door. Or, you can opt for the canned alternative when they are no longer in season. It just wont be quite the same. Their popularity in Texas means that I can add them to all sorts of dishes like mac and cheese and quesadillas. But, my favorite food to add hatch chile peppers to is also the simplest. Because it couldnt be easier to put together, and because it is so delicious, it has become my breakfast on repeat for the entire end of summer. Hatch Chiles Are the Upgrade Your Scrambled Eggs Need When I finally get my hands on some Hatch chiles at the end of August, all I need to do to enjoy their magic is toss them into some scrambled eggs, and Im happy. As such a versatile ingredient, there really are so many options for how to use hatch chiles. But sometimes, I cant wait until dinner to enjoy this spicy pepper. Besides, breakfast is really where they get their time to shine. To make some Hatch chile scrambled eggs, I prepare my scrambled eggs as I usually would. The only difference is that I cook my chopped, fresh chile peppers (with the seeds removed) in some butter before I add the eggs to my pan. Today, I also added some tomatoes. Right before my scrambled eggs are ready, I mix in some cheese. Then Im good to go! Im happy to have my scrambled eggs with some toast or just on their own, but these eggs with a kick would also be delicious in breakfast tacos. To me, they pack the perfect level of spice and smokey heat. With the addition of a little spice, my scrambled eggs have the only upgrade they could possibly need. Next time you stumble upon Hatch chile peppers, make sure to stock up for the best breakfast upgrade everif you can handle the heat. Read the original article on All Recipes. KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2024 - 09:34 | World, All Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, a top aide to President Joe Biden, sought stable bilateral ties during their meeting in Beijing on Thursday, ahead of a possible final summit between the two leaders before Biden steps down next January. Xi said China and the United States should be "a source of stability" for world peace, and Beijing's commitment to the goal of "a stable, healthy and sustainable" Sino-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Sullivan said Washington hopes to find a way for the two largest economies to coexist peacefully and for their ties to develop sustainably, the ministry added. The Chinese leader was also quoted by the ministry as saying Beijing's position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, in a veiled reference to China's claim to Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island. The senior White House official held talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital on the final day of his three-day visit to China. At a press conference following the talks, Sullivan said it is "likely" that both Biden and Xi will attend summits of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the Group of 20 later this year, and it would "only be natural" for them to have a chance to sit down with one another. During Sullivan's two-day talks with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, through Wednesday, both sides agreed to arrange a call between Biden and Xi "in the coming weeks." The senior U.S. official also confirmed the importance of regular military-to-military communications in a meeting with Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, the White House said. In a rare meeting, Sullivan and Zhang, China's top uniformed military official, recognized the progress in military-to-military communications over the past 10 months and planned to organize a theater commander phone call "in the near future," according to the White House. The agreement was meant to prevent the two countries' intense competition from turning into conflict or confrontation. High-level military communication channels had been shut since China protested a visit to Taiwan made in 2022 by then-U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The situation, however, has changed since an agreement between Biden and Xi in November 2023 near San Francisco to reopen direct military-to-military talks at several levels. During his meeting with Zhang, Sullivan said that peace and stability around Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory while often engaging in shows of force, is important, according to the White House. Among other points, the White House said Sullivan also noted that the United States remains committed to continuing freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and voiced concern over China's support for Russia's defense industrial base. At the news conference, Sullivan said he raised U.S. concerns about "destabilizing actions" against "lawful" maritime operations of the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese Defense Ministry said it is in the "common interest" of Beijing and Washington to maintain stability in the area of security, and the two sides should promote communication and exchanges between their militaries. Regarding Taiwan, Zhang said the island's independence is "incompatible" with peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and that promoting reunification is the mission and duty of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. He also urged Washington to stop arming the territory and halt "military collusion" with Taiwan, according to the ministry. Sullivan said he did not discuss the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November with Chinese officials but stressed at the press conference that he has told them it is unacceptable for any nation to interfere in American elections. Biden abandoned his reelection bid in July and will leave office in January next year. He and Xi last held in-person talks last November. Related coverage: Biden, Xi planning talks "in the coming weeks": White House Ten years ago, Anna E. Cottrell walked into a hillside home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and knew in her bones that it was the one. She didnt mind that the bungalow was a circa-1961 build, or that it hadnt been restored for decades. I immediately felt a very cool California vibe, the creative director recalls.I could imagine myself being happy and inspired here. The black concrete floors, clean lines, and floor-to-ceiling windows that wash the space in natural light really sealed the deal. For the next decade or so, Annas prophecy came true. But when her home landed on the National Register of Historic Places, something inside her said it was time to bring the home back to life. This time, Instagram predicted Annas future, pointing her to interior designer Whitney Romanoff of Fayetteville-based studio Meet West, whose work she had been following for a while. But as Anna recalls, finding an aesthetic wasnt plain sailing. It was the most chaotic brief ever, and Whitney was honestly a mind reader. I specifically remember her laughing at the number of French provincial and English country tear sheets I had pulled out, she says. After she helped distill my design references, the goal was to bring the house back to life using fabulous materials that the original architect would be proud of, while letting the original architecture shine. Whitney remembers her first visit to the house like it was yesterday. Annas unassumingly chic, black-and-white photography collection and her spilling-over vintage wardrobe jumped out at me, and I knew then this project had potential for serious vibes, she says. These vibes evidently involved a groovy playlist (think tracks by Charlotte Gainsbourg, the Velvet Underground, and Jenny Lewis) and a groovier storyline, which plays a larger role in Whitneys design process. We create a playlist and a [make-believe] storyline [in every project] as a way to stoke our teams and our clients imaginations, she explains. The storyline this time was inspired by Anna herself and the homes LA-esque midcentury-modern architecture. We imagined the space as a late 1960s hideaway for a French New Wave film icon decamping from Paris to Mulholland Drive, she smiles. But given that the home hadnt been updated for decadesstorage was lacking, the concrete floors were scratched and peeling, and many original details, like the wood-paneled walls, were hidden behind layers of white paintMulholland Drive (or anywhere near) was a total stretch. As Whitney further explains, undoing bits of the past helped set the stage for the future, making room for warm, feminine details and luxe materials to give each room a cinematic quality. The result is a space that feels both foundas if the details added could have been there all alongand unique and personal to Annas aesthetic, she adds. Whitney dressed the home like she would a person, hanging bedside pendants as dangling earrings, haloing the bathrooms and office with vintage lighting to channel an elegant boudoir, and rouging the primary bathroom with a quartzite vanity with specks of blue and pink. For her, it couldnt be a historic home without historic moments. And so the interior designer leaned into the past, bringing in rose tile in the kitchen as a hat-tip to the original pink tile, and Annas late grandmothers Turkish rug in the living room, one that Anna had danced on as a child. Then she completed the interior with modern luxuries in the primary bathroom and kitchen, including a panel-ready refrigerator, soaking tub, and custom cabinetry. Out of all the spaces that got a second life, Anna cites the primary bathroom as her personal favorite. It was a total gut job and feels like such a monumental transformation. Before the renovation I had a super shallow cast-iron tub that wasnt insulated, and now I feel so luxurious in my deep bathtub, she explains, noting that its made all the more special by the 1960s Helena Tynell bubble glass fixtures and the divider that casts shapeshifting shadows come mid-afternoon. I cant get enough of it, she says, as much about the bathroom as the home itself. Its all so dreamy. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From Clever Angelina Jolie has shared where she plans on moving after her twins turn 18. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 49-year-old Oscar winner spoke about her family dynamics amid her ongoing, contentious divorce from fellow Hollywood star Brad Pitt. Despite having grown up in Los Angeles, born to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie admitted she had only stayed in the city because of the divorce proceedings. I have to be here from a divorce, she revealed to the outlet, referencing the twins she shares with Pitt: 16-year-olds Vivienne and Knox. But as soon as theyre 18, Ill be able to leave. Once the youngest of the former couples brood comes of age, she notes that she plans on being a globetrotter, starting with traveling to Cambodia, where she adopted her son Maddox in 2002. Ill spend a lot of time in Cambodia, she continued. Ill spend time visiting my family members wherever they may be in the world. When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety, Jolie said, noting that she yearns for the connection and experiences she encountered in her earlier travels. I have a house now to raise my children, but sometimes this place can be that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here. Her big family includes includes her four older children: Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18. The majority of the Brangelina brood have seemingly cut out Pitt from their lives following the divorce, with many of them publicly dropping Pitts name in favor of using solely Jolies, including most recently Shiloh. In May, Shiloh immediately filed to legally drop her fathers last name upon turning 18. The change was granted in August, allowing the 18 year old to legally go by Shiloh Jolie rather than Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. Not only that, but in a video shared by Essence last November, the former couples eldest daughter Zahara notably introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie while joining the Mu Pi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at her university, Spelman College. She was seen dancing alongside her fellow sorority sisters before introducing herself, My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California. Even one of the twins seems to have notably opted for their mothers last name. In the Playbill for the new musical The Outsiders, which the Eternals actor produced with the assistance of Vivienne, People confirmed that the youngest daughter was listed as Vivienne Jolie instead of Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in 2016 after a decade of dating and two years of marriage. In an interview with Vogue India, Jolie hinted at the catalyst for their separation, saying: I separated for the well being of my family. It was the right decision. I continue to focus on their healing. Its been speculated that she was referring to the 2016 airplane incident in which Pitt and his wife became embroiled in a heated argument. The FBI investigated the incident and the heavily redacted report was eventually made public record during the pairs divorce proceedings. You don't have to be a sociologist to know that Americans love chili. The delicious stew takes many forms as you wander across the States, and local preferences are often heartily defended against what are perceived to be foreign chili imposters. Two of the most hard-fought battlegrounds in the American chili wars are Texas and Cincinnati, Ohio. The exact origin of chili is a bit of a mystery and legends run wild. One legend claims it was a product of the Aztecs. Only, instead of using beef for the meat, they sacrificed prisoners of war and ate them alongside chili peppers and tomatoes. A less gruesome legend has it that the recipe came from a Spanish nun who visited Native Americans in Texas via astral projection and returned with the recipe in hand. Tall tales abound, but the general consensus is that chili as we know it today originated around the middle of the 1800s in the small towns that nestled themselves along the border between Texas and Mexico. By the 1880s, chili vendors had set up food stands in San Antonio, Texas, and the recipe slowly spread from there. While the two dishes both have "chili" in the name and include beef and spices, the similarities pretty much end there. Texas chili is served as a standalone stew and never includes beans, while Cincinnati chili is more gravy-like and freeform. Here are the key differences between the two, explained. Read more: Styles Of Regional BBQ In The US What Is Texas Chili? A bowl of homemade Texas chili - Watch And Rewatch/Shutterstock Since Texas is most likely where chili was first created, there's a good argument to be made that proper Texas-style chili, also called Texas red chili or chili con carne, is as close to the original recipe as we can find. Chili con carne has been Texas' state dish for almost half a century, and there are very specific rules about how it ought to be prepared, the most famous of which is the unwavering rejection of any and all beans. But we'll dig more into the ingredients when we start talking about what makes these two versions different. The chili vendors that were operating out of San Antonio back in the 1880s were known as Chili Queens, and they're often credited for jumpstarting the culinary aesthetic that would grow into what we now know as Tex-Mex cuisine. They would continue operating until 1940 when new regulations arose, but the chili they helped San Antonio fall in love with made its way across the great state of Texas in the ensuing years. The Chicago World's Fair in 1893 marked the official introduction of the Texas dish to the rest of the country. Shortly after, you began to see chili parlors cropping up all over the States including in Cincinnati. What Is Cincinnati Chili? A plate of Cincinnati chili spaghetti - Bhofack2/Getty Images Cincinnati chili was popularized by the fast food chains Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili, but its history goes back much farther. Cincinnati is predominantly known as an old German town, and it was the Cincinnati Germans who first created goetta (another Cincinnati food staple), but German immigrants can't claim the city's iconic style of chili. That honor goes to the Greeks, thanks to the two brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, who immigrated to America from Macedonia in the 1920s. In 1922, they opened Empress Chili Parlor, and Cincinnati chili was never the same again. Their classic Cincinnati chili married all the great flavors of American chili with the spices and flavors that were popular in Greek Macedonian foods, like the meat and veggie casserole known as moussaka and the Greek version of lasagna known as pastitsio. These culinary inspirations could also help explain why Cincinnati chili is often served over spaghetti noodles and topped with heaping doses of cheese and a side of oyster crackers. The texture of Cincinnati chili doesn't get very much love from people who aren't familiar with it since it typically looks more like a meaty gravy than a chunky stew, but the unique flavors are undeniable. Most people don't eat Cincinnati chili on its own, anyway. But we're getting ahead of ourselves, so let's dig in. Different Spice Blends Give These Chilis Very Different Flavor Profiles Two spoonfuls of chili powder blends - Creativegan.net/Getty Images There may be some rare exceptions that we aren't familiar with, but the general consensus is that all chili is flavored with either chili powder or whole dried chilis. It's where the name comes from, after all. But beyond that, there doesn't appear to be any real restrictions on what flavors can constitute a chili. A true classic Texas-style chili is old school by only including a mixture of different whole dried red chilis to flavor the dish, including chipotle, ancho, costeno, and cascabel chilis, etc. There are a few ways to add these to the dish, but grinding them up and tossing them in isn't all that uncommon. Masa harina is then added to the broth to thicken it up, though it doesn't add much in terms of flavor. But while this is the traditional way, it's fairly common to see modern Texas chili makers add other spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano to the pot. The debate in Texas over what spices are acceptable remains a highly contentious one. Like we mentioned earlier, Cincinnati chili draws from its Greek Macedonian roots and mixes chili powder with clove, nutmeg, all-spice, oregano, garlic, bay leaves, and cocoa powder to create a flavor profile that isn't terribly spicy but boasts pleasantly warm spice notes. The Tex-Mex influence is much more subtle here, as you can see, but it isn't altogether absent. The Two Styles Both Use Beef, But Not In The Same Way Overview of Cincinnati style chili in a bowl - Tanveer Anjum Towsif/Shutterstock You can make chili with different sources of protein, but beef is clearly preferred over other options. Both Cincinnati chili and Texas chili use beef. The difference is how the beef is prepared. With classic Texas chili, you get big chunks of beef in the form of diced cubes of beef chuck or something similar. These are usually seared slightly before being thrown into the broth. This creates a hearty mouthfeel for people to sink their teeth into, an important feature since Texas chili is always served on its own. There are lots of modern Texas chili recipes that call for ground beef, probably because of how easy it is to cook with, but it's certainly not the traditional way. Cincinnati chili sees Texas' big chunks of beef and runs in the exact opposite direction by using finely ground beef. The beef is so finely ground, in fact, that it often gets lost in the sauce, which helps give it the gravy-like texture we mentioned earlier. Although it throws people who aren't used to thin chili off, it makes it much more practical as a sauce since you won't be trying to balance a big block of beef on top of your coney dog. Texans Are Strongly Against Adding Fillers To Their Chili, But Cincinnati Embraces Them Chili cooking in a cast iron pot - Gmvozd/Getty Images What exactly constitutes a filler in chili isn't as clear as it could be, but whatever the definition means, it definitely includes beans, pasta, and rice. Beans, in particular, appear to be the primary offenders. You will never find beans in a true Texas chili recipe and we wouldn't recommend arguing with a Texan about your love of beans in your chili, as your fondness for chili with beans is unlikely to match their disdain for the stuff. Chili competitions are on board with it, too. Beans are expressly forbidden in the majority of chili competitions, and their inclusion constitutes a disqualifiable offense in most categories. With such pressure to refrain from fillers, Cincinnati chili looks positively carefree. There are many ways to order or prepare Cincinnati chili, referred to as the "way" system. Two-way chili is chili on top of spaghetti noodles, a three-way is a two-way but topped with a generous portion of shredded cheddar cheese, a four-way is a three-way with either beans or diced onions, and a five-way throws in the kitchen sink by using both beans and onions. It's not as complicated as it sounds, each step up simply means you're adding another ingredient. Theoretically, you could order a one-way with just chili, but you aren't likely to find it on a menu anywhere in town. Which brings us to our final difference, how these two chilis are served. Texas Chili Stands Alone, While Cincinnati Chili Is Served With Friends Overview of three Cincinnati chili dogs - AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock The Lone Star State sure does love their individualism, and that ethos transfers to their chili as well. Texas chili is a standalone meal served like a typical stew. Hearty, meaty, and plenty filling, a bowl of Texas chili can stand on its own two feet, no problem. People like to top Texas chili with cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, and cilantro, and a side of tortilla chips or cornbread wouldn't seem out of place, but that's about it. Unlike Texas Chili, Cincinnati chili is served in an ensemble with various foods. The fact that you serve Cincinnati chili five different ways depending on what ingredients you add to the mix highlights that fact. But, although Cincinnati chili and spaghetti are a famous duo, the chili dog is easily just as famous. Skyline and Gold Star both call them cheese coneys, but whether you call them a cheese coney, chili dog, or coney dog, the idea remains the same: It's a hot dog on a bun slathered with good old Cincinnati chili before being topped with diced onions and a mountain of cheddar cheese. The multiple uses of Cincinnati chili just emphasizes how differently people see Cincinnati chili versus Texas chili. Whereas Texas chili is a main plate, Cincinnati chili is treated more as a sauce. It's borderline a Bolognese sauce when paired with spaghetti, and nearly qualifies as a condiment when placed on a hot dog. Read the original article on Tasting Table. New craft beer festival with over 30 brews coming to Peoria Heights. Here's what to know Bust'd Brewing, a new beer brewery in the former Subway building on Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, is opening to the public on May 17. It has been five years since the Peoria Jaycees hosted their last International Beer Festival in 2019. Bre Henderson, taproom manager at Bustd Brewing, said customers have often shared their desire for a craft beer festival to return to central Illinois. So, now, we're trying to get something restarted and hopefully grow it into something larger to bring people from all over Illinois back into Peoria to celebrate craft beer, she said. Soon, over a dozen brewers will set up in the establishments parking lot for the Bustd Beer Bash. Henderson said Bustd Brewing has heard an overwhelming response from the community since announcing the event. When is the Bust'd Beer Bash? Bust'd Brewing will host its Bust'd Beer Bash on Sept. 7 from noon until 4 p.m. Inside, Henderson said Bustd Brewing will operate as normal for those not attending the event. More: Red Lobster has closed, but here are other local options for seafood in Peoria Tickets for the event Bustd Brewing is offering a total of 250 tickets for the event, and Henderson said there are still plenty left. We're really anticipating the majority of people to start buying once, you know, the weather forecast comes out which should be any day now, Henderson said. General admission is $45. Henderson said attendees will receive a 5-ounce glass and will be able to sample beers from over a dozen brewers. Eventbrite also lists designated driver tickets for $10. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or in person at the business. Henderson said tickets will also be available the day of the event but recommends purchasing them in advance. How many breweries will be at the event? Including Bustd Brewing, Henderson said a total of 13 brewers will set up in the parking lot for the Bustd Beer Bash. She expects there will be more than 30 beers which visitors can sample. Henderson said she is excited to offer visitors the opportunity to try beers they might not typically drink. You're not having to exchange a ticket or buy a glass of beer that you might not like, she said. If you don't like it, that's OK. You got to try something different. Henderson said attendees will find a variety of brewers from across the state from Treehive Meadery to the south all the way up to Almond Ridge Brewery in the Chicago suburbs. We've got some people traveling from all over Illinois to come share their beer with us here in central Illinois, she said. Brewers attending the event include: Almond Ridge Brewery Analytical Brewing Bald Buddha Brewing Bustd Brewing Destihl Homebrewers of Peoria Industry Brewing Keg Grove Brewing Company Obscurity Brewing and Mead Hall Reserve Artisan Ales Treehive Meadery Wake Brewing White Oak Brewing More: Downtown Peoria business opens with new vision Will food be available? Yes, Henderson said two Peoria Heights establishments Clink Bar and Events and Slow Hand Craft BBQ will serve food at the event. Food is not included in the cost of admission. Hungry for more Peoria food news? Sign up for PJStar Dining Parking and seating for the event Attendees may park in public lots or street parking. Much like when Cousins Maine Lobster came to visit, Henderson asked visitors to be respectful of neighboring businesses which are open by not using their lots. Bustd Brewing will set up extra picnic tables and standing cocktail tables for guests to relax and converse, Henderson said. Friday night at the Fox Pub On Friday, Sept. 6, Bustd Brewing will visit The Fox Pub and Cafe for its Summer Patio Party which takes place from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Henderson said during the event, Bustd Brewing will release a new coffee IPA which incorporates coffee from Intuition Coffee Company. The event description on Facebook says cocktails which incorporate spirits from BLACK BAND Distillery will also be available and noted: Our patio party will start your weekend off right, as it gears up for the Inaugural Bust'd Beer Bash on Saturday the 7th. More: Peoria restaurant inspections for July 2024 This article originally appeared on Journal Star: New craft beer festival coming to Peoria heights CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Residents who would like to experience a different Thanksgiving morning running or wobbling through Old Town Clovis might want to take a look at this event. Turkey Day Run in Clovis will allow residents to begin their Thanksgiving morning a little bit differently -organizers say the Clovis Turkey Day Run has moved to Pollasky Avenue. The 30-point race will go through Old Town Clovis beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov 28. Organizers say the event will include a finishers Medallion to all participants, a long-sleeve Thanksgiving-themed t-shirt, hot chocolate and coffee, donuts, free parking, fun fast, and family-friendly courses, age group awards with overall cash prizes, a costume contest, and more. Participants can sign up for the 5K Run/Walk, 2-mile Walk, or the Virtual Run Turkey Trot. However, organizers encourage participants to hurry, because prices for the event will increase after Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the events 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. New Homeowner Finds 'Jackpot' of Valuable Vintage Tiles After Flood Forces Her to Rip Up Floors Anne Alcott tells PEOPLE she is excited to "restore the charm" of her home Anne Alcott Anne Alcott's hallway before and after New homeowner Anne Alcott was devastated when her sewer pipe burst just three days after she moved into her house but delighted to find a gorgeous surprise underneath her damaged floors. Alcott tells PEOPLE that she bought the house in May, and "within the same week, the pipe broke." As the home's entryway was newly carpeted, the water damage required ripping up the carpet so it wouldn't lead to mildew and mold. But to 36-year-old Alcott's surprise, what was hiding beneath the carpet was even better: red and white terrazzo tile with a black-and-white checkered detail. 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. Related: Woman Buys Historic 1882 Cottage, Brings Back Charm Through 'Whimsical' Renovations (Exclusive) Terrazzo is an often pricey material made up of chips of materials like "marble, granite, quartz, glass, shell," according to Terrazzco.com. It's also exceptionally durable. In a series of photos shared to TikTok, Alcott recounted how she discovered the stunning floors in her Haarlem, Netherlands, home. "POV: you buy your dream house and three days later the sewer pipe bursts and floods your hallway but it's all good because you rip out that old stinky carpet and hit the JACKPOT," she wrote on TikTok. After ripping up the damaged carpet, she decided to take a gamble and continue pulling it up in the very front of the house. To her delight, she found more terrazzo. Anne Alcott Flooding in Anne Alcott's home "It was in a state," she noted on TikTok, adding that "with some elbow grease" (and some epoxy to repair a crack), it now looks much better. "A bit of polish and tadaaaa," she added. Speaking to PEOPLE, Alcott says that she had "planned to get rid of the carpet at some point," but not right away, due to moving costs. Of course, once the pipe burst, she didn't have a choice and was ultimately grateful for the minor headache. As commenters have noted on TikTok, Alcott was among the lucky few to have house damage reveal something beautiful. "My flood revealed asbestos tiles," wrote commenter. Another wrote: "my house turns 145 and i just found lead pipes." Anne Alcott Anne Alcott's terrazzo floors And while the refurbished floors offered a dramatic before-and-after, Alcott is now looking ahead to other projects. "We also plan to skim coat the walls, take off plastic covering thats hiding the lovely green floor tiles in the entrance, and we know of double stained glass sliding doors hiding in the arches of the house," she says. "The previous owners covered them up." She continues: "We like to restore the old charm of the house so were excited to dig further and see whats hiding." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Marking the third Canadian destination to be added to the Michelin Guide, the restaurants of Quebec are perfecting their poutine and fine-tuning their tourtiere in anticipation. The Guide's anonymous inspectors have their work cut out for them as the addition of Quebec includes the largest province in all of Canada by size and the second largest by population. The capital of Quebec, Quebec City, will undoubtedly receive a generous amount of attention, but anyone can nominate a restaurant for consideration, so if you know of a restaurant in the region that ought not to be overlooked, now is the time to let the group know. The Michelin Guide inspectors are already out in the field, dining on all of the best food that the province has to offer. However, the process of earning a Michelin star takes a long time as inspectors are required to visit the nominated restaurants several times to check for consistency. So while we won't know immediately which restaurants will receive the honor of a Michelin star, Michelin Guide has announced that the inaugural selection from Quebec will be released in 2025. We're excited to see how Quebec food compares to some of our favorite Michelin starred restaurants in the U.S., but it's a global culinary stage that Quebec has just been invited onto. For those Quebecois restaurants that receive the designation, the pressure for world class performance will only increase as the reward for success becomes ever more enticing. Read more: Restaurant Foods That Always Taste Better Than What You Make At Home The Quebecois Culinary Scene Is About To Get Competitive two star 2024 Michelin plaque - Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock The addition of Quebec follows hot on the heels of Canada's other two Michelin Guide destinations; both Toronto and Vancouver were brought into the program in 2022. Whether that means we can expect more Canadian destinations to be added to the list in the next few years is pure speculation, but the northern country has certainly garnered some interest from the Guide. Even if the relatively rapid expansion into Canada comes to a screeching halt, Canada still has a lot to look forward to with the interest it has gained already. The Michelin Guide is essentially still a travel guide for foodies. It was started by the tire company Michelin over a century ago in the year 1900 to promote travel as a clever way to market its new rubber tires. The Michelin Guide's history is full of fun facts like this, but what's relevant here is that Canada will almost certainly enjoy a rise in tourism as global travelers looking for interesting food to try will now have a better sense of what the country has to offer. But it isn't just foodies that have something to look forward to. For Quebecois chefs, finally having access to the Michelin Guide is undoubtedly a dream come true. A three Michelin star rating is one of the highest accomplishments a professional chef can achieve, and it'll be interesting to see how Quebec restaurants evolve as they fight for the honor. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Colorado State Fair visitors can soak up some Pueblo-proud food offerings during the final three days of the fair whether they are spicing things up during Pueblo Chile Day Saturday or visiting one of the 13 locally operated food and beverage booths. "You wont want to miss Pueblo Chile Day," said Krystle Herrera, communications coordinator for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and Visit Pueblo. "There will be farm stand maps plus fresh, certified Pueblo chile being roasted, and (free) handmade Pueblo chile wraps being served." The Pueblo Chile Booth will open at 11 a.m. and chile roasting will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The booth is located at the Explore Colorado Building right next to Triangle Park. "While youre at the fairgrounds, check out the Explore Colorado Building, presented by the Colorado Tourism Office, to learn about exciting places to discover in Colorado and how to 'Do Colorado Right'," Herrera said. The Super Pass Key Special is an Italian sausage sandwich with American, swiss, and provolone cheese served on a mini-loaf with mustard, lettuce, french fries and mild peppers. Where to get Pueblo food offerings at the Colorado State Fair If you are craving some Pueblo-centric food fare while visiting the fair, you can get Pueblo chile-smothered dishes like a slopper or chile fries, some of Giodone's spaghetti and meatballs, or a Pass Key Italian sausage sandwich at one of 13 spots operated by Pueblo vendors. "The Pueblo restaurants all use Colorado-based ingredients, especially the ones serving green chile," said Amy Gillentine, communications director for the fair. Pueblo's own Manhattan's Pizza Parlor, Giodone's Italian Bar and Grill and the Toler Brothers each have three different food booths at the fair, accounting for nine of the local stops. The Giodone's booth at the Colorado State Fair includes a Pueblo chile offering that doesn't have pork: the deep fried chile. Manhattann's offers pizza and bar options plus fair food like green chile fries and chili dogs. The Giodone family serves everything from sloppers, which are cheeseburgers smothered in green chile, to spaghetti and meatballs and even burritos. Last summer, the Giodone family added a burrito stand to their fair lineup. They have been serving food at the fair since 1985, starting with a little trailer at Triangle Park, where they sold Italian fried bread. Rows of turkey legs sit on a grill at the Colorado State Fair on Saturday, September 3, 2022. The Toler Brothers serve up everything from turkey legs, all-beef hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches to cotton candy and lemonade. The Pass Key's Pagano family offers their traditional Italian sausage sandwiches including the Pass Key Special and the Super Pass Key at their Pass Key on the Go booth. It's a Pueblo tradition that goes all the way back to the 1950s. Pueblo coffee shop, Mane Brew, will be "serving our delicious drinks and food options as well as a few additions and surprises this year," including some favorite fall pumpkin spice options, according to the business's Facebook page. "We are at the corner of the new plaza grounds across from the CSU pavilion and dairy bar." Cultural Alliance of Pueblo and Vineland United Methodist Church are two Pueblo nonprofits operating booths at the fair this year to raise funds for their programs. The Cultural Alliance has a beer and soda booth inside the Ag Palace and the Vineland Cafe is located across from the Ag Palace. More: Who's performing at the Colorado State Fair 2024? What to know Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Where to get Pueblo foods at the 2024 Colorado State Fair From overlooked roadside attractions to offbeat museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We will emphasize charm, surprise and delight. Local hidden gem: Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida While Floridas panhandle is widely known for its white sandy beaches, emerald green waters and vibrant coastal life, many visitors (and even locals) overlook the walkable historic sites that bring centuries of history to life. Pensacola, Florida, is at the heart of American history, with roots dating back to 1559 when it was established as Americas first non-continuous settlement. Fort Pickens specifically, a military fort completed atop Santa Rosa Island in 1834, is particularly unique because of how well protected and maintained it is by the U.S. National Park Service. The fort was built to protect Pensacola Bays waterways and seaports from foreign attacks. Over a century later, visitors are still able to stroll through its corridors, gaze in astonishment at its massive cannons and climb to the rooftop and envision enemy ships approaching from afar. Visitors check out Fort Pickens Sunday, June 23, 2024. The forts rangers double as historians, sharing its stories. These include some of the forts darker truths, like how enslaved men were forced to build the fort brick by brick. Once completed, Fort Pickens became the largest brick structure on the Gulf of Mexico and exhibited the latest theories in coastal defense design, construction and weaponry. However, the fort became a destination for freedom seekers starting in 1861, according to the National Park Service. Fort Pickens was accepted as one of the National Park Services National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom sites in 2020. In addition to touring the fort, the grounds offer plenty to explore, including wildlife sightings, secluded beaches for swimming and snorkeling, hiking paths, fishing piers and campgrounds. What makes Fort Pickens special? Fort Pickens satisfies an urge for exploration. Whether youre wandering through the nooks and crannies of the fort filled with narrow tunnels, dim lighting and secret mine chambers or scaling the sea wall for a secluded beach trip, a day at Fort Pickens is a day of adventure. The preserved fort allows you to experience centuries of American history firsthand while also serving as the backdrop for new memories. Visitors check out Fort Pickens Sunday, June 23, 2024. When to go and how to get there Since being outdoors is a main part of the Fort Pickens experience, its best to visit in the late spring or early fall, when the Florida summer heat isnt sweltering. Fort Pickens can be accessed by car or by boat, and a ride on the Pensacola Bay City Ferry provides an added layer of fun. Entrance fees are $15 per person, $20 per motorcycle or $25 per vehicle and must be paid by a card. Annual passes are also available for $45. If you choose to travel by water, the Pensacola Bay City Ferry offers round trips to Fort Pickens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry comes equipped with bike racks, which make for a great way of exploring Fort Pickens once you get there. Ferry tickets include hop-on, hop-off privileges between each of the three stops in downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens. The schedule can be found on pensacolabaycityferry.com. The Fort Pickens entrance station gate is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. from March 1 to Oct. 31 and from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 through Feb. 28. The Fort Pickens gate is open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round. Where: 1400 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach More info: Visit the National Park Service website at NPS.gov or call 850-934-2600. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fort Pickens in Pensacola brings history to life: Local Hidden Gem Tartu, Estonia was the place. Four days of skateboarding and good times. You've likely seen our daily recaps on IG and the photo galleries here, well now, as you do, here's the whole enchilada (not sure if that translates in Estonia, but you get the idea). One of the best European contests and experiences going, this is Simple Session: Feeling a bit of FOMO after that? Well, you best book your tickets for Simple Session 25 in March. March 6-9 at the Unibet Arena in Tallin, to be exact. See you in March, back in Tallinn! Related: Mini Ramp Jam on a river barge: Day 1 of Simple Session is already going off Video by Josh Zickert Related: Concrete Park Jam Session Photos at Simple Session 2024 KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2024 - 08:47 | World, All, Japan A delegation of Japanese opposition party lawmakers on Thursday agreed with China's ruling Communist Party to increase mutual high-level visits and dialogue to help promote healthy and stable Sino-Japanese relations, the leader of the Japanese group said. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Communist Party signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation and communication between them, according to Katsuya Okada, secretary general of Japan's main opposition force. The CDPJ lawmakers, on a four-day visit to China through Friday, met with Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, and Shi Taifeng, chief of the ruling party's United Front Work Department, in Beijing. Okada said he expressed concerns to Liu about China's detention of Japanese nationals over espionage allegations and urged Beijing to enhance the transparency of its judicial proceedings. The delegation head also noted that he sought an early resumption of China's pre-COVID unilateral practice of exempting Japanese short-term visitors from visa requirements, a move he said Japanese business circles strongly demand. In the talks with Shi, Okada said exchanges between lawmakers of the Asian neighbors have decreased and expressed his willingness to promote more interaction between younger members of the two parties. Related coverage: Japan lawmaker asks China to prevent repeat of airspace breach Likely suspect in Tokyo shrine graffiti case held in China: reports Japan coast guard plans to build its largest patrol vessel The Boeing 707, one of the planes we omitted from our original '10 greatest passenger planes' list - Getty A few months ago back before the Olympics and the Euros, back before the election this travel section ran an article headlined The 10 greatest passenger planes of all time. The words which ran below this title kept its pithy promise, shining a light onto a dectet of the foremost aircraft to have crossed the heavens in the last seven or eight decades (and it was the last seven or eight decades; the Wright Flyer, alas, did not make the cut). The feature caught the attention of you, the readership. And while the identities of the two aircraft at the top of the pile Concorde and the Boeing 747 did not provoke any notable flurries of dissent (although the order they were placed in did), the other eight entries became below-the-line discussion points. Why was this particular airborne pioneer missing? And what about that particular mould-breaker in aviation technology? Twas ever thus. These types of list-based or comparative articles are inevitably subjective and it was always going to be tricky to distil over a century of flight into such a format. These were the original 10: But among the many comments, an additional six aircraft earned repeated mention. So here they are, in full, with suitable attention paid to their various stories and successes. DC-3 The DC-3 was one of the first planes able to make a profit without subsidies - Getty Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company Years in commercial service: 1936-present Number built: 607 for commercial use (more than 16,000 including military aircraft) Maximum passenger capacity: 32 The nuts and bolts The commercial aviation boom of the 1930s (coupled with the arms race that tacitly underpinned it) gave birth to an American starlet every bit as sparkly as anyone who shone on the silver screen in the same period. The DC-3 was a great leap forward. One of the first planes able to operate profitably without government subsidies and bags of mail, it was also something of a death knell for the golden era of the US rail network. First into flight on June 26 1936, with simultaneous American Airlines services out of Newark and Chicago, the DC-3s twin-propeller design and 1,500-mile range soon saw it crossing America in a way that no train could hope to mimic, taking a ride from New York to Los Angeles in a mere 18 hours and with only three stops. Revolutionary. More than 600 DC-3s were built for commercial use - Alamy Finest moment Its durability. Remarkably, the DC-3 is still in commercial service. Five of its number form part of the fleet of Buffalo Airways, a Canadian airline which has a base at Yellowknife Airport high up in the Northwest Territories. Darkest hour There are more deadly incidents on its record sheet, but New Zealand still shivers at talk of National Airways Corporation Flight 441, in which a DC-3 flew into a vertical rock face in the Kaimai Range on the North Island on July 3 1963 killing all 23 on board. Although the subsequent Air New Zealand Flight 901 disaster of November 28 1979 when a DC-10 crashed into Mount Erebus on Antarctica took a far higher toll in human life, this sad mishap in winter weather remains the worst air accident on Kiwi soil. Where can I see one? Aside from in Yellowknife? Americas excellent National Air and Space Museum a key branch of the Smithsonian in Washington DC (airandspace.si.edu) plays host to a DC-3 which flew for 56,700 hours (in the colours of Eastern Air Lines). Viscount The Viscount, conceived during the Second World War, only stopped flying in commercial service in 2009 - Alamy Manufacturer: Vickers-Armstrongs Years in commercial service: 1953-2009 Number built: 445 Maximum passenger capacity: 75 (Type 810) The nuts and bolts A thoroughly British creation, the Vickers Viscount swept into view via various bursts of government encouragement and funding. It was one of the results of the Brabazon Committee, the 1942 talking shop which peered beyond the smoke and fire of the Second World War into a post-conflict era where it was assumed the British Empire would need reliable short-haul aircraft to link up its many outposts. The Viscount proved to be an admirable answer to the question; a pacey four-engine turbo-prop whose cabin featured such luxuries as pressurisation and reduced noise levels. Envisaged as a happy hopper between airports across Europe and Africa, it also found a home in North America, especially in Canada. And while the Jet Age rendered it yesterdays technology, it was still slogging away in the new millennium. Its final commercial flight was in the service of Global Airways in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in January 2009. Finest moment The Viscounts inaugural flight, on April 18 1953 in the colours of British European Airways, the airline that would merge with the British Overseas Air Corporation (BOAC) to form British Airways in 1974 was the planets first scheduled turbo-prop service. Six months later, in the October, a Viscount 700 prototype won a race from London to Christchurch in New Zealand, held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Wright Brothers great take-off. It made the crossing in 40 hours, 41 minutes flying time. General seating inside a British Air Ferries Vickers 806 Viscount - Alamy Darkest hour The autumn of 1958 was distinctly bleak for the Viscount. On October 22, British European Airways Flight 142 suffered a mid-air collision with an Italian Air Force fighter-jet above Nettuno, just south of Rome; all 31 passengers and crew on the Viscount died. Just over a week later, on November 1, a Cubana Viscount was hijacked during a flight from Miami to Varadero. It flopped into Nipe Bay in Cuban waters, but some 450 miles south-east of its destination when it ran out of fuel; 17 people perished. Where can I see one? At Midland Air Museum (midlandairmuseum.co.uk), the splendid collection of historic planes that sits adjacent to Coventry Airport; at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (maam.org) some 60 miles to the north-west of Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. VC10 The first flight of a BOAC Super VC10 airliner from London to New York in 1965 - Alamy Manufacturer: Vickers-Armstrongs Years in commercial service: 1964-1981 Number built: 54 Maximum passenger capacity: 151 The nuts and bolts The working life of this agile British aircraft was relatively short, but it is fondly remembered by those who clambered aboard. Boasting an unusual design all four of its engines were positioned at the rear of the fuselage the VC10 effectively entered the market as a successor to the de Havilland Comet. It became feted for its speedy performance over long distances, and its capabilities in the hot and high air streams of the Far East and Africa to the extent that, as well as BOAC, Ghana Airways was its launch operator. Heavy fuel consumption and high noise levels meant that British Airways began to phase out the plane almost as soon as it came into being, post-merger, in 1974. But even then, the VC10 enjoyed a lengthy military afterlife. It was taken on by the Royal Air Force in 1965, and used as a transporter and refueller until as late as 2013. Finest moment A blink-and-you-miss-it flight between New Yorks JFK Airport and Glasgow Prestwick in March 1979 which smashed the record for an Atlantic crossing by a subsonic airliner touching down in just five hours and one minute. This sprightly benchmark would endure for 41 years, finally being eclipsed by a BA Boeing 747 which managed a wind-assisted four hours, 56 minutes during Storm Ciara in February 2020. British Airways began to phase out the VC-10 almost as soon as it was introduced in 1974 because of heavy fuel consumption and high noise levels - Alamy Darkest hour The VC10s short career spared it an extensive woe list. It was caught up in a notorious pair of hijackings at Dawsons Field airstrip in Jordan in 1970 and in Dubai in 1974, when a Heathrow-bound BA service was diverted to Libya, with one passenger murdered. But it most notably blotted its copybook on November 20 1969, when Nigeria Airways Flight 825 crashed on landing in Lagos, killing all 87 of its passengers and crew. Where can I see one? All over the place. At the Imperial War Museum Duxford, in Cambridgeshire (iwm.org.uk), at East Midlands Aeropark (eastmidlandsaeropark.org), near Loughborough, and at the Brooklands Museum in Surrey (brooklandsmuseum.com). 707 Many adapted models of the 707 are still at work - Getty Manufacturer: Boeing Years in commercial service: 1958-present Number built: 865 Maximum passenger capacity: 219 (on the 707-320C) The nuts and bolts Before Boeing created the enduring template for mass-market air travel with the 747, it dipped a first toe into the waters of commercial aviation with the 707. This sturdy four-engined workhorse was not the first jetliner designed with passengers rather than warfare in mind, but it was a harbinger of the Jet Age and the Seattle-based companys first serious attempt to compete in this area (up to this point, Boeings main focus had been on military aircraft). The 707 was soon busy in American skies. Pan Am flew the inaugural service, from New York (the then-Idlewild) to Paris Le Bourget, on October 26 1958 competing with the Douglas DC-8 and (to a lesser extent) the de Havilland Comet for market share. Arguably, it was the predominant passenger plane of the Sixties, only falling from grace a decade later as larger models superseded it. Boeing built more than 800 707s. The aircraft epitomised Sixties air travel - Getty Finest moment Its ongoing versatility. Production on a commercial basis ceased in 1978, but military variants of the 707 continued to emerge from the factory until 1994. Many of these adapted models are still at work. Not least the E-3 Sentry, which is used as a surveillance and radar aircraft by the air forces of the United States, France and Chile. Darkest hour It was a Royal Jordanian 707 which went down on approach to Agadir on August 3 1975 crashing into a mountain, owing to pilot error, as it descended towards said city on Moroccos Atlantic coastline. All on board (188 passengers and crew) were killed. Where can I see one? Plenty of 707s have become exhibition pieces including at the Musee de lAir et de lEspace in Paris (museeairespace.fr), and the National Museum of Flight, 23 miles from Edinburgh in East Fortune (nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight). L-1011 Tristar The L-1011 was partly named for its three engines one under each wing and one in the tail - Alamy Manufacturer: Lockheed Years in commercial service: 1972-2008 Number built: 250 Maximum passenger capacity: 400 The nuts and bolts The Seventies were a seismic decade for mass-market aviation, witnessing the birth of three major wide-bodied (ie, broad enough to have two passenger aisles) aircraft. Two of them the Boeing 747 and the Douglas DC-10 have been the subject of endless prose; the third is a little more forgotten. For a short while, Lockheeds L-1011 Tristar threatened to provide both these behemoths with sterling competition, and it made its way into the fleets of, among others, Eastern Airlines (the Florida-based carrier which flew the inaugural service on April 26 1972), British Airways, and Delta. That, ultimately, it failed to do so, was not down to any technical shortcomings. It was partly named for its three-engine configuration one under each wing, one embedded in the tail. And Lockheed, a company which had vast experience in the military sector, equipped its new foray into the commercial market with the latest technology. But the consequence was a higher price tag which discouraged potential customers. Its game was largely up by the end of the millennium, with Delta, the biggest operator, retiring the plane in 2001. Its final commercial flight was in May 2008 for LAB Bolivian Airlines. The L-1011 Tristar had a better safety record than the 747 and the DC-10 and was in commercial service from 1972-2008 - Alamy Finest moment It sits outside the humble realm of passenger flights from A to B, but the ongoing efforts of Stargazer deserve applause. What was initially an L-1011 Tristar built in 1974, and put to work for Air Canada became a launch vehicle for space missions in 1994, when it was purchased and repurposed by Virginia-based pioneers Orbital Sciences. Said corporation has since faded from view, but Stargazer is still going. Darkest hour The L-1011 Tristar had a better safety record than the 747 and the DC-10 but still came to notable grief. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 was a case in point on December 29 1972, plummeting into the Florida Everglades (owing to pilot error) shortly before it was due to land in Miami; 101 passengers and crew died, 75 people survived. There were, however, no saving graces on August 19 1980, when Saudia Flight 163 became a fireball after an emergency landing in Riyadh; all 301 souls on board perished. Where can I see one? At the Delta Flight Museum (deltamuseum.org), in Atlanta; in the Thai capital, where the Na-Oh Bangkok restaurant (naohbangkok.com) offers fine dining in the fuselage of the former HS-AXE which flew for both Delta and Thai Sky Airlines. A350 The A350 was introduced nine years ago as Airbus's response to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner - Alamy Manufacturer: Airbus Years in commercial service: 2015-present Number built: 613 (as of July 2024) Maximum passenger capacity: 410 (on the A350-1000) The nuts and bolts A relative newcomer, the A350 arrived nine years ago as Airbuss semi-delayed response to Boeings 787 Dreamliner (which made its debut in 2011). A decidedly 21st century aircraft, largely composed of carbon-fibre, it is a long-distance specialist, with a maximum range of around 10,300 miles (in the case of the A350-1000). Finest moment The A350s impressive capacity for soaring across hemispheres means that it is the aircraft currently responsible for the planets longest non-stop commercial flight. As of November 2020, that is the 19-hour Singapore Airlines service between the Asian city-state and New Yorks JFK airport; a not-so-small matter of some 9,537 miles. Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific are the A350's prime operators - Alamy Darkest hour The A350s short history means that there are few blots on its record although its biggest failing, while no fault of the aircraft, is a significant one. January 2 of this year saw a hideous accident at Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines Flight 516 colliding with a much smaller plane belonging to the Japan Coast Guard as it landed in Tokyo. Astonishingly, everyone aboard the A350 survived the subsequent inferno. However, the crash cost the lives of five of the six crew on the tiny De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q300. Where can I see one? Predominantly, at departure gates across Asia. Singapore Airlines (64 planes), Qatar Airways (58) and Cathay Pacific (48) are the A350s prime operators. 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. Boynton Beach, on average, sees more than 50 inches of rainfall every year and although the area has sewers and swales to help combat flooding, it is not enough to keep the area as dry as it should be. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded Boynton a $1.74 million grant to help with the city's Heart of Boynton project, a $10 million initiative to improve drainage issues in the eastern area of the county's third-largest city. The current storm water infrastructure in the community lacks sufficient capacity, leaving residents in a historically impoverished and underserved population particularly vulnerable to the effects of severe weather events. A study by the citys engineering consultant, CDM Smith, in 2020 detailed some of the storm water drainage issues in the project area. This area has had traditional issues with drainage, especially when you get a heavy rainfall. The water doesnt drain as well. And when water collects in places, you can have deterioration of road conditions and such, said Poonam Kalkat, the city's utilities director. Kalkat said the city plans to increase the sizes of some pipes and add more large ones so that water can be drained faster. Structures like this are referred to as "gray infrastructure." The project will also involve improving "green infrastructure," a term used for nature-based solutions to help store or move stormwater. Examples include wetlands, riparian areas, rain gardens, living shorelines and creating permeable pavements. These assets help build biodiversity, make the community look better and provide better environmental solutions that can be economical, too, advocates say. What is Boynton Beach's timeline for the storm water project? Kalkat said the project will take two to three years to complete, beginning with Phase I, which focuses only on planning and designing. The city will be hiring a consultant to help with the project. Andrew Sigman, a disabled resident of Boynton Beach, suffers from familial dysautonomia and vision problems, and uses a walker. He said flooding keeps people from doing necessary tasks such as grocery shopping and going to the hospital. A few years ago, we had a really bad storm, Sigman said. I tried going shopping for essentials at Target but couldnt. The whole parking lot was flooded. You could literally go swimming there. Cars were underwater. Poonam Kalkat, utilities director for the city of Boynton Beach. That makes things more difficult for people who must use assistive and mobility devices. It's harder for them to go around, said Sigman, who is in the process of buying a mobility scooter. People take walking for granted. And if you do walk but are using a walker, thats even harder to do when in a flooded area. Sigman wants to see the city move quickly on the Heart of Boynton project. Now that they have the money, they should actually do the work because there are some places that have been under construction for years but are still being worked on, he said. This is an important matter, and they should get it done right away. Where are the key flood areas in Boynton Beach? Terriel Byrd, a minister at Living Word Christian Community and a retired professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, said the need for the project is urgent. He's seen poor drainage keep people from attending services. The east side is terrible, said Byrd, who used to serve at St. John Missionary Baptist in east Boynton. When it rains, it just paralyzes the whole community. There are members of the church who say because of the flooding, they just refuse to go out, so it kind of immobilizes them. Byrd said the project should expand to helping with other issues associated with storms and heavy rainfall. A teenager paddleboards in floodwaters along Northeast 6th Street in Boynton Beach in September 2019 after rains from Hurricane Dorian. The city is working on improving drainage in the Heart of Boynton community. I think theres the problem of drainage, but I think also there may even be a problem with traffic lights, Byrd said. When you have a problem with flooding and water buildup, sometimes the traffic lights are out, and trees and branches come down. So I would really hope that they would look not only at the drainage but also everything that is conglomerate to the impact of flooding." Some of the key flood prone areas in Boynton Beach include: Intersection of NE 20th and NE Second Court. Intersection of NE First and Sixth Avenue. 670 Oak Street, off Federal Highway near Intracoastal south of Gateway. Seacrest Blvd. and Gateway. Northwest First Street corridor/ Northwest 2nd Street. San Castle Community. Byrd also suggested that roads could be widened, because traffic congestion during heavy rainfall makes traveling difficult. Kalkat said the city is aware of the road concerns. Generally speaking, when you design roads, some portion of the road is supposed to take some of the water for a little time, she said. Its not like the moment the rain comes, everything should drain out. Thats not practical. But as rain comes down harder, we are looking for better ways to design drainage in areas that historically may have not had a lot of drainage structures. Kalkat said the city is also taking into account climate change-linked events such as 20-inch rainfalls, which are impossible to plan and design for. But officials want to know more about how often such events could happen. The Heart of Boynton project is a "high priority" for the city, Kalkat said. "We want to make sure that we equitably look at the whole city, but also we prioritize based on what the needs are," she said. Sign up for our Post on Boynton Beach weekly newsletter, delivered every Thursday! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton gets $1.74 million FEMA grant to help with flooding problems GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) Investigators said one person was seriously injured during a shooting in George County, Mississippi, and the suspect was later shot in Mobile County, Alabama. According to the George County Sheriffs Office, the shooting occurred on a sandbar along the Escatawpa River near Baxter Avenue on Thursday, August 29. Man wanted for Mississippi homicide arrested in Pearl The victim, who has not been identified, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Medical personnel said the victim is expected to make a full recovery. George County investigators said the Mobile County Sheriffs Office reported a separate shooting incident within their jurisdiction. They said the suspect involved in the George County shooting was shot in Mobile County. Law enforcement is investigating the connection between the two shootings. Anyone with information related to these incidents can contact the George County Sheriffs Office at 601-947-4811. 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. The Dallas chief of police called the Thursday night shooting of a police officer while he sat in his squad car an "execution" in a press conference Friday evening. Two other officers were also shot after responding to the incident, which culminated in the suspected gunman being shot and killed by police, authorities said. "Our officers were targeted for nothing more than the uniform they wear and for the brave and honorable job that they do," Dallas Chief of Police Edgardo Garcia told reporters during Friday's press briefing. MORE: Dog breeder found dead and as many as 10 of his Doberman puppies have vanished Dallas Officer Darron Burks was sitting in his squad car around 10:04 p.m. CT Thursday in the parking lot of a community center between call assignments when the suspect approached, Garcia said. The suspect -- identified Friday as Corey Cobb-Bey, 30 -- briefly spoke to Burks through the driver-side window while recording the encounter with a cellphone, Garcia said. "The suspect then pulled out a handgun and executed Officer Burks as he sat in his vehicle," Garcia said, becoming emotional as he spoke. PHOTO: Darron Burks is seen in this photo released by the Dallas Police Department. (Dallas Police Department via X) A police dispatcher then noticed an "unusual transmission" from Burks' radio and sent officers to check on him, Garcia said. Meanwhile, Cobb-Bey retrieved a shotgun from his vehicle, which he had parked in the lot two minutes prior to Burks' arrival, and placed the weapon on the roof of the squad car, according to Garcia. When a second officer, Senior Corporal Jamie Farmer, responded to the scene and pulled into the parking lot at around 10:11 p.m. CT, Cobb-Bey "immediately" fired a handgun, Garcia said. Officer Farmer returned fire and ran across the parking lot, at which point Cobb-Bey grabbed the shotgun from the top of the squad car and fired at Farmer, striking him, Garcia said. A third officer, Senior Corporal Karissa David, arrived around 10:12 p.m. CT and positioned her squad car at the entrance of the parking lot, Garcia said. Cobb-Bey ran toward her and "shot at her multiple times as she exited her vehicle," Garcia said. David returned fire but was shot in the face by Cobb-Bey during the exchange, Garcia said. PHOTO: A procession of vehicles is seen following the shooting of three Dallas police officers, Aug. 29, 2024, in Dallas. (WFAA) A police sergeant who next arrived on the scene saw Cobb-Bey standing near his vehicle and directed the next arriving patrol to follow him after he fled the scene, Garcia said. Dallas police officers pursued Cobb-Bey onto Interstate 35E into Lewisville, police said. Cobb-Bey eventually stopped, then approached the officers while pointing the shotgun at them upon exiting the vehicle, Garcia said. Six officers fired their firearms at Cobb-Bey, striking him multiple times, Garcia said. He died at the scene. A .22 caliber handgun and a 9mm handgun were recovered, police said. The three wounded officers were transported to local hospitals, police said. Burks died from his injuries at the hospital, Garcia said. "Officer Darron Burks was a son, a nephew, a friend of many, and he was senselessly and tragically murdered in the line of duty," Garcia said. David remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, Garcia said, adding that she has a "long road to recovery." Farmer, who was shot in the leg, has since been released, Garcia said. Cobb-Bey purchased the weapons legally, Garcia said, adding that there is no indication at this time that he and Burks knew each other. MORE: Murder suspect on the run for months found after falling through ceiling during home search The investigation has uncovered that three days prior to the shooting, Cobb-Bey recorded himself with his phone as he approached an unmarked squad car of an unknown law enforcement agency and "questioned the officers about why they were parked there," Garcia said. Cobb-Bey had "expressed problems with his personal and professional life online," and on Thursday "made a post indicating an event was happening on Friday," the chief said. Garcia called the incident a "senseless, evil act." "The investigation determined last night was premeditated, again for no other reason than the uniform we wear, that my men and women proudly wear, and for the brave and honorable job our men and women do each day," Garcia said. "It was brave and honorable work done last night from our dispatcher who knew something wasn't right while listening to a radio transmission." PHOTO: Corey Cobb-Bey is seen in this photo released by the Dallas Police Department. (Dallas Police Department) Garcia said there is evidence that Cobb-Bey was a member of the Moorish Sovereign Citizens. The movement is "a collection of independent organizations and individuals that emerged in the early 1990s as an offshoot of the antigovernment sovereign citizens movement," whose members "have engaged in violent confrontations with law enforcement," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. "We're less than 24 hours into this, and so that will come out," Garcia said when asked about the suspect's possible affiliation with the group. Garcia added that they are "scouring" the suspect's social media amid the investigation. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called the incident "devastating" and remembered Burks as a "hero." "[This] attack on three of our protectors is nothing short of an attack on our city, our families, and our way of life," Johnson said in a statement. "We must continue their work to stop violence in our communities. We must never forget their sacrifice. And we must take the time to come together and lift each other up as we mourn our fallen." Dallas police officer 'executed,' 2 others injured in targeted shootings: Chief originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SANDESTIN, Fla. (WMBB) Panhandle childrens charities got a hand-up Thursday night with the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) check presentation. Cheers filled the Sandestin Hilton Resort after each check given at the dinner. It is a really nice opportunity to have our top supporters in the same room with all of the people doing the hard work at each of our organizations. And its so nice to be able to celebrate them, DCWAF President Karah Young said. 17 Okaloosa and Walton County charities received more than $75,000 each, for a total of $3 million. Every charity selected as a benefactor is based around helping children. Santa Rosa County man won $1,000,000 A Year For Life scratch-off We are helping give a hand up and helping to break the cycle of abuse of property of neglect and helping kids to have a better life and in turn helps the entire community grow and be better. Its so rewarding, the chairman of the board Jeanne Dailey said. The largest check of the night going to the Emerald Coast Childrens Advocacy Center- at $275,000. We are so passionate about what we do we absolutely want every kid to have the best possible outcome and happy, healthy childhoods. And this is what its all about. They absolutely gave us the armor to go out there and fight this battle this day after day, COO Solange Arnett said. The foundation collects money from year-round donors with events like the Harvest Food and Wine Festival on 30A, and the annual wine auction in the spring. It makes me really proud of the community that we live in. The sponsors are local, the patrons are local. Its really this whole community coming together to give back, Young said. With this $3 million disbursed, the foundation has donated $35 million in the last 20 years to help childrens charities in the Panhandle. Learn more about upcoming DCWAF events online. Full list of checks: The 2024 recipients of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation funds include: AMIkids Emerald Coast received $75,000 to fund a GED program for at-risk students between the ages of 16 24. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast received $250,000 to fund new equipment that will elevate the level of care provided in the Level II NICU. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast received $200,000 for a two-part program that will provide on-site access to a licensed Mental Health Counselor for youths in a mental health crisis, and subsidize the operational costs of providing youth development programming that will impact more than 200 low-income youths annually from kindergarten to grade 12 during afterschool and summer months. Caring & Sharing of South Walton is DCWAFs newest beneficiary and received $150,000 to expand its community resources including its pantry program which provides food, diapers, wipes, formula, and other necessary supplies to families in need in Walton County. Children in Crisis received $175,000 to fund the facilitation of housing for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. On-site housing provides stability, shelter, house parents, food, clothing, and necessary items to help children live a safe and healthy lifestyle. Childrens Volunteer Health Network received $200,000 to fund and serve underinsured and uninsured children in need of dental care. These funds will allow for staff, supplies, and maintenance for the Mobile Dental Clinic to assist children in need with the most basic dental care to more advanced care. Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation received $200,000 to fund scholarships for teens who have received help from at least one DCWAF charity partner in their lifetime. Emerald Coast Autism Center received $250,000 to support the ECAC Phase II Learning Center Capital Campaign which provides space for teens entering the Transition to Work program and in turn, allows the Autism Center more space on their primary campus to serve young children on the spectrum in need of behavioral therapy. Emerald Coast Childrens Advocacy Center received $275,000 to support mental health therapy programs, the case advocacy program that facilitates a child-friendly atmosphere offering counseling, family services, and coordination of investigations for child abuse and neglect, and the CARES prevention program that educates and empowers students and adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to all types of child abuse and exploitation. Habitat for Humanity of Walton County received $225,000 to fund two new homes for families in Walton County, providing safe and secure housing in perpetuity for the children of the recipient families. Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties received $125,000 to fund the Brain Health Program geared toward early identification, assessment, and treatment for uninsured students ages 12 to 21 who experience mental health or substance abuse issues. Opportunity Place, Inc. received $150,000 to fund immediate housing for homeless children and their families to ensure they are safe and secure. These funds will facilitate a variety of child services including child-centered case management support, a literacy program, shelter services, child and family assistance, and enrichment activities. Point Washington Medical Clinic received $150,000 to fund the pediatric and family nutrition programming in their new facility designed to provide free medical care, education, and resources to uninsured families. Shelter House of Northwest Florida received $175,000 to fund mental health play therapy, counseling, and advocacy for youth affected by domestic violence as well as childcare, program supplies, and a shelter renovation to provide family suites and a larger youth room. The Arc of the Emerald Coast received $100,000 to fund the renovation of their childrens daycare program facility for children living with developmental differences. Westonwood Ranch received $200,000 for scholarships for individuals with developmental differences as well as funding their residential expansion project. Youth Village received $150,000 to fund program operations and scholarships for children from low-income households to attend their VPK and after-school programs as well as the renovation of two outdoor play areas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OAK BROOK, Ill. Two Chicago women awaiting trial for shoplifting are accused of committing the act once more at a west suburban beauty store, allegedly making off with more than $1,150 worth of merchandise. Reneashia McDowell, 31, and Shania Jacobs, 28, each face felony charges of burglary and retail theft after leaving the Ulta Beauty store, located at 2155 W. 22nd Street in Oak Brook, without paying for items on Thursday, Aug. 29. Shania Jacobs Reneashia McDowell 2 accused of stealing thousands in merchandise from Oak Brook stores, crashing into 4 cars during attempted escape Oak Brook officers arrested the pair and allegedly found perfumes worth approximately $1,168. Weeks earlier, on Aug. 9, prosecutors allege that the pair left a JC Penney store at 175 Yorktown Mall Drive with a jewelry box containing a necklace and childrens clothing. Both women were arrested, charged with felony burglary and retail theft, and released with conditions. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A judge denied a pre-trial release for both women. They are due back in court in late 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 WGN-TV. As the investigation into the sinking of the superyacht off the coast of Sicily broadens, Italian prosecutors are now scrutinizing the actions of two other crew members in addition to the captain of the vessel. On Wednesday, prosecutors placed crew members Tim Parker Eaton and Matthew Griffiths under investigation, according to The New York Times. Eaton was in charge of the yachts engine room, while Griffiths was on lookout duty the night the yacht sank. When someone is placed under investigation in Italy, there is no guarantee that charges will follow. The Bayesian, a 184-foot British-flagged yacht deemed unsinkable by its ship maker Perini Navi, went down in a storm off the coast of Sicily on Aug. 19, killing one crew member and six passengers, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter, Hannah. The yacht carried 22 people 10 crew members and 12 guests who were there celebrating Lynchs acquittal in June on all charges in a fraud case that followed the sale of his company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived by escaping on a lifeboat and were rescued by the sailboat Sir Robert Baden Powell. It remains unclear how the Bayesian sank, especially as the nearby Baden Powell remained largely unscathed despite the storm. According to The Associated Press, Giovanni Costantino, head of the Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, said the yachts sinking was likely caused by human error. The ship sank because it took on water. From where, the investigators will say, he told Italian state media, per the AP. Captain James Cutfield is facing a manslaughter inquiry to determine whether his actions caused the shipwreck, Cutfieldslawyer Giovanni Rizzuti told the Times on Tuesday. Prosecutors interviewed Cutfield this week, but he exercised his right to remain silent and is very distressed, according to Rizzuti. This week, nine of the 10 crew members, including those under investigation, left Sicily, sources told the Times. In Italy, people under investigation are not prohibited from leaving the country. Related... Two Lexington County men have agreed to plead guilty in federal court in Columbia to being part of a nationwide scam featuring social media romances, cryptocurrency and misusing legitimate third-party businesses email accounts. Kenneth Brown Jr. and Nicholas Shepard, who operate an Irmo gold and other precious metals exchange, are expected to appear in court during the last week in September to formally plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy of commit wire fraud and mail fraud, according to federal court records. The crime carries a 20-year maximum sentence and a maximum $250,000 fine. However, maximum sentences are rarely imposed except in unusual circumstances. The information said the romance scam victims were in California, Colorado, Georgia, West Virginia and Florida. The alleged illegal activity in the case took place during 2021 and 2022 and involved more than $600,000, according to a federal information, or criminal charge. Brown and Shepard operate the Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange, which specializes in buying and selling gold and other precious metals from customers in exchange for cash. The companys Facebook page features photos of gold, silver and cash and offers customers the option to convert cash into cryptocurrency, according to a criminal charge in the case. Two Lexington County attorneys who represent Brown and Shepard said their clients are, in a way, victims who innocently sought to grow their business from handling precious metals to also dealing in cryptocurrency. Whats uncontested by anyone is that Mr. Brown and his brother-in-law, Mr. Shepard, were groomed into this conduct by members of a well-established and large laundering network. ... Our clients were unaware of how these individuals were fleecing end users, Browns attorney, Lester Gill Bell, wrote in an email to The State. Bell added, Mr. Brown was devastated when he realized the money he was converting to cryptocurrency was allegedly from victims of a romance scam. He immediately began cooperating [with authorities] and also willingly forfeited a substantial amount of assets to satisfy the majority of the restitution. Bell also wrote, Mr. Brown is a legitimate businessman with a great reputation. Its very unfortunate he fell into this web but hes adamant about taking accountability and doing everything possible to make whole those affected by his misplaced trust. State Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, who represents Shepard, added in a separate email, Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Shepherd have fully cooperated with the government throughout this ordeal. Since the first moment they became aware of this matter they have accepted responsibility and offered to help in every way they could. The information on file in U.S. District Court says others known and unknown were involved in carrying out the alleged scheme but gives no details. The information said the scheme involved illegal transfers of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Golden Eagle from two sets of victims. One group of victims included people in the alleged romance scam who sent their own money to Golden Eagle or money they received from businesses whose assets had been compromised and tricked into sending money from bank accounts of the first set of victims, who then transferred that money by personal or cashiers checks to Golden Eagle, the information said. Golden Eagle received the checks and deposited them into its business account at Truist by defendant Kenneth J. Brown Jr., the information said. Once the funds were deposited into the Truist account, the funds were transferred via wire to an account at Voyager controlled by defendant, Nicholas R. Shepard, (who) then converted the funds to cryptocurrency. The judge in the case is U.S. Judge Joe Anderson. Federal prosecutors in the case are Winston Holliday and Scott Matthews. Police have arrested a pair of men that they say are responsible for the shooting death of a local music promoter at a Glendale strip mall earlier this month. According to the Glendale Police Department, Robert Dehnoushi, 54, was shot dead at a strip mall in the 800 block of North Pacific Avenue on Aug. 15 at about 8:45 a.m. Dehnoushi, a father of two who was a well-known music promoter in the area, was shot in the head and killed instantly by a man on a motorcycle, witnesses said. A shooter remains at large after a man was found fatally shot at a Glendale strip mall on August 15, 2024. (KTLA) The witnesses told KTLA that the gunman was waiting for Dehnoushi in the parking lot and that the shooting appeared to be targeted. Sky5 images from the scene showed the victim lying on the ground just outside the Paris Baguette pastry shop between two vehicles, one of which was his white Dodge pickup truck. Glendale police on Thursday morning arrested two men, 44-year-old Jerry Baza Tolentino of Los Angeles and 43-year-old Arman Martinyan of Sylmar, in connection with the killing. They were both arrested on suspicion of murder, police said. The motive for the shooting was not released. The strip mall is located about a mile away from the Americana at Brand and Glendale Galleria shopping centers. KTLAs Vivian Chow 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) The owner of an unlicensed, at-home day care in St. Petersburg is facing child neglect charges after a 2-year-old child in her care broke their leg, according to an affidavit. Earlier this month, St. Pete police responded to the home located at 1626 21st Avenue South after the child broke their right leg. Video shows arrest of suspect who was shot while trying to strike detective with car The owner, 25-year-old Aniya Johnson, told officials the child fell, but medical doctors said the injury couldnt have come from just falling, due to the type of injury the toddler sustained. According to the arrest documents, the childs parents believed Johnson to be licensed. In a post-Miranda statement, Johnson admitted to not being licensed but used paperwork listing her as the licensee of the day care service. Johnson was arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm and failing to obtain a license for a day care center. She is 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 WFLA. Foreign students hold up placards during a protest staged in front of a train station in central Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2024. (Kyodo) Foreign students hold up placards during a protest staged in front of a train station in central Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2024. (Kyodo) A decision by a famous private art university in Tokyo to take the rare step of hiking fees just for its foreign students has caused a backlash, with some of them taking to the streets to protest what they view as a discriminatory step. Musashino Art University said in July that it will charge foreign students an extra levy of 363,000 yen ($2,500), the equivalent of around 20 percent of existing tuition fees, per year from next April, while keeping charges for domestic students unchanged. While the university described the levy as a step to help improve the study environment for foreign students, the norm in Japan has been to treat domestic and overseas students equally in terms of fees. On a scorching hot summer day on Aug. 4, a number of the university's foreign students staged a protest in front of a train station in central Tokyo. Although the charge will only apply to students enrolling in 2025, they said the decision to implement what they view as an effective tuition fee hike was made without consulting them and was "arbitrary" and "unconvincing." Foreign students hold up placards during a protest staged in front of a train station in central Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2024. (Kyodo) A foreign student hands out pamphlets during a protest staged in front of a train station in central Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2024. (Kyodo) "It's discriminatory. I can't bear the fact that only international students are asked to pay more without a detailed explanation," said a Chinese student who identified himself only by his family name Yang. He said that while he had chosen to attend the university for its "liberal academic environment," it had acted in a "dictatorial" way. He is among the more than 700 foreign students at Musashino Art University, who account for nearly 15 percent of the total. Chinese students comprise over half of those coming from overseas, with many saying they are attracted by the lack of rules on free expression compared with universities back home and the shared culture of using Chinese characters. Commonly known as "Musabi" in Japan, the university was founded in 1929 as Teikoku Art School. Alumni include the writer Ryu Murakami, a winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize for up-and-coming authors, and Lily Franky, an illustrator, writer and actor. The university said it will expand its Japanese language and culture program as well as set up a scholarship system for financially strapped students in tandem with the new charge. It will also enhance services to manage the enrollment status of foreign students, it said, after another university was found in 2019 to have accepted large numbers of overseas students but lost contact with many of them, with some possibly overstaying their visas or working illegally. "There is a need for our university to establish a system for accepting large numbers of international students now and in the future," the university's public relations team said via an email. Aside from the station protest, an online petition against the new charge had collected over 5,000 signatures as of Aug. 20, with the campaign also being backed by foreign students from Tama Art University and Tokyo University of the Arts as well as by individuals in the arts industry. The students argue that many foreign nationals enrolling at Japanese universities, who are permitted to find paid employment alongside their studies for up to 28 hours a week, already struggle to make ends meet despite the general perception that they can afford high tuition fees. In addition, they question the validity of further boosting Japanese-language education as most foreign students pay for two years of language studies and art lessons before applying to an art university in Japan. Another Chinese student at Musashino Art University was concerned that the university's move could drive a wedge between the foreign student population as they seek to oppose the measure and their Japanese counterparts. "I no longer feel secure studying here," said the student, who asked not to be named, adding that she had been distressed by a social media post apparently from a Japanese student saying foreign students are being "selfish." "I have already decided to change my plans to pursue further studies at the university" and look for enrollment at another Japanese university, she said. The private university's decision follows a government rule change to allow national universities to remove the upper limit on tuition fees for international students as a means to "improve the environment for accepting" them. It also comes after the education ministry instructed all universities in April to check the enrollment status of foreign students. But while abuse of student visas can be an issue, it is unlikely to be a problem at Musashino Art University, argued Shun Ishihara, professor of sociology at Meiji Gakuin University. "The announcement can be seen as the university effectively taking advantage of the ministry's rule change to improve its finances" as it struggles like many other Japanese universities with declining applicants amid the country's shrinking population. Charging foreign students more seems a relatively easy way out for the university, as it cannot hike fees for Japanese students for fear of facing fierce opposition and further losing applicants, Ishihara said, adding that other universities are closely watching developments and could follow suit. Unlike schools in English-speaking countries like the United States, Britain and Singapore that are among the most popular destinations to study, universities in Japan are not sufficiently aware of the need to make efforts to attract foreign students, he said. "Tuition fees should not be recklessly raised for foreigners without convincing reasons," he argued, noting that relatively affordable fees compared with those in the United States and Britain is one of the draws of Japanese universities. Some Japanese artists and art critics have also raised doubts about the university's decision, highlighting the invaluable roles foreign students play at Japanese universities. While it is necessary for universities to spend money to support foreign students, the burden should be shared by all students, said artist Tsubasa Kato, a graduate of Musashino Art University. "The presence of international students creates diversity at the university and gives other students opportunities to come into contact with diverse values," Kato said, adding that improving foreign students' environment would benefit all students. "Without recognizing the value of international students, Japanese universities could further be isolated and lose their power in the world," he said. The school's public relations team said it "will address the opinions of our students as well as those inside and outside the university sincerely." Related coverage: FEATURE: Foreign students spotlight Utoro history, ethnic Koreans in Japan FEATURE: School for underserved Koreans marks 30 years of student empowerment Editors note: This storys headline has been corrected. DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) Two Siouxland schools are among four to receive part of nearly half a million dollars donation. The Wellmark Foundation said in a release that it is donating the money to restore the learning environments for students and teachers of Rock Valley, Spencer, Greenfield, and Minden for the 2024-2025 school year. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center receives $5K grant from state The Wellmark Foundation, a nonprofit created by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said it wants to help Iowa school districts recover from unprecedented flooding and violent tornadoes. The Wellmark Foundation said it worked with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Education to determine the school districts most in need. I want to thank the Wellmark Foundation for generously contributing to schools in disaster-impacted communities and for supporting the states recovery effort in such a meaningful way, Reynolds said. These donations have given students, teachers, and entire communities even more to look forward to with the start of a new school year. Laura Jackson, executive vice president of Health Equity, Access, and Improvement and Chair of the Wellmark Foundation Board of Directors said its important to recognize when young people struggle with unmet basic needs, emotional distress, or inadequate access to learning. She said it can significantly impact their ability to lead long, healthy lives. According to a press release, the Wellmark Foundation focuses on improving the health and well-being of young people in Iowa and South Dakota and has donated nearly half a million to help cover the financial gap after insurance and federal and state funding. The Wellmark Foundation is dedicated to collaborating with partners and communities in Iowa and South Dakota to find effective solutions that improve the mental health and educational opportunities for our youth. We are in awe of the resilience of these communities and are proud to stand by the students, teachers, and administrators as they work toward a stronger future, Jackson said. More Siouxland Disaster Recovery Centers scheduled to close The press release stated that the Wellmark Foundation matched all employee donations made for three weeks in July and August throughout Iowa and South Dakota. Employees also created cards for teachers in the four impacted districts, sending messages of encouragement and appreciation as they prepare for the new school 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Two students at Riverway Elementary in Visalia were recognized for their bravery and quick action to get themselves and their grandmother out of a smoking house. Visalia Unified held a school-wide assembly with the Visalia Fire Department and the Visalia Police Department to recognize Mateo Flores and Nicholas Flores for their quick action. The district said fire crews responded to a call where smoke was seen from a small fire coming from their AC motor on Aug. 18 around 3:30 p.m. Mateo recognized the danger, turned off the AC, and managed to inform all his family along with his younger brother Nicholas, called 911, and got them out of the house. When the fire department arrived, the district said Mateo communicated with them for their grandmother who does not speak English. The district says their mother was out of town. Mateo has had challenges with fire drills at school due to his sensitivity to loud noises, but he demonstrated that he still understood what to do, and helped his entire family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Last weeks Democratic convention was the crescendo of an unprecedented period in American history: The Republican presidential nominee survived an assassination attempt, the Democratic president ended his reelection bid, and the vice president became her partys nominee without a single primary vote. But the summer was equally extraordinary for how it capped off the plot that we expose in The Levers new investigative series Master Plan a scheme to normalize and legalize corruption, transforming graft from a crime into the widely accepted way politics is now conducted. In just a few months, the U.S. Supreme Courts billionairecoddled justices made it legal for politicians to accept gifts from beneficiaries of government favors; Donald Trump promised to enrich fossil fuel industry donors in exchange for $1 billion in campaign donations, while his running mate J.D. Vance begged a tech billionaire to bankroll their campaign; moguls funneling cash to Democrats demanded the firing of the antitrust regulator scrutinizing their businesses; both parties held corporatesponsored conventions that prominently featured billionaires and CEOs as keynote speakers; and spending by Super PACs and other shadowy groups crossed the $1 billion mark. In an election purporting to be about the survival of the American Way Of Life, this miasma of transactional cash is the real threat to democracy one harming us all. Money is why popular, desperately needed legislation rarely ever passes it is why both parties colluded to kill off a minimum wage increase; why Americans have no guaranteed right to medical care; why oil companies are permitted to incinerate the climate; and why corporations are allowed to fleece us in myriad ways with no consequences. Money is why Trump has abandoned much of the anti-corporate rhetoric that once distinguished him as a heterodox conservative, and almost certainly why he has reversed himself on key policies of interest to a new crop of donors. Money is why Vice President Kamala Harris seems more comfortable avoiding press attention and running on vague platitudes rather than endorsing initiatives that might provoke the ire of well-funded Super PACs. Money is why Democratic leaders started telling reporters that even if Harris wins the election promising voters a crusade against corporate profiteering, her anti-price-gouging initiatives are dead on arrival in the next Congress. And money is why a new study shows most Democratic candidates up and down the ballot avoid explicitly criticizing corporations and billionaires the forces who are creating the problems that Democrats diagnose, but who will spend those Democrats into the ground if they make too much noise. Whatever your preferred label for this dystopia oligarchy, plutocracy, kleptocracy you might assume it is just a naturally occurring inevitability, but nothing could be further from the truth. This era of corruption in which elections are glorified auctions was manufactured by a cadre of oligarchs and operatives whose agenda could only be implemented by deregulating the campaign finance system so that cash could short circuit democracy. Political Power Is Necessary This untold story began a half century ago amid a golden age of democratic reforms. As Americas government was responding to public discontent by creating Medicare, Medicaid, environmental regulation, and a war on poverty, a genteel tobacco industry lawyer authored a 1971 manifesto sounding an alarm. In his now-famous memo, the soon-to-be Supreme Court justice Lewis Powell cast corporations and oligarchs as persecuted victims, and urged them to use their outsized resources to assume a broader and more vigorous role in the political arena to halt a government becoming too responsive to popular demands. In terms of political influence with respect to the course of legislation and government action, the American business executive is truly the forgotten man, Powell wrote. This is the lesson that political power is necessary; that such power must be assiduously cultivated; and that when necessary, it must be used aggressively and with determination without embarrassment. Some have cast Powells blueprint as little more than a 1970s version of a meaningless Reddit rant rather than the foundational text that some liberals believe it to be. But if anything, the significance of Powells screed has been understated. Documents unearthed by The Lever show that in response to the memo, leaders of the countrys most powerful corporations organized task forces to implement its directives. One of their goals was deregulating the campaign finance system. Why? Because they understood that in a properly functioning one-person-one-vote democracy, they would never be able to gain control of the political system and enact their self-enriching, wealth-concentrating agenda. They knew that to get their way, they must be allowed to buy elections, legislation, court rulings, and public policy. And so in short order, corporations and moguls inspired by Powell began funding think tanks, political advocacy organizations, and conservative law firms and victories followed. First, with the support of conservative philanthropist John Olins political machine, Congress quietly added loopholes to the post-Watergate anti-corruption laws allowing for the explosion of corporate political action committees that could buy legislators. Then in a lawsuit masterminded by American Enterprise Institute legal activists Ralph Winter and John Bolton (yes, that John Bolton!) and stealthily boosted by then-Solicitor General Robert Bork conservatives convinced the Supreme Court to endorse a radical legal doctrine equating money with constitutionally protected speech. Soon after, Powell successfully lobbied his fellow justices to extend those free speech rights to corporations aiming to spend big money to buy elections. These early wins unleashed a tidal wave of corporate money flooding into politics, which birthed an era of neoliberal tax, deregulatory, and anti-union policies, just as the master planners wanted. It also delivered an attendant epoch of corruption scandals, from Abscam, to the Keating Five, to Enron, to Jack Abramoff and the K Street Project. The throughline in each sordid episode was money being used to subvert democracy in specific, to pressure elected officials to use their power to enrich donors at the expense of voters. Not surprisingly, the influence-peddling imbroglios coincided with other spectacles of institutionalized corruption the insurance industrys political spending killed universal health care initiatives and replaced them with a system of government subsidies; the fossil fuel industrys political spending killed climate legislation and got the greenlight for record production; and Wall Streets political spending killed New Deal regulations that might have prevented the financial crisis. With money politics ascending, wealth concentrated, government shrunk, the working class was pulverized, and corporations gained control. At the twilight of the 20th century, Powells mission seemed on a glidepath. Reform And Then Collapse But amid this grotesquerie, some finally fought back most prominently and unexpectedly, a scandal-plagued John McCain. After being humiliated as one of the Keating Five who pressured federal banking regulators on behalf of a donor, the Arizona senator adopted the zeal of a convert to the anti-corruption cause. He waged a yearslong battle for legislation to restrict unlimited corporate spending on politics, eventually using an insurgent presidential bid to shame George W. Bush the personification of Big Money politics into signing the first campaign finance reform law in a generation. But while the Supreme Court briefly upheld that legislation in 2003, it was a short-lived respite. The Powell Memo had urged corporations and business leaders to fund political infrastructure focused on changing the judiciary. When the seats of Justices William Rehnqist and Sandra Day OConnor opened up in 2005, that well-financed machine made sure the Bush administration replaced them not with moderates, but with archconservatives committed to the master plan. Led by the Federalist Societys Leonard Leo, the conservative legal movement ran a multimillion-dollar campaign to install archconservative John Roberts. The same master planners then ran a campaign to convince Senate Republicans to block potential moderate nominee Harriet Miers, prompting Bush to replace her with the far-right Samuel Alito. In the wake of the duos confirmations, liberals consoled themselves with hopes that the seemingly reasonable Justice Anthony Kennedy would maintain a pragmatic equilibrium on the high court. Kennedy, though, was much like his predecessor, Powell. He cut a moderate profile, but had long been an opponent of tough campaign finance and anti-corruption laws hardly surprising considering his early career was spent as a corporate lobbyist doling out cash to lawmakers, and as an author of Ronald Reagans first anti-tax ballot measure in the Powell Memo years. And so when one of this generations most effective campaign finance deregulators, attorney James Bopp, manufactured a case about a Hillary Clinton documentary, the master plan sprung into action. Rather than crafting a narrow decision, Roberts ordered the case to be reargued on more precedential questions and then assigned the opinion to Kennedy, who authored the expansive 2010 Citizens United ruling that overturned McCains campaign finance law. Building directly off Powells earlier ruling on corporate speech, the decision fully legalized unlimited spending in elections, insisting that putatively independent expenditures do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption. As election spending by billionaires and corporations subsequently skyrocketed, the same legal machine forged by the Powell Memo manufactured cases designed to prompt the court to deliver additional rulings encouraging even more corruption. In one such case, conservative justices shamelessly used a mid-20th-century court ruling that protected civil rights groups from Jim Crow thugs to protect billionaire- and corporate-funded dark money groups from disclosing their donors to regulators responsible for enforcing nonprofit laws. Another string of high court rulings then overturned law enforcement officials corruption convictions and gutted longstanding federal bribery statutes. As for the governments remaining anti-corruption regulators, the master planners made sure they were also defanged: Republicans packed the Federal Election Commission with appointees opposed to enforcing even the most minimal campaign finance laws, and they have bullied the Internal Revenue Service out of policing dark money groups. It Doesnt Have Any Effect On Me In the wake of this rampage, master planners today typically argue that everything is fine and democracy is safe, because money supposedly does not buy election results. They cite the occasional outspent election winner or overspending election loser as proof that cash does not determine political outcomes. But those are rare exceptions in a country where those who spend the most are able to most repetitiously communicate with voters and therefore almost always win. And that money almost always comes with big donors transactional expectations. People say, Oh, it doesnt have any effect on me,' said now-retired Rep. Barney Frank in a candid interview a few years after Citizens United. Well if that were the case, wed be the only human beings in the history of the world who on a regular basis took significant amounts of money from perfect strangers and made sure that it had no effect on our behavior. Data about legislative action buttresses Franks point. One study found that for every $1 of corporate donations, a business gets more than $6 of state tax breaks. Another study found a correlation between unlimited campaign spending and a reduction in corporate taxes. Still another study found that the more freely corporations are allowed to spend in elections, the more likely lawmakers are to pass laws that protect corporate management. The same holds true for legislative and political inaction. Health insurers cash explains why Americans have no guaranteed right to medical care, and pharmaceutical industry cash explains why we continue to pay the worlds highest prices for medicine. Wall Street cash explains why private equity tax loopholes that could be closed with the stroke of a pen remain open, and why bankers who cratered the global economy continued to reap bailouts rather than prosecutions. Rail industry cash explains why Congress has refused to pass rail safety legislation after the East Palestine disaster, and Boeing cash explains why the company gets a slap on the wrist and even more government contracts after its deadly crashes. The list of such examples is endless, ultimately confirming Princeton and Northwestern researchers conclusion: Economic elites and organized interest groups play a substantial part in affecting public policy, but the general public has little or no independent influence over the government operating in its name. Even worse, an electorate pining for reform is typically given few political choices that promise any escape from it. The 2024 campaign exemplifies the sad reality. On one side is the choice are policy-free vibes that pretend working-class voters and elite donors conflicting interests can both coexist under the same big tent. On the other side is a 900-page manifesto promising an explicit corporate takeover and final gutting of whatevers left of campaign finance laws all written by a group whose seed funding was originally prompted by the Powell Memo. The Election Of Federal Officials Is Not A Private Affair In the two years it has taken to report out Master Plan, our reporters discovered documents illustrating just how deliberate the attack has been on Americas anti-corruption and campaign finance laws. Beholding a never-before-unearthed 1971 photo of Philip Morris CEO giving Powell a judicial robe emblazoned with corporate logos, you cant help but see the image as a prophecy of all that would come to pass. And yet even as we live in Powells world and democracy teeters amid this years multibillion-dollar election extravaganza, there is a silver lining: The fact that this present reality came from a plan means it can be reversed, especially because the solutions are so obvious and straightforward. First and foremost, every political jurisdiction can pass laws forcing the disclosure of those who spend money to influence elections and policy. States have already started doing this, and the federal government could, too. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has already written the DISCLOSE Act, which was co-sponsored by Harris, who as California attorney general tried to force dark money groups to disclose their donors. In 2025, she could be in a position to make a disclosure bill the law of the land. This shouldnt be a partisan or ideological issue: After all, the Citizens United decision explicitly touted the necessity of robust transparency, and even ultraconservative Justice Antonin Scalia agreed with such notions, writing in a separate case that requiring people to stand up in public for their political acts fosters civic courage, without which democracy is doomed. Beyond transparency, there is what Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had the temerity to bellow at the Democratic conventions corporate suites. Billionaires in both parties should not be able to buy elections, including primary elections, he said in his keynote address last week. For the sake of our democracy, we must overturn the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and move toward public funding of elections. Immediately after Sanders made that demand, the DNC handed the microphone to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who bragged about being a billionaire, and then to the chairman of a venture capital firm for a speech insisting that Harris will be both pro-business and pro-worker as if there never needs to be a choice between the two. It was a scheduling juxtaposition that undoubtedly reassured the conventions corporate sponsors that (to use Joe Bidens donor-speak) nothing will fundamentally change. But it should. Overturning Citizens United will be a slow constitutional amendment process but one thats already making progress, and could over time generate some bipartisan support. The latter is already happening in states and cities across the country. It may seem like a pipe dream at the federal level, but remember: The idea twice came within a hair of happening in response to corruption scandals that rocked Washington. The election of federal officials is not a private affair. It is the foundation of our government, said the Senate report that accompanied the chambers passage of a public financing bill in the mid-1970s. We shall not finally come to grips with the problems except as we are prepared to pay for the public business of elections with public funds. By todays standards, such a clear statement from Congresss upper chamber seems unfathomable but it didnt happen because senators were more altruistic back then. They came so close to game-changing anti-corruption reform because the public was so enraged by the Watergate scandal that their representatives felt the need to try to act. Watching convention-goers stroll the United Center halls and barely notice the corporate brands advertising their ownership of the Democratic Party, it is difficult to know if such rage can be mustered anymore. Even as todays corruption makes the scandals of the 1970s seem quaint, such disgust seems absent from an electorate inured to the dominance of money politics. Whereas the Watergate scandal prompted the first major campaign finance reforms of the 20th century, and the fundraising excesses of the 1980s and 1990s prompted McCains crusade against the master plan, todays corruption seems on the verge of becoming like the water in David Foster Wallaces parable about fish many are so accustomed to swimming in it, they have stopped noticing it. Worse, some even demand contrition from those who dare to identify it as a problem. In 2020, there was Sanders feeling compelled to apologize for a surrogate invoking the word corruption when rightly criticizing Joe Bidens all-too-close relationship with corporate donors. In 2024, there was Rep. Katie Porter being vilified for pointing out that billionaires spent millions to rig her primary contest. As this election season heads into its final two months and produces a new president, there will be even more such pressure to keep quiet, conform, and insist on repentance from those who dare mention the corruption that America is drowning in. Succumbing to that code of silence is exactly what the master planners want and exactly what will end whatevers left of democracy. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A total of 21 people suspected of being affiliated with the Chuco Tango prison gang were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 29 in and around El Paso, the United States Attorneys Office Western District of Texas announced in a news release. The suspects are facing criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and/or the unlawful possession of firearms, according to the news release. As we previously reported, a heavy law enforcement presence was seen early Thursday morning in Vinton. A spokesperson with FBI El Paso said they were conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity in the area and it was a multi-agency effort. Federal officials later confirmed in a news conference that a multi-agency takedown took place to target the Chuco Tango gang as part of a large-scale drug trafficking investigation. The following people were indicted in federal court for various charges that include conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the news release: Clarissa Inez Santana Daniel Baeza aka Racoon Hector Chamorro Angel Renee Corral aka Happy Antonio Omar Gamboa Robert Gurrola aka Bobby Barker aka Bobby Baker Ricardo Moreno Andrew Solorio aka Tokes Adam Vazquez Brandon Garcia Jacqueline Perez Aileen Gonzalez Byanka Sambrano Thomas Payan Steven Kuehn Cassandra Page Silva Tanya Campechano Alejandro Morrill Zoilo Romero Alexander Rangel Zulema Marin A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, according to the news release. Initial reports suggested that four fugitives remained at-large following Thursdays operation: Carlos Flores, Jessica Rodarte, Jonathan Blanco and Adriel Belmont. However, a spokesperson with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said Rodarte has been captured as of Thursday evening. Tips can be submitted to the DEA by calling (915) 832-6000 or visiting their website https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip or to the FBI at (915) 832-5000. The FBI and DEA are investigating the case with valuable support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the El Paso Police Department, the El Paso Sheriffs Office, the Socorro Police Department, the Horizon Police Department, the El Paso Constables, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tigua Police Department, read the news release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This 24-year-old woman is missing from Lemoore This 24-year-old woman is missing from Lemoore LEMOORE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The Lemoore Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating a 24-year-old woman who was reported missing almost a week ago. According to police, on Aug. 23 at 11:13 p.m. officers responded to a residence in Lemoore for a missing persons report. Police say the reported missing person was identified as 24-year-old Cheryl Ann Stuart. She told a relative that she was leaving for a party in the San Bernardino area. According to police, she was seen leaving her residence by the same relative on Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. with two Hispanic males in a black GMC or Chevrolet lowered pick-up truck. 24-year-old Cheryl Ann Stuart of Lemoore The family has not been able to contact Stuart since her departure. The Lemoore Police Department is currently investigating this as a missing person case. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Stuart is encouraged to contact the Lemoore Police Department at 559-924-9597. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) Lenoir County Public Schools received a donation of school supplies from Amazon on Aug. 15. Kinstons Amazon distribution site made it possible for 150 packs of backpacks and supplies to be donated. Those items will be given to students in need across the county. Teachers, school counselors and administrators will make sure students that need the supplies receive them. Having the right school supplies is critical for student success, Lenoir County Schools Public Information Officer Rebecca McGann said. This donation from Amazon is among the largest donations to the school district this year. With these donations, I believe we have some students who are sleeping better at night knowing they have what they need to excel, McGann said. Lenoir County Public Schools Superintendent Brent Williams said they appreciate the donations. I want to thank the leaders of the local Amazon facility for the strong level of support they demonstrate for our students and our school system, Williams 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 WNCT. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Three people were arrested Wednesday after an armed robbery in Lyons. According to New York State Police, troopers were called to the McDonalds on Forgham Street around 6:00 p.m., where a man said he was robbed at gunpoint by three people in a black sedan. photo courtesy NYSP Police said they found the suspect vehicle a short time later and tried to stop it on Elmer Street. They said the vehicle pulled over, then sped off after a passenger got out and ran away on foot. Lorenzo Carithers, 26, was arrested after allegedly fleeing through the yard of a nearby home. Police said he had a loaded 9mm 3D-printed pistol and cocaine. Police found and pulled over the vehicle a second time on Forgham Street. The alleged driver, 28-year-old Tramija Streeter, was arrested at the scene. Investigators also arrested Patience Larock, 23. All three suspects were charged with first degree robbery and taken to the Wayne County Jail. Carithers was also charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two search warrants concluded a long-term drug trafficking investigation on Thursday, leading to three arrests. The Montgomery County R.A.N.G.E. Task Force recovered several items and arrested three suspects on Thursday, Aug. 29 after a extensive investigation into suspected drug trafficking. Officers served the search warrants at two addresses in Dayton, on N. Euclid Avenue and Wyoming Street. Homeland Security seeks individuals impacted by alleged case (Photo/MCSO) Task force detectives recovered a substantial amount of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and seven firearms from the two residences, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Three individuals were arrested as well. They have been booked into Montgomery County Jail and are now facing drug and weapons charges. Illegal drugs and gun violence is a crisis that continues to plague our community, said Sheriff Rob Streck. Public safety continues to be my top priority, which is why my office will continue to target individuals who are poisoning our neighborhoods, while curbing violent crime by taking guns out of the hands of criminals. The Montgomery County R.A.N.G.E. Task Force is handling the 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 WDTN.com. DALLAS Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia says Officer Darron Burks, who was fatally shot late Thursday, was the victim of a targeted attack rather than an ambush. "Officer Burks was executed," Garcia said during a 5 p.m. Friday news conference. "... Our officers were targeted for nothing more than the uniform they wear and for the brave and honorable job that they do." Burks, 46, was killed in a shooting in Oak Cliff, and two other responding officers were injured late Thursday night, Dallas police said. Police responded to an officer-in-distress call in the 900 block of E. Ledbetter Drive just after 10 p.m. Thursday. Officers found one officer - later identified as Burks - shot in a patrol vehicle, a spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department, Kristin Lowman, said in a press conference early Friday morning. Garcia said the suspect, 30-year-old Corey Cobb-Bey, approached Burks while he was waiting in a parking lot between calls. After a brief conversation, Cobb-Bey pulled out a gun and "executed" Burks. Police dispatch noticed a sound from Burks' radio and immediately sent help, Garcia said. Cobb-Bey shot at responding officers, who later shot and killed him, Garcia said. Two shotguns, a .22-caliber handgun, and a 9-millimeter handgun were recovered from two scenes, the chief said. Three days ago, Cobb-Bey approached an unmarked unit and questioned that officer. One day ago, Cobb-Bey posted on social media that an event was happening Friday, Garcia said. All three officers were taken to local hospitals. Burks, who joined the force recently after teaching math for about 17 years, was pronounced dead. One officer was in critical condition and the third was in stable condition, Lowman said. According to a CBS News Texas photojournalist at the hospital, DPD chaplains said one of the officers, a man, has superficial wounds, is awake, "in good spirits" and could be released Friday. The other officer who was shot, a woman, has more serious injuries but are non-life threatening. Cobb-Bey then fled from the shooting scene. Dallas police officers pursued the suspect and the chase ended in the 1000 block of Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, about 40 miles from the original scene. This portion of I-35E was shut down for about seven hours. The suspect in the shooting of three Dallas police officers has been identified as Corey Cobb-Bey, 30, of Dallas. One of the officers died. / Credit: Dallas County Jail Dallas police said the suspect got out of the vehicle with a "long gun" before officers shot at the suspect killing him. Lewisville police said Dallas officers led the chase on northbound I-35 and no Lewisville officers were involved. CBS News Texas crews on the scene at Baylor University Medical Center and Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Dallas overnight said both had a heavy police presence. A CBS News Texas photojournalist at Methodist Dallas Medical Center said officers were lining up at the entrance in a salute. Officers departed from the hospital in a processional honoring the fallen officer at 4 a.m. Friday. Garcia was not at the press conference Friday morning but on social media said he had "No words." Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson released a statement Friday morning: "Dallas has lost a hero. We all grieve with the officer's family today, and we pray for a full and swift recovery for the two officers who were wounded. "This is devastating. In Dallas, we put public safety first. We stand up to violent criminals. We ask our police officers to do dangerous work so the rest of us can sleep peacefully. These dedicated public servants do so with grace, honor, respect, humility and extraordinary courage. And this attack on three of our protectors is nothing short of an attack on our city, our families, and our way of life. We must continue their work to stop violence in our communities. We must never forget their sacrifice. And we must take the time to come together and lift each other up as we mourn our fallen." / Credit: CBS News Texas DPD said flags at all city facilities will be flown at half-staff in memory of the slain officer. Family holds funeral to say goodbye to toddler's beloved pacifier Major publishers sue Florida over law that led to book bans Food costs remain high as Americans hold Labor Day BBQs 3 men sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine using the US mail BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Three Panhandle men are heading to prison after being sentenced for their involvement in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Earlier this year, 45-year-old Omar Josue Morales-Rodriguez of Freeport, 50-year-old Marcos Aguilar Gonzalez of Santa Rosa Beach, and 34-year-old Edmar Agustin Gonzalez of Crestview. Each of the men entered guilty pleas to one or two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Fugitive sentenced to 25 years for attempt to stab US Marshals Tasks Force Member Morales Rodriguez also pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The trio routinely sent packages of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Walton and Okaloosa Counties from October 2019 to June 2023. Investigators said they seized several packages, three of them each containing 1 kilo of cocaine, the fourth carrying 125 grams of cocaine. Morales-Rodriguez was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Marcos Gonzalez and Edmar Gonzalez were each given 18 months in federal prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Displaced people return their home in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 29, 2024. On Thursday, 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. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) 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. 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. Displaced people return their home in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 29, 2024. On Thursday, 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. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Displaced people return their home in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 29, 2024. On Thursday, 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. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Displaced people return their home in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 29, 2024. On Thursday, 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. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Displaced people return their home in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 29, 2024. On Thursday, 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. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) SAN DIEGO (Border Report) Four Ensenada police officers were arrested Thursday in connection with a murder. Baja California State Police and members of Mexicos National Guard took the officers into custody at the main police station in the coastal town of Ensenada, about 65 miles south of the border. Witnesses say the police installation was raided and besieged by state and federal agents for about five minutes. Warning issued to people who use SENTRI lanes at San Ysidro Port of Entry Details are limited, but a source in the Baja California prosecutors office says the officers are suspected of being involved in at least one murder in the region. They are also reportedly part of a criminal cell involved in serious crimes throughout northern Baja. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Some of the officers now in custody are being described as sub-commanders who had supervisory roles in the police department. The officers have been taken to a federal detention center. Two other officers, reportedly tied to the four arrested Thursday night, are already in custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. (WCIA) First responders rushed to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on I-70 in Effingham County Thursday evening. Shortly after 5:15 p.m., Teutopolis and Montrose Fire Departments responded to a multi-vehicle accident on I-70 eastbound between the I-57 north exit and the Montrose exit, just north of Teutopolis. UPDATE: Springfield man arrested after driving through group of people Once on the scene, officials determined that four tractor-trailer semis and five passenger vehicles were involved in the crash. Three of those vehicles left the interstate and ended up on the nearby frontage road. The barrier wall partially ended up in the westbound lanes as a result of the crash. Photos courtesy of the Teutopolis Fire Protection District The fire department reported that all occupants had been able to get out of the vehicles on their own and nobody was trapped. Rural Med EMS transported five patients to the hospital following the crash. Illinois State Police are investigating the crash. This is a developing story. We will continue to share updates as we learn 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 WCIA.com. LGBTQ+ issues didnt come up in Kamala Harris and Tim Walzs interview with CNNs Dana Bash Thursday evening, but a lot of other things did. Here are five key takeaways from the interview, their first since becoming the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter. Harris will make the middle class her priority on day one. Day one, its gonna be about one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy, she said. Ive already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what were gonna do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what were gonna do to invest in Americas small businesses, what were gonna do to invest in families. For example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their childs life to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib. Theres the work that were gonna do that is about investing in the American family around affordable housing, a big issue in our country right now. So there are a number of things on day one. - YouTube www.youtube.com Harris has changed positions on certain issues, but her values havent changed. I want to get some clarity on where you stand on some key policy issues, Bash said. Energy is a big one. In when you were in Congress, you supported the Green New Deal. And in 2019 you said, quote, There is no question Im in favor of banning fracking. Fracking, as you know, is a pretty big issue, particularly in your must-win state of Pennsylvania. Harris is no longer in favor of banning fracking, which is shorthand for hydraulic fracturing, a method of extracting oil and natural gas that has been criticized by environmental activists. Harris replied, I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking. My values have not changed. I believe it is very important that we take seriously what we must do to guard against what is a clear crisis in terms of the climate. And to do that, we can do what we have accomplished thus far. What I have seen is that we can we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking. - YouTube www.youtube.com Tim Walz admits that he sometimes misspeaks. Walz has been accused by Republicans, including vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, of misrepresenting his record as a member of the National Guard. You said that you carried weapons in war, but you have never deployed actually in a war zone, Bash said. A campaign official said that you misspoke. Did you? We were talking about, in this case, this was after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war, he responded. And my wife the English teacher told me my grammars not always correct. But again, if its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me, or its an attack on my dog. Im not gonna do that, and the one thing Ill never do is Ill never demean another members service in any way. I never have and I never will. He has also said his wife had in vitro fertilization to conceive a child, when in fact it was a different fertility treatment, intrauterine injection. IVF is under threat from opponents of abortion rights, as it usually involves the creation of more embryos than are needed, and those people consider the destruction of the unneeded embryos to be the taking of a human life. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled as much earlier this year, prompting even that conservative state to pass a law protecting IVF. I wont apologize for speaking passionately, whether its guns in schools or protection of reproductive rights, Walz said. The contrast could not be clearer between what were running against. The vice presidents position on this has been clear. And I think most Americans get it if youve been through that. I dont think theyre cutting hairs on IVF or IUI. I think what theyre cutting hairs on is an abortion ban and the ability to be able to deny families the chance to have a beautiful child. Harris doesnt regret supporting President Joe Biden up until his withdrawal. I have served with President Biden for almost four years now, Harris said in response to Bashs query about regrets. And Ill tell ya, its one of the greatest honors of my career, truly. He cares so deeply about the American people. He is so smart and and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president. I think history is gonna show not only has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved those extraordinary successes but the character of the man is one that he has been in his life and career, including as a president, quite selfless, and puts the American people first, she added. - YouTube www.youtube.com Harris isnt going to talk much about her gender and race, nor about Donald Trumps attacks on her. I am running because I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, said Harris, who stands to be the first woman and first woman of color to be president. She was touched by the photo of one of her grandnieces watching her accept the nomination, however, she said a photo of a little Black girl with braids. I was deeply touched by it, she said. And youre right, shes its the back of her head, and her two little braids, and and then Im in the front of the photograph obviously speaking. Its very humbling. Its very humbling in many ways. As for Trumps attacks on her, which include accusing her of having just become Black (she is of Jamaican and Indian heritage), shes not going to spend a lot of time responding. Same old tired playbook, she told Bash. Next question, please. - YouTube www.youtube.com A full transcript of the interview is here. 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 A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. What We Still Dont Know What does the Trump campaign video show? The Trump campaign initially said it was prepared to release footage it had of the incident that would show what happened, but a day later it said it was weighing its options and to date it hasnt released the relevant footage. Who are the two Trump campaign staffers who had a verbal and physical altercation with the cemetery official? The identity of the campaign staffers who verbally abused and aggressively brushed by the cemetery official have still not been made public, and their exact roles with the campaign remain unclear. What does the report filed by the cemetery official say? The Army has closed the case because the cemetery official didnt want to press charges for fear of retaliation from MAGA world, but not before the cemetery official involved filed a report with the police department at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Who else witnessed the incident and what did they see? As the photo above suggests, there were numerous other people in attendance before and after the incident, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R), families of the fallen, campaign staffers, and Secret Service. We have limited accounts from them of what transpired. What did the Secret Service do, if anything, about the incident? Trump was under Secret Service protection at the time of the incident but its unclear what, if anything, agents witnessed, whether they intervened, or how the agency handles a difficult situation like this. What was the content of the official warnings to the Trump campaign ahead of time not to turn the cemetery ceremony into a campaign event? The Army says it was clear in advance with participants about the prohibitions against political activities on cemetery grounds, but we havent seen those warnings, what exactly they said, or what form they took. Latest Developments In Arlington National Cemetery Incident Over the past 24 hours: The Army released an unusual statement defending the cemetery official involved in the physical altercation with the Trump campaign staffer while trying to enforce the rules and regulations for the national shrine. Senate Democrats began to rouse themselves to look into the matter. The Senate Armed Service Committee is the committee of jurisdiction. House Democrats also expressed an interest in investigating the matter, with some members calling for the release of the report filed by the cemetery worker. Both chambers are on August recess. Trump Prosecution Watch In an interview with CBS News, a remarkably candid Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke about the Supreme Courts egregious presidential immunity decision: I was concerned about a system that appeared to provide immunity for one individual under one set of circumstances, when we have a criminal justice system that had ordinarily treated everyone the same. Donald Trump has launched another long-shot effort to move the New York hush money case to federal court in order to avoid sentencing following his conviction in the case. Suboptimal NYT: As Speaker Nancy Pelosi was evacuated from the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, while the complex was under attack, her motorcade passed by a pipe bomb at the Democratic National Committee headquarters that law enforcement had yet to render safe, according to video and analysis released this week by House Republicans. The Election Story Nobody Wants to Talk About Rick Perlstein interviews David Neiwert about the threat of political violence by right-wing extremists as we head into the 2024 election (plus a generous shoutout to TPM). Abortion Watch Having it both ways : Trump suggested Thursday that he would vote for the Florida ballot initiative that would ease the states six-week abortion ban, but his campaign quickly put out a statement declaring that Trump had not yet taken a position on the ballot measure. Be skeptical: Trump said Thursday, without offering much in the way of detail, that he if elected he would require private insurers and the government to cover the costs of IVF. Quote Of The Day I did not have Medicare for All for IVF on my bingo card for policy proposals from Donald Trump. Larry Levitt, a healthcare expert at the Kaiser Family Foundation 2024 Ephemera WSJ poll: Harris leads Trump 48%-47%, a flip from the last WSJ survey in July, when Trump led by 2 percentage points. Its the first time that Biden or Harris has led Trump in the WSJ poll since April 2023. In the new Democratic tickets first joint interview, Harris said she would appoint a Republican to her cabinet. NYT: Donors Quietly Push Harris to Drop Tax on Ultrawealthy Thune Busted For Playing Both Sides Of The Fence Politicos Playbook catches Sen. John Thune (R-SD) taking center stage at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a home-state water project that received $152 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Thune voted against. For Your Radar A federal judge in Texas who is a favorite of conservative legal movers and shakers, including Republican attorneys general who frequently shop for venue in his court, has denied Media Matters motion to dismiss Elon Musks lawsuit against it in a thin opinion that clears the way for the case to go trial in April. UVa Suspends Woke Tours After Conservative Alum Complain NYT: The University of Virginia said on Thursday that it had suspended a longstanding campus tour service, but said the move was unrelated to complaints that the tours cast a negative historical spotlight on the school, particularly its relationship to slavery. Have A Great Holiday Weekend! Some Louisiana roots music to get you in the spirit: This embedded content is not available in your region. Morning Memo will be back Tuesday. Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first in-depth media interview since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, answering questions Thursday from CNNs Dana Bash. The pretaped interview was conducted in Savannah, Ga., and Harris was joined by her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Earlier in the day, the resurgent Democratic ticket held a rally in the key swing state, while former President Donald Trump campaigned in Michigan. With fewer than 70 days until the Nov. 5 election, every interview and campaign speech by the candidates will be scrutinized. Harris is scheduled to debate Trump on ABC News on Sept. 10. Here are the key moments from the CNN interview. A focus on the middle class on day one Pressed by Bash about what she would do on day one, Harris focused on what she said was her agenda to bolster the middle class. Day one its going to be about, one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy, she said. Ive already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which includes what were going to do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what were going to do to invest in Americas small businesses, what were going to do to invest in families, for example, extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for families for the first year of their childs life to help them buy a car seat, to help them buy baby clothes, a crib. Harris added that she would also begin pushing her plan to build more affordable housing across the country. My values have not changed In one exchange, Bash asked Harris about policy changes on issues like her past support for the Green New Deal and for a ban on fracking since running in the Democratic primary for president in 2019. Dana, I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris responded. She went on to note her commitment to fighting climate change and to try to address the current wave of undocumented immigration. We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension, the globe around when we should meet certain standards for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed, she said. My value around what we need to do to secure our border. That value has not changed. On Israel, Harris puts hope on ceasefire agreement Bash asked Harris if she would consider withholding weapon shipments in an effort to influence Israel as it wages a retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza that has killed 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials. Let me be very clear. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself, and thats not going to change, she said. At the same time, Harris took issue with the number of civilian Palestinians that have been killed in Israels military operation in Gaza. Israel has a right to defend itself, we would. And how it does so matters, she said. As for whether she would change U.S. policy if elected president, Harris kept focus on the need for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. We have got to get a deal done. This war must end, she said, adding that she ultimately supports a two-state solution. Going on the attack on securing the border Echoing her stump speech, Harris sought to flip the script on the surge of undocumented immigration that occurred under the Biden administration by blaming Trump for torpedoing a bipartisan Senate compromise to beef up border security and overhaul the asylum process. Donald Trump got word of this bill that would have contributed to securing our border, and because he believes that it would not have helped him politically, he told his folks in Congress, Dont put it forward. Harris said. He killed the bill, a border security bill that would have put 1,500 more agents on the border, and let me tell you something, the Border Patrol endorsed the bill. He killed the bill, she said of Trump, adding, I will make sure that it comes to my desk, and I would sign it. Pressed by Bash on whether she still supported the idea that the border should be decriminalized, as she indicated by raising her hand during a 2019 debate, Harris offered a different view on Thursday. I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequence, she said. Pledge to appoint a Republican to Cabinet position Harris said that if she is elected in November, she would pick at least one Republican Cabinet member in her administration. I think its important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences, she 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. Walz responds to claims he misrepresented his military service In 2018, when Walz was campaigning for governor, he told an audience that he had carried a weapon of war in a war. But Walz, who served in the National Guard for 24 years, never did so in a combat zone, the New York Times reported. Walz was stationed with his unit in Italy in a support role, but has been criticized when he has claimed that he served overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Republicans, including Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have accused Walz of stolen valor, a term that describes those who improperly claim military service for personal or professional gain. Bash asked Walz specifically about the carried a weapon of war comment. You said that you carried weapons in war, but you have never deployed actually in a war zone. Bash asked Walz, A campaign official said that you misspoke. Did you? We were talking about, in this case this was after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war. And my wife, the English teacher, she told me that my grammar is not always correct, Walz answered. But again, if its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me or its an attack on my dog. Im not going to do that. And the one thing that Ill never do is Ill never demean anothers service in any way. I never have, and I never will. Not taking Trumps bait Bash asked Harris to respond to the incendiary comments Trump made earlier this month during an appearance at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists. During a contentious interview, Trump said that Harris had purposefully misrepresented her ethnic background and only recently became a Black person. But Harris made clear that she wanted no part of what she regarded as a tired, racially motivated attack. Same old, tired playbook, she said. Next question, please. Thats it? Bash asked. Thats it, Harris responded. Trump reacts After Harriss interview aired on CNN, Trump posted one word on his platform Truth Social: BORING!!! But hours before the interview even aired, Trump spoke about the sit-down during a town hall in Wisconsin. She was sitting behind that desk, this massive desk, and she didnt look like a leader today, he said. An 8-year-old was found dead in a car after police shot and killed a man suspected of killing his wife on a bridge connecting New Hampshire and Maine, officials said Thursday. Authorities have not identified the man. Maine State Police said in a news release that he called 911 at 2:07 a.m. to say that he had had a fight with his wife and that she was dead. Law enforcement was dispatched to their home in Troy, New Hampshire, where they found a deceased woman. Police found the man's car parked on the Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95, on the Maine side of the state line, Maine State Police said. Troopers from Maine and New Hampshire tried to talk the man into surrendering. "The bridge was shut down for several hours to protect the public, while negotiations were attempted, and the scene was secured," Maine State Police. "Negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful, and the male exited the vehicle and raised a firearm." Troopers shot at the man, who apparently fell into the Piscataqua River. His body was recovered from the water, and he was declared dead. Authorities found the body of an 8-year-old in the backseat of the man's vehicle. Maine State Police said the child had been shot, but not by law enforcement. A Maine State Police spokesperson said the three deaths were of a "husband, wife and child" in a question-and-answer session at a news conference Thursday. The New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office is investigating along with New Hampshire State Police. "Additional information will be released as it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation," the attorney general's office said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com PENNSYLVANIA Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Pennsylvania as students head back to school. The highly-contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled since this time last year, CDC data shows. As of Aug. 17, there have been 1,666 cases reported in Pennsylvania an increase of about 830 percent since last August, when there were 179 cases. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." Dr. Ericka Hayes, professor of clinical pediatrics at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said local doctors have seen a marked increase in whooping cough cases since March. She said two infants have been hospitalized at CHOP with serious cases of whooping cough this summer. Hayes said cases have been rising in Chester, Delaware, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, as well as Burlington County in South Jersey. Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that attaches to the tiny, hair-like cilia that line the upper respiratory system. These bacteria release toxins which damage the cilia, and cause airways to swell. And, babies and children under 10 years old may present with different symptoms than adults and older children. Infants under 6 months old, and those who were born prematurely, are more susceptible to the disease and 50 percent of babies who get whooping cough will have to be hospitalized, Hayes said. Health experts encourage pregnant women to be sure they are properly vaccinated against whooping cough, to lessen any symptoms they or the baby might experience if they get sick. Newborns and young infants do not have the lung strength to develop the whoop sound but will still have trouble breathing, Hayes said. They can present with poor feeding, lethargy, stopping breathing or turning blue, Hayes said. In children under 10, excessive coughing can also cause the child to vomit. Hayes added that part of the increase in cases is due to a decline in vaccination rates, and the fact that most people are not as vigilant with hand-washing and wearing face masks as during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We havent gotten back on top of vaccines, but we see surges in pertussis even when rates are good, Hayes told Patch. Hayes said that adults need boosters for the TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, to protect themselves and others in their household. The current TDaP vaccine is acellular and contains an inactivated pertussis toxin, which Hayes said does not provide as much durable immunity as past vaccines before 1991, the pertussis vaccine used whole cells, but also had more side effects, she said. According to the CDC, a typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get Tdap as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. 800 Percent Spike In PA Whooping Cough Cases Since Last Year: CDC Data originally appeared on the Across Pennsylvania Patch BEIRUT, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes on Friday morning carried out a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah's missile platforms in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources said. The sources, who spoke anonymously, said Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes at dawn on Hezbollah's surface-to-surface missile sites and platforms in the western and central sectors along Lebanon's southern border. They noted that the planes fired about 22 air-to-surface missiles, each weighing 1,000 pounds, in the raids. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the Israeli attacks took place adjacent to the Blue Line in the western and central sectors throughout the night and into the morning, reaching the outskirts of Tyre city in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in two separate statements that it had attacked "enemy positions," including buildings used by Israeli soldiers in the settlements of al-Motella and Al-Manara, as well as the Bayad Blida site, claiming to have made "direct" hits. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Communities in the Concho Valley are gearing up to commemorate the Sep. 11, 2001 heroes and victims. According to a press release from the City of San Angelo, the San Angelo Police and Fire Department will host a public 9/11 memorial service on Sep. 11, at the 9/11 monument near Celebration Bridge along the Concho River. Next to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Love Street. Dedicated on Sep. 8, 2003, the local memorial honors the victims of the 2001 attacks and is one of the few memorials in Texas to feature a piece of steel from Ground Zero. After the original artifact was stolen in 2016, the Velez family donated a new steel piece from Ground Zero in 2017, which now serves as the heart of the monument. According to a social media post shared by Team Red, White and Blue, Team RWB will host its 4th Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at San Angelo Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Participants can expect to climb 2,200 stairs in honor of the heroic efforts of the first responders who ascended the World Trade Center and the 2,977 lives lost on that tragic day. The event is open to all ages, with a track available for those unable to climb. Free snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the event. First Responders from SAPD, TGSO, SAFD, and EMS will also be present for meet-and-greet opportunities. Entry is from the Johnson Street side of the stadium. According to a social media post shared by the Ballinger Fire Department, the 4th Annual 9/11 Memorial 5K will take place on Saturday, Sep. 7, beginning at 8 a.m. with an early registration at 7 a.m. Hosted by the Ballinger Fire Department at 109 N 9th St, the event features a $35 registration fee and guarantees a t-shirt size for all participants. A drawing for prizes will also be held and Shannon Air Med will make a special landing at 7:45 a.m. Lunch will be provided and will include pulled pork sandwiches and tacos for all participants. First responders can join free of charge. For registration, contact Reyna Uribe at 325-716-0387. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KITTERY, Maine Three Troy, New Hampshire residents, including an 8-year-old child, have been identified by Maine and New Hampshire authorities after the shooting death of a woman at home in Troy on Thursday, followed by the officer-involved shooting death of her husband on the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95. Trent Weston, who was 37, is believed by authorities to have murdered his wife, Brittany Weston, 37, at their apartment in Troy on Thursday morning, and to have also murdered their son, Benson Weston, 8. The autopsy for Brittany Weston was conducted by the New Hampshire medical examiner and determined she died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head in a homicide, according to authorities. Trent Weston was killed by police hours later on the I-95 high-level bridge connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kittery, Maine, after negotiations with police, according to authorities. Benson Weston was found deceased in the car driven by his father, police said. Maine's medical examiner conducted their autopsies, stating both died from multiple gunshot wounds. The Piscataqua River Bridge connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kittery, Maine as seen from afar on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, as law enforcement from Maine and New Hampshire were on the temporarily-closed bridge investigating the death of a man in an officer-involved shooting on the structure earlier that day. The identities of the family members and their causes of death were released Friday by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss. At this time, all evidence indicates that Mr. Weston is responsible for the deaths of both Brittany and Benson Weston, Formellas announcement states. Further information will be provided if and when it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation. Agencies in both states are continuing to investigate the deaths and the officer-involved shooting. What happened leading up to deaths of family Police were dispatched to a Troy apartment around 3 a.m. Thursday after Trent Weston called York, Maine police to report he shot his wife, officials said. Upon arrival, police found a deceased woman inside, later identified as Brittany Weston, whose autopsy was conducted Friday by New Hampshires associate medical examiner. The Westons deaths remains under investigation by state police in Maine and New Hampshire, while the officer-involved shooting is being reviewed by the Maine Attorney Generals Office. The incident led to the closure of the entire bridge, northbound and southbound, for several hours as investigators sealed off the scene. Residents, commuters and Labor Day weekend visitors were caught in hours of traffic around the neighboring municipalities after being diverted to the Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. Trent Weston was fatally wounded when Maine State Police Trooper Craig Nilsen and two New Hampshire troopers fired their weapons at him after he "raised a firearm," according to authorities. His body fell off the high-level bridge to the river below, and it was later recovered by the Coast Guard. All the troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with standard protocol, pending the investigation into their use of deadly force. Sixth domestic violence homicide in NH in 2024, official says Thirteen homicides have occurred in New Hampshire so far this year. Six were related to domestic violence, including the death of Brittany Weston in Troy, while seven have been officer-involved shootings, according to New Hampshire attorney generals office spokesperson Michael Garrity. In recent years, New Hampshire has averaged around 20 homicides per year, he added. The states domestic violence statistics from the New Hampshire Office of Victim Witness Assistance do not factor in the justified homicides or officer-involved shootings, according to Garrity. Over the last few years, the yearly rate of (domestic violence) homicides has varied. Some years have been as low as 40% and other years as high as 73%, he said. Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, has said confidential advocates are available at New Hampshires 12 crisis centers 24/7. She said you can call 1-866-644-3574 and don't need to be in crisis to call. Mental health help is available The New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association, made up of 10 mental health centers in the state, including the Seacoast Mental Health Center, reacted to the deaths. Michael Wilson, development director for the Seacoast Mental Health Center, shared its message: We are profoundly saddened by reports today of shootings in Troy and Portsmouth, and our hearts go out to the victims families and to first responders. We dont have enough information at this time to know whether mental health issues were a factor in this incident. We will await more info from New Hampshire and Maine law enforcement. Unfortunately, events like this have become more common than anyone would like. The community mental health centers are ready to assist and provide access to care for those who might need help. If anyone in the community requires mental health assistance or counseling, we are here for you. Resources to access help can be found at nhcbha.org. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: I-95 bridge, Troy, NH deaths: Husband killed wife, son, officials say Former President Trump lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. Trump used his appearance to make a campaign video. The Army, which oversees the cemetery, forbids any sort of political activities on the grounds. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) Former President Trump did something breathtakingly cynical, certainly immoral and probably illegal the other day. In other words, it was Monday. Trump used an appearance on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, a resting place for many who honorably served their country, to make a campaign video. Read more: Abcarian: Are Kamala Harris' Democrats taking back the flag-waving patriotism claimed by Republicans? Trump was ostensibly at Arlington to commemorate the third anniversary of the killing of 13 American service members by a suicide bomber during the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said the soldiers' family members, some of whom disparaged President Biden at the Republican National Convention, invited him. I have no doubt thats true. But even the grieving families of fallen soldiers do not have a right to trash Arlington's protocols. The Army, which oversees the cemetery, forbids any sort of political activities on the grounds. It is, as the Trump campaign was informed, against federal law and Defense Department policy. The Washington Post reported that Pentagon officials were deeply concerned that Trump would turn the visit into a campaign stop but also wanted to accommodate him. Read more: Abcarian: 17-year-old Gus Walz uttered the Democratic National Convention's three most memorable words During the visit, a cemetery official tried to enforce the rules against outside cameras in Section 60, the area devoted chiefly to soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two Trump staffers physically pushed her out of the way, according to news reports. The official declined to press charges because she feared retaliation from Trump supporters, according to an Army statement. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung promptly slimed her as clearly suffering from a mental health episode. Trump had smiled broadly and given a jarring thumbs-up as he stood at the grave of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, one of those killed in the bombing. He wasnt there just to pay his respects; he was there to exploit the tragedy that occurred at Kabul airports Abbey Gate in 2021 by blaming it on Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has soared in recent polls. The frenzied withdrawal and terrible loss of life occurred on Bidens watch as did the abandonment of at least 78,000 Afghans who worked for the U.S. government and continue to live there precariously. Nonetheless, Trump crassly ignores his own role in the debacle. A deal he himself struck with the Taliban locked the United States into a withdrawal timeline. Military intelligence was profoundly mistaken about the Afghan governments ability to defend Kabul, which fell to the Taliban with lightning speed. There is enough blame to go around. I called a dear friend whose parents are buried at Arlington. Her father was a Marine colonel and a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. At his funeral, he was given a 21-gun salute, and his procession included a riderless horse, empty boots in the stirrups facing backward to symbolize a final look back at his troops and his loved ones. My father was a conservative guy, but he would have thought Trump was a pig, my friend told me. He believed in honor, and if you are buried at Arlington, it is an honor. It is not something that should be ... [messed] with. Trump has a history of demeaning military sacrifices and messing with honorable traditions. As president, he turned the White House into his personal political prop, using it as a backdrop for the launch of his failed 2020 reelection campaign. Poor Ohio Sen. JD Vance, whose awkwardness on the campaign trail has turned him into a meme-worthy punch line. He has once again been put in the sorry position of trying to mop up after his running mate. At a campaign rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday, an indignant Vance excoriated the media. Youre acting like Donald Trump filmed a TV commercial at a grave site, said Vance, a Marine veteran. He was there providing emotional support to a lot of brave Americans who lost loved ones they never should have lost, and there happened to be a camera there, and someone gave them permission to have that camera there. As they say on social media, whos gonna tell him? That very day, the Trump campaign released a video showing the former president at Arlington, laying flowers at a grave and posing for photos with the Gold Star families. In a voice-over, Trump says, We didnt lose one person in 18 months, a self-regarding and entirely bogus claim hes been making for the last few years. As Reuters reported in May 2022, if Trump was referring to the time period in which he negotiated the withdrawal agreement, 15 American troops suffered what the Defense Department called hostile deaths in Afghanistan. If he was referring to the last 18 months of his presidency, 12 members of the military died in Afghanistan. None of this is likely to dissuade Trump's passionate supporters. But lets hope his creepy stunt will persuade the last undecided voters that he is truly, deeply unfit to be this countrys commander in chief. @robinkabcarian 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. Abilene, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Police Department is investigating two incidents of suspicious activity reported at school bus stop locations. The APD is working in collaboration with the Abilene Independent School District and urges parents to exercise heightened vigilance at bus stop locations before and after school. The incidents were reported on different dates, and the parents were urged to exercise heightened vigilance at bus stop locations before and after school. Both occurrences happened around South 22nd Street, near the intersections of Vine and Jeanette Streets and Bowie Elementary School. Parents are advised to remain with their children at bus stops until the bus arrives and students are safely aboard. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing, and no suspects or vehicles have been identified at this time. The APD encourages you to contact the assigned detective at 676-6615 and leave a message if there is no immediate response. The APD released this statement: As soon as Abilene ISD was notified of suspicious activity occurring near one of our bus stops, we immediately notified the Abilene Police Department. Our bus drivers and transportation personnel have been instructed to operate with extra vigilance and report any suspicious behaviors or individuals near our buses or stops. We strongly encourage our students and parents to say something right away to an AISD staff member or police officer if they see anything suspicious or unsafe. We will do whatever it takes to protect our students and will continue to collaborate with the APD to ensure the safety of our children and 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) A group that previously engaged in expressive activity at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University filed a lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana challenging the universitys new expressive activity policy. According to the lawsuit, filed in Indiana on Thursday, the group argues that the universitys new policy is substantially overbroad and violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Starting at the beginning of August, the school implemented a policy that prohibited expressive activity on university grounds between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The lawsuit specifically highlights Dunn Meadow, a 20-acre open area on the Bloomington campus, as a location that serves as a public forum for expression on all subjects. IU shares findings from indepedent review into Dunn Meadow protests and response Dunn Meadow was the home of a number of protests and other expressive activity that centered on the conflict in Gaza. According to previous reports, multiple days of protests led to law enforcement clashing with protestors. The universitys new policy defines expressive activity as conduct that includes: Participating in speech or conduct protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Communicating by any lawful, verbal, written, audio/visual or electronic means Participating in peaceful assembly Protesting Making speeches, including speeches of guest speakers Distributing literature Carrying signs Circulating petitions The new policy states that violation could result in citations, trespassing and/or interim suspension from campus. It could also result in suspension or exclusion from the university for students or suspension or termination of employment from the university. The lawsuit explains that even if students wished to engage in non-disruptive expressive activities, they wouldnt be able to under during the specified hours, per the policy. The lawsuit gave the following examples of non-disruptive conduct: Standing silently either alone or with others Displaying a message on a sign or T-shirt Discussing a political issue with a companion Plaintiffs are not able to engage in these forms of expressive activity between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. or are threatened with punishment to the extent that they engage in this activity, the lawsuit reads. This is causing plaintiffs irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law. ACLU sues Indiana University in wake of protestor bans and arrests The goal of the lawsuit is for a court to declare that the prohibitive activity outlined in the policy violates the First Amendment and enter an injunction that prohibits the enforcement of that portion of the policy. The protections of the First Amendment do not end at 11 p.m., only to begin again at 6 a.m., said Ken Falk, the legal director of the ACLU of Indiana. During a Thursday afternoon news conference surrounding the lawsuit, Falk said that when the government seeks to restrict expressive activity, it needs to in a narrow way. Falk said this measure is overbroad. This is written so broadly, if any one of us was to wear a T-shirt supporting a cause at 11:15 p.m. while walking through IU, we would be violating the policy, Falk said. It prohibits someone standing silently in a vigil. It prohibits talking to someone else quietly about organizing something in the future. We could go on and on. Its extremely broad and in our opinion, it compromises the first amendment and is unconstitutional. During the conference, David McDonald, an associate professor at Indiana University, said that students are concerned about this policy. They are incredibly concerned about what their four years here will look like, McDonald said. Especially if policies such as these are enforced. There is a lot of bewilderment and questioning and wanting to know whats going on here when we are having this kind of conversation. According to court documents also filed on Thursday, Kellie M. Barr, a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana, recused herself in this case. Judge Mark J. Dinsmore has been assigned as the judge in this case. In a statement from Indiana University, officials said that they do not comment on 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 Queen City News. FILE Adnan Syed and his mother Shamim Rahman talk with reporters as they arrive at Marylands Supreme Court in Annapolis, Md., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, to hear arguments in an appeal by Syed, whose conviction for killing his ex-girlfriend more than 20 years ago was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Adnan Syeds murder conviction still stands after Marylands highest court Friday ordered a redo of the hearing that freed him. The court ruled that the earlier proceeding violated the rights of the victims family, marking the latest development in a legal saga that gained widespread attention through the hit podcast Serial. The 4-3 ruling upheld an appellate court decision that reinstated Syeds conviction last year. It comes about 11 months after the court heard arguments in a case that has been fraught with legal twists and divided court rulings since Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing his high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. The justices said that Syed, who was released from prison in 2022, can remain free as the case heads to a new lower court judge to again consider whether his conviction should be tossed. The court weighed the extent to which victims can participate in hearings where a conviction could be vacated. The majority of judges concluded that, in an effort to remedy what they deemed an injustice to Syed, prosecutors and a lower court worked an injustice against Lees brother. The court ruled that Young Lee was not treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity, as required under Maryland law, because he wasnt given reasonable notice of the hearing that freed Syed. The court said those shortfalls would be corrected leading up to the new hearing. But the exact next steps remain unclear, in part because Baltimore elected a new top prosecutor in 2022, which could change how that office handles the case. States Attorney Ivan Bates said his office is reviewing the ruling and declined to immediately comment further. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Michele Hotten argued the issue was moot because the underlying charges no longer exist. This case exists as a procedural zombie, Hotten wrote. It has been reanimated, despite its expiration. The doctrine of mootness was designed to prevent such judicial necromancy. The sprawling case has most recently pitted criminal justice reform efforts against the legal rights of crime victims and their families, whose voices are often at odds with a growing movement to acknowledge and correct systemic issues, including historic racism, police misconduct and prosecutorial missteps. David Sanford, an attorney who represents the victims family, said the ruling acknowledges what Hae Min Lees family has argued: Crime victims have a right to be heard in 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. BALTIMORE Marylands Supreme Court reinstated Adnan Syeds convictions in a ruling Friday, but he will remain free while his case returns to Baltimore Circuit Court. The order essentially restarts the process after the Baltimore States Attorneys Office filed a motion to vacate Syeds conviction for the 1999 killing of Hae Min Lee, who was strangled to death and buried in a clandestine grave in Baltimores Leakin Park, citing a violation of her brother Young Lees right to participate in the subsequent hearing. The courts 4-3 ruling does not require Syed, who was freed nearly two years ago, to be incarcerated again while the case continues. On remand, the parties and Mr. Lee will begin where they were immediately after the States Attorney filed the motion to vacate, the court wrote in an opinion published online Friday morning. Syed and his attorney Erica Suter could not be reached immediately for comment. In a statement Friday, Lees attorney David Sanford said the courts decision affirmed crime victims rights to be treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity. The Supreme Court acknowledges what Hae Min Lees family has argued: crime victims have a right to be heard in court, Sanford said. He said the Lee family will now get the chance to address the merits of prosecutors motion to vacate Syeds convictions, adding that the public has not yet seen compelling evidence that supports throwing out the case. The new hearing would take place under the administration of a different states attorney, Ivan Bates, and be handled by a new prosecutor after Becky Feldmans departure from the office. Bates, who took office in January, said while campaigning that he believed Syeds conviction was flawed and he should be freed. We need some time to figure out whats going on with this 185-page opinion, Bates told reporters Friday. The decision comes nearly 11 months after state Supreme Court justices questioned lawyers for Syed and Lee at oral argument Oct. 6. Syeds legal saga rose to international renown with the hit podcast Serial, which debuted in 2014. The show examined Hae Min Lees killing as well as the subsequent prosecution of Syed, her former high school sweetheart. A jury in 2000 found Syed guilty of murder and related charges in Lees death, with a judge later sentencing Syed to life plus 30 years in prison. The convictions withstood numerous appeals from Syed, who maintained his innocence as years turned to decades behind bars. His break came in 2021, when Baltimore prosecutors began reviewing his case in consideration of a new law allowing people convicted of crimes before they turned 18 to petition a court to reconsider their penalty. The review spawned a full-throttled reinvestigation of the case, which, prosecutors said, revealed alternative suspects in Lees killing not before disclosed to Syed. The revelation led prosecutors to lose faith in the integrity of his decades-old conviction. They moved to vacate the guilty findings and Syed walked free after 23 years behind bars in September 2022. Questions, however, loomed about that hearing to undo Syeds convictions. On a late Friday afternoon that month, the presiding judge scheduled the vacatur proceeding for the following Monday. Prosecutors then informed Hae Min Lees brother, Young Lee, saying he could watch the hearing by Zoom, but a lawyer for Young Lee insisted his client, who lived in California, wanted to attend in-person and wasnt given enough time to travel. Though he was allowed to speak at the hearing by Zoom, Young Lee filed an appeal before prosecutors dismissed Syeds charges in October of that year, arguing the short notice violated his rights as a crime victim. The intermediate Appellate Court of Maryland sided with Lee, ordering in March 2023 that Syeds convictions be reinstated for a do-over of the hearing to vacate them. Syed promptly appealed to the state Supreme Court, which held off on reinstating his charges while it considered whether to take up his case, and Young Lee followed suit, arguing the appeals courts ruling didnt go far enough for crime victims. Last June, the Supreme Court accepted and combined the dueling appeals from Syed and Lee. In the majority opinion, the Supreme Court justices agreed that Lee should have had more notice of the hearing that cleared Syeds convictions, as well as the opportunity to attend in person and speak. However, they disagreed that Lee or his attorney had the right to call witnesses or present evidence. Three justices dissented from the majoritys opinion. Calling the case a procedural zombie, now-retired Justice Michele D. Hotten wrote that Lee had no right to appeal because prosecutors had dismissed Syeds charges. Hotten also disagreed with the majoritys interpretation of crime victims rights. Justice Brynja McDivitt Booth wrote in another dissenting opinion that the majoritys ruling could have implications for the separation of powers, by creating a right for victims to be heard that doesnt exist in state law. The Majority also re-writes the victims rights statutes to provide a right where the Legislature has declined to provide one. Respectfully, it is not our role to act as a super legislature when we think our policies are better, she wrote. ______ Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits a practicing center of whole-process people's democracy in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 28, 2024. Zhao made an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) SHANGHAI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, has highlighted the importance of faithfully fulfilling the duties set out in the country's Constitution, of practicing whole-process people's democracy, and of promoting the high-quality development of the work of people's congresses in the new era. Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday. Zhao noted that 2024 is the 70th anniversary of both the founding of the NPC and the promulgation of the first Constitution of the People's Republic of China. For the journey forward, he stressed the need to adhere to the Party's overall leadership, remain confident in the Constitution, improve the systems that ensure full compliance with the Constitution, and enhance the abilities and quality of constitutional review and normative document recording and review processes. The whole-process people's democracy practiced in China is conducive to pooling wisdom and strength from all corners to advance Chinese modernization, Zhao said. Zhao urged the improvement of mechanisms that gather public opinion and wisdom, and called for the utilization of platforms such as deputy outreach and liaison offices and local legislative outreach offices, with the aim of strengthening popular support for the work of people's congresses. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits the Gubei civic center in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 29, 2024. Zhao made an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits the Gubei civic center in Shanghai, east China, Aug. 29, 2024. Zhao made an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits the 1954 Constitution Archives Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Aug. 28, 2024. Zhao made an inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality that began on Wednesday and ended on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Students use a stairway on the Bismarck State College campus during Welcome Week at the school on Aug. 26, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) The cost to attend North Dakotas public four-year universities is less than similar schools in the region, but students at the states two-year colleges pay more than the regional average. Thats according to the most recent affordability report from the North Dakota University System. The states 11 public colleges and universities resumed classes on Monday, with the first full day of classes Tuesday. The average cost to attend a North Dakota four-year university last year was less than similar campuses in the region and nationally, the report says. The cost ranged from $16,691 for North Dakota regional four-year universities to $21,244 for undergraduate tuition at North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota. The figures include resident tuition, fees, housing and food. Meanwhile, the average cost to attend a two-year college in North Dakota was $14,511 last year, while students at similar campuses in the region paid an average of $12,993. Bismarck State College President Doug Jensen attributes the disparity to the way North Dakota two-year colleges are funded. Many community colleges in other states receive local government support in addition to state funding, but not in North Dakota. When we make the statement that were higher than our peers, were not taking into account the local contribution that is being made in those communities, Jensen told members of the State Board of Higher Education last spring. The affordability study compared North Dakota with campuses in neighboring Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota, as well as Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Community colleges in seven of the 12 comparison states receive some local funding, Brenda Zastoupil, North Dakota University System director of financial aid, said during the board meeting. North Dakota undergraduate students will not see a tuition increase this school year due to action taken by the Legislature in 2023, which prevents the State Board of Higher Education from increasing tuition rates for the 2023-25 two-year budget cycle. A legislative committee that met last week said its premature to offer tuition guidance for the upcoming biennium. Sophomore Brooke Burnett cited the affordability of higher education as a reason she left Montana State University in Bozeman to move to North Dakota for college. Attending Dickinson State University is significantly cheaper, Burnett said. Tuition and fees make up slightly more than a third of a North Dakota University System students average cost of attendance. The lions share (64%) is taken up by housing and food, books and supplies, and miscellaneous expenses such as transportation and child care. An open educational resources initiative has reduced the average cost for books and supplies by 2% from the previous year, but its a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of rent, whether on or off campus. Housing is something that all of us students struggle with in one way or another every single one of us, Burnett said. How students fund their education The percentage of North Dakota undergraduate students who received some form of financial aid dropped to 54% in 2022-23, down from 61% the year prior. The number of students specifically borrowing federal funds also has declined. Those downward trends may partly stem from fewer North Dakota high school seniors submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In Montana, I know its a really, really big deal the schools do tell us to fill out a FAFSA, and its something that we were prepped for, Burnett said. Truthfully, I dont know many kids out of my (high school graduating) class who went to college and didnt fill out the FAFSA. If you can get free money for college, why wouldnt you? North Dakota does not require high schoolers to fill out a FAFSA as a graduation requirement, as is the case in 12 states, and has one of the lowest FAFSA completion rates of any state. However, it does participate in the ND FAFSA Completion Project, which aims to equip high school counselors with information. I am so lucky that I did do my FAFSA because Im Pell Grant-eligible, and a lot of kids are, Burnett said. It helped me with being able to afford school. Federal student loans whether subsidized, unsubsidized, or obtained through the Parent PLUS program accounted for the majority of federal financial aid awards to students in the North Dakota University System. Federal Pell grants were the second-highest category, but its estimated that several billion dollars of federal Pell Grant funding are left on the table by high school seniors nationwide. For North Dakota University System undergraduate students who took out loans, the average debt was $28,168 in 2023, the report states. The national average is $29,400 for 2021-22, the most recent year available. For all North Dakota University System students, including those who did not borrow, the average debt was $14,768 in 2023. While student loans continue to make up the majority of undergraduate financial aid, the availability of student funding that doesnt require repayment is on the rise. The affordability report states that grant, scholarship and tuition waivers increased 9% in 2022-23 over the previous year. For those who wish to pay their own way, the availability of work for enrolled students could also factor into a students decision to move to North Dakota after high school, as it did for Burnett. In Dickinson, it was really easy for me to find a job, Burnett said. Im making a good amount of money to the point that I could support myself in college. Amy Dalrymple contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The independent work group tasked by Congress with creating a definitive accounting of the war in Afghanistan has released a first report on its work and it reveals its already encountering hurdles that could jeopardize its ability to deliver in the appointed timeline. The 57-page interim report, published Aug. 22, lays out a timeline for its work through 2026, and highlights three major research priorities: identify overarching objectives for Afghanistan and their effects on combat operations; evaluate the effectiveness of military operations in achieving policy objectives; and examine the work to man, train and equip the Afghan military, and the circumstances leading to their disintegration in 2021. In evaluating the successes and failures of the 20-year war, though, staff are realizing theyll need to process a large volume of documents classified at the highest level. And that represents a challenge for the civilian-run commission, one based out of a headquarters building in an Arlington, Virginia high rise, not a government compound. The report indicates that some of the commissions 51 full-time staff and commissioners are still securing the security clearances needed to handle classified materials. And while its leased office space is certified for operations at the Secret level the middle of the three clearance echelons it does not have a reserved and dedicated space for reviewing documents at the Top Secret level. Afghanistan War Commission wants veteran stories and questions The commission appreciated the prioritization placed by the Office of Senate Security on clearance processing for commissioners and staff, the report states. But it adds that it still requires classified IT support, a need conveyed to the Defense Department in February that still remains unfilled. In particular, the commission has an acute need for the timely provision of computers that can store and process information up to the [Secret/No Foreign Nationals] level, on which much of the commissions work will be drafted, the commissions report notes. Relatedly, the commission requires computers that can store and process information up to the [Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information] level to complete its research and analysis of more sensitive material. The commission, according to the report, also lacks a dedicated Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or SCIF, a workspace equipped to handle material of all classifications without risk of security breach. It expects to get a leased space later in September through an arrangement with the Defense Department, and has until now been able to work on a limited basis in secure spaces owned by the Senate. Ultimately, the commissions tight timeline to finish all research and interviews and deliver a comprehensive written report with its findings in August 2026 is at risk, the interim report warns. While the commission is encouraged by the Department of Defenses efforts to date, any further delay in reaching a solution will adversely impact our ability to deliver the thorough accounting of the Afghanistan War that the American people deserve, the reports authors write. The timely resolution of this issue is vital to the successful execution of the commissions mandate. In a statement to Military Times, commission spokesman Matthew Gobush declined to say how many commissioners and staff still needed to obtain security clearances. He also demurred from discussing alternatives to the commissions stated timeline. The commission is working closely with the Department of Defense on outstanding items pertaining to operational readiness, Gobush said. We believe [DOD] is acting in good faith. As noted in the report, we are encouraged by the progress made to date but continue to approach the requirement with a sense of urgency. We fully intend to deliver the comprehensive, detailed report that Congress commissioned and the American people deserve by the statutory deadline. The interim report offers new information about the makeup of the commissions staff team as well. Of 35 full-time staff, 18 hold analyst positions. Two staff each have research and writing-focused titles. Other jobs include specialists in military operations, intelligence assessment, diplomacy and Afghanistan outreach. The caliber of the staff and commissioners is impressive. Members include author Anand Gopal, a finalist for the Pulitzer and the National Book Award; Chris Molino, who along with family members spent a total of 159 months serving in Afghanistan; and former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. To date, according to the interim report, the commission has held meetings with 20 senior government officials and been briefed by more than 30 offices in the Defense Department, State Department, and other government entities. But with 29 specific aspects of the war to analyze and cover, plus an additional requirement to assess the U.S. militarys counter-corruption and counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan, the scope of the project increasingly comes across in the report as unwieldy. It uses the word ambitious three times, and daunting once to describe its task. Its important that we get this work right to understand what happened in Afghanistan, but also to rationalize it within our broader society, Commissioner Luke Hartig, a former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said in a statement published in the report. But whether the commission has the time and resources necessary to get it right appears more in question now than ever. With less than 70 days remaining until Election Day, former President Donald Trump continues to try to clarify his views on abortion and IVF treatments. The Republican nominee sent mixed signals this week with a series of comments on reproductive rights. On Thursday, he proposed that the government and insurers pay for IVF treatments and said Floridas six-week abortion ban was too short. On Friday, however, Trump clarified that he would vote to oppose a measure to expand abortion access. Democrats say the Republican presidential nominee is trying to use the pledge of forcing insurers to pay for expensive IVF treatments as a ploy to get votes. The issue of abortion, however, has become an albatross for Republicans, even in red states, when it was on the ballot in the 2022 midterm elections. And national polling indicates that since Roe v. Wade was overturned over two years ago, broad support for abortion rights has only increased. A May Gallup poll found that 85% of Americans think abortion should be legal in at least certain circumstances, while a June Associated Press/NORC poll found that 70% believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. And according to an April Yahoo News/YouGov poll, a growing majority of Americans want Congress to pass a law that restores Roe v. Wade protections. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has been highlighting Trump's stances on abortion on the campaign trail, saying at the Democratic National Convention that Trump "and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion and enact a nationwide abortion ban, with or without Congress." Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren called Trump's seemingly ever-changing stances "smoke and mirrors," and Gwen Walz, the wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, said that Trump "is the one who took down Roe and put access to IVF at risk." The day after the Democratic convention ended, Trump wrote on Truth Social: My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights. His change in language signaled a change in his abortion views, because its rare among Republicans to use the term reproductive rights. Heres what else Trump said in recent weeks about reproductive rights. What Trump has said about fertility treatments In February, Alabamas Supreme Court ruled that embryos were considered human beings under the law. Discarding embryos is an inherent part of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a type of fertility treatment. The decision caused an uproar because it would clear the way for wrongful death lawsuits across the state if an embryo were destroyed in the process. The ruling caused providers in Alabama to pause fertility treatments, leaving many patients in limbo. Since then IVF has become a politically fraught topic in this election cycle and a top issue for Democrats who say that the Republican-led abortion restrictions could further restrict IVF. Following the ruling in February, Trump called on the Alabama legislature to "quickly find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama." The state ultimately passed a law in March to protect the procedure. On Thursday, Trump took IVF access to a new level, saying on the campaign trail that if reelected, he would not just protect the fertility procedure, but he would make either the government or insurance companies pay for it. He did not offer any specifics on how his plan would work. What Trump said about Floridas 6-week abortion ban Florida currently has a six-week ban on abortion, a point at which many women dont know they are pregnant yet. When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the ban last September, Trump called it a terrible mistake. Come November, Florida voters will vote on whether to preserve the right to abortion in the state constitution. Trump, who is a Florida voter, was asked by NBC News how he would vote on the ballot initiative that seeks to expand access to abortion. I think the six weeks is too short; there has to be more time," Trump said. "I've told them I want more weeks. Although Trump did not explicitly say he would vote in favor of the measure, he said, "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." The Trump campaign quickly walked back his statement after receiving backlash from conservative allies, like the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group. 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, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said. On Friday, facing backlash from anti-abortion advocates, Trump reiterated his opposition to the six-week ban but also said he would oppose an amendment to Florida's constitution that would protect abortion access, which appears on the November ballot. "You need more time than six weeks. Ive disagreed with that right from the early primaries when I heard about it, I disagreed with it, he said in comments to Fox News, adding that he had decided to vote no on the Florida ballot measure. What Trump has said about abortion in the past Trumps shifting position on abortion spans decades. Heres a very brief timeline of his position on abortion, starting when he said he was pro-choice. October 1999: I am very pro-choice. I hate the concept of abortion, Trump said in an NBC News Meet the Press interview. I just believe in choice. Again, it may be a little bit of a New York background, because there is some different attitude in some different parts of the country. ... I was raised in New York and grew up and worked and everything else in New York City. But I am strongly for choice, and yet I hate the concept of abortion." February 2011: When Trump was considering a 2012 run for the White House, he spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference and laid out his position on abortion. I am pro-life," he said. October 2016: During the 2016 election, Trump said he would appoint the necessary justices to the U.S. Supreme Court to get Roe v. Wade, which established the federal right to an abortion, overturned. During Trumps White House tenure, he appointed three conservative justices: Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. In June 2022, the 6-3 conservative majority Supreme Court overturned Roe in its Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision. September 2023: Trump vaguely indicated on Meet the Press that he might compromise on abortion. Let me just tell you what Id do, he said. Im going to come together with all groups, and were going to have something thats acceptable. March 2024: Trump takes credit for eliminating Roe v. Wade. After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the shock of everyone, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Without me there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, or whatever is finally agreed to. Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing, Trump added. April 2024: Trump announced that he believes the issue of abortion should be left to the states, despite earlier reports that he privately expressed support for a 16-week federal abortion ban. My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, Trump said in a video posted to Truth Social. The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state. Pornhub has already shut down access in Indiana under a new age verification law. (Screenshot) I recently peeked at our top stories of the year so far and was surprised to find that two of the five articles with the most page views were about Indianas new pornography age verification law. On one hand, we have done some amazing enterprise work I wish were higher. But I have to recognize that something about those stories caught peoples attention. The overall goal of the legislation is to limit access to the adult material for minors. The law is now in effect, and Pornhub perhaps the best-known website for adult content has officially shut down in Indiana. I know that because I went to the site and was met with a video and text explaining why. As you may know, your elected officials in Indiana are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk, the site said. Pornhub believes that Indianas Senate Enrolled Act 17 will drive traffic to other less-savory sites with fewer safety measures in effect. Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Indiana, it says. Effective? I imagine many legislators are just fine with that. The content while legal isnt something most want to go to bat for. Its still possible that a lawsuit could prevail eventually. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit called the Hoosier measure functionally identical to one adopted by Texas. That law has been in effect since April, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to issue a preliminary injunction. I dont know ultimately how the case will be decided but I have trouble believing that providing identification is too onerous for citizens to comply. After all, if I have to show my ID to vote the most foundational right there is then it doesnt seem crazy to do the same to watch porn. Last I checked, there isnt a right in the Constitution to view adult content. Some content creators argue its an easy law to get around with a virtual private network (VPN) to avoid detection. This is probably true, and it is unclear if the law will actually be effective. Easy to find Meanwhile, there is more pornography on X, formerly known as Twitter, every day. And you dont even have to go searching for it. Bots place the material in threads that are completely unrelated and unwanted. I was curious if X would have to follow the law, but it only applies to a publicly accessible website if at least one-third of the images and videos published depict material harmful to minors. Im sure it will only be a matter of time before parents start suing these sites, which the new law allows. A parent or guardian who prevails is entitled to actual damages or damages of up to $5,000. Indianas Attorney General can also file actions against a website that does not implement or properly use a reasonable age verification method. And those actions come with a hefty $250,000 fine. Overall, I dont have a problem with the law though Im not sure its actually needed or will be effective. But it sure looks good on a campaign flyer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Will 2024 go down as the year of the holiday scam? Earlier this year, Booking.com gave perhaps the most dramatic warning to date about the deluge of tricksters preying on travellers, claiming it had seen a 500 per cent rise in crimes. These holiday scams arent the kind of taxi swindles that fool tourists who have just landed in an unfamiliar country. Instead they target people who are looking to their next getaway, potentially taking them for thousands of pounds and ruining their holiday before it begins. What is driving this crimewave? Experts at Booking.com have pointed a finger at the rise of AI, which they say is allowing fraudsters to develop fake adverts and phishing emails in a matter of seconds. How do these very modern scams operate and what can you do to avoid falling for them? Heres how you can stay safe from scammers in the age of AI. How big is the problem? By all reliable accounts, very. Lloyds bank has reported a 7 per cent increase in customers falling victim to holiday scams. They say that the vast majority of the frauds start on social media or on established travel platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia or Airbnb. A 7 per cent jump might sound less dramatic than Booking.coms 500 per cent rise, but remember that Lloyds is only reporting on those customers who actually fell for the scam. Many others will have been targeted. Furthermore, industry data suggest that these kinds of scams can be highly lucrative for criminals. According to fraud reporting service Action Fraud, victims lose an average of 1,851 each time. What do these new scams look like? According to the experts, most holiday scams, whether AI-driven or otherwise, will fall into one of two models. The first one is the old too good to be true trick, in which fraudsters use a fake advert to sell you something that doesnt really exist. Its a practice thats been around for decades, but has seen a resurgence thanks to the rise of holiday platforms including Airbnb and Vrbo. These platforms are highly-trusted and have millions of users. But they also rely on users to post adverts for their holiday lets, meaning that in theory scammers can take advantage by posting fake ones. Reviews, verification and reporting make this much less likely, but it certainly doesnt stop unscrupulous types trying. Airbnb says it removed 59,000 fraudulent listings last year, equivalent to just under 1 per cent of all the homes listed on the site. Airbnb removes tens of thousands of fake listings and has increased checks to verify properties - Pixavril / Alamy Fake listings often pop up on these kinds of platforms during periods of ultra-high demand. Earlier this summer, for example, London councils warned about a proliferation of scam apartments being advertised around the dates of Taylor Swifts Wembley shows. The second model is the phishing scam, where fraudsters pretend to be a legitimate business (typically one that you already deal with) in order to extract your payment or password details. Many of us have had fake texts about Amazon deliveries. But running a phishing operation for holiday deals can be trickier, as fewer people will use the particular airline or hotel in question meaning that the scammers have to be more strategic. For example, the fraudsters appear to be imitating popular hotel chains such as Premier Inn. In response, Premier Inn has published a page on its website telling you how to check that an email claiming to be from them is genuine. In one particularly sophisticated scheme, fraudsters have used phishing emails to get the details of individual hotels on Booking.com and then used their profiles to extract money from legitimate customers. Earlier this year, a number of Booking.com customers said they had been contacted through the websites messaging system and told that their payment had been declined and that they needed to transfer money to keep their reservation. Booking.com denies that its security has been compromised. But it does admit that certain users (ie hotel owners) are likely to have fallen for phishing scams, potentially giving criminals access to their accounts. Why is AI so important for scammers? AI has been called the biggest productivity increase of the modern era. And this high praise has not gone unnoticed by scammers. Booking.coms security experts say they have seen a massive proliferation in phishing emails since the release of ChatGPT, the popular AI interface that can generate content in seconds. Fraudsters can use these kinds of tools to pump out hundreds of realistic adverts or phishing emails on demand. For example, it took me less than one minute to get ChatGPT to draft me a template email, written as if it had come from a hotel platform, informing a customer that they needed to resend their credit card details. It then took another minute to generate a well-written advert for a fictional holiday let in Fitzrovia, with ChatGPT able to fill in accurate details about the local area. Both templates were clear, professional and very persuasively written. Thats a big problem, given that scam experts have traditionally highlighted badly-written text as a giveaway that an advert might not be genuine. What can I do to avoid being scammed? Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes. Instead, most experts tend to stress one tip: do your homework. Whilst legitimate cheap flights and beautiful holiday homes are definitely out there, its important that people take steps to ensure they are purchasing something thats real, says Liz Ziegler, a fraud prevention lead at Lloyds. As for spotting phishing emails, you should always look very carefully at the email address itself, as well as any links included. If you have the slightest doubt, you can always contact a booking platform or hotel directly (through their website or call centre). Both Booking.com and Airbnb insist that users should keep all communications and payments on their platform. If a hotel or host wants you to pay directly, you should report it as a potential scam. What are the platforms doing about it? All of the travel platforms mentioned say they are doing what they can to remove scam ads as quickly as possible. Airbnb says it is also looking to use AI to help find fraudulent listings. It also has a new verification process so hosts can prove their property exists and is in the location they claim it is. When I asked Booking.com what it was doing about the problem of its partners being targeted by phishing emails (allowing fraudsters to access their account) they told me: Phishing attacks by professional criminals pose a significant challenge for travel and many other industries. While not unique to Booking.com, we continue to invest significantly to limit the impact of scams, using the latest technology and innovations. What if I have been scammed? Contact your bank as soon as possible, says Liz Ziegler from Lloyds. She adds that your position is stronger if you paid using a debit or credit card, as there are means to challenge the payment. If you have transferred money to a scammer directly, it may be more difficult. Most high street banks have signed up to a voluntary code to reimburse customers, but they can still reject your request if they feel you were not careful enough. If the scam involves a travel platform, you should also contact them as soon as possible not least so they can close the fraudsters account and protect other people. 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 wind farm in Ohio. Alabama has added renewable energy in recent years but trails the country in utility-scale generated power. (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom) New costs for third-party power generation in Alabama come as the state is falling behind the country in adopting renewable energy. Clean energy is surging in its adoption, Brendan Pierpont, director for electricity modeling for Energy Innovation, a nonpartisan energy and environment think tank. Its really the largest source of new capacity additions on the grid nationwide. According to the International Energy Agency, a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, renewable energy has become increasingly common, going from a market share of less than 20% in 2000 to a projected market share of more than 40% by 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The possibilities vary depending on location and the climate. Experts say the possibility for wind energy is best in the middle of the country while geothermal energy is likely in the western states and solar is favorable for the South. Clean energy has become cheaper to produce over time, in part due to the cost structure. Non-renewable sources of power, such as coal, require labor and infrastructure to allow extraction and production. In renewable energy, said Pierpoint, nearly all the cost is tied to the upfront cost of building the power plant. Once they are built, there are really minimal operations and maintenance costs to keep those projects operating, Pierpont said. In contrast to coal and gas, a large portion of the costs is the fuel and some of the other operational costs of running the plant. Relative to other states, Alabama lags in renewable energy generation. Alabamas percentage of utility-based renewable generation grew to about 11% as of May 2024, according to the EIA. Nationwide, the percentage was 25%. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 10% of Alabamas total energy generation in 2022 came from renewable sources, with most of that (70%) coming from hydroelectric power. Only 6% of Alabamas renewable energy production came from solar energy. Hydroelectric power is about 90% of Tennessees renewable energy production. Renewables make up 14% of Tennessees power generation. Georgia gets 14% of its energy from renewables, with almost half of that coming from solar power. Florida gets 7% of its power from renewable energy, with about three-fourths of that coming from solar power. Mississippi gets about 3% of its powers from renewables, mostly through biomass. Texas got about 30% of its power from renewable energy in 2023. According to Alabama Power, the states largest utility, it splits its energy roughly equally among coal, natural gas and clean energy. Of the 35% of its power generation that comes from clean energy, Alabama Power says two-thirds comes from nuclear energy sources and 20% comes from hydroelectric power. Alabama Power is proud to support the growth of clean energy generation in Alabama, Alabama Power said in its statement. More than one-third of the electricity Alabama Power generates for customers comes from clean energy sources, like solar and hydro. Additionally, Alabama Power has 570 MW of solar facilities completed or approved to start construction that could be online by 2028. The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federal agency providing power to customers in northern Alabama, said in a financial statement earlier this year that it generated about 42% of its power from nuclear plants in 2023; 31% from natural gas or oil-fired plants; 14% from coal plants; 9% from hydroelectric sources and 4% from solar, wind, biomass or other renewable sources. Firms such as Alabama Power may only generate revenue by charging rates on power produced by power plants and equipment that they own, according to Steve Cicala, associate professor of economics at Tufts University, whose work focuses on the economics of regulation. The company earns nearly nothing on electricity that it purchases from third-party energy producers. Alabama Power would much rather own a billion-dollar power plant and earn a rate of return on that billion-dollar power plant than buy power that is owned by someone else, Cicala said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST BAGHDAD, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi military said on Friday that 14 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a military operation in a desert in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. Based on intelligence reports and the two-month monitoring of IS militants' activities in four well-camouflaged hideouts in Anbar's desert, the military carried out airstrikes on the hideouts at 4:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Thursday, according to a statement from the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. The airstrikes were followed by an airdrop of airborne troops, who engaged in coordinated operations with the U.S.-led international coalition. The troops clashed with IS militants who had fled the airstrikes, killing all of them, according to the statement. A total of 14 IS militants were killed during the airstrikes and the clashes, some of whom were wearing explosive belts and carrying hand grenades, the statement noted, adding intelligence indicates that important IS leaders were among the dead. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Downtown Birmingham viewed from Red Mountain. Birmingham is one of the largest banking centers in the United States and has a long history as a steel and iron producer. (John Coletti/The Image Bank) The Alabama Public Charter School Commission Friday agreed to a delayed opening of a Birmingham Charter School. Under an amended contract unanimously approved by the board, Freedom Preparatory Academy, which currently operates in Memphis, will need to open on or before Sept. 13. The school has been a topic of discussion at several meetings over the past few months including around enrollment and facilities. Roblin Webb, founder and chief executive officer of Freedom Preparatory Academy, said the enrollment was at 67 students. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lane Knight, an attorney for the commission, said the school could open before Sept. 13 after they have their approvals in place. The commission plans to meet on Sept. 12 if they dont have them. Members of the commission rejected a proposal to extend the opening to the fall of 2025. Webb told the commission that she anticipated being ready to open on Sept. 5, but asked for Sept. 9, just to be safe. Logan Searcy, executive director of the commission, suggested providing them a longer period. A delayed opening could impact state dollars for the school in the future based on average daily membership, or the number of kids who come to school during a period near the beginning of the year. The school has outstanding requirements with the Child Nutrition Program and the Division of Construction Management. Knight said that those requirements included laying concrete to meet ADA requirements and fire alarm testing, as well as approval from the Child Nutrition Program. The Alabama State Department of Education manages and implements the USDA Child Nutrition Program. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Kimberly Boswell, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (at lectern), speaks to the newly formed committee on Aug. 29, 2024 in Montgomery to address gaps in mental health care for veterans in Alabama. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. For a list of Crisis Centers in Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Mental Healths website. For help with grief and loss, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers advice and resources. A newly formed committee met Thursday in Montgomery to discuss ways to close mental health care gaps for military veterans in Alabama. The committee, led by Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), focused on preventing veteran suicides. Were trying to get out in front of this thing so we dont have that crisis moment, getting people to understand what suicide ideations are and those feelings and be proactive, said Jason Smith, an Alabama National Guard Resilience and Risk Reduction coordinator and member of the committee, during a presentation. Alabamas veteran suicide rate in 2021 was 35.4 per 100,000 people, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That was slightly higher than the national average (33.9) but significantly higher than the overall suicide rate in Alabama, which is 20.2 per 100,000. Kimberly Boswell, commissioner of ADMH, outlined the responsibilities of both departments under legislation that established the committee, saying that collaborative efforts are needed to improve mental health care for veterans. Concerns were raised about the weeks-long wait time for mental health appointments under the 2020 Mission Act and eligibility under the 2023 Compact Act, both federal laws. The Compact Act allows veterans in acute suicidal crises to receive care at any medical facility, VA-affiliated or not, without prior VA approval, while the VA Mission Act expands access to non-VA health care providers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Committee members said the wait times due to a lack of providers in the VA network was insufficient for veterans in crisis, despite investment from the federal government. When youve got a veteran in a mental health crisis, you cant wait 20 days. They need help now, said Jeff Newton, chief of staff for ADVA. The committee also reviewed state-level initiatives, including the Safer Together program, which aims to reduce veteran suicides by promoting the safe storage of firearms. Smith said that the program, modeled after similar initiatives in other states, encourages veterans to temporarily and voluntarily store their firearms at licensed gun shops when they feel at risk. The program is designed to be voluntary, confidential and temporary, to delay access to firearms during periods of crisis. Smith noted that the program faces challenges in a state with strong gun rights protections but said that the initiative is about saving lives, not taking away gun rights. Firearms accounted for about 85% of veteran suicides in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. I want to be clear to everybody in here, no matter what side youre on, this is not a gun grab, this is not a red flag law. If anything, this is here to protect our [Federal Firearms License], our gun stores and our Second Amendment rights, but also, most importantly, our veterans, our military members and first responders, Smith said. He said the committee is currently seeking legislative support for a bill to establish the program. Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, also a member of the committee, said after the meeting that although he is a pro-Second Amendment guy, he supports the Safer Together initiative. He said the way the program is set up is meant to reduce stigma and there are no consequences for participating. I dont know why you would be against that. First, its voluntary, and the government doesnt know that, Oliver said. The committee is set to reconvene in October to continue discussions on potential initiatives. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Alabama Woman Dies After Wrench Crashes Through Windshield While Son Was Driving Her to Work I ducked down and looked up and my mom was bleeding and I pulled off the interstate, said the son of Earlie Harris arlie Harris Earlie Harris A 58-year-old Alabama woman died earlier this month when a wrench crashed through the windshield of the car she was riding in, according to her family. The victim, Earlie Harris, of Montgomery, was heading to her job on Aug. 8 with her son Cedric, NBC affiliate WSFA reported. At the time, they were driving on I-65. Cedric told the outlet that a large wrench flew through the windshield and struck his mother. I ducked down and looked up and my mom was bleeding and I pulled off the interstate, he recalled to WSFA. Authorities said Harris was killed by roadway debris after they found her on the I-65 southbound off-ramp and West South Boulevard, CBS affiliate reported WAKA. PEOPLE reached out to the Montgomery Police Department on Friday, Aug. 30, for additional information. Related: Bystanders Rescue Man Trapped in Burning Car After Minnesota Highway Crash: 'Glad He Got Out in Time' Harris family told WSFA that they dont know where the wrench came from, but they suspect it might have been from a truck heading north on the interstate. 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 Beasley Allen Law Firm, which is representing the family, is offering a $1,000 reward to the public for information. Its something you cant miss, said the firms attorney, LaBarron Boone, per WSFA. "Somebody out there with high traffic, who was behind it, saw the object fall, bouncing down the street. It didnt hit them, and maybe they just continued, but it did end up killing Ms. Earlie Harris." Related: 8 Dead in Head-On Highway Crash in California: 'Seatbelts Could Have Saved Lives' The late womans family described her as a loving mother and grandmother, with her son telling WSFA that she was "caring" and "big on family." According to an online obituary, Harris was a native of Montgomery. Earlie and I were coworkers and neighbors, one commenter posted on the obituarys tribute wall. You will be missed always smiling. You were a hard worker. Sending prayers to your kids, grands and great grandkids. Prayers will hold you all together, family stick together don't let nothing divide you. Remember the love she gave to you all." Related: 4 Dead, 10 Injured After Passenger Van Rolls Over 'Multiple Times' on Texas Highway Police are continuing to investigate the incident, WSFA reported. PEOPLE contacted Harris family attorney for additional comment. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. SEBRING, Ohio (WKBN) An Alliance woman was indicted on a kidnapping charge Thursday following a family dispute earlier this year in Sebring. Keleigh Rockwell, 41, faces charges of kidnapping, a first-degree felony; abduction, a third-degree felony; disrupting public services, a fourth-degree felony; and first-degree misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and theft. The charges stem from a June 23 dispute at a home on East Indiana Avenue in Sebring. Reports said Rockwell had been at her home arguing over a family matter, tried to force herself inside, left, and then shoved a juvenile female family member into her car a short time later. As police searched for her car, someone else found the cell phone of the juvenile on the side of the road, reports said, and Alliance police said they were at a home in the 1200 block of Noble Avenue in Alliance with Rockwell and the juvenile. Rockwell was taken into custody by Sebring police when they arrived at the home and the juvenile told police that Rockwell had taken her, hit her and told her she would take her out of town. Rockwell also took the juveniles phone and threw it out of the car, reports said. The juvenile managed to get out of the vehicle and ran to a home on Noble Avenue and told the homeowners what was happening. They called 911 and allowed the juvenile inside but Rockwell also went inside, reports said. Rockwell managed to post bond following her arraignment in Mahoning County Area Court in Sebring. She is expected to be arraigned Sept. 10 in common pleas 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. Already convicted in fiery murder, Beaufort Co. man gets life in prison for 2016 rape A Beaufort man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of a 2016 rape, which occurred the day before he murdered his disabled neighbor by setting her house ablaze. Brian David Walls, 42, was found guilty by a Beaufort County jury Wednesday afternoon of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and use of a vehicle without permission. He automatically received a life sentence without the possibility of parole under South Carolinas two strikes law, which mandates life sentences for any defendant convicted of two or more serious offenses. The trial lasted three days at the Beaufort County Courthouse with a jury consisting of three women and nine men. Circuit Court Judge Carmen T. Mullen gave Walls another life sentence for the kidnapping charge and the maximum three-year penalty for stealing her vehicle, adding to his previous 40-year sentence for his murder conviction. Brian David Walls, 43, listens to a 911 dispatcher give her testimony on Monday afternoon at the Beaufort County Courthouse. Walls was convicted Wednesday of rape and kidnapping, receiving two life sentences on top of his previous 40-year punishment for murder. The attack happened the evening of Dec. 6, 2016, when Beaufort woman Daryan Payne received a call from Walls, a longtime family friend who had even visited her in the hospital the day she was born. Walls and his teenage sons needed a ride from their home in Burton to a hotel, he told her. Payne, who was 19 at the time, wouldnt have given the ride to Walls alone, she told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette in 2017, but she had gotten to know his sons well when they stayed at her house several months before. Walls offered to pay her gas money for the favor. After Payne dropped the group off at the Howard Johnson hotel on Trask Parkway, Walls asked her to help carry a pack of Bud Light and grocery bags into their room. She declined twice but carried the items inside after Walls insisted, she said. As Payne turned to leave, Walls slapped her in the face with an open hand, she testified on Tuesday. Dont scream. I mean it; I will kill you, he told her. Walls forced her into the hotel rooms bathroom, where he raped her. Payne escaped as the two walked outside shortly after, sprinting out of the parking lot and into the nearby pluff mud. She dialed 911 on her cellphone. Officers found the woman crying and bruised in the marsh several minutes later, her clothes blackened with mud and her lip busted open. Its harder knowing that it was people that knew me, Payne told the newspapers in 2017. Theyve met my son. They knew I would pick them up that night because I will help somebody out. Thats my downfall. Daryan Payne on April 29, 2017 at the family home in Beaufort. Walls and another woman stole Paynes Toyota sedan and left town. He was located by police four days later near the North Carolina border and charged for the assault. Taking the witness stand Wednesday morning, Walls denied raping the woman. He fielded questions from his defense attorney Juan Tolley in a soft, hushed tone, leaning toward the microphone for each answer. 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. Brian Walls of Burton, SC, sneaks a look on April 10, 2019 at family members and friends of Teresa Seigler, 56, who was found dead in her Bon Aire Estates home in Beaufort County in 2016 as his defense attorney, Trasi Campbell, rises to address the court. Walls was on trial for the murder of Seigler, who was beaten, bound in duct tape and blankets and set on fire. Monster found guilty of murderous blaze Walls rape conviction came over five years after he was found guilty of murdering his 56-year-old disabled neighbor Teresa Resa Siegler, who was beaten, wrapped in blankets and bound with duct tape before having her home set on fire. She was killed in the blaze on Dec. 7, 2016, the day after he raped Payne. At his 2019 trial, prosecutors argued Walls and two co-defendants murdered Siegler as part of a scheme to steal her monthly disability check and newly refilled prescriptions. DNA evidence connected the three suspects to the scene. The Falls Road home in Burton that caught fire in December, killing 56-year-old Teresa Seigler a short time later. Courtney Elizabeth Brock, 30, who also accompanied Walls on the night of the rape, was also convicted of murder for the fatal house fire later that year. The third defendant, John Dontue Priester, 32, was found guilty in early 2020. At the time, prosecutors said all three lived in a mobile home two houses down from Siegler. The grandmother often gave her neighbors food and allowed them to shower in her home when their utilities were disconnected, according to previous reporting. She lived alone and had health problems, sometimes using a scooter to get around. She had a heart of gold, said Lori Latham, a longtime friend of Siegler, at Walls murder trial. She took care of people and we took care of her ... It breaks all of our hearts that somebody a monster could do this to somebody that would help him. ... She will be missed greatly. Amy Klobuchar to help kickoff Harris campaign reproductive freedom tour next week in Palm Beach Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in Tallahassee on April 16, 2019. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) The Kamala Harris campaign announced Friday that it will launch its national Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour next Tuesday in Palm Beach, home to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Minnesota Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Republican television personality Ana Navarro, and Anya Cook, a South Florida woman who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last week about how she almost died because of Floridas abortion laws, will appear at the event. Abortion rights have consistently been the best political issue for Democrats since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a womans federal right to an abortion two years ago. In Florida, Democrats are leaning into the campaign for Amendment 4, the proposed state constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion rights through the first trimester and overturn the six-week abortion ban that took effect in May. The bus tour will make at least 50 stops in key states, according to a press release issued by the Harris-Walz campaign. Among those who will later join in the tour are vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz and Harris husband, Doug Emhoff. The announcement came one day after Trump made a confusing statement regarding whether he will vote for Amendment 4 this fall. After repeating that he thinks the six-week law is too short, he said that I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, which is not the question on the ballot in the fall. That confusion led the Trump campaign to release a statement later on Thursday affirming that the former president has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative, according to Karoline Leavitt, the national Trump spokesperson. These are houses damaged from rocket fire from Lebanon in a residential neighborhood in the northern city of Acre, Israel, on Sunday. The Israeli military said that Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck targets belonging to Hezbollah that posed an imminent threat to Israel. Hezbollah said it had fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Israel and Hezbollah, engaged in nearly 11 months of destructive, cross-border confrontation triggered by the Gaza war, have opted for avoiding an all-out war that would be devastating for both. But the risk of escalation remains in the absence of a Gaza cease-fire and an agreement to pacify its border front, analysts and experts said. Both parties claimed victory Aug. 25, when Hezbollah launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel to avenge the July 30 assassination of its senior military commander, Fouad Shukr. Israel, on its part, carried out large-scale preemptive strikes that allegedly foiled the group's plans to hit intelligence and military targets near Tel Aviv. The short confrontation on that day seemed satisfactory, allowing a return to "business as usual" and rules of engagement in place since Oct. 8. Was it an orchestrated retaliation like Iran's large-scale attacks on Israel last April to avenge the killing of its senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and six other officers in a strike against the Iranian consulate in Damascus? That is hard to confirm. An Israeli fighter jet ejects flares over an area near the Lebanon-Israel border, as seen from northern Israel on Sunday. The Israeli military stated that Israeli Air Force fighter jets are striking targets that belong belonging to the Hezbollah organization that pose an imminent threat to the citizens of Israel. Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA-EFE Riad Kahwaji, who heads the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis in Dubai, explained that in case Israel was aware of the Hezbollah revengeful strikes and preempted them, that means it "has strongly breached Hezbollah intelligence and is able to detect all its movement." Losing element of surprise Palestinians walk among the rubble of demolished buildings and streets following the withdrawal of Israeli army after 48 hours of heavy attacks in on Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarm, West Bank, on Friday. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI Kahwaji argued that by losing "the element of surprise," Hezbollah no longer can launch "successful attacks" on Israel, and the Israeli preemptions reduced the effectiveness of its strikes. "If this was orchestrated like the Iran April attack, then Hezbollah has agreed to give up its deterrence because we saw the magnitude of the Israeli pre-emption," he told UPI. "It showed that Israel has regained its deterrence and Hezbollah has decided just not to retaliate, not to do anything and it wants to end this." It was clear that Hezbollah and its patron, Iran, were doing all they can to prevent sliding into an all-out war, according to the analysts who referred to intense western diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and avoid miscalculations. "The missing information was on the Israeli side," a western diplomatic source in Beirut told UPI. "The risk of escalation was on the Israeli side, absolutely not on the [Tehran-led] axis of resistance." Israel, too, has good reasons to avoid a wide-scale conflict, at least for now. Its soldiers have been fighting on two fronts since the Palestinian Hamas movement launched "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" on Oct. 7, without being able to destroy Hamas and secure the release of 109 Israelis remaining captive in Gaza. They have also failed to push Hezbollah fighters away from the Lebanese-Israeli border to allow the safe return of 80,000 displaced to northern Israel. Failure to achieve cease-fire No one expected this war to go on that long amid the continuous failure of achieving a cease-fire in Gaza, not to say a political solution, the analysts argued. Hezbollah, which joined the fight as a "support front" Oct. 8, has tied the cessation of its military operations to the Gaza cease-fire. "Hezbollah is clearly worn out of this lengthy confrontation. Israelis are also exhausted," Kahwaji said. The cost of an all-out war on Israel and Lebanon may have been a factor in avoiding such an uncontrollable escalation with devastating consequences. Bankrupt Lebanon already is in a mess and still struggling to overcome a financial crisis that started in October 2019. Its collapse, described as the world's worst since the mid-19th century, has left its population in dire living conditions. Deep political divisions have also been preventing the election of a new president and the implementation of comprehensive reforms. The recent round of confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel has added to the Lebanese ordeals. At least 130 civilians have been killed since last October. According to U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza, more than 110, 000 people have been displaced from the border villages and a further 150,000 remain within 10 kilometers of the U.N.-patrolled frontier in areas of south Lebanon, impacted daily by Israeli shelling and airstrikes. Losses in the millions each day While it is still early to give an exact account on the extent of damage and economic losses, Mahmoud Jebai, a Lebanese economic expert, estimated the "cost on the Lebanese economy at $6 million to $7 million a day in indirect losses, constituting nearly 10% of the GDP." Jebai explained that the economic losses increased after the assassination of Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Hezbollah's stronghold. "The great majority of [Lebanese] immigrants and tourists left the country during the month of August, resulting in additional losses of $500 million to $600 million," he told UPI. More inhabitants in south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs have also left their homes for more secure areas following Shukr's killing and out of fear of a wide-scale war. Rents soar "Renting an apartment in more secure areas reached $1,500 to $2,500 per month, and this constitutes a high cost on the displaced," Jebai said, noting that Hezbollah has been covering most of the displaced housing, food and medical needs at an estimated $350 to $400 per month for house rental. He, however, warned that in case of a wide-scale war, the indirect economic losses could increase to $30 to $40 million and total economic losses to $100 million a day. "Hezbollah is taking that into consideration, for Lebanon cannot sustain more financial, economic, social, security and military pressures, thus the hope for an end of the Gaza war as soon as possible." Israel's economy also is struggling, with its tourism sector suffering most, according to Israeli reports. "In the event of an all-out war, neither Lebanon nor Israel could sustain more losses," Jebai said. However, the ongoing "war of attrition" between the two parties is to continue until the U.S. presidential elections in November or hopefully a cease-fire is in place for Gaza. "There is this waiting of the U.S. elections to change the scene ... to see if there will be a change or not," said the western diplomatic source. "Hezbollah would stop the war on the next day of the Gaza cease-fire, but this is not clear on the Israeli side." Attempt to push Hezbollah fighters away What Israel wants is to push Hezbollah fighters away from its borders by 10 to 12 kilometers, prevent them from using the area to launch missiles or infiltrate its northern border similar to the Hamas attack Oct. 7. The goal is to secure the return and safe stay of its 80,000 inhabitants displaced from the northern region. The diplomatic source argued that the Hezbollah-Israel border conflict "is easier to solve compared to the complexities of the Palestinian problem and the situation in Gaza." The full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, could restore calm again on the border with the help of 10,000 U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanese Army units. But that would mean Israel must end its violations of Lebanon's air space and sovereignty, as well as resolving territorial disputes over 13 sites along the border claimed by Lebanon. It also means that Iran has to consent to any arrangement concerning Lebanon. "There was a status-quo on the border which guaranteed [a kind] of peace from 2006 to October 2023, but not a lasting peace," the source said. The challenge today is to secure an arrangement "to spare Lebanon and Israel another confrontation after few years." AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Andrea Lynn Gorgacz on Friday, August 23, 2024 after battling multiple health issues. Born on June 5th, 1971 in Youngstown, Ohio. Find obituaries from your high school Andrea graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1989. She enjoyed her early role as a homemaker and later a diverse career in food and beverage. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, Her kindness and love touched everyone who knew her. She had a warm smile and a gentle spirit that radiated love and compassion. Andrea loved spending time with her family and friends in her final years. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for all. Her latest passion was baking and she was always trying out new recipes with her friends. Her kindness, compassion, and sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Andrea is survived by her husband, Michael Sr. her children Alexis (Tyler), Michael Jr. (Brooke) and Benjamin, her grandson Weston, parents David and Sandra Pickens, Sr., her brother David Pickens, Jr. (Beth), and their children Olivia, Julia, and Samuel. Andrea was proceeded in death by her partner James Calpin. Visitation will be held on Friday September 6, 2024 from 4:00 5:30 pm with a private memorial to follow at Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home in Cornersburg. Andrea will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Rest in peace, you will be sadly missed. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Andrea Gorgacz, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Sunday, September 1, at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Anne Arundel County Police Department said a second suspect has been arrested in connection to the February 2023 murder of Antwaun D. Conyers. On Feb. 8, 2023, at about 10:15 a.m., officers responded to the report of a shooting that happened in the 3500 block of Russett Green East, in Laurel. When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot on the sidewalk. He died there. He was identified as 32-year-old Antwaun D. Conyers, of New Carrollton, Maryland. $1M wedding gift! Prince William County dad gifts son winning lottery ticket Police learned there was a possible connection between the victim and the suspect and determined that the shooting was targeted. On Feb. 10, 2023, one of the suspects involved was arrested. He was identified as 46-year-old Rakyia Talley of Laurel, Maryland. On Feb. 13, 2023, police identified Christopher Rojas as the second suspect. On Aug. 29, 2023, police arrested and charged 27-year-old Christopher Rackwon Rojas, of Laurel, Maryland with First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and multiple assault and weapons-related 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Another death in Grand Canyon as body of solo backpacker from North Carolina found Another death in Grand Canyon as body of solo backpacker from North Carolina found A 60-year-old backpacker taking a solo trip to the Grand Canyon was found dead near a remote trail, according to Arizona law enforcement officials. The National Park Service said the North Carolina resident was found by helicopter on Wednesday near a trail connecting the Lower Tapeats and Deer Creek camps. The sites can be accessed via the north rim along a river bend, and is approximately 29 miles (46.6km) north-west of Grand Canyon Village. According to the NPS, the hiker was undertaking a multi-day backpacking trip from Thunder River to Deer Creek. The hiker's family notified NPS officials on Tuesday that the man failed to check in with them, which prompted a search. Coconino County officials are investigating his cause of death. The man's name has not been released to the public, the Guardian reports. A helicopter evacuates hikers from the Grand Canyon after severe flooding the park. A 60-year-old backpacker died at the Grand Canyon during a solo hike on August 28, 2024 (DVIDS) It's been a deadly month at the Grand Canyon; the backpacker is believed to be the sixth person to die at the iconic location in less than a month, and is the 14th fatality at the landmark this year. According to NPS officials, there were 11 deaths in 2023, and said there are typically 10 to 15 deaths at the canyon this year. On Sunday, an 80-year-old man, who has not been identified, died while taking a commercial river trip at Fossil Rapid, approximately 10 miles (16km) upriver from Tapeats Creek. The man fell out of the commercial boat and drowned. A 20-year-old woman from New Mexico was found dead on August 8 near Twin Overlooks, and the body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, who was visiting the canyon from Phoenix, was found on Sunday after she was swept away by a flash flood while hiking on August 22. Justine Guthrie, a 43-year-old woman from Missouri, died on August 1 while she was attempting an illegal BASE jump, and Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, fell to his death at the canyon's south rim on July 31. Accidents and heat-related illnesses tend to make up the majority of fatalities at National Parks. The NPS makes safety guidelines for each park available on individual park website and in informational material freely available at the parks. Particularly dangerous areas are often marked with warning signs inside the parks, and guests are always advised to stay on marked trails and away from ledges. A vehicle passes through Youyiguan Port in Pingxiang City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Lu Boan) NANNING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Upon arrival at Youyiguan, or Friendship Pass, on the China-Vietnam border, visitors are greeted by the pungent odor of durian. Though the peak season for selling durian is over, customs officials at the pass are still busy handling these thorny fruits from Vietnam upon their entrance into China's sprawling market. Fruit-loaded trucks and self-organized tourists are now common sights at Youyiguan Port, China's main gateway to Vietnam located in the city of Pingxiang, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Established in the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), the pass boasts a history of more than 2,000 years. Barbettes that once defended the port are now scenic spots, while officials there welcome goods and tourists with speed and streamlined procedures. "Our inspections are strict, but we also have services such as bookings for 24/7 clearance and quick lab tests to greatly shorten the passage time for fruits imported from ASEAN members," said Huang Feifei, a customs official at the port. Notably, a clearance can be completed within as little as 15 seconds at this port. "All we need to do is a scan of our faces and fingerprints," a truck driver told Xinhua. Officials said the port had handled 310,000 vehicles passing through it as of Aug. 22 -- marking yearly growth of around 20 percent. Apart from streams of trucks, cross-border tourists are also showing up in larger numbers. The port's hustle and bustle testifies to the booming economic links between China and Vietnam, with the two countries having ramped up cooperation in terms of trade and infrastructure to dock the Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam's Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy. Customs staff members check imported durians at Youyiguan Port in Pingxiang City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Lu Boan) China has also become Vietnam's main durian export market after Vietnamese durians, known for their longer harvest season and lower prices, gained market access to China under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework in 2022. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, annual trade value between China and Vietnam surpassed 200 billion U.S. dollars over the past three years, a huge jump from 2.4 billion U.S. dollars back in 2000. In the first seven months of 2024, bilateral trade reached 145 billion U.S. dollars, marking an annual increase of 20.9 percent. The trade boom has also been fueled by an online shopping spree in recent years. A few miles away in a cross-border e-commerce center, Vietnamese-speaking anchors are advertising Chinese-made cosmetics and garments via live broadcasts. During the mid-year promotional season in July, one live broadcast held at the center saw orders soaring to 6 million yuan (843,000 U.S. dollars). Within two days after orders are placed, these goods can arrive in distribution centers in Vietnam thanks to fast-tracked clearance at the border pass, according to the center. "Cross-border e-commerce is the new order of the day. It is injecting new vitality into the economy of the border areas," said Zhou Yunbiao, director of Pingxiang's service center for e-commerce development. Barbara Gibson This article is being published in partnership with The 19th. In Kansas, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union have drafted a letter reminding election workers that a gender marker on a persons identification does not need to match or correspond to a voters gender expression. Staff for the organization has also held clinics elsewhere to prepare trans Americans for the identification requirements they will have to navigate. In eight battleground states, the nonprofit VoteRiders is on the ground helping voters get the identification they need to cast ballots in the November election and one that reflects who they are. Equality Florida, the states leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group, is holding know your rights trainings in the wake of new regulations barring many transgender voters from obtaining photo identification that reflects their gender. As Republican politicians push anti-transgender rhetoric ahead of a historic election, transgender and nonbinary Americans are facing new laws and rules that effectively prohibit them and others from obtaining documentation like birth certificates and drivers licenses that align with their gender identities. Advocates are fighting back. Theyve been mobilizing communities and organizing resources to help transgender Americans, an effort aimed at safeguarding their civic rights. Some trans voters have expressed confusion and fear of discrimination at the ballot box that could discourage them from participating in public life. There is a chilling effect, said Lauren Kunis, CEO and executive director of VoteRiders, which helps voters obtain identification. There is an unsafe and intimidating environment around existing as trans in society, and definitely in being able to go to the polls safely and cast a ballot. The ripple effect could extend beyond trans people, these advocates warn. Regulations around gender impact cisgender people, particularly women and women of color. Americas decentralized elections system relies on a temporary workforce tasked with enforcing varying policies around identification rules. In states that require voters to reasonably resemble the picture on their ID, like North Carolina and Wisconsin, the results could ensnare anyone at the ballot box who doesnt fit the binary concept of masculinity and femininity traits. A lot is falling on poll workers to correctly enforce the law, Kunis added. And I would argue that is less of a solid protection in states where anti-trans rhetoric is skyrocketing. The measures often focus on sex classification that narrowly defines an individuals sex as either male or female at birth. Theyre among a broad scope of anti-trans legislation that has popped up in Republican-led statehouses in recent years and served as a breeding ground for the binary vision of the country embraced by former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance, his running mate on the Republican ticket. At least nine states in the past two years have explicitly regulated gender in this way, according to a tally by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), which tracks LGBTQ+ policy. And its not just laws. Last year, Nebraskas governor issued a related executive order. In January, a Florida agency announced it would no longer update a trans persons drivers license with their correct gender identity. In August, at least one Texas agency, under directive from the state attorney generals office, implemented a similar policy. Anti-transgender rhetoric was front and center at the Republican National Convention in July, and Trump has taken to verbally targeting transgender people in his campaign. He described Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz recently as very heavy into the transgender world. The verbal attacks are against a group that is highly invested in electoral politics. An analysis released in August of respondents to the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, widely seen as the most comprehensive study of binary and nonbinary transgender Americans, found that voting-eligible trans people had cast ballots in the last presidential election at a higher rate than the U.S. population. The study included more than 92,000 respondents, including more than 84,000 adults who were 18 and older. Trans votes count, said Ankit Rastogi, director of research for the National Center for Transgender Equality, which conducted the survey and will soon be known as Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund. I think the big takeaway is that our community is really trying to come out and make a difference through the democratic process. The new laws and rules around sex classification vary widely. Those that intentionally target government identification that people use in everyday life, like drivers licenses, are particularly challenging. Forcing a person to show identification that does not align with their gender identity could out them to people in their community, as Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, an attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee, explained. Trans people, just like everyone else, want to be able to travel, start new jobs, open bank accounts, enroll in school, vote all of those things require some form of ID. And so when a state goes out of its way to enforce its message about its belief about sex and gender on a license, and transgender people then have to publicize that when they show other people, it creates a dangerous environment, he said. Last year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, signed a bill into law that defines sex as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth. The states Department of Safety and Homeland Security then created a rule banning transgender people from changing gender markers on their drivers licenses. The ACLU sued the agency for discrimination, claiming the rule was adopted illegally because it didnt follow proper administrative procedure. Like with other laws targeting transgender people, including bans on transgender student-athletes from participating in womens sports, politicians supporting these policies frame them as protecting cisgender women. Its a tactic thats designed to splinter support for trans rights and suggest sort of who is harmed by protecting trans people to frame that as cisgender women being the people harmed by protections for trans people, said Rose Saxe, who is deputy project director for the ACLUs LGBT & HIV Project. Nearly 21 million voting-eligible U.S. citizens do not have a current drivers license, according to the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland, whose research was partially supported by VoteRiders. Black and Hispanic people are among those most likely not to have a current license, so the requirement harms them too, regardless of their gender identity. In the 2024 election, 38 states will require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, including 17 states that have new or stricter ID laws passed since 2020. The full impact of these laws amid new and evolving voter identification laws is not yet clear, in part because of how recent they are and that, experts say, could mask their harm. The Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, estimated ahead of the 2022 midterm election that more than 200,000 voting-eligible transgender Americans may find it difficult to vote at the time because of voter ID laws. But these dont just affect transgender people. In many red states, Republican-led attacks on transgender people are going hand-in-hand with new identification requirements and other laws that pose barriers to the ballot that reach beyond gender lines. The states with the anti-trans laws are also the ones that are more likely to be passing anti-voter laws, full stop, Kunis said. In Florida, which has emerged as a national epicenter of policies targeting LGBTQ+ people in recent years, the states Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued a new regulation barring residents from updating their gender identity on their drivers licenses. To Quinn Diaz, a public policy associate at advocacy group Equality Florida, the failure of most anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in this years legislative session showed that the tide in Florida is turning. But the new gender marker regulation signals yet another way that state agencies in Florida have overstepped their bounds and been weaponized to target transgender Floridians, they argued. We saw it as a move to inflict maximum chaos and misunderstanding, Diaz said. And really to scare trans folks from even participating and getting the license if they needed to update it. Even before the introduction of such regulations, transgender people around the country have had to jump through logistical and administrative hoops to get an affirming identification. For transgender people, lacking identification that reflects their gender identity and appearance can make them vulnerable to discrimination in everyday situations at a bar or liquor store, for example, and in interactions with law enforcement and at the polls. With these laws in Florida, you're forced to choose between living authentically and just not really participating in public life, Diaz said. Diaz, who is transgender, moved to Florida from Massachusetts, where they had an X gender marker on their drivers license. Because they didnt have all the necessary documentation and werent established yet with a local provider when they transferred their license to Florida, they forfeited that marker and defaulted to a license with their sex assigned at birth. Diaz said they didnt have any problems voting in person in the 2022 midterms, but they plan to vote by mail this November. I can imagine that a lot of trans folks in Florida who might not have access to an accurate and affirming ID might not want to engage in that process at all, especially in such a heightened political environment, Diaz said. Such rhetoric could also be most dangerous in states where far-right groups are trying to recruit poll watchers. Since 2020, many Republican-controlled states have passed laws expanding the authority of those temporary election observers who work elections under certain rules and may feel compelled to stop someone from voting under the guise of stopping widespread election fraud, which has been repeatedly debunked. Gender nonconforming people are already under such public scrutiny nationwide, Diaz said. Thats when you're gonna see the convergence of those two elements. It really seems like it would only result in more discrimination, more discomfort for trans people, more interrogation and potentially just being turned away. Hazel Krebs, a 42-year-old transgender woman living in Kansas, one of the states with a new anti-trans law, felt the weight of that increased scrutiny as she cast her ballot in March. Krebs wondered whether her identification one that for weeks no longer reflected her gender identity might impact her ability to vote. She chatted with the election workers in the mostly empty precinct, then showed her ID. She did her homework, learned that gender is not required information to vote, and showed up ready to explain it. But no one questioned her. Krebs voted and was out of the polling site within minutes. Still, she worries that, under the same circumstances, another trans person might have stayed home. They wont stop me, but I can see how it would stop others, she said. It is almost certainly stopping some people from showing up at the polls. The ACLU, which is tracking some of these laws and rules, has tried to prepare election workers on how to process trans voters who come into their polling sites. VoteRiders is conducting year-round voter education. While the drivers license is the most ubiquitous form of identification in the United States car-centric society, Kunis wants to dispel the common misconception that its the only form of ID people can use to vote. Trans voters can obtain a U.S. passport or passport card that reflects their gender identity without needing to provide underlying documentation. However, that option may not be accessible to people who struggle to pay the related fees or may not have the time or knowledge required to fill out the forms and request the passport. Its also a temporary solution if a future presidential administration rescinds the ability for people to self-attest their gender on their passports. Some advocacy groups and lawmakers in Florida also argue the states new regulations conflict with the federal Real ID Act, but that question is unlikely to be resolved before November. In addition to using passports as identification, Diaz said that Florida voters have the option to vote by mail, vote early in person, and bring a friend or family member to the polls. Our ability to participate in this democracy in Florida, it's been on the line for a while, Diaz said. Transgender people, they said, are being forced to choose between participating in our greatest civic right or just sitting out because the state doesn't see us for who we are. Its still unclear how many trans people will be denied affirming identification and how many will choose not to vote as a result of these new regulations. Several of the new laws are written with no clear penalties. Something that's very frustrating for us at VoteRiders is you will never be able to capture the number of people who do not feel safe voting, and who therefore stay home. And you also won't be able to capture the people who are trans and show up to try and vote and are turned away. Kunis said. And we know that is happening, but it is difficult to quantify. Cameron-Vaughn said he also worries about a scenario where a trans person is stopped at a polling place because of mismatching information on their identification and must fill out a provisional ballot a voting option that often requires a person to return at a later date with more documentation to ensure their vote is counted. Trans People Vote More Than Cis People, Despite Bureaucratic Obstacles A survey of 90,000 trans people across the U.S. found that they were highly civically engaged. There are definitely the physical dangers, the dangers for harassment, discrimination but also ultimately, voter suppression, he said. Josie Caballero, director of voting and elections for the group that conducted the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, said its important to remember that barriers to voting existed for trans people before the latest slate of laws and rules targeting sex classification, particularly around voter ID rules. Trans people turned out to vote despite those policy roadblocks. It really shows the resiliency of the trans community to ensure that our voices are heard and we have visibility at the ballot box, she said. Krebs, who plans to vote in November, is worried about how the dynamics of a crowded polling site might impact her ability to vote. But she is determined to access the ballot, and to stay in Kansas despite the heightened scrutiny. There's nothing these laws will do to stop me from living my best life, she said. It just puts my energy and passion towards making this place better for me and other trans people. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. (Bloomberg) -- ANZ Group Holdings Ltd. boss Shayne Elliott said the bank has suffered significant reputational damage and needs to do more to improve risk management in the wake of allegations over poor culture and probes into trading practices. Most Read from Bloomberg A number of allegations have been externally examined that relate to conduct, and three people have subsequently left the bank, he said Friday, facing questions from Australian lawmakers in Canberra. Elliott said there were complaints from staff that a small number of people had behaved badly, citing the use of profanity in the dealing room and employees returning to the trading floor having consumed an unreasonable amount of alcohol. You always have to be concerned, these are serious allegations, whether its the conduct of individuals or the potential for market manipulation, Elliott, ANZs chief executive officer, said. Clearly weve got work to do. CEOs from the nations four major banks have testified during a two-day hearing in front of the House of Representatives Economics Committee. Its part of an annual review into lenders that spans a wide range of topics from digital payments to regional branches and the impact of monetary policy. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is running an investigation into ANZ that it expects will continue into 2025 around the firms role in a Treasury bond sale last year. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority last week increased the capital ANZ needs to hold, citing a lack of improvement in risk management and insisted on an independent audit of the allegations. Elliott said his firm is working with APRA on the scope of an independent culture and control review within its markets business which will report to the board. The board will ensure there are appropriate consequences for proven failures or misconduct, he said. As the committee may appreciate, there is a limit to how much I can discuss these matters today, Elliott said. However, I do assure the committee that we are taking them very seriously. ANZ has admitted that it overstated its bond-trading volumes in reports it submitted to the government. The bank has engaged law firms to probe both matters, and pledged to hold people accountable for any wrongdoing it finds. ANZ is helping ASIC with its investigation over the April 2023 bond sale and documents shared may have reached the millions at this point, he said. Elliott said that internal inquiries by the bank havent shown any evidence of misconduct, market manipulation or otherwise. At this point ASIC has not put an allegation to us, Elliott said. They are doing an investigation. Separately, Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO Matt Comyn, who was first up on Thursday, said regulators have an undue level of concern about the big banks scrapping bonus caps when mortgage brokers never adopted such pay reforms. Later in the day, Westpac Banking Corp.s Peter King criticized social media tech giants for being missing in action in closing the loop on scams. National Australia Bank Ltd. boss Andrew Irvine earlier Friday noted in the increasing divisions within the nations economy. (Adds details from Elliotts testimony from second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. For AR Kids spokesperson Bill Kopsky talks about why the group's constitutional amendment initiative came up short of the required number of signatures on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) For AR Kids spokesperson Bill Kopsky talks about why the group's constitutional amendment initiative came up short of the required number of signatures during a press conference at Arkansas Public Policy Panel offices in Little Rock on Friday, July 5, 2024. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate) This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2024 to include additional comments from the attorney generals office. Arkansas attorney general on Thursday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would require identical standards for public and private schools that receive state funding. In his six-page opinion, Attorney General Tim Griffin said he could not certify the proposal because the submission did not include the full text of the measure as required by law. Thus, a failure to submit the proposed amendments full text in compliance with A.C.A. 7-9-107 makes it impossible for me to determine whether your proposed popular name and ballot title are misleading, Griffin said. Additionally, Griffin said sponsors may only submit one popular name and one ballot title, but two were included in this submission one in English and one in Spanish. Jeff LeMaster, a spokesperson for Griffins office, said theres nothing in the law prohibiting a sponsor from submitting a ballot title in Spanish, and while there are no specific rules regarding the translation of a ballot petition, a sponsor can only circulate for signatures what is approved and certified by the attorney generals office. 2024-076 AG Opinion Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2026 The proposal was submitted on Aug. 16 by Bill Kopsky, treasurer of For AR Kids, a ballot question committee that submitted an identical proposal for the 2024 general election ballot. The group turned its attention to the 2026 election after failing to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot this November. Groups supporting two other measures targeting government transparency and eliminating the sales tax on feminine hygiene products also refiled their proposals for the 2026 ballot after failing to qualify in 2024. Griffin certified those measures in July. Kopsky said Friday that For AR Kids mistakenly omitted a page from their proposal and will resubmit a complete version on Tuesday. The group plans to start campaigning later this year, but they wanted to get the attorney generals approval now, he said. The proposed Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2026 would amend Article 14 of the Arkansas Constitution to require identical academic standards and identical standards for accreditation including assessments of students and schools based on such standards for any schools that receive local or state funds. The proposal stems from the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that made wide-ranging changes to the states education system, including increasing the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 and creating a voucher program that provides state funding for allowable educational expenses, such as private school tuition. Critics have argued the Educational Freedom Account program is unfair because private schools receiving state funding dont have to follow the same requirements as their public counterparts, such as admitting all students, providing transportation and administering certain standardized tests. The LEARNS Act does require private schools to administer approved annual exams for EFA students. In addition to equal standards, the proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee voluntary universal access to early childhood education for students three years old until they qualify for kindergarten, and after-school and summer programming. The proposal would also require services for students with disabilities and assistance for children in families within 200% of the Federal Poverty Line ($62,400 for a family of four). SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Arkansas medical marijuana amendment supporters turn in nearly 40,000 new signatures to secretary of state LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A group hoping to loosen Arkansas medical marijuana laws is confident its efforts will appear before voters in November. Arkansas for Patient Access said in a Friday statement that it had turned in 39,933 signatures to the secretary of states office. The group turned in more than 111,000 signatures on the July 5 deadline, with the state certifying 77,000 of them. Use of cannabis, hallucinogen at historically high levels: Research A representative of Secretary of State John Thurstons office confirmed the signatures were received Friday and certification would begin Tuesday, after Labor Day. The office is required to have all the signatures processed within 30 days, the spokesperson said, and 35 temporary workers would be hired to facilitate the process. State law mandates that a ballot question must have 90,704 signatures certified by Secretary of State John Thurston. The signatures the group turned in on the July 5 deadline were enough to allow an additional 30 days for signature gathering. The APA statement said the group had turned in a total of 150,335 signatures from all 75 Arkansas counties as of Friday, well over the state requirement. We are excited to move one step closer to having the amendment certified, APA committee member Bill Paschall said. People across the state have enthusiastically signed petitions and told us they are excited to vote for an amendment that will expand patient access and lower the cost of obtaining and keeping a patient card. Arkansas medical marijuana sales broke all records for 2023 If voters pass the Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024, state medical marijuana laws will be updated to loosen patient qualification requirements and who can certify patients. Patient cards will have a three-year renewal period instead of the current one-year renewal period. APAs announcement said the group would work tirelessly to educate voters about the proposed amendments advantages before the Nov. 5 election. Group behind proposed Arkansas medical marijuana amendment granted more time to gather signatures Arkansas voters initially approved medical marijuana in 2016. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An example of one raw cannabis flower product sold at Natural Relief Dispensary in Sherwood. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Supporters of changes to Arkansas medical marijuana industry submitted petitions with 38,933 additional signatures to Secretary of State John Thurstons office Friday in hopes their proposed measure qualifies for the November ballot. The ballot question committee Arkansans for Patient Access submitted 108,512 signatures July 5. Thurstons staff verified that 77,000 were from registered voters, totaling 85% of the 90,704 signatures needed for a constitutional amendment to qualify for the ballot, according to a July 31 letter to APA. State law allows ballot question committees 30 days to collect more signatures if the initial submission contains at least 75% of the overall required number of valid signatures and 75% of the required number from at least 50 counties. Petition Receipt 8-30-2024 The total number of signatures submitted July 5 and Friday came from all 75 counties, APA said in a news release. We are excited to move one step closer to having the amendment certified, committee member Bill Paschall said in the news release. People across the state have enthusiastically signed petitions and told us they are excited to vote for an amendment that will expand patient access and lower the cost of obtaining and keeping a patient card. Thurstons office will start processing the signatures Tuesday because Monday is a holiday, spokesman Chris Powell said. Arkansans voted to legalize cannabis for medical use in 2016, though the first products were not sold until 2019. The state now has 37 licensed dispensaries and a billion-dollar medical cannabis industry. If approved, the proposed amendment would include physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pharmacists as medical professionals who can certify patients for medical marijuana cards. Health care providers also would be allowed to conduct patient assessment via telemedicine, and providers would be permitted to qualify patients based on medical need, according to the initiative, rather than the existing 18 qualifying conditions outlined by the state. The amendment would also allow patients and designated caregivers older than 21 to grow up to seven mature marijuana plants and seven young plants. The measure also would eliminate application fees for patient cards and extend the term of the card to three years. Supporters have said the proposed amendment will especially help Arkansans with lower incomes and people living in rural areas where access to primary care physicians is limited. Arkansans for Patient Access will work tirelessly until the polls close on November 5th to inform and educate voters, the news release states. We are confident that when they learn the details of this amendment, they will enthusiastically support it. APA expressed concern earlier this month about a potential barrier to the verification of signatures collected during the cure period. Thurston told the committee on Aug. 8 that his office would not count signatures collected during the cure period by paid canvassers because a company that hired paid canvassers had signed legally required paperwork instead of the sponsor of the amendment. Thurston used this same argument against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have created a limited right to abortion. Supporters of the abortion amendment challenged Thurstons decision, but the Arkansas Supreme Court agreed with his assessment on Aug. 22, keeping the abortion measure off this years ballot. APA intervened in the court case and criticized Thurston in court documents for making the same eleventh-hour about-face with an erroneous and out-of-the-ether interpretation of the law regarding paid canvassers. Letter from WLJ to Sec. Thurston 8-30-2024 APA strongly disputes that it failed to comply with this statute and, if necessary, will challenge your position in the appropriate forum, wrote attorney Stephen Lancaster of the Wright Lindsey Jennings law firm in a Friday letter to Thurston submitted with the additional signatures. Lancaster said he expects Thurston not to count some of APAs new signatures. However, in the interest of time and preservation of taxpayer dollars, we ask that any signatures not counted be nonetheless validated by your office so that the Arkansas Supreme Court can better assess whether the initiative should be certified to the ballot, Lancaster wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lindsay Wallace, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, at a meeting in North Little Rock on July 26, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) In an attempt to relieve pressure from crowded county jails while the completion of a new 3,000-bed prison facility remains in the distant future, the Arkansas Department of Corrections and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders have turned their focus to immediate expansions. We have roughly [a] 16,000-prison-bed capacity and we have north of 17,000 people that need to occupy that space, Sanders told the Advocate Tuesday. So its very clear that you dont have to be great at math to know those numbers dont add up, and so looking for every opportunity we can to expand capacity and crack down, make sure that violent repeat offenders arent back on the street. According to a Friday report to the prison board, more than 2,100 state inmates were being held in county jails, Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne said. Officials started moving inmates into a vacant Tucker Unit work release facility earlier this month, and recently completed the transfer of 124 people, all of whom are either assigned to a work-release program or require minimum security. The expansion at the Tucker Unit in Jefferson County was a project proposed by former Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri, who was fired from his corrections position and then hired as a senior adviser to Sanders. Profiris pursuit to quickly add more beds amidst staffing shortages caused issues among Board of Corrections members, primarily with Chairman Benny Magness. Profiri was not mentioned during Fridays discussion. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Nearly 325 additional beds are planned in three other state correctional facilities in Batesville, Texarkana and Newport. Department Secretary Lindsay Wallace said the projects were moving toward completion and should be finalized in mid-October. The 3,000-bed prison, which Sanders announced last March, is still in the preliminary phase. According to a recent press release from the department, officials are working alongside Sanders office in the selection of an owners representative, who will provide design, engineering and construction advice for the new prison. When board member William Byers asked about the new prison Friday which Wallace referred to as the big elephant in the room Wallace assured members that selecting the owners representative would really be the trigger that really pushes [us] forward. The land for the new prison has not been selected, Wallace said. Counsel contract Though not on the agenda for Fridays meeting, board member Lee Watson asked his colleagues to consider rescinding a previous procurement document related to attorney Abtin Mehdizadegan. He said rescinding the document would clarify that the boards engagement letter with the attorney from December remains in full effect. Arkansas prison board in March announced it would investigate when and how changes were made to a legal contract without the knowledge of state procurement officials. In the months that followed, lawmakers criticized members of the board for being unaware of their altered contract and took issue with the lack of a formal bid process for the contract. Lawmakers in June authorized the states independent auditing agency to conduct an audit of the correction boards hiring of Mehdizadegan as outside counsel. The board rejected Watsons motion to immediately take action on the procurement documents. Board member Lona McCastlain said she didnt see what the hurry [was] and wanted to have enough time to fully look over any related documents. Watson said he received an agreement letter from Mehdizadegan Thursday evening, which he said was why the board didnt have much time to review it. McCastlain said that type of quick work is exactly why were here. Because we dont look at it. The agreement will be taken up at the Board of Corrections in-person meeting next month. Other business Board members at the start of Fridays meeting met in executive session for more than four hours to conduct interviews for an executive assistant to the director. When they returned from meeting in private, Magness announced the board approved the hire of Effie Murphy. According to the online job description, minimum qualifications for the position include a bachelors degree in a related field, two years of experience in program administration or a related field, and one year in a supervisory capacity. Job functions include scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and maintaining various records. The Board of Corrections in July announced they received 26 applications for a public information officer position, but decided to amend the job description and repost it. Currently, at least three PIO-related positions are listed on the departments career webpage. The interviews board members conducted Friday were not for the PIO position, though Magness said Murphy would help Shari Gray, an assistant to the board who has taken on many communications-related tasks since their previous employee retired. Magness said in July he was looking for a true public relations person who would share more positive news about the agency. Antoinette Grajeda contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired gets $30,000 from solar eclipse glasses sales Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired gets $30,000 from solar eclipse glasses sales LITTLE ROCK, Ark. In honor of August being Childrens Eye Health and Safety Month, the Arkansas Ophthalmological Society donated over $30,000 to the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Tuesday. The donation came from fundraising efforts for the school by selling eclipse glasses in April. Officials said that 37 members representing 17 clinics from across the state participated in this project. Meeting held to discuss plans for new facilities coming to Arkansas Schools for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Deaf This donation also comes at a time when the school is discussing plans for much-needed changes to improve school facilities. To learn more about the Arkansas Ophthalmological Society, visit them online at arkeyemds.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 KARK. PIKE COUNTY, Ark. Arkansas State Police are investigating an officer-involved that left a woman dead in Pike County on Thursday morning. According to an ASP release, the Pike County Sheriffs Office responded just before 9:30 a.m. to reports of a woman with a knife in an area on Highway 84 West near the community of Glenwood. Dumas family devastated after loved one is shot and killed Authorities said the deputies asked the woman, identified as 40-year-old Jennifer Provence, to drop the knife but she did not respond to their commands. ASP officials said a deputy then fired his gun at Provence and hit her. Authorities said she died from her injuries at the scene. Little Rock police investigating downtown deadly shooting State police said ASP Criminal Investigation Division agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Pike County Prosecuting Attorney who will determine if the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Armed Forces of Ukraine take control of 5 sq km of Kursk Oblast in one day Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported at a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief that Ukrainian troops had advanced up to two kilometres in some areas of Russia's Kursk Oblast over the past day and took control of 5 square kilometres of Russian territory. Source: Syrskyi via videoconference at a meeting on 30 August Quote: "The operation continues on the Kursk front. Over the last day, our troops advanced up to two kilometres in some areas and took control of 5 square kilometres of territory." Read also: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi's raid: how the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast is progressing and what to expect next Background: The Armed Forces of Ukraine crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border near the town of Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, on 6 August 2024. On 10 August, it became known that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had taken control of the village of Poroz in Belgorod Oblast. A counter-terrorism operation (CTO) regime was introduced in Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts of the Russian Federation, including increased security, traffic restrictions, document checks and phone monitoring. On 12 August, the Ukrainian authorities confirmed for the first time that the Armed Forces of Ukraine were involved in a special operation in Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Xiplomacy: China-funded rural well-drilling project greatly contributes to Africa's growth 08:02, August 30, 2024 By Xu Ruiqing ( Xinhua Villagers collect water in Tenefoul Toucouleur Village, Diourbel, Senegal, March 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu) 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," said Zimbabwean economist Paul Musodza. 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. Mamadou Dieng is pictured inside the monitoring room of a well project in Tenefoul Toucouleur Village, Diourbel, Senegal, March 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu) 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." Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding poses for photos with Zimbabwean officials at the launch ceremony of a China-aided borehole drilling project in Mahusekwa, a town in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, July 22, 2024. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) 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. Reisdents fetch water from a borehole in Gatsibo district, Eastern Province, Rwanda, on April 11, 2022. (Photo by Huang Wanqing/Xinhua) 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." (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.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) will serve as an important platform for deepening international cooperation, injecting new impetus into global economic development, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday. This year's CIFTIS, scheduled in Beijing from Sept. 12 to 16, will continue to focus on the theme "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," according to Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce. More than 80 countries and international organizations will hold exhibitions at the fair, with 13 of them, including Portugal and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations holding independent offline exhibitions for the first time, Tang told a press conference. France will be the guest of honor and a special national pavilion will be built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. More than 420 Fortune Global 500 and leading enterprises have confirmed their offline participation in the fair, Tang said. As the world's first comprehensive international exhibition platform focusing on services trade, the CIFTIS has been successfully held for 10 sessions, attracting over 900,000 attendees and exhibitors from 197 countries and regions. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A parent threatened to shoot other parents cars during a morning drop-off altercation that occurred this week at a north Charlotte elementary school, according to new court documents. Two firearm incidents occurred during CMS first week of school The docs stated that around 7:54 a.m. Wednesday morning during the morning drop-off period at north Charlottes Oakdale Elementary School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police located a .45 caliber gun in the car of Shanique Robinson after she displayed the gun and threatened to shoot other parents vehicles following a dispute. Credit: Meck County Sheriff The circumstances surrounding the initial dispute have not yet been released. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed on Wednesday that the school did go into a brief lockdown as a precautionary measure. She is being held on a $10,000 secured bond and is charged with having a gun on educational property. The district dealt with several issues the first week of school in addition to this one, including HVAC issues and an impaired bus driver. CMS Superintendent Recaps First 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 Queen City News. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The suspect in an Ocean Beach assault last year that turned fatal was arrested on Tuesday, according to San Diego police. The assault occurred on May 10, 2023 just before 11 p.m. In a release on Thursday, SDPD said the victim, identified as 35-year-old Sean Glenn, had been standing on the sidewalk at 5000 Newport Ave. when an unknown man walked up to him and punched him. Glenn was knocked unconscious by the hit and was transported to a nearly hospital for treatment to his injuries. He remained hospitalized until Aug. 5, 2023, when he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Over a ton of narcotics seized at San Ysidro Port of Entry in July: CBP Upon Glenns death, SDPDs Homicide Division took over responsibility for the investigation from Western Division detectives. According to SDPD, investigators identified the suspect in the fatal assault as 36-year-old Andrew Restrepo through video of the assault. Further investigation determined Restrepo was also the likely suspect in a similar assault on an MTS bus in the Midway area that occurred several weeks after the May 10 incident, police added. Restrepo was located at 402 Fifth Avenue around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Police say the 36-year-old was arrested on suspicion of both assaults and was booked into a county jail. He faces a number of charges linked to both incidents, including murder, assault with force likely to result in great bodily injury, and infliction of an injury that results in brain paralysis. He was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Arrest made in deadly shooting spurred by argument outside South Side restaurant Arrest made in deadly shooting spurred by argument outside South Side restaurant ***Video in the player above is from a previous report*** CHICAGO Months after a deadly altercation outside a South Side-area restaurant, Chicago police on Thursday announced an arrest in connection with the slaying. Victor Bradford, 30, of Chicago faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder and various weapons offenses. According to Chicago police, the deadly shooting unfolded around 4:30 a.m. on May 11 in the 7400 block of South State Street, in the citys Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, near Maxwell Street Polish. Officers say the victim, a 30-year-old man, and Bradford got into a verbal altercation that turned physical. Police said Bradford pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the chest. He then fled the scene in an SUV. The victim was later pronounced dead. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Bradford was due in court on Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa Two people are charged in connection with a pursuit in Marshalltown Thursday morning. The Marshalltown Police Department said officers were responding to a domestic disturbance around 10:42 a.m. in the 100 block of S 16th St. and while on the way the caller said a male was chasing a woman and had left the scene. Polk County Health Department provides free emergency contraceptives inside bathrooms The vehicle involved was found in the 200 block of S 12th St., occupied by two people, and when officers tried to stop it, the vehicle took off. After a short chase, the suspects abandoned the vehicle near the 400 block of Park St. and ran. Officers and deputies with the Marshall County Sheriffs Office used K9 teams to search the area and were able to locate both suspects and take them into custody without incident. Lance Shaum, 34, is charged with eluding, possession of a controlled substance 3rd or subsequent offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hes also charged with 14 counts of traffic violations including speeding, reckless driving, and failure to obey traffic control device. Luis Gonzale-Cervantes, 47, is charged with interference with official acts. Both men are from Marshalltown. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The person who allegedly suffered injuries at the hands of Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev has asked for total confidentiality and is cooperating with police amid the ongoing domestic violence investigation. The reality star, 42, who is married to ex-WWE star Nikki Bella, was arrested by the Napa County Sheriffs Department just before 10 a.m. on Thursday after deputies responded to a domestic violence call in the town of Yountville. Chigvintsev was booked on a felony domestic violence charge, and his bail was set at $25,000, according to online records viewed by The Post. He was since been released. Artem Chigvintsevs mugshot. Napa County Department of Corrections Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella. theartemc/Instagram Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella taking a selfie. theartemc/Instagram A representative for the sheriffs office told TMZ that the DWTS pro was arrested at the scene, and injuries were reportedly involved. The rep disclosed to The Post that the alleged victim asked for confidentiality, meaning they likely want their identity and details surrounding the incident under wraps. The person has provided information about what happened, and law enforcement is trying to determine if Chigvintsev has a history of domestic violence with them or anyone else, reported the outlet. The investigation remains ongoing. Its unclear if Chigvintsevs wife was involved in the incident. The Post has reached out to Chigvintsev and Nikkis reps for comment. Interestingly enough, his former Strictly Come Dancing the show he was on before DWTS partner had some troubling accusations against the star years ago that resurfaced following his arrest. Fern Britton and Artem Chigvintsev on Strictly Come Dancing. Getty Images Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella on DWTS. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images [Artem] would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me, English TV presenter and author Fern Britton said in an interview with British newspaper The Times in 2015. He was like, Shut your face. Go home before I kill you, she continued. He denied the allegations, telling the Daily Express, I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am. Chigvintsev celebrated his second wedding anniversary with Nikki earlier this week. Both shared heartfelt photos and words about their love story on social media. Nikki posted a video of footage from their 2022 wedding in Paris and used lyrics from Elvis Presleys 1961 classic Cant Help Falling in Love to caption it. This song is our love story. Ill never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem, she wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And thats when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you! . Happy anniversary my love , cant see my life with out you. You are my everything, Chigvintsev wrote alongside wedding photos, leaving his retired WWE wife to respond, Happy Anniversary Click Love you so much! Chigvintsev and Nikki met when they were partnered on DWTS in 2017, and she was engaged to WWE star John Cena; however, the following year, they abruptly called off their wedding and broke up. Nikki was in Napa on Wednesday. She shared a makeup-free shot after getting a facial at a local spa. The Total Bellas star appeared to be in a cheery mood after the beauty treatment. Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella on their wedding day. Instagram / nikkigarcia Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella. theartemc/Instagram Nikki Bella hours before his arrest. Instagram/@nikkigarcia Got a facial today!!love my local spot in downtown Napa, Nikki wrote holding up a poster that advertised the upcoming Netflix special Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef about the hot dog-eating champion and his rival. Chigvintsev and Nikki announced their engagement in 2020 months before welcoming their only child: son Matteo, 4. Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc I said yes in France in November, Nikki shared. We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year! theartemc/Instagram Alfonso Ribeiro, Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev. The Walt Disney Company Artem Chigvintsev on DWTS. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella in 2019. Getty Images Chigvintsevs DWTS career will be shelved. A source told Page Six the pro will not be back for Season 33 following his arrest. There were no plans for Artem Chigvintsev to be a part of Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, the insider said. Chigvintsev joined DWTS as a member of the dance troupe in 2009 during Season 18 and was upgraded to pro the following season. DWTS Season 33 airs on September 17 at 8 p.m. ET. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. Ashcroft says MO amendment will allow abortions at any time. What does the measure say? 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. When Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft this month certified a ballot measure to overturn the states abortion ban, his official website described the proposal as allowing abortion at any time of pregnancy. But that sweeping description which also says the measure would prohibit any regulation of abortion was effectively already rejected last year by a state appeals court. That unrestricted abortion would be allowed during all nine months of pregnancy is not a probable effect of the measure, the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District ruled in October 2023 after Ashcroft tried to use similar language for an official summary of the proposal. Missouri voters will decide in November whether to approve an amendment to the state constitution that would enshrine a right to abortion, overturning a ban thats been in place since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to an abortion in 2022. Abortions are currently only allowed in medical emergencies. Several states will vote on abortion measures this fall. Missouri could be the first, or one of the first, states to overturn a ban since the U.S. Supreme Court decision if voters approve the amendment. A poll released Thursday by Saint Louis University and YouGov found 52% support for passage of the Missouri amendment, with 34% opposed and 14% undecided. Abortion rights supporters and opponents are racing to define the amendment in the minds of voters with just nine weeks until Election Day. They are also fighting in court a bench trial is scheduled for next week in a lawsuit challenging Ashcrofts description of the amendment. The outcome of the courtroom fight will determine what voters see on the Missouri Secretary of States website and at their polling places. The amendment would prohibit the General Assembly from banning abortion until fetal viability, defined in the measure as the point in pregnancy when theres a significant chance the fetus can survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical measures. The amendment allows but does not require, lawmakers to restrict abortion after viability; the GOP-controlled legislature would almost certainly pass a ban on abortions late in pregnancy. The idea the amendment would allow abortion at any time in pregnancy is blatantly misleading, said Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the main campaign in favor of the measure. Any post-viability ban would be required to allow at least three exceptions for the life, physical and mental health of the woman. The language of this amendment is clear and simply puts health care decisions back in the hands of Missourians and their doctors not politicians, Sweet said in a statement. The amendment specifically allows the General Assembly to regulate abortion after fetal viability, but it also ensures protections for a patients life and health. No ones health or life should be at risk because of government interference. Abortion opponents have seized on the inclusion of mental health, arguing the term will create a wide opening for abortions late in pregnancy. The amendment would require that abortions after viability be allowed under the three exceptions if one is needed under the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional a term not defined in the amendment. Well, I mean its an established fact in the abortion debate that maternal health exceptions can be narrow and can be broad. And mental health is the signal, its the indication that we mean the broadest sense possible, said Mary Catherine Martin, an attorney with the conservative Thomas More Society who is challenging the ballot measure in court. Mental health has been part of the fight that has raged over abortion nationally since the end of Roe v. Wade. But the debate has often centered on whether mental health exceptions should be included in state abortion bans, not whether an abortion rights measure should affirmatively protect ending a pregnancy on mental health grounds. Alabama is the only state that explicitly includes mental health concerns in the exceptions to its abortion ban, according to KFF, a health policy research organization. Bans and restrictions in 13 states including Iowa and Nebraska specifically exclude mental and emotional health from their exceptions. A few other states limit exceptions to physical conditions without explicitly dealing with mental health. At least one other state, Arizona, has an abortion rights measure on the November ballot that includes mental health provisions. This language, I think, is pretty rare, Yi Wang, a Philadelphia psychiatrist who has researched mental health exceptions in state abortion bans, adding that she has only seen similar language in Alabama. Mental health conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, according to maternal mortality data from 2017-2019 from 36 states reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental health conditions were the cause of 22.7% of deaths ahead of hemorrhage (13.7%) and cardiac and coronary conditions (12.8%). No other single cause accounted for more than 10% of deaths. The data included both deaths during pregnancy and within a year of pregnancy. We have seen anti-abortion politicians use every trick in the book to deny women access to critical health care and so we felt the need to be crystal clear, Sweet said. Abortion rights supporters rally at the Missouri Capitol after turning in more than 380,000 signatures to overturn the states near-total ban on the procedure on May 3, 2024. Post-viability restrictions The amendment would allow for regulation after fetal viability while ensuring that women can access necessary medical care when their health is at serious risk, Sweet said, saying the measure balances governmental authority to regulate abortion with the need to genuinely protect womens health. Amendment opponents argue the measure opens the door to non-physicians performing or inducing abortions. The mental health language, in turn, would then raise questions about whether psychiatrists, therapists and other mental health professionals would be allowed to prescribe abortions for women with viable fetuses. To be clear, it is the position of pro-lifers in Missouri and others opposed to Amendment 3 that the measure if it passes, would absolutely allow non-physicians to perform or induce abortions at any stage of pregnancy including when the unborn child could survive outside the womb, said Samuel Lee, a longtime anti-abortion lobbyist and president of Missouri Stands with Women, the main campaign opposing the amendment. The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District ruled last year that nothing in the proposal contemplates allowing abortions without requiring a medical license to perform an abortion. The appeals courts opinion said that after fetal viability the measure does not limit the governments ability to regulate how abortions necessary under the exceptions are performed. Disallowing health and safety regulations including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance is not a probable effect of the initiatives, the courts opinion reads. Missouri psychiatrists and physicians more broadly have been paying attention to the possible consequences of the amendment. One of the hugest stresses for physicians since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade is that doctors are scared to death that not only will they lose their license, theyll be charged with a felony, said James Fleming, legislative chair of the Missouri Psychiatric Physicians Association. Fleming referred to the American Psychiatric Associations position on abortion, which says freedom to interrupt pregnancy must be considered a mental health imperative with major social and mental health implications. Amendment spurs lawsuits The appeals court opinion, which came when Ashcroft was trying to officially summarize several proposed abortion measures for signature gathering, may not be the last word on the issue. Two lawsuits are making their way through the courts. One lawsuit challenges Ashcrofts fair ballot language of the proposal, which currently appears on his official website and will appear at polling places. The other seeks to block the measure from appearing on the November ballot. Its possible the Missouri Supreme Court could eventually take up either case and reach a different conclusion than the Court of Appeals. But for now, the appeals court opinion provides supporters with a court ruling they can point to disputing some of the arguments of opponents. It is a fact that the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District rejected these same claims in their ruling on the Secretary of States initial ballot title, Sweet said. The court ruled that the amendment allows for the regulation of abortion, particularly after fetal viability, provided that the regulations protect the health and life of the patient, and cited the language used by our opposition as misleading. For his part, Ashcroft, who will leave office in January after losing the Republican primary for governor, has said factions want to use the courts to advance a political agenda. I will always fight for the right of Missourians to have clear, understandable ballot language when they vote on such an important fundamental issue as life, Ashcroft said in a statement. A bench trial a trial without a jury is set to begin Wednesday in Cole County Circuit Court over Ashcrofts fair ballot language. ASHEVILLE - Democratic candidates for Congress, the state legislature and Buncombe County praised Kamala Harris' recently released housing plan that includes up to $25,000 in down payment assistance and incentives for local governments to cut zoning rules that limit house and apartment construction. U.S. House 11th District candidate Caleb Rudow criticized Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's actions on housing, saying he failed to improve the housing situation, instead blaming immigrants for the country's problems and putting his greatest energy into giving "tax breaks to billionaires." Candidates and other officials at the Aug. 29 press event at Buncombe County party headquarters emphasized the need for a robust federal plan to deal with a crisis that has left the Asheville area with an estimated deficit of 14,000 housing units that need to be built by 2050, they said. U.S. House 11th District candidate Caleb Rudow criticized Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's actions on housing, saying he failed to improve the housing situation, instead blaming immigrants for the country's problems and putting his greatest energy into giving "tax breaks to billionaires." In past political environments that weren't so toxic and polarized this would be something that everybody would be on board for, he said of the plan by Harris, who officially became the party's presidential nominee this month. Amanda Edwards, left, and Mayor Esther Manheimer, right, listen as Parker Sloan speaks during a roundtable, August 29, 2024. Her plan builds on current policies under President Joe Biden and adds new ones with elements such as the down payment aid, rent assistance, tax incentives for builders of starter homes as well as taking away tax incentives that encourage investment entities to acquire large numbers of single-family homes. GOP Congressman Chuck Edwards, who will defend his Western North Carolina seat against Rudow in the Nov. 5 general election, panned Harris' ideas, blaming her for mortgage rates that rose nearly 200% from under 3% to almost 8% during her time in office. Edwards highlighted the plan's provision of a $400 monthly tax credit to help those struggling to pay mortgages, saying it "would saddle hardworking Americans with the responsibility to pay for others house payments while worsening our snowballing debt." Elected officials should cut government regulations and try to lower mortgage rates and construction costs, not offer subsidies, he said. Democratic Buncombe Commissioner Amanda Edwards who is running for Board of Commissioners chair said Harris' plan would have positive "ripple effects." "It's more construction jobs, which could mean better wages for folks. It could mean folks going back to community college to become plumbers, to work in HVAC all the things that are needed in the construction industry," she said. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer listens as Monique Pierre, president and CEO of the Housing Authority of Asheville, speaks during a roundtable at the Buncombe County Democratic Headquarters. August 29, 2024. Unaffiliated chair candidate and former sheriff Van Duncan declined to comment, saying he was unfamiliar with Harris' plan. Edwards said she and other Democrats in local government have worked hard and creatively to fight the housing crisis, and now plan to analyze where best to build housing in the county since land is the biggest cost. Brian Turner, who is running unopposed for the new North Carolina state House District 116 covering Asheville and central Buncombe, defended an approach that includes both incentives, disincentives and subsidies. "Generations of people have been the beneficiaries of federal support of housing, whether it's through the GI Bill, whether it's through the mortgage interest tax deduction, these are all sort of invisible supports that a lot of people don't recognize that they're getting," said Turner. Brian Turner, who is running unopposed for the new North Carolina state House District 116 covering Asheville and central Buncombe, speaks during a Democratic roundtable, August 29, 2024. More: Democrat Rudow wants debate for US House Western NC district; GOP Rep. Edwards is busy Biltmore Forest official: no need to contribute to affordable housing; richest NC town Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville Dems praise Harris housing plan, $25K down payment, tax aid New Athens bicyclist is the second in family to die in a highway crash in three years Abby Allen lost her husband when he and another man were fatally struck on Interstate 270 in St. Louis County while checking on her husbands FedEx tractor-trailer that had a mechanical problem. Three years later, her son was killed in an alleged hit-and-run near Sparta while he was riding his e-bike on a 17-mile commute to his home near New Athens. He had just got off work at the Taco Bell in Sparta. No charges were filed against the driver who hit Allens 49-year-old husband, Joseph Joe Dunn, in 2021. But the investigation is continuing into the death of her son, Christopher Chris Barnes, 32, whose body was found on Aug. 12. Randolph County Sheriff Jarrod Peters said a Sparta man has been identified as the alleged driver who struck Barnes but no charges have been filed. I want justice for both of them but it almost seems like its never going to happen for my husband, Allen said of Barnes stepfather. But Ill be damned if its not going to happen for my son. I cant do this twice. Im trying really hard to be nice about it, but inside, Im erupting like a volcano, and Im trying to keep a good game face on, but its truly very difficult, very difficult to do. Allen, 53, of Rocky Mount, Missouri, near Lake of the Ozarks, said its gotten hard for her to trust that someone will be held accountable for her loss. This is my second rodeo, and I didnt have a good experience the first time, she said. Ive just kind of lost some faith in the justice system, and I dont understand why theres no accountability anymore. Joseph Joe Dunn at a gym. He was fatally struck by a vehicle on Interstate 270 in 2021. Alleged hit-and-run Randolph County deputies found Barnes body after receiving a call at about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 12 about a possible motorcycle crash. Instead of a motorcycle, deputies discovered Barnes and a bike with an electric motor. They determined that Barnes had been riding the e-bike and was struck by a vehicle on County Road 18, two-thirds of a mile west of Gander Hollow Road near Sparta. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle involved in the accident as well as the alleged driver, Peters said in a news release this week. Peters released the mans name but noted the case remains under investigation by the sheriffs office, Illinois State Police and the Randolph County Coroners Office and that no charges have been filed. The 41-year-old man identified by Peters could not be reached for comment. The Belleville News-Democrat is not publishing his name since he has not been charged. Allen said her son liked being outdoors riding his e-bike and added that it had lights and reflectors. She has trouble comprehending why the driver didnt stay on the scene and try to help her son. I dont know what the case is, but you know, were human, and we have accidents, and I understand that, Allen said of the driver who struck her son, her voice cracking with emotion. But how can you just leave someone like that? Ill never understand. A mothers memories Allen said her son was picking himself back up off his feet. He loved living in a rural area near New Athens with his grandparents, who have a home on acreage. He was doing really good, she said. He had a job, saving some money. Allen said Barnes was fond of animals, especially cats, and loved being out in nature. He would help her with projects at her home and then they would take a boat ride on the Lake of the Ozarks. Barnes also enjoyed music and following current events in the news. We would talk politics and religion and all kinds of stuff, Allen said. He wanted a simple life, and he took a lot of pleasure in simple things that people that you know are just kind of caught up in everything overlook. This article was originally published in InvestigateWest. An audit of the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care found the agency could benefit from stronger oversight and equity training to improve governance of the states early learning system. Auditors findings, issued in a letter from the Secretary of States audits division to agency director Alyssa Chatterjee on July 24, align in part with critiques of the department voiced by current and former staff in an InvestigateWest investigation published in March. Employees sounded alarms including one who contacted Gov. Tina Kotek about what they saw as the agencys failures to foster equity, retain leaders and manage programs that serve Oregons lower-income families. Auditors spoke to at least three of those employees to learn more. Their final recommendations urge agency leaders to regularly review disciplinary decisions made by child care licensing investigators to ensure they are being made fairly; expand required equity and bias trainings; and improve coordination between regional and statewide authorities and among the various preschool and child care programs that the department manages. Agency leaders said they welcome the feedback and are already working to implement some of the recommendations. One of DELCs values is continuous improvement, said Kate Gonsalves, spokesperson for the Department of Early Learning and Care. In particular, Director Chatterjee valued the recognition of the intentionality that went into the launch of DELC. We are proud of this intentionality and appreciative of the chance to have this review so early in the agencys tenure. The audit examined how smoothly the early learning division transitioned out of the state education department into an independent agency. The Department of Early Learning and Care launched July 1, 2023, and auditors monitored its performance throughout its first year. Rather than complete a full audit, which takes longer and typically looks at established government practices and protocols, the audits division conducted its analysis in real time, so the findings would be available to the agency in a time frame that allowed leaders to act on them, said Laura Kerns, spokesperson for the Secretary of States Office. The benefit of a real-time analysis is that we can get in at the beginning before too much has happened and provide feedback as programs are being shaped and controls are being established, she said. Simply put, we hoped our review would help (the early learning department) get off to a good start as a new state agency. We also decided to send a letter instead of doing a full audit because we found DELC was generally on the right track, Kerns said. Valeria Atanacio was promoted to tribal affairs director of Oregons early learning department in 2022. A year later, she was demoted, with little warning, she said. (Amanda Loman/InvestigateWest) The letter noted the departments success in taking over management of programs and responsibilities previously handled by other departments, including the Employment Related Day Care subsidy that helps families afford child care. It is a more than $400 million program that is in high demand; since November 2023 thousands of families have been waitlisted. Reducing that waitlist is a high priority for staff. However, the audit said the agencys recordkeeping and budgeting practices could be improved: One example auditors pointed out was the decision to pay providers of Preschool Promise, the states free preschool program, during the pandemic without any enrollment requirement, in order to prevent closures. Preschool Promise is one of the early learning departments marquee programs, but has come under fire from legislators and the public for under-enrollment, which some employees told InvestigateWest was partly due to mismanagement. When auditors asked for documentation to show when and why the initial decision was made and how it was communicated to providers and the public, DELC staff were unable to provide that information, the letter states. The pandemic was a chaotic time; it is in these crucial times agencies should provide assurance and accountability for their decisions. In a letter responding to the audit, Chatterjee said the programs division will improve such documentation. The agency also launched a data dashboard to track Preschool Promise enrollment throughout the year and assist in reallocating spots where theyre most needed, and it reinstated enrollment minimums for providers to receive state money. The agency also implemented a new equity training program for managers in February, and is considering making the training mandatory for all staff, Chatterjee said. Training is one of several strategies mentioned in the agencys Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan that was announced in early July. The department also is completing a culture assessment initiated in the spring shortly after InvestigateWests reporting was published to gain a deeper understanding of our workplace dynamics, Chatterjee said. Leaders expect to review the results of that assessment in the fall, she said. This story was originally published by InvestigateWest, an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Northwest. Reporter Kaylee Tornay covers labor, youth and health care issues. Reach her at 503-877-4108 or kaylee@invw.org. On Twitter @ka_tornay. A pharmacy manager retrieves medication. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images). Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor has released a report detailing how the Department of Human Services failed to adequately oversee pharmacy benefit managers that provide prescription drug services for Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid. The result, DeFoor said, meant Pennsylvanians paid an estimated $7 million more for the Medicaid program in 2022 alone. The report specifically looked at the actions of the pharmacy benefit manager PerformRX, a Medicaid subcontractor. DeFoor alleged that PerformRX and likely other pharmacy benefit managers inaccurately reported profits from fees it charged to pharmacies as health care costs, and DHS never verified their claims. Those claims ultimately inform how much the state budgets for Medicaid funding in subsequent years. PBMs like PerformRX are counting on the fact that no one is checking their reporting so they can get paid a higher rate, DeFoor said at a Wednesday press conference announcing his findings. The Department of Human Services, however, disputed the reports claims. And with DeFoor, a Republican, on the ballot in November, some Democrats have accused him of acting politically. The results of this audit are overtly political and substantively wrong, state House Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), the Democratic candidate challenging DeFoor, posted on X Wednesday. He has had nearly four years to conduct an audit like this, but he never diduntil now, an election year. What is a PBM Pharmacy benefit managers are hired by insurance companies to handle the prescription side of their health care plans. In that role, they negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, often receiving kickbacks in exchange for approving coverage of their drugs. Theyre also responsible for reimbursing pharmacies when a patient picks up a prescription thats covered by their insurance. Many of the largest pharmacy benefit managers have come under intense scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators in both the state and federal government who accuse them of inflating the costs of prescription drugs and making massive profits in the process. Pharmacists too have long been sounding the alarm. They say that the companies have acted monopolistically to force them into accepting reimbursements that dont cover the cost of the drugs theyre dispensing. Since the beginning of this year, more than 140 pharmacies in Pennsylvania have closed, with the biggest pharmacy trade groups in the state pinning much of the blame on PBMs. Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill into law intended to rein in pharmacy benefit managers. Spread pricing and oversight Pharmacy benefit managers operating in the Medicaid space are banned from engaging in a practice called spread pricing. That is when pharmacy benefit managers charge insurance providers one price for a drug, reimburse pharmacists at a lower rate, and then profit off the difference. DeFoor found that PerformRX profited by charging pharmacists a transmission fee a flat fee on every prescription drug transaction. But that was never reported as profit to the Department of Human Services or managed care organizations that work with PerformRX. The Department of Human Services relies on reports from managed care organizations, which it contracts to oversee Medicaid health insurance plans. Those managed care organizations, in turn, hire pharmacy benefit managers to oversee their prescription drug services. Pa. Auditor General Tim DeFoor DHS accepted them at their word and never verified if this was actually true, DeFoor said at the press conference Wednesday. He added that his office was able to verify their claims by reaching out to pharmacists, who informed them of the unreported fee. PerformRX did not respond to a request for comment from the Capital-Star. In its official response to the audits findings, PerformRX acknowledged that it profited from the transmission fee, but said that it didnt believe they constituted spread pricing. The company said that the fees help reduce the administrative burden on the MCO (managed care organization) by offsetting some of the cost. PerformRX also said they retroactively revised their transparency reports to include the transmission fee. According to DeFoor, the lack of oversight of pharmacy benefit managers is particularly troubling when theyre often financially related to managed care organizations and insurance companies that contract them. Perform RX and Two of the managed care organizations that contracted PerformRX to handle Medicaid prescription services, AmeriHealth Caritas and Keystone First, can all tbe connected through subsidiaries to the same parent company, BMH LLC. When you have companies that are financially related, legally making money off taxpayers, state oversight even becomes more important, DeFoor said Wednesday. Pushback DeFoors critics say that his findings are based on a misunderstanding and that transmission fees should not be included in an account of spread pricing, according to existing practice and federal guidance. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) strongly disagrees with the conclusions drawn in this audit conclusions that are based on a fundamental misunderstanding of spread pricing, Brandon Cwalina said for the department in an emailed statement. The report uses spread pricing and transmission fees interchangeably, which is an inaccurate interpretation that serves as the basis for the audits conclusions. The department pointed to federal guidance released by the Center for Medicaid Services on how to calculate spread pricing, which did not mention transmission fees. Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny), another critic of DeFoors report, said that the Department of Human Services agreed this spring to ban transmission fees beginning in 2025 after pharmacists raised complaints. Moreover, it had already banned spread pricing by PBMs contracting with Medicaid providers. State Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, speaks during a rally at the Pennsylvania state Capitol advocating for direct service providers to receive more money in the 2022-23 state budget. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star). This audit is deeply unserious and misleading, Benham wrote in a press release Wednesday. PBM reform is a significant issue, one we have taken a big step to address, and the Auditor Generals problematic approach here detracts from the significance with which we should treat the problem of PBMs. Benham has campaigned with Kenyatta in the auditor generals race in this years election. I need a partner in that office who will help me hold Big Pharma accountable, ensure our schools are using their resources wisely, and wield that auditing power to look into abuses in all industries, she said in a Facebook post promoting a fundraiser with Kenyatta earlier this month. Benham was also the lead sponsor of the pharmacy benefit manager reform bill signed by Gov. Shapiro earlier this year, and she would like to go further. The bill did not ban spread pricing for pharmacy benefit managers working with commercial health care plans, despite many pharmacists requesting it. She worries that the report is pinning blame on the Department of Human Services and Medicaid administration, when the bigger fault lies with pharmacy benefit managers themselves and a lack of regulation. Why point fingers at an admin [sic] thats already taken and taking action? Benham said in a text message. Rep. Dan Frankel, the Democratic chair of the House Health Committee, also criticized both the audit and DeFoor. Im embarrassed for the auditor general, but hes not the first person to struggle to understand our health care system, Frankel wrote in a press release. Its far too complicated, and these massive companies intentionally use that fact to fleece health care consumers. DeFoors team, however, sees the distinction between spread pricing and transmission fees as a technicality. Whether you call it a transmission fee, or a rebate or a discount, its spread pricing, said Peggy Morningstar, who worked on the audit, at Wednesdays press conference. Moreover, Morningstar explained in a phone interview that a 2020 law aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers in the Pennsylvania Medicaid market explicitly required them to report the difference between how much theyre paid by a managed care organization and how much they pay a pharmacy. The Department of Human Services said in their response to the audit that they did not believe transmission fees were part of that equation. The main thing about all this is just one word: transparency, DeFoor said. Theyre not being transparent. April Hutchinson, a spokesperson for the Auditor Generals office, said that audits are not done to play gotcha or to try to pinpoint blame. She added that its uncommon for audits to receive so much pushback. She pointed to a report released last month on the Department of Transportations bridge inspection process. We highlighted similar issues actually with that audit of lack of oversight of state contractors, Hutchinson said. That audit found the Department of Transportation was overly reliant on contractors vouching for the certifications of the subcontractors they hired, and not verifying their claims. This overarching theme of monitoring and making sure that contractors are reporting accurate information to the state is not something unique here, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JERUSALEM, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel announced on Friday that it had killed Hamas' commander in Jenin, the West Bank, on the third day of one of its largest assaults in the Israeli-occupied territory in months. In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet domestic security agency identified the commander as Wassem Hazem. According to the Israeli military, Hazem was the head of Hamas in Jenin and was involved in orchestrating shooting and bombing attacks against Israelis. Hazem was killed in a vehicle that contained weapons during a gunfight. Two other Hamas militants were killed by a drone while trying to escape from the car. No injuries were reported among Israeli forces. Israel launched a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank early Wednesday, stating that the operation aims to prevent future attacks against Israel. Palestinian sources reported extensive damage to roads, homes, and infrastructure. The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed that 16 people have been killed in the raid. More than 650 people have been killed in the West Bank since the start of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 last year, according to the ministry. Authorities identify man fatally shot on NH-Maine bridge, wife and young son found dead Authorities on Friday identified the man who was fatally shot on a bridge connecting Maine and New Hampshire and his wife and son who were found dead on Thursday. Trent Weston, 37, shot and killed Brittany Weston, 37, and their 8-year-old son, Benson Weston, before a standoff on the Piscataqua River Bridge early Thursday that ended when officers shot and killed the Troy, New Hampshire man, the New Hampshire Attorney Generals office said. Brittany Weston was shot to death in the couples home and Benson Weston was found dead in the back of the car. Large scene at home where woman was killed before husband fatally shot by police, son found dead At this time, all evidence indicates that Mr. Weston is responsible for the deaths of both Britanny and Benson Weston, the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office said in a statement. Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Maine to New Hampshire shut down Just after 2 a.m. Thursday, the York Police Department in Maine received a call from Trent Weston who admitted to killing his wife during a fight at their home in the New Hampshire town of Troy, according to police. York police officers located Weston parked in a southbound lane on I-95 on the Piscataqua River Bridge in Maine around 2:30 a.m. and an hours-long standoff ensued. Trent Weston is believed to have killed Brittany Weston at the home in Troy before driving nearly two hours east to the bridge. An autopsy on Friday confirmed that Brittany Weston and Benson Weston were shot and killed, the New Hampshire AGs office said. Weston fell from the bridge after being shot and plunged into the river below. The Coast Guard responded to the scene and recovered his body. 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. 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 Plot Thickens The investigation into the sinking of a yacht earlier this month in Siciliy that killed seven people, including British billionaire Mike Lynch, is expanding. Italian authorities are now including two more crew members in its probe, The New York Times reports, joining the ship's captain, James Cutfield, who has been under a manslaughter inquiry since Monday. The 184-foot vessel, the Bayesian, capsized while at anchor just minutes after being caught in a storm the morning of August 19. There were 22 people aboard the yacht 10 crew and 12 passengers when it went down. Among the seven who died, six were passengers, including Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah. Newly under investigation, as of Wednesday, are the ship's engineer Tim Parker Eaton, who manned the engine room, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was serving as lookout the night of the sinking. No charges have been pressed yet, because in Italy being investigated doesn't necessarily mean that criminal charges will follow, according to the NYT. Too Big to Sink That a ship of the Bayesian's size and caliber sank so easily has raised concern among sailors and investigators and even the ship's manufacturer, which maintains that it should have been "unsinkable." There are also questions about why so many passengers perished, while all but one of the crew made it out alive. Raffaele Cammarano, the prosecutor of the case, suggested that the victims may have been asleep while the disaster swiftly unfolded. Whether any crew members were there to wake them up is "precisely what we are trying to ascertain," he said, as quoted by The Guardian. So far, only Cutfield, the captain, is under a manslaughter investigation for possible negligence that led to the deaths of the passengers. The 51-year-old New Zealander was interrogated by prosecutors on Tuesday, but exercised his right to remain silent. All nine of the surviving crew members, including Cutfield, have left Italy, according to the NYT. They were under no obligation to stay there, but were required to appoint legal representation before leaving, Reuters reported. Dredging Up The investigation is still in its nascent stages, but several red flags have already cropped up. Giovanni Costantino, CEO of the Italian Sea Group, which owns the Bayesian's builder Perini Navi, argued in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the ship being at anchor was one of them. He suggests that the crew may have failed to follow proper procedures, such as lifting anchor, steering into the storm, and securing all doors and hatches. According to CBS News, which cites reports by Italian media, prosecutors are investigating whether Eaton, the Bayesian's engineer, neglected to use security systems that automatically closed all these openings in the ship's hull, which could explain why it sank so rapidly. But to reiterate, no one has been charged yet. A crucial stage of the investigation will be salvaging the shipwreck, which currently lies 165 feet under the sea, and that will take considerable time. More on maritime disasters: Billionaire Yacht Was Piloted Recklessly Before Deadly Sinking, Its Builder Warns PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Labor Day travelers are advised to exercise caution this holiday weekend. Local authorities ask that you drive safely and plan ahead as they expect a spike in visitors coming into the area. Labor Day weekend is the last holiday break before summer wraps up. AAA found that Labor Day travel is up 9% compared to last year. Consumer spending remains strong. And one of the top things Americans are spending their money on is travel experiences. And weve seen that throughout the summer, and thats likely to continue into the Labor Day weekend, AAA Spokesman Mark Jenkins said. Authorities urge safety this holiday weekend AAA says travel costs are down by 2% and gas prices are below $3 in some areas. During the holiday, drivers are encouraged to have an alternative ride if they are going to be drinking. We have so many other alternatives and travel through ride, share, and the old designated driver. And we have a local record company or two thats willing to tow your car for free to your home if youve had too much to drink, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Jason King said. Lt. King also urges drivers to leave their road rage at home and pack their patience. Stranded motorists should try to get off the roadway as quickly as possible and keep an eye out for roadside workers. All drivers, were encouraging them to keep an eye out for our roadside workers. Theyll be on the shoulders of the road. Theyre risking their lives to help others. So do your part by slowing down and moving over to give them extra space, Jenkins said. AAA says the best time for road travel is in the morning or in the evening after dinner. Law enforcement teams will be out in full force to keep drivers safe. We usually team up with the Bay County Sheriffs Office. Sheriff Ford has been really good about keeping our DUI task force going. So you may see multiple agencies working together from FWC, the Florida Highway Patrol, Bay County Sheriffs Office, Lt. King said. Officers monitor the roads for speeding, seatbelts, and distracted driving. Florida Highway Patrol encourages drivers to make sure they have good tires and working windshield wipers before they travel. To contact Florida Highway Patrol, you can dial *FHP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Autopsy released for 9-year-old Zerick Ozuna who died near Lake Sherwood Autopsy released for 9-year-old Zerick Ozuna who died near Lake Sherwood TOPEKA (KSNT) Forensic Medical has released the autopsy report for 9-year-old Zerick Ozuna, a child killed in the Lake Sherwood neighborhood on June 20. According to the autopsy findings, Ozuna had the following injuries: Two stab wounds to the chest injuring the heart and left lung An abrasion of the head behind the right ear A small abrasion on the neck Small contusion of the left shin Two hemorrhages of the scalp According to the autopsy report released on Friday, the 9-year-old was located inside a house by his grandmother on a bed covered in blood. The child was suffering from multiple wounds to the chest and neck. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. Goat on the lam: Lawrence police wrangle goat causing traffic problems Forensic Medical of Kansas determined the cause of Ozunas death was stab wounds to the chest. They said the manner of death was homicide. According to a report obtained by 27 News through a Kansas Open Records Act request in July Ozunas mother, Shyla M. Goracke, 29 killed him in an act of intentional and premeditated first degree murder. Goracke died at a Kansas City hospital four days later. For more crime 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. Democratic strategist David Axelrod said late Thursday that he doesnt think voters know much about Vice President Harris and whether or not the Democratic presidential nominees policy views have changed much over the years. Axelrod joined CNN for a panel following Harriss first televised interview since she ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket. The interview was seen as a high-stakes moment during which she could share her policies, after being criticized by the right for her lack of media appearances. Shes also been criticized for shifting on policy issues including fracking and decriminalizing the border. Harris was adamant during the interview that her values had not changed. First of all, I dont know how much voters are sitting around thinking about this, Axelrod said about Harriss response. They dont know much about her, honestly. Theyre gaining information about her all the time. Axelrod added that voters have spent the last month being flooded with information about the vice president. He also said he thinks average voters arent concerned about whether or not she has changed her stance on certain issues since she ran in the Democratic primary in 2020. It may be a bigger issue to reporters and those who are undecided, he said. Axelrod noted that Harriss interview, broadcast on CNN, was one of the first major unscripted moments since the start of her campaign. Shes held packed rallies across the country and officially accepted the partys nomination at the Democratic National Convention, but each speech was planned and read off a teleprompter, he added. Part of whats interesting is how she answers those questions, and part of it is, is she comfortable doing it? Axelrod said. She seemed pretty comfortable there, to me. During the interview, Harris was also asked by CNNs Dana Bash about the comments former President Trump has made about her race. Harris is of Jamaican and South Asian descent, and Trump has criticized her for emphasizing different parts of her heritage at different times. Harris said its the same old, tired playbook from Trump and asked Bash to move on to the next question. Axelrod said it was absolutely the right thing for Harris to do, because it shows she is focused on what problems people have instead of attacking her rival. I think thats what the American people want to hear, he said. A new survey from The Wall Street Journal found 84 percent of respondents said they know enough about Harriss career and policy positions to have an opinion about her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) An initiative to invest extra funding into Colorado law enforcement has been certified by the Colorado Secretary of State to appear on the ballot in November for voters to decide. Advance Colorado Action, an advocacy group, announced that the so-called Back the Blue initiative, officially called Funding for Law Enforcement, would see $350 million supplied to law enforcement agencies across the state. The money would be used to improve training, compensation and recruiting of officers in Colorado. Coloradans will vote on whether to use ranked-choice voting in future elections Another proposal included in the initiative is a $1 million benefit that would be given to families who have had a family member serving as a police officer, firefighter or emergency service worker die in the line of duty. The state would use taxes, already collected from taxpayers, to fund the $350 million investment without introducing any new taxes to compensate. Former Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen has also voiced his support for the initiative. At least 124,238 signatures needed to be collected and submitted to the Secretary of the State in support of the initiative in order for it to appear on the ballot 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 FOX31 Denver. FILE PHOTO: Women work in a garment factory, as factories reopened after the government has eased the restrictions amid concerns over coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Dhaka By Anmol Choubey and Ruma Paul (Reuters) - Garment factories in Bangladesh, one of the world's biggest clothing production hubs, are struggling to complete orders on time as flooding disrupts their cotton supplies - exacerbating a backlog caused by recent political turmoil. Bangladesh is a leading global cotton importer due to the size of its textile and garment industry, but the devastating floods mean few trucks and trains have been able to bring supplies to factories from Chittagong port over the last week, industry officials and analysts said. The disruption, on top of the unrest and protests that led to factory closures earlier this month, have caused garment production to fall by 50%, said Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association. "The industry is now under immense pressure to meet deadlines, and without a swift resolution, the supply chain could deteriorate even further," Hatem said. Bangladesh was ranked as the third-largest exporter of clothing in the world last year, after China and the European Union, according to the World Trade Organization, exporting $38.4 billion worth of clothes in 2023. At the clothing factory she runs in the capital, Dhaka, Rubana Huq is counting the cost of lost production. "Even for a moderate-sized company like ours, which makes 50,000 shirts a day and if the price of one single shirt is $5, there was $250,000 of production loss," said Huq, a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). She said some garment plants were slowing resuming production, but estimated that complete recovery "would be at least six months away", warning that Bangladeshi manufacturers could lose 10%-15% of business to other countries. Bangladesh's readymade garments industry, which supplies many of the world's best-known fashion brands, accounts for more than 80% of the country's total export earnings. Buyers are adopting a cautious approach and could potentially delay new orders, said Shahidullah Azim, a director of the BGMEA industry group. "The longer this uncertainty persists, the more challenging it becomes for us to maintain the momentum we have built," he told Reuters. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said flood conditions could persist if the monsoon rains continued, as water levels were receding very slowly. Some cotton shipments could get diverted to India, Pakistan and Vietnam, commodity analysts said. "We are already hearing and seeing some cotton for prompt delivery wanted by Pakistan and Vietnam," said Louis Barbera, partner and analyst at VLM Commodities based in New Jersey. New orders shifted from Bangladesh could also be accommodated in southern India, said Atul Ganatra, president of the Cotton Association of India. Even before the floods and political unrest, the Bangladeshi garment industry was grappling with power shortages that remain a problem, said Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice president at the country's knitwear manufacturers and exporters association. "Energy shortages continue to hamper our operations," he said. (Reporting by Anmol Choubey and Swati Verma in Bengaluru, Ruma Paul in Dhaka and Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi; Editing by Naveen Thukral and Helen Popper) The BBC has denied reports it is considering a merger with Channel 4 as part of a radical plan to secure the Corporations long-term future. BBC bosses are said to have suggested a potential tie-up with the rival broadcaster ahead of crunch talks over the future of the licence fee. However, a BBC spokesman said: There are no ongoing discussions regarding the acquisition of Channel 4 and nor are we developing a proposal to do so. Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, said: The BBC have categorically denied this nonsense and hypothetical imaginings of ownership models will not distract us from delivering for our partners, stakeholders, audiences and the whole of the UK. Channel 4 is not for sale. A government source added that ministers were not currently considering any such move. The prospect of a merger between the BBC and Channel 4, reported by the Guardian, has been raised on several occasions in the past. Proponents of the move argue it would create a new British public service broadcasting powerhouse to challenge deep-pocketed streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney. Channel 4 avoided privatisation under the Conservative government last year, but has been thrown into a fresh crisis as the decline of traditional TV viewing and an advertising slump hit its finances. The youth-focused broadcaster outlined plans to cut 240 roles earlier this year in one of the biggest rounds of job cuts in its history, while it will also sell its London headquarters to help shore up its balance sheet. Meanwhile, the BBC is grappling with an exodus of viewers particularly among young consumers while it is seeking to cut 700m in costs each year by 2028 amid a squeeze on its income. Tim Davie, the BBCs director general, has kicked off a review of the licence fee. Negotiations with the Government over the BBCs future funding model will start in January, ahead of the end of the current Charter period in 2027. Click here to view this content. Industry observers have suggested that Channel 4 could be merged with the BBCs commercial arm BBC Studios. Bosses have increased their focus on this division in recent years in an attempt to generate more revenue from producing and distributing shows around the world. But a BBC source played down the suggestion, saying: I dont think we would need to merge with anyone. Weve got the scale generally. Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, has expressed support for the licence fee model, suggesting political pressures on the BBC might ease under a Labour Government. However, Ms Nandy has said that all options were under consideration, including a potential shared-ownership scheme. Other options for replacing the licence fee include replacing the household levy with a subscription fee, or linking the tax to other household bills such as broadband. 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. BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed powering China's high-quality development with the achievements of a Party-wide campaign on discipline education. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent instruction, which was read out at Friday's meeting of the Central Leading Group for Party Building. Noting that the Party discipline education campaign has achieved positive results, Xi urged greater efforts to eradicate breeding grounds for corruption and more effectively curb and eliminate corruption. Party members and officials should be guided to work diligently and actively while adhering to regulations and discipline, Xi said. Friday's meeting reviewed a set of guidelines for advancing regular and long-term Party discipline education. The meeting was presided over by Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, who also heads the Central Leading Group for Party Building. Li Xi, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the Central Leading Group for Party Building, attended the meeting. This round of Party discipline education campaign, which started in April, has come to an end, according to the meeting. It stressed further efforts to integrate Party discipline education into daily education, management and supervision of Party members and officials. MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) As Northern Michigan University celebrates 125 years since its establishment, a new exhibit is open to learn about the universitys history. The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Centers latest exhibit is called, Northern Tapestry: 125 Years of Stories. The exhibition explores the unusual, unknown, odd and sometimes challenging experiences that have helped make it the university it is today. Director and Curator at NMUs Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, Daniel Truckey says the exhibit shows little snippets of NMU history that most people are unaware about. I mean, I think one of the things about Northern is that because the population of the Upper Peninsula is so predominantly white, is the belief that there havent been people of color at the university, said Truckey. When in fact, there always were people of color at the university. In the 1920s, we had four different black students who went to Northern and graduated from Northern who were from Marquette, from the town itself. Women athletes from the 1960s and 70s who until the late 90s, never even received a letter. They got no awards for being athletes at the university. Its stories like that, that I came across while doing interviews with people and I think it was really fascinating, you know, some of the things that I learned. Northern Tapestry: 125 Years of Stories will be on display through February 1, 2025. The Beaumier Centers hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Entry is free to the public. For more information, 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 WJMN - UPMatters.com. Beaverton police release names of officers from deadly shooting at Cascade Plaza PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities have released the names of the Beaverton police officers involved in a shooting that left one man dead in Cascade Plaza on Monday evening. Officers shot Jacob Daniel Bundy, 39, of Portland outside the Nordstrom Rack at 9175 SW Cascade Ave. after they attempted to detain him and he pulled out a gun, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Kroger executives grilled for price hikes in federal court as Fred Meyer strike continues After a struggle in which Bundy fired his gun, Bundy was shot by police, the office said on Monday. Four days later, the sheriffs office identified Ryan Garbutt and Juan Flores as the two police officers involved in the shooting. Officer Garbutt had spent 20 years with Beaverton police while Officer Flores was in his final phase of training with the department. Portland police sergeant accused of drunk driving in Minnesota The Beaverton Police Department placed both officers on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol. Neither officer suffered any major injuries from the shooting. An investigation through the Washington County Major Crimes Team remains ongoing. 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. After flooding and storms dealt damage to many Vermont businesses this July, help is now available to owners, landlords, and farmers through Vermonts Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program. If you own a business in Vermont and can prove you sustained any physical damage to real estate, inventory, or equipment due to the flooding, you can apply. Businesses can get up to 30% of their damage costs reimbursed. While we know that the grant funding wont make anybody whole, we are hopeful that itll provide a crucial step toward recovery, said VT Department of Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein. Governor Phil Scott said, like we did last year, were using state money to provide $7 million in grants to businesses impacted by this years flooding. An additional $5 million was also approved by state legislature to help business owners still impacted by 2023s flooding. Commissioner Goldstein said that people impacted in 2023 have until the end of September to apply, while people impacted this year have until November 15. We will require folks to tell us what it will take for them to recover, repair, replace things that were damaged, and then to subtract out any insurance coverage if theres any, or any other grant program, said Commissioner Goldstein. Businesses hit by flooding both this year and last year, or owners of multiple businesses, can fill out multiple applications. While programs like this are important, Governor Scott admitted that they wont fully solve anyones problems, and encourages Vermonters to lend a helping hand to their neighbors. Governor Scott hopes that all Vermonters will continue to find ways to volunteer or donate in the same way you did last summer. These rural communities really need our help. 40% of all available funding is being reserved for applicants in the agricultural and forestry industries. Money is also being set aside for BIPOC applicants. Officials will be holding clinics in Saint Johnsbury on September 5, and in Lyndonville on September 9, to provide assistance and answer questions. Visit the BEGAP webpage to learn more, and apply using the application portal. Individuals can find a step-by-step walkthrough of the application 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 ABC22 & FOX44. FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS (Reuters) -The investigation into Telegram boss Pavel Durov that has fired a warning shot to global tech titans was started by a small cybercrime unit within the Paris prosecutor's office, led by 38-year-old Johanna Brousse. The arrest of Durov, 39, last Saturday marks a significant shift in how some global authorities may seek to deal with tech chiefs reluctant to police illegal content on their platforms. The arrest signalled the mettle of the J3 cybercrime unit, but the true test of its ambitions will be whether Brousse can secure a conviction based on a largely untested legal argument, lawyers said. In an unprecedented move against a major tech CEO, prosecutors argued Durov bears responsibility for the alleged illegality on his platform, placing him under formal investigation on organized crime charges. He is suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allows the posting of child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud. Durov's lawyer said on Thursday it was "absurd" for him to be held responsible and that the app abided by European laws, echoing an earlier statement by Telegram itself. 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 the probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or dropped. Durov is out on bail, but barred from leaving France. Brousse's unit began investigating Durov earlier this year after seeing his app being used for countless alleged crimes, and growing frustrated by the "almost total lack of response from Telegram to judicial requests", Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Wednesday. Brousse declined to comment. In an interview with newspaper Liberation in January, Brousse said her office was overseeing a growing number of probes involving Telegram and rival messaging app Discord, adding that tackling crime on them was "one of my battles". Jason Citron, Discord's CEO, did not respond to a request for comment. Brousse's J3 cybercrime unit is France's most important, with licence to prosecute nationwide. But it also is small, with just five prosecutors, well below the 55-60 cybercrime prosecutors in Switzerland, a 2022 parliamentary report found. With limited resources, they "prioritize the most serious crimes", Brousse told Le Figaro last year. Brousse said in a 2022 podcast appearance she wanted to be tough "so cybercriminals believe that if they attack France, they will be judged and punished very severely". "We want people to be prosecuted, either in their country ... or in France through arrest warrants," she said. Her office was used to "extremely sensitive cases", she added. "Sometimes, legal and geopolitical issues intersect." Patrick Perrot, who coordinates AI-assisted probes at the French gendarmerie and advises the Interior Ministry's cybercommand unit, said the J3 had been innovative in seeking to prosecute cases that set an international precedent. "I think it shows that you can't do whatever you want with these platforms," he told Reuters. "It's a real question for the future, because these platforms won't stop multiplying, so the challenge of regulation is essential." TOUGH LEGAL GROUND? Brousse has led the J3 since 2020, which has given her oversight of one of the most important - and controversial - French cybercrime cases ever. In late 2020, the J3 took charge of the probe into Sky ECC, which alongside Encrochat was one of the main encrypted communications services used by gangsters to buy drugs and weapons, or murder rivals. A few years earlier, French, Dutch and Belgian police had hacked into their servers, which were housed in northern France, giving French prosecutors jurisdiction over many of the resulting probes. There have been more than 6,500 arrests since the takedown of Encrochat in 2020, according to Europol, with the legality of the intercepts challenged in appeals courts across Europe. Paul Krusky, the Canadian Encrochat boss, was extradited in February from the Dominican Republic to France, where he now awaits trial. Lawyers for Sky ECC's Jean-Francois Eap are contesting his French arrest warrant. Stephane Bonifassi, Eap's lawyer, said his client was innocent, adding that "Sky ECC was not conceived as a tool for criminals, nor commercialized as such". Krusky's lawyer, Antoine Vey, said his client was innocent. "The service set up by Paul Krusky, like other services that have enjoyed global success, was only intended to protect the privacy and freedom of exchange of its users, and in no case to support criminal activities," Vey said in a statement. Two other French lawyers who have worked on Sky ECC and Encrochat cases told Reuters that these earlier probes gave prosecutors the ambition - and a blueprint - to target Durov. Robin Binsard, who has fought Encrochat cases at France's top court, said prosecutors would need to prove that Durov knew and approved of the criminality on the app, calling their argument "totally questionable". The fact that Telegram didn't comply with law enforcement requests "does not automatically make one an accomplice to a criminal project", he added. Binsard said it was clear "France is pursuing encrypted messaging providers", and that other operators of such apps, such as Signal, "should be concerned about whether or not they are in compliance with French regulations. Because the message is clear if they are not, legal action will take place". Signal did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A source at the Paris prosecutor's office said the Sky ECC probe had no links to the Telegram investigation. (Reporting by Gabriel StargardterEditing by Frances Kerry and Toby Chopra) Minsk rejects Kyiv's calls to remove troops from the border amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Belarus. Russian drone incursions into Belarusian airspace becoming the norm: In the latest Russian attacks on Kyiv, at least three Shahed drones entered Belarusian airspace. Belarus and China agreed to strengthen ties, signing free trade agreement during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Minsk. EU acknowledges Belarus' release of some political prisoners, demands unconditional freedom for all detainees. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's remarks on Russian state TV trigger backlash in Armenia and Kazakhstan, heightening regional tensions. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Kyiv, Minsk trade claims over intensified border tensions Kyiv has not officially requested Belarus to withdraw its troops from the border, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry has said amid more tensions between the two states. Minsks statement came after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 25 that Belarus was concentrating a significant number of forces at the Belarus-Ukraine border. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also said that former Wagner Group mercenaries were present at the border with Ukraine, and warned Belarusian officials against committing tragic mistakes under Moscows pressure. Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anatol Hlaz responded on Aug. 26, saying there had been no official requests from the Ukrainian side regarding troop withdrawals. Hlaz said the move might have been some kind of cunning game, designed for internal consumption or to receive applause from the West. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Minsk was concentrating Special Operation Forces, as well as weaponry, including tanks, artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), air defense systems, and engineering equipment near Homel, a city in the south of the country, close to its border with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech on the stand in front of the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine, congratulating the Ukrainian military on Aug. 4, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) The open-source monitoring project Belarusian Hajun reported that Belarus transferred around 1,000 troops to its border with Ukraine after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed his military had downed Ukrainian drones in Belarusian airspace. Belarusian Hajun instead linked the deployment to Ukraines ongoing incursion into Russias Kursk Oblast, where Kyivs forces claim to control around 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory. Ukrainian State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko, however, later said that the situation along the border remains unchanged. Ukraines defense forces are in full control of the border line, and no unusual situations have been reported along our state border, Demchenko said on Ukraines national telethon. In a rare move following the Wagner Groups failed munity in June 2023, the mercenaries issued a statement on Telegram claiming that they no longer participate in the war in Ukraine, restricting their operations to Belarus and Africa. The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalenko, said that 1,000 troops was insufficient to form a strike group capable of a full-fledged offensive from the territory of Belarus. All this information noise is directed at Russia because Lukashenko has to show Putin that he is doing something (for Russias war effort), Kovalenko said. Read also: Ukraine has not officially requested withdrawal of Belarusian troops from border, Minsk claims Russian drone incursions in Belarus continue amid large-scale attacks on Ukraine Several Russian Shahed attack drones went off course and entered Belarusian airspace during the latest massive Russian air attacks on Ukraine on Aug. 26-27, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said. He said three Russian drones flew into Belarusian airspace during Russias combined wave of attacks against Ukraine. Two Shaheds were spotted entering Belarusian airspace on Aug. 26, and another one on Aug. 27, Oleshchuk said. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Hajun open-source monitoring project reported there had been up to six airspace incursions by Russian attack drones on Aug. 27. Belarusian officials have yet to comment or make any protest to the Kremlin about the incidents. Lukashenko himself said on Aug. 10 that Belarusian forces had downed several allegedly Ukrainian" aerial targets. The drones were reportedly detected at least 85 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border. Belarusian Hajun branded Lukashenkos statement as nonsense. Read also: Belarusian aircraft shot at stray Russian drone for first time, monitoring group says Chinese Premier visits Minsk, signs Free Trade deal, other agreements on security, energy Belarus and China have agreed to develop ties in a range of sectors, including security, energy, logistics and finance, according to a joint statement released Aug. 23 following Chinese Premier Li Qiangs official visit to Minsk. Upon completing his first state visit to Russia as China's premier, Li arrived in Minsk on Aug. 22 to meet with Lukashenko and Prime Minister Raman Halouchanka. The sides signed an Agreement on Service Trade and Investment, creating a free trade zone. Lukashenko said the deal would help increase Belarusian exports to China by 12% and boost Chinese investments in Belarus by 30%. His press office reported that about 15 Chinese investment projects worth up to $3 billion are in development. According to the Chinese state-controlled China Daily newspaper, Chinas trade with Belarus was over $8.4 billion in 2023, making China Belarus second-largest trade partner after Russia. The statement also mentions strengthening China-Europe rail sector cooperation and further development of the Belt and Road initiative, Chinas infrastructure and logistics mega-project spanning 150 countries, also known as the New Silk Road. As part of Chinas Belt and Road initiative, Belarus was once described as the overland corridor between Asia and Europe. However, with the migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border worsening, Poland has now left open only one border crossing for cargo, one for civil transit, and one railroad checkpoint for use as part of the Chinese initiative. Then, with Poland considering a full shutdown of its border with Belarus, Polish President Andrzej Duda, during his visit to Beijing on June 24, raised the migration crisis issue and the corresponding cross-border traffic problems with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Following Dudas visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed Chinas hopes that the sides will solve the problem on a consultative basis." Minsk has recently been seeking to strengthen its ties with China. Belarus on July 4 joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Eurasian political, economic and defense organization led by Russia and China. Shortly thereafter, the Chinese and Belarusian militaries on July 8 conducted joint military drills at the Brestskiy training range next to the border with Ukraine and Poland. Although China officially maintains a neutral stance on Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine and denies providing lethal aid to Moscow, Beijing and Moscow are also continuing to strengthen their ties. EU takes note of release of some Belarusian political prisoners, urges unconditional release of all The European Union has taken note of the release of political prisoners in Belarus who were jailed for taking part in peaceful protests after the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, EU spokesman Peter Stano said in a statement posted on Aug. 22. "We share the relief and joy of the released individuals and their families, the statement reads. While noting that some of the released prisoners require urgent medical assistance, the EU urged Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, often held in life-threatening conditions and provide them with adequate medical care. The press office of Lukashenko announced on Aug. 16 that he had pardoned 30 people convicted of protest offenses. There are reckoned to be over 1,300 political prisoners in the country of about 9 million. As of Aug. 26, human rights activists have confirmed the release of 21 prisoners, some of them suffering from severe health conditions. The Viasna human rights organization reported the releases of the 74-year-old chairman of an independent trade union, Vasyl Berasneu, who was sentenced to nine years in prison and needed a kidney transplant, and cancer-sufferer Pavel Kuchynski, who was sentenced to five years of imprisonment despite being seriously ill. Belarusian state-controlled television revealed the names of eight of the released prisoners in two rounds of interviews. They included former journalist Kseniya Lutskina, who developed a brain tumor while in detention. Human rights organizations say they are maintaining information silence regarding the names of the other released prisoners, citing concerns for their safety. Early in July, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported the release of 18 political prisoners, including Ryhor Kastusiou, the leader of the pro-democracy Belarusian Popular Front party, and Darya Losik, the wife of blogger and RFE/RL reporter Ihar Losik, who is also in prison. A total of 39 political prisoners have been released since July 3, according to aggregated reports from human rights activists. Simultaneously, in July alone, 63 more Belarusians were recognized as political prisoners by the human rights community. It was also reported that political prisoners in Belarusian penal colonies were being coerced into writing pleas for pardons. Lukashenkos comments in interview spark anger in Armenia, Kazakhstan Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenkos criticism of Armenia and Kazakhstan and other members of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization sparked protests in Yerevan and Astana on Aug. 21. During an appearance on Russian state television, Lukashenko made derisive remarks regarding the Armenian pivot towards the West, saying, "Who needs Armenians? Nobody. Let them develop their economy and rely on their own resources. What is France? Who is (French President Emmanuel) Macron? Tomorrow, when Macron is gone, everybody will forget about the Armenians. France, which has a large Armenian diaspora, remains one of the country's strongest supporters. Lukashenko also criticized other CSTO countries, including Kazakhstan, for trying to take advantage of Russia while giving nothing in return. Referring to the violent protests in Kazakhstan in January 2022, which Russia and Belarus helped suppress at the request of Kazakhstans authorities, Lukashenko said that when something happened in Kazakhstan, Astana turned to Moscow and Minsk, not China, India, or Pakistan. In response to Lukashenkos comments, protesters in the Armenian capital Yerevan threw eggs and tomatoes at the Belarusian embassy, which Minsk later said it considered an act of vandalism. The Armenian Consultative Platform of Democratic Forces, which unites several political parties, also demanded that the country's authorities immediately sever diplomatic relations with Belarus until dictator Lukashenko is removed from office and recommended inviting "Belarusian president-elect (and exiled opposition leader) Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to visit Yerevan. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned Lukashenkos comments, saying that Lukashenko had betrayed both Belarusians and Armenians, acting on behalf of the Kremlin. On the same day, Kazakhstans Foreign Ministry summoned Belarusian ambassador Pavel Utsiupin, and called on Belarus to "objectively assess the position of Astana, maintaining that Kazakhstan pursues a balanced and peaceful foreign policy in accordance with the UN Charter and the fundamental norms of international law." Astana did not officially disclose the reason for summoning the Belarusian ambassador. Lukashenko's remarks have dealt another blow to the deteriorating relations between Armenia and Belarus. In June 2024, both countries recalled their ambassadors for consultations over Lukashenkos vocal support for Armenias neighbor Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has been in conflict for decades. While officially Armenias ally within the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Lukashenko expressed support for Azerbaijan in the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and reportedly supplied advanced weapons to Armenias rival between 2018 and 2022, likely giving Baku the upper hand on the battlefield. As a member of the CSTO, Belarus is obliged to defend a CSTO member state. Armenia called for CSTO assistance during Azerbaijans operation, but received no help from its allies, which resulted in Azerbaijan taking control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region in 2023. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has since said that no Armenian official, including himself, will visit Belarus as long as Lukashenko remains in power. Read also: Putin in Azerbaijan: Depleted by Ukraine, Russia plays a weaker hand in the South Caucasus Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Belgium will allocate 150 million euros ($165 million) to restore civilian and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts, the Ukrainian government announced on August 30. As part of its reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, Brussels has taken on the responsibility for rebuilding two regions, including the cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv, which have endured numerous Russian attacks since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Vasyl Shkurakov, Ukraine's acting minister for communities, territories, and infrastructure, signed memorandums with Dirk Desprez, resident representative of the Enabel Belgian Development Agency in Ukraine. The agreements outline plans for the reconstruction, renovation, and construction of education, healthcare, and energy infrastructure. Additionally, the two countries aim to build shelters in Ukraine and implement backup power and heating systems. President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a 10-year bilateral security deal in May, under which Brussels will provide at least 977 million euros ($1 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2024. Read also: Opinion: Restructuring Ukrainian debt is a step toward democratic victory Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Bell-ringing ceremony held for the over 70,000 lives lost 78 years ago HONOLULU (KHON2) A bell-ringing ceremony was held for the victims of the Nagasaki atomic bombing Thursday morning. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You August 9th marked the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. To honor the victims, families and friends went to the Frank Fasi Civic Center grounds, home to the Nagasaki Bell, to ring it in memoriam of the lives lost. Early entry deadline approaching for Kaiwi Coast Run and Walk The bell is a memorial gift from survivors of the bombing. In 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in the deaths of over 70,000 people and leading to the conclusion of World War II. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news This ceremony is just one way those souls can be commemorated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Bellingham man currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail and awaiting trial for attempted murder has been charged with a felony after allegedly breaking an electronic tablet and using a broken piece of the plastic to make a knife. Charles Anthony Quintanilla, 33, was charged Wednesday, Aug. 28, in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of weapon possession by a prisoner, a felony. He was expected to make his first appearance in court for the case the same day. Records from the hearing were not immediately available Thursday, Aug. 29. On Monday, Aug. 26, Whatcom County Sheriffs Office corrections deputies working in the downtown Whatcom County Jail discovered a large plastic piece was missing from one of the electronic tablets that are available to people incarcerated in the jail. Corrections deputies determined the tablet had been used by someone in housing unit 2A, and found the missing plastic piece in cell 1, with Quintanilla, according to court records. The 2A housing unit, or cellblock, is a unit where incarcerated people are required to be in their cells 23 hours a day. They are only allowed out of their cells one hour each day, where they are allowed to be in the common area of the cellblock and the recreation area. Each cell in the housing unit contains a maximum of two incarcerated people, but some cells only have one person in them, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald. The piece of hard plastic was approximately a quarter-inch thick, 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. Roughly 5 inches had been ground down to a curved sharp edge on one side, with a sharp point on the end, while the bottom had been wrapped in bandages in an attempt to make a knife, court records state. A sticker with a serial number on the tablet was still on the piece of plastic. Quintanilla allegedly admitted to deputies that he had removed the plastic from the tablet and made the knife, and told them how he did it. The tablet was later determined to have been issued to Quintanilla on Aug. 22, according to court records. Attempted-murder arrest Quintanilla has been incarcerated in the downtown Bellingham jail since his arrest Oct. 10, 2023 for allegedly attempting to strangle a woman to death. Shortly before 9:40 p.m. on Oct. 10, Quintanilla called 911 and disclosed that he was suicidal and had assaulted a woman known to him at his Bellingham residence. While on the phone with a Bellingham Police Department officer, Quintanilla told them how he wanted to hurt the woman, and how he had strangled her until she lost consciousness, the court documents state. Medical personnel and officers on scene found the woman had bruising and redness on her neck consistent with strangulation. The woman told officers she feared for her life and believed Quintanilla was trying to kill her, records state. Quintanilla was arrested without incident and read his Constitutional rights. He then told officers he had planned to kill the woman that night and no one would be able to stop him. He said he hoped she would have stopped breathing when he strangled her, and told officers he planned to take his own life after taking hers, according to court records. Further investigation by Bellingham police revealed that Quintanilla expressed having an urge to seriously harm and kill innocent civilians by dressing up in a Halloween mask and going on a stabbing spree. Quintanilla told officers he would feel fulfilled to cause others harm and make people feel the pain he feels inside himself, the records state. He was charged Oct. 13, 2023 with one count of attempted first-degree murder (domestic violence), and one count of first-degree assault (domestic violence). His assault charge includes an alternative lesser charge of second-degree assault (domestic violence). All are felonies and include domestic violence enhancements that allege Quintanilla committed the crimes against an intimate partner, court documents show. Quintanilla was denied bail and will remain incarcerated until his court case is resolved. He pleaded not guilty to the charges Oct. 20, 2023, court records state. His trial is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 14. Resources NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Whatcom: https://www.namiwhatcom.org/crisis-resources.html Washington State Crisis Line/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 or text HOME to 741741 for a crisis counselor. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. An online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org Whatcom County Triage Center Crisis Line: 800-584-3578 Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org Brigid Collins Family Support Center professionals are on-call between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer questions about children, families, abuse prevention or treatment at (360) 734-4616. Child Protective Services: Washington state hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect, 866-829-2153. Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org. Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015. Tlils Taaaltha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips. WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/. If you or a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and make a report to law enforcement. To report child abuse or neglect call 1-866-END HARM. FLORIDA (WMBB) Despite announcing his resignation last month, former University of Florida President Ben Sasse will retain his $1 million salary for at least the next four years. His contract states that his salary will remain due to his continuing responsibilities with the university, including serving as president emeritus, professor, and external advisor to a board of trustees chairperson. Sasse has faced criticism for heavy spending during his two-year tenure. A student-run newspaper found that in his first year as president, the university spent over $17 million, which is over $11 million more than last year. They also found Sasse hired former staff members from his time as a U.S. Senator. With some earning twice as much as they made in their government positions. Sasse will continue to receive his $1 million salary until February 2028 or until he resigns from his other positions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Alternatively known as the Y-9LG, the Y-8GX-12 is another ECM version based on the Y-8 Category III Platform. It was first identified in satellite imagery in late 2017. Surprisingly, considering its assumed role, the Y-8GX-12 has a balance beam radar antenna above its fuselage, as found on the KJ-200 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. It is believed, however, that the radar aboard the Y-8GX-12 is instead used for long-range jamming, using its powerful electronically scanned radar beams to suppress enemy radar signals. Rarely seen in detail before now, Chinas Y-9LG electronic warfare platform understood to be a long-range jamming platform is taking part in military drills with Thailand, affording observers a much better look at this innovative design. As well as being among the most recent additions to Chinas expanding special missions fleet, the Y-9LG continues an impressive line of versions based on the versatile Shaanxi Y-8/Y-9 four-turboprop transport series. And finally for me the most interesting one the Y-9LG number 30211 (Images by LoveAirplanes via Oneninety from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/pmRfLmihQJ @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 30, 2024 Falcon Strike 2024 PLAAF Y-9LG ECM/ELINT/EW(?) Platform pic.twitter.com/m3Ys6PaxKO David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 30, 2024 Quick trip up to northern Thailand to photograph PLAAF and PLANAF air assets for the first time. As usual it's the non-fast jets which were the highlight for me with a PLAAF Y-9LG EW-SIGINT platform (30211) and KJ-500 AEW&C (30178) taking part in Ex Falcon Strike at Udon Thani pic.twitter.com/0hymewUk4N Mike Yeo (@TheBaseLeg) August 30, 2024 New photos of the Y-9LG have been emerging from Exercise Falcon Strike, joint air force maneuvers involving the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), and the Royal Thai Armed Forces that are currently taking place at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. As well as a Y-9LG, the PLA contingent in Thailand includes a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, J-10C multirole fighters, JH-7A maritime strike aircraft, and tactical helicopters. While the KJ-500, J-10, and JH-7 have been involved in previous Falcon Strike drills, the appearance of the Y-9LG is new. Next in line of the revealed "Eagle Strike 2024" participants, the two former PLAN Naval Aviation JH-7A, namely the serial numbers 83296 (yellow on tail) & 83395 (still red on intake). (Images by LoveAirplanes via Oneninety from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/Iubr7hpZgA @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 30, 2024 The PLAAF-Thailand Air Force exercise "Falcon Strike 2024" concluded today at Udon Air Base. pic.twitter.com/H1hZkgCk27 OSINT Expert (@OsintExperts) August 30, 2024 Alternatively known as the Y-8GX-12, under the High New designation series, the Y-9LG was identified in satellite imagery as long ago as late 2017 but has been seen only rarely since then. As of early 2023, however, it was finally reported that the aircraft had entered service with the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The operating unit for the Y-9LG is reported to be the PLAAFs 20th Specialized Division, part of the 58th Air Regiment based at Guiyang-Leizhuang, within the Southern Theater Command. This is responsible for, among others, the highly strategic South China Sea, although it would also likely be involved in any major operation directed against Taiwan. We finally have a clear image of an operational PLAAF Y-9LG (Y-8GX-18) ECM/ELINT type and according to its serial number 30211, it is assigned to the 20th Specialised Division, 58th Air Regiment based at Guiyang-Leizhuang (STC). (Image by KOREENOR via Planespotter) pic.twitter.com/OF6rZ37Sla @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 29, 2024 The most prominent feature of the Y-9LG is the balance beam radar antenna mounted above the fuselage, similar to that found on the KJ-200 AEW&C type. However, while the KJ-200 is equipped with a phased-array early warning radar, the Y-9LGs balance beam is understood to contain an array used in an offensive capacity. In this case, it pumps out electronically scanned radar beams to jam enemy radar signals, making the Y-9LG able to execute complex pinpoint electronic attacks against multiple targets over long distances. A KJ-200 airborne early warning and control aircraft. via X A KJ-200A operated by the 26th Division, PLAAF. B747SPNKG/via Chinese internet Other electronic warfare equipment is found around the Y-9LGs airframe, including in an enlarged nosecone, presumed to contain another electronic warfare antenna. Fairings on the sides of the rear fuselage likely serve side-looking electronic intelligence or electronic support measures (ELINT/ESM) antennas. Additional ESM antennas are installed below the forward and rear fuselage and also atop the tailfin. The ESM capability allows passive monitoring of radio-frequency transmissions, meaning the Y-9LG can also be employed as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system, gathering data and geolocating aircraft and ship radars, and land based facilities at extended ranges. Finally, an apparent SATCOM antenna is located on top of the forward fuselage. Providing this analysis is correct, and there remains some uncertainty about the specifics of the aircrafts role, the Y-9LGs wartime mission would be based around disrupting a host of enemy equipment including command and control communications, radar, and navigation systems to hamper its activities and, above all, its capacity for battlespace coordination. Much like the U.S. Air Forces new EC-37B Compass Call aircraft, which only just entered service, and its EC-130H predecessor, therefore, the Y-9LG would operate from a standoff position, its powerful radar being brought to bear against enemy communications systems, but also for other types of electronic attacks and jamming. With its additional ELINT/ESM sensors, the aircraft would also be able to gather intelligence on a host of threat emitters, which it could detect, track, and geolocate. These sensors could be attacked using potentially highly directional radar beams from its own main antenna or could be handed over to other assets to deal with, including with kinetic attacks, another increasing area of interest for the PLA. There is also the possibility that the Y-9LG will be able to trigger cyber attacks, a growing threat that TWZ has also discussed in depth in the past. A U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 27, 2017. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly An EC-130H Compass Call travels along the taxiway at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 27, 2017. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly While intended to perform its mission at standoff ranges, there are growing questions about the survivability of platforms of this kind in a high-intensity conflict against a peer-type adversary. After all, the sensors aboard the Y-9LG require a line of sight to the targeted emitter to perform their function. The survivability of the EC-37B, as well, has been a matter of some debate, as high-end long-range air defenses continue to proliferate. That said, the PLA has the relative advantage of operating in its own backyard, at least in the example of a conflict in the Asia Pacific region. The Y-9LG is the latest long-range jamming platform based on the Y-8/Y-9, its by no means the first. The PLA inventory already includes the Y-8GX-3 based on the earlier Y-8 Category II Platform which was first identified around 2005. Assigned the Western reporting name Mouse, and also known as the Y-8G, this is a long-range electronic countermeasures aircraft, with prominent hamster cheek fairings on the sides of the forward fuselage that likely house antennas that provide standoff jamming capabilities. A PLAAF Y-8GX-3 or Y-8G standoff jamming aircraft used by the PLAAF. via X The apparent successor to the Mouse is the Y-8GX-11 (alternatively known as the Y-9G) which was first identified in 2014 and is based on the more modern Y-8 Category III Platform, derived from the Y-9 transport. Reportedly, the Y-8GX-11 uses active phased-array radar technology to suppress enemy radar transmissions and communications, with antennas being housed in three large oval and rectangular-shaped fairings on each side of the fuselage. Other antennas are mounted on the tailfin and in a distinctive chin radome, while there are also various blade antennas arranged below the fuselage and semi-spherical antennas below the wingtips. A PLAAF Y-8GX-11 or Y-89 standoff jamming aircraft used by the PLAAF. via X The Y-8GX-11 is encountered fairly regularly operating near the highly strategic Taiwan Strait, but these aircraft also venture close to Japan and have made deployments to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Finally, the Y-8GX-13 (also known as the Y-9Z), one of the most modern of the PLAs special mission aircraft, is also thought to have a standoff jamming function. However, this aircraft is expected to be something closer to a multi-role electronic warfare platform, with other missions likely including electronic intelligence, ground surveillance, and possibly psychological warfare. Starting in 2023, the Y-8GX-13 has been encountered close to Taiwan, but it also operates in the western Pacific near Japan. Only earlier this week, an example was reported as having entered Japanese territorial airspace, in an unprecedented incident you can read about here. Earlier this week, Japan reported that a Chinese Y-9Z surveillance aircraft violated its airspace in what it says is the first time such an incident has taken place. Japanese Ministry of Defense Japanese Ministry of Defense While these various standoff jamming platforms may appear somewhat antiquated, their capabilities should not be underestimated. They also point very clearly to the PLAs focus on denying the effective use of the electronic spectrum to any of their potential enemies. Its also clear that the Chinese military is rapidly developing jamming capabilities for its combat jets, both land-based and carrier-based, as well. Overall, the PLA is developing an increasingly capable and layered set of aerial electronic warfare capabilities paralleling that fielded by the U.S. military. There is a particular emphasis on providing support from standoff distances, complementing tactical aircraft that would be expected to actually penetrate and operate within enemy air-defense bubbles. An extremely broad overview of the layers of aerial electronic warfare capability currently available to the U.S. military. The Chinese appear to be working on fielding a very similar set of capabilities, with the Y-9LG (and similar platforms) filling the same general role as the EC-130H. GAO At the same time, providing this kind of jamming support from the air is just one aspect of the multi-domain electronic warfare capabilities that the PLA is assembling. Other systems are being developed for ground and sea assets, reflecting the nature of potential combat environments in the Asia Pacific region. Its also notable that the Y-8/Y-9 platform, as we have discussed before, lends itself particularly well to operations from more dispersed and even austere bases. Already, the turboprop-powered special missions aircraft routinely appear at some of Chinas island outposts, as well as operating regularly in the Taiwan Strait. One of the first inflight images of the Y-9LG to emerge. via X When it comes to Taiwan, providing electronic warfare support from the air (as well as on the ground and at sea) would be a key mission in any major Chinese military intervention across the Strait, especially bearing in mind the significant air-defense capabilities that Taiwan can bring to bear. A larger-scale conflict against other potential adversaries in the broader Indo-Pacific region, such as India or even the United States would also see intense efforts to dominate the electro-magnetic spectrum. This is something that the U.S. military is well aware of. For example, back in 2021, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Frank Kendall specifically warned that electronic warfare capabilities were one of the areas of the PLAs focus. He observed that China has been increasing inventory levels and the sophistication of their weapons and modernizing redundant systems throughout the kill chains that support their weapons. This huge Chinese investment in airborne standoff ISR also includes AEW&C, leading to a diverse and growing fleet that we have profiled in the past. While the exact capabilities of the Y-9LG remain mysterious, as befitting its shadowy electronic warfare mission, its appearance in a bilateral exercise signifies not only its importance in a variety of potential scenarios but also reflects, more broadly, the PLAs strong emphasis on fielding new, robust electronic warfare capabilities as it continues its modernization drive. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting to study opinions in promoting the high-quality development of the insurance industry. The meeting also discussed the deployment and implementation of work related to an all-encompassing approach to food. The meeting reviewed and adopted the implementation plan for accelerating the improvement of the flood control system in the Haihe River Basin and the draft of management regulations on network data security. A revised draft of the maritime law of the People's Republic of China was also discussed at the meeting. The Sacramento region holds great food at all price points, from an anniversary destination or a ritzy steakhouse to an unassuming Moroccan cafe or a well-trodden community burger joint. These were the best meals that I, The Sacramento Bees food and drink writer, ate in August around the capital region. All reviews were first published in my free weekly newsletter; sign up for future editions at bit.ly/bee_food_drink_newsletter. Rose Park Bistro Rose Park Bistros lobster bucatini includes garlic-roasted tomatoes, shrimp and lemon breadcrumbs. Rose Park Bistro is a welcome new addition to Fountains at Roseville shopping center, suitable for special occasions or just a nice dinner after picking out some clothes. Opened in December 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 be celebratory as well as intimate. On my visit, we were neighbored by a young womans group birthday dinner on one side and a couple on the other side sharing sparkler-topped dessert for their 63rd wedding anniversary. 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 fore. 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. 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: 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 Little Morocco Cafe Kefta Tagine ($16.95), meat balls cooked in tomato sauce served with bread or rice at Little Morocco Cafe, 716 Seventh St. Rejoice, downtown Sacramento workers: an excellent new breakfast-and-lunch spot has emerged on the ground floor of affordable housing development 7th & H Apartments. Little Morocco Cafe, opened by Moroccan immigrant Jamaleddine Kabbaj in February, celebrates the North African nations cuisine with trademark touches of warm hospitality. The halal restaurant (menu boards are designed to look like Islamic arches) doubles as a caffeine bar, where a small espresso corner plays second fiddle to cups of mint-infused green tea poured from ornate silver kettles. Couscous is a Friday-only special, along with mahi mahi in spiced cream sauce, but tagines and kebabs are available throughout the week along with Moroccan-influenced salads and sandwiches. That tea pairs great as a breakfast pick-me-up with baghrir ($4.50), a trio of miniature pancakes soaked in honey and butter. Made with semolina flour, theyre left unflipped in the pan to fill with spongy air bubbles. Dates and harissa-tossed chickpeas add flair to Little Morocco Cafes green and quinoa salads. The Marrakech chicken sandwich ($11) is an unassuming gem served with crinkle-cut fries: lemon-marinated shredded chicken, salty green olives and a touch of heat meld beautifully together on the chewy baguette. France has beef bourguignon, Mexico has birria and Morocco has tangia ($17), the name of both the beef dish and the clay pot in which its cooked. Two slow-cooked hunks of tender, stringy beef were bathed in a delicious yellow sauce made with preserved lemon, saffron and cumin. Address: 716 Seventh St., Sacramento Hours: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday Phone: 916-246-0009 Website: littlemorocafe.com Drinks: Tea is the house drink, but theres a coffee bar as well, and refreshing mint and strawberry lemonades for the summertime heat. Vegetarian options: All breakfast items and salads are meatless, but only the Berber veggie delight sandwich (grilled eggplant, zucchini, red bell peppers and harissa aioli on a baguette) and Friday couscous among the heartier items. Noise level: Quiet Outdoor seating: None Skips Kitchen Skips original ($12.70) a seasoned, hand-packed ground sirloin/chuck blend with tomatoes, red onions, pickles, lettuce and a house sauce. Its served at Skips Kitchen in Carmichael with criss-cut fries or sweet potato fries. Sometimes, you just want a really good burger. Northeastern Sacramento County residents have gravitated toward Skips Kitchen for the past 13 years when that feeling has struck. Everything is approachable at Skip Wahls gourmet-casual restaurant, a Carmichael dive along El Camino Avenue that emphasizes down-home food done right. Your meal will be comforting, and it might be free: employees fan out of a deck of cards after every order, and anyone who pulls a joker gets their food on the house. Mini beef Wellingtons ($11.59) are a unique starter that exemplifies that highbrow/lowbrow model. Five bite-sized strip steak pieces are marinated in oil and a proprietary spice blend, then wrapped in white wine-cooked mushroom duxelles before being covered with buttery, flaky puff pastry and served with a piquant dipping sauce. Its the rich mans version of pigs in a blanket, a happy hour version of a 1960s classic. A hamburger feels mandatory for any first-timer, and while deluxe versions have cherrywood-smoked bacon or mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter, I opted for the Skips original ($12.70) featured in Sacramento Eats: Recipes from the Capital Regions Favorite Restaurants. A six-ounce, 85% lean blend of ground sirloin and chuck came nestled with tomatoes, red onions, pickles, lettuce and a house sauce (ketchup, mayonnaise and whole grain mustard) between two brioche buns. It comes with your choice of criss-cut or sweet potato fries: the former were fried too long on my visit to keep a fluffy center, so my recommendation is the latter. Skips underrated star is a salad, of all things. The heap ($9) is as big as it sounds, a mound of spring greens and romaine lettuce with wonderfully contrasting bites of sweet-candied walnuts and dried cranberries, crunchy carrot ribbons and celery and savory bacon and blue cheese. Address: 4717 El Camino Ave., Carmichael Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday Phone: 916-514-0830 Website: skipskitchen.com Drinks: Beer, wine and soda in old-fashioned translucent Coca-Cola cups. Vegetarian options: Housemade mushroom-walnut patties are available for all burgers, and a few salads are meatless. Noise level: Pretty loud Outdoor seating: A shaded patio with faux turf and picnic tables thats nicer than the interior, though roadside Vs Paradise Pacific black cod ($43), served over a reduced congee base with broccolini at Vs Paradise. In Old Sacramento, its been a rough ... while. A $47 million planned renovation announced in 2019 was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and violent crime spiked last summer on the historic waterfront. Even Mayor Darrell Steinbergs August announcement that the revitalization funding was mostly back came on the heels of Rio City Cafe closing after 30 years on the waterfront. One spot of hope? Vs Paradise, a steakhouse that opened in March in the 7,000 square feet of Front Street that once housed Fat City Bar & Cafe. Its clubby enough to have carousels of bright cocktails presented with dry ice, historic enough to include original fixtures and interesting enough to pull in complementary Armenian and Asian tastes. Take the Armenian Caesar ($16), a steakhouse staple with one or two key differences at Vardan Sargsyans restaurant. The salad includes radicchio alongside romaine lettuce and is topped with a mountain of shredded Parmesan as well as chaimen, an Armenian spice mixture that adds extra crunch and a hint of heat. Local chef Tyler Bond (formerly of Lemon Grass Restaurant, now working to open modern Chinese-Vietnamese concept Chu Mai) consulted on the opening menu, and his touches still appear in items such as the Pacific black cod ($43). Served over a reduced congee base with broccolini, the tender fish was partially slathered with a terrific miso mustard sauce and dusted with charred leeks. Meatier options range from steak frites ($42) with shallot jam to rib-eyes ($69) with bordelaise sauce. Yet some of these entrees feel like more flash than finesse, such as salty, boneless Wagyu short ribs ($57) in a rich demi-glace. Address: 1001 Front St., Sacramento Hours: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m-midnight Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday-Tuesday Phone: 916-888-8800 Website: vsparadiserestaurant.com Drinks: Full bar, including an arak-rum-date-rose water cocktail called jalabi, and a high-end wine list. Vegetarian options: No entrees, but sides and small plates such as tomato gazpacho and warm Brie with apricots. Noise level: Loud Outdoor seating: None President Biden will travel to Wisconsin and Michigan next week for events to tout his administrations efforts to lower costs a sign he is increasing his presence in battleground states ahead of Novembers election, even after ending his candidacy. The White House announced Biden will head to Wisconsin next Thursday to highlight his administrations investments in local communities. He will then visit Michigan to deliver a similar message the next day, the White House said. Bidens stops in Michigan and Wisconsin will come after a Monday rally in Pennsylvania alongside Vice President Harris, marking their first joint campaign event since Harris replaced the incumbent atop the Democratic ticket. The presidents three stops next week will be his first nonvacation travel in weeks, and its no coincidence that he is visiting the three states that make up whats sometimes called the blue wall. Harris will likely need to win all three states in November if she is to defeat former President Trump. Biden announced July 21 that he would not seek reelection amid pressure from other Democrats to step aside following a disastrous debate performance against Trump. Dozens of elected Democrats had urged Biden to pass the torch to another candidate, questioning whether he could defeat Trump in November. Since taking over the top of the ticket, Harris has erased Trumps polling lead and raked in millions of dollars in donations as she has energized the partys base. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 plan for a new downtown Boise YMCA is still riding strong, despite growing doubts about the planned redevelopment of nearly three city blocks that would include the new Y. Faced with high interest rates, a labor shortage and expensive materials, the developers seek to pare down the project, including cutting out 185 apartments. But the new, 109,000-square foot Y is still on track, say those involved. Developers are planning to redevelop multiple blocks of land in downtown Boise just south of Boise High School. This rendering shows the proposed new downtown Boise YMCA, at left, and a 15-story building that was planned next door. The developers may cut the apartments from the 15-story building amid poor market conditions. The future of the YMCA was underscored when the YMCA, the city of Boise and the Idaho Workforce Development Council announced a $2 million donation from Idahos Kissler family to support the construction of the Ys child care center. The YMCA, no matter what you read, is a go project and it is going to be built, said Jim Kissler, the former CEO of Boises Norco Inc., whose father built the medical supply company. The donation is set to fund the Kissler Family Early Education Center next to the future CapEd Downtown Boise Y, doubling the organizations downtown child care capacity to 123 children, according to a news release. The center will serve children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The goal of this project overall is to remove all the obstacles and provide the support needed so that all members of our community can become healthier, learn to grow and strive, said David Duro, the CEO of the Treasure Valley YMCA, during a Thursday news conference at the Capitol. David Duro, the CEO of the Treasure Valley YMCA, speaks at the news conference. Jim Kissler, the former CEO of Boises Norco Inc., is at right. Child care shortage in Idaho The center will help solve the widespread and lingering child care shortage in Idaho, Wendi Secrist, executive director of the Idaho Workforce Development Council, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview. The council is contributing $1 million to the Y. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho had some of the highest rates of child care deserts in the United States, Secrist said. There were nearly 21,000 children in need of care in Idaho but whose families could not reasonably access child care in 2019, according to a study from the Bipartisan Policy Center. The shortage worsened when the pandemic permanently shut down centers across the state, Secrist said. More than 200 centers closed, and 30% of the closures were early childhood centers, according to the news release. The new Kissler Family Early Education Center would be located next to the future CapEd Downtown Boise Y and double the organizations downtown childcare capacity. Were barely at break even now with the amount of seats that weve lost in the state due to the pandemic versus what weve been able to create with the new programs, Secrist said. It has been an immense challenge in Idaho, and Id love to say that were absolutely headed towards not counting this as one of the challenges in the state, but were not there yet. We need to continue to add to our capacity. The lack of child care isnt just an issue for parents, Secrist said. Without someone to watch their children, parents are often forced to stay at home removing a chunk of the population from the workforce and affecting the states economy and businesses. Child care is critical infrastructure in a community, Secrist said. If we want our economy to continue to grow and thrive, we have to make sure that our people, Idahoans, have the ability to access jobs. And in order to be able to access jobs, weve got to have child care available. This rendering shows a potential room of the future Kissler Family Early Education Center. Secrist said public-private partnerships like the one developing the Ys Kissler Family Early Education Center is one solution. Another is for employers to invest in child care, as Micron is doing in Southeast Boise. The YMCA will operate that soon-to-open center. Employers could try including child care in employees benefits packages or giving workers the opportunity to contribute to a flexible spending program like a health savings account that could go toward child care. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said having child care available can help employees focus on their jobs rather than worrying about their kids. We need to be creative in how we come up with child care solutions in our city and in our state, McLean said at the news conference. It is about supporting families so that they can focus on building lives. The Ys new center is a huge step in the right direction and will impact the lives of so many people, McLean said. The citys urban renewal agency, the Capital City Development Corp. has worked with Edlen & Co., DeChase Miksis, Elton Cos. and the YMCA on the three-block development. Fears grow for one of Boises largest construction projects as time runs out. Why? Ready for a new real estate landscape, Idaho? Changes in homebuying are coming fast Idaho Supreme Court issues surprise ruling in sale of Boises ITD campus to developers ACHD may spend $31M on a mile-and-a-half stretch of road. Why, and where? New Delhi Police in India's southern state of Kerala have opened investigations into allegations of rape against several popular movie stars from the region's Malayalam language film industry. Cases have been registered against some of the industry's biggest names after female actors started speaking out in a new manifestation of the MeToo movement triggered by a damning government report that revealed a culture of sexual exploitation in Kerala's entertainment industry. The sexual assault allegations have rocked the south Indian film business which is separate from the Mumbai-based, Hindi-language film industry known as Bollywood amid a wave of national outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor in the eastern city of Kolkata. Kerala police have opened at least 10 formal investigations into alleged sexual misconduct, ranging from reports of rape to harrassment, against members of Kerala's film industry, including directors Vineeth (who uses only one name), Ranjith Balakrishnan and VK Prakash, and popular actors Siddique and Jayasurya (who also use only one name), Edavela Babu, Maniyanpillai Raju and actor-politician M Mukesh. Indian National Congress (INC) party workers wear masks of celebrities from the country's Kerala-based Malayalam-language movie industry during a protest against the government's actions over alleged sexual allegations within the industry, in Kochi, India, Aug. 30, 2024. / Credit: ARUN CHANDRABOSE/AFP/Getty Producer Noble Jacob and online movie reviewers Alain Jose and Santhosh Varkey have also been named among those under investigation over the accusations received by the Kerala police. The cases were filed on the basis of 16 complaints received by the police so far, the force said Thursday. Kerala Police Inspector General G Sparjan Kumar, who heads the Special Investigation Team formed to probe the allegations, said a separate team would investigate each complaint. According to the case registered against director Vineeth, he stands accused of raping an actor whom he'd promised a role in a movie. The alleged rape is said to have taken place in April at the female actor's house. Actor Jayasurya has been accused of groping a coworker on the set of a movie in 2008. Neither Vineeth nor Jayasurya have spoken publicly about the allegations. Siddique, who has been accused of raping an actress at a hotel in 2016, stepped down Sunday from his role as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Director Ranjith has been accused by a female actor of sexual misconduct. He stepped down on Sunday from his role as the chairman of the Malayalam industry's Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Both Siddique and Ranjith have denied the allegations against them. A man rides past posters of movies from India's Kerala-based Malayalam-language movie industry, displayed on a street in Kochi, Kerala, India, Aug. 30, 2024. / Credit: ARUN CHANDRABOSE/AFP/Getty A female actor accused actor-politician M Mukesh of forcibly entering her hotel room and raping her in 2013. The woman has filed sexual abuse complaints against Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju and Edavela Babu, as well. Mukesh has called the case a bid to blackmail him and said he will take legal action against the accuser. The allegations of rape and sexual exploitation in Kerala's movie industry started surfacing after the state's High Court ordered the release of a formal report carried out on behalf of state authorities. The Justice Hema Committee Report was authored five years ago by a panel formed to examine women's safety issues in the film industry, following the abduction and sexual assault of a leading female actor in February 2017. It was only released weeks ago upon the court's order. The 290-page report, parts of which were redacted to conceal the identities of survivors and those accused of crimes, called the Malyalam-language film industry "a mafia of powerful men" where sexual harassment of female artists was "rampant unchecked and uncontrolled". "Many in the industry are made to believe that all women in the industry get into the industry or are retained only because they have sex with men in the industry," the report says. "Men in the industry make open demands for sex without any qualms as if it's 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." "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," the report said. What to watch as the college football season gets underway A behind-the-scenes look at America's boba boom How to ace your next job interview Birmingham LGBTQ group gives out $65K in grants to 9 nonprofit organizations BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The LGBTQ Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has given $65,000 in grants awarded to nine local nonprofit groups. The following groups received funds: Alabama Latino AIDS Coalition $6,000 will be used to support the Revolution and Evolution in Alabama of Latinx (REAL), CALAs LGBTQ+ Latinx dedicated program, and sponsorship of their first fundraising event, Empower Latinx with Love. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham $5,000 to support a Beyond School Walls workplace mentoring group where volunteers from Southern Power are matched with a group of students from the Magic City Acceptance Academy (MCAA). Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Company $6,500 to support ongoing efforts in advancing racial, gender, and disability justice through multi-generational collaborative artmaking and community activation, including operational expenses, outreach and engagement, resource allocation, and capacity building. Great Heights dba Creative Wellness Institute $8,500 to serve the LGBTQ+ Community through the FamilyCare Initiative (FamilyCare) at Creative Wellness. FamilyCare provides access to mental health counseling services for individuals, children, couples, and families who do not have insurance or the financial resources to cover the full cost of treatment. Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama $8,000 to directly support strategic planning to further support and empower LGBTQ+ Hispanic/Latino communities throughout Central Alabama, with a focus on developing culturally affirming content and providing culturally responsive training. Magic City Acceptance Academy $7,500 to fund the third year of the Kathryn Bland Social Justice Initiative, promoting civic engagement among MCAAs juniors and seniors. Tech Equals (subsidiary of Tech Birmingham) $5,000 for Central Alabama LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship Conference, including increased prizes for their annual pitch competition open to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and advertising the conference to a wider audience. University of Alabama at Birmingham $10,000 for the Gender Health Clinic, to cover the cost of ride share services (e.g., Uber, Lyft) for patients without vehicles and provide gas vouchers for those patients who do have vehicles but may have limited finances to cover fuel costs associated with driving long distances to attend clinic appointments. Youth Towers $8,500 to support the LGBTQ+ housing site, including leasing costs, utilities, and basic living items. Youth Towers provides safe, affordable transitional housing for independently living young adults, and mentors young adults that are at risk of homelessness by providing mentoring in basic life skills, money management, career planning, employment skills, and building healthy and impactful relationships. Since 2014, the LGBTQ Fund has awarded over $365,000 to support programs in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker counties. For more information about the LGBTQ Fund, visit cfbham.org/lgbtqfund. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Birmingham man arrested in cold case involving woman who was stabbed to death 24 years ago in Georgia BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Over 20 years after a woman was found stabbed to death in her home in LaFayette, Georgia, an arrest has been made. On Aug. 22, police and agents with the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Clerence George in Birmingham, charging him with murder and aggravated assault. George, 63, is accused of killing Julie Ann McDonald, who was found stabbed to death in LaFayette on June 11, 2000. In a press conference announcing the arrest, Walker County (Georgia) Sheriff Steve Wilson said McDonald had likely been dead for three or four days before officers found her. We never give up on these cold cases, Wilson said. We continually worked on it. Mary Pasko, mother of Nick Saban, dies at 92 After years of no developments, the case was reopened by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2015, where evidence was resubmitted for testing. However, no leads or suspects were developed at the time. Then, in 2023, the case was opened again and more testing and witness interviews were done, which led to George being developed as a suspect. Through the investigation, detectives determined that George and McDonald had known one another. George is being held at the Jefferson County Jail, where he awaits extradition back to Georgia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: Birmingham Police confirm the missing child was found safe. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department is searching for a missing 11-year-old. Khaliya Taylor was last seen in the West End neighborhood at 3 p.m. She was last seen wearing blue jogging pants, a pink jacket and pink and white shoes. Taylor is just over five feet tall with brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information on Taylors whereabouts is encouraged to contact BPD at 205-328-9311. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Black employees were forced to work in pouring rain, feds say. White workers watched At a construction companys worksites in central Florida, Black employees were demeaned and physically threatened by their white supervisors and co-workers, who would call them racial slurs, according to federal officials. The Black workers dealt with regular harassment and humiliating conditions while working for Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., which also has offices in Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, because of their race, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in an Aug. 28 news release. On one occasion, a group of Black employees had to work in the pouring rain while white workers sat in the companys cars until the rain stopped, according to a lawsuit filed by the agency. The white workers watched as they worked, the EEOC said. The lawsuit details many instances in which the Black employees, who were regularly called racial slurs by white co-workers, were treated differently and with hostility in Florida, where Asphalt Paving Systemss second-largest office is in Zephyrhills. According to the lawsuit, white employees were allowed to use restrooms indoors, take lunch breaks at job sites or at restaurants, and rest when they wanted to. Meanwhile, Black employees were forced to urinate or defecate outdoors in many instances and werent allowed lunch breaks or time to rest, the lawsuit says. They had to eat while working or driving and were told to keep busy, according to the suit. Now, Asphalt Paving Systems will pay $1.25 million to settle the race discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC on behalf of 12 former Black employees and other workers and the accusations that it allowed racial harassment, the EEOC announced. In a statement on the companys behalf, attorney John F. Palladino, who represented the business, told McClatchy News that we appreciate the efforts of the EEOC team in working with us towards an amicable resolution. Asphalt Paving Systems took the allegations very seriously, Palladino said, and added that the allegations were acted on vigorously. The company denies the accusations that were made by several individual plaintiffs, according to Palladino. He said the $1.25 million settlement was agreed to without a finding or admission of wrongdoing and frankly, was more of an acknowledgment of the financial and manpower commitment that would be required to take the case through trial. The individual plaintiffs were represented by attorneys Mary Ann Candelario, Marisela Fernandez-Rosales and Rebeca Martinez Sicari, who told McClatchy News that they are pleased with the outcome of this case. Threatening behavior According to the EEOC, the hostile work environment Black employees faced was made worse by physically threatening behavior from Asphalt Paving Systems managers, including how they brought guns to jobs, which isnt allowed under company policies. When one supervisor, who had a gun at his waist, once found marijuana in a company van, he accused and yelled at a group of Black employees, the lawsuit says. Which one of you sons of (expletive) left drugs in the van, the supervisor asked them, according to the lawsuit. After two employees stood up and objected to the accusation, the supervisor grabbed his gun, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit also details how white employees were known to wear hats and shirts with the Confederate flag. One employee, a foreman, would regularly show off his White Pride tattoo by unbuttoning his shirt, the EEOC said. According to the EEOC, when the companys leadership at its Zephyrhills office, known as the Tampa office, heard complaints about the racist treatment, it wasnt addressed. Asphalt Paving Systems denies that complaints were brought to senior management, Palladino said. Racism in the construction industry As part of a three-year consent decree that requires Asphalt Paving Systems to pay the settlement amount, the company must provide training on race discrimination to management and HR employees, the EEOC said. Palladino told McClatchy News that before the case was resolved, the company established mandatory EEOC training for supervisors and set up a reporting hotline so any issues could be promptly addressed and appropriate action taken. The company also has to choose someone from outside of the business to review complaints of racial harassment and provide those complaints to the EEOC, according to the federal commission. The settlement reflects a commitment to addressing the issues raised and ensuring that fair and equitable practices are upheld, the plaintiffs attorneys told McClatchy News. We believe this resolution will contribute to creating a more just and inclusive environment moving forward. EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows said in a statement that this case underscores the urgent need for the EEOCs ongoing efforts to eliminate racism in the construction industry. On Aug. 27, the EEOC announced a $1.6 million settlement was reached in another racial harassment case involving J.A. Croson, a plumbing and HVAC contractor based in Sorrento, Florida, McClatchy News previously reported. Palladinos co-counsel in the Asphalt Paving Systems case, attorneys Barry A. Postman, Kelsey Nicole Ortiz and Kristyne E. Kennedy, represented J.A. Croson in that case, court records show. Managers displaying Confederate flags gave non-white workers degrading tasks, feds say Boss sent worker sexually explicit photos and fired her after she refused him, feds say Hotel worker is fired over being gay and his feminine style, feds say. Company sued Boss told Black worker to wear wig, then fired her over unacceptable hair, feds say A listeria outbreak at a Boars Head meat factory has killed nine and hospitalized dozens. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has traced the spoiled meat back to the companys Jarratt, Virginia plant, which has been shut down to be disinfected. While there is a list of Boars Head products that have been recalled (which well list below), you may want to dispose of any items you have that were produced by the company. What Boars Head meats have been recalled? According to the USDA, the following Boars Head products have been recalled: Beef Bologna Beef Salami Bologna Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham Garlic Bologna Italian Cappy Style Ham Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat & Eat Strassburger Brand Liverwurst Made in Virginia Virginia Ham Old Fashioned Ham However, according to CBS News, the Jaratt, Virginia plant was filled with mold, mildew, and bugs, so its probably a good idea to get rid of any Boars Head products you own. Listeria Symptoms and Effects According to the CDC, Listeria is a type of bacteria that causes listeriosis. In healthy populations, the symptoms of the infection are uncomfortable but mild. However, for vulnerable individuals, listeriosis can lead to meningitis or septicemia, which are deadly. Pregnant women should be especially cautious. Listeriosis can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, or other complications. Heres a breakdown of listeria symptoms: Confusion Convulsions Death Diarrhea Fever Headache Loss of balance Miscarriage Muscle aches Other gastrointestinal symptoms Premature delivery Stiff neck Stillbirth How to disinfect and avoid a listeria outbreak One of the tricky things about listeria is that it can survive at low temperatures in a refrigerator and spread to other foods. If you have one of the infected products, use protective wear and immediately dispose of it. If the meat has come into contact with any other foods in your fridge, dispose of them as well. Once the tainted item is disposed of, disinfect your fridge and any surfaces the meat touched with an antibacterial product. Do not eat any other deli meat (even if its not Boars Head) unless its heated at 165F or higher. The post Boars Head Meat Listeria Outbreak Causes Nine Deaths and Dozens of Hospitalizations appeared first on Mandatory. KEWANEE, Ill. (WMBD) In 1948, the Department of Agriculture said Henry County, Illinois was number one in US pork production. That simple statement has resulted in a community festival that has thrived for seven decades now and shows no signs of slowing down. Two years later, the Illinois General Assembly declared Kewanee the Hog Capital Of The World. Which wasnt true, even though theres a postcard that says so. And by 1959, It was decided that the Labor Day weekend was the permanent date for the celebration of all things pork. Bob & Toms Excellent Adventures: Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery Kewanee Hog Days is a great excuse for Kewaneeians to invite fifty thousand neighbors over for a pork chop sandwich. Hog Days Co-Chair Mike Komnick said the fair has lasted so long thanks to the community. As other towns and other fairs, festivals and whatnot have faded over the years, ours is 100%, community-driven and 100% community-supported, Hog Days Co-Chair Mike Komnick said. Mike Komnick admits that the Hog Capital of the World statement may be a bit exaggerated, but you would believe it if you visited during the Hog Days celebration. If you come Labor Day weekend, I guarantee youre gonna see a whole bunch of hogs on the grill, Komnick said. So, we will always be the Hog Capital of the World. More information on the celebrations is available 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 CIProud.com. Body found on road in Boron, foul play not suspected BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Authorities say foul play is not suspected after a body was found lying in a Boron roadway. The California Highway Patrol says a man was found dead Thursday morning on Twenty Mule Team Road east of Boron Avenue. Drugs and alcohol also are not suspected, officers said. An investigation is ongoing. The mans name has not been released. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP Mojave Area at 661-823-5500 or email chpmojavetips@chp.ca.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The body of an 87-year-old Midland man was found after a boat capsized in Lake Michigan near Frankfort on Thursday, according to the Benzie County Sheriff's Office. Benzie County Central Dispatch received a 911 call for a boat in distress approximately one mile north and one mile west from Frankfort lighthouse at 5:57 a.m. on Thursday. The 23-foot-long vessel was taking on water and eventually capsized with two people on board. While rescue teams were responding, a nearby fisherman rescued one of the men, a 59-year-old man from Midland, but the other was unaccounted for and possibly underwater. More: Police: Wreckage from 2007 plane crash in Lake Huron, passenger's remains found The Benzie County Sheriff's Office and the United States Coast Guard launched a joint response immediately, along with fire and police agencies from multiple counties and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The missing boater's body was recovered around 5 p.m. on Thursday. The identity of the individual is being withheld pending notification of the family, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Body of missing Frankfort boater recovered from Lake Michigan Boeing Execs Yelled at NASA Leaders When They Didn't Get What They Wanted Over the weekend, NASA made the tough decision to return its two stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board a SpaceX spacecraft sometime next year, forcing Boeing's plagued Starliner to return empty. The doomed spacecraft experienced several thruster malfunctions before and during its journey to the International Space Station, forcing NASA to come up with an alternative ride back for its crew. And it was a fateful blow that must've come as quite a shock to Boeing's leadership. As the New York Post reports, Boeing executives were fuming as NASA made its decision. The meetings were "heated" and led to execs yelling and arguing, as one NASA leader told the publication under condition of anonymity. "Boeing wasnt happy," the source told the newspaper. "And they made that perfectly clear to us. But whats the headline if theres a catastrophic failure? Its not Boeing killed two astronauts, its NASA killed two astronauts. So no, its better safe than sorry." Mark Nappi, the head of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program, kept things relatively civil in an email to employees obtained by the NY Post. "I know this is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to carry out the actions necessary to support NASAs decision," he wrote. "The focus remains first and foremost on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft." Nappi added that he had the "utmost confidence in this team to prepare Starliner for a safe and successful uncrewed return." Earlier this week, a Boeing employee told the NY Post that the team was left "humiliated" following NASA's announcement, while alluding to all of the other crises the aerospace giant had been through over the last couple of years. "We have had so many embarrassments lately, were under a microscope," the worker said. "This just made it, like, 100 times worse." Clearly the incident has fractured relations between NASA and one of its biggest contractors. "Boeing was convinced that the Starliner was in good enough condition to bring the astronauts home, and NASA disagreed," the NASA exec told the NY Post. "Strongly disagreed." "The thinking around here was that Boeing was being wildly irresponsible," they added. It's a major setback for Boeing and it remains unclear what the plan will be once it makes its return journey. Some experts suggest that the company may ditch the project entirely. If it does try again, it'll have to act fast, as the ISS is set to be decommissioned in roughly five years. On Thursday, NASA announced that Starliner will attempt to make its uncrewed return home on September 6. "Teams on the ground are able to remotely command the spacecraft if needed through the necessary maneuvers for a safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwest United States," the agency wrote in the update. Regardless of how it fares during its descent, Boeing's first uncrewed test flight has already been a disaster for Boeing and upcoming meetings about Starliner's future will likely remain just as tense. More on Starliner: Boeing Might Not Get Starliner Working Before the Space Station Is Destroyed With diminished membership and a need for millions of dollars worth of camp upgrades, the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is exploring the sale of 500 acres of its 1,300-acre camp in Hernando County that has drawn Scouts from across Florida for decades. The council has been in negotiations since June to sell about 50 acres on the northwest side of the Sand Hill Scout Reservation along State Road 50 to the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative for an administration building, which the Tampa Bay Times first reported Aug. 21. Now on Sept. 19, the councils 70-member executive board will vote on whether to begin marketing another 450 wooded acres of Sand Hill on the northeast section for commercial and residential development, Scout Executive Mike Butler confirmed. The board will also vote on the sale of the 50 acres to the electric cooperative if the purchase agreement is ready by then, Butler said. The sales are being contemplated despite the will of Larry DiePolder, the businessperson who gifted the 1,300 acres to the Boy Scouts upon his death in 1978 with explicit instructions that it must never be sold or used for commercial purposes. But the council obtained a ruling from a Hernando County judge in January that the deeds issued by DiePolders son 45 years ago conveyed the land without any of the restrictions cited in DiePolders will, giving the Scouts free and clear use of the property. Although Butler declined to disclose the asking prices for the 50- and 450-acre portions, he said revenue is needed to fund at least $13.3 million in investments at three of the councils five camp locations across the region to bring new generations to the waning organization. Were trying to be really good stewards of the Boy Scouts here, Butler said. Were trying to make investments that will improve our program for todays Scouts and families and tomorrows, and frankly those of the next generation and keep our camps safe and at a quality level. With membership at about 10,000, participation in the council that spans nine counties is half of its target and down from 17,000 before the pandemic, said President Benson Porter. It mirrors the downward trend nationwide. The Boy Scouts of America faces a reckoning after it exited bankruptcy last year amid a barrage of sexual abuse claims. It has established a $2.46 billion trust to pay victims. Some of the biggest needs for modernization are new bathrooms and showers at campsites, Porter said. The current facilities are huts, some 50 years old, with little privacy for boys and girls. Outdoor showers have panels where passersby can peer in from above or below the user. Butler said enclosed buildings with private toilets and showers will cost up to $600,000 each eight are needed across three camp locations. The council is seeking to build a new dining hall at Camp Brorein in Hillsborough County, which will cost $7 million. Other projects at Sand Hill include a BB gun range for Cub Scouts, upgrades to the existing shooting facility and a new ropes course. If the 50-acre portion is developed by the electric cooperative, the council will have to build a new ranger home and maintenance barns that are currently on that site at an estimated cost of $800,000. Porter said fundraising for operations remains steady but that philanthropy is not meeting what the group needs for long-term investments. The council has a $21.7 million endowment as of July 31, but $11.7 million of that is restricted and unable to be used for construction projects, records provided by Butler show. The remainder is like a savings fund, that also helps pay for operations, he said. The group has $2.1 million in cash and short-term investments in its capital fund, but most of that is already allocated to other initiatives. Porter said the sale of portions of Sand Hill is being explored as a way to pay to modernize the campsites and help secure the endowment for the future, especially as he hears too many potential donors say: I didnt even know the Scouts were still around. The amount of money that we need to raise to really transform this program for generations is what Im talking about, and going beyond my lifetime, beyond my kids lifetimes, Porter said. Because we werent far, because of this bankruptcy, of Scouting potentially not being around. In spring of 2023, the council hired real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield to sell one of its five properties, the 500-acre Camp Alafia in Hillsborough County. Alafia is part of the $6 million settlement that the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council was required to pay toward the Boy Scouts of Americas $2.45 billion victims trust. The roughly 250 local councils nationwide that make up the organization were required to contribute land or cash to the fund. The Tampa Bay council paid $2.8 million in cash, and has pledged the Alafia property, which is still on the market and appraised at $3.2 million, to meet its obligation. Porter said at the time the council was not trying to sell portions of Sand Hill, which has been used by Scouts from across Florida. But the group had Cushman & Wakefield evaluate the 1,300 acres just so we understand what the asset was. In December, the council filed a motion in Hernando County Circuit Court to clarify the title on the Sand Hill property in light of the questions around the restrictions in the benefactors will. Porter said the motivation was not for selling the land but to ensure there were no legal issues as the council planned for upgrades to Sand Hill. But in May, the board voted to engage a surveyor and schedule a meeting with the county to discuss the development potential on the 500-acre portion, Butler confirmed. Then in June, Butler said Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative approached the council about buying 50 of those acres near the northwest frontage for its new administration office. The remaining 450 acres include a hiking trail but no campsites. On Aug. 14, Butler and Porter met with officials from Hernando County to discuss the potential for commercial and residential development, records obtained by the Times show. They were joined by Bruce Erhard, executive managing director of Cushman & Wakefield, and representatives of Coastal Engineering, whom the Scouts hired for the project. Butler said that the council is at an early stage of considering development on the 450 acres and the board vote on Sept. 19 will just allow the group to market the land. Erhard declined to comment on whether there are any developers already engaged on the project, but the Scouts officials said there were not. But rumblings of a sale have persisted since the council sought to clear the title in court last year. After the Times reported the potential sale of the 50 acres to the electric cooperative in August, many supporters of the Scouts have condemned the idea of violating DiePolders will even if a judge confirmed there are no legal restrictions. Where is our trustworthiness in violating the spirit of the agreement? James Johnson wrote in a Tampa Bay Scouts volunteer Facebook group. Hernando County Commissioner John Allocco confirmed that commercial and residential use on the 500 acres would require a zoning change from the county. With development booming in the area, this is likely the largest recreational property in Hernando that is in private hands, he said. I dont know how they can get there, Allocco said. I cant imagine housing in there. I cant imagine any commissioner wanting that. Apple and Google have five days to remove the X app from their stores, while Brazilians face steep fines for subverting the block. Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the nations internet service providers to block the social media platform X. The New York Times reports that the order stems from owner Elon Musks refusal to appoint a legal representative for his case and comply with Moraes order to shut down X accounts he deemed as harmful to the democratic process. The order has been published online by Brazilian news site Poder 360. The justice issued a deadline to telecom companies and tech giants to remove the X from its app stores and platforms. Apple and Google have five days to take down the social media app from its app stores. Brazils telecommunications agency Anatel has confirmed it has received the order, and ISPs in the country have just 24 hours to comply with the order. Justice Moraes order doesnt just block the countrys access to X. It also makes it a crime to use the app through a virtual private network (VPN). Anyone caught accessing X with a VPN could face a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Real (around $8,900). Justice Moraes also froze the Brazillian bank accounts of SpaceXs Starlink internet service provider on Thursday to further pressure Musk to comply with the courts order. SpaceX, like X, is a private company majority owned by Musk, and X has $3 million in unpaid fines related to its case in the country. The day before, Justice Moraes issued a threat to ban the X platform entirely across Brazil if the social media company did not appoint a legal representative in the country. The deadline passed without any change to the courts docket so the judge followed through on his promise. Starlink expressed its disapproval with the order, vowing to fight the ruling. It even threatened to make its services free to customers to subvert the justices order. The legal fight between Justice Moraes and Musk has been fuming for months. The Supreme Court Judge is also Brazils electoral authority and has been monitoring and issuing orders to candidates to steer clear of spreading false information through internet and social media channels. Brazils 2022 presidential election between infamous incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and challenger and former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was reportedly filled with attempts to present voters with false information. Justice Moraes was, until recently, president of the nation's Superior Electoral Court, which gave him the power to order takedowns of content that violated previous court orders. The judge issued a similar block of the messaging app Telegram for failing to freeze offending accounts, which was lifted after compliance. Musk characterized Moraes directives to take down or freeze similar misinformation accounts from X as censorship orders. Earlier this month, Musk expressed his continued refusal to comply with the court by closing Xs Brazilian office in order to protect the safety of our staff. Xs Global Governments Affairs team also promised to publish all of Judge de Moraes illegal demands and all related court filings. (Bloomberg) -- Brazils top court determined the immediate suspension of X in the country after its billionaire owner Elon Musk refused to name a legal representative for the social network in Latin Americas largest nation. Most Read from Bloomberg The banning of the platform formerly known as Twitter caps a months-long feud between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is spearheading efforts to combat fake news and hate speech that he says are harming Brazils democracy. X has been contributing to an environment of total impunity and lawlessness in Brazilian social networks, including during the 2024 local elections, Moraes wrote in his ruling, saying the company has repeatedly and deliberately disrespected court orders. Extremist groups and digital militias have been using the platform for massive dissemination of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful and anti-democratic speeches, he wrote, adding that anyone using VPN to access the platform would be subject to daily fines of 50,000 reais ($8,900). Minutes after the ruling was published, Musk lashed out at Moraes on his platform. Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes, he wrote. The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries. X CEO Linda Yaccarino said in a post that today is a sad day for X users around the world, especially those in Brazil, who are being denied access to our platform. I wish it did not have to come to this it breaks my heart, she wrote. I hope for a day when the Brazilian government will live up to the Constitution that the Brazilian people ratified. But until there is change in Brazil, X will be shut down. When asked for comment, X referred Bloomberg to a post from Thursday evening on its official Global Government Affairs page, which states the company plans to publish all of Judge de Moraes illegal demands and all related court filings in the interest of transparency. The social media platform was still available Friday evening as Moraess ruling takes some time to take effect. Brazils telecommunications watchdog has 24 hours to implement the ban, the ruling said. Later Moraes revoked part of the order saying Apple and Google had to block X in IOS and Android and remove the X and VPN apps from their online stores in five days, while Internet service providers must ban X over the same period of time. Ahead of the decision, Brazilian celebrities, internet personalities and politicians, including President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, were bracing for the ban by tweeting social media handles on other networks to their audiences. Musk shut down Xs office in Brazil earlier this month to protest against orders to remove certain accounts that allegedly spread misinformation. In response, the court notified the company on Wednesday evening, replying to a post on X, that Moraes had given it 24 hours to name a legal representative in the country or risk having its service suspended. Brazil has historically been a key market for many of the largest social networking services, X included. Its estimated that X has tens of millions active users in the country, according to external estimates, and Brazil has long been one of Xs largest hubs outside of the US and Japan. Brazil is not the first country where X has been suspended. The service has long been banned in China, Iran, and North Korea, among others. In 2022, it was restricted in Russia after President Vladimir Putin invaded neighboring Ukraine. Former Twitter executives had paused advertising in the country, and begun labeling links from all state-backed Russian media outlets, eventually setting up a separate version of the service to help people access it despite government restrictions. Misinformation or Freedom of Speech Democracies around the world are grappling with the effects of social media on their elections and politics. But Brazil has taken some of the most aggressive action to hold companies accountable for content after its 2022 presidential vote. During the campaign, former President Jair Bolsonaro took to the airwaves and online platforms to sow distrust about his nations electronic voting system. Baseless claims of hacking and vote stealing fueled the rage of Bolsonaro supporters that rioted in Brasilia on the false belief that Lula had lost the election. In April, Moraes included Musk in a broad investigation into so-called digital militias, or organized groups accused of using social media to spread false information and vitriol, and slapped the company with fines for disobeying court orders to remove content. The move only seemed to escalate the showdown between Brazils top court and the worlds richest person. While X initially complied with orders to take down accounts suspected of promulgating falsehoods, Musk later appeared to challenge Moraes, announcing he would lift restrictions even if it hurt his companys bottom line. In August, X issued a statement saying it would close operations in Brazil effective immediately after Moraes threatened its legal representative with arrest for not following court orders. All the while, Musk continued to rail against the judge on his platform, alleging the his efforts to police content amounted to overreach and censorship. He responded to the order to name a representative in Brazil by posting picture of a bald man in black robes behind bars an apparently AI-generated image of Moraes. One day, Alexandre, this picture of you in prison will be real. Mark my words, Musk wrote. A self-declared free speech absolutist, Musk stripped the company of much of its content-moderating infrastructure and personnel since purchasing it in 2022. The company mostly relies on X users to police content for misinformation through Community Notes, a feature that adds labels to posts when users find them misleading. Musk often uses his platform to rebut critics and chide world leaders, including Brazil First Lady Rosangela da Silva, whose X page was allegedly hacked last year. And the clash with authorities has won Musk praise within Brazils conservative circles, which have long accused the judiciary of attacking their cause. If maintained, the judicial ban risks depriving X of one of its largest markets outside the US. It strips thousands of candidates of popular campaign tool ahead of local elections taking place in October across more than 5,000 Brazilian municipalities. A December survey found that 29% of smartphone users in Brazil have X installed. As of the first quarter of 2024, the platform had about 20 million active users in the country, according to Sensor Tower, a data firm, down about 15% from the year prior. Other social media platforms have previously run afoul of Internet regulations. Last year, a judge ordered that Telegram be temporarily shut down after the messaging service failed to share user data from neo-Nazi content that authorities say was linked to attacks in Brazilian schools. WhatsApp, a messaging service owned by Meta Platforms Inc., was also briefly banned in 2016 for failing to comply with court orders to share user data. --With assistance from Beatriz Amat and Kurt Wagner. (Updates with X CEO comments in sixth paragraph and changes in top judges order in tenth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SYDNEY, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- One person died and a town has been evacuated after a truck carrying chemicals crashed and exploded in the Australian state of Queensland on Friday. Residents of the small town of Bororen, some 400 km north of Brisbane, were on Friday morning told to leave immediately by Queensland Police after a B-double tanker carrying 42 tons of ammonium nitrate crashed head-on with another vehicle on a nearby highway, causing a major explosion. The driver of the second vehicle was killed, authorities confirmed, and the truck driver who was pulled from the vehicle by bystanders shortly before it ignited was airlifted to hospital with serious abdominal and leg injuries. An exclusion zone was put in place around the site of the crash, with all residents within the zone told to self-evacuate. Those who could not leave were told to shelter indoors, close all windows and doors and turn off air conditioning units. Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said the explosion blast radius was approximately 500 meters. "Just after 9:40 a.m., a blast was heard and felt and there was a visible large cloud of smoke," he said at a press conference. No other people were injured and no property was damaged but power lines were down and spot fires were ignited along a nearby rail corridor. The Bruce Highway, a major highway linking Brisbane to the far northern city of Cairns, was closed in both directions. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Queensland Fire and Rescue was conducting scientific testing, including atmospheric assessment, at the site of the explosion. John Hodson-Gilmore from the Queensland Ambulance Service said the first paramedics to arrive at the scene were faced with an extensive damage area. He said fire crews made the decision not to attempt to extinguish the truck fire shortly before it exploded. Ammonium nitrate is predominantly used in agriculture as a fertilizer. BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) The City of Bristol, Tennessee may no longer welcome some birds in the city limits. On Tuesday, the Bristol, Tennessee City Council held a work session, during which council members heard a draft ordinance amendment that would prohibit roosters from being kept in the city. Campaign sign case against Bob Harshbarger dismissed Maj. Walter Brown with the Bristol Tennessee Police Department presented the draft ordinance amendment to the City Council. Brown told council members that noise complaints involving roosters have become an issue in Bristol. Community Development and the police department have received several complaints on the noise and of roosters that were located inside the city, Brown told News Channel 11 on Thursday. Upon investigation and research, it was determined that other cities around us have roosters banned, and so we looked at proposing an ordinance to the City Council to ban roosters within the city limits. According to Brown, other cities in the region either do not allow roosters or impose a limit on how many can be owned based on property. Bristol, Virginia does not allow [roosters], Johnson City does not allow them, he said. Kingsport allows one rooster if you own five acres of land. The proposed change to the ordinance would ban more than just roosters. Peacocks and guinea fowl would also be prohibited in the city limits if it passes. It has to go to the City Council, has to have two readings, Brown said. That gives the public an opportunity to come and speak for or against the proposed ordinance. The police department and community development department plan to recommend that the ban not go into effect until March 2025 if it passes. Brown said that would allow time for announcements to be made and would allow residents time to rehome their roosters. Now there is a section of that proposed ordinance that if own 50 acres or more in the city, which is currently not the case, but if you did happen to do that, you could have roosters, Brown said. But with the close confines in the city, we think itd be better not to have any roosters at all. Brown did specify the proposed ban would not prohibit anyone from owning hens in the 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. LONDON (Reuters) - The British government said on Friday it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, warning that risk of instability was serious and that there was an urgent need for de-escalation. "We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions," a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement. 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. 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. "We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," the Foreign Office spokesperson said. The spokesperson added the UK "strongly condemns settler violence", and that it was in no one's interest further conflict and instability to spread in the occupied West Bank. (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Kate Holton and Kylie MacLellan) Some child care providers and advocates worry cuts to the Idaho Child Care Program could compound struggles for providers, and reduce low-income families access to affordable child care. (Jim Max for the Idaho Capital Sun) As Brigham Young University-Idahos new school year starts up in September, Kearis Ochs was preparing for a round of new parents to enroll kids in her local child care centers. But after the health department announced budget cuts to a child care subsidy program, shes expecting a lot of lost business for us, and a lot of parents scrambling to find childcare that they can afford. About four in 10 of the children who come to her centers, called Whole Child Early Education, are on the Idaho Child Care Program, which gives parents subsidies to pay for some child care costs. She and others worry that new cuts to the program by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare which officials say they made to avoid a projected budget shortfall could compound financial struggles for Idaho child care centers and make it harder for low-income families to access affordable child care. This could force many child care centers in Idaho to finally close our doors, after everything we have fought through in the last four years to keep helping these kids, she wrote in a letter. A professional photo of Robert Sanchez, executive director Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children The cuts announced last week have prompted a lot of anxiety and uncertainty among Idaho child care providers, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children Executive Director Robert Sanchez told the Idaho Capital Sun in an interview. Knowing that there was already significant challenges and barriers before the pause, the anxiety level kind of skyrocketed, he said. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare suspends new enrollment in child care program Attempting to balance the programs budget ahead of a projected shortfall, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare suspended new enrollments to the program and announced the agency would delay expected benefit hikes, among other changes. Health department Director Alex Adams told reporters last week that officials prioritized providing more families reduced benefits. And officials say they exempted vulnerable children from the enrollment pause. About 7,800 children are now on the program, which relies mostly on federal funds. But officials project around 300 children would enroll in the program each month, and that the program could grow to 8,100 enrollees by July 2025. The Idaho health department is committed to supporting families most in need, child care providers, and local economies by operating the program within the boundaries of the law and (the agencys budget) appropriation, agency spokesperson AJ McWhorter told the Sun in a statement this week. Keeping the program within budget helps ensure its future. A professional photo of Emily Allen, policy associate for Idaho Voices for Children Families and child care providers in Idaho rely heavily on the program, said Emily Allen, policy associate at Idaho Voices for Children. The program, she said, is the backbone for Idahos child care industry. They made the wrong changes, she said of the state health departments cuts. And they didnt consult providers or families or community partners in this at all. This is a complete shock and surprise. After the health departments cuts to the program, Allen said she expects some Idaho child care providers will close leaving parents with fewer options. Idaho child care providers already financially struggling Child care providers in Idaho are often small businesses with slim-margins and small profits, Allen said. They are not in it to make big bucks here. They are in it to provide care for families because they care deeply about young children, she said. In 2023, over 2,400 people quit child care jobs in Idaho contributing to a 37% turnover rate for the industry, as many workers cited low pay as among the reasons they left, according to a report by IdahoSTARS. That left the Idaho industry with 3% fewer workers. The average wage Idaho child care workers earned was $13.50, the report found. The Idaho workforce is more than 94% women, with a median age of 32. Working in child care is rooted in a passion for early childhood, but the job is overly taxing and drives individuals out of the field, the report found. Low pay, long days, constant changes in leadership, children, co-workers, and requirements as well as the physical and emotional toll of the job all contribute to leaving the field. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho is one of few states that doesnt invest public dollars into child care, according to a 2022 report by Idaho First Steps Alliance. Almost half of Idahoans live in child care deserts, the report found, which are defined as areas that lack sufficient child care options to meet the needs of young children. There is already not enough child care available in Idaho to meet the need, McWhorter told the Sun. Earlier this summer, (the Department of Health and Welfare) waived rules that may have made it possible for providers to increase the number of child care spaces available for children aged 2 and above, hoping to make more seats available for Idaho children. Earlier this month, Boise-based Micron Technology planning a new $15 billion fabrication plant announced that its employees could soon access a child care center in Boise, Idaho Education News reported. Idaho cannot afford to lose more child care spots, Allen said. We were in the path of expanding availability. How will the cuts by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare work? State health officials have exempted some vulnerable groups such as kids who are in foster care, who are experiencing homelessness, who have disabilities, and who are receiving preventive services through the child welfare program, along with families receiving aid through the Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho program from the freeze in new program enrollments. A watercolored sign on the side of Whole Child Early Education, a Rexburg child care provider. People already enrolled in the program arent subject to the pause, McWhorter told the Sun, so they could for example, add a new baby to the program during the pause. Once the enrollment pause is lifted, the health department plans to reduce the programs income cutoff for eligibility to 130% of the federal poverty limit, down from the 175% that the department raised it to in recent years. About 1,000 families currently enrolled would be affected if the eligibility drops to 130%, McWhorter said. But if they are no longer eligible under the lower income cutoff, they wont immediately be disenrolled, McWhorter said. Rather, a yet-to-be-determined phase-out plan will occur for those families who currently qualify for (the Idaho Child Care Program), but no longer qualify after recertification, McWhorter said. This is important to help families plan for the future and continue taking steps toward self-sufficiency. Parents on program could pay for more child care The program gives parents an allowance for child care. But if child care centers charge more than that, they can ask parents to pay the difference. Additional child care costs on top of co-pays only apply if families go to providers that charge more than the programs monthly voucher, Adams told reporters. The health department usually changes the programs benefit rates in October, he said, after it completes its local market rate analysis as required every three years by the federal grant. But that wont happen until July 2025, after Adams said the state health departments new analysis this month showed local market costs rose by about 25%. Kearis Ochs, owner of Whole Child Early Education in Rexburg, poses for a photo with her family. So much has changed since the health departments last rate study three years ago, Ochs said like higher costs of living, supplies and employee pay. She says she charges what we feel like is kind of bare a minimum of staying in business. Ochs, who owns Rexburg child care centers, said her prices and prices at many nearby centers are already much higher than the Idaho Child Care Program pays. She says that leaves parents to pay the difference sometimes $200-300 more. When the health department implements the new rates next July, the programs reimbursement rate will rise for all provider types, McWhorter said. Providers will get a raise. Like probably all working Americans, it wont be as much as hoped, he said. Average Idaho child care costs were over $8,000 a year, according to an August 2022 report by Idaho First Steps Alliance. Its even higher for Idaho infant care, which was estimated that year to cost more on average than in-state college tuition. Pulling the rug out from under those families is not only just really unfair. Its a shock, Allen said. $15 million budget deficit is worst case scenario, health department says The program funded mostly by a $65 million federal Child Care and Development Block Grant has a $52 million budget for subsidies this fiscal year. But the health department projects costs could be as high as $68 million. But that $15 million projected shortfall is a worst-case scenario, Adams told reporters last week. He says the deficit could be as low as $5 million. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams speaks at a podium, in front of a line of foster care families, parents and state officials But we know that were in the red, which is why were taking action here in August, so that by the time the Legislature rolls around, theres a robust conversation about where do we go from here? Adams told reporters last week. Allen said she was also skeptical about the budget shortfall projections. In legislative budget hearings, she said there was no suggestion that there werent enough funds to sustain the program with existing enrollment levels. Adams says the health department projects the higher program costs were driven in part by reduced families co-pays for care, higher reimbursements and raised income cutoffs for families to be eligible along with the higher local market rates. This burst on our radar screen a couple weeks back, when the local market rate study came back and people saw the magnitude of that, Adams told reporters last week. Allen told the Sun the agency could go back to the Legislature, and ask for a supplemental budget. Last week, Adams, the governors former budget chief, acknowledged that option. But he said, this is not in state law as an entitlement program. And because its not an entitlement program, agencies have to live within their budget. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner is calling on city leaders to join him in taking a critical look at Wyandotte Countys publicly owned utility suggesting the local government should consider selling its nonprofit electric and water provider. Citing concerns over the cost of utility bills, the mayor says hes heard from some Wyandotte County residents who think owning the Board of Public Utilities is a burden and should be more of a benefit than it is. I think its time that we take a hard look at that, the mayor told The Star by phone Friday, to see what the options are that are out there. Reasons for such an evaluation, the mayor said, align with his broader goal of finding ways to cut costs for Wyandotte County residents. The mayor plans to host a more detailed public presentation on the matter in City Hall next week, and is advocating for staff to study what selling the utility could look like. There have been cries to me from residents that Ive heard that want to sell it in whole or in part, or to bring it under the umbrella of the Unified Government, the mayor said, adding: I just want to make sure that we have this conversation so we can deliver on the commitment that I know our commissioners and our staff members and myself have in regards to making sure that were providing the best level of service to our residents. Other ideas the mayor wants to explore include effectively absorbing the Board of Public Utilities currently governed by a six-member elected panel as a department of the Unified Government, or increasing the involvement of county and city officials in BPU policy decisions. Founded in 1909, the BPU provides electricity to 67,000 and water to 53,000 households. As of this year, the nonprofit among the top 50 largest publicly owned utilities in the country had roughly $1.1 billion in assets and carried $829 million in debt, according to figures from BPU. The public utility is no stranger to complaints over cost. Over the years, tensions between the BPU and Unified Government officials have spilled into public view, especially over fees charged on utility bills, including a Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, that funds city and county operations. Selling the public utility would be easier said than done. Utilities are highly regulated by the state and federal governments. And a merger or acquisition involving a private entity may require approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission. The local landscape could make Evergy, the Kansas City metropolitan areas largest provider of electricity, a potential buyer if a sale were to take shape. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on a speculative sale or merger involving BPU. Kansas City, Kansas, leaders have toyed with the idea of selling the utility in the past. In 1988, the city before its unification with the county put the publicly owned utility on the market along with a proposal to use those monies to offset property taxes for 30 years, The Star previously reported. Two bids were offered, one from Kansas City Power & Light and the other from a group of BPU employees and managers. Six months after debate started, city leaders rejected both bids, saying neither met a minimum requirement of $650 million in cash desired to close the deal. Mayor Garners call to consider changes came shortly after BPU officials provided an overview of the utilitys operations during a joint meeting with the Unified Governments Board of Commissioners on Thursday. Bill Johnson, BPUs general manager, said the public utility gives residents more say on the management of their electric and water provider than they had when private companies ran them. He also boasted the BPUs financial position and its rates compared to others. Theres a lot about what we return back to the community that an investor-owned (utility) does not, Johnson said. They are more concerned about their stockholders, were more concerned about our community. And that shows up in many different things we do. In response to a request for comment Friday, a BPU spokesman provided a statement that says the BPU and the Unified Government share the common goal of working to meet the public needs of Wyandotte County residents, while simultaneously contributing to the overall quality of life in the community we serve. BPU welcomes the opportunity to showcase the service, commitment, and contribution it has, and continues to bring to the community, the public utility said in its statement. Two elected board members reached by The Star on Friday pointed to a need for increased communication between leaders of the Unified Government and BPU. Tom Groneman, the boards president, said Friday hed yet to hear the ideas raised by the mayor. As discussions progress, Groneman hopes elected leaders will have the chance to sit down and talk about a future for the utility that will be for the betterment of the whole community. Rose Mulvany Henry, first elected to the board in 2019, also wishes to see greater communication between leaders in the Unified Government and BPU, saying that has been lacking during her tenure. As conversations come up around dissolution of the governing body or selling the utility, she noted roughly 500 employees work under BPU and call Wyandotte County home. They live here, they work here, they pay taxes here, she said. Lets not lose sight of those folks. Meanwhile, some commissioners are also wary of selling BPU. Commissioner Bill Burns, 2nd District, said he would be totally against it. He believes the mayor has good intentions but may be misguided on that idea. In any organization, theres ways to improve things. But to sell it? I think we need to get that off the table right away, Burns said. I know that sounds a little strong, but thats just the way I feel. Commissioner Melissa Bynum, 1st District At-Large, said in an email, we are at the very beginning of this process and much, much more information is needed. She has questions that include the long-term costs versus benefits of selling the utility. I believe such a major change requires a lot more information than we currently have, she wrote. Mikuni, a popular capital region sushi chain, was burglarized this week after at least two suspects cleaned out a safe at its midtown location, according to the restaurants owner and Sacramento police. Officers were called just after 8:30 a.m. Monday to Mikuni at 1530 J St. for a report of a burglary, said Officer Anthony Gamble, a Sacramento Police Department spokesperson. Gamble declined to say how much or what was taken from the restaurant to protect the investigation. Taro Arai, Mikunis owner, posted on social media photos of two people wearing black clothing in what appeared to be the restaurants kitchen. Arai could not be reached for comment. But on social media, Arai wrote a list of positive lessons he took from the incident. He was grateful no one was hurt, and he vowed to heighten security measures in an effort to be more vigilant. Arai also thanked the community for its support. Its a good reminder that material things are replaceable, but the well-being of people and the value of experiences are what truly count, Arai wrote on social media. (BCN) California lawmakers took a key vote today to pass a controversial bill that requires companies that make or modify powerful forms of artificial intelligence to test for their ability to enable critical harm to society. Following a 32-1 vote in the Senate in May, the Assembly voted 41-9 to pass the bill late Wednesday afternoon. The Senate must take one more vote for the bill to make it to Gov. Gavin Newsom, concurring with any amendments in the Assembly. Under Senate Bill 1047, companies that spend $100 million to train an AI model or $10 million to modify one must test the model for its ability to enable cybersecurity or infrastructure attacks or the development of chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear weaponry. Jack White rips Trump campaign for posting bands song: Dont even think about using my music you fascists Eight members of Congress who represent California districts earlier this month took the unusual step of urging Newsom to veto the bill. Its not clear if he will do so. In May, at a generative AI symposium required by an executive order he signed, Newsom said California must respond to calls for regulation but avoid overregulation. California is home to many of the dominant AI companies in the world. Powerful interests lined up in favor and in opposition to the bill. Opposition has come from companies including Google and Meta, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, startup incubator Y Combinator, and Fei-Fei Li, an advisor to President Joe Biden and co-organizer of the generative AI symposium ordered by Newsom. They argue that costs to comply with the bill will hurt the industry, particularly startups, and discourage the release of open source AI tools, since companies will fear legal liability under the bill. Whistleblowers who used to work at OpenAI, and Anthropic, a company cofounded by former OpenAI employees, support the bill. Also in favor of the bill are Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who helped start OpenAI, and frequently-cited AI researcher Yoshua Bengio. They argue, in part, that AI tools pose significant harms and that the federal government has not done enough to address those harms, including through regulation. Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco and author of the bill, has said the purpose of SB 1047 is to codify safety testing that companies already agreed to with President Biden and leaders of other countries. 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 press release Wednesday. In the past year, major AI companies reached voluntary agreements with the White House and government leaders in Germany, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to test their AI models for dangerous capabilities. In remarks responding to OpenAIs opposition to the bill, Wiener rejected the assertion that passage of SB 1047 will lead businesses to leave the state, calling it a tired argument. Wiener said similar claims were made when California adopted net neutrality and data privacy laws in 2018, but those predictions did not come true. The bills critics, including OpenAI, have said they would rather Congress regulate AI safety than have it regulated at the state level. Wiener said Monday that he agrees and probably wouldnt have proposed SB 1047 had Congress done so. He added that Congress is paralyzed and that other than banning TikTok hasnt passed major tech regulation since the 1990s. SB 1047 went through several rounds of amendments on its way to passage. Cosponsor Ari Kagan, cofounder of AI toolmaker Momentum, in July told lawmakers that passage of SB 1047 is necessary to prevent an AI disaster akin to Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. Earlier this month, he told CalMatters that amendments getting rid of a Frontier Model Division that was initially part of the bill weakens the legislation but said he still supported passage. In addition to SB 1047, earlier this week the California Legislature moved to pass laws that require large online platforms like Facebook to take down deepfakes related to elections and create a working group to issue guidance to schools on how to safely use AI. Other AI policy bills up for a vote this week include a bill to empower the Civil Rights Department to combat automated discrimination, require creatives get permission before using the likeness of a dead persons voice, body, or face in any capacity, and additional measures to keep voters safe from deceptive deepfakes. In accordance with a generative AI executive order, the California Government Operations Agency is expected to release a report on how AI can harm vulnerable communities in the coming weeks. 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. California journalists are slamming a $250 million agreement between the state and Big Tech that was meant to bolster local news, saying that a legislative push to check Googles stranglehold on news instead turned into a backroom deal that will provide a fraction of the intended funding. The legislative agreement will provide an estimated $15 million in its first year from Google just 3% of the $500 million from tech companies that was initially discussed. This backroom deal was a disaster, Matt Pearce, president of Media Guild of the West, told TheWrap. This first in the nation partnership needs to be a last in the nation partnership. Pearces longtime adversary, Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times, tweeted bitterly that by passing this bill, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers bow to Google, sticking it to the news industry. Politics ugh, he said also with unusual candor. From the lawmakers who are involved in the making of this deal to big tech itself, theres no accountability whatsoever, said Alicia Ramirez, the founder and publisher of The Riverside Record, who spoke to TheWrap. And that is so deeply frustrating, even as somebody who would benefit from this deal If its not good for the news ecosystem, its not good. Journalists say the agreement announced Aug. 21 a five-year partnership between California lawmakers and Google does not hold the tech company accountable enough for compensating writers and news organizations for unauthorized distribution, but rather positions the company as a philanthropic partner. Google will be putting no more than $15 million a year towards supporting local journalism in the state, compared to the $500 million per year that Senate consultants had initially discussed tech giants Google, Meta and Amazon pay in taxes for local news in California, according to the California Senate Standing Committee on Revenue and Taxation. It was unclear why Meta and Amazon are not part of the program. And unlike the initially proposed legislation that required a vote, the final budgetary agreement which still requires Newsoms sign-off did not involve any working journalists in drafting it, union leaders told TheWrap. However, union leaders are also not confident that the state has appropriated the public funds necessary to actualize the partnership, which is set to go into effect in 2025 and run through 2029, according to a Wednesday statement from Media Guild of the West. Los Angeles Times Guild members rally against significant imminent layoffs at the Los Angeles Times newspaper during a walkout in January. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The final agreement also did little to allay fears in journalism circles that more advanced artificial intelligence could threaten job security. The deal calls for tech companies to pay $62.5 million to create a nonprofit to administer a new AI accelerator project, the National AI Accelerator, details of which are still largely unclear. Big Tech companies, including Google, are in a multi-billion-dollar arms race to develop AI-fueled Large Language Models that can be applied across a variety of creative industries, such as journalism and Hollywood film and television production. Already, a number of major news organizations have licensed their content to industry-leading OpenAI or are suing over copyright violations. Californias apparent capitulation to Google could also set off alarm bells for the rest of the countrys newsmakers. As the most populated state in the country, California is often a blueprint or trial-run for future federal legislation. The deal will set a bad precedent for other states hoping to take strong action against monopolies in the tech space, Pearce said. The entire reason this legislation existed is because Google already dominates the news industry and has so much power over everything that we do, Pearce said. I dont think that its a good decision to hand a literal monopoly the keys to AI development in the journalism industry. Google did not respond to repeated emails from TheWrap seeking clarification about why the companys funding commitment ended up being so much less than originally discussed, and why the AI accelerator ended up being a national initiative using state funding. California lawmakers have worked with the tech and news sectors to develop a collaborative framework to accelerate AI innovation and support local and national businesses and nonprofit organizations, Kent Walker, president of global affairs for Google parent Alphabet, said in a statement to TheWrap. This public-private partnership builds on our long history of working with journalism and the local news ecosystem in our home state, while developing a national center of excellence on AI policy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) While the agreement is not yet official, Newsom has praised the effort. The deal not only provides funding to support hundreds of new journalists but helps rebuild a robust and dynamic California press corps for years to come, reinforcing the vital role of journalism in our democracy, he said in a statement. The number of journalists in California has declined by 68%, or about 5000, in the last two decades. Anna Bruggman of the non-profit Rebuild Local News told TheWrap that the state needs $375 million per year to make up for the loss and create a better, more dynamic local news sector in California. Breaking down the deal Last year lawmakers proposed two California laws State Assembly Bill 886 and Senate Bill 1327 to provide protections for journalists and media companies. AB886, or the California Journalism Preservation Act, would have required internet and social media platforms to compensate digital journalism outlets for distributing their content, in a similar way to Australias 2021 News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code. SB1327, which the California Senate passed in June, proposed a 7.25% tax on gross receipts derived from data extraction, essentially taxing social media companies, online retailers and large search engines for generating clicks from digital-first journalism. Media Guild of the West was initially involved in the drafting process for the two state bills, Pearce said, but was not asked to collaborate on the final agreement and did not receive a press release from Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who announced the negotiated deal last week. Jon Schleuss, president of The NewsGuild-CWA, Pearce and five other news leaders, authored a statement decrying what they termed a shakedown. The $250 million in the agreement, which will be funded over five years, breaks down between taxpayer money and philanthropic partners. Of the total, $180 million will go to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, managed by the University of California Berkeley School of Journalism and a seven-member board made up of members of the California News Publishers Association (CNPA), Ethnic Media Services, Local Independent Online News, Latino Media Collaborative, California Black Media and the Media Guild of the West. The $180 million would be distributed to qualifying California news organizations based on a framework that would ensure that money goes toward journalism jobs and not corporate profits, Wicks said in an interview with the Sacramento Bee. Specifically, 12% of the funds would be reserved for locally focused publications and outlets serving under-represented groups and so-called news deserts that no longer receive local news coverage. Google and some unnamed tech partners will contribute $110 million, and $70 million will come from the state, according to the final deal framework. The tech companies agreed to spend an additional $62.5 million to fund the non-profit National AI Accelerator. From the lawmakers who are involved in the making of this deal to big tech itself, theres no accountability whatsoever. And that is so deeply frustrating. Alicia Ramirez, founder and publisher of The Riverside Review If approved in next years budget negotiations, the state would pay $30 million in 2025 and then $10 million a year through 2029, for a total of $70 million. Google is set to pay $15 million for the journalism fund in 2025 and a minimum of $10 million a year through 2029, for a minimum total of $55 million. Wicks said she was confident that the amount of money per year is doable from a budgetary point of view, even in a deficit year. But Pearce stressed that the agreed-upon figure is much lower than state legislators initially discussed. Under the original state Senate bill reviewed by TheWrap, companies whose gross receipts exceed $2.5 billion a year would be taxed annually to support local journalism. State Sen. Steve Glazer said in a May Senate revenue hearing that the bill would likely only affect Google, Meta and Amazon because they are the only companies whose grosses from digital-first journalism would place them in the taxable range. Committee consultants said the tech giants collectively would pay $500 million annually in taxes for local news in California. In the new partnership deal, Google will pay no more than 3% of that per year. California hasnt appropriated the public funds necessary to actualize a public-private partnership with Google, which was sketched out behind closed doors after the monopoly strong-armed Californias elected leaders and publishers, Pearce said in a guild statement on Wednesday. Given that legislative reality, we are skeptical about the viability of a draft framework that isnt supported in its current form by a single organization representing Californias journalists and news workers. Heading into the AI unknown The biggest source of controversy in the Google arrangement is the addition of the AI accelerator that was not included in either of the state legislature bills first proposed early last year. In announcing the deal, Wicks said that the accelerator will complement the work of the Journalism Fund by creating new tools to help journalists access and analyze public information. But it is still unclear why the AI accelerator was lumped into the agreement in the first place. AI, it has a role in journalism going forward nobodys quite clear what that role is but it doesnt seem to me that AI is going to be the instrument through which we start to restore journalism, the presence of journalism in smaller communities, said Edward Wasserman, professor and former dean of UC Berkeleys Graduate School of Journalism. Wicks said in an interview with the Sacramento Bee that she envisioned this new AI tool to make school boards and city and county governments more accessible to both journalists and the public, similar to CalMatters AI-infused Digital Democracy project has done for the Legislature. CalMatters CEO Neil Chase has been vocal about his support for AI in the newsroom and his support of the Google agreement. Chase has also suggested that his site host the new accelerator tool, a media source told TheWrap. A troubling precedent Earlier this year Illinois filed a similar Senate bill, SB3591, that called for tech funding for journalism in that state. The Journalism Preservation Act, introduced in February, would require companies like Meta and Google to track the number of times it presents or links to a news outlets work each month and pay a fee to the journalism entity behind the content. Canada also reached an agreement last year similar to Californias bill. But it struck a better deal with Google $75 million (USD) per year compared to Californias $15 million. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (Getty Images) Federal legislation is also under way. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John N. Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, or S1094. It would address similar issues with the intention of providing fair compensation to news publishers. The bill has strong bipartisan support and was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2023. The News/Media Alliance, a nonprofit that specializes in the challenges of a dynamic media environment, called for federal legislation to implement greater checks on the tech giants. Google is a dominant monopoly that reaps significant revenue off scraping and repackaging quality news content, depriving publishers of the opportunity to monetize their content and reinvest in journalists, News/Media Alliance President & CEO Danielle Coffey said in a press release. The California agreement reinforces the need for federal legislation and potential court remedies to address this broken marketplace. Amid the tussle between lawmakers and tech companies, local journalists like Ramirez are grappling with the ethics of taking financial handouts from Big Tech to help ensure their survival. I am not anti-deal, but when we are making backroom secret deals between legislators and big tech companies that dont involve the actual stakeholders which at this point is journalists, publishers, and the entire population of California at large, Ramirez said. Its not a good deal for anybody except Google. And that, to me, is the most frustrating part of all of this. The post California Journalists Slam Backroom Deal After Big Tech Upends Agreement Meant to Bolster Local News appeared first on TheWrap. Days in California schools are numbered for snacks like Flamin Hot Cheetos, some cereals, baked goods and other products that contain a number of synthetic food dyes. State lawmakers on Thursday sent a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom to ban schools, beginning in 2028, from distributing or selling products containing six common food dyes: red No. 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3. Products containing the additives could still be sold throughout the rest of the state; the ban only applies to California public schools and charter schools. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, the bills author, said the dangerous synthetic ingredients harm our children (and) interfere with their ability to learn. Gabriel has cited a state study linking synthetic food dyes with hyperactivity and neurological behavioral problems in children. The San Fernando Valley Democrat noted the bill had received bipartisan backing and was supported by doctors, teachers and agricultural groups. I know many of you were skeptical about this effort when we first started, but you have taken the time to listen and to learn and to look at the research and the science and the evidence and the data he said before the legislations final vote. The issue of food safety is and should be a bipartisan one. His bill passed the Assembly by a 55-0 vote. Industry groups representing candymakers opposed the bill, arguing it would overstep the FDAs authority. All of these additives have been thoroughly reviewed by the federal and state systems and many international scientific bodies and continue to be deemed safe, the Consumer Brands Association wrote against the measure. Gabriel authored a similar bill last year to ban four other food additives from being sold anywhere in California beginning in 2027. Among the ingredients that law will ban is brominated vegetable oil, which is used to prevent separation in some citrus-flavored drinks. Earlier this month, the federal Food and Drug Administration voted to ban brominated vegetable oil from use in food products for human consumption. The work were doing here is driving this debate nationally, Gabriel said. UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), urged Israel on Thursday to provide security guarantee and facilitation for the vaccination against the polio virus in Gaza. The polio virus seriously threatens the health of children in Gaza, and vaccination is the most effective way to stem the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of children, Geng said in his remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Stressing that China supports the appeal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the ambassador urged Israel to provide security guarantee and facilitation for the vaccination work "in a responsible manner towards its own children and those of the region." "We support the Council in making a strong appeal to this end to avoid further worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," Geng noted. He addressed the dire situation in Gaza, where over 40,000 civilians have been killed since the conflict started over 10 months ago, with more than 1,000 people losing their lives in the past month alone. The envoy noted that despite the repeated calls by the international community for an end to the fighting, the multiple resolutions adopted by the Security Council in this regard, and provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, the situation has not seen any improvement. "Rather, it continues to worsen." "Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee time and again, unable to find a safe place of living," Geng said, adding that Israel continued to further suppress and restrict the UN and other humanitarian organizations, frequently rejecting deliveries of supplies such as fuel. Recently, humanitarian agencies were compelled to evacuate from their centers and warehouses in Deir al-Balah, further causing serious damage to the humanitarian system in Gaza, said the ambassador. Geng underscored that the priority now is to fully implement the four Security Council resolutions on the situation in Gaza, secure an immediate and durable ceasefire, and effectively ease the humanitarian catastrophe. "Ceasefire negotiations cannot be indefinitely delayed, still less should they be used as an excuse to continue committing atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank in violation of international law," he stated. The envoy urged Israel to immediately stop all military operations in Gaza, open all border crossings, stop its suppression and restriction of the UN and other humanitarian organizations, stop its attacks on the West Bank, and curb settler violence and impunity. He also called on countries with significant influence on the parties concerned to "demonstrate a sincere and responsible approach and take practical actions" to help realize a ceasefire. Geng also expressed support for further actions by the Security Council to promote the implementation of relevant resolutions, bring an early end to the fighting, and ease the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Patrons enjoy a joint at a restaurant and cannabis bar in West Hollywood, which is allowed to operate through a license issued by the city. The rest of California could soon follow. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Under a bill approved by the state Legislature Wednesday, Californians may soon be able to walk into a dispensary, light a cannabis pre-roll and order a side of fries or a sandwich to enjoy with it. Some California dispensaries already offer "consumption lounges" for customers to vape, smoke and sample edibles on site, but they're barred from selling anything other than prepackaged snacks and drinks. If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs Assembly Bill 1775, cities in the Golden State would have the leeway to permit so-called "cannabis cafes," which could sell food and nonalcoholic beverages and host live music and other performances. The bill cleared the Assembly on a 63-5 vote. The "cannabis cafe" model has been compared to Amsterdam, where the consumption of cannabis has been legal at coffee shops since the 1970s. Supporters of the California bill argue that it would help create a more comfortable recreational weed culture that would boost the bottom lines for California's highly taxed and regulated legal cannabis dispensaries, which compete with black-market sellers. Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), who wrote the bill, has said that another revenue stream would support legal businesses that "just want to diversify their businesses and do the right thing." "The illicit illegal market is continuing to grow and thrive, while our legal cannabis market is struggling," Haney said earlier this year during a debate over the bill. Read more: The dirty secret of California's legal weed The bill is sponsored by the California Nightlife Assn. and California NORML, a chapter of the national organization that lobbies for changes to cannabis laws. The groups have argued that California's current dispensary policies have "replaced the social aspect of the Amsterdam cannabis scene with pharmacy-like businesses that only allow customers to order cannabis at a counter, purchase nothing else, and then leave." The bill is opposed by public health groups, including the American Heart Assn. and the Health Officers Assn. of California. Those groups have argued that secondhand marijuana smoke has higher particulate levels than tobacco smoke, and can cause health issues including cardiovascular disease, lung irritation and asthma attacks. Newsom vetoed a nearly identical version of the cannabis cafe bill last year, saying he was concerned about the potential effect on California's "longstanding smoke-free workplace protections." New amendments added in the Senate this month seem aimed at addressing Newsom's concerns, including clarifying that, if cities choose to impose ventilation standards, the systems must be powerful enough to prevent "smoke and odors from migrating to any other part of the building hosting the consumption lounge or any neighboring building or grounds." The bill also specifies that cannabis cafe employees would have the right to wear respirator masks at work, paid for by their employers. Employers would also be required to include secondhand smoke in their injury and illness prevention plans that are required under California labor law. Read more: Under pressure from weed consumers, California regulators hustle to start testing for pesticides West Hollywood created a similar licensing system six years ago, and now has a handful of cannabis cafes operating in less than two square miles. Local officials who are calling the city the "Amsterdam of the far West" have said that the comfort and familiarity of smoking or vaping in a restaurant setting could help the city see one of the highest numbers of cannabis businesses per capita in the world. The cafes in West Hollywood operate with some workarounds that separate the food businesses from the dispensaries, including partnering with nearby restaurants to deliver fresh food to their customers, The Times has previously reported. One consumption lounge called PleasureMed has a bar that serves alcoholic drinks and a kitchen that serves hot food but they're separate buildings, and separate companies, from the dispensary itself. Customers are generally required to pay cash for cannabis products, even if they're also ordering food, to avoid running afoul of federal banking regulations. The City of Los Angeles and other major cities in Southern California do not yet have such licensing systems, but could create them if Newsom signs AB 1775. Times staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. California state lawmakers have approved legislation that effectively bans all plastic grocery bags. Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236, which prohibit grocery stores from offering any bags other than paper at checkout, bolster the original goals of Californias 2014 plastic bag ban law, according to the California Public Interest Research Group, or CALPIRG. SB 1053 passed the State Assembly on Thursday with an initial vote of 49-5; on Wednesday, AB 2236 passed the State Senate with a vote of 31-8. Both bills require one final vote in each house before heading to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. California became the first state in the nation to pass a plastic grocery bag ban in 2014, and voters upheld the law in 2016. However, the original law, SB 270, allowed grocery stores to still offer plastic bags as long as they were deemed reusable and recyclable. This loophole led to a surge in the use of thicker plastic bags, which manufacturers claim meet the criteria but are still rarely reused. California sets nations toughest plastics reduction rules Weve known for a long time that plastic bags create pollution in our environment. Thats why Californians voted to ban plastic grocery bags in 2016, said CALPIRG State Director Jenn Engstrom. The problem is that grocery stores have been allowed to still provide thicker plastic bags, and now plastic bag waste is at an all-time high. With todays vote in the legislature, California is on track to finally ban plastic bags in grocery checkout lanes once and for all. Customers would still be encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase paper bags at checkout for a nominal fee. It is uncertain if Newsom, who has generally supported efforts to reduce plastic pollution, will sign the bills. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. California's Democratic-controlled Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday that would expand healthcare coverage to include in vitro fertilization. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a similar proposal nationwide on the same day. The rare agreement on policy among political foes comes as reproductive health advocates warn that a Trump presidency cannot be trusted with protecting fertility care, as some conservatives raise ethical questions over the use of embryos. California currently does not require insurance companies to cover fertility treatment, including IVF, which involves collecting eggs from ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab and then implanting them in a uterus. The common procedure costs Californians an average of $24,000 out of pocket, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and can require multiple rounds before it is successful. State Senate Bill 729, which cleared its final hurdle in the Senate on Thursday, would also change the definition of infertility for insurance purposes to include a persons inability to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner without medical intervention." The new definition allows LGBTQ+ couples seeking to start a family to qualify for coverage, instead of only those who prove to have fertility problems. Read more: Amid political IVF debates, parent hopefuls struggle to afford fertility care in California "It will ensure that queer couples no longer have to pay more out-of-pocket to start families than non-queer families. It will increase access to care, help reduce inequities in health and economic status, and bring the law up-to-date on medical advancements in IVF and its uses," Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), who authored the bill, said in a statement. The legislation comes as abortion advocates across the country warn that if Trump is elected in November, it could mean that IVF is in danger, noting that he has taken credit for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe vs. Wade, the decades-old law that ensured abortion rights for all Americans. Abortion laws are now up to each state, and millions of women have since lost local access to the procedure. At a campaign event in Michigan on Thursday, though, Trump said he would ensure that IVF treatment is paid for by the government or by insurance companies. "We want more babies, to put it very nicely," he said. Restrictions on abortion and conservative objections to IVF have, in some parts of the country, become major political liabilities for Republican candidates, including Trump. 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," Reproductive Freedom for All President and Chief Executive Mini Timmaraju said in a statement. While Trump doubled down on his support for IVF on Thursday and has said he would not impose a national abortion ban, his conservative supporters have posed ethical and religious concerns about how embryos should be treated and when life really begins. During the IVF process, some embryos may not survive and can be discarded if no longer needed. An Alabama court ruled that frozen embryos like those used in IVF can be considered children and that destroying them constitutes wrongful death, and more than a dozen states have introduced fetal personhood protection laws. In addition to calling for more abortion restrictions, Project 2025 the conservative GOP playbook pitched to Trump says that the destruction of embryos should become "fully obsolete and ethically unthinkable." The California Family Council, a conservative Christian organization, opposed SB 729, saying that its LGBTQ+ inclusion threatens the nuclear family and that "human life begins at conception, and as bearers of Gods image, each embryo deserves to be safeguarded and honored with dignity." But it's not just conservatives opposing the bill, and even as California has solidified itself as a reproductive rights haven under Newsom, the legislation faces an uphill battle. SB 729 is opposed by health insurance companies, the California Chamber of Commerce and Newsom's own Department of Finance because of cost concerns. Estimates of the cost to California to expand insurance coverage for state employees range between $15 million and $80 million in just the first two years of implementation. Some opponents warn that a new health insurance mandate could lead to higher premiums for all, even if they do not seek IVF services. "It creates costs and pressures not included in the administrations spending plan," the California Department of Finance wrote in opposition, as the state faces a budget deficit. 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 Treasurer Fiona Ma, shown in 2022, said she was "completely vindicated" by the settlement with a former state employee whose lawsuit accused her of sexual harassment. An attorney for the plaintiff called that "nonsense." (Elias Funez/Associated Press) California taxpayers will pay $350,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former state employee who alleged that Treasurer Fiona Ma, who is now running for lieutenant governor, sexually harassed her. The former employee, Judith Blackwell, worked under Ma as the executive director of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. Blackwell filed the lawsuit in 2021 in Sacramento County Superior Court after she was fired. The complaint alleged that Ma offered to let Blackwell stay in hotel rooms, and later at an Airbnb, in Sacramento with Ma and her chief of staff to avoid an hourlong commute home after dark. The lawsuit said that Ma repeatedly exposed her "bare rear end" to Blackwell in the hotel room, and once crawled into Blackwell's bed at the Airbnb while she was sleeping. Read more: 2026 California lieutenant governor race begins to take shape A Sacramento County judge last year dismissed Blackwell's claims of wrongful termination and racial discrimination, but allowed the sexual harassment allegations to move forward. The case was scheduled to go to trial Sept. 9. "From day one, I said this was a frivolous lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee who fabricated claims in an attempt to embarrass me in hopes of receiving millions of dollars in a settlement," Ma said in a statement Friday. "After three years of delay, I have been completely vindicated, and can continue my work on affordable housing, climate action and job creation without distraction." Waukeen McCoy, the San Francisco attorney who represented Blackwell, said Ma's characterization of the case as a vindication was "nonsense." "I cannot fathom how she thinks that she's been vindicated my client has been vindicated," McCoy said. "It seems like Ms. Ma does not feel like she did anything wrong. She's not taking responsibility for her actions, which is unfortunate." Read more: Despite scandals, key California politicians glide toward reelection. Here's why The $350,000 settlement agreement was signed by attorneys for the state Justice Department and for the state Treasury, both dated Friday. Ma was elected as the state's banker in 2018, and previously served in the California Assembly, where she authored legislation banning toxic chemicals and strengthening protections for domestic violence victims. Ma is a certified public accountant and has also worked as a member of the California Board of Equalization and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. 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. For years, Californias counties have been secretly intercepting federal survivor and disability benefits of abused and neglected foster children and using the funds to add to the money taxpayers already provide for care. Governments are essentially stealing from these childrens futures, and the practice should be stopped. When a biological parent of a child in foster care dies, the child is entitled to the parents Social Security survivor benefits. And, just like any other child, if a child in foster care has a qualifying disability, they may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits to pay for treatment or assistance. Federal law requires that these benefits are to be used or conserved in the best interest of the beneficiary. Foster kids are entitled to these funds not the state or counties. And the obligation to pay for foster care belongs to the government not the children. In many cases, these children (their attorneys and guardians) arent aware the state is applying for and receiving these benefits on the childrens behalf. This practice has dire consequences, which include needlessly adding to the states growing homeless crisis. When foster youth age out of care, they are often given a trash bag for their belongings and dropped off at a homeless shelter. Unsurprisingly, upwards of 40% of foster youth experience homelessness by age 21. Imagine the overwhelming burdens faced by former foster youth who are disabled or have a deceased parent. Instead, if we simply conserved federal benefits for children in foster care, they could put them to use for rent, utilities and food to support themselves as they transition to independent living. This harmful practice is also out of compliance with a 2018 federal law requiring data sharing between the Social Security Administration and child welfare agencies. The Childrens Advocacy Institute is currently serving as counsel on behalf of two San Diego-area former foster children seeking to recoup their lost money and seeking an injunction implementing federal legal standards requiring counties to prioritize the needs of children in spending or conserving the money. This practice is a fundamental abstention from basic due process. Opinion California isnt the only state taking money from foster children. So how do states and counties get around legislative intent and federal requirements when pocketing the money for their own use? By not telling anyone not the judge overseeing the case, the foster parents, the childs lawyer or even the foster child themselves that they are using the childs benefits to offset the costs of foster care. The federal Social Security Administration has begun to encourage more states to set aside these funds for the foster children to use as they age out of the system. The administration recently issued new guidance for states and counties that administer foster youth programs, reminding them they are to carry out the duties of representative payees, including meeting regularly with beneficiaries and deciding on an individual basis how to use and save benefits in the beneficiaries best interests. Assembly Bill 2906, authored by Asm. Isaac Bryan, D-Culver City, is pending legislation that would partially end this practice in California. The bill recently passed the Senate after unanimously passing the assembly and now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsoms signature. States across the nation are taking action to prohibit or curb this practice: Arizona, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington, D.C. have stopped taking kids benefits, and dozens of other states have passed or are attempting to implement reform. Los Angeles and San Diego Counties have already announced that they will voluntarily stop taking kids benefits. The federal Social Security Administration, which has been reviewing state practices related to this issue, issued an advisory commending states and counties that have reversed this practice, reminding them that the administration counts on them to use and save benefits in the beneficiaries best interests. Advocates came within a whisker of getting substantial reform done last year, when the legislature unanimously passed AB 1512 (which, like the current AB 2906, would have ended the practice of states taking monetary benefits from foster kids). Regrettably, Newsom vetoed AB 1512, citing budget constraints. The new bill, AB 2906, is far narrower, applying only to Social Security survivor benefits (not disability benefits), so the cost to the state has significantly decreased. But for thousands of youth aging out of the foster care system without a support network, a job or a place to live, these funds could mean the difference between a security deposit or fending for themselves on the streets. We have another chance to get on the right side of this arcane, cruel policy and protect our foster youth. Lets put an end to this dishonorable and unacceptable practice. Amy Harfeld is the national policy director for the Childrens Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law. California Treasurer Fiona Ma claims vindication, but taxpayers are on the hook for $350,000 California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who is running as a Democrat to be the states next lieutenant governor in 2026, has closed the case on the harassment allegations against her at the states expense. A PR firm representing Ma released a statement Thursday announcing that the complainant, Judith Blackwell, was abandoning her claim that Ma sexually harassed her, bringing an end to a three-year case that was set to go to trial soon. From day one, I said this was a frivolous lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee who fabricated claims in an attempt to embarrass me in hopes of receiving millions of dollars in a settlement, said Ma. After three years of delay, I have been completely vindicated, and can continue my work on affordable housing, climate action and job creation without distraction. Mas attorney, Ognian Gavrilov of Sacramento, said in a statement that Ma had rejected multiple settlement attempts from Blackwell. This is a complete victory for the Treasurer, Gavrilov said. We were ready to have the truth be brought to light in the courtroom, but the attorneys for the plaintiff clearly did not want a trial and instead dropped all of their causes of action against Treasurer Ma. But theres more to the story. As first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, and verified by The Bee, while Ma isnt paying any settlement, the State of California is. Golden State taxpayers will pay Blackwell to the tune of $350,000, though the agreement specifies that doing so is not an admission of any wrongdoing. My client is excited that we came to an amicable resolution of her case and she is ready to move forward with her life, Blackwells attorney, Waukeen McCoy told The Bee. And this case presents that no one is above the law. McCoy said it was ridiculous for Ma to claim that she was vindicated in this case when the resolution included an exchange of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said the case can only be dismissed once the state pays the settlement, which he has yet to receive. McCoy rejected Gavrilovs claim that his side did not want to go to trial. I have no idea why she thinks shes vindicated from this when the state had to paid $350,000 to resolve this matter, McCoy said. Under the agreement, all remaining claims against Ma are withdrawn. In an interview with KCRA, Gavrilov called the Department of Justice choice to pay out a business decision made to save taxpayers the expense of a trial. Ma expressed disappointment with the agreement, which she was not part of. Im not happy theyre getting anything, I really wanted my day in court, Ma told KCRA. A Camarillo man is behind bars after he allegedly killed two people and injured two more in Oxnard and Camarillo Thursday afternoon. Alvin Otis Johnson, 42, first stabbed 33-year-old Ricardo Juarez just after 1 p.m. as the two were in Juarezs car at Rice Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard in unincorporated Oxnard, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Juarez was left at that location by Johnson, who fled in the victims car. Juarez later succumbed to his wound at a local hospital. About four hours later, another violent attack was reported, this time in the 3400 block of Huerta Court in Camarillo. When deputies arrived, they found Johnson with a handgun, and he was taken into custody, authorities said. Inside the home, Marilyn Gallagher, 75, had sustained severe head trauma, and she was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Additionally, an adult man who had sustained injuries reported the attack at the Camarillo Police Station, and a second wounded man was found at the Huerta Court home. The two wounded men, ages 51 and 47, are acquaintances of Johnsons, as was Gallagher. Johnson faces multiple charges: two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, negligent discharge of a firearm, kidnapping, false imprisonment and being an addict in possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Ventura County Main Jail in lieu of $2 million bail, and he is due to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on Tuesday. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kathryn Torres at 805-384-4740. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WSAV) A Massachusetts man was found guilty by a jury in Camden County on Thursday for murdering his former fiancee in 2022. Jason Palmer, 47, of Littleton, Massachusetts, was ordered to serve the rest of his natural life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive sentence of 10 years to serve in prison for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and concealing the death of another. According to evidence presented at the trial, Palmer killed his ex-fiancee Jessica Goodrich, of Worcester, Massachusetts, by stabbing her. She was 45. Palmer, who was working as a long-distance commercial truck driver, had convinced Goodrich to join him on a monthlong assignment from Massachusetts to Florida. Glynn County police arrest man charged with 41 counts of sexual exploitation of children On their way back, at a truck stop off of Interstate 95 in Camden County, Palmer killed Goodrich, hid her body in the nearby woods and took any items that might identify her. Goodrichs body was found on the afternoon of Oct. 8, 2022, by a man walking his dog. The Camden County Sheriffs Office identified her through her fingerprints and identified Palmer as the prime suspect. Officials said Palmer had a history of abusing Goodrich and hurt her in the days leading up to her death. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Hal Moroz and Assistant District Attorney Cameron Atwood. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) BELGRADE, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Serbia for a two-day visit on Thursday afternoon. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held talks with him, and they witnessed the signing of over a dozen agreements between governments and enterprises of the two nations. At a subsequent press conference, Vucic emphasized the depth of the discussions, which covered bilateral relations, Serbia's European Union (EU) accession process, and broader European and global issues. "The agreements we signed today touch every aspect of our social and economic life," Vucic said. He also emphasized the importance of Serbia's purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets from France. Macron said the agreements signed reflect France's support for Serbia's EU integration through enhanced ties. "We must reform the European Union and expand it," Macron said. In addition to letters of intent on nuclear energy and strategic raw materials, as well as the purchase agreement for Rafale fighter jets, the two countries also secured letters of intent on environmental protection, healthcare, agricultural and food industry, tourism, and infrastructure projects. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (1st R, Front) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R, Front) at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R, C) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron (L, C) at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Serbia and France on Thursday signed a series of preliminary agreements on nuclear energy, strategic raw materials, as well as a deal on acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua) Amendment 6 would eliminate Florida's public campaign financing. (Photo credit: Getty Images) Floridians for Open Democracy, a recently launched group, is campaigning against a proposed state constitutional amendment that would scrap public funding of statewide campaigns and the spending limits that candidates who draw those funds must agree to. Getting rid of Floridas matching-fund program for candidates running for governor and the three Cabinet positions would make it harder for people who are not wealthy to run for office, said Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida, a nonpartisan organization behind Floridians for Open Democracy. If you put it very simply, public campaign financing gives everyday Floridians more influence, right, and more say in their representatives, Keith said in a phone interview with Florida Phoenix. This is in Florida a small-dollar matching program. Candidates only get the funds if they raise money from ordinary Floridians. So, it really provides that incentive for candidates to listen to everyday people. How does Floridas public campaign financing work? Florida is one of 12 states with public financing for gubernatorial candidates, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. If Amendment 6 receives 60% approval from voters in November, statewide candidates wouldnt draw public funds, but they also wouldnt have to abide by the spending limits in Florida statutes. For example, candidates who accept public funds now can spend only $25,000 of their own money in their campaigns, and their spending is limited in governors races to $2 per registered voter and $1 in Cabinet races. To gain access to public funds, people vying for the governors office must raise $150,000 and those seeking a Cabinet position must raise $100,000 from small donors. With just 66 days until the general election, Floridians for Open Democracy plans to carry its campaign against the amendment digitally and provide voters with a simple message: If you believe money in politics is a problem, then you want to vote no on Amendment 6. Keith said the group waited until after the Florida primaries to start the campaign because voters have been hearing messages about other issues on the ballot. This year, the abortion-rights and recreational marijuana amendments are getting the most attention and money. Its really important to have this messaging in these final weeks as we have the lead-up to the election and make sure that people can understand it in a time frame close to when theyre going to be seeing this is on their ballot, she said. Lawmakers wanted the amendment on the ballot Amendment 6 ended up on the ballot after the Florida Legislature passed it in March. This is their second attempt to remove public campaign financing, which has been a part of the Florida Constitution since 1998. In 2010, 52.4% of voters wanted to can the system, falling short of the 60% threshold, according to the Florida Division of Elections amendments database. Miami-Dade Republican Rep. Tom Fabricio, who sponsored the measure in the House, cited the amount of money dispersed to candidates in previous years as one of the reasons he wants to eliminate public campaign financing in Florida. We spent $13 million in 2022, nearly $10 million in 2018, and over $4 million in 2014 from the states general revenue on public campaign financing. These are substantial amounts that could be better used to support essential services for Floridians, Fabricio wrote in a statement to the Phoenix. Voters will have the ability to remove this funding mechanism to promote a campaign environment where candidates are driven to build broader support from their communities rather than relying on state funds. This not only reduces the financial burden on taxpayers but also aligns with fiscal responsibility and free-market principles. In the last election cycle, Gov. Ron DeSantis drew $7.3 million, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis $221,915, and Attorney General Ashley Moody $291,333. State records dont reflect any disbursements to Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. Need for transparency Although the Florida GOP supports the amendment, not all Republicans agree. Sen. Joe Gruters, of Sarasota and Manatee counties, was the sole Republican in the Legislature to vote against the amendment. Hes also going against the grain in supporting the recreational marijuana amendment, which the party opposes. Its an expensive state to run for statewide office, and, obviously, Ive already announced that Im running for CFO. I think what [public campaign financing] does is encourage candidates to go after small, low-dollar donations, which is all transparent and available to the public to see, rather than being dependent on political committees, Gruters told the Phoenix in a phone interview. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The Supreme Courts late-term decision recognizing a dangerously expansive immunity from criminal prosecution for former presidents effectively cut off any chance of the original indictment in the January 6 case against former President Donald J. Trump going forward. But for all its terrible flaws, the immunity decision left a path for Special Counsel Jack Smith to pursue a narrowed case that targets only conduct for which Trump is not immune. So Smith seized that opportunity by filing a supersedingor amended indictment against Trump on Tuesday. The filing is an explosive reminder of the powerful criminal charges against Trump and puts the lie to those who said the case might be dead in the aftermath of the immunity decision. Together with the pretrial proceedings to follow, this development thrusts the question of Trumps criminality back into public focus during the heart of the campaign. In the superseding indictment, Smith retained all four charges in the initial indictment. But to comply with the Courts decision, prosecutors trimmed certain factual allegations to ensure that those charges are predicated on conduct that is not shielded by immunity. In particular, they excised all allegations related to Trumps interactions with the Department of Justice. Although those allegations involve a chilling abuse of power, the Court held that they constitute a core executive function for which presidents are absolutely immune. As a result, Trumps attempts to weaponize the Department of Justice to his own private ends are no longer part of the case. Gone is the allegation that he pressured the Department to release a letter falsely claiming that the election was marred by outcome-determinative fraud. Gone is the allegation that he sought to use the Department to press state officials to certify his electors, rather than those of President Joe Biden. And gone is the allegation that he attempted to install his now-excised co-conspirator, Jeffery Clark, as the Acting Attorney General to implement his scheme when other officials resisted. The vast majority of the conduct alleged in the original indictment, however, remains. The core of Trumps plot to reverse the legal results of the 2020 election involved unofficial acts for which he is not immune: spreading false conspiracy theories about voter fraud, organizing fraudulent alternate slates of electors, and then seeking for those fraudulent electors votes in the Electoral College to be counted on January 6. Each of those elements survives essentially unscathed in the superseding indictment. From the very first paragraph, the superseding indictment clarifies that Mr. Trump is being prosecuted for his conduct as a candidate, not as president. That distinction is essential because the lies Trump spread through his campaign as a candidate were not official acts of the office he sought. Similarly, organizing fraudulent alternate slates of electors bears no connection to any official responsibility of the president. Just like Biden and the Democratic Party organized their slates of electors, Trump and the Republican Party organized their own slates of electors. Both were the political actions of each respective candidate; neither constituted an official act. Trumps plot culminated in pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to recognize the fraudulent electoral certificates on January 6 and count those electors sham votes for Trump. The Supreme Court held that Trumps interactions with Pence were official acts, but even still those interactions are only presumptively immunethey are not immune if, in the Courts words, their prosecution would not pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch. Smith clearly believes he can overcome the presumption. To accommodate the Courts rule, Smith wisely clarified that Pence presided over the electoral count in his legislative capacity as President of the Senate. It is difficult to see how it would interfere with the functioning of the executive branch to prosecute a former president for pressuring a legislative branch official to take plainly unconstitutional action over the electoral count. That was conduct by candidate Trump, not President Trump, and is fair game for prosecution. The case that emerges from Smiths superseding indictment against Trump is strikingly similar to the case he made in the original indictment last year. Indeed, of the seven categories of allegations in the original indictment, six of them remain in the superseding indictment almost untouched. Smiths decision to file a superseding indictment, rather than simply striking the Department of Justice allegations from the original indictment, is strategically savvy. Providing a cleaned-up version is a more elegant solution that avoids confusing the court and ultimately the jury. Moreover, by going back to a grand jury to get a new indictment, Smith cuts off any argument that the excised immune allegations taint this indictmentand it allowed him to add subtle clarifications about why the remaining allegations are not immune. What happens next? The case that many assumed was dead after the Supreme Courts immunity decision will roar back to life in the coming weeks and months. Because Smith filed a new indictment, Trump must be arraigned once again. On Friday, the parties will propose how Judge Chutkan should proceed. Next week, on September 5, she will hold a status conference about those proposals and to decide on the next steps in the case, potentially including substantial pre-trial proceedings before the end of the year. The Supreme Court directed the trial court to apply its immunity test, and that will require Judge Chutkan to take evidence. She will need to review documents and may choose to hear from witnesses to answer questions like whether Trumps public claims of voter fraud were the unofficial acts of a candidate, whether his pressure campaign against Pence must be immune to protect the functioning of the executive branch, and whether organizing alternate slates of electors was (somehow) part of the presidents official responsibilities. If she holds an evidentiary hearing, or mini-trial, that may well happen before November. Such a proceeding, where witnesses like Mr. Pence and former RNC chair Rhonna McDaniel could testify, would not yield an ultimate verdict on Trumps guilt or innocence, but would allow the American people to hear the unvarnished facts about Trumps conduct in the last election as he seeks to win the next one. Even if recent reporting that Smith has decided against requesting a mini-trial turns out to be true, Judge Chutkan could choose to proceed with one anyway if she believes it's necessary to develop the factual recordthe Supreme Court chastised her in its opinion for failing to do that. She has said that defendants before her commonly have job-related inconveniences that do not derail their criminal cases, and Trump shouldnt be treated any differently. But we should be realistic about the prospects for trial in 2024. Even if Judge Chutkan proceeds with an evidentiary hearing prior to Election Day and, applying the Supreme Courts new test, decides that Trump is not immune for the conduct in the superseding indictment, that ruling would itself be subject to an immediate appeal. As a result, the Supreme Court will almost certainly review the immunity issue a second time before Trump would face trialwhich would likely occur in 2025 at the earliest. Even without a trial on the immediate horizon, these pre-trial proceedings in the January 6 casetogether with expected September developments, including a sentencing in Trumps conviction in New Yorkmeans that Trumps alleged election interference promises to be a recurring theme over the remaining 70 days before Election Day. That theme should bring into sharp focus the stakes facing American voters. Should Trump win reelection, he will surely order the Department of Justice to drop the criminal cases against him, pardon himself, or both. That means that the 2024 election is in effect a referendum on whether Trump ever faces a trial in the January 6 case at all. There is not a lot Smith can do about that; hes a prosecutor, not a politician. He is appropriately leaving the political judgment to the voters, and proceeding as if a trial is inevitable. He is treating the most significant criminal case in American history as a run-of-the-mill prosecution. That decision should confirm that Smiths case is a matter of defending the rule of law against Trumps attacks on it, not a politicized prosecution as Trump has claimed. But there is one thing Smith can do that is both legally sound and politically salient: to make clear that he thinks that he continues to have a strong case, that it almost entirely survives the Supreme Courts abysmal decision: Get ready now for a mini-trial or a real one whenever it transpires. Like with any election season, Augusts primary results revealed some upsets and some new faces competing for a position on the Pierce County Council and for Pierce County Executive, all of which could have lasting political consequences. The News Tribune looked into how much money each candidate raised in the primary race, in addition to how much they spent and who contributed the most to their campaigns. In all, candidates spent $507,373 in the primary election. Democrat Ryan Mello, the current council chair running for the county Executive seat, spent the most overall with $146,580. In the council race, Republican candidate Loujanna LJ Rohrer spent the most with $77,709. Natalie Johnson, a communications specialist with the state Public Disclosure Commission, told The News Tribune the PDC can categorize contributions or expenses with labels like miscellaneous or other, but the public can view a full breakdown of those records online. Any outstanding debt reported to the PDC may not reflect the current debt of the campaign because it doesnt account for debt repayment, the PDC says on its website. A reminder: the general election is Nov. 5. Learn more about how to register to vote, who your candidates will be and where your nearest ballot box is online at the Pierce County Elections website. Pierce County Executive In the tight race, Mello pulled ahead with more than half of the primary vote. Both candidates reported debt. Mello, who was elected to the council in 2020 after serving on the Tacoma City Council from 2010 to 2019, earned 52.27% of the primary vote. He raised $322,264 in the primary and spent $146,580, according to the states Public Disclosure Commission. According to the state, Mello received $207,399 in individual donations, $82,040 from others and $16,100 from political action committees. He spent $46,463 on printed literature and fliers, $39,759 in miscellaneous expenses, $28,958 in wages and salaries, $22,350 in management and consultant services and $9,050 in graphic art and design. Mellos campaign reported $28,409.75 in outstanding debt to Argo Strategies, a political consulting firm. Chambers, a current state representative in the Washington State Legislature in her third term, earned 47.51% of the primary vote. She raised $259,727 in the primary and spent $143,292. According to the state, Chambers received $168,889 in individual donations, $59,900 in business donations and $19,964 from political action committees. She spent $51,000 on broadcast/TV advertising, $30,115 on management and consultant services, $25,820 on miscellaneous expenses, $18,745 on printed literature and fliers and $17,612 on fundraising. Chambers reported $7,646 in debt to Red Strategies LLC, a political consulting firm. District 2 Although the Republican incumbent for District 2 received over half of the primary vote, the Democrat challenger received nearly double his individual contributions. Incumbent Republican Paul Herrera was appointed to the council in 2022 and earned 53.45% of the primary vote. A veteran with experience in law enforcement, he raised $28,263 in his campaign and spent $18,517, according to the states Public Disclosure Commission. Herrera received $11,017 in individual donations, $6,400 in business donations and $2,400 from political action committees. He spent $5,325 in printing literature and fliers, $4,075 on postage and mail permits, $3,723 on management and consultant services, $3,668 on miscellaneous expenses and $1,725 on fundraising events, according to the state. Democrat Davida Haygood, an educator and community organizer, earned 37.8% of the primary vote. She raised $32,180 in her campaign and spent $19,718, according to the state. Haygood received $20,006 in individual contributions, $4,322 from political action committees, $3,453 from others, $2,400 from unions and $2,000 from the Democratic party. She spent $6,136 on miscellaneous expenditures, $5,705 on management and consulting services and $7,877 on advertising, campaign signs and fliers. District 2 includes the communities of Edgewood, Milton, Pacific, Puyallup, South Hill, Summit View and Sumner. District 3 Republican incumbent Amy Cruver didnt face much of a challenge in the primary, with a significant polling lead. She raised almost five times more than her Democrat opponent did in the campaign. Cruver, who has served on the council since 2020, earned 59.15% of the primary vote. A long-time assistant of state senator and prior county councilman Jim McCune, Cruver raised $59,342 in her primary campaign and spent $4,294, according to the states Public Disclosure Commission. Cruver received $34,853 in individual contributions, $7,200 in business contributions, $6,140 from others and $2,400 from political action committees. She spent $1,372 on miscellaneous expenses, $1,339 on filing fees, $542 on campaign merchandise and $520 on graphic design and art. Democrat John Limboe, a fire commissioner and farmer, earned 28.56% of the primary vote. He raised $11,902 in his campaign and spent $4,783, according to the state. Limboe received $3,339 from himself, $1,855 in miscellaneous contributions, $1,500 in individual contributions, $1,300 from the Democratic party and $1,200 from political action committees. He spent $1,339 for in-kind contributions, $1,218 for printing campaign signs, $950 for graphic design and art and $515 for printing fliers. District 3 includes Ashford, Eatonville, Elbe, Elk Plain, Frederickson, Graham, Harts Lake, Lacamas, McKenna, Roy and Spanaway. District 4 Rosie Ayala and Rodney Robinson, both Democrats, moved on to the general election in the primary for District 4. Ayala, a Metro Parks board commissioner and director of Operations for Foundation for Tacoma Students, garnered 66.29% of the vote. She raised $43,501 in her primary campaign and spent $33,519, according to the states Public Disclosure Commission. Ayala received $26,819 in individual contributions, $9,768 from others and $6,050 from political action committees. She spent $13,807 on printed fliers, $6,550 on management and consultant services, $5,215 on miscellaneous expenditures and $3,860 on wages and salaries. Robinson, the director of the Campaign to End and Prevent Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in Pierce County, earned 30.44% of the vote. He raised $10,232 for his primary campaign and spent $17,662. Robinson received $5,508 in individual donations, $2,124 from others, in addition to $500 from political action committees. He spent $5,000 on monetary contributions to political action committees, $4,285 on management and consultant services, $3,875 on miscellaneous expenses and $2,271 on printed fliers. Robinson reported $4,722.50 in outstanding debt to the PDC for consulting. District 4 includes Fircrest, parts of Tacoma (like Central Tacoma, Downtown, Hilltop and South Tacoma), as well as University Place. District 6 In an upset, Republican Loujanna LJ Rohrer received more votes than Democrat incumbent Jani Hitchen in the primary. Rohrer, a twice elected Steilacoom Historical School Board director and a senior legislative assistant, greatly outspent and out-fundraised Hitchen, according to the states Public Disclosure Commission. Rohrer earned 46.71% of the primary vote. She raised $116,867 in the primary and spent $77,709. A vast majority of her contributions were from individuals $92,261. Rohrer received $13,600 from businesses as well. She spent $26,997 on miscellaneous expenses, $15,000 on surveys, polling and research, $14,774 on printed fliers, $13,105 on management and consultant services and $7,832 on other advertising. Hitchen, a former educator who has served on the council since 2020, earned 41.65% of the primary vote. She raised $86,069 in the primary and spent $41,299. Hitchen received $43,494 from individuals, $17,054 from others, $15,300 from political action committees and $2,500 from the Democratic party. She spent $17,891 on printed fliers, $11,050 on miscellaneous expenses, $5,050 on management and consultation services, $3,138 on wages, salaries and benefits and $4,169 on other expenditures. Hitchen reported $7,685 in debt to Argo Strategies. She told The News Tribune Wednesday, I could pay my outstanding debts now, the bill just hasnt come due. District 6 includes the communities of DuPont, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Lakewood, Parkland, Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A student at Alderete Middle School has tested positive for varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, the Canutillo Independent School District (CISD) announced in a news release sent Thursday, Aug. 29. CISD said the student shows full vaccination against varicella and this appears to be a breakthrough case. The student is doing well and is under medical care, according to CISD. As per El Paso City-County Health Department protocols, CISD is also monitoring the sibling of the impacted student, who is a pre-K student at Canutillo Elementary School, according to the news release. CISD said the district is working with health officials and other authorities to monitor the health of students and adults who may have come in contact with either student. As of today, no other case of varicella has been identified and no other students are showing any symptoms of the disease, according to CISD. Varicella is a highly contagious disease. The initial symptom is a fever followed by an itchy, blister-like rash among other symptoms. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and face and then spreads over the entire body. Chickenpox can be serious, especially during pregnancy, in babies, adolescents, adults and people with weakened immune systems (lowered ability to fight germs and sickness), read the news release. CISD is advising parents at home to be vigilant for symptoms and contact their medical professional if any signs of varicella exist within the family. Chickenpox is most common among children. According to health experts, vaccination is the best defense against the virus. KTSM spoke with Dr. Anette Griego, a pediatrician who emphasizes the importance of vaccinating infants between 12 and 15 months old. However, she notes that not all parents choose to vaccinate their children. We still, to this day, have parents who refuse to vaccinate their children because of concerns about complications, Griego said. There are no statistics to support these fears, but its a controversial topic. Some believe that vaccinations, including the varicella vaccine, could increase the risk of autism, so there are still parents today who refuse the varicella vaccine or any other vaccines, said Griego. Griego explained that the chickenpox vaccine is 80 to 90 percent effective, which can help avoid serious health complications. However, Griego said that it is possible to contract the virus if a persons immunity levels, known as titers, are low. Titers are your level of immunity from the vaccine, said Griego. Titer levels can be checked through lab work. For parents whose children contract chickenpox, Griego advises, If they actually have the virus, they need to stay at home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. They need to control their fevers and moisturize their skin. They cannot be exposed to anyone until the lesions are crusted. Your medical provider can prescribe something for the itchiness, which can be very uncomfortable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Getty Images Care.com will pay more than $8 million to settle claims from the Federal Trade Commission alleging that the website and app have deceived caregivers and families for years and coerced them into paid subscriptions that were difficult to cancel. The claims are part of a federal complaint filed by the FTC, an agency that enforces consumer protection laws, that tracked allegations from tens of thousands of people who used the platform from 2019 to 2022. The site and app connect families with providers of child care, elder care, care for people with disabilities and pet sitters. The $8.5 million settlement will be used to refund affected users. This report was originally published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a founding member of The 19th News Network. According to the FTCs complaint, Care grossly inflates the number of jobs available on its platform for caregivers many of whom never hear back from potential employers. The website requires that both families and potential employees pay memberships of up to $155 a year in order to communicate with each other. Then, the complaint alleges, Care institutes a multi-step approach that prevents many users from canceling their subscriptions. Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement that the settlement puts a stop to these unlawful practices, returns millions of dollars to consumers, and helps ensure an honest marketplace for families looking for care and caregivers looking for work. But in response, the company, which is also known simply as Care, put out a statement emphasizing that the settlement is in no way a validation of the FTCs claims. The company is confident in its position and was prepared to litigate the case for the next several years if necessary, the statement continues, but decided to settle to resolve this matter now and keep our focus on helping our customers. A Care user can sign up for a free basic membership, which doesnt auto-renew, and input information about the kind of care theyre looking for and how much theyd be willing to pay. That generates a job posting one that users are typically unaware is being created, the FTCs complaint alleged. Families can see job applications that come in, but to open them or communicate with job seekers, users need to upgrade to the premium membership, which costs $39.99 monthly, $75.99 quarterly or $155 annually. Caregivers must have a premium membership to submit a job application. The FTC alleges that since January 2019, that has resulted in millions of job postings from users who never upgraded to premium and thus never hired providers. But those numbers were used to make the Care platform appear to offer more jobs, and so to have a higher demand for providers than truly exists, the FTC said in its complaint. In its response, Care stated that it would not be in business for long if we manipulated optics, inflated statistics and attempted to trick our customers. Some families prefer to see a level of interest in their job post before upgrading to premium, the response continued, calling the basic membership a try before you buy opportunity. When a seeker sees the array of caregivers available, the commitment to premium membership which enables seekers to contact and hire caregivers follows naturally, Care said. The FTC also claims that Care has been deceptive about what caregivers can expect to earn. On the Care platform, it advertises average pay rates for jobs. But in advertisements on third-party websites, Care says prospective employees can earn even more. For example, from October 2019 to December 2020, the FTC alleges, Care advertised an average rate for caregivers of older adults as $13 to $14.50 an hour. That same advertisement on a third-party site claimed those jobs were starting at $18/hr, the complaint said. From January 2019 to March 2022, 4.7 million job postings, or 56 percent, were created by basic memberships that never resulted in hires but the information in the postings was used to create pay expectations for caregivers. Cares earnings claims also rely upon millions of hypothetical job postings, the FTCs complaint said. In response, the companys statement said that it never sets rates or makes promises about earnings. The data we provide about posted rates is based solely on what families say they are willing to pay, which varies significantly. Given the size of our platform, the potential earnings data we provide is at scale, and helps maintain a balanced and fair market for care, the Care response continued. Another point of frustration for job seekers, the FTC alleges, is that positions created through families signing up for basic memberships are advertised as being available right now, even though caregivers wouldnt be able to contact any of those families directly. The complaint quotes a review from a caregiver who tried using the site in 2019: Have been trying to get a job as a nanny. Have applied to 10 jobs a day for 1 month, it read. Even upgraded my membership to premium NOT A SINGLE RESPONSE! I have excellent local references credentials and lots of experience. Amazed to read other reviews And to learn other people have the same issues with the site. I get better response on craigslist. Waste of time and $$$. But leaving the site and canceling a membership has also proven difficult, the FTC alleges. In order to cancel, users need to click through numerous links, most of which dont mention cancellation. The process to cancel a premium membership involves navigating through six different pages, past at least four exits from the cancellation process and two warnings about the consequences of canceling, one offer of a different membership, as well as completing three pages of questions, the agency states. In the complaint, the FTC quotes a user who told the company that the website is designed to hide the ability to cancel, while others called the process impossible. According to the agency, Care also tested ways to make cancellation even more difficult. Cares statement maintains that members can easily cancel if they wish, adding that the company has further streamlined that process and includes cancellation instructions in confirmation emails that users receive upon joining. In October 2021, the FTC sent Care a letter warning of potential civil penalties for what it called unfair or deceptive trade practices and violations. Then in March 2022, the agency requested documents to substantiate Cares claims about how much caregivers could expect to earn. Care continued with its practices despite the ongoing investigation, the FTC alleges. The commission voted unanimously to file a federal complaint. As part of the settlement, Care will be required to only post jobs that caregivers can actually be hired for likely only postings made by premium users. Claims about how much caregivers can expect to earn must be backed up with evidence, and subscriptions must be easy to cancel, the FTC said. Deceptive earnings claims and illusory job leads not only rob people of their time and money but also can distort job markets by artificially depressing wages, keeping people out of work longer, and undoubtedly pushing some into more desperate precarity, FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said in a statement. Caregiving has been in crisis in the United States for years certainly since the pandemic, when thousands of caregiving jobs disappeared. Child care often costs parents more than their rent or mortgage, and the industry is struggling to keep providers who are willing to work for some of the lowest wages in the country. In its statement, Care said that, given that landscape, it is disappointing that the FTC has chosen to attack trusted businesses who are part of the solution. Given the care crisis in America, we believe our collective energy as a country should be on solutions, not nitpicking attacks, the statement continued. Care.com intends to keep our focus on what matters: American families and the hardworking caregivers who support them. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A man at the Carnegie Museum in Oakland was injured in a shooting Friday. Pittsburgh police said crews were called to the Carnegie Museum at 4400 Forbes Avenue just before 5:30 p.m. for reports of a person shot in the leg. The man was found shot once in his upper right thigh. He was conscious, alert and speaking with officers and medics, police said. He was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. A spokesperson for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh says the man, who is not an employee, accidentally discharged a gun, injuring himself. The museums were already closed for the day, and there was not a threat to the public. Detectives are investigating. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Woman killed, 3 others injured in crash involving tractor-trailer in Monroeville Masses of lanternflies appearing as rain on radar in Pittsburgh area Missing Pittsburgh woman found dead in Monongahela River VIDEO: He was lively: Brother remembers man who died after early-morning Route 8 crash DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Carroll County SO: Malvern man flees, jumps off overpass to end multi-county chase A Malvern man, in a pickup truck, flees law enforcement on East Line Street in Minerva on Thursday and cuts through a backyard in this photo. The chase would end near Louisville. This is a screenshot of a video clip from the pursuit. A Malvern man is hospitalized after a multi-county police chase on Thursday ended with him jumping off an overpass near Louisville. The 36-year-old suspect sustained facial and head injuries, and initially was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton. Later, he was flown to Akron General Hospital, according to a news release from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. No further condition updates were available. Here's what we know: The investigation started at 8:51 a.m. in Carroll County, after a report of an assault involving the Malvern man. It continued after the man passed a deputy at a high rate speed in a pickup, and eluded capture. At 11:05 a.m., Minerva police spotted the man on East Line Street and stopped him with deputies. He stayed in the truck. Multiple agencies, including Canton Regional SWAT Team and a Canton police K-9 unit, were requested on scene. The release said 54 minutes of negotiations with the Malvern man failed, and the suspect restarted the pursuit. Deputies said the chase started in Minerva, entered multiple communities in Stark County, and ended about an hour later, outside of Louisville. The man reportedly stopped his truck and leaped over the State Route 44 overpass onto State Route 62, where he was apprehended. Departments assisting in the investigation were Ohio State Highway Patrol, East Canton police, Louisville police, Stark County Sheriff's Office, Carroll County Probation Department, Osnaburg Township Fire Department and Nimishillen Township EMS. Canton Towing also was on scene. No other information was available. Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Malvern man injured after police chase in Carroll, Stark counties TSA stated there has been an increase in "cat eyes" weapons appearing at the airport's security checkpoints. These weapons are not allowed on planes and TSA said they urge passengers to not bring them to the airport. The Transportation Security Administration is asking travelers to remove "cat eyes" from carry-on bags before arriving at the airport after a recent increase in these weapons appearing at the TSA checkpoints, slowing security lines. According to the TSA, "cat eyes" are weapons designed to look like cats, similar to brass knuckles. The eyes on these "cat eyes" are holes where users can put their fingers through, and the sharp and pointy ears could then be used as weapons. In 2022, Army veteran David Jakubonis used a "cat eye" weapon to attack U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, the Republican nominee for New York Governor, at a campaign event in Perinton. Zeldin was not harmed in the attack, but in Dec. of 2023, Jakubonis was sentenced to three months probation for the misdemeanor crime of assaulting a federal officer. More: Lee Zeldin, GOP candidate for NY governor, attacked during campaign speech near Rochester TSA stated that "cat eyes", many of which are found attached to key chains, can vary from metal to plastic, some are even manufactured to look like dogs. All forms of "cat eyes", TSA said, are intended to cause harm and are not allowed onto airplanes unless in a checked bag. The frequency in which we are seeing these items among carry-on items is disappointing, said Bart R. Johnson, TSAs Federal Security Director for 13 airports in Upstate New York. "We come across these items daily, and it slows down passengers who must stop and wait for our officers to remove the offending item, and it backs up the line for the other travelers. When passengers are detected with these weapons, they are pulled to the side and further searched to locate them. Passengers are then given the option to either return the item to their vehicle, hand it over to a non-traveling companion, place it in a checked bag, or surrender it to TSA personnel for disposal. Because of this, TSA stated that these "cat eyes" have been slowing down the security lines, creating a longer process for passengers to get to their flights. Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on MPNnow: TSA warns to remove 'cat eyes' weapons from luggage to avoid delays WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Catholic Charities is marking a big milestone for its Northwest Campus! The organization is celebrating 10 years of service since 2014. The Northwest Campus has helped the community with different needs, like financial assistance and mental health counseling referrals, as well as helping veterans with housing and counseling. https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/local-news/area-first-responders-answered-call-for-kfdx-luncheon/ Laura Sotelo with the Northwest Campus says working with the nonprofit has been a humbling experience for her. Its hard asking for help. And so when people come to us and are willing to say, Hey, I need help, then its a really humbling experience, she said. So I think its helped me be more patient, more caring, and just really passionate about the work we do. You do not have to be a member of the Catholic Church to get help from the organization. To receive help, call (940) 716-9669 or email the intake desk. 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. BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed on Tuesday in a reply to scholars from 50 African countries. In the letter, Xi noted that in the face of a volatile and intertwined world situation, China and Africa need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever before. Xi encouraged the scholars to continue to provide intellectual support for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South. Xi noted that not long ago, the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully held, sounding a clarion call of the times to open up broad prospects for the Chinese modernization through further deepening reform. The continuous development and growth of China that pursues peaceful development and is committed to reform and opening up will surely further strengthen the forces for world peace and international justice, and inject inexhaustible impetus into the process of global modernization, especially the development and revitalization of the Global South, Xi said. The upcoming Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will bring together Chinese and African leaders once again to discuss China-Africa cooperation, which will open up even more splendid prospects for China-Africa relations, Xi said. He raised his hope that based on the Dar es Salaam Consensus between China and Africa, both sides will step up research and exploration on the development path of Global South countries, China-Africa and South-South cooperation, and continue to provide important intellectual support for building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and safeguarding the common interests of the Global South. Gert Grobler, a former veteran diplomat of South Africa and honorary professor of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, and 63 scholars from 50 African countries sent a joint letter to Xi, warmly congratulating on the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, highly commending the historic achievements of the FOCAC, and expecting that the upcoming Summit of the FOCAC would write a new chapter in building a China-Africa community with a shared future and the joint modernization of the Global South. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Cedar Grove Elementary School adopted a new program to turn its students into tomorrows leaders. The program is called Leader in Me. Its designed to teach students leadership skills such as being proactive, respectful, and understanding. Students are challenged to demonstrate these skills in their daily lives at school and at home. Enjoy great food and music this weekend in Port St. Joe Cedar Grove 5th grader Allana Schmitz said she practices leadership skills such as lending a helping hand to friends and family. Lets say my familys taking groceries in. Ill help them carry them instead of just having them carry the whole thing. If my sister needs help with her homework, Ill help her instead of just giving her all the answers or just not helping her, Schmitz said. Cedar Grove is following in Hutchison Beach Elementary Schools footsteps. They just celebrated 11 years of the Leader in Me program, and hope to become legacy leaders this 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 mypanhandle.com. CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) We Are Blood (WRB), a nonprofit blood center in Central Texas, said it was partnering with the city of Cedar Park on Aug. 30 for a blood drive. Labor Day weekend usually brings more accidents and more blood transfusion needs, while the blood bank experiences low donations throughout the summer. WRB and its partners urge the community to make a difference this Labor Day and lend an arm, WRB said in a statement. Williamson County EMS now equipped for lifesaving blood transfusions on scene The blood drive is at Cedar Park City Hall, 450 Cypress Creek Road, and runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Williamson County and We Are Blood recently launched a partnership with city officials and first responders in the county for Wilco Saves, which included the cities of Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Taylor, and the Williamson County EMS. The partnership also allows paramedics to give blood transfusions at an emergency scene, cutting down the time it takes for a patient to receive a lifesaving infusion. In total, it will host seven blood drives. The campaign runs through Sept. 18, with the next blood drive being in the City of Round Rock. One donation can save up to three lives, WRB 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 KXAN Austin. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Birmingham Christian Family Magazine is hosting its fifth annual Celebrate the Family Expo, on Saturday, Sept. 14. M.O.M.S tour coming to Birmingham The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hoover Met Complex-Finley Center. Its free admission and free activities for families. There will be giveaways and swag bags for the first 200 people. The bags will be filled with different items from participating sponsors. For kids, there will be inflatables, face painting and more. Birmingham Christian Family Magazine hosts this event as a way to say thank you to its readers and followers. Live music will be played by Kevin Derryberry Ministries. For more information, 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 CBS 42. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A retirement celebration was held for the outgoing fire chief of Sioux City Fire Rescue. Members of the fire department, Sioux City Police Department, and other city officials congratulated retired fire chief Tom Everett on his career. He spent 31 years with Sioux City Fire Rescue. How to stay safe while traveling on Labor Day Weekend Everett said hes grateful and proud of what he has done at the fire department. He added that he felt ready to retire. Everett said he hopes he left Sioux City Fire Rescue better than when he came in. I think that its the people around you, you know, obviously are the biggest part of that, but I like to think that I had something to do with the whole department moving in the right direction over the years, Everett said. We certainly as a department have done a lot of very great things that Im proud to be a part of. He plans to use his retirement to visit family and keep busy. The new fire chief Ryan Collins was officially pinned during the Sioux City city council meeting on 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. CEO of Ukraine's power grid operator may soon be dismissed Ukrainska Pravda sources Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, CEO of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's electricity transmission system operator, may soon be dismissed from his position. Source: sources in Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers (the Ukrainian government) and one of the energy companies told Ekonomichna Pravda Details: A source noted that the energy sector was one of the topics discussed at today's meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff. "They discussed ways to deal with the aftermath of the latest Russian attack and the construction of protective structures. Kudrytskyi is blamed for the improper implementation of previous decisions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff and poor protection of facilities belonging to Ukrenergo," he says. Under Ukrainian legislation, Kudrytskyi can be dismissed by a majority vote from the company's Supervisory Board, which currently has six members. Background: Volodymyr Kudrytskyi has been the CEO of Ukrenergo since 2020. Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court recently ordered the National Anti-Corruption Bureau to initiate a pre-trial investigation into Ukrenergo CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi for allegedly receiving an undue benefit. Support UP or become our patron! Challenger criticizes congressman for celebrating project after voting against some of its funding South Dakota congressional delegates and other speakers and attendees cut a ribbon to celebrate Madison's connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System on Aug. 21, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota congressional delegates and other speakers and attendees cut a ribbon to celebrate Madison's connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System on Aug. 21, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson is taking criticism from his opponent for celebrating a water systems progress this month, after he voted against a bill three years ago that provided some of the systems most recent funding. Johnson, a South Dakota Republican, voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Democratic President Joe Biden signed in 2021. A provision in the voluminous bill provided $152.5 million that helped connect Madison to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. Johnson and other dignitaries celebrated the connection during a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. Rep. Johnsons Democratic challenger, Sheryl Johnson, criticized the congressman for posing proudly for a group photo at the event, in front of a sign declaring Project funded by President Joe Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. South Dakotas two Republican U.S. senators, both present at the ribbon cutting, were also criticized along with Rep. Johnson this week in a state Democratic Party news release for their lack of support for the bill. Sheryl Johnson said in her own news release that Rep. Johnson was engaging in double-talk, plain and simple. Dusty wants to take credit for projects hes tried to block funding for, she said, all while pushing policies that favor billionaires and his big-money donors over the needs of regular South Dakotans. South Dakota deserves better. Sheryl Johnson talks about her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for South Dakota's U.S. House seat during an announcement March 6, 2024, in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Rep. Johnson said in 2021 that he voted against the $1.2 trillion bill because it was too costly and relied on one-time funding that would create a massive fiscal cliff in a few years, even though he supported the bills focus on roads, bridges and other infrastructure. I simply cant support more unsustainable spending, he said at the time. He responded to Sheryl Johnsons criticism in an emailed statement to South Dakota Searchlight. Ive advocated for Lewis and Clark funding in every annual appropriations package since Ive been in Congress, Rep. Johnson said. The recent infrastructure package did provide the final dollars for this project, but a huge bipartisan team set aside politics to provide the bulk of the funding over decades. Im proud to be one of the leaders of that team. The pipeline delivering the water covers 310 miles and spans southeastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. The roughly $700 million water system has been under construction for more than 20 years and serves about 350,000 people. The water source is a series of wells that tap into an aquifer adjacent to the Missouri River. South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson speaks at Madison's Lewis and Clark Regional Water System ribbon cutting on Aug. 21, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) As of March, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law had provided $2.5 billion to 357 projects in South Dakota. About $1.6 billion went toward transportation, $402 million for water quality and infrastructure, and $310 million for broadband internet. Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Executive Director Troy Larson said in an emailed statement that the infrastructure law has been a godsend and helped accelerate the project. He added that the nonprofit water system has worked with Republicans and Democrats to further its mission. Before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Johnson worked for Gov. Mike Rounds and Gov. Dennis Daugaard and helped secure state funding, Larson said. Rep. Johnson has since taken the lead in the House to increase funding for the Bureau of Reclamations rural water program, Larson said, and is the nonprofits go-to guy in the House for non-financial issues such as administrative delays. His office is usually the first one we call, Larson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE URBANA, Ill. WCIA) More than three months after a deadly crash in Champaign County, the Coroner released the identity of the victim. The crash happened on May 15 in Hensley Township, northeast of Champaign. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said a car was driving north on County Road 900 E late at night when it crossed over the center line and was hit by a southbound car. Five injured in multi-vehicle I-70 crash The northbound car caught fire, and its driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Coroner Stephen Thuney said at the time that he had a tentative identity of the driver, but only DNA testing could confirm it. On Friday morning, Thuney released the drivers name, having confirmed the identity through testing done by the Illinois State Police. The driver was Cody Messer, 32 of Fisher. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) South Carolina is changing its blue crab fishing laws for 2025 to improve sustainability and prevent overfishing, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing for blue crabs was largely unregulated in the past in South Carolina. The changes, which go into effect in July, will impact recreational crabbers: Recreational crabbers may harvest a limit of one bushel of crabs per person per day or two bushels per boat: Previously, there was no harvest limit. The DNR said research suggests that most recreational crabbers harvest well under a bushel of crabs each day. Crab pots must have escape rings for undersized crabs: Single-chambered crab pots must have at least one escape ring, while two-chambered pots must have two rings, at least one of which must be in the upper chamber, the DNR said. These vents/rings provide a means of escape for undersized crabs and other small marine animals. They were already required in commercial traps, and many recreational traps are already sold with escape rings standard. Recreational crabbers may purchase an annual enhanced recreational crab trap endorsement ($5) to fish up to five crab pots: A recreational saltwater fishing license currently allows holders to fish up to two crab pots. For those who like to crab for family and friends but do not intend to sell them commercially, this new endorsement will allow up to five crab pots per person. DNR officials conducted a public meeting in Murrells Inlet last October to talk about declines in the blue crab population. Those who attended the meeting said there needed to be more limitations and increased monitoring to help protect the crab population. DNR officials say the blue crab decline occurs mainly in the fall and that water temperature and salinity impact the population. The decline has been happening since the 1990s. For more information, email marine@dnr.sc.gov. * * * 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. ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) A fight broke out at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom on Thursday, causing crowds to panic amid reports of a suspected shooting. There was no active shooter at the theme park that night, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office. A popping sound sparked a stampede, according to social media posts obtained by NBC affiliate WESH. I thought that was actually going to be my last day, a parkgoer posted on X. I was shoved out of the way and fell. Mothers were crying looking for their daughters, people were hiding. It was so bad. The popping sound was believed to have been a balloon. Park guests began running, which caused the false shooting reports to spread, according to an OCSO social media post. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHENGDU, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Media representatives from across the globe attending a forum in southwest China's Sichuan Province have called for deepening cooperation in news reporting, and for boosting understanding, trust and exchanges between people in different nations and regions. The 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road, held on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the third council meeting of the Belt and Road News Network on the sidelines of the forum, attracted more than 200 representatives from 191 media organizations in 76 countries. "We have arrived in a multi-centered world order, and one of the pillars of this new world order is the People's Republic of China," said David Bencsik, executive editor-in-chief of the Magyar Demokrata Media Group in Hungary. "We must use the tools of public diplomacy to promote the smooth development of acceptance and mutual respect, the process of which follows a logical sequence -- getting to know, understanding, liking and then following each other," he said. According to Negasi Ambaye Abay, deputy CEO of the Ethiopian News Agency, media from Ethiopia have attached great importance to cooperation in joint Belt and Road construction, an initiative from which both China and other participants can benefit. Phone Min San, vice chairman of the Shwe Than Lwin Media Co., Ltd., in Myanmar, pointed out that innovation in the media industry is required and that attention should be paid to the influence of reports on the next generation. Facing new challenges and tests, media across the world should work together to address problems like misinformation and fake news and enhance voices of the Global South, said Sarmad Ali, group managing director of the Jang Media Group in Pakistan. Li Wei, deputy editor-in-chief of Farmers' Daily, suggested that media take the initiative in choosing topics and increasing their focus on hot topics. He also called for expanding communication channels, enhancing collaboration with media from Belt and Road partner countries, seeking more carriers for overseas exposure of Chinese media reports, increasing exchanges between Chinese and foreign media, and promoting connectivity at a deeper level. The Belt and Road News Network consists of 274 media organizations from 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America and Oceania. New Zealand's Maori King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday morning surrounded by his wife and three children. He was 69. The monarch was admitted to a hospital, where he underwent heart surgery just days after the 18th anniversary of his coronation. "The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the entire nation," spokesperson Rahui Papa said in a statement. King Charles III said he was profoundly saddened by the death of the decades-long friend to the British royal family. Charles said news of King Tuheitias death is a particular shock, with the two having shared a long friendship. The king was born Tuheitia Paki in 1955 and succeeded his mother, Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu, in 2006. "I believe the future is a new horizon where Maori take the lead," he said at the celebration of his coronation anniversary earlier this month. "Let's keep pushing forward while we are currently facing a storm, there's no need to worry. In this storm we are strong. Together. The wind in our sails is unity, and with that we will reach our destination," he added. The Maori king is considered the paramount chief of several tribes, or iwi, but is not affiliated with all of them. The monarch's role has no judicial or legal authority in New Zealand and is largely ceremonial. File: Maori King Tuheitia sits on the carved wooden throne in 2006 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The King Movement, or Kiingitanga, originated in 1858 in an attempt to unite the indigenous tribes of New Zealand under a single leader to strengthen their resistance to colonialism. The role of the monarch is not necessarily hereditary and the new leader will be appointed by heads of tribes associated with the King Movement on the day of King Tuheitia's funeral but before he is buried, according to Radio New Zealand. Christopher Luxon, the prime minister of New Zealand, in a post on X said: "Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. "His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna (Maori for grandson), his passion for te ao Maori (the Maori language), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect." Mourners arrive at the Turangawaewae Marae in Hamilton, New Zealand (Getty Images) King Charles said he would look back on his friendship with Tuheitia with immense fondness, having visited New Zealand in 2015, where he and Queen Camilla visited the town of Ngaruawahia with the king and his wife, Makau Ariki. "He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion, Charles said. "His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August." Former New Zealand prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern described him as "an advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity". She told ABC King Tuheitia worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A man is facing charges after authorities say he distributed a sexually explicit image of a child online. William Robert Rattazzi, 73, of Charleston was arrested on a charge of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after deputies executed a search on his Terns Nest Road home this week. An affidavit from the Charleston County Sheriffs Office revealed a Microsoft (Bing) user, identified as Rattazzi, distributed an image that depicted a female child. A tip from the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force found that the image was uploaded to Bing Reverse Image Search and the IP address came back to Rattazzis home. Rattazzi was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center and given a $50,000 bond during a hearing on Friday. The sheriffs office said assisting agencies included the Charleston Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Naval Criminal Investigative 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 WCBD News 2. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Labor Day weekend travel is taking off. Queen City News spoke with a dozen or so travelers ahead of the peak rush. I come every week, one passenger said. Its the worst airport I go to. Lot of people, another person said. Traffic getting crazy. More flights going out. From Thursday to Wednesday, Charlotte Douglas will see 235,000 passengers passing through. Thats a nearly 16% increase from Labor Day weekend last year. Advocacy group working to have safer football fields after Lancaster County players punishment injuries Im not surprised, one traveler said. I dont doubt it, but they cant handle the traffic they had yesterday, another said. Im trying to get out of here right before it gets really bad, said one man. TSA is expecting this Labor Day travel period to be the busiest one on record and is preparing to screen more than 17 million people over the extended weekend. Couple those numbers with the ongoing construction at Charlotte Douglas, and youll add a bit of confusion to the mix. Its not too bad. Kind of a hassle, said one customer. I think its changed a lot, said another woman. Starting on September 5th, Checkpoint C will be closed for construction. TSA PreCheck will move to Checkpoint A. Oh, its just like Intercontinental in Houston, said one woman from Texas. Houston is worse! said her traveling companion. Its a little hassle, one man told Queen City News. Parking and traffic and it, like, jams. Its a little confusing, said one passenger, especially for departing flights. And then once you get in, as far as TSA. More municipalities around Charlotte canceling curbside recycling as misfit items worsens As in an elevator, what goes up must come down, and at the airport, those coming in will eventually have to go back home. We have to travel on Monday, which is not going to be good, said one woman as she exited the elevator. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ChatGPT now has 200 million weekly active users, according to OpenAI. That represents a doubling of the weekly audience of 100 million the company announced last November. A representative from the company told Engadget that API usage has also doubled since the July release of GPT-4o mini. User numbers aren't the only big growth OpenAI has seen over the past year. CEO Sam Altman reportedly told employees this summer that the company's annualized revenue which takes a monthly revenue figure and stretches it out over a whole year had reached $3.4 billion, up from $1.6 billion at the end of 2023. Separately from today's usercount announcement, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft are in talks to invest in a new fundraising round for OpenAI. The only detail the report had about the scale of this funding round was that it would push OpenAI's valuation above $100 billion. Microsoft has invested $13 billion into the AI business since 2019, while Apple revealed that ChatGPT will form a large part of its upcoming Apple Intelligence push. Both Microsoft and Apple gave up their seats on OpenAI's board of directors this summer after the European Commission raised antitrust concerns about the businesses' close relationships. Mpox vaccines to arrive in DR Congo in next few days, WHO says Director-General of the WHO Dr. Tedros attends an ACANU briefing in Geneva GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Health Organization chief said on Friday that mpox vaccines were set to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the next few days to fight a new strain of the virus. "We hope to have the first delivery in the next few days, and then it will build up," Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at a press conference. Some 230,000 mpox doses are immediately available to be dispatched, added WHO official Tim Nguyen. These doses were donated by the European Commission and Danish mpox vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic , Nguyen said. The WHO has said that its partners can start buying mpox vaccines before they are approved by the U.N. health agency, lifting its usual rules in a bid to get inoculations to Africa faster. It is currently reviewing applications for emergency licences for two vaccines made by Bavarian Nordic and Japan's KM Biologics. Tedros said these were expected to be granted in the next two weeks. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO technical lead for mpox, said she hoped the vaccines and other interventions by health partners would help cases come down again in the near future. An mpox diagnostic manufacturer also expressed interest in securing WHO's emergency use listing for their kit a day after the agency opened the process, Tedros said without naming the company. Earlier this month, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to neighbouring countries.More than 18,000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported in Congo so far this year with 629 deaths, while over 150 cases have also been confirmed in Burundi, Tedros said. (Reporting by Emma Farge and Leroy Leo, Editing by Friederike Heine, Miranda Murray and Deepa Babington) Discussing the scandal this week concerning Donald Trumps violation of federal law at Arlington National Cemetery, MSNBCs Chris Hayes had a bleak assessment of the state of things for the Republican party. Trump has gotten away with intimidation, mafia style gangster threats, because rank and file Republicans let him, or in many cases, just straight up help him, Hayes declared. At issue, this week Trump filmed a campaign video at Arlington National Cemetery, a violation of federal law prohibiting the use of the monument for political purposes. When an employee attempted to enforce this rule, one of Trumps associates physically assaulted her. The employee filed a report with the military (which oversees the monument) but ultimately chose not to press charges because she feared retaliation by Trumps supporters. The Army has confirmed all of these events, and in a statement said in part, 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. Hayes described all of this, and then described how Trump as well as several associates, including his vice presidential running mate JD Vance, have shamelessly lied about the incident. Not only have they falsely impugned the woman they attacked, they have denied that they filmed a campaign video despite the fact that they released the video on Trumps TikTok account. Does that sound familiar? Hayes asked about all of this. Does it sound a little like the story of Alexander Vindman, the soldier and National Security Council staffer who blew the whistle on Trumps attempts to extort Ukraine for dirt on Joe Biden? Maybe it reminds you Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the Georgia election officials whose lives were threatened after Trump falsely accused them of rigging votes. Maybe it reminds you the threats against the women who have accused Trump of assault, and all the public officials who have prosecuted or sued him, and all the judges who have ruled against him, and all the elections officials who refused to break the rules and falisfy votes for him, and all the Republicans who voted to impeach him. In each of those cases, Hayes continued, Trump has gotten away with intimidation, mafia style gangster threats, because rank and file Republicans let him, or in many cases, just straight up help him, using government power to make their partisan politics a sort of official state religion, and bullying anyone who gets in their way. At the end of the segment, Hayes concluded that the GOP is a party in a movement, built around a candidate for whom nothing is sacred, not even a military cemetery, not the judicial system, not even democracy, unless it serves his twisted aims. Watch the clip below: The post Chris Hayes Says Trump Gets Away With Mafia Style Gangster Threats Because Republicans Straight up Help Him | Video appeared first on TheWrap. A 19-year-old man was killed Thursday evening after being hit by a police cruiser in the Spring Grove Village area, according to a news release. The man was identified as Amir Jordan, of Roselawn, in a report from the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. The Cincinnati Police Departments Traffic Unit responded to the 4600 block of Este Avenue just before 6 p.m. to investigate a serious injury crash. A preliminary investigation revealed that a Cincinnati officer was driving a 2021 Ford Explorer, a police cruiser with activated lights and sirens, en route to an emergency call. While the officer was traveling northbound on Este Avenue near Chickering Avenue, a 19-year-old man crossed the street westbound into the path of the vehicle. The man was hit by the police cruiser and sustained serious injuries. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The officer was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was not injured. The Cincinnati FOP Queen City Lodge, the union that represents the Cincinnati Police Department, said in a Facebook post the officer was responding to the report of a shooting. The man attempted to cross a street in front of a Metro bus, far from any cross walk, and was hit by the police cruiser, the union said in the post. The union added that the officer quickly stopped his cruiser after hitting the man, radioed for a medic and attempted to render aid. Police officers take as much care as possible when theyre responding to a reported shooting with their lights and sirens on, union President Ken Kober said in the post. The Cincinnati FOP and its members are praying for the young man who was hit and for the officer involved. Any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Cincinnati Police Department's Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coroner IDs 19-year-old killed in collision with police cruiser A July 1 rally of Citizens Not Politicians at the Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Only republish photo with original story.) Advocates pushing an anti-gerrymandering amendment in Ohio to remove politicians from mapmaking in favor of a citizen commission said the states ballot board should be forced to start over on summary language for the November proposal. Attorneys said the proposed amendment would ban partisan gerrymandering by setting forth robust redistricting criteria to ensure fair maps, selection standards to ensure the new commissions impartiality and accountability, and transparency measures to ensure public information and participation, according to a merit brief filed Thursday. But they say the summary language written by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and adopted by a majority of the Ohio Ballot Board on Aug. 16 would have voters believe exactly the opposite. The Ohio Ballot Board decides what language voters will see on their ballots when they go to vote, but that summary language does not change what the proposed amendment would actually do. In a 3-2 vote, the Ohio Ballot Board approved summary language that supporters of the anti-gerrymandering amendment say is intentionally misleading and biased against the amendment. They have filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court opposing the summary language. The merit brief is part of that lawsuit filed by Citizens Not Politicians, the group who has led the charge for the anti-gerrymandering amendment. The lawsuit asks the states highest court to order changes to the summary language made by the ballot board, chaired by Ohio Sec. of State LaRose. The proposed amendment signed by more than 535,000 verified Ohio voters would replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission made up of seven politicians, including LaRose, with a 15-member citizens commission made up of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Citizens Not Politicians Attorney Don McTigue pointed to a change made by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, during the ballot boards meeting, in which she changed the word manipulate to gerrymander when describing the methods of redrawing congressional and statehouse district lines within the amendment. Earlier this year, Attorney General Dave Yost certified that the Amendments summary was fair and truthful, McTigue wrote. That summary states, consistent with the amendments plain text, that the amendment would ban partisan gerrymandering. The brief emphasizes what the original complaint filed on Aug. 19 asserted, which is that the opinion of whether or not the proposed amendment offers better policy than the existing system should be left up to the voters in November. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Ballot Boards job is to provide ballot language that gives voters the facts so that they can make up their own minds, the brief states. That language should follow constitutional rules dictating the language and the title, something the LaRose language doesnt do, according to Citizens Not Politicians. The Ohio Constitution states ballot language shall properly identify the substance of the proposal to be voted upon, and the language shall not be held invalid unless it is such as to mislead, deceive or defraud the voters. The Ohio Revised Code says the secretary of state or the ballot board is required to give a true and impartial statement of the measures in such language that the ballot title shall not be likely to create prejudice for or against the measure. The title of the redistricting amendment, as approved by the board majority, is to create an appointed redistricting commission not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state. The Ballot Boards attempt to put a thumb on the scale against the amendment is a thumb in the eye of Ohioans who expect their representatives on the Board to carry out their mandatory duties impartially, McTigue wrote. The Ohio Attorney General has filed an answer to the complaint, but the filing has already received criticism from the Democratic members of the ballot board, who say they were not consulted on the legal document, nor have they been given outside counsel to speak on their behalf, despite the fact that the the two Democrats, state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson and state Rep. Terrence Upchurch, voted against the ballot board language. Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch ended up filing a brief themselves on Wednesday night, in which they did not fight arguments that the ballot board as a whole violated its constitutional duty, and said the chosen ballot title is inaccurate, biased, argumentative and misrepresents the proposed amendments procedures for removing commissioners who fail to comply with their duties. McTigue said the court has never hesitated to strictly enforce the legal requirements for the text that appears on the ballot, in recognition of Ohioans century-old right to amend their constitution and laws through direct democracy. The court should do the same here, by directing (the ballot board) to start over and adopt ballot language and a ballot title that are consistent with their clear legal duties. The Ohio Supreme Court was asked just last year to make changes to a ballot board-approved summary, in that case for the reproductive rights constitutional amendment that would eventually pass with 57% of the vote. The coalition that sued took issue with ballot language that used the phrases unborn child and reproductive medical treatment, along with using the phrase the citizens of the State of Ohio rather than just the State of Ohio when speaking of the prohibitions against indirectly burdening, penalizing or prohibiting abortion. In a similar way to the redistricting amendment authors arguments that the LaRose language could mislead voters as to the intentions of the proposed amendment, the lawsuit against the reproductive rights amendment summary said it could mislead voters about the rights the amendment created, the restrictions in the amendment, discretion when it comes to fetal viability and state regulation of the amendment. The Ohio Supreme Court said they agreed that the ballot language approved by the ballot board misleads the average voter about whose actions the amendment restricts. But the ballot language is not defective in any other respect, the court wrote. The court asked the ballot board only to change the phrase citizens of the State of Ohio to State of Ohio, and approved the rest. Justice Michael ODonnelly wrote in his concurring opinion that it was unfortunate that advocacy seems to have infiltrated a process that is meant to be objective and neutral. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST TEHRAN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli army's recent attacks on Palestinian cities and camps in the West Bank. In a statement released by the ministry, Kanaani criticized the 30-hour military operation by Israel in several northern West Bank cities, which resulted in the deaths of Palestinians and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. Kanaani stated that the Israeli army's attacks, which involved "brutal destruction of urban and service infrastructure" and "violent entry into medical centers," reflect "Israel's intention to widen the scopes of its killing of Palestinian civilians and crimes against them." Kanani urged international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council, to refrain from inaction in the face of Israel's "flagrant violations" of international and humanitarian law. He called for immediate and effective actions to stop Israel's attacks against Palestinians. According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, 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. The army then withdrew from the city of Tubas after its 30-hour military operation, Palestinian security sources reported earlier on Thursday. The West Bank has witnessed escalating tensions between Palestinians and Israelis since Oct. 7, 2023, when the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out in the Gaza Strip. Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels announced he will be stepping down from his position Saturday, leaving the citys highest elected role vacant three months shy of the end of his term. In a statement to city council members Tuesday, first reported by the Citrus Heights Sentinel, Daniels said it was with deep regret and a heavy heart he was resigning from the role to move to Kentucky. I have not been able to secure housing in my district and I do not want to put the City in any jeopardy, so I must resign, he said. Daniels originally told CBS 13 in July that he planned to leave California at the end of the year, after his current mayoral term ends, due to an erosion of local control in the state. The news outlet reported that he wanted to move to a place more in line with Christian, conservative values. Daniels did not immediately respond to requests for an interview. At his final city council meeting Wednesday, he acknowledged his fellow council members, the community and his family for their support over the years. Thank you to the citizens of Citrus Heights for trusting me, he said. Through four elections youve decided Im here. Im incredibly grateful and honored to have served you. The city announced in a Friday news release that officials will weigh their options on how to fill the mayors vacancy at the next city council meeting Sept. 11. The City Council will address any upcoming vacancies with the same dedication to maintaining public safety, community vibrancy, and economic development that residents have come to expect, the news release said. Typically, the council selects one of its members to serve as mayor for a year-long term. Daniels in his letter to the council requested his seat be left open so that residents could decide who would represent his district at the ballot box in November. Daniels, a registered Republican, has served more than 14 years on the Citrus Heights City Council. He was first elected to the council in 1999. He became mayor in December 2004 and resigned in November 2005. He was elected to the council again in 2016 and won reelection in 2020. In 2023 he served as vice mayor, before becoming mayor at the end of last year, according to the citys website. He has frequently fought to prevent taxes from being raised in Citrus Heights. In 2018, he was censured by the Citrus Heights City Council after police reports accused him of stalking and harassing a former girlfriend. Police determined he had not committed a crime, and Daniels denied the womans reports, The Sacramento Bee reported at the time. He also told the council that even if the womans reports were true, it was a private matter. Daniels unsuccessfully ran earlier this year for the Fourth District seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in the March primary elections. Before his career in politics, Daniels served in the Air Force and was a sheriffs deputy. During Wednesday nights city council meeting, Vice Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa called Daniels one of the best council members the city has ever seen. He stands up for Citrus Heights, she said. He is not afraid to speak on behalf of our city for whats right for our city. Daniels is leaving three months before his term was set to expire in December. Starting Sunday, the city of nearly 88,000 people will be without a mayor. City pursuing legal action against Jaguars company in reopening location under new name City pursuing legal action against Jaguars company in reopening location under new name EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso is pursuing legal action as the company of Jaguars Gold Club, RCI Holdings, is attempting to open a new location under a new name. RCI Holdings appears to have plans on opening another strip club under a new name Chicas Locas, according to the news release by the City. El Paso County Attorneys Office: Jaguars closes down after lawsuit settlement agreement The County Attorneys Office had initially filed the lawsuit after a thorough investigation revealed that Jaguars has repeatedly violated the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code. As KTSM has previously reported, Jaguars has a documented history of serious criminal activities including prostitution, drug sales and other illegal conduct. Additionally, the strip club was operating without a Sexually Oriented Business (SOB) ordinance for 12 years, according to the City. The City of El Paso is committed to ensuring that any business operating within our jurisdiction adheres to the law, particularly when it comes to protecting the safety and well-being of our community, said City Attorney Karla Nieman. The absence of an application for an SOB license for Chicas Locas suggests that RCI Holdings may continue its pattern of disregarding the law. According to the City, RCI Holdings has not submitted any application for a SOB license for the new business, raising significant concerns of the companys intention to comply with local laws. The City is seeking court intervention to press fines on RCI Holdings for previous violations and prevent the company from operating without the necessary licensure. We will not allow businesses to operate outside the bounds of the law, especially when the nature of these operations attracts criminal activity which poses a risk to our community, said Nieman.We are optimistic that the Court will recognize the seriousness of these violations and take appropriate action. According to the City, they are also seeking an injunction to prevent any additional unlawful activities from occurring at the Chicas Locas location. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of Socorro is asking for residents input on transit services and improvements that can be made through an online interactive survey. The City is conducting a Transit Development Plan (TDP) named Socorro Avanzando! that is a part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, according to the City of Socorro in a news release. The project will be assessing current transit services, identifying transit needs and improvement options exploring related opportunities to improve pedestrian and bike connectivity, and better understanding riders origins and destinations inside and outside the City of Socorro, the City of Socorro said. Socorro is growing and changing at a pace exceeding the state average, Socorro City officials said in the news release. As a result, its important for the City to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities it has when it comes to ensuring high-quality transit service. The City launched a website to help gather input from transit users, residents, businesses and visitors about their needs and expectations. The website includes a survey and an interactive map where users can draw their ideal routes that will be shared with planners, according to the City. Both interactive feedbacks are open to the public and will close on Oct. 1. To understand what Socorro needs, we believe its important to listen to Socorro, Socorro City officials said. In addition to community meetings, in-person interviews, and pop-ups at community events, were making it easy to provide your feedback without ever leaving home. In addition to the website, the City will be implementing public meetings over the next few months to get all views from transit riders. Socorro is a welcoming community that celebrates diversity, preserves its rich culture and history, and fosters economic growth, environmental stewardship, and a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike. It stands as a symbol of unity and prosperity for future generations, said officials said. Transit services will play an important role in helping Socorro to promote economic growth, be more eco-friendly and provide a high quality of life for its residents and visitors, according to the 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 KTSM 9 News. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The City of York says multiple road closures will be in place starting today for a commercial video production and other events. Starting today, Aug. 30, the city will close George Street between North Street and Philadelphia Street from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. for an event hosted by George Street Dining. According to the City, commercial video production will close multiple roads throughout the city starting Saturday, August 31. The following roads will be closed on Saturday: George St between North St and Philadelphia St between 1:00 pm and 12:00 am Philadelphia St between Duke St and Cherry Ln between 4:30 pm and 9:00 pm George St between Market St and Philadelphia St between 4:30 pm and 9:00 pm The city encourages motorists to use King Street, Queen Street, Princess Street, North Street, Beaver Street, and Pershing Avenue. Additionally, Vehicles can exit the Philadelphia Street Garage during the entire event but cannot enter it between 4:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The City of York says it will close Newberry Street from Madison Avenue to Parkway Blvd between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and Parkway Blvd from Pennsylvania Avenue to Smith Street between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, for the citys Labor Day festival. Fireworks are set to happen at 9:00 p.m. Additional closures on the week of Sept. 2: Construction projects by York Water Co. are set to begin on Monday next week. According to the city, the projects will affect local roadways and lead to additional closures. The road closures include: S. Penn St. from W. College Ave. to W. Princess St. (Wednesday, September 4th 7:00 am 5:00 pm). S. Penn St. from W. College Ave. to W. Princess St. (Thursday, September 5th 7:00 am Friday, September 6th 3:00 am).This will include prep work to tie-in a water main during the day and then the tie-in starting at 9 pm Thursday night running into Friday morning). Pennsylvania Ave. from N. West St. to N. Belvidere Ave. (Tuesday, September 3rd Wednesday, September 4th 7:00 am 4:00 pm) Pennsylvania Ave. from N. Belvidere Ave. to N. Hawthorne St. (Tuesday, September 3rd 7:00 am 4:00 pm) Additionally, a lane on East Market Street between North Hartman Street and Norther East Street will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to Friday, Sept. 6. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Classified communication line between Kyiv and Moscow to be severed Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has decided to terminate the Agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian governments on the organisation of a direct classified telephone line between Kyiv and Moscow dated 27 February 1998. Source: the relevant resolution, submitted to the government by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology, was adopted on 30 August. The draft document has been seen by Ekonomichna Pravda Details: The explanatory note to the resolution indicates that it was prepared by the Administration of the State Special Communications Service to implement the action plan for Ukraines withdrawal from bilateral and multilateral agreements with the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Agreement outlines the organisational principles and obligations for establishing a permanent classified telephone connection for confidential negotiations between heads of state and for organising intergovernmental communications. Fedorov notes that "the Agreement has lost its relevance, as the mechanisms of cooperation outlined in it are not utilised by the parties" and that "fulfilling obligations under the Agreement poses a threat to Ukraine's national interests". Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will now have to notify the Russian government of the termination of the Agreement. Support UP or become our patron! AUSTIN (KXAN) The American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday over the enforcement of a state law it claimed infringed on business rights to free speech and equal protection. The Texas Legislature passed that law, SB 13, during its 2021 regular session. It bans government agencies from investing and contracting with companies on the basis of the companies actual or perceived political views regarding fossil fuels, the filing reads. Under the law, the Comptrollers Office is responsible for determining if a public agency violated this law and notifying the Office of the Attorney General to bring legal action. Texas has similar laws for companies that the Comptrollers Office believes are boycotting firearms manufacturers or Israel. The plaintiff has filed a purported First Amendment lawsuit that seeks to undermine state sovereignty and 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, Hegar said in a statement, That is absurd. KXAN has reached out to Paxtons office for comment on the case. It has not sent a reply. The lawsuit states that the law violates the First Amendment by making a content-based ban on speech and association with no legitimate state interest, and also forces companies to [agree] with Texass preferred position regarding fossil fuels. Indeed, when releasing the blacklist, the Comptroller announced that Texas is using SB 13 to punish companies that engage in anti-oil and gas rhetoric' states the lawsuit, citing a press release from Hegars office. Paxton similarly released an advisory in October 2023 stating that governmental entities are not free to do business with energy company boycotters.' Two ASBC member companies, investment firm Sphere and financial technology company Etho Capital, market themselves to potential clients as sustainably-minded investment options. Both are plaintiffs in the lawsuit and on the Comptrollers blacklist. Laws like SB-13 not only inhibit economic growth and innovation but also set a dangerous precedent for the role of government in business affairs. SB-13s shortsightedness is costing Texans millions and hindering progress towards a more resilient and inclusive economy, said Etho Capital CEO Amberjae Freeman in the release. Its time to put an end to this detrimental law. We founded Sphere to help people saving for retirement protect themselves from climate risk. The Texas law is intended to limit our ability to offer investment options but really harms Texas in the process, Sphere CEO Alexandra Wright-Gladstein said. Currently, the list Financial Companies that Boycott Energy Companies names over 360 financial companies. Hegar disputed the lawsuits claims, and said that his office has taken a very open, transparent and methodical approach. It is ironic that this left-wing group suing Texas is hiding their true intent: to force companies to follow a radical environmental agenda that is often contrary to the interests of their shareholders, and to punish those companies that do not fall into lockstep and put politics above earnings, Hegar said. The Sphere 500 Climate Fund, created in October 2021, showed steady growth over the past year. According to Etho Capital, its Etho Climate Leadership Index has outperformed the S&P 500 Index and Russell 3000 Index from its creation to 2023. Both are required by federal law to act in the interest of their investors. It is an unconstitutional attack that stifles free speech and punishes businesses for prioritizing responsible investments, said ASBC president and co-founder David Levine in a press release announcing the lawsuit. By challenging SB-13, we aim to protect the rights of all businesses to operate freely and responsibly. The ink used to print this frivolous lawsuit is made by the very industry they are trying to eliminate. This is exactly the type of intellectual dishonesty that I have been fighting against, said Hegar in his statement. 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. Texas producing fossil fuels at record levels amid heat wave A report, provided by ASBC and produced by Waco-based firm The Perryman Group, claims that a hypothetical law similar to SB 13 could cost Texas $764.6 million and 8,200 job-years (one person working a job for one year). The report stated a majority of that loss could fall on the retail industry. Over the next 30 years? Texas could lose out on $20 billion, according to a 2022 University of Pennsylvania study. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Closure of Singing Bridge in Frankfort following inspection: What to know FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Transportation officials in Frankfort announced on Friday that an inspection earlier this week has led to the immediate closure of the Singing bridge. In the wake of the closure, Frankfort city leaders have announced a few details of the closure and how it will impact access and travel across town and beyond not only for drivers but pedestrians and people with disabilities as well. Homeless advocates in Jessamine County issue emergency plea for support During the closure of the Singing Bridge, ADA accessibility IS available via the Capital Avenue/War Mothers Memorial Bridge. This access is on the EAST side of the bridge, Frankfort City Hall officials said. Use the pedestrian traffic crossing at the end of the bridge at East Main to cross and continue into downtown. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Singing bridge in Frankfort was closed on Friday after a safety inspection, according to city officials. (Frankfort Emergency Management) City leaders also told FOX 56 that the bridge to Second Street can be accessed on foot by crossing the High Street intersection to the north side of Main Street using the pedestrian traffic crossing. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) recommended that drivers use the U.S. 60 (Capital Avenue) bridge as an alternate route while commuting. Louisville children allegedly left alone, subjected to inhumane living conditions The City of Frankfort understands the closure of the Singing Bridge puts a significant strain on pedestrian traffic and is actively working on solutions, Frankfort City Hall announced on Friday. Updates will be posted here as information becomes available in the coming days. As always, we thank you for your patience as we all work together to navigate the current 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 FOX 56 News. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) The Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees and Grand Valley Board of Directors recently announced a pair of donations that will go toward Shoshone water rights. CMU and Grand Valley Power gave $500,000 and $100,000, respectively, to the Colorado River District in its work in purchasing and protecting the Shoshone Hydropower Plant in Glenwood Canyon which provides resources to the Western Slope. CMU_-3209415912902472271 At Colorado Mesa University, we recognize that water is the lifeblood of our regions economy and way of life, CMU President John Marshall said in a press release. As Western Colorados regional comprehensive university, its important for us to stand with the Colorado River District and support the protection of the Shoshone water rights. This isnt just about safeguarding water; its about securing the future of our communities, our environment and the next generation of leaders we educate. The plant dates back to 1902. The protection of these water rights would help future river flows that are important for agriculture and recreation, according to the Colorado River District. Our rural economy is tied to agriculture, and agriculture depends on water, Grand Valley Power Board President Janie VanWinkle said in a release. Grand Valley Power is committed to supporting initiatives that sustain the long-term health of our farming and ranching communities and investing in the future of Western Colorado. By securing the Shoshone water rights, we are helping ensure the Colorado River remains a viable resource for energy, agriculture, recreation and the environment. The Colorado River District noted its important that entities like Colorado Mesa and Grand Valley Power show the value of Shoshone water rights. We deeply appreciate Colorado Mesa University for backing the Shoshone permanency effort. Education and water are fundamental to our communities future, shaping everything from our economy to our way of life, said Colorado River District General Manager Andy Mueller. By supporting this work, CMU and Grand Valley Power are demonstrating leadership in protecting West Slope water security and the future of our communities. The press release stated the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Coalition, led by the Colorado River District, has raised over $55 million of the $99 million price tag toward purchasing the water rights. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to supporters at a campaign event in Savannah, Ga., on Thursday evening. In an interview conducted earlier and scheduled to be aired Thursday night, Harris says that, if elected, she will appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris says in an interview to be broadcast Thursday night on CNN that, if elected, she will appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. The exclusive interview with Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. EDT. Ahead of the broadcast, CNN revealed that during the exchange, Harris said she would reach out to moderates and independents alienated by the "extremism" of GOP nominee Donald Trump by naming a Republican to her administration. "I've got 68 days to go with this election, so I'm not putting the cart before the horse," she says in her first in-depth television interview since accepting the nomination. "But I would. I think it's really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. 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. "And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican," she says. Harris and Walz are on a bus tour through the key swing state of Georgia as they attempt to build on their momentum coming out of last week's Democratic National Convention. U.S Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to supporters at a campaign event in Savannah, Ga., on Thursday evening. In an interview conducted earlier and scheduled to be aired Thursday night, Harris says that, if elected, she will appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI Georgia, reliably a Republican stronghold with the GOP owning all the statewide elected offices, flipped to the Democrats in the presidential election under Joe Biden. Most polls either show Harris neck-and-neck or pulling slightly ahead of Trump in the state. On Thursday, the Harris-Walz campaign highlighted what it called growing GOP support, including an open letter signed by more than 200 Republicans who previously worked for either former President George W. Bush, the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., or Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. U.S Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to supporters at a campaign event in Savannah, Ga., on Thursday evening. In an interview conducted earlier and scheduled to be aired Thursday night, Harris says that, if elected, she will appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI "While Donald Trump continues to attack moderates and independents, as well as Republicans he doesn't like, the Harris-Walz campaign has made clear that there is a place in our coalition for voters who reject the extremism of Donald Trump and want to put country over party," a campaign spokesperson said. Harris attended a solo rally in Savannah on Thursday, wrapping up the bus tour, before visiting the CNN studios in Atlanta with Walz. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris arrives to speak during a campaign rally at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Ga., on Thursday. She later sat down with running mate Tim Walz for an in-depth interview with CNN in Atlanta. Photo by Hunter D. Cone/EPA-EFE Before the airing the interview, the broadcaster also reported that Harris used the airtime to explain how her views on immigration and producing oil and gas via hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, have evolved since her unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination four years ago. She came out against fracking as a climate change hazard in 2019, but by the time eventual Democratic nominee Joe Biden tapped her as his running mate, she had already altered her position and, in fact, later cast a tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate to expand fracking leases. "We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension, the globe, around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed," she said. HONOLULU (KHON2) A 47-year-old woman, her 7-year-old daughter and their pets were rescued from their sailboat 925 miles off Oahu after a distress call was received by the U.S. Coast Guard. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You On Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard received a mayday call from the sailboat located east of Honolulu. Upon arrival, rescuers discovered that the vessel had been damaged by severe weather. Along with the woman and child, crews found a deceased man aboard the boat. Man in critical condition after going over cliff with motorcycle With assistance from the U.S. Navy, the rescue operation successfully brought the woman, her daughter, a cat and a tortoise to safety on Sunday afternoon. However, due to adverse weather conditions, crews were unable to recover the body of the deceased man. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The sailboat remains adrift in the ocean. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RABAT, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics Mohammed Abdeljalil and his Senegalese counterpart, Malick Ndiaye, held a meeting in Rabat on Thursday to promote transport cooperation between the two sides. During their meeting, both ministers emphasized their mutual commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in the railway sector. Speaking to the press, Abdeljalil said the two countries had agreed to improve communication to achieve a higher level of collaboration, especially in railway development. For his part, Ndiaye described his visit as an opportunity to observe and learn from Morocco's "qualitative" achievements in urban and intercity mobility, particularly in the railway sector. Following the meeting, the Moroccan National Railways Office signed an agreement with Senegal's National Company for the Management of the Regional Express Train Heritage, which also inked an agreement with Morocco's Railway Training Institute, according to Morocco's official news agency MAP. Can the PNW be too caffeinated? Tacoma thinks not, as one veteran coffee roaster has expanded and another has gotten its start. In three anticipated openings, downtown finally welcomed the highly anticipated Creole brasserie, The waterfront gained Woven and Burger Seoul is back. In East Pierce County, the family behind a local dairy farm introduced the initial stages of their dairy market concept, beginning with super-fresh soft-serve. Earlier this summer, the South Sound welcomed fresh digs for sushi, smashburgers, Cajun and Indian. Heres a recap of recently opened restaurants in and around Tacoma. A vegetarian, jambalaya-stuffed pepper is one of many wonderful Creole-inspired dishes at the new Chez Lafayette in downtown Tacoma. CHEZ LAFAYETTE 1101 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-408-7037, instagram.com/chez.lafayette One of the most anticipated restaurants of the year, Chez Lafayette opened quietly in July, bringing a wonderful whisper of New Orleans-meets-French brasserie vibes to downtown Tacoma. (This nook of downtown is gaining traction, as a knife sharpening studio and kitchenware shop plans a fall debut.) Dont miss the fried appetizers catfish, oysters, okra and the standout house salad with gem lettuce, radicchio, frisee and toasted hazelnuts. Co-owner Mikey de Alwis has also forged a great drinks program, honed through a decade at the familys first restaurant, Bourbon Street Creole Kitchen. Open Tuesday-Saturday at noon. Burger Seoul is back, and owner Young La hopes to expand this menu in the coming months with new items that will further harness the medley of Korean and American flavors and ingredients. BURGER SEOUL 1701 Division Ave., Tacoma, instagram.com/burgerseoul Young La is back this time in a full-fledged, brick-and-mortar restaurant at the cusp of Sixth Ave and Hilltop. Tacoma has been missing Burger Seoul since last year, when the amiable entrepreneur was forced to leave his longtime food truck home on 19th Street. The new space boasts three flat-top grills, lots of fryer space, and a prep kitchen, with indoor and outdoor seating. Look for new menu items like the Superbulgogi (known to loyal fans as a special) and soon, a shrimp burger, chicken sandwich and more. He also hopes to add breakfast. Open daily at 11 a.m. to start. ANTOJOS MEXICAN GRILL 6104 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-565-0505, antojomexicangrill.com You might be familiar with the Antojos name through its prevalent taqueria chain, El Antojo, which also just opened a new location on Tacoma Mall Boulevard. This Sixth Avenue restaurant has more space and, following a remodel this spring, a bigger bar. At happy hour, snag 2-for-1 tacos deals, half-off the house burrito and lots of drink specials. Open Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m., with service until 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Bluebeard STW serves as the roasters production HQ, but it also offers an airy cafe space with a full range of espresso drinks. BLUEBEARD COFFEE STW 5428 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, bluebeardcoffee.com Roasting since 2011 in tight quarters on Sixth Avenue, Bluebeard Coffee has been teasing its new STW production space and cafe for a couple of years. Signage finally emerged earlier this year and in July, the doors and windows rolled up for espresso a-plenty. Owner Kevin McGlocklin is especially excited about being part of this growing nook of creative businesses in the heart of South Tacoma among them, Howdy Bagel, The Church Cantina, Airport Tavern, and Hive Co., with more actively in the works. Open Tuesday-Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Note that the Sixth Avenue shop remains alive and well! OUTER DARK COFFEE 750 Market St., Tacoma, 253-327-1388, outerdarkcoffee.com Downtown Tacoma has plenty of coffee shops, you might say, but it didnt have a roaster-owned option. Outer Dark opened its first cafe under TractionSpace and next to Cider and Cedar in early July. Owner Mike Murphy hopes to find a space that can accommodate roasting in town (harder than it might seem due to the necessary ventilation). The cafe is simultaneously dark and mysterious but sunny and cheerful, with high ceilings, bright yellow chairs and big windows. Open weekdays 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Kylee Fletcher, 19, of Enumclaw, prepares a vanilla soft-serve in a waffle cone at The Mount Rainier Creamery & Market, now open in Buckley. MT. RAINIER CREAMERY 287 Route 410, Buckley, mountrainiercreamery.com Haylee and Ryan Mensonides are part of a dwindling number of dairy farms on the Enumclaw plateau, an area that once was home to dozens. They started their Buckley farm in 2012, and this summer introduced the first element of their new retail storefront. Whether you live nearby or are traveling through this Pierce County town near the mountain, you can now find soft-serve made with high-quality milk. Look for a market with eggs, milk jugs, fruit and other produce this fall. Get ice cream Friday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m. CAMP BAR 1310 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-267-5075, thecampbar.com Not a new bar, but new owners took over this outdoor-themed bar, which reopened in early July. Brothers Mike and Matt Murray with their friend, Dean Smith-Richard, are continuing the popular Friday and Saturday karaoke nights. Theres also Bingo, trivia a.k.a pub quiz and all-day happy hour every Wednesday, when drinks start at $3 and snacks at $6. MS. JANES FINE DINING (AT BJS BINGO & GAMING) 4411 Pacific Highway E, Fife, 253-231-4434, bjs-bingo.com/ms-janes BJs Bingo and Gaming welcomed Ms. Janes in August under the leadership of Puyallup Tribal members Shawn and Joshua Turnipseed. The name honors their grandmother, Bertha Jane. The concept aims to celebrate indigenous and local ingredients and anticipates seasonal menu changes. Appetizers include short rib and bleu cheese mousse over crispy polenta cakes and PNW mussels with chorizo and harissa. Mains focus on meat and fish, including duck with beets four ways and charcoal-baked salmon. Cocktails lean classic and wine focuses on Washington, Oregon and California. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians partnered with chef Roy Yamaguchi for the new Woven Seafood & Chophouse. A veteran of his Hawaii restaurants, Dexter Mina heads up the Tacoma kitchen. WOVEN SEAFOOD & CHOPHOUSE 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253-650-9500, eatwoven.com The Puyallup Tribe of Indians exciting endeavor with celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi and executive chef Dexter Mina joined Ruston Way in July. The space boasts a wood-fired grill, two decks, a vast dining room and a large open kitchen. Reservations are recommended, but the bar and lounge is first-come, first-served. Staff seats the tables on the bar side of the space, which also offer awesome views of the bay. TNT Diner visited the new restaurant in July and spoke with the chefs about what it means to bring this indigenous-led concept to Tacoma. THE BLIND PIG 2515 N Proctor St., Tacoma, millhouseproctor.com/blindpig Millhouse and The Blind Pig have dropped the Millhouse. John and Alyssa Ross, also behind Millville Pizza Co. in Gig Harbor, opened their Proctor business in 2022 an all-ages restaurant on one side and a cocktail bar (with the same available pizza, salads and panuozzos) on the other. They carved out a doorway to blend the two spaces together. Its now fully 21-and-up, with a concerted focus on craft cocktails, affordable wines, local beers and their thin-crust, drink-friendly pizza. Sig Brewing Co. has opened a second taproom at 5419 South Tacoma Way with a taplist sourced from its original brewpub in the Brewery District near downtown Tacoma. SIG BREWING STW 5419 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Talented brewer Jeff Stokes has been fermenting the good stuff on Tacoma Avenue South near the Brewery District since 2020. There, you can also find top-notch Neapolitan-style pizzas and fun, snackable plates. The new Sig Brewing on South Tacoma Way brings the same beer to a new neighborhood. Outside food welcome, or order a Radnors smashburger at your table, and staff next door will deliver it straight to you in a brown paper bag. Score a taste of the Tacoma Beer Week special Almond Roca cream ale before its gone! Open Wednesday-Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at noon. Editors note: This story has been updated to remove information about a provision in the bill that was removed from its final version. DENVER (KDVR) A ballot initiative thats been touted as giving Colorado voters the right to vote for any candidate, regardless of their party, in every election has been placed on the Nov. 5 ballot, according to the Colorado Secretary of States Office. The ballot initiative, Concerning the Conduct of Elections, would open primary elections to all candidates. The top four would advance to the general election, where voters would be able to rank the candidates instead of choosing their single top choice. Proponents have said ranked voting gives more power to third-party candidates, and could help with battles over the hyperpartisan state of U.S. politics. Colorados special session on property taxes has ended. What did legislators pass? The initiative was spearheaded by Colorado Voters First, a committee created to support this ballot initiative, among others. This initiative is based on two simple principles: Any voter should have the freedom to vote for any candidate in every taxpayer-funded election; and a candidate must receive support from a majority of voters to be elected, said Curtis Hubbard, spokesman for Colorado Voters First, in a release following the Secretary of States announcement. Our current system limits voter choices and gives too much power to political insiders and special interests. In November we can send the message that elections belong to voters not political parties. Carly Koppes, Weld County Clerk and Recorder and a past president of the Colorado County Clerks Association, noted in a statement provided in December, when the initiatives first started gaining signatures, that county clerks typically stay neutral on issues and candidates that may be on the ballot. As the professionals tasked with running elections in all 64 counties, we are trusted because we apply election rules fairly and fully and produce safe and accurate results, said Koppes in a release. But we could not stay quiet while a potential ballot initiative advances that could upend our existing election system. Colorado has worked hard to put together an election system that serves as a national model for how to hold safe and secure elections while also making sure that every voter who wants to vote can do so. We cant stand by while someone recklessly attempts to upend that system. Colorado Voters First, the proposals proponents, said nearly 50% of Colorado active voters are independents, which is backed up by state data. As of July, there were over 3.8 million active voters in Colorado. About 1.9 million voters have declared themselves members of parties that are not Democrat or Republican; another 1.89 are part of the two major parties. Six other states have ranked choice voting on the general election ballot: Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and South Dakota. Alaskan voters will also be asked to determine whether to keep the open primary initiative approved by voters in 2020. There could still be hurdles for the measure, even if voters approve. In June, Gov. Jared Polis signed a new law that required ranked voting to be tested first at a municipal level before it is deployed statewide. 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 FOX31 Denver. FILE - This undated photo provided by the Laramie County, Wyo., Sheriff's Office shows Joseph Beecher on Feb. 2, 2022. (Laramie County Sheriff's Office via AP, File) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) Federal jurors found a Colorado man guilty of kidnapping a woman on a ranch owned by Michael Bloomberg during what prosecutors described as his attempt to kill the media mogul. Joseph Beecher, 51, faces seven years to life in prison after he was convicted Wednesday in Cheyenne on kidnapping, carjacking and firearm charges. The trial lasted two days and the jury deliberated for an hour and a half. The kidnapped woman, a housekeeper at the western Colorado ranch, was rescued unharmed on the morning after the kidnapping. Authorities found her and Beecher in a motel room in Cheyenne, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of the Bloomberg property. The kidnapping happened in February 2022, after Beecher was dismissed as a hotel handyman in Craig, Colorado. He worked there in exchange for housing and was told to leave, according to court documents. Beecher went looking for Bloomberg and his family, and rammed his pickup truck through the gate of the former New York City mayor's ranch about 70 miles (113 kilometers) from Craig, according to court documents. Bloomberg had bought the ranch in 2020 for $44.8 million. The Bloomberg family was not present at the time of the kidnapping. The woman, who was abducted at gunpoint, didnt know Beecher. His motivation for seeking Bloomberg was unclear. But Beecher was intent on killing Bloomberg, prosecutors said in a statement Thursday. The woman, who was not named in federal court documents, was identified as the ranch's supervising housekeeper. She told investigators she was in an upstairs bedroom when she heard a man ask who she was. She turned and saw Beecher pointing a black machine gun at her, she said. Beecher at the time was a suspect in a burglary earlier in the day in which he stole two rifles, including an AR-15 and ammunition, from his employer's living quarters at the hotel, according to officials. He left his truck at Bloomberg's ranch and ordered the woman to drive them in her husband's pickup truck to the Denver area and then to Cheyenne, where they stopped and he told her to get a room at the motel, according to court documents. Investigators traced the woman's iPad to the motel where they saw the pickup truck and examined surveillance video. Motel staff told police which room they were in and a SWAT team raided it, freeing the woman and arresting Beecher. DENVER (KDVR) A mother has been sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison in connection to the fentanyl-related death of her daughter. A Weld County district judge sentenced 32-year-old Mystique Sade Wadena to spend over a decade in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Wadena pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death criminal negligence in a plea deal. Jury convicts man for possessing $330K worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine The severity of the defendants choices, and the impact this has had on not only her family and other children, but quite frankly the rest of our community, is simply devastating, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wrenn said during Friday mornings sentencing hearing. No amount of time in prison will bring this child back, but we do believe this is an appropriate sentence. We hope this sends a message to our community that this type of negligent behavior wont be tolerated in Weld County. The sentencing stems from an incident on May 2, 2022, when emergency personnel responded to a 911 call from a hotel in Firestone. According to the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office, when paramedics arrived at the hotel, they found a 12-year-old girl unresponsive. She was immediately taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead on May 7, 2022. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather Per the autopsy report, the girl died of complications related to acute fentanyl toxicity. Investigators found Wadena had been using and dealing fentanyl in the hotel room. According to the district attorneys office, she planned to have her three children, who police said were not in her legal custody, visit her hotel room the night before the 911 call was made. According to the investigators, two of Wadenas children consumed some of their mothers fentanyl pills, which ultimately killed the 12-year-old. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Community Focus: David Cicilline with the Rhode Island Foundation EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) On Friday, the Rhode Island Foundation announced $400,000 in funding for dozens of community based projects. President and CEO of the foundation, David Cicilline, joined 12 News at 4 to talk about the funding. Watch the full conversation in the video player above. 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. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) Community Hospital was recently awarded a rare honor that only a few health care facilities receive in the nation. Community Hospital announced Thursday it obtained a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This rating is the highest a hospital can get. Community Hospital was one of 381 hospitals to earn the honor. This is quite the feat as 4,800 hospitals from across the nation were rated. We are incredibly proud to be a CMS five-star, quality-rated hospital, Community Hospital President and CEO Chris Thomas said in a press release. Our entire staff works tirelessly to ensure the highest quality care possible. Receiving a five-star quality rating from CMS underscores our steadfast commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients. People frequently tell us that once they come to Community Hospital, they wont go anywhere else. Providing high-quality care for the best value in the market remains a top priority for Community Hospital. This is the third time since 2020 that Community received five stars. CMS uses Hospital Compare data that looks at patient experience, timely and effective care, unplanned hospital visits, payment and value of care and more, according to Community Hospital. It also measures common conditions that the hospitals treat, and scores are based on recognized national standards for patient safety, quality improvement and environmental safety. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Addressing audiences in Tanzania in March 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping started with the Swahili greeting "Habari," meaning "How are you?" Africa was on the itinerary of Xi's first overseas trip as Chinese president that year, and this warm gesture in Tanzania, which elicited thunderous applause, underscored his deep affinity for the continent. Xi's interest in Africa is partly shaped by his childhood experiences. "Chinese people of my age grew up in a warm, friendly atmosphere with Africa," he told a South African TV station before his trip, reminiscing about stories such as the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway in the 1970s. During a period pivotal to economic development for both Tanzania and Zambia, this railway greatly improved the connectivity of the two African countries, providing the latter, a landlocked nation rich in copper, with access to the sea via the port city of Dar es Salaam. Today, the railway is still playing its role. Scores of Chinese technicians and workers lost their lives during the railway's construction process. During his 2013 trip to Tanzania, Xi visited a cemetery where some of them were laid to rest. In a light drizzle, he carefully arranged the ribbons on a wreath and placed flowers at their tombs. "Their names will be engraved, along with the railway, in the hearts of the Chinese people and the peoples in Tanzania and Zambia," he said. China tightened its belt to help its African brothers build the railway, even during its own period of poverty, Xi recalled during a meeting with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in 2022. "Now that China is more developed, it is better placed to act on the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, help our African friends achieve common development, and build a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said, reiterating the principle he had introduced during his 2013 trip to Africa to guide China's approach toward the continent. China-Africa cooperation has expanded significantly under this principle. Over the years, China and African countries have worked together to build or upgrade close to 100,000 kilometers of roads, more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges and almost 100 ports. "China and African countries are destined to be good friends, good brothers and good partners, and China-Africa cooperation stands as a fine example of South-South cooperation," Xi said in his speech at the BRICS Business Forum in Johannesburg in 2018. In his 2013 speech in Tanzania, Xi also recalled how African countries rushed to China's aid after a devastating earthquake hit Wenchuan in 2008. An African country, not well-off itself, donated 2 million euros (around 2.2 million U.S. dollars), an act that Xi said had "warmed our hearts." China-Africa friendship has not been an overnight achievement, nor has it been gifted from on high, Xi said. "Rather, it has been fostered throughout the years when China and Africa supported and stood alongside each other in trying times." To date, Xi has visited Africa five times as president, setting foot on many countries across the continent. From the 10 cooperation plans proposed at the 2015 Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to the eight major initiatives announced at the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, numerous measures have been implemented to forge a closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the 2024 FOCAC summit will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6. Xi will attend the opening ceremony of the summit, which is anticipated as another joyful reunion of the China-Africa family. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The Savannah Police Department (SPD) is investigating a shooting that claimed the life of one person and left two others injured. Around 2:15 a.m., SPD said they responded to a shooting at W. Congress Lane and Whitaker Street that resulted in the death of one man. Officers then found two more people, one woman with a non-life-threatening injury to her arm and a man with a hand injury. Glynn County police arrest man charged with 41 counts of sexual exploitation of children This is the second shooting in the area in under a week. On Saturday, Aug. 24, a woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries following the early morning shooting. Stephanie Aguirre says she avoids downtown Savannah late at night because of recent crime in the area. Friends of hers have heard gunshots in City Market, and she says shes heard about the violence through working at a law firm in the area. Luckily, with the cases that weve had with premise liability and personal injury, more bars and nightclubs do have like more metal detectors and theyre checking for things like that, Aguirre said. But whenever someones out walking in the street, youre not so sure youre safe. Jesup man convicted of manslaughter Ernesto Recinos works at Flock to the Wok, just steps away from where the violence happened. Ive been working here for a couple of months and we hear from time to time, like every once in a while, well hear about a shooting happening, Recinos said. Its actually pretty often, unfortunately, and whenever we hear about it, its just kind of like, Oh, OK, it happened again, you know? So its not like an uncommon occurrence, I would say. He says he and his coworkers make sure to watch for their surroundings when walking downtown, but he wants to see a change in the city he loves so much. Ive lived here almost my whole life, Recinos said. Its a really great town. Its very artistic. All the people here are really, really awesome. And I like working here. I enjoy working here, though pretty much the only downside, I would say, is just kind of hearing about the shootings. Anyone with information about the two shootings is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020. 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 WSAV-TV. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Congressman Don Davis was back visiting Eastern NC Thursday, stopping in Greenville for an event with veterans. He talked about resources to help connect with them and also help with any case work at Davis Greenville office. We have a lot of work to do to continue to increase awareness and especially among our veterans here in the East so that they can get the best services and that theyre able to connect to their benefits, Congressman Davis said. Theyve earned it and they deserve us working for them. Davis will visit Washington and Pasquotank counties to conclude his Veterans First tour. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Consumer alert issued for Las Palmas IGA Market in Beechview removed by health department UPDATE The Allegheny County Health Department has removed a consumer alert that was issued for Las Palmas IGA Market. ORIGINAL COVERAGE (8/30/24) The Allegheny County Health Department has issued a consumer alert for the Las Palmas IGA Market in Beechview. The alert was issued on Wednesday. Officials say the business had unsafe food conditions, improper cooling of food, hot and cold foods held at unsafe temperatures and inadequate cleaning, sanitization, plumbing and handwashing facilities. They also reported issues with pest management and said the business was operating with an expired food permit. Of the 17 reported violations, six were considered high-risk. Those high-risk violations in the reports were: 36 cans were found with large dents on the sales floor. Those were discarded during the inspection by the staff. The temperature of cooked chicken cooling covered in the same large pan it was cooked in measured 47 degrees after one day. The health department said cooling time should not exceed 6 hours. Food such as wings inside the hot holding case was measured between 121 and 125 degrees. The wings were cooked at 11 a.m. and were reheated during the inspection. The wings should have been held above 135 degrees. Food held in the walk-in cooler next to the taco stand containing cooked foods such as pork and pico de gallo measured between 45-51 degrees. This food should have been held at 41 degrees or below. A can opener in the hot foods area was found with debris on it. The health department said it should be cleaned with a solution. Flies were found throughout the sales floor and rear storage area and rodent droppings were found behind the drink storage and the washer and dryer in the rear storage room. The business is pending reinspection. Click here to read the health departments full report. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Presidential and Presidential candidate visits take significant amounts of public resources to coordinate. As video from Thursday in Potterville reveals, dozens of law enforcement vehicles as well as ambulances participated in providing security for the former Presidents motorcade. 6 News reached out to Livingston County Sheriffs Department for an initial cost analysis from Donald Trumps visit to Howell, Mich. on Aug. 20. Undersheriff Jason Pless tells 6 News the agency is still gathering information on the costs and does not currently have a number. People are waiting outside to greet former President Donald Trump to Howell, Mich. Tuesday. (WLNS) Eaton County Spokesman Logan Bailey tells 6 News it is too early to even venture a guess as to the cost to Eaton County taxpayers for the former Presidents visit on Thursday to Eaton County. He said the county would seek reimbursement for the expenses, although he was uncertain whether that would come from federal resources, the Trump for President campaign, or another revenue source. The cost of the former Presidents visit and the use of public resources comes at a time when Eaton County taxpayers are being asked to approve a general fund millage increase to avoid a financial crisis. A millage question is on the November 5 ballot to help stem an estimated $23.4 million budget shortfall in two 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 WLNS 6 News. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, meets with Senate Democrats during their caucus meeting at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News During a CNN interview Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced shed appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if she is elected president. Including members of the other party in presidents Cabinets was a longstanding American tradition, Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher wrote. Every president from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama had at least one cross-over Cabinet member for part of his administration, Scher noted, until former president Donald Trump nixed the tradition. In the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, President Joe Bidens transition team began vetting Republicans for potential Cabinet positions, Politico reported. In the end, Biden did not appoint any Republicans. Should Harris restore the tradition, here are four Republicans she may consider. Mitt Romney Sen. Mitt Romney will leave the U.S. Senate at the conclusion of his term in January. He has been coy about his post-retirement plans. The last time Romney, 77, attempted retirement, after his 2012 candidacy for the presidency, he later returned to public office by running for the U.S. Senate in Utah in 2018. In the interim, he actively showed interest in a Cabinet position: in 2016, shortly after former Trump won the election, Romney met with him two times to discuss a potential post as secretary of state. Several individuals who formerly held the position including Hillary Clinton encouraged Romney to accept the post if offered. Romney told his biographer, McKay Coppins, he felt drawn to the position by the really troubling times in the world, with the rise of China and Russia as geopolitical threats. He also admitted another motive: I like being involved and being in the middle of things, and having something important to do, Romney said, per Romney: A Reckoning. Its like, you know, I wanted to be president. If you cant be president, being secretary of states not a bad spot to come thereafter. Meg Whitman U.S. ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman speaks at an event in San Francisco, Sept. 15, 2023. | Jeff Chiu Per Politicos reporting, the Biden transition team vetted Meg Whitman, the former CEO of eBay and Hewlitt Packard, in 2020. Whitman served as a senior member of Mitt Romneys presidential campaign staff in both 2008 and 2012. Late in the 2012 election, Romney expressed interest in adding Whitman to his Cabinet. Whitman spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, endorsing Biden. In 2022, Biden nominated her to be U.S. ambassador to Kenya, a position she still holds. Would she leave the diplomatic post for a Cabinet position? Whitman did not respond to a request for comment for this story, but according to a Politico profile in May, Whitman and her close allies do not rule it out. When youve achieved sufficient financial success as Meg has, earning is going to be subordinate to serving, Mike Leavitt, the former Utah governor and HHS secretary under President George W. Bush, told Politico. Jeff Flake Jeff Flake, U.S. ambassador to Turkiye, speaks in an interview with the Deseret News at Crossroads of the World International Trade Summit at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 23, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News The former U.S. Senator from Arizona seems to check the right boxes: Hes a vocal Trump critic and Biden-Harris supporter; he has international bona fides, having spent the past three years as U.S. ambassador to Turkey; and his tenure abroad will conclude this week, Axios reported. Flake told Politico he plans to split time between his native Arizona and his new home, Utah (where he is registered to vote), perhaps teaching courses at Arizona State University and Brigham Young University. But a potential position in the Cabinet may lure him back to Washington: He was vetted by Bidens team in 2020, and he recently said returning to life as a private civilian will be an adjustment. Ive enjoyed this more than I thought I would, he told Politico. Flake declined to comment, saying he cant talk politics as an ambassador. John Giles Mayor John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, Ariz., and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks at the campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Transportation Secretary John Giles? Thats what Scher suggests, saying Giles the mayor of Mesa, Arizona makes sense for the post. Out of 19 Transportation secretaries, five have been mayors, Scher said, including current Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor had a much larger national profile than Giles after his 2020 Democratic presidential bid, but Giles city, Mesa, is some five times larger than South Bend. On transit, Giles has a strong record: Hes pushed for lightrail, worked to expand the citys public transportation and secured millions of dollars in grant money for electric vehicles. On that front, hes been an outspoken supporter of the Biden-Harris administration. Bidens bipartisan infrastructure bill had huge economic impacts, in Mesa, Giles told the Deseret News earlier this month, and he has become a leading Republican surrogate for the Harris campaign. He endorsed Harris in July, and has since appeared at rallies and the Democratic convention to voice his support. As we approach the quadrennial political exercise known as Is Texas turning blue?, we need an anthem. How about Here We Go Again, a fine standard co-written by Texas Cowboy poet Red Stegall? Spin the version done by Willie Nelson and Norah Jones (as a tribute to Ray Charles), and you could subtitle it Texas Democrats Lament. Ive been there before And Ill try it again But any fool knows that theres no way to win. Here we go again Shell break my heart again Ill play the part again One more time. This time, its a new statewide poll showing Texas tantalizingly close for Democrats at the top of the ticket. Kamala Harris, riding a wave of Democratic enthusiasm over not having to vote for Joe Biden, is just 4 percentage points behind Donald Trump, the University of Houston Hobby School and Texas Southern University Jordan-Leland School poll shows. Perhaps even more thrilling to state Democrats, Dallas congressman Colin Allred is in a toss-up race with Sen. Ted Cruz, the poll suggests, with Cruz clinging to a 2-point lead. All the usual caveats apply: Its one poll, most voters arent paying much attention yet and the findings are within the margin of error of 2.65 percentage points. But its about the best scenario Democrats could expect heading into the final fall campaign. Odds are, however, that this is as good as it gets for Team Blue at least for now. Former President Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz during a 2018 campaign rally. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) Allred is running a quiet campaign, especially compared to the only Democrat to give a Republican a real statewide race in decades, Beto ORourke. In 2018, the largely unknown El Paso congressman boosted himself with social media, a relentless campaign schedule and Democratic angst over the Trump era. He took us to Whataburger with him, and we watched him skateboard. It almost worked; ORourke lost to Cruz by a similar margin as the current poll. Allreds approach is to pitch himself as bipartisan, almost above the fray and to pound Cruz as the reason Texas has such strict abortion laws. Its a reach of logic. State lawmakers decided to all but ban abortion once Roe vs. Wade was overturned, not Cruz. But the issue is paramount for Democratic voters and notable to many swing voters who think the state went too far. Embodying it in Cruz, a pro-life warrior, focuses their energy. For others, Allred is offering himself up as squarely in the middle, more than his voting record really supports. To watch his ads, youd think hes every bit as much a border security hawk as Cruz. And hes got tons of money to spread the message. Meanwhile, the Republican has spent months trying to burnish his own record of bipartisanship, though on smaller-bore issues such as extending an interstate highway. Hes getting help from the GOPs national Senate campaign arm, a sign the threat is real. And hes reminding conservative voters of his bona fides, relying on the fact that there are simply many more of them in Texas who align with his positions. Kamala Harris visiting Fort Worth during the 2020 campaign. At the presidential level, dont expect similar heat. The Biden er, sorry, Harris campaign cant afford to get distracted by the Blue Texas dream. There are too many hotly competitive states, Texas requires too many campaign resources to move the needle, and a state that hasnt voted Democratic for president since 1976 simply remains too much of a longshot. At the end of the day, our responsibility as a presidential campaign is to ensure we get to 270 electoral votes, Harris campaign chief Jen OMalley Dillon said at a Democratic convention event, according to the Texas Tribune. I would love to get to a bigger number than that, but that is all we care about. Another reason one that will probably also help sink Allred in the end is that even if Democrats wanted to pour money and staff attention into Texas, theres simply not enough for them to work with. Democratic campaign infrastructure has atrophied over the years. There simply arent enough volunteers, potential staffers and experience to turn out the votes Dems would need. The opposite is an advantage for Cruz. While Republican voter turnout efforts around the country appear to be lagging, local parties, GOP-affiliated organizations and down-ballot campaigns are robust after three decades of success. Republicans know where their voters are and how to turn them out. That doesnt render the current poll numbers meaningless, though. The unmistakable trend, at least with Trump on the ballot, is improvement for Democrats in nationalized races. Theyre nowhere near ready to elect a governor or even a railroad commissioner, but the Trumpier the national party remains, the more fertile the ground will be here. Theyll need a candidate who can grab the moment. ORourke, for all his faults, once sparked renewed energy among Texas Democrats. Allred comes across as a nice guy, but not one who can overcome 30 years of his partys lethargy in the next 60 days. In other words: Here we go again. Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. Council member speaks out against piece of art that promotes diversity in Pierce County A Bonney Lake City Council member is uncomfortable with a piece of art hanging in the citys Justice and Municipal Center. The artwork is titled D I V E R S I T Y. Its a copy of a painting by Anthony David Gipe. It features nine hands that spell out the word diversity in American Sign Language on a colorful background. At the Aug. 27 City Council meeting, council member Gwendolyn Fullerton brought it up. She spent about 20 minutes discussing the sign. She said it was political and biased one of the hands in the painting wears a ring that reads BLM. As I speak right now ... Im shaking a little bit because this is a very sensitive subject and very polarizing, Fullerton said at the council meeting. D I V E R S I T Y by Anthony David Gipe Fullerton, who was elected in 2021, did not immediately respond to The News Tribunes request for comment. Gipe is a member of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission. He also serves as a judge for the Kent Municipal Court. He has a passion for fine arts and painting, according to the Minority and Justice Commissions website. The commission focuses on ensuring that all courts in the state of Washington remain free of bias so that justice might be adjudicated in a neutral and fair manner, according to its website. It has been around since the 1990s. Bonney Lake Municipal Court Judge Joanna Daniels said at the council meeting that the city received the artwork as a gift from the commission. Gipe gave it to Daniels in July. He told The News Tribune Aug. 29 that it was offered to courts not only in the state but also across the U.S. He said almost 100 copies of it are in public spaces around the country. Many courthouses throughout the state already have the same piece displayed, Daniels said. Daniels started working for the city in 2021. We look at it as a piece of art and something that supports everyone in the community, not as a negative or divisive political statement, Daniels said at the council meeting. When asked if the courts new artwork would be taken down at some point, Daniels told The News Tribune Aug. 29 she does not know. The artwork is still hanging in the lobby as of Aug. 29. It was originally hung in the courtroom. Its a beautiful piece of art, Daniels said. Bonney Lake Mayor Terry Carter told The News Tribune Aug. 29 that the city relocated the artwork from the courtroom to the lobby of the Justice and Municipal Center per the citys art policy. Discussions regarding the policy are ongoing, he said. The citys administrative policy on art displays states that art is allowed in the lobby of the Justice and Municipal Center. At the City Council meeting, Fullerton referred to the citys administrative policy on political activity and said the sign violates that. The political activity policy states that city employees may not display or distribute election materials on any city-owned property. The political activity policy does not say anything about artwork, and it does not say artwork counts as election material. Just the word, also, brings about stress, Fullerton said at one point during the meeting. You mean the word diversity? Daniels asked. Yes, Fullerton said. Fullerton also said at the council meeting that the art creates a hostile work environment. Its the ring that one of the letters is wearing that is, in my mind, a hate group, Fullerton said at the council meeting. BLM, also known as Black Lives Matter, aims to fight institutional injustice. It highlights racism, discrimination and inequality experienced by Black people. It was founded in 2013. I feel like it doesnt go with the sentiments of the city, Fullerton said at the meeting. Any artwork or signs that we post we need to make sure that it is content neutral. It needs to not have something that can be construed as political, polarizing or divisive. Daniels wrote in an email to The News Tribune Aug. 30 that she was completely unaware that there was any issue with the artwork until she was sitting in the Aug. 27 City Council meeting. I was completely surprised and had no idea I would be called on that evening to defend the location of this piece of art and the fact that it is a piece of art hung in that location to welcome all that visit this building to conduct their business with the city and the court, Daniels said. Gipe told The News Tribune Aug. 29 that he created the artwork in 2018 before he became a judge. It expresses diversity and inclusion, and he said it was designed to bring people together. Ive never heard anyone express that belief about it, Gipe said, referring to Fullertons thoughts about his artwork. Inclusion is for everyone even if we dont agree with them. Bonney Lake community court funding paid for the frame. Daniels said at the council meeting that the artwork went along with the concept of community court as it supports the concept of inclusiveness. Daniels also wrote in her email Aug. 30 that the painting encourages sobriety and is a form of sober support for court participants. The News Tribune reported in 2022 that the city got a $395,293 grant from the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts to start providing therapeutic court services for those with substance use disorders or behavioral health needs, and that the new program would be run similarly to other community courts in places like Spokane and Olympia. Statistics nationwide show that the recidivism rate is quite low for people that have actually successfully completed the therapeutic court program, Daniels told The News Tribune at the time. Those in Bonney Lake Municipal Court are there for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor cases in Bonney Lake, Eatonville, South Prairie or Sumner. Editors note: This article has been updated to include additional comments from Bonney Lake Municipal Court Judge Joanna Daniels. Sign Up: East Pierce Pulse Know whats happening in Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Orting, Buckley and beyond. Get the latest news from the cities, towns and rural communities of East Pierce County. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Tuesday. Charles Mwaniki (R), the dean of School of Engineering and Technology at Machakos University, talks with students at Machakos University's Luban Workshop, located about 65 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, Kenya, on Aug. 28, 2024. Since its launch in December 2019, the Luban Workshop at Machakos University has been a hub for digital skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship. (Xinhua/Lin Jing) by Naftali Mwaura NAIROBI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Jacqueline Mokaya's mastery of computing has impressed both her tutors and peers at Machakos University's Luban Workshop, located about 65 kilometers southeast of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The 22-year-old information security major joined the Luban Workshop at her university in 2021, two years after it was established, becoming one of the first students to benefit from its advanced training on computing. Joining the Luban Workshop, named after Lu Ban, an ancient Chinese woodcraft master, was a remarkable choice for Mokaya, who is determined to excel in information and communication technology (ICT), a field dominated by men. "Everything in me has just improved because of the course that I am taking (cloud computing) and the training that I have been receiving from the Luban Workshop," Mokaya told Xinhua during an interview on Wednesday. Besides acquiring skills in cloud computing, she has also been participating in Huawei-sponsored courses on data communication, security and artificial intelligence (AI). Mokaya wants to become an accomplished cloud architect, knowledgeable in networking and cybersecurity, skills that are in high demand in Kenya, which is trying to grow its digital economy. Since its launch in December 2019, the Luban Workshop at Machakos University has been a hub for digital skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship. In their dozens, local youth at the workshop have been rewriting the legacy of Lu Ban, the revered Chinese patron saint of builders and contractors, using modern technologies. The glittering facility, established with support from Tianjin City Vocational College and Huawei, has been equipping Kenyan enrollees with advanced digital skills, including AI, cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things. Charles Mwaniki, the dean of School of Engineering and Technology at Machakos University, said more than 100 students have trained in the elite ICT courses offered at the Luban Workshop since 2021, upgrading their skills and enhancing their employability in the digital economy. "This Luban Workshop has made our students really marketable out there. We expose them to current technologies, and we have employed some of them as technicians," he said. At the Machakos Luban Workshop, Mwaniki said that the Engineering, Practice, Innovation, Project teaching model has been adopted, ensuring that the students practice what they learn and solve pressing societal challenges. He said that courtesy of this teaching model, the students have come up with many innovations, including a mobile application that can help visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings. Equipped with a cutting-edge data center, modern computers and high-speed connectivity, Machakos University's Luban Workshop is a prized attraction to students aspiring for digital literacy and competence. Brian Albert Ndesa, a 22-year-old information technology major, joined the workshop in 2022, crediting its modern facilities for improving his skills set in computing. "The specific skills that I have acquired at the Luban Workshop are networking, and my future career dream is to become a software engineer," he said. "Also, I would like to pursue a course in AI and cybersecurity." China has set up 17 Luban Workshops in 15 African countries, as part of its international vocational education cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. At the Machakos Luban Workshop, Chinese tech giant Huawei has been at the forefront of bridging the digital skills gap in Kenya through training, mentorship and apprenticeship. Franklin Mutisya, an instructor at the Machakos University Luban Workshop since its launch in 2021, said it has revolutionized training on advanced ICT courses through collaboration with industry, enhancing the competitiveness of students on the job market. "Students now are able to interact with the industry standards. We have the tools to conduct more practical training that helps to bridge the academia and industry gap," he said. Thanks to skills acquired at the Luban Workshop, the students have also established commercially viable startups that are impacting positively on the local economy, Mutisya said. Counterfeit car seats on the rise, advocates warn. Heres how to avoid them Child safety advocates at Primary Children's Hospital warn sales of counterfeit car seats are rising online. (Photo by Chuchart Duangdaw via Getty Images) Child safety advocates at Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City are urging parents to be cautious of purchasing car seats online, warning that theyve seen a rise in the number of parents unknowingly buying counterfeit car seats. Many counterfeit car seats though they may appear legitimate at first glance dont meet U.S. safety standards and often lack crucial safety features that protect children in car crashes. Advocates worry that using these car seats could be putting childrens lives at risk. Its hard to tell a car seat is counterfeit from a small picture online, and many parents think they found a great deal from a major retailer, said Michelle Jamison, community health program manager at Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital. Once they realize theres a problem and try to return it, the site they got it from has already been taken down. Hospital officials warned that even though car seats purchased online can be enticing because of their discounts, what often confuses parents is that these seats are found on the websites of major national retailers through third-party sellers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX For years, Primary Childrens Hospital has offered in-person and virtual car seat checks to help parents learn how to properly install and use car seats. Its during these checks where caregivers have started noticing more counterfeit car seats pop up, Jamison said. The counterfeit car seats that Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital caregivers are seeing look legitimate and can cost hundreds of dollars, the news release said. But many of these are missing key components that keep children safe in a crash, and they worry that using these seats could have deadly consequences. Jilian Davis is one parent who learned she had a counterfeit car seat from Primary Childrens. A family member gifted Davis the car seat, which was purchased online. After giving birth in June, Davis daughter spent two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Intermountain LDS Hospital and Primary Childrens before she went home. As they were preparing to leave the hospital, a car seat tech assisting them realized the car seat was counterfeit, according to hospital officials. Its completely shocking because this is my fourth child and Ive never heard of this being an issue, Davis said in a prepared statement. Its scary to think I could have been driving around with my child in a car seat thats dangerous. Primary Childrens gave Davis a car seat to use, but now Davis said she wants to warn other parents and family members who might not know better. A car seat that meets U.S. safety regulations (left) sits next to a counterfeit car seat that lacks required safety labels. Representatives at Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City warn counterfeit car seats purchased online are on the rise. Theyre urging parents to check their car seats, and stop using them if they determine they dont adhere to U.S. safety standards. (Courtesy of Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital) How do you know if a car seat is counterfeit? Experts say the best way to avoid counterfeit car seats is to buy directly from the manufacturers website or go to a store in person to purchase the seat, Primary Childrens officials said. All these models will be legitimate and meet safety standards. While online discounts are tempting, Jamison said its worth paying the extra money to ensure your childrens safety. Parents may think an in-store purchase is more expensive but what theyre really getting is the peace of mind their childs car seat is safe, Jamison said. While some models are pricey, there are less expensive ones that are still crash tested and safe. To adhere to federal safety standards, all car seats must have the following: A manufacturers label, which includes the name of the car seat, date of manufacture, branding, model number, and expiration date. This information is used to register your car seat, which allows manufacturers to notify you of any recalls. Counterfeit car seats dont have the model number, making them ineligible to register. Warning labels written in both English and Spanish. Theyre found on the back of the car seat, and are also required in the area where the babys head rests near the top of the seat. A chest clip. Chest clips are required in the U.S., but not other countries, which is why counterfeit car seats usually dont have them. Counterfeit car seats are often missing the labels, or theyre written in another language, hospital officials said. Sometimes these labels have grammatical errors, and the wording doesnt make sense. Jamison urged parents to check their car seats. If they discover they may be counterfeit or not adhere to U.S. safety standards, stop using it immediately and contact the retailer to notify them that they sold a counterfeit car seat, Jamison said. You may be able to recover the cost of the seat if you used a credit card or purchased through a major retailer, she added. Parents can report counterfeit car seats through STOPfakes.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the U.S. Department of Commerce via their contact form. Hospital officials also encouraged parents to submit a report through their states consumer protection agency. Parents needing help with their car seat can find a technician in their area. They can also call Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital to book a virtual or in-person car seat check at 801-662-CARS. For more information, visit primarychildrens.org/safety. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST TOPEKA (KSNT) The Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM) Executive Director LaManda Broyles joined the 27 Morning Show to discuss the recent developments for the organization and offer insight into what TRMs involvement in the Built For Zero initiative could look like. I think we are really waiting to see when we get the data, which we have, and we start really being ready to then connect every single person by name and story with the need, Broyles said. Im concerned that theres not going to be enough of the resources to connect the needs. Regarding the homeless camp cleanups the city has been conducting, Broyles said the rescue mission has been concerned. She said people are being relocated with nowhere to go. The people that are boots on the ground enforcing it are doing the best that they can, but I think we really need to start talking about whats happening. Were relocating people around with really nowhere for them to go. The concern also comes in when people are already on waitlist and trying to do what they need to do, and then we move them and then unfortunately here lately were moving them again. Thats counterintuitive. A local shelter for women children and families recently underwent renovations. Broyles said TRM was able to make the renovations thanks to the generosity of the Federal Home Loan Banks community committee. 63% of rural hospitals in Kansas at risk of closing Its been a two-year project, the first floor has been done and the second-floor has been done, Broyles said. Different Paint, different flooring, lots of comments already by guests of just how homey it feels. You can watch the full interview above. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez will address wage theft at the El Paso Central Labor Unions annual Labor Day breakfast event. The event will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 583 Hall located at 311 West Borderland Rd. Sanchez will address her commitment to wage theft in the County, measures in place to prosecute offenders and the importance of protecting worker rights, according to the news release sent by her office. The County Attorneys Office takes wage theft very seriously and is committed to fully prosecuting all cases, said Sanchez. We urge community members who believe they have been victims of wage theft to report the incident to law enforcement so we can take appropriate action. According to a study by the Workers Defense Project and Rutgers University, the average victim in wage theft incidents loses roughly $4,000 per year, nearly 29 percent of their income. Wage theft is defined as when an individual knowingly secures a service with the intent to avoid payment and fails to make full payment after being notified, in verbatim in the news release. Wage theft can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount stolen, according to the news release. For more information, you can call the El Paso County Attorneys Office Wage Theft Prosecution Program at (915) 273-3249. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Leaving the fur babies at home can be a very stressful prospect for traveling pet parents. While there are thousands of caring and professional petsitters who go the extra mile to look after their charges, entrusting one's pets to the care of a stranger can still be a gamble on some level, no matter how trustworthy they seem. Tragically, it's a gamble that Lindsey Scalera and Andrew Beifus, two proud pet parents from New Jersey, lost. The couple's late summer vacation was horrifically cut short when their dog was shot to death by their pet sitter. Lindsey Scalera told @abc7ny that she had gone to a Hunterdon County dog lover's site searching for a pet sitter to look after her Pit Bull, Remi, while she and Andrew went on vacation. Multiple users recommended Kalli Cooke, who offered pet boarding services on the popular app Rover with her husband Craig. Related: Pet Sitter Abandoned Senior Shiba-Inu with Dementia While Dog's Dad Was on Vacation "We had a meet and greet with her. Our dog was fine around her and she assured us that she was insured and bonded," Andrew Beifus told ABC 7 NY in an exclusive interview. Unfortunately, things took a terrible turn after Beifus and Scalera left for the Jersey Shore. 36 hours into their trip, Craig Cooke called to tell them that Remi had "gotten into a tussle" with another dog. The couple told Craig that they would return early to pick up Remi, but Craig said that it was fine and Remi had been crated in a room, later sending pictures of them hanging outside together. Not long after that, the couple got a second call from Craig. Remi was dead. "I hear it over and over. He said I just put a buckshot in your dog's head. He went after my pregnant wife, come get your f------ dead dog's body off my property," a weeping Scalera recounted the horrific phone call. Neither Scalera nor Beifus bought Cooke's explanation. According to ABC 7 NY, they had adopted Remi from a rescue shelter six years before. Beifus recounted their emotional first meeting as Remi came bursting out to greet his adoptive parents with kisses, calling it "love at first sight." They didn't believe Remi could have done what Craig had accused him of. ""He ran our dog down. And shot him twice in the head. For no f------ good reason," Andrew told ABC. Justice for Remi The couple immediately called the police, who arrested Craig Cooke and brought in animal control to remove Remi's remains. Cooke now faces one count of second-degree possession of a weapon and one count of third-degree animal cruelty. Kalli has not been charged with anything at this time. Rover, which had hosted the Cookes' pet sitting business, immediately removed them from their website and assisted any pet parents who had reservations with them in finding alternative care. "We will continue to work with law enforcement to the fullest extent of our ability," Rover reportedly said in their statement. Jersey Pit Rescue, who rescued Remi from a kill shelter before his adoption, did their part in spreading the word. They issued a Facebook statement warning their followers about the Cookes, alleging that several of their other former clients had also come forward with allegations of animal abuse against the pets left in their care. Andrew Beifus started a GoFundMe benefit for Jersey Pit Rescue in Remi's name, honoring the people that brought them together in the first place. Despite Craig Cooke's arrest and the massive outpouring of community support, however, no amount of justice will truly make up for the cruel death of the couple's dog. "This has just been a tragedy we never would have imagined," mourned Scalera. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Couple Missing At Nudist Ranch Allegedly Killed By Neighbor Who Was Found Beneath His House A Southern California man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of his neighbors, who were last seen at their home at a nudist ranch in San Bernardino County. Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was booked and jailed in the disappearance of Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73, who were reported missing by a friend on Sunday and are now presumed dead, Carl Baker, the public information officer for the Redlands Police Department, told reporters Friday morning. Baker told reporters later Friday that human remains had been found inside bags in a concrete bunker under Sparks home, KNBC-TV in Los Angeles reported. The remains have yet to be identified. The Menards and their dog, Cuddles, who is also missing, were last seen Saturday at their home at Olive Dell Ranch, Redlands police said in an earlier news release. The couples unlocked car was parked across the street. Stephanie Menards purse and the couples cellphones were found inside their home, according to the Los Angeles Times. Daniel Menard and his wife, Stephanie Menard, shown in a photo provided by the Redlands Police Department, were last seen Saturday at their home at Olive Dell Ranch. Redlands Police Department Authorities searching the neighborhood on Thursday received information from a local resident that identified Sparks as a person of interest in the case, Baker said. Police immediately put the neighborhood under lockdown as they sought to find and contact Sparks. After several hours of attempts to reach Sparks, Baker said, authorities used a Tac Cat, a highly equipped armored vehicle, to breach his house, next to the Menards home. Photos captured by KTLA-TV in Los Angeles show the armored vehicle colliding with Sparks home, demolishing a portion of the structure. Police eventually found Sparks underneath his home, and he voluntarily surrendered after negotiations, Baker said. When a reporter asked whether officers knew that Sparks was there when they damaged the structure, Baker responded, We believed that he was in the home and as a precaution we used the equipment to make the entry and search the home. Its unclear if Sparks is now cooperating with the investigation. It is also not clear if Sparks has an attorney. The San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for information. No motive was mentioned, and the investigation is ongoing. However, friends of the couple say they were involved in a lawsuit against the nudist ranch and recently complained about a neighbor harassing them, KTTV in Los Angeles reported. Related... The attorney for the elderly white man accused in the shooting and injury of a Black teen who accidentally knocked on his door last Spring has made yet another argument in favor of stifling the legal process against his client. This time, its a request a psychiatric evaluation. Attorney Steve Salmon filed a motion Tuesday on behalf of 85-year-old Andrew Lester alleging the ol man needs a psychological examination because his client may not be competent to understand the proceedings against him or participate in his own defense. Lester is facing criminal charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action after the shooting and injuring of then-16-year-old Ralph Yarl on April 13, 2023, according to The AP. Yarl spoke out in an interview, explaining he arrived at Lesters home that evening by mistake, looking for his siblings. After knocking on the door, he said Lester shot at him from behind the glass screen door and said Dont come here ever again. Ralph sustained an injury to his head and arm but has since made a phenomenal recovery. Lesters attorney originally sustained his client shot at Yarl in self-defense. Now, he argued Lesters frailty will affect his ability to move forward in the legal process. Salmons motion states Lesters conditions have deteriorated since the incident, both mentally and physically, per The AP. Lester has also undergone a series of hospitalizations for heart complications and a broken hip. Salmon also claimed his client has been struggling to remember key facts about the case and thinks every pretrial hearing is the real trial. According to Missouri law, if a judge has reasonable cause to believe a defendant lacks mental fitness to proceed upon a motion filed, they may decide the defendant should be held in the custody of a hospital facility for treatment, as Salmon requested. Prosecutors, as expected, argue the issues brought forth by the defense dont hold enough weight to warrant an evaluation, per FOX 4 KC. Lesters next hearing to address this issue is Sept. 6. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 7. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Cox, other western governors lobby Congress for more funding and coordination to fight wildfires The Iron Peak Fire on Dixie National Forest near Paragonah, burns on Aug. 22, 2024. (Credit: Utah Fire Info) Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called on Congress to help implement a number of wildland fire-related policies this week as fires continue to burn across the West, scorching more than 4.5 million acres since the start of 2024. Thats almost double the total acres burned in 2023. In Utah, four large fires are currently burning, according to state data the 18,222-acre Silver King Fire, which has been burning since July 5 and is 88% contained; the 2,243-acre Boulter Fire, which is 95% contained; and the 21-acre Starry Night and 10-acre Sunset fires, both of which are still burning uncontained. Recent precipitation has dampened fire activity in Utah, and on Thursday the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State lands rescinded some of the fire restrictions that had been in place for August. But the fire season tends to run through the fall and state officials and politicians are urging Utahns to be vigilant, as 2024 saw an increase in human-sparked fires. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Wednesday Cox, the Republican vice-chair of the Western Governors Association, signed a letter along with the organizations chair, New Mexico Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, asking congressional leaders to reform the federal governments approach to wildfire management. Fueled by a legacy of forest mismanagement and driven in part by a changing climate, the wildfire crisis will not abate without congressional support for aggressive intervention. The cost of inaction is unacceptable: high-severity, catastrophic wildfire and its aftereffects, including post-fire flooding and health-related smoke impacts, kills thousands of Americans every year and has permanently altered a large number of landscapes, reads the letter, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, R-KY, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Congress previously established the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which in 2023 issued a final report recommending several policies that, according to the letter, address nearly every facet of the wildfire crisis. Now, Cox, Lujan Grisham and the rest of the Western Governors Association are throwing support behind several of the reports policy recommendations. One of the governors first recommendations is better implementation of prescribed burns, which the letter calls a currently underused tool. The federal government should create a strategic plan for prescribed burns, working with states, tribes and local governments, Cox and Lujan Grisham write. Air quality impacts of prescribed burns can also be a barrier, and the letter recommends certain sources of pollution, such as a wildfire or prescribed fire, be ignored when making regulatory determinations under the Clean Air Act. According to the letter, strong, wildfire-resistant communities are the best, most cost-effective way to save lives and protect property that would require better coordination between federal agencies and the letter calls for the establishment of a Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program. Congress should also work to make disaster grants more flexible and accessible to help communities rebuild after wildfires, while creating incentives for nurseries and other stakeholders to increase re-seeding efforts. The letter also highlights several systemic reforms, including more funding for just about every aspect of wildfire suppression and prevention, but also a push to recruit and retain a broader land management workforce. Not every individual Western Governor may agree with every Commission recommendation, but there is strong consensus that there are many steps the federal government can take to improve actions throughout the wildfire cycle, the letter reads. The Western Governors Association is a bipartisan, policy-focused group representing governors from 22 states and territories. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is shrugging off a newly filed lawsuit that accuses him of taking possession of a classic car in 2021 without paying the owner for it. The suit, filed Thursday, accuses the mayor of wrongfully taking a motor vehicle owned by Davide C. Broccoli without his authorization and without any agreement with him to pay for it. The car is described as a white 1975 Morris Garage MGB Anniversary Edition coupe. Broccoli also suggests he suffered harassment, retaliation, intimidation, and abuse from several city officials who targeted him amid the dispute over the car. The suit names the city, the mayor, city treasurer David Capuano, city solicitor Chris Millea and others. The suit suggests that at some point in the summer of 2021, Hopkins and an unidentified woman visited a property where Broccoli kept antique cars. Hopkins allegedly sat down in the MG, started it, told Broccoli he was taking it, and drove away. Kenneth Hopkins and Davide C. Broccoli did not discuss the price or payment for the MG either before or when he drove away with Davide Broccolis MG, the suit states. Broccoli also accuses Hopkins of putting his city license plate on the MG. He is represented by Stephen Izzi, a Providence attorney. Speaking to The Providence Journal, Broccoli further alleged that he has retained copies of threatening text messages he received from Hopkins regarding the car, including one saying, Im the f-ing mayor. In a statement, Hopkins argued it wasnt a coincidence that Broccoli filed suit on the eve of his WPRI 12 primary debate against Republican primary rival Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, which was taped Friday morning. He called it nothing more than a political hit job. That complaint could have been filed years ago but was not, Hopkins said. One must ask why Mr. Broccoli never reported the vehicle missing to the police. I have been trying to pay Mr. Broccoli for the vehicle since 2021 and obtain a bill of sale to register it, he said. He has refused because I would not show him special treatment on the payment of delinquent taxes. It is a public record that his various properties have been sold at several Cranston tax sales. Hopkins also told The Journal: My legal position is that by giving me the keys he sold me the car. Fenton-Fung, a second-term state representative, dismissed Hopkins suggestion that the suit was politically motivated. This is an enormous 22-page lawsuit with multiple accusations of the worst types of corruption, she said in a statement. We will continue to digest this jaw-dropping lawsuit over the weekend, but if these allegations are true, he wont be in public office much longer. John Marion, executive director of good-government group Common Cause Rhode Island, expressed alarm about the allegations contained in the suit. The lawsuit against Mayor Hopkins, and the subsequent reporting about that lawsuit, paint a picture of pretty brazen abuse of office, Marion told 12 News. Unfortunately because this was filed so close to the election we wont know if the facts stand up to scrutiny in a court of law before all the votes are cast, he said. However, if what is alleged in the lawsuit is true, Mayor Hopkins not only took possession of the car without paying he likely used his office in multiple ways to violate the states ethics laws. Hopkins and Fenton-Fung are facing off in the Sept. 10 primary for the Republican nomination for mayor. The winner will go on to face Democrat Robert Ferri in the November election. WATCH: GOP Cranston mayoral candidates Hopkins, Fenton-Fung debate 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) One of the most hotly contested races this election cycle is for the mayors office in Cranston. Current Mayor Ken Hopkins is facing a challenge from state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung in the Republican primary. On Friday, Aug. 30, Hopkins and Fenton-Fung will go head-to-head in a Newsmakers debate moderated by Target 12 Chief Investigative Reporter Tim White and 12 News Politics Editor Ted Nesi. Watch the debate at 6:30 p.m. on FOX Providence, or right here on WPRI.com. Primary day in Rhode Island is Tuesday, Sept. 10, but early voting is already underway. The winner of the Republican primary will go on to face Democratic City Councilor Robert Ferri in the general election in November. VOTER GUIDE: Key dates and how to find your polling place 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. This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows a scene at the releasing ceremony of the world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science has been released in China to significantly accelerate the processing speed of massive amounts of lunar data. The new tool was debuted at the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Geochemistry and the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. (Xinhua/Xiang Dingjie) GUIYANG, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science has been released in China to significantly accelerate the processing speed of massive amounts of lunar data. The new tool was debuted at the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Geochemistry and the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. The Institute of Geochemistry has built a comprehensive "digital moon" platform with the world's most complete bank of data related to the exploration of the moon. The LLM has created a "smart brain" for this digital moon. Ku Wei, vice president of the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, said that the LLM identifies lunar craters and remembers them by size, depth and shape to provide scientists with important bases for their study of the moon's geological evolution. There are more than 1 million lunar craters with a diameter of over 1 kilometer, and countless smaller ones, according to Liu Jianzhong, a researcher at the Institute of Geochemistry. Identifying all lunar craters would be impossible if we were to rely on manpower alone, Liu said. Researchers now only need to input an image of a lunar crater, and the LLM will determine its shape, size and age. "The accuracy rate is more than 80 percent, exceeding our expectations," Liu said. Scientists say that the progress and development of planetary science depends on two factors: the development of deep space exploration technology, and the levels of data processing and application. Scientific research driven by big data is changing the human science and technology development process, and the intelligence of the digital moon will accelerate China's lunar and planetary scientific research and innovation, according to scientists. "The LLM is like a child with a very high IQ. We train and teach the child professional things. I personally believe that this child's intelligence may have reached the university sophomore level. We will let it continue to grow and help us solve more scientific problems," Liu said. A visitor learns about the world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science during the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Aug. 29, 2024. The world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science has been released in China to significantly accelerate the processing speed of massive amounts of lunar data. The new tool was debuted at the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Geochemistry and the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. (Xinhua/Xiang Dingjie) This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows a scene of the releasing ceremony of the world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. The world's first professional, multimodal large language model (LLM) for the field of lunar science has been released in China to significantly accelerate the processing speed of massive amounts of lunar data. The new tool was debuted at the China International Big Data Industry Expo in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Geochemistry and the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group. (Xinhua/Xiang Dingjie) Crash in Livingston County sends one to hospital LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A serious crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday landed a woman in the hospital Thursday. Livingston County Sheriff Department reports three vehicles were stopped westbound Highland Rd. preparing to turn left onto Gulley Rd. when a large vehicle driven by a man from Toronto, ON, Canada crash into the one vehicle causing a chain reaction crash. Photo courtesy Livingston County Sheriffs Department. (WLNS) Heres how the Sheriff Department detailed the crash in a news release Friday: The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2023 Hyundai Elantra operated by a 29-year-old female Howell resident was traveling west on Highland Road when the driver stopped to make a left hand turn onto Gulley Road. Behind the Hyundai was a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee being operated by a 30-year-old female Fowlerville resident followed by a 2012 Lincoln MKZ operated by a 34-year-old female Fowlerville resident. The three vehicles were stopped in the roadway when a 2024 Freightliner boom truck rear ended the Lincoln forcing the vehicles to rear end each other. The Freightliner was being operated by a 22-year-old Toronto resident Livingston County Sheriffs Department News Release, Aug. 30, 2024. Officials say the woman driving the Lincoln MKZ was transported to U of M Hospital in critical condition. No other injuries were reported. The crash was the resulted of distracted driving, the initial investigation determined, officials reported. The road was closed for four hours to facilitate the investigation. This embedded content is not available in your region. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Thursday, the United Nations announced a plan to try to address one of the most terrifying consequences of Israels U.S.-backed offensive war in the Gaza Strip: the return of the feared poliovirus to the Palestinian territory. Health experts call the U.N. campaign a hugely important bid to protect hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza and to shield neighboring communities but they are unsure whether it will work, as fighting between Israel and Gaza-based militant group Hamas continues. Polio had been wiped out in Gaza as it has in much of the world, with its last case reported 25 years ago. Yet Israels military operation, which followed a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, destroyed the areas water and medical facilities and forced nearly 2 million people out of their homes. This created conditions in which the virus could flourish. Earlier this month, local health officials confirmed that a baby had contracted the disease. The child, 11-month-old Abdul Rahman, has become severely weak, his mother recently told CNN; polio cannot be cured and can lead to paralysis or death for children. Starting Sunday, medical personnel working with the U.N., partner organizations and Gazas Health Ministry will attempt to provide polio vaccines to an estimated 640,000 children in the strip who are under the age of 10, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn of the United Nations World Health Organization in a Thursday press conference. U.N. negotiations with Israeli authorities over the vaccination campaign failed to achieve the goal that aid groups sought: a polio pause in combat across Gaza, an idea that Hamas agreed to but was a tougher sell to Israels hawkish government. Instead, three-day, area-specific pauses to allow for the safe delivery of vaccinations will occur in different sections of the territory, Peeperkorn said, starting in central Gaza, where Israeli evacuation orders covering other parts of the strip have forced more than an estimated 1 million people onto a tiny piece of land. For humanitarian workers who have already spent nearly 11 months trying to support people in Gaza, the painful process of reaching a deal was noteworthy in itself given the danger that polio poses. Its really important that people understand the craziness of this, the depravity. Polios been almost eradicated in the world, said Sean Carroll, the CEO of the aid group Anera. The idea that wed be debating whether theres a cease-fire to deliver polio vaccines this is crazy, continued Carroll, a former official at the U.S. Agency for International Development. The sentiment reflects a concern that aid groups have expressed since the start of the war, particularly in calling for a different approach from Washington, the main sponsor of Israels military operation. To a degree not seen in other conflicts, including past Israeli-Palestinian clashes, they say the U.S. and other world powers are missing the forest for the trees. Amid Israels sweeping operation, officials are discussing details like how many trucks full of aid enter Gaza or how many days Israel will halt fighting to deliver vaccines instead of big steps that could dramatically ease Palestinian suffering, like Israel restoring electricity to the territory, ceasing its practice of forcing mass displacement, or adopting an immediate cease-fire. Medical workers are seen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Health care personnel in the besieged enclave are struggling to continue to support its population. Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images The polio vaccination campaign is focused on children because of how intensely the virus can affect them and because thousands are likely to have not received inoculations since the war began, explained Dr. Zaher Sahloul, the president of the nonprofit MedGlobal, one of the United Nations partners in the vaccination effort. Israeli attacks on dozens of hospitals and clinics, restrictions on the flow of medical supplies, and the killing and displacement of health care workers have decimated Gazas public health sector, which had previously achieved a 99% polio vaccination rate. Still, even with a plan in place and vaccines shipped into Gaza, those delivering the inoculations are doing so under intense duress, Sahloul noted, since they are physicians and nurses who are from the communities they are serving and who face the same struggles as their patients to secure shelter, clean water and food. Many of them lost family members; their houses are destroyed, Sahloul added. And he highlighted a worsening problem: the severe lack of cash among Palestinians, which makes it hard for them to purchase even the supplies that are still available in Gazas markets. His group pays its staff in the territory via an app called PalPay, linked to the Bank of Palestine. But with the banks operations torpedoed in Gaza, Sahlouls employees best hope of translating digital payments into cash is by using so-called exchanges, which often charge a service fee of up to 30% or 40% of the amount they are handling. Theres a huge black market and exploitation, he said. Meanwhile, the flow of foreign aid workers into Gaza has plummeted in recent months, after Israels takeover of the southern town of Rafah led to the closure of the Palestinian enclaves southern border with Egypt, according to Moureen Kaki, an American aid worker who has been in central Gaza since earlier this summer, working with the organization Glia. Meanwhile, the continued conflict means continued danger for medical personnel. The bargain among the U.N., Israel and Hamas-linked officials ostensibly means there will be hours without fighting or bombing in the areas where vaccinations are occurring. And the WHO has developed a deconfliction mechanism with Israels military. But nothing is guaranteed, said Mohammed Aghaalkurdi, a member of the group Medical Aid for Palestinians, who noted that at least 500 health care workers have been killed during the war so far. On Thursday, the Israeli military launched a missile at a humanitarian convoy, killing five transportation workers and claiming armed men had captured one of its vehicles. And on Wednesday, the World Food Programme reported that one of its vehicles was shot at near an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza. With fears of a polio outbreak still looming for now and driving concern about large unvaccinated populations in Gazas neighbors Israel, Jordan and Egypt Sahloul called the situation an international failure. War is the enemy of health, he added. This frame grab from video released by the media arm of Yemen's Houthi rebels on Thursday shows explosions on the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea after Houthis boarded it and set off the blasts. (Ansar Allah Media Office via AP) A masked fighter walks the deck of the crippled oil tanker, kneels before a collection of wires and a detonator, then presses a button. Moments later, five fireballs bloom along the deck, engulfing the entire length of the ship in plumes of black smoke. These were the scenes broadcast on Thursday by Yemens Houthis, in video that showed militants from the Iran-backed rebel group storming the Greek-flagged vessel MV Delta Sounion. It raised the specter of an environmental catastrophe in one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors. The MV Delta Sounion which is carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, Pentagon officials say was en route to Greece from Iraq when it was targeted by a barrage of projectiles near the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, which the Houthis control. There were no casualties among the 23 Filipino and two Russian sailors on board; they were later evacuated. Fires broke out and the ship lost engine power. Read more: Yemen's Houthi rebels vow open battle with Israel and the U.S., as fears rise of wider Mideast war The Houthis said they attacked the Sounion tanker as part of their 10-month campaign to support Palestinians in the Gaza war by targeting Israel-linked shipping in the Red Sea. In response, the U.S., the U.K. and the European Union have deployed warships to the Red Sea with the aim of neutralizing the Houthi threat. But the disruptions continue, with Western military officials saying they are facing some of the most intense naval engagements since World War II. Hours after the Houthi-run Masirah TV channel broadcast the Sounion video, the groups leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, gave a televised address lauding what he described as a bold and courageous operation on the Sounion for violating the groups blockade on Israeli shipping. The impact of this on the economy of our enemies is escalating, Al-Houthi said. Read more: He went to register the birth of his twins. He returned to find them killed in an Israeli strike On Thursday, Eunavfor Aspides, the EU mission to the Red Sea, reported in a statement on the social media platform X that multiple fires have been detected in several locations on the main deck of the vessel and have been burning all week. Contrary to reports from other Western officials, Aspides said, theres no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and not drifting. Images taken by the satellite intelligence company Black Sky depict flames burning throughout the day and night on the top deck. Aspides said European governments along with neighboring countries were engaged in diplomatic efforts to facilitate the salvage of the Sounion. On Wednesday, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said in a statement on X that the group would not prevent efforts to tow the ship. Such an effort may begin in the coming days, Reuters said Friday. Read more: Israel and Hezbollah both claim victory in an intense exchange of attacks The Houthis campaign has snarled global trade on the Red Sea, forcing ships to abandon the California-sized waterway for the longer voyage around Africa. The result has been an average 39% increase in transit times between Asia and the Mediterranean, according to the research firm Sea-Intelligence, while the cost for shipping containers has more than tripled. Traffic in the Suez Canal has fallen by roughly half. For Israel, the campaign has led to the near bankruptcy of the port of Eilat. Last month, Israel struck Yemens port city of Hudaydah, killing at least six people in retaliation for a Houthi drone attack that killed one person in Tel Aviv. The Houthis have vowed to respond to the bombing. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A child cries in a lavatory on a plane after being locked inside by two women Click here to view this content. Two women locked a crying toddler in a planes bathroom to stop her disturbing other passengers on a Chinese domestic flight. The childs grandmother gave permission for the strangers to lecture the little girl in the locked lavatory in the hope her behaviour would improve. Online footage of the incident provoked a backlash in China with the two passengers accused of bullying the confused toddler. But Guo Tingting, one of the women involved, defended her actions, saying she was trying to help the rest of the passengers on the flight, who were disturbed by the childs noise. The incident occurred on a Juneyao Airlines flight from the southwestern city of Guiyang to Shanghai on Saturday morning when the little girl, who was travelling with her grandparents, became unruly and could not be calmed down. The two female passengers, who were not related to the family, took the distressed child into the bathroom with the grandmothers consent, and berated her with stern language while the grandmother waited outside the door. Ms Guo took footage of herself carrying the toddler inside the cubicle and continued to film throughout the entire episode. In a video she posted to social media, the child is seen crying, wriggling and coughing as the other woman, seated on the toilet, tells her she can only see her grandmother again if she stops crying. If you make any noise again, we will leave you here alone, one of the women can be heard telling the screaming child as she claws inconsolably at the door. Ms Gou presented herself in the now viral post on Douyin, Chinas version of TikTok, as a champion of fellow travellers right to a peaceful flight. Many passengers were using tissues to block their ears, she wrote. Some had moved to the back of the plane to escape the noise. Backlash to video But the backlash to the footage was swift and harsh, with social media users accusing her of being heartless and bullying the child. Some went as far as to report her to the police on the grounds that her behaviour was potentially abusive, posting screen grabs of the filed police reports in their comments, reported Sixth Tone. In response to the avalanche of criticism, Ms Gou said she prefers to take action rather than be a bystander. I just wanted to calm the child down and let everyone rest, she wrote on Douyin, Chinas equivalent of TikTok. She also explained that some passengers had moved to the back of the plane to escape the noise while others stuffed tissue papers into their ears. She later set her TikTok account to private. Security bureau not pressing charges The provincial Guizhou Airport public security bureau is not pressing charges against the women on the grounds that they acted with the consent of the girls grandparents. The airline also said in a statement that her grandmother had given the two women permission to educate her. Juneyao conducted its own investigation and contacted the childs mother, who said she understood the womens actions. The incident has sparked debate on Chinese social media, dividing users on how to best deal with rowdy children on public transport and in public spaces a topic that has become increasingly controversial in recent years. The term xiong haizi or bear children has been coined to describe spoiled offspring who run wild and disturb the public unhindered. This has sparked a spate of previous posts from social media users who support the idea of disciplining other peoples misbehaving children and even offering tutorials on how to train children to be more polite. Ms Gou may have been attempting to tap into this theme, suggested Sixth Tone. Some commentators did offer support for her decision to take matters into her own hands to reduce the noise on the flight. But the post spawned related hashtags that racked up millions of views as people piled in to criticise her and pointing out that young children struggle to control their emotions. Didnt you cry when you were young too? asked one user. 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. This photo released by the Police of the Czech Republic on Friday Aug. 30, 2024, shows a World War II bomb that was found last week at a major chemical plant near the city of Litvinov, northwestern Czech Republic. Czech explosive experts detonated the bomb where it was found. (Policie CR via AP) PRAGUE (AP) Czech explosive experts detonated a World War II bomb on Friday at a major chemical plant in northwestern Czech Republic where it was found last week, authorities said. Besides a few broken windows, the controlled explosion didnt immediately seem to cause serious damage, police said in a statement. The plant near the city of Litvinov belongs to Polish oil company PKN Orlen. The bomb was found during construction work last week on Aug. 21 away from a building. Experts decided not to transport the 250-kilogram (550-pound) bomb to a safer place to dispose of it, because it contained a chemical mechanism designed to delay the explosion, a rare discovery in the country. They covered the bomb with hundreds of sandbags before the explosion. A nearby road was closed and trams halted operations before the explosion at about noon (1000 GMT). Police sealed off an area 2 kilometers (more than a mile) from the site of the explosion. The refinery, which was located on Czechoslovak territory occupied by Nazi Germany during the war, was producing fuel for Nazi troops. It was repeatedly targeted by Britains Royal Air Force. Czech president sees no connection between Russian successes near Pokrovsk and Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast Czech President Petr Pavel feels that Russian forces' advance in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, is unrelated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Russias Kursk Oblast. Source: Pavel in response to a question from Radio Liberty at a press conference in Prague on Friday, 30 August, as reported by European Pravda Details: Pavel does not believe there is a direct link between Russia's rapid advance on the Pokrovsk front and the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast. "This simply means that the Russian leadership continues to move towards the goal of seizing the territory of all four oblasts [Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Kherson ed.], which they consider their own," said the Czech president. "And this is what they want to achieve in a convenient time frame, while the weather is still favourable for military operations," he added. The Czech president also insists that the West must begin to "learn from its mistakes" and increase support for Ukraine. Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that many member states present at an informal meeting of foreign ministers supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces operation in Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon at the Hall of Justice on Aug. 19. (Al Seib / For The Times) Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon highlighted three recent cases Thursday in which his office secured convictions on hate-related charges and called for more awareness about crimes driven by prejudice. We have no tolerance for hate in our community, he said during a news conference at the Hall of Justice, adding later that police are doing their work, were prosecuting cases. Gascons remarks come nearly four years after he issued a widely criticized directive ordering prosecutors to stop seeking sentencing enhancements that allow for added penalties for those who are convicted of hate crimes and certain other categories of offenses. Less than two weeks after he introduced the order, however, he reversed course, declaring in a December 2020 open letter that his deputies could resume filing enhancements in cases involving the most vulnerable, including victims of hate crimes. In a phone interview after the D.A.'s event, Nathan Hochman, Gascons opponent in the race for his seat, criticized Gascons anemic efforts to combat hate crimes and prosecute those who commit them. Hes effectively gaslighting the public and trying to make them believe that hes being proactive in trying to go after hate criminals but the reality is hes not, Hochman said. Asked how his policies differed from those of his predecessor, Jackie Lacey, and the proposed policies of Hochman, the district attorney said that the event was not a political conversation and that he would not discuss the campaign. But his approach to prosecuting hate crimes differs greatly from my predecessor," Gascon said. "We have increased the number of cases that are being prosecuted, substantially. ... Also, our conviction rate far exceeds not only the state average but far exceeds the prior administration's. Asked to provide figures to back up his claims about his offices conviction rate, Gascon said he did not have those numbers on hand but I know that were getting very good results. The campaign provided only information about his offices filing rate. Between 2016 and 2023, the number of hate crimes reported in California has more than doubled from 307 to 679. In 2023, the D.A.s office filed 77 hate crime cases, according to state Department of Justice figures. L.A. County prosecutors filed charges in 84% of the potential hate crime cases referred to the D.A.'s office by law enforcement last year, according to Gascon. But Hochman criticized Gascon for not providing more details. The only statistic that he thinks is worthy of consideration is filing percentage. But he doesnt tell you how many cases were filed vs. how many cases could have been filed, Hochman said. Of the hate crime prosecutions, how many of those resulted in jail time? How many of those people ended up getting bail? Gascon was flanked by members of his much-touted D.A.s office advisory boards that represent the interests of groups that have been targets of hate crimes in recent years in L.A. County, such as members of the Latino, LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities. Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, spoke Thursday in support of Gascons efforts to fight against hate crimes. When our community has been threatened by hate crimes, he has been there, Toma said. We need meaningful consequences for those who commit hate crimes, no doubt about it. Among the cases highlighted by Gascon on Thursday: On Aug. 21, Kevin Mumin was sentenced to four years in prison for a series of hate-driven assaults against Latino men and the sexual assault of a girl riding the bus to high school. Israel Hernandez was recently sentenced to four years in prison for the brutal, hate-driven beating of an unhoused African American man in December 2023. On Aug. 23, Klinton Dion pleaded guilty to one count each of vandalizing a place of worship and placing a symbol of hate on public property, both driven by antisemitism. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Updates: 11:56 a.m. Aug. 31, 2024: The District Attorneys office said in a press release handed out after the Thursday news conference that Kevin Mumin was sentenced to four years in prison. After publication, the office said he was actually sentenced to 23 years and eight months. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Friday on the Daily 8, were looking at damage at a Grand Rapids cemetery, a newly-released poll on the presidential race, everything you need to know for Labor Day travel and more. You can watch the full Daily 8 for Aug. 30, 2024, in the video player above or check out any of the stories mentioned below: Each weekday, the Daily 8 brings you the top eight stories we are keeping an eye on in and around West Michigan. Due to the Labor Day weekend, there will be no show on Monday but you can stay up to date on everything happening across West Michigan on woodtv.com. Join us again Tuesday for the Daily 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Dallas police officer was killed and two others were injured in a shooting near Oak Cliff late Thursday. Dallas Police Department responded to a call to aid another officer in the 900 block of E. Ledbetter Drive just after 10 p.m. The officer in distress was found shot in his unmarked patrol car, spokesperson Kristin Lowman said in a news conference Friday morning. People are also reading: 'I'll grab it': Watch Fulshear police officer wrangle alligator with bare hands Suspect killed after car chase following officer shooting The suspect and responding officers reportedly exchanged gunfire when two additional officers were shot. Police then pursued the suspect in a car chase, ending in the 1000 block of Stemmons Freeway about 40 miles from the original scene. The suspect emerged from his vehicle with a "long gun," and officers fatally shot him, according to Dallas PD. All three wounded officers, whose names are not yet released, were transported to local hospitals: The initial officer died at Methodist Dallas Medical Center One responding officer remains in critical condition One responding officer is currently stable and could be released Friday, CBS News Texas reported The northbound lanes on I-35 East were closed for several hours as the scene was investigated. The identities of the involved officers and the suspect were not released as of 8 a.m. Friday. More Dallas news: Dallas man accused of shooting 2-year-old had 'many satanic and Nazi symbols' in his home Fellow police gather to honor fallen officer In the hours following the deadly shooting, local police officers gathered outside the emergency department at the Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Officer stood at salute as the fallen officer's loved ones arrived. Officers also organized a procession when the deceased officer was transferred to the medical examiner's office at 4 a.m. Friday. "Our department is hurting. We have officers that are injured and who are in the hospital, and we lost one of our own," DPD spokesperson Kristin Lowman said during the press conference. "We ask tonight and this morning for the thoughts and prayers of our city, not only [for] those who are recovering in the hospital but for our fallen, for their family and for their loved ones and for us at the department as well." Dallas PD Chief Eddie Garcia responded to the tragedy on social media Friday morning, writing only: "No words." Flags at all city facilities will be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen officer, according to Dallas PD. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Dallas PD shooting: 1 dead, 2 injured in Oak Cliff BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland will soon resume allowing residents in the eastern Fujian Province to travel to Taiwan's Kinmen County, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on Friday. The ministry said on its website that the decision is made at the request of a Kinmen delegation that visited Beijing last week. DALLAS (AP) A Dallas police officer died and two other officers were wounded by a suspect who was shot and killed by police north of the city after a vehicle chase. The Dallas Police Department says there was a call for officer assistance shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday and an officer was found wounded in a squad car. Two officers were shot in a gunfire exchange with a suspect and all three officers were transported to hospitals, where police say one died and the other two were listed in critical and stable condition. The police say officers pursued the suspect to Lewisville, Texas, about 25 miles northwest of Dallas, where he was shot and killed on the highway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dana Reserve clears another hurdle at packed meeting. Whats next for the housing project? The Dana Reserve housing project cleared another procedural hurdle at a particularly well-attended Nipomo Community Services District meeting Wednesday. Before an assembled crowd of around 100 people that overflowed out of the Nipomo CSDs meeting room, the Board of Directors which governs water, sewer and solid waste services for Nipomo residents living in its service area was faced with the decision of whether or not to annex Dana Reserves land near Highway 101 into its service area. With nearly 1,500 housing units included in its buildout, Dana Reserve will greatly increase Nipomos overall population and water consumption. While the project land was considered part of the CSDs sphere of influence, directors had to approve the terms of the annexation agreement that will go before the Local Area Formation Commission before the CSD could start supplying critically needed water. Previously, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that ensured the Nipomo CSD will not receive any base property tax from the county, but will receive annual tax increments starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year at a rate of just under 2.4%. Though this agreement will likely result in an annual net deficit between $139,707 to $882,618 to the county budget, staff recommended the Board of Supervisors waive its policy and accept the financial hit. At Wednesdays meeting, NCSD directors voted unanimously to approve the annexation agreement and 4-1 to approve the tax sharing agreement, with director Ed Eby voting against the agreement. I am disappointed, Eby said ahead of the vote. I told the negotiators that I would support a 3.7% share, but I would not be enthusiastic as low as 2.7% and what is now being asked for is less than 2.4%. Supporters and opponents of the Dana Reserve housing development try to crowd into a Nipomo Community Services District meeting Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The Nipomo CSD voted to approve the terms of an annexation agreement with San Luis Obispo County that would bring the Dana Reserve land into the CSDs sphere of influence. Water rights at core of complaints At the meeting, many opponents of the project from the Nipomo Action Committee said they had concerns about the amount of water the project would consume each year. Since the start of the projects approval process more than two years ago, opponents have highlighted water as a concern, often claiming that Nipomo lacks the sufficient water supply to meet the increased demand. The NCSD gets its water from the Santa Maria Valley groundwater basin, which extends from Orcutt to Pismo Beach and provides water to northern Santa Barbara County, the Nipomo Mesa management area and the North County management area that includes Los Osos. The NCSD, Golden State Water, Woodlands Mutual Water Company and Rural Water Company get an additional 650 acre-feet water from the city of Santa Maria via the Nipomo Supplemental Water Project Water Management and Groundwater Replenishment Agreement. The Nipomo Community Services District voted to approve the terms of an annexation agreement with San Luis Obispo County that would bring the Dana Reserve land into the CSDs sphere of influence Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Each year starting in July 2025, the district must purchase 2,500 acre-feet of water from Santa Maria each year, compared to 1,133 acre-feet in 2023, according to the staff report. Of that, a third will go to other service providers in the region, according to the staff report. At full size, the Dana Reserve project will consume 377 acre-feet of water each year. An analysis of the Nipomo CSDs expected water levels in the year 2045 found that there would still be a surplus of 415 acre-feet. In the absence of Dana Reserves population, current ratepayers would be on the hook for a 35% increase in water rates, whereas an expanded customer base would be able to absorb the added water costs, according to developer NKT Commercials presentation. The additional population would likely result in a 30% decline in sewer rates for rate payers for that same reason. Still, many Nipomo residents said they were concerned the project would overexert the districts water supply, citing previous examples of extended drought in the region. Across the lifetime of the project, NKT Commercial will pay a total of $45 million to the NCSD and will either install or pay for all water and sewer improvements necessary to serve the Dana Reserve, according to NKT Commercials presentation. Supporters and opponents of the Dana Reserve housing development try to crowd into a Nipomo Community Services District meeting Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The Nipomo CSD voted to approve the terms of an annexation agreement with San Luis Obispo County that would bring the Dana Reserve land into the CSDs sphere of influence. Whats next for Dana Reserve? During the meeting, developer Nick Tompkins said a full buildout could take around seven years, not counting the legal challenge. The time for the planning and engineering approval for the basic infrastructure going in ... is 12 months, but that 12 months is now tied to completion or resolution of any legal objections that are currently out there, Tompkins said. Attorney Babak Naficy, whos representing the NAC in a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit against the county, said theres still a few more hurdles Dana Reserve would need to clear to start breaking ground. Naficy said even though the annexation agreement is next headed to LAFCO at a date uncertain for final approval, it could be some time until the Dana Reserve breaks ground due to the lawsuit. We will be amending the complaint, very likely, to add another claim against NCSD for what they approved today, and then the focus of activity will shift to LAFCO, because all they really approved today was a decision to move to apply to LAFCO to approve annexation, Naficy told The Tribune. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Dana D. Childers, a dedicated police officer and family man, passed away on August 22, 2024 in Youngstown, Ohio. Born on September 1, 1942, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, Dana lived a life marked by commitment to his community, passion for the outdoors, and a deep love for his family. Find obituaries from your high school Dana began crafting his discipline in the Army where he served as a military policeman. His distinguished career began with the Youngstown Police Department, where he devoted 30 years of his life. Starting in 1969, he swiftly made his mark in the field, earning a promotion to Sergeant in 1977. He was later appointed as head of the Strike Force in 1982 and became the commanding officer of the VICE Squad in 1984. His dedication and service culminated in a fulfilling retirement in 1989, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and exemplary leadership. Danas outgoing nature and willingness to dedicate time to both his career and community involvement truly defined his character. He was known for being involved in various groups and seamlessly integrating compassion and camaraderie into all aspects of his life. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dana was an avid fisherman and hunter. He found joy in working on cars and had a special bond with his dog, Chloe. His love for the outdoors was deepened through his active participation in the Mahoning Sportsman Club, where he explored and appreciated nature. Dana is survived by his loving daughters, Diane Childers of Girard, Ohio, and Cherry (William) Cappabianca of Salem, Ohio; his son, Dewayne Childers of Salem, Ohio; and his grandchildren, Sara, Cheyenne, Dakota, Dean, Jack, Angelina, Zachary, Gavin, Alyssa, and R.J. He also leaves behind one niece, Connie Ben, and two nephews, Larry Childers and Eric Childers, who were always by his side in his times of need. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Childers, Freida Childers (Yoke); brother, Larry Childers; and his son, Rodney Cordell. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the visitation at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, located at 4303 Mahoning Ave, Youngstown, Ohio, on September 4, 2024, from 4:00 5:30 p.m.. A private funeral service will immediately follow at the same location for family members only, commencing at 5:30 p.m. This obituary can be shared and condolences sent to the family by visiting www.higgins-reardon.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dana D. Childers, please visit our flower store. A television tribute will air Sunday, September 1, at the following approximate times: 6:27 p.m. on WYTV and 6:58 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev arrested in California, accused of domestic violence (KRON) Dancing With the Stars professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev was arrested in Northern California on Thursday morning on suspicion of domestic violence, Nexstars KRON has confirmed. The dancer and choreographer was booked into Napa County Jail on felony domestic violence charges. Chigvintsev, 42, is married to former WWE star Nikki Garcia. On Wednesday night, Garcia posted an Instagram story indicating she was also in Napa, however its not yet clear what events preceded the arrest. Surrounded Oakland liquor store worker chases off crowd with gun in viral video Jail records obtained by KRON4.com confirm that Chigvintsev was booked into Napa County Jail and remained in jail Thursday afternoon on $25,000 bail. A Russian professional choreographer specializing in Latin dance, Chigvintsev first appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2009 and most recently, in 2023. TMZ reports that Chigvintsev and his wife got married in 2022 and celebrated their anniversary this 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 Queen City News. AUSTIN (KXAN) The most sensitive dark matter detector in the world is showing results in the hunt for the hypothetical particle. The results: they cant find it. If you think of the search for dark matter like searching for buried treasure, said Scott Kravitz, an associate professor in the physics department at the University of Texas, weve basically dug part of the way down to where it might be, it could still be deeper below what weve searched so far. Members of the LZ team in the LZ water tank after the outer detector installation. (Credit: Matthew Kapust/Sanford Underground Research Facility) Kravitz is part of the LEX-ZEPLIN project, a Department of Energy hunt for dark matter in a cavern in South Dakota. We have a really big particle detector filled with seven tons of this element called Liquid Xenon that we put a mile deep in a mount in a mine in South Dakota. So we put it in this really quiet environment, far removed from background interactions, so that we can see even the slightest hint of dark matter interactions in our detector, Kravitz said. Dark matter matters Dark matter is a hypothetical particle that scientists believe makes up 85% of our universe. Traditional mass (planets, stars, humans, etc.) only makes up around 5% of the universe. Scientists believe that dark matter exists because of gravity. Objects in orbit of one another in our universe show signs that something is having a gravitational effect on them thats greater than the mass of the objects around them. An array of photomultiplier tubes that are designed to detect signals from particle interactions occurring within LZs liquid xenon detector. (Credit: Matthew Kapust/Sanford Underground Research Facility) Something has to be the cause. Scientists think that dark matter, which does not emit, reflect or absorb light, is this thing. So far, our attempts to observe it directly here on Earth, instead of through astronomical observations, we havent come up with any observations yet, Kravitz said. There are a couple theories about what dark matter is exactly. One theory is that it is actually super tiny primordial black holes. LZ and the WIMP The team is searching for one theoretical form of dark matter: WIMPs. WIMP stands for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles. They are believed to be super tiny particles that only have a slight effect on other matter. The detector was unable to find any WIMPs since it was activated in 2021. Kravitz said that the experiment isnt a loss. Despite not detecting dark matter, weve actually still learned something very important about dark matter, which is that its weve greatly ruled out the range of places that dark matter could be hiding. Members of the LZ collaboration gather at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in June 2023, shortly after the experiment began the recent science run. (Credit: Stephen Kenny/Sanford Underground Research Facility) Buried a mile deep beneath the Earth to limit interference from cosmic rays, LZ uses 10 tons of liquid xenon that dark matter can bump into. Were hoping that with a very sensitive particle detector like what we have with LZ, we can occasionally observe an interaction of a dark matter particle with our detector, Kravitz said. LZ will operate until 2028. Researchers plan to collect 1,100 days worth of data in the hopes of finding dark matter. If we dont see anything in the next couple of years, were already working now to collaborate with a wider group of other dark matter physicists to form a collaboration to make basically the ultimate dark matter detector, Kravitz 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. Daryl Davis, man who wrote of his experience talking with KKK members, coming to Birmingham BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A musician and writer who gained nationwide attention for the way he engaged with members of hate groups will be coming to Birmingham to speak about how people can better bridge the gap between one another. Daryl Davis, author of Klan-Destine Relationships: A Black Mans Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan, will be the featured speaker of the annual To Life LChaim event, which will be held Sept. 10 at Samford Universitys Wright Center. The event is hosted by the Alabama Holocaust Education Center. RFK Jr. will remain on Alabamas presidential ballot despite dropping out of race while Cornel West doesnt make cut Through his inspiring experiences and music, Davis illustrates how empathy, dialogue, and bridge-building overcome division and foster understanding, a statement from the organization read. Davis first began his quest to understand hatred in the early 80s, when he met a member of the KKK after a gig. This led to him interacting with hundreds of members of hate groups, becoming friends with some and even encouraging others to leave those groups. He has given TED talks and been featured on The Joe Rogan Experience and other programs. Tickets for the event, which will feature music and performances, can be bought 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 CBS 42. Opponents of a proposed power transmission line in Central Maryland protested outside a conference on the data center industry in Frederick on Thursday. Photo by Josh Kurtz. Dozens of noisy protesters greeted the business leaders, elected officials, union members and other interested parties who were gathered at Frederick Community College Thursday for a conference on data centers in Maryland. The demonstrators were there to express outrage over a proposed power transmission project that would run from a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia, the biggest hub for data centers in the world. Its just the latest public display of opposition to the power line over the past several weeks, which has inspired a flash mob protest movement in Frederick, Carroll and Baltimore counties that continues to grow, as landowners fear their property could be seized or chopped up to make way for the power lines. Get off the public grid! the protesters chanted as the 300-plus conferencegoers walked through the campus on their way to and from a catered Mexican lunch. Some of the rhetoric was considerably harsher. How about you donate your farms for this s? one man yelled at passers-by. They [protesters] could have their homes seized so these people can make money. Leaders of the Maryland Technology Council, which organized the daylong session, had anticipated the ruckus. They briefed conference attendees on protocols and strategies for coping with the protesters and insisted that the proposed power line project is not directly connected to the Quantum Loophole data center campus, which is in the early stages of development in Frederick County. That transmission line is not part of any proposed data center in Maryland, said Kelly Schulz, the former state lawmaker and Hogan administration Cabinet member who is CEO of the tech council. She noted that the Quantum Loophole project was on the books well before the proposed transmission line became publicly known, and added: We respect the First Amendment rights of our fellow Marylanders. The tech council and other interest groups also put out statements as the conference was getting under way, saying much the same. But the demonstrators werent buying it. Thats pretty disingenuous, said Steve Black, a Frederick County tree farmer who was one of the protest leaders. It doesnt comport with reality. Maryland Tech Council CEO Kelly Schulz (left) led a panel discussion on data centers with tech industry leaders Thursday. Photo by Josh Kurtz. Black said that in seeking bidders to build the proposed transmission line, PJM, the regional grid operator, asserted that an increasing number of data centers would be a drain on the grid. Data centers house the critical infrastructure that stores and manages the data serving the internet. They are becoming increasingly common as consumer and corporate demand for data grows exponentially. We view data center development as the principal threat to land conservation, Black said. Even if the proposed power line is not directly related to Quantum Loophole, its clear that the regional power grid, which is already on the verge of being overloaded, is going to need more energy transmission and distribution sources to accommodate the anticipated dramatic growth of the data center industry in Maryland. That point was repeatedly hammered home during the conference, which was sponsored by an array of tech companies, along with trade unions whose members could benefit from the construction and maintenance of data centers. This industry is the hottest vertical in the universe, said Brian Hatmaker, the president of STULZ USA, a Frederick-based company that makes air technology systems for the data centers. Theres nothing growing like data centers. One demonstrator, David Arndt, said state and local policymakers have so far only given data centers incentives instead of laying down aggressive regulations that will guarantee environmental and consumer protections. Were not saying were against data centers, said Arndt, co-chair of the Climate Justice Wing of the Maryland Legislative Coalition, a statewide progressive group. Were just saying lets put guardrails around them. While Quantum Loophole executives tried to talk to some of the protesters during the lunch hour, Rick Weldon, president of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, later said some of the demonstrators at the community college Thursday didnt have access to all the relevant information and that some would be tough to persuade. Frankly, no matter what the subject, theyre going to hold up a sign and yell at you because they dont want anything to change, he said. Beyond the high-profile protest, inside the two community college buildings where the tech council conference was taking place, there was widespread agreement that the future is bright for the data center industry in Maryland. Gov. Wes Moore (D) has made growing the industry in the state a major economic development priority of his administration a point reinforced by the presence of his legislative affairs director, Eric Luedtke, at Thursdays conference. Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a Moore bill designed to streamline the environmental approval process for data centers. Its an important investment to undergird our state economy, Luedtke said. The Quantum Loophole project, on a 2,100-acre site in Buckeystown that once housed an aluminum smelter, is the biggest data center development under way in Maryland and is being touted as a model for similar projects in the state that are being proposed or discussed. It is expected to provide hundreds of construction jobs as its being built out and will eventually bring two dozen data centers to the property. But Quantum Loophole proponents say the development will also serve to conserve undeveloped land, and its anticipated that at least part of the property will be used for new hiker and biker trails. Thats partially due to the fact that Frederick County has developed a master plan offering guidelines for data center construction, speakers said Thursday and stands in contrast to what happened just across the Potomac River in Loudoun County, Virginia, where 300 data centers were plopped willy-nilly throughout the community, alongside strip malls and housing developments. Yet Maryland officials and business leaders also look across the river and see enormous economic potential in data centers. Frederick is the epicenter of data center development right now, Schulz said, because it boasts the right combination of assets including the availability of land, favorable zoning, proximity to the data center technology in Northern Virginia, and proximity to Washington, D.C. and federal installations in the region. But the rest of the state is also ready to benefit, data center advocates argue. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Dan Golding, chief technology officer for the Appleby Strategy Group, a data center infrastructure provider based in Ashburn, Virginia, said public schools in Loudoun County have gone from fairly mediocre to the best in the state in just a few years. The school system is fully funded, he said. When they need something, they get the money they need. Thats not a coincidence. Money did that. Data center money did that. That assertion buttresses proponents arguments on the efficacy of data centers. During the conference, speakers included tech company and construction company executives, union leaders, workforce development experts, business advocates and policymakers. But Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D-Frederick), who attended the daylong conference, noted that environmentalists and other critics of the Quantum Loophole project were not invited to speak, and she remains a skeptic about the data centers potential. Young is one of three lawmakers who voted against Moores data center bill in this years legislative session. Clearly, the industry is on the defensive, she said. On This Day, Aug. 30: Guion Bluford becomes 1st Black American in space On August 30, 1983, Guion Bluford became the first Black astronaut in space. File Photo courtesy of NASA Aug. 30 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 30 B.C., Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, killed herself following the defeat of her forces by Octavian, the future first emperor of Rome. In 1780, Gen. Benedict Arnold betrayed the United States when he promised secretly to surrender the fort at West Point to the British army. He fled to England and died in poverty. In 1918, Fanta Kaplan, a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, attempted to assassinate Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Lenin, shooting him twice. He survived wounds to each shoulder, one of which pierced his lung. In 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed in Japan to oversee the country's formal surrender at the end of World War II. MacArthur told United Press Japan's "punishment for her sins, which is just beginning, will be long and bitter." Evacuee children wait for the next flight after being manifested at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 19, 2021. File Photo by 1st Lt. Mark Andries/USMC In 1954, Hurricane Carol prompted evacuations along the North Carolina coast. The storm later battered states along the northern eastern seaboard and killed 72 people. In 1963, a hotline was established between Washington, D.C., and Moscow, allowing President John F. Kennedy direct phone access to the Kremlin for the first time. On August 30, 2011, two U.S. Justice Department officials charged with overseeing the failed government gun-smuggling operation "Fast and Furious" were replaced. File Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives In 1967, the nomination of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court was confirmed. Marshall was the first African American to sit on the court. File Photo courtesy Library of Congress Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu of Japan sign the "complete capitulation of Japan" on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo. On August 30, 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed in Japan to oversee the country's formal surrender at the end of World War II. File Photo by Ed Hoffman/UPI In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first Black American astronaut in space aboard the Challenger as part of the STS-8 mission. Bluford participated in four Space Shuttle missions, his final in 1992. In 1994, the Lockheed and Martin Marietta corporations agreed to a merger that would create the largest U.S. defense contractor. A visitor walks past a US made Lockheed Martin army surface to surface missile on the opening day of the Eurosatory international exhibition for Land and Land-air Defene in Villepinte, north of Paris, June 12, 2006. The show is to run until June 16. (UPI Photo/Eco Clement) In 2003, more than 120 people, including prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, were killed in a bomb attack on Iraq's Imam Ali Mosque. In 2003, a Russian K-159 nuclear-powered submarine was lost in the Barents Sea, claiming the lives of nine of its 10-member crew. Russian authorities blamed negligence by navy officials. Vladimir Lenin makes a speech in the Red Square at the unveiling of a temporary monument to Stepaz Razin on May 1, 1919. On Aug. 30, 1918, Fanta Kaplan, a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party, attempted to assassinate Lenin, shooting him twice. File Photo by Grigori Petrowitsch Goldstein/Wikimedia In 2011, two senior U.S. Justice Department officials charged with overseeing the failed government gun-smuggling "sting" operation dubbed "Fast and Furious" were replaced amid bitter congressional criticism of the mission. The plan was to pass thousands of weapons to suspected Mexican gun smugglers and trace them to drug leaders, but hundreds of firearms were lost, some showing up at crime scenes, including the 2010 slaying of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. In 2021, the United States completed its evacuation mission at the international airport in Afghanistan, officially bringing an end to the longest war in U.S. history. Storm surge from Hurricane Carol batters the coast of Connecticut on August 31, 1954. On August 30, 1954, Hurricane Carol prompted evacuations in North Carolina. File Photo courtesy NOAA In 2022, Mikhail Gorbachev, the president of the former Soviet Union, died at the age of 91. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI DAYTONA BEACH A Texas nonprofit and a multinational law firm based in Chicago have joined forces with a Daytona Beach church to help it get its food pantry reopened. In October last year, the city ordered Seventh Day Baptist Church of Daytona Beach to close the pantry, reportedly in response to complaints from a family that lives nearby, and the church filed a lawsuit. First Liberty Institute and the law firm Sidley Austin LLP filed a motion in federal court for a preliminary injunction urging the court to stop the city from blocking the church from distributing food to those in need. "It's unconscionable that the Daytona Beach city officials targeted Seventh Baptist Church's 16-year mission of providing food for the hungry," said Ryan Gardner, counsel at First Liberty Institute. "People who take action to care for the hungry should be encouraged and affirmed, not threatened and fined. The city is criminalizing compassion." Ewald Fick, president of Seventh Day Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, and the Rev. David Troxler of First Christian Church in Daytona Beach, have both battled the city over keeping their church food pantries in operation. The motion filed by Sidley Austin states that "there can be no doubt that the church has suffered irreparable harm because the injury involves a violation of the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. The loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury." First Liberty Institute, which is based in the north Texas city of Plano, only takes on religious liberty cases. The nonprofit Christian conservative legal organization works with a large network of law firms. Food pantry shutdown becomes lawsuit The church and pantry are located just around the corner from City Hall. Longtime local attorney Chobee Ebbets, whose law office is next to the Baptist church, has been representing Seventh Day Baptist pro bono on the action seeking a declaratory judgment and an injunction. The church is not currently seeking damages. By November last year, the food pantry at Seventh Day Baptist Church had been emptied out and shut down. Church president Ewald Fick is pictured inside the barren pantry. First Christian Church, located on Palmetto Avenue next door to City Hall, also had its food pantry shut down by the city last fall. But it was quickly allowed to reopen, leaving Seventh Day Baptist Church to wonder if it's being singled out for selective enforcement, and why. Ebbets said in his lawsuit that public records he received from the city indicated "the churches were targeted as a result of complaints from one family located near the two churches." Ebbets has said he didn't see the Seventh Day Baptist food pantry causing problems. He maintains in the lawsuit that the city's code prohibiting food pantries in redevelopment areas is "overbroad, arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, and selective," and was used against Seventh Day Baptist Church in a way that amounted to "an unlawful exercise of the city's police powers." Caught in redevelopment area ban Seventh Day Baptist Church is located in Daytona Beach's Downtown Community Redevelopment Area, which extends from Fairview Avenue to South Street. The CRA is bordered to the west by railroad tracks and to the east by the Halifax River. The city's four other redevelopment areas are in the Midtown neighborhood, around Ballough Road, and on the beachside between Oakridge Boulevard and Bostwick Avenue. For more than 10 years, city code has prohibited food pantries at a place of worship in any of Daytona's five redevelopment areas. Read more: Seventh Day Baptist Church of Daytona Beach sues city to get food pantry reopened The city does make an exception for food pantries that were legally established as an accessory use prior to July 20, 2011. In August 2011, city commissioners passed an ordinance that prohibits new food pantries in all redevelopment areas. First Christian Church was allowed to reopen in November after city officials located a form that indicated that the Palmetto Avenue church was legally grandfathered in after the 2011 measure was passed. City officials said they couldn't locate any such form for Seventh Day Baptist Church. The lawsuit states that the city also couldn't find any documents indicating that Seventh Day Baptist Church had ever been notified of the need to get registered and officially grandfathered in to be exempt from the 2011 food pantry ordinance. There doesn't appear to have been any public notice, either, the suit states, concluding Seventh Baptist was denied due process. City officials have said they banned food pantries in redevelopment areas because their presence can be detrimental to the difficult task of reviving a struggling area. Daytona Beach does allow food pantries as an accessory use to places of worship that are not located within a redevelopment area. You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Multinational law firm and nonprofit helping Daytona Beach church WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced this week that it was investigating the death of an infant as a homicide. Just over three months ago on May 27, officers responded to an apartment in the 1400 block of Newton Street NE just after 11 a.m. There, they found 2-month-old Amiri Royal Bynum unconscious. DC Fire and EMS took the baby to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. First responders, community members honor fallen DC police officer Wayne David On Monday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia determined the infant died from Fentanyl/Methamphetamine Intoxication and ruled his manner of death as a homicide. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man stands in front of a damaged building in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. Israeli military spokesperson Avichai Adraee informed residents and displaced Palestinians that they could return to certain parts of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, noting that these areas "will from now on be classified as part of the humanitarian zone," he wrote on the social media platform X. According to Adraee, the new "safe" zones cover neighborhoods in the northern and central Khan Younis and at the northeastern edge of the city, near the boundary with the Deir al-Balah. Photos circulating on social media showed thousands of Palestinians returning home, carrying bags as they walked through the ruins and massive piles of rubble caused by Israeli bombardments in southern Gaza. "The troops of the 98th Division have completed their divisional operation in the Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah area," the Israeli army said in a statement, adding the troops had been operating in the area for about a month, simultaneously conducting ground and underground operations. According to the Israeli military, more than 250 Palestinian militants were killed during the operation in the region. More than 40,600 people have been killed in the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which began on Oct. 7 last year, following Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israeli communities that killed about 1,200 people, according to figures released by both sides. People are seen in front of a damaged building in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A woman collects items from the rubble in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in the Satar al-Gharbi area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) A man clears a road in east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) People are seen on a street in east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on Aug. 30, 2024. Israel's army announced on Friday that its forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after they "completed their mission" in these areas. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Originally appeared on E! Online A double murder wasn't the only criminal case brought against Wade Wilson, dubbed the "Deadpool Killer," in recent years. The 30-year-oldwho shares his name with a Marvel characterwas back in a Florida court Aug. 29, where he pleaded no contest to smuggling drugs in jail last year while awaiting his sentencing after being convicted of the 2019 first-degree murders of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43. He was given the death penalty Aug. 27 for both killings. After accepting the plea deal in response to 2023 felony charges of attempted trafficking in amphetamine or methamphetamine, 28 grams to 200 grams, and conspiracy to traffic amphetamine or methamphetamine, Wilson was sentenced to 12 years in prison for each count and given a $50,000 state fine, according to court records obtained by E! News. His prison sentences are to be served concurrently with his two death penalties. Also as a part of the plea agreement, pending charges stemming from an alleged prison escape attempt by Wilson in 2010 has been dropped, according to local NBC affiliate NBC2, citing the Florida State Attorney's Office. More from E! Online The judge presiding over Wilson's drug trafficking case was the same one who gave him the death sentence for the murders of Melton, 35, and Ruiz, 43, which both occurred Oct. 7, 2019, following previous majority votes by a jury. Law & Crime Network / YouTube Wilson had turned himself in to police soon after the slayings and confessed to killing both women. He said he murdered Melton after they had had consensual sex, then took her car and randomly targeted Ruiz. He picked Ruiz up after asking her for directions to a high school, choked her while driving and then ran her over repeatedly with the vehicle, the sentence order noted. "The evidence showed that both murders were heinous, atrocious and cruel," Lee County Circuit Judge Nicholas Thompson wrote in the document, obtained by E! News, "and that the second murder was cold, calculated and premeditated." The judge considered several factors before rendering the death sentence. He noted that Wilson had "inflicted serious physical and emotional pain on the victims" and "committed the murders while on probation for prior felony convictions and he committed two first degree murders contemporaneously with each other and with grand theft of a motor vehicle, battery and burglary of a dwelling." Wilson's attorney has said he plans to appeal the death penalty sentence. E! News has reached out to his lawyer for comment on the drug charges and alleged escape attempt but has not heard back. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The murder trial for a woman in the fatal shooting of her husband of 10 days continued in court Thursday. Jurors heard testimony from the medical examiner and the defendant herself, 34-year-old Charise Douglas. Douglas is on trial in the 2021 murder of her husband of 10 days, 38-year-old John Anthony Johnson. The medical examiner testified wounds on the body of Douglass husband indicated he was shot at an intermediate range. Phone records reveal timeline: Woman on trial in shooting death of husband We can narrow in on that based on the density for the amount of powder, said medical examiner Colin Hebert, who worked with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at the time of the murder and examined Johnsons body. He continued, This only spreads about two inches away from the wound, so based on that it seems to be less than a foot, in my opinion. According to Douglas testimony, she shot Johnson fearing for her life when the two got into an altercation at their shared Gentian Village. (Olivia Yepez) The medical examiner testified wounds on the body of Douglass husband John Anthony Johnson indicated he was shot at an intermediate range. (Olivia Yepez) The defendant said her text to her sister, Im bout to kill dude, wasnt literal. Under cross examination, she verified there were only minutes between the text and the shooting. (Olivia Yepez) Closing arguments will be given the morning of Aug. 30, after which the case will be turned over to the jury. (Olivia Yepez) According to Douglas testimony, she shot Johnson fearing for her life when the two got into an altercation at their shared Gentian Village apartment. Douglas told jurors she texted Johnson asking for $45 on Cash App to go back to her home in Memphis, Tenn. on the evening of May 1, 2021. Johnson, she said, choked her in the hallway. I was scared. I thought he was going to kill me. My life flashed before my eyes. I have kids. I have a son, said Douglas. Assistant District Attorney Meghan Bowden asked Douglas if that was when the defendant shot her husband. Yes, maam I did save myself, said Douglas. Sis Im bout to kill dude: Woman on trial for murder of husband of 10 days The defendant said her text to her sister, Im bout to kill dude, wasnt literal. Under cross examination, she verified there were only minutes between the text and the shooting. Also under cross examination, Douglas testified she left the apartment and sold the gun for $350 to a friend of a friend in Alabama within an hour of the incident. Previous testimony and photos from the time of arrest showed Douglas had no injuries when she turned herself over to Columbus police on May 10, more than a week after the shooting. Closing arguments will be given the morning of Aug. 30, after which the case will be turned over to the jury. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Phone records reveal timeline: Woman on trial in shooting death of husband Sis Im bout to kill dude: Woman on trial for murder of husband of 10 days Defense attorney: Charise Douglas shot her husband in self-defense Defense attorney: History of abuse in deadly shooting Columbus Police make arrest in deadly Gentian Boulevard shooting Arrest warrant issued in May 1 shooting death Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A delivery driver told police Thursday she was robbed at gunpoint on a South Side street. Read next: Local pizza shop closes its doors after nearly 50 years Police were called at about 1:40 p.m. to Hillman Street and West Hylda Avenue, where the driver told them she was making a delivery from the Southern Park Mall. She noticed a car following her at Market Street and Shields Road in Boardman. The driver told police she continued into Youngstown and then pulled into the parking lot of a 3200 Market St. gas station to see if the car would follow her there. When the car passed, she began to pull out of the parking lot. The woman continued to her destination to the 100 block of West Florida Avenue when the car she said was following her suddenly pulled up behind her, reports said. Reports also said three masked men jumped out, two of them armed, reports said. One of the men reached into her car, took two packages, and then ran back to the suspect car, which drove away westbound to Hillman Street, reports said. The car the victim said contained the men who robbed her was recently reported stolen in Youngstown, 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. The Gavel outside the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, September 20, 2023, at 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) The two Democrats on the Ohio Ballot Board called out the state attorney general for speaking on their behalf in a lawsuit about ballot language for the proposed redistricting amendment, and wrote their own court document agreeing that the language violates the constitution. The Ohio Ballot Board decides what language voters will see on their ballots when they go to vote, but that summary language does not change what the proposed amendment would actually do. In a 3-2 vote, the Ohio Ballot Board approved summary language that supporters of the anti-gerrymandering amendment say is biased against the amendment. The board is now being sued by authors of the amendment for approving language attorneys for Citizens Not Politicians say is deceptive and misleading to the voters. The language was written by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and his staff, as LaRose told the board and attendees of the August board meeting in which the language was approved. I wrote this, LaRose said, with the help of my team and based on the input of those that are for and those who are against the issue. Amendment creators took issue with nearly every part of the LaRose language, up to and including Issue 1s title: To create an appointed redistricting commission not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state. The proposed amendment signed by more than 535,000 verified Ohio voters would replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission made up of seven politicians, including LaRose, with a 15-member citizens commission made up of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Challengers to the LaRose-written summary language took their complaints to the Ohio Supreme Court where they are asking the court to compel the board to change the language, citing constitutional rules that dictate ballot language. The approved language includes a change made during the meeting by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, that states the redistricting amendment would require the 15-citizen commission to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts. LaRose agreed with the change, as the argument was made that the word gerrymander was already included in the amendment in other ways. So in that sense, that must not be an off-limits word if its proposed by the petitioners, LaRose said at the meeting. State Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo, and Rep. Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, both voted against the language, with Hicks-Hudson telling the board then that the change to the summary language was a dangerous proposal that threatens the integrity of the vote on Issue 1. During discussion, LaRose further asked Hicks-Hudson if she was considering supporting the change, to which she responded, heck no. Before the LaRose language was ultimately approved, Hicks-Hudson made a motion to adopt the Citizens Not Politicians-written summary, which was voted down 3-2. In a last-ditch effort, she also made a motion to replace all of LaRoses language in the summary with the Citizens Not Politicians language before they voted to approve. That motion failed 3-2 as well. So, Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch were unhappy when they were listed as parties whom the Ohio Attorney Generals Office spoke on behalf of in the legal answer to the lawsuit. The document is a typical first take on the complaints made in a lawsuit, without much in the way of dialogue other than simple denials of wrongdoing and acknowledgements of legal arguments. Often in the document, filed on Monday, Assistant Attorney General Julie M. Pfeiffer states the proposed amendment and the ballot language speak for themselves. But in the first paragraph, Pfeiffer lists Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch in their official capacities as members of the Ohio Ballot Board, meaning the arguments made in the document stand as legal comment from the two Democrats who voted against the measure, just the same as it would for LaRose, Gavarone and fellow board member William Morgan, who supported the language. Upchurch and Hicks-Hudson released a statement saying the document was filed without warning or legal consultation, and that it disregarded (their) stance to end gerrymandering in Ohio and their vote against the deceptive and misleading Citizens Not Politicians ballot language. Its absurd that, as a member of the Ohio Ballot Board, my voice and the voice of the people continues to be ignored and trampled when it comes to securing the dignity of the Citizens Not Politicians amendment language, Upchurch wrote in the statement. Since then, they have filed their own answer to the complaint, representing themselves in the filing. In a document filed Wednesday evening with the state supreme court, Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch identified themselves as the only votes against the measure, and laid out their own complaints about the process started by the AGs office. We have real concerns about the process by which the language was adopted and the truthfulness behind the Secretary of States honest and fair consideration of the language proposed by the ballot issue committee, and we believe that our input in this matter, and our responses, are relevant to this litigation, the pair wrote in court documents. The Democrats also used their own filing to admit the Ballot Board as a whole violated its constitutional duty, and further admit that the chosen ballot title is inaccurate, biased, argumentative and misrepresents the proposed Amendments procedures for removing commissioners who fail to comply with their duties. The undersigned Respondents clarify that they personally did not act in clear disregard of applicable law and their legal duty, contrary to the actions of the other Ballot Board members, Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch wrote. Outside counsel House and Senate Minority Leaders Allison Russo and Nickie Antonio stood behind their colleagues, sending a letter on Tuesday to Ohio AG Dave Yost detailing his blatant disregard for the legal rights of the minority members of the Ohio Ballot Board. The letter states that Russo and Antonio sent another letter to the AGs Office on Aug. 23, requesting the appointment of outside counsel. The minority leaders arent unfamiliar with speaking on their own in a lawsuit filed against a group of which they were a part. They filed their own joint document after redistricting maps adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission were challenged in court. On Aug. 26, the same day the AGs office filed the answer to the ballot board lawsuit, the director of outside counsel, Shawn Busken, called House and Senate Minority caucus attorneys in response to the letter that was sent to the Attorney General about the ballot board case, according to the Tuesday letter, released to media. When the call was returned and the House Minority Counsel spoke with Mr. Busken, he relayed that it was your offices position that the Ballot Board speaks only through the Chair, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and that only the Secretary of State was consulted about this matter and the litigation, the leaders stated in the Aug. 27 letter to Yost. The minority leaders said Busken confirmed that nobody except the Chair, not even the named members of the Senate Majority nor the House Majority were consulted, nor were they asked if they had any information and input for the Answer. The AGs Office also denied the request for outside counsel, according to Russo and Antonio. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The letter went on to cite the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, saying the court document expressly prohibits this exact type of intentional and explicit politically-motivated action. The ORPC is a document regulating the conduct of the states lawyers. Democrats pointed specifically to rules about the scope of representation and allocation of authority between client and lawyer, communication between clients and situations with conflicts of interest. Russo and Antonio argued that when conflicts of interest arise, the ORPC requires attorneys to obtain waivers from clients recognizing and accepting the representation, despite the conflict of interest, something they have not been asked to do. Our interests substantially diverge from those of the Majority members of the Ballot Board, the letter states. The minority leaders claim the first time the AGs answer to the lawsuit was seen by Democrats was when it was sent to caucus attorneys by Pfeiffer the day it was filed. Antonio and Russo said they would be asking again for appointment of outside counsel, and if no appointment is made, we will be pursuing our available legal avenues. Hicks-Hudson and Upchurch laid out this same argument in their self-filed answer to the lawsuit, calling the AGs office actions a deliberate political maneuver and saying they vehemently disagree with many of the answers provided by the answer filed by the Attorney Generals Office. We are individually named as Respondents in this matter, and we will continue to file our own pleadings, regardless of the Attorney Generals improper moves, unless and until the Court instructs us otherwise, the document stated. The Attorney Generals Office told the OCJ the ballot board is like any other board in Ohio. The AGO represents the whole board and defends the boards vote, spokesperson Steve Irwin said in a statement. No individual member of any board is entitled to counsel. This is not unusual. Its the way the law works. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, speaking during a legislative committee meeting, Jan. 18, 2024. (LRC Public Information) LOUISVILLE Kentucky state Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence in Jefferson County District Court Friday morning. The 62-year-old Democratic lawmaker from Shivley was arrested by local police early Tuesday. According to the arrest citation, she refused to take a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test after officers asked. An attorney representing Chester-Burton appeared in court Friday morning and entered the not guilty plea on her behalf. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for November. Chester-Burton was previously arrested for a DUI in 2020 after falling asleep in a drive-through line at a White Castle while she was mayor of Shivley. She later pled guilty, according to court records. She began her first term in the House in 2023. She represents the 44th House District, which includes a western part of Jefferson County. Chester-Burton won her Democratic primary earlier this year. No Republican challengers filed to run against her. House Democratic Caucus leaders Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts released a statement Tuesday after Chester-Burtons arrest: While we do not yet have details, we are very concerned about the charges facing Rep. Chester-Burton. Without knowing more information, we are unable to comment further at this time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will speak at LaborFest in Milwaukee on Monday to celebrate Labor Day his third stop in Wisconsin since becoming Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate. Walz will be joined by his wife, Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz, at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council's event, the Harris campaign said Friday. The campaign earlier this week said the Walzes would be in Milwaukee but on Friday confirmed the stop at LaborFest 2024. "As part of the most pro-union administration in history, Vice President Harris has created millions of good-paying jobs," the campaign said in announcing the visit. "Governor Walz, a former union member himself, passed the most pro-worker package of laws in Minnesotas history making it easier to form unions, strengthening worker protections, cracking down on union-busting, and giving workers paid leave." Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin will appear alongside the Walzes at the event, Baldwin's campaign told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Friday. President Joe Biden spoke at Milwaukee's Laborfest in 2022. The visit will be Walz's third to Wisconsin since Harris selected Walz as her running mate in early August. The pair rallied in Eau Claire shortly after and last week rallied about 18,000 in Fiserv Forum on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Both former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance, made stops this week in Wisconsin ahead of the holiday weekend. Vance appeared in De Pere on Wednesday, and Trump held a town hall in La Crosse on Thursday evening. As the Walzes arrive in Milwaukee on Labor Day, Harris will travel to Detroit, Michigan, and appear with Biden in Philadelphia. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will appear at a Labor Day event in Newport News, Virginia. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz to campaign at Milwaukee LaborFest Democrats are now hoping to siphon votes from Trump by pushing to get anti-abortion third-party candidate on ballot Democrats are trying to help anti-abortion presidential candidate Randall Terry in order to scoop up votes for Trump (Randall Terry for President) In a new roundabout strategy to defeat Donald Trump in November, some Democrats are promoting an anti-abortion candidate to capitalize on the former presidents wishy-washy stance and potentially even siphone votes from the Republican ticket, according to a report. Randall Terry launched a presidential bid as part of the Constitution Party, which touts itself as the only national party who is 100% Pro-Life. Terry founded Operation Rescue, an organization known for blocking access to abortion clinics, and on his campaign website describes pro-abortion folks as baby killers. As Kamala Harris and Tim Walz make reproductive rights a fixture of their campaign and just announced a 50-stop Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour it may seem odd that some Democrats are now aiding Terry to get on the ballot as a third-party candidate. But that is exactly what is happening, according to the New York Times. Some Democratic donors and operatives seem to believe that Terry presents an interesting opportunity to entice conservatives who prioritize the abortion issue and steer them away from Trump, whose stance on the matter has varied. When asked whether he thought there was a chance that Democrats were organizing his efforts without his knowledge, he told The Independent: That is possible. He also said he understood their thought process behind these efforts, acknowledging the former presidents flip-flopping: Donald Trump has enraged pro-lifers...Im very upset with Trumps waffling. The Democrats interests, though, are at odds with his own: I want Kamala to lose way more than I want Trump to win. Democrats are trying to help anti-abortion presidential candidate Randall Terry in order to scoop up votes for Trump (Randall Terry for President) Democrats are reportedly exploring two strategies to benefit Terry. The first is geared toward funding his ballot access. Terry has only qualified to appear on the ballot in 12 states, and only a few of those are competitive states, such as Wisconsin and Michigan. But Democrats are focused on winning Pennsylvania, and convincing a couple of thousand voters to opt for a third-party candidate could make a big difference. The Times reported that just before the July 31 deadline to appear on the states ballot, an entity submitted 4,000 more signatures. Terry told The Independent that he didnt know who was behind the entity: What their motivation is or was, I dont know. And I dont care, he said. Terrys campaign manager told the Times the signatures had been filed to the Constitution Party by petitioners affiliated with an entity that promotes ballot access for third-party candidates. However, someone with knowledge of the matter told the outlet that Democratic donors funded the effort. The group also reportedly spent about $100,000 on a consultant to aid Terrys campaign. Still, he didnt qualify to appear on Pennsylvanias ballot. The second strategy hinges on the states where Terry is on the ballot. Democrats are aiming to use him as a spoiler to scoop up some of Trumps anti-abortion voter base. One progressive strategist had suggested a plan using a pro-Christian anti-abortion group Childrens Right to Life, who have legitimacy within the community, to help spread the campaign. There are also talks of organizing up a super PAC on behalf of Terry, the Times reported. When The Independent asked the Constitution Partys national chairman about the Democrats alleged efforts laid out in the Times piece, he focused on the newspaper rather than the reported Democratic strategy: tries to disparage anyone advancing a conservative and Constitutional cause. Although Terry said he understands where the strategy came from, he doesnt believe it will work nor does he believe in its mission. On August 19, Terry responded to a question on Fox News Digital about his candidacy potentially siphoning away votes from Trump. He said he runs on three Ds: defend children, defeat the Democrat nominee, destroy the Democratic party. According to the report, some Democrats hope the third-party candidate can take votes from Trump, which could make a big difference in swing states. (Getty Images) Terry disagreed with the premise of the Democrats strategy: For anyone who thinks that our campaign will hurt Donald Trump, I only say this: watch the [damn] ads! He also issued a warning to any Democrats that might fund him and his ads, including one baselessly titled Walz is a pervert and a criminal. If anyone wants to give us money to run these ads to destroy Kamala and Walz, please give. Give as generously as you can, he said. Democrats, however, may still think this is a viable tactic given the former presidents inconsistent views on abortion. Trump has bragged about appointing half of the Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of reversing Roe, claimed that he wouldnt pass a national abortion ban if he were to return to the White House, declared that his administration would be great for reproductive rights and promised to force insurance companies or the federal government to cover the costs of IVF. When asked on Thursday how he would vote on a ballot measure in Florida that would essentially undo the states six-week abortion ban, Trump signaled he would vote for the amendment. He called for more weeks and said the current ban was too short. During a press call on Friday morning, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren joined reproductive rights advocates to call out Trumps inconsistent stance, recalling when Trump said he was proudly the person responsible for overturning Roe. She said: American women are not stupid, and we know the only guaranteed protection for IVF is a new national law, which Kamala Harris supports and Donald Trump opposes. Anyone who cares about IVF will support Kamala Harris for President and Democrats for Congress. I can have my cake and eat it too, Terry told The Independent. I will help defeat and destroy Kamala and then turn to Trump and say: Repent. God spared your life so that you can save babies, not betray them. Democrats and left-leaning veterans groups see an opening to attack former President Trump on his record with service members after an altercation between an Arlington National Cemetery staffer and members of the Trump campaign earlier this week. Several Democratic lawmakers have already taken aim at Trump for the incident, which took place during a visit for a wreath-laying ceremony Monday, framing it as the latest example of the former presidents lack of respect for the military and those killed in war. The dispute also gives Democrats a chance to flip the script after Republicans have hammered Vice President Harriss running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on his military record for the past few weeks. Arlington National Cemetery isnt a place for campaign photo-ops. Its a sacred resting place for American patriots, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a former Navy helicopter pilot, wrote on the social platform X. But for Donald Trump, disrespecting military veterans is just par for the course. Its an absolute disgrace. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called for the immediate release of materials related to the incident, saying it was sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes. And Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), a former Marine, said Arlington is sacred ground and all visitors should take the time to learn the rules of decorum that ensure the proper respect is given to the fallen and their families, as reported by Axios. An Army spokesperson confirmed Thursday that a cemetery employee was abruptly pushed aside while trying to enforce a political activity ban that prohibits campaign photography at the cemetery. Trump was visiting to commemorate the third anniversary of the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghan citizens. Trump was there at the invitation of families of several of the service members killed in the attack. His campaign said it was granted permission to have its photographer in a heavily restricted area of the cemetery known as Section 60, meant for those killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. But filming or photographing the gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery for political purposes is banned as it is a violation of federal law, according to cemetery officials. Trump has previously come under fire for several instances of disparaging those who have served. Democrats frequently point to comments he made during a trip in 2018 to a World War I cemetery in France, when his then-chief of staff John Kelly said he called the hundreds of Marines buried there suckers and losers for getting killed. Trump has denied the claims. Trump was also criticized for not calling then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) a war hero because he was captured in Vietnam; and he said earlier this month the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is better than the highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, because recipients of the military honor have been hit so many times by bullets or theyre dead. In addition, Trump reportedly stressed during his presidency that no disabled veterans were to appear in a planned military parade that never took place, noting he didnt want any wounded guys as it doesnt look good for me. Richard Kohn, a civil-military relations expert and professor at the University of North Carolina, said the Arlington incident is in keeping with Trumps past treatment of the military and his attempt to politicize the military since he came into office. Its not a surprise he doesnt respect the protocols and the restrictions put on these kinds of things, he said. He has no inherent understanding of the military, of its historic effort to avoid being associated with domestic and partisan politics, and he doesnt care. He enjoys blowing past the normal behaviors that have governed American civil-military relations for almost our entire history, he added. Former NATO supreme allied commander, retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, said it was totally inappropriate and deeply offensive for Trump to use Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery for partisan political purposes. In private, he doesnt respect service; he doesnt respect sacrifice. Hes never done it for anybody, and so this was a stunt, Clark said Wednesday on CNN. Its particularly distasteful for those of us who have lost friends in these conflicts to see this kind of manipulation on Arlington National Cemetery. Thats hallowed ground for us, and he should know better. While the incident has riled Trumps critics, few Republicans have criticized the ex-president, and John Feehery, a GOP political strategist, predicted it will have no effect on the election. Matt Bennett, executive vice president for public affairs of center-left think tank Third Way, took a similar view. This should be disqualifying for anyone seeking federal office, especially the presidency. But it wont be, as it is likely to be lost in the swirl of outrages that Trump and his team commit daily, he said. The incident, since confirmed by the Army and Arlington National Cemetery, involved a dispute between two members of Trumps campaign staff and an employee at the grounds, which is managed by the Office of Army Cemeteries. While a police report was filed, the Army spokesperson said the employee decided not to press charges, and the case was closed. Still, the spokesperson said the staffers professionalism has been unfairly attacked. Trump campaign officials Steven Cheung and Chris LaCivita were quick to bash the cemetery worker in two separate public statements released Tuesday. Cheung said the employee was clearly suffering from a mental health episode, while LaCivita said she was a despicable individual who does not deserve to represent the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), also criticized the media for reporting on the altercation. Apparently somebody at Arlington Cemetery, some staff member had a little disagreement with somebody, Vance, a Marine veteran, said at a campaign rally in Erie, Pa., on Wednesday. And they have turned the media has turned this into a national news story. Trumps team members claim they have video to back up their account, but they have not yet released any such documentation. The incident has already sparked backlash from several veterans groups. This whole episode is sickening and affront to all those hundreds of thousands of families who never agreed to allow their deceased loved ones to be dragged into politics, VoteVets, a progressive group, wrote in a post on X. Arlington Cemetery is sacred and hallowed ground where those who paid the highest price for our collective freedom should be able to rest in peace without being trampled on for a cheap campaign photo op, Jacob Thomas, communications director for Common Defense, another left-leaning veterans group, said in a statement. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the oldest combat service organization, said it unequivocally supports federal law, Department of Defense policy, and Armys regulations concerning the conduct of visitors to Arlington National Cemetery and expect visitors to behave with the same measure of dignity and respect given to those buried there. We also support families of our fallen inviting whomever they chose to join them at those hallowed grounds in grieving and honoring their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, the VFW added in a statement to The Hill. Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said that when she visits Section 60, it is not only to pay my respects to and honor the sacrifice of the fallen, but to also humbly remind myself that I am one of the lucky ones who made it home from war when so many of my fellow Americans suffered a different fate. There are plenty of places appropriate for politics Arlington is not one of them, she said in a statement. And any aspiring elected official, especially one who hopes to be Commander in Chief, should not be confused about that fact. Nor should they hide behind members of our community to justify politicking on such sacred ground. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAMAKO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen people were killed and 29 others injured, including 9 seriously, after two vehicles collided on Thursday morning in central Mali, according to a statement released by the Malian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Thursday on National Road Number 6 near the village of Fougani in central Mali. A bus heading towards the capital, Bamako, collided with a trailer truck traveling in the opposite direction, according to the statement. All the victims were transported to the Fana Health Center, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the exact circumstances of the accident, the statement added. Road accidents are frequent in Mali mainly due to poor road and vehicle conditions. Democrats are suing the Georgia State Election Board over new rules that allow county officials to delay certifying the election results to perform a reasonable inquiry and examination. File Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI Aug. 30 (UPI) -- National and state Democrats, along with a number of county board members, are suing the Georgia State Election Board over certification rules they argue could cause confusion and delay the process. The lawsuit was filed on Monday by the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party of Georgia and a group of nine county board members throughout the state. It challenges two new rules that the election board passed earlier this month that give greater authority to local election officials to investigate and delay certification of election results. The first rule, called the reasonable inquiry rule, gives the state's 159 county election boards the authority to conduct a vaguely described investigation into the results of the election beyond the tabulation and canvassing that already takes place. The second rule, the examination rule, gives election officials the authority to access any election-related documents without outlining any limitations. The lawsuit argues that these rules, and the decision by the election board to enact them, violate state election law. It also calls the state election board's authority to make such rules into question. The plaintiffs say the rules could comply with state law if they were to ensure they will not allow certification to be delayed beyond the state's Nov. 12 deadline. Delaying certification beyond that date could result in Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger being forced to certify without results from counties where challenges are made, leading to voters in those counties being disenfranchised. The Democratic Party of Georgia submitted comments to the election board during the public comment period earlier this year. It suggested that if these rules were to be adopted, the board would issue a "concise statement" for and against its adoption. The board did not. "This is a trend across the entire country," Michael Adame, senior staff attorney with the Public Rights Project's Election Protection Hub, told UPI. "The idea is to muddy the waters over election workers and confuse voters to put out this idea that the election will be up to debate and potentially impacted by fraud." Nineteen election board members in nine Georgia counties have raised challenges to the certification of election results since the 2020 election. Most recently Julie Adams, a Fulton County election board member, objected to certifying the results of the May primary. She continued to object and ultimately refused to take part in certifying the results despite being given access to election documents she requested. She alleged that there were discrepancies in the results but she did not specify what they were. Adams later filed a lawsuit against the county board, arguing that election officials can certify results or refuse to at their discretion. "Plaintiff's duties are, in fact, discretionary, not ministerial," Adams' lawsuit reads. The lawsuit remains open. The argument over the role of election officials was waged before the state election board as it considered adopting the new rules. Republicans on the board voiced support for election officials applying their own judgment in the decision to certify results. Georgia law has recognized the duty of election superintendents and boards to be limited to assuring that votes are received and properly tabulated and canvassed. They are then to be sent on to the secretary of state. Raffensperger has spoken out against the rules, taking issue with the confusion they may create and the fact that they were instituted within about three months of the election. "Activists seeking to impose last-minute changes in election procedures outside of the legislative process undermine voter confidence and burden election workers," Raffensperger said in a statement. "The General Assembly knew that quick reporting of results and certification is paramount to voter confidence and passed S.B. 202, but misguided attempts by the State Election Board will delay election results and undermine the chain of custody safeguards. Georgia voters reject this 11th-hour chaos, and so should the unelected members of the State Election Board." The state election board is made up of four Republicans and one Democrat. Three Republicans -- Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares and Janelle King -- have been praised by name by former President Donald Trump while campaigning in Georgia. Jeffares and King were appointed to the board earlier this year. "Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares and Janelle King, three people are all pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency and victory," Trump said at a campaign rally earlier this month. The fourth Republican, chairman John Fervier, joined Democrat Sarah Tindall Ghazal in opposing the rules. They agreed that the role of election officers in certification is ministerial. They also argued that the state election board's rulemaking role is only meant to give clarity to statutory rules handed down by the legislature. Ghazal said that if the legislature wanted to enact these types of rules it would have. Democrats, in their lawsuit, reaffirm that the board does not have the authority to grant election superintendents with such leeway in their decision to certify election results. "These rules go way beyond the board's rulemaking authority," Sophie House, staff attorney with the Public Rights Project, told UPI. "They also are likely to create chaos and an unreasonable burden for Georgia election officials who are already facing tremendous pressure." House has been working closely on the Election Protection Hub's legal support in Georgia. She said election officials are already beginning to prepare for the Nov. 5 election as these new rules are being handed down and litigated. While opponents asked the board to provide greater clarity on the boundaries of these rules and to ensure that certification will be complete by the statutory deadline, she said it has done no such thing. "The rules they've adopted exacerbate those concerns about confusion and a lack of clarity around the election and undermining public trust," she said. "The petitions submitted made clear that the motivation behind the rules is to give election officials wide discretion not to certify. This opens up a lot of uncharted territory. This is not what the law has ever contemplated." The U.S. Supreme Court has urged states not to make changes to their election proceedings so close to election day, Adame said. However, state courts have not adopted any similar guidelines. "We've seen federal courts shut down these kinds of changes," Adame said. "SCOTUS tells us election administration shouldn't be messed with. It confuses voters." There is no clear timeline for when the Democrats' lawsuit will be resolved by the district court. The rules in Georgia are only one example of nationwide attempts by partisan actors to change the administration of elections and sow doubt in their results, Adame said. "We have been tracking a significant uptick in efforts by both activist groups and partisan actors to challenge the validity and structures of election certification," he said. "These have become battlegrounds for partisan activity in a way that pre-COVID wasn't the case. The term 'election denier' is important here." Adame highlighted that many of these challenges are occurring in swing states. Other states, including Michigan, Arizona and Nevada, have had to apply pressure to individual county boards to certify election results after some board members held out. This happened most recently in Washoe County, Nev., last month. Two of the county's three board members refused to certify the results of a primary election before changing course and acknowledging that it is their mandatory duty. "What's interesting about Georgia is it's the state entity trying to give permission to potentially rogue counties and cities to not certify," Adame said. Adame added that while much focus is given to the role of election officials, this issue is about voters and their right to have their votes counted. "It's an effort to prevent certain people from voting," he said. "We have an obvious history of voter suppression. Now it's an attack on the election itself. The whole process is now up for debate." DENVER (KDVR) Dry and warmer weather moves into Denvers weather forecast for the end of the week and into the holiday weekend. Weather tonight: Mainly clear, seasonal Thursday night will be mainly clear. Low temperatures will fall to the mid-50s, which is right in line with normal for this time of year. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Weather tomorrow: Sunny, warmer Friday will be sunny and warmer. High temperatures will climb to the upper 80s, which is almost 5 degrees above average, but 10 degrees shy of tying the record of 98 degrees set in 1990. Looking ahead: Warm Labor Day weekend Saturday starts off the holiday weekend with sunshine and warm temperatures climbing into the 90s. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Sunday will see a few more clouds and a stronger breeze. Temperatures will dip a few degrees into the upper 80s. Labor Day will be on track to stay dry in the metro with a few clouds and a brisk wind. High temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than normal and reach around 90 degrees. Sunshine and lower 90s are in the forecast again Tuesday ahead of a system that brings a chance for a few showers and more seasonal temperatures by Wednesday and Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 airplane takes off from Leipzig/Halle Airport. A deportation flight to Afghanistan has taken off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport, the Interior Ministry in the state of Saxony says. Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa For the first time since the Taliban retook power, a deportation flight to Afghanistan took off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport on Friday morning, the regional interior ministry said. A Qatar Airways charter jet carrying 28 Afghan offenders who were brought from various states departed from Leipzig, the biggest city in the state of Saxony, for Kabul at 6:56 am (0456 GMT). The operation was organized by Germany's federal Interior Ministry. Germany does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban rulers in Kabul. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that following the deadly knife attack in Mannheim at the end of May, the deportation of the most dangerous criminals and terrorist suspects to Afghanistan and Syria would be made possible again. Individuals suspected by security authorities of being capable of the most serious politically motivated crimes, including terrorist attacks, are included in this decision. The debate has been reignited by last week's deadly knife attack in the western city of Solingen that left three people dead, where the main suspect is a 26-year-old Syrian man who is believed to have evaded a deportation order. An airplane takes off from Leipzig/Halle Airport. A deportation flight to Afghanistan has taken off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport, the Interior Ministry in the state of Saxony says. Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa For the first time since the Taliban retook power, a deportation flight to Afghanistan took off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport on Friday morning, government officials confirmed. "These were Afghan nationals, all of whom were convicted criminals who had no right to stay in Germany and against whom deportation orders had been issued," German government spokesman Stefan Hebestreit said on Friday. The Qatar Airways charter jet carrying 28 Afghan men departed for Kabul at 6:56 am (0456 GMT), according to the Interior Ministry in the eastern state of Saxony, which includes Leipzig. The men had been brought from across the country to Leipzig for the flight. Sources confirmed to dpa that all the Afghan citizens aboard the flight are men. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, whose ministry organized the operation, thanked police and state authorities for their close cooperation in a post on X on Friday. "Our security counts, our constitutional state acts," Faeser said about the deportation flight. Germany does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban rulers in Kabul. Flight follows Mannheim knife attack German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that following the deadly knife attack in Mannheim at the end of May, the deportation of the most dangerous criminals and terrorist suspects to Afghanistan and Syria would be made possible again. Individuals suspected by security authorities of being capable of the most serious politically motivated crimes, including terrorist attacks, are included in this decision. The debate has been reignited by last week's deadly knife attack in the western city of Solingen that left three people dead, where the main suspect is a 26-year-old Syrian man who is believed to have evaded a deportation order. Der Spiegel news magazine reported that planning for Friday's deportation flight to Afghanistan had been under way for two months. Controversy over Afghan deporations Deportations to Afghanistan and Syria have been deeply controversial in Germany, given the abysmal human rights records of the ruling governments in both countries. The Greens, a key coalition partner to Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), have been particularly hesitant to back such a step. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a Green, has also warned against any steps that might indirectly recognize the hard-line Islamist Taliban regime. In a radio interview on Tuesday, Baerbock said that deportations to Afghanistan and Syria would be "possible in individual cases," but that a decision to go through with a deportation to those countries is "obviously not trivial" given the brutal regimes in power there. (Photo by Iuoman/Getty Images) Responding to reports that prisoner contact with loved ones helps reduce the recidivism rate, state lawmakers last year approved a $1 million pilot project to allow inmates with good behavior to make one free 15-minute phone call per month to the outside world. Pleased with its rollout, members of the Florida Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations came back during the 2024 legislative session with a budget line item expanding the program to $2 million from an inmate trust fund, and not from general revenues. But Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed that line item in June. Advocates for prison and criminal justice reform say thats a problem. Keeping families connected is very important for re-entry and so is the education, said Karen Stuckey, whos had to deal with escalating phone bills as both her son and husband have been incarcerated in Florida prisons. If you want somebody to be successful, you have to keep them connected to their families or their loved ones. Because when you get out, its really, really hard. If you want somebody to be successful, you have to keep them connected to their families or their loved ones. Because when you get out, its really, really hard. Karen Stuckley, wife and mother to inmates Independent studies have shown the benefits of allowing inmates to make keep in contact with loved ones. A 2006 report from the Urban Institute found that within five years of release, incarcerated people with strong family connections were 25% more likely to cease criminal activity. A 2005 report on incarcerated mothers contact with children found that telephone calls, even more than physical visits, related to positive maternal perceptions of relationships with children. In Florida, inmates may only make collect calls, for which the correction departments vendor, ViaPath Technologies (formerly Global Tel* Link Corp.) charges 13.5 cents a minute. They still are allowed two, free, 5-minute calls per month. The Department of Corrections receives $5 million a year from its telephone commissions via its $24.375 million contract with ViaPath, signed in 2020. This is not a new issue. In 1998, the Florida House of Representatives issued a report regarding state policies on mail, visiting, and telephone access. The agencys strategic plan for 1998-2003 recognizes that more than 95% of the offenders will at some point be released to the community, and that programs must be provided to ensure public safety, the report concluded. It noted that while rehab programs target matters like job- and life skills and substance abuse, there is little mention of using the family to assist in rehabilitation, or the importance of inmates having family contacts. Last fall, Massachusetts became the fifth state in the country to eliminate fees for prison and jail calls, joining Connecticut, California, Minnesota, and Colorado. Modest program Floridas one-year pilot program was relatively modest, providing just one free 15-minute call a month. Stuckey is a Volusia County resident who initially led the movement to provide free calls to inmates. Her costs for phone calls totaled $6,095 for the two years between March 2020 and April 2022, she said. During the same period, her cellphone bills for personal calls with unlimited service cost her $1,038. Realizing the cost was unsustainable but not willing to stop communicating with her family members, she began reaching out to state lawmakers about doing something. Broward County Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book responded to Stuckeys appeal and filed a proposal during the 2022 session requiring the Department of Corrections to provide inmates phone calls free of charge. Her bill didnt acquire a House sponsor but died without being heard in any committee. Meanwhile, in Gainesville, two idealistic University of Florida students with no direct connection to the incarcerated were searching for policy issues they could invest their energy into when they learned about the movement to provide free phone calls to the incarcerated. Graham Bernstein and Konstantin Nakov, with the student-led Florida Student Policy Forum at UF, were reviewing news articles about what was taking place in state legislatures around the country when they came upon an article in the Harvard Political Review detailing the exorbitant costs of prison phone calls and how there was little competition within the prison phone call market. They were emboldened to act when they attended a Future of Florida Summit on the UF campus and heard about the significance of providing free phone calls to inmates from Kevin Scott with Community Spring, a Gainesville nonprofit economic justice group, which was already working with the formerly incarcerated in Alachua County. Free jail calls Newly inspired, the Florida Student Policy Forum began advocating to have free calls provided for inmates at the Alachua County Jail. (That program, which provides free phone calls to inmates, began last October and continues). Simultaneously, Bernstein teamed with Stuckey and other prison reform advocates to lobby state legislators about a similar proposal. Those efforts reached fruition when the Florida Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations approved the $1 million appropriation for free phone calls that DeSantis signed into law in 2023. Unlike many who get involved in prisoner reform, Bernstein doesnt have any friends or family in the corrections department. I was just convinced by the weight of the data and the weight of the research, and the conversations that I had with people who either had been incarcerated themselves or have family members who are incarcerated, he told the Phoenix. There is a robust history of research and documentation about how communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones can reduce recidivism rates, improve public safety, and save taxpayer dollars, Bernstein said. The Biden administration and Congress agree. Last month, the Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to implement the bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, a law that Biden signed in January 2023 that ensures inmate communication charges at prisons and jails across the nation are just and reasonable. The Commission has long recognized and worked to combat the negative consequences that unreasonable communications rates and charges have on incarcerated people, their families and loved ones, and society at large, an FCC report on the law said last month. The record in this proceeding provides overwhelming evidence of the substantial burden excessive communications rates have on the ability of incarcerated people to stay connected and maintain the vital, human bonds that sustain families and friends when a loved one is incarcerated. No burden to taxpayers Advocates for the Florida free phone call program are particularly upset because the $2 million allocated to expand the free phone call program wouldnt have involved taxpayer money but rather the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund. That account contains proceeds from operating inmate canteens, vending machines used by inmates and visitors, hobby shops and other such facilities, as listed in Florida law. I think its so important for people to understand this this is not coming out of the states budget this is trust-fund money, said Denise Rock of the inmate advocacy group Florida Cares. That wasnt Floridas money. Thats not taxpayer dollars. The whole thing just doesnt make any sense, said Bernstein, now in his senior year at the University of Florida. The governor did not publicly comment about why he rejected the appropriations. Karen Stuckey believes he was trying to make his numbers look good about how much he slashed out of the budget. She noted that the line item was listed as the Inmate Phone Call Pilot. Anything with inmates, he could care less [about], she said. It disappoints me that the governor vetoed it, added St. Petersburg-based Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson, a member of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations that approved funding for the program over the past two years. It sounds like an excellent program that would help with inmate attitudes while theyre in prison and could contribute to the safety of correctional officers. If you have a happy inmate who feels connected to his family, then you would think that would add to the atmosphere while theyre locked up. Bernstein said he remains optimistic, despite his disappointment at the veto. Theyre still people at the end of the day and their families are people, too, he said of the inmates. So, treat them like people and you can see reduced recidivism rates and taxpayer savings, so thats basically what I would give as an answer. I understand that there are differences on policy, but thats how I would personally defend the pilot program and why I think a state with a conservative Legislature like Florida was ripe to implement it, and why it should be implemented in the future. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The first night of the Detroit Jazz Festival has gone virtual-only due to threat of severe weather. More: 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival: What to know, who's playing, where to park and more Related: At Detroit Jazz Fest this year, remember, I'm Duante Beddingfield not that other guy In a news release Friday afternoon, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation announced, Due to the impending severe weather conditions projected to impact Hart Plaza during tonights scheduled performances and acting out of an abundance of caution and the safety of our patrons and artists, we have decided to present both concerts, Translinear Light The Music of Alice Coltrane, and Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band as livestreamed only performances from the Gretchen C. Valade Center. These presentations will be livestreamed for free on our website www.detroitjazzfest.org without a live audience. All outdoor events are postponed for this evening only. Well see everyone here tomorrow at the Detroit Jazz Festival. "Stay tuned for more information regarding performance times. More: Something for everyone: 6 acts you may not know, but should catch at Detroit Jazz Fest More: High energy funk-jazz band Ghost-Note to rock Detroit Jazz Festival Sunday night Request for further comment by the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation was declined. At 4:45 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the metro Detroit region, in effect until 9 p.m. We have a cold front moving into the area during the course of the evening, said Dave Gurney, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in White Lake. A scattered or broken line of thunderstorms has formed out to the west of us, along and just in advance of that cold front, and we expect that activity to increase in coverage and intensity to some degree as it works into the area. Right now the main timeframe for us is between 6 p.m. and maybe 10 p.m. at the latest. About a four-hour window. During that time, when we expect the best chance of it here, storms could be severe with gusty, damaging winds. Heavy rainfall, no matter whether theyre severe or not, and maybe some hail, and conditions are such that theres an off chance of an isolated tornado somewhere in the area. Hard to pinpoint where that might be, but its a non-zero chance, let me put it that way. Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Jazz Fest goes virtual-only for Friday night performances What did JD Vance say about teachers who don't have children of their own? Senator JD Vance of Ohio is making news again due to his previous negative comments about people without children, specifically targeting teachers. In a resurfaced audio snippet circulating online from 2021, Vance, the running mate of the Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, is heard speaking to the Center for Christian Virtue, an Ohio policy group, explaining that teachers without children disorients and really disturbs him. Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance of Ohio greets supporters as he arrives for an event in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 20, 2024. Randi Weingartenwhos the head of the most powerful teachers union in the countryshe doesnt have a single child, Vance said. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone, said the father of three biological children. ...That really disorients me. And it really disturbs me. Before leading the American Federation of Teachers, Weingarten, who is also an attorney, taught history at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyns Crown Heights neighborhood from 1991 to 1997. She helped her students win several state and national awards for debating constitutional issues, according to her official biography. Married to Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, who describes herself as a mother by marriage, is also the stepmother to two daughters, according to The Advocate. Randi Weingarten, president of AFT, speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Weingarten responded on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: 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. After USA TODAYs publication of the story, Taylor Van Kirk, a spokeswoman for Vance, denied his comments were directed at teachers: There is no bigger threat to American children than the left-wing indoctrination being forced on our schools by elites like Randi Weingarten, with the support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Senator Vance is committed to ending the leftist indoctrination in our schools and will continue to loudly call this crap out to defend our kids, Van Kirk added. Since being selected by Trump as his running mate last month, Vance has held rallies in battleground states and headlined fundraisers. But his debut has sometimes been shaky due to his unearthed 2021 comments in an interview with FOX News' Tucker Carlson about childless cat ladies, a jab seen as misogynistic and discriminatory to people without children. Its just a basic fact. You look at Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), the entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children, said Vance. Harris has two stepchildren with her husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. And Transportation Secretary Buttigieg and husband Chasten welcomed twins just weeks after Vances interview. Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Vance 'disturbed' over teachers without their own kids What did Trump do at Arlington Cemetery? Photo controversy, explained Controversy continues over former President Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday after reports of an altercation between Trump's campaign staff and a cemetery official, who apparently tried to prevent picture-taking in the cemeterys Section 60, where photography is restricted. Trump visited the cemetery in observance of the deaths of 13 U.S. troops in the Abbey Gate attacks during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Learn more: Army defends cemetery official. A member of Trump's team pushed his way past the official in Section 60, allowing photography to proceed, USA TODAY reported. Photos of Trump, family members of slain soldiers, and others were taken at military gravesites and later appeared on social media. Members of the military, Democrats, and others criticized Trump for what they said was using the cemetery for political purposes, a violation of federal law. What did Trump do at Arlington National Cemetery? Can't see our graphics? Click here. That morning, Trump placed three wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, also known as the Tomb of the Unknowns. The wreaths were placed in honor of those who died in the Afghanistan suicide bombing: Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City. The third wreath honored all 13 military members 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army sergeant who died in the attack. Trump then moved on to the cemetery's Section 60. What is Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery? Section 60 is a 14-acre parcel of the cemetery. It's mostly reserved for veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Arlington National Cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army. Arlington officials require permits for media and other organizations to photograph or record inside the cemetery. While individual visitors are allowed to take pictures, federal law bans videos or photographs for "partisan, political or fundraising purposes." Prohibited activities include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidates campaign," USA TODAY reported. What happened in Section 60? 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 visited Section 60 with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican who is running for reelection in 2024, and bereaved family members who wanted Trump there, the Washington Post reported. Media reporters and photographers were kept away from the section. Trump laid bouquets at the headstones of two Marines, Sgt. Nicole Gee and Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. Family members accompanied him. NPR was the first to report that Trump campaign staffers were filming in Section 60. A cemetery official attempted to prevent Trump staffers from entering the section, but "campaign staff verbally abused and pushed the official aside, according to the source," NPR wrote, citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the incident. A senior Defense Department official familiar with the incident at Arlington National Cemetery told USA TODAY it was a minor altercation. No charges have been filed. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told USA TODAY that there was "no physical altercation as described." Three of the 13 U.S. troops who died in the Afghan suicide attack are buried at Arlington. The other 10 are buried in cemeteries near their hometowns. Contributing: Rachel Barber, Josh Meyer, Zac Anderson, Tom Vanden Brook, Dan Morrison, Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; arlingtoncemetery.mil This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Arlington National Cemetery photo incident, explained With different backgrounds, Fedorchak, Hammer both say they can be effective in Congress U.S. House candidates Julie Fedorchak, left, a Republican, and Trygve Hammer, a Democrat, participated in a debate Aug. 30, 2024. (Photos provided by candidates) U.S. House Candidates Julie Fedorchak, a Republican, and Trygve Hammer, Democrat, both claim to have what it takes to disrupt gridlock in Congress. They acknowledged Washingtons inability to progress on matters like immigration reform and the still-expired agriculture package known as the farm bill. During a debate aired Friday on the Plain Talk Podcast, moderators Rob Port and Chad Oban asked them how they would make an impact as just one of 435 members in a deeply divided House of Representatives. You roll up your sleeves and get to work, and you dont spend a bunch of time fighting on Fox News or MSNBC, said Fedorchak, who in June won the Republican primary with 46% of the vote. A longtime member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, Fedorchak said she would also draw on her existing connections with other leaders. She was endorsed for U.S. House by former President Donald Trump, as well as multiple state office holders and North Dakota state lawmakers. These relationships, Im already working to build so when I am elected by North Dakotans that I can hit the ground running and be as effective as possible, Fedorchak said. Hammer, in contrast, is a newcomer to politics. The Minot resident started his career in the Marine Corps, holding positions including helicopter pilot and platoon commander in Iraq. Hammer later worked as a rig worker in the Bakken as well as a science teacher in Granville. Before launching his campaign for U.S. House, he was a train conductor in Minot. He unsuccessfully ran for a District 6 seat in the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2022, and for an open seat on the Public Service Commission in 2022. Hammer said his lack of political experience wouldnt hold him back from being an effective leader, and that his experience in blue-collar fields and education means hell be able to craft policy that reflects the needs of average Americans. He said he will use his military background to be a voice for service members and veterans in Congress. Roughly 80 sitting U.S. representatives are veterans, Hammer noted. He also held himself out as a leader that can earn, and keep, the respect of the American people. Washington needs leaders who operate with tact, who comport themselves as adults, he said. Border security Both Hammer and Fedorchak said they consider border security a majority priority. Fedorchak said, if elected, she would work toward tightening the U.S.-Mexico border whether by funding a physical wall or enhancing security by other means. We need to secure the border, and we need to start having more agents down there to protect it, and to process the people coming through, she said. Hammer said he would support increasing the number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, as well as the number of asylum judges to bring down the backlog of asylum cases. But North Dakotans also agree that we need sensible legal pathways for immigrants to come to the United States, and they dont want to see anything thats unnecessarily cruel, Hammer said. Election integrity Both candidates were asked whether or not they trusted the results of the 2020 election. Fedorchak said Friday that she does think Bidens victory in 2020 was legitimate. I do trust the results, she said. A lot of the issue, though, is that a lot of people throughout the country questioned it, and thats a problem. She said states need to do more to earn the trust of Americans who have doubts about election security. In a May debate with Republican primary candidates hosted by KFGO radio in Fargo, Fedorchak declined to answer whether or not she would have voted to certify the 2020 election if she were in Congress at the time. I wasnt in Congress in 2021 and Im not going to talk about what I would have done, or wouldnt have done, she said. Hammer on Friday said the election was not stolen and blamed national Republican leaders for making false claims about election fraud. All doubts in the system were purposely sewn by people we should consider leaders, Hammer said. Abortion Fedorchak said she supports states setting their own abortion laws to an extent. In North Dakota, abortion is illegal except in cases of rape or incest during the first six weeks of pregnancy, or when there is a serious health risk to the mother. She said she would advocate for setting a nationwide gestational limit at about 15 or 16 weeks, after which abortion would not be an option except in the cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. I feel that throughout the state of North Dakota I am very reflective of where North Dakotans as a whole are, Fedorchak said. Hammer disputed this claim. He said that North Dakotans generally favor abortion access, pointing to the failed initiated ballot measure to recognize fetal personhood in the state constitution in 2014. North Dakotans dont really care which level of government it comes from, they dont want that kind of interference, Hammer said. Hammer and Fedorchak will face off for the U.S. House seat in the Nov. 5 general election. The candidates will debate again on Prairie Public at 7 p.m. Sept. 26. The candidates are competing to fill the seat of Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, who is running for governor. Armstrong beat Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller in the June Republican primary. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This aerial photo taken on May 1, 2023 shows a view of the Bell Tower in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao) XI'AN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China Eastern Airlines on Friday launched a direct flight route between Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Hanoi in Vietnam. Outbound flights depart from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 5:10 p.m. Beijing time, and are scheduled to arrive in Hanoi at 6:55 p.m. local time. Return flights depart from Hanoi at 8:15 p.m. local time and arrive in Xi'an at 11:55 p.m. Beijing time, with a flight duration of approximately two hours and 40 minutes. The round-trip flights will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays. The new route is part of Xi'an Xianyang International Airport's broader efforts to expand its international network and strengthen Xi'an's role as an international aviation hub. By Steve Gorman and Jorge Garcia LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - One of two doctors who are among the five people charged in the ketamine overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry was barred by a federal judge on Friday from practicing medicine and through his lawyer afterward expressed remorse. Dr. Mark Chavez appeared in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for a brief arraignment on a single felony count of conspiracy to illegally distribute ketamine and was permitted to remain free on $50,000 bond. Chavez has previously signed an agreement with federal prosecutors to enter a guilty plea, which defense lawyer Matt Binninger told reporters his client would do at a later proceeding to be scheduled within a few weeks. No plea was entered on Friday. As part of the bond conditions set by Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth, Chavez also surrendered his passport and was ordered not to practice medicine. He had agreed to surrender his medical license at a separate administrative hearing earlier this week, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office. "My client is accepting responsibility. Hes doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and hes incredibly remorseful," Binninger said outside the courthouse. The lawyer added that Chavez's regret stemmed not from Perry's celebrity but from the fact that "someone who was trying to seek treatment died." The attorney declined to discuss any details of the case. Chavez, with a downcast expression on his face, stood beside his lawyer but made no comment. Another physician charged in the case, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded not guilty, as has co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, who authorities said was an illicit supplier of the drug and was known as the "ketamine queen." Perry's live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who admitted to injecting Perry, and the alleged middleman who said he obtained ketamine from Sangha, have already pleaded guilty to charges they faced. Authorities said Plasencia purchased ketamine from Chavez, and in text messages to Chavez discussing the amount to charge Perry for the drug wrote: "I wonder how much this moron will pay." Perry died at age 54 in October 2023 from "acute effects" of ketamine and other factors that caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub, according to a December 2023 autopsy report. The actor had publicly acknowledged decades of substance abuse, including during the years he starred as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom "Friends." (Reporting by Jorge Garcia and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Chris Reese) The lawyer for one of the two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry's ketamine death said his client feels "incredibly remorseful" for the role the medical professional played in the actor's death as he appeared in court Friday. Dr. Mark Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and has signed a plea agreement, according to federal prosecutors. He appeared in Los Angeles federal court Friday afternoon for his arraignment in the case. Chavez answered the judge's questions, saying he understood the case against him. PHOTO: Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry's death from an accidental ketamine overdose arrives at the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, Aug. 30, 2024. (Damian Dovarganes/AP) "He is trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here," Matthew Binninger, Chavez's attorney, told reporters following the arraignment. "He is doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he's incredibly remorseful." Binninger told reporters before the court appearance Friday that Chavez fully accepts responsibility for his role in the death of Perry. MORE: 5 charged in Matthew Perry's ketamine death as new details emerge Chavez also agreed, as part of the deal, to immediately give up his medical license. He formally pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Friday, though a change of plea proceeding will be scheduled for a later date, at which point he will plead guilty, according to Binninger. The lawyer said he expects the hearing to occur sometime in October. Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. PHOTO: Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician from San Diego, charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry's death from an accidental ketamine overdose arrives at the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, Aug. 30, 2024. (Damian Dovarganes/AP) Chavez is one of five people facing federal charges in the wake of Perry's death from a ketamine overdose at his home on Oct. 28, 2024, at the age of 54. The "Friends" actor was discovered unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, police said. An autopsy report revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine. The Department of Justice claims Chavez was part of an underground criminal network that used Perry as a personal piggy bank by illegally selling him ketamine. Chavez, 54, has admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a licensed medical doctor he has known for at least 20 years, with the understanding it would be sold to Perry, who was struggling with a ketamine addiction, according to prosecutors. Plasencia is a lead defendant in the case, along with Jasveen Sangha, 41, a woman allegedly known as "The Ketamine Queen" who is accused of selling Perry the batch of ketamine that killed him, the DOJ said. Both pleaded not guilty following their arrest earlier this month. Also charged are Eric Fleming, 54, who admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry, and Perry's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, who admitted in court documents to administering the ketamine on the day Perry died, the DOJ said. Both have pleaded guilty to their respective charges and have signed plea agreements that have been entered, prosecutors said. They are awaiting sentencing. According to a plea agreement filed on Aug. 15 in Chavez's case, Plasencia allegedly called Chavez on Sept. 30, 2023, about obtaining ketamine for Perry, who was "willing to pay a premium." Chavez confirmed he did -- even texting a picture of ketamine lozenges -- and that he was willing to transfer the ketamine in exchange for money, according to the plea agreement. PHOTO: A redacted undated photograph in a Grand Jury charging document shows what is described as a fraudulent prescription for ketamine (U.s. Department Of Justice/via Reuters) Chavez had previously been affiliated with a San Diego ketamine infusion clinic. Upon parting ways in July 2023 over a dispute with his business partner, Chavez retrieved all prescription drugs -- including ketamine -- because his partner was not a medical doctor, according to the plea agreement. Chavez also took 30 ketamine lozenges that he had obtained after submitting a fraudulent prescription without a patient's knowledge on July 17, 2023, according to the plea agreement. On Sept. 13, 2023, Chavez legally transferred some of the ketamine he seized from the clinic to a medical facility in San Diego, but kept possession of at least 12 vials of ketamine and the ketamine lozenges, according to the plea agreement. Chavez and Plasencia met three times in September and October 2023 as part of the alleged scheme, according to the plea agreement. Chavez admitted to transferring at least 22 vials of liquid ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges, all of which he understood would be used by Perry, according to the plea agreement. After their first exchange on Sept. 30, 2023, Plasencia allegedly texted Chavez that his subsequent meeting with Perry was "like a bad movie," according to the plea agreement. After their second meeting, on Oct. 4, 2023, Chavez worked to get more ketamine to keep doing business with Perry, according to the plea agreement. Chavez admitted in the plea agreement to submitting false statements on a Drug Enforcement Administration license authorization form in order to obtain more ketamine from a wholesale distributor of controlled substances. Following their third meeting, on Oct. 10, 2023, Chavez learned Plasencia had allegedly dosed Perry in a car parked in a public parking lot near an aquarium in Long Beach, according to the plea agreement. Chavez "reprimanded" the other doctor "for 'dosing people' in cars, and in a public place where children are present," the plea agreement stated. MORE: Matthew Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, other contributing factors: Autopsy Two days later, on Oct. 12, 2023, Chavez learned the California Medical Board was investigating an allegation that he had improperly taken ketamine from his former ketamine clinic, according to the plea agreement. At that point, Chavez told Plasencia that he would no longer be able to obtain additional ketamine to sell to Perry, according to the plea agreement. The DEA interviewed Chavez on Oct. 19, 2023, about the allegation, during which he denied still being in possession of the liquid ketamine taken from the clinic, according to the plea agreement. He admitted to the fraudulent prescription of ketamine lozenges but claimed he had thrown them out after they had melted inside of his vehicle, according to the plea agreement. "At all relevant times during the interview, defendant Chavez concealed from investigators that he had, in fact, transferred ketamine to co-conspirator Plasencia," the plea agreement stated. PHOTO: FILES-US-ENTERTAINMENT-TELEVISION-FRIENDS-PERRY-CRIME (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images) After Perry was found dead on Oct. 28, 2023, Chavez called Plasencia to discuss whether he was "concerned about" the actor's death, according to the plea agreement. "Co-conspirator Plasencia indicated that he was not worried because he had not seen [Perry] for a couple of weeks," the plea agreement stated. During Plasencia's arraignment, the judge mandated that a sign be posted in the clinic alerting all patients of the ongoing federal case, and that patients must sign a form each time consenting that they are aware. The next hearing in his case has been scheduled for Sept. 4. His attorney, Stefan Sacks, told ABC News following Plasencia's arraignment that a plea deal is possible in the case. He said he plans to dispute the illegality of the services prosecutors said Plasencia provided, which Sacks likened to "concierge medicine." Doctor charged in Matthew Perry case 'incredibly remorseful' for role in actor's death: Lawyer originally appeared on abcnews.go.com One of the two doctors connected to the fatal ketamine overdose of actor Matthew Perry appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday. Dr. Mark Chavez of San Diego has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and has signed a plea agreement, according to the United States District Attorneys Office. Leah Remini and Angelo Pagan divorce after 21 years of marriage In his plea agreement, the 54-year-old doctor admitted he obtained the ketamine from his former clinic and from a wholesale distributor where he submitted a fraudulent prescription. Chavez will surrender his medical license and could get up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. He is currently free on bail, and his next court date is not yet known. He will be the third person to plead guilty following the Friends stars death. The other two are Perrys assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Perrys acquaintance, Eric Fleming. Iwamasa admitted to obtaining ketamine for Perry and injecting him with the drug. Fleming admitted to obtaining the ketamine from the supplier and giving it to Iwamasa for Perry to use. These three people are helping the U.S. Attorneys Office go after the main two defendants: Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Authorities said Sangha, 41, is known as The Ketamine Queen of North Hollywood. Both face charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha is also charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine. Tom Hanks warns against ads with his image created fraudulently and through AI Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. On Oct. 28, Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined he died from acute effects of ketamine. There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents, the autopsy report stated. He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. The report also found that contributing factors in Perrys death included drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects. The manner of the death was listed as accidental (drug and drowning-related), and there were no signs of foul play, investigators said. For most of his life, Perry was open about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perrys addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways in the end, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a press conference earlier this month. These defendants were more interested in profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KTLA) One of the two doctors charged in connection with the fatal overdose of actor Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty in the case. Dr. Mark Chavez, of San Diego, has agreed to enter the guilty plea for one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and has signed a plea agreement, according to the United States District Attorneys Office. In his plea agreement, the 54-year-old doctor admitted he obtained the ketamine from his former clinic and from a wholesale distributor where he submitted a fraudulent prescription. Chavez could get up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. He will be the third person to plead guilty following the Friends stars death. The other two are Perrys assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Perrys acquaintance, Eric Fleming. Iwamasa admitted to obtaining ketamine for Perry and injecting him with the drug. Fleming admitted to obtaining the ketamine from the supplier and giving it to Iwamasa for Perry to use. These three people are helping the U.S. Attorneys Office go after the main two defendants: Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Authorities said Sangha, 41, is known as The Ketamine Queen of North Hollywood. Tom Hanks warns against ads with his image created fraudulently and through AI Both face charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha is also charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. On Oct. 28, Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home. The medical examiner determined he died from acute effects of ketamine. There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents, the autopsy report stated. He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. The report also found that contributing factors in Perrys death included drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects. The manner of the death was listed as accidental (drug and drowning-related), and there were no signs of foul play, investigators said. For most of his life, Perry was open about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perrys addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways in the end, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a press conference earlier this month. These defendants were more interested in profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RAIFORD The family of the 18-year-old Florida State University student brutally murdered in 1994 had the last word when Loran Kenstley Cole had none. After spending three decades on death row, Cole was executed by the state of Florida Thursday evening. Cole, 57, convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery and sexual battery, died by lethal injection at Florida State Prison after sitting on death row for three decades. Earlier that day, the U.S. Supreme Court denied his attorneys' Hail Mary attempt to halt the state's first execution of this year. Timothy and Victoria Edwards, the parents of murder victim John Edwards, provided the Department of Corrections with a statement that was read on their behalf at a 6:45 p.m. press briefing after Cole was declared dead. They did not attend the execution. Florida State University Phi Gamma Delta fraternity brothers including 1994 murder victim John Edwards,18, bottom far left, and Chris Spires, white hat, top middle. The photo was taken in the fall of 1993. The Edwardses said losing their son was "the darkest times in our lives." "We are void of feelings and empathy for Mr. Cole. He placed himself into this arena. We could never sanction a reduction in his sentence. He does not deserve mercy. "Mr. Cole has been granted 30 years of life in Florida State Prison," they added. "During those 30 years, he has been free to read books, study, eat proper meals, sleep in a bed, get medical care, bathe and exercise, receive visitors and to simply exist. This is something he brutally took from our son life. That cannot be undone." The Tallahassee Democrat had reached out to the Edwardses through the Attorney General's Office prior to the execution but they declined comment. Cole's son, Ryan, called his father's execution "a nightmare" in a text message to his mother, Colleen Kucler, who shared his statement. "Saying goodbye to my dad was the hardest thing I've ever done," Ryan Cole wrote. "I am being punished for something that I believe now is something my dad didn't even do ... They want somebody to blame in order to give somebody else peace but they are taking peace from somebody else." Asked if he had any last words, Loran Cole said no While strapped to his deathbed an off-white gurney equipped with brown leather bindings with a paper sheet covering everything up to his neck, Cole was asked by a prison guard if he had any last words. "No sir," Cole said as he stared up at the ceiling. He briefly craned his neck to scan those in the gallery gathered to watch his final moments, gave a slight nod and laid back down. Loran Kenstley Cole, 57, will become the first inmate executed in Florida in 2024 and the 13th in the nation if his lethal injection proceeds as scheduled. Cole was convicted in the murder of John Timothy Edwards, 18, during a camping trip to Ocala National Forest. The first of the three drugs were administered through an intravenous drip at 6:03 p.m. The first drug sedated him, the second paralyzed him and the third stopped his heart. At first, Cole's body jerked and trembled while he took deep, labored breaths, then was still. At 6:05, a guard tapped Cole's eyelids and firmly shook his shoulders, saying, "Mr. Cole, Mr. Cole." When he didn't respond, the next injection was administered. He lay with his eyes closed and mouth hanging open. Within 12 minutes, he was dead. At 6:15 p.m., a doctor walked in from behind a curtain to declare him dead. She leaned over his head, checked his pupils, then moved to his neck and chest where she used a stethoscope to listen for a heartbeat. Watching his execution were 19 "official witnesses," four DOC communications staff members and two guards. Three guards stood in the room with Cole. Inmates family members are not permitted to witness the execution. Last meal: Pizza, ice cream, M&Ms Although Cole's family wasn't in the gallery, his son, Ryan, and Loran's pen pal of four years, Beth Evans, saw him in his last hours. For his last meal, Cole requested pizza, ice cream, M&Ms and soda. He declined to meet with a spiritual adviser and saw no other visitors in his final hours. Cole's journey to the death chamber began in the Ocala National Forest. There, on Feb. 18, 1994, Edwards and his sister were on a weekend camping trip. Cole, 27 at the time, helped them set up camp. Cole and William Paul, who was later sentenced to life in prison, joined them on a walk, during which the man attacked the siblings and tied them up. Cole slashed John's throat and fractured his skull from three blows to the head, according to court records. Then he raped John's sister. Leaving her tied to a tree, the two men fled in Edwards' car. She later managed to escape and find help. In the Edwards' statement, they said that their daughter went on to become a teacher, professor, wife and mother. "She is our hero," the parents said. Protesters outside the prison call the execution 'heartbreaking' More than an hour before Cole died, dozens of people piled out of a Greyhound bus to protest the execution, the death penalty and pray for Cole's soul. Activists and members of churches across the state came together on the lawn facing the prison's entrance. More than 50 people from Our Lady of Lourds Catholic church in Daytona Florida and others protested the execution of Loran Cole at Florida State Prison in Raiford, FL on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Cole has been on death row for almost 30 years after being convicted in the 1994 murder of 18-year-old John Edwards and rape of his 21-year-old sister at a campground in the Ocala National Forest near Ocala, Florida. Cole and his accomplice William Paul over powered the siblings brutally killing Edwards and tying his sister to a tree raping her and leaving her tied up. Paul was also convicted and is serving life in prison. Sister Rosaline James, part of San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church's parish, said Thursday was her first execution she's ever sat outside of, while others said they have been making the trek to Raiford for more than 30 years. "This is heartbreaking for me," James said. But it warmed her heart, she added, to see so many people come together in opposition of what was happening within the prison walls. James and her fellow sisters repeatedly prayed aloud, "May his soul rest in peace." 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." Anti-death penalty protesters from Our Lady of Lourds Catholic church in Daytona Florida bang the anti-death penalty gong during the execution of Loran Cole at Florida State Prison in Raiford, FL on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Cole has been on death row for almost 30 years after being convicted in the 1994 murder of 18-year-old John Edwards and rape of his 21-year-old sister at a campground in the Ocala National Forest near Ocala, Florida. Cole and his accomplice William Paul over powered the siblings brutally killing Edwards and tying his sister to a tree raping her and leaving her tied up. Paul was also convicted and is serving life in prison. 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." "This is no system of orderly justice." This story includes previously reported information, including from the Ocala Star-Banner, a member 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: Florida executes Loran Cole for 1994 killing of FSU student 'They are all dogs.' Texts by execs could haunt Kroger merger with Albertsons PORTLAND, Ore. Key to winning antitrust approval of its $25 billion takeover of Albertsons, Kroger plans to sell off 579 stores to what it has described as a strong competitor, so there would be no worries about potential monopolies. During testimony in a court hearing over the controversial merger's fate, executives with Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers answered questions about their vision for the future. But one also faced questions about text messages she made in the past and that might create doubt about her companys commitment to compete. On the stand, Alona Florenz, a senior vice president at C&S Wholesale, was asked about texts between her and a colleague who appeared to be mocking the financial health of stores their company was acquiring in a planned 2021 merger between two New York grocers, Tops Markets and Price Chopper. Right now, I think we should buy all the Tops stores LOL, Florenz wrote. If we do, they are happy and you can spend a year finding other buyers. Her colleague replied: There are no buyers they are all dogs. The two continued to joke that another colleague should be put in charge because he thinks he can run retail, while they later noted the company could make out on the wholesale part of the transaction. The apparent cynicism of the texts evokes the worst fears about C&S Wholesales role in the deal. Regulators at the Federal Trade Commission, who have sued to kill the merger, have raised doubts in their case that C&S Wholesale is either strong enough or experienced enough to handle all the stores. The company has also bought supermarkets in the past and sold them after securing long-term distribution deals with buyers. C&S is insufficient it has a poor record of operating supermarkets, Laura Hall, the FTCs senior trial counsel said Monday during opening statements, adding the company had never operated more than 110 stores. On Thursday, lawyers for the FTC also noted that C&S Wholesale was acquiring the stores for a relatively low price of $2.9 billion, not much more than the underlying value of the real estate. A private company, C&S Wholesale is one of the nations largest supermarket suppliers, but it only has a modest retail footprint. It owns 25 supermarkets: about a dozen Piggly Wiggly stores in Wisconsin and 11 Grand Union stores in upstate New York the latter acquired from divested locations in the Tops-Price Chopper merger. The texts came up in court after C&S Wholesales president of retail operations, Mark McGowan, spent two hours testifying about how the company was transforming its business model from mostly wholesale to also becoming a major supermarket operator. During that testimony, he admitted the New York stores acquired from the previous divestiture were losing an average of $1 million to $3 million annually but said the company was committed to turning them around. Grand Union is not achieving our expectations, though improving, McGowan said. For the latest on Kroger, P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'They are all dogs.' Texts could haunt Kroger merger with Albertsons FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Over 20 members of a statewide retail crime organization were arrested after stealing approximately $1 million worth of marijuana from dispensaries across the state, including in Fresno and Merced counties, according to the California Department of Justice. According to the California DOJ, Operation Sticky Fingers identified 22 suspects as responsible for stealing 975 pounds of marijuana from at least 15 dispensaries across nine counties. The DOJ says the group burglarized dispensaries in Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, Solano County, Kern County, San Luis Obispo County, Fresno County, Merced County, Sonoma County, and San Diego County. These burglaries are damaging the livelihoods of law-abiding business owners, and we will not tolerate it, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said. Our detectives have done outstanding work on these cases, and with the help and collaboration of over a dozen other agencies, these individuals will now have to answer for their crimes. Search warrants were served on July 17, resulting in the arrests of 22 alleged conspirators and the seizure of over 50 pounds of marijuana. On July 22, the DOJ filed criminal complaints charging the suspects with commercial burglary, grand theft, organized retail theft, and conspiracy to commit a 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. The Dominican Republic's highest court is hearing a challenge to the nation's laws prohibiting law enforcement officers from engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activities. The Human Rights Watch previously filed a brief challenging article 210 of the Code of Justice of the National Police and article 260 of the Code of Justice of the Armed Forces in the country, punish same-sex sodomy by officers with up to two years in prison. These draconian laws are a stain on the Dominican Republics human rights record and contribute to an unchecked discriminatory environment in the police and armed forces, said Cristian Gonzalez Cabrera, senior researcher at HRW. State-sanctioned bigotry has no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law and in a region that has mostly disavowed the criminalization of private sexual acts between people of the same sex. The Dominican Republic does not ban same-sex conduct by private individuals, only in the military and police, though the HRW notes that the country "lags behind on LGBT rights, lacking comprehensive civil anti-discrimination legislation, same-sex marriage or civil union rights, and gender identity recognition for transgender individuals." The laws involving law enforcement also make the Dominican Republic one of the few remaining countries in the Americas to criminalize same-sex relations. The previous director of the National Police told a congressional committee in 2014 that existing legislation does not allow people who are homosexual to be part of the force. When asked what would happen to homosexual officers already in the police force, the then-director did not directly answer and asked for them to be identified, according to reports from the time. President Luis Abinader and Congress should not wait for the Constitutional Court ruling and should promptly introduce legislation to repeal these outdated and discriminatory laws that meddle in officers private lives, Gonzalez continued. Repealing these laws would send a strong signal to LGBT people and the world that the principles of equality and nondiscrimination are of the utmost importance in the Dominican Republic. Donald Trump claims 107% of new jobs are being taken by illegal immigrants Donald Trump has wildly claimed that 107 percent of new jobs have been taken by illegal immigrants. Trump made the baseless claim at a town hall event on Thursday night in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, after a woman in the crowd told him she was worried about illegal immigrants taking away opportunities from Americans. The Republican presidential nominee responded: Its going to start with the Black population. African Americans are losing their jobs. And I dont know if you heard the latest statistic, that of the jobs that these people created, which is very little, every single job was taken about 107 percent was taken by illegal immigrants. Theres been no job creation by them, the jobs were filled by illegal immigrants. His statistic which does not make mathematical sense and was not backed up by any evidence prompted the crowd to boo and jeer at the made-up figure and he was not scrutinized further by town hall host Tulsi Gabbard. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the town hall event in La Crosse, Wisconsin (REUTERS) Trump then outlined his plans for tackling immigration. Were gonna be closing the border really closing it, he said, before launching into another attack on Kamala Harris, whose interview on CNN aired shortly after Trumps town hall. Republicans Against Trump shared the clip on X and said: Math isnt Donalds subject. The former president previously said the figure was 100 percent. Virtually 100% of the new jobs under Biden have also gone to illegal aliens, Trump said back in June. More than 15 million jobs have been created since January 2021 when President Joe Biden took office. And while the population of unauthorized immigrants has risen in recent years, it is not enough to take all of the jobs created during Bidens presidency. Throughout this presidential election campaign, Trump has pitched his anti-immigration platform as a way to attract Black voters. He sparked outrage for claiming immigrants were taking away Black jobs during the CNN debate with Biden. Michelle Obama speaking during the Democratic National Convention (AP) Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that his administration has done more for Black workers than any other president, including achieving the lowest Black unemployment rate and poverty rate while he was in office. But those record lows were eclipsed by figures during the Biden administration. In a speech to the NAACPs 115th national convention in Las Vegas on 17 July, Biden said Trump is lying like hell about Black unemployment when that figure hit a record low while he was in office. While employment gains since 2018 have almost entirely come from workers who werent born in the US, they are nearly all naturalized US citizens and legal residents not illegals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He was eviscerated by Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention, who said: Whos going to tell him that the job hes currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs? Donald Trump returns to Wisconsin for town hall event that hit on major campaign themes LA CROSSE Former President Donald Trump's first visit to Wisconsin since last month's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee took the form of a town hall event where he fielded questions from selected attendees and turned the answers into wide-ranging campaign talking points. Former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard emceed the Thursday night event. The former president, who has frequently espoused conspiracy theories about the 2020 election which he lost in Wisconsin by about 20,000 votes to Democratic President Joe Biden declared "we're not going to have a country" if he does not win in November. Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse Wis. The town hall format was hosted by former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Despite the town hall format a departure from Trump's usual rallies the event took on a similar tone to the former president's previous visits to this battleground state, largely following the candidate's usual themes, though the event was much shorter, clocking in at about 35 minutes. Campaign staffers said the event ended early because of an incoming storm. Gabbard and attendees asked Trump questions on subjects ranging from in vitro fertilization to immigration to national security. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, noted that she and former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., both recently endorsed Trump. She began the event with a conversation about IVF, sharing her own story about the "difficult process." Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse Wis. The town hall format was hosted by former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Trump pledged that under his administration, either the federal government would pay for the expensive process or it would mandate insurance companies to do so, a pledge he announced earlier in the day. "We want to produce babies in this country," he said. Trump in his introductory speech called Vice President Kamala Harris a Marxist and attacked her for not talking with the news outlets. A prerecorded, unscripted interview with Harris aired on CNN Thursday evening. "She's not the brightest light in the city," he said, to cheers from the crowd. Thousands of people gathered at the La Crosse Center Thursday evening, with more people turned away at the doors. Attendees were raucous ahead of Trump's arrival, yelling and chanting "USA" while doing the wave around the small arena. Organizers passed out Trump-Vance campaign signs, which supporters eagerly waved. The loudest cheers and shouts were often in response to insults against Harris. People sing the National Anthem as former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis. The town hall format was hosted by former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. At one point, Trump blamed Harris for the growing number of immigrants entering the United States. "That's Kamala, allowing it to happen, and they actually want to give them papers," he said. "They want to make them citizens and they want to give them your Social Security." The former president also took aim at Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, calling him "weird" to ear-splitting cheers, and said his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, is doing a good job for the campaign despite first being called "weird" by Walz. "He's not weird, and I'm not weird. I mean, we're a lot of things. We're not weird," Trump said of himself and his running mate. He also alleged that Walz has sought to add tampons to boys' school bathrooms and would allow abortions at nine months, a claim that has previously been debunked. The state measure on access to tampons guarantees access to the products for all menstruating students. According to the New York Times, schools in Minnesota typically responded to the law by supplying the products in girls' and gender-neutral restrooms and school nurse offices. At a news conference Thursday morning in La Crosse, Democrats aimed to contrast Trump and Harris' economic agendas. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez said Harris is the "only one in this race to put forward a plan that would actually lower costs for working families." Harris unveiled parts of her economic plan earlier this month, including up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, a $6,000 tax credit for families with newborns, and a federal ban on price gouging of food and groceries. "As Trump comes into our home area, preaching falsehoods while promising to push our communities backwards, it's time to face the facts and ask: Why are Donald Trump and JD Vance still trying to slash taxes for billionaires and large corporations at the expense of working families?" state Rep. Jill Billings, who represents the La Crosse area, said. Democrats on Thursday said Trump's economic plans would cost middle-class families an extra $4,000 per year. PolitiFact found that estimate is higher than other projections for how Trump's proposal for a 10% tariff on nondomestic goods would affect consumers. "The contrast this November could not be more clear. Only Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz are championing the opportunity economy for all Americans. Whether you live in small towns or rural places or big cities, all Americans have a chance to compete and to succeed," Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said at the press conference. In a release before the event, a number of La Crosse medical providers asked questions of Trump in a press release. My question for former president Trump is how he could brag about killing Roe v. Wade and then turn around and say his administration would be great for women, said Dr. Bob Freedland, an ophthalmologist. That Supreme Court decision, which happened due to Trump hand-selecting three of the Supreme Court justices, allowed Wisconsins abortion ban to go back into effect, putting womens health, future fertility, and very lives on the line. You dont have to be a doctor to see that Trumps actions havent just been not great for women, but disastrous. (Abortions were unavailable in Wisconsin for about 15 months under an 1849 law reinstated after the Roe decision. A Dane County judge reversed the ban in a ruling that is being appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.) More: The word you seldom hear during Republican National Convention speeches: abortion Trump attempts to raise Republican enthusiasm to match Democrats Trump's visit follows a dramatic shift in enthusiasm among Wisconsin voters following Democratic President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race and Harris ascendance to the top of the ticket, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. For months ahead of the shift, Marquette University Law School polls showed only about 40% of Wisconsin Democrats describing themselves as "very enthusiastic" about voting in November a massive deficit compared to nearly 60% of Republicans who felt that way. More: Kamala Harris, Tim Walz hold rousing rally at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Republican VP nominee JD Vance in Kenosha: Recap Following the ticket shakeup, a Marquette poll released earlier this month saw that gap effectively close, with 62% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents very enthusiastic about voting, compared to 64% of Republicans and Republican leaners. Billings, the state lawmaker from La Crosse, said "we have never seen so much visiting from candidates" on the federal level. Harris and Walz stopped in nearby Eau Claire for a rally shortly after he was named her running mate, and Walz plans visit Milwaukee on Labor Day. "That was a fatal mistake in the past, and that hasn't happened this year. Our cities have gotten a lot of face time with Democratic candidates, and we appreciate that," she said. Mark Hoffman of the Journal Sentinel contributed. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump returns to Wisconsin for town hall event in La Crosse Lin Zhanxi (C) checks growth of Juncao in Yongtai County in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 28, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests. Juncao means "mushroom" and "grass" in Chinese. Its versatility is a key feature, allowing it to grow edible mushrooms, provide livestock feed and help battle desertification. Since the 1990s, China has shared the technology with over 100 countries by opening training classes and conducting on-site demonstrations. Lin's daughter Lin Dongmei, resigned a job in Singapore and returned home to assist her father in 2003. Lin Dongmei is now overseeing the African project of Chinese Juncao technology. Over the years, the Juncao research team led by Lin Zhanxi has trained more than 8,000 people for African countries, helping African farmers combat poverty and promoting cooperation between China and Africa. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi shows a wild fungus in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi works in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 28, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi is pictured in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 28, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi smells a wild fungus in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi (R) and his daughter Lin Dongmei (C) check a wild fungus in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi (2nd R) and his daughter Lin Dongmei (1st R) introduce Juncao technology to Rwandan students at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Dongmei introduces a Juncao plant to Rwandan students at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) Lin Zhanxi (L) and his daughter Lin Dongmei pose for photo in the Sahara Desert in Egypt, Sept. 16, 2005. Since the 1980s, Lin Zhanxi has led a research team on Juncao technology in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The hybrid grass technology enables fungi to grow on grass-based substrates instead of felled trees, a solution to the mushroom industry's threat to forests.(Xinhua) Former U.S President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images) Update: A spokesperson for Donald Trump said Thursday night that the former president had not said how hell vote on Amendment 4. 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, said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign national press secretary. Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that Floridas law banning most abortions after six weeks is too short, but was cagy about whether that means he will vote for Amendment 4 this fall, which would enshrine a womans right to an abortion in the states Constitution. I think the six weeks is too short; it has to be more time, and Ive told them I want more weeks, Trump told NBC News Dasha Burns. Thats not the first time that the former president has spoken critically about Floridas abortion law, voted in by the states Republican-led Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. Because of a lawsuit, the six-week ban did not go into effect until May 1 of this year. Burns then asked Trump, a Florida resident, if that meant he would support the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would restore the right to an abortion up until viability (considered to be around 24 weeks). I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, he replied, not directly answering the question. He went on to praise himself for appointing the three U.S. Supreme Court Justices during his first term as president who all voted to strike down the Roe v. Wade decision in 2022. I got it down. They wanted it to go back to the states, he added. In addition to Florida, nine states have abortion rights measures on their ballots in November. In the seven states that have voted on abortion since the 2022 Dobbs decision, all have restored abortion rights. Trump has tried to have it both ways. He has boasted that he is the man most responsible for overturning Roe by appointing the conservative justices (Brett Kavanaugh, Neal Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett) who voted to do that. But he has disappointed anti-abortion activists by saying earlier this year that he wants the issue to be decided by the individual states, and not by the federal government. Despite that claim, Democrats such as Kamala Harris have maintained that he will ban abortion nationally if re-elected in the fall. Torn apart Our countrys been torn apart by Roe v. Wade for years, years, Trump told Burns. And if you go back 10 years, 15 years, all they wanted to do was, they wanted it back in the states, they didnt want it to be in the federal government, he added though they were people who oppose abortion rights, not those who support them. If in fact Trump is supporting Amendment 4, that would be in direct conflict with the positions of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the entire Republican establishment in the state, who are spending considerable resources to try to defeat the amendment, which requires 60% of the vote to become law. Some recent polls have shown the measure coming in below that 60%. A Florida Atlantic University survey of more than 1,000 likely voters in Florida released earlier this month showed the measure getting 56% support, with 29% opposing and 23% saying that theyre not sure how theyll vote. Other surveys have shown enough support for the measure to pass. Later on Thursday night, the Harris campaign weighed in on the former presidents comments. Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide, said spokesperson Sarafina Chitika in a statement. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid. 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. WASHINGTON Facing a backlash from anti-abortion advocates, Former President Donald Trump said Friday he will vote against a ballot measure in his home state of Florida that would overturn the state's six-week abortion ban. His decision is a turnaround from just 24 hours earlier, when he appeared open to the amendment. Trump, the Republican nominee, said he will vote no on Florida Amendment 4 in an interview with Fox News despite also maintaining that he believes the state's six-week ban is too strict. "I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks," Trump said. "I disagreed with that right from the early primaries. When I heard about it, I disagreed with it. At the same time, the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation where you can do an abortion in the ninth month." Trump added: "All of that stuff is unacceptable, so I'll be voting no for that reason." More: Trump says he wants IVF treatment fully covered, rejects Florida 6-week abortion ban President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally at 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on August 30, 2024. Florida law bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is roughly around six weeks of pregnancy. It was pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and supported by Republican leaders across the state, where Trump calls home and casts his ballot. Abortion rights advocates are seeking to overturn it with a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution. The measure reads: "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider." The amendment does not have any language about allowing abortions up to the ninth month of a pregnancy. Trump's position on the abortion amendment, which he's withheld providing for months, came after he seemed to suggest Thursday that he would be voting for it. More: Why evangelicals are upset at Trump, Vance for leaving abortion to states Trump told NBC News on Thursday, "I think the six-week is too short; it has to be more time." And when pressed how he would vote on the amendment, he said: "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." His comments were criticized by Christian conservatives and other anti-abortion advocates. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said Thursday that she spoke to Trump that evening and that he had "not committed to how he will vote" on the amendment. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, slammed Trump's opposition to the abortion amendment. "Donald Trump just made his position on abortion very clear: He will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant," Harris said in a statement. Trump regularly touts appointing three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and its constitutional right to an abortion. Yet he has struggled to navigate post-Roe abortion politics. The Harris campaign has seized on Trump's pivotal role in overturning Roe and worked to make the restoration of abortion protections a top issue in the 2024 election. "Trump proudly brags about the role that he played in overturning Roe v. Wade and said there should be punishment for women who have an abortion," Harris said. "So, of course he thinks its a beautiful thing that women in Florida and across the country are being turned away from emergency rooms, face life-threatening situations, and are forced to travel hundreds of miles for the care they need." Harris added that "he is not done," warning that "Trump and his allies would limit access to birth control, threaten access to fertility treatments and ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress." Trump has not endorsed a national abortion ban, instead saying decisions on the issue should be left up to states. "I trust women to make their own health care decisions and believe the government should never come between a woman and her doctor," Harris said, reiterating her support for legislation in Congress to restore abortion protections. Ahead of announcing his opposition to Florida's abortion amendment, Trump this week said he supports mandating that insurance companies cover the costs of in vitro fertilization. The issue entered the national spotlight after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled this year that the embryos created during IVF are legally protected like children after the overturning of Roe. More: 'We want more babies': Trump's IVF plan draws flak from right and left The Harris campaign fired back at Trump's proposal, arguing it shouldn't be taken seriously because Senate Republicans in June voted to block legislation that sought to guarantee access to in vitro fertilization nationwide and require employer-sponsored insurance to cover IVF. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, was among the Republicans who voted to block the bill from advancing. American women are not stupid. And we know the only guaranteed protection for IVF is a new national law, which Kamala Harris supports and Donald Trump opposes, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a Harris surrogate said in a call with reporters Friday. Warren called Trumps proposal smoke and mirrors, noting it was Trumps appointment of three Supreme Court justices that led to the overturning of a constitutional right to an abortion and enabled states to adopt tough new abortion restrictions. It was Donald Trump who opened the door for any extremist judge or extremist state legislature to ban IVF, Warren said. The Harris campaign is launching a 50-stop Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour on Tuesday that will seek to hold Trump directly accountable for the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its repercussions. The tour begins in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump resides. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he will vote no on Florida's abortion amendment Donald Trump on Thursday falsely claimed that babies can be executed after birth in six states, including Minnesota where vice presidential nominee Tim Walz presides as governor. (Watch the video below.) The wearying refrain from the Republican presidential nominee came with multiple misleading or incorrect comments as he riled up his base. The anecdote also deflected his responsibility for appointing three Supreme Court judges who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, historically reducing womens reproductive rights. I just did an interview backstage with a very terrible person but shes OK, actually, Trump told the crowd. It was NBC fake news. She asked me about all sorts of things. She asked me about abortion and I handled it very nicely because you know what? Thats so overplayed. We have abortion. We have the whole thing brought back into the states where it belongs. Thats where everybody wanted it for years and years and years. I was just telling this reporter the real problem and the real radicals on that issue are the Democrats where you can have an abortion in the ninth month, he continued shortly after. And in six states youre allowed to kill the baby after the baby is born. And you know, one of those states is Minnesota where this Tampon Tim comes from, he added, using his nickname for Walz, who signed a bill to make tampons available in public schools. Youre allowed to execute the baby, Trump concluded. Youre not allowed to execute the baby. That includes Minnesota. Related... Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia on Thursday. Some of Harriss biggest donors are urging her to drop her proposal to tax unrealized gains (AFP via Getty Images) Kamala Harriss wealthy backers are urging her to ditch a proposed tax on ultra-rich Americans, a new report reveals. Harris said she supports a plan that would require Americans worth at least $100 million to pay taxes on unrealized gains. Currently, the government only taxes profits from stocks known as capital gains once theyre sold. Under her proposal, these assets would be taxed as they gain value, regardless of whether theyve been sold. An estimated 10,000 ultra-wealthy Americans would be impacted by this tax, NBC News reports. The plan would only apply to individuals with at least $100 million in wealth who do not pay at least a 25 percent rate on their income. Those ultra-wealthy Americans would also only pay taxes on unrealized capital gains if at least 80 percent of their wealth is in tradeable assets. Now, some donors are urging Harris to drop the proposal, the Times reports, citing seven sources familiar with the situation. Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia on Thursday. Some of Harriss biggest donors are urging her to drop her proposal to tax unrealized gains (Getty Images) Several donors have complained about the plan to top allies and campaign staffers. At least one of these top donors has spoken with Harris personally, encouraging the vice president to consider alternate proposals such as taxing ultra-wealthy Americans on borrowing against their wealth, according to the Times. Other top donors, however, have publicly said they arent too concerned as policies havent been solidified. In my interactions with them, the key is she focuses on her values and is not an ideologue about any particular program, billionaire Mark Cuban told the Times. From what Ive been told, everything is on the table, nothings been decided yet. The Harris campaign also told the Times that the vice president believes billionaires and large corporations should pay their fair share in taxes, like everyone else. They should have to pay a minimum tax rate because its not right that they pay a lower income tax rate than a teacher or firefighter, spokesperson Charles Kretchmer Lutvak told the outlet. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign is seeing a healthy flow of cash. Her campaign raised $310 million in the last 10 days of July more than double the Trump campaigns $138 million over the whole month with a big boost from grassroots and first-time donors after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed the vice president. Harris has also released other tax proposals, including increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent, which Trump set into law during his presidency. The plan could reduce the deficit by $1 trillion over 10 years, according to analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Harris, like Trump, has also supported policies to end taxes on tips. However, she has proposed a $75,000 annual income cap on the framework to prevent higher earners from avoiding taxes on their tips. The Independent has contacted Harriss campaign for comment. Rubble from the tornado that hit Bamberg in January sits behind a former antique shop on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) BAMBERG Even though he has lived in Bamberg most of his life, Corey Ramsey couldnt remember anything quite like getting hit by two major storms in less than a year. Only seven months after a tornado swept through the small town 60 miles south of Columbia, Tropical Storm Debby drenched the area with rain. This is probably the (storm) that will be etched in my memory, said Ramsey, a Bamberg city councilman. Tropical Storm Debby didnt hit the area nearly as hard as some other parts of the state. But the damage was amplified by the fact that Bamberg was still in recovery mode from a Jan. 9 twister. Estimated to be about 400 yards wide with winds up to 125 miles per hour, it destroyed buildings along the citys main drag, tearing roofs from businesses and collapsing one home. No one died during either storm, which officials consider lucky. But residents felt the devastation in other ways. Bamberg County was already struggling. The poor, rural county in southwestern South Carolina centered between interstates 20, 26 and 95 and, to the west, the Georgia border is home to fewer than 13,000 people and lacks any major industries. Officials have been working to improve downtown Bamberg, the county seat, in recent years. But those plans are on pause as they clean up from the two natural disasters. And, while locals hope the close-knit community will stay put, some may be forced to move after the storms, further decreasing a dwindling population, Ramsey said. Its not so much that there was a lot of damage, but its just the fact that it was a double whammy. Its the fact that we just came through that tornado in January, he said. Months later, here we are again, Ramsey added. That will always shake a community. Massive economic blow Instead of a Main Street, Bamberg has Main Highway. U.S. 301 cuts through the middle of downtown. Steel bars line the sidewalks, separating pedestrians from speeding trucks. For years, most of the storefronts along this main drag have been vacant, though at different points in time, the street had a gym, an antique store, a market and a historic movie theater used as an event space. After the tornado, the vacant shops are now unusable without significant repairs. Rubble from the tornado remains along the main strip. Through the broken window of an antique store, passersby can still see paintings and pottery mixed with chunks of broken ceiling. Bits of debris and caved-in ceiling sit in a window with a painted sign for Bamberg Fitness Center. The bright red, L-shaped sign that once marked the historic Little Theatre is gone, toppled during the storm. A blinking open sign outside B&B Meat and Fish Market invites people into the deli. The owner keeps the front door locked because no one comes in that way anymore, he said. There is no doubt this storm has done much more than property damage, County Administrator Joey Preston wrote in a letter to Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, in January. Prior to January 9, Bamberg County was already a poverty-stricken community with its citizens simply trying to stay afloat, but after this massive economic blow, they are faced with an even steeper mountain to climb. Engineers determined four of the buildings along Main Highway were unstable and needed to be demolished. For three months, the portion of highway that ran through downtown Bamberg remained closed. Semi-trucks and cars instead had to detour down a nearby residential road. Few travelers stopped at the gas stations, restaurants or corner stores lining the main strip. If it stops traffic, it stops the flow of money, Ramsey said. Down the road, a general manager narrowly escaped Oak to Barrel, a whiskey barrel manufacturing company, before the building collapsed. Rumors swirled that the owner would relocate or some of the 40 employees suddenly without a job might move away. We need you, and our citizens need these jobs, Mayor Nancy Foster told owner Eddie Hill soon after the tornado. Hill told local officials he wanted to stay put. But the company, along with the countys residents, needs to know there are safeguards in place to keep this from happening again, Preston wrote in his letter. Losing Oak to Barrel would be devastating for the city, Ramsey said. For us to lose that company, it shifts the economics of the area, Ramsey said. The county had already lost one of its largest employers in 2020. Rockland Industries, a textiles factory, closed its doors and laid off 133 employees after nearly 60 years in the area. That same year, Tobul Accumulators left the location in Bamberg where it had manufactured hydraulics for 33 years, leaving 40 people without jobs. It hurts these areas when those companies go down, Rep. Bamberg said. Only six remaining companies in the county employ more than 100 people. Most of the countys employers have four or fewer workers, according to the state Department of Employment and Workforce. Tornado recovery Losing business also means losing tax revenue. And without tax revenue, the county and city struggled to pay for cleanup. Officials estimate the tornado caused upwards of $3 million in damage. Gov. Henry McMaster asked for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but agency officials determined the damages were not enough to warrant its help. The agency considers a number of factors in determining whether to grant assistance, an agency spokesperson said in an email. That includes the amount of damage, any casualties, how many people in the area have insurance and what local resources are available. Based on officials evaluation, Bambergs destruction did not meet that threshold. When you have a natural disaster and now youve got to find the money to take care of that, wheres the money going to come from? Rep. Bamberg said. The state budget this year included $1 million so that the town of Bamberg can get back on its feet, Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto wrote in a letter requesting the funding. That money was meant to supplement what the city might have gotten from the federal agency, the Orangeburg Democrat wrote. It will help the county recoup some of what it spent on demolishing four buildings along the Main Highway, paying overtime for emergency workers and cleaning up debris, Hutto told the SC Daily Gazette on Wednesday. They wouldnt usually get one (of these storms) in a generation, and they happened to get two of them at the same time, Hutto said. Well get there again The traffic along U.S. 301 is only a fraction of what it once was, Ramsey said. In the 1970s, Bambergs location along what was then the main corridor from north to south across the state made it a prime stop for travelers. For most of the decade, the county, though still small, was growing, with more than 18,000 people living there in 1980, according to the Census data. At the same time, though, crews were building Interstate 95 to the east. After the interstate running parallel to the existing highway opened in the late 1970s, traffic started to slow, Rep. Bamberg said. It was the creation of I-95 that really sucked the life out of this geographic region of the state, he said. The population dwindled. In 2023, Bamberg County had just under 13,000 residents. If Bamberg County continues on its current trend, 7,800 people will live there by 2040, according to projections by the states Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. About 22% of the countys population lives in poverty. In June, the unemployment rate was 8.4%, compared to 3.6% for the state as a whole, according to the state Department of Employment and Workforce. The median household income in Bamberg County is $43,920 just over $20,000 less than the median South Carolina resident makes, according to the Census Bureau. Local officials want to restore Bamberg to what it once was, drawing tourists and more residents. Ramsey envisions a downtown area filled with local shops and chain stores, sidewalks without fencing and green spaces filled with trees and flowers. There are times when I look back at some of the pictures from years ago, maybe long before I was even thought of, and I see the town. I see individuals moving throughout the town, and I know that well get there again, Ramsey said. Officials have made some strides toward that goal. They plan on opening a welcome center and tourism building once the county collects the $150,000 set aside for it in the local penny sales tax that passed in 2018. Last year, the city opened Bamberg Veterans Park on a lot along Main Highway that was left vacant following a fire. Any other plans to develop the downtown area, however, went on hold after the tornado. Just as Bamberg County was beginning to experience minimal economic growth, this tornado literally ripped the rug from underneath us, Preston wrote in his letter to state officials. The same is true after the flood. Anything unplanned for here that requires you to immediately address it and costs your local government anything is a setback, Bamberg said. Rural revitalization Ramsey spent about nine years away from Bamberg. After graduating college, he lived in Greenville, then Orangeburg, before moving back home. He loves his hometown, and he thought he could help turn it into the thriving place he thought it could become, he said. Unlike Ramsey, though, most people who leave Bamberg dont come back. What rural counties like Bamberg need to really bounce back is for people particularly young people to move there and stay there, Rep. Bamberg and Sen. Hutto said. To attract people, those counties need jobs. But to attract those jobs, the counties need people. Few people want to move to an area with few resources, but as residents leave rural areas, necessities tend to go with them. Bambergs hospital closed in 2012. The county has one school district after consolidating in 2022. The citys only grocery store is a Piggly Wiggly that opened in 2020. Even if people want to move to a rural area, finding a place to live can be difficult. Places like Bamberg have few available houses, and even those are typically not affordable, Hutto said. Theres got to be a home for them to live in, he said. Theres got to be a grocery store for them to shop in. Major companies often look for buildings that can fit their operations, or at least pieces of land they can start building on right away. But running water, sewer, electricity and broadband out to otherwise unused parcels of land costs money money that local governments often dont have to spend, Bamberg said. Companies that open in the states poorest companies can get up to $25,000 in tax breaks per job created. But the state needs to do more to encourage them to consider rural areas, Bamberg said. He plans to file a bill this coming legislative session that would exempt anyone working as a teacher or health care professional from paying income taxes for the first five years they lived in a poor county. His proposal would also give companies the ability to offer their workers a similar tax break, he said. The bill would expand on one he filed in 2019, which failed to even get a hearing. But hes hopeful that next year the idea will get more traction. If we can pull that off, talk about a boom of people moving to that part of the state, Bamberg said. One major investment from a company willing to open and stay in Bamberg could transform the area, he said. At that point, you hit reset on these areas, Bamberg said. That would be the spark to get us back to where we were. Double whammy Tommy Axson was washing dishes when the tornado hit in January. Standing over the sink, he watched the storm roll in through his kitchen window. As the winds picked up, a huge oak tree in a neighbors lawn crashed to the street, shaking Axsons house. In the end, Axsons house did not have all that much damage, especially compared to buildings a few blocks away that the storm reduced to rubble. The winds tore some shingles off his roof, so his landlord hired someone to replace them, he said. When Tropical Storm Debby drenched the area at the beginning of August, water started to drip through Axsons ceiling. He realized the shingles had not been sealed properly after the tornado. I was like, What? What have we done? Who angered the gods? Axson said of the double storms. The rain knocked a fist-sized chunk of ceiling loose in the kitchen and left yellowing stains underneath his chimney, which was the part of the roof the tornado hit hardest, he said. A strategically placed bucket caught most of the water. I call it my redneck drain, Axson said. A roofer came out and resealed the shingles not long after the storm. Axson is still waiting for the ceiling to get repaired, but at this point, hes mostly grateful the damage wasnt worse, he said. Flooding is typical for Bamberg County, which sits alongside the Edisto River. Tropical Storm Debby dumped more rain than usual on the area, prompting an evacuation alert Aug. 9 for people living in the river basin. Emergency crews had to rescue three people and two dogs. Even after the tropical storm moved on, the rain continued. We probably had about a week and a half straight of rain, just uncontrollable rain, in the night, in the afternoon, in the morning. said Alisha Moore, the county spokesperson. That just made it that much more daunting for people, who said, OK, this water is never going to come down. The total damage is still unknown, but only a handful of houses had reported issues as of Thursday, Ramsey said. On one of the countys roads near the river, Mykie Jean, co-owner of Monarch Ranch butterfly conservatory, said she was grateful the flooding was not nearly as bad as she expected. She hadnt heard of any major damage, she said. We were prepared for the worst, Jean said. If wed been closer to the water, it wouldve been a different story. The countys biggest concern is how it will fix washed-out roads. Portions of 19 streets, mainly rural dirt roads, remained closed through last week. The flooding had receded, leaving behind large potholes and lingering puddles. The damage will likely cost the county more than $60,000 to fix, Preston said in an email. He expects that to be enough for the county to qualify for federal aid, he added. The county has only a handful of workers who can fix those roads, so despite their best efforts, progress has been slow, Moore said. We are a small county, and we just dont have the manpower to have several teams out covering multiple roads at the same time, Moore said. Moving forward Moore had only been living in Bamberg for a month when the tornado knocked a tree through her bedroom window. The next day, before heading to work, she struggled to nail trash bags over the broken glass in an effort to protect her house from the elements. As new as she was to the area, a neighbor noticed and stopped to help, she said. That sort of small-town camaraderie is what has gotten Bamberg through tornado cleanup and flooding, and its what will continue to get Bamberg through whatever comes next, Ramsey said. When youre in a small area, especially a rural area, youre grateful for Uncle Johnny, if you will, to be able to grab his chainsaw and grab his pickup and be able to aid the young lady down the road or the older couple down the road, Ramsey said. Bamberg residents and officials know another storm will hit. The question is when and how much damage it will leave behind, Preston said. Following historic trends, we are anticipating at least another severe weather event in the next 12 months, Preston said in an email. We expect this trend to continue. While Bamberg County cant stop natural disasters, some solutions can ensure residents are prepared. After two tornadoes in the course of two years another hit a more rural part of the county in 2022 officials are considering installing sirens as an extra warning for residents to take cover, Ramsey said. Officials are also looking to increase how much water the sewer system can handle and expand existing ditches that help drain water, Ramsey said. He couldnt provide specifics for any of the projects, saying theyre still in the planning stages. For a county with a small local tax base, though, finding the funds is difficult, he said. The county sought $11 million from the state for several projects, including fixing the county courthouse, which was in disrepair long before the tornado. It instead got $1.5 million in a budget earmark sponsored by Rep. Bamberg, building on a $1 million earmark in last years budget for the courthouse. For the time being, county officials are waiting to see if another storm hits. Were still in hurricane season, Moore said. We hope that we dont have a repeat of this in a month or so. State agricultural officials are investigating after dozens of horses reportedly fell ill and died last week at an Oklahoma ranch thats known for breeding generations of award-winning rodeo livestock. As many as 40 to 70 horses died at the Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. farm near Elk City, which is about 110 miles west of Oklahoma City, after eating a bulk feed thats suspected of having been contaminated, according to local reports. The ranchs co-owner, Bennie Beutler, told local station News 9 that the horses started dying not long after eating the feed. A woman reaches out to a horse. Dozens of horses reportedly died at an Oklahoma ranch last week after eating a bulk feed that's suspected of having been contaminated. ljubaphoto via Getty Images We put the feed out and we lost a couple that morning, lost some more that afternoon, Beutler said. I said Its gotta be the feed, they dont just lay down and do that. Kaitlyn Hall, who owns the Lazy H Equine ranch a few miles away, told ABC affiliate KOCO that Beutler got some new feed from a new supplier. Beutler told News 9 that his ranch, which has been breeding rodeo livestock since 1929, still has 140 horses. Some of them are very young, however, and will need to be bottle-fed after losing their mothers. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry confirmed in a statement to HuffPost that it is investigating the incident after a veterinarian reached out last Friday. The feed may have contained monensin, which is given to livestock like cows and sheep but is toxic to horses. Barry Winiker via Getty Images A sample of the feed is being analyzed in two state-certified laboratories. Because the feed originated from Kansas, state authorities there were also contacted, Oklahoma officials said. A representative with the Kansas Department of Agriculture told HuffPost in an email Friday that is reviewing the feed companys records, labeling procedures, and operating procedures to ensure that the appropriate protocols for feed are being followed. The cause behind the illnesses remains unknown at this time, they added. Though officials have not said yet what may have contaminated the feed, multiple outlets have pointed to a drug called monensin sodium as a potential cause. Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen, a veterinarian based in Texas who cares for the Beutler horses, told The Oklahoman that the feed was mixed with a large amount of it. Monensin, also known by the brand name Rumensin, is used to improve the health of cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens when used as a feed ingredient. Monensin is toxic to horses and domestic animals like dogs, however. In a statement, Ohios state veterinarian, Dr. Rod Hall, reminded livestock and pet owners to be judicious in reviewing animal food labels before feeding and to contact a veterinarian if they have any questions or concerns. Representatives with Beutler did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment Friday. Related... Dozens of Michigan schools canceled in the first week. Will students have to make up days? Power outages and extreme heat have already led to dozens of school closings across Michigan over the past five days. And for most districts, it's only the first week of class. The new school year still has the rest of summer and all of winter to go, which means it's possible public schools will cancel for even more extreme heat days and snow days. Many large districts, such as Ann Arbor Public Schools, publish guidelines around when school will be closed due to inclement weather. And more recently, it appears the age and quality of school buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old, contribute to school closures. Some of the districts that closed or called a half day, including Detroit Public Schools Community District, cited a lack of modern air-conditioning as a factor creating dangerous conditions in schools. Some schools lost power in inclement weather in the week. But days missed could create the necessity for makeup days. Here's what Michigan law says about when students have to make up school days: Required hours, days of instruction Under Michigan law, public schools are required to offer 1,098 hours of instruction every school year, with 180 minimum days of instruction, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Forgiven days But Michigan is a snowy state. So, there's a little wiggle room in the event of a snow day. Districts can forgive up to six days (as well as the hours in those days) toward the 180-day requirement, if conditions out of the school's control arise, such as a snowstorms, health conditions (like the sudden spread of an illness), power outages and more. More: More thunderstorms, high winds headed to southeast Michigan by Friday evening Snow day waivers, online option If dangerous weather persists beyond the six forgiven days, schools can request additional forgiven days through a snow day waiver from the state. Some districts in recent years have pivoted to online instruction for a day or two after exhausting their six days. Adding minutes But students and schools have to make up lost classroom time anytime beyond the six forgiven days (and any additional days waived). According to the Michigan Department of Education, some schools have added minutes onto school days to reach the instructional time minimum required by the state. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Michigan schools decide when to add makeup days for bad weather There are two instances in recent times where the 'tried and tested' methods have been replaced with a new simpler and less traumatic procedure - Getty Click here to view this content. There are two notable instances in recent times where lateral thinking displaced the tried and tested with a new simpler and less traumatic procedure. The first concerns Dupuytrens contracture of the hand that starts with a small knot of fibrous tissue in the palm. This progresses insidiously, pulling forward the ring and little finger in a claw-like deformity compromising everyday activities of washing, eating, picking up objects and so on. When severe, this warrants a major corrective operation under general anaesthesia, cutting away the fibrous cords, filling the gap with a skin graft followed by several weeks of bandages and splints to allow the hand to heal. Radically simpler, French surgeon Jean-Luc Lermusiaux proposed instead a needle fasciotomy perforating the skin over the fibrous cords with a needle 20-30 times, like a sheet of stamps, and then forcibly extending the fingers. No more stressful than a visit to the dentist, patients are astounded at the immediate improvement that allows them to drive home afterwards and return to work the following day. Next, much more dramatic still, is the transformation of the prospect for those with a tightened heart valve or aortic stenosis for which at one time the only option was open heart surgery splitting the sternum, opening the heart, dissecting out the narrowed valve and sewing in a replacement. Rather than this gruelling protracted operation which can take months to recover from, we now have the transcatheter aortic valve implant (TAVI). The practicalities,as many will know, involve introducing a thin catheter into an artery which is then manoeuvred up towards the heart and through which a replacement valve is then implanted. Though ingenious, the TAVI initially came with a high risk of serious complications such as a stroke and so was reserved for those too old (or too ill) for open heart surgery. These drawbacks have since been addressed making it increasingly the treatment of choice for all. The catch to both these immensely useful innovations is that the outcome may not be as satisfactory as that of the original procedure they have displaced. The likelihood of recurrence of the contracture in Duputryens within five years is considerably higher after needle fasciotomy (50 per cent) compared to surgery (20 per cent). As for aortic valve replacement, a modified less traumatic minimally invasive version of the open heart operation,it is reported , is more reliably effective than the TAVI with a higher long term survival rate. Finally, the fraught business of securing an appointment with the family doctor is about to become more so now they plan in pursuit of their latest pay claim to reduce the number of patient encounters from an average of 37 to just 25 a day. Once this maximum has been reached the British Medical Association advises that patients should be diverted to local urgent care settings a nightmare prospect, as recently and lamentably described from personal experience by Allison Pearson in this paper. This capping of the number of daily consultations is not (astonishingly it will seem to many) in breach of their contract. No doubt some family doctors having become accustomed to this more leisurely working arrangement will wish it to continue. And there is the added bonus in providing the time and opportunity to further boost their earnings with some lucrative moonlighting as suggested by the following. I made an appointment to see my family doctor a week in advance only for it to be cancelled at short notice as he was ill, writes a Dorset reader. I could not wait any longer so arranged a consultation the same day at a local GP clinic that cost me 180 which I could scarcely afford. And guess what? Who should I get to see but my ill family doctor! Its a scandal. Email queries and comments in confidence to Drjames@telegraph.co.uk 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Its been three weeks since Hurricane Debby brought downpours to Tampa Bay, and one West Tampa apartment complex is still flooded out. Despite contractors pumping the water out, its parking lot is submerged, and some apartments have major damage. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side Hillsborough County said its crews discovered a drainage pipe under Himes Avenue was obstructed. They are now working to clear it to improve drainage. It was quite bad, but now its getting worse because its above the lake level, said Johnny Navarro-Quyntanilla, a Lake Azzure resident. DeSantis dismisses chatter over possible waning GOP influence The complex is located near Waters and Himes Avenues. Wednesday afternoons rain only added to the already inundated property. Weve been at this for 20-something days with this water situation, resident Madelin Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said her son, Navarro-Quyntanillas car flooded out. He had to pay $200 to be able to go to work because the whole front part of the car fell off, and his trunk was full of water, she said. Its terrible. The leasing office said renters should have insurance to cover their losses. Management also said crews are working to pump the water out, but Gonzalez said it just comes right back. Its been reported, she said. Several neighbors have complained. We have communicated and complained. 8 On Your Side wanted to know why the water is still here, so we asked Hillsborough County. The private drainage system on the apartments property appears to have a collapsed outfall pipe and possibly other functional issues, a spokesperson said. The exact cause of the flooding has not been determined. We dont have information on what to do after something like this, Gonzalez said. We dont know. 8 On Your Side also reached out to the company that owns the complex, and were waiting to hear back. As Hillsborough County is still investigating, we are working to learn why residents believe a new bus stop is a major factor in their flooding. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A man accused of driving drunk and causing a collision that killed a motorcyclist in Arlington admitted he consumed alcohol before the crash and told police he did not stop at the scene to render aid to the victim, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Julie Maldonado, 43, was found in critical condition late Aug. 23 after she was hit by a black Dodge Charger that ran a red light at the intersection of South Watson and Webb Lynn roads. She was taken to a hospital where she died, according to Arlington police. Kenneth Polk, 22, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death. The arrest warrant says a 911 caller first reported Polk after they saw the Dodge Charger hit a motorcyclist and flee the scene. While leaving the area, the Charger struck a nearby mailbox, the witness told police. Another witness told officers that the driver of the Charger did not stop or slow down to avoid the collision and accelerated after hitting Maldonado. The suspect vehicle was found by Grand Prairie officers on Texas 360 near Mayfield Road, according to the warrant. When stopped by officers, Polk said that someone smacked him when he was driving from his friends house back to his home in Forest Hills. He said the other driver kept going when he was making a turn and did not call 911 to report the incident, according to the warrant. Officers noted Polks eyes were glossy and bloodshot. In the warrant, an officer wrote he detected a strong alcohol-like odor coming from Polks breath. Polk said he knew an accident happened and that he was just trying to make it home, according to his interview with police. When asked by an officer to step out of the Dodge Charger, Polk was unsteady with his balance and appeared dizzy, an officer wrote in the warrant. He told the officer he stopped drinking at around 10:45 or 11 p.m. that day, the warrant reads. The crash was reported around 11:20 p.m.. Polk was inconsistent with answering how much alcohol he had consumed, initially saying he had two beers, the warrant says. He followed by saying he had three or four beers. Officers conducted sobriety tests, determining Polk was intoxicated, according to the warrant. He was initially arrested on a charge of intoxication assault and collision involving serious bodily injury. He was being held in the Tarrant County Jail Monday on a $450,000 bond. Family members of the victim organized a GoFundMe to go toward Maldonados funeral. Out of a $20,000 goal, $15,580 was raised as of Thursday. The Tarrant County Sheriffs Office announced in a news conference that police and sheriffs deputies would inundate the streets over the Labor Day weekend to crack down on drunk drivers. Maldonados death is the latest in a series of recent North Texas deaths caused by suspected drunk drivers. Willie Gunn and his girlfriend, Amber Hopewell, and her three children all under the ages of 10 died Aug. 19 when a suspected drunk driver, 19-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez, rear-ended their sedan on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth near the East Seminary Drive exit, causing it to catch fire, police said. Fort Worth police officer Billy Randolph was killed Aug. 12 when he was hit by another suspected drunk driver. He was working the scene of a fiery crash on Interstate 35W at the time of his death, according to police. BEIRUT, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Friday that Lebanon has joined the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), an effort led by Saudi Arabia to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region. "This is an essential step for Lebanon, especially since our southern villages and towns have been exposed to significant environmental and agricultural damage due to Israeli attacks, which requires cooperation with all of Lebanon's friends to help deal with," a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers quoted Mikati as saying. Meanwhile, Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan hailed Lebanon's participation in the initiative, confirming that a high committee has been established to ensure the project's sustainability and facilitate relevant cooperation. Launched by Saudi Arabia in 2021, MGI served as a regional platform for speeding up local green transition with a clear roadmap. It aims to restore 200 million hectares of degraded land, plant 50 billion trees, and increase the vegetation cover by 12 times in the region. As climate change continues to worsen the droughts afflicting Africa, millions of people face starvation as a result. In the southwestern nation of Namibia, nearly half of the 2.5 million citizens are grappling with food insecurity, with 84 percent of its food reserves being exhausted. Now the government is paying hunters to slaughter hippos and elephants to help feed them. "The Ministry will contribute 723 animals comprising 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wilderbeast, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands," the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said in a statement. "The animals are sourced from national parks and communal area with sustainable game numbers." The statement argued that "with the severe drought situation in the country, conflicts are expected to increase if no interventions are made. To this effect, 83 elephants from identified conflict areas will be culled, meat will be allocated to the drought relief program under the Office of the Prime Minister." World Weather Attribution, a collection of scientists and researchers who analyze severe weather events, attributed the current drought to the recent El Nino phenomenon; it did not directly link the drought to climate change, but observed that climate change exacerbates drought conditions during El Nino by increasing aridity. While not much is known about hippopotamus intelligence, a 2022 study in the journal Science found that hippos can recognize the voices of their friends and potential enemies. Elephants, meanwhile, are also smart enough to form sentences with their rumbles and are also uniquely vulnerable to climate change. Conservationists are determined to protect both groups of animals from poaching, although each one has histories of disruptive interactions with local humans. Collectively called antimicrobial-resistant infections, they sicken millions annually, and more than 35,000 people in the United States die from them every year, Photo by Chokniti Khongchum/Pexels NEW YORK, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Even as fall flu season approaches and COVID-19 cases rise nationally, the biggest contagion threat facing the United States may not be one disease but several that don't respond to existing medications, according to experts and recent data. Collectively called antimicrobial-resistant infections, they sicken millions annually, and more than 35,000 people in the United States die from them every year, or about the same number reported in an above-average flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. "During the COVID-19 pandemic and since, there has been a significant increase in hospital-onset infections related to multidrug-resistant organisms, despite a lot of efforts to curb these trends," Dr. Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, a specialist in geographic medicine and infectious diseases at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, told UPI in a phone interview. "There is still a lack of understanding of something that is affecting all of us," Andujar Vazquez said. Many of these infections occur in hospitals, while others cause those infected to be hospitalized due to serious illness, according to the CDC. Corrie Duffy was diagnosed with a drug-resistant staph infection after undergoing minor surgery. Photo courtesy of Corrie Duffy In many cases, multiple rounds of drug treatment are required to identify a medication that can snuff out the infection, Andujar Vazquez said. All of which means it's important that people suffering from infections that don't seem to be resolving, despite drug treatment, work with their doctors to get the care they need, she said. Dr. Thomas Murray says Any infection can be caused by resistant bacteria." Photo courtesy of Yale School of Medicine "There are ways to prevent these infections from happening," she added. Infections in the millions Doctors still need to learn when and how to diagnose an infection and when to prescribe antimicrobials, says Dr. Gabriela Andujar Vazquez. Photo courtesy of Tufts Medical Center More than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, according to the CDC. In addition to the 35,000-plus who die from these diseases domestically, more than 1.27 million succumb to the infections globally, the agency estimates. Several common infections, including staph, pneumonia, salmonella, sexually transmitted gonorrhea and C. diff can involve drug-resistant bacteria, the agency says. Others that might be caused by drug-resistant bacteria are recurrent urinary tract infections, frequent skin infections or those acquired in a healthcare setting in which antibiotics are frequently used, according to Dr. Thomas Murray, a professor of pediatrics, infectious disease and global health at Yale School of Medicine. "Antibiotic resistance is most often encountered when people receive multiple courses of antibiotics for infections," Murray, who is also the medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, told UPI in an email. "Any infection can be caused by resistant bacteria," he said. The biggest driver of drug-resistant infections is the overuse, or improper use, of the medications developed to treat them, Murray said. This is not to say that antibiotics are bad -- in fact, they serve a vital purpose when used correctly to treat bacterial infections. "There has been a renewed effort to improve antibiotic prescribing practices especially in clinics and outside hospitals," Murray said. "The idea is to prescribe the right antibiotic to the right patient for the right reason for the right amount of time and guidelines exist to help providers decide when an antibiotic is necessary," he said. "One thing that contributes to antibiotic resistance is the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics for viral respiratory infections, as [these drugs] don't work against viruses." However, there are other ways humans can be exposed to drug-resistant bacteria, including through animals, with even pet owners at risk for exposure when their companion animals are treated with antibiotics or antimicrobials. In addition, workers at farms that breed animals for food production are at risk, particularly if these facilities regularly administer antibiotics to animals to control infections, and they can spread these infections to others. The solutions Over the past 20 years, healthcare facilities have implemented "antimicrobial stewardship programs" intended to ensure proper prescribing of these important drugs, but "prescribers still need reinforcement on when and how to diagnose an infection and when to prescribe antimicrobials," Andujar Vazquez said. For example, many healthcare professionals continue to prescribe the drugs without a test-confirmed diagnosis, rather than waiting and potentially allowing patients to get sicker without treatment, she said. "We doctors have to be more responsible -- doctors must know when and how to diagnose an infection and when to prescribe antimicrobials," she added. Corrie Duffy, a food blogger based in Oregon, was diagnosed with an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, or MRSA, about three years ago after minor surgery. "The infection started as a small, painful bump near the surgical site, but it quickly grew worse despite the antibiotics I was initially prescribed," Duffy told UPI in an email. "After further testing, the doctors confirmed it was MRSA, which doesn't respond to common antibiotics," he said. Duffy eventually recovered, following treatment with "a combination of stronger, targeted antibiotics" administered intravenously and several days in the hospital, he said. "The recovery was slow, and ... it was a challenging experience that made me much more aware of the growing issue of antibiotic resistance," he said. Although there's little many patients like Duffy can do to prevent drug-resistant infections, the public can take steps to limit their risk for exposure, according to Andujar Vazquez. For example, she advises people prescribed antibiotics by their doctors to confirm that they need the drugs. "Make sure you really have a bacterial infection, and not a virus," she urged. "It is important to remember that many common infections like the cold will not get better faster with an antibiotic and that often a healthcare provider is doing the right thing by not prescribing an antibiotic," Yale's Murray added. Also, do not take prescription medications offered by friends and family "just because you feel sick," Andujar Vazquez advised. "Always go to the doctor and only take medications prescribed by your doctor," she said. Routine vaccination -- including annual shots for the flu and COVID-19, as well inoculations against diseases such as measles and shingles -- can help prevent the spread of resistant bacteria by helping keep communities healthier and a person's overall immunity stronger, she said. Preparing food properly can also help prevent transmission of drug-resistant bacteria, as many of these pathogens are spread through contaminated food. Practicing good hand hygiene, by washing hands regularly, and safe sex can also help, Andujar Vazquez said. Drug-resistant bacteria are behind many sexually transmitted diseases, which are becoming increasingly prevalent, she added. And, pet owners should talk with their veterinarian before putting their pets on antibiotics and confirm that the pet has a bacterial infection before starting the medications, according to Andujar Vazquez. [Drug-resistant bacteria] is a complex problem, but the best solution is public awareness that it's a problem," she said. "That starts with education and asking the right questions." PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Giving business owners the opportunity to grow, thats what the Du Sable Summit provided to its participants Thursday at the Minority Business Development Center in Peoria. The event was put on by the Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment and Black Business Collective. Black business owners were given hands-on training on funding opportunities and tips to strengthen their network, which were a few goals of the summit. Denise Moore, President and CEO of Black Business Alliance, said what she wants the summit to do for its participants. To change the mindset of a lot of people in these communities so that they understand that they are worthy, they have value, and that they should expect our local and state governments, the local corporations who depend on their dollars to support their community, Moore said. Putting actions to words, supporting Black-owned businesses She also spoke about putting business into action. So, remarkably, reading about a thing is oftentimes easier than doing that thing, she said. And when you get into the doing of it, you realize theres more to this. If you missed the event, the Minority Business Center has more information on the summit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Dublin City Schools in the video player above. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) Dublin City Schools is exploring a short-term solution to boost capacity by expanding an existing high school, after the district paused another proposal to buy a Cardinal Health building for $37 million. Superintendent John Marschhausen announced during a Monday board of education meeting that the district is pursuing a 60,000-square-foot addition to Dublin Scioto High School. The superintendent said the expansion would allow the district to shift 500 to 600 students to Scioto, helping alleviate an anticipated increase in high school enrollment throughout the next decade. He proved the Columbus data leak hurts the public. Now the city wants to silence him Our enrollment projections indicate, by moderate projection, that well have 2,000 new high school students by 2034, said Marschhausen at the meeting. Were still going to need room for about 1,500 additional students by 2034. But, this is the short-term solution. Marschhausen stressed that the expansion would not require additional levy dollars from the Dublin community, and would also aid in balancing enrollment between the districts three existing high schools. When at capacity, Scioto currently is home to about 1,400 students, while Dublin Coffman serves 2,000 and Dublin Jerome has 2,400. Dublin City Schools is pursuing a 60,000-square-foot addition to Dublin Scioto High School. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Dublin schools aims to break ground on the Scioto addition next summer, with a targeted opening for August 2026. As the expansion takes shape, the district said it will announce new boundaries for elementary and middle schools by the end of this year. New high school boundaries will be published in the fall of next year, then implemented for the start of the new school year in 2026. The Scioto expansion announcement comes after the district said it was pausing a nonbinding agreement with Cardinal Health the buy the 250,000-square-foot west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place for $37 million. Still, during Mondays meeting, Marschhausen hinted that this proposal could be revived. Red Lobster to close another Ohio restaurant after bankruptcy The Cardinal Health building is something that is going to require collaboration and ongoing conversations with our partners at the city and our largest employer and business in Dublin, said Marschhausen. There is a mutual commitment between the three of us to have these conversations in search of a long-term solution. Marschhausen paused the Cardinal agreement after the citys planning commission signaled they were unsupportive of the zoning changes needed to repurpose the building. Dublin schools had entered into the purchase agreement earlier this year, which allowed the district more than a year to determine if the building can be effectively configured to serve as a school. However, the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission spoke against the idea during an Aug. 8 meeting and argued that rezoning the site from office to academic use would not align with the citys Envision Dublin community plan, which went into effect Aug. 1. We are eight days into the plan. To recommend violating the plan, eight days in, after having 18 months of planning where Dublin City Schools was at the table and planning right along with us, I dont think that would be what the city council is looking for, said Rebecca Call, chair of the planning and zoning commission, during the meeting. Unsolved Ohio: Woman vanished after move to Columbus 27 years ago Marschhausen had argued Cardinals building made the most financial sense given the cost to build a high school would be more than $200 million. The superintendent also noted that the $145 million bond issue and 7.9 mill operating levy that passed last year grants the district the authority to issue another $40 million in debt, which would allow Dublin schools to buy the building without going back to the voters for additional resources. However, the city of Dublin noted in a statement that project cost or cost alternatives are not among the criteria that the planning and zoning commission can consider under the citys codified ordinances. The city said it values a strong partnership with Dublin schools and has been actively involved in the process of evaluating the districts options. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dumas family devastated after loved one is shot and killed Dumas family devastated after loved one is shot and killed DUMAS, Ark. A family in Dumas is grieving the loss of their loved one after he was shot and killed and found at an apartment complex. On Aug. 17, Arkansas State Police officials said 36-year-old Jason Nalls was found shot and killed at his residence in the 100 block of Clayton Drive. Authorities said 39-year-old Della Marshall was arrested in connection with Nalls death. Police make arrest in deadly weekend shooting in Dumas Nalls mother, Nekenge Nalls, said she is hurt and devastated that her son was killed. She said that Nalls and Marshall were in an unhealthy relationship. You never think something like this would happen to your child, she said. I wish he had just left her alone when I told him to leave her alone. Although there was an arrest, she said she believed more people were involved. I hope whoever else had something to do with it that they get justice because I dont think she did it alone, Nekenge said. Largest pharmacy burglary ring in DEA history ends with 42 indicted in Arkansas She said Nalls was a father of four and his family is in a world of pain. It affects the kids a whole lot because they love their daddy, Nekenge said. Nalls said she hopes for justice and warns others who may be in a volatile relationship to get out as soon as possible. If its violent, just leave, get out of it because its not worth it in the end, she said. Little Rock police investigating downtown deadly shooting Police said Marshall is facing a charge of first-degree murder and is being held at the Arkansas County Sheriffs Office with a $300,000 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 KARK. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: ASML According to Bloomberg, the Netherlands is set to restrict ASML's ability to service its installed advanced wafer fab equipment in China, which could severely disrupt China's chipmaking ambitions. If the information is correct, China's semiconductor champion SMIC may lose the ability to produce chips on its 7nm and 5nm process technologies in the coming year. The Dutch government plans to let certain licenses expire at the end of the year, specifically those related to ASML's advanced DUV lithography machines. This decision could potentially make some equipment unusable by next year. This decision follows pressure from the United States, which has been encouraging allies to align their export controls with U.S. policies aimed at limiting China's semiconductor advancements. The U.S. has indicated it might impose unilateral measures, like the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR), if partners like the Netherlands do not comply. This rule allows the U.S. to control the export of foreign products that incorporate even minimal U.S. technology. Previously, the Dutch government imposed import restrictions on ASML's Twinscan NXT:2000i, 2050i, and 2100i DUV lithography machines if shipped to Chinese entities. These litho tools are capable of 38nm resolution and can be used to make logic chips on 7nm and even 5nm-class process technologies, albeit with multi-patterning, types of process technologies that the U.S. government and its allies do not want China to have due to national security concerns. Some of these tools are already installed at fabs operated by companies like SMIC (and potentially some others, including memory makers). SMIC allegedly uses Twinscan NXT:2000i and more advanced machines to produce chips on its 2nd Generation 7nm-class process technology for blacklisted Huawei, a Chinese high-tech giant that the U.S. government has been targeting for a while. Nonetheless, last year, Huawei came up with a 7nm application processor for smartphones with a built-in 5G modem, a blow to U.S.-imposed sanctions. However, these machines need servicing, and without maintenance and new spare parts, they may become inoperable by 2025, which will severely disrupt SMIC's and Huawei's advanced semiconductor production capability. The impact on ASML could also be substantial, given that nearly half of its sales came from China in the second quarter, and maintenance costs a lot of money. Still, the vast majority of fab tools installed in China are used to make chips on trailing nodes that the U.S. and allies do not care about and which ASML will be able to service. Hence, the impact will likely be substantial but limited. DWP is sending energy bill discounts to millions this winter what you need to know Energy bills are rising but help is available (PA) (PA Archive) The DWP will soon begin sending out letters to millions of households across the UK informing them that they are eligible for 150 in energy bill support this winter and possibly even more. Households in receipt of certain benefits will be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, designed to provide a crucial top up towards energy costs during the colder months. Most will qualify either if they get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income with high energy costs. They must also be a customer of one of the 25 energy suppliers that have signed up to the scheme. If eligible, a 150 discount will be automatically applied as credit to your electricity account sometime between October and March. Energy secretary Ed Miliband (James Glossop/The Times/PA Wire) However, if you receive confirmation that you were eligible but did not get the discount last year, the DWP advises that you get in touch with your energy supplier. You can also contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322 if you believe you are eligible but havent received a letter by mid January. The discount will likely prove vital to millions of households who are struggling with high bills, as the Ofgem energy price cap is set to by almost 150 from October 1. Amid the rising costs, Ministers met with energy bosses at the end of August to discuss ways of supporting vulnerable households. Energy consumers minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has now promised that there will be more support this winter. Energy UK, the body which represents suppliers, had called for the government to double the Warm Home Discount to 300 ahead of the talks. This would match the 200 to 300 that many pensioners will be missing this winter after Labour made the controversial move to change the eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments. Others have called for a social tariff for fuel use, which would see low-income households given reduced bills by suppliers. This measure has been backed by Citizens Advice and money expert Martin Lewis. Here is the full list of suppliers which are part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme: 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK) Affect Energy see Octopus Energy Boost British Gas Bulb Energy see Octopus Energy Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity) Ecotricity E.ON Next EDF Good Energy London Power Octopus Energy Outfox the Market OVO Rebel Energy Sainsburys Energy Scottish Gas see British Gas ScottishPower Shell Energy Retail So Energy Tomato Energy TruEnergy Utilita Utility Warehouse Speaking after her meeting with the energy suppliers, Ms Fahnbulleh said:Despite the tough inheritance, we will do everything in our power to support vulnerable households with their energy bills this winter. The determination to protect vulnerable families was clear. And 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. Ear of Chelsea police officer partially bitten off while responding to domestic incident A police officer had part of his ear bitten off while responding to a domestic incident call in Chelsea Friday afternoon. Officers responded to an address on Shurtleff Street for the reported domestic incident around 2:15 p.m., a Chelsea police department spokesperson told Boston 25. Carlos Daniel Sanadbria, 27, at the address began to get aggressive with officers and bit off part of the lower portion of one of the officers ears during the struggle, police say. Officers used a stun gun to bring the man under control and placed him under custody. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and will face criminal charges, police say. The officer was also hospitalized but is in stable condition and is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries. This is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers face every day, Chelsea police chief Keith Houghton said. We are grateful that the injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening. Our thoughts are with the officer and their family as he recovers. A witness at the scene shared cell phone video of the Sanadbriabeing restrained by officers on the sidewalk. 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 TYLER, Texas (KETK) Before the Great Recession hit in 2008, East Texas lost the areas biggest union when Goodyear announced that their Tyler plant was closing. Manufacturer to cease operation at East Texas facilities The strikes and labor disputes in KETKs limited series East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes represent a long history of working people from across East Texas fighting against racism, discrimination and unfair working conditions. They tell the story of how workers from all different industries fought to keep their jobs, unionize their workplaces, secure wage increases, healthcare benefits and more. On every Monday and Thursday until Labor Day on Sept. 2, KETK will present one of the eight most consequential chapters in East Texas labor history. Be sure to stay up to date with KETK so you wont miss the last edition of East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2. 2006: Tyler Goodyear Strike One Tyler union was at the center of an international trade dispute, a constitutional challenge and was a potential target of an anti-strike order from President George W. Bush. Former US President George W. Bush on Jan. 12 2006. Courtesy of JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images. Tylers Local 746 had a long history of labor activity going back to when their union was a part of the United Rubber Workers, before the URW merged with the United Steelworkers in 1995. In 1986, John Nash, then President of United Rubber Workers Local 746, was the plaintiff in a case called Nash v. State of Texas. According to Nash v. State of Texas, Nash and the union alleged that the Tyler Chief of Police, the City of Tyler and the State of Texas had violated their civil rights when members of the union were arrested while mass picketing. The court ruled in the unions favor and declared that the enforcement of the Texas mass picketing statute Tex. Rev. Civ. St. Ann. Article 5154d, 1, paragraph 1, and 2 was unconstitutional. Video game performers protest unregulated AI use at Warner Bros. Studios Local 746 would later represent the workers at the Goodyear Tire plant in Tyler during a nationwide strike against Goodyear in 2006. The Goodyear plant was originally built by Kelly Springfield in 1962 and was the second largest employer in Tyler, according to the United Steel Workers. Employees at the Goodyear Tire manufacturing plant in Tyler, Texas walk the picket line outside the facility, Monday, October 30, 2006. Photo courtesy of Mario Villafuerte/Bloomberg via Getty Images. The strike started on Oct. 5, 2006 after Goodyear announced that they were cutting retiree benefits, slashing wages and closing the plant in Tyler, destroying over 1,100 union jobs, according to Peoples World. The strike came during the midst of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. According to Labor Notes, military spokespeople claimed that the nationwide strike was causing a 35% shortage in tires for Humvees. Grand jury investigates Goodyear recreational vehicle tires after 8 people die Then Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter, reportedly said that the Army was exploring the possibility of a presidential intervention in the strike using the Taft-Hartley Act. The Taft-Hartley Act would allow the president to issue an anti-strike injunction by declaring a national emergency. Bush had already used Taft-Hartley to end an 11-day lockout of International Longshore and Warehouse Union workers on the west coast in 2002. Mechanic Robert Watson installs a new hood and windshield on a Humvee at the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas, in September 2006. The depot refurbishes equipment for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Brian Harkin/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images. According to NBC News, the strike came to an end when Goodyear and USW came to an agreement after 11 weeks. The agreement continued Goodyears plans to close the Tyler plant but only after a yearlong transition that allowed workers to take retirement buyouts. The contract was ratified just after Christmas on Dec. 28, 2006 by a two-to-one margin among nationwide members. It created a $1 billion retiree benefit trust, less than the companys former $1.2 billion obligation, and it stipulated that any work that would have been done at the Tyler plant be done at other USW plants and not outsourced, according to Labor Notes. Outsourcing of American union jobs to other countries was and is a controversial labor issue. After the Tyler plant closed, USW leadership filed a petition with the new administration of President Barack Obama. According to USW@Work, Obama had pledged to increase enforcement of U.S. trade laws during his campaign. A Congressional Research Service report said On September 11, 2009, President Obama proclaimed increased tariffs on Chinese tires for three years effective September 26, 2009. China accuses Canada of protectionism over 100% tariffs on electric vehicles Then USW International President Leo W. Gerard said the US tire industry was struggling because of tire imports from China. American workers are struggling to make it through the worst economic crisis in 80 years, Gerard said. Our tire industry is collapsing under the weight of 46 million Chinese tires entering our shrinking market annually. Union retiree Gary Humphrey, 67, near an entrance to the Goodyear Tire plant in Tyler, Texas, USA, Monday, October 30, 2006. Photo courtesy of Mario Villafuerte/Bloomberg via Getty Images. After the Tyler plants fate was sealed with the new contract, Twin Cities Pioneer Press reported that, then CEO of Goodyear Robert Keegan said, The end result is Goodyear will be a stronger company, a stronger employer and a stronger overall global competitor. Retired president of Tylers USW Local 746L Jim Wansley, said in USW@Work, that their plant did everything right. Tyler is representative of a plant that did everything right, said Wansley. We built a culture there, an employee involvement culture and we became the leaders in productivity, safety, waste innovation, and company-union relations in the seven years I was the union president. The economic impact that the plant would have on Tyler was not lost on Tylerites. For the 1,200 or so jobs that we lost at the plant, the community lost another three to five times that. They lost their biggest United Way contributor. The impact just goes on and on, Wansley said. The state has been out untold millions of dollars in unemployment benefits and retraining and every bit of it is a direct result of foreign competition, unfair foreign competition. Tire Business reported that the Tyler Goodyear plant closed for good in late 2008. According to USW@Work, the Tyler Economic Development Council estimated that plant closing lost the local, regional and state economies $948 million a year in direct and indirect spending. These were good, middle-class, all-American manufacturing jobs that we hated to lose, said then TEDC president and CEO, Tom Mullins. Mullins has since retired from the TEDC and reflected on the closing of the Goodyear plant in a recent interview with KETK. At the time when when Goodyear closed, they had a thousand employees there and the plant was paying about $22 million a year to the local taxing entities. It had opened in the early sixties and it was a huge victory for Tyler and East Texas to get that plant to select Tyler, said Mullins. He continued to describe how the Tyler economy took a dip after that and caused many workers to leave the area all together. It took two or three years of us being in basically a recession economically before we did pull out of it. And then a lot of those employees they were older, said Mullins. They had very specific skill sets and they werent necessarily able to retool or retrain. People just had to move to other parts to find jobs. Some people retired early and other people did find some work locally, but it was a difficult time for those families. Small cars making a comeback with tech and efficiency Mullins said that part of why the plant closed was because of how American vehicles needed bigger and bigger tires. The challenge of our plant here in Tyler was that we were producing small tires for compact cars and smaller vehicles and the market in the U.S. was going towards larger vehicles, pickup trucks, SUVs, Hummers, that type of thing, Mullins said. And it was going to cost well over $100 million to retool this plant and make it capable of producing those bigger tires. All this happened in spite of what Mullins said was actually a great relationship between the union and the company. We had the best management and union relationships in the whole system while the other plants were having issues with worker frustration and and dissatisfaction between labor and management, said Mullins. That wasnt happening in Tyler. Tyler had a great working relationship at the plant and labor level and we were very creative in trying to find ways to be more efficient but we just werent, as a community and as a state, able to come up with meaningful incentives to keep the plant operating. To read the rest of this series, visit the following articles: East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Great Southwest Railroad Strike of 1886 East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Lumber Wars of 19111912 East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Texas Sick Chicken Strike of 1953-1957 East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Lone Star Steel strikes of 1957-1968 East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Showdown at Nacogdoches East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: Walmarts first ever successful union vote As this article shows, East Texas has a deep history of labor activity and because of that deep history this article is not comprehensive. Many labor disputes, even modern ones, are under-reported on, so theyre often only known about by the people who lived through them. Anyone who would like to tell us about any labor disputes not covered in this series is invited to email newsroom@ketk.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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China will apply tariff rates agreed in an early harvest arrangement for the bilateral free trade agreement signed with Honduras on some imported products from the latter, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday. The tariff rates will take effect on Sept. 1, 2024. The implementation of this early harvest arrangement will boost bilateral economic and trade relations, and propel the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries to new heights, the commission said. East Timor's Prime Minister and former independence fighter Xanana Gusmao walks past a banner depicting people queuing up to give their votes in the 1999 referendum, during the commemoration of the 25th year anniversary of the country's vote for independence in Dili, East Timor, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Caro Junior) DILI, East Timor (AP) East Timor on Friday celebrated the 25th anniversary of a U.N.-backed referendum that secured its independence from its major neighbor Indonesia, which invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975. Crowds cheered as their leaders and state guests, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, traveled by motorcades to a stadium in the countrys capital for a ceremony kicking off festivities across the impoverished nation of 1.3 million people. Commemorative banners and posters filled the streets of the capital, Dili, where thousands gathered for the celebration that included speeches, musical performances and fireworks. Dili residents recalled the harrowing moments during the country's darkest days when Indonesia's military responded to the 1999 referendum results with a scorched-earth campaign before departing. It was a traumatic experience that haunts me to this day, said Gabriel Araujo, a food vendor who was 12 years old at the time, I'm always happy every time I celebrate our freedom together with others. On the second day of his official visit to Asias newest country, Guterres met with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, paying an emotional tribute to the former guerilla leader. Gusmao was imprisoned for six years in Indonesia and only released when the occupation ended in 1999, becoming the first president of the newly-independent nation between 2002 and 2007. He returned to power as prime minister in 2023 after his party won the parliamentary election last May. I guarantee that the U.N. will remain with the Timorese people who are now struggling for the countrys development, Guterres told the crowd in his speech during Friday's celebration. Guterres on Friday also visited the Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum in Dili, where he saw himself featured on some of the displayed archives as former prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor. Prepare yourselves to work and serve this country for the benefit of the people, Gusmao said in a speech during the ceremony, which was also attended by Australias Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Marles, Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Hamidi and other dignitaries from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations. East Timors transition to a democracy has been rocky, with leaders battling massive poverty, unemployment and corruption as the country continues to struggle with the legacy of its bloody independence battle and bitter factional politics that have occasionally erupted into violence. Its economy is reliant on dwindling offshore oil revenues. Andrea Nahles, Chairwoman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), speaks about the situation on the German labor market. Eastern Germany faces more serious and immediate workforce shortages, as an older population moves into retirement and fewer young people are around to replace them, the head of Germany's Federal Employment Agency said on Friday. Daniel Lob/dpa Eastern Germany faces more serious and immediate workforce shortages, as an older population moves into retirement and fewer young people are around to replace them, the head of Germany's Federal Employment Agency said on Friday. A major exodus of young people from the former communist East Germany who headed west in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall has continued to shape a demographic divide in the reunified country 35 years later, said Andrea Nahles, the agency's chairwoman. The former East Germany is older and has a more acute shortage of working-aged residents than the former West Germany, she said. That's also made the former East more dependent on immigrants to fill jobs as a growing share of the population passes retirement age. However stark anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the former East risks compounding those problems by slamming the door on needed foreign workers or making them feel unwelcome. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which campaigns on a hard-line anti-immigrant message, has been polling around 30% ahead of September state parliamentary elections in the eastern states of Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. "We must keep these states attractive for people immigrating from other countries," Nahles said. "A culture of openness, diversity and [being] welcome is very important." While the total number of people in employment continues to grow in the former West Germany, it's already begun falling in the East, she said. All growth in employment in the East since 2017 has been entirely attributable to immigrants with foreign passports, Nahles said. That's only been true of Germany as a whole since 2023. Andrea Nahles, Chairwoman of the Federal Employment Agency (BA), speaks about the situation on the German labor market. Eastern Germany faces more serious and immediate workforce shortages, as an older population moves into retirement and fewer young people are around to replace them, the head of Germany's Federal Employment Agency said on Friday. Daniel Lob/dpa Eastern Germany faces more serious and immediate workforce shortages, as an older population moves into retirement and fewer young people are around to replace them, the head of Germany's Federal Employment Agency said on Friday. A major exodus of young people from the former communist East Germany who headed west in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall has continued to shape a demographic divide in the reunified country 35 years later, said Andrea Nahles, the agency's chairwoman. The former East Germany is older and has a more acute shortage of working-aged residents than the former West Germany, she said. That's also made the former East more dependent on immigrants to fill jobs as a growing share of the population passes retirement age. However stark anti-immigrant sentiment in many parts of the former East risks compounding those problems by slamming the door on needed foreign workers or making them feel unwelcome. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which campaigns on a hard-line anti-immigrant message, has been polling around 30% ahead of September state parliamentary elections in the eastern states of Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. "We must keep these states attractive for people immigrating from other countries," Nahles said. "A culture of openness, diversity and [being] welcome is very important." While the total number of people in employment continues to grow in the former West Germany, it's already begun falling in the East, she said. All growth in employment in the East since 2017 has been entirely attributable to immigrants with foreign passports, Nahles said. That's only been true of Germany as a whole since 2023. But Nahles warned that those trends appear headed for western Germany as well, as the population there is also ageing. "East Germany is already showing demographically where the entire country could be in a few years' time," said Nahles. EC3 awarded over $400K from the Shapiro administration A local community college received a grant this week to upgrade its facilities ahead of the school year. Erie County Community College got the $410,000 grant from the state government which will be used to replace windows across the entire campus. Public input needed on City of Eries three-phase historic preservation project The grant comes from the Shapiro administration which awarded $33 million to 12 community colleges in the Commonwealth. EC3 sent us a statement regarding the grant saying: This grant is a vital part of the ongoing process to ensure that future workforces across the state receive essential training. We are deeply grateful to the local legislators who spearheaded this initiative, demonstrating their commitment to the residents of Erie County and their unwavering support of our mission. Erie County Community College They would also like to thank local legislators who spearheaded the initiative. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Perhaps Greta Thunberg could be put in charge of the Bank of England. Caroline Lucas could be appointed to oversee the Treasury. A couple of activists from Just Stop Oil could be let out of jail to run the Department of Business and Trade, while some from Extinction Rebellion could take over at the Office for Budget Responsibility. It may sound like a parody. And yet, Ed Miliband, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, has just effectively given Greenpeace control over elements of our energy policy. And we are well on the way to handing anti-growth, far-Left eco-activists far too much influence over our economic fate. The trouble is, no one voted for that. And even worse, it will end up impoverishing us all. The North Sea had already become a hostile legal and regulatory environment for anyone still brave enough to try and make a living from exploring for oil and gas and delivering it to British homes and businesses, to keep the lights switched on and the heating running through the winter. They already face bans on expanding their business, and punitive windfall taxes in the event that they ever manage to make a profit. Many of them have quite sensibly already decided enough is enough and pulled out, preferring to put their money to work somewhere else or simply to do nothing instead. And yet, they face full-scale lawfare as well. Miliband decided that his department would not fight a climate lawsuit challenging licences granted to the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields, two of the largest potential developments left in the region. He argues that it would save the taxpayer money. It will no longer contest the challenges brought against them by Greenpeace, and its fellow climate campaign group, Uplift. And while it will be up to the courts to make the final decision, the licences look as good as finished. The slow death of the North Sea has now taken another decisive step forwards. This is crazy. There are three big flaws with this decision. To start with, when did Milibands department last display any interest in saving taxpayer money? GB Energy, the new, 8.3bn, state-owned company has been on a hiring spree. But no one yet seems to have a clear idea what it will actually do. If Miliband is suddenly so worried about how taxpayer money is being spent, then perhaps he should start there instead of pinching a few pennies on the legal fees for contesting this legal action. After all, at least Rosebank and Jackdaw would, if allowed to go ahead, definitely generate some actual energy. This is more than can be said for the Governments odd investment vehicle. Next, the door has been opened for green activists to use lawfare to control our economic fate. With this decision, any green pressure group may be tempted to launch a judicial review. And if the Government wont oppose it, then they have a veto. Some of these organisations are well-meaning and interested in steadily reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and protecting biodiversity. Others are not. Among them are anti-growth, anti-capitalist groups, committed to radically changing the way we all live and work. Extinction Rebellion argues for citizen assemblies to control society not just against climate change. Others support wealth taxes, unlimited immigration and a far-reaching retribution of power. Its agenda goes far beyond reducing carbon emissions. Extinction Rebellion wants to radically change the way we live and work beyond climate issues - TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Finally, who exactly voted for this? In the election earlier this year, Greenpeace ranked the Green Party as the most closely aligned with its values and beliefs and the Liberal Democrats as the next closest. And yet, those were the two parties that came fourth and fifth in the total number of votes cast. Ministers ought to represent the voters who supported them and preferably the wider electorate as well. There are already environmental protests against the Governments decision to increase the number of flights permitted from Londons City airport. Is that going to be stopped as well? What of Milibands plans for onshore wind farms or Angela Rayners plans for new towns and more housebuilding? The list goes on. Handing too much power and influence to pressure groups especially when they represent such a tiny section of the electorate would be irresponsible and would hinder any government from implementing the manifesto on which it was elected. Environmental campaigners trying to stop any further development of the North Sea are of course entitled to their views. They can bring legal action if they believe they have a case and if their supporters are willing to pay for it. But they should not be allowed to operate as back-seat drivers, playing a role in how the British economy is run. The blunt truth is that the UK will need North Sea oil and gas for many years to come even as we steadily transition to a carbon-neutral economy. It is cheaper and more reliable to develop our own energy instead of relying on imports. You would think the minister in charge of energy policy would be able to see that. 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. Texas Federal Judge J. Campbell Barker, appointed by Donald Trump in 2019, has frozen a Biden administration policy that could have helped some half-million undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens get legal status. Hopefully, Barkers stay will not be staying. Basically, these folks would already be eligible to receive permanent residency, if it werent for the Catch-22 of having to leave the country to get it, triggering a re-entry ban. The policy would use a power called parole-in-place to give those without a criminal record whove been in the country for 10 years at least the ability to seek status without leaving. Naturally, 16 states led by the ever-zealous Texas sued, and got Barker to agree to stop it. Why is anyone against this? And how does it harm those 16 states? The idea of keeping families together should not be controversial and it appeals to the sentiments expressed by vice presidential candidate JD Vance. Children need both of their parents and so efforts should be made to keep parents married and in a family unit. Yet, clearly, that does not extend to these families, where one of the spouses is an immigrant. What these states want is to stop people who have long been living in and contributing to their own state economies, who have gotten married to citizens and often had citizen children, and who have a full-fledged legal pathway to status, to be permanently blocked from that path on a technicality. They want those people to lose out on a chance to retroactively comply with the law something theyre also supposedly very keen on, though perhaps only when its some giant polluter or a white collar criminal who got caught tax cheating and face the extreme consequence of exile. This doesnt only hurt these people and families themselves, but the consequences spread out to the entire community. These individuals are working across crucial industries or creating jobs themselves as small business owners. If they were to suddenly be removed, that would cost jobs and expertise and put those families in precarious situations of just the type that these state officials love to grumble about; are they going to provide benefits and assistance to the families left practically destitute by their efforts? Thats a good reason for Texas and other states to be in court fighting to support the Biden policy, not shut it down. Is their point that parole-in-place isnt the right way to achieve this goal, that it should have been done with legislation? Well, it was Trump who killed the bipartisan Senate immigration package. Or are immigrants just best to be used as political pawns in an election year? All this just puts the absurdity to the legal argument that the states will suffer some harm from this policy, particularly given that this argument is anchored on the premise that it will spur illegal immigration. We cant say weve spoken to any migrants with the nefarious plan of falling in love, getting married and, maybe, a decade later getting a permanent status out of it. This is a fiction to justify the opposition to the policy, opposition which is much more likely to cause actual harm to their state fabric. ___ Police have managed to find four of the six wolves suspected of attacking villages in Uttar Pradesh Click here to view this content. Killer wolves have triggered panic after seven children and a woman were mauled to death in rare attacks in northern India. Families have been pulling their children out of school and sending them to live with relatives in other parts of the country following attacks in villages in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh. Police have launched Operation Bhediya [wolf], deploying 10 teams with drones, infrared and thermal imaging cameras to catch them. They have also set up life-sized dolls dressed in colourful clothing and sprinkled with childrens urine to lure the wolves and trap them. India has an estimated 2,812 wolves, the majority of which are found in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Click here to view this content. Uttar Pradesh has a far smaller population of about 61. But heavy rains have driven many from their habitats in the surrounding forests to villages in search of food, officials said. The wolves were first spotted in the villages in March, but the first attacks did not start until July 17. They have caused panic among locals, with mothers tying their babies close to them at night and police shouting through loudspeakers for them to stay awake. As the sun sets, fear grips our village. It feels like wolves have taken over our village and can attack anytime. We want an end to this fear, said Saumya Devi, a resident of Kolila village, where eight-year-old Kishan was killed in August. Ajit Pratap Singh, a district forest officer of Bahraich, said that so far police have managed to find four of the suspected six wolves still on the loose. The plan to catch the rest relies on using the wolves supreme sense of smell which is thousands of times more sensitive than a humans against them, he said. Dolls used to lure wolves Mr Singh added: Dolls resembling children have been placed in cages near areas where the wolves have been spotted. The plan is to lure the wolves in, and as soon as they approach, well capture them. Ruksana Sheikh, mother of seven-year-old Firoz recalled the horrifying night when a wolf broke into their home and snatched her son. Ms Sheikh said: I tried everything I could to save him. I grabbed at the wolfs legs, but it didnt let go. It dragged Firoz almost 200 metres into a nearby field. I shouted for help, and eventually, the villagers arrived. Only then did the wolf release him. He received injuries on the face, neck, head, and ears. After 13 days of treatment at the hospital, he pulled through, she said. Under close surveillance Of the two remaining wolves, one is believed to be in poor health because of a lack of food, but the other appears fit, Mr Singh said. They are under close surveillance, and were adjusting our approach based on the evolving conditions. Were optimistic that well be able to secure them soon, he added. Weve been tracking these wolves using a combination of sightings, paw prints, and infrared drones. The captured wolf, a male, showed significant signs of stress due to the crowd and confinement. There were no injuries on its body, but it was visibly distressed. Weve transferred all the captured wolves to two different zoos, he said. The last time India was riven by a spate of wolf attacks was in 1996 when an estimated 38 children were killed in about 78 incidents in Pratapgarh, Jaunpur and Sultanpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. 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. El Paso man charged with animal cruelty for dog with chain collar cutting into neck El Paso man charged with animal cruelty for dog with chain collar cutting into neck EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Police have arrested a man in an alleged incident of animal cruelty in East El Paso. Devan Gallegos, a 27-year-old resident of Northeast El Paso, allegedly had a dog with a chain collar embedded into the lower part of its neck, EPPD said. The incident happened on July 16 along the 1200 block of Airway Boulevard. According to preliminary information from the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, Gallegos kept the dog tethered with the chain collar that progressively cut into the dogs neck. The chain collar was removed, and after treatment, the dog was released to the Humane Society of El Paso. Gallegos was arrested for cruelty to non-livestock animals (kill/poison/serious bodily injury) and was booked into the El Paso County jail under a $10,000 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 KTSM 9 News. Election 2024 Latest: Trump to appear at Moms for Liberty event, Harris campaign launches bus tour Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at 1st Summit Arena at the Cambria County War Memorial, in Johnstown, Pa., Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris campaign is announcing that it is launching a 50-plus stop Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, as it looks to motivate voters ahead of November. The first stop will be next Tuesday with an event near former President Donald Trumps Florida home in Palm Beach. Follow the APs Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024. Heres the Latest: Walz says Democrats have reclaimed freedom, flags and football Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz says Democrats, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, are reclaiming issues that they had previously ceded to Republicans, from freedom and the American flag to football. Speaking at a fundraiser in Bethesda, Maryland, Walz told donors that Harris, in her convention speech, took freedom back for us. She took freedom back. Referencing patriotic scenes at last weeks Democratic National Convention in Chicago, he added: They dont have a monopoly on the flag. We took the damn flag back. Walz continued that Democrats were retaking the idea of family, as the Harris-Walz ticket says Republicans jeopardize not just abortion access, but potentially fertility care as well. You take family back, everybodys family, every family that they want to have, and what their family looks like is the right one for them, Walz said. Thats what got taken back. He added: And this one was just totally me. I took football back, Im done with them thinking they have it. Moms for Liberty get ready for session with Trump A hotel ballroom in the nations capital has transformed into a concert-like atmosphere as supporters of the parents rights group Moms for Liberty line dance to pass the time before Trump arrives. Donning shirts with messages like Moms for Trump and We dont co-parent with the government, attendees at the groups annual gathering are eating buffet desserts, drinking beer and cheering to a cover band playing country hits. Trump is getting ready to join the groups co-founder Tiffany Justice for a chat onstage, where they are expected to discuss his vision for the future of U.S. education. Ahead of his visit, Justice expressed support for Trumps education platform and noted he was an early signer of the groups Parent Pledge advocating more transparency and parental involvement in decision-making for their childrens education. Donald Trump moves to halt hush money proceedings, sentencing after asking federal court to step in Former President Donald Trumps lawyers moved Friday to halt proceedings in his New York hush money criminal case and postpone next months sentencing indefinitely while he attempts to have a federal court intervene and potentially overturn his felony conviction. In a letter to the judge presiding over the case in state court, Trumps lawyers asked that he hold off on a decision, slated for Sept. 16, on Trumps request to overturn the verdict and dismiss the indictment in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity ruling. They also urged the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, to postpone Trumps Sept. 18 sentencing indefinitely. Trumps lawyers filed paperwork late Thursday asking the U.S. District Court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried. The federal court kicked back that request on Friday on technical grounds, but Trumps lawyers will have a chance to resubmit it. Read more about Trump's attempt to halt his criminal case. Trump draws attention to Harris' former antifracking position During his rally in energy-rich Pennsylvania, Trump made several references to Harris saying that she, while running in the Democratic presidential primary in 2020, supported banning hydraulic fracturing. Though Harris campaign says she no longer supports a fracking ban, Trump said he was exposing how bad its going to be in Pennsylvania and our country if we stop doing the fossil fuel thing. Man who stormed Trump rally press area is Tased and detained A man at the Trump rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, stormed into the press area as the former president spoke but was surrounded by police and sheriffs deputies and was eventually subdued by a Taser. The altercation came moments after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage and dismissed CNN as fawning for its interview Thursday with Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. The man made it over a bicycle rack ringing the media area, and close to where television reporters were watching the rally from a riser before being surrounded. The crowd cheered as a pack of police led the man away, prompting Trump to declare, Is there anywhere thats more fun to be than a Trump rally? Moments later police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena, though it wasnt clear if that detention was related to the initial altercation. Read more about the altercation. Trump seems to flip on Florida abortion ballot measure Donald Trump says he will vote no on a Florida ballot measure that would repeal the states six-week abortion ban, a day after he seemed to indicate he would vote in favor of the measure. Trump has said he thinks Floridas ban is a mistake and said in an interview with Fox News Channel on Friday, I think six weeks, you need more time." But then he said, At the same time, the Democrats are radical, and he repeated false claims he has frequently made about late-term abortions and said that he opposed allowing abortions up until nine months. So Ill be voting no for that reason, Trump said. The Florida ballot measure would legalize abortion until fetal viability, a term used by health care providers to describe whether a pregnancy is expected to continue developing normally or whether a fetus might survive outside the uterus. Its generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks, which is about six months. Trump drew backlash from abortion opponents who support him when he seemed to say in another interview on Thursday that he would vote in favor of the ballot measure and repeal the six-week ban when he said, I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. Amid the blowback, his campaign quickly issued a statement saying that Trump had not actually said how he would vote but simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short. Trump responds to critics of his Arlington National Cemetery appearance Trump lashed out at critics who accuse him of using Arlington National Cemetery for a campaign photo op. Trump said at a rally in Pennsylvania that he was invited by relatives of Marines who were killed in a terrorist attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. He said hes gotten to know the families and they asked to take a photo with him. I love those people, Trump said. Im so happy they took pictures of me and them and the tombstone and their lovely son or daughter. Trump again blamed the attack and the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal on Biden and Harris. Joe Biden killed those young people because he was incompetent, Trump said. And then they tell me that I used their graves for public relations services? And I didnt. Trump meets with rapper Anuel AA Trump has met with Puerto Rican musician Anuel AA, a popular Latin star. Images show the former president and Republican nominee arriving in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and shaking hands with the rapper, who is wearing gold chains and pink sunglasses. Anuel AA has collaborated with artists such as Shakira, Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny and Karol G, who he dated until 2021. In 2020, Democrats featured a digital ad with a song from Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny. Latinos make up the nations largest minority group 19.5% of the total population, according to the 2020 census. Trump has vowed to expand his coalition to win over more of the nonwhite voters. Harris has won the support of influential Latino groups, and her campaign is looking to energize young Latino voters. Trump campaign pushes mail-in voting, contradicting previous position Former President Donald Trump is set to address a crowd for more than 4,000 inside the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the 1977 hockey cult classic Slap Shot was filmed. The preprogram has featured elected Republicans and other Trump supporters from around the swing state of Pennsylvania and nationally who repeatedly implored attendees to request mail-in ballots or take advantage of the early voting period. Thats a message that has at times contradicted Trump himself, who suggesting that voting by mail encouraged fraud in 2020 but now suggests that early and mail-in ballots are trustworthy. A tumultuous life, a turn toward faith and one man who wonders if its time to vote Decades ago, back when he was a political science major at the University of Southern California, and later in law school, Timothy Walker would vote. Everyone in his family voted for Democrats, so he did, too. Then his path took a different turn. Cocaine addiction took hold of him and he spent years cycling in and out of drug treatment centers. He lost his home and his job as a marketing executive at a law firm. He never passed the bar exam. Elections came and went, largely unnoticed. This year is different. He completed a faith-based recovery program at the Los Angeles Mission, a Christian nonprofit that serves homeless people and others in need. Hes been clean now for nearly two years. He has a job again, writing thank-you cards to donors in a small office at the mission. And for the first time in forty or so years, hes thinking about voting. Hes not sure hell vote, and wont say if hes leaning toward a particular presidential candidate. But he credits his faith with turning around his life, and wants to see that faith in the presidency. A Christian in the White House would be moral, ethical, grounded in love, and would want whats best for humanity not just for themselves or any particular business, said Walker, 64. The two major-party nominees, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, are both Christian, though neither has made their religious beliefs central to their campaigns. Read more here. How Trump and Georgias Republican governor made peace, helped by allies anxious about the election The effort to make the peace between Donald Trump and Georgias powerful Republican governor began in a sprawling neo-Victorian mansion in the exclusive Atlanta enclave of Buckhead. It was at an Aug. 7 fundraiser hosted by former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler that fellow Republican Lindsey Graham approached Gov. Brian Kemp. Graham, the South Carolina senator and longtime confidant of the former president, was already planning to attend the fundraiser. Now, Graham had a renewed purpose: to try to ease years of tensions between Trump and Kemp that endangered the GOPs chances in a crucial 2024 battleground. Graham and Kemp met privately at Loefflers house. And over the coming weeks, say Graham and others familiar with the matter, allies of both men arranged the two-part detente that played out publicly last Thursday to the surprise of many political watchers. Read more here. Trump seeks to activate his base at Moms for Liberty gathering but risks alienating moderate voters Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to appear Friday at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. In a fireside chat conversation in the nations capital, the former president will seek to shore up support and enthusiasm among a major part of his base. The bulk of the groups 130,000-plus members are conservatives who agree with him that parents should have more say in public education and that racial equity programs and transgender accommodations dont belong in schools. Yet Trump also will run the risk of alienating more moderate voters, many of whom see Moms for Libertys activism as too extreme to be legitimized by a presidential nominee. Read more here. The interview: Kamala Harris inaugural sit-down was most notable for seeming ... ordinary After avoiding a probing interview by a journalist for the first month of her sudden presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris first one Thursday was notable mostly in how routine it seemed. CNNs Dana Bash, sitting down with Harris and running mate Tim Walz in a Georgia restaurant, asked her about some issues where she had changed positions, the historical nature of her candidacy, what she would do on her first day as president and whether shed invite a Republican to be a Cabinet member (yes, she said). What Bash didnt ask and the Democratic nominee didnt volunteer is why it took so long to submit to an interview and whether she will do more again as a candidate. Read more here. Veterans attending Trump's Michigan event dismiss reports of altercation at Arlington National Cemetery Veterans attending Donald Trumps mid-Michigan event on Thursday largely dismissed reports of an altercation between his campaign and an Arlington National Cemetery official, citing the former president's past as evidence of his values. Tom Barrett, a veteran of the Iraq War and Republican candidate for Michigans 7th Congressional District, said that it was his understanding that President Trump was invited there by families. Barrett shifted focus to criticize the Biden administrations withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, Trump and those families would not have been there if Joe Biden hadnt led to the absolute direct failure of leadership that allowed 13 of our service members to be killed. Rusty L. Smith, a Trump supporter from Albion, Michigan, was unaware of the incident at Arlington National Cemetery but said that he believes Trump supports veterans wholeheartedly. Smith added that he was more offended by the claims Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris running mate, made about his service record. He wasnt in the war. He wasnt in combat. He wore the rank of command sergeant major but that was temporary, and he never completed the process. So he shouldnt be carrying a coin that says command sergeant major. And he does. And thats wrong, said Smith. Trump calls for universal coverage of IVF treatment with no specifics on how his plan would work Former President Donald Trump says that, if he wins a second term, he wants to make IVF treatment free for women, but he did not detail how he would fund his plan or precisely how it would work. Im 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. Read more here. Harris defends shifting from some liberal positions in first interview of presidential campaign Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her values have not changed even as she is seeking consensus. Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there should be consequence for people who cross the border without permission. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, Harris said. Read more here. Harris' campaign launches Reproductive Freedom bus tour Vice President Kamala Harris campaign is launching a 50-plus stop Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour, as it looks to motivate voters ahead of November. The first stop will be Tuesday with an event near former President Donald Trumps Florida home in Palm Beach. Our campaign is hitting the road to meet voters in their communities, underscore the stakes of this election for reproductive freedom, and present them with the Harris-Walz tickets vision to move our country forward, which stands in stark contrast to Donald Trumps plans to drag us back, said Harris-Walz Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez in a statement. As we crisscross the country, well be driving that contrast home to red and blue voters and independents. Never mind election dirty tricks or the threat of foreign interference, voting in Novembers presidential election in Miami-Dade could be impacted by two local issues: Too few vote-by-mail ballots have been requested, and voters are expected to turnout in historic numbers. Election officials fear a perfect storm that could spell long lines on Election Day, even past the 7 p.m. cutoff. They need the help of Miami-Dade to avoid it. Lets help. With just two months left before Nov. 5, the number of vote-by-mail ballots requested by the countys 1.4 million voters is anemic. As of the week of Aug. 26, only 250,000 requests have come into the elections department, compared to 438,000 for the midterm elections in 2022 and a whopping 600,000 in the 2020 presidential race, which COVID-19 hampered. We could have a record number of voters with lower-than-usual vote-by-mail numbers, Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor Christina White told the Herald Editorial Board. Voters cant wait until the last minute. This is too important. New rules enacted by the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature three years ago still confuse voters. The law now require voters to re-register to receive mail ballots for each election cycle. Many voters may still need to be informed of the change, especially as we head to a presidential election. White predicts a historic 78% turnout for Miami-Dade. That represents over 1 million residents. The existing turnout record is 75% for the 2020 elections, she said. If they dont pay attention now, voters might find out too late they cannot vote by mail and be left with heading to the polls on Election Day. This is my biggest concern ahead of the November presidential election, White said. We share her concern. We dont want a repeat of the hours-long lines Miami-Dade experienced in 2012. White said the only relief is hefty early voting numbers. Lets hope Miami-Dade voters take advantage of the early voting period that runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. Theres more that can delay the voting process on Election Day. White said another component is a loaded two-page ballot, with not only a presidential race but also the election of a new Miami-Dade sheriff, tax collector, supervisor of elections positions that will be elected for the first time in decades as well as clerk of courts, and property appraiser. Voters will decide on six proposed Florida constitutional amendments including on abortion and recreational marijuana as well as dozens of local races and referendums. White told the Board shes battling to avoid a seismic scenario on Election Day. White is rightfully concerned this could disrupt the voting process and even delay results in one of the most critical counties in Florida. Miami-Dades government, not just the elections department, needs to plan for the unexpected. Support staff, equipment, security, police whatever is needed should be at the ready to help White get her job done. No excuses should be allowed if things go sideways, preventing a timely, accurate count. Lets not have anything resembling the countys evident shock and unpreparedness at the Copa America final fiasco in July at Hard Rock Stadium. With just weeks left until the General Election, the window to course-correct is shrinking fast. Voters need to hear the message clearly. If they want a mail ballot, they must request it immediately and remember to send it back. White said in the August primary, only 55% of all vote-by-mail ballots requested were returned. This potential perfect storm should not spiral into a disastrous situation in Miami-Dade for Election Day 2024. Needless to say, the stakes are high. Click here to send the letter. This photo shows an aerial view of Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Illegally intruding into China's territories in the South China Sea while portraying itself as the victim, the Philippines is perfectly employing the age-old tactic of the thief crying "stop thief!" In April this year, the Philippines illegally anchored a coast guard ship, MRRV-9701, at Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao. Since August 19, Philippine coast guard ships have repeatedly intruded into adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao in attempts to re-supply materials to MRRV-9701, and have deliberately taken dangerous maneuvers to ram China Coast Guard vessels. Thereafter, Philippine authorities initiated a propaganda blitz, accusing China of blocking a "humanitarian mission" to re-supply the MRRV-9701. In reality, the advanced Philippine ship is fully operational and can leave Xianbin Jiao for re-supply at any time. The truth is that the Philippines has repeatedly infringed on China's sovereignty. Twenty-five years ago, it illegally grounded the military vessel BRP Sierra Madre at Ren'ai Jiao, part of China's Nansha Qundao. Since then, the Philippines has consistently provoked China by sending vessels to engage in dangerous maneuvers against Chinese law enforcement. It is the Philippines, not China, that has deliberately breached the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea. Besides, the Philippines has also attempted to involve third-party forces in the South China Sea, escalating tensions in the region. These brazen actions unequivocally reveal the Philippines as the true troublemaker and lawbreaker in the South China Sea. Clearly, Manila's intent to re-supply its anchored ship at Xianbin Jiao is part of a long-term strategy to assert control over the reef, in an apparent attempt to repeat its old trick at Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippines' actions not only violate international law but also jeopardize regional stability. The Philippines has no legitimate basis for anchoring a ship in Chinese territory. Xianbin Jiao is neither within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone nor its continental shelf. The so-called South China Sea arbitration ruling, on which the Philippines bases its maritime claim, is illegal, null and void. The Philippines has also been a major saboteur of the marine environment in the South China Sea. The intentional grounding of the military vessel BRP Sierra Madre at Ren'ai Jiao has caused significant damage to the coral reef ecosystem in the area. China holds legitimate sovereignty and jurisdiction over these reefs, and its actions in the region are in line with international law. China has consistently prioritized resolving such disputes through negotiation and consultation to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. However, the Philippines has exploited this goodwill, repeatedly stirring up trouble in the region. Although China has shown restraint, its tolerance is not infinite. The Philippines should not underestimate China's resolve to protect its territory and sovereignty. International law and agreements between both sides and regional countries do not condone the Philippines' arbitrary actions that disrupt peace and order in the region. Ignoring China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty will only bring disgrace to the provocateur itself. China-Philippine relations are certainly at a critical crossroads. The Philippine government should reconsider its actions in the South China Sea, as they could endanger cooperation across various fields and lead to unpredictable consequences. The only viable course of action for the Philippines is to remove relevant vessels from Chinese territory. It is imperative for policymakers in Manila to make a sensible decision. BOSTON (WWLP) Massachusetts is expecting an enormous turnout at the state primary this year. Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin had a news conference on Thursday to share his statistical predictions for the election. The secretary based his predictions on the 444,000 total mail-in votes counted by Thursday afternoon in the state. Galvin said his office expects to see turnout including half a million democratic voters and 250,000 republican voters, surpassing the last two comparable elections in 2012 and 2016. These are scams!: Secretary Galvin warns about dubious text messages Secretary Galvin explained that while there are not many contested seats in this election cycle, Massachusetts citizens are still exercising their right to vote. Where you have no races, I guess its just the civic commitment of the voters to participate. And weve still seen that, said Galvin at the press conference. The results of this primary election determine which state office candidates are on the November ballot. The secretarys office is responsible for printing these ballots and distributing them to mail-in voters and to polling places ahead of that election, which will include candidates for president. Were hoping that well have a successful primary on Tuesday. Im personally hoping there are no really close races because that will affect the ability of us to print a ballot right away which is what we want to do, said Galvin. Secretary Galvin warned that it is too late to send in mail-in ballots to guarantee they arrive in time, urging voters to instead drop off their mail-in ballots at polling boxes. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and mail-in ballots must be received before polls close to be counted. 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. Elk Grove city officials handed out fines that totaled $240,000 for people who launched illegal aerial fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday this summer, including one household alone that received $100,000 in fines. Jose Mendez, the citys code enforcement manager, and Lt. Joshua Magdaleno of the Elk Grove Police Department discussed the results of the fireworks enforcement operation during Wednesdays Elk Grove City Council meeting. Illegal fireworks include skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, sparklers and firecrackers. Each violation of Elk Groves illegal firework ordinance, or each single dangerous firework, is considered a separate offense. That means every time a dangerous firework is activated, it is a new $1,000 fine. Mendez said city officials conducted educational efforts and an amnesty day, allowing residents to turn in any illegal fireworks, to inform them of the $1,000 fines that could be issued to property owners. He said the amnesty day resulted in residents turning in about 3,000 illegal fireworks, including 300 bottle rockets, eight Roman candles and seven homemade explosive fireworks. The Police Department, responding to calls reporting illegal fireworks in Elk Grove, deployed an aerial drone on July 4 to capture video to assist investigators in identifying homes or properties where illegal fireworks were launched. The police drone recorded video of six properties where illegal fireworks were launched, with one of the cited properties launching over 100 aerial fireworks, city officials said in a staff report. Video captured by the drone was passed on to the citys code enforcement officers to evaluate. What you can see is the danger of lighting the fireworks in the city, Magdaleno said while showing a video clip of the home that received the most illegal fireworks citations. These are going extremely high in the air. You can see all the (nearby) homes down below. You can see the smoke showing the wind direction from the fireworks. And if you look closely, you can see some of the embers landing on some of the peoples houses. The police lieutenant said these illegal fireworks, fortunately, did not cause any fires or injure anyone. The drone video alone led to fines that totaled $180,000 for those six properties cited; all were illegal aerial fireworks that were launched and exploded in the air. Code enforcement officers also patrolled Elk Grove on the Fourth of July in conjunction with police officers and the Cosumnes Community Service District Fire Department. City vehicles were equipped with dashboard cams that recorded people launching illegal fireworks. That video was used to cite eight properties, which received a total of $53,000 for illegal aerial fireworks. Investigators from the police and fire departments spotted five incidents of individuals using illegal fireworks, reports were submitted to code enforcement officers. That resulted in a total of $7,000 in fines for five property owners, city officials said. In total, 19 property owners were issued citations for illegal fireworks that totaled $240,000. The city this week was processing these citations, and fine collection and enforcement efforts are pending. The volume of calls increased by about 50% this year compared to last year. Mendezs report to the City Council indicated the police dispatch center received 562 calls this year reporting illegal fireworks from 6 p.m. to midnight, even though the Fourth of July holiday falling on a weekday. There were 375 calls reporting fireworks in Elk Grove last year. From July 4 through July 5, the Fire Department responded to 80 incidents; 22 were fires, and fireworks were identified as the heat source that caused seven of those fires, according to Mendezs staff report. Feud State Elon Musk is once again playing with political fire amid his ongoing feud with a Brazilian Supreme Court judge and for once, the brash billionaire may be in the right. Though the fight that could, as CNBC and other outlets report, lead to the suspension of X-formerly-Twitter in Brazil has escalated dramatically this past week, the roots of Musk's spat with federal judge Alexandre de Moraes go back many months. The debacle began in April, when Moraes ordered specific accounts be suspended in the country's sweeping push against disinformation. Although X initially complied, Musk was none too pleased and ultimately said he was lifting the suspensions and alleged that Moraes had "applied massive fines, threatened to arrest our employees and cut off access to X in Brazil." "As a result, we will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there," the site owner wrote in an April tweet. "But principles matter more than profit." In response, the judge opened an investigation into Musk himself, and after months of barb-trading in the interim, the site owner chose to shut down X's Brazil operations in mid-August after Moraes threatened to arrest the social network's lawyer if he continued to not comply with his orders. Freeze Frame Following that arrest threat, X recalled its original lawyer a move that clearly angered Moraes, who gave the site a since-passed 24-hour deadline to name a new legal representative or face a ban in Brazil. As the ban loomed, the judge also ordered Starlink's assets in the country frozen to ensure X pays its fines, the Portuguese-language outlet G1 reported earlier in the week. While much of this contentious legal battle clearly hinges on two outsized egos butting heads, it does very much seem that Moraes is overreaching and not for the first time in his apparent crusade against disinformation. Now that the judge's deadline to name a new lawyer has passed, Brazil and the rest of the world will have to wait to see if he's going to follow through on his ban threat. In the meantime, Musk is digging in deeper in his condemnation of "evil dictator" Moraes on X which for all its righteousness is probably a foolish way to handle such a difficult adjudicator. More on Musk: Elon Musk Seems to Have Completely Missed the Point of "Star Trek" Elon Musk has attacked voting by mail as an insane idea that encourages election fraud, but he voted by mail twice when he lived in California, according to records of his voting history obtained by NBC News. Musk voted by mail in November 2016, the year Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, and in the November 2018 midterm election, the records show. Musks primary residence was in Los Angeles at the time. The state records show that Musk had a sparse history of voting in California. During the 18 years he was eligible to vote there, he cast ballots in only those two elections. He became eligible to vote when he became a U.S. citizen in 2002 and cast his first ballot 14 years later, at age 45. He was actively registered to vote by August 2006, the records show. Among the elections Musk skipped were presidential races in which Barack Obama, John McCain and Mitt Romney were on the ballot, all primary elections and all local elections. California has an open primary system in which all registered voters are allowed to participate. This is the first time Musks California voting records have been made public. NBC News obtained the history through a public records request to the California secretary of states office. The office initially declined the request for Musks voter file, saying it doesnt provide records for canceled registrations. It later reversed the decision. Musk canceled his registration in the state in August 2020, according to his voter file. He announced at a conference in December 2020 that he had moved to Texas. NBC News sought comment from Musk about his voting history and his past statements about mail-in ballots. In an email, he didnt address his votes but stood by his view about voter fraud. Voting by mail has been recognized as an invitation to fraud throughout the world, he wrote. Musk has criticized voting by mail at least four times this year on his social media app, X, mixing his criticisms with falsehoods and partial truths about U.S. elections part of a broader pattern of his posting misleading or false claims about election security. In January, he wrote: In the USA, you dont need government issued ID to vote and you can mail in your ballot. This is insane. But thats misleading. The standard voter registration form asks applicants for ID numbers, and while the specific requirements vary by state, they generally require a drivers license number, a state identification number or a Social Security number. And some states, such as Texas, ask for the same information again when people vote by mail. California requires some first-time voters to mail copies of their IDs with their ballots. In May, Musk falsely asserted that widespread voting by mail was not allowed before the Covid-19 pandemic: Widespread voting by mail (not allowed before the scamdemic) makes proving fraud almost impossible. Voting by mail was the choice of a majority of California voters both times Musk voted. In the November 2018 election, 65% of California ballots were cast by mail, according to state records. In the November 2016 election, the figure was 58%. California now has universal voting by mail, with all registered voters receiving ballots in advance that they can mail back or deliver by hand. The California secretary of states office declined to comment on Musks criticism, but it did provide information about how the state tries to ensure the systems integrity. It said that when people register, it checks ID numbers against whats on file and that when people vote by mail, it examines their signatures. State law requires voters to attest under penalty of perjury that theyre eligible to vote. The office also said it captures the IP addresses used for all online voter registrations in case someone tries to register multiple names from the same device, among other security measures. Numerous investigations and studies have documented that theres no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the U.S., and examples of fraud involving mail-in or absentee ballots are exceedingly rare. When they do occur, prosecutors have successfully brought cases against perpetrators, including in a highly publicized fraud scheme in North Carolina, despite Musks claim that voting by mail makes proving fraud almost impossible. Musk's own Super PAC, America PAC, has been encouraging some swing state voters to absentee vote with ballots that can be submitted by mail. NBC News obtained a mailer from America PAC that was distributed in Wisconsin that included a QR code linking to America PAC's website, with accompanying text reading "SCAN HERE TO APPLY FOR YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT." In Wisconsin, voters can cast absentee ballots by mailing them in, by bringing them to a county clerk's office or by bringing them to a polling place. A mailer from Elon Musk's America PAC encouraging absentee voting in Wisconsin. After he moved to Texas, Musk voted by absentee ballot in 2020, the Daily Beast has reported. Its not clear whether he mailed the absentee ballot. The website also reported that Musk voted in an election in Texas in June 2022 but skipped the November 2022 election. Musk is registered to vote in Brownsville, Texas, where his company SpaceX has operations, though as of December he lived in Austin, according to a report from Business Insider, citing court records. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is often ranked as the wealthiest person in the world. Musk isnt the only one to both criticize voting by mail and use it. Trump has done the same, including voting by mail in 2020 in Florida. Musk has endorsed Trumps bid to return to the White House over Vice President Kamala Harris. Voting by mail was for years associated with Democrats as part of their get-out-the-vote efforts. But this year some Republicans are embracing it as a way to boost turnout on their side. Musk wrote on X this year, I voted 100% Dem until a few years ago. The contents of ballots are secret, and the state records dont show whom Musk voted for. He has said he voted for Clinton in 2016 and President Joe Biden in 2020. Musk was registered in California as having no party preference, consistent with his describing himself as an independent. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kadlec humiliated longtime worker My name is Leslie Jackson and I have been employed at Kadlec Regional Medical Center for 44 years, and this past Monday night I was absolutely embarrassed by the management team of this facility. SEIU (Service Employees International Union) had given Kadlec a 10-day strike notice to begin at 6 a.m. Aug. 20. Knowing this, every manager employed by Kadlec marched into the facility and began to systematically escorting every member of our union out the door, with minutes to gather our belongings. We were hustled into elevators, and on the ground floor other managers were blocking every corridor so everyone was funneled out the main entrance. It was mortifying to be treated like a criminal by a facility I have been employed by for two-thirds of my life. Kadlec has promised the community that patient care and services would not be impacted by this strike; however when I and my fellow respiratory therapists were escorted out, we left three therapists covering 10 floors, including two intensive care units and an overflowing ER for the 90 minutes that management insisted they needed for a smooth transition. Maya Angelou said you will never forget how they made you feel. Leslie Jackson, Kennewick Democrat will do right for district An open Letter to Dan Newhouse: I am a Democrat, and I am going to vote for you as my congressman. I have never voted for you before, but I have met with you and your staff to advocate for your support for various policies. You have always been gracious and respectful and true to your conservative positions. I particularly appreciate your courage and integrity when you voted for the impeachment of Donald Trump. As the primary has demonstrated, this cost you votes from your Republican party against your MAGA opponent. I want you to know that I appreciate your long service to Benton County and I am going to vote for you in November. I respect the conservative party and their commitment to family values, a strong military, economic strength and patriotism, but strongly object to Donald Trump and MAGA. Donald Trump is a felon, an insurrectionist, and sexual predator and MAGA has taken over the Republican Party. I am asking all my fellow Democrats and all patriotic Republicans to vote for Dan Newhouse this November. I am also asking all patriots to vote against Donald Trump and MAGA. It is the right thing to do. Stan Moon, Richland Vote values, not Newhouse again Once again, Washingtons Fourth District will have two Republicans on the general election ballot. Historically, when this happens, the Democrats in the District have to choose between two candidates who do not share our values. Which one is the most benign? In this situation, the Democrats are in the same position as a minor party in a Parliamentary system. In order to have any power, you align with a larger party after receiving certain concessions in return for your support. Except that doesnt happen in the Fourth. Nothing is offered for our support in return for our vote. We have saved Newhouse on at least two occasions. The 2024 primary ended with (Jerrod) Sessler ahead of Dan Newhouse and the unwritten rule tells us to save Newhouse again. Where are Democratic values? Dan voted 60 times to kill Obamacare. He voted against Bidens infrastructure bill, lowering drug costs and junk fees, and the entire attempt to save the economy. Democrats are encouraged to Vote Blue all the way down the ballot. We can still do that by writing-in Cherissa Boyd for Fourth District representative. You might sleep better knowing that you voted your values rather than a political game of chicken. Richard Reuther, Kennewick Watergate values are lacking today Fifty years ago, a capable and able but corrupt and lawless U.S. president was forced to resign his position. President Nixons crime was his order to perform the massive cover-up of an illegal break-in of his rival partys headquarters in Washington, D.C. The system worked in 1974 because powerful Republicans and Nixons judicial appointees put the country before politics. Eight GOP members of the House Judiciary Committee voted for impeachment and eight Supreme Court Justices, including four Nixon appointees, demanded the White house turn over the tapes of Nixons efforts to block an FBI investigation of this break-in. Back then, officials of both parties were determined to uphold a standard of conduct that their president had violated. Today, many GOP legislators, aided by Trump judicial appointees, have put their politics before country. They continue to defend and kow-tow to ex-president Trump, who has proven to be an incompetent, unqualified, corrupt, and lawless leader. A convicted felon, he is accused of many more crimes, including violation of our security laws, violation of election laws, collusion with foreign governments as a private citizen and insurrection. Citizens are urged to put country before politics and vote against a second Trump presidential term. Bill Petrie, Richland Anglers on the Big Hole River near the Powerhouse fishing access site on Aug. 2, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) While several fishing restrictions have been lifted from Montana rivers during the past couple weeks because of cooler temperatures, the Big Hole River will be closed to fishing in its entirety starting at midnight Saturday morning because of low flows and an expected spike in daily high temperatures. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said persistent low river flows, high water temperatures and an unseasonably warm and dry forecast led to the full closure decision. FWP implements hoot-owl restrictions and fishing closures when rivers reach certain temperature thresholds that can be harmful to cold-water fish like trout. U.S. Geological Survey data showed Friday afternoon that water temperatures on the Big Hole ranged from 62 degrees to 70 degrees on various parts of the river, with the warmer temperatures near Twin Bridges on the lower end of the river. Daily high temperatures in Wise River are forecast to be in the mid-80s for the next several days, at least until Tuesday, when rain and a daily high of 70 is currently forecast. Temperatures will be several degrees warmer further downriver. During the past week and a half, FWP has lifted hoot-owl restrictions on the Beaverhead, Ruby, Smith, Jefferson, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and portions of the Madison rivers as cooler temperatures and some rain moved through Montana. During parts of the summer, hoot-owl restrictions have been placed on rivers across the state, from the Yellowstone to the North Fork Flathead River. But the only remaining closures and restrictions are on the Big Hole, Madison and Sun rivers. Along with the Big Hole closure, the Madison has hoot-owl restrictions from Hebgen Reservoir up to Yellowstone National Park and from the NorthWestern Energy powerhouse to where it meets the Jefferson River. The Sun River has hoot-owl restrictions from the mouth of Muddy Creek to the Highway 287 bridge. Portions of the Big Hole River have been closed since early August. The river is one of particular focus for FWP and conservationists, along with others in the Jefferson basin, as researchers study what is contributing to declining trout populations in the basin and sickening fish with lesions and other abnormalities. Spring 2020 run-off from fields where the digester's wastewater was being spread. Thousands of gallons ran off the field and formed a river flowing off to neighboring property, into culverts, and on into the watershed | FLOW photo Members of the advocacy organization For Love of Water (FLOW) are calling on the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to deny permitting for the Fremont Regional Digester outside Newaygo in West Michigan, citing water quality concerns. FLOW, alongside the Michigan Farmers Union, Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Michiganders for a Just Farming System, Progress Michigan, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Fremont-area farmer Kathleen Morrison have also called on EGLE to hold a public hearing in or near Fremont to discuss measures needed to operate the digester safely. In December, the company operating the digester announced it would close its doors unless it could reach an agreement with EGLE regarding the use of its digestate as liquid fertilizer. Digesters like the one in Fremont break down organic waste including materials like sewage sludge, food waste and wastewater to produce biogas, which can be used for energy production like natural gas, and digestate, which can be applied to farmland as a fertilizer, among other uses. Generate Upcycle took over the facility in 2017, and received notice in December 2021 that EGLEs Water Resources Division would be taking over regulation of the facilitys digestate, which was previously regulated by the Solid Waste Division. While the company was previously permitted to apply its liquid digestate as fertilizer, EGLE later determined that the facilitys digestate did not meet the standards for land application as an agriculturally beneficial solid waste. Under the new authority, the digester must now operate under a groundwater discharge permit, rather than the agricultural use authorization that previously dictated how the resulting digestate could be used. Generate Upcycle President Bill Caesar called the new requirements operationally impossible. The facility stopped accepting food waste at the end of December, Caesar said in a previous statement, after failing to come to an agreement with EGLE over the use of its digestate as fertilizer. On Jan. 27, Generate Fremont Digester LLC submitted its application for a groundwater discharge permit, with public comments on the permit running from July 3 through Aug. 2. according to a letter from Alissa Yanochko, a project coordinator on EGLEs groundwater permits staff. On Aug. 2, the FLOW Coalition submitted its comments and requested a public hearing on the permit in or near Fremont and that EGLE coordinate with the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate on a comprehensive evaluation of measures needed to operate the digester safely. In its comments,the coalition argued the permit as written has the potential to create an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health and well-being of the watershed, local soil ecology, the surrounding community, and all those dependent upon land, water, and air quality in the area. The Advance contacted Generate Upcycle, but the company did not respond to an interview request or a request for comment. Both the website and the email address associated with the Fremont Regional Digester are no longer active, although the facilitys Facebook page is still live. The coalition also noted previous environmental violations at the facility including a 2014 Clean Air Act Violation under the digesters previous operator, and Generates violation of its agricultural use authorization, Michigans solid waste code and the waste codes administrative rules. Residents also contacted EGLE with complaints about odor, digestate spills and runoff and other disturbances tied to the facility, with EGLE taking enforcement action in 2019. The department issued a $13,860 fine as well as a consent order requiring the company to revise its operations plan, provide certification of repairs to prevent leaking from one of the digestate lagoons, create a hydrogeologic monitoring plan and odor control plan, fully comply with with agricultural use authorization and submit quarterly reports to EGLE. In looking at the latest permit, the coalition pointed to further concerns, saying the soil and groundwater monitoring standards and parameters were insufficient. It criticized Generate Upcycles explanation of its waste characterization, which it describes as food waste, food waste waters, food byproducts and food sludges from food manufacturers and consumer packaged food and beverages that have been depackaged, with the coalition arguing the description is incomplete. The coalition pointed to a 2018 air quality inspection report where the inspector reported the facility receives dairy manure, with the coalition noting that waste from concentrated animal feeding operations like dairy farms can include chemical contaminants alongside high concentrations of E. coli bacteria, thermo-tolerant and antibiotic resistant bacteria, and other human and animal health threats. The facilitys digestate is also more likely to infiltrate surface and groundwater, as it is not dewatered, the coalition said. The coalition also questioned EGLEs decision to waive hydrogeological report requirements due to the infrequent use of each land application location, arguing that the hundreds of different application sites carrying different risks and potential sources of contamination should require an exceptionally extensive hydrogeological report. Additionally, the coalition argues the draft permit does not adequately protect natural resources under the Public Trust Doctrine, the Michigan Constitution, and the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, and fails to evaluate feasible and prudent alternatives, as required by the same act. EGLE has a non-discretionary legal duty to address all potential emissions and discharges to land, air, and water in its permitting actions. The need to regulate the facility as a complex wastewater treatment plant and air emissions source is not sufficiently addressed by the current draft permit, the coalition said in its comments. Alongside its request for EGLE to hold at least one hybrid in-person/virtual public hearing in Fremont, the coalition also requested the office coordinate with the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate to more comprehensively evaluate the measures needed to safely operate the digester. According to EGLE spokesperson Scott Dean, no date has been set for a public hearing. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday strongly condemned Israel's recent military operation in the West Bank which resulted in at least 10 deaths and many injuries. #XinhuaNews Escaped killer who was on the run in Pennsylvania for 2 weeks faces plea hearing WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) A convicted killer captured last year after two weeks on the run in southeastern Pennsylvanias rolling farmlands is due in court Friday for a potential plea on the escape charges. Danilo Cavalcante, 35, a native of Brazil, escaped from a Chester County lockup while waiting to be transferred to state prison to serve a life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend. He escaped by crab-walking up a wall in a jail exercise yard, then climbing over razor wire and jumping from a roof. His lawyer, Lonny Fish, declined to comment on the case Thursday or say if a plea deal had been reached. Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Phillips said he would not know until the hearing if an agreement had been finalized. Cavalcante had been convicted of killing ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao to stop her from telling police about charges against him in connection with a 2017 slaying in Brazil. While on the run, he stole a truck from a dairy farm after finding the keys inside, and survived by stealing food, clothing and other items from peoples homes. With residents of Chester County increasingly on edge, one homeowner found the fugitive in his open garage stealing a rifle and fired several shots at him with a pistol. But they seemingly missed Cavalcante, who remained on the run for two more days before he was captured early one morning by searchers using a planes thermal imaging from above and K-9 search dogs on the ground. Cavalcante is already serving a life sentence without the chance for parole. Any sentence on the new charges which include escape, burglary and trespass could be run concurrent with his life sentence or consecutive to it if the life sentence is overturned. The scheduled Friday afternoon hearing comes nearly a year after his Aug. 31, 2023, escape from the Chester County Prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Escaped killer who was on the run in Pennsylvania for 2 weeks pleads guilty to escape charges WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) A convicted killer captured last year after two weeks on the run in southeastern Pennsylvanias rolling farmlands has pleaded guilty to escape and burglary charges. Cavalcante was sentenced immediately afterward to serve 15 to 30 years in addition to his life sentence without parole for killing his ex-girlfriend. He chose not to speak in court. Danilo Cavalcante, 35, a native of Brazil, escaped from a Chester County lockup while waiting to be transferred to state prison to serve a life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend. He escaped by clambering up between two walls in a jail exercise yard, then climbing over razor wire and jumping from a roof. Cavalcante had been convicted of killing ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao to stop her from telling police about charges against him in connection with a 2017 slaying in Brazil. While on the run, he stole a truck from a dairy farm after finding the keys inside, and survived by stealing food, clothing and other items from peoples homes. With residents of Chester County increasingly on edge, one homeowner found the fugitive in his open garage stealing a rifle and fired several shots at him with a pistol. But they seemingly missed Cavalcante, who remained on the run for two more days before he was captured early one morning by searchers using a planes thermal imaging from above and K-9 search dogs on the ground. Cavalcante, a native of Brazil speaking through a Portuguese interpreter, told the judge his education had stopped in the fourth grade. Youre still a young man, County Judge Allison Bell Royer told Cavalcante, as she advised him to figure out a way to make something of his life even in prison. Maybe someday be a mentor to somebody for a purpose thats good, It is never too late, she said. Lonny Fish, his defense lawyer, said Cavalcante had swiftly agreed to plead guilty to the charges. His plea came a day before the one-year anniversary of his escape, which left many people across the Philadelphia region in fear, especially as Cavalcante entered at least two homes in search of provisions. I dont think he understood the circus that he caused, Fish 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 ABC27. Estonian intelligence tells about further actions of Russians on Pokrovsk front The Russian forces continue to hold the initiative at the operational level and conduct a tactical offensive on the Donetsk front. Source: Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre in a weekly report, cited by ERR, as reported by European Pravda Details: Estonian intelligence reports that Russia is likely to try to make even greater efforts to achieve success on the Pokrovsk front and further isolate the central part of Donetsk Oblast. The Russian army has increased operational pressure on the Donetsk, Kupiansk and Kurakhove fronts. Russia continues to hold the initiative along the entire contact line at the tactical and operational levels. The exception is the Kursk front [territory of Russia ed.]. On average, the number of attacks is up to 195 per day, a third of which are carried out on the Pokrovsk front, where the situation of Ukrainian defenders has become very critical, the Estonian ministry said. Background: Last week, the General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces analysed the start of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast in a report. Media reports indicate American officials are concerned that if Ukraine continues its operation in Kursk Oblast, its forces could be overextended. UK Defence Intelligence, for its part, believes that Russia is using troops in Kursk Oblast whose personnel are not deployed as intended, which could reduce Russia's ability to regain territory occupied by Ukrainian forces. Support UP or become our patron! Ethiopia is worried over a defense deal between Egypt and Somalia as tensions rise in Horn of Africa FILE - A Somali soldier controls the crowd as thousands of people attend a protest rally in Mogadishu, Somalia, Wednesday Jan.3, 2024, after being angry with an agreement signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland to give landlocked Ethiopia access to its shoreline. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh, File) MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) Ethiopia is increasingly concerned over a recent defense deal between Egypt and Somalia, two countries that Addis Ababa is embroiled in disputes with amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa region. Cairo and Mogadishu earlier this month signed a security agreement during a visit to the Egyptian capital by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who held talks with his Egyptian host, President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi. Details of the deal have not been made public but Ali Abdi Aware, the Somali ambassador to Cairo, told a radio station in Mogadishu that the arrival of military equipment from Egypt to Somalia this week was the first practical step to implementing" that deal. Speaking by phone from Cairo to Arlaadi Media radio on Tuesday, he also asserted that under the agreement, Egyptian troops would be deployed to Somalia after Dec. 31, when an African Union's peacekeeping mission to Somalia ends. There was no confirmation of such plans from Egypt, which has been seeking to strengthen its influence in the Horn of Africa. Cairo has also not confirmed sending military equipment to Somalia. The prospect of having Egyptian troops next door has raised concerns in Ethiopia. The foreign ministry in Addis Ababa issued a statement saying the country cannot stand idle while other actors are taking measures to destabilize the region. There are two key disputes involving the three African countries. The first dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt is over Ethiopias construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a key tributary to the Nile River. Egypt fears it will have a devastating effect on its water and irrigation supply downstream unless Ethiopia takes its needs into account. Ethiopia is using the dam to generate badly needed electricity. The second dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia is over Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia has sought to block landlocked Ethiopias ongoing efforts to gain access to the Red Sea via a contentious agreement with Somaliland to lease a stretch of land along Somalilands coastline, where Ethiopia would establish a marine force base. In return, according to Somaliland authorities, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country. Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago but is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its territory. Somalias federal government has since 2007 been supported by an African Union peacekeeping mission in fighting the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida and is responsible deadly attacks across the country. Even after the AU peacekeepers leave, troops from countries such as Uganda and Burundi may stay in Somalia under bilateral deals. Ethiopia said Wednesday it was vigilantly monitoring developments in the region that could threaten its national security and accused Somalia of colluding with external actors to undermine regional stability. Somaliland also issued a statement Thursday saying it strongly objects to any deployment of Egyptian troops in Somalia. Eton College will raise fees by 20 per cent to pass on VAT to parents in full from January, the school has announced. The 52,749-a-year school reportedly wrote to parents on Friday morning saying that only those on bursaries would be exempt from the fee hike. It means that for most students, fees will rise to 63,000 from January. In the letter to parents, the school said that having carefully considered the impact of the Governments decision from January 2025, we regret that the cost of an Eton education is likely to rise by 20 per cent as a result of the introduction of VAT. Eton College also criticised the Governments VAT policy in its announcement. Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, the outgoing provost, said in the letter to parents: While this news was not unexpected, the provost and fellows regret that the Government has chosen to tax education in this way. Furthermore, we are disappointed that the introduction of VAT will take place part way through an academic year and at short notice. We recognise the concern that will be felt by many parents following this announcement. He claimed that the Governments decision to strip private schools of business rates relief would add over 1.2 million per annum to our current cost base. Pupils on 100 per cent bursaries will not be affected by the change, the College said. Those on partial bursaries will see their fee discounts increased to cover the cost of the VAT. The 584-year-old school also said it would consider increasing its current 10 million financial assistance pot to help those who now face an unaffordable increase in the cost of their education. Private schools were forced into taking action over the summer holidays after the Government made the surprise announcement in July that the VAT plans would come in mid-year something senior Labour sources had previously ruled out. Many have begun emailing parents informing them of fee hikes this week ahead of the start of the new school year on Monday. It leaves parents with just days to decide whether or not to pull their children out, as most private schools require a terms notice to withdraw pupils. Some schools have vowed to absorb part of the cost. The Girls Day School Trust (GDST), a group of 23 top private schools in England and Wales, said earlier this week it will hike fees by 12 per cent from January. 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, it said. 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. We appreciate the financial pressures felt by many families Cheryl Giovannoni, GDSTs chief executive, also criticised the Governments decision to accelerate 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. Meanwhile, 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. 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. 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 general view of an informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Friday were tight-lipped about a plan to move some of the EU training operations inside Ukraine and train Ukrainian soldiers there. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the move has to be "a careful decision" and the risks and benefits weighed up by the European Union. "We are open to talk about this," he added. Andris Spruds, minister for defence for Latvia, stressed the importance of such a plan to be a "collective decision" before the meeting of his EU counterparts. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said he was in favour of the idea, but top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said there was no EU agreement currently to train Ukrainian soldiers on Ukrainian soil. Currently training is taking place in Germany and Poland. The training mission started in November 2022. So far 52,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained according to EU figures from May. The EU wants to train 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers in total by the end of the summer. EU defence ministers are to also debate the mission's extension until 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron, backed by Lithuania, signalled he is for training Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine. A number of EU countries including Germany are concerned about the move. The meeting is an informal one, meaning the ministers are not expected to make any official decisions. Also under discussion are conditions placed on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine preventing their use to strike targets inside Russia. Pevkur said such restrictions on Ukraine are like fighting "only with one hand." Borrell said fears that lifting such conditions would be like entering war with Russia were "ridiculous." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pushed hard on Thursday for the EU to speed up the deliveries of ammunition and air defence systems including Patriots. The Netherlands promised to assemble quickly a Patriot system for Ukraine, but the Dutch defence minister declined to give a timeline for its delivery, citing security reasons. Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said the EU has learned its lesson from not being able to live up to its commitments to supply Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells within a year and is strengthening the production capacity of the bloc's defence industry. Also under discussion is the EU's military mission Aspides to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen. The Iranian-aligned militants are trying to force an end to the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip by attacking commercial cargo vessels in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. UN Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and NATO Assistant Secretary General Angus Lapsley are set to attend the meeting. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, opens an informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the European Union to be more self-sufficient in energy production in a speech on Friday in Prague. "When we speak about our energy, we have to produce our own energy, more renewables, more nuclear, more efficiency," she told a security conference in the Czech capital. Nuclear energy in the EU however is hotly disputed with France pushing for the technology to get more public investment, and be a bigger part of the bloc's energy system, against stiff opposition from Germany. As commission president, the German conservative politician has previously highlighted the role of nuclear in the EU's shift away from fossil fuels. But at the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit in March, von der Leyen had to acknowledge views differ across the EU on the technology. In Germany, after six decades of nuclear energy, the last three nuclear plants were shut down in April 2023. The country was so alarmed by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in March 2011 that then-chancellor Angela Merkel announced a phase-out of nuclear power in the country. Von der Leyen did not say in her speech in Prague if she considered a return to nuclear power was warranted in Germany but pointed to the all-out Russian invasion of Ukraine to bolster her overall argument. Europe bought gas from Russia on the basis that "economic interdependence was the ultimate source of security," von der Leyen said. "This was supposed to be the guarantee that Moscow would never start a new war on the old continent. This was an illusion," von der Leyen added. Czech President Petr Pavel speaks during the 19th Annual Globsec Security Conference in Prague. ulova Kateina/CTK/dpa EU to train 15,000 more Ukrainian soldiers by end of year top EU diplomat EU defence ministers agreed at an informal meeting on Friday, 30 August to increase the number of Ukrainian soldiers who will undergo training within the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM). Source: Josep Borrell, the EUs top diplomat for foreign policy and security policy, at a press conference, as reported by European Pravda Details: Borrell noted the achievements of EUMAM, which he described as "the most successful training mission the European Union has ever performed". He confirmed that 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained within the programme. "And today the ministers agreed to raise the target to 75,000, adding 15,000 more by the end of the year," Borrell announced. He noted that the training of Ukrainian soldiers would be adapted to the situation on the battlefield and be coordinated with Kyiv. "In order to do that, I proposed, and the member states agreed, on establishing a small liaison coordination centre in Kyiv. This will allow us to directly coordinate with other relevant actors [of the training process ed.]," Borrell explained. Background: The EUMAM mission was established in October 2022 to help train Ukrainian soldiers. EUMAM training is mostly held in Poland and Germany, but there have been reports in the media that the EU is considering conducting some training on the territory of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! A general view of an informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa EU defence ministers agreed to raise the training target for Ukrainian soldiers to 75,000 by the end of the year, the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell said on Friday. EU defence ministers were meeting in Brussels to discuss the bloc's ongoing operation to train Ukrainian soldiers to defend their country against Russia's all-out invasion. Borrell, speaking at a press conference, described the training efforts "as the most successful training mission that the European Union has ever performed." Training is currently taking place in Germany and Poland. Borrell said the EU has now trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of the summer of 2024. The new training target is an increase of 15,000. EU defence ministers also debated the mission's extension until 2026, with a decision to come. A plan to move some of the EU training operations inside Ukraine was also discussed but Borrell said there was no agreement reached to do so. The top EU diplomat said training was instead decided to "be as close as possible to Ukraine, but not in Ukrainian territory." A small team of "mostly military" officials will coordinate the training from Kiev, he added. French President Emmanuel Macron, backed by Lithuania, signalled he is for training Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine. A number of EU countries including Germany are concerned about such a move. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said on Friday he was in favour of the idea. The defence ministers' meeting was an informal one, meaning no official decisions had been expected. Also under discussion are conditions that were placed on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine preventing their use to strike targets inside Russia. Pevkur said such restrictions on Ukraine are like fighting "only with one hand." Borrell said fears that lifting such conditions would mean entering war with Russia were "ridiculous." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pushed hard on Thursday for the EU to speed up the deliveries of ammunition and air defence systems including US-made Patriots. The Netherlands promised to quickly assemble a Patriot system for Ukraine, but Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans declined to give a timeline for its delivery, citing security reasons. FILE PHOTO: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell speaks during a press conference in Hanoi By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union rebuffed a request from Kyiv for the bloc to train Ukrainian soldiers inside the war-torn country, but will train them as close as possible to Ukrainian territory, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday. The EU has trained some 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers inside the economic union's borders since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of the country and will aim to train 15,000 more by the end of the year, Borrell said. Kyiv has asked the EU to consider some training inside Ukraine, arguing this would be faster, more cost-effective, and logistically easier than inside the EU. But multiple EU countries are reluctant to deploy troops inside Ukraine, expressing concerns about their safety and questioning whether such a move would divert Ukrainian forces from their core mission, in order to protect trainers. "Some member states were ready, others reluctant," Borrell told reporters after a meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels. "Finally, we decided that the training will be as close as possible to Ukraine, but not in Ukrainian territory," he said. Borrell said he was personally open to Kyiv's idea. "Why not? They ..(would be) closer to the environment where they will have to fight. It could be more appropriate." But deploying an EU military mission in Ukraine would require the agreement of all the bloc's 27 members. Borrell said he had proposed the EU establish a small coordination cell in Ukraine to liaise with Ukrainian forces and make the EU's work "more effective". Friday's decision would not prevent individual EU members, or a group of them, from training inside Ukraine. France floated such a prospect this year but diplomats say there is no sign of it becoming a reality soon. Borrell also said the EU has provided some 650,000 ammunition rounds and missiles to Ukraine under a drive launched in March 2023, which was intended to deliver 1 million shells within 12 months. "We are accelerating more and more by producing quicker. The industry is increasing capacity," Borrell said. "I hope that by the end of the year we will reach the target." (Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by GV De Clercq and Rod Nickel) ISLAMABAD, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed his keen interest in boosting ties with Bangladesh, said a statement from the prime minister's office. According to the statement, Sharif held a telephone conversation with Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, extending his congratulations to Yunus's appointment. The prime minister highlighted the importance of revitalizing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh through enhanced cooperation in various fields. Emphasizing the historical, religious and cultural ties between the two nations, Sharif conveyed a keen interest in enhancing economic and cultural exchanges with Bangladesh, said the prime minister's office. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of working closely for the mutual progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries as well as the vital role an increased regional cooperation plays in improving the lives of the people of South Asia. The prime minister also expressed sympathies over the devastation caused by recent floods in Bangladesh, said the statement. EU has trained 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and this number is increasing German Defence Ministry The EU will achieve the number of 60,000 trained Ukrainian soldiers "as early as tomorrow". Source: Thomas Hitschler, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Minister of Defence of Germany, cited by European Pravda Details: Hitschler states that the EU will achieve the number of 60,000 trained Ukrainian soldiers "as early as tomorrow". "This is the number of soldiers we have trained in the EU. They will return to Ukraine after the training. And by the end of this year, Germany will train 10,000 soldiers from Ukraine," he reported. Before this meeting, Josep Borrell, top EU diplomat, revealed that the EU had prepared about 700,000 rounds of ammunition out of the promised million for Ukraine. At the same time, industrial production keeps gaining traction. On 26 August, Andris Spruds, Minister of Defence of Latvia, reported about a new training programme for Ukrainian drone operators and stressed that Ukraine could "legally" use the drones it was supplied with for launching attacks on the territory of Russia. Support UP or become our patron! The summer surge of the coronavirus subvariants nicknamed FLiRT has given way to ever more contagious strains, a key reason behind the current high levels of COVID in California and nationwide. And doctors and scientists are keeping an eye on yet another subvariant XEC that could surpass the latest hyperinfectious subvariant, KP.3.1.1, now thought to be the most common nationwide. XEC was first detected in Germany and has since seized the attention of doctors and scientists worldwide. XEC "is just getting started now around the world and here," said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla. "And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave. "XEC is definitely taking charge. ... That does appear to be the next variant," Topol added. "But it's months off from getting into high levels." While XEC has shown up in the United States, its prevalence is low and it is not being individually tracked on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's variant tracker website. A lineage must be estimated to circulate above 1% nationally over a two-week period for it to be tracked. Read more: 'Playing COVID roulette': Some infected by FLiRT variants report their most unpleasant symptoms yet The expected midyear wave began in May, when the winter's dominant subvariant, JN.1, gave way to a number of subvariants nicknamed FLiRT a cheeky name based on the letters of two key mutations, F456L and R346T, Topol said. (Focus only on the letters and add an "i" as a connector, and you get FLiRT, which includes the officially named KP.2 subvariant.) Then, "the FLiRT eventually gave way to new variants that had even more growth advantage," Topol said. A successor subvariant, KP.3, had a different mutation Q493E and dropped R346T. It was nicknamed FLuQE, pronounced fluke. And an even more contagious subvariant KP.3.1.1 had a mutation that was deleted, giving it the unofficial moniker deFLuQE, or de-fluke. The "S31 deletion," Topol said, is "what's made that a kind of very pathogenic, very immune evasive variant. That S31 deletion has been studied particularly by the Sato lab in Japan and that's the culprit that's making this wave prolonged and getting into a lot of people who otherwise might have ... not gotten sick." "The KP.3.1.1 is definitely an outlier for growth advantage," he added. "It's not over yet, obviously. And we're going to have new variants beyond KP.3.1.1." Read more: 'The virus wants to live.' California's big COVID spike isn't expected to ease anytime soon KP.3.1.1 is still estimated to be the nation's most common subvariant. For the two-week period that began Aug. 18, KP.3.1.1 was estimated to make up 42.2% of coronavirus samples nationwide, up from 19.8% a month ago, according to the CDC. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines that just came out just before the Labor Day weekend are designed against KP.2, a predecessor of KP.3.1.1, so they are a relatively close match for the main circulating variants. XEC, however, won't be as closely aligned. The new vaccines are still way better for the current season compared to the shot released a year ago, which targeted XBB.1.5, but the difference between what the latest vaccine is designed against and XEC, is "pretty substantial ... and we'll see how it plays out," Topol said. "It would be surprising if this doesn't turn out to be the next challenge," Topol said. Still, "any booster will help induce a higher level of immunity." Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said she thought the new vaccines would still provide some good protection against XEC "because there is some overlap, because these are all sub, sub, sub-grandchildren of the original Omicron. So there is still going to be some level of protection there." "We're not like in a new Greek letter they're not that much different; it's not like something completely new," Hudson said. XEC is a recombination of two different, little-discussed subvariants: KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, Hudson said. "It's definitely one that I have my eye on," she said. "But this is a little bit different, and it does seem to be showing what we call a growth advantage over the JN.1, or the deFLuQE variants, or the FLiRT variants," Hudson said. "It's going to be a little hard to know where this is going to go, because right now, KP.3.1.1 really still is the predominant variant," Hudson said. "So we have to really monitor not only what's happening within the U.S., but also what's happening in Europe as they get more towards their colder seasons." Read more: The new COVID vaccine is here. Why these are the best times to get immunized Besides Germany, XEC has been reported elsewhere in western Europe, including the Netherlands, and has spread relatively quickly, Hudson said. "We'll really have to watch because the overall info on it is not super robust now but I would imagine over the next couple of weeks, particularly if it starts to creep up higher and higher, we will be hearing a little bit more about it," Hudson said. COVID has proved to be far more wily than the flu. Instead of one fall-and-winter wave, as flu typically delivers, COVID seems to bring two waves each year. There are several reasons for that difference. "One is that the virus keeps evolving, and it takes that long for a variant to really pick up steam and to become dominant," Topol said. The second is that our immunity at least in terms of infection is short-lived, allowing many who recover in the winter to get COVID again in the summer, Topol said. (Luckily, protection against hospitalization and death has been more durable, explaining why hospitals are no longer strained despite high levels of coronavirus circulating nationwide.) And finally, few people are adhering to precautionary measures that were far more common years ago, Topol said. Fewer people are wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, staying up to date on their vaccinations or even staying home when sick. As of spring, 22.5% of U.S. adults and 29.1% of a subset of seniors 65 and older got the COVID-19 vaccination for the 202324 season. Vaccination rates were higher for the flu, estimated to cover 48.5% of adults and 50.6% of seniors. In California as of July 31, 37% of seniors had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 202324 season, as did 18.7% of those age 50 to 64, and 10.1% of the youngest adults. 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. Erik McGregor/Getty Images The following weekly digest is written and compiled by the Trans Formations Project, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States. You can follow their work and latest updates via Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr, and Facebook. Hello readers. Its Friday, August 30, 2024. As a reminder, legislative sessions are different for each state and you can keep track of your states legislative session here. Currently, bill progressions have slowed following the conclusion of legislative sessions in most states. This week: no new bill progressions or introductions! Editorial Feature: The Democratic National Convention Last week, the Democrats came out in force at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), with politicians and activists taking the stage to champion all manner of causes. This week in our Newsletter Editorial section, we examine what the Democrats are formally promising to LGBTQIA+ peopletrans people in particular. You can read the full platform here. Sadly, political party platforms often carry little weight once candidates enter elected office. For this reason, accountability is important and were absolutely going to hold Democrats accountable for the promises they made to the LGBTQIA+ community in 2020. We cannot and should not stake our communitys safety on blind faith in elected officials. In order to better contextualize the Democratic Partys 2024 platform, it helps to juxtapose the partys current policy objectives with those from 2020. This article will focus on concrete legislation proposed and enacted during Bidens tenure in office. Well examine the promises made by the Democrats in 2020, check whether or not the Biden Administration delivered on those promises, and compare past objectives to current ones. The 2020 Platform There are a number of other promises listed in the 2020 platform that are harder to quantify, or perhaps dont specify a method for how they would be achieved (including ending violence against transgender Americans). The 2024 Platform Pass the Equality Act to codify protections for LGBTQIA+ Americans and their families. Prohibit employment discrimination in the federal government, including contractors. Make federally-funded seniors programs LGBTQIA+ inclusive. Protect LGBTQIA+ children and prospective parents in adoption and foster care systems. Expand mental health and suicide prevention services for LGBTQIA+ people. Protect transgender Americans' access to healthcare and coverage, including gender-affirming care. Implement a national strategy to end the HIV epidemic. Ban conversion therapy. Invest in supporting LGBTQIA+ youth mental health. Support LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care. Fight book bans that censor LGBTQIA+ content. Guarantee educational environments free from sex discrimination. Launch the LGBTQIA+ Community Safety Partnership to provide community safety trainings and support. Prioritize the investigation of hate crimes against trans and nonbinary people. So, what does this all mean? Of the thirteen promises made by the Democrats in 2020, only three were unqualified successes. Another three policy objectives were partial successes. In total, the Democrats failed to implement seven out of thirteen pro-LGBTQIA+ policy objectives over the course of Bidens presidential tenure. To be fair to the Democratic Party, several of these policy issues saw movement during that time, but were faced with staunch opposition. Much of the 2024 platform is an extension of what has been left undone from 2020. While that reality is unsatisfactory, the only solution is continuing to hold all legislators accountable, whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Did the Democrats help our community enough to merit support? Well leave that for you to decide. One of the most important things you can do for the trans/GNC community right now is vote in your local and state-level elections! If you arent already registered to vote in your state, you can do so here. The Things We Won! The Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP) announced this week that it will now provide resources to trans youth and families in Wyoming. TYEP, facilitated by the Campaign for Southern Equality, offers funding and assistance to trans youth and families who must travel out of state to receive gender-affirming care. Many such families in Wyoming are in dire need of these resources following the March 2024 passage of WY SF0099, a gender-affirming care ban for minors. A few weeks ago, the Campaign for Southern Equality expanded the Trans Youth Emergency Project to include South Dakota. Read TFPs coverage of the story here. On August 25, four hundred people marched in Washington, D.C. for the second annual National Trans Visibility March. The march began with a rally at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters before moving on. Both event organizers and local community leaders spoke at the march, including Reverend Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey, Hope Giselle, and Kelley Robinson. Speakers and activists held up signs with messages such as Trans Lives Matter and Protect Trans Siblings. Attendees said they felt encouraged and supported by the event and expressed their willingness to mobilize against anti-trans candidates in the upcoming elections. What the Heck Else Happened This Week? Earlier this month, on August 1, Texas A&M University suspended gender transition services for students indefinitely. The university introduced these services as a feature of its campus medical facilities in 2012; at the time, this program was relatively novel among American colleges and universities. Suspension of these services likely followed after conservative news outlet Texas Scorecard published an article criticizing Texas A&M, asserting that the university offered unsafe transgender services to students. In addition to Texas Scorecards article, members of The Rudder Association (TRA), a conservative Texas A&M alumni organization, reportedly applied pressure to the universitys administration to cease transition services. A spokesperson for Texas A&M denied that either factor influenced the decision. On August 26th, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling in Doe v. Ladapo, the case challenging Floridas 2023 gender-affirming care ban (FL SB 254) in a 2-1 opinion. The earlier case had partially overturned the legislation, and this decision reinstates the restrictions on gender-affirming care in Florida. The reinstated restrictions include: 1. A total ban on the use of telehealth for initial assessments and appointments for new or adjusted prescriptions for transition-related medical care. There is an exception for refills when the patient has already signed the informed consent forms in person with the physician, provided that there are no changes to the prescribed medications or hormone treatments. 2. A ban on providers who are not physicians (MDs and DOs) prescribing medications and hormones for gender-affirming care. The ban prevents providers such as nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, and registered nurse-midwives from providing this care. There is an exception for refills under the criteria listed above. 3. Reinstatement of the lengthy, biased, state-approved informed consent forms (available here under Forms & Requests) that all patients must sign in-person in the presence of a physician for all new or adjusted prescriptions and for surgical care. 4. A total ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors who had not already been prescribed puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by the date the ban went into effect (May 18, 2023). 5. Reinstatement of restrictions for trans youth who had already been prescribed puberty blockers or HRT by May 18, 2023. These restrictions will affect those who were previously permitted to continue receiving ongoing transition-related medical care. When these restrictions went into effect in May 2023, they excluded 80% of providers, requiring the remaining 20% of qualified providers under this law to provide 100% of the care. Providers such as Planned Parenthood stopped accepting new patients for gender-affirming care in most of the state, and at the time of this newsletters publication, that is again the case. These restrictions will also block many trans adults from beginning to receive new care or transferring their care from another state. Many providers also do not serve trans youth under age 18, making it more difficult even for youth who were grandfathered in to continue receiving their medical care in the state of Florida. On August 28th, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a rehearing before the full court for Alabamas transgender healthcare ban, Eknes-Tucker v. Gov. of Alabama. In a 7-4 decision, the court denied the rehearing on the assertion that the healthcare ban did not discriminate against trans people. The Human Rights Campaign has put out a press release regarding this ruling, noting the strong objections voiced by the four dissenting judges. On August 15th, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voided a previous ruling in which it sided with a transgender police officer in Georgia. In this particular case, a transgender officer sued Houston County after being denied coverage for gender-affirming surgery under her employee health insurance. The court previously upheld a lower courts ruling, siding with the plaintiff. However, following an appeal by Houston, the appellate court ruled that the case must be heard again. This vacates the previous ruling in May. A date for the new hearing has not been set. Mental Health Resources We know that staying up-to-date with anti-trans legislation may be distressing to our readers. If you or someone you know needs support, here are a few affirming resources that you can reach out to: If you need support or are in crisis, you can contact the Trans Lifeline hotline at (877) 565-8860. The Trans Lifeline is run by trans people, for trans people, and does not engage in non-consensual active rescue, meaning they will not call law enforcement without your consent. You can connect with a Trevor Project crisis counselor via phone 1 (866) 488-7386, chat, or text (Text START to 678-678). Note: This resource could utilize non-consensual active rescue, including law enforcement, 911, and first responders. You can call the LGBT National Hotline at (888) 843-4564 or connect with a peer via chat. The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services. BlackLine is a BIPOC LGBTQ+ support line, run by BIPOC folks, for BIPOC folks. This resource does not involve law enforcement or state agencies. You can call 1 (800) 604-5841 to chat with a peer. For folks under 25, you can call the LGBT National Youth Talkline at (800) 246-7743. The LGBT National Help Center will NOT call other suicide hotlines, law enforcement, 911, or rescue services. Adults (folks 18+) can text the THRIVE Lifeline, which is trans-led and operated. Text "THRIVE" to (313) 662-8209 to begin your conversation. THRIVE Lifeline does NOT call emergency services for people who are at risk of harming themselves without their consent. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Maggie Goodlander, a candidate in the increasingly tense Democratic primary for retiring Rep. Annie Kusters (D-N.H.) seat, filed a personal financial disclosure that has raised questions over the actual value of sizable assets she holds. Goodlander, a former Justice Department official under President Biden whos married to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, is running to fill Kusters seat in New Hampshires 2nd Congressional District, a Democratic-leaning area that went for Biden by 9 points in 2020. Her primary opponent, Colin Van Ostern, is backed by Kuster, while Goodlander has the support of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EMILYs List, an abortion-rights group. Whoever wins the primary is favored to defeat the GOP nominee in November. The questions surrounding Goodlanders recent personal financial disclosure, which was filed Aug. 12, come as the race turns bitter in the lead-up to the Sept. 10 primary, with Kuster herself wading in to boost Van Ostern as recent polls show Goodlander leading. The disclosure has puzzled experts because it lists the value of multiple easily verifiable assets as undetermined, including checking, retirement and investment accounts; treasury notes; cash bonds; and several properties or pieces of land, even those the report indicates are currently for sale. To be perfectly honest, this was pretty bizarre, said Danielle Caputo, legal counsel for ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, referring to the disclosure. Examples of assets in which the value was noted as undetermined include an individual retirement account (IRA) from Fidelity Investments and a retirement savings account from Yale University. These assets are not among the five options the House Ethics Committee has deemed appropriate to mark as undetermined in value: pensions, futures contracts, intellectual property rights, solar energy rights and certain options contracts. I cant remember a time where I saw undetermined listed as a value of asset, let alone dozens of times, Caputo said. Members of Congress, federal candidates and senior congressional staff are among those who are required to file annual reports disclosing their personal assets, liabilities and outside income under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Goodlander a counsel during former President Trumps first impeachment had secured a 90-day extension from the clerk of the House of Representatives in May, a routine option taken by filers who request more time to complete the required disclosures. Contacted by The Hill, a Goodlander campaign spokesperson suggested an amendment to the asset disclosure is forthcoming. The campaign completed the initial financial disclosure with all the information it was able to obtain at the time, the spokesperson said in a statement. Like with many first-time candidates, the campaign will file an amendment once it receives the additional information it requested. Candidates and members of Congress filing financial disclosures only need to disclose broad ranges on the value of the asset, raising further questions about Goodlanders assets and her ability to provide transparency into her personal finances. Goodlander not only failed to specify the value of most of her assets, but she also marked each asset as Other rather than use the specific codes for trusts, bank and retirement accounts, real estate and other assets, even in cases where she did disclose a value range for an asset. Goodlanders disclosure also failed to break out the underlying assets of certain retirement accounts including 401(k)s and IRAs, as required by the House Ethics Committee. What is the purpose of omitting required details on your financial disclosure form, which only serves to put the people youre trying to represent in the dark about who you are exactly and who you may or may not be beholden to, Caputo said. Goodlander, who has outraised Van Ostern, has fielded attacks from her opponents over her ties to the district, among other issues. In an ad released recently, Kuster accused Goodlander of running a deceptive campaign to buy a seat in Congress and accused her of giving thousands to pro-life Republicans. The Goodlander campaign pushed back against the ad in a statement. Colin Van Osterns attacks suggesting that Maggie Goodlander wont fight for reproductive freedom is false, shameful, and out of bounds, a campaign spokesperson said. He knows Maggies professional record in this fight and he knows that Maggie and her husband have fought their own painful battles with reproductive health. To use this issue to try and score political points is about as low as it gets, the spokesperson added. The Goodlander campaign also released several ads addressing the issue of abortion and her residency. In one ad, Goodlander argued that Colin Van Ostern is being dishonest with you about my commitment to reproductive freedom. Its disgraceful. In another ad, state Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D) called the lies about Goodlander outrageous. To suggest shes not from here come on, Rosenwald says in the ad. Maggie was born and raised in Nashua. Recent polling has shown Goodlander edging out Van Ostern. A University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll released last week showed the former Biden administration official leading the Van Ostern 34 percent to 28 percent, with 38 percent saying they did not know or were undecided. The polling falls within the surveys 4.9 point margin of error, effectively tying the two candidates. A Saint Anselm College Survey Center poll released earlier this month found Goodlander ahead of Van Ostern 41 percent to 31 percent, with 28 percent unsure. The Cook Political Report rates the seat as likely Democrat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 former police officer who murdered his ex-wife and girlfriend before shooting himself in April left behind a note in his West Richland home. The computer printout signed by Elias Zuniga Huizar, 39, helps answer some of the lingering questions about the killing spree that shocked the Tri-Cities. Huizars last message dated the day of the shooting was included in 62 pages of the final West Richland police reports released to the Tri-City Herald in response to a Washington state Public Records Act request. The documents are part of the investigation into the shooting outside a West Richland elementary school and the haunting discovery of another body Huizars 17-year-old girlfriend at his home in the same neighborhood. The reports help explain the timeline of the killings and Huizars mental state at the time. Bitter divorce and custody Huizar had gone through a bitter divorce with Amber Rodriguez, 31, his wife of nine years and mother of two of his three sons. Amber Rodriguez was killed by her ex-husband outside of West Richlands William Wiley Elementary school in April 2024. During the three-year court battle that ended in 2023, Huizar told the judge that hed left his job with the Yakima Police Department because of post-traumatic stress and had received counseling. His wife moved to the Tri-Cities and ended up with primary custody of the two young boys, while Huizar had visitation rights. But when Huizar was charged with sexual misconduct in Benton County earlier this year, Rodriguez got a protection order that prevented him from seeing the boys, then 9 and 5. Let police officers get help for PTSD! Huizar wrote in his apparent suicide note. Stop the system of a Mother State for divorce. I lived for my children! A mother state refers to a perception that a particular court system is believed to favor moms over fathers in child custody cases. Rodriguez was killed less than four weeks before a custody hearing was scheduled on May 14 in which she planned to ask to have Huizars visitation rights revoked. Hed already left his job with the Yakima Police Department and lost his emergency substitute teaching position with the Richland School District. Then, he was charged with starting an illegal underage 2022 relationship with his girlfriend, Angelica Santos, and with raping one of her teen friends earlier this year. Former Yakima Police Officer Elias Huizar pictured here in 2018. Huizars note was found at the house he rented in West Richland, just a block from where his oldest son attended school and where Rodriguez worked as a paraeducator. On April 22, he shot her after school near the bus pickup zone and in front of their son. He then fled to Oregon. During the manhunt that followed, officers obtained a search warrant for his house. Thats where they found Angelica Santos dead. Huizars note explained that authorities could find Santos car parked at a nearby apartment complex. And that her family could have Santos and their baby sons belongings. Police didnt know where the boy was. Huizar went on to say that all his possessions should be given to his mother, according to the West Richland police report. Girlfriends murder Investigators have never said publicly when Santos was likely killed. The recently released reports make clear she died the night before or early in the morning before he shot Rodriguez at the school. Angelica M. Santos, 17, was killed by her boyfriend Elias Huizar, a 39-year-old former police officer, inside his West Richland home in April 2024. Huizar and Santos were at a gathering with Santos family in the Yakima Valley on April 21, and she came back to West Richland with him. She also brought their 1-year-old. Her cellphones location service put her in Kennewick about 11 p.m. that night, then the phone signal turned off, the reports said. The reports show he stabbed her nine times while she fought him in the living room of his house. He took time to clean up the blood before laying her body on a plastic drop cloth, with her head pillowed by a quilt in the same room. He placed electric fans around her body, likely to keep it cool. The reports showed that traffic cameras documented Huizar driving around Kennewick, Richland and West Richland on April 22 before he backed into a parking spot at William Wiley Elementary School about 3 p.m. to wait for school to be out. Security video and traffic cameras The police reports also revealed that security video showed Huizar emerging from behind a school portable building before approaching the car of his ex-wife. When Rodriguez neared her car, Huizar approached her. Flowers were placed at William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, Wash., after paraeducator Amber M. Rodriguez was shot outside the school in April 2024. Rodriguez was headed back toward the school when Huizar pulled his handgun and shot her in the back. After she fell, he fired again. An autopsy found she was shot seven times. Huizar then ran back into a silver Toyota Corolla. The reports do not say where his 1-year-old son, Roman, was at the time of the shooting. But its clear from traffic cameras that he did not return to his nearby home and headed immediately to Oregon. An Amber Alert was issued hours later for the boy. He was found the next day buckled in a child car seat after Huizar was chased by Oregon State Police near Eugene. Police had tracked Huizars car to Portland, where he was seen withdrawing $1,500 from his bank account. Elias Huizar, 39, of West Richland crashed during a high-speed chase with the Oregon State Patrol on I-5 near Eugene. Oregon State Police found the car driving on Interstate 5 south toward Eugene and tried to stop him, triggering a 20-minute chase, that included a brief shootout. The police reports show that Huizar called 911 to demanded that the officers stop ramming his car and shooting at him because he had the baby inside. Previous footage released by OSP showed Huizar firing first at officers during the chase. Huizar ended up hitting the rear of a semi truck on I-5 and the Corolla ended up in the median. As officers converged with guns drawn, Huizar shot and killed himself before police could reach him. The baby was found unharmed, still strapped in his car seat. Oregon State Patrol Officers secure 1-year-old Roman Huizar after Elias Huizar crashed while being chased near Eugene, Ore., in April 2024. Gun and body armor The police reports released by West Richland also shed some light on other questions in the case: Why Huizar had a gun and where did it come from? Two protection orders related to the rape investigation barred him from having guns. West Richland police already had seized two of his guns, a Glock .40 caliber pistol and his Yakima police-issued rifle. They apparently did not know about a second .40-caliber Glock that hed bought in 2014 when he was still a police officer. It was shipped to him at the Yakima Police Department, detectives said in their reports. While he was not allowed to have any guns, he wasnt ordered on court documents to turn over all his weapons, according to the reports. Investigators also found other items inside the Corolla after the Oregon chase. There was a bullet-proof tactical vest and two boxes of .40 caliber ammunition issued by Yakima police when he was still an officer. It remains unclear how he still had those items three years after leaving the Yakima department. Yakima police officials told the Herald recently they are looking into why Huizar still had those items. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Voting is part of the great American democracy experiment, but many people are turned off by what seems to be a practice that does not yield many positive outcomes because of the time it takes to complete projects if they get completed at all. According to Fiscal Note, a project can take years before a groundbreaking occurs. Depending on the type of project, feasibility studies, environmental studies, and community meetings are part of a lengthy process of going from plan to completion. Every state government and Congress operate as bicameral, meaning there are two chambers. Two governing bodies draft, introduce, and debate bills, and if enough people find the proposal favorable it goes to a vote. Governor Landry signs executive order regarding election integrity Bills that are lucky enough to make it to the floor of the House or Senate for a vote go on to the final phase of a bill becoming a law and are signed or vetoed by the states governor or the President of the United States. This process of checks, double-checks, and balances may seem convoluted, but it has kept the ongoing American democratic experiment going for nearly 250 years. Some people believe that government should be run more like a corporation without the red tape and processes that can make something as mundane as road repairs take years from announcement to completion. Unlike private interests, government projects are supposed to improve the quality of life for citizens, whether through road improvements, new bridges, transit projects, or potable water systems. So, a project that could affect the lives or deaths of thousands of people should not be rushed or taken lightly. Louisiana has a poll worker shortage; are you looking to earn extra money? Because there are so many vested interests to consider, government projects require multi-phased rollouts to ensure their feasibility. Contracts are to be granted through a fair bidding process where safety, a timeline for completion, and cost are considered. This poses an interesting situation that many elected officials know but are reluctant to share with the voting public. Many officials never get credit for projects they helped bring to fruition, while their predecessors or even political opponents end up in construction hats for shovel-ready jobs that will move things forward and other photo ops. Sometimes, they even benefit from celebrating projects they vehemently opposed or took a politically neutral stance about. Take the Jimmie Davis Bridge project, for example. The bridge was constructed 53 years ago. Since then, vehicles have grown larger, and the traffic volume on the bridge has increaseda new bridge is needed to accommodate the thriving region. Before any formal announcement, lawmakers volleyed between new construction and reconstruction and who would pay for the project that crosses two parishes and a state waterway. In January 2022, it was announced that the Jimmie Davis Bridge was one of four bridges slated to receive federal funding through the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson praised the bi-partisan effort led by Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Troy Carter. New absentee voting law effective in Louisiana In April 2022, Bossier Chamber president Lisa Johnson confirmed that the state would be willing to pay its portion for the project if Bossier and Caddo Parish officials agreed to turn the current bridge into a linear park. A year later, with a bid of $361,743,367, James Construction Group, LLC was awarded the contract to construct a new four-lane bridge. The existing bridge, complete with pedestrian paths, will connect bike trails in Shreveport and Bossier and serve as a linear park as requested by the state. Once the project is complete, the old bridge will be turned over to state management through the Louisiana State Parks within the Office of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Nothing is perfect, especially in legislative negotiations. In June 2023, at the close of the Louisiana Legislatures Regular Session, North Louisiana legislators scrambled as it looked like a budget would be submitted to then-Governor Edwards without funding required for the project. During that time, lawmakers worked together to get a much-needed construction project completed, and they did. Representative Thomas Pressly credited the DOTD for its continued push for completion and tweeted, Im very happy to report that the Jimmie Davis Bridge project is going to continue as scheduled with construction. Im grateful to @LouisianaGov, @La_DOTD, legislative leadership, & everyone who continues to stress the importance of this project. In Spring 2024, Louisiana DOTD started holding public meetings, informing community members of the timeline in phases and providing renderings, allowing locals to see what to expect once the project is completed. After all the negotiations, planning, and clearing of minor debris from the area, elected officials were ready to solidify a moment in history. With shovels in hand, Louisianas new governor and new DOTD secretary happily proclaimed the bridge a game changer for the region and took their positions near a huge pile of dirt to lock the moment in a photograph. Who is on the ballot in November? The same rules apply to getting streets, street lights, and other projects requiring a literal act of Congress approved. The process is slow by design, and if the bill is not passed before the lawmaker who drafted it leaves office, the needs of your community, your street, and your city could stall in transition. You can keep track of DOTD projects in your community by visiting the website and clicking on your parish. The website will display a list of bridge and road closures and projects that are underway. Louisiana also has a dashboard where residents can track approved infrastructure projects in their zip code or around the state. Take your community engagement a step further by attending or watching local council and school board meetings, attending events hosted by lawmakers, or joining a group of engaged citizens who are striving to ensure government accountability. Monitoring and understanding bond initiatives that your town or city leaders put forth is vital. If your mayor, council, or school board is asking to increase your taxed contribution, you should demand information and progress reports on projects funded through your tax dollars. This is an act of good, responsible governance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 newest F-35 Joint Strike Fighters are now able to carry out more elaborate training missions, but the government is withholding millions of dollars in payment to Lockheed Martin until the jets can fight in combat. Lockheed Martin has upgraded the software in its latest batch of F-35s to handle more robust combat training capability, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed said in a joint statement Thursday. Previously, these F-35s could only carry out initial training capability using a partial version of the upgrades known as Technology Refresh 3. The government refused to accept delivery of the new TR-3 fighters from Lockheed starting in July 2023 due to software integration problems and some hardware shortfalls. Lockheed continued to build F-35s while hunting for a solution to the TR-3 problem and stored them at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility. Lockheed developed a partial version of the TR-3 software it referred to as truncated, which would allow the jets to fly basic training missions but not in combat. The government concluded the truncated software worked well enough to start accepting the jets and deliveries resumed in July 2024. TR-3 upgrades include better displays, computer memory and processing power, which are necessary for a more expansive upgrade known as Block 4. In addition to allowing the F-35 to carry more weapons, the Block 4 upgrades will allow the jets to better identify targets and conduct electronic warfare. Top Air Force officials and Lockheed Martin last month promised further improvements to the F-35 will come. But the new jets will likely not be able to fly into combat until 2025, and that will cost Lockheed in the meantime. The JPO said Thursday that until TR-3s combat capability is qualified and delivered, the government is withholding about $5 million per jet in payments to Lockheed Martin. Those withholdings were negotiated as part of the governments agreement with Lockheed to accept and deliver F-35s with combat training capability. The newest F-35A fighters, which the U.S. Air Force flies, cost about $82.5 million. New F-35Bs the short-takeoff and vertical landing variants flown by the U.S. Marine Corps cost about $109 million, and the F-35Cs the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps use on aircraft carriers will cost about $102.1 million. The JPO and Lockheed also said the company and its industry partners are making significant investments in development labs and digital infrastructure that benefit the F-35 enterprises speed and agility in fielding capabilities to the most advanced and connected fighter jet. The yearlong delays in delivering an unspecified number of F-35s have caused ripple effects throughout the Air Force and the Joint Strike Fighter program. Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, said in July the TR-3 delays had led to a slowdown in the number of F-35s arriving at RAF Lakenheath in England, the home of the services two European-based F-35 squadrons. He said fewer than a dozen jets had been delayed. Dont think that the TR-3 problems are over, Hecker said at the Royal International Air Tattoo air show at RAF Fairford in England. We do have a working software in TR-3 that is definitely good enough for training. But theres more to go. Newly delivered TR-3 jets would likely be sent to training bases, according to Hecker. Combat-capable jets flying training missions at those bases would then probably be transferred to Lakenheath. And since TR-3 is necessary to put Block 4 upgrades in the jets, the delays have slowed down the next series of F-35 modernizations. Andrew Hunter, the Air Forces acquisition chief, also told reporters at the RIAT air show that the service was not paying full price for the incomplete jets. We will not pay for that which we have not yet received, Hunter said. Fact Check: No, Harris Didn't Say All Democrats Will Be Required To Take COVID-19 Vaccine in Order To Vote Claim: A CNN headline from Aug. 27, 2024, stated: "BREAKING: Kamala to require all Democrats to take the updated COVID shot in order to vote in November." Rating: Rating: Fake A viral screenshot of a purported CNN headline stated that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was requiring all Democrats to take the updated COVID vaccine in order to qualify to vote for the November 2024 elections. The claim spread in late August 2024, soon after updated COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The headline stated: "BREAKING: Kamala to require all Democrats to take the updated COVID shot in order to vote in November." The headline was fabricated. We found no evidence of such a plan, or of such an article on CNN's website. As such, we rate the screenshot as "Fake." First, no link to an original CNN article accompanied the screenshot, and CNN's website had no such news story. We also did not find such a post on CNN's X or Instagram pages. Second, the headline in the screenshot had grammatical errors, including a lowercase "democrats" and lowercase "covid." Such errors would not occur in a legitimate CNN headline. Third, the screenshot was shared and promoted by an X account that previously shared anti-vaccination and anti-mask conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the only way you can be disqualified from voting is if you are a noncitizen, have been convicted of a felony or are unable to vote due to a mental disability. The latter two rules vary by state. If it were true that Harris insisted on receiving a vaccine as a qualification to vote, it would have resulted in headline news and vociferous criticism. A vaccine mandate was imposed on federal employees in 2021, and the mandate ended in 2023. This mandate did not affect anyone's voting rights, and it was intended to protect the safety of employees in the workplace. Harris promoted COVID-19 vaccinations publicly, receiving her first dose on camera as the vice president-elect in December 2020, and urged Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Sources: Blum, Dani. "New Covid Vaccines Are Coming. Here's What to Know." The New York Times, 22 Aug. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/well/covid-vaccines-boosters.html." target="blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/well/covid-vaccines-boosters.html.">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/well/covid-vaccines-boosters.html. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. Saenz, Arlette and Kate Sullivan. "Kamala Harris Receives First Dose of Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine on Camera | CNN Politics." CNN, 29 Dec. 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/29/politics/kamala-harris-covid-vaccine/index.html." target="blank">https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/29/politics/kamala-harris-covid-vaccine/index.html.">https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/29/politics/kamala-harris-covid-vaccine/index.html. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. "The Biden-Harris Administration Will End COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees, Contractors, International Travelers, Head Start Educators, and CMS-Certified Facilities." The White House, 1 May 2023, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/." target="blank">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/.">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. "Who Can and Cannot Vote." USAGov. https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. Claim: An image authentically shows U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' membership card in 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. A viral post on X claims to have uncovered evidence that U.S. 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris was a communist in the 1980s: This purported photo of a membership card identifying Harris as a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) was shared on multiple social media platforms and websites in late August 2024: 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. Also, 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, we rate the claim as "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. Fact Check: No, Minnesota Law Approved by Walz Doesn't Ban Christians, Jews or Muslims from Teaching Claim: A law approved by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz bans Christians, Jews and Muslims from teaching. Rating: Rating: False In late August 2024, several far-right media outlets rehashed an old talking point about Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: That he passed a law that "bans Christians, Jews, Muslims from teaching." Given such bold headline claims, one might be led to believe that Tim Walz passed a law that bans Christians, Jews, or Muslims from teaching at Minnesota public schools. He did not. These headlines are an aggressive and inflammatory reading of teaching licensure guidelines set to take effect in July 2025. In part, these updated regulations require teachers to: [Foster] an environment that ensures student identities such as race/ethnicity, national origin, language, sex and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/developmental/emotional ability, socioeconomic class, and religious beliefs are historically and socially contextualized, affirmed, and incorporated into a learning environment where students are empowered to learn and contribute as their whole selves. The argument that such a requirement bars Christians or other religious individuals from receiving a teaching license in Minnesota is that it supposedly forces teachers to "reject their faiths' declaration that God has created only two sexes, male and female." These are talking points that have been pushed aggressively by Koch-linked, dark money conservative legal groups opposed to teacher licensing requirements. The most recent round of headlines originated with a story in The Federalist written by Joy Pullman author of a book arguing that "queer politics mean the end of America." Pullman published a nearly identical article about the new licensing requirements in January 2023. Her sources included Upper Midwest Law Center, a think-tank partnered with the Koch-linked State Policy Network, and the Minnesota-based Child Protection League, described as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The claim that the new Minnesota licensing requirements ban religious individuals from teaching is a politically motivated, bad-faith talking point. Because the law does not ban Christians, Jews, or Muslims from teaching in Minnesota, the claim is False. Sources: 8710.0310 - MN Rules Part. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/8710.0310/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. "Anti-LGBT Activities." Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/04/03/anti-lgbt-activities. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. Armiak, David. "Charles Koch's 'Stand Together' Donor Conduits Move $176 Million into His Network, Higher Education, and Right-Wing Policy, Advocacy, Litigation, and Media Groups in 2022." EXPOSEDbyCMD, 20 Dec. 2023, https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2023/12/20/charles-kochs-stand-together-donor-conduits-move-176-million/. Arnold, Sarah. "Tim Walz Under Fire for Latest Scandal That Bans Christian, Jewish Teachers From Public Schools." Townhall.Com, 29 Aug. 2024, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2024/08/29/tim-walz-is-under-fire-for-reportedly-banning-christian-jewish-teachers-from-teaching-in-public-schools-n2644079. Pullmann, Joy. "Minnesota To Ban Christians From Teaching In Public Schools." The Federalist, 12 Jan. 2023, https://thefederalist.com/2023/01/12/minnesota-poised-to-ban-christians-muslims-and-jews-from-teaching-in-public-schools/. "Research & Commentary: Efforts to Improve Teacher Quality." The Heartland Institute, https://heartland.org/publications/research-commentary-efforts-to-improve-teacher-quality/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. School Board Draws Outrage & Protests for Hosting Anti-LGBTQ+ Speakers. https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/3/16/school-board-draws-outrage-protests-hosting-anti-lgbtq-speakers. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. Unruh, Bob. "'Totalitarian and Unconstitutional': Tim Walz Ban on Christian Teachers Set to Hit Schools in Just Months * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh." WorldNetDaily, 27 Aug. 2024, https://www.wnd.com/2024/08/totalitarian-and-unconstitutional-tim-walz-ban-on-christian-teachers-set-to-hit-schools-in-just-months/. "Upper Midwest Law Center." State Policy Network, https://spn.org/organization/upper-midwest-law-center/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. Updates: Sept. 5, 2024: This article was revised to clarify that Upper Midwest Law Center is a partner of the Koch-linked State Policy Network. This photo taken on Aug. 25, 2024 shows buildings of the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute funded by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ahmad Khorrami, a Chinese-major junior from Kabul University, stood before a plaque inscribed with "China Aid" at the university's auditorium, reflecting on efforts China has made to help rebuild his homeland in post-war era. In August 2021, U.S.-led troops left Afghanistan. Following 20 years of war, Chinese companies in the war-torn country have offered aid and disaster relief with various programs, helping the nation deal with economic and social challenges. Nearly a year after the war ended, a new comprehensive teaching complex at Kabul University, funded by the China 19th Metallurgical Group Corporation Limited (MCC 19), was officially put into operation. The complex covers over 14,000 square meters with 30 multifunctional classrooms, in addition to an academic lecture hall, a 1,490-seat auditorium, and two conference rooms. "China has consistently supported Afghanistan in the education sector. With the opening of this building, students at Kabul University now have more opportunities to attend lectures in various disciplines. We are deeply grateful for China's assistance," said Khorrami. In April, MCC 19 launched a new aid program, planning to construct 56 residential buildings in Kabul, totaling 1,400 housing units. Currently, the foundation work for the complex was completed, and six buildings have already been topped out. Towering cranes at the construction site have become a rare sight in Kabul. Cao Bingsen, a procurement manager of MCC 19's Afghanistan project team, said that a large number of local people have been hired for the project, against the backdrop of high unemployment. "It's better to teach a man fishing than to give him fish. Chinese technicians teach skills to local laborers, and Afghan workers can learn a trade in masonry, electrical work and carpentry," Cao said. Impressed by smiling faces of the Afghan people, Cao, who arrived in Afghanistan at the end of 2020, expressed hope that the residential building project could be completed as soon as possible. Lin Fahe, deputy director of the Afghanistan office of the China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., has worked in Afghanistan for 16 years, participating in several projects, including a major hospital in Kabul. "Republic Hospital, also known as Jamhuriat Hospital, was completed and put into use in 2017, contributing to healthcare for local residents," Lin said, pointing to the fact that there had been no hospitals of that size in Afghanistan before. According to Lin, the company was discussing a technical cooperation project for the hospital with Afghan officials, aiming to upgrade equipments to provide better medical services. "I am very happy to work here, and that is good for reconstruction of my country," said Allah Dad, an Afghan employee at the office for nearly 10 years. This photo shows a residential building complex under construction funded by the China 19th Metallurgical Group Corporation Limited in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) People work on a residential building complex funded by the China 19th Metallurgical Group Corporation Limited in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) This photo taken on Aug. 25, 2024 shows buildings of the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute funded by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) People work on a residential building complex funded by the China 19th Metallurgical Group Corporation Limited in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) People work on a residential building complex funded by the China 19th Metallurgical Group Corporation Limited in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) This photo taken on Aug. 25, 2024 shows a building funded by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) Claim: Pope Francis said in a speech, There are those who work systematically and with every means possible to repel migrants. And this, when done with awareness and responsibility, is a grave sin. Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution In August 2024, a purported quote from Pope Francis went viral, in which he said rejecting migrants who were seeking asylum was a "grave sin." BREAKING Pope Francis: It is a grave sin for people to reject migrants in their countries. pic.twitter.com/bvCrKq1fKX Europe Invasion (@EuropeInvasionn) August 28, 2024 While the pope did not use the exact words in the above post on X, he did say in a speech that rejecting migrants was a "grave sin." As such, we rate this claim a "Correct Attribution." On Aug. 28, 2024, Pope Francis spoke at his weekly general audience gathering at the Vatican, which is open to the public. Per the official transcript on the Vatican's website, he said those who "repel migrants" are committing a "grave sin" (emphasis, ours): I have spoken about the Mediterranean many times, because I am the Bishop of Rome and because it is emblematic: the mare nostrum, a place of communication between peoples and civilizations, has become a cemetery. And the tragedy is that many, the majority of these deaths, could have been prevented. 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 says: "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him" (Ex 22:21). The orphan, the widow and the stranger are the quintessential poor whom God always defends and asks to be defended. The pope said the above words at the 24:13 mark, per the Vatican's official YouTube channel: (We should note the official transcript has the following disclaimer: "The following text includes parts that were not read out loud, but should be considered as such.") The pope has often spoken out on the rights of migrants, but his invocation of Catholic terminology resulted in more attention online and in the media. In the same speech, he added, "the sea and the desert are also biblical places, loaded with symbolic value. They are very important settings in the history of the exodus, the great migration of the people led by God through Moses from Egypt to the Promised Land. These places witness the tragedy of the people fleeing oppression and slavery." He then called for countries to accept refugees: Brothers and sisters, we can all agree on one thing: migrants should not be in those lethal seas and deserts. Today's migrants should not be there and they are, unfortunately. 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. Instead, we will obtain it by extending safe and legal access routes for migrants, providing refuge for those who flee from war, violence, persecution and various disasters; we will obtain it by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, brotherhood and solidarity; and by joining forces to combat human trafficking, to stop the criminal traffickers who mercilessly exploit others' misery. The pope's statement came as Italy stepped up its crackdown on migrant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. In late August 2024, the government impounded a Doctors Without Borders ship for the 23rd time since the beginning of its 18-month campaign against humanitarian ships in the Mediterranean. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that, since 2014, more than 30,000 migrants crossing the Mediterranean have gone missing. Sources: "General Audience of 28 August 2024 - Catechesis. Sea and Desert - Francis" Vatican, Aug. 28, 2024. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024/documents/20240828-udienza-generale.html. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. Kazmin, Amy. "Italy steps up clampdown on boats rescuing migrants in Mediterranean Sea." Financial Times, Aug. 28, 2024. https://www.ft.com/content/ada8343c-3783-4600-9726-9aba86f3e38a. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. McElwee, Joshua. "Pope Francis Says Refusing Aid to Migrants a 'Grave Sin.'" Reuters, 28 Aug. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/" target="blank">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/.">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-says-refusing-aid-migrants-grave-sin-2024-08-28/. Accessed 30 Aug. 2024. Claim: A letter authentically shows Oprah Winfrey wrote to Donald Trump in 2000 and said: "Too bad we're not running for office, what A TEAM!" Rating: Rating: True At the 2024 Democratic National Conference (DNC), Oprah Winfrey made a surprise appearance in support of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the now-Democratic nominee for president. "Now, there's a certain candidate that says if we just go to the polls this one time, that we'll never have to do it again," she said to the crowd in a jab at Republican nominee Donald Trump. In the days following the 2024 DNC, X account @TrumpWarRoom posted what appeared to be a letter dated Jan. 11, 2000, from Winfrey to Trump. (X account @TrumpWarRoom) The full letter read: Donald I received the book excerpt. I have to tell you, your comments made me a little weepy. It's one thing to try and live a life of integrity still another to have people like yourself notice. Thank you, Oprah Too bad we're not running for office, what A TEAM! On March 9, 2023, Axios reported that the letter was published in a 2023 book titled "Letters to Trump" that included letters from world leaders such as North Korea's Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Bill Clinton to celebrities such as Liza Minnelli and Jay Leno. Ultimately, we rated this claim "True" because Winfrey herself also confirmed she wrote the letter. While speaking on "CBS Mornings" in March 2023, the news outlet's Gayle King brought up the topic of Trump's book featuring the letter, and their interaction was as follows, according to a story on the network's website: King: Donald Trump has released a book where he's published letters that he's received over the years. One of your letters is front and center Winfrey: I heard about that. King: Okay back in 2000, you wrote him: "Too bad we're not running for office, what a team." Winfrey: I think he'd written a book and said that he wanted me to be his running mate King: If he decided to run. Winfrey: Yeah, if he decided to run. And when I heard that this letter is now going to be apart of a book, I thought "Oh wasn't that nice of me to write a note," that's what I thought, because I'm always like "Oh I should write a note, the person did this, or I should write a note. So I'm really happy that I wrote a note. King: Yeah, it just shows you have good manners, but you're not thinking you and Donald Trump would be a team. Winfrey: No. Well, I might've thought it back then, I might've thought it 23 years ago, yes. King: Are you thinking that today? Winfrey: No I'm not thinking that today, you want to clear that up, right? Winfrey wrote the letter to Trump in response to a mention of her in his 2000 book "The America We Deserve," in which he wrote: Another, as I also mentioned, is Oprah Winfrey. She is enormously successful in an incredibly competitive field. Not only has she overcome huge obstacles to reach the very top, but she's also gone well beyond ordinary celebrity status as an entertainer to become a major cultural influence on our times and a remarkably successful businesswoman. Oprah never forgets what it important, and she never stops encouraging Americans to reach for the stars ... Oprah exemplifies the leadership I'm interested in she doesn't strike poses. Instead she poses striking questions: Are you doing your best? If not, why not? On multiple occasions leading up to Trump's 2000 bid for presidency under the Reform Party, he publicly praised Winfrey and while speaking to Larry King on CNN in October 1999, said that she would be his top pick for vice president. "Oprah, I love Oprah, Oprah would always be my first choice," he said in response to King asking him if he had vice presidential candidate in mind. In sum, because the book "Letters to Trump" featured the letter and Winfrey herself later confirmed for a journalist she wrote the note and was "happy" with it, we rate this claim "True." We reached out to spokespeople for both Winfrey and Trump as well as the publisher of "Letters to Trump" Winning Team Publishing (co-founded by Trump himself) seeking comment, and will update this story if we receive a response. Sources: Allen, Mike. 'Exclusive: Trump Publishing Private Letters from Oprah, Other Celebrities'. Axios, https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/trump-book-oprah-private-letters-celebrities. Allen, Nick. 'Oprah Winfrey Told Donald Trump: "We Should Run for Office Together "'. The Telegraph, 9 Mar. 2023. www.telegraph.co.uk, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/03/09/oprah-winfrey-told-donald-trump-should-run-office-together/. Baldwin, Sarah Lynch. Oprah Winfrey Responds to New Trump Book That Includes a Letter She Wrote to Him in 2000 - CBS News. 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oprah-winfrey-donald-trump-2000-letter/. LaFond, Royden. Letters to Trump. Lulu.com, 2023. 'Trump Campaign Trolls Oprah With Her Private Letter to "Donald"'. Yahoo News, 22 Aug. 2024, https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-campaign-trolls-oprah-her-094234815.html. Trump, Donald. The America We Deserve. St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2000. 'Trump in '99: Would Consider Oprah for VP'. MSNBC.Com, https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc-news/watch/trump-in-99-would-consider-oprah-for-vp-696283203547. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc90K7Kieek. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgy29VZMNEw. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The fall season officially begins Sept. 22 and there is an abundance of festivals and events around East Tennessee celebrating with music, pumpkins, Appalachian culture and more. The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration state in a seasonal outlook for September 2024 that the weather in the region will be leaning above normal temperatures. There is still some time, though, before peak fall colors in the Smokies, when the leaves on the trees change to their brightest. Storm Team 6 Chief Meteorologist Ken Weathers said on Friday that on average, areas above 3,000 feet see peak color around the third week of October. Farmers markets around the region are still active through November, with many vendors expected to sell fall harvest products. That list can be found here. Cozy up with a cup of your favorite seasonal spice-flavored-pretty-drink and enjoy this list so you can make your plans for enjoying autumn in East Tennessee. Anderson County Butterfly Festival UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge Saturday, Sept. 28 Clinch River Fall Antique Festival Historic Downton Clinton Friday, Oct. 4 & Saturday, Oct. 5 Pickin in the Park Norris Dam State Park Friday, Oct. 4 WindRock Park Fall Jamboree Windrock Park in Oliver Springs Thursday, Oct. 17 Fall Heritage Days at Museum of Appalachia Norris Thursday, Oct. 24 & Thursday, Oct. 31 Oak Ridge Community Band Fall Concert A.K. Bissell Park Sunday, Oct. 27 Blount County Townsend Fall Heritage Festival Townsend Event Center Friday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Sept. 28 Oktoberfest Peaceful Side Social Townsend Saturday, Sept. 28 Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museums Railroad and Heritage Days Townsend Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 29 Spooktacular Extravaganza Halloween Fun Event downtown Maryville Friday, Oct. 25 Grains & Grits Spirits Festival Townsend Visitors Center Saturday, Nov. 2 Campbell County Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival Cove Lake State Park in Caryville Saturday, Sept. 28 Tally Town Festival presented by the Campbell County Historical Society LaFollette Saturday, Oct. 5 Annual Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Pig Roast and Auction Knobby Hill Farm in LaFollette Tuesday, Oct. 8 Cove Lake Rally Cove Lake State Park in Caryville Friday, Oct. 11 Claiborne County Oktoberfest in the Gap Cumberland Gap Friday, Sept. 20-Saturday, Sept. 21 Cumberland Gap Harvest Moon Festival Cumberland Gap Saturday, Sept. 28 The Mountain Fiesta* Cumberland Gap Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 29 (*celebrating Hispanic & Appalachian heritage) Halloween & Hotrod Vendor Show New Tazewell Saturday, Oct. 5 Cocke County Annual Harvest Street Festival Newport Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 Parrottsville Heritage Days celebration Parrottsville Oct. 7-9, 2024 Grassy Fork/Hartford Fall Festival Hartford Saturday, Oct. 19-Sunday, Oct. 20 Fentress County Allardt Pumpkin Festival & Weigh-off Allardt Saturday, Oct. 5 Hometown Chili Cook-off South Fentress Community Park in Clarkrange Saturday, Oct. 12 Grainger County Grainger County Fall Festival Rutledge Friday, Oct. 4-Saturday, Oct. 5 Bean Station Festival Bean Station Saturday, Oct. 19 Greene County Annual Fall Festival at Mountain View Market Chuckey Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19 Monster Mash on Main Greeneville Saturday, Oct. 26 Fall Fest Bazaar Greeneville Saturday, Nov. 9-Sunday, Nov. 10 Hamblen County Fall Market 2024 downtown Morristown Saturday, Sept. 28 Mountain Makins Festival downtown Morristown Saturday, Oct. 26 Hancock County Hancock County Fall Festival Sneedville Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 6 Jefferson County Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival Dandridge Saturday, Sept. 28 Lakeside of the Smokies Balloon Fest Dandridge Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27 Community Fall Bash Jefferson City Saturday, Oct. 26 Knox County Mood Ring Vintage Fall Market Knoxville Saturday, Sept. 28 Cherokee Caverns presents Movie in a Cave: Hocus Pocus Knoxville Saturday, Sept. 28 Paranormal Adventure Tours downtown Knoxville weekly on Fridays & Saturdays starting Sept. 28 Boo! at the Zoo Zoo Knoxville Oct. 10-13 / Oct. 17-20 / Oct. 24-27 Hallo-Week at Ijams Ijams Nature Center Oct. 24-29 Taste of Turkey Creek Farragut Thursday, Oct. 3 Howl-O-Woof at McFee Park Farragut Thursday, Oct. 17 Harvest Jam at Turkey Creek Farragut Friday, Oct. 18 Loudon County Deep Well Farm opening weekend Lenoir City Saturday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Sept. 22 Maple Lane Farms Corn Maze Greenback Oct. 27-29 Dead Mans Farm Haunted Attraction opens Philadelphia Friday, Oct. 4 (more Loudon County farms and information can be found here) Morgan County Fall Fest 2024 Wartburg Saturday, Sept. 21 Roane County Fall Farmers Market The Jim Henry Event Center in Kingston Saturdays, Sept. 7-Nov. 2 Tennessee Medieval Faire Kingston weekends, Oct. 5-20 Fall Street Festival Kingston Saturday, Oct. 26 Scott County Scott County Heritage Festival Museum of Scott County in Huntsville Saturday, Sept. 28 Fall on the Mall Huntsville Saturday, Oct. 26 Sevier County Dollywoods Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights Pigeon Forge Sept. 9 Oct. 28, 2024 Annual Pigeon Forge Halloween Spooktacular & Safety Day Event Pigeon Forge Community Center Thursday, Oct. 24 Annual Kyker Farms Corn Maze Sevierville Sept. 28 & 29, Thursdays through Sundays, through Oct. 27 Jeep-toberfest in the Smokies Sevierville Oct. 19 Wears Valley Fall Fest Wears Valley Oct. 18-20 Union County Sharps Chapel Fall Festival Sharps Chapel Saturday, Sept. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Fall Of Key Ukrainian City To Russia Could Be An Operational Catastrophe Russian troops are now eight miles from the key Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk. In the most heavily contested region of Ukraine, Russian troops are now less than eight miles from the key Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Its capture would set off a myriad of problems for Ukraine, ranging from severed supply lines to potentially allowing Russia to advance across an even greater swath of the eastern portion of the country. Its fall could be a serious operational catastrophe, noted one well-known Ukrainian military observer. The Russians, who say they captured several small towns near Pokrovsk today, are closing in on the embattled city across a seven-mile salient. It is backed by an even larger thrust as its forces continue to capture more territory, according to the Ukrainian DeepState investigative group and Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels. Russian forces have advanced within eight miles of Pokrovsk. (DeepState screencap) Bisected by a major rail line and nestled in the middle of three highways with others branching out in several directions, Pokrovsk is a critical bulwark against a large-scale collapse in the region. Pokrovsk has become a key distribution hub, supporting Ukrainian forces along a broad frontline from Vuhledar to the north of Donetsk and beyond, Tatarigami, a military observer, OSINT and GEOINT analyst and founder of Frontelligence Insight, wrote on Twitter. Currently, only two places in the Donbas serve this vital function Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk. The significance of Pokrovsk extends beyond its rail connections it is also located at a key road juncture, serving a similar role in the transportation and distribution of supplies. 5/ The road linking Pokrovsk to Kostyantynivka has long been a Russian target. Cutting it off would worsen the resupply of troops in the Bakhmut-Horlivka sector. The potential loss of Pokrovsk poses an operational threat to logistics in the region, from Vuhledar to Horlivka Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) August 27, 2024 In particular, the H20 Highway, linking Pokrovsk to Kostyantynivka, has long been a Russian target. Cutting it off would worsen the resupply of troops in the Bakhmut-Horlivka sector. The potential loss of Pokrovsk poses an operational threat to logistics in the region, from Vuhledar to Horlivka. A little more than 12 miles east of the Dnipro Oblast border, Pokrovsks capture could have a regional domino effect, Tatarigami suggested. Given Russias re-entry into Kharkiv Oblast in May 2024, theres little reason to think Putin will stop at Donetsk and Luhansk borders, he explained. The Donetsk Oblast city of Pokrovsk is a key logistics hub, with important roads and railways running through it. )Google Earth image) War veteran, activist and lawyer Oleg Symoroz offered a similar take about the importance of Pokrovsk, telling the Ukrainian Obozrevatel news outlet that it must be defended at all costs. There is still time to prepare the city for defense, Symoroz said. Pokrovsk must be defended, it is of strategic importance. The road to the [Dnipro] region passes through the city of Pokrovsk, so the enemy here must be restrained, he urged. Ukraine is trying to do just that, the commander-in-chief of its Armed Forces claimed. Battles are extremely tough, Col.-Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said Thursday on Telegram. The enemy throws into battle everything that can move and advance, trying to break through the defense of our troops. The most intense battles, he added, are taking place on the eastern outskirts of Hrodivka, further along the border of the Kamiany and Krasny ravines, directly in Novorhodivka, below, in the area of the eastern outskirts of Mykhailivka, which is located in front of Selidovo. Russia suffers huge losses at Pokrovsk, but continues to bring in new forces, it feels like they are endless. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are real tigers! Scout. The enemy assault on the two armored personnel carriers ended before it began, after the artillerymen had worked out pic.twitter.com/wRXE3ij2cT Slava (@Heroiam_Slava) August 29, 2024 Pokrovsk is the hottest place on the battlefield, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said on Telegram. Since the beginning of the day, the occupiers have already made 34 attempts to dislodge our defenders from their occupied positions in the districts of 11 different settlements, it claimed. Almost half of all clashes took place near Selidovoy and Novogrodivka. The defense forces, restraining the enemy onslaught, have already repelled a total of 23 enemy attacks in that direction. Others continue. The enemy suffers significant losses in manpower. However, some Russian and Ukrainian sources say Moscows forces are advancing with little resistance toward Pokrovsk, something that has raised concerns in Ukraine. Novohrodovka, a small town a little more than eight miles from Pokrovsk, was taken by 30 Russians almost without a fight, the Russian Operation Z Telegram channel claimed. Selidovo, about 10 miles away, is already half under Russian control! An image emerging on social media shows the Russians raising their flag on a building there. "" . . https://t.co/apNgzGurC0pic.twitter.com/7QfkwHyeFN DeepState UA (@Deepstate_UA) August 29, 2024 What happens East of Pokrovsk looks like a large-scale withdrawal of remaining Ukrainian forces. Russians are already in #Selydove and reportedly reached the center of the 23,000 inhabitants town. Russian advance speed & Ukr. complaints indicate no meaningful defense in the area. pic.twitter.com/GDKcfCNQbJ Julian Ropcke (@JulianRoepcke) August 28, 2024 A video shows a Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone attacking a Russian flag on a high ground near Selidovo. While there are no Russian troops or equipment seen, the fact that the flag is there indicates Ukraine no longer controls that location. Ukrainian attempt to use an FPV drone on a Russian flag installed on top of the Rossiya mine waste heap on the approaches to Selidovo. Shows that Ukraine has lost control of this dominant elavevation. Geolocated to 48.15699, 37.35741 by @creamy_caprice pic.twitter.com/RbNeLA40J2 Fennec_Radar (@RadarFennec) August 29, 2024 There was also video taken of Russian soldiers planting flags in other parts of the salient. Russian flags being raised on the Kupyansk front and Pokrovsk front. Multiple settlements captured today including Synkivka and Karlivka. pic.twitter.com/EGzq5yPtPG ayden (@squatsons) August 29, 2024 The Ukrainian Armed Forces hastily built several large strongholds in this area, but they did not help them in any way, the Russian Military Chronicle Telegram channel reported. Krutoy Yar and Krasny Yar were liberated earlier. Several Russian Telegram channels suggested that the Ukrainian retreat from the area has been so rapid that it is either a ruse or politically motivated. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are luring the Russian army, and they themselves are preparing flank attacks on the communications of the advancing group, the Markov Logic Telegram channel posited as one possibility. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing another major offensive in the Kursk or Bryansk or Belgorod regions. And he sent reserves there, because it is politically more important. One of Ukraines most well-known voices, drone innovator Serhii Sternenko, blasted efforts to defend Pokrovsk. The defense in the Pokrovsky direction is so disorganized that the Russians themselves do not believe in their advances, he said in a Twitter rant. Unfortunately, the higher command is still receiving reports about the controlled situation, which is far from being controlled. Poor interaction between brigades and smaller adjacent units, are among the biggest problems he said. There is a shortage of people and their disproportionate distribution in defensive positions, he continued. Our EW suppresses our drones better than enemy EW. In addition, there is a disorganization of brigade rotations. One can leave before the other has entered. The enemy uses this and strikes right there. The command does not actually manage the troops, has not established interaction and does not have information about our real positions. There are often cases of units being sent to positions that are already in the rear of the Russians because the [command] thinks that they are behind us. lies, lies and lies again. , . , , . : Serhii Sternenko (@sternenko) August 29, 2024 Meanwhile, inside Pokrovsk, there is an impending sense of doom mixed with the stubbornness of many people who seem to want to stay. Pokrovsk. The last days of an empty park. Soon the "Russian world" will touch the city and everything on the photo will cease to exist. pic.twitter.com/2ugZ2RpIZM Stanislav Aseyev (@AseyevStanislav) August 28, 2024 All eyes in Ukraine are on Pokrovsk. The city isn't desertedthere's a constant flow of movement. Some are evacuating, others are arriving to help, and residents are steadily replenishing supplies. The city is tense, preparing for the looming Russian offensive. pic.twitter.com/708fBcSooR Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) August 28, 2024 Once a city with about 60,000 people, officials want those remaining to leave. However, there were still 38,000 people and 1,900 children in the city as of Wednesday, Donetsk Gov. Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram. All of them must evacuate to safer regions of Ukraine. Banks will stop working at the end of the week, he added and only ATMs will be operating starting on Monday. Civilians are evacuated from Pokrovsk, due to the rapid advance of Russian troops (Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu Despite all the problems, the fall of Pokrovsk may be looming, but might not be immediate, said Tatarigami. Does this mean that the loss of Pokrovsk is imminent? he asked rhetorically. No, but the likelihood is increasing due to the balance of forces. Despite Ukrainian efforts to draw Russian forces away with the Kursk incursion, Russian leadership is hesitant to redeploy significant forces from Pokrovsk. It would be impossible to examine the real possibility that a strategically important town in Ukraine may pass into Russians hands without factoring in the Kursk operation to the discussion. Thousands of troops and their equipment have been committed to that offensive, and the idea that those resources could have been used better to defend Ukrainian territory will only be subject to a growing debate if Pokrovsk falls. One reason Ukraine invaded Russias Kursk Oblast with about 10,000 troops, including some of its best units and vehicles, was to draw troops out of the Pokrvosk area. However, that did not seem to happen, a former high-ranking Ukrainian officer told us. Kursk did not work well regarding this direction, he said. The Russians have probably read us. Still, Ukraine has options to stabilize the line, including deploying new brigades, repositioning forces from Kursk and Kharkiv, or reallocating battalions from more stable fronts, Tatarigami concluded. However, time is against the defenders, and there is a risk of a serious operational catastrophe. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Lori Gottula, author of a new book about overcoming her addiction to painkillers. (Courtesy of Lori Gottula) By all outward appearances, Lori Gottula was living a charmed life. Her family owned the only grocery store in Falls City, Nebraska, and she was widely known for working at Peru State College, for her freelance stories in the Falls City Journal and for organizing the parade at her towns annual Cobblestone Festival. But behind the cheery exterior, Gottula was fighting an awful demon an addiction to prescription drugs. Book signing Saturday On Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gottula will be signing copies of her book at Lincolns Barnes & Noble Booksellers, in the SouthPointe Mall. In treating chronic back pain, she had become addicted to two painkillers, hydrocodone and demerol, which she washed down with a handful of beers each night. A counselor told her she only had a year to live unless she changed her ways. Twelve years after overcoming her addiction and the fear of detailing her battle, Gottula has released a book documenting the hell of quitting the drugs. Behind closed doors, I was taking medication that stole my soul so gradually that I had no idea anything was happening to me, Gottula wrote in her book, Broken and Chained: My First 30 Days in the Hell Called Detox. I just started sinking inside myself, she wrote. In addition, I began packing on pounds the more I gained the more I hid. At least once per year, I hurt my back and was in the hospital again the vicious cycle began all over again. The book chronicles Gottulas gut-wrenching journey from an overweight and ashamed prisoner of prescription drugs to someone fit and healthy, who has restored her relationship with God. She said it took her a dozen years to tell her story out of fear that opening up her struggle publicly would damage her standing in her southeast Nebraska community. However, when Gottula finally wrote about her struggle in the local newspaper five years ago, she received an outpouring of support, ranging from people who had fought a similar battle, to those who saw a family member spiral out of control via drug addiction. I thought people need this. People need to know how harrowing this is, she said. I want people to understand that people arent just choosing their drugs over their families the anxiety is like being buried alive. Gottula, now 62, said that she always followed the dosage instructions on her medication and figured if a doctor had prescribed it, she was OK. But even by following the prescribed dosages, she said, she got hooked on the temporary relief provided by the pills. Now, she said, she feels a mission to help others understand the heartbreaking grip that drugs can have over someone and the grit it takes to overcome an addiction. She credits a reborn faith in God for giving her strength to confront her demons and a daily regimen of exercise four miles of walking a day and daily swims in a pool for helping her become healthy again. If youre going through it, you have to get down on your knees. God was there for me, she said, adding that exercise is Gods painkiller. No matter what your chains are, there is hope, Gottula said. And I am living proof. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Transgender South Carolinians and their families filed a lawsuit Thursday to block the enforcement of restrictions on gender-affirming health care in their state. The lawsuit comes just over three months after Gov. Henry McMaster signed House Bill 4624, which includes prohibiting gender transition procedures to a person under 18 years of age and prohibits the use of public funds for gender transition procedures -- including puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries. The law also prohibits gender-affirming care coverage under South Carolinas Medicaid program. Plaintiff Sterling Misanin, a 32-year-old transgender man, said his scheduled surgery was abruptly canceled at the Medical University of South Carolina after the law passed. "The actions by MUSC have caused me significant harm, and I am devastated that my state has interfered in my access to life-saving health care," said Misanin. "I am an adult, and I know myself better than my state does, and I cannot stay silent about the very real harms that this law inflicts on transgender people like me." MORE: Gender-affirming care for trans youth improves mental health: Study PHOTO: The American Civil Liberties Union logo seen displayed on a (Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) McMaster's office told ABC News that he was "proud" to sign the law and vowed to "continue to support our states efforts to fight back against those who wish to force harmful gender transition procedures on our children." In a statement on the law at the time, State Rep. Davey Hiott said: We do not know how many surgeries have taken place in South Carolina related to this issue, but one is too many. It is past time that we protect our children." The law is set to take effect on Jan. 31, 2025. The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction on the law's gender-affirming care provisions, arguing that they violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The ACLU argues that it discriminates against transgender individuals because while it bans the use of puberty blockers for trans youth, it does not prohibit the prescription of the same medications to treat central precocious puberty. The law also restricts hormone therapy for youth and some trans adults, but allows the same treatment for non-trans patients, the ACLU states. The plaintiffs also argue that the law violates the due-process rights of parents and the anti-discrimination clauses of the Medicaid Act, Affordable Care Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Rehabilitation Act. A law that takes away health care from people, that strips away the ability of parents to make medical decisions for their children, that criminalizes doctors who follow the established standards of care isnt just mean-spirited and harmful its also unconstitutional, said Jace Woodrum, executive director of the ACLU of South Carolina, in a statement. PHOTO: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster speaks about Tropical Storm Debby at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division headquarters, Aug. 5, 2024. (The State/TNS/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Transgender youth care misconceptions lead physicians, researchers to set the record straight The plaintiffs include two parents and their children who would be denied care, as well as three adults whose care has been disrupted. The legal challenges come as the Supreme Court prepares to take up a constitutional challenge to state bans on gender-affirming care for minors. ABC News has reached out to the defendants -- including the state Attorney Generals Office, the state Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), the state Public Employee Benefit Authority and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) -- for comment. The state Attorney Generals Office told ABC News that it does not comment on pending litigation, "but we can say we will vigorously defend the states laws." The MUSC and SCDHHS told ABC News that they do not comment on matters of active litigation. Families, trans adults sue South Carolina to block state's gender-affirming care ban originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Albert Corado is the brother of Mely Corado, who was fatally shot by an LAPD officer at a Trader Joe's in Silver Lake in 2018. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) The city of Los Angeles will pay nearly $40 million to settle three lawsuits alleging abuses by the LAPD, including a case brought by the family of a Trader Joe's manager accidentally killed by a police officer who was firing at a fleeing suspect. Melyda Mely Corado was fatally shot in 2018 at the Silver Lake store where she worked. Her father and brother sued the city and the officers involved in the shooting, alleging that they opened fire recklessly into the crowded store. The $9.5-million settlement with the Corado family, which was previously negotiated but hadn't been disclosed, was the smallest of three payouts the City Council approved on Friday. The others were: $17.7 million for the family of Kenneth French, a 32-year-old mentally disabled man fatally shot by an off-duty LAPD officer inside a Costco store in Corona in June 2019. $11.8 million for James Simpson, who sustained a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a traffic signal pole toppled in an accident caused by an LAPD detective who ran a red light. The council approved all three settlements unanimously. In a statement released through their attorneys, Corado's family members said they would "keep her memory alive always." Nothing will bring Mely back to us and we are forever heartbroken by her violent death caused by those who are meant to protect and serve the community," the statement read. "We hope this settlement sends a loud message to LAPD and all law enforcement agencies across the country that officers must account for their surroundings when firing their guns. Read more: A wild chase, a gun battle, then tragedy as officer's bullet kills Trader Joe's employee The family's lawyers called the settlement the largest pretrial payout ever in an LAPD shooting case. Melys death was entirely preventable if the officers had followed their training and accounted for their background while firing, said attorney Neil Gehlawat. Officers must look at the dangers posed to bystanders when using deadly force, and the officers here failed to do that. Corado was fatally shot on July 21, 2018, as two LAPD officers pursued Gene Evin Atkins, who was suspected of shooting his grandmother and his girlfriend and then taking the younger woman hostage. Atkins led police on a lengthy pursuit in his grandmothers car, during which he shot at officers, ran red lights and collided with multiple vehicles, prosecutors alleged. The chase ended at the Trader Joes on Hyperion Avenue. Atkins stopped the car and ran toward the store, which was crowded with Saturday afternoon shoppers. Atkins shot at the officers, who returned fire as he entered the store. One of the officers bullets struck Corado, killing her. Atkins was wounded in the arm, but he held shoppers and employees hostage inside the store for three hours before surrendering. His trial is pending. The LAPD came under harsh criticism for shooting a bystander, which then-Chief Michel Moore described as every officers worst nightmare. In the French case, the $17.7-million payout is roughly the same amount awarded by a federal jury in 2021 after Officer Salvador Sanchez was found to have used excessive and unreasonable force. Sanchez, who was later fired, was off duty when he and French got into a confrontation in a line to sample sausages. Sanchez's attorney claimed during the federal trial that he was knocked to the ground during the encounter and believed that French was armed. Sanchez's rounds killed French and wounded his mother and father. Read more: At Costco food sample line, gunfire, death and unanswered questions The L.A. Police Commission found that Sanchez violated department policy. Sanchez also faced criminal manslaughter and assault charges, but the prosecution ended in a mistrial earlier this year. A call to the French family's attorney went unreturned on Friday. Simpson sued the city after sustaining numerous injuries when LAPD Det. Alex Pozo ran a red light in Chino while driving a city-owned vehicle in August 2020. The driver of an SUV swerved to avoid colliding with Pozo and crashed into a traffic pole, which fell on top of Simpson, 70, as he walked on the sidewalk. The City Council voted not to approve a settlement for an LAPD sergeant who sued after being repeatedly disciplined over controversial posts on his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts. The sergeant, Joel Sydanmaa, accused the LAPD of singling him out for punishment for expressing political viewpoints they didn't like. "We rejected their suggestion, and we asked them to go to trial," Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said. Sydanmaa's attorney, Caleb Mason, said he was "disappointed" that city officials apparently backtracked on what he described as a signed settlement agreement. "My client waited 3 years for a trial date and then he agreed to vacate that trial date two weeks before his trial, based on the word of high level city attorney officials he trusted them," Mason said. Friday's payouts add to more than $171 million in taxpayer money spent since 2019 to resolve legal claims accusing the LAPD of wrongful death, excessive force, negligence, discrimination and more, according to records from the L.A. city attorney's office. That figure could grow because the city is appealing several sizable payouts, including the $4 million that a jury awarded then-LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza, who sued over a nude photograph that was doctored to look like her and shared with co-workers. 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. Far-right AfD on track for its first win in eastern German state vote By Sarah Marsh BERLIN (Reuters) - The far-right Alternative for Germany is predicted to come first in at least one of two elections in eastern states on Sunday, piling pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's federal coalition over the economy, immigration and support for Ukraine. The 11-year-old AfD, which has greater support in the formerly communist-run east, will be unlikely to be able to form a state government even if it does win, as it is polling short of a majority and other parties refuse to collaborate with it. But it will be the first time a far-right party has the most seats in a German state parliament since World War Two and its strength will complicate coalition building and could allow it to block constitutional changes and appointments of some judges. The AfD is polling 30% in Thuringia, nearly 10 points ahead of the conservatives in second place, while tying with them in Saxony on around 30-32%. The newly-created far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is set to come third in both states. Strong gains for the two anti-establishment parties herald growing instability in Europe's biggest economy, reflecting a fragmentation of the political landscape that could also complicate efforts to form coherent national governments. The AfD's signature topic of migration shot up the agenda after a knife attack a week ago in the western city of Solingen in which a 26-year-old suspected Islamic State member from Syria is accused of killing three people. "We want to end the failure of the state, the loss of control," AfD co-leader Alice Weidel told a campaign event on Wednesday in Dresden. "That can only be done through a sustainable change in migration and asylum policy." The BSW, named after its founder, a former communist, also opposes both immigration and military backing for Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion; both parties seek better relations with Moscow. All three parties in Scholz's federal coalition are expected to lose votes and two may even struggle to make the 5% threshold to enter parliament. Their sagging popularity could mean a return to a conservative-led alliance in next year's national polls. Business leaders have warned of the threat of far-right extremism to Europe's largest economy, saying it could make it harder to attract skilled labour and investment. German politicians say populist rhetoric has fuelled physical attacks. ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT PARTIES ON THE RISE The AfD is led in Thuringia by Bjoern Hoecke, a man that some in the party considered so extremist they tried to expel him. The former history teacher has called Berlin's memorial to Nazi Germany's Holocaust of Europe's Jews a "monument of shame" and was convicted earlier this year for using a Nazi slogan at a party rally. While voting patterns in the formerly communist-run east are still distinct 30 years after reunification due to weaker party allegiances and greater economic pessimism, Sunday's elections give a flavour of nationwide and even European-wide trends. As in France and elsewhere, the rise of anti-establishment parties in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing cost-of-living crisis are complicating coalition-building and governability. "Everything has gone wrong with the established parties: we need a new direction," said Thomas Leser, who was in the audience at the BSW rally in Suhl in Thuringia. Created in January, the BSW, which combines social conservatism and far-left economics, is expected to win up to 20% and 15% respectively in Thuringia and Saxony, which could put it in kingmaker position. "I'm also not happy when a party becomes strong in which there really are right-wing extremists and Nazis," party leader Sahra Wagenknecht said at a rally this week. "But who is responsible for the fact that so many people in our country vote for such a party out of anger and despair?" "It's the politicians who have been ruling over people's heads for years," she said. Both the AfD and BSW, which together are polling between 40-50% in Thuringia and Saxony albeit only 23-27.5% nationwide, oppose arming Ukraine, a particularly sensitive issue in eastern Germany, arguing that Kyiv should make peace with Moscow. "Let's take a look at the supply of weapons, you also have to look for diplomatic solutions here, no matter with whom," said Gerhard Iffert at a BSW event in Eisenach. The party is only polling 7-9% at national level but with Scholz's Social Democrats down to 15-16% from 25.7% at the 2021 elections, every vote counts. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; additional reporting by Thomas Escritt and Maria Martinez; editing by Matthias Williams and Philippa Fletcher) Far right with clear lead in Germany's Thuringia ahead of Sunday vote (L-R) Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and AfD parliamentary group leader, Joerg Urban, chairman of the AfD in Saxony, and Alice Weidel, AfD federal chairman, stand next to each other on stage at one of their party's election rallies on Theaterplatz. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) holds a solid lead ahead of Sunday's election in the German state of Thuringia, according to a new poll from public broadcaster ZDF. The AfD drew support from 29% of voters in the poll, a clear lead ahead of the second-place conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) with 23%. However, according to the survey, 29% of respondents are not yet sure who they plan to vote for - or whether they plan to vote at all. The hard-left Die Linke (The Left), the party of the personally popular incumbent Thuringian state Premier Bodo Ramelow, stood at 13% in the poll, which would be a massive slide from the 31% the party gathered in the most recent state parliamentary election in 2019. Die Linke's decline appears driven by the rise of the upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which splintered from Die Linke earlier this year and describe themselves as "left-conservative." The BSW gathered 18% in the poll. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) polled at just 6%, while his coalition partners the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP) both polled below the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. The poll, conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, surveyed 1,973 randomly selected voters and has a margin of error of up to three percentage points. By Xinhua Writer Wu Qiong BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Members of the U.S. business community have recently expressed optimism about the development prospects of the Chinese market, anticipating stable, improved bilateral relations, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Friday. At the invitation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), a Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, head of the CCPIT, visited the United States from July 27 to Aug. 1, CCPIT spokesperson Wang Linjie told a press conference. During the visit, the delegation exchanged views with government officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Maryland state government, as well as business executives from nearly 30 U.S.-based companies, including Pfizer, Starbucks and Walmart, Wang said. "The number and level of U.S.-funded enterprises participating in the exchanges were unprecedented," she noted, adding that members of the U.S. business community expressed the hope that the business communities of the two countries would meet more often, communicate more frequently and cooperate more extensively. No matter how the international situation changes, the business communities of China and the United States have always been important maintainers of and contributors to the bilateral relationship, Wang said. She noted that the CCPIT is willing to work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the USCBC and other U.S. counterpart organizations and enterprises to continue deepening cooperation, and to become a stabilizing force in the development of China-U.S. relations. The CCPIT said that it has recorded a total of 952 concerns from U.S. enterprises and institutions, promoting resolutions or effective responses to 730 of those items to date. It has also provided U.S. companies with one-stop, full-chain and personalized services in areas such as intellectual property and commercial legal services. Next, the organization will work with relevant authorities to continue addressing the legitimate concerns of foreign businesses, optimizing China's business environment and improving services to foreign businesses. It will continue expanding the coverage of the U.S.-China Commercial Match-Making Program, a trade promotion mechanism initiated by the CCPIT and the U.S. Department of Commerce, to effectively promote industrial exchange and cooperation between the two countries. The spokesperson also said that the U.S. consumption market has great potential and continues to be hugely attractive to China's foreign trade enterprises, noting that thousands of Chinese brands -- from the garment industry to the auto parts sector -- will participate in trade shows in the U.S. over the coming months. "There is vast room for and enormous potential in China-U.S. business cooperation, not only in bilateral fields but also in multilateral areas," she said. During the third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council this year, the CCPIT and U.S. business representatives promoted a joint China-U.S. proposal related to Asia-Pacific supply chain cooperation principles, she added. The proposal covers the Asia-Pacific business community's specific calls against "decoupling and breaking the chain," including demands for open cooperation and non-discrimination supply chain practices, demands for supply chain policies to comply with WTO rules, and demands for the avoidance of trade and investment distortions, according to the CCPIT. UPDATE: COFFEYVILLE, Kan. We have new information tonight about the man police shot and killed in Coffeyville yesterday. In a statement issued by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the agency says Coffeyville police conducted a traffic stop yesterday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. near an intersection at 4th and Poplar Place. CPD says they stopped a vehicle driven by Derik Trotter, 33, of Coffeyville. Derik Trotter Officials say Trotter was connected to an active investigation and when they tried to take him into custody, officers say he became combative and fought with them. The traffic stop involved three CPD officers, whose names have not been released. Two of the officers reportedly used their tasers and the KBI says it was the third officer who fired multiple rounds, striking Trotter. A nearby elementary school went into a brief lockdown during the incident. CPD requested assistance from the KBI about an hour later. Officials wont say why Trotter was being investigated, but we have learned that Trotter was convicted in Texas in 2017 for possession of child pornography. A judge sentenced him to seven years in prison. According to the Texas sex offender registry, Trotter was released in 2020 and was required to register as a sex offender for life. The KBI says that at the time of his death, he was in compliance with the sex offender registry, however, he was removed from that registry when he died. ORIGINAL: COFFEYVILLE, Kan. A Kansas man was fatally shot during a traffic stop after reportedly fighting with Coffeyville Police officers. According to agents with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Derik J. Trotter, 33, of Coffeyville, was stopped by Coffeyville police around 2 p.m. Thursday. Three police officers were involved in the traffic stop. According to a statement released by the KBI, two officers approached Trotters vehicle near 4th St. and Poplar Place. The news release did not identify the three officers involved in the traffic stop or shooting. The KBI says the Coffeyville Police Department requested the agencys assistance around 3 p.m. Coffeyville Police told KBI agents that Trotter was connected to an active investigation. CPD officers say they attempted to detain Trotter to serve a search warrant for items in his possession. The KBI says according to the preliminary information, CPD attempted to place Trotter in handcuffs, when he reportedly fought back and tried to escape. During the close physical altercation that followed, two officers deployed Tasers, but he continued to be combative. Then, one officer fired rounds, striking Trotter. Trotter was transported to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting. The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this officer-involved shooting. Once completed, the findings will be presented to the Montgomery County Attorney. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) A large crack on a Tijuana street is now spreading underground and is affecting 44 homes, prompting city officials to red-tag them. This is on top of more than 90 homes that were declared uninhabitable in recent weeks. Its happening in Colonia Lomas Conjunto Residencial on the south side of Tijuana about 10 miles from the border. This crack has been moving to the north on a hillside and is damaging more homes, said Miguel Angel Ceballos, director of Tijuanas Civil Protection. This is very risky, were asking residents to leave the area, this crack is more than 9 feet deep in some areas. Residents blame a slow response in repairing a water leak that was discovered under the main street where a large sinkhole eventually developed. Uninhabitable: Man whose home is among 90 crumbling in Tijuana refuses to evacuate Ceballos said 52 of the houses are a total loss and some have already tilted and have wobbled into a canyon. Many others have developed cracks in walls, foundations and ceilings. Last week, one resident told Border Report he would not leave his home of 44 years and was prepared to stay until the end. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Tijuanas Civil Protection has stated it cant force residents to leave. It also said crews will continue to monitor the 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. FDA issues recalls on these 6 food items sold in Wisconsin in August, see which ones Though it's easy to reach for your favorite snacks in the grocery store without thinking twice, food items in the U.S. are recalled several times a week for everything from undeclared allergens to listeria contamination. In August, the Food and Drug Administration recalled dozens of products over public safety concerns including some that were sold in Wisconsin stores. Here are all the food items the FDA recalled this month and what steps to take in case you have any of them in your kitchen. Which food items sold in Wisconsin has the FDA recalled? Several of the food items recalled in August were sold in Wisconsin. Here's which products you should check your shelves for: Boars Head and Old Country Deli Meats : A variety of deli meats, including ham, salami, kielbasa and liverwurst, were recalled due to listeria contamination. As of Wednesday, the outbreak had spread to 18 states, including at least one case in Wisconsin. Meijer Dunking Cookies Chocolate Chip : Meijer, a Midwestern supermarket chain, recalled one of its chocolate chip cookie brands due to undeclared milk in the ingredients, which could pose a risk to people with milk allergies. The product was sold in Meijer stores throughout Wisconsin, including in Wauwatosa, Oak Creek and Greenfield. Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop : Popsicle is recalling about 137,000 cases of its Jolly Rancher popsicles, distributed throughout the U.S., because the products have an undeclared milk allergen. The only impact products are single-serve Jolly Rancher popsicles, which are typically sold from ice cream trucks, concession stands and grab-and-go freezers. Montreal Fudge: Authentik Fudge, a Canada-based company, is recalling 840 units of its "Montreal Fudge" because of potential mold growth contamination. The product, a chocolate fudge with nuts, was sold in Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores throughout the U.S., including Marshalls stores in Wisconsin. Bliss Tree Butter Snacks : Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Overseas, a New Jersey-based company, is recalling one of its snacks due to undeclared milk and sesame seed allergens. Though it's unclear which Wisconsin stores the products were sold in, the snacks were "distributed nationwide" via retail stores and Amazon orders, according to the FDA. Perdue Chicken Tenders: Perdue Foods, based in Georgia, has recalled more than 167,00 pounds of its frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products because they may be contaminated with metal, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The products were sold in retail locations nationwide. More: Wisconsinites could be eligible to join a class action tied to the nationwide listeria outbreak Perdue Foods LLC is voluntarily recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated with foreign material. What other food items has the FDA recalled? On top of the products sold in Wisconsin, the FDA has announced recalls of thousands of other food items this month. These products are less likely to have wound up in your kitchen, but still worth being aware of if you're traveling to the affected states. Here are the other items the FDA recalled in August: Marabou Sea Salt chocolate bar : A Swedish Candy Co. issued a recall for Marabou Sea Salt chocolate bars due to undeclared allergens, including almonds, wheat, and other nuts. The company's storefronts are located in New York City. Bikano Moong Daal : Thal Golden Spices Inc. recalled 640 packs of its Bikano Moong Dal, a mung bean, due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The company, which is based outside of San Francisco, sells its products in retail stores throughout California, according to the FDA. Full Circle Market Coconut Milk Chocolate Almond Crunch Frozen Dessert : This non-dairy frozen dessert was recalled due to undeclared cashew allergen, which poses a serious risk to individuals with nut allergies. The product was sent to distribution centers and retail stories in Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the FDA. Yummy Swirly Ices : Yummy Foods issued a recall for its Yummy Swirly Ices due to the presence of undeclared milk allergens. The products were distributed through retail supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Chicago, Florida, California, according to the FDA. Cold Smoked Capelin: North Fish USA Inc. recalled for its 9-ounce packages of "Cold Smoked Capelin" due to potential contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause severe and potentially fatal food poisoning. The recalled product was sent to New York and Georgia to be distributed to more retail stores throughout the East Coast. Infant Formula with Iron Milk-Based Powder : CVS Health issued a recall of their Premium Infant Formula with Iron Milk-Based Powder due to elevated levels of Vitamin D. The recall, initiated by Perrigo Company plc, involves 16,500 cans distributed to retailers across 12 states: The cans were sold at CVS stores in Florida, California, South Caroline, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Missouri, as well as H-E-B stores in Texas. Egg Custard Steamed Buns: Prime Foods Processing, a New-York based company, recalled 477 cases its Egg Custard Steamed Buns because they may contain undeclared sesame allergens. The product was distributed to primarily Asian grocery stores in 27 states, not including Wisconsin. Ground cinnamon: Multiple brands have recalled ground cinnamon in the past month because of potential lead contamination. Gutierrez Distributor, based in New Jersey, recalled its El Servidor Corp brand ground cinnamon, which was distributed to stores in New York. Additionally, El Chilar HF recalled 127 boxes of its ground cinnamon brand, distributed to stores in Maryland. Emerald Kettle Glazed Walnut : Flagstone Foods recalled a product under its Emerald Nuts brand for undeclared peanuts, almonds and pecans allergens. The product was distributed to Publix stores in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Terrafina Golden Raisins : Sunco & Frenchie, a New Jersey-based company, is recalling its Golden Raisins because they contain undeclared sulfites, which could be life-threatening to people who have an allergy or sensitivity to the food preservative. The product was distributed to retail stores throughout New York. Blintzes, pirozhki and vareniki: M&P Food Production in New York is recalling multiple flavors of its blintzes, pirozhki and vareniki products due to undeclared milk, wheat and sesame allergens. The products were distributed to retails stores in Connecticut, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. A carton of Terrafina golden raisins, sold by New Jersey-based Sunco & Frenchie LLC. The Food and Drug Administration has recalled the golden raisins due to a possible sulfite contamination. What to do if you have a recalled product at home If you have recently purchased a recalled product, there are a few steps you can follow to best protect yourself and your household. According to FoodSafety.gov, here is what you should do. Dont panic : The majority of food recalls are not directly linked to an outbreak of foodborne illness. Instead, many recalls are initiated due to the potential risk of contamination in the food product. In such cases, food manufacturers often issue a recall as a preventive measure to safeguard consumers. Don't eat the food: To ensure your safety, refrain from consuming any recalled food products. Always prioritize caution over convenience. Additionally, please refrain from donating the recalled food to food banks or providing it to your pets as they are also susceptible to food poisoning. Don't open the food: To prevent foodborne illnesses, refrain from opening and inspecting food. Bacteria and viruses responsible for such illnesses are invisible, odorless, and tasteless. If you do handle the product, ensure you thoroughly cleanse your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds afterward. Check the recall notice to find out what to do with the food: Upon a food product recall by a manufacturer, specific instructions are provided regarding the product's handling. These instructions generally entail one of the following actions: Return the product to the original store of purchase for a refund. Safely dispose of the product to prevent consumption by humans or animals, particularly if the product has been opened. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 6 FDA food recalls in August that impact Wisconsinites A Florida Department of Law Enforcement official Friday said that disclosing the cost of Gov. Ron DeSantis' travel from two years ago doesn't jeopardize his safety. That's significant, because it comes after FDLE has repeatedly denied public records requests for DeSantis' travel expenses, citing safety and security exemptions. And the statement came from Darrick Waller, who oversees protective operations for the department, which is being sued by The Washington Post for alleged public records violations. During a Friday hearing held online, plaintiff's attorney Charles Tobin pulled up a slide of an FDLE document showing that DeSantis did a roundtrip flight to Jacksonville on January 27, 2022, with an attached multi-thousand-dollar cost. "The disclosure of that cost would not jeopardize the safety of the governor at this point, would it?" Tobin said in the Leon County Circuit Civil court proceeding. "No," Waller replied. Tobin then asked if the after-the-fact release of names of non-law enforcement passengers would threaten the safety of the governor. Passenger names were not included in the document. "I don't believe so," Waller said. But, in May, FDLE denied a public request from the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, sent nine months prior and which asked for the individual costs of DeSantis' trips. Most of those trips have been well-publicized. Nevertheless, the department said it couldn't disclose dollar amounts because they were exempt under a 2023 law aimed at concealing certain information to prevent the endangerment of the governor and other officials. Other newspapers got the same response. The Orlando Sentinel, for example, sent its unsuccessful public records request nearly two years before the denial. The 2023 measure came under immense scrutiny during the legislative process, with Democrats and transparency advocates worried it would reduce accountability on how DeSantis spends taxpayer funds for travel, especially ahead of his then-presidential run. The sponsors of the bill Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, and Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers said it would help protect DeSantis and his family. And they reassured other lawmakers that financial records would still be released. That turned out to be false, and now The Washington Post is suing. Gannett Co., Inc., the parent company of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, joined several other news sources in filing a brief in support of the lawsuit. Attorneys on Friday also questioned Shane Desguin, a former FDLE chief of staff who has previously alleged that DeSantis' office played a role in stonewalling travel-related public records requests. Desguin echoed Waller's beliefs that financial and other scrutinized records currently being withheld do not endanger the governor. "There's no times, there's no discussion of advanced plans, there's no discussion of anything security-related, egress, entrance, exit, routes, anything that would be of concern to the security package itself," he said of the Jacksonville trip document. FDLE and the governor's office didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, but both have bashed Desguin's credibility in the past, accusing him of misconduct. Desguin, meanwhile, has filed a whistleblower lawsuit in Leon County, saying he was forced to resign after exposing misconduct by them. Other Florida public records lawsuits: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused of lack of transparency, sued again in Tallahassee What happens now? Matthew Cate, another attorney for the Post, asked Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom on Friday to knock down the 2023 law. "If the Constitution of Florida, if the Florida constitutional right of access to public records, is to mean anything, the court should rule that this exemption is just too overbroad," he said. If the judge doesn't do that, the newspaper's attorneys asked Sjostrom to rule that records like financial disclosures fall outside of the state law and other exemptions on the books. The two sides on Friday also debated whether a backlog of public records requests is sufficient excuse for slow responses by the department or, as Tobin put it, an "unreasonable, unlawful delay." Nathan Hill, a partner at Florida's Gunster law firm who is representing FDLE, contended that a backlog could be an excuse if "the agency is operating in good faith and has procedures designed to the best of its ability to comply," which he said it was. Defending the 2023 law, Hill said, "Just because an exemption is broad" does not make it inherently unconstitutional. He pointed to how the Constitution permits the Legislature to pass public records exemptions with two-thirds approval. "It was well thought out by the Legislature," he said. Sjostrom said he would issue a written order "as quickly as I can." 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: New comments raise questions on Florida concealing DeSantis records FILE - Women walk down a street in the predominantly Somali neighborhood of Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis on May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski, File) For years, Fartun Weli has been frustrated with the way low-income Somali Muslims in Minnesota have been targeted by shady home sellers edging their way into the community -- by exploiting a principle of Islam meant to protect the poor. Weli says many are refugee immigrants who know little about the formal homebuying process and often have little or bad credit. Even when they qualify for traditional mortgages, theyre uncomfortable with the typical financing options because Islamic law forbids interest on loans. In comes a private seller who offers them seemingly low-priced homes without interest. In such sales, the two sides agree on a price outright, with a sizeable down payment and monthly installments. The seller claims theres no interest payment because no banks are involved. But no banks also mean no appraisals, allowing the seller to inflate prices with no questions asked on the condition of the home. Typically, the seller legally owns the home until the entire loan is paid off and all the sellers conditions are met, while the buyer takes on ownership responsibilities like paying the property taxes, fixing it up to livable standards and all ongoing maintenance. This is a community that has been scammed, said Weli, who leads Isuroon, a community nonprofit that supports Somali refugee immigrant women and their families resettling in Minnesota. There are so many of them that just folded quietly. Most of our families are not even talking about it. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is now pledging to scrutinize bad deals in this format, known as contracts for deed. It is also urging people to report such deceptive and predatory loans. Contracts for deed are a form of alternative or seller financing in which a private seller or investor group comes to a loan agreement with a buyer without many of the typical banking and mortgage regulations and protections. But the federal watchdog agency declared earlier this month that they must now play by the rules effectively putting private sellers on notice that they too are subject to the Truth in Lending Act as banks, lenders and brokers are. At a field hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 13, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra highlighted how predatory lending has especially affected the Somali Muslim community in Minnesota, where many have resettled from the Somali Civil War in recent decades, describing how families housing situations could be derailed by hidden balloon payments and uninhabitable properties. Chopra said its become a trap and churn system, where the buyers are set up to fail and the sellers can re-sell the home on their terms to another family. We actually need to make sure that when people are struggling financially, they can sometimes know who to go for help, when to report and what we can do to make them feel comfortable and safe when it comes to speaking up," Chopra said. The Pew Charitable Trusts reports about 1.4 million Americans were using contracts for deed to buy a home in 2022. Tara Roche, who leads Pews housing policy initiative, said part of the problem of trying to regulate them is that some states view them as falling under contract law rather than housing law, and some lawmakers see such home sales as merely private contracts between two people with no need for government oversight. The reality is that the seller has all the power on the requirements and the terms of the contract, Roche said. Its not balanced through legal framework. The National Association of Realtors said while they appreciate the crackdown on predatory lending, they want to ensure that buyers who had traditionally used contracts for deed also known as land contracts wont be affected. For a small niche of homebuyers, particularly in rural and farming communities, land contracts have worked. The CFPB should ensure that safe, alternative products are available for this community if land contracts become more limited, according to a statement by the real estate trade group. Others have urged for more regulation by state lawmakers to help vulnerable low-income and immigrant communities. Weve long known that communities of color and immigrants were being targeted, but the additional targeting based on religious beliefs is especially troubling, said Sarah Bolling Mancini, co-director of advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center, which calls for policy reforms including requiring such sales to be recorded in deed records. The most important thing is we not allow these contracts to be in a gray area with none of the protections of a buyer or a renter. In the case of Somali Muslims in Minnesota, the contracts for deed hold appeal because mainstream Islamic law views the concept of paying or receiving money as interest on a loan as a greedy sin, said Yasir Qadhi, an Islamic scholar and chair of the Fiqh Council of North America. We believe interest is an unfair tool, that people who have wealth can leverage their wealth as a means of becoming more wealthy by taking advantage of the poor, Qadhi said. In our faith, giving someone a loan is an act of charity, its not a business. Weli said she hopes the latest move by the CFPB will result in more awareness within the Somali refugee community and also lead to more resources for immigrants to achieve financial literacy to help them be less vulnerable. Theres something about being an immigrant and being a refugee. You plan things so well and you strive, Weli said. This homeownership thing, its the ultimate destination. Its part of feeling completely safe. Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a large print of a children's book about a transgender kid on March 28, 2022 (Screenshot/Florida Channel The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has 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, released Wednesday, 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. 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 Fourteenth 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 Fourteenth 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. Gov. Ron DeSantis cited Lagoas three-judge panel ruling in the Alabama case this week in praising a separate three-judge Eleventh Circuit panel decision lifting an injunction against enforcing a similar law in Florida. Hed placed Lagoa on the Florida Supreme Court before her elevation by Donald Trump to the federal appeals court. 10 years in prison 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, co-counsel for the private plaintiffs. Approval by medical authorities 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. This story first appeared in the Alabama Reflector, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom. Michael Moline in Tallahassee contributed. John Paul Hammerschmidt Federal Building in Fayetteville. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) This story was updated at 10:35 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2024 to include comments from Get Loud Arkansas. A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the implementation of a new rule barring the use of electronic signatures on Arkansas voter registration forms except at certain state agencies. State lawmakers in May approved an emergency rule drafted by the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners that requires a wet signature, meaning signing with a pen, on voter registration applications unless theyre completed at state agencies, like the DMV. In June, voter advocacy group Get Loud Arkansas challenged the rule with a lawsuit filed 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. Additional plaintiffs include Vote.Org, a national voter registration-focused nonprofit, and two Arkansans who had their voter registration applications rejected because they had an electronic signature Nikki Pastor and Trinity Blake Loper. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks said he issued a preliminary injunction Thursday because requiring that voter registration applications be signed with a wet signature likely violates the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and will cause plaintiffs irreparable harm. The Materiality Provision prohibits any person acting under color of law from denying someone the right to vote in an election because of an error or omission on a record or paper related to an application or registration requisite to voting. Brooks said the omission of a wet signature is not material to determining whether a person is qualified to vote under Arkansas law, which requires a voter to be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident and at least 18 years old, among other things. This ruling underscores the importance of accessibility in voter registration and affirms the right of Arkansans to use electronic signatures when registering to vote, said Kristin Foster, Deputy Executive Director of Get Loud Arkansas in a statement Friday. While we are celebrating this win today, we know there is more work to be done. This fight did not begin today, and it does not end here either. In deciding to rule from the bench inside the John Paul Hammerschmidt Federal Building in Fayetteville Thursday, Brooks noted the parties involved in the case are somewhat under the gun given that the deadline to register to vote in Arkansas general election is Oct. 7. Brooks said he would issue a more fulsome memorandum and order in the next 7 to 10 days. Under the preliminary injunction, Brooks said the defendants and other officials would be prohibited from enforcing the wet signature requirement and from rejecting or refusing to accept voter registration applications on the grounds that they were signed with an electronic signature instead of with a pen. Because the injunction suspends the enforcement of the wet signature rule while the lawsuit proceeds, Get Loud Arkansas announced Friday the relaunch of its online tool, which allows Arkansans to fill out and sign their voter registration application online and authorize Get Loud to submit the form to the applicants county clerk. Legislators last week gave final approval to a permanent version of the rule, which was set to take effect Sept. 1. The rule promulgation process included a 30-day public comment period during which approximately 200 comments were received, about 185 of which opposed the rule. At a July public hearing, 16 people argued the rule would make it harder for Arkansans to vote. They said it would increase inefficiency in registering voters, present difficulties for Arkansans with disabilities and create roadblocks for people living in rural and minority communities. The rule also ignores technological advances, they said. Arkansas ranks last in the nation for voter participation, according to a study from the National Conference on Citizenship. Arkansas is also one of seven states that do not allow electronic voter registration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The rule directly affects the work of Get Loud Arkansas, which used an online portal to help register around 500 voters in 63 counties between January and May. The group amended its process to no longer require an electronic signature. When Get Loud contacted Thurston about voter registration in February, a spokesman said, while its a sensitive issue thats not clear in law, the secretary of state didnt see how an electronic signature should be treated differently than a wet one, according to an email obtained by the Arkansas Times. However, he noted this shouldnt be treated as an official legal opinion. Thurston then sought advice from Attorney General Tim Griffin, who said in an April 10 opinion that while an electronic signature or mark is generally valid under Arkansas law, the registration form must be created and distributed by the secretary of state. A third-party organization cant create and use a different form of its own to register voters, he said. Griffin usually represents state agencies in court, but he said in a June letter that his office would not provide representation in this case because his office had previously taken a legal position on the rule. Lawmakers last week approved up to $250,000 in state funds for the State Board of Election Commissioners to hire legal representation. Board director Chris Madison said they hired the Mitchell Williams Law Firm. While representing the defendants Thursday, attorney Graham Talley echoed Madisons previous statements that the rule creates consistency because some county clerks accepted electronic signatures, while others rejected them. Christopher Dodge, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, contended the rule does not promote any form of uniformity because instead of requiring a wet signature from everyone, it allows for digital signatures for thousands of Arkansans who register at designated state agencies. Asked by Brooks why the election board disallowed digital signatures instead of permitting them, Talley said its based on the boards interpretation of Amendment 51 to the Arkansas Constitution, which governs voter registration. Amendment 51 specifically mentions the use of computer processes at certain agencies, like a state Revenue Office, which are specifically mentioned in the rule. Talley also said these state agencies would also have more control over the computer processes. In addition to issuing a preliminary injunction Thursday, Brooks denied motions by the Benton and Pulaski County clerks to be dismissed from the case. Brooks also said if plaintiffs want to file a supplemental complaint specifically addressing the permanent rule, they must do so no later than the close of business on Sept. 4. Defendants can file a response no later than the close of business on Sept. 6. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some of the most powerful and consistent winds in the world are located off the southwest Oregon coast, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has identified two spots on the Oregon Coast for floating wind farms. Some of the most powerful and consistent winds in the world are located off the southwest Oregon coast, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. (Axel Schmidt/Getty Images) The Biden administration will seek bids on developing two wind energy sites off Oregons southern coast in October. The announcement on Thursday followed an environmental assessment of the sites off Coos Bay and Brookings by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The analysis found the sites would pose no significant impact on people or the environment. The advancement of the first offshore wind sale in Oregon marks years of engagement with state partners, tribes, ocean users and industry, and the administrations commitment to building a thriving and sustainable clean energy industry, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a release. The release said the sites could generate more than 3.1 gigawatts of renewable energy if fully developed, enough to power 1 million homes. The sites would cover 61,200 acres off the coast of Coos Bay and 133,808 acres off the coast of Brookings. The Coos Bay site is 30 miles from the coast and the Brookings area is 20 miles away. The Department of the Interior said the granting of any leases would not constitute approval of development plans. To move forward, they would need to pass an environmental, technical and public reviews, including input from tribes, state and federal agencies and the public. Five Oregon and California tribes, members of the seafood industry and some locals oppose the developments. Critics said federal officials have failed to be forthright about their plans, and last November, the tribal council of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians passed a resolution against the sites. It said the bureau had failed to show that the development would not harm the tribes. In November, Coos County residents will vote on a ballot initiative on the development. A coalition of independent fishing boat operators, seafood companies and industry groups also have asked Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to intervene to stop the development. Oregon needs to switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy to meet its emission-reduction goals. The current Climate Protection Program by the Department of Environmental Quality which needs final approval set a target of reducing emissions from fossil fuels by 50% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050. Wind energy could inch Oregon towards that goal but it only accounts for a fraction of the states energy use. The Oregon Department of Energys latest energy report said wind power accounted for 7% of energy consumption in 2000. A map of the wind energy areas identified for potential offshore floating wind energy farms. (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) Nationwide plans The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has auctioned five areas off the California coast to develop floating wind energy projects, and it has approved six projects on the East Coast. Theyre part of the Biden administrations plan for up to a dozen offshore wind energy auctions through 2028. The administration is targeting a total of 30 gigawatts of wind energy to be deployed by 2030 enough to power more than 10 million homes for a year. Four companies have qualified to bid on Oregon leases: Portland-based Avangrid Renewables, the Spanish companies BlueFloat Energy and Ocean Winds, and the Irish company Mainstream Renewable Power, according to the ocean energy bureau. Leases are likely to be awarded before Oregon releases its plan for offshore wind development in 2025, and construction would likely take place over the next five years. The projects would need electric transmission systems along the coast to undergo major upgrades. The states planned Offshore Wind Roadmap is part of House Bill 4080 passed this year to lay the foundation for offshore wind energy that complies with labor standards and with community input. Minor impacts In its environmental assessment, officials determined that building wind projects in the two areas off Oregons Coast would have negligible to moderate impacts on marine mammals and sea turtles due to noise from underwater surveying and potential entanglement in mooring systems and buoys. The most important factors that could affect marine animals and sea turtles, officials said, are vessels striking wind turbine infrastructure. For marine and coastal birds, the potential harm from underwater noise, boat and air traffic, trash and debris and accidental fuel spills were deemed negligible. Commercial fisheries are likely to experience minor issues related mainly to increased marine traffic while the projects are being built, officials wrote. The companies developing projects would be required to work with local fisheries to coordinate traffic while installation and surveying is underway. Recreational fishing, specifically albacore and tuna fisheries in Coos County or near Coos Bay, could be adversely affected intermittently over a five year term, but the report said officials said they expect a full recovery to recreational fishing once construction is done. The projects would bring an economic boost to coastal ports and counties by creating jobs and bringing people to the area during construction. But the report said the economic impact would be short term and difficult to measure. The report identified few economic bonuses for nearby tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and the agency said it would consult with tribes on any project proposals and would include tribes in the environmental reviews. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Feds charge former U. of C. student with concealing bomb-making effort that ignited blaze in dorm room A former University of Chicago student was charged with concealing his plans to make a bomb following an explosion and fire in his dorm room, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday. Aram Brunson, 21, hid and misrepresented his attempts to create a bomb, part of his apparent ambitions to support Armenian nationalist efforts, to multiple law enforcement agencies, according to a federal complaint submitted Tuesday by FBI Special Agent Thomas Dalton. According to the complaint, Brunson, of Massachusetts, was 19 and a second-year student at the South Side university when a fire erupted in his dorm room in Woodlawn Commons on the Hyde Park campus in January 2023. Upon responding to the blaze, Chicago Fire Department workers and FBI bomb technicians found chemicals associated with fireworks and ammunition in the room. Dalton wrote that two students who lived down the hallway said they had heard an explosion just before the fire alarm went off. The university student newspaper, the Chicago Maroon, reported shortly afterward that a student had been arrested in connection with the fire. A university representative said Brunson had not been enrolled at the university since the blaze. Brunson allegedly lied to both university police and FBI agents about the fire and materials in his room, saying he had been cooking on a hot plate and that he had been trying to build a flare according to instructions in a YouTube video. Agents searching Brunsons computer found videos of him from the preceding year talking about how to form, fund and arm a revolutionary group, including names, group organization and possible ways to purchase weapons. Significant portions of the videos are focused on arming terrorist/revolutionary groups, the complaint reads. Brunson advocates the use of bombs as the weapons of choice. The videos show Brunson discussing possible assassination targets, compounds used in making bombs and advocating for use of the hand grenade, per the complaint. The bomb-making videos were allegedly narrated in Armenian. Agents searching Brunsons computer and phone also found communications between him and two friends about military and bomb training in the months preceding the fire in Brunsons dorm room, the complaint states. After the fire, Brunson left the university, the complaint states. In August 2023, security officials found traces of explosives on his luggage as he was leaving Boston Logan International Airport, but Brunson denied knowledge of why his things might have explosive residue on them, according to the complaint. Officers searching Brunsons family home later that month found a recipe for creating a bomb in his bedroom and traces of explosive materials on three places in the room, the complaint alleges. The FBI believes Brunson, who is of Armenian descent, is currently in Armenia and has declined to return to the U.S. to meet with agents. By Xinhua writer Tian Ying NANNING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Amidst a gathering of visitors in a serene countryside home, Zhu Zhongheng strummed his two-stringed Tianqin Zither, enchanting everyone with the melodic rhythm of his self-composed song. As the composition reached its most intense peak, his mentor, Li Shaowei, seated beside him, hooked a cluster of horse bells to his bare toe and tapped them in rhythm. The 68-year-old Li, a state-recognized 10th-generation inheritor of the Tianqin -- a traditional musical instrument of China's Zhuang ethnic group -- is deeply versed in its orthodox playing rituals and techniques. Zhu, 37, who has studied under Li since 2015, is dedicated to preserving and innovating this ancient art form as a younger-generation inheritor. Zhu's efforts exemplify a bold exploration into how to make an ancient, lesser-known art form more accessible to modern audiences while preserving its authenticity. Mainly practiced in Chongzuo City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region along the China-Vietnam border, the Tianqin, or "heavenly zither," is cherished by locals who call it "ding" because of its jingling sound. Traditionally played in religious rituals, the Tianqin's melodies, which mimic swallows flying, horses racing, and streams trickling, reflect the Zhuang people's deep love and reverence for nature. Zhu, hailing from Zhanjiang City in neighboring Guangdong Province, discovered the instrument by chance during a live performance he attended in Guangxi when he was around 20 years old. "The unique performance techniques and craftsmanship of the Tianqin left me spellbound," he recalled, noting that his desire to learn the instrument was fueled by its potential to produce a diverse range of melodies. Drawing on his musical background -- nurtured through experiences of playing drums since three and playing guitar as an adolescent -- Zhu taught himself to play the Tianqin while also learning its traditional techniques from Li. Born into a family that teaches Kung Fu lion dancing and is dedicated to preserving traditional culture, Zhu felt it was a pity that the Tianqin was known to only a few young people and practiced even less. However, this is no longer the case now. Thanks to the efforts of artisans and performers like Zhu, the Tianqin is experiencing a renewed resonance, fueled by a resurgence of enthusiasm among the Chinese people for their traditional cultural treasures. The Tianqin art form was included in the national-level intangible cultural heritage list in 2021. "To preserve the Tianqin culture, you have to first make sure there are people willing to learn and practice the instrument," Zhu said. "I hope that Tianqin could be played like a guitar or ukulele." Zhu's innovative spirit is evident in his enrichment of Tianqin playing techniques, which he describes as "an integration of multiple styles" -- including rock and roll -- aimed at making the instrument more acceptable among modern audiences. He was upfront about his desire to highlight his exceptional Tianqin technique. "I purposefully flaunted my skills," he admitted, "because if it captured the audience's admiration as 'cool,' then I've succeeded in popularizing the instrument." Zhu is also a founding member of a local pop music band that incorporates two Tianqin instruments in place of guitars. He is not concerned that modern adaptations of Tianqin styles might mislead enthusiasts. "Once people are captivated by the instrument," Zhu believes, "they will be inspired to explore its origins and traditional techniques." Zhu very well understands that to elevate the accompaniment instrument into a versatile solo piece for diverse musical genres, adapting the Tianqin for contemporary stage performances was essential. Crafting the Tianqin is a meticulous process. Under Li Shaowei's guidance, Zhu mastered the traditional 18-step technique for producing the instrument. When it comes to Tianqin crafting, Zhu has adopted a conservative approach. In the idyllic countryside of Longzhou County in Chongzuo, Li's home served as a workshop where he taught Zhu the art of handcrafting Tianqin. Zhu cultivates his own gourds, purchases them from local farmers and even sources them online. To maintain the Tianqin's authenticity, the gourds used for the instrument's sound box must be locally harvested, he explained, noting that thin-skinned local gourds are more likely to produce a crisp sound. Zhu was officially recognized as an inheritor of the Tianqin crafting technique last year. His impact goes beyond performance and craftsmanship. As a teacher at a local secondary school in Longzhou, he teaches Tianqin to students and music teachers alike. "Seeing young students embrace this instrument is incredibly rewarding," he said. Speaking about the future of the instrument, Zhu said, "We've nearly overcome all the challenges, from researching its history and refining playing techniques to diversifying its melodies. What remains is the test of time. All I can do is continue teaching and promoting it." Enditem (Zhang Qingshuo, Li Weixin, Shi Peng, Zhong Yi, Liu Jie, Guo Bingqian, Feng Shiqi, Wu Xinni also contributed to the story.) Feds charge former University of Chicago student with concealing bomb-making effort that ignited blaze in dorm room CHICAGO A former University of Chicago student was charged with concealing his plans to make a bomb following an explosion and fire in his dorm room, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday. Aram Brunson, 21, hid and misrepresented his attempts to create a bomb, part of his apparent ambitions to support Armenian nationalist efforts, to multiple law enforcement agencies, according to a federal complaint submitted Tuesday by FBI Special Agent Thomas Dalton. According to the complaint, Brunson, of Massachusetts, was 19 and a second-year student at the South Side university when a fire erupted in his dorm room in Woodlawn Commons on the Hyde Park campus in January 2023. Upon responding to the blaze, Chicago Fire Department workers and FBI bomb technicians found chemicals associated with fireworks and ammunition in the room. Dalton wrote that two students who lived down the hallway said they had heard an explosion just before the fire alarm went off. The university student newspaper, the Chicago Maroon, reported shortly afterward that a student had been arrested in connection with the fire. A university representative said Brunson had not been enrolled at the university since the blaze. Brunson allegedly lied to both university police and FBI agents about the fire and materials in his room, saying he had been cooking on a hot plate and that he had been trying to build a flare according to instructions in a YouTube video. Agents searching Brunsons computer found videos of him from the preceding year talking about how to form, fund and arm a revolutionary group, including names, group organization and possible ways to purchase weapons. Significant portions of the videos are focused on arming terrorist/revolutionary groups, the complaint reads. Brunson advocates the use of bombs as the weapons of choice. The videos show Brunson discussing possible assassination targets, compounds used in making bombs and advocating for use of the hand grenade, per the complaint. The bomb-making videos were allegedly narrated in Armenian. Agents searching Brunsons computer and phone also found communications between him and two friends about military and bomb training in the months preceding the fire in Brunsons dorm room, the complaint states. After the fire, Brunson left the university, the complaint states. In August 2023, security officials found traces of explosives on his luggage as he was leaving Boston Logan International Airport, but Brunson denied knowledge of why his things might have explosive residue on them, according to the complaint. Officers searching Brunsons family home later that month found a recipe for creating a bomb in his bedroom and traces of explosive materials on three places in the room, the complaint alleges. The FBI believes Brunson, who is of Armenian descent, is currently in Armenia and has declined to return to the U.S. to meet with agents. ____ A fleet of electric delivery vehicles charges. A new network of stations up and down the West Coast could accelerate the adoption of more electric vehicles across the region. (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. 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 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. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Hes accused of terrorizing the Albuquerque community for weeks, gunning down three Muslim men in the summer of 2022. Investigators once referred to Muhammad Syed as a serial killer. With his motive still unknown, several questions remain about his alleged shooting spree. KRQE Investigates uncovered newly unsealed federal documents revealing federal investigators believed Syed may have had more victims. KRQE Investigates Police arrested Syed in August 2022 for the murders of Aftab Hussein, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, and Naeem Hussain. The three unrelated men were killed within days of each other. In March 2024, a jury convicted Syed of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Aftab Hussein. Albuquerque Police found Aftab Hussein dead from multiple gunshot wounds on Rhode Island Street NE, near Copper Avenue NE on July 26, 2022. Muhammad Afzaal Hussain died less than a week after Aftab Hussein. Police found him on the sidewalk near Cornell Drive SE and Coal Avenue SE on August 1, 2022. He had been shot multiple times. Just four days later, Albuquerque police responded to Truman Street NE and Grand Avenue NE where they found Naeem Hussain shot to death. Syed is expected to take a plea rather than go to trial for their murders. Syeds 2022 arrest had another family questioning if he killed their brother months earlier. On November 7, 2021, police report Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi was shot and killed behind the halal market he ran with his brother on San Mateo Boulevard. Its getting tougher and tougher and tougher every day for me. Every day, Sharief Hadi, Ahmadis brother told KRQE Investigates. Hadi is confident Syed is responsible for his brothers death. No doubt. No, we dont have any enemies, Hadi explained. But he pointed out he and his brother had multiple bad run-ins with Syed and his wife at the store prior to his brothers death. The last time I talked with him, I told him go. And then I called the cops. The cops didnt come. They didnt show up, Hadi said. As KRQE has previously reported, surveillance cameras outside the Islamic Center in Albuquerque caught a man police identified as Syed slashing the tires on Hadis wifes car in 2020. This guy caused a problem all the time. All the time. Not one time, not two times, Hadi added. After Syeds arrest, Albuquerque Police did say detectives were looking at him in Hadis brothers case. A two-year-old search warrant just made public reveals federal investigators were too. In it, the FBI asked Google for the location history of Syeds account because they suspected he was actually connected to six incidents within that year five murders and a drive-by shooting. The search warrant noted the feds were investigating whether Syed should be charged with a hate crime because five of the victims are/were of Afghan and Pakistani national origin and/or belong to local Muslim communities. We know Aftab Hussein, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, and Naeem Hussain were all Pakistani. The search warrant reveals five days before those murders, just blocks away from the Islamic Center, an Afghan man reported someone in a car shot at him multiple times before speeding away. He was not hit. The FBI pointed out the suspect vehicle description and how that shooting was carried out matched the MO in the other shootings. Shariefs brother is also Afghan. The document states investigators found the same type of bullet casing near his body that they found at the scenes of Aftab Husseins and Muhammad Afzaal Hussains murders. As for the sixth victim, the search warrant describes her as a Chinese woman. But the FBI agent explained to the judge her case could be connected because she was killed around the same time in July 2022, at the same location as Naeem Hussain, and similarly to the others. But in response to the search warrant, Google said there was no location data for Syeds account. So, it could not help the feds tie Syed to the crime scenes. Be honest with you, if I find out about my brothers murder, I want to take off from this country. Im going to go, Hadi said. He explained the America he fled to years ago is no longer safe. But, because investigators have not reached out in more than a year, he feels like his brother has been forgotten. Through tears he added, If I put my head every day in the pillow, Im crying. I am living and hes in the grave. KRQE Investigates asked the U.S. Attorneys Office and Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office about new charges. They would not comment. APD said Ahmadis case, the womans murder, and the drive-by shooting are still open and under investigation. They cannot say if Syed is considered a suspect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Jim Justice stands with his family daughter Jill, wife Cathy and son Jay at his final State of the State address in Charleston, W.Va., on Jan. 10, 2024. (Office of the Gov. Jim Justice) Federal attorneys asking a court to hold 23 of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justices family-owned coal companies in contempt for nonpayment of health and safety fines entered a filing this week saying the companies shouldnt have entered into a payment plan if they knew they couldnt honor it. The filing, entered Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia and first reported by West Virginia MetroNews, comes in response to a memorandum filed last week by Justice family attorneys. In that filing, they contend that the companies in question are too broke to pay the nearly $600,000 they still owe to the government. In Tuesdays filing, the federal attorneys say this claim has been made with no evidence and, as such, should not be considered as a valid defense against putting the companies in contempt. Further, the companies should not have entered into a settlement agreement in 2020 if they knew they would not be able to pay what they owe on the set schedule. Justice family companies that say theyre too broke to pay fines Southern Coal Corporation, A & G Coal Corporation, Black River Coal LLC, Chestnut Land Holdings LLC, Double Bonus Coal Company, Dynamic Energy Inc., Four Star Resources LLC, Frontier Coal Company, Inc., Infinity Energy Inc., Justice Coal of Alabama LLC, Justice Energy Company, Inc., Justice Highwall Mining, Inc., Kentucky Fuel Corp., Keystone Services Industries Inc., M & P Services, Inc., Nine Mile Mining Company, Inc., Nufac Mining Company, Inc., Pay Car Mining Inc., Premium Coal Company, Inc., S and H Mining, Inc., Sequoia Energy, LLC, Southern Coal Corporation, Tams Management, Inc., Virginia Fuel Corp. Source: Defendants Memorandum in Opposition to Governments Motion for Civil Contempt, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia [The companies] willingly and knowingly entered into the payment plan and consent judgment in this case, representing to the government and the Court that it would comply with the payment plan in the consent judgment, the filing reads. However, they now claim that they faced financial difficulties at the time of the consent judgment that preclude them from being able to pay. If [the companies] knew they could not comply with the consent judgment at the time of execution, they should have said so. In 2023, according to the filing, representatives for the Justice companies told the government that they had difficulty making payments, but that the situation would be remedied by borrowing money from another business to catch up on payments. Federal representatives agreed at that time to adjust the payment plan. Yet once again, [the companies] failed to comply with the adjusted payment plan. [They] have not provided any explanation for their noncompliance, the federal attorneys write. Between August 2023 and present, [the companies] did not communicate to the government an inability to pay on the modified schedule, nor did they seek alternative payment arrangements with the government. In a memorandum earlier this month asking the court to hold the companies in contempt, federal attorneys provided dozens of emails sent between Aug. 14, 2023 and July 9, 2024 reminding the companies of their debts and the past due amounts. Responses from the companies attorneys were few, even as the companies fell months behind on their payments. Instead of notifying the government about their alleged inability to comply with the consent judgment, [the companies] have kept their proverbial heads in the sand, the federal attorneys wrote in Tuesdays filing. Even when the government notified Defendants in July 2024 that the government would have no choice but to seek action with the Court unless payment in full was made, [they] offered no explanation or response. In last weeks memorandum from the Justice companies, attorneys argued that it would be improper to hold the companies in contempt since their financial struggles are not self-inflicted and have existed since they agreed upon the payment plan. They said the economic downturn in the coal industry is to blame for the financial challenges at the companies. The federal government, they continue, was aware of these challenges. Since payments were being made albeit sporadically from 2020 on, the feds argued Tuesday that this defense shouldnt stand. Also in last weeks memorandum, Justice family attorneys requested discovery for the ongoing case. While alleging a dire financial situation at the companies, they did not provide any exhibits or evidence to back up this claim in their filing. In Tuesdays filing, federal attorneys say that the request for discovery is unnecessary and a delay tactic. The companies, they say, are responsible for proving they are unable to meet their financial obligations and evidence underscoring that claim can be presented at a hearing for the case if it exists. The nearly $600,000 the federal government is seeking to collect comes from a decades worth of unpaid health and safety fines at Justice-owned coal mines. The debt, at one point, totaled about $5.13 million from hundreds of violations incurred since 2014. The government initially filed suit against the Justices in 2019 to collect the money. In 2020, the Justice-owned companies and the government entered into an agreement where the family would make monthly payments to pay off the debt by March 2024. The debt, however, was not paid off. Justice has maintained that he is not at all directly involved in his familys business empire, leaving the companies in the leadership of his children despite refusing to enter most of his businesses into a blind trust. He said earlier this month that, if theres a problem, it gets taken care of We may be a few minutes late to the fire, but we always show up at the fire. Last week, however, Jay Justice Jim Justices son and president of several of the familys companies failed to show up at the fire. A federal judge in Alabama filed an order last Thursday finding Jay Justice and Bluestone Coke of which he is president in civil contempt. The order, according to Inside Climate News, came after Jay Justice failed to attend a hearing despite being ordered to do so by the federal court for a lawsuit alleging the coking plant is responsible for polluting groundwater and rivers and violating the Clean Water Act. [Jay Justice and Bluestone Coke] have violated three separate court orders requiring them to produce responses and negotiate, in good faith, dates for depositions, the order reads. The story is republished from West Virginia Watch, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Mojave desert solar array at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. (Getty Images) Federal land managers Thursday released an updated roadmap for solar energy development across 11 western states, a plan that opens about 32 million acres of federal lands to utility-scale solar development. The proposal released by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, known as the Western Solar Plan, updates a decade-old plan that identifies areas with high solar potential and low resource conflicts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Once finalized, the plan will set the trajectory for solar energy development across the West for the next two decades. Under the plan, about 12 million acres of public land in Nevada would be available for solar development, more than twice as much as Utah the next most affected state included in the western plan. The plan would allow solar developments within 15 miles of existing and planned transmission lines or designated energy corridors, including the planned Greenlink North Transmission Project a 235-mile transmission line across rural White Pine, Eureka, Lander, Churchill, and Lyon counties. The plan would also allow solar development on previously disturbed lands beyond 15 miles of transmission lines or energy corridors. Federal land managers hope the new updated plan will drive solar development closer to transmission lines and previously disturbed lands, while avoiding protected lands, sensitive cultural resources and important wildlife habitat. The updated Western Solar Plan is a responsible, pragmatic strategy for developing solar energy on our nations public lands that supports national clean energy goals and long-term national energy security, said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in a statement. It will drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy, he continued. In Nevada, about 35 million acres of public land with high conflict potential would be excluded from solar development under the plan. However, several sensitive landscapes were not excluded, including about 300,000 acres across the Amargosa River Basin in Nye County. The Amargosa River Basin is particularly vulnerable to development and overpumping. Data shows that groundwater use within the Amargosa River watershed has steadily increased over the past 25 years, due to concurrent residential development in Pahrump and thirsty agricultural operations. While solar does not require water to run, it does require water during construction to control dust emissions over large acreages. The plan is now open for a 30-day administrative protest period, during which people and groups that have already commented on the plan can raise concerns. Governors within the 11-state planning area also have up to 60-days to identify inconsistencies with approved state or local plans, policies, or programs and to provide written recommendations to the BLM. Solar power development on public lands is a key part of the Biden administrations goal to achieve a 100 percent clean electricity grid by 2035. Nationally, the BLM has permitted 62 solar projects, 68 geothermal projects, 41 wind projects, and 42 renewable energy generation interconnect projects, for a total capacity of about 32 gigawatts of electricity enough to power about 14 million homes. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that solar energy development across the United States will continue to increase rapidly over the next several decades. Several rural Nevada counties are already seeing a rapid rise of solar proposals. As of June, there are 13 solar energy facilities in Nevada, covering about 20,000 acres of BLM-administered lands. In total, those facilities could generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity. Although the plan technically opens up millions of acres of Nevada federal land for solar development, as a practical matter federal land managers estimate that by 2045, a total of about 48,000 acres of public land in Nevada will be used for utility-scale solar energy generation. Several conservation groups in Nevada reacted to the BLM announcement Thursday with concern about the plans broad footprint. The Amargosa Conservancy warned the plan could jeopardize the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a fragile wetland habitat that depends on groundwater sourced from the Amargosa River Basin. The Amargosa River watershed is an irreplaceable gem of the Mojave Desert, and we cant let it be destroyed for industrial energy development, said Ashley Lee, Board President of the Amargosa Conservancy. We support solar energy as an important part of the clean energy transition, but it cant come at the expense of our most special places. Were concerned that the revision of the Western Solar Plan seems to continue with the usual approach, and were concerned that without more careful consideration, the communities and biodiversity of the Amargosa River watershed might be negatively impacted, Lee continued. The Center for Biological Diversity criticized the BLM for expanding the number of acres of wildlife habitat available for solar development by about 50% compared to the BLMs original draft plan, opening more pristine landscapes to development. Theres room on public lands for thoughtfully sited solar energy projects. We dont need to destroy tens of millions of acres of wildlife habitat to achieve our clean energy goals, said Randi Spivak, public lands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. This plan allows for death by a thousand cuts, where inappropriately sited industrial projects can proliferate across sensitive public lands throughout the West, Spivak said. Solar developers, however, praised the plan, saying it will help ensure responsible development, speed the permitting process, and provide greater predictability to their industry. Ben Norris, the vice president of regulatory affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association, said he was pleased federal land managers included many of the associations recommendations in their final proposal, including the addition of 11 million acres to the original proposal. While this is a step in the right direction, fossil fuels have access to over 80 million acres of public land, 2.5 times the amount of public land available for solar, Norris said in a statement. One of the fastest ways to decarbonize our grid is to greenlight well-planned clean energy development on federal lands, and the improvements to this environmental review document will certainly help. Mojave desert solar array at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. (Getty Images) Federal land managers Thursday released an updated roadmap for solar energy development across 11 western states, a plan that opens about 32 million acres of federal lands to utility-scale solar development. The proposal released by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, known as the Western Solar Plan, updates a decade-old plan that identifies areas with high solar potential and low resource conflicts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Once finalized, the plan will set the trajectory for solar energy development across the West for the next two decades. Under the plan, about 12 million acres of public land in Nevada would be available for solar development, more than twice as much as Utah the next most affected state included in the western plan. The plan would allow solar developments within 15 miles of existing and planned transmission lines or designated energy corridors, including the planned Greenlink North Transmission Project a 235-mile transmission line across rural White Pine, Eureka, Lander, Churchill, and Lyon counties in Nevada. The plan would also allow solar development on previously disturbed lands beyond 15 miles of transmission lines or energy corridors. Federal land managers hope the new updated plan will drive solar development closer to transmission lines and previously disturbed lands, while avoiding protected lands, sensitive cultural resources and important wildlife habitat. The updated Western Solar Plan is a responsible, pragmatic strategy for developing solar energy on our nations public lands that supports national clean energy goals and long-term national energy security, said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in a statement. It will drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy, he continued. In Nevada, about 35 million acres of public land with high conflict potential would be excluded from solar development under the plan. However, several sensitive landscapes were not excluded, including about 300,000 acres across the Amargosa River Basin in Nye County. The Amargosa River Basin is particularly vulnerable to development and overpumping. Data shows that groundwater use within the Amargosa River watershed has steadily increased over the past 25 years, due to concurrent residential development in Pahrump and thirsty agricultural operations. While solar does not require water to run, it does require water during construction to control dust emissions over large acreages. The plan is now open for a 30-day administrative protest period, during which people and groups that have already commented on the plan can raise concerns. Governors within the 11-state planning area also have up to 60-days to identify inconsistencies with approved state or local plans, policies, or programs and to provide written recommendations to the BLM. Solar power development on public lands is a key part of the Biden administrations goal to achieve a 100 percent clean electricity grid by 2035. Nationally, the BLM has permitted 62 solar projects, 68 geothermal projects, 41 wind projects, and 42 renewable energy generation interconnect projects, for a total capacity of about 32 gigawatts of electricity enough to power about 14 million homes. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that solar energy development across the United States will continue to increase rapidly over the next several decades. Several rural Nevada counties are already seeing a rapid rise of solar proposals. As of June, there are 13 solar energy facilities in Nevada, covering about 20,000 acres of BLM-administered lands. In total, those facilities could generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity. Although the plan technically opens up millions of acres of Nevada federal land for solar development, as a practical matter federal land managers estimate that by 2045, a total of about 48,000 acres of public land in Nevada will be used for utility-scale solar energy generation. Several conservation groups in Nevada reacted to the BLM announcement Thursday with concern about the plans broad footprint. The Amargosa Conservancy warned the plan could jeopardize the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a fragile wetland habitat that depends on groundwater sourced from the Amargosa River Basin. The Amargosa River watershed is an irreplaceable gem of the Mojave Desert, and we cant let it be destroyed for industrial energy development, said Ashley Lee, Board President of the Amargosa Conservancy. We support solar energy as an important part of the clean energy transition, but it cant come at the expense of our most special places. Were concerned that the revision of the Western Solar Plan seems to continue with the usual approach, and were concerned that without more careful consideration, the communities and biodiversity of the Amargosa River watershed might be negatively impacted, Lee continued. The Center for Biological Diversity criticized the BLM for expanding the number of acres of wildlife habitat available for solar development by about 50% compared to the BLMs original draft plan, opening more pristine landscapes to development. Theres room on public lands for thoughtfully sited solar energy projects. We dont need to destroy tens of millions of acres of wildlife habitat to achieve our clean energy goals, said Randi Spivak, public lands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. This plan allows for death by a thousand cuts, where inappropriately sited industrial projects can proliferate across sensitive public lands throughout the West, Spivak said. Solar developers, however, praised the plan, saying it will help ensure responsible development, speed the permitting process, and provide greater predictability to their industry. Ben Norris, the vice president of regulatory affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association, said he was pleased federal land managers included many of the associations recommendations in their final proposal, including the addition of 11 million acres to the original proposal. While this is a step in the right direction, fossil fuels have access to over 80 million acres of public land, 2.5 times the amount of public land available for solar, Norris said in a statement. One of the fastest ways to decarbonize our grid is to greenlight well-planned clean energy development on federal lands, and the improvements to this environmental review document will certainly help. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. Follow Nevada Current on Facebook and X. BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) Members of two Boston gangs face multiple charges after multi-year investigations by local, state and federal law enforcement. According the U.S. Department of Justice, 10 members and associates of the H Block Gang have been charged with drug conspiracy and nine members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang were charged with engaging in financial fraud. Woman found dead before police kill husband on I-95 bridge and discover boys body in vehicle Court documents allege that an investigation into H Block began due to an increase in gang-related drug trafficking, shootings and violence. Investigators say since the start of the investigation in 2021, law enforcement attributed at least a dozen incidents involving firearms and gunfire to the tensions involving H Block gang associates. Six H Block members and associates were arrested Thursday and charged with drug dealing in the Boston area. Drugs and four firearms were seized during the arrests. Four additional H Block members and associates are already in state custody. Charges have been filed against Mission Hill street gang members and associates for their involvement in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme known as card cracking. According to court documents, card cracking involves the theft and laundering of money through bank accounts in various names that are controlled by the primary offenders. Checks are stolen from postal collection boxes, then chemically washed and rewritten to various recruited bank account holders. These washed checks are then deposited into checking accounts for cash withdrawal or laundering through money transfers and other means, such as the purchase of postal money orders. Six Mission Hill members and associates were arrested Thursday and charged with financial crimes, along with three additional Mission Hill members and associates who are currently in custody. Keeping communities safe involves combatting a number of different types of threats. The fight to keep our streets safe from dangerous gangs and drugs is an ever-constant struggle and, as this case shows, extends to our states prison facilities. Todays arrest are an important step forward in making our streets and prisons safer, said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. These arrests send a message that the federal government is actively engaged with our state and local partners and stands ready to hold accountable those who violate federal laws. I am proud of our Boston Police officers and all of our law enforcement partners for this great work. These are individuals who do not value life, they have terrorized and wreaked havoc in our City. These investigations were intricately designed and carried out and there is no doubt that all of those in law enforcement who were involved, have put themselves in danger to get to this point, Partnering and pulling together our resources is powerful, it makes our residents safer, and we are seeing the result of that collaboration today, said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. Dismantling violent gangs is a top priority of the DEA. Operations like these have a direct, positive effect on the neighborhoods in which these gangs sell drugs and cause violence, said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division. Todays arrests should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate drug trafficking, gang related violence, and those who cause it. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorneys Office. ATF remains resolute in our mission to apprehend trigger pullers and firearms traffickers, said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division By leveraging crime gun intelligence, we empower law enforcement to break the cycle of violence by concentrating on the individuals and criminal organizations fueling gun-related crime in our communities. Todays arrests exemplify ATFs unwavering commitment to collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners to combat the violent gang and drug activities that jeopardize public safety. Our collective efforts are crucial in holding violent offenders accountable, mitigating threats to the public, and driving down violent crime. H Block gang members arrested and charged: Trea Lankford, a/k/a Heff, a/k/a Hefna Don, a/k/a Montana, a/k/a Tre Cain, 33, of Boston; Dennis Wilson, a/k/a Deuce, a/k/a Deep Jhonenson, 36 of Boston; Avery Lewis, a/k/a Wave, 32 of Dorchester; Mark Linnehan,25, of West Roxbury; Eric Celestino,30, of Boston; Timothy Hearns, a/k/a King Kill, a/k/a Tool Man, a/k/a Tooly, 34; Dominique Carpenter-Grady, a/k/a 8-Zipp a/k/a Eighty, a/k/a Cindy Surin, 35; Robert Heckstall, a/k/a Ribbs, a/k/a Buck, a/k/a Buck Corleone, 41, of Roxbury; Jason Bly, 44, of Quincy; and Jerry Gray, 28, of Dorchester Mission Hill gang members arrested and charged: Imanol Rios-Franco, 24, of Brookline; Jairo Cabral-Santos, 22, of Boston; Brandon Baez, 22, of Framingham; Jiovanny Matos, 25, of Boston; Josman Romero Delgado, 22, of Boston; Jonathan Martinez, 25, of Roslindale; Anthony Worthen, 28, of Roslindale; Tyrone Brimage, 28, of Boston; and Glenroy Miller, 28, of Boston 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The City of Colorado Springs is looking to gather community feedback on the redrawing of City Council districts. The City and District Process Advisory Committee is inviting the community to take part in a series of public meetings in September to discuss potential options. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback on three different possible council district maps, along with sharing what their biggest priorities for a redistrict map should be. The City said there will be seven different public meetings held across Colorado Springs, one in each of the current City Council districts, along with an at-large meeting that will include a virtual option to attend. We need feedback from Colorado Springs residents about how we redesign these maps, said City Clerk Sarah Johnson. By participating in the redistricting process, you are helping ensure that the City Council boundaries are fair and equitable. Residents can also view the proposed maps, fill out an online survey, and get more information at ColoradoSprings.Gov/2024Redistricting. Scheduled meetings: Council District 1: Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 6:30 pm; Fire Station 18 (6830 Hadler View) Council District 2: Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 7:30 pm; The Village High School (1355 Kelly Johnson Blvd) Council District 3: Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6-7 pm; Westside Community Center (1628 W Bijou St.) Council District 4: Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5:30 6:30 pm; Caramel County School (1740 Pepperwood Dr) Council District 5: Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 2 3 pm; Ruth Holley Library (685 N Murray Blvd) Council District 6: Friday, Sept. 6 at 5:30-6:30 pm; Fire Station 20 (6755 Rangewood Dr) At-Large Meeting: Monday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 6:30 pm; City Administration Building (30 S Nevada, Room 102) and virtually at ColoradoSprings.Gov/2024Redistricting. Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs is split up into six City Council Districts, each with an elected councilperson to represent the people living there. Every four years, the City Clerk is required by City Charter to set the six City Council district boundaries to ensure districts remain comparable in population as the City changes in population. The districts were last re-aligned in 2020 and the City Clerk is now reviewing the districts ahead of the 2025 General Municipal Election. The City Clerk will release a preliminary district report and map in October. After further opportunity for public input, the City Clerk will prepare the final district report on setting the district boundaries no earlier than Nov. 4 and no later than Dec. 2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota appeared to claim in campaign appearances and media interviews that he and his wife used in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive their children, was he being dishonest? Or was he seizing on the pro-family nature of fertility treatment to frame it as a motherhood-and-apple-pie issue? At a time when more couples and individuals are resorting to them, fertility treatments are increasingly being discussed in political campaigns. And courts and state lawmakers are introducing legislation both to protect and regulate them. Fertility treatments affect far more than the 1 in 10 women whove received them. According to a 2023 report from the Pew Research Center, 42 percent of U.S. adults have used fertility treatments or know someone who has (up from 38 percent in 2019). Walz and his wife used a different fertility treatment, not IVF, to have children, so it may be helpful to know something about these medical techniques and how they differ. For couples in their prime childbearing years, getting pregnant is relatively easy. Anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of healthy couples under age 30 who are trying to get pregnant will conceive in three to four months. For others, conceiving is not so simple. Men and women are equally prone to fertility problems9 percent of men and 11 percent of women. Twelve to 15 percent of couples cant conceive after one year of unprotected sex, and 10 percent still cannot after two years, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Because lifestyle factors and medical issues can get in the way of conceiving children, fertility treatments are varied, and some couples use more than one method. Most couples receive the most basic treatment, fertility advice. This can range from making lifestyle changesquitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, losing weight, engaging in more physical activityto having more sex during ovulation and (for men) avoiding medications that can compromise fertility. Of all women receiving fertility treatment, 78 percent received advice. Fertility drugs act like hormones, and for women are used to trigger ovulation or to stimulate the production of better or more eggs. Men may get estrogen blockers or hormones, both of which increase sperm production. Drugs to improve ovulation are one of the more common fertility treatments for women, received by 43 percent of all women who undergo fertility treatment. In some cases, surgery may be used to restore the reproductive system in women and men. This can include removal of uterine polyps, scar tissue, or fibroids, or opening a blocked fallopian tube. Surgery can also mend blockages in vessels carrying sperm, fix varicose sperm vessels, or make other repairs. Heterosexual intercourse certainly has its virtues, but efficiency may not be among them. Just 5 percent of all sperm introduced during sexa few hundredmakes the upstream trip into the fallopian tube for the patiently waiting egg. To increase the odds of sperm-and-egg union, artificial inseminationor, as its called nowadays, intrauterine insemination (IUI)places millions of paternal or donor sperm closer to the egg. Less expensive and invasive than IVF, IUI can help couples with medical conditions, couples using a surrogate, and single women to conceive. Only 14 percent of all women receiving fertility treatment use IUI, which is the treatment the Walzes used to conceive both their children, his wife later clarified. For the most intractable infertility cases, in vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the most common assisted reproductive technique. Still, just 2 percent of women who receive fertility treatment undergo IVF, according to Pew Research. IVF is a series of procedures that typically begins with fertility medicine to spur the ovary into making eggs. Once those eggs mature, they are removed and, in a laboratory, fertilized with healthy sperm. The fertilized eggsembryosare either returned to the uterus or frozen for reinsertion later. There are many variations on IVF that address specific fertility problems. For example, if the semen is questionable or if previous attempts at IVF have failed, a mature egg can be injected with a single healthy sperm, a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection. If the lining of the mothers uterus is problematic, assisted hatching, where the outer layer of the embryo is opened to encourage planting in the lining, may be used. Same-sex couples, single women, and couples who want the option to conceive in the future (for example, because the mother is being treated for cancer) have a number of IVF options. These include donated eggs, sperm, or embryos that can be tested to ensure their genetic health. These options often involve another womana gestational carrierwho carries the embryo to term. Couples may also extend their fertility using IVF and freezing and storing the resulting embryos for later use. In fact, about 40 percent of all people receiving IVF use it to bank their eggs or embryos. Sperm, eggs, and even ovarian tissue may also be frozen and banked for later use. Fertility treatments have their risks. These include fertilizing or implanting two or more eggs, which can increase the mothers chances of gestational diabetes. Such multiple fetuses are likelier to be premature, which may present health and development issues after theyre born. IVF in particular entails a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, in which the embryo implants itself outside the womboften in a fallopian tube. And of course, theres the considerable risk that any fertility treatment regimen, including an IVF cycle, fails entirely and must be repeated. It takes 2.5 IVF cycles, on average, to become pregnant. The likelihood of a full-term, normal-weight live birth per IVF cycle is more than 20 percent for women younger than 35, and decreases for older women. As Walz said, infertility is a journey of desperation that can eat away at your soul. Insurance coverage for fertility treatment varies widely, although 21 states and the District of Columbia mandate that employers provide some kind of coverage. Fifteen states (plus D.C.) require employer-sponsored health insurance plans to cover IVF, and where coverage isnt mandated, its more likely to be found at larger companies. Covered or not, the high cost of many fertility treatments means the largest share of women receiving it are white or Asian, older, more educated, and upper-income. Just one IVF cycle may cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000, to beyond $30,000, and again, most successful IVF conceptions require more than once cycle. Patients, health providers, and advocates for fertility treatments were shaken in January, when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children in a case allowing a fertility clinic to be sued for the negligent destruction of embryos. Some IVF clinics in the state immediately paused their operations, leaving couples in the midst of treatment in temporary limbo. Just over a week later, the legislators in this very pro-life state proposed legislation that would give immunity to clinics performing IVF. A bill was passed in March. The Alabama courts decision has forced lawmakers and constituents in other states to reckon with the ethics of IVF for the first time in a while. In the 18 other states that have effectively given personhood rights to fertilized embryos, a judicial decision like Alabamas is now more plausible. But just as with abortifacients (medicines that induce abortion), interstate shipping may effectively moot some state laws. For example, Louisianas ban on the disposal of viable embryos in the 1980s ultimately had little effect on its residents access to IVF, as Louisianans generally store their embryos in states where disposal is legal. When lawmakers in the red state of Alabama work overtime to preserve IVF, maybe its safe to assume that this and other fertility treatments are just too popular to ever be outlawed. Indeed, Pew found that by a wide and consistent margin, most U.S. adults believe health insurance should cover fertility treatments. (Men and Republicans are a bit less inclined to think so.) Judging by the resolve of the many women and their families to radically change their livessometimes selling their housesto afford a shot at having a child, fertility treatment isnt going away anytime soon. Correction, August 30, 2024: The photo caption accompanying this article has been updated to remove an incorrect reference to an electron microscope. 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. This week saw a dramatic turn in our nations desperate efforts to clean up the increasingly poisonous online sewers that we call social media. First, the backstory. If you publish a newspaper or newsletter and you publish illegal contentencourage crimes or homicide, offer to sell drugs, promote child porn, advocate overthrowing a governmentyou can go to jail. If you publish things that defame or lie about persons or corporations, you can be sued into bankruptcy. If you own a bookstore or newsstand and distribute books, magazines, and newspapers and offer for sale illegal contentchild or snuff porn, stolen copyrighted material, instructions for making illegal drugs or weaponsyou can also go to jail. And if you sell materials that openly defame individuals or corporations, you can be sued into bankruptcy. In the first category, youd be a publisher. In the second, youd be a distributor. But what is social media? Particularly those types of social media that use an algorithm to push user-produced content out to people who havent explicitly asked for it? Twenty-eight years ago, social media sites like CompuServe and AOL were regulated as if they were publications, with the occasional secondary oversight as if they were distributors. They had an obligation to make sure that illegal or defamatory content wasnt published on their sites, or, if it was, to remove it within a reasonable time period. The internet back then was a relatively safe and peaceful place. I know, as I ran a large part of one of the largest social media sites that existed at the time. But then things got weird. Back in 1996, some geniuses in Congress thought, Hey, lets do away with the entire concept of the publisher or distributor having responsibility for what happens in their place. Seriously. Selling drugs, trading in guns and ammunition, human trafficking, planning terrorist attacks, overthrowing governments, sparking genocides, promoting open lies and naked defamation. All good. No problem. No matter what happens on a social media site, Congress said, its owners and managers bear no responsibility whatsoever for whats published or distributed on and from the site. None. Theyre untouchable. They take the profits but never have to worry about being answerable for the damage their site is doing. Sounds crazy, right? But thats exactly what Congress did with Section 230 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in what they thought, at the time, was a good-faith effort to help the brand-new internet grow in a way they hoped would eventually become an important and useful social good. It sure hasnt worked out that way. And, as noted, it wasnt always this way in the years before 1996. Back when the internet started, but before hypertext markup language, or HTML, was invented, there were really only two big houses on the internet: CompuServe and AOL. My old friend and business partner Nigel Peacock and I ran forums on CompuServe starting around 1979, right up until 1996. We ran the IBM PC Forum, the Macintosh Forum, and about two dozen other social media forums where people interested in ADHD, UFOs, the Kennedy assassination, international trade, spirituality, and a bunch of other topics could log in and discuss. CompuServe paid us well, because we had to make sure nothing criminal happened in any of the forums we ran. We even had to carry our own liability insurance. And we split the revenue with the 20 or so people who worked with us. We kept those places open and safe, as did hundreds of other Sysops, or Systems Operators, who ran other forums on CompuServe and AOL. After all, these were CompuServes and AOLs publications or bookstores, and the companies were paying us to make sure nothing illegal happened inside it. Until 1996, that is. That year, after Section 230 became law, CompuServe decided they no longer needed to pay Sysop moderators to keep their forums clean and crime-free, so they quit paying us. Most of us left. The result of Section 230 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is obvious today. The attack on our Capitol was largely planned on social media and the internet more broadly, where you can also buy ghost guns, other peoples credit card numbers, drugs, and illegal porn. Social media sites now run algorithms that choose specific content from users to push out to other users to keep them engaged so theyll have maximum exposure to advertisements, which have made the owners of the sites into billionaires. In 1997, in the case Zeran v. America Online, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Section 230 is written so tightly that even when an online service knowingly allows lawbreaking, it cant be held accountable. More recently, last month in Moody v. NetChoice, the Supreme Court ruled that social media companies are also protected, like newspaper publishers are, by the First Amendment. They essentially affirmed Zeran, writing: [A] platforms algorithm that reflects editorial judgments about compiling the third-party speech it wants in the way it wants is the platforms own expressive product and is therefore protected by the First Amendment. Mark Zuckerberg, who owns one of those publications, has become one of the richest men on the planet because he doesnt have to pay for content moderation. Twitter made a few billionaires, too, before Elon Musk turned it into a right-wing disinformation machine. Nonetheless, Section 230 lives on. I wrote a book that covers it, The Hidden History of Big Brother: How the Death of Privacy and the Rise of Surveillance Threaten Us and Our Democracy. So did Josh Hawley, the Republican senator from Missouri who hopes to be the next Trumpy president, and his books take is pretty much the same as mine: Section 230 is extremely problematic, at the very least. Which brings us to this weeks big news. For the first time, a federal appeals court (the Third Circuit, seated in Philadelphia) has ruled that because Section 230 largely deals with social media sites as publishers, that doesnt protect them as distributors (like bookstores). In this case, a 10-year-old girl received a TikTok videopushed out to her by that companys algorithmfor a thing called the blackout challenge where people see how long they can cut off their own breathing or blood supply before blacking out. Little Nylah Anderson tried the challenge and accidentally asphyxiated herself to death. Her mother sued in Pennsylvania for negligence and wrongful death, using state product liability laws as the basis for her suit. From there it went to federal court, where Anderson v. ByteDance ended up before the Third Circuit. Two Trump-appointed and one Obama-appointed judges ruled unanimously that ByteDance, which owns TikTok, isnt publishing a social media site butbecause their algorithm curates content and sends its choices, unsolicited, to users on the siteis actually distributing content. In other words, social media sites are bookstores, not newspapers. And online bookstores, they ruled, are not protected by Section 230. The case is far from settled; from here itll go to the Supreme Court, and its fate there is hard to predict given the courts embrace of the First Amendment argument in previous cases. And the social media companies, raking in billions in profits, have so far stymied all efforts to do away with Section 230 or regulate their behavior by taking advantage of the Supreme Courts legalization of political bribery: Silicon Valley is one of the larger players in the lobbying and campaign contributions game. Nonetheless, theres now a very real possibility, even absent of congressional action, that social media companies may end up back where AOL and CompuServe were before 1996, having to hire thousands of content moderators to protect themselves from both criminal and civil action. Europe is moving in this direction too, with the arrest in France last week of the Russian founder of Telegram, a social media channel where human trafficking and other criminal activity were both common and known to the Systems Operators. If Zuckerberg and his peers have to start hiring people to do what Nigel and I did for CompuServe years ago, it may reduce their income from tens of billions to mere billions. They probably wont even notice the difference. And society will be the better for it, our political landscape will stabilize, and fewer children will die. Thats a trade-off thats well worth making. But why wait for the Supreme Court (which may well not agree with the Third Circuit)? Congress can also repeal or substantially rewrite Section 230. Its time to consign Section 230 to the trash heap of history and begin to hold accountable and regulate these toxic behemoths to the same simple standards to which magazines, newspapers, and newsletters like this and bookstores must adhere. KIEV, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Thursday confirmed that an F16 fighter jet crashed during fighting in Ukraine. The F16 fighters participating in the combat had destroyed four missiles, and one of the aircraft lost contact while approaching the next target, the General Staff said in a statement on Telegram. "As it turned out later, the plane crashed, and the pilot died," the statement said, without specifying the date of the incident. The special commission of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry is working on the scene to determine the cause of the crash. Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian Air Force said pilot Oleksii Mes was killed on Aug. 26 while repelling a Russian attack on Ukraine. The Air Force did not specify whether Mes was an F16 pilot. In early August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the first batch of F16s had arrived in Ukraine. A federal judge ruled Friday that two former Wake County deputies will receive $500,000 each after former Sheriff Gerald Baker retaliated against the pair for reporting another officers alleged homophobic and racist remarks. Baker, who was sheriff from 2018 to 2022, was sued in federal court by former deputies Steven Williamson and Alvis Speight in 2021. They accused Baker of firing them after they had reported a lieutenants homophobic and racially discriminatory remarks about gay people and Muslims during a training session in May 2017, according to the lawsuit. The deputies informed several higher-ups about the remarks, including Donnie Harrison, who was sheriff at the time. In court documents, Williamson and Speight said Lt. Teddy Patrick told the deputies present that he didnt believe in being gay, did not like gay people, and made statements that were derogatory toward homosexuals. He then went on to reportedly out a gay deputy who was present. Patrick also allegedly said he felt uncomfortable being around Muslims on airplanes and said, If white people keep killing themselves, we Black people will be the majority, instead of the minority, according to the complaint. The suit described Baker and Patrick as close friends and confidants who traveled together and were in the same Masonic lodge. After Baker won election in 2018, Williamson and Speight were fired, while Patrick was promoted to major, serving as Bakers second-in-command. The trial in the case began Monday, with the jury ultimately recommending that Williamson and Speight each receive $500,000 in damages. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Richard E. Myers II affirmed that recommendation Friday. It is not yet clear if the county or Baker will pay those damages. In a statement Thursday night, the Wake County Sheriffs Office acknowledged the recent decision regarding a lawsuit involving personnel actions that occurred under a previous Sheriffs administration. Despite that outcome, the Wake County Sheriffs Office under the leadership of Sheriff Willie Rowe remains dedicated to moving forward and upholding its commitment to the highest standards of integrity and service to the citizens of Wake County, the statement released by Capt. D.R. Jones said. Bakers lawyers said Friday they could not comment on the case. 2022 lawsuit settled Two years ago Baker settled another lawsuit out of court with Richard Johnson, a former deputy and chief of operations who had sued his former employer in 2020 for over $1 million, also alleging wrongful termination, The N&O previously reported. Johnson was discharged from the Sheriffs Office in 2018, shortly after Baker defeated Harrison. He claimed he lost his job out of retaliation for demoting Patrick, after the allegedly homophobic and racist remarks, The N&O reported. The suit was settled for $99,999, a third of which went to Johnsons legal fees. Baker, who had called the suit a politically motivated act to disparage him, made no admission of liability, his then-spokesperson said in a statement. Virginia Bridges contributed to this story. NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) 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. Judge Terrance R. Ketchel set bond at $100,000 and said Duran cannot possess a firearm or leave the area, though he will not have to wear a GPS tracker. He was released from jail shortly after Thursdays hearing, jail records show. 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. Prosecutor Mark Alderman said this is a case where we all know what happened. Weve all seen what happened, he said. Its just a question of the interpretation. Weve all seen that Mr. Duran killed Roger Fortson. Obviously this is a very serious charge. 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. Duran sat quietly in the courtroom Thursday, dressed in a pink striped jail jumpsuit and glasses. He conferred with his attorneys and at times the clink of metal restraints could be heard. 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. 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. In a statement released after Thursdays hearing, Smith said the deputys actions were reasonable and appropriate given the information he was provided relating to the nature and urgency of what he feared to be a potentially dangerous domestic situation. In the statement, he described Fortson as a person who had armed himself before simply responding to what could have been nothing more than a routine effort by law enforcement to make sure that a domestic violence situation did not escalate. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Judge Terrance R. Ketchel set bond at $100,000 and said Duran cannot possess a firearm or leave the area, though he will not have to wear a GPS tracker. He was released from jail shortly after Thursdays hearing, jail records show. 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. Read: Edgewater High School students evacuated after bomb threat 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. Prosecutor Mark Alderman said this is a case where we all know what happened. Weve all seen what happened, he said. Its just a question of the interpretation. Weve all seen that Mr. Duran killed Roger Fortson. Obviously this is a very serious charge. 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. Duran sat quietly in the courtroom Thursday, dressed in a pink striped jail jumpsuit and glasses. He conferred with his attorneys and at times the clink of metal restraints could be heard. 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. Read: Father of 9-year-old tortured to death charged with manslaughter 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. 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. In a statement released after Thursdays hearing, Smith said the deputys actions were reasonable and appropriate given the information he was provided relating to the nature and urgency of what he feared to be a potentially dangerous domestic situation. Read: No arrests made after fight at Disneys Magic Kingdom In the statement, he described Fortson as a person who had armed himself before simply responding to what could have been nothing more than a routine effort by law enforcement to make sure that a domestic violence situation did not escalate. 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. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The first election in a decade is planned in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Here's what to know A Kashmiri man fishes as the sun sets over the Dal Lake on a hot summer day on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan, File) SRINAGAR, India (AP) Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir are gearing up for their first regional election in a decade that will allow them to have their own truncated government, also known as a local assembly, instead of remaining under New Delhi's direct rule. Muslim-majority Kashmir is divided between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan and claimed in its entirety by both. The Indian-administered part has been on edge since Prime Minister Narendra Modis government ended its special status in 2019 and also scrapped its statehood. The three-phased polls will take place amid a sharp rise in rebel attacks on government forces in parts of Hindu-dominated Jammu areas that have remained relatively peaceful in the three decades of armed rebellion against Indian rule. With campaigning picking up in the runup to the election, India's main opposition Congress party has formed an alliance to jointly seek the vote with the National Conference, the regions largest pro-India Kashmiri political party. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party has a weak political base in the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of decades of anti-India rebellion, while it's strong in Jammu. Here is what you need to know about the coming election: The history of disputed Kashmir Kashmir's future was left unresolved at the end of British colonial rule in 1947 when the Indian subcontinent was divided into predominantly Hindu India and mainly Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan has long pushed for the right to self-determination under a U.N. resolution passed in 1948, which called for a referendum on whether Kashmiris wanted to merge with either country. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989, while India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict which most Kashmiri Muslims consider a legitimate struggle for freedom. What is the current status of the region? Indian-administered Kashmir has been without a local government since 2018 when Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ended its support to the local Kashmiri Peoples Democratic Party, bringing down the coalition government and causing the assembly to dissolve. A year later, Modis government revoked the regions semi-autonomy and downgraded it to a federally controlled territory. As a result, Indian-held Kashmir lost its flag, criminal code, constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs. It was also divided into two federal territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, ruled directly by New Delhi, allowing it to appoint an administrator to run it along unelected government officials. Since then, a slew of legal and administrative changes have been installed without public input, much to the anger of the regions people whose civil liberties have also been curbed and media intimidated. Indian officials have repeatedly said that the move to shape what it calls Naya Kashmir, or a new Kashmir was necessary to tackle separatism, foster greater economic development and fully integrate the region into the country. Even after the election, India's federal government will still make the decisions The election will take place between Sept. 18 and Oct. 1, and votes are set to be counted on Oct. 4. In theory, the polls will see a transition of power from New Delhi to a newly elected local assembly with a chief minister serving as the regions top elected official with a council of ministers, a similar setup to before 2018. But the new polls will hardly give the new government any legislative powers as Indian-controlled Kashmir will continue to be a Union Territory" a region directly controlled by the federal government with Indias parliament remaining as the region's legislator. The elected assembly will only have nominal control over education and culture. Kashmir's statehood status has to be restored for the new government to have power. Even Kashmiri pro-India parties, like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, have vowed to politically and legally fight for the return of Kashmirs semi-autonomy. How do Kashmir residents view the upcoming election? Many are indifferent, while some believe their vote could be a way to express deep resentment of Modi's party. Most Muslim residents of the region want independence from India or unification with Pakistan. However, Kashmirs pro-India political elite, many of whom have been jailed for allegedly disrupting peace and slapped with corruption cases in 2019, see an opportunity in these elections to politically oppose the changes by Indias ruling party. Historically, elections in Indian-held Kashmir have remained a sensitive issue, with many believing that they have been rigged multiple times in favor of the regions pro-India politicians. Previous elections have seen Kashmiri Muslim separatist leaders who challenge Indias sovereignty over the region call for a boycott of the vote, calling it an illegitimate exercise under military occupation. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) First responders as well as members of the community paid honor to fallen to D.C. Police Officer Wayne David during his procession. Credit: DC Fire and EMS David died in the line of duty on August 28 after accidentally shooting himself near Interstate 295 on Wednesday, according to officials. Neighbors in Northeast D.C. are mourning the loss of what they called a community man. Wayne was an awesome neighbor. He was always available and ready and willing to help, said Lauraline Gregory, who lived next door to David for years. He just showed nothing but care and respect and love for us, hes community-minded. Its not even imaginable how you go on. Neighbors remember DC officer Wayne David as community man killed in the line of duty David spent 25 years as an officer and also worked on MPDs Gun Recovery Unit before being added to the Violent Crime Suppression Unit. Gregory said he was devoted to making the streets of D.C. safer and passionate about his community. You could often see him out here on his own repairing or power washing or doing something to improve the community, to better the community, she explained. Davids neighbors hope people remember him as a man of honor. He loved his work, he loved being an officer, he loved trying to make things better, said Gregory. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fisher-Price recalls Baby Biceps toy over choking hazard (NEXSTAR) Toy manufacturer Fisher-Price is recalling its Baby Biceps Gift Set sold in major U.S. retail stores over a potential choking hazard, according to a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission notice posted Thursday. The recall was issued after reports of problems with one toy in the set, the dumbbell. There have been seven reports in the U.S. of the small gray cap on the end of the replica weight coming off, and no injuries have been reported, according to Fisher-Price. Hatch recall: Parents urged to immediately stop using baby sound machines The toy set, which retailed for about $18, was sold from April 2020 through August 2024 at Walmart, Kohls, Fred Meyer, Hobby Lobby, Marshalls, TJMaxx, Buy Buy Baby and Target stores nationwide. It was also available online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Zulily.com, Target.com and other websites. (Fisher-Price/United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) (Fisher-Price/United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) (Fisher-Price/United States Consumer Product Safety Commission) Anyone who has the set at home is advised to check the back of the included kettlebell toy, where the recalled model number, GJD49, can be found. Consumers who have one of the recalled dumbbell toys should take it away from young children and contact Fisher-Price for instructions on uploading a product photograph, properly disposing the dumbbell and getting a $10 refund (for the dumbbell toy only). Having a receipt for one of the roughly 366,200 recalled toy sets is not required to receive a refund. Fisher-Price, which is owned by Mattel and headquartered in East Aurora, New York, recalled roughly 4.7 million baby sleepers in 2023 after they were linked to more than 100 infant deaths. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One civilian killed, six more injured in Russian attack on Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast photos The Russian army attacked the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast on 30 August, leaving one civilian dead and six more injured. Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office; Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) Quote from the prosecutor's office: "The investigation has found that Russian forces struck Kurakhove on the afternoon of 30 August 2024, likely using an Uragan multiple-launch rocket system. The enemy rockets hit the central part of the town." Details: Filashkin noted that the Russians hit a three-storey residential building, a local authority building and a shop. A woman and four men aged 42 to 69 have been injured. They suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, cuts, and contusions and have received medical treatment. Aftermath of the attack. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Currently, we know about five people who were injured in the attack, but there are probably more people trapped under the rubble. The search and rescue operation is underway. Be responsible! Evacuate in time! Aftermath of the attack. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration Updated: Later, the SES reported that emergency workers had rescued one injured civilian from under the rubble of the destroyed grocery store and recovered the body of a deceased person. Search and rescue operations have been completed. Support UP or become our patron! Flo Rida talks with NewsChannel 9: Syracuse is my house NEW YORK STATE FAIRGROUNDS (WSYR-TV) New York State Fair organizers are calling Flo Ridas concert Thursday one of the greatest shows in the history of Suburban Park. Flo Rida spoke with NewsChannel 9 just minutes after leaving the stage and his 42,000 fans. Syracuse is my house, Flo Rida said, invoking the popular song he sang moments earlier. The rapper brought high energy and created some special moments, regularly bringing fans up on stage and leaving the stage himself on a band members shoulders to perform amongst the crowd. Late in the performance, Mr. Rida climbed a State Police overwatch tower to introduce the crowd to two troopers working and thank them for their service. The energy was so contagious, Rida told NewsChannel 9, It wasnt like it was planned or anything. Flo also brought some birthday girls on stage, including an eight-year-old. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCK VALLEY, I.A. (KELO) Not long ago, Rock Valleys K-12 school was an island, surrounded by floodwater. Contents were destroyed, as well as our grounds, our bus barn. So, to be quite frank, it felt a little bit lonely at first, Rock Valley Community School District Superintendent Matt Van Voorst said. But that quickly changed. Van Voorst said more than 700 clean-up volunteers arrived within days of the flood which eventually led to a partnership to put up a temporary school building. Now, the finished structure sits just a few hundred feet away from the main school. Starting next week, up to 150 students at a time can begin their school year inside. It includes 6 classrooms each wired with WiFi and complete with a smart board, plus just a common area for additional learning activities. But most importantly, this building makes it possible to bring the students to this in this community back together, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. As work continues on the main school building, other places in town are also opening their doors for students. Girl in wheelchair denied access to Foreigner stage One that worked great, and they were very willing, was Trinity Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Theyve opened our doors for our students to be learning in there, Van Voorst said. Rock Valley officials said they wouldnt be where they are today without help from the state. Governor Reynolds said The Department of Education has offered $80,000 in federal grants to help affected students and schools. Theres many people who are suffering out here. But with the partnership that we have formed, were hoping that we can get this community to heal and get housing for everyone, get the kids back in school where they need to be, and so we can move on, Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo said. The Rock Valley Community School District starts school on September 5th. Another school coming back from flood damage is Rock Valley Christian. Staff said their building is also ready to welcome students back this fall. Our classrooms are ready for students as we speak. Were just finishing up the final touches on our kitchen so we can serve lunches to our students, Principal Marcus De Jager. We have busses coming in from New York and Oklahoma as we speak, and we will have transportation for every student at Rock Valley Christian School. Even though the rebuilding process isnt over, officials said its a big step in the right direction. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows the Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) Tourists visit the ancient city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan on Aug. 28, 2024. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) This photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows a historical building in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) A tourist walks in the ancient city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan on Aug. 29, 2024. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) This photo taken on Aug. 28, 2024 shows the Ark fortress in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) Florida executes man for 1994 murder of college student in Ocala National Forest Florida executed a man Thursday who was convicted of killing a Florida State University student and raping the victims sister in 1994. Loran Cole was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m. He and another man convicted in the case attacked the siblings 30 years ago while they were camping in the Ocala National Forest. Watch: Deputies: Woman says she was sexually battered in Okahumpka where another woman was kidnapped The men beat up 18-year-old John Edwards before slitting his throat. Edwards would have just turned 49. Read: No active shooter: Fight leads to panic at Disneys Magic Kingdom, deputies say His parents did not attend the execution. They wrote a statement that was read by corrections officials -- saying how the murder of their son and attack on their daughter shattered their lives. Read: Boars Head listeria outbreak: Bugs, mold, mildew found at plant Despite the horrific events, their daughter went on to become a wife, teacher, and professor. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. STARKE, Fla. (AP) A Florida man convicted of killing a college freshman and raping the murder victims older sister while the siblings camped in a national forest 30 years ago was executed Thursday. Loran Cole, 57, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. at Florida State Prison for the 1994 killing of the 18-year-old student. Cole also was serving two life sentences for rape. Wells Fargo employee found dead in her office cubicle 4 days after clocking in Cole did not have a last statement. No sir, he said when asked if he had some final words. After the procedure began about 6 p.m. Cole briefly looked up at a witness in the front row. After three minutes, he began taking deep breaths, his cheeks puffing out. For a brief moment, his entire body trembled. Five minutes into the procedure, the warden shook him and shouted his name. Cole then appeared to stop breathing and then was declared dead. Cole and a friend, William Paul, befriended the two college students in the Ocala National Forest, court records showed. After talking around a fire, the men offered to take the siblings to see a pond. While away from the campsite, Cole and Paul jumped the victims and robbed them, according to the records. The brother, 18, who was a student at Florida State University, was beaten and had his throat slit and left in the forest. His sister, then a 21-year-old senior at Eckerd College, was taken back to the campsite, where Cole tied her up and raped her, according to the record. The woman was left tied to a tree overnight and raped again the next day. She eventually managed to free herself and flagged down a driver for help. Police found her brothers body lying face down on the ground, according to court records. Paul and Cole were both convicted of first-degree murder. Paul was sentenced to life in prison. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for Cole last month. The execution was the first in Florida since Michael Zack was put to death last October for the 1996 killing of Ravonne Smith. Family grieving loss of 1-year-old girl who died in Cleveland house fire Department of Corrections officials described Cole as compliant in the hours before his execution and said he had two visitors, including his son. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Coles final appeal earlier Thursday. His lawyers had raised several points in seeking a stay of execution, including the fact that Cole was an inmate at a state-run reform school where he and other boys were beaten and raped. The state has since apologized for the abuse and this year passed a law authorizing reparations for inmates at the now-shuttered reform school. The lawyers also argued Cole shouldnt be executed because he was mentally ill and had brain damage and Parkinsons disease. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 8 Cleveland WJW. Florida man sentenced for trying to defraud NASAs space launch system Florida man sentenced for trying to defraud NASAs space launch system Related video: A former Pinellas County pool contractor was arrested on fraud charges on Aug. 27. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (WFLA) A Port Charlotte man was sentenced to federal prison for wire fraud related to NASAs space launch system at the Kennedy Space Center, according to the Department of Justice. Steven Lukens, 54, was the Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Altnantc International Supply, LLC, who entered a sub-contract with Company-1 to obtain materials for the space launch system. The DOJ said these products were for supporting platforms for the Artemis mission and Orion, a spacecraft designed to take astronauts to the moon, and eventually Mars. Florida man under investigation after video shows him grabbing dog by neck Lukens was assigned to provide parts intended to be used in hyperbolic systems, which are hazardous liquids that are extremely reactive, causing fires, explosions, and toxic human exposure. However, he submitted forged quality control documents, providing NASA products that didnt meet their rigorous standards and specifications under the contract. Lukens submitted at least 190 fraudulent documents, including Certificates of Compliance, Pressure Testing certificates, and test reports. Our content must align with the state: Visit Florida CEO responds to removal of LGBTQ section on its website Ensuring the integrity of NASAs component procurements and quality control is a top priority for the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Robert Steinau of NASA-OIG said. This case highlights the OIGs dedication to collaborating with the U.S. Attorneys Office to investigate and prosecute companies that defraud NASA. The DOJ sentenced Lukens to 21 months in federal prison after he entered a guilty plea on Feb. 20. He was ordered to forfeit $271,024.35 for the fraudulent parts submitted to Company-1 and to pay $689,280.03 in 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 WFLA. Rep. Carolina Amesty, center, looks on as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up House bill 621 that protects homeowners and their property against squatting the illegal possession of vacant homes during a signing ceremony at the Ninth Judicial Circuit state attorney's office in Orlando, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) A Republican state representative in central Florida has been indicted on felony forgery charges related to her administration of a private Christian school that she helped run with her family. Carolina Amesty, 29, turned herself in to authorities at the Orange County Jail on Thursday and was booked on four felony counts. That is after a grand jury found that Amesty forged a mans signature on a document that she notarized in 2021 while working as an administrator at her family's Central Christian Academy, according to State Attorney Andrew Bain. The alleged forgery happened before Amesty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. Each of the charges are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. The indictment of Amesty who is currently running for reelection in her district west of Orlando follows investigations by the Orlando Sentinel into Amesty's background, financial practices and role in the family-run school. Reached by phone, Amesty declined to answer questions from The Associated Press but pointed to a statement posted to the social media platform X. This prosecution, initiated just a few weeks prior to absentee ballots being dropped, is based on misleading reports from a partisan newspaper about a notarization of an employee verification background report," reads the statement from Amestys campaign. Rep. Amesty calls for a speedy trial, looks forward to her day in court, and is confident of her public vindication. First elected to the Florida House in 2022, Amesty touted herself as a successful businesswoman and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, winning a competitive district that represents parts of Orange and Osceola counties, including Walt Disney World. Following the indictment, the Florida Democratic Party called on Amesty to resign. Carolina Amesty cant effectively represent the people of House District 45 while defending herself from felony charges, party Chair Nikki Fried said. She should resign from office immediately, and if she refuses to take responsibility for her actions, we demand that the Florida House of Representatives expel her from membership. A spokesperson for the Florida Speaker of the House did not respond to a request for comment by deadline. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. A Florida woman was killed in a crash on Route 101 West in Epping early Friday morning, state police said. Patricia Strohman, 70, of The Villages, Florida, died in the crash that happened shortly before 2 a.m. Friday, state police said in a statement late Friday morning. At approximately 1:55 a.m., troopers responded to Route 101 West at the Martin Road overpass in Epping for a report of a motor vehicle crash. When troopers arrived, they found a 2015 Nissan Rogue which had crashed, and the driver, later identified as Strohman, trapped inside the vehicle and severely injured, state police said. A preliminary investigation found that the Nissan had been traveling along Route 101 West and approaching the Martin Road overpass when Strohman lost control of the vehicle. The Nissan left the right side of the highway, traveled several hundred feet along a grassy embankment, and struck a cement bridge abutment at the Martin Road overpass, state police said. Strohman died at the scene. All travel lanes of Route 101 West were closed and traffic was diverted off of Exit 7 for approximately three and a half hours. Emergency crews cleared the scene at 5:35 a.m. Multiple agencies responded to assist, including the New Hampshire State Police Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit, Epping Police and Fire, Raymond Police, Brentwood Fire, the Exeter Hospital Paramedics Advanced Life Support Unit, the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and the New England Truck Center. All aspects of this crash remain under investigation. Anyone with information about the fatal crash is urged to contact Trooper Clark Brighton at Clark.A.Brighton@DOS.NH.GOV. Epping is a small town east of Manchester and southwest of Durham. The towns population was 7,125 at the 2020 census. 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 Florida woman ordered her Rottweiler to attack and maul nine-year-old girl to death, cops say Florida woman ordered her Rottweiler to attack and maul nine-year-old girl to death, cops say Police in Florida have arrested a woman they believe may have directed a dog to maul and kill her ex-boyfriend's nine-year-old daughter. Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. She was taken into custody on Wednesday and booked into the Lake County Jail. The horrific incident occurred on June 17, when emergency medical personnel were called to treat an unresponsive child at a home in Monteverde, Florida, Inside Lake reports. When paramedics arrived, they found Jamaria Sessions the daughter of Martin's boyfriend bloodied and wounded. The girl was pronounced dead shortly after EMS workers arrived on scene. Martin told deputies that she woke up that morning ready to take a family trip to California when she discovered Sessions unresponsive. EMS workers noted bruises, burns, bite marks, and other damage to Sessionss body when they examined her. A preliminary medical examiner's report suggested her various injuries were consistent with abuse. When the girl's father, Lojuan Sessions, arrived at the scene, investigators noted he appeared "to be in disbelief" as he thought his daughter had traveled to California on June 9 to visit family. Martin had sent him a text on June 10 saying that her mother, Torcha, had taken Sessions out to California. Lojuan was unable to travel with his daughter because he was on felony probation. He told investigators that he and Martin had been having arguments more frequently, which led to their breakup and Lojuan moving back in with his mother in Ocoee, Florida. LCSO deputies obtained a search warrant and were able to pull surveillance footage from security cameras at the home. After reviewing the footage, police said they discovered Martin had held the leash of the family's Rottweiler and gave it instructions while it mauled the little girl. The footage was captured two days before the girl's body was discovered. Martin was later seen allegedly kicking, shaking, and dragging the child's body across the floor. Investigators noted that Martin may have said "I'm fixin' to kill her" in the video recording. Further investigation found evidence that the girl was frequently subjected to physical punishments and beatings. The medical examiner concluded that Sessions died due to multiple blunt force injuries to the head, torso, and extremities and thermal injury to the right foot. Her death was listed as a homicide. Martin is now in jail and was not granted bond. Former Calvary Day School teacher accused of taking indecent liberties with student in Winston-Salem Former Calvary Day School teacher accused of taking indecent liberties with student in Winston-Salem WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) A former private school teacher was taken into custody and charged with taking indecent liberties with a student on Thursday, according to a Winston-Salem Police Department news release. On May 9, Winston-Salem officers responded to the 130 block of South Peace Haven Road when they were told about a teacher from Calvary Day School engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student. High Point man charged with dozens of counts of sexual battery after months-long investigation was church employee, police say WSPD officials began an investigation. The Special Victims Unit gathered evidence for over three months during the investigation. As a result, Kevin Edward Campbell, 33, of East Bend, was taken into custody and charged on Thursday afternoon. He was charged with two felony counts of indecent liberties with a student. Campbell was given a $150,000 unsecured bond. CDS says Campbells employment contract was terminated on June 3. He reportedly served as the high school physical education teacher and Bible teacher from Feb. 22, 2022, to June 3, 2024. The school released the following statement on Thursday: In May, we were informed of an allegation that Mr. Campbell had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student. After receiving this information, we immediately contacted the Winston-Salem police department and shared with them what we knew. We also placed Mr. Campbell on leave pending the police investigation. On June 3, 2024 we terminated Mr. Campbells employment contract. While this criminal legal process continues, we are committed to fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities regarding these allegations as well as any additional information we may learn. CDS Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Former cruise crew member sentenced to 30 years in prison for secretly filming children A former Royal Caribbean International crew member was sentenced to 30 years in prison for filming guests with hidden cameras while they were naked, including young children. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, was sentenced Wednesday after he previously pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a news release. Mirasol was arrested on federal child pornography charges in March and charged with six counts of video voyeurism in Florida after a guest reported a hidden camera under the sink in their bathroom on the Symphony of the Seas ship. Mirasol, who is a citizen of the Philippines, worked on the vessel as a stateroom attendant. Law enforcement found numerous videos of children in various stages of undress after searching Mirasols electronics, including one that showed him placing a camera in a passengers bathroom, prosecutors said. The children shown in the footage ranged from 2 to 17 years old. According to the agreed upon factual proffer, Mirasol had been placing cameras in passenger cabins since December of 2023, the news release said. Mirasol would enter the guests rooms while they were showering and hide under their beds so he could secretly record them exiting the shower. An attorney for Mirasol declined to comment on the sentencing. Royal Caribbean Group, the cruise lines parent company, previously told USA TODAY that the company had immediately reported the crime to law enforcement and fired Mirasol. We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior, the company said in a statement following his arrest. Mirasol is among a number of cruise line crew members arrested on pornography charges in recent months, including workers for Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line. But Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations Miami, told USA TODAY in August that child exploitation is "significantly higher across the board," not only in the cruise industry. "If it's up across the board, you're going to see it up across the cruise ships," he said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Royal Caribbean employee sentenced to 30 years for filming kids WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A former Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will spend five years in prison for fatally shooting a man while he was asleep in a car three years ago. Enis Jervic, 42, pleaded guilty in February to violating 27-year-old AnTwan Gilmores constitutional rights by using deadly force. Shortly before 3 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2021, Jervic and 17 other MPD officers responded to the intersection of New York Avenue and Florida Avenue Northeast. There, Gilmore was asleep in the drivers seat of a car stopped at the intersection. DC officer pleads guilty to fatally shooting man asleep in car As officers approached the car, they noticed Gilmore had a gun in his waistband, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO). About 10 minutes after getting to the scene and clearing the avenues of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Jervic went up to the car and directed another officer to knock on the window to wake him up. When Gilmore woke up, the car moved forward several feet, stopped briefly and then moved forward again. As it moved for a second time, Jervic fired four times. He continued firing six more times as the car rolled down New York Avenue. Three of Jervics shots struck Gilmore, who died a short time later from his wounds. DC police sergeant charged with murder in mans shooting death When officers pulled the bleeding, unresponsive and unconscious man from the car, they noticed Gilmores gun was in the same spot: tucked into his waistband, underneath his buckled seat belt. As part of Jervics guilty plea, the former officer admitted he had displayed unconstitutional, unreasonable force and that he acted willfully, in reckless disregard of Gilmores Fourth Amendment right to be free from excessive force by police. He also admitted his conduct created an extreme risk of death to Mr. Gilmore and was a gross deviation from a reasonable standard of care, the USAO wrote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KIGALI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed over 200 military personnel from the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), including 21 senior and junior officers, the military announced in a statement on Friday. Among those dismissed were Martin Nzaramba and Etienne Uwimana, alongside 19 other senior and junior officers, according to the statement issued by the RDF. In addition, the president authorized the termination of contracts for 195 other ranks within the RDF. No official reasons were provided for the dismissals, but under Rwandan law, military personnel can be dismissed from the RDF for "gross misconduct." Former deputy defence minister arrested for fraud in Russia Russian authorities have arrested and charged former Deputy Defence Minister Army General Pavel Popov with large-scale fraud on 29 August. Source: RBC; Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: On 29 August, Russian authorities arrested former Deputy Defence Minister Army General Pavel Popov, charging him with large-scale fraud. While they did not specify the amount Popov is accused of embezzling, his case is linked to earlier fraud cases involving Vyacheslav Akhmedov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defences Patriot Park, and Major General Vladimir Shesterov, Deputy Head of the Russian Ministry of Defence's Innovation Development Department, who were arrested on 5 August for embezzling over 40 million roubles (around US$471,000). According to Russian state news outlet TASS, Akhmedov had testified against Popov. Some Russian sources have speculated that these arrests of high-ranking officials who served under former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu may be part of an effort to "clean the house" and remove Shoigu's allies from the Defence Ministry. Popov denies the charges against him, but the situation suggests that Shoigu's influence within the Kremlin might be weakening. Background: On 5 August, Russian authorities detained Vyacheslav Akhmedov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Defences Patriot Park, and Major General Vladimir Shesterov, Deputy Head of the Russian Ministry of Defence's Innovation Development Department, on suspicion of large-scale fraud. Support UP or become our patron! EMPORIA (KSNT) A former Emporia Police officer was arrested on charges of human trafficking and rape on Thursday. According to the City of Emporia, the 33-year-old man had been employed by the Emporia Police Department from Mar. 13, 2017 until Dec. 6, 2017. He was released from the department before he completed his training. 110,000 Kansans lost Medicaid during unwinding process The City said the current charges are unrelated to his time at the Emporia Police Department. They said this is an ongoing investigation and no additional information would be released at this time. For more crime 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. BOSTON Suspended Milford Police Officer Tim Brennan had a hearing Friday before an officer of the Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) Commission, which is holding its own investigation about what Brennan knew about an alleged sexual assault committed by a former superior. Brennan was fired in February from the Hopkinton Police Department, where he was a sergeant. He was hired in July as a patrolman by the Milford Police Department, but is currently on unpaid leave per the POST Commission. Friday's hearing was not conducted in public. Although most POST hearings are open, the presiding officer determined that "the closure is necessary to protect privacy interests and will not be contrary to the public interest," a spokeswoman for the POST Commission said. Former Hopkinton Police Sgt. Timothy Brennan, center, shown in January with his attorneys, had a hearing Friday before the Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) Commission. Earlier: Fired Hopkinton police sergeant has Aug. 30 hearing before POST Commission Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said Friday afternoon that he testified during the hearing but could not comment on what he said. Tusino, who previously said he would testify on Brennan's behalf, did say that the hearing officer took the matter under advisement. Brennan's lawyer, Daniel Fogarty of Boston-based Sandulli Grace, could not be reached for comment on Friday. Brennan has said assault victim would not corroborate report Brennan has previously said in public statements that the accuser of former Hopkinton Deputy Police Chief John "Jay" Porter first told him about the allegations in 2017, when she was an adult. Brennan said he didn't report those allegations because the victim had told him she wouldn't corroborate the story. He and his attorneys argued that by not reporting the assaults, Brennan made it possible for the accuser to come forward to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. Porter is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to three counts of rape of a child. It is unknown as to when the POST Commission will conclude its investigation. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime. This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Former Hopkinton police sergeant appeals POST Commission suspension Lee County Emergency Medical Services has stations located in Donnellson, Fort Madison and Keokuk. (Photo courtesy of Lee County) A Lee County jury has convicted a former Iowa paramedic of sexually abusing a 10-year-old child. Last October, Daniel Jannusch, 39, of Donnellson, was charged with felony incest and second-degree sexual abuse. Police alleged that the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services was investigating a case last August when the agency discovered Jannusch had told several persons about an incident involving a minor child. The 10-year-old victim was then interviewed and, according to police, she alleged Jannusch placed her on a bed and began kissing her while placing his hand down her pants and rubbing her genitalia for a few minutes. Police also allege Jannusch admitted to coworkers that the incident happened. At the time, Jannusch worked for the Lee County Ambulance Service. Jannusch pleaded not guilty to the charges. After several continuances, a jury trial was held this month and Jannusch was found guilty on both counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 4. Court filings by the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services indicate Jannusch worked for Lee County Emergency Medical Services for 10 years prior to being fired in the wake of his arrest. In October 2023, the states Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services issued an emergency order suspending Jannuschs paramedic license on the grounds that he posed an immediate danger to the public health, safety, and welfare. Lee County EMS operates out of three stations located in Donnellson, Fort Madison and Keokuk, and responds to roughly to 5,900 emergency calls per year. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) At approximately 12:15 Thursday morning, Roanoke City Police responded to a domestic disturbance at the 700 block of 29th Street Northwest. On the scene, police discovered an injured woman and a man armed with a knife. Officials say the armed suspect advanced on officers, forcing them to shoot the suspect after repeated commands for the suspect to lower his weapon. VSP gives updates on officer-involved shooting in Roanoke The 26-year-old suspect died at the scene. No police officers were injured. While law enforcement had to use force to stop domestic incidents, officials maintain that the use of force is the last option available when trying to de-escalate a domestic situation. Whenever we have to use deadly force in the community, its a tragedy, said Roanoke City Police Chief Scott Booth. I would much rather have a different outcome. Domestic calls are some of the most dangerous a police officer can receive, according to criminologist and former officer Dr. Tod Burke. Youre going into someone elses home, so youre already playing defense, he said. They know the layout of the home. They know there are weapons. The other issue is that no two domestic situations are alike. Nothing is routine, said Burke. The officer has to remind themselves of that even if theyve been on hundreds of domestic cases before. This one is different. Law enforcement officials are taught to enter the scene looking to de-escalate the situation through conflict management. Supreme Court upholds gun ban for domestic violence abusers They must also protect themselves to keep other parties on the scene safe. If an officer becomes injured or is killed, you still havent settled the dispute and now you have other issues, said Burke. Thursday mornings investigation has been turned over to the Virginia State Police, who will turn their findings over to the City of Roanoke Commonwealth Attorneys Office for review and adjudication after the investigation is completed. Virginia State Police will provide additional 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 WFXRtv. Former President Donald Trump is returning to Charlotte next week to address the Fraternal Order of Polices National Board of Trustees. Patrick Yoes, the organizations national president, announced Friday afternoon that Trump accepted an invitation to address the board. President Trump led our nation admirably through some very tough times, Yoes said. He provided our nation with strong, effective leadership during his first term, and now that he is seeking election to a second term, we think its important to have him join us to talk about all of the issues facing our profession. Next weeks visit marks Trumps fourth visit to North Carolina since President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on July 21. Since then, Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democrats presidential nominee, tightened the race in North Carolina against Trump, often leading in the polls, and has turned the state from one that analysts said leaned Republican to one that is seen as a toss-up. On Thursday, during Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs first campaign visit to the Tar Heel State, Harris running mate said Trump cant win back the White House if he doesnt win North Carolina. Trump had largely ignored the state prior to Harris run. He didnt have to pay attention to it; he led in nearly every poll out of North Carolina. He had made a few campaign stops throughout the year, but that paled in comparison to the Biden-Harris campaign, who sent the candidates and their surrogates on a near-weekly basis. Now, Trump has visited Charlotte, Asheville and Asheboro in a matter of weeks. We are eager to see President Trump again after meeting with him at Mar-A-Lago earlier this year, Yoes said. He was a great friend to the FOP while President and we look forward to hearing from him and having him hear from us on the issues important to the rank-and-file officers the FOP represents. The organization has a seven-member executive board and a national trustee from each of its 46 state lodges. It also includes members from several law enforcement agencies in Washington, including Capitol Police. Trump is facing charges out of Washington for obstructing Congress certification of Biden as president on Jan. 6, 2021. A riot at the U.S. Capitol ensued after Trump told his supporters to march to the Capitol. The insurrection left 174 police officers injured, and left five dead, four by suicide. FOP endorsed Trump in 2020, but has not yet offered him an endorsement in the 2024 race. A decision on who FOP plans to endorse is expected on Sept. 6 during their meetings. The fall meeting is scheduled from Sept. 4-8. Its not clear which day Trump plans to attend. Nick Baldock pleaded guilty to nine charges during a brief hearing at Crawley magistrates' court - Eddie Mitchell A former teacher at a prestigious public school has admitted child sex offences involving pupils. Nick Baldock, who taught history at Lancing College in West Sussex from 2017 to 2022, pleaded guilty to nine charges during a brief hearing at Crawley magistrates court. The 46-year-old admitted sexually touching a male student and sharing indecent images of other pupils. The Cambridge and Yale graduate, who lived on site at Lancing, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and guilty pleas. A district judge heard a 177-page report had been compiled on Baldock who could be jailed for more than five years when he is sentenced at Lewes Crown Court next month. The court heard Baldock admitted sexual assault by touching of a male student aged over 16 at the college in July 2022. Baldock also admitted sharing indecent images of children using Telegram and WhatsApp, sharing details of college pupils including images and downloading indecent images of children between 2021 and 2022. Maria Goptareva, prosecuting, told the court that Baldock committed the offences in his capacity as a teacher at Lancing College. The sexual assault is by touching of student, Ms Goptareva said. The sexual assault would fall into the category of an abuse of trust. District Judge Jack Triggs said Baldock would be required to supply his details for the sex offender register within three days. Youve pleaded guilty and it will be for Lewes Crown Court to sentence you, Judge Triggs said. Baldock, who now lives in Lincolnshire, replied: Thank you. Studied at Yale University In his LinkedIn profile, Baldock says he studied at Yale University from 2003 to 2009 after getting a history BA from Cambridge. His profile states: Studied many and varied periods of history and quietly despaired of academia before producing the discursive, over-written but nonetheless interesting dissertation entitled The Religious Imagination in British Popular Fiction and Society, 1900-1945, under the guidance of Jay Winter (author of The Great War and the British People, etc). Baldock studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy before returning to the UK where he taught history at King Edwards School in Birmingham for six months in 2016. He was also an actor with Madcap Theatre Productions in 2013. The Lancing College premises overlooking Brighton City Airport are a major landmark on the South Downs. The mixed boarding and day school charges fees of up to 47,000 a year and counts Evelyn Waugh, the author, Sir David Hare, the playwright and Tony Bloom, chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion FC among its alumni. Baldock pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a male over 16, two offences of publishing an obscene article using Telegram and WhatsApp, three charges of sharing pupil profile pictures through WhatsApp and three charges of downloading Category A, B and C indecent images of a child. Baldock was arrested in December 2022 and is no longer employed at the college. He will be sentenced next 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. SACRAMENTO, California The former employee who accused state Treasurer Fiona Ma of sexual harassment will drop the complaint against her and settle other claims, ending a three-year civil court case that threatened to derail the state official as she mounts a campaign for lieutenant governor, both parties confirmed Thursday. The request for dismissal , seen by POLITICO and set to be filed at the Sacramento Superior Court on Friday, comes before a trial that was scheduled for Sept. 9. The former employee, Judith Blackwell, had sued Ma and the State Treasurers Office in 2021 alleging a swath of claims including sexual harassment, racial discrimination and wrongful termination, accusing the treasurer of exposing herself and crawling into bed with her when they shared a hotel room. Throughout the case Ma has maintained her innocence, and had been pushing for a trial to dismiss what she called completely false and frivolous claims. The court tossed the allegations of racial discrimination and wrongful termination last year. After months of trial delays, the move by Blackwells lawyers this week relieves Ma of the sexual harassment complaint. The state also reached a separate settlement agreement with Blackwell of $350,000, the California Department of Justice confirmed, releasing the State Treasurer's Office of any allegations of wrongdoing. They knew they didn't have a chance because they have no witnesses, they have no corroborating evidence, Ma said in an interview with POLITICO. Mas attorney Ognian Gavrilov added in a statement: This is a complete victory for the treasurer. We were ready to have the truth be brought to light in the courtroom, but the attorneys for the plaintiff clearly did not want a trial and instead dropped all of their causes of action against Treasurer Ma. A lawyer for Blackwell said in a statement that she is pleased to have reached an amicable resolution of her case, and is looking forward to moving on with her life. Ma got her start in San Francisco city politics and worked her way up through the state Legislature before becoming the chief banker for the worlds fifth-largest economy. Now, running for lieutenant governor in 2026, shes hoping to become the first Asian American woman to get the gig. In her interview with POLITICO, Ma said shes looking forward to moving on to bigger issues of the state. And as elected officials, obviously this is something that we are vulnerable to lawsuits, she said. Now that I have a good lawyer, I feel much better moving forward. Four families with children, including a baby, brought back to Ukraine from temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast Four families with children have been brought back from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Stock photo: Getty Images Four more families with children have been evacuated from the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration Details: Prokudin noted that the Russians threatened the families with property confiscation and the removal of parental rights. The evacuated families have six children, two boys and four girls, aged 2 months to 16 years. "The adults and children had to go through the horrors of Russian occupation. They were afraid to go outside, could not find a job without Russian citizenship, received threats of property confiscation and deprivation of parental rights, had no choice in schools and were subjected to unreasonable searches of their homes," said Prokudin. The office of Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner, was in charge of the efforts to bring back the families. The families are now safe and receiving the necessary assistance. Background: Eight children who had been held in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia were brought back to Ukraine. Among them is a 16-year-old girl from Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast in Ukraines west. In 2021, she moved to live with her father in Russia. However, he died in a car accident. Support UP or become our patron! Four former Boilermakers officers made their first appearances in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday, pleading not guilty to charges that they were part of a $20 million embezzlement scheme. The defendants are among seven former union members two of them ex-presidents indicted for conspiracy to commit offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as other charges including embezzlement, health care fraud, wire fraud and theft in connection with health care and retirement plans. A federal grand jury returned the 57-count indictment on Aug. 21 following an investigation by the FBI Kansas City Field Office and the U.S. Department of Labor. The case is filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. The unions headquarters was in Kansas City, Kansas, for decades, but has recently relocated to Kansas City. Those charged were 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, 60, of Chapel Hill; former secretary-treasurer Kathy Stapp, 53, of Shawnee; and former vice president Lawrence McManamon, 76, of Rocky River, Ohio. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the RICO conspiracy count. The other charges carry maximum penalties of five to 20 years, and maximum fines of $10,000 to $250,000. Fridays court hearing was for Fairley, Creeden, McManamon and Stapp. The three Joneses Newton, Kateryna and Cullen are scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday. As U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James began to go over the charges Friday, she said she wasnt going to read the details of every charge for each defendant. Wed be here all day if I did that, James said. Embezzlement and wire fraud allegations The charges allege that over 15 years, Jones and Creeden led the defendants in engaging in widespread embezzlement of Boilermakers funds, enriching themselves by spending millions of union dollars for personal gain. The money allegedly went toward salary and benefits for jobs some didnt show up for, tuition, rent, luxury international travel, meals, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans. Jones and Creeden also were charged with wire fraud in connection with their alleged demand and acceptance of no-show employment with the Bank of Labor, the Justice Department said, for which they were paid more than $3.4 million each in salary and benefits. The government did not seek detention Friday for Creeden, Fairley, McManamon and Stapp, and James released all four on personal recognizance bonds. She set conditions that included turning in their passports, having no firearms in their possession and having no contact with victims, witnesses or co-defendants. She set their next court hearing for Oct. 10. Creeden was denied a request to keep a BB gun at his residence for his grandchildren to play with. His attorney, Tom Bath, also requested that Creeden be allowed to maintain contact with co-defendants Jones and McManamon, saying theyd been friends for years and talked once a week. Prosecutors opposed the request, saying it would be too difficult to ensure that the men didnt discuss their criminal case if they were allowed to stay in touch. James agreed, saying it would be impossible to monitor such a situation. You wont be able to talk to your buddies co-defendants, she told Creeden. William Creeden, former international secretary-treasurer of the Boilermakers Union, enters the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 30, 2024. Four former union officers made their first appearances in federal court after being indicted Aug. 21 on embezzlement and other felony charges. The indictment came nearly 15 months 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. Resignations and retirements 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. Stapp, the unions former human resources director who replaced Creeden when he retired as the secretary-treasurer last August, resigned on Sunday. Warren Fairley, left, former international president of the Boilermakers Union, enters the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 30, 2024. Four former union officers made their first appearances in federal court after being indicted Aug. 21 on embezzlement and other felony charges. Fairley faces one count of racketeering conspiracy; six counts of embezzlement from a labor organization involving international travel; and one count of embezzlement from a labor organization involving vacation payouts. Stapp is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy; 32 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization involving international travel; one count of embezzlement involving restaurant and merchandise charges; four counts of embezzlement involving wages; two counts of embezzlement involving relocation expenses; six counts of embezzlement involving vacation payouts; one count of health care fraud conspiracy; and three counts of theft in connection with health care. Kathy Stapp, former international secretary-treasurer of the Boilermakers Union, enters the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 30, 2024. Four former union officers made their first appearances in federal court after being indicted Aug. 21 on embezzlement and other felony charges. McManamon faces one count of racketeering conspiracy; five counts of embezzlement from a labor organization involving international travel; and one count of embezzlement from a labor organization involving vacation payout. Creeden is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy; 32 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization involving international travel; one count of embezzlement involving restaurant and merchandise charges; four counts of embezzlement involving wages; two counts of embezzlement involving relocation expenses; and six counts of embezzlement involving vacation payouts. He also faces one count of embezzlement involving forensic surveillance; one count of embezzlement involving unauthorized loans; one count of health care fraud conspiracy; three counts of theft in connection with health care; one count of wire fraud conspiracy; and two counts of theft from an ERISA program involving retirement benefits for ineligible individuals. In May, another former union official, Tyler Brown, pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. Brown, who served as the unions chief of staff and as special assistant to Jones, was accused of scheming with others known and unknown to steal from the union. His sentencing is scheduled for November. TUNIS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian Administrative Court on Thursday upheld Mondher Zenaidi's appeal, allowing him to join the upcoming presidential elections as the fifth candidate, according to private radio station Mosaique FM. "Zenaidi will be allowed to return to the presidential race to be held on Oct. 6, 2024," Mosaique FM quoted the spokesman for the court, Faycal Bouguerra, as saying. "The decisions issued by this court are final and not subject to any form of appeal, in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law," Bouguerra said. From 1994 to 2011, Zenaidi held several important posts, including Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Minister of Transport, Minister of Commerce, and Minister of Public Health. Two days ago, the court reinstated Abdellatif Mekki's candidacy for the presidential race after the Independent Higher Authority for Elections (ISIE) initially rejected it. On August 10, the ISIE announced the preliminary list of three candidates for the upcoming presidential elections. The preliminary list includes Tunisian President Kais Saied, who will run for a second five-year term, Secretary-General of the People's Movement Zouhair Maghzaoui, and Secretary-General of the Azimoun Movement Ayachi Zammel. SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA) The fast-casual restaurant concept, Freddys Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, announced on Thursday that they will be signing a multi-unit development agreement, bringing 10 new locations to Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. GVL Hospitality said they have already been searching for suitable sites in each county. The first property is expected to be purchased by the end of 2024, with an estimated opening in 2025. The chain was co-founded in 2002 by brothers, Bill and Randy Simon, and their friend and business partner, Scott Redler. Freddys creates fresh, made-to-order food. There are currently 11 locations in the state, including Columbia, Easley, Florence, Indian Land, Irmo, Lexington, North Augusta, Rock Hill, Summerville, and two in West Columbia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Georgias number of West Nile virus cases had tripled in a week, the Fulton County government reported locally trapped mosquitoes had tested positive as carrying the virus in multiple locations across the county, including near a middle school. The Fulton County Board of Health has been trapping mosquitoes in areas near Big Trees Forest Preserve, Hermann J. Russell West End Academy, the South Fulton Center, and Grove, Spring Valley, Grant, Washington and Newtown parks. Mosquitoes tested from those locations all were found to be carrying West Nile virus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The county health board said West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, and can spread to humans from just one bite. County officials said the Fulton County Board of Health sprays a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved adulticide within a quarter mile of the locations once a week for at least four weeks to help handle the spread of virus-carrying mosquitoes. At the same time, health workers from Fulton County will visit nearby neighborhoods to give residents information about nighttime spraying activities. TRENDING STORIES: To best prevent a West Nile virus infection, county health officials said the main strategy is containing the bugs population. Practicing tip n toss techniques is the easiest way to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs in and around your home, according to Fulton County. The county said residents should also make sure their gutters are clean, window screens are properly installed and to wear clothing that covers the neck, legs and arms, plus EPA-approved mosquito repellent while outside. At this time, there are no vaccines to prevent the virus, nor medications to treat it. However, as Channel 2 Action News has reported, most people infected never notice symptoms. People who do show signs of West Nile virus can have the following symptoms, according to the CDC: Fever Headache Body aches Joint pain Vomiting Diarrhea Rashes Fatigue and weakness The CDC says that about one of every 150 people infected develop severe illness including encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. For the people who develop serious illnesses from the virus, symptoms include: High fever Headache Neck stiffness Stupor Disorientation Coma Tremors Convulsions Muscle weakness Vision loss Numbness and paralysis [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSNW) Arkansas City Fire and EMS has announced the funeral services for firefighter and EMT Trevor Rusk, who died on Aug. 24. Rusk served the Arkansas City Fire Department since June 5, 2023. He died while off-duty, the ACFD said. Firefighter Rusk served our community with dedication and bravery. His untimely passing is deeply felt by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community he so valiantly protected, Fire Chief Stuart Cassaboom said in a news release. The ACFD said a visitation service will be held on Sept. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Assembly of God, 3125 N. Summit St., Arkansas City. Storm damages southwest Kansas high school A memorial service will be held on Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. at Wellington Free Will Baptist Church, 802 E. 16th St. in Wellington. The service will be an opportunity for family, friends, colleagues, and the public to pay their respects and celebrate the life of a man who dedicated himself to serving others. Firefighter Rusks bravery and dedication to duty were exceptional, and he will be forever remembered as a hero, Cassaboom said in the release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAV)A Georgia man was found guilty of assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol according to an U.S. Department of Justice (USDJ) press release. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, the USDJ said. How Georgia has voted for President through the years Michael Bradley, 50, of Forsyth, Georgia, was convicted on Aug. 28, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton of two felony and five misdemeanor offenses. These offenses included: civil disorder assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers 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 The USDJ said that Judge Walton will sentence Bradley on Dec. 17, 2024. According to evidence presented during the trial, the USDJ said, on Jan. 6, 2021, between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., an individual, later identified as Bradley, carrying a baton in a holster on his right hip, made his way toward the U.S. Capitol and moved to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day. While at the Lower West Terrace, Bradley watched as rioters smashed out windows and pulled law enforcement officers into the rioting crowd. They said that Bradley approached the Tunnel two times over a two-minute period with the intent of assaulting officers with his baton and around 4:27 p.m., Bradley raised his baton and approached officers in the Tunnel in an apparent threat to strike them. Bradley was then sprayed with a chemical agent, the USDJ said, which appeared to have caused him to retreat temporarily. Then, at approximately 4:28 p.m., CCTV and third-party video captured Bradley as he returned to the mouth of the Tunnel and this time, he attempted to hit the officers at least two times before moving and then leaving the Lower West Terrace, the USDJ said. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested Bradley on Sept. 7, 2023, in Forsyth, Georgia. The USDJ said that case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section, but valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia. This case was investigated by the FBIs Atlanta and Washington Field Offices and Bradley was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #154 on the FBIs seeking information images. They said that valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and former President Donald Trump address a rally in Bozeman on Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and former President Donald Trump address a rally in Bozeman on Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Despite cities across Montana and the U.S. being stiffed out of payment for services for Donald Trump rallies, it appears that the former president and current GOP nominee wont receive a bill from his recent trip to Gallatin County. And, it appears that the campaign has paid up on its bill for the Aug. 9 rally. According to a press release issued by Gallatin County, various law enforcement agencies spent approximately $62,560 for staffing and supporting the campaign rally on the campus of Montana State University last month. Despite raising hackles with some residents, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said that additional staff time and money wont be billed to the Trump campaign because the campaign did not request services. Instead, the request for additional help came from the Secret Service, which is treated as a fellow law enforcement agency needing help. Without elaborating on specifics, Gallatin County Officials said that the Secret Service had specific requests it made in order to ensure the safety of Trump and his team, as well as the safety of the public. Our communitys safety is always our top priority, and during President Trumps visit, we had excellent coordination among all of our law enforcement agencies, Springer said. We are grateful for the professionalism and cooperation from all agencies. The cost of the breakdown provided by Gallatin County includes: Gallatin County Sheriffs Office $23,170.22 City of Bozeman $20,034.50 this includes $17,094.40 for Bozeman Police Department, $2,862.13 for Bozeman Fire Department, and $77.97 for cost of food for motorcade team that did not attend full event. Montana State University Police Department $12,783.30 this includes $3,680.02 for cost of food and water for all first responders supporting the event. Belgrade Police Department$6,569.36 The Bozeman Daily Chronicle first reported earlier on Friday that an MSU spokesman said that the Trump campaign had paid its bill from the university for the event, which totaled more than $162,000, and included things like set-up, parking and use of the video equipment. One of the more useful functions on the social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) is its community notes feature, in which intrepid readers add context to some disingenuous post from a politician or online influencer. For instance, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently posted a 60-second video explaining to Californians the reason for our sky-high gas prices, which he pinned on price gouging. "Don't buy the scare tactics from Big Oil. California's clean air policies aren't the problemgreed is," according to the video posted by the governor's office. His main evidence: Oil company profits hit record highs as California gas prices soared. Yet X's readers explained the obvious (citing the Los Angeles Times): "State leaders and expertslisted 'the relative lack of competition' among refiners, supply constraints of California's 'unique clean-burning gasoline,' and higher state taxes as three of the main points driving up prices. They have found no hard evidence of price gouging." Oil companies are national, so it really is hard to fathom why greed isn't a problem in other states. This shocks progressives, but prices are determined by supply and demand. Every seller tries to get as high of a price as possible, while buyers want the lowest possible price. There is no "gouging" in a competitive market. By the way, I've yet to meet even the most progressive person who would willingly sell his home at a price below the going rate. Newsom touted a new state law to help battle price gouging, but his own government policies are the root of the problem. So why exactly is there so little competition among refiners in California? First, the state mandates an environmentally friendly formulation, which means we can't buy gasoline that's sold in Nevada or Oregon. "California's more-restrictive gasoline specifications can limit the availability of supply from other markets," explains the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Those limitations make fuels more costly to produce. It makes California vulnerable to supply disruptions if, say, one of those few refineries goes down for repair. Second, "California pumps out the highest state gas tax rate of 77.9 cents per gallon," per the Tax Foundation. The state also raised its gas taxes in July. Although not a tax per se, new low-carbon fuel standards issued by the California Air Resources Board are expected (by the agency's estimates) to raise prices by 52 cents a gallon in 2026. State gas prices currently are $1.30 higher than the national average, but the differential will increase thanks to this Newsom-supported state policy. Apparently the governor doesn't want gasoline prices to fallor at least low prices aren't much of a priority. Third, the state's climate-change policies are designed to essentially drive the oil industry out of business. Newsom touts a law that will essentially forbid the sale of new internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035 by requiring all new cars to have zero tailpipe emissions. "Cars shouldn't melt glaciers or raise sea levels, threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines," Newsom said in support of such rules. The state has already banned the sale of ICE-powered lawn equipment. Meanwhile, Newsom recently signed a law that forces oil companies to follow costly new regulations that force them to disclose their supposed climate impacts. Attorney General Rob Bontawith the support of Newsom"filed a lawsuit alleging" that top oil companies engaged in a decadeslong campaign of deception regarding the reality of climate change and the connection between combustion of fossil fuels and climate change, resulting in climate change-related harms in California," according to a statement from Bonta's office. In an X rebuttal to the Newsom video, one commenter noted that California has a shortage of oil refineries. Oil companies aren't stupid. They aren't about to invest in additional refinery capacity in a state that doesn't seem to want them here. Fewer refineries further reduce supply and drive up prices. It's no surprise that under these conditions Chevron decided to shutter its San Ramon headquarters and take 2,000 jobs to Houstonabandoning a presence here that dates to the 1870s. Lawmakers point to research suggesting that California oil companies charge Californians a "mystery gasoline surcharge," but it's no mystery. Again, prices are a function of supply and demand. Just because an academic or bureaucrat can't identify the precise reason for every cent in the high price doesn't mean it's the result of anything nefarious. The state's specific policies keep the prices highand consumers pay for it. So why is Newsom doubling down on this "price gouging" nonsense? Well, it seems to be working politically. Recent surveys show most Californians blaming high taxes as the top cause, but they place price-gouging in second. "Newsom's gas price gambit is working," according to a Politico headline from July. Still, the facts are the facts. It's sad but true that X readers have a far better grasp of the state's high gas prices than the governor. This column was first published in The Orange County Register. The post Gavin Newsom's 'Price Gouging' Shtick Is Running on Empty appeared first on Reason.com. ABIDJAN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- For residents of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, driving between city districts was often a lengthy journey, as the Ebrie Lagoon naturally divides the city into separate parts, creating a fragmented transportation network. However, this situation was greatly improved last August with the opening of a China-built, inverted Y-shaped pylon bridge connecting Cocody and Plateau, a bustling business district. The bridge has facilitated daily commutes and propelled the city's economic development. "With this bridge, I can now drive from Plateau to Cocody in just five minutes," said Soulama Dramane, a local driver. Previously, he had to take a detour around a bay, often spending more than half an hour stuck in traffic during peak hours. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the Cocody Bridge has a total length of about 1.63 km. According to Cao Changwei, the project's general manager at CRBC, the main section of the bridge stretches 630 meters, featuring a 200-meter main span and a 108.6-meter-high main tower, making it the largest cable-stayed bridge in West Africa. Named the Alassane Ouattara Bridge after the Ivorian president, the bridge is a critical infrastructure project for Abidjan, the economic hub of Cote d'Ivoire, where rapid urbanization has taken place on both sides of the Ebrie Lagoon. Since its inauguration, the bridge has facilitated daily traffic for 35,000 to 45,000 vehicles, said Jean Marc Odje, a technical engineer on the project. He added that the bridge has eliminated the need for commuters from the south to detour north via the lakeside highway and the roundabout, greatly reducing travel times. The new city icon gained further recognition during the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January when a balloon model of the structure was prominently featured amid cultural performances and fireworks, making it a highlight of the opening ceremony. Simon Pierre Loufa, an engineer from the Republic of the Congo, was so captivated by the bridge while watching the AFCON on television that he later made visiting Abidjan and seeing the bridge a top priority. Odje said the bridge is not only an architectural marvel for Cote d'Ivoire but also the country's first bridge to feature an illumination project with glowing diagonal cables lighting up the night sky. Odje, who earned a master's degree in economics in China and joined CRBC five years ago, has been working on the bridge project ever since. The engineer stressed the significant employment opportunities the bridge's construction has provided for local residents and the valuable skills in road and bridge construction he and his colleagues have acquired. "I am deeply grateful to the Chinese company and the collaboration between Cote d'Ivoire and China," Odje said. "As a novice in the construction industry, I have learned much through the bridge project." A 17-year-old Newton High School senior died and his parents were critically injured in an accident in Oklahoma on Thursday, according to reports and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Osiel Guzman, a well-liked student at the school, died at the scene of the accident, which happened at 6:22 a.m. on I-35 northbound a couple miles east of the small town of Orlando, Oklahoma, in Payne County. Marisol Garza-Martinez, 51, and Guadalupe Guzman, 56, both from Newton, were flown with critical injuries to OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City, according to the OHP. He was listed in critical condition Friday; she was in serious, according to the hospital. The family was driving in a 2022 Kia Soul. The cause of the accident is under investigation. A 13-year-old Newton boy in the vehicle was treated and released. A GoFundMe set up to help with costs the family will endure identified the 17-year-old. Please come together to help my family, as they lost their 17 year old son and sibling, the GoFundMe says. Please consider due to their conditions, my aunt and uncle are unable to process at this time. They are in critical condition and have extensive injuries. both in the ICU with a long road ahead. Hundreds of people have shared the fundraiser online. As of early Friday afternoon, it had raised over $9,000 of the $12,000 goal. He was a genuinely sweet kid loved by many, a NHS teacher said online while sharing the fundraiser. Another person wrote that they are a very active and loving family, I can only imagine the support they can use right now. From patience n kindness to prayers and monetary donations. The family owns and operates Tortas Mary food truck. The fundraiser can be found at shorturl.at/qEzun. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A Georgia man is set to be sentenced later this year after pleading guilty to defrauding several Utah banks. Toddorius Goodwin, 34, pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity fraud, according to a release from the United States Attorneys Office. READ NEXT: Draper Police: Woman tried to abduct infant from car seat in parking lot on State St. Goodwin and his associates traveled from Georgia to engage in a check fraud scheme in Utah and elsewhere. They recruited impoverished individuals locally to assist with their scheme, the release states. The release states that Goodwin and his team did this at many institutions in Utah. Goodwin and his associates stole payroll checks from private mailboxes, altered the payable to names on the checks to the recruited individuals name, and sent that individual into various banks to cash the forged checks in exchange for a cut of the profit, the release says. Goodwin and his associates successfully cashed at least $214,179.51 worth of counterfeit checks in Utah within just a few months, from April to October 2022, the release states. Goodwin is set to be sentenced in November of this 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 ABC4 Utah. Bundeswehr soldiers leave an Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force, which landed shortly beforehand at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. A military plane carrying the remaining 60 German troops stationed at the base in the capital Niamey landed in Germany on Friday evening. A second A400M transport aircraft carrying equipment was also on its way back. The airbase in the outskirts of Niamey was staffed by up to 120 German military personnel and had been considered a key asset in Western efforts to contain terrorism in the region. After failing to reach agreement with Nigerien authorities on legal immunity for its military personnel, Berlin agreed to surrender control of the base in July. Following coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger was for a time seen as the West's last democratically ruled partner in battling terrorism in the region, which has suffered repeated attacks by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. However, the army also took control of the country in Niger in a coup on July 26 last year. The Niamey airbase served as the logistics hub for the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in neighbouring Mali that was set up in 2013 and terminated last year. Some 3,200 German troops served in Niamey over the years. The German Defence Ministry had initially planned to keep the base operational after the end of the Mali mission, using it for potential evacuation or emergency missions. It was also seen as a way to keep a strategic foothold in the region. However, like its neighbours, Niger has since turned increasingly to Russia, housing Russian military training personnel at a base in Niamey, while all former partners have been expelled from the country. Germany is in talks with Senegal to keep equipment at an airbase that was set up temporarily in the coastal country to facilitate the Niger withdrawal. Operations at the Senegal base were discontinued after the end of the mission. Bundeswehr soldiers leave an Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force, which landed shortly beforehand at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Bundeswehr soldiers leave an Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force, which landed shortly beforehand at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. A military plane carrying the remaining 60 German troops stationed at the base in the capital Niamey landed in Germany on Friday evening. A second A400M transport aircraft carrying equipment was also on its way back. The airbase in the outskirts of Niamey was staffed by up to 120 German military personnel and had been considered a key asset in Western efforts to contain terrorism in the region. After failing to reach agreement with Nigerien authorities on legal immunity for its military personnel, Berlin agreed to surrender control of the base in July. Following coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger was for a time seen as the West's last democratically ruled partner in battling terrorism in the region, which has suffered repeated attacks by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. However, the army also took control of the country in Niger in a coup on July 26 last year. The Niamey airbase served as the logistics hub for the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in neighbouring Mali that was set up in 2013 and terminated last year. Some 3,200 German troops served in Niamey over the years. The German Defence Ministry had initially planned to keep the base operational after the end of the Mali mission, using it for potential evacuation or emergency missions. It was also seen as a way to keep a strategic foothold in the region. Bundeswehr soldiers leave an Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force, which landed shortly beforehand at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. A military plane carrying the remaining 60 German troops stationed at the base in the capital Niamey landed in Germany on Friday evening. A second A400M transport aircraft carrying equipment was also on its way back. The airbase in the outskirts of Niamey was staffed by up to 120 German military personnel and had been considered a key asset in Western efforts to contain terrorism in the region. After failing to reach agreement with Nigerien authorities on legal immunity for its military personnel, Berlin agreed to surrender control of the base in July. Following coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger was for a time seen as the West's last democratically ruled partner in battling terrorism in the region, which has suffered repeated attacks by Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. However, the army also took control of the country in Niger in a coup on July 26 last year. The Niamey airbase served as the logistics hub for the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping mission in neighbouring Mali that was set up in 2013 and terminated last year. Some 3,200 German troops served in Niamey over the years. Troops lost 'too high a price to pay' Welcoming the returning troops upon arrival at Germany's Wunstorf airbase, German State Secretary of Defence Nils Hilmer noted that more than 200 service men and women lost their lives while deployed for MINUSMA and the European Union Training Mission Mali. Hilmer said this number was "too high a price to pay in view of the limited success at political level in this region." Three German troops were killed and 13 injured during the MINUSMA mission, according to the Defence Ministry. Hilmer praised the efforts of the soldiers following the order to redeploy in July as an outstanding military, logistical and planning achievement. The German base in Niger has cost Germany around 130 million ($143.7 million) since its launch in 2016, the government revealed in response to a parliamentary question from lawmaker Sevim Dagdelen from the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). German military presence uncertain The German Defence Ministry had initially planned to keep the base operational after the end of the Mali mission, using it for potential evacuation or emergency missions. It was also seen as a way to keep a strategic foothold in the region. However, like its neighbours, Niger has since turned increasingly to Russia, housing Russian military training personnel at a base in Niamey, while all former partners have been expelled from the country. Germany is in talks with Senegal to keep equipment at an airbase that was set up temporarily in the coastal country to facilitate the Niger withdrawal. Operations at the Senegal base were discontinued after the end of the mission. Nils Hilmer, State Secretary in the German Ministry of Defence, speaks to Bundeswehr soldiers at a return roll call in a hangar at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region this evening. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Bundeswehr soldiers stand in a hangar at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region in the evening for a return roll call. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Bundeswehr soldiers leave an Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force, which landed shortly beforehand at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region. The German armed forces have ended an eight-year deployment to Niger after surrendering control of a key airbase in the West African country. Moritz Frankenberg/dpa Tino Chrupalla, Federal Chairman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), speaks at an election rally of his party on Marienplatz. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has logded an appeal against a court order ruling that the party must grant national journalists access to an election night event in the eastern state of Thuringia, a spokesman confirmed to dpa on Friday. The Erfurt regional court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for 11 am (0900 GMT) on Saturday, just one day before voters in Thuringia go to the polls. Several prominent German media outlets took legal action against the AfD in Thuringia after the AfD denied their reporters access to the election results party. The Spiegel news magazine, the Axel Springer-owned Welt and Bild newspapers as well as the left-wing taz newspaper all argued in court that the freedom of the press was threatened by the AfD's decision. The Erfurt court ruled in favour of the outlets last Friday, ordering the party to grant journalists access to the event, but the verdict is not yet final. Voters in Thuringia will elect a new state parliament on September 1, and opinion polls have shown the AfD with a wide lead. The AfD's state-level leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, is well-known across Germany for his radical views and highly controversial comments, including two convictions for knowingly quoting a Nazi slogan in speeches. Domestic intelligence has categorized the AfD in Thuringia and neighbouring Saxony, which is also holding state elections on Sunday, as right-wing extremist. The spokesman for the state AfD organization in Thuringia, Torben Braga, and other AfD leaders in Thuringia told dpa that space in the party venue was limited and a decision was made to invite a small list of journalists that regularly cover Thuringia politics and the local AfD party. AfD leaders previously suggested they would cancel the event if a court ordered them to allow more journalists to attent. The actual location of the election evening party has been kept secret due to what the AfD has described as security concerns. Alice Weidel, Federal Chairman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), speaks at an election rally of her party on Marienplatz. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa A DHL aircraft is seen in front of the DHL Air Hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German security authorities warn of "unconventional incendiary devices" sent by unknown persons via freight service providers. In security circles, a connection with Russian sabotage is not ruled out. Heiko Rebsch/dpa German security authorities are warning of "unconventional incendiary devices" being sent via freight service providers after several incidents in which parcels sent by private individuals across Europe caught fire while in transit. For several weeks, German authorities have been "aware of several parcel shipments that were posted by private individuals at locations in Europe and caught fire on the way to their addressees in several European countries," according to a security notice sent by Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the BfV domestic intelligence agency. The security notice was sent to logistics and aviation companies, and a copy was obtained by dpa. Russia is not mentioned in the warning from the BfV and BKA, but security sources told dpa that authorities have not ruled out a possible connection with increasing cases of Russian sabotage in Germany. Security sources said the warning is linked to an incident at the DHL logistics centre in the eastern German city of Leipzig, which acts as the company's global hub. A parcel sent from the Baltic States containing an incendiary device is said to have caught fire there in July. The parcel is said to have set fire to an entire freight container, which also contained other parcels, but the fire was extinguished quickly. DHL told dpa: "In response to the ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities as well as its customers' shipments. We are aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network." The company said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities. NAIROBI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecom firm Huawei is supporting the digitization of energy systems in Kenya including power grids and transmission lines in a bid to enhance their efficiency and cut down on waste and pollution, senior executives said Friday. Kebal Wang, director of the energy sector at Huawei Kenya Enterprise, said that leveraging digital tools will help transform the power supply in the country through improved grid stability, prompt reporting, and action on outages. "Our collective efforts to advance green energy in Kenya include the provision of digital infrastructure that enhances the stability of power generation and its distribution," Wang said during the Huawei Kenya Energy Summit 2024 held in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Senior government officials, Huawei executives, and industry leaders attended the day-long summit themed "Find the Right Technologies to Power Global Energy Transition." The launch of Huawei's intelligent distribution solution was a key highlight of the summit that discussed novel ways to accelerate energy intelligence in Kenya and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Stephen Nzioka, director of renewable energy in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, said that a partnership with Huawei will help digitize power utilities, enhance service provision, and improve revenue generation. Kenya's energy sector has embraced new technologies such as the Internet Of Things (IoT) and geographic information systems to ensure power grids, transmission lines, and metering are smart, reliable, and stable, Nzioka said. He added that as digitization of energy systems gathers pace, the government has invested in manpower and supportive infrastructure to avert cyberattacks that could jeopardize national security. Intelligent power grids are key to tackling frequent power outages, revenue losses, and inefficiencies that bode ill for Kenya's green energy transition, said Hannah Han, director of Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Industry at Huawei. According to Han, innovations such as sensing computing, cognitive consensus, and comprehensive IoT will boost energy intelligence in Kenya. Benjamin Muoki, manager in charge of IT services and telecommunications at Kenya Power, said that digitization of power generation, transmission, and distribution has ensured that the service provided to end users is reliable, cost-effective, and of high quality, adding that establishing an intelligent operation network at the power utility is key to achieving universal access to electricity in Kenya. A deportation flight bound for Afghanistan carrying 28 Afghan nationals left Germany on Friday morning, a day after the German government pledged to strengthen its asylum regulations in the wake of a deadly knife attack. A spokesperson from Saxonys Interior Ministry told CNN that a plane with the Afghans on board departed from Leipzig just before 7 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday afternoon. The Afghans on the flight are convicted criminals from various states across Germany who had been selected by the Interior Ministry, the spokesperson added. Flight trackers show that a Boeing 787 from Qatar Airlines left Leipzig at 6.55 a.m., traveling to Kabul. The flight marks Germanys first deportation of Afghans back to their home country since the Taliban retook power there three years ago, in August 2021. According to German news magazine Der Spiegel, the deportations are the result of months of negotiations and planning. Der Spiegel reported that each deportee, all of whom were male, received a payment of 1,000 ($1,100). The spokesperson for Saxonys Interior Ministry was unable to confirm this. In a news conference following the flights departure, government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit emphasized to journalists that Berlin was not in direct talks with the Taliban. Rather, it secured the deportation through the mediation of key regional powers, he said. Hebestreit added that the German government has made intensive efforts to deport migrants who have committed serious crimes back to Afghanistan and Syria in the wake of a knife attack in the southwestern city of Mannheim at the end of May. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser takes part in a special Bundestag session centering around the Solingen knife attack. - Kay Nietfeld/picture-alliance/dpa/AP A police officer was fatally wounded during that attack and several others were injured, with German authorities pointing to an Islamist extremism motive. The main suspect was identified as a 25-year-old Afghan refugee. The deportations also come a day after the German government unveiled a new security package following the fatal attack in the western city of Solingen last week. Three people were stabbed to death in the incident on August 23, which took place during a street festival. The suspect was identified as a 26-year-old Syrian man with alleged links to ISIS, who had previously been due for deportation. He turned himself in and confessed to the attack, police said. The attack in Solingen has sparked fresh debate in Germany over migration, with the countrys governing coalition, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, receiving criticism for its handling of the issue. It has also served to embolden Germanys far-right ahead of key state elections this weekend. The incident spurred Scholzs government into action, with the chancellor declaring during a visit to Solingen at the start of the week that we will have to do everything we can to ensure that those who cannot and are not allowed to stay in Germany are repatriated and deported, Reuters reported. The new security measures unveiled by the government in a news conference Thursday aim to speed up the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, and also tighten laws on weapons. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser pledged during the news conference to step up the pace of repatriations and take further measures to reduce irregular migration, while also strengthening the power of authorities to fight Islamic extremism. Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is targeting wins in elections in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia scheduled for Sunday. The AfD is currently leading in the polls in both states. The anti-immigration party has seized on the attack in Solingen in its political campaigning, with Bjorn Hocke, the partys regional leader in Thuringia, telling voters they have the choice of either Hocke or Solingen. Migration has long been a topic of fierce debate in Germany. Scholzs center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has typically advocated for a more open migration policy in Germany. During the 2015 European migrant crisis, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), adopted an open-door policy which saw hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing war in Syria and beyond arrive in Germany a decision which attracted both praise and criticism. CNNs Claudia Otto reported from Berlin and Sophie Tanno from London. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Germany stopped deporting people to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover three years ago but has recently resumed the controversial programme - MATTHIAS BALK/DPA Germany deported 28 hardened criminals to Afghanistan on Friday morning after months of secret talks with the Taliban. A chartered jet took off from Leipzig airport shortly before 7am local time on Friday, headed directly to Kabul. The decision came three months after Olaf Scholz promised to start sending migrants back, despite safety concerns in their home countries. All the deportees were convicted criminals. Among them was a man found guilty of raping an eleven year old girl and another convicted in a high-profile gang rape case, in which the victim was 14 years old. Confirming the move, which took many in Germany by surprise, Nancy Faeser, the interior minister, said that our security is what matters, adding: Our state has shown that it can act. The men have each been given 1,000 in cash, a step understood to have been taken in order to comply with legal requirements that the men do not suffer extreme deprivation on arrival. Nancy Faeser, Germany's interior minister, has said that the country's security is what matters - ANNEGRET HILSE/REUTERS Germany stopped deporting people to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover three years ago and rights groups have warned it is still not safe to send people back there. Britain does not deport migrants back to Afghanistan. However, rising levels of violent crime in Germany, plus a string of terror attacks carried out by migrants, convinced Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, of the need to restart the deportation programme to the South Asian country. After an Afghan extremist stabbed several people in Mannheim in May, killing a police officer, Mr Scholz declared he would start deportations to Afghanistan and Syria. Berlin was believed to be in discrete talks with Uzbekistan about using it as an intermediary for deportation to Afghanistan. However, on Friday, it was confirmed that Germany had been directly talking to the Islamist movement which is yet to be officially recognised as the legitimate power in Afghanistan by any foreign state. On Thursday, Ms Faeser had promised that deportations to Syria would start very soon. Germany joins Sweden in deporting criminals to Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power - MATTHIAS BALK/DPA The move makes Germany the latest European state to harden its stance on migrants, after Italy struck a deal with Albania to hold migrants while their cases are dealt with while Finland legalised pushbacks at its border to Russia. Germany is not the first western country to deport criminals to Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power Sweden has sent back a small number to both Afghanistan and Syria but this marks the first occasion that so many people have been sent on a single flight. Rights groups have warned that torture is rife under Taliban rule and say that the deportations are incompatible with international law. Germany has been in uproar about criminality among migrants since a Syrian asylum seeker killed three people and injured several others in a knife attack on Aug 23. The man, who was supposed to have been deported last year, attacked people at a street party in the town of Solingen which was celebrating its 650th birthday under the motto of diversity and open borders. Germanys foreign ministry, which is run by Annalena Baerbock of the Greens, has serious reservations about starting deportations to Syria. In an assessment published earlier this year, the ministry said that the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic despite the fact that the civil war there has ground to a halt. The ministry advised that a safe return of refugees cannot currently be guaranteed for any region of Syria. Deporting criminals directly to Syria would also mean opening discussions with Bashar al-Assad, a pariah in the West, after his brutal suppression of democracy protests set off a civil war that is believed to have killed half a million people. 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 News BERLIN Germany has long been a global wind power leader, but a slowdown in expansion and an effective campaign from the far fight threatens to dent its reputation for clean energy. The Alternative fur Deutschland party has made its NIMBY-like opposition to wind a central plank of its platform, pushing the debate over renewable energy to the forefront ahead of three state elections in eastern Germany. The AfD could finish in first place on Sunday in two of those states Saxony and Thuringia which were once part of the communist German Democratic Republic. Some elements of their anti-wind playbook are similar to right-wing talking points in the US or elsewhere in Europe. (Donald Trump this week said wind power kills the birds, it destroys the fields.) But in marrying populist talking points with arguments that appeal to simmering local frustrations about clean energy, the AfDs campaign has developed a novel tactic that seems to have caught on with the electorate. If you consider why people consciously or unconsciously decide to live in the countryside then the quality of life of these people is impaired by the wind industry, Nadine Hoffman, a member of the Thuringen state legislature and the AfDs local spokesperson for environmental and energy policy, told Semafor. The rejection is natural. Know More More than a third of Germanys active wind turbines are located in the smaller but less densely populated east, which includes Saxony and Thuringia. Wind overtook coal last year to become Germanys top electricity source, generating nearly 30% of the countrys power. But expansion has slowed, with wind generation set to grow by only 1% this year, largely because of weaker wind speeds and a construction slowdown. The AfD, perhaps best known outside of Germany for its anti-immigration and euro-skeptic stances, opposes the broader energy transition and denies man-made climate change but the partys pledges to stop wind power specifically has featured most prominently in its campaigns in the east. Compared to other elements of the energy transitions like solar farms or electric vehicles, nothing energizes right-wing German voters quite like wind: Only about a quarter of AfD supporters in eastern Germany support wind power, while about half oppose it, according to a recent study from the German Economic Institute. Reuters/Axel Schmidt A 2021 study found that areas of Germany where new wind turbines were built were likely to see a boost in support for both the fiercest critics and backers of wind power: The AfD and the environmentalist Greens. Solar, meanwhile, has not been politicized in the same way by the far right. New reforms have helped push German solar energy generation to a new record, and even as rural eastern Germany becomes dotted with solar farms, voters dont seem to mind. Most AfD supporters in the region support solar energy, despite the partys official stance against it, the economic institute study found. The impact of a wind turbine is not only visually much greater than that of a solar system, the AfDs Hoffman said, explaining why more people hate wind turbines compared to solar panels. You only have to look at the huge foundation that seals the ground. Solar systems are also not subject to bird strikes like wind turbines. J.D.s view Far right opposition to renewable energy, in Germany or elsewhere, isnt a new phenomenon, but the AfDs campaigns in the east are notable for how they have sought to politicize wind power specifically. By seizing on a particularly visible issue in rural Germany where the average voter is more likely to see wind turbines on any given day the AfD made wind one of its defining issues by pairing its anti-establishment stance with its climate message. If the party gains more power and is able to slow down wind expansion, it would be a bad look for Germanys clean energy bonafides, and could give ideas to populist actors in other countries that are expanding renewables. Even if the party is not able to form any state governments, it could become sand in the gears of climate efforts by opposing renewable energy infrastructure projects and by pushing mainstream parties to have more cautious stances on renewables, said Manes Weisskircher, who leads a research group at Dresden University of Technology studying the climate policies of far-right groups. Instead of just railing against the climate movement or calling climate change a hoax, the AfD has gotten hyper-specific around wind energy infrastructure. The party employs many typical anti-wind arguments, many of which have been debunked or are unverified: That turbines are noisy, harm birds, contaminate the ground, and produce low-frequency sounds called infrasound that cause sickness. But its most successful pitch opposes wind turbines in forested areas and near homes. Last year, the AfD teamed up with the conservative party of former Chancellor Angela Merkel to pass a law in Thuringia making it more difficult to build wind turbines in forests, despite the objections of the current left-wing government. Wind energy is also likely to have negative consequences for tourism, because who comes to the Thuringian Forest to marvel at industrial plants? Hoffmann said. The AfDs rhetoric has been particularly successful in eastern Germany, a major producer of lignite, because the region has been especially impacted by the countrys pledge to phase out coal by 2038 in favor of renewables. Voters there have already endured a vast transformation after German reunification, which was marked by unemployment and population decline in the east. Mainstream political parties have had a difficult time pitching rural communities on the shift to renewables, leaving room for populist parties to swoop in. There is this sentiment that is activated by populist actors that the energy transition is sort of forced upon them by the government in Berlin that is run by Western Germans, mainly, said Matthias Diermeier, a researcher at the German Economic Institute. People in eastern Germany have the feeling that they have been in a transition period for 35 years. The View From The rest of Europe A rollback in wind energy in Germany, a vanguard of the energy transition in Europe, would buck a broader trend seen throughout the continent, as many other European countries take steps to loosen constraints on onshore wind. The UKs new Labour government, for example, recently lifted the countrys de facto ban on new onshore wind farms. Even some countries with right-wing national governments, like Hungary and Italy, are showing more openness to wind, easing the planning and permitting process, said Conall Heussaff, an energy and climate research analyst at the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank. But the effective populist politicization of wind power in Germany could serve as a kind of case study for other similar political entities to try to use onshore wind as a way to further create a wedge in political discourse, Heussaff said. The French far-right National Rally party, for example, similarly opposes the expansion of wind power. Room for Disagreement On the federal level, Germany is still investing heavily in wind and other renewables. Recent permitting reforms have made it easier to build turbines, and the country is deploying more renewables than others in Europe, Bloomberg reported this week. The power of the states is limited, so even in the unlikely event that the AfD is part of a government in Saxony or Thuringia, the party would have to overcome a lot of hurdles before it comes close to fully reversing the countrys energy transition. A DHL aircraft is seen in front of the DHL Air Hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German security authorities warn of "unconventional incendiary devices" sent by unknown persons via freight service providers. In security circles, a connection with Russian sabotage is not ruled out. Heiko Rebsch/dpa German security authorities are warning of "unconventional incendiary devices" being sent via freight service providers after several incidents in which parcels sent by private individuals across Europe caught fire while in transit. For several weeks, German authorities have been "aware of several parcel shipments that were posted by private individuals at locations in Europe and caught fire on the way to their addressees in several European countries," according to a security notice sent by Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the BfV domestic intelligence agency. The security notice was sent to logistics and aviation companies on August 28, and a copy was obtained by dpa. The notice said that it is assumed the "unconventional incendiary devices were sent deliberately to damage freight service companies and other logistics infrastructure in Western countries." Russia is not mentioned in the warning from the BfV and BKA, but security sources told dpa that authorities have not ruled out a possible connection with increasing threats of Russian sabotage in Germany. Security sources said the warning was issued after an incident at the DHL logistics centre in the eastern German city of Leipzig, which acts as the company's global air freight hub. A parcel sent from the Baltic States containing an incendiary device is said to have caught fire there in July. The parcel is said to have set fire to an entire freight container, which also contained other parcels, but the fire was extinguished quickly. All of the packages of concern so far have contained electrical items and containers with liquids. The high shipping costs of the parcels were regularly "economically disproportionate to the value of the goods," the notice said. The Office of the Federal Prosecutor has taken charge of investigation. DHL told dpa: "In response to the ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities as well as its customers' shipments. We are aware of two recent incidents involving shipments in our network." The company said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities. Germany says Russia is ramping up sabotage The BfV intelligence agency has repeatedly warned of Russian sabotage activities. For example, on July 26, it notified businesses that Russian acts of sabotage had been observed across Europe since 2023 and that there were "increased indications of possible activities in Germany." Last week, the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen in Germany temporarily raised its security level due to intelligence concerning a potential Russian drone threat. The second-highest security level was in place at the NATO base in western Germany for almost 24 hours. After nothing happened, the security precautions were reduced back to the level that had previously been in place. According to security sources, there are growing indications that Russia is becoming increasingly brazen in its drone flights over military bases in Germany. Sites where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained are often affected. Repeated drone flights over critical infrastructure in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein have also been attributed to Russia, sources said. The News DRESDEN The rise of populist candidates in Germany is spurring the countrys tech scene into the political fray. Once hesitant to openly advocate for or against a specific political party, German players ranging from tech giants to industry groups to startups have in recent months made their opposition to the far right known on social media, in interviews, and through press releases. Their activity has escalated ahead of elections in two German states this Sunday, where the eurosceptic Alternative fur Deutschland party could finish in first place, polls show. Though the AfD likely wont win enough seats in any state parliament to form a government, the German tech sector is anxious that the partys anti-immigration stance could hurt the countrys appeal for skilled, foreign workers, who are a critical part of Europes effort to catch up in the high-tech space. A lot of people here in the company are worried about the far right, Michael Woittennek, the CEO of chipmaker X-Fabs Dresden site, told Semafor. He said hes told employees that we dont need the far right or the radicals, that we have to vote for democratic parties, and should consider that this is important for the economic situation in the future. The reaction from German tech leaders is more homogenous than Silicon Valleys recent approach to the US election, in which several high-profile billionaires are backing Donald Trump, while Kamala Harris enjoys widespread support from startups and VCs. Know More Germanys high-tech sphere, especially chipmaking, is becoming increasingly globalized. While workers in X-Fab clean rooms speak German, Woittennek said his R&D employees, many of whom arent originally from Germany, are allowed to speak English at work. And the country is leaning on international investment from major companies like the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which just broke ground on a plant in Dresden and will likely employ hundreds of non-Germans. People in the semiconductor industry are aware that we need this cosmopolitan approach, we need this diversity, and we need immigration, X-Fabs Woittennek said. Siemens and Volkswagen were among 30 major German companies that signed a letter in May opposing extremist and populist parties. Leaders of industry groups like Silicon Saxony, which represents microelectronic companies, and digital association Bitkom have similarly warned that the AfD would be bad for business. A survey run by the organization found that just 3% of German startup founders favor the AfD. And the head of the countrys startup association said: Populist answers fail with startups. A giant hole in Siberia is visible from space and growing rapidly. It might reveal hints about our planet's future. A giant hole in Siberia is visible from space and growing rapidly. It might reveal hints about our planet's future. Satellite images show a giant hole in Siberia is rapidly expanding. The Batagay megaslump is a result of the ground thawing and collapsing as Arctic temperatures rise. It's an extreme case of a changing Arctic landscape accelerating the climate crisis. A giant hole in the earth is breaking open the land in Siberia, and photos from space show it's growing rapidly. It resembles a stingray, a horseshoe crab, or a giant tadpole. It started as a sliver, barely visible in declassified satellite imagery from the 1960s. Declassified satellite imagery from 1965 shows the very beginnings of the hole growing in Siberia. Corona Satellite/USGS Now it's a chasm with steep cliffs, clearly visible from space. The hole tripled in size between 1991 and 2018, according to the US Geological Survey. Satellite images from 1999 and 2017 show how much the Batagay megaslump has grown (and how much satellite imaging has improved). NASA Earth Observatory/Jesse Allen/Landsat data from the US Geological Survey The Batagay crater, sometimes referred to as Batagaika or the "gateway to hell," represents a much larger, often invisible problem that affects the entire planet. What is this hole in Siberia? The Arctic is heating up faster than the rest of Earth, and that's quickly thawing the permafrost, which is a thick layer of soil that's permanently frozen at least, it used to be. The Batagay crater isn't actually a crater at all. It's the world's largest "retrogressive thaw slump," a pit that forms when permafrost thaw causes the ground to cave in, creating a landslide as the earth at its edges slumps into the pit. There are thousands of thaw slumps across the Arctic. But the size of the Batagay "crater" has earned it the title of megaslump. It's named for the nearby town of Batagay. A drone view of the head of the Batagay megaslump. Reuters TV "Permafrost is not the most, let's say, photogenic of subjects," Roger Michaelides, a geophysicist at Washington University in St. Louis, told Business Insider. "You're talking mostly about frozen dirt underground, which by definition you often can't see unless it's been exposed somehow, like in this megaslump." That makes the Batagay pit a bit of a permafrost celebrity and an omen of what lies ahead. The Batagay megaslump could help decode our planet's future The Batagay crater in 2020, imaged in near-infrared. contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2020), processed by ESA As permafrost thaws, all the dead plants and animals that have been frozen inside it for centuries start to decompose, belching carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Those are powerful heat-trapping gases, which cause global temperatures to rise even more, triggering even faster permafrost thaw. This vicious cycle could have dire effects. Permafrost covers 15% of the land in the Northern Hemisphere and contains twice as much carbon as the atmosphere. One study estimated that permafrost thaw could emit as much planet-warming gases as a large industrial nation by 2100 if industries and countries don't aggressively rein in their own emissions today. "There's a lot we don't know about this feedback loop and how it will play out necessarily, but the potential is there for very large changes to the climate system occurring over very, very fast geologic timescales," Michaelides said. In short, permafrost thaw could quickly make the climate crisis much worse. But it's still a mysterious process. Studying extreme sites like the Batagay megaslump can help scientists understand permafrost thaw and see into the future. In a study published in the journal Geomorphology in June, researchers used satellite and drone data to construct 3D models of the megaslump and calculate its expansion over time. They found that about 14 Pyramids of Giza's worth of ice and permafrost had thawed at Batagay. The crater's volume increases by about 1 million cubic meters every year. "These values are truly impressive," Alexander Kizyakov, the study's lead author and a scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University, told BI in an email. "Our results demonstrate how quickly permafrost degradation occurs," he added. The researchers also calculated that the megaslump releases about 4,000 to 5,000 tons of carbon each year. That's about as much as the annual emissions from 1,700 to 2,100 US homes' energy use. Michaelides said those numbers didn't surprise him, but they can help inform models of future permafrost thaw and emissions. "I think there is a lot we can learn from Batagaika, not only in terms of understanding how Batagaika will evolve with time, but also how similar features might develop and evolve over the Arctic," Michaelides said. "Even if they're a tenth or a hundredth the size of Batagaika, the physics is fundamentally the same." Read the original article on Business Insider Gig workers share hopes for No Tax on Tips proposal after poll shows Nevadans favor it LAS VEGAS (KLAS) After most Nevada voters surveyed supported the recent no taxes on tips proposal, 8 News Now spoke with several gig workers Thursday who shared what theyre hoping to see. In the latest Emerson College/The Hill/8 News Now poll, 71% of Nevada voters said they are all for an elimination of taxes on tips, an idea first introduced by Former President Donald Trump and later adopted by Vice President Kamala Harris. After most Nevada voters surveyed supported the recent no taxes on tips proposal, 8 News Now spoke with several gig workers Thursday who shared what theyre hoping to see. (KLAS) Local Uber and Lyft drivers, who have to pay taxes on the majority of their tips, told 8 News Now this change would make a world of difference. That would be wonderful, Uber and Lyft driver Marshall Enzer said. For all the people who do work under tips. Hopefully, hopefully, Uber and Lyft Driver Francis Taylor added. Whatever those candidates, I dont want to mention one or the other one, if they both have the idea, good, both of them. The results of those surveyed in Nevada were also on par with several other swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, proving its popularity nationwide. However, some economic experts, including UNLV Law Professor Francine Lipman, said while there are a lot of positives to the proposal, it could cost the government in the long run. The cost of this proposal, Ive seen, is between 150 and 200 billion dollars, she told 8 News Now. Because theyre concerned about other people recharacterizing their income as tips, and then not paying taxes on it. Regardless, people in Southern Nevada said it would be a game-changer for those who are paying a lot to get by. It would help a lot of the gig workers in town, Enzer concluded. Here in Las Vegas and across the United States. To see the full breakdown of the No Tax on Tips poll, 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 KLAS. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) When rock group Foreigner took the stage at the Denny Sanford Premier Center Wednesday night, a group of local students sang back-up for one of their songs. That opportunity was supposed to be a 12-year-old girls final performance with the Sioux Falls Childrens choir. But, the girl in a wheelchair never got on stage. Get to know KELOLANDs newly promoted anchors 12-year-old Halle Bauman is no stranger to the stage. Halle loves to sing and she loves to act, Christa Bauman said. But as her mother was driving her to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Wednesday afternoon she got shocking news. Her daughter in a wheelchair wouldnt be able to join the Sioux Falls Childrens Choir on stage that night to perform with Foreigner. So I had it on speakerphone, and so it was pretty horrible looking and seeing her face crumble, Christa Bauman said. Kaela Schuiteman is the executive and artistic director of the choir. She says she communicated with Foreigners team several times, telling them she had a performer in a wheelchair. She also provided KELOLAND News with two emails where she mentions Halles wheelchair. To my understanding, some people didnt know that she was going to be onstage, that there was someone in a wheelchair coming on stage, and so they were not prepared was one of the excuses, so they wouldnt be able to, in time, get a ramp ready for the stage because theyd have to reorganize everything, Schuiteman said. They told us they have pyrotechnics on stage and because of that usually they wouldnt use them if someone was on stage in a wheelchair. While the show went on, Schuiteman hopes Halle knows she was missed on stage. I just kept thinking of her sitting at home and the other kids wondering why Halle wasnt there singing with us, Schuiteman said. Halles mother describes her daughter as brave and resilient, but hopes her spirit isnt crushed by the incident. The ADA does call for reasonable accommodations to be made for people, and I think in this situation, had people been empathetic and compassionate and used their creativity, they certainly couldve come up with a solution, Bauman said. We reached out to the PREMIER Center and the assistant GM explained to us that logistics and performance planning are arranged by the tour. Weve also attempted to reach the bands team, but havent heard back yet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FILE PHOTO: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani departs defamation lawsuit at the District Courthouse in Washington By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -The two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million judgment against Rudolph Giuliani filed a civil lawsuit against the onetime personal lawyer to Donald Trump, accusing him of trying to put his Florida luxury condominium beyond their reach. In a complaint on Friday, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea' "Shaye" Moss challenged Giuliani's July 13 declaration that the Palm Beach condominium was his new primary residence. They called it a "brazen" attempt by the former New York City mayor to benefit from a Florida law shielding a person's "homestead" from court judgments. Giuliani made the declaration one day after a federal judge dismissed his bankruptcy case, which had protected him from the $148 million judgment. Citing statements on his daily internet broadcasts, Freeman and Moss said Giuliani has since lived mainly or entirely elsewhere, and is only pretending to live in Florida to evade accountability for his actions. "He is trying to 'toy with' Florida's homestead exemption to shield a multi-million dollar asset from his creditors," they said in their complaint filed in Manhattan federal court. Freeman and Moss want court permission to enforce an Aug. 8 lien against Giuliani's condominium and, if they choose, seize and sell the property. Giuliani also has a home in Manhattan. "The appeal of the objectively unreasonable $148 million verdict hasn't even been heard, yet opposing counsel continues to take steps designed to harass and intimidate the mayor," Giuliani's spokesman Ted Goodman said in an email. "This lawsuit has always been designed to censor and bully the mayor, and to deter others from exercising their right to speak up and to speak out," Goodman added. Last December, a Washington jury ordered Giuliani to pay the $148 million to Freeman and Moss, who said he defamed them and destroyed their reputation through lies that they tried to help steal the 2020 U.S. presidential election from Trump. Giuliani, 80, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the following week. The federal judge overseeing that case dismissed it after finding that Giuliani failed to provide a complete picture of his finances and to meet court deadlines. That dismissal, which Giuliani also sought, eliminated the possibility a trustee could take over his finances and freed him to appeal the $148 million judgment, but also removed legal protections from creditors like Freeman and Moss. The case is Freeman et al v. Giuliani, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-06563. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) BISHKEK, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- "Interaction-2024" -- the command and staff exercises with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) -- will be held in Kyrgyzstan in September, the country's Defense Ministry said Friday. On Thursday, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff Andrei Serdyukov briefed the participants on the developing situation in the regions of the CSTO and a set of events planned for the current year, the goals and objectives of the exercises, as well as the involved forces and means. The "Interaction-2024" exercises aim to practice using forces and means to resolve a crisis, according to Serdyukov. CSTO members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Global walk against human trafficking to be hosted in San Angelo SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Parkside Community Church is gearing up to host the first Global Walk For Freedom in the Concho Valley. According to a social media post shared by Parkside Community Foursquare Church, the wellness walk will take place on Freeland Avenue, which will be partially closed for the event. Participants are encouraged to park at Parkside Church, Mountainview Park, or along the street, with handicapped parking available in the church lot. Overflowed parking will be provided in a field behind the church. A21, which is recognizing its 10th year of hosting the wellness walk, operates worldwide, focusing on rescuing individuals from various forms of sex trafficking. The organization is known for its extended approach including rescue operations and preventive training for vulnerable populations. This marks the first time San Angelo will participate in this annual global initiative organized by A21, an established international anti-human trafficking organization. Cassi Wright, senior pastor of Parkside Community Chruch, expressed her commitment to the walk. Our goal is to increase awareness and offer resources to address human trafficking, an issue that is not widely recognized in San Angelo, said Wright. We hope to connect with those interested in developing resources for our community. The wellness walks local opener is well-timed, following increased public interest sparked by a film released in the summer of 2023. Sound of Freedom helped bring attention to human trafficking and we are ready to engage the community in addressing this issue, said Wright. For more information about the wellness walk, contact Parkside Community Church at office@theparksidechurch.com.For inquiries about A21 or the global initiative, email info@a21.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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Whats going on in Myrtle Beach this summer with large barges in the water? What we know Have you seen those large metal looking structures sprinkled on the Grand Strand coastline this summer? The ones that look like they could be part of a deep sea oil drilling operation? Theyre actually part of routine storm drain maintenance and new ocean outfall construction. The maintenance is happening in North Myrtle Beach, while construction of a brand-new ocean outfall is happening in Myrtle Beach. The City of North Myrtle Beach is in the process of inspecting and cleaning our ocean outfalls, a statement from the city said. While inspecting and cleaning, if deficiencies are found, they are repaired immediately by a diver. These inspections and cleanings happen approximately every five years, according to North Myrtle Beachs Streets and Drainage Superintendent Johnny Bruton. The project began over July Fourth weekend and is expected to wrap up this summer. A few weeks ago, in mid-August, the City of Myrtle Beach began something thats kind of similar, but not necessarily the same. In order to replace 11 old storm water pipes that are on the beach, the city said in a statement that they began construction on a new ocean outfall at 24th Avenue North on Aug. 19. Ocean outfalls and stormwater pipes are important because they filter sediment, improve water quality and help catch trash before runoff water reaches the ocean, the statement said. Once built, the ocean outfall will replace 11 stormwater pipes currently on the beach. First crews began with building a trestle underwater, but will soon be starting beach construction on the project on Sept. 10, according to information from the citys website. In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the City of Myrtle Beach as part of the EPAs program to celebrate innovation in clean water infrastructure. Since the late 1990s, the city has invested more than $75 million in stormwater management projects, including four existing deepwater ocean outfalls, at 25th Avenue South, Fourth Avenue North, 14th Avenue North and 53rd Avenue North, Myrtle Beachs Director of Public Information Meredith Denari said via email. The term stormwater describes rainfall that flows across impervious surfaces and into drainage structures. Ultimately, rainfall travels either to the Atlantic Ocean or the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. A previous release from the city said that construction would take place from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This will be the fifth time the city has constructed an ocean outfall, and they estimate the project will be completed by April 2025. How much does it all cost? In North Myrtle Beach, their project supervisor estimated earlier this summer that their work should cost somewhere between $600,000 to $700,000. Documents from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control show that two years ago, the City of Myrtle Beach signed a grant agreement document with the state agency for $30 million for the Myrtle Beach Ocean Outfall Project. The citys director of public information, Meredith Denari, said those funds will be used to help pay for the project and that they were on this years South Carolina state budget. In a letter sent to the state agency on Nov. 7, 2022, that was part of receiving the grant funds, Myrtle Beach Public Works Director Janet Curry wrote that the estimated cost of the new 24th Avenue North ocean outfall was $46 million. Denari said via email on Friday morning that the accepted bid for the construction project was $42,639,830. In 2016, Myrtle Beach completed their 4th Avenue North Ocean Outfall Project. A case study published by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority said the city received an $11.9 million loan for that project. Is it safe to swim near an outfall? Visit Myrtle Beach recommends not swimming within 200 feet in either direction of an ocean outfall, but said folks can still enjoy looking for shells and walking on the beach in those areas. The testing of our ocean water is very important and helpful in ensuring the cleanliness of our beaches. However, it can alarm people when there is a higher reading following heavy rainfall, a statement on their website said. It is true that stormwater runoff can occasionally boost test results and signs will be posted, but it is for limited sites for a limited time. Stormwater drains impact less than 2 percent of area beaches. Does this happen in other places? The short answer to that question is yes. Other municipalities in California and Florida have done similar projects on their shorelines with storm drains and ocean outfalls. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection wrote a 29 page report about their ocean outfalls to Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020. Across the country in California, the City of Ventura is wrapping up the completion of a brand new ocean outfall of their own, according to their latest construction update. Republican media figures have a new conspiracy-laden line of attack on Kamala Harris: that she lied about holding a summer job at McDonalds while she was in school. While the fast food titan claims that around one in every eight Americans has worked for McDonalds, Harris would likely be the first president to boast Golden Arches tenure if elected, though reporters at the conservative Washington Free Beacon news site doubt her history. The Beacon, which obtained a one-page law-school-era resume of Harris which leaves out her summer-long stint where she did fries, as she put it in an interview with Drew Barrymore, suggested Harris may have fabricated the work experience in an attempt to make herself more relatable to working-class voters. The attack isnt playing well with some voters, though. Social media users were quick to note that it wouldnt be unusual for Harris to leave the part-time food service line off of a resume when applying for legal work, especially when she boasted experience as a law clerk and a Senate intern by the time she applied to work with the Alameda County District Attorneys office. "she worked at McDonald's and didn't put it on her resume" man, ya'll really got nothing, huh Minh Nhat Nguyen (@menhguin) August 29, 2024 Harris, who has proudly spoken about the experience publicly since at least 2019, even joined the picket line to support striking workers at McDonalds during her first presidential bid. The attack isnt the first time the right has picked apart the Harris-Walz campaigns work experience. Vice presidential nominee JD Vance previously called into question Minnesota Gov. and 25-year-tenured National Guardsman Walzs service record. Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California in a single-parent household, has marketed herself as more down-to-earth than her billionaire opponent and his venture-capital running mate, alongside Walz, who holds a lower net worth than the average American. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced new rules in July for the construction it funds, to protect new buildings against flooding. According to The New York Times, anything constructed with FEMA money has to be built to withstand flooding. For example, new builds have to be constructed above the "expected height of a flood or, if that's not feasible, by building in a safer location." They must be built by factoring in risks today and in the future. The buildings that FEMA funds include public spaces such as libraries as well as police stations, hospitals, bridges, and sewage treatment plants. The news comes as the cost of flood damage is projected to rise, according to Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Berginnis believes damage from floods will reach $40 billion of average yearly losses within this decade. "We're on this trajectory of losses doubling every decade, which should be scary as hell. We can't ignore this problem anymore," Berginnis told the Times. According to the Navigating Impact Project, floods comprised about 44% of all natural disasters between 1970 and 2019. They also caused about 45% of reported natural disaster deaths and 74% of financial losses. While creating buildings resilient to flooding can have a higher cost upfront, it can save money in the long run. Many buildings can get flooded multiple times. The National Flood Insurance Program has the data to prove this, showing that more than 44,000 buildings have often experienced flood damage. Thirty buildings have also been flooded at least 30 times. On a call, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell explained to reporters why the new rules are significant. "We are going to be able to put a stop to the cycle of response and recovery, and rinse and repeat," Criswell said, per the Times. Rules such as FEMA's are an essential part of making our communities more resilient to natural disasters, which have generally become more severe and frequent as global temperatures have warmed. Sea levels have risen as a result, too, making coastal communities more vulnerable to flooding. The government can work slowly at times, as the Times noted. For example, FEMA first proposed the aforementioned rules in 2016, when Barack Obama was president, but got pushback from homebuilders who said the costs would be too high. The organization withdrew its proposal during Donald Trump's presidency, but current President Joe Biden asked FEMA to implement rules to protect buildings from flooding. "The Biden-Harris Administration is taking action to address these heightened risks by getting this new standard over the finish line," Criswell said in a news release. Using your voice whether in the voting booth or to support local climate initiatives or conservation organizations can make an impactful difference in the future resiliency of our communities. 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 state grand jury, as part of a nine-month investigation, used its subpoena power Wednesday to issue a demand that Beaufort County leaders turn over financial records related to possible purchasing, procurement and contract wrongdoing. The subpoenas include demands for: Purchasing card documentation related to expenses paid for by county employees. Documents related to spending under former administrator Eric Greenway. Documents related to a contract for construction work at a controversial Port Royal park. The focus of the investigation Beaufort Countys purchasing cards: The cards continue to be a focus since the departure of Greenway. An internal audit, commissioned from Greenville-based law firm Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd, found laxity within Beaufort County government that resulted in flagrant violations of the procurement code. The firm described the countys P-card purchases since 2019 as excessive, personal, frivolous, not business driven and often in violation of the countys P-card manual. Former Administrator Greenway: In the wake of his departure, questions about various vendor agreements came under scrutiny, including a purchase order for nearly $36,000 in weighted blankets from a company owned by countys deputy administrators husband and a contract with an opioid consulting firm, Elementzal. Bruce Edgerly Park project: Earlier reporting revealed the parks $800,000 playground equipment was purchased and installed without the councils approval. It is known that on Feb. 13, 2023, the council approved Nix Construction, the sole bidder, to construct restrooms for the park at a cost to the county of $349,500, bringing the total cost of the Port Royal park project at over a million dollars. Why was a grand jury involved? In November, the 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone requested that Attorney General Alan Wilson impanel the state grand jury for the investigation into former County Administrator Eric Greenways alleged misconduct. Because grand jury proceedings are highly secretive, theres been little word about the investigation since Wilson announced he would take over the case. Stone said he requested the grand jury to counter the lack of cooperation from the county. The grand jury has the authority to do a summary investigation, subpoena documents, and compel testimony, he said. This power can be helpful in investigations involving potential public corruption, Stone said in a statement provided to the media in November. The states 16 circuit solicitors do not have direct access to an investigative grand jury. That is why I have asked the attorney general to impanel these at the state level. The countys own investigation In the months following Greenways termination, the Beaufort County Council commissioned a spending audit from the Greenville law firm Haynesworth Sinker Boyd. Initially, HSB presented only an oral report at a council meeting. The council then offered to create a written summary of HSBs findings to release to the public. HSB bristled at having its audit summarized by the county leaders and subsequently delivered a 30-plus page written summary of their findings to the council in June. That summary sat under lock and key under the interim administrators control despite frequent requests from the sheriff for a copy. One of the key finding in the written report from HSB was the conclusion that No evidence of criminal activity occurred. This was vexing to both Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner and Stone. A month ago, Tanner questioned if the consultant, with expertise in civil and municipal law, was qualified to determine if local, state or federal crimes were committed. He pointed to the mysterious purchase order of the $36,000 of weighted blankets, Tanner asked: How can you suggest theres no wrongdoing, when you know good and well there is. After what appeared as stalling tactics and dubious questions about the required number of votes needed to approve, the council voted unanimously Monday to release a copy of the HSB report to state and local law enforcement agencies for review. As of Thursday, both Tanner and Stone have access to the report and are evaluating its content. Frank Baker wanted to honor his friends and spread awareness of one of the 20th centurys greatest tragedies when he wrote the graphic novel We Survived the Holocaust. He hoped telling the story of Columbia Holocaust survivors Bluma and Felix Goldberg in this format a combination of words and illustrations that resembles a longer, bound comic book would engage young people he fears are unaware of the specifics or the scale of the Nazis murder of 6 million Jews during World War II. But those graphic details have led the Columbia-based authors book to be blocked from some classrooms in one Midlands school district. Baker said he was told Lexington 1 would not provide copies of the book to its middle schools, and asked the author not to fulfill any requests for the book from teachers below the high school level, something that left the author confused. The Holocaust involved much more graphic images and photographs than what weve illustrated in our book, Baker said. Lexington 1 said in a statement that the book will not be used as supplemental material in fifth and sixth grade classes this school year, in line with recently passed State Board of Education guidelines for evaluating material for classroom instruction and using guidance from Holocaust educator organizations. South Carolina education standards begin teaching the Holocaust in fifth grade. The book will remain available in school libraries, the district said. Baker got the idea years ago when Felix Goldberg gave a talk at Tree of Life synagogue on Yom HaShoah, the annual remembrance of the Holocaust, about his experiences during the war. After the emotional presentation, Goldberg walked up to Baker, who he knew had a background in education. And he hands me the speech and says in his Polish accent, Frankie, do something with this, Baker said. That something became the 156-page novel published by Imagine and Wonder, which Baker has since worked to get into as many schools as he can, in South Carolina and beyond. The evidence is clear that many young people are ignorant of the Holocaust, he said. Social studies teachers have told him they dont have time to adequately cover the event in class. Instead, he fears young people will get their information from a social media environment where antisemitism and Holocaust denial often go unchallenged and they wont know enough about the subject to see why such misinformation is wrong. I know a university professor who wrote their own graphic novel, and they said, I think this would make a great story, Baker said. I was offered a contract, got it illustrated, and now theres a book, theres a website. He went to the state conference of school librarians starting in 2022, offering the book for school shelves and telling educators how it could fit into their lesson plans. Made the situation worse: SCs school librarians scrambling after state dumps group One of the school districts that reached out about Bakers book was Lexington 1. Social studies coordinator Elizabeth King contacted Baker about reviewing his books for use in the central Lexington County district. But the school district came back with some concerns about which students should be reading the Goldbergs story. Upon review of the text, we feel the book would be appropriate for high school learners because of some of the more graphic images (i.e. firearm pointed at a persons head), King wrote in an email to Baker. If you receive any requests from Lexington One teachers who teach grade levels that are not at the high school level, please disregard their request. An image from the graphic novel We Survived the Holocaust, which has been restricted from being used in certain classrooms in the Lexington 1 school district. Baker said it was the first time he had received pushback from a South Carolina school about using the book at any grade level. He was particularly concerned because he knew teachers and librarians at Lexington 1 schools had gotten copies of the book previously, and worried they would no longer be allowed to make them available to students. I was shocked that she would say this book about the Holocaust has graphic images, he said. I think the themes are extremely relevant to a middle school student. ... As someone said to me, theyre seeing worse things in the video games they play. Teachers are now more selective What materials teachers use in classrooms or make available in school libraries has become a political lightning rod in recent years as some parents have objected to books about racial or sexual identity. In 2022, Lexington 1 was sued by the conservative S.C. House Freedom Caucus over allegations it was teaching critical race theory-derived ideas in violation of a state law broadly prohibiting such concepts in public schools. The school district ultimately settled the suit after it cost local taxpayers $60,000. Teachers are now more selective about the resources they choose to use, as are school districts, that are potentially in school libraries, said Scott Auspelmyer, executive director of the nonprofit S.C. Council on the Holocaust, which provides resources to educators. All of this is a part of a new reality compared to 10, 15, 20 years ago. Lexington 1 cited the guidance issued by the S.C. Council on the Holocaust in making its evaluation of We Survived the Holocaust. Auspelmyers group was founded in part because the Holocaust is a part of the state standard for South Carolina students. But he knows the material used for such a sensitive topic and the age at which students are introduced to it can produce a minefield, and there are often debates about how best to approach it, even among educators. There are a host of factors that go into what books are appropriate for certain grade levels, Auspelmyer said. Teachers come to me and say, Is this a good book? Is it a good one for this grade level? and then they might go to their school to get approval. And then other schools say, No, we have this whole process to evaluate books and determine whether theyre a good fit. It can vary widely by district and even between schools within a district. An image from the graphic novel We Survived the Holocaust, which has been restricted from being used in certain classrooms in the Lexington 1 school district. The story in Bakers book is personal for Henry Goldberg, one of three Goldberg children who grew up hearing about their parents Holocaust experience. He said the family was always supportive of Bakers efforts, even if his parents didnt live to see the book come out, particularly because he knew they wanted future generations to remember their story. I think its appropriate, Goldberg, of Columbia, said of the book. We coddle our kids too much. Theres too much ignorance about World War II and the Holocaust, because its passed over too lightly and not mentioned enough. By middle school, I think theyre old enough to comprehend it. When he was growing up, Goldberg didnt have the option to be shielded from the effects of the Holocaust. I heard my dad screaming at night from the nightmares, he said. I remember knowing about this when I was much younger (than middle school), and I made it without permanent scarring. He remembers his parents as always being willing to share what had happened to them, even when their children were younger. At a young age, they answered every question we had, Goldberg said. And we didnt have too many. I knew my dad had a tattoo and that terrible things happened. Until (the movie) Schindlers List, then its like it was OK to talk about it. Caution over being too graphic Auspelmyer, of the S.C. Council on the Holocaust, said there has been a change over the years in how graphic educators feel they should be in what they show students about the Holocaust. In the 90s, after Schindlers List, it was much more common to turn out images that would shock students, he said. Now its not appropriate to go that route, just because being so graphically disturbing may actually traumatize some students. Henry Goldberg can understand being reluctant to discuss something so painful. He remembers an aunt who was never as forthcoming about her own Holocaust experience with her own children. She wouldnt talk about it at all, he said. She worried her children would think she did something wrong to become a prisoner. While Baker said he wouldnt provide books to any Lexington 1 schools that the district didnt want him to, he still believes the book will be a useful tool for the teachers and students who do use it. He hears as much from the teachers at the conferences he attends with copies of the book. They teach Anne Frank, but a lot of them are seeking something different, and this is local, he said. Its a South Carolina couple. We Survived the Holocaust is available at both online and retail booksellers. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) New details are being released about a domestic violence incident that has left an entire neighborhood on edge. In Preble County, David A. Daniels is being charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing the mother of his child several times. A 911 call brought authorities to a home on Parrish Drive in Gratis on Monday morning. There, deputies found a woman stabbed several times in her chest and upper neck. She was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital with critical injuries. Homeland Security seeks individuals impacted by alleged case Neighbors in the area say they are terrified after the incident, and many were not interested in speaking on-camera. The history, the neighbors are kind of aware of the volatility at that address and whats going on, said Sheriff Michael Simpson. The Preble County Sheriffs office says they later arrested the man responsible, who they say lives with the victim and shares children with her. David Daniels is a convicted felon with seven prior domestic violence convictions. He now faces several charges including attempted murder, felonious assault and domestic violence. These charges will be presented in front of the Grand Jury, who will determine if and how Daniels will be indicted. Simpson says these incidents of extreme violence are rare in the county. To get to the point where someone is choosing to, you know, stab someone, you know, we dont have a lot of that out here, said Simpson. Sheriff Simpson says he is grateful law enforcement arrived before the situation escalated further. At last check, that victim is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. She is listed in serious condition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Theres a new place in town where hungry people can get free refrigerated and frozen food any time of day. The non-profit Good Neighbors New York is launching our areas first community fridge at Memorial Park Baptist Church in Vestal. Good Neighbors started in Florida in 2020, and Director Krista Bunzey of Vestal founded the New York chapter three years ago. The volunteer organization does food recovery by picking up unsold, surplus food from grocery stores and restaurants. It then distributes the food to community pantries, senior housing complexes and other non-profits. Bunzey says Good Neighbors delivers 40,000 pounds of free food to hungry people each month. Our partnerships with pantries and other places that receive our food has dramatically grown to about 50 partnerships with different pantries, organizations that do receive our food as well, said Bunzey. Good Neighbors has been using Memorial Park Baptist Church as its headquarters and storage facility for sometime. Together, they host a monthly food giveaway where participants shop their food aisles like a grocery store. Reverend Steve Reynolds is a retired pastor and member of the church. He says feeding those in need is a perfect expression of Gods love. Meeting people and getting to know them a little bit and sometimes even praying for them. They often will come in with some needs and so forth and we have a chance just to talk to them, said Reynolds. Good Neighbors already has five community pantry kiosks with non-perishable foods available in Broome County, sort of like the Little Free Libraries. But they wanted to offer refrigerated and frozen items as well. So, someone donated the refrigerator, and the church is paying for the electricity. Bunzey says anyone is welcome to take what they need, no questions asked, 24/7. Others are encouraged to donate their unneeded food. The group is officially launching the Community Fridge with an event tomorrow morning at 9. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, go to GoodNeighborsNY.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 WIVT - News 34. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's military said on Friday that it had killed five terrorists and injured three others in three different operations in the country's southwest Balochistan province. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said in a statement that the personnel of security forces conducted three intelligence-based operations on Thursday night in the Kech, Panjgur and Zhob districts of the province. The operations led to an intense exchange of fire, killing the terrorists, said the military. The ISPR added that the Thursday night operations are part of the ongoing military campaign against terrorists who attacked innocent civilians in Balochistan on August 26, killing over 50 persons in different overnight attacks. "The security forces are conducting extensive operations to hunt down the perpetrators of these heinous acts," said the ISPR, adding that clearance operations will continue until all perpetrators, facilitators and abetters of these atrocious acts are brought to justice. The ISPR added that the security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan. FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) The second Women in Commerce luncheon was held Thursday at the Florence Center. The sold-out event hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce featured mocktails, networking and special hospitality visits, according to the chambers Facebook page. Julie Janson (right). Photos by Phillip Guyton. Photos by Phillip Guyton. Keynote speaker Julie Janson, executive vice president and chief executive officer for Duke Energy Carolinas, led a discussion on womens career growth. Other notable attendees included the president and CEO of McLeod Health, Donna Isgett, and South Carolina native Marva Smalls, executive vice president of public affairs and chief of staff for Nickelodeon. The program was sponsored by Duke Energy with support from McLeod Health and MUSC of Florence. For more information and photos from the event, 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. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. The Greene County Commission is offering its recommendation to the Missouri Department of Transportation against the expansion of James River Freeway. Update: Springfield stolen statue found The idea would extend the freeway towards the airport and then loop up into northern Springfield and also across Highways 13 and 65 and into Fair Grove. On Tuesday, the Greene County Commission wrote a letter to the Ozarks Transportation Organization requesting a proposed James River Freeway expansion be removed from MoDOTs list of high-priority needs. I think its important to look at our county as a whole and understand the number of farmers and ranchers historical sites located and the direct path of where the expansion would be. Marcy Greenwade is one of the main opponents of the proposal. She says that the group, Opponents of James River Freeway North, has rallied concerned landowners together. I believe almost 500 individuals have signed a petition on our website calling on our state and local representatives to oppose any attempt to build a highway through northwest Greene County, said Greenwade. Amy Westermann also lives in the impacted region. You know, not every square inch of this county has to be developed in an urban-like setting. It is okay to keep things rural, said Westermann. She says this letter is a win for a lot of farmers in the area. Presiding commissioner Dixon, commissioner MacLachlan, commissioner Russell, they listened to their constituents, Westermann said. Their decision, as we understand it, is essentially to revoke support for this study for a proposed highway through that formal letter to MoDOT. You know, we think that demonstrates they care about the farmers, ranchers and residents in this rural part of northwestern Greene County. This is only a recommendation from the county, the project is a proposal by the state, which has the final say-so in moving forward with the study. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I grew up in Barcelona and live in the US. I'd love to go home, but tourism is making life unbearable for locals. I really enjoyed growing up in Barcelona but moved away 10 years ago. I'd love to return to my home city, but the cost of living and many tourists make it difficult. There have been signs of change, but I still feel Barcelona prioritizes visitors over residents. I loved growing up in Barcelona. There's nothing like the shimmering Mediterranean Sea at the foot of the Collserola mountain range, its monuments celebrating Spanish and Catalan culture, the festivals steeped in centuries of tradition, and even its scars of the 1936 Civil War bullet holes in walls and alleyways that stand eerily at chest height. From an early age, it was a playground for my friends and me, made accessible by a robust public transportation system and a low cost of living. Yet, in all my memories of beautiful parks and Gaudi-esque architecture soaked in near-eternal sunshine, I cannot remember the first time I saw the all-too-common graffiti that I see now: "Tourists go home." I moved out of Barcelona about 10 years ago, partly because of tourism's impact on locals. Now, at 27, my parents and grandmother are aging, and I'm thinking of moving back. But the choice isn't easy, especially when it feels like Barcelona prioritizes visitors over residents. Tourism has been booming for decades, but Barcelona has become too reliant on it Spain is a popular tourist destination. JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images Barcelona is a major tourism destination year-round, and it has been for a while. According to the Barcelona Tourism Observatory, the city received 15.6 million tourists alone last year. Tourism accounts for about 15% of the city's economy, which is bad news for the many locals who aren't reaping the benefits of having millions of visitors in their home. Sure, tourism brings more jobs to Barcelona but even if that was a career path I wanted to pursue, many of them aren't built to support the actual cost of living in the city. Research published in Paradigm Academic Press in July found that the majority of new jobs in Barcelona's hospitality industry were only part time, and the average monthly wage in this sector is 1,200 euros or $1,327 300 euros less than the city's average wage. Meanwhile, Spanish newspaper El Pais, citing official data, reported that the average monthly rent in Barcelona in the third quarter of 2023 was about 1,171 euros or $1,295. But housing has become an issue for workers across industries. Spain's housing crisis worsened by many homes becoming Airbnbs means it's hard to find an affordable place to live. It's one of my concerns when I think of returning to Barcelona. Many of my friends must live with their parents well into their 30s because they're struggling to afford to rent an apartment with roommates. Some residents are also forced to split another limited essential resource: water. In recent years, Barcelona and the greater Catalonia region have experienced and been vulnerable to droughts. Water rationing is becoming a new reality for many residents, who are expected to keep their resource usage low and limited while hoping globetrotting guests do the same. It's hard to imagine moving back to a place where residents' basic necessities are often sacrificed for a single industry. Recent protests show how much urgent change is needed and why I'm not sure I'm ready to go back Some Barcelona protesters are pushing back against the city's overtourism. SOPA Images/Getty Images Last month, friends sent me videos of the viral anti-tourism protesters squirting water pistols at tourists. The protesters echoed a sentiment shared by many residents: We need fewer tourists, especially in already overcrowded areas. Local politicians have taken some actions, like limiting the number of hotel beds allowed in Barcelona and raising the cruise tourist tax for those who spend less than 12 hours in the city. Barcelona City Hall took action against short-term rentals like Airbnb when it announced it would not renew licenses allowing people to rent their apartments to tourists after they expire in 2028. This is partly to help residents deal with rising rent and real-estate costs. But we need faster changes and more sustainable tourism, which starts with less tourism overall. I hope people can come and enjoy the beauty of my home city, but I want them to realize their impact and rise to the challenge of being a tourist in a city that is loved by too many. Maybe it starts with tourists prioritizing small businesses during their trips or visiting lesser-known spots in the city instead of areas that are already overwhelmed. As for myself, I'm hoping that residents' desire to reimagine Barcelona as it was not a tourist destination or the backdrop of an Instagram photo, but as a living city shapes the city's policies going forward. Perhaps it'll lead to positive changes like more affordable housing and stable employment opportunities so I can finally book a one-way ticket home. Read the original article on Business Insider A new lawsuit challenges a 2021 Texas law that restricts state business with entities seen as unfriendly to fossil fuels. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune A progressive business group sued Texas on Thursday over a 2021 law that restricts state investments in companies that, according to the state, boycott the fossil fuel industry. The American Sustainable Business Coalition filed suit against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Comptroller Glenn Hegar, alleging that the law, Senate Bill 13, constitutes viewpoint discrimination and denies companies due process, in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The group asked a federal judge in Austin to declare the statute unconstitutional and permanently block the state from enforcing it. Texas has long presented itself as a business-friendly state where limited state regulation facilitates the ability of businesses to conduct themselves as they see fit, lawyers for the group wrote. Yet in 2021, the Legislature passed SB 13 to coerce and punish businesses that have articulated, publicized, or achieved goals to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Known as the anti-ESG law which stands for environmental, social and governance SB 13 requires state entities, including state pension funds and the enormous K-12 school endowment, to divest from companies that have reduced or cut ties with the oil and gas sector and that Texas officials deem antagonistic to the fossil fuel industry. In approving the legislation, Republican officials looked to protect Texas oil and gas companies and to bite back at Wall Street investors pulling financial support from the industry in an effort to incorporate climate risk into their investments and respond to pressure to divest from fossil fuels, which play an outsized role in accelerating the climate crisis. In March, Texas Permanent School Fund, Austin, cut ties with BlackRock, which managed roughly $8.5 billion of the $52.3 billion endowment and which was listed by Texas as one of the companies that should not handle state business. The statute defines boycott as, without an ordinary business purpose, refusing to deal with, terminating business activities with, or otherwise taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with a fossil fuel company. It also prohibits state agencies from doing business with a firm unless it affirms that it does not boycott energy companies. And it charges the state comptroller with preparing and maintaining a blacklist of companies based on publicly available information and written verification from the company. In a statement, Hegar, the comptroller, 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. This left-wing group suing Texas, he said, is hiding their true intent: to force companies to follow a radical environmental agenda that is often contrary to the interests of their shareholders and to punish those companies that do not fall into lockstep and put politics above earnings. Paxtons office did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Texas has blacklisted more than 370 investment firms and funds, including BlackRock and funds within major banks like Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. BlackRock, among other companies, pushed back on its designation as boycotting fossil fuels, calling the decision not a fact-based judgment and citing over $100 billion in investments in Texas energy companies. Elected and appointed public officials have a duty to act in the best interests of the people they serve, a BlackRock spokesperson said at the time. Politicizing state pension funds, restricting access to investments, and impacting the financial returns of retirees, is not consistent with that duty. In Thursdays suit, the American Sustainable Business Coalition argued that the physical and financial risks posed by climate change are a legitimate investment and business consideration and cause for efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The group said the Texas law was enacted to go after what Republican lawmakers saw as a burgeoning fossil fuel discrimination movement, and that it effectively infringes rights of free speech and association under a scheme of politicized viewpoint discrimination and allows Texas officials to punish companies they believe are insufficiently supportive of the fossil fuel industry. The group argued that the law penalizes companies for their energy policies and membership in certain business associations, and compels them to adopt positions that align with Texas officials as a condition of doing business with state entities. The suit also alleged that the law violates companies right to due process because vagueness in the statute encourages arbitrary enforcement and fails to provide blacklisted companies a fair process to contest their designation. Texas blacklisted the flagship investment funds of Etho Capital and Sphere, two climate-focused firms represented by the American Sustainable Business Coalition, according to the lawsuit. Among ASBCs many projects are efforts to encourage sustainable investing and sustainable business practices, the lawsuit reads. 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. 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! Seventeen Ukrainians deported from Russia are now stranded at the Russo-Georgian border because they lacked all the necessary documents. For nearly a month, they have been forced to live in a basement with bare walls at the Dariali checkpoint near Georgia's Upper Lars, unable to go outside as they await a resolution to their situation. Source: European Pravda, citing Russian media outlet Kholod (Cold) Details: Some members of the group are Ukrainians who served their sentences in Russian penal colonies, while others were deported for violating migration laws. Ukrainian citizen Oleksandr Shulhin, 31, reports that Georgia is refusing them entry because they lack their original passports and is awaiting confirmation of their identity from the Ukrainian authorities. Shulhin also noted that some members of the group are suffering from tuberculosis. Shulhin added that he holds only Ukrainian citizenship and has lived in Russia for the past 10 years. He was unexpectedly detained and ordered to be deported in January 2024 for violating migration laws, although he had no previous issues in this regard. Oleksandr says some other Ukrainians in the group have been there for about two months. A volunteer organisation periodically brings them food. A series of similar cases have been reported previously. Among them were deportees and convicts from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine whose sentences had expired. Support UP or become our patron! CLINTON, Miss. (WJTV) Gulf States Canners will expand its canning facility in Clinton. The project is a $40.8 million investment and will create 19 jobs, officials said. According to the company, Gulf States Canners has been a part of the Clinton business community since 1972, serving as a local producer of canned and bottled products for Coca-Cola bottlers. They said the expansion and modernization project includes modifying the existing facility to increase efficiency and capacity and adding a new PET bottle production line for Coca-Cola sparkling products and Dasani water bottles. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Gulf States Canners history and underlines our long-term commitment to the Clinton community and our employees. By modernizing our facility and adding a new production line, we are not only increasing our operational efficiency but also creating new job opportunities that will greatly benefit the local economy, said Mark Shorter, general manager of Gulf States Canners, Inc. Clinton residents oppose new development The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. AccelerateMS, the city of Clinton and the Hinds County Board of Supervisors also assisting with the project. I am excited about the investments, job growth in our community and increased production. The employees of Gulf State Canners are a wonderful asset to our community, and the city of Clinton is always honored to assist their efforts of growth and profitability, said Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher. Gulf States Canners expects to complete the expansion within a year and plans to fill the new jobs within two years. The company currently employs 88 workers at its Clinton facility. 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. Thats my dad. Thats MY DAD! a visibly emotional Gus Walz exclaimed, with tears in his eyes, at the Democratic National Convention. It is rare to see this kind of wholesome love and admiration, especially in a public setting, from a teenager toward their parent. For most Americans, this was their first introduction to Gus, the neurodivergent son of Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz. In a People interview published during the convention, Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, described Gus specific type of neurodivergence. They noted that he has been diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and anxiety. The public reactions to Gus display of emotion were mixed. There were negative responses like that of conservative pundit Ann Coulter, who posted, Talk about weird in a now-deleted post on the social platform X. Others initially mocked Gus, a male teenager, for crying, but then apologized when they learned he was neurodivergent. But there were also positive responses, such as that of former first lady Michelle Obama, who posted on Instagram: I was touched to see Gus Walzs joy when his dad @TimWalz took the stage last night. Thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus. Some of the positive response came from other families with neurodivergent members who saw themselves represented in that moment. As a researcher of applied behavior analysis and disability studies, I see this moment as an opportunity, particularly for people whose brain functions, behaviors and processing are considered standard or typical by much of society to learn how to better understand and support neurodiversity. The breadth of neurodiversity Neurodiversity in and of itself is simply a biological fact. No two brains work in exactly the same way, and there are a range of brain and behavioral differences that lead to human variation, similar to race or sexual orientation. Neurodivergent is a term used to describe people whose brains differ in the way they develop and function. Neurodiverse people may be diagnosed with any number of related conditions such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Research suggests that 15% to 20% of the U.S. population is neurodivergent, and this is likely an underrepresented number. Thats potentially 1 in 5 people. When it comes to neurodevelopmental disorders, there are many co-occurring conditions. You can think of various diagnoses as being on a spectrum with other diagnoses. For example, anxiety and depression often have overlapping symptoms or can be thought of as a spectrum of one mental health condition. Neurodevelopmental disabilities such as nonverbal learning disorder often exist alongside anxiety and ADHD. What the DSM has to say In order to learn more about neurodivergencies like nonverbal learning disorder, ADHD and anxiety, you might think a mental health professional like myself would recommend turning to the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the gold standard reference for the mental health field. However, I dont recommend this, for two reasons. First, nonverbal learning disorder is a broad category that is not actually in the DSM-5. Researchers describe it as a developmental visual-spatial disorder, discovered in 1967. Its symptoms overlap with many other diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, specific learning disorders and ADHD. Second, the standard criteria for most of these diagnoses are created entirely by professionals who may not themselves know what the experience is like. Traditionally, the medical and psychological understanding of neurodivergence characterizes these differences as deficits that must be treated or cured. Maybe Gus experienced some of these symptoms at the DNC, maybe not. This type of response from society, in which a difference is characterized as a deficit, has led to societal oppression by forcing the neurodivergent person to change their behaviors to align with neurotypical behaviors. This attitude that any difference from the perceived societal norm should be shamed or mocked persists in our society to this day, as evidenced by posts on X like Coulters. Unfortunately, those views have become deep-seated in society due to the medical model of disability, which suggests that neurodivergent people should learn how to fit in rather than the rest of society creating more inclusive communities. Shifting the paradigm While the DSM can provide information about the symptoms of neurodivergence, I believe its important to go beyond this sort of textbook information, which treats neurodivergence as a deficit, and learn from the lived experiences of neurodivergent people. Neurodivergencies, like autism or ADHD, can be better understood by directly speaking to neurodivergent people so that society and therapists alike can understand their desires and support needs, rather than projecting neurotypical norms on them. This approach led me to co-author a book, Understanding the Lived Experiences of Autistic Adults, with Adam Paul Valerius, an autistic adult and advocate in California. My conversations with Valerius over two years taught me more about autism than 10 years of studying psychology, and we now often collaborate and present at professional conferences together. The Walz family demonstrated on a global stage that while there may be obstacles related to neurodivergence, there are also great strengths. Just as neurotypical people have the autonomy to choose which of their challenges to seek support for and how to receive this support, research shows that neurodivergent voices should be central in determining which supports and solutions best fit their needs. This paradigm shift moves away from a medical, or deficit, model of disability into what is called the social model of disability. This outlook centers the voices of disabled people and understands disability as being influenced by societal and cultural expectations. The social model puts the responses to Gus show of emotion at the DNC in a new light. It makes space to explore questions like, why was it acceptable to make fun of a teenage boy for showing emotion, but not acceptable once they found out that person is neurodivergent? Resources for learning more In the classes I teach at the University of Southern California, I ask my students to read one book from a list of about 50 autobiographies by neurodivergent authors. I also invite neurodivergent guest speakers to my classes to speak to the students about their hopes, dreams and challenges. We study the history of disabilities in America, their various diagnostic criteria and how support plans are largely influenced by the societal and cultural understandings of neurodiversity and disability during that time period. The mocking and shaming responses to Gus Walzs show of emotion at the DNC demonstrate that society still has a long way to go in both understanding and accepting neurodivergent behaviors. The good news is its now easier than ever to learn. You dont have to be a clinician or student to work on better understanding the experiences of neurodivergent people. There are many blogs, YouTube channels, social media sites and autistic autobiographies where you can learn directly from a neurodivergent person. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sneha Kohli Mathur, University of Southern California. Read more: Sneha Kohli Mathur 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. RUSHVILLE, N.Y. (WROC) A district in Rushville started its new semester Thursday with a special surprise for one of its staff after her quick thinking saved a young student. A standing ovation and thunderous applause ended the Marcus Whitman Central School Districts opening day assembly. Teachers Aide Wendy Boyer received New Yorks highest civilian honorthe Liberty Medal. I had no idea! This is like a complete surprise to me, Boyer said. She was helping out in the Middlesex Valley Primary School cafeteria back in May when one of the kids in her special education class started choking. Boyer said in that moment, her past experience as a nurse just kicked in. I checked on him, and he was not, you know, able to speak or anything, so we just did the Heimlich maneuver, she said. Everybody was grateful and, you know, just saying good job and everythingand that was plentybut this is like awesome. Friends and acquaintances called her a true protector during a ceremony. State Senator Pamela Helming presented the award to Boyer after the entire state senate voted to praise her for her decisive actionwhich they said prevented a tragedy. Boyer said, shes just glad her student recovered well and hopes this inspires others to learn first aid. Its something that you want to have so that you can feel confident with your family, with your friends, where you work, because something can happen, and I was just glad that this had a good outcome. To learn more about the NYS Liberty Medal, 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 RochesterFirst. Donald Trumps lawyers dont necessarily believe, deep down in their hearts, that his New York felony conviction for fraudulently covering up hush payments to an adult film star is really a matter of official, presidential business one that demands the federal courts intervene to uphold the balanced power structure of our Republic. But what they know is that making the argument could at least delay the former presidents sentencing in the case, currently scheduled for Sept. 18. In a 64-page document filed with a U.S. district court Thursday evening, attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove argue, not for the first time, that Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein should take over the case and bring a halt to the state proceedings, which if allowed to continue will cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump, who they describe as the leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election (Vice President Kamala Harris presently enjoys a 3.4% lead in the national race, according to 538s polling average). As The New York Times noted, Hellerstein rejected a similar argument from Trumps lawyers last year, made after Trump was indicted. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts, he ruled. Now, though, Trump is armed with a ruling from the Supreme Courts right-wing majority asserting that the former president enjoys presumptive immunity for official acts; his lawyers argue that means his 34 felony convictions should be thrown out because prosecutors presented evidence from meetings that took place just after Trump entered the White House. This is a Hail Mary by Trumps team that will likely fail, Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said of the latest filing on social media. Trump is just trying to push off the criminal sentencing. Again, the short-term aim with this filing is not to persuade, although that would certainly be welcome, but to postpone. Indeed, Blanche and Bove close their request for the court to take over the case by also asking it to confirm that New York Judge Juan Merchan may not sentence President Trump during litigation over this removal [to federal court]. Trumps legal team is also asking Judge Merchan to delay the former presidents sentencing, which was originally scheduled for July, until after the election (Merchan will also rule on whether to set the verdict aside, in light of the immunity ruling, on Sept. 16). If Trump wins, the argument can then be that no state has the authority to imprison a sitting president. Lisa Rubin, a legal correspondent with MSNBC, noted that Trumps latest filing reads like a bid to prevent any sentencing hearing from going forward. That assessment is based not as much on the content of the filing as the timing: just over two weeks before the sentencing hearing, but nearly two months after the Supreme Court immunity ruling that it cites. According to Rubin, the filing could well be rejected without so much as a hearing because of a glaring omission within: it asks the court to suspend Trumps sentencing while the argument is litigated, but fails to note the legal requirement for that to happen that the Republican candidates lawyers must have first requested and obtained an order from a federal court granting them permission to file [this] late notice. My guess is that Hellerstein could reject [this] removal notice on that basis alone, Rubin wrote. As for the substance: even if it was timely, argued Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney who teaches law at the University of Alabama, its absurd to believe a debt Trump incurred while campaigning becomes presidential business if he discussed it or tweeted about it once in the {White House]. That, she said, is not how it works. Prior to July 2024, however, most legal experts also thought it unlikely that a president would, in the eyes of the Supreme Court, effectively stand above the law and be immune from criminal prosecution for nearly anything tangentially related to their official duties; that notion, after all, is nowhere to be found in a U.S. Constitution drafted by people who, for all their faults, were opposed to the idea of a monarch. The Trump legal team may not convince Judge Hellerstein, but the ultimate arbiter of whether Trump can be sentenced and served up to four years in prison may well prove to be six conservative justices on the nations highest court. Hall County man honored by first responders for help during February arson investigation A Hall County man was honored by members of the countys Fire Marshals Office, Hall County Fire Rescue and the Hall County Sheriffs Office for assistance during a February arson arrest. According to Hall County Fire Rescue, Jordan Castillo was coming home from work when he saw a man leave a house on fire. The department said he called 911 and recorded what he saw on his phone. What he saw, and was able to describe to officials, including his accurate description of the suspect and his recording of the incident, helped investigators arrest the suspect the same day. In response to his quick actions, the Hall County Fire Marshals Office nominated Castillo for a reward from Georgia Arson Control, which he received last week. Officials said Castillo was unaware that he was nominated. Without Castillos witness statement, video, and timeline of events, there would not have been a conviction. On behalf of Hall County Fire Rescue, we would like to thank Jordan Castillo for his compassion for others and their property and for his vital involvement in this important case, HCFR said in a statement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: SYDNEY, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A teenager has died by suicide at a youth detention center in Western Australia (WA), marking the second time a child in the system has taken their own life in less than a year. Roger Cook, the premier of WA, on Friday confirmed that a 17-year-old Aboriginal boy was found unresponsive by staff in a cell at the Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre in the southern suburbs of the state capital of Perth on Thursday night. Paramedics were called to the facility at approximately 10 p.m. local time but were unable to revive the teenager, who had arrived at the center two days earlier. Cook described the teenager's death as distressing and a traumatic event. "An internal investigation is now underway, and police are preparing a report for the coroner," he said at a press conference. "A failure has occurred, but we'll continue to make sure we do everything we can to improve the lives of people, not only those who work at the facility, but those who are at the facility," Cook said. It comes after 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd, in October 2023, became the first person to die in WA's youth detention system in recorded history. Dodd, who was Indigenous, was found unresponsive in his cell on October 12 after self-harming and died eight days later in hospital. An ongoing inquiry into Dodd's death has heard that the 16-year-old made eight threats of self-harm and several requests for medical help before his death. Brad Royce, WA's corrective services commissioner, said on Friday that the 17-year-old who died at Banksia Hill was deemed a low self-harm risk and was placed in a general unit on Thursday with people he knew. "We know he was checked 10 times by my staff, and on the 11th occasion, just prior to 10 p.m., he was found unresponsive," Royce said. He said that all staff were wearing body cameras and that he was satisfied all their actions were appropriate. The new head of New Hampshire Fish and Game joins as the department is facing financial challenges. (Hadley Barndollar | New Hampshire Bulletin) New Hampshire will have a woman leading Fish and Game for the first time in the departments history. The state Executive Council on Friday unanimously confirmed Stephanie Simek of Olympia, Washington. Simek has 30 years of natural resource experience and has spent the past decade working in Washington state agencies. Gov. Chris Sununu nominated her for the position in July after she received the unanimous support of the Fish and Game Commission, which advises the department. Councilor Joseph D. Kenney, a Wakefield Republican, praised the unique set of talents Simek will bring to the department. Councilor Cinde Warmington, a Concord Democrat, noted the historic nature of her confirmation. Im very impressed with Stephanie, Warmington said, and I also want to acknowledge that shes the only woman in the state of New Hampshire to ever hold this position. Simek will take over the post from the current executive director, Scott Mason, who has led the department since 2020 and did not seek reappointment. The commission solicited applications from February to April. The position is a four-year appointment with a salary range of $95,153 to $132,619, according to the job posting. Simek will join the department at a time when it faces deep financial challenges. At a hearing earlier this month in front of the council, she was enthusiastic about the chance to lead. Im really trying to contain myself here, because Im trying to be very professional, but Im super excited about this opportunity, she said. I have worked my whole career preparing for a position of this caliber. Simek referenced her thorough education in the field: a bachelors in fisheries and wildlife from Virginia Tech, a masters degree in environmental and forest biology from State University of New York, and a doctorate in forest resources from Mississippi State University. The new job will add to a long list of roles Simek has held in the environmental sphere. I have worked as a field technician, a research scientist, a lead biologist, an environmental consultant, a mid-level manager, and an executive manager throughout my career, she said at the hearing. She is currently a regional manager at the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. She has experience, too, in paving the way in male-dominated roles; she said she was one of the first women in the nation to lead a statewide black bear management program. Simek said she was born in upstate New York near the southern foothills of the Adirondacks. Her father was a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, she said, which led her family to live all over the world. She said her mother is an entrepreneur. I attribute my ability to bring people together and to work with diverse communities to having been a child of a career military personnel member, Simek said. The ability to find common ground is a trait she highlighted to the council. She said she has dealt with very contentious issues, ranging from black bears damaging timber in commercial forests to beaver relocation efforts. Yes, she quipped, beavers can be very contentious. My philosophy is that common ground exists even in the most challenging situations, she said, highlighting her experience working with a variety of groups: nonprofits, tribal governments, park rangers, local law enforcement, landowners, and others. No agency is perfect, nor is any director, Simek said. I know this and understand it, but I am committed to the position that we must strive to be our best servants to the people or the resource. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The New Hampshire Supreme Court has upheld a school district policy protecting transgender students' right to privacy. The policy from the Manchester school district mandates that staff refer to students by their requested names and pronouns, and that personal information about their identities may not be shared with their guardians without the student's permission, also known as forced outing. A mother had previously filed a lawsuit against the district over the policy, claiming it infringed on her rights as a parent. The state's highest court ruled today that the mother's claim did not have merit, writing in its decision that the district's policy "places no limits on the plaintiffs ability to parent her child as she sees fit." "The Policy does not prevent parents from observing their childrens behavior, moods, and activities; talking to their children; providing religious or other education to their children; choosing where their children live and go to school; obtaining medical care and counseling for their children; monitoring their childrens communications on social media; choosing with whom their children may socialize; and deciding what their children may do in their free time," the ruling states. Local parent Heather Romeri and her son Nico, a high school student who is trans, wrote in support of the school's policy in a friend-of-the-court brief filed by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the ACLU of New Hampshire, which represented the district. Nico said at the time that "it was important for me to have the support of other people I could trust to help me feel ready to talk to my parents, especially people who could help make it easier for me to talk to my mom." Transgender students want the same opportunity to learn and be ourselves, just like any kid, without having to worry that adults at school will violate our trust," he said. "If someone had decided to tell my mom what they thought about my gender, it would have made things so much harder for me at school and at home. The court's decision was met with praise from the groups, with Henry Klementowicz, Deputy Legal Director at the ACLU of New Hampshire, saying in a statement "we are pleased with the courts decision to affirm what we already know, that students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and have a right to freely express who they are without the fear of being forcibly outed. Removing the Manchester School Districts existing, affirming policy would have created an environment where LGBTQ+ students dont feel safe being who they are and in school, they should feel safe, cared for, and able to learn to the best of their ability," he said. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally on Thursday in Savannah, Georgia. Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press In her first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris affirmed her support for fracking and a tough stance on border security, including consequences for people who cross the U.S. border without authorization. Harris spin on her past positions, however, were the newsiest parts of the interview. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, were interviewed Thursday night by CNNs Dana Bash, in what ended up being a relatively uneventful sit down with high stakes for the Democratic ticket. Donald Trump even called it BORING!!! on Truth Social. Bash asked the vice president what she would do on Day 1 as president, what she thought of Donald Trump questioning her racial identity, and how she learned that President Joe Biden was dropping out of the race and endorsing her to replace him. Bash also asked Walz about his past misstatements on his familys use of IVF and military service. Republicans had criticized Harris, who just came off a four-day nominating convention, for waiting so long to face the news media. The Democratic ticket cleared the bar for the interview, though, touching on her economic proposals and offering a few blistering critiques of Trump. Harris and Trump are scheduled to meet for their first debate Sept. 10. The left-wing positions Harris took as a presidential candidate in 2019, which her campaign has said she no longer holds, have already been the focus of scrutiny. Bash made sure to press Harris on those points. Bash asked Harris to confirm what her aides have already said: that she no longer supports banning the natural gas extraction method known as fracking. I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking, Harris responded, referencing her debate with then-Vice President Mike Pence once she was President Joe Bidens running mate. Asked to explain her change of heart, Harris did not go into details, but said simply she no longer sees fracking as incompatible with the countrys climate and renewable energy goals. What I have seen is that we can we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking, Harris said. Harris did not explicitly state whether she no longer believes unauthorized border crossings should be a civil, rather than criminal offense, but suggested she would treat unauthorized immigration as a violation of the law requiring punishment. I believe there should be consequences, Harris said. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences. And lets be clear, in this race, Im the only person who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations who traffic in guns, drugs and human beings, she added. Im the only person in this race who actually served a border state as attorney general to enforce our laws, and I would enforce our laws as president going forward. I recognize the problem. Republicans have for weeks hammered Harris over her changes of heart, calling her a flip-flopper and warning that she is a dangerously liberal candidate for the White House. Trump who has flip-flopped on several issues this year, including on abortion and banning TikTok mocked Harris for her policy shifts at a rally on Thursday. She probably goes back to her room and gets sick to her stomach when she says what she says, the former president told supporters in Michigan. Shes a Marxist, shes a fascist, and she never believed. Now shes saying, Oh, we want to build a strong border. Where has she been for 3 1/2 years? But Harris downplayed the new positions, telling CNN that her values had not changed. I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed, she added. Kamala Harris' presidential campaign said Friday it will launch a national bus tour highlighting reproductive rights and freedoms from Donald Trump's Palm Beach County backyard. The bus will depart Tuesday, Sept. 3, with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, CNN commentator Ana Navarro and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston. Also aboard will be Anya Cook, a Coral Springs resident who spoke at the Democratic National Convention about nearly losing her life as a result of Florida's ban. "At this stop and in cities across the country, reproductive rights storytellers, key surrogates, and elected and local officials are going to underscore the ongoing threat Donald Trump poses to reproductive freedom across the country, including threatening access to IVF," the campaign said in a statement. Trump indicates he will vote yes on Florida's Amendment 4, or maybe not The announcement came a day after Trump and his campaign struggled to explain the Republican White House nominee's position on a constitutional amendment that proponents say will secure abortion rights in his Florida home state. The amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot seeks to overturn legislation banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy that was passed by the GOP-dominated Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis into law. Anya Cook of Coral Springs, seen here with her husband, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 22, 2024. She will join a bus tour for the Kamala Harris campaign starting next week from Palm Beach County. On Thursday evening, Trump was asked by NBC News reporter Dasha Burns how he would vote on the measure known as Amendment 4. "I think the six weeks is too short. It has to be more time, and I've told them that I want more weeks," Trump answered. Burns then followed up the question saying "so you'll vote in favor of the amendment," to which Trump replied: "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." Democratic Party volunteers Linda Craparo, left, of Delray Beach, and friend Rose Marie Spadanuta cheer speakers addressing Kamala Harris volunteers Sunday July 28, 2024, in Delray Beach. Trump's comments put him at odds with DeSantis, the Legislature's GOP supermajorities and the conservative justices on the Florida Supreme Court that approved the six-week ban in April. Almost three hours later, Trump's campaign attempted to clarify their candidate's comments. "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, Trump campaign national press secretary, said in a statement. That statement coupled with Trump's assertion that he would "be voting that we need more than six weeks" was unclear as a measure to extend the period of time in which abortions are permitted does not exist and is not on the November ballot. During remarks in Potterville, Michigan, Trump said "we want more babies" and pledged to U.S. taxpayers "your government" "will pay for" or "your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs" involved in individual IVF treatments. "I think the six week is too short, there has to be more time," former President Trump says how he'll vote on an abortion rights amendment in Florida. pic.twitter.com/rQAdPtW9i0 NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) August 29, 2024 Elections 2024: Poll has Kamala Harris topping Donald Trump. A convention bounce or continuing trend? Reproductive rights bus tour will visit 50 locations The Harris-Walz campaign did not specify which cities or states would be included in the route but did say there would be at least 50 stops in blue and red communities in support of reproductive rights and cutting across party lines. This election is about freedom and the American people want and deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions. Our campaign is hitting the road to meet voters in their communities, underscore the stakes of this election for reproductive freedom, and present them with the Harris-Walz tickets vision to move our country forward, which stands in stark contrast to Donald Trumps plans to drag us back," said Chavez Rodriguez in a statement. "As we crisscross the country, well be driving that contrast home to red and blue voters and independents. The campaign statement also slammed what it called Florida's "extreme" abortion ban. "This ban outlaws abortion before many women even know they are pregnant, and threatens physicians with prison time for providing essential reproductive care," the statement said. "Trump brags that he is 'proud' to be responsible for overturning Roe and, if given a second term, he and JD Vance would go further." Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach h im at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Harris to start reproductive rights bus tour from Trump backyard The 2024 presidential race may go down in history as one of the most difficult elections to analyze thanks to its many twists and turns. One notable challenge will be measuring the much-ballyhooed "convention bounce," whereby candidates' support in the polls sometimes increases following their party's intensely-watched formal gathering. Normally, a look at how the polls have changed a week or two after each party convention could give us a sense of whether or not the event gave its party a boost. But that's proving to be a lot trickier in 2024. Just think of the whirlwind for once not a term of exaggeration of political events in the past two months that we need to consider in how we read any changes in public opinion: Goodness gracious, great balls of fire that's been a lot for Americans to take in. Not only that, but the near-term overlap of many of these events has made it mostly impossible to isolate the effect that any one of them may have had on public opinion. For instance, any boost Trump enjoyed after the Republican convention may have also had to do with the attempt on his life two days before the convention or buzz generated by his selection of Vance as his running mate on the first day of the convention. Then, of course, Biden dropped out on July 21, meaning that polling of the race effectively reset like on an old Super Nintendo just three days after the Republican convention ended and blowing in the cartridge won't necessarily make it easier to interpret the images on screen. All this means that, while their situations clearly differ, Harris and Trump both have complicated stories when it comes to reading their post-convention position. Trump's share of the vote improved by a little over 1 point in the polls from the start of his convention through the day Biden dropped out. And while it's possible that trend may have continued had Biden stayed in the race, that campaign reset means we only had three days to directly gauge the polling impact of Trump's convention. Ultimately, Trump's standing in the polls has remained stagnant since then, and his small post-convention bump is now something of a historical footnote. For her part, on paper, Harris didn't really get a bounce: At the start of the Democratic convention on Aug. 19, she was polling a tad shy of 47 percent in 538's national average, and a week after the convention ended, she's sitting just above 47 percent a negligible change of around 0.5 points: Harris's lack of a bounce fits in with the recent trend of smaller-to-insignificant improvement for nominees after their conventions. Overall, candidates since 1968 have averaged about a 2-point increase in their polling vote share from the start of their convention to a week after its conclusion. But while 11 of 16 candidates from 1968 to 1996 saw at least a 2-point post-convention bump, only 5 in 14 since then could say the same. A more polarized electorate is a primary culprit for this trend, as fewer voters are up for grabs now than in the past, even in cases when voters are still getting to know candidates who haven't long been on the national stage. Yet the absence of a post-convention bounce for Harris doesn't mean she hasn't enjoyed a recent improvement in the polls. When 538 kicked off our polling average for the Harris-Trump matchup on July 24, Harris stood at about 45 percent, almost even with Trump's 44 percent. But by the time her convention kicked off on Aug. 19, Harris's standing had improved by roughly 2 percentage points to about 47 percent, while Trump's average continued to hover around 44 percent which is around where both of them sit in our most recent polling average as well. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris has a 3.4 point lead over former President Donald Trump in 538's presidential polling average. (538 Photo Illustration) Harris's polling growth likely happened because her campaign experienced many of the conditions that typically accompany a national convention in the weeks before the actual party gathering. After all, the hullabaloo over Biden's withdrawal, Harris's candidacy and her selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a running mate provided much of the same wall-to-wall coverage and energizing of the party base that a modern convention aims to generate. All these developments on the Democratic side of the ticket might additionally have diminished any burgeoning bounce that Trump may have been starting to see creating a situation akin to holding the Democratic convention immediately after the GOP event instead of a month later. Considering the rampant attention paid to the campaign fireworks of late July and early August, it's not surprising Harris got a bounce ahead of her convention. A big part of that story is the sizable shift in how Americans perceive Harris now that they are becoming more familiar with her as a political entity separate from her role as Biden's vice president. On July 21, 38 percent of Americans held a favorable view of Harris in 538's average, while 52 percent held an unfavorable view. But as of Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. Eastern, opinions of Harris were almost evenly split, with 46 percent holding a favorable view and 47 percent holding an unfavorable one. Similar to her standing in the polls, Harris's favorability average has only ticked up a tad by about 1 percentage point since the end of the Democratic convention, but she has seen an 8-point improvement in her favorability since Biden dropped out of the race. PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris has an average favorability rating of 47.3 percent and an average unfavorability rating of 45.9 percent in 538's average of polls. (538 Photo Illustration) Finally, this topsy-turvy race experienced another shock just one day after the Democratic convention that likely drew some attention away from Harris and could affect the polls: Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump on Aug. 23. How that will influence the choices of the approximately 5 percent of voters who said they planned to back Kennedy at the time remains to be seen. However, 538's analysis of polls from before Kennedy's departure suggests that his exit probably won't matter that much. We found that Trump gained just 0.2 points in margin when shifting from a multi-candidate contest involving Kennedy to head-to-head race against Harris a tiny amount that's about equivalent to the average absolute daily change in 538's polling average. Unlike in 1992, when independent Ross Perot's withdrawal on the final day of the Democrats' convention that July helped boost Bill Clinton, Kennedy had far less support in the polls at the time of his exit, reducing his departure's potential impact on post-convention polls. (And while Kennedy left the door ajar for people to vote for him this November, he is extremely unlikely to pull off the same feat as Perot by formally reentering the race in early October and winning 19 percent of the national popular vote!) In a summer that's seen an unparalleled series of campaign events, the Democratic convention proved more typical in its negligible impact on the polls. However, that's in part because Harris's entry had already altered the race so dramatically beforehand. Heading into Labor Day, the traditional start of the stretch run of the campaign, Harris maintains a slight edge over Trump though we're sure this campaign will see many twists and turns still ahead. Harris got a polling bounce before her convention, not after originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (The Hill) Vice President Harris is leading former President Trump by an average of 2 points across seven battleground states as the White House race remains tight, according to polling released Thursday. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found Harris has a 2-point average edge over Trump when it comes to registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. She is ahead by 1 point, a statistical tie, when the poll is restricted to likely voters in these states. The lead was strongest in Wisconsin, where she edged out Trump by 8 points among registered voters, followed by Nevada and Pennsylvania, where she led by 4 points in each, pollsters said. The two were deadlocked in Arizona with 48 percent each, while Harris led by 2 points in Georgia and North Carolina each, and in Michigan by 3 points. Harriss lead in North Carolina is especially notable, as pollsters point out no Democratic presidential candidate has won there since former President Obama in 2008. The gains Harris has seen in the Tar Heel State prompted the nonpartisan group Cook Political Report to shift the states presidential race from lean Republican to toss up. Since replacing President Biden atop the Democratic presidential ticket last month, Harris has narrowed the gap with Trump, posing a risk to the former presidents healthy lead over Biden when he was still in the race. The Thursday poll follows a Fox News survey that found Harris similarly making gains in the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. The Trump campaign later ripped Fox News over the polling. The former president has largely dismissed the notion that Harris has crept up in the polls. The poll also suggested the selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as Harriss running mate had a more positive impact on increasing swing-state voters for the Democratic ticket, compared to the selection of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and its effect on the Republican ticket. About 30 percent of swing-state voters said Harriss vice president selection of Walz made them more likely to vote for her, while only 23 percent said the same about Vance last month after Trump tapped him as his running mate, per pollsters. The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll was conducted among 4,962 registered voters in seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states; 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania; 4 percentage points in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, and 5 percentage points in Nevada, pollsters 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 Queen City News. Vice President Harris pleaded with Georgia voters Thursday for a repeat of 2020, when President Biden carried the Peach State and two Democratic senators were elected. Georgia, for the past two election cycles, voters in this very state have delivered, Harris said at a rally in Savannah. You showed up, you knocked on doors, you registered folks to vote and you made it happen. You did that. You did that. And so now, we are asking you to do it again. Do it again. Lets do it again, she added. Biden won Georgia over then-President Trump by fewer than 12,000 votes in 2020, becoming the first Democrat to win the state since 1992. The Trump campaign is eyeing the state as a pickup opportunity, and the former president and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appear to be patching things up as part of an effort to help achieve that goal in November. Harris has spent the past two days campaigning on a bus tour in Georgia with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D). Recent polling from Emerson College Polling and The Hill found Harris leading Trump by 1 percentage point in the pivotal swing state. So, Savannah, are you ready to make your voices heard? Harris asked the crowd Thursday. Bidens narrow win in Georgia in 2020 led to Trump spending the weeks after Election Day pressuring Kemp and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to challenge the results. A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls from Georgia shows Trump leading Harris by a narrow 0.1 percentage points in the state. Harris spent much of Thursdays rally making the case against Trump, hitting him over Project 2025 the conservative blueprint for a GOP presidency that the former president has sought to distance himself from and over the Supreme Courts recent immunity decision. So much is on the line. And understand: This is not 2016 or 2020. Things are different, Harris said. The stakes in 2024 are even higher, because consider that the United States Supreme Court basically told the president that going forward, he will be effectively immune no matter what he does in the White House, she added. The Supreme Court in July carved out broad criminal immunity for former presidents, which handed Trump a major legal victory as he fights his criminal indictments. Just imagine before, there was at least the threat of consequence. Understand what it now means, and imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails, Harris 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. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Friday! The crew here at The Dispatch is a pretty collegial bunch. But after reading about a Colorado man accidentally left on a mountain by his coworkers, were thinking well skip a hike as the next company outing, for the sake of morale. Were going to skip Mondays newsletter, too. Enjoy the long weekend, and well see you right back here on Tuesday. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Harris in the Hot Seat Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on stage at a campaign rally at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, on August 29, 2024. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Vice President Kamala Harris has spent much of her presidential campaign disavowing left-wing positions shes held in the past. In her first major interview of the race, on Thursday evening with CNNs Dana Bash, the vice president said that while her positions may have shifted, her values have not changed. One persons flip-flops are anothers unwavering values. Harris campaign has been very shortand so has her list of policy proposals. But in recent weeks, a clearer picture of her policy platform, one that is at least as progressive as President Joe Bidens, has begun to emerge. It remains to be seen whether her focus on liberal economics and largely staying the course abroad will be electorally effective, particularly with moderates and independents. In a campaign heavy on vibesand joy as contrasted to weirdnessHarris has seemed in her general vagueness on policy to try to be everything to everyone. And shes also moved away from potentially divisive positions. She affirmed on Thursday that she no longer favors a ban on fracking, as she did in the 2020 primaries. Shes also backed away from mandating electric vehicle usage, which was included in the Green New Deal resolution she co-signed in 2019, and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, which she endorsed during her prior presidential run. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, she said Thursday. And there should be consequence. But Harris has unveiled her first defined set of domestic policy proposals, focused on bringing down the cost of living, this month. In her CNN interview, she said that these would be priorities on day one should she be elected. The policies target four areas that have seen prices rise quickly over the past four years: food, housing, health care, and child care. Her proposal to address the increase in food prices is perhaps the most controversial: Harris proposed the first-ever federal ban on price gouging on food, a move immediately criticized by economists across the political spectrum. The Harris campaign, however, was light on specifics. Her recent speech on the topic did not give enough detail to determine whether the proposed ban would be a price controla set ceiling on prices for certain goodsor a ban on gougingrestricting the rate at which prices for a given good may rise. The Harris campaign almost immediately attempted to tamp down talk of imposing price controls, telling reporters that the proposed law would not seek to set prices, but rather limit the ability of companies to raise prices during emergenciesas many state laws already do. Congressional Democrats also argued that her proposal would be modeled on a federal price-gouging bill introduced by Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts earlier this year. But Warrens bill still grants the federal government very broad powers, banning grossly excessive price increases during any atypical disruptions of the market, while leaving it up to federal agencies to interpret exactly what those words mean. Harris, then, faces a paradox in defending her policy: It will either be like rarely invoked state-level legislation, and therefore have little effect on grocery prices, or it will be an enormously broad expansion of federal power into an arena where few economists believe it could have much upside. On housing, Harris has sounded considerably more free-marketand been more detailedthough her plan isnt without its market-manipulating risks. Harris pledged to bring down housing costs by boosting supply and demand. On the supply side, she proposed a tax credit for developers who build units aimed at first-time homebuyers, a $40 billion innovation fund for local governments seeking new ways to build affordable housing and working to eliminate red tape and needless bureaucracy that impedes constructionYIMBYs rejoice. To address demand, she proposed providing first-time homebuyers up to $25,000 in down-payment support, with even more support for first-generation homeowners. In theory, it would be one of the most significant federal interventions in the housing market ever. The broad strategy behind the policy is clear, as liberal economics writer Noah Smith argued: Boosting supply and demand simultaneously, would theoretically treat housing as both a consumer good and financial investment, allowing housing prices to rise slowly as supply catches up. The problem, as other policy analysts have noted, is that the federal government has relatively few tools to liberalize housing regulation, which is mostly decided by localities and, to a lesser extent, states. Harris plans risk boosting demand without increasing supply, according to many on-the-ground observers of local housing markets. Other policy areas look more like a straightforward continuation of Biden administration priorities. Harris proposed to make permanent the temporary child tax credit expansion included in the American Rescue Plan, which would give families up to $3,600 per child, per year. She also proposed to increase the size of the tax credit to $6,000 for children in their first year of life. Biden endorsed versions of both policies earlier this year. Harris also wants to expand Biden policies aimed at lowering health care costs, by capping insulin prices at $35 and out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 for all citizens, instead of only seniors, as Biden did. But how much would all of this cost? According to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the combined costs of Harris proposals would add up to over $2 trillion over 10 years, with the largest chunk by far being the child tax credit expansion, at $1.6 trillion dollars. When asked how she would finance her proposals, Harris has said the focus should be on the policies return on investment. Of course, plans are one thing, but Harris has actually been in government. As Bash asked, Youve been vice president for three-and-a-half years. Why havent you done [those policies] already? Harris responded: Well, first of all, we had to recover as an economy, and we have done that. But her plans may also depend on a Congress that may or may not be willing to cooperate with her progressive domestic policy agendaeven if Democrats win back the House in the fall, Politico reportsmaking her Overton-window-shifting proposals more proof of bona fides than a realistic wish list. If Harris economic proposals largely seem to be a continuation of Bidens willingness to spend taxpayer dollars liberally, her foreign policy approach is less clear. Harris has some, though not much, foreign policy experienceshe served on the Senate Intelligence Committee as a senator and has made diplomatic visits in her current rolebut has yet to outline a clear worldview on global affairs. Harris has publicly served as an envoy for Bidens foreign policy, which has strongly backed Ukraine, provided Israel with extensive diplomatic and military support, shored up alliances in the Pacific, and acted fairly aggressively toward China. A Harris administration, however, might provide a stage on which intra-left-wing battles over Americas global role play out. Two of Harris top foreign policy advisers, Philip Gordon and Rebecca Lissner, have publicly argued for reevaluating U.S. strategy. Gordon has been a strong critic of U.S. Middle East policy and has been linked to experts who have ties to the Iranian government. Lissner co-wrote a book arguing that the United States must pull back from a messianic strategy of primacy and the increasingly obsolete liberal international order, in favor of a diplomacy-focused strategy of openness that makes peace with the rise of illiberal states like China, eschewing aggressive U.S. enforcement of liberal norms. Progressives who desire a reevaluation of strong U.S. leadership in the world may see encouragement in the presence of figures like Lissner and Gordon. Progressives likely also understand that Harris probably wont be a sharp break with Biden. No one expects her to depart too much from the president, said Matt Duss, who was Sen. Bernie Sanders foreign policy adviser until 2022 and now serves as executive vice president of the Center for International Policy, a progressive foreign policy think tank. But there are ways in which she can talk about how shes going to take a different approach. Harris has created a little distance from Biden on one foreign policy issue: Israels war in Gaza. Harris has shown a greater willingness than her boss to push back on some Israeli conduct. During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to the Capitol in July, Harris pointedly declined to preside over his address to Congress. However, she did attend a private meeting with Netanyahu, after which she said she would always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself but also expressed with the prime minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, however, were prominently snubbed at the Democratic National Convention last week. Harris may be signaling that her administration is less likely to give Israel as much leeway as Biden, but she also seems largely uninterested in placating the activist wing of her party. Asked by Bash if she would do anything differently than Biden as it relates to Israel, Harris equivocated. She answered that we have to get a deal done and create a two-state solution where Israel is secure and, in equal measure, Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity. She avoided saying definitively whether she would halt any weapons shipments to Israel. Harris, then, has thus far offered more policy continuity from the Biden administration than change. But, in contrast to her very progressive domestic policy proposals, Harris has projected a mirage of moderation and normalcy during her campaign. Rob Stutzman, a political strategist who has run focus groups for independent group No Labels, argued that Harris had a chance to consolidate the votes of disaffected Republicans. The sort of voter who supported former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, Stutzman told TMD, had been moving away from Biden towards Trump, but would be comfortable with returning to [the] institutional stability that Harris seeks to project. In particular, shes avoided culture-war politics and race-based appeals: Her DNC acceptance speech was light on policy, emphasizing patriotism and unity and largely avoiding references to her race or genderthough a win in November would make her the countrys first female president and only the second person of color to hold the position. Asked about the historic nature of the race, Harris on Thursday called it humbling. Very soon, however, Harris will have to respond to more hostile questionsnot from a CNN anchor, but from her opponent, Donald Trump, during a presidential debate. For now, when asked about the former presidents attacks on her race, Harris simply said, Next question, please. Worth Your Time For the New York Times, Megan Stack spoke with 38-year-old Salvadoran Noe del Cid about the governments crackdown on violence in the small Central American country. 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, Stack recounts. However, the costs of such action are hard to ignore. [Del Cid] himself, he said, knew completely innocent peoplehe was surewho were taken away by the police, and never came back. Their families are having a terrible time, he added ruefully. The police and military seemed to have abused their power, he suggested, or perhaps the investigations just werent careful enough. But then he looked back out at his quiet street. It had been so bad here, and for so long. Were starting to feel security, he said. And security is what people want. Former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s endorsement of former President Donald Trump is indicative of the crank realignment within the GOP, Matthew Yglesias argued for his Slow Boring Substack. Trump himself, of course, used to be a Democrat. He switched parties in a blaze of birther conspiracy theories, and only then came to embrace conservative views on topics like gun control and abortion. And RFK Jr. was into election fraud conspiracy theories long before January 6, but his version was about George W. Bush stealing the 2004 election in Ohio, Yglesias wrote. Twenty years later, thats no longer the case. The partisan shifts of both Trump and RFK Jr. are part of a long term cycle in which educated professionals have gravitated toward the Democratic Party coalition and a generic suspicion of institutions and the people who run them has come to be associated with conservative politics. The problem is that this hasnt actually changed the fact that lots of people are dumb cranks; its simply created a Dumb Crank Party. And on balance, I think that has eroded the epistemic quality of both coalitions. Presented Without Comment Former President Donald Trump, discussing his position on in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in an interview with NBC News: Trump: As you know, I was always for IVF, right from the beginning, as soon as we heard about it. Its fertilization, its helping women and men and families. But its helping women able to have a baby. Some have great difficulty and a lot of them have been very happy with the results, as you know. And what were doingand were doing this because we just think its great and we need great children, beautiful children in our country. We actually need them. And we are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment. So we are paying for that treatment Dasha Burns: All Americans who want it? Trump: All Americans that get it. All Americans that need it. So were going to be paying for that treatment or were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay. Also President Without Comment Vice President Kamala Harris, asked by CNNs Dana Bash whether she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet: Bash: Will you appoint a Republican to your Cabinet? Harris: Yes, I would. Bash: Any one in mind Harris: Yes, I would. No, no one in particular in mind. I gotwe got 68 days to go with this election, so Im not puttin the cart before the horse. But I would. I thinkI think its really important. II have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think its important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who is a Republican. In the Zeitgeist Its frankly not a stretch to think that The Dispatchs office league softball team has more base-running IQ than the Washington Nationals displayed earlier this week as they served up an absolutely bizarre double play for the Yankees. Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: Sarah and Mike dig into the revamped Jack Smith indictment of former President Donald Trump in The Collision , Will explains why self-driving cars have been slower to hit the road than expected, and Nick argued () that questions of whether Trumps stunt at Arlington National Cemetery was legal distract from whether it was ethical. On the podcasts: Megan McArdle joins Sarah, Jonah, and Steve on The Dispatch Podcast roundtable to discuss the Dispatch v. Bulwark spat. On the site: Kevin notes that congressional Democrats are making a funny argument about gridlock ahead of the election and Joseph Polidoro explains the complexities of different fertility treatments. Let Us Know Did you watch Harris interview? If so, what did you make of her performance? 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. Kamala Harris made her Middle East policy abundantly clear during her first big media interview on Thursday: America will continue to arm Israel, unconditionally. In the much-hyped interview with CNNs Dana Bash, and Tim Walz by her side, Harris was asked how shed differentiate her stance on Israel from President Joe Bidens. Would you do anything differently, for example, would you withhold some U.S. weapons shipments to Israel? Thats what a lot of people on the progressive left want you to do, asked Bash. Let me be very clear. Im unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself, and thats not going to change, replied Harris. As I said then [on October 7], I say today Israel has a right to defend itself and how it does so matters. Harris went on to clarify that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed by Israel, but still refused to commit to changing U.S. policy on Israel. HORRIFIC. It's extremely clear that Kamala Harris would do the same as what Biden is doing on Gaza: "Would you do anything differently? For example, would you withhold some U.S. weapons shipments to Israel?" Kamala Harris: "I'm unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to pic.twitter.com/EQ0gV6vcFP HalalFlow (@halalflow) August 30, 2024 Harris emphasized the need for a cease-fire agreement saying we have to get it a deal done, mentioning the Biden administrations presence this week at negotiations in Qatar. At talks in Doha, the potential deal included a limited six-week cease-fire, prisoner release, and aid into Gaza in exchange for 33 living hostages returned to Israel. However, Hamas has not participated directly in the talks because they say the negotiations provide cover for Israel to continue its warand Israel left the talks on Thursday with no final agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu said he believes Israel must keep military pressure to force a deal. Harris has previously told Netanyahu, It is time for this war to end, but the Israeli prime minister has refused to accept anything but a partial cease-fire deal, like the one that was being negotiated in Doha. As Bash pointed out, many Americans are looking at Harris and Biden to cease arms sales to Israel. A June CBS poll found that 61 percent of Americans oppose weapons aid to Israel, including 77 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of independents. Moreover, 77 percent of those under 30 oppose arming Israel in its continued assault on Gaza. Another YouGov/IMEU Policy Project poll this month found that voters in swing states are more likely to vote for a nominee who vows to withhold weapons. CNNs Bash continued by zeroing in on this issue, pressing the vice president in terms of how this deal would get done. But no change in policy, in terms of arms and so forth? No, we have to get a deal done, Harris replied, shooting down the possibility of an arms embargo. I remain committed, since Ive been on October 8, to what we must do to work toward a two-state solutionwhere Israel is secure and in equal measure, the Palestinians have security and self determination and dignity. NEW DELHI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed in two separate gunfights in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Thursday. The gunfights broke out close to the Line of Control in Kupwara district. According to police, two militants were killed in the Machil sector, while one was killed in Karnah sector of the district. Police said the gunfights at both places started after a joint operation by the Indian army and police on information about suspicious movements of militants. During her and Tim Walzs interview with CNN on Thursday night, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her support for a bipartisan Senate bill that would have overhauled the countrys immigration system in an effort to cut down on the number of undocumented migrants crossing the southern U.S. border. I will make sure that it comes to my desk, and I would sign it, Harris said, noting that former President Donald Trump killed the bill before it came up for a vote in February. Titled the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, the legislation aimed to solve one of the most contentious political issues of the last several decades. Even though the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol agents, endorsed the bill, Senate Republicans abruptly pulled their support after Trump signaled his disapproval. Ending undocumented immigration has long been a signature campaign issue for Trump, who called the bill a great gift to the Democrats, and a Death Wish for The Republican Party. Vice President Kamala Harris. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) Republican Sen. James Lankford, who helped author the bill and forge the compromise to bring it to a vote, made clear that Trump bore the responsibility for its demise. It got stirred up in all the presidential politics, and several of my colleagues started looking for ways [to torpedo] after President Trump said, 'Don't fix anything' like during the presidential election," Langford said. Heres a look at what is included in the failed legislation the American Immigration Council called the most sweeping immigration bill of the twenty-first century. Border Emergency Authority A key mechanism in the bill allows a president to simply deport migrants who enter the country between official border crossing points and to deny them the ability to apply for asylum. Those powers would be triggered when the daily average number of migrant crossings hits 4,000 per day for seven consecutive days. In June, the month with the lowest number of migrant border crossings during President Bidens tenure, there were 1,820 illegal crossings, according to Customs and Border Protection data. Make it harder for migrants to be given asylum status Those seeking political asylum status would have to immediately establish a reasonable possibility that they could prevail during their initial screening interview. They would also be asked to show reasonable grounds as to why they could not simply move to another part of the country they were fleeing to avoid persecution. More border wall construction Nothing has divided Democrats and Republicans like Trumps push to build a wall in order to secure the Southern border. But the Senate bill would require that hundreds of millions of dollars in unspent funds be applied to the further construction of that barrier. Increase the number of border agents, asylum officers and immigration judges The bill would add more than 1,500 new Customs and Border Protection agents. In addition, it would add 4,300 asylum officers to help ease the workload in a system that has become backlogged with asylum applications. It would also fund the addition of 100 immigration judges who decide those cases. Increase the number of beds for detained migrants Immigration and Customs Enforcement currently has roughly 40,000 beds it can use when migrants are detained overnight in the U.S. The bill would require the construction of new facilities so as to increase that number to 50,000. Technology to detect fentanyl In an effort to diminish the flow of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S., the bill would fund the purchase and installation of roughly 100 inspection machines at points of entry. CBP has reported that its agents had seized more than 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at the border from October 2022 to September 2023. Money for local communities In order to help cities and states struggling to cope with the surge in undocumented immigration, the bill would provide $1.4 billion in funding to help pay for necessities like shelters. It would also speed up the process for migrants who are awaiting asylum claims to obtain work permits. Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken about her empathy for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, but she is not offering progressive critics tangible concessions on policy. Tom Williams/Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday evening she would not approach the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza significantly differently than President Joe Biden, who has, with one exception, refused to impose additional conditions on U.S. aid or weapon sales to Israel. In her first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee, CNNs Dana Bash asked Harris whether she would do anything differently than Biden regarding Gaza, including by withholding weapons shipments, as pro-Palestinian advocates have been demanding. Harris national security adviser, Phil Gordon, said earlier this month that Harris opposes an arms embargo on Israel, but Harris had yet to address the matter directly herself. Let me be very clear, Im unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself, and thats not going to change, Harris began her reply, suggesting conditioning military aid was off the table. Harris then reiterated a version of her remarks on the topic at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago exactly a week earlier: that Israel must not again endure an attack of the kind Hamas perpetrated on Oct. 7, and that Palestinians have a right to security and self-determination and dignity. Like Biden, Harris implied, gently, that Israel has not done enough to protect Palestinian civilians. As I said then, I say today, Israel had a right, has a right, to defend itself, Harris said. We would, and how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done. When Bash followed up to ask again whether there would be a change in policy in terms of arms and so forth, Harris quickly said there would not be. No we have to get a deal done. We have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region, Harris said. A deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war, but will unlock so much of what must happen next. I remain committed, since Ive been on Oct. 8, to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure, and in equal measure, the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity, she continued. Harris comments come as pro-Palestinian activists, once hopeful about her replacement of Biden as Democratic nominee, seek some kind of tangible evidence that she might impose concrete consequences on Israel or otherwise take a tougher line against the U.S. ally than Biden has. They have thus far come up empty-handed with Democrats refusing to grant activists demand for a Palestinian American speaker at the Chicago convention, even as the party featured the parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen captured by Hamas. Harris Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, who has taken to using Palestinian as a slur, claims to have told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a late July visit to Mar-a-Lago to get [the war] over with by winning. He has also faulted Biden for calling for an immediate cease-fire that he said would only give Hamas time to regroup. The Israel-Hamas war, which has, on multiple occasions, threatened to spark a full-scale regional war, is perhaps the greatest foreign policy challenge of Bidens presidency and will no doubt dog Harris in some form should she take his place in the White House. After Hamas launched its unprecedented terror attack on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 Israelis, the majority of whom were civilians, Israel responded with a ferocious invasion that has killed some 40,000 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians. Israel has justified the scale of the casualties in Gaza as well as the displacement of nearly all of the regions inhabitants, and a food, water and public health crisis on the grounds that Hamas, a guerrilla group, uses a vast network of underground tunnels underneath Gazas civilian population. But numerous human rights groups, diplomats and foreign governments with histories of supporting Israel argue that the right-wing Israeli government has violated the laws of war and committed atrocities. Whats more, many observers suspect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been reluctant to make the compromises necessary to achieve a cease-fire because prolonging the war is the only way to prevent his coalition government from collapsing or otherwise undermining his political career. Disapproving of certain Israeli policies, Biden resorted to admonishing Netanyahu in private and public. In an historic step, Biden withheld a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs that U.S. officials believe Israel had been using inappropriately in densely populated areas. He also threatened to withhold more weapons if Israel launched a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. But Israel proceeded with an invasion of Rafah and continues to engage in military operations across Gaza, albeit at a less lethal pace than in the first three months of the war. That has only escalated calls by Americans sympathetic to the Palestinian cause for the U.S. to either embargo all arms shipments to Israel, or condition weapon transfers on changes in Israeli policy. Biden signed a foreign aid bill in late April allotting $26 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Israel and Gaza, but individual weapons transfers and sales are still subject to White House approval. Meanwhile, some 100 Israeli hostages remain captives of Hamas in Gaza. Talks for a cease-fire that includes their release continue between the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Hamas. Harris shares TMI on how she learned Biden was exiting race in first sit-down interview as candidate Harris shares TMI on how she learned Biden was exiting race in first sit-down interview as candidate Vice President Kamala Harris revealed how President Joe Biden informed her that he would be exiting the 2024 presidential race in her first sitdown interview since she became the Democratic nominee for president. Harris held her first interview on CNN with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, where they addressed everything from Harris changing her policy positions to attacks from Republicans on his military record. Harris revealed to the networks Dana Bash that the president told her he was stepping aside when she had invited family over. I'll give you a little too much information, she said. My family was staying with us, and including my baby nieces, and we had just had pancakes, and, you know, Auntie, can I have more bacon? Yes, I'll make you more bacon. And then we were gonna sit, we were sitting down to do a puzzle, and the phone rang. And it was Joe Biden and he told me what he had decided to do. Harris said that she asked the president, who had received criticism for his poor performance during his debate with former president Donald Trump, if he was sure about the decision. Shortly after Biden announced he would not run for re-election, he endorsed Harris, but the vice president would not say whether she asked for his endorsement. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sit down for first interview as Democratic ticket with CNN (CNN) He was very clear that he was going to support me, she said. My first thought was not about me, to be honest with you. My first thought was about him, to be honest. Harris said in the future, Americans would realize the major accomplishments the Biden presidency made such as infrastructure investments, new industries like semiconductors and rebuilding international alliances. And I think history is going to show not only has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved those extraordinary successes, but the character of the man is one that he has been in his life and career, including as a president, quite selfless and puts the American people first, she said. Harris defended her current positions and repudiated suggestions that she would renege on her more centrist outlook on hot-button issues such as "fracking," a way of extracting oil and gas from rock that is the core of the petroleum industry in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. I am running because I believe I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, Harris said. Walz for his part responded to criticism that he had embellished his service in the National Guard and the fertility treatments he and his wife Gwen underwent to conceive children. Republican members of Congress and Trumps running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have accused Walz of stolen valor. Kamala Harris in her first sit-down interview on Thursday with running mate Tim walz (CNN) Walz, who spent nearly a quarter-century as a member of the National Guard and retired as a master sergeant, has endured Republicans picking apart various details of his service in a hunt for dirt. He has said he carried weapons of war during his hitch, which Republicans have taken as a lie about having served in a combat zone. The Harris campaign has also described Walz as a retired command sergeant major, a rank Walz did in fact achieve, but he technically left the service as a master sergeant. Walz told Bash on Thursday that he misspoke about certain aspects of his time in the Guard, but that there was no doubt about the fact that he spent 24 years wearing a uniform in this country. My grammars not always correct, Walz said, telling Bash that he was super proud of his military service. Walz spent most of the interview sitting quietly to the side. But he reacted with quiet intensity when Bash asked about right-wing attacks on his son Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as anxiety disorder. At the Democratic National Convention, a clip of the 17-year-old crying and shouting, Thats my dad! went viral, earning plaudits from many but derision and mockery from Trump fans. To have my son have a sense of pride in me it was such a visceral and emotional moment that Im grateful to have experienced, Walz replied. Im so proud of him. It was a moment to understand what was really important, Walz said, noting that life can be kind of hard. But, he emphasized, our politics can be better. As Walz pointed out, [I]f its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me or its an attack on my dog. And the one thing Ill never do is, Ill never demean another members service in any way. I never have. And I never will. Similarly, Walz pushed back on the idea that he lied about going through fertility treatments since Republicans have said he lied given that he and his wife underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI) rather than in vitro fertilization (IVF). I think most Americans get it if you've been through that, I don't think they're cutting hairs on IVF or IUI, Walz said. I think what they're cutting hairs on is an abortion ban and the ability to be able to deny families the chance to have a beautiful child. Harris and Walzs interview comes as they made a swing through south Georgia as polls show them competitive in the state that Biden won in 2020. Harris later held a rally in Savannah. Walz for his part campaigned in North Carolina. Conversely, Trump held events in the midwest, first in Potterville, Michigan before holding a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, took part in her first major interview since becoming her partys standard-bearer, escaping with no major gaffes and making no major news in the Thursday event. Harris, alongside running mate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), was questioned by CNNs Inside Politics anchor Dana Bash on a variety of policy stances she has been criticized for shifting on, including fracking and decriminalizing the border. Harris was adamant that her values had not changed on any of the matters. She discussed the need to tackle climate change without talking in too much detail about the political calculations that come into play on fracking. Opposition to the practice could cost a candidate votes in swing state Pennsylvania, where fracking is an important industry. On the border, Harris maintained she would enforce laws at the U.S southern border as president, after Bash noted Harris raised her hand during a 2020 Democratic primary debate when asked if the border should be decriminalized. Republicans have hammered Harris on border issues during the campaign, particularly for being tasked by President Biden with examining the root causes of migration. Harris also notably addressed comments by former President Trump about her race. Bash noted Harris had never interacted with Trump or met him face-to-face, then relayed the notion that Trump suggested in an interview that Harris had turned Black, which Bash acknowledged questioned a core part of Harriss identity. Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please, Harris responded. Thats it? Bash asked. Thats it, Harris answered. CNN aired the interview in its entirety, which Bash emphasized at the start of the program. Trump and his allies had criticized CNN for pretaping the interview instead of airing it live as a way to cover up potential Harris slipups. There were no major gaffes from Harris or Walz, who was also mostly pressed to defend previous slipups. The Minnesota governor said he spoke about infertility issues generally after previously suggesting that his family used vitro fertilization, when he and his wife actually used a different fertility treatment, intrauterine insemination. And he blamed his grammar when questioned about statements hes made about carrying weapons of war, which he later had to clarify. I said we were talking about in this case, of school shootings, the idea of carrying these weapons of war. And my wife, she says my grammars not always correct, Walz said when Bash asked if those statements were a mistake. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) has criticized Walzs military record, saying he has pretended to be someone hes not, because he never saw combat. Walz served in the Army National Guard and left to run for Congress before his unit was deployed. Those who served with him have said they didnt know the group would be leaving at the time of his retirement. The vice president was also asked to reflect on her rapid-fire candidacy, which is little more than a month old. She said she was humbled by a viral photo of one of her nieces watching her accept the Democratic nomination for president. Harris recounted when Biden told her he was no longer seeking reelection. I asked him, Are you sure? He said yes. And thats how I learned about it, Harris said, adding that Biden made it very clear he planned to support her as his replacement. Brett Samuels and Julia Mueller 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. As the presidential election heats up, newly minted Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who has come under pressure to unveil her policy plans, has released a portion of her economic strategy to combat what is widely viewed as an affordable housing crisis in the United States. According to Gallup polls, the cost of housing is becoming a top financial concern for voters nationwide in the 2024 election. Harris underscored this urgency in a recent interview with CNN on Aug. 29, where she highlighted the need to tackle the rising cost of housing as a critical priority of her campaign. What we need to do is bring down the cost of housing, Harris said. My proposal includes what would be a tax credit of $25,000 for first-time homebuyers so they can just have enough to put a down payment on a home, which is part of the American dream and their aspiration. The affordable housing crisis is not just a campaign talking point its a harsh reality in cities like Gary, where economic inequality and racial disparities intersect with the housing market. Recent census figures show the median income as under $37,000. These local issues mirror a broader national problem of a systemic housing shortage that disproportionately affects Black and lower-income communities. The Harris campaigns focus and strategy on housing, particularly the plan to offer down payment assistance, aligns with local efforts taken by Indiana lawmakers, specifically Indianas Black Legislative Caucus, to bridge the housing gap and could represent a synergy between federal, state, and local policy. Earlier this year, Capital B Gary reported on the efforts Indiana lawmakers, housing advocates and government municipalities are making to establish a Housing Commission aimed at addressing the states current affordable housing crisis. Fresh off the momentum of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the Harris campaign has released an ad touting parts of her plan to address the housing crisis. The Harris campaign revealed specifics of the plan in a section entitled Build the American Dream: Lowering the costs of renting and owning a home. The plan calls for the construction of 3 million homes within the next four years to address the housing shortage, taking action to lower rent, and providing up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. I think its a good model, U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, Indianas only Black U.S. representative, told Capital B Gary during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago shortly after Harris plan was made public. That kind of assistance and proper use of taxpayer dollars, not only will instill confidence in our markets and our communities, but it could also change the trajectory of someones life, he said. The recently released Harris-Walz plan has striking similarities to a Biden-Harris plan released earlier this year, notably its reliance on congressional action to enact these sweeping changes. With Congress deeply divided, the likelihood of passing comprehensive housing legislation remains uncertain. The biggest issues federal and state governments have to address is the shortage of housing generally, said Richard Rothstein, former senior fellow of the Thurgood Marshall Institute at the NAACP Legal Defense fund and author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America. If the state and federal governments are going to do something about the supply of housing, that would be a big contribution. But theres not much citizens can do to make that happen in the current political climate, Rothstein told Capital B Gary. Thats what keeps most Black families out of homeownership, he added. Its unaffordable, and its unaffordable because we have a housing shortage, so higher-income families are bidding up the price of housing and making them unaffordable for lower-income families. According to the Northwest Indiana Realtors Association, home prices in Gary have increased dramatically, with values rising nearly sevenfold in the past decade. And its not just higher-income families driving up prices; corporate investors and hedge funds are also part of the equation, making it even more difficult for average residents to compete. To improve accessible housing in Gary, Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity built homes on the 1700 block of Adams Street. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) In response to these mounting challenges, Indianas Black Legislative Caucus made housing the cornerstone of their 2024 legislative session. Titled Fair Housing, Fair Futures, the caucus proposed several bills to address housing affordability and prevent companies from driving up prices. State Rep. and caucus Chair Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, whose district includes part of Gary, said the caucus was very intentional with its legislative plan. One bill that I filed, which was House Bill 1176, had to do with investor ownership of single-family residences. And thats really aimed at these big massive hedge funds or these massive companies with a value of $50 million. Theyre going to people whove put their house on the market and offering them $20,000 more. Theyre doing it in a lot of parts of the country, and its come here to Indiana, Harris told Capital B Gary. The bill also established a down payment assistance program, a key component of the Harris-Walz plan. While battles wage on for legislative action at the state and federal levels, the effect residents can have locally is often overlooked. Leah Rothstein, who co-authored the solutions-based book Just Action with her father as a follow-up to The Color of Law, pointed to community land trusts and equitable property tax assessments as effective tools for creating and maintaining affordable housing options. Down payment assistance programs are especially important for addressing the homeownership gap between Blacks and whites, Leah Rothstein told Capital B Gary. What my dad and I focused on in our book is local policies and programs, mostly because thats what local residents have the most sort of influence over. Leah Rothstein emphasized the need to address the property tax assessment system, which is locally controlled by counties. Because of how that system is designed and implemented, she says, African American homeowners overpay in property taxes relative to the value of their homes compared to whites. So if youre paying more in property taxes than your fair share, you can build less wealth through that homeownership experience. So we need to address that disparity, she said. According to data from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, in 2022 Gary was home to the three highest taxing districts in Lake County. She highlighted community land trusts, similar to Northwest Indianas Habitat for Humanity, which provide lower-income families a pathway to homeownership by ensuring long-term affordability through limited equity arrangements. These homes have a limited equity arrangement so that when the buyers eventually become homeowners and want to sell that home, they are limited in how much they can sell it for, ensuring that the home is affordable to the next homebuyer. There are so many solutions out there, and I think its easy for us all to think that theres nothing that we can do, or we dont know how to affect change on this, but theres really a lot we cant really use that excuse anymore, she said. Theres so much available for us in our own communities to make a dent on this. The post Harris Team Introduces Comprehensive Plan to Address Housing Crisis appeared first on Capital B Gary. Signs depicting "hateful, discriminatory" messages referencing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris were posted to different bus stops around Denver, Colorado, overnight Thursday, according to the state's Regional Transportation District (RTD). One sign made claims about perceived preferential treatment of migrants and referenced Jim Crow-era segregation of Black Americans. "Blacks must sit at the back of the bus. Kamala's migrants sit in the front," it read, as seen in images published by ABC affiliate KMGH. The Denver Police Department (DPD) is investigating the incident as a bias-motivated crime and is "collecting evidence with the goal of holding the perpetrator accountable," it told ABC News in an emailed statement. PHOTO: Signs depicting 'hateful, discriminatory' messages referencing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris were posted to different bus stops around Denver overnight on Aug. 29, 2024, according to the state's Regional Transportation District. (Regional Transportation District/Flickr) PHOTO: Signs depicting 'hateful, discriminatory' messages referencing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris were posted to different bus stops around Denver overnight on Aug. 29, 2024, according to the state's Regional Transportation District. (Regional Transportation District/Flickr) MORE: Kamala Harris faces racial 'DEI' attacks amid campaign for the 2024 presidency A bus operator reported a sign around 5 a.m. Thursday, according to the RTD. The metal sign was attached to the bus stops pole with rivets and may have been installed shortly before it was reported. Similar signs are reported to have appeared at a Chicago Transit Authority bus stop (around 1,000 miles away from Denver) as well, the RTD said in a statement. It is connecting with other transit agencies to assess the potential for a coordinated activity. RTD is working with local authorities, including Denver police and Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), to investigate the signs placed at several bus stops, and authorities are looking for any additional signs. One local who claims to be a Republican activist has claimed to be the person responsible for the signs. Gov. Jared Polis denounced the signage in a post to social platform X, saying "there is no room for hate in our state." "These horrible and racist images -- funded by unknown groups -- are meant to stoke fear and hate in our communities," the post read. "I thank Denver Police for working quickly to end the defacement of public property and thank our Department of Public Safety for reaching out to Denver Police to assist. Coloradans reject this hate-fueled rhetoric and we won't tolerate it -- our fight to build a Colorado for All continues." RTD mirrored Polis' sentiment in an emailed statement condemning the signage. "There is no place for racism or discrimination at RTD or within the communities we serve," the agency said. "The signs do not reflect the organizations adopted values or promote a welcoming transit environment for all, nor should such vile messaging be tolerated or supported by anyone." 'Hateful' anti-immigrant signs referencing Kamala Harris posted on Colorado bus stops originally appeared on abcnews.go.com NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A suspect is in custody after three suspicious packages were found Friday morning near New Haven City Hall. Mayor Justin Elicker said city hall and 200 Orange St. were evacuated, while people in surrounding buildings were told to either shelter in place or voluntarily evacuate. 27 New Haven school buses vandalized The mayor said that around 7:30 a.m., police were called to the area of 200 Orange St. for suspicious activity. He said a man was spotted throwing three canisters out of a backpack. One was found in a vacant lot at the corner of Orange and Elm streets, another in some bushes behind 200 Orange St. and a third along the street near Turnbridge Treatment Center. The bomb squads robot x-rayed one of the packages and conducted a controlled attack to render it safe. Officials said investigators inspected the other two packages and determined they need not be detonated. Particularly in this instance, the behavior was concerning, Elicker said. Someone taking canisters out of a backpack and tossing them into the bushes behind city hall was very concerning, and we want to make sure people are safe and make sure there is no damage to people. Police have not released the suspects name or what charges will be filed. The bomb squad swept the area again before clearing the scene. We dont want to assume that its just a piece of garbage, because it may not be, Capt. Nicholas Marcucio said. So, we take extreme caution in making sure that everyone is safe, the public first, and then ourselves. He said the suspect is familiar within a certain area of our city, and that he was found close to downtown. New Haven police investigate several suspicious devices on Aug. 30, 2024. New Haven police investigate several suspicious devices on Aug. 30, 2024. New Haven police investigate several suspicious devices on Aug. 30, 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 WTNH.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) A case that has haunted Hawaii for over four decades remains unsolved, but investigators are not giving up. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The murders of two young Marines in 1980, Lance Corporals Lawrence Larry Martens and Rodney Rocky Padilla, have been taken over by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) from the Honolulu Police Dept., and they are calling on the public for help in cracking this long-cold case. On September 7, 1980, Martens and Padilla left the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe for a night out but never returned. The next day, their bodies were discovered in the parking lot of Maunalua Bay Beach Park, both shot and beaten. From poverty to prestige: The Imi Hoola journey of a young, local dreamer As we approach the 44th anniversary, we need someone to come forward, said NCIS Special Agent James Curry. We know someone out there knows what happened, and they need to tell us. Despite the passage of time, NCIS has not abandoned the case. They are using modern DNA testing techniques to reexamine evidence from the scene in hopes of identifying a suspect. Investigators are also intrigued by a cryptic message written in the sand near the crime scene, which they believe could hold vital information about the crime. This community resource can unlock your keikis musical magic: Find out how Although Im not at liberty to discuss right now what that writing said, we do know that somebody was there and wrote something in the sand at the approximate time that this crime occurred, Curry added. The atmosphere at Maunalua Bay Beach Park in 1980 was one of casual gatherings, with people often hanging out under a large kiawe tree, drinking and talking story. Before OCCC was Oahu Prison, a coral fortress Yet, the presence of the two Marines, who were brutally murdered, raises more questions than answers. At night, people liked to hang out. There was a large kiawe tree there. Drink, talk story, and hang out. That was the atmosphere at that time, said NCIS Investigator Philip Camaro. Whats unique is, we have two Marines who are beaten and shot. The big question is, why were they there? Over the years, tips have led investigators across the country and even internationally, but the case remains unresolved. However, NCIS believes that time may work in their favor, as relationships change and people may now be willing to come forward with information. Relationships change. The people who were involved may want to come forward. Maybe they have a change of heart. Maybe they had an alliance then. They want to do the right thing now, Camaro explained. NCIS is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Joe Padilla, Rockys brother and a retired Denver police officer, has been vocal about the pain of waiting for justice. He wears a silver chain every day, a necklace Rocky was wearing when he was killed. This necklace right here that Im wearing, if you can see it, its a silver chain. Rocky was wearing this when he was killed. I wear it every day. So we just need help. I know somebody knows something, Padilla said, his voice heavy with emotion. Padilla has never given up hope that his brothers murder will be solved. Why forget about Rocky? Why forget about Larry? You know, they need help. They need justice. We need to find out what happened. We just cant put her on a shelf. Its a major crime. Its a tragic crime. My little brother didnt deserve to be shot in the back of the head on a beach. He was doing nothing wrong. He was out with a buddy, and he was killed, he said. Padilla also appealed to the people of Hawaii, asking for their help in bringing justice for his brother. Rocky was proud of his country. He loved Hawaii, and I hope that Hawaii will appreciate that and help us in solving his case, he said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news If you have information that can solve the case, contact CrimeStoppers Honolulu at 808-955-8300, or submit a tip to NCIS at www.ncis.navy.mil. Tips can be sent anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NAGANO, Japan, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- "79 years later, I could finally apologize to the victims of Unit 731," said Hideo Shimizu, a Japanese veteran who served for the notorious Japanese germ warfare army during World War II. "My greatest wish now is for the Japanese government to speak the truth and accurately recount the history of Unit 731." Now 94 years old, the former Unit 731 Youth Corps member made the remarks during a press conference in Iida City of the central Japanese prefecture of Nagano recently. From Aug. 12 to 15, Shimizu returned to China for the first time in nearly eight decades, revisiting the site that has haunted him for lifetime, the Japanese bacteriology unit's sprawling complex in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, where thousands of Chinese civilians and prisoners of war were killed from the late 1930s to the end of the war. At the site, he offered remorse and apology to the victims. "My lifelong wish of visiting China to apologize had been fulfilled," Shimizu told the press conference. He recounted that in Unit 731, he had entered a prison and collected human bones that had not burned out. "I hope that my repentance and apology can be conveyed to the victims. Even though I have apologized, I could never forgive myself if I find relief in it," Shimizu said. In 1945, Shimizu served as one of the last young recruits in Unit 731, spending over four months in Harbin. He recalled that members of Unit 731 were targets of germ experiments, and they could be subject to live dissection if they became infected during experiments. Shimizu himself was subject to experiment, eating steamed buns contaminated with bacteria, leading to his temperature rising to 42 degrees Celsius and high fever for a week. After Japan's defeat, Unit 731 destroyed all of its buildings and evidence, with Shimizu participating in the demolition. In 2016, Shimizu publicly revealed that he had been a member of Unit 731 Youth Corps, and he has since dedicated himself to telling atrocities committed by the unit and the history to the public. "It was a painful memory," Shimizu said at the press conference. "Now, I do not want to talk about these things. When I think of Chinese victims, I must speak out." Shimizu was also deeply moved by kindness of the Chinese people, who cared for Japanese war orphans abandoned in China and raised them, and sent them back to Japan. "Why Japan, living close with China, could not maintain friendly relations with the country?" he said. Supported by many individuals dedicated to fostering China-Japan friendship, more than 20 doctors from the Osaka Medical Practitioners Association joined Shimizu on his journey to China. Fumio Hara, a member of the association, said that with the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat next year, Shimizu's visit to China and the Unit 731 site at the moment is a crucial reminder of how important it is to know about the true history. In recent years, trend of Japanese militarism has caused anxiety among the Japanese public. Japan's neighbors and the international community are worried about its future path. Kazuteru Itsubo, who accompanied Shimizu on the trip, said that the visit allowed him to deeply feel Japan's harm to China in the past, and it was essential for the Japanese public to learn about its war crimes in the past. "I hope for friendship between Japan and China, and no repeat of war," Shimizu said. Healey outlines plans to help communities when 2 Massachusetts hospitals close this weekend Healey outlines plans to help communities when 2 Massachusetts hospitals close this weekend With Steward Health Cares planned closures of Carney Hospital in Dorchester and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer on Saturday, Gov. Maura Healey on Friday outlined steps the state is taking to support impacted communities and hospital staff. The state has made available capital funding to support health care in impacted regions, has expanded ambulance availability, has held job fairs, and has opened a call center to mitigate the impact of the hospital closures, Healey said in a statement. Weve heard the concerns raised by the communities and staff impacted by Stewards plans to close Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. We share their frustration Massachusetts communities should never have been put in this position, Healey said. Our teams have been preparing for this, and we will ensure that residents continue to have access to high-quality medical care and that all staff is connected to new employment opportunities at other facilities. Patients, employees, and community members can access information about the closure of Carney Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center and available resources at the states website. People may also call the states Steward Health Care Call Center at 617-468-2189 or 833-305-2070 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. A direction board stands outside Carney Hospital in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) The Department of Public Health is opening applications for towns to apply for capital investments to acquire and upgrade ambulances and emergency medical vehicles, emergency medical equipment, life support devices, maintenance equipment, and other capital equipment associated with municipally-owned ambulance and emergency medical vehicles, Healey said. Eligible towns include Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend. We understand the uncertainty so many are feeling as these trusted institutions wind down operations and care for their final few patients, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement. This transition is emotional and unsettling for patients, employees, and communities, and our goal is to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. We remain committed to preserving access to essential medical services and securing jobs for those affected by these closures. There are ongoing discussions between the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and UMass Memorial Health and other providers in the region with the goal of reimagining future care on the Nashoba Valley Medical Center campus, state officials said. UMass Memorial Health is considering alternative possibilities, such as converting the hospitals emergency room into an urgent care facility, state officials said. A sign pushing to keep the hospital open stands outside Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) While these discussions are in the early stages, there will be continued collaboration with UMass to attempt to provide an alternative healthcare option for residents, Healey said in her statement. To help ease the transition to new providers and new employers, DPH stood up its Incident Command system in early May. Meetings have been held daily to plan for potential scenarios, including the possibility of hospital closures, officials said. Healey said the actions that the state is taking or will take to support the impacted communities include: Supporting the preservation and relocation of primary care practices, and some specialty care, and other services in the medical office buildings on the Carney and Nashoba Valley campuses; Working with emergency medical services, local fire chiefs, and ambulance companies to address the impact of closures on transport time and emergency vehicle availability; Organizing stand-by ambulances at both hospitals 24/7 for seven days following closure to triage and transport any patients who arrive at the emergency departments; Working with the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the VA system to transition care of veterans who had received care at Nashoba Valley and Carney; Continuing to work to identify and communicate transportation options for patients who will need to travel to new hospitals, offices, and other health care facilities; Working with the Department of Mental Health to support the opening of geriatric psychiatry beds at Good Samaritan Medical Center to offset the loss of beds at Carney and Nashoba Valley; Facilitating the transfer of medical residents from Carney to other hospitals where they can continue their training; Protecting ongoing access for patients to their medical records, imaging studies, and other vital health and medical information; Supporting the Community Care Pharmacy, which had been in the Carney Hospital lobby, as it seeks to relocate to a new site in the Dorchester community; Creating resources for patients, families, and communities, including a dedicated Steward Transition website, a call center, an interactive urgent care center map, and an interactive hospital capacity dashboard. Heartfelt notes are written on windows outside of the Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass., on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) The closure of a hospital is a devastating blow to a community, and in this case, the speed at which the process unfolded has added a further layer of disruption for so many residents, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said in a statement. As Steward runs away from its obligations in these communities, we are running toward them to do what is needed to maintain access to essential medical care for patients and support the dedicated employees who have been delivering extraordinary care during this difficult time, Walsh said. We stand with these communities as we all move through this transition. State officials have also been meeting with staff at the two facilities for several weeks, officials said. The MassHire Rapid Response team has been onsite at Nashoba Valley and Carney to provide hundreds of workers with job services, officials said. Those job services include one-on-one and group meetings to explain unemployment insurance processes, to share job leads, and to discuss job placement and job search workshops, officials said. Rapid Response held four job fairs at both hospitals recently. There were 55 health care employers at the fairs with job openings ranging from administrative positions to registered nursing positions, officials said. 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 There were reports of both continued fighting and unusual calm in different parts of Gaza on Friday after the World Health Organization said Israel had made "a preliminary commitment for area-specific humanitarian pauses" to facilitate an upcoming polio vaccination campaign aimed at stemming the spread of the debilitating illness among children in the war-torn enclave. An infant boy has been left partially paralyzed after being diagnosed with polio earlier this month, in what the WHO reported as the first case in Gaza in 25 years. Abdul Rahman's mother spoke with CBS News this week in the tent where she and her family now live. She begged for help for her son, saying there was no treatment available in the camp and lamenting the dire sanitary conditions there. Neveen Abu Al-Jidyan is shown with her son Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, whom the WHO said had contracted the first case of polio reported in Gaza in 25 years, Aug. 28 2024. / Credit: CBS News Health workers have said the closure of many hospitals in Gaza, due to destruction from Israeli strikes and extremely limited fuel supplies, was contributing to lower than normal vaccination rates in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. "Without humanitarian pauses, as we call it at the U.N., a campaign delivery which is already implemented in incredible constraints, complex environments, will not be possible," Rik Peeperkorn, a senior WHO official for the Palestinian territories, said during a Thursday briefing. Peeperkorn said the vaccination campaign would take place over phases of three days each, beginning in central Gaza, then moving to the south and the north of the territory. It will aim to provide two drops of the oral polio vaccine to more than 640,000 children under the age of 10. The WHO said for the rollout to be successful and to prevent international spread, there needs to be at least a 90% vaccine coverage in that age group. U.N. aid workers said 2,700 health care workers at medical centers and mobile units would deliver and administer the vaccines from Sunday. Workers unload polio vaccines provided with support from UNICEF to the Gaza Strip at the Karm Abu Salem crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom, at a depot belonging to Gaza's Ministry of Health, Aug. 25, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. / Credit: EYAD BABA/AFP/Getty Peeperkorn said the WHO and partner agencies were "ready to deliver the campaign" and that preparations had been completed, with 1.26 million vaccine doses and 500 vaccine carriers delivered to Gaza. He said 400,000 additional doses would "arrive to Gaza soon." "Due to the insecurity, the damage, the road infrastructure and population displacement, but also based on our experience with this kind of campaigns globally and worldwide, the three days might not be enough to achieve adequate vaccination," he said. "When needed, the campaign will be extended by one day per zone or even more when necessary." One concern voiced by a medical professional on the ground in Gaza has been how to keep the vaccines chilled. Polio vaccines need to be kept continually refrigerated before use, in what's called cold chain storage, or they go bad. Dr. Majed Jaber, who works in Gaza's coastal Al-Mawasi district, an Israeli-designated evacuation zone where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought shelter, said earlier this week that only about nine health care facilities across Gaza were still able to facilitate cold chain storage. He said there was no refrigeration in the tent camps or at most local medical facilities in the enclave, and that with each new mass displacement under Israeli evacuation orders, it becomes harder for medical professionals to organize care. "What are we supposed to do? It feels really helpless," he said. Palestinians are seen in the al-Mawasi district, west of the city of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, following the Israeli army's warning to evacuate another section of the city, Aug. 11, 2024. / Credit: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu/Getty The Palestinian Ministry of Health said Friday that cold chain equipment would be transferred from one region to another as the polio vaccination program gets underway. The ministry published maps of the locations of vaccination centers and said it had sent text messages to Palestinians in Gaza informing them of vaccination dates. The WHO's Peeperkorn said Friday that cold chain equipment, including generators, had arrived in Gaza along with the polio vaccines. "The microplanning is the most important part of any polio campaign, and it seems easy, but it's very complex," he said, explaining that there would be fixed location teams, outreach teams, community points, mobile teams, special teams and transport teams as part of the vaccine drive. "That shows a little bit about the complexity of the operation, and I also want to stress that it's also part of the vulnerability of this operation," Peeperkorn said. "We need definitely that all the parties... stick to the agreement we have, the humanitarian pauses, to ensure that people can move, that they can bring their children, that all those teams can do their work. We talk about hiring vehicles, hiring trucks, motorcycles etc. It's all part of the campaign. When this is all linked, I think we have a good chance to get a successful campaign. So again, we call on all parties to help ensure that this happens as it is being planned." Separately, the Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it had ended its months-long operation in southern and central Gaza, which it said had killed 250 Hamas fighters. An Israeli military spokesperson told the AFP news agency that there were currently no operations in the Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah areas. An AFP journalist reported that Israeli artillery pounded western parts of Gaza City on Friday, however, while a medical source told the news agency an Israeli strike near Khan Younis had killed three people. WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday, speaking about the upcoming vaccination campaign, that the best thing for the health of children in Gaza would be a complete cease-fire. "The best medicine is peace," he said. What to watch as the college football season gets underway A behind-the-scenes look at America's boba boom How to ace your next job interview AYER, Mass. (AP) When Christina Hernon was 5, her throat swelled shut from an infection and her mother rushed her to a local Massachusetts hospital in the dead of night. She couldnt breathe, suffered a seizure, and was near death when a doctor saved her by inserting a tube down her throat. Steward Health Care announces sale of 4 Massachusetts hospitals Hernon is now an emergency physician at one of two hospitals in the state that are due to close on Saturday. She and others among the 1,250 affected staff at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer and Carney Hospital in Boston believe that patients like she was will suffer and could even die as a result of the closures because they wont have time to make it to other hospitals farther away. I would consider it guaranteed that there will be some negative outcomes, Hernon said. To add on an additional 20, 25 minutes, or over, of travel time is potentially the difference between life and death. Staff are furious because they say that behind the failure of the Dallas-based company that owns the hospitals, Steward Health Care, lies a story of alleged corporate greed involving one of their own. Former Massachusetts heart surgeon Ralph de la Torre, who founded Steward and remains its chief executive, extracted more than $100 million from the company before it filed for bankruptcy in May, according to lawsuits and bankruptcy filings. The company had earlier cashed in by selling all its hospitals for $1.2 billion and then leasing them back from the new owners. The company described it as an asset-light model designed to prioritize patient care. Patients, healthcare workers push to keep Carney Hospital from closing A direction board stands outside Carney Hospital in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) But a lawsuit filed by Aya Healthcare in Texas claims that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steward elected to rain cash on its equity holders instead of paying bills and keeping critical hospitals operating at peak levels. Aya claims Steward owes it $45 million after not paying for hospital nurses it provided. The lawsuit claims de la Torre used ill-gotten gains to fund a lavish lifestyle, including buying two luxury yachts worth more than $65 million. In recent weeks, as Hernon and other staff fought to keep their hospitals open, de la Torre and his family were on vacation at the Paris Olympics, watching the equestrian dressage events at the Palace at Versailles. A spokesperson for de la Torre said that under the terms of the bankruptcy, he doesnt have the authority to make decisions on which hospitals are sold or closed. He was regrettably on a family vacation that was planned and paid for last year when the decision to close the two Massachusetts hospitals was announced in late July, the spokesperson added. Of course this feels like a betrayal, Hernon said. I think it would feel pretty close to the same kind of a betrayal if he werent a physician. But the fact that he is, its just hard to understand how that came to be. Where the goals changed from protecting and caring for patients, and ensuring their health and wellness, to taking actions that are so destructive. At Nashoba Valley where Hernon works, signs urging action to keep the hospital open dot the parking lot, and pink hearts and writing on the emergency room window say Save NVMC. Save lives! The carnage left behind by Stewards failure is widespread. After starting in Boston 14 years ago with funding from a private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, Steward expanded to operate 31 hospitals in eight states, employing about 30,000 people and serving more than 2 million patients each year. Cerberus cashed out in 2020, walking away with a profit of about $800 million. Steward even dabbled internationally, including the small Mediterranean Sea nation of Malta. Steward claimed it achieved rapid success there after running three hospitals for the Maltese government. But the arrangement ended last year, and authorities in Malta have accused Steward of fraud and collusion. Steward said its business in the archipelago was conducted professionally and to support our provision of services to the people of Malta. Stewards Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in Texas details how the company ended up with $9.2 billion in debt and liabilities. De la Torre has previously argued his company purchased many struggling hospitals that may not have otherwise survived. But staff dont buy it. With him getting away scot-free, being in France, doing whatever he needs to do, having his yachts, his planes, and not having to answer? asked Michael Santos, who works security at the Nashoba Valley hospital. What would happen if it was me or you? Santos has needed to rush his own daughter, who has severe asthma, to the hospital in the past and said it remains pivotal to the community. This closure, its going to result in deaths, Santos said. About 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast in one of Bostons most diverse neighborhoods sit the imposing Carney Hospital buildings. Emergency room nurse Mary Ann Rockett said she considers staff and patients to be like a family. We have patients here that when they walk in the door, we know their allergies, their meds, we know their medical history, she said. And in some instances, I can tell you what theyre here for before theyve filled out that spot in the questionnaire. Rockett said she also believes the closures will result in negative outcomes, including deaths. Its hard, she said. Its heartbreaking. Hundreds unite around Nashoba Valley Medical Center days before slated closure A sign pushing to keep the hospital open stands outside Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Mass., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) Neither Steward nor a patient-care ombudsman appointed for the bankruptcy process responded to questions about whether deaths or other negative outcomes were expected as a result of the two hospital closures. This month, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced deals to sell four Steward hospitals to new owners and for the state to seize a fifth by using eminent domain before transferring ownership. Healey said no buyers put in qualifying bids for the Carney or Nashoba Valley hospitals and the state couldnt be expected to run them, so they would need to close. She said the state had contributed $30 million to keep them open through the end of August. Im pleased to say were closing the book on Steward once and for all in Massachusetts, Healey said at a news conference announcing the deals. Good riddance and goodbye. A spokesperson for the states Department of Health said it had been working with other hospitals and health centers in affected regions to preserve access to essential medical services, help patients transition their care and connect staff with new employment opportunities. The department had also been in discussions with fire chiefs near the Nashoba Valley hospital to develop plans to maintain a strong emergency response system there, the spokesperson said. Stewards bankruptcy is now being investigated by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and de la Torre has been issued a subpoena to testify on Sept. 12. Saturday will mark the second closure of a Steward hospital that Rockett has endured. She worked at the nearby Quincy Medical Center when Steward shut down that 124-year-old hospital, citing operating losses. She said many of the neediest patients, the ones that fall through the cracks, also moved from Quincy to Carney, and she doesnt know where they will go next. There is no place in health care for profit, Rockett said. We should be here for the patients. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Hundreds of people rallied at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Ala., in February in support of legislation to protect in vitro fertilization. Democrats are hoping that increased engagement on the issue of in vitro fertilization will translate into voter turnout at the polls in November. Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortions. Helping a pregnant minor travel to get a legal abortion without parental consent is now a crime in at least two Republican-led states, prompting legal action by abortion-rights advocates and copycat legislation from conservative lawmakers in a handful of other states. Last year, Idaho became the first state to outlaw abortion trafficking, which it defined as recruiting, harboring or transporting a pregnant minor to get an abortion or abortion medication without parental permission. In May, Tennessee enacted a similar law. And Republican lawmakers in Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma introduced abortion trafficking bills during their most recent legislative sessions, although those bills failed to advance before the sessions ended. Those five states are among the 14 that enacted strict abortion bans following the U.S. Supreme Courts June 2022 Dobbs decision, which dismantled the federal right to abortion. Now, conservative state lawmakers are pushing additional measures to try to restrict their residents from getting them in states where it remains legal. A lot of folks thought Dobbs was the floor and its really not, said Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democrat whos challenging Tennessees trafficking law in court. [Anti-abortion lawmakers] are coming for state travel and the ability to even talk about abortion. Abortion-rights advocates have filed lawsuits in Alabama, Idaho and Tennessee, arguing the laws are vague and violate constitutional rights to free speech and travel between states. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Idahos law from being enforced while the case is ongoing. Proponents of the laws argue theyre needed to protect parental rights and to prevent other adults from persuading adolescents to get abortions. This is a parental rights piece of legislation, Idaho Republican state Rep. Barbara Ehardt told Stateline. We cant control someone getting an abortion in Oregon. But you cannot take a child to get an abortion without the parents knowledge because, at least in the past, we would have called that kidnapping. But critics warn that abortion trafficking laws could have grave implications not only for interstate travel, but also for personal speech and communication between friends, or between children and adults they trust. If courts go down this road, it could change the scope of the First Amendment, Mary Ziegler, a legal historian and law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, told Stateline. It could have an effect on what else qualifies as crime-facilitating speech, and that could limit the kinds of things people can say and do online and in other contexts. Opponents also question whether states should be permitted to interfere in the business of other states. Criminalizing travel within an abortion-ban state to reach another state for a legal abortion would allow prosecutors to project power across state lines, said Ziegler. We havent seen states try to interfere in whats happening in other states in quite the same way in a long time, she said. Thats why there is legal uncertainty because were not talking about something where we have a lot of legal precedent. Parental rights Tennessee state Rep. Jason Zachary, a Knoxville Republican, defended Tennessees legislation as a parental rights bill that reinforces a parents right to do whats best for their child, in remarks he made to the Tennessee General Assembly before the bill passed. Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law in May. The following month, Behn joined with Nashville attorney and longtime abortion access activist Rachel Welty to file a lawsuit challenging the new law. Behn and Welty sued nearly a dozen district attorneys in Tennessee, alleging they ignored Weltys requests to define what behavior would be deemed illegal under the new law. The Tennessee law says that abortion trafficking occurs when an adult intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports a pregnant minor within the state to get an abortion or an abortion-inducing drug without parental consent, regardless of where the abortion is to be procured. A hearing to determine whether the court will grant a temporary injunction blocking the Tennessee law, which is currently in effect, is scheduled for Aug. 30. After Idaho passed its law in April 2023, two advocacy groups and an attorney who works with sexual assault victims sued the state attorney general. The plaintiffs claim Idahos law is vague and violates the First Amendment right to free speech, as well as the right to travel freely between states. The right to interstate travel isnt spelled out in the U.S. Constitution but its implied, legal experts say. The Idaho law directly applies to travel within the state, but it also notes that defendants are not immune from liability if the abortion provider or the abortion-inducing drug provider is located in another state. Megan Kovacs, a board member with the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, which is a plaintiff in the case along with the Indigenous Idaho Alliance, said it is so clearly unconstitutional to disallow people from accessing health care from within or outside their state. Kovacs added that her group also wants to protect its volunteers from legal liability. Neither the Idaho nor the Tennessee law exempts minors who become pregnant after being raped by a parent. If that person had to go to a parent who didnt believe them or wanted to defend that family member who was the abuser, that only impedes healing even more, said Kovacs, who has spent a decade working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Ehardt, who sponsored the Idaho bill, said any adult who is told by a child about an incident of incest should call authorities rather than helping the minor obtain an abortion without parental consent. You have to call the police and they will be the ones to help protect the childs safety, she said. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held a hearing in May in Seattle, and Kovacs said she expects to learn in the next few weeks whether the court will uphold the temporary injunction blocking Idahos law while the lawsuit rolls on. In July 2023, a group of health care providers sued Alabama Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall and district attorneys, asking the court to prevent the state from prosecuting people who help Alabamians travel to get abortion care in states where its legal. The providers filed the lawsuit in response to remarks that Marshall made on a radio show in 2022, when he suggested that some people who aid a pregnant person in planning or traveling to get an abortion in another state could be prosecuted under the states criminal conspiracy laws. A judge denied Marshalls motion to dismiss the lawsuit earlier this year, and the case is ongoing. A coordinated effort The Tennessee and Idaho laws mirror language in model legislation that was published in 2022 by the National Right to Life Committee, which bills itself as the nations oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. With this model law, we [are] laying out a roadmap for the right-to-life movement so that, in a post-Roe society, we can protect many mothers and their children from the tragedy of abortion, said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life Committee, in a June 2022 statement introducing the model anti-abortion law. Anti-abortion-rights organizations, like other interest groups, have long coordinated strategies to promote their preferred legislation to state and federal lawmakers. The Idaho and Tennessee laws focus specifically on minors, even though they comprise a small fraction of people who get abortions. Those under 19 accounted for 8.1% of abortions, and those under age 15 accounted for just 0.2% of abortions in 2021, the most recent year for which the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published data. Kovacs and Ziegler say the bills zero in on minors access to abortion because policies that regulate children and teens tend to be more politically acceptable than broader restrictions that affect adults. Such bills also tend to be more likely to survive legal challenges in court. A chilling effect Nobody in Tennessee or Idaho has yet been prosecuted under the abortion trafficking laws, but an Idaho woman and her son were charged with kidnapping last fall for allegedly taking the sons girlfriend, a minor, out of state to get an abortion. One main goal of a law such as Tennessees, Behn believes, is to create a chilling effect so that average people are scared to help anyone who might need an abortion, for fear of breaking the law. These bills create an environment of suspicion, fear and misinformation, said Behn. But I do think we will see more aggressive district attorneys start to prosecute these cases. [The law] widens the permission structure to start prosecuting people. Laws criminalizing abortion travel and imposing other abortion restrictions may be designed to provoke a legal challenge, Ziegler said. With a 6-3 conservative majority, the U.S. Supreme Court might be inclined to support them. Abortion-rights advocates argue that restrictive abortion laws end up harming even those people who live in states where abortion is still legal. Oregon, for example, has some of the strongest abortion protection laws in the nation. And yet the strict abortion ban next door in Idaho has made it more difficult for Oregonians to access care, said Kovacs, who lives in Oregon. These bills create an environment of suspicion, fear and misinformation. But I do think we will see more aggressive district attorneys start to prosecute these cases. Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn Before Idahos ban, many people in Eastern Oregon traveled to Idaho for abortion care, she said, because its clinics were closer than Oregons clinics, most of which are concentrated on the western side of the state. Last year, in response to increasing abortion restrictions in other states, Oregon passed a sweeping health care omnibus bill that strengthens protections for abortion providers and explicitly allows minors to seek abortions without parental consent. It was signed into law and took effect in January. Ziegler said its not hard to imagine that if abortion trafficking laws are upheld in abortion-ban states, at some point prosecutors in those states could file charges against providers in safe states for providing abortion help, such as mailing abortion pills. I think its not intended to just stop with the people who are in the ban states, Ziegler said. 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. HERKIMER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Herkimer man was arrested on the evening of Thursday, August 29 after he allegedly stabbed a woman to death, according to Herkimer Police. Officers were called to the Stone Ridge Orchards on Protection Avenue at approximately 11:30 pm on Thursday regarding a third-party report of a possible homicide. Upon their arrival, they were met by a male who made comments regarding his mother. Based on those comments, police checked the apartment. A search of the apartment found the males mother dead in her bedroom. Police say the male later identified as 26-year-old Jeremiah Moore willingly accompanied officers back to the station to speak with investigators. Other officers then conducted a search of the area and interviewed other tenants in the building. Herkimer Police Evidence Specialists processed the crime scene while investigators interviewed Moore at the station. After the investigation at the scene and the Herkimer Police Department, it was found that Moore had stabbed his mother to death. Moore was subsequently arrested, processed and arraigned. Moore is being charged with: Second-degree Murder, a Class A-I Felony, First-degree Assault, a Class B Felony, Fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, a Class A Misdemeanor. Moore was remanded to the Herkimer County Correctional Facility in Herkimer without bail. The Herkimer Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Mohawk 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. JONESVILLE, S.C. (WSAV)Jonesville and surrounding neighborhood residents are invited to talk with Town of Hilton Head Island staff at a community cookout. The Neighborhood Gathering & Cookout will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 5-7 p.m. according to the Town of Hilton Head press release. The community event will at the site of the old stable grounds located at 200 Jonesville Rd. Community Corner: Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center Commemorates 150 Years As part of our Towns Strategic Action Plan, we are committed to addressing the unique infrastructure needs of historic areas like Jonesville, said Town Manager Marc Orlando. Its essential that we collaborate with residents to help shape the future. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity for us to engage directly with the community, hear their concerns and ideas, and share the various initiatives and resources the Town is offering to enhance the area. Town staff will be from departments like planning, engineering, fire rescue, public safety, administration and the Gullah Geechee Community Development Corporation. HHI said that the staff members will provide information on a variety of ongoing projects and initiatives, including: Initial ideas for the former Driftwood Stables property Enhancements to roads, parks, open spaces, and pathways Stormwater management and driveway access Discussions on zoning, districts, and maintaining community character The Home Safety Repair Program The Sewer Connection Program The Historic Neighborhoods Permitting and Design Studio, which assists with addressing, property access, conceptual site design, business licensing, and more Public safety and other additional topics They ask for feedback from residents to help the Town create plans to enhance the neighborhood and manage growth of the area. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and beverages will be provided for residents. For more information, please contact Sharonica Gavin, Principal Planner-Historic Neighborhoods, at 843-715-4307 or SharonicaG@hiltonheadislandsc.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This week, Hialeahs council unanimously approved the suspension of a franchise fee on water and sewer bills. But rather than expressing recognition, some residents were dismissive of the proposal, instead urging the city to hire more customer service personnel one of many longstanding complaints about the Public Works Department, which manages Hialeahs water and sewer system. Milly Herrera, a longtime resident and former council candidate, challenged the council members at a meeting Tuesday, saying, How much is this going to save me or the average person? $5? Let me make it easy for you vote no. Herrera, who often advocates against over-development in the city, suggested that rather than offering minimal bill reductions, the city should take the money and hire someone for customer service to answer the phone. The city imposes a franchise fee on utilities for using municipal rights-of-way. The fee is calculated as a percentage of a property owners bimonthly usage. It was initially set at 10% when introduced in 2014 under Mayor Carlos Hernandez, but since 2019 the fee has gradually decreased to its current rate of 4%. The fee contributes to making Hialeahs utility services among the most expensive in Miami-Dade County. Despite Hialeahs promises to offset the countys impending rate hike, which imposes a 13.6% increase in water rates and a 3.3% decrease in sewer rates for Hialeah resulting in an overall 10% rise in costs for residents next fiscal year residents may still see an increase in their bills. The fee suspension, which would take the overall increase down to 6%, would benefit customers with an average or below-average bimonthly consumption of 5,250 gallons. The ordinance passed an initial vote on Aug. 15 without further debate. During the final vote, Councilman Bryan Calvo, who was absent from the first, reopened the discussion, advocating for the elimination of the fee not just a suspension. He noted that three years ago, budgetary constraints made it impossible, but now the budget has swelled by nearly $50 million. Were in a financial position to eliminate this franchise fee, and we should because its just an additional tax on residents, Calvo said. But the larger conversation remains: What is the future of Hialeahs water? In the first debate, Frank De La Paz, a longtime lobbyist for small developers in the city, raised concerns about challenges in obtaining the sewer capacity certification letter required by the county for property development. He highlighted the difficulties in meeting with department employees to address those matters. Mayor Esteban Steve Bovo said that his administration considered eliminating the fee, which represented around $3.8 million in the budget but said the citys financials arent there yet. However, he pointed out that when the city introduced a water bill relief program last year, virtually nobody applied. Despite allocating a budget of up to $250,000 for the initiative, only $4,711 was distributed in grants. According to public records from the Finance Department provided to el Nuevo Herald, just 117 families qualified for the program. On average, each recipient received a one-time credit of $40 on their service bill. Bovo used Calvos remarks as an opportunity to address the ongoing discrepancy with Miami-Dade County, which is seeking $18 million in unpaid past services. Hialeah residents receive their sewer services from the county and half of their water from Miami-Dade. The other half comes from a reverse osmosis plant co-owned by the city and the county. Miami-Dade County issued an ultimatum to Hialeah in a letter dated July 22, demanding $18 million by Aug. 31. Hialeah requested an extension until Sept. 30, which the county granted. I think it would be irresponsible for the city to cut a check for $18 million just because they said so. I dont agree with that, Bovo said. But we still have to pay for the water plant, which produces more expensive water than what we get from the county. Theres no current path for the county to take the plant and absolve us of the debt, but were in constant talks to resolve this. Interior view of the Hialeah Potable Water Treatment Plant facilities. C.M.Guerrero/El Nuevo Herald The treatment plants construction cost $100 million, with Miami-Dade County financing 50% and the remaining half funded through city-issued bonds. While the project was designed to produce 10 million gallons of water per day, its current capacity stands at 7.5 million gallons per day. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer and millions of Americans will be trying to squeeze the most out of it with one last trip. AAA expects 17 million people to travel this Labor Day weekend which is about a nine percent increase from last year. The travelers say they wont let that statistic stop them from enjoying time with family and friends. So I ended up missing my flight because getting through security. It, you know, messed me up. So I had to get up early this morning and flew in today, said Farran. The Transportation Security Administration expects this to be the busiest Labor Day travel period ever. Dillon Farran got a jump on things by starting his travel today at the Springfield-Branson National Airport. Me being in Nebraska and being away from my family, you know, I dont really get to come home or I certainly dont go to the lake. So, you know, theres just just kind of that one special weekend that I got to come home and and see them and, you know, hang out, said Farran. AAA says gas prices are down almost 40 cents a gallon from last year which will motivate many travelers to go for road trips. But Brian Weiler, the Springfield-Branson airport director, says they are still expecting big crowds this weekend The Springfield Airport is having another record year. Were currently up 12% off last years record year. So weve been busy all year long and expect that trend to continue, said Weiler. William Martin travels on Labor Day quite often but usually drives instead of taking a plane but with one of his good friends getting married. It made sense for the group to fly Our experience today was great. Showed up at the airport, got some breakfast, met up with these guys and yeah, here we are, said Martin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Sycamore High School in Tennessee student died while on a run in the extreme heat in their neighborhood. (Google Maps) A 15-year-old Tennessee boy died while going for a run as temperatures soared into triple digits in his neighborhood. Tristen Franklin was jogging in his neighborhood on his usual route when he collapsed on Tuesday, according to WSMV. Neighbors called 911 after finding the fallen teen but help arrived too late. While he ran on Sycamore High Schools cross country team, he was not on school property when the tragedy occurred. His cause of death is not immediately clear but it coincided with extreme heat in the state. The school is located in Pleasant View, Tennessee, less than 30 miles from Nashville. Temperatures hit a record-breaking 102 degrees in the area on Thursday, while a brutal 100 degrees was recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to WKRN. Average August temperatures in the Nashville area are typically in the upper 80s. Locals expressed their heartache over the teens death. The Cheatham County School District is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a Sycamore High School student, district spokesperson Tim Adkins said in a statement to The Tennessean. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the students family and friends during this difficult time. The impact of such a loss is immeasurable, Adkins said, adding that counseling services were available. It is so sad. He was so young and had his whole life ahead of him, Troy Simpkins, who exchanged waves with Franklin while he was on his run, told WSMV. Tell the people in your life how much you love them. Meanwhile, a tobacco farmers death in the area earlier this week was also believed to have been caused by heat exhaustion. Cheatham County first responders are awaiting the autopsy reports in both cases. The Independent has emailed the Cheatham County Sheriffs Department for more information. ISTANBUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Friday arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State (IS) in Istanbul who was accused of planning a bomb attack, local media reported. According to the NTV broadcaster, anti-terror units initiated the operation after discovering that the IS was plotting a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city and financial hub. The investigation revealed that the suspect had entered the country illegally after receiving bomb-making and attack training in Syria. The suspect was allegedly acting on orders from senior IS officials who had directed him to carry out the planned attack, the NTV added. During the raid on his residence in the Bagcilar district on the European side of the city, police discovered a sword hidden under the suspect's bed and seized many documents and digital materials related to the terrorist organization. The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, and Turkish police have been regularly conducting counter-terrorism operations against its members across the country. MALVERNE, Long Island (PIX11) Students at a high school on Long Island learned ways to protect themselves online Thursday. The training was hosted by Safe Center Long Island, an agency that helps people dealing with interpersonal and domestic violence. More Local News The students were taught how to create safe passwords and what information should be shared online. Students and children spend an enormous amount of time online and we think its important they are held accountable for the info they share and how they communicate with their friends, said Lorraine DiFiglia of Safe Center Long Island. Kesha Bascombe, the principal at Malverne High School says students must learn this information now. It sets the tone of the school year. Kids are constantly on social media and our goal is that they are exploring and coming into their own self and being safe, Bascombe said. Kaiden Ulysse, 16, is a student at Malverne High School. Ulysse is on board with a new school policy that bans cell phones for students during the day since hes seen cyberbullying happen amongst his peers. Ive seen it and I have done my best to help my peers when those things happen, said Ulysse. More Long Island News Junior Evelyn Brown has seen cyberbullying too. Youll see negative comments on TikTok videos, youll see just maybe a text message between friends and say, oh, thats not a nice thing to say, Brown said. Cyberbullying is really everywhere, and its a sad fact that as technology gets more advanced, this is what we have to live with. Change your passwords often. If youre being cyberbullied, block the account, report the account, DiFiglia said. Safe Center Long Island also encourages anyone who is being cyberbullied to talk to a trusted adult. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) Odessa Highs season opener against Amarillo ended in a no-contest due to weather delays. The Sandies were leading 6-0 at the time of the suspension. The Bronchos take on L. D. Bell next week. ICYMI: Check out highlights from around the basin HERE! Watch the video above for highlights. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (ABC4) A hiker has died while in the area of the Thunder River Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. According to the National Parks Service (NPS) on Aug. 27, workers received a report of a solo backpacker who had failed to check in with a family member while attempting the Thunder River Trail to Deer Creek Trail. READ NEXT: Draper Police: Woman tried to abduct infant from car seat in parking lot on State St. The hiker was only described as a 60-year-old male from North Carolina. A search and rescue team was sent to locate the missing backpacker, according to NPS. The following day, Aug. 28, just before 10 a.m., National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel, responding via helicopter, located an unresponsive individual along a route that Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp. National Parks Service stated the 60-year-old male from North Carolina, was on a solo multi-day backpacking trip from Thunder River to Deer Creek. They also said an investigation into the incident is underway by the NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner. The Thunder River-Deer Creek Trail loop goes down along the Colorado River through the Surprise Valley area of Grand Canyon NP. No additional information has been made available 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 ABC4 Utah. A solo backpacker has been found dead near a rugged and remote trail along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, authorities in Arizona said Thursday. The National Park Service said the 60-year-old North Carolina resident was located by helicopter Wednesday along a route connecting Lower Tapeats and Deer Creek camps. The two sites are accessible from the North Rim on a river bend about 29 miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. The mans name and hometown were not made public. The Park Service said he was on a solo multiday backpacking trip from Thunder River to Deer Creek, and was reported missing on Tuesday after failing to check in with a family member. The Park Service and Coconino County Medical Examiner were investigating his cause and manner of death. ALSO READ: US national parks are receiving record-high gift of $100M The route between campsites about 4,400 feet below the North Rim offers scenic views of colorful rock walls and canyons, waterfalls and pools accessible by steep and sometimes difficult trails, according to a Park Service guide. The hiker is believed to be the sixth person to die at the canyon in less than a month and the 14th this year. Park officials reported 11 fatalities in 2023 and say there are usually about 10 to 15 deaths per year. Authorities said an 80-year-old man on a commercial river trip died Sunday after falling from a boat into the river near Fossil Rapid, about 10 miles upriver from Tapeats Creek. The body of 33-year-old woman from the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert was also found Sunday after she was swept away in a flash flood while hiking Aug. 22. The body of a 20-year-old New Mexico woman was found Aug. 8 below Twin Overlooks; a 43-year-old Missouri man died Aug. 1 while attempting a prohibited BASE jump from Yavapai Point; and a 20-year-old North Carolina man fell to his death July 31 at the South Rim. (WATCH BELOW: Body of Hickory man recovered after 400-foot fall at Grand Canyon National Park) A Hillsborough County deputy died by suicide Thursday evening, according to the sheriffs office. Shortly before 5:30 p.m., a family member found Deputy Timothy White, 45, dead in a vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Tampa Fire Rescue Headquarters, the sheriffs office said in a news release. White worked at the sheriffs office for 15 years and most recently served at the Hillsborough County Courthouse, the news release states. The fire rescue headquarters is across the street from the courthouse. I am devastated to learn that one of our own was suffering in silence, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release. The entire Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office grieves with Deputy Whites loved ones. To anyone in crisis, please know you are not alone; help is available. Need help? If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay can be reached by dialing 211 or by visiting crisiscenter.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Peter McGuire and Matthew Maguire had much in common. Their last names are obviously similar. They were both passionate activists who fought for American labor rights in the 19th century. They both attended the first Labor Day parade in New York City in 1882. And, more controversially, both men have been described as the father of Labor Day. A federal holiday since 1894, Labor Day is an annual recognition of the American labor movement and celebration of the economic and social achievements of American workers. Held the first Monday of each September, this years holiday is September 2. Peter McGuire has long been credited with first proposing the idea of Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1882. But this claim has been contested for more than a century, and recently unearthed evidence suggests Maguirethat is, Matthewis the true founder of the national holiday. Who Was Peter McGuire? Getty Images Peter McGuire cofounded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1881 as well as the group that became the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Through these organizations, he helped lead the strikes of 1886 and 1890 that ultimately lead the eight-hour workday. McGuire probably did more than anyone else to convince skeptical, locally minded union activists around the country that a national labor federation was not only necessary but also possible, according to the AFL-CIO. Without his tireless enthusiasm and practical example, the creation of the AFL and its survival through its early years are practically inconceivable. Legend has it McGuire proposed the idea of Labor Day to the New York Central Labor Union on May 12, 1882, suggesting it should be be celebrated by a street parade which would publicly show the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The Peter J. McGuire Memorial and Gravesite in Pennsauken, New Jersey, is included on the National Register of Historic Places. His gravestone and statue are both inscribed with the words Father of Labor Day, and each year labor leaders and community members gather there to commemorate the holiday. Who Was Matthew Maguire? Matthew Maguire served as secretary for the Machinists and Blacksmiths Unions Paterson Local 344 and the Central Labor Union of New York, which organized the first Labor Day parade. Like McGuire, he was passionate about improving working conditions for workers, and led strikes in the 1870s for a shorter work week. Maguires work brought significant public awareness to the long hours and difficult conditions manufacturing workers endured, according to the Labor Department. Maguire continued to bring attention to labor issues when he ran for vice president of the United States on the Socialist Labor Party ticket with Charles H. Matchett in 1896, the year William McKinley was elected president. Get Biography.com articles delivered straight to your inbox. Maguire sent out the invitations for the first Labor Day parade in 1882, and rode in the first carriage at the head of the parade along with his wife. This, along with several recently unearthed pieces of historical evidence, suggest he might be the true father of Labor Day, not McGuire. For example, after President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law establishing Labor Day, the Morning Call newspaper published an opinion piece, Honor to Whom Honor is Due, which read the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday, according to the New Jersey Historical Society. William S. Walshs 1898 book, Curiosities of Popular Customs, also credits Maguire with establishing the holiday, saying he was made chairman of the committee to arrange for the first labor day celebration in 1882. In 1912, B.E. and E.B. Stevenson wrote in their book Days and Deeds: To Matthew Maguire, Secretary of the Central Labor Council of New York City belongs the credit for first actually putting the idea into execution. Additionally, researchers from the genealogy website MyHeritage announced in 2020 they uncovered records indicating his involvement with establishing the holiday. This includes a 1917 interment card from his burial at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey, with a handwritten message that reads: This man founded Labor Day. So Who Is the True Father of Labor Day? Getty Images So why is McGuire remembered as the father of Labor Day, rather than Maguire? The answer could be Maguires socialist politics. AFL cofounder Samuel Gompers might not have wanted Labor Day associated with Maguires radical politics, so in an 1897 interview, he credited McGuire with organizing the holiday instead, according to the Labor Department and the New Jersey Historical Society. The differences in personality between the two men might also be a factor. Bill Collins, a retired history teacher and Maguires great-grandson, said Maguire was a reserved person who focused primarily on seeking justice for workers, while McGuire was more concerned about his legacy and perfectly willing to take credit for Labor Day. It really has to do with the different personalities of the two menone an extrovert, one an introvert, one self-serving, and the other not, Collins told The New York Times. Even as new evidence mounts for Maguires case, McGuire remains credited as the father of Labor Day by most sources, including the Labor Department. As Collins observed, however, both men made important contributions for the cause of American labor, and deserve to be associated with the holiday. Both of them were working for the same goal: an eight-hour workday for workers and a holiday to celebrate the laboring-class people, Collins said. In the long run, it really doesnt matter. We have Labor Day. You Might Also Like Details of the case: Chung, 54, and Lam, 36, were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious materials, specifically related to 17 articles published between July 2020 and December 2021. The articles, which included commentaries by exiled activists and journalists, were deemed by the court to have incited hatred against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. The case brought the first sedition trial targeting journalists since Hong Kongs handover to China in 1997. Both editors face up to two years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for Sept. 26. Stand News holding company, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd., was also convicted of the same offense. Lam, who did not appear in court over health reasons, emphasized in a mitigation letter that the only way for journalists to defend press freedom is to report. On the other hand, Chung, who spent 36 days on the witness stand, said that Stand News had only recorded the facts and reported the truth. Heavy rainfall caused the hole in a Florida bridge that leads to popular tourist spot Anna Maria Island on Floridas Gulf Coast, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The damage happened to a section of the Manatee Avenue bridge that had been repaired before, an agency spokesperson told the Bradenton Herald. Crews were dispatched to make emergency repairs. The recent heavy rains caused a previously repaired area of the concrete to deteriorate, said Janella Newsome, a public information director with the transportation agency. The Bradenton area has dealt with heavy rainfall in recent weeks, with nearly 12 inches of rainfall in one day during Hurricane Debby, which also caused historic flooding. Over the past week, Bradenton has seen 6 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The bridge was closed to eastbound traffic Wednesday, Aug. 28, due to the hole but re-opened the next morning with traffic moving freely in both directions without delay, according to multiple agencies. Newsome said the repairs had to be temporarily put on hold due to severe weather, but after the rain subsided crews worked overnight to finish them. A photo posted by the Holmes Beach Police Department to social media showed a hole in the road that appeared to reveal the reinforcing bar support in the bridge. When will aging island bridge be replaced? The bridge, which was built in 1957, is scheduled for replacement. But a new bridge is still several years away, according to FDOT officials. Despite an aging bridge and the potential for more rainfall with hurricane season still underway, Newsome said the bridge remains safe. The bridge is safe and being monitored until replacement starts around four years from now, Newsome said. The eastbound lanes of the Manatee Avenue Bridge are closed as emergency repairs are needed to fix a hole in the bridge, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The bridge is one of three low-level drawbridges serving Anna Maria Island that were built in the 1950s. Two of them the Cortez Bridge and the Manatee Avenue Bridge are set to be replaced by high-rise bridges. The project, including road improvements, spans 1.94 miles from East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach to Perico Bay Boulevard along Manatee Avenue and is scheduled for construction in 2029, according to FDOTs website. The new bridge is expected to be built about 14 feet to the south of the existing bridge and will provide 65 feet of vertical navigational clearance, according to FDOT. Existing plans show it will consist of two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction with 11-foot shoulders for emergency vehicles to pass and 10-foot sidewalks on each side of the bridge. Planned improvements include a pedestrian and bicyclist path under each end of the bridge, landscaping and lighting. FDOT also plans to collaborate with Manatee County Government to explore the construction of an artificial reef from recycled debris and improvements to the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The project is expected to cost $138 million and is currently unfunded, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A group providing counseling, food, and support for the homeless in Jessamine County announced on Thursday that it needs financial support to continue its work. Second-annual survey counting the number of unhoused in Lexington held The Jessamine County Homeless Coalition (JCHC) posted on Facebook Thursday that it is facing an urgent financial crisis. JCHS staff said the coalition is at risk of losing its ability to provide a facility for the homeless. After nine years of servicehelping over 2,200 people through our 90-day program and providing 180,000 hot mealswere at risk of closing our doors. We need immediate support to keep offering shelter, meals, and services to those facing homelessness in our community, the Facebook post said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: According to JCHS staff, those wishing to donate can do so through PayPal, Venmo, or by mailing a check to the emergency shelter at 218 East Maple St., Nicholasville, KY. The team is also looking for anyone who can volunteer with plumbing and other needs. For more information about the JCHS and its services, and to donate to the coalition, follow 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. VIENNA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday that he will visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) next week as nuclear safety situation there "remains precarious." IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that he will hold high-level talks and assess developments at the ZNPP during his visit. Grossi's visit comes after what he called "recent deeply concerning incidents" at the ZNPP, including a fire that broke out at the plant's cooling tower and a drone strike close to the facility earlier this month. "A nuclear accident must be avoided at all costs, and a nuclear power plant must never be attacked. The consequences could be disastrous, and no one stands to benefit from it," Grossi warned, adding that he remains determined to protect nuclear safety. According to Thursday's statement, IAEA experts stationed at the ZNPP have "continued to hear explosions and other indications of military activities, at times near the plant itself." Grossi also expressed increasing concerns over the growing vulnerability of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and its potential impact on the safety of the country's operating nuclear power plants. Homelessness is on the rise in Central Virginia and more state headlines The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) A new report reveals a recent increase in the number of individuals without housing in Central Virginia. 8News Roanoke medical school plans to double enrollment, move into new building. Cardinal News Pygmy sperm whale euthanized after stranding on the Outer Banks. The Virginian-Pilot Military blames Trump campaign for Arlington Cemetery photo op debacle. The Daily News Virginia man indicted on 14 counts for alleged threats against Harris, Obama. WUSA9 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The two Republicans looking to secure their partys nomination in the race for mayor of Cranston squared off Friday in a debate hosted by 12 News. WATCH: Campaign 2024 Debate: Cranston Mayor GOP Primary Mayor Ken Hopkins and state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung didnt hold back on their criticisms of one another while debating topics such as rodent issues, housing, their alignment with the state GOP and more. The 30-minute, commercial-free debate was moderated by Target 12 Chief Investigative Reporter Tim White and 12 News Politics Editor Ted Nesi. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Robert Ferri in November. In response to resident concerns about a rat problem in Cranston, Hopkins called it a statewide issue. Following COVID and the amount of trash that was picked up, were up about 20%, Hopkins said. A lot of people getting takeout lunches, takeout dinners eating at home more. What we see is an uptick in the type of trash and where its disposed, keeping their cans covered so to speak. The mayor added that Cranston has the only full-time rat control inspector in the state. Fenton-Fung criticized Hopkins for his handling of the rats issue, saying, Ken always seems to place the blame on someone else. In Knightsville, in Oaklawn, all we hear is the rats, she said. Theyre people who are paying high tax dollars we have the fourth-highest tax burden in the entire state they expect more for their money. She proposed is to look at hiring private vendors to address the problem in certain areas while looking for a second inspector. During a discussion about building more affordable housing, Hopkins cited current developments happening in Cranston. Theres some houses being built over on the West Warwick/Cranston border, theres a new development there, the mayor said. Were renovating the old Cranston Print Works that has sat vacant for the last 50 years. Were over there putting in new town houses with Brady Sullivan. Hopkins added that an old school that has been demolished will see four new houses built on the land. Fenton-Fung said she would focus on single-level condos and assisted living or independent living communities for senior citizens to be able to afford to stay in Cranston. She also signaled concerns about the developments Hopkins highlighted, saying, theres not always the affordable component to it. As for combating pushback on new housing being built sometimes characterized as NIMBYism Fenton-Fung suggested the answer is a lot more communication, a lot more community outreach. Hopkins noted revitalization projects in the areas of Rolfe Square, Knightsville and Pawtuxet Village. How conservative both candidates are also was a point of contention between them. Hopkins pointed out that Fenton-Fung voted with the Democratic majority in favor of the state budget this past legislative session, noting that experts forecast the plan will leave the state with a roughly $260 million deficit next year. Fenton-Fung pointed out that other Republicans such as House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale and state Rep. Brian Newberry voted in favor the budget as well. Joe Shekarchi, our current speaker, reached across the aisle and included a lot of Republican initiatives in that budget, she said. The candidates also had different answers regarding if theyd keep Col. Michael Winquist as chief of police in Cranston. His removal would require just cause, according to the city charter. Hopkins would keep Winquist in the position, calling him the best colonel in the state. Fenton-Fung didnt commit to keeping or removing Winquist. After the election, well have a great conversation, Fenton-Fung said. And I just want to make sure our plans are aligned. Early voting in Rhode Island is underway until Monday, Sept. 9, and the primary is Tuesday, Sept. 10. 12 News is Your Local Election Headquarters. Stay with us for in-depth coverage of all the key local races and storylines through Election Day. VOTER GUIDE: Key deadlines and other important election information 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. Hotel cant quit Lacey, Killer Burger says its coming, visitors center has new focus A hotel group which tried two years ago to bring a new property to northeast Lacey is still in the game, according to city information. Kalen Lacey Hotel LLC is again requesting approval for construction of a 136-room Residence Inn by Marriott, with approximately 115,655 gross square feet and 128 parking stalls, plus associated site improvements. The site address is 2565 Marvin Rd NE. So what happened the first time around? The project was previously approved by the city, but later expired, so they had to apply again, Lacey spokesman Ty Keltner said. This isnt the only hotel interested in the area. A company called 111 Gateway Enterprises LLC also wants to bring two Hilton brands Homewood Suites and Tru to 2315 Hogum Bay Road NE, which is near Marvin Road and across from the Mayan Mexican Restaurant in the area. A Residence Inn by Marriott has been pitched again in northeast Lacey. Killer Burger says they are coming to Olympia Portland-based Killer Burger is opening six locations in Washington state over the next five years, according to South Sound Magazine. Tacoma, Puyallup, and Olympia are among the Washington cities expected to see new Killer Burger locations, the magazine reports. The deal for the six new locations was done with Cascade Dining, which owns and operates 26 Papa Johns franchises, according to the report. Killer Burger also explored the Olympia market in 2021. 400-acre site The Port of Shelton has received a $200,000 grant that will be applied to a parcel of land located northeast of Shelton but within the urban growth area, the Mason County Economic Development Council announced. The state Department of Commerce industrial site readiness grant will fund wastewater engineering studies for development of the ports roughly 400-acre Johns Prairie Industrial Park. Kids and Tumwater tourism The Tumwater School District, Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce and the city have come together to revitalize the Tumwater Visitors Center. The Visitors Center will house the new Retail and Tourism program where students will gain valuable hands-on experience in customer service, sales/marketing, communication, product development, community outreach, destination knowledge, networking and entrepreneurship. A grand opening is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the Tumwater Fred Meyer parking lot, 5304 Littlerock Road SW. OSPI Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, and Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan, plan to attend. Credit Union shoutout Washington State Employees Credit Union has been named a top credit union in Washington state, according to Forbes magazine and its Best-in-State credit unions list for 2024. Forbes and a business called Statista produced the list based on a survey of about 26,000 U.S. consumers who were asked to rate financial institutions on customer service, the quality of the financial advice representatives offer, whether fees are transparent and reasonable, ease of navigating the company website, on-location branch services and the overall level of trust the companies inspired, according to a news release. This years assessments also included online reviews and ratings between February 2021 and March 2024, accounting for 20% of the total scoring for each institution, according to the credit union. A Washington State Employees Credit Union branch. Area businesses help A number of area businesses have rallied to help the family of Carley Mendiola, an Olympia woman who recently died from leukemia. She leaves behind her husband, Jeff, and two special-needs children, according to Jeff Devlin, the man behind the Best of Olympia Facebook page. About $5,000 has been raised, Devlin said. Some of the businesses that have pitched in to help: Guild Mortgage Lacey, Cove, Blue Summit Realty; Scott McKinney, the owner of Pints and Quarts, Pints Dog House and Pints Barn; Johnsons Smokehouse & Sausage; Nicoles Bar; Best of Olympia; Meater; Mannkitchen; and Recteq. Carley also was the focus of a Go Fund Me campaign earlier this year. If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com. BOSTON, Mass. (SHNS)The Massachusetts House advanced one of the most hot-button housing policies of the session on Thursday but only for six towns and at a session attended by fewer than ten state representatives. The chamber gave initial approval to a Rep. Dylan Fernandes bill (H 3804) to allow Marthas Vineyard to impose a transfer tax on real estate transactions over $1 million. Another favorable House vote would send the bill to the Senate. These are scams!: Secretary Galvin warns about dubious text messages The bill would create a housing bank, run by elected representatives of each of the islands six towns and one at-large representative, to acquire property to create year-round affordable and community housing. It would fund the affordable housing through taxing real estate sales at 2 percent of the transaction price above $1 million. In 2023, the median sale price on Marthas Vineyard was $1.55 million, according LINK, the multiple listing real estate service on the island. The six towns on Marthas Vineyard Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury all approved the bill locally at town meetings. The bill started moving five days after formal sessions ended, when the Revenue Committee on Aug. 5 gave it a favorable report and referred it to Committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Transfer fees have been one of the most controversial topics of the 2023-2024 legislative session, when the affordable housing policy idea gained traction with a heavyweight in its corner for the first time, Gov. Maura Healey. Healey filed her $4 billion housing bond bill last year with a provision that would have allowed all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts decide for themselves if they wanted to impose a transfer fee on high-value real estate to pay for affordable housing, amidst a statewide crisis of both a lack of affordability and accessibility of housing units. Western Massachusetts activists and lawmakers pushed for a reformed version of the policy that would have lowered the threshold for some lower-income municipalities, including rural towns. Boston, Cambridge and Somerville all of whom filed home rule petitions to legalize the tax said taxing sales between wealthy landlords profiting from the skyrocketing residential property values in their cities and using that money to help lower-income families stay in their homes or create new affordable units would help fight displacement. Meanwhile, real estate groups lobbied against the policy, saying it would raise the costs of homeownership. Advocates from Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket have maintained throughout the conversation that they have a unique set of needs. As vacation destinations, where the second home market has devastated housing opportunities for most lower-income full-time residents, activists from the islands said a transfer fee on luxury real estate is a tool that would specifically help their unique housing landscape. We call it the shuffle on the island. You can find a place to live from November through April, but May comes around and they want to turn it into an Airbnb, and youre shuffled out of your house with your children, said Dan OConnell, former secretary of housing and economic development who now lives on Marthas Vineyard, at a rally supporting transfer fees last year. People have been living in tents in the summer because of the lack of being able to find housing. I dont use the word crisis casually, but this truly is one. Advocates have also said that the islands tourism industry, which relies heavily on waiters, bartenders and other part-time workers, is also suffering, as those who work on Marthas Vineyard often cannot afford to live there. At the hospital a third of the physicians positions are open because staff who theyre trying to hire cant find housing, OConnell said. Theyre providing dormitories for nurses who have come in from off the island for 48-hour shifts. Its affecting the people we need most farmers and fishermen, public safety officers, firefighters and EMTs who you want nearby. That case is true as well, and perhaps even greater on Nantucket, where the median home sale price in 2023 was over $3 million. But the House on Thursday only advanced the Marthas Vineyard housing bank bill. The bill was filed by Fernandes with a matching piece of legislation filed by Sen. Julian Cyr in the Senate. Fernandes is running in a competitive election this November for an open Senate seat representing the Plymouth and Barnstable district. He is the presumptive Democratic nominee, with no primary opponent, who will be up against either Republican Rep. Mathew Muratore of Plymouth, who is serving his fifth term in the House, or Kari MacRae of Bourne. It is the second time this month that Democrats in leadership have advanced a bill whose Democrat sponsor is in a competitive election. Healey signed a maternal health bill into law earlier this week. Its lead House negotiator was Rep. Marjorie Decker. Decker is facing a challenge from her left in a race that has gotten more media coverage in recent weeks, and an opponent, Evan MacKay, who has often pointed to Deckers powerful committee roles and criticized Democrats lack of action on enacting statewide policy. Fernandes was not available to discuss the housing bank bill on Thursday, according to his office. The Falmouth Democrat told the Vineyard Gazette in January 2023, when he filed the bill, that he did not think just a home rule petition would succeed on its own on Beacon Hill. The only way we see this happening is if theres a statewide enabling piece, he told the Vineyard Gazette at the time. There are towns that have been filing a transfer fee for over a decade now. A bill filed by Fernandes and Cyr (H 4151) to allow local transfer fees on Nantucket still sits in the Revenue Committee, past its reporting date of July 31, according to the Legislatures 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 WWLP. (Bloomberg) -- House Republican leaders plan votes early next month on a series of measures targeting Chinese companies, including one that would bar federal contractors from doing business with five Chinese biotechnology firms. Most Read from Bloomberg The party leadership notified Republican congressional offices in an email Thursday to expect House votes on the Biosecure Act and other legislation aimed at Chinese companies when lawmakers return to work from their summer break on Sept. 9, according to several people who have seen the email. Speaker Mike Johnson previewed some of the legislation in a speech last month, arguing that business relationships with Chinese biotech companies would leave federal contractors beholden to a US adversary and endanger Americans health care data. Lawmakers in both parties have been raising alarm about economic and national security threats posed by China. Earlier: Xi Urges Top Biden Official to Adopt Rational China Policy The Biosecure Act passed the House Oversight Committee 40-1 in May and would affect five companies to start: BGI Group, MGI, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and WuXi Biologics. Bloomberg Intelligence rates the outlook for passage as high given strong support for the bill in both the House and the Senate. Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, could put up a roadblock. Paul told Bloomberg in late July, shortly before the summer recess, that he would block quick passage of the legislation. That could delay or even stymie efforts to pass the measure unless Democrats decide to make it a major priority and chew up valuable Senate floor time. Senators have been considering adding the legislation to the chambers annual defense policy bill. Backers of the bill have expressed concern that Chinese companies could grow to dominate the biotech space with potential effects on national security as well as the economy, and say American tax dollars should not finance the growth of Chinese tech. The companies have argued they dont pose a risk to any countrys national security and are focused on improving health innovation. Lawmakers were also told to expect votes on other measures restricting business with Chinese companies, including legislation focusing on the Chinese supply chain for electric vehicles, according to the people. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden, banning TikTok unless its Beijing-based parent, ByteDance Ltd., divests. --With assistance from Mackenzie Hawkins and Alexander Ruoff. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. COFFEE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Human remains found near railroad tracks in Coffee County earlier this week have been identified as a missing Manchester woman. According to the Coffee County Sheriffs Department, the State Medical Examiners Office has confirmed the remains were that of Bonne Sue Williams, who went missing in early July. The department said deputies responded to the Forest Mill Community area on Vaughn Speckleton Road near railroad tracks Sunday, Aug. 25, to investigate a human remains call. The remains were located by someone checking their deer cameras, the department said in a release. Williams was missing for several weeks after walking out of the home she shared with her daughter, Danielle Rocha, on July 9. PREVIOUS: Manchester woman missing for weeks after walking out of home Rocha also confirmed the positive identification, telling News 2 the clothing found on the remains were the same her mother was wearing when she left home in early July. It was certainly my mothers remains that were located on Sunday, she told News 2. We are heartbroken that she was found in this condition, all this time later. We can only pray to God that she did not have to suffer for long while she was out there on her own. But we are grateful to finally have an answer and some closure. We can finally begin to grieve properly, instead of being in a constant state of limbo, worry, and wondering. Williams was missing for about 50 days, Rocha said, and her family never stopped searching for her the entire time she was away. The last day they searched, she added, they were relatively close to the area where Williams was found. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We were on the exact train tracks she would have walked down before she veered off into the woods. Looking at the map, and comparing our last area of search to the estimated area she was located in, it would not have been long before we finally located her ourselves. We were getting closer each day, she told News 2. I am very grateful to the landowner that discovered her and reported it to the authorities. Without them, we would have had to make that discovery on our own. According to the Coffee County Sheriffs Department, the previous investigation into Williams whereabouts has now been concluded. Sheriff Chad Partin and [Manchester] Police Chief Bill Sipe both extend their sympathy to the entire Williams family, the department said in a release on social 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 WKRN News 2. (Bloomberg) -- Hungary is set to miss a 4% economic growth target for a second year, according to the latest projections, limiting Prime Minister Viktor Orbans spending room before whats expected to be the tightest election in 16 years. Most Read from Bloomberg The economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter, with the government blaming the weak performance on struggling industrial exports to western Europe, mainly Germany. Under Orban, the nation has also become increasingly reliant on electric-vehicle battery demand, and the slowdown in that sector has had an out-sized impact on Hungary. Gross domestic product may expand from 3.2% to 3.5% next year, Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said in an Inforadio interview late Thursday. That compares with a 4.1% projection in Hungarys latest annual convergence report to the European Union. Its clear that industry, manufacturing and construction are recovering far slower than we thought, Varga said, according to the interviews transcript. Cautious restraint is warranted. The shift comes as the administration races to boost the economy before a general election scheduled for early 2026. Its likely to pit Orbans Fidesz which has ruled Hungary uninterruptedly since 2010 against Peter Magyars rising Tisza party. Magyar blindsided Orban by outperforming in EU and local elections in June and placing a close second in cities that until recently were considered uncontested ruling-party strongholds. General discontent about the state of the economy has added to political scandals and long-standing corruption concerns to give an opening to a potential alternative. The government has already gradually downgraded the 4% forecast for economic growth this year, with the minister saying its now projected to be at 1.7% to 2%. The government is working to lower the budget deficit to the targeted 4.5% and then to 3.7% next year and 2.9% in 2026. After successive misses, its also under pressure from the EU after the European Commission included Hungary among a group of states facing its excessive deficit procedure, which requires remedial action to avert potential fines. Hungary posted a record year-to-date cash-flow based shortfall in the first half, which was narrowed to 2.44 trillion forint ($6.9 billion) after the biggest monthly surplus in two years in July. That followed the governments announcement of tax hikes and spending cuts thats estimated to save 1 trillion forint. This is good news, a good sign, Varga said about the July budget data. These measures are helping meet the deficit goal more easily. --With assistance from Veronika Gulyas. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- A vibrant celebration of Latino culture will take place Friday and Saturday at Market Street Park in Huntingburg. $1 million in healthcare services provided in Henderson The event presented by ALASI Indiana, will mark the 11th Annual Latino Culture Fest in Huntingburg. The event will take place on August 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and August 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The free festival will feature Latin American dance, food, music, vendors, face painting, a taco eating contest and more for the whole family. To learn more about the festival, visit alasiindiana.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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Hypocrite Elon Musk Attacks Voting by Mail, But Records Show He's Done It Himself Busted! This just in: Elon Musk is a hypocrite. The tech billionaire has frequently railed against voting by mail this year, calling it "insane," and framing it as a gateway to widespread fraud. But it turns out that Musk has voted by mail at least twice while he lived in California, NBC News reports just one of many examples of Musk's two-facedness. According to documents obtained through a public records request to the California secretary of state's office, Musk voted by mail in November 2016 for the presidential election, and again in the November 2018 midterm election. Strikingly, those were the only two times Musk appears to have voted in the entire 18 years he was eligible to do so in the state, according to NBC, after he became a US citizen in 2002. He's since moved to Texas, where his voting participation record doesn't appear that great, either. Election Misdirection Musk has been undergoing a rightward turn over the past few years, crystallized lately by his endorsement of Donald Trump this July, who he has supported via a super PAC. He's harped on voting by mail since at least January, when he called it "insane," and before that had long spread claims of voting fraud in several elections, including the race between President Joe Biden and Trump in 2020. This year, Musk seems to have narrowed his focus to mail-in ballots as a pathway to widespread election fraud, a position echoed by Trump in the past (though it seems, not anymore). In July, for example, Musk shared another user's lengthy tweet that claimed that the 2024 election will be "the most rigged in history." "When combined with mail-in ballots, the system is *designed* to make it impossible to prove fraud," Musk added as commentary. "Mail-in and drop box ballots should not be allowed." He also doubled down on his views after NBC reached out to him. "Voting by mail has been recognized as an invitation to fraud throughout the world," Musk wrote in an email. Get on the Same Page That's tough talk from a guy who has used mail-in ballots himself but the ironies don't end there. NBC also discovered that Musk's pro-Trump super PAC, called the America PAC, has actually been encouraging swing state voters to vote by mail, too. "SCAN HERE TO APPLY FOR YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT," reads a mailer sent by the America PAC to Wisconsin voters, which includes a QR code that leads to the PAC's website. Perhaps the PAC's team have done the actual political calculus and realized that there's no evidence mail-in voting leads to widespread election fraud in the US it's just a good way to get people to vote. Which Musk, in all his years of being eligible, has only provably done a handful of times. More on Elon Musk: Elon Musk Seems to Have Completely Missed the Point of "Star Trek" BERLIN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Germany on Friday deported Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan for the first time since August 2021. According to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, the deported individuals are all Afghan nationals convicted of crimes in Germany and have no right to remain in the country. The German government has undertaken extensive efforts in recent months to resume such deportations, the spokesperson said, stressing the priority of national security. This move follows discussions on tightening deportation rules after an Afghan national killed a police officer and injured several others in a knife attack at a political rally in Mannheim three months ago. Last week, a 26-year-old man killed three people with a knife in the western German city of Solingen. According to German newspaper Bild, the suspect is Syrian and came to Germany in 2022. In response to the incident, Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser on Thursday announced that the country would implement measures to combat terrorism and tighten knife control to enhance public security. IAEA chief to visit Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant next week, his 5th trip there over past 2 years Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will arrive in Ukraine next week and plans to visit the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Source: a press release from the IAEA Details: "IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will next week travel to Ukraine to hold high-level talks and assess developments at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), where nuclear safety and security remains precarious," the Agency said. It is noted that this will mark Grossi's fifth visit across the contact line to ZNPP. Background: Four power units at Ukrainian nuclear power plants were temporarily disconnected from the grid during the Russian missile and drone attack on 26 August. Rafael Grossi 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! ICC says Mongolia should arrest Putin during coming visit, Putin not worried Russia said Friday Vladimir Putin isn't worried about getting arrested for war crimes during a planned visit next week to Mongolia. The International Criminal Court said Mongolia has an obligation to arrest him on the ICC warrant. Ukraine also called for Mongolia to arrest Putin. File photo by Gavriil Grigorov/EPA-EFE / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Russia said Friday Vladimir Putin isn't worried about being arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant for war crimes during a planned visit next week to Mongolia. The ICC said Mongolia has an obligation to arrest him. "No, there are no worries. We have a wonderful dialogue with our friends from Mongolia." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a statement carried by Russian state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti, International Criminal Court spokesman Dr. Fadi el-Abdallah told the BBC Friday that the court relies on nations that are ICC signatories like Mongolia to "execute its decisions." He said Mongolia has an "obligation to cooperate." Putin's visit is set for Tuesday, Sept. 3. Ukraine's foreign ministry called on Mongolia to arrest Putin. "The Ukrainian Side hopes that the Government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal," Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. "The International Criminal Court, the jurisdiction of which is recognized by Mongolia, has issued a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of the illegal forced transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation." Ukraine said the abduction of children is one of many war crimes for which Putin and Russia's military and political leadership must be brought to justice. "These individuals are guilty of the war of aggression against Ukraine, atrocities against the Ukrainian people, murders, rapes, robberies, shelling of civilian infrastructure, and genocide," Ukraine's foreign ministry said. " In March 2023 the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for illegally transferring children from Ukraine to Russia. The ICC is not recognized by Russia or the United States. ICC urges Mongolia to arrest Putin during upcoming visit, citing obligation to comply with warrant A spokesperson for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fadi el-Abdallah, told the BBC on Aug. 30 that Mongolia, as an ICC member state, is obligated to comply with the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming visit. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 for the forcible transfer of children from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Putin's visit to Mongolia on Sep. 3 would mark his first trip to an ICC member country that has ratified the Rome Statut, which obligates signatories to arrest him if he enters their territory. "In case of non-cooperation, ICC judges may make a finding to that effect and inform the Assembly of States Parties of it. It is then for the Assembly to take any measure it deems appropriate," the spokesperson said. However, ICC agreements with member states allow exemptions from arrest in situations where countries would be forced to "breach a treaty obligation" with another state or violate "diplomatic immunity" for a third state's official or property. Putin is expected to visit Mongolia at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The leaders are set to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battles of Khalkhin Gol, where Soviet and Mongolian forces defeated Japanese troops. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called on the Mongolian government to arrest Putin during his upcoming visit in accordance with the Rome Statut and obligations to the ICC. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Aug. 30 that the visit is being prepared "carefully," adding that the Russian government has "no concerns" about the trip. "We have a great dialogue with our friends in Mongolia," Peskov told Russian state-controlled media outlet Sputnik. Putin's visit comes six months after Mongolia appointed its first judge to the ICC. Last year, the Russian president skipped the BRICS summit in South Africa after the host country indicated it would have to comply with the ICC warrant. Mongolia has not actively supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine but has also refrained from voting to condemn it at the United Nations. 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. Thomas Creech has been on death row since 1983 for the beating death of fellow inmate David Jensen in 1981. (Courtesy of Christine Hanley/Federal Defender Services of Idaho) This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Aug. 29, 2024. Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott heard arguments Thursday about whether to allow for an evidentiary hearing in Thomas Creechs latest post-conviction case. After surviving an execution attempt earlier this year, Creechs attorneys now claim that a second attempt by the state to execute him would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Previously set for execution in February, the medical team failed to establish an IV line in Creech despite efforts in his hands, arms, legs and feet and the execution was called off. Days after the failed execution, Creechs counsel filed a new post-conviction relief appeal in Ada County. Creech is on death row for the 1981 beating death of fellow inmate David Jensen. Since hes been on death row, 12 death warrants have been issued for Creech, but only the latest one led to an execution attempt. His attorneys maintain that to try and execute Creech again, after the failed execution, would amount to psychological torture, violating his Eighth Amendment right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment. His attorneys wrote in motions that Creech is entitled to a restraining order to prevent future death warrants from being issued for him, claiming any death warrant or execution attempt would be futile. State of Idaho argues theres no evidence first execution was malicious, intentionally painful The states attorneys wrote in its response that the Legislature could adopt other execution methods, such as the use of nitrogen hypoxia, or the use of the firing squad. The state said Creechs attorneys wrongfully assume that lethal injection would be the only way to execute Creech. Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Dayton Reed told the court that a post-conviction appeal was not the appropriate avenue for Creech to debate a method of execution. He argued that it is not cruel and usual punishment if the state were to attempt a second execution, saying there is no evidence that the first execution was malicious or intentionally painful. Based on case law, the state maintains Creech is not entitled to a painless execution, only one that is free of purposeful cruelty. Reed argued that Creech was given a sedative, as well as a numbing agent at the sites where the medical team attempted to insert the IV. Creechs attorney Garth McCarty asked the court to allow for an evidentiary hearing, because he did not know whether the states next attempts to kill Creech will again be by lethal injection. McCarty dismissed the states references to nitrogen hypoxia. The state is throwing at you a hypothetical, which is not a lawful form of executing people, McCarty said. These are not the facts were working with today. He stressed that if the state issues another death warrant for Creech, it did not know the method they would use to execute him. Idaho did legalize the use of the firing squad in 2023, but it does not have a facility to exercise the firing squad, something McCarty brought up in arguments. Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt told legislators earlier this year that the department was having trouble finding contractor who would agree to building a death chamber. Reed argued that there is no evidence that Creech was biologically incapable of execution by lethal injection. He repeatedly said that post-conviction appeals are only for either challenging a conviction or challenging a sentence. The use of nitrogen hypoxia is not currently a legal method to execute someone in Idaho, but it is allowed in other states, including Alabama. Alabama used the method this year, receiving significant criticism around the execution of Kenny Smith, in which Smith was seen by witnesses struggling, convulsing and shaking for minutes before he lost consciousness and eventually dying. Smiths execution by nitrogen hypoxia came after Alabama was unsuccessful at an attempt to execute him by lethal injection. The judge will issue a written decision at a later date. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Gov. Brad Little says human safety is his top priority as large wildfires continue to spread Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state officials hold a press conference on Aug. 23, 2024, to roll out a new report that recommends the 10 priorities to reduce the impacts of wildfire in 2024 and 2025. (Courtesy of the Idaho Governor's Office) Idaho Gov. Brad Little said his No. 1 focus is on the safety of civilians and firefighters in the face of what he described as the highest priority wildfire in the country. The Wapiti Fire burning near Stanley and Grandjean in the Boise and Sawtooth National Forest surpassed 89,000 acres burned on Thursday, with containment still estimated at 0%, fire officials said. The size of the wildfire increased by nearly 20,000 acres over the previous two days. On Tuesday, the Wapiti Fire had been listed at a little over 70,000 acres. Stanleys the No. 1 fire in the nation right now, Little said in an interview Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. When Im doing fire, its always human health and safety (that are my top priorities), Little added. People stay safe. And then its property. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Wapiti Fire isnt the only large wildfire in Idaho. On Thursday, the Boise-based National Interagency Fire Center reported there were 15 large wildfires in Idaho, which have burned more than 209,000 acres. This summer, Little participated in aerial tours of Gwen Fire and Texas Fire that burned near Lapwai and Kendrick in July and visited the Paddock Fire that burned near Emmett, where Little lives and his family owns land. On Aug. 23, Little and other state officials revealed a new report outlining 10 recommendations to prioritize in 2024 and 2025 on how to reduce the impact of wildfires some of which would require new legislation, according to previous Idaho Capital Sun reporting. Some recommendations include: adopting legislation for wildfire liability standards for electric utilities developing a statewide mobile notification and evacuation plan coordinating wildfire detection cameras expanding Idahos fire information website that interacts with those detection cameras The full list of recommendations outlined in the report can be found online. Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state officials hold a press conference Little told the Idaho Capital Sun he receives wildfire briefings multiple times a day and is monitoring the Wapiti Fire closely. I look at that fire every morning, Little said. I look at all the fires around where theres people Stanley, Warm Lake, Horesethief. Obviously I did earlier, in those other areas, these other fires burning, as well. When asked by the Sun, Little said he is reluctant to make an official, public visit to Staney or the Wapiti Fire because he doesnt want his presence to create a media circus, distract firefighters and emergency responders or get in peoples way. I try, I really diligently try, not to be disruptive when theyre working on the fires, Little said. So far this year, 11 Idaho counties and the Nez Perce Tribe have issued wildfire emergency declarations Little issued emergency declarations for Nez Perce and Lewis counties in connection with the Gwen and Texas fires. But he told the Sun on Wednesday he has not issued a specific emergency declaration for Custer County regarding the Wapiti Fire because county officials have not requested one. If county officials ask for his help, Little said he is ready to offer assistance. They havent formally asked, Little said. We are very cognizant of whats going on up there, but they havent formally asked. I think what happened in Nez Perce or Lewis County is they just didnt have funding for the sheriff to do traffic control and so that definitely qualifies for state emergency funding. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Custer County commissioners issued a local disaster declaration Aug. 20, but have not requested to be part of the state disaster declaration, said Idaho Office of Emergency Management public affairs officer Tristan Lewis. So far in 2024, Blaine, Boise, Custer, Elmore, Gem, Latah, Lemhi, Nez Perce, Payette, Valley and Washington counties and the Nez Perce Tribe have issued disaster declarations due to wildfires, Lewis said. Disaster declarations can play a crucial role in mobilizing state and federal resources to communities impacted by wildfires, although it is important to note that generally resources are ordered and provided by land management agencies such as the Idaho Department of Lands or the U.S. Forest Service, Lewis said in an email to the Sun. When fires impact communities and there are resources that cannot be provided by wildland agencies, disaster declarations at the local, state and federal levels can assist in opening options for the unmet needs. The location of a wildfire helps determine who responds to the fire in Idaho In Idaho, the location of a fire plays a role in who responds to fight the fire. Across Idaho, local rural fire protection agencies, local fire departments, the Idaho Department of Lands and the federal government all play roles in fighting fires. An interagency agreement called the Idaho Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Agreement between the Idaho Department of Lands, the Department of Interior and the U.S. Forest Service allows those agencies to work together, said Idaho Department of Lands Fire Bureau Chief Josh Harvey. Really what it does is authorizes federal agencies and states to work together and exchange funds, Harvey said in a phone interview Thursday. And so by allowing us to exchange funds that really allows us to share resources to help each other out with wildfires, regardless of whose jurisdiction that is. Harvey said there are several tiers of coordination, starting at the highest level with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, going down to smaller regional coordinating groups and finally dispatch zones. At the dispatch level, that leadership works together within the zone to plan responses, response areas and work together when we have multiple fires, like complex fires on landscape, Harvey said. They all work together to prioritize. Idaho has a pretty robust wildfire response, Harvey added. Still, there are challenges and resources are stretched thin, Harvey said. There are definitely not the same number of firefighting resources in the system that there used to be, said Harvey, who has fought fires all across the United States and up into Alaska since 1998. That trend is continuing to go down. Incident management teams, there are less of those in the system, which puts more strain on individual states to take on large complex fires on their own for longer periods of time. Although he is realistic about the challenges, Harvey said he is encouraged by the slate of new wildfire report recommendations. As a fire manager responsible for protecting Idaho resources and the public, I really appreciate the effort the governor has put into this roundtable report. 2024-wildfire-report SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Fall Creek Falls runs into the Snake River in spring in Swan Valley, Idaho. (Anna Gorin/Getty Images) The Idaho Surface Water Coalition on Thursday announced that it has submitted a draft of a groundwater management plan to the state ahead of a Sept. 1 deadline Gov. Brad Little set. Water issues came to a head in Idaho on May 30 when the Idaho Department of Water Resources issued a curtailment order requiring 6,400 junior water rights holders shut off their water, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. The curtailment order lasted about three weeks, until the two sides reached a settlement agreement the state announced June 20. After that, Little issued an executive order calling for a new groundwater management plan to be submitted by Sept. 1 and a new mitigation plan to be submitted by Oct. 1. The two sides then met throughout the summer to negotiate a path forward. These past few months of negotiations have been intense and extremely beneficial, and we are grateful for all the time and energy dedicated towards creating an enduring solution for our shared resource, the Idaho Surface Water Coalition said in a written statement Thursday. These meetings allowed us to sit down at the table together and talk farmer to farmer to bring forward some innovative ideas about how best to protect our aquifer, avoid future injury to our senior water rights, and keep as many acres of Idaho farmland as viable as possible. The Surface Water Coalition is confident that a long-term agreement between our senior water right holders and our neighboring junior water right users is possible, and we are looking forward to continuing to work together with the Idaho Department of Water Resources to finalize an effective groundwater management plan. The Idaho Surface Water Coalition did not provide a copy or summary of its draft plan with Thursdays announcement. The Idaho Surface Water Coalition did say that negotiations continue between it and the Idaho Ground Water Association to reach an agreement over a mitigation plan that would avoid the threat of curtailment, which means shutting off the water for farmers. Little gave the two sides an Oct. 1 deadline to submit a new mitigation plan. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting another public meeting in the Champaign-Urbana area to inform people about a proposed construction project. The project is the proposed replacement of the bridge that carries Kirby Avenue over Interstate 57. The existing bridge was designed to accommodate rural and agricultural traffic, not bicyclists and pedestrians who now routinely use the bridge. U of I service workers vote against contract, announce potential strike start date Last week, the City of Champaign unanimously approved applying for a grant that would help pay for the bridge replacement project. Whether or not the city gets the grant, the project will go out to bid next year with construction planned to begin in 2026. Before then, IDOT will host a public meeting about the project. It will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the atrium of Parkland Colleges Building U. Like past meetings IDOT has hosted, this one will be conducted on an informal basis with project displays and other information available for viewing. IDOT representatives will be on hand to explain the project, answer individual questions and record comments from those in attendance. People who properties may be affected by this project are especially encouraged to attend and make comments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Piscataqua River Bridge is shown in Portsmouth, N.H. after a man connected to a homicide was fatally shot by police and an 8-year-old child was found shot to death in the mans car on the bridge that connects New Hampshire to Maine, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. An 8-year-old child was found shot to death in the man's car, the attorney general's office said Thursday. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) KITTERY, Maine (AP) Authorities released autopsy results Friday for three bodies recovered from a home, a car's back seat and a river between New Hampshire and Maine, identifying a man accused of fatally shooting his wife and their 8-year-old son before being shot to death by police. Police identified the family of three as Brittany and Trent Weston, both 37, and their son, Benson. Officials said the mother and son died from multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by Trent Weston, who was shot multiple times by troopers during a standoff on a bridge and fell 100 feet (30 meters) into the water below. The Westons had recently moved into a duplex in Troy, New Hampshire, where Brittany Weston's body was discovered early Thursday after her husband called 911 to report that they'd argued and that she was dead. The boy's body was found in Trent Weston's car parked about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away on the Interstate 95 bridge between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. After failed attempts to negotiate, two New Hampshire troopers and a Maine trooper fired their weapons after Trent Weston got out of the car and raised a weapon, officials said. The Coast Guard recovered his body from the Piscataqua River. Police said Friday they hadn't determined a motive for the violence. Investigations were continuing in Maine and New Hampshire. The bridge was closed for about seven hours before reopening. Between 70,000 and 80,000 vehicles use the Piscataqua bridge each day, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. I'll figure out how to unblock 6.6 billion to pay for military aid for Ukraine Borrel Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has promised to find a solution to circumvent the blocking of over 6 billion from the European Peace Facility (EPF) to compensate the expenses of the EU member states on Ukraine aid. Source: Borrell at a press conference following the results of an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels on 30 August; European Pravda Details: Borrell stressed that 6.6 billion from the Ukraine Assistance Fund, created at the beginning of 2024 within the European Peace Facility (EPF), remains blocked. "Many ministers repeated today: its not Ukrainian money, its their money because they [the countries ed.] are not being reimbursed for the expenditures that have already happened Ukraine has already gotten the material but they havent gotten the reimbursement," Borrell stated. "And many ministers repeated today that an urgent solution is needed. I will look for it. One way or another, I will find a solution," he promised without specifying what kind of solution it may be. Background: Back in March 2024 the EU Council approved the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF, the funds from which were supposed to be used to reimburse the EU member states for their military deliveries to Ukraine. It is known that Hungary is blocking the allocation of billions of euros from the EPF for funding the military aid for Ukraine. This is happening despite the assurance that Hungarys contributions into the EPF would not be used for any kind of military assistance for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! "I'll Give You A Little Too Much Information": Harris Recalled The Moment She Learned Biden Was Dropping Out Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday recalled the moment she found out President Joe Biden was dropping out of the 2024 race nearly six weeks ago, leading to her swift ascendance to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images In an interview with CNNs Dana Bash, the Democratic presidential nominee painted the scene on July 21, lightheartedly conceding, "I'll give you a little too much information. Harris said she had just had breakfast with her family, including her baby nieces, and was about to start doing a puzzle when President Joe Biden gave her a call from his Rehoboth, Delaware, home, making it known that he was exiting the race. He told me what he had decided to do, Harris said. I asked him, Are you sure? and he said, Yes. Harris added that she did not have to urge Biden to back her, while noting that she was more concerned about how he felt in the moment. He was very clear that he was going to support me, she said. Harris went on to praise the record of the Biden administration, adding that history is going to show that his presidency was transformative. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Earlier in the interview, Harris said she has no regrets about defending Bidens fitness to serve and his decision to stay in the race in the immediate aftermath of his poor debate performance. Biden chose to withdraw his candidacy about a month after that debate following mounting pressure from members in his own party to pass the torch to the next generation amid troubling poll numbers. Overall, Harris said she is so proud to have served alongside Biden, calling it one of the greatest honors of my career. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images He has the intelligence, the commitment and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president, she said. Still, Harris maintained that her candidacy offers a chance for Americans to turn the page on the divisions of the past 10 years, a period that she appeared to suggest started when Trump launched his 2016 White House candidacy. Im talking about an era that started about a decade ago where there is some suggestion, warped I believe it to be, that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of where I believe most Americans are, which is to believe that the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up, she said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. OSLO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Norway on Friday condemned as "utterly unacceptable" the attack on a UN vehicle in Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), urging an immediate investigation. According to a UN spokesperson, two humanitarian workers in an armored vehicle with evident UN mark narrowly escaped injury after being targeted by IDF gunfire Tuesday evening while approaching an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza. "Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for humanitarian workers. It is utterly unacceptable that humanitarians, yet again, are targeted while providing lifesaving assistance to civilians," Norway's Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim said. "The vehicle, carrying World Food Program staff, was targeted despite having received multiple clearances from the IDF. This incident must be investigated immediately" and International humanitarian law must be respected, always and everywhere, she noted. In a related statement Thursday, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed concern over escalating violence in the West Bank, which he said is further endangering Palestinian lives and livelihoods. "Amidst the ongoing horrors in Gaza, the situation in the occupied West Bank is extremely dangerous. The massive Israeli military operations in and around Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas, escalate an already tense situation, with unforeseen consequences for the stability in the region," Eide stated. He also condemned the actions of armed extremist settlers, who continue to terrorize Palestinians with near-total impunity. Eide emphasized that achieving a sustainable two-state solution is essential for ensuring peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. Ill. (WTVO) Over 100 Illinois veterans landed in Chicago after a trip to Washington D.C. to honor them on August 28. Family and friends lined up at the baggage claim area at Midway International Airport to welcome all the veterans back. Seven Korean War vets and 109 Vietnam War vets spent a day touring the national memorials in D.C. The all-expense paid trip is meant to show appreciation to the veterans and recognize them for their service. Im so pleased and honored that everybody remembers were still here and we love our country and theres nothing we wouldnt do and what we have done. I would do it all over again, said Korean War Veteran James Porter. More than 11,000 veterans have made the honor flight trip. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 'I'm so proud of him': Tim Walz responds to son Gus' tearful reaction in viral moment As a father, it meant the world for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to see his son's tearful reaction to him accepting the nomination as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate at the Democratic National Convention earlier this month. During a CNN interview alongside Harris that aired Thursday night, Walz said the unscripted moment, when his 17-year-old son Gus proudly shouted, "That's my dad!" is one of the many reasons he is grateful to be on the Democratic ticket. "It's really important to have my son feel a sense of pride in me that I was trying to do the right thing," Walz told interviewer Dana Bash during a campaign stop in Savannah, Georgia. "It was just such a visceral, emotional moment that I'm just grateful I got to experience it, and I'm so proud of him." Gus, the son of U.S. Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, reacts on Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 21, 2024. The former school teacher said he hoped viewers at home hugged their "kids a little tighter." The touching moment was broadcast on television screens when Walz delivered a speech and accepted his vice presidential nomination on the DNC stage on August 21. Gus Walz, who has a nonverbal learning disorder as well as anxiety and ADHD, jumped up from his seat and pointed his index finger while tearfully saying "I love you, Dad," and "That's my dad!" Harris surges ahead of Trump new poll The CNN interview comes on the heels of major polling wins for the ticket. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released Thursday found that Harris leads nationally 48%-43%, marking an eight-point turnaround from June, when President Joe Biden was the nominee. The swing in the poll was fueled by parts of the traditional Democratic coalition moving home after the candidate swap and the DNC. Voters 18 to 34 years old moved from supporting Trump by 11 points to supporting Harris by 13 points, 49%-36%. Hispanics moved from supporting Trump by two points to supporting Harris by 16 points, 53%-37%. Black voters moved from supporting Biden by 47 points to supporting Harris by 64 points, 76%-12%. Voters making less than $20,000 moved from supporting Trump by three points to supporting Harris by 23 points, 58%-35% A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday found similar topline results, showing Harris ahead 45% to 41% among registered voters. In the poll Harris had a 13-point lead over Trump with women and Hispanic voters. A Wall Street Journal poll also released Thursday had the Vice President ahead 48%-47% in a head to head match up and 47%-45% when alternative candidates were included. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll released late Thursday had Harris either ahead or in a statistical tie in Midwestern and Sun Belt battleground states. A Fox News poll of battleground states released Wednesday showed that the Democrats were slightly ahead in most Sun Belt battleground states. The poll had the race at: Arizona: Harris 50% - Trump 49% Georgia: Harris 50% - Trump 48% Nevada: Harris 50% - Trump 48% North Carolina: Trump 50% - Harris 49% The poll found that Trump equaled his 2020 vote percentage in the head-to-head race in every state except Georgia, while Harris meets or exceeds Bidens 2020 vote share across the states. Contributing: James Powel This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Walz felt great pride from son Gus' tearful reaction to DNC speech The Supreme Court of Indonesia has withdrawn approval for a zinc mine and dammed waste pond being built near a fault line in North Sumatra. The ruling comes as a relief to locals, who feared an earthquake would destroy the dam, flooding villages below with toxic waste. The high court said the Ministry of Environment and Forestry had failed to properly consult villagers living near the Dairi Prima Mineral mine and it directed the agency to revoke its approval of the project. The decision comes after years of legal wrangling over the mine. Now the Supreme Court have made it clear further development of this mine is unlawful, said Mangatur Lumban Toruan, who lives in the nearby village of Sumbari. The mine is dangerous. Yale Environment 360 previously reported on the risks posed by the dam, which analysts said was almost certain to fail, unleashing more than a million tons of mining waste, or tailings, into nearby villages. I have never seen a plan for a tailings disposal facility that showed such callous disregard for human life, mining expert Steven Emerman, formerly of Utah Valley University, told e360. Dairi Prima Mineral said that, despite the ruling, it will move forward with the minining project. The Chinese-backed firm plans to appeal the high courts decision. ALSO ON YALE E360 Will New Leader End Progress in Saving Indonesias Forests? Mexican drug lord who founded ultra-violent Zetas is released from US prison Handout photo shows suspected Gulf cartel boss Osiel Cardenas (C) being escorted by members of Mexico's Federal Agency of Investigations By Drazen Jorgic and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -One of the most notorious drug chiefs in Mexico's history, Osiel Cardenas, was released from a U.S. prison on Friday into the custody of immigration officials who may deport him. Former leader of the Gulf Cartel, Cardenas presided over some of the bloodiest gang violence in Mexico's turbulent past and has been blamed for transforming drug trafficking by embracing hyper-violent tactics such as decapitations. Cardenas founded the Zetas, an armed wing of the Gulf Cartel made up of former army special forces. He was captured after a gun battle in 2003 and extradited to the United States in 2007. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010. The Zetas later branched off on their own and became, for a while, the most deadly crime group in Mexico before largely fizzling out. A spokesperson for the U.S. prison service told Reuters Cardenas was released "into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)" earlier on Friday. It was not clear if Cardenas will be deported to Mexico, or remain on U.S. soil. An ICE spokesperson said its Enforcement and Removal Operations officers took custody of Cardenas at the prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, and "he remains in ICE custody pending a final disposition determination". Citing an anonymous U.S. official, U.S. news network NBC reported that the Biden administration plans to hand over Cardenas to Mexico on Monday. Cardenas has outstanding charges in Mexico and is being held in a migration detention center in the U.S., a Mexican government source said. Leo Silva, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who worked in Mexico countering the Zetas, said Cardenas was directly to blame for the upturn in grisly violence in Mexico over the past two decades. The Zetas pioneered efforts by organized crime groups to branch out from simply trafficking drugs to also extorting residents and businesses in areas they controlled. The Zetas also sowed terror by widely kidnapping for ransom. "This was something that Osiel created that generated a new era of organized crime," said Silva, who worked for the DEA in Mexico from 2008-2015. "He unleashed this mentality of creating fear in the country." (Reporting by Drazen Jorgic and Lizbeth Diaz; Editing by Kylie Madry, Stephen Eisenhammer and Rosalba O'Brien) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The Providence Public School District will remain under state control for three more years, after a state panel unanimously approved the recommendation of Rhode Islands top education official. R.I. Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green disclosed her recommendation in a meeting of the state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday night to renew the turnaround plan through Oct. 15, 2027. At that point, voters would have already cast their ballots in the next elections for both governor and mayor of Providence. In the meeting, Infante-Green read from a letter she penned to the school community. I am recommending an extension of the PPSD intervention for up to three years because the absence of an aligned, shared vision of governance and limited focus on improving student outcomes troubles me and is not conducive to continued success, Infante-Green wrote. PPSD does not need more attempts that are temporarily successful. I want to finish the job and deliver the lasting improvements the Providence community has demanded, she added. The recommendation said the commissioner and superintendent would be authorized to amend the turnaround plan during the extension, and that the commissioner would be able to perform all legally-mandated reviews and recommendations during the extension, and that at any point, the commissioner could recommend to that the district returns to local control. Infante-Green also told the Council she didnt want the district to backslide, referencing a failed state-takeover of Hope High School in the mid-2000s. The progress we have made can be easily reversed if we do not ensure the proper systems and structures are put in place for long-term success, she said. RIDE does not intend to keep the district forever. We share the common goal with the city of Providence and the school board to one day return the district to local control. The Council shared that public comments submitted prior to the meeting were all in favor of extending the state takeover. After meeting for about an hour, they voted unanimously to extend the takeover. Council Chair Patti DiCenso said the panel remained committed to ensuring that the right systems and conditions are in place at PPSD. We appreciate the commissioners recommendation to allow ample time for proper planning and action by all Providence stakeholders to prevent a backslide of PPSD, DiCenso shared in a statement. Providence Superintendent Dr. Javier Montanez shared in a statement he would work to build on areas of progress while addressing persisting challenges the district is facing. By putting our kids first, I know that we can all work to make Providence the destination for education that we know it can and should be, Montanez said. Gov. Dan McKees office shared a statement on Friday morning in support of the commissioners recommendation, saying that the pandemic set back the state intervention just as it was starting. Nevertheless, the Providence public school system has managed to make measurable improvements under these difficult conditions, McKee said. But, as Commissioner Infante-Green has made clear, significant work still needs to be done to ensure that the progress made through the state intervention is sustainable and not temporary. We cannot go back to the way things were. The education commissioner had been reluctant to share how she had been leaning since RIDE released two reports that evaluated the progress and capacity of the state intervention. Infante-Green had been mulling recommending one of three different options: a renewal of the existing turnaround plan with potential amendments, creating a new turnaround plan, or returning control of the district over to the city. RIDE spokesperson Victor Morente told Target 12 that Infante-Green was still in the process of finalizing her recommendation as of Wednesday afternoon. A spokesperson for Mayor Brett Smiley told Target 12 the mayor was not informed of the education commissioners recommendation until late Thursday afternoon. Smiley and Providence City Council President Rachel Miller released a joint statement following the Councils vote expressing their disappointment, and argued the city was well on track to begin the transition back to local control in the 2025-2026 school year. We are ready to work collaboratively to integrate operations, finances and functions that have become disconnected at times during the current takeover, the statement read. Smiley and Miller said the city would continue to work with the community to advance some of the key turnaround plan metrics, in addition to supporting early childhood education and investing in both after school and summer learning programs. We will continue with our plan and hope the commissioner and the K-12 Council will see our progress and consider advancing the timeline in the months ahead, the statement added. Last week, the Providence School Board voted to support and end to the state takeover. Board President Erlin Rogel said he was disappointed about the commissioners recommendation in statement on Thursday night. My hope is that we use this interim period to responsibly prepare for the return of our district to local control, Rogel said in part. We have a chance now to rethink how we govern our schools and ensure this extended period leads to lasting, meaningful change. The school board will look different next year, as the city moves to a partly elected board. Under the new system half the board is elected, while the other half is appointed by the mayor. Voters will choose the elected members later this year. However, the board will continue to vote on an advisory basis with the extension. Decisions around the school budget and hiring, for example, will remain under the purview of RIDE. School board member and region five board candidate, TyRelle Stephens, announced he and other city leaders would hold a press conference Friday afternoon to discuss more about the extended takeover. Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro told Target 12 that while the extension didnt come as a surprise, it was surprising that more families and stakeholders were not given an opportunity to make recommendations about what should happen moving forward. Our families and community are valuable assets to all conversations pertaining to our public schools, Calabro said. Unfortunately, they continue to feel discounted and disenfranchised. The K-12 Council in 2019 voted in favor of Infante-Greens plan to take state control, after an outside review of the school district conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Education Policy said Providence schools were struggling to support many of their students academically, socially and emotionally. In late May, Infante-Green announced that an independent midterm review would assess the districts progress and evaluate the citys capacity and readiness for a return. Over the summer, Massachusetts-based consulting firm, SchoolWorks, analyzed the districts current performance data against the goals listed in the Turnaround Action Plan (TAP). Infante-Green said hundreds of Providence stakeholders were engaged in the process. On Aug. 16, RIDE released the SchoolWorks report, in addition to an analysis from the Harvard Graduate School for Educations Center for Education Policy Research. It evaluated the districts academic performance during and after the pandemic, but compared it to similar New England districts. Between 2019 and 2022, authors of the Harvard report found PPSD had incurred less learning loss in reading compared to all three states, and less learning loss in math compared to Massachusetts and Connecticut, while it remained the same as Rhode Islands comparison district average. Reaction continued to pour in following Thursday nights vote. Ward 6 City Councilman Miguel Sanchez said on social media that he was both scared and heartbroken for Providence students and families. Our community needs to continue organizing for a better future cause this aint it, Sanchez said. The councilor added that he felt there was no clear bold leadership from the mayor or governor, and that there is not enough Council on Elementary and Secondary Ed board members willing to hold Infante-Green accountable. Thats a recipe for disaster, Sanchez added. Chelsea DeCesare, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Businesses for Better Education said that any extension of the states takeover should include a more inclusive and accountable approach, with more urgency to deliver better outcomes for all students. As a state, we cannot compete with other states in the region if we dont quickly chart a new path for students in our largest school district, DeCesare said. Janie Segui Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Stop the Wait RI, said the states takeover needs more time to be successful, but that more urgency is needed. Looking ahead at the next chapter of the Providence takeover, we hope that the administrators from RIDE and PPSD and labor leaders give room for more input from parents and students, Rodriguez said. Giving parents a seat at the table is the only way we can ensure that our education priorities are focused on students and their needs instead of serving adults and their special interests. The city is trying to gather more feedback from community members, and has been pushing for more people to take a Return to Local Control Survey. Providence will also host two in-person community conversations about education in September and December. The first Mayors Community Conversation on Education will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Providence Career & Technical Academy. Sept. 3 is the first full day of classes for Providence Public Schools. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Alex Torres-Perez contributed to this report. 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. DENVER (KDVR) As more and more videos begin to surface showing alleged gang violence at Aurora apartment complexes, its putting people across the Denver metro area on high alert. FOX31 spoke to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston about how city leaders are ready to address those issues. Video shows armed men at troubled Aurora apartments Johnston said the Denver Police Department has already been working with federal, state and other local agencies because they have been made aware of the problem early on. He said while there has been no evidence of Denver apartments being taken over by a Venezuelan gang, they are providing a heavier police presence in areas that have risks. Its infuriating, Johnston said. It should never happen in this state, it should never happen in Denver. In any population. Youre going to have a small number of folks who come to break the rules and break the law, and we have zero tolerance for that. So we will hold them accountable. We will hunt them down, we will find them, we will arrest them and well deport them. So we have zero tolerance for that type of behavior. Thats his reaction to the many videos that continue to make headlines about Venezuelan gang violence in the Denver metro area. Obviously, that video was not taking place in Denver, and were going to do all we can to make sure its never going to, Johnston said. Denver police: Gang presence taken seriously In a statement, Denver police appeared to indicate the same, saying they take the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang seriously. While the police department said they believe there are reasons members of the gang are tied to crimes in the area, they are not aware of any apartments being taken over. So were not tolerating that in Denver, Johnston said. We dont see any evidence of that in Denver. Aurora plans to address neighbors concerns about issues at apartment complex Others have doubts. I find it very hard to believe its not gone into the city limit of Denver, said James Allbee, law enforcement procedural expert. Maybe they dont have enough intel yet to specially say they can tie that to the TdA gang. How serious is this problem? Allbee believes city leaders are downplaying the seriousness of the problem. I think they are trying to mitigate some of the fears and concerns that the community has on this gang that I think is growing more and more every day, Allbee said. He said the problem has already been identified, specifically in Aurora. View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 Allbee said some of Aurora Mayor Mike Coffmans statements made Thursday on the issue kind of resonated with me. The first one was it wasnt his problem, Allbee continued. It wasnt their problem, when in fact, they may not have invited the problem, but it is their problem now. Because its gotten into their community. The second one was this was an isolated problem, when in fact, I dont believe thats necessarily true. Weve seen this criminal element appearing in Chicago, Albuquerque and here in Denver. They are jumping back and forth between states. He said there should be more focus on how to address the problem. There is a growing criminal element in Aurora that they cant deny, Allbee said. I think maybe thats why they got the task force involved to try to gather intel and try to put the pieces of the puzzle together to figure out how to get ahead of it. Denvers mayor: Dont be afraid to speak out if you feel unsafe Johnston said he wants to make it clear, especially to the Venezuelan population: If you are being threatened or feel unsafe, call 911 or 311. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox He said its important to know they will never ask for your citizenship or status, and you are not at risk for reaching out to the police. Most people are afraid if I reach out to police and I dont have status, will I get in trouble? No. Our job is to keep you safe from bullies and violent criminals. If thats happening, please call us, Johnston said. We want to make clear to the Venezuelans that have arrived many came from a country where you couldnt speak up, where you couldnt speak out, and cartels do run the country. This is not that city, this is not that state and this is not that country. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A new Missouri initiative aims to "educate, inspire, and galvanize" residents to urge greater arts support by elected leaders. Missouri Citizens for the Arts launched its pilot program Organizing for the Arts this week and is supported by 4A Arts, American Alliance of Artists and Audiences, with the purpose of "turning Missouri arts consumers into arts advocates." "For more than 40 years, Missouri Citizens for the Arts has provided a presence for Missouris arts industry at the state Capitol, said MCA Government Affairs Consultant Kyna Iman in a news release. "When funding for the arts is presented as a 'discretionary' choice, MCA is there to remind 197 state legislators that for every one dollar invested in the arts, more than eight dollars are returned to the Missouri economy. "MCA has successfully saved (the Missouri Arts Council) from being zeroed out of the state budget to securing over $10 million in the FY25 state budget to support over 500 arts organizations and events statewide." O4A provides the bandwith and capacity-building potential for MCA to expand the grassroots membership base, the release notes, along with refining messaging around the importance of arts funding at the state level and collaborating on inspiring content to persuade residents to become arts advocates. "With this pilot program, we are thrilled to support the MCA efforts to increase state support of the Missouri creative economy," said O4A Director Gavin Lodge. "Like arts advocacy organizations across the country, MCA carries the critical task of advocating for greater funding, yet lacks the resources for extensive grassroots organization." This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri Citizens for the Arts launches advocacy initiative KIEV, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 59 others injured in a Russian strike on Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv on Friday, according to Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov. Russia launched an attack with guided bombs from the Belgorod region, striking five locations, including a 12-story apartment building, Synegubov wrote on Telegram. Among the victims was a 14-year-old girl, he noted. The governor added that 20 of those injured are in either serious or critical condition. Rescuers and emergency personnel are working at the scenes of the attacks, said the State Service for Emergencies. HEBER CITY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) As the population of the Wasatch Back increases, the Intermountain Heber Valley Specialty Clinic building has been remodeled and expanded to make room for new providers in ear, nose and throat care, sleep medicine, and neurosurgery and improve access for existing providers. This allows several specialty providers to see more patients in clinic on more days of the week and increases access to specialized medical care closer to home for the residents of Wasatch County. Weve tripled the size of our specialty clinic, said Si Hutt, president of Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital during a ribbon cutting event Friday, June 21. This makes care more convenient and is part of a larger strategy to improve access to specialists and services on the Wasatch Back. Nathan Joos, MD, an ear nose and throat surgeon will now see patients at the Heber Clinic in addition to already seeing patients in Park City. This newly expanded clinic is significant for the Heber Valley community because it means many Intermountain patients will no longer need to travel outside of Wasatch County for specialized medical appointments, said Dr. Joos. Dr. Joos office offers treatment for: Ear, nose, and throat Nose and sinus care Otolaryngology surgery Throat and voice care As an otolaryngology physician, offering surgical and nonsurgical treatments for treatment of ear infections, strep throat, allergies, sinusitis, hearing loss, chronic tonsillitis, severe snoring and sleep apnea this expanded clinic will allow so many more patients to find relief closer to home, said Dr. Joos. John Zachary, PA-C, will see patients in the clinic for sleep medicine follow up from home sleep studies or sleep studies done at Intermountain Heber Valley Hospital. Josh Morgan, MD, general surgeon, has practiced in the clinic for three years, but will now have more availability for appointments. Gastroenterology services will also expand clinic availability with Charlotte Powers, NP, and Erin Kimball, PA-C, working closely with gastrointestinal doctors Holly Clark and Don Brust. A new urologist, Richard Vanlangendonck, MD, will be joining Carol Leatherman, PA-C, at the Intermountain Specialty Clinic later this summer. The clinic is currently recruiting for a dermatologist to work full-time in Heber City to join doctors Kevin Gardner, MD, and Timothy Michaelis, MD. Pain management services that help patients with chronic pain will also increase their availability in Heber with Josh Minori, MD, Troy Johnson, PA-C, and Matt Tieman, PA-C. They will move from the clinic attached to the hospital over to the South Medical Office Building where the Intermountain Specialty Clinic is located. Intermountain Heart will also move to the new specialty clinic space and will expand its capability to do stress echocardiograms. An additional cardiologist plans to join doctors Amanda Donohue, MD, and Armond LaPine, MD, later this year. The Intermountain Specialty Clinic is located at 380 E. 1500 South in Heber on the campus of Heber Valley Hospital and can be reached at 435-657-4600. More information about Intermountain Heber Valley Specialty Clinic services and providers will be updated here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ABC4 Daily News Sponsored by Intermountain 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 ABC4 Utah. 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. SEEKONK, Mass. (WPRI) The spotted lanternfly has once again been detected in Massachusetts, this time in Seekonk. The invasive insects are notorious for swarming during the late summer and fall. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) confirmed the infestation after several Seekonk residents reported seeing the bugs. This marks the third year since the state detected its first known spotted lanternfly infestation. A close-up of a Spotted Lanternfly with its wing spread which shows the spots and the red color of its hind wings. The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect from parts of Asia, that has made it into the Mid Atlantic area of the United States. While the insects do not bite or sting, MDAR warns that they often gather in swarms, leaving behind a sticky, sugary residue on surfaces known as honeydew. Spotted lanternflies pose a significant threat to grape and wine producers, as well as other agricultural industries, according to MDAR. The insects attack over 70 different plants, including economically important crops like grapes, apples, and hops. They also target forest and shade trees, such as maple, willow, and birch, with the invasive tree-of-heaven being their primary host. Spotted lanternfly: Should you be worried about them? Over the next several weeks, MDAR and U.S. Department of Agriculture staff will check trees in Seekonk to assess the extent of the infestation. They urge residents to report any spotted lanternfly sightings to help prevent the species from becoming established. Think youve seen one? First, compare your bug to the photos below. If it does not resemble any of the spotted lanternflies pictured, theres no need to file a report. Egg mass with gray, putty-like protective covering (about 1 inch long, and laid on any smooth, flat surface) SLF nymph, 2nd instar (1st instar looks similar but is slightly smaller) SLF nymph, 3rd instar SLF nymph, final instar SLF adult at rest, side view SLF in flight, bright red underwings exposed If your bug does match, check the map to see if your area is already infested. If it is not marked on the map, file a report to MDAR by snapping a photo and filling out the online form. The spotted lanternfly also made its first appearance in Rhode Island in 2021 and has since been spotted in numerous communities. MORE: DEM treating 5 communities for spotted lanternflies If you see one in Rhode Island, take a photo, squish it and report it to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. 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. Investigators from Spain, Italy and the FBI have been combing through a heavily wooded area in northern Italy, searching for a Fort Lauderdale woman who prosecutors say was kidnapped from her apartment in Madrid by her estranged husband amid their bitter divorce over millions of dollars. Ana Knezevich Henao was reported missing in early February in Spain and her body has not been found. The FBI believes the husband, David Knezevich, carried her body in a suitcase out of her Madrid apartment building on Feb. 2. But if he did kill her, which investigators have been unable to prove, where is the wifes corpse? Investigators now suspect that Knezevich, a 36-year-old Serbian native, may have transported her body in his rented Peugeot 308 on his return trip from Madrid to Belgrade between Feb. 2 and Feb. 5. Ana Maria Knezevich Henao A GPS signal generated on Feb. 4 by Knezevichs rental car recently led Italian and Spanish investigators to a wooded area in the province of Vicenza in northern Italy west of Venice and east of Verona where they say he may have taken a detour off the main highway to dump the wifes corpse. For a day and a half last week, Italian and Spanish police officers, along with firefighters, a dog unit and an FBI agent, searched the woods above Cogollo del Cengio, a town about 25 miles north of Vicenza. They scrutinized an area of more than 300 yards covered with thick vegetation marked by crags, ravines and cracks, until they decided to temporarily suspend operations after the wifes body was not found, according to a published report in the Italian newspaper, Il Giornale di Vicenza. However, they planned to continue their search in the same area, the Vicenza newspaper reported. Knezevich, 36, has been charged in Miami federal court with kidnapping his wife since her body has not been found. According to an FBI criminal affidavit, he drove from Madrid to Belgrade, the Serbian capital, after he was captured on a security video exiting an elevator in his wifes apartment building with the suitcase on the night of Feb. 2. David Knezevich The detour off the main highway near Vicenza occurred about two-thirds of the way on his return trip from Madrid to Belgrade, according to the GPS signal on the rented car. The distance between the two cities is 1,620 miles. Millions at stake in divorce An FBI spokesman declined to comment on the search for the wifes body, which has added a dimension of mystery to an international case based mainly on circumstantial evidence. The couple was going through a difficult divorce over millions of dollars in assets in South Florida, where they owned more than a half-dozen real estate properties in Broward. Ana Knezevich, a Colombia native, traveled on her own to Spain in late December and her husband tracked her down in early February, according to court records. She was starting a new life and looking forward to the future, her brother Juan Felipe Henao said in May, referencing a phone call he had with her in late January. READ MORE: We miss her: Brother of Fort Lauderdale woman who vanished in Spain pleads for help Knezevichs Miami defense attorney, Jayne Weintraub, said she was aware of the search in Italy and questioned the basis for it along with other evidence in the federal case. Earlier this month, at a court hearing in Miami, Weintraub zeroed in on a Spanish police forensic report that found no traces of blood in the wifes Madrid apartment, contrary to what they initially claimed. Citing no signs of struggle, Knezevichs defense team is seeking his release from federal lock-up before trial. A magistrate judges decision is pending. So far, in this case, reports of blood in the apartment and videos outside the apartment have turned out to be false, Weintraub said Thursday in a statement by her, Bruce Zimet and Christopher Cavallo. The magistrate judge openly disagreed with the governments interpretation of the other video evidence involving a suitcase. You cant put any stock in the information this search was based on, given how the investigation in Europe has been done to date. In May, Knezevich was indicted on a single federal charge of traveling from Miami to Madrid to kidnap his wife between Jan. 27 and Feb. 5. Arrested at MIA Knezevich was arrested at Miami International Airport by FBI agents when returning from Serbia, where his mother lives. Since his arrest, he has been held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. If convicted of the single kidnapping charge, he would face up to life in prison and the loss of any money stemming from the offense. Knezevich was previously denied bond in Miami federal court by Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres, who is reconsidering that decision. Initially, the judge found that his wealth and connections abroad made him a flight risk. In his detention order, Torres spelled out his reasoning for keeping Knezevich locked up before trial: A great deal of circumstantial evidence supports the governments complaint, including [the] defendants documented travel through extraordinary means from the United States to Turkey and then to Spain, Torres wrote. Additionally, the defendant appears on video surveillance in Spain purchasing materials [at a hardware store] that may have been used in a kidnapping, all while the defendant claims to have been elsewhere. The governments complaint is also supported by a strong motive that [the] defendant may have had to commit this offense given his bitter divorce with the victim. Stolen license plates Federal prosecutors said Knezevich was trying to hide his tracks from the moment he left Miami in late January to hunt down his wife. Specifically, rather than flying directly into Spain, the defendant sought to conceal his travel to Madrid by flying into Istanbul, Turkey, and then driving over 5,000 kilometers [3,125 miles] through multiple countries to Madrid, prosecutors said. During his journey, the defendant used at least two stolen license plates one from Serbia and one from Spain in order to further obscure his travel to Madrid. Prosecutors said Knezevich stole a license plate in his native Serbia as he drove the rented Peugeot 308 from Belgrade to Madrid as part of an alleged plot to kidnap her in the Spanish capital, an FBI agent testified at a recent hearing. FBI agent Alexandra Montilla accused Knezevich of stealing the license plate in Serbia soon after he rented the Peugeot in Belgrade on Jan. 29, 2024. The agent cited a license plate reader and cell tower data provided by Spanish authorities indicating Knezevich passed through toll booths with the stolen Serbian license plate as he approached Madrid in late January. She also said Serbian authorities confirmed the plate was stolen. Knezevich, she said, replaced that plate with another one stolen in Spain before he allegedly kidnapped his wife on Feb. 2. Spanish authorities confirmed that plate was stolen in Madrid. Caught on video in Madrid She also said video surveillance captured him entering and leaving his wifes Madrid apartment building while spray-painting a surveillance camera to block the view. Spains National Police said they have matched the rare type of spray paint allegedly purchased by Knezevich to the store in Madrid where he was seen on a video camera making the purchase. A worker there also told police he recalled seeing the man a few days before. David Knezevich was spotted in video footage purchasing materials from a Madrid hardware store that may have been used in his wifes kidnapping, according to the FBI. The FBI agent said Knezevich was then seen on the Madrid apartments video camera on Feb. 2, when he was entering and leaving the building with what appeared to be a suitcase. Knezevich immediately left Madrid, traveling on the main highways through France and Italy on his way back to Serbia, according to FBI and Spanish authorities. But it was in northern Italy where investigators detected he took a detour on Feb. 4 in the Vicenza area based on the GPS signal in his rented Peugeot. That evidence was provided by a Serbian car rental agency, which led to the collaboration among Spanish, Italian and FBI authorities in the search for the wifes body in northern Italy. When Knezevich returned the car, the rental agency discovered that the windows had been tinted, the license plate frames had changed and two stickers had been removed, according to the FBI. Court records show Knezevich traveled from Belgrade to Madrid and back to Belgrade between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5. The round-trip distance, according to Google Maps, is 3,240 miles. He returned the rented car on March 15, after driving it for about 4,800 miles. Israeli security forces examine a car after an explosion at a gas station in the West Bank settlement of Gush Etzion, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) The Israeli military struck the West Bank city of Jenin on Friday, the third day of heavy fighting in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military said it struck Palestinian militants and killed a senior Hamas commander in the city. Such airstrikes, while common over the months-long Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, have been rare in the West Bank in the time since. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank which have killed at least 20 people, mostly militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. The latest Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank was the largest and the deadliest since the war began. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 663 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then. In the Gaza Strip, where the Health Ministry says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on Oct. 7 with Hamas' attack on Israel, an Israeli missile hit a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, killing several people from a local transportation company. Israel claimed without evidence that it opened fire after gunmen seized the convoy. Here's the latest: Israeli military says it thwarted an attempted car bombing in the West Bank JERUSALEM The Israeli military said early Saturday there was an attempted car bombing by a militant near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. The attack happened near Karmei Tzur, where the vehicle exploded at a gas station in the Gush Etzion junction. Israeli forces killed a suspected militant there, the military said. The initial examination of the vehicle explosion at the Gush Etzion gas station indicated that the incident was an attempted car bombing, the Israeli military said. It said three of its forces were injured in the attack. 2 missiles target a ship in the Gulf of Aden DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Two missiles suspected to have been fired by Yemens Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden late Friday, splashing down nearby without causing any damage, authorities said. The attack Friday saw two missiles exploding in close proximity to the vessel some 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of Aden, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. The ship reports all crew are safe and proceeding to next port of call, the UKMTO said. Investigations are ongoing. The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults. The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. The rebels campaign disrupts the $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, as well as halting some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen. Meanwhile, the U.S. militarys Central Command said Saturday it destroyed two drones over Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. Israeli soldiers shoot dead 2 Palestinians suspected of attempting to attack Israelis in West Bank JERUSALEM Israeli soldiers shot dead late Friday two Palestinians suspected of attempting to attack Israelis in two separate incidents the West Bank, the Israeli army said. The army said in a statement that troops responding to a vehicle catching fire and exploding at a gas station in the Gush Etzion junction killed a suspected assailant who exited the vehicle and attempted to attack the soldiers. In a second incident assailants rammed a car into the gates leading into the West Bank settlement of Karmei Tzur and infiltrated the settlement. One assailant was killed. Large security forces have been dispatched to the area in search of other assailants, the army said. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it was treating three people for moderate and light injuries. Two of them were injured by gunfire at Gush Etzion Junction and a third was injured when his vehicle collided with that of the assailants, the rescue service said. Death toll from Israel's raid into occupied West Bank reaches 20 JERUSALEM Palestinian health authorities say that the death toll from Israels most intensive raid into the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has reached at least 20. Israel moved forward with the operation in the flashpoint city of Jenin late Friday as international criticism mounted. The Palestinian Health Ministry on Friday reported the killing by Israeli forces of an elderly man in the city of Jenin, without specifying his age, bringing the total death toll from the military raids in the occupied territory to 20 since late Tuesday. Israel says it has killed 20 Palestinian militants and arrested 17 others. Hamas has claimed at least 10 of those killed as its fighters. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, said the Palestinians killed in the West Bank raids included a person with disabilities and a number of children, without specifying how many. Palestinian health authorities also reported that a Palestinian doctor and two medics tending to patients in Jenin were wounded by Israeli fire. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the claims. The Israeli police on Friday said that their special forces had killed Wissam Khazem, a Hamas commander in Jenin, releasing video footage that purported to show the firefight that killed him. Hamas claimed Khazem as a senior commander in its Jenin branch, confirming his killing and vowing revenge. The Israeli military and police also said that two Palestinian militants in Jenin who tried to flee were killed in an airstrike. Israeli forces have killed over 663 Palestinians in the West Bank, including at least 150 children, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The climbing deaths in the West Bank drew further international criticism of Israeli tactics on Friday, with European Union chief diplomat Josep Borrel saying that Israels operations were worsening an already tense situation. Any escalation is a disaster in the making, he added. Israels genuine security concerns cannot justify civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. The Israeli incursion in Jenin left a trail of destruction and cut off running water, internet and electricity in the city. The Israeli military says the raids are necessary to crack down on surging Palestinian militancy in the northern West Bank. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. Authorities are unloading thousands of pallets of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza JERUSALEM Israels government body responsible for coordinating aid deliveries into Gaza says that authorities in the countrys southern port are unloading more than 3,500 pallets of humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. The Israeli agency COGAT said Friday that an American cargo ship, called Cape Trinity, departed Cyprus ferrying 3,577 wooden pallets of food, water and medical supplies from international relief organizations to the Israeli port of Ashdod, some 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Gaza. After the vessel docked in Ashdod on Thursday, COGAT said Israeli officials inspected and cleared the shipments for entry into the besieged enclave. Israel described this shipment as the latest in its multipronged efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the enclave, with so far 10,700 pallets of aid delivered to Gaza by sea The entry of aid into Gaza has been heavily restricted by Israel since the war started, creating what aid groups say is a humanmade humanitarian crisis as hunger grows. UN humanitarian office says aid organizations can return to two areas after Israel lifted evacuation orders, which still affect over 85% of Gaza Strip UNITED NATIONS More than 40 Israeli evacuation orders affecting over 85% of the Gaza Strip remain in effect despite the Israeli militarys first announcements allowing Palestinians to return to two areas since the war began last October, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The Israeli military announced Thursday that it was lifting the evacuation order for some areas of central Deir al-Balah, and on Friday it announced the lifting for some areas of southern Khan Younis. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs known as OCHA said Friday this will allow multiple aid organizations that were forced to leave Deir al-Balah and relocate to go back to their premises. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. humanitarian operations center in Deir al-Balah, whose operations were disrupted by the evacuation order on Aug. 25, will now be allowed to return. OCHA said the number of humanitarian missions and movements within Gaza that were denied access by Israeli authorities in August almost doubled, compared with July. Between August 1st and 29th, only 74 of the 199 planned humanitarian missions coordinated with Israeli authorities for northern Gaza were facilitated, OCHA said. The rest were either denied, impeded, or cancelled due to logistical, operational, or security issues. In southern Gaza, it said, just 173 of 372 coordinated humanitarian movements were facilitated by Israeli authorities. On the West Bank, OCHA warned that Israels ongoing operations that use lethal military tactics seemingly exceed law enforcement standards. The humanitarian office said according to its information, 19 Palestinians, including two children, have died in the West Bank since Wednesday. OCHA said humanitarian officials from the U.N. and its partner organizations are planning to visit some affected areas in the West Bank over the weekend to assess damage to homes and infrastructure. They stand ready to provide a response based on what people need most, the U.N. humanitarian office said. Palestinians trickle back to Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah to check on their homes after Israeli pullout KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip Some Palestinians are returning to check on their homes after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Gaza, following what Israel said was a major military operation in the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. But in the aftermath of Israeli bombardment and weeks of pitched battles, many found only destruction. My feeling is indescribable, one Khan Younis resident, who gave her name only as Um Mohammad Abu Samra, said as she surveyed her home for the first time since the war erupted with Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel. At the Israeli militarys announcement that evacuated Palestinians from the area could return, she hurried back to find her home in ruins and entire neighborhood blocks transformed into giant craters of sand. We were displaced countless times," she said, her voice breaking. "Were in a horrible situation, from the loss of our homes, our family, our brothers, our neighbors. Hosam Shobair, another displaced resident, also returned to Khan Younis with his family on Friday to see what had happened to his apartment, which he said had been struck by Israeli shelling at the beginning of the war. He found the home where hed lived for years reduced to rubble, but said there was still some solace in seeing even that. We are happy to be back home, Shobair said, as his wife, children and other relatives sat on the twisted rebar and mounds of concrete that had once been their home. Israels continued military offensive in besieged Gaza has displaced roughly 90% of the strips population of 2.3 million. Most have been displaced multiple times over the course of the war. Israel's military says it killed 250 militants in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah JERUSALEM The Israeli military said Friday it had finished a major operation in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, adding that it killed 250 militants during the operation. Over the course of the operation, the military said it also destroyed kilometers of underground tunnels and recovered the bodies of six hostages. The military did not say whether it was withdrawing troops from the areas and said it was preparing for further missions. The militarys Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, announced that Palestinians evacuated from parts of both cities would be allowed to return. The announcement came as the war nears the 11-month mark. Israels offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, injured more than 90,000, and displaced the vast majority of the strips population. Israeli forces kill 3 Palestinians in the West Bank JERUSALEM Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in the north of the occupied West Bank on Friday, the third day of a large-scale operation in the territory, Palestinian health officials said. The Israeli military said its troops identified and killed a senior leader of Hamas in Jenin, Waseem Khazem, while he was driving. When two others in the car whom the military also identified as militants attempted to flee, troops killed both in an airstrike. The Palestinian Health Ministry said the three were killed in Zababdeh, a town south of Jenin city, but did not immediately confirm their identities. Israeli forces have killed at least 19 Palestinians since the start of the operation early Wednesday, which they say is geared to root out militancy in the restive territory and prevent attacks on Israeli citizens. Hamas has claimed at least 10 of the dead as their fighters. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, at least 663 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank, Palestinian health officials say, mostly in Israeli raids into Palestinian cities and towns. Attacks on Israelis in the territory have also risen. Mourners gather at a funeral for two families killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Mourners at Al-Aqsa Hospital in the Gaza Strip gathered early Friday to hold a funeral for several members of two different families killed Thursday night after an Israeli airstrike hit their house. A video filmed by The Associated Press shows a man holding his dead child wrapped in a bloodied white shroud. Another man is seen holding an infant who was born dead that night. More than 14,000 children have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, according to Gaza health officials. Several people gathered at the hospital complex and performed a funeral prayer before the bodies were taken for burial. Israel strikes medical supply convoy that it claims was seized by gunmen DUBAI, United Arab Emirates An Israeli missile hit a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, killing several people from a local transportation company, the American Near East Refugee Aid group said Friday. Israel claimed without evidence that it opened fire after gunmen seized the convoy. The strike Thursday hit the first car in the convoy on the Salah al-Din Road in the Gaza Strip, killing several people employed by a transportation company that the aid group was using to bring supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital in Rafah, said Sandra Rasheed, Aneras director for the Palestinian territories. The convoy, which was coordinated by Anera and approved by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who was unharmed, Rasheed said in a statement. "Our understanding is that the remaining vehicles in the convoy were able to continue and successfully deliver the aid to the hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday from The Associated Press. However, Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee posted to the social platform X that gunmen seized a car at the head of the convoy (a jeep) and began driving. He wrote that the military determined only one vehicle was seized before acting, and added, The presence of armed men inside a humanitarian convoy in an uncoordinated manner makes it difficult to secure the convoys and their staff and harms the humanitarian effort. The United Arab Emirates, which reached a diplomatic recognition deal with Israel in 2020 and has been providing aid to Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, did not immediately acknowledge the attack. Israeli military hits Jenin as its West Bank raid pushes forward JERUSALEM The Israeli military conducted an airstrike in the West Bank city of Jenin amid days of heavy fighting in the Palestinian territory, authorities said Friday. The Israeli military said in a brief statement that a military aircraft struck a terrorist cell during an encounter with security forces in a counterterrorism operation in the area of Jenin. It did not immediately elaborate. Such airstrikes, while common over the months-long Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, have been rare in the West Bank in the time since. Israel says the raids across the northern West Bank which have killed 16 people, nearly all militants, since late Tuesday are aimed at preventing attacks. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decades-long military rule over the territory. The Palestinian Health Ministry says over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank 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. US rebukes Israel over attacks on UN vehicles in Gaza UNITED NATIONS In a rare rebuke, the United States sharply criticized Israels attacks on United Nations vehicles and called for an end to assaults and threatening rhetoric against the U.N. and humanitarian organizations. At a U.N. Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood 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 all staff movement 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. 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. Israel says it killed the head of Hamas in Jenin during a West Bank airstrike A firefighter extinguishes the flames of a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, on Friday after an Israeli army raid. The Israeli military said it killed three Palestinian fighters in an air strike on the third day of its raids in the occupied West Bank. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The Israel Defense Forces Friday said the head of Hamas in Jenin was killed during a West Bank counterterrorism airstrike. Wassem Hazam, was "eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area," the IDF wrote on X. "He was identified alongside a terrorist cell in a vehicle in the area. Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks, and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area," IDF said. The IDF posted a video on X depicting the strike that it said killed Hazem. It added that Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer, who IDF said operated under Hazem's command and "took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities" were also killed by IDF aircraft as they attempted to flee form a vehicle they were in alongside Hazem. The Israel Defense Forces said Friday in an X post that its soldiers have killed Wassem Hazem, the head of Hamas in Jenin, in a West Bank airstrike. The strike was depicted in a video posted by the IDF. Screenshot/IDF/X The Palestinian Ministry of Health said the bodies were taken by Israeli troops, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Israel's military obstructed ambulances from reaching the scene of the attack. A firefighter extinguishes the flames of a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, on Friday after an Israeli army raid. The Israeli military said it killed three Palestinian fighters in an air strike on the third day of its raids in the occupied West Bank. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI At least 20 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military operation in the West Bank, including 11 in Jenin, five in Tulkarm and four in Tubas, WAFA reported. Earlier Friday morning, according to WAFA, Israeli forces had surrounded a house in Zababdeh and opened fire on it. Palestinians stand in front of a bullet and shrapnel-riddled wall in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, on Friday after an Israeli army raid in the area. The Israeli military said it killed three Palestinian fighters. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI The IDF began what it described as an ongoing counter-terrorism operation Tuesday night. On Thursday, the IDF reported its soldiers killed five "terrorists" in a West Bank mosque. A young Palestinian boy stands in front of a bullet and shrapnel-riddled wall in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, on Fraiday on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid. The Israeli military said it killed three Palestinian fighters in an air strike on the third day of its raids in the occupied West Bank. Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI (Bloomberg) -- Israels government voted to maintain a military presence in Gazas so-called Philadelphi corridor, an issue thats proved a key sticking point in cease-fire talks with Hamas. Most Read from Bloomberg Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus security cabinet almost all approved the policy, according to a readout of Thursdays meeting seen by Bloomberg. Hamas has insisted that Israels forces leave the area, which runs along the Egypt-Gaza border at the south of the Palestinian territory, once a truce starts. The problem is vexing mediators as they try to persuade the two sides to pause and eventually end the devastating war in Gaza, now almost into its 12th month. In the last few weeks, Israel has taken a firmer stance on the Philadelphi corridor, with Netanyahu saying his soldiers are needed there to prevent Hamas smuggling weapons into Gaza from Egypt. The Israeli cabinet members said their vote will bring a cease-fire closer because it will make clear to Hamas that it needs to compromise, according to the read-out. Netanyahu said the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, which triggered the war in Gaza, was possible as a result of the Philadelphi axis not being in Israels hands, the read-out said. The prime minister said this reality will not repeat itself and that this time Israel is determined to keep this border under its control. Two ministers didnt vote in favor. They were Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was against the measure, and Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, who abstained. Ben Gvir opted not to vote because Netanyahu proposed some draw down of troops and the national security minister wants no reduction at all, according to an official familiar with the matter. Gallant opposed the proposal because he argued it would delay a truce rather than force Hamas to accept one more quickly and potentially cost the lives of more hostages, according to an official close to the minister. The defense minister has been at odds with Netanyahu over many aspects of the war and they have frequently clashed in public. The vote was also put to the security cabinet without warning, the official said. The cease-fire talks, mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt, have dragged on for months and continued this week among junior negotiators in Doha. The corridor isnt the only obstacle. Israel and Hamas are yet to agree how many hostages will be released from Gaza in the first phase of a deal, as well as how many Palestinians will be freed from Israeli jails. In addition, Netanyahu says Israel will keep forces along a second corridor called Netzarim, which bisects Gaza, to block Hamas fighters moving back into northern parts of the territory. Hamas is against that demand. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union, killed 1,200 people and took around 250 hostage when its fighters swarmed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7. Israels subsequent offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The confrontations in the West Bank starkly illustrate the challenges Israel faces today on the world stage. Even before October 7 the level of violence there was on the rise. Since Hamass murderous invasion along the Gaza border, terrorist aggression in the West Bank has increased further. Much of this is down to Hamas as well as Fatah terrorists who are being pressed forward by Iranian funds and arms as well as encouragement by the Palestinian Authority. Until now, the IDF carried out limited raids to contain it. A couple of days ago it launched a division-sized operation. The BBC, which has displayed repeated hostility towards Israel, has been questioning whether it was necessary for Jerusalem to defend itself against West Bank terrorism, rather than first questioning why they had to do so. Predictably the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli operations. In a tweet he recited the worn-out solecism so beloved of international diplomats who have no answers: 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. Gutteres is living in an alternate universe. After Israel withdrew its forces and uprooted all its citizens from Gaza in 2005, the strip was turned into an engine of war. Hamass fortress could be contained without full-scale military operations until October 7, but that doesnt apply to the West Bank with its proximity to major Israeli population centres as well as its long border with Jordan. A terrorist army left unchecked would not only threaten Israel but Jordan as well. Already Iran has been trying to destabilise Amman and develop a base of attack against Israel from the country. So no, Mr Guterres, the utopian vision of a two-state solution, which polls show the majority of Palestinian Arabs dont want in any case, is not possible, especially not now. We see this same picture with Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. Israel has been attacked on all fronts and has responded in each case, both defensively and offensively, with tactical brilliance. Yet it has also been condemned repeatedly for doing so, in the media, in international bodies and in Western capitals. The traditional response among political leaders and diplomats always begins with Israel has the right to defend itself but before the predictable calls for restraint and ceasefires, topped off by the obligatory mumblings about a two-state solution. The sort of restraint demanded has never been asked of any other country under attack. An example of the double standards applied to Israel can be seen in two tweets by David Lammy a few days ago. In response to attacks by Russia on Ukraine, he said: The UK utterly condemns Russias cowardly missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine today. These assaults are in flagrant violation of international law and those responsible must be brought to justice. The day before, responding to Hezbollah missile and drone attacks on Israel he wrote: Further escalation in the Middle East must be avoided at all costs. In my call with [an] Israeli Minister I reiterated the UKs support for Israels security, the importance of restraint, the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Happy to condemn Russia, he couldnt even bring himself to name Irans terrorist proxy which had attacked Israel, being far more eager to urge restraint on Jerusalem. Israel is winning its multi-front war but it is far from clear that its so-called allies in the West want it to do so. Gaza is now relatively stable, despite the need to deal with an enduring guerrilla campaign. That could have been achieved more quickly, and probably with less bloodshed had the Biden administration not done its best to slow things down. In the north, Israel must decisively attack Hezbollah in order to put a stop to the daily attacks and allow tens of thousands of Israeli citizens to return home. But again, Joe Biden wants to prevent that, at least until after the US elections, despite not having any viable alternative. Why does the West act in this way? The long-term political warfare campaign to delegitimise Israel through spurious actions in the international courts, mobilise widespread protest and generate hostile media coverage has been so successful that many leaders are afraid to stand up against it. That is despite knowing that Israels enemies are our enemies too. 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. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to leave the International Space Station (ISS) and return to Earth next week with no astronaut onboard, NASA announced on Friday. The uncrewed spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously undock from the space station at approximately 6:04 p.m. Eastern Time (2204 GMT) Friday, Sept. 6, to begin the journey home. NASA and Boeing are targeting approximately 12:03 a.m. Eastern Time (1603 GMT) Saturday, Sept. 7, for a landing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, which marks the conclusion of the flight test. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight, and arrived at ISS on June 6. As Starliner approached the orbiting laboratory, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters. For the safety of the astronauts, NASA announced last week that Starliner will return to Earth from the station without a crew. Wilmore and Williams will remain aboard the station and return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Palestinians return to their destroyed homes after the Israeli army withdrew from the eastern part of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israel's army said on Friday it has ended its major month-long operation in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, adding that it killed over 250 militants during the mission. Tunnel routes used by the Palestinian militant group Hamas with a total length of more than 6 kilometres were destroyed during the operation and the bodies of six hostages recovered, the army said. Residents of some neighbourhoods in the south of the Gaza Strip, who had previously been called upon to flee, were allowed to return, an army spokesman announced in Arabic on social media. The neighbourhoods are now once again part of an area designated as a humanitarian safe zone. The withdrawn troops are now preparing for other missions in the Gaza Strip, the military said. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 40,000 people have been killed and more than 98,000 others injured in Gaza during 10 months of war. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters and cannot be independently verified at present. The Gaza war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, with more than 1,200 dead, carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7. Palestinians return to their destroyed homes after the Israeli army withdrew from the eastern part of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian paramedics and civil defense crews retrieve bodies of those killed in the streets from different areas after the Israeli army withdrew from the east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian paramedics and civil defense crews retrieve bodies of those killed in the streets from different areas after the Israeli army withdrew from the east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israeli military reinforcements storm the city of Jenin during the raid, north of the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces raided the cities of Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm and the Far'a refugee camp, with thousands of Israeli soldiers participating in the raids simultaneously. Eleven Palestinians were killed, dozens were injured and infrastructure, streets and homes were destroyed. Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The Israeli army announced on Friday that during a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, it killed the leader of the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas responsible for the city of Jenin. "Wassem Hazem, the head of Hamas in Jenin, was eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the northern Samaria area. He was identified alongside a terrorist cell in a vehicle in the area," the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet and the Israeli police posted on the platform X. "Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bombing attacks, and continuously advanced terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria area." The vehicle also contained two other Hamas members, the statement said. The forces killed them during an attack with an aircraft as they tried to flee the vehicle. Weapons and explosives were reportedly found in the car. Eyewitnesses reported that in a village in the south of Jenin, the Israeli army attacked a car with three occupants. Two attempted to escape. A drone allegedly fired a missile at both. All three reportedly died in the attack. An Israeli freed from Gaza returns to a village where 70% of homes are targeted for demolition KHIRBET KARKUR, Israel (AP) An Israeli hostage rescued from Gaza returned to a heros welcome tinged with a bitter reality: Much of the small village he calls home, Khirbet Karkur, is targeted for demolition. Qaid Farhad Alkadi, 52, is one of Israels roughly 300,000 Bedouin Arabs, a poor and traditionally nomadic minority that has a complicated relationship with the government and often faces discrimination. While they are Israeli citizens and some serve in the army, about a third of Bedouins, including Alkadi, live in villages the government considers illegal and wants to tear down. Since November, about 70% of Khirbet Karkur residents have been told the government plans to raze their homes because they were built without permits in a protected forest not zoned for housing, according to a lawyer representing them. Alkadis family hasnt received a notice, but the looming mass displacement of this close-knit community has cast a pall on what has otherwise been a joyous 24 hours. Its so exciting, we didnt know if hell come back alive or not, said Muhammad Abu Tailakh, the head of Khirbet Karkurs local council and a public health lecturer at Ben Gurion University in nearby Beersheba. But the good news is also a bit complicated, because of everything thats going on. Alkadi was greeted by dozens of well-wishers Wednesday and a crush of media. He was released from the hospital and returned home a day after his dramatic rescue, which he recounted in appreciative phone calls with Israels prime minister and president. Neighbors and family erected a huge tent in his honor, and served tea and coffee from the early morning as they eagerly awaited his arrival. When the clean-shaven but gaunt Alkadi arrived seemingly overwhelmed by the attention after 326 days in captivity, some of it an underground tunnel he spoke with reporters and pleaded with Israeli leaders to free all the hostages. It does not matter if they are Arab or Jewish, all have a family waiting for them, said Alkadi, a father of 11 who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7 while working as a security guard at a packing plant near the Gaza border. They also want to feel the joy, he said. I hope, I pray an end to this. Alkadi was one of eight Bedouins abducted on Oct. 7, and three are believed to still be alive in captivity; two teenagers were released, one was accidentally killed by the Israeli army, and one declared dead is still in Gaza. On Oct. 7, many Bedouins rushed to help attendees of an Israeli music festival, saving hundreds of lives at a time when the army and police were in disarray. A spokesperson for the Israel Land Authority said that in light of the situation it would not serve a demolition notice to the Alkadi family. But it would not comment on the plight of his neighbors or their lawyers efforts to save their homes. On Wednesday, most family members and neighbors tried to focus on the good news, rather than legal fights that could drag on for years. We need that this problem be resolved so that people here receive an appropriate solution that fits the needs of the Bedouins, said Nasser Amran, 59, a friend of Alkadi. There is no electricity. For water, they bring a pipe from some community, and it arrives here, but it is still difficult to live in a village without water and electricity the way it should be. Unrecognized villages are not connected to state water, sewage, or electricity infrastructure, and the roads to many, including Khirbet Karkur, are dusty and potholed. Khirbet Karkur is nestled in the shadow of a large dump, and the smell of rotting garbage drifts over the short, squat corrugated metal homes. Piles of construction debris and trash ring the small cluster of dwellings. Israels Supreme Court has previously deemed many of the unrecognized Bedouin villages illegal, and the government has said they are trying to bring order to a lawless area and give a better quality of life to the impoverished minority. For decades, Israel has been trying to convince scattered, off-the-grid Bedouin villagers that it is in their interest to move into government-designated Bedouin townships, where the government can provide them with water, electricity and schools. Bedouin leaders have rejected many proposals, saying they would destroy their lifestyle or send them to less desirable areas. There have been 2,007 Bedouin structures demolished in the first six months of 2024, according to the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, which tracks demolitions in the Bedouin community. Thats a 51% increase over the same period in 2022, when a more moderate government was in power. The increase in demolitions has coincided with the ascendance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing coalition. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other members of his party have consistently championed the demolition of illegal Bedouin construction in the Negev desert and Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ben-Gvir last year traveled to witness a demolition himself, expressing kudos and calling the destruction sacred work. Abu Tailkha says he and his neighbors want to maintain their rural lifestyle, and the government should officially recognize their villages. He said residents of Khirbet Karkur, who were placed there in the 1950s by the government, would be open to moving to another rural area, but not a city. The government wants to move them north to Rahat, an urban Bedouin settlement of about 70,000, according to Netta Amar Shiff, a lawyer representing families who received demolition notices. She called it disgusting cynicism for the government to say it will not serve Alkadis family with lawsuits. If theres a good reason for one person not to get the notice, theres a good reason for everyone, she said. Regavim, a right-wing group that studies land issues in Israel and supports the governments relocation plan for Bedouins, said the Bedouin are being offered an excellent deal with free land, and it is in their interest to move in order to receive services that every Israeli citizen is entitled to receive. Israel cant provide services to people who just build wherever they want, said Naomi Kahn, the head of Regavims international division. The unrecognized villages do not have adequate bomb shelters or a warning system in the case of incoming rockets, and at least 11 Bedouin have been killed by rockets fired into Israel since the war began. The entire country is in a war, and I also have to fight this demolition order, said Abu Tailkha, the head of Khirbet Karkurs local council. Abu Tailkha said that while the country and its leaders were embracing Alkadis return, he isnt optimistic real change will occur in their village. I think in a bit they will forget about Farhan, and they will send another round of demolition orders, he said. ___ This story was first published on Aug. 28, 2024. It was updated on Aug. 29, 2024, to correct the number of Bedouin structures demolished in the first six months 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 WSAV-TV. Israeli military says it killed Hamas commander and two other fighters in occupied West Bank Israels military said it killed three Hamas members, including a commander, as its offensive in the occupied West Bank entered its third day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday it killed Wissam Khazem, whom it described as the Hamas leader in the city of Jenin, in an exchange of gunfire after he was identified in a vehicle in the area. The military said it had found weapons and money in the vehicle. Two others were also killed as they tried to flee the vehicle, according to the Israeli military, naming them as Maysara Masharqa and Arafat Amer. The IDF said both men belonged to Hamas and operated under the command of Khazem and took part in shooting attacks against Israeli communities. In a statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, acknowledged the three mens deaths and confirmed Khazem was one of its leaders in Jenin. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a network of Palestinian armed groups, said Masharqa was its most prominent field commanders in Jenin. As of Friday, 19 Palestinians have been killed during an expansive Israeli military operation in the West Bank that includes the cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem, according to the Palestinian ministry of health and Palestinian groups. A total of 11 Palestinian militants have been killed in the Israeli operation, according to a CNN count. Of those, five were killed Thursday during an exchange of fire within and near a mosque in Tulkarem. The IDF said it had killed Muhhamad Jabber, known as Abu Shujaa, the leader of the local branch of the militant group Islamic Jihad, which later confirmed Jabbers death. Fridays firefight came after Israel launched one of the largest assaults on the occupied territory in years. Stressing the need to root out what he called Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructure, Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for a Gaza-style operation in the West Bank. Katz warned that Iran was working in the West Bank to establish an eastern front against Israel, working alongside its proxies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israels renewed offensive in the West Bank has sparked criticism from senior United Nations and Western officials. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that Israels operation is deeply concerning. An Israeli military vehicle blocks a road leading to a hospital in Jenin on Friday. - Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images 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. 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. Since Israel began its occupation of the West Bank in 1967, the number of Jewish settlements has swelled in the territory, despite being considered illegal under international law. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israeli security Cabinet to keep control of Gaza border with Egypt Palestinians stand near the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. The Israeli Security Cabinet decided to approve maps specifying that the Israeli army will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor on the Palestinian side of the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt. Mohammed Talatene/dpa Israel's security Cabinet plans to maintain control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, media reports said on Friday. By doing so, Israel is refusing to concede on a key point in the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza conflict. A large majority voted in favour of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position during a meeting on Thursday evening, several media outlets reported. According to these reports, only Defence Minister Yoav Gallant voted against it, while the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir abstained. Israel claims that numerous tunnels operated by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas run under the approximately 14-kilometre-long Philadelphi Corridor. Netanyahu insists on maintaining control to prevent weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Egypt denies the existence of these underground smuggling routes. The Hostage Families Forum accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing the chances of an agreement with Hamas, which also includes the release of those abducted from Israel, with his stance. In the ceasefire negotiations, Israel's demand for permanent control of the Philadelphi Corridor is one of the main points of contention. Hamas accuses Israel of obstructing the negotiations by refusing to withdraw from the area. The indirect negotiations, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have been at an impasse for months. During the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago, half a dozen doctors assembled to protest the public health crisis caused by Israel's ongoing military onslaught in Gaza. While the physicians spoke in large part of bombs, gunfire and the other direct consequences of armed conflict, the region faces another serious threat: poliovirus, which has been detected in Gaza wastewater since July. Partially conceding to the humanitarians' outrage, Israel announced on Thursday that it will implement a series of pauses in fighting throughout September to distribute vaccines. Perhaps Israel had no choice; the reality of a variant type 2 poliovirus outbreak in Gaza had the whole region bracing for a public health crisis. Israel has already killed at least 40,000 people, including 16,000 children. Israel's military campaign began following the Hamas-led October 7th attack killed around 1,200 Israeli people, including many civilians and children. But a major epidemic would only make things worse and could potentially spread polio to other countries. Hence why on Monday more than 1.2 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 were delivered to Gaza, courtesy of a coalition of humanitarian groups including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNRWA (the main United Nations agency for aiding Palestinians) and UNICEF, the UN children's fund. According to experts who spoke with Salon, all of this is a big step in the right direction. At the same time, the potential calamity has not yet been averted because Israel's ongoing assault and the current damage to Palestinian infrastructure will still make it difficult to get shots in the arms that need them at the time they are needed. "This is the correct vaccine for the current outbreak," Dr. William Haseltine, a pioneer in fighting HIV/AIDS and chair and president of the global health think tank Access Health International, told Salon. After praising the vaccine itself and saying that overall it is a "very good move" that the shots are now in Gaza, he added that if the problem is not effectively addressed "polio could cause a serious epidemic in Israel, the region and beyond. Polio and other infectious diseases know no boundaries. This is yet another consequence of destroying all the infrastructure in a neighboring country." Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), also warned that polio is such a highly infectious disease, even a moderate outbreak in Gaza could easily spread through the region. As such, APHA is calling for a ceasefire "in order to distribute humanitarian aid and to address health risks like this one," Benjamin told Salon. "We also have called for the release of the hostages and for a rapid negotiated settlement of the hostilities." Even if a ceasefire occurs, however, Israel has already caused so much damage to the region's infrastructure that it will be very challenging at this point to prevent an outbreak. "First getting the first shot to every eligible individual is challenging but tracking these individuals for their second shot will be very, very challenging because the people dont have a fixed location," Benjamin said. "Also the disease spreads easily in crowded conditions and where hygiene and routine environmental cleaning is not available." Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The reemergence of polio is particularly notable because the disease has been defeated in the past, and in theory should be easy to contain again. When Dr. Jonas Salk announced that he had developed a polio vaccine in April 1955, he not only helped eradicate an epidemic but revolutionized the science of developing vaccines in the process. In a sense, the history of fighting polio and the history of developing innovative vaccines are one and the same story. Yet polio could always become a global menace again if it happens to pop up in an area where people do not have ready access to effective inoculations. "This is a tragic situation in that polio is one of the infections worldwide that we are hoping to eradicate and this reappearance of polio in the region absolutely can lead to spread outside of the Middle East," Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease doctor and professor of medicine at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, told Salon. "The effects of war and the destruction of infrastructure in the region has led to exposure to raw sewage and a lack of clean water in the region, which is exposing tens and thousand of Palestinians to polio which is already circulating in the wastewater and has led to the partial paralysis of a 10-month old child." Vaccines would prevent many more children from suffering a similar fate. The nOPV2 vaccine is very effective. Dr. Russell Medford, CEO of Covanos and Chair of the Global Center for Medical Innovation at the Georgia Institute of Technology, cited a 2024 study in The Lancet which found the vaccine was both immunoprotective and safe in a trial including 2345 infants and 600 young children in the Gambia. "The nOPV2 vaccine is expected to effectively interrupt poliovirus transmission and thus markedly reduce the risk of seeding further polio outbreaks," Medford said. His views were echoed by Dr. Alfred Sommer, dean emeritus and professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Since these vaccines were supplied through UNICEF/WHO, I would expect they are standard, highly effective vaccines that have been used to eradicate polio around much of the world, particularly in low-resource populations," Sommer said. "We were on the cusp of eradicating this dreaded disease a few years ago, but the virus remained active in areas where vaccination efforts were less than ideal, and keep spreading from there to re-infect once polio-free zones." Benjamin also emphasized that the context of war is crucial to understanding the current polio outbreak. "The public health implications of conflict are enormous and include the physical and mental health trauma for the populations impacted," Benjamin said. "Violence is never a way to solve our differences and should be avoided." Italian prosecutors widen probe into superyacht that sank off Sicily to 2 more crew members FILE - Italian firefighter divers bring ashore in a plastic bag the body of one of the victims of a shipwreck, in Porticello, Sicily, southern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli, File) ROME (AP) Italian prosecutors have put under investigation two more crew members of the Bayesian, the superyacht that sank off Sicily last week, killing seven people, their lawyer said on Friday. The move widens the probe into the tragic shipwreck, for which the ships captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, is already under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges. 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 under investigation for the same possible charges, their lawyer said. The profile of their possible responsibilities is still unclear, as the investigation has just started, lawyer Mario Scopesi told The Associated Press. Scopesi added that both Parker Eaton and Griffith left Italy on Wednesday, along with Cutfield and the rest of the crew. The three crew members were 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, who is heading the investigation, has said his team will 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 Sicily, in the Mediterranean. 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. All crewmembers survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yacht's hull and died. Agrigento has banned the sale of Mafia-themed souvenirs ahead of becoming the Capital of Culture. The mayor aims to improve the city's image and reject the Mafia's influence on tourism. Similar rules have been issued for gift stores in local airports and on ferries that dock around Sicily. The Sicilian city of Agrigento has decided to ban Mafia-themed souvenirs ahead of becoming Italy's 2025 Capital of Culture. The ban, issued by the town's mayor, Francesco Micciche, aims to make clear that the criminal organization is not tolerated by local authorities. Agrigento is a UNESCO World Heritage site with archaeological remains dating back to the sixth century B.C. but also continues to be associated with the Mafia. Characters from the movie "The Godfather " have been depicted in magnets and ceramics, Italian news channel Sky TG24 reported. The mob, also known as Cosa Nostra, still operates on the island and has since at least the 19th century. The ban on souvenir stores is the latest in a series of moves to limit the destination's connection with the Mafia. In 2023, the regional government ordered ferries that dock around Sicily to stop selling mafia-themed merchandise in their onboard gift stores. Alessandro Arico, the councilor in charge of transport and infrastructure, has also ordered the island's airports to stop stocking these souvenirs to tackle negative stereotypes, according to local newspaper La Sicilia. Fines may be issued if items thought to glamorize the Mafia are found by local police. Business Insider contacted Agrigento's mayor, Francesco Micciche, and councilor Alessandro Arico for comment but didn't immediately hear back. Read the original article on Business Insider Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 29 August that Ukraine is not allowed to use Italian weapons for strikes on Russian territory, emphasising that Italy is not at war with Russia. Source: European Pravda, citing Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera Details: Tajani emphasised that Italy maintains its stance on the weapons provided to Ukraine and that Rome "is not at war with Moscow". Quote: "We have mostly sent defensive weapons, and now we are planning to send a new Samp-T battery, which is defensive and cannot be used on Russian territory. We reiterate that we are not at war with Russia, NATO is not at war with Russia, and therefore Italy's position remains unchanged to use our weapons on Ukrainian territory." Background: On 29 August, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Kyiv was hoping to gain agreement from its partners to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia and to receive such capabilities in a timely manner. Permission to strike targets in Russia would create strategic uncertainty for the enemy, while the arrival of F-16 aircraft in Ukraine, especially with authorisation to shoot down aerial targets over Russia, would significantly enhance air defence capabilities. Such permissions open new opportunities for Ukraines defence forces, including, as some military analysts claim, limiting enemy aviation activity if targets are hit to a depth of at least 80 km. Media reports have also indicated that the UK supports the idea of using Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia but is not publicly calling for it due to concerns about a deterioration in relations with the US. Recently, it unofficially emerged that Ukraine plans to provide the White House with a list of targets in Russia for ATACMS missiles in an attempt to persuade Biden. For his part, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov stated that Kyiv is continuing to consult with partners on the possibility of creating an air defence "shield" over Ukraines western regions. Support UP or become our patron! A rare meteorological event is unfolding as Cyclone Asna begins to form over the Saurashtra-Kutch region of Gujarat. This marks the first time since 1976 that a cyclone is developing in the Arabian Sea during August, an occurrence that has only been recorded three times in history. Experts from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have noted the rarity of such events, emphasizing that the formation of cyclonic storms in the Arabian Sea during August is extremely uncommon. The cyclone is expected to strengthen on August 30 and head towards the coast of Oman. According to the IMD, the deep depression currently over the Saurashtra and Kutch regions is likely to move west-southwestwards, emerging over the northeast Arabian Sea near Kutch and the adjoining coasts of Pakistan. The depression is forecasted to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Friday. In an update from the IMD on August 29, it was mentioned, "The deep depression over Kutch and nearby areas of the Northeast Arabian Sea and Pakistan, approximately 90 km west-northwest of Bhuj (Gujarat), is expected to move westward, enter the Northeast Arabian Sea, and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm on August 30. It will continue to move west-southwest over the Northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast in the next two days." The cyclone, once fully developed, will be named Cyclone Asna, a designation proposed by Pakistan. Historically, the last cyclone to develop in August over the Arabian Sea occurred in 1976. That cyclone formed over Odisha, traveled west-northwestwards, and eventually weakened near the Oman coast after making a looping track. Previous cyclones in 1964 and 1944 followed similar patterns, forming near the South Gujarat coast and in the Arabian Sea but weakening before making significant landfall. Heavy Downpour Brings Delhi to a Standstill: Roads Submerged, Traffic in Turmoil Heavy Rains in Gujarat: Vadodara Faces Flood Threat as Vishwamitri River Surges to 35 Feet Heavy Rainfall Alert for Gujarat, Goa, and Maharashtra: IMD Issues Fishermen Advisory ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will propose European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto to serve in the next European Commission and expects an important portfolio for him, her office said on Friday. Fitto, 55, has been the minister in charge of Italy's sluggish efforts to spend EU COVID-19 recovery funds, and meet reform targets tied to the money. He has experience of Brussels as a former European Union lawmaker, and hails from a family of politicians, with both he and his father serving as presidents of their native southern Puglia region. "Our choice falls on a person who has a great deal of experience and has been able to run his portfolio with excellent results: Minister Raffaele Fitto," Meloni said during a cabinet meeting, according to a statement released by her office. The commission is the EU's powerful executive arm. It proposes legislation and polices the bloc's rules, including on budget discipline and antitrust matters. Its president Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected in July to serve a second five-year term, has to make up her 27-member team using names put forward by EU national governments. It falls upon her, however, to pick portfolios for the proposed commissioners, who then have to face confirmation hearings before the European Parliament. Italy is hoping for a heavyweight position, such as a vice presidency with a major role, despite Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party voting against von der Leyen when the EU parliament approved her in July. "Although I see many Italians rooting against an appropriate role for our nation (in the next commission), I have no reason to believe that role will not be recognised," Meloni added. Fitto is one of the more moderate members of Meloni's hard-right FdI, having previously been a Christian Democrat and then a member of late Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, Giuseppe Fonte and Marta Di Donfrancesco, editing by Ros Russell) Hoteliers have warned that Italy's tourist tax could hinder growth in the economy's biggest sector - Edwin Remsberg/The Image Bank RF Italy is plotting tourist taxes of as much as 25 (21) a night to fund bin collections in cash-strapped cities. If approved, the move would represent the latest blow for holidaymakers who have been hit with additional taxes in recent years as well as protests from locals in Europe this summer. Italian cities are already permitted to impose taxes on overnight stays made by foreigners and Italians, with prices currently ranging between 1 to 5 per person, per night. However, it is understood that the governments latest proposal targets hotel rooms and suggests increasing the tourist tax in proportion to the rates charged by hotels. This could be as much as 25 a night and laws may be changed to allow cities to use the proceeds to fund local public services like refuse collections, according to the Financial Times. Marina Lalli, of Federturismo, an industry body for tourism firms, told the newspaper cities were using money from the taxes to illegally fill budget holes. When you go and fix your streets that are full of holes and you pay with money you collect from tourist tax is this really for tourists, or is this a normal, ordinary thing that you should do in your city? she said. The law currently requires cities to use such tourist tax revenues to pay for things that are relevant to visitors, such as multilingual signage and maintaining tourist sites, but Melonis government is considering scrapping this requirement. Click here to view this content. Daniela Santanche, Italys tourism minister and ally of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, revealed on social media the government was looking at raising further charges on visitors. She said: In times of over-tourism, we are debating this so that it really helps improve services and make tourists who pay it more responsible. Prices would be 5 per room per night for a room under 100; 10 per night for rooms costing 100-400; 15 for rooms priced at 400-750; and 25 for rooms that are more than 750. But hoteliers warned that the plans could hinder growth in the economys biggest sector. Federalberghi, an industry body for small and medium-sized hotels, said in a statement that the common objective must be to support growth, not slow it down. Barbara Casillo, director of Confindustria Alberghi, which represents larger hotels and international chains, warned other European destinations could surpass Italy if lawmakers scare travellers with high taxes. She told Italian media: If we scare travellers who come to us by giving the impression that we want to take what we can, we are not doing a good service to the country, Casillo said in an interview. We must be very careful. It comes after Venice experimented with an entry fee for visitors which critics said in May had resoundingly failed after the number of tourists visiting the city increased following the taxs introduction. Visitors to Venice were initially charged 5 for 29 days this year, mostly weekends and holidays. Authorities have said the levy will remain in place and could be doubled for 2025, bringing it up to 10. Bank of Italy figures show municipalities collected 775m from tourist taxes 2023. Britons travelling abroad have recently been the subject of protests in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, with holidaymakers in northern Spain recently being blocked by activists on a local road. It was reported last month that Barcelona will seek to raise tourist taxes for cruise passengers visiting the city for less than 12 hours to deter excessive tourism. 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. Aug 30, 2024, 12:37pm EDT The News Italy is weighing a steep increase in tourist taxes to counter the impact of overtourism, the latest European country to take steps against unmanageable visitor numbers that have led to protests across the continent. Under the proposed measure, the tax to spend the night in an Italian city, currently 1-5 ($1-$5.50), could increase to up to 25 for the most expensive hotel rooms, the Financial Times reported with the countrys Tourism Minister saying it would make tourists more responsible. Europe has become the epicenter of a movement against mass tourism this summer, with protests erupting in several countries including Spain, the Netherlands, and Greece, as residents object to the negative impact excessive visitor numbers have on their quality of life. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Residents protest rising costs and changing neighborhoods Sources: CNN, Il Post, Euronews Chief among residents complaints about an overflow in visitors is the rise in the cost of living and gentrification seen in highly popular tourist areas, which has pushed some residents out. In Barcelona, for example, rents have risen 68% in the past decade, CNN noted. Many feel tourism ruptures the social fabric of certain neighborhoods in touristy cities, where historic establishments are often forced out to make room for shops selling cheaper, lower-quality products aimed at visitors, Italian outlet Il Post added. Overtourism adds to the pressure on health services, waste management, and water supplies, Euronews reported, while the construction of hotels and new housing can bring environmental concerns. In Italy, a fine line between preserving industry and protecting residents Sources: The Financial Times, Pagella Political In Italy, many residents are irked at the impact tourism has on their cities and support an increase in taxes for visitors, the Financial Times reported. But the government is also wary of alienating the tourism industry, which accounted for about 6% of the countrys GDP according to the most recent estimates, Italian outlet Pagella Politica noted. Some leaders in the tourism sector and politicians have already expressed frustration at the proposed measure, which they say may deter visitors and negatively impact the hospitality sector. Italy is also facing the pressure of increased public debt, which could reach 140% this year, the Financial Times added. Past tourist taxes have produced mixed results Source: National Geographic A number of popular tourist destinations in Europe have recently introduced or increased their tourist taxes, National Geographic reported, but the levies have produced mixed results. In Barcelona, two fees one of which has increased from 0.75 ($0.80) per night in 2021 to 3.25 in 2024 havent deterred tourists from visiting the city, but the city council expects to collect over $100 million from them in 2024, which officials say will help increase residents quality of life. In Amsterdam, a high tourist tax may just push visitors to spend the night outside the city and commute in for the day, one university professor told the magazine which wouldnt reduce the number of tourists, but would slash the revenue locals can make from accommodation. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) Ithaca Police are investigating a shooting that occurred on Friday afternoon. According to the Ithaca Police Department, officers were called to the 300 block of West Buffalo Street on Friday, Aug. 30, around 12:30 p.m. for the report of a gunshot victim. Ithaca Police search for individuals involved in assault incident Upon arrival at the scene, police say that a person was found with a gunshot wound. The person was then taken to a regional trauma center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police say that the person who committed the shooting left the scene before officers arrived and that the incident does not appear to be a random act. An investigation into the incident is ongoing at this time. Anyone who has any information on the incident is asked to contact IPD by any of the following means: Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police Administration: 607-272-9973 Police Tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) The Ithaca Police Department is searching for information about an assault that occurred early Thursday morning in Ithaca. Police say they received the report of a physical assault on two college-aged men that occurred at about 1 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29. According to the report, two to three men assaulted both of the victims after a verbal argument on Dryden Road near Eddy Street. Police say the victims of the assault sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result. Two arrested after reported commercial burglary in Ithaca Police say that the individuals who committed the assault were not known to the victims. The leader of the incident was described to police as wearing a white bandana and a black shirt that read 8 against hate. Anyone who has any information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Ithaca Police Department by any of the following means: Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police Administration: 607-272-9973 Police Tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIRGINIA On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from across Northern Virginia and DC. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here. A judge denied bond for Naresh Bhatt, the husband charged in the disappearance of his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt. The mom of a 1-year-old has been missing since July 31 and is presumed dead after investigators found blood in the couple's home. The presence of a vice presidential candidate has led to increased security presence in a neighborhood. Since Aaron Andrews got married in April, he and his wife have lived in his father's basement in Prince William County. That changed after his father gifted him a winning $1 million lottery ticket as a wedding present. A 50-year-old man pleaded not guilty for reasons of insanity four times in court on Monday in connection with the May 15, 2023 attack on U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's office, according to news reports. A former U.S. Marine from Stafford was convicted in federal court on Monday on child pornography charges after investigators found thousands of images of young children in sex acts and bestiality. On Tuesday, the county posted notices around the large homeless encampment in telling residents they needed to leave the area by Sept. 10. or face the consequences. Fallen Firefighter Trevor Brown, who was killed in a home explosion in February, will be part of Loudoun United's new Hometown Hero of the Year honor. The sheriff's office is investigating a shooting that killed a woman and man Wednesday morning. The school district's superintendent criticized Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin and state education leaders for omitting information in last week's release of the 2023-2024 Standards of Learning scores, which the district complained made it look like students were losing ground. A man is facing multiple assault charges following an incident that occurred Wednesday night at Mary Washington Hospital. Police detectives are asking the public's help in identifying two men wanted in connection with a pair of recent burglaries and three similar crimes in Washington, D.C. Before the 1960 Greensboro, North Carolina sit-in and the following sit-in movement, there was another civil rights sit-in. A teen was robbed after getting off a school bus, according to police. Federal regulators have approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine to better target recent strains of the virus contributing to a summer illness surge in Virginia and other U.S. states. After closures of 50 Red Lobster restaurants and a bankruptcy filing that put more locations in limbo, more Virginia locations could be on the chopping block. 5K Child Porn Images | $1M Wedding Gift | JD Vance Security: VA News originally appeared on the Ashburn Patch Jack White rips Trump campaign for posting bands song: Dont even think about using my music you fascists (The Hill) 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 Queen City News. Janesville man accused of shooting at Craig High School JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO) A 24-year-old Janesville man has been arrested for allegedly shooting and breaking the glass doors of Craig High School on Sunday. According to the Janesville Police Department, the crime was discovered at 12:15 p.m. Police said evidence at the scene, at 401 S. Randall Avenue, was consistent with a bullet striking the door. An investigation identified Dalton Talley as the suspect. He was arrested on Thursday evening. Talley has been charged with Criminal Damage to Property, Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone, and Discharge of a Firearm in a School Zone. He is being held in the Rock County Jail pending his first court appearance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JCPD: Man arrested in his home Friday after exploiting minor JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Investigators with the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) Special Victims Unit arrested a man in his home on Friday after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens Network (NCMEC). WCSO: Campers knew stabbing suspects, victim expected to recover According to a release from JCPD, the investigation was prompted after a tip from the NCMECs CyberTipline, as the department serves as part of the Tennessee Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Sawyer Cross, 25, of Johnson City, was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor following the execution of a search warrant of his home, the release stated. Cross was taken to the Washington County 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Description Join Us Saturday + Sunday For Labor Day At The Farm Italy The Farm Italy Restaurant + Cocktail Bar located in beautiful Huntington Village, NY Our patio is open and is first come, first serve The Farm Italy is OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER! Tuesday - Sunday starting at 12pm. (We are closed Mondays) JD Vance, former President Donald Trumps running mate, wants gay tech billionaire Peter Thiel, whos also Vances former boss, to help finance the Trump-Vance campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris ended July with $219.7 million in cash while Trump had $151.3 million, according to Forbes. Thiel, who donated to Trumps 2016 presidential run, should get off the sidelines in this years race, Vance recently told Financial Times. 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 said in the interview. He is fundamentally a conservative guy, and I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket, Vance added. Thiel spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in support of Trump and contributed $1.25 million to his campaign. But Thiel did not donate to Trump in 2020 and has said he wouldnt fund any candidates in the 2024 election, noting that hed been disappointed in Trumps presidency. Thiel founded the tech firms PayPal and Palantir, and he was an early investor in Facebook. Since 2000, he has contributed $50 million to various candidates, and he was the 10th largest individual donor in the 2022 election. In that election, he donated to Vances campaign for U.S. Senate from Ohio, a race Vance won. Vance once worked for Thiel at a venture capital firm, Mithril Capital, and Thiel has been influential in Vance's career. Thiel did not respond to requests for comment from Financial Times or other news outlets. At the Aspen Ideas Festival this summer, he said he would vote for Trump if you hold a gun to my head, but he ultimately would prefer Trump to President Joe Biden. Theres no record of him commenting on the race since Biden dropped out and Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance isnt sorry he said Vice President Kamala Harris can go to hell. Vances remark came after two staffers for former President Donald Trumps presidential campaign reportedly got into an altercation on Monday with an official at Arlington National Cemetery while trying to get pictures and video footage of Trump in a restricted area. Trump had been attending an event at the cemetery honoring the 13 US military members who died in a bombing during the U.S. 2021 pullout from Afghanistan. Although Harris had not yet spoken about the incident, Vance still went after her during an Erie, Pennsylvania, campaign event on Wednesday. If she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up, she can go to hell, he said. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, Vance said his comment was simply a colloquial phrase. He said he hadnt looked into the cemetery incident in-depth. However, he also added that he does not believe the Trump campaign should apologize to the cemetery official. The media and the Democrats have made a scandal out of something where there really is none, he said. I dont know the details of the altercation between the photographer and somebody in Arlington, so I certainly want to understand better before I comment directly on that. But from what Ive seen, the president was invited. The U.S. Army critiqued the Trump campaign over the cemetery incident, calling it out in a statement to media outlets on Thursday. 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 said. Harris campaign communications director Michael Tyler told CNN on Wednesday that the conflict between the Trump campaigners and the cemetery official was pretty sad. He added: This is 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. Hes also somebody who has a history of demeaning and degrading military service members, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Related... The late Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) had not yet been buried before his heir apparent became, well, apparent. In the days after the fiery 87-year-old congressmembers death, four seasoned elected officials opted to run in an ultra-abbreviated contest to replace him as the 9th Congressional Districts Democratic nominee this November. Then the three Democratic chairs of the counties that make up the North Jersey district settled on a consensus choice, once again showing the influence of a handful of party bosses while voters havent even had time to digest the news though timing and state law forced a quick process. They backed state Sen. Nellie Pou, a 27-year lawmaker whose calm, pleasant demeanor stands in stark contrast to the cantankerous Pascrell. Pou also gave New Jerseys Hispanic communities another foothold in power following the corruption conviction and resignation of Sen. Bob Menendez, the states most politically prominent Latino ever. Pou has chaired the states legislative Latino caucus since 2006 and is the former president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators. Pascrell died Wednesday, Aug. 21. Within a few days, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh and Assemblymembers Shavonda Sumter and Benjie Wimberly jumped into the race to succeed him. Their candidacies were short lived: On Monday, Sayegh dropped out, citing the current political circumstances. On Tuesday, Sumter followed. And on Wednesday, Wimberly became the final Pou rival to leave the race. By the time low-level county party officials from the district convened in Wayne on Thursday evening, the planned convention had basically become Pous coronation, with even Gov. Phil Murphy and Pascrells family endorsing her. The Pascrell family is pleased that Nellie Pou will carry the Democratic banner in the Ninth District, they said in a statement. Senator Pou is a worthy heir to carry on Congressman Pascrells important work on behalf of the great people of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties. We know our father would be happy to see Senator Pou succeed him and so are we. New Jerseys political boss system has faced criticism before. But less in this case, since Pascrell died two-and-a-half months after the primary. His succession process, and the Aug. 29 deadline to choose a replacement, was dictated by state law. And despite the rushed process, Pascrells seat will remain empty until January. In the state Legislature, Pou has been a reliable vote for the Democratic caucus. She was the top sponsor on legislation to ban child marriage in the state in all circumstances, which made New Jersey only the second state in the nation to do so when it became law in 2018. She was also the top legislative sponsor of a bill that allowed for the early release of certain incarcerated people that were near the end of their sentences during the Covid-19 pandemic. On federal issues, Pou sponsored symbolic resolutions in the state Legislature urging Congress to codify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program when the Trump administration tried to end the program and another resolution that sought funding for affordable housing funding in the federal Build Back Better legislation. In an interview with POLITICO Friday morning, Pou described herself as a moderate progressive. There are a number of key issues with respect to health care, with respect to social justice, with respect to the economy, in terms of making sure that someone is able to be able to afford buying a home, but also are paid decent wages in order to ensure that they can maintain that home, Pou said when asked on what she plans to advocate on in Congress. So we're talking about basic everyday living ability so that they can be able to provide a stable location for them and or their families. During a recent debate when there were still several declared candidates in the race Pou said that she would be supportive of the green new bill when asked about the Green New Deal and that there ought to be Medicare for all. Pou, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, also told POLITICO that she supports statehood for Puerto Rico. The 9th Congressional District has one of the largest Palestinian American populations in the country Pascrell beat a primary challenger who ran a campaign largely focused on a ceasefire in the war. When asked if there should be conditions on military aid to Israel, Pou told POLITICO I think that we should continue the arrangements that we currently have that is at the very same level of financial support. I'm a supporter of Israel, absolutely, she said. I do think it's important for us to ensure that the people of Gaza that are being impacted by that, we should be very careful not to impact anyone that is not part of the Hamas terrorist group. Pou said that any kind of pause in the war in Gaza should be done on the basis of making sure that all the hostages held by Hamas are released. Billy Prempeh, the Republican who will face Pou in November, said hed like to see the process for filling vacancies change, and that his own plan to limit members of Congress to 10 years in office would have avoided the scramble following the death of Pascrell after nearly 28 years in office. The process is pretty undemocratic. Now we have two candidates, Nellie and Kamala Harris, who were given the role without any vote by the Democratic voters at all, Prempeh said. At the absolute very least, the party bosses should have stayed out of it. They shouldnt have gone to the media and made these statements. They acted as kingmakers. Asked if the chairs should have avoided weighing in to let the rank-and-file Democratic committee members decided independently, Passaic County Democratic Chair John Currie Sumters godfather paraphrased the Bible. When you dont have a leader, you perish, Currie said in a phone interview. You try to stop chaos. Pou enters the general election heavily favored against Prempeh, whos run twice before. Prempeh lost to Pascrell in 2020 by 34 points and in 2022 by 11 points, though that margin was closer largely due to redistricting changes that made the 9th less Democratic-dominated but still Democratic-leaning. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Travis County will host a job fair next week to fill more than 100 positions available within the county. The job fair will be held Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first floor of the Travis County Administrative Building, located at 700 Lavaca Street. Available positions include application developers, paralegal team members, investigators, mechanics, groundskeepers and juvenile probation officers, among others. RELATED COVERAGE: Advocates call for Travis County to implement a plan for counsel at first appearance As part of the job fair, officials said theyll highlight nearly 40 new positions approved by the Travis County Commissioners Court in late August as part of the countys Counsel at First Appearance program. Positions related to the program include roles like attorneys, paralegals, county clerk, business analyst or corrections sergeant, per the announcement. County officials said the job fair is open to prospective employees of all backgrounds including those who might be veterans, older than 50 years old, those with disabilities or individuals who are reentering the workforce following a prior criminal conviction. Department officials, hiring managers and other personnel will be available during the event to answer any questions, while computers will also be provided to kickstart the application process. Validated parking is available at the county garage, located at Eighth and Guadalupe Streets. More details on the event are available 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 KXAN Austin. JOPLIN, Mo. A Joplin man will soon take part in a ceremony hell never forget, involving a number of years in his life hell never forget. Ted Donaldson will soon be part of the Missouri Veterans Hall of Fame. The U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve pilot started out as a helicopter mechanic and ended up on a team that flew the C-5A Galaxy, one of the largest airplanes ever to fly. His 32 years of service to country and community didnt stop after he retired. Ten years ago, he started the nonprofit Compass Quest which has helped hundreds of veterans reintegrate into civilian life. Lets help people where ever we can get whatever they can because if we can prevent somebody from taking their life by giving them a little bit of a help, then thats really the ultimate goal, and then we got involved with providing service dogs for disabled veterans, said Donaldson. Donaldson is also on the board of other nonprofits that help veterans, including Heartland Canines for Veterans. A formal induction ceremony inside the Capitol in Jefferson City will take place in 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva says she was fantasizing about the moment she would once again step foot on American soil and hug her family from the moment she was arrested in October 2023. Earlier this month, after a historically complex and monthslong negotiation that involved six countries, Kurmasheva was among the three American citizens released from Russian prison. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Marine veteran Paul Whelan were the other two Americans released in a prisoner swap. "It was a Saturday morning. I was told to pack my belongings in 15 minutes and be out," she told CBS Mornings on Friday, recalling the days leading up to her return to the U.S. "And they took me to a high-security prison in Moscow and I didn't even know how long I would stay there." "I was scared. I felt happy. I knew it was coming but still, I didn't believe it was real until I hugged my children," she added. Alsu Kurmasheva is welcomed by her relative as she has returned to the U.S. after Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) led a successful prisoner exchange involving seven countries. / Credit: Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images Kurmasheva, an editor for Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, was detained in Russia and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. The Committee to Protect Journalists said that Russia accused Kurmasheva of collecting information about Russia's military activities "in order to transmit information to foreign sources," suggesting she received information about university teachers who were mobilized into the Russian army. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison after a secret trial in July. On Aug. 1, Kurmasheva, Gershkovich and Whelan landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after they were freed as part of the prisoner swap that also involved Germany, Solvenia, Poland and Norway. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. green card holder and Kremlin critic, was also released but opted to go to Germany, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. As part of the deal, Russia released 16 prisoners while the Western countries released eight Russians. The prisoners were traded on a tarmac in Ankara, Turkey. Alsu Kurmasheva, Paul Whelan, and Evan Gershkovich, stand with family as they pose for a photo after they arrived at Kelly Field after being released by Russia, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in San Antonio. / Credit: Eric Gay / AP "(Russia) is still a beautiful country, full of beautiful people, especially young people who are open-minded. Unfortunately, the country is going through some difficult times right now," Kurmasheva said of the Russia she experienced before her arrest. "They don't have access to free and independent news and information and they're struggling. There is a deep uncertainty about the future and that overwhelming sense of fear is taking over. People are afraid to talk to their neighbors, to their friends and family that was my sense." Now, nearly a month after her return home, Kurmasheva is readjusting and spending time with her family. "I'm enjoying a bite of toast with avocado and eggs something we cherish every morning in a free world," she said. "Most importantly, I'm with my family, with my children, with my husband and that's the most important thing." Kurmasheva's husband, Pavel Butorin, told CBS Mornings during the 10 months without his "best friend of more than 20 years" he always asked himself if he was doing enough to bring her back. "Luckily I had the support of the U.S. government, I was backed by an incredible advocacy team we built a coalition that helped us exert pressure on the U.S. government to make sure Alsu was part of the negotiations with the Russians," he said. "We are overjoyed to have Alsu with us. For my children who are growing up in the free world, it was wild to know that their mother was kept in a Russian prison only because she was an American journalist. We are happy to have her back in the free world where she can say and publish whatever she wants." What to watch as the college football season gets underway A behind-the-scenes look at America's boba boom How to ace your next job interview FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C (WBTW) A major development is on the horizon for the Pee Dee region as work begins on a new South Carolina Law Enforcement Division regional office on the campus of Francis Marion University. The 10,000-square-foot facility will become SLEDs second state agency on campus, joining the Department of Natural Resources. The groundbreaking ceremony held Thursday morning was attended by SLED Chief Mark Keel; Jean Leatherman, widow of the late state Sen. Hugh Leatherman; and FMU President Fred Carter. The event marked the official start of construction for a project that has been in the works for nearly a decade. Keel first discussed the idea of a regional office with Leatherman and Carter in 2015. Chairman Leatherman was one of the first people that I thankfully got to know, and he guided me and directed me and explained to me how the system worked and things I needed to do to carry our mission forward for the public safety of South Carolina, Keel said. Officials said the new facility is a big deal for SLED, as the agency has long operated out of rented spaces in the region. Keel said it will enhance their day-to-day operations and serve as a crucial hub for emergency response efforts. This office will serve our purposes very well, he said. It will also kind of be that that fallback position when we have storms in the upper coast to fall back and be operations hub for us as well, said Keel. Keel said he is grateful for the support from the General Assembly and community but credits the Leatherman for securing the $4 million needed for the facility just before his passing. The legacy of Hugh Leatherman is going to be the impact that hes had in this community, in the economy, Keel said. [The] cultural impact has been tremendous and will live on long past any of us here today. The Leatherman family is also excited about the project. We had extraordinary funds from the federal government during COVID, and he wanted to ensure every dollar was used for good, Jean Leatherman said. Our family is thrilled his work continues today. Carter highlighted how the project will enhance the campus and provide opportunities for students. For a university president, acquiring or giving away a piece of property is a joyous occasion, Carter said, adding that the university plans to build a new 50,000-square-foot Environmental Sciences and Forestry building next to these agencies, creating opportunities for students to engage with professionals. Courtesy: Francis Marion University I couldnt be more pleased to have SLED as part of this community, Carter said. Were not just adding neighbors to the campus; were adding more of our family. The partnership is expected to boost public safety and give FMU students real-world law enforcement experience through internships. What an incredible benefit this becomes, so that by the time they graduate from Francis Marion, they will have had an opportunity with SLED to explore a variety of different work situations as has been the case with DNR down the road, Carter said. Officials aim to have the SLED regional facility open by spring 2025, with construction of the new Environmental Sciences and Forestry Building expected to begin around the same time. * * * Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on 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. The judge Elon Musk bizarrely called 'Brazil's Darth Vader' gives Twitter 24 hours to comply with court order or get shut down by the full power of his legal battle station When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Bloomberg (Getty Images) In the latest in a long string of calamities, cringe moments, and baffling upsets that have marked Elon Musk's stewardship of the platform formerly known as Twitter, a Brazilian judge has given the site 24 hours to appoint a legal representative in the country or have its local operations shut down completely (via AP). The judge is Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes, and Musk has clashed with him beforeeven mocking him as "Brazil's Darth Vader" in a tweet earlier this year. Back in April, Moraes ordered an investigation into Musk over the spread of fake news and a separate probe focused on obstruction, incitement, and criminal organisation. In particular, the court took issue with Musk's reinstatement of various far-right Twitter accounts. Moraes has gone after "digital militias" of far-right activists that have been accused of inciting violence against Supreme Court justices and spreading misinformation within Brazil, and that attempted to overturn the election of Brazilian president Lula Ignacio da Silva in 2022. Silva, known familiarly as Lula, defeated Brazil's former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, and supporters of the former president attacked the Brazilian Congress in 2023. So the court is none too pleased with Musk's self-described "free speech absolutism" that seems to overwhelmingly favour far-right figureheads. Since Musk became owner of the social media platform, Twitter has seen increases in hate speech and reinstated figures like conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, white supremacist Nick Fuentes, and former president Donald Trump while other accountsincluding journalists critical of Muskhave found themselves inexplicably suspended. Musk also reportedly fired Twitter's Brazilian election misinformation team, adding fuel to the fire of his fracas with Moraes. Meanwhile, Twitter has rankled at orders from the court to ban prominent Bolsonaristas and others on the extreme right. Things seemed to come to a head earlier this month, when Twitter went to the mattresses with a post decrying Moraes' "censorship orders," and stating that "Alexandre de Moraes threatened our legal representative in Brazil with arrest if we do not comply." The company ordered the closure of its Brazilian operations "effective immediately," as a result, though Twitter as a service remained accessible to Brazilian users. But that might not last. As of last night, August 28, Moraes gave Twitter 24 hours to appoint a new legal representative "under penalty of the immediate suspension of the activities of the social network 'X' (formerly Twitter)." Perhaps in a gesture intended to thumb its nose at Musk, the court posted the summons on Twitter and tagged him directly. It seems unlikely Twitter will comply. Since the court order was issued, Musk has tweeted that Moraes has "repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold," and posted that "eyes are the window to the soul" in response to one of his supporters asking why Moraes' eyes "look evil". Aside from that, the order hasn't outwardly fazed him, and he has occupied much of the last day or so tweeting in his usual fashion about the doom that awaits America should it elect Kamala Harris, the "woke mind virus," and tweeting AI-generated images at Musk-critic and author Steven King. We'll see what happens when Twitter's time limit runs out tonight, but for now: Game devs in Brazil are hurriedly tweeting about the various other social media platforms you can find them on. Asylum seekers wait in line to get a meal provided by Team Brownsville near the Gateway International Bridge in Matamoros, Mexico on Oct. 13, 2019. Credit: Veronica G. Cardenas for The Texas Tribune EAGLE PASS A Travis County judge on Thursday denied an effort from Attorney General Ken Paxtons office to question the leader of a Brownsville organization that provides migrants with humanitarian aid, delivering the states top civil lawyer another courtroom defeat in a series of actions targeting groups that work with migrants and immigrants. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble of the 459th Civil District Court denied a request from Paxtons office to take the deposition of a Team Brownsville representative. Team Brownsville provides water, shelter and other basic necessities to asylum-seeking migrants. In court filings, the state argued that it had a reasonable basis to believe that Team Brownsville was among non-governmental organizations at the Texas-Mexico border helping immigrants enter the country. Gov. Greg Abbott directed Paxtons office in 2022 to investigate the role of such groups in planning and facilitating the illegal transportation of illegal immigrants across our borders. Paxtons office said in the filings that former board members and volunteers had accused Team Brownsville of poor financial accountability for money it receives from the government and donors as well as potential improper use of funds but did not further detail any alleged wrongdoing. Paxtons office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. Aron Thorn, a lawyer with the Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project, said the group was proud to represent Team Brownsville. We are thrilled with the judges ruling denying this baseless petition, Thorn said in a statement. Organizations like Team Brownsville provide essential services to people seeking safety at the border. They fill a critical need in Texas border communities that are unable to care for immigrants. Any effort to end their services is an attack on that very care. The ruling against Paxtons office is at least the fourth time a state judge has rejected his probing of groups that work with migrants or immigrants. Last week, a Houston judge denied an effort from Paxtons office to shut down an immigrants' rights organization, FIEL, that his office accused of violating nonprofit rules by making political statements criticizing former President Donald Trump, Abbott and Texas policy. In El Paso, a judge last month ruled that Paxton could not shut down a migrant shelter network his office accused of violating laws prohibiting human smuggling and operating a stash house. Meanwhile, a judge in Hidalgo County denied Paxtons effort to depose the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, one of the largest migrant aid groups in the state that Paxtons office was investigating for illegally harboring migrants or illegally encouraging them to enter or remain in the country. 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! An employment dispute between the city of Kansas City and International Association of Firefighters, Local 42, involving a firefighter sentenced in a deadly 2021 Westport crash, is outside the jurisdiction of Jackson County Circuit Court, a judge ruled this week. The two entities will work to resolve ongoing issues with a third-party arbitrator, a process that resulted in the city filing a lawsuit against the union earlier this year. The city and union have been locked in a multiyear legal battle over whether the city can fire firefighter Dominic Biscari for causing the fatal crash while driving a Kansas City Fire Department pumper truck. In July, the Kansas City Star filed a motion objecting to redactions the city and union made in their respective exhibits in the suit. The exhibits, or documents presented as evidence in court to help make a case, were almost entirely redacted from public view. A judge overruled The Stars objections in a court order Thursday, and remanded the case back to the arbitrator to resolve the dispute. The judge did not explain why he is continuing to keep this information under seal, said Bernie Rhodes, attorney for The Star. Rhodes said the ruling is a local example of the negative effects of a new Missouri law passed in 2023, which requires the removal of personal identifiers in court documents. The statutes broad sweeping categories of confidential information hinders public access to public information, Rhodes argues. If that (statute) is what the judge relied on, then it simply is further evidence of why that law needs to be changed, Rhodes said. Crash results in employment dispute On Dec. 15, 2021, firefighter Dominic Biscari, 24, was behind the wheel of a Kansas City Fire Department pumper, which had activated its lights and sirens. The fire truck was speeding when it ran a red light and entered the intersection of Westport Road and Broadway Boulevard, where it struck a Honda CRV. The force of the crash propelled the vehicles northwest, causing them to hit a pedestrian before slamming into a building. Three people died in the crash, including Jennifer San Nicolas and Michael Elwood, who were in the Honda, and Tami Knight, a pedestrian. Biscari pleaded guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter and was placed on three years of probation. Local 42 filed a grievance with the city in March 2023, claiming the city violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the city and the union when Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said the city would seek Biscaris termination. An arbitration process followed. Ultimately, the arbitrator ruled Biscari should be suspended without pay for three days. The city and fire department were directed to make Biscari whole, including back pay and all employee benefits outlined in the CBA. The city was also directed to remove any references to the incident in Biscaris personnel file, other than a mention of the suspension and a statement that he was involved in a motor vehicle accident while on duty that due to his negligence and the negligence of others resulted in fatalities. According to the arbitrators ruling, Biscari could return to work and be authorized to drive a fire truck. The city was directed to reimburse Local 42 for its costs in pursuing the employment dispute and be liable for any fees. The city argued that the arbitrators finding of Biscaris negligence, the three-day suspension, and the reimbursement for Local 42s costs associated with pursuing the grievance went beyond its authority. Although the City believes the award is so intrinsically flawed that it must be vacated in its entirety, the City moves, in the alternative, to modify or correct the award, Senior Associate City Attorney Tara Kelly wrote in the citys motion to vacate. Matters that are of the public interest In a court order filed Thursday, Rhodes said it appears the judge believes it is not the right time for the court to get involved in the dispute because there are unresolved issues by the arbitrator. Arbitrations are confidential and the public will not have access to the outcome of the dispute, Rhodes said, unless, like the first time, one of the parties goes to court to challenge the outcome. Attorneys for the city of Kansas City and Local 42 were not immediately available for comment Friday. Theres obviously real questions here about how (Biscari) did his job, and theres now real questions about how the union, all of whose members get paid by the taxpayers, are reacting and causing the city to so violently disagree with the arbitration award that they went to court to stop it, Rhodes said. These are, by definition, matters that are of the public interest that the public should know about, he said. Warren Buffett is undeniably this generation's greatest investor, and hitting a major milestone on Wednesday cements that status. The good thing for investors like us is that we know the dozens of stocks that make up the stock portfolio of his iconic holding company. Let's go over some of the ones I'm eyeing these days. Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) and Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI) are among the current holdings of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) stock portfolio. Berkshire Hathaway topped $1 trillion in market cap this week, the first non-technology U.S. company to hit that major mark. Nu and Sirius XM seem to be no-brainer buys right now. Each one deserves a closer look. 1. Nu Holdings Buffett was willing to try something Nu when the parent company of Latin America's Nubank went public at $9 in late 2021. Berkshire Hathaway is no stranger to financial services providers, but Brazil-based Nu Holdings is a digital branchless banking specialist. It was the right call. Nu has risen nearly 60% since its initial public offering (IPO). It's not a monstrous return, but it's a lot better than the two leading U.S. fintech stocks that surrendered more than half their value in that time. Nubank has come a long way in a short time. It launched just 10 years ago in its home country, but 56% of Brazil's adult population already has an account with the rising fintech star. It expanded into Mexico and Colombia a couple of years ago, and it's understandably a lot earlier in its growth cycle in those two markets. Image source: Getty Images. Revenue rose 65% to $2.8 billion on a foreign-exchange-neutral basis in its latest quarter, Nu's headiest year-over-year growth in more than a year, and the company topped 100 million accounts during the quarter. Its customer base of 104.5 million at the end of June is up just 25% over the past year, but engagement and the monetization of its growing audience continue to improve. Average monthly revenue per user has risen 30% to $11.20 over the past year. It's a big jump for a company where it costs less than $1 a month on average -- just $0.90 -- to service an account. It spends just $7 to acquire a new account, so a customer is already profitable near the end of the first month. It's no surprise that Nu itself is highly profitable. Its adjusted net income soared 131% to $562.5 million in its latest quarter, a record net margin of 20% for the company. The stock isn't cheap. It currently commands a market cap greater than Brazil's largest traditional bank. However, as it broadens its reach and product line, it may be as hard to bet against Nu as it is to bet against Buffett. Story continues 2. Sirius XM Sirius XM is at the other end of the growth and valuation spectrum. The only game in town when it comes to satellite radio is going the wrong way when it comes to growth. Revenue growth turned slightly negative in 2023, and after peaking last year, its subscriber count is starting to contract. It's a new world. Connected cars provide seamless access to streamed audio content from smartphones, making it less necessary to pay a premium for coast-to-coast live programming. However, Sirius XM is very profitable, consistently generating more than $1 billion in free cash flow a year. It still serves 33 million subscribers. The stock is also cheap. It trades for less than 10 times trailing earnings with a dividend yield of 3.3%. The conversion of tracking shares into common stock in two weeks should also provide a simplified corporate structure. Buffett doesn't need a stock to be simple, but it could help the market's perception of Sirius XM as an investment. Should you invest $1,000 in Nu Holdings right now? Before you buy stock in Nu Holdings, 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 Nu Holdings 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 Rick Munarriz has positions in Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 No-Brainer Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool A federal appeals court ruled that U.S. Marshals can't be held liable for arresting the wrong person on a 2019 warrant in a mistaken-identity case. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) A New Jersey woman who spent two weeks in jail for someone elses decades-old parole violation has lost her bid to hold the federal marshals who arrested her accountable. A three-judge appellate panel ruled Thursday that the marshals who hauled Judith Maureen Henry to the Essex County Correctional Facility in 2019 acted on a constitutionally valid warrant and were entitled to qualified immunity, a legal protection that insulates law enforcement officers from liability. Their arrest of Henry relying on information attached to the warrant was a reasonable mistake, and therefore her arrest did not violate the Fourth Amendment, wrote Judge Thomas Ambro of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Henry shared the same name as a woman who had pled guilty to drug possession and then skipped parole in Pennsylvania in 1993, according to the ruling. In 2019, the director of the Pennsylvania Interstate Parole Services issued a warrant for the parole absconders arrest for violating parole 26 years earlier. The warrant, though, identified Henry as the marshals target, the ruling says. Henry repeatedly told marshals they had the wrong person and asked officers to compare her fingerprints to the absconders, but no one did that until she was transferred to Pennsylvania 10 days after her arrest, according to the ruling. It took a few more days for her to be released. Henrys complaint that the Marshals failed to take her claims of innocence seriously raises a host of policy questions about the role of the Marshals Service after they apprehend a suspect on a warrant for a crime they did not investigate, Ambro wrote. That includes questions about how strong a claim of innocence must be before a marshal investigates, who should investigate, and how in-depth of an investigation they should do, he added. A reasonable observer could conclude the answers are not hard to find and would impose minimal burdens on the Marshals, he conceded. Still, he noted, those are policy questions better left to lawmakers. The marshals werent involved in Henrys continued detention, he added. He also rejected Henrys claim that her treatment resulted from her race, sex, national origin, and lower economic status. Henry is Black and from Jamaica, court paperwork shows. We need not accept this bare conclusion, and she offers no other allegations to support it, Ambro wrote. A district judge had refused the marshals request to dismiss Henrys claims against them. Ambro reversed that ruling and ordered the judge to drop the marshals from the suit. Besides the marshals, Henrys lawsuit names Essex County and about 30 named law enforcement officers and government officials in New Jersey and Pennsylvania as defendants. Henry accused them of abuse of process, false arrest and imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, failures to train and supervise, and conspiracy. Henrys attorneys did not respond Friday to a request for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A former State College psychologist was found guilty Friday of child rape and other sex crimes in a case that Pennsylvania prosecutors said was about a young girl robbed of her innocence. Richard Scott Lenhart, 63, was found guilty of all seven felony charges by a Centre County jury at the end of a three-day trial. Seven men and five women deliberated about 80 minutes before they announced their verdict. Lenhart dropped his head and sighed after the jury foreperson read guilty the first of what proved to be seven times. The woman he was convicted of sexually assaulting had no visible reaction. In a case like this, of course there is justice as it relates to the defendant, but there is still a victim that will deal with this for the rest of her life, Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Madeira said. Ill prosecute cases like this all day long, but it doesnt change for the victim that she will deal with this for the rest of her life. The woman, now 27 and living in Texas, told jurors Lenhart groomed and sexually abused her for the better part of a decade in State College. She answered questions from prosecutors in a matter-of-fact tone, telling the jury she can recount specific instances of abuse because of significant dates like her 10th birthday. When being questioned by Madeira, she would occasionally sit silently and turn her gaze downward for 10-15 seconds at a time. At one point, she was briefly excused after what appeared to be a stress ball filled with a liquid burst in her hand. It takes a lot to come out and do this, Madeira said. Lenhart did not testify, but previously denied doing anything inappropriate. Defense lawyer Thomas M. Dickey told the jury the womans statements dont make sense and were not corroborated with evidence, but the jury disagreed. Dickey said he plans to appeal. He said he believes certain evidence was improperly admitted and prejudicial. Lenhart maintained his innocence after the jurys decision was announced. This victim relied on the defendant to be a source of support and healing, and instead he abused his authority in order to sexually assault her for years, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement. I commend the victim for having the bravery to come forward to face her abuser, and am grateful that the jury listened to the victim testify to the horror she endured at the hands of the defendant and then found him guilty of all charges. My office will always work hard to seek justice against those who harm children. The verdict marked the second time in the past decade that Lenhart was convicted. He pleaded no contest in 2015 to charges that accused him of indecently assaulting two adult patients and then submitting bogus insurance claims for the sessions. He was sentenced to up to six years in state prison and ultimately served the maximum after twice being denied parole. In a 2019 decision, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole cited his risk to the community, minimization of his crimes, his refusal to accept responsibility and more. His second attempt at being released on parole was denied after the board found his abuse of a position of authority warranted a longer period of incarceration. He was released in February 2022 from Rockview state prison. Those charges grew out of a misconduct investigation by the state Board of Psychology, which revoked Lenharts license in 2013 and fined him more than $68,000 for more than 100 counts of professional misconduct. The two patients were survivors of previous sexual trauma and the board found Lenhart was re-traumatizing them in his role as a psychologist. In his latest case, Lenhart was found guilty of child rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault, child endangerment and corruption of minors. At least one of the charges carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. Madeira said prosecutors have not determined what recommendation they will make to Centre County Judge Julia Rater, but added that the testimony would justify recommending upward of a 40- to 80-year sentence. Lenhart, who was handcuffed and transported to the Centre County Correctional Facility, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 19. DENVER (KDVR) A Weld County jury has convicted a man for possessing more than $330,000 worth of drugs that were confiscated in a 2022 traffic stop. In August, 36-year-old Jorge Garcia-Loya was found guilty of several charges including: Two counts of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance fentanyl Two counts of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance Speeding On Sept. 13, 2022, Garcia-Loya was pulled over on Highway 85 in Gilcrest. A Weld County K-9 detected narcotics in the truck of Garcia-Loyas car, and deputies searched the vehicle. Video shows break-in attempts at Aurora apartment complex amid violence reports According to the Weld County Sheriffs Office, the deputy found approximately 4,000 M-30 pills, suspected of containing fentanyl, and more than five pounds of methamphetamine. Weld County deputies also searched Garcia-Loyas house in Henderson and found an additional 26 pounds of methamphetamine and 60,000 fentanyl pills. The seized drugs were estimated to have a street value of $330,000. The sheriffs office said that at the time, this was the largest seizure of counterfeit blue M-30 fentanyl pills in Weld County. Investigators also found that Garcia-Loyas drug trafficking had ties to Mexico. The drugs were believed to have traveled through New Mexico before finally arriving in Greeley, via a vehicles gas tank. Garcia-Loya will be sentenced on Sept. 27. He could face up to 128 years behind bars. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CORCORAN, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Electricity provider PG&E is fighting back against claims that it is responsible for homes in a Corcoran development not having any electricity. The pushback comes after comedian Paul Rodriguez on Wednesday asked PG&E customers in support of the Corcoran homeowners not to pay their PG&E bill for this month. Comedian Paul Rodriguez on PG&E: Do not pay this month In conversation with YourCentralValley.com on Thursday, PG&Es Jeff Smith says the homebuilder D.R. Horton informed its customers that they were unable to move into their homes due to PG&E not building the necessary infrastructure. Thats just not accurate, said PG&Es Jeff Smith. In a letter D.R. Horton Division President David Hatch sent homebuyers, he said that at no time between May 2021 and June 2023, did PG&E mention any potential issues with providing electricity. PG&Es Jeff Smith says since 2021, PG&E had been clear with that the proposed development was a risk because of the surrounding private property. Its essentially landlocked, Smith said. Where that is problematic is that in order to build electric infrastructure, to essentially electrify or service anything that would be built on this parcel of land, you need to get an easement or permission to build on the private property. That means before PG&E could power the homes D.R. Horton built, an agreement would have to be reached with neighboring private property owners to have permission to power Fox Run. Smith says there was never any guarantee that the neighboring property owners would ever grant that permission and that both PG&E and D.R. Horton knew it. The developer went ahead and built the homes and entered into contracts with several families, Smith said. Now the tragedy of this whole situation is I dont know how transparent [D.R. Horton] were with these families who they entered into a contract with. Obviously doesnt care: Corcoran homebuyers say they cannot move in due to PG&E delays Smith says he feels tremendous sympathy for the families and understands their frustration, but pointing the finger at PG&E is not the solution. On Wednesday, comedian Paul Rodriguez offered his own solution, urging PG&E customers to withhold payment from PG&E. Smith says that not only is that not going to help Fox Run homebuyers, but it could lead to PG&E customers finding themselves in financial trouble. That recommendation is ultimately something that would really just hurt the customers that did it, more so than having any other impact, Smith said. Smith says PG&E is currently working with D.R. Horton to secure easements with different private property owners. While there is still no guarantee that the private property owners will agree to let PG&E build the infrastructure Fox Run needs, Smith says he is hopeful and wants to get homebuyers into their houses. The community is the one who did nothing wrong here, Smith said. Kings County Supervisor Richard Valle says he is not buying PG&Es story. Theyve just failed to power up these homes three years ago. The power was supposed to be running here on the south side of this development connecting and negotiating easement with these property owners to power up this community, and it just has not happened. YourCentralValley.com has reached out to D.R. Horton for a statement but has not received a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Almost a decade after Dominic Thrasher was shot and killed in Wichita Falls, Justin Michael Loves second appeal of his conviction and life sentence for the murder has been decided. PREVIOUS STORY: Justin Love appeals second conviction for 2015 murder of Domanic Thrasher On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Second Court of Appeals affirmed Loves second conviction and subsequent life sentence in his second trial for Thrashers murder in 2015. Love was initially convicted of Thrashers murder and sentenced to 50 years in prison in December 2018. However, the first conviction was overturned on appeals, leading to a retrial of the case in August 2022. After the retrial concluded, Loves initial request for a new trial was denied by Judge Bob Brotherton, who presided over both trials in the 30th District Court. an appeal was filed with the Second Court of Appeals, which was submitted in December 2023. In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, John Gillespie, Wichita Countys District Attorney, praised the work of his staff and the members of the Wichita Falls Police Department on Loves case and subsequent appeal. He got 50 [years] the first time and LIFE the second, Gillespie said in the Facebook post. So he appealed himself into a higher sentence. WATCH THIS: Justin Love reacts to life sentence following retrial for Thrasher murder Loves initial appeal alleged the trial court committed a multitude of errors during his trial: Overruling Loves objection to the application paragraph of the jury charge Failing to corroborate the testimony of Whitney OBrien, Loves accomplice Allowing improper cross-examination of a defense witness Denying Loves motion to reform the verdict and corresponding sentence to 50 years in prison Admitting text messages between Love and his ex-wife into evidence during the punishment phase of the trial In the memorandum opinion released by the justices of the Second Court of Appeals, all five arguments made by Love in his appeal were rejected and the trial courts decision was affirmed and upheld. Now that the trial courts decision is affirmed, Love can petition the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for a discretionary review of the appeal. As of the publication of this story, a petition for discretionary review has not been filed by attorneys for Love. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. 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. Juvenile charged with murder in fatal shooting of popular Irish chef Shaun Brady A juvenile has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of popular Kansas City chef and restaurant owner Shaun Brady. Brady, 44, was fatally shot Wednesday night in the back parking lot of Brady & Fox, the Irish restaurant he co-owned with business partner Graham Farris. Brady had been taking out the trash when he became involved in a fatal confrontation with multiple juveniles around a vehicle, Kansas City police said. Two teenage boys, who arent being identified because they are juveniles, were arrested within an hour of Bradys death. One was charged with second-degree murder Thursday in Jackson County family court, according to the prosecutors office. The juvenile was also charged with felony attempted theft of a motor vehicle, as well as armed criminal action. A mandatory hearing will be held to decide whether he will be tried as an adult. No charges have been announced against the second juvenile as of Thursday evening. As Bradys family, friends and community grieve, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker joined Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas in sharing condolences, calling Bradys death a senseless loss in a statement Thursday. His death is a loss to us and to the surrounding community, Peters Baker wrote. Shaun was the kind of guy who would always jump in to help you and you meant anyone needing help, Brady is survived by his wife, Kate, and two children. Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign will start a multi-state "Fighting for Reproductive Freedom" bus tour next week in Florida where a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights has spilled into the presidential race. The tour is scheduled to start Tuesday in Palm Beach where U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is scheduled to be among the speakers. It will continue to Jacksonville on Wednesday with state Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, making the case for the Harris campaign and then to Savannah, Ga. on Thursday. The bus will make at least 50 stops in a number of states during the run-up to the November election, according to Harris's campaign. Harris blames Trump for clearing the way for Florida's six-week ban on abortion because he has said he is proud his appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court resulted in ending a federal constitutional right to an abortion. Trump, a Florida resident, said Thursday he favors longer than six weeks for the cut-off when a reporter asked him how he will vote in November on the state constitutional amendment. If more than 60% of voters approve the constitutional amendment, that would strike the six-week ban and prevent state lawmakers from restricting abortions until a woman is farther along in her pregnancy. "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," he said in an interview with NBC News. Former President Donald Trump speaks at Alro Steel in Potterville, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. A Trump campaign spokeswoman later told USA Today that Trump has not said how he will vote on the amendment but thinks six weeks "is too short." Harris has criticized the six-week ban in Florida and similar restrictions enacted in other states after the Supreme Court ruling. The bus tour will contrast her stance with Trump, said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, manager of the campaign for Harris and running mate Tim Walz. This election is about freedom, and the American people want and deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions," Rodriguez said. "Our campaign is hitting the road to meet voters in their communities, underscore the stakes of this election for reproductive freedom, and present them with the Harris-Walz tickets vision to move our country forward, which stands in stark contrast to Donald Trumps plans to drag us back." Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Harris came to Jacksonville to denounce the state's 6-week abortion ban that takes effect the same day. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top Republicans in Florida have been calling on voters to reject the constitutional amendment. Trump position: He wants IVF treatment fully covered, indicates he'll vote to overturn Florida 6-week abortion ban VP Kamala Harris: She denounces Florida's 6-week abortion ban in Jacksonville campaign speech The proposed amendment says abortion would be legal until fetal viability or if a healthcare provider determines an abortion is needed to protect the woman's health. The amendment does not put a time frame on viability but it is in the range of around 24 weeks. The Palm Beach bus stop Tuesday by the Harris campaign will feature Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., political commentator Ana Navarro, and Anya Cook, a Florida resident who spoke at the Democratic national convention about nearly dying in 2022 because the state's restriction prevented her from getting an abortion after her water broke in the sixteenth week of pregnancy. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Harris campaign bus for 'reproductive freedom' starts tour in Florida Kamala Harris had just finished making a Sunday pancake breakfast for her grandnieces before starting on a puzzle when she received a life-changing phone call. It was Joe Biden, Harris said in an interview aired on CNN Thursday night, reflecting on the July 21 call she got at her residence at the Naval Observatory. And he told me what he had decided to do. President Biden was letting her know he couldnt go on. He was abandoning his re-election effort in the wake of a disastrous presidential debate performance that laid bare his frailties and sparked a coup of epic proportions. And I asked him, Are you sure? Harris told CNNs Dana Bash in a taped interview that aired Thursday night. And he said, Yes. And and thats how I learned about it, Harris said. Trump Has Nothing Good to Say About Harriss First Interview While Bidens answer was unequivocal in Harris retelling of that day, it was unclear whether the president immediately offered to back his vice president to carry the torch. CNNs Bash asked, And what about the endorsement? Did you ask for it? He was very clear that he was going to support me, Harris replied. But she stopped there... offering no details on whether Biden offered or if she asked for an endorsement of her candidacy for president. The president's announcement on that Sunday that he was bailing out of the race came nearly a half-hour before he would release a second statement declaring his support for Harris. Bash tried to address that lapse in her interview on Thursday. So when he called to tell you, he said, Im pulling out of the race and Im going to support you? Harris demurred. Well, my first thought was not about me, to be honest with you. My first thought was about him, to be honest, the vice president said before launching into a history lesson of the Biden administrations accomplishments on the economy, sovereignty, and other non sequiturs. Kamala Harris: I Will Appoint a Republican to My Cabinet The CNN interview was Harris first long-anticipated mainstream media appearance since becoming the Democratic nominee. Her campaign has had to defend heavy criticism from Republicans and the media for not being more accessible to the free pressand for insisting that her first interview be conducted jointly with her running mate, Tim Walz. For his part during the CNN interview that was taped Thursday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia, the Minnesota governor defended himself against accusations that he misled the public about his exit from the Army National Guard service and the type of fertility treatment he and his wife used to conceive children. 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. From the Dispatch Politics on The Dispatch Happy Friday! A programming note: Well be taking the Labor Day holiday off, so look out for our next issue next Wednesday as we prepare to power through the final weeks of the 2024 campaign. Enjoy the long weekend! Up to Speed Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have continued to feud in recent days over whether their microphones will be muted when they are not speaking during a September 10 debate on ABC News. Rules the network sent to the campaigns said the microphones would be muted, but Harris team, which is advocating for the microphones to be live the whole time, maintained those rules were a draft that both sides needed to agree on. The Harris campaign has latched onto a comment Trump made Monday in which he said he would prefer the microphones stay on while adding that he thought the rules should be the same as the June CNN debate between him and President Joe Biden, in which one participants microphone was muted when the other was speaking. Our latest understanding is that even though Trump said Monday he would be fine with an unmuted mic, his handlers dont trust him to spar live with VP Harris and are asking ABC to ignore Trumps comments and keep the mics muted or else they will back out of the debate for a third time, Harris senior adviser Brian Fallon tweeted on Thursday. Meanwhile, details of a dispute that occurred Monday between Trump campaign staffers and an Arlington National Cemetery employee slowly came to light as the week progressed. An Army spokesman released a statement Thursday saying there was a physical altercation between Trumps team and a worker who tried to enforce laws against campaign activities at the cemetery while the former president visited to honor the memory of the 13 service members who died in Bidens much-derided withdrawal from Afghanistan. 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 spokesman said, referencing a part of the cemetery where soldiers recently killed in combat are buried. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. The Army added that the employee did not press charges, so it considered the matter closed. The Trump team has insisted it violated no laws, and members of the campaign have called the employee a despicable individual and alleged that she was having a mental health episode. Polls, polls, and more polls: Emerson College and The Hill released a new tranche of swing-state surveys on Thursday that shows as tight a race as ever between the Democratic and Republican nominees. Trump leads Harris in Arizona, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, with Harris ahead of Trump in Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada. Both are tied at 48 percent in Pennsylvaniabut with neither candidate leading the other by more than 3 points in any of the seven battleground states and with all of the results within the polls margin of error, its more accurate to say Emerson found them effectively tied in each swing state. The day before, Fox News released its own poll showing similarly narrow margins between Trump and Harris in some of the key swing states in the Sun Belt. The poll found Harris leading Trump by 1 point in Arizona and by 2 points in Georgia and Nevada, with Trump leading Harris by 1 point in North Carolinaa big boost for the Democratic nominee after previous Fox News polls found President Joe Biden, when he was running, trailing Trump in those states, and by significant numbers outside the margin of error. In the same poll, Fox News also found Democratic Senate candidates in two of those swing states far outpacing their Republican rivals. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego was at 56 percent to Republican Kari Lake at 41 percent in Arizona, while Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen led her Republican challenger, Sam Brown, 55 percent to 41 percent. Meanwhile, in the North Carolina governors race, Democrat Josh Stein led Republican Mark Robinson 54 percent to 43 percent. The National Republican Congressional Committee on Wednesday announced ad reservations to help Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowas 3rd Congressional District and former Rep. Mayra Flores, who is challenging Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in Texas 34th District. Of the $1.52 million total spend, $800,000 will go to help Flores and $720,000 will support Nunn. This weeks spending comes on the heels of a $45.7 million investment from the committees independent expenditure team back in June. Harris Finally Speaks for Herself Vice President Kamala Harris visits Dottie's Market in Savannah, Georgia, on August 29, 2024, during the second day of a campaign bus tour. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) As a political matter, Kamala Harris first sit-down interview as the Democratic nominee for president might not have been a home runbut it wasnt a strikeout, either, doing nothing to meaningfully change the trajectory of the race. The vice president was competitive with Donald Trump and within striking distance of the White House on Thursday morning, and she remains so 24 hours later. The televised conversation, a joint interview on CNN with Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was useful in a different way, exposing a couple of unique political challenges confronting the vice president over the next nine-and-a-half weeks. Harris is seeking both to claim the mantle of change and, in her words, turn the page on a presidential administration and political era in which she has been an active participant. In doing so, shes attempting to shed a progressive past and recast herself as a consensus pragmatist. I am so proud to be running with Tim Walz for president of the United States and to bring America what I believe the American people deserve, which is a new way forward, and turn the page on the last decade of what I believe has been contrary to where the spirit of our country really lies, Harris, 59, said at one point, prompting the networks chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, to counter: The last three-and-a-half years has been part of your administration. Im talking about an era that started about a decade ago, Harris insisted, where there is some suggestion, warped I believe it to be, that the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down instead of where I believe most Americans are, which is to believe that the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up. Thats whats at stake as much as any other detail that we could discuss in this election. The primetime Thursday interview also forced Harris, for the first time since becoming the Democratic standard-bearer nearly six weeks ago, to contend with her shifts on key issuesaway from the progressive positions she held as a senator from California and 2020 presidential candidate, toward the political center. Until now, the vice president has allowed campaign aides to walk this tightrope for her. To review: During the vice presidents four years in the Senate, before President Joe Biden tapped her as his running mate in 2020, and while campaigning for the Democratic nomination that year, Harris was a staunch environmentalist. She supported the so-called Green New Deal and opposed fracking, a form of fossil fuel exploration. Now in a dogfight with Trump, especially in must-win Pennsylvania, a state where the energy industry is a major economic driver, Harris has embraced fracking. Do you still want to ban fracking? Bash asked. Harris responded: No, and I made that clear on the [vice presidential] debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking. Bash pressed, leading the vice president to argue: In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024, and I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word. The Democratic nominee proceeded to explain that my values have not changeda line that has generated media coverage, and that Republicans are sure to highlight in advertising critical of her record. But perhaps more interesting, and potentially consequential, was Harris attempt to wrap her 2024 candidacy in the politics of consensus. Once standard fare in American presidential campaigns, it marks a departure from the base politics that has dominated these contests since 2012. I believe it is important to build consensus, and it is important to find a common place of understanding of where we can actually solve problems, Harris said, capping a lengthy and somewhat stilted explanation for why she jettisoned positions on illegal immigration that deemphasized border security. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally. Meanwhile, Harris was compelled to address the circumstances surrounding her unlikely candidacy: Bidens age and infirmity. The 81-year-old president dropped his reelection bid in late July after a disastrous June 27 debate with Trump crystallized voters concerns about both, a prospect that would have made it exceedingly difficult for the incumbent to defeat the former president in November. Republicans argue that Harris was covering for Biden and owes voters an explanation. Asked by Bash if she has any regrets, the vice president quickly answered no. Not at all. Not at all, Harris said. I have served with President Biden for almost four years now. And Ill tell ya its one of the greatest honors of my career, truly. He cares so deeply about the American people. He is so smart and and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president. Harris does seem to have mastered one aspect of the presidential interview format in the age of Trump. For the past nine-plus years, since he launched his first presidential campaign, Trump has managed to keep Democratic and Republican opponents off balance with provocative attacks that consume their attention and keep them, and the media focused almost solely on him. To wit, Bash asked Harris to address Trumps unsubstantiated and untrue claims that the vice presidentwhose mother emigrated to the United States from India and whose father hailed from Jamaicanever identified as black until recently. He suggested that you happened to turn black recently for political purposes, questioning a core part of your identity, Bash said. Harris response? Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please. Bash, seeming somewhat surprised, followed up: Thats it? Harris didnt budge. Thats it. Trumps Shifting Position on Abortion Bewilders Pro-Life Supporters A group of pro-life supporters rally in front of the Supreme Court on June 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) In Michigan on Thursday, former President Donald Trump promised to subsidize or mandate insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization treatment and suggested he would vote for a ballot measure in his home state of Florida that would overturn the states ban on abortions after six weeks of gestation. I think the six-week is too short. It has to be more time, and Ive told them that I want more weeks, Trump told NBC News during an interview before a campaign event in Potterville, southwest of Lansing. He was pressed on how he would vote on the ballot measure, which would amend the Florida constitution to protect the right to abortion before fetal viability but contains broad exceptions that some have claimed could allow abortion through all nine months. The Republican nominee replied he would be voting that we need more than six weeks. A Trump campaign adviser later said that the former president had not said how he plans to vote on the measure, but that he simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short. In the same interview with NBC News, Trump repeated what he first told the Detroit News that under his administration, the government would pay for any Americans IVF treatments. He later said at his campaign event that either the federal government would pay or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for the fertility treatments. Both answers reflect how, in the last week, Trump has shifted left on abortion and reproductive health rhetoricallyeven as social conservatives within the GOP coalition register their frustration with this turn from the partys standard-bearer. A week ago, Trump posted on Truth Social that his administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights, employing language usually used by abortion-rights advocates. Later that day, he reiterated his months-old belief that policy questions about abortion should be decided by states. And on Sunday, Trumps running mate J.D. Vance told Kristen Welker on NBC News Meet the Press that Trump would veto a national abortion ban if one made it to his desk. He would not support it. If youre not supporting it as the president of the United States, you fundamentally have to veto it, Vance said. Welker then pressed him on whether Trump would exercise a veto, and Vance replied, I think he would. Hes said that explicitly, that he would. Indeed, Trump said back in April that he would not sign a federal abortion restriction. That comment came just after he formally adopted his position of leaving abortion to the states, which made it into the GOPs 2024 platform. Public support for legal access to abortion has been on the rise since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Democrats have said for months they believe abortion could be a winning issue for them, and the partys nominee, Kamala Harris, is warning voters that Trump would sign a national abortion ban if elected. This shift in how Trump and Vance speak about abortion may reflect anxiety about the tickets vulnerability on the issue. I think the campaign clearly sees polling on the issue that concerns them, but the approach seems to be improvisational in a way that could alienate more committed pro-life voters than [voters] they might gain through this shift, Erick Erickson, a Georgia-based conservative radio host, told Dispatch Politics. But this rhetorical change has drawn the attention of some of the partys most prominent pro-life voices, including Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence. Im pro-life. I dont apologize for it, read a graphic Pence tweeted Friday morning. The recent comments from Trump and Vance also have reignited an ongoing debate among pro-life activists over whether those who oppose abortion can support the Republican ticket. After Trump adopted his leave it to the states prescription earlier this year, Lila Rose, a prominent abortion opponent and the founder of the nonprofit group Live Action, said that pro-life support will not materialize in 2024 if President Trump holds to this anti-human and cowardly position. And when Vance reiterated his running mates opposition to a federal abortion ban this week, Rose made a similar declaration. Due to their increasingly pro-abortion position, Trump/Vance is stretching the lesser of two evils voting strategy to an untenable position, Rose tweeted. Without some indication that they will work to make our nation a safer place for preborn children, they are making it impossible for pro-life voters to support them. On the other side of the question is Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins, who has said her organization had work to do to educate the Trump Administration to come on the many ways that abortion has been made federal. Hawkins has nevertheless reaffirmed her support for Trump, citing Democrats alleged desire to have abortion without limits and use taxpayer funding for the procedure while blocking medical care for babies who are born as the result of failed abortions. Fighting against that kind of abortion extremism is a reason to vote for Donald Trump, she said. Hawkins strongly condemned Trumps Thursday comments while still reiterating her support for the GOP nominee. So, President Trump clearly doesnt want to be pro-life anymore. Got it. Pro-lifers are being screwed. We need to demand Trump re-consider, she posted on X. But dont let this screw the babies we are fighting for. Vote against Kamala Harris. But the backlash is real in swing states among pro-life voters against Trumps pro-choice turn, said Cole Muzio, president of the Georgia-based Frontline Policy Council, a pro-family and socially conservative organization. Enthusiasm for Trump is depressed, Muzio told Dispatch Politics, and some onetime supporters are even promising to stay home or not vote in the presidential election. He added that in a state like Georgia, where the previous presidential election was decided by fewer than 12,000 votes, it makes a difference if pro-life voters are less willing to encourage their friends on Facebook to vote or talk about politics after Sunday school. Im hearing from people anecdotally that theyre done. Theyre washing their hands, Muzio told Dispatch Politics. If the preservation of life is your number one issue, what Donald Trump has said over the last month is driving you away from the polls and to your couch. Notable and Quotable My wife the English teacher told me my grammars not always correct. But again, if its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me, or its an attack on my dog. Im not gonna do that, and the one thing Ill never do is Ill never demean another members service in any way. I never have and I never will. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, responding to a question during a CNN interview about his previous claim that he carried weapons of war in war when he never deployed to a war zone, August 29, 2024 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. Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions A total of 19 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership Insiders have been selling lately To get a sense of who is truly in control of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited (NZSE:FPH), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 56% to be precise, is institutions. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, beginning with the chart below. View our latest analysis for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Fisher & Paykel Healthcare? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. We can see that Fisher & Paykel Healthcare does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd is currently the company's largest shareholder with 7.4% of shares outstanding. JPMorgan Chase & Co, Private Banking and Investment Banking Investments is the second largest shareholder owning 6.6% of common stock, and BlackRock, Inc. holds about 6.4% of the company stock. Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 50% of the ownership is controlled by the top 19 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership. Story continues While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own NZ$81m worth of shares. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 44% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare you should know about. 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. Vice President Harris on Thursday sat for her first major interview since becoming the Democratic nominee. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), were interviewed by CNNs Dana Bash as they campaigned in Georgia. The interview took place earlier in the day and was broadcast on the cable network Thursday evening. CNN stretched the interview out for an hour of airtime, though the actual sit-down appears to have been much shorter. The hour was interspersed with campaign trail footage and commercial breaks. Harris and Walz acquitted themselves unspectacularly but adequately. Bash, for her part, adopted a mild tone that is likely to fuel conservative complaints, even though she did press Harris on some topics. Here are the major takeaways from the interview: Harris defends her policy shifts Harris has one obvious vulnerability her propensity to change her position, and the way that trait has fueled broader doubts about her authenticity. She sought to punch back in Thursdays interview, telling Bash, My values have not changed. To support that point, she emphasized her fundamental belief that climate change is a real and present danger. She also emphasized the more hawkish elements of her past record on immigration, hearkening back to her time as attorney general of California when she prosecuted gang members accused of human trafficking. But when Bash prodded more firmly on the specifics, Harris had some of her least impressive moments of the interview. Asked by Bash whether she still wanted to ban fracking, as she had in the past, Harris replied, No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. Bash, naturally, then read for a second time a 2019 quote where Harris said there was no question that she would ban fracking. In 2020, I made very clear where I stand, Harris responded. We are in 2024, and Ive not changed that position. The explanation only drew further attention to the underlying inconsistency. Likewise, asked about whether she still believed, as she indicated during the 2020 primary, that unauthorized border crossings should be decriminalized, Harris replied, I believe there should be consequences. While Harris largely avoided the defensive tone that has marked some previous interviews, its hard to believe her answers won over many doubters. Harris gives new details on Bidens withdrawal from the race Harris for the most part doubled down on her loyalty to President Biden. She argued history would judge his presidency to be transformative and that he had been quite selfless in working for the American people. At another point, paying tribute to Bidens intelligence, judgment and disposition, Harris added, By contrast, the former president has none of that. On a human level, one of the more interesting elements of the interview came when Harris described Biden calling to tell her he was going to end his reelection bid. Harris said her family, including her baby nieces, were staying with her, and had just had pancakes when Biden called. The vice president said she asked him if he was sure of his decision, and he reiterated that he was. Asked by Bash whether she asked for Bidens endorsement on that call, Harris contended it was obvious the president was going to support her. My first thought was not about me, to be honest with you. My first thought was about him, she added. At other points, there were some very subtle signs of distance between the lines. Harris didnt answer directly when asked whether she considered Bidenomics a success. Instead, she pointed to the most popular elements of the administrations economic record, including capping the cost of prescription drugs for seniors and boosting employment in manufacturing. Ill say that thats good work, Harris said, Theres more to do, but thats good work. Harris makes an appeal to disaffected Republicans The election is likely to be decided by a small sliver of undecided voters in roughly seven battleground states. Harris is at pains to make herself as appealing as possible to voters in the center ground and to those who lean Republican but have misgivings about former President Trump. In Thursdays interview, asked by Bash whether she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected, Harris said she would though she noted she had no one in particular in mind. I think its really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion, Harris told Bash. Of course, its entirely possible that Harris, if elected, could find some rationale for failing to keep the apparent commitment. But this was a clear promise to reach across Americas political divide and an attempt to reassure at least some conservatives that their voice would be heard in a Harris administration. Walz negotiates some hurdles The decision by the Harris campaign to do a joint interview with Walz drew criticism, especially from conservatives, who argued the presidential nominee should have sat for a solo interview. There is, however, a long history of both members of a partys presidential ticket doing interviews together. Overall, it was neither a stellar nor bad performance from the vice presidential nominee. The Minnesota governor was asked about a past comment when he said he carried weapons in war despite never actually serving in combat. Walz meandered somewhat around the point, contending that I speak candidly and that people know where my heart is though he acknowledged that his English-teacher wife told him his grammar was not always correct. Walz answered in a similar fashion on a question about what precise kind of fertility treatment his wife Gwen and he had undertaken. But on that topic, he seemed on more solid ground with his contention that most people are not cutting hairs on IVF or IUI. Perhaps Walzs best moment was when he was asked about his childrens emotional reaction to his speech at the Democratic convention, especially his son, Gus. Walz talked with evident emotion about his gratitude that my son [felt] a sense of pride in me. For Harris, boring is good Trump weighed in on Truth Social with a characteristically emphatic assessment of the Harris interview. BORING!!!, his post read in its entirety. What the former president appeared to be missing is that boring was likely just fine for Harris. The vice president has enjoyed a remarkable run since Biden announced his decision to step aside. She has wrapped up the nomination, surfed a wave of Democratic enthusiasm, seen her campaign fundraising swell and been heralded at a glitzy convention. She now enjoys a slight lead over Trump in the polls. The CNN interview wont be going in any hall of fame for the art of political persuasion but it wont get close to the hall of shame either. For Harris and Walz, they ticked the box of having conducted a major interview. They didnt do anything that seems likely to choke off their momentum. On Thursday, a modest mission was accomplished. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donaldo Trump set the internet ablaze in July when he said Kamala Harris happened to turn Black for political gain. Now, the VP has given her response to the claim. During a new interview with CNNs Dana Bash, Harris was asked about Trumps comment. Shaking her head, Harris said, Same old tired playbook. Next question please. The remark was said during Trumps interview with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago back in July, where he was asked if he thought Capitol Hill Republicans claim that Harris was a diversity, equity, and inclusion hire was true. The Oakland native is of Black and South Asian heritage. She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage, the 45th US President responded. I didnt 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. So I dont know, is she Indian or is she Black? He doubled down by continuing, I respect either one, but she obviously doesnt, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that, too. The aforementioned CNN conversation marks Harris first major TV interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. The interview was conducted in Savannah, Ga., alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Elsewhere in the conversation, the duo delved into what they plan on doing on their first day in office if they win the election. First and foremost, one of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class, Harris said. When I look at the aspirations, the goals, the ambitions of the American people, I think that people are ready for a new way forward in a way that generations of Americans have been fueled by hope and by optimism. Check out portions of the interview above and below. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Kamala Harris Says She Didnt Ask Biden for an Endorsement but It Was Clear He Was Going to Support Me Kamala Harris recounted her phone call with President Joe Biden after deciding to withdraw from the race in a CNN interview, saying It was clear he was going to support me, in the 2024 presidential race. In her first interview since accepting the Democratic nomination, the vice president praised Bidens policy record and personal character, saying that he cares so deeply, and is loyal to the American people. He has the intelligence, the commitment and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president, she added. By contrast, the former president has none of that, Harris said of her opponent. CNNs Dana Bash then asked about the phone call between Biden and Harris when he officially decided he would be withdrawing his candidacy. The vice president said her extended family was staying with her and the President called her after breakfast. Harris added that she asked him if he was sure of his decision, to which he said yes. Bash then pressed further about the call, asking if Harris had asked Biden personally for his endorsement. It was clear he was going to support me, the vice president replied, adding that her first thought was about him. Harris then continued her praise of Bidens term in office, saying that history is going to show that in so many ways it was transformative. Not only has Joe Biden led an administration that has achieved those extraordinary successes, but the character of the man is one that he has been, in his life and career, including as a president, quite selfless and puts the American people first, she said. The post Kamala Harris Says She Didnt Ask Biden for an Endorsement but It Was Clear He Was Going to Support Me appeared first on TheWrap. All talk, no action in office Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a well-written speech at the Democratic National Convention. Her speechwriter deserves a bonus, but Harris also did a good job. However, it was too little, too late. What on Earth have she and Joe Biden been doing for the past 3 1/2 years? She is all talk and no action. - Angela Benvenuto, Arlington Not about a womans body Ryan J. Rusak made many valid points in his commentary about Democrats use of the word freedom at their convention. (Aug. 24, 4C, Dems talked about freedom, but they care about only one thing) I, too, sensed that the most important freedom to Democrats is reproductive rights. It sickens me that so many people, mostly Democrats, want to enshrine the right to kill a child in the womb. They make the issue about a womans body or reproductive rights or womens health care, but its really about taking innocent human life. This message could not have been made clearer than by the presence of a Planned Parenthood mobile clinic outside the DNC offering free abortion pills and vasectomies. - Steve Huddleston, Trophy Club Freedom for Trump to attack Ryan J. Rusak fails to address how Donald Trump would define freedom in a second administration. With a Supreme Court ruling in Trumps pocket, theres great potential for attacks on freedom of speech, political protest, journalists rights, activist organizations, womens health care and political opponents, to name a few. - Thomas Montelongo, North Richland Hills In the fight for good reason Freedom was an excellent theme for the Democrats. But if the only freedoms they were asking for were for a woman to make choices about her body, LGBT folks to control their lives, and all of us to decide whom we marry and love and what books we read, than they absolutely picked the right fight. - Georgi Roberts, Fort Worth Harris nothing but a mirage God bless Ryan Rusak for a cogent rebuttal to the travesty we are witnessing. Vice President Kamala Harris is a mirage, a creation of PR and promotion. She is an empty vessel through which the Democratic Party can control our lives. We are Americans, but as the Texas variety, we believe in the rights of individuals to conduct our lives as we see fit, not as government sees fit. The last four years have been a window to the destruction the elites can bring on us. Thank you for the column. - Frank C. Romeo, Fort Worth RFK Jr. a true statesman Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s endorsement of Donald Trump is strange, considering that Kennedy and his extended family have always aligned themselves with the Democratic Party. (Aug. 25, 9A, Onstage in Arizona, Trump and Kennedy signal new alliance) But RFK Jr. is an extraordinarily well-informed, thoughtful and intelligent man whom the Democrats have thrown under the bus. My take is that he is positioning himself for a Cabinet office, preferably secretary of state, a job for which he is eminently qualified. Trump would do well to not overlook him. - Michael Kilgore, Forest Hill Slow down and sober up There seems to be a marked increase in automobile accidents with multiple fatalities. I can think of three in the last 10 days. There is too much speeding and driving while intoxicated. Slow down and quit driving so fast and drunk, Texas. - Jim Villwock, Aledo Old Kamala is back and it does not bode well against Trump Kamala Harris has drawn crowds to rival Donald Trump's rallies and flown up the polls - ELIZABETH FRANTZ/REUTERS Click here to view this content. Kamala Harris has shown a new version of herself since becoming the Democrats presidential candidate. The nominee has drawn crowds to rival Donald Trumps rallies, rapidly grown her campaign war chest and flown up on the polls. It is a far cry from the vice president of the last few years who underwhelmed with her lack of stage presence, her nervous laughs and her tendency for verbose, even nonsensical utterances. But on Thursday night, as she faced her first major test a much-awaited media grilling the old Kamala appeared to have made an unwanted return. Word salads and nonsense platitudes were back. Even the most anticipated of questions What would you do on day one in the White House? was met with a vague, rambling pledge to the middle class. A relatively softball interview on Left-leaning CNN was hardly the most taxing exercise for a candidate seeking to be Americas commander-in-chief, yet Ms Harris struggled to shine under the spotlight. It bodes ill for her upcoming debate on Sep 10 against Donald Trump, a formidable opponent who does not play by the rules. Ms Harris promised 'a new way forward' at the DNC, but her CNN appearance underwhelmed with word salads and nonsense platitudes He is unlikely to patiently wait for her to untangle her winding answers before pouncing back on the debate stage. Trumps encounter with Joe Biden in June ended the presidents re-election hopes. His successor, Ms Harris, hoped she would fare better against the Republican opponent. But her performance in the CNN interview suggests she will find that task quite daunting. Nevertheless, there is much the Harris campaign will have been pleased with in the 27-minute sit-down. Her claim that her values have not changed was a smart play to progressives even as she runs from her one-time embrace of liberal policies. At the same time, she signalled a willingness to appoint a Republican to her cabinet. That outreach will appeal to Conservatives disillusioned with Trump at a time when the former president has made clear that dissenters are persona non grata in the Republican Party. She said, I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion a calculated strike against Trumps claim that she is a radical Marxist. Her responses to questions on the economy and Mr Bidens record trod a delicate balance. She demonstrated respect and loyalty to her boss while pivoting to the future with a promise to turn the page. Click here to view this content. Ms Harris also deftly avoided being dragged onto the often ugly battlefield of identity politics when asked about Trumps comments on her dual heritage. It is a tired playbook, she said, resisting the opportunity to dwell on the historical nature of her candidacy. Instead, she offered a disciplined response that will have appealed to many Americans watching at home. I believe that I am the best person to do this job at this moment for all Americans, regardless of race and gender, she said. Most critically, the 59-year-old Ms Harris avoided any major missteps. She appeared more assured than she had done in any previous interview as vice president. But she also missed a golden opportunity to capitalise on the energy driving her nascent campaign and put some meat on the bone with substantive policy offerings. It was an interview as grey as her suit. Perhaps exactly what she had hoped to achieve. But her cautious, do-no-harm approach will not be enough in a showdown with the bombastic Trump. 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. A Kansas City man has been charged with contributing to the burning of a Westport restaurant in an alleged act of arson he told police he cannot remember. George J. Daniels, 52, was charged with second-degree accessory arson, a felony, for his purported role in the fire. He first appeared in Jackson County criminal court Wednesday. He has also been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia in a separate case in municipal court. The fire at Hahas Kebabs and Shawarma, a family-owned restaurant at West 39th Street and Wyandotte Street, began around 2:18 a.m. on July 8, security footage shared by the Kansas City police department shows. A July 8 surveillance video shows an unidentified man throwing a rock through the restaurants dining room window while Daniels looks on, according to court documents. Daniels can be seen on video throwing a red gasoline container through the shattered window, according to court documents, after which both men take turns throwing flaming objects in through the window. In footage shared by the police department, the man later identified as Daniels can be seen throwing what appears to be a rag stuffed into a bottle through the window into the restaurant, sparking a fire. The fire engulfed the restaurant in less than two minutes, as seen on the surveillance video. As the flames spread, the video shows the two men walking away. No arrests were made for more than a month after the fire, prompting police to release video clips and photos of the suspects. A Kansas City police detective interviewed Daniels on Aug. 26, during which Daniels identified himself in screen captures from security footage, court documents state. Daniels told police that he could not remember any of the events of the night clearly because he had been smoking wet cigarettes on July 8. Wet cigarettes refers to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes that have been dipped in other drugs, usually the dissociative drug phencyclidine (PCP). Hahas Kebabs and Shawarma was closed for more than a month after the fire, which caused near total damage to the inside of the restaurant. The second man who appears in the security footage has not yet been charged or publicly identified. Daniels is being held on a $100,000 bond. He will next appear in court at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 for a bond review hearing. Kansas and Missouri doctors discuss the late summer COVID-19 spike during a University of Kansas Health System medical briefing Aug. 30, 2024. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KU Health video) TOPEKA As the Kansas and Missouri medical communities prepare for respiratory illness season, health officials grapple with an early COVID-19 infection spike and higher-than-normal tuberculosis infections in Wyandotte County. COVID positivity rates have been steadily increasing in Kansas, Missouri and across the country since July. The increase is higher than last summers rates and similar to the surge in infections seen this January, doctors said during a Friday morning medical update from the University of Kansas Health System. But those rates only scratch the surface, and medical professionals are uncertain what the upcoming respiratory illness season could look like, especially when continued COVID vaccinations have begun to dwindle, even with a new FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, which recently became available at commercial pharmacies. I think theres a lot more illness at home. Theres a lot more tests at home. Theres a lot of people who arent testing, said Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease specialist with KU Health. Respiratory illness activity in Kansas has been minimal, according to measures from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel. However, the level of COVID-19 activity detected in wastewater systems throughout Kansas is on the rise, as is the case regionally and nationally, according to the channel. Monitoring wastewater can offer early warning signs that infections are increasing or decreasing in a given community without relying on whether people present with symptoms, according to the CDCs website. In November, hospitals will be mandated to report their COVID numbers for the first time since May, which will give medical professionals an opportunity to better understand infection rates through data. While hospitals have yet to see many flu cases, doctors recommended people receive a flu vaccine along with the new COVID vaccine and a respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccine, if appropriate. A vaccine is the best way to prevent serious COVID infections, said Chakshu Gupta, the chief medical officer at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri. It is very disappointing to be in such a great nation with such (an) educated, informed population and our vaccination rates against such a severe illness is in the low 15 to 20%, he said during the update Friday morning. Tuberculosis outbreak in Wyandotte County Kansas has recorded 82 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis this year, which is almost double last years total of 46 cases. All of the active cases are being treated to limit the spread, Jill Bronaugh, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said in an email. More than half of this years cases, 57, originated in Wyandotte County, and six were reported from Johnson County. TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria, Bronaugh said. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak, or sing. Two people have died from tuberculosis in Kansas this year. A cause for the increase this year has not been identified. Bronaugh said the state and county health departments are working with the CDC to monitor and prevent the spread of tuberculosis. Jonathan Clayton (Courtesy Kansas Department of Commerce) WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The interim Peabody city clerk who disappeared earlier this month and was found dead on Sunday has sparked a firestorm that continues after his death. On Thursday, the governor, the Kansas Department of Commerce and a state lawmaker responded to allegations the man made in an email that showed up after his disappearance. Jonathan Claytons pickup was found crashed into a tree in rural Harvey County on Sunday. On Thursday, the Kanas Bureau of Investigation confirmed the body in the truck was Clayton. The results of an autopsy are pending. Email addressed from Jonathan Clayton. The 42-year-old man was a former Kansas Department of Commerce employee. On Aug. 8, five days after Clayton was last seen, an email claiming to be from him was sent to various state officials and news organizations. According to the Kansas Reflector, the email said it was being released following the death or incapacitation of Jonathan Clayton. Newton High School student killed in Oklahoma crash The email claimed that Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as the commerce secretary, schemed to distort the scores of applicants for the Build A Stronger Economy (BASE) grant. Clayton said that was done in connection to covert deals made with Senate President Ty Masterson of Butler County and then-House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County. The email argued that those two counties received an inordinate amount of funding. On Thursday, the Kansas Department of Commerce, the governor, and Mastersons office responded to the accusations. While his death is unfortunate, the Department of Commerce believes it is necessary to provide clarity regarding allegations made publicly by former Department of Commerce Employee Jonathan Clayton, the KDC said. The KDC said Claytons allegations are categorically false. Governor Laura Kelly expressed her support for Toland. 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, she said. He has worked to bring more, not less, accountability to the agency. Mike Pirner, the spokesman for Masterson, sent a response for the senator. 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, Pirner said. 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. Sonic booms in central Kansas Clayton was a convicted felon when he was hired by the KDC in 2020, but the department says it did not know that. The conviction was for a credit card scheme in Pennsylvania in 2018. The KDC says Kansas law does not permit national-level criminal background checks for the position 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, the KDC said. He would not have been hired by Commerce had we been aware of these convictions. The governor said she and Toland will pursue changes to the background check statutes in the next legislative session. While with the KDC, Clayton was appointed director of the agencys COVID-19 funds. The email sent after his disappearance claims Clayton was forced to resign after refusing to alter some numbers connected to the BASE grant process. The KDC says there is no evidence of impropriety at the department, but as a precaution, an independent third-party contractor is conducting a full review of all ARPA grants. 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, Mastersons spokesman said. Our office has and will continue to support law enforcement in their efforts to uncover the truth. The KDC says it has requested and is assisting local, state, and federal agencies in investigating Claytons volunteer work with community-based organizations in Kiowa and Marion counties that may be victims of fraud. Clearly, Jonathan Clayton was able to avoid the discovery of his criminal convictions, Kelly said. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) The state of Kansas will receive $1.5 million in settlement funds from the state of Delaware for unclaimed property funds in connection to several lawsuits involving Delaware company MoneyGram. On Friday, Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the conclusion of the multistate litigation. According to a press release from the attorney generals office, Delaware argued that unclaimed property funds should remain in Delaware, the home of MoneyGram. A coalition of 29 states argued that funds from MoneyGram checks should go to the states where the unclaimed property was from. A settlement was reached wherein 30 states will receive over $102 million from property that was reported to Delaware between 2011 and 2017. Additionally, about $89 million MoneyGram had in a litigation account from 2018 to 2022 will be split between the 30 states. Autopsy released for 9-year-old Zerick Ozuna who died near Lake Sherwood This settlement will ease the ability for Kansans to located over $1.5 million in missing MoneyGram funds improperly held by the state of Delaware, Johnson said. These funds will eventually be part of our statewide outreach efforts to reunite unclaimed property funds with the rightful owners. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has secured the endorsement of Chinas antitrust watchdog more than three years after a landmark probe into its online behavior, suggesting Beijing is keen to signal its support for the countrys giant internet sector. Most Read from Bloomberg Chinas e-commerce leader has ceased the monopolistic practices that prompted an investigation more than three years ago, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement. It stopped forcing exclusive arrangements on merchants, improved services for shoppers and fostered competition among online platforms, the agency said. Alibabas US-traded shares rose 4.2% Friday morning in New York. The official endorsement coincides with growing calls of support from Beijing for private firms and the technology industry, a chorus thats grown louder as the country struggles to escape a post-Covid economic funk. Government officials have since 2023 signaled a softening in stance toward the private sector compared with 2020 and 2021, when a plethora of agencies launched regulatory crackdowns to curb the power of Chinas internet leaders and their billionaire founders. The antitrust regulator launched its probe into Alibaba in 2020 as one of the opening salvos in that broader campaign, which eventually encompassed sectors from ride-hailing to online education and commerce. Less than a year later, authorities slapped a record $2.8 billion fine on Alibaba after ruling it abused its market dominance. On Friday, the antitrust agency lauded effective results in Alibabas three-year rectification work, which it demanded when levying the fine. The regulator added it will guide Alibaba, continue to regulate its operations and help improve compliance. This is a new beginning for Alibaba, the company said in a statement. In the future, we will continue to focus on innovation, adhere to compliance, increase investment in technology, promote the healthy development of the platform economy, and create more value for society. The chilling effect of the crackdown years persists. Funding for new startups has slowed as entrepreneurs and investors, spooked by the intensity of that regulatory campaign, turn toward sectors such as chipmaking and AI that align with Beijings priorities. The once-free-wheeling industry has become more cautious about exploring growth initiatives, for fear of provoking fresh scrutiny. More immediately, the industry is grappling with flagging consumer spending. Story continues In the latest warning to global markets on the health of the Chinese economy, Temu-owner PDD Holdings Inc. on Monday surprised investors with an unusually gloomy outlook. Both PDD which became a market darling with low-priced goods that helped propel business during Chinas downturn and Alibaba reported revenue that missed estimates. --With assistance from Jessica Sui and Ville Heiskanen. (Updates with US share trading in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Gov. Laura Kelly marks the federal commitment to provide $62.6 million for replacement of the 18th Street bridge over the Kansas River in Kansas City, Kansas. The project is expected to be completed in 2027. (Submitted) Gov. Laura Kelly marks the federal commitment to provide $62.6 million for replacement of the 18th Street bridge over the Kansas River in Kansas City, Kansas. The project is expected to be completed in 2027. (Submitted) TOPEKA Gov. Laura Kelly and Mayor Tyrone Garner joined federal officials Thursday to celebrate a $62.6 million infrastructure appropriation to replace the 18th Street bridge over the Kansas River near some of the oldest neighborhood and business sites in Kansas City, Kansas. The federal award to the Kansas Department of Transportation was announced in July, but work on the project was expected to begin next year and the new bridge should be operational in 2027. Funding was rolled into the bipartisan infrastructure law approved by Congress. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat, was the only member of Kansas six-person delegation in Washington to vote for the bill. The 18th Street bridge is vital to connecting people and businesses throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, said Garner, mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. We look forward to the continued positive collaboration to improve the quality of life for all those who love and call Wyandotte County home. In the late 1800s, land under the 18th Street bridge developed as an industrial center, including railroad operations and housing for employees. The existing bridge was built in 1959, and has been repaired numerous times. Construction will require full bridge closure. This grant emphasizes how my administration strategically collaborates with our federal partners to extend resources for local projects, Kelly said. The 18th Street bridge forms part of U.S. 69, which runs from Texas to Minnesota. In Wyandotte County, it serves the local community as well as freight and interstate travel. We are investing in our nations bridge infrastructure to ensure vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a doctor or other important destinations, said Shailen Bhatt, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Laws bridge investment program was designed to reduce the number of U.S. bridges in poor condition or in fair condition, but at risk of degrading. The 18th Street Bridge has been a vital part of Kansas Citys infrastructure for over 60 years, but its reached the end of its useful life, said Davids, the 3rd District congresswoman. This project will ensure that the 33,000 vehicles crossing it daily can do so safely and reliably, keeping our community connected and our economy moving forward for generations to come. A Phillips County jury awarded landowners $134,000 after a prominent Kansas hog producer illegally installed pipe on their property to transfer liquified waste from a confined-animal facility so it could be sprayed on fields from irrigation pivots. A judge hasn't set punitive damages against Terry Nelson and Julia Nelson of northcentral Kansas. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) The Kansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed two lower court decisions that found prominent northwest Kansas farmer Terry Nelson broke trespass and nuisance laws by building a hog sewage pipeline along public roads on property owned by two neighbors without consent of those landowners or local government. The courts affirmed awarding $178,000 in actual and punitive damages to Nelson's neighbors who filed a lawsuit. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) TOPEKA Northwest Kansas hog farmer Terry Nelsons campaign to convince the judicial system he had a legal right to install a livestock sewage pipeline along a public road in the right-of-way on neighbors property without government or landowner permission has come to an end in state courts. The Kansas Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion, affirmed previous decisions of the Kansas Court of Appeals and the Phillips County District Court that Nelson engaged in trespass in 2017 by building an unauthorized pipeline on property owned by neighbors Rodney Ross and Laura Field. Nelson began using the pipeline in 2019. The states highest court agreed Nelson created a nuisance by spraying foul-smelling hog feces through a pivot irrigation system onto fields near Ross home. Ross and Field filed a lawsuit based on claims of trespass and nuisance. In 2021, the district court ordered Nelson to pay Ross and Field a combined $178,000 for thumbing his nose at state laws and infringing on the plaintiffs private property rights. Justice Keynen K.J. Wall, a native of Scott City and an appointee of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, wrote in the opinion that Nelson installed a permanent pipeline for private use within the framework of a public highway. The line was improper because it exceeded scope of the highway easement and didnt meet quality standards. In the view of Supreme Court justices, Nelson build the pipeline for his private and exclusive use, rather than a public one. During the case, the prominent Kansas hog producer claimed the public benefit of his pipeline was it contributed to operation of a company that raised hogs eventually sold to consumers as pork products. The Supreme Court opinion says Nelson also contended he had a right to transport property in the form of sewage along the road as a member of the public. Nelson did not have Ross permission to install the pipelines. Nor did he have permission from any other body with authority to permit the installation. Thus, Nelson committed trespass as a matter of law, Wall concluded. Nelsons pipelines thus infringed on the private property rights of Ross the fee owner who retained all rights in the subsurface not included within the easement. On appeal, Nelsons attorneys unsuccessfully argued his conduct was protected by the Right to Farm law designed to curtail anti-agricultural lawsuits. That law was designed to immunize agricultural activities that came into conflict with encroachment by population expansion. Nelsons problem, however, was that he was guilty of trespass and therefore precluded from leaning on the right-to-farm statute to defend the pipeline. We agree with the district court and (Court of Appeals) panel that Nelsons agricultural activity failed to conform to state law, Walls opinion said. He is not entitled to presumption that he was engaging in good agricultural practices. In Phillips County District Court, a judge granted Ross and Field summary judgment and $63,000 each on trespass claims because the pipeline along the public road ran across their land and Nelson never had permission from them to proceed. Ross was awarded $52,000 in actual and punitive damages based on his nuisance claim because Nelsons fertilizer spray drifted to Ross farmhouse and created unbearable fly infestations. This arrangement has ruffled more than a few feathers, Walls opinion says. Or, should we say wrinkled more than a few noses? In September 2023, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district courts decisions and financial judgments. The Supreme Court conducted oral argument in the case during May and issued Walls written opinion last week, which echoed both lower courts. Agricultural lobby organizations and a handful of Kansas House members were unsuccessful during the 2022 legislative session with their attempt to pass a bill that would have helped farmers such as Nelson who sought to install pipelines in right-of-way on property owned by someone else. In 2018, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment fined Nelson about $150,000 for constructing hog barns and waste storage facilities in Phillips and Norton counties without required state permits and for ignoring cease-and-desist orders issued by KDHE lawyers. Nelson negotiated the KDHE penalty down to $34,000. The Kansas Sierra Club, which had filed a lawsuit against Nelson challenging a separate hog facility issue, complained the penalty was not even a slap on the wrist. More like a gentle tap. HONOLULU (KHON2) The celebrated Hawaiian music group Kapena is marking its 40th anniversary with a reunion tour, having thrilled audiences with their unique mix of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary music since their formation in 1985. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Founded by Kelly Boy De Lima and brothers Tiva and Timo Tatofi, Kapena first gained recognition representing Kaimuki High School at the Brown Bags to Stardom competition. Over the years, the group has become a household name in Hawaii. Early entry deadline approaching for Kaiwi Coast Run and Walk To commemorate their milestone, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi declared Saturday as Kapena Day. Blangiardi praised the band for bringing honor and acclaim to the island community. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Kapenas anniversary tour will begin this Saturday at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell and will include performances in Las Vegas, California, and Washington 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 KHON2. Kari Lake is in double-digit denial about her disaster of an Arizona Senate race A new Fox News poll shows Ruben Gallego up 15 points over Kari Lake in Arizonas U.S. Senate race. Gallego is crushing it with women, Hispanics, non-white voters and voters young and old. Moderates are breaking for him 2-1, and even a quarter of conservatives are leaning toward Gallego, according to the poll of 1,014 voters, conducted Aug. 23-26. Lake on Thursday called the poll absolute garbage. Nobody wins by 15 points, she told KTARs Mike Broomhead. Kari Lake doesn't believe independent polls OK, well, a new Emerson College poll, conducted for The Hill, shows Gallego up 7 points over Lake. A new poll by Noble Predictive Insights has Gallego up by 7. A poll earlier this month by HighGround Public Affairs showed Gallego ahead by 11. In a New York Times/Siena poll, Gallego led by 8. Theres been a ton of phony, bogus polls, Lake assured Broomhead. Its meant to make the race look like its going in my opponents favor, but the real polls say the race is tied. The real polls" being a pair of partisan polls by two Republican groups and her own internal polling. Our polling shows that its a tied race , Lake told Broomhead. Its a dead heat race. Is she prepping another stolen election claim? Lake is either catastrophically clueless or preparing her hard right base to storm the Capitol and the courts, assaulting the state with yet another round of conspiratorial cries that yet another Arizona election has been stolen. Or perhaps both. Lake has long associated the size of the crowd at her campaign events with the depth of her support. But never thus far in two campaigns has she shown herself capable of or willing to reach beyond her base to the more moderate Republican voters who call the shots in Arizonas elections. Consider her signature issues: Stolen elections, abortion and the border. The Fox poll shows a whopping 73% of Arizona voters support establishing the right to an abortion. Fully 64% said they believe Joe Biden was legitimately elected (though only 41% approve of the job hes done). Sixteen percent of those polled ranked immigration as the most important issue. But more than twice that, 37%, said its all about the economy. Even some Trump supporters like Gallego more The poll showed the presidential race within the 3% margin of error, with Harris at 48 and Trump at 47. Gallego, meanwhile, leads Lake 56-41. Gallego leads in both urban (63%) and suburban (56%) areas, according to the Fox poll. He leads with independent voters (57%). A devastating 17% of Trump supporters polled say they support Gallego. Given her drag on the ticket in this battleground state, I wouldnt be surprised to see Trump send Lake a cease-and-desist letter, demanding that she stop touting his endorsement. Lake's latest makeover? She's just a middle-aged mom The problem for Lake is that time isnt her friend. Most people already have an opinion, and 67 days isnt much time to change a lot of minds. Its why then-state GOP Chairman Jeff DeWit in the now-infamous bribery conversation secretly taped by Lake urged her last year to hold off running for the Senate, implying that she could run again for something in 2026. You can take a pause for a couple of years, he told her in early 2023, as she was coming off a bruising loss for governor. You can go right back to what youre doing. Lake still contends the Senate race is tied To the delight of Democrats, Lake didnt listen then. She is not listening now. Recent polling data clearly shows that this race is neck-and-neck, with multiple surveys putting Kari Lake within the margin of error, her campaign said on Thursday. Any poll showing a large lead for either candidate is plainly out of step with Arizonas electoral history and the current political landscape . High quality polling confirms what were seeing on the ground enthusiasm for Kari Lakes campaign continues to grow as we approach Election Day. Choirs, after all, often are enthusiastic when the preacher takes the stage. Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRobertsaz and on Threads at @LaurieRobertsaz. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake must be preparing her base for another stolen election claim TOPEKA (KSNT) State and local agencies confirm an interim city clerk, accused of mishandling taxpayer money is dead. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Harvey County Sheriffs Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) has positively identified the man found inside the truck near U.S. Highway 50 and Interstate 135 on Aug. 26 as Jonathan Clayton, 42 of Peabody, the KBI announced in a news release Thursday evening. An autopsy was conducted, but the final autopsy report is pending. Currently, investigators have not found evidence of foul play. The investigation is ongoing. Statement excerpt from the KBI Bridge repair near Perry Lake creates 25-mile detour This identification comes the same day the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC) responded to allegations made 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 While no evidence of impropriety at the KDC exists, according to 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. Blind Tiger Brewery creates beer fully made with Shawnee Co. products Kansas Governor Laura Kellys office released a statement around 4:30 p.m. 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 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As the Kansas City Irish community continues to mourn the death of chef, restaurateur and community figure Shaun Brady, the Kansas City Irish Fest has established a memorial fund in Bradys honor. Brady was fatally shot around 5:18 p.m. Wednesday in the back parking lot of Brady & Fox, the popular Irish restaurant he co-owned with Graham Farris. While taking out the trash behind his restaurant, Brady became involved in a fatal confrontation with multiple juveniles around a vehicle, according to Kansas City police. Irish Fest organizers described Bradys restaurant as the favorite gathering place of Kansas Citys Irish community. As a chef, Shaun Brady nourished his community not just with incredible food, but with a deep pride in his culture and a contagious enthusiasm for celebration, organizers wrote on the fundraising page. The light he brought to our Irish community will endure through those touched by his talent, spirit, and joy for life. Two teenage boys were arrested in connection with Bradys death on Wednesday night. One was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, as well as felony attempted vehicle theft and armed criminal action, in Jackson County family court. Brady was heavily involved in Irish Fest, bringing live cooking demonstrations to the festival stage. The festivals Facebook post said that Brady was a large part of the Irish Fest family, and that his business was a place where many in the community gathered. Brady was also the head chef and creator of Irish Breakfast, a ticketed feast following Catholic mass the Sunday of every Irish Fest weekend, according to festival organizers. This years Irish Breakfast was canceled after news of Bradys death broke. It was one of Shauns greatest gifts to bring people together with his culinary creations, festival organizers wrote on Facebook. Proceeds from the Shaun Brady Memorial Fund will go to support Bradys wife Kate and his two young children. Kate, a Wichita native, met Brady while she was traveling in Ireland. More than 100 people donated to The Shaun Brady Memorial Fund in the fundraisers first day, raising just over $9,350 by Thursday evening. Organizers are encouraging donations of $45, matching the price of an Irish Breakfast ticket. Brady grew up in Tipperary County, Ireland, and studied at the Dublin Institute of Technology while falling in love with his work in the citys restaurant scene. After graduating as an executive chef, Brady traveled Europe and Asia before building a life with Kate in Chicago, and later Kansas City. Brady was previously the executive chef at the Ambassador Hotel in downtown Kansas City before opening Bradys Public House with Farris. After Bradys Public House closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brady and Farris opened Brady & Fox in 2022. In her speech accepting the Democratic nomination for president last week, Kamala Harris gave the biggest existential crisis of our lifetimes roughly the same amount of time as a recollection of her parents playing Miles Davis: She mentioned it exactly once. In fact, it didnt even get its own sentence. The freedom to breathe clean air, and drink clean water and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis (emphasis added) was listed among many other fundamental freedoms under threat in the 2024 election. Media outlets have been noticing this tendency of the Harris campaignand theyve also been reporting that this strategy might be fine, actually. Harris Goes Light on Climate Policy. Green Leaders Are OK With That, read a New York Times headline on a story in which Washington Governor Jay Inslee says, I am totally confident that when she is in a position to effect positive change, she will. In other words: Harris needs to win first. Winning, so the wisdom goes, means not alienating swing voters with too much fracking talk. Politico, meanwhile, noted that climate activists who have protested the Biden administrations drilling record are pursuing a new strategy with his would-be successor: Get Kamala Harris elected now, ask questions later. Democrats see talking about the environment as a lose-lose proposition, reported Maxine Joselow for The Washington Post. If they call for curbing fossil fuel production to fight global warming, they risk alienating voters in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state where natural gas powers the economy. But if they tout record U.S. oil production that has helped lower energy costs, they risk angering young voters. While climate policy polls well, Joselow wrote, of 28 issues, global warming ranks 19th in importance to registered voters. The piece concludes with a Philadelphia woman saying to canvassers from the Environmental Voter Project: The environment is not my top thing sorry. Is it true that Harris needs to keep quiet about climate and environmental policy in order to win? Honestly, whos to say? Some polls have indeed found that voters are less concerned about the climate now than they were in 2020a bonkers conclusion given that 2024 is so far the hottest year on record, with experts increasingly abandoning the idea that global warming can be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). But there you have it! Whats striking, though, is the implicit fatalism of this retreat into conventional wisdom, in an election that has already proven fatalists, and their conventional wisdom, about as spectacularly wrong as theyve ever been. Harris could still lose in November, to be sure, but a lot of people thought there was zero chance of off-ramping Joe Biden even though he struggled to complete sentences in the first debate, and many others doubted that the party could unite behind someone else. Several writers at TNR have questioned whether running scared on climate and the environment is really the best, or only, option. Kate Aronoff sees parallels between the sidelining of the climate crisis at the convention and the sidelining of pro-Palestinian delegates and activists. Discussing either the climate crisis or Israels war on Gaza in any convincing fashion requires specifics, she wrote. Who, exactly, is spewing all of those heat-trapping emissions? And who is taking all those innocent Palestinian lives? More importantly, ending all of that sufferingfrom global warming and war alikerequires a willingness to challenge the forces responsible for it with more than words. The convention showcased a party that isnt willing to do any of this. Whatever the short-term benefits of avoiding divisive topics, she added, continuing to avoid them promises not just to prolong suffering, but invite calamities that therell be no turning back from. Liza Featherstone points out that there could actually be ways to win more voters while talking about the environment. One of RFK Jr.s few appealing causes she wrote, was his passion for fighting toxic pollution, particularly as it affects human health. In the wake of his exit from the 2024 electionand baffling endorsement of Donald Trump, whose record on pollution is not at all in keeping with RFK Jr.s viewsthe Harris campaign may have an opportunity, Liza wrote, to pull former RFK voters away from Trump while doing the right thing: RFK Jr.s concerns with the toxins in our bodies and environment are crucial and have broad popular resonance. Harris should immediately take them on board. In general, its always a little hard to tell whether the electorates ambivalence about a given issue is about the issue itself, or how its been presented to them. Theres little doubt at this point that the Inflation Reduction Actthe Biden administrations signature piece of climate legislationis a bust in terms of its campaign usefulness, even if it succeeded in its stated goals. But its limitations as a sales pitch were pretty clear from the get-go. After all, if you want a sound biteable case for how fighting climate change can quickly and materially improve voters lives, a law called the Inflation Reduction Act that functions in large part via byzantine tax incentives aint it. The Harris campaign is operating on an unprecedentedly compressed timeline, and maybe its too late to come up with a climate messaging strategy that defies conventional wisdom by seeking to persuade voters rather than just mirroring current polling. But clearly there are opportunities for such persuasion. A few elections ago, the idea that 62 percent of likely voters would support legal accountability for oil and gas companies over their role driving climate changeand almost half, per a recent Data for Progress poll, would support prosecuting them for homicidewould have been unthinkable. So yes: The Harris campaign may be right that talking about climate change and the environment would lose them Pennsylvania. But its also hard to know what American voters might support if their politicians made a compelling pitch. Good News/Bad News On the one hand, countries arent making anywhere near enough progress toward their emissions-reductions targets. On the other hand, a new study published in the journal Science claims to have found 63 cases where policies really did work to reduce emissions, Grists Kate Yoder reports. Another recent study in Science does not give as much cause for optimism. Fisheries arent being managed sustainably, and fish population numbers have been overestimated, a team of ecologists found. Among over-fished stocks, the lead author wrote, we estimated the number of collapsed stocks was likely 85% larger than currently recognised. Stat of the Week $3 million Thats how much the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers is paying, Axios reports, for an ad attacking Kamala Harris for her purported ban on most new gas cars, targeting voters in the key swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania, as well as in Wisconsin, Montana, and Nevada. What Im Reading Two states become first in U.S. to ban use of PFAS in firefighters protective gear Long-lasting PFAS chemicals are often used to make fabrics stain- and water-resistant, and for years theyve been used in firefighters equipment in particular. But theyve also been linked to a wide variety of serious health problems, and evidence has emerged over time that firefighters may be at particular risk given their consistent exposure to the substances. Last week, Massachusetts joined Connecticut in banning firefighting gear sold in the state from containing PFAS, starting in 2027 (Connecticuts ban will take effect in 2028). The Guardians Tom Perkins reports some of the extraordinary efforts that went into lobbying the state for this legislation: Diane Cotter, the wife of a Worcester fire department firefighter, Paul Cotter, helped spearhead the Massachusetts effort. Paul developed prostate cancer, which is linked to PFAS exposure, about 10 years ago, when he was 55 years old. Her crusade started in 2019 when she mentioned her husband had prostate cancer at a lunch with other wives of local firefighters. Almost every wife at the table lifted up their head and said: Me too, Cotter said, noting that most of the women were only 35 to 55 years old. She described herself as naive at the time, armed with only an expired hairdressers license but willing to take on a then unfriendly firefighter union, state government, chemical industry and turnout gear industry. She was invited to the bill signing last week, a moment she described as surreal. Read Tom Perkinss full report in The Guardian. This article first appeared in Life in a Warming World, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by deputy editor Heather Souvaine Horn. Sign up here. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Kenneth R. Furman Jr., passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Bub, as he was affectionately known, was born April 6, 1944, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Kenneth R. Furman, Sr. and Carrie (Lemley) Furman. Find obituaries from your high school Bub graduated from South High School in 1963. He entered the U.S. Army where he served for two years primarily in Seoul, Korea. Upon discharge, Bub returned to Youngstown where he worked as a mechanic in the family business, Kennys Sohio Service, on Oak Hill Avenue. Soon after, he met and married his sweetheart, Paulette Moderalli Furman, on October 25, 1969. Bub soon decided that building was in his blood and took a job as a siding installer with Decorative Aluminum and then with Choffin Career Center as a skilled trades teacher. But his dream of building homes culminated with his position with RDW Homes where he retired after twenty years. Bub is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Paulette (Moderalli) Furman; his daughter, Amy (Bradley) Kinkade; his son, Paul Furman; and two grandchildren, Sydney and Riley Kinkade. He is also survived by his sister, Carol (David) Campman; his brother, Dennis (Mary Jo) Furman; and brother-in-law, Rick Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Carrie Furman and a sister, Penny Jo Martin. Bub was a master woodworker and could build or fix anything. If you started out asking, Hey, Bub, can you make? He wouldnt even hesitate. He would grab a piece a paper, usually from the small notebook in his front pocket, and begin to sketch. And the next thing you knew, you had a new bunk bed, grill stand, or deck. He was a true craftsman. Bub and Paulette are also members of St. Michael Church in Canfield. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at St. Michael Church, Canfield, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Kenneth R. Furman to Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley, 1919 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown, OH, 44502. The family extends a special thank you to the compassionate staff at Mercy Health, Boardman Campus, Intensive Care Unit. Arrangements are being handled by the Schiavone Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth R. (Bub) Furman, Jr., please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Friday, August 30 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kentucky is getting another Publix. Here's where it'll be Publix Super Markets has announced a lease was signed for a new store to open in Owensboro, Ky., continuing the chain's surge across the state after opening Kentucky's first Publix in Louisville earlier this year. The Florida-based grocery store chain announced the new store in a press release on Tuesday. We look forward to our new customers experiencing the Publix difference soon, Publix media relations manager Jared Glover said in the release. Publix in Louisville, Ky.: Publix announces opening date for first Louisville location Here's what we know: Is Publix Super Markets opening a grocery store in Owensboro, Ky.? Yes; Publix Super Markets announced the signing of a new lease in Owensboro, Ky. on Tuesday in a press release. Where is the Publix near me in Owensboro, Ky. going to open? The new Publix location will be at the northwest corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Hayden Road in Owensboro, Ky., according to the release. When is the Publix near me in Owensboro, Ky. going to open? A timeframe has not been given for Publix to open in Owensboro, according to the report. How many Publix Super Markets are announced for Kentucky? Publix has announced 11 Kentucky locations, according to Publix media relations manager Jared Glover. How big is the Publix near me in Owensboro, Ky.? The Publix in Ownesboro, Ky., will be a 50,325-square-foot space, according to the release. How many jobs or employees will be at Publix near me in Owensboro, Ky.? The Publix in Owensboro, Ky. is expected to have about 150 employees, the report said. Boar's Head recall: Boar's Head plant linked to listeria outbreak had reports of insects, mold, mildew Where did Publix open the first Kentucky store? The first Kentucky Publix opened in Louisville. Is there a Publix in Louisville, Kentucky? Yes, the first Kentucky Publix opened in Louisville on Jan. 10, 2024. Where is Publix near me in Louisville, Ky.? The Publix is located at 2500 Terra Crossing Blvd. in Louisville, Ky. Where is Publix new store near me in Louisville, Ky.? Where is second store location? A new Publix grocery store will be coming to 10005 Ballardsville Road in Louisville, Ky. What time does Publix open near me? Most Publix stores are open seven days a week at 7 a.m. local time. Check with your local store before you go. What time does Publix close near me? Most Publix stores are open seven days a week at 10 p.m. local time. Check with your local store before you go. Kroger Albertsons merger: Fred Meyer workers strike in Portland as Kroger defends Albertsons merger against FTC lawsuit What are Publix pharmacy hours near me? Here is the schedule for most Publix pharmacies. Check with your local store before you go. Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. What are Publix liquor store hours near me? Here is the schedule for most Publix liquor stores. Check with your local store before you go. Monday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday: 1 to 9 p.m. What is Club Publix? Club Publix is the grocery store's loyalty program. New members receive $5 off their next purchase of $20 or more when they sign up. Perks include a birthday treat, digital coupons, weekly ad sneak peeks, notifications of BOGOs and sales, and more. Boar's Head recall Inspectors with the Department of Agriculture found insects, mold and mildew at a Boar's Head plant linked to a multistate listeria outbreak and the nationwide recall of potentially contaminated deli meats, including Publix stores. Read more about the outbreak. Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Publix in Kentucky: Owensboro slated for new grocery store Kentucky River hydroelectric projects get boost with funding from federal government Three hydroelectric projects on the Kentucky River have been awarded $55.9 million in funding from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the awards Thursday. The money would go toward construction of hydropower plants in unused lock chambers on the river. The three projects together are projected to produce enough electricity annually to power 4,800 homes in Madison, Jessamine and Lee counties, according to the federal agency. These USDA investments will lower costs for Americans and create good-paying jobs in rural communities for years to come, Xochitl Torres Small, deputy secretary of the agency, said in announcing the funding. David Brown Kinloch, an engineer from Louisville, is developing the hydropower plants at Locks 9, 10 and 13. Lock 14 is in Lee County, where the three forks that form the Kentucky River come together. Lock 10 is between Madison and Clark counties and Lock 9 is between Jessamine and Madison counties. Brown Kinloch has worked with Berea College on developing hydropower plants in Lee and Estill counties designed to allow the College to offset all its carbon emissions. Those stations are called run-of-river plants, meaning they use the current from the river to turn turbines in the renovated lock chambers and produce electricity. The three new plants would operate the same way. USDA also announced funding of $16.6 million in June for a generating facility at Lock 11 on the river. The four projects together have been earmarked for a total of $72.5 million in federal funding. The Lock 11 facility will the same size as the projects announced this week, generating 3 megawatts of electricity, Brown Kinloch said. His company, Appalachian Hydro Associates, is developing the plants with Berea College. The USDA also announced $6.6 million Thursday for a company to develop a solar array in Allen County. The money for the projects is part of a program financed by the Inflation Reduction Act, which the Biden Administration pushed with a number of goals, including promoting development of renewable energy. A series of 14 locks and dams were built on the Kentucky River in the 1800s and early 1900s to improve navigation. There were a total of 14 locks and dams built between 1836 and 1917 on the Kentucky River to improve navigation from Eastern and Central Kentucky to the Ohio River, allowing shipment of goods such as coal, timber and agricultural products. However, railroads and roads ultimately eclipsed the river for transportation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decommissioned most of the locks more than 30 years ago. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg met this week with the head of the Federal Aviation Administration as the planemaker faces numerous regulatory issues and increased scrutiny, an agency official confirmed. Ortberg told employees on Friday in an email he had met with the FAA this week and discussed the company's safety and quality plan. FAA administrator Mike Whitaker in January barred Boeing from boosting production of its best-selling 737 MAX after a door panel blew out during a Jan. 5 flight on a new Alaska Airlines jetliner. Ortberg, who took over as CEO on Aug. 8, wrote to employees that he told the FAA of the company's "focus on true culture change, empowering employees to speak up when they see potential issues and bringing the right resources together to solve them." Ortberg held his first board meeting as CEO this week and met with Pentagon and other officials. The company also faces ongoing labor talks. Whitaker said in May he planned to travel to Seattle in September to meet with the company about its quality efforts. Whitaker has said the agency will continue its increased on-site presence at Boeing and fuselage supplier Spirit Aerosystems for the foreseeable future. In June Whitaker said at a Senate Commerce hearing that the FAA was "too hands-off" in oversight of Boeing before January. "The FAA should have had much better visibility into what was happening at Boeing before Jan. 5," Whitaker said. This month, Boeing said it suspended test flights on its 777x that is awaiting certification. A component between the engine and airplane structure was discovered with cracks during a maintenance check and cracks were also found on the other test planes. Boeing in July began certification flight testing of its long-delayed 777-9 with FAA regulators onboard after receiving type inspection authorization, a critical milestone in a multi-step process needed to win certification of a new airplane. Last month, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay at least $243.6 million after breaching a 2021 agreement with the U.S. Justice Department. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Diane Craft and Rod Nickel) FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) A group of Kentucky business and education leaders believe the states workforce is at a crossroads with plenty of potential but a big challenge in recruitment. The Kentucky Chamber reported that 75% of businesses are struggling to find the talent they need. On Thursday, the group shared how it has worked to address that need and the long-term goals still ahead for SWATT, the Statewide Workforce And Talent Team. Were trying to work together rather than individual silos, sharing resources and sharing information so that we can better affect the outcomes for employers and for the people seeking help, Education & Labor Cabinet Sec. Jamie Link explained to lawmakers on the Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment. Horror icon could make final convention appearance at ScareFest 2024: Heres where to get tickets SWATT was created earlier this year, on the recommendation of Kentucky employers, with the intent of pooling together resources of both the economic development and education and labor cabinets, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The goal is to have one group responsible for knowing employer needs and making it easier for them to find the specific workers theyre looking for. What the commuting patterns are, what kind of talent and skills, so that we can directly say to that company, heres what you can look to in terms of that pool to draw from for your workforce, Cabinet for Economic Development Sec. Jeff Noel explained in an example. CPE President Aaron Thompson told lawmakers that the top thing employers ask about when they expand is access to a highly educated workforce, and he said already the works begun to get employers connected with students much earlier. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Were building more employer advisory groups on our campuses to work with us on the front end of building curriculum and not on the back end of just coming into career fairs, hoping we got somebody prepared for it, Thompson said. In addition to the long-term goal of boosting Kentuckys overall workforce, the team wants to be a resource to lawmakers as they craft future policies impacting businesses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Killeen, Tx (FOX 44) Five Killeen Fire Department firefighters have deployed to assist in multiple wildfires across Texas. They are assisting in battling the fires and assisting crews in disaster services. They are taking part in a 14-day joint operation, with one strike team leader, three wildland firefighters with a brush truck and one hand crew wildland firefighter. Killeen firefighters deployed are are Battalion Chief Cory Davis, Captain Marcus Stillwell, Captain Matt Phillips, Fire Rescue Officer Charlie Layton, and Fire Rescue Officer Chris Hartwell. ( Texas A&M Forest Service photo ) The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that crews across the state have responded to more than half a dozen wildfires that have burned through more than 5,000 acres in the North Art Complex fire in Mason County, as well as the counties of Bastrop, Jones, Callahan, Throckmorton, San Saba, Shackleford and Randall. The agency confirms that the largest fire was caused by lightning strikes that began as several separate, small fires and merged. Residents are reminded that they can help prevent wildfires by checking local weather and drought conditions, extinguishing flames properly and keeping vehicles off dry grass. The Texas A&M Forest Service reminds citizens that with dove hunting season beginning over the Labor Day holiday weekend, it is important to practice extreme caution outdoors. Hot and dry conditions in August have resulted in increased wildfire activity across North and Northwest Texas. Even with increased moisture in the forecast, objects like grass are still prone to catching fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A building burns in Korenevo, Kursk, as Ukrainian forces continue to make gains on Russian territory - Black Swan/Reuters The Kremlin has been forced to arm a band of local volunteers to help stop the advance of the Ukrainian army further into Russian territory. Members of the so-called Bars-Kursk will be given weapons and training, before being deployed on six-month contracts to enforce law and order in areas abandoned during Kyivs cross-border raid. Britains Ministry of Defence said the move was likely an attempt by Russia to bolster its forces in the southern border region of Kursk after almost four weeks of fighting. A column of Russian army trucks abandoned in Kursk after shelling by Ukrainian forces - Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Ukraine has captured almost 1,300 sq km of Russian territory since launching the incursion on Aug 6, capturing hundreds of prisoners of war in the process. Its advances have slowed in recent weeks after Russian reinforcements were poured into the area to stabilise the front lines. But Russian military bloggers have acknowledged that Kyiv still has the upper hand and is making gains, despite the arrivals of reserves from Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. Alexey Smirnov, Kursks acting governor, said of the new volunteer militia: The fighters will act in close cooperation with the army and the counter-terrorist operation headquarters. Its volunteers have been promised they will only serve in the Kursk region, a pledge that is likely an attempt to alleviate fears from potential new recruits that they could be sent to Ukraine. Russia has over 30 Bars the combat army reserve of the country that serve as a cadre of active reservists with a high level of readiness. In an intelligence update on Friday, the MoD wrote: The creation of the Bars-Kursk volunteers unit is almost certainly a Russian response to the Ukrainian incursion into the Russian Kursk Oblast, which began on Aug 6, 2024. It is unlikely that the volunteer unit will be set up and able to support any Russian military activity in Kursk over the next month. Although it is likely attempting to build its forces in Kursk, Russia is currently prioritising the Pokrovsk axis in eastern Ukraine. Russia is also pulling 100 officers from its Bear Brigade group of mercenaries from Burkina Faso to support its war efforts in Ukraine. The groups official Telegram said the soldiers would return home to join the fight against Ukraines incursion into the Kursk region. When the enemy arrives on our Russian territory, all Russian soldiers forget about internal problems and unite against a common enemy, Bears Brigade commander Viktor Yermolaev told Le Monde, the French newspaper. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines commander-in-chief, said earlier this week that Russia had redeployed 30,000 troops to Kursk in response to the incursion. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers have sounded the alarm over a fresh build-up of Ukrainian troops in Sumy, the Ukrainian region near to Kursk. Reinforcement units Rybar, a Telegram channel with more than one million followers, wrote: The enemy is introducing troops into the territory of the Russian Federation as reinforcement units, and large concentrations of personnel are being recorded in the adjacent territory of Sumy Oblast. It follows Moscows defence ministry earlier this month announcing plans to create a new grouping of troops in its frontier regions of Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk, which border Ukraine. The Kremlin continues to display caution over the Ukrainian incursion, which is the first foreign invasion on Russian soil since the Second World War. Nuclear power plant Despite only declaring it a terrorist operation not an invasion Moscow has taken precautions such as digging trenches and fortifications deep into its own territory. It is also restricting entry to Kurchatov, the town closest to the Kursk nuclear power plant. Russia managed to reclaim the village of Korenevo, which lies next to a larger town of the same name, according to maps published by Deep State, an authoritative Ukrainian website. Kyiv may be trying to encircle Russian forces But Rybar said Ukrainian forces continue to advance in the areas around the village, suggesting Kyiv may be trying to encircle Russian forces there. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, has said the incursion has created a buffer zone to prevent Russian attacks on Ukrainian border settlements, as well as it being part of his plan to end the war with Russia. Ukraines ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makieiev, said he hoped it would lead the West to abandon fears of escalation. We need our partners to show a lot more courage, he said, adding that Russia could be defeated if we understand and take advantage of its weaknesses. 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. Kremlin is not afraid of Putin's arrest during his visit to Mongolia Dmitry Peskov, the Russian leader's press secretary, has said that the Kremlin is not concerned about Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's trip to Mongolia, which recognises the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet; Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian news outlet Details: When asked whether there had been any negotiations with the Mongolian authorities regarding the arrest warrant for Putin issued by the ICC, Peskov replied: "Of course, all aspects of the visit were carefully prepared." He also stressed that the Kremlin has "an excellent dialogue with our [Russias ed.] friends from Mongolia". Two people familiar with the Kremlin's preparations said Putin had received assurances from Mongolia that he would not be arrested under an International Criminal Court warrant. "Putin is going to Mongolia under Chinese security guarantees," said Stanislav Belkovsky, a former Kremlin political adviser and now a critic of the Russian government. "Mongolia will not turn against China, even if it does not want to argue with the US." Russia intends to build a new gas pipeline, Power of Siberia 2, through Mongolia to China. Background: Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Mongolia on 3 September. It will be his first visit to a country that has signed the Rome Statute of the ICC since March 2023, when the court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian ruler. Putin's visit will take place only six months after the first Mongolian judge began their tenure at the ICC. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa welcomed the event as proof of Mongolia's "growing reputation and strengthening status in the international arena". Support UP or become our patron! Work has officially begun on a new Kroger on Lexingtons Northside. The Cincinnati-based grocery store chain broke ground Aug. 30 on a $40 million state-of-the-art marketplace at 760 Newtown Springs just off Newtown Pike, between the Amazon shipping facility and the end of Citation Boulevard. With construction beginning, the new grocery store is expected to open in spring 2026, according to Kroger. 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. University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops, center joined Kroger Co. Louisville division president Jake Cannon, at podium, and others to break ground for the new Kroger Marketplace coming to Newtown Pike. The 123,000-square-foot store will have 476 parking spaces, gas pumps, a pharmacy with drive-thru, Little Clinic, an adjoining wine and liquor store, Murrays Cheese Shop, Starbucks, Sushi bar, home goods and apparel sections as well as the fresh departments, according to a news release. There also will be spots for grocery pick-up. Site work has begun for the new Kroger Marketplace, shown in renderings, off Newtown Pike. Its scheduled to open in the spring of 2026. Entry into the store property will be from Newtown Springs, according to plans approved by the city in February. At that time, Kroger said the store would be a $30 million investment into an area of the city considered a food desert. Its unclear why the price tag has gone up to $40 million. The Kroger Marketplace on Newtown Springs will also include a separate wine and spirits shop, a pharmacy drive-thru and a gas station. The development plan for the new grocery store was approved Feb. 8, 2024. The storefront is part of a new development by RD Property Group based in Lexington that also includes a new Everhome Suites, a standalone Starbucks and an unnamed restaurant. RD Property Group has had a vision for Newtown Springs for over twenty years. Our goal is to bring amenities and convenience to the surrounding communities. We are thrilled by this major step forward with Krogers substantial investment that will improve the quality of life for so many, said Jamie Wittman. Kroger expanding as Publix opens in Lexington Krogers decision to build a new store on Newtown Springs comes as the city is experiencing a boom in new grocery stores, particularly on the citys northwest side. Residents there have long complained about having too few grocery store options in the area. There are at least 11 other Kroger locations in Lexington already with larger Marketplace locations at Beaumont Centre and Richmond Road. Lexington also is home to several other grocery chains including Meijer, Aldi, Target, Walmart, Sams, Costco, Crossroads IGA, Trader Joes and Whole Foods. Florida-based grocery chain Publix has announced two stores in Lexington. The first Publix in the Bluegrass region will open in the new shopping center at Fountains of Palomar at Harrodsburg Road and Man o War Boulevard in late 2024. Another has been announced for the Citation Point development at Citation Boulevard and Georgetown Road, not far from the newly planned Kroger Marketplace. A third Publix has been announced for Romany Road, and another is expected to be announced for Nicholasville. Publix also this week announced plans to open a store in Owensboro, its 11th Kentucky location. As Lexington prepares for Publix, die-hard fan shares what makes grocery store so good Underground parking to be part of Lexingtons third Publix grocery store Lexington restaurant finally rebuilding after fire destroyed kitchen Wawa begins building its first 2 Kentucky stores. Where will the next ones go? Lexington gives green light to new Wawa, apartments and mixed use development Major $66 million renovation proposed for downtown Lexington hotel next to Rupp Arena Updated Aug 30, 2024, 10:08am EDT Europe The News As Russian forces advance deeper into eastern Ukraine, a rising chorus of criticism is saying that Kyivs assault into Russia has weakened Ukraines defenses. In recent days Russian troops have made significant advances towards Pokrovosk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub in the Donetsk region, prompting evacuations. Journalists, politicians, and soldiers have complained that front-line defenses have been undermanned as Ukrainian troops were redeployed to Russias Kursk region, the Financial Times reported. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a press conference earlier this week that the situation was extremely difficult, although he argued that Russias progress had slowed down after Ukraines Kursk offensive. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Ukraines Kursk gamble fails to pay off so far Sources: The Economist, Mariana Bezuhla Ukraines assault into Russia was aimed at forcing Moscow to move troops out of Ukraine to defend their own territory. But so far, Russians are not taking the bait, one Ukrainian soldier in eastern Ukraine told The Economist. Instead, it is Ukraine that is now struggling to defend its front lines after many of its most experienced troops were sent to participate in the Russian assault. Mariana Bezuhla, a Ukrainian MP who has been critical of Kyivs military leadership, wrote on Telegram that Russian troops had passed freely through empty fortifications in Donetsk, while the remaining troops in the region face a severe shortage of ammunition. Zelenskyy to present victory plan to the White House Sources: BBC, Politico Zelenskyy has said the incursion into Russia is part of a victory plan that he will brief US President Joe Biden on in September. Its success will depend on whether Washington will offer Ukraine what is in this plan or not, [and] whether we will be free to use this plan, Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. While the details of this proposal are unclear, Ukrainian officials have launched a concerted effort to convince Western allies to loosen restrictions on long-range strikes into Russia. Ukraines foreign minister lobbied his counterparts at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels this week, and top officials are in Washington to make a plea to the Biden administration to allow Kyiv to strike deep in Russia, Politico reported. Ukraine develops new weapon to strike deeper into Russia Sources: Ukrainska Pravda, Associated Press, Institute for the Study of War Ukraine has also been hard at work developing long-range weapons that it can use to strike further into Russia without requiring permission from allies. Last week, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has developed a completely new class of weapon that it has already used to hit Russian military installations, and which Ukrainian officials have said will allow Kyiv to strike deeper behind Russian lines. There are more than 200 militarily significant Russian facilities that are within reach of US-provided weapons, but that the Biden administration has so far not allowed Ukraine to target, according to analysis by the Institute for the Study of War. MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) L.L. Bean recently confirmed the official opening date for its new retail store opening in Cumberland County. abc27 news reported back in June when the popular outdoor retailer, L.L. Bean, first confirmed that they would soon be opening a new store location at the Silver Spring Square at 6416 Carlisle Pike, in Mechanicsburg. According to L.L. Bean, the new location will be 18,000 square feet in size and will offer a wide assortment of mens, womens and kids active and casual apparel in L.L.Beans full-size range; outerwear, footwear, gear, hard goods, and home goods. Earlier today, L.L. Bean announced that the new Mechanicsburg store will open on Friday, September 20. We are honored to open our doors in the scenic Mechanicsburg community this fall, Jessica Kanciruk, district manager for L.L.Bean said. Surrounded by the Appalachian Trail and the Susquehanna River, Mechanicsburg is an ideal location to serve outdoor adventurers of all kinds and equip them with the gear and guidance they need to explore nearby outdoor destinations, she continued. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors and helping them gear up for their next adventure, no matter where the trail leads. The new location is one of four that L.L. Bean is debuting across the country later this year. The retailer will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 20 at 8:45 a.m., followed by a weekend of fun activities and giveaways. The giveaways and activities will run from September 20 through September 21, and they will include a boot lace customization bar, family activities and games, photos with the iconic L.L.Bean Bootmobile, and a trail mix bar. Additionally, on September 20-21, the first 100 customers at the store each morning will receive a $50 L.L. Bean gift card. It is important to note that line-ups begin at 6 a.m. Furthermore, L.L. Bean will be making a $10,000 donation to The YMCA of Westshore in support of its efforts in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. According to their website, L.L. Bean was first founded back in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean and now operates 57 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 22 stores in Japan and 13 stores in Canada. 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. De la Cruz, Stein and West can appear on Georgias ballot, top election official says The three independent and third-party candidates will join Democrat Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump and Libertarian Chase Oliver, making for a crowded ballot on Nov. 5. Joe Raedle/Getty Images This story was updated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, with additional comment. Georgias top election official has greenlit a trio of independent and third-party presidential candidates after an administration law judge said they should not appear on the ballot this November. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger cast aside a judges conclusions from earlier in the week that socialist candidate Claudia De la Cruz and independent candidate Cornel West should be kept off the ballot because of a filing error. Raffensperger has also given Green Party candidate Jill Stein the go-ahead, according to media reports. The three candidates will join Democrat Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump and Libertarian Chase Oliver, making for a crowded ballot on Nov. 5. Raffensperger said the challenges against independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were moot after he withdrew from the race and endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump. Kennedy has since formally withdrawn in Georgia. State Democrats had objected to these third-party and independent candidates appearing on the ballot in Georgia, where President Joe Biden narrowly won by less than 12,000 votes in 2020. Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye, executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, slammed Raffenspergers decision Thursday, saying the secretary of state unilaterally re-added West, De la Cruz and Stein to the ballot. Olasanoye signaled that the partys challenge may not be over. A judge affirmed that none of these candidates were qualified to be on the Georgia ballot. 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, Olasanoye said in a statement. Chief Judge Michael Malihi with the Office of State Administrative Hearings had concluded that the electors for West and De la Cruz should have filed their paperwork in their own names, not the candidates. But Raffensperger said that would have meant filing nomination petitions with the requisite 7,500 signatures for each elector, which he argued would violate a federal court order. This is a victory for democracy, De la Cruz said in a statement. 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. 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. But this is not the end of the fight. Now, we are preparing to defend this legal victory from any appeal filed by the Democratic Partys well-funded army of lawyers who are waging war on third parties nationwide, she added. Stein supporters have been trying to get their candidate on the ballot using a new Georgia law that created a pathway for candidates who are on the ballot in 20 other states. The Secretary has made a separate decision that the US Green Party has met the 20-state provision for political bodies under SB 189, and so their candidate Jill Stein will also be on the ballot, said Raffenspergers spokesperson, Mike Hassinger. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Thousands of Rhode Island nursing home workers continue to earn low wages while the demand for caregivers remains high in understaffed nursing homes across the state, health care worker union leaders say. (Getty image) Gov. Dan McGees administration has repeatedly touted its three top goals for Rhode Islands future: Boost education, improve health outcomes and raise incomes for all, including the ambitious goal of boosting per person earnings by $20,000 by 2030. However, as we honor the contribution of workers this Labor Day, it is hard to ignore the glaring distance between rhetoric and reality as thousands of nursing home workers continue to earn poverty wages and far too many residents languish in understaffed nursing homes. McKees recent veto of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Act is just the latest in a series of failures to support the hardworking caregivers who are the backbone of our nursing home system to the detriment of resident care. The bill, introduced by Rep. Scott Slater of Providence and Sen. Bridget Valverde of North Kingstown, both Democrats, would have established a 13-member board to enforce quality of care standards in nursing homes, including setting minimum statewide compensation. Nursing home work is hard, intimate work. It is an intensely physical, emotionally demanding job that requires its caregivers to not only fulfill basic care needs but deliver comfort and compassion when residents are at their most vulnerable. For most, it is a labor of love. Women are the bedrock of the workforce with a higher than average proportion of Black workers and a growing percentage of immigrant caregivers. The value of their work cannot be overstated, yet most nursing home workers struggle to pay the bills. The starting wage for a nursing assistant in Rhode Island is just $17.61 an hour, a far cry from the $37.61 needed to sustain a single parent family. Approximately 47% of RI caregivers rely on public assistance; 38% live in or near poverty levels. It should come as no surprise that too few caregivers are joining the workforce and too many are leaving with nearly a 50% turnover rate. Despite there being over 17,000 licensed CNAs, the most recent figures from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training estimate that only 8,370 are actually employed in the field. There is no shortage of caregivers; there is a shortage willing to take on or remain in such a difficult job for so little pay. Back in 2021, we were optimistic about McKees commitment to stabilizing the nursing home industry after the devastation of the pandemic. Surrounded by hopeful nursing home workers and former residents, he signed the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act into law. Not only did this law establish the strongest staffing standard in the country, it contained language stipulating that any increases to Medicaid would require that 80% go toward worker wages and not to for profit owners. As we honor the contribution of workers this Labor Day, it is hard to ignore the glaring distance between rhetoric and reality as thousands of nursing home workers continue to earn poverty wages and far too many residents languish in understaffed nursing homes. However, not too long after, McKee created a nursing home advisory group that included only representatives from the nursing home industry and labor, but omitted any community advocates, Medicaid experts or even Rhode Islands Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The group met only twice. As union reps, we were informed of the November meeting on extreme short notice and, upon arrival, received an agenda detailing recommendations to suspend the fines and staffing requirements. One month later, the governor issued his first Executive Order suspending the laws fines. Since then, he has issued six Executive Orders suspending the laws fines and finally suspending the law itself. Then, during this past budget cycle, his administration issued $70 million in Medicaid funding increases that failed to include any requirement that the money go toward direct care. This will disproportionately benefit for profit nursing home owners, many of whom are already making significant profits. Most recently, McKee opted to veto the Workforce Standards Board bill, which was bipartisan, passed overwhelmingly by the General Assembly and fought for by caregivers, former residents and family members. In his veto order, the governor said the bill is not a sufficiently comprehensive solution, which is ironic considering his own record of inaction. The board is a critical step needed to bring together impacted stakeholders, including representatives from industry, workers, residents and government to collaborate and find a comprehensive solution. It aims to raise economic standards for caregivers while providing training, enforcing staffing levels, and promoting the proper use of public funds. As nursing home residents continue to suffer from the staffing crisis (currently 38th nationwide); the question remains, if not the Workforce Standards Board or the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act, what then is the plan, Dan? Most immediately, we need legislators to take decisive action to override McKees veto of the Workforce Standards Board bill and fulfill their commitment to the people of Rhode Island. Bigger picture, nursing home caregivers and residents need and deserve a governor who prioritizes their health, safety, and wellbeing. Dan McKee must decide if he wants to be that governor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) If youre not heading out of town this holiday weekend, several events are happening right here in western Massachusetts. Fairs happening Labor Day weekend in Massachusetts Blunt Park in Springfield is hosting the annual Stone Soul Festival this weekend, celebrating African-American culture and community with music, food, and joy. The Stone Soul Festival Parade will happen Saturday stepping off at 9 a.m. from Rebecca Johnson Elementary School and ends with a celebration at Blunt Park, where festivities will continue throughout the weekend. Festa kicked off Thursday in Ludlow, celebrating the areas Portuguese culture with a five-day long festival at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. You can enjoy music, rides, traditional foods, and more! The Three County Fair begins in Northampton, said to be the oldest continuously-running fair in the nation in its 207th year. The fair features rides, food, agricultural competitions, and performances. Blandfords 155th town fair begins Friday as well. Gates open at 8 am every day until Monday. 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. Elon Musk, owner of X - david swanson/Reuters Brazil is preventing Starlink, Elon Musks satellite-internet operation, from conducting financial transactions in the country, the business said Thursday in a post on X, further escalating an already fraught battle between Musk and Brazils highest court. Starlink, part of Musks SpaceX, said it received an order earlier this week that froze its finances and was issued in secret and without due process, which is guaranteed by Brazils constitution. Starlink plans to address the matter legally, it said in a follow-up post. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal SpaceX will provide Starlink internet service to users in Brazil for free until the situation is resolved, Musk said Thursday evening in a post on X. We cannot receive payment, but dont want to cut anyone off, he wrote, pointing to schools and hospitals in remote parts of the country that use Starlink. Brazils Supreme Court didnt respond to a request for comment about Starlink. On Wednesday, the court threatened to ban X within 24 hours unless Musks social-media platform appoints a new legal representative for the country, according to an order the court posted on X. Shortly after the deadline expired Thursday night, X said it expects to be ordered to shut down in the country, implying it didnt adhere to the courts request. Two hours later, the platform was still operational in Brazil. The Supreme Court didnt respond to requests for comment about the ban. Any ban would need to be implemented by the countrys telecommunications companies so it could take hours, or even days, to take effect, said Marcio Chaves, a Sao Paulo-based lawyer and professor in digital law. In recent years, state judges have imposed temporary bans on the messaging app WhatsApp after Facebook refused to provide chat logs related to a criminal investigation. Those bans lasted hours. WhatsApp is used by much of the population in Brazil, meaning the courts faced intense pressure to lift the bans, Chaves said. X is a very different case, it doesnt have the same market share, he said, saying any ban could last much longer. Earlier this month, X said it was closing its operations in Brazil after a monthslong clash with one of the courts justices, who had ordered the platform in April to remove several accounts that were deemed to be propagating hate speech and misinformation. Story continues At the time, X didnt give more specific details on what closing operations would entail, but it didnt affect users ability to access the platform in the country. The order handed down on Wednesday could close off an entire market for X when it has already driven advertisers away, is struggling financially and ranks as the worst buyout for banks since the financial crisis. X didnt respond to a request for comment on Wednesday night. Musk, a self-described free-speech absolutist, initially said he would risk closing Xs Brazil office before complying with the order. Later, X took a more conciliatory tone, saying it was dedicated to preserving our Brazilian office and operations while also vowing to protect free speech. But the fight continued to escalate with the justice, Alexandre de Moraes, opening an investigation into Musk over possible obstruction of justice. Then, on Aug. 17, X said it decided to cease operating in Brazil. X said it closed operations in the South American country to protect the safety of its staff over what it said were threats from de Moraes. Musk said the social-media platform felt it didnt have a choice after the justice issued orders that would require us to break (in secret) Brazilian, Argentine, American and international law. Micah Maidenberg and Samantha Pearson contributed to this article. Write to Meghan Bobrowsky at meghan.bobrowsky@wsj.com Most Read from The Wall Street Journal CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) What was predicted to be the busiest day of Labor Day weekend travel is underway. MassDOT, MBTA, and MassPORT are advising holiday travelers to make informed decisions and plan for their trips. They say, to consider driving during off-peak hours or using public transportation if possible to reach your destinations. Labor Day weekend events in western Mass. AAA says drivers should hit the road early in the morning except for Saturday when the best time to travel is in the afternoon. Boston is listed as one of the top domestic travel destinations, so if you are flying in or out of Logan International Airport, allow for extra time to get to the airport and through security. TSA recommends arriving at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, packing light, and keeping essential belongings in carry-on luggage. Check luggage and check into your flight on mobile apps if you are able..and have your ID or passport out and ready when you get to the desk. If you plan on flying out of Boston, download the flylogan app to access information about the airport, flight status, and other services. 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. Lakelands Rose Dynasty Center says gender-affirming care is off after appeals court ruling Lakelands Rose Dynasty Center says gender-affirming care is off after appeals court ruling LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) This week at the Rose Dynasty Center, news from a federal court of appeals in Georgia came as a shock. Its just a bunch of ignorance and hate and fear mongering thats happening and its sad. Its heartbreaking, said Jason DeShazo, founder of The Rose Dynasty Center, which provides services to members of the LGBTQ+ community. US appeals court clears way for Florida ban on transgender care for minors This week, a federal appeals court in Georgia sided 2-1 with the state of Florida on a law which bans gender-affirming care for minors, including puberty blockers and hormonal treatments, and requires transgender adults be treated by a doctor. These trans folks have no services or are not able to get services with us or other places, DeShazo said. Theyre having to wait 3, 6 months or longer to even get an appointment to see someone. Every Wednesday at Rose Dynasty Center, Pineapple Healthcare has provided gender-affirming care to patients using nurse practitioners, not doctors. Nurse practitioners are literally able to provide care in everything else, said Andres Acosta Ardila with Pineapple Healthcare. This is literally something that is targeting the trans adults, and its literally doing it so they dont have access to care. Ardila said 64 patients of Pineapple Healthcare are impacted by this new law, including patients from the Rose Dynasty Center. The state was right to do what we did, Gov. Ron DeSantis said. Its going to protect people. Its going to avert a lot of harm thats being done in other parts of the country. DeSantis said in an unrelated news conference in Citrus County Tuesday the court ruling was a no brainer and referred to transgender health care treatments as junk science. We just need to be right with whats true and factual, and we cannot get carried away by ideological agendas, DeSantis said. DeSantis also repeatedly referred to the mutilation of children, though experts say it is rare for minors to receive gender-affirming surgery. He also accused health care providers of being motivated by money. Heres the secret on this, DeSantis said. Theres a lot of people that make money on these surgeries. Thats why its going on. We do not go out and search for people to be transgender, DeShazo said. They come to us, and they come to us for services and they know the services are offered. DeShazo and Ardila both said they are working with their patients to find doctors who will provide gender-affirming care moving forward. They hope the law will be appealed again. DeSantis is adamant the law is constitutional. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A landmark bill to ban some dyes in food served at California public schools, aimed at protecting children's health, is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk to be signed into law after passing the state legislature on Thursday. Assembly Bill 2316, also known as the California School Food Safety Act, would prohibit six potentially harmful food dye chemicals from being provided in the state's public schools. It was approved by the California Assembly on Thursday after passing the state Senate earlier in the week. PHOTO: The outdoor cafeteria at Bathgate Elementary School in Mission Viejo, California on Oct. 2, 2019. (Philip Cheung/The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE) "California has a responsibility to protect our students from chemicals that harm children and that can interfere with their ability to learn," Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the legislation back in February, said in a statement Thursday, adding, "This bill will empower schools to better protect the health and well-being of our kids and encourage manufacturers to stop using these harmful additives." Gabriel was previously successful in his efforts to ban potentially harmful food and drink additives in products sold throughout the state through the passage of the California Food Safety Act last year. The legislation bans potassium bromate, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil and Red 3 from food that is manufactured, delivered and sold in the Golden State. Newsom signed the bill into law last October, making California the first state in the U.S. to ban the additives. Under the newly passed California School Food Safety Act, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3 will be banned from food served to students in public schools during regular hours. Toxicologist explains 5 food chemicals that California may ban The bipartisan bill was supported by the Environmental Working Group and Consumer Reports. PHOTO: A bowl of Froot Loops cereal, sold in the US and made with artificial dyes, arranged in the Brooklyn, May 22, 2024. (Lucia Buricelli/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Studies suggest that consumption of the six dyes and colorants banned under A.B. 2316 may be linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children, as the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment outlined in a 2021 report. While there are still thousands of chemicals allowed for use in our country's commercial food system, many of those that have been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration have not been reevaluated for decades. Red 40, for example, was last evaluated for health risks in 1971. Reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics align with this push to reassess the safety of artificial food coloring. "Over the last several decades, studies have raised concerns regarding the effect of [artificial food colorings] on child behavior and their role in exacerbating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms," doctors write. "Further work is needed to better understand the implications of AFC exposure and resolve the uncertainties across the scientific evidence. The available literature should be interpreted with caution because of the absence of information about the ingredients for a number of reasons, including patent protection." Dr. Stephanie Widmer, an ABC News medical contributor, board-certified emergency medicine physician and toxicologist, told "Good Morning America" previously, while discussing California's earlier harmful chemical ban, "These chemicals are all kind of in different foods and all exert different effects and different concerns." "Some of them are associated with neurological problems, some are reproductive problems, some have been linked to cancer," Widmer said at the time. "It really depends on the substance." Landmark bill banning some dyes in food served in California schools passes originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Landmark grain silos to be torn down. Theyve stood near downtown Fresno nearly 80 years A towering cluster of grain silos that has stood for nearly 80 years just north of downtown Fresno will soon be coming down, said the owners of the property, Producers Dairy. The three-acre site includes the 100-foot high silos and a two-story brick building, and hasnt been operational in years. Extensive scavenging, mostly for copper wire, along with vandalism and deteriorated conditions have left the once mighty feed mill unusable and unsafe. Built in 1948 by the J.B. Hill Company, a supplier of hay, grain, seed, poultry and stock feed, the mill became one of the largest grain and feed processors in the state, according to city records. The property changed hands in 1979, with Zacky Farms owning and operating it until 2012. The last owner of the property was Bels Poultry of Sanger, which sold it to Producers Dairy about five years ago for an undisclosed sum. Standing nearly 10 stories high, the weathered gray silos can be seen for miles on a clear day. The former Zacky Farms feed silos, lower left, stand near Highway 180 and downtown Fresno on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Producers Dairy, which now owns the land the silos are on, is planning on demolishing them. Passersby will already notice a multi-level scaffolding has been erected on one side of the silos in preparation of removing asbestos from the structure. The silos, along with a grain elevator, and buildings will be systematically deconstructed in a mechanical process, from the top down over the next few months, Producers Dairy officials told The Bee. Producers Dairy, through an affiliated entity, bought the property and plans to clear the space for a future use. Although the company did not say what those plans might be, it did say it is actively working to find solutions to promote and enhance the Tower District, address concerns that have been raised regarding industrial land uses, reduce traffic in residential areas, and beautify the area. During the demolition, Producers Dairy will not need to close H Street and the dairy has no plans to propose closing H Street. Producers Dairy and impact on neighborhood Residents and advocates in the south Tower area clashed with Producers Dairy about four years ago over a truck parking lot on Roosevelt and Belmont Avenues. Neighbors were concerned about increased semi-truck traffic, worsening air quality and pedestrian safety. Kiel Lopez-Schmidt, executive director of the South Tower Community Land Trust, proposes Producers Dairy use the old feed mill property on H street for a new parking lot. I want to see them do better and make a solid commitment to the neighborhood, Schmidt said. Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias, who represents that area of the city, said he would also like to see the Producers trucks moved from the Belmont Avenue parking lot. Two brick buildings on the property that were once the home of the Central Valley Cheese Co. could also be renovated and used as a community or cultural center, Arias said. Founded in 1932, Producers Dairy is headquartered on Belmont and Palm avenues in a sprawling 13-acre site where it producers numerous dairy products including milk. It employs approximately 500 people, of which about 300 live within a 10-mile radius of the plant, according to company officials. A Producers Dairy truck drives by the tall feed silos on H Street near Palm Avenue in Fresno on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The feed silos were once used by Zacky Farms and are now owned by Producers, which plans on demolishing them from the site theyve stood at for nearly 80 years. Las Vegas driver accused in fatal DUI hit-and-run was out of custody on 3rd DUI arrest Las Vegas driver accused in fatal DUI hit-and-run was out of custody on 3rd DUI arrest LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man accused of driving impaired and colliding with a motorcycle passenger, killing her, was out of custody on his third DUI arrest in recent years, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Officers arrested Corey Carr, 41, on charges of DUI resulting in death and duty to stop at the scene of an accident involving death, records said. On Thursday, Aug. 22 around 11:15 p.m., Carr allegedly drove impaired on Flamingo Road near Decatur Boulevard and collided with a Breanna Trace, who was a passenger on a motorcycle, documents said. Officers believe the motorcyclist and Trace stood up in the road before Carr fatally hit Trace and left the area. According to documents, another driver followed Carr to a nearby apartment complex and watched Carr run from the car without shoes on. Officers arrested Corey Carr, 41, on charges of DUI resulting in death and duty to stop at the scene of an accident involving death, records said. (LVMPD/KLAS) Officers located Carr and asked him about the crash, documents said. While speaking with officers, Carr admitted to buying alcohol at a Chinatown liquor store before driving, documents said. At the time of his arrest, Carr was out of custody on his third DUI since 2020, documents said. Carr was convicted of two DUIs in December 2020 and arrested again earlier this year, records said. On May 17, officers stopped Carr near the same intersection after they said he was driving 60 mph on Flamingo Road in a 35-mph zone. While speaking with Carr, officers suspected he was impaired. During his initial appearance in court later that same day, a judge could not legally hold Carr nor set bail because a criminal complaint was not filed. The practice is standard in DUI cases as prosecutors await a defendants blood results. Records show prosecutors filed their criminal complaint for Carrs May 17 DUI arrest on Aug. 22, the same day as his fourth DUI arrest. In Carrs most recent case, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer denied setting bail. A preliminary hearing in Carrs most recent DUI case was scheduled for Sept. 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 KLAS. DES MOINES, Iowa A Las Vegas man has been convicted of second-degree murder after shooting and killing a man in Drake-area bar. On Friday, a Polk County jury convicted James Mikale Wiggins of second-degree murder for the shooting of Tyrone Hutchins. The shooting took place in December of 2022 at 2314 University Avenue, a Drake bar called Ricos. Wiggins argued he was acting in self-defense, claiming as he was entering the bar Hutchins was running out of the bar and was armed. The prosecution argued that based on evidence gathered through social media posts, the shooting was planned. Hutchins and some friends had mentioned plans to visit the bar in a social media post made days in advance. Wiggins and several associates arrived at the bar and proceeded to confront Hutchins. Surveillance video shows that Wiggins was sitting at the exit as Hutchins went to leave the bar. The jury deliberated for a day before announcing the verdict. Wiggins will be sentenced on October 14, second-degree murder carries a sentence of 50 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two men from Las Vegas are acccused of human smuggling after being arrested in Arizona, according to the Conchise County Sheriffs Office. The arrests took place on Wednesday shortly before 2 p.m. by sheriff deputies in southern Arizona. Casey Olaf Sandoval, 25, and Julio Gutierrez, 25, of Las Vegas, face felony charges of human smuggling, according to the sheriffs office. Sandoval had a previous charge/conviction for attempted murder in Nevada. Gutierrez had an outstanding felony warrant for robbery in Nevada as well, according to Cochise County Sherriffs Office. Casey Olaf Sandoval, 25, and Julio Gutierrez, 25, both of Las Vegas, face felony charges of human smuggling, after being arrested in Arizona, according to the Cochise Sheriffs Office. (Conchise Sherrifs Office) The arrests took place while deputies were attempting to make a traffic stop on a 2015 Chevy Silverado with Nevada license plates. The truck appeared to pull over to the side of the road near Highway 92 and South Hereford Road in Cochise County before deputies saw a man dressed in camouflage run to the truck and get inside, according to Cochise County. As the deputies initiated the stop, the trucks driver initially failed to yield before pulling over and a man dressed in camouflage ran from the truck. The two men were then taken to the Cochise County Jail. U.S. Border Patrol responded to the area and located the man who ran from the scene. The investigation is being continued by the Cochise 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 KLAS. Latest Moab flood leaks into businesses, mayor says one bridge is at fault Latest Moab flood leaks into businesses, mayor says one bridge is at fault MOAB, Utah (KREX) On Friday, a rainstorm dropping an inch of water in just 30 minutes sent a torrent of water through the small town of Moab that overwhelmed a bridge on 300 South. Arches National Park Public Affairs Specialist Karen Henker says even Arches National Park was forced to close Delicate Arch Road for a brief period. Gas station clerk Sean Mohler says his 7-Eleven was out of the way of the flood, but not everyone was so lucky. Desert Wild Manager Chelsea Cobb tells WesternSlopeNow her store had to close early because of the flooding. Thankfully, fast-acting workers stacked enough sandbags in front of the door to prevent any water from getting inside. This isnt the first time, she says. Assistant Manager at Glorias Cafe Martin Gonzales says his restaurant was also prepared with sandbags and a metal gate for this flood after learning a hard lesson two years ago. Merchandise and equipment were damaged in the kitchen and basement from a previous flood. Glorias Cafe and Desert Wild were able to stop the water this time, but unfortunately, bartender Marie Griffin tells WesternSlopeNow Deweys Restaurant and Bar was not the whole building held more than a foot of water at one point, according to Griffin. Deweys bar server Chris Boucher says the city needs to build a dam out in the desert soon to help prevent any further floods. Moab mayor Joette Langianese says Mill Creek got more water than it could handle and started to overflow, but one bridge, in particular, accelerated the problem by catching all of the debris. She says removing the bridge could reduce flooding by 80%. The damaged railing on top of the bridge has already been removed, but Langianese hopes to see this bridge torn down and replaced within the next couple 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. A corporation that operates agriculture assets as investments for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced this week that it filed to voluntarily annex 52,450 acres of a ranch to Orlando for future planning purposes. Putting this Deseret Ranch property under a single municipal government will avoid the piecemeal planning of the past, Farmland Reserve President Doug Rose said in a news release. We look forward to working with the City of Orlando, a municipality known worldwide for its superb quality of life, strong community culture and growing high-tech economy. Orlando currently consists of 87,888 acres, according to city spokeswoman Ashley Papagni. The Deseret Ranch cattle ranches cover 300,000 acres in central Florida. It is the flagship cattle operation of AgReserves, a Farmland Reserve subsidiary that is a for-profit investment affiliate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The returns earned by the ranches support the churchs religious, humanitarian, educational and charitable good works. Deseret Ranches has a herd of 42,500 cows in 14 management units. The operation also includes citrus orchards, sod farms, solar panels and water management. The proposed annexation would add about 17% of the Deseret Ranch land to Orlandos city limits as the East Orlando Deseret Ranch planning area, the news release said. Any planning or potential development would take decades. The land would remain in agriculture while Orlando and Farmland Reserve work together to manage the citys growth into the area, according to the Farmland Reserve news release. Ravell Call, Deseret News Deseret Cattle & Citrus was founded in 1950 with 50,000 acres of cutover timberland and low-quality grassland. The acreage quickly quadrupled. Today it sprawls across Orange, Osceola and Brevard counties. The decision to petition for annexation of some of the land with Orlando comes as Orange County voters consider a Nov. 5 ballot initiative that would grant the county power to veto voluntary annexations. Developers have sued to block the initiative from the ballot. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the initiative is necessary because Central Florida and Orange County have experienced record growth across decades, creating pressure on ecological, environmental and transportation systems, he said in a statement. I have the greatest admiration for Farmland Reserve and the management team of Deseret Ranch, Demings said. Orange County has enjoyed a lengthy, harmonious relationship with the leadership of the organization for decades. Deseret Ranch has been responsible landowners during that time and Orange County has worked with them for the last decade or so in perfecting their 70-plus-year vision plan on responsible and sustainable growth. Orlando did not seek the Deseret Ranch annexation, said Papagni, the city spokeswoman. Ravell Call, Deseret News One of the unintended consequences of the countys decision to proceed with a functional ban on voluntary annexations is that landowners and residents are now confronted with expediting planning efforts that they may have undertaken over the next several years into the next couple of months to avail themselves of rights that the proposed annexation charter amendment may foreclose, Papagni said in a statement. We would prefer not to have these decisions made in such compressed timeframes, she added, but given the circumstances imposed by the county and our obligation to protect the best interest of our taxpayers and residents, we must review these applications and make a decision on them before a county charter amendment might go into effect. Farmland Reserve has invested in agriculture for the church for 100 years as a safe, prudent way to preserve and grow the churchs financial reserves, according to its website. The Deseret Ranch websites Future of the Region page says that Floridas growth arrived on its doorstep decades ago. Today, the Orlando airport is just a few miles from one end of the ranch. Floridas Space Coast is an hour to the east, as are Disney World and the states famous beaches. Farmland Reserve and Deseret Ranch have declined many offers to sell pieces of the ranch for more than 70 years, the website says. Deseret (Ranch) occupies a key location in the region and has been a strong proponent of long-range planning, the site says. Wise planning will result in more efficient land use, better economic development, preservation of key natural areas, and the perpetuation of agriculture for generations to come. Elon Musk has stepped up online attacks on a Supreme Court judge threatening to suspend social media platform X in Brazil, calling him an evil dictator in an ongoing feud between the two men. Justice Alexandre de Moraes had threatened to suspend X if Musk did not appoint a new legal representative of the company in Brazil and settle any outstanding daily fines within 24 hours. Alexandre de Moraes is an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge, the worlds richest person wrote on X. Musk, who had previously called de Moraes Darth Vader, retweeted a statement from Xs Global Government Affairs team saying it would publish the judges illegal demands and all related court filings in the coming days. Brazil is a major market for social media platforms. About 40 million Brazilians, or about 18% of the population, access X at least once per month, according to the Associated Press. The trash talking marks the latest salvo in Musks feud with de Moraes, which centers on arguments over free speech and alleged disinformation. X announced earlier this month that it would close its operations and fire its staff in Brazil due to what it called censorship orders from the judge. De Moraes had ordered the social media company to block several X accounts he said were spreading disinformation. The latest statement, which was signed by de Moraes, was also shared on the Supreme Courts official X account, tagging both Musk and Xs Global Government Affairs account. The statement from the Supreme Court was posted at around 8.30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, giving Musk until Thursday evening local time to respond. Censorship orders On August 17, X published a lengthy statement saying it would be forced to close operations and fire staff in Brazil due to de Moraes censorship orders. Despite our numerous appeals to the Supreme Court not being heard, the Brazilian public not being informed about these orders and our Brazilian staff having no responsibility or control over whether content is blocked on our platform, Moraes has chosen to threaten our staff in Brazil rather than respect the law or due process, the X statement said. As a result, to protect the safety of our staff, we have made the decision to close our operation in Brazil, effective immediately. The X service remains available to the people of Brazil. We are deeply saddened that we have been forced to make this decision. The responsibility lies solely with Alexandre de Moraes. Later that day, Musk reiterated the official X statement, saying his company had no choice but to close Brazilian operations. Story continues Due to demands by Justice Alexandre [de Moraes] in Brazil that would require us to break (in secret) Brazilian, Argentinian, American and international law, X has no choice but to close our local operations in Brazil, he said in an X post. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) On Wednesday, a message perceived as a threat toward Morgantown High School was posted online to Snapchat, prompting officials to immediately report it to the FBI and local law enforcement, according to Superintendent Eddie Campbell Jr. Campbell said that the investigation determined Wednesday afternoon that the threat was posted by an individual located in Missouri who was never a student of Morgantown High School nor had any connection to Monongalia County Schools. However, Campbell said that the only connection that was found throughout the course of the investigation was that this person had some type of relationship with a former student of the Monongalia County Schools. According to Campbell, this former student parted ways with Monongalia County Schools back when they were in middle school and currently lives in Upshur County. Theyre presumed to be attending Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Mon County Schools closing Friday for anticipated traffic Superintendent Campbell was unable to provide any more details when 12 News reached out, but he did say that families shouldnt be concerned about this incident at all. We were able to get on this right away, Campbell said. I believe the FBI has been in direct contact with both individuals and have determined that there is no immediate threat. Theres no threat period to Morgantown High School or any of our schools in Morgantown. Campbell said that this information was relayed to parents Wednesday evening and that Monongalia County School is confident in working with our authorities that all of our students arein well-being. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Did the state of South Carolina impose a double standard on transgender individuals, denying them access to basic medical care? That is the argument put forward in a lawsuit filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union and its South Carolina chapter on behalf of seven transgender individuals and their family members in opposition to a new state law, banning many forms of gender-affirming care. The lawsuit, filed along with New York-law firm Selendy Gay, alleges that the law, H. 4624, gravely threatens the health and well-being of transgender adolescents and adults in South Carolina. Signed into law by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster in May, the Help Not Harm law prevents doctors from providing medical interventions including surgeries, puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapies for people under the age of 18 who are looking to transition to another gender. The law also prohibits either public funds or Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care, regardless of the age of the patient. The plaintiffs of the case, all but one who have filed anonymously, include two minors and their parents, who would lose access gender-affirming care when the laws full ban on treatment take effect Jan. 31, 2025. The other plaintiffs are three adults whose access to gender-affirming care has already disrupted by changes, which took effect in August. While many of these medical remain available for South Carolinians seeking treatment for conditions such as cancer or hormonal condition, or for non-medical reasons in the case of some breast augmentation surgeries, the law limits, and in some cases bans their use for individuals seeking those treatments for the purposes of gender-affirming care. This double standard violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because it draws distinctions based on sex and transgender status, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for South Carolina in Charleston. A law that takes away healthcare from people, that strips away the ability of parents to make medical decisions for their children, that criminalizes doctors who follow the established standards of care isnt just mean-spirited and harmful its also unconstitutional, said Jace Woodrum, executive director of the ACLU of South Carolina in a statement. Transgender South Carolinians should be able to get the medical care they need without politicians coming into their doctors offices with them. The lawsuit names as defendants South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and its Director Robert Kerr, South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority and its director Peggy Boykin, as well as the Medical University of South Carolina and its board of directors. Representatives of both the Attorney Generals Office and health and human services declined to comment, stating that they did not comment on pending litigation. The State contacted both the benefit authority and MUSC. Whats in the lawsuit? While supporters of the new law have characterized gender-affirming care for minors as experimental and permanently life-altering, the ACLU argues that the procedures have been found medically necessary and come with sufficient guardrails for minors. The 61-page lawsuit is seeking to block three key provisions in the new law. This would effectively overturn prohibitions on medical professionals providing gender-affirming care to South Carolinians under age 18, as well as prohibitions on the use of public funds for gender-affirming care for South Carolinians of all ages and the coverage of gender-affirming care under South Carolinas Medicaid program. Before the passage of H. 4624, the ACLU argued that health care providers in South Carolina followed evidence-based guidelines from organizations like World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the Endocrine Society, which are recognized by the all major American medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many of these treatments, including hormone replacement therapies and breast augmentations and reductions, are available to people who identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. Hormone treatments, for instance, are used in the treatment of endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as prostate and breast cancers. Puberty blockers are used in the treatment of central precocious puberty a condition that causes the early onset of puberty. However, they are not available for the purposes of gender reassignment. This distinction reveals that the purpose of H. 4624 is not to regulate harmful medical practices or protect the public but to deny transgender people seeking treatment for gender dysphoriaand only transgender people seeking treatment for gender dysphoria access to medical care permitted for nontransgender people, according to the lawsuit. Who are the plaintiffs? Sterling Misanin, a 32-year-old transgender man living in Charleston, S.C., is one of seven plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. He is the only one not using a pseudonym. In the lawsuit, Misanin describes asking to be referred to as he and him as early as the age of five. While he started dressing in a masculine fashion during college, he did not come out until 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the lawsuit. Earlier this year, after receiving pre-authorization through his private insurer, he planned to have gender-affirming surgery at a MUSC health facility. But following the passage of H. 4624, MUSC denied the treatment, citing the new law. The actions by MUSC have caused me significant harm, and I am devastated that my state has interfered in my access to life-saving health care. I am an adult, and I know myself better than my state does, and I cannot stay silent about the very real harms that this law inflicts on transgender people like me, Misanin said in a statement released through the ACLU. Like Misanin, the other plaintiffs characterized the new law as preventing them from receiving necessary medical care. All seven plaintiffs are described as being diagnosed with gender dysphoria, defined by the Mayo Clinic as a feeling of discomfort or distress that can occur when an individuals gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics. 17-year-old Grant Goe, a pseudonym, described experiencing anxiety and mental anguish throughout puberty because he did not feel like he fit in his body. Another plaintiff, 15-year-old Nina Noe, also a pseudonym, described how similar feelings of distress lessened after she was able to, with her parents support, take estrogen through hormone replacement therapy, which will no longer be available to her after laws statutory taper-off period ends Jan. 31, 2025. According to the lawsuit, Noe also no longer has access to insurance coverage through this treatment through Medicaid due to the laws ban on Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. One adult plaintiff, 32-year-old Jane Doe, had to cancel her planned surgeries after the benefit authority said that the treatment would no longer be covered by insurance under of H. 4624. As a result of the new law, some are taking dramatic steps, according to the ACLU. Transgender individuals and the parents of transgender teens with the means to do so are making plans to uproot their lives and their families by fleeing the State in order to protect their childrens health and safety, according to the lawsuit. Activists gather on the Statehouse steps with signs and transgender flags Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. A Senate committee advanced a bill that would ban gender transition surgery, hormone therapy and puberty-blocking drugs for minors Thursday. (Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) A group of South Carolina transgender adults, children, and their parents are suing to block a state law meant to restrict transgender medical care for youth. The lawsuit was filed in federal court Thursday afternoon, according to the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The lead plaintiff, Sterling Misanin, a 32 year old transgender man, is suing after the Medical University of South Carolina canceled a planned surgery for him due to the new law. The actions by MUSC have caused me significant harm, and I am devastated that my state has interfered in my access to life-saving health care, Misanin was quoted as saying in a press release. I am an adult, and I know myself better than my state does. The law, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed in May, bans doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or gender-transitioning hormone therapy to transgender youth under the age of 18. While the laws primary focus was banning the treatments for children, it included a sentence that prohibited the use of public funds directly or indirectly for gender transition procedures. Because MUSC gets public funds, it ended all gender transition care this summer. Besides Misanin, the plaintiffs include two parents and their children who will be unable to receive care when the law takes effect on Jan. 31 of next year, according to the release, and two transgender adults who receive healthcare through the state health insurance plan. The American Civil Liberties Union, along with attorneys from the law firm Selendy Gay, are representing them. The plaintiffs want the federal court to stop three aspects of the law the barring of gender transition care for those under 18, a block on the use of state funds for gender transition care and a ban on the use of state-provided Medicaid funds for the same purpose. The lawsuit argues South Carolinas law violates constitutional rights to equal protection, along with anti-discrimination measures that are part of several other federal laws. It names state Attorney General Alan Wilson, MUSC, the state health care plan and others as the defendant. We dont comment on pending litigation, but we can say we will vigorously defend the states laws, wrote Robert Kittle, spokesperson for Wilson. Gov. Henry McMaster also stood by the law he signed. I was proud to sign the Help Not Harm Bill into law, and I will continue to support our States efforts to fight back against those who wish to force harmful gender transition procedures on our children, he said in a statement Thursday evening. South Carolina is one of a number of states that has passed restrictions on transgender care in recent years. The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld Alabamas law restricting gender transition care for minors. But Jace Woodrum, executive director of the state ACLU, said that there is federal court precedent for the ACLUs argument in South Carolina, which is in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. In April, the 4th Circuit upheld a ruling that North Carolina could not block gender transition care for people on the state healthcare plan. It also ruled that West Virginia could not block such care for people on Medicaid. The ban on medically necessary healthcare for transgender people in our state is not only mean spirited and harmful, its unconstitutional, Woodrun told the SC Daily Gazette. South Carolina H 4624 2024.08.29 Complaint CHESAPEAKE A new lawsuit filed by the chairman of the Virginia Tea Party seeks to remove Don Carey from the ballot in the city mayors race as he faces questions about whether he should have stepped down from the City Council to run. Chesapeake resident Nelson Velez filed the lawsuit in Chesapeake Circuit Court this week, asking the court to compel the Virginia Department of Elections and the local registrar to find Carey ineligible to run, remove him from the ballots and delay printing them. Its the second legal action taken amid an ongoing dispute over Careys candidacy. A majority of City Council members in July approved a lawsuit seeking to compel him to resign his council seat. At issue is a resign-to-run provision on the books in Chesapeake that requires any council member running for mayor to vacate their council seat by June 30. The provision was established when Chesapeake held city elections in May, but it was not altered when the General Assembly acted in 2021 to shift city elections to November. Careys council term will end Dec. 31. Velezs complaint states because Carey didnt resign, he didnt fulfill all necessary requirements to be a mayoral candidate. Reached by phone Friday, Carey said the move was disheartening and anti-democratic. Its just an attempt to disenfranchise not only myself, but the people that I represent and the issues that were fighting for, he said. I would have never thought to see something like this happening in the city of Chesapeake. Related Articles Carey and Mary Lynn Pinkerman, the citys elections registrar, confirmed to The Virginian-Pilot that Carey filed all necessary documentation to be considered a candidate. Pinkerman, whos named in the complaint, didnt comment on the pending litigation. Velezs complaint, which seeks an emergency injunction, urges a hearing no later than Tuesday, but as of Friday, no hearing was scheduled. His attorney, Christopher Woodfin of Woodfin Law in Williamsburg, told The Pilot on Friday that Chesapeake judges have recused themselves, and a judge is being appointed. Still, hes confident the court will expedite the process before the election. Its also unclear when the City Councils lawsuit will be heard. All Chesapeake Circuit Court judges also have recused themselves in that case and no hearing was on the docket as of Friday. When Carey declared his candidacy in March, he announced he was switching political parties to become a Democrat in the nonpartisan election. He is running against incumbent Rick West in the Nov. 5 election. Pinkerman said the window for creating, proofing, printing and delivering ballots begins Sept. 6 and spans to Sept. 20, the start of early voting at the registrars office. Velezs complaint also states that if Carey is included on ballots, he asks that Carey be forced to resign as a council member and pay back the salary he earned after June 30. Reached by phone Friday, Velez said he filed the lawsuit because he needed to act before the start of early voting. I pretty much filed it because Im a citizen of Chesapeake, and Im concerned about this absolute disregard of law, he said. John OBannon, the chair of the Virginia Board of Elections, also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit. He did not respond to a request for comment. Andrea Gaines, a Virginia Department of Elections spokesperson, declined to comment on the pending litigation. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com LCPD: 28-year-old woman arrested in stabbing death EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 28-year-old woman was arrested Thursday, Aug. 29 for allegedly stabbing and killing a 30-year-old man, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) announced in a news release. At 11:45 a.m. Aug. 29, officers were dispatched to the report of a domestic disturbance at the 1900 block of Buchanan Avenue. LCPD said officers arrived and discovered Michael Mata, 30, with multiple stab wounds. Mata was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries, according to LCPD. LCPD said investigators gathered information that identified Selena Carrillo, 28, as a suspect in Matas death. Carrillo was arrested and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. She was charged with 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 KTSM 9 News. At least 3 injured in Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. At least three people have been injured in a Russian "double-tap" attack on the community of Seredyna-Buda in Sumy Oblast, the region's military administration said on Aug. 29. An unspecified number of additional casualties were also reported in the regional capital, Sumy, overnight following a Russian airstrike on the city. No further information was immediately available on the aftermath of the strike. In Seredyna-Buda, a 38-year-old man was initially injured during a Russian drone strike. While emergency services were on scene, Russia struck the site with another drone attack, injuring an on-duty police officer as well as a 57-year-old civilian. No information was available on the status of the victims' injuries. Throughout the day on Aug. 29, Russian forces struck neighboring communities 198 time in 78 different attacks. Residents in Sumy Oblast are subjected to daily attacks on the region. The security situation in Sumy Oblast became more tense with the start of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into neighboring Kursk Oblast in Russia, which began on Aug. 6. On Aug. 27, 16 people were injured in attacks on 12 community in the region. On Aug. 20, amid ongoing attacks on the region, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko told reporters that authorities are planning to evacuate a total of 45,000 residents from Sumy Oblast. Approximately 21,000 residents have been evacuated from Sumy Oblast thus far, including 5,000 children, Klymenko added. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NEW YORK A house explosion in East Flatbush, Brooklyn left at least four people hurt Thursday night, police say. The blast ripped through a two-story home around 8:30 p.m. on East 37th Street between Farragut Road and Foster Avenue. Fire marshals determined the explosion was likely caused by a natural gas leak in the basement, the FDNY said on social media. The Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order for three address on the block, and National Grid shut off the gas service. The Red Cross is helping four adults, one child and one dog who have been forced to relocate. The DOB also issued a violation for the basement apartment, which it says was built without a permit. Man severely burned in Brooklyn house explosion FDNY Assistant Chief Tom Currao said when crews arrived on the scene, they found two victims outside and two victims on the top floor of the building. According to Currao, there was glass all over the street and obvious structural damage to the building. "Quite a powerful explosion, ripped right through the dwelling, as well as caused significant damage to the rear of the dwelling," he said. Currao said three victims suffered serious injuries: two were taken to a local hospital with burns and potential respiratory injuries, and a third was taken to a local hospital to be treated for cuts and contusions. A fourth victim was treated on the scene. Police later put out an update, saying four people were treated at Staten Island University Hospital, including a 63-year-old man who suffered severe burns to his body. The other victims, ages 47 to 73, were treated for minor injuries and listed in stable condition. Structural concerns after Brooklyn house explosion According to Currao, two adjacent homes had to be evacuated as a precaution, and firefighters raised concerns about the stability of the buildings. "Very significant damage. Windows that were blown out. The back, the structural part of the building actually is damaged and blown out as well. Very significant type of explosion," he said. DOB inspectors arrived overnight and determined the explosion damaged floor joists, a rear facade and the walls between the neighboring buildings. Neighbors say they smelled gas after explosion Neighbors told CBS News New York's Ali Bauman they heard and felt a large bang, then smelled gas in the air. "I heard a loud bang. I assumed it was a truck that hit the building, but I saw my neighbor's front door in the middle of the sidewalk and that was time to get out of there," one neighbor said. "We rushed out of the house and we saw people starting to gather on the streets, and there was smoke coming from this direction. So as we ran to the house to see what was happening, that's when we saw the two victims just staggering out of the house," another neighbor said. Video shows northern lights shining over erupting Iceland volcano Trump says Florida's 6-week abortion ban is too short Kamala Harris vows to prioritize economy, addresses policy reversals in interview HONOLULU (KHON2) Record crowds are expected this weekend as millions head out for Labor Day holiday travel. WakeUp2days Chris Latronic went live from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to learn more with HDOTs Deputy Director of Transportation for Airports, Curt Otaguro. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The Transportation Security Administration anticipates screening more than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday, a record for the Labor Day period. Domestic travel over the 2024 Labor Day weekend is forecast to be up 9% compared with last year, according to AAA. United Airlines flight attendants prepared to strike On Friday, the agency expects to screen 2.86 million people. While an impressive number, it doesnt break the record for most screenings in TSAs history. The single-day record of 3.01 million was set on July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day. To best prepare for the travel weekend, travelers are advised to be proactive and leave early. Everything will take longer than you expect, including getting through airport security. If you plan to park at the airport, make sure there will be spaces available when you arrive. Travelers should also be on the lookout for the weather. KHON2 is tracking storms that could cause potential flight delays. One last tip is to travel with Aloha. While flight cancellations and bumper-to-bumper traffic is frustrating, odds are you wont be the only one who is stuck. Customer service agents are busy during peak travel periods, so its important to be patient and respectful while they try to help you. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. From now on, the citizens of San Luis Obispo County will draw the their own supervisorial district boundaries instead of elected officials. The California Legislature passed Senate Bill 977 on Tuesday, establishing an independent redistricting commission for SLO County. The final step is for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign off on the legislation. Unless he vetoes SB 977, the bill will become state law. Every 10 years, the county updates the boundaries of its five supervisorial districts according to population changes reflected by the most recent federal census. Historically, those lines have been decided on by the Board of Supervisors, but now, an 11-member group of appointed citizens will be responsible for redistricting the county. This bill ensures that future redistricting processes in San Luis Obispo are conducted through a neutral, nonpartisan process, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, said at the State Assembly on Monday. It was passed off the Senate floor on a 31-8 and the Assembly by a 60-15 vote with 4 representatives abstaining. Community members first asked for an independent redistricting commission in 2021 after the previous board approved a radically redrawn district map that favored Republicans, according to an analysis by The Tribune. An independent redistricting commission for SLO County? Yes please! | Opinion In response, the San Luis Obispo County Citizens for Good Government formed and sued the county, arguing that the map was gerrymandered. The SLO County League of Women Voters later joined the lawsuit. On March 21, 2023, the board settled the lawsuit, tossed out the redrawn map and adopted a new one a month later. The county could have established the redistricting commission through a board vote or via ballot measure, but these options could cost the county millions as it would be required to fund the independent commission, according to county administrator Sarah Hayter. By creating the commission through state law, the state Legislature takes on responsibility for funding and approving any future changes to the commission. In January of this year, the SLO County Board of Supervisors voted to direct county staff to work with state Sen. John Lairds office to author SB 977. Laird, D-Santa Cruz, co-wrote the bill with Addis. It passed through through the state Senate and Assembly floors this week, marking the final votes needed before the bill is sent to the governor for his signature. I am pleased that the Legislature recognizes the value of independent redistricting as a sensible tool in promoting good governance, Laird wrote in a statement to The Tribune. This decision is in the best interest of the citizens of San Luis Obispo County, ensuring fair representation and strengthening the publics trust in our electoral process. SLO County supervisors move to create independent redistricting commission State Senator John Laird, a Santa Cruz Democrat, represents California's 17th Senate District. Who will serve on the commission? The independent commission will consist of 11 members, the same size as Santa Barbara Countys commission, which was established in 2019 through a ballot measure passed by voters. Seven other counties, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Fresno and Kern, have independent redistricting commissions created by state legislation. They have 14 members because they exist in larger counties. SB 977 reduces membership to 11 commissioners to address concerns related to the San Luis Obispo Countys drastically smaller population, Addis said. The political party preferences of commissioners will be more or less proportional to the party leanings of registered voters from the countys most recent election. At least one commissioner will come from each of the five existing supervisor districts. According to the bill, a new Citizens Redistricting Commission will be created before the redistricting process every decade. The first commission will be formed by Dec. 31, 2030. Appointed commissioners will be required to meet a number of qualifications, including having been continuously registered with the same political party, or no party preference, for at least five years prior and having voted in at least one of three statewide elections preceding their application to the commission. In accordance with the state election code, county supervisors wont be able to appoint commissioners. State code also disqualifies applicants who previously served as a county supervisor, worked for a supervisor or their campaign, worked for a political party central committee, contributed more than $500 to a supervisorial candidate, or had been registered to lobby the board during the past eight years. SB 977 adds its own disqualifying criteria, too. The Senate bill prohibits any commissioner from endorsing, working for, volunteering for or making a campaign contribution to any candidate for any county office. It also prohibits commissioners from running in any county election that used the district boundaries they drew or that takes place within five years after their term. They also cannot be employed by, consult or register as a lobbyist for the county for four years following their appointment to the commission. If any applicant or commissioner violates these rules, they could be removed for neglecting their duties. SLO County will create an independent redistricting commission. Heres how it will happen Those interested in being a commissioner will be able to apply through the county elections official, who will review the applications and eliminate applicants who do not meet the specified qualifications. From this pool of qualified applicants, the county elections official will select up to 60 people. Their names will be made public for at least 30 days. The language of the bill also specifies that the county elections official is not allowed to communicate with the Board of Supervisors about any matter related to the nomination process or applicants before the publication of the final applicant list. The selection process is designed to produce a commission that is independent from the influence of the board and reasonably representative of the countys diversity, SB 977 reads. After the list has been made public, the county elections official will create a subpool of applicants from each district. At the next board meeting, the clerk of the board will randomly draw one commissioner from each of the five subpools. Those five randomly selected commissioners will then appoint the other six members from the remaining pool of applicants. They are required by the law to interview their chosen finalists and allow for public comment on their selections before they make their final appointments. In order to be appointed, an applicant must receive the vote of at least three of the five selected commissioners. The law requires that commissioners be chosen based on relevant experience, analytical skills and ability to be impartial. The elected commissioners are also instructed to consider applicants political party preference, but the six additional commissioners do not need to be selected from the district specific subpools. The commission member selection process features requirements that intend to weed out partisan extremes and allow for the commission to craft new boundary lines that fairly and accurately represent the citizens of San Luis Obispo County, Addis said on the Assembly floor on Monday. State Assembly member Dawn Addis represents California's 30th Assembly District. She co-authored Senate Bill 977 with Sen. John Laird. How will the commission draw new district maps? According to state elections code, the commission must follow the state Fair Maps Act which prohibits gerrymandering and sets forth fair, standardized redistricting criteria in the process of drafting the county map. The bill instructs the commission to draw maps based on population changes within the county reflected in the most recent federal census. The commission will hold five public meetings before it draws the map, one in each district, and another three after it has drafted a map. The bill requires these hearings to be scheduled at various times and days of the week to accommodate for different work schedules and to reach as large an audience as possible, and for the calendar and agendas of these meetings to be made public. Finally, the commission will file its final redistricted map with the county elections official along with a report that explains the basis on which the commission made its decisions. The bill also details a number of confidentiality precautions, including prohibiting commissioners from communicating with anyone regarding redistricting matters outside of a public meetings and requires. The Board of Supervisors split in their support for SB 977 The decision to establish an independent redistricting commission aims to remove political influence from the redistricting process, but it has not been without debate among SLO Countys elected officials. The Board of Supervisors was split 3-2 in its vote in January to work with Lairds office to write SB 977. At least one of the dissenting supervisors felt that the board was better equipped to manage district maps than the state Legislature or the citizens of the county. I dont think the Legislature always represents the people of San Luis Obispo County, Supervisor Debbie Arnold said at the Jan. 17 meeting. At the same meeting, Supervisor John Peschong, who also voted against the motion, raised financial concerns over the cost of the initiative, which Supervisor Bruce Gibson put at a million dollars over 10 years. Supervisors Jimmy Paulding, Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Gibson, who all voted in support of the bills creation in January, still stand by their decision today. I think its important to remove the politicians from the process of choosing their voters by manipulating district boundaries, Paulding told The Tribune on Thursday. The gerrymandering that happened before ... really proved that and it eroded the publics trust in the county. I think this is a step toward rebuilding that public trust. Gibson said that setting up the commission through state law establishes consistency with other counties who already have citizens redistricting groups. I see both sides, Ortiz-Legg said. She said one of the benefits of having county staff draft map options instead of an independent commission is the efficiency, but that it is likely a price worth paying. I think itll be a lot heavier lift than we realize, but it probably needs to be happening, Ortiz-Legg said. LEHI, Utah (ABC4) The mountain lion that has been spotted throughout several neighborhoods in Lehi over the last week has been finally caught and was safely euthanized by the Department of Wildlife Resources, according to authorities. Faith Jolley with the Division of Wildlife Resources told ABC4.com that the cougar was spotted again around 11 p.m. on Thursday, four days after it was first caught on home security cameras. Officers with the Lehi Police Department responded using thermal imaging drones to find the mountain lion in an open field near a park where a jogger was running on the other side of a fence. Lehi and conservation officers tracked the mountain lion as it continued through town before they met up with it at 2100 North and State Street. There, officers made the decision to put the mountain lion down. Jolley said mountain lions will occasionally wander through residential neighborhoods as they move from one remote area to another or if they are following deer. However, because the mountain lion had been seen in the area for several days, it had become habituated to the neighborhood and deemed a public safety threat. ROAD CLOSURE: Dump truck driver killed in rollover crash in Salt Lake City Additionally, the dark conditions made it difficult to potentially tranquilize the young male mountain lion as officers ran the risk of it running off and losing it after hitting it with a dart. When possible, we attempt to relocate wildlife from areas where there may be encounters with people, Jolley said. However, in some situations, like when there are public safety concerns and the circumstances dont allow for safely tranquilizing, our policy is to euthanize the animal. Public safety is a top priority. Jolley said it is always unfortunate when any wildlife needs to be euthanized. She said biologists and law enforcement are very passionate about wildlife, which is why many of them dedicate themselves to researching and conserving Utahs wildlife while working to sustain their populations. We also value public safety, and as the population of Utah grows, we recognize that there will be more people living in wildlife habitat areas where they, their pets, or livestock may have encounters with wildlife, she added. The Lehi City Police Department confirmed DWR removed the mountain lion after it was euthanized and thanked the public for their patience. Jolley encouraged all Utahns to learn more about how to prevent encounters with wildlife by visiting the Wild Aware Utah 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 ABC4 Utah. Calif. family dropped by insurer without warning due to 500-year-old oak tree that would cost $40K to remove A family in San Carlos, California, is facing an impossible decision: spend more than $40,000 to remove a nearly 500-year-old heritage white oak tree in their backyard or find new homeowners insurance. Their insurance company, Safeco, part of Liberty Mutual, apparently spotted the tree via aerial photos and issued a non-renewal notice. Don't miss The family's frustration is based partially on the lack of communication. They received no notice of aerial inspection, no photos to back up the insurance company's decision, and no warning that the tree's state posed a risk to their policy. Now, they're scrambling for a solution. "I just am discouraged and frustrated by the lack of courtesy and understanding from a company on something that is almost 500 years old," homeowner Will Heieck-Toms said to CBS News Bay Area. "Come knock on my door. I'm happy to sit down and have a conversation I just don't appreciate [the decision] being so unilateral." The family's situation is becoming increasingly common as insurance companies rely on technology, like drones and satellite images, to take photos of properties rather than inspecting them in person. Insurance companies are increasingly relying on aerial photos The use of aerial photos to inspect properties has been on the rise in recent years. These photos allow insurance companies to assess the condition of a property and identify potential risks. "This is nothing new, as far as looking at homes and looking at properties at renewal," insurance expert Karl Susman told CBS. "It's just the idea feels a little bit awkward and a little weird and strange to have, you know, not know when it's happening," said Susman. Safeco argues that aerial photos are a useful tool for identifying issues that might go unnoticed. A Safeco spokesperson told the television station, We cannot comment on an individual customer, but we have to understand the condition of the property, and satellite imagery is useful to identify issues we and homeowners otherwise don't know exist. While the use of drones, satellites, and planes to take aerial photos is efficient, it also raises concerns with homeowners. Third-party aerial imagery services often leave consumers in the dark about how their property is being evaluated. Additionally, decisions based on these images can be inaccurate or lack the context an on-site evaluation would provide. Story continues Read more: These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how For the Heieck-Toms, that context includes the resources they've invested in ensuring the tree's health. "We really consider ourselves the custodians of this tree," said Liz Heieck-Toms. For decades the couple have worked with a tree expert to maintain the tree. "When we got here, the canopy was over the top of the house," said Will. "... we've taken probably 40-50% of this tree away. The Heieck-Toms have until December to find a new insurance provider, and it's not been easy, with one company offering "half the amount of coverage for almost three times the price." "I feel like the insurance companies are just using things like this as an excuse because they don't want to be insuring homes in California because of all the fires and stuff," said Liz. What homeowners can do If you're a homeowner facing a non-renewal notice from your insurance company, the situation can be scary and overwhelming. However, there are several steps you can take to protect your home and possibly maintain coverage. Homeowners should immediately contact their insurance company and request detailed information or the specific images used to make the non-renewal decision. Understanding the exact issue and speaking with the insurance company will determine your next steps. Correct any inaccuracies with the insurance company. Aerial images can sometimes misinterpret features or fail to capture recent updates or changes to the property. For example, photos taken just after a storm might show debris on a roof that was later removed. Finally, make sure you understand your rights. For instance, in California, insurers must notify you at least 75 days before your policy expires. They also cannot cancel your policy if it has a guaranteed renewal provision or if you live in an area adjacent to a recent wildfire. If your insurer has not followed the regulations or you feel like the non-renewal is unfair, you should report it to the authorities. Don't wait too long to shop for a new insurance plan since it could take longer than you expect. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Less than 5% of New Mexicans who lost Medicaid during unwinding switched to private insurance First Choice Community Healthcare South Broadway Medical Center on Sept. 7, 2023. First Choice Community Healthcare and other federally qualified health centers in New Mexico are attracting attention from state lawmakers. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source New Mexico) The unwinding of COVID-19 protections contributed to interruptions in care at local health centers in New Mexico, adding to their financial struggles that are attracting attention from state lawmakers. Federally qualified health centers are community clinics located in high-need areas or serving high-need communities. Medicaid is New Mexicos safety-net health insurance program for the very poor. The health centers are the backbone of New Mexicos primary care safety net, said Yvette Ramirez Ammerman on Wednesday. Without Medicaid, the people served by these health centers often cannot afford any private insurance. One of the federal requirements the facilities must meet is to provide care to anyone who needs it, whether or not they can pay. Some federally qualified health centers in New Mexico have faced accusations of financial mismanagement and overworking staff, most prominently First Choice Community Healthcare in Albuquerque and La Familia Medical Center in Santa Fe. They provide preventive care and treat chronic diseases, keeping people out of expensive trips to hospitals and emergency rooms, Ramirez Ammerman said. We are in places where no one else is, she said. She leads the New Mexico Primary Care Association, which represents the more than 200 federally qualified health centers in all but one of New Mexicos 33 counties. Ramirez Ammerman gave her analysis to the New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Committee, which is considering legislation that would allow state officials to have more oversight over these federally qualified health centers. Part of the problem, she said, is clinics are losing income and patients, for multiple reasons, including the end of the continuous enrollment requirement which kept Medicaid recipients on the rolls, regardless of their eligibility. That requirement was part of the federal governments formal public health emergency in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. After May 2023, when President Joe Bidens administration declared the public health emergency over, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services required the states to re-evaluate everyone enrolled in the program over the course of a year. As a result, about 219,100 New Mexicans lost the health insurance they were getting through Medicaid, according to KFF Health News. Data compiled by KFF show that out of all completed Medicaid redeterminations, 85% of the people in New Mexico who lost their health insurance were dropped because of procedural reasons, and not because they were determined ineligible for coverage. When people lost their Medicaid eligibility, sometimes they didnt know until they showed up in the clinic, so they were going to get services no matter what, whether or not we got paid by Medicaid, Ramirez Ammerman said. In July, New Mexico said it reinstated Medicaid coverage for about 21,000 children, giving their families a second chance to renew their coverage. We knew children were a group more at risk of losing coverage due to a lack of response than due to financial ineligibility, said the states Medicaid director Dana Flannery. Children ages six to 19 would be reinstated for at least a year, state officials said, unless they already turned 19 when they were reinstated. However, federally qualified health centers also serve hundreds of thousands of other patients each year, including migrant seasonal farm workers, homeless patients, veterans, and people with mental health issues and substance use disorders, according to Ramirez Ammermans presentation to the committee. These are our most vulnerable New Mexicans that we are serving, she said. When people were losing their Medicaid, outreach and eligibility workers at the federally qualified health centers have been signing them back up if theyre eligible, Ramirez Ammerman said. Despite those efforts, over the last year, most of New Mexicos clinics Ramirez Ammerman oversees have lost Medicaid patients, she said, and there are fewer people on Medicaid coming into the clinics now than there were in 2019. Rep. Eleanor Chavez (D-Albuquerque) asked where people go after they lose their health insurance. Ramirez Ammerman said she visited clinics and spoke with people who handle Medicaid enrollments who told her, Were not really sure where they go. They do not necessarily move over to New Mexicos private insurance exchange BeWell NM, and they dont necessarily return to the clinics without their Medicaid coverage, Ramirez Ammerman said. Out of the hundreds of thousands of people who were kicked off Medicaid over the yearlong unwinding, 10,483 of them or roughly 4.7% ended up moving to the private exchange, a BeWellNM spokesperson said. Were just worried that theyre not getting care, and are they ending up in emergency rooms? Ramirez Ammerman said. That is one of the things we dont have a complete answer about but were working on it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Letters to the Editor: Never forget that Hamas started this war. Is it Biden's responsibility to end? Family and friends call for the release of their loved ones taken hostage by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack during a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Oct. 23, 2023. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: As one who hopes and prays for a cease-fire, the release of all hostages and the end to the horrific destruction and loss of civilian life in Gaza, I nevertheless cannot help but be offended by Mark Ruffalo's one-sided plea to President Biden to somehow single-handedly bring about the war's conclusion. Where in his scenario has Ruffalo placed the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas? Where has he referenced the role that Hamas is playing in the death of Gazan civilians by hiding among them? Where does he account for the Hamas leadership continuing to move the goalposts in cease-fire negotiations? How exactly does Ruffalo draw a parallel to President Lyndon Johnson and the Vietnam War, in which Americans were direct participants, and this Israeli war, in which only Israeli soldiers are fighting and dying for the survival of a country surrounded by those hellbent on eliminating it? The end of this war cannot happen too soon. But to place the onus only on Biden and the Israelis is uninformed and shameful. James Zimring, Tarzana .. To the editor: Hats off to Ruffalo for his opinion piece. Though it may fall on the president's deaf ears, Ruffalo's earnest plea to cut off the U.S. military aid that is perpetuating the genocide in Gaza shows that he is not only a fine actor, but also a decent humanist who embodies caring and empathy. Those who paid glowing tribute to Biden at the Democratic convention conveniently forgot that for the past 10 months, the same man has been complicit in aiding and abetting the genocide in Palestine. Apparently, the tragedies in his own family did not teach him a thing about empathy in cases of mass suffering. By failing to stop Israel's continued killing of Gazans, Biden is authoring the final chapters of his legacy of senseless massacre, mass displacement and abject misery for the Palestinians. His ignominious fading into the political sunset is perhaps the best thing that could have happened to him. Abdul-Majeed Azad, Columbus, Ohio .. To the editor: Ruffalo omitted one key fact that Hamas started the war last October, understanding that Israel would respond with full force. The disaster in Gaza today is fully the responsibility of Hamas. The war could have been ended by Hamas on any given day since Oct. 7 by releasing the hostages and agreeing to reasonable terms to ensure the safety of Israel's border with Gaza. Instead, Hamas has demonstrated absolutely no regard for the welfare of Gazans. Thus, the responsibility for Gaza's destruction, as unfortunate as it is, lays at the feet of Hamas, whose remaining leaders hide out in tunnels or in other countries, safe from paying the price for the murder of nearly 1,200 Israelis, Americans and others. American presidents have long ensured that our country stands between Israel and its mortal enemies. When attacked, Israel does not believe in a proportional response. That is what has kept Israel safe for years. Hamas knew all this when it attacked last October. Let's hope that Hezbollah in Lebanon ultimately holds its fire with the knowledge that what happened in Gaza may happen in southern Lebanon if it repeats Hamas' mistake. Gary Wartik, Camarillo .. To the editor: Disheartened by the status quo on Gaza and the Israeli hostages, I was on the verge of accepting the harsh reality of another prolonged war between Israel and the Palestinians. Ruffalo is spot on in his article and uplifts the hope of many people like me that the president will pay heed to this request. If Biden can bring a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, then his legacy would not only be respected at home but around the world as well. Malay Sinha, Moorpark This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Lithuanian foreign minister urges Ukraine to continue keeping its military plans confidential for sake of efficiency Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis believes that both Ukraine and Western countries should avoid specifics in communication about their plans, including with partners. Source: Landsbergis during a discussion regarding Ukraine at the GLOBSEC conference, as reported by European Pravda Details: Landsbergis agreed with his colleagues, who also took part in the discussion, that Ukraine's offensive in Kursk was a very successful decision. The minister explained that previously, Putin could claim victory if necessary, albeit a partial one and with some goals unmet. However, the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk is the only factor disrupting this possibility for him. However, he also noted that he praised Ukraine's actions not only on the battlefield but also in the information landscape. "I'm happy that I didn't know, I'm happy that nobody knew about Kursk," he said, urging Ukraine to continue keeping information to itself for the sake of greater efficiency. Landsbergis also believes that a similar approach should be maintained by Western partners. He illustrated his point by asking his colleagues to imagine what would happen if the United States revealed details about the number of ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine, including which missiles were given and the reasons for choosing those over others. The minister believes this approach is generally maintained, but there are deviations. "What we need is more fog", said Gabrielius Landsbergis. European Pravda previously reported that a number of EU countries supported the Ukrainian operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! A little more than 1% of Rhode Island voters have cast early ballots ahead of September primaries Voting booths at Providence City Hall during early voting for the 2023 special congressional and state Senate primaries. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Its been nine days since Rhode Island voters could begin voting ahead of the Sept. 10 primary elections, but few have actually done so. As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Rhode Island Secretary of States office reported 11,647 ballots cast either by mail or early, in-person. That represents 1.5% of the states 720,626 active voters. The municipality with the highest early vote turnout? Providence with 1,419 ballots (out of 95,684 active registered voters). Roughly 85% of those votes were mailed. The municipality with the fewest early votes overall is Central Falls, with 42 cast. Rhode Islands smallest city has 7,636 total registered voters, according to the Rhode Island Department of States website. John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, said he was not surprised by the low turnout, given that nearly half of the 113 Rhode Island General Assembly races 57 feature an incumbent running unopposed in both primary and general elections. Even though its a presidential year, its a sleepy primary year in Rhode Island, he said. The big races to watch, Marion said, are the Rhode Island Senate and mayoral races in Cranston which had 996 early ballots cast as of Thursday. Cranston has 55,577 registered voters. In low turnout primaries, its a ground game, Marion said. If you dont have a lot of competitive races that are driving voters, then youre going to have these low numbers. In-person early voting continues through 4 p.m. Sept. 9. A list of early voting locations can be found here. Those voting by mail have through 8 p.m. on Sept. 10 to submit their ballots to drop boxes at their local Board of Canvassers or mailed to the states Board of Elections at 2000 Plainfield Pike, Suite A Cranston, RI 02921. No postage is necessary. This story was updated to reflect early voting numbers as of 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30, 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) With the number of mosquito-borne illnesses cases in New England and here in Massachusetts on the rise, its important to protect yourself from being bitten. Cases of West Nile Virus and EEE continue to be reported as the mosquito season continues, so its important to take precautions. At Rockys Ace Hardware in Agawam, theyve seen an increase in the number of people coming in looking for things that will help keep mosquitoes away. Bob Parent with Rockys told 22News, Weve had people coming in looking for your sprays with the deet. Weve had them looking for the citronella oil and the wicks for the candles yes. You can also get Mosquito dunks that you can place in standing water, which is a prime breeding spot for mosquitoes. There are also some things you can get to help prevent mosquitoes from coming into your yard. For your yard, you can also use your foggers and hose end sprayers, spray your grass before parties to keep the mosquitoes and the bugs down, Parent adds. You can also get special citronella tiki torches that you can use to help keep the mosquitoes away. Remember you should also wear long sleeves and pants instead of shorts to keep the mosquitoes from biting you. And the mosquito season will continue until we get our first hard frost. 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. LAFAYETTE PARISH, La. (KLFY) Three local men were sentenced for their roles in the 2023 kidnapping of a California resident, authorities announced. The defendants are 27-year-old Joseph Lawrence Harrison, 31-year-old Cody Lajohn Williams, and 27-year-old Drapper Lavar Anthony Jr. The men were convicted in connection with the kidnapping conspiracy of a California man who was lured to Lafayette under the guise of executing a multi-state narcotics transaction, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Browns Office. U.S. District Judge Robert T. Summerhays sentenced each defendant as follows: Harrison, of St. Martinville, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Williams, of Breaux Bridge, was sentenced to 25 years in prison Anthony, of Youngsville, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Authorities said that once the California resident arrived in Lafayette, the three defendants kidnapped the victim at gunpoint and then held the victim at an Airbnb turned safe house for several hours. The victim received several injuries, authorities said, including lacerations to his face after being hit with a firearm. The defendants made ransom demands, including a request for up to $300,000, several high-end pieces of jewelry and 100 pounds of marijuana, authorities said. After constant collaboration between investigators and using multiple investigative techniques, Lafayette Parish Sheriffs Office detectives were able to intercept Harrison and Williams and safely secure the victim, the news release said. 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. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A London man has been charged after an arson investigation that started on Sunday. The London Police Department said authorities were alerted about a residential structure fire at 1847 North Mill Street. When detectives arrived, the London City Fire Department said the fire appeared to have been set intentionally. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The department said 28-year-old Brandon Dixon was arrested. According to an arrest citation, Dixon allegedly admitted to placing a cover over a blanket with the intention that it would catch fire and then left the home. The citation said a firefighter was injured while working the fire when they fell through the floor of the 2-bedroom trailer. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Dixon was arrested and charged with second-degree arson and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center on 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 FOX 56 News. SAN ONOFRE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) California parks officials, the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton announced a new 25-year lease agreement for San Onofre Beach and San Mateo Campground on Friday. RELATED: San Onofre Beach lease set to expire The state beach is comprised of three distinct areas: San Onofre bluffs, the surf beach and the campground. The recent announcement came near the end of an agreement former U.S. President Richard Nixon made with the Navy about half a century ago in 1971, leasing the land to California State Parks for just a dollar per year. The lease was set to expire Saturday. The San Onofre State Beach is a California treasure. Im elated that weve reached a new long-term lease agreement that ensures Orange and San Diego County residents can continue to access and enjoy this beach and surf spot for years to come, said U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) in a release. For the Department of the Navy, our defense communities are critical to our success, and the State of California is a great partner, said Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment. Federal leaders visit South Bay water treatment plant, no emergency declaration issued California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot added, Were thankful to the Navy and Marine Corps for their close partnership making this possible and are proud to support Camp Pendleton and military installations across California as they advance our vital national defense mission. Back in March, FOX 5/KUSI reported on public concerns that there could be restricted access to the beach if a new agreement was not made before the current lease expired. The renewal of the lease for the San Onofre State Beach represents our continued commitment to our community and to the preservation of natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region, said Brig. Gen. Nick I. Brown, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The beach attracts about 2.5 million visitors each year, the release stated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mandla Kayise, president and chief executive of New World Education, speaks during a discussion on reparations at Cal State Northridge on Tuesday. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Researchers at Cal State Northridge this week unveiled the first city-sponsored report on potential reparations to Black residents for the discriminatory harms they faced over the last 100 years. Documenting Black Angelenos' struggles from 1925 until today, An Examination of African American Experiences in Los Angeles is a 400-page report created by the Reparations Advisory Commission of the city's Civil and Human Rights and Equity Department in collaboration with the university. Six CSUN researchers interviewed and held focus groups with hundreds of residents, past and present, and analyzed laws and public policy over the last century to ascertain the effect of racial discrimination on descendants of enslaved African Americans. Despite the legal end of slavery, Black Angelenos continue to face systemic discrimination and inequity via legal segregation, enacted by both the state via the LAPD and the courts, as well as by the public, including groups like the Ku Klux Klan, said researcher Marquita Gammage, a CSUN professor of Africana studies. Twelve types of harms were documented: vestiges of slavery; racial terror; mental as well as physical harm and neglect; racism in environment and infrastructure; an unjust legal system; housing segregation; stolen labor and hindered opportunity; separate and unequal education; political disenfranchisement; pathologizing the Black family; control over creative cultural and intellectual life; and the wealth gap. Researchers provided three possible reparation solutions for each harm listed. For housing segregation, Gammage said the city needs to calculate the cost of housing inequity and launch compensatory efforts, fund and support programs that advance equity and homeownership opportunities, proactively address homelessness and housing insecurity among Black residents. Radio personality Dominique DiPrima speaks at the session. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) About 80% of survey respondents endorsed home buyer assistance, appraisal protections to prevent overpaying and programs to address housing insecurity, according to the report. A total of 618 people were interviewed for this report, and more than half were women. Most respondents expressed interest in monetary reparations, the researchers found. Marisa Turesky from Mockingbird Analytics conducted a presentation on successful monetary reparations in U.S. cities such as Evanston, Ill., which provided a $25,000 payment from a cannabis sales tax to Black residents who experienced housing discrimination from 1919 to 1969. Any reparations program really must prioritize Black people governing the money and deciding the policies surrounding its use, Turesky said. The Reparations Advisory Commission is expected to enter its fourth phase this fall, working to come up with recommendations for Mayor Karen Bass on how the city should approach Black reparations. The commission was created in 2021 under then-Mayor Eric Garcetti to develop and recommend reparations for Black Angelenos by seeking opportunities to fund reparations, as well as identifying an academic partner to assist in developing the program. As part of the research, CSUN and L.A. civil rights department created a timeline of city policies that contributed to the erosion of Black rights from 1930 to the present. At the report's unveiling Tuesday night, W. Gabriel Selassie, an assistant professor of Africana studies at CSUN, said he was stunned by his findings on the level of oppression and described some of the many ways it played out in everyday life. So, you walk outside, and you open up your car door as an L.A. police car drives by. You put your things into your car, and the police car backs up, he said. The next thing you know, you are in a jail cell severely beaten. You have a court hearing and the judge dismisses the case. You have now lost your dignity, your pride, your time at work you are essentially scarred for life. Those kinds of things that I saw, things that were documented by defense attorneys who were seeing this kind of racial injustice, and were so incensed by it, that they collected personal data, and eventually turned it over to news agencies or just kept it on file. Karin Stanford listens to Cal State Northridge professor W. Gabriel Selassie during the discussion. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Gammage described outright racial violence, including lynching, the burning and destruction of homes, physical assaults ... since the founding of Los Angeles. The report found that housing discrimination continues to disproportionately affect Black residents. We found that Proposition 14 of 1964 repealed the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963, and reinstated discriminatory practices in neighborhoods in Los Angeles that restricted Black people from living there saw greater equity growth, Gammage said. Segregation and housing policies historically limited black wealth accumulation through homeownership, where 68.3% of white households are homeowners versus only 41.5% of Black Angelenos are homeowners." Researchers found that 40,000 Black people living in Los Angeles were confined in Central Alameda, South Park and Watts in 1930 due to zoning practices, restrictive covenants and redlining policies that kept them from moving into new neighborhoods. By the 1960s, L.A.s Black population grew to 350,000 with many families expanding into predominantly white neighborhoods in South Los Angeles. However, racial integration never successfully occurred, resulting in areas of Black "ghettoization" across the city and beyond, not just in South L.A. but in Inglewood, Compton and Venice. In the San Fernando Valley, Black families were mostly limited to Arleta and Pacoima. "The vast San Fernando Valley region was always the area of LA most vehemently opposed to integration," the timeline noted. "In 1970, while the Valley had a total population of nearly one million people, there were only about 18,000 Black people. These areas were older sections of the Valley where restrictive covenants were not in place or not enforced." Capri Maddox, executive director of the L.A. civil rights department, said the report is a record of the wrongs facilitated by the city and provides steps toward reparations. Los Angeles is a city of Angels, and angels are messengers," Maddox said. "And we are sending a message throughout the United States of America that we are standing strong in this space. 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. By David Ljunggren and Anna Mehler Paperny OTTAWA (Reuters) -The union representing workers at Canada's two main rail companies said on Friday it had filed court challenges against rulings by the country's industrial labor board that forced them back to work. On Saturday, the board accepted a request from the government to order more than 9,000 Teamsters members back to work at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City and to impose binding arbitration. The union had already said it would appeal the rulings on the grounds that they were a win for the railways and could lead to the imposition of future contracts, eroding workers' bargaining power. "These decisions, if left unchallenged, set a dangerous precedent where a single politician can bust a union at will," said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters rail union. "The right to collectively bargain is a constitutional guarantee. Without it, unions lose leverage to negotiate better wages and safer working conditions for all Canadians," he said in a statement. The legal challenges - which could take years to sort out - are unlikely to impact the Teamsters dispute but could set a precedent for future labor issues. When Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon referred the matter to the board, he cited powers the country's labor code gave him. The union says this infringed their rights under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that the board had acted unreasonably. Bruce Curran, an employment law expert at the University of Manitoba, said the Teamsters' argument had a decent chance of success, noting the union was arguing Ottawa had overstepped the mark in the way it had used the labor code. The court "likely will have the option of narrowing the kind of circumstances in which they can use this in the future," he said in an interview. The union filed the challenges in the Federal Court of Appeal and asked that the proceedings be expedited. However Canada's justice system is famously slow-moving and whoever loses the appeal is likely to take it to the Supreme Court, which means the case could take years to resolve. In an emailed statement, CN Rail said arbitration was a neutral process that did not favor one party over another. CPKC declined to comment. MacKinnon's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has previously said he is confident his referral to the board would survive a court challenge. The two companies locked out the workers earlier this month after talks failed to produce a new labor deal. (Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Rod Nickel, Frances Kerry and Deepa Babington) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A search for a pair of students in Louisville on Thursday afternoon led to a mother being arrested after it was found that the children had allegedly been left alone without access to food or water for unknown periods of time, according to Louisville police. A search for two children began on Thursday when school leaders in Louisville reportedly called the police to find a pair of students who were missing and believed to be in danger, according to court documents. Morehead State University student talks about harassment, racism from roommate According to law enforcement, school administrators went to the two childrens listed address later that day and found them living in inhumane conditions outside, and without any parental supervision. The police said when administrators met the two children, a third child came to the area and all three were taken to Norton Childrens Hospital for treatment. The children appeared dirty, hungry, and had visible injuries, according to court documents. At the hospital, the children told Louisville police that their mother had allegedly been absent from the home and that living conditions at the address were filthy. The kids went on to say that they had resorted to sleeping in a nearby swing and some chairs the night before, as well as having recently slept in a tent by the home. They told police that their mother allegedly knew the children were sleeping outside and left them alone at the home anyway. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Law enforcement said that during the period that the children had allegedly been left at the home, outside temperatures reached about 97 degrees, and the kids had no access to food or water. On Thursday the mother was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, abandonment of a minor, and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to court documents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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 Discover Airlines, a Lufthansa subsidiary, faces more flight disruptions over the weekend following the extension of a strike by pilots and cabin crew. Originally scheduled to end on Friday, the strike will now continue until Sunday, the German pilots' union VC announced on Thursday. 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. According to VC, the extension of the strike emphasized the union's determination in the ongoing wage dispute. Discover criticized the extended strike as "completely unacceptable" and "irresponsible" during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Discover said despite the disruption, the airline had managed to operate over three-quarters of its flights as planned in recent days, adding that there was no reason to "engage in the political interests and power games of the trade unions." 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. Discover Airlines currently has 27 aircraft that fly to vacation destinations in Europe and overseas. Around 1,900 people work on board. VC said pilots handling cargo flights for Lufthansa Cityline, a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, would join the pilot strike at Discover, and walk off the job on Thursday evening. The strike at Cityline is a solidarity action with the Discover pilots, VC said. 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. By Lisandra Paraguassu, Luana Maria Benedito and Ricardo Brito SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's telecommunications regulator said on Friday it was suspending access to Elon Musk's X social network in the country to comply with an order from a judge who has been locked in a months-long feud with the billionaire investor. The popular social media platform missed a court-imposed deadline on Thursday evening to name a legal representative in Brazil, triggering the suspension. Musk has argued that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes was trying to enforce unjustified censorship, while the judge has insisted that social media needs hate speech regulations. "They're shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil," Musk said in a post on X on Friday. The judge's ruling could cause X to lose one of its largest and most coveted markets, at a time when Musk has struggled with advertising revenue for the platform. X remained accessible in Brazil late on Friday, though some Brazilians posted on other platforms that their access to X was already being blocked. Three of the country's top telecommunications carriers said they would begin blocking access from midnight (0300 GMT on Saturday), according to a report by local news outlet UOL. The feud has led to the freezing this week of satellite internet provider Starlink's bank accounts in Brazil. Starlink is a unit of Musk-led rocket company SpaceX. In his ruling, Moraes ordered that X, formerly Twitter, be suspended in Brazil until it complied with all related court orders, including the payment of more than $3 million in fines, as well as the designation of a local representative, as required by Brazilian law. Moraes also ordered telecommunications regulator Anatel to implement the suspension order. The agency told Reuters it is proceeding with compliance, but without specifying a timetable. To effectively close X in Brazil, telecommunication companies will need to stop carrying the network's traffic, while also preventing users of the site from dodging it by concealing their locations with virtual private networks, or VPNs. Moraes ordered that those who continued to access X via VPNs be fined up to 50,000 reais ($9,000) per day. Tech giants Apple and Alphabet's Google were initially instructed to remove X from their app stores and implement so-called anti-VPN obstacles that would make it more difficult for users of Apple's iOS operating system and Google's Android to open the X app on phones or tablets. But Moraes later reversed that part of his order, saying it would not be needed. Story continues Press offices for Apple and Google declined to comment. LAPDOGS AND DICTATORS? Unlike in many other countries, Brazil's Supreme Court judges are able to exercise sweeping powers to make unilateral decisions. But in the dispute over X, Moraes has been backed by a majority of the 11-member court, including Chief Justice Roberto Barroso. Musk, in addition to owning X and 40% of SpaceX, is the CEO of electric vehicle giant Tesla. The dispute over X has its roots in a Moraes order from earlier this year that required the platform to block accounts implicated in probes of alleged spreading of distorted news and hate. Musk denounced the order as censorship. He responded by closing the company's offices in Brazil but ensured the platform was still available in the country. He has said Starlink would continue to serve Brazilians, including the military, for free "until this matter is resolved." Earlier on Friday, Starlink asked the Supreme Court to suspend its decision to freeze its local bank accounts, arguing it has complied with all judicial orders. That request was dismissed on Friday evening. Asked to comment, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insisted that all businesses operating in the country must comply with their legal obligations. "Just because a guy has a lot of money doesn't mean he can disrespect" the law, the leftist leader told local radio on Friday. Musk derided the president as Moraes' "lapdog" in a Thursday post in which he also called the judge a "dictator." At an event on Friday, Moraes showed no signs of backing down. "Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable," he said. ($1 = 5.6121 reais) (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia and Luana Maria Benedito in Sao Paulo; Additional reporting by Andre Romani; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Gabriel Araujo, Christian Plumb, Matthew Lewis, Rosalba O'Brien and William Mallard) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Maternal Outreach and Medical Support tour is coming to Birmingham Sept. 8. The tour brings metal health professionals, birth workers and community members to engage in discussions on maternal health disparities. The tour brings metal health professionals, birth workers and community members to engage in discussions on maternal health disparities. The tour brings metal health professionals, birth workers and community members to engage in discussions on maternal health disparities. The tour brings metal health professionals, birth workers and community members to engage in discussions on maternal health disparities. Much-needed stormy weather expected through Labor Day Weekend The M.O.M.S. tour aims to revolutionize maternal health outcomes by providing support, education and resources to those in need. Their goal is to see the U.S. become one of the safest places for women to give birth. According to a press release from the organization, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, and 80% of all pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The tour brings metal health professionals, birth workers and community members to engage in discussions on maternal health disparities. WATCH: Crews battle fire at former bingo hall in Brighton Hey-Moms-Tour-Flyer-V16-BirminghamDownload For more information, 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 CBS 42. Donald Trumps Arlington National Cemetery controversy was already a mess for the former president, though a statement from the U.S. Army took the fiasco to a new level on Thursday morning. An Army spokesperson began by emphasizing, in writing, that those participating in Mondays wreath-laying ceremony were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and Pentagon policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. But just as notably, the Army spokesperson went on to explain that an employee who works at the cemetery attempted to ensure adherence to the rules when she was abruptly pushed aside, despite Trump campaign denials about a physical altercation. According to the Army, the employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption. In case this isnt obvious, the Army generally goes out of its way to avoid issuing provocative statements related to politicians, especially during a campaign, but in this case, the branch made an exception. For his part, the Republican nominee delivered public remarks on the matter for the first time hours later, misstated the date of his visit to Arlington, bragged about being on time for the event at the cemetery, characterized himself as a victim of smear, and concluded that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris killed American service members in Afghanistan. If that sounds ridiculous and offensive, its because it was ridiculous and offensive. Around the same time, Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita, on the heels of publicly criticizing the official who works at the cemetery, issued a statement online that called the office of the Army Secretary a bunch of hacks. So to recap, the former president who remains burdened by a dreadful record related to respecting U.S. troops and veterans isnt just caught up in a controversy about exploiting one of the nations most sacred spaces and ignoring Arlingtons rules against politicization, his campaign team is simultaneously picking a public fight with the United States Army less than 10 weeks from Election Day. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, theres a burgeoning conversation about uncovering answers that have not yet reached the public. Politico reported: Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services panel, added Thursday that he wants to see the Armys 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. VoteVets, a progressive veterans group, wasted little time in throwing its public support behind the Democratic senators efforts, and theres a related push underway from several House Democrats. Mark Esper, who served as Trumps Defense Secretary, has also called for an investigation into the incident. Where will the controversy go next? Watch this space. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In her first major television interview since President Joe Biden ended his re-election plans, Vice President Kamala Harris broke some new ground with CNNs Dana Bash: The Democratic nominee vowed to appoint at least one Republican to her White House Cabinet if elected. As The Washington Post reported: I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion, Harris said, explaining her intent to name a GOP Cabinet secretary. I think its important to have people at the table, when some of the most important decisions are being made, that have different views, different experiences. And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican. She prefaced her comments by saying, Ive got 68 days to go with this election, so Im not putting the cart before the horse. But I would, I think, [add bipartisanship to the White House Cabinet]. I think its really important. The vice president didnt reference any Republicans by name, though its easy to identify some of the GOP figures whod be in contention. After all, Harris has already received endorsements from a variety of notable Republicans some of whom are currently in office, others who are former officials and Democrats included several GOP speakers at the partys national convention in Chicago. Its worth noting for context that this wasnt just a stray comment for Harris: Before the interview even aired in its entirety on CNN, the Democrats campaign issued a press statement promoting the vow about adding a Republican to her prospective Cabinet and encouraging people to watch a video excerpt of her comments. In other words, Team Harris leaned into this one. Theres no great mystery as to why: Trump appears to have overwhelming support on the right, but the Democratic candidate believes she can assemble an electoral coalition that includes independents and GOP voters who might be skeptical of their partys scandal-plagued nominee. The Cabinet vow bolsters her credibility on bipartisanship. Whats more, it ties Harris to a modern, pre-Trump tradition of sorts. The Washington Monthlys Bill Scher in a piece published before the CNN interview explained, [A] modicum of cross-pollination in a cabinet is historically common. Every president, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Barack Obama, had at least one cabinet member from the opposite party for some time during their administrations. Obama appointed three Republicans to his cabinet, including Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel and former CIA Director Robert Gates as secretaries of defense, and his Illinois colleague, Representative Ray LaHood, as transportation secretary. Trump broke the streak, and despite his many bipartisan victories, Biden hasnt had any GOP members on his Cabinet. Harris, however, apparently intends to restore the modern trend. Will Trump respond in kind with a comparable promise? Its possible, though its difficult to imagine what Democrat would agree to join his team. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are scheduled to appear together on a debate stage in just 11 days. Whether that will actually happen isnt nearly as clear as it should be. It appeared that there was a breakthrough of sorts earlier this week. On Tuesday afternoon, the former president, whos struggled for weeks to make up his mind about participating in the Sept. 10 event, announced in a written statement that the two major-party campaigns had reached an agreement, and the debate would be aired on Sept. 10, as planned. In the same online missive, the Republican claimed that the Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, suggesting the candidates microphones will be muted except when theyre answering questions, just as his team had hoped. Soon after, Team Harris explained that negotiations about the microphone issue were still ongoing, Trumps statement to the contrary notwithstanding. That was Tuesday. Two days later, an Associated Press report suggested the underlying questions had been answered. Next months debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump wont have an audience, live microphones when candidates arent speaking, or written notes, according to rules that ABC News, the host network, shared this week with both campaigns. A copy of the rules was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by a senior Trump campaign official on condition of anonymity ahead of the networks announcement. Around the same time as the AP report reached the public, the Trump campaign hosted a press call, assured reporters that the mic issue had been worked out, and as the Republican operation wanted, the microphones will be off. So, thats that? No. As NBC News reported, Harris campaign spokesman Brian Fallon added soon after in a statement issued via social media, Our latest understanding is that even though Trump said Monday he would be fine with an unmuted mic, his handlers dont trust him to spar live with VP Harris and are asking ABC to ignore Trumps comments and keep the mics muted or else they will back out of the debate for a third time. The spokesperson for the Democratic nominee continued, We have been asked to accede to Trumps handlers wishes on this point for the sake of preserving the debate. We find the Trump teams stance to be weak, and remain in discussions with ABC on the final rules. All of which suggests the negotiations have not been finalized, despite the claims from the GOP campaign. As for why, exactly, this seemingly obscure point has become so contentious, theres no great mystery here. An NBC News report explained, Inside the Harris campaign, the thinking is that there shouldnt be guardrails, and that viewers should see a full, unbridled Trump. Officials there argue that Trumps handlers dont trust their own candidate and charge that for all the talk of Biden showing cognitive decline, its Trump who is struggling to stay on track with his arguments. Showing him unleashed only benefits Harris. Indeed, Team Harris hasnt been subtle on this point. Brian Fallon told Politico on the record this week, Our understanding is that Trumps handlers prefer the muted microphone because they dont think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own. We suspect Trumps team has not even told their boss about this dispute because it would be too embarrassing to admit they dont think he can handle himself against Vice President Harris without the benefit of a mute button. Its difficult to say with confidence when, whether, or how this will be resolved, but time is obviously running out. Watch this space. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) During a meeting before the school year began, Bastrop Independent School District bus drivers said they were told by their transportation company to no longer help students in case of a medical emergency. She said that we werent allowed to do CPR. We werent allowed to administer medications, said one Bastrop ISD bus driver, who didnt want to share their identity. The company, GoldStar, claims it was a misunderstanding. However, the bus driver KXAN spoke with said that wasnt the case. Very concerned The whole situation left at least one mother, Dana Seay, panicking about her daughter, Caras, safety. Seay said her daughters favorite part of the day is getting on the bus. Cara attends Bastrop Works, a Bastrop ISD 18-years-old and up program. Dana Seay said she considered not letting her daughter take the bus anymore if the bus rules changed. (Photo: Dana Seay) Dana Seay said she considered not letting her daughter take the bus anymore if the bus rules changed. (Photo: Dana Seay) Dana Seay said she considered not letting her daughter take the bus anymore if the bus rules changed. (Photo: Dana Seay) Dana Seay said she considered not letting her daughter take the bus anymore if the bus rules changed. (Photo: Dana Seay) In the eight years that shes been at the district, Seay said shes always felt comfortable sending Cara on the bus. Cara has a very rare seizure disorder, Seay said. Weve been really secure with the drivers, the monitors, everything that has always been on the bus, because theyve always been trained with Caras rescue medicines. However, her sense of security quickly turned to worry this week. Seay said several bus drivers told her rules changed and they could no longer help in a medical emergency. There was a big meeting, and they were told they were no longer to even touch the children, Seay said. If there was an emergency, they were to pull over to the next safest spot and stop and then call their bus barn, their people, and then from there, the bus barn will call 911, and then they will call the parents. Seay said in an emergency situation, Cara needs her medicine almost immediately. This made me very concerned, and this is why I reached out to you to try and get some help with this. Dana Seay, Bastrop ISD parent Bastrop ISD and GoldStars response We reached out to Bastrop ISD about Seays concerns. The district told KXAN that it can confirm that GoldStar has not made any changes or updates to their guidelines, and their drivers and monitors are still able to assist with administering certain medications when approved as part of a students transportation medical action plan. GoldStar responded saying that it conducts various refresher training sessions with drivers and monitors before the start of the school year. It said one of the topics was special needs transportation and addressing student needs while on the bus. Our team had offered general safety guidance regarding not having physical contact with students and not administering medications however there are exceptions and special circumstances which would dictate different outcomes, especially when applying aid. We are working to correct this misunderstanding regarding guidelines, and we are holding re-training sessions to ensure our entire special needs staff understands proper protocols for these special situations. GoldStar Seay said shes relieved there will be a re-training, but she remains weary. Ultimately, she wants peace of mind that her daughter and other students will be taken care of in an emergency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Madison man sentenced to four months in prison, five years of supervision for fentanyl trafficking MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, Timothy M. OShea announced on Thursday that a Madison man was sentenced to four months in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking. 35-year-old John A. Maser pled guilty to the charge in April this year and will be on supervised release for five years following his prison term. An investigation revealed a large drug trafficking ring that brought more than four kilograms of fentanyl pills into Madison from Arizona. Sophisticated Ponzi scheme: Wisconsin contractor gets prison time for bank fraud & money laundering Law enforcement started an investigation in January 2022 after recovering two packages that contained one kilogram of pills each. The package sent to Maser contained 1,075 grams, and officers conducted a controlled delivery of the package at his home later that month. After a search warrant, Maser told officers that he agreed to accept the package for his drug dealer. The seriousness of his actions were taken into account during sentencing, including Masers lack of crminal record and recovery efforts in his drug addiction. Milwaukee man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking, additional charges There have been five other defendants sentenced in this operation on separate indictments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris looked to keep it moving when asked about Donald Trumps happened to turn Black attack in what New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman referred to as the former presidents baited move on Thursday. Harris in her first interview alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz since entering the 2024 race was asked about Trumps comments by CNNs Dana Bash. The vice president called it the same old tired playbook from the GOP nominee. Next question, please, Harris told the CNN host. Thats it? Bash asked. Thats it, Harris replied. CNNs Anderson Cooper said the response showed Harris was clearly ready for the question, choosing to just brush it aside and not go down that rabbit hole. Haberman told Cooper that the Harris campaign has made a very concerted effort not to be baited. And Trump has been trying very hard to bait her and to bait her supporters on issues related to race, on issues related to gender and her campaign and the vice president are not interested in doing that, said Haberman, who also serves as a political analyst for CNN. She continued, Now, I dont know whether they will decide strategically to say more or engage more at some point. The debate might be a place where they do that. It might not be a place where they do that. Haberman then pointed to Harris very successful convention and speech, which really didnt get into the historic nature of her candidacy. Other people talked about that in their speeches, she did not, and, you know, I think theres a variety of reasons why, she said, but that was a very intentional answer that I think you will hear a lot of. H/T: Mediaite Related... Norfolk International Terminals, Port of Virginia. (Photo: Port of Virginia) CSX said it was considering its options after a U.S. appeals court refused to restart its lawsuit against eastern competitor Norfolk Southern over access to a key Virginia container port, causing it hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The allegations fell outside the four-year window for filing claims under U.S. antitrust law, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia decided on Thursday. A lower judge in 2023 ruled against CSX and the Richmond courts decision upholds that ruling in the case involving Norfolk International Terminals at the Port of Virginia. CSX is evaluating all options as we remain committed to gaining competitive access at NIT, the Virginia Port Authoritys largest marine terminal, so that we can best serve our customers, the Jacksonville, Florida-based company said in an email statement to FreightWaves. Norfolk Southern provides on-dock service on its owned tracks to NIT, which has an annual capacity of 3.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units. CSX in 2018 sued claiming Norfolk Southern had conspired with Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Co. to set an excessive switch rate for on-dock access, Reuters reported. The claims dated to 2009 and the appeals court said the lawsuit filed against NS and Norfolk & Portsmouth years later was untimely. But CSX asserted that it had endured accumulating harm from the daily switch rate over years, extending the statute of limitation clock. CSX also claimed that the lower court ruling in effect created an immunity shield that would block future lawsuits. The appeals court decided that the allegedly unlawful switch rate in place for years inflicted no new harm causing new injury to CSX within the limitations period. We are pleased with the decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and we are hopeful that this unnecessary litigation is now ended, said an NS spokesperson in an email. The case is CSX Transportation v Norfolk Southern Railway et al, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 23-1537. This story was updated with comment from a Norfolk Southern spokesperson. The post CSX appeal fails in container terminal antitrust suit against Norfolk Southern appeared first on FreightWaves. MAGNA, Utah (ABC4) According to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office, a criminal charge has been filed against a woman for aggravated child abuse after her child reportedly shot himself in the foot. Police were called to a Magna home on Aug. 2 when the incident occurred. A press release from the DAs office said that Melanie Guerra Delgado had just gotten home and needed to use the restroom. She allegedly placed her firearm on a shelf before going into the room. Guerra Delgado reportedly heard a loud noise in the bathroom that she determined could be the shelf falling. She then heard another loud noise from outside the room, which had been a gunshot. Guerra Delgado left the bathroom and found her 3-year-old child with a gunshot wound to his foot. The child was taken to Primary Childrens Hospital and underwent surgery. Police reported finding a .22 caliber handgun in the home. According to charging documents, Guerra Delgado and her husband told officers that they had multiple unsecured guns in the house on a pantry shelf and that they do not have a gun safe or use gun locks. Guerra Delgado is charged with one count of third-degree felony reckless aggravated child abuse. This is an incident that could have taken a deadly turn. We are very fortunate that this child will recover following emergency surgery. I hope this serves as a reminder to everyone to secure their firearms and be mindful of who could have access to them, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their quick response. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. (The Hill) Stop & Shop, a major grocery chain, announced this week that it would be ending its sales of tobacco products. The East Coast chain has 360 stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. (Mario Tama, Getty Image) The retailer said it will stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products by Aug. 31 as part of its commitment to community wellness. Our responsibility as a grocer goes far beyond our aisles, and we are committed to taking bold stops to help our associates, customers, and communities work towards better health outcomes, Gordon Reid, Stop & Shop president, said in a statement. The company said it hosted two cigarette buyback events this week in neighborhoods that have higher rates of smoking and smoking-related health issues. Stop & Shop is the latest retailer to stop selling tobacco products. Walmart announced in 2022 it would stop selling cigarettes in some locations. CVS Pharmacy ended tobacco sales in 2014, and Target stopped selling cigarettes in 1996. About 780 million people want to quit smoking, but only 30 percent have access to tools to do so, Stop & Shop said in its release, citing the World Health Organization. The retailer is partnering with the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Karen Knudsen, the CEO of the cancer-fighting organizations, said she is proud to partner with Stop & Shop as it ends tobacco sales. This is a step in the right direction toward ending Big Tobaccos influence on kids, and we know even more can be done to reduce the toll of tobacco in our communities, she 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 Queen City News. A group of major book publishers sued the state of Florida over what they call an unconstitutional book ban law that allows challenges to books in school libraries. Six publishers Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks along with The Authors Guild and some prominent book authors, filed the 94-page lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Orlando. In the suit, they argued book bans have surged, in violation of the First Amendment, because of the passage of Floridas 2023 education bill, H.B. 1069. The bill allows parents to try to remove materials from schools if they are seen as pornographic by the school boards. With the legislations passing last year, the plaintiffs argued Florida has mandated that school districts impose a regime of strict censorship in school libraries. They added that the law requires school districts to remove library books without regard to their literary, artistic, political, scientific, or educational value when taken as a whole. The complaint stated that hundreds of books have been banned, including A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. By so broadly regulating the display and availability of books that are constitutionally protected as to at least a significant number of students, these restrictionsas interpreted and enforced by the State of Floridaviolate the First Amendment because they are impermissibly overbroad content-based restrictions, they said in the lawsuit. Penguin Random House, the nations biggest publisher, penned a lawsuit late last year, alongside free-speech advocacy organization PEN America, against the Escambia County School Board because of the districts utilization of the rule, according to the Tampa Bay Times. This is a stunt, Florida Department of Education spokesperson Sydney Booker said in an email to The Hill. There are no books banned in Florida. Sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools. Updated Aug. 3 at 9:47 a.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. QUEENS VILLAGE, Queens (PIX11) A man is accused of abducting a 9-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her in Queens on Thursday, according to the NYPD. It happened at the Key Food on Jamaica Avenue in Queens Village around 7:30 p.m., sources told PIX11 News. The suspect, presumed to be in his 60s, is accused of taking the girl from her grandmother in the store, according to sources. A man is accused of abducting a 9-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her in Queens on Thursday, according to the NYPD. (Credit: DCPI) A man is accused of abducting a 9-year-old girl and sexually assaulting her in Queens on Thursday, according to the NYPD. (Credit: DCPI) Hes then accused of leading the girl to his car, driving around the corner to 92nd Avenue and sexually assaulting her, sources said. The man is accused of dropping the girl off and then fleeing the scene in a brown four-door Honda Civic sedan, according to authorities. The man was last seen wearing a blue MTA hat, clear glasses, a pink shirt and blue jeans. 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. Richland School District 1 failed to prevent a vendor accused of sexually assaulting a child from working closely with vulnerable students at a Columbia high school for parts of the past two school years, an investigation by The State Media Co. has found. Kerston Sallings, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old patient at a Lexington County urgent care center, spent months working as a sign language interpreter at A.C. Flora High School, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from the district. In that role, Sallings, 38, followed deaf and hard of hearing students from class to class, interpreting spoken language for them throughout the school day and forging relationships with them and their families. He and his company are even featured in the schools yearbook, where Sallings is pictured and identified by name. Despite being alerted to Sallings presence at A.C. Flora shortly after he started there in March 2023, district officials didnt immediately cut ties with the interpreter or his company, The States investigation found. While the newspaper is not aware of any new assault allegations stemming from Sallings work in the district, its investigation unearthed a pattern of misrepresentation and deception that has frequently afforded him access to children. A Richland 1 spokeswoman confirmed the district had contracted with Sallings company, Authentic ASL Interpreting, from March 2023 to May 2023, and from August 2023 to May 2024, but otherwise declined to answer questions about him and the districts handling of his employment. When we are made aware of issues or concerns regarding a specific vendor, the matter is addressed and appropriate steps are taken, which may include a termination of services, Richland 1 spokeswoman Karen York said in a statement. York declined to say whether the district had been made aware of concerns about Sallings and what steps, if any, it had taken to address them. She provided no evidence that Richland 1 conducted an investigation in the aftermath of his hiring or notified A.C. Flora parents and staff that Sallings had worked at the school. A state Department of Education spokesman declined comment on Sallings case, but said the agency expects districts that find themselves in a situation like Richland 1 to immediately terminate the person in question and review the matter to determine how they were hired. Richland 1 is one of at least three local districts that has paid Authentic ASL for sign language interpreting services since 2023, but the only one where Sallings is known to have regularly entered a school and interacted with students. Lexington 1 briefly employed Authentic ASL last year, but immediately terminated its contract with the company after learning Sallings had substituted for another interpreter without the districts permission, spokeswoman Libby Roof said. A spokeswoman for Sumter schools, which began using Authentic ASL in July 2023 at the recommendation of neighboring districts, said it hadnt had any issues with the company. She said Sallings had not worked at any Sumter schools and that officials werent aware of any unauthorized Authentic ASL employees entering or attempting to enter its schools. Lexington-Richland School District 5 contracted with Authentic ASL last August, but never used the company because it wasnt available when the district called for services, a spokeswoman said. Sallings criminal history Concerns about Sallings working with children stem from a 2014 incident in which he assaulted a 16-year-old patient in the bathroom of a West Columbia medical facility. At the time, Sallings who then went by the name Kerston Turner was employed at the facility as a nurse aide, but passed himself off as a nurse, which allowed him to gain access to the child, according to police reports. The teens mother told police that Sallings asked her to leave the examination room so he could have a frank conversation with her son, who was being evaluated for anxiety and depression. After she left the room, Sallings offered to secretly administer an STD test as a ploy to engage the patient in sexual performance, police said. The teen said Sallings escorted him to another part of the building that was away from everybody else, turned off the lights and asked him to ejaculate into a cup while he stood watch, according to a police report. When the teen balked, Sallings took him to a restroom and assaulted him, claiming it was necessary to ensure an accurate result for the STD test, according to the victims statement. A few days later, Sallings was arrested and charged with unlicensed practice as a registered nurse, first-degree assault and battery, and engaging a child under the age of 18 for sexual performance. The Lexington County Sheriffs Department publicized his arrest and multiple media outlets reported on the charges. His mugshot was displayed across television screens, newspapers and the internet. Despite the publicity, Sallings found work at another medical provider while out on bond, according to a 2014 television news report. The new clinic fired him after learning of his pending criminal charges, which the report said hed failed to disclose during the interview process. In response, the judge overseeing Sallings sex-related assault case modified the terms of his bond, citing allegations that Defendant has worked in an urgent care facility since the original bond was set. Sallings modified bond prohibited him from working in the medical field, misrepresenting his medical credentials and spending time in areas where children congregate, court documents show. A subsequent job managing a Wild Wing Cafe in Columbia also ended in scandal after Sallings was accused of stealing $10,000 from the restaurant. He eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor forgery and avoided prison time, court records show. The sex-related assault case against Sallings, which dragged on for more than four years, also ended in a plea deal. Records show he pleaded guilty to unlicensed practice as a registered nurse and second-degree assault and battery, both misdemeanors, and served no prison time. Sallings was not required to register as a sex offender nor prohibited from working in health care or with children. Lexington County Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes declined comment on the prosecution of Sallings case. Authentic ASL Interpreting Several years after his assault conviction, in October 2022, Sallings and his husband, who is deaf, launched their own sign language interpreting business and quickly secured contracts with the Lexington 1, Richland 1 and Sumter school districts. All three of the districts relied on the company, Authentic ASL Interpreting, to submit background checks for their employees. Sallings, who ran the company and also served as an interpreter, did not provide his own background check to districts. In an interview with The State, he said he withheld his own background check because, as a manager, he never entered schools. Multiple people with knowledge of Sallings work at local schools disputed that assertion. He was spotted inside Richland 1s A.C. Flora High School and Lexington 1s Red Bank Elementary shortly after starting in early 2023, and was reported to administrators in both districts. Lexington 1 took swift action after learning Sallings had filled in for another interpreter at the elementary school, said Roof, the districts spokeswoman. She said officials reviewed surveillance footage of his movements inside the school and consulted with a teacher who had shared a classroom with him. While the review turned up nothing out of the ordinary, the district terminated Authentic ASLs contract, citing the companys failure to submit proof that all staff sent into schools had passed a criminal background check. Richland 1 refused to discuss how officials responded to reports that Sallings was working at A.C. Flora. The interpreter said Richland 1 officials confronted him about his criminal background in the days after he began working for the district, but denied ever physically setting foot inside A.C. Flora. They let me know they had become aware (of my criminal background) and I was not to be on any school property, and I said that was fine, Sallings said. I accept that in all the districts I work in. Whatever their concerns about Sallings may have been, Richland 1 did not stop doing business with his company. And by the fall, he was back at A.C. Flora on a regular basis, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. Richland 1 board member Robert Lominack, who tipped off Superintendent Craig Witherspoon about Sallings in March 2023, reached out again that November to relay that hed received reports the interpreter had returned. Lominack said the full school board was briefed on the situation at its next meeting and he was assured the issue had been addressed. At some point afterward, Sallings stopped coming into A.C. Flora, sources said. Other interpreters from his company continued working at the school through the end of the semester, after which Sallings said the district informed him the companys services would no longer be needed there. No reason was given, he said. While Sallings isnt believed to have worked in the district since last fall, one of his employees, a deaf facilitator, continued working at a Richland 1 middle school through May, a district spokeswoman said. State background checks, regulations questioned The ease with which Sallings company secured contracts with local school districts raises questions about vetting processes for school vendors and highlights the states lack of any official standards for sign language interpreters who work in K-12 schools. Local districts are required by law to run background checks on any individual employee or contractor who works in their schools prior to employment, according to a memo the S.C. Department of Education sent district administrators last year. Districts may conduct the checks themselves or, as occurred in all three districts that used Authentic ASL Interpreting, ask vendors to submit proof that their employees have passed criminal background screenings. Patrick Kelly, a Blythewood High School teacher who serves as director of government affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association, said relying on vendors to attest honestly in these situations is not a risk worth taking. We need a higher level of diligence and accountability when were talking about the backgrounds of individuals who are being employed to work with children in South Carolina schools, said Kelly, who called The States findings highly concerning. While the South Carolina legislature in 2022 passed a law establishing new requirements for sign language interpreters, it notably excluded requirements for interpreters working in K-12 settings. The State Board of Education was charged with developing and implementing regulations for educational interpreters, but to date has not done so. South Carolina Department of Education spokesman Jason Raven said the agencys office of special education services is currently working with stakeholders across the state to create a draft regulation for educational interpreters that it hopes to bring before the state board and, eventually, the General Assembly for approval. Had regulations for K-12 interpreters been in place last year when multiple districts contracted with Authentic ASL, Sallings likely would have been flagged. In addition to his criminal history, hes also run afoul of professional industry standards. The national certifying body for sign language interpreters permanently revoked his membership last year due to a series of ethical violations. A spokesman for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf would not disclose why the organization banned Sallings and forbade him from even sitting for certification exams, but said the reprimand was not related to his criminal history. According to a list of ethics violators on the registrys website, Sallings broke five of the groups seven tenets of professional conduct professionalism, conduct, respect for consumers, respect for colleagues and business practices. The penalty he received is the harshest the organization has ever levied against an interpreter. Sallings declined to discuss the registrys sanction, and said he was working to reverse it. Man allegedly threatens to shoot up two Memphis schools MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man threatened to shoot up two Memphis Shelby County Schools Thursday afternoon, Memphis Police say. Charles Davis, 21, is charged with first-degree murder [in the perpetration of a robbery], harassment/domestic violence, two counts of threats of mass violence on school property, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and evading arrest. 9-months pregnant woman stabbed in North Memphis: Police On August 29 around 12:45 p.m., officers say they responded to John P Freeman Optional School on Tulane Road regarding an intimidation call. According to reports, the Shelby County Board of Education requested police after an employee was threatened by a man, later identified as Charles Davis. Davis allegedly said he was going to shoot up John P Freeman, which is where one of the victims children attended, and Oakshire Elementary School. Officers say they searched both schools, but could not locate Davis. Officers with the Traffic Division, Raines Station, and Special Operations assisted MSCS officers with safely dismissing students. Investigators later found Davis in the area of Third Street and Horn Lake Road wearing a black cross-body bag. As they approached him, he ran on foot. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. After a short chase, police say Davis was taken into custody in the 4000 block of Trevathan but he no longer had the black bag on him. However, police say they were able to locate the bag nearby which had a handgun inside. MPD says during the investigation, it was determined that Davis was responsible for a homicide that happened on May 16 in Southwest Memphis on Hillridge Street and Winchester Road. Charles Davis is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) The San Juan County Sheriffs Office has connected a man to two deaths. Officials trailed him to a home that eventually caught on fire, and they stated he wasnt alone. On August 28 around 7:30 p.m., personnel from the Bloomfield Police Department and San Juan County Sheriffs Office responded to a home on Road 4909. A man and woman were inside and determined to be dead with gunshot wounds. Authorities investigated and believed that two people were in the home with the victims when they died. They claimed Isaiah Brown fired a gun during an argument and fled the scene in the victims vehicle with Ravyn Burns. The next day, multiple law enforcement agencies tracked the pair to a home west of Kirtland, New Mexico. They tried to contact Brown and Burns but alleged Brown fired at them. Two deputies and three Farmington officers fired in return. The home started on fire, residents were evacuated, and the pair was able to escape and hide. Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe steps up security for 100th Burning of Zozobra Fire suppression efforts were made on the home, and authorities arrested Burns. Brown was located and taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The home was considered a complete loss. Officials expect to charge Brown with second-degree murder (two counts) and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Burns had an outstanding warrant, and she may be additionally charged. The successful apprehension is the result of the tireless investigative efforts of the San Juan County Sheriffs Office, Farmington Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and the New Mexico State Police. Thanks also goes to the San Juan County Fire Department for their service and partnership. There were no injuries to deputies or officers, and those who discharged their firearms were placed on standard administrative leave, reads a press release from the San Juan 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Man arrested, accused of trying to kidnap a child from a Ky. school playground A man from South Carolina was arrested Friday, after Kentucky State Police say he tried to abduct a child from the playground of a school in south Kentucky. Willie O. Bethea, 37, of Latta, S.C., went onto the playground of Whitley County Intermediate School and attempted to get a child to go with him, Kentucky State Police said in a news release. He was confronted by school staff and left the property. Bethea was found at Walmart in Corbin and arrested. State police said all Whitley County Schools, as well as Williamsburg City Schools and Corbin City Schools, were put on soft lock-down as a safety precaution before the arrest Friday. Trooper Scottie Pennington said state police do not know of any relationship between Bethea and the child. Before he was spotted on the playground, Bethea came to the school and said that he wanted to enroll a kid, but he did not have a child with him, Pennington said in a short interview Friday evening. Bethea is charged with attempted kidnapping of a minor, first-degree criminal trespassing, persistent felony offender and driving on a suspended license. Man arrested after breaking into cars at Redmond park, using stolen credit cards Redmond Police arrested a 31-year-old man Wednesday after he allegedly broke into multiple vehicles at a local park and used stolen credit cards to buy several video game systems. Officers responded around 7:55 p.m. to reports of a man rummaging through vehicles in the 9000 block of 196th Avenue Northeast. As police arrived at the scene, one of the victims reported unauthorized charges on their credit card at a nearby department store. Officers quickly headed to the store, where they found the suspect attempting to purchase several video game systems using the stolen credit cards. Upon spotting the officers, the suspect tried to run but was caught after a brief chase. The man was carrying several stolen credit cards and licenses during his arrest. His vehicle, found in the stores parking lot, contained property from multiple victims. The Redmond Police Department highlighted that this incident is part of a broader issue. Officers have responded to 425 car prowls in the community so far in 2024. Authorities urge residents to lock their car doors and avoid leaving valuables inside, especially at night. By Summer Zhen HONG KONG (Reuters) - Concentrated bets on popular Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings may have led to losses in billions of dollars for hedge funds from a crash in its shares following downbeat comments from its executives. U.S.-listed shares in PDD, the owner of low-priced retailer Temu, plummeted 33% this week, and 30% in the third quarter. BY THE NUMBERS Global hedge funds held 102.8 million shares of PDD at the end of June, up from 91.7 million shares the previous quarter, according to an estimate by WhaleWisdom, a website that tracks and analyses quarterly U.S. 13F filings. It is unclear if hedge funds increased or reduced their investments since then, but Reuters' calculations show the 30% fall in PDD shares between the end of June and Aug. 29 would have wiped out a combined value of roughly $4 billion from those positions. Some of Asia's largest hedge funds, including billionaire Zhang Lei's HHLR Advisors, Tairen Capital, Greenwoods Asset Management, were among the major investors in PDD by market value as of June 30, according to WhaleWisdom. Among global hedge fund giants, David Tepper's Appaloosa Management owned 1.94 million shares of PDD at the end of the second quarter, worth more than $250 million. THE CONTEXT PDD missed market estimates for quarterly revenue on Monday. During the earnings call, the firm said revenue growth would face pressure due to intensified competition and external challenges, and there were no plans for dividends or share buybacks. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT PDD has been a top pick for many funds investing in China, as the budget product platform is one of the few firms in the country still delivering growth and expanding globally amid the economic downturn. The unexpected bearish guidance, coupled with the stock slump, has further dampened sentiment toward already struggling Chinese equities, dragging down tech and consumer shares. KEY QUOTE "PDD was a crowdy long position for many calibre of clients," said Andy Maynard, global head of equities at China Renaissance Securities, "I'm sure the 30+% selloff has been difficult for all types of funds." "In terms of the guidance, it was really poor... Overall, it will make some investors as pessimistic as ever, and likely mean a continuing narrowing of their portfolios into names that they trust, have transparency and can see future growth," he said. (Reporting by Summer Zhen; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan and Jamie Freed) Man arrested on suspicion of arson, fled from CHP near Kernville KERNVILLE, Calif. (KGET) Firefighters responded to a brush fire Thursday near Kernville and one man was arrested, according to the Kern County Fire Department. Officials with the California Highway Patrol arrested Jamal Iokepa Buyuan, of Hawaii, Aug. 29 after two Good Samaritans said they observed him lighting fires along the roadway, at about 10:45 a.m. After multiple roadside fires were reported, the Kern County Fire Department responded to the incident, along with the U.S. Forest Service. Ice ax killer takes plea deal in child sex case Forward progress of the fire was stopped at 88 acres. Officials said aerial support from multiple Cal Fire, U.S.F.S., and KCFD aircrafts was instrumental. Buyuan was arrested on eight alleged counts of Arson of Forest Land (PC 451c), by KCFD Arson Investigators. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man arrested after threatening to shoot children walking to school in Northern California, police say (FOX40.COM) A man was arrested after threatening to shoot four children walking to school Tuesday morning, the Fairfield Police Department said. According to police, around 9:18 a.m., the Grange Middle School students told their school resource officer that the man had threatened them while they were off campus. California teens accused of forcing boy to lick shoes in bullying incident Police said the officer located the man driving in front of the school in the same vehicle described by the students and wearing the same clothes. The man was arrested and booked into Solano County Jail on four counts of terrorist threats and one count of resisting/obstructing a peace officer. The Fairfield Police Department encouraged parents to remind students to stay alert, never engage with strangers and to adopt a buddy system for walking to school. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Man out on bail for drug, weapons charges cuffed for gunning down Bronx Uber driver Man out on bail for drug, weapons charges cuffed for gunning down Bronx Uber driver A man out on bail for drug and weapons charges was arrested for gunning down a 27-year-old Uber driver outside a Bronx apartment building, cops announced Thursday. Frederick Freeman, 36, was cuffed Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Muhamadou Gumaneh, police said. Freeman who has been arrested six times since 2008 posted either a $10,000 bail or a $50,000 bond to secure his release following his Nov. 27, 2023 arrest after police caught him with drugs and a loaded firearm in Manhattan, court records show. Gumanehs family was delighted to learn that Freeman had been caught but disappointed hed been set free following his arrest last year. What happens in the dark eventually comes to light, the victims brother, Saibou Gumaneh, told the Daily News. Were definitely happy he was caught. That he was released on bail was crazy, but thats New York. Freeman is due back in Manhattan Supreme Criminal Court on Oct. 16 for charges related to last years arrest, records show. Freeman wore dark clothing and a mask on Sheridan Ave. near Marcy Place when he opened fire around 1:10 a.m. on Aug 15, striking Gumaneh in the chest, arm and back, cops said. Paramedics rushed Gumaneh to Lincoln Hospital but he could not be saved, police said. The victims sister told the News she believes Gumaneh was in the area visiting friends and that he was an innocent bystander who got caught in the gunmans sights. There was no cause for him to take our beloved brothers life, Hawa Gumaneh, 33, said. Its been very hard for us to understand. He was an easygoing person. He never got into any problems with anyone. His death is very hard to understand. Gumaneh worked as an Uber driver and was planning to get married when Freeman allegedly gunned him down, according to his brother. My brother was a good person, Saibou Gumaneh said. Definitely a warm hearted person. He worked a lot of hustles. But he was mostly a hardworking Uber driver. He was a praying man, a devout Muslim, Saibou Gumaneh added. He always made sure he got time for his prayers. In the hours following the fatal shooting, Neighbors gathered around a bloodstain that marked the site where Gumaneh was hit. One neighbor said she captured cell phone video of first responders trying to save the victim. Ive seen him. I know him, one of the neighbors said, shaking her head. My grandsons friend. Oh my God. Oh my God. The neighbor, 76, said her grandson and the victim had gone through grade school together. I dont see him for a couple of weeks because sometimes I dont come down, she said. Oh my God. The woman said local teens often gathered on the street in the evening, but she suspected they wouldnt be back for a few days. She has lived in the neighborhood for decades and said the area used to be safer. There are a lot of shootings, she said. A building resident said she didnt hear the gunshots but heard the call placed for help. I heard. They say, Call 911, she said. DENVER (KDVR) A man described by the district attorneys office as the mastermind of a payroll scheme out of Aurora has been convicted of first-degree murder and a pattern of racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. The payroll scheme happened at a King Soopers Distribution Center operated by Capstone Logistics on Tower Road in Aurora. Someone placed them there: Aurora mayor responds to armed group at troubled apartment Jerrelle Smith, 44, and several of his friends stole thousands of dollars by finagling the payroll system with ghost employees, according to a release from the district attorneys office. The scheme came to light when Ryan Dillard was hired in early October 2021 as he transitioned into his new role to replace a former supervisor. At that time, former Capstone employee and beneficiary of the scheme Michael Poydras was not an active employee, but was still on the payroll, according to the release. Smith hired Poydras to murder Dillard, the district attorneys office said in the release. On October 21, 2021, Poydras, dressed in all black, hid behind a sign on the Capstone property and ambushed Dillard as he left the facility to pick up breakfast for his employees. According to the DAs office, Poydras fled the scene after opening fire on Dillards vehicle, killing him. Poydras was convicted by an Adams County jury of first-degree murder on July 21, 2023, and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The facts of this case are like something out of a movie as theyre impossible to comprehend in real life, District Attorney Brian Mason said in the release. Smith stole thousands and thousands of dollars from Capstone Logistics and then hired a beneficiary of that scheme to murder a fellow employee in cold blood. Denver report finds marijuana legalization did not impact crime After nearly three weeks on trial, an Adams County jury convicted Smith of first-degree murder and Colorado Organized Crime Control Act a pattern of racketeering, and theft on Thursday. The DAs office said there will be another hearing on habitual counts in this case before Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin hands down Smiths sentence. Smith faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A 32-year-old man has been found guilty of multiple felonies for pimping a woman on Union Avenue, threatening and hitting her if she didnt obey him. Darrell Lawrence Meeken was convicted Thursday of human trafficking, pimping and pandering, according to Superior Court records. He has a court trial scheduled next month regarding his prior convictions. Man gets 27 years for assaulting woman, 63, during home invasion robbery A sentencing date hasnt been set. A review by police of dozens of text messages shows Meeken, arrested in August of last year, was in charge of and collected money from a woman with whom hed been involved for years, according to court documents. If she didnt listen, Meeken hit her, police said in the documents, noting his multiple domestic violence arrests. Court records show he pleaded no contest in 2020 to felony spousal abuse. He frequently threatened her. Now I just sell steaks out of the back of a van: Is the Great Resignation making a comeback? On one occasion, Meeken wrote: Watch me slap da s outa u . . . think this a game, according to the documents. He was upset because she wasnt charging enough, police said. Another time, he texted that she better make a customer use a condom or hed beat her, documents said. He wrote he was just outside the door and could hear everything 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 KGET 17. Man who escaped Pennsylvania prison, led police on manhunt sentenced to 15-30 more years behind bars A man who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison and led police on a nearly two week long manhunt last August has been sentenced to more time behind bars. Danelo Cavalcante was sentenced to 15 to 30 more years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from his escape, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office announced Friday. >> State police update on escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante: now armed, extremely dangerous Cavalcante, 35, broke out of the Chester County Prison on Aug. 31, 2023 by scaling a wall and maneuvering past a razor-wire fence. He went on the run across several neighborhoods and the countryside for 13 days. During the manhunt, Cavalcante committed several crimes, including two residential burglaries where the homeowners were present, theft of an automobile, theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a person not eligible to carry. Cavalcante was caught on Sept. 13 in a heavily wooded area in Chester County. Before his escape, Cavalcante was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for murdering his ex-girlfriend. This defendant was already serving a life sentence when he escaped and put an entire community on edge as he continued to commit more crimes while on the run, said Attorney General Michelle Henry. I commend the immense effort of the hundreds of troopers, officers, and agents who worked tirelessly to bring him into custody. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Woman killed, 3 others injured in crash involving tractor-trailer in Monroeville Masses of lanternflies appearing as rain on radar in Pittsburgh area Missing Pittsburgh woman found dead in Monongahela River VIDEO: He was lively: Brother remembers man who died after early-morning Route 8 crash DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Two men are facing charges after an Endangered Child Alert was issued for a Knox County girl. The Knox County Sheriffs Office said Demetrius Lynn Bussell has been charged with aiding a runaway child in escaping legal custody or guardian and several additional charges. Another man, Xavier Avery Bussell, is also facing various drug charges following the investigation, court records state. Woman charged after man found dead in Madisonville home The girl was first reported missing Tuesday evening, and an Endangered Child Alert was issued by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Wednesday afternoon. Just after 9 p.m., the TBI shared that she had been found. During the investigation, detectives discovered that the girl may have been at a home on Coster Road, court records explain. After surveilling the home, they noticed a vehicle leave the home with an expired registration, which led deputies to stop the vehicle and identify the driver as Demetrius Bussell. Court records state that Demetrius Bussell told deputies that the girl was inside the home on Coster Road, and detectives found her inside. The report added that Xavier Bussell was found in the home with the girl, and deputies noticed marijuana, drug packaging materials, handguns and other items inside the home, the documents state. The deputies then requested a search warrant for the home. Majority of bears humanely killed by TWRA in 2024 were in Gatlinburg According to court documents, the girl told police that Demetrius Bussell had arranged and paid for an Uber to pick her up on the night of the disappearance. KCSO also shared that deputies executed another search warrant on Wednesday at a home on Linden Avenue in relation to the investigation. KCSO executing a search warrant on Linden Ave Wednesday afternoon as part of the investigation into the missing girl (WATE) KCSO executing a search warrant on Linden Ave Wednesday afternoon as part of the investigation into the missing girl (WATE) KCSO executing a search warrant on Linden Ave Wednesday afternoon as part of the investigation into the missing girl (WATE) KCSO executing a search warrant on Linden Ave Wednesday afternoon as part of the investigation into the missing girl (WATE) Demetrius Bussell is also facing child abuse/neglect/endangerment, conceals harbor or hide runaway child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, maintain dwelling for drug use, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm with intent to go armed and schedule VI drugs charges. Flint Gap Fire believed to be 16 acres as crews work to contain it This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. Xavier Bussell was charged with maintaining a dwelling for drug use, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed and schedule VI drugs 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. A man facing federal porn charges was a former employee of a local daycare. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] David Snell, 35, is the focus of a federal investigation into child pornography. He was arrested Wednesday at a house on Brookline Avenue in Dayton. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 35-year-old man in position of public trust facing federal child porn charges According to a hearing Thursday 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. Mini University, Inc. posted on social media that Snell was briefly employed at the Hope Center. TRENDING STORIES: The post states that Snell was immediately fired from the daycare after they were informed of his arrest. I want to assure you Mini University followed all proper protocols for vetting Mr. Snell, which included ensuring we had approval from the state that he was eligible for employment. This information was based on his BCII/FBI fingerprints and background check, which was completed and on file before hire. Our internal investigation has not revealed any illicit activity from Mr. Snell or any employee, Kim Grisez, vice president of human resources wrote. 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. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Man flown to hospital after shooting in Butler City A man was injured after a shooting in Butler County. Butler City Police Department said officers were called to the 400 block of East Jefferson Street at 12:02 a.m. on Friday. A 32-year-old man from Ohio was found shot in the leg when they arrived. He had been shot once. Police say he was not cooperative. Butler Ambulance Service took the man to Butler Medical Hospital before he was flown to Allegheny General Hospital for further treatment. He is currently listed in stable condition. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Missing Pittsburgh woman found dead in Monongahela River Local school implements 4-day school week Police find missing boy hours after he left Cecil Intermediate School VIDEO: He was lively: Brother remembers man who died after early-morning Route 8 crash DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Mark Cuban Shares How To Get Rich: 'Loved My Life Eating Mustard and Ketchup Sandwiches' But Says It's Definitely Better Having Money Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is no stranger to sharing his thoughts on wealth and success. In a 2008 blog post titled "How to Get Rich," Cuban laid out his straightforward, no-nonsense advice on achieving financial success. Don't Miss: Are you rich? Heres what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. The number of 401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year Here are three ways to join the club. Cuban reminisced about his early days, saying, "I'm certainly not going to lie and say it is not much better having lots of money. I had a whole lot of fun and loved my life when I was eating mustard and ketchup sandwiches and sleeping on the floor of a 3-bedroom apartment that housed me and five buddies." Despite his modest beginnings, Cuban is clear that his life has improved with wealth. "I have a whole lot more fun now. It doesn't suck to be rich." Trending: Elon Musks secret mansion in Austin revealed through court filings.Heres how to invest in the citys growth before prices go back up. However, Cuban is quick to caution against the allure of quick fixes and easy money. "There are no shortcuts. NONE," he emphasized. During financial uncertainty, such as the 2008 economic downturn, Cuban warned of scams and schemes that prey on those desperate for financial success. "The less money you have, the more likely someone will come at you with some scheme. The schemes will guarantee returns, use multilevel marketing, or be something crazy that is now backed by the U.S. Government.' Please ignore them," he advised. See More: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare? Cuban's approach to getting rich is grounded in practicality and discipline. "Save your money. Save as much money as you possibly can. Every penny you can," he wrote. Cuban encourages cutting unnecessary expenses and living frugally as the first step toward building wealth. "Instead of coffee, drink water. Instead of going to McDonald's, eat Mac and Cheese. Cut up your credit cards. If you use a credit card, you don't want to be rich." The billionaire also emphasized the importance of having cash on hand, especially during market volatility. "The first step to getting rich is having cash available," Cuban noted. He criticized the traditional buy-and-hold investment strategy, pointing out that those who followed it often found themselves without cash when opportunities arose. "Buy and hold is a sucker's game for you," he stated, adding that those who saved their money in safer vehicles like CDs could capitalize on opportunities during economic downturns. Story continues See Also: Founder of Personal Capital and ex-CEO of PayPal re-engineers traditional banking with this new high-yield account start saving better today. Cuban's second rule for getting rich is to invest time in yourself and become knowledgeable about a business you love. "Whatever your hobbies, interests, passions are ... GET A JOB in the business that supports it," he advised. Cuban highlighted the value of learning on the job, stating that working in an industry you're passionate about is akin to getting paid to learn. "This is not a short-term project. We aren't talking days. We aren't talking months. We are talking years. Lots of years and maybe decades," Cuban wrote. He emphasized that there's no perfect path to wealth, but with patience and preparation, the right opportunity will eventually present itself. Trending: IRS Finalizes 10-Year Rule For Retirement Withdrawals, Making Things Even More Insanely Complicated Cuban concluded his advice by underscoring the cyclical nature of business, with periods of boom and bust. "Booms are when the smart people sell. Busts are when rich people started on their path to wealth," he wrote. According to Cuban, the key is to be prepared when the time comes. "The question is whether you have the discipline to be ready when it happens for you?" Mark Cuban's journey from eating mustard and ketchup sandwiches to becoming a billionaire is a testament to the power of discipline, knowledge, and preparation. While he doesn't sugarcoat the reality that having money is better, his advice remains grounded in the belief that success is within reach for those willing to work for it. Read Next: Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are bullish on one city that could dethrone New York and become the new financial capital of the US. Investing in its booming real estate market has never been more accessible. "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Mark Cuban Shares How To Get Rich: 'Loved My Life Eating Mustard and Ketchup Sandwiches' But Says It's Definitely Better Having Money originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) On Thursday, an Oklahoma County jury found 40-year-old Quinton Pace guilty on several charges after he reportedly rammed an Oklahoma City Police squad car and shot at an officer back in 2021. Quinton Pace. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office. According to OKCPD, a suspect, who was later identified as Pace, sideswiped a police car driven by Officer Samuel Flowers before getting out of the car and shooting at Flowers. Flowers, who was trapped inside the squad car, was able to fire his rifle through the car window and struck Pace. Both men were treated for minor injuries. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Surveillance video shows suspect ramming Oklahoma City police officer before allegedly opening fire Pace was charged with two counts of shooting with intent to kill, one count of assault and battery with a deadly weapon and one count of threatening an act of violence following his arrest in May 2021. An Oklahoma County jury found Pace guilty on three of the four charges, returning a not guilty verdict on the second count of shooting with intent to kill. Paces sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 4. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A city man accused of strangling his girlfriend several times as she lay on her bed was indicted Thursday by a Mahoning County grand jury. Read next: Local pizza shop closes its doors after nearly 50 years Larnell Hall, 40, faces two charges of strangulation, one a second-degree felony and one a third-degree felony along with a fourth-degree felony charge of domestic violence. Hall was arrested June 29, three days after Boardman police were called about 10:30 p.m. to Market Street and Willow Avenue after a woman flagged down a trooper from the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol to say she was strangled by her boyfriend. Reports said the woman told township police she was at her apartment in Boardman and had argued with Hall earlier in the day. Several hours after the argument, Hall strangled her as she lay on her bed, reports said, Reports said Hall would strangle the woman for several seconds, stop, then strangle her again. He did this five times, the woman told police. The woman told police at times she had trouble breathing and she asked Hall to stop, reports said. The woman was able to get a few things and her child and was driving to the police station to report the assault when she saw the trooper and flagged him down, reports said. An address where the assault took place was redacted on a Boardman police incident report. Reports said the woman had marks on her neck like she had been strangled, reports said. Police went to the apartment but Hall was gone when they arrived, reports said. At the time of the assault, Hall was free on bond for an unrelated weapons charge. That bond was revoked after he was arrested on the strangulation 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 WKBN.com. TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A man has been indicted for the 2022 aggravated robbery of a store in Taylor County. Melvin Hodge, Taylor County Jail According to court documents, the suspect entered a store on May 19, 2022. He allegedly handed the clerk a threatening note, then brandished a firearm and stole more than $700 from the store. DNA testing and video footage led to the arrest of suspect Melvin Hodge. He was taken into custody at the Taylor County Jail with a bond set at $150,000. Hodge is charged with aggravated robbery, as well as tampering with evidence, possessing prohibited items in a correctional facility, and possession of fentanyl. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 30 years after he murdered a Florida State University student who was on a camping trip in the Ocala National Forest, Loran Cole was executed by lethal injection Thursday evening at Florida State Prison. Cole, 57, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. and became the first inmate executed in Florida this year. He could be seen breathing heavily and briefly trembling after the lethal-injection process started at 6 p.m. but did not move after 6:06 p.m. Cole did not have any last words, though he looked up and appeared to nod to a witness who was seated in a viewing area. Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 29 signed a death warrant for Cole, who was convicted of killing FSU student John Edwards, 18, in February 1994. Edwards went to the national forest to camp with his sister, a student at Eckerd College. Cole and another man, William Paul, joined the brother and sister at their campsite. After they decided to walk to a pond, Cole knocked Edwards sister to the ground and ultimately handcuffed her, according to court records. Paul took the sister up a trail, and Edwards died from a slashed throat and blows to the head that fractured his skull. Edwards sister was sexually assaulted and was tied to two trees the next morning before freeing herself. (In most cases, The News Service of Florida does not identify sexual-assault victims by name.) The Edwards family did not attend the execution. But the victims parents, Timothy and Victoria Edwards, released a statement that described the crime as horrendous and senseless and said it shattered the family. The parents said their children asked for mercy, but that Mr. Cole did not extend mercy to our children. They added that Cole does not deserve mercy. The execution came several hours after the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday morning refused to take up an appeal by Coles attorneys or grant a stay. The Florida Supreme Court also rejected arguments by Coles attorneys last week. Cole awoke at 6 a.m. Thursday and ate a last meal of pizza, ice cream, M&Ms and soda, said Ted Veerman, communications director for the Florida Department of Corrections. Cole had two visitors, including his son. In their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Coles attorneys primarily argued that his case should be sent back to a lower court for an evidentiary hearing about whether the states lethal-injection procedures would cause needless pain and suffering because of Coles symptoms from Parkinsons disease. Cole now experiences shaking in both of his arms from his neck to his fingertips and in his legs, a petition to the Supreme Court said. Coles Parkinsons symptoms will make it impossible for Florida to safely and humanely carry out his execution because his involuntary body movements will affect the placement of the intravenous lines necessary to carry out an execution by lethal injection. But Florida Attorney General Ashley Moodys office urged justices to reject the argument, in part because Cole has had Parkinsons symptoms since at least 2017. Coles attorneys argued that executing him by lethal injection could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Cole argues that this (Supreme) Court should stay the execution because it presents constitutional issues which this court should be free of time constraint to properly consider, lawyers in Moodys office wrote. He laments that the court only has several days to consider the issue. However, this supposed conundrum is one created by Coles own doing. Cole knew for at least seven years that he was suffering symptoms of Parkinsons disease but delayed bringing any claim challenging lethal injection as applied to him until his death warrant was signed. Nothing prevented him from doing so. As is common, the U.S. Supreme Court did not explain its reasons for turning down the appeal. Cole could be seen Thursday evening with what appeared to be an intravenous line in his left arm. In addition to the Parkinsons disease issue, Coles attorneys argued in state courts that the execution should be halted because of abuse he suffered as a teen at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. The attorneys said the jury that recommended a death sentence did not know about the abuse he suffered at the state reform school. Also, the attorneys pointed to a law that DeSantis signed this year to compensate some victims of abuse at Dozier, though the law would not apply to Cole. But Marion County Circuit Judge Robert Hodges and the Florida Supreme Court refused to block the execution. Cole was the first inmate executed in Florida since October, when Michael Duane Zack was put to death by lethal injection for a 1996 murder in Escambia County. The state last year also executed James Phillip Barnes in the 1988 murder of a woman in her Melbourne condominium; Duane Owen in the 1984 murder of a Palm Beach County woman; Darryl Barwick in the 1986 murder of a woman in her Panama City apartment; Louis Gaskin in the 1989 murders of a couple in Flagler County; and Donald David Dillbeck in the 1990 murder of a woman during a carjacking in a Tallahassee mall parking lot. Dillbeck was the first person executed since Gary Ray Bowles was put to death by lethal injection in August 2019 for a 1994 murder in Jacksonville. Man pleads no contest to sexual assault of minor relative LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) John Hendrickson, 59, of Bellaire, pled no contest to multiple charges related to his repeated sexual assault of a minor relative for several years, the Michigan Attorney General announced Thursday. The charges come from Hendricksons repeated sexual assault of a relative who was aged 9 to 15 in his Leroy Township home and his vehicle in Calhoun County between the years of 1999 and 2007. After the victim came forward, Hendrickson was arrested on eight counts of First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct on Jan. 25, 2024. Hendrickson was arrested on eight counts of First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. He pled no contest to only four of those counts under a plea agreement. His initial charges were life offenses, but under the plea agreement, Hendrickson is expected to serve 1740 years in prison and be subject to lifelong electric monitoring and sex offender registration. Hendrickson will be sentenced by 37th Circuit Court Judge John A. Hallacy on Nov. 4 at 1:30 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 WLNS 6 News. A Port Charlotte man was sentenced Monday to 21 months in federal prison for fraudulently selling parts to a NASA contractor working on the Artemis program, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Steven Lukens, 54, was the CEO of Gulf Atlantic International Supply, which was a supplier of parts to an unidentified Tennessee-based NASA contractor working on NASAs Artemis program, which is supposed to put astronauts back on the moon and eventually Mars, at the Kennedy Space Center, according to the release. Lukens forged documents saying the materials he provided to the contractor, meant to handle highly reactive and poisonous fluids, were up to standard between 2014 and 2021, according to records. The NASA Office of the Inspector General eventually determined the documents had been doctored after finding mismatched font, copy and paste errors, or the same name being used for a signature on different manufacturing companies certificates, according to court records. There were at least 190 instances of misrepresentations in the quality documentation submitted by Lukens company and the fraud caused the contractor to pay Lukens company $271,024 for the products, according to the release. After NASAs discovery, the falsely certified parts were then identified, impounded and removed from NASA projects. The contractor estimates about $418,255 to have been additionally lost due to labor costs, according to court records. Man sentenced in Springfield for using dark web to fund Chicago rappers lavish lifestyle SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A man from the Chicago area was sentenced in Springfield federal court in connection with his role in a nationwide fraud conspiracy. According to the Department of Justice, 38-year-old Demario Sorrells of Rockford, Illinois along with five others allegedly conspired to defraud numerous businesses and individuals by using unauthorized and stolen payment card account information of real people. Chicago rapper Rodeo pleads guilty in federal fraud case in Springfield Sorrells provided illicit account information that he obtained from the dark web for purchases, used private jets, and commercial flights, and stayed in hotels. Sorrells was responsible for $106,000 in victim losses. Sorrells pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On Friday, he was sentenced to three years of probation, $106,000 in restitution, and $106,000 in forfeiture. The additional co-defendants include rapper Herbert Wright III (known as G Herbo), rap promoter Antonio Strong, Joseph Williams, Steven Hayes, Jr., and Terrance Bender. Strong pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, and he is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19th. Wright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a federal official and was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $139,968. Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $155,392 and forfeiture of $102,116. 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. QUEENS VILLAGE, Queens (PIX11) A man who abducted and sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl died in a car crash during a brief police pursuit in Queens on Friday afternoon, according to the NYPD. The suspect, identified as Wayne Neol, took the girl while she was waiting for her grandmother outside of a bathroom inside a Key Food on Jamaica Avenue in Queens Village at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, police said. More Crime News Neol grabbed the girl by her hair, led her to his car, and drove off before forcing her to perform a sex act, police said. A good Samaritan interrupted the attack and he drove back to the store, where he assaulted the girl again, police said. That survivor will never be the same, NYPD Assistant Chief Jason Savino said during a briefing on Friday. Neol was seen fleeing the scene in a four-door Honda Civic, according to authorities. Officers spotted the suspect in his car around 12:30 p.m. Friday at 212th Street and Hillside Avenue and tried to pull him over. They pursued him before he ran a stop sign and crashed into a Jeep Grand Cherokee two blocks away near 90th Avenue and 212th Street, according to the NYPD. The Jeep driver was not injured and remained at the scene. Neol, 64, was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said. Neol has four prior arrests, the police said. The most recent was for an alleged robbery in Queens. Police said he grabbed a woman on the street, forced her into the same vehicle, drove to another location, and robbed her at knifepoint. 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. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that happened Thursday afternoon. Officers responded to a store in the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike at about 4:40 p.m. There, they found a man inside suffering from gunshot wounds. Prince Georges County Animal Shelter hosting rabbit handling classes He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives were still working to find those responsible for the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip using the P3 Tips app or call Prince Georges County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. (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. Story continues 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. A man was injured during a shooting Thursday night at a tattoo shop in Kendale Lakes, according to Miami-Dade Police. Police say the shooting happened around 8 p.m. at Eazy Street Tattoo in the Miller Shops Plaza at 13433 SW 56th St. Two tattoo shop employees were taking a work break near the back of the business when they were approached by two armed men who demanded their belongings. One of the armed men shot the victim in the back as he attempted to run away. The men allegedly stole property from both of the victims, including jewelry, before escaping in a vehicle. Police said their relationship with the victim is not known yet. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital by a bystander.Authorities report he is in stable condition. This report will be updated as more details are learned. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q3Jo9aCDvu3NVm3t8 One of the recently approved towers, the Contour building, is backed by 69.2m from the GMCA's housing investment loans fund The tallest skyscraper in Manchester has won planning approval along with four others after city officials gave millions of pounds of taxpayer money to their developer. Manchester City Council gave its backing to the projects being built by housing business Renaker, including a 300m, 71-storey tower in Deansgate with 642 flats, swimming pool, sauna and top-floor restaurant. Approval was also granted for four neighbouring residential buildings up to 51 storeys high, also being built by Renaker. The quartet will provide 1,746 homes as well as a dog spa, mahjong room and podcast studio. Many of Renakers developments have been part-funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), led by Mayor Andy Burnham. It is currently contending with a High Court claim that it unfairly lent taxpayer cash to the business. One of the projects approved at a council meeting on Thursday, known as Contour, is backed by 69.2m from the GMCAs housing investment loans fund. That sum is part of the legal claim, which was lodged with the Competition Appeals Tribunal by rival Weis Group. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Renaker and the authority insists it has acted fairly. The combined authority has so far loaned more than 500m to Renaker and its sister companies, run by local tycoon Daren Whitaker, out of the 1.2bn payouts approved so far for all developers. Weis claims that the GMCA is distorting Manchesters market by giving Renaker preferential treatment. Andy Burnham's Greater Manchester Combined Authority is contending with a High Court claim that it unfairly lent taxpayer cash to Renaker - Chris Ratcliffe /Bloomberg During Thursdays meeting, some councillors expressed dismay at the lack of affordable housing which caps rents at 80pc of market rates for eligible households in any of the developments 2,388 homes. There is a city-wide target for 20pc of new housing to be affordable. Renaker claimed that its skyscrapers would be unviable if affordable homes were included, a stance adopted by several developers across the city. The councils planning officer responded that the developers ability to provide affordable housing will be re-tested once the majority of the projects have been completed and occupied. Analysis by The Telegraph last month found that several Renaker developments funded by the GMCA did not produce a single low-price home. Despite 53 objections made against the four towers and a further 16 against the 71-storey skyscraper, no objectors turned up to Thursdays meeting to state their case against the projects. Planning officers last week advised the council to give permission for the towers. In the same meeting, plans were also approved for a 34-storey tower in Piccadilly, which included an aparthotel with 251 bedrooms and a net zero lifestyle museum. Lamington Group, which is behind the plans, hopes it will be the UKs first net zero tower. Renakers crown as the developer behind the citys tallest skyscraper may not last long plans were filed in November by rival Salboy for a 76-storey tower, containing 780 flats. Renaker is among several players in Manchester known for building luxury residential skyscrapers and marketing them to buy-to-let investors in Hong Kong and China. 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. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Manhattan streets will be closed on Sunday near the small neighborhood called Little Brazil, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. The 40th Annual Brazilian Day Festival will be in full swing as the city prepares to celebrate Brazils Independence Day. More Local News The street comes to life on NYCs renowned Brazilian Day Festival, which began there in 1984, read a post on New York City Tourism and Convestions website. This annual event, held the Sunday before Labor Day, celebrates Brazils independence with food, music, and dancing. It draws well over 1 million visitors from around the world and spans 20 or so city blocks. As New Yorkers and tourists eat traditional Brazilian foods like barbecue meats and Empadaos, these streets will be closed to traffic. Manhattan street closures: 6th Avenue between 42nd Street and 56th Street 46th Street between Madison Avenue and 7th Avenue More information on street closures for the citys annual Brazilian Day can be found here. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. 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 PIX11. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A panel of nine Mann Middle School students gathered before Abilene ISD staff, administration, and parents Thursday for a set of community summit events. These events are aimed at informing the future direction as the district determines the best changes for Manns transition into a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) campus. This event is just one portion of the larger changes coming around the district under the newly adopted and TEA-provided System of Great Schools. Its an exciting time in the life of Abilene ISD as we start to imagine our future. Or re-imagine our future, AISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn told the crowd. Two Abilene schools could become STEM campuses Mann Middle School was awarded a TEA School Action Fund redesign grant to assist in implementing community and student-desired changes to campus structure and classroom learning procedures. Dr. Kuhn said Thursdays Summits are the first step in that process. The administration took into account the opinions of staff, students, and parents as it shapes the transition plan. We need to design a model of education that meets their needs. Who better to talk to about the needs of the kids than the kids themselves, said Kuhn. A few areas of public interest have risen from the conversations. Kuhn shared that the panel of nine students has mentioned a desire to see more hands-on learning opportunities and a possible increased focus on teaching soft skills, which are non-technical skills needed in the workforce, such as time management, leadership and productive communication. All aspects will be taken into account as the classroom learning structure is modified. They were extremely honest this morning about the things they love about Mann as it currently sits. But also things they would like to see in the future. Things that may be a little bit different than the old sit-and-get type of classroom, Kuhn explained. Mann Middle School Principal Chad Drake said he has been pleased with the quality and quantity of community involvement in this process. After our first meeting, we heard great things from students. They talked about a desire to connect with each other during the school day. They gave really good answers about what learning should look like and sound like in the classroom, Drake said. Abilene ISD superintendent speaks on hiring freeze, school vouchers & goals Kuhn clarified that under the System of Great Schools structure, the TEA has provided AISD with tested and proven methods of implementing such changes efficiently and effectively while incorporating community and student needs to tailor the changes best at each campus. The TEA is interested in making sure that we follow research-based projects and things we can implement in our school district. Its not just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something will stick. Were trying to do things that have shown to be successful in communities like ours, said Kuhn. While this is still the early phase of the transition and changes that the System of Great Schools will bring to the district, Kuhn says he is excited to see the positive growth this process will bring. Im excited beyond compare. I feel lucky to be here, thrilled to be here. There are a whole lot of really good people in this school district who want to do this right by kids. We want to be the school district of choice. We want to be the school district that people look at and say that is where I want my kid to learn, Kuhn said. Gender-specific campuses, charter schools? Why big changes could be coming to Abilene ISD The next major step in Mann Middles transition comes at the end of September 2024. At that time, Drake says the design team, which will consist of school administration, staff, parents, and community members, will work to decide what changes need to be made to the school structure and learning procedure to best suit the student population. Several other design days will be held throughout the fall. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ARIZONA ELECTION 2024 All the races| President | US Senate | US House | State issues| State House | State Senate | Maricopa County | Pinal County | City| Schools| Justice | How to vote| Voters will weigh in on the future of elections in Maricopa County this November when they cast ballots in the recorder's race. The seat holds power over voter registration and early voting, and the race has drawn national attention. Maricopa County is the most populous county in the state and one of the largest voting jurisdictions in the country. Recently, it has also become a breeding ground for voting conspiracies. State Rep. Justin Heap defeated incumbent Stephen Richer and information technology professional Don Hiatt in the GOP primary. He'll face military veteran and attorney Timothy Stringham, a Democrat, in the November election. Arizona election: Read our full coverage of county races Heap has voiced issues with county elections. He has previously supported legislation to remove Arizona from a multistate voter registration list maintenance effort and has pledged to clean voter rolls. He also has promised faster election results. The Arizona Republic asked each candidate questions about their bid for office and how they would handle key issues if elected. Here's what they had to say. Answers may have been slightly edited for clarity and brevity. Growth: How will you ensure election processes can withstand population increases? If elected, you will be tasked with overseeing voter registration and early voting in a rapidly growing county. What steps will you take to ensure voter rolls are properly maintained? What changes or improvements would you make to early ballot processing and signature verification? Justin Heap: Effective voter roll management is central to ensuring voters can have trust in the process of Maricopa Countys elections. Under the current recorder, voter roll maintenance has been laughable at best, resulting in historically low voter confidence and voter disenfranchisement. My promise to voters is to do everything within the confines of our election laws to clean our voter rolls in real time and to restore transparency, lawfulness and honesty back to our elections. In the Arizona Legislature, I am fighting for this, and I will make it happen as recorder. Republican county recorder candidate Justin Heap prepares for a Citizens Clean Elections debate at BitFire Studios in Phoenix on Monday, June 24, 2024. Timothy Stringham: Arizona already has a robust process to protect our voter rolls while making our elections accessible for voters. What I promise to do is to listen intently to our poll workers and our career election officials, and work to bring them resources and advocate for policies to make their jobs easier. In Maricopa County, we have over 2.4 million voters and we record over a million documents a year. The job of the recorder is to make sure our employees have the tools to get a job of that size done. Leadership should always listen to their workers before deciding that they know better. That's what I've done as an officer in the United States military and it's how I'll lead as the county recorder. Threats: How will you protect your workers from harassment? County election officials have seen threats and harassment in recent years. What steps would you take to protect your staff, ensure your office can retain employees and ensure you can attract new workers when needed? Heap: I condemn any and all violence or threats against all election officials. That is simply not who we are as Americans. I categorically reject it. I also condemn the Democrats weaponization of our government and justice system to target and destroy their political opponents. Both of these are a perverse corruption of our American institutions. If anyone makes a credible threat against a public official, I believe they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Stringham: The county recorder needs to work closely with all of our law enforcement agencies in the Valley as well as federal agencies to analyze every aspect of our security, whether that means Election Day security, election integrity or office safety. I've worked in national security for more than 15 years, including time working for the Department of Justice, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. I also have a master's degree in national security law from Georgetown University, so safety for our employees and our voters isn't just a top priority for me, it's an area of expertise. Electoral trust: How confident are you in election results? How confident are you in the certified results of the 2020 and 2022 elections? Heap: Whats abundantly clear to any honest observer is that voters are disenfranchised and have lost trust in our elections. Restoring voter confidence and the integrity of our elections has become the civil rights issue of our time. We need more transparency, lawfulness and honesty in the election process so every voter is confident in the outcomes of Maricopa County elections. Stringham: I'm extremely confident in the results of those elections, however, I also don't want anyone to feel like their concerns are being dismissed nor do I think we need to be complacent about future elections. It is fantastic that people are interested in election security and integrity. We just want to make sure that we are having informed, honest discussions, instead of what we got with the Cyber Ninjas investigation, which was a grossly irresponsible waste of taxpayer money. Property documents: How would you improve recording functions? The recorder does more than just election-related duties. If elected, you will also be responsible for recording a variety of documents, including deeds, plats and other property records. How would you improve the current recording system and searchable database? Heap: I will make sure the system is accessible and transparent for everyone. We need to be constantly vigilant in protecting Maricopa County property owners against deed and title fraud by enhancing the notification systems for property owners whenever a change in status occurs. Stringham: Deed fraud is increasingly becoming a problem and we need to work closely with our real estate professionals and title companies to create secure processes to record documents, as well as efficient processes to identify and investigate suspected fraud that do not slow down business in a fast-growing county. This issue might not affect a lot of people, but when it does, the results are catastrophic. We also need to continue to work to improve our county websites so that if you do need information, it is readily accessible. On a personal note: Who do you admire? What person in public life, past or present, do you most admire, and why? Heap: President Abraham Lincoln. Not only is he the father of the Republican Party, but he successfully fought the signature civil rights battle in our nations history. His steadfastness, faith and wisdom held America together during its darkest time. Election integrity has become the civil rights issue of my lifetime. I am running for Maricopa County recorder to make sure that every voter, regardless of political party, can have trust that our elections are run honestly, securely and accessibly. Stringham: My fellow U.S. Navy veteran, John McCain, who reminded us that there was no greater life than one spent in service. See all the races for Arizona Arizona election Voter guide: Election Day is Nov. 5. Here is a guide to help you learn about all the candidates and the voting and tabulating process. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Justin Heap vs. Timothy Stringham: Hear from the candidates It was a few weeks into a months-long operation in Vietnams A Shau Valley on Feb. 13, 1969, when Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Duke Heller stepped off on patrol to find the elusive North Vietnamese soldiers who permeated this area of South Vietnam near its border with Laos. That day, three squads of Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, known as The Walking Dead, cut through tall grass that surrounded them and obscured their view. Suddenly, enemy rifles, machine guns, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades burst through the air. Theyd walked into an ambush. Another squad leader yelled at Heller to take his squad and flank the enemy position. The teams German Shepherd working dog was killed, and its handler, the squad point man, took a bullet in the leg. Six decades later, Marine Vietnam veteran awarded Silver Star Medal Heller, 21, threw the man on his shoulders and began hauling him up a hill as an enemy machine gun opened fire. He returned to the fight, clearing one of his fellow Marines jammed M60 machine gun. He then came upon a second wounded comrade and began carrying him up the hill. As he carried the Marine to medical attention, an RPG struck the hillside, spraying shrapnel into his face and shoulder. Over the course of the harrowing gun battle, Heller would save four Marines, lead his squad in outflanking the enemy, kill multiple North Vietnamese soldiers and send the attackers fleeing. For all this, later in the deployment, he received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a combat V device, noting it was for valor. But it was not until Wednesday, more than half a century later, at the Marine Corps Barracks, Washington D.C., that Hellers actions were fully and finally honored. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Heller speaks during his Navy Cross award ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, Washington D.C. (Sgt. Ethan Craw/Marine Corps) Its not often we get the opportunity to correct an oversight thats nearly 60 years old, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said during the ceremony. This is not just about correcting the record. It is about ensuring that the legacy of Marines like Cpl. Heller is honored in the way it should be. Smith called Hellers trips to save his comrades a journey through hell. Just think about that, think about that hell raining down on you, machine guns, mortars, automatic rifles and RPGs, Smith said. The top Marine then pinned a Navy Cross, the nations second-highest award for combat valor, on Hellers shirt collar. Since its creation during World War I, more than 5,400 individuals have received the award, according to Military Times archives. Smith recounted the rest of the ambush and how Hellers actions changed history for a few squads of Marines. Bloodied by RPG shrapnel, Heller waved off the company corpsman. Heller said he was fine and went back down the hill. He pulled two more wounded Marines to safety before rushing back into the fight. As his remaining squad members advanced, he came face-to-face with four North Vietnamese soldiers and killed all four. He later recalled shooting at nine, hitting six and seeing three flee. The three squads managed to beat back the North Vietnamese ambush, sending enemy soldiers fleeing. This morning acting @UNSECNAV Thomas Mancinelli had the opportunity to meet with Navy Cross recipient Cpl. Daniel Heller. pic.twitter.com/u6ApB9vinO Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (@SECNAV) August 28, 2024 That episode was only three weeks into Operation Dewey Canyon, which lasted from late January to mid-March 1969. An estimated 130 9th Marine Regiment Marines were killed and another 920 wounded during the operation. Over an 18-month deployment to Vietnam, Hellers squad would survive eight ambushes. He would be wounded three times but only received two Purple Hearts, because on one occasion he was wounded twice within 24 hours. When the corpsman put it in, they said one per day, Heller said. At Wednesdays ceremony, broadcast by the Marine Corps on Facebook, Heller wore a black-and-gold Purple Heart combat veteran ballcap as he received the Navy Cross. He first thanked his platoon commander and his since-deceased platoon sergeant for their efforts to see that he received the award 55 years later. That day I didnt do it for a Navy Cross, Heller said as he choked back tears. Hell, I never even heard of a Navy Cross. He thanked his family for making the trip from Ohio for the ceremony. Its been a long, winding road here but here I am, he said, spreading his arms wide. Amazing. The 76-year-old then concluded his brief remarks. I just want to say Semper Fi, he said, rendering a salute. And how bout them Jarheads. Editors note: Details of the combat actions and Vietnam tour of Cpl. Daniel Heller were gathered from remarks made during his award ceremony, the Navy Cross award citation and an interview he gave to Ohio local TV news outlet WCPO Channel 9 an ABC affiliate. Mark Robinson, after months with few public events, hits the campaign trail with retail stops Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson snaps photos with voters after a campaign event at Brantley's Village Restaurant in Oriental, North Carolina on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier) For months, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has campaigned for governor away from the eyes of the press and much of the public. That changed this week, as Robinson began crisscrossing the state for a series of meet-and-greets at restaurants. His campaign has advertised it as the start of his Statewide Tour a marked change after months of appearances at churches, businesses and county Republican meetings that were not publicized. Robinson delivered brief stump speeches during stops in eastern North Carolina on Thursday, laying out his broad vision for the state and railing against his Democratic opponent before snapping photos with supporters. And unlike some of his previous less-well-publicized speeches in which he uttered combative and controversial remarks including at least one that critics say amounted to a call to political violence his remarks focused broadly on the economy and schools as he pledged rapid economic growth and a return to classical education in public schools. The economy is the present, the education system is the future, Robinson told a group gathered in the back room of Sheps Grill in the Beaufort County town of Washington. And he sketched out a vision of North Carolina government under his leadership including a new regime of department and agency heads. When the governor appoints people that will modernize those agencies, make sure theyre not weaponized against you, and make sure that those agencies are putting up guardrails instead of barriers, this state is going to explode economically, Robinson said. Robinson has repeatedly suggested that the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) was weaponized by his critics to steer a state investigation into his wifes now closed nonprofit Balanced Nutrition, Inc. In July, the department ordered the nonprofit to repay more than $132,000 following a finding of serious deficiencies in the organizations management of federal funds it was supposed to administer under a state contract to aid childcare centers. An investigation determined that Balanced Nutrition improperly billed the federal food program for excessive administrative costs and maintained inadequate documentation for some food purchases. The nonprofit also bought items not allowed for the childcare program. Robinson along with supporters Robinson goes after Stein while defending his scrutinized daycare The lieutenant governor didnt shy away from attacking his opponent Attorney General Josh Stein on Thursday. He tied him to national Democrats who he says have broken the country and economy. And he criticized Steins past as a legislator, while saying he refused to do his darn job as attorney general. What do you want from Josh Stein? You want him to do what he did back in 2008, when he was in the legislature, when the state was dead broke? Robinson said. Robinson has faced criticism from across the aisle about his own history including the Greensboro daycare formerly owned by him and his wife. Steins campaign has aired television ads highlighting state citations against the daycare, branding it unsafe for our kids. Robinson has staunchly defended his ownership of the daycare. He continued to do so Thursday, calling it one of the proudest moments of my life. Ive got a lying guy named Josh Stein that will take false images and try to place them on me, try to make me look like a criminal, Robinson said at Brantleys Village Restaurant in Oriental. Over the work that Ive done, to try and get people to vote for him. Josh Stein talks to children Stein, who leads Robinson in recent polls of the governors race, has opted for a more public-facing campaign in recent months compared to Robinson. He has held a series of Real Time with Stein townhalls, in which he fields questions from voters, as well as meet-and-greets. The attorney general has argued that Robinsons policy agenda and history of inflammatory remarks would hurt the states economy and standing. What I need to do is talk to as many North Carolinians as I can and show them the clear contrast that exists between my opponent and me, Stein told NC Newsline after a townhall in Raleigh earlier this month. He fights job-killing culture wars, I fight for people and deliver results. Earlier this week, EMPAC, the political action committee of the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC), announced it would be endorsing Stein for Governor. The organization noted that Stein has shown a willingness to work with SEANC on several employee-related issues, whereas Robinson did not respond to multiple requests for interviews from the Statewide EMPAC Committee. For Republicans in eastern NC, economy is top of mind Voters who attended Robinsons campaign stops in eastern North Carolina and spoke to NC Newsline all cited the economy and costs of living as a top issue heading into the election. Im not better off than I was four years ago, and I want that changed, said Joey Roberts, a Pamlico County resident who saw Robinson in Oriental. Price of gas, price of groceries. Ive got grown adult children, Ive got grandkids who arent experiencing what I experienced when I was their age, with all this stuff. Anna Kelley, also of Pamlico County, said rising prices had made affordable groceries more of a struggle for her and her husband. Weve done the best we can with what we can do, Kelley said. It dont help when everythings going up. SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) A Canton man was arrested in Salem Thursday in an undercover human trafficking sting. Read next: Delivery driver tells police shes robbed at gunpoint on the South Side Kenneth Payne, 51, was booked into the Columbiana County Jail on charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. Payne was arrested at about 12:15 p.m. on E. State Street where he thought he was meeting up with a person he had solicited online, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. Agents said that Payne responded to an ad on a known website used for solicitation of prostitution that was placed by an undercover agent. Payne told the agent that he was married and requested numerous sexual acts for $260.00, agents said. When Payne arrived for the meet-up, he was taken into custody by the task force with the assistance of the Salem Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Payne pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday. He is set to be back in court on Oct. 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 WKBN.com. Jobs for West Virginias Graduates Executive Director Elizabeth House, Marshall University President Brad Smith and Marshall University Chief Legal Officer Toney Stroud announced a partnership to benefit students in seven counties on stage at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerces Annual Meeting and Business Summit at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Alex Wilson | West Virginia Chamber of Commerce) WHITE SUPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. A nonprofit has partnered with Marshall University to eliminate the traditional application process for high school students in seven counties. The program is an effort to help students, many who will be first-generation college students, more easily access higher education. Leaders from Jobs for West Virginia Graduates and Marshall University announced the partnership Thursday at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerces Annual Meeting and Business Summit at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The program offers one-on-one support services to 700 high school students in Boone, Clay, Lewis, Logan, Jackson, Kanawha and McDowell counties. This is hugely impactful for our students. Not only will they have the automatic admission, but they will have the support of career services to really make sure that were providing wrap-around support for these students while they are in college, said Elizabeth House, Jobs for West Virginias Graduates executive director. This opens up a door that probably seemed forever closed to so many of our students. House said that the automatic admission could help students, many of whom will be first generation college students, realize that higher ed is available and avoid what can be a complicated process of applying for various universities . Marshall University leaders said the partnership will provide a seamless and stress-free transition for students pursuing a four-year degree. This program reflects Marshall Universitys efforts to make education accessible, affordable and attainable for all West Virginians, Marshalls Chief Legal Officer Toney Stroud said. We are very honored to work with the chamber foundation on this project. Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, founded in 2021, focuses on helping students complete high school, as many participants are at risk of dropping out of high school and struggling to keep up in credit recovery programs. She explained that many of the students in the program work to support their families or help raise their younger siblings, leading to them failing behind and risking completing high school. They dont have the luxury of dedicating time after school to try to catch up on their studies or do their homework, House explained. The COVID-19 pandemics interruptions to learning has also contributed to more students falling behind, she said. Teachers and peers work with students to develop a plan to graduate and prepare for higher education or the workforce. The program has a 100% high school graduation rate. Jones said that partnering with Marshall is a perfect fit for the students as it allows many of them to remain in their communities while they attend higher education. Its been an excellent opportunity for them to go to school, still relatively close to home and in a cultural environment that theyre familiar with, which helps reduce the likelihood that they will end up leaving college, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk and Tesla Inc. won dismissal of a lawsuit claiming they pumped up the price of the cryptocurrency Dogecoin into a $258 billion pyramid scheme. Most Read from Bloomberg Investors who lost tens of thousands of dollars investing in the token faulted Musk for promoting it to his millions of followers on Twitter (now X) with statements like One word: Doge, causing it to rise. Musk further inflated the price by announcing that Tesla would accept Dogecoin as payment for merchandise, according to the 2022 complaint. A New York federal judge dismissed the claims on Thursday, finding that Musks statements were aspirational rather than factual and susceptible to being falsified and that no reasonable investor could rely upon them. When Musk appeared on Saturday Night Live in May 2021 after touting Dogecoin for months, he played a financial expert in a newscast trying to explain the cryptocurrency. Pressed, his character in the comical exchange finally agrees that Dogecoin is a hustle. It lost $20 billion in market value before the show finished airing, according to the complaint. The investors also accused Musk and Tesla of participating in a pump and dump scheme with Dogecoin, but US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote that it was not possible to understand those allegations. A lawyer for the plaintiffs said his clients are disappointed and plan to appeal. Musks statements and publications were far more than puffery and a class of millions lost billions of dollars as a result, attorney Evan Spencer said in a statement. Dogecoin, with its Shiba Inu image, was the original memecoin, a type of cryptocurrency that originated from internet memes, or jokes. Since Musks early tweets about the token, it has had sharp ups and downs, hitting a peak in March from which it has dropped about 54%. The case is Johnson v. Musk, 22-cv-05037, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). (Updates with Musks Saturday Night Live appearance in fourth paragraph and Dogecoins decline at bottom.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. 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 state Rep. Ford Carr, a Wichita Democrat, 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. 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, such as 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. This commentary originally appeared in the nonprofit Kansas Reflector. Adnan Syed and his mother Shamim Rahman talk with reporters as they arrive at Maryland's Supreme Court in Annapolis, Md., on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit - Susan WalshAP ANNAPOLIS, Md. A 2022 court hearing that freed Adnan Syed from prison violated the legal rights of the victims family and must be redone, Marylands Supreme Court ruled Friday, marking the latest development in the ongoing legal saga that gained global attention years ago through the hit podcast Serial. The 4-3 ruling comes about 11 months after the court heard arguments last October in a case that has been fraught with legal twists and divided court rulings since Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing his high school ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee. The court concluded that in an effort to remedy what was perceived to be an injustice to Syed, prosecutors and a lower court worked an injustice against Lees brother, Young Lee. The court ruled that Lee was not treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity, because he was not given reasonable notice of the hearing that resulted in Syed being freed. The court ruled that the remedy was to reinstate Mr. Syeds convictions and to remand the case to the circuit court for further proceedings. Those proceedings will go forward before a different circuit court judge, the court ruled. The court also said Lee would be afforded reasonable notice of the new hearing, sufficient to provide Mr. Lee with a reasonable opportunity to attend such a hearing in person, and for him or his counsel to be heard. The latest issue in the case pitted recent criminal justice reform efforts against the legal rights of crime victims and their families, whose voices are often at odds with a growing movement to acknowledge and correct systemic issues, including historic racism, police misconduct and prosecutorial missteps. The panel of seven judges weighed the extent to which crime victims have a right to participate in hearings where a conviction could be vacated. To that end, the court considered whether to uphold a lower appellate court ruling in 2023 in favor of the Lee family. It reinstated Syeds murder conviction a year after a judge granted a request from Baltimore prosecutors to vacate it because of flawed evidence. Syed, 43, has maintained his innocence and has often expressed concern for Lees surviving relatives. The teenage girl was found strangled to death and buried in an unmarked grave in 1999. Syed was sentenced to life in prison, plus 30 years. Syed was released from prison in September 2022, when a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction after city prosecutors found flaws in the evidence. However, in March 2023, the Appellate Court of Maryland, the states intermediate appellate court, ordered a redo of the hearing that won Syed his freedom and reinstated his conviction. The court said the victims family didnt receive adequate notice to attend the hearing in person, violating their right under state law to be treated with dignity and respect. Syeds lawyer Erica Suter has argued that the state did meet its obligation by allowing Young Lee to participate in the hearing via video conference. Syed appealed his convictions reinstatement, and the Lee family also appealed to the states highest court, contending that crime victims should be given a larger role in the process of vacating a conviction. Syed has remained free as the latest set of appeals wind their way through the state court system. During oral arguments last year, his attorneys argued the Lee familys appeal was moot because prosecutors decided not to charge him again after his conviction was vacated. And even if her brothers rights were violated, the attorneys argued, he hasnt demonstrated whether the alleged violation would have changed the outcome of the hearing. This wasnt the first time Marylands highest court has taken up Syeds protracted legal odyssey. In 2019, a divided court ruled 4-3 to deny Syed a new trial. A lower court had ordered a retrial in 2016 on grounds that Syeds attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, didnt contact an alibi witness and provided ineffective counsel. Gutierrez died in 2004. In November 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the decision by Marylands top court. More recently, Baltimore prosecutors reexamined Syeds files under a Maryland law targeting so-called juvenile lifers because he was 17 when Hae Min Lees body was found. Prosecutors uncovered numerous problems, including alternative suspects and the unreliable evidence presented at trial. Instead of reconsidering his sentence, prosecutors filed a motion to vacate Syeds conviction entirely. They later chose not to recharge him after receiving the results of DNA testing that was conducted using more modern testing techniques than initially conducted. DNA recovered from Lees shoes excluded Syed as a suspect, prosecutors said. Syeds case was chronicled in the Serial podcast, which debuted in 2014 and drew millions of listeners who became armchair detectives as the series analyzed the case. The show transformed the true-crime genre as it shattered podcast-streaming and downloading records, revealing little-known evidence and raising new questions about the case. Contact us at letters@time.com. BALTIMORE More than two years after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore pushed back on claims that he had misrepresented parts of his past, he said Thursday he incorrectly claimed to be the recipient of a Bronze Star medal while applying for a White House fellowship in 2006. Moores acknowledgment of what he called an honest mistake came moments after The New York Times reported on the error in his application, which the newspaper received through a Freedom of Information Act request. Moore made his pitch for the prestigious fellowship while still serving in the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, claiming in the application that he was awarded the Bronze Star for his work that included strategizing and helping to shape the face of the war, according to the application published by the Times. He mentioned the award based on instructions from a superior officer who had recommended him for the medal and believed it received the proper confirmations for approval, Moore said in a statement. Moore said he trusted the officer, and that is why it was part of the application, plain and simple. While he said he wished he had corrected the error, the Democrat also referred to the unearthing of the document as an attack on his service record. Ive been open and honest about my military service for my entire career, and I am deeply proud of it, Moore said in the statement. But it seems I must, once again, set the record straight, as people hunt for new ways to undermine my service to our country in uniform I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application. It was an honest mistake, and I regret not making that correction. But do not think for a moment that this attack on my record holds any bearing on how I feel about my service, my soldiers, or our country. Moores forceful pushback on the idea that he misrepresented his military service echoed some of his response to similar claims during his 2022 campaign in the Democratic primary. At that time, Moore fended off what he called desperate attacks during the Democratic primary when videos came to light that showed he failed to correct television interviewers on two occasions when they said he was awarded the Bronze Star. Political operatives also claimed Moore had embellished his childhood ties to Baltimore, indicating he was born and raised in the city when he actually spent most of his childhood in the Washington, D.C., suburbs and in the Bronx before returning to the Baltimore area as a teenager. Since becoming governor, Moore has frequently evoked his military background, which started at the Valley Forge Military Academy as a teenager and continued through his nearly year-long deployment in Afghanistan. He introduced and signed legislation expanding benefits for retired service members during his first legislative session in 2023, and his slogan, Leave no one behind, hes said comes from the lessons he learned while serving. Hes also referred to it prominently on the campaign trail in recent weeks, while speaking on a Veterans for Harris call and defending Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz from attacks on his military service. In his statement Thursday, Moore referenced those attacks on Walz, saying, Over the last few weeks, our country has grown used to seeing what it looks like when a veterans integrity is attacked for political gain. But those who seek to cast doubt on our records misunderstand something fundamental about true patriots, who have put on the flag of our country and put everything on the line to be called Americans: We dont get shaken. We put our heads down, and we do the work. And that is what I will continue to do. _____ Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a U.S. Army combat veteran, apologized Thursday for falsely stating he received a Bronze Star on a White House application. Moore was deployed to Afghanistan from August 2005 to March 2006 and won several awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, but said on a 2006 White House Fellowship application that he had Bronze Star, according to documents obtained by The New York Times. In an interview with the newspaper, Moore said he made an honest mistake. In a statement later posted to X, he claimed that he included the honor at the encouragement of a senior officer who told him he had recommended Moore for a Bronze Star. My full statement on my military record: pic.twitter.com/4pfS3YkuJu Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) August 29, 2024 My deputy brigade commander felt comfortable with instructing me to include the award on my application for the Fellowship because he received confirmation with the approval authority that the Bronze Star was signed and approved by his senior leadership, Moore wrote. In the military, there is an understanding that if a senior officer tells you that an action is approved, you can trust that as a fact. Gov. Wes Moore Is Driven, Charismaticand Maybe Americas Future President Moore said he was saddened to learn near the end of his deployment that he did not receive a Bronze Star. Moore did ultimately receive the fellowship he applied forhe was 27 at the time and working as an investment banker for Deutsche Bank, according to a 2006 announcement. The senior officer Moore cited, Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, confirmed the version of events to the Times. Fenzel added the he was unaware until this week that Moore was never awarded the Bronze Star and said he plans to resubmit the paperwork so the governor can receive the medal. Moores purported Bronze Star was the subject of controversy during his 2022 run for governor, which saw him emerge as a rising star in Democratic politics. He has been a key surrogate for the Harris-Walz campaign in recent weeksWalz said Thursday, in a joint interview with Harris on CNN, that he misspoke when he claimed in 2018 that he had carried a weapon of war in war during his time in the National Guard. Walz did not see combat. In a 2006 Newshour interview, Moore failed to correct Gwen Ifill, who incorrectly stated he had a Bronze Star. That happened again in a 2010 interview with Stephen Colbert, on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report, where the host made the same mistake. A 2013 column in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also stated he had received the honor, and Moore made no effort to correct it. I should have corrected the interviewers, Moore told the Times. 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. BALTIMORE Maryland's Supreme Court has upheld an appellate court's decision to reinstate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, whose case gained national attention in 2014 when it was featured on the first season of the "Serial" podcast. The ruling says the case should be sent back to a lower court for a new hearing on whether it should be thrown out entirely. The decision reverses a lower court's ruling that had cleared Syed's name two years ago. Syed had served more than 20 years for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. He was freed from prison in September 2022 after Baltimore prosecutors found flaws in the evidence presented at trial and a judge agreed to vacate his conviction. However, Lee's relatives appealed the decision, contending they didn't receive sufficient notice to attend the hearing that set Syed free. In March 2023, the Maryland Appellate Court agreed and reinstated Syed's conviction and ordered a redo of the hearing. Syed appealed that ruling, bringing the matter to the Maryland Supreme Court. Friday's ruling comes 11 months after arguments were made. Justices found the circuit court violated the rights of Young Lee, Hae Min Lee's brother. "In an effort to remedy what they perceived to be an injustice to Mr. Syed, the prosecutor and the Circuit Court worked an injustice against Mr. Lee," the court said. Syed will remain free until the next hearing which has not been scheduled. The Supreme Court ordered the Lee family must have sufficient notice of the new hearing and a new judge must preside. "If there's actually evidence presented that shows that Adnan Syed should not have been convicted, we would be the first ones to congratulate Adnan Syed and argue he should be a free man," said David Sanford, the attorney for the Lee family. "That hasn't happened yet." In their dissenting opinions, several justices wrote when the case was vacated, any appeal by Young Lee should've been rendered moot. Those justices also argued there aren't any specific victims' rights that would require Young Lee be allowed to be present at that 2022 hearing. Syed's lawyer Erica Suter said that while they disagree with the ruling, the Lee family's pain in this isn't lost on them. "Wrongful convictions devastate the wrongly accused, their family and the family of the victim," Suter said. "Reinstating Adnan's wrongful conviction does not provide justice or closure." Rabia Chaudry, Syed's friend and advocate, went on Instagram Live to affirm that she will do what she can to keep Syed a free man. "I will never not fight for his freedom and I know there are others, also, in his life who will never not fight for his freedom," Chaudry said. Family holds funeral to say goodbye to toddler's beloved pacifier Major publishers sue Florida over law that led to book bans Food costs remain high as Americans hold Labor Day BBQs The Maryland Supreme Court ruled Friday that the 2022 court hearing that freed Adnan Syed from prison violated the legal rights of the victims family and must be redone, reinstating Syeds conviction. Syeds ongoing legal battle was popularized by the hit podcast Serial more than a decade after he was convicted of killing his high school ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, and sentenced to life in prison in 2000. The 4-3 ruling comes nearly a year after the court heard arguments in Syeds case, which has had legal twists since the 1999 killing, The Associated Press reported. In 2022, a Baltimore judge overturned Syeds conviction and prosecutors dropped the charges against him. He was released from prison, but months later Marylands appellate court ordered that the hearing that released Syed be redone. The states Supreme Court said Friday that prosecutors and a lower court worked an injustice against Lees brother, Young Lee, in an effort to remedy what was perceived as an injustice to Syed, the AP reported. Lee and his family had filed an appeal of the overturning of Syeds conviction shortly after it happened, saying they had been robbed of the chance to have answers about what happened since they did not receive notice the charges would be dropped. The justices said Young Lee was not treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity because he was not given reasonable notice that Syed would be headed to the 2022 hearing and eventually freed. The court said Syeds convictions should be reinstated and the case should be brought to the circuit court for further proceedings that will go before a different circuit court judge. Syed, who is now 43, has maintained his innocence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Adnan Syed at the Courts of Appeal building in Annapolis, Maryland on Feb 2, 2023. - Credit: Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Marylands highest court ruled Friday to uphold the murder conviction against Adnan Syed, the subject of the first season of the groundbreaking true-crime podcast Serial, agreeing with an appellate courts previous decision to reinstate Syeds conviction for the murder of Hae Min Lee. In September 2022, a Baltimore judge ordered the release of Syed after overturning his third-degree murder conviction; Syed was found guilty in 2000 in the death of Lee, whose murder and the subsequent errors during Syeds murder trial was the focus of Serials first season in 2014. A month later, prosecutors announced they would not seek retrial and instead dropped the charges against Syed, who was serving a life sentence plus 30 years following his conviction. More from Rolling Stone However, in March 2023, an appellate court reinstated the murder conviction on the grounds that a lower court had violated the right of Lees brother, Young Lee, to attend the hearing that resulted in the overturned conviction. The family received no notice and their attorney was offered no opportunity to be present at the proceeding, Lees family attorney, Steve Kelly, told Rolling Stone in October 2022. By rushing to dismiss the criminal charges, the States Attorneys Office sought to silence Hae Min Lees family and to prevent the family and the public from understanding why the State so abruptly changed its position of more than 20 years. All this family ever wanted was answers and a voice. Todays actions robbed them of both. Almost 18 months after the conviction was reinstated during which time Syed remained free as the appeals process played out Marylands Supreme Court upheld the appellate courts decision by a 4-3 ruling. In an effort to remedy what they perceived to be an injustice to Mr. Syed, the prosecutor and the circuit court worked an injustice against Mr. Lee by failing to treat him with dignity, respect, and sensitivity and, in particular, by violating Mr. Lees rights as a crime victims representative to reasonable notice of the Vacatur Hearing, the right to attend the hearing in person, and the right to be heard on the merits of the Vacatur Motion, the Maryland Supreme Court said in its ruling. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Michele Holten argued that Syed should remain free as the prosecutors had already announced they would drop the charges. This case exists as a procedural zombie, Hotten wrote (via the Associated Press). It has been reanimated, despite its expiration. The doctrine of mootness was designed to prevent such judicial necromancy. David Sanford, an attorney representing Lees family, said after the ruling Friday, If there is compelling evidence to support vacating the conviction of Adnan Syed, we will be the first to agree. To date, the public has not seen evidence which would warrant overturning a murder conviction that has withstood appeals for over two decades. Despite the upheld murder conviction, there is still a good chance that Syed will again be released eventually: His legal journey will now pick up where it left off in September 2022, when the Baltimore judge vacated the conviction due a reinvestigation of Lees murder that resulted in the emergence of two new suspects as well as potential DNA evidence that excluded Syed as a suspect. Best of Rolling Stone Syed, the subject of the hit true-crime podcast 'Serial,' was sentenced in 2000 to life in prison for the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee AP Photo/Susan Walsh Adnan Syed In a ruling Friday, Aug. 30, Marylands Supreme Court upheld a lower court's reinstatement of Adnan Syeds murder conviction in connection with the 1999 death of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. The 4-3 ruling by the higher court upheld an earlier appeals court decision that said the rights of the victims family were violated because they weren't given proper notice of a 2022 hearing to toss out Syed's conviction, according to CNN. The ruling does not force Syed who was released from prison in 2022 after his 2000 conviction to go back to prison while the case proceeds, per the Associated Press. In an effort to remedy what they perceived to be an injustice to Mr. Syed, the prosecutor and the circuit court worked an injustice" against Lee's brother Young Lee "by failing to treat him with dignity, respect, and sensitivity and, in particular, by violating Mr. Lees rights as a crime victims representative to reasonable notice of the Vacatur Hearing, the right to attend the hearing in person, and the right to be heard on the merits of the Vacatur Motion, the Maryland Supreme Court said, per CNN. The court said the case would return to the circuit court for Baltimore City, per The New York Times. Hae Min Lee Related: Adnan Syed Remains Free 'for the Time Being' as His Lawyer Slams Court: 'No Basis to Retraumatize' Him Syed, the subject of the hit true-crime podcast Serial, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lee, his 18-year-old Woodlawn High School classmate and ex-girlfriend, whose body was found buried in a park four weeks after she was reportedly kidnapped. Syed had been imprisoned for more than a decade when his case was featured in the first season of NPR's true-crime podcast, triggering widespread scrutiny of his arrest and prosecution. Syed was released from prison in the fall of 2022 after his first-degree murder conviction was vacated. However, the Appellate Court of Maryland reinstated his conviction in March 2023 ruling that Young Lees rights were violated, according to the Times. Syed then appealed the decision to Marylands Supreme Court, per the Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore States Attorneys Office said the Supreme Courts decision is currently under review by our office and we have no further comment at this time, per the Times. 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. David Sanford, the attorney who represents the family of Lee, said in a statement to PEOPLE: The Maryland Supreme Court today definitively reaffirms crime victims rights to be treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity, rights enshrined in the Maryland State Constitution. The Supreme Court acknowledges what Hae Min Lees family has argued: crime victims have a right to be heard in court. In this case, that means the family of murder victim Hae Min Lee had the right to reasonable notice in order to attend and meaningfully participate in the criminal justice proceedings involving Adnan Syed, the person accused and convicted of Lees murder. Significantly, the Lee family will now have the right to address the merits of the vacatur motion after the prosecution and the defense have made their presentations in support of that motion, he continued. If there is compelling evidence to support vacating the conviction of Adnan Syed, we will be the first to agree. To date, the public has not seen evidence which would warrant overturning a murder conviction that has withstood appeals for over two decades. The burden remains on the prosecution and the defense to make their case. So far, they have not done so. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The Dutch government will take the economic interests of ASML into account when deciding on further tightening the rules governing the export of ASML computer chip making equipment to China, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on Friday. "We are in talks, good talks and we are also watching out very specifically for the economic interests of ASML, those need to be weighed against other risks and the economic interests are extremely important," Schoof said, in response to questions about possible further restrictions on ASML exports to China. "ASML is for the Netherlands an extremely important, innovative industry that should not suffer under any circumstances, because that would damage ASML's global position," he added. Schoof would not comment on reports from Bloomberg News on Thursday that the Netherlands would put more curbs on ASML's China chip business. China is ASML's third largest market after Taiwan and South Korea, and Chinese companies represent around 20% of its current order backlog. After previous rounds of restrictions, Chinese chipmakers are buying mostly older ASML equipment that does not fall under export restrictions and are used to make "legacy" chips important in industrial manufacturing around the globe. Previous rules imposed by the Dutch government had required a license for the upper end of ASML's product range. Separately in October 2023 The United States began unilaterally restricting ASML from exporting some tools near the middle of its product range -- a move that prompted questions in Dutch parliament. The Dutch government is closely aligned with the U.S and a strong supporter of NATO, and it is unhappy with China's support for Russia in the Ukraine war. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, writing by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Toby Chopra and Louise Heavens) Matthew Perry on Oct. 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills, CA. - Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images One of the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perrys ketamine overdose death made his first appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom Friday under his cooperation deal with prosecutors. Dr. Mark Chavez was one of five people charged with supplying large quantities of ketamine to Perry before he was found floating face-down in his hot tub on Oct. 28, 2023. Chavez, 54, stood with his lawyer and said he understands the single felony count filed against him for conspiracy to distribute the dissociative anesthetic without proper screening and monitoring. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth released him on a $50,000 bond. He did not enter a plea but has agreed to plead guilty at a hearing that is not yet scheduled. More from Rolling Stone Hes incredibly remorseful. Someone passed away. It doesnt need to be a celebrity for him to feel remorse about that. Hes incredibly remorseful, and hes trying his best to the do the right thing, Chavezs lawyer Matthew Binninger told Rolling Stone after the hearing. Hes accepted responsibility and turned in his [medical] license, the lawyer said. It was a really good investigation on the governments part. When speaking to reporters after Chavez made first appearance, Binninger said his client is cooperating to the full extent possible to try to and right what wrong happened here. Mark is doing everything he can to try to accept responsibility for what happened in this offense. He is cooperating to the full extent possible to try to and right what wrong happened here, Matthew Binninger, the lawyer for Dr. Mark Chavez, told reporters after hearing pic.twitter.com/BZHt1SlX8W Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) August 30, 2024 Perrys live-in personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, and former TV producer Erik Fleming, 54, described by prosecutors as Perrys street dealer, pleaded guilty in the case earlier this month (though the case was not public at the time). Fleming admitted he supplied 50 vials of ketamine to Iwamasa in the weeks before Perrys death, while Iwamasa admitted he injected Perry with the ketamine up to six times a day. On the day Perry died, Iwamasa admits he gave Perry three ketamine shots spaced a few hours apart, including one described as a big one administered as Perry prepared to enter his jacuzzi and Iwamasa was heading out to run errands. Prosecutors struck the deals with Iwamasa, Fleming, and Chavez before arresting Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, and alleged Ketamine Queen Jasveen Sangha, 41, on Aug. 15. Officials say Perry became addicted to intravenous ketamine while seeking treatment for depression and anxiety at a local clinic in fall 2023 and turned to the four suppliers charged in the case when the clinic refused to increase his dosage. Plasencia and Sangha both pleaded not guilty at their arraignments on Aug. 15. Plasencia was released on bond, but Sangha was denied release after prosecutors argued she was a flight risk due to her British citizenship and that she returned to selling ketamine after both Perrys death and the death of another man in 2019 allegedly linked to ketamine she supplied. Authorities said a March raid of her apartment turned up approximately 79 vials of ketamine and more than three pounds of orange pills containing methamphetamine. Prosecutors argue that Plasencia and Chavez were aware they were selling to Perry while he was in a vulnerable state battling addiction. Under his plea agreement with prosecutors signed July 22, Chavez admits he illegally sourced ketamine in multiple forms, funneled it to Plasencia, and knew Plasencia was selling it to Perry for personal use at the actors Pacific Palisades home. Chavez admits that the vials of liquid ketamine sold to Perry were diverted from his former ketamine clinic or obtained through false representations to wholesale ketamine distributors. In one case, Chavez says he knowingly supplied nine 200mg ketamine lozenges to Perry that had been fraudulently obtained through a prescription written for a former patient without the patients knowledge or consent. Between late September and October 2023, Chavez and Plasencia allegedly sold 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for approximately $55,000. Authorities say Perry paid $2,000 for a single vial that cost Chavez only $12. I wonder how much this moron will pay?[Lets] find out, Plasencia allegedly texted Chavez on Sept. 30, 2023, according to Plasencias indictment announced two weeks ago. Later that day, Plasencia allegedly injected Perry with ketamine at the actors house and left vials behind for Iwamasa to administer with no formal medical training. After that first meeting, Plasencia allegedly texted Chavez that the interaction was like a bad movie. In subsequent conversations, Plasencia allegedly told Chavez that Perry was seeking the ketamine to quit smoking. Chavez admits under his plea agreement that ketamine has no legitimate medical use related to the treatment of nicotine addiction. Attorney Matthew Binninger (L) and Dr. Mark Chavez (R) leaving Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, CA. Under his plea deal, Chavez concedes that when Plasencia allegedly told him on Oct. 2, 2023, that he was hoping for repeat business from Perry, Chavez replied, Lets do everything we can to make it happen. Chavez admits he knew Perry was receiving a potentially dangerous amount of ketamine and that he lied to one of his wholesalers when he certified he was using the ketamine exclusively for treatment at the Dreamscape Ketamine clinic in San Diego. Chavez acknowledges he stopped working with Dreamscape Ketamine by July 2023. Chavez says he handed over 10 vials of liquid ketamine to Plasencia on Oct. 4, 2023, even though he claims he had to reprimand Plasencia for allegedly injecting Perry while the actor was sitting in the backseat of a car parked outside an aquarium in Long Beach, California. A little more than a week before Perry died, Chavez says he lied to investigators with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration when they asked what happened to ketamine removed from Dreamscape Ketamine after Chavez cut ties with the clinic amid a dispute with his business partner. Chavez says he fabricated a story that he transferred the liquid ketamine to a medical facility and that the lozenges melted inside his car. Chavez agreed to testify against Plasencia at trial in exchange for prosecutors recommending a reduced penalty when hes eventually sentenced. He purportedly had known Plasencia at least 20 years and believed the doctor had little, if any, experience treating patients with ketamine, according to court filings. In a deal with the California Medical Board signed Aug. 23, Chavez agreed to the immediate suspension of his physicians and surgeons certificate. The pact bars him from practicing medicine in California until a new order is entered. Dr. Plasencia, meanwhile, is still allowed to practice medicine but was ordered to inform his patients of his pending criminal matter. He also was stripped of his ability to prescribe controlled substances. Sangha and Plasencia are due back in court on Sept. 4 for a status conference. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A doctor who arranged to sell massive vials of ketamine for Matthew Perry in the month before his overdose death will plead guilty to a single federal charge, authorities said Friday. Mark Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one federal count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, according to a Justice Department statement. The 54-year-old San Diego doctor once met Perry at the Long Beach Aquarium parking lot to inject the Friends actor, who would be found later that month face-down in the hot tub behind his Pacific Palisades home. Chavez is among five people charged earlier this month in the October death that was ruled a ketamine overdose with drowning as a factor. Chavez admitted to diverting vials of the drug from his former ketamine clinic and selling it to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who provided it to Perry in a broader illegal distribution scheme. The other defendants include dealers Jasveen Sangha, known in elite Hollywood circles as The Ketamine Queen; Erik Fleming, an industry-adjacent friend of Perrys; and Perrys live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who was helping Perry with injections the day of his death. Chavezs plea deal includes an admission of his role in the conspiracy, acknowledging that he sold ketamine that was ultimately used by Perry, contributing to his death. He could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Plasencia, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine and other related offenses, has pleaded not guilty, and is scheduled for an Oct. 15 trial. Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. And prosecutors have charged Sangha with conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of the drug that caused Perrys death. She pleaded not guilty, with trial set for Oct. 8. As for Iwamasa, Perrys assistant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death earlier this month and faces up to 15 years. The post Matthew Perry Doctor Who Sold Massive Vials of Ketamine to Friends Actor to Plead Guilty to Federal Charge appeared first on TheWrap. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City community is grieving one of their own. The killing of Shaun Brady has sent shock waves through the Brookside and Waldo areas. This, after businesses and residents have put out countless calls for help regarding crime across the Kansas City area. This community said theyre sad and heartbroken. Theyre also angry and frustrated. They dont want to see another life taken by violent crime. Its frightening, its escalating, Ashley Beck said. I mean, none of its acceptable, but the loss of life is absolutely horrific. Man sentenced in connection to 2022 deadly shooting in Blue Springs Beck lives in Brookside and works in Waldo. She said in the last year and half her cars been broken into four or five times. One time they knocked out all the glass, Beck said. I was out there for three hours sweeping it up, trying to clean it up and literally every single person walking by said, Oh my gosh. Im so sorry. That happens to us. We just leave our cars unlocked. But thats not OK. About two weeks ago, Kelly Isaacs was across the street at Bobby Bakers when they spotted teens breaking into some cars outside City Gym. Isaacs and some friends intervened. It was terrifying. I will be honest. I will not confront anyone for anything ever again, Kelly Isaacs said. They had came around, which we didnt realize, and they had three assault rifles on us. The latest violence crime happened Wednesday evening, near E. 63rd Street and Rockhill Road. Local Restaurant Owner Shaun Brady was shot and killed. New alert program hopes to protect deeds of Jackson County residents Witnesses said it happened while Brady had been trying to stop someone breaking into a car. Kansas City police said they arrested two teenagers in connection to the shooting. Its horrific, that is what Ive been fearing was going to happen. It seems like its escalating. a gun. Then you hear about the assault rifles, and somebody died tried to do the right thing, Beck said. I understand were short-staffed police wise, but there has to be a solution to make people safe in their neighborhoods. And Good Samaritan trying to do the right thing doesnt have to sacrifice his life in the process. Terrified. Ill be honest, first thought is it couldve happened to us and sadness for his family and coworkers, Isaacs said, and everyone who loved him. And anger, honestly. We had license plate number, a perfect description, and a right-that-second call to the police department, and they still didnt get him. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he talked with Kansas City police leadership Thursday. He said they discussed deploying officers where were seeing concerns, as well as continuing to enhance law enforcement presence around the city. Lucas said the community will also see more officers on foot. Beyond that Lucas said theyre looking at prevention. 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, he said. Lucas said a big challenge is when the people committing these offenses are teenagers. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Teenagers go thru a separate system of justice in many cases, but we need to make sure where you are committing severe offenses, there are likely severe consequences, Lucas said. Even where the standard is the best interest is the child. I think it is important for us to make sure that, that child, that teen is not re-offending, is not putting themselves at risk, and certainly not putting the rest of the community at risk. Lucas said there will also be more collaboration with county prosecutors and the juvenile office in Jackson County. A Shaun Brady Memorial Fund has been set up to help family with expenses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) Gov. Dan McKee signed more than a dozen bills on Thursday that are aimed at addressing Rhode Islands housing crisis. This housing issue is an economic issue front and center, McKee said. Its one where we got some momentum in the state and we want to keep that momentum. Housing Crisis: In-depth coverage on WPRI.com The governor mentioned how housing and the economy go hand in hand, saying, Weve got to make sure that theres housing that actually provides that opportunity to raise your family in our state of Rhode Island. McKee also noted theres a $120 million housing bond included in this years state budget that voters will get to decide on in November. The bills signed make it easier to create accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allow mobile homes to count in affordable housing unit goals, let modular homes be built throughout the state, and position abandoned properties for redevelopment, among other initiatives. Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who championed the package of housing bills this past legislative session, was among the elected officials who joined McKee on Thursday. The biggest part of this package is we finally got ADUs, accessory dwelling units, over the finish line. Were starting to see successes in this, Shekarchi told 12 News. In terms of land court that we started, the backlog has gone down dramatically. Weve seen building permits start to rise for the first time in many years. The fight over ADUs: Seniors see granny flats as one solution to housing crisis In the legislation for ADUs, one can be created as long as its within the current footprint of the home, for a disabled family member, or on a lot bigger than 20,000 square feet. ADUs are particularly useful for a few different segments of our community, state Sen. Meghan Kallman said. So for instance, if you have a parent who is elderly and they want to stay in their home, then perhaps a caregiver could live in the ADU. Kallman added how ADUs are also really useful for young people who are early in their careers and cant afford to buy a home yet. McKee cited a firsthand experience as to how ADUs, also known as in-law apartments or granny flats, can help families in a positive way. It allowed my mom to live with us for almost 20 years and it also opened up the home that she brought us up in, the governor said. Looking ahead, Shekarchi added that he expects more legislation to come up in next years session. NEXT: Lifespan will pay $175M for St. Annes, Morton hospitals 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. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced Friday they will lift some restrictions on the transportation of flammable liquids and corrosive materials across the Ambassador Bridge. The decision, which takes effect on Oct. 29, comes after the Detroit International Bridge Co., owners of the Ambassador Bridge, requested in November 2023 that MDOT lift those restrictions on fuel and materials used to make batteries. Following the Bridge Co.'s request, MDOT opened a six-month-long input-gathering and research campaign. They reported receiving more than 80 letters from business owners, elected officials and members of the public, and also conducted a risk analysis study of their own in 2021. Currently, the flammable Class 3 and corrosive Class 8 materials go to and from Canada at the younger Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, and are also slated to be permitted for passage on the Gordie Howe Bridge. More: Ambassador Bridge seeks expanded ability to allow across flammable, corrosive materials Class 8 corrosives include things like batteries, fertilizer, detergent and pharmaceuticals, and are described by MDOT as "toxic if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin" in their risk study. Class 3 includes easily flammable liquids such as paint, varnish, fuel and lacquer. New safety precautions While the state is allowing the materials to be hauled across the Ambassador Bridge, it will be done with several safety precautions in place. No Class 3 or Class 8 substances will be transported across the bridge during peak transit hours, MDOT said in a news release, and all shipments of hazardous materials will be accompanied by a vehicle escort. Jocelyn Garza, communications specialist for MDOT, said the next two months will be used to determine when the safest times are for the materials to be hauled across the span. By Oct. 29, those "off-peak hours" will be decided. Other safety protocols include an on-site fire suppression system and putting spill mitigation protocols in place, MDOT said in the news release. Years of controversy In 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer exercised veto power to block a law that would have allowed the transportation of these materials over the Ambassador Bridge. State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, also opposed the line item in the 2020 bill, which was aimed at alleviating pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chang cited environmental concerns as well as potential danger to the densely populated communities surrounding each end of the bridge. Kenneth Dobson, vice president of the Bridge Co., issued a statement Friday celebrating the lifting of the restrictions, noting that the change is a "net safety benefit" for Michiganders. "Lifting the restrictions reduces the number of miles driven by commercial motor vehicles hauling fuel in Michigan by over 250,000 miles annually," Dobson wrote. Dobson said that the materials that will be transported "do not include radioactive materials or hazardous waste," adding that the bridge's fire suppression system "meets all applicable codes, is designed to address incidents arising from all of the foregoing materials and is regularly inspected by the City of Detroit Fire Department and the City of Windsor Fire and Rescue Services." Breaking news reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MDOT: Flammable, corrosive goods to be allowed on Ambassador Bridge Advocates behind Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and Support Our Schools celebrated turning in thousands of signatures in July to qualify for the November 2024 ballot. Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced Friday, Aug. 30, that while signature counting continued, both groups had collected more than enough valid signatures for ballot access. (Left photo courtesy of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana | Right by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska voters appear likely to vote on whether to legalize and regulate medical marijuana, as well as decide the fate of a new school choice law in Novembers election, barring last-minute legal challenges. Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced the unofficial results Friday afternoon, while the certification process continues into next month. However, Evnen confirmed that both ballot measures had exceeded the necessary requirements for verification and will qualify for the November election once certification is complete. Our office is providing this update to keep voters informed of where county election offices are in the signature verification process, Evnen said in a statement. Election workers are checking every voters signature on the remaining petitions. Candidates and issues must be certified for the Nov. 5 election in Nebraska by Sept. 13. Medical marijuana Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, said her team was beyond excited that Nebraskans will be able to weigh in on the issue. Today is a very, very big day, not just for the people behind this effort but for the individuals in Nebraska, the patients in our state, who have been fighting for so, so long, Eggers told the Nebraska Examiner. Were going to enjoy this, but we know we still have a road ahead of us. The campaign is personal for Eggers, whose son, Colton, has epilepsy and severe seizures. When Eggers went to pick up Colton from elementary school Friday, he asked her the same question hes asked almost daily for multiple years: Did we get enough signatures for the medicine? His moms response: Yes, buddy, we did. The campaign began in 2019 when Eggers and two state senators at the time, Adam Morfeld and Anna Wishart, both of Lincoln, moved to the ballot box after legislative efforts stalled. In 2020, the campaign fell short of the ballot box as the Nebraska Supreme Court determined legalization and regulation were two distinct and separate subjects. Opponents of an abortion-rights measure for the November ballot are making similar arguments and urging the Supreme Court to rule similarly against that effort. In 2022, Nebraskans for medical marijuana didnt collect enough signatures, so the group returned in September 2023 with two petitions in hand: one for regulations and the other for legalization and to protect patients and doctors. In July, the campaign submitted more than 114,000 signatures for each of its two petitions. Eggers said she and her team are prepared for whatever challenges may come, including any possible legal challenges once the initiative has been certified. Initiative petitions require valid signatures from at least 7% of registered Nebraska voters (about 86,500), including from at least 5% of voters in at least 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties. More than 89,000 signatures have been verified for the two petitions across 51 counties. Scholarships to private schools The other measure likely to qualify is a partial repeal of Legislative Bill 1402 from State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, which appropriated $10 million to the state treasurer to distribute scholarships, or vouchers, to families to attend private K-12 schools. The ballot measure is being backed by the Nebraska State Education Association, the state teachers union that joined with other advocates under the name Support Our Schools. Tim Royers, who becomes president of the union on Sunday, said supporters will not stop working until the measure is on the ballot and voters have passed it. Were thankful for the hard work of all the county officials that have done so much to verify the signatures as quickly as possible, and were looking forward to the official announcement that we will be on the ballot, Royers said in a statement. Public school advocates have argued that creating a voucher program in Nebraska for private K-12 education poses long-term risks to the state funding available for public schools. In other states, the programs have quickly grown into the tens of millions of dollars. In July, the campaign submitted more than 86,000 signatures for its petition. Many of the measures supporters expressed frustration that the Legislature revised the original tax credit scholarship law and forced them to collect signatures again. Support Our Schools launched a campaign in summer 2023 to repeal that first new school choice law from Linehan: LB 753. The groups petition initiative had qualified for the November 2024 ballot until LB 1402 passed. The new law was designed to repeal and replace LB 753. As a result, Evnen determined the LB 753 repeal wouldnt appear on the November ballot. Linehan said she and supporters of the voucher program will keep fighting liberal billionaires and unions who want to control where your children go to school. They will stop at nothing to prevent families from having freedom over their own childrens education, she said in a statement. Opponents of education freedom will lie, cheat and spend countless millions to control education in Nebraska. Jeremy Ekeler, executive director of Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, one of the groups already working with students seeking help to attend private K-12 schools, said it would be devastating to take away the program. Opponents of education freedom cant keep Nebraska families from accessing the school that is best for their children, he said. The momentum for school choice continues to grow in Nebraska and across the country. Both sides have been preparing for possible lawsuits for months. Privately, people for and against the ballot measures said they viewed the Secretary of States announcement as a potential trigger for last-minute legal action against the measures. Referendum petitions require valid signatures from at least 5% of registered Nebraska voters (about 61,750), as well as the requirement of 5% voters in at least 38 counties. More than 62,000 signatures have been validated thus far in at least 57 counties. 2024 ballot measures SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Meet Jared Isaacman, the billionaire attempting the first private space walk as part of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission Jared Isaacman is commanding the first private space walk during the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission. The mission will test SpaceX's new space suits, with two crew members performing a space walk. Isaacman went on the first civilian SpaceX mission, Inspiration4, in 2021. SpaceX is in the midst of a mission to conduct the world's first private space walk and it's being led by the billionaire Jared Isaacman. Isaacman and another crew member are testing SpaceX's new extravehicular space suits in the first-ever commercial space walk, set for Thursday. The suits are designed for increased mobility, and a mask display shows information such as internal pressure levels and temperature. It's not Isaacman's first time in space. Three years ago, he helped finance and led a SpaceX trip on the company's first private crewed mission, along with a group of three other civilians. But his current mission, called Polaris Dawn, is significant, both because of the space walk and because the crew is traveling farther than any other mission since the Apollo era. It's also an especially risky mission, as the crew is set to fly through a radiation belt. The group launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday after facing multiple delays because of weather conditions. The Dragon spacecraft is currently lowering itself in orbit in preparation for Thursday's space walk. The five-day mission is also carrying three other nonastronaut crew members, including the retired US Air Force pilot Scott Poteet and the SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. So who is Jared Isaacman, and how did the entrepreneur end up leading a space mission? Read on to learn about his career rise. Isaacman decided to drop out of high school at the age of 15. Isaacman chose to drop out of high school at 15. Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post/Getty At the age of 15, Isaacman decided to drop out of high school and take the GED, according to the Netflix docuseries "Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space." "I was a horrible student," Isaacman said in the series. "And I wasn't, like, happy in school, either." He described his younger self as independent and said he didn't understand things like raising your hand to go to the bathroom. At 16, he founded a multibillion-dollar payment-processing company in his parents' basement. Isaacman founded Shift4 in 1999. SOPA Images/Getty Isaacman founded United Bank Card in 1999. The company, now called Shift4, offers mobile-payment software, point-of-sale solutions, and online payments for various businesses. Isaacman said in the Netflix docuseries that when he started the company, he would wake up every day at 7:30 a.m. and fall asleep on the keyboard at 2 or 3 in the morning. By 2020, he took the company public. Today, Shift4 processes over $260 billion annually and serves over 200,000 customers, according to its website. Isaacman has a wife and two kids. Isaacman lives with his wife and two daughters in New Jersey. Joe Raedle/Getty Isaacman has known his wife, Monica Isaacman, for most of his life. The two come from the same town and got married in 2012. They now live in New Jersey with their two daughters. His wife said in the docuseries that she had good and bad dreams leading up to his first SpaceX mission. She said while she wouldn't want him to compromise on his dreams of going to space, she worried about what could happen if something went wrong. He also founded Draken International. Isaacman sold Draken International to Blackstone in 2019. The Washington Post/Getty Isaacman founded Draken International in 2012. The company is a private aircraft provider that also trains pilots for the US military, the UK, and NATO countries. In 2019, Isaacman sold the company to Blackstone. Isaacman became a billionaire in 2019. Isaacman at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. SpaceX/Business Wire via AP Photo Isaacman hit billionaire status in 2020 after selling Draken International and taking Shift4 public. His net worth is estimated at $1.8 billion, according to Forbes. He always had a passion for flying planes. Isaacman said he took an interest in flying early on in life. Patrick T. Fallon Isaacman said in the Netflix docuseries that he took an early interest in flying and went to flight school at a local airport in 2004. At the time, he was feeling burned out from starting his company and described flying as "therapeutic." Isaacman also set a world speed record for flying around the globe in 2009. "I do believe you only get one crack at life," Isaacman said in the docuseries. "To the extent you have the means to do so, you have this obligation to live life to the fullest. You never know when it's going to be your last day." He added in the docuseries that this philosophy had taken him to fly in air shows as part of a seven-ship formation aerobatic team and on mountain-climbing expeditions in Antarctica. He's involved with philanthropy. Isaacman and his family are involved in a number of philanthropic causes. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Isaacman has been involved in several charitable causes and organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His first SpaceX mission raised over $240 million for St. Jude and was named Inspiration4 to inspire support and raise awareness for the research hospital. Isaacman and his wife have also committed to The Giving Pledge, a charitable campaign founded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2010. The Giving Pledge serves as a commitment from wealthy people to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. Isaacman's first mission to space took place in 2021. The Inspiration4 crew members in their SpaceX space suits. Inspiration4/John Kraus In 2021, Isaacman funded and led the first civilian mission to space, called Inspiration4. The mission was carried out by SpaceX 's Dragon capsule. Isaacman previously told Business Insider that the prep for the mission was extensive and involved a lot of studying and physical tests. "The academics were pretty intense," Isaacman said, adding that there were thousands of pages across a hundred manuals to learn about SpaceX's Falcon and Dragon aircraft. It also involved crew members drawing blood from each other and learning how to take skin samples to prepare for increased radiation levels on the trip. Isaacman is commanding the first-ever privately funded spacewalk The Crew of the next SpaceX private astronaut flight called Polaris Dawn. The Washington Post/Getty Images Early Tuesday, Isaacman and three other crew members successfully took off on their way into orbit for the first-ever privately funded space walk. The space walk, scheduled for Thursday, will feature SpaceX's new EVA suits. During the spacewalk, the Polaris Dawn crew will wear the new SpaceX EVA suits https://t.co/LRl5pPlAC9 pic.twitter.com/MVHzNwiWZU SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024 Polaris Dawn lifted off from Launch Complex-39A at NASA's KSC, which also saw the launches of other historic missions, such as the Apollo 11 moon landing. Correction: August 30, 2024 An earlier version of this story misstated the number of children Isaacman has and the type of team he participated in during air shows. He has two children and flew in an aerobatic team, not an acrobatic team. Read the original article on Business Insider MEMPHIS, Tenn The City of Memphis is adding more homicide investigators in an enhanced effort to fight crime. On Wednesday night, the City announced the formation of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design program, which helps businesses recover from certain crimes. Now, Memphis police are adding more personnel to a night shift in their homicide investigative unit. Memphis Mayor Paul Young spoke with WREG saying the Memphis Police Department is expanding. There are about 23 detectives in MPDs homicide unit working day shifts. Now, 12 new detectives are set to be working the night shift. This addition of officers is essential to crime reduction efforts, according to the mayor. MPD: Cameras capture suspect before deadly apartment shooting Police Chief CJ Davis highlighted some of those efforts, saying so far this year there has been about a 35% reduction in auto thefts. But the work is not done according to Mayor Young, who said that adding these 12 new officers to their investigative unit will be essential to getting some of Memphiss most violent criminals off the street. At the top of the list is making sure we can find the individuals that are responsible for wreaking the most havoc in our community, and we know that commit homicides are the ones that are committing the utmost violence, said Mayor Young. So, we want to make sure we are increasing our clearance rate. Last year, the city recorded a record number of nearly 400 homicides. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Memphis City Council Chair JB Smiley Jr. speaks during a news conference about a lawsuit filed against the Shelby County Election Commission, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn., for removing three gun control questions from the November ballot after top Republican state leaders threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars in state funding. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis City Council on Friday sued the commission that oversees the Tennessee city's elections for removing three gun control questions from the November ballot after top Republican state leaders threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars in state funding. Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. and some of his colleagues announced the lawsuit against the Shelby County Election Commission at a news conference. He said both Democratic and Republican council members support the ordinance that would put the gun control measures before voters as officials try to address Memphis' high rates of violent crime. The lawsuit seeks to have the measures reinstated after they were removed from the ballot by the commission on Tuesday without a public vote by its members. The referendum would ask voters if they want to tweak the city charter to require permits to carry a handgun, ban the possession of AR-15 style rifles and implement a so-called red flag ordinance, which allows law enforcement officials to remove firearms from those found to be an imminent danger to themselves or others. Memphis has been shot and is bleeding out, council member Jerri Green said. She then accused the super-majority of Republicans in the state Legislature of going against their stated values. There is nothing patriotic about refusing to let citizens use their voices in the voting booth, Green said. There is nothing pro-life about flooding our streets with weapons of war. On Monday, Tennessees election coordinator, Mark Goins, sent a letter to the commission warning that the gun control referendum violated several of Tennessees laws, making it void and ineligible to be placed on the ballot. The letter was sent hours after House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Speaker Randy McNally issued their state funding ultimatum. Goins added that unequivocable declarations by the General Assembly left no authority for Memphis officials to propose such amendments to the citys charter. Goins also raised concerns that the city had not properly followed the public notice procedures required to put a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot. In a statement Tuesday, Shelby County Administrator of Elections Linda Phillips said Goins guides the county's elections and the commission followed his direction in removing the referendum. Phillips declined comment Friday. The council had acknowledged at times that they were potentially risking the ire of the Republican-dominant Legislature since the measures likely conflict with Tennessees lax gun laws. In 2021, Republican lawmakers and GOP Gov. Bill Lee signed off on permitless carry for handguns. In May of this year, they banned local cities and counties from implementing their own red flag laws. Meanwhile, many inside that same Republican supermajority have rebuffed calls to place limits on firearms, an effort that has only increased after a gunman shot and killed three adults and three 9-year-olds in a Nashville private school last year. The planned referendum prompted the states top Republican lawmakers to threaten to withhold funding and led Secretary of State Tre Hargett to warn that his office would not approve Memphis ballot if it included the gun initiatives. Cities do not get to pick and choose which state laws they will or won't follow, Hargett said in a statement Friday. Members inside Tennessees white-majority Legislature have long singled out majority-Black, left-leaning Memphis, criticizing city leaders for how they have managed crime rates and how they were responding to the issue. In 2023, the city saw a record-breaking 398 homicides, while burglaries jumped to more than 14,000. As of Friday, the city had seen 217 homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department. However, the rate of reported crime in Memphis for the first half of 2024 remained below the first half of 2023 in almost all major categories, including the violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to preliminary figures from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Last year, Memphis received nearly $78 million from the states sales tax revenue. The city currently operates an $858 million budget. City leaders and Democratic state lawmakers representing Memphis have accused Republican state legislators of putting a spotlight on the citys crime problem while standing in the way of efforts to combat it. Smiley said the council has approved salary increases for police officers and crime intervention programs to try to keep residents safe. Smiley said 40% of the citys budget goes toward law enforcement. This is supposed to be a party who supports law enforcement, Smiley said of the Republican state leaders. Instead, what theyre telling the people of Memphis, they want us dead and they also want us in poverty." ____ Associated Press reporter Jonathan Mattise contributed from Nashville, Tennessee. By Georgina McCartney HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices retreated on Friday as investors weighed expectations of a rise in OPEC+ supply starting in October, alongside dwindling hopes of a hefty U.S. interest rate cut next month, following data showing strong consumer spending. Brent crude futures for October delivery, which expire on Friday, settled $1.14 lower, or 1.43%, at $78.80 a barrel, marking a decline of 0.3% for the week and 2.4% for the month. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down $2.36, or 3.11%, to $73.55, a drop of 1.7% in the week and a 3.6% decline in August. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, is set to proceed with a planned oil output hike from October, as the Libyan outages and pledged cuts by some members to compensate for overproduction counter the impact of sluggish demand, six sources from the producer group told Reuters. "OPEC+ talking about going ahead with tapering off production cuts was the headline that really sunk us today," said Phil Flynn, analyst with Price Futures Group. Meanwhile, investors responded to new data that showed U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July, suggesting the economy remained on firmer ground early in the third quarter and arguing against a half-percentage-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next month. Lower rates can boost economic growth and demand for oil. "That modest inflation increase could basically solidify that we will only get a quarter percentage-point cut and those hoping for a half will have to wait," said Price Futures Group's Flynn. Elsewhere, Libya's National Oil Corporation said recent oilfield closures have caused the loss of approximately 63% of the country's total oil production, as a conflict between rival eastern and western factions continues. Production losses could reach between 900,000 and 1 million barrels per day (bpd) and last for several weeks, according to consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group. Libya's eastern-based government announced the closure of all oil fields on Monday, halting production and exports and driving oil to settle at a near-two week high on Aug. 26. "It is interesting see the shutdown of Libya's crude oil production have such an impact on market prices one day and completely ignored the next," said Tim Snyder, chief economist at Matador Economics. It looks to me right now there is a lot of negative inertia in the market pulling prices down, Snyder added. Iraqi supplies are also expected to shrink after the country's output surpassed its OPEC+ quota, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Story continues Iraq plans to reduce its oil output to between 3.85 million and 3.9 million bpd next month. In the U.S., the number of active oil rigs was unchanged at 483 this week, but rose by one in August, Baker Hughes said. (Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston, Alex Lawler in London, Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru, Emily Chow in Singapore and Georgina McCartney in Houston; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Deepa Babington and Jonathan Oatis) Gov. Kevin Stitt, House Speaker Charles McCall and a top state mental health official are pushing back on a proposal to settle a lawsuit accusing Oklahoma of failing to help restore criminal defendants to competency in a timely manner. Stitt, McCall and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen agreed to send a letter to a judge overseeing the case to express their concerns about the proposed consent decree, which was arranged in part by Attorney General Gentner Drummond. A consent decree is a settlement crafted by both sides to resolve the litigation, but neither side admits guilt or liability. Drummond's office said the settlement is meant to help resolve an issue that has plagued the criminal justice system: Criminal proceedings can sometimes drag on for months or years because defendants haven't received restorative services aimed at getting them competent to stand trial. The proposed settlement includes a plan for the state to provide the services in a timely manner, the attorney general's office said. But Stitt, McCall and Friesen questioned the cost and purpose of the proposed resolution. During a meeting Wednesday at the Capitol, Friesen said she believed the issues could be solved without the consent decree. The governor and the House speaker, who sit on the Contingency Review Board, voted to tell the judge in their joint letter they disagreed with the decree. The lesser-known board meets when a proposed settlement needs to be approved but the legislature isn't in session. Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat is the board's third voting member, but he was not able to attend Wednesday's meeting due to personal reasons. Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen, seated in blue, addresses the Contingency Review Board on Aug. 28. The board's decision to write the letter came hours after Drummond issued a press release warning the public if the board rejected the consent decree outright, the action would be a "sham." He said his office received no more than a few days' notice and noted the consent decree has not yet been finalized by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frizzell. Drummond did not attend the meeting. More: Refiled murder cases highlight rift between prosecutors, state mental health officials Friesen hinted during the meeting she had concerns about how the attorney general has represented the state's interests in the case and referenced his press release, saying that future representation needs to be clear and aligned with the priority of the department. The proposed settlement stems from a 2023 federal lawsuit against the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Oklahoma Forensic Center by representatives of four people with mental illness. The plaintiffs claimed the state wasn't moving fast enough to transfer inmates out of local jails and into treatment centers. The lawsuit contended the states competency restoration system is broken, and scores of presumed-innocent Oklahomans who experience severe mental illness are languishing in county jails awaiting competency restoration treatment for prolonged periods that far exceed constitutional limits. Gov. Kevin Stitt, left, Speaker of the House Charles McCall and director of OMES Rick Rose are seen Aug. 28 during a Contingency Review Board at the Capitol in Oklahoma City. Emails shed light on disagreement between governor, attorney general Emails obtained by The Oklahoman show Stitt and Drummond exchanged some back-and-forth about the consent decree and Stitt's plans to call a meeting to discuss it. In a Monday email, Drummond told Stitt the decree needs preliminary approval by Frizzell and that it may require some modification. Drummond added he believes all of the departments reasonable concerns were alleviated in the consent decree. Stitt replied Tuesday afternoon and wrote the meeting will allow members to an opportunity to learn more about the consent decree and context surrounding it. Drummond replied at the end of day and said they are awaiting the courts decision on certain key terms and noted that what was previously circulated is subject to change and any discussion about terms or action to decline or approve would be meaningless on a substantive basis. Your zeal to proceed out of order strikes me as more political theater than clear-eyed leadership, Drummond wrote in his response to the governor. 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. While Friesen said she believed her department could resolve the issues without a consent decree, she acknowledged during Wednesday's meeting that the process still hadn't been fully fixed. More: With program ending, Oklahoma students are losing access to mental health care "We have not had time to identify the root process of the problem and apply targeted evidence based solutions to address the alleged concerns," Friesen said. She said the jail-based competency restoration program started in 2023 has helped restore 216 people to competency. Friesen also said the plan outlined in the consent decree looks like the Pinnacle Plan which was the result of a lawsuit settlement against the Department of Human Service's foster care system. The plan has helped make improvements in the foster care system, according to a spring report. Friesen said a similar plan has the "impossibility of exiting the agreement in a reasonable time frame" and questioned if the department would be able to get to a reasonable compliance. Then Stitt said the state has spent over $400 million on the Pinnacle Plan, with $18 million spent on consultants. How competency is determined in Oklahoma criminal court cases In Oklahoma, competency is defined as a person's ability to understand the nature of criminal charges against them and effectively and rationally assist in his or her defense. A judge or attorneys concerned about a defendants competency can ask for the defendants competency to be evaluated. Criminal proceedings are suspended while the defendant is being evaluated. If the court determines the defendant is competent to stand trial, the criminal proceedings resume. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Dispute between Oklahoma governor, AG centers on mental health lawsuit PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) Labor Day Weekend is a great time to unwind before the official end of summer, but it could turn dangerous. Many people might celebrate the long weekend with a few drinks. Deputy J.M. Pinter of the Mercer County Sheriffs Department, who also helps enforce the West Virginia Highways Safety Program, issued a reminder for those who are taking to the roadways this weekend. Be more vigilant. Practice defensive driving. If you do plan on drinking on the weekend, call a friend, get a ride, a designated driver, or just get an Uber, said Deputy Pinter. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative has begun Monday, September 2, 2024 marks the official end of the Highways Safety Programs Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Deputy Pinter said the Mercer County Sheriffs Department will be increasing patrols this weekend to help secure the roadways. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Messmer student fights off attempted abduction of sister on way to school, officials say Two Messmer High School students are safe after someone tried to abduct one of the girls, and her sister fought off the suspect, school administrators said. The attempted abduction occurred about 7:20 a.m. Friday as the two sisters were walking near the Catholic school, 742 West Capitol Drive, according to a statement to families. A person, whose gender and age were not released by police, followed the two girls on North 7th Street, then picked up one of them, the statement said. The girl's sister helped free her and they ran into the school and informed the principal. Messmer administrators could not find the suspect in the area. They alerted Milwaukee police and met with investigators, the statement said. Milwaukee police said midday Friday that they were still looking for a suspect, and that the girls were not injured in the incident. Police asked anyone with information to call them at 414-935-7252, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Messmer student fights off attempted abduction of sister, school says NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The New Mexico Department of Justice is expanding its lawsuit against landowners accused of blocking public waterways. The state is including property owners Richard and Jean Jenkins in the lawsuit. The NMDOJ said they met with Jenkins and Erik Briones and told them they needed to remove obstructions and signs falsely claiming access to the Pecos River was restricted. New Mexico awards $40M in grants to expand internet access AG Raul Torrez said the landowners refused. We take it very seriously that everyone here, regardless of where they come, from has a right under our Constitution to access these natural resources, said Torrez. The NMDOJ is asking the court to find Briones in contempt because he violated a consent decree he entered into with the department in March. The state has been cracking down on landowners obstructing public waterways since last 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Mexico will finish its side of new Otay Mesa border crossing in 5 weeks, officials say SAN DIEGO (Border Report) The Mexican side of the new Otay Mesa II Port of Entry, currently under construction, will be ready in five weeks, according to officials south of the border. Meantime, construction on the U.S. side of the border has yet to begin and is said to be at least two years behind schedule. (It was supposed to be done by next month.) The way they are going, they are having a tough time justifying the money, hopefully by the end of the year theyll have a contract to begin the project, said Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, Secretary of Baja Californias Urban and Infrastructure Development.. Contractors blame California Department of Transportation for port of entry delays He added that the state of Baja California is pushing for the U.S. side to be complete no later than 2027. He also said they continue to promote the idea of allowing only southbound truck crossings until the entire facility is done. When finished, the new port of entry will charge a toll in both directions. Baja officials are trying to recover some of the $210 million the Mexican government has invested in the new border crossing. These can be empty trucks that are looking for a fast way to get back, Espinoza Jaramillo said. This will also reduce a lot of truck traffic near the current Otay Mesa truck crossing, this is going to be the most modern port of entry in the world, it will double our regions capacity to process trucks. Stalled border crossing might work for truckers heading south, Baja officials say On the U.S. side, Otay Mesa II is a joint venture between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). SANDAG recently said the delays were due to the federal governments failure to reach agreements on operation and maintenance roles and responsibilities. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border The State of California, Caltrans, and SANDAG continue to negotiate with the federal government to solidify the final details of the port of entry itself, SANDAG officials said in a statement. But progress 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. CHIMAYO, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police are investigating a homicide at a home in Chimayo. It started on Monday when NMSP officers were called to a home for domestic violence where a woman was heard screaming for help. Dispatch received a second call about a fire at the home. Story continues below Firefighters removed 46-year-old Analilia Morales from the home but NMSP said she died on scene from knife injuries. Another male was found unconscious in front of the home with stab wounds. He was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. According to NMSP, Leonel Andrade Garcia was seen leaving the burning home with a knife. He was found in a nearby field and had been stabbed. Police said Morales had an active protection order against Garcia and they were due in court in the next few days. Garcia was charged with murder, kidnapping, and arson among other 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A Miami International Airport janitor has been arrested after stealing $60,000 worth of Rolex watches from a passenger, according to police officials. Alberto Rabanal, 57, has been charged with two counts of second-degree grand theft, and faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. According to an affidavit of Rabanal's arrest by the Miami-Dade Police Department, the passenger arrived at Miami International Airport on Thursday night from Lisbon, Portugal. The passenger cleared customs and was waiting for a ride share at the curb shortly after midnight when he set the duty-free bag containing two Rolex watches on the ground next "to a metal pillar and garbage can." He walked away, leaving the bag unattended for a short-period of time. Fliers may want to avoid this airport: This is the most stressful airport in the US, according to a new report According to CCTV footage reviewed by detectives, Rabanal, who was working that night, saw the bag and looked into it. He removed a black sweater that was covering the watch boxes and took the bag to "an area where he can't be seen by witnesses," where he stole the watches, the affidavit said. Rabanal then threw the duty-free bag into a trash can, the report said. Detectives found the watches in Rabanal's home, in his master bedroom dresser on Monday. Rabanal confessed to the robbery and was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without further incident. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Airport janitor charged for stealing Rolex watches from passenger DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A new K-9 has been welcomed onto the Miamisburg police force this week. K-9 Bolo, a 13-month-old German Shepard, has joined the Miamisburg Police Department. Bolo is replacing Buck, who is retiring after six years with the police department. Teens arrested for attempted armed robbery Bolo will spend approximately three months at a K-9 training academy beginning in September. Following the completion of training, Bolo will start working alongside his human counterpart, Officer Bryan Klein. (Photo/City of Miamisburg) (Photo/City of Miamisburg) The Matt Haverkamp Foundation donated Bolo to the department. The nonprofit organization was created in remembrance of K-9 officer Matt Haverkamp, and honors his legacy by supporting law enforcement agencies in the greater Cincinnati area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Independent presidential candidate Cornel West is eligible for Michigan's Nov. 5 ballot, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The court's 3-0 opinion upholds a ruling by the Michigan Court of Claims, but reverses a ruling by the Michigan Bureau of Elections that West was ineligible for the ballot because of problems with an affidavit he filed with the state. The case is likely headed to the Michigan Supreme Court for a final ruling early next week. The Michigan Democratic Party has been fighting to keep West off the ballot, as has voter Rosa Holliday, who is represented by attorney Mark Brewer, a former Michigan Democratic Party chair. The Michigan Department of State also appealed. Cornel West, a U.S. presidential candidate, hugs members of the audience after speaking at a pro-Palestinian interfaith event called "Gaza Endures" at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn, Mich. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. West is a civil rights activist and philosopher who has taught at Harvard and other U.S. universities. Politically, he has described himself as a "non-Marxist socialist." Though he has been polling at 1% or less in Michigan and nationally, that could be enough to have an impact in what is expected to be a close election between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford on Aug. 24 ordered the names of West and his running mate Melina Abdullah to be included on Michigan's presidential ballot. Redford said they had easily met the requirement of filing at least 12,000 eligible signatures. Finding no errors in Redford's reasoning, the Court of Appeals affirmed that opinion Friday. Redford's order overturned a contrary ruling made by the Michigan Bureau of Elections under Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat. Jonathan Brater, Michigan's elections director, told the West campaign Aug. 16 that he was disqualified from the Michigan ballot because of defects in his affidavit of identity, which was filed with the state along with the required number of petition signatures. Brater's letter said there were several defects in the affidavit, including unfilled blanks on the form, the notary's public stamp being sent on a separate sheet of paper and the notary failing to identify what specific notarial act she was engaged in. But Redford ruled that under state law, West as an independent candidate was not required to file an affidavit of identity along with his signatures, making any deficiencies in that affidavit irrelevant. Also on Monday, the Board of State Canvassers voted 3-1 to certify West for the ballot after hearing concerns from Brewer and others that thousands of the signatures West submitted were fraudulent. The board's vote upheld the position of the Bureau of Elections that West filed the required number of valid signatures. The board did not weigh in on the affidavit issue Monday. The Bureau of Elections and the Department of State still intend to appeal Redford's ruling on the affidavit issue, department spokeswoman Angela Benander said after the board meeting. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Appeals Court: Cornel West eligible for presidential ballot LANSING Calls for a one-year Michigan income tax cut to be made permanent hit a dead end Friday at the Michigan Supreme Court. A spike in state revenues in 2022 triggered a provision inserted into a 2015 law that reduced Michigan's personal income tax rate to 4.05% from 4.25%. The Whitmer administration and Attorney General Dana Nessel interpreted the wording as resulting in a one-year tax cut, for the 2023 tax year only. Michigan Republicans and groups such as the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Associated Builders and Contractors interpreted the law as requiring a permanent tax cut. They sued, but lost at both the Michigan Court of Claims and the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Michigan Supreme Courts courtroom in the state Hall of Justice. More: Court orders U.P. city to disclose police's use-of-force policy, for a second time And on Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Taxpayers just lost $700 million a year without a single vote in the Legislature, said Patrick Wright, vice president for legal affairs at the Mackinac Center. This case is a reminder that the Legislature must be extremely precise in order to avoid a misguided interpretation of the law by a future administration opposed to its original goals. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Supreme Court dismissed case calling for a permanent tax cut REDtone Digital Berhad (KLSE:REDTONE) posted some decent earnings, but shareholders didn't react strongly. Our analysis suggests they may be concerned about some underlying details. View our latest analysis for REDtone Digital Berhad A Closer Look At REDtone Digital Berhad's Earnings One key financial ratio used to measure how well a company converts its profit to free cash flow (FCF) is the accrual ratio. The accrual ratio subtracts the FCF from the profit for a given period, and divides the result by the average operating assets of the company over that time. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'. Therefore, it's actually considered a good thing when a company has a negative accrual ratio, but a bad thing if its accrual ratio is positive. While it's not a problem to have a positive accrual ratio, indicating a certain level of non-cash profits, a high accrual ratio is arguably a bad thing, because it indicates paper profits are not matched by cash flow. To quote a 2014 paper by Lewellen and Resutek, "firms with higher accruals tend to be less profitable in the future". For the year to June 2024, REDtone Digital Berhad had an accrual ratio of 0.93. As a general rule, that bodes poorly for future profitability. To wit, the company did not generate one whit of free cashflow in that time. Over the last year it actually had negative free cash flow of RM75m, in contrast to the aforementioned profit of RM58.2m. It's worth noting that REDtone Digital Berhad generated positive FCF of RM62m a year ago, so at least they've done it in the past. Having said that, there is more to the story. The accrual ratio is reflecting the impact of unusual items on statutory profit, at least in part. One positive for REDtone Digital Berhad shareholders is that it's accrual ratio was significantly better last year, providing reason to believe that it may return to stronger cash conversion in the future. Shareholders should look for improved cashflow relative to profit in the current year, if that is indeed the case. Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of REDtone Digital Berhad. How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit? Given the accrual ratio, it's not overly surprising that REDtone Digital Berhad's profit was boosted by unusual items worth RM11m in the last twelve months. We can't deny that higher profits generally leave us optimistic, but we'd prefer it if the profit were to be sustainable. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. And that's as you'd expect, given these boosts are described as 'unusual'. If REDtone Digital Berhad doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current year. Story continues Our Take On REDtone Digital Berhad's Profit Performance REDtone Digital Berhad had a weak accrual ratio, but its profit did receive a boost from unusual items. Considering all this we'd argue REDtone Digital Berhad's profits probably give an overly generous impression of its sustainable level of profitability. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing REDtone Digital Berhad at this point in time. For example, we've found that REDtone Digital Berhad has 3 warning signs (1 shouldn't be ignored!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis. In this article we've looked at a number of factors that can impair the utility of profit numbers, and we've come away cautious. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with significant insider holdings to be useful. 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. 'We are in the middle of Europe, and we are under censorship,' anti-Putin filmmaker says The Scoop The producers of a film intensely critical of Vladimir Putins Russia say a legal effort that has blocked it from being shown in Venice this week is the culmination of a long Russian campaign against the movie. The film, , tells the story of Georgians who were deported from Russia in 2006 amid a crisis between the countries, and was scheduled to be screened in Venice today in the Giornate degli Autori, a film competition hosted during the Venice International Film Festival. We are in the middle of Europe, and we are under censorship, director Rusudan Glurjidze told Semafor in her first interview since the screening was suspended. The screening was blocked after legal action taken by two other producers to stop it, and has been widely covered in the film press and Italian media this week. The other producers have cast the argument as an ordinary legal dispute over rights, now playing out in Italian court. The Venice International Film Festival, which controls screening venues, is believed to have asked for the screenings to be suspended while the matter is resolved, Deadline reported. But Rusudan and producer Zurab Magalashvili say the legal threats come after an extended campaign against the film. When I started to write this movie, I immediately understood that it will be a tough journey with this film, Rusudan said. tells the story of a Georgian couple in St. Petersburg, Lado and Medea, who are involved in the smuggling of antique furniture and are caught up in the brutal 2006 deportations. Putin is present through his public statements on the crisis between Russia and Georgia, and through the character Vadim Vadimovich, an older Russian who lives in Medeas apartment and is intended to embody an older, failing version of the Russian leader, softer but still evil, Rusudan said. The producers say they sought and received permission from Russian culture minister Olga Lyubimova to shoot in Moscow. They said they believe she initially approved the film without reading the screenplay. After officials did read the script, they asked that 16 scenes reflecting badly on the Russian authorities be cut, the producers said. And when the crew arrived in St. Petersburg to begin filming on Jan. 11, 2022, officials threw up obstacles, refusing to allow them to film in locations theyd planned. One morning, they arrived on set to find that costumes had been destroyed, Magalashvili said. Filming concluded on Feb. 22, 2022, the day before Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine amid tightening restrictions on speech in Russia. Concerned that their footage would be confiscated, the filmmakers handed off hard drives to members of Russias remaining Georgian community, who drove south to Vladikavkaz and across the border into Georgia. When the filmmakers arrived at the airport to leave the country, Russian customs officials confiscated the filmmakers digital storage, Magalashvili said. They were sure they confiscated the footage of the film, he said. may have been the last foreign film shot in Russia. Know More The canceled screening has provoked a flurry of coverage in Italy, where the move was cast in geopolitical terms. At least here, Russia wins, wrote Corriere della Sera. For now, producers said, the film will screen for a jury but not in public for an audience. One of the producers seeking to block the production, Sergej Stanojkovski, told Semafor in an email that any suggestion of my involvement on behalf of the Russian state, or any other state, to influence the screening of the film in Venice is entirely untrue and unfounded. He said his interest lies in the swift resolution of this matter so that the film can be released and reach its deserved audience, allowing all investors to begin recouping their investments. Bens view The details of this dispute will be resolved, for now, in an Italian court. But they come after a decade in which it has grown harder and harder to release movies that might anger authoritarian states. The devastating North Korean hack of Sony in 2014 put producers and distributors on notice that criticizing countries with advanced cyberwarfare capacities could be risky. The Hollywood dream of riches in the Chinese market have shaped everything from subject matter to dialogue in major films for years. The film, a small, human story cast amid a largely forgotten moment in Russias authoritarian turn, isnt exactly an obvious threat to Putins rule. But it comes amid growing alarm in Europe at Russian interference in ways large and small. And The power of this story is that great art still matters, said Greg Jordan, the American screenwriter of Rusudans next film, , which is about a Czech priest killed after defying his countrys Communist regime. Its both hilarious and heartening that a beautiful film can threaten so much in 2024. Notable Festival organizers are working to get the film released. The Venice International Film Festival is one of a number of Italian cultural institutions with new leaders installed by a right-wing government that is, among other things, relatively sympathetic to Russia. Following news of a financial crisis in Milwaukee Public Schools, a legislative committee has mandated a state audit of Wisconsin's education department. The co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee said MPS' financial issues that came to light this spring necessitate a deeper review of the Department of Public Instruction itself. The review by the Legislative Audit Bureau will probe for answers about how DPI monitors K-12 school finances. "Clearly (the Department of Public Instruction) decided not to treat the infection it knew about at (Milwaukee Public Schools), and let it fester until it was too late," State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay and co-chair of the audit committee, said Thursday. Though the audit was approved Thursday, not all members of the legislative committee were in support of it. Sen. Robert Wirch, D-Somers, said he voted no because the audit was a "fishing expedition" that didn't take the taxpayers into consideration. "I believe in local control and local responsibility," Wirch said. "A lot of people have lost their jobs over what happened in Milwaukee. We already have an audit that's going to be happening." Details about what drove the financial crisis in Milwaukee are still murky. But what's clear is the district was months late in submitting required financial information to the state, driving its superintendent and two other administrators to vacate their positions. Milwaukee Public School Supt. Keith P. Posley, left, and Gov. Tony Evers take a tour at the Academy of Accelerated Learning on the first day of school for Milwaukee Public Schools students on the traditional-start calendar, which includes most elementary school students. Gov. Tony Evers has already called for audits of the district. Evers previously said the reviews will be the first of their kind in 15 years. They will focus on Milwaukee schools' financial management and classroom-related practices. The folks selected to conduct the independent, outside audits of MPS bring expertise and specific experience in classrooms, schools, and helping support school districts facing significant challenges, which is critical if were going to identify issues and have meaningful conversations in the future about solutions," Evers said in a statement after selecting MGT of America Consulting to conduct the operational audit. Wimberger, however, was critical of Evers' decision to use private auditors. He said doing so will help the governor "avoid scrutiny" of a department he led for years. Taking questions from lawmakers on Thursday, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom McCarthy stressed that K-12 districts in Wisconsin are late filing financial data every year, and the reasons why are vast. It's too early to answer detailed questions about what happened in Milwaukee, he said. But it's clear the district lacked the "competency and capacity" to address issues with incomplete finance data. "As we navigated that, and figured out how to hold them accountable for that there's not a guidebook that says, 'The state's largest district is deliquent in this amount of finance data," McCarthy said. "We've never broached a situation like this." In a statement to the Journal Sentinel, a spokesperson for DPI said the department looks forward to cooperating with the audit. "We also look forward to the Legislature examining with an open mind needed changes to statute to support local school districts meet the tremendous administrative burden of state and federal reporting and requirements, including potentially changes in timing of required reports," the statement said. "Our local schools are doing a tremendous job educating kids, and we need to help them in every way we can." Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Racine and co-chair of the audit committee, on Thursday said the audit is basic: it's focused on process and procedure. But it's still important, given DPI oversees 421 school districts across Wisconsin. "There's a significant amount of risk with the amount of money that we devote to K-12 education," Wittke said. "We need to understand what happens... so we don't keep hearing other school districts come forward with problems." 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: Milwaukee crisis prompts audit of state's education department JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Miss.) filed a lawsuit in the Hinds County Chancery Court against drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic. In Mississippi, we have seen this epidemic tear apart our families and communities. The opioid epidemic has killed so many of our loved ones, said Fitch. I will continue to hold these companies accountable for the role that they have played in destroying so many lives through their unfair, deceptive practices so that our state can heal from this crisis and guard against it ever happening again. What you need to know about fentanyl According to the court documents, PBMs had a central role in facilitating the oversupply of opioids through conduct that has the intended purpose of ignoring the necessary safeguards for purposes of increasing the prescribing, dispensing and sales of prescription opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported opioid overdoses killed nearly 645,000 Americans from 1999 through 2021. In 2022, Mississippi had the fourth-highest opioid prescribing rate in the nation with 64 opioids being dispersed for every 100 Mississippians. The lawsuit names the following defendants: Optum, Inc. OptumRx, Inc. OptumInsight Life Sciences, Inc. OptumInsight, Inc. UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The Lewin Group, Inc. Evernorth Health, Inc. Express Scripts, Inc. Express Scripts Administrators, LLC ESI Mail Pharmacy Service, Inc. Express Scripts Pharmacy, Inc. Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc. Medco Health Solutions, Inc. 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. ROGERSVILLE, Mo. This week in Missouri, a handful of new laws are taking effect, including one that provides low-income families with K-12 students access to scholarships that would help pay for private school. A new private school in Rogersville hosted a ribbon-cutting on Aug. 29. Right now, Legacy Prep School has 80 students enrolled. The Head of School says the school has plans to grow, and a new law like this could help in that journey. We are pre-K through seven. We hope to grow one grade level each year. So we have an opportunity here at Harmony Baptist Church to expand and to add classrooms. And so if we are able to facilitate that for more students to come and be a part of our program, we welcome them, says Joanie Brown. Greene County Commission standing with area landowners Legacy Prep is a hybrid school, meaning their students will only be in school two days a week. The other three days they will be homeschooled with a curriculum prepared by the teachers. The scholarship program that was signed into law will offer low-income families thousands of dollars per child for their private school expenses. This includes tuition, transportation, school supplies and more. A parent at Legacy Prep says this law will give families of the future more opportunities. Weve had a lot of families who have come to us this year looking for scholarship opportunities and it being our first year, that was not something that we could provide, says Jodie Huff. So, this new law will give those families who want this kind of community for their kids, this kind of school option, a chance to do that without suffering. The new law also impacts public schools, where the minimum salary for teachers is now $40,000. This does not affect Legacy Prep, but Brown says changes like this are nothing but good for all teachers. This opportunity allows every school, public or private to reevaluate how we are paying teachers. And this is great for educators all the way around, says Brown. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is calling on the Biden-Harris administration to take action in response to a report released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier this week. The report states that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot always track the locations of unaccompanied migrant children who are released from DHS and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) custody. The disappearance of even one child is a tragedy, but the bureaucratic failures that have led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children is nothing short of a crisis, said Attorney General Miyares. Federal, state, and local authorities must work together to establish a seamless system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of these children. This is not just a federal issueit is a national crisis that requires full commitment and cooperation from all levels of government. Miyares sent President Biden and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services a letter in February raising concerns about the unaccompanied migrant children and advocating for enhanced collaboration among federal, state, and local governments. In April, he followed up with a second letter that outlined his recommendations. The full DHS report 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 WAVY.com. Modestos Community Police Review Board released its first annual report last week, offering a detailed look at its findings and recommendations for the Modesto Police Department. Recommendations include such things as better transparency by the department about major incidents and officer misconduct, revising its use-of-force policy and the establishment by the city and police of semiannual Know Your Rights training sessions for residents. The CPRB is tasked with enhancing police accountability and transparency in response to public demand for police reform. You, the community of Modesto, and the nine members of Modestos Police Review Board are here to provide oversight of the public safety system we have, wrote Vice Chair Nico Solorio in the first annual report. Findings and recommendations The report outlines several areas of concern and suggests a range of recommendations aimed at improving the relationship between the MPD and the Modesto community. Among the recommendations are: Transparency Issues: The CPRB emphasized the need for greater transparency from MPD, particularly in relation to major incidents and disciplinary actions. It suggests that MPD provide regular updates on the status of ongoing investigations and other sensitive cases. That would let board members keep the public informed. The board also calls for the release of settlement data related to officer misconduct to both the board and the public, including details on the economic impact and any resulting changes in MPD policy. De-escalation Techniques: The CPRB recommends expanding programs like the Mobile Crisis Response Team and the Community Health and Assistance Team. These programs deploy mental health clinicians and social service professionals to handle situations that might otherwise involve police officers. The aim is reducing the burden on law enforcement and potentially leading to better outcomes for community members. The report highlights the success of these programs and urges the city to seek additional funding to expand their reach. Officer Conduct and Training: The board identified a need for stricter oversight of officer conduct, particularly in relation to the use of body-worn cameras. The report notes an incident where an officer turned off her body camera during an arrest, which led to a complaint. Additionally, the CPRB recommends revising the MPDs use-of-force policy to consider an officers history of using deadly force, even beyond a 12-month period. This could ensure that patterns of behavior are identified and addressed more effectively. The board also supports ongoing and mandatory race and cultural relations training for all officers, noting its positive impact on both police and community members. Community Engagement: To bridge the gap between the police and the community, the CPRB advocates for semiannual Know Your Rights training sessions for residents, which would be co-sponsored by the city and MPD. The board also suggests making its own meetings more accessible by allowing Zoom participation, a move members hope will increase community involvement. The review boards creation The CPRB was born out of the Forward Together working group, initiated by the City Council in response to widespread calls for police reform. The working group was established in June 2021 following several high-profile incidents involving the Police Departments use of deadly force. After extensive research and community engagement, the Forward Together working group recommended a hybrid oversight model combining an independent auditor with a community review board. This model was designed to balance professional oversight with community participation, aiming to rebuild trust between MPD and Modesto residents. The City Council adopted the recommendations in December 2022, leading to the formation of the CPRB, composed of nine Modesto residents selected from a pool of over 70 applicants. The board, which includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, held its first meeting in June 2023 and has since been actively involved in reviewing police practices, community concerns and the MPDs response to critical incidents. Notes on trauma and data Solorio, who attended the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conference, shared insights from his attendance in the report, where two key topics were highlighted: trauma and the importance of data. The conference underscored the impact of trauma on both victims of police use-of-force incidents and the officers involved. Statistics presented showed that officers are at a higher risk for serious health issues, including PTSD, depression and suicide, often resulting in a shortened lifespan. Solorio also discussed the broader concept of collective trauma, which affects entire communities, leading to widespread psychological distress and altered attitudes. He said the conference emphasized the need for law enforcement to be trauma-informed, integrating this understanding into policies to prevent further harm and foster healing. He also emphasized the importance of focusing on local data to understand whats really happening in Modesto. Although nationwide data does matter, our job is to focus on our community and Modestos police department, Solorio wrote in the report. He also highlighted the need to investigate patterns in police conduct and how settlements related to officer misconduct impact the community. The CPRB plans to analyze data points such as the frequency of use of force complaints, patterns of police stops and the outcomes of lawsuits related to officer misconduct. This data-driven approach aims to identify trends and inform future recommendations. Solorio also highlighted the potential impact of police union contracts on oversight efforts. He noted the importance of understanding the details of these contracts to ensure that they do not hinder accountability. The report calls for regular communication between the police union and the Independent Police Auditor to build trust and improve transparency. Solorio brought up the importance of local oversight in policing, noting that while Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements vary across the country, MPD often exceeds Californias minimum standards. He emphasized that the future of policing is local and requires collaboration between the community, the CPRB, and the police department. He also praised Police Chief Brandon Gillespie for his proactive approach to the recommendations from the Forward Together initiative. He urged the Modesto community to stay engaged, hold the board and the police accountable, and continue working together to improve the public safety system to meet the communitys needs. Looking ahead, the CPRB plans to review MPD policies, such as adding specific guidelines for officers on compliance with pain techniques and considering mandatory drug and alcohol testing for officers involved in shootings or fatalities. Additionally, the board is interested in reviewing data related to racial profiling and how its shared with the community. The CPRB encourages community members to attend its monthly meetings, held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1010 10th St. in the basement-level chambers, to voice their concerns and stay informed. In the end, the future of policing is not federal, it is local. We must continue with what we are doing and work together, Solorio said. Montgomery Court, new cafe on Park Ave. in Rochester, to open Monday ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC ) A new cafe and coffee option is coming to Rochester: Montgomery Court! The new joint is tucked away at Colby & Park Ave. the official address is 1241 Park Avenue and nestled in the ABC Streets Neighborhood. (This) neighborhood definitely has a need for a community center, a place where people can gather and pickup some coffee, breakfast, lunch, said owner Colin Floom. Floom is from L.A., and when he moved to Colorado, he opened several coffee shops there. I fell in love with the coffee shop atmosphere, it was a great way to connect with people, he said. At Montgomery Court, which is named for an old haunt of his wifes, Floom will be slinging gourmet coffee and espresso, roasted by his other company, Language of Coffee. Denver-inspired food items are on the menu as well. Im a big breakfast burrito fan, in Denver we had hatch green chili, we put in anything breakfast-related, he said. Montgomery Court is a warm and cozy spot with plentiful green colors and plants. Theres limited indoor seating, but Floom expects to add more once the property is rezoned in the winter. Floom is making his small business debut, moving from the film business to the coffee business. He helped to film the 2020 Ford Bronco commercial and a new movie of his with Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson, Unholy Trinity, is coming out soon. But now hes getting back involved with the community: Floom is celebrating a double grand opening Labor Day, with Montgomery Court and the business next door, Ducktail Barbershop. The sweet, old-school joint has been open for 70 years, but just moved into this new location. Floom is looking foward to giving back. I got tired of all the traveling, Floom said. And Im looking forward to being a part of Rochester. The grand opening on Labor Day runs from noon until, and also features food trucks and MoBar Rochester, a new mobile bar. After the grand opening, Montgomery Court will be open every day from 7 a.m. to 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 RochesterFirst. By Mike Stone WASHINGTON (Reuters) -RTX Corp will pay a $200 million fine to settle allegations that the aerospace and defense company violated export laws by exchanging data and products with prohibited countries, including China, U.S. State Department records dated Thursday said. The fine stems from failure to abide by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by poorly classifying and controlling exports of defense articles, including classified ones, the State Department said. RTX voluntarily disclosed its mistakes and told investors on its July 25 earnings call that the company had set aside about $1 billion to resolve three separate legal matters "primarily identified during the integration of Rockwell Collins and Raytheon Co. into RTX." The State Department notification released on Friday was the first of the three legal matters and included mistakenly providing intellectual property and technology to China. One of the instances involved providing Chinese citizens information about "an aluminum display housing component of the F-22 Raptor Fighter Aircraft" in Shanghai. The information was determined to be more sensitive than the RTX employees initially believed. "As part of the resolution of each of these three matters, we will be required to retain independent compliance monitors over the three-year term of the agreements," the company said on the earnings call. Half of the fine will be spent to fund the compliance program. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Mark Porter and Jonathan Oatis) Month long road closure to begin Tuesday in Preston County KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY) Those traveling in Preston County are urged to plan ahead before a month long road closure begins. A press release from the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) announced that Preston County 50/1 Watson Criss Road at mile marker 0.21 will be closed from Sept. 3 until Oct. 4 for a box culvert installation project. Deputies say woman was DUI when she fled from police in semi and then crashed Established detour routes will include Preston County 76, Stevenburg Road, Preston County 119, Aubrey Wolfe Road, Preston County 50/2, Marquess-Isreal Road and US 50. Those traveling are advised by the WVDOH to plan for additional travel time. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WBOY 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 WBOY.com. LONG EDDY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A weekend celebrating eternal love ended with a free water diver retrieving a vital symbol of matrimony from an Upstate New York lake. Newlyweds Lewis Merl and Rebecca Cohn got married last Saturday. After their special day, they decided to take a break from their busy lives, and they headed to the Catskills. The couple was playing with their dog by the lake when Merl climbed out of the water only to realize his wedding ring was missing. While Cohn tried to calm down a panicked Merl, the couple went online and were eventually connected to a well-known local diver, Anthony Ferdon. Ferdon, equipped with his diving gear, met the couple at the lake to search for the ring. Thinking the search would take hours due to the amount of silt, everyone was surprised when Ferdon came out of the water within five minutes. Merl recalls Ferdon telling him Man, you have good karma. Just do the right thing and try to be good people and sometimes it goes back around, and you get lucky. Plus, I learned a lesson which is dont swim with your ring on, said Merl. Its funny, our wedding went totally perfectly, we could not have planned for it to go more flawlessly. According to Murphys Law, something bad had to happen for the honeymoon. So, when it happened, I was like wellmakes sense almost. But then the fact that it was found proves that everything, I mean we were meant to be, fate worked in our favor, said Cohn. Ferdon is a certified scuba and free water diver from Monticello. He owns Century Scuba Services. He has been employed to search for several things in the past, including missing persons. Ferdon says the job offers a deep sense of validation. His face was priceless when I came up out of the water and he saw me holding it. Ive never seen somebody so ecstatic. They were such great people; he was so happy. It was just a phenomenal thing, said Ferdon. Ferdon credits Middletown Scuba for all of their help. Now that the ring has been recovered, the newlyweds will enjoy their final days of their mini moon before heading back to New York 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 WIVT - News 34. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Moore man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison in connection to a carjacking. According to the United States Department of Justice, 39-year-old Brian Two-Babies was sentenced to 121 months for brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. LOCAL NEWS: El Reno PD seek public assistance in credit card fraud case Officials say on December 15, 2023, Two-Babies approached a car while armed with a pistol in Oklahoma City. He tried to open the door, threatened the driver multiple times and then shot the pistol into the air. The victim gave their phone, keys and wallet to Two-Babies before he pointed the firearm at the victim and threatened their life. Two-Babies then drove away in the victims car and was later arrested by Oklahoma City Police the next morning. The U.S. Dept. of Justice says on April 16, 2024, Two-Babies was charged by Superseding Information with having a firearm during a crime of violence and carjacking. On April 22, Two-Babies pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information, and admitted to stealing the car while having a firearm, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm. LOCAL NEWS: Two Arizona residents sentenced in Oklahoma for possessing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl Two-Babies was sentenced on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Bernard Jones to 121 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In addition to the sentencing announcement, the court noted the nature of the offense. This case was investigated as part of Operation Shots Fired which focuses on cases involving individuals who discharge a firearm as part of their crimes. To learn more, visit Justice.gov/psn. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Power restored after more than 20,000 homes affected in Eagle Mountain area This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. UPDATE 12:39 P.M. Rocky Mountain Power reported to ABC4 that the outage has been restored. According to Jonah Whitesides with Rocky Mountain Power, an outside company accidentally tripped a transmission line, which caused the outage. As Rocky Mountain Power assessed the situation, they found no damage to the line and were able to restore the power. ORIGINAL STORY EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4) More than 20,000 residences are without power in Utah County, according to Rocky Mountain Power. The company said Friday morning that the power outage is affecting 21,837 customers in Cedar Fork, Eagle Mountain, and Fairfield and could last until 8 p.m. Friday night. The outages were first reported around 11:30 a.m. Eagle Mountain residents reported that some traffic lights were not functioning, impacting the flow of traffic. The company said the outage is due to a loss of transmission and the website lists the cause as a damaged line. Rocky Mountain Power customers affected by power outages can report them to the company by calling 1-877-508-5088 or texting OUT to 759677. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BOSTON, Mass. (SHNS)The Massachusetts Health Connector this year opened the door to lower-cost health insurance plans offered through its ConnectorCare program to a wider population, and Bay Staters took advantage. The states health insurance marketplace this week reported on the status of the pilot program lawmakers include in last years budget to expand access to lower-premium and no-deductible policies to an estimated 50,000 people who previously would not have qualified because their income would have been too high. The results: more than 51,000 people have already newly gotten coverage through ConnectorCare this year and 88 percent have already put that new coverage to use, according to the report. Opioid crisis toll reflected in field of flags This pilot program is doing exactly what it was designed to do, which is deliver health insurance that is truly affordable and useable to Massachusetts residents who previously may have found coverage and services financially out of reach, Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier said. Residents with income of up to $72,900 and families of four earning up to $150,000 were eligible for health plans offered by the ConnectorCare program for the first time during 2024 open enrollment. The program boasts average monthly savings of up to $150 for certain members, low co-pays, and access to no-cost prescriptions for medications that treat chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. Even though we pay almost the same as before, we save so much in co-pays! I never have to think about whether I should take my children to the doctor. If they need to go, I just take them, an unidentified expansion pilot member said in the connectors report. A two-year pilot in the fiscal 2024 budget expanded eligibility limits at a time that coincided with the states work to remove people who were no longer eligible from MassHealth. It also comes as state government has been expanding access to various benefits and programs, including free community college, free rides on regional transit authorities, half-price fares for low-income MBTA riders and free school meals. The budget language that established the pilot program declared that amounts necessary to support the 2-year pilot program shall be expended from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, but it does not specify any specific amount. The expansion will cost the state $130 million for calendar 2024, a Health Connector official said in 2023. The pilot program was vetoed in 2022 by Gov. Charlie Baker, but was signed into law in 2023 when the Legislature presented it to Gov. Maura Healey. The pilot will remain available to residents in 2025, the Connector said. The Connectors report this week said that 30 percent of the 51,237 people who got coverage through the ConnectorCare expansion pilot were previously MassHealth members. That yearlong redetermination effort resulted in 363,000 people being removed from MassHealth coverage. Officials said in June that 133,000 people, a little more than a third of those removed from MassHealth, signed up for an insurance plan available through the Health Connector. The Health Connector said there are 324,000 people this month in individual and family health plans it offers, including 271,000 people in ConnectorCare. Both are all-time highs for the program and the agency, the Connector said. The pilot was the first time since the Health Connector was created in 2006 that the state expanded state-level subsidy support for residents, Connector officials said last year. Of the 51,237 people who got coverage through the ConnectorCare expansion pilot, most (36,463 people) are in the 3C plan type, which includes people who have incomes of 300.1 to 400 percent of the federal poverty limit (between roughly $43,755 and $58,320) while the remainder (14,774) are eligible for the 3D plan type with incomes 400.1 to 500 percent of the limit (about $58,320 to $72,900). The previous income limit for ConnectorCare was 300 percent of the federal poverty limit, or roughly $43,740. The ConnectorCare program uses state and federal subsidies to drive down the cost of commercial health plans for members. The 3C plan uses $229 in enhanced federal Advance Premium Tax Credits that have been in place since 2021 along with $38 from the state, leaving an average net monthly premium of $231 for the member. The 3D plan uses $127 from the feds and $89 from the state, resulting in an average net monthly premium of $304, the report said. We know how important it is for everyone in Massachusetts to be able to get health care services they both need and can afford, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh said. I am glad the early results of this expansion shows that even more people can access health care at a more affordable price. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Holly Springs High, Green Hope Elementary, Hortons Creek Elementary and Rogers Lane Elementary became the latest Wake County schools on Friday to send home students early because of problems with the air conditioning system. In a message posted on the schools website, Holly Springs High said it was dismissing students early at 11:15 a.m. due to having no air conditioning. Rogers Lane Elementary in Raleigh said it was sending students home at 11:30 a.m. Green Hope Elementary in Cary said it would dismiss at noon, and Hortons Creek Elementary in Cary will do so at 12:45 p.m. At least eight Wake County schools have had to dismiss students early due to HVAC issues since traditional-calendar schools opened Tuesday. This week, school administrators said that Wake has $140 million in HVAC needs but not enough staff to address all of the problems. Half of the HVAC technician positions and both of the chiller technician positions are vacant. Wake has experienced AC issues the start of the past few school years during hot temperatures. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) The restaurant industry in Tijuana continues to see bankrupt establishments and fewer sales due to a lack of customers from north of the border. Visits are said to be down by as much as 30 percent since the start of the year, according to Giovanny Angulo, head of the restaurant division of Tijuanas Chamber of Commerce He says the lack of tourists is forcing many restaurants to shut down and lay people off. We dont have a specific number of restaurants that have closed because not all of them are part of our organization, but I speak with restaurateurs every day and we have noticed this trend, Angulo said. Sales we are seeing now are about what we saw two years ago, theres been no growth. Heat makes the meat: Tiny Mexican taco stand first to get a Michelin star Angulo blames two main factors: The belief Tijuana remains a dangerous place to visit and the long waits to cross the border, something people would rather avoid. Here in Tijuana, the main difference from other cities, is that we are very dependent on economic boosts from people in the United States, right now is not a good moment in time. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Angulo added that restaurant owners have been trying to promote themselves by staging several food festivals. The Caesar Salad festival recently commemorated the 100th anniversary of the salads invention at a Tijuana restaurant, and the Paella Festival is planned for the end of 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) As a 16-year-old, Jai Cameron said she was excited to start her college journey living on the Morehead State University campus. Jai said she was the victim of harassment and racism by her assigned roommate at Morehead State Universitys Craft Academy, a special program allowing gifted high school students to finish their junior and senior years on campus while enrolled in college. Jai said she first spoke with her now-former roommate during the summer, which was when she said the racism first took place. Jai and her family said school administrators are not dealing with issues properly, which has caused her to take to social media to share her story. This is supposed to be an amazing experience where youre supposed to get a head start on your education and better yourself; it shouldnt have to involve any more stress than that, said Jai. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Jai and her parents told FOX 56 about several interactions between her and her roommate. She said it started with getting to know each other then turned to dark humor, with jokes and what she said were rude comments about minorities. An example is shown in her online video where she said, Like this [screenshot of their Snapchat conversation] joke right here where she called black people antique farming equipment, and I told her Im uncomfortable with jokes because I have been bullied before. Jai said when they got on campus, jokes got more personal with talk about hairstyles, and then she said the roommate repeatedly touched her and her hair. Despite an academy-organized mediation between the girls, Jai said the behavior got worse. Instances start to occur of the spitting in my cup, the shoes, said Jai. Read more of the latest Kentucky news The family said the roommate was finally assigned another room after another plea to school officials. These shoes she claims seemed to be soaked with urine. We have to go through this social media aspect and route of it just to get them to even acknowledge it, said Marcus Cameron, Jais father. The videos have gained nearly 200,000 views online. The family said since posting, administrators have made some progress, sending the shoe and cup for testing. FOX 56 asked the school for comment regarding these claims, and in a statement, they said: The University is aware and responding to the allegations of harassment recently made by a student in one of our Academies. The University has a nondiscrimination policy and takes these allegations very seriously. These are high school students and the safety and well-being of them is our top priority along with their privacy and confidentiality. As a matter of both federal and state regulation, the University is unable to discuss the details of our internal review or the outcome. Rick Hesterberg, Vice President of University Advancement Jai said it is important for her to speak up and to be a voice for herself and others, and she believes it is important for people to be held accountable when they violate the code of conduct. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news She is away from home for the first time doing this and she is excited to be there, but this portion of it has been stressful, said Cameron. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 mother has pleaded guilty to killing her 10-year-old daughter, who was found dead with stab wounds to the chest earlier this year. Jaskirat Kaur admitted the manslaughter of her daughter Shay Kang on the basis of diminished responsibility at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday. The Brickhouse Primary School pupil was found dead at a property on Robin Close in Rowley Regis, West Midlands on Monday March 4. She died as a result of stab wounds to the chest, the opening of an inquest at Black Country Coroners Court heard earlier this year. Kaur had been charged with murder, which she denied, and the prosecution counsel Sally Howes KC told a judge at the court that the manslaughter guilty plea was acceptable to the crown. The 33-year-old, also known as Jasmine Kang, was arrested after police discovered Shays body at around 12:10pm on March 4. Defence barrister Katherine Goddard KC said there was no dispute over the facts of the case. Tributes were left for Shay Kang in Rowley Regis (Matthew Cooper/PA) (PA Wire) The defendant, wearing a grey jumper, attended the short hearing on Friday via video-link and spoke only to confirm her name and that she could hear Judge Michael Chambers KC. She appeared to be listening intently to proceedings, leaning forward so she could hear what was being said. Judge Chambers set a sentencing date of 25 October and said Kaur needed to be produced in court for the hearing. Addressing Kaur, he said: Your case is being adjourned for sentence, likely on the 25th of October. There will be a need for further reports, so it is in your interests to co-operate with the preparation of those reports. In a tribute released by her school after her death, Shay was described as a bright, happy, fun-loving child who was well liked by all. The school said in a statement: Shay was a bright, happy, fun-loving child who was well liked by all and she will be very sadly missed by everyone. School is the heart of the community and we have already begun working with our children and staff to support them following this devastating news. The school said Shays funeral would take place on Thursday 5 September. A hospital has launched an investigation after a mother died 30 minutes after giving birth to twins via caesarean section. Rachael Galloway suffered complications following the procedure at Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancaster on Aug 1 and died after giving birth to two boys, Noah and Abel Galloway-Whittaker. The 36-year-old business owner had accepted a proposal from her partner the previous week and was eagerly planning for her boys to have a starring role in her wedding. Matt Whittaker, Ms Galloways partner, is now caring for his two sons while planning his fiancees funeral, which is due to take place on Sept 6. Mr Whittaker said: She died bringing beauty into the world, bringing the boys into the world. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. On the Friday we got engaged, we ate our meal and I remember sitting there saying to Rachael, Can you believe that this is our life? Life really couldnt get any better. Tragic mum Rachael Galloway - KENNEDY NEWS AND MEDIA Mr Whittaker, 36, said his fiancee had been a star on the day of the caesarean. He said: Though she was nervous as hell she was strong as hell and kept a brave face throughout, right until the boys were born. Then there were tears of joy, seeing them, knowing they were healthy, and seeing me give Noah his first feed. She was so happy, so proud, so full of love. She had the world in her eyes when she looked at our boys. Its a shame that was the last time she cast her eyes on them, but I hope she is still watching over them. Ms Galloway tragically died just half an hour after giving birth and a coroners inquest has been opened. Sue Stansfield, the interim director of midwifery at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, said an internal review was also being conducted. Rachael and Matt had just got engaged - KENNEDY NEWS AND MEDIA She said: To lose a loved one is tragic, and our heartfelt condolences go out to all family and friends affected by this sad loss. More than 21,000 in donations have since poured into a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Mr Whittaker and his two sons. Emma Jones, a family friend who set up the fundraiser, said Ms Galloway was really excited about becoming a mum. She said: Poor Matt has been left with these two beautiful babies and hes having to be a dad to them while grieving his partner. Mr Whittaker has vowed to raise his sons into the gentlemen she would have been proud of. He added: It wasnt just her that died on that table that day, a piece of me did too and I will never get it back. Its now my responsibility to be the man she saw and thought should start a family with her. I have to make her proud and ensure our boys grow up to be the gentlemen she would have been proud of. 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. SunSource Energy, a solar subsidiary of Dutch off-grid energy distributor SHV Energy has commissioned a 21MWp solar power plant in India's Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, marking its entry into the state. The project covers an area of 50ac (202,343sqm) and is expected to generate approximately 760 million kWh of clean energy, with the potential to offset up to 700 million kg of CO2 emissions over its technical lifespan. SunSource is partnering with leading commercial and industrial companies to make the most of the plant's power output capacity. Santanu Guha, CEO of SunSource Energy, said: We are pleased to commission our first plant in Tamil Nadu, one of the leading states for renewable energy in India. With Tamil Nadu playing host to various industries including automobile, IT&ITES, textiles, manufacturing etc., this project is just the beginning for us in the state. We foresee planning several new projects for C&I customers and help them in their energy transition journey. Ajay Sanghi, CEO of SuperGas, which has partnered on the project, commented: By partnering with SunSource Energy to procure solar power for our Tuticorin Terminal, we not only reduce carbon emissions at the terminal but equally as important increase cost efficiencies. This ensures we can continue to provide affordable cleaner energy access to consumers and businesses and help drive the energy transition. SunSource is present across key states in India with a portfolio of 500MWp of solar PV assets under contract and development. It provides solar solutions to customers in industrial sectors including data centres, consumer products, metals and mining, automotive, chemical, cement, healthcare and pharmaceutical. "SunSource Energy expands presence in India with new solar plant" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, 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. Mother found, son still missing out of Roxana, Illinois Update: Deborah Renee Reader has been located. Police are still searching for Bryce A. Reader. ROXANA, Ill. Authorities are asking for the publics help with finding a missing man from Roxana, Illinois. Deborah Renee Reader, 45, and Bryce A. Reader, 23, both went missing on the evening of Aug. 13 in South Roxana, according to the Roxana Police Department. Police say that Deborah suffers from mental health issues and substance issues, adding that she may go by the name of Renee Davis. Fleeing driver charged after Osage Beach officer dies in crash: Police Investigators have not disclosed any other details around Deborahs and Bryces reported disappearances. If you have any information on Bryces whereabouts, contact the Roxana Police Department at 618-254-1945 or Wood River Police Dispatch at 618-251-3114. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Motorcyclist charged with killing UD freshman as he sped from traffic stop, police say A 27-year-old man has been charged with killing a University of Delaware freshman as he fled on a motorcycle from law enforcement on Tuesday, Newark police said. Brian Briddle is facing charges that include the second-degree murder of 18-year-old Noelia Gomez of Clark, New Jersey. He was being held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on Friday morning after failing to post more than $362,000 in cash bail. More: Police name UD freshman fatally hit by motorcycle while crossing street Tuesday night Briddle was fleeing a UD police traffic stop at East Main Street just before midnight on Tuesday, police said. He "disregarded the police officer's emergency lights and fled at a high rate of speed," police added. As Briddle sped away, police said he hit Gomez, who was crossing on West Main Street, just west of North College Avenue. Briddle was ejected from the motorcycle, which continued and hit four more people. The four sustained non-life-threatening injuries. More: Police name UD freshman fatally hit by motorcycle while crossing street Tuesday night Bystanders gave aid to Gomez, but were unable to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Briddle was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After obtaining an arrest warrant, police arrested Briddle on Thursday at his Newark-area home. In addition to charging him with Gomez's killing, he also faces a weapons offense and several traffic violations. Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Motorcyclist charged in death of UD student he hit Tuesday in Newark LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)- The rider of a motorcycle is in critical condition after a crash Thursday night in Columbiana County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Read next: Local pizza shop closes its doors after nearly 50 years Troopers were called to Mountz Road near State Route 9 in Hanover Township shortly after 8:30 p.m. Reports state the 26-year-old man riding the motorcycle was traveling west when he crashed head-on into a Jeep. Troopers said the crash caused the man to be thrown from his motorcycle. OSHP also said he was not wearing a helmet. Reports state the man was in critical condition and flown to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown. The driver of the Jeep was not hurt. Troopers are still investigating the crash. OSHP was assisted by the Columbiana County Sheriffs Office, Hanover Township Fire Department and EMS, EMT EMS, and STAT MedEvac. Troopers wanted to remind everyone to always wear a helmet and proper safety equipment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kansas Citys number of motorcyclist deaths in traffic crashes reached a record high last year that was double the number reported just over a decade ago in 2013, according to statistics provided by the Kansas City Police Department. Last year was the deadliest year in Kansas City for motorcycle deaths, with a total of 18 motorcyclists dying in crashes on the citys streets and highways. Thats up from nine reported in 2013 and broke the previous record of 17 deaths set in 2021, although the number of motorcycle deaths fluctuates from year to year. So far this year, nine motorcyclists have died in crashes in Kansas City. And with the scorching summer temperatures ending and plenty of good riding season left, theres concern that number will grow. While police cite risky rider behaviors like speeding and impairment as the biggest factors in the rise of motorcyclist deaths, lack of helmets has increasingly played a role since Missouri dropped its helmet requirement in 2020, according to some law enforcement. In fact, in Kansas Citys fatal motorcycle crashes this year, speed and impairment and the lack of a helmet are the leading causes, said Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department. The increase in motorcycle deaths mirrors an increase in overall traffic deaths, with speed and impairment again blamed as the main reasons for the increase. Police have also previously cited the lack of safety devices, like seat belts, as a leading cause. DiMartino said that for motorcyclists the lack of safety equipment, such as helmets, also contributes to motorcyclists deaths. When fatal crashes occur, the vast majority of the time, its the motorcycle operators fault, DiMartino said. When its another drivers fault, the drivers inattention or turning in front of a motorcyclist is typically to blame. So far this year, four out of the nine motorcyclists killed in crashes in Kansas City were not wearing a helmet. In 2020, Missouri repealed its universal helmet law, allowing riders 26 and older to ride without a helmet if they, in addition to having proof of financial responsibility, are covered by health insurance or another form of insurance that would cover medical costs if injured in a crash. The new helmet law went into effect in August of that year. DiMartino is skeptical thats been a critical factor in changing fatality rates, although he acknowledges the importance of helmet use. Overall, the change in helmet law has not really contributed to the fatality rate, DiMartino said. High rates of speed are one of the main contributors. Motorcycle deaths started rising in 2017, when 16 riders were killed in crashes. Since the change in the helmet law, motorcycle deaths were 17 in 2021, 10 in 2022 and 18 in 2023, which hit an all-time peak. Last year was the second deadliest year overall on Kansas City streets. So while motorcyclist deaths were on the rise before 2020, in the years since Missouris change to the helmet law, two of the last three years have seen the highest death tolls. DiMartino said he does agree helmet use is key to keeping this years motorcycles deaths from reaching levels of previous years. Slow down and wear a helmet. Do not operate a motorcycle or any other vehicle impaired, he said. Missouri motorcycle deaths up Statewide, the change in the helmet law appears to be playing an even bigger factor in motorcyclists deaths. Motorcyclist deaths across Missouri have increased significantly over the past five years, up from 65 deaths in 2019 to a record of 110 last year, according to data from the traffic division of the Missouri Department of Transportations Kansas City District. As of Aug. 18, there had been 83 motorcyclists killed in crashes this year on Missouri roads. Theres been a dramatic decline in helmet usage after the change in the law, said Sgt. Andy Bell, a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrols Troop A, which includes the Kansas City area. He believes there is a more direct correlation between the change in the helmet law and the increase in motorcycle fatalities. The number of motorcyclists killed who were not wearing helmets jumped from seven in 2019 to 43 in 2023. As of Aug. 18, that number had reached 29. In some of the other deaths, it was not known if the rider was wearing a helmet or the helmet worn failed to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. Motorcyclists are vulnerable in crashes because they dont have metal around them as people in vehicles do, nor do they have other safety devices like seat belts and airbags. Your only viable source of protection is your helmet and any other protective gear that you would put on to keep you, for the most part, getting skinned up, Bell said. We see motorcycle crashes a lot where its a pretty minor crash that turns out to be a broken bone or severe head injury because theyre not protected. When people in cars are not wearing seat belts, their chances of dying or getting seriously injured in a crash increases, Bell said. The same is true for motorcyclists when theyre not wearing a helmet, their chances of surviving a collision go down, and the chances of injury go up. Bell typically sees riders of sport-style and street motorcycles wearing helmets and protective gear, while riders of cruiser-style motorcycles are more likely to be wearing no protection except maybe some boots, blue jeans and a T-shirt. Its risky behavior not to wear a helmet, Bell said. Its also risky behavior to exceed the speed limit, and with street-style bikes, even if they are wearing a helmet and protected gear, at the highest speed that they are operating, the likelihood of survivability is extremely low. Most of the fatal motorcycle crashes that Bell has worked in his 24 years with the highway patrol were caused by the riders behavior and choices, including speeding, driving while intoxicated or in a careless way. Bell said that does not imply that motorcyclists are always at fault. There are crashes in which the other driver is at fault. Drivers have the responsibility to put their cellphones down and check for other vehicles and motorcyclists to make sure the path is clear. Lets not forget to use that turn signal, Bell said. That alerts other drivers, especially motorcyclists, so they can predict their next maneuver, he noted. Motorcycle riding does not have set seasons in Missouri. Drivers should anticipate that riders will be on motorcycles whenever the sun is out. Typically, what drives your motorcycle enthusiast is the weather, so on good weather days, expect increased motorcycle activity, Bell said. Were going to see that occur this weekend and probably all the way through September, October and as late as even November. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch A wise man once said that the business of punditry is persuasion. Assuming thats true, we wont be conducting any business today. Thats because the subject of Donald Trumps toothy thumbs-up photo op amid the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery is persuasion-proof. There are already a thousand reasons to despise him; either you came around to doing so long ago or youve managed to rationalize away each of them, in which case this latest one wont pose any problem. Years ago, it was possible to believe there might be something he could do to alienate his apologists. Callousness toward the military was an obvious one: The right prides itself on being patriotic, and patriots rightly celebrate service members for the sacrifices theyve made to defend America. If Trump were to stoop to his usual boorishness in attacking an opponents military record, it was thought, he might at last discover a line hes not allowed to cross. How naive we were. The rest of this column could be spent revisiting his various affronts to military honor over the years: goofing on John McCain for being captured in Vietnam; feuding with a Muslim Gold Star family in 2016; confiding in aides that he didnt want wounded veterans in a parade because it doesnt look good for me; declining to visit an American military cemetery outside Paris in 2018 for fear, allegedly, that his hair would get wet in the rain; saying on the same trip, according to four separate sources cited by The Atlantic, that the cemetery was filled with losers and that the Marines at Belleau Wood were suckers for having sacrificed their lives. John Kelly, a four-star Marine general who went on to become Trumps chief of staff, confirmed all of it on the record to CNN last October. According to The Atlantic, when Trump accompanied Kelly in 2017 on a visit to the grave of the generals son Robert, who was himself killed in Afghanistan years earlier, he turned to Kelly and said of the fallen, I dont get it. What was in it for them? In a test of credibility between a man with a dubious record of draft deferments on the one hand and a highly decorated officer who lost his son in combat on the other, its no contest: The right chooses to believe that Kelly, not Trump, is the liar. Thats what being persuasion-proof means. When Trump quasi-joked recently that receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom is much better than receiving the Medal of Honor because it doesnt involve being maimed or killed, right-wing media didnt so much as twitch an eyelid. To paraphrase one of his own formulations, Trump could insult a disabled soldier on Fifth Avenue at this point and not lose a single vote. The Arlington visit is worth discussing anyway, though, just as its worth occasionally revisiting Trumps infamous stunt in Lafayette Square in 2020. Its not only a window onto his authoritarian psychology, as Jonathan Last ably explained on Wednesday, its the latest example of how the rights refusal to hold him morally accountable begets awkward attempts by his critics to hold him legally accountable instead. Rules are made to be broken. Monday was the third anniversary of the ISIS suicide attack at Kabuls airport that killed 13 American service members during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan. Relatives of two of the fallen invited Trump to visit the national cemetery with them to mark the occasion. Thats his right. Its also his right to take photographs while hes there, as all visitors are allowed to do. He was apparently even granted permission to have his own photographer and/or videographer attend to chronicle the event. And the Gold Star families whom he accompanied were fine with it. What he wasnt allowed to do, per federal regulation, was engage in partisan political activities on the premises, which is why cemetery officials asked him not to bring campaign staff with him. According to multiple outlets, he was also explicitly warned not to take photos or video in Section 60, the part of the cemetery reserved for veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. You can understand why: The grief is still fresh for visitors in that area. As a matter of respect and compassion, they shouldnt be disturbed by the presence of cameras. Trump and his team ignored those rules, naturally, recording in Section 60 with campaign staff in tow. Then they turned the footage into a de facto campaign ad, replete with audio of Trump comparing Bidens record in Afghanistan to his own, and posted it on TikTok. One photo published by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who joined Trump on the trip, shows the group gathered behind the grave of airport bombing victim Darin Taylor Hoover. Clearly visible in the frame next to Hoovers grave is that of Andrew Marckesano, who died a year earlierand whose family did not give permission for their loved ones memorial to be featured in a Trump campaign stunt, not that anyone on his team cares. The icing on the cake is allegations of an altercation between a cemetery employee and members of Trumps entourage during the visit. The employee reportedly tried to stop the group from filming in Section 60; according to an Army spokesman, she was abruptly pushed aside. No charges have been filed and Trumps team claims to have footage proving that things never got physical, but theres been plenty of verbal abuse in the aftermath. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung accused the employee of suffering from a mental health episode while top adviser Chris LaCivita called her a despicable individual for trying to stop Trump from filming his commercialer, I mean paying his respects. All of this feels familiar, no? Not the setting, that is, but Trumps M.O. Its the classified documents fiasco all over again. He wanted something he couldnt have; that something was minor enough that he calculated the relevant authorities wouldnt go to war with him to block him from getting it; so he simply ignored the rules and dared them to do something about it. He succeeded at Arlington and might yet succeed in the other matter. Thats what happens when a gangster by temperament leads a gang that includes millions of people: In nearly every dispute, the personal cost of litigating that dispute will be greater for his opponents than it will be for him. Not coincidentally, according to military sources who spoke to the New York Times, the reason the cemetery employee chose not to press charges over the alleged altercation is that she feared Mr. Trumps supporters pursuing retaliation, an entirely reasonable concern. If Trump were president now, Jonathan Last noted in his piece, and that employee had tried to enforce the law against him and his campaign, hed almost certainly retaliate professionally by firing her even if no one retaliated against her personally. The only controlling limit is what the public will let you get away with is how he describes Trumps concept of rules, aptly. A valuable thing. Very much relatedly, Trump has always struggled to subordinate his personal interests to the public interest. Thats how he came to inquire of John Kelly what was in it for the men who died for their country. I think he views access to government power and iconography the same way former governor turned Apprentice contestant turned federal convict turned Trump commutee Rod Blagojevich views Senate appointments. Theyre a fing valuable thing, and no gangster worth his salt would turn down a fing valuable thing for something as airy as decorum or respect for the dead. 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, the Washington Post remembered in a story about his Arlington visit. Iconic public monuments are a valuable thing as backdrops for a politician eager to identify himself as a super-patriot and national savior, and Arlington National Cemetery is certainly iconic. His eagerness to exploit official power for private benefit goes beyond exploiting federal property, though. When White House adviser Kellyanne Conway was accused of persistent, notorious and deliberate Hatch Act violations by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in 2019, Trump shrugged it off and vowed not to fire her. He himself famously declined to place his business holdings in a true blind trust upon taking office in 2017 despiteor because ofthe possibility that his financial interests might influence his decisions as president. What was his first impeachment about if not the lengths to which he was willing to go to leverage his official power to serve his personal ends? What is the classified documents scandal about if not Trumps insistence that the trappings of power and property of the state should be inseparable from the person and interests of the dear leader, in Lasts words? He dominates his party to such a freakish degree that even his relationship with congressional Republicans has the feel of someone exploiting a public asset for private gain. The Daily Caller reported on Wednesday that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Mike McCaul intervened on Trumps behalf after officials at Arlington initially resisted his visit, which the Caller implies was motivated by corrupt cemetery personnel wanting to deny the Republican nominee a powerful public appearance. Maybe. Or maybe defense officials simply believe that a military cemetery should be a sanctuary from politics for the bereaved and other grateful visitors rather than the set of a political ad. According to the Post, they were deeply concerned about the former president turning the visit into a campaign stopand were right to be, it turns out. But one thing about prominent gangsters is that they have many associates willing to abet them in their schemes; in Trumps case, those associates happen to include figures as powerful as the speaker of the House. If Trump was there to honor the dead rather than to cut a commercial, he could have attended, saluted, consoled the families, and left the cameras and campaign flunkies at home, and no one would have had any problem. But character, alas, is destiny. He never understood why would you do anything that doesnt benefit you, a former senior Trump White House official (who sounds a lot like John Kelly) told the Post. 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 grimmest irony of this episode is that it was Spencer Cox, of all Republicans, who ended up by his side for the photo op. For years, Cox has positioned himself as a voice of civility in an increasingly Trumpy party; not until last month did he finally endorse his partys nominee, leading The Atlantic to dub him The Last Man in America to Change His Mind About Trump. As if to prove how quickly Trumpism can corrupt its converts, within weeks he had a minor part in his new friends attempt to shamelessly politicize the countrys most hallowed cemetery. Gangsters have many associates. Trump now has another. Laws and norms. On Wednesday afternoon, a Dispatch colleague and I found ourselves in a heated legal debate in the company Slack over whether Trump broke any laws with his Arlington visit. My colleague thought he was in the clear from the federal regulation banning ceremonies that include partisan political activities at military graveyards. He hadnt done anything explicitly partisan there, after all. All visitors are allowed to take photographs, and he was a visitor. And two Gold Star families had invited him. It wasnt like he was barging in on their gathering. I countered that his activity became partisan when he turned the footage into a TikTok clip in which he expressly criticized the Biden-Harris White House for its Afghanistan fiasco. Were two months out from an election, and hes the Republican nominee for president. He shouldnt be required to hold up a sign reading Trump 2024 or Vote GOP to run afoul of the regulations language. Nor should it matter that the two families invited him. The Marckesano family didnt. Other grieving families visiting Section 60 didnt. The relatives of the fallen are among Americas most sympathetic figures but they dont get to carve out their own exceptions to federal law. The point of the regulation is to keep Arlington free from politics; if Trump gets a pass because he was able to find some supportive Gold Star families willing to chaperone him there, it wont be hard for Democrats to find Trump-hating families to chaperone their own campaign stunts at the cemetery. Its an interesting legal debate! Its also incredibly dispiriting that we felt obliged to have it. Law simply shouldnt matter here. The way you deter Trump and other sociopathic politicians from treating gravesites as stage sets is by shaming them and punishing them politically for their callousness. But how you do that when the people in the best position to inflict that punishment, right-wing voters, refuse to do so? This is the entire Trump legal saga in a nutshell. I remain convinced that the Justice Department never would have pursued him for interfering in the 2020 election had the right not given him a pass on it, morally and politically. If Senate Republicans had joined Democrats in disqualifying him from future office at his second impeachment trial, that would have been that. Or if Republican voters had turned their backs on him and rendered him an also-ran in this years presidential primary, that too would have been that. In either case, the DOJ and the state prosecutors whove indicted him might have concluded that a disgraced Trump being held morally accountable by the right was enough to deter future coup-plotters. Thered be no urgent need in that case for the justice system to provide added deterrence given how wrenching it would be for the country to put an ex-president on trial. As it became mortifyingly clear that the right wouldnt hold Trump accountable for anything, prosecutors decided that the law would have to supply the needed deterrence instead. Thats how we ended up with special counsel Jack Smith awkwardly trying to shoehorn Trumps coup plot into a statute about fraud. And thats how we ended up in the Dispatch Slack channel yesterday with me trying to shoehorn a TikTok video into a regulation about partisan political activity. This case is a bit like the Trump problem in miniature, a second colleague observed during our Arlington debate. Arguably not illegal but odious in a way the law couldnt anticipate. Just so. Theres no statute that squarely prohibits coup plots because lawmakers never imagined someone would try oneor that the people and their representatives would decline to deal harshly with anyone who dared. The same goes for Trumps photo op. Who would have thought a regulation might need to be extra specific in order to stop politicians from campaigning in military graveyards? Shouldnt shame suffice to deter them? Trump has no shame, and Republicans have completely abdicated their civic responsibility to make him behave as if he did. In a thoroughly amoral, persuasion-proof political culture, the only solutions to moral problems are legal ones. 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. Wednesday nights fatal shooting of Irish chef and restaurant owner Shaun Brady sent shockwaves through the east Brookside business district, where employees and business owners have developed a close-knit community. Brady, 44, was the co-owner of Brady & Fox, a popular Irish restaurant which opened at 63rd Avenue and Rockhill Road in 2022. He was fatally shot around 5:18 p.m. Wednesday when he went to take out the trash behind his restaurant and became involved in a confrontation with several juveniles gathered around a car. Brady & Fox closed indefinitely Thursday, with some people leaving flowers outside the restaurant doors in tribute to Brady For some residents, Bradys death reflects a troubling rise in violent crime, particularly involving vehicles and property in east Brookside in recent months. In the two years that Gavin Cruse has worked at Brookside Wine & Spirits, the store has been broken into three times, Cruse said. Cruse was behind the counter at Brookside Wine & Spirits, which is down the street from Brady & Fox, when a group of people drove their vehicle through the storefront last year. It was a chaotic moment, Cruse said. Cruse said he was shocked to find out about Bradys death early Thursday afternoon. Im still kind of processing that, Cruse said. He was a part of the neighborhood. He came here often. Bradys death has also hit the Kansas City Irish and restaurant communities hard, with the chefs popular Irish Breakfast event canceled in his memory and dozens of residents sharing fond recollections online. One employee at Grow, a hair salon about two blocks from Brady & Fox, was among those taking the day off to mourn, said Grow owner Molly Boyer. Hearing about what happened yesterday was super disappointing and sad, Boyer said. Ive never felt unsafe over here. Boyer said she was glad to learn that two arrests had been made in connection with Bradys death. Two teenage boys were arrested about an hour after the shooting, according to Kansas City police. One was charged with second-degree murder, felony attempted vehicle theft and armed criminal action in Jackson County family court Thursday. I think that [police] are doing the best that they can, but I truly just dont understand whats going on around here, Boyer said. Crime has gone up a bit in the last few months and I dont know whats bringing that on. But Cruse said after his experiences at Brookside Wine & Spirits, he has found police response to the east Brookside business district generally ineffective, with a misplaced focus on unhoused residents. Its not the homeless encampments that are being raided frequently, Cruse said. Its people coming into this place and leaving with stuff, or lives. Grow is owned by the same landlord as several other businesses near 63rd and Rockhill, including Brady & Fox, Boyer said. Her lease, which began in June 2020, includes contracted building security. She wasnt sure if the same is true for other tenants. I think a lot of people dont know that [hiring security] is an option, Boyer said. Having those resources being more well-known would be helpful. Security at Grow is also managed by Ruby, an inquisitive and enthusiastic pitbull mix. [My landlord] is typically really great about everything, Boyer said. We have security for the buildingI feel safe over here, but theres also a reason why I have my dog here all the time. Boyer said shes not sure when she began noticing a rise in crime around her salon. Employees who live near Grow and walk to work regularly carry whistles, pepper spray and other deterrents, she said. Cruse said that some of his friends and colleagues have experienced vehicle and property crime. Theres a lot of car break-ins going on, Cruse said. Where guns are being taken outside of bars. Multiple instances of theft, vandalism and assault near the east Brookside business corridor in the last several months has also made it more difficult for store owners to get good retail insurance, Cruse said. Theres no way they can get that money back, Cruse said. Residents and business owners in Brookside and the nearby Waldo neighborhood have appealed to city staff and police in recent weeks, reporting an upswing in theft, vandalism and violence. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday that police patrol volume has been increased in Brookside and Waldo recently in response to the increase in crime. Weve got too much crime. We got too much property crime, Lucas told reporters Thursday, responding to news of Bradys death. 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. Brady is survived by his wife, Kate, and two young children. Nearly 300 people have already donated to a fundraiser supporting his family, raising just over $19,000 as of Thursday evening. The Stars Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting. MSU directs fans to take cover over lightning UPDATE: MSU has announced, via X, that the gates to Spartan Stadium will not open until 6 p.m. due to concerns about lightening. Fans are encouraged to take shelter in their vehicles of nearby buildings. Screen shot of MSU Police and Public Safety announcing another delay in the gates opening at Spartan Stadium. (WLNS) UPDATE: MSU Police and Public Safety has posted to X that fans should seek cover due to lightning concerns. Screenshot of X post by MSUPPS (WLNS) LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) With a severe weather watch issued for the area, Michigan State University has delayed opening the gates to Spartan Stadium until at least 5:30 p.m. The gates were expected to open at 5 p.m. but Michigan State University Police and Public Safety posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the opening was delayed. X post announcing Spartan Stadium gate opening delay. (Screenshot/WLNS) Ingham County Emergency Management released the following alert at 4:44 p.m. Friday: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 30 at 4:44PM EDT until August 30 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 665 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN MICHIGAN THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MICHIGAN GRATIOT IN SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN CALHOUN CLINTON EATON INGHAM JACKSON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALMA, BATH, BATTLE CREEK, BROOKFIELD, CHARLOTTE, DEWITT, EAST LANSING, EATON RAPIDS, ELM HALL, FOREST HILL, GRAND LEDGE, GRESHAM, ITHACA, JACKSON, LANSING, RIVERDALE, ST. JOHNS, ST. LOUIS, WACOUSTA, AND WAVERLY. Ingham County Emergency Management, Alert email Aug. 30, 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 WLNS 6 News. N.Y. Man Allegedly Killed Ex-Wife and Her Boyfriend While His Teen Daughter Sat in Car Outside Daniel Coppola, 50, is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting dead his ex-wife and her boyfriend at their Long Island home Kelly Coppola/Facebook; Kenny Pohlman/Facebook Kelly Coppola (L) and Kenneth Pohlman. A man from New York is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting his ex-wife and her boyfriend dead while the divorced couple's teenage daughter sat in the car outside. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, Daniel Coppola, 50, entered ex Kelly Coppola and her partner Kenneth Pohlman's Saint James, Long Island home before shooting and killing them, according to police. A statement from Suffolk County Police Department obtained by PEOPLE on Aug. 30 said that, "Fourth Precinct officers responded to 21 Brasswood Road after a 911 caller reported a 15-year-old left the residence with her father, without her mothers knowledge." On arriving at the property, police discovered two adults inside the home, both dead from gunshot wounds. Authorities allege that both Kelly and Pohlman had been shot by Daniel, according to the Suffolk County PD statement. Multiple outlets, including WABC, WNBC, and CBS News, reported details of the incident. Per WNBC, the incident occurred at the victims' Brasswood Road home around 11:30 p.m. local time, after the suspect had called his daughter and told her not to be in the house, according to police. Per CBS News, police said Daniel put the 15-year-old in his car, before allegedly killing Kelly, 50, and Kenneth, 53. He then allegedly drove himself and his daughter back to his Head of the Harbor home. Suffolk County Police Detective Lieutenant Kevin Beyrer said, according to WNBC, "He reached out to her, told her to get out of the house. He then went into the house and committed these murders." "She is communicating with friends via text saying 'I dont know what my father did. I dont know how my mother is,' " Beyrer added of the teen's actions as her father drove her to his home, per the outlet. Eyewitness News ABC7NY/Youtube The Brasswood Road property where the murders took place. Related: California Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Setting 2 People, Including Mother of His Children, on Fire According to Suffolk County PD, Daniel has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. CBS News reported that the teenager had called 911 at 11:45 p.m. telling officers that her father was threatening to commit suicide with a gun at his home. Authorities responded and took Daniel into custody. The 15-year-old's friends then rang 911 at around 11:54 p.m. after not being able to get in touch with the teenager's mother, per the outlet. The outlet stated the friends told police that the former couple's daughter had left her mother's home, with her father, without her mom knowing. Police then arrived at the Brasswood Road property and found Kelly and Kenneth's bodies inside. 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. Kenneth's brother, Tom Pohlman, said of the alleged shooting, per WNBC, "Two bullets into the door to get into the house and then multiple bullets upstairs." Tom alleged of Daniel, "He was a jealous ex-husband. My brother made [Daniel's] ex-wife happy and he was not happy about that... When they first started dating a year ago, there were numerous, there were numerous threats." "She brought the best out of him, he brought the best out of her. They were very happy," he added, per the outlet. Kenneth's other brother, John, told ABC7NY'S Eyewitness News, "I wasn't known as John Pohlman growing up, I was 'little Kenny Pohlman's brother,' that's what I was known as. He would give you the shirt off his back." Per CBS News, Kenneth was a father of three. "Two of his children had their mother taken from them 17 years ago from cancer. Today, this maniac took their father from them. He has another child who also lost their father," Tom Pohlman said, according to the outlet. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A top court in Brazil ordered an immediate, country-wide suspension of the X platform on Friday after a months-long legal battle with Elon Musk's social media company over content moderation, according to Bloomberg. The court added that anyone using VPN to access the X platform would be subject to daily fines of 50,000 reais -- $8,900 -- though its not clear how it would enforce the decree. Earlier this month, X closed its operations in Brazil in protest against court orders asking it to remove accounts that allegedly spread misinformation. At the time, the company said Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes "threatened our legal representative in Brazil with arrest if we do not comply with his censorship orders." Moraes warned X earlier this week that Brazil would ban the service if the company did not name a legal representative in the country. "Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil, simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents," said X's global affairs team in a tweet Friday morning. The platform says it will publish the Brazilian top court's demands in the coming days and will not comply with its orders. UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man from Buffalo was arrested Thursday for second degree burglary and petty larceny. According to the Union County Sheriffs Office, Tracy Gatliff spoke with deputies after she heard a loud banging at her door while at home on Flat Drive. Gatliff stated that when she pulled her curtain back, there was a male standing outside, telling her to let him inside. The male was reportedly unclothed. Deputies patrolled the area until they were able to locate the suspect on Hill Street, where he was reportedly laying under a house and fully unclothed. The suspect was identified as Dale Puckett Senior, of Buffalo. Deputies said that while searching for Puckett, they were flagged down by a citizen who reported that Puckett was inside of their store, and had stolen items from the shop. Puckett was charged with second degree burglary, petty larceny and public 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 WSPA 7NEWS. On Jan. 6, 2021, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) motorcade came close to the pipe bomb planted outside the Democratic Partys headquarters as supporters of President Donald Trump ransacked the Capitol building, according to new footage released by House Republicans. Pelosi was being moved to safety after the angry mob breached security perimeters during the formal certification of President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. In the new footage, first reported by The New York Times, two black SUVs can be seen approaching an intersection near the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Pelosis driver slows down to briefly address someone outside the vehicle: Is this all the way blocked off? Were going to Fort McNair. It was 2:26 p.m., according to The New York Times. Police began dismantling the device at 2:12 p.m. and finished at 2:31 p.m., the outlet said. Pelosi reportedly came within a few hundred feet of the device. Another pipe bomb was found that day outside the Republican National Committee building. One of the enduring mysteries of the Capitol attack is who was responsible for planting them. Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund told lawmakers in 2021 that he suspected the bombs were planted as a diversion, to lure limited law enforcement personnel away from the Capitol building. We were dealing with two pipe bombs that were specifically set right off the edge of our perimeter to, what I suspect, draw resources away, Sund testified before Congress. I think there was significant coordination with this attack. U.S. Capitol Police told The New York Times that the DNC device had already been rendered mostly inoperable by the time Pelosi rode by. Our bomb technicians did a great job following best practices to vent the pipe bomb, which released the pressure and vastly decreased the threat. Out of an abundance of caution, our technicians then also vented the other side of the pipe, the agency said in a statement to HuffPost. Never forget that, at the end of that day, our officers, agents, technicians, and civilian support staff worked to ensure Congress could finish their business and none of our protectees were injured. Since then, our focus has been on implementing hundreds of improvements to ensure that dark day in American history is never repeated, the statement said. Pelosi was not the only prominent Democrat to come close to the bomb. Vice President Kamala Harris came within 20 feet of it as she entered the DNC building via a ramp in an armored vehicle, according to a Department of Homeland Security report released earlier this month. She had not yet been sworn in, but was afforded Secret Service protection at the time. Footage has continued to emerge in the years since the Jan. 6 attack that illustrates how close lawmakers were to danger that day, as Trump supporters called for physically harming figures such as Pelosi and then-Vice President Mike Pence. The new footage released by the Republican-led House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight came as part of their effort to shift blame for the Capitol attack away from Trump, who encouraged his followers to march to the Capitol. Pelosis daughter, Alexandra Pelosi, had been filming her mother for a documentary at the time of the attack that was eventually released on HBO; the House committee was able to obtain the footage from HBO as part of their investigations. Nancy Pelosis office did not immediately return a request for comment. Related... Ambipolar Seltzer An international team of scientists at NASA and other institutions say they've discovered a weak, planet-wide electric field wrapping the Earth that was first hypothesized by researchers decades ago. As detailed in a new paper published in the journal Nature, the team used observations from NASA's Endurance mission to make its discovery. The suborbital rocket launched in May 2022, reaching an altitude of 477 miles while measuring minute changes in the electric charge. The discovery of the Earth's "ambipolar electric field" may have played an important role in our planet's evolution and could help us in the search for remote and potentially hospitable planets beyond our star system. Electric Feel The energy field was first hypothesized by researchers in the late 1960s. At the time, spacecraft crossing our planet's poles detected an outflow of charged particles, a phenomenon scientists later called the "polar wind." These particles were cold despite traveling at supersonic speeds, puzzling scientists at the time. "Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere," said lead author and Endurance principal investigator Glyn Collinson in a NASA statement. Thanks to technical limitations, detecting the hypothesized electric field remained impossible until now. NASA's Endurance rocket launched a few hundred miles from the North Pole in an archipelago called Svalbard to give the team the best chance of finding proof of this field. "Svalbard is the only rocket range in the world where you can fly through the polar wind and make the measurements we needed," said coauthor and University of Leicester space physicist Suzie Imber in a statement. The rocket's instrument needed to be extremely sensitive to changes in the electric potential. "A half a volt is almost nothing its only about as strong as a watch battery," Collinson explained. "But thats just the right amount to explain the polar wind." The team found that particles were launched into space at supersonic speeds, experiencing an outward force of over ten times the pull of gravity. The scientists suggest that the ambipolar field enhances the far edge of the Earth's ionosphere, a protective barrier of electrons that ward off much of the Sun's radiation in the upper atmosphere. The findings also hint at the presence of similar electric fields wrapped around other planets like Venus and Mars. "Any planet with an atmosphere should have an ambipolar field," Collinson said. "Now that weve finally measured it, we can begin learning how its shaped our planet as well as others over time." More on the ionosphere: NASA Discovers Strange Spectral Formations High Over the Earth NASA has finally given the go-ahead for the beleaguered Boeing Starliner to return to earth without its crew NASA has finally given the go-ahead for the beleaguered Boeing Starliner to return to earth without its crew NASA has finally announced a date for the Boeing Starliner to return to Earth. After months in space, the Starliner will return to New Mexico on September 7 without its crew. The two NASA astronauts stuck on the ISS will be brought down on a SpaceX spacecraft in February. The Boeing Starliner finally has a scheduled date to return to Earth September 7. However, it will return to New Mexico without the crew that steered it into space in June. In a mission update on Thursday, NASA said that the "uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will perform a fully autonomous return with flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and at Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida." The update added that after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS), the aircraft will take "about six hours to reach the landing zone at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico," touching down at midnight on September 7. After it touches down, recovery teams will prepare for its return to Boeing's Starliner factory at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, the update said. The announcement came shortly after NASA decided that the aircraft was unsuitable for bringing NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth. The duo have been on the ISS since Starliner docked there on June 6. Their mission, which was to test the Starliner's capabilities for commercial space travel, was supposed to last between eight and 10 days. Their return kept getting delayed because of issues with the aircraft's thrusters. Since then, the two of them have integrated with the ISS crew, conducting tests on the Starliner, performing science experiments on the ISS, and even helping with maintenance chores. They are now scheduled to return via the SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson explained the decision to bring the Starliner back uncrewed during a press conference on Saturday at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Spaceflight is risky," he said. "Even at its safest. Even at its most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine. So, the decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station, and bring the Boeing Starliner home un-crewed, is a result of a commitment to safety." Representatives for NASA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider NASA says Boeing's Starliner will return to Earth uncrewed on Sept. 6 NASA said Thursday Boeing's technically troubled Starliner spacecraft is set to return to Earth next week without stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The stranded astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth Feb. 22 aboard a SpaceX mission. File photo NASA/UPI Aug. 30 (UPI) -- NASA said Thursday that Boeing's technically troubled Starliner spacecraft is set to return to Earth next week without stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni WIlliams. "NASA and Boeing concluded a detailed Delta-Flight Test Readiness Review on Thursday, polling 'go' to proceed with undocking of the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft no earlier than 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, Sept. 6, from the International Space Station, pending weather and operational readiness," NASA said in a statement. NASA said after Starliner undocks, it will take about six hours for it to touch down in the New Mexico landing zone at White Sands Space Harbor. If all goes to plan Starliner will parachute to Earth about 12:03 a.m. EDT Saturday, Sept. 7. "The uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will perform a fully autonomous return with flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and at Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida," NASA's statement said. "Teams on the ground are able to remotely command the spacecraft if needed through the necessary maneuvers for a safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwest United States." NASA decided Aug. 24 to return Starliner from the space station uncrewed. SpaceX will bring the astronauts home. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced during a televised news conference, "Butch and Suni will return with Crew-9 next February." That mission will begin with two crew members rather than four to make room for the returning astronauts. Wilmore and Williams have been stuck in space since June. Their mission was supposed to last just one week. If they return on Feb. 22 as scheduled they will have spent at least 262 total days in orbit. The Starliner spacecraft program suffered a series of delays and technical issues like helium leaks and propulsion issues with thrusters. Five thrusters also malfunctioned on approach to the space station as Wilmore and Williams docked. "We are executing the mission as determined by NASA, and we are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return," Boeing said in a statement Aug. 24. Pollster Nate Silvers election forecast now has former President Trump slightly ahead of Vice President Harris heading into Labor Day weekend. While Harris is beating the former president by 3.8 points based on the updated Silver Bulletins national polling tracker, the vice presidents chance of winning the Electoral College has dipped. Silvers forecast has Trump with a 52.4 percent chance of winning the Electoral College, about 5 points higher than Harriss 47.3 percent. Some of this is because of the convention bounce adjustment that the model applies to polls that were conducted during or after the [Democratic National Convention], Silver wrote Thursday. It assumes Harriss polls are somewhat inflated right now, in other words just as it assumed Trumps numbers were inflated after the [Republican National Convention]. Silver wrote that if Harris is able to maintain her current standing for a couple more weeks, shell begin to track up again in our forecast as the model will become more confident that shes out of the convention bounce period. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll, released Thursday, had Harris leading Trump by an average of 2 points across seven battleground states. When the poll was restricted to likely voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, she was up by 1 point, within the polls margin of error. And a new survey from Emerson College Polling and The Hill, released Thursday morning, found that Trump and Harris are essentially tied in each of the battleground states. Since she replaced President Biden as the partys presidential nominee, Harris has closed the polling gap with the former president, erasing the lead Trump had while he campaigned against the incumbent president. A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill aggregate of polls currently has Harris at 49 percent, nearly 4 points higher than Trumps 45.1 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. The Heritage Foundation sent inflammatory surveys on election fraud to Indiana voters. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A survey sent to Noblesville area voters from a national conservative think tank contends election fraud is on the rise as part of illegal attempts to steal elections. The D.C.-based Heritage Foundation also claims to be nonpartisan, though its website highlights conservative views numerous times. The survey and two-page letter also include inflammatory language such as immigrant invasion, leftists and radical media. The organization is the key architect behind Project 2025, a controversial blueprint of conservative policies that includes eliminating the Department of Education and reforming several critical federal agencies. The Heritage Foundation is pushing four key changes: Requiring photo identification for all voters; Verifying that all individuals who register to vote are U.S. citizens; Requiring individuals who register by mail to appear in person the first time they vote; and Conducting regular state-level audits to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls. A copy of the letter was shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The right to vote in free and fair elections is the most basic civil right we have as citizens of America. All other rights are dependent on this. Every American must be able to trust the voting process and its result, otherwise, the democratic system itself breaks down, the letter said. Despite all the evidence, you have probably heard claims that voter fraud doesnt exist. Thats the baseless narrative constantly pushed by leftist politicians, radical fanatics and their establishment media mouthpieces who vilify any Americans who demand free, fair elections. Sam Barloga, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party, called the letter a scare tactic used by Republicans to suppress the vote in Indiana. We dont have a voter fraud problem we have a voter participation and turnout problem, he said. Democrats will keep pushing for common sense reforms to make it easier to vote in Indiana. This includes expanding early voting options, more vote by mail options, and keeping polls open later for the thousands of Hoosiers who work after 6pm. Indiana should always strive to be in the Top 5 of national rankings not the bottom of the barrel. It is unclear how many of the surveys were sent or to what other parts of the state. The Heritage Foundation did not respond to a list of questions sent on Tuesday from the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The survey includes a link to Heritages election fraud database that has more than 1,500 examples of election irregularities nationwide. Numerous national reports have found isolated not systemic, widespread voter fraud. Indianas list includes 47 cases going back to 2003. In the 2022 general election, for instance, 1.8 million votes were cast. Some of the charges involved were fraudulent use of absentee ballots, ballot petition fraud and false registrations. The first example on the list is a man who was charged in 2023 with a felony count of filing a fraudulent report, and two felony counts of voting outside precinct residence. At issue was whether he was legally allowed to vote in Clark County after selling his home. Charges were dismissed after he completed a diversion program. A 2019 example also involved two men who filed absentee ballot requests in other voters names. Election officials caught the fraud before any votes were cast. Both received suspended sentences. The letter asks voters to fill out the survey and enclose a donation to help lead the fight against the corruption of our election by forces that seek to take power by any means necessary. One of the survey questions asks whether you agree that individuals who register to vote by mail should be required to appear in person the first time they vote to verify their identity, therefore ensuring they comply with federal and state laws. Another question asks whether all states should conduct regular audits to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls. States already have voter list maintenance to purge ineligible voters. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mike Erickson is challenging U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, in the 6th Congressional District. (Campaign photo) The National Republican Congressional Committee on Friday named Mike Erickson, the Republican challenging first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, as one of its top candidates to flip House seats. Ericksons addition to the committees Young Guns list means three of Oregons six congressional districts are top priorities for both parties, and candidates in those districts will receive extra help from national groups. The three Oregon districts may play a key role in determining which party controls Congress in 2023. The NRCC put Monique DeSpain, a retired Air Force colonel challenging first-term Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle in the 4th Congressional District in southwest Oregon, on its Young Guns list in July. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, meanwhile, is supporting Hoyle and Salinas in their reelection bids and trying to boost Democratic state Rep. Janelle Bynum to victory over incumbent Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the 5th District. National Republicans were slower to embrace Erickson, a logistics consultant from Tigard who has run three prior unsuccessful campaigns for Congress. He lost to Salinas by 2.5 points just more than 7,200 votes in 2022. Erickson released internal polling last week showing himself in a statistical tie with Salinas, and no third-party candidates have filed to run in the Willamette Valley-based 6th District this year. Erickson blamed his 2022 loss on a Constitution Party candidate who earned about 6,700 votes Erickson assumed would otherwise have gone to him. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Salinas noted the move on social media, tweeting National Republicans just named this race to their list of top targeted races this year. MAGA Republicans are pouring resources into #OR06 to try to defeat me. I need your help to hold this seat! The NRCC has set aside more than $6 million to buy ads on Portland tv stations, and that money could go toward supporting Chavez-DeRemer, Erickson or Republican Joe Kent in southwest Washingtons 3rd Congressional District. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a law that requires Arizona voters to show proof of citizenship when registering has alarmed Indigenous communities, who see it as another voter-suppression tactic that will affect tribal members living in tribal communities within the state. The Native vote is widely credited with helping turn Arizona from red to blue in the 2020 elections, but tribal communities still face significant barriers to voting access in many areas. Native leaders say the Supreme Court's decision to reinstate the Arizona law requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration creates yet another hurdle. The requirements to register to vote in Arizona are already quite lengthy and complex, said Navajo Council Delegate Carl Slater. This is just yet one more requirement a Navajo voter will need to comply with in order to register to vote. In a 5-4 vote on Aug. 22, less than three months before the general election, the Supreme Court agreed to reinstate the registration provision of the law, siding with arguments by the Republican National Committee and GOP leaders in the Arizona Legislature. The emergency stay allows the enforcement of a 2022 state law requiring "documentary proof of citizenship" for presidential voting. A billboard to encourage young Indigenous voters on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community turns a phrase used by CNN in 2020 into a reminder of Native influence. Slater said it will affect Navajo voters who will be required to prove their U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in state elections. The requirements to register to vote in Arizona are already quite lengthy and complex, said Slater. This is just yet one more requirement a Navajo voter will need to comply with in order to register to vote. Native voters can swing elections As a key swing state, Arizona demonstrates the power of the Native vote in elections. According to the Native American Voter Suppression Fact Sheet, in 2018, Native Americans influenced election results when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, then running as a Democrat, won by 55,000 votes, with 67,996 votes cast in on-reservation precincts. Similarly, in the 2020 presidential election, President Joe Biden won Arizona by just over 10,000 votes, with nearly 60,000 ballots coming from voters on the Hopi and Navajo reservations in northeastern Arizona. A mobile voter outreach van was at the Gila River Indian Community's tribal administration complex in Sacaton to register voters and answer questions on Oct. 10, 2022. With 22 federally recognized tribes in the state, approximately 5.2% of Arizona's population identifies as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to the U.S. Census, giving Native voters more of a likelihood to once again influence the outcome of the upcoming election. It doesnt make sense to me, so youd have to rely on Arizona legislators statements for their reasoning, said Slater. Under the shroud of upholding election integrity, these laws are now being used in a way that may disenfranchise voters. Slater represents the Navajo communities of Tsaile/Wheatfields, Lukachukai, Round Rock, Tsechizhi, Rock Point all located in Apache County, the third-largest and the poorest county in the state. In the 2020 General Election, over 2,000 voters in Apache County, were placed on a list, primarily due to questions about their residency. These voters were assigned to the wrong precinct, and as a result, they did not appear on the voting roster on election day through no fault of their own. Similarly, in 2012, Apache County wrongfully purged 500 Navajo voters because the county recorder rejected a post office box and a hand-drawn map on voter registration forms to indicate their residence location. For Navajo voters within my communities, Election Day voting continues to be an issue based on Apache Countys precinct model, said Slater. This model unnecessarily burdens Navajo voters and creates additional barriers that are not experienced by voters in other counties. Its weird that we have a Navajo majority on the board of supervisors but they have the greatest barriers of any county on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Melvin Harrison, chair of the Navajo Nation Board of Election Supervisors, noted that while this particular issue doesn't directly affect them, as they focus on Navajo Nation elections, they have worked with Navajo leadership to boost voter turnout in the recent primary election. By scheduling Navajo elections on the same day as federal and state elections, they avoided a situation where federal and state primaries would have occurred a week before Navajo Nation elections. Native Vote volunteer, Mikah Carlos, assists voters with any problems they may encounter at the Salt River Pima Community Center in Scottsdale on November 3, 2020. Harrison believes most voters would not have wanted to vote twice in separate elections. He said if they were to give them a choice more than likely voters would choose to vote at the Navajo Nation election rather than a state or federal elections. "We could've went by our own primary date of August 6 ... we have our own elections laws to abide by," said Harrison. "Navajo voters aren't going to go to two elections one week after another. That is the issue. We desperately needed them to vote in the state and federal election as well." 'We all should be concerned' Non-profit organizations, like Arizona Native Votes, which focus on registering and educating voters in tribal communities, aren't certain how the recent changes will affect their efforts to register new voters, according to Jaynie Parrish, executive director. Different groups are trying to understand and were hoping to have more information from the secretary of state and county election offices soon, said Parrish. Were just not sure the scope of how this will impact tribal and rural communities. Parrish, like Slater, views this requirement as a form of voter suppression and said when any group is targeted, immigrant or other, we all should be concerned. Its clearly a voter suppression tactic launched only a few weeks from the voter registration deadline (Oct. 7 in Arizona) to create more barriers and confuse voters and groups who are trying to register community members, said Parrish. This won't only impact immigrants, and Indigenous and rural communities though, it will impact everyone because it is the process and it will take up more time. Which we are already up against. It's also why groups like us exist to help our voters navigate and understand. Slater stressed that the Navajo Nation remains committed to educating and empowering Navajo voters, providing essential resources and assistance to ensure they can successfully register to vote. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration and communication with state and county officials to address key issues, such as improving the process for obtaining vital documents like birth certificates. We should be encouraging people to register to vote and take part in democracy, said Slater. Every requirement placed on Navajo voters to register to vote adds to the historical narrative that the state does not value their participation and that they are not welcomed in these spaces. We should be creating avenues to increase voter participation. Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Native leaders say Supreme Court ruling will suppress voting When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Shutterstock According to NATO intelligence officials, some of the services we take for granted in our daily lives could be easily disrupted if Russia chose to do so. Analysts believe Russia already has plans in place and is developing further strategies to disrupt Internet and Global Positioning System (GPS) networks worldwide. Analysts believe Russia is mapping the undersea fiber optic cables that transfer data between continents. Officials speculate that the nation may have already carried out attacks on telecommunications and GPS networks on a smaller scale. NATO thinks Russia may have plans in place to target those networks in retribution for the Wests support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, laid bare the warning in June. Following an attack on Nord Stream 2, a gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, Medvedev issued a warning to NATO and other Western countries. Believing the West was behind the attack that blew up the pipeline, Medvedev said nothing was holding Russia back from destroying the ocean floor cable communications of our enemies. In 2023, damage to a cable running under the Baltic Sea disrupted telecommunications between Sweden and Estonia. Russia strongly denied any involvement, but Swedens civil defense minister said the damage resulted from external force or tampering. More recently, Russia was accused of an attack on GPS navigation systems that grounded flights from Helsinki, Finland, to Tartu, Estonia, for a month in April. Melanie Garson, an international security expert at University College London, told Business Insider that Russia has been developing this cheap and effective way of malicious gray-zone interference without resulting in open warfare for quite some time. In a world increasingly dependent on the internet, data flows between continents are reliant on undersea telecommunications cables. A network of fiber optic cables spanning around 745,000 miles transmits 95% of international data. These cables have been viewed as potential military targets for decades, and both the U.S. and the former USSR kept watch over them during the Cold War. Since Russia has land-based internet connectivity to Europe and Central Asia, it is much less reliant on undersea cables than the rest of the world. It makes recent Russian naval and intelligence activities worrisome. According to a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report, Russias spy ships and submarines have been loitering near the undersea cable routes. In response, NATO countries are stepping up their surveillance and patrols in vulnerable areas. NATO itself stepped up aircraft patrols off the coast of Ireland amid concerns about Russian submarine activity there. The organization is also establishing a system to automatically warn of attempted interference with oceanic fiber optic cables and reroute communications via satellite. Unfortunately, the West doesnt have any backup systems for the undersea fiber optic cable network, or the GPS systems aviation relies upon. The CSIS has called on the U.S. to increase its international cooperation to better coordinate a response to potential attacks on these key areas of infrastructure and for the rest of the world to work on developing robust alternatives for international communications systems. Zuma / SplashNews.com / Zuma / SplashNews.com When it comes to corporate earnings, former President Donald Trump has already established himself as a friend to corporations, which is no big surprise seeing that he is, himself, a corporate founder and shareholder. More specifically, during his presidency, Trump passed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts (TCJA), which sharply cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Read Next: Should Trump Eliminate Income Taxes? Heres What Tax Experts Say Find Out: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 If Trump were to win the presidential election for a second time, how would his policies affect corporate earnings going forward? Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. Precedent Shows Trump Is Pro Tax Cuts It makes sense to look at Trumps past policies regarding corporations to understand possible future policy moves. With the corporate tax rate already at a nearly historic low, according to the Institute on Taxation and Corporate Policy, theres not much further for Trump to cut. However, on the campaign trail, Trump has stated that he will reduce the corporate tax rate from its current 21% to 20% a negligible amount, but a move that may signal that he is still very much pro-corporation in his policy setting. Learn More: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet How Corporations Benefited Corporate boards and executives have a lot to gain from a second Trump presidency or a lot to lose from a Harris presidency from a tax perspective. Trumps 2017 tax cuts already amounted to corporations paying a collective $240 billion less in taxes from 2018 to 2021 than before the TCJA was passed. For example, Verizon saved $11 billion in taxes, Walmart saved $9 billion and Facebook parent company Meta saved $8 billion. However, since corporations are not a monolith, some industries saw more significant revenue gains as a result of this cut, including some of the following: Electronics and electrical equipment Information technology Network and other communications equipment Healthcare Industrial machinery Retail and wholesale trade Semiconductors and other electronic components While Trump may not be able to reduce taxes further, a presidential win could allow him to keep rates from going back up. A Universal Tariff While not related to a corporate tax, per se, Trump also aims to support American corporations indirectly by imposing a 10% minimum baseline tariff on all imports from other countries, with a 60% tariff on those from China. Story continues The Trump campaigns Agenda 47 plan states that increased tariffs will bring down taxes on American workers, families and businesses. Analyses of the benefits of this move are mixed the Tax Foundation states that it will likely initially raise revenue, but ultimately reduce gross domestic product (GDP) and potentially reduce jobs. However, Michael Stumo, CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a bipartisan organization that represents domestic producers, told Fox Business that heavy tariffs on China are a necessary part of building back industry within the U.S. and pulling away from a dependence on Chinese made goods. Pro-Deregulation Trump has also been vocal about deregulation and was successful at rolling back some Obama-era regulations during his presidency. Perhaps the most controversial of Trumps attempts to make the climate friendlier to business and corporations is his desire to reduce the regulation of Wall Street regulators by scaling back on efforts that Congress passed after the 2008 global banking crash. Its unclear what this proposal seeks to do, except perhaps to foster innovation or ease the ways in which businesses can make money, but some experts suggest it could have devastating economic implications. Even if Trump is elected again in 2024, its hard to say how many of his campaign promises to corporations and others will become reality. 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. For more coverage on this topic, please check out How a Harris Win in 2024 Could Affect Corporate Earnings. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How a Trump Win in 2024 Could Affect Corporate Earnings NATO member says Ukraine's Kursk incursion shows just how hollow the Russian war machine is NATO member says Ukraine's Kursk incursion shows just how hollow the Russian war machine is Sweden's foreign minister has said Ukraine's attack on Kursk is "devastating for the Putin regime." Tobias Billstrom said the shock offensive showed that "the Russian war machine is hollow." Sweden became NATO's newest member when it joined the military alliance in March. Ukraine's invasion of Kursk has dealt a huge blow to Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia, says Sweden's foreign minister, Tobias Billstrom. "The fact that this was possible in the first place is so much more important than the actual territory on the ground," Billstrom said in an interview with the Financial Times published Thursday. "This is devastating for the Putin regime," he added. Ukraine mounted a surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region on August 6. The shock offensive caught the Russians off guard and enabled the Ukrainians to lock in significant gains on the battlefield. On August 12, the commander in chief of Ukraine's military, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his forces had seized nearly 400 square miles of Russian territory in just a few days. That's close to the amount of Ukrainian territory captured by Russia this year. Ukraine's success in Kursk would deal a psychological blow to the Russians, said Billstrom, whose country formally joined the NATO alliance in March. "It shows to the Russian population and it shows to the world that the Russian war machine is hollow," Billstrom told the Financial Times. While the US has stopped short of calling for regime change in Russia, Billstrom said his country hoped to see an end to Putin's rule over Russia. "Everybody who views Russia today can see that with the current regime, we all run a risk that the imperialistic streak will continue, the imperialistic plans towards its close neighbours, starting with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, etc.," Billstrom added. To be sure, Ukraine is beginning to face some pushback from the Russians in Kursk. While Russian soldiers were initially surrendering en masse to the Ukrainians, Russia has since sent in more experienced troops to quell the invasion. Last week, a Ukrainian commander with the call sign Cold told The Wall Street Journal that Russia was deploying better-equipped soldiers to the region. But Billstrom remains confident in Ukraine's military capabilities. "War is a risky business. There might certainly be setbacks, but no one can deprive Ukraine of the fact that they were able to do this once," he told the Financial Times. "And if they can do it once, they might be able to do it twice or even for a third time." Russia's foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Editors note: A previous version of this story incorrectly said it was a gas tank that collapsed. SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Emergency crews responded to a collapsed water tank south of Salisbury Friday afternoon. According to the Salisbury Fire Department, 300,000 gallons of water came out of the tank causing a gas line rupture. Piedmont Natural Gas secured the gas line within an hour. Hazmat teams from Salisbury, Charlotte, Mooresville and Kannapolis fire departments assessed the area. One diesel fuel tank was ruptured and it has been secured by Piedmont Natural Gas. Mooresville ranked fastest-growing suburb in the U.S., study says Personnel have been evacuated from the Nouryon and Henkel Corporation facilities near the scene. One employee of from of those businesses sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was treated on-site, and transported to a nearby hospital. Salisbury officials say some water from the tank entered the sites drainage system and reached Grants Creek. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is on site, evaluating the environmental impact. Cedar Springs Road near the incident was closed but has since reopened. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has signed a resolution approved by the Navajo Nation Council Monday that amends and strengthens the Radioactive Materials Transportation Act of 2012, beginning with a demand for more advance notice before any trucks roll. The amendment comes a month after Nygren deployed Navajo police to intercept Energy Fuels Inc. trucks moving uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine south of the Grand Canyon to a mill near Blanding, Utah, without properly notifying the tribe. Respect tribal sovereignty and work with us, said Nygren. We are able to speak in English in this day and time. We've got our own attorneys, our own lawyers, and they are more than capable of coming up with deals and solutions. A livid Nygren issued an executive order a day after Energy Fuels, owner of the Pinyon Plain Mine, sent its trucks on U.S. Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 160 through Coconino County and the Navajo Nation to get to its mill near Blanding, Utah. The order requires the company to sign an agreement with the tribe before hauling radioactive material through the Navajo Nation and will be in effect for the next six months. Following the shipment, Navajo EPA Director Stephen Etsitty said there has been one meeting with the company, which has temporarily halted further transportation. The company has also agreed to collaborate with the Navajo Nation on a transport agreement moving forward. The company told Navajo officials the Pinyon Plain Mine will be in operation for 28 months. We will have another meeting with the company to lay out the framework for how we are going to have an agreement, said Etsitty. They do intend to resume this hauling activity, and we hope they do it with the openness to abide by the things we would like to see in the eventual agreement. A proposed alternative route was suggested to the company, said Etsitty. He said Navajo EPA is looking into how the routes were initially approved in 1986, and the agency will review data about how the roads are being used today and what might be the best alternative to avoid U.S. 89, U.S. Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 191. "There are other routes that have more protective aspects to it in their design and how they're used," said Etsitty. "And other routes that traverse the Navajo Nation where we have divided highways and much wider right-of-ways, and where the transport of heavy commercial trucks is more suited." Radioactive materials: Nygren wants uranium ore shipments across Navajo lands halted, will join protest Amending Radioactive Materials Transportation Act of 2012 The Radioactive Materials Transportation Act of 2012 opposes transportation of radioactive and related substances, equipment, vehicles, persons and materials over and across Navajo Nation or otherwise over and across Navajo Indian Country, except for purposes of transporting uranium ore or product currently left within the Navajo Nation from past uranium mining or milling operations for disposal at an appropriate facility. The amendment authorizes the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency to establish regulations for implementing the law after proper consultation with the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and with the approval of the Resources and Development Committee. Regulations may include setting and adjusting reasonable license fees, bonding requirements, route restrictions, curfews and other terms and conditions for conducting activities on or across Navajo Nation or within Navajo Indian Country. Until the Navajo EPA establishes formal regulations, the Navajo Nation will authorize the Navajo EPA to issue interim regulations, which can be found posted on the Navajo EPA website. The regulations take effect immediately and remain in force for one year. My agency would be the primary agency to implement this act and the regulations that will be created and reviewed as we continue to address the issue it speaks to, said Etsitty. He said the most significant change calls for advance notification from a company if it plans to transport any radioactive materials across the Navajo Nation. It was originally four days, but it's now seven days, said Etsitty. It doesn't seem like it's a big change, but it's an important thing. We didn't get advanced notification for the first hauling action that occurred. When the original 2012 law was enacted, Etcitty was the director of the Navajo EPA. The law was intended to complement the broader Dine Natural Resources Protection Act of 2005, which bans uranium mining and processing on the Navajo Nation. Etsitty said the 2005 law was partly developed to prevent proposed recovery mining activity on private land near Churchrock, New Mexico, which is also surrounded by Navajo Nation lands. "As long as there are no answers to cancer, we shouldn't have uranium mining on the Navajo Nation," said former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley as he signed this pivotal piece of legislation into law in April 2005. "I believe the powers that be committed genocide on Navajoland by allowing uranium mining." The 2012 law was intended to regulate mining, processing and recovery activities, while providing an exemption for the type of transport associated with the remedial cleanup of abandoned uranium mines across the Navajo Nation, as authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. 'We are all forgotten': Residents await long-delayed cleanup of uranium waste near Cameron Renewed mining interest As it stands today, it's been an effective tool, however, we are now dealing with renewed mining interest and companies who have long-standing rights under the United States Mining Act of 1872, said Etsitty. This 2012 act really targets the network of highways, both improved and unapproved roads that are clearly within the Navajo Nations jurisdiction to manage and oversee. It also helps a lot to protect our Navajo Nation communities and our people and our resources from the impacts of this type of transport. With Pinyon Plain Mine now in operation, it has become necessary to strengthen and clarify the processes and procedures under the 2012 law. He noted that the rising price of uranium, which has jumped from $50 to $105 per pound this year, has reignited interest in uranium mining. We know because of the price of uranium, we know there are several other proposed mines that are in development in particular in New Mexico, said Etsitty. So there is a growing interest, there are investors who are looking to support renewed uranium mining. Navajo Nation Council Delegate Curtis Yanito, who represents the communities of Mexican Water, Tolikan, Teesnospos, Aneth and Red Mesa, expressed concern for his constituents in Mexican Water, as the trucks transporting uranium ore will be passing through their community. A lot of people are still concerned, and they don't want this material because they have experienced what this uranium does to their bodies, said Yanito. Its a serious issue. As a sovereign nation, we have rights to our sovereign nation to set policies and procedures and laws here. Yanito said that since he is from the area, he knows there are a lot of concerns over the processing mill that Energy Fuels owns near Blanding. This is a long-term issue we are talking about, said Yanito. Its not just today. Even today, a lot of the compensation hasnt been brought down to the Navajo people, and the uranium cleanup is still out there; we havent even addressed that. Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation Council imposes tighter controls on shipping uranium A 47-year-old woman, her daughter and their pets were rescued from a sailboat after a man died on the craft and distress flares were launched, officials said. Authorities were first notified of the situation when a distress alert was received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu at 12:33 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, as Hurricane Gilma approached the region. The vessel's position was about 925 miles east of Honolulu, Hawaii, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard. An airplane crew was launched from the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. The airplane found the 47-foot sailboat, named the Albroc, at 9 a.m. Sunday morning. The French-flagged vessel had been "beset by weather," the woman said in a mayday call. The airplane crew saw the sailboat drifting and water washing over the beam of the ship. The woman was seen lighting distress flares, and she and her daughter were also spotted waving their arms before going back inside the ship's cabin. The sailboat in distress as a U.S. Navy boat crew conducts rescue operations. / Credit: U.S. Navy / Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lance Watson Despite finding the ship, the airplane crew "could not establish direct communication with the woman." Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders then requested assistance from the U.S. Navy, which diverted the crew of the USS William P. Lawrence to the site. Watchstanders also requested the aid of the Seri Emperor, a Singapore-flagged vessel that was about 290 miles away from the sailboat. The Seri Emperor, a gas tanker, arrived at the sailboat around 5:20 p.m. Sunday but was "unable to remove the woman and child ... due to deteriorating weather conditions" as Hurricane Gilma approached. The tanker crew remained on the scene until the USS William P. Lawrence arrived Monday morning. With swells of more than 25 feet forecast for the area, the USS William P. Lawrence, a guided missile destroyer, had just a six-hour window to help the woman and child. A small boat crew from the ship was able to launch and rescue the woman, the child, and their two pets - a cat and a tortoise. Waves ranged between eight and 10 feet as the small-boat operations were conducted, authorities said. "Deft handling" and "good judgment" were necessary to save the day, said U.S. Navy Commander Bobby Wayland in the news release. The rescued woman and child on the USS William P. Lawrence after their rescue. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard / Kevin Cooper "I am extremely proud of the crew's professionalism in planning and executing the safe recovery of two persons at sea on a disabled vessel in worsening conditions," said Wayland. The deceased man could not be recovered. Officials did not give a cause of death, but referred to him as the "sailing vessel's master." On Wednesday evening, the USS William P. Lawrence moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu. The woman and child disembarked from the destroyer and were met by French consulate officials and representatives from the Coast Guard. The sailboat remains adrift. Authorities did not say if there were plans to recover the vessel. The rescued child hugs a Navy sailor after her rescue. / Credit: U.S. Coast Guard / Guillaume Maman Examining Harris and Trump's competing tax plans Doctor charged over "Friends" star Matthew Perry's death expected to plead guilty Examining Trump's recent comments on IVF, Florida's 6-week abortion ban Nearly 50 facing charges after major drug bust tied to Mexican cartels in Gwinnett County Nearly 50 people are facing charges following a major drug and weapons bust in Gwinnett County with ties to the Mexican drug cartels. Authorities seized more than 300 fentanyl pills and 400 pounds of methamphetamine, along with other contraband after spending nine months tying dozens of people to a massive criminal enterprise [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was at the county jail Friday, where the sheriffs office said it believes the drug operation was managed by ringleaders already in prison. This is a lot of drugs thats being trafficked through our communities, said Chief Deputy Cleo Atwater of the Gwinnett County Sheriffs Office. Being able to seize these drugs and have them not go into the communities is really, really important. TRENDING STORIES: One of the significant figures charged in this case is Franklin Pineda Orrosquieta, who is linked to 850 pounds of cartel-connected crystal meth found at a storage facility near Norcross in March. Jose Adame and Ulisses Chavez, accused of leading the operation, are noted gang members currently serving time for other crimes. These two people are documented Surrenos gang members, Atwater said. They orchestrated this whole thing from behind bars. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Despite being behind bars, they managed to direct gang activities with ties to Mexican drug cartels. Atwater explained that the multi-agency effort involved local, state, and federal teams working together for nine months to make these arrests. He stressed that combatting such gangs remains an ongoing challenge, especially as they target vulnerable young people for recruitment. Gangs will pray on our most vulnerable population, Atwater said. The Gwinnett County District Attorneys Office now has the task of keeping these suspects off the streets and ensuring they face justice. Nearly 60 Massachusetts beaches closed ahead of Labor Day weekend Nearly 60 beaches in Massachusetts are closed to swimmers on Friday ahead of Labor Day weekend due to bacteria concerns. As of Friday afternoon, there were 56 beaches, lakes, and ponds closed, including popular destinations on Cape Cod and the Islands, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Healths interactive beach water quality dashboard. Nearly all of those bodies of water are closed due to harmful bacteria levels, the dashboard indicated. The dashboard is updated daily at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. during beach season. The water quality at beaches in Massachusetts is required to be monitored. This monitoring data helps local health officials determine when to close a beach due to unsafe conditions and notify the public so that beach visitors can make informed decisions about swimming at the beach. Swimming in unsafe waters can result in gastrointestinal and respiratory health issues. The state conducts weekly water quality testing at the start of each week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Below is the current list of active closures shown in the dashboard: Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb, addresses a business forum in Ashland as, from left, Sen. Pete Ricketts, Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Mike Flood and Rep. Don Bacon listen. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) ASHLAND, Nebraska The five members of Nebraskas congressional delegation briefed more than 300 of the states business leaders Thursday and included a warning about some economic clouds brewing over agriculture. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood of Norfolk, R-Neb., speaking at an annual event held at the Strategic Air Command & Space Museum, warned the state and local chambers of commerce from Lincoln and Omaha about the budget risks to businesses and the State of Nebraska from continued lower prices for corn and soybeans. He said hes hearing from 1st Congressional District co-op leaders and people who sell irrigation equipment, tractors and other ag equipment and trucks that sales are slipping. Thats often a sign of a down cycle, he said. Sobering report Flood pointed to a sobering report this month from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City that indicated economists and bankers in Nebraska and Iowa are predicting lower farm income this year and higher lines of credit. He said the Nebraska Legislature is likely to face its first experience since he was serving as a state senator and speaker in dealing with declining state tax receipts because of tough times in ag country. Flood and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts of Omaha said all of Nebraska feels it when ag has a tough year, because so much of the states economy is boosted by the production and sales of row crops, ethanol, cows, hogs and chickens. Were going into a really dark period here, where banks and those that do the lending are going to be having very tough conversations with producers for the first time in a while, Flood said. Weve had some really good years. Boom and bust in agriculture U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Lincoln, whose family owns and operates a ranch near Valentine, said most of the experienced farmers and ranchers she speaks with around the state understand and prepare for the boom and bust runs of agriculture. She said she worries most for young producers, who havent seen three-dollar corn before. For them, this stretch is going to be difficult. But farmers and ranchers are in the business for the long haul, she said. People are just going to weather the storm, as we always do in agriculture, she said. Youre not going to be buying that new combine, youre not going to be buying that new pickup, and that then has ramifications in your community. Economic issues widespread Rep. Adrian Smith of Gering, who represents the largely rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional District, said his constituents share the concerns about higher ag costs and lower prices. Smith, who serves on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, said people need the certainty of knowing the Trump-era tax cuts will survive so higher taxes dont push down investment and slow wage growth. There are concerns economically across the board, Smith said. Ricketts and 2nd District U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Papillion said they want Congress to start grappling with the national debt. They said simply paying the interest on the nations debts is at risk of crowding out other critical budgetary needs, including defense spending. Our interest is the second-biggest line item we have, Ricketts said. Its the fastest growing. Weve got to get our spending under control. Here in Nebraska, we demonstrated how to do it. We need to do it. Farmers need crop insurance Bacon, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, said he is working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to make sure the House version of the five-year farm bill protects crop insurance, a key farm support. That is the number one thing we have to do for our farmers, Bacon said. He and Smith discussed the need to expand opportunities to sell more Nebraska products abroad, be they agricultural or manufacturing. Bacon called Nebraska an export state that needs more access to international markets. Smith said former President Donald Trump prioritized finding partners and places for many of the regions products. He criticized the Biden administration for coasting on trade, saying competitive times require more from him. Smith called for quicker and more decisive action seeking enforcement and relief on bioengineered corn sales to Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Mexicos leadership has dragged its feet on corn imports, he said. The world is watching, and the world expects more of a trade agenda from the United States of America than what theyve seen over the last three and a half years now, Smith said. Appreciating a different approach The three House members and two senators talked about their relationships with each other and said their colleagues in Congress marvel that members of Nebraska delegation all get along. They said each specializes in different areas of policy interest. Nebraska State Chamber President Bryan Slone told the groups midmorning crowd that Nebraska is lucky to have members of Congress who take time to update them in person on the way things are going in Washington, D.C. He also urged attendees to look beyond the acrimony of an election year and remember to value the freedoms they enjoy to be able to criticize their elected leaders and candidates and write, call, text or stop by to share their thoughts. We complain every day about American politics, Slone said. The truth is theres nothing cooler in the world that we have a system where we can disagree, we can argue, we can puff, we can do all of those things. WEST POINT, Neb. (KCAU) Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has signed an executive order against lab-grown meat to protect Nebraska producers. Lab-grown meat, also known as cell-cultivated meat, is made by taking an animals stem cells and creating it in a controlled environment where it forms into a resemblance of meat. With his signing, Gov. Pillen had two issues he wanted addressed before lab-grown meat hits the shelves. Nebraskas Supreme Court to decide if those with felony convictions can vote in November Tightening up the rules and regulating from the Department of Agriculture to make sure that nothing in grocery stores is being mislabeled, he said. And then number two, just simply doing the executive order to make sure that nowhere in state government is there any procurement, is there going to be any fake meat served in any agency that is buying food. While in West Point, Nebraska, Pillen spoke to a crowd of people about why this executive order was necessary. This initiative is very, very important because its a hallmark attack against the heart and blood of what makes Nebraska great, our agricultural industry, he said. Feeding people in healthy forms, its gigantic and we have to be aggressive. We cant stand back and let these bluebirds keep shooting and saying that what were doing is wrong. A restaurant in San Francisco, California and one in Washington, D.C. were given the green light to serve lab-grown chicken in 2023. No other lab-grown meat varieties have been approved for sale, including beef. Even though finding cell-cultivated meat in your grocery store is likely decades away, several states have already banned lab-grown meat from being sold, including Florida and Alabama. An Iowa law prohibits schools from buying it. Railroad BNSF stresses safety but is still held back by longstanding industry issues, report finds The Tennessee legislature tried to ban the sale as well, but tabled the bill after concerns were raised about consumer choice. Gov. Pillen was asked if this executive order restricts Nebraskans consumer choices. Youve got to take stands, Pillem said. As Ive said, if theres a consumer in Nebraska that wants to buy fake meat, good for them. They just arent going to do it in Nebraska. Next legislative session, Gov. Pillen says he plans to continue to address lab-grown meat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Neighbors remember DC officer Wayne David as community man killed in the line of duty WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Neighbors in Northeast D.C. are mourning the loss of Investigator Wayne David a community man killed in the line of duty. Wayne was an awesome neighbor. He was always available and ready and willing to help, said Lauraline Gregory, who lived next door to David for years. He just showed nothing but care and respect and love for us, hes community-minded. Its not even imaginable how you go on. David, a veteran officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), died Wednesday night after he was accidentally shot on the job. DC police officer dies in accidental shooting He left yesterday morning and said, See you later, I hope you have a good day. And then by nightfall, hes gone. Its just unimaginable, said Gregory. According to police, David, along with MPDs violent crime suppression team, was responding to the 4500 block of Quarles Street NE for a suspicious vehicle. A suspect exited the vehicle and officers tried to stop him. However, the man fled, ditching a gun in a storm drain and running onto I-295 before taking off on the back of a motorcycle. Officials said David was attempting to recover the gun from the storm drain when it fired, hitting and killing him. David spent years working on MPDs Gun Recovery Unit before being added to the Violent Crime Suppression Unit. Will never be forgotten: DC police chief releases statement after officer dies in accidental shooting When this happened its like wait a minute, hes the guy getting the guns off the streets and he gets taken out by a gun but theres not a person with a gun. It sounds so strange, so weird. Like a fluke, like this cant be really happening, said Gregory. With more than 25 years on the force, David was a protector at work. But, Gregory, said he was also a protector at home. You could often see him out here on his own repairing or power washing or doing something to improve the community, to better the community, she explained. Her brother Jerome, who also lived next to David, agreed. He had a big heart. Big heart, big laugh. Community guy. He loved his police work, he loved his brothers and sisters on the police force. But, he equally loved his community, he said. Jerome recalled working with David to keep up with the landscaping around their condo community. He also remembered having long debates with David about police and their interactions in the community. Those conversations led Jerome to change his views on the police. The more I talked to him and the more I put a face on that blue uniform, police are just like the rest of us. They have a job to do, they have families to go back home to. Theyre loving people who are just doing a job that were asking them and paying taxes for them to do, he said. As the community continues to mourn a father, friend and colleague, Davids neighbors hope people remember him as a man of honor. He loved his work, he loved being an officer, he loved trying to make things better, said Gregory. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Listen and subscribe to Opening Bid on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Stronger tariffs on China and other countries could be key tactics in a second Trump presidency, according to one of the architects of his previous one. "He is deadly serious," former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross Jr. told me about potential new tariffs on Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid podcast on Friday (watch video above; listen below). This embedded content is not available in your region. Ross served as the 39th US Commerce Secretary from 2017 to 2021 and is the author of the new book "Risks and Returns, Creating Success in Business and Life." The Trump administration slapped 25% tariffs on Chinese washing machines, solar panels, steel, aluminum, and other goods in 2018. The maneuvers reflected Trump's long-held assertion that China was ripping off American businesses via artificially low prices. The Biden administration has kept the Trump tariffs on China in place, for the most part. Read more: What are tariffs, and how do they affect you? In mid-May, the White House unveiled an array of new tariffs on around $18 billion worth of Chinese imports. The tariffs touched sectors such as steel and semiconductors. Electric vehicle tariffs quadrupled to 100% from 25%. Former US President Donald Trump talks with journalists during a Cabinet meeting with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and others on July 16, 2019, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images) Should he win reelection, Trump is promising a heavy hand on the tariff front. The former president has consistently floated imposing a 10% tariff on every good coming into the US, as well as a tariff north of 60% on all Chinese imports. Such moves could have unintended consequences for the US economy. A 10% tariff on all imports would result in average estimated costs per US household of $1,700 to $2,350 annually, the American Action Forum (AAF) said. The 60% tariff on China would increase household costs by $1,950 annually, the AAF estimated. China and other countries are taking advantage of the US on trade, Ross said. He contended a second Trump presidency would be less tumultuous as the former president has a better team already in place. Unlike former Vice President Mike Pence, Ross said he still supports another Trump presidency. "Yes, I am supporting him," Ross said. Three times each week, Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi fields insight-filled conversations and chats with the biggest names in business and markets on Opening Bid. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service. Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance's Executive Editor. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com. Story continues Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Netherlands not revealing timeline for Patriot air defence system delivery to Ukraine to keep details from Russia The Netherlands is withholding the delivery date of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine to prevent Russia from gaining any details about supplies. Source: Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans before an informal meeting of EU defence ministers, as reported by European Pravda Details: Brekelmans emphasised that his reluctance to reveal the delivery date of the Patriot system was not due to a lack of transparency but rather to prevent Russia from learning the timing, as it closely monitors Ukraine's air defence. He stressed that Ukraine has the right to self-defence, which can also include strikes on military targets in Russia, as long as international law is not violated. "We have not imposed any restrictions in terms of miles or kilometres within which Ukraine can use these weapons," Brekelmans added. Background: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba noted that delivery of some of the Patriot systems promised to Ukraine had been delayed and urged partners to speed up the process. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that, based on military estimates, 25 Patriot air defence systems are required to fully secure Ukrainian airspace. On 11 July, the United States announced a military aid package for Ukraine that included one Patriot air defence system. On 21 July, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a Patriot air defence system donated by Germany had arrived in Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! For newly arrived immigrant children, this lawyers help extends far beyond the courtroom In the last three years, a record number of unaccompanied migrant children more than 500,000 have traveled to the United States, many of them escaping violence and extreme poverty in rural areas of Central America. As an immigration lawyer who works closely with these children, Rachel Rutter knows how long and difficult their journeys are and the desperate situations they are fleeing. Some have been physically or sexually abused; some trafficked; some have family members who have been murdered by gangs and their lives are at risk, she said. That just goes to show how dangerous things are in peoples home countries when theyre willing to undertake that journey to seek asylum, Rutter said. Because no parent would put their child willingly on that journey, or no child would undertake that journey willingly, if things werent so dire in their home country. Early on, Rutter saw the hurdles her young clients had to overcome after arriving in the US. They lacked stable housing and consistent meals and needed mental health and academic support. Theyve already been through so much trauma, it can be jarring when they arrive here and realize that its really just beginning, she said. As Rutter got more involved in the immigration work, she noticed that many of her clients had needs that werent being met. Laura Klairmont/CNN I saw that these kids dont just need legal status, they also need all of these other things if theyre going to really heal and be successful, Rutter said. Compelled to fill in those gaps, she created Project Libertad in 2015. The nonprofit provides free legal representation, essential and social services, and newcomer support programs to immigrant youth. The organization has assisted more than 1,100 individuals, representing more than 90 young people in immigration cases. Helping children navigate the legal system In the US immigration court system, there is no right to a court appointed lawyer for anyone, including children. If theyre not able to find their own lawyer, even children would be left to defend themselves, by themselves, in a foreign language that they dont speak, against a trained government lawyer who is arguing to deport them, Rutter said. Through her nonprofits Immigrant Childrens Defense Project, Rutter and her group protect vulnerable children from deportation and dangerous situations. Rutter provides free legal services to immigrant youth across Pennsylvania, helping them apply for immigration status and representing in court those who are facing deportation. Having representation matters. It makes a big difference. Its the single most important factor in determining the outcome of a childs case, said Rutter, who is the only lawyer for her organization and currently handling several dozen cases on her own. CNN A holistic approach for vulnerable kids Rutter implemented a case management program that addresses housing, food, medical care, and other immediate needs that immigrant youth and their families struggle to obtain. Many migrant children arrive in the US already carrying trauma. Then they face stressors with the threat of deportation and unstable living situations. This can worsen existing mental health problems and increase the likelihood of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In 2020, Project Libertad partnered with the Immigrant Psychology Network to increase awareness and provide immigrant youth access to mental health services. We get them comfortable with the idea of getting mental health support. We make sure to find therapists who speak their language. And we provide them with coping skills for anxiety and stress, Rutter said. Supporting the newest newcomers Project Libertads weekly programs in schools are specifically tailored for newcomer immigrant youth and incorporate social-emotional learning, communication skills, and team building. Teachers tell us that the first time they see these kids having fun or smiling are in the programs, she said. They may have been out of school for a long time in their country, so its really a chance for them to have a positive experience in the classroom. The newcomer programs serve more than 100 students a year in seven schools. They receive ESL and academic assistance, college preparation and career support, as well as mentors who serve as positive adult role models. CNN We build their confidence and help them see all of the options that are really available to them, whether thats college, or tech school, or working after high school, Rutter said. They can do whatever it is that they want to do, and they dont have to be limited by their current circumstances. For Valeria Sanchez, connecting with Project Libertad was a game changer. Her family fled their home in Guerrero, Mexico, after gang members threatened to kidnap her and her younger sister. She was 14 years old when they arrived in the US. I didnt get to say goodbye to my friends. I didnt get to pack many things. What we were wearing is how we left that day, Sanchez said. Just to leave everything behind was a very confusing and scary experience. When I first arrived here, it was very difficult for me to handle this change of life in the United States. You just feel so lost. When she joined Project Libertads newcomer program, things started to turn around. This organization has helped me overall in every aspect of my life, said Sanchez, now 23. CNN After graduating high school, Sanchez joined the Army National Guard. Now, she is the deputy communications director for Pennsylvania State Senator Amanda Cappelletti. Shes also taking college courses and wants to become an immigration attorney. For Rutter, connecting with the kids and seeing them grow and achieve their dreams is her constant motivation. These kids are not coming here to ruin the United States, or take our jobs, or commit crimes. Theyre coming here to be safe, and to take care of their families, Rutter said. They want to study. They want to work. They want to achieve something here in the US, and they are some of the hardest working, kindest, most resilient kids Ive ever met. Want to get involved, check out the Project Libertad website and see how to help. To donate to Project Libertad via GoFundMe, click here For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Newport Beach officials are cracking down on homeless encampments following complaints from residents and local business owners. Locals said homeless individuals are constantly seen gathering at popular tourist spots such as the Newport Beach Pier. On Tuesday, city officials voted unanimously to bolster anti-camping laws including clamping down on anyone found sleeping in public areas and streets. We have a massive problem at the Newport Pier right now, said Joe Stapleton, Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem. I promise you, if you go down there tonight, you will find 13 individuals sleeping there overnight. Its been a problem for a long time and its getting worse and worse. At the public city council meeting, residents chimed in with personal stories involving disruptive or even violent encounters with homeless residents. Homeless residents seen at the Newport Beach Pier area on August 29, 2024. (KTLA) Homeless residents seen at the Newport Beach Pier area on August 29, 2024. (KTLA) Newport Beach Pier public plaza. (KTLA) Homeless residents seen at the Newport Beach Pier area on August 29, 2024. (KTLA) An aerial view of beachgoers enjoying a partially-sunny, warm day on the beach near the pier in Newport Beach, CA, on April 28, 2020. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) NEWPORT BEACH, CA JULY 20: People walk, ride and skateboard on the sidewalk past businesses near the pier on a summer day Monday, July 20, 2020 in Newport Beach, CA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) I caught a guy urinating on my neighbors property about a month ago, said Mario Marovic, a Newport Beach resident and business owner. A few hours after that, I saw him sitting on the bench in front of Malarkys Irish Pub. I asked him to get off the bench. I asked him why he was urinating in public. He said, Why not? According to the latest Orange County homeless count, there are 71 homeless people living in Newport Beach In 2023, city officials passed a law that prohibited a variety of activities related to homelessness including banning overnight camping on public property when shelter beds were available, sleeping in public bathrooms, sidewalks or public areas, using public water fountains or sinks to clean clothes or bathe and more. In June, a Supreme Court ruling gave cities the power to enforce bans on homeless encampments. Governor Gavin Newsom placed pressure on California cities and counties to aggressively tackle homelessness by vowing to withhold money and resources from those who fail to cooperate. This is a step in the right direction, Stapleton said. We all have compassion for homeless people, but we are spending well over $4 million as a community here to help solve this problem. Its not being solved. Newsom vows to withhold funds from California cities and counties that dont clear homeless encampments Newport Beach officials will continue outreach efforts aimed at helping homeless individuals move off the streets but with plans to continue increasing enforcement. A second reading of the proposed amendments to the anti-camping laws is scheduled for the next city council meeting. If it passes then, all changes will go into effect 30 days afterward. The amendments would also increase the number of homeless liaison police officers from one to four. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. California is about to find out whether Governor Gavin Newsom is a wholly owned subsidiary of the states influential Big Tech companies, or just a partial one. It is a near certainty that the Democrat-controlled California Legislature will send to Newsom a bill that would make the state a regulator of artificial intelligence development. Placing California in a high-profile leadership position is frequently an opportunity that Newsom has seized without hesitation. But the governor has yet to cross swords with this powerful business sector and has done its bidding so far. The future of artificial intelligence in California is too big an issue to fly under the radarNewsoms about to reveal the depth of his tech allegiances. Opinion The Big Tech litmus test is Senate Bill 1047 by Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who is accustomed to advancing some heavyweight legislation that rankles one influential stakeholder or another. SB 1047, the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, is a big deal. It would give the state new powers in regulating these powerful computer models that can perform tasks that only humans could once do and create life-like images that are purely fake. The stunning emergence of this technology, combined with its extraordinary power and potential, motivated Wiener to advance a bill that would place the state in a new regulatory role to ensure that any such programming used in this state includes certain protocols and safeguards to prevent this technology from being used in catastrophic and harmful ways. SB 1047 would empower the California Attorney General and a new Board of Frontier Models with new oversight and enforcement authorities. There are reasons to wonder whether the state can play a role in ensuring that artificial intelligence is only used for positive purposes. Some influential Democrats in Congress, such as San Franciscos Nancy Pelosi, want California to stay out of this. Last year, Newsom signed a Wiener bill requiring large corporations to report their global emissions (tech companies Google and Apple were in support). Yet overall, Newsom seems more comfortable taking on the states traditional economic players rather than the emerging ones. The governor has forced fast food companies to pay higher wages, has sued Big Oil and has criticized Pacific Gas & Electric for its maintenance in fire country. Big Tech, so far, has largely gotten a pass. The most recent example is when Newsom took the side of Google and social media giants in killing legislation that would have forced them to share journalism-related revenues with the media outlets that created the contents. His apparent desire to avoid this legislation resulted in a voluntary agreement between tech and media interests that fell far short of the legislations objectives. Newsom sided with a court-declared monopoly in Google that the Biden Administration may move to break up in further court proceedings. The governor is a certified subsidiary of their interests. Will he side with the artificial intelligence developers and complete his allegiance to Big Tech? If Las Vegas had betting odds on legislation, SB 1047 would be a long shot to get past this governor. If he cozies up to monopolies like Google, hell have Big Tech on his side for some future White House run that likely will never happen. In the Adnan Syed legal sagas latest step, Marylands top court kept intact the convictions of the man whose case was popularized by the Serial podcast that raised questions about his guilt. The court was closely divided in Fridays decision with nearly 200 pages total written by the majority and dissenting justices in the appeal that didnt turn on Syeds culpability but rather a victims rights issue that requires further proceedings in the closely watched case and has broader implications for criminal justice generally. After being convicted in 2000 of killing Hae Min Lee, Syeds high school ex-girlfriend, the states attorney for Baltimore City moved to vacate Syeds convictions in 2022. But the problem, as the Supreme Court of Maryland saw it, is that Lees brother, Young Lee, wasnt properly afforded his rights in connection with the 2022 hearing that freed Syed. The state high court recounted: The prosecutor gave the crime victims representative, Young Lee (Ms. Lees brother), less than one business days notice of an in-person hearing on the motion to vacate. As the prosecutor and the presiding judge were aware, Mr. Lee lives in California. The court denied Mr. Lees request for a one-week postponement of the hearing, which would have allowed Mr. Lee to attend the hearing in person in Baltimore. The requested postponement having been denied, Mr. Lee observed the hearing remotely. Mr. Syed appeared in person. The court allowed Mr. Lee to make a statement at the beginning of the hearing, prior to the presentations by the prosecutor and defense counsel. After Mr. Lee completed his remarks, the court denied Mr. Lees attorneys request to be heard briefly. The lower court granted the states motion to vacate Syeds convictions after that hearing, ordering prosecutors to set a new trial or drop the charges. The state did the latter but Young Lee appealed. An intermediate appeals court said that he had a right to reasonable notice of the hearing and the right to attend in person, yet the appeals court also said that crime victims and their representatives dont have a right to be heard at the hearing. On Friday, the state Supreme Court agreed that Young Lee had the right to receive sufficient notice and attend in person, and it further decided that crime victims or their representatives do have the right to be heard. Because Mr. Lees rights as the crime victims representative were violated and Mr. Lee has made a sufficient showing of prejudice, this case will be remanded to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City for further proceedings, the state high court said in the opinion by Justice Jonathan Biran, joined by three other justices over three dissents. On remand, the parties and Mr. Lee will begin where they were immediately after the States Attorney filed the motion to vacate, Biran wrote, adding that the case needs to go to a new judge, to avoid the appearance that allowing Mr. Lee and/or his attorney to speak to the evidence at a new vacatur hearing may be a formality. Though the underlying proceedings sought to remedy a perceived injustice to Syed, the state high court concluded, the prosecutor and the circuit court worked an injustice against Young Lee. And while the court approved the reinstatement of Syeds convictions, it declined to reincarcerate him. Syed, now 43, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 30 years, for the 1999 strangling of Hae Min Lee. He served more than 20 years before his conviction was overturned in 2022 after prosecutors dropped the charges against him, citing flawed evidence. The matter may well conclude with Syeds vindication if Young Lee is afforded his rights as outlined by the state court. But it remains uncertain precisely how or when this legal story ends. Striking a much different tone and raising different concerns, dissenting justices called the case a procedural zombie thats been reanimated, despite its expiration, further arguing that the majority created victims rights that didnt exist and that the new hearing requirements harken back to the days of yore before victim-initiated prosecutions were constitutionally abolished. 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 TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The National Hurricane Center highlighted two areas in the Atlantic for possible tropical development. A tropical wave located in the central Atlantic now has a 50% chance of development over the next week. In September we can get formation anywhere in the basin: NHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan joins Tracking the Tropics It could become a tropical depression early next week as it heads west toward the Caribbean. It has a 10% chance of development in the next 48 hours. The NHC began monitoring a second tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic on Thursday night. It has a 20% chance of developing over the next seven days as it drifts west over the open ocean. Hurricane Idalia claimed 12 lives, caused $3.6B in damage, NHC report finds Friday also marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Idalia impacting the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 3 storm. The storm claimed 12 lives and caused $3.6 billion in damage. Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT. Be prepared with the 2024 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer on "Dancing With The Stars," was arrested on Thursday in Napa, California, facing felony domestic violence charges. As The Blast reported, the 42-year-old Russian dancer has been charged with felony corporal injury to a spouse. While the specific details of the incident were initially unclear, the reference to "spouse" strongly implies that the victim is his wife, Nikki Garcia, who is known for her time in the WWE as Nikki Bella of The Bella Twins. Now, new details are surfacing surrounding the incident, including the release of a 911 call which suggested that Nikki Garcia "threw shoes" at Artem Chigvintsev during the alleged fight. 911 Call Reveals More Details Surrounding Moments Leading To Artem Chigvintsev's Arrest MEGA Garcia and Chigvintsev, who have been married since 2022 and recently celebrated their wedding anniversary, allegedly got into a fight, prompting the 911 call to be made. The radio dispatch from Chigvintsevs domestic violence case has shed new light on the situation. According to the call, obtained by TMZ, Chigvintsev initially requested medical assistance but also mentioned that his wife, Nikki Garcia, had thrown shoes at him. "Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party]," the dispatcher said. "There is a child on scene. Medical en route," they added. "There's an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible." Artem later called the paramedics off, which the 911 dispatcher confirmed, saying, "RP is stating no medical is needed now." Police Show Up And Find Visible Injuries On Alleged Victim MEGA At the time of the call, the dispatcher noted that Chigvintsev and Garcia were physically separated. Despite the separation, police arrived an hour later, observed visible injuries on the alleged victim, and subsequently arrested Chigvintsev on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse. Chigvintsev and Garcia were partners on season 25 of "Dancing with the Stars," while Garcia was dating John Cena. After the two split, Garcia began dating Chigvintsev, and they got married in 2022. They just celebrated their anniversary. "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," the former WWE star wrote on Instagram a few days ago. "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." Artem Chigvintsev Taken Into Custody, But Made Bail MEGA The Napa County Sheriff's Department has shared Chigvintsev's mugshot and informed ABC News about a domestic violence call they received from Yountville around 10 a.m. Deputies responded promptly, arresting Chigvintsev, who they reported "did not resist arrest." He was taken to Napa County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence. Following his bail, Chigvintsev was released around 2:15 p.m. PT and is no longer in custody. Deputies described him as "cooperative in the process." The Sheriff's department has yet to reveal the identity of the alleged victim but mentioned they are giving the person "adequate time to deal with what unfolded before making the person talk more to detectives." Artem Chigvintsev Is Known For His Time On 'DWTS' MEGA The Russian dancer made his debut on "Dancing With The Stars" and clinched the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 29 alongside "Bachelorette" alum Kaitlyn Bristowe. Most recently, he competed with "Bachelorette" star Charity Lawson in Season 32, where they achieved a fourth-place finish. In 2020, Garcia disclosed that her husbands mental health was notably affected when he was sidelined from "Dancing With The Stars" for a season. "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," per USA Today. "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.'" Nikki Garcia And Artem Chigvintsev Welcome Baby Boy MEGA Garcia and Chigvintsev share a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich. "Its something Ive dreamed of my whole life, she told People Magazine at the time of her pregnancy announcement. I cant imagine life without being a mom and experiencing the miracle of life and raising a child. Im just so family-oriented that I couldnt imagine not having that family life. Their son was born on July 31, 2020. "I labored for 22 hours, and I pushed for two hours while wearing a mask because of COVID-19," Garcia said. "It was 118 degrees in Phoenix, and our room wouldn't get colder than 76 degrees, so I was burning hot the whole time." If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Northern Kentucky University will dissolve its Office of Inclusive Excellence following the resignation of the universitys chief diversity officer, the president announced in an email on Thursday. NKU is the second Kentucky university in recent weeks to dissolve its central office related to diversity, equity and inclusion referred to as DEI. The University of Kentucky announced earlier this month that it would be dissolving its Office of Institutional Diversity after feedback, including meetings with legislators who expressed concerns about the role of DEI. Lawmakers failed to pass the bills targeting DEI programs during this years General Assembly, but UK administrators said they expect lawmakers to pursue similar bills next legislative session. NKU President Cady Short-Thompson referenced similar concerns in her announcement of the change. The circumstances under which universities across the Commonwealth and the country find themselves, coupled with the legislative priorities of state leaders for the upcoming session, require universities to change, Short-Thompson said Thursday. Legislation targeting DEI efforts on college campuses has been proposed in 28 states since 2023, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, which has been tracking such legislation. At NKU, the removal of the office comes with the resignation of Darryl Peal, who had been the universitys chief diversity officer since 2020. The university has already removed the offices page from its website, but the Herald-Leader saved a copy of the mission statement earlier this summer. It said the offices goal was cultivating a community of belonging by facilitating the knowledge, awareness, and skills critical to creating and sustaining a campus educational community and workplace environment that embraces diversity, achieves equitable outcomes for individuals and communities, and models inclusiveness through respectful interactions and opportunities to fully participate in the life of the university. In announcing the offices closure, Short-Thompson wrote that our primary focus is on the success of every NKU student while remaining true to our mission and vision. At our core, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that values each person and maximizes learning, she said. Short-Thompson said the university will explore ways to continue the work of ensuring that NKU is a campus where everyone feels welcome and supported. UK to eliminate Office of Institutional Diversity months after legislators targeted DEI DEI in Kentucky In addition to eliminating the Office of Institutional Diversity, UK announced several other changes that will take effect in the coming weeks. UK will remove mandatory diversity training throughout the university, and no employees will be required to write a diversity statement to be employed. To be impartial facilitators as an institution of broad perspectives, the university and President Eli Capilouto will no longer make statements on political or partisan events or issues, including on the university website, he said. A new office, the Office for Community Relations, will be created in place of the Office of Institutional Diversity. No jobs will be eliminated at UK because of the change, and existing programs will be moved into new homes within the university. Shocked: UK students react to removal of Office for Institutional Diversity on first day The two bills proposed in Kentucky earlier this year would have blocked all DEI initiatives that promoted discriminatory concepts and would have forced public colleges and universities to dismantle DEI offices and positions. Senate Bill 6, which was aimed at restricting DEI offices at public universities, failed to pass on the last night of the 2024 legislative session. Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, who sponsored one of the anti-DEI bills earlier this year, argued last spring that DEI initiatives represented a failed policy that made college more divided, more expensive and less tolerant. In March, the Kentucky Attorney General said public universities use of certain DEI policies violated the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act. Drawing on the U.S. Supreme Court case which struck down affirmative action last year, Attorney General Russell Coleman said using underrepresented minorities as a metric for funding state colleges is unconstitutional. Following that, a law was passed barring the Council on Postsecondary Education from considering race in its performance-based funding model, which determines how state funding is distributed to public universities and community colleges. CPE then changed metrics in its performance-based funding model to remove race-based metrics from funding consideration, giving more weight to low-income bachelors degree produced and introducing degrees earned by first-generation students and non-traditional students into the model. No injuries in Warsaw structure fire, cause under investigation WARSAW, N.C. (WNCT) Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire Thursday on North Gum Street in Warsaw. Firefighters on the scene said no one was injured and the fire is under investigation. The Warsaw Fire Department was assisted in battling the fire by the Faison Fire Department, Rose Hill Fire Department, Taylors Bridge Fire Department, Warsaw Police Department and Duplin County EMS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. 'There Is No Limit': Trump Resorts To Gross Sexual Slurs As Harris Rises In The Polls WASHINGTON Donald Trump has demonstrated for years that when he is panicking about something bad happening to him a court ruling against him, a key witness testifying against him, his campaign numbers sinking he lashes out. We are clearly in one of those moments. As Vice President Kamala Harris is fast rising in the polls, now leading or tied with Trump in all seven swing states, Trump is resorting to vile sexually-themed attacks against her. On Wednesday, Trump shared a screenshot on social media showing a photo of Harris with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Below the image, which went out to Trumps 7.6 million followers, a person in the screenshot wrote, Funny how blowjobs impacted both of their careers differently. The comment is a jab at the vice presidents 1990s-era relationship with Willie Brown, who went on to become the mayor of San Francisco a relationship that Harris political opponents have been attempting to frame as a sexual quid-pro-quo as well as a reference to former President Bill Clintons affair with Monica Lewinsky. Trumps post came a day after Fox News host Jesse Watters, a loyal Trump ally, accused Harris of having no stated foreign policy plans and said she would be paralyzed in the Situation Room while the generals have their way with her. Not even two weeks ago, the GOP presidential nominee shared another video on social media mocking Harris for having spent her whole damn life down on her knees, another suggestion that she has given sexual favors for political gain. The video, which parodied the Alanis Morissette song Ironic, flashed images of Brown and second gentleman Doug Emhoff as that line played. Its disgusting, and its entirely predictable, say leaders of prominent womens advocacy groups. This is the Donald Trump playbook, in particular, when hes on the defensive and feels he is not driving the conversation, said Jessica Mackler, the president of EMILYs List, a national organization that helps elect Democratic women who support abortion rights. He uses these really gross, really sexist, often racist and sexual-in-nature attacks. It does two things: It panders to his base and gets them riled up, and two, it seeks to create chaos around him and he can move into whatever space that is, she said. So the more that we see this movement by the Harris campaign, the more we see this enthusiasm, the more he is pushed to these all-time new lows. Mackler added, There is no limit. This is the Donald Trump playbook," EMILY's List president Jessica Mackler said of Trump's vile personal attacks on Kamala Harris. via Associated Press Trumps campaign did not reply to a request for comment on either of the posts. But on Friday, Trumps vice presidential pick JD Vance defended Trumps sexist attacks on Harris. During an interview on CNN, he was asked how Trumps misogynist memes about female politicians and blowjobs are at all helpful in bringing the country together. Trump is a political candidate who isnt stodgy, who likes to have some fun and likes to tell some jokes, said Vance, currently an Ohio Republican senator. Id much rather have a candidate whos willing to go off-script, whos willing to give every interview and is willing to tell some jokes. I do think thats how you lift people up. Stunningly, he added, A politics of boring scolds telling people they cant laugh, that is not lifting Americans up. That is tearing us down. Amanda Thayer, who previously led political communications at NARAL Pro-Choice America and is now vice president at Global Strategy Group, said if anything, Trumps and Vances latest attacks on Harris show they dont have anything of substance to argue. Just like men who cant handle powerful and successful women have always done, Trump is resorting to vile attempts to discredit her character, Thayer said. But that strategy is not going to work, because it assumes there wont be backlash from millions of women and people who are turned off by his sexist politics. And there is no one more adept at holding him accountable for his extremism than the vice president. Beyond being repulsive, the posts and comments are not doing Trump any favors in winning over female voters. His campaign is already bleeding support from women furious about Republicans ongoing efforts to strip them of reproductive health care access. The three conservative justices Trump put onto the Supreme Court as president are the reason Roe v. Wade was struck down in 2022, and hes hailed that decision, taking credit for the fall of Roe, as Americans nationwide struggle to navigate restrictive state abortion laws. Trump has also suggested hed revoke access to the abortion pill in a second term, which is the most common method of abortion. Sure, you could, you could do things that will be, would, would supplement, the Republican presidential nominee said in April, in response to a question about whether hed direct the FDA to revoke access to the abortion drug mifepristone in a second term. Absolutely, he continued in his muddled response. But you have to be able to have a vote, and all I want to do is give everybody a vote. Same old, tired playbook, Vice President Kamala Harris said in response to Trump's sleazy attacks. Next question, please. via Associated Press Trump has been making these ugly smears against Harris even as hes tried to backpedal on his anti-abortion stance, apparently trying to win back some female voters. On Thursday, he suggested he plans to vote in favor of the Florida state constitutional amendment to protect abortion access, which will be on the ballot in November. I think the six weeks is too short, it has to be more time, Trump told NBC News, referring to the states current six-week abortion ban. Im gonna be voting that we need more than six weeks. By late Friday, Trump had changed course again, saying he would oppose the abortion rights measure. The Republican presidential nominee has a terrible record when it comes to supporting womens rights, or respecting women at all. Dozens of women have publicly accused Trump of sexual harassment or assault. In 2016, Trumpwas caught on tape bragging about being able to grab [women] by the pussy, and last year he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil rape trialinvolving advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. He has also shown, time and again, that he cannot handle going up against strong women in politics. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has sent him into full-blown meltdownsrepeatedly over theyears, and when he ran against Clinton in 2016, he made crude comments about her appearance and her character throughout his campaign. Clinton generally ignored his inappropriate personal attacks, much like Harris is doing now. Now, with Vance added to the mix a guy who has infuriated millions of childless cat ladies across America the Republican presidential ticket is sending a pretty clear message, as Emily Martin, chief program officer for the National Womens Law Center Action Fund, told HuffPost. Trump and Vance are really, very clearly, running on a platform of putting women in their place, she said. From criminalizing abortion to ridiculing unmarried women to casual sexual harassment and abuse, I think theyre alienating more voters every day, Martin added. But they are making the bet that enough people enough men will respond to this positively and join them in the enjoyment of sexually humiliating women. They are making the bet that enough people enough men will respond to this positively and join them in the enjoyment of sexually humiliating women.Emily Martin, National Womens Law Center Action Fund Harris campaign declined comment on Trumps personal attacks. This appears to be part of a broader strategy: to simply brush off Trumps attacks on Harris race or gender, and stay focused on the issues currently infusing her campaign with momentum, as Trump desperately looks for a way to make the conversation about himself. The vice president herself demonstrated this approach on Thursday night, when asked during a sit-down interview with CNN about Trump recently questioning her racial identity. Same old, tired playbook, is all Harris said. Next question, please. Mackler said Harris campaign is smart not to get caught up in commenting every time Trump goes off the rails and says something blatantly sexist or racist. What they are talking about right now on the Harris campaign is working, she said. Voters really want you to spend 99.9% of your time talking about what you are going to do, how does this affect me and my life, what does this mean for us and our future. It does not make sense for them to get distracted from this theme, Mackler said. Martin agreed the Harris campaign benefits by ignoring Trumps misogyny, which is almost certainly going to escalate as November gets closer. What I take from that is that Kamala Harris is not interested in playing the victim, she said. I feel like people like me and the press absolutely need to call this out and name it and speak to how truly vile and despicable and beyond the pale this is. Martin added, I respect the decision that this conversation is really beneath her as a candidate and as a leader. Related... UPDATE: Approximately 23 Culinary Union members were arrested at the Virgin Las Vegas Thursday evening in an act of non-violent civil disobedience as 700 hospitality workers continue pushing for a new 5-year union contract at the property, according to the culinary union. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Union officials and the operator of an off-strip resort blame each other for the last 15 months that employees have worked without a contract. Officials from Culinary Union Local 226 cite the same sticking point from June 2023 when the previous contract expired: no wage increases for most of the proposed new five-year contract. That detail provoked the first-ever strike for Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which took place over Mothers Day weekend. If negotiations continue as they are, Ted Pappageorge, the unions secretary-treasurer, said the organization is not afraid to threaten another strike. The company has not moved, Pappageorge said Thursday morning. The strike deadline was February for every other hotel in Las Vegas except for this one. The workers voted and the committee voted to give them more time, and here we are now, February to September, and no progress with this company yet. Regarding the stipulations the union is asking Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to agree to, Pappageorge said it was a large contract. Its about $9 an hour overall when you add benefits, Pappageorge said, adding that the number is similar to the agreements reached with 28 other independently owned properties. Pappageorge noted that workers at those properties received just over a $3 per hour increase in the first year of the contract and more than $9 more over the course of five years on average. Virgin Hotels property owner JC Hospitalitys best, last, and final offer, which was sent to the Culinary Union and media in May, offers its more than 700 employees $1 per hour increases in the fourth and fifth years of the proposed contract, with no scheduled increases in the first three years. In it, JC Hospitality claimed it simply cannot afford the unions demands. In May, it filed an unfair labor practice lawsuit with the National Labor Relations Board. There are things to do to help to give the company some relief in the early years of the contract, Pappageorge said. Theyve got several sub-contracted non-union restaurants, sub-contracted non-union cleaning. You know, those are among some of the concessions the unions been willing to work with them on that other casinos, other companies didnt get. In a statement to 8newsnow.com Thursday, the hotel says the union has not returned to the bargaining table since July: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is disappointed by the Culinary Workers Union 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 plan to picket our property this afternoon. We have made every effort to negotiate in good faith and prioritize the well-being of our team members. At the end of our last negotiating session on July 11, we informed the Union that we were willing to meet again as soon as the Union was ready to do so. Since then, the Union has not contacted us with any potential meeting dates. It is disappointing to us and all of our stakeholders that the Union is spending time trying to gain leverage through the media rather than working cooperatively and constructively to bring these negotiations to a mutually satisfactory conclusion. Our operations will be unaffected by the picket, and we remain committed to providing exceptional service. Pappageorge said until the union is prepared to settle a fair contract and increase wages within the first three years, negotiations will be on the streets. Virgin Hotel workers picketed outside the property Thursday afternoon. These Wall Street Banks and private equity firms are used to running over workers everywhere else. That just cant happen here, Pappageorge said. Weve been willing to move; the company is not, and unfortunately, they are forcing these workers into strike preparations. The resort added that Thursdays picket would not affect its operations. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the unions claim that they refused to offer wage increases within the first three years of the new contract. The unions negotiation committee, which is partially made up of resort employees, would decide on a potential strike. Pappageorge says that a vote could be upcoming. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 National Weather Service (NWS), a division of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), documented an exciting weather phenomenon that occurred on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The National high temperature clocked in at 114 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, CA, while the National low temperature sunk to a bone-chilling 13 degrees Fahrenheit in Peter Sinks, Utah. National High and Low Temperature for August 29, 2024. NOAA As seen in the map above, Death Valley and Peter Sinks are relatively close (roughly 500 miles as the crow flies) and yet the difference in temperatures was an astounding 101 degree Fahrenheit. For the weather geeks at home, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise as Death Valley and Peter Sinks are known for notching polar opposites when it comes to temperatures. In fact, both locations claim national records. Death Valley is widely considered to be one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, with an all-time record high of 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. At an elevation of 282 ft below sea level, the valley is aptly named. Death Valley National Park, CA. Photo: roman_slavik/Getty Images Peter Sinks, UT, on the other hand, is known as one of the coldest places in the country. In fact, the location notched the second coldest temperature ever recorded in the continental United States on February 1, 1985, at minus 69.3 degrees Fahrenheit. It's been a while since the near record-setting temperature, but Peter Sinks experienced similarly cold weather in 2023. Self proclaimed 'cold-chasers' logged temperatures in the minus 62 degrees Fahrenheit range on January 31st. The Utah Climate Center explains why Peter Sinks experiences colder temperatures at 8,164 feet than many of Utah's peaks that stretch higher than 10,000 feet: "So why is this montane site, located 20 miles northeast of Logan, so cold? The low temperatures are due to a combination of the areas unique basin topography, high elevation, and dry climate. Peter Sinks, at an elevation of 8,164 feet, is a natural limestone sinkhole approximately one-half mile in diameter; one can liken it to a large bowl, which has no valley outlet to drain water or air. On calm cloudless nights this high basin loses accumulated daytime heat to the atmosphere. In addition, cool dense air slides down-slope into the basin floor in a process known as cold air pooling. Extremely low temperatures can occur, especially in the wake of wintertime arctic fronts." An aerial image of Peter Sinks, Utah, provides a perfect view of the high mountain walls that trap cold air in the bottom of the basin. KSLTV.com Temperatures plunged at Peter Sinks as a cold front moved through the region bringing first snowfalls for ski areas such as Jackson Hole, WY; Palisades Tahoe, CA; and Whitefish, MT. The weather has returned to more seasonable temperatures across the American Intermountain West, but the first blast of winter was exciting for skiers from coast to coast. Keep it here at POWDER as we continue to cover first snowfalls, long-range Winter '24/'25 forecasts, ski resorts news, and more. Winter is coming, are you ready? Related: The Old Farmer's Almanac Reveals Complete Winter 2024-2025 Forecast Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the worlds best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. WEST ORANGE, New Jersey George Helmy will soon become one of the shortest-serving senators in American history. Helmys tenure in the upper chamber will last only around three months after being appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy due to the resignation of disgraced Sen. Bob Menendez, who was found guilty in his corruption trial. In a recent interview at a North Jersey diner, Helmy said he plans to advance the goals of the Democratic caucus and even introduce legislation despite such a brief stint in Washington. And, he said, its OK if his bills dont get done under his watch. Something with my name [on it] is not important, he said. It's that I use the platform I have for three months to help advance a conversation. Helmy is virtually unknown to the general public, but he is among New Jerseys top political insiders. A former staffer for the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Sen. Cory Booker, he joined Murphys office in 2019 as his chief of staff until September 2023. Even after he departed the governors office to become an executive at one of the states largest health systems, Helmy remained one of Murphys top political advisers. Helmy will be sworn in to the Senate in early September but will serve only until the November election results for the states Senate race are certified later that month. At that point, Helmy will resign, and Murphy will appoint the winner of that race early. Democratic Rep. Andy Kim who ran a brief but competitive Senate primary against first lady Tammy Murphy is strongly favored to win against GOP hotelier Curtis Bashaw. This interview has been condensed for length and clarity. You are going to be in the Senate for only a couple of months. What do you think that you can realistically accomplish, and do you have a legislative agenda? First, it's sort of the stability of the office, right? Constituents deserve a functioning office where they can go for help with the federal bureaucracy. And I will tell you, with very personal experience, that that family that's calling you because a loved one is overseas and can't come to a family function, or that family going on a long planned vacation, where their son or daughters passports expired that's where, really, government comes [into] to play with them. I bet if you ask those families what was more important that one time you engage at the casework level with the Senate office or some piece of legislation you couldn't name and don't really understand the impact they're going to tell you that moment where I needed help, someone picked up a phone and someone helped me. Goal two every vote is important. We're in a divided Senate. There's been a lot of committee agenda items that haven't been able to move because Senator Menendez either wasn't present or wasn't voting. I would say part of my legislative agenda will just be to get the Democratic caucus to just do the work of the Democratic caucus. To be that additional vote to get stuff out of committee as we approach continuing resolution, a number of pieces of important legislation, and potentially a [National] Defense Reauthorization Act. Do you plan to introduce any legislation? I think the answer to that is yes. Is the goal of introducing legislation and getting it done in three months? You know, probably not. The introduction of legislation without understanding when you're going to get it done it's still very important, because you have to be a creator of [a] message. You have to be a creator of opportunity, and as one of 100, I appreciate that I have a very powerful voice. Obviously [I] need to be respectful of the other champions on the Hill who may already be leading on an issue for a decade. I'm not going to try to come in and be a new voice. I want to be an additive voice. But yes, I intend to use the platform to advance very specific things. There are rules and regs at various federal departments that can be enhanced to the benefit of New Jersey. I want to poke at those things, and maybe those regs aren't going to be changed in three months. Actually, most likely they won't be changed in three months, but maybe some other member of the delegation will pick that up and drive it. So the introduction and the advancement of these things is, in and of itself, important, regardless of whether it gets done with George Helmys name on it. Again as a staffer, something with my name [on it] is not important. It's that I use the platform I have for three months to help advance a conversation. What issues do you plan to use the power of the bully pulpit [on] and what do you plan to advocate for? There'll be a number of things that I worked with on the state level. We already had a crisis in youth mental health. Covid, in my opinion, exasperated it. I think I want to help drive a conversation about federal resources to help states and localities deal with high school and college-age children who may be in crisis. Do I think I'm going to get some robust program advanced? No, not in three months. But there's a conversation that I want to join that hopefully helps the next Congress to come, which I will not be a part of, to keep advancing that in hopes of driving either policy changes or resources that can be impactful there. You're serving in the Senate because of Sen. Bob Menendezs resignation. He was found guilty on all 16 counts in his corruption trial. Do you think New Jersey is better off because Menendez was in the Senate? On the justice piece, he has been found guilty of all 16 [counts] and sentencing will occur. But I think if you look at his legislative history, it's hard to say that that office did not advance New Jersey's priorities. And if you look at whether it's stuff on the Gateway project, significant funding for municipalities, the things he was able to do really across a spectrum of policy pillars I almost think it's impossible to say that what that office did did not benefit the state of New Jersey. How do you think that the Menendez trial and his conviction fundamentally changed New Jersey politics and New Jersey political culture? I don't know if I have a good answer to that. I think that Senator Menendez's issue really is the uniquely bad actions of a single individual. I don't think most elected officials in New Jersey behave that way, would ever behave that way, would ever consider behaving that way. I think for the most part and I would say that this is true for every elected official I've worked for and the majority of elected officials I have worked with they pursue the greater good of the state of New Jersey. First lady Tammy Murphy ran for the seat that you're now going to hold, albeit briefly. The Senate Democratic primary between Tammy Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim was brief but rather divisive with the first lady dropping out and Congressman Kim winning the nomination and now poised to be the next U.S. Senator. What are your thoughts on how that primary played out? As somebody who has never and will never run for office, I think it takes tremendous courage to put yourself out there. And I applaud Tammy, Dr. [Patricia] Campos-Medina and Larry [Hamm] for getting into the race, and I thought they all brought different perspectives and different issues to the forefront. I applaud Tammy talking about disparate impacts in health care, maternal and infant health, an issue she has championed since I've known her. And I would also say that Dr. Campos-Medina and Larry I thought they eloquently elevated the issue of economic justice. I hope that we have not seen the last of Patricia and Larry, because I thought they brought a great deal to the conversation. Campaigns are always hard. Especially the way this sort of came together very quickly with the indictment of Sen. Menendez, I believe in the late fall, and very quickly run up into the county conventions. Campaigns are hard, and you're going to fight hard trying to differentiate yourself and the issues you stand for. But I've talked to Congressman Kim a handful of times, and he was very gracious in his statement towards me the other day. What's your relationship with him like? And what do you think the dynamic will be working with him you as an interim Senator and him as a member of the House? I was one of the first political meetings that then-regular guy Andy Kim took when he was considering running against [incumbent GOP Rep.] Tom MacArthur in CD-3. I met him at a coffee shop in Washington, D.C., when he was still considering running. We had a great conversation, and I've been a supporter of his ever since. [Former Booker chief of staff] Matt Klapper and Vicky Klapper and I knocked on doors when we worked for Cory for Andy. I think the congressman appreciates my deep affinity, admiration and connectivity to the Murphys. As he said in the statement, we both respected each other through it. And, you know, we're both professionals. We understand that campaigns take place, and we have to continue to move forward. We've spoken a number of times, and I look forward to closely working with him in an appropriate way, because he's not yet the elected senator. I look forward to closely working with him to make sure that the office is in a stable place for whoever that senator is. And obviously, I do hope that it's him. Right now, you hold two pretty prominent positions, as an executive at RWJBarnabas and as a commissioner on the Port Authority [of New York and New Jersey]. Do you plan to cut ties with RWJ and the Port Authority while you're serving in the Senate, and do you plan to resume your current position at those entities when you leave the Senate? I will completely separate from RWJBarnabas Health sometime before [I am sworn in]. As it relates to the Port Authority I don't know yet whether I'm going to come back, and I think it's just an open question. The bylaws of the Port Authority do not require that I step off, but I will be basically the right word really is not taking a leave but I will not be engaging with the Port Authority or its commissioners or its staff on any Port Authority business during my very defined term in the Senate. That sounds like you won't resign from the Port Authority. No, I'm not required to. So is it your complete intention to come back in both roles? What I do for a living, I don't know. My volunteer role as a Port Authority commissioner, I would love to resume when I come back. But again, neither will they engage with me as a United States senator, or I engage with them as a senator or a commissioner for that three-month period. Frankly, just out of an abundance of caution. I leave you with the final word. What's your message to the people of New Jersey since you're going to be their U.S. senator for a couple of months? I consider public service a privilege. You get to roll up your sleeves and make a difference. And if you approach it in a thoughtful way, where you don't start off as a partisan, you start off as an American you come into every conversation saying, How can I make a little bit of progress here? the winners and the losers are not the people in the room. The winners and the losers are the people who you work on behalf of. Ive been so lucky. I was a nobody in Lautenbergs office. I became less of a nobody in Booker's office, and then was fortunate to be on the governor's senior staff. But if you look at the things that I've been able to touch, I've had an incredible career, and I'm incredibly proud of what I've done. There's an Arabic saying which doesnt translate perfectly that says your legacies are left in the ground. It's a little bit of a play on, like the morbid piece of like you will all be in the ground at one day. But the meaning is, it's the seeds that you plant that become roots, that become trees. So literally, are you planting seeds? The buildings that we help build, the roads and infrastructure that we help do, the landscape change in environmental reforms that is somebody's legacy. It's not your name on a building or your name on some placard that nobody remembers, right? North Carolina Mans Death Is Believed to Be 6th in Less Than a Month at Grand Canyon National Park The National Park Service said the 60-year-old backpacker was on a multi-day solo excursion from Thunder River to Deer Creek when he was found dead NPS Photo/M. Graden The Colorado River near Thunder River Trail A 60-year-old hiker from North Carolina was found dead near a trail at Arizonas Grand Canyon National Park, authorities said. The National Park Service (NPS) said in a news release that a report was received on Tuesday, Aug. 27 around 4 p.m. local time, about a solo backpacker who did not check in with his family as he was attempting the Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop. The next day, NPS search and rescue personnel via helicopter found the victim deceased along a route bridging Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp, officials added. The agency said the backpacker was on a multi-day solo excursion from Thunder River to Deer Creek. Related: Missing Climber Who Separated from Group Found Dead After Apparent Fall at Glacier National Park An investigation into the incident is underway by the NPS in coordination with the Coconino County Medical Examiner, said the NPS in the news release. The victim has not been identified, and the circumstances that led to his death remain unclear. This latest fatality is believed to be the sixth death at Grand Canyon National Park in less than a month, according to the Associated Press. It's also the 14th death at the canyon this year. Earlier this week, the body of 33-year-old Chenoa Nickerson was found near river mile 176 in the Colorado River. Nickerson was hiking in the park when she was swept away along with her husband by a flash flood on Aug. 22. Her husband was rescued after the incident. Related: Human Remains Found at Joshua Tree Believed to Be Hiker Who Went Missing Last April The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was notified about an 80-year-old man who entered the Colorado River after his boat capsized at Fossil Rapid on Aug. 25, the NPS said in a separate news release. Efforts to resuscitate the man were unsuccessful when responders arrived at the scene. His name was not released at the time. 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. On Aug. 6, the body of Leticia A. Castillo, 20, was found below Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive, per the NPS. The agency noted Castillo is believed to have entered the Grand Canyon on or around Aug. 3. Related: Father and Daughter Found Dead at National Park After Running Out of Water While Hiking in Extreme Heat Five days earlier, on Aug. 1, officials received a report of a man who attempted an illegal BASE jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the park. When authorities responded, they found the man's body approximately 500 feet below the rim, along with a deployed parachute. His name was withheld pending positive identification, according to the NPS. One day earlier, Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, accidentally fell from the rim near the Pipe Creek Overlook in the Grand Canyon, said the NPS. The agency said his body was located approximately 400 ft. below the rim. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WCBD) The crowd roared as Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at Enmarket Arena to rally thousands of eager supporters in Georgia on Thursday. The energy Ive seen infused in this campaign is nothing like Ive ever seen before, said Dr. Annie Andrews ahead of the vice presidents arrival. Andrews is among many South Carolinians who traveled down through the Lowcountry to hear from Harris as she capped off a two-day bus tour through southeast Georgia. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, joined her on the campaign trail but did not attend Thursdays rally. We know in South Carolina, this may be the closest chance we have to see the vice president in this last 60 days so making the trip was a no-brainer today, said Emily Mayer, a Beaufort County resident who currently serves on the South Carolina Democratic Partys communications team. Chants of were not going back erupted across the arena as Harris sought to draw a stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans visions for the country. She spoke about building what she calls an opportunity economy in order to create inter-generational wealth and the need for affordable health care and paid family leave. Donald Trump has a very different plan, Harris said. Just look at his Project 2025 agenda. An Emerson College/The Hill poll released Thursday shows a tight race between Harris and Trump in seven battleground states. Harris has a slight lead in Georgia (49% to 48%), Michigan (50% to 47%), and Nevada (49% to 48%), while Trump has a 1-point edge in Wisconsin and North Carolina and three points in Arizona (50% to 47%). The nominees are tied in Pennsylvania. Thursdays rally Harris first since in Georgia becoming the nominee is part of a two-pronged strategy by the Harris-Walz campaign to make inroads in GOP strongholds. Campaign officials believe that in order to beat Trump in the state, they will need more than Atlanta and the suburbs that delivered for Joe Biden in 2020. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign insists that Georgia is still very much in play for them in 2024. They have set up a robust volunteer operation across the state and Trump himself has softened his rhetoric toward state leaders, including Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, in an attempt to stave off Harris polling bump. Democrats in Georgia are finally learning an important lessonthere is more to Georgia than just Atlanta. Republicans from Catoosa to Camden County and everywhere in between are fired up and ready to re-elect President Donald J. Trump because his message of putting America first again resonates with Americans of all backgrounds, Morgan Ackley, the communications director for Team Trump in Georgia, said. In first sit-down interview of her presidential campaign, Harris says my values have not changed Just as Georgia Democrats did in 2020, Democrats in South Carolina are hoping they can flip the ruby-red state in November. South Carolina is not considered a swing state as voters have backed a Republican for president in every election since 1980. Yet, Harris supporters believe victories up and down the ballot are within reach for Democrats. In 2020, Joe Biden got 43%. Donald Trump only got 55%. So its not as huge of a gap as people might lead you to believe that it is, said Mayer. Mayer, who attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week, hinged possible success on the turnout of disengaged voters, meaning those who are registered but do not closely follow politics. I think the energy and excitement that youre seeing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz bring to the top of the ticket are bringing out people that typically stay home, she said. I think youre seeing a whole new voting bloc come out because of the enthusiasm and thats whats going to make the difference, specifically in South Carolina with some of our down-ballot House races and state Senate races that were really hoping to get back that we lost two years ago. Harris has seen a surge in momentum and money since she entered the presidential race last month. The campaign said it raised $82 million during the DNC and has brought in a whopping $540 million since Bidens endorsement. While enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz ticket is high among staunch Democrats, both Mayer and Andrews warned against overconfidence. We cannot get overconfident, Andrews, who ran against Rep. Nancy Mace (R) for South Carolinas First Congressional District seat in 2022, said. We have to do everything in our power to knock on doors, to phone bank, to donate if we can because this is within reach. We have to like were 10 points behind, Mayer said. I do not want us to repeat our mistakes from 2016. I dont want anyone to assume this is a done deal. The deadline to register to vote in person and online in South Carolina is Friday, October 4. Early voting will be open for two weeks ahead of Election Day from Monday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Nov. 2. 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 WCBD News 2. You can now carry a switchblade legally as Massachusetts rules ban violates 2nd Amendment It's now legal to carry switchblades in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a ban on carrying a switchblade knife violated the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, striking down a 1957 state law that forbade the carrying spring-release knives. Justice Serge Georges Jr. wrote the opinion for the unanimous decision over the case, citing the Supreme Court's decision in the 2022 case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. "[W]e conclude switchblades are not "dangerous and unusual" weapons falling outside the protection of the Second Amendment," Georges Jr. wrote. "In the most basic sense, all weapons are "dangerous" because they are designed for the purpose of bodily assault or defense." There are also no federal restrictions around the purchase, ownership or carrying of a switchblade; Massachusetts was one of the seven states that banned switchblade carrying. Can I carry a switchblade in Massachusetts? The case that ended in the Tuesday ruling, The Commonwealth v. David E. Canjura, was initially about a domestic dispute between Canjura and his girlfriend, where he was found to be possessing a "orange firearm-shaped knife with a spring-assisted blade." Canjura was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon; he would later argue that the law banning the carrying of a switchblade violated his Second Amendment right to bear arms for self-defense. A person can now carry a switchblade legally in Massachusetts as of Aug. 27, 2024, when the court struck down the 67-year-old law that banned the practice. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell released a statement about the ruling, condemning the decision for its lack of foresight toward the danger switchblades represent. "This case demonstrates the difficult position that SCOTUS has put our state courts in with the Bruen decision & today's result is disappointing," the statement said. "Switchblades are dangerous weapons. Prohibiting people from carrying them was a commonsense safety measure." Her statement also included a vow from Campbell's office to continue working in the State House to make sure that Commonwealth laws keep people safe. When the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, who prosecuted the defendant in the case, David E. Canjura, was reached for comment on the ruling, the office deferred to the filings of the case. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court strikes down switchblade ban JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Numerous roads are closed in Juniata County Friday morning, Aug. 30, following severe storms in North Central Pennsylvania, according to PennDOT. Emergency crews have worked through the night to clean up damages caused by lightning, rain, and heavy winds that swept through the Midstate overnight. Many roads in Mifflintown, Port Royal, Van Wert, and Thompsontown are considered impassable this morning. Fallen trees, poles, and wires are blocking roadways, leaving emergency crews stranded. abc27 received multiple reports from the area this morning, including a mudslide, a roof collapse at a home, a barn collapse, and several collapsed basements. Mifflintown Fire Hall is open as a shelter to the public. Here are some of the closed roads in the area and detours from PennDOT: Route 75 is closed between Routes 74 and 333 due to flooding at a bridge spanning Hunters Creek near Port Royal in Turbett Township. PennDOT expects this closure to be long-term. Route 333 is closed between Port Royal and Thompsontown due to a roadway washout. Route 2002 (Miller Hill Road) is closed at a box culvert spanning a tributary of Doe Run approximately two miles northeast of Mexico in Walker Township. Route 3002 (Old 22/Main Street) in Fermanagh Township is fully closed due to downed trees and utility wires. PennDOT estimates reopening the road around 1:00 PM. PennDOT implemented a detour for the Route 75 closure using Route 850 westbound at Honeygrove, Route 35 northbound at Reeds Gap, and Route 333 eastbound back to Route 75. PennDOT is encouraging morning commuters to drive with caution in flooded areas. If you see a flooded road, drive the other way. According to PennDOT, it takes as much as two feet of fast-moving water to float a car, and drivers can potentially be penalized if Emergency Services are called. Check road conditions and updates 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 ABC27. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) We have all heard of the school teacher shortage, but did you know theres a shortage of school nurses as well? There is one nurse for every 2,500 students in Tennessee on average. Many East Tennessee schools have their own dedicated on-site nurse or share a nurse with another nearby school. But in other areas of the state some schools are not so lucky. State Representative Elaine Davis pushed through a bill this past session aimed at changing that. School nurses like Karen Beatty, who works at Karns High School, takes care of all types of medical issues. Both she and fellow school nurse Kristin Hartley, who works at Heritage High School, said sometimes those issues are quite serious. I had a student actually have a stroke in the back gym, Hartley said. Silver tsunami Knoxville agency prepping to support aging population Hartley added there are also a lot of non-medical issues that school nurses have to handle. Our kids go through a lot more than I ever thought they did. Beatty said being a school nurse for dozens of kids is a unique position. You get to see the same patients over and over and over and develop that rapport with them get to know them. Their history. Their traumas. Their health history. What kind of things theyve overcome. Hartley said a full-time nurse in schools like Karns and Heritage High Schools is a full-time job. We see, on average, about 30 kids. When I first came here, we saw 50 to 80 kids every day. Here in East Tennessee our schools seem to be doing a good job at filling those positions. 6 News checked in with local school districts and found the following numbers. Oak Ridge School District has 9 nurses for its 5,000 students Blount County School District has 31 nurses for 10,000 students. Loudon County School District has 10 nurses for its 4,900 students. Anderson County School District has 25 for its 6,400 students. Knox County has 101 nurses for its 60,000+ students. Not all schools in Tennessee can say that. In fact, a recent online job search showed dozens of school nurse positions still open in West and Middle Tennessee. Its something Rep. Davis is very aware of. Right now, the ratio for nurse to student is about 2,500. Davis said that ratio is too high and she says the CDC recommends having a nurse for every 750 students. She said part of the reason for the shortage is salaries. $250 reward offered after vandalism at Lenoir City High School stadium Were not paying that profession at the level that they should be, she said. This is part of the reason why this past legislative session, Davis successfully sponsored a house bill to identify gaps in care and aims to use part of the money in the Tennessee investment in student achievement funding formula to provide more school nurses. Nurses like Beatty and Hartley, love their jobs and love the opportunities to help so many students. Its really rewarding to help kids get from the freshman year where theyre anxious and dont want to be in class to the senior year and being successful and going off and doing what it is they like to do, Beatty said. See more top stories on WATE.com Davis hopes as Tennessee gathers more information it will soon begin to do more to attract future nurses so both they and our students can have similar experiences. Thats what you want in a parent. Thats the reassurance you want. You want someone there who is going to love and care for your child the same way, Davis said. Hopefully, we can do that through paying them adequately, but also giving them the respect they deserve as a professional. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Uber Technologies Inc. aims to expand its South Korean business and take the battle to dominant domestic rival Kakao, highlighting the countrys importance as one of the US companys few remaining Asian markets. Most Read from Bloomberg Making his first official business trip to the Asian nation, Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi talked about how Uber wants to add more taxi drivers to its platform to better compete with Korean internet services leader Kakao, which has more than 90% of the market. South Korea is one of the few Asian markets that Uber operates in, after pulling out from China and much of Southeast Asia. It first entered the Korean market more than a decade ago before withdrawing because of regulatory issues. But Uber then returned in 2021 by setting up a joint venture with SK Square Co. unit T Map Mobility Co. In March, they rebranded the venture Uber Taxi and the business has accelerated since, with the number of rides jumping almost 80% in the first half of this year. Kakao has the majority of the market here in Korea. But the fact is that we are growing significantly faster than the market and were confident that our market share will only grow from here, Khosrowshahi told reporters in Seoul on Friday. Khosrowshahi is touring Asia to meet with car manufacturers and technology providers, as he tries to position Uber as a partner to the future leaders of the autonomous vehicle industry. Some investors have voiced concerns over Ubers prospects in this space, following Tesla Inc.s announcement of a robotaxi unveiling in October. Last week, Uber said it will begin offering Cruise LLCs self-driving cars next year on its platform in the US. Its teaming with Chinese firm BYD Co. on driving technology. And this week, it revealed an investment in driving software provider Wayve Technologies Ltd. Uber isnt developing its own self-driving tech a costly endeavor that it explored previously and spent $1 billion on before ultimately choosing to divest. Instead, its shifting to a more cost-effective strategy of working with manufacturers to offer their self-driving cars to its ride-hailing customers. Uber sold its self-driving research unit to startup Aurora Innovation Inc. in 2020, but the rideshare company has retained a minority stake of about $900 million to fund the development of fully-autonomous freight trucks, which Uber expects to launch later this year. Its also working with self-driving players like Alphabet Inc.s Waymo to launch its driverless taxi service in Phoenix. Story continues I was in China earlier this week, in Japan and now here, and I do think that the electric and autonomous future is dependent on a partnership with our manufacturers, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. These NYC departments are hiring for thousands of open jobs These NYC departments are hiring for thousands of open jobs NEW YORK (PIX11) Several city departments in New York City are currently hiring for thousands of open jobs. The jobs are listed online on JobsNYC, the official careers website for the City of New York. More Local News The JobsNYC website allows people to search for a variety of jobs at different governmental departments and agencies in New York City. Most of the jobs are full time and are described as experienced roles, but there are some part-time and entry-level positions available. Seven different city departments are hiring for nearly 2,500 jobs in total, which account for a large majority of the open positions listed on the JobsNYC website. NYC Public Schools is hiring: Numerous positions open These are the city departments that have the most job openings on the JobsNYC website: New York City Department of Transportation (277 jobs) New York City Department of Design and Construction (269 jobs) New York City Department of Environmental Protection (539 jobs) New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (542 jobs) New York City Department of Homeless Services (153 jobs) New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (569 jobs) New York City Housing Authority (141 jobs) Find more information about the jobs and how to apply on the JobsNYC website. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. 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 PIX11. OBN launches new campaign to help human trafficking victims OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics launched a new campaign to help victims of human trafficking. This is one of the most deplorable crimes that we see and this is obviously a global epidemic that were facing, said Donnie Anderson, the Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Keith Brown, the Executive Director of Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area also weighed in on the epidemic Thursday morning. LOCAL NEWS: Woman rescued, alleged trafficker arrested at OKC motel Drugs are an illegal commodity that people move for money, said Brown. Unfortunately, thats what human trafficking is. Only the despicable thing about it is the commodity is people. Since 2011, OBN has recovered 141 adult victims, 58 juvenile victims, and made 118 human trafficking arrests. However, the agency believes it can do even more, spearheading the You Are Not Alone project. Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics launches new campaign to help human trafficking victims The goal is to make information about human trafficking more accessible and provide victims resources through a QR code that will be displayed in businesses and schools throughout the state. The code will take you to the human trafficking section of OBNs website. Information on the site includes human trafficking signs to look out for, ways to anonymously report it, and resources to help victims. LOCAL NEWS: Woman arrested on human trafficking charges We want to put posters on our campus. We want to put stickers in our bathrooms, on the mirrors, the stalls, wherever a vulnerable victim might be who can quickly get the help that they need, said Mark Woodward, an OBN spokesman. Along with QR codes leading to vital information, theres a human trafficking hotline number thats staffed 24/7. The number is (855) 617-2288. Human trafficking cannot thrive when a community is informed, equipped and empowered, said Melissa Eick, of The Dragonfly Home. The You Are Not Alone campaign is an important step toward achieving this goal. Other agencies involved in the effort include: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Department of Corrections Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Oklahoma Attorney General Texoma HIDTA Homeland Security Investigations Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse and Services The Dragonfly Home The Spring Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women and Oklahoma Coalition Against Human Trafficking Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OBN seizes more than 400 lbs. of marijuana in Okemah bust OKEMAH, Okla. (KFOR) The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics served a search warrant at a marijuana grow in Okfuskee County on Wednesday, August 28. According to OBN, its Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) served the warrant at OKLA BOYS LLC in Okemah for having an OBN Registration obtained by fraud. LOCAL NEWS: OKC Police: Lookout fell asleep during attempted Belle Isle shoplifting Okemah marijuana bust. Image courtesy Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Okemah marijuana bust. Image courtesy Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Okemah marijuana bust. Image courtesy Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. Xing Ming Wang. Officials say Xing Ming Wang was taken into custody for Furnishing False or Fraudulent Material Information and Marijuana Trafficking. The bureau seized 11, 882 marijuana plants and 412.2 pounds of processed marijuana during the search. The investigation is ongoing. The OBN says anyone can report criminal drug activity anonymously by sending the bureau a Facebook DM. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) 14 Virginia students, including some from Old Dominion University attended a Career fair in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Labors Hob Corps and Naval Sea Systems Command, or NAVSEA, Industrial Base Teams hosted a Career Fair on Wednesday for 150 Job Corps students. For six decades, Job Corps has been committed to empowering students with the skills and education needed to succeed in high-demand jobs, said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration Jose Javier Rodriguez. This Career Fair provided the perfect opportunity for our students to connect with NAVSEA and shipbuilding contractors who are looking for well-trained employees to address shortages in our countrys shipyard workforce. Rodriguez, along with Job Corps, NAVSEA and Navy officials, as well as recruiters from Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, spoke to students representing 17 Job Corps campuses. The students training focuses on the construction and advanced manufacturing sectors, offering training opportunities in welding and marine pipefitting. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Senator Sherrod Brown is calling on the Biden Administration to put a stop to unfair trade practices in the aluminum extrusion industry. Brown was joined by local aluminum extrusion workers and manufacturers at the United Steelworkers Local 1375 Union Hall in Warren Thursday morning. He was speaking in support of antidumping and countervailing duty petitions filed by the U.S. Aluminum Extruders Coalition. Brown says the industry is asking the government to take action against unfair trade practices from 14 countries including China. He said foreign imports from these countries increased by more than 40 percent in just two years from 2019 to 2020. Its not because we cant compete, its because those countries cheat and we gotta make sure they cant continue to do this, Brown said. The U.S. International Trade Commission is holding hearings on this issue in late September and early 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 WKBN.com. The state has completed its probe into the death of Canton Township resident Frank Tyson. The investigation's findings likely won't be released for at least a few more months. The Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Investigation on Friday forwarded its completed investigation to Stark County Prosecutor Kyle Stones office for review. Stone's office will determine whether to present the case to the grand jury to consider criminal charges against the Canton City police officers involved in Tysons death. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office will not publicly release the BCI investigation's findings until a prosecutor or grand jury has decided not to indict the case or the case is indicted and has been prosecuted in court. Stone did not immediately return messages late Friday seeking comment. BCI investigation into Frank Tyson's death The Stark County Sheriffs Office on April 18 requested BCI to investigate the circumstances behind Tysons death. Tyson, 53, crashed his vehicle into a utility pole on Sherrick Road SE and walked to the nearby AMVETS, where patrons called police to say he was acting erratically and wanted him removed. Officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch responded to the crash and followed Tyson to the private club. After a struggle, officers handcuffed Tyson and left him face down on the floor for nearly 8 minutes before they realized they couldn't feel a pulse. A preliminary autopsy report ruled the manner of Tysons death was homicide and the cause of his death was a combination of acute intoxication by cocaine and alcohol, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cardiopulmonary arrest, meaning that his breathing and blood circulation stopped, in association with physical altercation and prone restraint. Homicide is one of five determinations coroners have to rule on the manner of a person's death. A homicide ruling, which is defined as the killing of one person by another, does not mean a crime has been committed. More Canton City police investigations: Here's a look at violent and fatal Canton police encounters in recent years Schoenegge and Burch, who had been placed on paid administrative leave immediately after the incident, are now on restricted assignment. As with all of its investigations, BCIs findings for Tyson's death will not include a determination of fault. Nor will the investigation address any potential policy or procedural violations by officers. Stark prosecutor still reviewing BCI case of Zachary Fornash Stones office also continues to review BCIs investigation into the death of Zachary Fornash. BCI forwarded its findings to the prosecutor in June. Fornash, 24, was shot and killed by Canton police officer Garrett Marino in December 2023. Marino had been responding to a report of a man who brandished a gun during an argument. He found Fornash in the 900 block of Alan Page Drive SE and instructed him to get on the ground or put his hands on his head. Fornash did not comply and walked away, his back facing Marino. Fornash then quickly turned back around, and Marino shot him, a video released by police shows. Following the shooting, the gun in Fornash's possession was revealed to be a pellet gun. Marino, who had been on paid administrative leave, returned to full duty in January. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio BCI investigation of Frank Tyson's death sent to Stark prosecutor Oklahoma agriculture officials are investigating the deaths of dozens of horses. (Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.) OKLAHOMA CITY State agricultural officials were investigating Friday whether a feed shipment is responsible for the death of dozens of horses at one of the nations top rodeo stock providers. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry said in a statement that it is investigating whether the feed, which originated in Kansas, is responsible for the tragic loss of horses at Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. The Oklahoman reported that between 40 and 70 horses died at the Elk City business last week. The agency said it was notified Aug. 23 by a veterinarian of a potential issue related to a single bulk feed order. It sent an inspector to the business. The inspector collected a feed sample, which has been sent to two state-certified labs for analysis. Oklahoma agriculture officials said theyre coordinating with the Kansas Department of Agriculture during the investigation. Officials did not identify the feed provider. However, theyre urging livestock owners to review the labels on feed and contact their veterinarian if they have any questions about the safety of the ingredients. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control announced a new initiative aimed at reducing human trafficking and rescuing those trapped in the illegal trade. The You Are Not Alone campaign includes billboard messages throughout Oklahoma, posters in public spaces and stickers directing victims or those who suspect human trafficking to appropriate resources. This is an initiative to make Oklahomans more aware of what's going on, not just in Oklahoma, but across the nation, OBN Director Donnie Anderson said during a new conference at the Capitol on Thursday. It is something that we're hoping we're able to put information out that if someone wants to report what they suspect as human trafficking, its readily and easily available to them. Since OBNs Human Trafficking Unit started in 2011, the agency has recovered 141 adult victims, 58 juvenile victims and made 118 human trafficking arrests. This year, OBN has made 13 human trafficking arrests, and recovered 30 adult victims and two juvenile victims, authorities said. OBN Director Donnie Anderson speaks during a press conference about new You are not alone initiative to help victims of human trafficking at the Oklahoma capitol in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. At the Capitol, Anderson was joined by Gov. Kevin Stitt, legislators, state and regional law enforcement leaders and nonprofit groups. We've got to stop this human trafficking, Stitt said. So just whatever I can do from the state level to support the men behind me and the women that are so focused on this. But also, we were talking about the (non-government organizations), the churches, the nonprofits, the people that are very passionate about this. Among the nonprofits represented was The Dragonfly Home, which is Oklahoma City's only state-certified provider of human trafficking victim services. We've served over 1,000 victim survivors of sex trafficking or labor trafficking here in Oklahoma City, Melissa Eick, a Dragonfly co-founder said. We have our own 24-hour human trafficking helpline, and our team has fielded over 11,000 calls to that hotline since November of 2016. Human Trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain a labor or commercial sex act. The You Are Not Alone initiative also consists of posters that will be displayed in participating spaces like schools, universities, convenience stores and health care facilities. The effort includes small blue stickers in bathrooms at these locations. A QR code is displayed on both the posters and stickers, directing inquiries to the human trafficking section of the OBN website. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt speaks during a press conference about new You are not alone initiative to help victims of human trafficking at the Oklahoma capitol in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Visitors to the website can learn about the signs of human trafficking and anonymously report suspicious activity. The QR code also directs visitors to resources from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and state-certified non-government organizations that specialize in supporting human trafficking victims. Schools and businesses wanting to have posters and stickers to display at their locations are encouraged to contact OBN. A toll free number is available 24 hours a day for those seeking help related to human trafficking. Anderson said the hotline may be used by those who are leery of talking to police. I'm speaking directly to the victims of human trafficking, Anderson said. You have to understand that you absolutely are not alone. You do not have to reach out to law enforcement. If you're not comfortable speaking to law enforcement, you do not have to talk to us. These resources are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Several state agencies are participating in the initiative, including the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission. ABLE Executive Brandon Clabes, a former chief of the Midwest City Police Department, said ABLE investigates suspected trafficking in and around restaurants, bars, hotels and convenience stores. It's imperative we educate the public and our friends and neighbors to be vigilant so that human traffickers are held accountable, and victims are given the voice they desperately need, Clabes said. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is also playing a crucial role in the You Are Not Alone initiative. The proliferation of illegal cell phone use in Oklahoma prisons means trafficking operations can be run by inmates behind bars. A poster is presented at a press conference about new You are not alone initiative to help victims of human trafficking at the Oklahoma capitol in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. In July, authorities announced an investigation into a commercial sex ring operated from a state DOC facility in Vinita. In the effort to bust trafficking rings and other criminal activities behind bars, Steven Harpe, director of the state DOC, said Thursday the department has broken more than 5,000 cell phones in prisons since July 2023. Indeed, Harpe cautioned, crime doesnt necessarily stop at the prison gate. That's not the case, Harpe said. A lot of these guys try to continue and girls to run their criminal enterprises from within the walls. The interesting thing is that for the first time the state of Oklahoma has technology at its fingertips now that is enabling this fight. The human trafficking hotline is 855-617-2288. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Human trafficking fight in Oklahoma ramps up with new initiative Why Homeland Security told the OK County Election Board to beef up security at its offices Security barriers are being added to the Oklahoma County Election Board offices at the request of Homeland Security officials. The concrete barricades will be installed as election officials across the county are preparing for the possibility of violence or terrorism in the final weeks leading to the Nov. 5 election, and on election day. The barriers will be placed out front, at the end of the office building's long driveway off of N Lincoln Boulevard to protect election workers and voters. Early voting takes place at the office, as well as voting on election days. County commissioners, acting as the Oklahoma County Public Buildings Authority, approved the placement of barriers donated by a constituent of authority Trustee and District 1 Commissioner Carrie Blumert this week. Donated barricades to be installed at the Oklahoma County Election Board offices, 4201 N Lincoln Blvd., for election security. The security measures were requested by Homeland Security officials, said Keith Monroe, director of county facilities management. Officials asked the county to evaluate the condition of the building and determine any possible threats, he told the commissioners. Monroe declined to specify whether it was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security, or to disclose any other details, "for obvious reasons." What no one mentioned was why the barriers were called for. It was so obvious, it went without saying. Oklahoma County Election Board exterior is pictured Thursday. Officials taking measures to improve security ahead of Nov. 8 election After four years of threats and violence tied to the 2020 election, about 92% of local election officials have increased election security for voters, election workers and election infrastructure, including 40% "enhancing physical security of election offices and polling places," according to a recent survey by New York University School of Law's Brennan Center for Justice. More than one in three local election officials, 38%, reported "experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse," the survey found. Oklahoma County Election Board Secretary Doug Sanderson declined to comment, saying he did not want to talk publicly about security matters. The exterior of the Oklahoma County Election Board is pictured Thursday. Oklahoma County Election Board office building is 60 years old The single-story building at 4201 N Lincoln has 71,461 square feet of space occupied by both the election board and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, which provides regional collaboration among public bodies. It was built in 1964 and last remodeled in 1999, county records show. Monroe said bollards were considered for protection, but installing the short, sturdy posts would be costly at a time when every county dollar counts. County employees will be able to install the donated barriers at no extra cost, he said. The condition of the building is not at issue. The length of the driveway is, however. It's a potential drag strip with an abrupt brick-and-mortar end. More: Election losses by high-ranking Republicans are reshaping Oklahoma's Legislature Called Bill Hartfronft Drive by the county named for a longtime state transportation engineer who then worked for the county and came out of retirement to design the entry it stretches about 300 feet west of Lincoln and ends directly in front of the election board's half of the building, on the south end. A spokesman for the Association of Oklahoma Governments said that agency had no comment because the barriers will be placed only in front of the election board's section of the building. Anyone attempting to crash into it would have to make a 90-degree turn at the last second to hit ACOG's section. Monroe said that ACOG did have concerns about how the barriers would look. Commissions suggested that the property would look worse after any attack or vandalism without the barriers. More: Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson: Election workers voice security concerns Staff Writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.You can support Richard's work, and that of his colleagues, by purchasing a digital subscription to The Oklahoman. Right now, you can get 6 months of subscriber-only access for $1. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Election Board offices getting security upgrade OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma County District Attorneys Offices says two men were convicted on child sex crime charges earlier this week. Christopher Geesey. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office. Darrell Thompson. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office. On Tuesday, an Oklahoma County jury recommended a life sentence for 32-year-old Christopher Geesey after finding him guilty of five counts involving inappropriate sexual acts with a family members toddler. Geesey was formally charged back in March on counts including manufacturing child pornography and first degree rape. Man found guilty of ramming OKC police car, shooting at officer in 2021 The jury also recommended Geesey pay a $45,000 fine. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15. An Oklahoma County jury found 43-year-old Darrell Thompson guilty on four counts including first degree rape on Thursday. Thompson was charged in April after police found he was having inappropriate sexual contact with a female family member. Thompsons sentencing date is currently unknown. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UK-based energy services provider Hunting has announced securing OOR contracts that are set to enhance oil extraction for major North Sea operators. The UK-based energy services company has not disclosed the operators' identities but confirms the deals could be worth as much as $60m over five years. Hunting said the OOR process is an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology that enhances reservoir performance, improves recovery rates and lowers in-situ hydrogen sulphide levels for operators. The technology is eco-friendly, does not require extra capital investment from the operator and has a smaller carbon footprint compared with other EOR methods, the company said. Hunting's delivery of specialised water flood OOR technology aims to increase recoverable reserves and prolong the operational lifespan of various assets within the North Sea operators' portfolios. The application of OOR is also key in promoting sustainable energy practices by revitalising brownfield producing assets. Hunting chief executive Jim Johnson said: Today's announcement is a significant step in the expansion of the OOR technology and shows confidence in Hunting's ability to deliver new technologies to the energy industry. These major OOR orders supports our Hunting 2030 strategic initiatives to deliver revenue and profit growth, with strong margins and cash flows, through new sectors and product lines. In a move earlier this year, Hunting secured an oil country tubular goods (OCTG) order in Kuwait through a local distributor, valued at $86m. This followed a similar order in May, cumulatively awarding Hunting contracts worth $231m from the Kuwait Oil Company for OCTG casing and premium connections. In a separate development, Oceaneering Internationals UK subsidiary has been awarded several North Sea vessel contracts for various offshore services. The contracts, granted by different operators in the UK North Sea sector, cover decommissioning, inspection, subsea preparation and installation support services. "UKs Hunting awarded organic oil recovery work from operators in North Sea " was originally created and published by Offshore 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. Oklahoma is ranked 50th in the country for voter turnout. A basket of "I Voted" stickers sits on a table at a polling location in St. Luke's Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomas voting system is leading to low turnout rates, the election of more extreme candidates and disenfranchisement of voters who are excluded from participating in primary elections, experts said. Thats prompting conversations about whether reforms are needed to increase voter participation rates and how the state can ensure hundreds of thousands of independent voters have a voice at the ballot box at a time when most outcomes are determined months ahead of Novembers general election. In Oklahoma House District 20s Republican runoff on Tuesday, Jonathan Wilk defeated Mike Whaley with 50.03% of the vote. The race was decided by two votes, according to the unofficial results from the State Election Board, and Wilks will face Democrat Mitchell Jacob in the Nov. 5 general election. There are 38,918 constituents in this district, but with only 3,334 votes cast in this Republican runoff election, only 8.57% of the district cast a vote. Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter turnout during the last presidential election in November 2020, according to a report from the New Hampshire Secretary of States office. Only Texas had a lower turnout. Because of the states closed primaries and low voter turnout, Seth McKee, political science professor at Oklahoma State University, said many elections are decided before the general election. He said this means its easier for more extreme candidates to prevail in these elections where turnout drops off a cliff compared with general elections. You can get extremists who really play to the Republican base because its all about winning that primary, he said. And when you think about primary participation, thats really low too. And so a lot of those people might be somewhat more ideological. Pat McFerron, a political consultant with CMA Strategies, said turnout for November elections is so low because there arent as many competitive elections in Oklahoma by that time. Theres not going to be a great variation, quite frankly, between the different Republican candidates running, he said. Youre going to get a chocolate chip cookie, just one might have nuts, and the other one not. So what that does to the campaign is you have to differentiate yourself, and you do that through negative campaigning. McFerron said low voter turnout is part of a cycle that needs to be broken in Oklahoma. He described the states current system as market share politics where a candidate doesnt need to appeal to the majority of voters, but just needs to motivate enough people to show up to the polls. I think that we have to do something to have every elected official stand before every voter at some point. Thats the only way we can break this cycle, he said. Right now theres no differentiation between the candidates that are being chosen in the primary. So that leads to negative campaigning, which discourages people from voting, which leads to fewer people turning out, which leads to even more strident, negative campaigning, which leads to fewer people voting. Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said the one-party control of the state Legislature makes registered voters from all political parties think their vote doesnt matter. They (Republicans) feel like its a foregone conclusion, and that they dont need to vote because its going to be a Republican anyway. And so its working on both sides, Andrews said. Its making Democrats feel like it doesnt matter because there arent Democrats, in their opinion, getting elected, and Republicans feel like it doesnt matter because theyre in a supermajority and theyre just gonna stay in the supermajority. Andrews said Democrats need to continue to challenge Republicans in every election to give voters a choice and ensure that candidates are campaigning and informing voters of their platform. Andrews said she was on a ballot Tuesday, simply to force her opponent to campaign and force her to earn the seat. She said that she hopes for higher turnout in November with Vice President Kamala Harris facing former President Donald Trump to become the next United States president. I think that more people in Oklahoma will turn out because theres a lot more excitement, Andrews said. And its this kind of thing that gets people. Something has to speak to them. And I think with Vice President Harris entering into the race, it changes what the race was. Calls for election reforms Groups advocating for open primaries in Oklahoma say that the states current system prevents thousands of Oklahomans from participating in elections. Oklahoma United, founded in 2021, is a nonpartisan group proposing a change from the states current partially closed primaries to an open primary system. In Oklahoma, voters can only vote in the primary for the party they are registered with. The Republican, Libertarian and Democratic parties can allow independents to vote in their primaries, but only the Democratic Party allows it. According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, there are over 358,000 active voters registered as independents in the state. Margaret Kobos, founder and CEO of Oklahoma United, said the group is working to get their proposed plan on the ballot in November 2026 because they dont want to wait on the Legislature. Under the groups proposal, all Oklahoma voters would be eligible to participate in one primary with all candidates being on the same ballot with their party affiliation identified. Our movement really is all about giving people choices, giving all the voters all the choices, seeing all the candidates in front of them, Kobos said. So instead of a very small fraction who might happen to turn out in a closed primary, we feel like it benefits the parties, it benefits candidates. It provides a path for new candidates and people who might have space in their lives to volunteer for the good of all of us. Amber England, a spokesperson for a state question seeking to raise the minimum wage, said reform needs to go beyond open primaries and include removing restrictions on early voting, mail in voting and primaries. Some of these restrictions are short window for early voting, lack of same day voter registration and a requirement to produce identification in order to vote. Oklahomans dont believe that the problems that they face every day are getting solved by politicians, and so they dont think their vote matters, she said. And so they just dont vote because theyre disengaged, and that is problematic because the legislature focuses on culture war issues and scoring political points instead of actually addressing real problems. England said that is why Oklahomans are able to act on state questions for real issues the Legislature doesnt focus on. You can see sometimes that voters will pass policies that the Legislature just wont touch, and its because Oklahomans are reasonable, and our Legislature really isnt a reflection of how Oklahomans view what problems need to be solved, she said. Editors note: This story has been corrected to remove a paragraph reflecting the number of contested elections on the 2022 November ballot. Only six of the legislative races were decided by 10 points or less. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A new state law is about to be put to the test after attorneys filed the first application for courts to consider resentencing a woman who was convicted of murder in a case that involved domestic violence. April Wilkens is seeking a lesser prison sentence under the Oklahoma Survivors Act a new law that allows courts to consider factors such as abuse during the sentencing process and allows defendants to provide evidence showing domestic violence was a contributing factor in their crime. At least twelve other people plan to file similar applications for resentencing, according to attorneys at the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, who are filing the cases pro bono. The new law which Gov. Kevin Stitt signed this spring comes at a time when domestic violence rates remain persistently bleak in Oklahoma, along with homicides resulting from domestic violence. The law could affect the cases of as many as 150 people, according to attorney Colleen McCarty. Wilkens has served about 26 years at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center for killing her fiance in 1998. Wilkens testified the man handcuffed and raped her, but she couldnt use evidence of domestic abuse when she applied for early release, The Oklahoman reported last year. The court will now consider Wilkens' request for resentencing and determine whether to move forward to apply for sentencing relief on Wilkens behalf. The 12 other requests are expected to be filed soon, and it might take up to 60 days to get a hearing, said McCarty, an Appleseed Center attorney. More: 'A beacon of hope': Newly signed bill moves the needle on helping victims of domestic violence She said the centers clients are hopeful and feel its a sea of change in having people believe them about the abuse they suffered. McCarty and attorney Leslie Briggs announced the expected filings at a press conference at the Tulsa County Courthouse on Thursday. In an interview earlier this year, both attorneys said while new law wont directly protect domestic violence victims or make it less likely that they would face abuse, it does provide them an extra layer of legal protections that courts can consider. You ideally would never want a survivor of domestic violence to be in the situation where theyve committed a crime that stems from their abuse, but it happens all the time here because oftentimes people dont feel like they can involve law enforcement or when they have tried to, [it] wasnt effective, McCarty said. The Oklahoma Survivors Act was authored in the Senate by Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and sponsored by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, in the House. It ultimately passed with widespread support after the first version, House Bill 1470, was vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, who said it addressed the issue too broadly, but supporters said he misunderstood the intent. Echols told The Oklahoman earlier this year he was confident Oklahoma could reverse its trend of domestic violence. You cant stop domestic violence without men doing it, because were doing most of the perpetrating, Echols said. Men have to take responsibility for stopping it. I didnt necessarily say leadership, I said responsibility. In 15 of the 24 years between 1996 and 2020, Oklahoma was ranked in the top 10 states with the highest numbers of women killed by men, a 2023 report from the Violence Policy Center indicated. The center is a national nonprofit educational organization that works to stop gun deaths and injuries through research, education, advocacy and collaboration. In its 2023 annual report, the attorney generals Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board identified 2,241 domestic violence fatalities between 1998 and 2002. The board described the outlook in the Sooner State as bleak, adding that Oklahoma was experiencing a domestic violence epidemic. What does the Oklahoma Survivors Act do? The new law is the second of its kind in the U.S. Heres what it does: Requires courts to consider such mitigating factors as whether the person convicted has been abused physically, sexually or psychologically by a sexual partner, family member, household member, trafficker or someone who used the person for financial gain. Allows a defendant to provide at least one piece of evidence, including court records, pre-sentencing report, social services records, hospital records, witness statements, law enforcement records, domestic incident reports or protective orders, in addition to other evidence. Permits courts to impose a new, lesser sentence following a hearing if the court determines the defendant was a victim of domestic violence at the time of the offense and the violence or abuse was related to and a substantial contributing factor in causing the defendant to commit the offense. At the hearing, courts can take testimony from witnesses offered by either party, consider relevant evidence and consider oral and written arguments. Allows people who are currently incarcerated to submit a request to apply for resentencing so courts can consider whether domestic violence should be considered as a mitigating factor. The legislation does not apply to people registered as a sex offender, child abusers, people who abuse or neglect a vulnerable adult or someone who is sentenced to death. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma woman seeks new sentence due to Oklahoma Survivors Act OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) A 23-year-old Omro man was sentenced to several years in prison on Thursday for killing his girlfriend. Judge John Jorgensen sentenced Joseph Olvera to 30 years in prison, followed by 20 years of extended supervision for the death of his girlfriend, 20-year-old Johanna Schultz. Olvera was found guilty due to his no-contest plea on a first-degree reckless homicide charge. His first-degree recklessly endangering safety charge was dismissed but read in. Sophisticated Ponzi scheme: Wisconsin contractor gets prison time for bank fraud & money laundering On March 11, 2023, authorities responded to the 500 block of Spruce Street in Omro after Olvera called 911 and said he strangled and killed his girlfriend. According to the criminal complaint, Olvera told the communications center that he was wearing a plate carrier and a Kevlar helmet. He mentioned he wanted to come outside with his gun. Authorities saw Olvera with his gun that had a laser on it, and he was pointing the laser toward the responding officers. The Bearcat armored vehicle arrived on the scene and not long after, gunshots rang out. Olvera shot out the window and told the authorities that he wasnt trying to hit them but fired shots because he wanted the officers to stay back. Just before 4:00 a.m., Olvera exited the residence with a handgun in his right hand. He eventually dropped the gun and took off his plate carrier before being taken into custody without further incident. Olvera told the authorities how he killed Schultz and tried CPR on her. Upon entering the residence, the police located Schultz deceased, with several items in the apartment overturned and damaged. Messages back in June 2022 were recovered from a phone showing that Olvera sent messages saying he was full of rage. Schultz also messaged that she was scared Olvera was going to kill her. There were also videos recovered that appeared to indicate that the two were fighting. The complaint also mentions a video that appeared to be self-taken by Olvera. In that video, he apologized to the victims mom and dad and said the Marine Corps messed him up. The video was reportedly captured on March 11 at 1:16 a.m. A detective spoke with someone who was with Olvera the night Schultz was killed. He told authorities that Olvera was drinking, and the two talked about the Marine Corps. When asked if Olvera had any PTSD-type issues, the person was not aware of any and that Olvera was never deployed anywhere and was only enlisted for a short time. Wisconsin authorities arrest wrong-way driver on I-39 for operating while intoxicated Olvera spoke with authorities and said that he got up around noon, took a shower, and started drinking. He said he woke up later in the night and reached for Schultz, but he only found her lying on the floor. He said he didnt know how Schultz died because he was drunk. Olvera did say he noticed blood spatter on the wall but wasnt sure what caused her injuries. He also told authorities that it was only he and Schultz in the residence that night, and the doors were locked. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HORTON (KSNT) An individual was arrested after police responded to reports of an active shooter threat at the Kickapoo Nation School in Powhattan on Wednesday. According to the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department, officers were called to the school at 8:36 a.m. for a report of a potential active shooter. Officers quickly found and apprehended the suspect. The suspect was taken to a holding facility to await a court hearing. Goat on the lam: Lawrence police wrangle goat causing traffic problems The police department says there is no threat to staff, students or the school. They said the incident is under investigation and that no further comment would be made at this time. For more crime 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. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Cleveland Heights officials called the Thursday night fatal police-involved shooting of a teen, who was armed during an apparent domestic dispute, a tragedy. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office said Christian Alexander Tyson Thomas, 18, was killed in the shooting. Mother wants answers after son comes home from school with hair cut Police were called to a home along Yellowstone Road just after 10 p.m. for a domestic disturbance between Thomas and his father, Police Chief Chris Britton told reporters at a Friday media briefing. This embedded content is not available in your region. Witnesses alleged Thomas was armed and had his finger on the trigger, and that he had already fired one shot inside the home, he said. The scenario was nothing short of intense, Britton said. Officers heard Thomas father pleading to take his finger off the trigger and, at one point, saw Thomas in a doorway of the home, holding the gun, he said. They then heard a loud crash, followed by a gunshot. Police sources told the FOX 8 I-Team earlier that Thomas then came out of the home through a screened porch window. He was still carrying the gun, Britton said. He then encountered three Cleveland Heights officers who opened fire, striking him. Its still unclear how many shots were fired, Britton said. In his review of body-worn camera footage of the incident, he said he did not see Thomas point the gun at officers before being shot, but added he has not had time to review all the footage. Officers rendered first aid and CPR, but Thomas died at the scene, Britton said. No one else was injured. The shooting happened several minutes after officers arrived on scene, Britton said. My deepest condolences on behalf of myself and the police department goes out to Christians family and friends, he said. Certainly, the outcome last night is nothing we would certainly hope for. The three officers involved are now on administrative leave, per department policy, Britton said. The department has also launched its own internal professional standards investigation, he said. Investigators later recovered a handgun at one shell casing at the scene, Britton said. They remained on the scene Friday morning as neighbors woke up to start their day. Around 10 oclock, getting ready for bed and we heard like loud explosions, maybe like fireworks. It wasnt a pop, pop, pop sound, it was more like kaboom,' said neighbor Melissa Bloom. I woke up this morning at 5:30 a.m. and saw the flashing lights. Jim Donovan stepping down as Browns radio announcer FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo FOX 8 photo The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to the scene and spent several hours gathering evidence. Investigators placed more than 20 evidence markers at the scene. FOX 8 News reached out to Cleveland Heights police and BCI for more information. BCI confirmed that they were requested by the Cleveland Heights Police Department to investigate the fatal officer-involved shooting, as is standard protocol. Officials said the investigation is active and ongoing. Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren on Friday said he had met with Thomas family. They said the Cleveland Heights High School graduate was a spelling bee champion while at Monticello Middle School, and that he played sports and instruments. Right now, waiting on the result of an investigation provides no solace, but I at least want people to know this is a real investigation, he said. This is something that will bring the truth to light and, based on that, we will move forward in an open, honest and caring 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. One dead in Thursday night crash on north I-35, APD says AUSTIN (KXAN) One person is dead after a crash Thursday night on the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 in downtown Austin, according to the Austin Police Department. APD said the crash occurred at 11:09 p.m. near 15th Street on the upper deck of the interstate. Austin-Travis County EMS previously said in a social media post paramedics took the person to Dell Seton Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries. This is a developing story. Check back with KXAN.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 KXAN Austin. Only 29% of Americans think Trump is prepared to accept election result if he loses, poll says Donald Trump waves at a La Crosse, Wisconsin campaign event on Thursday. Two-thirds of Americans say Trump is not prepared to accept the results of the 2024 election, a new poll reveals (Getty Images) Two-thirds of Americans believe Donald Trump is not prepared to accept the outcome of the presidential election, a new poll reveals. Just 29 percent of Americans said the former president is ready to accept the election results, while 68 percent said Kamala Harris is prepared, an ABC News/Ipsos poll published Friday reveals. Meanwhile, 81 percent of Americans said they are personally prepared to accept whatever the outcome might be. Over half of the poll participants were also very or somewhat confident that votes will be counted accurately, ABC News reports. However, there was variation between parties. Fifty-one percent of Republicans said they arent confident the election will be called accurately, while 90 percent of Democrats said they have confidence in the count. These responses come years after Trump and his allies falsely claimed he won the presidential election and was cheated out of the White House due to voter fraud in 2020. This is untrue and there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud influencing the election. Donald Trump at a La Crosse, Wisconsin campaign event on Thursday. Two-thirds of Americans say Trump is not prepared to accept the results of the 2024 election, a new poll reveals (AFP via Getty Images) After Trump repeatedly made this claim, thousands of his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to interrupt lawmakers from confirming President Joe Bidens legitimate win. Since Trump left office, four secretaries of state said theyve received death threats for carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, one in six election workers reported being threatened because of their jobs, according to a 2022 survey from the Brennan Center for Justice. The former president is facing election interference charges in Fulton County, Georgia, alongside his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and several others. Trump was also indicted again in Washington, DC, this week for his attempts to overturn the election. The new indictment comes after the Supreme Court ruled this summer that the former president has some immunity from prosecution. Prosecutors now appear to be downplaying any connection between Trumps official duties and his actions surrounding the election results, The Independent previously reported. The Defendant had no official responsibilities related to the certification proceeding, but he did have a personal interest as a candidate in being named the winner of the election, the new indictment reads. Meanwhile, national polls show Harris pulling ahead of Trump. The vice president has a 3.4-point lead over the former president, according to the latest average of national polls. Harris has also surged ahead of Trump following last weeks Democratic National Convention, according to a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll released August 29. 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. The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment. Throughout my life, Ive been a relentless advocate for those who often find themselves without a voice. My work with Zane Venture Fund was born from a desire to invest in diverse founders in overlooked regions, supporting tech-enabled solutions that create positive, lasting impact. Last year, when The Fearless Fund faced a wrongful lawsuit, I didnt hesitate to organize a campaign rallying support. Speaking out is in my DNA, and its this same drive that led me to catalyze the VC movement behind Vice President Kamala Harris. When I think of Kamala Harris, I see a leader who embodies the same principles Ive built my career around someone who stands up for those who arent in the room and fights for a seat at the table for all. As the first Black female Vice President in our nations history, her presence alone is monumental. But the potential of her becoming President is even more significant. Representation at this level isnt just important; its inspiring. For me and many others in my community, Harris represents a future where our voices are heard, our struggles are understood, and our triumphs are celebrated. This election isnt just about who sits in the Oval Office its about safeguarding democracy itself. The stakes couldnt be higher. When others rallied behind President Biden, a group of Black women and allies, myself included, recognized that Harris needed our full support. So, when Biden endorsed Harris, I didnt hesitate to act. I began reaching out to fellow women VCs, brainstorming ways to galvanize support. It was Leslie Feinzaig, another VC founder, who suggested forming VCs for Harris. I was the first to raise my hand, eager to lend my network and platform to the cause. I knew we needed momentum, and quickly. So, I reached out to Mark Cuban, asking for his support and signature on our letter. His immediate endorsement was the spark we needed. From there, our numbers grew exponentially. I connected with Kristy McCann Flynn from SkillCycle, who brought Reid Hoffman into the fold, further amplifying our efforts. What started as 100 VCs quickly ballooned to 400, and now nearly 1,000 VCs across the country have pledged their support for Harris. The list continues to grow, and weve raised thousands of dollars for Harris through virtual fundraising events. Many may not fully grasp how instrumental Harris has been both behind the scenes and out front during her time as Vice President. I didnt hesitate to rally behind her because I know what she stands for. She believes in entrepreneurship, tech, and business. Shes deeply committed to equity and access for all. Ive seen her in action in my hometown of Atlanta, GA, where shes met with the business community, genuinely listening to the challenges entrepreneurs face and seeking solutions. Shes done the same in North Carolina and beyond. Her commitment to innovation and progress is clear, standing in stark contrast to the regressive policies of the Trump era. I cant sit idly by while so much is at stake. Thats why, during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, IL, we organized a midweek mixer to keep the momentum going. Harris is also expected to be in San Francisco, CA, and Los Angeles, CA, in September 2024, where well host additional events and activations. We are also conducting events in Atlanta, GA, in a few weeks. This is a crucial moment in time. We must continue to join forces, stand up for whats right, and ensure our voices are heard. Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the writers own and not those of AFROTECH Shila Nieves Burney is founder and managing partner at Zane Venture Fund. (KLFY) An Opelousas man has been arrested and charged with felony theft after allegedly making bogus bids at a livestock auction, authorities said. Inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission arrested Lester R. Johnson, Jr., 32, of Opelousas on Aug. 22. LBC investigators said that in November 2023, Johnson was the high bidder on one head of livestock at a local livestock market, and then failed to pay the market for it. Officials said Johnson had intentionally bid on the livestock to raise the price substantially above market value. When Johnson failed to retrieve and pay for the livestock within the 10-day period, the market was deprived of the proceeds from the sale, which has an estimated value of $1,400. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office assisted the Livestock Brand Commission in this investigation. Johnsons bond was not set at the time of the arrest. 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. Im Brian Gordon, tech reporter for The News & Observer, and this is Open Source, a weekly newsletter on business, labor and technology in North Carolina. My first apartment in Durham was owned and managed by Greystar Real Estate Partners. The odds of Greystar being the landlord were fairly good; it is the worlds largest property management company, and across the greater Triangle region from Chapel Hill to Wendell the company oversees 104 housing communities. Liberty Warehouse in downtown Durham. The Dillon apartments in downtown Raleigh. Republic Flats in Research Triangle Park. And many more. As a tenant, my involvement with Greystar ended with my security deposit returned. But as a journalist (and former tenant), Ive been interested to see Greystar pop up in recent investigations and lawsuits that accuse many of the countrys biggest landlords of using an algorithmic software to increase rents in violation of antitrust law. The software is from the Texas company RealPage, and plaintiffs say landlords have embraced it to share what theyre charging tenants, then implementing this private information to fix prices rather than allow traditional market factors, like quality and vacancy rates, dictate rents. In November 2022, a Charlotte renter named Lena Armas sued Greystar, claiming the firm used RealPage to raise her rent. Armas then moved to another Charlotte apartment with a different landlord she said also used RealPage. The case, which also names RealPage and several major management firms as defendants, is ongoing. As of last Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of North Carolina are plaintiffs in their own lawsuit against RealPage. The complaint claims the company advertised its products as driving every possible opportunity to increase price. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein joined the lawsuit as part of a bipartisan group of attorneys general for seven other states. In a statement to the N&O, RealPage spokesperson Jennifer Bowcock said the company is disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the DOJ has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years. Greystar did not respond to multiple emails regarding its past or current use of RealPage. Open Source Newsletter Logo The legal issues at play in these cases tie back to the Sherman Act of 1890, the backbone of U.S. antitrust law. And simply showing landlords used RealPage to raise prices isnt enough for the government to win. Scott Hazelgove, an attorney at Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton who focuses on antitrust issues, said in a phone interview that legal challenges to RealPages software and its usage by landlords will have to prove the existence of an agreement. An explicit agreement to collude or, in absence of a direct deal, evidence that landlords and RealPage had an inferred agreement on price. These cases revolve around new technology, but the law that will decide them is plenty old. Courts have been dealing with these concepts for over a century, Hazelgove said. Just the nature of industry and economic activity has changed so much. And a lot of industries are relying on algorithms now. Lowes scales back DEI Lowes became the latest, and one of the largest, U.S. companies to end certain diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In a memo to employees Monday, the North Carolina-based home improvement retailer said it started reviewing its diversity and inclusion initiatives after last years Supreme Court ruling found race-conscious admissions policies unconstitutional, the Charlotte Observer reported. Most of Lowes changes limit its involvement in LGBTQ advocacy/awareness. It comes as the company faced activist pressure alleging its policies were overly woke. According to the staff memo, Lowes will no longer participate in a survey from the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Nor will the company support community events not aligned with our business and focused on housing, disaster relief and technical education. Lowes sponsored the 2023 Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, and sponsored a booth and stage at this years pride event. Headquartered north of Charlotte in the town of Mooresville, the company joins Ford, John Deere and Harley-Davidson in narrowing its DEI practices. Lowes will also combine diverse employee group representation under one organization. Participants representing Watershed, a non-denominational church in Charlotte, hold up letters that spell Be Loved. Clearing my cache Boom Supersonic completed its second test flight, Monday, taking its XB-1 test jet a tiny bit faster and a good bit higher. The XB-1 reached 277 mph and an elevation of 10,400 feet, both up from 273 mph and 7,120 feet during its inaugural run in March. Neither speed is supersonic, but the Colorado company intends to get there from North Carolina. In June, Boom cut the ribbon on its first superfactory, a 179,000-square-foot building at the Greensboro airport. Several more tests are expected before the factory opens. With their contract expired, AT&T workers continue to strike across the South. Raleigh is getting a new headquarters. The Israeli EV charging software company Driivz will base its U.S. operations in Raleigh, its parent company Vontier announced. Durham chipmaker Wolfspeed slid further on Wall Street this week, days after announcing plans to shut a factory on its main Triangle campus. In June, Wolfspeed also delayed its promised facility in Germany. Despite financial setbacks, Wolfspeed is optimistic its massive semiconductor materials plant near Siler City will deliver. Boom Supersonics XB-1 testing aircraft at the Mojava Air and Space Port in California. Dont sweat it. Carpe , a startup founded by a Duke grad and a UNC grad, has been acquired by the private equity firm Topspin Consumer Partners. The two founders started with an antiperspirant hand lotion and now say they have multiple sweat solutions that has helped individuals manage their sweat and regain confidence. North Carolina construction projects have been delayed this summer due to labor shortages, a new national survey found. The group behind the survey calls on the White House and Congress to allocate more money for technical training (vs. 4-year colleges) and to permit more legal immigration. Liquidia , a Morrisville drugmaker, on Tuesday called for a preliminary injunction over the FDAs decision to grant a rival treatment exclusivity rights. As it stands, the Triangle company cant gain final approval for its lead product Yutrepia until May 2025. We all know North Carolinas MrBeast (and if you dont, heres a primer). But I didnt realize our state raised two other content creators who, according to a new Rolling Stone list, are even more influential. Those would be 46-year-olds Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln Neal III, better known as Rhett and Link. They grew up together in Harnett County, roomed together at NC State, and went on to launch the Good Mythical Morning show, which has nearly 19 million subscribers on YouTube. But back to MrBeast. A handful of recent issues have dented the image of the worlds most popular YouTuber, with the Toronto Star even introducing him in a headline this week as controversial. In the latest development, MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) has reportedly hired a prominent celebrity lawyer to address a former employee who has been critical. A photo of Greenville native Jimmy Donaldson, better know as MrBeast, is included in a collage of images from East Carolina University and downtown Greenville, N.C. on the wall of Sup Dogs bar and restaurant. National Tech Happenings France has detained Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the messaging tool Telegram , on charges he was complicit for his platform enabling crimes like drug trafficking, distribution of sexual material of minors, and for not cooperating with French law enforcement. The worlds most valuable company is getting a new chief financial officer. Long-time Apple CFO Luca Maestri will step down by the end of the year. Since he took the role in 2014, Apples stock has risen more than 800%. The California legislature passed a novel AI bill that would demand developers track what customers do with their artificial intelligence technology and face hefty fines if their software causes damage. Thanks for reading! Enjoy Triangle tech news? Subscribe to Open Source, The News & Observer's weekly newsletter, and look for it in your inbox every Friday morning. Sign up here. Stellantis, the company that makes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles, said Friday that none of those brands is for sale. The statement came in response to a 17-page letter from Frank Rhodes Jr., a great-grandson of Walter P. Chrysler, in which Rhodes said he would like to buy Chrysler and Dodge to improve them. The letter, expressing a number of grievances to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, was dated Aug. 26 and shared with the Free Press by Rhodes. Rhodes suggests "a daring plan for the company to maintain its American heritage and reinvigoration as a brand that will come back to its roots of design innovation as well as affordable auto brands." He wants Stellantis to carve out Chrysler, Dodge and Mopar from the company and allow him to buy the operations, the facilities and take over the labor force of the three entities. More: Consumer Reports gives first-ever ranking of most reliable used cars: Here's the list After his acquisition, Rhodes said his plan is to "to create an aggressive design and renewal program for the Company by bringing on board new and additional forward-thinking management, concept creators and enthusiasts recruiting them from inside the Company and tapping former personnel to commence an exciting Phoenix-like, CHRYSLER/DODGE rebirth." Rhodes said his plan would allow Stellantis "a graceful and profitable exit from a brand that in my opinion it has no interest in keeping, and it is already trying to somehow quietly exit without a lot of publicity and minimal UAW membership turmoil." Frank Rhodes with his 2018 Chrysler 300S AWD.. It was unclear from the proposal whether Rhodes had financing to afford such an acquisition. Rhodes proposed calling his new company New Chrysler/Dodge LLC. He said he would bring on new board management. He also said he plans to attend UAW rallies to support reemployment of laid-off workers. But on Friday, Stellantis politely declined the offer. In a company statement sent to the Detroit Free Press by Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson, the company said it is committed to improving and building all of its brands to profitability. "Stellantis acknowledges the interest in its North American brands and reaffirms the Company's commitment to its entire portfolio of 14 powerful, iconic brands, which were each given a 10-year timeframe to build a profitable and sustainable business," the company's statement read. "Like the Jeep and Ram brands, Chrysler and Dodge are at the forefront of Stellantis transformation to clean mobility, benefitting from the group's cutting-edge technology and scale. The Company is not pursuing splitting off any of its brands." Story continues Rhodes responded to the Stellantis statement Friday afternoon telling the Detroit Free Press in an email that he was "greatly disappointed to learn" that Stellantis issued a response to his proposal to the media and not directly to him. "Since I sent the proposal to Carlos Tavares, and Christine Feuell (CEO of Chrysler Group), I expected the courtesy of their reply to come directly to me," Rhodes said. "I hope that in the future we will have direct communications, or at least copied. I will have a formal reply on Tuesday." Stellantis has been struggling with its U.S. sales and profits. In the second quarter, it reported U.S. sales of 344,993, down 21% compared with the same period a year ago, when the company sold 434,648 vehicles. Among its brands sold in the United States, only the low-volume Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands were up for the quarter. Jeep dropped 19%, Ram was down 26%, Chrysler fell 19% and Dodge declined 17% for the quarter compared with the same period in 2023. Alfa was up 8%, and Fiat reported sales of 316 vehicles for the quarter compared with 144 a year ago. The automaker also reported a steep drop in net profit in the first half, down 48%, although it remained profitable. Those declines, along with several notable executive departures and job cuts, either through white-collar buyouts or blue-collar layoffs, including plans to drop a shift at Warren Truck Assembly north of Detroit, prompted Tavares to visit Stellantis' Auburn Hills headquarters earlier this month for three days to address the company's problems in North America and find fixes. Tavares has referenced the company's arrogance in discussing some of the issues, pointing to either production problems or excess inventory. He has cited problems at a couple of U.S. plants, without being too specific. More: A car collection like no other sits in a giant garage in Livonia and is open to the public Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis tells Chrysler's great-grandson: No brands are for sale Its a safe bet who North Koreas Kim Jong-un will be rooting for in the U.S. elections on Nov. 5. Alone among the bad guys Kamala Harris might have chosen to skewer at the Democratic convention, she singled out Kim. I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-un, who are rooting for Trump, she said. They know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. That was Harriss way of heaping scorn on the dictator with whom her opponent, Donald Trump, professed to have fallen in love at their 2018 summit in Singapore (notwithstanding the failure of their next summit eight months later in Hanoi). Trump at the GOP convention in Milwaukee last month said he got along very well with Kim. Having confirmed their bromance in an exchange of letters before and since Hanoi, Trump could say, It is nice to get along with someone that has a lot of nuclear weapons or otherwise. For sure, he added, Hed like to see me back too I think he misses mewhen we get back, I get along with him. The ferocity of the vice presidents attack on Kim contrasted with her allusion to the only other national leader she deemed worthy of mention in her speech beside Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky: Russias President Vladimir Putin, whose name came up just twice. Trump, she said, encouraged Putin to invade our allies while she had helped mobilize a global response to Putins aggression. What about Chinas President Xi Jinping? His name never came up. The differences in stances between Harris and Trump over Kim help to show why the 2024 campaign for the next president is one of the most tense and bitter in U.S. history. Forget about renewed talks with the North Korean leader if Harris wins a promotion from vice president to president. The outcome will affect Americas relations with the rest of the world. Harriss outlook toward Americas Asian foes and allies is something of a mystery. She would appear so far to have imbibed the Spirit of Camp David, where President Biden hosted South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida a year ago. North Korea to those three was the immediate enemy, although China may be of greater overall concern, considering the North cannot wage war without Chinese support. Harris, to Americas Asian allies, would undoubtedly be preferable to Trump, who has lost the confidence of Korea, Japan and Taiwan through his ambivalence about defending them. His courtship of Kim is upsetting to South Koreans, who fear he would engage in his art of the deal by making a deal to Kims liking. Theres no way Pyongyang would be open to anything other than Washington agreeing to pull out its forces, already down to 28,500. Harris, though, has problems. Aside from lack of clarity on foreign policy, its difficult for her to shed her liberal image while making every effort to come across as a moderate. For Americas allies, she is hard to figure out. Take her policy toward China. We dont know how decisive she might get about Chinas enormous trade surplus with the U.S., or measures to make sure American products get into China with the same ease with which Chinese exports flood American markets. Trump has adopted what might seem like a strong attitude toward China, threatening steep tariffs to exclude heavy industrial products, including motor vehicles. Trump, however, shows no inclination to defend either Americas allies in Asia or to honor Americas commitment to Taiwan, harassed by circling Chinese planes and ships ever since Nancy Pelosi led a congressional delegation to the independent island province two years ago. Trump has not been clear on whether he would go to war for Taiwan, just as he is not promising to defend South Korea while angling for yet another summit with Kim. Japan might see his hesitation as a great excuse to abandon lip service to Article 9 of its no war constitution and train its self-defense forces for a regional conflict. Not that we can be all that confident about Harris either. Her heritage as the daughter of a woman from India and a father from Jamaica may imbue an international outlook, but shes had little hands-on experience in foreign affairs. Whats more, she may be less pro-Israel than Biden, whom the Israelis already criticize as too soft against Hamas. No American aspirant for national office can afford to be seen as anti-Israeli. Harris is accused of being sympathetic to the Palestinians and critical of Israels persistence in prosecuting a war with no end in sight in which casualties have already soared. The fear is that Harris would push hard for a deal in which the hostages captured by Hamas terrorists last Oct. 7 would be released in exchange for a ceasefire that leaves Hamas free to rebuild for an eventual repeat attack. Would Harriss position on Israel and Hamas provide a clue as to where she would stand on North and South Korea? Maybe, but she would still seem more reliable than Trump. At least she has not called, as he did during his first term as president, for withdrawal of American troops from South Korea, or demand that the South pay an exorbitant fee for the costs of American bases, including Camp Humphreys, Americas largest foreign base. In the end, Harris appears to Americas allies as a better bet than Trump as the successor to the man shes been serving as vice president for nearly four years. Shes far more likely to want to perpetuate the Spirit of Camp David than to destroy the fledgling trilateral relationship, as Trump would do while fostering his friendship with South Koreas worst enemy, Kim Jong-un. Donald Kirk has been a journalist for more than 60 years, focusing much of his career on conflict in Asia and the Middle East, including as a correspondent for the Washington Star and Chicago Tribune. He is currently a freelance correspondent covering North and South Korea, and is the author of several books about Asian affairs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Thirty years ago this week, on Aug. 31, 1994, the last Russian soldiers departed Estonia and Latvia a long overdue end to Moscows military domination of the Baltics, which had begun ignominiously in 1940 per the sordid terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Stalin and Hitler. That same day, a ceremony was held at Treptow Park in Berlin to commemorate Russias exit from East Germany after nearly 50 years of occupation. The events of 1994 were more symbolic than pivotal in the sense that Moscow had already lost political control over Central and Eastern Europe years earlier. The Berlin Wall had fallen in 1989, Germany reunified in 1990, and the Soviet Union ceased to exist in 1991. But symbolism counts for a lot in international relations: The sight of Russian forces withdrawing from the Baltics was a powerful illustration that Moscows hegemonic ambitions in Europe were over. In Washington, officials cheered on Russias military exit from Eastern Europe, but they brooked no suggestion that the U.S. should match Russias withdrawals with pullbacks of its own. From their point of view, the Cold War had ended in a total victory, not a draw. Having won outright, U.S. leaders laid plans to fill the post-communist space with a U.S.-led security architecture for the whole of Europe. To be sure, there were major cuts to the number of U.S. troops in Europe following the Soviet collapse. But the NATO alliance grew massively in terms of its territorial reach. The U.S. has more than doubled its number of European allies in the last 25 years. And today, the U.S. security umbrella is larger than it has ever been. The conventional wisdom is that Americas refusal to retrench from Europe was a prudent decision that the extension of security guarantees to Poland, the Baltics and other East European states was a farsighted hedge against future Russian aggression. Absent the U.S. military presence in Europe, the argument goes, Moscows imperial ambitions would be even larger than they are today. But what if this view is wrong? What if the U.S. footprint in Europe is a net drag on continental security? There is a strong case to be made that this is exactly right that the transatlantic communitys lingering attachment to Cold War-era institutions has resulted in a security architecture maladapted to present and future threats. The root problem is growing uncertainty about Americas willingness to fight and die on behalf of its nominal allies. To be clear, Washington still has a strong interest in preserving the political and economic independence of its major allies in Europe Britain, France, Germany, Italy and so forth. But as Joshua Shifrinson pointed out several years ago, these states are no longer in real jeopardy of external domination. Only those in the east are at risk of suffering an armed attack. Would the U.S. mobilize to fight a hot war against Russia in Eastern Europe? For this to be even barely feasible, it would first have to be established that America has a core national interest in that regions security. Reasonable people can disagree on whether this is true, but consider a hypothetical: If U.S. policymakers and the voting public were asked to design their nations foreign and security policies from scratch, what is the likelihood that they would insist upon a military alliance with the likes of Lithuania or Romania? Fair-minded analysts will likely put the odds at close to zero. At the very least, it is hard to deny that the United States today cares less about the territorial integrity, political independence, and economic openness of Eastern European nations than it did about the security of Western Europe during the Cold War. This is an obvious point, perhaps, but one that has far-reaching implications: It means that, quite inescapably, the chances of Americas leaders choosing to fight in a general European war is much lower now than they were in the past. There is already dispositive evidence that America will not fight in defense of non-NATO members in Eastern Europe. This was revealed in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia, and in 2014 and 2022 when Russia annexed Crimea and then launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. can be counted on to supply critical military and economic aid for a time, at least but it has announced in no uncertain terms that Americans will not be placed in harms way in defense of non-allies in Europe. In reality, there is also reason to doubt whether the U.S. would risk nuclear war with Russia in defense of some NATO members, such as Poland or the Baltics. This is impolite to say aloud, of course, but manners would hardly matter in the event of a severe crisis involving Russia and an eastern-flank NATO ally. Motivated to avoid a cataclysmic disaster, sitting U.S. leaders would work hard to de-escalate any future conflict with Russia, even if it meant abandoning nominal allies in a time of need. Two points warrant emphasis. First, the Iron Curtain has moved. It now runs from Kaliningrad to Crimea rather than Szczecin to Trieste. The central issue facing the transatlantic alliance has shifted along with it, from whether Americans would mobilize to fight Russia over the fate of core West European economies (as during the Cold War) to whether U.S. leaders would risk World War III in defense of countries on the far eastern periphery of the continent. The answer to this latter question is highly uncertain at best. Second, Americas expansive security commitments should not be taken as evidence that, if push ever came to shove, the U.S. would fight a major defensive war in Europe. There is a hard limit to what can be inferred about future U.S. intentions from an analysis of the U.S. military footprint today. Legacy forward deployments from the Cold War are just that: holdovers from a bygone era, not a distribution of power assets that U.S. leaders would necessarily choose again. The U.S. is the only superpower in Europe, that much is true. But it is a beached superpower. Its forces were sent across the Atlantic in the 1940s to defeat fascism and then in the 1950s to deter a communist takeover of Western Europe. They have stayed in Europe not because Americans have a sacrosanct interest in the security of nations that border Russia (they do not), but because decisionmakers in Washington are allergic to major strategic adjustments. For Europe to be secure, America should retrench. It is Europeans who have the most to lose from Russian revanchism, and so it is Europeans who should shoulder the burden of defense and deterrence. The focus should be on convincing Moscow that any future instance of armed aggression would be met by ample, unified, autonomous and impregnable European defenses a future that is well within grasp. There is no good reason to continue basing European deterrence upon the dubious assumption that the U.S. would respond to a Russian attack by surging conventional forces into the region and joining a war that might turn nuclear. The risk is too high that Moscow will correctly come to view Americas security guarantees as lacking credibility, perhaps becoming emboldened to force yet another devastating war upon the continent. This is the freedom that Europeans won for themselves when they evicted Russian troops from their sovereign soil all those years ago: The freedom not just to choose their domestic political systems and international allegiances, but to choose the best available option for preserving regional security. In the past, that meant relying on the United States. Today, it means pursuing an independent path. For the sake of all Europe, a rebalancing of the transatlantic alliance cannot come soon enough. Peter Harris is an associate professor of political science at Colorado State University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | Kamala Harris is reaching out to rural voters. That will help her win and govern. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' barnstorming tour of rural Georgia showed not only her plan to win the election, but also how she would govern as president. While Donald Trump has long made clear that his only priority is "his" voters, Harris' bus tour of Southeast Georgia with running mate Tim Walz showed that she knows the president is supposed to represent every American. Over two days, Harris and Walz met with voters, students and business owners before Harris held a solo rally in Savannah on Thursday. The campaign says this was the first time a general election presidential nominee stumped in the coastal city of Savannah since the 1990s. Bill Clinton and Al Gore also prioritized rural parts of the state on a similar bus tour during their successful 1992 campaign (the last time Democrats picked up Georgia in a presidential election before President Joe Biden and Harris narrowly flipped the state back in 2020). But the investment in the Harris-Walz campaigns playbook to defend toss-up Georgia goes beyond the bus. It expands their footprint across the state, what the campaign calls the largest in-state operation of any Democratic presidential campaign cycle. Earlier this month on The Weekend, Harris-Walz's principal deputy campaign manager, Quentin Fulks (who led Georgia Sen. Raphaels Warnocks successful statewide run), said the campaigns rural voter outreach demonstrates how Harris would run an inclusive administration. Fulks added that Harris and Walz are fighting for all Americans regardless of if your county votes red or your county votes blue. Harris inclusive campaign strategy isnt reserved for just the Peach State. Harris and Walz kicked off their bus tour earlier this month, meeting with voters in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, a county Trump won in 2020 by nearly 18 points. And Walz hosted his first solo rally in his home state of Nebraska. The Cornhusker State is one of two states that divides up electoral votes by congressional district. While most of Nebraska is red, Harris and Walz hope to secure the electoral vote in the states swing 2nd District. That strategy is about raw vote totals, but its also about the ethos of Harris campaign. I promise to be a president for all Americans, the vice president said during her convention acceptance speech. You can always trust me to put country above party and self; to hold sacred Americas fundamental principles, from the rule of law, to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power, Harris declared. Georgia voters know a thing or two about the need to preserve free and fair elections. Trump and his allies worked to nullify their votes in 2020, and Georgia Democrats are already bracing for Trumps effort to possibly challenge election results in November. The DNC and Democratic Party of Georgia sued the Georgia State Election Board this week over new rules they fear could interfere with the vote certification. An overwhelming win by Harris in the state would make it harder for Trump and his allies to overturn the results. Thats why the campaign is working to reach voters in every part of the state, no matter their ZIP code. But Harris plan to win Georgia sends a clear message to voters in other states: Shes ready to serve every American. Listening to the voices of Americans across the political spectrum will not just help her campaign; it will help her govern. For more thought-provoking insights from Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch The Weekend every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Its late August. For those of us in higher education, this means getting ready for a new academic year. Sadly, it seems that for Jewish students and professors, the fall semester brings with it one more daunting challenge: the return of the Tentifada, the onslaught of anti-Semitic pro-Palestinian protests that erupted on campuses nationwide last year. Proof points abound. For one thing, the tents are back. Earlier this summer, as Columbia University, having barely recovered from having to cancel its main commencement ceremony because of concerns that the festivities would be disrupted, once again saw its lawn taken over by a self-described autonomous group of Palestinian students. You would expect Columbias administration to learn from past mistakes and keep the situation from getting out of hand. You would expect them to heed Mayor Eric Adamss wise advice and practice a zero-tolerance policy to those keen on disrupting university life and claiming university spaces as their own. But this is academia were talking about. They never learn, and they certainly havent learned anything when it comes to keeping Jews safe. Instead, as House Education and Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) revealed in a scorching report earlier this month, Columbia has done exactly nothing to make sure the worst of the lawless protesters in its midst were punished. Of the 35 students who were placed on interim suspensions in April for failing to leave their encampment festooned, as you may remember, with the flags of Hamas and other terrorist organizations, not just Palestinian flags 31 are currently in good standing. It gets worse. Of the 40 Columbia students arrested by the NYPD when the university finally broke down and invited New Yorks finest to step in and clean up its mess, 18 were immediately restored to good standing through what the university called alternative resolution, and 21 are in good standing, pending that most fearsome of all punitive measures known to man: an academic hearing. Plainly put, Columbia did nothing to stop the riots in the first place. And once the rioters had been arrested and charged, it was quick to let them off with a just slap on the wrist. It hardly takes a Ph.D. to understand that these same students will now return to school emboldened to do much more, putting Jews on campus through a veritable living hell. Thankfully, Foxx has subpoenaed the universitys interim president, as well as the leaders of its board of trustees. But Columbia is hardly alone. A slew of other institutions heres looking at you, Harvard, Northwestern and Penn, among others have fallen far, far short of using their summer break to do real soul-searching and take serious measures to guarantee the safety and well-being of their Jewish students. With the Tentifada once again upon us, its time to take action. But what, then, should be done? Three things come to mind. First, lawmakers like Foxx are absolutely correct to exert pressure on university administrations, making sure that they live up to the modest measures that they already promised to take. Such robust inquiries have already pushed out the worst offenders, like the bumbling presidents of Harvard and Columbia; they should continue until academias Augean stables are, if not entirely clean, at least somewhat aired out. Second, lawmakers should work assiduously to make sure we use every tool at our disposal when holding universities responsible. This includes immediately expelling all students, and deporting all foreign students, who express support for terrorism and terrorist organizations, and denying federal grants to institutions that fail to take hate crimes seriously. Finally and, maybe, most importantly theres the rest of us, which includes students, parents, alumni, donors and everyone else who has anything to do with any American institution of higher learning. Our responsibility is to make sure we continue to hold our schools accountable, and that we refuse to send them our children and our dollars until they make real commitments and follow through on them. This, alas, is much easier said than done. Our ordeal is far from over. The marauders are back at it, and responsible adults are nowhere to be found on the quad. It is up to us to save the day. Asaf Romirowsky is executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Kamala Harris has one extraordinary campaign advantage she is neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump. Before President Biden dropped his reelection bid on July 21, voters were unenthusiastic about a rematch between these two men, both born before the television age. Americans desperately wanted an alternative, and party affiliation was secondary. Thus, factors such as Bidens element of surprise, the switch/change effect, Trumps inability to deal with the change, rapid Democratic unification, dominant support from the media and the potential rekindling of Obamas 2008 coalition sprinkled with his political fairy dust of hope, joy, and Yes, She Can generated considerable political momentum for Harris that might just carry her across the Nov. 5 finish line. Based on national and battleground state polling trends, she could win in a squeaker which means Trump could lose. But Trump can never lose! So, if he does, expect a 2020 post-election replay with much ranting, raving and contrived evidence. Team Trump will launch accusations of a corrupt, stolen election, cheating, judicial weaponization, illegal voters, foreign interference and rigged voting machines, resulting in legal challenges perhaps all the way to the Supreme Court. Our enemies will be watching for signs of electoral instability, democratic unrest and perhaps even a national security crisis. That aside, a Trump loss inevitably means an internal civil war within the Republican Party. I believe a war is inevitable between the all-powerful Trump forces and those who want to move on from the Trump era and win the White House in 2028 without any Trump family members on the ticket. Like all civil wars, this one could be brutal, because the GOP opposition forces see in Trumpism a political dead-end with a shrinking voter base. I publicly left the Republican Party Jan. 2021 thanks to Trumps toxic brand. Today, identifying as a Republican is not about conservative governing principles but automatic loyalty to Trump, with his MAGA troops in control of the party machinery from top to bottom. In 2016, the Trumplican Party was born (some would say hijacked.) After Trumps unexpected victory, Republican Party leaders and activists who initially supported someone other than Trump were purged, resigned in disgust or else acquiesced to him. After Trumps loss in 2020, it became an act of disloyalty for Republicans to deny that Trump actually won reelection. So did the failure to defend or excuse his actions on Jan. 6 or his legal problems. So did the act of backing an alternative 2024 candidate. To have one family in complete control of a major national political party is an aberration in our country. Daughter-in-law Lara Trump, installed as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in March, naively spoke the truth in February when she said of its fundraising, Every single penny will go to the number one and the only job of the RNC that is electing Donald J. Trump as president of the United States Naturally, down-ballot candidates, officeholders and lowly party officials did not appreciate her honesty about the family mission. If Harris defeats Trump, will he step down as party leader? Probably not. Unlike Biden, Trump will not be pushed aside. Biden never was and did not represent himself as the Democratic Party. Trump and family, in contrast, are the Republican Party. Hence, moving beyond the Trump era without someone named Trump would take a tectonic shift. Who would lead the GOP through the hazardous terrain of a non-MAGA future? It probably wouldnt be Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who in this scenario would just be a losing also-ran. So who would it be? Some names are familiar and obvious: Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who each look in the mirror and see a future president. Add a new name with popular Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who has had a contentious history with Trump havent they all, though? That experience will embolden these leaders to forge a new path for the party, maybe led by one of them, or else a new leader will emerge. Speaking of new leaders, a post-Trump era will need rising stars to combat entrenched MAGA warriors such as Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). How about a real warrior? A Lt. colonel in the Air National Guard who piloted missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. His name is Adam Kinzinger once widely considered a GOP rising star the former Illinois congressman who served from 2011 to 2023. After the 2020 election, then-Rep. Kinzinger rejected Trumps claims of a stolen election. He was appalled by the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and subsequently voted to impeach. Kinzinger then served on the House Select Committee to investigate the Capitol attack. Trump placed a target on his back, and Kinzinger did not run for reelection in 2022. Then, on August 15, Kinzinger fearlessly spoke the truth about Trump to more than 20 million primetime viewers who watched the Democratic National Convention. His message delighted former Republicans like me who want a party to come home to. Kinzinger said, Donald Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong; he is a small man pretending to be big. Hes a faithless man pretending to be righteous. Hes a perpetrator who cant stop playing the victim. Kinzinger dared to say what many in the Republican Party (including elected officials) only think: The Republican Party is no longer conservative. It has switched its allegiance from the principles that gave it purpose to a man whose only purpose is himself. Shockingly, Fox News cut away from Kinzingers speech. Were they shielding their viewers from the truth? If Trump loses, those viewers and voters must hear the truth to set the Republican Party free from Trumps control. But first, the party is destined to wage a war for the future. Myra Adams is an opinion writer who served on the creative team of two Republican presidential campaigns, in 2004 and 2008. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 - On his way out, AMLO is taking a wrecking-ball to Mexicos institutions The future of democracy and the investment climate in Mexico are in peril at this moment. Lame-duck President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (known universally as AMLO) has a very clear roadmap to finish his tenure in the National Palace. He wants to consolidate his partys parliamentary supermajority, reform the judiciary and eliminate all the checks and balances. Long story short, he wants to exterminate democracy in Mexico by installing a totalitarian regime in the style of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. First, by creating new artificial seats in the legislative branch, AMLO has managed to ensure, through pressure and persuasion, more than 73 percent of seats in the Lower House. He is also attempting to undermine judicial independence by establishing the election of all judges by popular vote. The Mexican government has claimed that these reforms would establish a judiciary with true independence and strengthen democracy. In practice, they would accomplish the opposite, while also lowering professional standards and creating vulnerabilities to political, economic and criminal organizations in a nation where drug cartels are still shockingly powerful. Bank of America believes that the next 90 days, before AMLO leaves office and is replaced by his elected successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, will set the tone for Mexicos next 10 years. The report noted that AMLOs reforms are high-risk, affect the character of Mexicos democracy and will cause greater volatility in the markets. Morgan Stanley also issued an underweight warning in Mexican shares due to concerns about the judicial reforms in particular. These changes may also increase uncertainty about the capital expenditure outlook amid bottlenecks in nearshoring capacity. In short, the Cuban model is advancing in Mexico, under which a one-party state is everything and no constitutional guarantee is worth anything. According to article 94 of the Cuban Constitution, Every person, as a guarantee of their legal security, enjoys due process in both the judicial and administrative spheres. In practice, the supreme interest of the revolution tramples on all human rights. In Venezuela, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice acts as a branch of the Bolivarian regime. This is the court that has validated the electoral fraud of Nicolas Maduro, calling his self-proclamation of victory unobjectionable and unappealable. The United Nations has made it clear that the rulings of this institution are not impartial nor credible. In Nicaragua, the Supreme Court of Justice has been reduced to a dependency of the party and the family of dictator Daniel Ortega. Legal security vanished a long time ago. Confiscation of private property is the order of the day, despite being prohibited by Nicaraguas constitution. AMLOS plan seemed to be going full steam ahead, but a few days ago the Biden administration broke its long silence and warned of the great risks represented by these changes in the judiciary. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, said that popular direct elections of judges is a major risk to the functioning of Mexicos democracy. Any judicial reform should have the right kinds of safeguards that will ensure the judicial branch will be strengthened and not subject to the corruption of politics. He also noted that the reform will threaten the historic trade relationship between Mexico and the U.S. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate issued a joint statement. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), along with Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), issued a statement expressing deep concern about proposed constitutional reforms in Mexico that would undermine judicial independence and risk violating the terms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. We strongly urge the Lopez Obrador Administration, as well the incoming Sheinbaum Administration, to pursue only those reforms that enhance professional qualifications, combat corruption, protect judicial autonomy, and strengthen investors confidence. Mexico is on the wrong path. In regimes based on absolute power, legal certainty is the first victim of judicial reforms; the second is foreign investment; the third is the sacred right to private property. In this model, it doesnt matter how much you know about the law, but who you know. In this scheme, everything would be resolved as it is in banana dictatorships. Mexico, the top U.S. trade partner and one of the 12 largest economies in the world, deserves better strong, robust and reliable institutions that confer legal certainty and economic predictability. Businesses need this, and democracy needs it even more. Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the OAS and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Chinas espionage campaign has infiltrated our communications networks via their telecom companies, like Huawei and ZTE, and by selling us cheap routers with noted-yet-unfixed vulnerabilities. But there is nothing more pervasive than how China weaponizes our mobile devices via apps. TikTok is the obvious example. A nearly unanimous Congress heeded the warnings of the Director of National Intelligence and others to require TikTok to cut its financial ties with its parent company (and known-Chinese government corporate affiliate) ByteDance. The Department of Justice has sued the company for blatantly violating federal privacy laws, and states are investigating numerous other privacy violations. Yet Apple continues to promote the app, listing it as essential with an editors choice award. And TikTok is just the tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of apps on Apples App Store openly admit to providing sensitive data to China. Some even use Apples ARKit, which enables apps to detect more than 50 unique facial expressions and project 30,000 infrared dots to create a 3D map of a users face, while allowing the app to retain the data. China-based AI company Meitus BeautyCam-AI Photo Editor uses the ARKit to extract facial mapping information. The app enjoyed 2 million downloads last month. Another China-based app called ProKnockOut-Cut Paste Photos uses Apples ARKit and reveals that the information will be stored in China in its privacy policy. Some of these apps admit to sending health data to China from Apples HealthKit, which allows apps to collect more than 100 different data points across numerous categories. China-based wellness app Wearfit Pro claims to access data from Apples HealthKit and openly discloses that the data will be stored in the territory of the Peoples Republic of China. The apps privacy policy states that it collects users sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, blood sugar, body temperature, weight, body age, heart rate and other data. Other apps dont even try to hide the China connection. The beautification app Mico Aesthetic Screen Makers privacy policy is written in Chinese. When you translate it, it reads, We will store your information collected and generated during domestic operation in the territory of the Peoples Republic of China, and it also states that its governing laws are the laws of the Peoples Republic of China. Every one of these apps and dozens if not hundreds more fall under Chinas national security laws, which force the tech companies to disclose all this U.S.-based data directly to the Chinese government. For instance, Chinas 2015 National Security Law compels locally employed Chinese nationals of American companies to assist in investigations that may expose operating elements of American companies or citizens. Chinas 2021 Cyber Vulnerability Reporting Law requires China-based companies to report security flaws to the Chinese government so they can exploit system flaws before cyber vulnerabilities are publicly known. Article 7 of Chinas National Intelligence Law of 2017 creates a legal obligation for those entities to turn over data collected abroad and domestically to the Chinese government. These laws effectively turn Apple-approved, China-based apps into spyware for the Chinese government. Apple must fix this problem. The company touts its App Store as a safe and trusted marketplace for [its] users. And it boasts about rejecting 375,000 app submissions for privacy violations. With these Chinese apps in the marketplace, how can Apple plausibly claim its protecting American consumers? Apple allows users to easily find these apps, with some even in the top 100 within their app category. Apple is not just distributing these apps but promoting them. This fact alone shows that Apples safety and privacy claims are hollow and disingenuous. So why does Apple keep promoting Chinese spyware? Money. Apples cut of App Store sales gives it a reason to ignore privacy and security issues for high-revenue apps. American tech companies dont want to offend China because the country is tied to their bottom lines. Apple CEO Tim Cook described China as critical to Apples supply chain and has pledged to increase investment and expand research and development facilities in the region. Couple that with Apples multi-billion dollar deal with the Chinese government requiring it to store customer data on Chinese servers and to aggressively censor apps and you have the makings of a national security disaster. TikTok was only the beginning. Its time to bring more accountability to Apples App Store to thwart the clear threat that Chinese spyware presents to the nation. Joel Thayer is president of the Digital Progress Institute and a tech and telecom lawyer in Washington. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 hype preceding Kamala Harris first and utterly unremarkable sit-down interview as a 2024 presidential candidate is a reminder that nobody running against Donald Trump is ever graded fairly. Imagine arguing that Harris, an elected district attorney, attorney general of California, U.S. senator and incumbent vice president, should treat an interview with a CNN reporter as a high-stakes affair; that is, that she could say something that made her appear less qualified than Trump. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, apparently believing Trumps ticket needed even more misogyny, suggested in a social media post Thursday that Harris would be incapable of holding her own. It is as it has ever been since Trump has been on the political stage: We watch to see if anything Trump says isnt a lie, and we watch to see if other politicians say anything thats the least bit false. In an ideal world, nobody would have been sitting on the edge of their seats wondering if Harris would sound knowledgeable or prepared for an interview if only because she could never sound less knowledgeable or less prepared than her opponent so often does. The interest in the CNN sit-down was elevated, though, in large part because the media had made it such a big issue that she hadnt done such an interview in the first place. And along with the suggestions that a candidate is deliberately avoiding the media come the suggestions that shes afraid of the media. Harris exhibited no such fear Thursday. She came across as the typical politician and I mean that in every sense. She directly answered the questions that she thought would benefit her candidacy, and she was deliberately evasive on specifics. To her credit, I think that the American media has wrongly contributed to what Ill call the fetishization of a presidents first day in office. No, the vice president didnt give a convincing answer when asked what shed do day one, and yes, CNNs Dana Bash asked the question again in a bid to try to force her to answer it. But the bigger problem isnt so much that Harris didnt give a straight answer; its an absurd question even if its one that political journalists have come to think they have to ask. In setting the stage for the interview, recorded at Kims Cafe in Savannah, Georgia, CNN showed a clip of Trump saying of Harris, Shes not a smart person. Thats the same tack Vance took in his social media post that likened Harris to a young beauty contestant completely overwhelmed by an interview question. Its hard to know exactly what part of that attack on Harris smarts we should assign to sexism and which part we should assign to racism. But theres no denying the presence of both. Former President Barack Obama, president of the Harvard Law Review and a senior lecturer in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School, was one of the most cerebral presidents weve seen, and, yet, there were billboards and bumper stickers that, referring to the country where his father was born, read, Somewhere in Kenya, a village is missing its idiot. But Harris, as my colleague Zeeshan Aleem recently pointed out, doesnt want to get trapped in questions about identity. We saw that when she addressed Bashs question about Trumps lying and saying she only recently described herself as Black. She told Bash, Same old, tired playbook. Next question, please. Nor did she focus on race and sex when asked about the viral photo of her grandniece watching her nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. She said she wants to be the president for everybody. Her opponents are going to work hard, though, to reduce her to those elements of her identity. And slyly suggest that because of those elements shes not up to the task. But theyre the ones seemingly not up to the task, seeing as how they set a bar so low that she couldnt help but sail right over it. In response to the interview, Trump described it as BORING!!! He wasnt wrong about that. But I think Harris is banking on voters choosing boring over the drama no, lets be real and call it the chaos that Trump inevitably brings. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Its still early days, but Vice President Kamala Harris performance among Latino voters is looking promising. According to a Economist/YouGov poll released Wednesday, 56% of Latino registered voters prefer Harris, compared to 34% for former President Donald Trump. Thats a significant surge from when President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July; at that time the same poll found Harris was leading by just 6 percentage points, 44% to 38%. This comes as recent polling data from Equis Research, a research organization focused on the Latino electorate, has found that Harris entry into the race has let Democrats reset with Latinos and that she is outperforming Bidens 2024 campaign with this demographic. Yet despite this good news, Harris has yet to reach Bidens levels of Latino support in the 2020 campaign, according to Equis. As she looks to rebound even further with Latinos, Harris campaign is trying a new tack: approaching them pretty similarly to the way they approach all American voters. As The New York Times notes, Harris first ad targeting Latino voters, released a few weeks ago, departed from Democrats standard messaging toward the demographic in a striking manner. The ad begins with a mention of Harris immigrant mother, but it makes no explicit mention of Latino identity or immigration as a policy issue. Instead, it discusses Harris record and commitment to fighting corporate exploitation, lowering costs of housing and drug prices, and defending abortion rights. In other words the same set of issues that Harris has been hammering home in her campaign appearances. The ad represents a gamble: Democrats are experimenting with a new approach to attracting one of the most important demographics in the American electorate in a tight race. But its one Im cautiously optimistic about, because what Democrats were doing previously wasnt working terribly well. Latino voters have leaned toward Democrats for decades. But they are not a monolith. For example, a majority of Cuban American registered voters identified as Republicans in 2020, in part because of their familiarity with and objections to the left-wing government in Cuba. Moreover, Latinos are a relatively young demographic and their views are in flux. Trump performed better with Latinos in 2020 than he did in 2016, and since then Latinos have continued to identify with Republican Party in even greater numbers. Biden was looking even worse this time around with the demographic until he dropped out. For some people, this is counterintuitive. Trumps offensive comments about immigrants, draconian immigration policies and his nationalism might seem like they would turn off a community of voters who often have ties to recent immigrants or are immigrants themselves. But the data makes it clear that its a mistake to assume that Latinos are categorically different from other Americans when it comes to their positions on immigration and how much they care about the issue. Supporters of the Latinos for Harris-Walz campaign attend a party to watch Kamala Harris delivering her acceptance speech, in Los Angeles on Aug. 22. Earlier this year, Equis found that Latinos in seven battleground states trusted Trump more than Biden on immigration policy. And despite the trope of Latinos as immigration focused, polls find that theyre far more concerned about the economy than anything else just like most Americans. In other words, its not only a mistake to assume Latinos are immigration doves, but also that its a top tier issue for them. Harris has wisely declined to focus heavily on her own racial and gender identity in her campaign, instead placing her focus squarely on kitchen table issues. An approach to Latino voters that channels that same energy with some targeted tweaks in tone and framing, as the aforementioned ad did effectively is consistent with that attitude. There are reasons to think it could bear fruit. Sen. Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign was unusually effective at garnering Latino voters, something his Latino press secretary, Belen Sisa, attributed in part to his class-first approach. Heres how she explained his popularity among Latinos in an interview in 2020: Bernies policies themselves speak to the issues that affect Latinos in their everyday lives. For example, Latinos are the largest uninsured and underinsured group in the country. They dont have good health care, theyre seeing the impact that has on their health and their finances. Additionally, a lot of Latino families dream of sending their children to university because they didnt have that opportunity. And theyre realizing that its not going to be affordable and this causes a lot of stress. Harris economic policy platform isnt nearly as progressive as that of Sanders, but its focus on lowering costs and calling out corporations could resonate similarly. Of course, messaging alone wont do the trick Sanders campaign made a serious push to aggressively invest in Latino outreach from the very beginning of its campaign. Carlos Odio, a co-founder of Equis, recently emphasized to New York Magazine that Latinos are the swingiest element of the electorate more broadly, are these low-propensity irregular voters who dont have fully formed partisan identities. One thing we know about swing voters and irregular voters is that they care a ton about the economic picture. To win this election, Harris has to paint a good one. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two attorneys on opposite ends of a Las Vegas murder trial spoke at the conclusion of the intensely emotional and highly publicized proceedings. Robert Draskovich was one of the lawyers tasked with defending Robert Telles, the former Clark County Public Administrator who stabbed Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German to death outside of his residence in 2022. Telles was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years on Wednesday. Defense attorney Robert Draskovich asks a question on the fourth day of the murder trial for Robert Telles at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, is charged in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, Pool) Draskovich, for his part, gave credit to what he called a very attentive, very conscientious jury. They were very concerned regarding the images, what appeared to be hair that we presented in our closing, Draskovich said. Prosecutor Chris Hamner said that the image did not equate to reasonable doubt, believing that the jury had already seen forensic evidence that showed Telles DNA under Germans fingernails. The high-profile trial saw Telles take the stand in his own defense, a choice that resulted in what Hamner, in his closing argument on Monday, said might have been the prosecutions best witness. Even so, Draskovich said that it was Telles right to testify. Anytime a defendant takes the stand, theres a great deal of peril involved, Draskovich said. He told his story to the jury, and the jury did not believe his story. Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner gives his closing argument during the murder trial for Robert Telles, a former Clark County public administrator charged in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German, at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, Pool) Telles story saw himself as the victim, framed for Germans murder. His broad conspiracy implicated everyone from a local real estate company to a cavalcade of law enforcement officials to District Attorney Steve Wolfson himself. The former politicians thought process played out by narrative, meaning Draskovich did not ask Telles any questions. Hamner said Telles narrative didnt make sense. His answers [] were incredible and not in a good way, Hamner said. It was bad. One of the most damning pieces of evidence in the trial was Hamners one more thing. An alibi-debunking image from Telles wifes Apple Watch during the time of the murder asking her husband, Where are you? Hamner, who knew the contents of Telles phone inside and out, said that text message wasnt on it. The prosecution presents an image of Robert Telles wife's watch where she texted to him "Where are you?" around the time of Jeff German's killing. It really was out of frustration, Hamner said, detailing how he discovered the bombshell image. I cant seem to find the Where are you? text that everyone seems to be talking about. Its just not in the phone. Although both attorneys agreed that the evidence presented to the jury during the trial was overwhelming, Hamner called Draskovich a great attorney. I think he did an amazing job with a really difficult client, Hamner said. I dont envy the position he was in. Draskovich said that the jury agreed. They felt that both sides were represented very well, Draskovich 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 KLAS. Bharat Bhagani worked in the UK office of Goldenway Global Investments. Mike Kemp/Getty A former compliance officer was awarded about 565,000 ($745,000) by an employment tribunal. It found Bharat Bhagani was unfairly dismissed after alerting UK authorities to a number of issues. He worked for the UK office of a Hong Kong-based company called Goldenway Global Investments. A former compliance officer has been awarded almost 565,000 ($745,000) after he was fired for alerting authorities about an employee who turned out to be a "Chinese espionage agent." Bharat Bhagani, who worked in the UK office of Goldenway Global Investments, a trading services provider based in Hong Kong, was awarded the payout by an employment tribunal in London, according to a judgment published this week. The whistleblower said that in 2022 his company asked him to secure a British work visa for an individual who was later deported from the UK. The tribunal ruling stated that Bhagani was told by UK authorities that the person was a "Chinese espionage agent." Bhagani informed the Financial Conduct Authority, the UK regulator, that there had been two unauthorized appointments of Hong Kong residents without FCA approval. He also alerted the regulator of alleged money laundering, fraudulent inter-company loans, and people acting as directors without regulatory approval. The tribunal heard that the former compliance officer received a warning letter in June 2022 outlining that he had not been "cooperative on assisting the company to enroll appropriate staff," because he did not comply with his order to secure the visa. The letter said any further breach could result in suspension and termination of his employment. About two weeks later Bhagani was dismissed for gross misconduct for failing to obey instructions from company directors. He took Goldenway to the tribunal in 2022. It found that Bhagani had been unfairly dismissed because his employer did not follow due process, adding: "The respondent had no genuine belief he had committed gross misconduct, and where the reason for dismissal was his public interest disclosures." After he was fired, Bhagani also claimed he missed out on a job offer because the reference supplied by a Goldenway director said he had been terminated for gross misconduct. Bhagani was awarded a total of 564,672 ($744,223) in compensation, according to the remedy judgment. Goldenway was first subject to FCA restrictions and then banned from operating in the UK. Goldenway Global Investments did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Orban has no plans to change Hungary's policy towards Ukraine if Trump loses US elections Hungarian PM Viktor Orban's team expects US-Russian "reconciliation" and the return of cooperation regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election. Source: Balazs Orban, political director and close assistant to the Hungarian prime minister, answering questions of European Pravda during the GLOBSEC conference. Details: Balazs Orban stated that even if Kamala Harris wins, Hungary's stance will remain unchanged. The spokesman also stated that Budapest takes a "realistic approach" when defining policy towards Ukraine, despite criticism from other European allies. Quote: "We are realistic and believe that this is not our war. I understand that this may shock this audience, but that is how we see this war... This is the position of 80-90% of Hungarians," he said. Balazs Orban also stated that regardless of who wins the election in the United States, the next American government will restore cooperation with Russia in order to avoid pushing it towards China. "I believe that there will be US-Russian agreements, and wed rather they be with Europe, and not without us," he added. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly expressed his support for Donald Trump in the US presidential race. Background: Orban met with Trump in July to discuss peace in Ukraine. Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that if Donald Trump wins the US presidential election, the "chance for peace" in Ukraine may improve. According to media sources, the Trump administration is seriously considering a "deal with the Kremlin", which would entail refusing Ukraine and Georgia's NATO accession and territorial concessions from Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO) An Oregon, Illinois man has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident early Tuesday morning. According to the Ogle County Sheriffs Office, William Mongan, 31, was headed southbound on S. Center Road around 5:39 a.m. when he lost control of his beige 2005 Chevrolet 2500 pickup, drove through a corn field, crossed E. IL Route 38 (Lincoln Highway), drove through a bean field, crossed S. Center Road again and hit a utility pole in another corn field before turning around and getting back on Lincoln Highway, when the vehicle was disabled. Mongan was injured in the crash, police said, and was taken to Rochelle Community Hospital. He faces charges of DUI Combination of Drugs and Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Improper Lane Usage, Operating an Uninsured Vehicle, Transportation of an Open Alcohol Container, and not wearing a seatbelt. He was released on a notice to appear at a future court date. Mongan was arrested previously in the same area after police reportedly found him passed out behind the wheel of a car in the middle of the road. According to the Ogle County Sheriffs office, on July 19th, Mongan was found on Lincoln Highway near S. Center Road around 9:19 p.m. He was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and stopping in the roadway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 27-year-old man who was found fatally shot in Tacoma over the weekend has been identified, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office. Hector Gonzalez Jimenez, of Eagle Creek, Oregon, died from a gunshot wound to the chest near the 2100 block of South C Street on Sunday. His manner of death was listed as a homicide, the medical examiner said in a news release. Tacoma officers were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Jimenez was unresponsive when officers arrived, and they immediately began live-saving measures, according to a Tacoma Police Department news release. Tacoma Fire personnel pronounced Jimenez dead. No arrests have been made and there is no known motive at this time, Detective William Muse said. The case is still being actively investigated. If anyone has information about the incident, they are encouraged to call the Tacoma Police Department or send a tip to Crime Stoppers. The Oregon Republican Party's general counsel asked the Department of Justice for help keeping Libertarians off the ballot. (Getty Images) After failing to convince Oregon election officials to bar Libertarian candidates from running for office, the state Republican Party is turning to Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum for help in its attempts to disqualify several minor party candidates. Tyler Smith, general counsel for the Oregon Republican Party, on Thursday afternoon sent the Capital Chronicle a copy of a complaint he filed with the Oregon Department of Justice this week alleging that the Secretary of States Office broke election laws by accepting candidates nominated by the Libertarian Party of Oregon. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Smiths complaint, filed on behalf of the Oregon Republican Party and longtime Libertarian Richard Burke, alleges that the Libertarian Party of Oregon didnt follow its bylaws when nominating candidates, and that some of its congressional candidates might not be qualified to run. The democratic process demands that voters of any political party be given a choice to vote on who becomes their nominee for office, Smith wrote. Secret back-room installation of candidates for office such as has recently happened in the U.S. presidential race, without a single voter casting a vote for the nominee is the antithesis to democracy. This has also now happened in Oregon with no Libertarian Party primary election nomination taking place. Prevention of anti-democratic appointments is exactly why we have election laws that require candidates to be nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the partys organizational documents. The complaint is the latest in a series of attempts from Oregon Republicans to keep Libertarians off the ballot, particularly in hotly contested congressional races. Libertarians have filed to run in three congressional races and four state legislative races and have candidates for president and vice president. Earlier this month, the Secretary of States Elections Division considered and rejected arguments from Smith and Burke that Libertarian nominations were invalid because of a long-running internal party dispute over the legitimacy of a set of bylaws adopted in 2011. An investigator with the Elections Division told Smith he didnt provide evidence that the party violated state election law, and that state election officials dont regulate internal party disputes. Smith, in his complaint to the Department Justice, said he did provide evidence. He included copies of the Libertarian Partys bylaws, both the current version adopted in 2011 and a 2009 version that Burke and others insist are the true bylaws. We already provided the facts and evidence that this happened, however the SOS Elections division erroneously claims there is no evidence and they have no authority, Smith wrote. There is evidence, and there are even court rulings. Mail or online election Under the Libertarian Partys current constitution and bylaws posted online, candidates are supposed to be nominated by a mail or electronic election, unless the partys board of directors lacks the money to run a mail election and votes to hold a convention instead. This year, the party scheduled a convention in Moro, but it didnt have enough members show up to make a quorum. The constitution also says that the board can elect a member of the Libertarian Party as its nominee for an office if the primary election does not yield a nominee or if the winner and all runners-up are ineligible, unable or unwilling to be the nominee. Smiths complaint alleges that two congressional candidates may be ineligible. The Libertarian candidate for the 4th Congressional District in southwest Oregon, Dan Bahlen, lists a Lane County homeless encampment as his address on paperwork he filed with the state. We recognize that its potentially legal for homeless individuals to use street corners or fictitious addresses to register to vote, but if he truly just moved to Oregon and lives in a homeless shelter, we dont believe such temporary address while also holding an out of state address, licenses, and activities can be sufficient to establish residency, Smith wrote. While Bahlen is now a registered Libertarian, the complaint says he initially registered as a Democrat in Oregon in August 2023. The complaint cites a state law that requires candidates for major political parties Democrats and Republicans to be party members for 180 days prior to the nomination deadline, though that law doesnt appear to apply to minor parties. Smith also objected to the nomination of Sonja Feintech in the 5th Congressional District, as Feintech was previously a Republican and elected as a Republican precinct committee person in 2022. He cited a law that applies to nonaffiliated candidates nominated by an assembly of electors, which would not apply to Feintech as a minor party candidate. Matt Rowe, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Oregon, said he was reviewing the complaint Thursday evening and did not have an immediate response. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) As current high school juniors and seniors are trying to determine their career path; Indiana State University is trying to make that choice a little easier. Local students who are currently in the education professions pathway got the chance to see firsthand what it takes to become a successful teacher. Assistant Dean for the College of Education at ISU Malea Crosby said it is important to show students the good sides of teaching. We all know that being a teacher is a hard job, so having presenters and other people in the field that are still excited about being a teacher is really helpful for those students, said Crosby Crosby said building these connections with students early helps motivate them to further their education. Rose-Hulman moves in biggest class ever We want to start building relationships with these students to make them see that college is an option, but also that Indiana State University is an option for them, said Crosby. The students who are in this pathway also get the benefit of getting college credits for free while in high school. Adjunct Instructor for ISU Dr. Karen Goeller said this allows them to start taking higher-level college courses earlier. These 15 college credits will enable students to build a foundation so that they will be able to move into a college already having an established success rate of several credit hours so that they can go on and continue their pathway with higher level courses, said Goeller. Crosby said that they are grateful that they get to be a part of these students educational journeys. Its exciting for these students to choose ISU, to choose the profession of being an educator, and we want to be a part of that, said Crosby. Crosby added that approximately 3,000 classrooms in Indiana began the school year without a teacher and they are fully committed to lowering that number. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 66,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine amid the full-scale war, according to a report by independent Russian media outlet Mediazona on Aug. 30. Mediazona, along with BBC News Russian, has been documenting the names of Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine through open-source research. The report stated that at least 12,813 prisoners recruited from prisons, 12,566 volunteers, and 8,610 mobilized troops have died while serving in Russian forces during the war. The journalists also investigated the deaths of Russian conscripts, who, according to the Russian command, are not deployed in combat operations. However, the report found that at least 172 conscripts had been killed. Some of these conscripts were sent to Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 and were later withdrawn. Others were killed under fire in Russian border areas, the report said. Some conscripts who served as mariners also died in the sinking of the cruiser Moskva on April 1314, 2022. The deaths of conscripts do not account for possible losses during Ukraines recent offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the report noted. In July 2024, Meduza and Mediazona estimated that at least 120,000 Russian soldiers had died in the invasion, based on probate and inheritance records. Ukraines General Staff estimated Russian military personnel losses surpassed 500,000 as of May 25, 2024, including those killed, wounded, missing, and captured. In February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 180,000 Russian troops had been killed since the start of the all-out war. The president said that over 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during the same time. Western officials gave similar estimates about Russian battlefield losses. Leo Docherty, British minister of state for the Armed Forces, said in late April the U.K. estimates Russian losses to be over 450,000. Read also: Commanders just disappeared: Russian POWs speak of their capture in Kursk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The 9th annual Scotty B. Overdose Awareness Day event was held Thursday at Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park in Rochester. The organizer of the event, Becky Baker, tells News 8 she lost her son to an overdose. She said the gathering is a way for families to get information, mourn a loss, and celebrate recovery. The event featured community health and informational resources for anyone who may be struggling with addiction, or has a loved one who is. Baker said the support from the community keeps the organization running. A community organization called REACH Advocacy plans to take over future events. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Pacific Islands Forum has endorsed a plan to boost police numbers among its members, cutting the need to rely on external forces in a crisis, with China security ally Solomon Islands supporting the Australian-funded initiative on Friday. The bloc of 18 nations has the potential to play a strong and active role in regional security, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, the forum's chairman, said on the final day of an annual meeting of leaders. The Pacific Islands were "a region of collaboration and support and working together, rather than a region of competition and a region where other countries look to try to gain an advantage over us", he told a press conference in Tonga. Some analysts see the plan to set up a regional policing unit to be deployed to tackle major incidents as a move by Australia to block China's growing police presence in the region, amid strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington. The Solomons, which has police ties with Australia, the forum's largest member, as well as China, which is not a member, said it had agreed to the Pacific Policing Initiative. "We also endorse, as part of developing this initiative, the importance of national consultation, so that it is owned and driven by countries, so we really do appreciate the initiative," said Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said it would reinforce the existing regional security architecture. The leaders had also agreed to the terms of a fact-finding mission to New Caledonia, riven by months of riots, for talks with relevant parties to try and resolve the crisis, he said. The French territory belongs to the forum, where there is support among several Melanesian nations for the independence aspirations of its indigenous Kanak population. The forum has accepted U.S. territories Guam and American Samoa as associate members, a final communique showed. TAIWAN TENSIONS Forum leaders reaffirmed a 1992 decision on ties with Taiwan, the communique added, sparking an angry response from China. A development partner since 1993, Taiwan sent Tien Chung-kwang, its deputy foreign minister to Tonga to meet its three Pacific allies, Palau, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands. China's special envoy to the Pacific Islands, Qian Bo, told reporters in Tonga the reference to Taiwan in the communique "must be a mistake" because 15 forum members have diplomatic ties with Beijing, the ABC and Nikkei reported. Bo had lobbied during the week for Taiwan to be excluded from the forum's official functions, the Chinese embassy's website showed. "Any attempt by the Taiwan authorities to brush up their sense of presence by rubbing shoulders with the forum can only be self-deceptive," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing at a regular press briefing on Friday. The United States, among the forum's 21 dialogue partners, sent U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to meet Pacific leaders and pledge $20 million to combat climate change. It is also set to unveil an initiative next week for the Pacific to combat drug trafficking. Climate change dominated the week-long talks in Tonga, and Sovaleni highlighted on Friday the need for more resources to ameliorate its impact. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Miral Fahmy) A Palestinian TikTok star who shared details of Gaza life under siege is killed by Israeli airstrike In this undated photo provided by Helmi Hirez, Mohamed (Medo) Halimy, left, and twin brothers Mohammed Hirez, center, and Helmi Hirez, right, stand on a beach in Gaza. (Helmi Hirez via AP). CAIRO (AP) It was another day of war in Gaza, another day of what 19-year-old Palestinian TikTok star Medo Halimy called his Tent Life." As he often did in videos documenting life's mundane absurdities in the enclave, Halimy on Monday walked to his local internet cafe rather, a tent with Wi-Fi where displaced Palestinians can connect to the outside world to meet his friend and collaborator Talal Murad. They snapped a selfie Finally Reunited" Halimy captioned it on Instagram and started catching up. Then came a flash of light, 18-year-old Murad said, an explosion of white heat and sprayed earth. Murad felt pain in his neck. Halimy was bleeding from his head. A car on the coastal road in front of them was engulfed in flames, the apparent target of an Israeli airstrike. It took 10 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Hours later doctors pronounced Halimy dead. He represented a message, Murad said on Friday, still recovering from his shrapnel wounds and reeling from the Israeli airstrike that killed his friend. He represented hope and strength. The Israeli military said it was not aware of the strike that killed Halimy. Tributes to Halimy kept pouring in Friday from friends as far afield as Harker Heights, Texas, where he spent a year in 2021 as part of an exchange program sponsored by the State Department. Medo was the life of the hangout ... humor and kindness and wit, all things that can never be forgotten, said Heba al-Saidi, alumni coordinator for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program. He was bound for greatness, but he was taken too soon. His death also catalyzed an outpouring of grief on social media, where his followers expressed shock and sadness as if they, too, had lost a close friend. Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and militants and spawned a humanitarian disaster. It has also transformed legions of ordinary teenagers, who have nothing to do every day but survive, into war correspondents for the social media age. We worked together, it was a kind of resistance that I hope to continue, said Murad, who collaborated with Halimy on The Gazan Experience, an Instagram account that answered questions from followers around the world trying to understand their lives in the besieged enclave, which is inaccessible to foreign journalists. Halimy launched his own TikTok account after taking refuge with his parents, four brothers and sister in Muwasi, the southern coastal area that Israel has designated a humanitarian safe zone. They had fled Israels invasion of Gaza City to the southern city of Khan Younis before escaping the bombardment again for the dusty encampment. Sparked by Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and resulted in about 250 people taken hostage, the Israel-Hamas war has produced a torrent of images now numbingly familiar to viewers around the world: Bombed-out buildings, contorted bodies, chaotic hospital halls. But Halimys content came as a surprise, said his friend, 19-year-old Helmi Hirez. Turning his camera on the intimate details of his own life in Gaza, he reached viewers far and wide, revealing a maddening tedium that's largely left out of news coverage about the war. If you wonder what living in a tent is actually like, come with me to show you how I spend my day, Halimy says in his first of many tent life diaries filmed from the sprawling encampment. He filmed himself going about his day: waiting restlessly in long lines for drinking water, showering with a jar and a bucket (theres no shampoo or soap, of course"), scavenging ingredients to make a surprisingly tasty baba ganoush, the Middle Easts smoky eggplant dip ("Mama mia!" he marvels at his creation), and becoming very, very bored (then I went back to the tent, and did nothing). Hundreds of thousands of people around the world were captivated. His videos went viral some amassing more than 2 million views on TikTok. Even when recounting tragedies (his grandmother died, he mentioned at one point, largely because of Gazas acute medication and equipment shortages ) or fretting over Israel's bombardment, Halimy's friends said that he found salve in channeling his grief and anxiety into deadpan humor. Very annoying, he says with an eye roll when the buzz of an Israeli drone interrupts one of his TikTok recipe videos. As you can see, the transportation here is not five stars, he says when crammed between men in a pickup truck heading to the nearby town of Deir al-Balah. We proceeded to play, anyway, he says of his Monopoly game, when the whooshing of Israeli projectiles sounds in the skies above him and his friends. Anyway, I lost. In his last video, posted hours before he was killed, Halimy films himself scribbling in a notebook, its pages covered with mysterious black redaction bars. I started designs for my new secret project, he said from the tent cafe that would later be struck, in the same tone he always used, one part playful, one part serious. ___ Isabel DeBre reported from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Warning: Story contains graphic, disturbing photos. Palestinian health care workers detained by the Israeli military are revealing the horrifying, and in some cases deadly, abuse and torture they say they faced at the hands of soldiers while in custody further deteriorating Gazas health care system thats already crumbling under Israels nearly yearlong siege. A report published Monday by Human Rights Watch, a nonprofit organization that reports on crises around the world, included testimony from doctors, nurses and paramedics who said they faced humiliation, beatings, forced stress positions, prolonged cuffing, blindfolding and denial of medical care while in Israeli custody. These specific health care workers, now released, also described torture that included rape and sexual abuse by Israeli forces, and inhumane living conditions for the general prison population. Their testimonies are consistent with other reports about Israels inhumane treatment of detainees. The Israeli governments mistreatment of Palestinian health care workers has continued in the shadows and needs to immediately stop, Balkees Jarrah, HRWs acting Middle East director, said in a statement earlier this week. The torture and other ill-treatment of doctors, nurses and paramedics should be thoroughly investigated and appropriately punished, including by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Israeli officials have denied inhumane treatment of detainees, maintaining that the prisoners are members of Hamas. In rare cases, the military launches an investigation into itself or into individual soldiers, which historically has not resulted in accountability. Israels targeting of Palestinian health care workers shot up after soldiers launched its military offensive in Gaza as a response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants who killed about 1,200 and took hundreds hostage, about 100 of whom remain in captivity. The Israeli military has since killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza and decimated the strip while allegedly torturing its captives in shadowy military bases actions that the international communityhas largely described as genocidal. The Degradation In Israels Arrests Of Health Care Workers Dr. Isam Abu Ajwa restarts his work at Gaza's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital a few days after the Palestinian surgeon was released from prison in Deir al-Balah, where Israeli forces detained him on Oct. 7, 2023, for 200 days. Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images Between March and June of this year, HRW interviewed eight Palestinian health care workers in Gaza who were taken captive by Israeli forces between November and December of last year and detained without charge for some time between seven days and five months. The organization said it also spoke with seven people who witnessed Israeli forces arrest health care workers trying to do their job. Were just health care workers. Were not doing anything out of the ordinary, Dr. Majed Jaber, who is based in the al-Mawasi area while volunteering at Emirati Hospital, said on a Wednesday call with reporters and other Gaza health care workers. All of the workers who testified in the report said Israeli soldiers never informed them of why they were being detained, but that for weeks those soldiers threatened them with indefinite imprisonment, rape and murdering their families unless they confessed to being members of Hamas. The world was spinning around, and I fainted. They hit me with batons. I kept fainting and hallucinating, Walid Khalili, a 36-year-old paramedic and ambulance driver for the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, told the human rights group. He kept asking me about the hostages, and moving Hamas hostages, and where I was on Oct. 7. With every question I was electro-shocked to wake me up. He told me to confess and we will stop torturing you. Khalili testified that he was dispatched in November to rescue four men in Gaza City, only to see Israeli forces execute them in cold blood. He said he was then beaten, zip-tied, blindfolded and forced to publicly strip in the cold before soldiers took him to an open area, where they doused him in gasoline, threatened to set him on fire and drove a military vehicle directly toward him in an attempt to terrify him into saying he is a Hamas member. Dr. Khalid Hamoudeh said he faced similar treatment from Israeli forces after they arrested him in December at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gazas Beit Lahia. The doctor told HRW that he and about 50 fellow health care workers were made to sit separately from other Palestinian detainees. A photo that Israels Channel 12 widely circulated at the time and whose location was first identified by open-source researcher FDov before being confirmed later by HRW showed 34-year-old Hamoudeh and several other men shirtless and bound in front of a soldier, while hundreds of detained men behind them sat in a guarded large pit. The Humiliation, Abuse And Torture In Israels Camps Nearly two dozen Palestinian prisoners detained by the Israeli army are taken to Nasser Hospital for medical treatment after being released at the Karm Abu Salem border crossing in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Aug. 20. Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images The health care workers told HRW that Israeli forces took them to detention facilities like the Sde Teiman camp in the Negev desert and the Ashkelon prison, or forcibly transferred them to the Anatot military base near East Jerusalem and the Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank. Khalili said he was detained for 20 days at Sde Teiman, a base in southern Israel that has come under fire after multiple investigations by human rights groups and news outlets reported that the site is part of a network of Israeli torture camps for Palestinian captives. The paramedic described the camp like a warehouse where Israeli forces suspended him and dozens of other Palestinian detainees by their metal cuffs from chains attached to the ceiling. He and other detainees also had to wear adult diapers and a garment and headband attached to wires for electrocution, according to the HRW report. Israeli soldiers took Khalili in for interrogation every three days, forcing him to ingest what he believed was a psychoactive drug before questioning and beating, he said. After experiencing weeks of violence so severe that he required a wheelchair, Khalili was transferred for more than a month of additional detention at al-Naqab prison, where he said he witnessed a man visibly bleeding from his bottom because multiple soldiers raped him with an assault rifle. Conditions at the camps are not even fit for animals, testified Dr. Eyad Abed, a 50-year-old surgeon who worked at Indonesian Hospital before he was taken captive. He said he and other detainees had no choice but to fill a garbage bag with water and drink from it. My wrists hurt so much, they felt paralyzed and numb. I cried so much, I couldnt take the pain.Khader Abu Nada, formerly detained nurse at Beit Hanoun Hospital in Gaza In November, Israeli forces arrested Khader Abu Nada, a 30-year-old nurse at northern Gazas Beit Hanoun Hospital, while he was evacuating to the south with his family. For the duration of his eight-day detention at the Anatot camp, he said he was forced to work as a shawish a slang term in Arabic that means servant or subordinate and escort detainees to the interrogation room. Abu Nada told HRW that he would cry while accompanying the detainees because Im the one bringing them to this torture. Abu Nada said he himself faced abuse before soldiers appointed him as a shawish, getting beaten during his first interrogation by a military commander who also threatened to rape him with an electric stick if he didnt confess to being affiliated with Hamas. The commander then ordered another soldier to tighten Abu Nadas handcuffs and drag him to a field. My wrists hurt so much, they felt paralyzed and numb. I cried so much, I couldnt take the pain, said Abu Nada, adding that his wrists eventually turned black, and he feared long-term damage. I still feel pain in my hands. My hands are weak, and I have no strength to hold or carry anything. An infographic titled "Israel's Guantanamo" created in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 30. Israel's Sde Teiman prison is notorious for reports of torture and maltreatment of Palestinians. Yara Ramazan/Anadolu via Getty Images According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel, prolonged physical restraint like handcuffs can cause extreme pain and lead to permanent nerve damage that prevents the restrained person from being able to use their hands. In some cases, cuffing can even lead to death. Hamoudeh was also forced to serve as a shawish during his 22 days at Sde Teiman, seeing between 10 and 20 detainees with medical conditions. The soldiers threw this responsibility at me, but without proper medical equipment and facilities, the doctor said in the report. I was terrified some would die. The shawish before me told me that three detainees died during his time. Whistleblowers told CNN earlier this year that soldiers would appoint some Palestinians as shawishes after they were no longer suspected of Hamas affiliation, implying that those detainees were being held for no reason other than to forcibly assist the military. The military denied unnecessarily holding detainees to the outlet. The Detention And Death Of Health Workers Amid Gazas Crumbling Health Systems The lifeless body of 2-year-old Anas al-Arair, who was killed in an Israeli strike, is brought to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, Gaza, on Wednesday. Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images The Israeli militaryreportedly had been conducting a criminal investigation into 48 Palestinians who since Oct. 7 were killed while in Israeli custody, Haaretz reported in June. That number includes Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a surgeon and orthopedics chief at al-Shifa Hospital who died in April, and Dr. Eyad al-Rantisi, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospitals womens health center. Dr. Adnan was in pain from the beatings. He was also punished. He had visible blunt trauma, and he had trouble breathing, Hamoudeh said of seeing him among the five detained doctors Israeli soldiers brought in December. What happened to him, happened to many. Theres clear medical neglect. Since October 2023, at least 259 Palestinian health care workers have been unlawfully detained by Israeli forces, with more than 30 accounts of torture and abuse as well as 35 cases of missing workers, according to the nonprofit Healthcare Workers Watch-Palestine. The groups latest update in June also reports that at least 541 Palestinian health care workers have been killed by Israeli forces since Oct. 7. Really its unfortunate because its reflective of a much greater racism and injustice thats been going on for decades but foreign workers are not the ones being detained and tortured, Dr. Tanya Haj Hassan, an American pediatrician who has worked extensively in Gaza, said on Wednesday. Its Palestinian health care workers that are being detained and tortured. Yes, everybody is scared. ... At the same time, the biggest thing thats preventing medical personnel from entering Gaza is the Israeli military and the Israeli government with Israeli policies.Dr. Tarek Loubani, medical director of aid group Glia Doctors, nurses and paramedics for months have tried to relay to the international community the dire state of hospitals and the desperate attempts to treat patients suffering from diseases or bomb-related wounds with few medical personnel and even fewer medical equipment, all while facing repeated evacuation orders and Israeli military raids. Despite the growing dangers, doctors and some medical aid workers say they are not deterred from carrying out their duties in occupied Palestinian land. We are trying our best to get medical personnel in. These are medical personnel who understand the risks, who have worked in other high-risk situations and who want to help, said Dr. Tarek Loubani, the medical director of Canadian aid group Glia who worked at al-Shifa Hospital. I mean, were watching an active genocide, of course they want to help. Yes, everybody is scared. Yes, nobody is going in there because they want to die, he continued on Wednesday. At the same time, the biggest thing thats preventing medical personnel from entering Gaza is the Israeli military and the Israeli government with Israeli policies. That is whats stopping our teams from entering. The Israeli occupation forces stormed the Palestine Red Crescent Societys medical point in Al-Fara refugee camp, detained the teams, and cut off all communication with them. #NotATarget#IHLpic.twitter.com/ACVhkIZV5J PRCS (@PalestineRCS) August 28, 2024 The threats to Palestinian health care have seeped into the occupied West Bank, which just faced its largest attack by Israel since 2002 during the Second Intifada. Soldiers are closing roads, invading hospitals, blocking ambulances and assaulting paramedics. According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Israeli forces stormed their medical point in the al-Fara refugee camp on Wednesday, detained team members and cut off communication with them. Even the best-equipped hospital would struggle to cope with the catastrophe unfolding now in Jenin basically, and I think the situation just urgently calls for international support, Dr. Ahmad Qaaqour, former ICU chief at the Ibn Sana Hospital in the West Bank city of Jenin, said on Wednesday. And the medical community needs advanced equipment, additional trained personnel and psychological support for the medical staff, patients and even the families there. The Desperate Call For Accountability From The International Community Palestinians attend a demonstration calling for the release of bodies of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, in Ramallah, occupied West Bank on Tuesday. Zain Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images The health care workers testimonies are consistent with separate reports by the multiple UnitedNations agencies, human rights groupsand media about the abuse and torture Palestinians face in Israeli prisons. In fact, HRW found back in 1994 that Israel failed to provide proper accountability for the decades of torture and abuse of Palestinian captives. Its not new, Haj Hassan said. Its just occurring at a much more severe both rate of detention and scale of detention. Israeli prison officers faced more than 1,800 abuse complaints between 2019 and 2022, according to a November report by the Israeli Knessets Research and Information Center. Of those, zero resulted in a criminal conviction. The torture of Palestinian health care workers is a window into the much larger issue of the Israeli governments treatment of detainees generally, HRWs Jarrah said. Governments should publicly call on the Israeli authorities to release unlawfully detained health care workers and end the cruel mistreatment and nightmarish conditions for all detained Palestinians. According to Common Article 3 to the four Geneva Conventions, Persons taking no active part in the hostilities shall in all circumstances be treated humanely. The article also says that torture and outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, are always prohibited. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention bans individual forcible transfers within an occupied territory, as well as deportations of civilians from the occupied territory to the occupiers territory. Violating these articles with criminal intent could chalk Israels arbitrary detention and abuse as war crimes, with the help of unconditional military aid from the United States. Israel could not get away with bombing hospitals if the United States did not allow it to continue to do that, Dr. Tammy Abughnaim told HuffPost last week. Israel could not get away with detaining health care workers if the United States did not provide political cover for that as well. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. A Palmdale man received a three-month prison sentence Thursday after he illegally imported a nearly 2,000-year-old mosaic from Syria, falsely labeling it as a shipment of ceramic tiles, prosecutors said. A federal jury in Los Angeles found Mohamad Yassin Alcharihi, 57, guilty of one count of entry of falsely classified goods following a five-day trial last year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Interstate 10 express lanes: San Bernardino County unveils new toll lanes on I-10 U.S. District Judge George W. Hu also granted a preliminary application from the government to seize the historical artifact, which is valued at $450,000. The mosaic is about 15 feet long, 8 feet tall and weighs 2,000 pounds, DOJ spokesman Ciaran McEvoy said in a written statement. It dates back to the era of the Roman Empire and depicts Roman demigod Hercules rescuing Prometheus. A Palmdale man was convicted on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, of illegally importing a nearly 2,000-year-old, 15-foot long mosaic depicting the rescue of Prometheus by Hercules from Syria. Alcharihi had the mosaic shipped to the Port of Long Beach from Turkey in August 2015, prosecutors said. It was then taken by truck to his home. "Alcharihi lied to his customs broker and caused it to falsely declare that he was importing ceramic tiles from Turkey valued at less than $600," McEvoy stated. "Alcharihi paid $40,000 to restore the mosaic and the governments appraisal expert valued the mosaic at $450,000." "The false classifications occurred months after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, particularly by the terrorist organizations Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Nusrah Front," McEvoy added. Victorville robbery: Suspect arrested in Fontana, multiple automatic weapons seized The artifact has been stored at a secure facility in Los Angeles since it was taken from Alcharihi's home in March 2016, officials said. The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI's Crime Art Crime Team and U.S. Homeland Security Investigation. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: California man sentenced for illegally importing 2,000-year-old mosaic A pardon for Jamey Noel wont come from his administration, Holcomb says Gov. Eric Holcomb, right, and Indiana Adjutant Major General Dale Lyles of the Indiana National Guard during a virtual press conference on Aug. 30, 2024. (Screenshot of press conference) Any decision about whether or not to pardon former Clark County Sheriff and longtime Republican operative Jamey Noel of his crimes wont come from the Holcomb administration, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday. I would just repeat what Ive said that never once did he utter one unethical word to me in that friendship, Holcomb said. it will be a question for a successor. Earlier this week, Noel pleaded guilty to 27 felony charges as part of a massive, ongoing corruption case that could put Noel behind bars for more than a decade. Noel led Holcombs campaign in 2016 and was part of his transition team. He also served as chairman of Holcombs reelection bid and, prior to Holcomb, attended President Donald Trumps inauguration in Washington, D.C. on a personal invitation from former Gov. Mike Pence, who was Trumps vice president. But Holcomb, speaking during a virtual Zoom press conference from Slovakia, said that the pardoning process would require a review of the conviction and sentencing. As of Friday, the judge assigned to the case hadnt yet accepted Noels guilty plea nor had a sentencing hearing been scheduled. Per Indiana code, theres a process a pardoning process that has to unfold or occur. And that includes, dependent on the actual sentence, a duration of time served and what the crime is, what the conviction actually is, Holcomb said. And so in this case, from what Ive read before, this would be way after my term concluded. Such a process, Holcomb said, would be years down the road. Holcomb is term limited and will end his second term in January. Three candidates have won their respective party nominations and are vying to succeed him: Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater. Holcomb pointed to the pardon he granted Keith Cooper, who spent nearly a decade in prison for a robbery he didnt commit and received a $7.5 million settlement in 2022. Coope was convicted in a 1996 robbery, but later DNA evidence pointed to another suspect and witnesses recanted their statements. Cooper had appealed to Pence for a pardon and was denied. Holcomb pardoned Cooper less than one month after taking office. I was running for governor and was rightly asked, What would my decision be? And I said I needed to review it, Holcomb said. I had the opportunity of reviewing the facts and then applying them to the authority that was granted to the governor. And so my successor will be in that same situation on a number of cases, not just this. Takeaways from Slovakia In contrast to other international trips, which seek to curate economic development relationships and business opportunities for the Hoosier State, Slovakia and Indiana has a three-decade long relationship centered around national security and defense capabilities. This hasnt been centered on trade in Slovakia, its been centered on our partnership and those relationships which are of paramount importance, Holcomb said. After arriving in Slovakia earlier this week, Holcomb attended an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Slovak National Uprising during World War II in Banska Bystrica. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was critically injured in an assassination attempt in May but appeared to be in remarkable shape during a sit-down with Holcomb on Thursday after giving a nationally televised speech. That was quite a historic scene. But to be able to have conversations about where were going, about the different threats around the world and Indianas role in it, Slovakias role in it, obviously was an enormous source of pride, Holcomb said. The diplomacy fostered between the two governments has created opportunities, such as Indiana hosting Slovakian military members and Hoosier airmen delivering military aircraft. The Slovakian celebration, commemorating freedom from Nazi Germany, reminded Indiana Adjutant Major General Dale Lyles of a Fourth of July holiday when America celebrates its independence. Slovakia is a very proud nation and theres a lot of opportunities for American defense industry to partner with the European defense industry and we are forging ways to do that now, Lyles said. Despite having just 136 days left as governor, Holcomb insisted that his administration would continue to keep up not just the momentum, but the velocity. Especially in light of news of the continued money asks from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, which he described as a good problem to have because it signaled growth and bringing home the bacon. Were not going to be a lame duck. Weve got 136 days, over 3,200 hours. Were going to run through the tape and pass the baton off, hopefully operating at peak performance in terms of economic growth, Holcomb said. Because with that it opens up a lot more choices in how you build community and how you are able to build up people, which is your most important asset. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Parents taken into custody in Ashland City after being found asleep in car with drugs, baby inside ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN) Ashland City authorities arrested two young parents who were found passed out in their vehicle with drugs and an infant in the backseat over the weekend. On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Ashland City Police Department (ACPD) responded to a welfare check at the Circle K gas station on Main Street after people reported a car had been at the pumps for 90 minutes. When officers approached the vehicle, 21-year-old Brooke Osborne was reportedly slumped over in the drivers seat while her 22-year-old boyfriend, Elijah Mixon, was passed out in the passenger seat. Police also found the couples 9-month-old baby in the backseat. On the body camera footage, you can hear the officers knocking on the window, causing the two parents to stir, and asking whether the infant was alright. Teacher charged with sexual battery following report of inappropriate behavior at STEM Prep Academy From the beginning, officers asked the couple if they were okay and if they were under the influence. However, both parents claimed they were just tired. Once the young woman was out of the car, the officer asked if there was anything narcotic-related. Osborne denied it. Officer: Its just you being tired? Osborne: Yes newborn baby, just so much going on. Officer: Is there anything in the that car I need to be concerned about? Osborne: No. According to authorities, the 22-year-old father appeared disoriented and was initially reluctant to exit the car after officers asked him to get out multiple times for safety reasons. Police checked with nearby Circle K staff members, who told investigators the vehicle had been at the pumps for about 90 minutes, but they werent sure that anyone was even in the car. Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives: Man being sought on child abuse, strangulation charges Officers spotted a drug pipe under the drivers seat where Osborne was sitting. When authorities asked her about it, she said she doesnt use it, but after being pressed about drug use, the young woman told law enforcement she does smoke weed once in a while. When police searched the vehicle, they found narcotics including marijuana, ecstasy pills, and a powdery substance that officers opened away from the baby in the backseat. According to officials, the substance later tested positive for fentanyl Its hard on anybody, even being a parent or not, to know that that kid that cannot fend for himself or herself is having to deal with the actions of his parents, ACPD Sgt. Alexis Duncan, a new mother, told News 2. The couple was arrested and read their rights. Later in the investigation, both parents admitted they ingested the fentanyl thinking it was heroin. They told officers they purchased the drug from a new dealer. It was very little, Osborne said in the body cam video. Okay. Same stuff? Is that why you were both passed out at the wheel? an officer replied. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Before going to jail, a handcuffed Mixon said goodbye to his child, who suffered no ill effects from the narcotics in the car. This needs to be a wake up call, number one. Alright? So we gotta start changing some decisions that were making in our life, an officer told the young couple at the scene. Its a little stressful to find people that can abuse narcotics and drugs like that with knowing their kid is in the car and around them doing the same thing, Duncan added. Both suspects are still being held in the Cheatham County Jail for child abuse. Mixon was also charged with multiple drug offenses and domestic assault. News 2 reached out to Osborne for a comment, but she declined Officials from the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services confirmed they have opened up an investigation. Meanwhile, ACPD told News 2 the infant was released into the custody of other family members. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The TVA board meets in Norris, Tennessee in May 2023. Katie Myers / BPR This report is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Residents in Avery, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, McDowell and Watauga counties may see their power bills increase again. The Tennessee Valley Authority, which serves portions of seven southeastern states, just announced a 5.25% rate increase for all wholesale customers. Its the second TVA rate hike in two years and the steepest increase in 16 years. The rate increase will go into effect on October 1, adding $4.35 to the utilitys monthly base rate. Some households may see varying impacts depending on the rates charged by their local municipal or for-profit utility. Scott Brooks, TVAs communications officer, said that the rate increase covers the necessary costs of the utility corporations carbon reduction plans while maintaining the stability of the electric grid. We are moving toward a future where, by 2050, we have an intention to be carbon neutral, zero carbon output and also maintain reliability, Brooks said. However, TVA has received criticism for its approach to carbon neutrality. Despite urging from the Environmental Protection Agency, the utility is planning to spend $15 billion in the next few years on new energy generation, mostly funded by its ratepayers, and mostly to build new natural gas infrastructure. Plan detractors say TVAs decisions fly in the face of the Biden administrations climate goals and lock the utility into fossil fuel generation for decades, much longer than climate scientists say we have to change course on climate change. Its interesting that theyre framing it as a carbon reduction measure, said Gabi Lichtenstein, a clean-power advocate with Appalachian Voices. Im assuming that theyre referring to (TVAs) investment in the largest gas build-out of any utility this decade. Environmental activists express opposition to the TVA's planned gas plants during a public listening session Lichtenstein is an organizer with Appalachian Voices, which joined a Southeastern coalition advocating for transparency at the TVA. Although natural gas plants pollute less than coal, studies have estimated that an average of 3% of the methane byproduct produced leaks into the atmosphere via drilling pads and leaky pipelines. Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to climate change. Although TVA said it needs more natural gas to supply energy during peak demand in the region, Lichtenstein said one-third of the utilitys energy production comes from its three nuclear plants which are often relied upon for the same reason. However, TVA officials say this increase comes as a result of booming demand as the Tennessee Valley sees unprecedented population growth and extreme weather. Though the majority of new construction will involve natural gas infrastructure, the anticipated $500 million in revenue from the rate increase will also support dam safety, solar fields, and new investments in small modular nuclear reactors. While TVA customers pay lower rates for electricity than 75% of utility customers in the country, the area it serves also suffers from high poverty rates, making customers highly cost-burdened. Lichtenstein said the volatility of the natural gas market led to steep price increases, and TVA fuel costs doubled in 2022 as a result. The more they rely on gas as a fuel source, the more of these spikes people are going to have to deal with, Lichtenstein said. With TVAs buildout, theyve just committed themselves to about forty more years of carbon emissions, since thats the lifecycle of the plants they are right now beginning to convert. TVA representatives say that these decades to come will give them the time they need to scale up renewable energy sources. We expect that the technology may be at a point where all of that will come together, and we wont need the natural gas generation by 2050, but at this point we do, Brooks said. Parts of New York given federal disaster declaration from July storms WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) Federal funding will be coming to a number of New York counties that were affected by the mid-July storms from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that a number of areas, including Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, have been approved for federal disaster aid via a disaster declaration for the state of New York. Severe flooding in Lowville brings significant damage to homes and roads The declaration allows the federal funding to help state, local and tribal governments to do emergency repairs, work or replacement of buildings and facilities damaged by the storm. Certain non-profit organizations also would fall under the declaration. Cortland, Essex and Hamilton counties were also named in the disaster declaration. After the storms, New York Governor Hochul announced up to $11 million in emergency assistance for eligible homeowners and municipalities in seven counties impacted by a series of severe weather events from July 10 through July 16. The rains from the remnants of Beryl were just one in a number of weather-related events across the state that caused damage. July saw the most tornadoes in a single month in New York State. There were also a number of storms that caused damage to roads and properties in the month of 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11) In the heart of Patersons Pennington Park, a playground with plenty of heart of its own. A playground that will accommodate children with special needs, said Mayor Andre Sayegh. More New Jersey News We need the entire village to make a difference, said Guerlina De La Hoz, Founder and President of Yo Soy Asi Foundation, which advocates for special needs families. We need to teach and encourage our kids to appreciate differences. She is the mother of an adult son with autism. In the past, I remember my son when he was 10 years old. We used to come to this park, said De La Hoz. But Id have to be running around because it wasnt something specially adapted for his condition, his abilities. Usually you have to go to different towns and Counties to find those kind of parks. The playground has adaptations for kids with all kinds of special needs, including a wheelchair-accessible swing, a soft-to-the-touch playing surface, and percussion instruments for stimulation. More Local News Coming to the park, playgrounds like this can offer so many opportunities, not only for kids under the spectrum but for the entire community, said De La Hoz. Ottis Anderson, a former New York Giants running back and Super Bowl XXV Most Valuable Player, helped cut the ribbon. Anderson is an advocate for adaptive playgrounds in the city. This marks the citys fifth adaptive playground, and Sayegh announced that one more will be coming to Eastside Park next month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The John Doe has been identified as Nicolas Paul Grubb, who earned the nickname "Pinnacle Man" from where his body was found along the Appalachian Trail Berks County Coroner Office Nicolas Paul Grubb. After nearly five decades, authorities have identified the remains of a man who was found frozen inside a cave along the Appalachian Trail. The John Doe, nicknamed The Pinnacle Man, has been identified as Nicolas Paul Grubb of Fort Washington, Penn., the Berks County Coroners Office said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE. He was 27 years old when he died. The identification comes 47 years after Grubb was found dead inside the Pennsylvania cave. Hikers found his body in Albany Township on Jan. 16, 1977, officials said. The cave where Grubbs body was found is located near a 1,000-foot peak within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Albany Township known as the Pinnacle, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer earning him the special nickname. Related: What We Know About Final Days of Missing Dad Found Dead After Vanishing from Hilton Head Rental This case highlights the difficulty in working cold cases, as well as the considerable effort taken to return unidentified and unclaimed persons back to their loved ones, the coroners office said in its release. At least 10 people were compared to Grubb in the last 15 years, officials noted. In 2019, his body was exhumed from Potter's Field in Berks County to be assessed, but years later, experts said they were still unable to find a match. "Both the initial DNA extraction in 2019 and the subsequent genealogical DNA analysis in 2023 failed," authorities said. "A last attempt was considered to perform a facial approximation, but unfortunately the facial bones were broken or missing pieces during the exhumation process," their coroners office added. "The Coroners Office was considering reinterring the remains when the latest discovery was made." Additionally, copies of Grubb's fingerprint cards were too poor in quality to be properly used for identification, complicating the process for years, NBC affiliate WCAU reported. Related: 1 Tourist Dead, 2 Missing After Sudden Ice Cave Collapse During Group Tour in Iceland In August, there was a break in the case. A Pennsylvania State Police detective found Grubb's original fingerprint cards, which were subsequently turned over to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), officials said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The results came back in less than an hour. Grubb was a match. Authorities said Grubb, known as "Nicky" by his family, served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1971. Related: Womans Remains Identified Five Decades After She Went Missing His cause of death was determined at the time to be an overdose of phenobarbital and pentobarbital. Investigators determined his manner of death as suicide, though the coroner's office said "police and death investigations are still active until a final determination can be made." Family members are now working with authorities to have Grubbs remains reburied in a family burial plot, according to local outlet PennLive. 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. VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (WHTM) Nearly 700 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard will soon be deploying to Africa. The National Guard says the soldiers are members of the National Guards 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment. The soldiers will be supporting U.S. Africa Command and partner forces with security objectives in the region. Among those deploying are soldiers based in Hanover, Chambersburg, and Carlisle. They and their loved ones were recognized during a deployment ceremony at Valley Forge National Park on Thursday afternoon. The deployment is one of several in recent weeks and months involving soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard. In December 2023, nearly 300 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guards 2nd Battalion 112th Infantry Regiment were deployed to the horn of Africa for nine months. In August several dozen soldiers were honored at Fort Indiantown Gap prior to deploying to Kuwait and Jordan for a year. More than 150 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guards 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team were also deployed to Germany this month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) A Pennsylvania prisoner who escaped the Chester County Prison in 2023 is now pleading guilty to charges stemming from his 13-day run from officers. Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced that Danelo Cavalcante, 35, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of burglary, persons not to possess a firearm, and escape. He was already serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend prior to his escape. Scammer to slammer: $2 million Central PA ringleader sentenced Cavalcante was sentenced to an additional 15-30 years in a State Correctional Institution, to be served consecutive to his existing life sentence. On Aug. 31, 2023, Cavalcante escaped custody from Chester County Prison in Pocopson Township, PA, by scaling a wall and maneuvering past a razor-wire fence. His escape initiated a 13-day search during which he committed several crimes, including two residential burglaries where the homeowners were present, theft of an automobile, theft of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a person not eligible to carry. This defendant was already serving a life sentence when he escaped and put an entire community on edge as he continued to commit more crimes while on the run, Attorney General Henry said. I commend the immense effort of the hundreds of troopers, officers, and agents who worked tirelessly to bring him into custody. Previous Coverage on Cavalcante: Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante is captured in Pa. with the help of dogs and a heat-sensing plane Captured Pennsylvania fugitive tells officials he planned to head to Canada or Puerto Rico Prison guard warned that Danelo Cavalcante planned escape a month before he fled, emails show Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. The search for Cavalcante came to an end when officers apprehended him in a heavily wooded area in Chester 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police are warning the public of ongoing phone scam attempts in the Lewistown area. According to PSP, troopers in Lewistown have received several reports of phone scams targeting the elderly. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest PSP said these scams involve phone calls informing Lewistown residents that a relative has been arrested or is under duress. Its important to note that scammers may have access to family members names and other personal information. Scammers will pretend to be attorneys or bail bondsmen and ask for thousands of dollars in return for their help. PSP said scammers will likely pressure victims to send money quickly. Residents should be aware of these or any similar phone calls and contact police as soon as possible. Remember, do not give out any personal information to potential scams. If you suspect a loved one has been arrested, contact them or the local 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 ABC27. Pentagon aware of Ukraine's first F-16 loss, but gets no from request from Kyiv for investigation The Pentagon is aware of the loss of Ukraine's first F-16 fighter jet but has not provided any assistance in investigating the incident because Kyiv has not requested it. Source: European Pravda with reference to Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a briefing Quote: "I've seen the reports, I'm not aware of any assistance or requests for assistance [in the investigation of the incident] from the Ukrainian side to us about this particular incident." Details: She emphasised that only the Ukrainian side could comment on the issue of the crash and the Pentagon would not confirm information regarding the cause of the accident. Singh stressed that the US would not comment on details of the incident or specifics regarding potential electronic equipment on board the fighters and urged reporters to seek comments directly from Ukraine. She also declined to comment on the number of F-16s currently in Ukraine or those planned for delivery, calling it a matter of operational security. "I'm just not going to get into numbers of how many F-16s are in Ukraine. That's something for them [Ukrainians] to speak to,", she pointed out. Background: On 29 August, The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that an F-16 fighter jet had been destroyed in a plane crash in Ukraine on Monday, 26 August. It was claimed that this happened during a large-scale missile attack on Russia on Monday, 26 August. Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet had crashed while repelling a Russian missile strike. The pilot was killed. Support UP or become our patron! PFAS is a water problem? Heres why NC wants EPA to also treat it as air pollution. North Carolina and two other states are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate air emissions of four forever chemicals. On Thursday, the states sent the EPA a petition asking it to classify GenX, PFNA, PFOA and PFOS as hazardous air pollutants. Adding these forever chemicals to the list of regulated pollutants addresses a gap in our regulatory authority and makes it possible to tackle a critical part of the PFAS life cycle: air emissions, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser said in a written statement. DEQ was joined by environmental agencies from New Jersey and New Mexico. The states said air regulations are needed to control industrial emissions of PFAS. But they also pointed to the incineration associated with new federal rules requiring removal of forever chemicals from drinking water and polluted sites. Man-made PFAS are known as forever chemicals because of their durability. The chemicals also tend to move easily through water, meaning that once emitted from a stack they can easily find their way into ground- and surface-water supplies. North Carolina has for years grappled with the impacts of PFAS from air emissions around Chemours Fayetteville Works plant on the Cape Fear River. State environmental regulators have linked high levels of PFAS found in well water around the facility with pollution Chemours and predecessor DuPont released into the air, while scientists have measured elevated levels of PFAS in the air around the plant. Federal regulations requiring companies to capture and destroy PFAS emissions before they are released into the environment are significantly more effective, the states argue in the petition, than allowing the substances to be released and later filtering them from water sources, as is happening around the Fayetteville Works site. Chemours and DEQ have identified 7,310 wells around the facility that are eligible for filtration because of elevated PFAS levels written into a 2019 consent order that also included environmental nonprofit Cape Fear River Watch. Another 5,106 wells were sampled and contained levels that did not require action. This map shows where Chemours must provide water filtration devices to homes whose wells contain elevated levels of forever chemicals around the companys Fayetteville Works plant. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is asking the EPA to deem four forever chemicals as toxic air pollutants, in large part due to its work with Chemours. The EPA has classified 188 chemicals as hazardous air pollutants, including benzene, mercury and methylene chloride. Any facility that releases 10 tons of a single hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons of any mixture of the substances must obtain a permit classifying it as a major source of pollution. State regulators are also asking the EPA to consider requiring technological methods to limit air pollution at facilities that release smaller amounts of PFAS, not just major sources. They point to North Carolina as an example, where uncontrolled releases of GenX from Chemours wouldnt have reached the major source threshold. NCDEQs experiences show that PFAS air emissions, well below (hazardous air pollutant) major source thresholds, can result in significant impacts through deposition, the petition states. In Chemours case, the 2019 consent order required the company to install a system including a thermal oxidizer to capture and destroy 99% of PFAS emissions. That agreement required an update to Fayetteville Works major air emissions permit, which DEQ granted. Chemours is seeking a renewal of that permit. Biser and her counterparts also told the EPA that regulating air emissions could become more important due to the agencys recently finalized drinking water standards for five PFAS and a mixture that includes a sixth. Those standards, which are being challenged in federal court by the chemical industry and water utilities, are expected to lead to the installation of billions of dollars of filtration devices across the country. Those filtration devices often include membranes or carbon material that capture PFAS and other contaminants before sending them elsewhere to be destroyed. That destruction process can include incineration, which, in turn, can lead to air emissions. Without EPA acting on this petition, remediating our land and waters may result in air dispersion of these chemicals into communities or other geographic areas of our environment, the petition said. This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here. By Mikhail Flores MANILA (Reuters) -Vietnam and the Philippines agreed on Friday to advance defence and military relations and deepen collaboration on maritime security, in a significant step by two countries long at odds with Beijing over its actions in the South China Sea. Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang was in Manila for talks with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, his first visit as defence chief, and paid a courtesy call earlier in the day on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "The ministers expressed their unwavering commitment to deepen defence and military cooperation through continued interaction and engagements at all levels," the Philippine defence department said in a statement. The two nations aimed to sign a defence cooperation deal before the end of the year, Teodoro said after he and Giang inked "letters of intent" to enhance engagements on disaster response and military medicine. They also agreed to resolve disagreements peacefully and within the framework of international law. "The two sides shared the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea," Giang told a joint briefing. Their meeting comes at a time of simmering tension in the South China Sea and international concern about the possibility of an escalation, with China and U.S. defence ally the Philippines sparring almost every week in a row that has raged for more than a year. "While we face common threats, we will work together in facing these threats in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity," Teodoro said, without mentioning China. The Philippines and major western powers have been vexed by the conduct of the vast fleet of coast guard China has deployed throughout the South China Sea, which Manila accuses of aggression and dangerous manoeuvres in blocking its vessels. China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, has accused the Philippines of provocations and repeated trespassing. Vietnam has a tricky balancing act of opposing actions by China that it deems infringements on its sovereignty, while needing to maintain close relations with a giant neighbour and major trade partner, forged over decades by their ruling Communist Parties. Vietnamese and Chinese coastguards on Thursday conducted their third joint patrol in the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin this year. Teodoro said it was important the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN be central to ensuring peace and stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea. "We talked about making more concrete and effective steps of working together and with our ASEAN partners, to ensure the continuity of these desires of all ASEAN peoples through concrete cooperation and interaction, underscoring the primacy of international law," he said. Despite their overlapping claims in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and the Philippines each occupies atolls and reefs, both countries have expressed desire to work together and tackle disputes. Their coastguards earlier this month held their first-ever joint exercises in Manila, simulating fire-fighting drills and search-and-rescue exercises. (Reporting by Mikhail Flores, Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi; Editing by Martin Petty and Ros Russell) OXFORD, Iowa After days of drama, PHill the water buffalo was captured, and taken to the Iowa State University VetMed Large Animal Clinic for treatment. The owner of the animal signed over custody to the Des Moines Police, and they, in turn, signed PHill over to be owned by the Iowa Farm Sanctuary. The Iowa Farm Sanctuary was founded in 2015 by Jered and Shawn Camp at a farm near Marengo. In 2020 the sanctuary was relocated to a 40-acre plot near Oxford, just west of Iowa City. They now have around 140 animals on the farm. Gabe On the Go: Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park The mission here is to rescue animals from the food system, and kind of nurture the human- animal bond, beyond just companion animals, said Shawn Camp, Sanctuary Co-Founder, and Executive Director. We rescue farm animals from essentially becoming food, so that includes goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, ducks. PHill the water buffalo at the ISU VetMed Clinic. (Courtesy: Shawn Camp) Photo courtesy of city of Pleasant Hill Water buffalo in Pleasant Hill on August 25. (Courtesy: Martin Pontier) Water buffalo in Pleasant Hill on August 25. (Courtesy: Martin Pontier) Water buffalo in Pleasant Hill on August 25. (Courtesy: Martin Pontier) Water buffalo in Pleasant Hill on August 25. (Courtesy: Martin Pontier) The Iowa Farm Sanctuary became interested in PHill after supporters called Shawn on the weekend. After lots of phone calls the animal was signed over to the Iowa Farm Sanctuary as the new owner. PHill has not yet arrived at the farm, but is getting treatment at the ISU VetMed Clinic. They are kind of letting him set the pace they want him to settle, hes had an ultrasound, antibiotics all of the really important stuff, said Camp. The last little piece will be trying to find the bullet that hit him. Theyre not sure the bullet is still in him, but theyd like to do an x-ray to find out, but thatll require sedation. Once PHill does arrive at the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, he will be given time to adjust to living in a new location. And eventually, members of the public may get to see the water buffalo up close. The public is welcome to stop during operating hours to interact with farm animals. Were open to the public on Sunday and they get to choose how they interact with the public and so when PHill comes home, he will be out with our general population and people will be able to see him, and if he is comfortable interacting with humans after his experience, hell be available for those types of interactions. There is no timetable yet as to when PHill may be transported to his new 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 who13.com. Tons of dead fish fill a river near Volos, Greece, Aug. 29. (Vaggelis Kousioras/AP) A mass cleanup effort is underway in Greece after more than 100 tons of dead freshwater fish were discovered following a mass die-off that authorities have linked to extreme climate fluctuations. The rotting fish have brought a stench that is repulsive to the port of Volos in central Greece, the local chamber of commerce said, according to the Associated Press. Officials said the dead fish have caused a severe blow to tourism. Anna Maria Papadimitriou, the deputy regional governor of the central Thessaly area where Volos is located, told a local media outlet: We are cooperating with whoever wants to help this phenomenon end as quickly as possible. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos accused the regional authority of acting too slowly and warned that the mass fish die-off, which scientists have linked to climate change, could be an environmental disaster. The millions of freshwater fish came from central Greeces Lake Karla, which abruptly swelled from a storm in September 2023 and caused mass flooding after months of extreme heat waves and severe drought. But when the waters receded from a lack of rainfall, experts say, the fish were swept away with the floodwater and died when they encountered seawater. The carcasses spewed into nearby rivers, bays and the Pagasetic Gulf, where vacation homes line the shore. Now, the regional governor has declared a state of emergency and deployed fishing trawlers, which are commercial vessels that use nets to collect fish. The fish have been dumped on trucks and sent to an incinerator. More than 40 tons of fish were collected in over 24 hours this week, local authorities said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The citys chamber of commerce claimed that most businesses along the seafront have closed and commercial activity has been reduced by 80% in the past three days. The chamber said it was taking legal action against any responsible parties, seeking damages for the decline in business. Local prosecutors are investigating the phenomenon. Workers collect dead fish from a river near Volos, central Greece, Aug. 29. (Vaggelis Kousioras/AP) Vaggelis Kousioras/AP Vaggelis Kousioras/AP Vaggelis Kousioras/AP Vaggelis Kousioras/AP See more of our photo features on Yahoo News >>> PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) A campus monitor for Pinellas County Schools was arrested after he allegedly sexually battered a student, according to police. The Pinellas Park Police Department said officers learned of the situation after being called about potential sexual activity inside a car at a local apartment. Residents outraged after Pinellas County golf course they live on was quietly sold Upon responding to the call, officers found a 15-year-old girl walking away from a car that just drove out of the complex. Investigators said the teenager told the officers she engaged in a sex act with a man named Demetrious Jones, 36, of St. Petersburg inside the vehicle. Detectives confirmed that Jones worked as a campus monitor at Richard O Jacobsen Technical High School in Seminole, which was the same school the victim attended. According to police, Jones misconduct with the student has been occurring for a period of time that is yet to be determined. Thursday, detectives spoke with Jones who admitted to being in the car with the victim but denied having sex with her. Police arrested Jones on a charge of sexual battery. I want to make it clear that the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable population is of utmost importance, Chief Adam Geissenberger said. The actions of this individual, who was entrusted with a position of responsibility within our school system, represent a profound violation of that trust. This crime not only harms the victim but also shakes the confidence of parents, students, and the community at large. We are committed to pursuing justice in this case, ensuring that those who abuse their power to exploit vulnerable individuals are held accountable under the law. The Pinellas County School District also released the following statement on the matter. The Pinellas County School District has zero-tolerance for staff behavior that jeopardizes student safety or the integrity of our schools. Since this is an open investigation, please direct any questions about this case to the Pinellas Park Police Department. While only one teenage victim has been identified in this case, Pinellas Park police said any potential victims who had contact with Jones are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Pirates activate 5-time All-Star from the injured list CLEVELAND, Ohio (WKBN) The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the 10-day injured list on Friday. He has been out of action since Aug. 17 battling left knee inflammation. In a corresponding move, the Pirates placed reliever Ben Heller on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. This season, the 37-year-old McCutchen is batting .235 with 16 homers and 40 RBIs in 101 games this season. Heller is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in eight relief appearances for Pittsburgh. The Pirates open a 3-game weekend series in Cleveland on Friday night. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 News Magnificent, wild, and under threat: The plight of the Earths salt marshes has inspired a new performance installation in Venice. Theater maker Sophie Hunter is putting the wetlands center stage in , which reworks the Bible story of Lots wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back at her homeland. Hunter is delivering an urgent plea, The Guardian wrote: Salt marshes sequester more carbon than forests by area, but more than half of the coastal wetlands have been destroyed or degraded. These liminal intertidal spaces have often been associated with outcasts, Hunter said. How can we shift our perception to realizing how much value they have on so many levels? The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star returned to the United States on Sunday after completing a 138-day deployment to Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze 2024. The mission marked the Polar Stars 27th journey to the continent, where it played a critical role in resupplying U.S. Antarctic stations as part of the National Science Foundations United States Antarctic Program. The Polar Star and its crew departed Seattle on November 15, 2023, traveling over 27,500 miles through various oceans and seas, including the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Southern Ocean. The journey included logistical stops in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and two Australian ports, where the crew hosted U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and other dignitaries. Upon arrival in Antarctica, the Polar Star broke a 38-mile channel through ice up to 12 feet thick, enabling cargo vessels to deliver essential supplies to McMurdo Station. Over 51 days, the crew conducted ice escorts that ensured the delivery of nine million gallons of fuel and 80 million pounds of cargo to support scientific research in one of the worlds most remote regions. On the return trip, the Polar Star avoided a severe bomb cyclone in the Southern Ocean and made stops in New Zealand, Japan, and Alaska. During a visit to Yokosuka, Japan, the crew participated in professional exchanges with maritime representatives from several countries, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The successful completion of this mission stands as a testament to the relentless commitment and selflessness exhibited by our crew, said Capt. Keith Ropella, commanding officer of the Polar Star. He praised the crew for overcoming challenging conditions and maintaining their dedication to the mission. The Polar Star is now in Vallejo, California, undergoing phase four of its five-year Service Life Extension Project. This project includes significant maintenance and system upgrades to extend the cutters operational life. Despite its age, the Polar Star remains the only U.S. asset capable of accessing both polar regions. Police: Four boys accused of vandalism at Paul Angelle Park, Cecilia Jr. High School Police: Four boys accused of vandalism at Paul Angelle Park, Cecilia Jr. High School ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY) Four juveniles have been arrested and charged in connection with reports of vandalism at Paul Angelle Park and Cecilia Jr. High School, the St. Martin Parish Sheriffs Office announced. The names and ages of the individual juveniles were not released. The sheriffs office said the boys face charges including institutional vandalism, criminal trespassing, intentional littering and defacing with graffiti. After their arrest, the boys were released to the custody of their parents, the sheriffs office said. We would like to encourage parents to please be aware of their childrens whereabouts to avoid this type of criminal behavior, the sheriffs office said in a news release. 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. Police investigating hit-and-run crash that injured one in West Manchester Township West Manchester Township Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that injured a woman early Sunday morning, according to a news release. The crash happened around 3:51a.m. Aug. 25 on Carlisle Road in front of Chilis Grill & Bar at Delco Plaza, police said. Police found the woman lying in the road, the release states. She told police she was riding an electric scooter before the impact. Officers searched the area and found the scooter about half a mile away on Route 30 at Kenneth Road, the release states. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. Police have not released her name at this time "out of respect for her and her family," the release states. Anyone with information may contact Officer David Coates at (717) 792-9514, Ext. 301. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Woman injured in hit-and-run crash in West Manchester Township: police A Redlands home was the focus Thursday of an investigation surrounding a missing couple. (KTLA) Police officers converged on a Redlands nudist ranch on Thursday, using a battering ram to break into the home of a suspect in the disappearance of a local couple. The manhunt is part of an ongoing search for Stephanie Menard, 73, and her 79-year-old husband, Daniel Menard, who went missing Sunday. On Thursday morning, officers arrived at Olive Dell Ranch, where the couple have a home, to conduct an investigation into the missing persons case. While there, they received a phoned-in tip that a man involved in their disappearance was somewhere in the RV park, according to Redlands spokesperson Carl Baker. Police officers locked down the park and obtained a search warrant for the suspects home, which sits next door to the Menards' property. They entered using a battering ram, then used remote-controlled machines, including a drone and assault vehicle, to search the place, Baker said at a Thursday news conference. Read more: Man who kidnapped his niece and nephew planned to take them to 'heaven,' police say Aerial footage from KTLA showed a police vehicle with an arm aggressively digging through the suspects home, nearly knocking over a deck in the process. Baker said police hadn't found the suspect but believed he was somewhere on the property either in his home or elsewhere. The couple were last seen at the nudist ranch on Saturday. Stephanie Menards purse was found inside their home, and their car was found unlocked down the road from the property. Their dog, a small Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing. Daniel Menard is diabetic and suffers from dementia, police said. Tammie Wilkerson, a friend of the couple, told KABC-TV that the Menards lived on the nudist ranch and were very active in the community. Theyre very sweet people," Wilkerson said. "Theres not a mean bone in their body at all, which makes this very confusing. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway after a 7-year-old girl was shot in Providence Thursday evening. Commander Timothy OHara told 12 News the girl was in the car with two family members on Florence Street when she was struck by gunfire. OHara said she was rushed to Hasbro Childrens Hospital in critical condition. This is an unfathomable tragedy caused by senseless gun violence, OHara said. We have a clearly innocent victim here today. No arrests have been made at this time. Were working on every possible lead right now, OHara said. 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. Police in Wisconsin looking to identify man who stole elderly womans wallet and charged over $10,000 to financial accounts MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in southern Wisconsin are seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect who allegedly stole an elderly womans purse and spent thousands of dollars. According to a release, an elderly woman in Madison was approached in her vehicle after exiting a grocery store in the 4700 block of Madison Yards Way on August 5 at around 4:00 p.m. Wisconsin man sentenced to 366 days in prison for COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud A man approached the woman and asked her for directions to the nearest emergency room. While trying to help the individual, an accomplice was able to take her wallet. After the wallet was stolen, the suspects traveled to numerous stores and charged over $10,000 to the victims financial accounts. Madison man sentenced to four months in prison, five years of supervision for fentanyl trafficking The Madison Police Department is asking anyone with information on the incident or who can identify the individual to contact the department at 608-255-2345. No additional 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. A 'policy endorsement' can lower insurance costs. But you have to waive the right to sue. Recent legislative reforms that ended much of the incentive for lawyers to sue insurers are getting credit for improving insurance companies willingness to financially fortify Florida properties against disaster and loss. But is the promise of an up-to-20% reduction in your premium worth giving up the right to sue? We'll get to that in a second. Because even if Floridians have more insurance companies to choose from since those reforms passed in 2023, the changes have yet to move the average Florida homeowner premium out of the No. 1 spot the costliest in the country. But theres a new offering that promises to reduce insurance premiums and lawsuits significantly just as soon as the ink is dry on policies. It's called a policy endorsement. Yes, millions of Floridians have probably never heard of it, and here are five things to know about buying into what the lone carrier in Florida offering it, American Integrity Insurance Group, calls binding arbitration endorsement. What is a policy endorsement? The policy endorsement stipulates that the policyholder agrees to give up the right to file a lawsuit and have a judge and jury decide about payment from an insurance claim settlement. Agreeing to this policy endorsement proposes premium savings averaging nearly 20%, according to the company that offers it. Legislation passed last year as the insurance industry was looking tattered allows the new wrinkle in policies. Its a bargain considering you could immediately reap significant savings. But giving up the right to sue in exchange for a lower premium is a swap that alarms longtime consumer advocates. Some states have outlawed the practice, they note. So far, it's relatively untested in Florida. Just one Florida insurance carrier currently offers a premium reduction in return for essentially waiving the right to sue. A spokesperson for that company, American Integrity, did not reveal how many customers have opted for this new endorsement. As such, there's no widespread evidence about how it's working out. But the implementation of the new policy-wrinkle is being closely watched as other insurers weigh whether to offer it as well, industry watchers say. It presents a quicker path around Florida courts to resolve settlement disputes Under policy endorsement, a dispute over how much a carrier should pay to settle a claim and what the policyholder believes the total dollar figure on that claim should be would be determined outside the court system. First, a policy endorsement would usher the two sides into mediation. That means the policyholder and an insurance company representative would go to a neutral mediator to resolve their differences. If thats unsuccessful, the next step is binding arbitration. An arbitrator, who must be a member of the Florida Bar in most cases, would meet with the insurance companys representative and the policyholder to set a date for a hearing within 120 days. After the hearing, the arbitrator issues a final decision within 30 days. Binding arbitration means the arbitrator's decision is final. Unlike a court decision, there's no appeal. But the disagreement would be resolved much faster. In contrast, some insurance quarrels that go to civil trials can take years to adjudicate. Company offers policy endorsement on other coverage, too American Integrity Insurance Group offers the chance to lower premiums this way on several of its product lines, not just homeowner's insurance. Its also available on its insurance to protect against flooding and insurance for condos, boats, rentals, renters possessions and golf carts. The company's brochure highlights not only the potential savings, but also the policy endorsement's quicker resolution, the company's willingness to pay for the arbitration procedure's costs and "peace-of-mind when it comes to dispute resolution." The new rules for litigation make it more of an attractive option Reducing lawsuits has long been a goal for a successive number of Florida's governors and lawmakers. The state's Republican leadership, business advocates and industry lobbyists have long blamed soaring premiums on the amount of litigation, fraud and abuse of the legal system they say ultimately costs Sunshine State consumers. An annual data report from the Office of Insurance Regulation shows that, in 2022, the state accounted for 14.9% of the nation's insurance claims along with 70.9% of all the U.S. lawsuits involving insurance. A large percentage of insurance carriers' costs are blamed on legal expenses. Others, however, think the state's disproportionate share of this legal wrangling has more to do with extreme weather the state faces as a peninsula, along with insurance carriers' reluctance to pay the full value of the damage that extreme weather inflicts. Either way, legal reform in Florida is now another factor for consumers to consider, industry watchers say. Ryan Papy, president of Keyes Insurance, a South Florida agency, says he can see policy endorsements becoming more popular with homeowners and insurance companies, given the new rules governing insurance lawsuits. The changes drastically reduced the number of cases in which attorney fees can be recovered from the insurer when the outcome favors the policyholder. Ryan Walker, press secretary for Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Patronis and Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter listen to the concerns of a homeowner during an insurance consumer fair held in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. If you have a claim and you're not happy with what the carrier's willing to pay, you actually have to pay the attorney when it comes to more traditional policies, Papy said. That takes away much of the incentive that lawyers had to take on insurance-related cases. Robert Norberg, president of Arden Insurance Associates, said half of the firm's clients who qualify for coveragefrom American Integrity Insurance Group are taking the new option because of the lower premiums. The Tampa-based companys homeowner clientele is more limited because it generally don't insure older homes, Norberg said. Those taking this kind of policy are probably not the kind of customer who would be thinking lawsuit anyway, Norberg said. Consumer advocates worry policy endorsements pit David v. Goliath Florida has the highest property insurance rates in the country, with the states homeowners paying $3,340 per year on average in 2023, according to the industry-funded Insurance Information Institute, based in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Some advocates fear, however, that saving 20% on premiums which would save about $668 on the states average premium might look like a fools bargain in the wake of a claim that could involve tens of thousands in damage. The traditional defenders that policyholders have to assist them in insurer disputes, like lawyers and public claims adjusters, dont have a formal role in binding arbitration. Don Phillips, past president of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, finds it pretty amazing that Florida has allowed a claims resolution process that other states have outlawed to protect insurance policyholders. Binding arbitration, dont forget, is like a mini-trial, he said. Stan Pentz walks out of his Fort Myers neighborhood after Hurricane Ian made landfall Sept. 28, 2022. He survived by swimming and holding onto items around his home. A brochure from American Integrity explains that although the two sides agree on the arbitrator and the company will pay the costs of arbitration, the insurance company will not provide a lawyer for the policyholder in the process. Thats an unfair match-up, said Phillips, who has worked in the insurance claim industry for more than 40 years. I guarantee you, American Integrity it will be a lawyer (representing the company) and for you not to have a lawyer who knows all the intricacies of the arbitration code its just insane to think a policyholder could do an arbitration without a lawyer, Phillips said. Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at ageggis@gannett.com .Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How policy endorsement lowers insurance costs if you waive right to sue Poll shows Trump, Justice and Morrisey have strong lead in WV for November election According to The WVMetronews Poll, Gov. Jim Justice (right) and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (left) have strong leads with West Virginia voters ahead of the November election. (Photos by Amelia Ferrell Knisely | West Virginia Watch and Office of the Gov. Jim Justice) Gov. Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey have strong leads with West Virginia voters ahead of the November election, according to a new poll released Friday. The WVMetronews Poll, shows Justice, a Republican, is in a wide lead 62% to 28% over his Democratic opponent, former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, in the race for U.S. Senate. Justice is a two-term governor who is dealing with expansive financial woes totaling $1 billion in debt tied to his familys Greenbrier resort, an unpaid COVID-19 loan, unpaid mine safety fines and more. The poll included 400 completed entries among registered voters Aug. 21-27, pointing to the popular two-term governor having maintained his lead in the red state despite the onslaught of debts. All 55 counties were included in the sample. The confidence level is +/- 4.9 percentage points. Morrisey, a Republican, is leading his Democratic opponent, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, 49% to 35%, in the race for governor. Rex Repass is president of Research America, which produces the poll. He said that both Elliott and Williams were not well known outside of their local areas. Fifty-seven percent said they dont know enough about them to have an opinion, he said. Steve and Glenn need to build name recognition. Its an uphill climb for them. Elliott has been one of the only state-wide candidates campaigning across West Virginia this election season. He is working to go to all 55 counties ahead of the Nov. 5 election day and has almost hit his goal. In the presidential race, former President Donald J. Trump, a Republican, was leading Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, by 61% to 34% among West Virginia voters polled. There is no question that Donald Trump is strong in West Virginia, Repass said. He still has a strong lead in our poll. Trump easily carried West Virginia twice in the 2016 and 2020 elections. The poll showed that Trump, who was indicted for federal election interference, continues to be a top political figure who West Virginians view most favorably ahead of Justice. Repass noted that his poll showed support for Harris in West Virginia was strongest among women. Harris has made reproductive rights and womens health care a central part of her campaign. Poll results also showed that economic and job creation are the top issues for West Virginia residents. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the last day of the SPD's election campaign in Saxony. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Top German politicians are making final campaign pushes ahead of key elections in two eastern German states on Sunday, Thuringia and Saxony, which will likely reverberate across the country. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are sputtering in the polls, joined the party's top candidate in Saxony, Petra Kopping, for a rally on Friday in the city of Chemnitz. Polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with a clear lead in Thuringia. In Saxony, polls put the AfD behind the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) - but within the margin of error. Both states are in the former communist East Germany, where politics and voting patterns remain distinct more than three decades after reunification. Populist Sahra Wagenknecht, whose upstart Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party faces its first major electoral test on Sunday, was sprayed with red paint during a campaign speech in Thuringia on Thursday evening. National issues, and immigration in particular, have dominated the campaign, even though state parliaments in Germany hold very limited influence over migration policy. That was true even before police arrested a 26-year-old Syrian suspected of being the knife-wielding assailant in a deadly attack at a festival in the western German city of Solingen last weekend. But a pair of recent polls of voters in both states released on Friday by broadcasters RTL and ZDF found that voter support for each party hasn't budged since the attack. Centre-right CDU leads in Saxony In Saxony, the CDU appear to hold a very narrow lead, with 33% support, according to the pair of polls released on Friday. But the anti-immigration AfD is only narrowly behind at 31% and within the three-point margin of error, according to the poll conducted by the forsa polling firm on behalf of broadcaster RTL. The populist "left-conservative" BSW placed third in the poll with 12%. Saxony's popular incumbent state premier, the CDU's Michael Kretschmer, appears to be buoying the prospects for his party ahead of the vote. The poll found the SPD at 7%, while the Greens, a coalition partner in the national government, are at 6%, just over the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. Those results would given Kretschmer enough support to continue his current coalition of the CDU, Greens and SPD. A potential pairing of the CDU and BSW would also be possible. Forsa surveyed 1,012 voters in Saxony from August 27 to 29. The poll results are essentially in line with another poll of Saxon voters published a few hours earlier by public broadcaster ZDF. That poll, conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, surveyed about 1,900 people between August 26 and 29. There, the CDU also came in at 33% and the AfD at 30%, followed by the BSW in third place with 12%. The SPD and the Greens each came in at 6%, while the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party also fell short with just 4%. Clear lead for AfD in Thuringia In Thuringia, both polls showed the AfD with a clear lead over the second-placed Christian Democrats (CDU). However, the ZDF poll found that 29% of respondents in Thuringia are not yet sure who they plan to vote for - or whether they plan to vote at all. Die Linke, the party of the personally popular incumbent Thuringian state Premier Bodo Ramelow, stood at 13% in the ZDF poll, which would be a massive slide from the 31% the party gathered in the most recent state parliamentary election in 2019. Die Linke's decline appears driven by the rise of the upstart populist BSW, which splintered from Die Linke earlier this year. The BSW gathered 18% in the poll. Chancellor Scholz's SPD polled at just 6%, while both polls found that support for his coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), is below the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. The RTL poll was conducted by forsa, which surveyed 1,005 voters in Thuringia from August 27 to 29. The margin of error is three percentage points. The ZDF poll, conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, surveyed 1,973 randomly selected voters and also has a margin of error of up to three percentage points. Much uncertainty in both states Pollster Manfred Gullner, who leads forsa, told dpa on Thursday that the Thuringia and Saxony elections have been unusually difficult to predict as voters are torn between insurgent populists, popular incumbents and a fractured political landscape. "This creates a great deal of uncertainty as to whether the moods that we measure before the election will also be reflected in votes," Gullner said. Dresden political scientist Hans Vorlander, a long-time observer of Saxon elections, said there also appear to be a particularly large number of undecided voters in both states this year. Michael Kretschmer, Minister President of Saxony, takes part in a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for the renovation of Hohnstein Castle. The centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) appear to hold a very narrow lead, with 33% support, just days ahead of the regional parliamentary election in the eastern German state of Saxony, according to a new poll released on Friday. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa Former President Trump on Thursday in La Crosse, Wis. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks that same day in Savannah, Ga. (Charlie Neibergall, Stephen B. Morton / Associated Press) With just over two months left until election day, Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a slight lead over former President Trump in national polls and has made advances in several swing states that previously seemed locked up for Trump. Poll after poll shows the race essentially tied, with leads for either Trump or Harris often within the margin of error. Harris would take 45% of the nationwide vote, compared with Trumps 41%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll of registered voters, released Thursday. Her margin widened to 13 percentage points over Trump among women and Hispanic voters, the survey found. Harris leads Trump 48% to 47% in a head-to-head matchup, according to a Thursday poll conducted by the Wall Street Journal, which noted the vice president holds a 2-point lead when independent and third-party candidates are factored into the survey. And in a USA Today/Suffolk University survey, also released Thursday, Harris holds a 48%-to-43% lead over Trump. The spate of new polls, released after the pro-Harris blitz at the Democratic National Convention wrapped up, reflects a dramatic shift in the state of the race since President Biden dropped out just over a month ago. Read more: New promise, awkward moments: 5 takeaways from Harris and Walzs first interview The Trump campaign anticipated the post-DNC bump of support for Harris, saying in a statement before her acceptance speech Aug. 22: These bumps do not last. The campaign noted that it had also predicted a honeymoon period of positive polling and good press after Harris nomination, adding that it blamed the media, which it said had decided to extend the honeymoon for over 4 weeks now. Narrow margins in swing states The Trump and Harris campaigns have been zeroing in on the swing states likely to determine the election. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, campaigned in Georgia and North Carolina this week and announced a reproductive freedom bus tour across several battleground states, beginning this week. Meanwhile, Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, visited Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Trump led Harris 45% to 43% among registered voters across the seven battleground states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan and Nevada. But a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll showed Harris either leading or tied with Trump in the same states. A Fox News poll conducted over the weekend showed Harris leading by 1 percentage point in Arizona, and by 2 points in Georgia and Nevada. Trump was up 1 point in North Carolina, according to the Fox News poll. The Fox News polling finds Harris keeping pace with the support that won the election for Biden in 2020; he eked out wins in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada while Trump narrowly won North Carolina. In the 2024 campaign, Trump previously held a commanding lead in the four Sun Belt states before Biden dropped out, according to Fox News polls conducted earlier this year. Read more: Trump asks federal court to intervene in hush money case in bid to toss conviction, delay sentencing Harris maintained a 1-point lead across the four states even when third-party candidates such as Chase Oliver, Jill Stein and Cornel West were included, the Fox News survey found. Issues voters care about More Americans trust Harris on the issues of abortion, healthcare, uniting the country, fighting for the people and bringing needed change, according to the Fox News poll. But Trump is the go-to candidate for border security and immigration, the economy and the Israel-Hamas war, it found. Voters who spoke to Reuters/Ipsos pollsters agreed that Trump would have a better approach to managing the U.S. economy 45% compared with 36% for Harris. But they preferred the vice president at a 47%-to-31% advantage on abortion policy. Read more: As parents of Israeli American hostage address DNC, critics ask: Why no pro-Palestinian speakers? On the topic of democracy and election integrity, 68% of voters in a poll conducted by ABC News/Ipsos said that Harris was likely to accept the election results, compared with just 29% who said the same about Trump. As for the voters themselves, 81% said they would accept the outcome no matter who won. Pro-Palestinian voters continue to show discontent Harris numbers are not all so bright, however. The Council on American-Islamic Relations found in a poll released Thursday that 29.4% of American Muslims intend to vote for Harris nearly tying with their support for Green Party candidate Stein at 29.1%. The findings reveal that American Muslims continue to press their complaints about the Biden-Harris administrations policies on the Israel-Hamas war. Trump was favored on the issue by 11.2% of those polled, with small percentages for West and Oliver. About 16% said they were undecided. During the springs Democratic primaries, many Muslims and pro-Palestinian voters showed their discontent with Biden by casting ballots marked uncommitted. This was especially true in Michigan, a swing state where Biden won by less than 3% of the vote in 2020 and home to the largest population of Arab Americans in the nation. More than 13% of voters cast uncommitted ballots in the states February primary. Stein, a long-shot third-party candidate, frequently runs in presidential elections without notching much support countrywide. But CAIRs survey shows that she provides an outlet for disgruntled Americans to register their discontent. Still, Harris prospects among American Muslims are an improvement over Bidens. In a previous survey of 2,500 Muslim Americans, CAIR found that they supported Biden at 7.3%, compared with Trump at 4.9%. Overwhelming support went to third-party candidates Stein at 36% and West at 25.2%. The RFK Jr. effect When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped out of the race last week and endorsed Trump, pundits were aflutter with questions about how his decision would affect the leading two candidates. Early polling shows that the remaining support for Kennedy which had diminished after Biden dropped out and Harris became the Democratic nominee is turning toward Trump. The Fox News poll found that 3 in 4 voters who had a favorable view of Kennedy now support Trump. A spate of recent polling shows that support for Harris continues to surge after the Democratic National Convention last week. 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. Messenger Coffee Co. a popular Kansas City coffee shop closed one of its two locations on Kansas Citys Country Club Plaza this week. The lights are off at the 318 W. 47th St. location, next to Tommy Bahama. Its last day was Tuesday. Meanwhile, the 4771 Jefferson St. spot will remain open. We have enjoyed having two Messenger Cafe locations on the Country Club Plaza, Suzanne Gunning, a spokeswoman for Messengers parent company, FairWave, wrote in a statement. With our lease up at one location on 47th Street, we consolidated the Messenger Cafe on Jefferson Street. We hope to see all our regulars there soon! Messenger has another location at 1624 Grand Blvd. and one in the Kansas City International Airport. It took over the two Plaza locations in 2021, replacing Kaldis Coffee. The Messenger location near Tommy Bahama is now closed. Previously, Messenger planned to open a location in Overland Parks Prairiefire district. FairWave announced last year that it would no longer open in that spot. FairWave also owns Black Dog Coffeehouse, Ibis Bakery, Filling Station and The Roasterie in Kansas City. There are several empty storefronts on the Plaza. This year, Hallmark Gold Crown, Sweet Kiss Brigadeiro, Moosejaw, Forever 21 and Soft Surroundings all closed their locations in the shopping strip. But in June, Dallas-based company HP Village Partners purchased the Plaza. They promised a $100 million upgrade, with new restaurants and more security on the way. HP Village principal Ray Washburne told The Star at the time that the Plaza needed a lot of maintenance. He promised to bring back longtime favorites and fill empty spots. ... Were going to institute a pretty aggressive marketing campaign because of all the vacancies you see there, Washburne said. Part of our focus is were really going to go hard after the local food scene. Thats totally my focus. You see my other centers, its a local restaurant focus. So, were going to really interview try to plug a lot of holes with some local food operators. Try to get best-of-class across multiple food lines. Messengers remaining Plaza location is open 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Portland City Council unanimously passed a Housing Production Strategy on Wednesday marking the citys first-ever strategy amid the affordable housing crisis. The strategy features 35 items to implement over the next six years and will be adjusted as needed to meet housing needs. So far, two items in the strategy were completed earlier in 2024, and another 15 items are underway with an additional four projects kicking off in the fall. Old Farmers Almanac releases Pacific Northwests 2024-2025 winter weather extended forecast These are not pie-in-the-sky ideas that will sit on a shelf for years and years until theres the political will to do them. This is a very real list of work that we fully intend to do, Commissioner, and mayoral candidate, Carmen Rubio said during the city council meeting. The commissioner, who proposed the strategy earlier in the summer, added, This Housing Production Strategy emphasizes equitable outcomes for communities facing bigger challenges to meeting their housing needs especially low-income households, working families, communities of color, elders, people with disabilities, and people experiencing houselessness. Key elements of the strategy include the overall goal of developing all types of housing, obtaining additional funding for affordable housing and continuing to streamline the zoning process. Kroger executives grilled for price hikes in federal court as Fred Meyer strike continues The city also plans on expanding homeownership programs by expanding land availability, expediting permitting, and increasing assistance for downpayments. Portlands housing need Portlands Housing Needs Analysis found that the city needs 120,560 dwelling units by 2045. The city also needs to play catch-up in order to meet Governor Tina Koteks statewide housing production strategy. Grant High School students petition against cell phone restrictions gains traction To do this, Portland needs to build 55,000 units by 2032, or about 6,000 units per year. But as noted by commissioner, and mayoral candidate, Rene Gonzalez, the city produced just under 1,500 units in 2023. According to the city, Portland has excess buildable land with a development capacity of 236,977 units, but there are several hurdles to developing housing. This includes development and construction costs, workforce shortages, a lack of financing as banks and other lenders are less willing to loan funds and regulation issues such as permitting. While developing strategies to address the housing crisis, Portland is taking inspiration from Los Angeles. Mayor Wheeler speaks out against Portland General Electrics proposed rate hike During Wednesdays meeting, Rubio noted that city council staff met with staffers from Los Angeles City Council to discuss the citys Executive Directive 1, which expedites the process of developing affordable housing and shelters. The Housing Production Strategy comes after the 2023 State of Housing in Portland Report showed that housing affordability remained a challenge for a majority of Portlanders as rent and home sale prices outpace incomes. Kitten hitches 15-mile ride, gets recruited by search and rescue team According to the strategy, more than one-third of Portland homeowners and around half of Portland renters were cost-burdened in 2022 spending at least 30% of their income on housing. During public testimony, Portlands Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said the city needs to spend $70 million per year to meet one-quarter of the citys housing needs. For the last four years, Portland averaged $60 million towards housing annually, the bureau 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 KOIN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An off-duty Portland Police sergeant is on paid administrative leave after he was arrested and then cited in Minnesota when he crashed a rental car while under the influence of alcohol back in July, authorities announced on Thursday. On the night of July 3, Sgt. Patrick Mawdsley, an 18-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, was detained by Meeker County Sheriffs deputies for impaired driving after crashing his rental car, Portland Police officials said in a press release. 2 arrested for alleged involvement in October 2023 murder of Portland mother At the time, he was armed with his police-issued pistol, authorities said. After a brief investigation, Mawdsley was cited for careless driving and carrying while under the influence of alcohol. He was released from custody after the citation was served, officials said. OSHA to investigate Cirque du Soleil after performer fall Following the citation, PPB said Mawdsley was placed on administrative leave where he remains, pending the results of an internal 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 KOIN.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) Alnor Aljay Carnate, Jr.s journey to medical school was anything but straightforward. Born in the Philippines, Carnate immigrated to Hawaii at the age of five. Growing up in a low-income community, Carnate faced many obstacles, from limited resources to a lack of guidance. But it was the loss of his grandmother to metastatic cancer that ignited his passion for medicine. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You When we found out my grandma had cancer, it was already too late, Carnate recalled. Seeing her struggle and realizing how hard it was for us to access treatment made me want to ensure people from disadvantaged communities have access to care. Carnates path to medicine wasnt clear-cut. As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, he struggled to navigate the educational system. I didnt have a mentor to guide me in that direction, he said. It was a lot of figuring out for myself. He described feeling overwhelmed by the process of applying to medical school after graduating from college. With no clear guidance, he missed the deadlines and had to figure out what to do next. He turned to Teach for America, teaching at his alma mater, Farrington High School, for two years. There, Carnate taught students with learning disabilities and severe health conditions, which reignited his desire to pursue medicine. I saw how these students health conditions affected their ability to learn, and I wanted to be able to help, he explained. After his experience teaching, Carnate was determined to pursue medical school and applied to the Imi Hoola program at JABSOM. The Imi Hoola (Those Who Seek to Heal) program at JABSOM is a post-baccalaureate program designed to support aspiring medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It offers a year-long intensive curriculum focused on basic sciences, critical thinking and communication skills. Successful graduates gain entry into JABSOMs MD program, providing a pathway to diversify the medical field and improve healthcare in underserved communities. However, Carnate was not accepted on his first attempt, which left him feeling discouraged. I got the rejection, and I was devastated, he shared in the interview. Wanting to improve his chances, he reached out to the admissions coordinator to seek advice on how to strengthen his application for the next cycle. She suggested gaining experience in medical research, which led him to a position at a cancer clinic. She told me that, maybe you should try some research opportunities,' Carnate recalled. Following this guidance, he joined a medical research team at the clinic, where he gained valuable hands-on experience working with patients and understanding the medical field in a more profound way. Carnate transitioned into working at the cancer clinic; and after two years, he applied to medical school again, only to face rejection again. I was devastated, he admitted. I wanted to go into medicine, but there was nothing offering me a position. Instead of giving up, Carnate sought advice from a director of admissions, who encouraged him to further his research experience. This advice ultimately helped him build a stronger application. I know these rejections happened for a reason, confided Carnate. And he was right. His persistence paid off when he landed a position as a research coordinator at an HIV research lab. A month into his new job, his principal investigator asked if hed be willing to move to New York City to help build a new research lab at Cornell University. Carnate, who had never lived outside Hawaii, decided to take the leap. I anticipated living in Hawaii my whole life, but this opportunity to move to New York and try something new came up, remembered Carnate So, I said, Why not? So, he packed his bags and moved to New York. As luck would have it, he met his partner while in New York. But this experience would prove to be bittersweet. The timing for the move, however, was less than ideal. Shortly after his move to New York, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and life in New York City became isolating. Away from family and friends, Carnate found himself struggling mentally and emotionally. It took a toll on me, navigating life in a pandemic by myself without that support, he shared. Yet, the pandemic also strengthened his resolve to pursue medicine. Seeing how it disproportionately affected disadvantaged communities, I knew my calling to medicine was still there. Although Carnate had moved away from his home, he kept applying to the Imi Hoola program. And his luck was about to change. Things happen for a reason, he reflected. I think I was meant to meet my partner in New Jersey during this time. His optimism kept him going, and he continued to build his resume with clinical research, gaining more patient interaction, which reminded him why he wanted to become a doctor. By the third attempt, Carnate was accepted into the Imi Hoola. I was walking the dog when I got the email, and I just started crying, he said, describing the moment he learned he was accepted. It was a mix of happiness because I finally got in, and sadness because I knew it meant Id have to leave my partner and do a long-distance relationship. In reflecting on these experiences that led him to that moment, Carnate spoke openly about his battles with imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern where one doubts their accomplishments and fears being exposed as a fraud. These feelings intensified when he moved to New York and worked at Cornell University, surrounded by people who seemed to have everything figured out. I felt it a lot more in New York City, he said. Working in a prestigious institution like Cornell made me wonder, Am I really good enough? Do I belong here? He first learned about the concept of imposter syndrome during his time with Teach for America. I didnt know what it was at first. But when I heard the term, I realized thats what I was feeling, Carnate shared. Knowing that his feelings were valid and not unique to him was a turning point. How did imposter syndrome impact Carnate in light of his rejections from both JABSOM and Imi Hoola? I never thought I was going to get into med school reflected Carnate on his feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome throughout his journey to becoming a medical student. But he forged ahead with his plans not allowing the feelings of being an imposter and a fraud deter him from his goals. After completing the rigorous post-baccalaureate program, Carnate felt a mix of emotionspride, relief and disbelief. It was the most emotional night for me. Completing the program and getting into medical school was the most rewarding thing, he said. Reflecting on his five-year journey filled with rejections, persistence and resilience, he added, I finally did it. I remained resilient till the end, and thats what allowed me to be here today. Carnates story is a testament to the power of perseverance and believing in oneself. As he began his first semester of medical school in July, he has felt a deep sense of gratitude and excitement. Its a dream come true. I remind myself every day that I did it, Im here, he said. Surrounded by his classmates, whom he called his Ohana, he felt a strong sense of purpose and community. He hopes that his story will inspire others, especially those who feel there isnt a place for them in fields like medicine. I want to share my story because I know there are many people with similar backgrounds to mefirst-generation, low-income, LGBTQ+who feel like theres no space for us. But there are spaces where we belong, Carnate emphasized. Never give up. Always believe in yourself. Carnates journey to medical school was challenging, but his story is a powerful reminder that with persistence, resilience and a belief in oneself, truly anything is possible. I just hope that someone can, like, see the story and just remind themselves that they can do it if they put their heart and mind to it and just never give up to always believe in yourself, concluded Carnate. KHON2.com wishes you the best, Carnate; and we look forward to seeing you grow into the community leader you are destined to become. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 You can click here to learn more about JABSOMs Imi Hoola program. You can watch Carnates full interview in the video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Principal and Teacher Help Co-Worker Give Birth in School Bathroom: 'It All Happened Very Fast' Paige Lockstedt, a paraprofessional, welcomed her baby girl inside a Texas elementary school bathroom on Wednesday, Aug. 28 Wichita Falls ISD Community Relations Dept. Principal Amy Simmons and Cunningham Elementary's makeshift delivery room A Texas elementary school bathroom recently became a makeshift delivery room when a staff member suddenly went into labor during the school day. Paige Lockstedt, a paraprofessional, was not feeling well while working at Cunningham Elementary School in Wichita Falls, Texas, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, Principal Amy Simmons said in a video shared by the school district. Simmons was about to tell the staffer to go home early when she received a call from Lockstedt, who told her, My water just broke. Quickly, L.I.F.E. teacher Ashley Strain got the attention of school nurses, who helped Lockstedt get in a wheelchair. Lockstedt had just reached the front door as nurses were on the phone with 911 when she realized the baby was coming fast. So, she rushed to the nearest bathroom with Simmons and Strain in tow. Related: Mom Reunites with Stranger Who Helped After She Delivered Baby on Side of Pa. Turnpike: 'He Saved the Day' (Exclusive) Thats when I caught a baby in my hands, Strain recalled in the video shared by the Wichita Falls Independent School District. Simmons said the baby girl was born maybe five or six minutes after we got the call that her water broke, according to NBC affiliate KFDX-TV, adding, It all happened very fast." 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. For a minute, everyone just stood in the entry way and we were all just looking at each other like, This really just happened, Simmons explained, recalling the moment when the baby girl was born. Related: Off-Duty Nurse Helped Mom-of-3 Give Birth in Hospital Parking Garage, as Kind Stranger Held Her Hand After the birth, things at Cunningham Elementary quickly went back to normal. Strain taught her classes that day, and Simmons held a staff meeting that afternoon, where the special delivery was discussed. Meanwhile, Lockstedt and her baby girl are doing well after the birth, Simmons said in the district's video. The baby weighed 2 lbs., 5 oz., at birth, and will remain in the hospital for a few more weeks to ensure "everything is still okay," per the principal. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A prior sex offender from Tonawanda was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Thursday. According to the attorneys office, three cybertips involving suspected child pornography reported by Facebook were sent to New York State Police by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April 14. An investigation traced the suspected child pornography to an IP address allegedly belonging to 28-year-old Andrew Yannello. In 2014, officials say Yannello was convicted on state charges of first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching, and criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation. In November 2017, Yannello violated probation and was sentenced to jail before being released in March 2019, according to the attorneys office. Yannello faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years if convicted. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) On Friday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued a Disaster Proclamation for Winnebago and other counties that suffered damage from Julys heavy flooding. The proclamation covers affected areas of Cook County, Henry County, Fulton County, St. Clair County, Washington County, Winnebago County, and Will County from slow moving thunderstorms that produced heavy rain on July 13 through July 16. Many areas across the state suffered extensive damages due to last months torrential rain, high winds, and flooding, said Pritzker. To support those impacted across the state, I have signed a disaster proclamation to mobilize every available resource, accelerating the recovery process and providing relief for our residents. I want to thank IEMA-OHS for their ongoing coordination. With that declaration, local governments are able to access more emergency resources for the city at the state level. In addition, assistance for individuals and households could be made available, but it is not guaranteed Nearby weather stations reported over 6 of rainfall over a matter of hours on Saturday, July 13th, with waters rising at a rate of 1-2 per hour, especially along Keith Creek near Charles Street. Crews with the Rockford Fire Department use an inflatable rescue craft to assist stranded drivers Saturday, July 13, 2024, during flash flooding in Rockford, Illinois. Rockford Fire Department responded to over 120 calls on Saturday alone for various emergencies related to the heavy rain and flooding. The department had about 59 members rescuing many residents from stalled vehicles on streets all over the citys boundaries. A second storm brought more torrential rain to the area the following day, causing police to tell drivers to stay off the roads. Many motorists were stranded in the flood waters, which swept into nearby basements and, in some cases, caused the foundations to collapse. Authorities said a 76-year-old man drowned Sunday night after being trapped in a pickup truck that was swept by floodwaters into Keith Creek and submerged, near the Schnucks parking lot on Charles Street. Some Charles Street businesses along the Keith Creek corridor were hit especially hard and are now assessing the damages. The Illinois and Federal Emergency Management Agency went door to assess storm damage. A disaster declaration could mean a couple of different things. It could mean a small loan to help people kind of step back up after a disaster. It could also mean a little extra funding and support to help rebuild their houses, said Illinois Emergency Management Association public information officer Kevin Sur. On top of that, too, there are other programs that are available to some of the different communities, as well as individuals, to help out after a disaster. The city of Rockford is currently in the middle of a flood-mitigation plan in the 2200 block of Charles Street that includes green space and improvements to the banks of Keith Creek. Rockfords Planning and Development Committee is hoping for a $1.6 million dollar state-funded grant to purchase flood-prone properties along Keith Creek. Back in 2007, the city of Rockford was able to acquire about 120 properties in the Keith Creek Corridor as part of the Flood Hazard Mitigation Program Grant by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They used those properties to create what is now known as the Keith Creek Greenway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)While Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz supporters waited in the parking lot all day long to get a good seat in the Enmarket Arena, they werent the only ones. Counter protestors were camped out during Vice President Kamala Harriss rally in Savannah, speaking out against Harris and Governor Tim Walz just before 2 p.m. VP Harris campaigns in Savannah The protestors were speaking out against Harris and Walz, specifically about how theyve handled responding to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This wasnt the first time Sav4Palestine protested a Harris event either. They made an appearance when Harris visited Savannah in February for her Reproductive Freedoms Tour at the Savannah Convention Center. We want todays attendees to understand that it is our job as citizens to hold our politicians accountable and demand that they create policies that the American people want to see, not the other way around, Sav4Palestine said in an email to WSAV. 2/3 of Americans want a ceasefire in Gaza. Harris claims shes working to achieve a ceasefire. We are at the rally to encourage attendees to hold Kamala accountable until she and Biden deliver an arms embargo. This is the minimum, if she wants our vote. They remained peaceful through the rally. The pro-Palestine protestors werent just outside, inside Harris was interrupted at least twice during her remarks by protesters. Harris supporters yelled at one of the protestors and minutes later, the protestor was escorted out by the Secret Service. Harris addressed the protestors, saying that everyone has a right to free speech. Let me just say something, Harris said. Hold on, hold up. Hold up for a second. Hold up for a second. Let me, let me just say something. Let me just say something. We are fighting for a democracy. Everyone has a right and should have their voices heard. I am speaking now, but on the subject, I will say this, the President and I are working around the clock. Weve got to get a hostage deal done and get a cease fire done now. Sav4Palestine werent the only protestors there, a man traveled all the way from Miami Beach to demonstrate. He said he just cant get behind Harris and Walz mainly because of their handling of the Israel-Hamas war and despite being a Democrat, he will be voting for Former President Donald Trump. I think the only one thats got a big enough mouth to scare everybody is Trump, Bob Kunst said. So, I have to go along in that direction. Im not a Republican. I want the Republicans to find us a spine and fight back. What is their problem? Why are we in this mess if theyd open up their mouth? But they havent. Trump is carrying the water for everybody, but Im there for him. Im there for the country. Im there for Israel. And I realize that were in grave danger if we go in this direction much further. Other Trump supporters were seen in the area driving with their flags waving and a few people even joined Kunst on the sidewalk. Meanwhile, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is raising money to support Trumps bid for the white house. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kamala Harris' strong support for Israel as it continues its war in Gaza is fueling calls for a fresh round of protests at campaign stops, universities and public events in the weeks ahead, activists told Reuters, describing what they said was her failure to listen to pro-Palestinian voices. Arab Americans, Muslims and their allies, shut out of a Democratic National Convention speaking slot in Chicago, plan to show up in force during Harris' debate against Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 and in major cities and college campuses on the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack. On Thursday, they interrupted Harris' speech at a Savannah, Georgia rally. Since replacing President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, Harris has made it clear she will not consider cutting arms sales to Israel, one of the main asks of pro-Palestinian groups. She reiterated the position in a Thursday interview with CNN, saying "No, we have to get a (ceasefire and hostage) deal done," when asked about limiting weapons. Harris' firmly stated position threatens to open the same cracks in the Democratic coalition that faced Biden before he ended his campaign on July 21, despite a huge surge in enthusiasm from Democrats when she took over the ticket. "That's right. War crimes and genocide will continue," Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat and the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, said about Harris' CNN interview on her personal account on X. Campaign officials say Harris and top campaign officials have met with pro-Palestinian advocates, and approved space for a panel on the issue during the DNC. Harris has hired two officials in recent weeks to reach out to the Arab American and Muslim communities, but declined to make them available for interviews. Protests that roiled college campuses last spring are bubbling up in Michigan, Pennsylvania and other battleground states. Democratic party insiders fear Harris will lose needed votes in the Nov. 5 presidential election, which is expected to be decided by slim margins in a handful of states. Harris has pulled ahead of Republican Donald Trump nationally in most recent polls, but trails in some polls of battleground states that will decide the 2024 winner. Until now, she has mostly avoided the same protests over Gaza that shadowed Biden events, as likely voters hoped she would craft a foreign policy more empathetic to Palestinians. 'EVERYBODY IS HURTING' Ahmet Tekelioglu, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Philadelphia, said he expected thousands of protesters to show up on the day of the Harris-Trump debate. Student protesters made a noisy return to Columbia University in recent days, the epicenter of the pro-Palestinian student movement. Elena Nissan Thomas, 19, a student at Indiana University, who drove to Chicago to take part in a DNC protest, said she was ready to continue protesting as the school year begins. "I dont understand Vice President Harris saying she supports a ceasefire and doing nothing to do an arms embargo," she said. Political strategists estimate nearly a million Muslims cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election, many of them concentrated in battleground states, with about 70% backing President Joe Biden. The war began on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliatory strikes on Gaza, aided by U.S. support, have since killed 40,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, displacing nearly its entire 2.3 million population and creating a famine crisis. Tanjina Islam, a delegate to the DNC from Georgia, said she wants to support Harris, but is devastated by the lack of concern for Palestinians. "Everybody is hurting. A lot of people are leaning towards the third party - Jewish Voice for Peace, students, Black Muslims, the Muslims, the Arabs. Everybody is hurting. And these are majority Democrat voters," she said. "So if Harris loses Georgia, the only reason would be that people did not go out to vote, or people voted for the third party." (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Heather Timmons and Aurora Ellis) Probe of fatal Elmira Township shooting continues: What we know GAYLORD Troopers from the Michigan State Police post in Gaylord and deputies from the Otsego County Sheriff's Department responded to a residence in Elmira Township on Aug. 27 for a domestic dispute involving gunfire. Here is what happened and what you should know about the incident: What did officials find at the home? The home is located on Camp Ten Road in Elmira Township. Upon arrival, troopers found a 57-year-old man who had been shot and was later pronounced dead. The victim was identified as Lee Karsten. Has anyone been arrested? Deputies located a suspect in the shooting, 25-year-old Kyle Karsten, near a pole barn and took him into custody. Karsten is the son of the victim, Lee Karsten. More: Elmira Township man accused in shooting death of his father Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you Has the suspect appeared in court? Karsten, 25, appeared before Otsego County District Court Judge Michael Cooper on Aug. 28 and was charged with open murder. The open murder charge may be amended later to first or second degree murder, depending on a continuing investigation. Karsten provided a not guilty plea to the open murder charge. Cooper set bail at $350,000 cash or surety. The bail conditions mandate that Kyle Karsten have no contact with his mother or go to her residence. Does Karsten have an attorney? Kyle Karsten has a court appointed attorney, Richard Treusch. A preliminary hearing in the case has been tentatively set for Sept. 19. Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Elmira Township shooting under investigation: What we know The Sacramento Police Department announced Thursday an arrest in a string of high-profile burglaries at businesses this month in and near downtown. A 61-year-old Sacramento man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglarizing Beers Books on Aug. 17, said Officer Anthony Gamble, a spokesman for the Police Department. The suspect smashed the Southside Park bookstores glass door, which was the third break-in the store had in about a year, according to a social media post by the business. The man did not steal anything in the Aug. 17 incident, but the damage cost the business about a couple thousand dollars, according to the business. Its especially hard when the business runs on razor-thin margins, Beers Books said on social media. Andrew Naify, a manager for Beers Books, said his attitude toward the suspect is complicated. My honest feeling is just sympathy for the guy, Naify said in a phone interview Thursday. He just needs help. But he later added: It is not something we can forgive right off the bat. The man, who has not yet been charged in Sacramento Superior Court, was released from jail Wednesday, according to online jail records. Gamble said an investigator developed probable cause that the man also burglarized two other businesses, both restaurants: Aces Gyro Shack, 1603 10th St., on Aug. 21 in downtown Sacramento; and Hook & Ladder, 1630 S St., in the Richmond Grove neighborhood. (The suspect) is a prolific burglar in the downtown area, Gamble said. Naify said hes been operating Beers Books for about 10 years and the first of the three burglaries since last year in which a suspect took collectible books worth thousands was the first time such an incident unfolded for him. Its jarring, Naify said. The communitys support has rallied the business during this stressful time, and he thanked them for their support. Theres nothing but love, for their supporters, he said. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Providence pawn shop owner was arrested Thursday for allegedly buying over $300,000 in stolen gold jewelry, R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha announced. Mohamed Bahra, 58, of Lincoln, was charged in 6th Division District Court with knowingly receiving 26.3 ounces of stolen 18-karat gold rings, failing to require proof of identification from sellers of precious metals and failing to keep proper sales records. In January, Bahra admitted to purchasing the rings from a UPS worker who had stolen them from a Warwick shipping facility last July, court records allege. The worker reportedly sold the stolen jewelry to Bahra for $12,384 at Diamond Four Cs on Westminster Street. Prosecutors said Bahra had the rings weighed and examined at a refiner, where it was revealed that they had been stolen from Tiffany & Co. Investigators later confirmed that the rings were valued at approximately $378,000, according to Neronha. Court documents state Bahra is being held on $25,000 personal recognizance bail and no plea was entered during his court appearance. His next scheduled court date is on Nov. 27. 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. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has congratulated the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on his 70th birthday and conferred the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called upon him. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti Details: Putin sent Lukashenko a congratulatory telegram. Vladimir Putin noted that he "values good relations with his Belarusian counterpart and expressed confidence that they will continue to do everything possible to increase cooperation". The Kremlin website also published the relevant decree. It is noted that the order was conferred, in particular, "for a great contribution to the effective functioning of the Union State and the development of strategic partnership relations". Background: Lukashenko's regime supports the war waged by Russia against Ukraine. For reference: The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called is the highest state award in Russia. Alexander Lukashenko, who has been ruling Belarus for 30 years, turned 70 on 30 August 2024. Support UP or become our patron! Putin 'not worried' about being arrested in Mongolia next week Russian President Vladimir Putin reviews a report during a face-to-face meeting with Astrakhan Region governor Igor Babushkin, at the Kremlin.Press Wire Alexander Kazakov/Kremlin Pool/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to travel abroad despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Putin is due to visit Mongolia on Tuesday. Russia's neighbour recognizes the court's authority and so is technically bound to honour the arrest warrant issued in March 2023. But Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the threat of arrest, saying on Friday: "We are not worried. We maintain a wonderful dialogue with our friends in Mongolia." This will be Putin's first trip to an ICC member state since he launched his all-out war against Ukraine in February 2022. He skipped a meeting of BRICS countries in South Africa last year, for instance. Peskov answered in the affirmative when asked whether the arrest warrant had been an issue when preparing for the trip to Mongolia. "Of course, all aspects of the visit were meticulously prepared," he said, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. The Kremlin said Putin is travelling to the country at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in order to expand cooperation. Mongolia has sought a good relationship with its powerful neighbours China and Russia, while also maintaining ties to the West. Because Mongolia is economically dependent on Russia, it is considered unlikely that the country would risk relations by arresting Putin. The ICC accuses Putin of being responsible for the abduction and deportation of children and minors from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine to Russia. Moscow refers to the incidents as evacuations. Russian President Vladimir Putin is working to manage the fallout at home and abroad from Ukraines audacious counteroffensive into the Kursk region, downplaying the significance of the incursion while buying time to mount a response. More than three weeks have passed since Ukraine broke through Russias defenses and seized about 450 square miles of territory. And while a senior U.S. intelligence official said its certain that Russia would launch a counteroffensive in Kursk, analysts say Putin is taking his time. Putin is a very risk averse individual. He is extremely calculated, and he oftentimes really prefers not to make urgent, rash political decisions that would specifically impact the health of his regime, said Kateryna Stepanenko, the Russia deputy team lead and analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank. Stepanenko said Putin is working to downplay the significance of Ukraines attack, the first time Russias sovereignty has been violated since World War II. You would think that a country that has some of its territories face an incursion that has been going on for over 20 days at this point you would think that a country would use that as an opportunity to declare martial law, to declare mobilization, to declare war against Ukraine. But Russia didnt do that, she said. The biggest reason is Putin is really trying to downplay this narrative. Putin maintains overwhelming support among the Russian public, but Ukraines Aug. 6 offensive into Russia marked a low point in public sentiment. Whats going on is that there are these moments of almost exogenous shocks on the Russian system, said Jonathan Teubner, CEO of FilterLabs, a research company that uses artificial intelligence to analyze public sentiment using a wide range of indicators. Russia launched a devastating air campaign Monday against Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure with reportedly more than 100 missiles and a similar number of drones affecting more than half the country. At least four people were killed and more than a dozen injured, with the strikes damaging homes, the electrical grid and water facilities. Fears around mobilization have increased among a representative sample of the Russian population, according to polling released Friday by the Russia-based Levada Center, one of the few independent, nongovernmental organizations operating in the country. The poll was conducted Aug. 2-28 among a representative sample of 1,600 people. The absolute majority of Russians knew and were concerned about Ukraines incursion into Kursk, according to Levadas polling. But Putin is working to downplay those fears and divert attention away from Russian losses. An estimated 180,000 people have been evacuated from the Kursk region. Putin is putting focus on the patriotism of Russian military volunteers, and playing up Russian military gains in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Putin is telling his society that Kursk is not significant enough to look away from the initiative that Russia has on the battlefield in Ukraine, and that Kursk is not that significant to call up mobilization and destabilize the society from within, and I think that message is resonating, Stepanenko said. Levada tracked Putins support among the public at 85 percent, virtually unchanged over the past year. But Teubner, at FilterLabs, tracked negative sentiment toward Putin over the past few weeks among media in some regions where Russia has recruited soldiers and where military production has increased. If Putins prestige and popularity fall in these key regions (especially if Russians feel that the war is going badly), the Kremlin may find it more difficult to fill its military ranks, FilterLabs wrote in an analysis on Aug. 22. Theres a lot of speculation, a lot of things we dont know about how the Russian power system really functions, but we do know Putin is responsive to popular dissatisfaction, Teubner said. Just like Chinese President Xi Jinping is, to some extent. FilterLabs also looked at how Chinese and Iranian media reacted to Ukraines offensive into Russia. China and Iran are two of Putins most important partners and have helped fuel his war in Ukraine. Russia has employed Iranian-made, explosive drones in Ukraine and is reportedly sourcing more Iranian missiles. Moscow and Tehran are expected to sign a comprehensive cooperation treaty by October. But China is Russias real lifeline to continuing its war. Moscow is dependent on Chinese exports of commercial goods that can be repurposed for its military, and Beijing is one of the few buyers of Russian oil that is subject to sanctions by the U.S. and allies. The news, both in Iran and China, are highly reflective of the governments view and theyre very aware that they are tied to Putin, Teubner said. FilterLabs tracked negative narratives in Iran and China about the Russian leader in the immediate aftermath of the Kursk incursion, but it has since noticed a rebound. They didnt, all of a sudden, decide to be very positive on it, but decided to minimize it. They moved on to other issues, Teubner said. China is likely watching how it can exploit Russias vulnerability for its own purposes, said Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations. From Chinas perspective, it might almost be beneficial, because the dependence that Russia enters into with China the dependence on dual-use goods, the dependence politically, is just to [Beijings] benefit, she said. Its obviously an embarrassment for Putin, but from a strategic Chinese perspective, the more dependent Russia is on China, the more it is in Chinas interest. While Chinas official reaction to Ukraines incursion into Russia repeated staid platitudes of calling for all parties to de-escalate, Fix said that the fact Beijing felt compelled to highlight its statement showed it viewed the event seriously. The fact that China has put out a response and felt the need to make clear that they condemn Ukraines invasion, shows that it is a big issue, 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 The Hill. Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit Mongolia on Sept. 3, the Kremlin announced on Aug. 29. Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 for the forcible transfer of children from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. The Kremlin's announcement claimed that Putin will visit Mongolia "at the invitation Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh." The leaders will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Battles of Khalknin Gol, in which Soviet and Mongolian forces jointly defeated Japanese troops. The visit will mark Putin's first trip to an ICC member country that has ratified the Rome Statute. The agreement calls on member nations to arrest Putin if he enters their territory. Mongolia has refrained from actively supporting Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine but has not voted to condemn it at the UN. The country remains nearly completely dependent on Russian fuel. Mongolia's economic dependence on Russia and China has prevented it from establishing closer ties to the West. The ICC asserts that there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that Putin holds direct accountability for supervising the illegal deportation of children and that he neglected to exert authority over Russian soldiers and civilians executing the crime across occupied Ukrainian regions from the onset of Russia's all-out war. Read also: Putin in Azerbaijan: Depleted by Ukraine, Russia plays a weaker hand in the South Caucasus Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) PVTA workers have not reached an agreement for a new contract after months of negotiations and a strike seems to be imminent. Earlier this week, PVTA workers, overwhelmingly voted to reject the PVTAs offer saying that they want a better contract and benefits. And if negotiations are not met before September 1st workers will potentially strike which could halt public transportation across the Pioneer Valley. We want to have a conversation we want to try to resolve this. We want to sit down in person and want to talk to them and we want to try to resolve this before Sunday, said Kevin Drapu, vice president of ATU Local 448. Representatives of the Amalgamated Transit Authority local 448, who have collectively worked for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority for decades, are fighting for better wages and benefits for the 225 PVTA employees, bus operators, mechanics and office workers. Their proposal was not strong. It was very weak and the benefits its like they just slap us in the face with it, said Michael Houghton, president of ATU Local 448. The final offer made by DGR Management for a three-year contract includes, but is not limited to: Wage increases of 10% over the three-year contract period. The salary adjustment of 5% for year 1 is the maximum amount feasible within the constrained operating budget The offer was not what workers were expecting,We want to move on, we just want to sit down and negotiate, we dont want the moon we just want a a fair contract, said union representatives. Drivers dont want to walk off the job for the sake of the riders but the agency has forced their hand. Local lawmakers like state Senator Jake Oliveira, hope that negations can be reached to avoid major disruption for people who rely on public transport. Were hoping that folks can come to the table reaching agreement so we can provide those services and we stand ready as partners in the legislature to work with our local elected officials and work with PVTA labor and management to ensure that services arent disrupted. 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. Reality Check is a Ledger-Enquirer series digging deeper into key issues and focusing on accountability. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email mynews@ledger-enquirer.com. The tension between growth and stability has created a clash of conflicting forces surrounding the citys plan to build a new parking garage for the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Instead of expanding the trade centers 424-space parking garage at 801 Front Ave., the Columbus Consolidated Government plans to construct a 500-space parking garage across the street on the city-owned parking lot along Eighth Street, stretching one block from Front Avenue to Broadway on the south side of the Columbus Marriott Hotel, 800 Front Ave. That site is in the Columbus Historic District. Some of those residents are concerned a parking garage would detract from the carefully preserved nature of the neighborhood. And some of those residents question whether CCG legally can spend the millions of dollars earmarked for this project at that site. Neighborhood conflict Fred Greene is a prime example of the residents alarmed about the risk of the new parking garage detracting from the aesthetics of the historic district, plus the noise and traffic it would bring. Greene, a property manager and real estate agent, is a former president of the districts preservation society. He has lived in the district for 30 years, including the past 17 in a house across Eighth Street from the site of the proposed parking garage. Although he appreciates city officials meeting with approximately 100 residents concerned about the project, he isnt confident CCG will produce a parking garage that allays his doubts because he hasnt seen a specific plan. On July 10, CCG issued a request for proposals for the projects design and construction services. The deadline to submit proposals was Aug. 16. Greene worries how tall the parking garage will be, what materials would be used for its exterior, where vehicles will enter and exit, and how that traffic and noise will affect his peaceful home and neighborhood. Eighth street is already a major corridor for traffic, he said. Its something I accept living here. I like seeing people walk by and ride by and wave and all that. But with those bigger groups (and vehicles parking at the proposed garage) comes more people and more traffic. Fred Greene, a resident of the Historic District in Columbus, Georgia, shares his concerns about a proposal to build a new parking deck in a surface parking lot adjacent to the downtown Marriott at 800 Front Ave. in Columbus, Georgia. Elizabeth Walden, on behalf of the Historic Columbus Foundations executive committee, told the Ledger-Enquirer that the foundations major concern is that they havent seen an overall plan from CCG to explain how this project would impact the historic district. Our goal is to work with the neighborhood and the city to create the best and most appropriate outcome for the Columbus Historic District with regards to the parking deck proposal and an overall strategic plan while also remaining aware of the needs to accommodate a growing Trade Center and interest in Columbus as a conference and tourism destination, Walden said in an email. Walden said building a 500-space parking garage that would blend in with the historic districts mass, scale and character would be extremely challenging at the proposed location. Lighting, noise and traffic also are concerns, she said. Theres a proposal to build a new parking deck in this surface parking lot adjacent to the Columbus Marriott at 800 Front Ave. in Columbus, Georgia. However, since there is no formal design or proposal at this point it is difficult to comment on with specificity, Walden said. Walden added, The houses in the district have some of the highest price per square foot in the county. The success and appropriateness of these projects are crucial to keeping that property value for both the property owner and the citys tax coffers. Legal conflict On Aug. 19 and Aug. 23, the Ledger-Enquirer emailed questions about this project to Mayor Skip Henderson, City Manager Isaiah Hugley, Deputy City Manager Pam Hodge, City Finance Director Angelica Alexander and City Attorney Clifton Fay. None of them replied before publication. So even the estimated cost of this project and the funding source are unclear. Greene said he heard at the district residents meeting with CCG officials that $10 million is available for the city to build this parking garage. The Ledger-Enquirer reported in 2002 that Columbus Council authorized CCG to issue $44.2 million in bonds for city capital improvements, including $3.5 million to construct a 300-space parking garage for the trade center adjacent to the hotel across the street. That bond issue also included $5 million to help fund a $35 million expansion of the trade center, which also received money from the state, local sales tax and private donations to nearly double the facilitys size. In 2021, Columbus voters approved a 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax to raise $400 million for city capital projects, including $5 million for improvements to the parking facility to provide for approximately 500 spaces at the trade center, according to the public notice from the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration authorizing the referendum. Historic district residents objecting to this project point out the language in the referendum and the campaign material before the vote never mentioned the new parking spaces for the trade center would be built elsewhere. The is the entrance to the parking deck for the Columbus, Georgia Convention & Trade Center. I think everybody agrees that the trade center probably needs more parking, and everybody wants to support the trade center, which is an economic driver, historic district resident Ken Henson, a lawyer and real estate developer, told the Ledger-Enquirer, but I think theres a problem using SPLOST dollars for that parking deck on Broadway. Greene said he doesnt know how thats morphed into, Were going to build a garage across the street on a different parcel. I dont think thats right. I dont think thats the way it was sold to the citizens of Columbus. Parking conflict Henson provided the Ledger-Enquirer a diagram of the area that shows the current trade center parking garage comprises 56,808 square feet with 397 spaces. The parking lot south of the Marriott comprises 74,419 square feet with 175 spaces. Nobody representing Valley Hospitality, which owns that Marriott, replied to the Ledger-Enquirers messages about this issue, but Henson said CCG has an agreement with them to provide 125 spaces for the hotel in that parking lot. So it may not be economically viable to put the parking deck there, he said. The Columbus Marriott is located at 800 Front Ave. in Columbus, Georgia. Thats why Henson hopes CCG will develop a master plan for the trade center area to include space for a new convention hotel and parking. I know (city officials) looked at the area where the fountain is (in front of the trade center) as a potential hotel site, he said, so maybe they should look at that as part of a master plan process. Is that a good location to put a hotel on top of a new two-or-three-level parking deck? Walden also referred to discussions about constructing a hotel on the trade centers current parking garage, which makes expansion of the deck problematic, she said. If there were to be a new hotel on the existing parking deck site, those spaces would also need to be replaced. All of which prompted Walden to say the Historic Columbus Foundation wants CCG to develop a master plan with stakeholder involvement for the area before a final decision is made about a new parking garage for the trade center. Such a plan should consider the impact of this project and the potential new hotel, along with overall design and traffic considerations to protect the historic integrity and economic value of the district, she said. Another factor to be considered in a master plan for the area is Columbus State Universitys intention to move the adjacent Coca-Cola Space Science Center, 701 Front Ave., from downtown to CSUs main campus in midtown. The case for more trade center parking During the past several years, the trade center has increased its number of conferences and conventions from a few dozen event days to more than 100 event days annually, Hayley Tillery, the centers executive director, told the Ledger-Enquirer. Tillery noted the parking garage wasnt enlarged when the trade center was expanded in 2003. Then a deal CCG reached with the hotel to expand on the parking lot across Front Avenue from the trade center evaporated amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. So, right now, we are beginning fresh with a new plan and merely seeing available options, Tillery said via email. The recent RFP is merely a start to a lengthy process of working towards the ultimate goal of completing the 2003 plan which involved a dedicated convention hotel and additional parking, and also a walking bridge to the Trade Center. The trade centers events pump an estimated $6.9 million into the local economy per year, Tillery said. This economic benefit has the potential to grow even further with the right infrastructure to support the influx of guests, she said. Enhancing our facilities, including the addition of a parking garage, is essential not only for accommodating more attendees but also for positioning Columbus as a premier destination for conferences and conventions in the state. This development will benefit the city and create a positive ripple effect, supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the region. Theres a proposal to build a new parking deck in this surface parking lot adjacent to the Columbus Marriott at 800 Front Ave. in Columbus, Georgia. Equitable perspective Perhaps nobody in Columbus is better equipped to understand the governmental, economic and residential sides of this controversy than Richard Bishop. He lives in the historic district and is president of its preservation society, but he also is a former assistant city manager and a former CEO of Uptown Columbus, the nonprofit organization that promotes the citys downtown. Bishop, who emphasized he was sharing his opinion and not speaking on behalf of the districts preservation society, warned against folks rushing to judgment about this issue. I think its premature to have a real thought on it, he told the Ledger-Enquirer. The city is going through a process, and that process is inclusive. They are engaging the district, and if the district is really listened to and their thoughts are carried on to the pages of a design, thats what I want to see before I have an opinion. A representative from the districts preservation society and a representative from the Historic Columbus Foundation are on CCGs committee that will review the proposals from the projects potential architects and construction contractors, Bishop said. The city is going to have challenges on meeting the districts expectations, he said, but its very encouraging to me that the city is going through this process to include the district in that design. Regardless of the final design, Bishop said, he wants to ensure CCG officials have ample sessions with the district to go over the process as it develops. I dont have a vision for what that parking deck would look like, but I think it needs to be compatible with the district and the Marriott and the trade center and other structures that have been built in the downtown area. And if its built on that site, it has to be sensitive about everything that happens in a parking deck, from cars and lights. Theyre going to need a manageable traffic flow so it doesnt impact Eighth Street, Broadway and Front Avenue in a negative way. Bishop mentioned the parking garage across Broadway from the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, one block north of the Marriott, as a caution. When Im in front of the RiverCenter, it sounds like a racetrack going on in that parking deck, he said. So how is that going to operate (at the one proposed for the trade center)? SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Racist vandalism found at a San Francisco community center on Friday has drawn condemnation from officials. The vandalism, which included a building being defaced with graffiti of the n-word, was discovered at Youth 1st, a community center in SFs Lakeview neighborhood. District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who is currently running for mayor, called the vandalism an appalling display of hate with no place in our community. X San Francisco headquarters to shut down on Friday the 13th of September: report This incident is not just an attack on a building; its an attack on the values we uphold in San Francisco diversity, inclusion, and respect for all. Safai added. For over 20 years, Youth 1st has been a lifeline for at-risk youth, offering education, support, and opportunities. The vandalism, according to Safai, followed racial epithets directed at the facilitys executive director, Renard Monroe. We stand with Youth 1st and will do everything possible to hold those responsible accountable, Safai said. Our community is stronger than this, and we will continue to support the vital work Youth 1st does for our children and families. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Inside Look stories give Star-Telegram subscribers exclusive sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes reporting. Story suggestion? Editors@star-telegram.com. Just beyond the gates of the sprawling Kenneth Copeland Ministries complex on Eagle Mountain Lake, a lonely strip of airplane runway slices through empty fields and a scattering of gas pads. Small planes occasionally come or go mostly connected to Copeland, who bought the rural expanse on the east side of the lake decades ago. Closer to the water, at the end of a cracked concrete ramp, a weathered Quonset hut sits near the woodline. A helicopter takes off from the runway at Kenneth Copeland Airport near Eagle Mountain Lake on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Helicopter pilots train at the general aviation airport that originally was built in 1942 as a Marine Corps air station for training pilots to fly gliders. A hanger used at the Kenneth Copeland Airport to train dive bombers in World War II on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. There are few clues that survive here to what this site used to be, and its profound importance not only to Fort Worth history, but to the outcome of the worlds deadliest war ever. This was the site of a U.S. Marine Corps Air Station hastily built at the onset of World War II, where the military trained pilots on gliders that were new warfare technology at the time. Some of the nations most decorated veterans would hone their skills here first with gliders, then with dive-bomb aircraft. The military trained with gliders like this early in World War II. Here, at Lamesa Advanced Air Force Glider School in West Texas, farmers George W. Holley and his wife rode up on a tractor to get a look at a giant motorless glider. Air Force Sgt. Don D. Fritz, middle, was a new graduate of the school and had just landed the glider on a rural road. Sheriff Buck Bennett kept the highway clear for the practice stunt that is part of training. Big plans for (the installation) were based on the success of Germanys glider conquest of Britains base on Crete, said Richard Selcer, a Fort Worth historian and Star-Telegram contributor. It was the first Marine Corps aviation training base in Texas. The base had a post library, a hospital, barracks, hangars, all the elements of a typical military base, but it was still considered quite small for a training base. This embedded content is not available in your region. Nowadays, most of those buildings are long gone. The Star Telegram got an exclusive tour of the site of the old Eagle Mountain Lake base. Dec. 4, 1942: Marine Air Station at Eagle Mountain Lake. Eagle Mountain Lake circa 1942 It was big news in Fort Worth when the military announced its plans for Eagle Mountain Lake. Six months after Japans attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the U.S. into World War II, the site about 18 miles northwest of downtown Fort Worth was chosen for a $5 million glider base. The Star-Telegram splashed the headline across the front page that this would be the first inland glider base of its kind. The Fort Worth Star Telegram first reported on the Eagle Mountain Lake Marine base on June 23, 1942. About 2,500 acres of rough, undeveloped land just east of the lake, near the small farming community of Newark, would be transformed into a military training station as quickly as possible for amphibious and surface landings. Construction would begin immediately to build a base that could house 500 officers, 1,500 trainees and 1,000 enlisted troops. Lt. Col. Vernon M. Guymon, a highly decorated World War I veteran and naval aviator in the Marines, would serve as commanding officer and oversee the move of the corps Glider Group 71 from coastal Parris Island, South Carolina, to North Texas. Lt. Cmdr. K.P. Coykendall, an engineer with the Navys Bureau of Yards and Docks, was in charge of construction. Within less than two months, preliminary grading and construction of barracks were already underway. Feb. 3, 1943: At Marine Corps Air Station at Eagle Mountain Lake are, from left, Lt. Col. Harold R. Lee, commander at Eagle Mountain; Gen. R.J. Mitchell; Col. V.M. Guymon; and Lt. Col. C.J. Chappell. July 7, 1942: A glider in flight at the Lamesa Advanced Air Force Glider School in West Texas, where the military was training pilots for the new form of aerial warfare. Gliders were a new type of warfare for the U.S. military, a stealth aircraft meant for surprise attacks. The inspiration came from Operation Mercury, an amphibious surprise attack by Germany to capture Crete in 1941. Americans will glide silently into occupied areas to capture them, the Star Telegram reported on June 23, 1942. They can approach silently to surprise the enemy, and the men, as part of their training at the Fort Worth base, will learn to operate them in large masses for attack. Imperfections on the runway at the Kenneth Copeland Airport make the runway unusable but have plans on restoration in the near future, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. A boat ramp used to launch sea planes in the water during Word War II at Kenneth Copeland Airport, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The Marines first learned how to operate large Waco gliders that could carry about a dozen people or a Jeep. Before they came to Eagle Mountain, pilots went to flight school in Chicago at the Lewis School of Aeronautics. Eagle Mountain was equipped with a runway and three ramps for amphibious planes. July 7, 1942: A tow plane that had launched the military glider makes a landing on a rural highway in West Texas as part of Lamesa Advanced Air Force Glider School, where the military trained glider pilots for World War II. The skill was difficult to obtain. The pilots began training by winch towing, and then by plane. Pilots started learning by winch tows. A wire from the glider would be attached to a large motor drum at the other end of a runway. Reeling in the wire would give the glider enough speed to lift off; at 500 feet, the wire was detached and air currents took over. Plane towing was more difficult, and how glider pilots most often launched in battle. An engined plane would tow the glider and circle around until they reached a proper altitude, up to 20,000 feet. At that height, a glider could travel 75 miles. July 7, 1942: Johnnie Nowak is operations manager for the Lamesa Advanced Air Force Glider School in West Texas, where the military was training a new type of warfighter: flying commandos. The pilots learned to glide while towed in formations of two to three. They could travel like this for 200 or 300 miles with the ability to refuel the engined aircraft during flight. But for all the early promise as a military innovation, gliders wouldnt be around long. The Marines canceled the program in May 1943, and the Navy took over the base as an air station to test new remote-controlled aircraft. A front page story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on April 15, 1944, reported that the Marines would use the air station at Eagle Mountain Lake as a finishing school for dive bomber pilots before they were sent to combat overseas. In spring 1944, the Marines returned and announced they would use Eagle Mountain Lake as finishing school for dive bomber pilots on their way to overseas combat. Dive bombing would play a crucial role in giving the Allies the advantage toward the end of World War II. By this point in the war, many of the young Marine pilots stationed at Eagle Mountain or its adjunct base at nearby Rhome were already war heroes from combat in the South Pacific or elsewhere. A Star-Telegram reporter visited the base in June 1944. There all young fellows and almost every last one of them is a veteran of many combat missions, the reporter wrote. Take, for example, the young, sandy-haired Maj. Fred J. Frazer, a squadron commander whose dog OToole served as their unofficial mascot. Frazer was on the USS Quincy in the South Pacific when the Japanese sunk the ship during the Battle of Savo Island in 1942. Frazier was burned badly, floating around in the water on empty ammunition tanks for hours, finally got together three rafts which were lashed together and the 30 men aboard the ship were saved, the Star Telegram reported. Frazer also attended pilot school at Grand Prairie Naval Air Base in Dallas. Two of Frazers staff captains at Eagle Mountain had seen combat, too. Capt. P.G. Zouck from Baltimore got in 14 raids at Guadalcanal and earned a presidential unit citation for extraordinary heroism in action. Capt. G.T. Morse of Long Beach, California, had seen 18 raids and the first dive-bombings in Kahili in Papua New Guinea and the Balalae in the Solomon Islands. His squadron had shot down 80 Japanese bombers. Marine Air Base at Eagle Mount Lake. In the plane, Major Robert Tucker receives target orders from Major Robert J. Bear. A Fort Worth Star Telegram article from July 7, 1944 when Brig. General Woods paid a visit to inspect the Eagle Mountain Marine Base here in Fort Worth. And Maj. Robert J. Bear, commander of a squadron at Rhome, held a Navy Cross, Air Medal and a presidential unit citation. By July 1944, it looked as if the Marines might expand the Eagle Mountain Lake base, which was taxed to capacity by three dive-bomber squadrons. Brig. Gen. Louis E. Woods inspected the base and told the Star-Telegram I hope the station is here to stay. But it was not meant to be. Germany would surrender in less than a year, followed by Japan in September 1945. After the war, the Marines no longer needed the base. A Fort Worth Star Telegram article from April 30, 1946 where they talk about future plans of Eagle Mountain Marine Base post World War II. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce studied possible postwar uses for the property. Reed Pigman, who had established in 1939 the American Flyers civilian pilot training facility in Fort Worth, proposed letting him operate it as a flying school and cross-country resort. Feb. 20, 1947: The Texas National Guards 49th Armored Division, Combat Command A Headquarters, at Eagle Mountain Lake. The Texas National Guard would end up taking over the former base in 1947 for training. The hospital was also reused to treat polio and cerebral palsy patients from Fort Worth. Copeland, a successful televangelist with a growing global ministry, purchased about 1,500 acres of the land and in 1986 moved his headquarters to the site. Since then, the runway has been used only for small planes. The ministry has kept the former Navy hospital building to use as a doctors office for church members. Now the ministry is raising money to make improvements of the runway. And the ministry hopes to one day erect a monument of some sort to honor all the pilots who passed through the old base. A rare orange lobster is back home in the ocean after nearly becoming someone's dinner after its discovery at a New York grocery store. It all started last month when workers at a Stop & Shop in Southampton, New York found an orange lobster, believed to have a one-in-30 million chance of appearing in the wild. It was given the name Clementine and received a second chance at life after store employees reached out to the Long Island Aquarium in hopes of her having a life there. According to NBC News, the aquarium didn't accept the lobster. This prompted animal advocacy group Humane Long Island to spring into action. "We got ourselves a big saltwater tank to rehab her in, we brought her down to the ocean, and she immediately began foraging," Humane Long Island president and executive director John Di Leonardo recounted to NBC News. "She was ready to go as soon as she saw the ocean." On Aug. 27, Clementine was returned to the sea with the help of Humane Long Island. "They all want to live natural lives in the wild," Di Leonardo explained. "They dont want to boil in someones pot or stay in a cramped aquarium." Another orange lobster discovered earlier this year also escaped consumption. A Red Lobster worker in Colorado found the crustacean, later named Crush. It now lives at the Downtown Aquarium in Denver. Related: Colorado Red Lobster Restaurant Discovers Rare Orange Lobster If you spot an off-color lobster in the wild, it's probably best to admire the rare beauty from afar. Raw milk sold in Whatcom County recalled for possible E. coli contamination A warning for milk drinkers in Whatcom County: Washington State Department of Health announced a voluntary recall for a batch of Jims Jerseys raw milk. The batch in question is from Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington with a best-buy date of August 23. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) found traces of E. coli in the milk during a routine testing, according to the recall. Health officials are suggesting anyone with a half-gallon or gallon container of the raw milk to not drink it. Customers can return the product for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported. Old Silvana Creamery and WSDA are continuing their investigation into the source of the problem. RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is investigating an aggravated assault incident involving several inmates. The incident happened on Thursday, August 29th at 10 A.M. at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, and authorities say that upon arrival, deputies learned that a stabbing occurred. The Criminal Investigation Division was requested to respond, and authorities say this incident is an active 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 WJBF. Recent government audit uncovers concerning reality of land set aside for restoration: 'The current offset arrangements are broken' About a third of Australian lands that had been set aside for restoration have actually gotten worse, according to a recent government audit. What's happening? The Guardian reported on the news, explaining that Australia operates a biodiversity offset system, which allows developers to "offset" environmental damage they cause in one location by pledging work to deliver an equivalent or greater benefit in another. However, a recent review of these offset sites found that 55% had maintained the same environmental conditions while 30% got worse. "We know the current offset arrangements are broken and making nature worse," Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek told the publication. Why is this audit important? The findings prompted warnings that the offset system is increasing extinction risks for plants and animals, according to the Guardian. According to the Australian Academy of Science, nearly half of the world's known and historically recorded mammal extinctions have taken place in Australia. A loss of just one species can alter an ecosystem. For instance, koalas help manage wild lands by controlling plant growth, adding nutrients to the soil through their droppings, and reducing the amount of eucalyptus leaves that could fuel wildfires. Fire management services offered by wildlife are especially relevant on an overheating planet where we are likely to experience more extreme wildfire seasons in the future. Plus, animals play an important role in Australia's First Nations communities. According to Common Ground, First Nations communities often consider animals to be equally as important as humans. Additionally, the organization explained that First Nations people who have a totem are entrusted with the care of that animal (for instance, someone who has a kangaroo totem has a responsibility to look out for them). What's being done about Australia's extinction crisis? Plibersek told the Guardian that her department had already taken compliance action against developers of 21 projects, and the publication asserts that the recent findings will likely prompt the government to rewrite its nature laws. In the meantime, conservationists are working to protect Australia's struggling species. For instance, new "glide poles" on the country's east coast are helping flying possums to cross roadways without getting hit. Plus, recent research found that most of the species labeled as threatened by Australian legislation between 2000 and 2022 now have populations that are stabilizing and, in some cases, growing. Still, rising global temperatures remain a major threat to wildlife across the globe. One way you can help is by voting for pro-climate candidates. 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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. College student Karsen Kitchen exits Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule after the conclusion of the NS-26 suborbital mission on Aug. 29, 2024. | Credit: Blue Origin Blue Origin set a new record on its latest space tourism flight. That mission, called NS-26, sent six people to suborbital space and back this morning (Aug. 29) from Blue Origin's West Texas spaceport, reaching a maximum altitude of 64.6 miles (104 kilometers) above ground level. One of them was Karsen Kitchen, a 21-year-old student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). According to Blue Origin, Kitchen is the youngest woman ever to cross the Karman line, the 62-mile-high (100 km) boundary that many people regard as the start of outer space. Kitchen has some space connections and aspirations: She's interning with Blue Origin, according to ChapelBoro.com. And her dad, Jim, a business professor at UNC, flew on the company's NS-20 mission in March 2022. Blue Origin also launched the youngest man and youngest person, period beyond the Karman line: 18-year-old Dutch student Oliver Daemen. Related: The Karman Line: Where does space begin? Jeff Bezos' company notched that milestone on its very first crewed flight, which occurred on July 20, 2021. That mission also carried Bezos, his brother Mark and 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk to the final frontier. As its name suggests, NS-26 was the 26th overall flight of New Shepard, Blue Origin's reusable suborbital vehicle. Eight of those missions have been crewed; the rest have been robotic research flights. a rocket comes down for a landing above a dusty desert RELATED STORIES: 'One of the cleanest flights I've seen.' Blue Origin launches 6 people to space, lands safely on NS-26 flight The future of space tourism Black astronauts celebrate ISS, Artemis 2 moon missions while reflecting on history The Karman line, by the way, is not the only recognized space-delineation marker; Both NASA and the U.S. military award astronaut wings to anyone who gets at least 50 miles (80 km) above Earth's surface. And, by this metric, Kitchen is not the youngest woman to reach space. Eighteen-year-old Anastatia Mayers and her crewmates reached a peak altitude of 55 miles (88.5 km) on a flight with Virgin Galactic in August 2023. Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin's chief competitor in the suborbital tourism industry, currently charges $600,000 per seat, though the company has not yet restarted sales as it works on getting its new "Delta class" of space planes up and running. Blue Origin has not revealed its ticket prices. Editor's note: This story was updated at 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 29 to give the correct figure for Virgin Galactic's current ticket price. It's $600,000, not $450,000, as the story originally stated. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Several book publishers filed a federal lawsuit Thursday, claiming that Floridas law surrounding the removal of books from schools violates the First Amendment because its too broad. Some of the publishers involved in the 124-page lawsuit are Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishing Group, and Simon & Schuster. The lawsuit was filed against Ben Gibson, chair of the Florida State Board of Education; Ryan Petty, vice chair of the Florida State Board of Education; and several members of the Orange County and Volusia County school boards. New College library administrator placed on leave after books found in dumpster The publishers said that timeless classics such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Invisible Man and Brave New World were required to be removed from school libraries under HB 1069. Florida has required these books and others to be removed from school libraries under its broad, across-the-board, content-based mandates that forbid consideration of the books value, the lawsuit stated. The publishers said two provisions in Section 1006.28 that deal with the removal of books violate the First Amendment. The publishers are not challenging other parts of the law. News Channel 8 has reached out to the Florida Department of Education for comment. At issue for the publishers are the sections that automatically prohibit books that describe sexual conduct and books with pornographic content without regard for the three-part test for obscenity established in a 1973 Supreme Court ruling, Miller v. California. In enacting HB 1069, the State has mandated that school districts impose a regime of strict censorship in school libraries, the lawsuit reads. 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 publishers argue that based on the current broad definition of describes sexual material, the Oxford English Dictionary would have to be removed from libraries even though it is not obscene. Earlier this year, one Florida district added dictionaries and encyclopedias to a list of books to be reviewed for possible bans. The restrictions apply to all grade levels and broadly regulate the availability of constitutionally protected books, the publishers said. These restrictions as interpreted and enforced by the State of Florida violate the First Amendment because they are impermissibly overbroad content-based restrictions, according to the lawsuit. Publishers claim the law is encouraging school districts to remove more books than the First Amendment would permit, and is creating a culture of fear in the education community. Educators who are already afraid of official state action or action by vigilante members of the public fear the loss of their credentials and livelihood and even threats to their safety, the suit stated. The publishers are not looking to stop schools from keeping obscene books out of libraries, but said the law allows books that are not remotely obscene to be removed under the guise of pornography,' according to the lawsuit. The publishers argue that if the state dislikes an authors idea, it has the right to offer a competing message but does not have the right to suppress the disfavored message. The publishers are asking a judge to declare that the ban on content that describes sexual conduct is too broad and unconstitutional. Theyre also asking for a judge to declare that pornographic is synonymous with harmful to minors and would fall under the Supreme Courts obscenity standard, or if its not synonymous, that its too broad. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Since May 2022, garbage has been burning within a closed portion of Chiquita Canyon Los Angeles County's second-largest landfill due to a rare heat-producing chemical reaction, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But environmental regulators only became aware of the problem last year. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Environmental regulators are faulting Chiquita Canyon Landfill for making "no meaningful improvement" in reducing noxious odors emanating from the Castaic facility and have ordered operators to take additional steps to address the problem. In a three-day public hearing, South Coast Air Quality District attorney Kathryn Roberts argued that Chiquita Canyon is operating under "crisis-like conditions" because its operators "chose to actively conceal" early signs of an underground landfill fire. Now, the landfill staff is forced to implement emergency measures that are exacerbating odors, such as excavating and relocating buried trash to prevent landslides. "Many of these actions actually have the adverse side effect of increasing odors in the immediate and short term even though they are considered necessary to curb the emergency situations occurring at the landfill," Roberts said at an Aug. 17 hearing. Read more: L.A. mayor demands more testing after lead is found in Watts drinking water Since May 2022, garbage has been burning within a closed portion of Chiquita Canyon Los Angeles County's second-largest landfill due to a rare heat-producing chemical reaction, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But environmental regulators only became aware of the problem last year when an inspector from the local air district discovered white smoke and liquids escaping from the landfill's surface. The air district had ordered Waste Connections, the owner and operator of Chiquita Canyon, in September 2023 to undertake a series of projects to mitigate odors and control the fiery reaction area. Now, nearly a year later, the pungent odors persist, and have been reported in neighborhoods several miles away. This year, the air district has received 13,000 odor complaints for Chiquita Canyon Landfill, up from 7,000 in 2023. The agency has issued about 200 violations in connection with the complaints. For their part, Chiquita Canyon representatives argued there is no easy fix to extinguish the smoldering conditions affecting 30 acres of the 639-acre landfill. As the air district ordered, landfill workers have drilled and installed 220 new gas collection wells and 80 pumps to extract piping-hot landfill gases and leachate. They are also intended to relieve the pressure and heat building hundreds of feet underground. Read more: Noxious fumes, contaminated runoff: No easy solution for Chiquita Canyon Landfill woes So far, there's been no significant decrease in temperatures inside the 30-acre reaction zone. However, the problem has not expanded to other portions of the landfill. Many of the wells that the air district had ordered installed have not been drilled deep enough to capture smelly landfill gases, due to safety concerns. "This is not uncommon in landfills experiencing elevated temperature conditions where the crews can run into issues such as heavily saturated waste," said Vidhya Viswanathan, an official with SCS Engineers. "You could have borehole collapses. We also have the risk of triggering pressurized leachate releases. And, so all of these come with their own safety concerns." Roberts said that Chiquita Canyon was far behind schedule with the installation of a large impermeable cover, which was intended to suppress odors. Originally advertised as a 10-week project, the landfill now says it won't be completed until October. The landfill has also brought more than 100 tanks to store millions of gallons of leachate, which contains benzene and other chemicals. At times, the removal of hazardous liquid waste has gone awry. On Aug. 15, a worker overfilled a leachate storage tank, causing 3,000 gallons of rancid liquid waste to spill. Read more: California lawmaker warns of 'financial catastrophe' if oil well rules aren't enforced The air district's hearing board, which decides enforcement matters, ordered Chiquita Canyon to expand its monitoring, limit excavation and use odor suppressants. The air district's attorneys also called for the landfill to cease operations between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., citing unfavorable wind patterns that carried foul smells into nearby communities. But Chiquita Canyon representatives opposed those measures, saying it would cripple their operation. "The district is attempting to essentially close the Chiquita Canyon Landfill through draconian limits on the landfill's waste intake which will have rippling and dramatic effects on the management of solid waste for Los Angeles County," said Megan Morgan, an attorney representing Waste Connections. The hearing board is scheduled to hold another hearing on the operation restrictions and other conditions on Nov. 13-14. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. 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. OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell held a fireside chat at the citys convention center. The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce also recognized the Senator for his contributions to the city. The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is taking the time to give U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky his flowers. The legislator has had a hand in securing funding for several city staples like the Owensboro Riverfront and implementing laws aimed at revolutionizing the communitys health like the Tobacco Youth Act. The Act raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18-years-old to 21-years-old. Senator McConnell sat down with former political reporter Joe Arnold to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth, including necessities in the agriculture world. He spoke briefly about the Farm Bill. KWC welcomes one of largest freshman classes in 30 years sort of the urban nature of the Democrats these days. Were gonna continue to try to pressure them. Weve had a one year extension already its very, very unfortunate for production agriculture, says Senator McConnell. The farm bill is a package of legislation passed roughly once every five years and touches on regulations for how food is grown, crop insurance, and healthy food access for low-income families. State Representative D.J. Johnson of District 13 in Daviess County reflected on the lawmakers local efforts, including his hand in helping secure $50 million to develop the citys waterfront. If we didnt have the Riverfront, there would be no Friday After Five. There would be no car shows, and we just had the great race come through. It just goes on and on. Our economic situation would be so different. It just wouldnt be the same, says Rep. Johnson. Chamber officials say theyre grateful to hear more about his several decades long political career and say they hope the conversation made room for other leaders to be inspired in the way they create community change. [Senator McConnell] summed it up the best when he said that theres two kinds of elected officials. One runs because they have something a point to make, and the others run because they want to make things happen. I think if we could think of what the lesson is in this room, its lets be the people who want to make things happennot the people with just a point to make, says Candance Castlen Brake, the President and CEO of Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). The Mountain Valley Pipeline in Roanoke County, pictured in 2018. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) A third-party report commissioned by Mountain Valley Pipeline developers has found the cause of a test failure in May was due to a manufacturer defect and not corrosion issues, a concern environmental advocates have continuously raised about the project that took about a decade to complete before coming online earlier this year. The report, from DNV GL USA, found that a manufacturing buttwelding for the .7-inch thick elbow fitting installed in June 2018 blew before the hydrostatic testing reached desired pressure, weeks before the project went into service. From a manufacturing perspective, the failed fitting had a sister fitting in the same test section that was proactively removed from the pipeline and used to provide material for a portion of the mechanical testing aspect of the failure analysis, wrote Justin Trettlel, in an letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accompanying the report. There were only two fittings with matching pedigree, neither of which remains in the pipeline. The 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline went online in June with the capacity to deliver up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica Shales of West Virginia into Pittsylvania County in Southwest Virginia. First announced in 2014, the project faced mounting legal troubles over environmental issues until West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin included in a federal spending plan a provision to greenlight the project to completion and end any legal disputes until it is built. Environmental groups said those delays caused possible corrosion issues with the pipe, as a result of laying out of the ground and exposed to the elements for years. But, the analysis from DNV that involved visually inspecting the pipe and metallurgical tests found that the failure was a result of ductile overload, meaning the pipes strength was exceeded. There was no evidence of external or internal corrosion, the report states underneath a picture of the ruptured pipe. The external coating was adhered except for some portions adjacent to the fracture surfaces that disbanded due to the rupture. At the time of the test failure, a Mountain Valley Pipeline spokeswoman said that disruption of this one hydrotest does, in fact, demonstrate that the testing process is working as designed and intended. Russell Chisholm, co-director of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition (POWHR), a group staunchly opposed to the project, said in a statement the report comes after four months of waiting. This is a pathetically predictable outcome; we know the MVP has used shoddy materials for their rushed construction job on this massive methane pipeline project, Chisholm said. This is yet more evidence of the threat MVP poses to everyone along the route, and why the government never should have greenlit this corrupt project. The pipeline had received a consent agreement with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Material Administration over safety concerns prior to starting service, but the agency said it had no objections if FERC approved the project starting. In July, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality fined Mountain Valley $30,500 for erosion and sediment issues that predated the commencing of the project. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX New report on Lewiston shooter responsible for killing 18 people at bowling alley and bar LEWISTON, Maine (WWLP) The Department of Homeland Security says the shooter could have been stalking his ex-co-workers in an attempt to ambush them. Feds target Boston gangs for fraud, firearms, drug trafficking Robert Card was responsible for the deaths of 18 people at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine last year before taking his own life at his job site. They say the spot where his body was found could have been strategically chosen since there were no security cameras and his co-workers were supposed to park nearby. Another report was released last week which highlighted the failures of both the army reserve and local police to prevent the attack. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Tiffany Rasmussen believes her vocal advocacy for black students at Highland High School played a role in her not keeping her job. When the school board voted to close four elementary schools in the Salt Lake City School District, Rasmussen said teachers with seniority were prioritized to keep their jobs. It was her first year with the district but had taught in the Jordan School District for several years before that. She also said she was the only black teacher at Highland High and the only black history teacher in the district. When the year was over, Rasmussen said she was asked to reapply for her job but then was ultimately told there was no longer a job for her. New 5-mile multi-use trail opens at Guardsman Pass near Park City She told ABC4 she had never received a bad review from her administration in the year she was there until her job was in question. No, I never had the opportunity to work on any of the things that you mentioned. And are you holding this across the board or is it just directed towards me? And that is an issue and thing that were going to look into, Rasmussen explained. Madina Yassin was one of Rasmussens students. She said she never had a black teacher in her time as a student in the district until Rasmussen. She believes Rasmussen gave a voice to a student population that was voiceless. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox calls for Day of Prayer in new declaration We never feel like were being understood at that school, Yassin said. So every single time there was a problem going on in school or outside of school, we could go to her and she would try to help us out. Yassin described to ABC4 racially charged incidents that she claims have taken place at Highland. A lot of people that are non-black are saying the N-word. And we tried speaking about that multiple times, but its always gone unheard, she claimed. And they will call, like, the black people monkeys and just call them out of their names and nothing still has been done. In her year at Highland, Rasmussen started a step team and advised the Black Student Union. Her work with the step team was covered by ABC4 back in February of this year. Rasmussen described her heartbreak that she could no longer provide the representation to her students that she craved for when she was in school. It really hurt to put so much effort into something and to make those connections and then just to be pushed away. I could feel and understand what the students were saying when they said they didnt feel like they were welcomed. They were showing me that I wasnt welcomed, she said. ABC4 has reached out on multiple occasions to the district this week to comment on the allegations made by Rasmussen and Yassin. We have yet to receive an answer to our requests. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) Republican candidate for Governor, and Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Mark Robinson made campaign stops in four different Eastern NC counties Thursday. He visited Craven, Pamlico, Beaufort and Jones counties. He said that going out and meeting potential voters is about energy. Its just energizing the base, you know? Its what we got to do, he said. We got to get folks out to vote, got to get them energized, come out and vote. You know, theres always a significant amount of people who dont come out to vote. We want to energize every single solitary voter to come out and vote, because we know thats going to make the difference in the election. A new WNCT poll in partnership with Emerson College shows Josh Stein having a six-point lead over Robinson. We dont, we dont really pay those polls too much attention because what were paying to is the ground. We have our ear to the ground, he said. We have a ton of grassroots support out here. Everywhere we go, we have support across the state, even in the big blue counties, weve got a ton of support, and we know if we keep doing exactly what were doing right now, were going to win this race. Many voters showed up to show support for Robinson.Being an Asian and a minority, Ive seen that here, seeing that there is a lot of support from, you know, he obviously is black. So, you know, seeing different culture, one voter said. You know, not afraid to step up for the average person. He talks, he acts like hes been there, Voter William Faix said. Hes dealt with some of the issues that most of us are fighting for. Robinsons response about the other side of the aisle and Stein was that his campaign isnt buying into the war of conjecture. Were not presenting a wild message of conjecture like Josh Stein, Robinson said. Josh Stein spends 90 percent of his time talking about Mark Robinson. We spend 90 percent of our time talking about the plans that we have for North Carolina. And theyre on the substantive issues, the five pillars that hold up our economy, public safety, public education, health care, infrastructure, housing, and how the governor plays a crucial role in making sure that those things are nice and healthy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon's 5th Congressional District listens as U.S. House votes for a new speaker of the House on Oct. 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. She's in a tough reelection fight. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) A Democratic congressional candidates first televised ad has drawn criticism from Republicans and a police group for featuring stock footage of a Ukrainian actor and touting a public safety message. State Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Clackamas County Democrat challenging first-term Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer in Oregons 5th Congressional District, released the 30-second ad last week. It features a voiceover from Bynum and footage of her family and the Legislature, as well as stock video of police officers, fentanyl and an officer walking a handcuffed prisoner down a hall. In the Oregon state Legislature, I worked to pass bipartisan legislation to re-criminalize fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, she narrates. In Congress, I will work with local enforcement to keep us safe and fight to ensure our communities have the resources they need. The clips of police officers are from a stock photo site, Shutterstock, and one was added to the site by a Ukrainian company, M_Agency. As Politico reported last year, campaigns have increasingly used stock images and videos filmed in foreign countries in political ads sometimes with embarrassing results. One example is a May 2023 ad supporting Virginias Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin that featured a scene of an Italian fighter jet. Republican critics of Bynum cast the stock footage in her ad as proof she doesnt have support from local law enforcement. Extreme Janelle Bynums fake ad perfectly captures her fraudulent attempts to pull the wool over voters eyes, said Ben Petersen, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Bynum has foreign actors posing as cops because real Oregon police officers say her radical agenda is too dangerous. Dan Gottlieb, Petersens counterpart at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, characterized it as a desperate attack. Ultimately, these desperate attacks from Lori and her allies just arent going to cut it especially as they fail to explain away her record of attacking reproductive freedom and her trail of broken promises on the issues that matter most to Oregonians, he said. Competitive district The 5th District includes Linn County, most of Clackamas and Deschutes counties and parts of Multnomah and Marion counties. Its one of the most competitive districts, and between 2009 to 2023, it was represented by a moderate Democrat, Kurt Schrader. Chavez-DeRemer and her Republican allies have latched onto Bynums record on police reform as a potential weak point, with the National Republican Congressional Committee running digital ads calling her Oregons most pro-criminal politician. Theyve cited audio of her on a podcast praising 2020 racial justice protests in Portland that spurred Oregon lawmakers to pass a set of police reform measures in 2021. While the months-long protests were largely peaceful, some events turned into riots with injuries, millions of dollars worth of property damage and the shooting death of a counter protester. Bynum, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee at the time, played a key role in shaping and shepherding new laws governing policing, including laws that limited officers abilities to arrest protesters or journalists covering protests for failing to follow orders and required officers in larger cities to wear their name, badge number or other identifying information on their uniforms. She worked closely with Republican vice chair Ron Noble, and most of the laws passed with widespread bipartisan support. The Oregon State Sheriffs Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police and Oregon State Police also supported that set of laws. Bynum said in a statement to the Capital Chronicle that she was proud of her record, and accused Chavez-DeRemer of voting to defund police by supporting a Republican-led budget that would have cut millions from public safety. Im proud of my record working to keep our families safe and funding the resources that our law enforcement community rely on most, she said Thats why the Oregon State Sheriffs Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, League of Oregon Cities and Association of Oregon Counties applauded the overwhelmingly bipartisan effort I led in the state House to make our streets safer. Unlike Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who quietly voted to defund our law enforcement agencies, Ill always vote in the best interest of Oregonians health and safety. Police coalition weighs in The Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs, which lobbies for law enforcement, issued a lengthy and scathing statement about Bynum and her ad, saying that she proposed and passed bills that crippled polices ability to keep communities safe. It cited a 2023 law that stops police from pulling people over for equipment violations, like a burned-out headlight, unless that broken equipment is currently interfering with safe travel, as well as the 2021 laws that limited use of tear gas and impact munitions. Portland Police Sgt. Aaron Schmautz, the organizations president, said Bynum was gaslighting by saying she worked across the aisle to recriminalize fentanyl. He noted that she endorsed Measure 110, the 2020 voter-approved law that decriminalized drug possession and aimed to provide more funding for treatment. Lawmakers walked the law back this year. Janelle Bynums actions in the Oregon Legislature are crystal clear: Bynum views law enforcement as the problem and has advocated for defunding at every turn, Schmautz wrote. Oregon is less safe today because of policies she not only supported but led. Bynum, like most legislators, voted this spring to create a new misdemeanor classification for drug possession, which takes effect Sept. 1. In February, she was also one of a handful of Democrats, most representing swing seats, who joined Republicans in an unsuccessful attempt to force a vote on a House Bill 4036, a GOP measure to recriminalize drug possession. At the time, Bynum told the Capital Chronicle that she felt the Legislature needed to do something, and it wasnt clear whether the Democratic bill would pass. I wanted us to do something, and if 4002 didnt pass, at least I would have been on record saying were going to do something. We cannot walk away from this building with an incomplete answer to the public, she said. We should hold sacred this idea that citizens can bring forth things to vote on thats part of our Oregon constitution and our Oregon history but we also have a responsibility to make sure that it works for people and when people say its not working, we have a responsibility to do something about it. Chavez-DeRemer on Thursday announced that she received endorsements from more than 50 current and former law enforcement officials and firefighters across the 5th District, including the Republican sheriffs of Deschutes, Linn and Marion counties. Shes also backed by the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs and local fire unions. Oregonians are fed up with soft-on-crime policies that have failed to keep them safe, and thats why Ive fought to hold criminals accountable and let law enforcement do their jobs, Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. My record speaks for itself, and Im honored to have endorsements from groups like ORCOPS, the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council, and now this coalition of honorable men and women who have put themselves in harms way to keep our communities safe. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Researchers show you could save hundreds on monthly energy bills with rooftop solar here's how to get started Great news for your wallet and the planet: A groundbreaking study has revealed that solar panels can significantly reduce your energy costs while helping combat atmospheric pollution. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed 500,000 households across the United States in 2021, providing the most comprehensive look yet at the financial benefits of rooftop solar. The results? The median American household saved an estimated $691 a year when all costs and benefits were considered. This isn't just pocket change. It's a game-changer for homeowners looking to slash their energy bills, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The study found that solar adoption reduced energy costs for about three-quarters of U.S. households. In the West, especially California, high electricity prices and a competitive solar marketplace led to the greatest cost reductions. But the benefits don't stop there. Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy and lower planet-overheating pollution. By generating clean electricity right on your roof, you're reducing your reliance on dirty fuels and helping create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. The study's lead investigator, Sydney Forrester, emphasized the importance of these findings, telling the Sentinel, "This is one of the most comprehensive, household-specific, national estimates of rooftop solar impacts on household energy burden." Forrester added that while solar is great for reducing energy costs, it should be considered alongside other energy-saving measures such as weatherization and bill assistance programs. Ready to see how much you could save? EnergySage's free tools can help you get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes from top-rated installers in your area. It's a simple step that could lead to significant savings and a smaller carbon footprint. Eric Daniel Fournier, research director at UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, praised the study's goal of raising awareness about rooftop solar's potential to alleviate the energy burden for low-income households. "We strongly believe in the potential of rooftop solar to address this important equity issue," he said. With electricity prices on the rise and the urgency of addressing atmospheric pollution growing, there's never been a better time to consider solar power for your home. It's an investment that puts money back in your pocket while helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for all. 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. A natural gas flare from an offshore oil drilling rig is seen in Cook Inlet in an undated photo. (Photo by Paul Souders/Getty Images) A natural gas flare from an offshore oil drilling rig is seen in Cook Inlet in an undated photo. (Photo by Paul Souders/Getty Images) For many long-time Juneau residents, the Mendenhall Glacier has served as a bold, barren barometer of climate change. Through the decades, weve all watched the rapid retreat and the appearance of more and more rock on both sides of the glacier. But now with two disastrous glacial dam outbursts, we see that the Mendenhall Glacier can also register the immediate OMG disaster side of climate change. To Juneaus credit, the flood of hundreds of homes brought out a healthy response from local, state and federal officials. The combined efforts focused on flood recovery is impressive, as noted in the Juneau Empire. What also caught my attention was an article about Sen. Dan Sullivans focus on finding an engineering solution to jokulhlaups the Icelandic geological term for glacial outburst flood. Juneau cannot prosper with the threat of annual floods on the scale we have just experienced, and as such, it makes sense to look for a near-term solution to the very real threat of more jokulhlaups. However, as the Mendenhall Glacier also reminds us, climate change makes jokulhlaups likely in new areas with new threats requiring broader solutions. Did you know that in 2022 Alaska experienced an unusual number of disasters? Fourteen disaster declarations were made in 2022. Going back to 1978, the state of Alaska averaged approximately four disaster events per year. About nine of the 2022 disasters landslides, fires, flooding, storm can be tied back to anticipated climate change impacts.. Its important to note that this list of state and federally declared disasters does not include recent fisheries disasters. NOAA now confirms that another critical Alaska fishery is in decline due to successive marine heat waves. First there was the loss of 10 billion snow crabs and the close of the once-lucrative Bering Sea crab fisheries. Now we know that climate change in the form of warming seas is the culprit behind the crash of chum salmon on the Yukon-Kuskokwim. Both these fisheries are the lifeblood of many Alaskan communities and villages. Even though Alaska alone cannot solve the climate crisis and avert disasters that impact Alaska, at a fundamental level we can still do our part to address climate impacts head-on. On a global level, countries are nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required for limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a goal of the Paris Accords. As a result, warming oceans and ocean acidification remain active, serious threats to Alaskas fisheries. Furthermore, flooding, landslides, melting permafrost and wildfires will continue to be a threat to Alaskas communities. To mitigate climate impacts, we need to transition toward renewables while at the same time make drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, Alaska is making great strides on promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency as noted in a recent op-ed by three former legislators. Even Gov. Mike Dunleavy is to be credited for implementing policy to smooth the path for renewable energy and energy efficiency. While these are commendable actions that lead to reduced emissions, they are not enough, particularly when one considers the role of methane in the atmosphere. Methane, which can occur as natural gas waste, traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. It is also important because industrial emissions from Alaskas oil and gas operations account for approximately 60% of Alaskas total 2020 greenhouse emissions. Altogether, this means that even though Alaskas total emission contribution may be small on the global scale, Alaska can still make a significant difference because we have plenty of methane. According to research done by a team of scientists from the Environmental Defense Fund and several U.S. universities, halving methane emissions by 2030 could slow the rate of global warming by more that 25% and start a path to prevent .5 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100. Also, according to the International Energy Agency, the oil and gas industry could eliminate more than 75% of its methane emissions with existing and well-known technology. So, taking action on methane is not only enormously significant in addressing the climate crisis but eminently doable. This is why the 2023 U.N. climate talks focused on industry pledges to reduce methane emissions from their wells and drilling by more than 80% by 2030. You may be surprised to learn that Exxon Mobil signed this pledge but not ConocoPhillips or Hilcorp. Wouldnt it be instructive to learn how Exxon Mobil intends to reduce methane emissions from their North Slope operations as part of their global commitment? What about ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp? Why did they not sign the COP 28 pledge? Do they still intend to reduce methane? If so, how much of a reduction will they publicly commit to? Is the state of Alaskas oversight agency, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, actively looking to reduce methane emissions? Afterall, they have a statutory obligation, under Alaska Statutes 31.05.095, to reduce waste of natural gas. Furthermore, our state leaders should explore ways to incentivize less flaring and venting of methane. According to a study that focused on intergenerational climate impacts, if the planet continues to warm on its current trajectory, the average 6-year-old will live through roughly three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents, as The Washington Post reported. The journal Science first reported on climate intergenerational impacts in September of 2021. We Alaskans love our communities, our fish and our children; all of which are actively threatened by climate change. If our state leaders can inquire into engineering solutions for jokulhlaups, shouldnt we be able to inquire about reducing methane from North Slope operations, the largest source of Alaskas greenhouse emissions? Lets heed this wake-up call and do both while continuing Alaskas entrance into the clean energy economy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Retro Metros lawsuit against the City of Jackson has been dismissed, according to City Attorney Drew Martin. In 2023, the City of Jackson vacated office space it had been using at the Metrocenter Mall due to deplorable conditions. Retro Metro, who owned the spaced, filed a lawsuit against the city for breach of lease, seeking an additional 10 years of payments, which would have totaled more than $4.5 million. VA Medical Center begins parking lot, road repairs Today, the federal court dismissed those breach of lease claims against the city. The federal court also dismissed various claims Retro Metro made against Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Council President Virgi Lindsay, and council members Brian Grizzell and Vernon Hartley, said Martin. This outcome supports our ongoing commitment to protect the health and safety of our city employees and the public. Retro Metro accused the city of racial discrimination for moving out and now renting a space from non-minority-owned businesses. The city reported several issues for the move, including massive potholes in the parking lot, pests inside the building, mold and broken air conditioning units. The mayor said the move was not personally motivated, but it was an effort to do whats best for the city. 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. Richard Simmons' death certificate was released a month after his tragic demise, and it sheds more light on his life and possible health struggles. The LA County Medical Examiner's report confirmed the fitness guru's death has been classified as an "accident" related to his bathroom slip. Although Richard Simmons' death has been classified as an "accident" related to his bathroom slip, the mystery surrounding what really caused the incident remains unsolved. Richard Simmons' Toxicology Report Uncovers Multiple Prescription Medications MEGA The medical examiner's report revealed that responders at the scene discovered multiple prescription medications like trazodone and zolpidem in his bathroom. The search also uncovered a "plastic bag with loose pink oblong pills (stamped B WL 25)." These drugs were surprising because Simmons had no known significant medical issues besides gastrointestinal problems. But his toxicology report confirmed he had taken the medications before his death. The list of drugs in his system included diphenhydramine (an antihistamine), trazodone (an antidepressant), and zolpidem (which is used to treat insomnia). This revelation seemingly showcased the hidden health battles Simmons endured during his life. It was unclear if these drugs played any role in his death; however, the fitness influencer reportedly experienced dizziness before his bathroom fall. The incident occurred a day before his 76th birthday on July 12. Simmons Died From A 'Ground Level Fall' MEGA The medical examiner's report explained that Simmons' death was an accident due to a "ground level fall" that resulted in his passing from "blunt traumatic injuries." The contributing factor of his death was listed as cardiovascular disease. The incident occurred at his Hollywood Hills mansion on the evening of July 11. Simmons reportedly "had an episode of dizziness after using the bathroom and collapsed on the floor." It was unclear if he struck his head, but he was unable to get up and spent several hours on the floor. His caretaker eventually found him on July 12 "at approximately 0930 hours" and helped him get into bed. The report noted he was "alert and responsive at the time but had difficulty with mobility," adding: "He spent the day in bed and was visited by his secretary, who stated that the decedent's speech seemed slurred. The decedent's caretaker stayed with him until approximately 2145-2200 hours and helped him take his medication before he went to sleep." Simmons' Caretaker Found Him Unresponsive The Following Day MEGA Per the medical examiner's report, Simmons assured his caretaker he would seek medical attention on July 13 and asked to sleep in later than usual before going to the hospital. Unfortunately, when his caretaker checked on him, she found him "unresponsive on the bedroom floor." She reportedly called 911 and attempted to perform CPR before help arrived. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department Department Rescue Ambulance and officers from the Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Division responded to her call. The report described the state Simmons was found in, reading, "The decedent was observed in a supine position on the floor adjacent to his bed. Lividity blanched with hard pressure, and rigor mortis was present. Dehydration was seen to his mouth." "A brownish fluid was seen emanating from the decedent's mouth. Skin defects appearing consistent with abrasions were seen to his head, right hand, left elbow, and lower legs," adding that Simmons had skin discoloration consistent with contusions on multiple body parts. Why Did The Fitness Guru Refuse Medical Attention? MEGA Following Simmons' death in July, The Blast shared the reason behind his refusal of medical attention. His caretaker stressed that she offered to call medical services after his bathroom slip but was met with resistance because of his 76th birthday. Simmons allegedly wished to spend the big day at home instead of going to the hospital. He convinced his caretaker to let him stay by vowing to visit the hospital the following day. Unfortunately, skipping medical attention resulted in his death. While oblivious to the consequences of his wish, Simmons happily marked the age milestone with fans on Facebook. He took a walk down memory, recalling his most treasured birthday celebrations. Inside Richard Simmons' Final Post MEGA In his birthday message, Simmons revealed that while teaching fitness classes at his studio, people marked his birthdays with unique cakes. "One was a sheet cake airbrushed with my picture on itone was a Barbie doll, and her dress was the cake," he recalled. "It was my birthday when we taped Groovin in the House .that was a three-dimensional three-foot cake in the shape of one of my Dalmatians You know I cried," the wellness expert added. Ahead of his 76th birthday, Simmons noted he would probably enjoy a vegetarian celebration by blowing out a candle on a zucchini. He also hoped to spend the day helping others. Rest in peace, Richard Simmons. Donald Trump is lashing out at Fox News over its latest polls that show him losing to Vice President Kamala Harris in key battleground states. In a post on Truth Social, the former president fumed that the recent polls are rigged and worthless. Those polls, conducted Aug. 23-26, show Harris beating Trump in Arizona by 1 point and by 2 points in Nevada and Georgia, while being down by just 1 point in North Carolina, a state the former president won in 2016 and 2020. Trump supported his attack with an internal campaign memo that asserted that Fox News' polling has been inaccurate in the past, including in 2020, when it underestimated Trump's support in some swing states. While it is true that Fox News' polling was off in 2020, it is also true that President Joe Biden did in fact win three of the four states that its surveys showed him winning. It should be noted that even though Harris appears to be in the lead in many key states, the race is still very tight and her leads are within the margin of error. Fox's polling is consistent with other recent surveys. Bloomberg released its own swing state polling this week with similar results, showing Harris has a 2 point lead among registered voters across seven swing states. According to Bloomberg, Harris leads by 4 points in Pennsylvania, 8 points in Wisconsin, 2 points in North Carolina, 3 points in Michigan, 4 points in Nevada, 2 points in Georgia, and 1 point in Arizona. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) The head of an organized scheme to defraud central Pennsylvania residents and banks of $2 million was sentenced Friday, Aug. 30, according to Attorney General Michelle Henry. According to AG Henry, Tyreese Lewis, 23, and several co-conspirators used stolen banking information to access victims accounts and withdraw cash. They also used stolen debit cards to buy gift cards in an attempt to conceal the crime. Additionally, Lewis impersonated bank customer service representatives, tricking victims into disclosing their private banking information. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter This sentence serves as a reminder of the gravity of financial crime; this is not a crime from which victims can easily be made whole, said Attorney General Henry. Lewiss fraudulent activities not only targeted individuals and institutions, but also undermined the trust that is fundamental to our financial system. My office is committed to investigating and holding accountable those who exploit others. According to AG Henry, Lewis pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including corrupt organizations, theft by unlawful taking, and device fraud. He was sentenced to two and a half to five years in state prison and ordered to pay $800,000 in restitution. Additionally, Lewis was sentenced to spend two to four years in state prison and pay $54,000 in restitution on a separate case for fraudulently receiving pandemic unemployment assistance. AG Henry said that both sentences would run consecutively. This case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Kayla Bolan of the Financial Crimes Section. Two of Lewiss co-conspirators, Carl A. Gonzalez, 20, and Jaire Cotton, 23, were sentenced to up to 14 months and up to 4 years in prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to similar charges, said AG Henry. Two additional conspirators, Lavon Whittaker, 23, and Zyaire Monserrat, 23, are scheduled for sentencing next month on September 11, 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 ABC27. Republican National Committee (RNC) co-Chair Michael Whatley said former President Trumps comments suggesting he could win California were a little bit of a stretch. Trump, in an interview with television psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw released Wednesday, said he could win California if Jesus Christ was counting ballots. If Jesus Christ came down and was the vote counter, I would win California, OK? Trump said. 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. But if we had an honest vote counter, I would win California. During an interview with Fox LA anchor Elex Michaelson that aired Friday, Whatley talked about the RNCs need to have poll watchers in the state. Michaelson asked if people should trust that their votes will be counted fairly. Yeah, and thats why we want to be here, Whatley said. And the thing about California law is it does allow anybody who is interested in serving in that capacity to go serve in that capacity, which I think is really good. Michaelson then asked Whatley what the former president meant with the Jesus remarks. Well, I think that he feels like California, there are a lot of Republicans and there are a lot of votes here, Whatley said. I think he was probably, you know, a little bit of a stretch. The anchor pointed out that Trump lost California to President Biden in 2020 by close to 5 million votes and then asked if Whatley had evidence that the former president won the Golden State. Whatley, who was elected the committees co-chair in early March, said he did not. You know, I mean, the president can tell stories at any time, but thats look, I think the key is that we want to make the point that it is very important for us to have election security protection in place, that we are going to protect the ballot, Whatley added. Michaelson then questioned if Trumps messaging around voting is dangerous for the ex-president, since his supporters could believe the fraud claims and ultimately decide against voting at all. Right. Thats why we set this program up, Whatley said. Thats exactly the conversation that we are having. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) One person was shot and killed in Denvers Baker neighborhood Thursday, and police believe it was road rage-related. On Thursday at around 2 p.m., the Denver Police Department posted on X that officers were investigating a shooting near West Byers Place and South Kalamath Street. This embedded content is not available in your region. At the time, police found one victim who was taken to a local hospital. Jury convicts man for possessing $330K worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine Almost a day later, Denver police provided an update and said the victim had died from their injuries and the shooting was being investigated as a homicide. Investigators said the circumstances around the shooting appear to be road rage-related. DPD did not provide any further information but said they are working to develop suspect information. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information is asked to call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. These roadside stops off I-80 between Sacramento and the Bay are totally worth it, readers say The automobile isnt great belching harmful emissions and menacing pedestrians and cyclists. The car is no match for a train in terms of human connection, comfort or delight. Alas, because of historical disinvestment in public transit and passenger rail service, the Capitol Corridor is not always the best option for travel between Sacramento and the Bay Area. As a result, many of us suckers wind up in traffic on I-80 dreaming of a better world. Below are some locals tips for getting off I-80 while youre slogging in the car from one place to another. Please email alange@sacbee.com with further suggestions or reflections on the hay bale Minions by the Cool Patch Pumpkins field. The Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield Kristina Dials recommended stop barely even requires a description because the very name is so evocative: the Jelly Belly factory. Take a self-guided tour and stare through the glass at people using whirring big machines to make little candy beans. Look at a portrait of Ronald Reagan made of jelly beans. Purchase misshapen jelly beans in the gift shop and chuckle to yourself about how theyre called Belly Flops. Dial, a West Sacramento resident, said she first went to the factory in the late 1990s, when her oldest child was 3. The visit was a hit, and Dial has been back several times since. If you have kids that are antsy in the car, its a great stop, she said, but shes also taken her great aunt, then in her late 80s, who loved it to death. Jelly Belly candies rest during the manufacturing process at the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield in 2008. Another time, she invited family from Sebastopol to meet there as a halfway point. Dials two children are now both adults, and they would still, hands-down, go again. Dial said the whole experience takes about two hours. She found out about it in an online parents group in the 1990s, but its become extra silly to her family in the years since because they now have a small, silky dog named Jelly Bean (mostly because Jelly was jealous of their other dog, Bella, and not because the family is particularly obsessed with jelly beans, but still). Car-averse travelers should know that the factory is three miles from the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak station in Suisun City. Jewish people and vegetarians should know that the jelly beans are kosher and vegetarian, but not vegan. Those of you who are history buffs should know that former President Ronald Reagans successful strategy to quit smoking during his run for California governor and his time in Sacramento involved guzzling jelly beans to keep his mitts off his pipe. Address: 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield I-80 exit: Exit 43 for Rio Vista / Suisun Parkway (heading west); exit 43 for 12 East to Suisun City / Rio Vista (heading east) Hours: 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week Cost: Adults $8, children 3 and up $4, children 2 and under free Time for the stop: Two to three hours Fentons Creamery at the Nut Tree Plaza in Vacaville Fentons is an Oakland institution that opened in 1894; 113 years later, an outpost opened in Vacaville. Land Park resident Cynthia Hearden goes to the Bay Area at least four times a year to see her ear, nose and throat doctor (sinus troubles!), and she used to make the drive with a friend who grew up in the Bay Area. About three years ago, that friend suggested an ice cream pit stop. I had never heard of Fentons, Hearden said, but the ice cream lover was hooked. Hearden has tried a few ice creams, but she doesnt even remember which ones because she has now settled on her favorite. All of their ice cream is really, really good, Hearden said, but she quickly became addicted to their chocolate milkshakes. Customers purchase ice cream from Fentons Creamery at the Nut Tree on Thursday in Vacaville. The creamery was founded in Oakland in 1894. She has some practical reasoning behind this little treat: A takeaway milkshake is easy to consume in the car, and Hearden usually doesnt like to dwell in the Nut Tree Plaza. If youre driving between here and the Bay Area, she said, sometimes the traffic can be horrendous, and you dont want to stop for a long time somewhere because you know thats going to back you up getting home by another couple hours. This is just a nice, nice short, brief stop for something thats very pleasurable. Fentons also serves savory foods that are not ice cream. Hearden made it clear that she cannot speak for the non-ice cream foods because she has never eaten them and doesnt care to do so. The famous No. 5 Train is restored and ready for riders to board at Nut Tree Plaza on Thursday in Vacaville. Address: 1669 E Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville I-80 exit: Exit 55 for East Monte Vista Avenue (heading west); exit 56 for I-505 North to Winters/Redding (heading east) Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays Cost: Adults $8, children 3 and up $4, children 2 and under free Time for the stop: 10 minutes to an hour, depending on your mood and ordering habits Pedrick Produce in Dixon Luke McReynolds loves a particular Belizean hot sauce brand, and that is a draw to Dixons Pedrick Produce, which has a wall of hot sauces from all over the world. On that hot sauce wall, McReynolds reliably finds Marie Sharps. It has a carrot base, so its orange, he said. Its a habanero hot sauce, so its hot. But the carrot base just makes it really flavorful and good. That goes good generally on everything. The green Marie Sharps sauce is nopal-based, thats really good for breakfast, so, eggs, potatoes. You name it. Hell put the red hot sauce, he said, on pizza, pasta, anything with cheese, burritos. Beyond the wall, however, McReynolds also loves Pedrick Produce as a practical grocery stop with delicious fresh produce. He goes from the capital to the Bay Area about four times a year often to visit his grandfather, Paul, who lives in Half Moon Bay. On his way back to Sacramento, hell pick up produce for dinner. When hes headed to Half Moon Bay, If I can, Ill always buy satsuma mandarins, because theyre great, theyre local, and my grandpa loves them. McReynolds doesnt actually remember how he first thought to pull off I-80 maybe because the market is near a brewery hes been to? Regardless, it is now a staple of his trips, and he recommends it for your trips, too. Henry Barraza started Pedrick Produce in 1989 and stands in the store in Dixon in March 2009. Address: 6850 Sievers Rd., Dixon I-80 exit: Exit 67 for Pedrick Road (heading west and east) Hours: 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week Cost: Depends what you picked up Time for the stop: 10 minutes (or longer if you really want to take in the condiments selection) Dixon Fruit Market in Dixon Readers, please bear with me as I break the fourth wall. When I was in a work meeting and I proposed soliciting the public for recommended stops on I-80, the digital strategy and audience editor launched into a rhapsody about this nut stand in Dixon. Ordinarily, a reporter would not quote a fellow staffer (in this case, Savanna Smith). But ethics are not always black-and-white, and so I examined the two sides of this quandary. On the one hand, we have a less-than-ideal source the newspaper is not here to report on itself, and quoting Smith gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. On the other hand, the public has an interest in knowing a pistachio ice cream was so appealing that Smith risked an allergic reaction to sample it and claims she would risk it again. To get more context on this allergy, I asked her whether shes had a serious allergic reaction, and she told me that she once used a coconut hair product overnight and woke up gasping. So, having weighed the pros and cons, I am including her recommendation on this list because I think your interest in knowing about this ice cream outweighs my interest in avoiding this particular conflict of interest. The ice cream, she said, was so creamy. I am assuming that none of you are terribly concerned about Smith considering that she clearly survived her tango with this member of the cashew family. But for the record: She said that her allergic reaction to the pistachio scoop consisted of her mouth feeling a little tingly but not bad at all. Address: 7808 Batavia Road, Dixon I-80 exit: Exit 63 for Dixon Avenue (heading west and east) Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week Cost: Nut-dependent Time for the stop: 10 minutes (more if you need an epinephrine injection) A man walks with his belongings in a shopping cart across the street from Langer's Deli on Aug. 21. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Days after the owner of Langer's Deli threatened to close the historic establishment because of public-safety concerns, lunchtime patrons got an inkling into what was on his mind. Around 1:30 Thursday afternoon, a woman was assaulted and robbed near the deli on Alvarado Street by an assailant who took a chain from her, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The victim was on her way to meet her daughter at a store when she was confronted by a man near MacArthur Park, KTLA 5-TV reported. The victim fought back and both fell to the ground; the attacker then ran off with the necklace, police officials told KTLA. The woman was walking by the deli in distress, crying and talking on the phone when a customer noticed her and recommended that she come into the restaurant to calm down, an employee told the deli's owner, Norm Langer. Langer told The Times that he had been sitting at a table in the corner of his restaurant and did not see the woman come in. A deli employee helped the woman sit down and gave her water while they waited for police. Langer said he was surprised at this incident, adding, "We've never had anything like this happen before." "My customers for all intents and purposes are safe coming from the parking lot," he said. An Instagram user who was eating at Langer's at the time of the incident posted a photo of the woman at the restaurant, but incorrectly stated that the robbery had occurred inside the deli. Read more: Column: Langer's closing? Mayor Bass comes for lunch and vows to "respond urgently" to neighborhood problems A caller who reported the robbery to police at 1:34 p.m. described the suspect as a Black male wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, said Kevin Terzes, spokesperson for the LAPD. Terzes said the initial police report does not specify whether the chain was a necklace or some other type of jewelry. Last week Langer told The Times that he's considering closing his 77-year-old establishment because of a proliferation of drug activity, crime and encampments in the area that he and other merchants are tired of dealing with. 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. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fought to get onto North Carolinas ballot. Now he cant get off. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a campaign event in this undated photo. The North Carolina Board of Elections voted along party lines to keep Kennedy on the ballot, despite his recent endorsement of former President Donald Trump. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images) This story originally appeared on NC Newsline. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 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, NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com. Follow NC Newsline on Facebook and X. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The leader of Las Vegas Metro polices homicide bureau said Robert Telles, a former Clark County politician, was the only suspect in the investigation into who killed journalist Jeff German. A jury convicted and sentenced Telles, 47, Wednesday after a more than two-week trial. Telles, an elected official who ran the countys public administrators office, will serve life in prison with the possibility of parole on a first-degree murder charge, the panel ordered. Relief, Lt. Jason Johansson said about the verdict. It meant a lot that we were able to have the spotlight on us and show that the professionalism that is done on every investigation and have it highlighted as you see as all these different witnesses come forward on the stand. Johansson, who watched the trial daily, called the investigation a team effort across his bureau and the entire department. Robert Telles is found guilty of murder in the death of Las Vegas Review-Journal journalist Jeff German on Aug. 28, 2024. (KLAS) Around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, Las Vegas Metro police received a 911 call from a person who said they had found German deceased in a yard on the side of his home, a report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators that year said. German was found with seven stab wounds, including ones to his neck and torso, the report said. As police spread out to find surveillance video, they discovered a neighbor had captured a person walking in the area and arriving to Germans property the day before. The suspect, later identified as Telles, walked into Germans yard and attacked German as he was coming out of his garage. Shortly after the coroners office identified German, 69, as the murder victim, Metro police enacted a major case protocol. In this system, each department is on notice to provide support to the case. It wasnt until the pictures and the vehicle were released that really the traction on this case like took off on this investigation, Johansson said. Las Vegas Metro police released this photo of a car believed to be involved in Jeff Germans murder. Police later learned Robert Telles drove the car to the murder. (LVMPD) On Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, Metro police released images of a suspect wearing a straw hat and orange shirt. Police also showed a photo of an SUV later determined to be the one Telles drove to kill German. During a medical examination of Germans body, police recovered a suspects DNA from under his fingernails. While awaiting the DNA results, investigators found a car matching the description of the SUV seen outside of Germans home in Telles driveway. It was around the same time that Metro investigators also discovered Germans prior reporting about Telles and the issues inside the public administrators office. German had published several stories about Telles office and a now-confirmed affair, saying it was in turmoil in the months leading up to his stabbing death. What do you think was the one thing that really did Robert Telles in? 8 News Now Investigator David Charns asked Johansson. The minute we had the shoes and the hat, the car, I believed we had the right guy at that moment in time, he said. Through video and other investigative means, detectives tracked Telles car leaving his neighborhood and driving to the murder scene. In a rare move, Telles took the witness stand during the trial, presenting a narrative to the jury and answering questions from prosecutors. His defense counsel did not question him due to ethics rules. After the jury convicted him, Telles continued to shake his head. Is Robert Telles your typical murderer? Charns asked Johansson. Take out the fact that Jeff German was a reporter, just the motivation that someone did you wrong and you want to retaliate by murder, those actions could be common to a lot of the murders I have but I wouldnt say this investigation is anywhere close to my normal investigations. The day you decide that youre serving a search warrant on a politicians house related to a homicide investigation, I think weve lost all sense of normalcy. Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt will sentence Telles on the enhancements regarding his charges the fact that he used a deadly weapon and that German was older than 60 years old on Oct. 16. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) You may be wondering if your dream vacation spot will ever be added to the growing list of nonstop flight destinations in Rochester. Well, the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport continues to expand its fleet of carriers offering these flights. Currently, the airport hosts eight airlines offering nonstop flights: Allegiant Air, Jet Blue, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Weve had some great success stories and some great victories over the last, really, six months with three different airlines, said Andy Moore, the airport director. ROC airport nominated for USA Today Best Small Airport list As Moore explained it, Avelo Airlines, a newer addition, has been quickly climbing up the ladder at the airport, making a home just behind American Airlines in terms of its available nonstop flight destinations. By the end of the year, itll have four routes available compared to Americans six adding Charlotte, North Carolina by November. They started with one route to Raleigh, Moore said. Theyve got GSP, which is Greenville-Spartanburg, which is doing extremely well. Obviously, Raleigh-Durham is doing really well. And now theyre adding Lakeland, Florida which is right between Orlando and Tampa. According to Moore, adding these routes is necessary for keeping up with the times. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has been shaky with disruptions, cancellations, and tightened requirements like mask-wearing which has all since seemingly settled. Now, the business traveler is back, and a lot of people are looking for easy, cheap direct flights. Travel on the mend: Rochester airport sets 13-year high for single-day travelers I mean, youre looking at flights in the $30 range, $40 range, $50 range one way, which provides a great weekend getaway, Moore explained. AAA called it a record-breaking, blockbuster summer for travelers, saying domestic travel is up 9% this year for the Labor Day holiday. It also said travel costs are down 2%, with Seattle taking the top spot for getaway destinations. Orlando, New York, Boston, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco also made the list. On the flip side, international travel for the weekend is down 4% compared to 2023, AAA reports. But a lot of people might be thinking ahead to Christmas and New Years Day. For the 2024-25 school year, many local districts have extra days off around these holidays because both fall on a Wednesday. Some Rochester area schools giving back days after quiet winter During that, I think it is a two-week period that schools off between Christmas and New Years. And so, you know, maybe flying a couple of days after vacation starts, it could be cheaper. Certainly, check out on flying on the holidays, Moore explained. Looking at the airports website, if one were to depart from Rochester the weekend before Christmas day, say, Friday, Dec. 20, the cheapest one-way flight to New York City is currently listed as $94. The price stays the same if you were to move that flight to Christmas Day. But, just a week earlier on Dec. 18, the price is much lower; just $69 for a one-way flight. But thats only whats listed on the airports website. There are any number of third-party travel agencies that aid travelers, or you could go to the carriers website directly. So, Delta seems to have the most scheduled flights to NYC around Christmas time. A check of its website shows the prices are slightly elevated compared to whats listed on the airports website. What I always like to say is, shop around, spend the extra time to kind of look at different destinations and different time frames, Moore said. According to AAA, last year, about 7.5 million air travelers took to the skies over the holiday season, surpassing 2019s record of 7.3 million passengers. Experts said airline prices tend to increase amid high demand when schools are out. AAA recommends travelers get to the airport two hours early, reserve parking ahead of time, and travel with carry-ons as opposed to checked bags. This, they said, will help save time and 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 RochesterFirst. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke at a news conference in Rock Valley Aug. 29, 2024, giving an update about flood recovery efforts as the 2024-2025 school year kicks off. (Photo via livestream hosted by Gov. Kim Reynolds) As the city of Rock Valley recovers from recent severe flooding, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the opening of a temporary school facility for the Rock Valley Community School District. Rock Valley students will return to the school classrooms Thursday, Sept. 5, with some middle school classes hosted in the new temporary building. The 7,000-square-foot facility will have six classrooms, bathrooms, offices and a common area for use by 150 students in the Rock Valley district, according to a news release by the governors office. The modular school was built by Hegg Construction in under seven weeks, at a cost of $2 million. Joined by Rock Valley Community School District (RVCSD) and Rock Valley Christian School officials, Reynolds spoke in front of the new temporary building at a news conference Thursday. The governor reflected on her previous visit to Rock Valley in June when the public school building was an island that was completely surrounded by water. Following the flood, it really did seem unlikely that we could start on time or bring some students back to school, Reynolds said. But if I know one thing about this community, where there is a will, there is a way. Rock Valley was one of communities that faced the most significant damages from June flooding throughout northwest and north central Iowa. Reynolds said about 40% of the homes in Rock Valley were affected by the floods, in addition to the damages to school facilities, city buildings and businesses. All permanent public school facilities are still under repair, RVCSD Superintendent Matt Van Voorst said at the news conference. In addition to middle school students taking classes at the temporary facility, some elementary school students will have classes at a local church. Van Voorst said that directly after the flood, he felt lonely as he looked for ways to address the damages and get ready for students to come back for the upcoming school year. But that feeling soon faded as community members, city and state leaders, nearby superintendents and contractors offered to help the district recover and rebuild in the days and weeks following. I think, saying the word community has taken on a little bit of a new meaning to me, Van Voorst said. I think Im going to bold caps and underline that from now on community it really is a whole other meaning. Sioux County, where Rock Valley is located, was one of multiple counties approved to receive federal disaster aid and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through President Joe Bidens Major Disaster Declaration in June. Rock Valley schools in disaster-declared areas, both public and private, have access to $80,000 in federal emergency grants for necessities like food and housing for students whose homes were affected by the disaster, according to a release from the governor. The state Department of Education has also directed nearly $600,000 in available federal education funds to reimburse schools in disaster areas for destroyed instructional materials. Private companies and organizations, including Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Chevron REG and Corteva are also providing funds and materials to schools in Rock Valley and other disaster-affected communities, like Greenfield, for the 2024-2025 school year. In addition to efforts assisting the school district, federal and state aid is also available to residents whose their homes and property were damaged by natural disasters. There were 542 homes and 60 businesses in Rock Valley hit by storms, according to the governors office, and $12.9 million in FEMA aid has been approved for more than 500 Rock Valley households so far. In addition to Sioux County, federal assistance has been approved for multiple counties through three disaster declarations for severe weather this year. The governor announced Wednesday that Scott County was also approved for FEMAs individual assistance program, as well as Dubuque and Jackson counties for Public Assistance for flood-related damages. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Police arrested Will Robinson, 35, for allegedly delivering fentanyl among other charges. On August 6, around 12:17 a.m., officers were patrolling near 11th Street when they saw a black Ford F-150. Officials ran the license plate as the truck headed northbound on 11 Street just north of Airport Road and found that the vehicle was Robinsons. Robinsons license is currently revoked in Illinois. Authorities said they saw him changing lanes and make a turn onto Sandy Hollow Road without signaling before they started the traffic stop. Robinson was seen switching seats with a passenger as police were about to approach, according to court documents. Robinson was taken into custody without incident. The passenger told officials there were drugs in the headliner area of the truck before she was detained. Authorities found fentanyl, ammunition and two digital scales. Robinson is being charged with driving on a revoked license, felon possession of weapons, delivering fentanyl, possession of controlled substances and failure to use a turn signal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Romanian government submits bill to Parliament on transfer of Patriot air defence system to Ukraine Romania's Ministry of National Defence introduced a bill in Parliament that would transfer the Romanian Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine. Source: Romanian service of Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to the bill, the Romanian Ministry of Defence will provide Ukraine with the Patriot system in its most contemporary configuration, which it got from the United States. Romania is expected to receive only seven systems, four of which have already been delivered and two of which are operational. To legally register such a transfer, the 2017 bill under which Romania purchased seven Patriot systems from the United States for over US$4 billion may be amended. The bill also claims that in return, Bucharest will receive a new air defence system paid for by Ukraines partners, and the parliament must approve additional fees and commissions of around US$60 million. The bill does not provide a specific date for the transfer of Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, but states that it should occur "as soon as possible". Consideration of the bill will commence during the autumn session of the parliament, which begins on 2 September. Background: In June, Romania decided to transfer its Patriot system to Ukraine. Kyiv's NATO allies offered seven air defence systems in total, but Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that some of the promised Patriot systems have not been delivered. Support UP or become our patron! It now seems clear what Senate candidate Ruben Gallego is offering in response to the endorsement he received from the Trump-friendly Arizona Police Association: complicity. On Tuesday, I wrote about what that endorsement means for Kari Lake, the Republican in his race. In essence, because the Democratic congressman was already up in the Arizona polls, and because he already was receiving support from Republicans, this was an endorsement he didnt even seem to need. Which is why it was pretty devastating for Lake. But its starting to look pretty damning for Gallego as well. And thats because just one day after receiving the Arizona Police Associations endorsement, Gallego wrote a letter to the Justice Department downplaying the findings of a damning DOJ report released in June, which revealed that the Phoenix Police Department had routinely used excessive force and violated the civil rights of racial minorities and homeless people. Gallegos letter asks the DOJ not to pursue a consent decree essentially, an agreement in which a police department makes changes overseen by a federal monitor for Phoenix police. In other words, he opposed one of the most effective means of ensuring that the Phoenix Police Department is held accountable. After the report was released, Phoenix urged the DOJ not to seek a consent decree. And Gallegos letter essentially echoes the same talking points, claiming that a consent decree would be burdensome for the department and writing that the DOJs findings of a mere 120 or so unspecified incidents represent an exceptionally small fraction of service calls. He also maintained that several of the cases identified by the Justice Department have already been addressed. Gallego in contrast with Phoenix residents who have spoken out against police brutality in their city concluded that it is clear that a pattern or practice of civil rights violations does not exist and proposed that the DOJ instead pursue whats known as a technical assistance letter: DOJ has the option to utilize a technical assistance letter, which would streamline the monitoring process, particularly considering the ongoing reform process that has already been implemented by PPD. If done right, a technical assistance letter can improve a police department, create a cooperative relationship between the department and the DOJ, and do so without risking staffing shortages or increasing the financial burden on our communities. Gallegos letter which you can read in full here basically asks the DOJ to allow Phoenix police to police themselves. And coming from Gallego, who launched his political career off of his past activism against racial profiling specifically, Arizonas controversial show me your papers law the remarks read like a betrayal. They certainly smell of self-interest. Gallego emerged on the political scene as a critic of police discrimination. Now it seems he thinks the best way to advance his career is by downplaying it. Aside from the morality issue, it seems like an unnecessary political risk. Though Gallego has been polling several points ahead of his opponent, the presidential race in Arizona is on track to be much more competitive. And with that in mind, its pretty stunning to see a Senate candidate taking needless actions that could discourage the Black and Latino voters Democrats will need if they want Kamala Harris to win in Arizona. Gallego has yet to address the letter publicly, including on his social media platforms. Lets hope we hear from him on the subject soon. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Rural Missouri has high smoking rates, and the health problems that follow Missouri is a particularly smoking-friendly state. Tobacco use is highest in rural areas, which also have higher rates of the lung and heart disease that come with smoking (Cami Koons / The Beacon) Families flock to McDonald County in southwest Missouri each summer to float down the Elk River, visit the caves where Jesse James took refuge and stay in a rustic cabin. The county is a vestige of old, wild Missouri charm and a place where restaurants and bars still ask, Smoking or non? People in McDonald County, like those in other rural places across Missouri and the country, smoke more. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smoking runs even higher in rural Missouri than in rural America as a whole. Groups that research and advocate for decreasing tobacco consumption connect that to Missouris cigarette taxes, the lowest in the country, and relatively weak rules backing smoke-free public places. Some rural communities across the state, including McDonald County, are enacting their own smoke-free ordinances and in-restaurant policies to improve health outcomes and fall in rhythm with their urban neighbors. We want more people staying here, living here, coming here (for) tourism we just want to keep people coming back to McDonald County, said Kayla Langford, the assistant director at the health department. Robert and Megan Miller support the smoke-free air efforts in McDonald County with their bar, Shadow Lake in Noel (Cami Koons/The Beacon). Chronic lower respiratory diseases are the third highest cause of death in the state and run more than 20% higher in rural areas, according to data from Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The report attributes the deaths, in part, to high smoking rates. Experts say some policies have strong records in lowering smoking rates. One of the exciting things about tobacco prevention is its actually a solvable problem, said Nicole Sinderman, who leads the states Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. There are evidence-based solutions that have been proven to work. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, or DHSS, program works on four main platforms: media campaigns, creating smoke-free places, increasing access to cessation services and raising tobacco taxes. Missouri taxes cigarettes at 17 cents a pack. Advocates for tobacco prevention want to add $1. Top tobacco-reduction organizations predict that would cut the number of people under 18 who smoke by almost 8% and trim the total number who smoke by at least 4%. The same advocates also want to double the tax on other tobacco products like vapes, chew and dip. The Missouri tobacco laws preemption clause bars cities and counties from adding local surcharges. Voters have rejected five different versions of tobacco tax increases since 2002. The issue is not on the November ballot, though several unsuccessful initiative petitions were circulated this year. Tobacco sales make up a significant portion of business for convenience stores and grocery stores. Ronald Leone, executive director of Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association (MPCA), said Missouris low cigarette tax gives businesses a competitive advantage. It draws customers from our higher taxed border states who spend their money in Missouri on gasoline, tobacco, and other goods, Leone said in an email statement. MPCA sponsored a tobacco tax increase, Proposition A, in 2016 to counter a much higher tax increase proposal, Amendment 3. Ultimately, neither passed. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study found that increasing tobacco prices by 20% would reduce consumption by 10% and reduce the number of young people who start smoking by 8%. In the past two years, Missouri has significantly increased its allocation to tobacco prevention programs, though it still sits as one of 19 states that spend less than 10% of what the CDC recommends, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Missouri DHSS runs several of these programs and partners with local health departments to give people the resources and incentives to quit. Some programs offer counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Others work with pregnant mothers and give them incentives for quitting, like gift cards for diapers and wipes. Missourians who want to quit can also call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or text the helpline (start my quit to 36072). Langford and her co-coordinator Tina Hang started a tobacco cessation program at the McDonald County Health Department. Were still adapting our policies to see what would work best for the health department, Hang said. But for the most part, its going pretty well. The program is free to McDonald County residents. When they come into the department, Hang assesses their willingness to quit and the best methods for them. Then she offers them counseling and nicotine lozenges, gum or patches. Kayla Langford and Tina Hang head the smoke-free ordinance, active transportation and tobacco cessation program efforts at the McDonald County Health Department (Cami Koons/The Beacon). The countys anti-smoking campaign sprang from a Building Communities for Better Health state grant to reduce preventable causes of chronic diseases. Langford said her county ranks particularly high in physical inactivity and tobacco use, so they focused the grant money on building walking and biking trails and implementing smoke-free air policies. Biking and active transportation go hand in hand with tobacco, because most people who are wanting to use these facilities want it to be a clean environment, Langford said. The department started the initiative in the county seat, Pineville. Melissa Ziemianin, Pinevilles city clerk, helped with the ordinance, which passed without pushback. It has been effective in reducing cigarette and vape use and the associated litter in city parks. We thought that if we could take out smoking in our parks and in our areas where kids were seeing it, maybe then it would make that change where kids didnt think it was OK, Ziemianin said. Maybe in the long run, we would see (children) not want to pick up cigarettes. Sinderman said smoke-free air policies are the basis of tobacco prevention, and rural communities across the state are taking similar actions. Its not really a coincidence that in a lot of the counties where use is high, there are no smoke-free policies, Sinderman said. Smoking remains a social norm in rural communities, and I think part of it is the lack of smoke-free policies. Missouri laws currently prohibit smoking in child care facilities and require restrictions in schools, government buildings, health care facilities and restaurants, according to the American Lung Association. Bars, private workplaces, bowling alleys and casinos have exemptions. Sinderman said that exposes more people to secondhand smoke. All casino workers in Missouri live without smoke-free protection laws, according to a Bridging the Gap report by American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation. The same report finds that over 70% of Missourians are not protected from exposure to secondhand smoke. Sinderman said tobacco prevention isnt just a presentation at school with a set of blackened lungs its about making community changes. Its really changing the environment to make the healthy choice, the easy choice, she said. People dont become addicted in the first place. Those who are already addicted, youre giving them a healthy environment where they can quit. McDonald County got another round of the same grant to make changes in Noel, a town of 2,100 people nestled between huge bluffs and the banks of the Elk River. Noel is considering an ordinance that would bar smoking in city-owned parks. Meanwhile, Langford and Hang have worked with local businesses to establish their own no-smoking policies. Many of the bars and restaurants in town dont allow smoking, but Langford wants them to establish policies to point at if a customer were to challenge that request. The bars that do allow smoking inside continue to do so for fear of alienating their clientele, especially during the colder months when people are more annoyed at having to step outside for a smoke. Local bar owner Robert Miller got involved with the process and has become an advocate for the active transportation and smoke-free efforts. He bought his historic bar, Shadow Lake, in 2021 with his wife and added a VIP room with a no-smoking policy this year. Roberr Miller worked with the county health department to develop a smoke-free policy for the indoor areas of his bar, Shadow Lake. (Cami Koons/The Beacon) So far, he hasnt had any pushback. He recently booked the VIP space to an older crowd for a high school reunion. That definitely wouldnt have happened with that age group and crowd if we hadnt had that space, Miller said. So even nonsmokers that typically wont go to any establishment that has smoking dont mind coming here. His bar thrives on river tourism, like most of the town. He sees the healthy-community initiatives as a way to expand the area and full-time population. The sidewalks and the tobacco policies, they really all work together, Miller said. If we can start offering some of these things, even just sidewalks, to make the city look nicer, itll start attracting those people. Beyond the potential economic benefit, Miller wants to see a healthier community. I stopped smoking before I bought the bar, and then being around it all the time made it so hard not to smoke, Miller said. Taking these steps has helped me take steps back too, in the right direction. This article first appeared on Beacon: Missouri and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Russia claimed on Aug. 30 it had shot down 18 Ukrainian drones overnight in four different regions. In a post on Telegram, Russia's defense ministry said 11 drones had been downed in Bryansk Oblast, four in Kaluga Oblast, two in occupied Crimea, and one in Belgorod Oblast. It did not report any damage or casualties. According to the Mash channel on the messaging app Telegram, two of the four drones downed in Kaluga Oblast were intercepted on the approach to Kaluga International Airport. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the claims. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the alleged attack. Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military bases, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. Ukraine has previously targeted Moscow with drone attacks. Kyiv does not always claim official responsibility for reported attacks on Russian soil. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona By Gleb Bryanski MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russians who still share Western values are being told to choose sides and support their warring homeland or risk being victimised by the West, in the same way that Telegram boss Pavel Durov was supposedly victimised by being arrested in France. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur, with his multiple passports and global ambitions for his messaging platform, was once idolised by cosmopolitan Russians who, before the Ukraine conflict, bet their future on ties with the West, working in multinational firms and travelling the globe. After Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, many lost their jobs as multinational businesses pulled out, and hundreds of thousands fled Russia to build a new life elsewhere. But prominent Russian leaders have long told them that they made the wrong choice. "This [Durov's detention] is the latest evidence that neutrality during a total world war is impossible for anyone to maintain," said philosopher Alexander Dugin, widely seen as one of the main ideologues of the Ukraine war. "There are two irreconcilable worlds at odds with each other: us and them. And there is a chasm between us. Dual citizenships, blurred loyalties, manoeuvring between camps - all of this is in the past," Dugin said on Telegram. "You are either with us or against us." His remarks echo appeals to Russians who fled the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 by Soviet emissaries who tried to convince them to return home or become foreign agents for the NKVD secret police. Durov, a 39-year-old billionaire based in Dubai, had been hailed at home as the Russian version of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg or Amazon's Jeff Bezos. It is not clear whether or not he maintained links with the Kremlin. But he is now under investigation in France for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, drug trafficking, images of child sex abuse and fraud. Russia, where media are tightly controlled and dissenting voices are suppressed, says this gives the lie to Western assertions that free speech is sacrosanct. A lawyer representing Durov 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 abided by European laws. 'DIFFERENT BLOOD' Durov's critics in Russia now say that any Russian who falls for what they regard as "false" Western values could be victimised in the West, although France says his arrest stems from its independent judiciary and is therefore apolitical. "He [Durov] is Russian, and therefore unpredictable and dangerous. Of different blood. Definitely not Musk or Zuckerberg," said Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian former president once regarded as pro-Western. A video recorded by the late outspoken politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky when addressing Durov in 2018 went viral in Russia after his detention. "A foreign land does not accept you, Pasha. Here at home, it's both more interesting and more fun," Zhirinovsky is heard saying in the video, using a diminutive of the name Pavel. This view has been shared by many Russian Telegram users who have rallied around the flag of what has become known as "Fortress Russia" since the start of what the Kremlin calls its special military operation in Ukraine. Members of the Russian public are regularly told by state media to view sympathisers with the West as potential traitors. "This will be a good lesson for those kinds of people who are trying to sit on several chairs at once," said Irina, a Moscow resident who declined to be identified by her last name for fear of retribution. (Reporting by Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Kevin Liffey) It's been eight years since top Colorado politicians appeared on stage at either parties' national convention, but this summer a trio of Democrats regained some of the footing the state's leading political lights had grown accustomed to in recent decades. A Ukrainian serviceman visits the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv - Gleb Garanich/REUTERS Russian mercenaries operating in Africa have been sent home to aid in the fight against Ukraine. Around 100 fighters from the Bear Brigade a Russian private military company had been active in Burkina Faso since May but have now returned to Russia to help with the defence of the Kursk region. On Tuesday, the groups Telegram channel said it would be returning to its base in Russian-occupied Crimea in connection with recent events, which is understood to be a reference to Ukraines cross-border assault that began on Aug 6. Le Monde, the French newspaper, reported that Viktor Jedi Yermolaev, the commander of the Bear Brigade, contacted the outlet on Aug 22 to confirm that his soldiers had left the country. When the enemy arrives on our Russian territory, all Russian soldiers forget about their internal problems and unite against a common enemy, Mr Yermolaev was quoted as saying. The Bear Brigade troops were reportedly providing security for senior members of Burkina Fasos military junta, which came to power in a coup detat in 2022. The West African nation has sought security partnerships with Russia due to an ongoing Islamist insurgency that has led to the displacement of over 2 million people since 2015. 04:13 PM BST Todays live coverage has ended Todays live coverage has ended. Heres a roundup of the days events: Ukraine was reported to be fighting for control of two villages in the Kursk region of Russia. A Russian guided bomb strike on Kharkiv killed at least five people, including a child. Ukraine urged Mongolia to arrest Vladimir Putin when he visits the country next week. Russian mercenaries were redeployed from Africa to fight Ukraine. Vladimir Putin gave Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, Russias highest honour on the Belarusian leaders 70th birthday. 04:06 PM BST Ukraine fighting for control of two Kursk villages Ukraine is fighting for control of two villages in the Kursk region of Russia, according to pro-Kremlin sources. A geolocated Russian video shows Moscows forces attacking Ukrainian troops and armoured vehicles north of the towns of Nechaev and Nizhnyaya Parovaya. In the footage, soldiers and tracked vehicles come under a bombardment from what appears to be artillery or drone fire. It is not clear whether the troops and equipment survived the barrage. A prominent pro-Russian military blogger earlier claimed that both villages were under Ukrainian control, before later saying that Russian forces had retaken Nechaev. Nechaev and Nizhnyaya Parovaya are around half a mile forward of the main Ukrainian front line, which in this sector is now around 25 miles from the Ukrainian state border. Ukraine has captured over 500 square miles of Russian territory since it began its assault on Kursk on Aug 6. The rate of the advance has reportedly slowed in recent days, with no major changes being reported on Friday. 03:56 PM BST Kharkiv attack death toll reaches five dead, with 40 injured The death toll from a Russian guided bomb attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has reached five dead and 40 injured, local authorities said. A14-year-old girl was among the dead, the citys mayor said. 03:19 PM BST Pictured: Aftermath of Russian strike on Kharkiv that killed four people, including a child At least four people were killed, including a child, and 28 injured in a Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, local authorities said. Firefighters carry out a girl out from a residential building hit by a Russian air strike on Kharkiv on Friday - Vitalii Hnidyi/REUTERS A firefighter looks at a burning building following a Russian guided bomb strike on Kharkiv - Vitalii Hnidyi/REUTERS 02:58 PM BST Ukraine urges Mongolia to arrest Putin Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Vladimir Putin when he visits the country on September 3. Mongolia is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that has issued a warrant for the Russian leader. The Ukrainian side hopes that the government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, the foreign ministry said, adding we call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov, who previously stressed that Russia doesnt recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC, told reporters during his daily conference call on Friday that the Kremlin has no worries about the upcoming trip: We have a wonderful dialogue with our friends from Mongolia, he said. 02:49 PM BST Four killed and 28 injured in Russian strike on Kharkiv At least four people have been killed, including a child, and 28 injured in a Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, the citys mayor said in an update on the strike that was reported earlier (see our post at 2.47pm). In a renewed call on Western allies to allow long-range attacks on Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the attack would not have happened if our defence forces had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft where they are based. Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian presidents chief of staff, shared a video from the site of the attack, which showed flames and smoke rising from a multi-storey building. Russians attacked civilians again, Mr Yermak wrote. 02:07 PM BST Child killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv playground A Russian guided bomb attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least three people, including a child, the citys mayor said. In the Nemyshlianskyi district, the occupiers killed a child right on the playground, Ihor Terekhov wrote on his Telegram channel. It was a girl. At least three more people in the area were wounded, he added. Mr Terekhov went on to say that two other people were killed in a burning high-rise building in the Industrialnyi district of the city. 01:34 PM BST Ukraine urges residents to evacuate from Sumy Ukrainian authorities have urged people living in 183 settlements in the Sumy region to evacuate due to constant Russian attacks. Sumys military administration said: The residents of 183 settlements in Sumy are subject to evacuation. It is currently dangerous to remain in these territories as the enemy keeps intensely attacking Sumy, deploying different kinds of armament, including guided aerial bombs, which is a threat to the civilian population of these communities. Sumy borders the Kursk region of Russia and has seen an increase in attacks since Ukraine began a major cross-border assault on August 6. A drone attack on Sumy on Friday killed at least two people and wounded several others. 11:53 AM BST Russians attack Pokrovsk almost 60 times in one day Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions near the key frontline town of Pokrovsk 58 times on Thursday, Ukraines general staff said on Friday morning. In a statement, it said that the attacks took place near the settlements of Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Myroliubivka, Hrodivka, Novohrodivka, Karlivka, Marynivka and Mykhailivka and that Russian forces failed to push Ukrainian units out of their positions. Pokrovsk has become a focal point for Russias offensive in the Donetsk region. On Thursday, Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that fighting in the area was exceptionally brutal. The town is a crucial railroad distribution hub, which enables the supply of Ukrainian forces across the front line. 11:23 AM BST Second person killed in Russian strike on Sumy The body of a 37-year-old woman has been found after an overnight drone strike in Ukraines Sumy region, officials have said. An initial nine people were wounded in the attack, before a later update confirmed that a 48-year-old woman had died in hospital (see our posts at 9.26am and 8.42am). The victim was found under rubble by search and rescue teams. The Sumy prosecutors office said the strike occurred around 1.30am local time and hit a building. 10:36 AM BST Russian mercenaries redeployed from Africa to defend Kursk Russian mercenaries operating in Africa have been sent to the Kursk region to defend against the Ukrainian assault, it has been reported. According to French newspaper Le Monde, soldiers from the Bear Brigade had been active in Burkina Faso but have now returned to Russia to participate in the defence of Kursk. Le Monde reported that Viktor Jedi Yermolaev, the commander of the Bear Brigade, contacted the newspaper on Aug 22 to confirm that his soldiers had left the country. All Russian soldiers forget about their internal problems and unite against a common enemy, Mr Yermolaev was quoted as saying. The Bear Brigade soldiers believed to number around 100 were reportedly providing security for senior members of Burkina Fasos military junta, which came to power in a coup detat in 2022. 10:10 AM BST Putin confers Russias highest award on Lukashenko Vladimir Putin has bestowed Russias highest honour on Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus. On Friday morning, Putin congratulated the Belarusian leader on his 70th birthday and published a decree awarding Mr Lukashenko the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called. The decree text stated that Lukashenko was given the award for outstanding achievements in the development of relations of alliance and strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called was established by Peter the Great in 1698. It was removed from Russias honours system during the Soviet era, but reinstated in 1998. 09:45 AM BST Pictured: Ukrainian troops in action Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar at Russian positions near Kreminna, August 26 - Anadolu/Anadolu Ukrainian troops fly a drone over Russian positions in the Kharkiv region, Aug 25 - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP 09:37 AM BST Ukraine building up troops on Kursk border Ukraine is building up fresh forces on the border with Russias Kursk region, a military blogger loyal to the Kremlin has claimed. Rybar, a Telegram channel with over one million followers, wrote: The enemy is introducing troops into the territory of the Russian Federation as reinforcement units, and large concentrations of personnel are being recorded in the adjacent territory of Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border raid into Russias southern Kursk region around three weeks ago, and have since captured more than 500 square miles of territory and 100 settlements. Kyivs advance has slowed in recent weeks as Russia floods the area with better-trained soldiers than the conscripts that were originally put in place to defend Kursk. Russia has managed to recapture the village of Korenevo, which lies next to a larger town of the same name, according to maps published by Deep State, an authoritative Ukrainian website. But Rybar said Ukrainian forces continue to advance in the areas around the village, suggesting Kyiv may be trying to encircle Russian forces there. 09:26 AM BST One killed in Russian strike on Sumy An overnight Russian air strike on Ukraines Sumy region killed one person and injured several others, local authorities have said. The regions prosecutors office earlier reported that nine people were injured in the attack (see our post at 8.42am). A later update confirmed that a 48-year-old woman had died in hospital. 09:22 AM BST Russia forms new Kursk volunteer defence force Russia has formed a new volunteer defence force to ensure law and order in its embattled Kursk region, its governor has said. The unit will work alongside the military and the counter-terrorism operational headquarters, Alexei Smirnov said, adding that it would also offer humanitarian aid to residents. Mr Smirnov said volunteers would sign six-month contracts, receive weapons and undergo training, and that officials in the region had begun recruitment efforts on Aug 24. Ukrainian troops attacked the Kursk region on Aug 6 and has captured around 500 square miles of territory, according to Kyivs military. In response, the Kremlin imposed a counter-terrorism operation in Kursk and two neighbouring regions. The move gives Russian authorities extra powers, such as listening in on phone calls, introducing checkpoints and commandeering vehicles. 09:01 AM BST Russia attacks Ukraine with 18 drones and one ballistic missile Russia launched 18 Shahed attack drones and one Iskander-M ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight, Kyivs air force said. Twelve of the 18 drones were shot down, the force stated, adding that they were fired from the Russian cities of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk. The Iskander-M missile was reportedly launched from Russian-occupied Crimea. One Russian attack injured nine people in Sumy (see our post at 08.42am), while another hit an industrial facility in Poltava. A further strike hit another industrial facility in the Dnipropetrovsk region. 08:42 AM BST Russian attack on Sumy injures nine people A Russian overnight attack on Ukraines Sumy region injured nine people, local authorities said. The Sumy regions prosecutors office said: The enemy launched an airstrike on a company [building] in Sumy on 30 August at around 01:30 using methods of warfare prohibited by international law. According to early reports, nine people were wounded in the attack. The firefighting operations are currently underway. 08:35 AM BST Pictured: Funeral for a Ukrainian F-16 pilot People are seen crying over the flag-draped coffin of F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes, who was killed during a massive Russian missile barrage on Monday. US officials quoted by The Wall Street Journal said the crash was probably the result of pilot error and not enemy fire. Hundreds attend the funeral service of F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes in Shepetivka, Ukraine, on Aug 29 - Libkos/Getty Images Europe People pay respects at the funeral of Ukrainian F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes - Libkos/Getty Images Europe 08:25 AM BST Welcome to our live coverage Welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. Well bring you updates as they happen throughout the day. 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. Editor's note: This story is being updated. Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv on Aug. 30 with UMPB D-30 munitions, killing at least seven people, including a child, and injuring 97 others, local authorities reported. The Russian strike hit a 12-story residential building in the city's Industrialnyi district, causing a fire. At least three people were killed, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Kharkiv's Nemyshlianskyi district also came under attack, killing a 14-year-old girl, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. There are 22 children among the injured, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. Russian forces also hit downtown Kharkiv and the city's Slobidskyi district, damaging a warehouse building and three houses, the governor said. Syniehubov said that 20 of those injured are in serious or "extremely serious" condition. "There may be people on the upper floors of the hit building, including at least one woman. There is a risk that the building will be destroyed," he added. The body of a woman was removed from the rubble in the evening, bringing the death toll of the attack to seven. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged partners to allow Ukraine to strike military air bases on Russian soil with Western-supplied weapons. "We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror. This is an absolutely fair need. And there is no rational reason to limit Ukraine's defense," he said following the attack. Attacks against population centers in Kharkiv Oblast intensified after Russian forces launched a new cross-border offensive in the northern part of the region in May. While the push has been halted by Ukrainian troops, Russia continues to hold a handful of settlements just across the border. Read also: Memorializing Ukraines fallen soldiers: One asked to be cremated so future fighters dont dig trenches in our bones Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) -A Russian guided bomb attack on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv hit a residential building and a playground on Friday, killing seven people and injuring at least 77 more, local authorities said. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a 14-year-old girl was among the dead. Ihor Terekhov, the city's mayor, had earlier said on Telegram that one child was killed in the playground. The 12-storey apartment block caught fire as a result of the strike, the mayor said. The death toll from the attack climbed to seven when a woman's body was recovered from the rubble, he added in a later statement. About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. One end of the block was engulfed in black smoke, with many of the upper floors in flames. Several cars parked outside were gutted by fire. Emergency services and rescue volunteers rushed to carry survivors out of the building. The body of one of the victims lay under a carpet on the ground outside, surrounded by police. Residents of all ages, some of them covered in blood, sat stunned on benches and walls outside as medics attended to their injuries. Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a shock incursion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian authorities said that Friday's attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from planes in Russia's Belgorod region, also known as "glide bombs" which are fitted with a navigation system taking them to their targets. The weapons are hard to intercept and they have become a fearsome tool in the war in eastern Ukraine in recent months that can cause huge devastation. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Thousands have been killed and wounded during the full-scale invasion Moscow launched in Ukraine in 2022. In the wake of the Kharkiv strike, Zelenskiy renewed a call on Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to attack Russian military air bases. "A strike ... would not have happened if our defence forces had the ability to destroy Russian military aircraft where they are based," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. "There is no rational reason to restrict Ukraine's defences." Kyiv says that the most effective way to counter such strikes is to target Russian planes, not the bombs themselves. (Reporting and writing by Yuliia Dysa and Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Louise Heavens, Alison Williams, Mike Collett-White and Deepa Babington) Russian attacks over the past day killed two people and wounded at least 32 others, local authorities said on Aug. 30. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces attacked a post office, a shopping center, private homes, and apartments, causing damage and wounding six people, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. In Sumy Oblast, Russian airstrike on the city of Sumy wounded nine people, the local prosecutor general's office said. One of the wounded, a 48-year-old woman, later died in the hospital. The oblast's military administration said previously on Aug. 29 that three people had been wounded, including an on-duty police officer, after a Russian double-tap drone strike on the community of Seredyna-Buda. In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks killed one person in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka and injured 11 others across the oblast, said Governor Vadym Filashkin. Homes, apartments, and critical infrastructure were also damaged or destroyed. In Kharkiv Oblast, four people were injured by Russian strikes in the village of Novoosynove, located 16 kilometers (9 miles) south of Kupiansk, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Russian forces also attacked Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, causing damage but no casualties. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Authorities in Russia's Perm Oblast launched a manhunt on Aug. 30 for Artyom Buchin, a former inmate who was recruited to fight in Ukraine, who is accused of killing a 28-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter. Buchin had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2023 for the rape and murder of a nurse but was reportedly released to fight in Ukraine. Authorities said that the bodies of the woman and her daughter had been found showing signs of violent death in the town of Chusovoy. Buchin is suspected of murdering the two, and he has been added to a wanted list, with his photo and description distributed to local media. Under Russian policies since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, both the Russian Defense Ministry and the Wagner Group have recruited prisoners to fight in Ukraine. Under this procedure, former inmates are typically pardoned in exchange for military service. The late Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in June 2023 that as many as 32,000 former prisoners had returned to Russia after fighting in Ukraine. Buchin is not the first former inmate to return to Russia after fighting in Ukraine and be accused of committing new crimes. Just two days before, a court in Perm sentenced Grigoriy Starikov, a former inmate and ex-Wagner soldier who had also fought in Ukraine, to life in prison after he was convicted of killing three people in 2023. Read also: Russian media: Putin pardons convicted killer of famed Russian journalist Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian authorities recruit volunteers for territorial defence units to retake parts of Kursk Oblast claimed by Ukraine The Russian authorities have been creating new volunteer territorial defence units to protect Kursk Oblast. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW); acting Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov Details: ISW noted that it highlights Russian leader Vladimir Putin's reluctance to respond more forcefully to the incursion by mobilising, due to the potential for public discontent or by making large-scale troop redeployments. On 29 August, Acting Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov announced the formation of the BARS-Kursk volunteer detachment, whose primary role would be to "ensure security" in Kursk Oblast. Smirnov mentioned that the detachment will work alongside the Russian military and the counterterrorism operational headquarters, which are managing the current Russian response in the oblast. The detachment will also offer humanitarian aid to residents in border areas Volunteers will sign six-month contracts, undergo training and receive weapons to conduct their tasks. Kursk Oblast officials began recruiting for the detachment on 24 August. Colonel Vitalii Sarantsev, representative of the communications department of the Kharkiv Operational Strategic Group of Forces, reported that Russian authorities are also creating BARS-Bryansk and BARS-Belgorod detachments, which will support the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces. Sarantsev estimated that these three detachments will consist of 4,921 volunteers in total. The creation of these new BARS (Russian Army Combat Reserve) volunteer units aligns with the Kremlins strategy to avoid redeploying experienced or effective combat units from key areas like the Pokrovsk or Toretsk fronts to Kursk Oblast, as this could slow down Russian offensive operations in those more critical areas. Support UP or become our patron! Sergei Mikhailov, the publisher of the independent newspaper Listok in Russia's Altai Republic, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Aug. 30 for "spreading fakes" about the Russian Army. The charges relate to stories that Listok published about the Bucha massacre, where Russian soldiers murdered hundreds of Ukrainian civilians, as well as other Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine. In his defense, Mikhailov said that he was not in a position to make editorial decisions about what stories were posted on Listok's website or social media accounts. Mikhailov was first detained in April 2022, shortly after the beginning of the full-scale invasion. His trial began in June 2023. In a final statement before his sentencing, Mikhailov said, "I categorically disagree with the accusation. All these years I have been writing what I consider to be the truth, even if this truth is bitter." "The purpose of our publications is to reveal the truth to my fellow countrymen, to protect them from the lies of state propaganda. The fog of lies is becoming thicker, and I do not want our readers to be tempted by these lies and to voluntarily become participants in military actions, to become murderers." Beyond the prison sentence, the court asked that Mikhailov be banned from working in journalism for four years. Russian President Vladimir Putin's crackdown on dissent since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has seen thousands of his citizens arrested and many jailed. In 2023, at least 21,000 people were targeted by Russia's "repressive laws" used to "crack down" on anti-war activists," according to Amnesty International. Read also: Court in far eastern Russian city sentences student to prison for passing troop locations to Kyiv online Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian military personnel from the Bears PMC who were stationed in the African country of Burkina Faso will be sent to Kursk Oblast to deter the Ukrainian army's offensive. Source: Le Monde Details: Le Monde has found out that the soldiers of the brigade, which is linked to the Russian Ministry of Defence and consists of about a hundred people, arrived in Burkina Faso in May and provided security for a number of key figures, including allegedly the head of the junta, Captain Ibrahim Traore. Their mission was brief, and now they are packing their bags. Quote from Le Monde: "The official reason for their departure, just three months after their arrival, is their participation in the Russian defence efforts against the Ukrainian army's offensive launched on 6 August in Kursk Oblast." Viktor "Jedi" Yermolaev, the commander of the Bear Brigade, contacted Le Monde on 22 August via Telegram and confirmed the withdrawal. He wrote that "all Russian soldiers forget about their internal problems and unite against a common enemy." Le Monde reports that on 27 August, a more explicit message appeared on Viktor Yermolaevs unit's Telegram channel, stating that "due to recent events, the brigade is returning to Crimea," where the PMC is based. The Bears PMC denies any connection with the Russian defence ministry. However, Le Monde notes that there is evidence of contact with some Russian defence ministry leaders. In particular, Yunus-bek Yevkurov, the Russian Deputy Defence Minister who currently oversees the Kremlin's entire military presence on the African continent, personally visited the Perevalne military camp in occupied Crimea on 5 April 2023 to offer his support. Read also: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi's raid: how the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast is progressing and what to expect next Background: The Armed Forces of Ukraine crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border near Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, on 6 August 2024. A counter-terrorist operation (CTO) regime was imposed in Russias Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod oblasts on the night of 9-10 August. A state of emergency was declared in Kursk Oblast on 7 August, two days after the Ukrainian incursion. On 12 August, the Ukrainian authorities confirmed for the first time that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were involved in a special operation in Kursk Oblast. On 27 August, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said that Russia had deployed 30,000 troops to Kursk Oblast and that the number of Russians was increasing daily. Support UP or become our patron! Russians attack rescue workers in Nikopol three times over this morning alone photos Russian forces fired three times at a fire station in the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the morning of 30 August, causing damage but no casualties. Source: State Emergency Service on Telegram Quote: "In the morning, the enemy tried to destroy a fire station in the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The Russians ruthlessly attacked the fire and rescue personnel THREE times." Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Details: The State Emergency Service noted that the Russians damaged the doors to the fire station building, the roof of the equipment store and a rescue boat. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Background: Earlier, the authorities reported that the Russians had damaged an industrial facility near Marhanets in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Moreover, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration noted that four Shahed attack drones had been shot down over the oblast overnight. Support UP or become our patron! Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy Colorado, speaks at a ground-breaking ceremony in July for the second section of Xcels Power Pathway Project at the Fort St. Vrain Generating Station in Weld County. Russians attack Ukraine with 18 Shahed UAVs and 1 Iskander missile overnight: Ukrainian air defences down 12 UAVs Russian forces launched 18 Shahed attack drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile on Ukraine on the night of 29-30 August. Ukrainian air defence units have shot down 12 UAVs. Source: Ukraine's Air Force on Telegram Quote: "The enemy launched an attack using an Iskander-M ballistic missile [launched] from [temporarily Russian-occupied] Crimea, and 18 Shahed-131/136 loitering munitions from the areas of the Russian cities of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk on the night of 29-30 August 2024." Details: Ukraine reportedly deployed aircraft, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups from its Air Force and defence forces to repel the attack. The anti-aircraft operation resulted in 12 Shahed-131/136 loitering munitions being destroyed, four of which fell on their own. Ukrainian air defence units were responding to the Russian attack in Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Sumy oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Aftermath of a Russian attack on an industrial facility in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Photo: Lysak on Telegram Russian forces damaged an industrial facility in Marhanets hromada in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 29-30 August [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. Ukrainian air defence shot down four Shahed attack drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration; Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council Quote: "Last night, our defenders shot down four Shahed drones over the oblast. Attacks on Nikopol district continued. The enemy fired from heavy artillery, used kamikaze drones and dropped explosives from UAVs. They also fired from Grad multiple-launch rocket systems. Nikopol and Marhanets hromadas were under attack. An industrial facility was damaged." Details: Lukashuk clarified that the industrial facility that was damaged was in Marhanets hromada. There were no casualties. Support UP or become our patron! Photo from website of Kherson City Administration On the evening of 30 August, Russian forces opened fire on Blahovishchenske in Kherson Oblast, injuring a 40-year-old man. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Facebook Quote: "In the evening, a resident of Blahovishchenske was struck by Russian forces. A 40-year-old man sustained a concussion, as well as an explosive injury and a head injury. He was brought to hospital for medical treatment." Support UP or become our patron! Russians try to encircle Ukrainian units on Pokrovsk front again ISW Russian troops are currently conducting two tactical operations as part of an offensive to capture Pokrovsk and are attempting to encircle Ukrainian positions between Myrnohrad and Hrodivka (Donetsk Oblast). Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: The first tactical operation is along the Novohrodivka-Hrodivka line east of Pokrovsk, with the objective of capturing Myrnohrad and advancing to the outskirts of Pokrovsk. The second tactical operation is taking place along the Selydove-Ukrainsk-Hirnyk line southeast of Pokrovsk. It aims to expand the Russian group of forces on the Pokrovsk front and eliminate vulnerabilities for counterattacks by Ukrainian forces. The Russian military command probably sees both of these tactical operations as desirable preconditions for launching a fierce offensive on the town of Pokrovsk itself. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated on 29 August that the most intense fighting on the Pokrovsk front was taking place on the eastern outskirts of Hrodivka (east of Pokrovsk), southwest of Hrodivka near Krasnyi Yar, within Novohrodivka (southeast of Pokrovsk) and directly east of Selydove near Mykhailivka (southeast of Pokrovsk). In recent days, ISW has observed Russian advances in these areas. Recently, Russian troops surrounded Ukrainian positions southeast of Pokrovsk along the Karlivka reservoir and forced Ukrainian forces to retreat from their positions in the area. They are likely hoping to achieve a similar effect by attempting to encircle Ukrainian positions between Myrnohrad and Hrodivka. However, it remains unclear whether Russian forces will be able to maintain a relatively rapid pace of advance through the relatively large city of Myrnohrad and its outskirts. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 29 August: Russian forces are currently pursuing two immediate tactical efforts as part of their ongoing offensive operation to seize Pokrovsk a tactical effort along the Novohrodivka-Hrodivka line east of Pokrovsk to seize Myrnohrad and advance up to Pokrovsk's outskirts, and another tactical effort along the Selydove-Ukrainsk-Hirnyk line southeast of Pokrovsk aimed at widening Russia's salient on the Pokrovsk front and eliminating vulnerabilities to Ukrainian counterattacks. The Russian military command likely aims to achieve both of these tactical efforts before launching the more resource-intensive effort to seize Pokrovsk itself, although Russian forces may begin urban combat in Pokrovsk regardless, if progress stalls on these preparatory efforts. Russian authorities are creating new volunteer territorial defence units in response to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast, highlighting Russian leader Vladimir Putin's unwillingness to counter the incursion more seriously with a mobilisation due to the risks of societal discontent or with large-scale redeployments due to possible disruptions to Russia's ongoing offensive operations in Ukraines east. Ukrainian forces recently marginally advanced north of Sudzha as Russian forces recaptured some areas of Kursk Oblast on 29 August. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on 29 August that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet recently crashed while defending against a large-scale Russian drone and missile strike. Russian authorities arrested and charged former Russian Deputy Defence Minister Army General Pavel Popov with large-scale fraud on 29 August. Russian leader Vladimir Putin will conduct an official visit to Mongolia despite Mongolia's status as a signatory to the Rome Statue and Mongolias legal obligation to enforce an arrest warrant for Putin from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed on 29 August that Ukrainian forces struck the Atlas Oil Refinery in Rostov Oblast and the Zenit Oil Depot in Kirov Oblast on the night of 27-28 August. Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and the city of Donetsk. The Russian government continues to expand pathways for accused criminals to sign military service contracts. Support UP or become our patron! Russia's messy response to Ukraine's invasion is exposing the weaknesses still plaguing its army Russia's response to Ukraine's invasion of Kursk has been a bit of a mess. The Kremlin didn't mount a large military response and instead called on units unlikely to mix well. Experts said it shows that an issue long plaguing Russia's military is still doing so. Russia's jumbled response to Ukraine's invasion of its Kursk region indicates that its military is still suffering from a critical weakness, warfare experts told Business Insider. Ukraine launched an incursion into Kursk on August 6 and by Tuesday had taken almost 500 square miles of territory, according to the country's army chief. That's more territory than Russia has managed to take in Ukraine this year. The development has been humiliating for Russia, according to George Barros, a Russia analyst at Washington DC-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War. He said Russia's response only compounds that, highlighting a longstanding issue with command and control with which Russia has struggled. Bungling the Kursk response Russia's late response to Ukraine's attack was to put the FSB Russia's primary security and intelligence agency in charge of a host of other groups. The move indicates Russia has a "very unorthodox, untested command and control structure that's going to be responding to this," Barros said. Russia has for a long time had issues with command and control, which is key to directing military, security, and emergency response forces effectively. A local volunteer looks at a building damaged by Ukrainian strikes in Kursk on August 16, 2024, following Ukraine's offensive into Russia's western Kursk region. TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images He noted that even in its invasion of Ukraine, which was planned in advance and where its military forces are organized in "a very conventional and orthodox way," Russia's command and control has been "horrific and very ineffective." Russia has faced criticized for its poor command and control structures, which often see it refuse to delegate responsibility like Western armies do, resulting in a slow and immobile force. The problem has been on display throughout the war in Ukraine, where the Russians have been slow to react to combat developments and even brought many commanders close to the fighting, where they were then killed. Warfare experts have repeatedly pointed to critical command and control problems as to why Russia's ground forces did not make good progress at the beginning of its invasion. And now, in Kursk, Barros said, "with this even more convoluted situation that they're going into, I have remained very skeptical of the Russian's ability to effectively marshal all these disparate forces. And I think it bodes poorly for the effectiveness of the Russian response.'" Rajan Menon, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, said Ukraine has been able to take advantage of Russia's shortcomings by fighting differently. "The Russians have a very centralized conception of warfare," he said, adding that "the Ukrainians have delegated a lot of authority to local commanders, and they have highly mobile troops operating on multiple fronts." And "it's been a very difficult thing for the Russians to figure it out because they didn't expect anything like this," he said. While it's unclear how this complex scenario will end, Menon said he thinks "the key point to bear in mind is the very fact that this could have happened at all. This is astonishing." A slow and complicated reaction Reports have suggested Russia's high command ignored intelligence about a Ukrainian troop buildup. Ukrainian troops said they were able to enter Kursk easily, and warfare experts said Ukraine was able to take advantage of dysfunction in Russian military leadership. A Ukrainian soldier raises a Ukrainian flag in the village of Guevo in Russsia's Kursk region. Donbas_Operativnyi via Telegram/REUTERS Barros noted that Russia's response "did not happen right away. It took many days." That early reaction was small and involved inexperienced troops, which did little to slow Ukraine down. Russian President Vladimir Putin took days to announce a military response. Menon said Putin appeared to have been "caught completely flatfooted." He described Russia's response as "some combination of arrogance and incompetence rolled into one." That eventual response was the FSB being put in charge, with involvement from Rosgvardia (Russia's national guard), some troops redeployed from Ukraine, conscripts, and special forces troops. ISW said in an update on August 20 that Russia's response to the invasion of Kursk was being hampered because of "complex and overlapping responsibilities and the seemingly ever-growing list of actors the Kremlin has tasked with responding to the Ukrainian incursion." A destroyed Russian tank outside Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. YAN DOBRONOSOV/AFP via Getty Images Barros said that putting the FSB in charge was "pretty surprising" and said it would make more sense for the army to be in charge. He said the FSB "doesn't have it in its mandate, nor does it have the experience of creating a joint headquarters for responding to a large-scale adversary combined arms operation." Trying to get so many different groups to work together will be a challenge for it, Barros said. He said that the FSB will likely have "a very challenging time working out the command and control for all of the disparate different cats and dogs that are being cobbled together to respond to the Ukrainian incursion." Barros said that the different groups don't all have a history "in dealing with combined arms operations. They don't have a history of working together at scale in this sort of context." He added that "many of them don't have it in their capabilities or mission to be able to do the kind of attack that the Ukrainians are putting forward." Even with Russia's response in action, Ukraine's troops are still advancing into Kursk, although at a much slower rate as resistance builds, even amid Russia's poor reaction. Russia is downplaying Putin, meanwhile, is downplaying Ukraine's invasion, describing it as a terrorist attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin sits with defense officials Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, Security Council's Secretary Sergei Shoigu, and Defence Minister Andrei Belousov at a meeting about Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region on August 7, 2024. Sputnik/Aleksey Babushkin/Kremlin via REUTERS Barros said that Putin has not taken a stronger step, like declaring martial law, as he wants to minimize political risk to himself. Throughout Putin's invasion, which began in February 2022, Putin has repeatedly made "militarily stupid" decisions for political reasons, he said. He argued that taking stronger action "would do great damage to Putin's decades-long strategic effort to basically rebuild Russia's prestige, put forward the narrative that under Putin's leadership, Russia has become sort of another great world power." Instead, he is downplaying it instead of "admitting that this is the "first foreign military operation within Russian soil since World War II," an obviously serious development. Putin wanted to "maintain the desired PR optics of everything's fine, everything's under control, we're not going to mobilize the population," Barros said. And that has been a common trend. Russia has not conducted a large-scale mobilization since late 2022, and that round was met with thousands of young Russians fleeing the country. The UK Ministry of Defence said last year that the Kremlin was aware such a move is unpopular and could have political consequences. Despite the mess in Kursk, Russia is still pushing forward and gaining territory in Ukraine's east. For now, it has been reluctant to pull many troops from those areas. Read the original article on Business Insider SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (PIX11) Barbara, of Saddle Brook, N.J., recently spilled the tea on a touchy subject being discussed in person and online. It has to do with a stubborn rat problem, which she said is becoming more than a simple nuisanceespecially after multiple rounds of street and property flooding. More New Jersey News I have heard about the rat problem. Ive seen it in Saddle Brook Moms on Facebook. Im not really happy about it! Ya know, family, kids, dogs. Youd like a clean environment. Youd like the officials to step up and take care of some situations are a little bit mor dire than others. This can hurt people, she said. PIX11 News was told that Saddle Brook Mayor Robert White was unavailable to speak with us for this report. Town hall officials directed PIX11 to a letter the mayor recently sent residents acknowledging an increased number of rat sightings. The problem is serious enough Saddle Brook has asked its contracted pest control company to hold a rat prevention information session; its scheduled for next week. In the meantime, rat prevention tips for residents in Saddle Brook and beyond include: Cleaning up vegetation and junk piles Keeping your garbage cans tightly covered Keeping your storage areas away from walls Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Salt Lake City on Jan. 30. City officials are considering a new ordinance that would ban demolition of any housing unit for any new type of commercial parking. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Developers may soon be unable to pave paradise and put up a parking lot in Salt Lake City if paradise is the citys vital housing stock. Salt Lake City is inching closer to a new ordinance that would prohibit the demolition of any housing unit for a new commercial parking lot, park-and-ride lot, parking structure, or off-site parking facilities unless the net housing loss is recovered in the project's plan. Existing housing could be removed, as long as it's replaced during the construction of any parking area. The same applies to the expansion or modification of existing parking lots. The city currently requires a housing loss mitigation plan for similar plans but the proposed amendment is among a few recommendations from Salt Lake City's Thriving in Place plan the Salt Lake City Council adopted last year. It outlines options that seek to reduce replacement and curb the rising cost of housing in the city. "This would stop the expansion of parking areas, but not newer residential (or) commercial uses from being developed that provide the required parking," said Kelsey Lindquist, a planning manager with Salt Lake City's planning division. Salt Lake City continues to battle high housing costs as its population grows. According to Zillow, the average Salt Lake City home is now valued at just over $556,000, while the mean sale price was more than $586,000, as of June. The average monthly rent for an 820 square-foot apartment is also up to $1,630 amid the state's massive housing shortage. The state estimated earlier this year a statewide deficit of about 36,000 units which is a key reason for rising home prices across the Wasatch Front. Salt Lake City planning director Nick Norris previously said ordinances like the proposed change are one of the few options cities have to try and combat rising housing costs. That's because housing typically knocked over is considered "naturally occurring affordable housing" and its loss also reduces the available housing options in the city. "This actually increases our ability to reduce (housing) demolitions when there's not a replacement," he said at the time. "It's narrow, but right now someone could simply demolish ... a house and expand parking or do whatever because there's not a limitation on doing that outside of a historic district and stuff like that." The planning commission voted unanimously on Feb. 28 to give the rule a positive recommendation. Salt Lake City Council members also appeared to be generally receptive to the idea when they were briefed about it during a meeting on Tuesday, but they also had concerns about potential loopholes such as if a developer changes plans in the middle of construction. Lindquist said a permit won't be issued if the developer can't deliver on housing or their permit would be void in that scenario. There could also be fines if a project drags on. If the project is scrapped after demolition, the required housing need would be carried over in the property title. Its up to the Salt Lake City Council to ultimately adopt or reject the measure. The council is tentatively slated to hold a public hearing about the proposal during its Sept. 17 meeting before a potential vote likely on Oct. 1. SAN DIEGO (KUSI) Dozens of healthcare professionals and substance abuse care specialists gathered Thursday at Waterfront Park to raise awareness for International Overdose Awareness Day. The commemorative day is observed every year on Aug. 31. This year, advocates say there are some encouraging signs that interventions are working: In San Diego County, the latest numbers indicate there were 97 fewer overdose deaths in 2023 than in 2022. I do think that were making progress in general and I say that because theres much more awareness. Theres much more accepting that this is a true medical condition, for which it is its a brain disease, Dr. Joe Sepulveda, a psychiatrist specializing in addiction, told KUSI. And there is effective treatment out there that you can receive to treat opioid use disorder. Watch Ed Lendermans report for KUSI in the player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego Humane Society is asking for the publics help in preventing the spread of disease among the dogs in its care. On Friday, the organization announced it is pausing owner surrenders of dogs from Sept. 3 to 17 due to overcrowding in its shelters and to prevent the spread of disease. Fourth case of measles detected in San Diego County this year According to the humane society, there has been an outbreak of pneumonia affecting dogs at its shelters, which has been exacerbated by the record number of dogs in their care. The organization averaged a record of nearly 800 dogs per day in August, it said in a release. The shelter said pneumonia in dogs can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, including mycoplasma, Bordetella, adenovirus and canine distemper virus. The risk of contracting disease increases when dogs are housed closely together, according to the humane society. Rock music and sports: MTS prepares for jampacked Labor Day weekend We have ensured that our canine population is up to date on their vaccines to mitigate the spread and limit infection but we need the publics help in stopping the flow of dogs that come through our doors every day, said Dr. Zarah Hedge, the humane societys chief medical officer. Pet owners can schedule future appointments by calling 619-299-7012. San Diego Humane Society is open for walk-in adoptions Tuesday through Sunday at its campuses in Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside and San Diego. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sault Police: Downstate felony suspect caught after spotted peeing on UP road SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WJMN) A man wanted on suspicion of committing a felony in lower Michigan was arrested in the eastern Upper Peninsula after someone reported him urinating in the roadway. According to Sault Ste. Marie Police Chief Wesley Bierling, an officer was investigating the public urination report around 8:45 Thursday morning. With the description of a black male wearing grey sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt on Bermuda Avenue in the Shallows-Lakeshore subdivision, the officer spotted someone matching that description sitting at a fire pit near a house. This embedded content is not available in your region. After he was spotted by the officer, police say the man got up and walked into the woods. In search of the suspect police used additional officers, an MSP K-9 Unit and US Border Patrol agents. Soon after, the suspect was found and arrested and lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. It was then discovered that the man had a felony warrant for his arrest from another law enforcement agency downstate. This is a developing story. Local 3 will update you on-air and online with any new 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 WJMN - UPMatters.com. Aurora officials on Friday night released a video insisting that gang members have "not taken" over an apartment complex, part of an aggressive campaign by the city to push back against some reports by national media outlets saying an organized Venezuelan crime group has "overrun" the Colorado municipality. SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Savoy has been sentenced to both jail time and probation for a hit-and-run incident outside a University of Illinois bar that went viral two years ago. Brendan Trumann, 21 of Savoy, was sentenced on Thursday to one month of jail time and a concurrent 30 months of probation. A jury convicted him in November of aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm, aggravated reckless driving and aggravated leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. The jury also acquitted him of aggravated battery involving great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery in a public place. The Champaign County States Attorneys Office also dismissed an attempted murder charge before the trial. Campus bar staff describes lockdown during hit-and-run The charges stemmed from an incident outside of Joes Brewery the morning of June 26, 2022. Much of what happened was caught on camera and it was widely circulated on social media. Just before closing time at 2 in the morning, then 19-year-old Trumann was told to leave the bar by employee Michael Waltz, after Trumann was disturbing other customers. Waltz told WCIA at the time that Trumann flipped out, made threats to shoot the place up and then pulled out what looked like a gun and started pointing it at others. As police were called, Trumann got into his Dodge Charger and started driving erratically in the street in front of Joes. Myelz Davis, a friend of Trumanns from Gibson City, walked up to the driver-side window and started talking to Trumann to calm him down and discourage him from driving. A fight subsequently broke out and another man, Devin Espeland, punched Davis in the face and knocked him to the ground. Campustown hit-and-run victim thankful hes alive Trumann subsequently drove away from the bar, running over Davis twice in the process. Davis suffered three jaw fractures, a traumatic brain injury and road rash all over his body. After leaving Joes, Trumann crashed his car at Mt. Hope Cemetary on campus, crashing through a fence and damaging several headstones. Police found the car abandoned with a realistic-looking BB gun inside. Police tracked Trumann down to his apartment in Savoy and arrested him. He admitted to driving the car, they said. At sentencing on Thursday, prosecutors asked for a six-year sentence, citing Trumanns dishonestly during testimony and a lack of remorse on his part. His defense team argued for probation, which is ultimately what he got. There are several other conditions that Trumann was abide by as part of his sentence: abstinence from drugs and alcohol, electronic monitoring whenever he leaves Illinois and 100 hours of community service. Espeland, meanwhile, was charged with aggravated battery in a public place and pleaded guilty in June. He was sentenced to two years of probation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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 OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - A woman who survived the massacre of hundreds of villagers in central Burkina Faso described the horror of searching through bodies to find her brothers, in an interview following the attack claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked group earlier this week. "We went out with carts to collect the bodies of my older brothers," said the woman, 38, who escaped with her toddler. "We spent a long time going through bodies piled up under trees." The woman gave the interview to an aid worker in Kaya, a nearby town where many survivors have since fled. The aid worker provided the woman's testimony in an audio recording to Reuters. The woman agreed for her story to be released to the media on condition that her name and voice be withheld for her safety. 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 people were killed when jihadists opened fire on civilians digging defensive trenches on the orders of the military. The massacre took place on Saturday morning, the woman said in the interview. The army had forced every man in the town out to dig trenches to protect it from attackers, while women and younger children were sent to cut long grass and trees to improve visibility for the soldiers stationed there. The militants, or bushmen as she described them, arrived at about 10 a.m. and began killing, firing on soldiers and civilians alike. They didn't stop until later in the day when drones arrived overheard. She said it took three days for the survivors, mostly women and children, to collect the bodies. Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin said it attacked soldiers and militia members excavating trenches and killed nearly 300, describing all the victims as fighters, not civilians. Several videos apparently filmed by the militants and released on social media showed more than 100 bodies piled in a trench, most of them in civilian clothing. Reuters confirmed the location of the videos from the position of the trench and other features in the landscape that matched satellite imagery. The woman interviewed said civilians, soldiers and volunteer army auxiliaries known as VDPs were among those attacked. One family she knew lost 30 members. Another family of 13 members was completely wiped out, she said. Burkina Faso's ruling junta has not said how many people were killed, but said civilians were among the victims. 'BLOOD EVERYWHERE' The eyewitness said survivors took the bodies to the mayors office and helped each other transport the dead to the site where men were digging graves. Local custom prohibits women from burying the dead, but she still asked to help because there were so many graves to dig. When the men refused, she gave her cart to neighbours still collecting bodies and waited for her turn to bury her three brothers. "I stayed at the town hall watching people carrying bodies everywhere. It was horrible," she said. Her oldest brother was buried first, after she insisted he be given his own grave. Neighbours dug graves for the other two the following day. "I am no longer sure that I am normal. You know why? Because I saw horrible things, dead bodies and blood everywhere. I have not been sleeping well since I was displaced here," the woman said. A civil society source in Kaya said that the military had surrounded the town where many survivors had fled and were preventing them from leaving or talking about what happened. The bloodshed highlights the danger of the authorities' growing reliance on civilians as they struggle to combat the jihadist groups that have destabilised swathes of West Africa's Sahel region since an insurgency took root in Mali in 2012. A civilian group called Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho has criticised the government for its silence on the attack, which had been condemned worldwide including by the United Nations and European Union. It said a government delegation that reached the area was more preoccupied with the army than the civilian survivors. It blamed the army for sending citizens to their deaths by forcing them to dig trenches that became mass graves. "We regret that ministers can come all the way to Barsalogho and turn back without seeing the tears or hearing the cries of grief of this community," the group said in a statement on Wednesday, "every single family is in mourning. The youth has been decimated." 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 non-governmental organisation Armed Conflict Location and Event Data said in July. (Additional reporting by David Lewis, Sofia Christensen, Reade Levinson, Milan Pavicic, and Cooper Inveen; Writing by Jessica Donati; Editing by William Maclean) WHO says its deal with Israel will allow limited pauses in Gaza fighting for polio vaccinations 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WHO says humanitarian pauses in Gaza will allow for polio vaccine drive to begin Sunday The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that humanitarian pauses of the war in Gaza will allow for a polio vaccine drive to begin Sunday. The goal of the campaign is to vaccinate 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip amid the outbreak of the virus, according to Rik Peeperkorn, a WHO senior official for the Palestinian territories. The effort will kick off in central Gaza with a humanitarian pause that will go from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three days beginning Sunday. The initiative, which is being coordinated with Israeli authorities, will also take place in the southern and northern parts of the strip. I am not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward. We have to stop [polio] transmission in Gaza and outside Gaza, Peeperkorn said. Each child will get two drops of the vaccine in two rounds. The second round would be administered four weeks following the first one. The push for vaccinating children in the war-torn enclave will be administered by the WHO, UNICEF, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees and the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The campaign comes just after Palestinian health officials reported the first case of polio in a 10-month-old unvaccinated child in Deir al-Balah. To stop the transmission of polio in Gaza, health workers need to vaccinate at least 90 percent of the kids there, according to the WHO. To do that, the initiative will feature more than 2,100 workers who will be working across Gaza. Polio is commonly spread through contaminated water, with the potential to cause paralysis and death. Mediators the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been working on a cease-fire deal between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, halting the conflict that has nearly reached 11 months. The war broke out after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking about 250 hostage. In retaliation, Israels military operation has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) charged in absentia three Russian officials with charges related to organizing the round up and torture of civilians in occupied Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the agency announced on Aug. 29. According to investigators, Russian Colonel Oleksandr Korneev, the occupation authority's Deputy Prosecutor Yevhen Svistunov, and the occupation authority's Lead Investigator Denys Shekhovets allegedly organized raids by the Russian Armed Forces to abduct residents and pro-Ukrainian collaborators in the occupied city. The abducted Berdiansk residents would then be subject to torture using electric current, while being left without food and water for long periods of time, the SBU said, in an attempt to entice the victims to collaborate with Russian Armed Forces. The three accused officials allegedly personally participated in the raids of local home looking for the pro-Ukrainian dissidents. The accused were charged in absentia under Ukraine's Criminal Code for "violation of the laws and customs of war." Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly targeted those accused of torturing civilians in the region. On May 5, Ukraines military intelligence agency confirmed that a car bomb explosion in occupied Berdiansk killed a Russian official allegedly responsible for setting up torture chambers in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukraine has registered pre-trial information of at least 128,000 victims of alleged Russian war crimes, the Prosecutor General's Office in mid-March. These include deliberate attacks on civilians, attacks on cultural sites or medical institutions, torture, and deportations. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraines F-16 fighter jet crashes, killing pilot Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The South Carolina Supreme Court in Columbia. (Mary Ann Chastain / Special to the SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA The South Carolina Supreme Court will start issuing execution warrants again, waiting at least five weeks between each one, according to a Friday court filing. The high courts decision represents a middle ground between condemned inmates request to wait 13 weeks and the states proposal of four weeks between death warrants. Last Friday, after scheduling Freddie Owens death for Sept. 20, the court said it would not issue any more execution orders until it settled the question about intervals between them. Owens is set to be the states first execution in 13 years. A week later, the high court set the intervals at five weeks and released the order for death warrants. Richard Moore will be the next death row inmate scheduled to die. Moore was convicted in 2001 for shooting and killing a gas station clerk in 1999. Moores death sentence has been particularly contentious because he entered the gas station unarmed. The jury that convicted Moore, who is Black, had no Black jurists. Although the Supreme Court did not entirely agree with the inmates request for 13 weeks between executions, we nevertheless recognize that a reasonable interval between the issuance of death notices is warranted, the court wrote in its order signed by all five justices Friday. Sept. 27 would be the earliest the court could issue another notice of execution under its new timeline. Because state law requires executions to be scheduled four Fridays after the court releases the notice, Oct. 25 would be the earliest date to carry it out. The court did include an open-ended exception in its ruling, saying it could issue notices more quickly should circumstances warrant, according to Fridays order. State law does not specify how long the court must go between scheduling inmates for death. That opened up the potential for the court to schedule five executions in the span of five weeks, inmates attorneys said in their initial petition. Thats not unheard of for South Carolina. The state previously put six people to death over the span of seven weeks between December 1998 and January 1999, according to the attorney generals office. But scheduling executions in such quick succession raised a number of concerns, inmates attorneys argued. The speed could increase the possibility of an error, potentially causing an inmate to suffer as he died. If something did go wrong, executioners would not have time to learn from their mistakes or adjust protocols before the next execution. And staff members carrying out executions might suffer physically and mentally from the toll of having to put multiple people to death back to back, the attorneys wrote. The states attorneys called those concerns speculation. None have been a problem during previous executions, and Department of Corrections employees are ready to carry out their duties, the states attorneys wrote. Putting 13 weeks between executions would cause an unnecessary delay, the attorney generals office continued in its reply. Under the inmates proposal, only one more execution could be carried out this year and it would take all next year to complete executions that have been put on hold amid legal challenges over the states methods of execution. Order of executions The court on Friday also addressed a second question raised by inmates lawyers over the decision to schedule Owens execution first. It was because his conviction was the oldest, not because he was the first to run out of appeals, the court wrote in its Friday order. After Owens and Moore, the next to receive death warrants, in order, could be: Marion Bowman, 44, who was convicted in 2001 of killing a woman who he said owed him money and burning her body in Dorchester County. Brad Sigmon, 66, who was convicted in 2002 of killing his ex-girlfriends parents the year before in Greenville County. Mikal Mahdi, 41, who was convicted in 2006 of killing a gas station clerk and police officer during a multi-state crime spree that ended in Calhoun County. Steven Bixby, 57, who was convicted in 2007 of killing two police officers during a 12-hour standoff at his house in Abbeville County. Two other men have exhausted their appeals but are waiting for judges to decide whether they are mentally competent enough to be executed. Bixby has a pending appeal asking the Supreme Court to reopen part of his case, but because that falls outside the normal appeals process, it is possible for the state to issue him a death notice, according to the attorney generals office. The court is still considering whether Owens, who a jury convicted in 1999 of killing a gas station clerk during a string of robberies two years prior, can allow his attorney to decide how he will die. Owens signed his decision-making power to his attorney before the court scheduled his execution. While he does not want to die by electrocution, which legislators set as the default in 2021, Owens views deciding the way he will die as a means of suicide. So, he has a religious conviction against it, his attorney wrote in a Thursday legal filing. Inmates have the option to die by electrocution, lethal injection or firing squad after the state Supreme Court ruled last month that all three are constitutional. All three methods are ready for use, Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling testified in front of a judge Wednesday. BOSTON (WWLP) As Massachusetts prepares for the state primary election on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin has a warning for voters. According to Galvin, voters across multiple districts are receiving text messages claiming they are ineligible to vote. These messages, which tell receivers to click on a link to update their personal information, are a scam. No local officials, nor anyone else representing election administration in Massachusetts texts voters to do anything, said Galvin at a press conference. At best, these are mistaken efforts, maybe by campaigns. At worst, theyre more likely efforts to get personal information or contact with voters. Galvin warned voters not to give out personal information to anyone online and clarified that you can find your voter registration status on the Secretary of State website. In light of the potential that it has when you give out personal information you might think you have to provide to justify your status as a voter, it could create more problems, said Galvin. We dont want that to happen. The secretarys office is working with the proper authoritiesincluding the policeto learn more about these texts. At this time, they are not sure if the sender is from a campaign or even from Massachusetts. Secretary Galvin told 22News that viewers who receive a text like these scams should call his office or their local election office to report the incident. 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits the wrestling club RC Germania Potsdam in his constituency as an Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) member of the Bundestag. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described a deportation flight that departed for Afghanistan on Friday as a clear signal that the country would strictly enforce the law. "It is a clear signal: Those who commit crimes cannot count on us not deporting, but we will try to do so, as you can see in this case," Scholz said during an election campaign event for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) near the eastern city of Leipzig. "We have announced that we will also deport criminals back to Afghanistan. We prepared this carefully without talking about it too much, because such plans only succeed if you make an effort, if you do it carefully and very discreetly. That was done today," he said. Friday morning's flight to Afghanistan is the first time Germany has deported Afghans back to their home country since the hardline Islamist Taliban retook power in the country three years ago. According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, 28 Afghan men who had been convicted of criminal offences in Germany were on board the flight. (L-R) Hendrik Wuest, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Tim Kurzbach, Mayor of Solingen, Mona Neubaur, Deputy Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz lay white roses at a church near the scene of a knife attack at the 650th anniversary celebrations of the city of Solingen. Thomas Banneyer/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will both attend a memorial service on Sunday for victims of the fatal knife attack in the western city of Solingen, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Friday. It will be the second visit for Scholz to Solingen since the attack on August 23, in which a knife-wielding attacker killed three and wounded eight at a festival on the city's market square. On Monday, Scholz visited the scene and described the attack as an act of "terrorism against us all." The suspected attacker is a 26-year-old Syrian migrant who arrived in Germany via Bulgaria, and had been subject to a deportation order since 2023. The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the crime, although German authorities are still investigating the credibility of the claim. The attack, and the circumstances around a failed attempt to deport the suspect to Bulgaria, have reignited tense debates in Germany around asylum policy and possible reforms to EU migration rules. Scholz's government on Thursday announced a raft of new proposals to tighten gun laws, expand the powers of the security authorities and crack down on asylum seekers who aren't supposed to be in the country, including by slashing social benefits. The latest academic achievement data demonstrates the daunting task schools face in overcoming student learning loss across the state, including the Denver metro area, even as the COVID-19 pandemic is now in the rearview mirror. The modest gains in math and English are remarkably similar to last year, when state officials described the results as a stair step improvement and local educators called the scores disappointing. Colorado students showed a 1.3-point improvement in math and 0.4 points in English. Denver Public Schools (DPS) saw even smaller gains. The overall picture, however, showed that students' performance remains below pre-pandemic levels. Four years after the virus spread globally, Colorado students have not yet caught up. Just 31.2% of DPS students meet or exceeded expectations in math, a 0.9-point gain over last year, while 40.7% of students did so in English, a 0.4-point increase. Superintendent Alex Marrero touted the districts scores in an email to parents Wednesday. We are excited about the hard work that our students and educators, both at schools and centrally, continue to do to ensure quality learning experiences that yield increased achievement and growth, Marrero said. We acknowledge that there is still work to be done to get our scholars to where we want them to be. With 207 schools and more than 88,000 students, DPS is the states largest school district. In the 2018-2019 school year, 32.7% of DPS students met or exceeded expectations in math and 42.7% in English. That means the district is within 1.5 points of hitting pre-pandemic levels in math and 2 points in English. Even returning to pre-pandemic testing levels also means the majority of students are not meeting academic standards in math or English. These aren't put-a-man-on-the moon expectations, said Steve Katsaros, co-founder of the Parents Safety Advocacy Group, or P-SAG. P-SAG is a grassroots organization with more than 1,500 members that formed in the aftermath of the East High School shooting last year that injured two administrators. Parents, Katsaros said, should expect more. At best, it says we're stagnant, Katsaros said. Don't tell me its growth. Pre-pandemic levels On Thursday, the state board of education released school and district level results for the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, an annual measure of student success. Each spring, the state administers the CMAS test for reading and math for third through eighth graders. Students are also tested, to a lesser extent, in science and social studies. High schoolers take the SAT and PSAT administered by the College Board to measure college readiness. CMAS testing was not conducted in the 2019-2020 academic year. Officials have wrung their hands over the learning losses during the pandemic, when they shuttered schools over COVID-19 precautions that lead to a reliance on parents and remote learning during the first stages of the global pandemic. Our goal, ultimately, is to get to pre-pandemic levels, said Cesar Cedillo, DPS chief of schools. Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, maintained that will be difficult with larger classroom sizes, spurred, in part, he said, by the influx of immigrant students and teacher cuts. It kind of had a ripple effect, Gould said. The teachers union represents nearly 4,000 educators throughout Denver Public Schools. The learning environment continues to be a challenge, Gould said. Educators now consider 2019 scores a benchmark year. That education advocates say isnt good enough. This is our annual wake up call, said Brenda Dickhoner, president and CEO of Ready Colorado, which advocates for the ability of parents to send their children to which ever school or form of education they prefer. Its sad that this is where it is every year. Among the highlights from this years assessment: While participation during the pandemic dropped to an all-time low four years ago, it has been bouncing back, albeit slowly. Participation levels still trail the levels in 2019 when 69.4% of students took the test. Just 88.3% of students statewide participated, compared to 89.0% the previous school year. Colorado students hit a new high for meeting or exceeding expectations in math. English Language Arts scores showed continued improvement, nearing highs reached in 2017 and 2018. Statewide test data released last week revealed a mixed bag, with incremental gains compared to pre-pandemic scores among elementary students and big drops in high school math. Colorados sixth and seventh graders caught up in English and Language Arts, while grades third and fifth graders surpassed math scores compared to 2019. In Denver, while 20.9% of students in Spanish Language Arts met or exceeded expectations, 40.7% of their English Language Arts counterparts did so. While immigrant students buoyed Denvers enrollment numbers last school year, they are largely excluded from the testing data because of learning disruptions. Featured Local Savings A majority did not take the test, said Simone Wright, the DPS chief of academics. Part of our work Because of shifts in assessments fewer math problems and shorter reading and writing passages on the tests state officials did not assess student recovery from the pandemic as in previous years. To better understand and compare these CMAS scores, The Denver Gazette created a ranking by calculating a grand total by averaging math and literacy results. Of the 1,387 schools with sufficient enough data to rank, eight across the Denver metro region were among the states Top 10 performers. Schools in the Denver metro area also showed up in the 10 worst performing schools. Aurora Public Schools had the unenviable distinction of having the most schools in the bottom 10 performers with three campuses: Altura Elementary, ranked No. 1,378; Crawford Elementary No. 1,386; and, Aurora West College Preparatory Academy No. 1,387. Aurora school leaders said financial support, new curriculum and monthly academic appraisals have been implemented to help struggling schools. They are not the only schools that were lifting, said Nia Campbell, chief academic officer of Aurora Public Schools. Campbell added: There are different challenges and different ways we have to support, but thats just all part of our work. The state does not have a metric to rank the academic performances of districts or individual schools. In addition to ranking the academic performance of schools, The Denver Gazette also ranked Colorado school districts using the same metric. Out of 169 school districts across the state, Cheyenne Mountain 12 ranked No. 1. Located in southwestern Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain has an enrollment of roughly 3,800 students. An average of 69.6% students met or exceeded expectations in English, which represents a 1.5-point increase over last years scores. In math, the average was 59.9%, a 0.6% bump over the previous school year. DPS fell in the top third. Adams County 14 School District which has struggled for more than a decade with low academic performance remains among the states bottom 10 performing school districts. With just 7.7% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in math and 11.8% in English, Adams 14 is ranked No. 167 out of 169 school districts. Those scores are significantly below how students across the state performed. Statewide, 44.1% of students met or exceeded expectations in English and 34.2% in math. Diego Romero, an Adams 14 spokesperson, declined to comment. Data isnt a definer The testing data officials said should inform educators on how best to identify strategies that are working. But those strategies can be limiting for rural school districts with budgets that cannot afford to fund a curriculum director or data specialists. Take Centennial R-1 School District in San Luis. The school district is ranked dead last at 169. Centennial serves fewer than 200 students who are largely economically disadvantaged minority students, where fewer than 5% met or exceeded expectations in math and 10.8% in English. Superintendent Joe Garcia, who took the helm last month, said he came out of retirement to address the district's challenges. The way Garcia sees it, the problem is that education funding enjoys an economy of scale to the detriment of schools in rural communities. Funding for rural schools is not the top of the funding list, Garcia said. They take care of the I-25 corridor. Garcia added: In Colorado, we sit at the bottom. Until we change this (the funding), thats where well remain. What can get lost in all of the percentages DPS officials said is that one percentage point can represent thousands of students. Were not satisfied with our achievement results, said Wright, the academics chief. DPS ranked No. 59 in academic achievement among Colorados 169 school districts. That means DPS performed better than two-thirds of the states school districts. While state testing is common across the United States Nebraska is the only state without a mandate an anti-test sentiment resistant to teaching to the test has been simmering for at least the past decade. Some advocates assert that teaching to the test drains the professionalism out of the system and the joy of learning. Others argue the assessments offer an objective metric to measure whether children are, in fact, learning and educators are doing their job. Having recently received the CMAS scores, school leaders across the region are digesting the results and scanning the data for outliers, particularly those areas of improvement that can be replicated. The testing data officials said should inform educators on how best to identify strategies that are working. I think anything under 100% is disappointing, said Anthony Smith, deputy superintendent of schools. It is really an opportunity for us to look at our system. Smith added: Data isnt a definer. Its an opportunity to do better. An invisible, weak energy field wrapped around our planet Earth has finally been detected and measured. It's called the ambipolar field, an electric field first hypothesized more than 60 years ago, and its discovery will change the way we study and understand the behavior and evolution of our beautiful, ever-changing world. "Any planet with an atmosphere should have an ambipolar field," says astronomer Glyn Collinson of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Now that we've finally measured it, we can begin learning how it's shaped our planet as well as others over time." Earth isn't just a blob of dirt sitting inert in space. It's surrounded by all sorts of fields. There's the gravity field. We don't know a lot about gravity, especially considering how ubiquitous it is, but without gravity we wouldn't have a planet. Gravity also helps keep the atmosphere snug against the surface. There's also the magnetic field, which is generated by the rotating, conducting material in Earth's interior, converting kinetic energy into the magnetic field that spins out into space. This protects our planet from the effects of the solar wind and radiation, and also helps to keep the atmosphere from blowing away. Earth's North Pole, as seen by Endurance. The streaks in the sky are from lens flare. (NASA) In 1968, scientists described a phenomenon that we couldn't have noticed until the space age. Spacecraft flying over Earth's poles detected a supersonic wind of particles escaping from Earth's atmosphere. The best explanation for this was a third, electric energy field. "It's called the ambipolar field and it's an agent of chaos. It counters gravity, and it strips particles off into space," Collinson explains in a video. "But we've never been able to measure this before because we haven't had the technology. So, we built the Endurance rocket ship to go looking for this great invisible force." Here's how the ambipolar field was expected to work. Starting at an altitude of around 250 kilometers (155 miles), in a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere, extreme ultraviolet and solar radiation ionizes atmospheric atoms, breaking off negatively charged electrons and turning the atom into a positively charged ion. The lighter electrons will try to fly off into space, while the heavier ions will try to sink towards the ground. But the plasma environment will try to maintain charge neutrality, which results in the emergence of an electric field between the electrons and the ions to tether them together. This is called the ambipolar field because it works in both directions, with the ions supplying a downward pull and the electrons an upward one. The result is that the atmosphere is puffed up; the increased altitude allows some ions to escape into space, which is what we see in the polar wind. This ambipolar field would be incredibly weak, which is why Collinson and his team designed instrumentation to detect it. The Endurance mission, carrying this experiment, was launched in May 2022, reaching an altitude of 768.03 kilometers (477.23 miles) before falling back to Earth with its precious, hard-won data. And it succeeded. It measured a change in electric potential of just 0.55 volts but that was all that was needed. "A half a volt is almost nothing it's only about as strong as a watch battery," Collinson says. "But that's just the right amount to explain the polar wind." That amount of charge is enough to tug on hydrogen ions with 10.6 times the strength of gravity, launching them into space at the supersonic speeds measured over Earth's poles. Oxygen ions, which are heavier than hydrogen ions, are also lofted higher, increasing the density of the ionosphere at high altitudes by 271 percent, compared to what its density would be without the ambipolar field. What's even more exciting is that this is just the first step. We don't know the broader implications of the ambipolar field, how long it has been there, what it does, and how it has helped shape the evolution of our planet and its atmosphere, and possibly even the life on its surface. "This field is a fundamental part of the way Earth works," Collinson says. "And now we've finally measured it, we can actually start to ask some of these bigger and exciting questions." The research has been published in Nature. Related News Researchers have discovered an underwater mountain 900 miles off the coast of Chile which may contain as many as 20 previously undiscovered species, astonishing footage shows. ABC News and Astrobiology News reported that the 1.9-mile tall seamountone-third the height of Mount Everestwas discovered during a 28-day expedition to the Nazca Ridge, an underwater mountain range located in the southeast Pacific Ocean, overseen by Schmidt Ocean Institute. From a state-of-the-art research vessel, scientists used a remotely operated vehicle to gather images and samples of the sealife from the ridge. Before this exploration, researchers were unsure of the ridges exact location and height. At the Nazca Ridge, they discovered a plethora of potentially new creatures. These included urchins, anemones, several shrimp, a squat lobster, a sea toad, and two Bathyphysa siphonophores, which are colloquially known as flying spaghetti monsters for their clumpy appearance. Fossilized whale bones were also found at the site, which could pave the way for the discovery of a previously unknown type of ancient whale. Researchers plan to submit photos of each of the life forms to the Ocean Census, which will decide of they are indeed new species. However, verification can take up to several years. Notably, scientists also discovered a rare Casper octopus on the ridge, which has previously only been studied from dead samples. The Schmidt Institutes director, Jyotika Virmani, noted that these discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg, considering that only 26 percent of the ocean floor has been explored in such detail. Each exploration of a different underwater region "brings into focus a little more of the unknown seabed and life on our home planet, Virmani said. "Upon concluding our third expedition to the region, weve explored around 25 seamounts on the Nazca and Salas y Gomez Ridges," Tomas Ketter, a marine technician at the institute, explained. "We hope the data gathered from these expeditions will help inform future policies, safeguarding these pristine environments for future generations." Seattle-Tacoma International Airport started testing its systems impacted by the recent cyberattack as it prepares for the holiday weekend rush. The airport is expected to see more than half a million travelers as people are scheduling their last trips of the summer during Labor Day weekend. Were already in the beginning of whats going to be our busiest Labor Day travel period of the history of this airport, said Greg Hawko, federal security director for TSA, who oversees nine airports across Washington. But to make matters more complicated, SEA Airport is still dealing with the aftermath of Saturdays cyberattack, which wiped out some of its systems. While most major airlines are no longer seeing any significant issues, common-used systems, which are often used by international airlines and carriers that do not have a major presence at the airport, are still down, Perry Cooper, SEA Airport spokesperson said. Today, I had to come very early, and now I had to stand in this long queue, said Nagashree Jain, who was waiting in line for her flight to India. Electronic flight information boards and baggage claim boards across the airport are still down. SEA Airport started testing its impacted systems Thursday. While theres no timeline on when the systems will be back up and running, Cooper said the airport is taking the necessary steps to avoid any possible issues in the future. We actually started testing some of those common-used systems today and working to get them back online so part of the whole process though is we got to make sure everything is safe and tested before we can bring them back online, he shared. As of Thursday, there are no details behind the cyberattack. While the impacted systems are down, volunteers are currently walking around their airport to help families, while posted signs are helping to guide traffic amid the holiday rush, Cooper added. They are adding more people to try and get people in and checked in earlier. But with the internationals, in particular, theyre going to wait until everyone is checked in, got their baggage loaded, because theyre flying once, maybe twice a day, he said. Aaron Easton, an airport terminal planner, volunteered to help passengers Thursday. Honestly, just a lot of people needing a bit of help, he described his interaction with travelers. It is a main throughput for several airlines, so they just stationed me here to answer questions. Try to help anybody that needs a little bit of guidance. However, a few travelers told KIRO 7 News that they are still facing issues. I talked with a few of the agents, they got walking around, the help agents, they told me some numbers. My bag wasnt there, said Connor Klein. Theres nothing they can do about it. Nothing I can do about it. Holding no grudges. Nancy Mapes, who flew from Phoenix, said Its a little frustrating because theres no signage. Theres no one to direct traffic. Some Seattle Public Schools are cutting back on screen time as kids return to the classroom. On Thursday, students at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School picked up new Yondr pouches, which are secure bags for them to lock their phones away for the day. When you go in, you have to have it locked up and then when you walk out of the school, you can unlock it, 8th grader Malcolm explained. When a student enters school, their phone will be put into an individual canvas bag that requires an unlocking base to reopen. It will then be given back to the student, but they wont be able to use their phone until the bag is unlocked at the end of the day. Find more information in this document. The cellphone lock bags are meant to create better connections between students without smartphones or smart watches. Itll help me actually like stay with my friends more because Ill actually be able to talk to them and just wont be on their phones as much, Malcolm added. The school says teachers can no longer compete with phones in the classroom. They said the distractions are nonstop on social media. Gotta control screen time. Everyones on their screens, said parent Percy Padua. Parents that KIRO 7 spoke to are on board with the new approach to reducing screen time. I mean just to focus on school, to focus on the teachers and learning right. I mean theyre distracted a lot so I think its helpful to not have those things, Padua added. Some students felt like this was a rash decision that couldve used more reinforcement rather than action. I dont like it, 8th grader Adriana added. Especially at lunch like I dont know. I just wanna be on my phone at lunch. Some students believe there wasnt an issue with classroom engagement to begin with. They feel like phasing out phones invites other types of distractions. Its not something distracting us like if were like on a break, Ariana explained. I feel if they like this and people are gonna try to talk to their friends more like even more distracting and during class, said 8th grader Luke. Hamilton International Middle School will also be testing out these new pouches. According to the company that makes the pouches, Yondr, one million students use the pouches each school day, including one other school in Washington state. The company said the schools using its pouches report: 83% increase in student engagement in the classroom 74% improvement in student behavior 65% increase in academic performance. The ink may scarcely be dry on Fresnos new ordinance banning homeless camping on sidewalks, parks, railroad rights of way and other public land that will take effect in mid-September. Now the Fresno City Council has taken the first step toward adopting a second law that targets loitering and trespassing at private businesses, closing a loophole that backers say exists in the citys current laws. Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, Mike Karbassi and Tyler Maxwell introduced an ordinance at Thursdays council meeting to strengthen the ability of local businesses to compel trespassers to leave when theyre asked. It received a unanimous 7-0 vote, and will be up for final approval on Sept. 12. If it passes, it would take effect in mid-October. Violations of the ordinance would be considered a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $1,000 or one year in jail. The newly proposed ordinance comes two weeks after the City Council adopted a new law that prohibits sleeping or camping on sidewalks and in sensitive use areas, such as schools, parks and libraries, for example. The sponsors of that ordinance said the measure is aimed at homeless people who habitually defy requests to move their makeshift camps and refuse offers of social services or other assistance. The no-camping rule and the adoption of a similar ordinance by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors covering unincorporated areas of the county, came on the heels of two recent developments regarding homeless encampments: The newest proposed law discussed Thursday states that no person shall willfully remain upon any business premises, whether indoors or outdoors, after being notified by the owner, lessee or other person in charge to leave. It would also forbid a person from entering the business premises without the express or implied permission of the owner if they have already been told to stay off or stay away from the business. The ordinance only applies during business hours, Maxwell said Thursday. A violation would be deemed a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or by a jail term of up to one year, or both. The loophole really was during business hours in places where the public had access, even through its private property, City Attorney Andrew Janz told the council. Prosecutors, he said, have been challenged because of how judges have interpreted public access to private property. Janz added that Fresnos proposed ordinance is based on similar laws in other cities that have not been legally challenged. Because violations would run afoul of the citys municipal code, it would be his officenot the Fresno County District Attorneys Officethat would prosecute the cases in court. Why is it needed? In introducing the ordinance, the council members sponsoring the law said that even after passing the no-camping ordinance on Aug. 15, they have received ongoing complaints from business owners about homeless loitering on their private property. Bredefeld said the proposal is intended to address businesses on private property doing business with the public, and not allowing people to abuse their property, harass their customers, in essence trespass, specifically when theyre asked to leave and they dont. This gives the opportunity for the property owner to notify the police to remove these folks who are creating this kind of mayhem. Karbassi added that the law targets problem behavior, not the homeless. Being homeless is absolutely not a crime, but there are certain behaviors that are unacceptable, he said. This is the right thing to do. Were not criminalizing anyone for being homeless, but we are holding people accountable if they exhibit behaviors that threaten the liberty and economic opportunity of other innocent Fresnans. Maxwell said private property such as homes that are not open to the public are protected by very clear loitering and trespassing laws. For whatever reason, that same policy does not apply to private businesses that are open to the public, he added. If they have the same sort of trespass and vagrancy issues and people refuse to leave, you can call 911, but theres no assurance that (police) are going to be able to help because we dont have anything on the books to enforce. On Thursday, Bredefeld asserted that many of the homeless absolutely reject help and live on the streets and create problems for businesses, their employees and their customers. Its our job to ensure that the rights of private property owners who do business with the public are respected and protected, said Bredefeld, who also was a sponsor of the no-camping ordinance. Northern Kentucky University no longer has a diversity office, its president has announced. (NKU photo) A second Kentucky public university has disbanded its diversity office under pressure from Republican lawmakers. Cady Short-Thompson Northern Kentucky University President Cady Short-Thompson wrote in an email to campus: The circumstances under which universities across the Commonwealth and the country find themselves, coupled with the legislative priorities of state leaders for the upcoming session, require universities to change. Short-Thompson announced in the Thursday email that she was dissolving the Office of Inclusive Excellence after Chief Diversity Officer Darryl Peal stepped down from his role. Short-Thompson also announced interim employees who will oversee Title IX regulations and investigations at NKU. On Aug. 20, the University of Kentucky announced it was disbanding its Office for Institutional Diversity and would establish a new Office for Community Relations. UK President Eli Capilouto also cited political concerns in his email to the campus. While university members share the value that out of many people, we are one community, Capilouto wrote, the university has also listened to policymakers and heard many of their questions about whether we appear partisan or political on the issues of our day. Republican lawmakers target diversity in higher ed The closings come on the heels of legislative scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives in higher education both in Kentucky and across the country. Republicans pushed anti-DEI bills during Kentuckys 2024 session, although none were enacted. One policy change did make it through the session. The Republican-controlled legislature changed the formula for performance-based funding of higher education to prohibit the use of any race-based metrics or targets. Criticism of diversity programs has continued during the legislative interim as Republican lawmakers have challenged university officials. During an Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting in July, Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, asked Short-Thompson how her son, who will soon go to college, could feel welcomed at an institution like NKU when there are no organizations specifically for white students. Other public universities are expected to give presentations on DEI during the committees September meeting. University of Louisville spokesperson John Karman told the Lantern Thursday that there are no plans to eliminate the UofL Office of Institutional Equity. According to the offices website, it oversees initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive excellence at UofL and offers resources and training to the campus and community. The office serves all UofL students as they progress and complete their degrees, Karman said. The success of all our students is UofLs highest priority. Revisiting, reviewing Other higher education officials in Kentucky told the Lantern that they are revisiting their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) resources and reviewing how to best meet the needs of all students. Aaron Thompson, the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education said in a Thursday afternoon interview with the Kentucky Lantern that CPE and public universities have had discussions about how to ensure they are serving all students and that he hopes to continue the conversations in the next legislative session. My goal is to try to show people exactly the power we have by inclusion and having people feeling like they belong on a campus, no matter what their backgrounds are, he said. CPE oversees Kentuckys public universities and community colleges. My goal is to try to show people exactly the power we have by inclusion and having people feeling like they belong on a campus, no matter what their backgrounds are, he said. Thompson added that CPE specifically is reviewing what it means for us to make sure that were pushing policy and design that will serve all of our students. That will look like an access and success mission, he said. CPE is asking itself guiding questions like: Are we getting students from our population groups that are needing to get into college to get a degree that will become part of our economic development system? If not, Thompson said, then we need to make sure we work on getting those students. Its our goal the campuses and my goal to continue to work in ways that we serve students, and we invite all students to come to us, Thompson said. We would always want any student to feel like theyre welcome in our doors and that they, in fact, are going to come to us and get the kind of degree or credential that they need when they leave our doors to have a well paying job, and hopefully they all stay in Kentucky. Western Kentucky University is committed to a safe and welcoming campus with top-ranked faculty and staff, ethical and transparent policies and a thriving, diverse student body prepared for success as global citizens, spokesperson Jace Lux said in a statement. Our focus is not on programs, initiatives or activities but rather about fostering a sense of belonging so that every individual who comes to our campus to study, teach, live, compete or visit finds their place and recognizes that they are an integral part of our community, Lux continued. As always, we will monitor all legislation that could affect higher education throughout the upcoming legislative session. Murray State University said in a statement that its Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access is focused on equal opportunity including Title IX and operates in a compliance function for complaints, investigations and training regarding illegal discrimination and illegal harassment consistent with the Universitys non discrimination statement, per state and federal laws. This office has a responsibility for remaining impartial and therefore holds no advocacy role, MSU said. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Second teen charged with murder in shooting death of popular KC chef Shaun Brady A second juvenile has been charged with murder in Wednesdays fatal shooting of popular chef and restaurant owner Shaun Brady. Brady, who co-owned Irish restaurant Brady & Fox in east Brookside, was taking out the trash outside his restaurant on Wednesday evening when he became involved in a fatal confrontation with multiple juveniles around a car. Brady suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to police, and died shortly after the shooting at a local hospital. The teenage boy, who has not been publicly named, was charged with second-degree murder and attempted stealing, both felonies. Both charges were filed in Jackson County juvenile court on Friday, according to court spokesperson Scott Lauck. A second teen boy was charged with second-degree murder, felony attempted vehicle theft and unlawful use of a weapon in Jackson County family court on Thursday. Both teens, who have not been named publicly due to their age, were arrested within an hour of the shooting. Mandatory certification hearings will follow to determine whether the teens will be tried as adults. Sutherland Institute President and SEO Rick Larsen, left, moderates a discussion with Utah Sen. Mike Lee at the Sutherland Institute's 2023 Congressional Series at the Hinckley Institute on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. The voter registration bill Lee co-sponsored, known as the SAVE Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship before people can register to vote in federal elections. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Congress will need to pass a bill in September to fund the government to stave off a potential shutdown. Utah Sen. Mike Lee wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to attach a voter ID bill to the must-pass spending bill, and Johnson is reportedly considering the idea. The voter registration bill, known as the SAVE Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship before people can register to vote in federal elections. Lee and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, sponsored the bill, which came after Johnson, R-La., went to Mar-a-Lago to discuss election integrity with former President Donald Trump. The SAVE Act would simply require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, something the vast majority of Americans support, said Lee in a statement. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats do not agree, and will not voluntarily bring up the SAVE Act for a vote. Thats why Speaker Johnson is adopting our strategy to attach it to a must-pass continuing resolution, which will fund the federal government into early 2025. Are Democrats willing to withhold funding for the entire federal government rather than secure American elections? I hope not, continued Lee. A spokesperson for Johnson did not return a request for comment. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Roy referred the Deseret News to an interview Roy did on the War Room podcast. There Roy said he thought the SAVE Act should be attached to any of the upcoming appropriations bills. He said he is working with Johnson and House Republicans, and is pretty confident House Republicans will bring up a continuing resolution with the SAVE Act attached during the first week of September. While Johnson is considering attaching the voter ID bill to a continuing resolution, top staffers for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have reportedly argued against attaching the SAVE Act to a spending bill. They cited fears Democrats would try to attach a bill requiring states with voting rights violations to seek federal approval before changing their voting laws. One fear is such a move would open the door for Democrats to tack on their own voting-related legislation, two GOP aides familiar with the conversation told Axios. Congress needs to pass spending bills before Sept. 30 in order to keep the government running. A spending bill with the SAVE Act attached is unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate and President Joe Biden said he would not sign the bill. But in July, the House passed the SAVE Act. It passed mostly along party lines, with five Democrats voting for it (two from Texas, one each from Maine, North Carolina and Washington). The Houses top Republican has indicated his strong support of the bill. Johnson threw his weight behind the SAVE Act when Lee and Roy introduced it. At a press conference where the three men spoke, Johnson said given the razor-thin election margins and number of noncitizens in the U.S., election results could be different if noncitizens cast ballots. Amid news of McConnells staffers arguing against attaching the SAVE Act to a continuing resolution, Johnson signaled his willingness to do so. I can verify for you that the SAVE Act is a big part of this conversation, said Johnson, on a press call last week, The Hill reported. And it is not just the Freedom Caucus it is members across the conference who share the same concern that we do about this. And we believe its one of the perhaps the most urgent issue, the most imminent threat facing the country, is the integrity of this election cycle. Rep. Andy Biggs had told The Hill that he thought Johnson might actually attach the SAVE Act to a spending bill, but was unsure of the outcome that would follow. The question really would be, does it get out of the House? And I dont know. The Arizona Republican said it would be better to do actual spending bills rather than a continuing resolution. The House Freedom Caucus came out earlier this month in favor of attaching the SAVE Act to a continuing resolution, should Congress fail to negotiate spending bills. The conservative voting bloc made its official position known in a statement encouraging Republican leadership to leverage its position in the September spending bills to pass the bill. The caucus said House Republicans should pass all 12 bills to make spending cuts. If unsuccessful, in the inevitability that Congress considers a continuing resolution, government funding should be extended into early 2025 to avoid a lame duck omnibus that preserves Democrat spending and policies well into the next administration, the statement said, adding they want the continuing resolution to include the SAVE Act. The Biden administration issued a statement opposing the SAVE Act in July. This bill would do nothing to safeguard our elections, but it would make it much harder for all eligible Americans to register to vote and increase the risk that eligible voters are purged from voter rolls, said the statement, adding the administration thought noncitizen voting was extraordinary rare. Do other countries have voter ID laws? In most other Western democracies, voters are required to show ID to vote. For example, in France, a voter needs to provide proof of citizenship to vote. In the U.K., voters need to provide a photo ID to vote as well. According to The Guardian, other European countries including Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Italy have voter ID laws. Most the 38 member countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development expect voters to show ID when they vote, according to The New York Times. There is a difference between the U.S. and some of these countries like France and Greece with how IDs are issued many countries have national ID laws, while the U.S. allows states to set requirements and issue IDs (most commonly, a drivers license). Voter-ID requirements are the norm in many countries, as Republicans are fond of pointing out. But so are national ID cards, wrote Russell Berman for The Atlantic. In places such as France and Germany, citizens pick up their identity card when they turn 16 and present it once theyre eligible to vote. Political scientist Magdalena Krajewska estimated at least 170 out of almost 200 countries have currently or will have a form of national ID, Berman wrote. While some like Berman have expressed support for a national ID, others see it as government overreach. Polling data among U.S. adults shows widespread bipartisan support for voter ID laws. Eighty-one percent of Americans said in a 2024 Pew Research Center survey they support requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote, with 95% of Republicans and 69% of Democrats saying they support ID requirements. A 2022 Gallup poll showed 79% of Americans surveyed said they support requiring photo ID to vote. A political difference was more visible in this poll: 97% of Republicans, 84% of independents and 53% of Democrats supported the measure. In both of these polls, respondents also said they want citizens to be automatically registered to vote. States looking at voter rolls A handful of states have taken a closer look at their voter rolls as the conversation about the SAVE Act has stretched on. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen issued a press release on Aug. 13 saying he identified 3,251 people who were given noncitizen identification numbers by the Department of Homeland Security on voting rolls. Allen said some of the people on the list may have become naturalized citizens since they were given the noncitizen ID number. In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose launched an audit of the states database earlier this year. Weve so far identified 597 individuals whove registered to vote in Ohio despite not being citizens of the United States, said LaRose in a statement, adding 138 of those individuals appeared to have cast a ballot in an Ohio election. He said some of these registrations could be honest mistakes. We need to help them get that cleared up before an accidental registration becomes an illegal vote that could result in a felony conviction or even deportation, said LaRose. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order with the aim of protecting the casting of legal ballots. The order said between January 2022 and July 2024, the state removed 6,303 noncitizens from the voter rolls. Call me crazy, but I think American elections should be decided by American citizens, and Virginia elections should be decided by Virginians, Youngkin told Fox News. He said the executive order was important because it ensured the voter rolls were accurate. Sen. Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) will face Republican Billy Prempeh in November. (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor) Democratic officials selected state Sen. Nellie Pou on Thursday to replace the late Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. on the November ballot as the Democratic Party nominee in the 9th Congressional District. Pou won the uncontested nomination by a voice vote of more than 400 Democratic committee members at a convention held at the Passaic County Technical Institute. She will face Republican Billy Prempeh in November. If elected in November, she would be the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress. The 9th District is heavily Latino and Hispanic, with the community making up more than 40% of the population. She noted the pivotal moment in history in her acceptance speech. As I take this step, the significance of being the first Latina to serve in Congress from New Jersey ignites my heart and lifts up my spirit reinforcing in me our most sacred pledge: to defend every person no matter where they come from, no matter who they are, or what they look like, or who they love, she said. Her nomination comes eight days after the 87-year-old congressman died following a prolonged hospital stay. Pascrells funeral was held Wednesday. His death prompted a week-long scramble for a new candidate, with a deadline of Aug. 29 to fill primary nominee vacancies for the general election. It swiftly became a crowded field, with Pou, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Passaic), and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Passaic) jumping into the race. Pou received the backing of the Democratic chairs of Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties parts of which make up the 9th District over the weekend. Sayegh suspended his campaign Monday, and Sumter withdrew from the race Tuesday. Wimberly, who had picked up endorsements from labor groups and faith leaders, dropped his bid Wednesday. Pou, 68, has served in the Legislature since 1997, when she succeeded Pascrell in the Assembly after he left for Congress. She joined the state Senate in 2012 and currently serves as the majority caucus chair. She has also served as chair of the state Legislative Latino Caucus since 2006 and was elected president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators in 2021. This is the second special convention Democrats have held in recent months to find successors for members of Congress who have died. In July, Democratic officials chose LaMonica McIver to replace the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. on the November ballot in the 10th Congressional District. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The man accused of causing the death of 62-year-old Dorothy King in an alleged April carjacking attempt outside the South Academy Boulevard bingo hall intends to plead not guilty to all charges. Nathaniel Buchmann, 33, appeared in court Thursday for a plea hearing where his attorney informed the court that he intends to plead not guilty on all charges, and will take his case to trial. Buchmann faces 13 charges for allegedly causing Kings death at the bingo hall including second-degree murder, robbery, first-degree motor vehicle theft and eight habitual criminal sentence enhancers. According to previous reporting from The Gazette, Buchmann is suspected of attacking King in the parking lot of Bingo World at 272 S. Academy Blvd., on the afternoon of April 17. Footage described in the affidavit showed a man approaching King and her truck in the parking lot before the video began a new file. Some time later the man was seated in the truck while King leaned inside. The affidavit said the man was observed thrusting a knife toward King. The driver of the truck then reversed over Kings foot and ran over her after she fell to the ground. King was pronounced dead at the parking lot, with a laceration on her torso consistent with a knife wound. Despite announcing the intention to plead not guilty, Buchmann will not do so until his new plea hearing date on Oct. 2. The plea hearing was delayed due to attorneys and the courts desire to have the trial in February or March of next year, and a plea on Thursday would have made having trial within Buchmanns speedy trial timeframe, which is a defendants right to a trial within six months of entering a plea, difficult. Featured Local Savings In addition to the open homicide case, Buchmann had a prolific criminal history according to the case affidavit, including two previous convictions for motor vehicle theft from 2019 and 2021. Buchmann was out on bond on motor vehicle theft and criminal mischief charges at the time of his arrest for Kings murder. According to the court documents, he also had an outstanding arrest warrant issued April 16 in a carjacking incident during which a woman was forced out of a pickup truck while in her driveway. The court ruled Thursday that Buchmanns two additional open criminal cases in El Paso County where he is accused of motor vehicle theft and criminal mischief will be put on pause until the open homicide case is resolved. Buchmann appeared to court in custody of the El Paso County jail. He faces a $1 million bond in the homicide case to be released from custody as well as a $50,000 bond and a $75,000 bond in his two additional open criminal cases in El Paso County. Senate District 28 candidates have harsh words for McKee, but few criticisms of one another From left: Senate District 28 Democrats Darrell Brown, Melissa Carden, John Croke, Bernice Morris, and Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis Vargas partipate in a public forum at Cranston's William Hall Library on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current) Competition abounds, but contention was noticeably absent from a public forum featuring the five Democratic candidates vying to represent District 28 in the Rhode Island Senate. From a shared critique of Gov. Dan McKees handling of the Washington Bridge crisis, to the best district eats The Big Cheese & Pub in Cranston won top marks with three of the five the contenders seemed to agree on topics both political and personal during the one-hour forum at Cranstons William Hall Library. The event was hosted by the Cranston Public Library and The Cranston Herald. The five-way Democratic primary will decide who fills the open seat representing parts of Providence and Cranston, because there are no Republican or unaffiliated candidates. Candidates openly acknowledged their shared viewpoints, seeking to differentiate themselves based on their resumes rather than their policy positions. You wont find many policy differences between us, said Darrell Brown, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation of Rhode Island. The real question is, who is best positioned to put those priorities into action? Brown leaned heavily on his environmental experience, pushing for more accountability against industrial polluters along Allens Avenue and the Port of Providence. But other candidates also stressed environmental priorities, from improving infrastructure to protect against flooding, to passing the much-debated bottle bill, which would set up a deposit-refund program for recyclable glass and plastic cans and bottles. Housing also featured prominently, especially for candidate Bernice Morris, who has worked for 11 years as a senior director for Crossroads Rhode Island. I am a community advocate, Morris said. I just sort of show up for the things I care about. Thats why I am running because I want to do that from the General Assembly. Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis Vargas, meanwhile, referenced her city voting record during her two-year term as evidence of her commitment to a diverse and inclusive perspective. Vargas also works as chief administrative officer for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. Case in point: Vargas answer to the last book she read was the city council budget. I am not a one-issue candidate, she said. My voting record speaks for itself. While Vargas is the only candidate to have held elected office, shes not the only contender familiar to Smith Hill. Melissa Carden, executive director for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, flexed her advocacy muscle in helping push for a safe storage law, which passed during the 2024 legislative session. I am a doer, whether it is cleaning up plastic in Stillhouse Cove, raising money for the Roger Williams Park Conservancy or fighting for gun safety, Carden said. Four shared harsh critiques of Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr, answering no when asked if they had faith in his ability to manage the I-195 westbound bridge demolition and rebuild. The one exception: John Croke, a self-described optimist who hoped Alviti could turn things around. Croke, a systems analyst at Providence College, made frequent references to his community roots as a third-generation resident, capping off the remarks by reminding forum moderator, former Rhode Island Associate Justice Edward Clifton, that he went to school with Cliftons nieces and nephews. Yet Croke, along with his four opponents, all gave McKee poor marks for his transparency, and promised accountability over contractors responsible for the structural oversights with the Washington Bridge. Sen. Josh Miller, who is vacating the seat after 18 years in office, was among the standing room-only crowd. Miller has not made an endorsement in the race, nor does he plan to, he told Rhode Island Current. There are too many good people, he said. Only two of the five Brown and Croke have received campaign donations from Miller, according to state campaign finance reports, which reflect contributions through Aug. 12. However, Miller said he planned to contribute to everyone in the race. The primary is Sept. 10. Early voting continues through Sept. 9. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) State senator Jake Oliveira stopped in Springfield Thursday to present a $75,000 check to the Forest Park Zoo. This check will support the centers workforce, economic development, travel, tourism, and wildlife conservation. The nonprofit holds 225 animals, including chickens, parrots, and foxes who made a special appearance at the presentation. Senator Oliveira told 22News, This is a great place for multi-generational families can go and enjoy a fun, and safe afternoon. Forest Park Zoo has been open for decades. They also host events for all ages, like the Brew in the Zoo, Wine Safari, and multiple education programs. 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. The Fishers Landing Fire Department will be hosting a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. until all are served on Sunday, September 1. The event will be at the fire hall at 42038 County Road 195 in Fishers Landing and is drive-thru only. The cost is $13 for a full meal and $8 for half-chickens. Full meals consist of chicken, salt potatoes, beans and a roll. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An ice sculpture of a teal ovarian cancer awareness ribbon was crafted by a Stage 3 cancer survivor. September is ovarian cancer awareness month, with events planned throughout the country to raise awareness about it. Photo by Jennifer Boyer/Flickr Aug. 30 (UPI) -- September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and again this year efforts to raise awareness about the difficult-to-detect disease will be held across the country, starting with a presidential proclamation issued Friday. Calling the affliction "the deadliest of all female reproductive system cancers," President Joe Biden launched nationwide awareness efforts by proclaiming September 2024 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. "This year alone, nearly 20,000 women will be diagnosed with this terrible disease," Biden said in a statement. "During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the memories of all the women we have tragically lost. We reaffirm our support for all the brave women living with ovarian cancer and all those who have survived it. "And we thank their loved ones, who stand loyally by their side, and the medical researchers, health care providers, and caretakers who fight tirelessly to save lives every day," he added. Early detection key One of most confounding things about ovarian cancer is that, if it is detected in its early localized stages, the five-year survival rate for patients is 91%, according to the National Cancer Institute. But because there is still no reliable method for asymptomatic screening and detection, ovarian cancer diagnoses often don't come until it is too late to stop its spread. While there are no symptoms specific to ovarian cancer, most women diagnosed with the disease experience such things as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or urinary symptoms. However, these symptoms are often overlooked until after a diagnosis has already been made, and for that reason advocates say the key to early detection is raising awareness of the risks. Together in Teal The flagship effort to raise awareness is the Together in TEAL campaign organized by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. During September, the group is hosting 11 events across the country to advance its mission of "saving lives through the prevention and cure of ovarian cancer and to improve the quality of life for survivors and their caregivers." In-person events will be held in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Annapolis, Md., West Des Moines, Ia., Long Island, N.Y., Orlando, Fla., Wheaton, Ill., Gilbert, Ariz., and San Marcos, Texas. Virtual events will also be held. The color teal is the symbol for ovarian cancer awareness and teal-colored ribbons are often used to promote awareness. That will be the case on Labor Day in New York City where 30 volunteers will tie such ribbons around trees in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood. Later in the month on Sept. 26, the Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Central South Carolina will hold its annual Cathy B. Novinger Butterfly Release for Ovarian Cancer at the State House in Columbia. Raising awareness, research funding Businesses also are contributing to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Creation L, an online fashion brand based in Jacksonville, Fla., announced this week it raised $15,000 for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's awareness efforts in August after committing to donate $1 from every item sold over a six-day span. The company also announced it will be participating in NOCC's Together in Teal Walk in Orlando on Sept. 28, during which Sarina Douzart, merchandising and marketing specialist at Creation L, will present the donation. In a statement, Douzart said her company wants to "amplify the conversation" about this type of cancer and its effect on women, especially those older than 60 and who are most affected by it. "By partnering with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, we hope to make a significant difference in raising awareness and funding research that can ultimately save lives," she said. PARIS Serbia agreed to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets from Frances Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet, in a deal which French President Emmanuel Macron called a strategic change for the Balkan country that maintains ties with Russia and China. The contract for nine single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters is worth 2.7 billion (US$3 billion), according to French media, citing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The purchase price includes an auxiliary logistics package, spare engines and parts, Vucic said at a press conference, Reuters reported. Macron hailed Serbias choice of Rafale as positive for Europe, seeking to stave off criticism over France selling a highly capable fighter to a non-NATO member and Russia ally that doesnt recognize the independence of neighboring Kosovo. The country has typically relied on Russia and more recently China for much of its military equipment. Its great news because its a change, and in so doing, it contributes to peace in Europe, Macron said. Serbia has other partners, a history of these partnerships, but its an opening, a strategic change, despite a lot of pressure. Its real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe. Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Serbian Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic signed the contract for the Rafale sale in Belgrade in the presence of Macron and Vucic, the company said in an emailed statement Thursday night. The contract testifies to the determination of both presidents to make this partnership a success, the company said. Serbia has been looking at Europe-based suppliers to replace some of its ageing flying equipment, taking delivery of two Airbus C295 transport aircraft in September last year. Croatia and Greece operate the Rafale, and Macron said Serbia joining the club is a tremendous opportunity for regional integration. Macron said Dassault Aviation typically takes all precautions to protect French intellectual property and know-how, calling for confidence in the firm and the French defense ministry to have done everything to the highest standards, just as we have done in all the countries where similar contracts have been signed. Serbia is buying the planes in the F3 configuration with delivery by 2029, and the purchase price doesnt include armaments such as missiles and bombs, French newspaper La Tribune reported, without saying where it got the information. Vucic said the jets will be delivered with MBDAs Mica medium-range, air-to-air missile rather than the more sophisticated long-range Meteor, according to Reuters. France in December ordered an additional 42 Rafale jets in a deal worth more than 5 billion, while Indonesia in January placed an order for 18 of the aircraft as the final tranche of a 2022 deal. Dassault Aviations flurry of Rafale orders could challenge the companys target to start deliveries three years from contract signature, the International Institute for Strategic Studies said in January . The company said in July the production ramp-up of the Rafale continues to be impacted by supply-chain disruptions in the aerospace industry. Serbia signs $3 billion deal for French fighter jets in shift away from Moscow Serbia signed a $3 billion purchase agreement for 12 French Rafale fighter jets, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Aug. 29. The agreement signals a shift away from Moscow, Serbia's longstanding ally and arms supplier. The announcement comes during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade to discuss Serbia's path toward EU membership. Vucic hailed France's support for Serbia's "European path" and the two countries' future military cooperation. "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 during a joint press conference. "Serbia's place is in the EU, and it has a role to play to be an example for all the region." Vucic said the Rafale warplanes "will contribute to a significant increase in the operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces." The weapons sale has provoked concerns that Serbia could share Western military technology with Russia. Vucic dismissed this idea when the question arose during the press conference. "For the first time in history Serbia has Western jets," he said. "You wish to have Serbia as a partner and then you voice suspicions?" Serbia's ties to Russia have led Belgrade to abstain from joining sanctions against Moscow, though Vucic has called Ukraine "a friendly country" and sent humanitarian aid to Kyiv. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraines F-16 fighter jet crashes, killing pilot Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. After Sergio Pino died by suicide last month as the FBI raided his home, multiple conflicts have arisen within the Miami-Dade developers company, Century Homebuilders Group, and in probate court about how the wealthy businessmans fortunes should be distributed. Before his death, Pino was worth at least $150 million, though it is unclear what the total value of his estate is. In recent weeks, his estranged wife, Tatiana Pino, and his brother, Carlos Pino, have clashed over who should serve as the representative of the estate. Tatiana has since stepped into the role of president at Century, rankling some at the company. Also hanging over the probate proceeding: a hefty multimillion-dollar estate tax that the IRS is expected to impose in the aftermath of Pinos death, as well as the federal criminal prosecution of nine men who are accused of conspiring with him in an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting Tatiana. Right now, one of Centurys banks, Seacoast, has frozen several of the companys accounts, including its funds used for home-construction projects, according to an Aug. 20 complaint filed by the bank. The bank has asked for a declaratory judgment about the ownership of the accounts so it can unfreeze the assets. Resolving that dispute is considered one of the critical factors in further developing Centurys projects. Sergio Pino, 67, was the founder of Century Homebuilders Group, which is said to be the largest Hispanic-owned home builder in the U.S. He died by suicide on July 16 as FBI agents attempted to raid his home and arrest him for his alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot targeting his estranged wife. Tatiana Pino, 55, had filed for divorce in April 2022 after she came to believe Sergio was poisoning her with fentanyl fears the FBI later validated in its investigative reports. In the years after Tatiana filed the divorce papers, she and her sister reported a series of threats that included an armed attack, a hit-and-run and multiple arsons. Now, weeks after federal investigators announced that those threats were part of a larger plot orchestrated by Sergio Pino, Tatianas sister Aurora Linares has sued his estate, seeking financial compensation for the emotional distress she says she endured. Linares, who was the target of two separate arson attacks allegedly carried out by men hired by Sergio, is suing for $30 million in damages in connection with the attacks. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the estate. Sergio and Tatiana Pino in an undated photo Tatiana and Sergio Pino had been fighting in divorce court about how to divide their assets for more than two years. Though the dissolution of marriage case was dismissed last month following Sergios death, similar conflicts persist in probate court over the division of Sergios assets and estate. In fact, the number of interested parties has broadened to include Sergios four children, his brother and his business associates, with the potential to complicate the already contentious proceedings. Tatiana Pino is now seeking a declaratory judgment to confirm that she owns Century Homebuilders Group outright based on the fact that she and Sergio held all the equity in the company as husband and wife. Tatiana claims she and her late husband owned Century together as tenants by the entirety, according to the companys operating agreement. That would mean they both owned 100% of the company and their joint interests could not be divided except by a divorce decree or another agreement. In a November deposition in the divorce case, even Sergio Pino said he believed that he and Tatiana owned Century together as tenants by the entirety, though he said he was not entirely sure. Since Sergio died before the couples divorce was finalized, that would leave Tatiana with 100% ownership of the company unless anyone challenging her can overcome her claim in probate court. Tatiana is now listed online as the president of Century. The company is running very well under Tatianas helm, her attorney, Raymond Rafool, told the Miami Herald. He declined to comment further about the probate case. Although Tatiana knew little about the intricacies of the business while Sergio was alive, she has learned about its inner workings since she filed for divorce and has been privy to internal financial statements and other relevant information, according to the couples divorce case and depositions. Sergio Pino, right, and his brother, Carlos Pino, second from right, watch as their father, Eugenio Pino, second from left, receives a plaque from Florida International University President Mitch Maidique, left, at FIUs University House on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004. Sergio Pino of Century Builders Group gave $2 million to the FIU Global Entrepreneurship Center, now the Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center. Sergio surprised his father by honoring him with the donation. Tatianas legal team also claims the will that Sergio signed in March designating his brother Carlos as the representative is invalid, and both sides claim the other has conflicts of interest in the matter. Because of the dispute, the judge ordered earlier this month that a third-party curator be appointed. Philip Shechter, an accountant, was appointed to the position on Aug. 20. Shechter was recommended by Tatiana and her attorney for his financial expertise, though numerous other candidates were proposed for the position by her adversaries in the probate case. Tatianas involvement in Century since Sergios death has led to discord within the company in recent weeks. Some employees, as well as Carlos and his attorney, pushed for her to sign a settlement agreement and give up her title as president, Tatiana has alleged in court documents. The settlement agreement, according to the documents, would have transferred ownership of the company to Pedro Hernandez, the managing director and VP of construction and land development for Century. Tatiana refused to sign the agreement. Multiple high-level employees resigned from Century in the weeks after Sergios death, seemingly in protest of Tatianas involvement, according to court filings. Hernandez resigned but has since returned to the company. In a note that Sergio wrote to his employees before his suicide, he seemed to endorse Hernandez as his successor at Century. Support Pedrito, he urged his employees in the letter. Sergio Mendez, Carlos Pinos attorney, said he would not comment on the contents of the proposed settlement agreement other than to say that it had been presented to Tatiana and that she had declined to sign it. Mendez has made clear his disapproval of Tatianas leadership at Century. In an email last month that is now part of the court record, he criticized her openly. The presence of Tatiana Pino at the CHG offices negatively affects the operation of the company, Mendez wrote. She negatively affects the value of the Company. She never had anything to do with the operation of the business and is not in any way qualified. Carlos testified during his deposition that he does not believe Tatiana owns Century in its entirety, but rather a 50% share. Sergios will, which he signed not long after four men were quietly arrested in March in connection with making threats against his wife, does not specify who would own the company in the event of his death. The will states that Sergios assets would be left according to the provisions of his trusts. At the time, Sergio had numerous trusts, none of which list Carlos or Tatiana as a beneficiary. Tatianas legal team has claimed that when her late husband signed the will, he was not in his right mind, as evidenced by his alleged attempts to have her killed. They argue that could invalidate the will entirely. Also in question is a 1992 marital agreement between Sergio and Tatiana. During the divorce proceedings, the document was the subject of intense controversy. Tatiana claimed the agreement, which limits the assets she would be entitled to, is invalid because she signed it under duress the day before the couples wedding. But even if the will and marital agreement are admitted as valid documents, Tatianas legal team believes she is entitled to extensive marital assets, including ownership of Century. Tatiana has retained ownership of the Cocoplum home where the couple resided during their marriage and where Sergio died last month. Sergios $10 million yacht and an $1.8 million home in Key Largo are also potentially on the table. Tatianas team has further alleged that Carlos Pino may have been helping his brother dissipate marital assets during the couples lengthy divorce proceedings. In a motion filed earlier this month, Tatianas legal team drew attention to a sum of $3.2 million that was slowly transferred from Sergio to Carlos starting in 2019, the year in which the FBI says the poisoning attempts against Tatiana began. Mendez denied the allegation. Thats completely false, Mendez told the Herald. Theyre trying to disparage my clients reputation in order to attempt to block him from assuming his rightful role as the personal representative for his brothers estate. Though a curator has already been appointed in the probate case, Mendez said its still a possibility for his client to be appointed as personal representative down the line. Tatianas legal team has also intimated Carlos could have known about the murder-for-hire plot. In filings from earlier this month, Tatianas legal team stated that she is uncertain of [Carlos] involvement or knowledge of the criminal plot, however, discovery in this matter is in its infancy. Carlos denied knowledge of the alleged murder-for-hire plot during a deposition earlier this month. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) A sexually violent predator is slated to be released from custody and live in a house close to Santa Cruz County beaches. Convicted rapist Michael Thomas Cheek completed a decades-long prison sentence, as well as a sex offender treatment program in 2019. Since then, state officials have struggled to find a suitable place for Cheek to live. A new potential home address for Cheek was revealed by the district attorneys office on Thursday: 204 Forest Drive in Aptos, near Rio Del Mar Beach and a mile from Seacliff State Beach. Aptos, California (Getty Images / File Photo) Cheek, 72, is originally from Concord. He attacked and raped a 21-year-old-woman on Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz in 1980. Cheek escaped from custody in 1981 and raped a 15-year-old girl at gunpoint. He has served 43 years in state prisons and hospitals. Sheriff Jim Hart previously said, Cheeks only connection to our county is that he committed a vicious sexual assault in Santa Cruz. He has never lived here, nor does he have any other community ties. Judge Nancy De La Pena will preside over a hearing on October 18 and make a ruling for the Aptos housing placement. The Forest Drive address was chosen by Liberty Healthcare of California, Inc. and the Department of State Hospitals. Michael Thomas Cheek According to the real estate website Zillow, 204 Forest Drive is a one-bedroom home that sold in 2021 for $704,500. The Zillow listing states, Heres the Beach House youve been waiting for. Last year it was listed for rent at $3,100 per month. Liberty Healthcare manages community supervision programs for sexually violent predators who are released from custody. The companys website states, Our services include specialized treatment, risk assessments, re-entry programming, and case management supervision. These services form a unique continuum of care that promotes self responsibility and reduces risk of reoffending. The cement ship at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos is seen before a storm destroyed the pier. (Getty Images / File Photo) Three years ago, Cheek made a failed bid to live in a house in Bonny Doon, a tight-knit community in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Assistant District Attorney Alex Byers said at the time, Mr. Cheek is a career sex criminal. He kidnaps children. He has a mental illness that predisposes him to commit sexually violent offenses. Following an outcry from community members and an appeal filed by the district attorney, the Bonny Doon housing plan fell apart. Judge De La Pena will not allow Aptos community members to speak at the October court hearing. The district attorneys office said members of the public can write letters to the judge via email at criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org. Timeline of Michael Cheeks Incarceration 1980: Michael Cheek was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and forcible oral copulation in Santa Cruz County. 1981: He was sentenced to prison but escaped from a jail facility in Contra Costa County. Cheek committed another rape, this time of a 15-year-old child in Lake County. He was later re-captured and re-sentenced. 1997: When his prison term ended, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney successfully petitioned to have him declared a sexually violent predator (SVP) under the Sexually Violent Predator Act. Cheek was committed to the California Department of State Hospitals for sex offender treatment and remained in custody. Early 2019: The Department of State Hospitals deemed Cheek as an appropriate SVP candidate to be released back into society. Judge Stephen Seigel ordered Cheek to be released somewhere in Santa Cruz County. 310 Wild Iris Lane in Bonny Doon is seen. (KRON4 Photo) Late 2019: Judge Syda Cogliati approved placing Cheek at 310 Wild Iris Lane in Bonny Doon. Sheriff Hart said he was outraged by Cogliatis ruling. The judge received nearly 1,000 letters from residents urging her against releasing Cheek into Bonny Doon. Parents who live on Wild Iris Lane said their children would no longer be able to walk to their school bus stop safely. DA Rosell filed an appeal with the Sixth District Court to overrule Cogliatis decision. 2023: The state appeals court rejected the Bonny Doon plan. Judge Cogliati also denied Cheeks request to be released without a home, also known as transient release. June of 2024: Liberty Healthcare of California, Inc. and the Department of State Hospitals recommended that Cheek be placed at 204 Forest Drive in Aptos. October of 2024: Judge Nancy De La Pena will preside over a hearing to determine if 204 Forest Drive is an appropriate placed for Cheek to live. Members of the public can write letters to the judge via email at criminalinfo@santacruzcourt.org, or via mail at Superior Court, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. All comments must be submitted by September 24. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. She Lost Her Father and Brother to Gun Violence: How a Mom Is Working to Prevent Other Tragedies For me, this secure storage message means a lot if it helps another family not have to experience this heartbreak, Eunice Benavidez tells PEOPLE Courtesy Everytown for Gun Safety Eunice Benavidez Eunice Benavidez was 3 years old when she and her family of five left the Dominican Republic to pursue the American dream. They landed in New York City, where her father, Alejandro Guerrero, worked as a taxi driver to make ends meet. But in 1992, he was shot and killed in an armed robbery at age 42. It was hard for my mom becoming a widow and having three young children, Benavidez tells PEOPLE. I was the youngest one. And learning a new language when you've been here for less than two years you're by yourself, basically. Benavidez says her mother worked hard to help us move forward and be able to move to Michigan, where the family suffered yet another tragedy years later. Benavidezs older brother, Alejandro Jr., was weeks away from his 15th birthday when his best friend unintentionally fatally shot him with an unsecured gun in 2001. My big brother went to a sleepover and he never returned home, Benavidez says. That tragedy, she says, represented a different type of gun violence that we didn't even know was a danger. Now a social worker and volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a grassroots group within the non-profit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, Benavidez works to prevent gun violence and advocates for secure gun storage. She says she became a volunteer after learning of the Everytown Survivor Network and connecting with others who have been impacted by gun violence. Courtesy Everytown for Gun Safety Eunice Benavidez It's really important to raise awareness that there are things that gun owners and also non-gun owners can do to keep their kids safe by securing their firearms, Benavidez says. And also by normalizing these conversations about gun safety and being able to ask other parents and caregivers, 'Are there unsecured guns in your home?' According to Everytown for Gun Safety, gun violence was the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. in 2022. Earlier this year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared gun violence an urgent public health crisis. Related: U.S. Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence an 'Urgent Public Health Crisis,' Citing Alarming Statistics As a mother of three herself, Benavidez says she thinks about how she can keep her children safe in school, and does that by sharing information about secure gun storage with the school district and parents. Courtesy Everytown for Gun Safety Eunice Benavidez This is a responsibility that falls on everyone, she tells PEOPLE. It shouldn't just be the survivors, but every concerned adult can share the message." 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. August 26 through 30 marks the first annual SMART Week a time when communities across the U.S. come together to spread the word on the critical importance of secure gun storage. For me, this secure [gun] storage message means a lot if it helps another family not have to experience this heartbreak, Benavidez says. Because grief is lifelong, the trauma you experience is lifelong. For more information on safe firearm storage and the most effective ways to protect children from unsecured firearms, visit BeSMARTforkids.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman acknowledged on Thursday that Venezuelan gangs have taken control of several apartment complexes in the northern part of the city in what he called a nightmare situation. He also admitted that the city "lost control" of the gang infiltration "and we're working aggressively to get it back." But he pushed back on the national medias recent portrayal of an entire city being overrun by gangs. The misrepresentation that all of Aurora has this problem is simply not true and it gives this city a black eye unjustifiably, Coffman said in a phone interview. "Arrests have been made. More arrests will be made." This week, video surfaced of men with assault rifles dressed in hoodies and ball caps busting down doors of an apartment unit in Aurora. Coffman did not specifically cite the Venezuelan prison gang known as TDA when he spoke of the criminal infiltration, but he remarked that the city is "working on getting the bad people out." The Venezuela-based transnational criminal organization known for targeting desperate immigrants and sanctioned by the U.S. government has tentacles along the Front Range. Last month, the Biden Administration sanctioned the Venezuelan gang believed to be behind a spree of kidnappings, extortion and other crimes tied to immigrants from South and Central America. The U.S. government also offered a $12 million reward for three leaders of Tren de Aragua, which joins other transnational criminal organizations such as the MS-13 gang from El Salvador and The Camorra from Italy that are banned from doing business in the U.S. Ryan Luby, a city spokesperson, said that Aurora is in the possession of the long gun and authorities have seized evidence seen in the video. He also said that the city is working with the DEA to "combat this issue." Featured Local Savings On Wednesday, officials noted that the city and the Aurora Police Department have established a "special task force" in collaboration with other local, state and federal partners to "specifically address concerns about Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and other criminal activity affecting migrant communities." "We are grateful that the Drug Enforcement Administration, a valuable federal partner, has acknowledged its ongoing work into TDA across the metro and appreciate the additional resources it provides to combat this issue," the city said. The city said authorities are aware that "components" of the gang are operating in Aurora and that the police have been "increasingly collecting evidence to show the gang is connected to crimes in the area." Coffman said its no coincidence that three Aurora apartment complexes that have had major problems are owned by the same company, CBZ Management. The management that ran the buildings disappeared when violence started happening there, according to residents who spoke with The Denver Gazette. All of the residents who spoke were Venezuelan immigrants, although nationals from Columbia, Guatamala and some African nations also inhabited The Edge at Lowry at 12th and Dallas, Aspen Grove at Colfax and Nome, and Whispering Pines at 1357 Galena . The three apartment buildings have been in the news recently for allegations that range from criminal activity to being uninhabitable due to squatters, drugs, plumbing leaks, mountains of trash and the rodents which follow. Sheriff Garry McFadden settles lawsuit claiming he infringed on the right to bear arms Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has settled a lawsuit that accused him of infringing on Americans right to bear arms. Seven plaintiffs including Charlotte residents and national gun-rights groups claimed McFaddens requests for mental health records made him and his office unconstitutionally slow in processing concealed carry permits. The requests were irrelevant, the 2022 lawsuit claimed, and McFadden took months to more than a year to do what takes other North Carolina sheriffs days or weeks. He was violating the Second Amendment, the plaintiffs said. But state law says the sheriff may conduct any investigation necessary to determine the qualification or competency of the person applying for the permit, including record checks. In a news release Thursday, the sheriffs office announced McFadden settled the case and will continue to inquire of each applicant whether the applicant has sought mental health treatment. If applicants have, MSCO will require them to list their provider. Once the office reviews relevant records, it will have 45 days to issue or deny the permit, according to the release. McFadden will not pay any damages to the plaintiffs, but his office will pay $5,000 of their attorneys fees. Mecklenburg sheriff sued in 2nd Amendment lawsuit Last year, U.S. District Court Judge Max Cogburn struck down most of the plaintiffs original arguments challenging North Carolinas mental health provisions themselves and said the statutes were consistent with the countrys historical treatment of firearm regulation. The way McFadden was conducting those checks, though, could have been unconstitutional, Cogburn said. He allowed the lawsuit to move into the discovery phase, which prompts opposing parties to give more information. McFaddens lawyers responded to the original lawsuit saying he cannot control how long it may take any given mental health provider to return the requested records. As long as McFadden issues or denies the concealed handgun permit within 45 days of receiving records, he remains in compliance with the law, his lawyers argued. Mecklenburg County residents Sara Beth Williams, Bruce Kane and Jason Yepko were joined by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Grass Roots North Carolina and Rights Watch International in filing the lawsuit. They first challenged McFadden, his office and state Attorney General Josh Stein, but the lawsuit now only names the sheriff as a defendant. The local plaintiffs said they waited months or more than a year to get a concealed handgun permit or a renewal, according to court filings. Williams online application portal showed that the sheriffs office was waiting on mental health records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the lawsuit. I do not and have never had mental health problems ... Nor have I ever served in the military, she wrote. And while her father had served in the military, she argued, she had not been a dependent of his for 25 years. The group in December asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina to order McFadden to speed up the process. McFadden said his office must confirm applicants dont lie. For example, a recent applicant indicated that he had never served in the military, but VA records showed that not only had the applicant served (and thereby qualified for treatment at the VA), he had also attempted suicide on multiple occasions and threatened physically to harm VA employees at a VA facility, McFaddens attorneys wrote. The plaintiffs got their permits and renewals before a judge could consider telling McFadden to hurry up. Grass Roots North Carolina President Paul Valone said the settlement has made a positive difference for gun owners. McFadden has agreed to pay $5,000 towards damages and legal fees, which we regard as insufficient, he said. But we are a public policy organization. Our primary goal is to impact public policy. We have had the impact that we require. We have won on every point, and we are therefore quite happy with the settlement. Observer reporter Ryan Oehrli contributed to this story. Sheriff: Texas duo arrested at Lebanon Walmart had $30K in stolen electronics LEBANON, Va. (WJHL) A duo from Texas was arrested in Lebanon, Virginia on Wednesday after allegedly shoplifting at various Walmart stores across the United States. WATCH: Flashes & boom after meteor flies over Tri-Cities Authorities with the Lebanon Police Department and the Russell County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) responded to an alleged shoplifting at the Walmart Supercenter on Regional Park Road in Lebanon. Two suspects were flagged in the loss prevention system due to previous thefts at multiple Walmart stores across the United States, a release from the RCSO stated. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Crime Watch The suspects, identified by police as Clarisha Reed, of Galveston, Texas and Markquez Antwoine Turner, of League City, Texas, were arrested due to the shoplifting at the Lebanon Walmart and for an earlier incident at a Washington County, Virginia Walmart. A search of the duos vehicle found more than $30,000 in electronic items, the RCSO reported. Reed and Turner were taken to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority. The investigation remains ongoing and offenses are being investigated in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, according to the RSCO. Due to the quick response by the Lebanon Police Department and the Russell County Sheriffs Office and the work by the Loss Prevention Agents from Wal-Mart in Lebanon, the offenders were taken into custody, the release 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. An 18-year-old man is dead following a shooting in Avondale Friday morning, according to Cincinnati police. Police said in a news release that officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of Reading Road around 7:35 a.m. to investigate a report of an injured person. When they arrived at the scene, police found Ahsan Simmons with a gunshot wound. Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cincinnati Police Department's homicide unit at 513-352-3542. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police: 18-year-old killed in Avondale shooting SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating a missing man. John Mook is missing in Shreveport. (Credit: Shreveport Police Department) Police say a 45-year-old man, John Mook was last seen on August 28, 2024, in the 7400 block of Youree Drive in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shreveport police asking for help finding missing man Mook is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing around 180 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing blue camo shorts, a green t-shirt, and flip-flops. The Shreveport Police Department and Mr. Mooks family are concerned for his safety and well-being. Anyone with information regarding his location is asked to contact the Shreveport Police Department immediately at 673-7300 or call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Shreveport Regional Airport will make some major upgrades thanks to funding for infrastructure improvements. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joined KTAL this week to discuss securing millions of dollars in funding for Louisiana airports through the Infrastructure and Jobs Act. When somebody comes to make an investment in your city, they land, the first impression is the airport. Is the runway bumpy, for example? You want that first good impression, said Senator Cassidy. We want people coming to northwest Louisiana to invest dollars to make jobs to make our communities better. Shreveport Airport Authority Business & Development Manager Mark Crawford shared how that funding is currently coming into play. The money that you mentioned from Senator Cassidy is going to expand two of our smallest gates into two of our largest gates, said Crawford, where they will add about 5,000 square feet to each of those gates. Labor Day weekend 2024 travel forecast: Shreveport Crawford explained how the number of passengers has increased since the airport opened and what that means for them. When the building was built in 1971, the planes didnt hold as many people as some of the flights that come in here now. So were having to expand some of the smaller hold rooms that only hold about 75 people. Now, the hold rooms will be able to accommodate up to 200 people per flight. Were thankful for that money for sure, and well be able to continue to improve the customer experience here at the airport, 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 KTALnews.com. DONETSK OBLAST Gasping for air from a trench in eastern Ukraine, an infantryman was ready for the worst when a suffocating white smoke spread into his position. A Russian drone had just dropped a gas grenade into the trench, an internationally banned practice in warfare used to suffocate Ukrainian soldiers hiding inside. Forced out in the open, the Ukrainians immediately became vulnerable targets for Russian drones and artillery. I thought about everything that I should and shouldnt have thought about, said Ihor, who recalled the February incident near Chasiv Yar, where he held off Moscows troops advancing from the ruins of Russian-occupied Bakhmut. Like some other soldiers who spoke to the Kyiv Independent, he asked not to disclose his identity for security reasons. Russia has increasingly deployed chemical agents in its grand offensive to occupy the last cities in the Donbas region under Ukrainian control. The suffocation tactic is to take out entrenched personnel and dampen the morale of Ukrainian soldiers who severely outmanned and outgunned have been withdrawing village by village in the east for nearly a year. The attack experienced by Ihor occurred as Russia ramped up its illegal use of chemical agents during its full-scale invasion launched 2.5 years ago to over 4,000 officially recorded cases, marking a sharp uptick from about 600 as of January, according to the Ukrainian military. The soldier said it felt nearly impossible to breathe inside the trench. His lungs felt as though they were burning. Four men were in the position, but only Ihor didnt have a gas mask because he had given his own to an older comrade. The squad commander covered his mouth with wet tissues and changed them every five minutes. Another Russian drone was flying above, waiting for the Ukrainians to step out, according to Ihor. About 15 minutes passed before the drone flew away, allowing Ihors unit to relocate to a backup dugout. Another five minutes (at the trench contaminated with gas) and the lungs would have collapsed, Ihor said Ukrainian soldiers go through tactical training near the embattled town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast on June 11, 2024. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images) The era of modern chemical warfare began in World War I when a stalemate in trench warfare encouraged the use of poisonous gas. The practice was adopted by conflicts that followed, from the Vietnam War to the Syrian Civil War. In the current war in Ukraine, often referred to as the first drone war, Russia has used UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to precisely drop gas grenades into the trenches. For Ihor and his soldiers, waiting at the new hideout was no less daunting. Relentless Russian fire made it dangerous to walk to the nearest evacuation point. They waited a day before seeking medical support. I knew that if I slept, I would not wake up, Ihor said. Ihor eventually made it to the medics near Chasiv Yar, carried by his comrades since he was no longer able to walk. The gas attack left a permanent mark on his health. He can no longer jog more than 10 meters without running out of breath. Russia intensifying silent killer tactics The testimony of the junior sergeant from the 214th Separate Special Battalion OPFOR is among the over 4,000 officially recorded cases where Russia violated the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, a post-Cold-War disarmament treaty that bans the use of chemical weapons in war and obliges countries to eliminate them. The United Nations watchdog Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) says that tear gas is considered chemical weapons if used as a method of warfare. Russias use of gas attacks is rising. In January, 229 cases were recorded compared to 639 in June and 358 in July, according to the Ukrainian militarys Support Forces, a branch of the army responsible for inspecting chemical warfare. An infographic of Russia's use of chemical agents on the battlefield. (Lisa Kukharska/ The Kyiv Independent) Ukrainian soldiers and officers interviewed acknowledged that the tactic is effective, allowing Moscow to capture positions occasionally without destroying them. Your natural reaction is to get the hell out of there because it feels as though you are dying, said Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former commanding officer of the U.K.s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment And so the guys get out of the trench, and then the Russians immediately follow it up with fire and artillery, he added, describing the modern era where treacherous illegal weaponry from the past is combined with state-of-the-art killer machines that fly. The exact number of soldiers who were injured or killed by conventional arms after a gas attack is unknown, but de Bretton-Gordon said he expects it to be lots. Concentrations of gas, he added, can remain for as short as a few minutes to as long as half an hour. Ukraine says about 2,000 soldiers have sought medical care afterward, and at least two are confirmed to have died directly from being poisoned by gas attacks as of July. But scores more could have gone unrecorded, with soldiers being killed or wounded as a result of being disoriented or forced to flee from cover. Ukrainian Colonel Artem Vlasiuk from the Support Forces Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Command told the Kyiv Independent that Russian troops are deploying CS and CN tear gasses. Vlasiuk also said that there were several cases of Russian troops using ammonia and chloropicrin gas on the battlefield, with the latter being the most dangerous. The U.S. has accused Russia of deploying chloropicrin, often used in agriculture and widely weaponized as a vomiting agent during World War I. 0:00 / 1 The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident, and is probably driven by Russian forces desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield, the U.S. Department of State said in May, asserting that Moscow has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention by deploying riot control agents as a method of warfare. The statement came as the Department of State imposed sanctions on three Russian government entities associated with Russias chemical and biological weapons programs and four Russian companies that have contributed to such entities. Ukrainian soldiers often struggle to identify the gas on the battlefield. Commonly cited symptoms include nausea, vomiting, eye and skin irritations, excessive coughing, chest tightness and suffocation. Everything is burning, 42-year-old infantry Vladyslav Piholenko with the 79th Separate Assault Brigade deployed in Donetsk Oblast said, describing his encounter with gas. The skin is burning, the nose is burning, throat, lungs. Ukraine said it submitted detailed and factual information about Russia's gross violations of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to the OPCW in July. In a statement, the Ukrainian delegation to the OPCW stressed that Russia has significantly increased the use of chemical weapons and chemical riot control agents and relies heavily on them on the battlefield. According to the Ukrainian militarys Support Forces, Russia now conducts three times more gas attacks per month than it did at the beginning of the year. In combination with other types of weapons, these chemical agents constrain the actions of Ukrainian units during offensive operations and compromise defense, Ukraine said to OPCW. Soviet-era gas grenades from commonly-used K-51 to RG-Vo and RGR have been found on the battlefield, according to the Ukrainian military. The remains of Soviet-era grenades were captured in photos posted by the Ukrainian military's Support Forces. (Support Forces/Facebook) OPCW said in May that Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of deploying chemical weapons, but the information provided to the Organization so far by both sides, together with the information available to the Secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated." Denying the Ukrainian use of chemical weapons, Vlasiuk said the tear gas Russia uses are dangerous chemical substances that affect the human body and can be used by the enemy for their own purposes to gain an advantage on the field. The purpose is to disable soldiers for a short period of time in order to, roughly speaking, then enter my position and take prisoners of war (POWs), or as Russian troops often do now, destroy the personnel in the position, Vlasiuk added. Soldiers ignorance in facing silent killer Ukrainian soldiers on the ground say that gas is a psychological test, with even seasoned comrades prone to panic. Officers and infantrymen said that they felt ill-prepared against the Russian gas attacks. Most of the dozens of interviewees across the front said they werent given a modern gas mask and were skeptical about the effectiveness of the Soviet-era one widely distributed by the army. Infantrymen have also argued that it is more practical to bring extra bullets and water instead of a gas mask weighing around a kilogram that may or may not be useful, but is adding weight to gear. What do we need gas masks for? quipped Vasyl, an infantryman with the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade in Donetsk Oblast. Vasyl dismissed the threat of gas attacks compared to the threat of first-person-view (FPV) drones, KAB-guided aerial bombs, artillery, and mortars. Its just extra weight, Vasyl said of gas masks before hopping on a truck in a front-line town. We havent encountered it yet, so we dont need it. Lack of preparation appears widespread. Multiple soldiers cited incidents in which only a handful of gas masks were available for around 20 people spread across a trench when attacks occurred. Interviewees said they suffered light symptoms because the positions were in an open field, and the gas was quickly blown by the wind. Gas attacks have a more serious effect when used in small, enclosed spaces, such as small trenches or dugouts. Russia tends to throw gas grenades one after another, purposefully waiting for the effect of the previous gas grenade to run out before throwing in the next one, soldiers say. Ukrainian soldiers of the 'Da Vinci Wolves' battalion fire a mortar in the Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk Oblast on July 31, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images) Sergeant Vyacheslav, part of the infantry of the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade, said the most terrifying thing about gas attacks is a comrade or himself possibly falling into panic. Vyacheslav said he and his comrades defending the town of Vuhledar have agreed to put away the rifles near the entry of the dugout and lay down together on the floor to avoid a scenario where someone could shoot oneself or run away. Despite the high threat of gas attacks in his area of deployment in Donetsk Oblast, none of them has purchased a mask. He said he would rather save the money for his family. Western-made gas masks typically cost a few hundred dollars. Knowing what to do when a gas attack happens and having the right equipment is key to avoid causing panic at positions, according to de Bretton-Gordon, the NATO expert on chemical warfare. Its all about knowledge if you know what to do, then you're less likely to become a casualty, de Bretton-Gordon said. It's a lack of equipment, lack of masks, lack of training, creating a panic, which is exactly what the Russians want. Ukrainian soldiers say they can never tell by the sound whether chemical agents were deployed. They can tell when they feel the symptoms or see colored smoke. The noise and the impact of artillery and tank fire is unbelievable, whereas gas is a silent killer, de Bretton-Gordon said. It's the noise of the battlefield that terrifies people. So if there's no noise, you sort of don't worry, but actually, you need to. Vlasiuk, from the Support Forces, said soldiers who dont know how tear gas works can react in a way that makes it worse. They can rub their eyes, they can spread panic to neighboring positions, they can leave their own position, thereby showing your silhouette to the enemy, and it will destroy them one way or another with aimed fire, he added. Dan Kaszeta, a chemical weapons expert at the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank who served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, said that it has been a problem in every army for 100 years to get people to take chemical defense seriously. Does Ukraine have enough gas masks? Vlasiuk said Ukraine has received just under 100,000 modern combat gas masks from Western allies since the beginning of the year. Despite many soldiers saying they dont have a modern gas mask, the officer said there were still about 10-15 percent of the masks provided left in the stocks as of July. They are waiting for requests to be filled by local officers on the front line so they can be delivered, he added. The U.S. Department of Defense said it provided a significant number of gas masks and other protective equipment, including hazmat suits, to help protect against potential chemical and biological threats from Russia. Vlasiuk denied that Soviet-era masks are widespread, saying that his team is constantly replenishing modern masks and that Ukraine no longer distributes its Soviet gear. Addressing why soldiers are saying they dont have a modern gas mask, Vlasiuk said, This is more of an organizational work at the level of local commanders who are responsible for preparing troops for whats ahead and making sure they are well-equipped. Where will you shoot if your eyes are burning or when you cant even breathe calmly, and you are coughing all the time? Vlasiuk said, stressing that it is necessary to work at the level of squad or platoon commanders to take gas masks as seriously as helmets and flak jackets. De Bretton-Gordon said the Ukrainian army needs 300,000 modern masks, lighter and high-grade enough to keep the CS gas out for a prolonged time. Some soldiers said they purchased quality masks or received them from volunteers. A gas mask is placed on a military vehicle at a checkpoint held by Ukrainian servicemen outside the city of Lysychansk in the now largely Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast on May 23, 2022. (Aris Messinis /AFP via Getty Images) Gas mask urgency mounts in Russias Donbas advance There's been a stalemate for so long that they're looking for ways to break through it, de Bretton-Gordon said, referring to Russias rising use of chemical agents. It's exactly the same as trench warfare in World War I. This is a World War I tactic that is being incredibly effective. And it's been effective because, as in World War I, people didn't have gas masks. As soon as people got gas masks in World War I, it was sort of nullified, he added. De Bretton-Gordon said, citing members of the Ukrainian army and government, that he believes Kyiv has recently requested gas masks from London and other allies. The Kyiv Independent couldnt verify the information, with both the U.K. Defense Ministry and the U.S. Department of Defense declining to comment for operational reasons. The U.K. Defense Ministry told the Kyiv Independent that it had provided over 8,500 to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Several higher-ranked officers said that what makes the soldiers more vulnerable is the lack of time for preparation. They explained that in an ideal situation, soldiers would already have muscle memory of putting on gas masks during the recruitment phase and have time for preparatory training during breaks. But in reality, the training is often poor, and recruits arrive too often not knowing how to shoot correctly. The soldiers serving for longer are also too exhausted to bother learning about gas during their short breaks, the interviewees added. RUSI expert Kaszeta said what is far more dangerous is when a burning tear gas lands near plastics, rubbers, and modern synthetic materials and catches on fire, releasing "a whole mix of really dangerous stuff." Oleksandr, part of the infantry with the 17th Tank Brigade, recalls having to flee an observation position once near Chasiv Yar because a diesel generator caught on fire after Russian troops threw a gas grenade. The old Soviet-era mask didnt help. The unknown chemical agent that mixed in the air with diesel was suffocating, he said. Ukrainian serviceman of a strike drone group of the 225th separate assault battalion, who goes by the call sign Cat, rests near an entrance to a dugout in the embattled town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast on July 9, 2024. (Taras Ibragimov/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) Authorities have reported only two official deaths caused by gas, but the actual toll may be higher. Retrieving bodies for forensic studies is often complicated, especially in situations where troops face encirclement. Recalling the death of his comrade that went unrecorded, Mykhailo, a captain from a mechanized battalion deployed on the Pokrovsk front, recounted a situation where his group of soldiers were in a bunker surrounded by advancing Russian troops. One of the three guys at the position died after his heart stopped following a gas attack, he said. But the body could not be pulled out to be examined. The guys sat there for two days (after the death of a soldier in his early 40s), Mykhailo said. Similarly to many infantry positions in the Pokrovsk, Mariinka and Vuhledar sectors in the central part of Donetsk Oblast where Ukrainian forces are facing a grinding Russian advance, Mykhailo said that his soldiers suffered six gas attacks daily, usually two to three attacks within an hour. Mykhailos soldiers were attacked by a combination of gas grenades and FPV drones. Eyewitnesses and victims have said soldiers with previous health conditions or who are older have a higher chance of suffering serious consequences. The Ukrainian army is heavily represented by men over the age of 40. Former British Colonel de Bretton-Gordon said the West must hold Russia accountable for committing war crimes and help Ukraine with countermeasures, such as through the provision of modern gas masks. (Russian troops are) looking at ways to break through and, this year, gas has been in it, de Bretton-Gordon said. Whenever the enemy uses a new method of fighting, it's effective until you finally find the countermeasures to counter it. The concern is (Russia) might escalate to more deadly chemical weapons, which is why it's so important that the international community calls them out on it. ______________________________________________________ Note from the author: Hi, this is Asami Terajima, the author of this article. Thank you for reading our story. After months of work across the eastern front and in Kyiv, I'm happy to see the article finally published. Just like many soldiers on the front line, it's easy to dismiss the threat of gas attacks when under much deadlier FPV-drone, artillery and KAB-guided aerial bombs daily, but I felt it was a very important topic. The unpreparedness of the Ukrainian military toward gas attacks had to be raised to save more soldiers' lives. To help the Kyiv Independent tell more stories that would otherwise not be told, please consider supporting us by becoming our member. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EDITORS NOTE: The police department provided the wrong age for the victim. It has been corrected. We regret the error. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) UPDATE: Court documents have provided more details in the arrest of a Sioux City man for the murder of a woman over the weekend. Edmund Pendleton, 38, of Sioux City, was arrested by Sioux City police Thursday and charged with first-degree murder. According to court documents, a man called 911 Sunday at 12:50 a.m. saying a woman, later identified as Danielle Dolan, 46, of Sioux City, had shot herself while in a bedroom in a house on the 300 block of 19th Street. First responders arrived and found Dolan had a gunshot wound to her head, with a gun in her left hand, unresponsive. She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. Woodbury County supervisor, attorney union clash over compensation increase In investigating the incident, police detectives learned that Dolan and Pendleton had been dating for about two months. According to court documents, Dolan and Pendleton had argued Saturday over Pendleton apparently flirting with an 18-year-old. Pendleton would later tell police he left the house after the argument. Edmund Pendleton A resident of the house told police that she, Dolan and Pendleton were in the house at the time of the shooting. The woman claimed she was on the main floor while the other two were upstairs in a shared bedroom. She then heard a gunshot followed by an evil witch laugh from Pendleton, documents state. Pendleton then came downstairs looking for the man who would later call 911, documents state. The woman said she was terrified, saying he was outside talking to someone. Pendleton then made his way back upstairs where the woman said she heard things being moved around. The resident then went outside and waited for the other man. When he arrived, the woman told him that she heard a gunshot while Pendleton, who made his way outside, claimed he didnt hear one. The three went inside to the bedroom Dolan was in, but found that the door was locked. Pendleton then crawled out a window, climbed into his bedroom window, and unlocked the door, finding Dolan. That is when the man then called 911. The man told police that the gun found in Dolans hand was the same he had given Pendleton to protect the house. Paullina police investigating string of vehicle burglaries Court documents said Pendleton was not at the residence when police first arrived. The State Medical Examiners Office conducted an autopsy and determined that Dolans cause of death was a homicide based on the bullets trajectory. They also determined that the gun was more than two-to-three feet away when she was shot. Pendleton was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a $750,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 9. PREVIOUS (Aug. 29 @ 5:04 p.m.): A Sioux City man has been arrested for the murder of a woman over the weekend. The Sioux City Police Department said authorities received a call of a woman being shot at a residence in the 1300 block of 19th Street Sunday at 1:12 a.m. Officers arrived and found a woman with a gunshot wound. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The woman, identified as Danielle Lynn Dolan, 46, of Sioux City, died at the hospital. Officers investigated the incident, finding evidence of a shooting. The release said the shooting appears to be a targeted incident. Iowa, Nebraska DOT hold open house on Decatur Bridge project Thursday, police arrested Edmund Pendleton, 38, of Sioux City, charging him with first-degree murder. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6440 or the anonymous tip line at 712-258-TIPS(8477). Police are continuing to investigate 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Officials in one Northern California city handed out fines that totaled $240,000 for residents who launched illegal aerial fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday this summer, including one household alone that received $100,000 in fines. Jose Mendez, the code enforcement manager for the city of Elk Grove, and Lt. Joshua Magdaleno of the Elk Grove Police Department discussed the results of the fireworks enforcement operation during Wednesdays Elk Grove City Council meeting. The city of nearly 200,000 people is just south of Sacramento. Illegal fireworks include skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, sparklers and firecrackers. Each violation of Elk Groves illegal firework ordinance, or each single dangerous firework, is considered a separate offense. That means every time a dangerous firework is activated, it is a new $1,000 fine. Mendez said city officials conducted educational efforts and an amnesty day, allowing residents to turn in any illegal fireworks, to inform them of the $1,000 fines that could be issued to property owners. He said the amnesty day resulted in residents turning in about 3,000 illegal fireworks, including 300 bottle rockets, eight Roman candles and seven homemade explosive fireworks. The Police Department, responding to calls reporting illegal fireworks in Elk Grove, deployed an aerial drone on July 4 to capture video to assist investigators in identifying homes or properties where illegal fireworks were launched. The police drone recorded video of six properties where illegal fireworks were launched, with one of the cited properties launching over 100 aerial fireworks, city officials said in a staff report. Video captured by the drone was passed on to the citys code enforcement officers to evaluate. What you can see is the danger of lighting the fireworks in the city, Magdaleno said while showing a video clip of the home that received the most illegal fireworks citations. These are going extremely high in the air. You can see all the (nearby) homes down below. You can see the smoke showing the wind direction from the fireworks. And if you look closely, you can see some of the embers landing on some of the peoples houses. The police lieutenant said these illegal fireworks, fortunately, did not cause any fires or injure anyone. The drone video alone led to fines that totaled $180,000 for those six properties cited; all were illegal aerial fireworks that were launched and exploded in the air. Code enforcement officers also patrolled Elk Grove on the Fourth of July in conjunction with police officers and the Cosumnes Community Service District Fire Department. City vehicles were equipped with dashboard cams that recorded people launching illegal fireworks. That video was used to cite eight properties, which received a total of $53,000 for illegal aerial fireworks. Investigators from the police and fire departments spotted five incidents of individuals using illegal fireworks, reports were submitted to code enforcement officers. That resulted in a total of $7,000 in fines for five property owners, city officials said. In total, 19 property owners were issued citations for illegal fireworks that totaled $240,000. The city this week was processing these citations, and fine collection and enforcement efforts are pending. The volume of calls increased by about 50% this year compared to last year. Mendezs report to the City Council indicated the police dispatch center received 562 calls this year reporting illegal fireworks from 6 p.m. to midnight, even though the Fourth of July holiday falling on a weekday. There were 375 calls reporting fireworks in Elk Grove last year. From July 4 through July 5, the Fire Department responded to 80 incidents; 22 were fires, and fireworks were identified as the heat source that caused seven of those fires, according to Mendezs staff report. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called former President Donald Trumps latest, vague campaign promise that in vitro fertilization services will be paid for by the government or insurance companies under a second Trump presidency smoke and mirrors on Friday, slamming him for the meaningless promise that she says distracts from the real threat: the possible criminalization of IVF treatments. Making vague promises about insurance coverage does not stop a single extremist judge or state legislature from banning IVF, Warren said during a Friday morning press call hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris campaign. Making vague promises about insurance coverage does not stop a single one of the 131 Republicans in Congress from advancing their fetal personhood bill that would ban IVF. Despite what Trump seems to think, American women are smart, and we arent falling for his gaslighting, Warren added. We know who Donald Trump is. We know the damage he has done, and we know the additional restrictions to access to IVF that lie ahead if Trump conceives the White House. Warrens criticism came in response to an interview the former president gave Thursday in the battleground state of Michigan. We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, Trump told NBC News before adding, Were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay. Asked to clarify whether the government or insurance companies would pay for IVF services, Trump reiterated that an option would be to have insurance companies pay for the fertility treatment under a mandate, yes. Republicans have come under fire on IVF ever since the Alabama Supreme Court found that embryos can be afforded the same legal protections as children under the Wrongful Death of Minor Act of 1872, halting access to IVF treatments in the state for two weeks. The decision was so crippling to those trying to start families that state legislators had to step in, passing a law that provided civil and criminal immunity to IVF providers a solution that experts described as slapping a band-aid on the possible legal consequences of the ruling. In June, in an effort to protect and expand nationwide access to IVF and quell concerns in red states about losing access to the fertility treatment, Senate Democrats forced a vote on the Right to IVF Act but Senate Republicans blocked it from moving forward to a vote. American women are not stupid, and we know the only guaranteed protection for IVF is a new national law, which Kamala Harris supports and Donald Trump opposes, Warren said. Trumps record on IVF is clear. Check out the facts, she later added. Trumps own platform effectively bans IVF. The Republican Speaker of the House and a majority of House Republicans have signed on to a federal bill to ban IVF nationwide. When a law to protect IVF nationwide was put up for a vote in the Senate, JD Vance voted against it. And four weeks later, Trump picked Vance to be his running mate. Dylan Mitchell was an infant when he suffered the abuse that stole his future, 18 years before it ended his life. Like his twin brother, Dylan Mitchell was a happy and alert baby, small as a skein of yarn at birth, but healthy despite being born five weeks premature to Erin LaForest and Kevin Mitchell of Colorado Springs, in August 2005. Dylan lost all the early ground hed gained, and everything that lay ahead, the night before Thanksgiving that same year. Police say 35-year-old Kevin Mitchell was home alone watching the kids when he picked up 3-month-old Dylan and violently shook him, rupturing veins inside the infants head and starting a fatal countdown a death by degrees as Dylans brain began to bleed and swell. Over the following hours, Dylan grew increasingly inconsolable, screaming, writhing and punching his fists in the air, very similar to the physical actions of a seizure or the immediate after-effects of shaken baby syndrome according to the El Paso County arrest warrant later issued for Kevin Christopher Mitchell. By the time Dylan was seen by doctors on Thanksgiving Day, he was barely conscious. He was immediately admitted to the intensive-care unit at UCHealth Memorial Hospital and put on life support. When Erin called me from the hospital and said the doctors suspected that Dylan had been physically abused, I don't think I could breathe, said Dylans maternal grandmother, Rosa Baxendale. Up to that point, as far as we knew, everything was OK. Life was as normal as normal can be. It would never be normal again. An estimated 25% of babies who suffer violent shaking at the hands of caregivers dont survive their injuries, according to the Utah-based National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Doctors initially thought Dylan would be among that number, that he wouldnt continue to breathe on his own after he was weaned off life support in January. But he did survive, for 18 years, unable to speak, walk, see or feed himself, but far from the little lump on the couch Rosa and Todd Baxendale said doctors had prepared them for. Dylan Mitchell died in his sleep on Oct. 3, 2023. An autopsy by the El Paso County Coroners Office, completed in July, ruled the 18-year-olds death a homicide, the delayed, fatal outcome of the injuries inflicted when he was an infant. It is my opinion that Dylan Mitchell died as a result of complications of remote pediatric abusive head trauma, according to the autopsy report, which referenced the 2006 case against Kevin Mitchell. The overall findings and circumstances are consistent with death due to complications stemming from remote injuries sustained as a result of the harmful, volitional actions of another individual(s). Kevin Mitchell pleaded guilty in 2009 to multiple charges of child abuse negligently causing severe bodily injury. He was sentenced to two years of work release and 10 years probation, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections. Records show he successfully petitioned the court to end his probation in 2021. The Baxendales said they hope the district attorney decides to seek an indictment in Dylans death, bringing long-delayed justice for their grandson, and a sense of closure to their grief and anger. This sweet boy who didnt get a chance to have a life because of a few seconds of violence, because someone snapped, Todd Baxendale said. It took 18 years, but there is no statute of limitations for murder. Delayed shaking death sentences The prosecution of such child abuse cases, a homicidal act committed years, sometimes decades before death occurs and a suspect/defendant who pleaded guilty to a lesser crime, and served out that sentence is not unprecedented in the history of U.S. jurisprudence. A former babysitter in Florida recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2019 death of Benjamin Dowling, a man she was accused of severely disabling in 1984. Terry McKirchy at the time of the crime, pregnant with her third child pleaded no contest to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery on a child, and served what amounted to the suggestion of a sentence: weekends in jail until she gave birth, then three years of probation. When Dowling died in 2021, at age 35, a medical examiners report tying his death to the injuries McKirchy caused in 1984 led prosecutors to seek first-degree murder charges. McKirchy was sentenced in late August to three years in prison on her new manslaughter plea and 10 years felony probation. In an earlier Florida case, Christopher Wells, a father sentenced to jail in 1989 for child abuse, was charged with second-degree murder almost two decades after he served less than a year in prison for inflicting the brain injury that eventually would kill his daughter, in 2006. Wells pleaded no contest to the charges and received a 15-year prison sentence. But the applicable laws and statutes that allowed for such indictments in Florida vary from state to state. 'Even just a few seconds' The No. 1 reason caregivers cite for the breakdown that led to them to shake a defenseless child, is frustration at the child, for crying; at themselves, for not being able to stop the tears, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. More than 1,200 cases of shaken baby syndrome are documented annually, at hospitals nationwide, but professionals who treat the victims and work with at-risk families say the number of cases is likely much higher. If a parent does shake their baby, a lot of them do not report it, out of fear of retaliation, fear of losing their child, of legal involvement, guilt, all sorts of reasons, said Dr. Amy Rickman, director of the High-Risk Pediatric Home Visit Program, a four-year-old program created in partnership with the El Paso County Department of Human Services to respond to cases of suspected abuse, and offer support for families. Sometimes its not reported, and the baby may at the time seem to be OK, she said. Later on, some of those things become apparent. To understand how destructive shaking can be to an infant, one first must understand the odd imbalance of their anatomy. Babies heads are proportionally large and heavy compared to their bodies, and for at least the first few months are controlled by neck muscles too weak to do more than the most basic of jobs, of keeping the head attached. Im sure everyone has picked up a baby and had their head fall back and worried if they hurt them, Rickman said. Featured Local Savings A head lolling back before you can cradle it is not abusive head trauma, she stressed. This is: A prolonged episode, of even just a few seconds, of that babys head whipping back and forth, and their brain jostling inside their skull and essentially, shearing those blood vessels, Rickman said. How much damage depends on the child, on the force. And on how soon the child receives treatment after the injuries occurred. The blood and fluid build up and put pressure on the brain, and with that they just cannot get enough oxygen. You can get brain damage pretty quickly, Rickman said. Time is of the essence, and I think that is where a lot of times greater complications blindness, deafness, paralysis and even death come into play. Recognizing, much less documenting and prosecuting, a crime that often doesnt present itself in obvious ways can be a challenge for those seeking justice for victims, legal experts say. Former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Karen Steinhauser remembers the fight in Colorado, in the early 2000s, to allow expert medical witnesses to use analogies during courtroom testimony to explain the severity of injuries, absent an obviously battered body. I think when we talk about child abuse resulting in death, people are used to seeing, for example, bruises. The types of injuries that can be seen with shaken baby syndrome, people don't see that, so it makes it harder for experts to be able to describe these injuries in terms of what it does to a child's brain," said Steinhauser, now a professor at the University of Denver. Since 2003, expert medical witnesses in Colorado can liken the effects of such unseen child abuse damage to trauma thats easier to imagine: being involved in a high-speed car crash, or plummeting from a multistory building. Rickman said when exhaustion and stress levels are piqued, having a strong support network and a history of positive role models can make all the difference. But not every family is so lucky. Thats the gap the home visit program seeks to bridge. Its about knowing the choices, what to do when a baby cries or a parent or caregiver feels like theyre on the edge. Whatever it takes, to keep that baby safe, Rickman said. 'Dylan was a survivor' Court records show that in the hours after Dylan Mitchell suffered the trauma that would ultimately lead to his death, Kevin Mitchell repeatedly suggested they take the baby to the hospital. Dylans mother, who police records show had been at work when the abuse occurred (and ultimately was cleared of charges in the case), said she thought her son had gas pains. But as Thanksgiving morning wore on, and Dylan refused to eat, stopped crying so hard he couldnt breathe, and was drifting in and out of consciousness, they headed to the emergency room. Rosa Baxendale remembers doctors showing her a screen with a scan of Dylans brain activity, in the days after he was intubated and admitted to the ICU. Lighter areas, they explained, represented regions of his brain that were still active. It was just dark dark everywhere, she said. And his left eye was swollen and so full of blood, you couldnt see the pupil. Todd and Rosa Baxendale were the temporary guardians for Dylan, his twin brother, and their older brother, for several years, until initial charges against their mother were dropped, and she was able to clear DHS hurdles to regain custody. When she did, the Baxendales set her and the children up in a house a few miles from their own in Broomfield. If Dylan and his brothers werent at our house, we were there. And when Dylan was with us, he was never alone he was always right there, the center of activity, part of whatever it was we were doing, Rosa Baxendale said. She and Todd were the ones driving the kids back and forth to the Springs, for mandated, supervised visits with their father. Kevin Mitchell declined to comment for this story through his attorney, Mark Hanchey, but Mitchell's online bios describe him as a poet, activist and community organizer in Colorado Springs. The Gazette was unable to reach Erin LaForest, who was the primary caregiver for Dylan at the time of his death. Todd Baxendale said he believes Kevin Mitchell never accepted responsibility for the injuries to Dylan, and as soon as he could, "moved on with his life." From the day he was born, Dylan was a survivor, said the devoted grandpa and trained mechanical engineer, who created adaptive toys he could tell brought Dylan moments of joy. They told us he was going to be in a vegetative state, that he'd never recognize anyone. Everything they told us he wouldnt achieve, he did and surpassed. Dylan couldnt speak or see, and had no control of his arms or legs, but he brightened up made his little happy noises when someone he loved came in the room. He could always tell when Todd got home, and hed make his noises, and just smile that big beautiful smile, Rosa said. Todd taught him how to blow a raspberry, a skill Dylan exercised with gleeful abandon. He was in diapers up until the day he passed, and on so many medications, but he was in there, Rosa said. He was there, and he loved, and we loved him everybody loved Dylan." End of the story? There may be no statute of limitations on murder or attempted murder in Colorado, but the wheels of justice rarely run smooth. Colorado's 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office said Thursday that it is aware of the homicide ruling in Dylan Mitchell's death, and is "currently reviewing the circumstances and applicable laws to determine appropriate next steps." Todd Baxendale said he was trying not to get his hopes up about a possible resolution to a heartbreaking story that no matter how it turns out radiates tragedy. I hope he gets charged and arrested and prosecuted and serves time for it, but theres not a side to this that isnt bad, Baxendale said. I understand hes got a little girl now, a new family, and theyre going to suffer, too. But Dylan needs justice. People cant do that to another human being, and not have to face consequences. A view looking a half-mile east along U.S. Highway 212 from the center of Cooke City, Montana, A view looking a half-mile east along U.S. Highway 212 from the center of Cooke City, Montana, ends at the edge of an 8-mile section of road left unplowed in winter to benefit snowmobile riders. Most residents are asking government officials in Montana and Wyoming to plow the road year-round. (Ruffin Prevost/WyoFile) This story was first published by WyoFile on Aug. 28, 2024. CODY, Wyoming A newly released public opinion study suggests a potential thaw in a long-frozen disagreement over winter access to the vast snowy playground around the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. But working out a long-term compromise is likely to be difficult, time-consuming and costly. A series of surveys commissioned by local tourism boards in Park County, Wyoming, and southern Montana conducted over the last two years shows that a majority of residents would like to see an 8-mile section of U.S. Highway 212 plowed. Plowing it while adding improvements for snow-machine travel could entice significant numbers of new winter visitors, the survey showed, with only a minimal drop in snowmobile riders, who make up the majority of winter users. The plug, as the segment is known, has traditionally been left snow-covered for use by snowmobile riders as a connector route to access a huge swath of backcountry powder and trails. The route straddles the Montana/Wyoming border, with approximately four miles lying in each state. Snowmobiling in Lolo National Forest The only road in Yellowstone open to cars during the winter leads from Gardiner, Montana, through the parks northern range to a dead end at the plug, just east of Cooke City, Montana. Plowing the plug would allow winter auto access for the first time in decades through the entire Northeast Entrance Road from both sides of the park. But one caveat, cited by Jake Jorgenson of RRC Associates, the Colorado-based research firm that conducted the surveys, is that the clear majority in favor of plowing includes a combination of respondents who want to plow with no additional accommodations, as well as those who favor plowing only after additional parking areas and an alternate connector trail for over-snow travel are built. I think this topic, as we all know, has been a difficult topic for years. But I think what weve seen is there is room for compromise, and theres not only two options, Jorgenson said during an online presentation last week to members of the Park County Travel Council in Cody, and Yellowstone Country, the tourism board covering a five-county region in Montana that includes Cooke City, Gardiner, Livingston, Bozeman, Red Lodge and West Yellowstone. A compromise did not seem not out of the question to Bert Miller, a member of the Cody Country Snowmobile Association, and also of Protect Our Plug, a group formed to counter the growing efforts of plowing advocates in Cooke City and Cody. It looks like theres a reasonable way to start looking at this. Im not saying its something we can flip a switch on, but to promote snowmobiling and other industries its very interesting, Miller said. Working together to develop parking, new snowmobile trail Tim Weamer, who handles marketing for the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce and whose son owns a gas station in Cooke City, said there was no reason not to work together to develop parking and a new snowmobile trail. I think that would go a long way to reducing the animosity in the town, as well as people working together to an end goal that has positive outcomes, said Weamer, who has been active on the Park Access Recommendation Committee, a pro-plowing group. Weamer and Miller agreed that maintaining a steering committee of local residents formed to guide the study would be a positive step toward reaching a compromise. Jorgenson said survey results show 89% of regional residents in Wyoming would be as likely or more likely to travel to the Northeast Entrance to visit Yellowstone in the winter after plowing and improvements. But only approximately 10% or fewer of regional residents from both states would be less likely to visit or recreate there after plowing. Theyre still going to come, because, honestly, the area has such great riding and snow, its still an amazing area, Jorgenson said. The idea of plowing the plug has come up every few years for decades, said Cody tour guide Bob Richard, a former Yellowstone Park ranger who has advocated plowing since the 1980s. Richard and other proponents say thousands of new visitors would travel through the picturesque Lamar Valley to watch bison, wolves and other wildlife. They also say public safety is a factor, citing a shorter distance to Cody for emergency care. And they say a range of other winter recreation besides snowmobiling would see a boost if visitors could reach the area from the east by car. Opponents of plowing have maintained that it would hamper snowmobile access to world-class trails and drastically change the character of Cooke City and Silver Gate, which are small, isolated, unincorporated mountain towns where some winter residents prize the solitude that comes with being at the literal end of the trail. Others have worried that if U.S. Highway 212 is open to cars in the winter, the National Park Service might stop plowing from Gardiner to the Northeast Gate, which lies just west of Silver Gate. Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly has given multiple assurances in public forums that he would continue to plow that section of the parks roads. But he has also said he will not plow the plug, citing the lack of a federal mandate or the budget to support it. A decision by local and state agencies to plow would be unlikely to affect winter management policies inside the park, Sholly has said. Opponents say plowing would ruin character of the area in winter Aaron Mulkey, a professional ice climber who lives in Cody and has property in Cooke City, was among the minority of those who oppose plowing regardless of changes or improvements. I truly believe it ruins the experience and vibe of the town, he said. Cooke City in the winter is a unique destination. Plow the road, and its just like any other mountain town in the winter. A lone pickup truck is parked near the Miners Saloon in Cooke City, Montana. An economic analysis by Jorgenson projected that plowing the road with improvements would amount to a drop of less than 1% in total winter tourism revenue, he said. Thats assuming no new visitors would be attracted as a result of plowing, he said, ignoring new auto traffic likely to be drawn to Yellowstone. Ted Blair, CEO of Blair Hotels in Cody, said that opening the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone in the winter would be enormous for Park County. The opportunity to drive through the Lamar Valley from Cody during the winter would offer unprecedented opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography, said Blair, whose company is the towns largest lodging partner for group tours and bus travel to Yellowstone. It is something many of our tour clients have expressed interest in over the last few years. But moving forward with a plan to create a new snowmobile trail that runs parallel to the plug, as well as developing the necessary additional parking areas needed to accommodate more vehicles stopping at different spots, will be a complex and lengthy process. It will require an extensive environmental review process mandated by federal regulations. An alphabet soup of agencies have jurisdictional control or considerable input over the matter, including two state transportation departments, two national forests, two counties in separate states, two governors offices, and the National Park Service. The high-altitude hillsides along the highway are home to a range of sensitive species, including grizzly bears, gray wolves and Canada lynx. Construction there would be costly, logistically difficult and environmentally challenging. Equally thorny would be the expenses and responsibilities for plowing the plug. No agency has produced a solid estimate of the likely annual cost. Directors of both states local tourism boards said they plan to remain involved in further discussions about a potential compromise, and that the survey offers a chance to find common ground on changes that could help communities across the region. Shaleas Harrison, a Wyomingite who has worked to organize Montana plowing advocates, acknowledged the complexity of finding a compromise, but said the survey offered solid data to build on. Maybe for the first time, there can be some productive dialogue from the community members as a result of the information presented here, she said. Editors note: Ruffin Prevost serves on the Park County Travel Council. The group does not have a position on plowing. The body of Rosanna Pilloni (L) was kept in a freezer by her son, Sandro Mallus An Italian man has said he kept his dead mothers remains in a freezer to cover up her death and continue to collect her pension. Sandro Mallus told police he put the body of Rosanna Pilloni, 78, in the familys chest freezer after she passed away at home in the small town of Sarroch, near Cagliari in Sardinia, in January last year. He made the admission after police began investigating concerns from neighbours that the woman hadnt been seen for months. According to local media, Mr Mallus continued shopping as if he was buying for two people, maintaining the pretence that his mother was alive. The house where Mr Mallus lived with his mother Police are due to carry out a post mortem examination on Monday and have not ruled out the possibility Pilloni was killed, something Mr Mallus denies. My mother died of natural causes, Mr Mallus told the newspaper, LUnione Sarda. I would never have harmed her. When I discovered her body I was desperate. I had no money for the funeral, so I locked her in there. Small town in shock Angelo Dessi, the mayor of Sarroch, said the towns 5,000 residents were shocked and dismayed by the news. We live in a tranquil community and its a healthy place to live, Mr Dessi told The Telegraph. You never think anything like this would happen here. We have to reflect on how it could have happened in a community where everyone knows each other. We cant understand it. Sardinian prosecutors have opened an investigation into charges of concealment of a corpse and defrauding the state. Ivan Murgana, a journalist who lives in Sarroch, said when residents asked Mr Mallus where his mother was he gave various answers. Police are questioning the dead womans doctor and the towns pharmacy to find out more about the state of her health before her death. 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. MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) A 45-year-old Wisconsin contractor was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay millions after being convicted of bank fraud and money laundering. According to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Ross Schlomann, 45, was sentenced to five years in federal prison and will have to pay $2.1 million in restitution. Wisconsin authorities arrest wrong-way driver on I-39 for operating while intoxicated Court records show that Schlomann is a former home construction contractor for Refurbs Properties, LLC, based in Fremont. As a contractor, he worked with homeowners to design homes, hire subcontractors, and manage builds in northeast Wisconsin and elsewhere. The investigation revealed that Schlomann defrauded more than a dozen victims whose homes he had promised to build. The victims paid Schlomann substantial sums of money, yet they saw little or no work done despite Schlomanns representations. Schlomann accepted the victims money, made false statements to have the funds disbursed by the applicable bank, and then used the money for other purposes, including covering shortages on previous projects. To keep his scheme going, Mr. Schlomann made repeated false statements and ultimately caused over $2 million in losses to individuals looking to build homes, said U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad. I commend the hard work of all involved in seeking justice for the victims in this case. WATCH: Drone credited with saving three-year-old child who was missing in 100+ acre cornfield in Fond du Lac County Ross Schlomann not only betrayed the trust of his clients, but he also undermined the very foundation of the construction industry, said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. His actions represent a grave violation of ethical standards and have left lasting scars on those he victimized. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to work diligently to ensure that those who exploit and defraud others are held accountable. In sentencing Schlomann, Judge William Griesbach stated that this was a sophisticated Ponzi scheme and an egregious betrayal of trust. Judge Griesbach stressed that Schlomann victimized young families who were seeking to design and build their dream 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The Orange County Sheriff's Office revealed the true cause of the events in Florida on Thursday, Aug. 29 Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Police in Florida have confirmed there was no active shooter at Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom on Thursday, Aug. 29. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), on Friday, Aug. 30, the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed that what some people believed to be the sound of a gun shot was actually the popping noise created by a balloon. ALERT: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorlds Magic Kingdom, the statement read. A fight occurred, and a popping sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and thats how the active shooter rumor started," officials added. "There is no active shooter. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. ALERT: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorlds Magic Kingdom. A fight occurred, and a popping sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and thats how the active shooter rumor started. There is no active shooter. pic.twitter.com/TRKLs3NglC Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 30, 2024 Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla's Royal Visit to Jersey Interrupted by Security Scare 2 Days After Trump Shooting Matt Stroshane/Bloomberg via Getty Video shared by Click Orlando showed how the park's souvenir stores were left deserted after the active shooter rumors spread. Speaking to FOX 35, park-goer Glenn Brady said that he and his family were in one of the stores when people suddenly came rushing inside, adding that the security told people to take cover. Related: Sheriff Says Active Shooter Report at Tenn. High School Was a 'Hoax,' No Students Were Harmed oseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty "Some had to leave their strollers and their carts, Brady, who was visiting from Kansas, said. So, we were there like 15 minutes, and then we were ushered to another location behind the store where we still remained for, like, another, 30 minutes or so until we were finally ushered out of the park. The park guests were eventually let out to use buses and a ferry to return to the parking lot. Disney World also released a statement following the scare. "We appreciate the immediate response of the Orange County Sheriffs Office to quickly assess and clear the situation, a spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Normal operations have resumed and the park is now closed for the evening. PEOPLE has contacted Disney World for further comment. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A housing project in San Ysidro received $33.7 million from the State of Californias Strategic Growth Councils Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, city officials said. The announcement was made last week for Hitzke Development Corp. and Casa Familiars Avanzando housing project, which will offer 101 affordable rental units, the City of San Diego said in a news release. I am thrilled to see another AHSC grant awarded to our City, Mayor Todd Gloria said. The Avanzando project is a perfect example of affordable transit-oriented housing done right. Residents will have access to key bus routes and our Trolleys Blue Line for efficient daily commuting. We are proud to support this project, which also features pedestrian and bike lane upgrades, because residents deserve a range of convenient transportation options. Camp Pendleton Marine last seen outside of bar missing since Sunday: family According to the City of San Diego, they will also receive $320,000 of the award that will be put toward developing the surrounding transportation infrastructure, including a half-mile of sidewalks with ADA-accessible pedestrian curb ramps; the conversion of two miles of Class II bike lanes into separated Class IV bikeways within the project area; 10 new bus shelters along the 906 and 907 bus routes; and expanded weekend trolley service on the Blue Line. San Diego has been awarded a total of $74.8 million from the AHSC program to build 293 homes since Gloria took office, according to the 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. South MS teen will spend decades in prison after murder committed when he was 15 years old A teenager from Moss Point will spend four decades in prison after he pleaded guilty this summer to the murder of an 18-year-old he tried to rob three years ago, the Jackson County District Attorneys Office said. Korey Cameron Monroe, 18, was sentenced on Thursday. Monroe was 15 at the time of the murder, and was prosecuted as an adult. He must serve his 40 years without the possibility of parole. The sentence was the maximum possible because of his age, the District Attorneys Office said. Monroe pleaded guilty in July to the murder of 18-year-old Caleb Lett. Before the sentencing, Letts family said he was a smart student who lived with Aspergers Syndrone, and was a devoted member of his church. He died January 18, 2021. This is a tragic case where a young man with a very bright future had his life stolen by a senseless act of violence, District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said in a news release. If a juvenile commits a felony with a firearm, the law treats them as an adult. As shown by this maximum sentence, there will be accountability. Assistant District Attorney George Huffman, who prosecuted the case, said Monroe tried to rob Lett in his parked car. Surveillance video showed Monroe approach the car, point a gun and open the door, Huffman said. Lett fought back when Monroe demanded money, Huffman said. Monroe shot Lett when he left his car, according to Huffman. Monroe fled but was arrested one day later. The case led to reckoning over the toll of gun violence on Mississippi Coast youth. Then-Mayor Mario King ordered a curfew for all minors and begged frightened residents to see it as a wake-up call about the loss of life by gun violence among teenagers. Lett was named Mr. Moss Point High School in 2020 and graduated the same year. He was in the percussion section of the band. When he died, he was in his second semester at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Lett was faithful and devoted, bold and brave, headstrong and, at times, a bit of a knucklehead, his obituary said. Above all, he was full of so much love and sincerity that a piece of him is left in every heart he has touched. Staff writer Margaret Baker contributed reporting. We are so blessed to have the Atlantic coast nearby. If you haven't done so lately, take a ride to the ocean along what is so appropriately called Ocean Boulevard. The winding road along the coastline has many gifts per mile. Lots of spots and parking areas give you great water views where you can stop and touch the sea. Along the way, you'll come to Rye Harbor. Drive in and take a look. You will see a clump of small, differently-painted, perhaps weirdly-built wooden shacks my use of the words "clump" and "weirdly" is meant to be complimentary, not derogatory. Advocates are speaking up on plans that may change what you see. Jim Splaine Those shacks house small businesses that promote and sell tickets and souvenirs for fishing excursions, whale watching, and sea-related activities. The Pease Development Authority decides things at Rye Harbor, and has its eyes on that clump of shacks. Seacoastonline journalist Ian Lenahan has done excellent reporting in past weeks about the on-going discussions. A proposal in its evolutionary stages may affect or eliminate those shacks and businesses with a grander, larger building. Change happens and often change is good. On this matter, "for good" or "for bad" that is the question.Change itself is part of the reasoning behind the plans. Sea-level rise and stronger storms affecting our seashore because of climate change need response. The PDA is doing its job by looking at how to mitigate nature's effect on Rye Harbor. A study about what to do is going to cost a million dollars. When we hear a study by itself costs that much, it may be assumed whatever comes from the study will be much more expensive. I have a unique viewpoint of Rye Harbor that comes from my age. Not too many other people alive have the memory I have of being nine years old playing in the mud at Rye Harbor in the very same location those shacks stand. No buildings around then; just a few small boats and little sea crawlers that get the attention of a young boy. My Dad fished for lobsters for 30 years, and he introduced me into the business. Business owners operating from shacks and small buildings in Rye Harbor are worried about the future of their businesses. Their agreements are expiring soon, another source of concern. Eventually I joined him for five years when I was in high school and college. The money was good in those days we'd be fishing by 5 a.m., selling our daily catch at Ray's Seafood Restaurant and LaCava's Lobster Hut. The part of Rye Harbor where shacks now stand was where we docked our small 18-footer lobster boats. That was some 60 years ago. The question to consider now is how things will change in the next 60 years, and that's the most important aspect of the current discussion. Rye Harbor doesn't belong to Rye residents or businesses any more than anyone else. It belongs to the future. Think about that. Those who will replace us in coming decades, and yes we will all be replaced, will inherit everything we leave behind. Everything. Should we leave a Rye Harbor with character, flavor, and uniqueness, or would they prefer to receive a neat, kind of early-2020s building that's the fishing version of that $1 million study? I represented the town of Rye when I was in the New Hampshire state Senate years ago and was much involved in issues relating to the Odiorne Point State Park, the Seacoast Science Center, Wallis Sands, and yes, Rye Harbor. Each time discussion was focused on keeping that part of our shoreline from being like Hampton Beach. Not that Hampton was bad, but that Rye was special. There's room for both. Sometimes the best thing to do is to do nothing, or little. If the problem is to protect the harbor from major storms, let's find ways to do so without destroying the ambience that makes it special. Once you remove the "special," it's hard to get it back. Today's quote: "The people involved with the harbor, fisherman, tour boat operators and the rest who earn a living there should and must be included in any far-reaching decisions." Bill Epperson, Rye Select Board chair. Next time: Mark McNabb's "co-living" proposal for downtown is brilliant. More: Rye Harbor shacks must be saved, owners say. PDA points to big cash losses. Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years, representative for 24 years, Police Commission and School Board member, Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years and city councilor for 18 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouthnh@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Rye Harbor advocates speak for New Hampshire's future CARTHAGE, Mo. The judge issues a split decision in a lawsuit filed against the City of Carthage, its council members, and the political action committee, Carthage Citizens United. Former City Administrator Greg Dagnan filed his wrongful termination and defamation lawsuit in May against the City of Carthage, all the city council members as individuals, along with Carthage Citizens United. In Thursdays ruling, the judge dismissed Carthage Citizens United from the lawsuit entirely. The judge did not dismiss CCU with prejudice, which means if more information becomes available, CCU could be included in future actions. However, the judge did rule that Dagnan could move forward with the wrongful termination portion of the lawsuit against both the City and council members individually. This involves Dagnans claim that the defendants violated the Whistle Blowers Act by firing him. The ruling also allows Dagnan to move forward with the defamation charge against, not only the City of Carthage as an entity, but also council members Tiffany Cossey, Alan Snow, Jana Schramm, Derek Peterson, Dustin Edge, Tom Barlow, and Terri Heckmaster as individuals. This means that if Dagnan prevails in this lawsuit, these council members could be ordered to pay Dagnan out of their own pockets. The judge has granted Dagnan 20 days to file an amended petition. This ruling comes a week after all the parties made oral arguments before District 39 Judge David A. Cole. Cole was appointed to the case after three Jasper County judges recused themselves and/or attorneys filed motions for a change of judge. Turmoil in Carthage is ongoing as the twice-elected Mayor, Dan Rife, continues the battle to keep his job as mayor. Members of the council, some of whom were backed by CCU, continue their efforts to get rid of Rife. Their effort to impeach Rife began when Rife blocked the CCU-backed council members from firing Dagnan and then, City Attorney, Nate Dally. An impeachment date of September 24 is currently set. However, Rifes attorney has filed a Motion to Enforce a Settlement agreement made with the City regarding the lawsuit Rife filed over the impeachment action. According to the motion, filed Thursday in Jasper County Court, special counsel Paul Martin, announced the agreement for the record, stating the parties agreed to dismiss the case pending a couple of occurrences. The occurrences Martin is referring to include, the City Council considering and presumably approving, an ordinance hiring Tim Engelmeyer and the court reporter for the impeachment proceedings that are separate and apart from the articles of impeachment that were filed. As of the filing of Thursdays motion, the Carthage City Council has met twice in regularly scheduled meetings, but has not yet presented or approved the ordinance required as part of the agreement. Rifes attorney argues that by not passing the ordinance, the council is depriving Mayor Rife of the opportunity to conduct discovery related to his defense in this contested 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Update 8-29-24: The foreperson announced the jury is deadlocked and additional deliberation will not be productive. The court declared a mistrial. A hearing has been set for September 5 at 10 a.m. to determine what is next. Original story Jan. 4, 2024 SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A Springfield man accused of assaulting a woman and keeping her trapped in a shed has been charged with rape. He is in court today on the charge. Teen dies after shooting at home in Springfield Micah Robinson, 42, was arrested by Springfield police on Dec. 21, 2023, after an investigation of the attack was reported on Dec. 10 The woman called 911 on Dec. 10 and told dispatchers she had been attacked and was locked in a backyard shed in a maze of trailers and campers, according to a probable cause statement in the case. The woman told police she had gone to the residence because Robinson was going to repair her car, but he dragged her into the shed where he lived and assaulted her. Court documents detail her graphic claims of attack and sexual assault, after which she called 911 when her attacker fell asleep. She said she was unable to escape from the shed that had padded walls and straps hanging from the bed. Roberson was awakened by police but would not allow them to enter the structure. The woman told police the building was like a torture chamber and she could not get out until police arrived and opened it from outside. She was taken to hospital for sexual assault examination and treatment of multiple injuries. After being released from the hospital, she discreetly returned to the residence for her car and her cat but found the pet dead and her car gone from the scene, according to the probable cause statement. A search warrant was obtained on Dec. 21. Officers searched the shed and the area, collected evidence, arrested Robinson, obtained a DNA sample and questioned him. Robinson claimed the woman was a friend with benefits and denied attacking her, harming her cat or having her car moved. During questioning, Robinson became enraged by the womans rape allegation and threatened to beat her to death and have others attack her, the court document states. He told detectives he should have let her freeze to death and hoped she died the most horrible death possible. Robinson is next in court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 17. He is being held in the Greene County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. One person was hospitalized and multiple were treated for injuries in a fire at a Colorado Springs apartment complex Friday morning, according to officials. The Colorado Springs Fire Department received multiple reports of heavy smoke shortly after 6 a.m. from the Fir Tree Apartment complex, located near Radiant Drive and North Academy Boulevard, according to Ashley Franco, Fire Department spokeswoman. The blaze appeared to have started on the second floor and moved to the complex's third floor, Franco said. More than 50 residents were evacuated, and at least one ladder rescue took place. Franco said the fire was knocked down at 7:02 a.m. Four residents were treated and released on the scene due to smoke-related injuries. One person was hospitalized after jumping from the third floor to escape the blaze. Franco said that the 32-unit complex appeared to be uninhabitable, however, it was unclear how many residents will be displaced. Residents later in the morning were seen meandering through the property of the complex as firefighters continued monitoring the scene, the smell of smoke and burning fuel remained . Featured Local Savings Resident Jessica Lyons said she was made aware of the blaze at about 6:20 a.m. when she heard the screams of her neighbors from across the courtyard. What she saw when she looked out across the lawn from her window came as a shock thick smoke billowing out of the second-story windows . "I heard some yells, and then I looked and saw the smoke, I missed the flames. I was just waking up and I was thinking, 'who is yelling at this hour?'" Lyons said. "It's scary, and it's sad," she said. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Over a month after declaring Jenny Lind Hall a nuisance property, the City of Springfield has scheduled a hearing to determine whats next for the low-income housing complex. According to a release from the city, the hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 and comes after the buildings owner, Millenia Housing Management, failed to get elevators working inside the six-story complex. The city also says the property owner has stopped communicating with the citys Building Development Services Department (BDS). The City of Springfield has been investigating complaints about Jenny Lind Halls broken elevators since February and says the building has been without at least one of two elevators for most of the year. Millennia told tenants in mid-May the elevators would be modernized and that a down payment had been made to an elevator contractor. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety confirmed to OzarksFirst in June that a permit for elevator repairs had been approved. Repairs were expected to begin July 29. Since then, the city says BDS has tried to contact building management daily, but have not received a positive response. Given the lack of communication, the city is moving forward with the case. Cora Scott, Director of Public Information for the City of Springfield, says its unusual for an occupied building to go through the formal hearing process. Nuisance properties are typically vacant, Scott said, and a hearing will allow a hearing officer to decide whether to order Millennia Housing to repair the elevators. KOLR 10 Investigates: City Council calls for federal investigation into elevator fiasco at Jenny Lind Hall If the hearing officer orders repairs, Scott says Millennia Housing will have 30 days to comply. If the property owner doesnt act, the city can either repair or demolish the building. She also said if the city fixes the elevators, then Millennia will foot the bill. Scott also said the city has no intention of demolishing or closing the building. The release from the City of Springfield says its contacts with the Department of Housing and Urban Development say there are 67 tenants at Jenny Lind Hall, and nine are currently residing at a hotel, paid for by Millennia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) State agents arrested a woman for embezzling funds through title transactions while working at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles St. George office. 44-year-old Shayla Singleton-Drayton was charged with embezzlement of public funds valued at more than $10,000. Singleton-Drayton was employed as a customer service representative at the St. George DMV from Dec. 1, 2022, to Mar. 7, 2024, when the crimes occurred. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said she took $19,451. On Mar. 7, the Office of the Inspector General said they received a complaint from a customer who said she was overcharged for a title transaction by Singleton-Drayton. The customer was charged $600 when the cost should have been $585. After investigating further, officials found only $85 was out into the DMV system and deposited into Singleton-Draytons cash drawer, according to an affidavit. The investigation continued, and the DMV uncovered several instances in which Singleton-Drayton had processed transactions but not accounted for the entire amount of funds. When questioned, she admitted to investigators that she took the funds because she had financial problems and needed the money to pay her personal bills and other expenses, the affidavit states. She was booked in the Dorchester County 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 WCBD News 2. After a man sued the city of St. Paul and firefighters he says disregarded obvious signs that hed had a stroke and told him the emergency room was full, the city is poised to settle his lawsuit for $295,000. Ahmed Ali, who was 84 when the lawsuit was filed, previously lived independently but now requires 24-hour care, according to his lawsuit against the citys paramedics and emergency medical technicians who responded to his familys 911 call in 2022. The St. Paul City Council is due to vote on the settlement Wednesday, an agenda posted Thursday shows. This was a sad event for Ali, his family, and the city, said J. Ashwin Madia, one of Alis attorneys. Hes grateful to have this matter resolved, and hopes that his case will help motivate St. Paul to update its training and procedures for responding to emergency calls of suspected stroke. There was an internal investigation, which was closed with no discipline, according to St. Paul City Attorney Lyndsey Olson. While the actions of our EMS and firefighters followed policy and protocol, we entered into settlement with plaintiff to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation, Olson said. Ali filed the lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court in April 2023 and the city sought to dismiss it. After a hearing in March, Judge Stephen Smith ruled in June that the portion of Alis lawsuit alleging medical malpractice could move forward. He wrote there were factual disputes between information from Alis lawsuit and from the city. Smith dismissed the lawsuits assertion that Ali had been discriminated against on the basis of race and national origin, writing that he found insufficient factual allegations to support the claim. The lawsuit The lawsuit filed by attorneys Madia, Zane Umsted and Charlie Alden provided the following information: Ali took a walk with his son, Hassan, on Nov. 2, 2022. At about about 9 p.m., Ali begins to exhibit classic signs of stroke. He had weakness in his right arm and leg, his right leg was dragging, his right arm was shaking, and his neck and head drooped to one side. Hassan got Ali back to his apartment, monitored his fathers condition and called 911 at 10:42 p.m. The St. Paul Fire Department provides emergency medical care in St. Paul, and all its firefighters are paramedics or EMTs (the lawsuit and other court documents refer to all of the responders as paramedics). Paramedics arrived to Alis apartment at 10:51 p.m. Hassan also called his cousin, Dr. Mohamed Abdihalim, who is a neuroradiologist in St. Paul and works with stroke patients daily. He explained Alis condition to Abdihalim, who was unequivocal and adamant and told the paramedics that his uncle was having a stroke and needed to be taken to the emergency room. Paramedics asked about Alis medical history. Abdihalim told them his uncle was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease a year earlier and had high blood pressure. He explains that notwithstanding his Parkinsons diagnosis, Ali has never exhibited neurological symptoms like this from Parkinsons, the lawsuit said. Paramedics checked Alis blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and conducted an electrocardiogram, Judge Smith wrote in a summary. They concluded the results all fell within normal ranges. Ali said in his lawsuit that the paramedics tried to have him walk and squeeze their fingers, but he was unable to do either. Paramedics said his symptoms were manifestations of his Parkinsons disease, but his son repeated what Abdihalim had stated about the problems only arising that night. Dispute over stroke test Alis lawsuit says paramedics didnt conduct all the tests required by a pre-hospital stroke scale and/or ignored the positive results, Smith wrote in his summary. The city, however, wrote in a court document that firefighters performed the stroke test and that where the discretion lies is in interpreting the results. Ali also said his family insisted that paramedics take him to the hospital and they refused intimating it would be a long time before he would see a doctor because the emergency room was full of Covid patients, the judges summary said. Paramedics, meanwhile, said Ali decided not to go to the ER because of concerns about COVID and a lengthy waiting time, the summary continued. Alis lawsuit said the paramedics asked him to mark their form to indicate he refused transport to the emergency room, though his suit emphasizes that he is a Somali immigrant who cant read or speak English. The paramedics left his apartment 10 minutes after making contact with him. Hasan stayed with his father through the night and took him to the hospital in the morning. An MRI showed dozens of strokes throughout Alis left part of his brain. Because of the amount of time that had passed since Alis stroke symptoms started, medical providers couldnt provide him with a clot-busting drug, the lawsuit said. The paramedics failure to get Ali to the emergency room, where (the medication) could be administered, resulted in permanent damage to Alis brain and body, the lawsuit alleged. The stroke spread through his brain and resulted in permanent right-side impairment (and) weakness. Hassan quit his job to care for his father full-time. Ali is now 86. A review of Alis claims in the lawsuit by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Boards complaint review panel didnt result in any adverse findings that (the workers) actions fell below the standard of care, the city wrote in a court document. Related Articles A judge in Brazil has blocked Starlinks bank accounts in the country amid a deepening dispute with X. The move comes as the same Supreme Court judge has threatened to shut down X in the country, and is a direct response to the ongoing legal battle with the social media company, Reuters reported . X owner Elon Musk has been feuding with Brazil Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes for months over demands to block certain accounts in the country. The company closed down its operations in Brazil earlier this month as a result of the court orders, which X has characterized as censorship orders. Now, Moraes is apparently attempting to use one of Musks other companies, SpaceX-owned Starlink, in an attempt to get X to comply with the court order. This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines leviedunconstitutionallyagainst X, Starlink wrote in a statement on 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. Moraes has also threatened to shut down X in the country entirely. On Wednesday, the judge said X would be shut down in Brazil if they didnt appoint a legal representative in the country. X said in an update Thursday, shortly after that deadline had passed, that it soon expects Moraes to order the shutdown. We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States, the company wrote in a statement published in English and Portuguese. The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazils own laws. We simply wont do that. The company said it planned to publish Moraes' "illegal demands and all related court filings" in the coming days. There was much about Gordon Browns tenure as leader of our country and my (then) party of which I disapproved. But if nothing else, he was a serious politician, confident enough in his own status and abilities not to be phased by the shadow of a predecessor who, two decades after her removal, still loomed large in 10 Downing Street. It was an act of political magnanimity for a former foe who had soundly beaten Labour three times in eight years, condemning Brown himself to far longer in opposition than he would have liked, that he commissioned a portrait of her. Today it has been revealed that the era of sober respect for ones opponents is just so passe in Keir Starmers regime. The Prime Minister has ordered the removal of the portrait of Britains first woman prime minister, the person who reshaped modern politics for good, from the former study in Downing Street, the room informally known (for now at least) as the Thatcher room. Cue much (relatively justified) scorn from the Conservatives. Russell Findlay MSP, a contender for the leadership of the Scottish Tories, described the removal of the portrait as petty. And hes not wrong. Unless the prime ministers spokesman comes up with a convincing justification, we will have to assume that this was indeed an exercise in petty political point-scoring, a submission by the prime minister to the narrow-minded Thatcher critics within the Labour Party, many of whom are far too young even to recall her government but who have been taught to hate by those who can. Comparisons will no doubt be made to the confected row over Barack Obamas alleged decision to remove a bust of Sir Winston Churchill from the White House (the bust in question was on temporary loan from the UK government for the duration of his predecessor, George W. Bushs, term of office and was returned when Bush left office). But this seems far more spiteful and politically-motivated. For an earlier generation of Labour Party members, Churchill was almost as despised as Thatcher subsequently became. But Clem Attlee, the great post-war prime minister and founding father of the welfare state, acted as pallbearer at Churchills funeral because he was able to divorce political rivalry from his more important feelings of respect and admiration for the late war leader. What a pity Starmer cannot bring himself to risk the ire of his party members (and no doubt a few of his own cabinet) by retaining the Thatcher portrait, the first ever such portrait of a former prime minister commissioned by Number 10. Even this government cannot bring itself to dismantle most of her legacy the nuclear deterrent, the privatisation programme, the so-called anti-trade union legislation that forced the unions to democratise. Even the Iron Lady opposed privatising British Rail and left that to her successor, so Louise Haighs current project to bring railways back into public ownership will do nothing to reverse Thatchers legacy in that department. She got a lot of things right while the opposition got as many things wrong: this is now accepted, though perhaps not explicitly, by Labour ministers. Why is it so hard for the party to accept this? Whose support does Starmer feel he needs to court by this act of spite? Is it too much to ask that the prime minister who led Britain and much of the west to victory against the Soviet Union, who recognised and warned against the fundamental wickedness of that totalitarian regime, be honoured in the building she inhabited for eleven and half years? Sadly, the answer seems to be yes. Its an unusual misstep by Starmer. He must know that voters tend to appreciate it when politicians express admiration for their opponents. And those who fail to show magnanimity may end up becoming the victim of a similar lack of grace from their successors. 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. Elected and Penn State student leaders of color from around the Centre Region came together this week to share what their communities are doing for diversity, equity and inclusion, and to hopefully make lasting connections for a deeper impact. Wednesday was the commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where more than 200,000 people advocated for the civil and economic rights of Black people. It was also where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech. Gary Abdullah, a member of the State College Racial Equity Advisory Commission, said what started the March on Washington was six different civil rights leaders and activists realizing they were all working toward the same goal, but from different directions, and coming together. The original March of 1963 brought together the leading social justice and civil rights groups of the day to address those immediate needs: jobs and freedom. Each of the Big Six spoke from their unique perspective about what the challenges were and how they would be addressing it. It almost did not happen. Differences nearly derailed the huge undertaking, but ultimately it changed how the nation looked at civil rights and the need for social justice. This event, hopefully, will do something similar for the Centre Region, Abdullah said. Gary Abdullah speaks to attendees at the 61st March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at Fraser Street Commons on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. He said he heard from University Park Undergraduate Association Vice President Rasha Elwakil, who told him shes been part of a very active social justice group but they had not been invited or able to interact with the Racial Equity Advisory Commission or other agencies within the community. In other words, we were doing the same thing that they were doing in 1963, he said. ...So as the rhythm of a new academic year ramps up, we want to provide local representatives with a forum to proclaim their causes and tactics. Over the course of two hours, attendees heard from local leaders about changes they have made and plan to make over the next year or so. Topics ranged from language access in the court system to zoning changes to food pantry access. The State College borough is working to rewrite its zoning ordinance, Council Member Gopal Balachandran said, which gets to the core of many things involving jobs and economic justice. I know it sounds really boring, right? Talking about lot sizes and setbacks. I can tell you right now that its really gratifying to see how our borough and our discussions at least, are really going to be moving toward what I think of as very progressive and equitable legislation involving increasing the housing stock, increasing the supply of housing, which is going to have an impact on what kind of housing is actually available in the borough, which will then hopefully enable someone who is working in the school district or working for minimum wage at a McDonalds to be able to afford and live in the borough, Balachandran said. With that, Patton Township Supervisors Pam Robb and Sultan Magruder talked about drafting attainable housing regulations so the people who work in Patton Township can afford to live there, too. Patton Townships Pamela Robb speaks to attendees at the 61st March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at Fraser Street Commons on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. We have to start really addressing affordable housing, Robb said. Affordable housing has been a stigma ... So say attainable for those people who work at Walmart, for our fire (companies), for our police officers, for our teachers our teachers are driving two hours away just to come here to teach. Its an issue seen across the Centre Region. College Township Supervisor Tracey Mariner said with attainable housing, it can be a place where people from all socioeconomic backgrounds can live. She said she and her husband both work and make decent money, but its still difficult for them find a place to live and are currently renting. Shed like to work on bringing a tenants bill of rights to College Township, similar to what the State College borough passed. Beyond the municipal government level, District Judge Donald Hahn, who was the first person of color to serve as mayor of State College, spoke about his work to bring greater language access and diversity into the court system. Just like we have succeeded in bringing more diversity into our elected bodies, municipal bodies, I think that it is absolutely important that we bring it more into the administrative justice system, and that is not only the court systems. Its also attorneys. We need more attorneys of color, we need more judges of color. And quite frankly, we need more police officers of color, Hahn said. From campus, Juan-Rodrigo Solares, president of the Lions Pantry, said theyre working to increase access to the student food pantry. Because it can be quite the hike for some students to get to the Lions Pantry, theyre funding a program to provide free transportation to and from the pantry, as well as creating parking vouchers for students who have cars. Other student leaders spoke of the importance of registering Penn State students to vote and encouraging them to use their voices to make a difference. Ending the event, Abdullah encouraged everyone to network and share ideas to start moving forward with because something that may seem small could make a large difference for someone living in the Centre Region. Ive been talking to a couple people here about partnering on the fact that Christmas is coming, and we can do Black Christmas carols, he said. I mean, it is not an earth shattering thing, but it is an element that will make Happy Valley, State College more amenable and more like home to somebody who lives here. Thats the process of racial equity. NEW YORK STATE FAIRGROUNDS (WSYR-TV) The State Department of Transportation uses the New York State Fair to teach Central New Yorkers how to use the roundabouts planned for the I-81 viaduct replacement project. At a new exhibit inside the Science and Industry Building, State DOT personnel have installed an interactive version of the roundabout using giant stickers showing the roadway on the ground, complete with pavement markings and signs. Whether they realize it or not, people walking through seem to follow the road direction naturally. Some seemed to have more fun using strollers or scooters. Three roundabouts will be installed in the next few years: one in front of where I-81 passes the JMA Wireless Dome and two near Brighton Avenue. Click to read more on the I-81 Viaduct Project Roundabouts keep people moving. Theres no more stopping at the light. So when youre in a hurry in the morning or in the afternoon trying to get to a doctors appointment or get to work, youre not going to have to stop at that light for a minute or two, said TeNesha Murphy, a public information officer for the NYSDOT. Traffic engineers consider roundabouts a modern design feature that keeps traffic moving without stop lights, reduces the chances of crashes, and calms traffic. In the future, I-81 traffic traveling north from Tully, LaFayette, and Nedrow will have to use the current I-481 (to be renamed I-81) to remain at highway speeds consistently. The current I-81 will become Business Loop 81 at the southern interchange, which then transitions into the community grid. Some speeds will stay 55 miles per hour outside of downtown, but then this traffic circle planned at Van Buren Street will slow traffic down to around 30 miles per hour. For some reason, Central New Yorkers seem anxious for the change. Murphy, the also former Bridge Street co-host on NewsChannel 9, showed NewsChannel 9 through the interactive exhibit to calm public anxiety. Carrier Circle is not a roundabout, said Murphy. Its a traffic circle. It is navigated at much higher speeds than a true roundabout. Roundabouts in Syracuse have much slower speeds. Murphy has some advice for drivers: rely on the signs and pavement markings and watch out for people crossing the road. Because the roundabouts are part of the grid, the ground-level circles will have pedestrians crossing through. Latest local 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 WSYR. State to keep control of Providence schools for three more years Javier Montanez, superintendent of Providence Public Schools, and Angelica Infante-Green, commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, are seen speaking to reporters after a meeting of the states K-12 council. Councilors voted unanimously to affirm Infante-Greens recommendation that a state takeover of the capital citys schools continue. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Providence will get its schools back from state control, Rhode Islands education commissioner promised Thursday night. Just not right now. Angelica Infante-Green, commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), supplied her long-awaited recommendation as to whether the state takeover of Providences public schools, which started in November 2019, should continue, at a meeting of the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. RIDE does not intend and I wanna repeat that does not intend to keep the district forever, Infante-Green told the council. But the state does want to hold the district close a little longer: Infante-Green advised that the council extend the state intervention through Oct.15, 2027, and it was unanimously approved by the council. Infante-Green indicated that there was also a chance local control could return before the end of the three year period, if theres sufficient progress in student proficiency and other stakeholders willingness to work in tandem with RIDE. That didnt mollify the Providence School Board, the mayors office or the City Council, all of whom noted their disappointment in statements following the meeting. A premature end to the takeover extension would require council approval, the councils chair Patricia DiCenso confirmed to reporters after the meeting. But it would not necessitate that the district fulfills everything outlined in the states turnaround action plan the guiding set of metrics used to evaluate the takeovers success. During the meeting, a pair of old wooden chairs helped Infante-Green illustrate why the state takeover of Providence public schools isnt ready to end. She motioned to the scratched, chipped and dented seats, which were staged against a wall in an education department conference room. The councilors spun around to look. The chairs once belonged to the auditorium in Providences Hope High School, which first underwent state intervention back in the 2000s and initially saw gains in problem areas before returning to pre-takeover disorder within a few years. The chairs are normally stationed outside the commissioners office a reminder, she said, of the need to see things through for students. It reminds me that we cannot fail them yet again, Infante-Green said. The importance of the symbolism of Hope High School is the cautionary example of what happens when the state leaves too early. State control not unique When Infante-Green spoke to reporters on Aug. 16, the day two progress reports on the takeover were released, she said that all three options end, continue or revise the takeover were still on the table. One report from Harvard Graduate School of Education showed post-pandemic progress in Providence schools compared to similar districts in other New England states. But anyone who read the report RIDE paid $120,600 for, from education consulting firm SchoolWorks, might have surmised that the school system is nowhere near reaching its turnaround goals. One example: In the 2022-2023 school year, eighth-graders math proficiency was at 6%, which was one percentage point lower than the pre-takeover baseline numbers from 2018. The turnaround action plan wanted 50% proficiency in math by 2026. In five years, the Providence takeover has drawn much media and legislative attention including a study commission led by Sen. Sam Zurier, a Providence Democrat and education committee member who often reminisces fondly at state house meetings about his own time in Providence schools. The commissions 275-page report in May, concluded that a more lasting solution for the Providence takeover could derive inspiration from other states, like the Springfield Empowerment Zone in Massachusetts that nullified the threat of an imminent state takeover with new arrangements for collective bargaining and shared governance of schools. As Zuriers commission found, history indeed repeats, and the Providence takeover is not unique. State control has been tested to varied results in school districts big and small. The state of Texas took over Houstons schools in 2023, a big experiment given that the district serves over 194,000 students, a lot more than Providences approximately 22,000 students. New Orleans schools came under state control in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the city has since transitioned to a distinct model of charter-only education. Even in Rhode Island, Providences neighbor Central Falls has had its schools under state control for over 30 years. Underperformance and funding tend to underline the decision to seize control of a municipal school district. Subpar education in Providence was a salient argument in the 2019 Johns Hopkins School of Education report that predated the takeover: The great majority of students are not learning on, or even near, grade level, the report stated. Rhode Islands annual proficiency assessments for third- and eighth-grade students will be released this fall, but the recent SchoolWorks data suggests that underperformance is still the norm. Tepid reception to takeover Before the council voted on the commissioners recommendation, chair DiCenso pointed to funding as the foremost challenge. When this district went into control, they were listed as the worst in the country, DiCenso said. And I dont think it was the families fault. I dont think it was the childrens fault. I dont think it was the teachers fault. I look back at 17 years, or at least 10-plus years, of level funding, no funding from this city to say We believe in our schools. We just cant pretend that its all about whats happening at the building level and at the district level, DiCenso said. Michael Grey, who chairs the state Board of Education, seemed content with the turnaround plans potential for accountability. I also think that this is incumbent upon the commissioner, because the weight of this is on her, statutorily, and on us as advisers to be the one that makes the call, Grey said. That contrasted the opinion of the Providence School Board, who voted unanimously last Thursday to pass a resolution urging the commissioner to end the takeover a motion as symbolic as the chairs outside Infante-Greens office, given that the state takeover has stripped away most of the municipal bodys powers. I have felt, and I think I can speak for some of my board members, completely powerless, said board member Anjel Newmann last week. And if we feel powerless, how do our students and families feel? No shade to the commissioner [but] I want to see the district come back to a community, into a collective, and not be subject to one persons veto power. School board President Erlin Rogel reaffirmed that viewpoint in an email Thursday after the council vote, and called the continued takeover disappointing a sentiment shared by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and City Council President Rachel Miller. We have also heard from families, teachers and our own city departments that there is still a lot of room for improvement in fostering a climate of collaboration and community that is required to move the district forward on a timeline that our students deserve, Smiley and Miller offered in a joint statement Thursday, and added that they were disappointed by the recommendation. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Infante-Green characterized her decision as a positive one for Providence students and families. This is about supporting the district in a way that could not happen, she said. That is the bottom line. I think we all know that mayor after mayor after mayor has tried. I think this mayors putting some processes in place, but theres a lot of work that still needs to happen. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Texas Rep. Shawn Thierry, right, speaks to Rep. Raymond Pena ahead of a reading of Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, July 13, 2023. After splits with her party over gender-affirming care for minors and other conservative proposals contributed to her defeat in this year's Democratic primary, state Rep. Shawn Thierry is joining the ranks of her former opponents. The Houston Democrat, who took office in 2017, announced Friday morning that she will change her affiliation to Republican and become part of the House Republican Caucus for the four months remaining in her term. In a news release and social media post, she attacked her former party members as subscribing to "an ideology that is anti-family and anti-children" and invoked her Christian faith as a "Catholic-raised, practicing Baptist." The Democratic Party has veered so far left, so deep into the progressive abyss, that it now champions policies I cannot, in good conscience, supportpolicies like promoting sex changes for vulnerable children and dismantling Title IX protections for women in sports," Thierry said in the news release. "Thats why I am leaving the left and joining the party of family, faith, and freedom." The move is unlikely to have any immediate effect, as the Legislature does not convene for its next session until January. After Houston Democratic voters ousted her from the state House, Thierry has not announced whether she will seek office in the future. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, Gov. Greg Abbott and numerous other Republicans were quick to embrace Thierry with public statements of support Friday, while her now-former Democratic colleagues bid an enthusiastic "adios" and slammed her as a political chameleon. House Democratic Caucus Chair and state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, said in a biting statement that Thierry was wrong to blame her ouster on a particular issue, saying instead that she betrayed the values of her constituents. Thierry "was fired by the voters of House District 146 because she didn't respect their will and what they wanted for their community," Fischer said in the statement posted to social media. "After receiving thousands of dollars from right wing interests, they knewlike we all did at the Capitol that she now served special interests and not their own." In fighting off primary challengers, Thierry accepted donations from groups that support private school vouchers a proposal that languished in the GOP-dominated Texas House last session and which Democrats in Texas generally oppose. The Black elected official also railed against gender-affirming care for minors, calling it "genocide" of Black children. The incumbent lost in a primary runoff election in May to union organizer Lauren Ashley Simmons, a mom of two who identifies as queer. "I'm glad (Thierry) can finally live openly as her authentic self," Grant Martin, Simmons' campaign spokesperson, wrote in a statement to the Statesman on Friday. Simmons declined to comment. Gov. Greg Abbott said he was "proud to welcome Representative Thierry to the Republican Party" and that he "look(s) forward continuing to work" with her in a statement which was included in Thierry's news release, while state Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, praised Thierry as a "fighter and a welcomed voice." "I am so proud of my friend and former deskmate, (Thierry), for her passionate stance on protecting our kids from the radical sexualized agenda of the far left," Patterson wrote in a social media post shortly after Thierry's announcement. "Welcome home, Shawn, to the Republican Party!" In her statements, Thierry blamed the "Democrat establishment" and "Democrat machine" for spending against her in February and March primary elections that drew multiple challengers and added that the party has "lost its way." Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilbert Hinojosa said the party was elated to see Thierry go and welcomed her opponent in a news release Friday morning. "Shawn Thierry compromised her Democratic values, betraying the constituents of House District 146, and in response, they rightfully fired her," Hinojosa said. "Were elated that Shawn Thierry has found her true community the hateful arms of the Republican Party of Texas. Thierry has been a strong voice on maternal mortality, voting rights Thierry has been known in the Legislature for her support of maternal health care, passing several bills aimed at reducing maternal mortality in the state. She has also fought to bring awareness to the disproportionate maternal death rate among women of color. Thierry was among the Democrats who fled the state in 2021 to break a quorum in the House in the ultimately failed effort to derail legislation that they said would undermine voting in Texas. "We are also very committed to denying the quorum because we understand that we have to use every tool in the tool box that's possible to prevent these voter-suppression laws from taking us back decades in terms of voting rights in this state," she told The Grio's Yodit Tewolde while she was in Washington with most of the other House Democrats. In the interview on Tewolde's show "Making the Case," Thierry expressed dismay that some Republicans were circulating "wanted" posters and talking about "bounty hunters" to bring the quorum-breakers back to Texas. But she said such efforts would not undermine their resolve. "We know we are on the right side of history," Thierry told the interviewer. One glaring omission in Thierry's long statement Friday was her stance on abortion, which has been contrary to her new party. She voted against the state's near-total abortion ban in 2021, and voted against Senate Bill 8, which prohibits abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. She co-authored an unsuccessful bill in 2023 that would have introduced additional health exceptions to state abortion bans. Thierry has opposed conservative stances on abortion in the past, receiving a score of 0% from Texas Right to Life during the 2017 legislative session. However, her score increased during past sessions, reaching 44% in 2023. Thierry did not respond to the American-Statesman's requests for comment Friday. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: State Rep. Shawn Thierry switches to GOP, slams Texas Democrats MIAMISBURG, Ohio (WDTN) Drivers traveling around the Dayton Mall will likely be impacted by a construction project. The Ohio Department of Transportation reports an eastbound lane of traffic on State Route 725 will close on Sept. 3. According to ODOT, the closed eastbound lane will span from Byers Road to Mall Woods Drive. Crews will conduct utility work during the closure, which will allow crews to later perform aesthetic improvements and intersection safety work. Construction work is being completed as part of ODOTs I-75/SR 725 Safety Improvements project. ODOT had previously considered creating a diverging diamond concept to I-75 at S.R. 725, but that has been placed on hold until further data can be gathered, a July 2023 update said. ODOT will proceed with the proposed pedestrian improvements between Byers Rd and State Route 741, said ODOT. We will also implement safety upgrades to the existing signals within the corridor. The impacted eastbound lane will be closed through November. This embedded content is not available in your region. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 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. (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 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Steve Silberman was one of the greatest writers to ever put pen to paper about the subject of neurodiversity. Yet Silberman was not autistic; I learned this because, on the one occasion we had a conversation that made it to print, I accidentally claimed he was. I erroneously believed that to be the case because, when Silberman wrote about neurodiversity for Wired, he wrote with a passion and authority that could not be denied. When Silberman explored the concerns of people who are neurologically different, he had the detailed knowledge of an expert and the empathy of someone who has also walked the walk. This is why he is perhaps best known for authoring "NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity," a 500-page classic that is part detailed historical narrative, part scathing sociological critique. With "NeuroTribes," Silberman traced how society has attempted to diagnose and treat autism, as well as by extension other neurodivergent conditions. Yet instead of centering the doctors, parents and other "normal" people, Silberman kept the neurodivergent people themselves as the focus of his work. In short, one can be forgiven for thinking he was autistic himself. He wrote like someone who literally lived as an autistic person. At the time of this writing, all that is known for sure about Silberman's passing is that he died on Wednesday, August 29th, and that his surviving husband Keith hopes people will "remember his kindness, humor, wisdom and love." Silberman will also be remembered as one of hell of a writer. He studied under the legendary Beat poet Allen Ginsburg, who later became his good friend. After carving out a substantial career for himself as a journalist for twenty years he was an editor and regular contributor at Wired Silberman took an interest in the autistic community. He decided to use his platform to advocate for us, and when he did, he made it clear that we are a special interest group worthy of attention. Take his analysis on how autistic people are able to unify to be proactive as a community and why that is such an important development for humanity. Most researchers now believe that autism is not a single unified entity but a cluster of underlying conditions. These conditions produce a distinctive constellation of behavior and needs that manifests in different ways at various stages of an individuals development. Adequately addressing these needs requires a lifetime of support from parents, educators, and the community, as Asperger predicted back in 1938. He was equally prescient in insisting that the traits of autism are not at all rare. In fact, given current estimates of prevalence, autistic people constitute one of the largest minorities in the world. There are roughly as many people on the spectrum in America as there are Jews. This is the right way to advocate for the disenfranchised. It stands in stark contrast to the supposed activism of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., notorious anti-vaxxer and former third-party presidential candidate, whose career was the subject of my single published conversation with Silberman. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. RFK Jr. "presents himself as an advocate for the disenfranchised following in the footsteps of his late father, but his lies about vaccines have the effect of reinforcing the oldest and most damaging stereotypes of the people that he claims to be defending," Silberman told me at the time. He particularly objected to RFK Jr. description of autistic people as "vaccine-injured," which is not only scientifically inaccurate but deeply insulting. In his mind, this was analogous to when RFK Jr. told talk show host Bill Maher that when he spoke to autistic people, "their brain is gone." "Grotesque statements like this present people on the spectrum as entirely lacking in humanity, agency and the potential for development as if they were zombies," Silberman explained. "He compares autistic people to Holocaust victims, which does a grave injustice to both autistic people and Jews. And even in apologizing for that comparison, he described autism as 'shattering' families, when some of the most loving and supportive families I know are the families of autistic people." Characteristically, Silberman pivoted from talking about the powerful to thinking about the plight of the disempowered. "The main problem that autistic people and their families face is the lack of support and resources across the life span, but Kennedy condemns the 'crippling' cost of providing disabled students with access to education, using an ableist slur to complain about resources that were fought-for by generations of disabled people and their families," Silberman told Salon. He compared the popular myths about autistic people to the widely-debunked myths from history that led to "generations of autistic people who were often misdiagnosed with conditions like childhood schizophrenia, and subjected to cruel 'treatments' including lobotomies and brutal punishments for autistic behavior that included electric shocks." This is the "kindness, humor, wisdom and love" described by Keith. It is why it is particularly fitting to close a tribute to Silberman by describing his writing with the same words he used to characterize the work of another great science writer, Dr. Oliver Sacks. "In his writings about patients' sometimes bizarre case studies which he would call 'neurological novels' Sacks was able to draw out the humanity in pathology," Silberman wrote about Sacks. While Sacks specialized in actual diseases and other pathologies, Silberman also spoke for the wrongly pathologized... but with the same compassion and humanity that he admired in Sacks. Teenage protesters, and a few parents, fill the Tennessee House of Representatives gallery on March 30 to ask for safe gun laws.(Photo: John Partipilo) Teenage protesters, and a few parents, fill the Tennessee House of Representatives gallery on March 30 to ask for safe gun laws.(Photo: John Partipilo) The tempest rising out of Memphis is threatening to turn Nashville into a political backwater, at least for the moment. Since Republican lawmakers returned from the woodshed after a legal whipping over failed efforts to run Metropolitan Nashville, they appear to have shifted their efforts to controlling West Tennessees largest city. House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally issued a sudden statement Monday saying the Legislature will not tolerate any attempt to go rogue and perform political sideshows, as if thats not what lawmakers do on a daily basis. Sexton and McNally couched a threat to withhold more than $75 million in sales tax revenue from Memphis by saying their action would affect any local government that tries to circumvent state law. The only problem is Sexton and McNally launched into semi-tirades against Shelby and Memphis, which would make it clear in the eyes of a court that their ire is directed at the Bluff City. And as much as lawmakers dont want their words in Cordell Hull or the Capitol to be used against them, theyre right there in black and white for the world to see and hear. (By the way, what does calling the Shelby County district attorney general soft on crime have to do with proposed referendums for gun restrictions? Sexton apparently made it a combo platter.) But while the two speakers want to punish Memphis for asking voters how they feel about adopting handgun carry permits, military-style weapons restrictions and red flag laws to rein in unstable people (something the governor wanted to enact after the Covenant School shooting), does it make sense to prevent something they claim to be unconstitutional with something that isnt legal? Will punishing the states second-biggest revenue producer keep its residents and elected leaders from trying to stop gun violence with what city leaders claim is a non-binding referendum? Their press release sounds more like an angry missive than a solid move, as much as theyd like to think its court-proof, and theyre in dire need of a legal win. This question is critical because, while legislative leaders want to blame District Attorney Steve Mulroy for Memphis shootings, the Legislature is more responsible for gun thefts and shootings than any small group of officials in Tennessee. Take a look at the spike in vehicle gun thefts since the Legislature passed the idiotic guns in trunks bill in 2013. Business and bar owners a decade ago said they didnt want employees carrying guns and beer drinkers bellying up with a Beretta, so in its infinite wisdom, the Legislature said, OK, you can store your guns in the trunk or a lock box. It backfired. But instead of reversing course, the Legislature passed Gov. Lees permit-less handgun carry bill that allows any knucklehead in the state to carry a weapon without a permit or any type of training. Then, our beloved Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti negotiated a lawsuit settlement that allows 18-year-olds to carry without a permit. The Legislature later concurred. This series of sorry decisions leaves us asking the question: Is it more important to cave into the gun lobby for the sake of Second Amendment purity or to have cities able to enjoy a hot summer night without the sound of shootings. Tennessee somehow managed to make it into the 21st century with a modicum of gun control while still allowing people to carry pistols and hunt everything that crawls, flies or walks without destroying peoples constitutional rights. That wasnt enough to satisfy some folks, though, and were paying a steep price. As Memphis desperately seeks a way to quell the shootings, House and Senate leaders say no. Then the Secretary of States Office switching tactics says Memphis is breaking the law by putting gun-related questions on a referendum, forcing the Republican-controlled Shelby Election Commission to disallow the questions. This is all likely to push the argument into court where the state has not fared well. The House Speakers Office backs that up with the contention these referendums are nothing but a strategy to drive people to the polls in November where at least one Republican, Rep. John Gillespie of Memphis, appears to be vulnerable to Democratic candidate Jesse Huseth. Is he worth the risk? Rep. John Gillespie called for a vote on a measure limiting local officials' ability to monitor police traffic stops. (Photo: John Partipilo) Gillespie, who passed a bill this year reversing Memphis effort to stop police from making the type of pretextual traffic stops that led to the beating death of Tyre Nichols, will not respond to requests for comment. (The Tennessee Journal reported Friday Gillespie said he would vote for the referendums.) Huseth, on the other hand, scoffs at the notion that the Memphis City Council referendums are political in nature. As summers heat drags on, the clash between Memphis and Tennessees House and Senate speakers is giving us, if nothing else, hope for a lively session in 2025. Otherwise, well be stuck with taking the over-under on the burial date for Gov. Bill Lees latest iteration of private-school vouchers. (Street talk says theyre already DOA.) Return of the Jedi? Theyre not exactly Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, but Rep. Caleb Hemmer and Sen. Jeff Yarbro are reviving an effort to make people safely store weapons in vehicles, ending the plague of thefts that, more likely than not, lead to gun-related crimes. The two Nashville Democrats say theyre not trying to punish gun owners, arguing that their bill which hasnt gotten much support in the Republican-controlled chambers would allow large cities to enact safe gun storage regulations. Sounds like everyones sales tax share will be cut in that case. The measure set to be filed in 2025 would, in part, require people to report gun thefts to authorities and to take safe-gun storage training if someone steals guns from their home or vehicle. The FBI reports an average of one gun is stolen from a car every nine minutes nationwide, and Tennessee is leading in that category. Memphis ranks first, Chattanooga is No. 12 and Nashville is No. 13. Not quite the type of high ratings we want. But what the heck, the Titans arent going to win the Super Bowl. Last week alone, Nashville reported 19 guns stolen from vehicles, bringing the total to 583 this year, according to Metro Nashville Police. Thats 71% of the 812 stolen across Davidson County. Only about 4% of those cases are solved, Hemmer says, because of the unique nature of the crime, which often involves smash-and-grabs. Were really asking gun owners to do their part and make a safer community. This really is about personal responsibility, Hemmer says. They didnt say this, but one possible solution would be for people to take their pistols into any place, whether on the job, at the grocery store or drinking establishments such as Springwater, Nashvilles oldest bar (not encouraging this). Then again, business owners have spoken against this. Does anyone care anymore? Even Republicans went against their own deeply-held beliefs when they overrode businesses and told them they couldnt require masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving their beliefs arent that deep after all. Memphis and Nashville, in addition to Tennessee Highway Patrol, offer free gun locks. But to no avail. You cant turn and fire like John Shaft if you have to unlock your gun. Of course, he was a detective. But who needs a stinkin badge these days to catch the bad guys? Last year, a gun stolen from a car at Metro Nashvilles airport was used to shoot a Metro police officer. He lived. One of the things you cant ignore about crime generally is that a majority of homicides and armed assaults occur with stolen weapons, Yarbro says. The fact we have a glut of stolen weapons on Tennessee streets makes everyone less safe. In 2013, only 46 vehicle gun thefts were reported in Tennessee. Fast-forward, and more than 5,000 are reported every year, Yarbro points out, arguing the statistics correlate directly with the guns in trunks law. Never fear, though, legislators will ride to the rescue next year, and, no doubt, many of them will be armed, even though guns are not supposed to be carried in the State Capitol. On the way out? The state Ethics Commission held an executive session Thursday to discuss a sworn complaint against Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds for taking trips to conferences paid for by pro-voucher, pro-charter school lobbying group ExcelInEd. The Tennessee Journal reported on the matter initially. Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, could not confirm the subject of the closed-door meeting. But Rep. Caleb Hemmer, who filed the complaint, said he was told he would be receiving a letter about the outcome of the commissions decision. It would either dismiss the case against Reynolds or send it to the Attorney Generals Office for an investigation, he said. Curious minds await, Hemmer added. Speculation is that Reynolds wont stay around to await the outcome of a state probe into her year-long tenure if it goes to the attorney general. Aside from Hemmers complaint, Reynolds has been dogged by revelations she wasnt qualified to teach at the 12th-grade level, which is a requirement for her position, and received a waiver to take a class at UT-Martin that she didnt pay for, in spite of signing a sworn statement that she footed the bill. Questions also were raised about Reynolds after critics found she continued to own her Texas home while registering to vote in Tennessee in 2023. Gov. Lee has continued to support her despite the persistent problems. Well, maybe you were right Ford Motor Co. balked earlier this summer when the Tennessee Lookout reported that it pushed back production of its electric F150 pickup truck, Lightning, at BlueOval City, the massive plant under construction in West Tennessee. The market shifted when demand for electric trucks plummeted because of concerns about the technology, price and maintenance. Thus, the need to expedite electric trucks fell off precipitously. Last week, though, Ford said it would delay production until 2027, more than a year later than the latest delayed date. Its hard to tell how much of this is affected by the presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris is more likely to embrace the transition to electric vehicles than former President Donald Trump. But he appears to have his finger in the wind at all times, likely to shift his position depending on whos listening. The Legislature certainly doesnt want Ford to fail, since it gave the company nearly a billion dollars in incentives to rescue the rural West Tennessee economy. Gov. Lee is on the hook, too, even though hell be out of office by the time this is resolved. If the whole thing does collapse, which isnt likely because Fords huge plant is nearly complete, Republican Rep. Scott Cepicky of Culleoka and GOP Sen. Joey Hensley of Hohenwald will take on folk hero status, after voting against the Ford funding plan. And, good grief, we dont need another hero. Operator, could you help place this call I tried to call Congressman Andy Ogles the other day, and the FBI answered. (Sorry for the bad joke). But when the feds confiscate your cell phone as part of an investigation into your campaign finances, sometimes you become the butt of jokes. Isnt that the way they say it goes? Jim Croce MEADE, Kan. (KSNW)The storms that moved through Kansas Thursday night damaged the high school in Meade. The damage was bad enough that high school classes were canceled on Friday. A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade USD 226) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade USD 226) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) A storm damaged Meade High School on Aug. 29, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Meade County Emergency Management) Meade County Emergency Management said the National Weather Service is assessing the damage to determine wind speeds. Currently, the NWS estimates a microburst with winds of 80 to 85 miles an hour hit the school. Interim School Superintendent Rex Bruce says the districts insurance agent estimates $500,000 in damage from the wind. It took the south part of our roof and our shop, woodshop building, took it up, blew it on top of the school, blew a big air conditioning unit, took it up and flipped it upside down, moved it about 15 feet. As it blew across, it punched holes in our roof all the way across different places, he said. So then, where the roof was gone, of course, that was our shop area, and it was completely flooded, and everywhere it had punched holes, we had water in the classrooms in those spots. Kansas leaders respond to dead mans allegations He said it also blew the scoreboard from the football field about a quarter of a mile. By Friday morning, about 30 workers were working on temporary roof repairs at the school. You try to band-aid them, and you miss one or two. Now, youre just constantly chasing leaks and holes. That will just be a band-aid fix until we can get a new roof, and that will probably be, knowing of all the damage, not just from this storm but from other things, itll probably be springtime before they can get to that, Bruce said. The shop area will still be a problem. The shop area that doesnt have the roof, its completely, its totally torn apart. The ceiling is falling in. Floors are buckled, so we wont use that area, Bruce said. He says the shop can move to other areas of the school. Search for white hydrogen, helium to expand in Kansas Bruce said community members, school board members, and around 10 students showed up Friday morning and offered to help. But he said they hired a company to do the cleanup because they did not want to put anyone at risk. He hopes to reopen the school by Tuesday. He says all high school activities for Friday and this weekend will continue as planned. Bruce said the damage is just to a small area of town. Theres two or three homes I know of. One of our board members tree had fallen into his house and punctured the skylight and part of his roof, the school superintendent said. Just a small area, but it did a lot of damage to 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 KSN-TV. Good intentions can sometimes meet harsh realities. No one can doubt that then-Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, a Republican, had the very best of intentions in 2018 when he signed an executive order to ban the box in state hiring. The box in question? It was the one on job applications, the one that had to be checked by people with felony convictions on their record. Advocates said banning that box no longer asking about an applicants criminal history meant giving those people a better chance at a second chance, to get a decent job and do some good in their lives. Everybody deserves that second chance, right? Lots of people thought so. Colyer signed the order at a ceremony packed with both Democrats and Republicans. It was a bipartisan affair. It provides applicants with the opportunity to explain their unique facts and circumstances, Colyer said then, and what has happened to them and how their lives have changed. The intentions were great. Now for the harsh reality. Gov. Laura Kelly said this week that independent investigators are looking into the facts and circumstances surrounding the dispersal of federal aid during the pandemic. The probe comes after a former Kansas Department of Commerce official, Jonathan Clayton, leveled allegations that he had abused the process in conjunction with Lt. Gov. David Toland. (The department says those allegations are categorically false.) Clayton is dead now, the victim of an apparent solo car crash in Harvey County. And we now know he had a dark past: In 2018, he was convicted of stealing $200,000 from his employer in Philadelphia. At the time of his death, Clayton still owed a reported $195,000 in restitution. Which raises an obvious question: How on Earth did somebody with such a big and recent red flag get hired by the state of Kansas to handle large sums of taxpayer money? The answer, provided by Jonathan Shorman of The Kansas City Star and Chance Swaim of The Wichita Eagle: Nobody with the state did a national criminal background on Clayton. He never had to check the box. Not much help with finding employment Lets be clear here: The ban the box policy is not the whole problem. Colyers policy doesnt limit criminal background checks, and the state can ask about that background later on in the hiring process. That didnt happen in this case because as Shorman and Swaim reported the state doesnt have a law specifically authorizing such checks for the position that Clayton held. That will probably hopefully change during next years legislative session. But its also worth asking if the states ban the box policy itself is worth keeping around. Probably not. Its clearly not good for the state: Even if Claytons allegations turn out to be completely without merit, theyve created a scandal that will consume time and money and headaches galore through state government. And if they do have merit, well, look out. As for job applicants: The point of having such a policy is to give people with felony convictions that aforementioned second chance. Does it actually work that way? Not really. Research on the effects of ban the box policies in the states and cities where they exist indicates they can prompt some employers to start discriminating against Black and Latino applicants and, ultimately, they dont do much to move the employment needle for people with felony records. Banning the box seems really in line with the American view of second chances, the University of Chicagos Robert Kaestner said in May. But we found basically nothing. These laws had no negative effect, but no positive effect either. Whats the point, then? Which leaves us with a conundrum. How can Kansas offer a fresh start to ex-convicts while also protecting taxpayer interests? I dont have an answer. We should want to offer second chances. I firmly believe that most people, given the opportunity, will use it to make their lives and their communities better. But some wont. When that happens, the results can be disastrous. Thats the harsh reality. Joel Mathis is a regular Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle Opinion correspondent. Formerly a writer and editor at Kansas newspapers, he served nine years as a syndicated columnist. The United Nations projects that by 2050, the world will hit 9.7 billion people and continue rising to 10.9 billion in 2100. (Diane Macdonald /Stockbyte/Getty Images) The human population of the Earth passed 8 billion in 2022, up from 7 billion in 2011 and less than 2 billion just a century ago. The United Nations projects that by 2050, the world will hit 9.7 billion people and continue rising to 10.9 billion in 2100. The average number of children women have in their lifetimes remains above the replacement rate of 2.1. So why is there so much hand-wringing about a population bust? It is true that population trends are uneven across the world, and some European and East Asian countries are struggling to address a decline in numbers. This is not the case in the U.S., however. Although our birth rate has been below the replacement rate for years, the Census projects our population increasing by another 33 million before it peaks in 2080. By 2100, the Census expects there will still be almost 10% more people in the U.S. than there are today. Frankly, its more than a little odd to worry about something that wont happen for at least three-quarters of a century, while ignoring that in the meantime, an ever-growing population using too many resources is pushing the planet to the brink of ecological collapse. You would think we could worry about that now, and save the hysterics over population decline for the next century. Yet conservatives see the sky falling. The fear is most palpable among white supremacists spouting replacement theory, the notion that pale-skinned people, who are having fewer children, will be swamped by brown people, who are having more. They are pretty sure this is, in fact, a nefarious plan concocted by Jewish people, who apparently dont count as white, with a goal of destroying Western civilization and all the great things that America stands for by which they definitely do not mean democracy and civil rights. Even some liberal Americans say theyre worried about the birth rate, and argue we need child tax credits, mandatory parental leave and publicly-subsidized daycare to reverse the decline. Of course, progressives support these policies anyway, so its hard to know how sincere their concern over birth rates really is. Im not sure about the sincerity on the right, either. Most of the people who express alarm about a declining birth rate are red-state Republicans who celebrate rural living and the small-town lifestyle. They hate traffic and the plethora of rules necessary to make life tolerable in crowded communities. Meanwhile, I guarantee you no one in New York or LA looks around and says, You know what would make this place better? More people! Of course, the pro-population-growth crowd absolutely rejects the one sure way to increase the US population: allowing more immigrants in. They say its not racism. Theirs is just a preference for people who look like them, sound like them and do things the way they do them. Yet immigration does all the things that the population alarmists say we need. It fills schools with children, bolsters the workforce, and keeps contributions flowing to Social Security and Medicare, extending the solvency of these programs. Vastly more would-be immigrants are knocking at our doors than we are willing to allow in, and the numbers will only increase as climate change and the collapse of ecosystems spark further conflict and make it harder to eke out a living in more parts of the world. Countries that are able and willing to absorb the outflow of migrants from devastated areas will not be challenged by depopulation. The U.S. is home to more migrants than any other country. Clearly many Americans, themselves descended from immigrants, are ready to shut the door behind them, but economists agree immigration is the secret sauce of our economic strength. That doesnt mean the doors need to be wide open, with no one managing the flow, or that we shouldnt try to help solve the crises that drive people to leave their home countries in the first place. And we still urgently need to work on transforming our consumption-based economy into a sustainable one. But it does mean we neednt fear a population bust in our lifetimes. While other advanced countries are figuring out how to retool their economies for a shrinking population, we will always have the numbers we desire, so long as we remain a society committed to equal opportunity, democracy and the striving for justice. Obviously, this is not what the nativist right wants. But what they want more American-born babies and limitless population growth, achieved by controlling womens bodies rather than by strengthening the welfare state is a fantasy served up with a helping of bad policy. This article was first published by the Virginia Mercury, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X. What next for Vladimir Putin? Or, maybe, where next? Bogged down in the Donbas, humiliated by Ukraines cross-border incursion into the Kursk region, the Russian strongman faces the clearest threat to his authority since last years abortive Wagner revolt. And with his back against the wall, Putin is at his most dangerous, according to critics who describe his street thug mentality. The fear is that the Moscow bully could double down on his Ukraine gamble by making war on another front, taking on NATO in the Baltic states. Signs that Putin no longer has any limits have been have been building for some time. A direct cruise missile attack on Kyivs main childrens hospital last month, on the eve of a NATO summit in Washington, D.C., was seen as a message from the Kremlin that this is not just about Ukraine, that Russia is ready for bigger battles, even for World War III. In Russia itself at least, the message got through. The strong words and decisive resolutions from NATO leaders in D.C. were met with mockery, ugly jokes about the increasingly tiny part left of war-ravished Ukraine that would eventually become a NATO member, and apparently serious calls from the Kremlin for all of Ukraine to be conquered. Pro-war Russian bloggers, military officers, and TV talk show guests worked themselves into a frenzy of excitement. Anything was possible; no red lines could stop them now, not with their nuclear weapons. The focus soon turned from Ukraine to the three Baltic statesEstonia, Latvia, and Lithuaniaand a discussion of which should be attacked first and how many troops it would take to do the job. The three former Soviet republics have been NATO members since 2004, but Putin and his allies dont believe any Western powers would be willing to shed blood in their defense. They see this as NATOs weakest linkif World War III is coming, this is where it could start. It is unlikely Estonias allies would join them in two days, suggested the popular NeoficialiyBeZsonov channel about a potential attack from the Russian Baltic port city of Kaliningrad. The Moscow Times reported that Russian elites were preparing for WWIII, discussing how it would end. The press and social media hysteria was monitored for The Daily Beast by the Massachusetts-based data analytics company FilterLabs. The pro-war Z talking heads turn important NATO documents and articles about NATOs readiness into revealing facts illustrating how much the Atlantic alliance is not ready for our decisive attack, FilterLabs research analyst Vasily Gatov told The Daily Beast. This topic is constantly present on their channels. Eventually, these speculations, processed by pro-Russian powers in the Baltic states, are turned into Russias alleged plans to attack the Estonian city of Narva on a certain date in November 2024. For some in the West, talk of a World War III pitting Russia against NATO is fanciful. NATOs military powerin terms of numbers of tanks, planes, artilleryis at least four times greater than Russias, they point out. Its military budget is five times bigger. And Russian generals bragged before the February 2022 invasion that they could take Kyiv in two days, only to find themselves two years later bogged down in an interminable conflict that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives. None of that matters to Putin and his stooges, however. All they care about is whether their enemies will stand up to them. Russia is talking about attacking the Baltic states just because they can, former Russian Parliament member Gennady Gudkov told The Daily Beast. They dont see any of the red lines, so they will continue the cyber-attacks on the Baltic states this year, send drones to Romania, or more missiles to fly over Poland. To understand Russia you have to accept the fact that Putins mentality is that of a street thug, he is afraid of only one thing, of dying, Gudkov adds. When Putin looks at NATO, he does not see power. He sees that after two and a half years of war one NATO state leader, Viktor Orban, comes to see him in the Kremlin and the leader of another NATO state, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, refuses even to attend the NATO summit. And what seemed like a crazy plan when it was first reported on Russian TV in January 2022, to use the Swedish island of Gotland as a staging post for Russian attacks on the Baltic states, is now seen as a real threat. Since the invasion of Ukraine, both Finland and Sweden have joined NATO. Gotland is now a strategically vital NATO asset in the middle of what some experts now jokingly call NATOs lake. NATOs northern members are right to be alarmed. The first part of Russias theoretical scenario, cyber-attacks on the Baltic states, has been implemented: Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have all reported such attacks. The next step in the alleged scenario for the attack is meant to be an attempt by Russia to stir unrest among the significant Russian-speaking, pro-Moscow populations in Latvia and Lithuania, starting this month. There are quite a few so-called vatniki in Lithuania, who had worked for Soviet factories, and although there is no Russian television here they watch Russian propaganda on Youtube and on Telegram social media, Pavel Marinich, the founder of Vilnius-based Malanka Media, told The Daily Beast. People talk about Russias threat but everybody also understands that Russia has never experienced NATOs power and its newest battlefield technologies. Its intelligence watches the Russian military in Kaliningrad day and night. Russian troops would not pass the Suwalki Gap, he added, referring to the strategic corridor between Poland and Lithuania where any Russian force would have to pass. For some, given Russias problems in Ukraine, the threat to NATO members still appear remote. But those in the region know that, street thug or not, Putin has a record of actually doing what he says he is going to do, even if he takes his time. He banned Georgian restaurants in Moscow, then deported Georgians, then attacked and occupied Georgian territories. He promised the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad he would help him keep sovereignty, and did so. He harassed Ukrainians, tortured them in Crimea, annexed a bunch of territories and then compared Ukraine to a sleeping beauty with a line from a song about a rape: Like it or dont like it, its your duty my beauty. In the past two years, Putins forces have laid waste to dozens of Ukrainian towns and villages, killing or wounding about 100,000 Ukrainians and destroying key infrastructure. And with help from China and buoyed by oil and gas sales, there seems to be more money in Russia than at any point during the war. Putins game plan is clear, using the threat of future escalation to get the West to come to him and propose talks that will bury his crimes and cement his gains. If not, and the U.S. continues to send long-range missiles to Ukraine, he could take the fight to NATO. Europes capitals are potential victims, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Student Who Feared Stalker Allegedly Shot And Killed By Regular From Former Job Muna Pandey was found dead inside her apartment in Houston. Facebook A Texas man was arrested on Thursday and accused of killing a 21-year-old nursing student in Houston, after he was identified via footage from a security camera the student had set up in her apartment. Bobby Singh Shah, 51, was charged with capital murder days after police found Muna Pandey, 21, dead inside her apartment on Monday with multiple gunshot wounds, police announced. Several of Pandeys friends told detectives that she lived alone and had installed a motion-activated camera outside her front door a year ago after having an issue with a stalker, according to a warrant obtained by HuffPost. One friend told police he last heard from the victim on Saturday, Aug. 24, when she sent him a video over Instagram, according to the warrant. He said the two made plans to go out with some friends for a birthday party, but she never showed up. Pandeys friend called her phone at around 9:17 p.m. that night, but there was no answer and her phone was set to do not disturb, police said in the warrant. Shahs neighbor told police that he heard a loud thumping coming from Pandeys apartment at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the warrant. He had not seen the victim since then. Surveillance footage taken from Pandeys camera showed Pandey in front of her apartment on Saturday at around 8:40 p.m. holding a Nike shoe box, a shopping bag and a black purse. Shah was allegedly standing next to her, holding a black pistol in his right hand. Shah told Pandey to open the door, the warrant said. Pandey then asked, What are you going to do? The suspect responded by racking the slide of his pistol and telling Pandey to open the door again, before pushing her inside the apartment and locking the door behind him, according to the warrant. Police said Shah could be seen leaving the apartment about an hour later holding Pandeys purse. The apartments leasing manager told police that she received a call the following Monday from an anonymous man who told her about Pandeys body before hanging up the phone, according to the warrant. Responding officers found Pandey lying on her bed with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and a single gunshot to her head. Her cellphone was missing from the scene. WANTED: Homicide detectives are searching for this male in the fatal shooting of a woman at 6363 West Airport Blvd. on Monday (Aug. 26). Tips: Call HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or @Crimestophou at 713-222-TIPS. More info: https://t.co/iTbUiSsCHf#HouHewspic.twitter.com/scriwZt0qN Houston Police (@houstonpolice) August 28, 2024 A still image from Pandeys security camera depicting her alleged killer was released to the public on Wednesday. After the image was released, police spoke with a man who recognized Shah as a regular at a Houston restaurant where Pandey worked over a year ago. Another person also called police and identified Shah as a person she met in 2012 through a Sugar Daddy website, police said in the warrant. She told police that she instantly recognized him once she saw the picture. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-866-331-9474 or text loveis to 22522 for the National Dating Abuse Helpline. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Related... With the fall semester underway, pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UC Berkeley said they will continue pressing their concerns about the war in Gaza. (Hannah Wiley / Los Angeles Times) Students across several Bay Area universities kicked off fall semester Thursday with coordinated pro-Palestinian rallies that were impassioned in tone but adhered to the zero-tolerance regulations that the University of California and California State University systems have vowed to strictly enforce this school year in hopes of preventing the disruptive tactics that roiled campuses much of last spring. At UC Berkeley, roughly 200 students converged on Sproul Plaza, a central gathering spot that last spring was the site of a sprawling encampment that grew to more than 180 tents at its peak. The protesters did not flout UC's systemwide rules banning encampments and the blocking of walkways. But they made it clear they intend to keep their opposition to the war in Gaza and concerns about the plight of Palestinians front and center in the new school year. For 90 minutes, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and joined in chants accusing Israel of apartheid. Featured speakers spoke out against the violence in Gaza and accused President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of genocide for not cutting off military aid to Israel. Outside the core protest group, most students walking through Sproul Plaza paused only momentarily to take in the spectacle before hurrying on to class. Across the Bay Bridge, about 100 students at San Francisco State University staged a companion rally at Malcolm X Plaza, near a quad where students erected an encampment for two weeks last spring. They were joined by pro-Palestinian students from UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz and a handful of other Bay Area campuses. Featured speakers at Thursday's UC Berkeley rally spoke out against the violence in Gaza and accused President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of genocide for not cutting off aid to Israel. (Hannah Wiley / Los Angeles Times) "We need to come back stronger than last year," said one student speaker, who identified herself only as Zainab. She spoke from a makeshift stage, standing in front of banners decorated in the colors of the Palestinian flag black, red, white and green that read, "There is no future without Palestine." "We are going to have marches, people are going to try to shut us down, silence us," she said. "This will be the first of many rallies this year." The reignited protests signal the continued resolve many students feel to take a stance against the war in Gaza, despite threats of disciplinary action under stricter enforcement of policies banning behaviors that spawned campus division, lawsuits and, in some cases, violence last school year. Earlier this month, UC President Michael V. Drake directed chancellors at all 10 campuses to strictly enforce rules against encampments, blocking access to buildings and walkways and masking used to conceal one's identity while committing wrongdoing. UC Berkeley's new chancellor, Rich Lyons, had said he would honor free speech rights but also ensure those rules were followed. There are hundreds of places on the Berkeley campus for students to express their free speech rights, he told The Times last week. We are a free speech university. But to intentionally break the rules ... now youre in the world of civil disobedience and were going to think about consequences. CSU Chancellor Mildred A. Garcia and 23 CSU campus leaders also have issued a systemwide statement about protests. The university said campuses must maintain an environment where its work can be conducted without disruption. Banned activities include camping, overnight demonstrations, or overnight loitering and unauthorized temporary or permanent structures, walls, barriers, barricades, furniture, or other objects. Illegal activity includes vandalism, property damage, trespass, occupation of a building or facility, refusal to disperse in violation of the law and promoting violence. The demonstrations at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State stayed within those parameters Thursday. Still, some protesters said they are willing to risk disciplinary action to continue speaking out against what they describe as an international humanitarian crisis. Yousuf Abubakr, a UC Berkeley graduate student in mechanical engineering, said heart-rending images on social media of the suffering of Palestinian civilians prompted him to join the movement. Were not going to let the UC president and UC regents dictate what we do, said Abubakr, a Sudan-born Muslim. Were not going to be happy until we see the liberation of Palestine. A lot of us are confident in our ability to educate and create change. Still, he said, encampments were just a negotiating tool, and organizers will likely move on to other tactics as they assess what is both effective and safe. Read more: Zero tolerance at UC campuses in new order banning encampments, masking, blocking paths The demonstrations last school year represented the largest student activist movement since the Vietnam War. Pro-Palestinian supporters erected tent cities on multiple California campuses, and in some cases took over buildings and sprayed graffiti to protest Israel's sustained military assault on Gaza. The war broke out Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked and killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took an estimated 250 Israelis and foreign nationals hostage. Israel's retaliatory attacks have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. UC leaders in April rejected a key demand that has driven the student protests: a call for UC to divest from companies that do business with Israel. At UC Berkeley, demonstrators removed tents on Sproul Plaza at the end of the spring semester after reaching an agreement with then-Chancellor Carol Christ. Under the agreement, Berkeley rejected calls to directly target Israel through divestment or academic boycotts, but promised to review complaints about discrimination against Palestinians and other groups in academic partnerships such as exchange programs. CSU leaders also say they have no plans to target Israel for divestment. But in reaching an agreement with protesters in May to dismantle their encampment, San Francisco State President Lynn Mahoney said she would host talks to discuss changing the investments of the SF State Foundation, the university's fundraising arm. The foundation said last week that it had come up with a "region-neutral plan" one that would not single out Israel to "remove investment in any company whose revenues come from weapons manufacturing." San Francisco State can "exemplify how student activism can result in positive institutional change," Jeff Jackanicz, the foundation's president, said in a campus-wide letter. Jackanicz was not available for comment Thursday about which companies were affected by the policy change. James Aziz, a student who took part in the talks, said four corporations were on the list: Lockheed Martin, the Italian defense company Leonardo, Palantir Technologies and Caterpillar. "We do not know how much money was in those companies," Aziz said. "But it's not about how much money; it's about setting a precedent and having other institutions follow." 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. HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Hays County leaders are getting closer to presenting a proposal to close the State Highway 45 Gap to Travis County leaders, who have historically been against the roadway expansion. At an open house in Buda Thursday night, residents got to view the findings, maps and impacts to traffic the SH 45 Gap would incur. The SH 45 Gap refers to an actual gap in SH 45 down south. Currently SH 45 Southwest ends at FM 1626 and SH 45 Southeast ends at Interstate 35. There is heavy congestion on FM 1626, which spills onto other smaller roads like FM 967, sometimes even through neighborhood streets. The idea is that if the gap is complete from SH 45 Southwest to I-35 meeting up with SH 45 Southeast, it would keep a significant amount of traffic off those smaller roads. Stacey Benningfield, project manager for the SH 45 Gap Study, works for RK&K, one of a few engineering firms involved in the study. We literally came to the first open house with a blank map. Wed identified a study area and identified constraints within that study area, but we gave people pins and markers and told them, give us your route suggestions, Benningfield said. SH 45 Gap proposed area as of August 2024, shaded in purple. The current proposed route would not displace any residents, but it would require land acquisition. Its going to have to happen, said Buda resident Carl Urban, who would lose part of his land if the project moves forward. He and his family have been following this proposed project for decades. Buda open house on the SH 45 Gap Study Weve got the original plans from 1986, which showed cloverleaves at the corner of 35 and 45 where it is now. And obviously thats changed over the years, but weve been following it since because it affected the properties of my wifes family, Urban said. You were following it because you were worried about it taking your property, or you were worried about impact of traffic? asked KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes. All of the above. A lot of times, what I found is that the people that actually own the property know more about it, and people drawing lines on maps, particularly back then without remote sensing and GPS and satellite imagery, had no idea what the topography was, said Urban. Despite the fact the SH 45 Gap crosses the Hays-Travis County line, Hays County and the City of Buda fully funded the feasibility study. So far, Travis County leaders have not expressed interest in moving forward with this project because of environmental concerns, but Hays County leaders hope they will agree to meet early next year to discuss what theyve found. Austin is growing. Travis County is growing. You look at the numbers, and we looked at building build numbers and compared them to no build numbers. That growth is happening with or without the gap project, said Benningfield. SH 45 Gap Feasibility Study showing the impact on traffic on South MoPac Regarding the impact the SH 45 Gap project would have on MoPac, numbers show it would increase the number of cars on South MoPac. Projected numbers show by 2045, there would be 85,000 drivers a day on MoPac at SH 45 without the construction of the gap. That number goes up to 102,000 if it does get built. Benningfield pointed out that data they collected showed a significant amount of traffic using SH 45 Southwest did not drive into downtown, but rather stayed in the south Travis County and north Hays County area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Happy Friday friends! Its another cool, crisp, and refreshing start to the day with yet another round of dense, valley fog. Make sure you have the light layer and sunglasses ready for this mornings commute. Fog should be met with the low beams, but you wont need them for long before a south breeze and sunshine start to help improve our visibility thresholds. The afternoon will offer up highs in the upper 70s to near 80 with a breezy south wind that could gust 20+ mph. Sunshine will begin to mix with clouds from the Champlain Valley and points east by late in the day, but the North Country will experience that mix of sun and clouds for a most of the day as a new disturbance slides in from the Great Lakes. Overnight, cloudy skies are likely with lows in the sticky 60s. Your long Labor Day weekend forecast doesnt look all that bad, but there will be quite the temperature swing to account for later Sunday into Monday. Saturday will feature a decaying system gliding east across a very humid North Country and Upper Valley. Scattered showers, downpours, and isolated storms will move through first thing in the morning before another round pushes into southern Vermont for the early evening. Well start to dry out late Saturday into early Sunday with lows in the 60s. Highs will rebound into the low 80s Sunday afternoon with plenty of sunshine, but late in the day another boundary will move in from the west. Isolated showers, downpours, and a stray strong storm cannot be ruled out late Sunday afternoon and evening before drying out again overnight into Monday morning. Lows will bottom out in the 40s to mid 50s. Monday, Labor Day, will be the driest, coolest, and sunniest day out of the holiday stretch with highs only in the middle to upper 60s. Make it a safe and happy unofficial end to the summer season this weekend, friends! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Paddleboarder in critical condition after being pulled out of water by surfers at Ocean Beach SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A paddleboarder was rescued Friday morning at a section of Ocean Beach where the Great Highway meets Judah Street, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The paddleboarder, an adult male, is in critical condition after being pulled out of the water by three fellow surfers, officials said. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the man was being attended to by National Park Service personnel and a bystander was performing CPR. SFFD paramedics initiated life support measures. X San Francisco headquarters to shut down on Friday the 13th of September: report The paddleboarder was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, officials said. This is a developing story. 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 KRON4. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Almost a year after a Davidson County judges car was struck by bullets in an apparent road rage shooting, the suspected gunman is in custody. On Friday, Aug. 30, the Metro Nashville Police Department announced that 23-year-old David J. Bush was arrested in connection with the Sept. 8, 2023, shooting on Interstate 440 West in the Berry Hill area. An indictment accuses Bush of attempted murder and multiple other charges. According to officials, Bush is believed to have been in the white sedan that opened fire on a Toyota Prius being driven by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge IAshea Myles around 8:50 p.m. that night. PREVIOUS: Reward offered in I-440 road rage shooting investigation (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) The sedan reportedly passed Myles Prius on the left shoulder of the interstate, then swerved into a lane to the right. The driver of the sedan slowed down as shots were fired at the passenger side of her car. Authorities said Myles, who presided over a legal battle involving the Covenant shooters writings, was struck by broken glass, but otherwise uninjured. Her 25-year-old friend who was riding in the front passenger seat suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to her hand and leg. The 25-year-old was hospitalized at Vanderbilt before being discharged to continue her recovery at home. After the shooting, Myles provided the following statement to the public: Wed like to thank our friends, family, neighbors, and the entire Nashville community for the outpouring of support after this unfortunate and dangerous road rage incident. The generosity and caring nature of the Nashville community is something special, and our family certainly feels that right now. We also want to thank the Metro Nashville Police Department, the Nashville Fire Department, the emergency first responders, and the medical team at Vanderbilt Hospital for their heroic efforts last Friday night. We are deeply saddened and angered by this senseless attack and hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice. We again thank everyone for their support as well as understanding our request for privacy. Davidson County Chancery Court Judge IAshea Myles Investigators determined that the suspect had been driving at a high rate of speed prior to the shooting and had been seen weaving in and out of traffic. Detectives said they were able to identify Bush as the suspect through ballistic evidence and cell phone data. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee The ballistic evidence also linked Bush to a Feb. 10 road rage incident on Murfreesboro Pike where police said shots were fired from a white Nissan sedan into a car containing three people. The car was hit by the bullets, but the victims were not. An analysis by the MNPD Crime Laboratory reportedly revealed that the same gun used in the Feb. 10 shooting also fired the shots in the road rage incident last September. It is a priority of this police department to identify and then apprehend, in a precision manner, those who are putting innocent persons in our community at risk through their violent behavior, particularly gun violence, Nashville Police Chief John Drake said in a news release following Bushs arrest. Technology and science are being used by our detectives to make Nashville safer. The indictment in the Myles case, returned Wednesday, Aug. 28 by the Davidson County Grand Jury, charges Bush with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of aggravated assault, and one count of reckless endangerment for shooting from a vehicle. Road rage shooting victim has long road to recovery despite miraculous strides, family says He is charged with an additional felony reckless endangerment count for the Feb. 10 case. A Criminal Court judge set Bushs bond at $500,000. At the time of his arrest on Friday, Bush was free on a $125,000 bond stemming from his arrest in another road rage incident earlier this year. In that incident on March 28, a 55-year-old man was shot in the head on Murfreesboro Pike. Bush was arrested and charged with attempted homicide and reckless endangerment after reportedly admitting to detectives he was driving recklessly on Murfreesboro Pike to try to follow his girlfriend who was in a separate car. 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. This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 30 episode of "Jose Diaz-Balart Reports." Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzs first joint interview aired on CNN on Thursday night, and, based on what I saw, the Harris campaign should be quite proud. The candidate at the top of the ticket, Harris, went out and did what she needed to do. As for Walz, the governor was able to speak directly to the American people about the Republican attacks on his military service and set the record straight. For voters outside of Minnesota who are less familiar with Walz, Im sure they got some of the answers they may have been looking for. The discourse over the last few weeks would have you believe that Harris hadnt sat down for an interview since she became the vice president. But the way she handled herself Thursday, it was clear she was comfortable answering questions. CNNs Dana Bash did a good job at pulling the layers back and digging into what the American people really wanted to hear. People will always want more, but Thursdays interview was a great start. Going forward, voters need more opportunities to hear from the Democratic ticket in various ways whether that be more sit-down TV interviews, print interviews or gaggles with the media between campaign stops. Overall, there was no harm done to the Harris-Walz campaign during the interview and a little news was broken. As a communications veteran, thats a win from my perspective. 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 Some of Fort Worths most prominent business leaders are supporting Mayor Mattie Parkers push to improve public schools, calling it an urgent issue critical to the regions corporate competitiveness. Parker urged Fort Worth ISD board members to substantially improve test scores and academics in a letter to district leaders on Tuesday. Forty-five people, including prominent members of the business community and city officials, co-signed the letter. State lawmakers have also expressed support for Parkers letter since its release. Fort Worth ISD ranks 22nd of Texas 24 public school districts with similar populations serving 20,000 students or more. Results from state tests administered last spring showed only 33% of Fort Worth ISD third graders were reading at grade level. Those scores placed Fort Worth ISD behind Dallas ISD and Houston ISD, districts that have improved once subpar performance scores. School quality is an important part of conversations local business leaders have with companies considering moving to Fort Worth. Mike Berry, the president of AllianceTexas developer Hillwood, said strength of labor and talent pipelines have surpassed cost of relocation as a primary concern for companies considering moving to north Texas. Those pipelines start with K-12 education. We have got to be very, very intentional about continuing to improve our public education system, because thats sort of the banner, thats sort of the testament of where a community stands in terms of its priorities and in the attention it places on growing a talented, highly educated workforce for the future, Berry said. Berry said when discussing schools with companies, he focuses on the entire region, not just Fort Worth ISD. Some Tarrant County districts, including Carroll and Keller, have significantly better standardized testing results than Fort Worth. Still, he believes having a strong urban school district is important for both students and attracting new business. Were able to explain to companies that there are a lot of quality public school systems in the region, and that helps because those numbers are better, but Fort Worth is the flagship, its the flagship city, Berry said. People look there first, and they look to the city to be sort of in the lead position. Tom Harris, executive vice president of Hillwood, also co-signed Parkers letter. He is chairman of the mayors council on education and workforce development and said the business communitys concerns about Fort Worth ISD arent new. Harris said he knows the public criticism can be hard for the school board to hear, but its a necessary step towards improving students education. Weve got to stop worrying about hurting each others feelings, and weve got to come together to figure out a way over time, and it will take years, not days, not weeks, not months, to get the academic performance for these kids where it belongs, Harris told the Star-Telegram. The quality of school districts is widely viewed as an important part of economic development. Companies are more likely to relocate to cities where schools support the development of a strong future workforce, and where their employees children will get top-notch education. Other co-signers on Parkers letter include the heads of Fort Worths Black and Hispanic chambers, the president of United Way of Tarrant County, the dean of Texas A&M University School of Law, an executive at the Amon G. Carter Foundation, and former mayors Kenneth Bar and Mike Moncrief. Robert Allen, CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, was not among the signers, but he said he supports the mayors effort. At the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, we are in the business of bringing businesses to Fort Worth, Allen said in a statement. And nothing is more important in recruiting companies than education. I stand with Mayor Parker and our business community. To build the economy of tomorrow, we must have the best schools today. Our future demands it. Our kids deserve it. Steve Montgomery, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber, said the strength of Fort Worths schools is important to the citys ability to compete for jobs. He also co-signed Parkers letter. Montgomery described the letter as the first step of a long-term initiative to make sure students get a quality education. Though he acknowledged that change will take time, he said now is the time to get started. How can we shortchange our young people? I mean, we cant waste a minute, Montgomery said. Panda Yuanyuan eats her birthday cake for her 20 years old at the Taipei Zoo in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. Yuanyuan was a gift from China to mark warming ties with Taiwan in 2008. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) With politics set aside, well-wishers gathered to wish the Taipei zoos oldest giant panda a happy 20th birthday. Visitors crowded around Yuanyuan's enclosure to take photos of her with a birthday cake in the shape of the number 20. Yuanyuan was born in China and arrived in 2008 with her partner Tuantuan. He died in 2022 at age 18 but not before fathering two female cubs, Yuanzai and Yuanbao, now 11 and 4 respectively and still living at the zoo. Danielle Shu, a 20-year-old Brazilian student in Taiwan, said she found online clips of the pandas an enjoyable distraction. And I just find it really funny and cute, Shu said. Giant pandas are native only to China, and Beijing bestows them as a sign of political amity. Yuanyuan and Tuantuan arrived in Taiwan during a period of relative calm between the sides, which split amid civil war in 1949. China claims the island its own territory, to be annexed by military force if necessary. Faced with declining habitat and a notoriously low birthrate, giant panda populations have declined to around 1,900 in the mountains of western China, while 600 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers in China and around the world. Taiwan military says China lacks ability to invade, but has other options FILE PHOTO: A soldier stands on an M1167 TOW carrier vehicle at the Fangshan training grounds in Pingtung By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -China lacks the ability to "fully" invade Taiwan as it does not have the equipment, but is bringing on line advanced new weapons and has other options to threaten Taiwan, such as inspecting foreign cargo ships, the island's defence ministry said. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The government of the defeated Republic of China fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, and no peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed. In an annual threat assessment of China sent to lawmakers on Friday, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, Taiwan's defence ministry said Beijing continues to hone skills such as joint command operations. "However, the use of tactics and strategies against Taiwan is still limited by the natural geographical environment of the Taiwan Strait and insufficient landing equipment and logistic capabilities," it said. China "is not yet fully possessed of the formal combat capabilities for a comprehensive invasion of Taiwan". But China is speeding up development of a slew of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles and beefing up the number of nuclear warheads, while trialling new tactics, the ministry said. The report said that in May, when China staged war games around Taiwan shortly after Lai Ching-te took office as the new president, Chinese coast guard ships were sent for the first time on interception and inspection drills off the east coast. China's aim with the drills was to practice cutting off communication with the outside world and blockade Taiwan, and boarding foreign cargo ships is an option China could take, short of open conflict, the ministry said. The waters around Taiwan, including the Taiwan Strait, are busy international shipping lanes. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At a regular news briefing in Beijing on Thursday, the ministry said that as long as Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party "engages in 'Taiwan independence' (efforts), there will be no peace". "The more they provoke, the faster they will perish," spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters. Taiwan's proposed defence spending will rise faster than expected economic growth next year, as Taipei builds more missiles, submarines and other weapons to deter China. President Lai, whom China calls a "separatist", has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. "Peace achieved by strength is true peace," Lai told officers at the defence ministry on Friday. "We will continue to improve our self-defence capabilities and show the world that we are united as a nation and are determined to protect our country." (Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Takeaways from the AP's report on Mexican mothers searching for their disappeared children Photos of Veronica Rosas and her son Diego decorate Veronica's shirt and necklaces, as she poses for a portrait at her home in Ecatepec, Mexico, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Rosas' son went missing when he was 16 years old on Sept. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme) MEXICO CITY (AP) According to official figures, at least 115,000 people have disappeared in Mexico since 1952, though the real number is believed to be higher. During the countrys dirty war, a conflict that lasted throughout the 1970s, disappearances were attributed to government repression. In the past two decades, as officials have fought drug cartels and organized crime has tightened its grip in several states, its been more difficult to trace the perpetrators and causes of disappearances. Human trafficking, kidnapping, acts of retaliation and forced recruitment by cartel members are among the reasons listed by human rights organizations. Disappearances impact local communities as well as migrants who travel through Mexico hoping to reach the U.S. Among the thousands of relatives affected are mothers whose children have vanished. Here are some takeaways from the APs report on how some of these women have taken the search in their own hands, supported by a few faith leaders who offer spiritual guidance. Why mothers search for their children on their own Diego Maximiliano was 16 years old when he vanished in 2015 after leaving home to meet with friends. He and his mother, Veronica Rosas, lived in Ecatepec, a Mexico City suburb where robbery, femicide and other violent crimes have afflicted its inhabitants for decades. Kidnappers took him and requested an amount of money that Rosas was unable to get. They apparently agreed to a lower sum, but Diego was never released. To find their relatives, people like Rosas initially trust the authorities, but as time passes and no answers or justice comes, they take the search into their own hands. They distribute bulletins with photos of the missing person. They visit morgues, prisons and psychiatric institutions. They walk through neighborhoods where homeless people spend the day, wondering if their sons or daughters might be close, affected by drug abuse or mental health problems. Three months after Diegos disappearance, Rosas got tired of waiting to hear from the police. She opened a Facebook page called Help me find Diego and, though she was frightened of stepping out of her home, she started looking for him, dead or alive. For three years, her search was lonely. Relatives, co-workers and friends commonly distance themselves from people with missing family members, claiming that they only talk about their search or listening to them is too sad. It wasn't until 2018 that Rosas joined an annual protest in which thousands of mothers demand answers and justice and became aware of a wider problem. After meeting other women like her, she wondered: What if we use our collective force in our favor? And so, as other mothers have done in Mexican states like Sonora and Jalisco, Rosas created an organization to provide mutual support for their searches. She called it Uniendo Esperanzas, or Gathering Hopes, and it currently supports 22 families, mostly from the state of Mexico. What's been the government's reaction to the disappearances? The resentment and disappointment from Mexicans affected by nationwide violence has increased recently. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Claudia Sheinbaum, who will succeed him on Oct. 1, constantly minimize the relatives recriminations, claiming that homicide rates decreased during the current administration. But its not just violence that victims resent. On a recent evening, in the state of Zacatecas, a mother like Rosas stormed into a session of Congress. Drenched in tears, she screamed that she found her son with a gunshot to the head at the morgue. He had been there since November 2023, she said, but the authorities failed to notify her in spite of her tireless efforts to get information about what happened to him. What role does religion play in the mothers' searches? Many faith leaders regardless of their religious affiliation are unwilling to address the disappearances in Mexico or to console anguished mothers. Not everyone has the sensitivity to endure such pain, said Catholic Bishop Javier Acero, who meets regularly with mothers like Rosas. He pushed for celebrating Mass in Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to remember their disappeared children for the first time in 2023. But the numbers of disappearances keep rising and the government doesnt do anything about it, so, where the state is absent, the church offers guidance, Acero said. Some mothers regard him as an ally, and leaders from the Catholic church have raised their concerns against Lopez Obradors security policy since two Jesuit priests were murdered in 2022. But, in parallel, some relatives of missing people claim that many Catholic priests, nuns and parishioners have shown little empathy for their pain. Soon after her son disappeared, Rosas rushed to a nearby parish and asked the priest to celebrate Mass so she could pray for Diego, but he refused. She said he told her, I cant say that people are being kidnapped, madam. I encourage you to pray for your sons eternal rest. In contrast, faith leaders from an ecumenical group called The Axis of Churches are constantly supportive. Methodists, evangelicals, Indigenous spiritual leaders, theologians and feminists are among its members. Sometimes they pray; on other occasions they share a meal, draw mandalas or simply listen to the mothers. We have the legitimate hope of finding our treasures alive, said the Rev. Arturo Carrasco, an Anglican priest who offers spiritual guidance to families with missing members. We are no fools and we understand that theres a risk they might be dead. But as long as we have no evidence of that, we will keep searching. Like Carrasco, Catholic nun Paola Clerico has walked with the mothers through muddy terrain where excavations were made in search for human remains. They have celebrated Mass in the middle of busy streets and next to canal drainages. They have joined them in visiting prisons and morgues, comforting them no matter what sorrow may come. We live with a such a profound pain that only God can help us endure it, Rosas said. If it wasnt for that light, for that relief, I dont think we would be able to still stand. ____ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Both the Tallahassee City Commission and Leon County Commission are moving forward with property tax increases as part of their proposed 2025 budgets, though their actual rates arent going up. The city, which months ago was eyeing a possible budget deficit, is now considering a slight reduction in its property tax rate to make up for an additional half-million dollars in revenue it expects to get from its new school zone speed enforcement program. However, last-minute rate tinkering aside, both local governments are in fact proposing to balance their budgets in part with millions of dollars in additional revenue from property tax increases. Fueled by a roughly 10% increase in property values from 2023 to 2024, the city is expected to reap $6 million in additional revenue over last year, while the county anticipates raising nearly $19 million more. City of Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey welcomes the community together to celebrate Tallahassees 200th birthday in front of City Hall on Monday, March 4, 2024. During a June 18 budget workshop, county commissioners tentatively agreed to keep their countywide and Emergency Medical Services property tax rates the same as last year at $8.3144 for every $1,000 of property value and $.75 for every $1,000 of value, respectively. And while that passed unanimously, County Commissioners Christian Caban and Brian Welch both expressed concerns about ballooning county budgets. Guys, thats a big eek for me, said Welch, who also is running for re-election this year in the countys most conservative district. County Commissioner Brian Welch attends the Leon County Commission public meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Caban suggested cutting the countys overall tax rate to the tune of $5 million, though he got no traction. He was the only commissioner to vote no on the tax increase when it came up for ratification later in July. Meanwhile, during a June 19 workshop, city commissioners also set their maximum property tax rate at last years level, which is $4.45 for every $1,000 of property value. It passed 3-2, with Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter voting no after expressing concerns about overspending. Both city and county spending plans include across-the-board raises for employees, which was another point of contention for some commissioners. Aside from property taxes, the budgets dont include any other increases in taxes or fees, city and county officials said. Thats a far cry from last year, when city commissioners voted to increase their property tax rate to fund nearly $10 million more for police, and county commissioners doubled the EMS tax, the first increase in the history of the ambulance service. City and county fire service and other fees also rose in 2023. To avoid a property tax increase this year, city and county commissioners would have to adopt rolled back rates, which would generate the same revenue as last year. City and county brass are not recommending adoption of those lower rates. Tax increases became an issue in the Aug. 20 primary, with Porter and Dot Inman-Johnson, who is challenging City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, campaigning against them. Theyre all but certain to come up in Welchs race against Isaac Montilla for the northeast District 4 County Commission seat. Caban: 'We can reduce the blow to taxpayers' During a county budget workshop in April, staff projected property tax revenues to increase a healthy $11.8 million. But by July, that figure had jumped to $18.76 million. The countys proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year totals $377.5 million, an 8% increase from last year. Staff in a June workshop recommended spending the additional $6.9 million on a variety of priorities and budget requests from the constitutional offices, including $3.6 million for the capital improvement program, $1.3 million for 5% employee raises and $543,000 for three new deputies. The raises are for all of the county's 791 workers as well as constitutional office employees. County Commissioner Christian Caban attends the Leon County Commission public meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Welch and Caban expressed concerns about how quickly the additional $6.9 million had been plugged into the budget between April and June. Caban suggested not spending $5 million of the additional revenue but proceeding with staff raises. Theres a way where we can reduce the blow to taxpayers, our employees are taken care of and also we are still increasing our revenue as a county to cover some of the daily necessities of local government, Caban said. Caban worried about the impact tax increases would have on efforts to create more affordable housing, a stated goal of the county and city. Property tax bills for homeowners are capped at 3% under Save Our Homes while commercial properties, including apartments that shift tax increases onto renters, are capped at 10%. County Administrator Vince Long called the tax increase very moderate by Florida standards. He said that in years when property taxes values have dropped, the Leon County opted not to raise taxes. What we did was we drew down our reserves over that period of time, and we counted on that consistency, Long said. Youll note this board doesnt increase taxes one year and decrease taxes the next year. That ... allows us to provide stability to our taxpayers over that period of time. County Commissioner Nick Maddox speaks during the Leon County Commission public meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. County Commissioner Nick Maddox said he understood Cabans and Welchs concerns but that he was totally comfortable with the budget and the proposed millage or property tax rates. We have to understand that over time, things will get good, then things will get bad, and holding that millage rate where it is and keeping it constant is the best way for us to be responsible to our constituents," Maddox said. Matlow calls for budget cuts, Dailey says that would harm city services The city also saw its budget picture brighten between the spring and summer as property values came in higher than expected. During a June 19 City Commission workshop, Robert Wigen, director of Resource Management, said an earlier projected $3.8 million deficit was gone and the citys $1.19 billion budget was balanced. We had extraordinary growth year over year, Wigen told commissioners, adding that projections of 5% growth came in at 9.27%, which would realize $6 million more in revenue. He said the budget included 4.2% across-the-board pay raises, which will cost $2 million for general fund employees, like police, and another $5 million for employees of the citys enterprise funds, including utilities and aviation. He also said the city found nearly $3 million in expense reductions through aggressive fuel hedging, vacancies and other efficiencies. The city has nearly 3,000 full-time employees. City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow participates in a Blueprint meeting at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. But Matlow, as he has in past years, implored the city to cut more non-essential costs, including raises to the highest-paid managers. He made a motion to go back to the rolled-back tax rate, getting a second from Porter but no support from the other three commissioners. I believe where we are now, where our community just got hit by a tornado, theres people suffering just to make ends meet and then to inflict an additional tax increase over the massive tax increase we did last year, I cannot support, Matlow said. Richardson worried that going to the rolled-back rate would force the city to reevaluate our commitment to public safety. Last years tax increase, which he, Mayor John Dailey and City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox supported, funded 20 new police officers and additional police technology. Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson So that would impact our commitment to this community to invest in public safety and address the kind of crimes and violence, Richardson said. Wigen said the city would continue with the new officers and technology but that going to the lower tax rate would require reconsideration of employee raises. City Manager Reese Goad said the city wouldnt be able to maintain current service levels under the rolled-back rate. Dailey said it would require serious cuts to everything from parks and the senior center to new sidewalks on the south side. Its a false assumption to assume that the level of service will remain the same, Dailey said during the June workshop. City could see tax rate nudge down ahead of budget public hearings Meanwhile, Goad and Wigen told the Democrat that the city is looking at a potential cut in the property tax rate to account for additional money from the school zone speeding program. City commissioners approved the new program and a five-year contract with vendor RedSpeed Florida the night of June 19, after their budget workshop. The program slaps speeders with $100 fines by mail if they are detected by camera speeding in schools zones. With such a fine, $60 would go to the City of Tallahassee, RedSpeed would take $35 and $5 goes to the school crossing guard program. It could be lucrative for the city as initial tests at schools around Tallahassee showed thousands of violations in a single day. Were running some numbers now, and so I dont have an absolute amount, Wigen told the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday. City and county commissioners could opt to reduce their property tax rates during their public hearings in September. However, they cant increase their proposed rates at that time. The Leon County Property Appraisers Office recently sent out Truth In Millage or TRIM notices to all property owners with details on each taxing authoritys proposed rates and their impact on individual properties. The office said that higher property values may result in higher tax bills for many property owners. By reviewing it early, you can plan ahead and ensure there are no surprises when your tax bill arrives in November, Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi said in a news release. WANT TO GO AND SHARE YOUR OPINION? The citys public hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, and Wednesday, Sept. 25, at City Hall. The countys public hearings are set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the County Courthouse. Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee, Leon County eye property tax increases, speeding fines Tattoo artists who worked with Clovis Josh Cowdrey are raising money for his family CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The Clovis Police Department released the identity of a motorcyclist killed by a suspected drunk driver Thursday. 37-year-old Josh Cowdrey of Clovis was riding his motorcycle on Barstow Avenue at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, when police say a woman driving an SUV hit him, sending him across the road and killing him. Suspect out of jail after alleged DUI crash that killed Clovis motorcyclist Officers arrested Tammera Pittman under suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. However, she posted her $137,000 bail on Thursday and was released from jail. The Clovis community is now rallying around Cowdreys grieving family. Cowdrey was a tattoo artist in Clovis, known for his work ethic and generosity. He apprenticed under High Sierra Tattoo Co. owner Joshua Farmer, who says he liked Cowdrey from the moment they met. I was tattooing and I heard in the background, I would like to see if I could work here, and Im here to add value to the shop. And I was like, I like this guy already and I dont even know him, Farmer said. They had known each other for two years, and Farmer calls Cowdrey a ride-or-die who would give someone the shirt off his back. When he first started here, there was one of our artists who got in an accident and within minutes the kid, Josh, he came in here and he hit the streets and started asking for help, getting donations. He raised like thousands of dollars within an hour, Farmer said. Even though Cowdrey no longer worked at the shop, he stopped in every week to visit his old mentor. Just yesterday, actually, or the day before yesterday, I had messaged him and asked him if he wanted to come to one of our upcoming events And I said, Hey, will you be there? And he goes, Ill be there like swimwear, Farmer said. Cowdrey never got the chance to keep that promise. IDENTIFIED: Motorcyclist killed in Clovis by alleged DUI driver You know, when youre in a car and somebody pulls out in front of you, the chances of them surviving are actually pretty bad. But if youre on a bike and somebody pulls out in front of you, the chances of you surviving are almost zero, Farmer said. High Sierra Tattoo Co. is hosting a fundraiser Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for Cowdreys family. Each raffle ticket is $5. His family shared a statement saying, It just comforts us to know how many people Josh has gotten to know in his 37 years of life. He had such a big heart and he has been our warrior in always being there for us to brighten our day. Tattoo artists from various shops will donate their time to that fundraiser. Farmer says its not only something Cowdrey would do; its what he did do. Hes left an imprint on our community, and its an honor to have been part of his life, Farmer 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Teen boy dies after leading officers on chase, fleeing on highway, police say A 14-year-old Texas boy was hit and killed by a car after he led police on a vehicle and foot pursuit on the highway Wednesday night, authorities said. The pursuit happened around 9:50 p.m. in the 14000 Block of State Highway 288 Northbound in Pearland, about 21 miles southeast of Houston, Pearland police said in a news release. The teen behind the wheel lost control of the vehicle and hit the center concrete barrier, officers said. After the crash, the boy ran away across the main lanes of State Highway 288, towards the southbound lanes. The officer lost sight of the boy as he ran away from the crash, the release said. About five minutes later, someone called Pearland Dispatch about an auto-pedestrian accident in the southbound lanes of State Highway 288. Officers responded to the scene and found that the 14-year-old boy had been hit by a vehicle while trying to run across the southbound lanes. Officers administered CPR at the scene and an ambulance arrived to take the boy to Ben Taub Hospital. He was later pronounced dead. Authorities said the investigation is active. They ask that anyone with information call the Pearland Police Department at (281) 997-4100. 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: Texas boy, 14, hit and killed after leading police on highway chase [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A man has been sentenced to serve up to 27 years in prison for his role in the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy in 2022. Daryeus Jones, 20, of Akron, late last month pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and felonious assault in the shooting death of 16-year-old Jamarian Coffey on Oct. 22, 2022, according to a Friday news release from Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich. Neighbor held in disappearance of couple from California nudist resort, believed to be dead Prosecutors said Jones and codefendant Dominic Herring met with Coffey and another teen along West Exchange Street. The four then walked for several blocks to Dodge Avenue, where Jones and Herring confronted the teens and shot Coffey several times. This embedded content is not available in your region. Missing Lakewood teen last seen at local hotel A judge handed Jones an indefinite prison sentence of 21 1/2 to 27 years. Jones and Herring were indicted in November 2022 on charges of aggravated robbery with a firearm specification. Jones was also indicted on counts of aggravated murder. Herring was sentenced in October 2023 to an indefinite prison term of up to 16 1/2 years on the robbery charges. This case is tragic, with a young life taken. The community is safer with Dareyus Jones and Domonic Herring locked up, Kolkovich is quoted in the release. Thank you to my assistant prosecutors and Akron police for all their hard work on this 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Officers apprehended two teens after seeing them attempt to rob someone at gunpoint. Dayton police officers patrolling on Tuesday, Aug. 27 around 6:30 p.m. noticed an armed robbery attempt occurring near the intersection of North Gettysburg Avenue and Necco Drive. Gratis man facing attempted murder charge after stabbing incident When officers turned to investigate, two suspects fled, prompting an extensive search. Eventually both suspects were found and arrested. The suspects were identified as teenagers ages 13 and 14. The 13-year-old suspect was still in possession of a firearm at the time of arrest. Both individuals were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on charges of aggravated robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. The incident is under investigation by the Dayton Police Departments Violent Offender Unit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov in 2016. - Credit: AOP.Press/Corbis/Getty Images The charges of criminal complicity brought against billionaire Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France on Wednesday over allegedly enabling child exploitation and drug trafficking on the messaging app have raised alarm about crackdowns on other social media platforms. But how many tech companies and execs are really at risk? Despite the hand-wringing from some concerned about attacks on free speech across the internet, Durovs case is likely to be an extraordinary exception not a sign of whats to come. More from Rolling Stone French authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for Durovs brother and Telegram co-founder Nikolai Durov, but its unlikely that, say, Mark Zuckerberg would be arrested after stepping off a plane in Paris. While its true that the European Commission has been investigating whether Facebook and Instagram parent Meta is inadequately protecting children, thereby violating of the European Unions new Digital Services Act regulations, the penalty for breaking those rules comes in the form of a hefty fine. (Meta was ordered last year to pay $1.3 billion for violating similarly tough EU data privacy laws.) If anything, Zuckerberg should be more concerned about a second term President Donald Trump jailing him for his supposed role in a made-up conspiracy to steal the 2020 election, which the GOP nominee has actually threatened to do. The differences between a platform like Dubai-headquartered Telegram and California-based Meta are many, but a few are of particular importance in this comparison. For one thing, Meta makes significant efforts successful or not to ensure compliance with European law. Telegram, meanwhile, may have taken steps to evade regulation. The EU is investigating, for example, whether the app underreported user numbers so that it would not fall under the classification of a Very Large Online Platform and become subject to stricter controls. Facebook and Instagram also have official portals through which governments and law enforcement can request user data in connection with their investigations, whereas Telegram, French prosecutors allege, ignored their demands for material related to purported crimes. I think thats probably what made the police and the prosecutors mad in the first place, says Daphne Keller, the director of program on platform regulation at Stanford Universitys Cyber Policy Center. This is speculation, but its speculation based on a lot of experience. Keller says that Telegram also appears to have run afoul of EU requirements to take down illegal content after it was reported to the company something that virtually all major platforms do as a matter of course, with robust mechanisms and employee teams in place for this very purpose. If Telegram got notified of a bunch of specific user posts that were illegal, and it then failed to take them down, then it forfeited this really important immunity that exists in EU law and exposed itself to whatever criminal claims a French prosecutor can bring under French law, Keller explains. In fact, she adds, EU law would have protected Telegram if it met this basic requirement like Facebook, YouTube, and others. Beyond the failure to turn over user data and the liability for leaving criminal content up, Keller says the more outlandish charges against Durov seem to be saying its illegal just to provide an encrypted messaging service, period, which she finds bonkers and very at odds with what most human rights organizations want. Telegram is not the only app to offer private encrypted messaging Signal is another and Keller notes that such tools have been a matter of significant debate among EU leadership in the past year. Keller hopes the anti-encryption argument does not become a focus of the case against Durov, though she says that Signal is probably not susceptible to the same line of prosecution. Signal really is encrypted. They cant look at your messages, so its hard for them to even get in a situation where they know about illegal content but fail to take it down, she says. But Telegram is mostly not actually encrypted, or is encrypted poorly. And so its much easier for Telegram to get in a situation where they can be charged with knowingly continuing to distribute illegal content. All of these factors put Telegram at unique risk among tech platforms. Its not entirely clear whether the company was unwilling or simply unequipped to remove illegal posts at the necessary rate and scale despite claiming to consistently shutter channels devoted to child sexual abuse material, child safety advocacy groups say it has not cooperated with them and repeatedly declined to join international programs aimed at combating the distribution of exploitative and abusive imagery. Nevertheless, Durov has garnered support from legions of far-right extremists who have followings on the app or see him as a champion of free speech. Chris Pavlovski, CEO of the largely unmoderated streaming video site Rumble, which is saturated with right-wing conspiracist content and misinformation, described himself as a possible next target in some wider crackdown, claiming in a tweet that France had threatened his platform and arrested Durov reportedly for not censoring speech. (This post preceded the announcement of the actual charges against Durov.) Pavlovski also insinuated that hed had to leave Europe for his own safety. Rumble, which is headquartered in Florida, has been unavailable in France since late 2022 due to its refusal to remove Russian state media channels banned in Europe. It was blocked in Russia this year because, Pavlovski claims, he rejected Moscows censorship requests. https://twitter.com/chrispavlovski/status/1827658235618144257 Elon Musk, owner of X, or the platform once known as Twitter, has also sought to portray Durov as a political prisoner while continuing to tout his own commitment to absolute freedom of expression. (Meanwhile, he has shared tweets calling for the arrest of Zuckerberg over Metas lapses on child protections.) After gutting Xs moderation teams and reinstating banned accounts, Musk oversaw a steep rise in extremist hate speech and misinformation on the site that drove away advertisers and is now causing friction with European regulators. In July, the EU said it was charging X with violations of the Digital Services Act related to the apps paid verification system, which it alleges malicious actors have exploited to deceive consumers, and a lack of transparency as to who is paying for promoted posts. In response, Musk tweeted, We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth. None of this grandstanding suggests that Musk, too, might be arrested if he sets foot on the continent. There are two things that could be going on between X and the EU, says Keller. One is, if theres stuff thats actually illegal in Europe and X is ignoring notices and leaving it up, they could get in the same kind of trouble Telegram is in. But it seems, she observes, that X may only be declining to remove offensive content that is nonetheless legal in Europe, so-called lawful but awful speech. It may also be falling short on some administrative obligations, Keller adds, but these issues would be addressed with fines rather than criminal prosecution. This doesnt mean that Musks acts of defiance will never be without consequences. Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes blocked X in the country after the company failed to appoint new legal counsel by a Thursday night deadline. The dispute began in April when Moraes ordered the suspension of X accounts alleged to be spreading disinformation. Many of these backed former president Jair Bolsonaro, whose supporters attacked federal government buildings in Brazils capital in a 2023 revolt against the inauguration of his opponent, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as president. (Justice Moraes is also investigating this riot.) Musk threatened to reactivate the accounts, prompting Moraes to open a separate inquiry into his possible obstruction of justice. Earlier this month, X closed its Brazil offices, claiming that Moraes had threatened its legal representative with arrest if they did not comply with censorship orders. Its not the first showdown between the Brazilian courts and an American social media giant. In 2016, Brazils federal police arrested Diego Dzodan, a Facebook vice president from Argentina, because the company had not turned over data related to a drug trafficking investigation from an account on WhatsApp, which it owned. The arrest order was quickly reversed by a judge thanks to a petition by Facebook, and Dzodan was released. The company maintained at the time that it could not provide the requested data because WhatsApp did not store users messages and had encryption protections. This is a conflict that comes up for companies a lot, Keller says, and sometimes they resist supplying account information because its the police trying to investigate activists or investigate political opponents or investigate journalists. There are good reasons for the platforms to want to resist handing over data some of the time. But if youre operating in Europe and you just have a uniform policy of saying no to the police, or investigating things like child abuse material, youre going to get in trouble. However, Keller doesnt see any U.S. companies disregarding such illegal content the way Telegram allegedly has, so the prospect of a Silicon Valley titan heading to prison for this is practically nil. I dont think prosecutors are going to go after people for some internal glitch where the message didnt get through, she says of the moderation failures that affect every digital platform. Theyre going to go after somebody who is deliberately, intentionally saying, Im not going to take this down.' Update Aug. 30, 4:15 pm: This afternoon, Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes issued the order to block X in the country, and this story has been updated to reflect that. Best of Rolling Stone A high school cross-country star in Tennessee died while on a run in his neighborhood amid scorching temperatures, school district officials said. Tristen Franklin, 15, a student at Sycamore High School in Pleasant View, had gone for a run in his neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon when he suddenly collapsed and quick-thinking neighbors called 911, NBC affiliate WSMV of Nashville reported. Franklin had been running outdoors as the Nashville area was experiencing extreme heat, with three consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures Tuesday through Thursday. Pleasant View is located about 30 miles northwest of Nashville. Cheatham County School District told NBC News in a statement it was "deeply saddened" to learn of the young student's death. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the students family and friends during this difficult time. The impact of such a loss is immeasurable. Counseling support is being provided this week at Sycamore High School to assist those affected during this grieving process, the statement said. Troy Simpkins, one of Franklins neighbors, said he saw the teen go for a routine jog every day for the last year. On Tuesday, he saw Franklin run by from his window as usual, but soon after, he collapsed. My husband brought our dog out which he does every day when his work day is done and there was a gentleman two doors down that was waving at him frantically like trying to get his attention, Simpkins told WSMV. Then the group called 911. My heart just goes out to them. I mean its so sad that he was so young, and he had his whole life ahead of him so tell the people you love how much you love them, Simpkins added. The school district said it did not know a cause of death. NBC News is out to the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner and Cheatham County Sheriff's Office for comment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Threats from terrorist groups such as ISIS are again surging across the globe three years after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, an exit that marked a new phase in the war on terrorism. ISIS has claimed responsibility for several deadly attacks this year across the world, from Turkey to Iran and Russia. ISIS-affiliated actors also carried out a stabbing attack in Germany this month and threatened a Taylor Swift concert in Austria. The renewed ISIS threat, along with the proliferation of terrorist groups across the Middle East, Central Asia and African Sahel regions, underscores how the U.S. and its allies are struggling to combat these groups in an era that is also marked by threats from state actors, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and China. Still, in Washington and among the broader American public, there is no appetite for long-term foreign invasion missions to combat terrorism on the heels of the 20-year war in Afghanistan or the eight-year war in Iraq. Instead, a smaller number of U.S. troops are deployed in countries willing to host an American presence, ostensibly giving the U.S. an over-the-horizon view on threats. But that has proven a difficult strategy to manage, with Iraq looking to possibly expel U.S. forces and African nations giving Americans and Europeans the boot after falling to military coups. While not at the height it was before, the terrorism threat is again growing, and security experts worry the U.S. is falling back into a reactive posture. It takes one bomb going off in Times Square, said Colin Clarke, nonresident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Were just far too reactive in our policy, and were not proactive enough. We havent learned a lot, sadly, I think, from 9/11. We need to prepare for these things and prepare our responses. Weve got to be clinical. Weve got to be kind of judicious in how we respond to these issues, he added. The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago Friday in a chaotic retreat that left 13 American service members dead from an ISIS-K suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that also killed some 170 Afghan civilians. American forces have largely defeated ISIS since the group rose to power in 2014 and took vast swaths of Syria and Iraq. The U.S. and an allied coalition force diminished the group by 2017 and forced it out of the territory it once held. Yet the U.S. has continued to combat a resilient ISIS. There are some 900 troops in Syria and roughly 2,500 in Iraq. The Iraqi government invited the U.S. to the country to help defeat ISIS in 2014, and the deployment there also allows American forces to remain in neighboring Syria. In the past three years, ISIS-K, the groups Central Asia branch, has rebounded. It claimed responsibility for January attacks in Kerman, Iran, that killed nearly 100 people; a shooting at a Moscow concert hall in March that killed more than 130; and a shooting at a church in Istanbul that killed one, also in January. The broader ISIS network has claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Germany this month that killed three people and was behind a foiled plot to kill thousands of people at Swifts concert in Austria, according to authorities. U.S. Central Command said in a July statement that ISIS was responsible for 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria in the first half of 2024 and was on pace to more than double the total number of attacks it claimed last year. The U.S. warned ISIS was trying to reconstitute even as American forces hunt down the roughly 2,500 ISIS members at large in Iraq and Syria. ISIS-K also remains a regional hub, funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to financial facilitators as well as providing personnel and weapons to support external operations, the Treasury Department said in a report this year. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters this week the U.S. was laser-focused on combating terrorism and was enhancing cooperation with allies to share intelligence and information to foil plots. We know that we cant turn a blind eye to the threats from organizations such as ISIS-K, he said. We have and continue to invest in and deploy modern capabilities to keep Americans safe. Vladimir Voronkov, under secretary-general of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, warned in a briefing this month that ISIS has improved its financial and logistical capabilities in the past six months, including by tapping into Afghan and Central Asian diasporas for support and has also increased its recruitment drive. Sustained counter-terrorism efforts will be required to prevent [ISIS] from building upon these gains, he said. We must unite to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a hotbed of terrorism. The renewed threat extends far beyond ISIS. Deaths from terrorism across the world increased by 22 percent in 2023 to 8,352, the highest level since 2017, according to the Institute for Economics and Peaces latest global terrorism index. While there was a decrease in the number of incidents, the rise in deaths shows terrorism is becoming more concentrated and more lethal the report said. The Middle East remains a crucial region for counterterrorism efforts, but the future of the U.S. deployment there remains uncertain. Baghdad is in high-level talks to potentially force the U.S. out of Iraq. Iraqi officials have raised concerns about repeated clashes in their country between the U.S. and Iranian-backed groups. If the U.S. were to leave Iraq, it would likely have to exit Syria, too, considering Americas technical basis to be there is to protect Iraqi territory. Iraqi forces have trained with the U.S. to counter ISIS and other violent extremists, but an American withdrawal could lead to an ISIS resurgence, said Aaron Zelin, senior research fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Zelin said if ISIS takes over parts of northeastern Syria when the U.S. leaves, it will get more money, fighters [and] weapons and restart an insurgency in Iraq. As long as the U.S. remains in Iraq and Syria, they should manage the issue, more or less, he said. Obviously, it would change if the U.S. left. But the most dangerous hotbed for terrorism is in Africas Sahel region, making up the western and north-central parts of the continent. In Africa, ISIS has a presence, but al Qaeda-linked groups pose the most difficulty. Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen is the most persistent threat across the Sahel, while Al-Shabaab has long plagued Somalia and East Africa. Burkina Faso remains the most terrorist-ridden country in the world, making up a quarter of all terrorism-related deaths, according to the global index report. Sahel countries have long struggled to combat violent extremist groups, and some of them face greater instability after falling to military coups, including Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. The military juntas in power have forced out American and French troops. In August, the U.S. completed a withdrawal from its bases in Niger after the military seized power in 2023, endangering counterterrorism efforts by removing American forces from an important regional foothold. France, a major counterterrorism partner, has also been forced out of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Across Africa, terrorism-related fatalities increased 56 percent between 2021 and 2024, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies at the Pentagon-funded National Defense University. The Sahel made up around half of those deaths, and the region has seen a tripling in terrorism killings. Joseph Siegle, director of research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, said the dramatic increase in violent incidents across Africa is worrying. He said the threat is complex, pointing to multiple violent militant groups behind the surge actively recruiting from a struggling low-income population with grievances against the government, especially those run by military juntas. We are facing these established insurgencies now, rather than one-off terrorist acts, he said. They require whole of society efforts to combat them. It requires having a government presence on the ground that can provide services and can counter these arguments that governments dont care. The U.S. has been combating terrorism since 9/11, and Americans are tired of large-scale deployments such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. But counterterrorism experts say its important to maintain at least a small and robust intelligence and force network abroad to reduce the ability for violent groups to carry out attacks. After Afghanistan, the U.S. pivoted to larger threats, focusing on the war in Ukraine and managing the threat from Russia while supporting Israel against Iran. China remains the topmost national security concern in Washington. Still, worldwide threats are not isolated events. In Africa, Russia has been moving into countries such as Niger, taking advantage of nations held by military juntas to exploit resources for protection and military training. That brings a geopolitical dynamic to the counterterrorism fight, said Jason Blazakis, director of a center on terrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Theres an element where this plays into the broader state actor threat as well, because were ceding the ground to countries like Russia, he said. Some of these are also tightly connected, especially when it comes to great power competition. And great power competition quite often will devolve into the use of proxies. So we should also prepare for that possibility in the years 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. Texas Assistant Principal Who Was Left Blind In An Eye After Student Attack Calls Out Gov. Greg Abbott For Not Doing Enough To Protect Educators Texas Assistant Principal Who Was Left Blind In An Eye After Student Attack Calls Out Gov. Greg Abbott For Not Doing Enough To Protect Educators | Photo: Pixabay Texas resident Candra Rogers spoke out for the first time as she recovers from an injury that caused permanent damage in one of her eyes. On Aug. 15, Rogers, who serves as assistant principal at Collins Intermediate School, was attacked while trying to calm down a student, who allegedly threw desks and a wire hanger that knocked her eyeball out of its socket, the Corsicana Daily Sun reported. Earlier this week, Rogers read a statement she drafted inside the board room of the Corsicana Independent School District. Just a snippet of the horrific school incident that lead to Candra Rogers becoming permanently blind in her eye. She shared her story for the first time today. The student is now facing charges. @NBCDFW Click here to listen to the full statement: https://t.co/h7KK4ik5oB pic.twitter.com/sJcsSd3EbN Alanna Quillen (@AlannaNBC5) August 27, 2024 Good morning. I want to thank you all for being here. Thank you to Corsicana ISD for allowing me to utilize this space to share with you today. The statements I will make today do not belong to Corsicana ISD; they are my own, Rogers letter began, per a transcript obtained by the Corsicana Daily Sun. First, thank you all from the depths of my heart for all of your prayers. They have given me and my family strength during these very difficult and trying times. Thank you for the meals, the cards, the ways youve assisted us financially, and everything else you have done. I am so, so grateful. I will be reading a short statement, but I will not be taking any questions. She continued, On Thursday, August 15th, during lunch, I heard our behavioral teacher call on the radio to administrators for assistance. 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. 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. Rogers also detailed how she managed to block the chair thrown at another assistant principal but was unable to stop the wooden hanger the student threw toward her. The hanger hit me in my right eye and knocked it out of the socket, she said. I grabbed my face while blood was pouring out of my head and stumbled out the classroom door. She was treated on-site before being airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital for emergency eye surgery. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Rogers shared that the doctors determined I had been blinded and currently believe that damage to be permanent. Rogers opened up about how the aftermath has affected those closest to her. This tragedy affected not just my husband, my children and grandchild, my family, and my friends, but it has also negatively affected my school, my district, and my community, she said. Because of the numerous districts in which my husband and I have worked and the thousands of students I have taught, the impact of my injury is far-reaching. Rogers then shifted her attention to Republican Governor Greg Abbott. For years, our schools have suffered unfunded mandates, which have included pay raises. Our basic allotment which funds our day-to-day expenses have not been increased since 2019, even though we have had rising costs on absolutely everything, including new unfunded mandates. This is 2024, she said. Texas has the ninth largest economy in the world not the country, the world. Texas has over a $32 billion budget surplus, yet we spend the 8th least in terms of allotment per student in the U.S. Regardless of what you believe this says about our priorities as a State, this is a choice, and choices have consequences. She concluded her statement with the following: I have been in education for 30 years. I am a proud product of public schools. I believe in public school education. But what happened to me should never happen to another educator. Mr. Abbott, release the funds because you are also culpable for what happened to me. The Dallas News reported that The Navarro County District Attorneys Office and the Juvenile Probation Department are now reviewing the matter. Whos more extreme on abortion policy? Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Colin Allred are pointing fingers as they run for U.S. Senate. Allred, a congressman representing part of Dallas, has made abortion a center point of his statewide bid, launching a Women for Allred arm of his campaign at a Dallas event on Aug. 24. The event featured OB-GYNs and women who have been affected by Texas near-total abortion ban. Cruzs campaign has focused less on abortion, and Texas Democrats have taken notice, with the state party and Allreds campaign saying hes dodging questions on the issue. When Cruz has weighed in, Allreds campaign has said the senator is lying to voters. At Allreds Dallas event, speakers warned about the consequences of abortion policies they said Cruz supports. Imagine in January 2025, when we restore a womans right to choose and we pass Roe v. Wade into law, and then we can tell the stories of what happened, but wont have to have the experiences of them happening anymore, Allred said to a crowd of 850 people. But just 25 miles away the night before at an event in The Colony, Cruz told reporters its Allred who is extreme and not forthcoming. Well, listen, Colin Allred and the Democrats are making a lot of things up because theyre scared of their own radical record on abortion, Cruz said, fresh off a campaign rally in The Colony that attracted 500 people. Texas abortion law is among the strictest in the nation. It bans nearly all abortions without exceptions for rape and incest. There are exceptions for medical emergencies, but theres been a push for clarity on what that means and when an abortion can be performed. Abortion advocates have pushed for more clarity on Texas policy. Outside of the state, theres been talk of a national abortion ban. What do Cruz and Allred think? Leave it up to the states, Cruz says Cruz expressed opposition to a national abortion ban, advocating that abortion policy should be left to the individual states, speaking to reporters after his Aug. 23 event at LSA Burger Co. in The Colony What the Supreme Court said is, under our constitution, the way issues like that are typically decided is at the ballot box, Cruz said. The voters decide, and so where we are right now, is the laws governing abortion are made in each state, in the state Legislature. In Texas, down in Austin. One wouldnt expect California or New York to have the same laws as Texas, he said. Listen, Im pro-life, Cruz said. I want to see every life protected, but I also respect the Democratic process, and it will be the voters of Texas and the state Legislature that makes those determinations. Cruz said its false that Republicans want a national abortion ban. Theres not a Republican that I know of in the Senate whos ever introduced a national ban, Cruz said. Thats a totally made up claim that he repeats every day. But Cruz introduced a federal bill in 2021 with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that, if passed, would have made it a crime to perform an abortion 20 weeks or more after fertilization. The bill was co-sponsored by senators from across the country. Cruz seemed to distinguish the legislation from a nationwide ban in an interview with WFAA-TV, a Star-Telegram content partner. What I have supported is restrictions on late term abortions, on exactly what Colin Allred supports: eight and ninth month, late term abortions, abortions after the unborn child can feel pain, Cruz said. The 2021 bill, which was co-sponsored by more than 40 Republican senators, included exceptions to save the life of the mother, and, in some cases, rape and incest. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at a campaign event in The Colony on Aug. 23, 2024. Cruz did not say whether he personally supports Texas abortion law and adding exceptions for rape and incest to it, when pressed at the event in The Colony. I support that it should be the voters of Texas, and the elected state legislators and the governor that are going to make the decision as to what the rules in Texas should be, Cruz said. Soon after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Cruz expressed support for Texas abortion law. At the time, the state had a law that effectively banned abortion at around six weeks. Also on the books, but not yet in effect, was a trigger law criminalizing abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned. In the state of Texas, the laws will now be decided by the state Legislature, and in the state of Texas we have significant limits restricting abortion, because the state of Texas is protecting the right to life, Cruz said in a video interview published on June 24, 2022. I agree with that. I think every life is an incredible and precious gift from God. Reinstate Roe v. Wade, Allred says In an Aug. 28 interview with the Star-Telegram, Allred said he opposes a national abortion ban and believes the country should return to the standard under Roe v. Wade. The landmark ruling in 1973 solidified the right to have an abortion before fetal viability a fetus ability to survive outside the womb, which is typically when the gestational age is around 24 weeks. Returning to that standard would mean exceptions for rape and incest, Allred said. Cruz, speaking with reporters at his event in The Colony, said Allred supports unlimited abortion up to and including the eighth and ninth months of pregnancy. Im the father of two boys. Ive had two boys in Dallas in the last five years, Allred said. I find it offensive that Ted Cruz would knowingly misstate not only my position but what has been the standard in this country for the last 50 years. Under that standard, outlandish claims like this certainly were not allowed, Allred said. He described a return to the days of Roe v. Wade as a return to the center, leaving room for states to have restrictions post viability, while also restoring the decision of whether to have an abortion to one between a woman and her doctor. Allred said he also supports clarifying Texas law for medical professionals. I talked to a lot of OB-GYNs and even hospital administrators around the state, and theyll tell you that the uncertainty in this law and the fact that it carries very real criminal penalties has led to paralysis, Cruz said. U.S. Senate Candidate Colin Allred speaks at a campaign event in Dallas on Aug. 24, 2025. Allred has in the past supported versions of the Womens Health Protection Act and is a co-sponsor of the 2023 version. The bill puts into law a right for health care providers to perform an abortion prior to viability. Generally, abortions could be performed post viability when a doctor finds it is necessary to protect the life or health of the patient. The bill also puts into federal law protections for those who travel out of state for an abortion. With some exceptions, the federal law would supersede inconsistent state laws. The Womens Health Protection Act is intended to restore at the federal level the protections under Roe, and thats what I support, Allred said. When Im in the Senate, I look forward to having a chance to introduce what will ultimately become the law that takes us back to that standard. Cruz also criticized Allred for supporting the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in the WFAA interview, calling the vote by Allred and other Democrats disturbing. The bill sets standards for the degree of care a doctor must provide if a child is born alive after an abortion and sets a criminal penalty if not followed. The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists at the time said the bill isnt based in science or medicine and would limit doctors abilities to provide evidence-based care for their patients. Its not right, its not Texan, its not American, Allred said of Texas abortion policy. Mountain lions are generally found in remote mountains, canyonlands, or hilly areas with good cover. In Texas, they are found throughout the Trans-Pecos region, the brushlands of South Texas and parts of the Hill Country. Credit: Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Mountain lions still roam parts of Texas as one of the states last remaining native carnivores. On Sept. 1, Texas for the first time will ban canned mountain lion hunts, which conservationists hope will prevent mistreatment of the rarely-sighted predators. The new rules, which take effect with the start of the new hunting license cycle, also require trappers to check their traps every 36 hours if they target mountain lions. Richard Heilbrun, the wildlife diversity program director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the proposal was the result of a collaboration by landowners, ranchers, livestock owners, conservationists and biologists. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved it in May. Violating the new rules is a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in a fine of up to $500 but no jail time. Texans for Mountain Lions, a conservation group founded in 2021, said their 2022 petition, which collected 2,356 signatures and called for studying and protecting the animals, kick started conversations about the new rules. That petition didnt gain traction at the time immediately. But when the agency accepted public comment about the proposed rules earlier this year, more than 90% of the roughly 7,000 comments were positive. However, the Texas Farm Bureau, which represents hundreds of thousands of the states farmers, opposed the new rules: This will have a particularly devastating impact on ranches in West Texas where mountain lions are much more prevalent, the group said. Texas mountain lions are found throughout the trans-Pecos region in West Texas, as well as the brushlands of South Texas and sometimes in the Hill Country. Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said there have also been sightings in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area and the Panhandle in recent decades. Game cameras and private security cameras catch a glimpse of the predators from time to time. On the Texas-Mexico border in Val Verde County, which had the most confirmed mountain lion sightings over the past five years, Game Warden Marco Alvizo is not expecting the new rules to drastically change existing hunting practices. Trappers are already checking traps on a regular basis, he said, and canned hunting is really not that big of an issue. Warren Cude, a Farm Bureau member and Fort Stockton-based rancher, raises calves and sheep and said numerous mountain lions pass through the area every year and their numbers have grown. Cude said he has to hunt down mountain lions when they start preying on his livestock; once he said he lost close to 80 sheep over three months to a lion. Each animal represented a $300 loss, he said. And while some states like Montana or Washington reimburse ranchers for predator-caused livestock loss, Texas does not. Heilbrun said the new rules wont prevent landowners from shooting animals that are killing livestock. Hunters can still harvest a lion, landowners with conflict situations can still take action against it, he said. As apex predators, mountain lions are important for the health of the entire ecosystem. Credit: Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Cude said hes in favor of the new ban on canned hunts, in which mountain lions are trapped, then released later in an enclosed area where to be hunted. Cude said the new regulations on checking traps every 36 hours will be a burden that could turn checking traps on his 20,000-acre ranch into a full-time job. It becomes something you cant do when you have thousands of acres, he said. The rules apply only to large vertical snares used to trap mountain lions smaller snares meant for coyotes are exempted. But Cude said large snares used to catch feral hogs would also fall under the 36-hour rule. Heilbrun, the Texas Parks and Wildlife official, said there are other ways to control feral hogs, and most of them are more effective than placing unbaited snares on fences. When hogs are caught in snares on fences, they often destroy the fence, and open up gaps to livestock. In most other U.S. states, hunting mountain lions is closely monitored theres a specific hunting season and only a certain number of animals can be taken each year. Texas has not limited hunting of mountain lions, however. Texas is fairly unique in how we manage lions, Heilbrun said. Conservationist Brent Lyles, a biologist and at the nationwide Mountain Lion Foundation calls the new regulations a modest first step toward common sense. Lyles said mountain lions are apex predators that are important for the health of the entire ecosystem by controlling the population of species like deer and preventing their numbers from skyrocketing. Often mountain lions target weakened animals, which keeps herds healthy. They also leave behind carcasses that become food for birds, insects and other mammals. For a report published earlier this year, the Borderlands Research Institute followed 16 tagged mountain lions in the Davis Mountains using GPS data and found that they preyed on deer, elk, feral hogs and javelina. Importantly, livestock (e.g., domestic cattle and horses) were available in the study area yet were never preyed upon, the report said. Lyles calls it a persistent myth that hunting mountain lions will decrease conflicts between landowners and lions. More and more research is showing that killing established lions creates social chaos among the lions in the territory, he said, adding that landowners can use non-lethal methods to protect livestock including flashing lights, AM radios playing voices or bringing animals into stables during the night. Lyles said theres still not enough solid information about Texas mountain lions. Much more data is needed to understand how many mountain lions are out there, he said. What are their needs? What are their habitats? Disclosure: Texas Farm Bureau and Texas Parks And Wildlife Department have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. 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 and Gretchen Whitmer. Hurry - buy your tickets today! Texans who may have been wrongly removed from the state's voter registration list or whose voter registrations have been suspended have little time to reverse course, Democratic state lawmakers and civil rights advocates warned Thursday, a few days after Republican leadership announced the purge of more than 1.1 million names from their voter rolls. States are required by law to regularly update their voter registration lists to remove people who have died or moved or who are found ineligible to vote for other reasons. But Republican Gov. Greg Abbott touted the routine maintenance of the voter rolls in a series of election integrity bills he signed into laws in 2021. "Texas strong election laws removed over 1 MILLION ineligible voters from our voter rolls," Abbott wrote Monday on X. Numbers released by Abbotts office show that more than 134,000 voters purged from state voter rolls since September 2021 had confirmed they had moved elsewhere and that 457,000 others had died. But most of the voters who were removed, more than 463,000, had been placed on a suspended list. Names on the suspended list are deleted if the state receives information that voters have permanently moved out of their registered addresses or don't vote in two consecutive election cycles. While the latest numbers of purged voters appear large, they are in line with routine maintenance of the voter rolls over the past several years. But Democratic state representatives and Houston City Council members remain alarmed at the more than 2.1 million Texas voters who remain on the suspended list, mainly because county officials don't have their current addresses on record. With nearly 13% of all 17.9 million voters registered in the state on the suspended list, this represents more barriers for their votes to count, state Rep. Christina Morales said in Spanish at a news conference. Charleae Vincent, a resident of Harris County, said she was placed on the suspended list even though she was a consistent voter. Voters like Vincent receive new voter registration cards by mail every two years. As Vincent waited for her card, she instead got a letter saying she had been placed on suspended status. When she investigated how it could have happened, Vincent found out that her voter card never made it out of the post office because the machine couldn't read the address on the envelope, she said. Often when people's voter registration cards or jury summonses are mailed and returned as undeliverable, their names get added to the suspended list under the assumption that their addresses may be outdated. Resolving the mishap was complicated, Vincent said. It involved her driving 27 miles and tracking people fact-to-face who could help remove her name from the list. State Rep. Gene Wu called on "every single person who thinks that they are currently registered to check their registration today to find out whether they have been added to the suspended list. Voters with suspended status can still vote as long as they update their addresses online before voter registration in Texas closes on Oct. 7. That should get people removed from the list in time for Election Day. If voters find out they're still on the suspended list after having shown up at their polling places on Election Day, they can still vote after they complete a statement of residence form. Voters with suspended status who may have moved to other counties will be required to vote in the counties where they previously resided or may be asked to submit provisional ballots. Voters on the suspended list who were wrongly removed would need to register to vote again before Oct. 7, said Annette Ramirez, a Democrat running for Harris County tax assessor collector. Sergio Lira of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, the country's oldest Latino civil rights organization, raised concerns over the timing of Abbott's announcement. The homes of several LULAC members, the chair of the Tejano Democrats, a state House candidate and a mayor were raided on Aug. 20. State Attorney General Ken Paxton has said the raids were connected to an ongoing election integrity investigation. Paxton, a Republican, has also been outspoken in advancing baseless claims about voter fraud. This is done strategically, Lira said. Lira and Democratic legislators added they fear that such efforts by top Republican leaders may further intimidate voters, especially in Latino communities. "When these decisions and these tactics come down ... Latinos are most likely and more disproportionately impacted by these actions," said Mario Castillo, a Houston City Council member. Republicans in Texas and other red states have made election integrity a major part of their messaging campaign ahead of the presidential election, creating fertile ground for false narratives about "rigged elections" and noncitizen voting that suggest the issues are more common than they actually are. For example, a study of the 2016 election conducted in 2017 by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found that of 23.5 million votes cast, election officials only found about 30 cases of potential noncitizen voting, The Associated Press reported. Under federal law, only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, and states' routine updates of their voter rolls help catch any ineligible voters and remove them, including noncitizens. The latest data Abbott released shows that efforts to keep voter rolls updated helped remove at least 6,500 "potential noncitizens" from voter registration lists and that the vast majority of them didn't have recorded voter histories. Against that background, Wu said, it is important for every single person whos eligible to vote to register to vote. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com This article was originally published in The Texas Tribune. Students who started school during or after the COVID-19 pandemic have a harder time saying goodbye to their parents when they drop them off, Plains Independent School District Superintendent Robert McClain said. Third graders are behind in their reading, teacher Heather Harris said, so the district hired a reading specialist to work with their youngest students. Theyre also struggling in math, San Antonio ISD Superintendent Jaime Aquino said. When I go into classrooms of students who are currently fourth graders or fifth graders who were either kindergarten or first grade [during the pandemic], you can see that there is a lack of mathematical fluency around basic facts, he said. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Texas school administrators, educators and education policy experts say theyre seeing troubling signs that students in the earliest grades are not doing as well academically as children who started school before the pandemic. State and federal officials devoted significant resources to help students affected by the pandemic but they mostly focused on older children whose schooling was disrupted. Experts worry that the states youngest students will have a harder time catching up without intervention. A recent study by Curriculum Associates Research looked at national academic growth trends in the last four years and compared them with pre-pandemic data. It found younger students like those who were enrolled in kindergarten or first grade in 2021 were the furthest behind in both reading and math compared to their peers before the pandemic. According to the report, those students may be struggling because of disruptions in their early childhood experiences, difficulties building up foundational skills like phonics or number recognition, problems engaging with virtual learning during the pandemic or insufficient resources being devoted to help children in the earliest grades. Aquino, San Antonio ISDs superintendent, said attendance in early grades is lower than before the pandemic, which is impacting foundational learning. We told families to stay home during the pandemic. Now were sending the message: You have to be in school, Aquino said. Low pre-K enrollment during the pandemic may be another factor. Children who attend pre-K are nearly twice as likely to be ready for kindergarten, said Miguel Solis, president of the education research nonprofit Commit Partnership. Plains Elementary School teacher Heather Harris poses for a photo in Plains on Aug. 7, 2024. Harris said that third grade students in her district have struggled with reading, enough that administrators hired a reading specialist to work with their youngest students. Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune In the school year 2019-2020, there were 249,226 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten in Texas, according to state data. This number dropped by nearly 50,000 in the following year. Low academic attainment can compound in ways that become increasingly difficult to fix. Harris, the Plains ISD teacher, said its hard for third-grade students who fall behind to catch up because their teachers will likely not be able to spend much time helping them develop foundational skills they already should have learned. Pre-K through second, youre learning to read, and then third grade on up, youre reading to learn. So theres that huge switch of what youre teaching, she said. Mary Lynn Pruneda, an education analyst at the public policy think tank Texas 2036, said the Curriculum Associates Research study raises concerns about young learners but its difficult to pinpoint the impact in Texas because of a lack of data. We have very limited data on how younger students are doing thats consistent across grade levels, Pruneda said. Without data to help diagnose the problem, students are being set up for continually low results in the states standardized test, she said. There are some indications of how the problem might be manifesting in Texas. In Dallas County, for example, declines in math and reading scores between 2023 and 2024 were most acute among third graders, who would have been in kindergarten during the pandemic, Solis said. Solis said the state needs to start collecting literacy data for early grades to identify students who are not on track and intervene. Hes hopeful because some lawmakers in both the Texas House and Senate have already expressed interest in taking a close look at how young students learn foundational skills, he said. We cant wait until the third grade STAAR to see how younger students are progressing, he said. Pruneda said one step Texas can take to start reversing the trend is raising spending in public education something educators are desperate for to help school districts hire and retain the best teachers possible. The superintendents of both Plains and San Antonio ISDs said it is imperative for the Texas Legislature to approve a significant funding boost next year after lawmakers failed last year to do so amid the fight over school vouchers. High-impact tutoring, like the one legislators mandated for grades 3-8, may also help early-grade students, she said. The full program is now LIVE for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, happening Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations on topics covering education, the economy, Texas and national politics, criminal justice, the border, the 2024 elections and so much more. See the full program. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/09/texas-early-childhood-education-pandemic/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. (Bloomberg) -- Thailands oldest political party will join the ruling coalition led by former rival Pheu Thai Party, as new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra finalizes her cabinet lineup. Most Read from Bloomberg The Democrat Party will nominate its leader Chalermchai Sri-On and secretary-general Dej-Is Khaothong as ministers in Paetongtarns yet-to-be announced cabinet, Chalermchai told reporters late on Thursday. Twenty-five Democrat lawmakers in the House of Representatives will help Pheu Thai cushion the loss of the support of 40 members of the pro-military Palang Pracharath party that was excluded earlier this week from the ruling bloc. With the addition of Democrat Party, the coalition will command the support of about 300 lawmakers in the 500-member elected chamber. An alliance between the Shinawatra clan, which controls Pheu Thai, and Democrat Party brings an end to a bitter political rivalry dating back at least two decades. The Democrat Party had long opposed various parties linked to Paetongtarns father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whom it had accused of cronyism, populism and corruption. Each side has seen their supporters engage in street protests and sometimes deadly clashes with authorities during different periods of turmoil in Thailand that ended in two military coups. Paetongtarn became prime minister on Aug. 16, after Pheu Thais Srettha Thavisin was disqualified for ethics violations by a court ruling after less than a year in power. Paetongtarns ministerial candidates are still being vetted in a government formation process thats expected to take until mid-September, according to Phumtham Wechayachai, one of Sretthas deputy prime ministers who is acting in the leaders capacity. Phumtham is likely to be appointed defense minister, according to local newspaper Thaksettakij. The expected roster of the 36-member cabinet will also likely include new names, including Pichai Naripthaphan as commerce minister, it said. (Updates with likely cabinet lineup in final paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City store in July 2024. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City store in July 2024. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) About a year ago, bar owner Justin Henrichsen started offering THC seltzers and cocktails at his four establishments in Rapid City, Spearfish and Sioux Falls. Since then, hes watched the libations popularity spike with each passing month, across age groups and demographics, sometimes outselling wine and on pace with craft beers. What he hasnt seen are problems. A year in, he can say something about cannabis drinkers he cant say about beer drinkers. Weve never had to cut anyone off, weve never had a bro come in and try to pound 15 of them, and weve never had to kick anybody out, Henrichsen said. Its a non-issue. The drinks are a natural extension of the adult beverage business, he argues, no more difficult to fold safely into a bars daily operations than the higher-alcohol craft beers that began to take hold across the nation a few decades ago. Its no different from serving a beer or a cocktail, he said. You need to serve responsibly. Jason Sandquist has a similar perspective. Hes a founding partner in Wild Mind Ales, a Minnesota outfit that sells both craft beers and drinks with low-dose, hemp-derived THC, an intoxicant found in higher levels in traditional marijuana. The THC seltzers are also shipped to other states, including South Dakota. Sandquists company has been a vocal backer of hemp drinks, advocating for other states to follow the lead of Minnesota and embrace them as alcohol alternatives. Sandquist doesnt mind that THC beverage sales now outpace craft beers at the companys brewery. He also appreciates the THC drinks for the same reasons his customers do, namely that the drinks are low-calorie, low carb, and offer a buzz without a hangover. I just turned 40, and my body doesnt handle beer the way it used to, he said. In Minnesota, THC beverages are taking over, Sandquist said, with demand fueled by older people who dont want hangovers and younger people who spend at least some of their days living California sober, meaning they use some forms of cannabis but dont drink alcohol. Kids these days that are 21 to 35, they want a healthier thing, Sandquist said. All they want to do is drink a seltzer, hit their vape pen and go play pickleball. Kids these days that are 21 to 35, they want a healthier thing. All they want to do is drink a seltzer, hit their vape pen and go play pickleball. Jason Sandquist, Wild Mind Ales But South Dakotans curious about THC drinks neednt seek out a Wild Mind product or visit one of Henrichsens establishments, which include the Windsor Bar in Rapid City and Monks House of Ale Repute in Sioux Falls. Bars, liquor stores and grocery stores around the state carry a variety of the THC-infused drinks from a variety of companies. Their appearance on shelves at stores across the state has drawn plenty of customers, but has yet to draw much attention from lawmakers or the law enforcement community. South Dakotans buying THC as lawmakers focus on other cannabis issues Hemp drinks are so deeply under the radar in South Dakota that even some of the leaders who track cannabis use trends are unaware they exist. South Dakotas Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee, created after voters legalized medical cannabis in 2020, was pulled into a lengthy discussion about hemp-derived cannabis alternatives on Aug. 19. The state banned the sale but not the possession of several synthetic, high-inducing categories of THC this year, but committee members learned that other alternatives remain available and continue to cut into the bottom line of medical marijuana producers. The gummies can be packaged like candy and enticing to children, they heard. Novel, chemically modified cannabinoids pop up all the time. State Health Lab Director Tim Southern said hes concerned about garage chemists and spikes in emergency room calls associated with edibles. Not a word was spoken about THC seltzers. The co-chair of the medical marijuana committee, Pierre Republican state Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, said he didnt know about seltzers before getting questions about them from South Dakota Searchlight. We have one more medical marijuana oversight meeting to go, Mehlhaff said last week. I think I will ask staff to collect some information on that. Sen. Erin Tobin, R-Winner, is the other co-chair of the committee. Tobin told Searchlight that Mehlhaff is not alone in his lack of familiarity with THC beverage trends. I guarantee you probably 90% or higher of the Legislature doesnt even realize its happening, Tobin said. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Law enforcement leaders spoke at length about hemp-derived THC at the Aug. 19 meeting, but like lawmakers, police have focused their attention on products with synthetic ingredients. Former Rapid City mayor and former Rapid City police chief Steve Allender, whos also a member of the states Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission, said he hadnt heard of THC seltzers. Hes not surprised to hear about them, or to hear that sellers say theyre less potent and problematic than alcohol. The question really is, what type of impact does it have on public safety? Allender said. Maybe if theyre new, nobody knows that yet. Attorney General Marty Jackley has not offered any statements on the beverages safety or legality, in spite of multiple requests from South Dakota Searchlight in recent months. When asked about seltzers most recently, Jackley spokesman Tony Mangan sent Searchlight a statement about the new state law that bans some synthetic categories of THC. The law does not ban the seltzers advertised active ingredient. This law was approved by the state Legislature and signed by the governor. It is set forth in state statute, the statement reads. Violators are subject to prosecution by local law prosecutors or the Attorney Generals Office with the testing results done by the state lab. When asked if there is any reason for consumers or retailers to be concerned about the legality of THC seltzers specifically, Mangan reiterated the statement. Even patrons are sometimes surprised that their cannabis cocktails are unregulated, Henrichsen said. No one whos of age to drink alcohol needs a medical marijuana card to order them a fact servers occasionally need to pass along to customers. One of the funniest things ever, and weve seen it a couple different times, is youll have this sweet old couple ordering THC, and all they want to do is show you their med cards, Henrichsen said. Theyre like, Do you need to see our med card? We say no, you dont need it, and theyll go are you sure? Growth market Unlike the products pulled from store shelves when the new South Dakota laws prohibition on chemically modified hemp products took effect in July, THC drinks are still around and apparently growing in popularity. The seltzers work like a marijuana edible, except most varieties have less THC, and they tend to take effect more quickly. Consumers seem to like the sales pitch for a hangover-free buzz. The investment information firm Grand View Research tagged the THC seltzer market at $344 million in 2023, and expects the market to grow by 34% a year through 2030, to $1.2 billion. The growth is expected as more states move to decriminalize marijuana which South Dakota voters will have the chance to do in November. This regulatory shift not only opens new markets but also normalizes cannabis consumption, reducing stigma and increasing consumer acceptance, the companys report on THC seltzers says. The growth trend is playing out in South Dakota. An online map from Sioux Falls-based Global Distributing, which wholesales several varieties of THC seltzer, shows the company distributing THC drinks to areas including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Watertown, Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Brookings, Vermillion and Yankton. Henrichsens establishments work with Global, in part because he knows the distributor works with long-established, trustworthy companies. He doesnt worry about getting a product from a less-than-reputable beverage maker, and the rapid proliferation of THC options means he doesnt have to. A map showing distribution locations of THC beverages from Global Distributing. (Courtesy Global Distributing) I mean, Surly is making these, Henrichsen said, referring to a Twin Cities outfit known for its craft beers, and for sponsoring charity programs like the Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup. We are using manufacturers that we know are quality, that we know are testing. Theres more testing done on THC than there is on craft beer. Global Distributing spokespeople declined to speak on the record about the beverages, however, as did a handful of other grocers and beverage dealers. Those who did respond to Searchlight inquiries cited concerns about being targeted by law enforcement and lawmakers, given those two groups historical aversion to policies that smack of pot legalization. The story is different to the east. Minnesota has embraced the beverages, regulated them and built a framework for folding them into its consumer market in a way Sandquist and other hemp beverage boosters see as a model for other states. Attempts in other states to regulate the beverages have turned into hassles for Wild Mind Ales. Iowa lawmakers spent part of this year wrangling over and enacting THC limits in low-dose beverages. Sandquist said some of the provisions are unworkable, and in some ways nonsensical and too vague to comply with. Iowa THC beverage sellers have taken a similar position in federal court, with 10 of them suing to block the restrictions. Sandquist would like to see the federal government legalize the beverages. Absent that, he said, states should work to put together consistent rules that would allow businesses to service their clientele across state lines. He pointed to Iowa, but also to Georgia, where lawmakers have passed rules that would require seltzer cans to bear THC testing certificate stickers and a universal symbol to signal that the contents contain THC. Wild Mind already puts a pot leaf on its cans and tests its products, but they dont have a state-specific label. We just want to play in a world where we dont have to create a new label for every state, he said. The legality of seltzers and other liquid pot alternatives and the varying state-by-state response is tied to the 2018 farm bill passed by Congress. That bill declared hemp with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight as legal to cultivate, process and sell. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gray market in most states Since the 2018 farm bill, companies have taken advantage of the law to tap into compounds similar to delta-9 THC, such as delta-8 and delta-10, which are present in low levels in the hemp plant and are now being synthesized to use in higher amounts in consumer products. But the drinks are made from naturally occurring THC from hemp, sellers say, and the 0.3 % limit isnt hard to comply with for beverages. The seltzers are often sold in 8- to 16-ounce cans, with 2-10 milligrams of THC an amount that barely registers in the weight of a beverage but is enough to deliver a buzz to people without a high tolerance for the drug. Lab results from a company called Melo for its 5-milligram High Roller Grapefruit seltzer put the total THC level of an 8-ounce (227,000 milligram) can at 0.0014% well below the 0.3% THC limit. Theres plenty of wiggle room, said Caleb Rose, owner of Black Hills Vapors in the Rapid City area and leader of South Dakota Retailers for Better Alternatives. Youve got to be careful, theres so much wiggle room. Rose talked about one concentrated THC syrup so strong that he tells customers to treat it like hard liquor. Syrups work like hard liquor, often used by bartenders or consumers to make mixed drinks. Its delta-9, its hemp-derived, and its legal because by weight, its still less than 0.3%, Rose said. Theres plenty of THC to make that syrup be treated like a bottle of liquor, where youd want to be careful with it. For Henrichsen, careful means using the syrups to make cocktails to fit his customers needs and comfort level without overdoing it. Just as with higher-alcohol beers or stronger liquors, he said, establishments need to manage serving sizes. Anything over 8% (alcohol by volume) gets put in a 12-ounce glass. Anything over 12% gets put in an 8-ounce glass. Thats the same thing we do with milligrams in THC, Henrichsen said. If someone wants a 5-milligram THC cocktail, he said, were not going to make you a double and put 10 milligrams in there, because that wouldnt be responsible. THC drink sellers often instruct first-time users to start with half the beverage. At Windsor Bar, the menu for THC drinks says recommended one per customer, though Henrichsen said the warning label, added when the bar first began serving them, has proven unnecessary because THC drinkers have yet to cause trouble or pass out in a booth. In North Liberty, Iowa, Field Day Brewing co-founder Alec Travis told the Iowa Press-Gazette in February that he tells consumers to start with half of a seltzer and wait half an hour before drinking the rest. Legislative discussions on the beverages, in turn, have typically involved lawmakers discussing what safely constitutes a low dose beverage. The Hemp Beverage Alliance has a list of best practices for sellers, including no sales to anyone younger than 21, a 10-milligram serving size, and labels warning against consumption while pregnant, about delayed effects (start low, go slow), and linking to a products lab testing results. Some in the industry are concerned that low-dose drinks will get a bad reputation based on what they see as an unfair affiliation with synthetically produced THC or beverages too strong for the average bargoer. Heavy pot users dont like low-dose seltzers, Sandquist said, because theyre too weak and the price point per milligram of THC is high compared to traditional cannabis. The sky didnt fall when Minnesota signed off on low-dose drinks, he said, and hed like to see other states approach the issue with the understanding that sellers arent out to turn bargoers into shiftless potheads. If every state would copy what Minnesota did, it would be a really easy market to play in, he said. You know, theres options for people that want a lower dose, that havent done it ever, and they want to just kind of dip their toes in it. Its not going to send them to the moon. How South Dakota might approach the beverages is an open question. Legislature playing whack-a-mole During the marijuana oversight committees most recent meeting, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum referred to the malleable THC market as whack-a-mole, in that new products pop up as quickly as lawmakers move to regulate them. Jeremiah Murphy, a lobbyist, said several times during the meeting that the legal medical marijuana industry he represents isnt connected to the hemp alternatives market. Even so, Murphy argued, the simplest way to regulate the cannabis market would be to legalize recreational cannabis. Do that, he said, and the products consumers clearly want could be regulated and monitored like alcohol. If you want to sell alcoholic beverages in South Dakota, you have to get a license, and part of that is you have to sell safe beverages, Murphy said. There are requirements there. Sen. Tobin told South Dakota Searchlight that there is something to that argument, inasmuch as it simplifies the job of lawmakers and regulators. If it were legal, we could regulate it all and be on top of it. I think there is some truth to that, but with every benefit theres some risk. The people will have their chance to decide in November. Tobin said theres another factor at play with the regulation of hemp alternatives: a laser-like focus from some lawmakers and regulators on keeping medical marijuana from creeping into recreational use. Lawmakers who focus on tightening access and monitoring for potential misuse in the regulated medical cannabis industry, she said, might miss trends in the unregulated market for alternatives. With medical marijuana, a doctor is in charge, and its a debilitating medical condition, Tobin said, yet somebody whos perfectly healthy can walk down to the bar and grab a soda, a delta-9 soda, and youre not worried about that at all? Henrichsen isnt worried. The Rapid City bar owner feels any honest analysis of the risks and rewards of hemp beverages would show lawmakers how easily they can fit into the states existing adult beverage culture. Everybody fears the unknown, but if were doing this responsibly, you cant tell me that having 5 milligrams of THC is different from having a cocktail, Henrichsen said. Ultimately, I think this needs to be looked at like alcohol or beer, where you have all the guardrails in place to make sure that underage kids arent getting it. THC drinks across the U.S. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nationwide network focused on state-level issues and the legislation surrounding them. Its journalists and partner outlets have written extensively about states varying approaches to hemp beverages and other hemp-derived consumables. Here are some examples of how the issue has played out across the U.S. Minnesota Iowa New Jersey Missouri Massachusetts Louisiana EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect a correction. An earlier version misstated the serving sizes for high-alcohol beverages in Justin Henrichsens establishments. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City store in July 2024. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight) About a year ago, bar owner Justin Henrichsen started offering THC seltzers and cocktails at his four establishments in Rapid City, Spearfish and Sioux Falls. Since then, hes watched the libations popularity spike with each passing month, across age groups and demographics, sometimes outselling wine and on pace with craft beers. What he hasnt seen are problems. A year in, he can say something about cannabis drinkers he cant say about beer drinkers. Weve never had to cut anyone off, weve never had a bro come in and try to pound 15 of them, and weve never had to kick anybody out, Henrichsen said. Its a non-issue. The drinks are a natural extension of the adult beverage business, he argues, no more difficult to fold safely into a bars daily operations than the higher-alcohol craft beers that began to take hold across the nation a few decades ago. Its no different from serving a beer or a cocktail, he said. You need to serve responsibly. Jason Sandquist has a similar perspective. Hes a founding partner in Wild Mind Ales, a Minnesota outfit that sells both craft beers and drinks with low-dose, hemp-derived THC, an intoxicant found in higher levels in traditional marijuana. The THC seltzers are also shipped to other states, including South Dakota. Sandquists company has been a vocal backer of hemp drinks, advocating for other states to follow the lead of Minnesota and embrace them as alcohol alternatives. Sandquist doesnt mind that THC beverage sales now outpace craft beers at the companys brewery. He also appreciates the THC drinks for the same reasons his customers do, namely that the drinks are low-calorie, low carb, and offer a buzz without a hangover. I just turned 40, and my body doesnt handle beer the way it used to, he said. In Minnesota, THC beverages are taking over, Sandquist said, with demand fueled by older people who dont want hangovers and younger people who spend at least some of their days living California sober, meaning they use some forms of cannabis but dont drink alcohol. Kids these days that are 21 to 35, they want a healthier thing, Sandquist said. All they want to do is drink a seltzer, hit their vape pen and go play pickleball. But South Dakotans curious about THC drinks neednt seek out a Wild Mind product or visit one of Henrichsens establishments, which include the Windsor Bar in Rapid City and Monks House of Ale Repute in Sioux Falls. Bars, liquor stores and grocery stores around the state carry a variety of the THC-infused drinks from a variety of companies. Their appearance on shelves at stores across the state has drawn plenty of customers, but has yet to draw much attention from lawmakers or the law enforcement community. South Dakotans buying THC as lawmakers focus on other cannabis issues Hemp drinks are so deeply under the radar in South Dakota that even some of the leaders who track cannabis use trends are unaware they exist. South Dakotas Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee, created after voters legalized medical cannabis in 2020, was pulled into a lengthy discussion about hemp-derived cannabis alternatives on Aug. 19. The state banned the sale but not the possession of several synthetic, high-inducing categories of THC this year, but committee members learned that other alternatives remain available and continue to cut into the bottom line of medical marijuana producers. The gummies can be packaged like candy and enticing to children, they heard. Novel, chemically modified cannabinoids pop up all the time. State Health Lab Director Tim Southern said hes concerned about garage chemists and spikes in emergency room calls associated with edibles. Not a word was spoken about THC seltzers. The co-chair of the medical marijuana committee, Pierre Republican state Sen. Jim Mehlhaff, said he didnt know about seltzers before getting questions about them from South Dakota Searchlight. We have one more medical marijuana oversight meeting to go, Mehlhaff said last week. I think I will ask staff to collect some information on that. Sen. Erin Tobin, R-Winner, is the other co-chair of the committee. Tobin told Searchlight that Mehlhaff is not alone in his lack of familiarity with THC beverage trends. I guarantee you probably 90% or higher of the Legislature doesnt even realize its happening, Tobin said. Law enforcement leaders spoke at length about hemp-derived THC at the Aug. 19 meeting, but like lawmakers, police have focused their attention on products with synthetic ingredients. Former Rapid City mayor and former Rapid City police chief Steve Allender, whos also a member of the states Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission, said he hadnt heard of THC seltzers. Hes not surprised to hear about them, or to hear that sellers say theyre less potent and problematic than alcohol. The question really is, what type of impact does it have on public safety? Allender said. Maybe if theyre new, nobody knows that yet. Attorney General Marty Jackley has not offered any statements on the beverages safety or legality, in spite of multiple requests from South Dakota Searchlight in recent months. When asked about seltzers most recently, Jackley spokesman Tony Mangan sent Searchlight a statement about the new state law that bans some synthetic categories of THC. The law does not ban the seltzers advertised active ingredient. This law was approved by the state Legislature and signed by the governor. It is set forth in state statute, the statement reads. Violators are subject to prosecution by local law prosecutors or the Attorney Generals Office with the testing results done by the state lab. When asked if there is any reason for consumers or retailers to be concerned about the legality of THC seltzers specifically, Mangan reiterated the statement. Even patrons are sometimes surprised that their cannabis cocktails are unregulated, Henrichsen said. No one whos of age to drink alcohol needs a medical marijuana card to order them a fact servers occasionally need to pass along to customers. One of the funniest things ever, and weve seen it a couple different times, is youll have this sweet old couple ordering THC, and all they want to do is show you their med cards, Henrichsen said. Theyre like, Do you need to see our med card? We say no, you dont need it, and theyll go are you sure? Growth market Unlike the products pulled from store shelves when the new South Dakota laws prohibition on chemically modified hemp products took effect in July, THC drinks are still around and apparently growing in popularity. The seltzers work like a marijuana edible, except most varieties have less THC, and they tend to take effect more quickly. Consumers apparently like the sales pitch for a hangover-free buzz. The investment information firm Grand View Research tagged the THC seltzer market at $344 million in 2023, and expects the market to grow by 34% a year through 2030, to $1.2 billion. The growth is expected as more states move to decriminalize marijuana which South Dakota voters will have the chance to do in November. This regulatory shift not only opens new markets but also normalizes cannabis consumption, reducing stigma and increasing consumer acceptance, the companys report on THC seltzers says. The growth trend is apparent in South Dakota. An online map from Sioux Falls-based Global Distributing, which wholesales several varieties of THC seltzer, shows the company distributing THC drinks to areas including Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Watertown, Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Brookings, Vermillion and Yankton. Henrichsens establishments work with Global, in part because he knows the distributor works with long-established, trustworthy companies. He doesnt worry about getting a product from a less-than-reputable beverage maker, and the rapid proliferation of THC options means he doesnt have to. I mean, Surly is making these, Henrichsen said, referring to a Twin Cities outfit known for its craft beers, and for sponsoring charity programs like the Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup. We are using manufacturers that we know are quality, that we know are testing. Theres more testing done on THC than there is on craft beer. Global Distributing spokespeople declined to speak on the record about the beverages, however, as did a handful of other grocers and beverage dealers. Those who did respond to Searchlight inquiries cited concerns about being targeted by law enforcement and lawmakers, given those two groups historical aversion to policies that smack of pot legalization. The story is different to the east. Minnesota has embraced the beverages, regulated them and built a framework for folding them into its consumer market in a way Sandquist and other hemp beverage boosters see as a model for other states. Attempts in other states to regulate the beverages have turned into hassles for Wild Mind Ales. Iowa lawmakers spent part of this year wrangling over and enacting THC limits in low-dose beverages. Sandquist said some of the provisions are unworkable, and in some ways nonsensical and too vague to comply with. Iowa THC beverage sellers have taken a similar position in federal court, with 10 of them suing to block the restrictions. Sandquist would like to see the federal government legalize the beverages. Absent that, he said, states should work to put together consistent rules that would allow businesses to service their clientele across state lines. He pointed to Iowa, but also to Georgia, where lawmakers have passed rules that would require seltzer cans to bear THC testing certificate stickers and a universal symbol to signal that the contents contain THC. Wild Mind already puts a pot leaf on its cans and tests its products, but they dont have a state-specific label. We just want to play in a world where we dont have to create a new label for every state, he said. The legality of seltzers and other liquid pot alternatives and the varying state-by-state response is tied to the 2018 farm bill passed by Congress. That bill declared hemp with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight as legal to cultivate, process and sell. Gray market in most states Since the 2018 farm bill, companies have taken advantage of the law to tap into compounds similar to delta-9 THC, such as delta-8 and delta-10, which are present in low levels in the hemp plant and are now being synthesized to use in higher amounts in consumer products. But the drinks are made from naturally occurring THC from hemp, sellers say, and the 0.3 % limit isnt hard to comply with for beverages. The seltzers are often sold in 8- to 16-ounce cans, with 2-10 milligrams of THC an amount that barely registers in the weight of a beverage but is enough to deliver a buzz to people without a high tolerance for the drug. Lab results from a company called Melo for its 5-milligram High Roller Grapefruit seltzer put the total THC level of an 8-ounce (227,000 milligram) can at 0.0014% well below the 0.3% THC limit. Theres plenty of wiggle room, said Caleb Rose, owner of Black Hills Vapors in the Rapid City area and leader of South Dakota Retailers for Better Alternatives. Youve got to be careful, theres so much wiggle room. Rose talked about one concentrated THC syrup so strong that he tells customers to treat it like hard liquor. Syrups work like hard liquor, often used by bartenders or consumers to make mixed drinks. Its delta-9, its hemp-derived, and its legal because by weight, its still less than 0.3%, Rose said. Theres plenty of THC to make that syrup be treated like a bottle of liquor, where youd want to be careful with it. For Henrichsen, careful means using the syrups to make cocktails to fit his customers needs and comfort level without overdoing it. Just as with higher-alcohol beers or stronger liquors, he said, establishments need to manage serving sizes. Anything under 8% (alcohol by volume) gets put in a 12-ounce glass. Anything over 8% gets put in an eight-ounce glass. Thats the same thing we do with milligrams in THC, Henrichsen said. If someone wants a 5-milligram THC cocktail, he said, were not going to make you a double and put 10 milligrams in there, because that wouldnt be responsible. THC drink sellers often instruct first-time users to start with half the beverage. At Windsor Bar, the menu for THC drinks says recommended one per customer, though Henrichsen said the warning label, added when the bar first began serving them, has proven unnecessary because THC drinkers have yet to cause trouble or pass out in a booth. In North Liberty, Iowa, Field Day Brewing co-founder Alec Travis told the Iowa Press-Gazette in February that he tells consumers to start with half of a seltzer and wait half an hour before drinking the rest. Legislative discussions on the beverages, in turn, have typically involved lawmakers discussing what safely constitutes a low dose beverage. The Hemp Beverage Alliance has a list of best practices for sellers, including no sales to anyone younger than 21, a 10-milligram serving size, and labels warning against consumption while pregnant, about delayed effects (start low, go slow), and linking to a products lab testing results. Some in the industry are concerned that low-dose drinks will get a bad reputation based on what they see as an unfair affiliation with synthetically produced THC or beverages too strong for the average bargoer. Heavy pot users dont like low-dose seltzers, Sandquist said, because theyre too weak and the price point per milligram of THC is high compared to traditional cannabis. The sky didnt fall when Minnesota signed off on low-dose drinks, he said, and hed like to see other states approach the issue with the understanding that sellers arent out to turn bargoers into shiftless potheads. If every state would copy what Minnesota did, it would be a really easy market to play in, he said. You know, theres options for people that want a lower dose, that havent done it ever, and they want to just kind of dip their toes in it. Its not going to send them to the moon. How South Dakota might approach the beverages is an open question. Legislature playing whack-a-mole During the marijuana oversight committees most recent meeting, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum referred to the malleable THC market as whack-a-mole, in that new products pop up as quickly as lawmakers move to regulate them. Jeremiah Murphy, a lobbyist, said several times during the meeting that the legal medical marijuana industry he represents isnt connected to the hemp alternatives market. Even so, Murphy argued, the simplest way to regulate the cannabis market would be to legalize recreational cannabis. Do that, he said, and the products consumers clearly want could be regulated and monitored like alcohol. If you want to sell alcoholic beverages in South Dakota, you have to get a license, and part of that is you have to sell safe beverages, Murphy said. There are requirements there. Sen. Tobin told South Dakota Searchlight that there is something to that argument, inasmuch as it simplifies the job of lawmakers and regulators. If it were legal, we could regulate it all and be on top of it. I think there is some truth to that, but with every benefit theres some risk. The people will have their chance to decide in November. Tobin said theres another factor at play with the regulation of hemp alternatives: a laser-like focus from some lawmakers and regulators on keeping medical marijuana from creeping into recreational use. Lawmakers who focus on tightening access and monitoring for potential misuse in the regulated medical cannabis industry, she said, might miss trends in the unregulated market for alternatives. With medical marijuana, a doctor is in charge, and its a debilitating medical condition, Tobin said, yet somebody whos perfectly healthy can walk down to the bar and grab a soda, a delta-9 soda, and youre not worried about that at all? Henrichsen isnt worried. The Rapid City bar owner feels any honest analysis of the risks and rewards of hemp beverages would show lawmakers how easily they can fit into the states existing adult beverage culture. Everybody fears the unknown, but if were doing this responsibly, you cant tell me that having 5 milligrams of THC is different from having a cocktail, Henrichsen said. Ultimately, I think this needs to be looked at like alcohol or beer, where you have all the guardrails in place to make sure that underage kids arent getting it. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and X. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The therapeutic pool at the Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd., will be temporarily closed beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3 to enhance the overall customer experience, the City of El Paso announced in a news release. The City said the closure will allow for the installation of a new humidifier unit designed to control moisture levels at the indoor pool, ensuring a more comfortable and safer environment for all users. These upgrades are expected to be completed by early winter, barring any unforeseen delays, according to the City. During the pool closure, the recreation center will remain open, and all other services and programming will continue as scheduled, according to the City. Residents are also encouraged to visit other City-operated aquatic centers during this time. A comprehensive list of indoor aquatic facilities is available on the Parks and Recreation Department website at www.ElPasoTexas.gov/parks. These improvements are part of the Parks and Recreation Departments ongoing commitment to providing high-quality facilities for our community, enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, read the news release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. What the thin blue line has to do with a coffee shops lawsuit against Boise State A Boise coffee shop owners lawsuit against Boise State University has finally made it to trial in an Ada County courtroom. Big City Coffee owner Sarah Fendley sued Boise State for $10 million after her campus shop closed in October 2020, a month and a half after opening next to the universitys library. The case revolves around a contentious meeting between Fendley and administrators that ultimately ended with Big City Coffee shuttering its campus location after just 42 days in business. Fendleys attorney, Michael Roe of Givens Pursley, said Thursday during opening statements that Fendley was forced off of campus to appease a group of students who disagreed with her pro-police views and her support of the thin blue line, the idea that police form the line between order and lawlessness. My client was sacrificed, Roe said. Boise States attorney, Keely Duke of Duke Evett, said that it was Fendley who chose to terminate the campus contract after administrators remained neutral as Fendley sought their support in the dispute. We are all here because Sarah Fendley demanded special treatment, and she was told no by Alicia Estey and Leslie Webb, Duke said. They cannot weaponize the student code of conduct to punish students for expressing opinions you do not like. Fendley cites relationship with ex-Boise police officer The case has honed in on two individual defendants Estey, who was Boise States vice president for university affairs at the time and has since been promoted to chief financial and operating officer; and Webb, the universitys former vice president of student affairs. The conflict stems from a post Fendley made on social media Oct. 21, 2020, after she was emailed a screenshot of a Boise State students private Snapchat story. The student criticized Big City Coffees support of the thin blue line. Fendley addressed the screenshot in her own public Facebook and Instagram posts. Fendley has been vocal about her support for police online and in her downtown shop, which displays a 3-by-5-inch thin blue line flag near the door. The black-and-white American flag has one horizontal blue stripe. The flags rose in popularity when the U.S. saw growing calls for police reform in the wake of George Floyds death in May 2020. Floyd, a Black man, was killed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a white man. His last words, I cant breathe, captured on video, sparked a wave of Black Lives Matter protests that rocked the country for months and raised discussions about police brutality and issues of race. In court, in response to a question from her attorney, Fendley said she wouldnt support the thin blue line if she thought it was racist. She added that she voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. Fendley said shes been a longtime supporter of law enforcement. She said from the witness stand that as a young girl in the small town of New Plymouth in western Idahos Payette County, she had an abusive father. She recalled him giving her mother a black eye when she was in kindergarten. She turned to the police, and the help she received from two officers went on to shape her relationship with law enforcement. Perhaps even more influential, she alluded, was her relationship with her former fiance, Kevin Holtry. As a Boise police officer, Holtry became paralyzed from the waist down in 2016 after a gunfight with a fugitive on the Boise Bench. Holtrys partner, Brian Holland, killed the fugitive, and the two are now like brothers, Fendley said. Fendley and Holtry became engaged about a year after the shooting. They both previously attended Boise State. Holtry, who is no longer with the Boise Police Department, is listed as a witness in the lawsuit. Social media post spurs firestorm On Snapchat, the student said that while they originally supported having a local business in the space on campus that was previously occupied by a Starbucks store, they no longer supported Big City Coffee after discovering that the business supports the thin blue line. The student encouraged others not to patronize the shop if they truly support and love their BIPOC peers. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and people of color. Duke said during opening arguments that while a small number of students were upset about Big City Coffee being on campus, there were no organized protests, marches or boycotts of the shop. Duke said Fendley saw the Snapchat post and went into a frenzy, emailing Boise State to say it was disappointing and that she felt the student code of conduct had been violated. She asked the university to address it. I remember feeling defeated, Fendley testified on Thursday. I said, OK, Im going to address it. In her own post, Fendley talked about what the thin blue line means to her and shared details about the shooting that left Holtry paralyzed. She attached a photo of him. The post came up the following morning, on Oct. 22, 2020, in a class that Boise State President Marlene Tromp was teaching. While Fendley had cropped the screenshot to omit the students name, Duke, the lawyer representing Boise State, said some students were concerned about possible doxxing. Doxxing is when a persons identifying information, such as an address, phone number or name, is maliciously posted online, according to dictionary.com. They were upset that this is how a business owner would respond to a single Snapchat with a group of students, Duke said. A couple of hours after the class, a student lodged a complaint about Fendley with the university, Duke said. Fendley said her point of contact at the university, Nicole Nimmons, who is not named in the lawsuit, called to tell her that the post had created a firestorm. The university said the firestorm was on social media. But Fendley decided to close the campus shop for the day out of fear for her employees safety. She was called into a hasty meeting with university administrators that her attorney said was a critical event in the case. Nimmons was not allowed in the meeting, according to Fendley. I was completely blindsided, Fendley said. I had no idea there was any situation brewing. Roe, her lawyer, said the firestorm increased pressure on Boise State to remove Big City Coffee from campus. But Duke, the attorney for Boise State, said the meeting was not arranged to kick the shop off of campus. Owner says university ended contract Attorneys shared opposing views of what occurred during the meeting, most of which was secretly recorded by Estey, the vice president of university affairs. But the recording was inadvertently stopped before the meeting was over, Duke said. The last 20 minutes or so were not recorded. The two sides dispute what happened then. Seven people attended the meeting, including Fendley, Holtry, Estey, Webb and Brian Holzworth, a representative for Aramark, a food vendor on campus. Duke said the university administrators set up the meeting to discuss the difficulties they were navigating and how to work together. She said Fendley seemed to assume Boise State would use the student code of conduct to suppress the students who disagreed with her. But Duke said the school had a duty not to take sides. Fendley, on the other hand, said she didnt ask for the student to be disciplined. She said she wanted the university to support her the way other vendors on campus have been supported. She did not elaborate Thursday as to what kind of support she had been looking for. During the meeting, in response to Fendleys pleas for support, Webb told Fendley thats not going to happen, according to Roe. He alleged that in the days following the meeting, Boise State administrators twice asked Fendley to join a statement saying the departure was mutual. Fendley declined both times, he said. Duke claimed that Fendley said in the meeting that she wouldnt stay if she didnt feel supported, and that she threatened to take her resources downtown and do better. Duke said emails between Fendley and the university show that since coming to campus, Fendley had complained about business being slow and about struggling to make payroll. The shop closed on Oct. 26, 2020, four days after the meeting. Roe and Fendley allege the university terminated Fendleys contract because of her support for police. Roe said the removal was a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. Duke said Estey and Webb never told Fendley to stop supporting the thin blue line or to delete her post. They did not retaliate against her, Duke said. It didnt happen. She said administrators were aware of Fendleys support for the thin blue line and the potential problems it could cause on campus before agreeing to the contract, and that it didnt deter them other vendors on campus, like Chick-fil-A, have had their own controversies. Likewise, Duke said Fendley chose to come to campus knowing that the belief she has would be a problem for some people. Freedom of speech doesnt mean freedom from consequences, Duke said. The First Amendment protects everyone. It protects Fendleys right to express her support for the thin blue line. It also supports, though, anyones right to not support Big City Coffee. Roe said Fendley had taken out a $125,000 loan to invest in supplies and equipment for the campus location costs shes been unable to recoup. He said the universitys actions also damaged her reputation and personal relationships. Fendley and Holtry are no longer engaged. Initial counts in the lawsuit against the university and administrators in their official capacities were previously dismissed, because the 11th Amendment bars suits against the state, which the university and the officials represented. Other counts related to the Idaho Constitution, Idaho law or contractual issues were also dismissed. But much of the lawsuit was allowed to proceed. Jury selection weeds out biases toward social issues District Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace trimmed down a pool of fewer than 100 potential jurors during jury selection Wednesday. Roe questioned the pool about what bumper stickers they had on their cars, what flags they fly in front of their homes and what yards signs they might have on their lawns. There was also a show of hands for anyone who owns a small business or is in the military. Duke asked the potential jurors whether they thought Black Lives Matter and the thin blue line were equal concepts. She drew upon the social and political climate of the summer of 2020, when Fendley was first approached about opening a new shop at Boise State. What was going on in that time? Other than, of course, Covid, she said. We had George Floyd. We had protests. We had Black Lives Matter. Those are the types of social issues at issue in this case. Juror No. 43 said they didnt think the case would be a good fit for them. If I saw her coffee shop with the blue lives matter sticker in the window, I would walk away from it, the juror said. Ive supported Black Lives Matter in the past, both as just helping out and also financially. I dont think this is something where I could walk into it without being biased. Yee-Wallace thanked the juror for being honest and excused them from the jury pool. Another person in the jury pool said her father was a Boise police officer and that she had a thin blue line bumper sticker. She didnt make it onto the jury, either. The 14 jurors selected include eight women and six men. Among them is a union plumber and pipefitter who has worked on Microns big fab-construction project in Southeast Boise. Another is a housekeeping manager at a local hotel. One juror said she was 35 weeks pregnant and set to be induced the week after the trial is set to finish. Two of the jurors are young Black men. The trial is expected to last nine days over three weeks. Surrounded by downtown construction, this Boise restaurant surrendered, closed for now A big change may be coming near Push & Pour and The STIL on the Boise Bench This project could have died: Boise gives its blessing to planned Catholic Diocese office Third person arrested in connection to south Topeka shooting Third person arrested in connection to south Topeka shooting TOPEKA (KSNT) Another man is being charged with murder in relation to an April shooting in south Topeka. On Aug. 29, 2024, 24-year-old Michael DeLance Allen has been charged in relation to a shooting that happened earlier this year, according to a news release from the Shawnee County District Attorneys office. Allen was charged with the following: Count 1: Murder in the First Degree; Inherently Dangerous Felony Count 2: Aggravated Burglary of a Dwelling Allen is the third person the DAs office has charged in connection to this shooting. Kavshun J. Boykin, 26, was arrested April 26, 2024 in connection to the murder, and Lolita L. Bradford, 25, was arrested April 30, 2024. KBI identifies deceased man found in truck as interim Peabody clerk Just before 8 a.m. Friday morning, April 26, Topeka police responded to a reported shooting at the 3700 block of Southwest Park South Court. This embedded content is not available in your region. Once officers arrived, they located one individual suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The person was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Topeka police announced in a press release the victim of the deadly shooting was Cody P. Cooper, 22, of Topeka. This is the fifth homicide investigation of 2024. For more crime 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. Pennsylvania does not count votes early, Amy Christopher, director of the Wayne County Bureau of Elections, stressed at the Aug. 22 commissioners' meeting. She reported that her office is getting many calls from people thinking they can vote early and have their votes counted ahead of Election Day. What is still allowed is mail-in and absentee ballots, she said, but unlike early voting practiced in some states, these ballots are not counted until election night, like ballots cast that day in person. As of Aug. 22, the number of registered voters in Wayne County stood at 35,990, and Christopher said they have processed 4,784 ballot applications to date. "We anticipate we will start mailing out ballots probably the last week in September the beginning of October." Wayne County Bureau of Elections Director Amy Christopher brought an update to the county commissioners on Aug. 22, 2024. In the center is Chief Clerk Andrew Seder and at right is Commissioner James Shook. She said that when mail-in or absentee ballots arrive at the elections office, they are not allowed to be opened until Election Day. "So, they don't count until Election Day," Christopher said. "There's some confusion out there about that you can vote early in PA. There's a big media campaign out there saying Sept. 16 is Vote Early Day in Pennsylvania. Well, we're not going to have ballots on Sept. 16, I know that." A U.S. News & World Report article states that in Pennsylvania, "voters can cast their ballots as early as Sept. 16," adding later that "Voters can pick up their ballots at county election offices and have the option of filling them out there, mailing them in or dropping them off later." Sept. 16, rather, is the first day on which county boards of elections must have started processing official applications for mail-in and absentee ballots, she said, but may start earlier as Wayne County has done. Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer said that this confusion over early voting came up four years ago during the last presidential election season. "What confused the public is anytime you want to vote by mail you have to submit applications to do so..." Christopher said it takes 10 to 15 minutes if one comes in person to have the application for a mail-in or absentee ballot verified. For a voter to be handed the ballot, proof of identification must be shown. The voter can then sit in the hall outside the office and cast their votes and then hand the ballot back, or take it home and mail it back in. Completed mail-in and absentee ballots also may be dropped off in the secure box that will be set up in the lobby of the courthouse or brought right up to the elections office. The voter is only allowed to bring their own ballot, unless the voter completes a "designated person" form to handle it for them, Christopher said. Former Elections Director Cindy Furman has been assisting part-time in the Bureau of Elections during this election season. The last day to register is Oct. 21. The last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 29, one week before the election. The Wayne County Bureau of Elections may be contacted at 570-253-5978, or visit waynecountypa.gov/197/Bureau-Of-Elections. Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Pa. elections: Mail-in, absentee ballots aren't opened until Nov. 5 Three Pitt County parks to get project funding from state RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced several funding awards for projects through the Parks and Recreation Authority. Communities in Pitt County got three of those awards: The City of Greenville Woodlawn Park Improvement Project got $468,750 Lake Glenwood Public Park got $479,166 The Town of Winterville got $473,948 for accessible access to Winterville Recreation Park Pitt County also got $468,750 from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for the Pitt County Office Park Recreation Complex. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Thunderstorms and a heat wave could upend Labor Day weekend plans across the country as an expected record number of people travel for the unofficial end of summer. From Friday to Monday, swaths of the country will face torrential downpours and possible flooding, especially across the Midwest, Plains, Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. Meanwhile, portions of the Northwest are projected to endure a scorching heat blast that will send temperatures 10-20 degrees above their average this time of year. Away from the continental U.S., the remnants of former tropical storm Gilma are expected to bring heavy rain and winds to the islands of Hawaii over the weekend. On Labor Day and into early next week, developing tropical disturbances in the Atlantic could spread showers and thunderstorms across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Poor weather isnt the only threat to an enjoyable holiday weekend. Bacteria, algae and other hazards have closed beaches across the country, including more than 60 in Massachusetts alone. Over 17 million people are expected to pass through airport security from Thursday, Aug. 29 through Wednesday, Sept. 4, potentially the busiest Labor Day travel period on record, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Here is what you need to know about the holiday weekend forecast: Storm tracker: National Hurricane Center watching 2 disturbances in Atlantic A look at the Labor Day Weekend Forecast pic.twitter.com/SpfgvN1vZH NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) August 29, 2024 Storms to start the holiday weekend across central, eastern US On Friday, a vast swath of the central and eastern U.S. could see possible thunderstorms, from New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana to Michigan, western New York, central Pennsylvania and the Florida peninsula, according to AccuWeather. The broad zone stretches across 20 states, and though the rain will not fall consistently it still raises a risk of "potentially severe conditions," AccuWeather said. Storms expected to drench the lower Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley and the southern Plains could, for example, stir up "thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall, with some isolated flash flooding possible," according to the weather service. Another trough could unleash higher winds over the Great Lakes region, triggering a 2/5 risk level from the Storm Prediction Center for damaging winds for eastern Michigan. With intermittent rain, parts of the Northeast could see flooding Threat of robust storms will extend further into the Ohio Valley and Northeast on Saturday and Sunday, with "areas of severe weather" expected to lash the Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic region, the weather service said. The major cities at risk of stormy weather include Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Arlington, according to the Storm Prediction Center. "Damaging winds will once again be the primary threat," the weather service said. "In addition, isolated flash flooding will remain possible, with the potential that a higher threat may materialize given the slowing frontal progression." A cold front sweeping across the Midwest and Plains is expected to provide relief from the intense heat that baked portions of the Mid-Atlantic this week, including in Washington D.C. where Wednesday's afternoon high reached 101 degrees, breaking the previous record of 99 degrees set in 1948, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Storms forecast to break out across Gulf Coast states While some parts of the Southeast will see little rain through the weekend, the Gulf Coast and other portions of the region could see flooding rain. Through the weekend, heavier rainfall is expected to drench portions of the western Louisiana and upper Texas Gulf Coasts as an area of low pressure lingers in the vicinity. Higher rain rates and repeated rounds of storms raises the "potential of some scattered flash flooding," the weather service said. Daily thunderstorms are also forecast over the central and southern Florida Peninsula. Heavy rain in expected on Labor Day from Texas to the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, where localized flash flooding can occur, AccuWeather said. Dozens of Massachusetts beaches closed due to bacteria levels Over 60 beaches across Massachusetts are closed because of bacteria or other hazards such as potentially harmful chemicals or rip tides. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) said in a statement that swimming in the water at these closed beaches poses a threat of illness due to high levels of bacteria. Symptoms can range from nausea and vomiting to a sore throat and fever. The number of shuttered beaches this year saw a sizable drop from a year ago, when more than 90 beaches across the states Atlantic coast were closed. In other regions, officials warned beachgoers to avoid certain areas because of bacteria. In Michigan, authorities told people to avoid five beaches because of high bacteria levels from an unknown source. In Wisconsin, four of the city of Lake Geneva's beaches remained closed due to blue-green algae, a bloom that can produce toxins that can make humans and animals sick, or even cause them to die in some cases. In Florida, the Duval County Health Department issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae in the St. Johns River, the states longest river. The cause of the bloom has been attributed to excess nutrients in the river, primarily nitrogen. Heat to bake the Northwest through the holiday weekend A late summer heat wave has triggered advisories across the Pacific Northwest as forecasters expect temperatures to spike well above their seasonal average through the weekend. Afternoon highs on Friday across the northern Great Basin and Pacific Northwest will peak around the mid-90s, according to AccuWeather. On Saturday, the heat will worsen as it expands into the northern Rockies, sending temperatures into the upper-90s. The weather service office in Spokane, Washington, scheduled a heat advisory to take effect Saturday morning and expire Monday night. Throughout central and northeast Oregon, as well as southeast Washington, forecasters expected "hot conditions with temperatures up to 95 to 100 degrees," according to the weather service in Pendleton, Oregon. "Advisories have been issued for much of the northern Great Basin given the heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, and extra care should be taken to seek shaded areas and remain hydrated this holiday weekend," the weather service warned. Contributing: Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY; Catherine Messier, The Patriot Ledger; Cheryl McCloud, USA Today Network-Florida; Claire Reid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Labor Day weekend forecast: Storms, heat wave could disrupt plans CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Officials from the popular app TikTok were in Charlotte Thursday holding a roundtable discussion. Members of the TikTok Sparks community group discussed safety on social media and how to keep the platform safe for users moving forward. Suzy Loftus, head of trust and safety with the app, described the steps users should take when encountering questionable content. US appeals court revives a lawsuit against TikTok over 10-year-olds blackout challenge death To combat dangerous challenges, obviously we remove that content if it violates our guidelines, she said at the NoDa event. But we dont end there. If a young person is searching for dangerous content on our app, theyll get a safety that says, Hold on, think about what youre doing. Is it safe? And maybe even you should report it. TikTok creators in attendance spoke about their experiences on the app, how they got their start and how they built their communities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TikToker Speaks Out After Stepdad Allegedly Tries to Kill Her and Mom TikToker Speaks Out After Stepdad Allegedly Tries to Kill Her and Mom Originally appeared on E! Online Eixchel Berroteran is opening up about a terrifying experience. The TikToker spoke out after her former stepdad Luis Damas allegedly broke into her Miami apartment with a gun and allegedly tried to murder her and her mom, Francys Damas. "On the night of August 21, 2024 I was reborn," Eixchel began in an Aug. 27 Instagram post, via Spanish translation, "my ex stepdad (who didn't live in my house) walked in with a gun saying he was going to kill me and said that it was according to him, because 'I didn't want him and my mom to be together.' The influencer, who also shared the same account with authorities in a police report obtained by NBC News 6, alleged that she escaped a gunshot as her momwho was married to Luis for 13 years before calling it quits eight months before the incidentfended him off from behind. "I was stunned, in shock and with the fear of thinking that those would be my last moments of life," Eixchel continued. "At that moment, God gave me the strength to stand up and defend myself with my mom, the love we have for each other gave us the strength to control the situation." More from E! Online Eventually, Francys was able to calm Luis down and agreed to help him clean up any evidence in the apartment, according to the arrest report obtained by NBC News 6. And to get the 64-year-old to leave their home, the matriarch convinced him she would not call the police, per the report. Instagram However, the following day, Francys and her daughter did contact authorities, and Damas was arrested on charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary with assault or battery, attempted tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, and felony battery, per NBC News 6. He appeared in court on Aug. 24, where he was ordered to be held without bond, according to the outlet. E! News reached out to Luis attorney for comment but has not heard back. And while Eixchel survived the scary situation alongside her mom, the experience still haunts her. Instagram "Today I can tell you that the trauma hurts more than the physical wounds, and the truth is I really don't know how I will ever get over this nightmare," she shared on Instagram. "No one deserves to live through what my mom and I went through and you never think that this is something that can happen to you... until it is happening." Eixchel added, "Only God knows why I am still here and I ask him to give me the strength to go on and at some point heal my heart." (E! News and NBC News 6 are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz wont apologize for false or misleading statements hes made about his own background over the years. In a joint interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, CNNs Dana Bash pressed Walz on a comment he made in 2018 about carrying a weapon in war even though he hadnt been in war. I think people are coming to get to know me. I speak like they do. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, Walz said. I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns. It was the first sit-down interview Walz or Harris has done since becoming the Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees. Pressure to talk to the media had been mounting on the campaign, and Republicans have repeatedly accused Walz of lying about his military service and how his family had children. Bash pressed Walz, noting a spokesman for his campaign has acknowledged his misspoke about carrying a weapon in war. He made the remark during a 2018 campaign event where he was advocating for an assault weapons ban, saying such weapons of war, like the ones he carried in war, should be off the streets. Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years but didnt see combat. This was after a school shooting, the ideas of carrying these weapons of war, and my wife, the English teacher, told me my grammar is not always correct, Walz said Thursday. But again, if its not this, its an attack on my children for showing love for me, or its an attack on my dog. Bash also pressed Walz on instances he gave the impression he and his wife used in vitro fertilization, or IVF, in order to have children. Walz has repeatedly spoken about his familys infertility in the context of Republican support for restricting reproductive health care. I spoke about our infertility issues because its hell, and families know this. And I spoke about the treatments that were available to us, that had those beautiful children there, Walz said. I wont apologize for speaking passionately, whether its guns in schools or protecting reproductive rights, the contrast could not be clearer between what were running against. In some of his past public comments, Walz has not always been careful to state that the fertility treatments they used were not IVF. His wife, Glen Walz, said a statement last week that they used intrauterine insemination, a process that doesnt involve fertilizing embryos outside of the womb. The Democratic campaign has said Walz used IVF as a shorthand for fertility treatments. I think most Americans get it if youve been through that. I dont think theyre cutting hairs on IVF or IUI, Walz said. I think theyre cutting hairs on an abortion ban and the ability to be able to deny families the chance to have a beautiful child. Tips for staying safe at the lake during Labor Day holiday GRAND LAKE With the busy Labor Day holiday approaching, the Grand River Dam Authority police are stressing these safety reminders to promote a safe and enjoyable weekend. GMFS Grove Convention and Tourism & Bullfest! This past summer was filled with multiple fatality accidents on the water. Since May, GRDA police have responded to nine fatality-related incidents on Grand Lake, Lake Hudson, and the Illinois River. It has been a difficult summer as we have dealt with multiple tragedies on the water. We want to bring an end to that pattern as we head through the rest of the summer and the busy Labor Day Weekend. Brian Edwards, Chief of Law Enforment and Lake Operations To help promote safe outings, the GRDA Police continue to stress the importance of boating and floating Safe, Smart, and Sober to all who plan to visit the waters. We cannot stress enough about life jacket use, said Edwards. Life jackets save lives, but they only work if you wear them. We encourage adults to wear their jackets at all times on the water, said Edwards. First, it keeps you safe, and second, it sets a good example for children. All ages should practice proper life jacket use. Water safety begins with proper life jacket use. According to the latest statistics from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, 80 percent of all recreational boating deaths are due to drowning, and 86 percent of those victims were not wearing a life jacket, said Justin Alberty, GRDA spokesman. Oklahoma law requires any child aged 13 or under to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on any boat less than 26 feet long. It also requires that each vessel be equipped with enough life jackets for all passengers aboard. However, the GRDA Police stresses life jacket use, not just availability. GRDA Police also want to remind the public of the dangers of mixing alcohol and boating. According to those Coast Guard statistics, alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents last year, accounting for 79 deaths nationwide, or a total of 17.9 percent of total fatalities. Drinking and boating is a bad idea, Edwards added. It can impair your judgment, depth perception, and ability to operate your vessel. Plus, it creates a dangerous situation for you, your passengers, and everyone else in the water around you. GRDA Police continue to stress boating smart, which begins with following a few simple tips on the water: Do know the water and environment where you will be boating or floating. Do keep a good lookout while underway. If boating, shut engines off when people are in the water near your boat. Do observe the nautical rules of the road. Always check the weather forecast before getting underway. Dont get caught on the water in a storm. Do keep a balanced load and trim boat. Dont overload the boat. Dont ride on the gunwale, bow, seat backs, or any place not designated for sitting. Dont swim or boat alone. Stay within sight of companions. River floaters are reminded to let the commercial float operator know if anyone in the party is a first-time or novice floater(s). They may be able to pair them with an experienced paddler/floater or float the group in a raft where there is a lesser chance of capsizing. Never dive into the river from bridges, bluffs, stream banks, and trees. Rest on the bank or a gravel bar if you get tired while floating. Do have a float plan. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Use common sense on the water, slow down, and watch out for others. If you have an emergency while on the water, the department encourages you to call 911. If you have non-emergency questions about boating rules, water safety, or other issues, please feel free to contact the GRDA Police at its non-emergency number: (918) 256 0911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tobacco giant eyes NV as market for new product, and eyes lawmakers for favorable tax treatment Phillip Morris International is marketing IQOS as a device that heats a tobacco heatstick into a nicotine-containing vapor but without combustion, fire, ash or smoke. (Photo: Philip Morris International) Representatives from an international tobacco giant have begun pitching to Nevada state lawmakers a new product they describe as a safer alternative for cigarette smokers. Theyre not hoping the lawmakers will give their new-to-market heated cigarettes a puff puff. They are hoping the lawmakers will pass legislation next year to tax them at a lower rate than they do traditional cigarettes. Philip Morris International (PMI) is preparing to launch their IQOS heated tobacco systems in the United States. Reuters reported earlier this year the company is market testing in Austin, Texas with a goal of a broader rollout in 2025. As part of those efforts, PMI has hired lobbyists in multiple states, including, we know now, Nevada. In a presentation on Tuesday to lawmakers on the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Revenue, PMI Director of Scientific Engagement Brian Erkkila described their heated tobacco product as a safer alternative to cigarettes. IQOS is a device that heats a tobacco heatstick into a nicotine-containing vapor but without combustion, fire, ash or smoke. PMI advertises the experience and taste as similar to a combustible cigarette, but with upwards of 95% less of the harmful chemicals associated with cigarettes. While no specific legislative asks were made Tuesday, Eddie Ableser of Tri-Strategies the Nevada-based government affairs firm working with PMI told lawmakers the company is looking to start a conversation about how the product should be taxed. The intent is not a complete absolution of harm, he told the lawmakers. Its harm reduction. How do we move and target the current cigarette smokers in Nevada? How can we move them onto a harm reduction product that helps them? He added, We develop tax policy generally to motivate consumers one way or the other. Many incorrectly assume IQOS would automatically be considered what Nevada tax policy calls an OTP, other tobacco product, which includes vaping devices and is taxed at 30% of the wholesale price. But heated tobacco products are generally considered cigarettes by most tax codes. When you look at the definition, any rolled stick of tobacco is considered a cigarette, Ableser said in an interview with the Current. Thats a different tax rate (than OTPs). In Nevada, cigarettes are taxed the equivalent of $1.80 per pack. That puts Nevada in the middle of the pack (25th highest) when it comes to tax rates for cigarettes, according to the anti-nicotine nonprofit Truth Initiative. According to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, PMI has successfully lobbied at least 10 countries to tax their heated cigarette product at a lower rate than traditional cigarettes, using the argument that the product is far less harmful and less worthy of any kind of sin tax. Philip Morris International began as a subsidiary of Philip Morris Companies (now Atria Group) but broke away into a separate company in 2008. PMI first launched IQOS in Japan a decade ago and has since expanded into dozens of other countries. Intellectual property litigation has kept the product out of the U.S. market, according to Alexandra Wich, a senior manager of state regulatory and public policy at PMI, but those issues have been resolved. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave PMI the greenlight to market their products as reducing exposure to the harmful chemicals produced by combustible cigarettes, concluding that the net population-level benefits to adult smokers outweigh the risks to youth. More than 30 million adults nationwide still smoke cigarettes, according to the FDA. Ableser and Erkkila emphasized that IQOS is intended for current cigarette smokers, differentiating it from vaping products that have been increasingly criticized for marketing to non-smokers and children. Erkkila told lawmakers the IQOS heat sticks are only available in a small number of flavors meaning different tobacco blends, as well as a menthol variant. No pink bubble gum or cherry or any of those things you might see in an e-cigarette, he added. Erkkila said a menthol variant is important because menthol smokers are much more likely to switch to a smoke-free product that also has menthol. But the idea that PMI intends to only reach current smokers of combustible cigarettes is widely criticized by anti-tobacco and anti-vaping groups. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Truth Initiative have together argued to the FDA that heated tobacco products will be marketed in the U.S. as they have been in other countries as a fun lifestyle product. There is serious risk that IQOS will join e-cigarettes in addicting a new generation of kids, the groups wrote in a joint statement after the FDA decision on marketing. (Getty Images) A 6-year-old girl lost one of her white Adidas lace-up sneakers as she and her 21 classmates practiced fleeing for their lives after an imaginary intruder entered their school. The girls teacher told her to keep moving without her shoe, then grabbed it herself and gave it back to the girl when the class settled into their designated safe location. The girl recently recounted the story of losing her shoe during a morning car ride to school. It was just one of several times the girl or her siblings described what they were supposed to do run over to that fence, across that field or into those woods if an intruder enters their school building. The reason I know this story is because the girl is my daughter. In the quarter-century since the Columbine High School massacre of April 20, 1999, a whole generation of children, including my own, have lived under the threat of school-related gun violence. More recent tragedies, like those occurring at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in December 2012 and Robb Elementary School in Texas in May 2022, reveal the persistent nature of this threat. Regrettably, gun violence stands at the backdrop of all contemporary American education. As such, active shooter and intruder drills have become standard fare, not only for my children but for nearly all American schoolchildren. I am concerned about the fact that preparedness exercises such as the one in which my daughter temporarily lost her shoe sometimes cause students harm. For example, a recent study showed that active intruder drills can result in distress and anxiety for students. In another case, one of these drills led to hysteria and a stampede in a school in Florida as students attempted to flee their faux intruder. Students and teachers alike experienced terror at the pronouncement of a real threat, that it was not a drill. As a researcher in developmental and educational psychology and as a faculty member who trains future teachers I understand the need for schools to ensure the safety and security of the nations 55 million school-age youth. But might there be a better way to protect children in the post-Columbine era? Im not the only one raising this question. A new initiative by the National Academies has been initiated to assess the effects of active shooter drills on student health and well-being and to determine best practices in preparing schools to respond to threats of violence. A look at the trends To gain insight on the prevalence of school-related gun violence, my colleagues and I conducted a study of school shootings and school mass shootings that took place in Americas K-12 schools from 1997 through 2022. We used two public databases to count school shootings and school mass shootings that occurred each school year. School shootings in our study were defined as each and every instance a gun is brandished, is fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims, time of day, or day of week. School mass shootings were defined as those that happened at a K-12 school site and met the federal definition of a mass shooting in place at the time of the shooting: four or more victims killed, up to December 2012, or three or more victims killed, from January 2013 onward. During the 25 school years we examined, 1997-2022, there were 1,453 school shootings. More than half of those, 794, occurred in the last five years, 2017-2022. Our analyses revealed a sharp increase in school shootings after 2017, with the number of shootings jumping from a then-record high of 89 in the 2017-2018 school year to 328 in the 2021-2022 school year. While the number of school shootings has increased dramatically in recent years, the number of school mass shootings has not increased at the same rate though they have become more deadly. In total, 11 school mass shootings occurred across the 1997-1998 to 2021-2022 school years, with 126 fatalities and 122 injuries sustained overall. Five of those school mass shootings occurred in the 1997-2012 school years, while six occurred in the 2012-2022 school years. Nevertheless, the fatality rate nearly doubled in the last decade, rising from 7.6 deaths per mass shooting event from 1997-2012 to 14 deaths per school mass shooting event from 2012-2022. Efforts to maximize student safety are paramount. To be sure, I want my childrens schools to do their utmost to protect their students. However, many current measures designed to keep students safe like the appointment of school resource officers have not been proven to prevent school shootings or lessen the severity of school shootings, in terms of injury or fatality, when they do occur. Gun injury is now the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States. While school shootings and school mass shootings represent only a portion of gun injuries sustained by school-age youth, gun violence including school-related gun violence is a public health crisis. As such, a public health approach is merited. Relying on research I see at least three ways that schools and communities can work to lessen gun violence occurring in and around schools: 1: Educate parents and families about safe gun storage. Educators and community health care providers including pediatricians, primary care physicians and mental health clinicians can engage in efforts to counsel families on safe firearm storage. Health care providers can also work to understand Extreme Risk Protection Order laws in their states; such laws allow them to coordinate with law enforcement to remove firearms from a home environment when an individual is identified who may be at risk of doing harm to self or others. 2: Utilize evidence-based, schoolwide approaches to promote school safety. School safety can be supported through evidence-based frameworks, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, which aims to improve school-based practices affecting student outcomes. This positive approach can be used to proactively address students social, emotional and behavioral needs and promote school safety. This approach also allows school personnel to monitor and manage students mental health needs, attend to schoolwide behavior and discipline issues, and foster a safe school climate. Accordingly, it may help reduce potential threats of gun violence perpetrated by students. 3: Support legislation and regulations for gun safety and violence prevention. Community members, including parents and teachers, and policymakers can support legislation for gun safety, evidence-based violence prevention practices and regulations. For example, child access protection laws laws that impose penalties on gun owners if children access firearms decrease firearm injuries and gun carrying, and thus help promote safety in and around schools. People behind a chain link fence watch as a demolition truck destroys a building. Hope for the future The National Institute for Justice has made it a priority to support new research to study firearm violence and mass shootings, including research on the effectiveness of school campaigns to educate families on safe gun storage. These efforts will provide important new insights about how to prevent school-related gun violence. While my own children and their millions of peers attending school in the United States today continue to endure the threat of school-related gun violence, I hope future generations will experience school without having to worry about someone showing up at their school with a gun. This story originally appeared in The Conversation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Design work on a new span to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will begin after the toll authority approved a $75 million contract with Nebraska-based Kiewit Infrastructure. File photo courtesy the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. The Maryland Transportation Authority Board tapped a Nebraska company Thursday to begin work on rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed when it was struck by a container ship in March. The unanimous vote to award the initial $75 million contract will allow Kiewit Infrastructure to begin working on a design for a new four-lane span, a process that is expected to take up to 12 months. But the authority said construction on the estimated $1.7 billion project could begin in a little more than six months, near the first anniversary of the bridge collapse. Kiewit Infrastructure bid more than $1.2 billion, the highest of three bids and 3.5% higher than the lowest bid. But cost was not the primary factor in the decision, with the states request for proposal allowing for technical rankings to outweigh price. James Harkness, chief engineer for the authority, said the agency was looking at bidders staff, their experience and their history with similarly large and complex projects, in addition to the price. We were looking at their proposed project approach, the collaboration, how they manage projects, how they handle permitting, and also how they mitigate risks, Harkness said. And then also just cost estimating, because we started this project with almost no design from which to start from which is why technical was higher than pricing. Kiewit is already involved in one major project in Maryland: In February, Amtrak awarded a more than $1 billion contract to Kiewit and its joint venture partner J.F. Shea Construction, of Walnut, California, to construct the nearly two-mile Frederick Douglass Tunnel through Baltimore. The project, which is expected to cost $6 billion, will replace the 150-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, a significant bottleneck for rail traffic in the area. It was there that Kiewit bested its competitors, Flatiron Halmar Dragados Joint Ventures, and Maryland Key Connectors. In the first phase of the bridge contract, Kiewit will work with the authority on the initial design of the new bridge. A final design has not been chosen but officials earlier this month laid out some details of what the new span over the Patapsco River might look like. Officials want to replace the steel truss style bridge that collapsed with a cable-stayed bridge that would likely be more than 50 feet higher and nearly a mile longer than the old bridge. Supports for the center span of the bridge are also likely to be farther apart, to allow for larger ships to bring cargo to and from the Port of Baltimore. The initial phase would also include demolition of support structures remaining from the original bridge. The span over the Patapsco collapsed in the early morning hours of March 26 when the Dali, a 984-foot container ship, lost power and struck a support of the bridge. Six workers who were on the bridge doing overnight road repairs died. The incident remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The collapse hobbled port activity and rerouted more than 30,000 vehicles that used the bridge daily. Those vehicles, including traffic in and out of the port, are now forced to use other routes. Bridge insurance turned over to feds The board also voted Thursday to turn over the full proceeds of insurance payments to the federal government. Earlier this week, the authority received $350 million in property and business interruption insurance. The authority initially planned to keep $68 million of those payments. Deborah Sharpless, the authoritys chief financial officer, said the change essentially means that we are using 100% of the insurance proceeds towards the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, as well as the debris and salvage operations that we did. Were making this request in good faith and partnership and commitment towards the objective of MdTA receiving 100% federal funding. The state would typically be expected to pay for about 10% of a project like this, but President Joseph Biden in March promised the federal government would fund 100% of the cost of bridge replacement. A bill to do that is currently mired in partisan and election year politics in Congress, but an aide to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said the senator believes Congress is close to finalizing the legislation to approve full federal funding for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This is based on his conversation and negotiations with Republican and Democratic leadership on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the Cardin spokesperson said. Getting this done is his highest priority. Lawmakers wont have much time to get a deal done. Congress returns from recess on Sept. 9, but has to pass a budget by Oct. 1 to avoid a shutdown. It is scheduled to then be off for October, in advance of elections, before returning in November for a lame-duck session. Turnaround tolls temporarily suspended The board also voted Thursday to temporarily suspend toll collection at the Interstate 695 exit 44 turnaround until a new bridge is constructed. The authority suspended tolls in May under a pilot program intended to give trucks easy access to the port and mitigate effects on local traffic. Officials said the temporary suspension of toll collections would have no effect on the authoritys ability to meet its debt payment obligations. Tom Hanks alerts fans about AI ads using his voice to sell 'wonder drugs': 'Do not be fooled' Tom Hanks warned fans on Instagram about deceptive online ads featuring an AI-generated vocal impersonation of the actor. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press) Nearly a year after Tom Hanks denounced a notorious deepfake dental endorsement that stoked striking SAG members fears about artificial intelligence, the actor has once again been targeted by the technology. In a Thursday Instagram post, the Forrest Gump star warned fans about online advertisements using his likeness that he says were created fraudulently and through AI. Read more: Hollywood celebs are scared of deepfakes. This talent agency will use AI to fight them There are multiple ads over the internet falsely using my name, likeness and voice promoting miracle cures and wonder drugs, Hanks wrote in his public service announcement, adding that the deepfakes were created without my consent. I have nothing to do with these posts or the productions and treatments, or the spokespeople touting these cures, the actor continued. I have type 2 diabetes, and I ONLY work with my board certified doctor regarding my treatment. DO NOT BE FOOLED. DO NOT BE SWINDLED. DO NOT LOSE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. Hanks is among a host of celebrities who have been mimicked by AI-generated media. Last year, an ad featuring a fake Luke Combs promoting miracle weight-loss gummies circulated on social media. Earlier this month, former President Trump shared a false image of Taylor Swift endorsing his 2024 bid as the Republican presidential nominee. Because governmental regulation has lagged behind advancements in AI, unauthorized deepfakes have become a rising source of misinformation online. But last week, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the NO FAKES Act , which would give both celebrities and laypeople legal recourse for the unauthorized AI replication of their likeness. Read more: The RIAA, villain of the Napster era, turns its sights on AI firms: 'It's a lot more fun now' Generative artificial intelligence has opened doors to exciting new artistic possibilities, but it also presents unique challenges that make it easier than ever to use someones voice, image, or likeness without their consent, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), one of the bills sponsors, previously told T he Times . Creators around the nation are calling on Congress to lay out clear policies regulating the use and impact of generative AI, and Congress must strike the right balance to defend individual rights, abide by the First Amendment, and foster AI innovation and creativity, he said. Sign up for Indie Focus, a weekly newsletter about movies and whats going on in the wild world of cinema. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Hope Scheppelman, who was elected vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party in August 2023, is seen at left standing with former President Donald Trump in a photo on the homepage of the Colorado Republican Party's website. (Colorado Newsline) Hope Scheppelman, who was elected vice chair of the Colorado Republican Party in August 2023, has received death threats and other forms of harassment by phone starting in late July, Scheppelman reported to the La Plata County Sheriffs Office. The harassing calls began July 22 and continued periodically until at least until Aug. 10, according to what Scheppelman told a sheriffs deputy on Aug. 12. The deputy documented information from Scheppelman in an incident report obtained by Newsline. Threats have been made against Hopes life and her husbands life, the report says. Initially, the harassing phone calls were name calling and telling Hope to jump off a bridge. A caller at one point began to identify things on Hopes property. Scheppelman, a Bayfield resident, told the deputy she tracked the phone number of one of the calls to Miami. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Scheppelman said that the calls came from two different people named Betsy and that one was named Betsy Freedom, according to the report. The La Plata deputy reported that an attempt to tie the source of the harassment to a Durango resident, who has a name thats similar to the other Betsy who Scheppelman identified, did not lead to a suspect. Scheppelman told Newsline on Friday that there is an investigation going on related to Betsy Freedom. My life has been threatened and my familys life has been threatened by this individual, Scheppelman said. She declined to speak further about the matter, citing the investigation. Scheppelman is embroiled in a leadership dispute with s0me members of the Colorado Republican Party. A vote by the partys central committee Saturday ousted her from leadership along with the chair, former state Rep. Dave Williams, and secretary, Anna Ferguson and installed new leaders. The two factions both say theyre the legitimate leaders of the party, and the results of a lawsuit over the opposing claims, as well as guidance from the Republican National Committee, is expected to settle the matter. The actual identity of Betsy Freedom has been a recent topic of speculation among Scheppelman opponents. A Betsy Freedom from Pueblo on Facebook, whose political interests appear to align with Scheppelmans, in a recent post used first-person language to describe performing the duties of the vice chair of the Colorado GOP. Scheppelman posted on Facebook that Freedom impersonated her. Newsline sent Betsy Freedom a message on Facebook but had not received a response by the time of publication. No Betsy Freedom is registered to vote in Colorado, and a Betsy Freedom in Pueblo did not emerge in a search of other public records. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to servicemen while standing beside an American F-16 jet during a ceremony to mark Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at an undisclosed location in Ukraine earlier this month. A top Ukrainian fighter pilot has died following the crash of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, authorities have announced. Handout Photo from Presidential Press Service/EPA-EFE Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A top Ukrainian fighter pilot has died following the crash of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet Monday, authorities announced. Pilot Oleksiy Mes, known by his piloting call sign "Moonfish," was killed in the crash while "repelling the biggest ever aerial attack" by Russia against Ukraine, said a Ukrainian military source, who added that Mes was buried on Thursday, CNN reported. Ukrainian officials have said they do not believe pilot error was behind the accident. The cause of the crash is being investigated. "During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the aircraft was lost. As it turned out later, the plane crashed, the pilot died," the Ukrainian General Staff said in an update Thursday. The arrival of the U.S. made F-16s had been highly anticipated in Ukraine as the country continues to seek military resources from its allies in its war against Russia's invasion, which has dragged on for more than 2.5 years. The planes arrived in Ukraine earlier this month and the pilot who died was among the only Ukrainian aviators trained to fly the F-16. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the Ukrainian Air Force used the F-16 to destroy missiles and drones launched by Russia earlier in the week, the first time an official confirmed the F-16s were being used in combat. Reports indicate the plane piloted by Mes went down amid a barrage of Russian missiles, but that the Ukrainian F-16 destroyed three cruise missiles and a Russian drone in the largest attack on Ukraine yet, a statement said. "Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles," the Ukrainian Air Force wrote in a statement on social media. "Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life." Mes and a fellow Ukrainian F-16 pilot, Andrii (Juice) Pilshchykov, appeared before Congress in June 2022 to push for the planes to be sent to Ukraine. "When I met with Ukraine pilots Juice and Moonfish I had a sick feeling they wouldn't make it through the war," former U.S. congressman Adam Kinzinger posted on X. "They fought like hell for Ukraine, and the F16." Pilshchykov, aka Juice, died on a mission last August. The United States and NATO allies have pledged about 65 F-16s to Ukraine, which has now also asked allies for the approval to use long range missiles, too. TOPEKA (KSNT) A Kansas transportation official is weighing in on when locals can expect some Topeka highway projects to come to an end. KSNT 27 News reached out to Kate Craft with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for updates on some of Topekas largest ongoing road construction projects causing headaches for local drivers. Some of these projects started earlier in the year and are still going strong towards the end of summer 2024, seemingly with no end in sight. Craft said some projects are scheduled to end soon but dates could change depending on weather conditions which might impact when workers can be on site. Check the list below for more information on a few of the Capital Citys biggest highway projects. U.S. 75 bridges Work on these bridges over the Kansas River got started in April while the southbound Westgate bridge and flyover bridge to I-70 began in May. Work on the bridges over Lower Silver Lake Road is slated to wrap up by the week of Sept. 1 while work on the remaining U.S. 75 bridges are due to continue into the fall. Tours of historic Topeka mansion open with 150th anniversary celebration Craft said work on the U.S. 75 bridges over the river should be completed by December. Drivers should expect adjustments to the project like shifting lane reductions as work zones move around. This embedded content is not available in your region. U.S. 24 Work crews first started this project, running from Muddy Creek to Kansas Avenue, in July 2023. The entire project is slated to end in 2027. The current traffic configuration between Kansas Avenue and Goldwater Road will remain in place until the end of the year while the roadway and intersections are reconstructed, Craft said. Project work will resume next spring on U.S. 24 east of Goldwater Road. This embedded content is not available in your region. 40,000 mail-in ballots used in 2024 Kansas Primary election I-470 flyover bridge KDOT crews closed the northbound I-470 bridge for demolition and reconstruction work to westbound I-70 traffic in February 2024. The project is scheduled to wrap up by December this year. Polk-Quincy Viaduct project This project began in 2021 and is set to continue through to the fall of 2027. Work crews are currently relocating utilities around the viaduct ahead of more extensive construction projects on I-70 in the near future. The Polk-Quincy Viaduct project is meant to enhance safety with the addition of wider shoulders, flatten the curve near Third Street and extend acceleration and deceleration lanes in some areas. Work on the bridge, necessitating extended closures on the highway, wont start until spring 2025. You can learn more about the project by visiting the website dedicated to it here. Heavy traffic, delays expected on I-70 as K-State football game approaches Craft recommends people who want to learn more about ongoing road work projects in Kansas call 511 or consult kandrive.gov. 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. Toxic chemicals found in soil and groundwater near former Rocketdyne site in Canoga Park The former Rocketdyne site in Canoga Park as viewed on Google Maps. (Google Maps) A former rocket testing and development site in Canoga Park is under increased scrutiny after recent tests showed high levels of two toxic chemicals in surrounding homes and businesses. The report, delivered on behalf of RTX Corp. to the California State Water Resources Control Board in June, detailed soil vapor and groundwater inspections at seven locations near the now vacant lot that was once home to the Rocketdyne testing and development site. It is adjacent to the Westfield Topanga mall. At each of the seven locations, the tests recorded levels of toxic cleaning solvents that were above environmental screening levels that could pose a long-term threat to human health and the environment. The report suggests further testing at residential and commercial locations north and east of the former Rocketdyne site, as groundwater flows tend to carry the toxic chemicals in that direction. Several neighbors whose apartment building was screened spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity and said they had not been notified of the test results and were unaware that the testing had taken place at all. One resident of a building north of the site where elevated levels were detected said he had not been notified. He has noticed security at the vacant lot, but if anything has changed recently, he said it would be "hard for me to notice it." Read more: L.A. County battery recycler on the verge of becoming California's next Superfund site Another resident of the building said she was unaware of any testing, and requested further information. It was unclear whether RTX or the state water board planned to notify residents. RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corp., did not respond to requests for comment. The state water board confirmed that the agency is reviewing the findings from RTX and consulting with toxicologists from the state Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The water board said in written responses that it had notified some 7,000 residents and interested parties near the site, "including residences and businesses within a 500-foot radius of the property boundary." The 56-acre Rocketdyne site opened in 1955 and produced thousands of rocket engines. Engines produced at the site helped put the first man on the moon in 1969 and powered NASA space shuttles. Boeing acquired the company in 1996. At the peak of the U.S. space race with Russia, the Canoga Park plant employed 22,000 people. By 2010, it was beginning to shut down, leaving behind the remnants of its industrial processes, including chemicals known as TCE and PCE. Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is a colorless liquid that has been used to remove gunk from jet engines, strip paint and remove stains from shirts dropped off at the dry cleaners. Decades of widespread use in the U.S. have left thousands of sites contaminated with TCE, and a recent paper suggests a connection between the chemical and Parkinson's disease. Perchloroethylene, or PCE, is a cleaning solvent that has been linked to several types of cancer. California banned the use of PCE at dry cleaners in 2023, after decades of use as a dirt- and stain-removing agent. Read more: Regulators reject Berkeley plan that would have allowed 'excessively high' radiation at park In all, the report conducted for RTX by Haley & Aldrich Inc. included 66 soil vapor and 18 groundwater samples between October 2023 and May 2024. "The presence of a chemical at concentrations exceeding an [environmental screening level] does not necessarily indicate adverse effects on human health or the environment," the report stated, "but rather that additional evaluation is warranted." Another notorious site associated with the Rocketdyne name in the nearby Ventura County hills has also worried residents. The Santa Susana Field Laboratory, one of the state's most toxic sites, is the subject of a documentary film by a mother who believes exposure to the toxicity caused her child and neighbors' children to develop cancer. The Santa Susana cleanup has been controversial and subject to significant delays. The smaller Rocketdyne site in Canoga Park has received less attention. Additionally, the state water board has notified some 4,000 residents near a former Litton Industries site northeast of the Rocketdyne site and also in Canoga Park about exposure to toxic chemicals, said Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics. She believes that sewer lines may be connecting the two toxic sites, causing them to become comingled. "We're pretty sure that these two sites are going to come together," she said, characterizing vapor intrusion sites like the Litton Industries and Rocketdyne sites as "very alarming." "The fact that people near these sites are not being notified," Williams said, "is an issue of grave concern to us." 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. JACKSONVILLE, Texas (KETK) Longtime banker, aerospace engineer and East Texas native Laurel Ann Phillips Austin, better known as Sissy, died Thursday at her home after a battle with Parkinsons disease. The search for 15-years-missing Heather Cannon continues Austin was 83 years old. A celebration of her life will be held on Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Jacksonville with Rev. Bonnie Osteen officiating. Known locally for her leadership at Austin Bank, she was awarded the Texas Bankers Association 50 Year Banker award in 2022. Before that, her career started after a visit to NASA Space Center in Houston. She noticed that one of the engineers was struggling with a mathematical problem, according to Austin Bank. She asked for a pencil, quickly solved the equation, put the pencil down and smiled. This action led to being recruited by NASA where she started in June 1963 as one of the first female aerospace engineers, and later at a private consulting firm, TRW Systems, Houston. Her team created equations and programming used in the Apollo projects to track missions. She served the space program for nine years before returning to her hometown of Jacksonville with her husband, Jeff Austin, Jr. Previously, she had been named Jacksonville Citizen of the Year, served as Chairman of the Board of Stephen F. Austin State University, was the first female president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Cherokee Country Club, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, Chairman of the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital System and more. An honor to serve: Apache Belles director leaves after 13 years Sissy was an approachable and sincere mentor to many, Austin Bank said in a release announcing her death. As a trailblazer for progress, she shared her knowledge with fellow bankers and advice seekers. A common phrase around the bank is: If at first you dont succeed, try doing it the way Sissy told you. These words will always ring true, and many of us will always ask ourselves: What would Sissy do? To honor Austin, her family asks that you perform an unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need. Instead of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the Hospice of East Texas and the Jacksonville Education 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. After a recurrence of ovarian cancer in 2023, Francine Milano of Pennsylvania has made the hours-long drive to Vermont twice as part of a multistep process to arrange medical aid in dying. Legislation to allow medical aid in dying in Pennsylvania hasnt been approved. (Eric Harkleroad/KFF Health News) In the 18 months after Francine Milano was diagnosed with a recurrence of the ovarian cancer she thought shed beaten 20 years ago, she traveled twice from her home in Pennsylvania to Vermont. She went not to ski, hike, or leaf-peep, but to arrange to die. I really wanted to take control over how I left this world, said the 61-year-old who lives in Lancaster. I decided that this was an option for me. Dying with medical assistance wasnt an option when Milano learned in early 2023 that her disease was incurable. At that point, she would have had to travel to Switzerland or live in the District of Columbia or one of the 10 states where medical aid in dying was legal. But Vermont lifted its residency requirement in May 2023, followed by Oregon two months later. (Montana effectively allows aid in dying through a 2009 court decision, but that ruling doesnt spell out rules around residency. And though New York and California recently considered legislation that would allow out-of-staters to secure aid in dying, neither provision passed.) Despite the limited options and the challenges such as finding doctors in a new state, figuring out where to die, and traveling when too sick to walk to the next room, let alone climb into a car dozens have made the trek to the two states that have opened their doors to terminally ill nonresidents seeking aid in dying. At least 26 people have traveled to Vermont to die, representing nearly 25% of the reported assisted deaths in the state from May 2023 through this June, according to the Vermont Department of Health. In Oregon, 23 out-of-state residents died using medical assistance in 2023, just over 6% of the state total, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Oncologist Charles Blanke, whose clinic in Portland is devoted to end-of-life care, said he thinks that Oregons total is likely an undercount and he expects the numbers to grow. Over the past year, he said, hes seen two to four out-of-state patients a week about one-quarter of his practice and fielded calls from across the U.S., including New York, the Carolinas, Florida, and tons from Texas. But just because patients are willing to travel doesnt mean its easy or that they get their desired outcome. The law is pretty strict about what has to be done, Blanke said. As in other states that allow what some call physician-assisted death or assisted suicide, Oregon and Vermont require patients to be assessed by two doctors. Patients must have less than six months to live, be mentally and cognitively sound, and be physically able to ingest the drugs to end their lives. Charts and records must be reviewed in the state; neglecting to do so constitutes practicing medicine out of state, which violates medical licensing requirements. For the same reason, the patients must be in the state for the initial exam, when they request the drugs, and when they ingest them. State legislatures impose those restrictions as safeguards to balance the rights of patients seeking aid in dying with a legislative imperative not to pass laws that are harmful to anyone, said Peg Sandeen, CEO of the group Death With Dignity. Like many aid-in-dying advocates, however, she said such rules create undue burdens for people who are already suffering. Diana Barnard, a Vermont palliative care physician, said some patients cannot even come for their appointments. They end up being sick or not feeling like traveling, so theres rescheduling involved, she said. Its asking people to use a significant part of their energy to come here when they really deserve to have the option closer to home. Those opposed to aid in dying include religious groups that say taking a life is immoral, and medical practitioners who argue their job is to make people more comfortable at the end of life, not to end the life itself. Anthropologist Anita Hannig, who interviewed dozens of terminally ill patients while researching her 2022 book, The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America, said she doesnt expect federal legislation to settle the issue anytime soon. As the Supreme Court did with abortion in 2022, it ruled assisted dying to be a states rights issue in 1997. During the 2023-24 legislative sessions, 19 states (including Milanos home state of Pennsylvania) considered aid-in-dying legislation, according to the advocacy group Compassion & Choices. Delaware was the sole state to pass it, but the governor has yet to act on it. In NH, an aid-in-dying bill elicited discussion but not passage New Hampshires medical assistance in dying bill drew more interest than most bills this year, with more than 1,100 people urging lawmakers to defeat it and about half as many asking them to pass it. House Bill 1283 narrowly passed the House in March, 179-176, but failed to make it out of the Senate with a bipartisan vote for a study committee. The committee has yet to meet, according to the legislative website. The legislations critics included disability rights advocates who feared it could be used to hasten the death of individuals with complicated medical needs, religious leaders, and lawmakers worried it had too few protections in place. And the guardrails it did have could be expanded over time, they said. I would hope youre not going to support killing our elderly people, David Allaben of Henniker wrote to lawmakers, asking them to defeat the bill. Remember youll be old soon and are you comfortable with somebody making that decision for you? The Democratic and Republican House members who sponsored the bill said opponents fears were reasonable but addressed in their bill. The legislation would have allowed a person to obtain a prescription to assist with dying only if two health care providers determined the individual had a terminal illness and six months or less to live. Before prescribing the medication, health care providers would have had to determine the patient had the mental capacity to make the decision and had voluntarily requested medical aid in dying. The bill did not include a residency requirement. In a public hearing before senators, Rep. Bob Lynn, a Windham Republican who cosponsored the bill, pointed to New Hampshires motto, Live Free or Die. If any state allowed medical aid in dying, New Hampshire should, he said. Marguerite Mathews of Durham was among the more than 650 people who asked lawmakers to pass the bill. In written testimony she said shed received a diagnosis of a serious health issue about a year ago and was devoting her time to get HB 1283 passed. Im in good spirits, Mathews wrote, and grateful for a lifetime of traveling the beautiful roads of New Hampshire and connecting with people all over this wonderful state. I look forward to living everyday as long as I am able and to ending this life on my own terms. Annmarie Timmins Sandeen said that many states initially pass restrictive laws requiring 21-day wait times and psychiatric evaluations, for instance only to eventually repeal provisions that prove unduly onerous. That makes her optimistic that more states will eventually follow Vermont and Oregon, she said. Milano would have preferred to travel to neighboring New Jersey, where aid in dying has been legal since 2019, but its residency requirement made that a nonstarter. And though Oregon has more providers than the largely rural state of Vermont, Milano opted for the nine-hour car ride to Burlington because it was less physically and financially draining than a cross-country trip. The logistics were key because Milano knew shed have to return. When she traveled to Vermont in May 2023 with her husband and her brother, she wasnt near death. She figured that the next time she was in Vermont, it would be to request the medication. Then shed have to wait 15 days to receive it. The waiting period is standard to ensure that a person has what Barnard calls thoughtful time to contemplate the decision, although she said most have done that long before. Some states have shortened the period or, like Oregon, have a waiver option. That waiting period can be hard on patients, on top of being away from their health care team, home, and family. Blanke said he has seen as many as 25 relatives attend the death of an Oregon resident, but out-of-staters usually bring only one person. And while finding a place to die can be a problem for Oregonians who are in care homes or hospitals that prohibit aid in dying, its especially challenging for nonresidents. When Oregon lifted its residency requirement, Blanke advertised on Craigslist and used the results to compile a list of short-term accommodations, including Airbnbs, willing to allow patients to die there. Nonprofits in states with aid-in-dying laws also maintain such lists, Sandeen said. Milano hasnt gotten to the point where she needs to find a place to take the meds and end her life. In fact, because she had a relatively healthy year after her first trip to Vermont, she let her six-month approval period lapse. In June, though, she headed back to open another six-month window. This time, she went with a girlfriend who has a camper van. They drove six hours to cross the state border, stopping at a playground and gift shop before sitting in a parking lot where Milano had a Zoom appointment with her doctors rather than driving three more hours to Burlington to meet in person. I dont know if they do GPS tracking or IP address kind of stuff, but I would have been afraid not to be honest, she said. Thats not all that scares her. She worries shell be too sick to return to Vermont when she is ready to die. And, even if she can get there, she wonders whether shell have the courage to take the medication. About one-third of people approved for assisted death dont follow through, Blanke said. For them, its often enough to know they have the meds the control to end their lives when they want. Milano said she is grateful she has that power now while shes still healthy enough to travel and enjoy life. I just wish more people had the option, she said. 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. Tropical Cyclone Gilma expected to weaken but still bring in enhanced shower activity HONOLULU (KHON2) John Bravender, Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the National Weather Service, joined Wake Up 2Day to give insight into the systems KHON2 is monitoring in the Pacific. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You For Thursday, we can expect a surface ridge of high pressure far north of the Hawaiian Islands will maintain moderate to fresh trade winds through today, with periods of embedded showers moving into windward and mountain areas. Gilma remnants to pass Hawaii Friday Gilma is at Tropical Depression status as of 10 a.m. and Tropical Cyclone Hector has weakened to a remnant low. The main impact from these weak systems as they pass near or over the state is enhanced rainfall that could begin as early as tonight and persist into the weekend. Check out whats going on around the nation on our National News page Heading into Labor Day, we are expecting hot and muggy conditions but clearer skies as we approach the incoming work 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 KHON2. Boeing's troubled Starliner has a return date. NASA has polled "go" for the uncrewed spacecraft to undock from the International Space Station no earlier than 6:04 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 6. After undocking, it will land at approximately 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at White Sands Space Harbor in the New Mexican desert. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched to the space station June 5 on Starliner, were supposed to be coming back onboard. However, after a three-month investigation into the spacecraft's malfunctioning thrusters, which failed to fire during docking to the space station, NASA decided not to allow the spacecraft to carry its astronauts home. Instead, the astronauts will remain on the space station until February 2025, joining two of the Crew-9 astronauts who will arrive no earlier than late September. Then, in a humiliating turn for Boeing, they'll return on a SpaceX Dragon. Having been on prior missions to the space station, Williams and Wilmore are fully trained to jump into the schedule. Still, it represents a major shift from what had been planned as a roughly week-long mission but will now be eight months. NASA's main concern with Starliner was the reliability of its thrusters upon reentry. Should the thrusters malfunction at the wrong time, the crew could have ended up landing far off target or worse. At the wrong angle, they could have burned up in the atmosphere or even bounced off, becoming truly stuck in space. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule from Florida After Starliner lands, plans call for returning it to be shipped back to Boeing's facility at Kennedy Space Center. Boeing has work to do once Starliner lands, as NASA remains optimistic the aerospace company will still be able to provide a full crewed flight in the future. Both SpaceX and Boeing were contracted by NASA in 2014 to provide transportation of NASA astronauts to and from the space station. The initial contracts were for $4.82 billion for Boeing and $3.14 billion for SpaceX. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft has successfully transported NASA crews since 2020. SpaceX's Dragon has also carried multiple private astronaut missions, and even has a cargo variant which is contracted to resupply missions to the space station. Impact to NASA's Crew-9 With Williams and Wilmore set to return on the Crew-9 Dragon in February, NASA had cut two crew members as the Dragon is equipped to fly four astronauts for NASA. According to NASA, those two crew members who will fly to the space station as part of Crew-9 are NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their launch is scheduled for no earlier than Sept. 24. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, who had originally been part of the Crew-9 mission, will instead be assigned to a future flight. Hague and Gorbunov will bring the spacesuits needed for Williams and Wilmore to return home with them on Dragon in February. 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: Boeing's Starliner to return to Earth in September uncrewed Trump adds new campaign pledge to get IVF paid for by government or covered by insurance Former President Donald Trump introduced a new campaign platform on Thursday aimed at helping Americans with the cost of IVF. At a town hall moderated by his supporter, one-time Democrat presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, Trump said he and his team have been exploring ways to help those wanting in vitro fertilization. "I've been looking at it, and what we're going to do is for people that are using IVF, which is fertilization the government is going to pay for it, or we're going to get -- we'll mandate your insurance company to pay for it, which is going to be great. Were going to do that," he told Gabbard. "We want to produce babies in this country, right?" he added. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a town hall meeting at La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on August 29, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Trump asks federal court to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case Trump first spoke about the idea of government-funded or insurance-covered fertility treatments earlier in the day during a campaign stop in the battleground state of Michigan. When asked by NBC News if it would be the government or insurance companies paying for IVF, the network reported that Trump said it would be the latter, "under a mandate." Meanwhile, Trump's camp on Thursday night walked back comments the former president made earlier in the day suggesting he did not support Florida's now-implemented six-week ban on abortions. "I think the six week is too short, there has to be more time and I told them I want more weeks," Trump told NBC. "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," he added, noting that he believes abortion should be a states issue, something hes said before. Later, though, Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify the candidate's remarks. "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," Leavitt said in a statement. MORE: Inside Project 2025: Former Trump official outlines hard right turn against abortion Susan B. Anthony, Pro-Life America, President Marjorie Dannenfelser also released a statement Thursday night saying she had spoken to the president, and he told her he hasnt "committed" to how hell vote on Floridas Amendment 4. The amendment, if passed, would insert language into the states constitution that abortions determined medically necessary by a patients healthcare provider would be permitted. "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," her statement read. Trump adds new campaign pledge to get IVF paid for by government or covered by insurance originally appeared on abcnews.go.com At a rally in Michigan on Thursday, Donald Trump unleashed an extended rant about the confrontation this week between his campaign staff and Arlington National Cemetery officials. Shockingly, he offered a highly distorted account of the scandal and painted himself as one of its victims. Trump even linked this to a bigger lie about the deep state being out to get him, backhandedly illustrating a big reason why all this matters in the first place: It reveals a level of contempt for the law and public service thats incompatible with democracy. Now that Trump has offered this ranthis most extensive public explanation for this scandal yetit should prompt Senate Democrats to exercise oversight responsibility and get to the bottom of this saga once and for all. It would be derelict not to, as a matter of basic public service. We deserve a full accounting. In his Michigan rant, Trump claimed hed been invited to Arlington by the relatives of soldiers killed in the 2021 bombing at Abbey Gate, outside Afghanistans Kabul Airport. He then lashed out at the Arlington staffers whod tried to prevent the Trump campaign from filming in a restricted area of the cemeteryin apparent violation of the lawwhich reportedly led a Trump aide to push aside one of those cemetery officials. In his speech, Trump linked the staffersfederal employees simply doing their jobs of guarding ground most Americans revereto law enforcement prosecuting him for his various alleged crimes. These are bad people were dealing with, Trump seethed. They say I was campaigning, he continued. I dont need the publicity. Trump flatly dismissed the idea that he was at Arlington to politick in any way, and insisted hed only been asked by relatives of the fallen to pose for pictures at a gravesite. Watch it courtesy of Aaron Rupar: Trump claims the debacle in Arlington Cemetery happened yesterday -- it was actually 3 days ago -- and says, "these are bad people we're dealing with" (they are cemetery workers) pic.twitter.com/AgSFd8XDiG Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 This account is baloney. The suggestion that Trump was only invited to pose for pictures by relatives leaves out the fact that Trumps aides themselves took video of the event, which was subsequently posted to his TikTok account. That video is slickly produced. It sharply contrasts the Trump and Biden administrations on their handling of Afghanistan, criticizing the latter over the final withdrawal and falsely suggesting no deaths occurred during 18 months (Trump doesnt say which) of his presidency. Its a campaign video, full stop. Whats more, even if Trump were invited to Arlington by families, that account also omits key facts. The Washington Post reports that earlier this month, Trumps campaign officials contacted Arlington about the upcoming visit. During these exchanges, Army officials informed the Trump campaign in advance that any political activity in the relevant section of the cemetery would be unlawful. Thats also confirmed by an unusually blunt statement from the Army itself. Which is precisely what led to the confrontation. When a woman who works at the cemetery tried to enforce those rules, she was abruptly pushed aside, as the Army statement puts it. The New York Times reports that the womanwhose name hasnt been releasedcontemplated pressing charges but refrained out of fear of retaliation from Trump supporters. All this raises some questions: How violently was she pushed aside? Its reasonable to speculate that she wouldnt entertain charges unless some measure of violenceor at least inappropriate manhandlingwas exercised. Who on Trumps campaign staff did this? What exactly did cemetery officials initially tell the Trump campaign in warning against such activities? Did these activities at Arlington break the law, or not? Cemetery officials clearly believed they did. Why did they conclude that? These questions are answerable. The woman reportedly filed an incident report with military authorities before declining to press charges. Arlington is managed by the Army via the Office of Military Cemeteries. The Senate and House Armed Services committees have oversight jurisdiction here. Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Gerry Connolly, both Democrats of Virginia and respective members of those committees, have called on the Army to provide the report and release more information. Whats more, Senate Armed Services Committee staff have been directly communicating with Army officials about the incident, and are in the process of seeking and receiving the information in the report and about what happened, a congressional aide tells me. Meanwhile, senior House Democrats are privately pushing Army officials to say more clearly what laws or regulations they think may have been broken and to reveal more details about what happened, another aide says, noting that Democratic staffers are encountering resistance, leaving them frustrated. Some Democrats might be skittish about taking this on, given that Trump is pretending the episode was only about honoring the wishes of relatives of the fallen. Its clearly true that these relatives wanted Trump there, and because of these very real sensitivities, you can see why the Army is trying to deescalate this standoff. But another family whose loved one is buried at an adjacent grave is unhappy about what Trump did. And regardless, nothing gives the Trump campaign license to use Arlington as a staging ground for political activities or to physically abuse a member of staff for doing her job. Establishing what happened at a minimum is perfectly reasonable: If the Trump campaign broke the law and violence was exercised against this official simply because she sought to ensure that rules were followed, we should know about it. Seriously, Dems, your job is to explode in righteous anger on behalf of all the dead soldiers Trump used as props, and even more fury, once you substantiate Arlingtons account, on behalf of the cemetery employee his entourage assaulted. Demand the footage. Get moving! Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) August 28, 2024 Trump campaign officials treated this woman horrifically, deriding her as unpatriotic and mentally unstable. And so, as Talking Points Memos David Kurtz notes, a big question is at issue here: whether Team Trump will get away with employing thuggery and intimidation to bully an official in furtherance of this schemeand to avoid facing consequences for it. Now that Trump has obliquely attacked her during a rally, that could draw an even more vivid target on her back. The constant threat of thuggish and violent retribution is ever present with the MAGA movement, and its targets are often people who serve the public but have suddenly been designated as inimical to Trump and MAGAs interests. Its no accident that Trump lumped in this woman with his prosecutors. Those who seek to apply rules and laws to Trump and his followerswhether its a cemetery official enforcing the prohibition against using Arlington as a political backdrop or prosecutors holding Trump and his mob of insurrectionists accountable for criminally and violently sabotaging our electionsbelong to the enemy class by definition. The laws and rules they are flouting are discarded as inherently illegitimate. Trump has also sought to erode the ideal of insulating the military from politicsnot subjecting it to political manipulation or using it to manufacture propagandaon other fronts. As president, he routinely talked about my generalsbut they are not his. Trump tried to enlist generals as political props at the end of his presidency, leading his former defense secretary to call on the military to reaffirm its commitment to the Constitution, not Trump. These days Trump talks explicitly about sending the military into blue states to carry out his domestic agendaagainst their will. Democrats should get to the bottom of the Arlington fiasco. At issue is the casual designation of public servants as the enemy, the blithe treatment of public procedures as thoroughly dispensable, and the contempt for the ideal of an independent militaryall hitched to the passing whims and needs of Trump and his movement. Theyre all incompatible with maintaining a healthy democratic public sphere, and the question once again is whether Trump will be allowed to get away with all of it. NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump asked a federal court late Thursday to intervene in his New York hush money criminal case, seeking a pathway to overturn his felony conviction and indefinitely delay his sentencing next month. Lawyers for the current Republican nominee asked the federal court in Manhattan to seize the case from the state court where it was tried, arguing that the historic prosecution violated his constitutional rights and ran afoul of the U.S. Supreme Courts recent presidential immunity ruling. Trumps lawyers, who failed last year in a pretrial bid to get the case shifted to federal court, said moving it now will give him an unbiased forum, free from local hostilities" to address those issues. In state court, they said, Trump has been the victim of bias, conflicts of interest, and appearances of impropriety." If the case is moved to federal court, Trumps lawyers said they will then seek to have the verdict overturned and the case dismissed on immunity grounds. If the case remains in state court and Trump's sentencing proceeds as scheduled on Sept. 18 about seven weeks before Election Day it would be election interference, his lawyers said, raising the specter that Trump could be sent to jail just as early voting is getting under way. Trump's request Thursday is poised to be decided by the same Manhattan federal judge who rejected his earlier bid to move the case a decision that cleared the way for his trial in state court. The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election and voters located far beyond Manhattan, Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove wrote in a 64-page U.S. District Court court filing. The Manhattan district attorneys office, which prosecuted Trump's case and fought his previous effort to move the case out of state court, declined to comment. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for New York's state court system. Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 presidential run. Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses. Trump maintains that the stories were false, that reimbursements were for legal work and logged correctly, and that the case against him was part of a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at damaging his current presidential campaign. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine. Even if Trumps case isnt moved to federal court, ensuing legal wrangling could force his sentencing to be delayed, giving him a critical reprieve as he navigates the aftermath of his criminal conviction and the homestretch of his White House run. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime. Separately, the trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, is weighing Trump's requests to postpone sentencing until after Election Day, Nov. 5, and to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case in the wake of the Supreme Courts immunity decision. The high court's July 1 ruling reins in prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a presidents unofficial actions were illegal. Trumps lawyers have argued that prosecutors rushed to trial instead of waiting for the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision, and that the trial was tainted by evidence that should not have been allowed under the ruling, such as former White House staffers describing how he reacted to news coverage of the hush money deal and tweets he sent while president in 2018. Trumps lawyers had previously invoked presidential immunity in a failed bid last year to get the hush money case moved from state court to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein rejected Trumps claim that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties, writing in July 2023, The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, Hellerstein added. Trump appealed the ruling, but abandoned that fight just before a November 2023 deadline to file paperwork stating why he felt Hellerstein should be overturned. Trumps lawyers argued in Thursday's filing that circumstances had changed since they initially attempted to get the case moved to federal court. Among other things, they said state prosecutors had misled the court by saying earlier that the trial wouldnt involve Trumps official duties or actions as president. There was also testimony, they said, from Cohen about Trumps potential use of pardon power and his response to various investigations into his conduct. All that testimony, they wrote, had to do with Trumps actions as president. President Trump is entitled to a federal forum for his Presidential immunity defense based on the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. United States, Blanche and Bove wrote. After this case is properly removed, President Trump will establish that the charges must be dismissed. Blanche and Bove also reiterated their claims that Merchan has treated Trump unfairly because Merchans daughter is a Democratic political consultant, and they argued that the judge is wrongly muzzling Trump with a gag order he kept in place after the verdict. Merchan this month rejected Trumps latest request that he step aside from the case, saying Trumps demand was a rehash rife with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims about his ability to remain impartial. A state appeals court recently upheld the gag order. Merchan "is poised to incarcerate President Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, and he has maintained an unwarranted and unconstitutional prior restraint on President Trumps ability to respond to political attacks by criticizing the New York County proceedings, Blanche and Bove said. Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Floridas six-week abortion ban, saying in an interview that it was too short, suggesting that hed vote in favor of a constitutional amendment to overturn it later this year. I think the six weeks is too short, it has to be more time, the former president told NBC News during a Michigan campaign stop. He added, when pressed about his plans to vote on the amendment in November, that he would be voting that we need more than six weeks. He also expressed support for exceptions in the law for rape, incest, and when necessary to protect the life of the mother, according to NPR. A Trump spokesperson clarified in a later statement that he 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. Signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, Floridas so-called fetal heartbeat abortion ban went into effect in May. It allows exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergencies, and some fatal fetal anomalies. The state previously permitted abortions up to 15 weeks into pregnancy. Supreme Court Rocked by New Leak of Bitter Abortion Split Although Trump initially celebrated his role in assembling the Supreme Court lineup that would make the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, he has since softened his stance on abortion in favor of a leave it up to the states approach. My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights, he posted on Truth Social last week, a day after Vice President Kamala Harris took aim at him and the rest of the Republican Party for their stance on reproductive rights. In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Harris said that Republicans, led by Trump, would work to bring about a nationwide ban, limit access to birth control, and further block access to medication abortion. Simply put, they are out of their minds, she said. Project 2025 Heads New Book Rails Against IVF, Abortion and... Dog Parks? Sarafina Chitika, a Harris campaign spokesperson, told the Daily Beast in a statement that Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid, she said, adding that there was 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. Trump also said Thursday that he was interested in making in vitro fertilization free for American citizens, saying he would require insurance companies or the federal government to take on the costs associated with the treatment. Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely, he explained, without providing additional details on how such a plan could realistically be rolled out. JD Vance Suggests Caring About Abortion Rights Isnt Normal The issue of in vitro fertilization was thrust onto the national stage after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are people, and that destroying them could constitute a criminal offense. The decision caused an uproar across the country and caused several IVF providers to put a hold on the procedure in the state. Alabama legislators scrambled to pass a measure protecting IVF treatment, after Trump called on them to quickly find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed the bill into law in March. No matter what Trump says, he is the leader of the party whose official platform uses language that could effectively ban IVF, and his Project 2025 uses that same language and details plans to make IVF fully obsolete and ethically unthinkable, Mini Timmaraju, the president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, told The Daily Beast in a statement. Republicans in Congress blocked Democrats efforts to protect IVF earlier this year, and Trumps own running mate voted against it, she continued. 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. The stop in Michigan, a key battleground state, was Trumps third in a little more than a week. On his schedule later Thursday and into Friday were further stops in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, also both swing states. 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. RFK Jr. tried to put distance between Donald Trump and Project 2025, claiming the former president told him he didnt read the document until Democrats brought it up (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former independent presidential candidate who is now on Donald Trumps presidential transition team, said Trump told him hes never read Project 2025 and thinks the author of the document is a right-wing a******. In an attempt to distance Trump from the 900-page far-right agenda, Kennedy told the All-In podcast Friday that Trump had never heard of Project 2025 until Democrats began associating the two together. [Trump] brought this issue up to me and he said You know theyre always telling me Im for Project 2025. I never read Project 2025 until they started accusing me of it, Kennedy said. [Trump] said, That was written by a right-wing a******, Kennedy recounted. It is unclear who Trump was referring to while speaking with Kennedy. Project 2025 had at least 20 authors and more than 100 contributors. The Independent has asked the Trump campaign for comment. RFK Jr. joined the All-In podcast this week to discuss Donald Trump tapping him to join his presidential transition team (All-In Podcast / YouTube) The large document was developed by the Heritage Foundation, a far-right think tank. Its plans for a conservative presidency include a dramatic overhaul of the United States government replacing civil servants with political loyalists, getting rid of key federal agencies and consolidating power to the executive branch. It was largely drafted under the leadership of Paul Dans, the former chief of staff of the Office of Personnel Management in the Trump administration. Dans no longer works at the Heritage Foundation. Though Trump has a yearslong relationship with the Heritage Foundation, he has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, claiming he had no idea who is behind it and knows nothing about it. A CNN analysis found that at least 140 people who worked for Trump were part of Project 2025. The Trump campaign maintains that Project 2025 is not Trumps agenda and any personnel lists, policy agendas, or government plans published anywhere are merely suggestions. But Trump and some of his allies have repeatedly tried to put distance between the former president and the document. That is, in part, because Democrats have used Project 2025s unpopular ideas to campaign against Trump. Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign recently released an ad directly correlating Project 2025 with the former president. At the Democratic National Convention, speakers brought the massive document on stage to point out some of its radical proposals and argue that Trump will implement them if he is elected in November. Kennedy told the All-In podcast that Trump is listening to a wider range of voices and that the presidential transition team, which is responsible for helping the incoming president choose appointees, is a wide diversity. Kennedy is on the transition team as well as former Representative Tulsi Gabbard. Trumps adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are also part of the team. Trump campaign insists he still has no position on Florida's abortion rights ballot measure Donald Trumps campaign is trying to walk back the Republican candidate's comments on a Florida ballot initiative that would restore abortion access after they triggered an anti-choice firestorm. Trump, who repeatedly took credit for the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, voiced support on Thursday for the Florida ballot initiative to overturn the state's restrictive six-week ban. That came after he was asked if hed vote in favor of the amendment. I'm going to be voting that we need more than six weeks," Trump said. But Trumps campaign was quick to enter damage control mode and walk back the candidates support. 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, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, clarified in a statement hours after the comment. The retraction came as Trumps core right-wing base melted down over Trumps apparent change of heart. Trump has lost his way on the abortion issue. Voting in favor of an amendment to allow abortion up to the point of birth is insanity, conservative influencer T.J. Moe wrote on social media, falsely describing the Florida measure, which protects abortion access up to the point of viability. He had the chance to go down as the ultimate champion of life after overturning Roe. Hes destroying that entirely. Florida is one of at least 10 states that will vote on abortion access via ballot initiative in November, including the key swing states of Arizona and Nevada, where the measures are expected to increase Democratic turnout. A prominent Donald Trump campaign adviser dubs the US army as hacks, doubling down in the campaigns dispute with Arlington National Cemetery officials. The Republican nominee and his campaign have been in hot water after they filmed Trumps August 26 visit to the military cemetery to attend a wreath-laying ceremony, despite an Arlington National Cemetery worker warning them against doing so due to federal laws an exchange that resulted in an alleged physical altercation. In an apparent attempt to further escalate the situation, Trump co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted on X on Thursday afternoon: Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy, sharing a video from the cemetery and tagging Army Secretary Christine E Wormuth. The back-and-forth began on Monday when a cemetery official told Trump and his entourage they were at risk of violating federal laws by taking photos and videos for political purposes at the site. After warning about the regulations, that cemetery worker was abruptly pushed aside by Trump aides, an Army spokesperson said on Thursday. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. The Armys statement was referring to comments made by LaCivita and Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung on Tuesday defending the campaign and condemning the cemetery official. Donald Trump stands alongside Bill Barnett (L), whos grandson Staff Sgt Darin Taylor Hoover died in Abbey Gate Bombing, during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26. Trumps campaign aide has doubled down on his dispute with the cemetery, calling the US Army hacks (Getty Images) Cheung denied that a physical incident occurred, vowing to provide video footage to back that claim but has yet to do so. He also claimed that the unnamed cemetery official was clearly suffering from a mental health episode in a statement to The Independent. LaCivita similarly assailed the Arlington National Cemetery worker as a despicable individual. JD Vance, Ohio Senator and Trump running mate, also weighed in on the conflict. There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there and that the families of fallen veterans wanted him there, he said on Wednesday. Khizr Khan, the father of 27-year-old Army Captain Humayun Khan who was killed in 2004 and awarded a Bronze Star for his actions, questioned what Trump hoped to gain by the visit to the site of his sons resting place. He has proven his disrespect, Khan told The Daily Beast. Somebody needs to ask him, You have shown that contempt multiple times and yet again, you go there. Perhaps he was referring to Trumps past comments calling veterans suckers and losers while visiting a cemetery in France. Or maybe he was referring to Trumps 2017 visit to Arlington Cemetery where, according to former White House chief of staff John Kelly, the former president wondered aloud: I dont get it. What was in it for them? The back-and-forth began on Monday when a cemetery official told Trump and his entourage they were at risk of violating federal laws by taking photos and videos for political purposes at the site (Utah Governor Spencer Cox) Now, Trump is trying to deflect the cemetery visit scandal onto his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. In a campaign event on Thursday in Michigan, Trump turned to allegations about the Biden-Harris administrations record in Afghanistan. Biden killed their children by incompetence shouldve never happened. Kamala killed their children, just as though they had a gun in their hand, by gross incompetence. Democrats are now pushing the cemetery to release a log report into the incident. The Army, however, has signaled that it wants to move on from the matter. The unnamed female cemetery official reported the incident with the military but declined to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed, an Army 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 nations fallen deserve. When The Independent asked an Army spokesperson for further comment about LaCivitas tweet, the spokesperson sent previous statements. After his campaigns staffers abruptly pushed aside an official at Arlington National Cemetery and ignored rules prohibiting political activity on its grounds, President Donald Trump is pushing back, saying he was the victim of a smear campaign from bad people out of Washington. Those incredible parents asked me to go yesterday to Arlington, and I did, Trump said at a rally Thursday in Michigan. (He was actually at the cemetery on Monday.) And while I was there, I was there for a long time. 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. Then I said farewell, I said goodbye. Trump claims the debacle in Arlington Cemetery happened yesterday -- it was actually 3 days ago -- and says, "these are bad people we're dealing with" (they are cemetery workers) pic.twitter.com/AgSFd8XDiG Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 NPR first reported details of an altercation between Trumps aides and the unnamed cemetery worker on Monday. Trump was there to hold a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the third anniversary of an attack on an airport in Kabul that killed 13 American service members, amid the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Arlington, a 639-acre national cemetery in Virginia that holds many American military casualties, has strict restrictions on political campaigning or election-related activities. Officials have reiterated that Trumps team were informed of those rules, notably around an area called Section 60, which is reserved for those recently killed. Last night I read that I was using the site to politic, that I used it to politic, Trump said on Thursday night. This all comes out of Washington, just like all these prosecutors come out of Washington. These are bad people were dealing with. Former President Donald Trump leaves Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery on August 26. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images The Army said Thursday the Arlington official pushed by the Trump campaign staffers would not press charges and that cemetery officials considered the matter closed. This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption, the Army said in a statement. This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked. Trump on Thursday went on to directly blame President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival for president, for the deaths of the service members killed in Afghanistan, saying the Democrats actions were far worse than having a picture taken at a tombstone. Joe Biden killed their children by incompetence. Shouldve never happened, Trump said. Kamala killed their children, just as though they had a gun in their hand, by gross incompetence. And then they accuse me of having a picture taken at the tombstone with a family because they love the president, he added. They love me and I love them. Trump has repeatedly faced criticism over remarks hes made about service members. Recently, he told a billionaire GOP donor the Presidential Medal of Freedom he bestowed on her the nations highest civilian honor was much better than its military equivalent, the Medal of Honor. He also reportedly made comments in 2020 that Americans who died in World War I were suckers and losers. He has refuted those claims, although a former top aide has since attested to them. Related... Trump on Florida abortion amendment: Im going to be voting that we leave more than 6 weeks Trump on Florida abortion amendment: Im going to be voting that we leave more than 6 weeks TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Former President Donald Trump on Thursday said six-week abortion bans are too short when asked about how he would vote on Amendment 4, which would enshrine the right to an abortion in the Florida Constitution. I think the six week is too short, Trump said in a video posted to X by NBC Politics. There has to be more time. Ive told them that I want more weeks. Trump did not directly answer how he would vote when he was asked specifically by NBC Correspondent Dasha Burns if he would vote in favor of the amendment. Im going to be voting that we leave more than six weeks, he said. Regime of strict censorship: Publishers sue Florida over removal of books from schools At Mar-a-Lago earlier this month, Trump was asked a similar question, and said he would announce how he would vote at a news conference. Amendment 4 would allow abortions up until viability, which is when health care professionals determine the fetus could survive on its own, usually around 23 or 24 weeks, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Currently, Florida does not allow abortions after six weeks. Everybody wanted Roe v. Wade terminated for years, 52 years, I got it done, Trump said. A poll in July found that 69% of Floridians support Amendment 4, and an AP-NORC poll found that about 60% of Americans support abortion rights. The amendment must receive yes votes from 60% of voters in order to pass. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ATLANTA (AP) The effort to make the peace between Donald Trump and Georgias powerful Republican governor began in a sprawling neo-Victorian mansion in the exclusive Atlanta enclave of Buckhead. It was at an Aug. 9 fundraiser hosted by former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler that fellow Republican Lindsey Graham approached Gov. Brian Kemp. Graham, the South Carolina senator and longtime confidant of the former president, was already planning to attend the fundraiser. Now, Graham had a renewed purpose: to try to ease years of tensions between Trump and Kemp that endangered the GOPs chances in a crucial 2024 battleground. Graham and Kemp met privately at Loefflers house. And over the coming weeks, say Graham and others familiar with the matter, allies of both men arranged the two-part detente that played out publicly last Thursday to the surprise of many political watchers. First, Kemp did an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity another Trump ally in which he said, We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House. Moments later, Trump went on his social media site to praise Kemp for his help and support. A true alignment, if it lasts, could benefit both men: Trump may need the help of Kemps renowned political operation to win back Georgia in a tightly contested race with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, while Kemp wants to be in the good graces of Trump supporters for a future run at the U.S. Senate or the presidency in 2028. Kemp attended a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday and could join more campaign events with less than 70 days before Election Day. Trump still argues falsely that he won Georgia based on unproven and debunked claims of voter fraud, something he brings up consistently on the campaign trail. And Kemp, who refused to stop the certification of Trumps loss four years ago, has repeatedly pushed him to move on. Trumps campaign did not respond to questions about what happened but pointed back to his post on Truth Social in which he says about Georgia, A win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country. Days before the fundraiser at Loefflers house, Trump mocked Kemp and his wife, Marty, at a packed rally in Atlanta. In an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, Graham described what he told Trump afterward. Youre not going to win Georgia this way, Graham said. And Georgia is yours to lose. How a meeting in Buckhead launched the detente Graham was playing the diplomat. Six days earlier, Trump had railed for 10 minutes against Kemp during the Atlanta campaign rally for not supporting his false theories of election fraud and blamed the governor for not stopping a local district attorney from prosecuting him and others for their efforts to overturn the election results after his loss in the state four years ago. Hes a bad guy. Hes a disloyal guy. And hes a very average governor, Trump said of the second-term Kemp, who won reelection in 2022 after soundly beating Trumps handpicked Republican challenger, David Perdue, in the GOP primary. Little Brian. Little Brian Kemp. Bad guy. Trump also criticized Marty Kemp, who had said in April she would write in her husbands name on her ballot in November. Kemp shot back, posting on X, My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past. You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it, Kemps post concluded. Graham, in an interview, said he talked to the campaign after that attack and remembers saying, Theres no excuse for this. At Loefflers mansion, Graham, Gov. Kemp and Marty Kemp met privately and Graham also spoke to some of the governors top staff about moving past the tensions that had simmered since the 2020 election. Their discussions were detailed by Graham and another person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose the private conversation. Adding urgency to the talks was Harris entry into the race. Georgia has become newly competitive with President Joe Bidens departure from the race and a resulting wave of Democratic enthusiasm. Republicans are worried Harris, who is running to become the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to serve as president, has energized people of color and younger voters in ways that Biden couldnt. Kemp told Graham that he would continue supporting the former president, even if he didnt appreciate Trumps rally comments. Graham tried to focus on shifting the Trump-Kemp relationship into a more positive direction, one of the people familiar with the conversation said. That meeting began the process over the next two weeks. Others who spoke to Kemp included Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trumps running mate. The way that I approached my conversation with him was: Im not going to convince you that you should change your mind on the president in the same way that Im not going to convince the president that he should change his mind on you. But you guys agree on 90% of the things. You can put whatever personal differences aside, Vance told NBC News. And I think there were probably 150 people delivering that message to both the president and Brian Kemp, and Im glad that (Kemp) got to a good place, but I dont claim any responsibility or credit for it. Graham does. He said he consulted with Trump about the message praising Kemp. And he and others worked to have Kemp deliver his praise in a strategic venue. We worked to get Kemp on Hannity where we know Trump would see it, Graham said. The path forward Cody Hall, who leads Kemps political organization, confirmed the governor attended a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday. Hall said Kemps political organization, Hardworking Georgians, is working for Trump and the Republican ticket in a number of competitive state House districts, mostly in the Atlanta suburbs. Hall said the organization hasnt expanded statewide in part because it doesnt have the money needed for such an effort. But plans can change, Hall said. At least one close Kemp backer, Alec Poitevint, said he began hearing that Trump and Kemp were patching things up days before Kemp went on Fox. Poitevint is a rare Republican who has maintained good relations with both Kemp and the Trumpier parts of the Georgia state party. Despite his support of Kemp, the Trump-dominated Georgia party elected Poitevint as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. I had felt earlier that things were in motion, he said this week. Gov. Kemp and Trump are both very popular in Georgia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ATLANTA (AP) The effort to make the peace between Donald Trump and Georgia's powerful Republican governor began in a sprawling neo-Victorian mansion in the exclusive Atlanta enclave of Buckhead. It was at an Aug. 7 fundraiser hosted by former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler that fellow Republican Lindsey Graham approached Gov. Brian Kemp. Graham, the South Carolina senator and longtime confidant of the former president, was already planning to attend the fundraiser. Now, Graham had a renewed purpose: to try to ease years of tensions between Trump and Kemp that endangered the GOP's chances in a crucial 2024 battleground. Graham and Kemp met privately at Loeffler's house. And over the coming weeks, say Graham and others familiar with the matter, allies of both men arranged the two-part detente that played out publicly last Thursday to the surprise of many political watchers. First, Kemp did an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity another Trump ally in which he said, We need to send Donald Trump back to the White House. Moments later, Trump went on his social media site to praise Kemp for his help and support. A true alignment, if it lasts, could benefit both men: Trump may need the help of Kemp's renowned political operation to win back Georgia in a tightly contested race with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, while Kemp wants to be in the good graces of Trump supporters for a future run at the U.S. Senate or the presidency in 2028. Kemp attended a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday and could join more campaign events with less than 70 days before Election Day. Trump still argues falsely that he won Georgia based on unproven and debunked claims of voter fraud, something he brings up consistently on the campaign trail. And Kemp, who refused to stop the certification of Trump's loss four years ago, has repeatedly pushed him to move on. Trump's campaign did not respond to questions about what happened but pointed back to his post on Truth Social in which he says about Georgia, "A win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country. Days before the fundraiser at Loeffler's house, Trump mocked Kemp and his wife, Marty, at a packed rally in Atlanta. In an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, Graham described what he told Trump afterward. Youre not going to win Georgia this way, Graham said. And Georgia is yours to lose. How a meeting in Buckhead launched the detente Graham was playing the diplomat. Six days earlier, Trump had railed for 10 minutes against Kemp during the Atlanta campaign rally for not supporting his false theories of election fraud and blamed the governor for not stopping a local district attorney from prosecuting him and others for their efforts to overturn the election results after his loss in the state four years ago. Hes a bad guy. Hes a disloyal guy. And hes a very average governor, Trump said of the second-term Kemp, who won reelection in 2022 after soundly beating Trumps handpicked Republican challenger, David Perdue, in the GOP primary. Little Brian. Little Brian Kemp. Bad guy. Trump also criticized Marty Kemp, who had said in April she would write in her husband's name on her ballot in November. Kemp shot back, posting on X, My focus is on winning this November and saving our country from Kamala Harris and the Democrats not engaging in petty personal insults, attacking fellow Republicans, or dwelling on the past. You should do the same, Mr. President, and leave my family out of it, Kemps post concluded. Graham, in an interview, said he talked to the campaign after that attack and remembers saying, There's no excuse for this. At Loeffler's mansion, Graham, Gov. Kemp and Marty Kemp met privately and Graham also spoke to some of the governors top staff about moving past the tensions that had simmered since the 2020 election. Their discussions were detailed by Graham and another person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose the private conversation. Adding urgency to the talks was Harris' entry into the race. Georgia has become newly competitive with President Joe Biden's departure from the race and a resulting wave of Democratic enthusiasm. Republicans are worried Harris, who is running to become the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to serve as president, has energized people of color and younger voters in ways that Biden couldn't. Kemp told Graham that he would continue supporting the former president, even if he didn't appreciate Trump's rally comments. Graham tried to focus on shifting the Trump-Kemp relationship into a more positive direction, one of the people familiar with the conversation said. That meeting began the process over the next two weeks. Others who spoke to Kemp included Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Trump's running mate. The way that I approached my conversation with him was: Im not going to convince you that you should change your mind on the president in the same way that Im not going to convince the president that he should change his mind on you. But you guys agree on 90% of the things. You can put whatever personal differences aside, Vance told NBC News. And I think there were probably 150 people delivering that message to both the president and Brian Kemp, and Im glad that (Kemp) got to a good place, but I dont claim any responsibility or credit for it. Graham does. He said he consulted with Trump about the message praising Kemp. And he and others worked to have Kemp deliver his praise in a strategic venue. We worked to get Kemp on Hannity where we know Trump would see it, Graham said. The path forward Cody Hall, who leads Kemp's political organization, confirmed the governor attended a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday. Hall said Kemps political organization, Hardworking Georgians, is working for Trump and the Republican ticket in a number of competitive state House districts, mostly in the Atlanta suburbs. Hall said the organization hasnt expanded statewide in part because it doesnt have the money needed for such an effort. But plans can change, Hall said. At least one close Kemp backer, Alec Poitevint, said he began hearing that Trump and Kemp were patching things up days before Kemp went on Fox. Poitevint is a rare Republican who has maintained good relations with both Kemp and the Trumpier parts of the Georgia state party. Despite his support of Kemp, the Trump-dominated Georgia party elected Poitevint as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. I had felt earlier that things were in motion, he said this week. Gov. Kemp and Trump are both very popular in Georgia. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that the fundraiser where Graham and Kemp met was on Aug. 7, not Aug. 9. ___ Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report. Donald Trump has a woman problem and it's not just his pending court cases regarding his sexual assault of journalist E. Jean Carroll. Polling shows a growing divergence between male and female voters that could become the largest election gender gap in history. A new CBS poll found that 56% of women say they plan to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, while 54% of men say they're backing Trump. The problem for Trump is that women historically vote more than men, and the percentage of the electorate that is female grows more each presidential election cycle. It's not hard to see why most women despise Trump, a man who bragged about sexually assaulting women on tape. On the policy front, of course, Trump is the single person most responsible for the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The published agenda for his second term, Project 2025, includes plans for a national abortion ban and restrictions on contraception. Not only does Trump not try to hide his misogyny, but his campaign makes it a selling point in a bid to win over bitter male voters. On Wednesday, Trump posted a sexually explicit comment about Harris to Truth Social, accusing her of selling sex because she dated other men before she met her husband. As Anderson Cooper noted on CNN, this is not "out of character" for Trump, who usually calls women "pigs," "dogs" and "nasty" for showing anything but submission to him. Anderson Cooper: Today, he [Trump] took it to a whole other level. The former president of the US, who wants to be the next president, is now directly spreading the slogans of the conspiracy cult QAnon as well as posting a crude, sexist and misogynistic slure online pic.twitter.com/ApDxmpMqUe Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) August 29, 2024 Trump's campaign is in danger if he can't get at least a few skeptical women to vote for him. So on Friday, Trump is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the third annual Moms for Liberty summit in Washington, D.C. It's another sign that his campaign has run out of ideas to appeal to women. Moms for Liberty's fall from political grace has been as rapid as their rise to prominence. Associating with the group is more likely to hurt Trump with female voters than to help him. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Moms for Liberty was founded in January 2021. Initially, the group found success in helping Republicans claw back support from suburban women that had been lost during the Trump presidency. By channeling the frustrations parents felt over pandemic school closures, Moms for Liberty positioned itself as a moderate-seeming "parental rights" organization. In reality, the group was controlled by far-right activists with deep ties to Christian nationalism. When Moms for Liberty-linked school board members started taking actions like banning books and vilifying LGBTQ teachers, it provoked a nationwide backlash, with parents in affected communities coming together to kick Moms for Liberty members off their school boards. It's safe to say the "Moms for Liberty" brand is toxic now. One of its founders, Bridget Ziegler, got caught up in a sex scandal when a woman she and her husband were meeting for threesomes accused her husband, Christian Ziegler, of rape. (The case was eventually dropped after police claimed insufficient evidence.) With the pandemic over, all the group had left, issue-wise, was their zeal for book banning, which is a wildly unpopular position. In addition, they're closely associated with Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who has become something of a punchline after spending $160 million in the GOP presidential primary only to be handed a humiliating defeat by Trump. "DeSantis and MfL appear to have lost their juice," journalist Kelly Weill wrote in her recent MomLeft newsletter. "In 2022, the group claimed to have elected approximately half of its 500-plus school board candidates," reaching an 80% success rate in Florida. In 2023, however, the group only won 35% of its races, and that's after dramatically scaling back the number of candidates they were running. This month, Moms for Liberty got another shellacking, as only 6 out of 23 candidates backed by DeSantis and Moms for Liberty in Florida even won a primary. "Big losses across the state for candidates who advanced the groups agenda, including efforts to ban library books and restrict lessons about race, sex and gender, pointed to mounting dissatisfaction with an organization that had quickly gained sway with powerful Republicans amid the anti-mask, parental rights politics of the pandemic," reports the Tampa Bay Times. Despite this, Politico reports, "Republicans show no signs of changing their strategy." Last year, Trump's speech before Moms for Liberty drew heavily on plans outlined in Project 2025 to gut public education altogether, starting with abolishing the Department of Education. This year, Moms for Liberty head Tiffany Justice said she hopes "to hear some more plans" regarding this, because "its a little more complicated than just waving a magic wand and making it go away." Democrats no doubt agree they'd like to hear more about Trump's plan to end the Department of Education, as 64% of Americans oppose the idea. That Trump and Republicans are sticking with Moms of Liberty suggests they're desperate. Polling shows that since Harris replaced President Joe Biden as the nominee, there's been a major uptick in female support for the Democratic ticket. On Tuesday, Democratic research firm TargetSmart published a new report chronicling the surge of voter registrations since Harris joined the race, including a whopping 175% spike in registrations from Black women under 30. The Harris Effect - in the 13 states that have updated voter files since July 21st, we are seeing incredible surges in voter registration relative to the same time period in 2024, driven by women, voters of color, and young voters. pic.twitter.com/x6AGViJdjm Tom Bonier (@tbonier) August 27, 2024 Harris' appeal is a huge part of this, but it's also driven by women's outrage over Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Vance can't seem to pull his nose out of women's uteruses. New quotes of Vance painting childless women as "miserable cat ladies" and "sociopathic" are released practically every day. Like Trump, he has a special zeal for attacking hardworking schoolteachers, claiming teachers who do not have biological children "disorient and really disturb" him. Unearthed audio: JD Vance says teachers who do not have biological children disorient and really disturb him: She should have some of her own [children] pic.twitter.com/Rqx2PLfjT5 Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 27, 2024 In response, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, said, "It sure seems like Vance lacks an empathy genethank goodness hes not a teacher." This rhetoric seems like it will only further alienate female voters, especially mothers who tend to have close relationships with local teachers and know they don't need to be parents to be skilled professionals. (For one thing, most start teaching full-time at age 22. That's five years younger than the average age of a first-time parent, and 12 years younger than when Vance had his first child.) It just reinforces the accusation of the Harris campaign that Vance is "weird" and out of touch with how normal Americans live. But it's not like Trump and Vance have a lot of options for reaching out to female voters. Moms for Liberty's brand is failing and their views are unpopular, but they do have "Moms" in their name and female leaders for Trump to be photographed with. If you squint hard enough, that could look like Trump playing nice with women. Moms for Liberty doesn't offer much, but it's the best the Trump campaign can do. Trump, Harris zero in on reproductive rights on the campaign trail WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Former President Donald Trump announced a new position on in vitro fertilization, a treatment that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Your government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment, Trump said on Thursday. However, Trumps announcement did not sit well with some others in his own party. In a post on X, Republican Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas) said, count me out as a no on expanding health mandatesno matter who is pushing them. A Harris campaign spokesperson wrote Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. Trump also talked abortion on Thursday. After his rally in Michigan, he told NBC News that Floridas law banning abortion after six weeks was too short. Trump campaign surrogate Harrison Fields explained Trumps views as he represents a party thats mostly anti-abortion. Lets just be honest there are divisions in the party when it comes to the issue of the sanctity of life, Fields said. Vice President Kamala Harris has blamed Trump for the Supreme Court overturning the right to abortion. She said Congress should restore it. When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law. Proudly, Harris 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 Queen City News. Trumps latest waffling on reproductive health shows hes still struggling to find an answer for what he created Donald Trump said Friday that he will not support a ballot referendum to expand abortion access in his home state of Florida just 24 hours after suggesting he might. The rush to clarify his stance followed intense blowback from anti-abortion advocates online, leading to concerns among Republicans that Trumps continued waffling on abortion might lose him some deeply religious voters in a tightening race. The episode marked the latest illustration of Trump straining to navigate the new era of post-Roe politics that he helped create. Trump, whose ever-evolving views on reproductive health have traversed every side of the debate, has long expressed concerns about the political fallout from the 2022 Supreme Court decision to end the constitutional right to an abortion. Though he has sought credit for installing the three conservative justices that tipped the court to overturn Roe v. Wade, Trump earlier this year said future questions about access should be left to the states. That position, intended to end the conversation, has done anything but, and Trump has struggled to appease activists in his party as he stares down an electorate that remains overwhelmingly troubled by the current state of abortion access in many GOP-led states. A new survey from Quinnipiac University found 55% of voters think Vice President Kamala Harris is better equipped to tackle the issue, compared with 38% for Trump. Meanwhile, nearly 7 in 10 voters focused on abortion favor Harris over Trump, according to a recent CBS News poll conducted by YouGov. A display of his unease came Thursday, when the former president infuriated religious conservatives with an inartful attempt to sidestep questions about a Florida referendum that will decide the future of abortion access in his home state. The campaign quickly clarified in a statement that Trump had not, in fact, picked a side. Later that day, surrounded by steel and machinery inside a Michigan warehouse, Trump abruptly detoured from remarks on manufacturing to offer women a new incentive to vote for him: a promise for universal coverage of in vitro fertilization if he is elected. But senators in his own party, including his running mate, JD Vance, had defeated a bill with a similar provision earlier this summer. Democrats, newly enthused by Harris rise to the top of the ticket, have doubled down on putting abortion at the center of their pitch to women in key states. The Democratic National Convention earlier this month featured emotional stories of women who couldnt access potentially life-saving care when their pregnancies took a turn for the worse. On Friday, Harris campaign announced the launch of a 50-stop bus tour starting in Trumps backyard of Palm Beach, Florida focused on reproductive health care. Harris campaign also quickly responded to Trumps proposal to mandate IVF coverage by arguing the GOPs recently passed platform heavily influenced by the former president includes language supportive of states passing personhood legislation that would give 14th Amendment protections to life beginning at conception. Such laws could potentially make IVF procedures difficult in those states. Voters arent stupid, Harris campaign spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. With the race tightening in critical battlegrounds, Trump has all but dared single-issue anti-abortion voters to sit out the election. He wrote on social media last week that his administration would be great for women and their reproductive rights. Vance followed up in an interview by saying Trump as president would veto a federal ban on abortion even if one managed to pass Congress a 180-degree turn from the former presidents past promise to sign national restrictions on the procedure into law. Religious conservatives, some of whom accepted Trumps states rights position as political pragmatism, have lately cautioned that Trump risks losing their support. Lila Rose, founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, responded online to Vances remarks by warning: If you dont stand for pro-life principles, you dont get pro-life votes. Trying to sound like a Democrat on abortion isnt going to help Trump, she said in another social media post. It hurts him. Its politically unwise and morally wrong. Trumps efforts are further complicated by whats happening in his home state of Florida, where abortion is now illegal in most cases after six weeks. Voters in the state including the former president will decide on the future of access this fall through a ballot measure that would make abortion legal in the state up to the point of viability, which many experts believe is around 23 or 24 weeks of a pregnancy. Trump had repeatedly declined to weigh in on the referendum, but on Thursday, he told NBC that Floridas six-week ban was too short and added that he would be voting that we need more than six weeks. Then, in another turn on Friday, he told Fox News that he will be voting no when asked about the amendment. So I think six weeks, you need more time than six weeks. Ive disagreed with that. Right from the early primaries when I heard about it, I disagreed with it. At the same time, the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation where you can do an abortion in the ninth month, Trump said. And you know, some of the states like Minnesota and other states have it where you can actually execute the baby after birth and all of that stuff is unacceptable. So Ill be voting no, for that reason. During the GOP primary, the former president called the decision by then-rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign a six-week ban a terrible thing and a terrible mistake. Anti-abortion advocates interpreted Trumps latest remarks to mean he intended to vote in favor of the referendum though his campaign said that was not the case and immediately vocalized their frustrations. Kristen Hawkins, the president of Students for Life, said on X that her phone was blowing up with volunteers who no longer will door knock for President Trump if this is not corrected. If Donald Trump loses, today is the day he lost, conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote in a social media post. The committed pro-life community could turn a blind eye, in part, to national abortion issues. But for Trump to weigh in on Florida as he did will be a bridge too far for many. The cleanup for Trumps campaign continued Friday, with Vance telling CNN that the former president will make an announcement soon on Floridas referendum. I think what hes saying is that he doesnt like doing it at just six weeks, Vance told CNNs John Berman on CNN News Central. Obviously, hes going to make his own judgment on how he ultimately votes on the amendment. Trumps comments quickly reverberated around Florida, where DeSantis is leading the Republican effort to defeat the referendum. Taryn Fenske, a spokeswoman for DeSantis, responded to a clip of Trumps remarks about the states referendum by saying the proposed constitutional amendment was extreme and must be defeated. DeSantis is actively raising money to fund a campaign in opposition to the amendment. The commitments he has received from Republican leaders include $100,000 from state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. Simpson hosted a fundraiser for Trump on Thursday that Vance attended, a fact pointed out by Democrats. Donald Trump may be trying to hide his extreme Project 2025 agenda to outlaw abortion in Florida and across the country, said Aida Ross, spokesperson for the party, but JD Vance is making the Trump-Vance tickets anti-choice extremism clear, cozying up to an architect of Floridas cruel abortion ban. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Kit Maher and Brian Rokus contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump offered aperhaps predictablynegative review of Kamala Harris exclusive sit-down with CNN on Thursday, taking the opportunity to jab the vice president both before and after the interview aired. Previews of the interview began to trickle from around 4p.m. EST, and Trump, speaking at a rally in Potterville, Michigan, criticized Harris for appearing alongside vice presidential pick, Tim Walz. She didnt want to go it alone. How do you think President Xi is going to think of this, he chuckled. Hes just savoring it. Kamala Harris Challenged on Policy Flip-Flops in First TV Interview She went in with this vice president guy that nobody ever heard of, Trump continued, dissing Walz. And she did an interview with a very friendly reporter, well see, maybe the friendly reporter, not friendly to a lot of other people, he added referencing Bash. She was very fair to me, Dana Bash. But Trump wasnt done. People just want to see if she can get through the interview, he continued. Nobody knows whats going on. Ive done so many interviews in the last couple of months, every time I go out, I have an interview, I have people, reporters, we talk to them and they ask me every question in the book and you dont see any scandals brewing, nothing. We answer them properly. Trump added that as president you have to be able to do, youre dealing with the toughest, smartest, most ruthless people in the world, if you cant do an interview, we got the wrong person. At a later event Thursday, a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, alongside Democratic presidential candidate-turned-MAGA insider Tulsi Gabbard, Trump took aim again at his rival, claiming Harris didnt look like a leader. Trump complained that Harris interview was taped while Harris sat behind this massive desk and she didnt look like a leader to me, to be honest. I dont see her negotiating with President Xi of China, I dont see her with Kim Jong Un like we did, with Kim Jong Un. So were going to have to see what happens, he added, telling supporters Nov. 5 will be the most important day in the history of this country. Harris was in fact sitting at a table in a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. At his town hall tonight with Tulsi Gabbard in La Crosse, Wisconsin, President Trump commented on today's Kamala Harris interview with CNN, saying that Harris "didn't look like a leader" in the sit down. . "She was sitting behind a desk doing this interview... and she didn't look pic.twitter.com/qPWwSk1KQO Paul Villarreal (AKA Vince Manfeld) (@AureliusStoic1) August 30, 2024 Then, taking to Truth Social Thursday night after watching, Trump responded to the interview with one rather more blunt word: BORING!!! 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. Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event at Alro Steel in Potterville, Michigan, where he made his IVF announcement - Emily Elconin/Bloomberg Click here to view this content. Donald Trump has said if he wins another term as president he will make in vitro fertilisation treatment free for Americans, but did not spell out how he will pay for it. Im 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, the former president said on Thursday at a campaign event in Michigan, a battleground state. He added: Because we want more babies, to put it nicely. In an interview with NBC before the event, Mr Trump also suggested he will vote to repeal Floridas six-week abortion ban, which as it currently stands limits the procedure before many women even know they are pregnant. 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. Taken together, the moves by Mr Trump appear to be a recognition that on issues such as IVF treatment and access to abortion, Republicans are trailing badly to Kamala Harris and the Democrats. Ms Harris, meanwhile, gave a prime-time TV interview on Thursday. Following the June 2022 scrapping of Roe v Wade, which guaranteed access to abortion, Republicans have lost badly in elections up and down the nation, notably in that Novembers midterms, where Democrats saw a surge in voter turnout. JUST IN: President Trump introduces a new IVF policy that will take place under his next term "Government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment." pic.twitter.com/0VZX3gUyI1 Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 29, 2024 Some commentators have pointed out Mr Trump has sought to have it both ways on the issue of abortion. While he has boasted to hardline supporters about his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court Justices who overturned Roe, he is aware the GOP has suffered electorally as a result. IVF treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a single round and many women require multiple rounds, agencies reported. The announcement on Thursday, which did not involve details on how he would pay for the programme, is his latest attempt to persuade moderate voters especially women to vote for him in November. Ms Harris leads Mr Trump by around 10 points when it comes to women voters, according to one recent poll. Mr Trumps running mate JD Vance has also stirred controversy with what were seen by many as attacks on women, when he claimed the Democratic Party was led by childless cat ladies. Last week, Mr Trump he wrote on his Truth Social platform that he would be great for women and their reproductive rights. In his speech, Mr 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. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday - Megan Varner/Reuters Mr Trumps comments were quickly blasted by the Harris campaign. 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. Mr Trump has yet to say how he will himself vote this November on a ballot measure in his home state, Florida, that would guarantee a right to abortion until foetal viability, which is around 24 weeks. A Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement after the rally Thursday that Mr 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. Mr Trump first came out in favour 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. He has said he was Republicans to be a leader on the issue, despite more than 20 bills being introduced by social conservatives that would establish so-called foetal personhood. Activists fear such bills, which claim life begins at conception, could imperil fertility treatments that involve the storage, transportation and destruction of embryos. 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. Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that during a second term he would require the government to pay for or mandate that insurance companies cover all in-vitro fertilization treatments. 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, Trump said. Were pro-family. Nobodys ever said that before. But the IVF treatments are very expensive. Its very hard for many people to do it and to get it. But Ive been in favor of IVF right from the beginning. Trump also said he would implement tax deductions for major newborn expenses. Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely. In an interview on Thursday with NBC News, Trump said as a federal government we will be paying for that treatment for all Americans that get it ... or well be mandating that the insurance company pay. Trump proposed the new policies without details on implementation during a campaign rally in Michigan. Democrats have accused Republicans of wanting to ban IVF after an Alabama court ruling in February temporarily paused IVF treatments in the state, and after Senate Republicans rejected a bill in June that would have codified the right to IVF. With his latest announcement, Trump is attempting to remove IVF access as an attack line for his opponents. Trump has also distanced himself from conservative policies that restrict elective abortions. On Saturday, Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, told NBC News that Trump explicitly said he would veto a national abortion ban if Congress passed it. On Thursday, Trump reiterated his previous comments that he thought Floridas ban on abortions after six weeks was too short and said he would vote to overturn the law in the states November ballot initiative. Following Thursdays announcements, conservative commentators and policy makers criticized Trump for straying from pro-life policies and for supporting an expansion of government healthcare regulations that will increase the cost of insurance. Backstabbing the pro-life movement on the Florida abortion amendment and introducing free IVF for all, I hope all the people who told me he was the most pro-life president of our lifetime sleep well tonight! said Patrick Brown, a family policy scholar and Deseret News contributor who has written about IVF. Trump has campaigned heavily on his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and returning abortion law to the states. But he has also angered some Republican voters this election cycle by refusing to take an affirmative stance on restricting abortion. Donald Trump said Thursday he will implement a policy as president that would pay for in vitro fertilization treatments, without specifying how the treatments would be paid for. Im 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, the former president said at a campaign event in Potterville, Michigan. Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely. And for this same reason, we will also allow new parents to deduct major newborn expenses from their taxes, so that parents that have a beautiful baby will be able, so were pro family, Trump continued. But the IVF treatments are expensive. Its very hard for many people to do it and to get it, but Ive been in favor of IVF, right from the beginning, Trump added. Trump did not specify how the treatments would be paid for. Trump doubled down on the proposal Thursday evening at a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and touted his response following the Alabama Supreme Courts controversial IVF ruling earlier this year. I kept hearing that Im against it, and Im actually very much for it. In fact, in Alabama, where a judge ruled against it, and I countered the judge and came out with a very strong statement for it, Trump said at the town hall, which was moderated by 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed him earlier this week. In the months since the Alabama high courts February ruling that frozen embryos are children, Democrats have sought to use threats to IVF to paint Republicans, including Trump, as seeking to restrict access to reproductive health care. But Trump has sought to distance himself from the decision, along with a swirl of other Republicans. The former president said shortly after the ruling that he strongly supports the availability of IVF for couples and called on Alabama lawmakers to act quickly to find an immediate solution to keep the procedure available in the state. In March, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a law protecting IVF access in the state. Earlier in his Michigan remarks, Trump repeated his belief that abortion policies should be decided by states and that he supports exceptions in cases of rape and incest and when the life of the mother is under threat. Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign, questioned the sincerity of Trumps new proposal. Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid, Chitika said in a statement Thursday. 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. Meanwhile, in an interview with NBC News Thursday, Trump was asked how he would vote on Floridas abortion referendum in November. A no vote would pave the way for a six-week abortion ban, which Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last year. Well, I think the six week is too short. It has to be more time. And Ive told them that I want more weeks, Trump, a Florida resident, said. Pressed if that means he is in favor of voting for the constitutional amendment that would protect the right to an abortion until fetal viability, Trump said, Im voting that I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. Trumps campaign later clarified that the former president has not said how he will vote on the referendum this fall but was merely reiterating his opposition to the states six-week ban. In a statement to CNN, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, 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. Most experts say fetal viability occurs at around 23-24 weeks of gestation. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Kit Maher, Omar Jimenez, Jeff Simon and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Trump says Floridas six-week abortion ban is too short and suggests he will vote to amend it Donald Trump opposes Floridas law that bans abortion at roughly six weeks of pregnancy and appeared to suggest that he will vote for an abortion rights amendment to the states constitution this November. Trump, who is registered to vote in Florida, told NBC News on Thursday that he wants more weeks. If Florida voters approve Amendment 4 on their ballots this fall, the states constitution would be amended to state that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. That amendment would effectively overturn the states ban on abortion at six weeks of pregnancy - before most people know they are pregnant. When asked by NBC News how he plans to vote on the amendment, Trump said that the six week is too short and there has to be more time. Ive told them I want more weeks, he said. I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. The Republican presidential nominee has failed to present a cohesive platform for reproductive healthcare, and his conflicting statements over the last 25 years have drawn criticism from both abortion rights supporters and his anti-abortion allies. Donald Trump, before speaking to supporters in Michigan, suggested he would not vote against an abortion rights measure in Florida this November. (AP) At one point in 2015, Trump had five positions on abortion in three days, according to The Washington Post, while Kamala Harris and his Democratic rivals have warned that another Trump administration with a Republican-controlled Congress could advance a national abortion ban. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v Wade, which had affirmed a constitutional right to abortion care. The Trump-aligned Project 2025 document, that is designed to inform his administration, also proposes the application of a long-dormant obscenity law to block abortion drugs from the market. The Supreme Court dismissed a right-wing legal challenge to the governments approval of a widely-used abortion drug, and Trump has said that generally speaking he does not support banning drugs like mifepristone under the Comstock Act. Its going to be available and it is now, he recently told CBS News. And as I know it, the Supreme Court has said: Keep it going the way it is. I will enforce and agree with the Supreme Court, but basically theyve said, keep it the way it is now. Last week, he claimed on his Truth Social account that his administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights. Florida is among more than a dozen states that have outlawed all or most abortions in the wake of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization, which Trump supports. Since earlier this year, Floridas six-week ban makes it a felony to perform or actively participate in an abortion in the state after roughly six weeks gestation, or about two weeks after a missed period. Taryn Fenske, a spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who opposes Amendment 4, said that Trump has consistently stated that late-term abortions where a baby can feel pain should never be permitted, and hes always stood up for parents rights. Amendment 4 would allow late-term abortions, eliminate parental consent, and open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions. Its extreme and must be defeated, she added. Voters in at least 10 states will vote on abortion rights measures this November, including measures that could enshrine a right to seek abortion care in their states constitutions. At his rally in Michigan on Thursday, Trump also claimed that the government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with in vitro fertilization, if he is elected. Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide, Harris spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. Trump lies as much if not more than he breathes, but voters arent stupid, she added. Because Trump overturned Roe v Wade, IVF is already under attack and womens freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump said he would vote against a Florida amendment that sought to expand abortion access, after the Republican presidential nominee drew anger from conservative allies by appearing to endorse the initiative. Most Read from Bloomberg The referendum in Trumps home state would broaden abortion rights, currently limited in the state to the first six weeks of a pregnancy. You need more time than six weeks. Ive disagreed with that right from the early primaries, when I heard about it. I disagreed with it, Trump said in an interview with Fox News ahead of a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. At the same time the Democrats are radical because the nine months is just a ridiculous situation, he added. All of that stuff is unacceptable, so Ill be voting no for that reason. The proposed change would allow abortions before viability, which is usually around 24 weeks of pregnancy, and to protect the mothers health as determined by her health-care provider. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, said in a statement from her campaign that Donald Trump just made his position on abortion very clear: He will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant. Trumps remarks sought to contain a controversy that threatened to damage his standing with evangelical leaders who have helped him cement his hold on the Republican party. At the same time, the firestorm highlighted the challenges he faces as he seeks to soften his stance on abortion to bolster his appeal to independents and suburban women with whom his efforts to overturn federal protections have become an electoral liability. In an NBC News interview Thursday, Trump said he was going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, when asked about the Florida abortion referendum. That comment drew quick criticism from allies, including Marjorie Dannenfelser, head of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who said voting for the amendment completely undermines Trumps opposition to abortions after five months of pregnancy. Minutes later, Dannenfelser issued a corrected statement saying she had spoken with Trump and he assured her he was uncommitted on how he actually planned to vote on the amendment. The campaign also echoed that position, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt saying Trump had not yet said how he will vote on the initiative. Earlier: Trump Endorses Free IVF, Stumbles Over Florida Abortion Measure Trump nominated three of the Supreme Court justices who voted to reverse Roe v. Wades federal protections for abortion, creating a patchwork of restrictions across the county that galvanized Democratic voters. Yet in recent weeks, Trump has sought to position himself as a leader on reproductive rights, angering both conservative allies who worry he is abandoning them on a key issue as well as Democrats who say the former president is insincere. On Thursday, Trump also said that if elected the government or insurers through a mandate would be required to pay for all costs associated with in vitro fertilization treatments. IVF treatments have become a flashpoint in the debate over reproductive rights with Democrats warning that court rulings on abortion also threaten fertility treatments such as IVF. Swing-State Rally Trumps rally in Johnstown on Friday unfolded during a stretch that has seen the former president heighten his campaigning and sharpen his attacks in a bid to blunt Democratic rival Kamala Harris momentum in the race. A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Thursday found Harris has overtaken Trump in the state for a 51% to 47% edge part of a broader surge that has her leading or tied with him in each of the seven battlegrounds likely to decide the race. Harris entry into the presidential contest after President Joe Bidens decision to stand aside has helped Democrats reshape the electoral map with just two months left until the election. Earlier: Harris Edges Trump in Key States, With Sun Belt Now Up for Grabs While voters across the country rate the economy as one of the central issues of the campaign, the battle between Trump and Harris economic visions will be particularly acute in parts of the country such as western Pennsylvania, where Democrats are eager to pull in White, working class voters once a bedrock for their party but who have been drawn to Trump in recent elections. Johnstown is located in the southwestern part of the state about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh in a county Trump carried easily in 2020 even as he lost the state narrowly to Biden by just over one percentage point. As Trump spoke on Friday, many rally attendees behind him donned hardhats in a visible appeal to working class votes. Highlighting the high stakes, Trumps main allied super political action committee, Make America Great Again Inc., in a memo earlier this month said it was expanding its advertising efforts in key states, including Pennsylvania. Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, acknowledged in a Bloomberg Television interview Wednesday that the race had tightened in Pennsylvania, calling it a must-win and saying that the party would consider putting more money into the state. (Updates with Harris comment, and abortion referendum details, starting in paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Trump questions acceptance of transgender people as he courts his base at Moms for Liberty gathering Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice during an event at the group's annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) WASHINGTON (AP) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump lamented the growing acceptance of transgender Americans Friday in an appearance at the annual gathering of Moms for Liberty, a national nonprofit that has spearheaded efforts to get mentions of LGBTQ+ identity and structural racism out of K-12 classrooms. Trump said transgender women should not be allowed to play in women's sports and said access to gender-affirming health care should be restricted. He also lashed out at critics who have accused him of using Arlington National Cemetery for a campaign photo op. But he largely stuck to his favorite topics during an hourlong fireside chat in Washington, where he lashed out at President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, deplored illegal immigration and reminisced about his parents' marriage, his path to being the reality television star of The Apprentice and the debate that ended Biden's reelection campaign. Our country is being poisoned. And your schools and your children are suffering greatly because theyre going into the classrooms and taking disease, and they dont even speak English," Trump said of immigrants crossing the border illegally. "Its crazy. Trump said school boards have become like dictatorships" hostile to the desires of parents, echoing conservative frustration that bubbled over in public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Im for parental rights all the way. I dont even understand the concept of not being, Trump said. Trump did not address the U.S. Army's allegation that an Arlington National Cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside in an altercation with Trump aides this week while he visited the graves of servicemembers killed in a terrorist attack during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. But he said he's gotten to know the families and they asked to take a photo with him. 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. These people are devastated, Trump said Friday. These people can never ever be the same. And it was all because of Biden. Trump entered a hotel ballroom in Washington as he does at his signature rallies, standing and soaking up applause for the entirety of Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA, followed by chants of Trump, Trump, Trump." Seated onstage with the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, Tiffany Justice, he shared some of his favorite stories that are mainstays at his rallies, bouncing from topic to topic in a style that has become familiar to his supporters. The former president sought to shore up support and enthusiasm among a major part of his base. The bulk of Moms for Liberty's 130,000-plus members are conservatives who agree with him that parents should have more say in public education and that racial equity programs and transgender accommodations dont belong in schools. Yet Trump also runs the risk of alienating some moderate voters, many of whom see Moms for Libertys activism as too extreme to be legitimized by a presidential nominee. A year ago, Moms for Liberty was viewed by many as a rising power player in conservative politics that could be pivotal in supporting the Republican ticket. The groups membership skyrocketed after its launch in 2021, fueled by parents protesting mandatory masking for students and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the last several months, a series of embarrassing scandals and underwhelming performances during local elections have called Moms for Libertys influence into question. The group also has voiced support for Project 2025, a detailed and controversial playbook for the next conservative presidency from which Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself. Moms for Liberty serves on the advisory board for Project 2025, and the author of the documents education chapter taught a strategy session at the groups Friday gathering. The negative perceptions about Moms for Liberty around the country could increase the potential liability for Trump as he sits down with co-founder Justice, said University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett. It certainly helps him rally his base, Jewett said. But will that be enough to outdo the backlash? In an interview before the event, Justice disputed the idea that her group's influence is waning, pointing to the 60% of Moms for Liberty-backed candidates who won their recent races in the Florida primaries. Thats a really big deal, she said, especially considering that many of the school board hopefuls the group endorses are first-time candidates running against incumbents. She also noted three Moms for Liberty members who won Florida House primaries, showing the group's reach into other political offices. Trump spent several minutes of the fireside chat discussing transgender issues in adult sports, including the recent Olympics, where vitriol erupted over a female boxer who was widely misidentified as transgender. Trump falsely claimed Algerian boxer Imane Khelif transitioned and said he wouldnt want to fight her. Khelif was assigned female at birth. Trump's education proposals include promoting school choice, giving parents more say in education and awarding funding preference to states and school districts that abolish teacher tenure, financially reward good teachers and allow parents to directly elect school principals. He also has called for terminating the Department of Education, barring transgender athletes from playing in girls sports, and cutting funding from any schools pushing inappropriate racial, sexual or political content" and from schools with vaccine mandates. He offered no new education proposals Friday. The event took on a party-like atmosphere as the group awaited Trump's arrival to a hotel ballroom in Washington. Donning shirts with messages like Moms for Trump and We dont co-parent with the government, attendees at the groups annual gathering ate buffet desserts, drank beer and cheered to a cover band playing country hits. Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized her Republican opponent for his threats to dismantle the Department of Education. She also has spoken out against efforts to restrict classroom content related to race. Democrats have lauded her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for an executive order he signed protecting the rights of LGBTQ people to receive gender-affirming health care in his state. Republicans, including Trump, have lambasted him for it. During a campaign stop earlier Friday in Johnstown in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Trump offered extensive criticism of the media for what he called unfavorable coverage and singled out CNN for its interview with Harris and Walz on Thursday. Moments later, a man rushed the media area and made it over a bike rack barrier and close to a riser where television reporters were watching the rally. Private security pushed him back, and the man was eventually subdued by law enforcement using a Taser. Trump at first said of the man, hes on our side, but its not clear what his intent was. As police led the man away, the former president declared, Is there anywhere thats more fun to be than a Trump rally? ___ Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. UPDATE (Sept. 4, 2024, 7:10 a.m. ET): A federal judge on Tuesday rejected Donald Trump's second bid to move his New York hush money case to federal court. UPDATE (Aug. 30, 2024, 5:58 p.m. ET): On Friday, an entry on the federal court docket told Donald Trumps lawyers that their filing attempting to move Trumps state criminal case to federal court was deficient, noting that it did not include the opposing partys consent or the courts leave to file, which, the docket entry noted, the court had not granted. Ahead of Donald Trumps sentencing in his so-called hush money case, which is set for Sept. 18 in New York state court, the former presidents lawyers are attempting once again to move the criminal case to federal court. They lost a previous attempt to do so last year, but that was before the Supreme Courts July 1 immunity ruling, which theyre now citing as a reason for the case to proceed in a federal forum. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office violated the Presidential immunity doctrine in grand jury proceedings, and again at trial, by relying on evidence of President Trumps official acts during his first term in Office, Trumps lawyers wrote in their federal court filing Thursday. While they more vaguely raised the immunity issue in their failed removal attempt last year, they wrote in this latest filing that they could not have anticipated the subsequent federal developments culminating in Trump v. United States, referring to the Republican-appointed Supreme Court majoritys immunity ruling. That high court decision came in the federal election interference case, where Chief Justice John Roberts opinion laid out a vague test for determining which official presidential acts are immune from prosecution, as distinct from private acts that arent. Trumps New York state charges 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, related to an alleged cover-up of a hush money scheme ahead of the 2016 election didnt involve official presidential acts. But the issue the immunity ruling raised for the case stems from another part of the Supreme Court ruling, one that curbed the use of official-act evidence to prove guilt of unofficial acts. Trump has a pending motion in state court to overturn his May guilty verdicts based on the immunity ruling. Judge Juan Merchan set a Sept. 16 deadline to rule on that issue and is scheduled to sentence Trump two days later, assuming the judge rejects Trumps immunity claim. But that sentencing date was recently put in doubt when Trumps lawyers asked Merchan to postpone the sentencing, because they want to immediately appeal if he rejects their immunity claim. Braggs office didnt fully object to the further delay, instead saying it would defer to the judge. Merchan hasnt yet ruled on whether hell adjourn the sentencing; Trumps federal court filing on Thursday said that the judge had told the parties that he would rule on the defense adjournment request on or before Sept. 5. Now the Sept. 18 sentencing date is further called into question, pending word from federal court about whether the case will proceed there or get kicked back to Merchan. The more important overall issue in the case, however, is whether the guilty verdicts can stand under the Supreme Courts immunity ruling or prosecutors will need to retry the case. That question may ultimately need to be answered by the high court. The issue of federal court removal is also at play in the state election interference case in Georgia, where one of Trumps co-defendants, his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, has a pending Supreme Court petition on the matter, in which Meadows also cites the immunity ruling. 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 Trump Served With Brutal Receipts After Ranting About Public Sleeping Donald Trump isnt cool with sleeping in public. The former president, who appeared to doze through much of his criminal hush money trial earlier this year, complained on Thursday that President Joe Biden has been in Delaware laying on a beach, sleeping all day long. Who the hell wants to sleep, and who wants to sleep in public? the GOP nominee said during the campaign stop in Potterville, Michigan. Hes sleeping! Do you think President Xi of China is at a beach sleeping? he added. Do you think Kim Jong Un is sleeping, from North Korea, with his nuclear weapons all over the place? Biden was seen relaxing on a beach in Rehoboth, Delaware, where he owns a vacation home, on a couple of occasions this month. Trump has continued to attack the president, even though he is no longer running against him. Trump: Who the hell wants to sleep in public?!??! pic.twitter.com/7LbWSLKghH Acyn (@Acyn) August 29, 2024 The former presidents complaint didnt go down too well on social media. Probably better at the beach than the courtroom, one user commented. See some of the other reactions below. Probably better at the beach than the courtroom. https://t.co/2yIBSAKA3Apic.twitter.com/G5YMv6QN58 Christian Rincon (@cr_progress) August 29, 2024 Whats the date of this video? Is Trump still running against Biden? gatomedianoche (@gatomedianoche) August 29, 2024 I know someone who sleeps in public. pic.twitter.com/UQpizktI31 Sunny "Burl" Daze (@Sunny_Burl_Daze) August 29, 2024 On Thursday, former President Donald Trump attempted to spin away reports that one of his aides pushed a staffer at Arlington National Cemetery during a visit to the burial ground earlier this week, blaming the controversy on very bad people. He also suggested in an interview that the Gold Star families he accompanied may have been the ones who published videos from his visit, rather than members of his campaign. During a Thursday rally in Michigan, Trump claimed that he read that I was using the site to politic. This all comes out of Washington, just like all these prosecutors come out of Washington, he added. These are bad people were dealing with. So I go there, they ask me to have a picture, and they say I was campaigning, Trump complained. The one thing I get is plenty of publicity I dont need the publicity. Trump claims the debacle in Arlington Cemetery happened yesterday it was actually 3 days ago and says, "these are bad people we're dealing with" (they are cemetery workers) pic.twitter.com/AgSFd8XDiG Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024 Earlier that day, the Army confirmed that a member of Trumps entourage pushed a cemetery staffer when they attempted to prevent the former presidents aide from entering the area in order to film and photograph the visit to Section 60 an area of the cemetery reserved for recently deceased service members with strict rules surrounding media presence. Army and cemetery rules prohibit campaigning and political activity on the burial ground. Following the visit, Trumps campaign social media posted several videos and images taken during the visit including in Section 60. In an interview with NBC News following Thursdays rally, Trump was asked whether his campaign should have published videos and photos from his visit. Trump claimed that he didnt know anything about the use of the images on his campaign social media. We have a lot of people, we have TikTok people, he said. You know, were leading the internet. Pressed on it again, Trump suggested the parents of the deceased service members he had accompanied may have been responsible for distributing the videos and photos. I dont know what the rules and regulations are. I dont know who did it, Trump said. It could have been them it could have been the parents. This is not true. Informed his campaign published videos from the visit on TikTok, he said, I really dont know anything about it. On Thursday The Washington Post reported that ahead of the visit, Arlington National Cemetery officials had warned Trumps team that he could visit the grave sites, but not as part of a campaign event. The cemetery made clear that while media could accompany Trump to a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they could not accompany him into Section 60. The controversy wont go away anytime soon. On Thursday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told Politico, As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am troubled by the reporting and want to see the incident report. 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. In a forthcoming coffee table book titled "Save America," former president Donald Trump accuses billionaire Meta-formerly-Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg of scheming to skew the 2020 election against him and, as spotted by Politico, swears that Zuckerberg will "spend the rest of his life in prison" should he do so again. Per Politico, the coffee table literature features a photo of Zuck and Trump in the White House. To caption the image, Trump writes that the social media founder would "come to the Oval Office to see me" and "bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be." But in a sudden turn, Trump then alleges in his characteristically manic capitalization style that the Facebook founder was secretly playing him by meanwhile "always plotting to install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT." With his "lock box" reference, as Politico notes, Trump seems to be referring to the hundreds of millions of dollars that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan donated to election infrastructure initiatives in 2020. There's no evidence to support the idea that private funding swayed the 2020 election in any way; for that matter, extensive investigations and court cases have found no evidence to support the idea that the election was in any way stolen from Trump. A voting data expert hired by the Trump campaign even said so in an op-ed for USA Today earlier this year. And yet! Apparently, according to "Save America," Trump believes that Zuck should be locked away for his nonexistent election crimes if he does those nonexistent election crimes again, that is. "He told me there was nobody like Trump on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me," Trump rages in the book, according to Politico. "We are watching him closely," the former present 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." Again, there's zero proof that Zuckerberg aided "cheating" efforts in the 2020 election. In fact, the main presidential election scandal associated with Zuck is the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a political consulting firm with close ties to Trump's 2016 campaign was discovered to have misused Facebook data for tens of millions of users in a ploy to target American voters. So if anything, Facebook and its founder have been a net positive for Trump. Even so, as part of an overall effort to undermine faith in the electoral system, Trump has repeatedly attacked Zuckerberg's alleged 2020 election plotting, for example last month referring to as "Zuckerbucks" in a Truth Social post about "Election Fraudsters." "All I can say is that if Im elected President, we will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time," read the post. "We already know who you are. DON'T DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!" The worst part? It's working: Zuck has vowed not to donate any money to electoral infrastructure this time around, and this week even sucked up zucked up? to the GOP by sending a letter to the House Judiciary Committee claiming that the Biden Administration had "pressured" him to "censor" COVID-19 misinformation. As it turns out, threatening to imprison powerful tech founders over conspiracy theories works and in turn, ironically, adds false validation to bolster those very lies. More on Trump: Trump's Meme Stock Nosedives to Record Low as Execs Abandon Ship Former President Trump has not decided how he will vote on a Florida ballot initiative that would bar future state legislation limiting abortion access and overturn the states current abortion ban. Earlier this month, Trump said in a press conference that he would be speaking more on the initiative in Florida, where he lives and is a registered voter, at some point in the near future. In the three weeks since making those remarks, he has yet to speak extensively about the measure. On Thursday, however, Trump gave a hint at where his thoughts are. When asked about the amendment, Trump said, I think the six-week is too short. There has to be more time. Abortion is currently banned in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy, before most women know theyre pregnant. Exceptions for rape and incest are included in the law. After being pressed on whether he plans to vote in favor of the amendment, given his opposition to the six-week ban, Trump said, I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks. Look, just so you understand, everyone wanted Roe v. Wade terminated for years. Fifty-two years. I got it done; they wanted it to go back to the States, Trump added. Exceptions are very important for me, for Ronald Reagan, for others that have navigated this very, very interesting and difficult path. While his answers appeared to imply at least that he wasnt opposed to the amendment, his campaign swiftly clarified that he hasnt committed to voting for or against the initiative. 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, said Karoline Leavitt, Trump campaign national press secretary. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, reiterated that Trump was still uncommitted. I spoke with President Trump this evening. 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, Dannenfelser said. Abortion access has been a politically poisonous issue for Republicans since Roe was overturned in 2022. Republican candidates have sought to neutralize their anti-abortion positions after ballot measures supporting abortion access passed in several states. The Harris-Walz campaign has sought to capitalize on this momentum, consistently labeling state-level abortion bans as Trumps Abortion Bans. Donald Trump and his Project 2025 agenda would ban abortion nationwide and rip reproductive freedoms from women across the country. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are the only candidates who will protect our fundamental rights and freedoms, the campaign said in a statement last 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 The Hill. Donald Trump is asking a federal court to intervene in his hush money case in New York in the hopes of overturning his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, or delaying a sentencing date scheduled for September. Trumps lawyers pleaded with a federal judge late on Thursday night to remove the case from Justice Juan Merchan, arguing that the case and evidence against him should be tossed out under the Supreme Courts immunity ruling. The case should instead be moved to an unbiased forum, free from local hostilities, where Trumps attorneys will try to get his conviction overturned, they wrote in court filings. Keeping the case in state court will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to the Republican presidential candidate and his groundbreaking campaign, according to lawyers Emil Bove and Todd Blanche. The filing also raises other grievances and allegations aimed at Judge Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg that were dismissed in several courts. These ongoing harms must be stopped, attorneys wrote. The impending election cannot be redone, they added. The currently unaddressed harm to the Presidency resulting from this improper prosecution will adversely impact the operations of the federal government for generations. If the motion is allowed to proceed, Judge Merchan may not be able to keep Trumps sentencing date on the calendar. Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Wisconsin on August 29 (Getty Images) On May 30, a Manhattan jury found the former president guilty on all counts of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election by concealing hush money payments to an adult film star whose story about having sex with Trump threatened to derail his campaign. Judge Merchan is already preparing to rule on Trumps motion in his court on whether the case should be tossed under the immunity decision, which determined that former presidents are shielded from criminal prosecution for actions tied to their official duties in office. Shortly after the decision, Trumps lawyers argued that impermissible evidence in the hush money trial includes Trumps conversations with White House aides who testified at the trial, phone records from his time in office, and posts on Twitter, which they claim was recognized as a formal channel of White House communication in the Trump Administration. Judge Merchan is expected to issue a decision on Trumps arguments on September 16. Trumps sentencing is scheduled two days later, on September 18, though Trump has also pushed Judge Merchan to delay that court date until after Novembers presidential election. A federal judge has already rejected Trumps claims that the allegations in the indictment against him were official duties that could be shielded from prosecution. Last year, District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said that the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely personal item of the president a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, he wrote in July 2023. Trumps latest filing comes one day after he was freshly indicted in his federal election interference case, as special counsel Jack Smith adjusting to the Supreme Courts decision recalibrates his long-running case against the former president for actions tied to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election CHICAGO (AP) Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's vow to promote in vitro fertilization by forcing health insurance companies or the federal government to pay for the treatments is at odds with the actions of much of his own party. Yet his surprising announcement Thursday reveals the former president's realization that GOP stances on abortion and reproductive rights could be huge liabilities for his chances of returning to the White House. Trump has quickly tried to reframe the narrative around those issues after Vice President Kamala Harris entered the presidential race. Even before he made his coverage proposal, Trump had been promoting the idea that the Republican Party is a leader on IVF. That characterization is rejected by Democrats, who have seized on the common but expensive fertility treatment as another dimension of reproductive rights threatened by Republicans and a second Trump presidency. It's not just political partisans. Republicans are not leaders on IVF, said Katie Watson, a medical ethics professor at Northwesterns Feinberg School of Medicine. Some of them have posed a threat to IVF, and theyre currently trying to figure out how to be anti-abortion and pro-IVF, and there are internal inconsistencies and struggles there. It appears that the Republicans are careening to remedy the political damage that resulted from their own choices. Trump's proposal, which he announced without providing details, illustrates how reproductive rights have become central in this year's presidential race. It's also the latest example of the former president attempting to appear moderate on the issue, despite repeatedly boasting about appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn the constitutional right to abortion. Even as the Republican Party has attempted to create a national narrative that it's receptive of in vitro fertilization, many Republicans have been left grappling with the innate tension between support for the procedure and for laws passed by their own party that grant legal personhood not only to fetuses but to any embryos that are destroyed in the IVF process. The messaging efforts also have been undercut by state lawmakers, Republican-dominated courts and anti-abortion leaders within the partys ranks, as well as opposition to legislative attempts to protect IVF access. Ahead of the Republican National Convention in July, the Republican Party adopted a policy platform that supports states establishing fetal personhood through the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law to all American citizens. The platform also encourages supporting IVF but does not explain how the party plans to do so while also encouraging fetal personhood laws that would render the treatment illegal. In May, the Texas Republican Partys platform committee narrowly rejected a proposal to classify embryos created through IVF as human beings and designate their destruction as homicide. A bill aimed at expanding IVF access, meanwhile, sailed through in California on Thursday, despite opposition from nearly all Republican lawmakers. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois who shared her own IVF journey on the Senate floor and co-sponsored a bill to protect the treatment, slammed Republicans for saying they support IVF in campaigning but not backing that up with their votes. She added that Supreme Court justices appointed by Trump paved the way for the fall of Roe v. Wade and the impact on reproductive rights, including access to IVF. Republicans publicly claiming to be in support of IVF is absurd, she told the AP. The issue burst onto the national political landscape in February after the all-Republican Alabama Supreme Court granted frozen embryos the legal rights of children. That decision forced clinics in Alabama to pause their IVF treatments, devastating patients struggling to be parents. Soon after, and facing a national backlash, Alabamas Republican governor signed legislation shielding doctors from legal liability so IVF procedures could continue. In the weeks after the Alabama ruling, congressional Republicans scrambled to address IVF. Many rushed to create a unified message of support despite histories of voting in favor of fetal personhood laws and arguing that life begins at conception, the same concept that upheld the Alabama decision. The reality is you cannot protect IVF and champion fetal personhood they are fundamentally incompatible and the American people wont be fooled by another one of Donald Trumps lies, Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the Right to IVF bill, told The Associated Press. Republican Sens. Katie Britt and Ted Cruz introduced a bill this year to prohibit states from receiving Medicaid funding if they ban the procedure. But that came after Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would have made IVF a federal right. All Republicans except Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against the measure. Its not easy for a Republican lawmaker to say theyre for IVF and actually mean it in a straightforward, tangible way without angering a lot of constituents, said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. An AP-NORC poll conducted in June found that more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults support protecting access to IVF, including more than half of Republicans, and only about 1 in 10 are opposed. But many anti-abortion groups and some lawmakers oppose the treatment, including several members of the right-wing Freedom Caucus who have objected to expanding IVF access for veterans. 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. This type of legislation, all proposed by Republican lawmakers, is based on the idea that life begins at fertilization and could imperil fertility treatments that involve the storage, transportation and destruction of embryos. Still, many GOP lawmakers have been vocal in their support for IVF. The issue is personal for Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, who shared his daughters IVF experience. But even though Johnson said he fully supports IVF, he was not completely sold on Trump's proposal due to its possible price tag. Other Republican lawmakers who responded publicly after Trumps announcement expressed similar concerns. I would need to see cost estimates, impacts on insurance rates, etc., before making any decisions or commitments to support any proposal, Johnson said. Republican lawmakers have historically opposed federal funding to cover health care, including by repeatedly attempting to undo the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, and may be unlikely to support similar plans, including for IVF. Lack of health insurance coverage for fertility treatments has been a major barrier for those wanting to start or continue treatments. While coverage has been expanding in recent years, less than half of employers with 500 or more workers in the U.S. offered IVF coverage in 2023, according to the benefits consultant Mercer. Republican Rep. Michelle Steel of California faced criticism for supporting a GOP bill aiming to grant constitutional protection to embryos at the moment of fertilization after she publicly shared her own experience with IVF. Steel rescinded her co-sponsorship of the measure in March, two days after winning her primary, declaring she does not support federal restrictions on IVF. In a statement to the AP, she said Congress must pass policies to support and expand access to IVF treatments. Such flip-flopping from Republicans only provides fodder for Democrats, who say Trump and his party can't be trusted to protect reproductive rights. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, warned voters to watch what they do, not what they say. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Tom Murphy in Indianapolis and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report. Donald Trump has said he'll rid the federal workforce of thousands of "dishonest" civil servants if he's elected again, prompting concerns from good-government groups. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press) After one term as president in which his promise to remake the massive federal government mostly came up short, Donald Trump again is raining fury on the deep state, pledging if elected in November to replace career civil servants with his like-minded allies. If Trump and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance were to succeed in remaking the federal workforce in the way they have described, it would be the most radical reconfiguration of the U.S. government in 140 years. Critics, including nonpartisan analysts, fear Trumps proposal to replace thousands of civil servants with his loyalists would resurrect something like the 19th century spoils system, which Congress scrapped in the late 1800s due to rampant incompetence and cronyism. The U.S. operated for much of the 1800s on the understanding that individuals won jobs with the government not by proving their expertise, but by having connections to presidents and their parties. Congress moved to eliminate the spoils system in 1883, about 18 months after a disgruntled job-seeker assassinated the man he believed owed him a government appointment James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States. The "spoils" system of federal hiring was reformed only after President James A. Garfield, depicted at his 1881 inauguration, was assassinated by a former supporter who'd been denied a position. (Associated Press) You're now talking about 140 years of presidential administrations Republicans and Democrats who all supported the proposition that the best way to get an effective government was to have a career, professional, merit-based civil service, said Max Stier, president of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit that analyzes federal agencies and their employees. So the idea that we would convert that, or return to a 19th-century-style spoils system, is a huge anomaly. It's a radical change. Trump has made clear he does not intend to be dissuaded by those who have worked within the government before. The Republican presidential candidate recently offered his emphatic endorsement of a housecleaning when a YouTube personality asked whether he would restore trust in government by holding federal workers accountable. Theyve got to be held accountable, Trump said. Theyre destroying this country. Theyre crooked people. Theyre dishonest people. The former president has made clear his disdain for the FBI, federal prosecutors and others who investigated him over his efforts to remain president after he lost the 2020 election among other things. But he has said little about others he might consider "crooked," or which agencies and job categories he would target in a federal workforce of more than 2 million. Would those ousted include scientists and engineers who support clean energy programs such as wind and solar power and electric vehicles that Trump has ridiculed? Would economists at the nonpartisan Bureau of Labor Statistics find themselves on the street if they were to produce numbers the businessman did not like? In past statements and an executive order issued while he was in office, Trump demonstrated that he hopes to exert control over a large swath of the government workforce, not merely the roughly 4,000 employees traditionally subject to presidential appointment. In the waning months of his tenure, Trump created a category of employees deemed to have some say over policy. The Republican administration asked all federal agencies to report back which employees should be placed on a new Schedule F that would classify them as at-will employees who can quit or be fired at any time, for any reason. President Biden, seen in 2021, reversed Trump's move to make it easier to fire thousands of federal civil service employees something the GOP nominee wants to do again. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) But Trump left office before Schedule F could be completed and veteran civil servants ejected. President Biden reversed the policy shortly after taking office. And federal regulations approved this spring attempt to make it harder for Trump or any future president to expand the universe of workers who can be canned so easily. Some analysts had estimated that Schedule F could threaten the positions of tens of thousands of workers. The American Federation of Government Employees (or AFGE), representing 750,000 workers across many unions, said the Trump policy would erase employee protections for up to half a million senior managers, high-level technical specialists, physicians and others. Those senior workers would not only lose collective bargaining rights laid out in the law, but the change would eviscerate the apolitical, merit-based system we have today and replace it with a corrupt spoils system, Jacque Simon, AFGEs public policy director, said in a union publication. Multiple think tanks and a prominent nonprofit have taken a different approach than Trump's by trying to reform and strengthen the civil service. For more than two decades, Stier's nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service has trained and supported federal employees, believing that better workers improve the quality of government. The nonprofit gives annual Service to America awards, a coveted recognition among those who help the public through their work. This year finalists include Christopher Mark of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, whose research has saved an untold number of lives by helping improve the design and construction of underground mines. Another federal worker recognized: Tara McHugh, nicknamed "The Willy Wonka of Healthy Foods," a Department of Agriculture researcher based in Albany, Calif., who helps companies bring more nutritious products to market. Though Trump's specific targets remain hazy, the Project 2025 report, whose authors include many of his allies and former aides, suggests a few. One is the Clean Energy Corps project launched under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve distribution of electricity from sources like wind turbines and solar arrays. Project 2025 called that "a partisan political agenda" and suggested revoking funding and "eliminating all positions and personnel hired under the program." With the end of the infrastructure funding, many of those jobs have been absorbed into the broader Department of Energy. That theoretically could put on the chopping block people like Evan Berry, a communications specialist and language whiz whose work helps the Spanish-speaking residents of Puerto Rico understand federal programs to strengthen the notoriously weak electrical grid on the island territory. Power outages, particularly after multiple hurricanes, have put in peril lifesaving medical devices. "It's disheartening to see something like our energy infrastructure coming under attack in a partisan way," said Berry, hired under the Clean Energy Corps and now an employee with the Energy Department. "At its core, we all need this infrastructure for our society and for our economy to function. What better way to achieve that than through some of the most reliable technologies out there, like renewable energy." On his campaign website, Trump promises that he would use a second term to reignite his campaign against government workers. On Day One, re-issue 2020 executive order restoring the presidents authority to fire rogue bureaucrats, says the 10-point pledge in what he calls his Agenda 47. I will shatter the Deep State, and restore government that is controlled by the People. Suggesting that what he calls the "swamp" is part of the problem, Trump also promises up to 100,000 government positions could be moved out of Washington. Trump made an initial stab at decentralization in his first term. His administration ordered two units of the Agriculture Department the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service out of the nation's capital. The two agencies, whose duties include gathering information to help farmers adjust to changing markets, moved most operations to Kansas City, Mo. But more than half of their employees refused to make the move, leading to "a significant loss of institutional knowledge, talent, and diversity on staff," a USDA spokesperson said. Over the last three years, an intensive hiring effort helped fill the gap and the spokesperson said the two departments are now "nearing or exceeding the number of full time employees from before the move." Vance shares Trumps bleak view of those who enter civil service for the U.S. government. As a Senate candidate, he told a podcaster in 2021: I think that what Trump should do, if I was giving him one piece of advice: Fire every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant, in the administrative state; replace them with our people. Democrats have suggested the courts might thwart such a revolutionary move. But Vance invoked the defiant words of President Andrew Jackson to imply that the next Trump administration might reject judicial authority. And when the courts stop you, stand before the country, and say, The chief justice has made his ruling; now let him enforce it, Vance said, paraphrasing Jackson. In an interview this week with YouTube personality Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, Trump boasted that he would be better at rooting out those he deems weak or not properly attuned to his MAGA worldview. I know the system. I know the people, the former president said. And so now I'm a very experienced guy, and we're going to bring our country back. Federal agencies suffered a blow to their authority in July when the conservative majority of the Supreme Court which Trump cemented with his appointees overturned the Chevron deference. The four-decade-old precedent had allowed federal workers to interpret how to implement legislative details on which Congress was silent or unclear. Court watchers viewed the decision as a huge win for big business. Stier, who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter and served as a lawyer for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, called the decision a tough blow to public service. The ruling moved authority to judges and away from agency experts, he said, even those in highly technical fields who provide oversight on weapons of mass destruction, cybersecurity and biohazards. The Supreme Court ... has been undermining the ability of the administrative state at a time it is being called on to deal with the complex and sometimes dangerous set of challenges that we face in our world today, Stier said. It took the assassination of a president to finally end the cozy, back-scratching world of presidential appointments. Charles Guiteau believed he would finally make his mark with a government position based on his work for the Republican Party and became convinced Garfield would acknowledge his support. He zeroed in on an assignment at the U.S. Consulate in Paris, though he had no experience in the foreign service. But the appointment never came. And a furious Guiteau began stalking the president, a former Civil War general whose problem with the spoils system went well beyond Guiteau. Garfield quickly took a stand in the White House by challenging a powerful U.S. senator and influence-peddler who thrived on such patronage. (The system even required those rewarded with jobs to kick some of their salaries back to their political parties.) Garfield had been in office about four months when Guiteau fired two shots that mortally wounded the president as he walked through a Washington train station. Guiteau fantasized that a sympathetic country would revere him for his actions. Instead, he was hanged for murder. Seventeen months later, President Chester A. Arthur signed the Pendleton Act, which replaced the spoils system with a civil service. It required minimum qualifications and forbade political kickbacks, and eventually would lead to objective testing for many job applicants. The next 22 presidents would leave the basic principles of the civil service intact. That changed when Trump took office. 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. Twin Girls, 3, Drown in Pool at Apartment Complex in Sherman, Texas: 'This Is So Sad' The two children were transported to the hospital but "tragically, they did not survive," Sherman Police Department said in a release Getty Generic image of an apartment with a communal swimming pool A pair of 3-year-old twin girls have tragically drowned in an apartment complex swimming pool in Sherman, Texas. A news release from the Sherman Police Department posted on Facebook on Thursday, Aug. 29 detailed that Sherman Police Dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 1159 hours on Wednesday, Aug. 28 regarding two children discovered unconscious in a swimming pool. According to CBS News, police said that a maintenance worker found the two girls in the pool, which is within the West Washington Street apartment complex, Ridgeview Apartments, and performed CPR on them. Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) then responded, and EMS performed live-saving measures on arrival, per the police department release. Authorities said that the twins were later "transported to a hospital, but tragically, they did not survive." Related: 18-Month-Old Twins Drown in Backyard Pool at Family's Oklahoma City Home: 'They Were Angels' sherman Police Department/facebook Patrol cars of the Sherman, Texas police department Speaking to News 12 after the tragic incident, local woman Carrie Curry detailed what she witnessed. I was leaving my apartment, and I saw the commotion with the ambulance and fire trucks and stuff, she told the outlet. So I went in behind the police officers car, and I saw everybody at the pool. When I looked across there, the maintenance man was standing there, hes soaking wet. This is a sad moment, she said to News 12. This is so sad. And its a prayerful moment. We need to pray for our children. We really do. Take care of your babies. Related: 19-Month-Old Twins Who Drowned in Backyard Pool 'Always Wanted to Be Together,' Godmother Says Sherman Police Department administrative lieutenant Kevin Garbacik also spoke with the outlet about moment the maintenance worker discovered the twin girls in the pool. Maintenance found them in the pool, they were already underwater," he told the outlet. "Maintenance was able to pull them out and start recovery efforts with them. According to CBS News, police said the parents of the two twin girls were present on the property at the time of the incident. No details of the identity of the twins or their family have been released by authorities at this stage, and the Sherman Police Criminal Investigation Division is "continuing the investigation," according to the release. 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. Curry also urged families to remain alert to the whereabouts of their children at all times. Parents, if you have children and keep your eye on your children, always know where they are, whether theyre in the house or outside, she said, per News 12. Take care of your babies. Theyre our future Sherman Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) Two people were arrested on Thursday after police said they were found inside a building taking items that didnt belong to them. According to the Ithaca Police Department, 34-year-old Molly Willsallen and 36-year-old Robert Golkowski were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 29, on the charge of burglary in the third degree, a class D felony. Three arrested in connection to June 28 shootings in Ithaca Police report that around 10:07 p.m. on Thursday, officers responded to the 600 block of South Aurora Street for a report of a commercial burglary that was taking place. A caller reported to police that two people were seen inside a building without permission. When police arrived, a perimeter was set up and both Willsallen and Golkowski were arrested after they were seen leaving the building with several items from inside the building on them. The pair was released to report back to Ithaca City Court at a later date. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) For the first time in the Columbus Zoos history, two elephants are pregnant at the same time and expecting to give birth next year. Asian elephants Phoebe, 37, and Sunny, 15, are both pregnant. Sunny will be a first-time mother, while Phoebe has given birth five times. The father of both calves is Asian elephant Sabu, who recently returned to the Cincinnati Zoo after a temporary stay in Columbus while his new habitat was being built. Frankie, Phoebe and Sunny (Photo courtesy/Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) This is a very exciting time as these pregnancies provide us with the opportunity to care for a multigenerational herd, which is beneficial for the elephants and their social dynamics, said Adam Felts, Senior Curator of Animal Care and Director of Animal Wellbeing. The upcoming births also provide fresh hope for Asian elephant conservation, helping to ensure a genetically diverse and healthy population of elephants in North American zoos. Phoebe is great and experienced mother who give birth to and raised 3-year-old Frankie, a member of the Columbus Zoos elephant herd, the zoo said. They expect playful and energetic Frankie to be a fantastic big brother. The zoo said it is closely monitoring the mothers-to-be and providing regular exams to ensure their wellbeing throughout the 22-month gestation period. The breeding of the elephants was recommended through the Species Survival Plan program, coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium. As the elephant herd is expected to grow next year, the zoo is vamping up their outdoor habitat. The former rhino yard in the Asia Quest region is being renovated to provide extra room for the elephants. The project will be completed by the end of October. The new habitat will provide an additional 3,600 square feet, a modified pool, enrichment panels, hay nets, automatic hay release feeders, a new feeding area and enhanced guest viewing opportunities, the zoo 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. Xi urges US to view China properly 08:35, August 30, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( China Daily President Xi Jinping meets on Thursday with Jake Sullivan, national security adviser of the United States, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (YIN BOGU/XINHUA) When President Xi Jinping met with visiting United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday afternoon, he highlighted the need for the US to perceive China properly as well as Beijing's foreign policy consistency. "When China and the US, two major countries, engage with each other, the No. 1 issue is to develop a correct strategic perception, and they need to first and foremost find an answer to the overarching question: Are China and the US rivals or partners?" Xi told the senior US official at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Thursday was the final day of Sullivan's three-day visit to China, the first in his current post. Together with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he co-chaired the two-day China-US strategic communication, which concluded on Wednesday. Xi said that as two major countries, China and the US should be responsible to history, the people, and the world, and "should be a source of stability for world peace and a driving force for common development". Xi expressed the hope that the US will work in the same direction with China, "view China and its development in a positive and rational light" and "see each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge". He called on Washington to work with Beijing to find a right way for China and the US two countries with different civilizations, systems, and paths to "coexist in peace and achieve common development on this planet". The two nations should promote the stability of bilateral ties and, on this basis, strive to improve them and move them forward, he added. Sullivan conveyed US President Joe Biden's greetings to Xi and thanked Xi for taking the time to meet with him. He reiterated that Washington does not seek a new Cold War and does not seek to change China's system, and that the revitalization of US alliances is not against China, the US does not support "Taiwan independence", and it does not seek conflict with China. The US has not changed its one-China policy and has no intention of using the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China, he added. Analysts noted that Beijing and Washington had candid and adequate discussions and even debates at the recently concluded China-US strategic communication, and its outcomes include further dialogue and collaboration involving areas such as the two militaries, climate change, and artificial intelligence. As part of bilateral cooperation on energy transition and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, US senior adviser for international climate policy John Podesta is set to meet with China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin during the first week of September. President Xi Jinping meets with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Aug 29, 2024. (Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn) Pragmatic cooperation "The US has made some pragmatic gestures, but it still seems obsessed with major-country competition and it keeps containing and suppressing China," said Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China's School of International Studies. Beijing's rolling out of pragmatic cooperation with the US while urging Washington to shape a proper perception is part of China's efforts to deal with the US' persistent two-faced approach in its China policy, he said. On Thursday, Sullivan told Xi that Biden looks forward to having communication again with Xi soon. Xi asked Sullivan to convey his greetings to Biden, and expressed his willingness to stay in touch with Biden to guide and steer the development of China-US relations. "Head-of-state diplomacy has been giving an irreplaceable impetus to the relationship and playing a navigating role in stopping the relationship from worsening," said Diao, the professor. Speaking to Sullivan, Xi said that China's foreign policy is open and transparent and its strategic intentions are aboveboard, both of which "have been highly consistent and stable", and China's US policy "has maintained a high degree of consistency". While great changes have taken place in the two countries and in China-US relations, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy, and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged, and the principle of handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, he said. What also remains unchanged is China's position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, according to Xi. Sullivan said that since the San Francisco summit last year, the two sides have earnestly implemented the consensus of the two heads of state and made positive progress. He said his strategic dialogue with Foreign Minister Wang during this visit was in-depth, candid, substantive and constructive. The US hopes to continue to maintain strategic communication with China to find a way for the US and China to coexist peacefully and for the US-China relationship to develop in a sustainable way, he added. Responsible management At a news conference in Beijing on Thursday, Sullivan said the meetings he had during his trip to China were "constructive, candid, substantive", and that he believes it is critical to keep lines of communication open between the US and China. Competition between the two countries does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation, Sullivan said, adding that "the key is responsible management through diplomacy". Also on Thursday, Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Sullivan in Beijing. Commenting on the situation in the Taiwan Strait, Zhang emphasized that "the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests", it constitutes the very foundation of China-US relations, and it is the first and foremost inviolable red line in China-US ties. China has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but "Taiwan independence" is totally incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he said. It is the mission and duty of the People's Liberation Army to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification, and the willful provocations of the "Taiwan independence" forces must be countered, he said. China demands that the US stop military collusion with Taiwan, stop arming Taiwan, and stop spreading false narratives about Taiwan, he said. Zhang noted that it is in the common interest of both sides and the general expectation of the international community for China and the US to maintain stability in the field of military security. Washington should return to a rational and pragmatic policy toward China, effectively respect China's core interests, work with China to promote communication and exchanges between the two militaries, and jointly shoulder the responsibilities of major countries, he added. Wang Qingyun contributed to this story. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Two men arrested in Broward in a nationwide human trafficking operation, deputies say Two men have been arrested as part of a multi-day initiative organized by the Broward Sheriffs Office to combat human trafficking. BSO dubbed it Operation Suite 16, and its part of a broader nationwide effort called the Coast to Coast Operation. On August 22, Deavion McClendon was cuffed in Dania Beach after BSO spokesperson Miranda Grossman said they busted the 21-year-old while he was dropping off a trafficking victim at a hotel. Realizing detectives were in pursuit, he then hopped back in his car and attempted to flee, striking multiple patrol vehicles, before being detained. She said investigators also found that he also had an active felony warrant for auto theft at the time of his arrest. McClendon faces multiple charges including aggravated battery on law enforcement and fleeing and eluding. Though detectives suspect he was involved in human trafficking, he has not been formally charged with trafficking-related offenses, according to Broward County court records. Deavion McClendon was arrested following Operation 16 which targeted human trafficking in Broward County. McClendon currently being held in Broward Countys Main Jail on a $15,000 bond. The operation also concluded a long-term investigation into 38-year-old Randall Taylor. Investigators allege Taylor targeted vulnerable women and teens, coercing them into sex work, selling drugs, and committing fraud by exploiting their drug addictions. The victims lived in poor conditions and gave him their earnings, according to Grossman. Taylor faces several charges, including sex and labor trafficking, human trafficking of a minor, and aggravated manslaughter related to a 16-year-old girls overdose in 2019. It is unclear how investigators were able to link Taylor to the aforementioned crimes. BSO said no further details can be released at this time as the probe continues. He is currently in federal custody, serving a five-year sentence for unrelated crimes. Once his federal sentence is completed, he will be brought to Broward County to face the new charges. Taylors federal sentence stemmed from his role in the Felony Lane Gang fraud scheme, active from 2019 to 2020. He and his co-conspirators traveled nationwide, breaking into cars, mainly targeting women in public spaces. They stole debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks, and IDs to commit bank fraud, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. Taylor admitted to stealing between $40,000 and $95,000 in the conspiracy. He pled guilty and is serving his sentence at FCI Coleman Medium in Florida, with a release date of December 31, 2024, according to a Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate search. As for the human smugggling operation, 14 adult victims were contacted and offered services such as food, lodging, medical services, drug rehabilitation, counseling, childcare, education, and employment assistance, according to BSO. BSO stated that they have several leads on additional suspects and anticipate more arrests and charges in the future. If you suspect human trafficking in your community, BSO encourages you to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, text HELP or INFO to 233733 or call the BSO non-emergency number at 954-764-4357 (HELP).To learn more about what human trafficking is, please visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline page at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/. ODOT: Expect delays on U.S. 101 near Manzanita through Labor Day weekend due to damaged bridge PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) U.S. 101 is down to one lane at milepost 39, four miles north of Manzanita on the Oregon Coast, transportation officials said. The partial closure comes from damage to a bridge, which saw a portion of the sidewalk and guardrail collapse into the Necarney Creek in the Oswald West State Park area. Two arrested in 2023 murder of Portland mother The single-lane traffic flagging is likely to continue into the holiday weekend, so expect delays traveling in the Oswald West State Park area, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. Please drive carefully and watch for traffic slowdowns during this busy holiday travel weekend. Officials say the sidewalk section that collapsed into the creek below was part of the bridges original construction, which was built in 1937. In Astoria, U.S. 30 has also closed down near Second Street after a crash caused a power pole to come down. Delays and detours are expected Thursday night. People are advised to plan ahead for any trips in each area, including checking ODOTs TripCheck site before hitting the road. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The owner of a string of coffee stands pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to making and submitting a false tax return, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman in a news release. Gorman said Assad Baragzai, 47, of Auburn, Washington, admits that between 2016 and 2020 he failed to report as much as $6 million in income on his tax returns. Baragzai faces up to three years in prison when sentenced on November 18, 2024. According to the plea agreement, Baragzai significantly underreported his income when he provided information to his tax accountant. The government believes that the tax loss over the five years that Baragzai underreported his income is more than $1.7 million. The tax loss in 2017 alone is more than $687,000. Baragzai disputes the government figures and believes the tax loss is $1.3 million. According to the release, Baragzai is the second defendant to enter a guilty plea in this investigation. In March 2024, Baragzais brother-in-law, 45-year-old Rajesh Mathew, of Auburn, pleaded guilty to making and submitting to a false tax return. In his plea agreement Mathew, who also owns a string of coffee stands, admits that he too underreported a substantial amount of income over a period of several years. Mathew is scheduled for sentencing on October 9, 2024. Both Baragzai and Mathew have agreed to make restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Both may also face additional civil penalties, fines, and interest for the tax loss. U.S. Marshals chase alleged gang member into Idaho, arrest him on drug charges BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) An alleged gang member is behind bars in southern Idaho and currently awaits extradition after a chase that started in Box Elder County. Deryez Santos Espinoza, 35, was chased down by the U.S. Marshals Office in Malta, Idaho after leading Marshals, Utah Highway Patrol, and Idaho State Police on a multi-state chase. READ NEXT: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox calls for Day of Prayer in new declaration The chase began on Wednesday, Aug. 28, around 7 p.m., authorities say. According to the U.S. Marshals Office, Espinoza was under investigation for a parole violation. Marshals say it was for possession of firearms, discharge of deadly weapons, and drug distribution. Authorities say they tried to stop him in Park Valley when he got into a car and took off towards U.S. 42 North. Once Espinoza took off, UHP also got involved along with Utahs Department of Public Safety. Idaho State Police were called to assist as Espinoza crossed into Cassia County, and the Utah Department of Public Safety used a helicopter to follow the suspect, according to the U.S. Marshals. The chase ended around 7:30 p.m. when Espinoza surrendered to authorities in Malta. Espinoza was booked in Cassia County jail where according to Cassia County Jail records, he is currently awaiting extradition to Utah to stand trial. ____ contributed to reporting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EDITORS NOTE: In our original reporting, we misquoted Congresswoman Veronica Escobar as saying that Vice President Kamala Harris had not met with law enforcement during her 2021 visit. In fact, Harris did meet with law enforcement, federal employees, and Border Patrol leadership. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, held a news conference on Thursday, Aug. 29, along the southern border calling out the Biden-Harris Administration for not doing enough to keep the border safe. The Biden-Harris Administration has forgotten us. Theyve abandoned us. Were on our own. Weve been on our own. And so, we can either complain about the issue or we can roll up our sleeves and get to work, Gonzales said. During the conference, Gonzales also referred to Vice President Kamala Harris visit to El Paso in 2021. He claimed Harris didnt get to see what the border situation is really like. I remember Veronica Escobar hosting, the Vice President Harris and Mayorkas at the tarmac. They didnt come out here. They didnt come out to the Lower Valley, Gonzales said. KTSM reached out to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, about this issue, she had this to say via a phone interview: Unfortunately, we know that many of my Republican colleagues love to lie and exploit situations. The vice president came into our community, met with law enforcement, she toured the processing facility, she met with federal employees, met with Border Patrol leadership. She also spoke to migrants at a different location in El Paso. She also met with human rights advocates and faith-based leaders the people doing the work on the ground in the community to provide dignity to migrants. So, she did far more than what Mr. Gonzales and his Republican colleagues do when they parachute in. Escobar 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. National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo (left) talks with Webasto workers at UAW Local 174 in Livonia. July 29, 2024. Photo by Jon King. Updated at 6:32 a.m. 8/31/24 Following the filing of unfair labor practice complaints by workers at the Webasto-Detroit auto parts plant, the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced Friday that a delegation will bring their concerns about illegal anti-union behavior directly to officials with the German parts supplier at a meeting set for next week, and may seek litigation if the issues are not addressed. The trip to Germany by the delegation of UAW leaders comes two weeks after Webasto workers filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board. According to a press release, the UAW also says that it is actively considering whether to file an additional complaint in German court if Webasto doesnt cease what they claim are illegal anti-union activities. Were just asking for Webasto to respect our basic rights, said Isaiah Towns, who works in Webasto-Detroits bonding department. No one should have to go through what Webasto has been subjecting us to. Its time for the threats, harassment, and bullying to stop. A request for comment was sent by Michigan Advance to Webasto, which sent the following statement: At Webasto, we firmly believe in the right of every employee to make an informed decision about union representation. We are disappointed that the UAW has once again publicly aired unfounded anti-union allegations about our interactions with our employees, said Webasto Group spokesperson Anna Franziska Muller. At Webasto, we hold our culture and values in high regard, which includes fostering a direct and open dialogue with our team members. Our colleagues have the right to be fully informed about the pros and cons of labor representation. To make this important decision that best aligns with their personal and professional goals, and to ensure there is no interference into the decision-making process, we have decided to work with an objective, third-party company. They are offering comprehensive labor education seminars to our colleagues. Our priority remains to uphold a workplace environment that is fair, respectful and empowering for all and we look forward to continuing to meet that goal during this election process. The union said an overwhelming majority of the approximately 600 workers at the Webasto-Detroit plant signed union authorization cards and filed July 29 for their union election, which is scheduled for September 9 and 10. It will be the second of Webastos Michigan facilities to vote on whether or not to unionize. In May, workers at the Webasto-Pilot Road plant in Plymouth ratified their first contract with a 96% approval margin, which included raises of up to 51% over three years, along with better benefits, and improved attendance policies. According to the NLRB complaint, which the UAW said cited 17 separate instances of unlawful conduct, Webasto has promised workers at its Detroit plant who dont join the union better benefits and working conditions while also threatening employees with retaliation if they do join the UAW. Further, the complaint said new rules have been taken up at the plant to retaliate against employees who appear to be involved in union activities including restrictions on using the bathroom, segregating employees to discourage union activity and surveilling employees cars for union paraphernalia. The NLRB is currently investigating the complaint. The Detroit factory makes the roof top used on Ford Broncos manufactured by UAW members at the Michigan Assembly Plant. According to the release, Webasto has distributed anti-union literature with the Ford Bronco logo prominently displayed along with the message No Bucking Union. Plant management has also reportedly been seeing wearing shirts with the same slogan. This company needs to be held accountable, said Pelle Burnett, who works in Webasto Detroits PU (polyurethane) department. Webasto has shown that they will go to any length to stop us from winning the right to bargain collectively together. Even though we havent won our union yet, were still ready to Stand Up to make this unacceptable behavior stop. In addition to the election at Webasto-Detroit, the UAW says a clear majority of the approximately 35 workers at Webastos Hearns facility in Romulus filed to form their union on August 27 with the UAW. An election date is in the process of being scheduled. Workers want a voice. Workers want to be able to have a free and fair election. Workers want to have their rights respected, said Steve Gonzales, president of UAW Local 3000. And we will never back down in making sure that workers win what they deserve. This story was updated to include a statement from Webasto. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Updated Aug 30, 2024, 1:47pm EDT The News Ukraine on Friday called on Mongolia to detain Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visits the country next week, saying the country should honor the International Criminal Courts warrant for the Russian leader. We call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Mongolia on Tuesday, his first visit to an ICC member country since the court ordered his arrest last year. The court said Mongolia has the obligation to cooperate, although a Kremlin spokesperson brushed off suggestions that he could be arrested, saying there were no worries about the visit. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. ICC ruling continues to shadow Putin Sources: Bloomberg, Euronews, The Guardian It appears unlikely that the Russian president will end up arrested in Mongolia next week. There is no risk of Putins arrest, a political consultant close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg, noting that Mongolia would have given guarantees not to detain Putin or members of his delegation in order for the trip to take place. Even so, the ICCs arrest warrant for Putin has made life more difficult for the Russian leader. He did not attend last years summit of leaders of the BRICS grouping in South Africa over uncertainty about whether Johannesburg would comply with the ICC decision, and it is unclear if he will travel to an upcoming summit in Brazil, where authorities have left it up to the courts to decide whether he would be arrested. Mongolia remains vulnerable to Russian energy pressure Sources: Foreign Affairs, Mongolia Weekly, X More than 95% of Mongolian fuel comes from Russia, meaning that the Kremlin could bring the country to a grinding halt if desired, two analysts wrote in Foreign Affairs. Energy shortages last winter due to operational issues at Russian power plants laid bare the strategic liability of relying on Moscow for energy, Mongolia Weekly reported, comparing the issue to Europes dependence on Russian gas before the war in Ukraine. Despite a desire not to aggravate relations with Russia, not all Mongolians are happy with the decision to host Russias widely condemned president. Putins visit will undermine the very international law that is supposed to protect a small country like Mongolia, a former presidential aide wrote on X. Ulaanbaatar seeks to strike a delicate balance between Russia, China, and the US Sources: The Diplomat, Foreign Policy Research Institute Squeezed between Russia and China, Mongolia has long had a need to maintain good relations with its larger, more powerful neighbors, even while seeking closer ties with the US. The country has held military exercises with troops from all three powers in the past year, and has long sought to balance its ties to Moscow and Beijing with what it calls its third neighbors, which include the US, Japan, and the EU. This balancing act has only become more difficult since the start of the war in Ukraine, a researcher at the Foreign Policy Research Institute argued: Mongolia cannot endanger its own population by poking the bear to its north, but it also cannot alienate the worlds leading democracies. (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed holding a summit in India aimed at ending the war with Russia, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The proposal was put to Narendra Modi during the Indian prime ministers visit to Ukraine last week, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private talks. Zelenskiy aims to hold a second leaders meeting before the US presidential election in November as a follow-up to a summit in June, which sought to win support from nations of the Global South for Kyiv in its 2 1/2 year war with Russia. A gathering in India, which has been wary of the Ukrainian initiative because it so far excludes Russia, would be viewed as progress in Kyiv. Modi, who during his Aug. 23 visit signaled his backing for Ukrainian sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders, has yet to agree to host a meeting, the people said. Indias prime minister has signaled his willingness to play a constructive role in a peace process, though its too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage, Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for Indias Ministry of External Affairs said in response to a query. The diplomatic effort has taken on new urgency as Russian forces gain ground in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region and Ukraines military made a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk region this month. With both sides on the offensive, a diplomatic resolution to the full-blown conflict that began with Russias invasion in February 2022 remains a distant prospect. A Zelenskiy spokesman, Serhiy Nykyforov, said Ukraine is weighing holding the follow-up summit in a country of the Global South, including India in particular. Zelenskiy seeks to win broader global support for his 10-point peace blueprint, including a demand to withdraw all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, and isolate Russia before beginning direct talks. But nations of the Global South have demanded that any forum that pushes for peace can only gain traction if Moscow has a seat at the table. Ukraine has expressed openness to including Russia in the process, though the Kremlin has repeatedly made clear it has no intention of engaging with Kyivs blueprint. Swiss Summit Falls Short The June 15-16 summit hosted by Switzerland, which drew more than 100 countries and organizations, fell short in its ambition to cement global support. China didnt attend, while India joined delegations including Indonesia and South Africa in declining to sign the final communique. Zelenskiy raised the issue during Modis visit, seeking Indias signature, the presidents spokesman, Nykyforov, said, adding that the host of a second summit must have signed the text. The language in that document had already been narrowed to focus on specific issues nuclear and food safety and the return of abducted children and prisoners to win over maximum support. But Indias skepticism of Ukraines initiative is due to Russias exclusion, according to senior Indian officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges who spoke on condition of anonymity. Modis government has made clear that a solution can only be found through dialog between the two sides, they said. Modi followed through with that message during his visit to Kyiv last week the first by an Indian premier since Ukraines independence in 1991. Even as he offered his most direct support for the countrys territorial integrity, he stood by his call for a diplomatic resolution as the only path to peace. As the West has expressed outrage over Russias attack on its neighbor, India has maintained political and economic links with Moscow, which supplies India with cheap oil and weapons. The Indian leaders Kyiv visit followed a trip to Moscow last month for talks with President Vladimir Putin. That trip drew criticism from US and Ukrainian officials, particularly because it occurred on the same day that a deadly Russian missile strike hit a childrens hospital in Kyiv. But Modi informed Zelenskiy this month that he had spoken to Putin looking him in the eye and told him that this is not the era for war. I spoke my mind clearly that the solution to any problem cannot be found on the battlefield, Modi said in Kyiv. Indias prime minister spoke with both US President Joe Biden and Putin about the war in Ukraine following his visit to Kyiv. The prospect for a summit that would involve Russia has also grown uncertain in the wake of the Kursk incursion. It was followed on Monday by Russias biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the invasion began and targeted the countrys power infrastructure. Zelenskiy said earlier this week that the move into the Kursk was part of a victory plan to force Moscow to end the war that he will present to Biden and the contenders for US presidency next month. At the same time, his army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi admitted the attack has so far failed to blunt Russias push in the east, which increasingly threatens the city of Pokrovsk, the key military logistics hub for Kyivs military operations in the east. Moscows military commanders had no plan to send significant forces from Ukraine to the Kursk region, a person close to the Kremlin told Bloomberg last week. Russian military bloggers have claimed that Ukraines defenses in the region around Pokrovsk have gradually weakened. At the same time, some have worried that Kyiv may be holding forces back in order to launch counter attacks further south in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. --With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska, Aaron Eglitis, Sudhi Ranjan Sen and Tony Halpin. (Updates with Indias comment in the fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine and Montenegro to begin talks on security agreement Delegations from Ukraine and Montenegro met on Friday, 30 August, to finalise a bilateral security agreement. Source: Ukrainian Presidents Office, as reported by European Pravda Details: At the consultations on the security agreement with Montenegro Ukraine was headed by Deputy Chairman of the Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva. He said that Ukraine is counting on "Montenegro's support on Ukraine's path to NATO membership". The President's Office expects the agreement will "strengthen security in Europe and deepen cooperation between the two countries". Background: Ukraine has been concluding bilateral security agreements in accordance with the G7 declaration, which was agreed in Vilnius in July 2023. Ukraine has signed 25 bilateral security agreements, as well as the Ukraine Compact, a multilateral agreement that includes obligations to support Ukraine. Kyiv concluded talks on a bilateral security agreement with Ireland. Support UP or become our patron! The delegations of Ukraine and Montenegro met on Aug. 30 to discuss the potential signing of a bilateral security agreement, Ukraine's presidential office reported. Ukraine has already signed 25 similar agreements, including with the the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and France, aimed at helping Kyiv repel Russia's aggression amid the war. These agreements are based on a pledge made by the Group of Seven (G7) in July 2022. Ukraine signed the most recent agreements with the Czech Republic and Slovenia in July, with seven more expected to follow. Ukraine was represented in the talks with Montenegro by Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of the presidential office. Zhovkva said Ukraine is counting on "Montenegro's assistance on Ukraine's path to NATO membership." The presidential office expressed hope that the agreement "will help strengthen security in Europe and deepen cooperation between the two countries." Ukraine also announced in July that it is preparing to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ireland, though no date has been set. Following the NATO summit the same month, 32 countries signed the Ukraine Compact, a security framework building on the G7 declaration made during last year's NATO summit in Vilnius. Read also: Zelensky calls NATO summit success, but experts warn of green light for Russian aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A fighter jet flies during a funeral of Ukrainian military fighter pilot Mes who died in a combat mission (Reuters) -The commander of Ukraine's air force said on Friday that it had shared with U.S. partners a preliminary report about an F-16 jet crash that took place on Monday. Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that partners from the United States, where the F-16 is manufactured, were assisting the investigation. The Ukrainian military said on Thursday that the F-16 crashed and its pilot died while approaching a target during a major Russian air strike on Monday. A U.S. defense official told Reuters that 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. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said on Thursday that the U.S. had not been asked to participate in any type of investigation to look into the F-16 incident. The arrival of the first F-16 jets was a milestone for Ukraine in the fight against the full-scale invasion Russia launched 2-1/2 years ago. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Anastasiia Malenko; editing by Mark Heinrich and Toby Chopra) (Reuters) - Ukraine urged Mongolia on Friday to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin on an International Criminal Court warrant when he visits on Sept. 3, but the Kremlin said it was not worried about the trip. The ICC issued an arrest warrant in March of last year against Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation, saying it is politically motivated. The warrant obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. "We call on the Mongolian authorities to comply with the mandatory international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in the Hague," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram. Asked earlier on Friday whether Moscow was concerned that Mongolia is a member of the ICC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "No, no worries about this. We have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia." Asked whether there had been discussions with Mongolian authorities about the ICC warrant, Peskov said: "Obviously the visit, all of the aspects of the visit have been thoroughly discussed." (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Philippa Fletcher) Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has called on the Mongolian government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his upcoming visit, according to an Aug. 30 statement. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 for the forcible transfer of children from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Putin's visit to Mongolia would mark his first trip to an ICC member country that has ratified the Rome Statut, which obligates signatories to arrest him if he enters their territory. "The Ukrainian side hopes that the Mongolian government realizes that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal," the ministry's statement read. "The abduction of Ukrainian children is just one of the many crimes for which Putin and the rest of the Russian military and political leadership must face justice." Putin is scheduled to visit Mongolia on Sept. 3 at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The leaders are set to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battles of Khalkhin Gol, where Soviet and Mongolian forces defeated Japanese troops. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Aug. 30 that the visit is being prepared "carefully," adding that the Russian government has "no concerns" about the trip. "We have a great dialogue with our friends in Mongolia," Peskov told Russian state-controlled media outlet Sputnik. Sergei Markov, a Kremlin-affiliated political consultant, told Bloomberg that Putin's arrest is unlikely. "Before any foreign trips, the entire spectrum of the negotiating format is agreed in advance, and the host nation gives 100% guarantees that neither Putin nor any member of the delegation will be detained," Markov said. Putin's visit comes six months after Mongolia appointed its first judge to the ICC. Last year, the Russian president skipped the BRICS summit in South Africa after the host country indicated it would have to comply with the ICC warrant. Mongolia has not actively supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine but has also refrained from voting to condemn it at the United Nations. Read also: Kursk incursion deals blow to Putins prestige marking first ground invasion of Russia since World War II Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine wants to develop AI for drone swarms, 'cheap' missiles, Fedorov says Ukraine seeks to involve weapons manufacturers in developing AI for drone swarms and "cheap missiles" to counter Russian kamikaze drones, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said at the Globsec Forum in Prague on Aug. 30, as reported by a Kyiv Independent reporter. Throughout Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine and Russia have heavily invested in drone technology, revolutionizing modern warfare. According to Fedorov, Ukrainian soldiers now face numerous challenges, including Russian equipment and infantry, ammunition shortages, kamikaze drones, and reconnaissance drones. In response, Ukrainian forces are employing low-cost first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, small air defense systems, and domestically produced long-range drones to strike Russian targets, Fedorov said. "What are the next challenges where we need your help? How to invent effective laser guidance, how to develop AI for swarms of drones, how to produce Ukrainian HIMARS, how to develop cheap Ukrainian missiles to shoot down Shaheds?" Fedorov said. "I think we can succeed only together. We can work together and invent. We can produce together." Kyiv has the capacity to manufacture more than three million drones annually but needs financing from foreign partners, Deputy Strategic Industries Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said. 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. Key developments on Aug. 30: Russian attack on Kharkiv kills at least 7, including child, injures over 90 Ukrainian forces advance 2 kilometers into Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says Russia claims downing of 18 drones overnight, Kaluga airport reportedly attacked Zelensky dismisses Air Force Commander Oleshchuk EU to train additional 15,000 Ukrainian troops by end of 2024, Borrell says Editor's note: The article was updated according to the latest casualties' report from local authorities. Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv on Aug. 30 with UMPB D-30 munitions, killing at least seven people, including a child, and injuring 97 others, local authorities reported. The Russian strike hit a 12-story residential building in the city's Industrialnyi district, causing a fire. At least three people were killed, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Kharkiv's Nemyshlianskyi district also came under attack, killing a 14-year-old girl, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. There are 22 children among the injured, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said. Russian forces also hit downtown Kharkiv and the city's Slobidskyi district, damaging a warehouse building and three houses, the governor said. Syniehubov said that 20 of those injured are in serious or "extremely serious" condition. "There may be people on the upper floors of the hit building, including at least one woman. There is a risk that the building will be destroyed," he added. The body of a woman was removed from the rubble in the evening, bringing the death toll of the attack to seven. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged partners to allow Ukraine to strike military air bases on Russian soil with Western-supplied weapons. "We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror. This is an absolutely fair need. And there is no rational reason to limit Ukraine's defense," he said following the attack. Attacks against population centers in Kharkiv Oblast intensified after Russian forces launched a new cross-border offensive in the northern part of the region in May. While the push has been halted by Ukrainian troops, Russia continues to hold a handful of settlements just across the border. Read also: Opinion: The Kursk incursion underlines the urgency of unrestricted support for Ukraine Ukrainian forces advance 2 kilometers into Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says Ukrainian troops have pushed 2 kilometers (1.4 miles) deeper into Russia's Kursk Oblast, capturing 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) of territory, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Aug. 30. As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast enters its fourth week, Ukraine reportedly controls over 1,290 square kilometers (500 square miles) and 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha, according to Syrskyi on Aug. 27. These claims have not been independently verified by The Kyiv Independent. Syrskyi confirmed that the offensive in Kursk Oblast is ongoing, while the most challenging conditions on the front line persist in the Pokrosvk direction in Donetsk Oblast. Elsewhere along the front, the situation is described as "complicated but under control," Syrskyi added. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 28 that 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: Russian POWs on their capture in Kursk Oblast: Commanders just disappeared Russia claims downing of 18 drones overnight, Kaluga airport reportedly attacked Russia claimed on Aug. 30 it had shot down 18 Ukrainian drones overnight in four different regions. In a post on Telegram, Russia's defense ministry said 11 drones had been downed in Bryansk Oblast, four in Kaluga Oblast, two in occupied Crimea, and one in Belgorod Oblast. It did not report any damage or casualties. According to the Mash channel on the messaging app Telegram, two of the four drones downed in Kaluga Oblast were intercepted on the approach to Kaluga International Airport. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the claims. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the alleged attack. Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military bases, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. Ukraine has previously targeted Moscow with drone attacks. Kyiv does not always claim official responsibility for reported attacks on Russian soil. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home Zelensky dismisses Air Force Commander Oleshchuk President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug. 30. The decision was announced on the Presidential Offices official website. Oleshchuk has served in the position since Aug. 9, 2021. In his evening address, Zelensky thanked Ukrainian pilots, engineers, and soldiers of mobile firing groups and air defense units. "(I thank) everyone who is really fighting for Ukraine for the result. And it is also necessary at the command level. We must strengthen ourselves. And we must take care of people. Take care of the personnel. Take care of all our soldiers," the president said without elaborating on the reason for the dismissal. Oleshchuk's dismissal came a day after the Ukrainian military confirmed that, the F-16 fighter jet, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by Ukraine's top pilot Oleksii Mes with the call sign "Moonfish," had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack against the country on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it had established a special commission to look into what caused the crash. Oleshchuk said that Ukraine had "received a preliminary report" from the U.S., which he said "has already joined the investigation into the causes (of the crash)." An unnamed U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash "did not appear to be the result of Russian fire" and said that other causes, including "pilot error" and "mechanical failure," were being investigated. Oleshchuk pledged to get to the bottom of the crash, and said that "no one has hidden anything (or is) hiding anything (now)." Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, commander of the "Center" Air Command, was appointedas Ukraine's acting Air Force commander. Read also: Ukraine gave a glimpse of its first F-16s what can it tell us? EU to train additional 15,000 Ukrainian troops by end of 2024, Borrell says Defense ministers of European Union states agreed to increase the number of Ukrainian military personnel trained under the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM) program, the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Aug. 30. EUMAM, established in October 2022, aims to enhance the training of the Ukrainian military. The program has already trained approximately 60,000 Ukrainian service members, primarily in Germany and Poland. The ministers decided to raise the target to 75,000 by training an additional 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of the year, according to Borrell. Borrell said that the training will be adapted to the battlefield situation and conducted in coordination with Kyiv. He also announced the opening of a coordination center in Ukraine's capital. Borrell described EUMAM as the "most successful training mission the EU has ever launched." Politico and Die Welt reported on Aug. 27 that the EU is considering specific "political and operational conditions" under which it would send instructors to Ukraine. The document notes that Ukraine requested in-country training due to logistical and cost considerations. However, some EU member nations fear that training on Ukrainian soil could escalate conflict with Russia. Read also: The Counteroffensive: How Ukraine uses The Lord of the Rings to frame its battle for survival Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An honor guard member stands in front of the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon received by Ukraine, on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force The U.S. has joined the investigation into the deadly crash of an F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine earlier in the week, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Aug. 30. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the previous day that the F-16, which had been recently delivered to the country and was being operated by pilot Oleksii Mes, had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack against the country on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash. Oleshchuk said that Ukraine had "received a preliminary report" from the U.S., which he said "has already joined the investigation into the causes (of the crash)." The previous day, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it had established a special commission to look into what caused the crash. At the same time, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said on Aug. 29 that she was "not aware of any assistance or requests for assistance from the Ukrainian side to us about this particular incident." Singh declined to go into any more detail about the crash, repeatedly saying that such questions should be referred to Ukrainian officials. An unnamed U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash "did not appear to be the result of Russian fire" and said that other causes, including "pilot error" and "mechanical failure," were being investigated. The preliminary report by Ukraine's General Staff said the F-16 had shot down four 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, and the pilot was killed," the General Staff said. Oleshchuk pledged to get to the bottom of the crash, and said that "no one has hidden anything (or is) hiding anything (now)." The details of the incident cannot be immediately made public for security reasons, Oleshchuk added. 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: 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. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called upon Mongolia to fulfil its duty under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and arrest Russian ruler Vladimir Putin during his visit to the country. Source: European Pravda with reference to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Details: Ukraines Foreign Ministry hopes that the Mongolian government "is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal" and the warrant for his arrest for his involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), "the jurisdiction of which is recognised by Mongolia". "The abduction of Ukrainian children is just one of numerous crimes for which Putin and the rest of the Russian military and political leadership must be brought to justice. These individuals are guilty of the war of aggression against Ukraine, atrocities against the Ukrainian people, murders, rapes, robberies, shelling of civilian infrastructure, and genocide," the ministry said. Ukraines Foreign Ministry urged Mongolia to "execute the binding international arrest warrant" and hand Putin over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague. Putins visit to Mongolia on 3 September will become his first visit to a member state of the Rome Statute of the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant against him in March 2023. The Mongolian authorities assured Putin that they would not arrest him. Last year Putin did not attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi, avoiding a possible political judgement and any risk of arrest under the ICC warrant. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian paratroopers repelled another large-scale Russian attack on the Kurakhove front in Donetsk Oblast on 29 August, destroying 13 pieces of Russian military equipment and killing Russian personnel. Source: communications department of the 46th Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "The number 13 has once again become unlucky for the occupiers on the Kurakhove front. Not a day goes by without the Russians attempting to assault the positions of our brigade. Yesterday, our troops repelled another large-scale attack. 17 pieces of different Russian military equipment tried to break through the defences of the 46th Airmobile Brigade. Only four of them, the smartest ones, managed to return to their positions." Details: As for the aftermath, the paratroopers report that 13 pieces of Russian military equipment were destroyed on minefields and by artillery fire, anti-tank missile systems and FPV drones. As for the losses of Russian personnel, some of the Russian soldiers were killed directly in the armoured vehicles, and those who were hiding in the bushes were chased down and caught by drones, the paratroopers added. Quote: "What is the conclusion to be drawn from this clear example? The fate of the occupier has always been and will be unfortunate, as nothing will save them from a just punishment." Support UP or become our patron! The authorities of Sumy Oblast urge the residents of border areas to evacuate to safer regions due to constant intense Russian attacks. As many as 183 settlements are subject to evacuation. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Quote: "The residents of 183 settlements in Sumy Oblast are subject to evacuation. It is currently dangerous to remain in these territories as the enemy keeps intensely attacking Sumy Oblast, deploying different kinds of armament, including guided aerial bombs, which is a threat to the civilian population of these communities." Details: Reportedly, as of 30 August over 21 000 people have evacuated from border areas. Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration, urged the administration of hromadas [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] to "make concrete decisions and evacuate people" with no delay. Romny District Military Administration in Sumy Oblast is ready to settle people from border areas there are 67 houses available for accommodation of people. "Coordination headquarters for evacuation have been set up in every district of Sumy Oblast to support and accompany evacuating citizens The headquarters provide the information about available places for temporary residence, the possibility of receiving social support, legal and other kinds of assistance, and options of rapid involvement of displaced persons in the activity in new places of residence, taking into account their professional and personal experience," the report says. The authorities advise locals to turn to the head of their community or head of their settlement to find out the time and place of the evacuation. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian troops have pushed 2 kilometers (1.4 miles) deeper into Russia's Kursk Oblast, capturing 5 square kilometers (2 square miles) of territory, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Aug. 30. As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast enters its fourth week, Ukraine reportedly controls over 1,290 square kilometers (500 square miles) and 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha, according to Syrskyi on Aug. 27. These claims have not been independently verified by The Kyiv Independent. Syrskyi confirmed that the offensive in Kursk Oblast is ongoing, while the most challenging conditions on the front line persist in the Pokrosvk direction in Donetsk Oblast. Elsewhere along the front, the situation is described as "complicated but under control," Syrskyi added. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 28 that 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: 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. Ukrainians may possess between two and five million pieces of undeclared weapons. Source: Bohdan Drapiatyi, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "We have repeatedly stated that there is no special methodology to determine how much unregistered weaponry Ukrainians might possess, so it's impossible to establish an exact number. At the same time, according to our European partners, estimates range from two to five million pieces of unregistered weapons that may be in civilian hands." Details: Drapiatyi said the recently passed law granting civilians the right to declare weapons, ammunition, and trophy weapons may help account for this unregistered weaponry. This law will come into effect in November 2024. It indicates that within one month, civilians who have found weapons or who possess weapons without the necessary permits must report them to the National Police and declare all such weapons. Support UP or become our patron! The head of Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, may face dismissal "in the near future," Economic Pravda reported on Aug. 30, citing unnamed government sources and energy company contacts. The report follows a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian officials, where they discussed the energy situation, including the recent Russian attack and the construction of defense facilities. "Kudrytskyi is accused of improperly implementing previous decisions of the headquarters of the supreme commander-in-chief and poor protection of Ukrenergo facilities," the source told the media outlet. Kudrytskyi has not yet commented on these reports. His dismissal would require a majority vote from Ukrenergo's six-member supervisory board. Appointed in 2020, Kudrytskyi is also facing a pre-trial investigation ordered by the High Anti-Corruption Court last month, related to alleged corruption. Russia has repeatedly used mass attacks against Ukraine's energy grid to break the country's ability and resolve to fight off the invasion, first during the autumn-winter period of 2022-2023 and then again in the spring of 2024. After a relative lull over the summer that gave Ukraine a chance to restore some of its capacity, Russia launched fresh attacks in the past few days, again necessitating restrictions on energy consumption. The largest-ever aerial strike against Ukraine took place on Aug. 26 with Russia firing over 230 missiles and drones and yet again targeting energy infrastructure. Read also: A near-death feeling: Largest-yet Russian attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure brings back widespread power outages Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The United Nations said it has documented numerous human rights violations in the Libyan city of Tarhuna, where it alleged that the Kaniyat militia killed, sexually abused, kidnapped, tortured and forcibly displaced people between 2013 and 2022. The UN is now demanding accountability. A report by the Human Rights Service of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) found that the Kaniyat group, which emerged in 2011, "exercised brutal control over Tarhuna." Tarhuna is located about 90 kilometres south-east of Tripoli and, according to the UN, is home to about 150,000 people. "Years have passed since these terrible violations were committed, but the perpetrators have still not been brought to justice, nor have truth, justice or reparations been delivered to victims and their families," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. "The impunity must end there must be accountability in accordance with international due process and fair trial standards." The UN report recommends investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators as well as a reconciliation process for society. The International Criminal Court has been investigating the allegations. Civil war after the fall of Gaddafi Civil war raged in Libya after the fall of long-time ruler Moamer Gaddafi. He was driven out of power during a 2011 uprising and ultimately captured and executed by rebels. Fighting between government troops and militias ended in 2020, but Libya remains fractured by two competing governments and rival spheres of influence by various militias. "Like many armed elements in Libya, Kaniyat emerged following the 2011 conflict in Libya and switched allegiances as political dynamics in the country evolved. Its members grew more powerful amid a power vacuum in Tarhuna, and it exercised effective control over the city from 2015 to 2020," the UN's report said. UN releases $100 million for humanitarian emergencies in 10 countries around the world FILE - Flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz, File) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations released $100 million on Friday for humanitarian emergencies in 10 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. Acting U.N. humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya said a lack of funding in these countries is preventing aid agencies from providing life-saving assistance, and that is heart-wrenching. More than one-third of the new funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund known as CERF will go to Yemen, where a civil war is now in its 10th year, and Ethiopia, where government forces are fighting several rebel groups in its regions as well as ethnic-related insurgencies. Yemen is getting $20 million and Ethiopia $15 million. Humanitarian operations in countries engulfed in years of conflict and displacement, exacerbated by climate shocks will also be getting funds: Myanmar ($12 million), Mali ($11 million), Burkina Faso ($10 million), Haiti ($9 million), Cameroon ($7 million) and Mozambique ($7 million). So will two countries suffering severe food insecurity from an El Nino-induced drought and flooding, Burundi ($5 million) and Malawi ($4 million). This was CERFs second release of $100 million in emergency funding for humanitarian emergencies this year. In February, that money went to Chad, Congo, Honduras, Lebanon, Niger, Sudan and Syria. But the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA, which manages CERF, said the $200 million released this year is the lowest amount in the last three years, underscoring the growing gap between humanitarian needs and the donor funding CERF receives to meet them. This year, the humanitarian community appealed for $49 billion to reach 187 million people in crises worldwide but has received just 29%, leaving a $35 billion gap, OCHA said. In addition to releasing funds to the 10 countries on Friday, the U.N. and its partners have launched emergency appeals to reach 14.5 million people in southern Africa affected by El Nino: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. President Joe Biden is right about the desirability of term limits for Supreme Court justices, but he is wrong that it can be done without a constitutional amendment. There is bipartisan support for the idea of term limits, so a constitutional amendment is plausible, but it is enormously difficult to get two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then three-fourths of the states to agree to amend the Constitution. Before becoming chief justice, John Roberts said, The Framers adopted life tenure at a time when people simply did not live as long as they do now. A judge insulated from the normal currents of life for 25 or 30 was a rarity then, but is becoming commonplace today. Indeed, from 1789 to 1970, the average Supreme Court justice served for 15.2 years. By contrast, justices appointed after 1970 who have since left the bench have served an average of 27.6 years. Opinion Clarence Thomas was 43 years old when he was confirmed for the court in 1991. If he remains on it until he is 90 years old, the age at which Justice John Paul Stevens retired, he will be a justice for 47 years. Amy Coney Barrett was 48 years old when she was confirmed, meaning that if she remains on the court until she is 87, the age at which Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg retired, Barrett will be a justice until the year 2059. The fact is its just too much power in a single persons hands for too long a period of time. Also, too much depends on the accident of history as to when vacancies occur. Between 1960 and 2020, there were 32 years with a Republican president and 28 with a Democrat in the White House. But during this time, Republican presidents picked 15 justices, while Democratic presidents selected only eight. For example, President Donald Trump chose three justices in his four years in office, while the prior three Democratic presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama picked only four justices in a combined 20 years in the White House. Sign Up for Bee Opinionated The Sacramento Bees opinion team is hard at work sifting through the chaos so you dont have to. Get our weekly Bee Opinionated newsletter straight to your inbox and we'll help you cut through the drone of the news cycle. I have long argued for 18-year non-renewable terms for Supreme Court justices. These should be arranged so that there is a vacancy every two years, giving each president equal ability to shape the composition of the court. Unsurprisingly, there is strong public support for term limits. A 2020 survey found that 77% of people favor term limits for Supreme Court justices. And a recent poll found that 89% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans support a cap on the number of years a justice can serve. During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, candidates Rick Perry, Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson announced support for Supreme Court term limits. But term limits for Supreme Court justices would require a constitutional amendment. Article III, section 1 of the Constitution says: The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour. This has been understood to mean that justices as well as all federal judges have their positions for life unless they resign or are impeached and removed. Some have argued that, notwithstanding this constitutional language and historical practice, Congress could create term limits by statute. Their argument is that justices would keep their title and salary and could sit on courts of appeals and fill in when a justice is recused. But then they are not functioning as a justice in the way it always has been understood they would be Supreme Court justices in name only. The central feature of being a Supreme Court justice is participating in the decisions of the court. Taking this away, while preserving the title and salary, cannot be reconciled with the Constitution as it always has been understood. This does not make term limits impossible, but it means that a constitutional amendment is required to accomplish them. The process of amending the Constitution is daunting, and has been done only 17 times since 1791. The bipartisan support for term limits makes an amendment possible. The problem is that Republicans would surely oppose an amendment that created term limits for current justices. But term limits that would apply only prospectively will not make a difference for a long time to come. On the current court, six justices are under the age of 70: John Roberts, 69; Elena Kagan, 64; Brett Kavanaugh, 59; Neil Gorsuch, 57; Ketanji Brown Jackson, 54; and Amy Coney Barrett, 52. But the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. Work should begin immediately on a proposal for a constitutional amendment for term limits that will apply to every new justice. Erwin Chemerinsky is dean and professor of law at the UC Berkeley School of Law. A view of a Pueblo County Sheriff's Office facility. (Screenshot from Pueblo County Sheriff's Office video) A Pueblo County Sheriffs deputy who has led the effort to unionize the departments staff was reassigned to clerical duties last week by Pueblo Sheriff David Lucero over a 2013 disciplinary incident, a move that labor advocates claim is retaliation for working with the union. Brad Riccillo was elected president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 837 in January, and served as its interim president when employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of union representation late last year. Since then, the union has been involved in a protracted dispute with Lucero over its collective bargaining rights. On Aug. 22, Riccillo was transferred from patrol duty to the county detention center, a decision that Lucero said was related to a 2013 incident in which Riccillo was involved in a fender bender in an undercover police car. At the time, Riccillo initially told his supervisor he did not know what happened to the car, but corrected his statement a day later to come clean, according to Riccillo. He was suspended from work for 30 days without pay for the incident, and said it hadnt been brought up since hes continued his career with the sheriffs office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But following a recent request from the 10th Judicial District Attorneys office regarding incidents of untruthfulness from officers, Lucero told Riccillo he was being reassigned to detention center duty to prevent my credibility from being called into question while on the stand. Though his pay and rank werent affected by the transfer to the county jail, Riccillo said hes now in a clerical position processing paperwork, and is taking a financial cut because he lost overtime shifts on patrol duty he previously committed to. For another term of the previous sheriff, and then three years into this mans term, this case wasnt really a big deal, and I was able to operate as normal, Riccillo said. And all of a sudden, because I start this union, Im not able to operate as normal, and the DA all of a sudden wants to see this case. Im not trying to minimize my crash, but there was no traffic citation and there were no criminal charges involved, he added. The move came after a separate disciplinary proceeding in January, in which Riccillo was issued a written warning for what his superiors said were violations of department policies. Luceros warning letter to Riccillo acknowledged that the proceeding stemmed from union related communications. Riccillo called it a case of being punished for my union activity. A spokesperson for the sheriffs office did not respond to repeated requests for comment on claims of retaliation. Hilary Glasgow, president of the AFL-CIO Southern Colorado Labor Council and executive director of Colorado WINS, the union that represents state employees, said proving retaliation in the workplace is difficult because everybody messes up at work literally every single person, but she thinks the case against Riccillo is clearly retaliation for his union involvement. In my experience in the last 20 years working in unions, when you have a manager who is this opposed, there is something going on, Glasgow said. Other unions formed under new law The Colorado Legislature passed a law in 2022 giving government employees in many counties the right to unionize and collectively bargain over pay, benefits and working conditions. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment recognized IBPO Local 837 as the union for Pueblo Sheriffs Office employees in December 2023, following a 139-2 vote among employees for representation. In February, members of the newly established IBPO Local 837 asked to begin contract negotiations with Lucero. Lucero, citing state law that prohibited unionization before the 2022 law passed, refused to bargain, according to the states decision on a subsequent unfair labor practice complaint. The union filed its complaint with the state on March 14. Lucero responded that he is not required to enter into collective bargaining with IBPO, arguing that the sheriffs office is excluded from the state definition of county in the new law. The state ruled in the unions favor in July. For a town that boasts being a union town, this is probably the most difficult time I have had organizing and beginning any type of negotiation or contract in probably my whole career, and Ive been in law enforcement and the union for close to 30 years, said Vince Champion, regional director for IBPO, which is the division of the National Association of Government Employees for law enforcement. The CDLE order required that the sheriff begin negotiations with union representatives, and the first meeting for contract negotiations was held on July 31. Lucero then appealed the states ruling on Aug. 9. Riccillo said while members of leadership have attended the bargaining meetings, they arent being scheduled back to back as bargaining meetings typically take place, and leadership hasnt been prepared to discuss the topics the union brings to the table. Thats not the way you negotiate a contract in good faith, Riccillo said. Gayle Perez, public information officer for the Pueblo Sheriffs Office, said Lucero is not opposed to the union and referred Newsline to two press releases the sheriffs office previously issued on the matter. A May 1 release says Lucero wanted to wait for legal guidance before entering negotiations with the union, as he says the sheriffs office is governed by legislation separate from other county offices. The bill is clear when it comes to all other county offices but there are laws on the books that specifically govern the sheriff, which I believe is done for public safety, Lucero said in the May 1 statement. Laws are on the books for a reason to protect the public. I was elected to uphold and enforce the laws and I am going to continue to do so. Since the 2022 law went into effect last year, other county sheriffs offices including Arapahoe, Boulder, La Plata and Las Animas have successfully unionized with the Fraternal Order of Police. Officers with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office have tried to unionize and have faced similar difficulties, resulting in a lawsuit from the county challenging the legality of the union. Claims of retaliation In May, Riccillo learned that the sheriff was required to report to District Attorney Jeff Chostners office all incidents of untruthfulness from officers, which could be used to discredit an officers testimony in court. Perez said in a statement that the district attorney requires notification of any officer making untruthful statements. Three employees were forwarded to the district attorney for review and the DA issued his opinion on the three employees. Riccillo learned on Aug. 16 that the sheriff disclosed the September 2013 incident to the district attorneys office, and that details of what happened would be included with every criminal case he serves as a witness in. Less than a week later, in a meeting with Lucero for which, Riccillo said, a union representative was not allowed to be present he was given a letter formalizing his transfer to the detention center. I told the sheriff, I dont have a problem talking about a crash from 11 years ago, its not a big deal to me, Riccillo said. And then he turned around and said Its a big deal to me, because thats a stain on my agency. Riccillos transfer followed a separate disciplinary proceeding initiated while Riccillo was interim president of IBPO Local 837, before union members voted to elect him in January. Riccillo said he learned that he was subject to an internal affairs investigation over a conversation he had with a department staff member about connecting with a union representative. The department claimed he violated policies related to criticizing other members and prohibited off-duty conduct. He was placed on administrative leave with pay. Riccillo argued that these violations stemmed from his communication as the union president, and he was therefore being retaliated against. He ultimately received a written warning from Lucero reprimanding him for providing inaccurate or misleading information during those conversations, which Lucero acknowledged were related to union business. As I have not had the opportunity to negotiate reasonable limits on union communications with the IBPO, rather than discipline, I believe that it will be sufficient to caution you not to go beyond communication of accurate information, Luceros March 1 warning says. Should future union related communications include clearly inaccurate information or instructions, they may be the subject of discipline. If you look through that documentation, its pretty clear that I was punished for my union activity, Riccillo said. This is my role. Everything Ive done has been as the president of the union, not as Master Deputy Riccillo at the sheriffs office, he added. And the sheriff isnt able to discern between those two. Support from other unions Champion said that in law enforcement, we just dont believe in coincidences. You have evidence and you have signs, he added. Brad has been an excellent deputy sheriff up until the time he started bringing in the union. Champion said that IBPOs priority at this point is to do everything we can to protect Brad and that IBPO attorneys are reviewing Colorado statutes to determine the next best course of action. Our question is, who do we prove (retaliation) to who makes the decision, if it is or isnt, and what do we do from there? Can they put him back to work? Champion said. Riccillo said other unions in the area have been endlessly supportive of the IBPO Local 837s efforts. The Southern Colorado Labor Council and other unions in Pueblo organized a solidarity picket in front of the sheriffs office in May, and the Pueblo Police union has let the sheriffs union use their buildings for meetings. I cant begin to tell you how all of the other unions in town have rallied, literally, in the form of a picket outside the sheriffs office, Riccillo said. Everybody understands how important this measure is and how important it is that us as employees have a voice in the workplace, and Ive gotten absolutely no negative feedback from anybody in the community since this started. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) As the closing of Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Stewards other healthcare systems in the valley loom, officials and union workers are still fighting to save the hospitals and their jobs. First News learned Thursday night that an emergency hearing looking to extend the closure deadline and a possible change in ownership for Trumbull Regional, Hillside, and its satellite facilities has been scheduled for Tuesday in Texas, according to a court document. The emergency legal objection was filed by several parties including Western Reserve Health Education (WRHE) and Warren City Hospital, Inc. They oppose the planned closure of Trumbull Regional Medical Center and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital by Steward Health Care System, LLC, which is currently in bankruptcy proceedings. The filing requests emergency relief to prevent the closure of the hospitals by Sept. 20 and is seeking an extension to Nov. 20. WRHE is attempting to keep the hospital open with a $20.5 million bid raised through several entities including the City of Warren, Trumbull County and public donations. AFSCME Ohio Council 8, the union representing many of the 908 workers at both TRMC and Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital hosted a rally Thursday evening at the corner of E. Market St. and Homewood Ave. SE. Picketers lined the street, joining Warren City and Trumbull County EMS workers, firefighters and officials who were there to support the hospitals. Many were worried not just about nurses and doctors losing their jobs but the cafeteria workers, custodians and maintenance workers too. They say they arent going down without a fight. Were going to be here until they chain the doors, said Vanessa Satterthwaite, TRMC nurse. Some families have multiple people working at the hospital. My wife and I are both registered nurses here at the hospital. She works at the geriatric psychiatric unit and I work in outpatient surgery. So were losing our whole house income, said TRMC nurse Jack Norton. Andrea and Delanie Aires were at the rally supporting Delanies father who has been a maintenance worker at the hospital for 44 years. Not knowing if hes going to have a job. Were kind of in limbo right now, said Aires. First news learned Wednesday that TRMC is diverting ambulances to other area hospitals something union members are concerned will cost people their lives. Seconds matter that one and a half miles. Thats five minutes away. Thats the difference between life or death, Satterthwaite said. Paul LaPolla is one of many patients who worries about his quality of care if TRMC closes. I hate to see this. I really do, because this is a great hospital, said LaPolla. Just being in the hospital at certain times in my life it brings tears to my eyes. I hate to see this happen. Even other unions were at the rally in solidarity. Dave Green, UAW Region 2B Representative, thanked those who have worked at TRMC. The workers from this hospital have saved thousands of lives of the UAW members and a lot of people throughout this community, so thank you. Thank you, Green said. We need to make sure this hospital stays here. This is another prime example of corporate greed, profits over people. Mayor Franklin also said the situation is the result of corporate greed. Were going to stand strong. Were going to stand with you. I will keep fighting for you tooth and nail. I promise you, Franklin said. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown says hes also working to see what he can do to help save the local Steward-owned hospitals from closing. Its another slap in the face to the Valley. Its nurses, its doctors, its other employees and first of all, its patients and people need care and too often this has happened, Brown said. Brown says hes talked to a number of people about it and although he doesnt know what it is just yet that either the state or federal government can do about it, Brown says hell continue to fight it. Were talking to the union, were talking to management, were talking to people in the community well talk to state government if theres any way. I mean this is a great loss. obviously a huge number of employees, but its a loss of care, he said. Back in May, Brown sent a letter to Stewards CEO urging him to work with area stakeholders to make sure both Steward employees and patients were prioritized. Katelyn Amato and Madison Meeker 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. Striking Woodland Pulp workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1490 and the Service Employees International Union Local 330-3. (Courtesy photo) Union members and other Maine workers can celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers this Labor Day at several events across the state this weekend. The events, hosted by the Maine AFL-CIO, include an afternoon barbecue on Sunday in Skowhegan and a breakfast on Monday in Portland, followed by an evening celebration in Brewer. In addition to food, the events will have music, family-friendly activities and speakers. For nearly 140 years, Mainers have celebrated Labor Day as a day to reflect on the struggles of working people and affirm our resolve to continue the fight for fair wages, health care, retirement security and the right to join a union, said Cynthia Phinney, president of the Maine AFL-CIO, in a news release. Phinney emphasized the recent enthusiasm theres been for unions in Maine,specifically highlighting organizing victories including Northern and Eastern Maine Medical Center nurses, Lewiston-Auburn CityLink drivers, cannabis workers in Bowdoinham, Portland baristas and Portland Museum of Art security and gallery ambassadors. And with a major election in the coming months, Phinney said unions and workers are already organizing to get pro-labor candidates elected for federal and state positions. Earlier this month, Maine Morning Star spoke with multiple Maine unions that discussed the pro-labor records of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who have been endorsed by several national unions. Heres a closer look at the details for the three events. Sunday, Sept. 1 From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Central Maine Labor Councils Labor Day BBQ will take place at the United Steelworkers Local 9 Turner Poulin Union Hall at 653 Waterville Road in Skowhegan. The event is free and open to the public. Members of the United Steelworkers Local 449 and 4-9 at the Huhtamaki and Sappi mills, who are in the midst of negotiations with their employers, will be in attendance. Monday, Sept. 2 Doors will open at 7 a.m. for the Southern Maine Labor Council Labor Day breakfast at the Irish Heritage Center at 34 Gray Street in Portland. The event goes until 10 a.m. And from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Eastern Maine Labor Council will hold its celebration at the Solidarity Center at 20 Ivers Street in Brewer. The event is open to the public. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ORANGEVILLE, Ill. (WTVO) Future nurses spent Friday on the farm, learning about the unique challenges rural communities face. The program is part of farmer Mark Bakers Stateline Farm Rescue, an organization that trains firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders for agricultural rescues. Baker started the program 35 years ago to address what he saw as a lack of specialized care. There was quite a need for this, really, he said. The lack of training that our fire services and our EMS here are getting and its just not thats not their fault. Its just that they dont have the resources to do so. And thats what we bring to the table. We actually specialize in agricultural training. Stateline Farm Rescue also educates students on mental health treatment as well, since the National Rural Health Association says farmers are among the most likely to die by suicide, compared to other occupations. Second-year nursing student Marshal Pack said he hopes to play a part in solving the issue. I would love to have patients from the rural community because I know that mental health is an issue because you are secluded, but also when youre going to have a patient from a farm, theyre usually pretty messed up. But I think its cool to be able to help them when theyre most vulnerable, Pack said. Baker said he is still surprised by the impact that Stateline Farm Rescue has had in the past 30 years. The opportunity to save a life is the most rewarding thing ever. When you get a call back from a fire chief that was on a farm rescue, that the outcome was good and they got the victim out and the victim is going to be okay, and theyre going to go on in life and come back to the farm, thats truly who were working for, working for the American farmers and their farm families and their neighbors. And thats thats who were trying to protect, he said. Baker added that a lack of first responders in rural communities adds to the challenge, with many volunteer fire departments desperate for help. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. University of Arkansas excited to welcome former Arkansas governor as faculty SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The University of Arkansas is excited welcome former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to their faculty list for Spring 2025 semester. The thought that we have someone with this much experience, who at this stage at his career is willing to come and share his experience and share his insight with his students brings a sense of pleasure and excitement, law professor and long-time friend of Hutchinson, Howard Brill, told KTAL. Realtor weighs in on new real estate rules The school created the position of Executive in Residence for Hutchinson. The former Governor will participating in the law school in a variety of ways including teaching a course on leadership, as well as hosting and judging competitions. I fully expect that when his course is offered, it will be oversubscribed, said Brill. There will be more students signed up for the course than can get in the classroom. Brill will be teaching a class on the Arkansas constitution and shared his personal excitement about his old friend joining the team. I personally am looking forward to having him come as a guest speaker in my class, said Brill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Paul J. Batura is a local writer and host of the podcast, WHAT A LIFE! Lessons from Legends. He can be reached via email at Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura. ST. LOUIS A University City man pleaded guilty on Thursday to the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in 2020. According to the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Andre Brooks, 27, was sentenced to a 10-year prison term for involuntary manslaughter of Cameron J. Carter following a plea deal. Authorities said Carter was found shot in the evening in the 500 block of DeBaliviere Avenue near Delmar Boulevard on July 4, 2020. Prosecutors said Brooks shot Carter following an argument earlier in the day, and part of the shooting was caught on surveillance video. Brooks was set for a jury trial next week on charges for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. A prosecutor reportedly dropped one count of armed criminal action as part of the plea deal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced a new executive leader for the Health Sciences Center. UNM President Garnett Stokes has appointed Mike Richards, MD, MPA to take over as the interim executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences and chief executive of UNM Health System. In his 25-year tenure at UNM, Dr. Mike Richards has proven to be an exceptional professor and mentor for our students, a dynamic physician for our patients, and an effective leader carrying out the Health Sciences Centers missions, said Stokes. Mike has all my confidence that he will successfully lead the way accelerating our key strategic missions of expanding New Mexicos health care workforce and providing safe, high-quality patient care. Richards is replacing Douglas Ziedonis, MDC, MPH, whose official appointment ends on December 10, 2024. University of New Mexico Health System provides first-time sleep apnea device surgery I am deeply appreciative of Dr. Ziedonis dedication and contributions over the past three and half years, Stokes said. His work building crucial partnerships and hiring excellent deans and VPs will have a lasting impact on UNM. Transitioning leadership can be challenging, but I am optimistic that this change will bring stability and renewed energy and focus to our mission. Richards helped create New Mexicos Medical Advisory Team (MAT) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hes taken initiative on healthcare matters, like securing $1.6 billion in Medicaid funding for New Mexico hospitals. Im honored President Stokes has entrusted me to lead our incredible organization, Richards said. Our students, faculty, staff, providers, residents, and fellows are all working toward a healthier New Mexico. The opportunity to lead our missions to train and educate health care professionals, expand critical health care services, and deliver quality, safe, high-level clinical care is humbling. He was the senior vice president for Clinical Affairs, and he also served as interim dean of the UNM School of Medicine. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPD announces parking, traffic changes for Saturdays Party in The Park UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The Utica Police Department has announced several traffic and parking changes for the Party in the Park, to be held on Saturday, August 31. The party is set to begin at 4 pm in FT Proctor Park, with fireworks tentatively set for 8:30 pm. Police have announced several different parking and traffic changes to accommodate attendees to the party. These road closures will remain in place until the crowds have dispersed, which police anticipate to be at approximately 10 pm. According to Utica Police, the following traffic and parking changes will begin at approximately 4 pm on Saturday, August 31: Parking on the 1800 blocks of Girard Street, South Street, Gardner Street, and Guelich Street will be limited to the north side of the street. Motorists who park there will be facing away from Culver Avenue towards Ontario Street. Police say this will assist in clearing out traffic following the event. Parking on the 1600 block of Lansing Street will also be limited to parking on the north side of the street, which will assist in clearing out post-event traffic. Parking on Ontario Street from Rutger Street to South Street will be limited to parking on the east side of the street, which will assist in clearing out traffic after the event. There will be no parking on the following streets: Ontario Street, from Blandina Street to Rutger Street, the 1600 block of Blandina Street, Osborne Street, North Osborne Street, the 1800 and 1900 blocks of Rutger Street, Ludlow Avenue from Rutger Street to the Proctor Park entrance, Poe Street, Redfield Avenue, and Ward Street. Police say these closings will help with traffic flow. A traffic post will be set at the intersection of Rutger Street and Ontario Street. This will divert all eastbound traffic on Rutger Street north or south onto Ontario Street. The 1900 block of Rutger Street will be barricaded and closed, and local traffic only will be allowed. Culver Avenue will be barricaded and closed from Bleecker Street to Rutger Street, and local traffic only will be allowed. The 1800 blocks of Lansing Street, Blandina Street, and Culver Court will be barricaded and closed, and open to local traffic only. Poe Street, Redfield Avenue, and Ward Street will be barricaded and closed, and open to local traffic only. VIP, Vendor, and Handicap Parking will be allowed by pass and/or Handicap placard only. Motorists with those passes will be directed to the lots on Ludlow Avenue at Rutger Street. Motorists may access those lots via the traffic posts at Culver Avenue and Rutger Street, or at Culver Avenue and Redfield Avenue. When exiting, motorists are instructed to use Ludlow Avenue to Redfield Avenue to Culver Avenue. Centro Bus Service will be offering free shuttle services from Mohawk Valley Community College on Sherman Drive to Proctor Park beginning at 4 pm on Saturday. If you have any further questions, you are encouraged to contact Captain James Holt of the Utica Police Department at 315-223-3460. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The US government intends to further strengthen Ukraine's air defence, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Friday at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon. Austin said the United States plans to advocate for a further expansion of the country's air defence at the Ukraine Contact Group meeting next week at the Ramstein Air Base, a US Air Force base in western Germany. The US and its allies would continue to provide the crucial equipment that Kiev needs to defend against the ongoing Russian invasion, which began in February 2022, Austin said. He condemned the recent Russian attacks on civilian targets, stressing: "Let me be clear, it is never acceptable to target civilians, and Ukraine's resilience will help it prevail over (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression and atrocities." Umerov thanked the US and its allies for their support and said he wanted to inform Austin about the situation on the battlefield and the current needs of the Ukrainian military. Discussions also focused on arms production within Ukraine. Umerov noted that Ukraine has established hundreds of new arms companies and can now rapidly produce high-quality weapons domestically. CNN had previously reported, citing a Ukrainian official, that Kiev also planned to present the US government with a list of potential targets in Russia during the visit to Washington. By hitting Russian command posts, airfields, ammunition depots and barracks, Ukraine could fend off many attacks from the outset. So far, the US has limited the use of its weapons against Russia to repelling the Russian offensive against the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The city, Ukraine's second-largest before the war began, is located about 30 kilometres from the Russian border and frequently comes under attack. At the outset of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian troops attempted to capture Kharkiv but failed. Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for permission to use long-range Western weapons against targets in Russia after a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv killed at least six people and injured about 40 others. The U.S. Army awarded a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon a $1.3 billion contract to produce Javelin antitank weapons, the companies announced. The contract, which is the largest single-year deal to date in program history, is the first follow-on award of a production order dated May 2023. The Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) began to ramp up production activities of the man-portable, anti-armor weapon last year to boost production of all-up rounds, an industry term that describes complete munitions, to 3,960 annually by late 2026, a JJV statement notes. Demand is increasing for Javelin worldwide, particularly as Ukraine continues to use the weapon extensively in its fight against the Russian invasion which began in February 2022. It has proven effective against Russian armor. Part of the new contract covers the production of 4,000 Javelins to replenish what was sent to Ukraine. The joint venture supports more than 25 international customers globally, including Kosovo, one of its newest customers, and has produced more than 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable command launch units, the companies reported. In addition to Kosovo, since the start of the war in Ukraine, the JJV has received a large number of orders from new international customers including Albania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Morocco, Thailand and Brazil. Last fall, Polands state-run defense group PGZ announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the American joint venture to jointly produce Javelin weapons. With the increased demand for Javelin worldwide, our ability to ramp production to support our Army customer and global users is more important now than ever, Dave Pantano, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, said in the statement. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) As kids return to school, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi launched an online video public service announcement (PSA) designed to raise awareness about the increasing number of child predators seeking to exploit children on the internet. The video features United States Attorney Todd Gee and provides information about the importance of being aware of your childs use of digital technologies, ways child predators are using technology to exploit children, and how to report child exploitation. Mississippi athletics director arrested on child porn charges: sheriffs office The PSA also highlights the risk of child predators using digital technology to engage in sextortion, a type of blackmail used by predators over the internet to acquire sexual content from a child. Back to school season is a great time to remind parents to be aware of the ways your children are connected to the internetfrom cell phones to gaming systems and social mediaand how child predators can use these digital technologies to exploit children, said Gee. I encourage parents to watch this PSA, be aware of the risks of digital technology, and report any potential sextortion or other forms of child exploitation. If you believe your child has been a victim of sextortion or other forms of child exploitation, investigators said you should preserve the evidence, take screenshots, write down names, usernames, and phone numbers, and report the information to your local FBI field office or online at https://tips.fbi.gov/home. 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. A leading U.S. charity group for humanitarian aid deliveries said Friday that one of its convoys was hit in an Israeli strike, killing four Palestinians. Anera, a U.S. nonprofit focused on helping Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, said an Israeli strike hit the lead vehicle carrying food and fuel to the Emirati Red Crescent Hospital Thursday in Gaza. The convoy, which departed Kerem Shalom in Israel, had been cleared for transport, the group said in a statement. But four Palestinian community members had offered to step in and drive the vehicle, expressing concerns the route was unsafe and at risk of looting. The four members, who were killed, were not cleared by Israel, according to Anera, and the Israeli military claimed the lead car was carrying weapons. The charity group said the strike was carried out without prior warning. No Anera staff members were injured, and despite the attack, the aid convoy delivered its supplies. Anera President and CEO Sean Carroll said this is a case of partners on the ground endeavoring to deliver aid successfully. This should not come at the cost of peoples lives, he said in a statement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told The Hill in a statement that armed individuals joined the car while troops were monitoring the situation. We stress, that the presence of armed individuals was not coordinated, and they were not part of the pre-coordinated convoy, the IDF said. After ruling out potential harm to the trucks, as well as a clear identification of weapons, a strike was carried out targeting the armed individuals. Israeli fire also struck a World Food Programme (WFP) truck Tuesday, heavily damaging it with bullets in several areas. The WFP, which temporarily suspended staff movement in Gaza following the incident, said an aid convoy was cleared with the Israeli military but was still fired upon when moving through a security checkpoint. More than 280 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October, according to the United Nations, one of the deadliest combat zones for the humanitarian workers. Israel has come under pressure from the U.S. to protect aid workers, especially after an April strike killed seven workers with the U.S. charity group World Central Kitchen. Robert Wood, alternative representative of the U.S. for special political affairs in the United Nations, said at a U.N. Security Council meeting Thursday that Israel is investigating the WFP strike, which preliminary findings indicate were related to miscommunication. Wood said the U.S. has urged them to immediately rectify the issues within their system that allowed this to happen. Yet the simple fact is, almost 11 months into this confident, incidents such as [this] remain all too common, he said. These incidents should not happen. Updated at 5:55 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. U.S. readiness: While Paparo did not disclose specific military options, he emphasized readiness to act alongside the Philippines under their 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty . Paparo reiterated the U.S. military's willingness to escort Philippine ships if needed, a move that could further escalate tensions with China. The U.S. and Philippines recently conducted joint military exercises, which included deploying a mid-range missile system to the Philippines, provoking strong reactions from Beijing. Rising tensions: Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romero Brawner Jr. noted that the Philippines could still manage on its own but would seek U.S. assistance if we exhaust all the options and nothing works. This comes amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines, with incidents of violence and confrontations between both forces and China employing "gray-zone tactics" such as water cannon fire and ship blockades. Despite Beijing's aggressive actions and claims over the South China Sea, the Philippines continues to reference a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidates China's expansive territorial claims. The White House is expected to keep in place its restrictions on Ukraine's use of American long-range weapons deep inside Russia, despite pressure from a delegation of Ukrainian officials that arrived in Washington on Thursday, a U.S. official said. Ukrainian Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, and Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, arrived with a list of Russian targets that Kyiv believes it could strike using U.S. weapons if given permission, according to several officials. According to a Ukrainian official, the officials will argue that such strikes could be effective in altering the course of the conflict, which is now in its third year. All of the officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss ongoing private talks between the two countries. PHOTO: A test firing of an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) launches at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Dec. 14, 2021. (John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs) MORE: Biden, Zelenskyy sign new 10-year security agreement The Biden administration has already eased some restrictions on the use of U.S. arms, allowing Ukraine to launch limited defensive strikes against Russian forces across its border. Among Ukraine's most coveted items is a long-range missile system -- the Army Tactical Missile System, or "ATACMS," which the Biden administration has delivered. And this spring, after months of pressure by the Ukrainians, the U.S. shipped a longer-range version that could strike as far as 190 miles, enabling it to hit targets inside Russian-occupied Crimea. MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Israel says it killed top militant in West Bank operation But while the U.S. has made its support for Ukraine clear, it's also sought to avoid deep strikes inside the Russia homeland, seeing such a move as a major provocation with both U.S. and NATO trying to avoid direct conflict with Moscow. According to a U.S. official familiar with the latest round of discussions, the reluctance by the White House to relax its rules on the use of ATACMs to hit far-flung targets inside Russia is due in part to the limited number of them. The system is successfully being used in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, including Crimea. And pulling those systems to focus on other targets wouldn't likely be useful, the official said. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks about his plans for continued student debt relief after a Supreme Court decision blocking his plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt, at the White House, June 30, 2023. (Leah Millis/Reuters, FILE) MORE: Russia-Ukraine updates: Russian missile strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities Another question for Washington would be whether loosening restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons would make much of a difference. Recent intelligence suggests Russia is believed to have relocated more than 90 percent of its aircraft out of range of the system, according to the U.S. official. "There's not a silver bullet to win the war," the official said. And a change in policy "means Ukraine would have to choose between striking in the Donbas in Crimea or inside Russia with limited resources." President Volodymyr Zelensky has long advocated for more weapons from the West with no restrictions. At an Aug. 24 press conference in Kyiv, he said he plans on attending the United Nations General Assembly in September where hell present the U.S. and other world powers a path to victory in the war. "We need no less determination from our partners in these matters. Each of our friends who can persuade our allies to lift restrictions on Ukraines use of long-range weapons can truly help bring our shared victory closer, he said. US holds firm against Ukraine using American weapons to strike deep inside Russia originally appeared on abcnews.go.com US involved in investigation, we will find out reasons Ukraine's Air Force Commander on F-16 crash Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, has stated that the causes of the F-16 fighter jet crash will be established, and the investigation with the participation of American partners is ongoing. Source: Oleshchuk on social media Quote: "The horrific crash of the F-16 fighter jet, piloted by one of the best Ukrainian fighter jet pilots, Oleksii Mes, shook the whole world. On 26 August 2024, on the day of the largest Russian attack on Ukraine, we lost a skilled pilot, we lost an F-16, but we did not lose our humanity and faith in victory. Of course, we will find out the causes of the plane crash." Details: Oleshchuk noted that the top Ukrainian leadership had immediately received a report on the crash. A preliminary report was received, and Ukraines partners from the United States joined the investigation. Oleshchuk added that a detailed analysis and investigation are already being conducted. Quote: "We must thoroughly investigate what happened, what were the circumstances and who is responsible. And it will be done. The information about such incidents cannot be released to the public right away, and the details cannot be revealed for the media. The country is at war!" Background: On 29 August, a number of Western media outlets cited sources as saying that an F-16 fighter jet had crashed in Ukraine on 26 August. On 26 August, pilot Oleksii Mes was killed while repelling a large-scale Russian combined missile and drone strike. CNN, citing a source in the Ukrainian military, reported that Mes, who went by the alias Moonfish, was killed in the F-16 fighter jet crash. Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially acknowledged that an F-16 fighter jet had crashed while repelling a Russian missile attack. The pilot was killed. Ukrainian Service of the Voice of America, citing an unnamed representative of Ukraines Air Force, reported that the Ukrainian military command is considering different lines of inquiry into the F-16 fighter jet crash, including "friendly fire" from Ukrainian air defences. Support UP or become our patron! WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Wichita Public Schools has received a grant to improve energy efficiency at its schools. The district is receiving $15.3 million through the Department of Energys Renew Americas Schools Program, which is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program is designed to help districts improve their energy efficiency while reducing their costs, improving their air quality, and hopefully creating a better learning environment for children. This entire grant project was developed alongside and completely aligns to the districts Facility Master Plan. said Holly Wilson, the districts grant administrator, in a news release. This ensures that we leverage all dollars, whether federal, state or local, to improve facilities and reduce deferred maintenance costs. With these funds, we plan to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to achieve a sustained reduction in energy use and utility bills, improve the student classroom experience, and benefit the community through vendor/supplier training and outreach and job opportunities in our area. Newton High School student killed in Oklahoma crash In the district, 21 schools will receive energy upgrades: Cessna, Christa McAuliffe Academy, Cloud, Coleman, College Hill, Colvin, Dodge, Earhart, Gammon, Gordon Parks Academy, Horace Mann, Jackson, Lawrence, Linwood, Mueller, Ortiz, Southeast High School, Spaght, Stucky, Washington, and Woodman. USD 259 is one of 16 districts nationwide selected for the Renew Americas Schools Program grants this 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 KSN-TV. Montpelier, VT. Governor Phil Scotts request for a secretarial disaster designation has been approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. This designation is for those in the farming and forestry industry recovering from Julys storms. Individuals in Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Chittenden, Lamoille, and Washington counties can now seek USDA-provided resources. The secretarial disaster designation approval comes after Vermont farms suffered roughly five million dollars in flood damage. For the next eight months, farmers are eligible to apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans. Forest owners can seek help through the USDA Farm Service Agencys Emergency Forest Restoration Program. EFRP assists property owners in forest restoration through a 75% cost share. More information on forest recovery resources can be found on the Vermont government webpage. Governor Scott said Alongside many of their neighbors, our farmers have been greatly impacted by the floods this summer, threatening their livelihoods and our food system. Im grateful to Secretary Vilsack for this disaster declaration, on the heels of the 2023 declaration, which will help farmers recover and provide some additional support through the many challenges theyve faced. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack wrote The USDA reviewed the Loss Assessment Reports and determined that there were sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation, therefore, I am designating all six Vermont counties as primary natural disaster areas. Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts thanked Secretary Vilsack for providing another lifeline to these important farm and food businesses through this designation. With nearly five million dollars in farmer-reported flood related damage and losses, and severe impacts from multiple storm related events this past July, our farming community has faced another gut-punch this year that some may not survive following last years severe weather and flooding. This designation can provide another lifeline to these important farm and food businesses with resources as we try to keep our local food systems sustainable and viable. For additional information about USDA assistance programs, and where to find a local center, visit the USDA 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 ABC22 & FOX44. Utah Society Sons of the American Revolution present the flag at the Founders of America and Constitution Month Kick-Off at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Leaders and residents of the Beehive State gathered under the bright dome of the rotunda in the state Capitol building on Thursday morning for an event focusing on the United States Constitution, kicking off celebrations a few days early in preparation for Constitution Month. The event, organized by Why I Love America and sponsored by the Constitution Education Foundation, featured music from the American Heritage School Choir, a presentation of colors and speeches from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Congressman Burgess Owens, state Rep. Doug Owens, D-Millcreek and Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. During his speech, Cox declared the month of September as American Founders and Constitution Month and Sunday, Sept. 1 as a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Contemplation for our nation. This marks a continuation of Utahs expansion upon Constitution Day celebrations, which long has been recognized on Sept. 17. Last year Utah state lawmakers passed HB179, a bill that proclaimed all of September as American Founders Month, a law Cox said he proudly signed. At Thursdays event, Cox said hed like other states in the union to join Utah in celebrating the supreme law of the United States. Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the Founders of America and Constitution Month Kick-Off at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News I want you to know that I am sending a letter to all 50 governors with a couple declarations ... asking all of them to follow in Utahs footsteps and celebrate our Constitution, not just one day, but all, Cox said. The nations founding document is one of the United States best exports, the governor said, quoting George Washingtons sentiment on the Constitution as being the guide which I will never abandon. He stressed the Constitutions value in todays political climate. I am worried that the coming months are going to test our nations foundation. I believe the Constitution that once united our nation can do it again, Cox said. Now more than ever, it is important that every single one of us read and reflect on the inspired Constitution and its role in preserving our republic. Cox also recognized Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, who was one of 13 service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. Hoover, who was sitting in the front row, later stood while the crowd applauded. The Hoover family was among those participating in Mondays wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, accompanied by Cox and former President Donald Trump. A constitutional education The family-friendly event offered patriotic displays and activities for adults and children, as individuals dressed as early-American historical figures including the ever-recognizable Benjamin Franklin weaved their way through the crowds. A palpable theme throughout the course of the morning was the emphasis on educating children and the next generation on the teachings of the Constitution in order build unity. We know that in order to hold onto who we are, we need to teach our kids who we are, said Owens, who represents the states 4th Congressional District. He thanked the crowd for bringing their children to the event. Our greatest responsibility is making our children understand the power of our great nation. Utah Society Sons of the American Revolution members Cole Duffield, left, Quinn Rodeffer and Joshua Adam Elliott prepare to present the flag at the Founders of America and Constitution Month Kick-Off at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News For Ogden resident Jessica Stoker and Centerville resident Francesca Green, Owens message hit close to home. Stoker and Green, who homeschool their children, attended the event as an activity that ties into their September lesson plans, which focus on patriotism and American history. My husband is super passionate about U.S. history, and we just want to give our kids exposure to all the things that our country has done, Green told the Deseret News. Events like this, Green said, help us gain perspective. Stoker, who inherited her fathers and grandfathers passion for American history and is instilling that into her teaching, said she appreciated that the free event was open to the public, an accessible opportunity for homeschool families. We need more opportunities to unite as Americans, she said. Sitting in the second row, two of Utahs Sanpete County residents who had commuted two hours to attend the event shared their perspectives. Were here representing our area, and were really happy to be here because Burgess Owens has been so supportive of our area, Faylyn Warnick, president of the Sanpete County Chamber of Commerce, told the Deseret News. Warnick shared that she and fellow Sanpete County resident and former Chamber of Commerce colleague Stephanie Hardy attended the event to learn more about Constitution education, and how they can bring that knowledge back to their rural slice of Utah. The event offered take-home materials for families and educators to continue the learning experience, which Warnick and Hardy said theyd be distributing in their hometown to both children and adults. Jen Brown, president of Why I Love America, said she started the organization because, if we dont do better teaching and celebrating these constitutional principles, it may not continue. Gov. Coxs official Thursday declaration reiterated that state law invites all Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, with a special focus on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, and to be taught principles from the United States Constitution. American Heritage School A Capella Choir performs at the Founders of America and Constitution Month Kick-Off at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Utah recovers $3.5 million in lost cash heres how to see if any belongs to you SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Nearly $3.5 Million in uncashed checks has been recovered for the State of Utah following a settlement with Delaware over money from international money transfer company MoneyGram. The money comes from unclaimed official checks issued by MoneyGram. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said Americans across the nation had official MoneyGram checks not claimed for various reasons. These checks were then reported to and held by the State of Delaware, where MoneyGram is headquartered, but never sent to the intended recipient. Following a lawsuit with Utah as part of a 30-state coalition to recover the damages of an unclaimed property dispute, a large portion of that money will now be released. Overall more than $190 million will be returned from Delaware to other states with nearly $3.5 million headed to Utah. New 5-mile multi-use trail opens at Guardsman Pass near Park City Thanks to the skilled attorneys within our office and other states, Utah citizens will now have access to claim what is rightfully theirs, said Reyes. Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks agreed by adding that Utahns are the ultimate winners as a result of the settlement. The State of Utah will assume custody and the responsibility to return the lost money in the settlement. Our team works hard to reunite lost money with its rightful owner, including employing aggressive outreach campaigns, leveraging advanced technology, and partnering with charities, local government leaders, and the news media, said Oaks. How to see if you can claim lost money Oaks encouraged Utahns to visit mycash.utah.gov and search their name for any unclaimed property, including any of the $3.5 million just recovered. Even if you may not have a claim to the recently recovered checks from MoneyGram, you may have lost money from other cases the state can help you recover. Oaks recommended using the MyCash Utah website at least once a year for lost property. Filing a claim is as simple as searching for your first and last name on the website. Once you find some lost property that may belong to you, click claim and enter in your information. After you submit your claim, youll be provided a confirmation claim number that you can use to track your claim. Each unclaimed property claim does require some identification. The exact requirements for each claim will be emailed to you and instructions on how to submit your identification will be provided. According to the Unclaimed Property Division, more than $450 million in lost property has been returned to its rightful owners. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 University of Texas at El Paso has been named one of Forbes' 500 Best Colleges. The rankings were released as part of the 2024 Forbes Top Colleges List. Of the 500 schools, UTEP ranked number one in Texas and 15th nationwide for graduating students with little to no debt. The 2024 list recognizes the top 500 colleges across the U.S. based on student success, return on investment and alumni influence. The Forbes ranking system analyzes alumni salary, student debt, graduation and retention rates, return on investment, academic success and leadership and entrepreneurial success of graduates. Forbes found that the average debt of a UTEP student was $4,735, significantly lower than the national average. According to the Education Data Initiative, university graduates owe an average of $28,244 a year after they leave school. UTEP provides a great education at a price that families can afford, said President Heather Wilson in a press release. This ranking is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Students make their way to classes on the first day of UTEPs fall semester, Aug. 26, 2024. Of the nearly 80 four-year, degree-granting institutions in Texas, only 15 made the Forbes 500 list. These include UTEP, the University of Texas at Austin, Rice University and Texas A&M. Forbes also found that the median salary of a UTEP alum within 10 years of graduating was $106,000. UTEP wants every student to have an exceptional and an affordable education, said Amanda Vasquez, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management. Our teams do everything in our power to remove financial barriers for students interested in attending UTEP. More: 'Happy' to be here: Excitement fills UTEP campus as students move in for fall semester What to know about UTEP The University of Texas at El Paso is Americas leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries meet, 84% of the 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP is the only open-access, top-tier research university in America, offering 170 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The university, which has a unique Bhutanese architecture, offers a wide variety of degree plans, including engineering, business management, education, health professions, and STEM. Among undergraduates, the five majors in fall 2023 with the highest enrollment were nursing, psychology, criminal justice, biological sciences, and computer science. More: UTEP Miners vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers football on FOX: 5 updates to know before kickoff Maria Cortes Gonzalez may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on Instagram, eptmariacg on TikTok. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Forbes 500 Best Colleges: UTEP No. 1 in Texas due to low student debt SCHUYLER, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Utica man and a Little Falls woman were arrested on Wednesday, August 28 after an altercation over an allegedly stolen vehicle in Schuyler, according to New York State Police. According to troopers, the suspects identified as 38-year-old Jason Pasquale of Utica and 44-year-old Jessica Thomas of Little Falls had allegedly stolen a vehicle. The owner of the vehicle whose identity was not released and a friend followed the suspects until they parked it on Millers Grove Road in the town of Schuyler. The two people allegedly confronted Pasquale and Thomas and an altercation ensued between the vehicle owners friend and Pasquale. Police say Thomas then intervened and hit the owners friend in the face, causing a laceration. The owners friend was transported to the Wynn Hospital in Utica for treatment. Pasquale was arraigned and released to the Fulton County Sheriffs Office on an outstanding warrant. He is being charged by the State Police with: Second-degree Forgery, a Class D Felony. Second-degree Criminal Mischief, a Class D Felony, Third-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, a Class D Felony, False Personation, a Class B misdemeanor, False Written Statement, a Class A Misdemeanor, and Seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor. Thomas was also arrested and released on her own recognizance. She is being charged with Second-Degree Assault, a Class D Felony. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Should UW-Madison spin off from UW System? Legislators ponder if it's time to 'shake it up' A legislative committee making recommendations on the future of the states public university system is considering whether to call for spinning off the flagship university. I think its time to step back and say its not 1973 anymore, said committee member and UW Foundation board member Peter Kies, referring to the year the University of Wisconsin System was created. Every 50 years or so, you've got to shake it up. Several committee members voiced support for UW-Madison separating from the 12 other UW institutions. They argued it would make the flagship more competitive nationally. They also said it would lift up the state's other campuses because the UW System could focus on solving problems UW-Madison doesn't have, such as declining enrollment and financial deficits. "Madison casts such a large shadow over the entire system," said committee member Jim Langdon, a former UW System vice president. "It's really hard to understand what's happening out at the other 12 institutions. The system schools Milwaukee and the 11 would really benefit from having that shadow taken away so the Legislature and the public, frankly, can understand what's happening at those institutions." Any change to the UW System's structure would require legislative approval. The committee's purpose is to craft recommendations for the Legislature to consider when the next session begins in 2025. Worry of 'divide and conquer' strategy The potential spin-off of UW-Madison dominated discussion at a Thursday meeting, which concluded without adoption of any recommendations. Another meeting is scheduled for sometime in September. The committee's 18 members includes two Republican lawmakers, two Democratic lawmakers and 14 others, at least six of whom have ties to UW-Madison. Not every committee member was sold on the idea. "All I can hear is divide and conquer," said Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee. "Cleave it off, and then Madison is on its own. The rest of the system is on its own, and there's no funding to follow it." Among others who said they were opposed: UW System President Jay Rothman and UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. "Our universities are better together," Rothman said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, adding: "At a time when we need to address all the challenges in higher education comprehensively, adding more governance, complications, and inefficiencies would not serve Wisconsin families and taxpayers well." Mnookin acknowledged the flagship faces different opportunities and challenges than others within the UW System. But she believes "it is not only possible but preferable to address these issues and these differences within our existing governance structures." Separating from UW System has been suggested before. It backfired The idea of a UW-Madison spin-off isn't new. In 2011, then-Republican Gov. Scott Walker proposed pairing a significant budget cut with greater freedom for UW-Madison by spinning it off into a new public authority with its own governing board. Then-Chancellor Biddy Martin supported it. The UW System did not. Lawmakers removed it from the budget and Martin left UW-Madison after just three years leading the university. Walker pitched another change in 2015, making the entire UW System into a public authority that would have given the UW Board of Regents more power. The idea didn't make it out of committee. One former regent calls current UW System model 'outdated' A recent research paper by UW-Madison economists, including a professor serving on the committee, suggested relaxing the UW System's strong governance model would "unshackle" UW-Madison and allow the flagship to realize its full potential. Another committee member, Scott Beightol, a former UW Regent and UW Law School alumnus, said the current model of one statewide four-year system is outdated and isnt working." Still, he raised one concern about the spin-off: he's heard a fear UW-Madison may be targeted or punished based on the perception some have of the university being a liberal bastion. Committee chair Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, suggested lawmakers serve on the separate board that would be created to oversee UW-Madison to ensure representation across the political spectrum. "I think we all agree that staying right where were at is probably not the best pathway for the future, Nedweski said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Legislative group floats idea of splitting UW-Madison from UW System Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said in an interview that he has urged billionaire Peter Thiel, his former Silicon Valley boss, to get off the sidelines and support former President Trumps White House run. The senator, who became Trumps running mate in July, told the Financial Times in an interview that he will keep pushing the Silicon Valley billionaire to reverse his decision to stay away from the 2024 presidential race and expand the GOP candidates war chest. 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 said 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, he added. Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, gave $1.25 million to support Trumps successful 2016 White House bid. The co-founder of data analytics company Palantir also donated $15 million in support of Vances Senate run. In November last year, Thiel said he does not intend to give money to GOP politicians in 2024, but he later added, Theres always a chance I might change my mind. Thiel said in late June this year that he would not be giving money to super PACs supporting Trump but that he would vote for the Republican nominee. Vances attempts to persuade Thiel come as Vice President Harriss campaign said it has raised $540 million since she entered the presidential race, with $82 million coming during the Democratic convention in Chicago. Vance worked at a venture capital firm that was co-founded by Thiel. They met in 2011 at Yale Law School. The Hill reached out to Thiels representative 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. UPDATE: New Mexico State Police said it is investigating an officer-involved shooting that involved Las Cruces Police Departmetn that is related to this incident at the White Sands Mall in Alamogordo. They said they will be providing more information later. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A vehicle pursuit involving New Mexico State Police ended at the White Sands Mall in Alamogordo on Thursday night, Aug. 29 and caused the evacuation of some stores there, the Alamogordo Police Department said. At about 7:40 p.m. Thursday, Alamogordo Police Department were alerted that a vehicle pursuit initiated by the State Police had entered the city. The vehicle pursuit ended at the White Sands Mall parking lot, Alamogordo Police said. Alamogordo Police responded to assist with the incident and in helping State Police secure the scene, according to Alamogordo officials. Alamogordo Police said that nearby businesses were evacuated but did not say how many. When asked if any injuries happened during the incident, Alamogordo officials referred us to New Mexico State Police. We have reached out to NMSP for more information and will update this story when we learn more. We will update this story when we learn 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 KTSM 9 News. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation awarded $300,000 for renewable heating Montpelier, VT. The United States Forest Service awarded a $300,000 Wood Innovations Grant to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. The goal of this grant program is to help working lands businesses gain more carbon responsible heating systems. The provided advanced wood heating systems meet low emission requirements, using wood chips and pellets in an automated central structure. These grants are a great opportunity for farm and forest businesses to reduce their use of fossil fuels and strengthen the Vermont working lands economy, said Andrew Perchlik, director of the Clean Energy Development Fund at the Vermont Department of Public Service. Currently, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The program will reimburse up to 50% of project costs with a $25,000 maximum. Individuals interested in applying or learning more should visit the AWH incentives 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. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A small group of veterans and families affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune made their way to Charlotte Thursday to show support for a bill to help smooth efforts to file claims over health issues. The group was made up of those who have medical ailments themselves, which have included everything from autoimmune issues to various forms of cancer. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was signed into law to allow service members and their families who lived and worked at the base between 1953 and 1987 the chance to file a claim if they suffered medical issues. Dry cleaning chemicals and a gas leak led to a contaminated water supply, which people have blamed for issues for service members, spouses and children who were unaware of what they were ingesting and bathing in. However, veterans have noted there have been limits to the 2022 law. It has been a slow process, said Brian Amburgey. The Department of Justice has interpreted the bill the way they think it ought to be. Over a decade after Larson win, NASCAR returns to Rockingham in 2025 Amburgey has made it his mission to make sure that help comes, as someone who served at the base, and as someone with his own medical issues. My lungs, my liver, my prostate, and now they say I possibly have leukemia, he said. Lawmakers have highlighted and demanded answers on claims, which have been limited to a handful of judges. Legislation currently in Congress, and another bill in the Senate that is set to be introduced next month, would change that. Amburgey told Queen City News of progress in speaking with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis on the contaminated water claim issue. Queen City News reached out to Sen. Tilliss office. Their statement in full, via a spokesperson: Senator Tillis is proud to lead the introduction of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2024 in the Senate when Congress is back in session next month. Since being elected, Senator Tillis has worked with Camp Lejeune veterans who were exposed to toxicants to get them the health care and benefits they deserve. It is clear that the process to approve their claims is taking far too long, which is why Senator Tillis will introduce this bill to implement reforms needed to ensure veterans receive long-awaited justice. The veterans and their families have conceded enough for the years we have fought, said Amburgey. Now, it is time for the government to concede and do right by 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 Queen City News. Victims in deadly rollover on US 287 identified by DPS WISE COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) The victims of what authorities called a mass casualty incident on Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 287 in Alvord have been identified by officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety. PREVIOUS STORY: Fourth fatality confirmed in rollover on US 287 15-passenger van involved in a fatal rollover crash on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 (Photo provided courtesy KXAS) On Thursday afternoon, August 29, 2024, Sgt. Tony De La Cerda, a DPS Public Information Officer, released more details on the quadruple-fatal crash that occurred on Wednesday morning. Sgt. De La Cerda said Diony Antoine, 46, JN Irard Vixamar, 42, and Ledene Pierre-Louis, 36, were all pronounced deceased at the scene. He said Geneve Louis, 28, was later pronounced deceased at Medical City Denton. Sgt. De La Cerda also identified the other ten passengers in the van, all of whom were injured as a result of the crash: Noel Fednel, 35 Flown to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth with critical injuries Dieudyrat Eliassaint, 35 Flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth with critical injuries Walnick Desir, 33 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Reginald Neptune, 34 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Marc Jean Lorkens Baptiste, 25 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Vincola Lecean, 52 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Junior Louis, 35 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Jean Edson, 35 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Jean Philippe Durock, 47 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with serious injuries Manius Vines, 44 Transported by AMR to Medical City Denton with minor injuries According to a press release from Wise County EMS, shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, officials responded to a rollover crash on northbound U.S. 287 near the exit for F.M. 1655 in Alvord. PREVIOUS STORY: 3 dead, 11 injured in rollover near Alvord 15-passenger van involved in a fatal rollover crash on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 (Photo provided courtesy KXAS) Authorities said a 15-passenger van carrying 14 occupants left the road and rolled multiple times, causing several passengers to be ejected. Ultimately, four occupants died and the remaining 10 suffered injuries resulting from the crash. Sgt. De La Cerda said the victims were all residents of Florida of Haitian descent and were traveling to New Mexico when the rollover crash occurred. According to Sgt. De La Cerda, the investigation is not a human smuggling or human trafficking case. Sgt. De La Cerda said the investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. 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. This article was originally published in Virginia Mercury. Virginia students reading and math assessments for the 2023-24 school year saw some improvement over last year after months of recovery efforts, according to data released by the Department of Education Tuesday. However, pass rates in other subjects are still behind results from the 2022-23 school year. Pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in reading, math, and science Standards of Learning tests all showed increases statewide by at least 1%. Writing showed the highest increase 17 percentage points while history and social science saw little gain, less than a percentage point. The Standards of Learning tests (SOLs) are used in Virginia to measure student learning and achievement in mathematics, reading, science, writing, and history and social science. Testing was suspended during 2020-21, when many schools around the state stopped in-person instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In 2023-24, roughly 71% of Virginia students passed the math tests compared to 82% before the pandemic. On reading tests, 77.5% of students overall passed compared to 73% before the pandemic. The administration has regularly pinned the results of the learning loss on prior Boards of Education that changed the states standards of school accreditation and lowered the scores required to be considered proficient in a certain subject, on student assessments. Democrats and previous board members have defended such decisions. Every single one of our data releases is a snapshot into a motion picture, and Im pleased today that the motion picture will, in fact, show that a ship that was off course has been turned around, and that we are seeing progress, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but we will also say today that we have a long way to go. Last September, the administration, troubled by the significant learning loss in reading and math, dedicated $418 million through the 2025-26 school year to the problem. The administration launched high-intensity tutoring programs and the ALL IN VA plan to focus on attendance, literacy and tutoring. Statewide, schools hired additional tutors, extended instruction time before and after school, and focused on using the states free personalized supplemental math and reading resources. The data showed a 16% reduction in students chronically absent in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. Students are chronically absent if they have missed at least 18 days of instruction for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. Data shows pass rates statewide increased for economically disadvantaged students, English learners and students with disabilities over the previous two school years. Mixed results between counties However, school divisions have had mixed results with pass rates. Fairfax County, the largest school division in Virginia, maintained similar pass rates in reading, math and science over the previous two school years, but experienced significant drops in writing, and history and social science by at least 20 percentage points each. Craig County, one of the smaller school divisions in the commonwealth, saw increases in all five subject areas. The administration also praised school divisions such as Bath and Brunswick County Public Schools. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, Bath saw a 19% increase in reading scores and Brunswick saw a 21% increase in grades 3-8 math pass rates. With schools facing the threat of All In VA funding ending in two years, Kristy Somerville-Midgette, superintendent of Brunswick County Public Schools, recommended superintendents work with their school boards, and local government and be creative with their funding and look for opportunities to best serve students. Levi Goren, a policy director at The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, said in a statement that the increases in pass rates are great and the success is likely connected to the recent increases in state support for students. Support for students facing higher barriers, such as students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English language learners, is still needed, Goren added. While todays scores were promising for some of these students, we know that one strong year of improvement cannot make up for the continued impact of years of insufficient funding, Goren said. Sustained increases in state funding would help lift test scores and other outcomes for students facing greater barriers. Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X. 'Would you blame Hungarians for Soviet invasion?' - Von der Leyen criticizes those who 'muddy the waters' on Ukraine European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Aug. 30 criticized certain EU politicians for "muddying the waters" and shifting the blame for Russia's war on Ukraine, drawing historical comparisons to Soviet aggression in Central Europe. "They blame the war not on the invader but on the invaded. Not on (Vladimir) Putin's lust for power, but on Ukraine's thirst for freedom," von der Leyen said at the Globsec conference in Prague, attended by the Kyiv Independent. "So I want to ask them: would you ever blame the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion of 1956? Would you ever blame the Czechs for the Soviet oppression of 1968?" Von der Leyen, recently re-elected as head of the EU's executive arm, did not name these politicians, but insinuated they hail from Central Europe. The Hungarian and Slovak governments have been vocal critics of the EU's support for Ukraine, opposing military aid while continuing to strengthen economic ties with Russia. "The Kremlin's behavior was evil and atrocious back then, and it is evil and atrocious today," the EU official said. Von der Leyen also criticized Europe's pre-2022 "illusion" that greater economic integration with Russia would lead to more stability. Read also: Ukraine-skeptic parties win big in German state elections, tilting political landscape in Russias favor "What was supposed to be the source of security, because the source of vulnerability," von der Leyen said, adding that Putin's attempts at energy blackmail has failed as Europe has developed its own capacities. She emphasized that Europe has begun taking its defense seriously, but warned that significant work and investment are needed. To that end, she announced plans to introduce the first-ever EU Defense Commissioner. Currently, security and defense issues are handled by various officials, such as the Market Commissioner and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs. Earlier at the Globsec conference, Czech President Petr Pavel noted that Ukraine and its allies are facing "a long conflict with an uncertain outcome." "The time can, however, work in Ukraine's and our favor, but only if we pull ourselves together and learn lessons of the past 2.5 years," Pavel said. "At this point, we are dealing with Russia that still believes it has no reason to change its course of action." Pavel called for long-term, predictable support, stronger sanctions enforcement, and outreach to third countries to prevent them from helping Moscow evade sanctions. "Russia must grow to an understanding that persisting in this misguided war will no longer be in their interest," Pavel said. "The Ukrainians are doing more than their part to drive this message home. They pay the highest price their lives. Whatever we do to support them will never bear the same price tag." Government officials, experts, and journalists from Europe and beyond have gathered in Prague for the three-day conference, which is addressing today's main security challenges, with Russia's war as a key focus. 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. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has explained in her first public speech after her re-election why Orbans calls for an end to hostilities in Ukraine are wrong. Source: correspondent of the European Pravda at the opening of the GLOBSEC international conference Details: Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke at the opening of the GLOBSEC international conference, which is being held in Prague for the first time, stressed that this was the first time she had made a public speech since her appointment in July as President of the European Commission for the next five years, and therefore this speech was particularly important. She started her speech by referring to Russia's war in Ukraine as a key event on the European continent. In her speech, von der Leyen once again acknowledged the mistake of Western Europe, which for a long time underestimated the warnings about Putin's aggressive policy. "You've warned us already years ago about Putin's intentions... Well, we should have listened better to Central and Eastern Europe," she said. However, the president, without mentioning Viktor Orban by name, harshly criticised the policies of him and Hungary. "Would you ever blame the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion of 1956? Would you ever blame the Czechs for the Soviet repression of 1968?" she asked. Von der Leyen focused on the so-called Orban's "peace initiatives", which call for an end to hostilities and oppose the supply of defence weapons to Ukraine. "Those who argue to stop support for Ukraine do not argue for peace, they argue for appeasement subjugation of Ukraine... But while many outside Europe are preoccupied only with the end of fighting, my position is that peace is not simply the absence of war. Peace is a settlement that makes war impossible and unnecessary," she stressed. "But in no language peace is synonymous with surrender," the European Commission President added. Background: Immediately after the start of the Hungarian presidency, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban went on a "peacekeeping tour", including to Moscow. The European Union distanced itself from his actions and stressed that Orban was only representing his country on these trips. In this regard, in late July, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said that Hungary was becoming increasingly isolated in the EU, and its position was irritating the other member states. Support UP or become our patron! WA Department of Corrections searching for inmate who escaped from Tumwater facility The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) and local law enforcement are actively searching for 33-year-old Christopher Brinkley, who escaped from the Correctional Industries (CI) Headquarters in Tumwater Friday. Brinkley, who was incarcerated at the Cedar Creek Corrections Center, a minimum security facility in Littlerock, was at the CI headquarters as part of his approved work program when he fled. Brinkley was serving a sentence following his conviction in King County earlier this year for tampering with a witness and violating a protection order. He had an earned release date of June 16, 2026. He was last seen around noon wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. DOC staff and law enforcement are searching the surrounding area. Authorities warn that anyone who sees Brinkley should not approach him but instead call 911 or contact DOC headquarters at 360-480-2696. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shrugged off an accusation that he misstated his military record when asked about it alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in the first major sit-down interview of their campaign for the White House. CNNs Dana Bash asked Walz about remarks in 2018, when he was running for Congress, and he said he carried a weapon of war in war as he discussed his support for restricting assault weapons. Walz, who served 24 years in the National Guard but was not in combat, says he misspoke chalking it up to garbling some words. My grammar is not always correct, he said. The Republican criticism was part of a broader effort to tarnish Walz soon after he emerged as Harris running mate. But the effect of the accusation has been muted, in part because former President Donald Trump made well-known efforts to dodge military service, and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, served four years in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq but did not have combat experience. Walz said in the CNN interview that his military record speaks for itself as he dismissed the criticism. I'm incredibly proud I've done 24 years of wearing the uniform of this country, equally proud of my service in a public school classroom, whether it's Congress or the governor, he said. My record speaks for itself. I speak candidly. I wear my emotions on my sleeves, and I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns. The Minnesota governor was dismissive of other attacks, including by Republican media figures on his son whose tearful applause for his father was one of the more emotional moments at the Democratic National Convention. If it's not this, it's an attack on my children for showing love for me, or it's an attack on my dog, Walz said. I'm not going to do that. And the one thing I'll never do is I'll never demean another member's service in any way. I never have and I never will. Warner Robins High student charged with having gun, marijuana on campus, police say A gun was confiscated from a students book bag on Tuesday at Warner Robins High School in Houston County, officials confirmed. The 16-year-old was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with possessing of a weapon in a school safety zone and possessing marijuana, said Lt. Darin Meadows from the Houston County Sheriffs Juvenile Investigations. WRHS staff and law enforcement confiscated the firearm from the students backpack during a search. There were no injuries or threats made with the weapon, district spokesperson Jennifer Jones said in an email. Chris McCook, principal of Warner Robins High School, notified parents Tuesday. Please be assured that all students and staff are safe, McCook said in a callout to the campus community. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our number one priority, and we will continue to investigate any and all safety concerns. McCook advised anyone with questions to contact him directly. The student was taken to the Crisp County Regional Youth Detention Center and remained in custody Friday awaiting trial, Meadows said. Meadows said he couldnt disclose why the 16-year-old had a gun on campus. The district said it could not disclose disciplinary actions taken against the student, but officials followed safety protocol concerning weapons on campus. Safety is our number one priority, and we will not tolerate weapons of any kind at school. Working together with our students and parents as a team, we can continue to keep our schools a safe place to learn, school officials said. School officials encourage students to use an anonymous alert tool to report incidents across the district. Warner Robins High School is located at 401 South Davis Drive. Warren man gets 40 years in prison for attacking mother with hammer WARREN, R.I. (WPRI) A Warren man accused of attacking his mother with a hammer in 2021 will spend 40 years behind bars, according to R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha. Kevin Mendes, 37, pleaded no contest to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to commit murder. A judge sentenced him to 60 years with 40 to serve at the ACI, followed by 60 years of probation. Additionally, Mendes was issued a no-contact order with his mother and was ordered to undergo mental health treatment. RELATED: Warren man charged with attacking mother with hammer This defendant received a lifetime of love and support from his mother and in return, took so much from her, Neronha said. Violence is never acceptable, but for the defendant to act so viscously without provocation makes this case all the more senseless and chilling. On May 24, 2021, officers were called to a home on Birch Swamp Road and found Mendes walking out the front door covered in blood with his hands in the air. On the second floor of the apartment, officers found his mother on the floor covered in blood, with a bloody hammer next to her. She was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said she was in a coma for two weeks before getting treatment in the Intensive Care Unit for one month, and then needed extensive rehabilitation services. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A group of smash-and-grab car burglars were caught in the act outside KRON4s San Francisco news station this month. The crime, also known as bipping, was recorded on video by a police drone flying overhead before officers tackled the burglars. The San Francisco Police Department drone video was recorded on August 22. In the video, a bright red SUV can be seen driving from the Embarcadero into a large parking lot outside KRON4s station. Unbeknown to the burglars, their SUV had triggered the citys new automated license plate reading cameras because it was used in another auto burglary the day before. Officers rapidly deployed a drone into the sky for aerial surveillance. The red SUV pulls alongside a victims black SUV in the parking lot, drone video shows. One burglar steps out and smashes through back windows within seconds. The drone continued recording the group as they grab large suitcases out of the victims vehicle, toss the stolen items into the red SUV, and drive away. (Drone aerial image courtesy SFPD) Instead of initiating a high-risk police pursuit that could endanger other drivers on city streets, SFPD followed the SUV with its drone. At the right moment, officers on the ground deployed a spike strip and tackled three burglars as they attempted to run away. All three were armed with handguns, police said. Police said the stolen luggage was returned to a family who was on vacation. The San Francisco Police Department has deployed several new drones and automated license plate reading cameras this summer to disrupt rampant auto break-ins plaguing the city. In addition to drones, police are also using bait cars as decoys with undercover officers ready to swoop in to make arrests. SFPD Chief Bill Scott said the tactics are proving to be successful and auto break-ins have dropped 57% in 2024 compared to 2023. (Drone aerial image courtesy SFPD) Our hard-working officers now have the technology they need to make more arrests and drive crime down in San Francisco, Chief Scott said. Tools like drones and ALPR work together as a force multiplier for our officers. I look forward to new and innovative ways we can continue to use technology to keep the public safe. List of bipping auto burglary hot spots in SF released The police department wrote, This summer San Francisco has seen the lowest rate of break-ins in years, including lower than it was during the pandemic when the city was mostly shutdown and tourism had evaporated. There was a 72% decrease in auto break-ins in June 2024 compared to June 2023. There was a 70% decrease in auto break-ins in July 2024 compared to July 2023 SFPD launched transparency tools to inform the public about the use of its new technology. The department created a page on its website where it will post monthly drone flight logs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Houthi rebels from Yemen have blown up sections of a hijacked oil tanker, prompting fears of a major oil spill and environmental disaster in the Red Sea. Video footage shows an armed and masked Houthi rebel walking alone on the oil tanker Sounion, which was first attacked on Aug 22 with its crew forced to flee. The Houthi rebel plants what appears to be explosive devices on the Greek-flagged vessel. The next scene in the video, which appears to have been shot by the Houthis using a drone camera, shows at least five explosions at the same time along the ship. Rebels are heard shouting Allahu Akbar in the background. Click here to view this content. The European Unions military mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, said that multiple fires had been detected on the main deck of the tanker. Operating assets in the area have confirmed that theres no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and not drifting, the statement said. But, Aspides stressed that the Red Sea was a unique marine ecosystem that was under threat from potential pollution. The Houthis declared war on Israel following the Oct 7 massacre and subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza. The Yemen-based group have attacked Israel directly with more than 200 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, killing one civilian in Tel Aviv. Attacks have also been aimed at commercial ships in the Red Sea, causing major disruption to international trade. Click here to view this content. More than 70 vessels have been attacked, disrupting an estimated 754 billion in commerce on shipping lanes crucial to Asia, Europe and the Middle East, according to the Indo-Pacific Defence Forum. In December, the US formed a coalition of more than 20 countries, nicknamed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to confront the rebels and try to secure the maritime route. The coalition has intercepted numerous drones and ballistic missiles aimed at vessels. The US and the UK have launched several joint attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen since the coalition was formed. In June, the two allies launched six air strikes on the Houthis, four of which targeted the airport of Hodeidah, a vital port in Yemen. 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. Click here to view this content. Click here to view this content. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, was booed by a firefighters union before trying to placate them with Latin. The second the Ohio senator walked on stage on Thursday at the International Association of Firefighters conference in Boston, he was met with loud jeers that continued sporadically throughout his speech. It marked a contrast to the reception his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz, received the day before, of claps and cheers. Addressing the audience, Mr Vance reeled off some Latin in an attempt to win them over. Semper fi, guys, said Mr Vance, a Marine veteran. The Latin phrase is the Marine Corps motto and an abbreviation of Semper Fidelis which means always faithful. Sounds like we got some fans and some haters. Thats okay. Listen to what I have to say here. Ill make my pitch, he responded as the energetic booing failed to subside. Later in his speech, he argued that the Trump-Vance ticket was the most pro-worker Republican ticket in history, which elicited another round of loud boos from the frustrated audience. The vice-presidential nominee received only a smattering of applause when he promised to protect free speech, including speaking out against Covid-19 vaccines, as well as protecting pensions. We will never stop fighting for you, he said. Mr Vance argued that the Trump-Vance ticket was the 'most pro-worker Republican ticket in history' - Josh Reynolds/AP On Wednesday, Mr Walz, Kamala Harriss running mate, was given a warm reception at the same convention in Boston, a traditionally blue stronghold. A spokesman for the Harris-Walz campaign said in a statement: JD tried selling firefighters on the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda to undermine workers, gut labour protections, and cut overtime pay and got hosed. They wont be fooled by Donald Trump or JD Vances lies about their plan to undermine unions and Americas middle class, they added. Mr Vance, who is now ranked the least popular vice-presidential candidate in modern history, according to polling by ABCs FiveThirtyEight, has suffered a backlash from voters over comments he made about childless cat ladies. He has also been criticised for making personal attacks against Ms Harris. At a Pennsylvania rally on Wednesday, Mr Vance told the Democratic presidential nominee to go to hell. It came in response to a question surrounding the altercation which reportedly took place at Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week between Trumps campaign staff and cemetery officials. US law prohibits campaign-related activities at military cemeteries, but reports suggest Trumps team tried to film a wreath-laying ceremony for 13 US troops killed by a suicide bomber at Kabul airport during the evacuation in 2021. Mr Vance, seeking to deflect the criticism away from Trump, called Ms Harris disgraceful and said she was asleep at the wheel. 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. 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. Former President Trump visited La Crosse, Wis., Thursday, where he delivered remarks during a town hall. Thursdays event was moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (I-Hawaii), who endorsed the former president earlier this week during a campaign event in Detroit. Gabbard, who ran against President Biden and Vice President Harris in 2020 before leaving the Democratic Party, was recently added to Trumps transition team. The town hall marks the former presidents first campaign visit to the Badger State since he accepted the GOP nomination last month at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The convention ended just days before Biden announced he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris. Before Bidens decision to step aside, Trump was leading the president by 1.5 points in the state 46.9 percent to 45.4 percent. The Hill/Decision Desk HQs aggregate of polls shows Harris on top in Wisconsin, garnering 49.6 percent support to her GOP rivals 46.5 percent. Watch the full video replay 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 The Hill. Mason City firefighters are taking to intersections throughout town Friday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2 for the annual "Fill the Boot Drive" which supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), helping kids and adults with various muscle-related diseases. For 70 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Associations Fill the Boot campaign has raised critical funds for research and care for people who live with a neuromuscular disease, including fellow firefighters, and we are honored to be a part of their effort for this important mission. Last year we were able to raise over $12,500 for the MDA. said Neil Maki, president of the Mason City Fire Fighters Association in a statement. Firefighters will be at Hy-Vee West, the intersection of Monroe Avenue and First St. NW, as well as frontage roads at Roosevelt Avenue and Village Green Dr. by Fleet Farm and Menards, when available and not on emergency calls, according to a press release. A watchdog is calling on the Biden administration to investigate whether donations to an organization representing Republican state financial officers have violated the Securities and Exchange Commissions landmark pay-to-play rule. The State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) whose members include GOP state treasurers, auditors, and controllers has led a public crusade against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, or the idea that firms should consider environmental and social considerations or companies governance structure when they make investments. Its part of a broader campaign against so-called woke investments, and is essentially a demand that companies focus their attention purely on short-term profits at the expense of workers, the public, and the future of the planet. The asset management firm BlackRock has been a central target of this anti-ESG campaign, in part due to its size: Because the firm has trillions of dollars in assets under management, in theory, it has the power to substantially influence corporate behavior. Conservatives dont want BlackRock pressing companies to be better stewards of the earth even if that is in everyones long-term interest, financially and otherwise. Campaign for Accountability, a progressive watchdog group, is calling foul over several red states decisions to prohibit BlackRock from managing state pension money over supposed concerns about ESG. The group writes in a letter to financial regulators that, despite their boycott of BlackRock, the states continued working with some money managers that have donated to SFOF and offer ESG funds. It does not appear that these firms, while sponsoring SFOF, were barred from managing state funds, the Campaign for Accountability writes in the letter. Now, the watchdog is asking the Securities and Exchange Commission to launch an investigation. Noah Wall, an executive vice president at SFOF, denies the groups members have gone easy on its own donors. The State Financial Officers Foundation does not dictate any decisions made by state officials, he tells Rolling Stone, adding that the letters premise is factually inaccurate. That said, we are proud of the work being done to protect Americans across the many states represented by our membership, Wall continues. From blacklisting banks like Wells Fargo to divesting from asset management firms like BlackRock, financial officers are leading the way in holding companies accountable for putting politics over their customers. Because of their work, most Americans now regard ESG as nothing more than a vehicle to drive a political agenda through economic coercion at the expense of hard-working Americans. As The New York Times has reported, conservative groups and fossil fuel lobbyists have worked hand-in-hand with SFOF to challenge climate-related actions. Documents obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy show SFOF holding events and panels at ritzy hotels all over the country, attended by right-wing state treasurers and auditors as well as executives from conservative think tanks, financial firms, and lobbying and consulting firms. SFOF previously disclosed its financial supporters online, but stopped doing so several years ago. In 2022, the organization said its sponsors included Federated Hermes, Fidelity Investments, Invesco, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo. The Campaign for Accountability letter says that, in 2017, South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis (R) began divesting state portfolios from BlackRock because of BlackRocks position regarding ESG, before replacing the firm with another company with ESG interests. Fully divested in 2022, Loftis chose Federated Hermes to manage the states fund, the watchdog group writes. Given Loftis stated reason for dropping BlackRock Loftis choice of Federated was surprising given that Federated, like BlackRock, offers ESG funds and has touted its efforts in that regard. A notable difference: unlike BlackRock, Federated was a top donor to SFOF, where Loftis is a member. According to the Financial Times, Federated said in 2022 it was ending its support for SFOF, amid pressure from foreign pension funds. It is silly to suggest the Treasurers participation in SFOF had any bearing on Federateds selection as the states financial investment advisor, a Loftis spokesperson tells Rolling Stone. As per state protocols, the State Treasurers Office conducted a rigorous Request for Information for investment advisory and management services in 2017 and vetted several renowned firms, considering their past performance, investment team experience, budgetary impact, and interest in ESG investing. The spokesperson adds: The Treasurer attends several conferences each year; some are presented by the left and some by the right, and each conference has financial sponsors. Sponsoring conferences is not a criterion for doing business with the State Treasurers Office. Since 2015, Treasurer Loftis has been a staunch opponent of ESG investing because it is easily manipulated, is anti-capitalist, distorts free markets, and serves the woke agenda of financial elites, not the hard-working people of South Carolina. The Campaign for Accountability letter requests that the SEC investigate to determine whether contributions to SFOF have led to preferential treatment of or influenced state financial officers not to divest from investment firms. The SECs pay-to-play rule bars campaign donations from financial executives to state officials who control pension investment decisions, and it includes an anti-circumvention provision that additionally prohibits acts done indirectly, which, if done directly, would violate the rule. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Plans for sprawling solar farms in the Mojave Desert northwest of Las Vegas could turn into a war over water needed to build the future power grid. As a 30-day protest period opens on the revised Western Solar Plan issued by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Nye County towns of Beatty, Amargosa Valley and Pahrump are at the center of an emerging fight to defend their communities from planned solar development. About 50,000 people live in the Amargosa River watershed, according to Ashley Lee, board president of the Amargosa Conservancy. The Amargosa River watershed is an irreplaceable gem of the Mojave Desert, and we cant let it be destroyed for industrial energy development, Lee said. One of BLMs goals in crafting the Western Solar Plan is to avoid past patterns of conflict over development, when priorities werent clear and the BLM generally approved every project that was proposed. The updated Western Solar Plan is a responsible, pragmatic strategy for developing solar energy on our nations public lands that supports national clean energy goals and long-term national energy security, according to BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. It will drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy, furthering the BLMs mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The plan itself doesnt constitute approval of any of the projects at the center of the Nye County battle. But once the plan is in place, it will streamline the path to development. To read more on the plan, see the BLM planning page. The plan currently affects six states and could be expanded to cover 11 states. Instructions for filing a protest with the BLM can be found at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/public-participation/filing-a-plan-protest and at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-19478/p-6. Kevin Emmerich of the conservation watchdog Basin & Range Watch said the solar industry has already influenced BLMs path, effectively killing an option that would have prevented large-scale solar development on habitat for endangered species. The BLM has become a rubber stamp agency for an industry that requires too much open space to be successful. Every individual solar project has a long track record of impacting multiple natural resources, Emmerich said. Conservationists have repeatedly said its a matter of where the BLM approves projects most agree that solar energy is the right way to go. We support solar energy as an important part of the clean energy transition, but it cant come at the expense of our most special places. The communities and endangered species of the Amargosa are vulnerable to the harms that such widespread development would bring, Lee said. The biggest potential harm could be 8 billion gallons of water used primarily during construction of the solar power facilities. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, known as the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert, would be surrounded on two sides by solar projects. The refuge is home to four endangered fish species and eight threatened or endangered plant species. The federally endangered Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish. (Photo courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service) Letter seeks to block mining near environmentally sensitive Ash Meadows, west of Las Vegas Death Valley National Park could have nearly 40 miles of its border lined with solar projects. And communities would be forever changed by the neighboring solar farms. With household incomes well below the national and regional average, and a legacy of toxic waste pollution, these are the definition of environmental justice communities, according to an Amargosa Conservancy news release on Thursday. Under this plan, some areas designated for solar come right up to hundreds of peoples homes and fence lines. The conservancy argues that the Western Solar Plan doesnt safeguard residents from the impacts ahead. Gemini solar project in full operation northeast of Las Vegas The communities of the Amargosa River watershed have made themselves quite clear: They do not want these projects in direct proximity to their homes as observed at the last town hall meeting, Lee said. There are better ways to site these projects to minimize impacts to communities and biodiversity, but this plan falls short. A possible solution could lie in partnerships, the conservancy said. Agricultural operations that are already threatened by declining groundwater could be converted to solar use. Retiring water rights on those lands would provide a potential win-win for solar development, conservation efforts and communities. Have the BLM thought about exploring unique opportunities, such as a public-private partnership with landowners in the Amargosa, as part of this plan? Lee asked. Were concerned that the revision of the Western Solar Plan seems to continue with the usual approach, and were concerned that without more careful consideration, the communities and biodiversity of the Amargosa River watershed might be negatively impacted. Emmerich cited the past failures of solar development. Solar energy has removed close to 100,000 acres of habitat for the desert tortoise, making it one of the biggest threats to the species. We have so much space on rooftops and previously disturbed land for solar panels that public lands should be the absolute last resort for this kind of development, 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 KLAS. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A 24 inch water main sprayed water into the sky after a contractor damaged the line while working on the project to widen Nolensville Pike. The report came in just after 9:30 a.m., saying water customers in the area of Kinhawk Drive may be affected. Record heat breaks temperature record set 127 years ago A torrent of water was seen pouring from the 24 inch water main and flooding nearby homes. Crews have been working in the area to widen a nearby portion of Nolensville Pike. Melodie Grace moved into the neighborhood in 2021. She was on the way to the store when she saw a geyser flooding her neighbors home. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County According to Grace, this isnt the first time neighbors have had issues with construction along Nolensville Pike. I walked into my garage a couple mornings ago and I could smell natural gas, Grace said. Later we found out they [construction crews} hit a gas line but we werent notified, which was really dangerous. The water stopped flowing from the main around 11 a.m. Utilizing valves in the system, crews were able to shut down the broken portion of the water main and redirect water, according to MWS. The questions I have are isnt there a map that you can see the utility layout and avoid this? It seems like this is avoidable, it seems very irresponsible, and something needs to be done about it, Grace told News 2. The water main break directly impacted the Pena family, who lives along Retriever Court. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com According to a family member, their mother and niece were inside when the water first erupted. Both of them had to be evacuated. This is the only house I remember, Miguel pena says. We have been here since 2007 and I never thought Id have to worry about flooding, but were here now. The Pena family had heavy damage throughout the home and will stay with family until the can have their home repaired. At roughly 5:30 p.m., Metro Water Services posted to X that the location of the break resulted in the creation of a temporary road. The creation of that road has prolonged the repair process, the post said. Our crews are working diligently and we will continue to update as more information becomes available, the post reads, in part. A few hours later, Metro Water Services added that it would likely be around midnight or in the early morning hours before the repair would be complete. 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. WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) A Waterbury gang member was sentenced to 16 years in jail on Thursday for his participation in the 960 street gang. Laderrick Lexus Jones, 32, pleaded guilty to racketeering and narcotics trafficking in March. He has been detained since 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 WTNH.com. A Waukesha woman who is serving time for a December 2022 crash in Milwaukee that killed her cousin will remain behind bars a bit longer. Shauntonae Walton, 28, on Thursday pleaded guilty to knowingly operating a car without a license causing great bodily harm and bail jumping. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jonathan Richards sentenced her to serve one year in prison and one year of extended supervision on each count. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, but consecutively with the sentence in a separate crash for which she already is serving time. That means she'll be in prison for a total of 11 years. "This was an accident caused by somebody who shouldn't have been driving," Assistant District Attorney Michael R. Staskunas said. More: Got popped for speeding in Wisconsin? Here's how you can fight the ticket Here's what happened that day Prosecutors and police argued Walton was driving a car in July 2023 that traveled north on 91st Street and slammed into a pickup on 91st that was attempting to make a left turn onto Mill Road. The collision caused the pickup to roll onto its side. A man and two young children were in the car with Walton. The crash left three people in the other vehicle injured, including one woman who suffered spinal injuries. Walton was out on bail in connection with a deadly single-vehicle crash eight months earlier also on 91st that killed her cousin, DeeAnna Edwards, a passenger in the car. In that crash, prosecutors argued Walton was drunk and sped into a tree at 91st and Bradley Road on Dec. 10, 2022. A judge gave her 10 years in that matter. More: 50 deadly, 2,000 non-deadly crashes in Milwaukee this year. This vehicle is created for awareness. Walton was pushed to drive by 'mother's mindset' to care for injured child In court Thursday, Walton and her defense attorney, Peter J. Kovac, revealed Walton drove that day because one of her children had been injured on a playground and needed medical attention. Kovac said Walton called for an ambulance and waited 20 minutes, but none came. So she made the decision to drive the child to Children's Hospital, despite restrictions imposed on her by the court. "This was a mother's mindset," said Kovac, of Milwaukee. "She was trying to care for her child." State transportation records show Walton never held a Wisconsin driver's license. Her driving record also shows she was cited and later convicted of operating a vehicle without a license in 2018 in Waukesha municipal court. Walton's license status was formally considered "suspended," and she was cited and found guilty of operating while suspended in 2021 in Brookfield municipal court. More: The man who killed an aspiring barber while fleeing Milwaukee police gets prison time Through tears Thursday, Walton told the judge the child had just beaten cancer when injured. Getting the child to the hospital was the first thing on her mind. "I couldn't just keep watching my baby in pain," she said. "I did what I thought any mother would do." After the crash, emergency medical personnel didn't fully check on Walton or her passengers, Kovac said. The focus immediately was on the people in the other vehicle, which landed on its side with three people trapped inside. Walton and her passengers left with Walton's sister, whom she called, and proceeded to the hospital on their own. Prosecutors on Thursday dismissed a charge of hit-and-run involving great bodily harm, a Class-E felony, as part of the plea deal with Walton. However, the charge was read into the court record for sentencing purposes. More: Driver with revoked license pleads guilty in crash that killed Muskego couple How many traffic deaths have been reported this year? At least 60 people have died in crashes on Milwaukee County roads in 2024 through Aug. 25, the most updated figure provided Wednesday from the state Department of Transportation. There were 92 traffic deaths in the county during all of 2023, the year the crash at 91st and Mill occurred, and 110 fatalities in 2022, the year Edwards was killed. There have been 350 road fatalities reported statewide in 2024, traffic data shows. In 2023, there were 564. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha woman convicted in a fatal 2022 crash gets more prison time ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) We have a pair of cold fronts to contend with into our weekend, both with unique flavors. Cold front number one will be the wetter of the two, sliding through Saturday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop west to east after midnight and linger into the afternoon Saturday. It WONT be raining all day Saturday, rather scattered stuff is the expectation. As the front cuts through, a few afternoon storms could become locally strong, particularly across the Finger Lakes where instability will be maximized. Rain moves out late day behind that first front, buying us some time through roughly lunchtime Sunday where it wont be raining. Cold front number two arrives Sunday afternoon. A narrow and brief burst of downpours with the frontal passage likely marks the only rain risk Sunday. What that second front is lacking in rain it makes up for with cooler air. Winds turn more northerly late Sunday and will make for a much cooler Labor Day Monday. While Monday is the driest day overall, its the chilliest with high temperatures failing to climb out of the 60s. Temperatures could very well spill into the 40s Monday night. And so it begins. That's our first forecast low in the 40s in quite some time pic.twitter.com/b6T1AJpWk5 Eric Snitil (@EricSnitilWx) August 30, 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 RochesterFirst. Ragan challenge hearing delayed Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, is still awaiting a hearing to present his election challenge case against Rick Scarbrough, who toppled Ragan by just 258 votes in the GOP primary. Scarbrough faces Democrat Anne Backus in the November general election. The Tennessee Republican Partys state executive committee had intended to meet Aug. 26 to decide whether or not to take up Ragan's challenge. Tennessee Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge But Ragan pushed for it to be an open, in-person meeting to allow public comment, in line with a 2023 law. Ragan hasn't received an official notification of a set date. Ragan alleges more than 1,000 Anderson County voters illegally crossed party lines to cast a GOP ballot in the primary. His challenge rests on controversial state law that states only "bona fide" members of a political party can vote in their party primary. The law is rarely enforced, in part because there is no legal definition of what makes a voter a "legitimate" Republican or Democrat. Tennessee does not require a voter to register with a political party. Lawmaker grills corrections department over prison woes Tennessee's Department of Corrections is facing heat from a lawmaker who has questions about its oversight of the private, for-profit prison operator that runs four state prisons in Tennessee. The U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month announced a civil investigation into violations at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, saying it would hold the state directly accountable for a litany of failures at that facility. Citing the DOJ probe during a legislative hearing on Wednesday, Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, asked TDOC leadership what accountability mechanisms were in place to ensure that inmates were receiving mental health services at CoreCivic-run prisons. "This recent news about the Department of Justice investigation into CoreCivic prisons is really alarming," Campbell said. "I'd like to know what we are doing as a state department to make sure that mental health facilities and behavioral health options are being actually employed in those facilities." In response to her questions, TDOC leadership noted that the contracts governing CoreCivic's responsibilities including for inmate mental health services were separate from the health contracts under consideration at Wednesday's hearing. "Given the current circumstances, we're not doing enough there. So, I mean, it would be great if we could actually employ some oversight into that process," Campbell said. "In the interim, while we're looking at this investigation, there are horrible outcomes taking place in those facilities that, quite frankly, are causing people to lose their lives." TDOC contract monitoring records for Trousdale reviewed by The Tennessean show that the contractor has repeatedly failed to ensure all inmates receive mental health services, including required annual psychiatric evaluations. Those violations, along with chronic staffing vacancies and other significant failures, were the basis for nearly $15 million in fines TDOC has charged CoreCivic since 2019. Hemmer, Yarbro introduce safe storage bill Two Democratic state lawmakers said they will bring back legislation to require gun owners to store their guns safely, citing the skyrocketing number of guns stolen from cars and subsequently used in crimes that is plaguing Tennessee's metro areas. Memphis currently ranks No. 1 in the country for stolen gun crimes. Chattanooga and Nashville are also among the top 15 cities in the country for such crimes. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, and Rep. Caleb Hemmer, D-Nashville, on Wednesday announced that they plan to re-file legislation to require legal gun overs to lock up their guns, or take required safe storage training if they fail to do so. "We need people to take the first step of responsibility, and having some provision to simply say that this is the law follow the law I mean, we do that with seatbelts, right? Buckle up, protect yourself," Yarbro said. Safe storage laws have seen pushback from members of the Republican supermajority, even in the wake of the Covenant School shooting last year and the rising number of thefts. Several safe storage proposals filed in the past have failed. Hemmer and Yarbro said that this attempt will be different. "We've had a lot of fights over gun policy and gun legislation, but this is the one where everybody shakes their head, you know it's a problem," Hemmer said. "We're hoping common sense leads the way." They plan to work in a requirement for safe storage training if a person is found to have their gun not safely secured. Last year, during a special legislative session following the Covenant School shooting, lawmakers approved a program to provide gun locks for gun owners at no charge from the state. At the same time, lawmakers voted down proposals to require gun owners to store their guns safely, or even have required safe storage training. They did vote to require that any gun permit training course include some training in safe storage practices. But not all gun owners are required to take such training: in 2021, the legislature passed a law ending permit requirements for handgun carry in Tennessee, at the request of Gov. Bill Lee. A 2013 law, sometimes referred to as "Guns in Trunks," already requires guns to be locked and out of sight, stored in a trunk, locked console, locked glove box or other locked container that is attached to the vehicle. The law does not include any penalty for gun owners who fail to store their firearm safely. TDOC shows no progress on lethal injection protocol review Twenty months after Lee tasked the Department of Correction with revising the state's lethal injection protocol for death row executions, there's no sign of a new policy. In 2022, Lee paused executions and called for an independent, third-party review after granting a temporary reprieve for death row inmate Oscar Franklin Smith following a "technical oversight" in the lethal injection protocol. Weeks later, The Tennessean found the state had not followed its own policies for carrying out lethal injections since it resumed executions in 2018, likely resulting in at least two executions where state staff used expired, untested or otherwise compromised drugs. Former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton later issued similar findings in the state's third-party review. Lee quickly appointed a new TDOC commissioner, and tasked the department with revising the lethal injection protocol in consultation with the Attorney General's Office. TDOC Commissioner Frank Strada came to Tennessee in January 2023 from Arizona, where he left behind a broken executions process. But now, the department cannot provide a timeframe for when the revisions will be complete, and is showing no signs of finalizing the new procedures. The Tennessee Department of Correction is in the process of developing a lethal injection protocol that ensures lawful and effective procedures," TDOC spokesperson Dorinda Carter told The Tennessean in an email. More: Tennessee failed to follow its own execution protocols since 2018, new report finds Meanwhile, the governor has put review of any death penalty cases on hold amid the shuffle. Asked this month whether he is considering a review of any death penalty cases, Lee said he is focused on ensuring the protocol is corrected before taking any steps toward a review. "I've told our Department of Correction we should not take one step forward until we have this right," Lee said. "We have to have a death penalty protocol that's right before there can be a step. That is what I'm focused on. Getting that protocol right before we contemplate looking at any cases." On Thursday, Lee said there has been "extensive work" between his office, the Attorney General's Office and TDOC on the process. "If you don't have the correct protocol is in place, then the outcomes are not what any of us want in this state," Lee said. Ogles late to file annual Congressional financial interest disclosure U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, has yet to file mandatory annual personal financial interests disclosures with the U.S. House Clerk. All members of Congress are required to submit the form each year, and Ogles' disclosure was due on May 15. Ogles requested a 90 day extension, which expired on Aug. 13. According to House Ethics Committee rules, Ogles will be subject to a late filing fee of $200 if he doesn't file before a 30 day grace period expires. Ogles is notoriously bad at financial disclosures. His first campaign disclosures in 2022 were filed weeks late. He has to refile all but one disclosure since first declaring his candidacy in early 2022. As mayor, Ogles omitted several significant financial interests from financial disclosures filed with the state including his own salary, a line of credit, and state retirement account that he later disclosed on federal forms. A $300,000 inconsistency in his campaign finance filings is the subject of a U.S. House Ethics complaint. Federal agents recently took possession of Ogles cell phone as part of an investigation he believes centers around his federal campaign finance filings. Reproductive rights group launches new abortion access ad campaign A Nashville-based group of attorneys that formed to lobby for greater abortion access in Tennessee has released a new ad campaign aimed at motivating voters around the issue this fall. The Tennessee Freedom Circle released the ad commemorating the trigger ban anniversary. Though the ad is nonpartisan and doesn't directly call out any one candidate, it encourages voters to brush up on candidates' reproductive rights platform. "Make sure you know where your candidates stand on reproductive rights," the ad spot states. "It is a truly a matter of life and death." The ad has dropped as the general campaign season is beginning to heat up and several high-profile Democratic candidates have ranked reproductive rights and women's health among their top priorities on the campaign trail. 2024 is a crucial election cycle for our state and our country. It's more important than ever to educate voters about the impact of Tennessee's restrictive laws on reproductive healthcare," Tennessee Freedom Circle Education Fund Board Chair Monica Mackie said in a statement. "Our voter education program is dedicated to ensuring that Tennesseans are fully informed about how laws affect their access to care. We are committed to empowering voters with the knowledge they need to make decisions that will shape the future of our state. Burgess Falls State Park to get a new visitors center and aviary Burgess Falls State Park in Sparta will soon have a new visitor center and aviary, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced. Construction will mean parking at the park will be limited until the project is complete. We always want our visitors to be able to enjoy the park as much as possible, and we cant wait to see these new features, Park Manager Nathaniel Garrison said. We recognize the work may be an inconvenience, and we want to inform everyone fully about the project. We ask for everyones understanding while the work is being done. A new maintenance facility, which will temporarily house the park office, is expected to be completed this summer. The new Visitor Center and aviary facilities are expected to be complete in 2026. Catch up on the week Who is responsible for Trousdale prison? How a web of contracts with CoreCivic works Tennessee fined CoreCivic $15M for contract failures at Trousdale amid DOJ probe Feds don't have to return family planning funds to TN in abortion rule fight, court rules TennCare illegally cut health care for thousands of Tennesseans, judge rules Tennessee GOP leadership threatens Memphis sales tax revenue over gun-reform ballot measures Tennessee Ethics Commission considers education chief complaint behind closed doors Why evangelicals are upset at recent Trump, Vance statements on leaving abortion to states Got a question for us? Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee politics: Ragan's challenge hearing delayed Wells Fargo Employee Found Dead in Her Cubicle 4 Days After She Clocked in for Work Denise Prudhomme, 60, was found dead on Aug. 20 after arriving for work four days earlier in Tempe, Arizona Google maps A photo of the Wells Fargo office in Tempe, Arizona A Wells Fargo employee in Arizona was found dead in her cubicle four days after she clocked into work. On Friday, Aug. 16 at around 7 a.m. local time, Denise Prudhomme, 60, arrived at the company's office near Priest Drive and Washington Street in Tempe, police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "We can confirm Denise was a Wells Fargo employee. Denise last scanned into the building on [Friday, Aug. 16] at approximately 7am and there is no further scan in or out," Tempe Police added. Google maps A photo of the Wells Fargo office in Tempe, Arizona Prudhomme's body was discovered at a third-floor desk in the office by on-site security on Tuesday, Aug. 20. "The preliminary investigation did not show any obvious signs of foul play," police said. "We have no further information at this time as this is an on-going investigation." Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty A stock photo of a Wells Fargo sign Her cause of death will be determined by the county's medical examiner's office. Police had responded to the location after receiving reports about a "subject down," according to Arizonas Family. The outlet stated authorities said there were no obvious signs of foul play. Wells Fargo told PEOPLE in a statement that the company was "deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague." Related: 8-Year-Old Girl Found Dead Inside Houston Hotel Pool Pipe Hours After She Was Reported Missing "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well-supported during this difficult time," their statement added. "We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce and are reviewing our own internal procedures after this event," the company concluded. "Counselors are available to support any employees impacted by this event." 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. Wells Fargo told USA Today that the company spoke to Prudhomme's family before addressing employees about her death, noting that Prudhomme had been sat in a "very underpopulated area" of the office. Related: South Carolina Couple Found Dead in 'Extremely Hot' Home Where Heater Measured Over 1,000 Degrees The Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office will now determine a cause of death, per Arizona's Family. According to NBC affiliate KPNX, an unnamed employee said that several people had said they smelled a "foul odor," but "passed it off as faulty plumbing." The publication added that the building has 24/7 security, but most employees at the Tempe location work remotely. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has apologized for incorrectly stating on a White House application more than a decade ago that he was a Bronze Star recipient. Moore, a rising star in the Democratic Party, served in the Army Reserve between 1996 and 2014. He was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2005 through March 2006. Though he has won multiple awards for his service, including the National Defense Service Medal, he stated on a 2006 application for the White House Fellowship that his service won him the award of a Bronze Star. For my work, the 82nd Airborne Division have awarded me the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge, Moore wrote on his application, according to documents obtained and published Thursday by The New York Times. The Bronze Star is awarded to service members who perform acts of heroism in ground combat, according to the Air Forces Personnel Center. But Moore never actually was awarded the prestigious award, according to the Times investigation. In a statement Thursday, Moore said he made an honest mistake in 2006 when he wrote on his application for the White House Fellowship that he had won the prestigious military award. While serving overseas with the Army, I was encouraged to fill out an application for the White House Fellowship by my deputy brigade commander, Moore said. In fact, he helped me edit it before I sent it in. At the time, he had recommended me for the Bronze Star. He told me to include the Bronze Star award on my application after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation. Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, a mentor to Moore, confirmed to the Times that he told Moore that he had been approved for the medal and to include it in his application. Fenzel told the paper that he only learned this week that Moore had never been awarded the Bronze Star. In the military, there is an understanding that if a senior officer tells you that an action is approved, you can trust that as a fact, Moore said Thursday. That is why it was part of the application, plain and simple. The governor pointed out was listed as a top 1 percent officer in Operation Enduring Freedom in an evaluation report submitted by his superiors. But Moore had multiple opportunities in the past to correct the record regarding his Bronze Star, including during a 2008 PBS panel discussion with Gwen Ifill and in a 2010 appearance on The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert. I am proud of my service in the U.S. Army. I am proud of the soldiers I served with in combat, and I love my country. Im never going to back away from that. The military taught me to put the safety of others over my own, leave no one behind, and live Mission First, People Always. These are the values that drive my work as governor and that will not change, Moore said Thursday. Ive been open and honest about my military service for my entire career, and I am deeply proud of it. But it seems I must, once again, set the record straight, as people hunt for new ways to undermine my service to our country in uniform. Moore also seemed to throw support behind Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is Vice President Harriss running mate on the Democratic White House ticket. Like Moore, Walzs military service has come under scrutiny, particularly by GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). Vance, a Marine veteran, has accused Walz of lying about his time in the National Guard. Over the last few weeks, our country has grown used to seeing what it looks like when a veterans integrity is attacked for political gain, Moore said. But those who seek to cast doubt on our records misunderstand something fundamental about true patriots, who have put on the flag of our country and put everything on the line to be called Americans: We dont get shaken. We put our heads down, and we do the work. And that is what I will continue to do. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST CHESTER, Ohio (WDTN) An overnight fire displaced more than a dozen residents at an area apartment complex. Aster Park Drive Fire | West Chester Fire Department The West Chester Township Fire Department responded around 4 a.m. to Aster Park Drive in West Chester. Fire temporarily closes Smales Pretzel Bakery Although no injuries were reported, WLWT in Cincinnati reports 11 adults and three children were forced from their home. The American Red Cross was also called to the scene to assist the displaced residents. At 4:41 a.m., fire officials confirmed the fire was under control. The cause of the fire remains under 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 WDTN.com. A mosquito looks to extract its blood meal from the arm of its host. Mosquitoes can spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus to human beings through their bite. (Robert S. Craig/CDC photo) Washington County remains at significant risk for mosquito-borne diseases, with a new mosquito sample in North Kingstown testing positive for West Nile virus, state officials announced Friday. The latest results, reflecting traps set on Aug. 13 and Aug. 19 across the state, comes amid increasing concern over West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis across southern New England, including in Rhode Island. Earlier this month, state officials with the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management put Washington County residents on notice after reporting more than a dozen mosquito samples with EEE and two with West Nile. So far this season, Rhode Island has detected 17 mosquito samples with EEE and five with West Nile, along with one probable case of West Nile in a state resident. Neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut have also seen disease prevalence rise, including several cases of West Nile and EEE in residents. In New Hampshire, a 41-year-old man died after contracting EEE, state health officials reported this week. In Rhode Island, DEM organized helicopters to drop mosquito larvicide across 3,000 acres of swamp in Westerly and South Kingstown this week to help kill mosquito populations. State officials have also recommended schools and organizations limit outdoor activities to avoid peak mosquito activity hours in the early morning and at dusk. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is extremely rare in humans, but can be serious and deadly, killing 30% of those infected and leaving many survivors with ongoing neurological problems, including abdominal pain, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and more. West Nile virus is more common but only 1 in 5 people infected notice serious symptoms like a fever. To prevent the chance of disease, residents are encouraged to wear protective clothing and bug spray. Property owners are also encouraged to remove standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, from their land. Additional prevention tips and information about EEE is available at health.ri.gov/mosquito. Mosquitoes are trapped weekly by DEM and tested at the State Health Laboratories. DEM issues advisories on test results from June through September, with additional reports as necessary. Typically, positive test results trigger additional trapping to assess risk. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some Western aid promised to Ukraine in 2023 won't actually arrive until 2027, NATO-state minister says Some Western aid promised to Ukraine in 2023 won't actually arrive until 2027, NATO-state minister says Lithuania's foreign minister said the West is too slow getting aid to Ukraine. Gabrielius Landsbergis said some promised aid won't arrive till 2027. Ukraine has long said Western aid arrives to late to make a difference. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that Western aid is getting to Ukraine too slowly as it battles the Russian invasion. Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of a meeting by EU foreign ministers, Landsbergis, said that some vital military equipment Western allies had pledged to Ukraine wouldn't arrive for years. "We are creating the narrative, the story to tell our citizens that we are fighters for what's good, but when it comes to deliveries, the story sometimes is very different," he said, per The Baltic Times. "Once again, we have to ask ourselves a question whether we ourselves are not a part of this problem. So far, no Patriot batteries that have been promised in Washington have been delivered," Landsbergis said. (Ukraine does have some US Patriot systems Lansbergis appears to be referring to an extra shipment promised in April 2024 which Ukraine said on Thursday had yet to show up.) "No new ammunition packages have been delivered since June," Landsbergis continued. "Out of the F-16s that have been delivered, they have started using just a couple of them." "During our discussions with Ukrainian friends we find out that certain equipment that has been promised last year will only be delivered in 2027." He didn't specify which equipment had been delayed to 2027. He could mean a $55 billion EU aid package, approved in February, which is scheduled to be paid in installments till 2027, mainly for economic purposes. Recent military aid deals with European allies, including Spain, also involve annual installments until 2027. His remarks echo those of Ukraine's leaders, who've long said that Western help is arriving too slowly as it battles the grinding advances of the Russian military. Leaders of Baltic states like Lithuania are among the sharpest critics, arguing that they are in the firing line should Russia win in Ukraine. Back in May, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that aid packages from the West needed to arrive more quickly. "Every decision to which we, then later everyone together, comes to is late by around one year," Zelenskyy told Reuters. According to the Kiel Institute, the US has given Ukraine $83 billion in aid in the wake of the Russian invasion, while European countries have given around $122 billion, though a greater proportion of the US aid packages are military. Read the original article on Business Insider OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) On Wednesday afternoon during lunch hours, Nhinja Express in South Oklahoma City turned into chaos when a fight broke out in the middle of the dining area. Mary Nhin, the restaurants co-owner, says the students are coming from Westmoore High School, down the street from her business. Weve been open about four years. And weve always have students come in. Sometimes they will order or sometimes they go to the bathroom or act like theyre going to the bathroom. They take a smoke break and then sometimes they just come in and grab free drinks, says Nhin. Nhin also says Wednesdays brawl was not the first. The incident broke one of their tables inside the restaurant. Yukon High School dismisses early due to delay in power restoration It did result in some damage and some vandalism. As a small business owner, its very disheartening, says Nhin. The Director of Operations for Nhinja Express, Tony Nguyen, was in shock. Yesterday, you know, there was just people, a bunch of kids actually coming in with a group of them, Nguyen said. And then one thing led to another. Another student came in and they just went at it. Moore Public Schools sent a statement regarding the incident: Moore Public Schools learned of an off-campus incident that occurred during the school day, and we are troubled by the video sent to us of students fighting. The vast majority of Westmoore and MPS students are outstanding both in their academics and behavior on and off campus. However, events that happen during school hours, but off school property, are outside of the MPS realm of authority. Through our investigation, one of the students involved in a previous altercation was not even a current MPS student. MPS is certainly sensitive to local businesses with regard to the behavior of some adolescents at establishments during the school day. Each semester, MPS high school students review expectations and policies for behavior. Annually, in an effort to be proactive, administrators make classroom visits to direct these conversations which, this year, occurred prior to the social media post about this incident. Legally, to result in disciplinary action on the part of MPS, the behavior that occurred off-campus has to have a subsequent connection back to behavior in the school. Without this connection, the school has no legal authority to address the situation. While this may be frustrating for business owners, the most direct approach to address inappropriate behavior by any adult or minor patron, is to contact the police. We encourage local businesses that experience any negative incident(s) involving a student to call the police immediately and consider pressing charges. Finally, the Westmoore administrative staff has addressed behavioral concerns occurring off campus with students and their parents when that behavior is directly connected back to the school. Concerning this incident, multiple students are under investigation. Their parents have been contacted and are actively involved in the conversation. Moore Public Schools remains dedicated to being good community partners and we appreciate local businesses serving our students and families; however, we can only take action that the law allows. Anna Aguilar, Director of Communications & Community Relations The owners tell me the Westmoore location is one of five of their restaurants, but problems only occur at this specific location. Nhinja Express is open during regular business hours but are temporarily closing their dining area from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Where is Julie Chrisley? Bureau of Prisons says shes not in their custody The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that famed reality TV star Julie Chrisley is currently not in their custody. So where is she? In a statement from the BOP, it said that there are several reasons why an individual may be referenced as not in BOP custody Incarcerated individuals who were previously in FBOP custody and who have not completed their sentence may be outside FBOP custody for a period of time for court hearings, medical treatment, or other reasons. BOP said for security reasons, that is all they can say. Todd and Julie Chrisley, mostly known for their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, and Peter Tarantino, their accountant, were found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks and the IRS out of millions of dollars and are serving a combined 15 years in prison. The Chrisleys were originally sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison, but the sentences were reduced in September 2023. RELATED STORIES: Julie is currently waiting to re-sentenced after an appeals court judge vacated her sentence following the fraud convictions. The same judge upheld Todds conviction, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison. In the ruling vacating her sentence, the appeals court sent the case back to the Northern District of Georgia court for Julie to be resentenced. Her resentencing date has been scheduled for Sept. 25 and she will have to appear at the hearing in person. We have reached out to the Chrisleys attorney to see if there is anything else he can tell us about Julies whereabouts, but so far, we have not heard back. Channel 2 Action News first started investigating the Chrisleys in 2017, when we learned that Todd Chrisley had likely evaded paying Georgia state income taxes for several years. Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens. The couple eventually went to trial and a federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. RELATED NEWS: Where Middle Tennessees sobriety checkpoints will be and a backup plan for those without a DD NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) If youre traveling throughout Middle Tennessee this Labor Day weekend, there are a few things you should know. Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) officers will be working with the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force on Friday, August 30. The agencies will work on Rutherford Boulevard in Murfreesboro from 10 p.m. until midnight, according to a Facebook post from the task force. See the full list of Tennessees THP sobriety checkpoints for August here In a Facebook post, the Williamson County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) urged residents to have a safe, sober ride as they enjoy Labor Day weekend. WCSO has enforced a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over initiative since August 16 and the initiative will end on Labor Day. That same day, the THP will also have sobriety checkpoints at 3220 Bell Road in Davidson County and at the intersection of Kraft Street and Frosty Morning Drive. Pickett County will also see a Friday sobriety checkpoint at Highway 111 at Cherrytree Lane. Giles County will see a sobriety checkpoint on Sunday, September 1 on U.S. Highway 31 at mile marker 3.6. On Monday, September 2, there will be a THP sobriety checkpoint on Highway 141 at the Cumberland River Bridge in Trousdale County. See the full list of Tennessees THP sobriety checkpoints for September here Boating instead of driving? If so, you should know that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has issued a reminder to wear life jackets and boat in a safe and responsible manner. All children under 12 are required to wear a life jacket and there must also be at least one life jacket for every person on a vessel. As you head out to one of our beautiful lakes or rivers this Labor Day weekend, please keep common sense and safety in mind, TWRA lieutenant colonel Matt Majors said in a press release. Our waterways are some of the best in the country, and it is our responsibility to keep them safe and enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, the agency will be looking for dangerous boating behavior, like boating under the influence (BUI) and other infractions. The TWRA said that there have been 16 boating-related fatalities compared to 20 at the same time in 2023. TDOT announces no lane closures on interstates or state highways for Labor Day weekend Drivers across Tennessee will be able to utilize AAAs Tow to Go initiative over Labor Day weekend. Tow to Go will provide free, confidential rides for one person and one vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. That initiative will be active from 6 p.m. on Friday, August 30 through 6 a.m. Tuesday, September 3. In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual to a safe place. Tow to Go appointments cannot be scheduled in advance as it is designed as a safety net for those who did not plan ahead. AAA encourages people to select a designated driver before celebrating. If you wish to utilize Tow to Go, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO (855-286-9246). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bridging the digital gap has been a yearslong effort in Detroit, with city officials relying on community partners to help provide digital access to residents. Limited funding and the complexities of refurbishing the citys infrastructure to provide connectivity have slowed efforts to eliminate the digital divide between residents with access to hardware, internet and digital literacy and those without. However, White House officials this week touted the Internet for All federal initiative that might make it easier for Detroit to invest in its digital infrastructure. Michigan received more than $1.5 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet across communities. Alan Davidson, assistant secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, discusses funding to close the digital divide alongside federal, state and local officials at the Detroit Police Department Headquarters on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. That will focus on connecting everyone in Michigan," said Alan Davidson, assistant secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. "By the time that program is finished, every single household in Michigan has to be connected and have a high-speed internet connection available. The federal government is offering two programs, Davidson said, including funding for infrastructure, and digital equity programs to help residents attain devices and skills needed to use the internet. Income, race, age too often set digital dividing line The internet today, as we've been hearing and talking about, is the essential communications medium in our modern digital world. It's essential for access to work, access to jobs, access to education, access to health care, access to opportunity. And yet, here we are today in 2024 in America, and there are still tens of thousands of families in Michigan, millions of families across America who cannot get that basic access to high-speed internet service that they need, cannot afford to get online, don't have the tools or the skills and devices that they need to thrive online, Davidson said, adding conversations about the digital divide have been ongoing for more than 25 years. Funding means the state can start going out there and getting this money deployed, selecting the providers who are going to build out those networks and make sure that everybody's connected, Davidson said. Steve Benjamin, White House director of public engagement, discusses digital equity in Detroit, alongside Alan Davidson, assistant secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison at the Detroit Police Department Headquarters on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Stephen Benjamin, White House director of public engagement and former mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, said finding practical solutions to achieve a goal requires action. He added that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are committed to investing in people and in places that are historically overlooked, alongside the critical industries and infrastructure needed to fuel long-term sustainable growth. For far too long and a lack of investment has left way too much talent on the sidelines in order to succeed in the modern economy, you must have internet access, Benjamin said. The reality is so many Americans are on the wrong side of the digital divide and those disparities fall along familiar lines: income, race, age. The Biden administration committed to ensuring that everyone in America should have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet no matter where they live or how much they earn, Benjamin added. How much is a connection worth if you dont have a laptop or tablet to get online, or if you don't have digital literacy skills to navigate telehealth portals or avoid online scams that target my mother and father on a regular basis? Benjamin asked. Were laser-focused on reaching every single soul in this country. It will take creative solutions and community-led approaches. Funding from the digital equity competitive grant program is expected to help communities lift barriers hindering residents from digital equity. 'Infrastructure is the easy part of this' "We are accepting applications now," Davidson said. "There's lots of opportunities to be part of it to support our ultimate goal of supporting marginalized communities ... to help them develop the skills and experiences they need to be able to thrive online." Michigan's Chief Connectivity Officer Eric Frederick said the goal is to achieve equity in connecting residents and institutions with tools to leverage technology to improve their quality of life. Much of the issues stem from "deeper, systemic barriers," adding that investments need to support everyone for future decades. More: She left Ford for Nike, but missed Detroit. Now she brings cutting-edge design to cars More: Detroit neighborhood named top 'up-and-coming' in US "I'm going to say this, and it might make internet service providers angry, but infrastructure is the easy part of this. It's either you have it or don't. The problem is the issues that come later. In order to make sure that everyone can get online, that connection has to be affordable. You have to have a device to connect to it. You have to have the tech support to support that device when something inevitably goes wrong, and you have to have the skills to be able to use it to again, improve your quality of life with that technology," Frederick said. Davidson and Benjamin touted the Biden administration for pushing the bill through. "By the end of this decade, everybody in this country will be connected," Davidson said. Detroit's efforts so far As the world shifted toward a virtual approach, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing students and professionals to work from home, some residents were left behind. Many did not have internet access or hotspots, or even a computer or laptop to function. The city and nonprofits stepped in to provide emergency help by donating used computers and laptops to Detroiters as an attempt to bridge the gap. Through partnerships, they were able to offer residents grants for digital literacy training and internet bill stipends. Detroit also launched tech hubs earlier this year with devices, free Wi-Fi and digital literacy training across the city for residents' use. Detroit has millions in American Rescue Plan Act funding to address the digital divide. Mayor Mike Duggan initially allocated a larger amount of funding, but has since transferred much of it to other immediate-use investments, such as housing. Last year, he told reporters that it would be too difficult to wire neighborhoods before the spending deadline, and eyed the federal funding packages specific to broadband to address the city's digital needs. Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison told the Free Press that shifting the funding prioritized "critical issues," including addressing housing and roofing issues across the city. "If you drive around the city, you'll see so many places where it was just actual gaping holes and it's raining inside the house," Bettison said. "This money right here is designated, single, sole purpose from the White House and from the state of Michigan, as internet for all. And so it can't be appropriated for something else." Encouraging more Detroiters to get in front of devices and use the internet, whether it's applying for jobs or taking training and education courses online, is part of the city's goal to ensure Detroit is competitive, said Art Thompson, Detroit's chief information officer. That includes working with organizations like Connect 313, which is dedicated to bridging the digital gap. Thompson said the city and its partners will apply for every dollar and "try to do as much as we can to pull in more awareness around digital equity." "We need to make sure that digital literacy is there, but that's just the fundamental basis. That's not where we stop. And so everybody's really excited, because we want to see the workforce development. Detroit has the only Apple developer academy in North America. That is a giant opportunity that we don't do a good enough job bolstering and creating a pipeline of Detroiters that need to go and become certified programmers," Thompson said. "Speaking with different organizations, everybody's got a piece of technology that they can train on if you want to do fiber digging, trenching, there's programs for that." Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: White House, state and Detroit officials talk 'Internet for All' Speaking from his home in County Clare, underwater cameraman Ken O'Sullivan remembers summers as a "young lad" spotting catshark and dogfish while fishing off the west coast of Ireland. "My father used to curse them because they were a pain to get out of the nets," he said. "But when I started to see them underwater and how beautiful they were, the red series of bones and the way they moved so gracefully, I guess it was so different from what I'd seen dead and dying in fishing nets." O'Sullivan's "seminal" encounter led to a two-decade career producing wildlife documentaries and documenting Ireland's 39 species of sharks. White sharks have so far remained elusive, "I've been trying to spot one for 20 years," O'Sullivan told ABC News. "I guess I got quite taken by them, physically and emotionally. But also, you don't have to read very much to understand the trouble that they're in." This fall, American research group Ocearch has teamed up with 15 Irish shark scientists hoping to tag the first-ever white shark in Irish waters. The M/V OCEARCH will sail from Bantry Bay on Sept. 2, beginning the Ireland leg of Expedition Save the Med, a trip that hopes to shed light on the little known, but critically endangered white shark population in Spain, France and, hopefully, Ireland. PHOTO: Underwater cameraman Ken O'Sullivan surveys the wreck of the Lusitania off the coast of Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland during an unsuccessful search for White Sharks. (Courtesy Ken O'Sullivan) The 'great' enigma "Whether there are White Sharks around the British Isles has been a long-contested question," said Ali Hood, director of conservation at the Shark Trust. "Conditions in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland are very similar, to where there are thriving populations of great whites in other parts of the world. I'm talking about food sources -- namely seals -- and water temperatures," conservationist Richard Peirce told ABC News. The preferred water temperature for white sharks is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NOAA Fisheries. Peirce notes U.K. and Irish waters are within this range, saying, "It's not a question of global warming increasing water temperature, these animals tolerate down to below U.K. winter temperatures." "While conditions in British waters are theoretically suited to white sharks, no reports to date have given us clear evidence for their presence," Hood told ABC News, "That does suggest that they are not here." Author of "The U.K. Great White Shark Enigma," Peirce has spearheaded investigations into 100 white shark sightings around the British Isles -- of which 12 remain credible. Peirce said he believes there is "compelling circumstantial evidence" to suggest that rather than a permanent population of white sharks, there may be "the occasional guy walking by and hanging around the beach, and then buzzing off." The closest recorded sighting of the wide-ranging animal to British waters was in La Rochelle in France in 1977. "For a great white shark that's absolutely nothing," Peirce said, laughing, "it's a day's stroll in the park." Shark ecologist Max Kimble suggests one reason for their apparent absence from the U.K. and Ireland's "near-perfect habitat suitable" waters may be explained by the "prolonged time" white sharks can spend swimming at depth. Kimble suggests lone males from the Mediterranean population as a likely profile in his research. Kimble told ABC News any data gathered from a tagged white shark in Irish waters would be "monumental," though he'd be most interested to know whether the sharks are from the Mediterranean or Northwest Atlantic population. Anne Bonny pinged in this morning in the waters off South Carolina near Edisto Beach! We met this 9ft 3in and 425lb juvenile, female #WhiteShark in the waters off Ocracoke, NC in April. This is our first winter watching her movements. Track Anne Bonny: https://t.co/bItShcGHkI pic.twitter.com/pDu0g95lqq OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) January 5, 2024 Chances of success "Success on this trip is just a spot tag and a fin clip on one white shark," said Fischer. "The tag is so we can track it and it can show us its full range over the next five years. The fin clip is just for genetics to understand which other populations it's most related to," Fischer said. The public can follow tagged white sharks on Ocearch's website. Ocearch's strategy of targeting feeding sites has seen the group tag 200 white sharks across 46 expeditions around the world. Fischer told ABC News, "We've found it much easier to find these animals when they're in the summer and fall feeding areas than it is when they're in their winter range and spread out over vast areas." "We see these white sharks around the world in the late summer and fall, moving to areas where there are seal colonies to bulk up for the oncoming winters," he said, adding that when the patterns are applied, "this puts the white sharks somewhere up in Ireland, Scotland, southern England." With Peirce's "credible" sightings clustered around the southwest of England, and west of the north coast of Scotland, latterly the largest grey seal breeding colony in the Northeast Atlantic can be found in the Monach Isles, he questions how Ocearch will fare on the west coast of Ireland. Our original objective was Cornwall and the west coast of Ireland and the Outer Hebrides, he said, adding, We tried. But, he said, Ocearch struggled to persuade local research partners" with the relevant animal handling permits "to participate in the project". Ocearch's route will take them past the Great Blasket Island off the coast of Dingle during pupping season, the "grey seal capital of Ireland," according to Blasket Islands Sea Life Tours. When ABC News spoke to Skipper David Flannery, he seemed skeptical about the chances of a white shark sighting, "I've never seen one. There's just plenty of seals and no predators." Lead scientist on the trip Dr. Nicholas Payne told ABC News one of the main reasons for the trip is learning where Ireland's shark and ray species prefer around the coasts, saying, "Places like the Blaskets are interesting given their seal populations, but I've also got my eyes on Donegal given it's such a bluefin tuna hot spot." Ocearch won't be the first to search for great whites in Irish waters. O'Sullivan fronted a project that sent an ROV, or remotely operated underwater vehicle, to a depth of 95 m to the site of the Lusitania wreck off the Old Head of Kinsale. He said visibility and resources were the biggest challenges. While Peirce worked on a 2015 project that saw the body of a 30 foot female humpback dragged as bait through the Irish Sea, "the weather came in and we had to dump the carcass early," he said. Fischer, the founder of Ocearch, told ABC News that "we know our single biggest challenge in Ireland is going to be the weather. Working at these latitudes, we understand that if you go on a three week expedition, you might only be able to work one week." The 'Jaws' effect If the expedition prevails, "the first thing that will happen will be a mass feeding frenzy amongst the tabloids," Peirce said. In July, a hoax white shark sighting by two Irish fishermen provoked alarming headlines with one local news outlet publishing a story under the headline: "Deadly 'Great White Shark spotted' off Galway coast as swimming warning issued." The saga "confused" Australian angler Kevin McLoughlin, who told ABC News the tricksters had used an old video he filmed of a white shark approaching his boat in Port Macdonnell, South Australia. Underwater cameraman Ken O'Sullivan called the coverage "reckless." "They scared tens of thousands of people out of the ocean for what?" The local news outlet who first reported the hoax, Galway Beo, did not respond to ABC News request for comment. "If we found a white shark, the impact depends wholly on the media reporting around it," O'Sullivan said, scolding the hyperbolic headlines that often coincide with possible sightings, "'Bloodbath on British Beaches' just ridiculous." "I just think people don't understand because they fall into that typical trap about the trait of the shark," Fischer said. "The main job of the white shark in the region is to guard our fish stocks from seals." PHOTO: Grey seals lounge on the beaches of the Great Blasket Island, off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula and home to the second-largest grey seal colony on the west Atlantic coast. (Caroline Guinan Photography) 'Conductors of the ocean orchestra' Fischer insists Ocearch isn't really a shark program, saying, "It's an abundance program, trying to ensure that our grandchildren see an ocean full of fish." "These large apex predators are the balance keepers of the system," he said. "They are the conductor of the ocean orchestra. And if they're not there, it falls terribly out of tune." Fischer cites reports of the recovering white shark population off North America's Atlantic coast. In the past decade white shark sightings and catch records in the broader Northwest Atlantic have increased following legislation to protect them in 1997 according to Massachusetts Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC). "We need to make sure we have both sides of the Atlantic thrive," said Fischer. "Nobody on the planet knows how many we have really got," Peirce said. "Population estimates for white sharks vary wildly." Citing the sharks' long gestation period, slow growth rate and increased threat from unsustainable overfishing, Peirce said, "They're incredibly vulnerable, if we take out a couple of breeding age animals, it's going to do a lot of harm because it takes a lot of time to produce pups." White sharks are listed as globally vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The population closest to Ireland, the Mediterranean great white shark, is listed as critically endangered. Peirce maintains "the chances of white sharks reaching our shores are diminishing, not increased. Because we're catching and killing too many." Conservation for all sharks O'Sullivan said he hopes the trip will bring wider attention to marine conservation in Ireland. Citing an "appalling" 2018 incident in which a Spanish trawler was impounded with more than a tonne of shark fins on board. In its wake the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) called for greater legal protection for sharks in Irish waters. Lead scientist Payne similarly echoes, "Seals and other marine mammals have been officially protected in Ireland for some time, whereas only one shark species -- basking sharks -- is, which helps explain the dire conservation status of many sharks and rays in the region." Are there white sharks off Ireland's coasts? American research group hopes to solve mystery originally appeared on abcnews.go.com NEW JERSEY Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around New Jersey as students head back to school. The highly-contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled since this time last year, CDC data shows. In New Jersey, there have been 128 whooping cough cases reported as of Aug. 17, compared to 110 cases at the same point in 2023. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." The New Jersey Department of Health is encouraging all residents to ensure they are up-to-date with their routine vaccines, maintain good hygiene practices, and to stay home when ill. Dr. Uzma Hasan, Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at RWJBarnabas Health, said she has been fielding "a boatload of calls from community pediatricians in the past several weeks about increased cases. Hasan also said that part of the increase is due to a decline in vaccination rates, and the fact that most people are not as vigilant with hand-washing and wearing face masks as during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With COVID measures in placeyou werent seeing a rapid spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses, she said. Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria that attaches to the tiny, hair-like cilia that line the upper respiratory system. These bacteria release toxins which damage the cilia, and cause airways to swell. At first, Hasan said, symptoms may be similar to those of the common cold or other upper respiratory infections, but will progress to include a cough that could last for weeks and months. Hasan said that whooping cough is a highly-transmissible illness that babies under 6 months old, and those who are born prematurely, are especially susceptible to. Half of infants who get whooping cough will have to be hospitalized, Hasan said. Health experts encourage pregnant women to be sure they are properly vaccinated against whooping cough, to lessen any symptoms they or the baby might experience if they get sick. If there is a new baby, all adults must be vaccinated, because they can bring it home, she said. And, babies and children under 10 years old may present with different symptoms than adults and older children. Symptoms of pertussis in infants include fever, trouble breathing, a change of skin color due to loss of oxygen, and even seizures, she said. In children under 10, excessive coughing can also cause the child to vomit. Hasan said there have been hotspots reported in Elizabeth and West Orange. Dr. Ericka Hayes, professor of clinical pediatrics of the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, added that cases are rising in Burlington County. Hayes said that adults need boosters for the TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, to protect themselves and others in their household. The current TDaP vaccine is acellular and contains an inactivated pertussis toxin, which Hayes said does not provide as much durable immunity as past vaccines before 1991, the pertussis vaccine used whole cells, but also had more side effects, she said. Hasan also said because whooping cough is so easily transmitted, doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics not just for the sick person, but for anyone who lives in the same household as them. "It's highly contagious," she said. "If I have a household with a case of pertussis, 8 to 10 people will get it." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. As stated above, health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Rising In NJ; Doctors Say Infants Most Vulnerable originally appeared on the Across New Jersey Patch Snehaaaaa There has been an accusation regarding the youth welfare fund that it was underutilized in the last term. The opposition pointed out that the respective committee's account closed with a distinctly positive cash balance. The opposition often brings up baseless allegations, yet this time, it is totally ludicrous. The youth welfare committee had chosen to invest in its own constitutionally set up company that yielded profits in a very short time, leading to a significant account balance. In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles? A. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is an opinion that provides support for the first. B. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is evidence that has been used to support the position being opposed. C. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument as a whole. D. The first is evidence that has been used to support a position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second provides information to undermine the force of that evidence. E. The first is evidence that has been used to support a position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument as a whole. accusation it is ludicrous to say that the WF did some sketchy stuff with the fund 'yet this time, it is totally ludicrous.' A. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is an opinion that provides support for the first. B. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second is evidence that has been used to support the position being opposed. C. The first states the position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument as a whole. D. The first is evidence that has been used to support a position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second provides information to undermine the force of that evidence. E. The first is evidence that has been used to support a position that the argument as a whole opposes; the second states the conclusion of the argument as a whole. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. Signature Read More The logic of the argument can be simplified as follows: There is anthat WF underutilized. Why? Because it has some leftover cash. Usually those allegations are groundless, but this time is even more absurd. Then, the WF justifies its amount of leftover cash.So, as you can see, the main conclusion is that, hence the phraseNow, let's look at the answer.The first part of the argument is correct, as the argument as a whole argues that the WF did not underutilize the fund. However, the second BF is not an opinion that supports the first BF, but rather the first BF supports the second BF.Yeah, definite the second BF is not an evidence.BingoHere, the second BF did not undermine the first BF, but rather strengthens it. Furthermore, the first BF is not evidence, but rather an opinion/position because it is an accusation.The first BF is not evidence, but rather an opinion/position because it is an accusation.Please feel free to let me know if my reasoning has any gap._________________ GEORGIA Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Georgia weeks after school has begun. The highly contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough also known as pertussis were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. In Georgia, CDC data shows that there were eight total cases of pertussis as of this time in 2023. As of Aug. 17, there have been 45 cases reported in 2024 an increase from 33 cases in 2023. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Spike In GA, Infants Most Vulnerable: CDC originally appeared on the Atlanta Patch ILLINOIS Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Illinois as students head back to school. The highly contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough also known as pertussis were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. In Illinois, CDC data shows that there were 123 total cases of pertussis as of this time in 2023. As of Aug. 17, there have been 818 cases reported in 2024. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Spike In IL, Infants Most Vulnerable: CDC originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch MARYLAND Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Maryland as students head back to school. The highly contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough also known as pertussis were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. In Maryland, CDC data shows that there were five total cases of pertussis as of this time in 2023. As of Aug. 17, there have been 73 cases reported in 2024 an increase of about 1,360 percent. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Spike In MD, Infants Most Vulnerable: CDC originally appeared on the Anne Arundel Patch MICHIGAN Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Michigan as students head back to school. The highly contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough also known as pertussis were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. In Michigan, CDC data shows that there were 45 total cases of pertussis as of this time in 2023. As of Aug. 17, there have been 249 cases reported in 2024. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Spike In MI, Infants Most Vulnerable: CDC originally appeared on the Across Michigan Patch VIRGINIA Along with a summer spike in COVID-19, health officials are alerting residents about a rise in whooping cough infections around Virginia as students head back to school. The highly contagious respiratory illness is spread from person to person, typically through the air. Cases of whooping cough also known as pertussis were lower than usual over the past several years but have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, the number of cases has more than tripled from 2023 to 2024. In Virginia, CDC data shows that there were 66 total cases of pertussis as of this time in 2023. As of Aug. 17, there have been 360 cases reported in 2024 an increase of about 445 percent. "Its likely that preventative actions used during the pandemic (e.g., good hygiene, distancing) lowered transmission of this disease," the CDC said in its latest report. "Were now beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, where we typically see more than 10,000 cases of people with whooping cough each year. The number of reported cases this year is close to what was seen at the same time in 2019." A typical case of pertussis starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits. These coughing spells sometimes end with a whooping sound as the person gasps for air, hence the name "whooping cough." Fever, if present, is usually mild. Symptoms can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not, and health experts say that antibiotics can lessen the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of disease to others. Health officials strongly urge pregnant women and people who come into close contact with young infants to get vaccinated. Newborns are at the greatest risk of getting whooping cough, since they are too young to be fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends the following schedule for the TDaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination that helps protect people from whooping cough: A TDaP booster is recommended for pregnant women early in their third trimester and during each pregnancy to protect their newborns. Young children need five TDaP doses by kindergarten: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months, and 4 to 6 years. After that, the first TDaP booster is due at age 11. All students entering seventh grade are required to have proof of a whooping cough booster immunization. One dose of TDaP is recommended for adults 19 years of age and older who did not get TDaP as a teenager. After that, getting TDaP instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. Whooping Cough Cases Spike In VA, Infants Most Vulnerable: CDC originally appeared on the Fairfax City Patch Gazing into a mirror framed by a vase of bright flowers, Taiba Sulaimani begins to sing. The lyrics, in Farsi, offer a message of hope -- I will fly one day, I will be free one day. Sulaimani is one of hundreds of Afghan women and allies around the world uploading videos of themselves singing on social media platforms. The videos are meant to protest a law passed by the Taliban last week banning womens voices in public and mandating that they cover their entire bodies. Women in Afghanistan are not allowed to show any skin, including their eyes. Before this law was passed, however, it was put forth as a recommendation -- not enforced -- and many women would show the upper half of their faces in public. The new law effectively [attempts] to render them into faceless, voiceless shadows, a spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner said on Tuesday. In response, women like Sulaimani are demonstrating that they refuse to be silenced. .!#No_to_taliban pic.twitter.com/Fc9VvuopZU Taiba Sulaimani ( ) (@Taiba_sulaimani) August 27, 2024 I recorded the video because I wanted to tell the Taliban, you cant tell me what to do, she told ABC News. Sulaimani, who fled from Afghanistan to Canada three years ago after the Taliban regained power in 2021, didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her family. But, even though she currently lives more than 10,000 miles away, the Taliban still tried to intimidate her, warning her by phone that they cant do anything to her, but that she also shouldnt forget her family is still in Afghanistan. But, in defiance, this only motivated Sulaimani further. It makes me sure that I have to go ahead with power, even more than ever, she told ABC News. PHOTO: AFGHANISTAN-LIFESTYLE (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images) Elsewhere, an Afghan woman now living in Norway, Hoda Khamosh, echoed the sentiment. We came to the conclusion that every voice can become thousands, showing that we women are not just a few individuals who can be erased, she said. Khamosh, who founded the Afghan Womens Justice Movement, posted a video of herself singing a revolutionary poem saying that if you close your doors on us, we will use the windows to make her voices heard. We do not go to the field with a gun, but our voice, our image," she said. "Protest is a war and a struggle. Even women inside Afghanistan are now recording videos of themselves singing, sometimes solo and sometimes in pairs or small groups, yet always wearing burqas that conceal their identities. Zahra, a journalist in Afghanistan who asked only to be identified by her first name for her safety, said the situation on the ground is rapidly changing. Last week, there were many women outside, but since the passage of the law mandating women to veil their bodies, as well as their voices, she said the streets have emptied of women. No power can silence the voices and images of us #women. These are the voices that stand against inequality and these are the voices that will defeat the terrorists and all those who seek to erase us.#Afghanistan #women pic.twitter.com/mnivfaWrQm Hoda khamosh _ (@HodaKhamosh) August 26, 2024 The new law now considers a woman's voice intimate and they are forbidden to sing, recite or read anything in public. This comes in addition to other regulations forbidding women to leave their houses alone or allowing them to look or speak to men who they're not related to by blood or marriage. The combination of these restrictions makes leaving the home impractical at best, and even impossible in some cases. If a person violates the rules, they can be punished with a warning or be arrested, with a Taliban spokesperson saying the new law would "be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice." Now, many male family members often instruct their female relatives to stay at home since they dont want trouble, Zahra said. Sometimes we have nightmares that [the Taliban] will come and arrest us, she said, citing common anecdotes of rape and torture in prisons. Although hope alone may not seem meaningful to many Afghan women, some now feel empowered by the outpouring of global support in response to the videos of women singing. Now -- they hope -- the international community will step in and tangibly do something to help protect Afghan women. Please dont leave us alone with the Taliban, Sulaimani said. We all need your support. Why Afghan women are singing to protest Talibans ban on women voices originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Why Donald Trump is turning to YouTube influencers and pranksters to win the bro vote Donald Trump is turning to YouTubers, pranksters and podcasters to win over the so-called bro vote. His campaign which recently announced a new aggressive strategy described as Trump on steroids is specifically targeting 18- to 29-year-old men by pitching them through non-traditional media channels,The New York Times reports. To garner support among the bro voters, the Trump campaign is dedicating time to YouTubers like Logan Paul and podcasters like Theo Von, the Times reports. The former president sat down with Paul in June for his Impaulsive podcast, which garnered six million views. During that appearance, Trump gifted Paul with T-shirts featuring his Fulton County, Georgia mugshot. Theyre so straightforward, Louis Wagner-Lang, a 21-year-old college student, told the Times of podcasters like Von and Paul. They say something, and you think, That makes a lot of sense. Trump is spending time with content creators that appeal to young men in order to gain their support, a new report reveals (Impaulsive/YouTube) The Trump campaign has also worked with the Nelk Boys, known for their YouTube pranks and the Full Send political podcast, during which they often host Trump-world guests. Trump appeared on the podcast in April, and his running mate JD Vance sat down with them earlier this month. Van Ricker, a 21-year-old student who follows the Nelk Boys, told the Times he really [wants] Trump to win. The Nelk Boys and politics go hand in hand, Ricker said. Social media has blown up at the same time politics is blowing up. The campaign has also garnered support from Dave Portnoy, founder of media company Barstool Sports, who interviewed Trump in 2020 and revealed he will be voting for the former president come November. Many of these creators and media companies have millions of followers and could very well influence the upcoming election. These guys have an influence on us young guys we want to be like them when we grow up, Rylan Bogue, 22, told the Times. Theyre dominating right now. There is a major gender divide emerging between the two candidates, with more men supporting Trump and more women voting for Harris, a CBS/YouGov poll released this month reveals. Trumps key base is made of men, those 45- to 64-years-old and white voters with no college education. However, among white voters who have not attended college, Trump has lost some of his leverage over Harris compared to Biden. Harris, on the other hand, is growing her lead among young and Black voters. Meanwhile, the vice president is leading the former president by 3.4 points, according to the latest average of national polls. Why evangelicals are upset at Trump, Vance for leaving abortion to states Conservative evangelical Christian voters continue to wrestle with a shifting Republican stance on 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. More: 'We want more babies': What Trump said about IVF 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. 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, the SBCs public policy arm, said in a July 3 letter to the Republication National Committee. Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics u0026 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. The SBC voted in June to oppose in vitro fertilization. Trump on Thursday said he would require insurance companies or the federal government to cover IVF costs. 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. More: JD Vance: Donald Trump would veto federal abortion ban The backlash was swift. 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 voters quickly. 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 election starting at the top of the ticket." Former President Trump now appears determined to undermine his prolife supporters. His criticism of Florida abortion restrictions & his call for government funding of IVF & his recent statement about reproductive rights seem almost calculated to alienate prolife voters. Albert Mohler (@albertmohler) August 29, 2024 Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump, Vance on abortion: Why evangelicals are upset On Thursday evening, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz sat down with CNN for their first TV interview since they became the top of the Democratic ticket. Naturally, Harris faced questions about her shifting stance on fracking, a key industry in the pivotal swing state of Pennsylvania. The vice president weathered the grilling well, firmly defending her change of heart. I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020 that I would not ban fracking, as vice president I did not ban fracking, as president I will not ban fracking, Harris told CNN anchor Dana Bash. Im very clear about where I stand. Overall, it was an uncontroversial, do-no-harm interview that made little news which is exactly what Harris needed. The same cannot be said of Donald Trump. On Thursday, at a rally in Potterville, Michigan, the former president whos been under fire for his partys attacks on abortions rights made a surprising pledge to force insurance companies to pay for in vitro fertilization. Democrats have repeatedly hammered Republicans on IVF since Alabamas supreme court briefly put the treatment on hold in the state. Earlier in the day, a reporter for NBC News asked Trump who has also been all over the place on abortion issues how he would vote on Floridas upcoming amendment that would enshrine abortion rights. He responded by saying the states six-week ban is too short and that there has to be more time. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, pictured in Georgia earlier this month, has given inconsistent answers on abortion and IVF (EPA) I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, he said. Trumps campaign spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, quickly went into clean-up mode. 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, she said in a statement. Trumps comments werent well received by some of the anti-abortion activists who are among his supporters. Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life America, blasted his take on X. So, President Trump clearly doesnt want to be pro-life anymore, she posted. Got it. Pro-lifers are being screwed. We need to demand Trump re-consider. But dont let this screw the babies we are fighting for, she warned. Vote against Kamala Harris. Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America, said that when she spoke with Trump directly, he did not commit to how he would vote on the Trump amendment. President Trump has consistently opposed abortions after five months of pregnancy, she said. Amendment 4 would allow abortion past this point. Voting for Amendment 4 completely undermines his position. By Thursday, Trump told Fox News that he would vote against the amendment in Florida, accusing Democrats of wanting to allow abortion up until the ninth month of pregnancy. All of that stuff is unacceptable so I will be voting no for that reason, he said. Trumps running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, a fierce abortion opponent, suddenly had audio issues when CNN asked him about Trumps position on abortion on Friday, which led to the channel cutting to a break. Meanwhile, Democrats arent getting too excited about Trumps vague IVF promises. There is nothing in what Trump says that actually reverses the underlying policy, Senator Elizabeth Warren said on a press call. Nowhere do Trump and Vance stand up and say they will support a federal law to protect access to IVF. She pointed out that Vance had voted against Senate legislation that would have protected access to IVF. Trumps comments dont hold much water with Democrats, who believe little of what he says in terms of abortion protections since hes continuously bragged about being the person who killed Roe v Wade, namely through nominating three Supreme Court justices who created the 6-3 majority that facilitated the Dobbs v Jackson decision. Even during the one debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, Trump bragged about killing Roe. Many of the abortion bans in red states only exist because of the Dobbs decision. That makes his backpedalling on abortion even more bitter for social conservatives who trusted him on the issue. Trump, a thrice-married former casino owner, seemed like an imperfect vessel to usher in their plans. Now, he seems almost ashamed about his accomplishments as he recognizes that abortion is a political loser for Republicans, even in his adopted home state of Florida. The relationship between evangelicals and anti-abortion Republicans always resembled that of a shotgun wedding. Now, evangelicals are just the latest partner Trump is accused of cheating on. -Alex Woodward contributed reporting Why Obstetrics is Important with Dr. Danielle Turnquest Why Obstetrics is Important with Dr. Danielle Turnquest MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Dr. Danielle Turnquest from USA Health Family Medicine in partnership with Accordia Health joined WKRG on The Doctor is In to discuss the importance of obstetrics at USA Health Family Medicine. Into Light Project exhibit at the University of South Alabama sheds light on drug addiction, overdose deaths Dr. Turnquest answers the following questions in the video above: What sets your program apart? What can expecting mothers expect when they visit? Is a referral needed? Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Why some U.S. disabled workers are making less than a dollar an hour On a humid June morning, 31-year-old Maria Castellanos gets ready to go to work at Pathways to Independence in Kearny, N.J. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., shell assemble hundreds of tiny packages that will eventually hold hearing aids manufactured by Danish giant Oticon. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. For that work, shell make about $4.50 per day, or about 85 cents an hour - a tiny fraction of the states $15 hourly minimum wage. Pathways can pay Castellanos and her co-workers that because they have disabilities. A federal statute of the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, has allowed companies such as Pathways to pay workers with disabilities less than minimum wage since 1938. As of July, at least 788 facilities nationwide were paying subminimum wages to approximately 40,000 workers as part of the 14(c) certificate program, so-named after the specific section of FLSA. While the number of facilities with certificates, which are granted by the Department of Labor, has almost halved since 2019 - in part because some states have stopped the practice in recent years - the program is still active in many states, especially in the Midwest. Although some subminimum wage workers have a physical disability, most have intellectual or developmental disabilities. The typical 14(c) worker is between 25 and 54 years old and employed only with other similarly disabled workers, in settings such as Pathways school-like building. Most have never had a job in the community that paid at least a minimum wage. The Washington Post examined a sample of about 230 facilities paying subminimum wages, most of which were nonprofits, but some that were private or state-run operations. At all of them, workers were employed at everything from packaging and assembly work to janitorial, manufacturing and food service jobs. Like many other subminimum wage workers, Castellanos is paid a piece rate based on how many units she can assemble while at work, instead of a set hourly rate. In a 2019 to 2021 survey of 14(c) programs, the Government Accountability Office found that 81 percent of workers making less than $3.50 per hour were paid a piece rate. In addition to assembling packages for Oticon, workers at Pathways do contract work for Vestis, a business that recently spun off from the $18 billion food and facility services company Aramark. The companys uniform laundry service needs hangers checked for quality and stacked, work it sends to Pathways. This contract has been a long-standing one for Pathways - the hallways are often lined with stacks of hangers that employees have sorted. When a contract comes in for sorting hangers, Pathways staff conduct a time study to determine wages for workers with disabilities. In one time study, three Pathways staff members without disabilities sorted and stacked hangers for 25 minutes each. In total, they stacked 1,530 hangers or about 20 hangers per minute. Pathways uses a Labor Department calculation that assumes piece-rate workers are productive for 51 minutes of every hour. Based on that, a worker would handle about 1,040 hangers each hour. The prevailing wage in the area - which is always at least minimum wage - is divided by 1,040 to get the piece rate. Workers with disabilities will be paid .0145 cents for each stacked hanger. If Castellanos stacks about 100 hangers an hour, she will make $1.45 per hour. For jobs that arent piece work, subminimum wages can be assessed using other types of time studies and calculators. In those situations, a time study will establish the job productivity of a worker with disabilities by comparing the time it takes them to complete a given task to the time a standard setter, or worker without disabilities, takes to do the same task. That productivity ratio is multiplied by the local prevailing wage to get the hourly subminimum wage. - - - Exploring the 14(c) facility In Pottsville, Pa., 37-year-old Stacy Schoffstall assembles, fills and labels bags of black sand for Rubbermaid. The sand will be used for outdoor ashtrays and to weigh down other plastic containers. She spends the day finishing every task available. Im really fast, Schoffstall said. Its easy. Across the three 14(c) facilities Avenues of PA operates in eastern Pennsylvania, Schoffstall and 93 other workers, all with intellectual or developmental disabilities, make less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. For those such as Schoffstall who do piece-rate work, the pay is around $3.15 per hour, while those working in janitorial, retail, food service, and even greenhouse jobs are paid on average $6.81 per hour. All this contract work generated about $200,000 for Avenues in 2023, only 2.7 percent of its total revenue. The bulk of the nonprofits funding comes from government grants and subsidies: In the 2023 fiscal year, Avenues received $4.9 million in federal, state and local money, which included $2.4 million from Medicaid - about $749,000 of that Medicaid money went to vocational programs. In total, Avenues, which along with the 14(c) program also operates other employment and adult and child day care services, made $7.3 million while spending $6.6 million in 2023. Thats not unusual. Through multiple federal and state programs, the government spends a lot of money on facilities like Avenues - even as the programs participation rolls have shrunk. In New Jersey, for example, total state funding of sheltered employment almost doubled from $35 million in 2016 to $69 million in 2022. The states vocational rehabilitation agency alone doled out $43.8 million to 26 facilities in the 2023 fiscal year, according to data obtained through a Washington Post public records request. - - - The companies that rely on subminimum wage labor At Pathways and Avenues, contract work comes from small local businesses and large international companies. Rubbermaid, Vestis and Oticon are only a handful of the well-known brands that partner with facilities paying subminimum wages. The Washington Post contacted dozens of brands and their affiliated companies that currently contract with facilities that pay subminimum wages. Many of these companies that contract with facilities for subminimum wage labor told The Post that they are proud to partner with organizations that support and employ individuals with disabilities. At Oticon, we are committed to creating a more inclusive society to give everyone a chance to showcase their potential regardless of their physical abilities, Oticon President Gary Rosenblum said in a statement. In response to further questions from The Post about the wages Pathways pays its workers, a spokesperson for Oticon said, We will now investigate this case further and initiate a dialogue with Pathways to Independence to ensure that this partnership lives up to Oticons ethical standards. The facilities actively court partnerships with these companies, and sometimes tout the many financial incentives of using subminimum-wage labor. Companies that work with disabled employees can qualify for several federal tax incentive programs. Some of the 14(c) facilities also cite reduced compensation and disabled workers willingness to do tedious or menial work that workers without disabilities might not want to do. On its website, the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation in New Jersey, which contracts with Nylabone, advertises its services to prospective business partners: We can cut your costs but not your quality! Staff running Pathways and Avenues say that if they were to raise wages for employees, they would have to offer higher bids for their contract work. If they were to offer the prevailing wage, companies such as Oticon may say thats too high for them, because, financially, they cant afford it for their businesses, said Tessa Farrell-McPhoy, the program director at Pathways to Independence. And then, we dont get any of the jobs. To pay workers a minimum wage, a company would have to subsidize the cost difference between a minimum wage rate and a rate for workers with lower productivities, said Peter Keitsock, executive director of Avenues. That would be great, but I dont think that would happen, he said. - - - The scale of lost wages Subminimum wages can vary widely depending on the state, jobs and facility. The latest wage estimates, from the GAOs analysis of a subset of 14(c) facilities in 2019 to 2021, suggest that half of workers make less than $3.50 per hour - with about 12 percent making less than $1 per hour. But theres no complete or current picture of the wages currently being paid under these certificates. The Post has appealed the Department of Labors nonresponse of a Freedom of Information Act request for this information. For workers in facilities such as Pathways, the difference between their weekly wages and what theyd make at a minimum-wage job can add up. If the typical Pathways worker spends 5.25 hours at the facility each day, making a piece rate that amounts to about $1 per hour for 20 days per month, they would earn $16,000 less than they would have had they been paid New Jerseys minimum wage during that time. Over 15 years, that amount would grow to almost $245,000 in lost income. In a month of work at Pathways, Castellanos usually makes between $50 and $100. In her first two years there, she made even less - sometimes only $4 every two weeks. She says she wants a job in the community, perhaps at Target - in part to make more money. I tell her that its better for her to save it because its too little money, said her mother, Maria Juana Morales. She wants to do something else, and I want her to be able to rely on herself. But Castellanos still wants to help: Now that Im an adult, and Im grown, I would like to help my mom with the rent, she said. - - - Graphics: https://washingtonpost.com/documents/2da7ded3-57ee-4c8d-b652-7334ff2ea274.pdf https://washingtonpost.com/documents/a0efe5c2-2062-45c2-9f6b-8fd92f3c1d01.pdf https://washingtonpost.com/documents/a9f56627-7197-4947-b1d2-9cef9cb949b8.pdf https://washingtonpost.com/documents/15af021a-802d-48b5-ab27-feac9f190b4f.pdf https://washingtonpost.com/documents/2f2daade-5849-42ed-ba4c-e57b2c636827.pdf Related Content Chasing the perfect abs, men flock to plastic surgery Their graves were marked only by numbers. She fought to find their names. Tim Walzs upbringing in rural Nebraska seemed idyllic. Then came tragedy. Wichita bridge is one of many infamous for eating trucks WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Its a bridge well known to many in Wichita. The Waterman train bridge near Intrust Bank Arena is infamous for the number of times a truck driver misses the 12-foot height warning, either striking the bridge or getting stuck underneath. The most recent incident was on Friday, but its been happening for years so frequently that the city has installed flashing lights to warn drivers of the height restriction. Its not the only bridge in Kansas that has been frequently struck. On Sept. 4, KDOT will shut down a section of I-70 to remove a bridge that has been hit so often due to oversized loads that it had to be closed to traffic in March. According to KSNs sister station WDAF, the Independence Avenue Bridge in Kansas City has been destroying trucks and trailers for years. The bridge even has its own Facebook page. Enid, Oklahoma, has the famous East Main Bridge adorned with shark teeth. It, too, has its own dedicated Facebook page. USD 259 receives grant to improve energy efficiency Theres the famous 11-foot-8-inch bridge in Durham, North Carolina. In 2008, a Duke University employee set up cameras to record traffic underneath the bridge. He has been posting the videos online ever since. The bridge was raised by eight inches in 2019. However, it has been struck at least 27 times since then. Lansing, Michigan, has the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, known as Big Penny. Numerous other states have their own truck-eating bridges. You can even find them internationally. For example, Spain has Puente Traga-Camiones de Leganes, and Australia has the Montague Street Bridge in Melbourne, which has a dedicated website that tracks the number of days since it was last struck. As for Wichita, even with the warning signs and flashing lights, drivers continue to misjudge their vehicles height and that will likely be the case until something is done to address the issue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Williamsville man was sentenced to 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison Wednesday morning in connection with four separate shoplifting incidents in 2023, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said. Officials said David J. Miller, 60, stole clothing, high-end eyeglasses frames and other merchandise from two different retailers in the Town of Clarence on four separate occasions between June 9, 2023 and June 20, 2023. The stolen merchandise was not recovered from the first three crimes, resulting in a total loss of $12,916 to the two retailers. Miller has since paid full restitution to the victims. The stolen property was recovered and returned to the retailer following the fourth incident. Miller pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny in April of 2024. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JANESVILLE, Wis. (WFRV) A 24-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested Thursday evening after damaging an exterior door at a local high school. According to a release, officers with the Janesville Police Department discovered damage to the glass in one of the exterior doors at Janesville Craig High School on Sunday, August 25, at around 12:15 p.m. The damage and evidence collected were consistent with a bullet striking the door. Omro man sentenced to prison for strangling and killing girlfriend while drunk The investigation led to the discovery of a suspect, Dalton D. Talley, 24, of Janesville, who was taken into custody on Thursday. Talley is being held at the Rock County Jail and is awaiting his initial court appearance. The Janesville Police Department says there is no threat to the public. WATCH: Drone credited with saving three-year-old child who was missing in 100+ acre cornfield in Fond du Lac County Talley was arrested for criminal property damage, possessing a firearm in a school zone, and discharging a firearm in a school zone. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details have been 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. FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) A 23-year-old Wisconsin man pleaded no contest and was convicted for a fentanyl overdose death that occurred in Fond du Lac County back in 2020. According to the Fond du Lac County District Attorneys Office, Derrise L. Townsend Jr., 23, was convicted of first-degree reckless homicide for a fentanyl overdose that occurred in the town of Metomen on May 8, 2020. Homicide investigation begins after 56-year-old Wisconsin woman found dead with multiple gunshot wounds The bond for Townsend Jr. was revoked, and court records show that he has another open case regarding an overdose death in Milwaukee County. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said, Fentanyl is a scourge on society that continues to destroy lives and our communities. Although todays conviction will not take away the pain from a family that lost a loved one, it does hold the defendant accountable for distributing poison into our community. Wisconsin man arrested after damaging exterior door at high school District Attorney Toney continued saying hell continue to work with law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute fentanyl and overdose deaths to help protect the community. No additional 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. MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, Timothy M. OShea announced that a central Wisconsin man was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud stemming from a relief program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 40-year-old man, identified as Curtis Alleyne of Almond, pled guilty to the charge on May 9 this year. The charge stems from his Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application submitted in April 2020. He claimed the business had earned a gross revenue of over half a million dollars. Milwaukee man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking, additional charges Alleyne attached forged tax documents to prove the information on his application, but IRS tax forms revealed he never filed those records. The Small Business Administration approved his application, depositing nearly $150,000 into his account. An investigation revealed that he spent the illegally obtained funds on a car and other unapproved expenses. Madison man sentenced to four months in prison, five years of supervision for fentanyl trafficking During his sentencing, U.S. District Judge William Conley emphasized the need to deter people from committing white-collar crimes like this, especially ones that manipulate programs in a crisis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wisconsin woman arrested in Nebraska for allegedly shooting and killing man in Ohio BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WFRV) A 52-year-old Wisconsin woman was arrested on Tuesday morning in Nebraska after being linked to a suspicious death investigation in Ohio. According to a release, authorities in Beavercreek, Ohio, responded to the 1800 block of Maple Lane for a report of a suspicious death. Upon arrival, the Beavercreek Police Department found the victim, identified as Michael Corrigan from Beavercreek. Brown County Sheriffs Office: Autopsy confirms homicide in Green Bay Correctional Institution Authorities believe Corrigan died from a gunshot wound. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was also called to the scene to assist with evidence collection. Through the investigation, authorities issued an arrest warrant for 52-year-old Janel M. Nelson from Thorp, Wisconsin. The warrant was served on Tuesday, August 27, by the Omaha, Nebraska Police Department, and Nelson was taken into custody. Drone missions continue as dive teams, authorities continue search for missing kayaker on Wisconsins Big Green Lake Police say that a social media post led to the discovery of Nelsons location, and license plate readers helped confirm her whereabouts at the time of the crime and as she traveled west toward Nebraska. Nelson will be extradited to Ohio as soon as possible. Evidence seized from the vehicle Nelson was operating includes a firearm that investigators believe was used in the crime. Once Nelson returns to Ohio, she will be arraigned in Greene County Common Pleas 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Colorados controversial efforts to reintroduce gray wolves hit another major stumbling block this week when state wildlife officials informed the public they would be relocating a pack of wolves that have been killing livestock in Grand County. In the surprise announcement made around 8 p.m. Tuesday, officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said they had begun an operation to capture and relocate the Copper Creek pack, which became the states first named wolf pack after two of the wolves that were introduced from Oregon over the winter formed a mating pair and the female gave birth to three pups in this spring. The announcement comes after the agency denied repeated requests from area ranchers to lethally remove the depredating wolves, and it was couched with a carefully-worded explanation that this is not how CPW plans to handle these types of conflicts in the future. Our options in this case were very limited, and this action is by no means a precedent for how CPW will resolve wolf-livestock conflict moving forward, CPW Director Jeff Davis said Tuesday. 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. Its unclear how the agency plans to capture the wolves, which are fitted with tracking collars, or how much the operation could cost. (Wildlife managers typically capture wolves during the winter because theyre easier to track in the snow.) Its also unclear if the wolves will be relocated outside the state or taken to a different area in Colorado. A CPW spokesperson tells Outdoor Life that the agency will provide more information and details at the conclusion of the operation, but officials have so far been unwilling to answer additional questions about the operation. This speaks to the extremely fine line that CPW is now walking as wildlife managers work to fulfill a mandate handed down by a slim majority of Colorado voters while trying to meet the needs of Coloradans whose livelihoods are being affected by the wolves. The agency has both the authority and the ability to provide ranchers with chronic depredation permits for wolves that harass and kill livestock. The 10 gray wolves brought over from Oregon were designated as an experimental population from the beginning, which opened the door to lethal removal. And in June, after confirming double-digit livestock depredations by gray wolves in Grand and Jackson Counties, CPW established new regulations allowing for the lethal take of depredating wolves under certain conditions. Those conditions seem to have been met. SkyHi News reports that the Copper Creek pack has been responsible for the majority of livestock depredations that have occurred statewide since reintroduction began. (A CPW spokesperson did not confirm or deny this fact.) But by killing the only known wolves that have successfully reproduced since reintroduction, the agency would make it that much harder to achieve its long-term goal of establishing a self-sustaining population of gray wolves in the state. Read Next: How Many Wolves Should There Be in Colorado? This goal has already been complicated by the death (likely due to a mountain lion) of one of the 10 reintroduced wolves in April, and by the Colville Tribes decision in June to rescind its offer to provide CPW with its next batch of gray wolves. Those wolves were supposed to be released later this winter, but CPW still hadnt found a new source by the time officials announced their decision to relocate the Copper Creek pack. A Troubling Trend CPW confirmed multiple livestock depredations by the two adult wolves in the Copper Creek pack between April and the end of July. In a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on Friday, CPWs director of policy Reid DeWalt reportedly told commissioners that the adult pair have caused the main issues in depredation among all the wolves that were relocated there from Oregon. The first depredation occurred on a Grand County ranch in early April. Later that month, the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association wrote a letter to the CPW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking for the wolves responsible to be lethally removed. That request was denied. CPW explained in an April letter that the agency suspected wolves were denning and that removing the male breeder at this point would be irresponsible management and [would] potentially cause the den to fail. The Copper Creek pack has been linked to the deaths of at least three cows and one sheep since then, according to reporting by the Colorado Sun. The agency also confirmed that an additional eight sheep were killed by wolves in the county as part of a July 28 incident that involved 15 sheep in all. On July 31, however, CPW denied another request from the MPSA for a chronic depredation permit that would have allowed ranchers to kill the adult wolves in the Copper Creek Pack. CPWs decision to deny the permit despite documented and increasingly common depredations highlights a troubling trend of prioritizing wolves over the legitimate needs and rights of livestock producers, reads an Aug. 14 letter sent to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and CPW director Jeff Davis by the Colorado Cattlemens Association. Critically, when CPW issued its permit denial, CPW knew that at least eight sheep had been killed in a depredation event. This brings Colorados total loss of livestock over the first eight months of this reintroduction program to 24 confirmed deaths. Read Next: As Wolf Management Debate Reaches a Fever Pitch, the Interior Department Hires a National Mediator In the same letter, the Cattlemans Association puts that number in context by comparing it with the number of wolf depredations that took place in Montana throughout 2023. There are an estimated 1,096 gray wolves in the state, according to the most recent estimate from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Montana has 70 [times] the number of wolves as Colorado and had just eight more livestock loses in all of 2023 than Colorado has confirmed in the first seven months of 2024, the letter reads. By refusing to manage problem wolves, CPW has allowed livestock depredations to continue unchecked, while at the same time fostering a pack of depredating wolves. Pups from these problem wolves will be trained to hunt and survive off livestock. Again, its unclear at this point where the Copper Creek pack will be relocated. But if they are to remain free-ranging wolves in the state, or anywhere else in the West, theres a strong likelihood they will encounter other livestock operations. (FOX40.COM) A Folsom resident was arrested on Thursday after police officers learned of implied threats on social media she made toward an elementary school in the city, according to the Folsom Police Department. Around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Folsom police said it was aware of threats made toward Carl Sundahl Elementary School and was notifying parents to ensure the safety of everyone at the school. Due to the matter being an active investigation, police were unable to release details or answer specific questions, but said they had taken reasonable steps to address the concerns and would be actively monitoring the situation. Man arrested after threatening to shoot children walking to school, police say On Thursday, Folsom police said Sara Zamani, 44, had been booked into jail on charges of making criminal threats and violating a restraining order. The Folsom Police Department understands that the circumstances surrounding the implied threats on social media towards Carl Sundahl Elementary School have been of grave concern for our students, families, and residents, the agency said on Facebook. Our officers and detectives have been working diligently with the schools and school district to ensure these threats were investigated and handled appropriately. Zamani is being held without bail at the Sacramento County Jail, 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 FOX40. Woman charged with dismembering man with chainsaw in Geneva County, sources say GENEVA COUNTY, Ala (WDHN) A Geneva County woman is behind bars after official sources claim she beheaded her lover with a chainsaw. Court records show 26-year-old Joselina Elizabeth Lopez was arrested and charged with one count of intentional murder in the death of 41-year-old Benito Morales Guzman. Guzmans body was found in a car behind his house around Grady Garner Road and New Hinson Road in the Fadette community Tuesday morning. Sources close to the case tell WDHN Guzman was beheaded and completely dismembered with a chainsaw before his body was placed in the car. Photo of Benito Guzman (Courtesy of Kelly Cifuentes) Those sources also say that Guzman and Lopez had a romantic relationship. Records show the alleged crime occurred sometime between August 24 and 27. Lopezs Alabama court profile shows she lives on Grady Garner Road. The Geneva County Sheriffs Office is expected to release additional information Thursday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Berlin, VT. A 33-year-old woman was arrested near CVS on Thursday after leaving the store with unpurchased items. Ashley Larrow left the store in a vehicle spotted by police. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Larrow and took her into custody. Larrow had three active warrants out for her arrest in Vermont. She had $1,100 bail between them and was unable to pay. Larrow was taken to Chittenden County Correctional Complex for lack of bail. She will appear at the Washington County Court for retail theft on October 17 at 8:30 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 ABC22 & FOX44. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) A woman from Louisville is behind bars after police say she was trying to get into random cars outside of an Evansville business. According to an affidavit, Evansville Police officers were called to the 200 block of North Main Street Friday morning. Police were able to identify the woman in question as Ricki Smith, 28. One person told police that he was working when he saw Smith allegedly trying to open car doors that were in a parking lot nearby. He said Smith found a vehicle that was unlocked and sat in the drivers seat. He claimed he told Smith to leave. He also claimed that Smith jumped into another womans vehicle while she began to walk into the store. He said he tried to pull Smith out of the vehicle but couldnt due to Smith still holding on to the gear shifter. That was when the woman reportedly ran over and grabbed Smith by the hair, pulling her out. The woman reportedly told police that she was taking her child to daycare and had to stop at the store. She claimed she left the vehicle unlocked and started walking across the street when she saw Smith getting into her vehicle. The woman said she wanted to file charges because her child was still in the backseat. Smith claimed she was traveling from Louisville to Evansville when her car broke down and hitchhiked the rest of the way. When asked why she would steal the vehicle, Smith allegedly said Kanye West speaks to her telegraphically and told her to steal it. Smith was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. While there, officers received more information that Smith had wrecked her vehicle into the tree line off of Highway 64, which is why she said she abandoned the vehicle. As of this writing, Smiths booking photo was not 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. are investigating after a woman was stabbed to death inside an apartment in the middle of the afternoon on Friday. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers responded to the complex in the 3800 block of South Capitol Street SE just before 4:30 p.m. There, they found a woman who had been stabbed. DC police investigating 2-month-olds death as homicide She was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Friday afternoon, homicide unit investigators were still at the scene. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Woman with felony warrants in 3 counties arrested in Dayton DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A woman was arrested in Dayton on several felony arrest warrants Thursday. The Butler County Sheriffs Office reports the arrest of JhonNae Deshelle Smith from Dayton. Smith was arrested around 1:50 p.m. by the Dayton Police Department and U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force during a traffic stop near Lyndhurst Avenue. Homeland Security seeks individuals impacted by alleged case Smith had several warrants out for her arrest across three counties. In Montgomery County, she was wanted for felony obstructing official business and misdemeanor resisting arrest. In Greene County, shes wanted for theft charges. In Butler County, Smith has warrants for a theft incident that occurred in the Dicks Sporting Goods at Liberty Center. She is the second theft suspect arrested after video footage caught two individuals fleeing the area on Aug. 21. The suspect was booked into Montgomery County Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Woman found dead in her cubicle 4 days after last clocking in Police in Tempe, Arizona, are investigating after a Wells Fargo employee was found dead in her cubicle four days after she last scanned into the building. The Tempe Police Department responded to the office on Aug. 20 after being notified by building security. Police identified the worker as Denise Prudhomme, 60. PHOTO: In this screen grab from Google Maps Street View, the Wells Fargo office is shown in Tempe, Arizona. (Google Maps Street View) Her cause of death has not yet been determined. "The preliminary investigation did not show any obvious signs of foul play," police said. Prudhomme scanned into the building the morning of Friday, Aug. 16, police said. Her body was found on Aug. 20 in her third-floor cubicle, and she was pronounced dead at 4:55 p.m., according to the authorities. MORE: Wells Fargo workers form 1st union at a US megabank A spokesperson for Wells Fargo said Prudhomme's cubicle was in an underpopulated part of the building and that colleagues were informed of her death after her family was notified. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague, Denise Prudhomme," a spokesperson said. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones, and we are in contact to ensure they are well supported during this difficult time." The Wells Fargo spokesperson said counselors would be made available to support employees affected by the incident. "We are committed to the safety and wellness of our workforce," the spokesperson added. Woman found dead in her cubicle 4 days after last clocking in originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Woman identified in fatal crash on I-80 in Tooele County TOOELE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A woman has been identified by Utah Highway Patrol from a fatal crash that occurred earlier this week in Tooele County. The woman was identified as 69-year-old Sherrie Ivie of Grantsville. BACKGROUND INFO: UHP confirms one dead on I-80 in Tooele County The accident occurred near mile post 99 on Tuesday afternoon, and slowed down traffic for several hours. The crash resulted in one death, which was Ivie, and a critical injury to another driver, a male, 61. The males identity was not released by UHP. Ivies maroon Ford Explorer crossed the center line and collided head-on with a green Ford F-150, driven by the male. Ivie sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The male driver of the Ford F-150, was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The males condition is not known 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 ABC4 Utah. A womans killing was unsolved for 44 years. A cigarette butt just led to an arrest, police say DNA evidence from a cigarette butt has led to an arrest in the 1980 killing of a woman in Washington state, police said this week. Kenneth Duane Kundert, 65, was arrested in Arkansas last week on a warrant accusing him of murder in the death of 30-year-old Dorothy Dottie Maria Silzel, police in Kent, Washington, said Wednesday. Kenneth Kundert. - Van Buren County Sheriffs Office Silzel was found dead on February 26, 1980, inside her home in Kent, about 30 minutes south of Seattle, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in a Wednesday news conference. She died from strangling or suffocation, and suffered a blow to her head, police said, citing an autopsy report. She also had been sexually assaulted, according to court documents provided by prosecutors. Silzel was last seen three nights earlier leaving a pizza shop where she worked on the weekends to supplement her income as a full-time training supervisor for Boeing, police said. Friends and colleagues requested a welfare check at Silzels home after she had not reported to work at Boeing for two days, which was highly unusual, according to police. Although DNA technology was not advanced enough to identify a suspect at the time, DNA evidence was collected during the initial investigation, police said. Investigators with the Washington State Patrol crime lab built a DNA profile from the evidence for an unknown man they called Individual A, according to police. In 2016, advancement in DNA technology allowed investigators to obtain a partial DNA profile from the victims bathrobe at the crime scene that matched the DNA profile of Individual A, police said. Investigators compared multiple DNA samples throughout the years to the partial DNA profile, but none matched Individual A, according to police. A breakthrough finally came in 2022, when crime lab investigators used genetic genealogy to identify 11 possible suspects, police said. That forensic method compares unidentified DNA to DNA that can be found in genealogy databases, potentially allowing researchers to find relatives of the unknown person. That, combined with other detective work, can help investigators identify potential suspects. The method has been used in recent years to crack some of the nations coldest cases, including the arrest of the Golden State Killer in 2018. In the Washington case, investigators began collecting DNA samples from the potential suspects to compare to Individual As DNA profile, Kent police said. Two of the potential suspects were Kenneth Kundert and his brother, both living in Arkansas, police said . In September 2023, Kent (detectives) began to look into the (brothers) and were advised that they were both in custody for an unrelated assault, Kent police said in a news release. Kent police coordinated with a sheriffs office in Arkansas to request voluntary DNA samples from the brothers, according to police. While Kunderts brother gave his sample willingly, Kundert declined, Kent police said. DNA testing proved the brother was not a match, police said. Police discovered Kenneth Kundert had ties to Washington state. He and his brother had lived in an apartment complex about 1,200 feet from where Silzels condominium, police said. Court documents from prosecutors say the brothers lived at the complex at the time of Silzels death. Looking for evidence Kundert was at the scene of Silzels killing, Kent police in March traveled to Clinton, Arkansas, where they kept tabs on him with the help of the FBI and local law enforcement officers, they said. During that surveillance, they picked up a cigarette butt that Kundert discarded, police said in a probable cause affidavit. A crime lab report indicated the DNA profile from the cigarette butt belonged to Individual A, according to the affidavit. Kundert was being held Thursday at an Arkansas county jail, according to jail records. He he was awaiting extradition to Washington state, police said. Kundert is charged in Washingtons King County with first degree murder, court documents show. Bail has been set at $3 million. CNN is trying to determine whether Kundert has obtained an attorney. No attorney was listed in court documents or in online court records. Silzel was originally from Manden, North Dakota, where she graduated from high school and worked for a school district, Padilla said. She lived in the Seattle area for about 12 years before her death. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Woman on scooter dies after crash west of Las Vegas Strip, I-15: police Woman on scooter dies after crash west of Las Vegas Strip, I-15: police Update: The Clark County Coroners Office identified the victim as Gail Hohimer, 52, of Barstow, California. Her cause of death was listed as blunt force injuries, with the manner being accidental. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A deadly crash involving a scooter and an SUV has shut down traffic just west of the I-15 and the Las Vegas Strip, according to police. The crash happened shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday at the intersection of Valley View Boulevard and Twain Avenue, Las Vegas Metro police said. The female driver of the scooter was pronounced dead on scene by medical personnel. The driver of the SUV stopped following the crash. Police told 8 News Now impairment is suspected. All northbound lanes and southbound lanes are blocked from Twain Avenue to Spring Mountain Road, according to RTC of Southern Nevada. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The Fresno Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a woman who allegedly burglarized a Fresno residence. Police say on July 2 of this year, a residential burglary occurred on Pine Avenue and Echo Avenue. Through the investigation, it was determined the same woman also attempted to break into a neighbors home but was unsuccessful. According to police, the woman is believed to be approximately 20 to 25 years old. Police say she has burgundy hair, a mid-length ponytail and a slit in her right eyebrow. If anyone has any information on the identity of this suspect and her whereabouts, you are asked to contact Detective Taylor Phoolka for the Central District Investigations Unit at 559-621-6203 or email Taylor.Phoolka@Fresno.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Women's college in Virginia bars transgender students based on founder's will from 1900 FILE - The front gate of Sweet Briar College is shown May 13, 2015, in Sweet Briar, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) Sweet Briar College in Virginia has instituted an admissions policy that bars transgender women next school year, making the school an outlier among the nation's diminishing number of women's colleges. The private women's liberal arts school said the policy stems from the legally binding will of its founder, Indiana Fletcher Williams, who died in 1900. Sweet Briar's leadership said the document requires it to be a place of girls and young women. The phrase "must be interpreted as it was understood at the time the Will was written, Sweet Briar's president and board chair wrote in a letter earlier this month to the college community. The new policy requires an applicant to confirm that her sex assigned at birth is female, and that she consistently lives and identifies as a woman." Sweet Briar College believes that single-sex education is not only our tradition, but also a unique cultural and social resource, President Mary Pope Hutson said in a statement to The Associated Press. The new guidelines are facing criticism from some students and most faculty. They warn the politically fraught policy could repel potential students not just transgender women when women's colleges have been closing, going co-ed or merging with other schools. Sweet Briar nearly shuttered in 2015. Critics also question the board's originalist interpretation of a will that explicitly excluded non-white students. Williams' will said the school was to be a place for the education of white girls and young women." The college had to get permission from a federal judge to accept Black students after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. John Gregory Brown, an English professor and faculty senate chair, said the reasoning for the transgender policy is absurd. Williams also wouldnt have entertained the notion that somebody who was disabled would be a potential student," Brown added. On Monday night, the faculty voted 48 to 4, with one abstention, to call on the board to rescind the policy, Brown said. Sweet Briar has about 460 students - known as Vixens and was established in 1901 on Williams estate, a former plantation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On Aug. 10, the Sweet Briar College Student Government Association stated the policy was alienating, unnecessary, and it reflects the rise of transphobia in our country. Association President Isabella Paul, a senior who identifies as nonbinary, told the AP that at least 10% of students use different pronouns and wouldn't fit in the policy's description of women. And there are allies here who may identify as women but have friends and lovers and family members who are nonbinary, genderqueer and transgender," Paul said. So this is also affecting their pride in their institution. Its unclear how the policy will affect current students. When asked, Sweet Briars president said the school tries to ensure that all of our students feel welcome on campus. Hutson acknowledged that a board member has resigned over the policy and that alumnae on both sides care deeply about the future of our college." Many want Sweet Briar to remain a place where women can thrive, and they believe that a broader policy is a slippery slope toward co-education," Hutson said. They strongly support this policy. Women's colleges in the U.S. began to admit transgender women about 10 years ago, including Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and Spelman College, a historically Black school in Atlanta. What it means to be a woman isnt static, Mount Holyoke's then-President Lynn Pasquerella told the AP in 2014. Early feminists argued that reducing women to their biological functions was a foundation of womens oppression. Currently, 23 historically womens colleges have policies that admit at least some trans students, said Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Beemyn, who tracks such policies, said three historically womens colleges bar most trans women, including Sweet Briar. Admissions policies at private undergraduate colleges are exempt from Title IX, the 1972 law that bars sex discrimination in education. So Sweet Briar would not be affected by the Biden administration's new rules under Title IX, which restrict discrimination based on gender identity. Most Republican state attorneys general are challenging those rules in court. And judges have halted enforcement in 26 states, including Virginia, while the cases proceed. But schools, including Sweet Briar, would not be shielded from any private lawsuits filed by current students, said Nicholas Hite, a senior attorney with LGBTQ+ rights group Lambda Legal. Hite said Sweet Briars policy could be problematic because it explicitly attempts to define for current students what it means to live and identify as a woman. Thats something that every cis and trans woman should be able to decide for herself, Hite said. Sweet Briar lacked a stated transgender admissions policy until this year, according to the letter from school leadership. The college was previously handling applications case by case. But then the Common Application, a nonprofit that helps students apply to schools on one standardized form, added more options for a person's legal sex, X or another legal sex. Sweet Briar's leadership said the additional options created confusion and challenges for applicants and school staff. Emma Steele, a Common Application spokesperson, said in a statement that the changes were all made to better reflect the more than one million students who use Common App each year." Sweet Briar almost ceased being a school in 2015. Its then-leadership announced its closure and cited financial challenges, declining enrollment and other problems. The school was saved after multiple lawsuits, prolonged negotiations and the raising of millions of dollars by its fiercely determined alumnae. Sweet Briar is one of 30 schools listed as members of the Womens College Coalition. The U.S. had more than 200 women's colleges in the 1960s. The faculty senate president said the new policy will likely shrink the pool of already precious applicants. It really excludes any student who would be offended by those positions ... who doesnt want to be in a place where discrimination is codified in this way, Brown said. I think its a financially disastrous decision for the college. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A Woodbury County supervisor has denounced a decision from the local attorney union that rejected a proposed compensation increase. The union president then strongly rebuked his remarks. In a release sent out early Thursday morning, Woodbury County Board of Supervisors chairman Matthew Ung denounced members of AFSCME, Council 61 Local 3462, Woodbury County Assistant Attorneys and Victim Witness Coordinator (referred to by Ung as the union) for rejecting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was proposed by the county on Aug. 22. The increase was unanimously supported by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13 before being rejected. The increase was put on the table to address an understaffing issue at the County Attorneys Office, where eight of 18 positions are currently vacant. County Attorney James Loomis reported that the understaffing issue has caused a backlog of felony cases, which is a major public safety concern, according to Ungs release. Ung said that the current contract is effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, and a county government offering an increase of this sort outside of contract bargaining and being rejected is unprecedented. Watch: Gov. Reynolds highlights flood recovery in Rock Valley The new contract offered an immediate increase to wages and more frequent raises, more vacation time, a retention bonus, and the option to work remotely, Ung said. Additionally, Ung released the following statement: This embedded content is not available in your region. KCAU 9 reached out to the attorney union for comment. In a response, union president Todd Copley harshly criticized Ungs remarks and referred to the supervisors call for a potential dissolution of the union as a threat to public safety. Copley said that Ungs release left out numerous important details. According to the response, the Woodbury County Attorneys Office has struggled with recruitment and case backlogs for years because of low wages, not because the MOU was rejected. In fact, Copley said, the compensation increases were previously requested by the union months ago during contract negotiations but were rejected by the board of supervisors. The contract went into effect in July. The attorneys then made further requests when the MOU was proposed, which were emphatically denied, according to the response. To blame the Union for something that the Board could have resolved itself in the first place is absolute hypocrisy, the union president said. Iowa Utilities Commission issues pipeline permit for Summit Carbon Solutions The response states that neither Ung nor the board have any authority to dissolve the union and would be breaking Iowa law in doing so. Copley called on Ung to apologize to the attorneys office employees for saying that they are the reason that the vacancies have not been able to be filled. They are NOT the problem, Copley said. He also said that the union feels that these kinds of conflicts should be addressed privately and not in public. You can read Copleys full response below: This embedded content is not available in your region. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than a month has passed since Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro stole the July 28 elections, and the U.S. and Latin American democracies demands that Maduro show evidence of his self-proclaimed victory are sounding increasingly useless. Its time to move forward with collective diplomatic and economic sanctions. Thats the conclusion I reached after interviewing Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino and other Latin American and U.S. officials in recent days. Many democracies in the region have run out of patience with efforts by Brazil and Colombias leftist presidents to convince Maduro to show his voting records and allow a transition to democracy. The Biden administration in April re-imposed some U.S. oil sanctions on Venezuela that it had previously lifted in exchange for Maduros promises to allow a competitive election. In addition, it is reportedly considering reinstating the remaining U.S. oil sanctions, and slapping new personal visa restrictions on about 60 Venezuelan election officials, Supreme Court justices and military who helped perpetrate Maduros electoral fraud. But there are growing fears that unless there is a stronger collective international effort to isolate Maduro, the Venezuelan dictator will cling to power indefinitely. That could result in a new exodus of millions of Venezuelans, in addition to the nearly 8 million who have fled the country since Maduro took power in 2013. Panamas president Mulino told me that Brazil and Colombias talks with the Venezuelan dictatorship are not going anywhere. He added that Brazils proposal that Maduro hold a new election would only help Maduro buy time, and give him a giant (political) oxygen tank. Panama, which on Jan. 1 will take over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, has already broken diplomatic ties with the Maduro regime, suspended air traffic with Venezuela, and has recognized opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as that countrys president elect. According to exit polls and copies of voting tallies made public by the Venezuelan opposition, Gonzalez Urrutia won the election by a landslide with nearly 70% of the vote. Mulino told me that the time has come for democratic countries to implement a real material isolation of Venezuela. When I asked him whether other countries should follow Panamas example and suspend air traffic with Venezuela, he responded, I think so. There is a big debate within U.S. diplomatic circles on whether broader economic sanctions on Venezuela would help the cause of democracy, or only accelerate the countrys economic decline and trigger a new wave of migration. Venezuelan opposition leaders say that, at the very least, the Biden Administration and other countries should impose visa restrictions on more Venezuelan officials and their cronies in the business world. The Biden Administration has already revoked the visas of many top Maduro regime officials and their close relatives, but Venezuelan opposition leaders tell me that they gave U.S. officials a list of 1,560 Venezuelan officials and business people who they consider should be targeted as well. Juan Guaido, the former head of Venezuelas National Assembly who was recognized by about 50 countries as interim president after the 2018 elections, confirmed to me that such list was delivered to the U.S. State Department earlier this year. The people on that list should be made responsible for their crimes, he said. A month has passed since the elections, and Maduro has already been offered all possible carrots to allow a peaceful transition to democracy, Guaido told me. Now, its time to step up the pressure and apply sanctions to those responsible for stealing the elections. Maduro is in a much weaker position today than after the 2018 elections, and may be more likely to seek a negotiated solution to the current crisis. Former leftist allies like Brazil and Colombia have taken distance from him, and he has less money to pay his security forces following the re-instatement of some U.S. oil sanctions. He has also lost the support of many of Venezuelas poor: Many of the anti-Maduro street protests in the aftermath of the July 28 elections took place in formerly Chavista neighborhoods. Will he be able to count on the Bolivarian National Guard foot soldier, or on the lower officer ranks of the army if it is called to the streets, who each earn around $10 a day?, asked Ryan Berg, a Latin America expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. As Im finishing writing this column, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement on occasion of the first month of Maduros election steal, in which it tacitly boasts about the U.S. diplomatic success in winning Organization of American States votes to demand transparency, impartial review, and protection of electoral integrity in Venezuela. Thats all very nice, but its just words. Its time for the Biden Administration and Latin American countries to take collective economic and diplomatic sanctions against Maduro to speed up his demise, restore democracy and avoid a new massive exodus of Venezuelans. Dont miss the Oppenheimer Presenta TV show on Sundays at 9 pm E.T. on CNN en Espanol. Blog: andresoppenheimer.com These are the worst U.S. states for workers, according to Oxfam When it comes to ensuring adequate pay and strong job protections for workers, some U.S. states do much better than others, a recent analysis concludes. Oxfam, a coalition of anti-poverty organizations, sought to assess the best and worst states for workers based on local wages, policies like paid leave and the right to form a union. "The policy landscape is critical for supporting low-wage workers and working families, and each of these three dimensions is critical in and of itself," Kaitlyn Henderson, a senior researcher at Oxfam and author of the report, told CBS MoneyWatch. Along with looking at states' minimum wages, Oxfam also examined policies around tipping and support for unemployed workers, with Henderson noting that "it is critical to think about what happens when you lose job through no fault of own." The availability of paid leave at work is also essential that remains especially true for women, who tend to serve as households' primary caregiver. Meanwhile, employees benefit from working in states that make it easier to unionize, Oxfam found, including by narrowing the gender wage gap and drawing attention to unsafe workplaces. "There is a lot of connective tissue between states with robust labor landscapes and the well-being of residents, and better overall outcomes," Henderson said. Best states for workers The top five states in Oxfam's ranking have historically been worker friendly, Henderson noted. They include: Washington, D.C.CaliforniaOregonNew YorkWashington "These states have consistently been in the top five," she said. "They are regularly passing new pieces of legislation. They are setting the standard and creating model for what legislation can look like at the state and federal level." Worst states for workers Oxfam has rated North Carolina as the "worst state" for workers for three straight years, with the group pointing to its low minimum wage of $7.25 (also the federal baseline), lack of paid leave and "right-to-work" laws that hinder labor organizing. Other low-ranked states include Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Oxfam's index aims to highlight that "labor policies don't exist in vacuums, but have a much larger impact on workers themselves and communities," Henderson said. "The ability to move and relocate is a privilege," she added. "This isn't a suggestion to move instead it's meant to encourage policymakers to take seriously what it means to have, or not have, policies when it comes to the well-being of residents." Ideally, federal law would set a standard for all workers in order to narrow what Henderson called "widening geographic inequality" among workers in the U.S. Video shows northern lights shining over erupting Iceland volcano Israel says it killed a top Hamas commander in West Bank Trump says Florida's 6-week abortion ban is too short Department of Human Services Secretary Cynthia Persily speaks to lawmakers Aug. 27 during a meeting of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography) West Virginia has made major headway in addressing its Child Protective Services workers shortage. However, there are still shortfalls when it comes to how quickly these employees are checking on kids who could be in abusive or dangerous homes. The state Department of Human Services announced this week that its vacancy rate for CPS workers dropped to 17% with 87 total vacancies statewide. As the number of children in foster care ballooned over the last decade, reaching more than 7,000 kids at one point, the state struggled to staff enough CPS workers. The vacancy rate climbed to 33% in 2023. There were also issues with high caseloads and job turnover, which were included in a sweeping class action lawsuit against the state about its troubled foster care system. DoHS has tackled the problem with pay raises, retention bonuses and increased support for CPS workers tasked with the difficult job of determining whether a child should enter foster care. This is really because of those ongoing recruitment efforts weve made, DoHS Secretary Cynthia Persily told lawmakers as she shared the data with them Tuesday at the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia. Thank you for driving that improvement there, said Del. Bob Fehrenbacher, R-Wood. The reduction and number of vacancies is wonderful. CPS workers retention rates have also improved, dropping from 34% in 2021 down to around 10% this year. Were doing a lot of education and training, and were really trying to change the culture to where its a place where people want to work, Persily said. DoHS also improved how quickly it responded to an increasing number of child welfare abuse and/or neglect referrals. CPS workers are required to make face-to-face contact with an alleged child victim either immediately, within 72 hours or within 14 days depending on the referral. The state has struggled for decades to meet that mandate, which was tied to past CPS understaffing issues. In 2023, less than 60% of child abuse and neglect referrals were being investigated in the required time frame. New data from DoHS showed that, in most counties, CPS workers are hitting those required investigation times more than 80% of the time. In some counties, its 100%. CPS investigations are still lagging in some counties, which could result in some children being left in dangerous situations. Below are the counties with the the worst rates of CPS response times; the percentages show what amount of child abuse and neglect referrals were investigated in the manated timeframes: Berkeley 45% Ohio 54% Marion 60% Wirt 60% The family may be actively avoiding CPS or hiding the children, so we have to spend a fair amount of time trying to track that family down, Persily said. We expect further improvements to continue. Del. Ric Griffith, D-Wayne, questioned Persily if the state was working on its prevention efforts to keep kids from needing to enter the child welfare system. I know were trying to recruit CPS workers but what can your department and we do to preempt the need for this? he asked. Persily detailed how the state has partnered with faith-based organizing to meet needs, like transportation and beds, along with making support services easily accessible. Some of the things we have done is that we have invested in family support centers in every county so that families, before they ever get into the child welfare system, they have a local resource that cn provide education, local parenting programs, help with signing up for all the help we can provide whatever those county needs are, she said. She noted any lawmaker cuts to the DoHS budget, which was reduced in certain line items this year, would negatively impact their ability to offer services. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE For years, Yelp has complained about Google's practices, alleging that the tech giant placed its own products above competitors in Google search results. Yelp says when a customer searches, say, for "restaurants in Brooklyn," Google prioritizes putting its own summary and ratings above non-sponsored results from rivals including Yelp, resulting in fewer customer visits and ad revenue for its business. The San Francisco company that crowd-sources customer reviews is now taking its complaints to court in a closely watched federal lawsuit that is causing waves in Silicon Valley. In a lawsuit filed this week, Yelp accuses Google of violating U.S. antitrust laws, stealing information from Yelp's website and passing it off as coming from Google. The complaint also alleges Google tweaks its algorithm to steer customers away from Yelp. "Googles conduct has injured Yelp through lower traffic, reduced advertising revenues, raising Yelps own costs, and impaired network effects that come with fewer new and returning users," Yelp said in its lawsuit. Google has dismissed the claims as baseless and noted that in 2013 the Federal Trade Commission found that Google did not break antitrust law or harm consumers. "Google will vigorously defend against Yelps meritless claims," the company said in a statement. Legal experts said the lawsuit could be the first of several legal claims against Google, the Mountain View, Calif., technology giant that is facing growing scrutiny over its business practices. It comes weeks after a federal judge ruled Google violated antitrust laws and is a monopolist on web searches, paving the way for Yelp and potentially other companies to sue Google for antitrust practices. "That decision was really groundbreaking in the antitrust law," Aaron Schur, Yelp's general counsel, said in an interview. "We saw it as a very strong foundation, to be able to argue to a court that Google, this illegal monopolist in general search, is actually abusing that monopoly to also dominate a local search market and a local search advertising market through self-preferencing." Read more: Google loses major antitrust case over search, declared a monopoly by judge The ruling earlier this month by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta marked a notable shift in the interpretation of U.S. antitrust law, which historically has been used to address big oil and railroad companies, with the concern that those companies would grow so large that it would affect prices for consumers. "Since the turn of the century, people have been reluctant to bring these types of suits because of where antitrust law was at the time, because there's no price associated with this," said John Shaeffer, a partner at law firm Fox Rothschild. Google said it would appeal the ruling. Still, Mehta's decision could help pave the way for other businesses to bring lawsuits against Google, especially if Yelp wins, some legal experts said. "It certainly opens this up for others similarly situated or just making the argument that they've been harmed by Google and its monopolistic behavior," said Carl Tobias, a law professor at University of Richmond. Read more: Get paid or sue? How the news business is combating the threat of AI Google said "Yelp's claims are not new," pointing out the San Francisco business brought up similar claims years ago, and said that its search results help businesses, driving more than 3 billion website clicks every month. Although the FTC in 2013 did not find Google violated antitrust law after a 19-month investigation, documents that have leaked since then revealed that some FTC staff members had urged the commission to sue Google over some of its practices, according to the Wall Street Journal. Yelp has also been subjected to investigations from the FTC that resulted in no action taken on the company. Google has tried to acquire Yelp in the past. The U.S. Justice Department filed antitrust lawsuits against Apple and Google this year and against Amazon in 2021, as concerns have grown over their footprint in the industry and limiting of consumer choice. State legislators unsuccessfully pushed a bill that would have required companies like Google, which sell advertising alongside news content, to pay news publishers. A settlement was later negotiated under which Google would pay about $173 million over five years that would go to journalism outlets and an AI accelerator program. "We've really seen a swing in the political climate and the understanding of antitrust as being truly important to everyone," Schur said. Yelp's lawsuit could ultimately end up at the Supreme Court. "I don't think they filed this in order to get a payday," said Bryan Sullivan, a founding partner at law firm Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae. "I think they filed this to make a point and to try to change the landscape." Times news researcher Scott Wilson contributed to this report. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Connecticut finds itself in a midst of a mental health crisis. In the past two months, nine youth deaths by suicide have been reported in the state, compared to seven total in 2023. With National Suicide Prevention Month approaching in September, Gov. Ned Lamont held a roundtable at The Villages Urgent Crisis Center in Hartford this week with representatives of state agencies and childrens mental and behavioral health organizations to emphasize youth suicide prevention. Dr. Sabrina Trocchi, president and CEO of Wheeler Health is aware of the growing crisis. Suicidal behavior is now the highest presenting issue, she said. Depression is the most frequent diagnosis that we are seeing and has been for several years. During a recent trip to Enfield High School, Lamont said they polled the students and asked, if they had $20,000, what would they say to the school board? Where they would want the money to go? Lamont recalled one young man standing up and saying, I wish we could have confidential counseling. I would like someone I could talk to. I got my friends and my parents but I wish that. Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said through funding, the state has been able to expand school-based health centers, specifically to expand mental health services. According to Juthani, there are 59 new centers and 160 totals in schools around the state. For every child that comes in with a physical complaint they also get screened for depression and anxiety, she said. What weve seen over the last academic year, there have been over 100,000 mental health visits in school-based health centers. Thats an increase of over 30,000 in one year. We are helping kids where they are at, she added, Over 58,000 kids have received mental health services because of it. Nationally, a CDC report stated that the suicide rate among people aged 1024 remained stable from 2001 through 2007 and then increased 62% from 2007 through 2021. It equates to 6.8 deaths per 100,000 from 2001-2007 to 11.0 from 2007-2021. The CDC study also reported the death by suicide rate tripled (0.9% to 2.9%) from 2007 through 2018 for ages 10-14. The rate did not change significantly through 2021, while the homicide rate doubled from 2016 through 2021. For ages 15 through 19, the suicide rate increased from 2009 through 2017, and the homicide rate decreased from 2006 through 2013 but then increased through 2021, surpassing the suicide rate in 2020. Another report from the CDC from earlier this month showed some troubling trends for teens. In 2023, 20% of all high school students seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year, the report said. Female students were more likely than male students to seriously consider attempting suicide. Asian students were less likely than students from most other racial and ethnic groups to seriously consider attempting suicide. LGBTQ+ students were more likely than cisgender and heterosexual students to seriously consider attempting suicide. The same report showed 16% of high school students made a suicide plan during the past year. Female students were more likely than male students to make a suicide plan in 2023. Also 9% of high school students attempted suicide one or more times during the past year. Ann Dagle, one of the speakers at the roundtable, gave a small window into the lasting effects on suicide to so many after losing her son Brian 13 years ago. She is president and executive director of the Brian Dagle Foundation, whose mission is dedicated to the healing of grieving adults as well as community education on mental health and suicide awareness. I lost Brian in 2011, Dagle said. This is now my passion. Brian is the reason. I am amongst the survivors. Im in this club that no one wants to belong to. For every person who dies by suicide, there are at least 135 people who are affected by that. So multiply that by nine of the children that we have lost. That shows you how many of us survivors that are out there. Dagle also made a point that mental health should be treated the same as physical health. Our schools have taught our students the dangers of drug, alcohol, teen sex. Suicide and mental health are no different. We have to talk about it, Dagle said, added that anyone who interacts with children should be aware of the warning signs. As Brian was getting ready to apply for colleges, we found people that were able to help him on his college essays, Dagle said. We had help with him getting his applications filled out correctly. We had had him take a class on his SATs so he could get the best scores possible. We knew we could help him. But what we didnt know is that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college students. Nobody told us that. We didnt know the warning signs and in hindsight there were some warning signs. Our parents have a right to know. I often say, If I knew then what I know now maybe he would be here today, Dagle added. Suicides are 100 percent preventable, and no one needs to die of suicide, said Dr. Steve Rogers, the medical director of Emergency Behavioral Health Services at Connecticut Childrens Hospital. We need to start talking. Thats what you have heard everyone say today. Not just to each other, but to our kids. We have a suicide screening program. We need to identify the risk before they have spoken about it and get the resources they need. Rogers said the hospitals emergency department has screened over 75,000 youths and 18% came back at risk, which, he said, is on par with the national average. Rogers pointed to a story of an 11-year-old girl who was deemed at risk. The mother couldnt believe it, he said. The mother asked the girl, Why didnt you tell me? Rogers recalled the young girl replying, You never asked. We need to normalize these discussions, Rogers said. Parents may not know what to do, but they can turn to a professional. Together we can make this better. Tanya Barrett, senior vice president of 211 Connecticuts Health and Human Services for the United Way of Connecticut, offered the reminder that calling 211 or 988 nationally can help someone in crisis or worried about someone in crisis. Someone is available 24/7, 365 days a year, she said. We are trained to do active listening and understanding crisis needs and to de-escalate. We can offer support and get you to community resources. In the 2024 fiscal year, Barrett said 211 has fielded 46,000 calls, which is up from 32% in 2023. Trocchi added that there are six mobile crisis providers in Connecticut, with Wheeler being one of the largest. We serve over 3,000 individuals on an annual basis, Trocchi said. Our service supports children and youth under 18 with an onsite crisis assessment. Our services are available to anyone in the state that anyone can access, she added. We are now available 24/7 which is an enhancement we made two years ago, and we respond to youth when they need us through 211. Trocchi said 40% of referrals come directly from the child and the service, youth or family member, and the services respond directly to the home. Also, 45% are coming directly from schools and the service goes directly to the school. The process starts with a call into 211 and based on the information that is solicited, the mobile crisis team is deployed and will arrive in 45 minutes or sooner on site. I urge the community to make these calls earlier, so we are able to provide earlier interventions before a crisis, Trocchi said. Every time a suicide crosses my desk I cant believe it. Its shocking, said Connecticut Child Advocate Sarah Eagan. We have work to do and the measure of success is when every child or parent gets the help they need at the time they need it. Its the only measure of success in this work. In the early hours of July 5, Yvette Coopers political career briefly appeared to hang in the balance. Word from the general election count in her Yorkshire constituency was that she was neck and neck with the Reform UK candidate and might be defeated. As it turned out, her rival had failed to take account of postal votes, which gave her a commanding lead. Within hours, Cooper would be appointed to one of the great offices of State. How different things might be now, had the MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley dramatically lost her seat. Instead, she is on her way to becoming the most disastrous, misguided and expensive Home Secretary in modern history. In the course of a few tumultuous weeks, she has dismantled the only major barrier to Channel boat crossings; may grant an amnesty to tens of thousands of illegal immigrants; agreed to release 5,500 prisoners early and dealt a series of shattering blows to free speech. Taken together, these catastrophic decisions alone threaten to cost taxpayers a multiple of the 20billion black hole Chancellor Rachel Reeves purports to have discovered in the public finances. Meanwhile, so far from taking steps to heal bitter divisions in our society, she has supported measures that seem guaranteed to have the reverse effect. Breeding further resentment between different religious and ethnic groups, she has created the deeply damaging impression that her government favours two tier justice, with the blatant fast-tracking of court cases involving one particular demographic. Outrageously, she has allowed the justice system which should be colour blind to be used to make a political point. The vast majority of those targeted in her crackdown on far-Right thugs have been white British defendants. To date, the Muslim youths that violently assaulted police officers in Manchester airport have not been charged. Of course, Cooper is not solely responsible for all these horrors: technically, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is in charge of courts and prisons. However, the Home Secretary is a far more powerful figure and has fronted the response to this summers riots so she is in the political dock. Moreover, she is responsible for arguably the single gravest crisis facing our country: the loss of control of our borders. Her not-so-genius solution to the shameful backlog in asylum cases she inherited from the last government has been to make it far easier for applicants to stay. Of 63,053 illegal immigrants previously earmarked for deportation, as many as 70pc may now be allowed to remain, after she scrapped a law automatically banning Channel migrants from remaining in the UK. Without embarrassment, her Department has confirmed that all of these individuals will have full access to our generous welfare system. Wow. The potential cost of this decision to the public purse? A cool 18bn. How can her government look the electorate in the eye, and claim the country is stony broke, while adding such a vast and totally discretionary new liability? As for Coopers proposed UK Border Security Command (the centrepiece of this governments pledge to smash the vile gangs behind Channel crossings) it still has no boss. In Opposition, she had months to tee someone up. Presumably those approached consider the 200,000 salary poor compensation for such a hospital pass. Given that new people traffickers will appear as fast as any old ones are locked up (to cater to a market that in the absence of the Rwanda scheme or any other obvious deterrent has no reason to disappear) the job is a guaranteed CV-ruiner. As Cooper approaches her third month in office, her rap sheet grows ever longer. Not content with cheering on the banging up of teenagers and grannies for peripheral roles in the riots, she now wants to crackdown on hateful beliefs, including extreme misogyny whatever any of that means. It is all mad and very, very bad. At this point I should confess that I like the Home Secretary personally and admire her career, if not her politics. Undoubtedly she is very clever, at least academically, with multiple degrees from Oxford and Harvard. She has been at the forefront of Labour politics for two decades, all the while bringing up three children, with a husband who is also a public figure. No mean feat. That is not mitigating evidence in this case. On her watch, thousands of criminals are being let off for expressing remorse. As the costs of her ruinous policies stack up, saying sorry to voters will never be enough from her. Wanted: one Home Secretary, for crimes against the taxpayer. If apprehended, swift justice, please! 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 king of New Zealands indigenous Maori people, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died peacefully on Friday, according to his representatives. He was 69. The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation, spokesperson Rahui Papa said in a statement. The king had been in the hospital recovering from heart surgery just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation, the statement added. He had experienced poor health including cancer and diabetes in recent years, according to CNN affiliate RNZ. The position of Maori monarch originated in 1858 during a movement known as Kiingitanga that aimed to strengthen indigenous resistance to colonialism. Considered the chief of several tribes, the monarch does not have judicial or legal authority but plays an important ceremonial role. The Maori community, which accounts for nearly a fifth of New Zealands more than 5 million population, often faces discrimination that results in poorer health and education outcomes and higher rates of incarceration. In January, Tuheitia hosted more than 10,000 Maori for talks on how to respond to government plans to cancel reforms that were seen by many indigenous people as undermining their rights, Reuters reported at the time. New Zealands right-wing government has proposed dissolving the countrys Maori Health Authority, rolling back the use of the Maori language and ending limits on tobacco sales a move Maori leaders had sought to cut high rates of smoking in their community. Tuheitia travels in a waka, a Maori canoe, on October 8, 2012 in Huntly, New Zealand to mark an anniversary of his grandfather's coronation. - Hannah Peters/Getty Images/File A mighty tree has fallen Born Tuheitia Paki in 1955 in the North Island town of Huntly, the king was educated in Waikato and Auckland. He was crowned on August 21, 2006, following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Tuheitia will lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae, headquarters of the Kiingitanga, for five days before being taken to his final resting place on the sacred burial site of Mount Taupiri. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led tributes to Tuheitia and said the country would mourn the kings death. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation, he said in a statement. Former Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern described Tuheitia as an advocate for Maori people, as well as for fairness, justice and prosperity. Tuheitia and his wife Atawhai met with then-Prince Charles, prince of Wales, and Camilla, duchess of Cornwall, on November 8, 2015 in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand. - Pool/Getty Images/File Britains King Charles said in a statement he and Queen Camilla were profoundly saddened to learn of Tuheitias death and referenced a Maori proverb, saying a mighty Totora tree has fallen. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades, Charles said. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion. Tuheitia is survived by his wife, Te Atawhai, their two sons, Whatumoana and Korotangi, and daughter, Nga Wai hono i te po Paki, according to RNZ. The position of Maori monarch is not hereditary by right, RNZ reported. Leaders of the tribes associated with the Kiingitanga appoint a new monarch on the day of the previous monarchs funeral and before burial. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE - New Zealand Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, from left, reacts with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Turangawaewae Marae, Hamilton, New Zealand, Nov. 8, 2015. (David Rowland/Pool Photo via the AP, File) NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (AP) New Zealands Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, died Friday at age 69, days after the celebration of his 18th year on the throne. He was the seventh monarch in the Kiingitanga movement, holding a position created in 1858 to unite New Zealand's Indigenous Maori tribes in the face of British colonization. Tuheitia died in hospital after heart surgery, said Rahui Papa, a spokesperson for the Kiingitanga, the Maori King Movement, in a post on Instagram. The movement's primary goals were to end the sale of land to non-Indigenous people, stop inter-tribal warfare, and provide a springboard for the preservation of Maori culture, the Waikato-Tainui tribe website said. The monarch has a largely ceremonial but still consequential role in New Zealand, where Maori make up close to 20% of the population. The death of King Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation, Papa wrote on social media. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Tuheitia, saying his unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand," Luxon said, using the countrys Maori and English names, "his commitment to mokopuna (young people), his passion for te ao Maori (the Maori world), and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. In recent months, Tuheitia has coordinated national unity talks for Maori in response to policies of Luxon's center-right government. Critics accuse the government of being anti-Maori in its efforts to reverse policies favoring Indigenous people and language. King Charles III, New Zealands constitutional head of state, and his wife, Queen Camilla, were profoundly saddened by Tuheitias death. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion, Charles said in a statement. The week before Tuheitias death, thousands traveled to Turangawaewae Marae, the Maori King Movement headquarters in the town of Ngaruawahia, for annual celebrations of the kings ascension to the throne. The seat of the king is held by the Tainui tribes in the Waikato region, and it was not yet clear who will take the throne. It is expected that Kiingi Tuheitia will lie in state at Turangawaewae Marae for five days before he is taken to his final resting place on Taupiri Mountain, Papa said. The Maori king, Kiingi Tuheiti (L), died Friday at the age of 69. Here he is seen in November 2015 with then Prince Charles (C), who has since been anointed king, and his wife, Queen Camilla. Photo by David Rowland/EPA-EFE Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Kiingi Tuheitia, the king of New Zealand's Maori indigenous people, died Friday at the age of 69, according to a spokesman. Kiingi Tuheitia -- whose full name was Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII -- died Friday morning in the presence of his wife, Makau Ariki, and their children, according to a statement from the Kiingitanga, meaning the Maori King movement. The Kiingitanga was founded through the unifying of Maori tribes under Pootatau Te Wheowhero in 1858 amid colonial times with the goal of preserving their culture and preventing the sale of their land to others. Though the role of king is now mostly ceremonial, it plays a unifying role for the Maori people. Kiingi Tuheitia, who served as the movement's seventh monarch, is known for making annual speeches to mark his coronation though he also took part in ceremonial events with international dignitaries, such as King Charles III of Britain, according to the New Zealand government website about the movement. In 2019, held a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, it said. During his reign, Kiingi Tuheitia participated in campaigns to reduce the incarceration rate of Maori and the reintegration of those released from prison, the website said. He also participated in Maori celebrations the country over. His death comes about a week after the 18th anniversary of his coronation, which occurred Aug. 21, 2006, following the death of his mother, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who served as the longest reigning Maori monarch at more than 40 years. "The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation," Kiingitanga spokesman Rahui Papa said. The country's flag will fly at half-staff on all government and public buildings, effective immediately, New Zealand's Ministry for Culture and Heritage said in a statement. It will also be flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral, which has yet to be determined. "Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand said in a statement. Final day here in Tonga, tinged with sadness as we mark a lifetime of service to Maori. The flag at half mast for Kiingi Tuheitia here at the New Zealand residence in Nuku'alofa. pic.twitter.com/wkJdM1LaRc Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) August 30, 2024 Jacinda Ardern, who served as New Zealand's Prime Minister from late 2017 to January of last year, described the late king as being an "advocate for Maori, for fairness, justice and prosperity." "You wanted children, young people and those who have been left behind to have opportunities and hope," she said in a statement on Facebook. "You worked tirelessly on building understanding and knowledge of our shared history and in doing so, strengthening Aotearoa. And amongst all of that, you made everyone feel welcome -- including me." King Charles, whose coronation last year was attended by Kiingi Tuheitia, also issued a statement of condolence, stating he and his wife, Queen Camilla, were saddened by the news of his death. He said he had "the greatest pleasure" of knowing the Maori king for decades, and remembers being hosted by Kiingi Tuheitia in 2015 and their meeting in Buckingham Palace last year. "His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August," King Charles said. "My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia's whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times." A funeral -- known as a tangi -- for Kiingi Tuheitia is expected to held next week when he will be laid to rest beside his mother, Radio New Zealand reported, which added the Maori leaders will next decide on a successor who will be crowned on the final day of the mourning ceremony. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said the country will halt the shipment of Russian oil and gas through its pipelines to Europe at the end of this year, before later walking back part of his statement. Mykhailo Podolyak initially said in an interview with the Novini.Live broadcaster that current transit contracts for Russian supplies that run through the end of the year will not be renewed. "There is no doubt that it will all end on January 1, 2025," he said. He later qualified his statement, saying Ukraine will allow Russian oil - but not gas - shipments to Europe to continue. Local media reported that some of those contracts are valid through 2029. Podolyak said that these existing agreements would be respected because Kiev understood that the EU was still working to diversify its oil supply. The contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe between the state-owned companies Gazprom and Naftogaz ends on December 31. Despite the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainians have fulfilled the contract terms - in part at the insistence of its European neighbours, especially Hungary. But the leadership in Kiev has repeatedly made it clear that it wants the shipments to end. Kiev says is prepared to transport gas from the Central Asian countries or Azerbaijan to Europe, but not from Russia, as it is crucial for Ukraine to deprive Russia of its sources of income from the sale of raw materials after it attacked its neighbour well over two years ago. Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are the last countries to receive Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline. The northern section of the pipeline leading to Germany was largely shut down due to Western sanctions on Russian oil. According to Russian media reports, the Kazakh subsidiary of Italian energy supplier Eni began pumping oil from the Caspian Sea through the pipeline in August. Although this compromise allows Russia to generate transit revenue, it does not allow it to sell its own oil to Europe, Russia's most lucrative market. President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug. 30. The decision was announced on the Presidential Offices official website. Oleshchuk has served in the position since Aug. 9, 2021. In his evening address, Zelensky thanked Ukrainian pilots, engineers, and soldiers of mobile firing groups and air defense units. "(I thank) everyone who is really fighting for Ukraine for the result. And it is also necessary at the command level. We must strengthen ourselves. And we must take care of people. Take care of the personnel. Take care of all our soldiers," the president said without elaborating on the reason for the dismissal. Oleshchuk's removal came a day after the Ukrainian military confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet, recently delivered to the country and flown by Ukraine's top pilot, Oleksii Mes, call sign "Moonfish," had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash. Ukraine's Defense Ministry has established a special commission to investigate the cause of the crash. Oleshchuk mentioned that Ukraine had received a preliminary report from the U.S., which is now part of the investigation. An unnamed U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash "did not appear to be the result of Russian fire" and said that other causes, including "pilot error" and "mechanical failure," were being investigated. Oleshchuk pledged to get to the bottom of the crash, and said that "no one has hidden anything (or is) hiding anything (now)." Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, commander of the "Center" Air Command, was appointed as Ukraine's acting Air Force commander. 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander of his Air Force days after the loss of one of the nations few F-16 Vipers and its revered pilot, who was part of a small cadre of Ukrainian combat aviators who can fly them. I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he said on Telegram, referring to Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk. I am infinitely grateful to all our military pilots, engineers, soldiers of mobile fire groups, air defense calculations. To everyone who really fights for Ukraine for the result. And it is necessary at the team level as well we must strengthen. And protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers. Lt. Gen. Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, who held the position of the chief of Air Force Command Center, was appointed acting Air Force Commander, according to the Ukrainian Ukrinform news outlet. Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk was removed from his job as Ukrainian Air Force commander by President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Kirill Chubotin / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Future Publishing The pilot, Oleksiy Mes, died during Russias largest aerial barrage of the war. Before his F-16 went down, Mes, who went by the call sign Moonfish, shot down three Russian cruise missiles and a one-way attack drone, Ukrainian Air Force Command West said on Facebook Thursday. A photo of Ukrainian Air Force pilot Oleksiy Mes at a memorial service in his honor Thursday. Ukrainian Air Force photo The destruction of one of the small amount of Vipers Ukraine has so far received, thought to be half a dozen jets in total, and the death of one of the few pilots qualified to fly them, has hit the nation hard and sparked controversy over why it happened and whether the actual nature of the incident was covered up. Of course, WE WILL FIND OUT THE CAUSES OF THE AVIATION DISASTER, Oleschuk said on Telegram earlier Friday. No one has hidden anything and is not hiding anything! All senior management immediately received a report about the disaster. Received a preliminary report and partners from the USA, who have ALREADY JOINED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSES. The U.S. is assisting the investigation, he added. The jets are designed and produced by Lockheed Martin (formally General Dynamics), an American company, although the F-16AM/BMs Ukraine is receiving were assembled in Europe. Regardless, their transfers must be approved by the United States. One of the first official images of an F-16 in Ukraine, configured for an air defense mission. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense screencap While Zelensky offered no details about why he fired Oleschuk, the now-former Air Force commanders comments were in response to a statement by a senior member of Ukraines parliament that Mes was killed in an act of friendly fire. According to my information, the F-16 of the Ukrainian pilot Oleksiy Moonfish Mes was shot down by the Patriot anti-aircraft missile complex due to a lack of coordination between the units, Mariana Bezuhla, deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, said on Telegram Thursday. Bezuhla offered no proof of her claim, which The War Zone cannot independently verify. In its initial announcement about the crash, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said together with units of anti-aircraft missile troops, F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel Mondays massive Russian barrage. Bezuhla also raised questions about how the information regarding the crash was parsed out, suggesting that the Ukrainian Air Force tried to hide the true nature of the incident. Ukrainian officials only confirmed that Mes died in an F-16 crash after media outlets like The Wall Street Journal reported that news on Thursday. The publication cited a source who suggested that the crash was likely a result of pilot error. The claim was disputed by Ukrainian officials, according to CNN. The Air Force tried to keep silent and hide information about this case until it appeared in foreign sources, Bezuhla complained. This indicates a lack of proper conclusions and an objective investigation. As we noted in our story about the crash, reports about the death of Mes emerged earlier this week, but there was conflicting information. Ihor Polishchuk, the mayor of the city of Lutsk, in northwest Ukraine, issued a statement about Mes death. However, that was later retracted, along with some news stories about it. Initially, there were reports that Mes had been killed on the ground, in one of the Russian missile strikes, while other claims suggested he might have been killed while flying a MiG-29. You can see how accounts of the crash evolved in this Twitter thread below. Ihor Polishchuk, the mayor of Lutsk, informed today that on 26 August 2024, pidpolkovnyk Oleksiy Mes died while performing a combat mission. He was a MiG-29 pilot from the 204 Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force. pic.twitter.com/xJjPLxHu3t The Military Watch (@MarcinRogowsk14) August 28, 2024 Oleschuk said there are concerns about releasing sensitive information while the country is fighting Russia. Information about such incidents cannot be immediately released into the public space and cannot be detailed for the media. WAR IN THE COUNTRY! he explained. But it doesnt matter to the people who chose Mariana Bezhula as a tool to discredit the top military leadership. Beyond the loss of a rare and valuable aircraft that Ukrainian leaders have long requested, the crash killed a face of the Air Force. Mes, one of the first Ukrainian pilots trained to fly Vipers, gave frequent media interviews and constantly advocated for Ukraine to get F-16s. His death came almost exactly a year after the loss of another popular pilot, Major Andrii Pilshchykov, better known by his callsign Juice. You can see an interview given by Moonfish and Juice in the video below. JUST NOW: "Combining the efforts of our fighters, as well as ground air defense, is a really good match. We feel free right now to operate in our airspace. "Juice" and "Moonfish." 2 Ukrainian Air Force pilots on their fight against the Russians. pic.twitter.com/S1SLNqRRyl John Berman (@JohnBerman) March 24, 2022 Ukrainian journalist and author Illia Ponomarenko, one of his nations most well-known people, said a proper investigation into the death of Colonel Oleksiy Moonfish Mes with international involvement is critically necessary, and the Air Force command has just vowed to carry out one. Were waiting for proper answers on what happened and why. Investigation. A proper investigation into the death of Colonel Oleksiy Moonfish Mes with international involvement is critically necessary, and the Air Force command has just vowed to carry out one. Were waiting for proper answers on what happened and why. pic.twitter.com/tiw2SKI1BU Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) August 30, 2024 We reached out to the Pentagon to learn more details about its role in the investigation and the preliminary report Oleschuk said was submitted. Lockheed Martin deferred questions to the Ukrainian Air Force. We want to express our deepest sympathies to the Ukrainian Air Force and the family of the pilot, the company told us. Were standing by to support if requested. We must refer you to the Ukrainian Air Force for additional questions or information. Zelensky didnt mention what will happen with the investigation now that Oleschuk has been fired, but it will almost certainly continue without him. Regardless of what caused the crash or why Oleschuk was replaced, there are lessons to be learned and many questions that need answers. We will report the investigations findings if and when they are made public. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff on Friday, 30 August. The meeting addressed three key issues: the school year, the energy system and the situation at the front, especially on the Pokrovsk front, where the situation is the most difficult. Source: Zelenskyy on social media Quote: "I held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff. Three key issues [were discussed ed.]. [I listened to ed.] a report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the situation on the frontline - first of all, the Pokrovsk front. Separately, the Commander-in-Chief reported on the details of the operation in Kursk Oblast, including the replenishment of the exchange pool [of prisoners-of-war ed.]. This is extremely important for strengthening our position in the exchange process." Details: The second issue, as noted, was the preparation of schools for the academic year. Zelenskyy heard reports from Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi. "Security issues, as well as analysis of the construction of shelters. The government must also be aware of its personal responsibility for preparing schools in terms of energy challenges," the president noted. The third item on the agenda was energy. The participants discussed dealing with the consequences of Russian strikes and analysed some issues related to the construction of defence structures. It is noted that the key is to strengthen the work in each of these three areas as much as possible. Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with government officials to discuss preparations for the new school year and stressed the importance of in-person learning. Support UP or become our patron! What Is Zionism and Is It Fueling the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict? An Israeli settler cleans outside her house in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied east Jerusalem on May 5, 2021. Israeli Jews backed by courts have taken over houses in Sheikh Jarrah in east Jerusalem on the grounds that Jewish families lived there before fleeing in Israel's 1948 war for independence. The claimants want to evict more Palestinians, and Israel's Supreme Court is set to announce a decision soon. EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images As the conflict over the Gaza Strip continues, you may have heard the term "Zionism." But what is Zionism? Read on to learn more about the term, the birth of the modern Zionism movement and what role the ideology plays in the Israel-Hamas War. Zionism Defined Zionism is a nationalist movement that successfully established an independent state for the Jewish people in 1948 and continues to support Judaism's claim to the region we now know as Israel. It is also one of the most complex and controversial political ideas of the past 150 years. Although Zionism draws its name from the biblical Mount Zion, it isn't primarily a religious movement. True, many of the Jewish people have yearned for a return to Abraham's "Promised Land" for 2,000 years, but messianic zeal isn't what the modern Zionist movement had in mind. In fact, most were secular and even agnostic Jews who identified the Jewish population as a nation rather than a religion. Zionism for them meant the creation of an independent Jewish national home, not just a home for religious Jews. Criticisms of Zionism Zionism itself wouldn't be problematic if the Jewish people were the only ones with claims on the Holy Land. Palestinian Arabs, who comprised the majority of people living in the land known as Palestine for centuries under both the Ottoman and British empires, feel that the land should be rightfully theirs. The result is one of the thorniest and most hotly debated political issues in the modern world. Zionists and other supporters of Israel argue that the safety and continued existence of the Jewish people depends on the existence of a Jewish state, and the rightful place for that state is Judaism's ancestral homeland. Meanwhile, Palestinians and their supporters cast Zionism as an imperialist or racist movement that forcefully colonized Arab lands and subjugated the native Palestinian people as second-class citizens. Beyond those already striking divisions, decades of war and sectarian violence have inflicted deep emotional wounds that turn any discussion of Zionism into a potential minefield. European Enlightenment and Haskala With European Enlightenment underway during the 17th and 18th centuries, the Jewish Enlightenment (or the Haskalah) also arose as a way to preserve Jewish identity. "Haskalah... is the movement which originated in 18th-century Germany with the aim of broadening the intellectual and social horizons of the Jews to enable them to take their place in Western society," writes Rabbi Louis Jacob in My Jewish Learning. Eventually, the Haskalah helped inform the Zionist movement. The 'Jewish Question' Nationalist movements swept across Europe in the early and mid-19th century. For centuries, sprawling empires and kingdoms forced different ethnic and cultural groups to live together. But now, in places like Italy and Germany, new European states have been forged around people with a shared language and cultural history. This left some European Jews wondering, are we not also a nation? Jews were living in a scattered diaspora in nation-states that often treated them as suspect foreigners and occasionally welcomed them as full citizens, as France did in 1790. Even before the eruption of violent anti-Jewish raids (pogroms) in Eastern Europe, Jewish intellectuals struggled with the "Jewish question" or the "Jewish problem." The issue was whether it was even possible for Jews to be truly free and equal in someone else's nation. And as anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence increased in the 19th century, this question became far more urgent. "In many ways, modern Zionism was a response to the 'Jewish question,'" says Daniel Kotzin, a history professor at Medaille College in upstate New York, who has conducted extensive research on the Zionist movement and teaches a course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "What is the place of Jews in Europe in a post-Enlightenment age?" Theodor Herzl, seen here sailing to Palestine in 1898, was the father of modern political Zionism. He formed the Zionist Organization and promoted Jewish immigration to Palestine in an effort to form a Jewish state. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty The Dreyfus Affair and Theodor Herzl, the Father of Zionism If Europe's Jews needed a catalyst to pursue independent nationhood, they found it in the Dreyfus Affair. In 1894, a French army captain named Henry Dreyfus was falsely accused and convicted of treason in a highly publicized trial. Dreyfus, a secular Jew, became the target of openly anti-Semitic attacks in the press. "Here is this army officer, the epitome of an emancipated and assimilated Jew," Kotzin says, but even Dreyfus wasn't seen as a true Frenchman. "The people behind the treasonous accusations spread this false idea that Jews could never be part of the European nation-state and should always be viewed with suspicion." Herzl Chimes In Among the journalists covering the Dreyfus Affair was an Austrian playwright named Theodor Herzl, who was living in Paris as a foreign correspondent for a Viennese newspaper. Herzl, a fully assimilated and nonreligious European Jew, wrote later that he identified deeply with Dreyfus. If a man of Dreyfus' stature wasn't immune from anti-Semitism, who was? In 1896, Herzl published "Der Judenstaat" ("The Jewish State"), a call to Jewish nationhood that launched the modern Zionist movement. In it, Herzl argued that the establishment of an independent Jewish nation would not only be good for Jews, but good for Europe. "Herzl said that anti-Semitism causes divisions within nations," says Kotzin. "If you can find a place for Jews to go, then that would solve a problem that was more than a 'Jewish problem.' It was a problem that plagued Europe." Coming on the heels of the Dreyfus Affair, Herzl's writings found a ready audience among many Jewish intellectuals. In 1897, the First Zionist Congress met in Basel, Switzerland, and Herzl dedicated the rest of his short life he died at 44 from a heart attack in 1904 to securing political and financial support for the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Zionism in the 19th and 20th Centuries Kotzin points out that while we now recognize Herzl as the father of the "Political Zionist" movement, there are several different streams of Zionism present in the 19th and 20th centuries. "Cultural Zionism," for example, was a movement that Ukrainian-born intellectual Ahad Ha-Am led. It called for a spiritual rebirth of Judaism in Israel, not necessarily an independent state. There's also "Labor Zionism," which took elements from socialism. Before the third Zionist Congress, Nachman Syrkin put forth the idea that a Jewish state could only materialize through the efforts of the working class. Arabs demonstrate in the Old City of Jerusalem against the Jewish migration to Palestine in 1937. The arrow points to Jamal al-Husayni, chairman of the Palestinian Arab Party. AFP via Getty Images The Balfour Declaration To Zionists, there are few documents more important than a short letter British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour wrote in 1917 to Baron Lionel Walter Rothschild, heir to the Rothschild banking fortune and president of the British Zionist Federation. The letter, known as the "Balfour Declaration," expresses a "declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations" and states that "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object." While far from a mandate or official compact, the Balfour letter was a huge step forward for the Zionist movement, which to that date had only sent small delegations of Jewish emigres to settle in Palestine, much to the dismay of Arab Palestinians. "Here you have the most powerful empire in the world at the time saying to the Jewish people, we're going to help you find a home in your native land of Palestine," Kotzinn says. "This was enormously important." When the British took control of Palestine after World War I, the stage was set for conflict. Jewish immigration to Palestine increased, and Arab resentment of Balfour's betrayal boiled over into violent clashes. The next two decades saw Arab riots and rebellions, and when the British tried to clamp down on Jewish immigration, Zionists also fought back. To critics of Zionism, the Balfour Declaration was a betrayal. Kotzin says that the British "were making promises left, right and center" between 1915 and 1917, including a promise to help create a pan-Arab state in the Middle East in return for Arab support fighting the Ottomans in World War I. Arab Palestinians kept their end of the bargain, and the Balfour Declaration essentially reneged on the deal. The Holocaust In his book, "Zionism: A Very Short Introduction," Columbia University historian Michael Stanislawski says that until 1945, Zionism remained a "small minority movement" within the global Jewish community with loud critics from both the religious and secular camps. But the situation changed dramatically after the murder of 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazis. "The need for an independent Jewish state to serve as a safe haven for Jews became not only widespread but central to Jewish consciousness throughout the world," writes Stanislawski. Large numbers of Holocaust survivors were living at makeshift refugee camps in Europe while Allied governments argued over what to do with them. The British had all but cut off Jewish immigration to Palestine in 1939 in an effort to secure favor with Arab oil-producing nations, but U.S. President Harry Truman now called on Great Britain to allow 100,000 Jewish refugees to enter Palestine immediately, according to Stanislawski. The British, already the target of Arab and Zionist attacks, saw no viable solution, so in 1947, it handed over the seething Jewish-Palestinian problem to the newly created United Nations (U.N.). Following the United Nations vote dividing Palestine, David Ben-Gurion declared Israel a state in Tel-Aviv. Above him is a portrait of Theodore Herzl. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images Founding of the State of Israel In November 1947, the U.N. passed a resolution to partition or divide Palestine into two states one Jewish and one Arab of roughly equal sizes (at the time the 1.85 million-strong population of Palestine was one-third Jewish and two-thirds Arab.) The Palestinians rejected the U.N. plan and took up arms against the Zionists in what was essentially a civil war. David Ben-Gurion's Secular Declaration As internal fighting raged on, the British set a date of May 15, 1948, for its official departure. The day before British armed forces left Palestine, the Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel, knowing full well that such a provocation would invite all-out war with neighboring Arab nations. Stanislawski notes that Ben-Gurion's declaration makes no mention of God or the biblical promise of a Jewish homeland. That wasn't the Zionist message. Instead, Ben-Gurion declared the right of the Jews to establish Israel was "the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State." As Ben-Gurion and the Zionists expected, five different Arab nations immediately declared war on the new state of Israel. A Division in Name and in Narrative To demonstrate the opposing perspectives of this war and its outcome, Israelis call it the "war of independence" and Arabs call it nakba or "the catastrophe." It's not just the names that are different. As historian Benny Morris has demonstrated, there are also two starkly opposing narratives about how and why hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs left Palestine during the war and became refugees in Jordan and Syria. In the Zionist account, Palestinians willingly fled the war zone because their Arab allies warned of an imminent invasion that would "drive the Jews into the sea." In the Palestinian account, the Israeli army raided their villages and brutally drove them out at gunpoint. According to historical documents, there is clear evidence that some Palestinians fled their homes out of fear of violence by the Israeli government, both real and imagined. Morris, a defender of Israel, conceded in his book "1948: The First Arab-Israeli War," that "the Jews committed far more atrocities than the Arabs and killed far more civilians and PoWs in deliberate acts of brutality in the course of 1948." Ultimately, Israel won the war and walked away with 50 percent more territory than what the U.N. partition plan laid out. That territory did not yet include the so-called Occupied Territories in Gaza and the West Bank, which were added after Israel's victory in the Six-Day War of 1967. A Palestinian firefighter extinguishes a fire from a beachside cafe after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Zionism and Its Critics Today The troubling "Jewish Question" that led to the creation of the Zionist movement has now become the "Palestinian Question." After decades of conflict, can Israelis and Palestinians find a way to live in peace? Many left-leaning Israelis and other Zionists recognize the plight of the Palestinians and support a two-state solution similar to the U.N. partition, while more conservative backers of Israel oppose such concessions, claiming that Palestinian leaders and their Arab allies continue to seek the destruction of the Jewish homeland. Not only is the history of Zionism complex and messy but so are the emotions and opinions surrounding it. Criticism of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians has stoked protests on college campuses and calls for economic boycotts of Israel similar to those levied against South Africa during Apartheid. Such criticisms of Israel strike a nerve in Jewish supporters of Israel because the line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is dangerously thin. Now That's Interesting Herzl and early Zionists explored the possibility of establishing a temporary Jewish state in East Africa while plans for Palestine could be formalized. The plan was called the "Uganda Scheme" though the area proposed was in modern-day Kenya. Original article: What Is Zionism and Is It Fueling the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict? Copyright 2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company Questen Inghram is a Murrow News Fellow at the Yakima Herald-Republic whose beat focuses on government in Central Washington communities. Email qinghram@yakimaherald.com or call 509-577-7674. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, email news@yakimaherald.com. The Hungarian capital of Budapest has topped the list of the worlds best cities for work and vacation, or workcation, compiled by flexible and hybrid workspace operator International Workplace Group. The results are based on in-house research as well as findings from a survey conducted across 1,000 hybrid office workers globally. Budapest topped this years list, securing high scores in the accommodation (9.5/10), transport (9.5/10), sustainability (8.5/10) and broadband speed (8/10) categories. The Hungarian capital is famed for its classical architecture, attracting some 12 million international tourists per year [and] boasts over 200 museums and galleries, vibrant neighborhoods, and ample green spaces, making it an ideal choice for digital nomads, according to the report. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! According to a report from Le Monde, increasing numbers of investors are voicing concerns over what they perceive as expropriation attempts by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. In March, Hans K. Reisch, heir and owner of the Austrian branch of the Spar supermarket chain, criticized the Hungarian authorities for harassment of his subsidiary, which operates more than 600 stores in the country. In an interview with the German retail trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung, Reisch alleged that a close associate of Prime Minister Viktor Orban was attempting to appropriate [his] company. Growing Dissatisfaction? The Austrian supermarket chains experience is not unique in Hungary, the article notes. The report claims that over the past two years, discontent has been mounting among German and Austrian investors in Hungary. Both nations are among Hungarys biggest foreign investors. Philipp Haussmann, vice president of the German association of companies active in Eastern Europe, expressed his concerns to Le Monde, stating, Theres a system designed to benefit companies that are well-connected with the authorities. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! On Wednesday, the Ministry of the Interior abruptly dismissed Csaba Meszaros, the principal of Madach Imre High School for his refusal to implement a state-mandated mobile phone ban for students, Telex.hu reports. The ministry explained that a leader who does not comply with the law and openly opposes it cannot run a state institution. The dismissal followed the schools announcement that, despite a new regulation, they would not confiscate students mobile phones and other digital devices before classes in the upcoming school year. Telexs report also pointed out that the school emphasized on its website, The pedagogical goal of our school is to educate students on the proper use of digital culture, not to impose bans. The schools leadership argued that it would be unrealistic to collect mobile phones before classes, as they might be needed during lessons. While the schools code of conduct already included rules on mobile phone use and limitations on recording, teachers urged students not to risk confiscation by misbehaving during lessons. The regulation on banning certain items from schools, including the requirement to turn in smartphones, was issued on August 8, the report notes. It aimed to restrict mobile phone use in schools starting from the new school year, affecting primary schools, high schools, and vocational high schools. The Democratic Union of Teachers (PDSZ) had previously criticized the decree as poorly conceived and underdeveloped. New Survey: Most Hungarians Want Smartphone Ban in Schools - Do You? ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! EVA AIR offers this summer 4 direct flights a week from Vienna to Bangkok and 3 direct flights a week to Taipei. The flight frequency is available also in the winter season of 2024-2025. With the reopening of the destinations in Asia, EVA AIR's 5-star flights offer very good connections to popular holiday destinations in Thailand and exciting cities in Southeast Asia such as Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Chang, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Phnom Penh, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. One of EVA AIR's most important routes is the Vienna - Bangkok - Taipei flight, which is ideal for Hungarian travellers. The flights operate four times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and land in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, in both directions. This means that many Hungarian travellers use the airline's flights to reach Thailand or Bali, which has long been top destinations for travellers to Asia, in comfort and at reasonable prices. EVA AIR: The preferred carrier for holidays in South East Asia The airline offers 3 direct flights per week (Monday, Thursday and Saturday) from VIENNA to TAIPEI, its headquarters, in addition to the usual 4 weekly flights from VIENNA-BANGKOK-TAIPEI. This brings the number of weekly flights from Vienna to Taipei to 7, making it easier to reach other popular destinations such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia and Japan. The flight schedule is very convenient: non-stop Vienna-Taipei flights depart on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 and arrive in Taipei at 06:45 the next morning. The comfortable non-stop flights allow more time for business meetings, sightseeing or exploring other European destinations. The non-stop Vienna-Bangkok flights operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Vienna Airport at 17:45 and arriving in Bangkok at 09:25 the following day, while flights from Bangkok operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, similar to the Vienna departures. Flights depart at 02:20 and arrive in the Austrian capital at 08:35 the next day! The Vienna-Bangkok-Taipei flights depart on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 17:45 and arrive in Taipei at 16:05 the next day. From Vienna, passengers will benefit from the comfort of the more modern Boeing 787-9 or Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft, in a two-class configuration, business - Royal Laurel class and Economy class. From Budapest, passengers can travel either by plane with an airline partner until Vienna, or by train connecting EVA AIR flight from Vienna Airport, all in one EVA AIR airplane ticket, available in travel agencies or online. Flying by EVA Airways, a 5-star Skytrax rating airline, customers have the guarantee of quality service and high standards. The Taiwanese airline won the certification 8 years in a row. Only 10 airlines in the world have been awarded 5-Star certifications and EVA is the only one in Taiwan to receive the distinction. AirlineRatings has also recognized it among the Top 25 Best Airlines in the World for 2023, ranking EVA AIR 8th. Click here to know more about EVA AIR / their website is available here New Delhi: In a significant step towards inclusivity, the Finance Ministry announced on Thursday that there are no restrictions preventing individuals from the LGBTQ community from opening a joint bank account or nominating their partners in a queer relationship as nominees. The Finance Ministry, in an advisory dated August 28, clarified that individuals from the queer community can freely open joint bank accounts and nominate their partners in a queer relationship to receive the account balance without any restrictions. (Image Credit: X/@DFS_India) The advisory for the LGBTQ community from the Finance Ministry follows the Supreme Court's 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. (With PTI Inputs) RBI Admit Card 2024: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Grade B Phase 1 prelims call letter on August 29. Candidates appearing for the RBI Grade B exam for General (DR) posts can download the call letter from the official website, opportunities.rbi.org.in. Those taking the exam must bring their admit card and a valid ID proof to the exam center. The RBI Grade B exam application window was open from July 25 to August 16, 2024. The Phase-I online examination for the General category will take place on September 8, while the DEPR and DSIM exams are scheduled for September 14, 2024. The preliminary exam for the General category consists of 200 questions worth 200 marks, covering General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning, with a total duration of two hours. Each section has a designated time limit. Candidates who advance to the Mains will face three papers: Economics and Social Issues (both objective and descriptive), English Writing Skills, and General Finance and Management (both objective and descriptive). The Mains exam assesses candidates' expertise and abilities in these areas, with a total score of 300 marks. RBI Admit Card 2024: Steps to download here Visit the official website at opportunities.rbi.org.in. In the 'Opportunities' section, select the 'Admit Card' tab. Find and click on the link that says, "Admit Card, Other Guidelines and Information Handout for Phase-I Examination for Direct Recruitment for the post of Officers in Grade 'B' (DR) - General - Panel Year 2024." A new login page will appear. Enter your application number and date of birth. View and download the RBI Grade B admit card. Print a copy for future reference. The time and venue of the examination is indicated in the Admit Card, which is to be downloaded by the candidates from the RBI website, reads the official notification. A penalty of 1/4th mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. As the battle for supremacy intensifies in the upcoming assembly by-polls in Uttar Pradesh, a war of words has erupted between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav. Yogi Adityanath's 'Red Cap, Black Deeds' Jibe During a meeting in Kanpur on Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took aim at the Samajwadi Party, accusing its leaders of harboring a dark history. "Samajwadi Party leaders wear red caps, but their deeds are black," Adityanath remarked. He further alleged that the SPs history is filled with questionable actions, suggesting that beneath their public persona lies a legacy of misconduct. Akhilesh Yadav's Response Responding to the Chief Minister's comments, Akhilesh Yadav hit back on Friday with a nuanced rebuttal. Taking to social media, Yadav refrained from naming Adityanath directly but addressed the criticism head-on. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), he suggested that those who lack affection, harmony, and compassion often perceive the color red negatively. Yadav elaborated on the psychological implications of color preferences, stating, "No color is inherently good or bad; its all about perspective." He hinted that those who react strongly to certain colors may have deeper psychological issues, linking such reactions to negative emotions. Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: In a heated exchange over women's safety, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday called West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a 'liar' and demanded she puts forward an explanation for her governments failure to enforce stringent protections for women. This sharp rebuke comes after Banerjee's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which she advocated for tougher central laws and faster judicial proceedings for heinous crimes like rape and murder. Amit Malviya, BJP's co-incharge for West Bengal, accused Banerjee of not only neglecting existing legal frameworks but also failing to establish fast-track courts to address these serious issues. 7 rapes (mostly minors) and in some cases murders too, reported from Mamata Banerjees West Bengal in last 48 hours. But in last 48 hours, Mamata Banerjee has been engaged in every deplorable act, that a civilised Chief Minister would be ashamed of - from issuing open letters pic.twitter.com/009JvQx3ld August 30, 2024 Recently, Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. She also sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder. It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasnt done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls, BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya said in a post on X. Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR. Smt Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on 25th Aug 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for https://t.co/mtNgQNLlnx pic.twitter.com/bu2Tf9Ptm2 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 30, 2024 Stop writing letters. Answer the questions. You are accountable, he added. In her letter, Banerjee said that she was yet to receive a reply from the prime minister on the issue that she had flagged in her previous letter to him. The chief minister, however, said that she received a communication from the Union Women and Child Development (WCD) minister Annapurna Devi. Maintaining that the letter by the WCD minister "barely attends the gravity of the issue" raised by her, Banerjee wrote, "The seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply." Banerjee, in her letter to the PM, mentioned that 88 fast-track special courts and 62 POCSO-designated courts are already functioning in West Bengal on state funding. Reacting sharply, Malviya said, Mamata Banerjee is a Liar. Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on August 25, 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she (the WCD minister) specifically mentions West Bengal government not setting up even a single fast track court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases, the BJP leader said. He also posted on X a copy of the WCD ministers letter to the West Bengal chief minister. Malviya said that as many as seven cases of rape, mostly of minors, and in some cases murders too have been reported in West Bengal in the last 48 hours. But in the last 48 hours, Mamata Banerjee has been engaged in every deplorable act that a civilised chief minister would be ashamed of from issuing open letters to clarifications, from threatening and abusing doctors to inciting nationwide arson, he said in another post on X. He called Banerjee a failed Home and Health Minister of the state and alleged that she is preoccupied with suppressing evidences of her corruption and incompetence in the RG Kar Hospital rape-and-murder case. But, enough is enough. The awakened conscience of Bengal now calls for accountability, the BJP leader added. In a recent incident, renowned investor Ashish Kacholia missed his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai due to the unpredictable nature of Bengaluru's traffic. The city, known for its congested roads, proved to be a challenge even for Google Maps, which underplayed the travel time required to reach the airport. Google Maps Miscalculates Travel Time Kacholia, who co-founded Hungama Digital, was traveling from Bengaluru's HSR Layout to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), a distance of over 50 kilometers. According to Google Maps, the journey was expected to take 1 hour and 45 minutes. However, unforeseen traffic and weather conditions extended the trip to 3 hours, causing Kacholia to miss his flight. The investor shared his experience on the social media platform X, expressing frustration at the discrepancy. The situation was further complicated by sudden rainfall, which exacerbated the already heavy traffic. Criticism of Bengaluru's Infrastructure Kacholia took the opportunity to contrast Bengaluru's infrastructure with that of Mumbai. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude for the efforts of Mumbais municipal corporation, BMC, in maintaining smoother traffic flow in the city, implying that Bengaluru's infrastructure could use significant improvements. His comments have sparked further discussions about the challenges of commuting in Bengaluru. New Delhi: Gujarat is facing severe flooding due to heavy rains, causing widespread disruption across the state. The relentless rainfalls have led to swollen rivers and inundated streets, impacting daily life and infrastructure. The devastating situation claims the lives of many people, while, the rescue team are actively working on relief operations. Indian Army columns continued their flood relief efforts in Gujarat's most severely affected areas on Friday, delivering immediate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), according to an Indian Army source. Waterlogging was reported in Bhuj following heavy rainfall in the region. Following a request from the Gujarat government, six Indian Army columns are carrying out rescue operations in the most severely affected areas as the flood-like conditions continue in parts of the state due to relentless rainfall. "In response to 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 in the worst-affected areas to provide immediate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)," the Army said, ANI reported. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the Gandhinagar State Emergency Operation Center after travelling from Vadodara, following the situation of heavy rains and potential storms. CM reviewed the system's preparedness for the natural calamity via a video conference with the District Collector and issued immediate instructions to evacuate areas as necessary to safeguard residents from the impending calamity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that heavy rainfall may prevail over isolated areas of Gujarat's districts including Kachchh, Morbi, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Porbandar on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually flag off the Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express on August 31, 2024, from New Delhi. This state-of-the-art, semi-high-speed train is designed with modern amenities to offer passengers a faster and more comfortable travel experience. The Vande Bharat Express, numbered 22490/22489, will begin its regular service on September 1, 2024, from Lucknow, and on September 2, 2024, from Meerut City. The train will operate six days a week, excluding Tuesdays, according to the schedule provided below. Timings Of The Meerut City-Lucknow- Meerut City Vande Bharat Express. Inaugural Run Of City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Special Express The introduction of a new Vande Bharat Express Train between Meerut City and Lucknow will significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Meerut City and Lucknow. Such enhanced connectivity leads to growth in tourism, an increase in economic growth, and the connection of people from different parts of the country. It will help cater to demand to reach Lucknow via Moradabad-Bareilly by a faster mode and return to Meerut City in the night, the same day. It has been 21 days since the death of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. From the city court to the High Court and then the matter even reached the Supreme Court exposing the mishandling of the heinous rape-murder case by the college as well as the TMC administration. Now, the details of the first three calls made to the victim's parent have been revealed. Shockingly, the parents were informed about the death only in the third call while in the first two calls, they were asked to reach the hospital at the earliest. As per reports, the victim had a chat with her mother around 11.30 pm the previous night of the unfortunate incident. The victim was killed on the intervening night of August 8 and August 9. On the morning of August 9, within a span of 30 minutes, three phone calls devastated the lives of the parents of a rape-murder victim. According to their testimony in court, the first call was received at 10:53 am. The caller was identified as the hospital's assistant superintendent. While the timeline provided by the Kolkata Police to the Supreme Court confirms that the official contacted the parents at this time, it does not provide details about the conversation. The police records mention only one call, but three audio recordings reveal that three separate calls were made, with the final one informing the parents of their daughter's death. In the first call, when the parents asked what had happened to their daughter, they were only told that her condition was bad and were called to reach the hospital soon. The parents were told that only the doctor would be able to tell what happened to her. When they asked about the caller, she said that she was the assistant superintendent and not a doctor. The parent was told that their daughter had been admitted to the emergency. The second call followed soon after in which a male voice was heard. When the victim's mother asked about her condition, the caller asked them to reach the hospital's chest department HOD first. In the third call, the parents were informed that their daughter might have died by suicide. This call was made by the same Assistant Superintendent who had initially contacted them. She mentioned that the police were at the hospital and urged the parents to come quickly. Upon hearing the devastating news, the mother broke down in tears. The way the hospital administration communicated with the victim's parents has been a focal point of scrutiny in both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court. In their petition to the high court, the parents claimed they were forced to wait for three hours and suspected that the delay was deliberate. Kolkata Police, however, disputes this account. According to their timeline, the parents arrived at the hospital at 1 pm and were taken to the seminar hall, where their daughters body was located, just 10 minutes later. The courts have also raised concerns about why the hospital administration, under the leadership of then-principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh, did not file a formal police complaint, leaving the police to initiate an unnatural death investigation. An FIR was only registered later that night after the victim's father lodged a formal complaint. Kerala Lottery Results Friday 30-08-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-394" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-394, August 23, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Nirmal NR-394" 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 Nirmal NR-394 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-394 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 30-08-2024 Aug: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR-394 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: NV 134257 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: NS 828321 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: NN 265027 NO 129847 NP 809082 NR 112950 NS 299494 NT 615831 NU 434488 NV 324755 NW 814998 NX 367006 NY 648010 NZ 344092 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: NN 134257 NO 134257 NP 134257 NR 134257 NS 134257 NT 134257 NU 134257 NW 134257 NX 134257 NY 134257 NZ 134257 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0156 1171 2308 2853 4074 4530 4819 6052 6649 6824 7247 7801 8210 8289 8550 8570 8955 9119 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0161 0949 1368 1965 1968 2501 2517 2590 3094 3395 3585 3868 4092 4747 4751 5063 5092 5451 5866 5908 6412 6458 6521 6727 6765 6844 7351 7410 7811 8070 8079 8262 8949 9459 9552 9794 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0058 0170 0290 0464 0726 0798 0803 0919 0924 1032 1036 1085 1411 1753 1838 2184 2220 2332 2490 2693 2791 2973 3012 3062 3379 3417 3440 3555 3740 4000 4211 4457 4526 4595 4816 4995 5023 5190 5225 5261 5314 5425 5630 5742 5828 5960 6001 6145 6341 6356 6459 6464 6489 6870 7021 7657 7698 7800 7885 7976 8272 8311 8324 8552 8599 8795 8804 9140 9168 9202 9331 9429 9458 9618 9624 9804 9832 9898 9931 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0009 0031 0047 0076 0079 0214 0245 0280 0351 0422 0428 0551 0616 0822 0883 0943 0996 0999 1010 1014 1101 1236 1263 1462 1683 1726 1839 1937 2002 2017 2053 2056 2135 2227 2281 2335 2367 2418 2631 2747 3175 3442 3654 3679 3727 3756 3811 3856 3913 3977 3978 4002 4138 4195 4221 4282 4284 4287 4305 4489 4549 4566 4692 5124 5150 5329 5525 5864 5912 5957 5993 6374 6436 6448 6454 6532 6643 6850 6918 6935 6952 7119 7182 7206 7241 7379 7430 7579 7748 8063 8162 8167 8200 8271 8278 8291 8330 8469 8520 8642 8700 8717 8781 8906 8939 9027 9236 9243 9362 9413 9457 9479 9502 9549 9649 9764 9853 9865 9882 9959 9977 9995 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 30-08-2024 August: NIRMAL NR-395 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th 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.) Reacting to Omar Abdullah's recent comments, Mehbooba Mufti criticized the National Conference vice-president. Abdullah had stated that Jamaat-e-Islami's participation in elections, which was previously deemed "haram" (forbidden), is now considered "halal" (permissible). Mufti pointed out that the National Conference started this era of defining elections as "halal" or "haram" in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947. She accused Abdullahs party of hypocrisy, stating, "The National Conference calls elections 'halal' when it is in power and 'haram' when it is not." Mufti urged the government to lift the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, asserting that its participation is crucial for a vibrant democracy. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mufti emphasized that democracy is fundamentally a "battle of ideas" and that allowing Jamaat-e-Islami to contest would enrich the electoral landscape. "The government should unfreeze and return all the assets and institutions of Jamaat-e-Islami," she added. A war of words is ongoing between political parties as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for assembly elections scheduled for September 18, September 25, and October 1, with results to be announced on October 4. MUMBAI: Mumbai police arrested one accused from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for molestation of a 13-year-old girl on August 25 and produced him in court on Thursday, MHB police said. The accused has been identified as Mohammed Zeeshan Mohammed (21 years) and he was working in a private bus agency. He was arrested on Wednesday. MHB police station official said, "The 13-year-old daughter of the woman complainant had gone to buy some goods from a nearby grocery store and was returning with them. At that time, Zeeshan molested this girl. After the incident, the victim informed her family about the entire incident. The family reached the nearest police station and registered a case. Taking the case seriously, an investigation started under the guidance of senior police inspector Sudhir Kudalkar." The investigating officers found that the accused Zeeshan did not have a mobile phone. Further investigation revealed that many people from his village were living in Mumbai's Antop Hill area. Mumbai police said that Zeeshan contacted one of his relatives living in Dahisar from an unknown mobile number and gave false information that he was in the Borivali area but when the police checked the location of that mobile, it was found that he was in Nashik. According to the police, they took out the location of eight to ten mobile phones, then he was traced and found travelling by train to Uttar Pradesh. It was also found out that the village of the accused is Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and he was travelling to his village. After this, a trap was laid with the help of local police and he was detained from Prayagraj and brought to Mumbai and arrested. The accused has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said that there is no country in the world which doesn't have challenges with neighbours. Dr Jaishankar said that neighbours are always a conundrum. Speaking during an event in Delhi, Jaishankar gave his two cents on Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan and their relations with India amid changing political equations. If we are looking at conundrums, for every country in the world, neighbours are always a conundrum. Because neighbouring relationships are of utmost difficulty for every country in the world. They can never be solved. They are continuing relationships which always grow up problems. Tell me which country is there that doesn't have challenges with neighbours," said Jaishankar. 'Era Of Uninterrupted Dialogue With Pakistan Over': Jaishankar External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that the era of free talks with Pakistan has ended. "The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. So far as J&K is concerned, Article 370 is done. So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan...What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react," said Jaishankar. 'Lack Of Consistency In Relation With Maldives': Jaishnkar Speaking about Maldives, Jaishankar said, "There have been ups and downs in our approach to Maldives...There is a certain lack of consistency here. It is a relationship in which we are very deeply invested and there is a recognition in the Maldives that this relationship is a steady force when they are getting into choppy waters where their own prospects are concerned as far as economic challenges." 'Political Changes In Bangladesh Can Be Disruptive': Jaishankar On the violence and change of government in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, "It is natural we will deal with the government of the day. We have to recognise that there have been political changes and they can be disruptive. Clearly, here we have to look for mutuality of interest." Speaking on Afghanistan, Jaishankar says, "On a societal level, people-to-people relations are strong...Today after reviewing our Afgan policy, we are very clear eye about our interest...We are not confused by inherited wisdom that is before us...We must appreciate that Afghanistan with the presence of America is very different than Afghanistan without the presence of America..." New Delhi: Pakistan has officially invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Islamabad this October, ANI reported citing Geo News. During a weekly news briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan has invited all heads of government from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the upcoming Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting in Islamabad. Baloch added that Islamabad has already received some confirmations for the SCO meeting, which Pakistan will host on October 15-16, ANI reported citing Geo News. The official confirmation of Pakistan's invitations to the SCO member state heads came just two days after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that PM Modi would be invited to the regional summit. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier refused the media reports suggesting that PM Modi would not attend the upcoming SCO summit in Pakistan. The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization founded on June 15, 2001, in China's Shanghai. It was established by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, building on the earlier Shanghai Five mechanism. The SCO currently comprises nine member states including 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. India on Friday said the recent high-level visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kyiv will pave the way for "stronger bilateral ties" apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During his weekly media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query, said, "As friends and partners, we will support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace". Asked about Indians stuck in the Russian army, he said, as of today, "15 Indians who have been released, returned to India. There are others, who are awaiting discharge". "Our mission, our embassy is in touch with the Russian authorities, both on the foreign office side and the defence side, and we hope that those who want to return to India will be released soon," he said. He also responded to multiple queries on Modi's recent visit to Ukraine and the statement issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on it. "Our view is that the Ukranian side has their perspective on various issues and matters, and they are sharing them with the media," Jaiswal said. "As far as we are concerned, we will be guided by the bilateral discussion that we had with them, including the high-level visit that just concluded, which we believe will pave the way for stronger bilateral ties apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the conflict," he added. The spokesperson said India has "always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict". "This is evident in our approach, in our outreach to both Russia and Ukraine, at the highest level. The PM has already indicated India's willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. However, it is too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage," he added. The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict, he said. "As friends and partners, we will support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace," Jaiswal said. On reports about a group of Indians being stranded at Sao Paulo airport in Brazil, he said, "As far as the issue of Indians stranded at Sao Paulo airport is concerned, yes, we are aware". "There are several Indians. We also have a consulate in Sao Paulo, which is in touch with the foreign office representatives in the city. They also sought a meeting with local authorities. Contrary to what was reported in some media, Indians at the airport are being taken care of, in terms of food," he added. On a query on the India-Germany bilateral ties, he said the mobility partnership signed between the two sides earlier will "facilitate our people-to-people ties". Asked when will the India-Africa Summit be held, Jaiswal said, "We are in talks with the African Union to see when can the India-Africa summit be scheduled". Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy tendered an apology to the Supreme Court on Friday after the apex court expressed strong displeasure over the Telangana Chief Minister's statement that he gave on the top court granting bail to BRS leader K Kavitha. In a post on X, CM Reddy said, "I have the highest regard and full faith in the Indian Judiciary. I understand that certain press reports dated 29th August, 2024 containing comments attributed to me have given the impression that I am questioning the judicial wisdom of the Hon'ble Court." He further stated that he was a firm believer in the Constitution and its ethos and hold the Judiciary in high esteem. "I reiterate that I am a firm believer of the judicial process. I unconditionally express my regret for the statements reflected in the press reports. The remarks attributed to me in such reports have been taken out of context. I have unconditional respect & highest regard for the Judiciary & its independence. As a firm believer in the Constitution of India and its ethos, I have and continue to hold the Judiciary in its highest esteem," he further said. The SC on Thursday expressed strong displeasure over Revanth Reddy's statement that he gave after the top court granted bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, saying that the judiciary doesn't interfere in the sphere of the legislature and the same respect applies for the legislature too. A bench of justices of BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan criticised the statement made by the Telangana CM and remarked that a constitutional functionary is speaking in such a manner. The court asked Revanth Reddy's lawyer that they read what he said this morning. Revanth Reddy reportedly raised doubts over Kavitha getting bail in five months when Manish Sisodia got it after 15 months and Arvind Kejriwal is yet to get it. The bench said that it is not bothered about someone criticizing but they will keep performing the duties as per the conscience. The top court also questioned whether it would pass the order in consultation with a political party. Warning the CM for his statement, the top court also commented that "The trial may be taken outside the state if Telangana Chief Minister does not have respect for the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country." BRS leader K Kavitha was released from Tihar Jail on August 27 following the Supreme Court's decision to grant her bail. This development comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in the 'excise policy case' by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Indian Railways - Special Trains For Ganesh Chaturthi: During festive seasons, train travel becomes increasingly crowded as many people move from one place to another, often leaving passengers without confirmed seats. To cater to the demand, Indian Railways will run hundreds of special trains this Ganesh Chaturthi, ensuring confirmed seats for more passengers. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday that 342 special trains will be operated for the Ganesh festival next month. Despite a demand for 300 Ganpati special trains to the Konkan, Indian Railways has decided to run 342 special trains, the minister said. Every year, Lakhs of people travel from Mumbai to their native places in the Konkan region during the ten-day festival, which begins on September 7. The minister made this announcement via video link during 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: In 2024 there is still a lot of debate over censorship in cinema when it comes to intimacy. Many filmmakers have stood out and raised their voices over their films facing censorship scissors and one such director is Zoya Akhtar. Zoya Akhtar recently at an event held in Mumbai spoke about how there are films that show women being sexually assaulted and beaten but cannot kiss. Zoya argued, "It is very important to showcase consensual intimacy on screen. I grew up at a time where women were bullied, beaten up, harassed and sexually assaulted on screen. All these were allowed, but you couldnt see a kiss. People should be allowed to see love, tenderness, physical intimacy between two adults". In the same conversation, she added, " Every film has a tone, and every filmmaker tells a story in a particular way. As opposed to Ramesh Sippys Sholay, where the choices of showcasing violence were ahead of their time, the violence in Tarantinos films is operatic. It is all about what you are trying to evoke in the audience". Talking about the cultural differences in many countries, she speaks about the intimacy being shown in the different worlds of cinema. "The French are more open with male nudity compared to the Americans. It depends on how comfortable you are with yourself, how you view sex, how you view your body." Zoya Akhtar is one of the celebrated filmmakers and her last release is The Archies starring star kids like Suhana Khan, Agatsya Nanda and Khushi Kapoor. New Delhi: In a big boost to widen the ambit of financial inclusion, the Finance Ministry has clarified that there is no restriction on LGBTQIA+ couples to open joint bank account. The finance ministry further said that queer people can also name their partners as the nominee. An advisory issued by the Finance Ministry on August 28 had said, "In connection with Honble Supreme Court of Indias judgement dated 17.10.2023 in the case of Supriyo @Supriya Chakraborty and another Vs. Union of India (Writ Petition Civil No. 1011/2022), 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 queer relationship as a nominee to receive the balance in the account, in the event of death of the account holder." Rights Of Transgender Persons-Changes in Bank Forms/Applications: Check What RBI 2015 Circular Had Said "It has been brought to our notice that transgender persons face difficulties in opening accounts as there is no provision for them in the account opening and other forms. In this connection, banks are advised to refer to the judgement dated April 15, 2014 of the Supreme Court in the case of National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India and others [AIR 2014 SC 1863: (2014) 5 SCC 438] on treating all transgender persons as third gender. The Supreme Court, in that case, upheld transgender persons right to decide their self-identified gender and directed the Centre and State Government to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender. Banks are, therefore, directed to include third gender in all forms/applications etc. prescribed by the Reserve Bank or the banks themselves, wherein any gender classification is envisaged, RBI had said. Availment Of Nomination Facility: RBI Had Said This In April 2009 The Reserve Bank of India had issued a circular on April 2009, under Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 Acknowledgement of Nomination and indicating the Name of the Nominee in Pass Books / Fixed Deposit Receipts. RBI had mentioned, When a bank account holder has availed himself / herself of nomination facility, the same may be indicated on the passbook so that, in case of death of the account holder, the relatives can know from the pass book that the nomination facility has been availed of by the deceased depositor and take suitable action. Banks may, accordingly, introduce the practice of recording on the face of the passbook the position regarding availment of nomination facility with the legend "Nomination Registered". This may be done in the case of term deposit receipts also. In addition, the RBI had advised banks to indicate the name of the Nominee in the Pass Books / Statement of Accounts / FDRs, in case the customer is agreeable to the same, as this would be helpful to the customers/ nominees. New Delhi: Apple-owned audio brand Beats has launched the latest premium products to the Indian market. The new line-up includes the Beats Solo Buds true wireless earphones, Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones, and Beats Pill portable Bluetooth speaker. Consumers can book premium products on apple.com/in. Notably, these products will hit store shelves on September 4. Beats Solo Buds Earphones Price And Colour Options The device is priced at Rs 6,900 in the country. It will be available in Matte Black, Storm Gray, Arctic Purple, and Transparent Red colour options. Beats Solo 4 On-Ear Headphones Price And Colour Options The Beats Solo 4 Headphones is priced at Rs 22,900. It comes in three colour options: Matte Black, Slate Blue, and Cloud Pink. Beats Pill Portable Bluetooth Speaker Price And Colour Options The speaker is priced at Rs 16,900. It comes in Champagne Gold, Statement Red and Matte Black colour options. Beats Solo Buds Specifications: The device offers are equipped with a custom-designed microphone powered by an advanced noise-learning algorithm. It offers Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range with fewer dropouts. (Also Read: Realme Buds T01 TWS Earbuds Launched In India With AI ENC For Calls Under Rs 2,000; Check Specs, Price) The device features a one-touch parking and Find My Device. It also offers customisable on-ear functions to control music, take calls, activate the voice assistant, and more. The TWS earbuds are claimed to offer up to 18 hours of playback and the carry case can be charged via a USB Type-C port. Beats Solo 4 On-Ear Headphones Specifications: The headphones feature custom-built 40mm drivers and support personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, promising superior call performance and seamless voice assistant interaction. Compatible with both iOS and Android, the device offers one-touch pairing, automatic account setup across your devices, and a convenient Find My Device feature. The company claims that the battery lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge, with Fast Fuel providing up to 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute quick charge. Beats Pill Portable Bluetooth Speaker The portable speaker features a 20-degree upward tilt for improved on-axis sound projection and is reportedly 10 percent lighter than its predecessor. It boasts an IP67 rating, ensuring resistance to both dust and water. Compatible with both iOS and Android, the speaker supports instant one-touch pairing, Find My/Find My Device, and automatic pairing across your other devices. The Beats Pill is said to deliver up to 24 hours of continuous music playback, with Fast Fuel providing 2 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to USD 25,000 (Approx Rs 21 lakh) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, wanted for allegedly killing her young son. Notably, Rodriguez Singh has ties to India and Mexico. She is wanted for allegedly killing her 6-year-old son, who hasn't been seen alive since October 2022. At the request of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Everman Police Department officers conducted a welfare check on behalf of the boy on March 20, 2023. During the welfare check interview, Rodriguez Singh lied to officers when she explained that the boy was living with his biological father in Mexico, and had been there since November 2022, according to the official website of the FBI. On March 22, 2023, Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and six other juvenile children boarded an international flight bound for India. It was determined that the missing child was not present, and did not board the flight. On October 31, 2023, Cindy Rodriguez Singh was charged with capital murder in District Court of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. On November 2, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Rodriguez Singh in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, after she was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. In making the announcement, Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough asked the media and public to help locate Rodriguez Singh. "Cindy Rodriguez Singh is wanted for allegedly murdering her own young son," Yarbrough said. "I am confident that the combination of publicity, significant reward offering, and the team of experienced investigators assembled by the FBI Fort Worth Resident Agency violent crime squad, Everman Police Department, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office and Texas DPS-Texas Rangers will lead to her arrest." The FBI on its official website further said that Rodriguez Singh's last confirmed sighting was on March 22, 2023, as she, her husband, and six juvenile children, boarded an international flight to India. She was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1985 and is 39 years old. The fugitive is between 5 feet, 1 inch and 5 feet, 3 inches tall; 120- 140 pounds; has a medium complexion and tattoos on her back, both legs, right arm, right hand, and right calf. She has brown eyes and brown hair. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 25 Chinese PLA aircraft, along with seven PLAN vessels and two official ships around the country from 6 am Thursday up until 6 am on Friday, Taiwan's Defence Ministry stated. Seventeen of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), Taiwan's MND said. In a post on X, Taiwan's MND said, "25 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 17 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation." Meanwhile, Taiwan had also detected 13 Chinese PLA aircraft, along with eight PLAN vessels and two official ships around the country from 6 am Tuesday up until 6 am on Wednesday. Ten of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), MND said. This adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Reportedly, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island. Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) criticised China for violating other countries' sovereignty and disrupting regional peace, Taiwan News reported. According to the Taiwan MoFA statement, China's continued use of military aircraft and warships to intrude into Taiwan and Japan's air defence identification zones and exclusive economic zones has increased regional tensions, according to Taiwan News report. Notably, Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. COMPANY NEWS: Rimini Street, a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software, and an AWS partner, proudly announces that Rimini Street India has been awarded Best Workplaces for Millennials, and Rimini Street Australia has been honoured as a Great Place to Work 2024. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviours proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. Best Workplaces awards are granted upon review of the detailed Culture Brief benchmarked against industry and regional peers. Rimini Street continues to gain recognition for its culture of extraordinary across the globe, cementing us as an employer of choice where employees can bring their whole selves to work each day, said Rimini Street senior vice president of human resources Brian Almas. We are grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with such incredible talent, each who exemplify a heart of service and meet the highest standard of excellence. Rimini Street Australia employees say, They Want to Work Here for a Long Time In the independent survey conducted by a third-party as part of the Great Place to Work certification, Rimini Streets Australia-based colleagues said: When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome This is a physically safe place to work People here are treated fairly regardless of their age or their sexual orientation I want to work here a long time "Great Place to Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," said Great Place to Work vice president of global recognition Sarah Lewis-Kulin. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Rimini Street stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees. Rimini Street global vice president and general manager Andrew Manners said, Rimini Street colleagues are driven by purpose, to deliver extraordinary technology solutions, powered by extraordinary people. Fueled by such an important mission, we work closely together to support one another and the clients we serve across the globe. Thank you, Great Place to Work, for spotlighting our culture of extraordinary, and most importantly, thank you to our extraordinary people. You make Rimini Street shine. Rimini Street India promotes an exciting culture of inclusion and talent development Recently, Rimini Street India placed top 20th in nation as Indias Great Mid-Size Workplaces 2024, as well as Top 50 Indias Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2023 category and Great Place to Work Certification for the region. To add to the growing list of awards, Rimini Street India is now recognised as top 50 organisations among Indias Best Workplaces for Millennials 2024. According to Best Workplaces for Millennials, this generation represents those born between 1981 and 1997 who now form the largest cohort of the workforce at 67%. They prioritise special and unique benefits, career growth opportunities, and fair pay. The finalists of this award are standouts on their people practices by proactively acting on the feedback of its employees to create a High Trust Culture. Rimini Street India takes great pride in creating a nurturing, supportive environment where employees are appreciated for their unique talents and contributions, and where their professional growth is encouraged, said Rimini Street vice president of human resources Megh Risaldar. We are humbled and grateful for this direct recognition by our millennial workforce, and are doubly energised to continue supporting, engaging, nurturing, and celebrating our incredibly talented people. Congratulations to Rimini Street! Your commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the dynamic generation sets a benchmark for others to follow, said Great Place to Work India CEO Balbir Singh. We celebrate your success in fostering environments where millennials can truly excel. About Rimini Street Rimini Street, a Russell 2000 company, is a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support, products and services, the leading third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software and an AWS partner. The Company has operations globally and offers a comprehensive family of unified solutions to run, manage, support, customise, configure, connect, protect, monitor, and optimise enterprise application, database, and technology software, and enables clients to achieve better business outcomes, significantly reduce costs and reallocate resources for innovation. To date, over 5,600 Fortune 500, Fortune Global 100, midmarket, public sector, and other organisations from a broad range of industries have relied on Rimini Street as their trusted enterprise software solutions provider. To learn more, please visit riministreet.com, and connect with Rimini Street on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. (IR-RMNI) In an era of rapid technological advancements, agility is crucial for staying competitive. The ability to quickly adapt to new trends and technologies often distinguishes thriving businesses from those merely surviving. With more Australians choosing to work and study remotely, coupled with the meteoric rise of AI adoption and cloud computing, the demand for robust internet and broadband in Australia continues to grow. In early July, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland announced a $750 million initiative to elevate the connectivity of over 700,000 homes and businesses to a level comparable with that of major cities. This project, a collaboration between NBN and the Federal Government, aims to propel rural and regional Australia into a new era of digital connectivity, unlocking economic and social benefits for these regions. However, the challenge lies not just in implementing one of the worlds most extensive broadband networks but maintaining it across Australias diverse and often treacherous terrain. The true measure of this investments success will be the level of connectivity realised in these areas. Elevating Regional Connectivity These upcoming development projects are poised to deliver internet speeds up to four times faster and significantly more reliable than what is currently available in rural and regional Australia. This project comes at a critical time. Recent data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that Australias broadband connectivity lags behind nations like New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. While New Zealand saw a 14% growth in fibre connections since 2023, Australias fibre connections remained at a mere 9.1 per 100 inhabitants in 2023. The challenge of managing telecommunications infrastructure in Australia is unique. The vast distances, remote locations, and challenging terrain make it a formidable task. To maximize the return on this significant investment, the focus must remain on solutions that harness the full potential of every aspect of the project. Scalable Solutions for a vast network When tackling a project of this scale, effective asset management and maintenance are critical foundations for success. Telecommunications assets, including braided fibre optic and copper cabling are designed for long-term use with minimal maintenance. However, factors such as outages - both scheduled and unscheduled upgrades, severe weather events, and other disruptions pose significant operational challenges. Beyond cabling, NBN assets include Points of Interconnect (POIs), Retail Service Provider Networks, and Network Termination Devices. These assets, whether above or below ground, are often located in remote areas, requiring additional considerations for access, maintenance, and cost. This is where advanced technology particularly predictive maintenance becomes invaluable. Smart solutions for intelligent networks To fully leverage the potential of intelligent networks, smart solutions are required to convert potential energy into the kinetic energy that drives outputs. Asset management and maintenance software solutions offer numerous advantages, enabling organisations to manage schedules more effectively, optimise labour, reducing downtime, and avoid costly, labour-intensive maintenance procedures. The financial benefit is clear, but the cascading advantages such as time and resource savings, increased efficiency, and strengthened trust from clients, customers and employeesare equally, if not more significant. These software solutions provide insights powered by comprehensive data analytics and real-time monitoring systems, utilising IoT technologies to track irregularities in sound, vibration, temperature, moisture and more. AI-driven digital twin data modelling systems can even predict hardware issue before they occur. As we advance with emerging technologies, it is essential to ensure consistency across all sectors. By implementing these advanced technological solutions, businesses can make informed, data-driven decisions that benefit all Australians, ensuring no industry, state, or town is left behind. Warren Zietsman, Managing Director of IFS Australia and New Zealand Warren Zietsman is the Managing Director for IFS Australia and New Zealand. He is responsible for delivering modern enterprise systems that create value for IFSs customers, developing a local business strategy, building the customer base, and expanding the companys network of quality resellers. With over 24 years experience in the business sector, he is highly adept at building and leading high-growth companies and teams, and developing new markets across APAC, AFRICA and EMEA. About IFS IFS develops and delivers enterprise software for customers around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. The industry expertise of our people and solutions, together with a commitment to delivering value to every one of our customers, has made IFS a recognised leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of 4,000 employees and growing ecosystem of partners support more than 10,000 customers around the world challenge the status quo and realise their competitive advantage. Learn more about how our enterprise software solutions can help your business today. NetApp, the original intelligent data infrastructure company, today announced new capabilities that support VMware Cloud Foundation deployments. Mutual customers will be able to leverage NetApp solutions to right size their IT environments to run VMware workloads at scale efficiently. For more than a decade, NetApp and VMware, recently acquired by Broadcom Inc., have collaborated to ensure the success of their joint customers and help them unlock the full value of their VMware investments. During that time, NetApp has been a key engineering design partner with VMware and is continuing to drive innovation in highly available, scalable and performant storage as a design partner for its Next-Generation vSphere Virtual Volumes (vVols). Now, NetApp is announcing new capabilities that will enable joint customers to run their VMware deployments more efficiently. NetApp and Broadcom are working together to take the uncertainty out of hybrid cloud environments, said Jonsi Stefansson, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at NetApp. More than 20,000 customers rely on NetApp to support their VMware workloads. NetApp's continued close collaboration with Broadcom following the acquisition of VMware ensures our solutions seamlessly interoperate so our mutual customers can leverage a single intelligent data infrastructure to operate their VMware workloads more efficiently. NetApp is helping optimise costs, simplify operations, and increase flexibility for customers running VMware environments by offering: Expanded Support for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) : NetApp and Broadcom customers will now be able to simplify their VCF hybrid cloud environments by using NetApp ONTAP software for all storage requirements, including standard and consolidated architectures. The latest release of ONTAP Tools for VMware (OTV) will support SnapMirror active sync to provide symmetric active-active data replication capabilities for NetApp storage systems running VMware workloads. SnapMirror active sync allows customers to operate more efficiently by offloading data protection from their virtualised compute and improving data availability. : NetApp and Broadcom customers will now be able to simplify their VCF hybrid cloud environments by using NetApp ONTAP software for all storage requirements, including standard and consolidated architectures. The latest release of ONTAP Tools for VMware (OTV) will support SnapMirror active sync to provide symmetric active-active data replication capabilities for NetApp storage systems running VMware workloads. SnapMirror active sync allows customers to operate more efficiently by offloading data protection from their virtualised compute and improving data availability. New Capabilities for Azure VMware Solution (AVS) : To support customers that are extending or migrating their vSphere workloads to the cloud, customers can now leverage Spot Eco by NetApp with AVS reserved instances to get the most value out of their deployments. Using Spot Eco to manage AVS reserved instances while also using Azure NetApp Files to offload data storage can reduce compute costs significantly. : To support customers that are extending or migrating their vSphere workloads to the cloud, customers can now leverage Spot Eco by NetApp with AVS reserved instances to get the most value out of their deployments. Using Spot Eco to manage AVS reserved instances while also using Azure NetApp Files to offload data storage can reduce compute costs significantly. Enhanced VM Optimisation Features for NetApp Cloud Insights: NetApp is introducing Cloud Insights VM Optimisation, expanding its comprehensive solution for optimising virtual environments, including VMware. Cloud Insights VM Optimisation will give customers tools to reduce costs by increasing VM density, run storage at the best price-to-performance ratio for their environment, and monitor their entire environment to ensure availability, performance, and adherence to configuration best practices across the entire stack. To help customers optimise the compute, memory and storage resources of their VMware environments, NetApp is also offering customers a free 30-day trial of Cloud Insights to most cost-effectively migrate to the new VMware software subscriptions. These offerings follow last months release of enhancements to NetApp BlueXP disaster recovery service, which provides guided workflows to design and execute automated disaster recovery plans for VMware workloads across hybrid cloud environments with newly added support for VMFS datastores. As organisations modernise infrastructure with VMware Cloud Foundation, they want to know that the services upon which they rely from industry-leaders such as NetApp will continue to work seamlessly and deliver the value they have come to expect, said Paul Turner, Vice President of Products, VCF Division at Broadcom. Having NetApp as a close collaborator helps our mutual customers deploy innovative data and storage services on top of their private cloud platform, and ensure they are getting the most value out of their VMware environments. We have made Microsoft Azure the cloud of choice for VMware environments and offer fast and cost-effective solutions enabling many customers to move their VMware workloads to the cloud. said Brett Tanzer, Vice President of Product Management at Microsoft. As VMware customers navigate changes to operating virtualised environments, we have given our customers a way to lock in secure and predictable pricing over multiple years. NetApp's data management and cloud observability capabilities help our customers ensure those deployments are delivering the return on investment they need. In an ever more complicated world of cloud, data, and infrastructure operations, IT teams are increasingly looking for holistic platforms over point solutions, said Scott Sinclair, Practice Director, Enterprise Strategy Group. These joint updates from NetApp and Broadcom enable customers to use NetApps intelligent data infrastructure to consolidate multiple data operations onto a single platform with industry-leading data management and CloudOps capabilities. That will help customers drive greater operational and infrastructure efficiencies that reduce the total cost of ownership for their VMware investments. Additional Resources COMPANY NEWS: Cloudian, the global leader in secure S3-compatible AI data lake platforms, today announced its collaboration with Fastweb, one of Italys main telecommunications operators, to enhance Fastwebs secure cloud storage services. With 3.3 million wireline and 3.6 million mobile customers, Fastweb promotes the digital transformation of society to build an increasingly connected, inclusive and eco-sustainable future. By integrating Cloudians technology, Fastweb strengthens its commitment to the countrys digital transformation by providing cutting-edge cloud storage solutions that are increasingly scalable and efficient. Partnering with Cloudian represents a significant stride in our mission to empower clients with technology that drives performance and growth, said Emanuel Armati, Manager of Fastcloud Managed Services at Fastweb. This collaboration equips us to deliver an even more scalable and highly available infrastructure that helps us meet our customers evolving needs more quickly. Cloudian's AI data lake introduces an era of limitless on-premises storage and the industrys highest S3 API compatibility. This ensures flawless operation with S3-compatible software to deliver the infrastructure excellence that Fastwebs customers expect. Cloudian is proud to support Fastwebs vision of providing increasingly scalable, secure cloud storage services, said Carsten Graf, Cloudians Vice President of EMEA Sales. Our AI data lake platform is designed to meet the demands of data-intensive applications, providing Fastweb with a scalable, robust and secure solution. This partnership positions Fastweb to enhance its service offerings, further reinforcing its market leadership in Italy's telecommunications sector. Fastwebs Cloudian deployment includes 3.4 petabytes (PB) of capacity in two data centres. About Cloudian Cloudian is the leader in secure, S3-compatible AI data lake platforms. With military-grade security, limitless scale, and seamless cloud integration, Cloudian delivers plug-and-play interoperability with AI tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Kafka, Arrow and more. Our software-defined, on-premises solutions let users simplify and accelerate AI workflows, meet data sovereignty requirements, and cut costs by consolidating information to a single, cloud-like environment. Cloudians geo-distributed architecture manages and protects object and file data at the edge, core, and in the cloud, for both traditional and modern applications. Learn more at cloudian.com. Parking management industry company Smart Parking has applauded its progress in FY24, delivering record results, and is looking forward to delivering continued growth and a strong performance in FY25. The company today released its full FY24 results with July revenue of $5.5m, an increase of 34% on the PCP. Results highlighted by Smart Parking reveal included Group revenue of $54.3m1 (up 21%) Adjusted EBITDA of $14.7m2 (up 28%) Adjusted EBITDA margin of 27%2 (up 150 bps) Growth in global parking breach notices up 22% Growth in APAC/Germany parking breach notices up 271% Adjusted Free cashflow of $12.2m3 (up 40%) 1,424 total group ANPR sites under management Cash of $7.2m to self-fund organic growth, expansion into new territories, and complementary acquisition opportunities Organic growth complemented by 2 acquisitions in the UK and Germany. Denmark operations commenced in January 2024 Paul Gillespie, Smart Parking Group CEO said the companys key focus remains to deliver 1,500 sites by December 2024 and it is on track to exceed this milestone. Our growth strategy remains intact, and with our balance sheet and positive cash flow we're well capitalised to take advantage of organic and inorganic opportunities as they arise. I look forward continuing to update our shareholders on positive progress in the near future, and would like to thank our Global team for their outstanding contributions over the year, Gillespie concluded. Click here to view Smart Parking's full result presentation. [Provisional translation] On August 30th, commencing at 2:10 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call by the delegation led by Senator William Hagerty, United States Senate. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the delegation on their visit to Japan. He also expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the U.S. Congress for the Japan-U.S. relationship. Prime Minister Kishida reiterated that the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship as global partners remains unwavering and he intends to continue working to ensure and strengthen peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international society. The attending Senators agreed with this point. Both sides exchanged views on regional issues, including China and responses to North Korea, including the abductions issue, as well as common challenges for Japan and the U.S. such as economic security. They also reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Japan and the U.S., as well as the network of like-minded countries centered around Japan and the U.S. The attending Senators expressed their high appreciation for Prime Minister Kishida's leadership in strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and in promoting a Free and Open Indo-pacific, and conveyed their expectations for the further development of Japan-U.S. relations. [Reference] U.S. Senators who took part in the courtesy call (1) Senator William F. Bill Hagerty IV (RepublicanTennessee) (2) Senator John Thune (RepublicanSouth Dakota) (3) Senator Chris Coons (DemocratDelaware) (4) Senator Gary C. Peters (DemocratMichigan) (5) Senator Daniel S. Sullivan (DemocratAlaska) (6) Senator Eric Schmitt (RepublicanMissouri) (7) Senator Katie Britt (RepublicanAlabama) (Photo courtesy of SANRIO CO., LTD.) This year, Japans iconic Hello Kitty turns 50! To celebrate, a limited-time anniversary cafe is coming to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Diners can toast the London girls 50th birthday (Nov. 1) early with cute sweets, drinks and eats inside an impressively decorated space perfect for social media pics. According to a release about the cafe, fans can enjoy a two-tiered afternoon tea set with small bites (6,590 yen) and beverages, a Hello Kitty-inspired sandwich (1,690 yen), a pasta dish with red bow-shaped pasta (1,690 yen), and cream rice topped with an apple-shaped ketchup rice (1,690 yen). The dessert menu features a Hello Kitty face pancake (1,590 yen), a birthday cake parfait (1,490 yen) and character-inspired sodas and coffee (starting at 990 yen). Special merch like themed keychains, drinkware and stickers will also be on sale at the cafe and online. The Tokyo cafe runs Sept. 13 - Oct. 27; Osakas runs Sept. 13 - Oct. 20 and the Nagoya cafe runs Sept. 20 - Oct. 27. Reservations for parties of four people or less are now open online and require an advanced payment of 660 yen per person. If you cant get a reservation, dont worry! The cafe will also have walk-in reservations each day and a limited take-out menu available. Dont miss the opportunity to enjoy some of Japans kawaii (cute) culture and kawaii foods while celebrating one of its most recognizable icons! (Photo courtesy of SANRIO CO., LTD.) Tokyo at BOX cafe&space SHIBUYA109 Address: 2-23-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; B2F floor of Shibuya 109 building Date and time: Sept. 13 Oct. 27, 10:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Osaka at BOX cafe&space KITTE Osaka 2nd store Address: 3-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka; 6th floor of the Kitte Building Date and time: Sept. 13 Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nagoya at BOX cafe&space Nagoya Lachic 1st store Address: 3-6-1 Naka, Nagoya, Aichi; B1F of the Lachic Building Dates: Sept. 20 Oct. 27, 11:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Reservation fee: 600 yen (660 yen including tax) *Reservation benefits included *Up to 4 seats can be reserved per application. Reservations website Online store The Social Security system is created not only to help people after retirement, but also to help them throughout life. The benefits take the place of wages. But there are benefits when workers are disabled as well as when one retires. There are two main disability programs that may provide benefits. First, there are disability insurance benefits. These are for disabled workers and certain dependents who have worked enough generally five out of the last 10 years to obtain the number of credits required to be eligible for benefits. In addition to the length of time, one must also have earned a certain amount of money each year. Theres also supplemental security income, a public-assistance program. These benefits are needs based on the Medicaid criteria. Benefits are awarded to people with disabilities, people 65 and over and visually-impaired individuals who have income and resources below specific amounts. The Social Security Act defines disability as the inability to perform substantial gainful activity for at least 12 continuous months by reason of physical and/or mental impairment. This can mean an impairment that has kept you out for a year or is likely to keep you out for a year. Age, education, past relevant work experience, years worked and salary received are taken into consideration. There are several disabilities that may allow you to receive benefits. Some examples are: breathing problems, chronic heart disease, obesity, mental health issues (depression or schizophrenia, for example), blindness and deafness among many others. The issue is whether one or any combination of mental health and physical issues prevent you from working. The application process is long and frustrating, usually taking over two years from the time you file to the time you receive benefits if you prevail. A case can be resolved at any one of three stages. But if you are denied at any point, you MUST appeal in the time allotted or your case starts over again unless you have good cause. Good cause is not freely granted. Heres a look at the stages: Initial application (first level): This can be done over the phone by contacting the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov/disability). It will take three months to hear from the agency. A substantial number of claims are denied initially. Reconsideration (second level): This is an appeal of the initial denial, and it involves filling out a form provided by the Social Security Administration. This will take another few months. Many claims are also denied at this level. Hearings (third level): This is often the most important stage. Federal judges in Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte hold hearings. Medical evidence, along with letters from doctors, is essential to a favorable result. You may be eligible for back benefits, which take the place of wages for the time you were waiting. If you cannot work in the future, you may be able to receive benefits for the remainder of your life. Should you hire an attorney? Attorneys are not required, but they can be helpful. If you are uncertain, consider contacting the North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (919-677-8574). A knowledgeable attorney will consult with you for no more than $50. But if you have been denied benefits and you must go to a hearing (third level), it probably makes sense to think seriously about hiring one. Remember: An informed choice is a smart choice. Harris and bail money One of the smears directed at Kamala Harris is that she encouraged or made contributions to a bail fund for protesters charged with causing property damage in Minneapolis following George Floyds murder. Apparently, this is supposed to mean that she wanted to free criminals and/or is soft on crime. Folks should remember that bail is set or denied by a judge (not Harris!) prior to trial when the accused is still presumed innocent. Being admitted to bail is not the same as being able to post bail, however. Too many cant afford to buy their freedom while awaiting trial. According to my AI search, nearly half a million people in the U.S. are currently being detained awaiting trial; more than 60% of this total are detained because they cant afford to post bail. Hard to salute the presumption of innocence if you can be jailed before conviction for lack of money. Hard to salute a justice system that effectively criminalizes poverty. We hear a lot about crimes committed by someone while out on bail. Rarely do the media focus on the more prevalent outrage of people, unlike Donald Trump, who are unable to pay for their release pending trial. Instead, they are subjected to the humiliation and horrors of jail unless they plead guilty just to get out. Punishment should be reserved for those, like Trump, who are actually found guilty. Raising bail money for persons presumed innocent should be applauded. It is the disingenuous smear that deserves condemnation. Steve Fletcher Lexington The GOP and guns Notably absent from the GOPs national convention in July was any serious discussion of Americas continuing epidemic of gun violence. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 42,888 Americans died in gun-related deaths last year, including murders, accidental shootings and homicides considered legally justified. Homicide deaths reached 18,798 and suicides by gun totaled 24,090. There were also 36,357 people injured by guns. Firearms surpassed motor vehicle crashes to become the leading cause of death among children and teenagers for the first time in 2020 and the remains so. Of the 6,192 children and teenagers under 18 who were shot in 2023, more than 1,600 died, most of them in homicides. Democrats made gun violence one of the centerpieces of their convention, allowing survivors of mass shootings to recount their harrowing experiences. Their platform champions sensible policies that the majority of Americans support, such as national universal background checks and red flag laws; a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; safe storage of guns; and an end to the gun industrys immunity from liability. Even after narrowly escaping the attempt on his life, Donald Trump has vowed he will appoint federal judges who will oppose new firearms limits while his MAGA cronies have said they are adamantly against any reform of U.S. gun laws. Once again, the paragons of law and order have shown us they are the gun lobbys lackeys and that they place a much greater value on the right to own and use a firearm than they do on human life. Tim Miles Mount Airy Mark his words After reading the Journals quotation of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons distressed statement regarding Attorney General Josh Steins talking about what I said on Facebook 10 years ago, one thing seems apparent to me: Robinson was not paying attention decades ago when he was first told, Your words can come back to bite you. Peter Connor Clemmons Musk, Gabbard, now Kennedy Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offer some insight on what is at stake this November. Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran, former Democratic representative from Hawaii, vice chair of the DNC, Bernie Sanders backer (in 2016), and then presidential candidate, describes our international situation under the Biden-Harris administration: This administration has us facing multiple wars on multiple fronts in regions around the world and closer to the brink of nuclear war than we ever have been before. This is one of the main reasons why Im committed to doing all that I can to send President Trump back to the White House ... . When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr endorsed Trump, he described the modern Democratic Party as the party of war, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big ag and big money. He could have added and party of big lawfare. It deployed DNC-aligned judges to throw me and other candidates off the ballot, and to throw President Trump in jail, Kennedy said. Elon Musk considers himself historically a moderate Democrat. But a few days ago he declared: I fully endorse President Trump. Tom Shuford Lenoir OPENING Afraid. A digital family assistant called AIA takes over a family, making sure nothing gets in their way in this horror film that was not screened in advance for critics. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). City of Dreams. A young Mexican boy is trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop in downtown Los Angeles where he has to fight for his life and that of his friend in this thiller that was not screened in time for Ground Zero deadlines. R. (Grand). Reagan. Dennis Quaid stars in this biopic of Ronald Reagan that takes him from small-town Illinois to Hollywood, politics and the presidency. It was not screened in advance for critics. (Grand). Touch. This moving, if predictable, film is a touching literary adaptation of the story of an elderly Icelandic man who, facing dementia, leaves home to try to find the Japanese woman who left him 50 years ago without a word. R (Ross). Grade: B+ Widow Clicquot. This well-executed biopic tells the story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who, after the death of her husband, took over his winery and became one of France's first entrepreneurs. R. (Ross). Grade: B ONGOING Alien: Romulus. This latest "Alien" entry is one of the best films in the sci-fi series that uses bits of the previous six "Alien" movies to tell a standalone story that is gory, scary and ultimately triumphant. R. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe). Grade: A Blink Twice. Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut stars Channing Tatum as a toxic tech bro in this horror mystery. R. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B Coraline 15th Anniversary. The stop-motion animated classic brings the plucky young heroine back to theaters for her scary adventure that hits for both adults and kids. PG. (Grand). Grade: A The Crow. Bill Skarsgaard steps into the role of the Crow in this dreary reimagining of the graphic novel. R. (Grand, Edgewood). Grade: D Deadpool & Wolverine. The team-up of Deadpool and Wolverine will likely amuse its target audience of comic book geeks and the terminally online, but it's a whole lot of hot air. R. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: C Despicable Me 4. This silly and breezy installment of the Minions series passes by with about as much to remember as a Saturday morning cartoon. PG. (Edgewood). Grade: C The Forge. A recent high school graduate is pushed by his mother and a successful businessman to find a better course for his life in this faith-based film. PG. (Grand). Grade: B Inside Out 2. The sequel to the 2015 Pixar hit that adds anxiety to the emotions inside a girl's head feels like an educational childrens book, failing to impart anything insightful to an adult audience. PG. (Grand). Grade: B It Ends With Us. Blake Lively stars as a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood, chases her lifelong dream, and falls in love with a charming neurosurgeon in this bungled adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: C Strange Darling. This cat-and-mouse drama about the tail end of a murder spree flips the script on the serial killer genre, becoming the cleverest thriller of its kind in a while. R. (Grand). Grade: B Twisters. This sequel to the 1996 summer blockbuster is bigger, beefier and wildly entertaining, expanding on the tornado-tossed world introduced in the first film. PG-13. (Grand, East Park, Edgewood, SouthPointe). Grade: B+ 1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them. 2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound. 3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes. 4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic. Vote View Results Outside the La Crosse Center where former president Donald Trump hosted a town hall event, downtown La Crosse visitors ran into few issues getting around and enjoying an irregular evening. If anything, some businesses had slower foot traffic days than usual. With most people downtown standing in line to enter the arena instead of walking around, lines at restaurants and stores remained fairly normal. I had no issues today. Pretty smooth and organized, but still kind of, you know, wild, said Jason Wilter as he carried two ice cream cones from Pearl Street Ice Cream to his family waiting in line for the event. A Viking Cruises ship was expected to land at Riverside Park for a long afternoon in La Crosse, but the Secret Service instructed the ship to leave early. Moon Tunes organizers also canceled their 3:45 p.m. pre-show in response to the Secret Service order. Regular shows kicked off as planned at 5:30 p.m. I thought it would be way far worse to still do this tonight, Tanna Dillain from La Crosse said. Its a beautiful night out no matter whats going on. By the time the music started, most of the Trump events visitors had dispersed from the park. The line to get inside the La Crosse Center snaked down to the riverfront at peak points in the afternoon. Staff at the Radisson Hotel were positioned in their parking lot to hand out water bottles for people who got dehydrated standing in line as temperatures reached 86 degrees with high dewpoints pushing the heat index to 92 around 5 p.m. Several parking lots along 2nd Street took advantage of the event and charged visitors small fees to stay close to the venue. La Crosse Center organizers closed event doors close to 5:30 p.m., and visitors who did not get inside left the area quickly. Tickets were free, so many who didnt get inside were not bitter about being cut off. I mean, eh, its alright, I just hope he takes a bigger place nearby soon so I can see him, Rodger Manet said as he walked away from the venue. Traffic did see several swells throughout the day. Attendees were told to show up no later than 2 p.m. when the doors opened, and traffic hit a high point around then. Traffic surged again around 8 p.m. as the event ended. La Crosse police officer Trenton Bowe has provided security for presidential political rallies in town for 13 years, from Barack Obama to Kamala Harris and Trump. He said they always go pretty smoothly, but things had the potential to get rowdy when night falls as attendees leave the venue. An Assyrian Priest in Southern Russia An American of Assyrian descent came to Russia to take up the offer of becoming the priest of an Orthodox Assyrian parish and ended up founding a new homeland there. Before moving to Russia, Ephraim Alkhas and his wife Helen "wandered" through google maps around the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and chose a house on the Internet. In one photo, they noticed an Assyrian flag on the wall... They decided that it was fate and bought this very house. They moved to Rostov-on-Don a year ago with their four daughters, 17 suitcases and a dog. Now, they all speak fluent Russian, drive a Lada 'Granta' and have another dog. Why Russia? In California, Ephraim was a priest in the Assyrian Church of the East. In 2016, he traveled to Russia for the first time, as he was sent to establish communication with the Russian Orthodox Church. Later, he returned several more times, visiting Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don and Saransk. "I got to know the country, talked to Assyrians living there and saw that life here is good," says Ephraim. A year ago, the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church sent Ephraim to lead an Orthodox Assyrian parish in Russia. "I was very happy about the move. I already understood Russia and had fallen in love with it," he says. He also loved Rostov-on-Don, "a free, multinational city". Differences of cultures Ephraim also had personal reasons for moving. His ancestors were immigrants from Iran with Assyrian roots. His parents were Christians and moved to the United States when the 1979 Islamic Revolution occurred in Iran. Ephraim was born in California, but spoke Assyrian language at home, preserving the culture. The church was the center of life for him and his family prayed every day. That's why he became a priest. "My parents chose the U.S., because it seemed like a good Christian country in those days," he explains. But, over the past 30 years, Ephraim has developed many political and cultural grievances with the country. "There are many nationalities in Russia - Russian, Dagestani, Yakut - and everyone keeps their own culture. In America, there are many of them, too, but there is the idea of a melting pot. This means that cultures should and will be pressed into one common hamburger," he says. Ephraim, on the other hand, feels that his mission is not only to preserve his culture, but also to pass on the "ancient knowledge" of his ethnic people. His wife, Helen, for example, is a teacher by education and plans to teach Russian children the Assyrian language. The Moscow-Rostov train & the first days in Russia The family traveled from Moscow to the southern city of Rostov by train, in the 'platzkart' class. And they were extremely surprised that, for all 16 hours, all 54 passengers aboard behaved extremely cultured and quiet and the WC was always clean. Russian life did, however, begin with some problems with documents. Ephraim lamented that the Russian language and Russian documents were two huge challenges. Thanks to the help of the local church diocese, he got a temporary residence permit fairly quickly. But, he was surprised that a lot of people take several years to get their documents done (On September 1, 2024, the rules for obtaining a temporary residence permit will change and it will be possible to get it without passing a Russian language exam. Read more here -- Russia Beyond). "If a Canadian, American or European wants to move [to Russia], he is not coming for a couple of years, but he would embrace Russia as a homeland, buy an apartment or a house here, work, pay taxes. It is incomprehensible why migration cases are so complicated," says Efrem. Impressions about the Russians Helen has German roots, but, after marrying Ephraim, she adopted Assyrian culture as her native one. The move to Russia was not accepted by Helen's parents and they no longer talk to their daughter. "Many Americans have an opinion of Russians as unfriendly and unhappy people. And I thought there would be some negativity from Russians towards us as Americans in return. But, I saw nothing like that! Honestly, I was amazed how open and prejudice-free Russians are," says Helen. Main advantages of living in Russia Many Russians are surprised that Americans have come to live in Russia. But, in Ephraim's opinion, they just don't understand the benefits of living there. For his family, the most important advantage has been free kindergartens, medicine and education. "For ten years in the U.S., my wife did not receive as much treatment as she got [in Russia] in one appointment. She got a big checkup and everything she couldn't cure for years was fixed," the priest says. In the U.S., their daughters were home-schooled; education there is either very expensive in private institutions or not very good. Besides, it didn't suit them ideologically. In Russia, the girls go to kindergartens and schools for free. But, there is one thing that the Alkhas family are not yet used to: "I miss the open area in front of the house. There, you can see all the neighbors, say 'Hi!' and 'Bye!' but everyone has high fences [in Russia] and it's uncomfortable for me that I don't know who lives on the street." Tsarist money & ties to Russia In Ephraim's house, on the wall next to the pictures of his family, money from Tsarist Russia can be found. They were given to the priest by his father. "The money was found in the pockets of my great-grandfather. He lived in the south of the Russian Empire: in Rostov or in Armavir. His family moved to Russia during the genocide in Iran when his great-grandfather was two years old. He studied there, got married, then lived in Kharkov, participated in the White Movement [during the Civil War in Russia] and, finally, fled back to Iran. I looked for his Russian story, but the documents weren't preserved. Only these tsarist rubles. This money ran away from Russia and, after more than a hundred years, came back," he proudly boasts. The full version of the interview was published in Russian in the Nation magazine. On 29 August Colombias Foreign Ministersaid that he approved of a meeting the previous day between his predecessor(2022-2024) and Venezuelas President, which Murillo said was aimed at ensuring peace following Venezuelas disputed 28 July presidential election. End of preview - This article contains approximately 591 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 29 August a 24-hour deadline passed for, the owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), to comply with an order from Brazils supreme court (STF) to appoint a legal representative in the country. End of preview - This article contains approximately 389 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options It is after midnight when the windshield fogs up on Thomas Aycocks pickup truck. He smiles as he slowly drives through the sawgrass and down dirt roads deep in the Florida Everglades. His foggy windshield confirms what he knows. When the dew point drops in the middle of the night, it is perfect time for pythons. I catch more pythons when that happens, Aycock said. The retired U.S. Army veteran always takes part in the Florida Python Challenge. The wildlife commission runs the 10-day event. The aim is to get people interested in finding and catching the snakes. There is a reason for the timing of the event. Pythons usually hatch from their eggs each August before finding their way into the swamp. Aycock works for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He has hunted Burmese pythons in the Everglades for 11 years. Aycok loves snakes. And he loves preserving the Everglades. He understands the greater ecological issue with these pythons. The invasive Burmese pythons are doing very well in Floridas preserved wetlands. Pythons have no natural predators. And they are threatening Floridas native snakes and mammals. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates tens of thousands live in South Florida. The snakes are destroying local wildlife. In one 2012 study, the USGS found that populations of raccoons had declined by 99.3 percent, opossums by 98.9 percent and bobcats by 87.5 percent since the early 2000s. Controlling this hungry snake, scientists say, is a critical goal. More than 600 hunters took part in this years challenge. Their goal is to beat last years top total of 209 pythons killed. The hunter who kills the most wins $10,000. The competition is designed to create understanding about Floridas python problem. It has succeeded in doing that. The event has drawn famous people and has led to some reality television shows. But the need for python control remains urgent. Since 2017, Florida has been paying about 100 contractors to catch the snakes year-round. That project is shared by the wildlife agency and the South Florida Water Management District. Through 2023, more than 18,000 pythons have been removed from the wild. Contractors like Aycock have removed about 11,000. The pay is average. Hunting along backroads pays $13 an hour. Walking through the swamp pays $18 an hour. Contractors also get paid per snake: $50 for the first 1.2 meters in length, plus more for longer snakes. Youre not going to make a living doing this full-time. Theres no way you could do it, Aycock said. Florida does not permit hunters to use firearms to kill pythons. Catching them is a hands-on exercise. Aycock goes into the wetlands to check on known hatching spots and grabs at them when he can. But mostly he drives down empty roads at night, shining a strong light into the swamps. He says these bug-filled drives help his mental health. Sometimes he brings along fellow members of the Swamp Apes, a mental health non-profit organization for veterans. The group catches invasive snakes in the wild, clears overgrown areas, and works toward environmental preservation. The groups founder, Tom Rahill, is also a snake hunting contractor. He knows the swamp so well that he can smell a pythons musk odor. He says he can feel when a snake is near. There is an art to catching a snake, the hunters say. The methods change from hunter to hunter. Some use a snake hook and then jump on them before putting them into bags. Rahill likes using his hands -- if the snake is calm enough. Instead of jumping on the snake, you just kind of gently get up to it and then just pick it up, he said. But the snakes are not always calm. Sometimes a hunter needs a helper to keep the snake uncoiled until it calms down and can be contained to prevent escape. Once the snakes are caught, the hunters have 24 hours to take them to the wildlife agency. It is illegal for any person other than a licensed contractor to transport a live, invasive snake. Aycock takes them home first to be humanely killed. Thats the part of the job that I really just ... hate, he said. I hate having to kill snakes. Im Anna Matteo. Stephany Matat reported this story for The Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________ Words in This Story fog (up) v. when small particles of water floating in the atmosphere are near the ground and on surfaces hatch v. to emerge from an egg, chrysalis, or pupa swamp n. wet spongy land often partly covered with water invasive adj. tending to spread especially in a quick or aggressive manner: such as preserved v. to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction predator n. an animal that obtains food mostly by killing and eating other animals native adj. living or growing naturally in a particular region contractor n. a person who contracts to perform work or provide supplies at a certain price or within a certain time coiled v. to wind into or lie in loops, rings, or a spiral : uncoiled v. to unwind from a coil and become straight licensed adj. having permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful President Xi Jinping met with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan yesterday 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 yesterday 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-U.S. relations have changed greatly, Chinas goal of being committed to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. 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 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 theater 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, Chinas top diplomat, 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. The White House statement said Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Sullivan met with Chinas vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, yesterday morning (see text on this page). 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 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 Washingtons commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific allies. 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 U.S. 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 Chinas trade policies and nonmarket economic practices, the White House said. Wang demanded that 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 As the new school year approaches, transportation officials are preparing for an influx of students. It is anticipated that around 77,000 students will resume their studies on September 2, with a cumulative total of 88,000 expected by September 4. To accommodate the surge, the government is making changes to public transportation services. During a recent radio forum, Mok Soi Tou, acting director of the Traffic Management Department of the Transport Bureau (DSAT), outlined proactive measures being taken to ensure smooth transportation for students. The government has coordinated with two major bus companies to provide adjusted schedules and enhanced services, including the addition of special routes and the deployment of extra personnel at key bus stations. Mo urged residents to familiarize themselves with traffic conditions and consider using public transportation to prevent congestion. He also emphasized the importance of parking legally, urging parents to avoid illegal parking that could disrupt traffic flow near schools. Wong Chi Wang, a senior officer of the Public Security Polices (PSP) Traffic Department, reiterated the need for strict enforcement against illegal parking. Designated drop-off and pick-up areas will be established around schools, and inspections will be conducted to ensure safety. In anticipation of potential traffic challenges, the bureau has established a joint command center to manage emergencies during the first days of school. Enhanced bus services will include a 25% to 30% increase in frequency during peak hours, with 40 additional buses operating daily in the opening week. Notably, a new special bus route, 2A (2AS), will run between the Areia Preta Health Center and Lisboa Hotel during morning peak hours. As per the latest data available (2022), the trade relationship between China and Argentina remains robust, reflecting significant economic interactions between the two nations. Here are some of the main trade statistics, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity: Trade Volume: The total trade volume between China and Argentina in 2022 was substantial, with China continuing to be one of Argentinas most important trading partners. The trade volume was approximately $24 billion. Exports from Argentina to China: Argentinas exports to China primarily consist of agricultural products and raw materials. The key exports include soybeans, beef, and wine. Argentinas exports to China were valued at around $8-10 billion. Soybeans and soybean products alone accounted for a significant portion of this, making up the bulk of the export value. Imports from China to Argentina: Argentina imports a wide range of goods from China, including electronics, machinery, textiles, and manufactured products. In 2022, Argentinas imports from China were valued at approximately $14-16 billion, with a strong emphasis on electronics and machinery. Trade Balance: Argentina has a trade deficit with China, meaning it imports more from China than it exports. This trade deficit was in the range of $6-8 billion in 2022. Investment: Beyond trade, China has also been a significant investor in Argentina, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture sectors. Chinese companies have been involved in various projects, including the construction of dams, railways, and investments in the lithium industry. Analysis Argentine companies are increasingly seeking to establish business connections with Chinas largest production hub, driven by the deepening of Chinas economic reforms and the ongoing opening of its market. For them, the southern province of Guangdong stands out as a significant region for its immense productive and commercial importance. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which has been the powerhouse of Chinas economy for over 35 years, exemplifies this potential. With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) approaching two trillion dollarsequivalent to four to five times Argentinas GDPthis development zone presents vast opportunities for Argentine businesses. In light of this potential, Eastern representatives in Argentina recently organized two major events aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations, CE Noticias Financieras has reported. The events, Guangdong Day and the presentation of the Guangdong Fair, were organized by the Argentine-Chinese Chamber, the Guangdong Representative Office in Argentina (CCPIT Guangdong), the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Argentina, ICBC Bank, and the ICBC Foundation. Companies from Cordoba were invited by the Foreign Trade Chamber of Cordoba to participate in a virtual seminar that provided insights on participating in the 136th edition of the Canton Fair, as well as mechanisms for establishing profitable business contacts. During Guangdong Day, held this month in Buenos Aires, numerous Argentine companies and representatives from other Latin American countries gathered to discuss the vast potential of Guangdong province. This event was organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) of Guangdong, the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Argentina, the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Production, Industry, and Commerce (CACPIC), in collaboration with the School of Government of Universidad Austral. Luo Qiaoyang, the Guangdong Economic and Trade Representative, opened the event by highlighting the importance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He emphasized its technological, industrial, and labor advantages, which position it as a global hub for technology and innovation, as well as a business-friendly region. Luo underscored the significance of the Canton Fair a biennial event held in April and mid-October which he described as the pioneering event in Chinas journey of economic opening. He noted that the fair continues to innovate and remains a key reference point for international trade with China. Business representatives, including Mario Trujillo from In Trade, emphasized Chinas growing interest in Latin American markets and the development of e-commerce platforms that facilitate faster and more efficient trade. Trujillo highlighted the increasing presence of Latin American companies at the Canton Fair and the expansion of CCPIT offices, which have made it easier for businesses to establish connections with Chinese counterparts. These events and discussions underscore the strategic importance of Guangdong province for Argentine companies looking to tap into Chinas vast market, particularly as Chinas economic reforms and openness continue to create new opportunities for international trade. MDT/Agencies On The Agenda Chinese businessmen have proposed the development of a business district around Manila Bay, modeled after the successful Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. This initiative aims to strengthen economic ties and create opportunities in innovation, high technology, new energy, and sustainability for the Philippines, according to Philippine media reports this week. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce-Hong Kong, suggested establishing a Greater Bay Area of Cavite, Bataan, and Zambales, with Manila Bay as its focal point. Speaking at the Manila Forum for Philippines-China Relations, Choi expressed the hope that the Philippines would create a similar GBA to stimulate growth in the region. This presents an exciting opportunity for the Philippines to leverage the GBAs success and create a dynamic economic zone that fosters innovation, trade, and investment, Choi said. He emphasized the potential for expanding trade, particularly in electronics and textiles, which align with the Philippines export strengths. Raul Lambino, chairman of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding, highlighted the significant benefits the Philippines could gain from closer collaboration with China. He noted the potential for millions of Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines, boosting job creation and the economy. Before the pandemic, China was the top source of international travelers to the Philippines, with over 1.7 million visitors in 2019. Lambino also pointed out that planned infrastructure projects, such as the Bataan, Cavite, and Manila Bridge, similar to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, would further enhance connectivity and economic activity. In 2023, China remained a top trading partner for the Philippines, with bilateral trade exceeding $40 billion. MDT Rio de Janeiro already notorious for street muggings, corrupt politicians, ruthless militias and Kalashnikov-toting drug traffickers has a new public enemy: plushies. Or, more specifically, the joystick-controlled claw machines that dispense them. Yesterday, Rio police 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 are games of chance just like slot machines and therefore illegal, according to their press office. Officers seized claw machines, laptops, tablets, cell phones, a firearm and yes furry friends. They are investigating whether organized crime groups may be the invisible hand behind the claw because they already run slot machines and a popular lottery known as Animal Game across the city. Police in Brazils southern Santa Catarina state carried out an additional three search warrants Wednesday as part of the same operation. It marked the second such police crackdown, following another in May during which officers apprehended 80 machines. Not only were those machines stocked with counterfeit plushies, but subsequent analysis of their programming found winning pulls were permitted only after a set number of attempts, police said in their statement. Facilitating such sporadic, successful snags is an electrical current to the otherwise enfeebled claw so it holds fast to its prize, the statement said. That programming isnt disclosed to naive users, including children liable to blow their pocket money on whats effectively a crap shoot. Claw machines can be found in Rios shopping malls, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades and toy stores. Among Rios claw aficionados is Alessandra Libonatti, 41, who has played for nearly three decades. She remembers the machines causing a stir when they first appeared in the city; she had only seen them before in movies. These days she tends to play once a week, whether alone or at the mall with friends who share her peculiar hobby. She likes the low-investment adrenaline rush and, by her own account, shes a talented clawmaster who has honed her techniques to maximize success, from scouting the stuffed animal landscape to precise positioning of the claw. She treasures a manatee with jaguar spots that she pulled in on a trip to the nations capital with friends. When I pass by a machine, I give it a look to see if theres a stuffed animal that makes it worth it to play, she told The Associated Press. Because its not always worth it; sometimes its clearly a waste of money. MDT/AP A Hong Kong court convicted two former editors of a shuttered news outlet yesterday, in a sedition case that is widely seen as a barometer for the future of media freedom in the city. 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. Their sedition trial was Hong Kongs first involving media since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Stand News was one of the citys 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 tabloid, 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 and a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $640) for a first offense. Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd., the outlets holding company, was convicted on the same charge. It had no representatives during the trial, which began in October 2022. Chung appeared calm after the verdict was handed down, while Lam did not appear in court. Defense lawyer Audrey Eu read out a mitigation statement from Lam, who said Stand News reporters sought to run a news outlet with fully independent editorial standards. The only way for journalists to defend press freedom is reporting, Eu quoted Lam saying. Dozens of residents and reporters lined up to secure a seat for the hearing, which began an hour late. The delivery of the verdict was delayed several times for reasons including awaiting the appeal outcome of another landmark sedition case. Resident Kevin Ng, who was among the first in the line, said he used to be a reader of Stand News and has been following the trial. Ng, 28, said he read less news after its shutdown, feeling the city has lost some critical voices. He said if the editors were found guilty, he would have complex feelings. They reported the truth, they defended press freedom, said Ng, who works in risk management industry. Judge Kwok Wai-kin found that 11 of the 17 articles in question carried seditious intent, according to a press summary. He noted the intense political atmosphere at the time of their publication, when many residents were dissatisfied with or opposed to the governments of Hong Kong and China. The articles included 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. Other articles included interviews with three participants in a primary election organized by the pro-democracy camp in 2020, and commentaries by Law and veteran journalists Allan Au and Chan Pui-man. Chan is also Chungs wife. The court ruled that interviews with Law and Hui did not carry seditious intention because they only touched on the political views and the status of the interviewees, the summary said. Two of the interviews with the primary participants were also not seditious due to similar reasons, but the judge deemed a third one had the intent of inciting hatred against the authorities. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP The Standing Committee on Social Coordination has convened its third plenary meeting to review the maximum amount of monthly basic compensation used to calculate termination compensation under the Labor Relations Law. The government suggested raising the cap on the monthly salary used to determine workers compensation from the current MOP21,000 to MOP21,500. Annually, this change would increase compensation from MOP252,000 to MOP258,000. Wong Chi Hong, director of the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), explained that the governments proposal was made after taking into account the overall economic situation from April 2021 to April 2023, the fact that the median monthly salary of employees will remain at MOP20,000, and the development and affordability of employers. He also factored in affordability for employers and that a MOP500 monthly compensation bump would cover over 60% of employees or more than 80% at small and medium companies. We have taken into consideration the overall situation, including the overall economic situation and the median wages in Macau, which remains at around MOP20,000. We have also taken into consideration the employers affordability. So after a comprehensive of factors, we have decided this time to propose a raise of MOP500, said Wong, as cited in a TDM report. Meanwhile, the governments proposal has received mixed reactions from representatives. Vice president of the Macau Chamber of Commerce, Wong Kuok Seng, did not agree with the relevant adjustments and hoped to maintain the status quo. He pointed out that many small- and medium-sized enterprises still need the government to support the community economy through various channels to overcome difficulties, and the relevant adjustments may be difficult to win the sympathy of the industrial and commercial circles, especially small, medium and micro enterprises. We feel that amending the law to raise the upper limit of compensation at this time may not gain the resonance of the industrial and commercial community, especially small, medium and micro enterprises. Moreover, after the increase, the coverage rate of workers that will benefit from the measure will only slightly increase, said Wong. Fong Ka Fai, vice president of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, recommended that the government enhance its efforts in reviewing the law to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of employees. The law states that there should be a review on the labor relations law every two years. As you can see, this review has been taking place for more than four years, he argued. Further, DSAL head stated that he hopes that the government will submit the text of the bill to amend the Labor Relations Law to the Legislative Assembly as soon as possible, hoping to pass it and implement it as quickly as possible. Victoria Chan On the first day of the Chief Executive election nomination process yesterday, lawyer Lei Wun Kong, representing Sam Hou Fai, collected the candidacy form. He arrived at the Public Administration Building at 9:44 a.m. to officially initiate the candidacy, which requires at least 66 signatures from Electoral Commission members. In a press statement, Lei emphasized the aim of gathering as many signatures as possible. Sam already declared his intention to run for a sixth term Wednesday. We will move forward with the candidacy process as swiftly and orderly as possible. At the same time, we will consult with Electoral Commission members per the Electoral Law to gather the maximum number of signatures, he stated. Related A top Chinese military officer, in a rare meeting with a visiting American official, demanded yesterday 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 Chinas 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. 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. 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. MDT/Ap Tour groups have seen remarkable growth in Macau, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). In July 2024, inbound package tour visitors surged by 66.1% year-on-year to reach 188,000, with visitors from mainland China increasing by 68.9% to 171,000. International tour visitors also rose by 30.5% to 13,000, with significant jumps from the Republic of Korea (up 152.8% to 5,000) and India (up 712.5% to 2,000). For the first seven months of 2024, total inbound package tour visitors hit 1,173,000, a striking 146.0% increase compared to the previous year. Visitors from mainland China accounted for 1,036,000, a 129.6% rise, while international visitors soared by 464.2% to 118,000. In July, 66,000 residents opted for outbound services through travel agencies, marking a 48.9% increase. The number of residents traveling on package tours jumped 169.7% to 32,000, with 29,000 heading to mainland China. Over the first seven months, outbound services purchased by residents rose by 48.5% to 322,000. The citys hotel sector also expanded, with 144 establishments by the end of July, an increase of 12 year-on-year. Available guest rooms rose by 1.8% to 45,000. While the average occupancy rate dipped slightly to 88.4%, it remains robust, especially in five-star hotels (91.9%). In July, hotel guests totaled 1,227,000, reflecting 98.0% of pre-pandemic levels. LV Authorities were called to UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison early Thursday afternoon after a person was reported on the roof of the hospital. The 200 block of South Park Street was closed temporarily just after noon when "a community member attempted to harm themselves on our premises," Meriter said in a statement. "Thanks to the swift action of 15 courageous Meriter team members as well as our local first responders, the individual was brought to safety," the hospital said. The hospital declined to provide further information about the person or how the person was able to access the roof. Data shows severe depression is most prevalent among teens Data shows severe depression is most prevalent among teens Teens face a mental health crisis exacerbated by social media, climate change, and COVID-19 How drugs and alcohol play a role What's being done to support teen mental health After more than six years of legal arguments, Chrystul Kizer, who was 17 years old when she shot and killed the man who sexually abused her, was sentenced Aug. 19 to serve 11 years in prison for the crime of reckless homicide. While her case attracted the attention of national media and the Wisconsin Supreme Court, it ended, as most cases do, with a guilty plea instead of a jury trial. No citizen will even have the chance to pass judgment on whether Kizer was justified in killing her abuser, even though the Wisconsin Supreme Court granted her the right to present that defense at trial. No prosecutor will have to stand before 12 ordinary citizens and explain to them why they should convict her of intentional homicide, even though the law affords victims of sex trafficking immunity from crimes that are committed as a direct result of sex trafficking. Like most defendants, Kizer pleaded guilty to a lesser offense than what was originally charged, a practice known as plea bargaining and one which has become the norm in our criminal legal system. Though our Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial, prosecutors and judges engage in practices that have made jury trials the rare exception instead of the rule. Last year, less than 3% of felony charges and less than 1% of misdemeanor charges ended with a jury trial. One way in which prosecutors and judges discourage people from exercising their right to a jury trial is through pretrial detention, mainly by setting unreasonable cash bail. While the U.S. Supreme Court has found that the use of cash bail is a form of wealth-based discrimination, prosecutors routinely ask for cash bail in amounts far beyond what the person accused of a crime can conceivably post. In Kisers case, despite the fact she was just 17 years old and had used the money given to her by the man who sexually abused to help feed her family, a judge set her bail at $400,000. It was not until her case gained national attention that she was able to post bail because of grassroots fundraising. During the more than six years from the time of her arrest to her sentencing, Kizer spent over a year and half in custody. People accused of crimes who must sit in jail for months or even years before having their day in court face immense pressure to plead guilty. This is especially true when they face relatively minor charges where prosecutors or judges may offer them sentences that amount to the time they have already served or probation. The perverse logic is that their guilty plea becomes a way for them to get out of jail. Another tool prosecutors use to coerce people into pleading guilty is through the threat of additional charges, especially for the crime of bail jumping. Contrary to what the name of the statute implies, bail jumping in Wisconsin doesnt refer to fleeing the jurisdiction or trying to elude police officers. It refers to a violation of any condition of your release. One of those conditions of release is that you are not rearrested for another crime. In Kisers case, years after her initial arrest, she was rearrested for disorderly conduct, an offense which in many states isnt even considered a crime, but which is classified as a misdemeanor in Wisconsin. Because she had already been charged with a felony, the prosecutors could charge her with the felony of bail jumping. It doesnt matter if the new arrest was meritless. Her violation of a condition of her release makes her guilty of bail jumping. This means that someone who is charged with a crime can still be convicted of bail jumping even when they are acquitted of the charge that subjected them to the terms of pretrial release. Wisconsin prosecutors are so fond of this tactic that bail jumping is the most charged felony offense in the state. And if pretrial detention and the threat of additional charges arent enough to get someone to plead guilty, the fear of a lengthy sentence after trial can provide the necessary motivation to plead guilty. People accused of crimes who decide to exercise their right to a trial typically receive sentences far beyond those imposed if they had pleaded guilty and waived their right to a trial. Known as the trial penalty, it effectively punishes anyone who exercises their constitutional right to have the prosecution prove their guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. When defendants plead guilty, they are placed under oath and asked if their plea of guilty is voluntary. In a cruel irony, if they say that it is not, that they are only pleading guilty to get out of jail, or to avoid facing additional charges or to avoid a life sentence, then the judge will not accept their plea of guilty. This legal charade often extends to the crime itself. The crime that Kizer pleaded guilty to, reckless homicide, reflects neither the prosecutions nor the defenses version of events. It is a kind of legal fiction. The prosecution offered to let her plead guilty to a crime that they never argued she committed: The prosecution had always claimed that she committed a premeditated murder and, if that is true, then nothing was reckless about her actions. The defense had argued that she was the victim of human trafficking, that she shot her abuser when she believed he was going to sexually assault her and that she essentially acted in self-defense. A conviction for a crime carries with it a moral condemnation. For that reason, we do not convict someone of a crime unless their actions were intentional and without justification. Juries were meant to function as the conscience of the community. The legal instructions given to juries are designed to allow them to use their common sense and collective wisdom to make difficult decisions about the relative blameworthiness of someones actions. In our current criminal legal system, prosecutors and judges have made jury trials exceedingly rare. In doing so, they have contributed to our culture of mass incarceration. They have prioritized efficiency over accuracy because they know that if even a small fraction of defendants demanded their constitutional right to a jury trial, our criminal legal system would be overwhelmed and grind to a halt. It isnt surprising that Kizer pleaded guilty to avoid the possibility of a life sentence. But how much confidence can we have in guilty pleas that are extracted through fear and intimidation? How much confidence can we have in the accuracy of our criminal legal system when prosecutors almost never present evidence to a jury? If the jury trial is supposed to be the foundation of our criminal legal system, we shouldnt be surprised that it is crumbling. PHOTOS: Chrystul Kizer motion hearing CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING CHRYSTUL KIZER MOTION HEARING The Philippines is seen to be gaining the favor of the broader international community as evidenced by the forging of defense ties with more of its neighbors and its emerging role as a hub for international justice. In a meeting on Friday, President Marcos emphasized to Vietnams National Defense Minister Phan Van Giang the importance of strengthening ties between Manila and Hanoi. - Advertisement - We are grateful that you have come today, Mr. Marcos said during the ministers courtesy call in Malacanang. Your visit, though quiet, marks a very significant point in the history of our countries. He highlighted the progress made in relations between the two nations, which have expanded beyond traditional diplomatic connections. The President emphasized that the Philippines and Vietnam have deepened cooperation in defense, security, and trade. We have continued to progress in this relationship. What was once just diplomatic now includes our defense and security cooperation and, importantly, trade, Mr. Marcos stated. The visit underscores the growing partnership between the Southeast Asian neighbors as they navigate regional security challenges and work toward mutual economic benefits. Meanwhile, the Philippines is poised to host Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) tribunal hearings through the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC). Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya underscored the importance of this development, noting that it will bring substantial cost and time savings for the parties involved. With the signing of a cooperation agreement yesterday between the PCA and the PDRC, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, PCA-administered hearings can now be conducted here in the Philippines. You heard me right, said Malaya, who is also acting president of the PCA Administrative Council. PCA-administered hearings can now be conducted here. And that means a lot of cost savings as well as savings in time, he announced during an Ateneo Law School forum. The freshly signed agreement allows for legal arbitration seats to be placed in various locations while conducting the actual hearings in the Philippines. This flexibility is expected to benefit not only the PhilippineSecretary-General government but also private clients and lawyers practicing in the country, Malaya explained. On Thursday, PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak expressed his intent to establish a Host Country Agreement with the Philippines to facilitate the international courts hearings in the country in a meeting with President Marcos. Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Vietnam defense minister pays courtesy call on President Marcos. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday welcomed the recent joint position from the Leaders Forum, a bipartite body of labor and employer groups, urging for a significant increase in its budget to ensure that it has adequate resources for addressing labor-related human rights violations. The Commission stands resolutely alongside the Filipino labor force in advocating for their rights, welfare and dignity in the workplace. We remain committed to our stance that every worker deserves equitable treatment, just compensation, and safe working conditions, it said. - Advertisement - The Leaders Forum, composed of organizations, such as the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Philippine Exporters Confederation representing employers, along with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa representing workers, has taken a commendable step in advocating for a more robust CHR. This collective call from both sides of the labor sector reflects the pressing need to fortify the Commissions capacity to protect and uphold the rights of all workers in the country, the Commission cited. The CHR and the Department of Labor and Employment signed a memorandum of agreement and a data sharing agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in promoting and protecting the rights of Filipino workers. The collaboration, aligned with the International Labor Organizations (ILO) recommendation for stronger interagency cooperation, seeks to improve the speed and effectiveness of investigations into violations of workers freedom of association and right to organize, strengthen case build-up and evidence gathering, and provide financial assistance for labor rights violations. The partnership also supports the implementation of Executive Order No. 23, which mandates the protection of workers rights, ensuring the Philippines compliance with ILO and other human rights conventions. The Commission continues to stand for the rights of all, but most especially for the plight of the weak, vulnerable, and marginalizedand this includes every Filipino laborer in the country, the CHR said. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras Honduran President Xiomara Castro said Thursday (Friday Manila time) that her surprise decision to end an extradition treaty with the United States was to prevent it from being used in a plot against her government and military leaders. A plan is being hatched against my government, Castro said, a day after announcing the end of the pact that has put powerful drug traffickers in US jails. - Advertisement - Castro said she took the step in response to interference by US Ambassador Laura Dogu, who criticized a meeting of senior Honduran officials with Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. Dogu told reporters that she was surprised to see Honduran Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelaya and military chief General Roosevelt Hernandez sitting next to a drug trafficker in Venezuela. They attacked the head of the armed forces and our defense minister an attack that we cannot allow, Castro said in a speech while inaugurating an electric power project. I will not allow extradition to be used to intimidate or blackmail the Honduran armed forces. Were defending our armed forces, said the leftist leader. Castros government is a staunch ally of Venezuela, which is under pressure from Washington and other countries following the disputed reelection of President Nicolas Maduro in July. Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said that the extradition treaty was being scrapped to prevent it from being used as a political weapon against the government. A coup attempt could be brewing here right now, Reina said on a television program. Military intelligence detected after the US ambassadors statements that a group of officers was conspiring to remove Hernandez, he said. Castros husband Manuel Zelaya, president from 2006 to 2009, was overthrown in a military coup supported by business elites and the political right. The extradition agreement is considered a key tool to dismantle the narco-state that, according to US authorities, was built in Honduras when Juan Orlando Hernandez was president from 2014 to 2022. Fifty Hondurans accused of drug trafficking have been extradited to the United States over the past decade, including ex-president Hernandez, who was sentenced in June in New York to 45 years in prison. WASHINGTON, DC The US Army on Thursday (Friday Manila time) took aim at Donald Trumps staff over a visit by the Republican presidential candidate to the countrys most hallowed resting place for its war dead. The incident has mushroomed into an uncharacteristically public dispute between the military and a former US commander in chief, with Trump lashing out and accusing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of having killed American soldiers through gross incompetence in Afghanistan. - Advertisement - Trump went to 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 US 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, Trumps 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. Doubling down, LaCivita later reposted video of Trumps presence at Arlington and said he hoped it would trigger the hacks at the US Army secretarys office. Trump has made criticism of Bidens handling of the retreat from Afghanistan a key note of his campaign ahead of Novembers election. The US withdrawal was made as part of a peace deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban. At a Thursday rally in Michigan, Trump defended his gravesite visit and savaged Biden and Harris, his 2024 White House rival, over Afghanistan. They asked me to go yesterday to Arlington and I did, Trump said of the families, adding that bad people accused him of inappropriate political activity. Joe Biden killed their children, by incompetence Kamala killed their children just as though they had a gun in their hand by gross incompetence, Trump told supporters. Not one general or incompetent bureaucrat was fired, over the deadly pullout, he added. And then they accuse me of having a picture taken at the tombstone with the family. Uproar over the incident at Arlington on Monday is the latest controversy in Trumps troubled relationship with the military. While often touting his support for the armed forces, he privately mocked the war dead while he was president and did not want to be seen near military amputees, according to his former chief of staff. In a dramatic turn of events, Gloria Maya Musu-Scott, Liberias former chief justice, has been exonerated of a shocking murder charge that rocked the nation. The Supreme Courts decision to overturn her conviction has captivated Liberia, underscoring the complexities of the countrys legal system. Musu-Scott, a 70-year-old trailblazer in Liberian law and politics, had been sentenced to life in prison along with three relatives for the brutal killing of her 29-year-old niece, Charlotte Musu. The case gripped public attention, given Musu-Scotts prominence as a champion of womens rights and her recent involvement in high-profile political legal battles. The acquittal came after more than eight months of imprisonment. Upon her release, Musu-Scott expressed both joy and concern, highlighting the plight of other potentially innocent individuals behind bars. Her words serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges within Liberias justice system. The case has reopened wounds for many, particularly womens rights groups who stress the importance of not forgetting the victim, Charlotte Musu. Theyve called for a renewed focus on finding true justice while also acknowledging the suffering endured by those wrongfully accused. This legal saga touches on broader issues of justice, political influence, and the complexities of high-profile cases in Liberia. As the country grapples with the fallout, many hope this will spark meaningful discussions about reforming the legal system to better protect both the accused and victims of crime. In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria and Niger have put aside recent tensions to forge a new security partnership. This unexpected move comes less than a year after a military coup in Niger threw their relationship into turmoil. The agreement, signed by defense chiefs from both nations in Nigers capital, aims to breathe new life into regional efforts to combat terrorism and instability. Its a significant step towards healing the rift that emerged when Nigers elected president was ousted last July. That coup had far-reaching consequences, straining ties between the neighbors and causing a major shake-up in West African politics. It even led to Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, dramatically quitting the influential ECOWAS bloc earlier this year. The fallout had threatened to derail crucial anti-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region, where violent extremist groups have long exploited political instability. Niger had scaled back its involvement in the Nigeria-led Multinational Joint Task Force, a key player in the fight against Boko Haram. Now, this fresh agreement signals Nigers willingness to re-engage fully in regional security initiatives. Its a pragmatic move by both countries, recognizing that their shared challenges demand cooperation, regardless of political differences. While challenges remain, this pact offers hope for a more unified approach to tackling the complex security threats facing West Africa. Its a reminder that even in times of tension, finding common ground on critical issues is possible and necessary. 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 tongue diagnosis instrument and collection process. 1: lens hood, 2: LED light resource, 3: high-definition camera, 4: chin support plate. Note. Use fixed standard camera parameters when shooting: the color temperature is 5,000 k, the color rendering index is 97, the frame rate is 1/125 s, the aperture is F/6.3, the exposure indicator scale is 0 or 1. Credit: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1384977 Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of illness-based death throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, CAD causes 17.9 million deaths per year worldwide, nearly one-third of all illness-based deaths annually. Coronary angiography is currently the best method of confirming a CAD diagnosis, but it is expensive and invasive, poses risks to patients, and is not suitable for early diagnosis and assessing disease risk. Seeking a safer, lower-cost and more efficient diagnostic method, a research team from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine's School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine's School of Life Science, and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine's School of Traditional Chinese Medicine has used artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a diagnostic algorithm based on tongue imaging. Their work is published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. Recent research into the development of diagnostic models for CAD has focused on clinical risk factors as variables. Recent studies have also established that additional biological components such as pulse waves and facial appearance may play considerable roles in establishing a CAD diagnosis. However, while a patient's symptoms and signs form the basis of a clinical diagnosis, the researchers note that Traditional Chinese Medicine proceeds differently, though quite effectively. How traditional Chinese medicine informs this new work "Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) employs unique and effective diagnostic strategies, particularly in observing the external conditions of patients. TCM theory posits that 'internal diseases manifest externally,' thereby allowing practitioners to gauge the severity of illnesses through observation," writes the team in the new study. Key to TCM observation is tongue diagnosis, which includes assessing the tongue's color, coating, and shape. The tongue, replete with nerves and blood vessels, functions as an integral part of the cardiovascular system, and its appearance can change as systemic illnesses and conditions develop, especially those affecting blood circulation. Moreover, at least 14 studies since 2019 have established tongue observation as an effective means of disease diagnosis. With this knowledge, the team sought to ascertain whether tongue images could serve as a determinative basis for non-invasively maximizing CAD diagnosis. Data preprocessing for tongue images. (A) DeepLabV3 + framework diagram, (B) model training loss function graph, (C) preprocessing effect on tongue image. Credit: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1384977 Tongue image-based CAD diagnostic algorithm. (A) ResNet-18 framework used in this study, (B) 5-fold cross-validation mean ROC on training set, (C) 5-fold cross-validation mean ROC Comparison on training set, (D) performance comparison of different feature inputs on the validation set. Credit: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1384977 Developing a CAD diagnostic model To create their machine learning structure, the team selected the ResNet-18 network, pre-trained on a dataset from ImageNet. They built two CAD diagnostic frameworks: one based on CAD risk factors alone, and a second one incorporating deep features of tongue images with CAD risk factors. Their selected algorithm for extraction of tongue features, based on the Deeplab V3 + framework, demonstrated greater than 99% overall accuracy. The team evaluated several machine learning algorithms and ultimately selected XGBoost, which yielded the best results on a classification task involving "deep features of tongue images" and risk factors. In addition, they explain that when they compared machine learning algorithmssome programmed only with risk factors and others with risk factors and tongue image featuresthey determined that "the inclusion of tongue image features significantly enhanced algorithm performance, indicating that adding tongue features as input variables positively contributes to algorithm optimization." Between March 2019 and November 2022, the researchers recruited hypertensive patients between ages 18 and 85 from four different hospitals, ultimately compiling a study cohort of 244 patients with hypertension and 166 additional patients exhibiting hypertension combined with CAD. Results and limitations Among the notable results, the team's CAD diagnostic algorithm performed especially well in test subjects aged 65 and older, and returned similar results for men and women, thus demonstrating good generalization ability. It also showed greater judgment accuracy in cases with three or more risk factors, "highlighting the importance of considering multiple risk factors in the diagnosis of CAD," write the researchers. The study's limitations include a lack of patients from varying countries and ethnicities; a small sample size based only on those with hypertension; its use of a single type of equipment for collecting tongue images, which limits the diagnostic model's applicability with alternative collection devices and in varying situations. The researchers suggest that future work should include a larger and broader study population in order to validate and optimize their diagnostic model. They also note that integrating additional biomarkers with tongue images could enable the creation of a broader model. However, this research serves as a useful basis for next steps. "Our work introduces a novel perspective, suggesting that tongue images have applicable diagnostic value for CAD diagnosis," the researchers conclude. "Tongue image features could become new risk indicators for CAD, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating TCM theories with modern technology." More information: Mengyao Duan et al, Feasibility of tongue image detection for coronary artery disease: based on deep learning, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1384977 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: People can create many special moments if they include a loved one with dementia in their end-of-summer Labor Day getaway. However, they'll need to take some special steps to make traveling as smooth as possible, according to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA). "One last summer trip on Labor Day weekend can mean dealing with heavy traffic and packed airports, challenges which become even greater if you're traveling with someone who has dementia," Jennifer Reeder, the AFA's director of educational and social services, said in a news release. "Whether it's a quick road trip or flying far away, there are preparations and adaptations caregivers should make to help their loved ones with dementia feel more comfortable and relaxed while traveling," Reeder added. The AFA's recommendations include: Simplify the itinerary: Keep the travel schedule simple. Resist the urge to jam-pack a trip with sights, destinations and attractions. Avoid tight connections or multiple stops, if possible. Plan around the person: Consider your loved one's needs, abilities and routines when arranging travel. For example, they might travel better at a specific time of day, or they might normally eat around a certain time. Build your travel around those considerations, as small changes can feel overwhelming and stressful to someone with dementia. Stock up: Bring snacks, water, activities and comfort items the person might need. For example, an extra set of comfortable clothes can help your loved one adapt to changes in climate. Take their important health documents and a list of current medications. Make sure that your loved one wears an ID bracelet with your contact information. Know the security procedures of airports and train stations: Ask in advance about security screening procedures, so you can prepare your loved one for checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration offers assistance with the screening process to air travelers with dementia. Advise the airline: Let the airline know you're traveling with someone with dementia, and inform them of any safety concerns or special needs. Find a quiet space: Some airports have designated quiet areas for people with special needs, such as those with dementia. These provide a peaceful respite from crowds and noise. Build in break time: If traveling by car, take regular breaks to eat, use the restroom and rest. 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: Overexpression of hTau in glia disrupts LDs and glial cell morphology in response to neuronal ROS. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01740-1 A study by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital, reveals that the protein Taua key player implicated in several neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's diseasealso plays a positive role in the brain. Tau mitigates neuronal damage caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals and promotes healthy aging. The study was published in Nature Neuroscience. "ROS are natural byproducts of various cellular functions in the body. While low levels of ROS are beneficial, excess ROS is harmful to cells as it triggers the production of toxic forms of other molecules that induce oxidative stress, including peroxidated lipids," said lead author Dr. Lindsey Goodman, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Hugo Bellen. "Neurons are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress and are destroyed if peroxidated lipid levels are not tightly controlled." Lipid droplets protect the brain from oxidative damage There is mounting evidence supporting the notion that our brains have developed multiple neuroprotective strategies to combat ROS-induced oxidative damage. One of the strategies, discovered in 2015 by the Bellen team, consists of neurons exporting these toxic peroxidated lipids to neighboring glial cells, which sequester them into lipid droplets for storage and future energy production. "This process effectively removes and neutralizes these toxic lipids," Goodman said. "In the current study we investigated the role of Tau in the formation of glial lipid droplets." The team found that endogenous normal Tau in flies is required for glial lipid droplet formation and for protecting against neuronal ROS. Similarly, Tau was required in glial cells obtained from rats and humans to form lipid droplets. And while expression of normal human Tau was sufficient to restore the process of formation and maturation of glial lipid droplets in flies lacking their own Tau, when this human Tau protein carried disease-causing mutationswhich are linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer's diseasethe glia were incapable of forming lipid droplets in response to neuronal ROS. "This argues that mutations in Tau may reduce the protein's normal ability to prevent oxidative stress in addition to causing the protein to accumulate into the typical hallmarks of disease, as described by previous work," said Goodman. "Altogether, the findings support a new neuroprotective role for Tau against the toxicity associated with ROS." Too much or too little Tau is detrimental Further connections with disease were discovered using established fly and rat models of Tau-mediated conditions that overexpress disease-causing human Tau protein in glia. In these scenarios, the investigators again saw defects in glial lipid droplets and glial cell demise in response to neuronal ROS. This demonstrated that Tau is a dosage-sensitive regulator of glial lipid droplets where too much or too little Tau is detrimental. "By revealing a surprising new neuroprotective role for Tau, the study opens the door to potential new strategies to slow, reverse and treat neurodegenerative conditions," said Bellen, corresponding author of the work. He is a distinguished service professor in molecular biology and genetics at Baylor and holds a Chair in Neurogenetics at Duncan NRI. Bellen also is a March of Dimes Professor in Developmental Biology at Baylor. In summary, contrary to its usual 'bad guy' role in neurodegenerative disease, this study demonstrates that Tau also plays a 'good guy' role in glia by helping sequester toxic lipids, reducing oxidative damage and, hence protecting our brains. However, when Tau is absent or when defective Tau proteins are present, this protective effect disappears, leading to disease. More information: Lindsey D. Goodman et al, Tau is required for glial lipid droplet formation and resistance to neuronal oxidative stress, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01740-1 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience 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 health of U.S. caregivers is worse than that seen in adults without the responsibility of caring for someone with a health problem or disability, according to research published in the Aug. 29 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Greta Kilmer, from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues used data from the 2015 to 2016 and 2021 to 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to compare changes in the prevalence of 19 health indicators among caregivers and noncaregivers. The researchers found that caregivers experienced improvements in prevalence of four health indicators (current smoking, physical inactivity, no health coverage, and inability to see a doctor due to cost), whereas six worsened (mental distress, depression, asthma, obesity, and having any or multiple chronic physical conditions). For both caregivers and noncaregivers, some health indicators, such as cigarette smoking, improved, although smoking prevalence remained higher for caregivers (16.6 versus 11.7 percent). Similarly, both groups experienced increases in the prevalence of lifetime depression, and prevalence remained higher among caregivers (25.6 versus 18.6 percent). Compared with noncaregivers, during 2021 to 2022, age-adjusted estimates for caregivers were unfavorable for 13 of the 19 health indicators. "Strategies for supporting caregivers are available, and integrating these with existing programs to address mental health and chronic diseases among this population might improve caregiver well-being," the authors write. More information: Greta Kilmer et al, Changes in Health Indicators Among Caregivers United States, 20152016 to 20212022, MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2024). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7334a2 Journal information: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 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: A passer-by walks a dog, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, along a walkway, in Plymouth, Mass., near a sign that advises people of a ban in effect for outdoor activity between dusk and dawn due to the risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne Massachusetts health officials on Thursday announced a second confirmed case of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus in the state. A second case of the virus in a horse was also confirmed. The human case is a woman in her 30s. Both were exposed in the area of Plymouth County that was aerial-sprayed Tuesday night. Both became infected before spraying was performed. The detection of the latest case comes after a New Hampshire resident infected with the virus died, state health authorities said Tuesday. The Hampstead resident's infection was the first in the state in a decade, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said. The resident, whom the department only identified as an adult, had been hospitalized because of severe central nervous system symptoms Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages and is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The first Massachusetts resident infected with the EEE virus this year was a male in his 80s exposed in southern Worcester County. Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said people should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. "We expect that the aerial spraying will help prevent risk for EEE from continuing to escalate in the area, but it does not eliminate it completely," he 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. There have been 76 EEE-positive mosquito samples detected so far this year in Massachusetts. Officials in some Massachusetts towns have urged people to avoid going outdoors at night this summer because of concerns over the virus. A 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 three people infected in New Hampshire in 2014 died. 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: The two-dimensional active avoidance paradigm and recording of prefrontal population activity. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01704-5 Over the course of their lives, animals form associations between sensory stimuli and predicted threats or rewards. These associations can, in turn, shape the behaviors of animals, prompting them to engage in avoidant behaviors (e.g., avoiding specific stimuli and situations) or conversely, to engage with their surroundings in various ways. Past neuroscience studies have found that this process of acquiring behavioral patterns via experience is supported by various brain regions. One of these regions is the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a large segment of the frontal part of the brain known to contribute to decision-making, attention, learning and memory consolidation. Researchers at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich recently carried out a study investigating how the mPFC contributes to the learning of behavioral strategies over time, specifically focusing on the processes through which it connects sensory information to an animal's behavior. Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that the mPFC transforms sensory inputs into behavioral outputs by performing a series of computations at a neuron population-level. "The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been proposed to link sensory inputs and behavioral outputs to mediate the execution of learned behaviors," Bejamin Ehret, Roman Boehringer and their colleagues wrote in their paper. "However, how such a link is implemented has remained unclear. To measure prefrontal neural correlates of sensory stimuli and learned behaviors, we performed population calcium imaging during a new tone-signaled active avoidance paradigm in mice." In their experiments, which spanned a period of 11 days, Ehret, Boehringer and their colleagues recorded the activity of neurons in the brains of mice while the animals were engaged in a fear-conditioning task. The mice were placed in a chamber for learning sessions consisting of 50 trials each. After they heard a tone, the mice received a mild but unpleasant electric shock to their feet. Half of the chamber they were in, however, was delineated as a "safe zone," meaning that if they were situated in this zone the mice would not receive any shock following the tone. After repeated trials, the mice acquired avoidant behaviors and learned to rapidly move to the safe zone after they heard the tone. To examine the activity of neurons while the mice were learning to avoid the shock by escaping to the safe zone, the researchers used calcium-imaging techniques and fluorescence microscopy. "We developed an analysis approach based on dimensionality reduction and decoding that allowed us to identify interpretable task-related population activity patterns," wrote Ehret, Boehringer and their colleagues. "While a large fraction of tone-evoked activity was not informative about behavior execution, we identified an activity pattern that was predictive of tone-induced avoidance actions and did not occur for spontaneous actions with similar motion kinematics. Moreover, this avoidance-specific activity differed between distinct avoidance actions learned in two consecutive tasks." When they analyzed the recordings they collected during experimental trials, the researchers observed a pattern in the activity of mPFC neurons that was linked to the execution of avoidant behaviors after hearing the tone and following previous fear-conditioning training. Overall, the team's observations suggest that the mPFC transforms sensory inputs into specific behavioral outputs via a series of distributed computations at a neuron population-level. "These results highlight the complex interaction between sensory processing and behavior execution, and further work is needed to understand the temporal dynamics of sensory information flow through the network of involved brain areas," wrote Ehret, Boehringer and their colleagues. The findings of this recent study could soon pave the way towards an even better understanding of the mPFC and its contribution to the learning of goal-directed behavior. Future studies could further examine the activity patterns identified by the team at ETH Zurich using other experimental methods and learning paradigms. More information: Benjamin Ehret et al, Population-level coding of avoidance learning in medial prefrontal cortex, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01704-5 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience 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: Summary of main findings by CNIC researchers. Clonal hematopoiesis and the expansion of blood cells carrying certain acquired mutations represent a new cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, not a consequence of it. The effects of some of these mutations can be attenuated by a plant-derived anti-inflammatory drug, colchicine, laying the groundwork for possible personalized medicine strategies. Credit: CNIC To the known risk factors for cardiovascular diseasehigh blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight and obesity, smoking, and physical inactivitya new one has to be added, clonal hematopoiesis. This condition is triggered by acquired mutations in blood stem cells and was already known to be associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk. However, until now it was uncertain if clonal hematopoiesis was a cause or consequence of cardiovascular disease. Now, a new study published in Nature Medicine and carried out by researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) resolves this critical debate by establishing clonal hematopoiesis as a new risk factor for atherosclerosisthe formation of lesions in the arterial wall that underlies most cardiovascular disorders. In a second study, published in the European Heart Journal, the CNIC scientists propose the ancient medication colchicine as the central plank of personalized strategies to alleviate the effects of clonal hematopoiesis associated with acquired mutations in the TET2 gene. The results of these important studies were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in London, UK. Acquired mutations in blood cell lineages: A new cause of atherosclerosis An adult person produces hundreds of thousands of blood cells every day. This high rate of cell division unavoidably entails the accumulation of DNA mutations in the dividing cells. These mutations are known as somatic mutations, and are acquired, not inherited. "Although most somatic mutations are innocuous, some give the affected cells a competitive advantage that allows them to expand and progressively accumulate, generating clonal populations of mutated blood cells, a phenomenon known as clonal hematopoiesis," explained Jose Javier Fuster, who led the Nature Medicine study. These mutations had already been proposed as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, the exact nature of the relationship had remained unclear. As Dr. Jose Javier Fuster, coordinator of the CNIC "Novel Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis" program, explained, "some earlier studies suggested that somatic mutations linked to clonal hematopoiesis contribute directly to cardiovascular disease and thereby accelerating the development of atherosclerosis. "On the other hand, others proposed that it is atherosclerosis that causes clonal hematopoiesis by increasing the proliferation of blood stem cells and thereby generating a higher proportion of mutated blood cells." The Nature Medicine study clarifies the relationship between clonal hematopoiesis and atherosclerosis through a longitudinal analysis of data from the PESA-CNIC-Santander study. PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) is a prospective study of more than 4000 apparently healthy middle-aged participants who have undergone periodic examinations using advanced imaging technology since 2010 to detect the presence and progression of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. PESA is a collaborative initiative of the CNIC and Santander Bank. "The PESA study has already made very important contributions to our understanding of cardiovascular disease, and its longitudinal nature and unique characteristics provide an ideal framework for carrying out this important study on the relationship between clonal hematopoiesis and atherosclerosis," said Dr. Valentin Fuster, CNIC General Director, principal investigator on the PESA study, and co-lead author on the Nature Medicine study. The researchers used high-sensitivity DNA sequencing technology to detect somatic mutations in blood samples and assessed the presence and progression of atherosclerosis detected with noninvasive imaging techniques in the PESA participants. "The study was a multidisciplinary effort involving specialists in basic science and cardiology, together with the specialized technical expertise of the Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Clinical Trials Units at the CNIC," said Jose Javier Fuster. The results of the study clearly demonstrate that participants who had mutations linked to clonal hematopoiesis at the start of the study were more likely to develop atherosclerosis in the following years. On the other hand, the presence and extent of atherosclerosis had no influence on the expansion of mutated blood cells. "These results indicate that the mutations contribute to the development of atherosclerosis but are not a consequence of it," explained co-first author Miriam Diez-Diez. "However, it remains possible that other factors, such as genetic profile or lifestyle, might modulate the effects of clonal hematopoiesis, and future studies are planned to examine this possibility," added Beatriz L. Ramos-Neble, the other co-first author on the study. The results of the study have clear clinical implications and identify clonal hematopoiesis as a cardiovascular risk factor completely different from the traditional risk factors studied in recent decades. This novelty holds promise for the development of new strategies for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders. "By demonstrating that the mutations linked to clonal hematopoiesis precede atherosclerosis and contribute to its development, our research suggests that blocking the effects of these somatic mutations could help to prevent cardiovascular disease," claimed Dr. Jose Javier Fuster. The second CNIC study, published in the European Heart Journal, lays the groundwork for this. An ancient drug to alleviate a new cardiovascular risk factor The best characterized mutations linked to clonal hematopoiesis are those that affect the TET2 gene. In a 2017 study published in Science, Dr. Jose Javier Fuster's team showed that mutations in TET2 accelerate the development of atherosclerosis in animal models. In the new study published in the European Heart Journal, the CNIC group, in partnership with the team led by Dr. Pradeep Natarajan at the Broad Institute in Boston, show that the adverse effects of TET2 mutations on cardiovascular health can be alleviated by treatment with the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine. The CNIC team demonstrated that administration of colchicine to animals with TET2 mutations slows the development of atherosclerosis to a rate similar to that seen in non-mutated animals. In parallel, the Broad Institute scientists showed that individuals with TET2 mutations and who had been treated with colchicine for other conditions had a lower risk of myocardial infarction than untreated patients with similar mutations. Plant preparations containing colchicine have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, and the drug is used in modern medicine to treat inflammatory conditions such as gout. "Colchicine is a very cheap medicine, available throughout the world, and is approved for the prevention of cardiovascular disease by the European Medicines Agency and by the FDA in the U.S.. There is therefore no major obstacle to its use for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with TET2 mutations," emphasized Dr. Maria Angeles Zuriaga, who conducted the experimental studies at the CNIC and is the first author on the European Heart Journal study. Dr. Jose Javier Fuster underlined the important implications of the study for personalized medicine. "In clonal hematopoiesis, each mutated gene acts through different mechanisms and will therefore likely require specific interventions to target its effects. This study lays the groundwork for using colchicine for/in the personalized prevention of cardiovascular disease of carriers of mutations in TET2, but new clinical trials will be needed to conclusively demonstrate its effectiveness in these individuals." Provided by Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.) Here are some of the headlines from this past week in the Missoulian. To read the full stories, click the link on each headline: Missoula courthouse employees found themselves taking the stand Friday during a single-day trial to determine whether a former public defender is guilty of theft for tossing her ex-husbands cellphone in the trash following an emotional district court hearing last December. Flathead County Justice of the Peace Paul Sullivan found Scotti Ramberg, a Missoula defense attorney, guilty of the single misdemeanor charge of theft of lost property that prosecutors accused her of in April. Sullivan was substituted into the Missoula County Justice courtroom to replace local Justice of the Peace Alex Beal. In an interview after the verdict, Ramberg said shes considering appealing the ruling. Taking the stand after five states witnesses that included a clerk of court, a bailiff, a former security guard and the county sheriffs detective who oversees courthouse surveillance, Ramberg admitted to much of what Deputy Missoula County Attorney Chase Carter had worked to establish Friday morning. During the Dec. 22, 2023 incident, she was angry after losing a hearing regarding a custody dispute and she picked up her ex-husbands phone after he left it behind, and tossed it in the trash on her way out of the courtroom. The case, however, boiled down to whether her actions last December had the purpose of depriving the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the property. Rambergs defense attorney, Alyssa Aklestad, argued it was unrealistic to think her ex-husband wouldnt have been able to easily recover the phone once he realized it was missing. Some developers and new residents in Whitefish will see a refund from overpaid impact fees after the city approved a settlement agreement in August, although one resident said the issue of high fees has not been resolved. The city of Whitefish and its outside fee consultant agreed to a $1.4 million settlement in federal court earlier this year. The city said in a press release that the overcharging came from an accounting error. In 2019, the city approved new impact fees, which are charged to developers to help pay for the infrastructure that supports new growth. Impact fees are charged by local governments across the state of Montana. Oftentimes the fees are then forwarded from the home developers to new homebuyers. The city said it encountered one error with assessing the number of water fixtures in homes and self-audited the fees in 2021. Before the audit was complete, a class action lawsuit alleged the fees in general were excessive. A plan to evaluate vacant Missoula County Public Schools properties was pushed out after trustees requested more information from a local engineering group. Trustees voted on Aug. 20 to stall on approving a contract with the Missoula-based WGM Group, pending more information from the company about what their work would entail. If approved, the contract would start the process of getting suggestions on what can be done with 12 empty MCPS-owned properties sitting around Missoula County. The proposed contract with WGM would cost MCPS $336,000. District officials are suggesting rental proceeds generated by the Prescott building, on Harrison Avenue, be used to cover the one-time contract cost, MCPS Executive Director of Business and Operations Pat McHugh said at the meeting. WGM's assessment would spell out recommendations for potential construction and renovation projects, sales, trades and other transactions. Residents looking to drop off tree debris from storm damage will have to start paying collection fees starting Tuesday, Sept. 3. Missoula County said in a website update this week that the last neighborhood drop-off location will close Monday night, leaving the main Garden City Compost site by the Mullan Street Walmart as the only drop-off area. The county said on its website missoula.co/storm that the Northside drop-off site, located on Scott and Shakespeare streets, will close at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2. Garden City Compost has reverted to its normal operating hours, but will be closed on Sunday and this Monday for Labor Day. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Garden City Compost site will collect its normal fees for debris disposal. Former President Donald Trump's rally on Montana State University's campus amounted to $62,557, mostly in overtime expenses by various Bozeman-area agencies, the Gallatin County Sheriff's department said Friday. The joint press release from multiple local agencies broke down costs among the involved agencies: Gallatin County's Sheriff's Office spent $23,170. The city of Bozeman spent $20,034 total, including $17,094 for the Bozeman Police Department, $2,862 for the Bozeman Fire Department and $77.97 for cost of food for a motorcade team. Montana State University Police Department expended $12,783, including $3,680 for the cost of food and water for all first responders supporting the event. The Belgrade Police Department was also involved and incurred $6,569 in costs. On July 9 around 2:55 p.m. Constance Martinez dropped her older brother Michael off at the Albertsons in Harlem, Montana. Constance then rushed off to a 3 p.m. meeting. She felt confident her brother would find his way home, which was about 4 miles away. But Michael Lonewolf, 53, has not been seen since. Hes now one of thousands of Indigenous people who go missing each year. While Native Americans comprise 6.7% of Montanas population, as of Friday, they accounted for 27% of the states active missing persons reports. For many, his case highlights a broken criminal legal system that plagues tribal communities across Montana and the nation. Lonewolf went to Albertsons wearing a backpack containing a spare change of clothes. He left his bank card, medicine and food stamps at home on the Fort Belknap Reservation. While Lonewolf would often make the 43-mile trip from the reservation to Havre, his family says its unlike him to leave these items behind. Family members grew more concerned a few days later when Lois Speakthunder, Lonewolfs mother, called her son to wish him a happy birthday. The call went straight to voicemail, and he never called back. Five years after passing a landmark set of policies to encourage the creation of more affordable housing in Missoula, the city is poised to hire a consultant to evaluate the citys strategy. Anne Geiger, the citys strategic initiatives manager with the Office of Community Planning, Development and Innovation, gave a presentation on the issue to the Missoula Housing Resident Oversight Committee earlier this month. The citys housing strategy has been in place for five years, Geiger said. Part of that adopted strategy was a review at five years. Missoula City Council adopted the document, called A Place to Call Home: Meeting Missoulas Housing Needs in June of 2019. The housing policy proposed over two dozen individual strategies aimed at addressing rising housing costs in Missoula. But the pandemic and other factors, such as high construction costs, have meant that housing prices just kept rising since the document was adopted. The median home sales price of all homes sold in Missoula County in 2020 was $350,000, according to the Missoula Organization of Realtors. In 2024 so far, that number is $562,000, a 60% increase. The Montana Department of Transportation hosted its third and final open house for the Bell Crossing Roundabout Project on Thursday, Aug. 29. The Bell Crossing Roundabout Project has been a popular piece of public discussion since its first open house in late July. The project, which aims to develop and install a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and Bell Crossing, has received significant pushback from community members who see the project as too costly and unnecessary. The informational event ran from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Stevensville High School library and communicated project particulars to county residents with infographics and an animated simulator. A number of Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) representatives, ranging from project engineers to department administrators, were also present to answer any questions visitors had. Montana Department of Transportation District Administrator Bob Vosen, who was present at the event, said the initial reason the department got involved was because of the large volume of public outcry. Riley, a teenager living alone with her uncle on a Mission Valley farm, starts to feel isolated after her brother Aidan leaves for college. An aspiring scientist, she fills the void with her upbeat YouTube channel, but falling out of touch with her sibling leaves her prey to the pressures of maintaining an audience on social media. Eventually, she gets some inspiration from another prodigious young womans classic novel and her latest experiment slips out of control. Such is the way that Mary Shelleys classic horror/science fiction novel Frankenstein has been adapted into a new creation, Monster + Farmer, for a production that will travel to schools around the state this fall for the Montana Repertory Theatres annual educational outreach tour. When the show's writer-director, J.M. Christiansen, was considering potential sources to adapt for an original show, he turned to a book that helped spark his own interest in literature when he was young. He was struck not by the scares but the emotional content and how much of the book is about loneliness, and is about trying to make a connection," on the part of both Frankenstein and his monster. That desire to seek connection but not knowing what felt appropriate for contemporary students. The novels form does, too, since some sections comprise a ship captains letters to his sister. He translated that into the modern equivalents such as texting, social media and FaceTime while addressing their inadequacies. Mark Losh, who was CEO of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce until this week, has left the organization after roughly nine months on the job. Losh couldn't be reached for comment on Friday. John Brauer, the chair of the Chamber's board of directors, told the Missoulian that the organization has decided to look for new leadership. "I'm not at liberty to say too much," Brauer said. "Mark is no longer CEO. We wish him well in his future endeavors, of course, and we appreciate his service both past and most recent. We're just moving in a new direction and hope that our membership and our community will benefit long-term from our new leadership." Brauer said the organization hasn't yet decided on naming an interim CEO or recruiting a permanent position immediately. There's a live storytelling event featuring refugees and immigrants hosted by Soft Landing Missoula. Also, game wardens are seeking a vandalism suspect. A federal agency awarded the University of Montanas Mansfield Center with a large grant to bolster the campus ties with Southeast Asia, university officials announced on Wednesday. The $10 million chunk of money will go toward the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellows Program. It was awarded by the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a news release from UM stated. The centers executive director, Deena Mansour, touted UMs ability to procure grant awards like this one. We are honored to draw on our deep experience in Southeast Asia to support U.S. national security priorities and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mansour said in the news release. Our demonstrated capacity to administer this huge grant draws from the long Mansfield engagement in Southeast Asia, UM assets in administration and academic excellence, and a track record of successfully implementing State Department exchanges since 2010. A program like this enables UM to make more international relations and global connection efforts, Mansour said in a phone call with the Missoulian, and its White House initiative to develop ties with youth around Southeast Asia. A new Mexican restaurant called Plaza Azteca will open in the former Jakers restaurant space at 3515 Brooks Street in Missoula. Plaza Azteca, which has locations all over the country, has announced they're entering the Missoula market. We are incredibly excited to introduce Plaza Azteca to the Missoula community," said Andres Olivares, the local managing partner for the new restaurant, in a press release. "Our mission is to offer a genuine welcoming, warm and friendly atmosphere with thoughtful service to make you feel truly at home. Whether you are looking for a relaxing escape or culinary experience, we are dedicated to meeting your individual needs. With our commitment to excellence and dedication to customer satisfaction, we can't wait to become a staple in the culinary landscape of Missoula." The company says it has a diverse menu featuring traditional, authentic Mexican dishes prepared with a modern twist, including fajitas and enchiladas. Havre got its bill first: a request from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dated July 29 for $403,253 to help fund the rebuilding of the failed St. Mary Canal Siphon in Babb and a similar deteriorating siphon over Halls Coulee. The city had 10 days to decide how to pay. The smaller Hi-Line towns of Chinook and Harlem to the east received their bills soon after, for $100,820 and $45,071 respectively. A decision on payment method lump sum or installments over years to come from each of the three cities was due back to the agency by Aug. 9, just over a week after the letters were sent. The cities received the letters, and the bills they contained, because their municipal water supplies come from the Milk River Project, a series of aging canals like the St. Mary, reservoirs like Fresno northwest of Havre, and siphons like the failed one in Babb that augment water flow in the Milk River by taking water out of the St. Mary River and diverting it instead into the Milk River for both immediate use and seasonal storage. Harlem and Chinook fully intend to pay the bills, but mayors said they were caught off guard by the speed with which the BOR asked them to decide how to pay. "It made sense that we got it, but it was very unrealistic on the timeframe," Chris Green, mayor of Harlem, said. "Its not like we can just drop what were doing," because the City Council must first provide adequate public notice before holding a meeting to decide how to respond. Glenn Huestis, mayor of Chinook, said the bill caught him "Totally off guard, totally off guard. "I guess I assumed something would be coming," he continued, "but I thought there might be some discussion about it." The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks got a strong message from a handful of wildlife photographers this spring: They really give a hoot about a certain great gray owl nest on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range northeast of Missoula. The photographers contacted the department after word spread among them that FWP was planning to remove the nest after the pair of owls residing there had fledged their young in late spring or early summer. The photographers, many of whom prized the nest for its natural setting and easily accessible and visible location, spoke out against the plan and advocated for keeping the nest. But there was a problem: Despite its location amid an old and storied state game range (now called wildlife management areas), the nest itself wasn't entirely natural. And FWP was pondering removal of the nest because of photographers themselves, a few of whom camped out for days only a few feet from the owls and became territorial when others tried to take their own photos of the birds. "We had originally talked about taking down (the nest)," said Torrey Ritter, FWP's nongame wildlife biologist for Region 2, because "people are camping out there, it's becoming kind of a zoo." But once word got out the nest was to come down, "we just started getting calls from everybody." Missoula's community cinema is presenting "Good One," a critically acclaimed father-daughter hiking film, along with festivals both scary (horror) and cute (cat videos). Charlotte Macorn, for the Missoulian Shakespeare in the Parks turns all the Oval into a stage, while the Montana Repertory Theatre presents a new (and educational) take on the Frankenstein story. 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. Marilyn Marler has worn a lot of hats: city council member, statehouse legislator, professor, nonprofit board member and so on. But next month, she'll be taking off a well-worn hat of 25 years to put on a new one: Sept. 6 will be Marler's final day as the natural areas manager for University of Montana. After a week off, she'll begin a new role as executive director of the Montana Natural History Center on Sept. 16. There, she'll take the helm of a 33-year-old organization that offers courses and educational experiences for kids and adults alike about Montana's natural history and environment. "It feels weird leaving something after 25 years," she said Tuesday afternoon, on a walk up the bottom of the M Trail. A Washington man was killed in a single-vehicle rollover on the westbound Interstate 90 off-ramp at Frenchtown early Wednesday, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. The 64-year-old man was driving a pickup truck shortly after midnight when he swerved off the right side of the off-ramp, according to the MHP report. His truck went down the embankment and overturned, the report stated. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. A Missoula County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the county coroner has not yet released the man's name. Federal prosecutors have accused a former executive director of the Whitefish Housing Authority of embezzling more than $100,000 from the federally funded organization. Dwarne Lamont Hawkins, 46, was indicted June 26 by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Missoula on one count of theft from an organization receiving federal funding and five counts of wire fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Hawkins fraudulently diverted and inflated payroll, made unauthorized credit card purchases with the Whitefish Housing Authority credit card for personal expenses and created fraudulent invoices directing payment to companies over which Hawkins had control, according to the federal indictment signed by U.S. Attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich. The indictment lists five allegedly fraudulent wire transfers of money, the first three amounting to more than $6,000 from August to November in 2023. The last two, both in January, amount to nearly $100,000. The city of Missoula's Energy and Climate team could soon be dissolved in favor of an occasional task force, which city staff said is needed to cut back on work time. A city committee voted 7-2 to approve dissolvement; a final vote is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9. The energy and climate team is a volunteer technical advisory committee that looks into city issues ranging from long-term sustainability goals to individual project plans. Some councilors said the change is needed to prioritize staff time, and added that the city's climate efforts have changed drastically since the volunteer advisory board was created in the early 2000s. "The city's needs have changed," City Council President Amber Sherrill said Wednesday. Diversified Plastics began in a Missoula garage in 1976 when founder Rod Reid started selling engineered plastic wear strips to local lumber and pulp mills. His son, Brad Reid, bought the company in 2000, and today the firm has about 80 employees, an average annual wage of $75,000 and will bring in around $24 million in revenue this year. They're waiting on city permits to build a 24,000-square-foot expansion building on their property on Grant Creek Road just off Reserve Street. On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Gianforte got a tour of the facility as part of his yearly "56 County Tour" across the state to highlight businesses and entrepreneurs. Gov. Greg Gianforte declined to participate in a proposed debate that Democrat Ryan Busse agreed to, meaning there likely wont be a forum between the incumbent Republican and his challenger. In declining, Gianfortes campaign manager took stabs at Busses candidacy, while Busse responded with a charged statement of his own. In a memo, Gianforte campaign manager Jake Eaton called Busse not a credible candidate. As reasons for that, Eaton cited Busse not releasing his tax returns as Gianforte has done, along with critiques of Busses campaign strategies. Eaton also listed times Busse was critical of Republicans and the Democrats use of the word fascism to describe Gianfortes approach to governing. Hosting a debate with an unserious candidate, who has no credibility, who actively dodges transparency, and who makes unhinged comments comparing Republicans to Nazis and fascists, would neither be informative nor advance the public interest. The governor is prepared to debate a serious, credible Democratic candidate for governor, but unfortunately, there isnt one, Eaton wrote. Local and state officials are considering outside options to clean up parts of the old pulp mill in Frenchtown as the public awaits a detailed damage study of the site from the Environmental Protection Agency. Testing of both groundwater and surface water has been underway from the site's responsible parties since 2023, but the data must be formalized and will likely be released by the end of the year. Smurfit-Stone Container closed in 2012 after manufacturing cardboard and other paper products for more than 50 years, leaving thousands of acres with potentially contaminated soil and groundwater. A gravel berm separates the potentially toxic floodplain from the Clark Fork River. The site is now owned by several companies and sits unused. A former Ravalli County Sheriffs deputy facing a slew of allegations that he sexually harassed female suspects while on the job has been separately charged with sexual assault in Missoula. Jeffrey Alan Gregoire, 44, has pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanor sexual assault charges in Missoula Municipal Court. The case is separate from the one he faces in Ravalli County, where hes been charged with six felonies related to an alleged pattern of sexually targeting women he encountered through his job as a sheriff's deputy. The first sexual assault citation refers to an incident on Nov. 13. 2023, about three months after Ravalli County officials began investigating him and he was subsequently fired. Missoula County is monitoring the potential for a disaster declaration in Seeley Lake following another destructive windstorm last week. As the storms continue to roll through western Montana this summer, more tree damage continues to rain down both within the Missoula city limits and outlying communities. The first and most destructive storm on July 24 prompted officials to seek a federal disaster declaration, which President Joe Biden approved on Friday. A new subdivision in East Missoula will add homes to the neighborhood for the next 10 years after the Missoula City Council approved the development Monday night, citing a need for infill development near downtown. The decision will add 252 units to undeveloped land near the Clark Fork River beginning in 2025. In a larger sense, the development represents a drastic change to East Missoula, as some councilors pointed out that annexation of the hold-out community can happen in the next few years. "I think annexation is coming and it has been signposted for awhile," Ward 5 Councilor Stacie Anderson said. The council voted 6-2 to annex and rezone the parcel, with Anderson, Bob Campbell, Mike Nugent, Gwen Jones, Amber Sherrill and Sandra Vasecka in approval. Councilors Eric Melson and Kristen Jordan voted no. An $11.25 million gift from a Georgia-based foundation will fund an on-campus building for Gallatin College, moving the fast-growing college's many programs under one roof in Bozeman, university officials announced Tuesday. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is awarding the money to the university. It will cover a chunk of the project, and half of the $22.5 million in private funds needed for the total, which is estimated to be about $46 million, according to a news release. The two-year college is an extension of Montana State University for technical education. This is an amazing investment in the people of Montana by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, MSU President Waded Cruzado said in the release. Generations of Montanans are going to have educational opportunities to prepare themselves for good jobs right here in their home state thanks to this gift. Serranos Mexican Restaurant in East Glacier will hold a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 21, to combat food insecurity and promote food sovereignty on the Blackfeet Reservation. At the Roots and Resilience fundraiser event, attendees will enjoy locally sourced meats, cheeses and dried fruits, a bison roast and desserts. Attendees will also be able to participate in a live auction to win items including a painted buffalo skull, woodwork, Indigenous artwork and more. Dylan Running Crane will also be performing live music. Tickets are $100 each, and 100% of proceeds will go to FAST Blackfeet, a nonprofit dedicated to improving food security on the reservation. Two guys live in Missoula. One spent years behind the drum kit touring with a hit soul-turned-pop act. The other did the same on bass with an NPR-featured soul band. For fun, for the sake of doing something different, they form an act. What kind of music do you think theyd play? If you guessed anything but an instrumental drum-and-bass heavy rock duo, complete with the tongue-in-cheek name Fluffy Bunny, youre wrong. John Wicks, formerly the percussionist for Fitz and the Tantrums, first heard of his new collaborator, Jesse Phillips, when an employee threw on a St. Paul and the Broken Bones record at the music-themed coffee shop he owns, Drum. He heard that Phillips, who grew up in Canada and northwestern Montana, was living in Missoula. Their bands ended up touring together and the two became friends. That inevitably led to a side project that's very different from their main gigs. The Sharrott Creek fire in the Bitterroot Mountains west of Stevensville maintained size at just over 1,000 acres through the weekend after having rampaged through timber for hours after ignition on Friday afternoon. But strong winds Tuesday and Wednesday could cause further fire growth and test firefighters' efforts to contain the blaze. The lightning-sparked fire was originally estimated to have burned about 1,600 acres in just a few hours by sunset Friday, after starting around 3:45 p.m. A subsequent infrared mapping flight determined the fire to be 1,048 acres. It's burning on the east face of St. Mary's Peak, about 3 miles west of U.S. Highway 93 and little over 4 miles west of historic downtown Stevensville. The number of people sickened in a deadly E. coli outbreak in the Flathead Valley in July has risen and another lawsuit has been filed. One woman died and now 22 total people are known to have fallen ill, according to an official with the Flathead City-County Health Department. Up until four days ago, the number of people sickened stood at 14, but the department has now included all the "out of jurisdiction" cases, meaning people who flew back home to other states have now been counted. Meanwhile, another person who was allegedly sickened from the tainted meat has filed a lawsuit against three businesses, the second such lawsuit. The body of a Whitefish climber was recovered Sunday after a weeklong search in Glacier National Park. Officials said he appeared to have fallen near McPartland Peak. Grant Marcuccio, 32, was found by Two Bear Air at approximately 2 p.m., park officials announced in a Monday news release. The cause of death remains under investigation, "but traumatic injuries and location of the body are indicative of a fall," according to the release. Marcuccio's body was found below the ridgeline running from Heavens Peak to McPartland Peak, officials stated. He had last been seen one week earlier by his hiking group, when he broke off to summit McPartland Peak alone. The search began the evening of Aug. 18 after he didn't show up at their rendezvous point. STEVENSVILLE Evacuations were ordered Friday night due to a new wildfire near Stevensville that rapidly torched at least 1,600 acres of timber on the east side of St. Mary's Peak. Just before 9 p.m., Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton ordered evacuations for areas near the base of St. Mary's Peak, on the west side of U.S. Highway 93. The evacuation order covered "Kootenai Creek, west of the intersection of Timber Trail, to include residences on Timber Trail; west of the west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, to include residences on Blue Grouse Lane, Redtail Hawk Lane, and Porcupine Lane; Marmot Lane west of St. Mary's Road; (and) St. Mary's Lookout Road, west of the intersection of St. Mary's Road." Boosting farmers' incomes with solar panels Xinhua) 08:52, August 30, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Some developers and new residents in Whitefish will see a refund from overpaid impact fees after the city approved a settlement agreement in August, although one resident said the issue of high fees has not been resolved. The city of Whitefish and its outside fee consultant agreed to a $1.4 million settlement in federal court earlier this year. The city said in a press release that the overcharging came from an accounting error. In 2019, the city approved new impact fees, which are charged to developers to help pay for the infrastructure that supports new growth. Impact fees are charged by local governments across the state of Montana. Oftentimes the fees are then forwarded from the home developers to new homebuyers. The city said it encountered one error with assessing the number of water fixtures in homes and self-audited the fees in 2021. Before the audit was complete, a class action lawsuit alleged the fees in general were excessive. A Butte judge recommended in April 2024 that the parties settle, which requires the outside consultant, Financial Consulting Solutions Group Inc., to pay $1 million in damages, while the city must pay $400,000. The agreement also impressed that the city was not at fault for the error. In total, seven named plaintiffs and 450 Whitefish residents will benefit from the settlement. "The settlement reaffirms the Citys commitment, first announced four years ago, to issuing impact fee refunds due as a result of the Citys fixture count error," a statement from city manager Dana Smith said. "It also reflects the Citys commitment to its citizens that they will not have to shoulder the burden of the significant cost associated with moving forward with trial proceedings through increased water and wastewater." Smith told the Missoulian that the city partnered with a new impact fee firm to deliver a new structure starting Jan. 1, 2024. Smith emphasized the need for the fees, as Whitefish continues to grow rapidly. Census numbers show the city increased by 22% from 2010 to 2020 for a total of 7,700 residents. The fees in part helped build the city's new wastewater treatment plant and city managers are looking to build a new water tower in southern Whitefish for new residents. Despite the settlement, some residents are still not satisfied with the impact fees. Paul Gillman, a consultant to the plaintiffs' attorney in the original case, said the city continues to overburden developers with impact fees. He told the Missoulian that in 2024 he has estimated new homes in Whitefish are each paying almost $5,000 more than the city should assess. He also challenged the city's narrative that they found the error and were working to fix it. "They had everything to do with it," Gillman said, claiming that he and other Whitefish residents first contacted the city about the high fees. Gillman said the city has overcharged the residents because the revenue is more than what the city needs to pay for the growth-related infrastructure. He also pointed to a difference in what contractor FCS recommended for impact fees and what the city assessed. For example, he said FCS recommended a maximum charge of $1,163 for water services on new property, while the city's maximum charge was listed at $4,119. Gillman provided documents from both FCS and the city of Whitefish to back up the claim. While the 2021 impact fees have been settled, Gillman said there are still questions on the 2024 fees. He said there is not a direct state agency that can hold the city accountable, meaning another lawsuit could be the only option to move forward. Smith denied any issue with the new impact fee structure. She said that the new consultant, TischlerVise, uses a different calculation system for the new fees. While the settlement agreement has been approved by all parties, there is still time for a resident to protest. Refunds for the high fees could reach residents by the end of 2024. Theres a trigger warning note at the beginning of Blink Twice that seems a bit excessive. Once the film unfolds, however, you understand why its there. Blink Twice is a highly upsetting film particularly when you realize its something that could happen. Frida (Naomi Ackie) and her roommate Jess (Alia Shawkat) serve as waiters at a gala hosted by a tech giant, Slater King (Channing Tatum), who is coming back from some unidentified problem. The event is lavish and, sure enough, the two servers figure out how to mingle with the rich and mighty after theyve passed a tray of appetizers. When Frida falls, the person whos there to help her is none other than Slater. He expresses considerable interest and invites the two to his private island for a getaway. There, everything is provided. The guests dont have to worry about food, clothing or fun and can basically relax. Drink and drugs are plentiful and then one of the guests goes missing. Thats essential to the story and the start of Blink Twices problems. While this easily could be a commentary on the culture that led to #MeToo, theres enough here that others could find unsettling. In Jordan Peeles hands, the concept could work. Zoe Kravitz, however, isn't quite sure where she wants to point the finger. As director, she exhibits great visual style but gets into murkier territory with the story. It wants to head everywhere. Immediately, Epsteins Island comes to mind when you see the hosts and their guests. Christian Slater, Haley Joel Osment and Simon Rex are among the men entertaining the women. Theyre a mixed bag (particularly when stirred with Kyle MacLachlan as a therapist and Geena Davis as Slaters sister). Dinners have a creepy, try this tone and soon guests are passing out. When Frida decides to cool it on the drugs, she gets a clearer head and realizes all is not what it seems. She finds an ally in a contestant from a Survivor-like show and begins her escape. Unfortunately, Kravitz doesnt view that as a way to right the wrongs but as one to turn the tables. Thats where Blink Twice loses its power. Ackie and Tatum are fine in their roles; Slater is overdone and Rex has potential. But this is one of those what if? dramas that makes you want to exit, not learn more. When Kravitz gets to her big a-ha ending, Blink Twice becomes a means to an end, not an end to a problem. The best movies of 2024 so far The best movies of 2024 so far #5. The Settlers #4. Inshallah a Boy #3. Pictures of Ghosts #2. Totem #1. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell #25. How to Have Sex #24. Dune: Part Two #23. Io Capitano #22. Hundreds of Beavers #21. The Settlers #20. The Beast #19. Housekeeping for Beginners #18. Skin Deep #17. Aisha #16. Challengers #15. Hit Man #14. Inshallah a Boy #13. Evil Does Not Exist #12. Terrestrial Verses #11. Janet Planet #10. Chicken for Linda! #9. I Saw the TV Glow #8. Pictures of Ghosts #7. About Dry Grasses #6. La Chimera #5. Totem #4. Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus #3. Here #2. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell #1. Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World #25. Hundreds of Beavers #24. Housekeeping for Beginners #23. 20,000 Species of Bees #22. Skin Deep #20. Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger #19. Challengers #18. Sing Sing #16. Inshallah a Boy #15. Ghostlight #14. Evil Does Not Exist #13. Terrestrial Verses #11. I Saw the TV Glow #10. Janet Planet #9. About Dry Grasses #8. Pictures of Ghosts #7. Green Border #6. La Chimera #5. Totem #4. Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus #1. Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World #21. Aisha #17. Hit Man #12. Chicken for Linda! #3. Here #2. Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has promised to improve Kenyas economy in the next one year. Speaking during President William Rutos visit to Homa Bay County on Thursday, CS Mbadi expressed confidence in his ability to revive the economy within this timeframe. Ninakuhakikishia hii uchumi ya Kenya mtupatie one year; the second year itafufuka, he said. (I assure you that if you give us one year; by the second year this economy will be revived). On Thursday, President Ruto held a thanksgiving ceremony for Mbadi in his Suba South constituency after launching various projects across Homa Bay County. An accountant by profession, Mbadi previously chaired the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly for several years. Experts have advised Mbadi to focus on reducing government excesses, eliminating unnecessary expenditures, and exploring debt rescheduling options. While debt rescheduling may incur hefty interest, experts believe it could help fill gaps created by Rutos budget cuts, which have affected multiple sectors. For instance, the education sector faced a Ksh30 billion cut, resulting in the removal of funding for the school feeding program. The health sector also experienced a Ksh20 billion reduction, and the government eliminated confidential budgets. Additionally, the administration reduced the number of presidential advisors, dissolved 47 parastatals with overlapping mandates, and imposed a freeze on motor vehicle purchases, except for security agencies. To further strengthen the economy, the Treasury plans to implement a mid-term revenue generation strategy. This initiative aims to increase Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collections from the current 13.5 percent of GDP to 20 percent by the end of the 2026/27 financial year. The government clarified that it will not require Kenyans to register for the new Maisha Card, nor will it link the cards acquisition to the upcoming general elections. Instead, the government plans to utilize the advanced features of the new ID to encourage Kenyans to transition from their current identification documents to the digital version supported by Maisha Namba. Immigration Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok emphasized that the existing 2nd generation ID will remain valid and acceptable during the next general election. He highlighted the significant benefits of the Maisha Card due to its advanced digital capabilities. The governments intention is not to compel anyone to apply for the Maisha Card. We want it to be a voluntary process, but we encourage people to consider obtaining it early due to its advantages, PS Bitok explained. He made these remarks during a breakfast meeting at the Nairobi Serena Hotel, where he engaged with representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), religious leaders, the private sector, youth, and other special interest groups. PS Bitok dismissed rumors linking the introduction of the Maisha Card to potential electoral manipulation in 2027. He pointed out that the card has a 10-year expiration date, meaning it will not expire until 2033, long after the next election. This claim is baseless. The first Maisha Card was issued in 2023, so simple mathematics shows that it wont expire until 2033, he stated. Bitok expressed confidence that once citizens experience the enhanced features of the Maisha Card, they will recognize its value and be more inclined to adopt it. Known as the 3rd Generation ID, the Maisha Card incorporates state-of-the-art technology and biometric features that align with international standards. Bitok defended the cards 10-year expiration period, explaining that it is based on industry norms, international conventions, and the natural changes in biometric features, such as facial recognition, over time. The expiration of your ID does not affect your citizenship; it simply signals the need to renew the document, he noted. The meeting also addressed draft regulations for the Registration of Persons Amendment Rules 2024 and the Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Rules 2024. These amendments aim to streamline the Maisha Namba system and its components, including the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI), Maisha Digital Identity, and the Maisha Namba Database. Additionally, the regulations will establish a framework for capturing new biometric data, such as iris recognition, and will ensure that the Maisha Card aligns with counties as administrative units, as outlined in the Constitution. Nairobi County has partnered with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to enhance its legal services by hiring 46 lawyers directly. This initiative, announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday, is designed to reduce the countys pending legal bills and curb excessive legal costs. Governor Sakaja emphasized that the county aims to streamline its legal expenses by providing fixed salaries to these new lawyers, who will be stationed at City Hall. With 26 lawyers already on staff, Sakaja stated that increasing the legal team will minimize the need for outsourcing, which has historically contributed to the countys financial challenges. Every sector within the county government needs legal counsel, Sakaja explained. Litigation, conveyancing, contracting, compliance, and legislative affairs all require proper legal guidance. In addition to reducing outsourcing, the newly hired lawyers will address the Kes.21 billion in pending legal bills inherited from the previous administration. These legal payments have been a source of controversy, attracting scrutiny from investigative agencies. Governor Sakaja also announced that the partnership with LSK will play a crucial role in developing the legal framework for public-private partnerships, particularly for the upcoming ICT infrastructure upgrade at City Court. We are improving the ICT infrastructure at City Court to speed up justice delivery, ensuring minor cases are resolved promptly without unnecessary delays, Sakaja affirmed. LSK Nairobi Branch Chairman Eric Kivuva expressed full support for this collaboration, pledging to work together to enhance legal services for Nairobis residents. The partnership will include developing specialized training programs, participating in Legal Aid initiatives, engaging in the legislative process, and collaborating during the Annual LSK Conference and other activities. Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed criticized Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday for declaring himself the chief opposition leader. During Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadis thanksgiving ceremony, Junet accused Kalonzo of self-appointing to the role, emphasizing that no constitutional provision supports such a declaration in Kenya. He pointed out that the government has not yet established the office of the official opposition, as mandated by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report. Junet reiterated his position, announcing plans to collaborate with the Leader of the Majority in Parliament, Kimani Ichungwa, to ensure the establishment of the opposition leaders office. I heard our fellow brothers claiming that we as members of the ODM party are in government and that they are the new opposition leaders, Junet stated. RELATED Kalonzo Declares Himself Official Opposition Leader as Raila Pursues AUC Position There is no place in the constitution where the role of the opposition leader has been highlighted. We, as the minority members in Parliament, will work with the Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah to establish the position of the official opposition leader. Junet asserted that he currently holds the position of interim opposition leader due to Raila Odingas new pursuit of the African Union Commission Chairperson role. He argued that his role as the minority leader in Parliament grants him the authority to assume Odingas responsibilities. So let no one pick up a role that is not yet there. Let us first work on the matter in Parliament, then someone can go ahead and take up the role, Junet said. Currently, I am the opposition leader in Kenya because I am the minority leader, and you cannot take the role from me. Those who want to work in opposition should contact me. Addressing the issue of mass failures in bar examinations is a key challenge that the new Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor, plans to tackle following a recent meeting with stakeholders in the legal community. Oduor organized a consultative meeting on Wednesday, showing her commitment to resolving issues affecting law students. Law students have voiced concerns over the admission criteria for the advocates training program and the transparency of the examination process administered by the Council of Legal Education (CLE). Last month, students even threatened protests, expressing frustration over what they believe are deliberate efforts to mark down their exams and delay their admissions to the bar. Additionally, grievances were raised regarding the fees charged for enrolling in the advocates training program and the lack of financial support for needy students wishing to join the Kenya School of Law (KSL). The discussions also focused on the budgetary allocations for both KSL and CLE. Key figures attended the meeting, including the president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the chairpersons of KSL and CLE, the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC), and their respective CEOs. Following the meeting, a statement was issued announcing the formation of a working committee, led by the KLRC chairperson, to address the issues raised. The committee will be responsible for consolidating and harmonizing student concerns, including examining the implications of various court rulings on the subject. The statement emphasized the committees role in ensuring a timely response to these matters. The committee is expected to deliver a report within two months, which will guide the implementation of necessary reforms in the legal education system. How To Become a High Court Advocate To become a High Court advocate, students must pass all nine units of a 12-month course at the Kenya School of Law, located in Nairobis Karen area. Admission to KSL is granted to students who have earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized university. However, data from the CLE shows that students have consistently failed the bar exam over the past 15 years, raising concerns about their chances of being admitted to the bar. To qualify for bar admission, candidates must score at least 50 percent in all nine subjects, pass an oral examination, and submit a written project for each subject. Meanwhile, enrolling at KSL requires students to pay Kes. 145,000 for admission, along with Kes. 45,000 in examination fees for the nine units to be completed within 12 months. Students who fail any exams must pay Kes. 10,000 for each paper they retake. If a student fails all nine units, they would need to pay Kes. 90,000 before being allowed to retake the exams. The most commonly failed subjects among repeat examinees are Probate or Administration, Conveyancing, and Commercial Transactions. Former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha reflected on her brief tenure in President William Rutos cabinet, admitting that the doctors strike was the lowest point of her time at the ministry. As she handed over the office to her successor, Health CS Debra Mlongo Barasa, Nakhumicha expressed regret over the nationwide industrial action. It was one of the lowest moments for me during my tenure, but even in that challenging period, we worked as a team and managed the situation as best as we could, she said. Nakhumicha announced the end of the doctors strike on May 8, 2024, following 56 days of intense negotiations to resolve the impasse. She acknowledged that those 56 days were a difficult period not only for her but for the entire ministry. Patients were waiting to be served, but the doctors were unavailable, she observed. Nakhumicha advised Barasa that there is always room for improvement when assuming new responsibilities. We could have done better, perhaps. I view it as part of the journey in this role. Even when you think you are doing good, the law of unintended consequences catches up with you. You plan to do your best, but sometimes outcomes differ from your intentions, she said. Offering her support, Nakhumicha assured CS Barasa that she would be available for help or advice if needed. I havent been here long enough to offer extensive advice, but there is no definitive guide on how to do the job. There are the Constitution, the Health Act, and ministry policies. Work within these parameters, and you should be able to navigate the challenges, she stated. Two Kenyans stranded in Saudi Arabia have appealed for government intervention to help them return home after their former employer barred them from leaving due to an alleged Kes. 1.08 million debt. Evanson Kariuki and Said Olunga have been stuck in the Gulf nation for years after their former employer filed a case against them, claiming they each owe 15,750 Riyals (Kes. 540,265). Kariuki explained that their employer terminated their contract after they inquired about partial salary payments and the failure to renew their Saudi Residence Identity Card, commonly known as Iqama. The employer filed a case against us in court, claiming that we owe him money, and a travel ban was issued against us. We cannot travel back, yet we do not know why they are asking for the money, Kariuki stated. Kariuki, 32, from Nairobi, and Olunga, 48, from Kakamega, traveled to Saudi Arabia in November 2020 to work as truck drivers under a two-year contract. However, before the end of November 2022, their employer terminated the contracts, which the two attribute to their inquiries about delayed salaries and the non-renewal of their residence cards. We were not receiving our full salaries, and our identity documents were not being renewed, so we couldnt send money back home. When we asked about it, our passports were withheld, and the truck keys were taken from us, Kariuki explained as quoted by the Standard. Contract Terms Contract documents between the two Kenyans and the transport company reveal that they were hired with a monthly salary of 1,200 Saudi Riyals (Kes. 41,164) and a food allowance of 200 Saudi Riyals (Kes. 6,860). However, Olunga claims they received only 800 Riyals instead of the agreed 1,400 Riyals after the employer stated that the deductions covered their traffic violation fees. Initially, seven Kenyans worked for the company, but some were deported, leaving the duo vulnerable to their employer. Kariuki mentioned that they reported the situation to Kenyas Labour Attache in Saudi Arabia, who advised them to file a case against the company at the countrys labor office. Initially, we were seven people, but five were arrested and later deported while the employer filed a case against the two of us, claiming we owed them 15,750 Riyals (Kes. 540,265) each. They said it was company procedure, he said. Kariuki further claimed that their employer confiscated their passports for a year before returning them and instructing them to seek help from the embassy. We have suffered a lot, and at this point, we just need assistance to come back home, said Kariuki, who previously worked as a taxi driver. Kariuki also alleged that the company submitted documents in court containing their names and signatures. The signatures were forged because the documents were written in Arabic. We have never signed anything without translation, he stated. The two men are now relying on well-wishers for support. Every time we visit the deportation offices, we are told there is a travel ban and that we must first clear with the company, said Olunga, a former driver from Kakamega. They are calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene in their situation. I am a father of six, and my family is suffering. I cannot provide for them or pay their school fees. We just want to go back home. We are not even interested in the salary arrears, Olunga added. Motorists using the Haile Selassie and Uhuru Highway roundabout to enter Nairobis Central Business District (CBD) have been notified to expect a 45-day traffic disruption. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced that this disruption will facilitate planned construction work at the site. According to the agencys notice, the interruption will begin on Saturday, August 31 and end on Tuesday, October 15. KeNHA explained that the traffic disruption is due to scheduled roadworks to construct a pedestrian underpass in the area. To minimize inconvenience, the agency has set up alternative entry and exit routes for motorists and is urging them to cooperate with traffic officers who will be stationed at the site to help manage traffic flow. Vehicles traveling from Upper Hill towards Waiyaki Way will be directed to use a diversion at Greenpark, while those coming from Mombasa Road to Waiyaki Way will also utilize the Greenpark diversion. In contrast, motorists traveling from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road should use the diversion at Rubis Petrol Station. Drivers heading from the CBD to Mombasa Road can choose either the Rubis Petrol Station diversion or the Ring Road behind Neno Evangelism Church. Fortunately, vehicles moving between the CBD and Upper Hill will not face any disruptions. A woman faced charges on Friday for stealing from worshippers during church functions. Tabitha Auma Luta Okello appeared before Bungoma Resident Magistrate Harriet Getenga, where she faced eight counts of stealing from congregants handbags at GAK Church in the Oldrex area around 2:00 PM on June 30, 2024. Okello also faced charges for stealing a bag containing cash, an identity card for the African Institute, a notebook, and a mobile phone, all valued at Kes. 7,200, from Mercy Musundi, who was deep in prayer at the time. In addition, she allegedly stole a handbag with items valued at Kes. 33,400 during a church crusade at Posta Grounds. Okello allegedly committed theft at the Bungoma High School pitch and an SDA church as well. The court heard that Okello faced alternative counts of stealing on different dates in Bungoma and Kakamega counties. She denied all eight charges. Prosecutor Wycliffe Minishi informed the court that Okello is a serial thief specializing in stealing womens handbags, primarily from church functions. He stated that the accused likely works with accomplices who remain at large and are currently being pursued by the police. I oppose releasing the accused because her accomplice has not been arrested. Additionally, she might be lynched, as indicated by the affidavit sworn by the investigating officer, Minishi said. He noted that Okello has a pattern of attending church under the guise of praying. Once congregants become engrossed in deep prayers, she steals their handbags and flees. The prosecutor also mentioned that similar cases of handbag theft have been reported at various police stations and have yet to be brought to court. The accused poses a flight risk because she is suspected of coming from the neighboring country, Uganda. If released on bond, she might escape, he said. The magistrate ordered a probation report to be filed before considering the accuseds release on bond. The accused has a history of stealing handbags, particularly from churches. This is evident in the affidavit sworn by the investigating officer. I, therefore, request the probation officers to file a report that will guide the court on whether to grant the accused bond or not. Meanwhile, she will be remanded at Bungoma G.K. prison. The matter will be mentioned on September 16, Magistrate Getenga stated. American Canyon leaders want to ensure that homes and businesses built in their city have an American Canyon look and dont seem to pop out of an architectural cookie cutter. We dont want to look like Anytown. We want to look like our town, said Brent Cooper, the city's community development director. Last week, the City Council and Planning Commission met to discuss the American Canyon look and how to achieve it consistently. They found projects to praise, and a few to criticize. American Canyon doesnt have the century-plus histories of Napa County's other cities, having incorporated in 1992. Theres no downtown. Straddling wine country and the urban Bay Area, it is still creating a sense of place. Apparently, the 66-unit Napa Cove being built along Highway 29 doesnt reflect the our town look envisioned by workshop participants. Several described the apartment complex as having a drab, institutional appearance. This is our highway. This is our front door. This should pop, City Councilmember David Oro said. Certainly, the new Chicken Guy! restaurant will add highway pop, with renderings showing a massive red front wall at an angle and a yellow facade. But does this look used by the chicken chain elsewhere in America fit American Canyon? Everybody wanted Chicken Guy!, said city Planning Commissioner Andrew Goff. One consideration is the feel of a project, but another is the economic growth of the city, he added. Chicken Guy!, Ill let that go, because theres an angle, theres a side, theres a color, theres things that come out at you that you interact with differently, Oro said. Several officials said the new Home2 Suites hotel isnt quite the look they want. City Councilmember Mark Joseph said perhaps contrasting colors are needed. Yet the Planning Commission saw renderings of Napa Cove and Home2 Suites before construction and approved the projects. Its hard to say what its going to look like until it shows up and its too late. So how do we protect ourselves? Joseph said. The issue becomes more acute when projects arent always built exactly as approved, and when issues like cost overruns arise. I have yet to see a project that doesnt sneak in some changes of one kind or another. We dont always catch them all, Cooper said. Mayor Leon Garcia praised the way the Walmart Supercenter has different elements that make it look like several stores and colors based on local hills. He praised the farm-buildings look of Canyon Plaza, as well as the Valley View homes. Looking at what American Canyon has seen built that works might be a way of approaching the architectural question, Garcia said. While codifying an American Canyon look, the city must also deal with California laws. In particular, the state doesnt want ambiguous design standards used to kill affordable housing projects. That has American Canyon and other cities looking at objective standards. The city might update its regulations to more clearly spell out acceptable colors and building materials. But objective standards might not be a cure-all. Joseph said the mixing and matching of acceptable elements can still add up to an ugly project. Plus, the city may not want to be too rigid. Cooper said there needs to be a way for applicants to propose architectural ideas that might be new and better. Overall, participants in the workshop seemed to be reaching for something that they know when they see, but dont always know how to articulate. They had help from Kimmie Nguyen, a consultant with RRM Design Group. Nguyen highlighted the challenge of reaching a consensus on good design. What speaks to one person thats lovely and eye-catching and a good fit for your city might not speak to the next person in the same way," she said. " Design is really quite personal in the end. One idea that came up is having an on-call architect look at proposals. Meanwhile, the Planning Commission at recent meetings has grappled with the citys latest architectural issue. Developers of multifamily units on prominent Oat Hill want to make mid-construction changes, such as using more stucco and cheaper roofing material. The developer wants to cut some costs because unexpected issues have added other costs, such as having to build more retaining walls. The city must decide if the same desired overall appearance can be achieved. Thats a prime piece of real estate in this community, Planning Commissioner Eric Altman said. Whats built there should be first-class, look really sharp, be notable and be noteworthy to anybody driving along 29, because theyre going to see it. How to make it look like American Canyon, not Anytown, is the challenge. PHOTOS: First Presbyterian Church celebrates sanctuary's 150th anniversary Promoting cultural understanding is perhaps more important now than ever, as there are "a lot of misunderstandings and conflict" in the world, a British expert has said. "I firmly believe that the things we have in common are much more powerful than the things that make us different," Nigel Morgan, professor of social sustainability at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (UK), told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Ultimately, we're all similar. We just have different trajectories through history," he said. Morgan is an expert in place marketing, tourism, and social sustainability and has led a range of consultancy projects and conducted extensive cultural research across the world. In his view, the UK and China can learn from each other in terms of tourism practices to promote mutual understanding among different cultures. "Both countries are very strong in their heritage and history, which are powerful attractors for international tourists," he said. According to him, the UK and China face similar challenges, as international tourists tend to only visit popular destinations, which is a waste of the tourism resources in the rest of both countries. The two countries can share good practices, such as presenting their appeal in an accessible way and bringing economic development to less-visited areas, he said. "Tourism is a way to promote more cultural understanding" as it provides a channel to comprehend other value sets and observe how different people interact, Morgan said. Recalling his trip to Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province in 2006, he called it "an authentic experience." He described witnessing a traditional tea ceremony on the trip and visiting a local silk market where he bought souvenirs for his family. If people can understand each other's values and appreciate the heritage and history of other countries via trips, we can "promote peaceful exchanges much more effectively," he said. In less than a month, Morgan will attend the 2024 Beijing Culture Forum as a panel speaker. "I'm really looking forward to learning from international case studies, and particularly from Chinese case studies," he told Xinhua, adding that he expects to learn more about Beijing's cultural development strategies. By LI XIAOYUN YAN GUO/FOR CHINA DAILY China-Africa agricultural cooperation exemplifies the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind China-Africa agricultural cooperation plays a vital role in their broader partnership, and viewing it as beneficial to only one side is a biased perspective. The differences in development between China and Africa, along with their respective strengths and challenges in agriculture, create a mutually beneficial relationship. Promoting China-Africa cooperation is crucial for Africa's development, particularly in poverty reduction and agricultural advancement, as well as for China's agricultural growth. First, the African continent, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, remains predominantly agricultural. In most countries, agriculture accounts for over 30 percent of GDP, with more than 70 percent of the population involved in farming and most people living in rural areas. Agriculture is crucial to these countries' economies and societies. However, low urbanization and limited demand for non-agricultural products pose challenges. Aside from cash crops such as coffee and cocoa for international markets, domestic demand for agricultural products is limited. For instance, our team has been promoting high-density maize planting in Morogoro, Tanzania, for a decade, but farmers often face the dilemma of unsold maize despite increased yields. Second, sub-Saharan African countries have abundant land resources but low population density, resulting in less pressure on land. And many areas are in the tropics and have rich sources of food that do not need to grow on arable land, which also contributes to low agricultural productivity. In southern Tanzania, where we work, farmers in major maize-producing provinces achieve an average yield of only 50 to 100 kilograms per mu (one-fifteenth of a hectare). Even with simple techniques such as increasing planting density and weeding frequency without using fertilizers yields can increase two to three times. Many African countries have substantial agricultural growth potential and could become key to global food security. Third, in most African countries, rural areas generally do not face severe difficulties accessing food, provided there are no wars or natural disasters. However, the primary challenge lies in households lacking sufficient economic resources to meet their basic material needs. Farmers relying solely on family labor often cannot cultivate larger plots, leading to low productivity and limited commercialization. Additionally, insufficient domestic demand hampers the creation of a robust demand in urban and rural areas, resulting in slow income growth for farmers. Consequently, sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest poverty rates globally 36.7 percent in 2020, according to the World Bank standards, compared to just 1 percent in East Asia and the Pacific. Promoting agricultural development in Africa from a global perspective is crucial for poverty alleviation in the region. Fourth, China's experience in transitioning from an agriculture-based country to an industrialized one, particularly in leveraging agricultural development for large-scale poverty reduction and rapid socioeconomic transformation, is highly relevant to Africa's current development stage. African agriculture needs to shift from extensive cultivation to increased land productivity. China's labor-intensive farming techniques can offer valuable insights for Africa to overcome its capital and technology constraints. Additionally, manual and semi-manual agricultural machinery once widely used in China is also applicable in Africa. Therefore, China-Africa agricultural cooperation should focus on the complementarity of experience and application. Fifth, as China is a major player in global agricultural trade, China-Africa agricultural cooperation can significantly boost African agricultural development. In the first half of 2024, China imported a total of 84.18 million metric tons of grain, with increased imports of wheat and soybeans. In recent years, China has reached a series of trade agreements with African countries. For example, China and Tanzania reached an agreement on soybean trade in 2020, making Tanzania one of China's soybean suppliers. In this sense China-Africa trade cooperation could provide impetus. Sixth, with China's economic and social development, the spillover of Chinese agricultural education, research and technology has become increasingly evident. More Chinese research institutions and universities are beginning to engage with Africa. As an emerging economy, China's development process and experience over the past decades are highly relevant to Africa in its modernization drive. Viewing China-Africa cooperation as a mechanism for sharing parallel experiences, particularly in agriculture, is highly valuable. China's experience in maize, rice, vegetables, fruits and animal husbandry, based on small holder farmer development models, is highly relevant for many African countries, highlighting the unique value of China-Africa agricultural cooperation. China-Africa agricultural cooperation exemplifies the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, where both sides establish a mutually beneficial partnership at their respective development stages. The cooperation includes bilateral, trilateral and multilateral development partnerships, as well as a new type of South-South cooperation formed through trade and investment, making it a typical example of global development cooperation in the new era. The author is lead chair professor of China Agricultural University and honorary dean of the College of International Development and Global Agriculture. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily. China Daily Aug 30, 2024 Bias in writing museum artifact descriptions. Support for advising Goizueta Business School students. Protection of artistic copyrights. Car accidents at dangerous intersections. Obesity in Atlanta. These topics may seem to have little in common on the surface. But in the Center for AI Learnings AI.Xperience program, they each converged with artificial intelligence (AI) as the subjects of research projects led by Emory students. For several weeks during the summer, 44 graduate and undergraduate students hailing from a variety of disciplines within Emory immersed themselves in data science projects proposed by schools and units across campus. After soliciting project ideas and gauging interest from faculty and staff, Tommy Ottolin, senior program coordinator at the Center for AI Learning, presented the projects to the students. The students then ranked their project preferences and were matched and connected with the supervising faculty members. We wanted this program to give everyone the opportunity to learn more about data science and artificial intelligence, said Ottolin. We wanted them to apply it to a real-world concept and walk away from the summer with a fascinating experience where not only did they learn more about these concepts that they may or may not have seen within the confines of a classroom, but they also have become subject matter experts in niche applied fields of AI, which will help them professionally and academically. After being matched with their projects, the teams were off to investigate their topic and create a tangible output by the end of the summer. Ottolin and co-director Kevin McAlister, assistant teaching professor in qualitative theory and methods, introduced students to their project leads. From there, it was up to the students to dictate their work, and the faculty lead to guide the group and assist them where necessary. In a world where AI might often seem scary or untamable, Ottolin said the result and passion of the AI.Xperience projects directly counter that narrative and offer positive implications for each respective field. All of these AI.Xperience projects are unique applications of AI and data science, and they all have produced interesting work in meaty and topical areas. I hope that we can show off the potential in a wide range of fields, and I hope that the program can inspire others on campus and beyond to look inward to their teams and question how they could heighten the potential for their skills if they married them with the newest technologies available to everyone, said Ottolin. When reflecting on the summer, Ottolin praised the students for their boldness in completing projects in diverse subject areas that have the potential to impact many people. It goes back to the goal of Emorys AI.Humanity initiative, Ottolin said. We know the university has incredible expertise in business, law, arts and humanities, health and the social sciences, and we know that we have a deluge of humanistic thinkers who can think about the real-world implications of things. If we pair that with the emerging technologies, we can accomplish this higher level of accomplishment that isnt accessible from either camp in a silo. Ottolin pointed to one pleasant surprise from the summer: the connections built between students. I think were building a community on campus of folks who are genuinely interested and excited, and that is literally all you need to get involved with the Center for AI Learning, he said. As summer drew to a close, student participants, Center for AI Learning staff, faculty and supporters gathered on campus to see the hard work and effort of each student group through oral and poster presentations. Click the titles to learn more about each project and the students and faculty who participated. Bias in museum artifact tagging The Michael C. Carlos Museum on Emorys campus displays thousands of artifacts for visitors to enjoy. Descriptions of each piece accompany the artifacts, offering vital information such as the time period, a few paragraphs about the piece, the medium and other details. The AI.Xperience group discovered that some descriptions hold a bias, and they used AI to evaluate the museum catalog for the presence of bias. Identifying four types of potential bias in descriptions subjective, jargon, social and gender bias the group extracted data from the Carlos Museums descriptions. After utilizing language models to sort the biased terms in the selected group of descriptions, they trained a GPT (generative pre-trained transformer) to identify both biased and unbiased text. Utilizing another GPT, the group could input biased text and receive suggestions for alleviating bias. Raasikh Kanjiani, a third-year student studying computer science and minoring in math, expressed his appreciation for AI.Xperience, which immersed him in an impactful project aligned with his academic passions. I was interested in the technical side of this project, the challenge of applying computer science to a field that is super relevant, and it was an interesting project that Id never seen discussed previously, Kanjiani said. I didnt know AI.Xperience was an opportunity I had at Emory, and taking advantage of it has helped me learn a lot. Todd Lamkin, director of collections services and chief registrar at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, was one of two project leads for this group, advising students and meeting weekly to check progress and answer questions. For him, the project aligns with heightening accessibility in learning spaces. Museums are for all, Lamkin said. A key task of 21st-century museums is to make their collections accessible to everyone. A great way to put this promise into action is to describe the collection in language that is understood by all and that avoids biased perspectives. This project is an important step toward this goal. Advising students in Goizueta Business School Goizueta Business School includes approximately 1,300 undergraduate bachelor of business administration (BBA) students. To serve and guide those students in requirements for their major and selection of more than 90 related course offerings, there are 14 academic advisors. The AI.Xperience group asked: How can AI be leveraged to enhance student advising? Expressing the challenges of traditional advising, the group pointed to jams during peak advising periods, difficulty in parsing program requirements and the high student-to-advisor ratio as reasons why AI should be utilized to address these conflicts. Utilizing the course atlas, syllabi, BBA catalog and other resources, the group trained an AI chatbot, creating an on-demand way for students to ask questions about their schedule and course requirements. Wen Gu, associate professor in the practice of information systems and operations management, proposed the project and served as the groups faculty lead. Gu said that due to the constant evolution of curriculum and student needs, advisors face an uphill challenge in staying informed. Our AI-powered academic advisor chatbot is designed to bridge this gap, empowering advisors with up-to-date, relevant information. This will not only ease their workload but also significantly enhance the quality of advising and, by extension, the student experience, said Gu. This tool will revolutionize the way academic advisors operate, significantly enhancing the speed and quality of their work. Chris Paik, a third-year business student, saw this project as an opportunity to combine his interest in education and his desire to learn more about the practical applications of AI. It was enlightening to learn more about what goes into advising, and the potential to make that process better for everyone through this project is exciting, said Paik. Im also interested in learning more about AI. Its been engaging to utilize AI to put something to practice and make something meaningful out of it. Generative AI image corruption When users enter prompts into AI image generation models, the resulting images may seem like entirely new work. The reality, though, is that many generative AI models use images from the internet without the artists consent or regard for compensation. In other words, the software is using unlicensed images to create new art. A group of AI.Xperience students used data to study the effectiveness of NightShade, a program that distorts images fed into AI models for training, inhibiting the AIs ability to comprehend prompts and create content based on the prompts. Selecting a group of Claude Monet paintings as their test group, students poisoned the images using NightShade, then used an AI model to evaluate the image quality and compare the altered and pure images. The students found that NightShades impact on visual aesthetics is small and acceptable just enough to poison the image and distort it from the original. David Schweidel, professor of marketing at Goizueta Business School, served as the faculty lead for the AI image generation group. Generative AI requires massive data for development, but we dont often talk about the fact that the data are produced by individuals, said Schweidel, noting the importance of this project. Whether were talking about journalists, musicians, authors or visual artists, they never consented to their work being used in this way. Being able to measure how much an individuals work contributes to a generative AI models performance is a necessary step in understanding the value it creates. Schweidel said the Emory students involved in this project not only got a chance to sharpen their skills but also to consider the direction AI is headed. Its great to see students embrace problems that have far-reaching consequences. I think the project not only gave them additional training in their technical skills, but also required them to grapple with their own level of comfort with how AI systems are developed. These are exactly the types of issues that students should be confronted with so that they can decide where they stand on such topics, said Schweidel. Tom Suo, a third-year student studying applied math and statistics, said he was drawn to the project to diversify his experience with AI. Working with generative AI, as opposed to geospatial analysis and chatbots, interested me the most because it was new to me, and I wanted to try something different this summer, Suo said. In the future, I think this work can apply to copyright laws and the legal world. Obesity in Atlanta Though some projects began as a hyper-localized look at one particular issue, the project investigating factors influencing obesity in Atlanta grew out of an article published by Xiao Huang, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, in which he and other co-authors explored obesity across the United States. I thought it would be a great idea to extract data specifically from the metro Atlanta area and give it to the students. This way, they could work with real research data and apply cutting-edge AI modeling techniques, said Huang, who also served as the project lead for the team. Throughout the summer, the group utilized machine learning methods to identify the primary influences of obesity around metro Atlanta, how these factors influence obesity outcomes and offer policy suggestions based on those results. The group discovered that behavioral factors, such as lack of sleep and physical activity, outweigh sociodemographic and environmental factors. These findings suggest the critical role that lifestyle plays in determining obesity. Huang noted how the model created by this AI.Xperience team is applicable beyond obesity. Cutting-edge, explainable AI technologies can help uncover the intrinsic relationships between contributing factors and outcomes, he said. This project uses obesity as a case study, but AI models can certainly help predict other disease outcomes as well. Sana Ansari, a fourth-year student studying quantitative sciences and public policy, derived many lessons from the project over the summer. She gravitated to this project thanks to her major and a previous internship focused on factory farming. Applying AI to her existing understanding of how food contributes to health problems made for a fascinating summer. Ive always been interested in public health and public policy, Ansari said. I knew I would enjoy this project because I understood the potential impacts. Car crashes at dangerous intersections Anyone who has driven around Atlanta has probably passed a familiar scene at an intersection: a car crash. One AI.Xperience group set out to understand what makes intersections dangerous by investigating if intersections involving roads with different jurisdictional ownerships have a higher frequency of crashes. This group gathered data about crashes and created a chatbot to answer questions about road planning, maintenance and legality. After compiling data, the groups hypothesis was confirmed. Indeed, intersections at jurisdictional boundaries such as city and county roads did have more crashes due to inconsistent maintenance and design issues. The group discovered that the intersection with the greatest number of crashes was at I-85 and Pleasantdale Road. Pablo Montagnes, associate professor of political science and quantitative theory and methods, noted how impactful the findings of this project could be in reducing deaths and injuries due to traffic accidents. Traffic accidents are some of the most tragic forms of death and injury, especially because they often affect young people. I've lost dear friends in their 20s to car accidents, and their loss is deeply felt, said Montagnes. There are known improvements that could be made to our roads, yet progress seems stalled. This project attempted to explore one possible reason for this lack of progress. Montagnes was impressed by the AI.Xperience groups dedication to addressing these challenges head-on by utilizing AI. Seeing the students so enthusiastic about contributing to a real-world problem like traffic accidents and recognizing that their work could eventually lead to meaningful change was truly inspiring. They were full of ideas, and the scope and depth of the project expanded throughout the summer, Montagnes said. Riyaa Randhawa, a third-year student studying computer science and minoring in business, agreed with Montagnes assessment of the profound potential impact of their findings. I thought this project could make real change, through working with government entities. Ive driven around Atlanta, so Ive seen the conditions of roads and crashes myself. I felt that this project was the perfect combination of learning and implementing real-life solutions, said Randhawa. Reflecting on her time in AI.Xperience, Randhawa said she enjoyed not only the subject matter, but also the format and experience she gained in the program. I really liked how the pace of the project, our goals and outcomes were all reliant on us as students. It gave me a glimpse of potential job roles that I could see myself in later on, she said. AI.Xperience made me feel a lot more connected not only to the professors here but also to the Center for AI Learning. It excited me to see the number of connections they had in the community and across Emory. Christina Gavegnano remembers looking out the bus window on her way to elementary school and telling herself, You will develop a drug that saves a lot of people. It was less a dream than a statement of fact. Now an assistant professor at Emory School of Medicine and the Emory College of Arts and Sciences Center for the Study of Human Health, Gavegnano has developed two anti-inflammatory medicines that help save lives around the world and have the potential to alter treatment for everything from Alzheimers disease to sepsis. Those medications have already changed Emorys undergraduate landscape. On the same day in 2020 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use of her second drug for the treatment of severe COVID-19, Gavegnano used all of her royalties and some of her own money to create an undergraduate drug discovery lab. She shared those stories and encouraged members of Emorys Class of 2028 to start their own remarkable trajectories as the distinguished speaker at the 2024 Atlanta Convocation ceremony, the capstone event for first-year orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 27. It is invigorating to see students excited about figuring out what they want to do with their lives, Gavegnano says. The beauty of Emory is changing lives. Put out the fire, cure the patient The inner voice that drove Gavegnano to change lives, combined with an undergraduate degree in microbiology and a masters degree in immunology, encouraged Gavegnano to counter conventional wisdom during her pharmacology PhD studies at Emory. She first discovered that a class of small molecules known as JAK (janus kinase) inhibitors, including ruxolitinib and baricitinib, shows promise for use in an HIV-1 cure and treatment for other viral infections. At the time, the prevailing theory for curing HIV called for essentially lighting the virus on fire: reactivating it from the groups of cells infected with dormant HIV particles known as reservoirs, then blasting it with a yet-determined medication. Gavegnanos unorthodox idea focused instead on reconfiguring JAK inhibitors already FDA-approved for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis to control inflammation from the virus by blocking key pathways that allow the virus to persist. Instead of lighting a fire, her plan smothered the virus known to deplete the immune system, letting HIV burn itself out while the immune system restored itself. The discovery became Gavegnanos PhD thesis. She was in the pre-clinical stage for the use of baricitinib in HIV when the pandemic struck. She helped treat millions of patients globally by applying the same logic to treat COVID-19s deadly systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction. The FDA granted her repurposed version of baricitinib emergency-use status in 2020. It has been a first-line treatment drug for severe COVID-19 worldwide since 2022. That effort has since revealed direct therapeutic paths for the treatment of diverse diseases with JAK inhibitors, and she is pursuing collaborative ongoing human trials for depression, long COVID and HIV-1. Last year, Gavegnanos lab showed that ruxolitinib significantly decays the viral reservoir in a subset of people living with HIV, a finding her team presented at the International AIDS Society Conference in Australia. At the same conference, researchers Asier Saez-Cruz and Alexandra Calmy from the Pasteur Institute and Universite de Geneve presented The Geneva Patient, now listed as the sixth person ever cured of HIV following a stem cell transplant and the first cured without receiving cells that are not resistant to the virus. Ruxolitinib remains the only intervention for the Geneva Patient, providing hope toward the role of JAK inhibitors for an HIV cure. We are burgeoning on the edge of a paradigm shift, Gavegnano says. Inflammation is behind so many diseases, and we are poised to act. And our undergraduates are seeing it all, up close and personal. Growth with undergraduates When Emory University licensed Gavegnanos invention for the method of use of baricitinib for COVID-19 to Eli Lilly, she made what she called an easy decision to disperse all of her royalties to creating and directing the Gavegnano Drug Discovery Program. She also added her own funds to launch the lab that offers students autonomous front-row seats to every facet of drug discovery and training. There is no kind of program like this on the planet, where saving lives in real-time directly involves, engages and empowers undergraduate students to find their purpose and flourish along that collaborative journey, Gavegnano says. Since 2021, undergraduates have been first authors on 40 abstracts from Gavegnanos lab, with five publications. Two others are co-first authors and, significantly, two of the labs five new patents have been awarded to Emory College students. The success comes from Gavegnanos approach for her lab to serve as the hands-on demonstration of her undergraduate course on drug discovery, which covers the scientific discovery, policy, public health, research and legal aspects of drug development. Amanda Michael became one of Gavegnanos co-authors on a computational analysis of ruxolitinibs impact on cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV. Michael enrolled in Gavegnanos courses on drug discovery and bioethics, thinking they would help her understand the processes behind medications she would prescribe one day as a physician. She grew so interested in the considerations of drug development, such as access and affordability, that she decided to apply to the Master of Bioethics program at the Harvard Medical School, where Gavegnano had earned a degree following her doctorate. Ive had an amazing experience working with Dr. Gavegnano thats lasted for three of my four years at Emory and is still going, says Michael, who graduated from Emory with highest honors in May and began her studies at Harvard this fall. I still want to go into clinical medicine, but working with a research scientist has opened my eyes to the many ways we can improve lives beyond patient care. Students interested in designing and conducting their own research must also consider multiple angles. Gavegnano accepts ideas from anyone if they have first confirmed an unmet clinical need. Participants also must research whether there is open intellectual property space, indicating a gap for a new medication. If you put in the work, she is always going to recognize that and keep giving you opportunities, says senior Kate Siegel, a human health major Gavegnano hired as a second-year student. Its endless opportunities. You learn so much when you take things on yourself. Siegel spent her first semester in the lab learning different techniques, such as how to culture cells and run the flow cytometry machine, which measures characteristics of samples. By the second semester, Siegel was designing her own project, trying to replicate Marfan syndrome conditions in cells to see if baricitinib reduces inflammation levels in the genetic disorder that affects the cardiac system. Thats in addition to her work as one of four undergraduate students assisting with one of two ongoing clinical trials in the lab. Siegel, who wants to be a physician, has been approved for patient-facing work in a trial studying how baricitinib affects patients with well-controlled HIV. She also transports samples and helps prepare them for analysis in that trial and a second trial, which examines the correlation between inflammation, immune activation and cardiac-related outcomes. There are very few universities in this country that offer undergrads this level of research and this level of innovation, Siegel says. My biggest hope is that the incoming first-year students understand from her speech that there is a whole other world that Emory has to offer beyond classes. 15:03 Susmit Sen, co-founder of Indian Ocean, has filed a police complaint against former bandmates Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam over unpaid royalties, which the duo has dismissed as an arm-twisting tactic for 'illegal and unwarranted demands'. Sen has filed the complaint along with Sunita Chakravarty, wife of Ashim Chakravarty, with whom he had formed the band in 1990. Ashim Chakravarty died in 2009 following complications from a cardiac arrest, while Sen left Indian Ocean in 2013 and started his own band called Susmit Sen Chronicles. Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd, the company that runs the Indian Ocean band, is also listed as an accused in the police complaint, which Sen lodged at Mukherjee Nagar police station in New Delhi on August 16. A first information report (FIR) is yet to be registered in the case. The charges, made under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation, falsification of accounts, fraud against the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and authorities, among others. "After forming the band, I was there with them for 23 and a half years... There was so much trust. And when it breaks, it's a very painful procedure. It is quite heartbreaking when your close friends, partners and colleagues behave like this," Sen told PTI. Sen claimed that he has not received royalties or payments from the Indian Ocean since 2020, and Sunita Chakravarty has not been paid since 2021. The complainants have alleged that they have been denied royalty payments amounting to over Rs 50 lakh each, based on calculations made two years ago. After Sen's complaint became public, Ram and Kilam released a statement on Saturday and said they are surprised at the police case as the matter is already a pending matter in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). "We are saddened to learn from the media that a police complaint has been filed against us by Mr Susmit Sen (Former member of Indian Ocean) and Ms Sunita Chakravorty (Spouse of former Indian Ocean member Asheem Chakravorty). We have not seen a copy of the complaint as yet and thus cannot address it on it's merits," they said. Sen said Ram and Kilam have not yet reached out to him to resolve the matter. "There is another case that we filed in NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) in March 2023. At that point of time, the court had also asked them to resolve this matter amicably within themselves. But they did not reach out," Sen said. He claimed the band members told them during the COVID-19 pandemic that they were not able to pay the royalties due to lack of work. "So we asked for a balance sheet, which we rightfully can ask.And when we saw the balance sheet, they had done the business of Rs 1.5 crore. And since then, they have done a lot of work. So, now what is the amount, nobody knows. They are not disclosing it," he alleged. Ram and Kilam have questioned the timing of the criminal complaint and called it an attempt to pressure them into settling the pending civil dispute. "There is a pending matter in the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) between the share holders for more than a year. That case is still in process, and thus everything therein is sub-judice. It is thus quite a surprise to us that a police complaint has been filed with what appears to be the same issue considered by NCLT. "Filing of a criminal complaint on what is evidently a civil law issue seems to be an afterthought and to arm twist us to agree to their illegal and unwarranted demands," they said. The duo further said that they will cooperate fully with the police in 'any enquiry they choose to carry out'. "We are quite aware that the complaints are essentially frivolous and malafide and completely confident about the legality of all procedures carried out by us," Ram and Kilam said. As one of the most popular bands in the country, Indian Ocean is known for its unique blend of rock music with Indian classical, folk, and jazz influences, creating a sound that is distinctly their own. Their debut album, 'Indian Ocean' was released in 1993, followed by 'Kandisa' in 2000. Sen and Sunita Chakravarty, along with Ram and Kilam, are the four equal shareholders of Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd, which owns the band. The company was formed in 2004 in New Delhi. -- PTI BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], August 30: Marwar Couture, the epitome of royal elegance, proudly announces the grand opening of its new flagship store in the heart of Ambawatta. Renowned for its exquisite bridal wear, Marwar Couture is set to make a significant statement with this launch, offering more than just a luxury boutique; it is an immersive journey through the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, meticulously woven into festive wear. Spanning over 5,000 square feet, this opulent space promises an unparalleled shopping experience, capturing the essence of a regal legacy while seamlessly blending it with contemporary architectural finesse. Designed by the creative genius of ArchiRaj Keyal and Marie Anne Oudejan, the new stand-alone store is a testament to their shared vision of marrying historic grandeur with modern design elements. From resplendent weddings to red carpet affairs, Marwar Couture transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Every detail of the store reflects the brand's commitment to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable materials. Locally sourced marble flooring, intricately hand-painted walls and ceilings, and grand arches reminiscent of ancient havelis embody the dedication to preserving artisanal heritage. Skilled artisans, masters of age-old techniques, infuse their passion into every creation, ensuring each thread tells a tale of Rajasthan's opulent past. Be More Than Dressed--Be Adorned! Marwar Couture's latest collection is the ultimate destination for bridal wear. Featuring the show-stopping Silver Zari Banarasi, this collection is a fusion of luxurious fabrics and intricate embroidery, reimagining tradition for the modern elite. Each masterpiece, starting at INR 4 lakhs, isn't merely worn; it is an experience. The store offers an intimate yet luxurious space for customer appointments, allowing for special customization requests. The vision is to push the boundaries of high fashion, showcasing highly sought-after needlework, sculpted cuts, ombre techniques, and much more in an exclusive setting. Discover an ethereal storyline that defines the couturier; the new Ambawatta boutique is a must-visit for true style connoisseurs. Marwar Couture's new flagship store is not just a destination--it's an experience. Step into a world where luxury meets legacy, where every garment is a masterpiece, and where fashion tells a story of time-honored traditions fused with modern elegance. Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/marwarcouture/?hl=en Website Link: https://marwarcouture.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The Tamil Nadu government has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with several investors including Nokia, PayPal, Microchip, Yield Engineering Systems, etc during CM MK Stalin's visit to the United States. These agreements are signed by Guidance Tamil Nadu, an investment promotion agency of the state government in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin and Industries Minister TRB Rajaa. Under the agreement signed, Nokia will set up a new Research and Development Centre in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 450 crore that will generate 100 jobs while PayPal will set up an Advanced Development Centre in Chennai and will generate 1000 jobs. Microchip will set up a new Research and Development Centre in Semiconductor Technology at Semmancherry, Chennai, at a cost of Rs 250 Cr that will generate 1,500 jobs. Yield Engineering Systems will set up a product development and manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment at Sulur, Coimbatore, at a cost of Rs 150 Cr that will generate 300 jobs. In a social media post on X, TRB Rajaa wrote, "In the presence of @CMOTamilNadu Thiru. @MKStalin and Minister for Industries Dr. @TRBRajaa, @Guidance_TN signed an MoU with Nokia, represented by Nishant Batra and Sandy Motley, for a new Nokia R&D Center, their Largest Fixed Network test bed in the world, for innovations in 10G, 25G, 50G, and 100G PON, Fixed Wireless Access, MDU solutions, to be set up at SIPCOT, Siruseri, Chengalpattu at a cost of Rs 450 crore generating 100 jobs." "In the presence of @CMOTamilNadu Thiru. @MKStalin and Minister for Industries Dr. @TRBRajaa, @Guidance_TN signed an MoU with PayPal, represented by Srini Venkatesan and Zi-Yang David Fan, for an Advanced Development Centre focused on AI, to be set up at Chennai, generating 1,000 jobs," it added. "In the presence of @CMOTamilNadu Thiru. @MKStalin and Minister for Industries Dr. @TRBRajaa, @Guidance_TN signed an MoU with Yield Engineering Systems, represented by Ramakanth Alapati and Prabhat Mishra, for a product development & manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment to be set up at Sulur, Coimbatore, at a cost of Rs 150 Cr generating 300 jobs," it further added. The tweet added, "In the presence of @CMOTamilNadu Thiru. @MKStalin and Minister for Industries Dr. @TRBRajaa, @Guidance_TN signed an MoU with Microchip, represented by Mr. Patrick Johnson and Mr. Bruce Weyer, for an R&D Centre in Semiconductor Technology to be set up at Semmancherry, Chennai, at a cost of Rs 250 Cr generating 1,500." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is on an official visit to the United States to secure support and investments aimed at boosting the prosperity of the state. (ANI) The Fintech ecosystem of the country now cumulatively valued at over USD 100 billion, is at a pivotal stage of evolution, with the potential to create two to three times its current value over the next decade, as per a report by BCG, a global consulting firm. The report highlighted that India remains one of the top three global Fintech destinations, with the ecosystem witnessing exponential growth across all levels. It added that over the past four years, the number of Minicorns (valuation at least USD 1 million but less than USD 1 billion) in the country has increased by 3.5 times, while the number of Unicorns and Soonicorns (startup that is growing quickly and has the potential to become a "unicorn" valued at USD 1 billion) has tripled. The report noted that in 2023, the country's Fintech market achieved a revenue size of USD 25 billion, marking a 56 per cent year-on-year growth which is a remarkable contrast to the global Fintech growth rate of just 13 per cent during the same period. However, the report also added that despite generating over USD 100 billion in value within the last decade, Indian Fintechs are still considered to be in the "middle" phase of their development, especially when compared to traditional incumbents who have created USD 600 billion+ in value over 30 to 50 years. The report mentioned that now the growth and the further expansion of the fintech ecosystem in the country is expected to come from the Tier 2 cities where majority of the Indian population resides. "With 63 per cent of the Indian population outside the top cities, huge opportunity exists to serve Bharat with next wave of penetration expected to come from Tier 2 cities" the report added. As Fintechs mature, profitability has become a central focus across the sector, with over 40 per cent of founders and CXOs (Chief Experience Officers) prioritizing unit economics alongside market expansion. Those preparing for or currently undergoing the IPO process are increasingly emphasizing governance, investment in infrastructure, and security. The report noted that in a recent survey of over 60 executives from top Fintechs, the majority cited market share expansion and growth as key priorities, especially for early and growth-stage companies. Post-IPO stage Fintechs, however, are placing greater emphasis on profitability and investments in technology, infrastructure, and security. "Mature Fintechs preparing for or in the IPO journey are emphasizing governance, investment in infrastructure, security Across survey of 60+ Executives of top Fintechs, market share expansion & growth emerged as priorities for early and growth stage" added the report. Notably, the report stated that the profitability outlooks are improving year-on-year across all segments, with Neobank and InsurTech showing the most significant positive shifts since 2022. However, the industry is not without its challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. Over the past two decades, more than USD 20 billion has been lost to cyber and digital attacks. (ANI) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30: Smartr Logistics, a Mumbai-based logistics startup, plans a strategic pivot in its service offerings, reinforcing its commitment to delivering unparalleled solutions to its customers. The company has decided to temporarily pause the lightweight (e-comm and BFSI) services under Aerex category. The lightweight category serves the BFSI, and e-commerce segments. This will allow Smartr to enhance its B2B offerings in both the Aerex and Wheelex categories ensuring the industry leading quality customers have come to expect. The realignment will be effective immediately. This decision comes as part of Smartr's broader strategy to redesign its product offerings allowing choice between urgency and economy in line with current market needs. The temporary pause will allow the company to re-engineer and reintroduce a robust and comprehensive product suite soon which will offer lightweight and e-commerce on both Air and Ground express modes. Smartr plans to re-launch these services around the end of the year. Yogesh Dhingra, Managing Director and CEO of Smartr Logistics, said, "Our decision is a calculated move designed to better serve our customers in the long term. Many customers have reached out to us with disappointment in losing a high-quality player in the market, but we want to reassure them that we are recalibrating our approach to come back stronger with enhanced offerings that will exceed market expectations. We remain deeply committed to the B2B segment and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead on both Air and Ground Express space." He further added, "This strategic pivot is not a retreat but a leap forward. We are focusing on what we do best--delivering reliable, efficient, and innovative logistics solutions. Our customers and stakeholders can be rest assured that Smartr is here to stay and grow. The temporary realignment will enable us to return with a product suite that meets the evolving needs of our clients." Smartr Logistics continues to strengthen its position in the logistics industry. The company's Ground Express services, especially in the B2B segment, have shown significant growth and continue to be a key focus area. This strategic shift is expected to further bolster Smartr's market presence and set the stage for future expansions. Since its inception in October 2021, Smartr Logistics has rapidly expanded its footprint across India, covering over 2,750 pin codes in 117 cities. The company is on track to reach more than 6,000 pin codes by 2025, consistently outperforming industry standards with its swift interstate delivery times of 24-48 hours. As Smartr Logistics prepares for this next phase of growth, the company remains committed to its mission of delivering superior logistics solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business success. The realignment is a step towards achieving this goal, ensuring that Smartr continues to be a trusted partner in the logistics ecosystem. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) On a recent shopping trip in Beijing, Huo Ran noticed something different about this year's mooncakes they were smaller than usual. She refers to them as "bite-sized delicacies". The shop had just introduced a new pork-filled mooncake ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept 17. Priced at 20 yuan ($2.80) a box the same as last year the packaging is smaller and the mooncakes are about half the usual size. "I can finish a box of six in one go," said Huo, 36, who works for a magazine in Beijing. The national capital is part of China's sweet-mooncake-loving northern regions, as opposed to the southern areas that prefer more savory varieties. "Eating smaller portions of high-sugar, oil-laden mooncakes isn't a bad idea," she said, adding that she had faced challenges finding friends to share larger mooncakes with to prevent waste while managing her calorie intake. Huo said she had never favored "gift box" mooncakes, with lavish packaging but scant offerings, because "they're just for show". As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the mooncake market in China is shifting toward simpler, more health-conscious treats. Expensive, elaborate gift boxes are fading from the shelves, with consumers opting for more reasonably priced options and shunning excessive extravagance. According to the 2024 Mid-Autumn Mooncake Industry Trends Report recently published by the China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry, this year's mooncake output is estimated to be around 300,000 metric tons, with sales revenue of about 200 billion yuan, on a par with last year. However, mooncake gift boxes priced above 500 yuan and luxury options such as shark fin mooncakes are scarce this year, the report said. The lavish packaging of mooncakes has long been a target of public scorn for its role in corrupt gift-giving traditions during festivals. Chinese media have lauded the move toward minimalism in mooncake packaging as a success in a crackdown on overpriced mooncakes and a shift toward more rational consumer choices. In 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission and three other departments jointly issued a circular to control the exorbitant prices of mooncakes and make the traditional treat an affordable consumer product once again. On Tuesday, the NDRC announced on its WeChat account that the departments will double down on such efforts this year by enhancing industry self-regulation and market inspections to uphold a positive market atmosphere and festive ambience. When buying mooncakes, most consumers say they prioritize taste and quality over packaging. In response to the shift, manufacturers like Suzhou Daoxiangcun have introduced new products catering to health-conscious consumers by using buckwheat flour for the crust and reducing sugar content while boosting nutritional value. Innovative flavors such as black truffle, chocolate and durian are gaining traction among younger consumers, reflecting rising demand for diverse and unique taste experiences. Chen Huiqiao, a news columnist in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has a keen interest in unconventional mooncake flavors. The mother of two has heard about mooncakes with new flavors such as Kweichow Moutai, a high-end Chinese liquor, and Szechuan beef, a signature spicy dish from Sichuan province. She said she wanted to try them soon with like-minded friends. "Some mooncake brands have also introduced mooncakes with exotic tastes, such as curry chicken, Italian tiramisu, Japanese matcha red bean and other flavors to attract a diverse consumer base," Chen said, adding that such nontraditional mooncakes have a bright market outlook, especially among the younger generation and consumers seeking unique experiences. However, Liu Xiaofei, who works in publishing in Beijing, said he preferred mooncakes with more traditional fillings such as black sesame, red bean and shredded coconut meat. "I might try novel flavors if there are free samples, but I am unlikely to pay unless they are truly tasty," he said. PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 30: Sasken Technologies, a specialist product engineering and digital transformation provider, has formed a new partnership with cybersecurity firm Trustonic to bring advanced security options to automotive OEMs. With over 34 years' experience in the embedded software space, Sasken has a proven track record in providing concept-to-market, chip-to-cognition R&D services to global leaders in the semiconductor, automotive, smart devices and transportation sectors. Headquartered in the UK, Trustonic embeds world-leading, trusted cybersecurity technology into smart devices and connected vehicles, enabling OEMs to build on their robust foundations to secure revenue and power innovation. Having obtained the world's first comprehensive EAL5+ certification for its Trusted Execution Environment [TEE] technology, 'Kinibi', in May 2022, Trustonic's secure platform is now deployed to over two billion smart devices and 20 million vehicles globally, with zero safety violations. Rajiv C. Mody, CMD & CEO, said: "Sasken is excited to partner with Trustonic, a global leader in cybersecurity. With our deep expertise in the automotive industry, this collaboration enables us to deliver cutting-edge, secure solutions for automotive OEMs & Tier One suppliers, ensuring our clients can innovate with confidence". "By combining Trustonic's proven security expertise with Sasken's engineering prowess, we are confident of setting new standards for safety and innovation in the industry". In forming this new partnership, Trustonic will now work closely with Sasken engineers so that they can provide advanced security options for higher level applications and services. Andrew Till, General Manager of Secure Platform at Trustonic, confirmed: Trustonic is committed to building a secure ecosystem of partners creating innovative solutions with the highest levels of security in place. "We're pleased to form this collaboration with Sasken, which will enhance the security of the company's solutions, and support its global customer base". For more information, visit:https://www.sasken.com https://www.trustonic.com About Sasken: Sasken is a specialist in Product Engineering and Digital Transformation providing concept-to-market, chip-to-cognition R&D services to global leaders in Semiconductor, Automotive, Industrials, Consumer Electronics, Enterprise Devices, SatCom, Telecom, and Transportation industries. For over 30 years and with multiple patents, Sasken has transformed the businesses of 100+ Fortune 500 companies, powering more than a billion devices through its services and IP. For more information, visit www.sasken.com About Trustonic: Trustonic powers trust in technology by embedding security into smart devices and connected cars, for businesses to innovate and embrace new opportunities with peace of mind. Using best-in-class hardware level security coupled with software app protection, Trustonic secures revenue, powers innovation and ensures reliability. Based in Cambridge, UK, Trustonic was initially created from a joint venture between ARM, Thales and G&D. Today, it counts the world's leading car manufacturers, financial institutions and mobile operators as customers, as well as every tier-one Android handset manufacturer. Media Contact:Rekha Sahay GhoshHead of Marketing & CommunicationsE: pr@sasken.comT: +91 80 6694 3009 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2492743/Sasken_Trustonic_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) NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30: While global experts deliberated upon major fintech policy issues 360 degrees at the Global Fintech Fest 2024 (GFF 2024) over three days, August 28-30, the results of the prestigious Global Fintech Awards (GFA) 2024, were announced yesterday evening at a gala at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai. Instituted under GFF, the Global Fintech Awards recognise and celebrate trailblazers and their outstanding accomplishments as well as entities in the fintech ecosystem around the globe. The awards were given in three categories, divided into 19 subcategories. Sameer Nigam, Founder & CEO, PhonePe, took away the Fintech Person of the Year - India Award. Ms. Shalini Warrier, Executive Director, Federal Bank, won the Fintech Woman of the Year - India Award. Fintech Person of the Year - Global went to Ms. Melissa Frakman, CEO & Founding Partner, Emphasis Ventures. PayGlocal was adjudicated to be the Fintech Startup of the Year. Visa was the Category Partner for the Banking Tech Awards, Indian Bank the Category Partner for the Finest Fintech Solutions, and Singhtek was the Platinum Partner. Below is the full list of GFA winners, and for more information on the Global Fintech Awards please visit: Global Fintech Awards 2024 (globalfintechfest.com) The Payments Council of India (PCI) was formed in 2013 catering to the needs of the digital payment industry. The Council was formed inter-alia for the purposes of representing the various regulated non-banking payment industry players, to address and help resolve various industry-level issues and barriers which require discussion and action. The council works with all its members to promote payments industry growth and to support our national goals of 'Less Cash Society' and 'Growth of Financial Inclusion' which is also the vision shared by the RBI and the Government of India. PCI works closely with the regulators i.e. Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Finance Ministry and similar government, departments, bodies or institutions to make 'India a less cash society'. Fintech Convergence Council (FCC) represents financial service providers and fintech companies in the banking and financial service sector. With a membership of over 160 companies from diverse domains, including digital lending (Consumer, MSME, Asset-Backed Lending, P2P etc.), WealthTech, InsurTech, Digital Financial Service Providers, RegTech, and Credit Bureaus, FCC's mission is to serve as a platform for all stakeholders within the ecosystem. The primary focus of the Council is to address the sector-specific challenges faced by industry. FCC aims to foster discussions on important issues, incorporating diverse perspectives, and promoting the growth of the fintech sector while also actively producing thought leadership content. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30: Kaushalya Logistics Limited (NSE: KLL), a diversified conglomerate specializing in logistic support to the cement players, Limited, a subsidiary of IPSCOM Pte Limited, Singapore. This significant move marks a major addition to the company's portfolio, further strengthening and expanding its presence in the logistics and freight forwarding segment. IPSCOM Pte. Ltd., renowned for its top-tier E-commerce services, supply chain solutions, returnable packaging, and print & media products for global brand owners, stands as a key player in the Asia Pacific region. Its extensive footprint across Malaysia, China, India, and Vietnam makes it a valuable addition to KLL's diverse client base. The addition of IP Softcom Private Limited underscores KLL's ability to attract high-quality, multinational clients, showcasing the company's growing strength and strategic vision for sustained growth. This new partnership highlights KLL's ongoing commitment to excellence in logistics and freight forwarding services. With IP Softcom joining its client portfolio, which already includes industry giants such as JK Cement, Adani Cement, Dalmia Bharat, and many other, KLL continues to expand and reinforce its position as a leading integrated provider of logistics clearing and freight forwarding services. Commenting on the performance Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director, Kaushalya Logistics Limited said, "We are delighted to announce the commencement of logistics and freight forwarding services for IP Softcom. This move underscores our growing prominence in the logistics and freight forwarding industry. Partnering with a distinguished global player like IPSCOM Pte. not only validates our expertise but also enhances our competitive edge in the market. This significant addition to our client portfolio demonstrates KLL's capability to deliver high-quality, tailored solutions to multinational clients. As we continue to expand our service offerings and geographical reach, this collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional logistics support and strengthens our strategic position in the industry. We look forward to a successful partnership and the opportunities it will bring for both our company and our new client." (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) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30: FMC Corporation, a leading agricultural sciences company, announced the launch of three cutting-edge crop protection solutions in India today. The new herbicides and fungicide complement FMC's current robust portfolio of insecticides and reaffirms the company's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Indian farmers with science and innovation-driven crop solutions. Ronaldo Pereira, President of the FMC Corporation, Pramod Thota, President of the FMC Asia Pacific region and Ravi Annavarapu, President of FMC India, were present at a launch event for Velzo fungicide, Vayobel herbicide and Ambriva herbicide, and to celebrate this significant milestone in FMC's journey in India. The activities included field visits where the team interacted with farmers and a ceremony in Hyderabad where FMC's top channel partners in India were honored by the company's senior leaders for their resolute commitment to work together for the introduction of innovative products and new services. Velzo fungicide, a specialty fungicide designed to combat Oomycete diseases in grapes, tomatoes, and potatoes, will help grapes farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka address the challenge of Downy mildew. Additionally, it will help control Late blight for potato and tomato farmers across the country. Vayobel herbicide, a pre-emergent and broad-spectrum weed control solution for transplanted rice farmers nationwide, will help to establish a robust crop foundation. Lastly, Ambriva herbicide, powered by Isoflex active, features a novel mode of action to tackle the issue of resistant Phalaris minor weeds, giving wheat farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains a new tool for resistance management. "Technology forms the backbone of agricultural growth, and FMC's focus remains on investing in innovative, science-based solutions that not only enhance crop productivity and resilience but also support sustainable farming practices," said Ravi Annavarapu, President of FMC India. "Providing Indian farmers with these latest advancements in crop care emphasizes our commitment to empowering them with solutions tailored to their regional needs. We look forward to launching additional innovative products in the near future." India is a top market for FMC globally. Powered by its strong research and development pipeline, the introduction of Velzo fungicide, Vayobel herbicide and Ambriva herbicide is a testimony to FMC's commitment to delivering innovation excellence to address the evolving challenges faced by Indian growers. By supporting farmers with sustainable technologies, FMC is contributing to a safe, secure, and sustainable food supply, with minimal impact on the planet. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 30: IHub-Data, the Technology Innovation Hub of IIIT Hyderabad, established by Dept of Science and Technology, Govt of India is offering six-month long weekend training classes on AI/ML for second year students, pursuing B Tech program from engineering colleges in and around Hyderabad. The classes, scheduled to be on all Sundays, require physical attendance of students at IIIT Campus in Gachibowli. The six-month program contains a judicious mix of concepts related to theory, tutorials and projects, all pertaining to modern AI/ML. "This is a novel attempt of weekend training program getting organised at IIIT Hyderabad campus, where students are trained early in the professional learning career. The contents of the program have been tailored to provide a hands-on learning approach, to reinforce understanding of fundamentals in machine learning techniques. Services of highly skilled mentors have been made available to assist and guide the students in the tutorial sessions," says CK Raju, Head of Educational Programs at IHub-Data, IIIT Hyderabad. The outline of the program with important dates is also available at course website at https://ihub-data.ai/archives/events/ . Last date to register for this program is 15 September, 2024. Classes would commence from 29 September, 2024. For more details, please contact coordinator, Fathimath Rifna at 040 6653 1787, Email: fathimath.rifna@ihub-data.iiit.ac.in About IHub-Data: IHub-Data is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established by IIIT Hyderabad as part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) scheme of Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. The core activities promoted by IHub-Data include Technology Development, Data Foundation, Applied Research & Translation, Human Resource & Skill Development, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startup Ecosystem and International Collaboration. IHub-Data aligns most of these programs with the research goals and objectives of IIIT Hyderabad. (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) Malayalam film director Joshy Joseph has responded to the ongoing controversy following sexual harassment allegations made by several actresses against prominent figures in the industry. Speaking to ANI, Joshy Joseph stated, "A Special Investigation Team (SIT) visited my house, and we spoke for three hours. I provided a detailed account of events from the beginning, as required under Section 161 of the IPC. I will also give another statement under Section 164 in front of the magistrate, which I intend to do. We are bringing Sreelekha Mitra on September 10. There is indeed a crisis in the Malayalam industry today, and we are being accused, rightly so." Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police on Monday against film director Ranjith, a day after he resigned as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. The complaint followed public allegations of sexual misconduct made by Mitra. In an email to the Kochi City Police Commissioner, Mitra detailed an incident from 2009 when she was in Kochi for discussions about a role in the movie 'Palerimanikkam', which Ranjith was directing. Mitra claimed that during the discussion, Ranjith "clutched" her hand and attempted to touch other parts of her body with sexual intent. "I was invited to act in the film 'Palerimanikkam' directed by Ranjith. As part of the discussion, I was called to the flat where Ranjith was staying at Kaloor Kadavanthra, Kochi. During the discussion, he clutched my hand and later attempted to touch other parts of my body with sexual intent. Realising that his intentions were not related to the film discussion but were of a sexual nature, I had to escape from the flat and return to the hotel where I was staying. I shared my bitter experience the next day with scriptwriter Joshy Joseph. As I was not provided with a return ticket, I was compelled to seek the help of Joshy Joseph," the actress wrote in her complaint. Mitra added that she initially did not pursue legal action as she was from Kolkata and unfamiliar with the local legal process but has now decided to come forward. "As someone from Kolkata, West Bengal, I was unable to pursue this matter further to prosecute Ranjith for offences under Sections 354 and 354B of the Indian Penal Code at the time of the incident." Mitra also requested the Kochi Police to treat her email as a formal complaint and to take appropriate legal action against Ranjith. "Certain comments from public functionaries were brought to my notice, indicating that a written complaint is necessary to register a crime. Although a written complaint is not a prerequisite, as I am told following the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, I am lodging this complaint by email, addressed to you, as the offence was committed within your territorial limits at DD Flats, Kadavanthra, Kochi. Please treat this as a formal complaint and initiate the necessary legal proceedings as insisted upon by state officials," she added. Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. The report contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals. The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. The report, prepared by a three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court and set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only this month. On Sunday, the Kerala government announced its decision to form a special investigation team, led by a senior police officer, to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. "In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials here on Sunday," stated an official release from the Chief Minister's Office. (ANI) Actor Varun Dhawan attended the trailer launch of his niece Anjini Dhawan's debut film 'Binny and Family' on Friday. The event was also attended by the film's star cast, including Rajesh Kumar and Pankaj Kapur, among others. Producer Ektaa R Kapoor and Subhash Gai were also at the event. On being asked about the film, Ektaa expressed her happiness in presenting a story that shows the important role grandparents play in families. "I just want to say this much. It's a beautiful film. When I was shown the film, I was very, very happy and I told him i'd love to present the film because grandparents are that part of a family that cinema has not given enough importance to...," she said. "As people get older we start thinking they're irrelevant and we start forgetting them. Now when I see my father with my son and I can come out and go out and do things because my parents take care of my child which in so many homes grandparents do. So they develop an even better relationship with the children than you can have because you are living life and they see their youth in your child and then they connect with your child. And yet this one relationship no one has captured in films. So I'm so proud," she added. Shortly after the event, the 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', actor took to his Instagram Stories to welcome his niece to the film industry. The proud uncle shared the trailer of 'Binny and Family' and wrote, "@anjinidhawan this is so good, welcome to the Movies," followed by a hug emoji. The trailer, which runs for 2 minutes and 39 seconds, gives a glimpse into the life of Binny, a young girl who likes to live on her own terms. The story takes an interesting turn when her grandparents move in with her parents, leading to conflicts due to the generational gap. The film promises to be an entertaining watch. Written and directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy, Binny and Family is set to release on September 20. (ANI) Actor Varun Dhawan attended the trailer launch of his niece Anjini Dhawan's debut film 'Binny and Family' on Friday. The event was also attended by the film's star cast, including Rajesh Kumar and Pankaj Kapur, among others. Producers Ektaa R Kapoor and Mahaveer Jain along with Subhash Gai were also at the event. Talking about how excited he is about the film, Mahaveer said, "For all of us, this film has been a fulfilling experience, and I'm excited to see audiences connect with this heartfelt story. This film beautifully captures the essence of family dynamics and the generational gaps we all navigate. I believe 'Binny And Family' will not only entertain but also inspire and connect with everyone who values the beauty of family bonds." On being asked about the film, Ektaa expressed her happiness in presenting a story that shows the important role grandparents play in families. "I just want to say this much. It's a beautiful film. When I was shown the film, I was very, very happy and I told him i'd love to present the film because grandparents are that part of a family that cinema has not given enough importance to...," she said. "As people get older we start thinking they're irrelevant and we start forgetting them. Now when I see my father with my son and I can come out and go out and do things because my parents take care of my child which in so many homes grandparents do. So they develop an even better relationship with the children than you can have because you are living life and they see their youth in your child and then they connect with your child. And yet this one relationship no one has captured in films. So I'm so proud," she added. Shortly after the event, the 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', actor took to his Instagram Stories to welcome his niece to the film industry. The proud uncle shared the trailer of 'Binny and Family' and wrote, "@anjinidhawan this is so good, welcome to the Movies," followed by a hug emoji. The trailer, which runs for 2 minutes and 39 seconds, gives a glimpse into the life of Binny, a young girl who likes to live on her own terms. The story takes an interesting turn when her grandparents move in with her parents, leading to conflicts due to the generational gap. The film promises to be an entertaining watch. Written and directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy, Binny and Family is set to release on September 20. (ANI) The arraignment took place Thursday morning before Judge Susan De Witt at the Los Angeles Superior Court, according to the reports obtained by Deadline. The primary suspect, 18-year-old Robert Isaiah Barceleau of Huntington Park, faces charges of murder along with a special circumstance allegation for committing the crime during an attempted robbery. According to Deadline, Barceleau could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if convicted. Alongside him, Sergio Estrada, also 18, has been charged with murder, attempted robbery, and grand theft while armed with a firearm. Estrada's case does not include the special circumstance allegation. According to Deadline, the third suspect, Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, has pleaded not guilty to charges of being an accessory after the fact, receiving stolen property, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Leonel Gutierrez, who faces charges of attempted robbery and grand theft with gun allegations, is expected to plead guilty. Gutierrez has been released on a USD 120,000 bond and is scheduled to enter his plea on September 11, as per Deadline. Judge De Witt has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Barceleau, Estrada, and Olano on October 16. The incident that led to Wactor's death occurred early in the morning on May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. The actor was shot while confronting robbers who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car. Wactor, 37, was walking to his vehicle with a co-worker after finishing a bartending shift when the tragic event unfolded. The killing prompted a significant public response, with a rally held in June calling for justice for Wactor. According to Deadline, L.A. District Attorney Chief Deputy Joseph Iniguez assured the community that the major crimes division was collaborating with Central Bureau homicide detectives, stating, "We have a number of leads." Johnny Wactor, who appeared in 164 episodes of 'General Hospital' as Brando Corbin between 2020 and 2022, was honoured by the show with a tribute episode in mid-June. (ANI) Sonia Malhar, who filed a complaint of sexual harassment against actor Jayasurya, recently shared details about the alleged incident. While speaking to the media, Malhar said, "It was the shooting location of the Malayalam movie Pigman in Thodupuzha. When I came out of the washroom, someone grabbed me. It was actor Jayasurya. I pushed him away. He apologized and told me that he wouldn't repeat it and that we should continue as friends." Malhar also spoke about the criticism she faced after sharing her experience publicly. "After the Hema committee report came out, I was sitting in a channel for discussion. The anchor asked me if I had faced any such experience. I explained it on air. Later, I was severely criticized on social media, with people saying my allegations were fake and questioning why I stayed silent for so long. Some even accused me of doing it for money," she said. "My sons were irritated by hearing all these allegations and asked me to reveal the name. That is why I am revealing this," she added. The FIR was registered against Jayasurya on Friday following the complaint. Kerala Police informed ANI, "Second FIR registered against actor Jayasurya under 354, 354A(A1)(I) 354D IPC. The case was registered after the complainant's statement was recorded. FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to Thodupuzha Police Station." After the Hema Committee report came out, some women from the Malayalam film industry came forward with charges of sexual harassment. On Thursday, Sonia addressed the issue and revealed shocking incidents of mistreatment and exploitation during the initial years of her career. She continued to share, "I was asked to go for makeup and change into my costume. They mentioned there was a slight change in the location. The makeup and costume room, along with toilet facilities, were in an old building nearby. When I went to the toilet and came back, someone unexpectedly held me. I was terrified and he later apologized." "After that incident, I faced many difficulties. In films, I was working on, the payments were delayed, and I was replaced after the film was announced in newspapers and on TV. After this news spread, a role that was promised to me was given to someone else," she added. Sonia Malhar said that she decided to come out with this allegation when she came to know that an actress from another state also had such bad experiences and she felt shame. "It is shameful that a woman from another state cannot even be shown the respect she deserves. When a woman speaks out against the head of the Film Academy, one would expect some shame," she added. She shared that after the Hema Committee report came out, "the silence from many people" deeply "hurt" her. On August 28, the first FIR was 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. Muneer 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. (ANI) Fifty years after excavations began at the Mawangdui Han Tombs, new technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and big data are bringing the ancient society to life and giving people a closer and more immersive interaction with history, archaeological experts said. Initial excavations at the Mawangdui tombs in Hunan province took place between 1972 and 1974, and represent one of China's most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The tombs contain the well-preserved remains of the Marquis Dai's wife, Lady Xin Zhui, who was buried more than 2,000 years ago during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). The tombs have offered up 26,937 artifacts so far, according to Hunan Museum in Changsha. Unearthed artifacts include Xin Zhui's remains, as well as lacquerware, textiles and bamboo and silk manuscripts. Of the 1,017 lacquerware pieces recovered, 869 are still intact. Of the textiles mainly silk and hemp only 212 of the 24,490 pieces unearthed remain intact. There are also 1,430 bamboo and silk manuscripts items, including silk books and paintings, wooden tablets and bamboo slips, the museum said. More than 300 experts from home and abroad gathered in Changsha, capital of Hunan, during a recent forum to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery. A set of books detailing the latest academic findings was published during the forum, and the Mawangdui Research Institute was established. Hunan Museum also signed cooperation agreements with six institutions and universities to better use technology in promoting the culture of Mawangdui. Mao Weiming, governor of Hunan, said that among the discoveries were the world's oldest existing astronomical work, the world's earliest military map, the earliest silk fabric combining printing and painting, and the lightest, thinnest plain gauze single garment in the world. Currently, more than 4,000 scholars and experts are studying the Mawangdui Han Tombs, and the cumulative number of visitors exceeds 100 million, with average annual visits of over 4 million in recent years, he said at the opening ceremony of the forum. The popularity of Mawangdui indicates that people are increasingly impressed by cultural relics, which allow them to better understand and respect history. At the same time, this has promoted the development of archaeology and the popularity of cultural relics and culture, he said. Li Qun, head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said the tombs demonstrate the achievements of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) in economics, philosophy, culture, art, medicine, and science and technology. It is a treasure of world civilization. He said that archaeological research at the tombs serves as an exemplary model of multidisciplinary collaboration and remains a major academic subject of interest to scholars in China and abroad. It is important to continue research, focusing primarily on areas such as bamboo and silk manuscripts, philosophy, art and traditional Chinese medicine, to explore historical culture and ancient wisdom, he said. Duan Xiaoming, head of Hunan Museum, said the museum has completed digitally collecting high-definition information for 948 artifacts, including 285 3D models and 7,779 images. Over the next year, the work of digitally collecting the artifacts will be completed, he said. Hunan Museum intends to publish a list of books on its findings and to cooperate with universities and research institutions globally, strengthening digital presentation and promotion, he said. The Art of Life: Multimedia Exhibition of Mawangdui Han Culture, jointly organized by Hunan Museum, the Digital Library of China and Harvard FAS CAMlab in the United States, opened at the museum on June 8 and runs until February. The exhibition uses technologies such as 3D and other multimedia technologies to give visitors a theatrical and immersive experience of the life of people in the Han Dynasty. Eugene Y. Wang, an art professor at Harvard University and one of the curators of the exhibition, said the significance of the tombs is not just that they represent social life during the Han Dynasty, but more importantly embody an illusory world that can be showcased through multimedia. Bringing cultural relics to life showcases the social scene of ancient times and digs deep into the legendary world behind them, he said. Yu Yanjiao, director and researcher at Hunan Museum's Mawangdui Han Tombs and Collection Research Exhibition Center, said the quantity of unearthed artifacts from the tombs is massive, with a broad interdisciplinary scope. There are still many unsolved mysteries despite 50 years of excavation, requiring extensive research by scholars through multidisciplinary collaboration and the use of technology, she added. Liu Zhao, director of the Center for Research on Chinese Excavated Classics and Paleography at Fudan University in Shanghai, said the excavated bamboo and silk manuscripts contain 130,000 characters, and much work remains to explain their artistic value. "Although 50 years is a long time in a researcher's career, it's a very short time from the perspective of overall academic development," Liu said. He encouraged researchers from around the world, especially young people, to join the efforts. Liu believes that with continuous and further exploration, coupled with the assistance of new technologies, future studies will yield more results. Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari have set social media abuzz with their latest post from the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir. The duo, currently filming for their upcoming spy thriller 'Alpha,' shared the first photograph from the Kashmir shoot, much to the delight of their fans. The image, posted on the actresses' social media accounts, features the two stars looking away from the camera against the backdrop of Kashmir's breathtaking natural scenery. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are seen embracing each other with one arm draped over the other's shoulder while forming a heart shape with their hands. The tranquil environment of pine trees enveloped in fog and mist adds to the ethereal beauty of the picture. Alia Bhatt, dressed in a creme jacket, and Sharvari, clad in a sleek black leather jacket, appear immersed in the serene beauty of their surroundings. The post was accompanied by the caption "Love, ALPHA" and a collision emoji, further enhanced by the movie's theme music. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TAF_ozXF5/ This visual delight has ignited a wave of excitement among fans, who have flooded the comments section with red-heart, heart-eye, and fire emojis. Earlier in the day, Sharvari provided a glimpse of her morning routine in Kashmir through another Instagram story. The actress shared a mesmerizing view from her hotel room window, showcasing the majestic mountains enveloped in lush greenery. Accompanied by a cup of coffee and a French press, Sharvari's captioned the IG story, "Morning," along with a sun emoji. The excitement surrounding 'Alpha' continues to build as the stars and crew immerse themselves in the film's production. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari arrived in Kashmir on Monday to commence shooting for the highly anticipated spy drama. Their travel to Kashmir was marked by a public appearance at Mumbai airport, where Alia was seen with her daughter Raha and later joined by her mother, veteran actress Soni Razdan. Sharvari, on the other hand, opted for a casual look, donning a chocolate brown tank top paired with beige pants. In a recent Instagram update, Sharvari shared her enthusiasm for the project by posting a picture with director Shiv Rawail, expressing her excitement about the journey ahead. Her caption read, "It doesn't get bigger than this! Super stoked to start my #Alpha journey today! Trust me... I have manifested this moment super prepped but can feel the butterflies in my tummy...Thank you Adi sir for your faith & @shivrawail for your belief in me! Letssss gooooo!!" The film, directed by Shiv Rawail, marks a significant addition to Yash Raj Films' esteemed spy universe. The studio, known for its successful ventures like the Tiger franchise, 'War,' and 'Pathaan,' has generated considerable buzz with the release of a title reveal video. Alia Bhatt's voiceover in the video says, "Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar Aur humare program ka motto.. sabse pehle, sabse tezz, sabse veer. Dhyaan se dekho toh har sheher mein ek jungle hai. Aur jungle mein hamesha Raj karega.. ALPHA!" (ANI) National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday defended his decision to contest the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, stating that the goal is to present a united front against the BJP and minimize their seats. Speaking to journalists, Omar also said that the alliance was definitely needed in Jammu, including in Pir Panchal, and Chenab. "Our efforts are meant to have a united front against the BJP and we make sure that they win as few seats as possible", he said. Omar addressed allegations of compromising his principles to gain power, asserting that the NC has not sacrificed any principles. "We have not sacrificed any principles. The fight we are going to fight, the Assembly has its own role. What do I tell the people? That they should vote in the assembly, and elect their leaders? But I don't believe in this Assembly," said Omar. He criticised those making allegations, pointing out that they have relatives contesting elections. "The people who are putting these allegations on me, they themselves have their relatives standing for the elections. If they are so strict on their principles, then they should have been completely out of this. What is the use of being out yourself while fielding your relatives as candidates?" said Omar. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4. Jammu and Kashmir is expected to witness multi-cornered contests on most seats. It is the first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued the notification for the filing of nomination papers by the candidates for the second phase of assembly elections in J-K. As many as 26 assembly constituencies will go to polls in the second phase of elections. As per the notification, the last date for filing the nomination will be September 5, while scrutiny will be done on September 6. The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is September 9. In the 2014 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15, and the Congress won 12. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP pulled back from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following the demise of Mufti Mohammad. In the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the BJP won both the seats in Jammu, again demonstrating its strong support in the region. The National Conference also won two seats. The votes will be counted on October 4. (ANI) Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and LoP Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday arrived at Himachal Bhawan for the Haryana screening committee meeting to discuss the election strategy for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls. On the announcements of the candidates list for the party, AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria said that most of the work has been completed for the party's preparations for contesting the election. "More than 60 per cent of the work has been completed. The (CEC) meeting is likely to be held on September 2. We are fully prepared for the elections," said Babaria. Babaria further criticised the BJP and alleged that BJP controls the election commission. "Everyone knows that this is not the election Commission, it is the BJP Commission", he said while speaking to journalists. It was also announced by Deepak Babaria that no Congress Member of Parliament will be contesting the assembly election. Earlier today, multiple BJP leaders also held the party's Haryana core committee meeting at the residence of Union Minister and Party President JP Nadda. The BJP meeting was 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. Ahead of the Haryana polls, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Chandra Shekar Azad's Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) have also announced their alliance. 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) Mumbai police arrested one accused from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for molestation of a 13-year-old girl on August 25 and produced him in court on Thursday, MHB police said. The accused has been identified as Mohammed Zeeshan Mohammed (21 years) and he was working in a private bus agency. He was arrested on Wednesday. MHB police station official said, "The 13-year-old daughter of the woman complainant had gone to buy some goods from a nearby grocery store and was returning with them. At that time, Zeeshan molested this girl. After the incident, the victim informed her family about the entire incident. The family reached the nearest police station and registered a case. Taking the case seriously, an investigation started under the guidance of senior police inspector Sudhir Kudalkar." The investigating officers found that the accused Zeeshan did not have a mobile phone. Further investigation revealed that many people from his village were living in Mumbai's Antop Hill area. Mumbai police said that Zeeshan contacted one of his relatives living in Dahisar from an unknown mobile number and gave false information that he was in the Borivali area but when the police checked the location of that mobile, it was found that he was in Nashik. According to the police, they took out the location of eight to ten mobile phones, then he was traced and found travelling by train to Uttar Pradesh. It was also found out that the village of the accused is Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and he was travelling to his village. After this, a trap was laid with the help of local police and he was detained from Prayagraj and brought to Mumbai and arrested. The accused has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. (ANI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged all Naga political groups and stakeholders to be sensitive to the deep yearning of the people, ensuring that a solution is reached without further delay. He called for continued sincere efforts to achieve this goal, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's office on Thursday. Rio made these remarks while delivering his concluding speech on matters of urgent public importance related to the Naga political issue on the last day of the fifth session of the fourteenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Emphasising the Nagas' desire for genuine peace, Rio stated that a political solution that is inclusive, honourable, and acceptable to the Naga people would usher in an era of economic growth, increased investment, greater employment opportunities for the youth, and overall development and progress. He acknowledged that elected members, as facilitators, have a limited role but stressed, "We represent the people, we carry the voice of the people, and we should convince the Naga political groups and stakeholders." He added that since the formation of the Joint Legislative Forum in 2009, significant steps have been taken towards achieving a peaceful solution to the protracted Naga issue. "Even the ceasefire and dialogue have seen positive developments, with the signing of the Framework Agreement on 3rd August 2015 with NSCN-IM and the Agreed Position with NNPG on 17th November 2017, raising hopes for lasting peace in our state," Rio said. He also mentioned that the House has passed six resolutions on the Naga issue, with five more resolutions passed outside the House over the years. Furthermore, Rio said, "The Political Affairs Committee will soon consult with all Civil Society Organisations, Apex Tribal bodies, and concerned leaders." He expressed his gratitude to all members who participated in the discussion, shared their insights on the Naga political issue, and remained firm in their commitment to resolving it. MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Leader of the Naga People's Front (NPF) Legislature Party, initiated the discussion on matters of urgent public importance related to the Naga political issue on the last day of the fifth session of the fourteenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Nienu asserted that elected members should not only act as facilitators but also be part of the negotiating group. (ANI) A single bench of the People's Court in Bengaluru has heard a complaint filed by Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao's wife, Tabu Rao, and directed the filing of a criminal defamation case. Basangouda Patil Yatnal, while speaking to the media in Vijayapura, Karnataka, on April 4 during the Lok Sabha elections, said, "In Dinesh Gundu Rao's house, there is half of Pakistan. It is an addiction for him to make anti-national statements." Tabu Rao subsequently filed a private complaint at Sanjay Nagar police station regarding the comment, and a case was registered against Yatnal. Tabu Rao also presented evidence to the court, including newspaper reports and supporting documents. In light of this, the court issued a summons to Yatnal. The petition seeks to register a case of offences under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC against Yatnal. Earlier, Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged on Friday that there was a conspiracy to target Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and destabilise the government, but he maintained that the rule of law should be followed. His comments came after Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned the prosecution of CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA scam earlier this month. The Chief Minister claimed on August 23 that the Governor had sanctioned his prosecution based on "hearsay." Defending the CM, Minister Gundu Rao told ANI, "Our CM has done nothing wrong. It is a conspiracy to target him and destabilise the government. Even the opposition knows there was no misuse of power. All MLAs, party workers, and leaders are with the CM. The party has become more united now after this incident." He added, "Corruption exists in our system. But when something happens, you should act, and the rule of law should be followed." (ANI) Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in the Malvan area of Sindhudurg, has been arrested from Kolhapur, said senior officials of Kolhapur Police. A team from the local crime branch of Kolhapur Police had launched an operation to trace Patil and subsequently, he was arrested by the officials at around 12.30 am on Friday from Kolhapur. The officials have conveyed that he has been handed over to the Sindhudurg Police and will be brought to Sindhudurg today. The Sindhudurg Police has also arrested a contractor in the case. "Police have arrested a contractor in the case of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse in Malvan, Sindhudurg. The accused structural consultant Chetan Patil has also been arrested. The arrest has been made from Kolhapur. The local crime branch team has arrested him. Chetan will be brought to Sindhudurg today," said officials of Sindhudurg Police. An FIR was registered at Sindhudurg Police Station following the collapse of the 35-foot Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue on August 26. The FIR, registered under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), was confirmed by Sindhudurg Police. On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state government is taking decisions on a 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 the 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. 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, architects, engineers, and sculptors of international repute were called. 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. (ANI) "The Cyber South West district apprehended 17 suspects involved in various cybercrimes. Multiple teams conducted raids across different states as part of a week-long Special Cyber Ops," said Rohit Meena, DCP South West. During the operation, raids were carried out in Mewat, Ajmer, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Deoghar and Dumka in Jharkhand, Rajgarh and Sehore in Madhya Pradesh, Samastipur in Bihar, Giridih and Jamtara in Jharkhand, Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, and Mumbai. "The primary modus operandi in these cases involved online stock market investment scams, work-from-home schemes through Telegram, fake customer care numbers, fraud via the 99-acre and Quikr apps, and the misuse of the Drive Track Plus card," Meena stated. The arrests were made in connection with six cases, according to the police officer. (ANI) PM Modi also said that this project will reaffirm Maharashtra as a "powerhouse of progress". Replying to a social media post on X, PM Modi wrote, "A very special project that will contribute to India's development. It will also reaffirm Maharashtra's pivotal role as a powerhouse of progress." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1829368483114606895 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Maharashtra on Friday to lay the foundation stone of the Vadhvan Port project worth around Rs 76,000 crores in Palghar. In a social media post on X, MyGov wrote, "After being stalled for decades, the Vadhvan Port project is back on track and set to be operational by 2030." The thread added, "Vadhvan Port is set to become the ultimate shipping powerhouse, equipped with nine 1000-meter-long container terminals, multipurpose berths, liquid cargo berths, Ro-Ro berths, and a dedicated Coast Guard berth." The Vadhvan Port project will be one of India's largest deepwater ports and will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub. It is set to be operational by 2030. 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 country's trade and economic growth by catering to large container vessels, offering deeper drafts, and accommodating ultra-large cargo ships, read the release from the office of the Prime Minister. The port is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. The Vadhvan Port project incorporates sustainable development practices, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and adhering to stringent ecological standards. Once operational, the port will enhance India's maritime connectivity and further strengthen its position as a global trade hub. (ANI) A Delhi CBI court has issued a show cause notice to Jalaj Batra, one of the accused in the Rs 34,000 crore DHFL scam case, regarding the potential cancellation of his bail. This action follows allegations that Batra made false submissions and misled the court. On Wednesday, Special CBI Judge Ashwani Kumar Sarpal expressed displeasure towards Jalaj Batra for involving a third party and making incorrect submissions to secure bail and exemption from personal appearance in the CBI vs. Kapil Wadhawan DHFL scam case. The court noted that the accused, Jalaj Batra, was summoned by the court on May 16, 2024. Allegations against Batra were that he indulged in share trading to raise multiple crores. As equity for DHFL through various companies, which was in fact provided by DHFL and increased volume of DHFL shares in the stock market and to increase the DHFL share price. However, he was granted bail by the Court on personal bond and surety, though he did not appear before the Court physically but through VC. Court noted that on 28.08.24, an advocate, on instructions of third party, made an application under SECTION 379 BNSS (SECTION 340 OF OLD CR.P.C.), bringing into light the facts before the Court, that the accused already has a LOC issued against him for having been named in different FIRs for the offences of cheating and forgery and further stated that since he is wanted in the other cases, he has run away from India, and that he will not appear personally before this Court. Accordingly, it was prayed that since the accused deliberately withheld the information of having been named in other FIRs and LOC issued against him and gained bail by making false submissions. Hence his bail be cancelled and be directed to appear before the Court. Further, despite heavy opposition from the counsel for the accused, that a third party has no locus and 379 BNSS is only between the parties and the Court, the Court held that "The objection raised in this application that no third person can give information to the court regarding any accused about his misdeeds or furnishing false information was rejected by holding that anyone can assist the court to reach the right conclusion." The counsel for the accused, Jalaj Batra, informed the court that he was in Dubai for the past 18 years and the court is being misled by incorrect submissions Thereafter, the Court directed the Investigation Officer to verify the facts raised by the counsel for the third party. Accordingly, the IO filed its report, which proved that the information given on behalf of accused Jajaj Batra by his counsel is incorrect and that an LOC was pending against him and he has left the country in 2022, that is, he has not been in Dubai for the past 18 years. Taking into consideration the submissions made by the counsel for the third party and the report submitted by the IO, was pleased to issue notice to the accused to show cause as to why his bail granted by this court should not be cancelled. The court also issued notice to the surety of the accused to produce him in court on the next date of hearing, failing which his surety bond shall be forfeited and FDR deposited by him shall be encashed and deposited in a government account. (ANI) You are here: Arts The judging panel attend the opening ceremony of the 18th Changchun Film Festival in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Aug. 28, 2023. The film festival is scheduled from Monday to Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan) The 19th Changchun Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday in Changchun, Jilin province. With the theme of "New Era, New Cradle, New Power", a series of activities will be held during the five-day event, including opening and closing ceremonies, film awards, screenings, exchanges and industry integration. The festival has received 124 films for awards and 55 films for screenings, covering a wide range of themes and genres, showcasing a collection of excellent works. During the festival, the 7th China Film New Power Forum, China Film Producers Summit, the Micro Short Film Creation Seminar, "Seeking Originality in Drama" themed seminar, and the 2024 Changchun Night of Cinema will be successively held as key events to boost the high-quality development of the Chinese film industry. JMM MLA Ramdas Soren took oath as a state cabinet minister in a function held at Raj Bhawan here on Friday. He replaced Champai Soren in the cabinet, who quit the JMM on August 28. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ramdas Soren. The function was attended by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, senior leaders of the JMM-led alliance, and several government officials. Meanwhile, Champai Soren is set to join the BJP this afternoon. On Thursday He 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." 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. Champai Soren became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2 after Hemant Soren resigned as the CM before being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. On Wednesday, he resigned from all posts and primary membership of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). "Today I resigned from the primary membership and all posts of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Our struggle will continue on the issues of tribals, natives, Dalits, backward people and common people of Jharkhand," Soren said in a post on X as he shared his resignation letter. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday took a potshot at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the rape-murder incident of a doctor in Kolkata stating that while the Centre has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Singh said, "Our government has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women, but many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. The recent heart-wrenching incident in Kolkata is very tragic and disgraceful...We have amended the law to provide for the capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape. This law should be implemented with strictness". The alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has sparked a wave of protests and nationwide unrest. The Union Minister also spoke about how the BJP-led governmnet at the Centre had put an end to the practice of triple talaq which he said was a "big issue" for Muslim women. "The practice of triple talaq was a big issue for our Muslim sisters and daughters. In our country, ending a sacred institution like marriage by simply saying talaq three times could not be justified in any way," Singh said. "But this was practised unabated and unchallenged. Our government showed the will and determination to end this evil practice. This came as a big relief to Muslim women," said the Union minister. Speaking further on women's empowerment, the minister also highlighted the various developments in removing the obstacles women faced to serve in the armed forces. "After Independence, women were denied agency and opportunity to be active contributors to the development of this country. But the situation is now rapidly changing. For example, you can see that the share of women is increasing in the armed forces of the country", the minister said. "Many obstacles to the entry of women into the Armed Forces have been removed. In all three wings of the armed forces, we have ensured increased participation of women.", he said. The Defence Minister recalled in his speech that when he held the portfolio of the Home Affairs ministry, he issued an advisory to all states to fill one-third of vacancies in the security forces with women. "Today, the participation of women has increased in all police forces and paramilitary forces," Singh said. (ANI) The Supreme Court of India will organise a two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary on August 31 and September 1, 2024, which will be attended by more than 800 participants from the district judiciary of all States and Union Territories. The conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, who will also be releasing a coin and postal stamp to commemorate 75 years of the establishment of the Supreme Court. The inaugural function will also be attended by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice, among other dignitaries. President Draupadi Murmu will be delivering the valedictory address on September 1 and will also unveil the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court. Under the guidance of the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, the National Conference on the District Judiciary will include six sessions to be hosted over a span of two days, which will be attended by more than 800 participants from the district judiciary across the country. The session on "Infrastructure and Human Resources" aims to explore ways to enhance the infrastructure and human capital for the district judiciary, stated the press statement issued by the Supreme Court. The session on "Courtrooms for All" will include presentations and discussions on the need for accessibility and inclusivity within the district judiciary and the need to ensure safe and equitable access to justice for the marginalised communities, it added. "Judicial Security and Judicial Wellness" will also be discussed to address the safety concerns for judges and several well-being initiatives. The second day will be marked by a session on "Case Management" to discuss strategies for efficient case handling and reduction in pendency. "Judicial Training - Curriculum and Methods" will also be deliberated upon to enhance the training programs for judges. The conference has also scheduled a session on "Bridging the Gap" to encourage a discussion on how the High Courts and Supreme Court can support the needs of the district judiciary in a holistic manner. The Judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of High Courts, Secretary General of Supreme Court, along with the Registrar Generals of High Courts, will be participating in the conference. "This conference presents an invaluable opportunity for all stakeholders within the judiciary to come together and engage in a meaningful dialogue to address the challenges faced by the district judiciary. By working in unison, with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility, the conference will help ensure that the delivery of justice is timely, fair, and accessible to all citizens. This conference will play a crucial role in enhancing the future of judicial administration in the country," the statement of the apex court said. (ANI) 'Madhya Pradesh Utsav' is being organised from August 30 to September 2 2024, in which the state's rich art, tourism, cultural heritage, public welfare schemes and achievements are being displayed. "Today inaugurated the "Madhya Pradesh Utsav" organised at Madhya Pradesh Bhawan, Delhi by lighting a lamp. I was happy to see a glimpse of folk colours in the exhibition showcasing the art, culture, cuisine and archaeology of Madhya Pradesh," the MP CM said in a post on X. "Madhya Pradesh is a rich state in terms of art, culture, cuisine, lifestyle, tourism, historical heritage and archaeology. This four-day festival has been organised to introduce all these aspects of the state to the country's capital," CM Mohan Yadav further said. Praising the 'Heritage of Madhya Pradesh' exhibition organised by the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museum, the CM said, "The Directorate is doing the challenging work of restoring old destroyed temples and shrines. Through the exhibition, efforts have been made to respect the paintings of Gond artists and to showcase the ten thousand years old rock paintings of Bhimbetka." The Chief Minister also expressed hope that the visitors in the festival would definitely enjoy eating the dishes of Sri Anna (millets). Earlier the Chief Minister met with the students studying in Delhi on the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe scholarship of the Madhya Pradesh Government . The students expressed their gratitude for the government's scheme. The MP CM also called on BJP National President and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda at his residence in New Delhi. (ANI) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook his tour of Maharashtra the state Congress unit launched a protest against the state and central governments over the destruction of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg. Youth Congress leaders and other party workers were detained by Mumbai police on Friday while protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the city, demanding a public apology from him over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue. Several posters demanding an apology from the Prime Minister were put up in various locations by the Congress. These posters depicted the PM inaugurating the statue alongside another image showing the collapsed structure. Mumbai Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaekwad reached the Shivaji Park in Dadar with a miniature statue of Shivaji Maharaj as a mark of protest. Stepping up her attack on PM Narendra Modi, Varsha Gaikwad on Friday demanded an apology from the Prime Minister over the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Malvan, Mahrashtra. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is worshipped in the whole of Maharashtra and India, to whom we call "public's king", his statue was made in Malvan's Rajkot Fort, which was inaugurated by PM Modi. First, of all, I want to ask PM Modi Ji about the bhumi-pujan he did for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in the Arabian Sea. Before that statue could be completed, his statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan collapsed in just 8 months. It is clear that there is corruption in it. Modi Ji, when will you apologise (Modi Ji Aap Kab Maafi Mangenge)?" Varsha Gaekwad said. Earlier in the day, Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in the Malvan area of Sindhudurg, has been arrested from Kolhapur, said senior officials of Kolhapur Police. A team from the local crime branch of Kolhapur Police had launched an operation to trace Patil and subsequently, he was arrested by the officials at around 12.30 am on Friday from Kolhapur. The officials have conveyed that he has been handed over to the Sindhudurg Police and will be brought to Sindhudurg today. The Sindhudurg Police has also arrested a contractor in the case. The 35-foot Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapsed on August 26. 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. (ANI) Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's controversial statement, "Bengal jalega, to poora Bharat jalega," Union Minister Chirag Paswan condemned the remark as "shameful" and questioned the CM's mindset. "There is nothing more shameful than this statement from a CM. One CM is unable to manage the situation in her state. Such incidents are shameful, regardless of the state they occur in... What kind of mindset is this? Is it befitting of a sitting CM? It reveals their weakness and failure... I would request the central government to impose President's Rule in Bengal," said Union Minister Chirag Paswan while speaking to reporters on Friday. During a Trinamool 'Chhatra Parishad' foundation day programme in Kolkata yesterday, in response to the BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' call, the Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his party to stoke tensions in Bengal over the Kolkata woman's rape and murder case. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak our language and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to incite violence here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your government," Mamata Banerjee said. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Bengal CM for her remarks, adding that the recent statements made by the victim's parents in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case are deeply distressing. "Mamata Banerjee, where has your 'mamata' (compassion) gone? The cruelty you are displaying, alongside the ongoing statements from the victim's parents, is deeply saddening. What is even more disheartening is that the senior leaders of the INDIA alliance seem unaffected by these remarks," Poonawalla stated. "Mamata Banerjee, instead of pursuing justice--the justice that 140 crore people desire, as even the President has called for--you seem driven by a sense of revenge. She claims the country will be set ablaze. You label those protesting for justice, whose parents are repeatedly calling for support, as murderers and rioters..." Poonawalla added. (ANI) The West Bengal BJP's woman unit staged a protest against the RG Kar rape and murder. The brutal murder of the junior doctor has fuelled several such protests. The women were seen protesting with cut-outs of locks accusing the state administration of inaction on law and order. On Friday BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul reacte to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement 'Bengal jalega, to poora Bharat jalega',saying that this is a language of an anti-national and UAPA act should be applicable on her. Agnimitra Paul said, "The way she is saying things is a language of an anti-national. If someone else would have said such things then, a case under UAPA must have been registered. Our demand is that Advocate Vineet Jindal should tell the court to arrest her and case of UAPA should be filed against her. Mamata Banerjee has tried to cover up the case by calling it suicide and tampering with the evidence." She further hit out at CM Mamata Banerjee and said that the main culprit Sandip Ghosh was not terminated but transferred to National Medical College and later OSD at the Health Ministry. "This cunning behaviour won't work. When her cunning attitude has been caught then she is saying that she will burn everything. UAPA should be filed on her," she added. During a Trinamool 'Chhatra Parishad' foundation day programme in Kolkata on Thursday, in response to BJP's 12-hour 'Bengal Bandh' call, the Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his party to ignite tensions in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor's rape and murder case. "Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak our language and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to incite violence here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your government," Mamata Banerjee said. On the statement of the mother of the rape and murder victim that CM Mamata Banerjee could not understand the pain as she had no son or daughter, Agnimitra Paul said that the statement was correct. "Mamata Banerjee knows politics really well. She says that she was supervising the situation. If it is true then why didn't she ask about the FIR not being registered for 14 hours? The body should have been preserved for the 2nd post-mortem, why it was not done? Did you know, the parents of the victim were bribed to keep silent? Mamata Banerjee, you are fully prepared for not serving justice to Abhaya," she added. 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. (ANI) Mahila Congress workers on Friday held a protest in Thiruvananthapuram demanding the resignation of Malayalam actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh, against whom the police registered a case in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by a woman actor. Protesters raised slogans against the Left Democratic Front government in the State and the actor. The police used water cannons to disperse the protesters as they attempted to climb the barricades. The First Information Report against Mukesh was filed under Section 376 (rape), which is a non-bailable offence, Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to women with intent to outrage her modesty), and 509 (insult the modesty of a woman by word, sound, gesture or object) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Mukesh was booked on the complaint of actress Minu Muneer. 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. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday took the statement of the Muneer. The actress has accused actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju and Idavela Babu of both verbal and physical abuse during their collaborations on film projects. Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contains shocking accounts alleging harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals. The report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. The report of the three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court and set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinrayi-led Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only this month. Following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, there have been sexual harassment allegations against a number of actors in the Malayalam film industry. (ANI) BJP leader and Olympic Medal winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt expressed his willingness to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections from the Gohana Assembly Constituency on Friday. "I have expressed my wish to contest elections to the Chief Minister and the central leadership. I am a sportsperson, and an Olympic medallist, and I have contested elections from BJP earlier also, so I want to get a chance", said Dutt while speaking to Journalists. He further added that he wants to contest from the Gohana assembly constituency and he has told the same to the leadership. "Now it is the time for elections, so I want to get a chance to contest from Gohana. I can't be certain about the future, but I have expressed my willingness, and I have told the leadership that I want to contest.", he added. Yogeshwar Dutt, who won an Olympic Medal in the 2012 Olympics was defeated by Congress nominee Indu Raj Narwal in a bypoll for the Assembly seat of Baroda in 2020. Dutt also lost the seat in 2019 to the Congress's three-time winner Krishan Hooda. The BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) held a crucial meeting on Thursday to discuss the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. During the meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussions were held on all 90 assembly seats in the state. Out of these, candidates for 55 seats have been finalised. The final decision on the remaining 35 seats will be made in a follow-up meeting today between the Haryana core committee and the BJP President. The party has decided to roll out the candidate names in phases as the election preparations intensify. The meeting, which took place at the BJP headquarters, was attended by key leaders including BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Satya Narayan Jatia, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, K. Laxman, Nayab Singh Saini, Sudha Yadav, Vanathi Srinivasan, Anil Vij, Bhupender Yadav, Biplab Deb, Satish Poonia, Surendra Nagar, and Dharmendra Pradhan. Voting for 90 seats of the Haryana Assembly elections will be held on October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. (ANI) A delegation of women from Odisha submitted a memorandum on Friday to Odisha Governor Raghubar Das condemning the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata. The Odisha Governor has assured the group that he would forward the memorandum to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose. The Odisha Governor expressed that the whole country is outraged at the local administration and hospital for the crime and that a delegation has handed him a memorandum condemning the incident. "The entire country is outraged by the negligence of the hospital administration and the local administration in the heinous incident that took place in a hospital in West Bengal. Even the women in Odisha are really disturbed and angry at this incident delegation of sisters. A delegation which is doing its duty of spreading awareness among the people about their citizen rights and duties have handed me a memorandum condemning this incident.", said the Governor. "I will send it to West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose and demand strict action so that a timely investigation is done and a decision can be taken on it as soon as possible.", he added. The governor also spoke on 'Nari Shakti' and that many such similar incidents in Kolkata also happen across India which should worry everyone. He said, "We have been worshipping Nari Shakti since ancient times. We pray for it in the form of Maa durga, maa kaali and maa saraswati. Just like in Kolkata, such incidents happen across the country with nari shakti, so this is a sign of worry". Earlier, Bengal Chief Minister had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the lack of response to her previous communication regarding the rape and murder of the PG trainee doctor. In her letter, dated August 30, Banerjee emphasised the gravity of the situation and urged for prompt central intervention, highlighting the inadequacy of the reply received from the Union Minister of Women and Child Development. (ANI) You are here: Business 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. As six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the worst-affected areas as the flood-like situation continues, an additional team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat reached Vadodara to clean the affected areas after flood. The in-charge Executive Engineer, Surat Municipal Corporation, Mahesh Rathod said, "We have been working here for the last 2 days. We have 350 sanitation workers here. We clean the dirt from the affected areas. When we came here, we surveyed to find out where to start the work from..." When asked about the challenges they faced Rathod said, "As we reached here first we surveyed the roads as from where the work to be started, and as we have prior experience working with Surat Municipal Corporation we worked on the basis." Notably, six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the worst-affected areas as the flood-like situation continues in parts of the state due to incessant 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 Thursday. Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with him on Thursday morning where he enquired about the flood situation and relief measures for the affected people. In a post on X, CM Patel said that the PM guided him on matters including restoring public life quickly. "As it has been raining heavily for the last three days across Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji once again had a telephonic conversation with me this morning to get information about the situation. He learned about the relief measures for the affected people of various districts of the state. Expressing concern over the flooding of the Vishwamitri river in Vadodara, he sought details of the relief and assistance being provided to the affected people," he said. "The Prime Minister gave guidance on matters including sanitation and public health in the flooded areas and to restore public life quickly, and once again assured all support from the Central Government," the Gujarat CM added. (ANI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Ramashray Yadav said that Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are expected to get light to moderate rains today. The regions of Kachchh also received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, with the state receiving 882 mm of rainfall since June 1, according to the IMD scientist. "Kachchh has received very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours...Gujarat has received 882 mm of rainfall since June 1, which is 50% more than normal...Saurashtra and Kachchh regions have also recorded more than normal rainfall...Light to moderate rains are expected for Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar today.", Yadav said in a statement. On Thursday a heavy rainfall warning was issued for the areas of Jamnagar, Porbandar, Morbi, Swarka and Kutch districts. Amid floods in Gujarat following incessant rainfall, the road connecting Padana Patiya to Changa Patiya in Jamnagar has been closed for the movement of traffic. A portion of a small bridge over Sir PN Road has also been washed away due to flooding affecting the movement of commuters. Additionally, six columns of the Indian Army are conducting rescue operations in the worst-affected areas as the flood-like situation continues. The Army has been deployed to support the ongoing relief efforts. Moreover, a team of 350 sanitation workers from Surat also reached Vadodara to clean the affected areas. The in-charge Executive Engineer, of Surat Municipal Corporation, Mahesh Rathod said, "We have been working here for the last 2 days. We have 350 sanitation workers here. We clean the dirt from the affected areas. When we came here, we surveyed to find out where to start the work from..." Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with him on Thursday morning during which he enquired about the flood situation and relief measures for the affected people. (ANI) An incident of hidden camera reportedly found inside a hostel toilet at an engineering college in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district triggered outrage with students staging a protest against the failure of the institution's management to take action. A protest was held by students of Gudlavalleru Engineering College on Thursday night who claimed that the management was attempting to cover up the incident. According to students, the camera had been secretly recording women. However, Gudlavalleru Sub-Inspector Satyanarayana stated that no hidden cameras have been found on the premises so far, but the investigation is ongoing and further details are awaited. Andhra Pradesh education minister Nara Lokesh took to his social media platform X to state that he has asked authorities concerned for details and assured strict action against the culprits and those responsible. "I asked the authorities for details about the protest of female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College of Krishna District. I have ordered an inquiry into the allegations of hidden cameras. Strict action will be taken against the culprits and those responsible if it is found that they have committed a mistake in the investigation. Managements should take early steps without ragging and harassment in colleges," Nara Lokesh said. YS Sharmila Reddy, Chief of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, has expressed outrage over the incident and demanded immediate action against the culprits and the college management. Reddy stated that the incident has caused her deep concern and worry as a mother of a daughter. She questioned how educational institutions, which are supposed to impart knowledge and values, can compromise the safety and dignity of students. She also criticised the college management for their negligence and lack of supervision, which led to this incident. She also pointed out that the incident is a reflection of the failure of the college authorities to ensure the safety of students. Reddy had demanded a fast-track investigation into the incident and the formation of a high-level committee to probe the matter. She also called for senior IPS officers to be involved in the investigation. The Andhra Congress leader emphasised that whoever is responsible for installing the cameras, regardless of their status or position, should be punished severely to prevent such incidents in the future. Reddy also requested the police department to ensure that the videos recorded by the hidden cameras are not made public. She warned that if action is not taken within a week, she would visit the college and meet with the students to ensure that justice is served. The Congress party has assured that it will stand by the students and fight for justice until the culprits are punished, she said. Earlier this month, an employee of a popular coffee chain in Bengaluru was arrested for allegedly placing a mobile phone with video recording in a dustbin inside a women's washroom. According to the police, the accused hid his phone in the dustbin of the toilet to record the video of a woman using the washroom in the coffee shop. The woman discovered the phone and informed the manager after which the accused was arrested. (ANI) The central district team of Delhi police has arrested as many as five kidnappers and rescued a minor girl from the Indo-Nepal border on Friday. Technical and manual surveillance led to the arrest of the accused. The minor has been handed over to the family. The child was arrested because her paternal uncle was under the debt of her maternal uncle and the accused identified as Krishan. Earlier on Tuesday, a kidnapping incident was reported at Police Station IP estate in which the complainant stated that his daughter left home at about 8:30 pm to go to the general store, but she neither reached the general store nor returned home. He further stated that someone must have lured and taken his daughter away. Accordingly, case FIR No. 0285/2024 U/s 137(2) BNS was registered and an investigation was taken up. Later on, he received voice messages for ransom on WhatsApp from a Malaysian number. A team was constituted to rescue the minor girl child and to nab the accused persons involved in the kidnapping. The team immediately swung into action and visited the nearby areas and checked more than 300 CCTV cameras. The team technically analysed the number from which the message was received. Based on technical analysis of foreign numbers, it was found that there is a Sitamarhi Bihar connection to the case. Local intelligence and detailed interviews of family members also revealed monetary issues. It was found that one of the relatives of the girl child is also from the Sitamarhi district of Bihar. During interrogation, the accused Krishan gave vague answers. He on sustained interrogation disclosed that he and his wife Shahida and three other friends namely Pintu, Sushil and Sunita planned and conspired to kidnap the minor girl. He further disclosed that Shahida lured the girl with chocolates and took her to a nearby shop where at some distance a car was present in which Pintu, Sushil and Sunita were sitting. There Krishan and Shahida handed over the girl to them, who took the girl to Bihar. The team then further technically analysed the call details of all suspects/accused persons, and it was found that the minor girl was being transported to Nepal through Sitamarhi. The team then flung into action and immediately team members reached Sitamarhi via air and nabbed Pintu, Sushil, Sunita and driver Lallan with the minor girl at the Indo-Nepal border. During the investigation, they disclosed that they were taking the girl to the residence of Pintu's maternal Uncle in Nepal. They kidnapped the girl for ransom as the girl's paternal uncle was under the debt of Krishan. Some more persons have been detained and have been questioned regarding their role in the case and legal action will be taken against them accordingly. (ANI) Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has dismissed allegations that his government is spying on the Leader of the Opposition using drones. Speaking to reporters, Sukhu called these accusations "baseless" and assured that the government would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. He further said that a letter would be sent to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to inquire if any surveillance on the Leader of Opposition is being conducted by them. Sukhu criticized the Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, accusing him of "walking out of the House without listening to anything" and using such tactics to stay in the news. He also claimed that not all MLAs aligned with Thakur are participating in the walkout. Regarding the accusations of drone spying, Sukhu stated, "The Himachal government is not spying on anyone. This is a serious matter, and we will ensure it is thoroughly investigated." H He also accused the opposition of selling Himachal Pradesh's interests during their time in power, specifically citing a reduction in royalty rates on four power projects which, according to him, led to a significant economic decline in the state. Sukhu warned that if the companies involved in these power projects do not comply with government conditions, they could face state control. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has countered these claims, stating that the opposition is not being allowed sufficient time to speak in the House. "We have been wearing black badges inside the House in protest. The BJP MLAs are not given the opportunity to discuss the issues they raise," Thakur said. He further accused the government of engaging in surveillance against him and the opposition, using drones as a tool for this alleged spying. Thakur also criticized the deferral of salaries for the Chief Minister and ministers, calling it a "political move". He said that instead of symbolic gestures, the government should focus on substantial financial reforms. The ongoing dispute between the ruling government and the opposition continues to escalate, with both sides accusing each other of manipulating the situation to grab headlines. (ANI) Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and senior leader Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at an event in Ranchi on Friday. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi among other state BJP leaders were present at the event. On joining the BJP, the former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) veteran expressed his faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah. "I have faith in the PM of the country and Amit Shah. I am now with the largest party in the world. Earlier I was in a regional party. Jai Shree Ram," Soren said while addressing the event. The development comes as the state is set to witness an election to the 81-member Legislative Assembly later this year as the current government's tenure ends in 2024. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the dates. In a later development, JMM MLA from Ghatshila, Ramdas Soren took oath as a state cabinet minister earlier today replacing Champai Soren in the state cabinet. Soren resigned from all positions and the primary membership of JMM on August 28. He became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned as the CM before being arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case. In less than two months, Soren had to step down to allow the return of Hemant Soren to the chair following the latter's bail in the case. On August 27, Champai Soren announced his decision to join the BJP owing it to the welfare of tribals in the state. "On August 18 itself, I had posted about the politics that happened with me in the party that I made with my blood and sweat. I came out alone from JMM as my intention was not to break the party. Sometimes I thought I would leave politics, then I thought that I would form a new organisation or if I find a partner, I would join them for the betterment of Jharkhand. We have got a good partner in the form of BJP," Soren said while speaking to ANI on Friday ahead of his joining. We will fight for Jharkhand like before. I will work for the development of Jharkhand, to save the existence of tribals. We will develop Jharkhand," he added. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Friday granted bail to alleged Sukesh Chandrasekhar in connection with the bribery case regarding the AIADMK's "two-leaves" symbol. Despite this bail, Chandrasekhar will remain in jail due to other ongoing cases against him. The Special Judge Vishal Gogne in the order passed said since section 479 recognises the paramount status of liberty and aims to protect accused persons against long periods of detention without proceedings reaching finality, any interpretation which defeats the pre-eminence of bail over jail should be avoided. In sum, the accused is entitled to release on bail under section 479 (1) and the third Provison to section 479 of the BNSS. The court noted that in the present facts, the delay in proceedings is not capable of being ascribed to the accused as he was entitled to exercise his right of challenging the order on charge. If the proceedings then came to be stayed by the Supreme Court and High Court of Delhi, the accused cannot be penalised by application of the Explanation to section 479 BNSS. The exercise of a remedy under the law cannot be construed as cause for sanctioning the accused and robbing him of the mandate of section 479 (1) and the third Proviso to section 479 BNSS. Appearing for Sukesh, Advocate Anant Malik argued that the accused has suffered detention in the present proceedings for a duration exceeding 7 years 4 months upon being apprehended on 15.04.2017 when the offences with which he has been charged vide order dated 17.11.2018 are under section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Section 120-B of IPC read with section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Section 170/201/419/420/468/471/474 of IPC and that none of these offences contemplate punishment for a duration more than 7 years. However, Delhi Police counsel while opposing the bail plea submitted that the gravity of the allegations which relate to the purported recovery of a cash amount of Rs. 1.3 crores in cash from the accused which, according to the allegations, was intended to be used for exercising undue influence with the Election Commission of India for obtaining a favourable election symbol for one faction of the AIADMK. In the case, the supplementary chargesheet was filed by the Delhi Police included names such as AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, along with Chandrasekhar and several others--Mallikarjuna, Nathu Singh, Pulkit Kundra, B Kumar, Lalit Kumar, Jai Vikram Haran, and Narendra Jain--in the bribery case. The case involves allegations that AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran attempted to bribe the Election Commission to secure the party's 'two leaves' symbol. The Delhi Police had arrested alleged middleman Sukesh Chandrasekhar from a Delhi hotel, where they found him in possession of Rs 1.30 crore in cash. Additionally, the police seized a BMW and a Mercedes car from him. (ANI) Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday requested the Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to convene an urgent meeting with stakeholders to evaluate cloud seeding (Artificial Rain) for combating Delhi's winter air pollution and secure necessary permissions. In a written communication, the Delhi Environment Minister mentioned that given Delhi's critical situation each November, he believed it's imperative to assess the feasibility of this method. He stated that it should be noted that prior clearances from various agencies of GOl are required to implement cloud seeding at any particular spot. Minister Gopal Rai has sought an urgent meeting with all stakeholders, including representatives from MoEFCC, Delhi Govt, CPCB, IMD, and other agencies, to evaluate cloud seeding as an emergency measure and secure necessary permissions. In 2023, the Delhi Govt considered cloud seeding as an emergency measure during hazardous air quality days and asked IIT Kanpur to come up with a comprehensive presentation. Earlier in the month, Rai held a high-level meeting with the Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) officials to prepare a winter action plan against air pollution in Delhi. The Environment Minister said that the Delhi government has started preparing a winter action plan for the coming days against pollution. Along with this, a joint action plan will be prepared on the focus points by meeting with all 33 departments concerned on September 5. Giving information about some of the major decisions taken to prepare the winter action plan, Gopal Rai said that the Kejriwal government has started the process of preparing a winter action plan for Delhiites against the problem of pollution in winter. He said that a review meeting was held with senior officials of the Environment and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) in this regard. During the meeting, many important suggestions came, in which mainly 14 focus points have been identified on which the government will work in the coming days. Based on that, the winter action plan will be prepared. (ANI) After the Assam legislative assembly decided to end the practice of a two-hour Jumma break, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Taranga Gogoi dubbed it as "historic" and said that India is a secular country. "As India is a secular country and if somebody takes a break for Namaz, Hindus can also take a break for our rituals. But the break was given to a particular community for many years. It is a historic decision," Taranga Gogoi said while speaking to ANI on Friday. "AIUDF and Congress MLAs should also thank the state government," he added. Assam Assembly earlier in the day ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday. This practice was introduced by Saadulah's Muslim League government in colonial Assam. Assam Legislative Assembly today officially amended the rule providing for a two-hour break Jumma break, historically observed to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer Friday prayers. According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes. As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing the society on a religious basis. In a post on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the decision was taken to prioritise the productivity of the assembly. Calling the decision as historic, CM Sarma expressed his gratitude towards the Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary for this decision. "By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, @AssamAssembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage. This practice was introduced by Muslim League's Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Biswajit Daimar Dangoriya and our legislators for this historical decision," CM Sarma said. (ANI) Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday emphasised that the National Cooperative Organic Limited (NOCL) and Organic Products Council, Uttarakhand, will provide reliable organic food to consumers across the country through Bharat Brand and Amul Brand. Amit Shah attended the MoU signing ceremony between National Cooperative Organic Limited and Organic Products Council, Uttarakhand, in the national capital. "Organic farming did not get promoted due to two reasons, firstly, the farmer did not get a high price for it and the reason for not getting the price was that there was no guarantee whether the product was organic or not. Secondly, people were hesitant to eat it because they were not sure whether the rice, wheat and pulses that they were bringing in the name of organic were organic or not. That is why we established National Cooperative Organic Limited," Shah said while addressing the event. "National Cooperative Organic Limited and Amul are going to create a network of laboratories of international standards across the country which will test the organic land and also test the product to see if it is organic or not. Both these recognized organizations will provide reliable organic food to consumers across the country through Bharat Brand and Amul Brand," he added. The Home Minister also urged the farmers of Uttarakhand to move towards natural farming. "I urge the farmers of Uttarakhand to keep their fields pure, make them completely organic, move towards natural farming, and explain its benefits to neighbouring farmers as well and guide them towards natural methods. I wish that fertilisers would be completely banned in Uttarakhand," Shah said. (ANI) You are here: Business A roadshow for the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) kicked off in Lanzhou, capital of northwestern China's Gansu province, on August 28. Ten companies from Gansu signed up for the second CISCE. Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Gansu Vice Governor Huang Ruixue attended the event. Ma Li, vice president of China International Exhibition Center Group, outlined the upcoming expo and invited companies across industries to participate. Gansu Logistic Group's general manager, Zhang Tieqiang, said the company plans to showcase the province's achievements in channel logistics and integrated supply chain services for the Belt and Road Initiative. Wang Jun, chairman of Lanzhou LS Group Co., Ltd., highlighted the company's advancements in "nuclear-hydrogen light storage" technologies and expressed interest in developing business partnerships at the expo. Participating companies emphasized CISCE's role in promoting international industrial and supply chain cooperation, expressing enthusiasm for future events. The second CISCE is scheduled to be held in Beijing from Nov. 26-30. Maintenance Command Commanders Conclave is being held at Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur from 30-31 August 2024. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari presided over the Conference on Friday. He was received by Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command. The CAS was presented with a Ceremonial Guard of Honour. The conclave provided a platform for a comprehensive review of the command's enhanced capabilities through indigenisation. The CAS commended the Maintenance Command for outstanding efforts towards indigenisation and its alignment with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative. In his address, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari highlighted the evolving geopolitical landscape and the associated operational challenges. He urged commanders to embrace a forward-thinking mindset, integrate advanced technologies, and maximise the effectiveness of available resources. The importance of training was underscored, with a focus towards developing a versatile and highly skilled workforce. The CAS also stressed on all personnel for active participation towards nation-building. The event concluded with Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari interacting with officers, airmen, civilians, and Defence Security Corps personnel, impressing them for professional excellence and contributing effectively towards capability enhancement. (ANI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday called upon Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to implement the PM SHRI scheme to develop the state's government schools as exemplary educational institutions, saying, "political agendas should not overshadow our children's education and future". In a letter to CM Stalin, Pradhan urged the state government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the scheme's benefits reach students across Tamil Nadu. The PM SHRI Schools initiative is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at establishing over 14,500 schools across India. These schools are intended to serve as model institutions under the joint supervision of the Central Government, State/UT Governments, local bodies, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). Despite repeated requests, Tamil Nadu has not yet signed the MoU for the PM SHRI scheme, Pradhan noted in his letter. He emphasised that while the state initially committed to signing the MoU in the 2024-25 period, the subsequent draft sent by the Tamil Nadu government omitted key commitments required for the comprehensive implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In a post, Pradhan reiterated the Union government's commitment to ensuring 21st-century education under NEP 2020. "PM @narendramodi's government is dedicated to shaping the future through 21st century education under NEP 2020," he wrote. He emphasised that the policy prioritises inclusive education, a dynamic learning environment, and the promotion of multilingualism and mother tongue education." "Political agendas should not overshadow our children's education and future. I urge CM @mkstalin to prioritise our children's right to world-class education over political differences. Anything less would be a great betrayal to our children," he added. Pradhan also highlighted that the Government of India is committed to promoting the Tamil language--one of the world's oldest classical languages--at every forum. He mentioned events such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, organised by the Ministry of Education to promote cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Additionally, a dedicated Tamil language channel was launched on July 29, 2024, to facilitate learning in Tamil. The Minister noted that "tens of lakhs of students" from Tamil Nadu have already benefitted from the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative aligned with NEP 2020. He urged Tamil Nadu to also embrace the PM SHRI Scheme to further enhance the quality of education in the state, in alignment with its ongoing implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. Pradhan concluded his letter by requesting the Government of Tamil Nadu to sign the MoU for the PM SHRI Scheme as per its initial undertaking, emphasizing that "collaborative efforts" between the Union and state governments are crucial for creating a resilient and inclusive education system that fosters a brighter future for all. (ANI) The Supreme Court Judge Justice Hima Kohli, at her farewell function, said she is re-attiring as the blacks, the whites and the greys will not take all the space in her wardrobe but she can try to attire herself in different colours. Justice Kohli made these statements while delivering a speech at the farewell function organised for her by the Supreme Court Bar Association. "Now that I lay down office, I do not intend to hang my boots or store my sandals. Now that I lay down the office, having served in the highest court of the land, let me assure you I do not intend to hang my boots or Shall I personalize it and say store my sandals. Very recently I was asked if I am retiring or re-attiring. It didn't take me a moment to say that I am re-attiring," Justice Kohli said. She further added that it only means that the blacks, the whites and the greys will not take up all the space in my wardrobe. "In my sixth phase of life I will try and re-attire myself in different colours of the VIBGYOR," Justice Kohli said This means works but make time for family and friends and reignite my interest in hobbies that have long been placed on the backburner, Justice Kohli said. Justice Kohli has served as the judge of the Delhi High Court and Chief Justice of Telangana High Court before she was elevated to the Supreme Court. Justice Hima Kohli is retiring on September 1, 2024, and after her retirement, the number of women judges at the top court will be reduced to 2 female judges. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that Justice Kohli is an inspiration to young lawyers and judges across the country. Responding to the speech given by the SCBA President and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal demanding an increase in the number of women judges, CJI Chandrachud said that they have to begin such initiatives in the building blocks of the profession. CJI mentioned that he has learned recently that 78 out of 108 recruits to the Delhi district judiciary were women. He further added that the spread of women's education has spurred and when we create equal opportunity workspaces for women, women are capable of succeeding. "The reason why women are joining the district judiciary in such large numbers is because there is an equal or a level playing field at the very threshold," CJI said and mentioned that the problem with the legal profession is that there is no level playing field for women when they enter the profession. "I would therefore request all seniors, let's stop recruitment to seniors chambers purely on the basis of networks, friends, children, network children coming into our chambers. Why don't we have say the SCBA put out that well, these are the seniors who would like to recruit juniors for the next term and why don't we have some sort of a level playing field for juniors to apply for recruitment to chambers," CJI said. "If we create a level playing field for women, these experiences of the district judiciary indicate that women are capable of succeeding. And these women who are today joining the district judiciary are then going to go on and become High Court judges and eventually become Supreme Court judges," CJI said. "We ought not to be asking ourselves why so few judges of the Supreme Court. We have to begin today and see how better we create working conditions for women in the legal profession in the district judiciary, from the district judiciary to the high courts," CJI said. CJI Chandrachud also said that as a chairperson of the Supreme Court's Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee, Justice Kohli has maintained that gender justice is central to a just society. "Above all, Hima has sent, I think, a very crucial message that to succeed as a woman, you do not have to forsake your femininity," CJI said and further opined that it is very crucial. "Because every woman professional brings a crucial element of her own ingrained compassion and sensitivity and to succeed in our profession, you don't have to behave like a man. You can continue to be a woman and bring the best traits of a woman to the profession," CJI said. (ANI) The Union Territory is going for elections after a gap of 10 years and will see the polling starting from September 18 to October 1 with results to be declared on October 4. Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava has been appointed as the next Corps Commander of the Chinar Corps and will assume his new appointment from October 15, Army officials told ANI. The officer has done extensive deployments in the Kashmir valley and before moving to the Army Headquarters, he was commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Force in the valley. Incumbent Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai will continue to be the commander of the Corps in charge of security of the Kashmir valley and the Line of Control there from the Indian Army. Ghai has been cleared to take over as the new Director General of Military Operations succeeding Lt Gen Prateek Sharma. Lt Gen Ghai is an expert in counter-terrorism operations and worked very closely with Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi in his days as Northern Army Commander. Two important Principal Staff Officers in Army Headquarters including the Deputy Chief Strategy and Deputy Chief (Capability Development and Sustenance) are retiring on October 31. Many officers have already been sent to take over in the Corps like the 3 Corps in Dimapur and the new Army War College Commandant from the list of new postings issued on July 22. (ANI) Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after the Assam Assembly on Friday decided to end the practice of two-hour adjournment for Jumma prayers. Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the Assam Chief Minister wants "cheap popularity" and further said that the BJP wants to "bother Muslims in some way or the other." "Assam's CM is doing this for cheap popularity. Who is he? He just wants cheap popularity. BJP has made Muslims a soft target. They want to bother Muslims in some way or the other and spread hatred in society. BJP should understand that even Muslims had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle," Yadav said while speaking to reporters in Patna on Friday. Assam Assembly earlier in the day ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday. This practice was introduced by Saadulah's Muslim League government in colonial Assam. Assam Legislative Assembly today officially amended the rule providing for a two-hour break Jumma break, historically observed to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer Friday prayers. According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes. As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing the society on a religious basis. In a post on X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the decision was taken to prioritise the productivity of the assembly. Calling the decision as historic, CM Sarma expressed his gratitude towards the Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary for this decision. "By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, @AssamAssembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage. This practice was introduced by Muslim League's Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Biswajit Daimar Dangoriya and our legislators for this historical decision," CM Sarma said. (ANI) A delegation of four scientists from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday. The team, led by Prof Allison Marie Loconto, Deputy Director of LISIS, included researchers Prof Mireille Matt, Evelyne Lhoste, and Renee Van Dis are on a visit to Himachal Pradesh to learn about the advancements in natural farming in the state. During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was pioneering in natural farming as the state was the first in India to offer a minimum support price for products grown through natural farming practices with wheat being procured at Rs 40 per kg and maize at Rs 30 per kg. Additionally, cow milk was being purchased at Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs. 55 per litre. He said that Himachal Pradesh was set to become a leading state in natural farming within the next five to six years and emphasized the importance of product certification in natural farming. The Chief Minister also emphasised the introduction of the CETARA certification system, which was being implemented in the state to ensure fair prices for the farmers. CM Sukhu said that the HIM-UNNATI scheme was being implemented in the state with a cluster-based approach that aims to produce and certify chemical-free produce, with plans to establish 2,600 agricultural groups involving approximately 50,000 farmers. Furthermore, the state government was also taking significant steps to boost the dairy sector and enhance milk production. The visiting INRAE scientists are on a three-week mission to YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni and various other locations in the state. Their visit is part of the European Commission-funded ACROPICS project (Agroecological Crop Protection towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability), which aims to advance co-innovation in agroecological crop protection. The delegation lauded the state government's efforts in promoting natural farming and praised the CETARA certification system. They said that INRAE would explore the possibility of adopting this certification system in other countries. Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, MLAs Suresh Kumar, Vivek Sharma, Neeraj Nayyar, Vinod Sultanpuri, Ranjit Singh Rana and Sudarshan Babloo, Secretary of Agriculture C Paulrasu, Director of Horticulture Vinay Singh, Vice Chancellor of YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Prof. Rajeshwar Chandel and other dignitaries were present in the meeting. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu addressed the Vanamahotsavam programme at ECO park in Guntur and said that the well-being of the people is his priority and that they have been aiming for 50 per cent greenery across the state. "The well-being of the people is our priority and we are aiming for 50 per cent greenery across Andhra Pradesh. Everyone must plant at least one sapling per year," said the Andhra Pradesh CM. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu greeted and welcomed everyone to join in the effort to protect the environment. He mentioned that today's programme, originally scheduled for Narasaraopet, had to be relocated due to unexpected rainfall. The Chief Minister emphasised the state's commitment to prioritising the well-being of its people. He encouraged everyone to plant at least one sapling per year, noting that this initiative has already led to a 0.33 per cent increase in oxygen levels. He also highlighted his long-standing support and participation in tree-planting efforts. The Chief Minister called for collective efforts to create a greener Andhra Pradesh and stressed the importance of restoring stormwater to increase groundwater levels. He invited everyone to visit the Mangalagiri Eco Park, located near AIIMS, to experience nature's beauty and announced plans to establish eco-parks across the state. He also criticised the previous government for widespread deforestation and the exploitation of natural resources, affirming his commitment to reversing those actions. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan stated, "Thanks to everyone who participated in the Vanamahotsavam programme. Special thanks to the forest department officials. As the Minister for Forests, this is a special opportunity for me. We aim to plant at least one crore saplings. The pledge taken by the students, 'Love Your Nature,' inspired me. Protecting the environment is crucial for everyone, especially for future generations. There is no future without environmental protection. Planting saplings is as important as protecting greenery, which shields us from scorching heat waves in the summer. I recommend reading the Japanese book 'Miamoki' to learn more about environmental conservation." (ANI) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and senior leader Champai Soren vowed to stop infiltration from Bangladesh into the state after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday. He also promised to work towards the development of Jharkhand as he expressed his faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. "I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. Tribal villages are vanishing due to Bangladeshi infiltration. Tribal existence is endangering in Jharkhand. To save tribals, we have to remain with BJP," Champai Soren said following the joining. "Only the BJP can raise this issue. So I joined the BJP. I have faith in the PM of the country and Amit Shah. I am now with the largest party in the world. Earlier I was in a regional party. Jai Shree Ram," Soren further said. Champai Soren joined the BJP at an event in Ranchi on Friday which was attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand BJP President Babulal Marandi among other state BJP leaders. Soren resigned from all positions and the primary membership of JMM on August 28. He became the chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2, shortly after Hemant Soren resigned as the CM before being arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in a money laundering case. In less than two months, Soren had to step down to allow the return of Hemant Soren to the chair following the latter's bail in the case. The development comes as the state is set to witness an election to the 81-member legislative assembly later this year as the current government's tenure ends in 2024. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the dates. In a later development, JMM MLA from Ghatshila, Ramdas Soren took oath as a state cabinet minister earlier today replacing Champai Soren in the state cabinet. Champai Soren announced his decision to join the BJP on August 27 owing it to the welfare of tribals in the state. (ANI) Delhi's Karkardooma Court has recently granted bail to Mandoli Jail Staff (warder) who was caught taking drugs inside the jail premises. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sameer Bajpai granted bail to Nitin Rana who was in custody for last month. The court said that the record shows that the accused has been in custody for aboutone month and the investigation of him is complete. Further, the applicant is a government servant and the court sees no chance that he will abscond or will not cooperate in the remaining investigation, the court said in the order passed on August 28. "Considering the overall facts and circumstances, the application is allowed, the applicant/accused is admitted to bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety in the like amount," ASJ Bajpai ordered. It is alleged that during checking the jail premises, the applicant/accused was found in possession of a substance like opium 100 gms. It is further submitted that firstly, the applicant's bag and his body were fully checked by the ITBP and nothing was found in his possession. Further, he was again checked at the CPRO gate and he was found in possession of 100 gms. Contraband opium at about 9.15 p.m. It was submitted by the counsel for the accused that the allegations of the manner of recovery as mentioned in the FIR are concocted. Further, to prove his innocence, the applicant or accused preserved the CCTV footage of the security gate which will show that no recovery of the alleged substance was made in the manner in which it has been shown in the FIR. It was further, argued that no complaint was given in the police station about the recovery of drugs on the same day of alleged recovery and the FIR was lodged on July 25, 2024, after six days of alleged recovery. On getting a complaint from CRPF staff, the present case was registered and on July 27, 2024, the accused was arrested. On the other hand, the Additional public prosecutor opposed the bail application and submitted that the offence committed by the accused was heinous. Further, the recovered contraband is intermediate in quantity. The investigation is at the initial stage and the source of contraband is not traceable. If the accused is on bail, he may affect the investigation, the public prosecutor submitted. On July 20, 2024, a General Diary was received at Police station Harsh Vihar from the Mandoli Jail Complex that some suspicious substance was recovered from the possession of Jail WarderNitin Kumar Rana while searching by the CRPF officials at CPRO hall. When the I.O. reached the spot the CRPF staff handed over one white envelope which was suspected to have 100 gms. Opium (2 bars). (ANI) A delegation of members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly led by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta on Friday appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for urgent intervention in the alleged constitutional crisis plaguing Delhi. The delegation met the President and submitted a memorandum on Friday highlighting a series of concerns about the functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The delegation members consisting of MLAs Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai, Jitender Mahajan, Kartar Singh Tanwar, and former Delhi minister Rajkumar Anand, urged President Murmu to dismiss the current AAP government under Article 356 of the Constitution. In the memorandum submitted to the President, it was stated that critical orders that require the Chief Minister's signature have been kept pending with no urgency to resolve the matter. The memorandum further claimed that the situation has led to a "complete breakdown of governance in Delhi." "Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been in jail for over four months on serious corruption charges related to the Delhi excise policy scam. Despite this, he refuses to resign from his position, creating an unprecedented constitutional crisis. This situation of such moral bankruptcy from the head of a state was unforeseen by our Constitution's farmers," it mentioned. It further stated that essential administrative decisions are being delayed or mishandled, and there is a lack of accountability at the highest levels of the government. It also claimed that the AAP government's failure to address critical infrastructure issues has resulted in severe dereliction of duty and mismanagement of urban planning, directly impacting the lives of Delhi's citizens. Pointing out the failure to constitute the Sixth Delhi Finance Commission, which has been due since April 2021, the memorandum stated that this neglect represents a grave violation of Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution of India and has severely impeded proper financial planning and resource allocation for the city, particularly affecting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The appeal also detailed rampant corruption and financial irregularities within the AAP government. The multi-crore Delhi Liquor Scam, which has led to the arrest of top government ministers including CM Kejriwal, recent revelations of financial irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board, where balance sheets for 2021-22 and 2022-23 have not been prepared, further highlight the extent of the problem. "The AAP government has lost all moral right to govern and has blatantly deceived the mandate given by the people of Delhi. We are calling on the President to dismiss this government and take immediate action to restore constitutional order in Delhi," Vijender Gupta said referring to the memorandum. (ANI) The General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has released regulations outlining how underperforming and unqualified Party members should be dealt with, aiming to ensure the advanced nature and integrity of Party membership by providing institutional guarantees. Comprising 27 articles, these new rules are crucial for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, said an official from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. They are essential for promoting the Party's self-reform, establishing a team of Party members with strong beliefs, political reliability, reasonable composition, outstanding qualities, strict discipline and significant contributions, the official noted. Unlike disciplinary measures imposed on Party members who violate Party discipline, such as corruption, these regulations specifically target Party members who lack revolutionary spirit, fail to fulfill their Party obligations, or do not meet Party membership criteria. The regulations set down three organizational measures for dealing with such members: rectification within a specified time frame, persuasion to voluntarily withdraw from the Party, or expulsion. In cases where a Party member fails to participate in regular Party activities, pay membership dues in a timely and full manner, or maintain contact with their Party organization for a period of six months to two years, the member's Party branch is required to address the issue and give the relevant individuals a deadline to rectify their behavior. Party members who threaten to withdraw from the Party as a means of achieving personal goals, but fail to change their behavior despite education, will be strongly encouraged to withdraw from the Party. Expulsion mainly applies to situations involving loss of ideals and beliefs, wavering political stances, disloyalty to the Party, or failure to participate in Party organizational activities for six consecutive months without valid reasons, as well as not paying Party dues or neglecting assigned work. To protect the rights of Party members, the regulations also include provisions for submitting appeals in cases where members disagree with the punishment they receive. The second meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament headed by MP Jagadambika Pal on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was held on Friday at the Parliament House Annexe. The committee has called the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, the Delhi-based Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to register their views. As per the sources, the Muslim bodies pointed out many clauses of the bill, which are a matter of concern for Muslims. Sources said that 'Waqf by Users' was the key issue of heated discussion in the meeting. The Muslim side raised their concern and said that it is a matter of religious faith and practice. So, the government should not try to interfere in this. They also raised their objection to the functions of the Survey Commissioner to the Collector. Several members from opposition parties have also drawn strong reactions on this issue and supported Muslim bodies. This stance was met with strong opposition from members of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. Whereas LJP, JDU and TDP have taken a balanced approach. The government introduced the bill in the budget session of Parliament which concluded earlier this month and it was decided to send the legislation to JPC for further scrutiny. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define "Waqf" as Waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women. It also seeks to omit the provisions relating to the "Waqf by user", provide the functions of the Survey Commissioner to the Collector or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector duly nominated by the Collector for the survey of waqf properties, provide for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill also seeks to provide for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. The bill seeks to omit section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is Waqf property, provide for filing of accounts of waqf by Mutawallis to the Board through a central portal for better control over their activities, reform the Tribunal structure with two members and provide for appeals against the orders of the Tribunal to the High Court within a specified period of ninety days. Meanwhile, the JPC has invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions as per a press communique by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. It said those desirous of submitting written suggestions to the Committee can send two copies either in English or in Hindi to the Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi and also email to jpcwaqf-lss@sansad.nic.in. The suggestions should arrive within 15 days from the date of the publication of the advertisement. As per the communique, the memoranda or suggestions submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as confidential and enjoy the privileges of the Committee. Those, desirous of appearing before the Committee, besides submitting memoranda, are requested to specifically indicate so. However, the Committee's decision in this regard will be final. The next meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament is on September 5 and 6. On September 5, representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Railways called to record their oral evidence on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Whereas, on September 6, representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Zakat Foundation of India and Telangana Waqf Board will record their oral evidence, views and suggestions.(ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma affirmed that the decision to scrap the practice of 2-hour adjournment for Jumma prayers in the state legislative assembly was a collective decision. Assam Legislative Assembly earlier in the day officially amended the rule providing for a two-hour break Jumma break observed to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer Friday prayers. The decision, however, invited criticism from several opposition leaders. Assam CM Sarma said that the decision was not his alone but collectively of the state assembly and added that the Assembly rules committee also includes members from the minority community. "In 1937, the Muslim League was ruling Assam and Sir Syed Saadulla was the CM, he made this rule that every Friday there would be a 2-hour break for Jumma ki namaz. Today our MLAs decided that we come to the Assembly for work, so we don't want a 2-hour break. There are members from the minority community in our Assembly rules committee, so everyone has taken this decision. This is not my decision, it is the Assembly's decision," CM Sarma said while speaking to reporters on Friday. The state assembly ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday that was introduced by Saadulah's Muslim League government in colonial Assam. Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary said that the decision was taken as it had become difficult to hold discussions on Fridays due to a lack of time. "Since the times of the British, on every Friday of the week, Assam Assembly used to be adjourned by 11.30 am to perform Namaz. I noticed that it used to become difficult to hold discussions due to a lack of time on Fridays. People from other religions also started asking for a separate time to perform their rituals. From today onwards the Assam Assembly will not be adjourned to perform Jumma," Biswajit Daimary said. Earlier in a post on X, CM Sarma said that the decision was taken to prioritise the productivity of the assembly. Calling the decision as historic, CM Sarma expressed his gratitude towards the Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary for this decision. "By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, @AssamAssembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage. This practice was introduced by Muslim League's Syed Saadulla in 1937. My gratitude to Biswajit Daimar Dangoriya and our legislators for this historical decision," CM Sarma said. In a post on X, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika said, "An important milestone to reclaim true secularism in Assam. Assam Assembly today has ended the practice of a 2 hour adjournment for Jumma prayers, every Friday. This practice was introduced by Saadulah's Muslim League Government in colonial Assam." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Taranga Gogoi dubbed it as "historic" and said, "As India is a secular country and if somebody takes a break for Namaz, Hindus can also take a break for our rituals. But the break was given to a particular community for many years. It is a historic decision," Taranga Gogoi said while speaking to ANI on Friday. "AIUDF and Congress MLAs should also thank the state government," he added. Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at CM Sarma and alleged that the Assam Chief Minister wants "cheap popularity" and further said that the BJP wants to "bother Muslims in some way or the other." "Assam's CM is doing this for cheap popularity. Who is he? He just wants cheap popularity. BJP has made Muslims a soft target. They want to bother Muslims in some way or the other and spread hatred in society. BJP should understand that even Muslims had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle," Yadav said while speaking to reporters in Patna on Friday. Samajwadi Party leader ST Hassan said, "Himanta Biswa Sarma spreads poison in the society. His government is against Muslims." According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes. As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing the society on a religious basis. (ANI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, on Friday ordered the officials to formulate a new Tourism Policy for the development of more tourist destinations in the state, an official release from CMO said. As part of the SPEED (Smart Proactive Efficient and Effective Delivery) review, Chief Minister Reddy held a meeting with top officials on Tourism Development projects at the Secretariat. According to the release, the high-level meeting decided to formulate separate policies for the development of Temple Tourism, Eco Tourism and Health Tourism. The Chief Minister directed the officials to promote all the ancient temples, historical places, forest areas and medical facilities in the Telangana state as the most attractive destinations for tourism. The officials were instructed to introduce new tourism packages which include transportation, accommodation and all the necessary facilities for tourists. The CM asked the Forest officials to explore the possibility of establishing safaris in the forest areas of Kawal Tiger Reserve and Amrabad and also construct cottages for overnight stays at some places. All the suitable areas for tourism will be identified and the officials of the Tourism, Endowments and Forest Department jointly decide which project should be developed on a priority, the press release said. CM Revanth Reddy emphasized that the development of infrastructure mainly Haritha Hotels and guest houses is not enough and its proper maintenance and management to attract tourists should be given top priority. He suggested that all the new projects should be taken up with government and private partnerships and also made it clear that the promotion of tourism should help the development of the state along with job creation. He also announced that a new zoo park will be established outside Hyderabad in an area of about 1,000 acres. The zoo park will be developed with a variety of Animals and Birds from different areas. The development of urban forests will also be given priority in tourism development. The CM asked the officials to invite industrialists and organizations to set up such facilities in the state. He decided to use 200 acres of government land to develop Health Tourism at the natural forest area in Ananthagiri region. As per the official release, the meeting discussed setting up a Nature Wellness centre on the lines of Jindal Nature Cure Institute in Bangalore. The officials were asked to consult the representatives of Jindal Company to develop a wellness centre and also invite noted organizations in the field of naturopathy to open their centres in the state, according to the release. State Tourism Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Tourism Principal Secretary Vani Prasad, Industries Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Revenue Secretary Sailaja Ramayyar, Endowments Commissioner Hanumantha Rao, Health Secretary Christiana, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dobrial and other senior officers of various departments participated in this meeting. (ANI) Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray's allegations that the BJP-led government was exerting undue pressure on Maharashtra's Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik to retire early and accused him of "playing a dangerous and immature game by politicizing the state's bureaucracy." Thackeray had claimed that the push for Saunik's premature retirement was motivated by political dissatisfaction. "By attacking the appointment of Maharashtra's Chief Secretary, Aaditya Thackeray is continuing to play a dangerous and immature game by politicizing Maharashtra's bureaucracy. He must exercise caution before making reckless allegations," Deora said in a post on X. Deora also criticized Thackeray for his previous actions, pointing to Thackeray's public criticisms of Ashwini Bhide, the former head of Mumbai Metro. Deora alleged that Thackeray's "public trolling" led to Bhide's unjust removal. "This isn't the first time Aaditya has acted irresponsibly. His public trolling of Ashwini Bhide, an efficient officer & the head of #Mumbai Metro, not only led to her unjust removal but also caused cost overruns to the tune of Rs3,000 crore & severe delays in the #MumbaiMetro project," Deora said. Highlighting the progress made under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deora praised the appointment of women to key administrative roles in the state. "In Maharashtra, women are leading the state in top administrative positions, a development that has flourished under the leadership of @mieknathshinde Ji. This progress should be welcomed & celebrated, not politicised for personal gain. Prominent women bureaucrats in significant positions in Maharashtra: Chief Secretary: Sujata Saunik DGP: Rashmi Shukla Head of Forest Force: Shomita Biswas Principal Secretary, Department of Law & Justice: Suwarna Keole Principal Accountant General: Jaya Bhagat Head of Mumbai Metro: Ashwini Bhide," he added. Earlier, in a post on X, Aaditya Thackeray alleged political pressure on Maharashtra's Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik, to retire early. "As per sources, Madan ji is to retire on September 4 and there is a lot of pressure from the bjp- mindhe sarkar on Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik ji to voluntarily step down and head the election commission in our state. The point is, why? Only because she's a very capable woman and the bjp/ mindhe don't agree with it? She didn't come there only because she's a woman, but she's put in decades of service, hard work to reach there as an officer, and will retire on June 30, 2025," Thackeray said in his post. "If the illegal cm wants to change her, he can issue an order. But he has no guts to. Then why force a capable officer to take voluntary retirement, even though she's due for retirement next year? Will she be forced to bow out and how far will the mindhe regime go in stifling the voice of women in Maharashtra?," he added. (ANI) In a bid to ensure an adequate supply of fertilisers to Punjab Farmer for the upcoming Rabi season, the Special Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare KAP Sinha, on Friday, met Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers JP Nadda in New Delhi. The developments came after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann personally talked to the Union Minister Nadda to apprise him about less supply of DAP fertiliser in month of August as compared to the allocation following which, the team led by Special Chief Secretary KAP Sinha sent to Delhi to discuss the matter with the Union Minister. Talking to ANI Special Principal Secretary, Kap Sinha said, "This year, for two Rabi crops, wheat and potato mainly, 5.5 lakh tonne DAP is required. DAP, diammonium phosphate, completes the requirement of nutrients and ensures maximum production. We receive fertilizers from the central government. We have 84,000 tonnes of fertilizer in stock... CM Bhagwant Mann spoke to the Union Fertilizer Minister... Today we met Union Minister JP Nadda and Union Secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra... They have assured that any DAP requirement Punjab has will be fulfilled..." Accompanied by senior officials from Punjab's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department and Punjab Markfed, KAP Sinha emphasised the state's fertiliser needs for the 2024-25 Rabi season. Notably, Punjab is expecting to sow wheat on approximately 35 lakh hectares, requiring around 5.50 lakh metric tonnes of Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser. "Our meeting with Union Minister JP Nadda remained fruitful, and we have received assurances that Punjab will receive adequate quantities of DAP and other phosphate fertilisers during the forthcoming Rabi season," he said while reaffirming the commitment of the Punjab Government to ensure timely access to essential inputs, including fertilisers, to the farmers of the state. During the year 2023-24, Punjab state has contributed 46% share of wheat in the the centre pool, and in view of the higher production of wheat this year, the Government of India during the recent zonal conference has allocated 4.50 lakh metric tonne DAP fertiliser,1.50 lakh metric tonne NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and 1.50 lakh metric tonne SSP (Single superphosphate) fertilisers to the state of Punjab for 2024-25 Rabi season. KAP Sinha also stated that Union Minister JP Nadda has assured that there would be no shortage of DAP fertiliser and other phosphate fertilisers and that adequate quantities would be supplied to Punjab over the next two months as per demand. "We are confident that this allocation, combined with the assured supply, will meet our farmers' demands," he said. Meanwhile, KAP Sinha also held a meeting with, Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Chemicals & Fertilisers Ministry in the government of India to ensure the availability of fertilisers in Punjab. (ANI) Delhi's Saket Court on Friday dismissed the appeal of former MLA Asif Mohd. Khan and sentenced him to six months imprisonment. He is also directed to pay Rs 5 Lakh compensation to DDA. He had challenged the judgement and sentence of 2018 in a case related to encroachment on DDA Land in the area of Jasola Village. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh upheld the Judgement and sentence order passed by the Metropolitan Magistrate in 2018. Khan's Counsel confirmed the order of the court. The sessions court held that the learned Trial Court rightly appreciated the evidence to convict the appellant. The impugned judgment of conviction is just and well-reasoned. Therefore, the present appeal, so far as it impugns the judgment of conviction for offence under sections 427/447/434 IPC and Section 3 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, stands dismissed. "In view of testimonies of prosecution witnesses and documentary evidence, the prosecution was able to bring home the charged offence against the appellant," ASJ Vishal Singh held in the judgement passed on August 28. The court also rejected the arguments of Asif Mohd. Khan. "There is no substance in arguments that the uprooted barbed wire was not seized by the Investigation Officer (IO) and no photograph of alleged encroachment was taken," the court said. Former MLA Asif Mohd. Khan challenged the judgment of January 20, 2018, of Metropolitan Magistrate Saket Court, he was convicted for an offence Under sections 427/447/434 IPC & Section 3 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and on February 5, 2018, he was sentenced to simple imprisonment of six months along with a fine of Rs 5,000 for offence U/s. 427 IPC, simple imprisonment of six months along with a fine of Rs 5,000 for offence U/s. 434 IPC, simple imprisonment of three months alongwith a fine of Rs 500 for offence U/s. 447 IPC and Simple Imprisonment of six months alongwith a fine of Rs 10,000 for offence U/s. 3 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, in an FIR of PS Jamia Nagar. All the sentences were ordered to run concurrently. In addition, Khan was directed to pay a compensation amount of Rs 5 lakh to DDA, within one month. As per Prosecution, Asif Mohd (appellant) committed mischief by causing damage to the amount of more than Rs 50 of the DDA land, situated at Khasra No.409, Village Jasola, by removing/destroying the barbed wire fencing up to 6ft. x 30ft, carried out by the DDA. The appellant encroached upon the said government land ( DDA land) and constructed a pucca concrete platform on it. The FIR was registered on the complaint of November 23, 2007, of complainant Subhash Chandra, Director, Land Management, DDA, New Delhi. On completion of the investigation, the charge sheet was filed in Court and Asif Mohd was charged for offence U/s. 427/447/434 IPC & Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. During the trial, Asif Mohd Khan did not avail of the opportunity to lead evidence in defence. After, hearing the final arguments from both sides, the metropolitan Magistrate passed a judgment on January 20, 2018, holding appellant/accused Asif Mohd guilty of offence U/s. 427/434/447 IPC and Section 3 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and sentenced him vide order on sentence on February 05, 2018. The prosecution opposed the appeal stating that the prosecution had proved its case against the appellant and the Trial Court had rightly convicted and sentenced him. Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta and advocate Tanvir Ahmed Khan Counsels for the appellant argued that the Trial Court could not have relied upon the testimony of prosecution witness retired Sub Inspector Hans Raj as he did not complete his testimony and did not make himself available for cross-examination by accused. The court observed, "Indeed, the Trial Court record reflects that Hans Raj deposed before the Court on March 22, 2017, and his cross-examination was deferred on his request. Thereafter, he did not appear before the Court to complete his testimony. His incomplete testimony cannot be read in evidence against the accused. Anyhow, the offence of trespass and mischief were proved by DDA officials and Prosecution witness Mange Ram (Security Guard)." Discarding the testimony of Hans Raj from consideration would not adversely affect the prosecution case, the court said. (ANI) The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for seeking President's rule in the national capital. In a statement on Friday, the AAP accused the BJP of attempting to undermine democratic processes in Delhi by seeking the President's rule and alleged that with a request to dismiss the Delhi government, the party has already conceded defeat in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Earlier in the day, a delegation of members of the Delhi Legislative Assembly led by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for urgent intervention in the alleged constitutional crisis plaguing Delhi. The statement alleged that the BJP has no regard for the Constitution and has repeatedly attacked it. "Wherever the BJP can't win elections, it attempts to run a parallel government with the sole objective to disrupt the work of the elected government of the state. Whether it is Punjab, Kerala, or Tamil Nadu, the selected governors of the CG have indefinitely stalled budgets and other bills. The BJP has zero regard for the constitution & democracy," the statement mentioned. "Now the BJP is in a hurry to impose the president's rule because they cannot win elections in Delhi. The people of Delhi have seen that CM Arvind Kejriwal has worked like a son of Delhi," it added. The party also criticized the BJP's failed "Operation Lotus," which aimed to buy legislators to sway elections, and its subsequent attempts to defame AAP leaders. "The BJP knows it can't win the elections in Delhi. Their notorious "Operation Lotus," a brazen attempt to buy legislators, has miserably failed. Their attempt to steal votes and win elections has failed against AAP," it stated. "Desperate to seize power in Delhi, the BJP incarcerated all the top AAP leaders. This includes Delhi's three-time popularly elected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the father of Delhi's education revolution Manish Sisodia, the country's best Health Minister Satyendar Jain, and the most vocal opposition voice in Parliament, Sanjay Singh," the statement added. The AAP also criticized Delhi Lieutenant Governor LG Saxena for allegedly obstructing government work and undermining the federal structure. The party has called for the dismissal of the Lieutenant Governor, accusing him of engaging in negative politics while holding a constitutional office. "The LG of Delhi has been a total failure and had done nothing beyond obstructing the work of the people & has consistently undermined the federal structure as envisaged in the Constitution. We appeal to the President to dismiss this LG, who is engaging in negative politics despite holding a constitutional office," the statement mentioned. (ANI) Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, welcomed the landmark decision of the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi to frame murder charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This case pertains to the killing of three Sikhs near the Gurudwara Pul Bangash and arson in the religious place on November 1, 1984. This significant development marks a crucial step towards justice for the victims and their families who have been awaiting accountability for nearly four decades. Chugh stated, "Today marks a victory for truth and a defeat for the Congress party, which was responsible for the mass murder of Sikhs. The Congress party has always shielded those involved in the Sikh massacre. They made murderers MPs, Ministers, and Chief Ministers. Today, truth has prevailed, and both Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler will be prosecuted on murder charges, as directed by the Rouse Avenue Court. It is now confirmed that Jagdish Tytler will also go to jail." "The case should proceed with murder charges and strict punishment must be given. The Congress party has protected these individuals. Those who killed Sikhs are Congress leaders. Kamal Nath, who led the mob that burned the Gurudwara, was made Chief Minister by the Gandhi-Nehru family. Today's decision is historic. The Punjab Congress should clarify their stance on this," he added. Chugh further questioned, "Punjab Congress leaders, what is their relationship with these mass murderers?" He thanked the Prime Minister and Home Minister for always upholding the Sikh community and their welfare. He added, "The Congress party, which established Jungle Raj and burned Sikhs alive, must now face justice after 40 years. The culprits should be punished." Chugh said "The court's order reaffirms our faith in the judicial system and brings hope to the families who have endured immense suffering and loss. We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue to support them in their quest for justice." The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which erupted following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, resulted in widespread violence and the deaths of thousands of Sikhs across India. Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue court on Friday directed to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the Pul Bangash Sikh Killings case. Special judge Rakesh Syal said, "There is sufficient material to frame the charges against the accused Jagdish Tytler." The court directed to frame charges under sections 143, 153A, 188, 149, 295, 380, and 436 IPC read with 302 and 109 IPC. He has been discharged under section 148 IPC. The court has listed the matter for formal framing of charges on September 13. Tytler has been directed to appear on the next date. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sanctioned the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the floods and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. The CM took to social media X to express his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the assistance extended to the flood-affected people of Tripura. "Grateful for the support! My heartfelt thanks to PM Narendra Modi for announcing PMNRF ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the floods and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured," posted Manik Saha. He further added, "Your compassion brings immense support in these difficult times." The Prime Minister and Union Minister Amit Shah were in constant touch with the Tripura CM and had closely monitored the situations and details regarding the flood which affected the state from August 19 to 23. Additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, helicopters and boats were sent by the PM and the Home Minister during the floods. Earlier on Friday, the Tripura CM thanked the donors who had generously contributed to the Chief Minister Relief Fund to support the people who had been affected due to the unprecedented floods and continuous rainfall in the state. Taking to social media platform X, the CM expressed his gratitude and posted, "Overwhelmed with gratitude! The following donors have generously contributed to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to support those affected by the floods in Tripura: AD Nagar English Medium School: Rs20,000, AD Nagar HS School: Rs26,500, Sankaracharyya Vidyayatan Class -XII girls School: Rs28,000, Gomati Cooperation Milk Producer's Union: Rs50,000, Jharna Debbarma, Chairperson, Women Commission: Rs10,000, Manika Das Datta, DY Mayor, AMC- Rs15,000, Mahila Morcha, BJP Gomati District: Rs 11,000. Thank you for your kindness and support!" (ANI) Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Friday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding fast-track courts and time-bound investigations for crimes against women. Devi termed the information in Banerjee's letter as "factually incorrect" and accused her of trying to cover up delays in setting up fast-track special courts in the state. Devi said that the information contained in her letter is "factually incorrect" and suggested that it aims to "cover up delays" in the operationalization of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in the state. "The information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalising the FTSCs by the State," wrote Devi responding to Mamata Banerjee and urged the West Bengal government to implement the same in "letter and spirit." "With regard to the information contained in your letter about the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and exclusive POCSO Courts in West Bengal, I may mention that according to information received from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme as referred in my earlier D.O. letter dated 25.08.2024," the letter read. Devi pointed out that West Bengal has not operationalized additional fast-track special courts to deal with rape and POCSO cases, despite having 48,600 pending cases. "Despite the pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the state has not operationalized additional 11 FTSCs which may be exclusive POCSO Courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases, as per the state's requirement. As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction of covering up the delays in operationalizing the FTSCs by the state," the letter read. This comes after Banerjee on Friday wrote to PM Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. Banerjee, who wrote to Modi a few days ago on the issue following nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder. Additionally, Devi emphasized that the central government's scheme guidelines provide for exclusive staff and judicial officers to handle these cases. "With regard to your observation on the need to post permanent Judicial officers in FTSCs, instead of only retired Judicial Officers as prescribed in the FTSC scheme guidelines, I may inform you that the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one Judicial Officer and seven staff to work exclusively for disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases. Hence, additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent Judicial Officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the State of West Bengal vide letter dated 12.12.2023 of the Department of Justice, which stated that, in the event of an insufficient workforce, States and UTs have the option to engage Judicial Officers and court staff on a contractual basis under the FTSC scheme," the letter read. The minister also highlighted that stringent punishments for rape already exist under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including minimum 10 years of rigorous imprisonment extendable up to life imprisonment or death. "As regards, stringent legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape/ rape and murder, I reiterate my earlier communication conveying that stringent punishments for rape/ rape with murder already exist in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It prescribes for a minimum of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for rape and extendable upto life imprisonment for the remainder of the natural life of the convict or with death, depending on the severity of the crime. As regards, the mandatory provision for the disposal of cases in a specific time frame by the trial authorities, I would like to mention that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has the provision for the completion of an investigation that also includes forensic examination in cases of rape, within two months from the filing of the charge sheet," she added in the letter. She reiterated the importance of following central legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system and ensure justice for victims and concluded by requesting Banerjee to ensure proper handling of cases and sensitization of duty holders to bring finality within prescribed timelines. The letter mentioned "I reiterate that the enactments by the Central Government are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women. If the State Government follows the Central Legislations in letter and spirit, it will certainly have a lasting impact on strengthening the criminal justice system, bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to face the consequences commensurate with the offence and also ensuring justice for the victims or survivors. I once again request you to ensure due sensitization and a positive approach of all duty holders at appropriate levels to ensure proper handling of cases with due care and attention to bring finality as per the timelines prescribed under the statutes." (ANI) CPC releases rules on handling underperforming Party members Xinhua) 09:04, August 30, 2024 BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has released regulations outlining how underperforming and unqualified Party members should be dealt with, aiming to ensure the advanced nature and integrity of Party membership by providing institutional guarantees. Comprising 27 articles, these new rules are crucial for exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, said an official from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. They are essential for promoting the Party's self-reform, establishing a team of Party members with strong beliefs, political reliability, reasonable composition, outstanding qualities, strict discipline and significant contributions, the official noted. Unlike disciplinary measures imposed on Party members who violate Party discipline, such as corruption, these regulations specifically target Party members who lack revolutionary spirit, fail to fulfill their Party obligations, or do not meet Party membership criteria. The regulations set down three organizational measures for dealing with such members: rectification within a specified time frame, persuasion to voluntarily withdraw from the Party, or expulsion. In cases where a Party member fails to participate in regular Party activities, pay membership dues in a timely and full manner, or maintain contact with their Party organization for a period of six months to two years, the member's Party branch is required to address the issue and give the relevant individuals a deadline to rectify their behavior. Party members who threaten to withdraw from the Party as a means of achieving personal goals, but fail to change their behavior despite education, will be strongly encouraged to withdraw from the Party. Expulsion mainly applies to situations involving loss of ideals and beliefs, wavering political stances, disloyalty to the Party, or failure to participate in Party organizational activities for six consecutive months without valid reasons, as well as not paying Party dues or neglecting assigned work. To protect the rights of Party members, the regulations also include provisions for submitting appeals in cases where members disagree with the punishment they receive. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian. [Photo/mod.gov.cn] 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. Dubai [UAE], August 30 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, congratulated the first cohort of scholars selected for the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme in its inaugural year. Al Maktoum emphasised that the programme embodies the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to invest in people to achieve real and sustainable development, aligning with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33. Sheikh Hamdan commended the Emirati students selected under the scholarship programme for the 2024-25 academic year during an orientation session held today at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Dubai. "Today marks the beginning of a new journey for a group of exceptional students who will pursue their higher education at world-renowned universities through the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme, guided by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Driven by the ambition and dedication of our students, Dubai continues to shape its future by nurturing and investing in exceptional talent," he said. "After meeting with the scholars and the 2023-24 cohort of Emirati Top Achievers, I am confident that the future of our emirate is in good hands. The dreams and aspirations of our scholars align with Dubai's bold vision, and I am certain they will play a vital role in Dubai's continued growth and success. Through this scholarship programme, we are developing the next generation of leaders who will contribute to the comprehensive development of our city, and we will ensure that every student receives the support and guidance needed to excel at every step," he added. The event also honoured 40 top-performing high school graduates from both public and private schools across various curricula under the Top Achievers programme. Additionally, it celebrated the 2024 graduating class of the Ruler's Court Higher Education Scholarship, which recognises outstanding Emirati high school graduates and covers various academic disciplines. A total of 321 students applied for the scholarship programme in its inaugural year. The first cohort of scholars was selected by the programme's steering committee following a rigorous evaluation process, which took into consideration their academic performance, the global rankings of the universities they applied to, and how their chosen academic disciplines align with Dubai's future goals and economic priorities. The selected students will attend 30 universities in the UAE and abroad. They will pursue 35 academic disciplines, including engineering, information technology, business administration, health sciences, and the arts. (ANI/WAM) Jerusalem [Israel], August 30 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant recently held a strategic briefing and discussion together with the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) Chief of the General Staff and senior IDF officials. The focus of the discussion was expanding the goals of the war to include ensuring the return of Israel's northern communities to their homes following a change in the security situation. At the same time, Israel must remain committed to dismantling Hamas and ensuring the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. "The IDF's military achievements in Gaza have enabled the return of most of the southern communities to their homes," said Gallant. "The military achievements have also created the conditions that enabled the return of a large number of hostages, and created the conditions required to return a large number of the remaining hostages," he said. "Our mission on the northern front is clear," he added, "to ensure the safe return of northern communities to their homes. In order to achieve this goal, we must expand the goals of the war, and include the safe return of Israel's northern residents to their homes. This will not diminish our absolute commitment to dismantling Hamas and returning the hostages. Once we formulate this proposal, I will raise it before the Prime Minister and the Cabinet." Sharing a post on X, he said, "As part of our commitment to return the residents of the north to their homes safely, after the change in the security situation at the border - today, I held a discussion with the Chief of Staff and the top of the IDF regarding the need to expand the goals of the war and integrate this mission into them." The post further said, "Emphasizing the issue with the goals of the war will not at all diminish our absolute commitment to the dismantling of Hamas and the Shabbat abducted to Israel." (ANI/TPS) For several years, India has been seeking the extradition of Niels Holck to face trial on suspicion of smuggling approximately four tonnes of weapons to a riot movement in West Bengal. The court ruled that sending Holck to India would violate Denmark's 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. Previously, Holck had confessed to a Danish court to being part of a group of seven individuals who smuggled weapons into West Bengal aboard a Russian cargo plane on the night of December 17, 1995. Notably, the Purulia Arms Drop was an illegal arms drop that happened on December 17, 1995 in the Purulia district of West Bengal. The arms were dropped from an Antonov An-26 aircraft before being intercepted by an Indian Air Force aircraft. Five Latvian citizens and Peter Bleach, a British citizen and an ex-Special Air Service officer were arrested, while the organizer 'Kim Davy' alias Niels Christian managed to escape. 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. In June 2023, Denmark again looked into a 2016 Indian extradition request, saying that the requirements in the extradition act had been met. (ANI) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to USD 25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, wanted for allegedly killing her young son. Notably, Rodriguez Singh has ties to India and Mexico. She is wanted for allegedly killing her 6-year-old son, who hasn't been seen alive since October 2022. At the request of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Everman Police Department officers conducted a welfare check on behalf of the boy on March 20, 2023. During the welfare check interview, Rodriguez Singh lied to officers when she explained that the boy was living with his biological father in Mexico, and had been there since November 2022, according to the official website of the FBI. On March 22, 2023, Rodriguez Singh, her husband, and six other juvenile children boarded an international flight bound for India. It was determined that the missing child was not present, and did not board the flight. On October 31, 2023, Cindy Rodriguez Singh was charged with capital murder in District Court of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas. On November 2, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Rodriguez Singh in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, after she was charged with Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. In making the announcement, Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough asked the media and public to help locate Rodriguez Singh. "Cindy Rodriguez Singh is wanted for allegedly murdering her own young son," Yarbrough said. "I am confident that the combination of publicity, significant reward offering, and the team of experienced investigators assembled by the FBI Fort Worth Resident Agency violent crime squad, Everman Police Department, Tarrant County District Attorney's Office and Texas DPS-Texas Rangers will lead to her arrest." The FBI on its official website further said that Rodriguez Singh's last confirmed sighting was on March 22, 2023, as she, her husband, and six juvenile children, boarded an international flight to India. She was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1985 and is 39 years old. The fugitive is between 5 feet, 1 inch and 5 feet, 3 inches tall; 120- 140 pounds; has a medium complexion and tattoos on her back, both legs, right arm, right hand, and right calf. She has brown eyes and brown hair. (ANI) Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab warned citizens against 'unnecessary movement' amid the Pakistan Meteorological Department's prediction of heavy rain in the region, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Wahab said there would be heavier rainfall with strong winds in the city. The low-pressure area from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is moving towards Karachi, the Pakistan Meteorological Department stated, Geo News reported. In a post on X, Wahab said, "It's been raining since last 3 days & in the next few hours, it is expected that there will be heavier rainfall with strong winds. I would urge the residents of Karachi especially bike riders to avoid unnecessary movement. Stay safe everyone & in case of any emergency call 1339." https://x.com/murtazawahab1/status/1829152146656493788 The PMD stated on Friday, "The deep depression (DD, very strong low-pressure area) over Rann of Kutch, India has slowly moved west-southwestward during last 12 hours and now lies at around Latitude 23.6 N & Longitude 69.2 E at about 250km east/southeast of Karachi. The system is likely keep moving further west/southwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea along Sindh coast by tomorrow morning and intensify further into a Cyclonic Storm (CS) due to favorable environmental conditions, sea surface temperature, low/moderate vertical wind shear and upper-level divergence." The statement said that under the influence of the cyclonic storm, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected till August 31. "Under its influence, widespread rain/wind-thunderstorms with scattered heavy/very heavy and isolated extremely heavy falls likely in Karachi division, Tharparker, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Hyderabad, T M Khan, T A Yar, Matiari, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad districts till August 31." The PMD further warned fishermen of Sindh against venturing in the sea till August 31 and those of Balochistan till September 1. "Widespread rain/wind-thunderstorm with scattered heavy/very heavy falls also likely in Hub, Lasbella, Awaran, Keach and Gwadar districts during 30 August to September 1 with occasional gaps Sea conditions are likely to remain rough/very rough with squally winds 50-60 km/hour gusting 70km/hour. Fishermen of Sindh are advised not to venture into sea till August 31 and those of Balochistan till September 1," the advisory stated. The PMD further stated that they are closely monitoring the system and will update accordingly. (ANI) A policeman lost his life, and two others were injured during an anti-bandit operation in Sindh's riverine areas, according to a report by Dawn News. For decades, organised criminal gangs have operated in the riverine border regions of southern Sindh and central Punjab, frequently engaging in kidnapping-for-ransom activities. Although the military launched a comprehensive operation against these gangs in Sindh during the early 1990s, the criminals re-emerged as successive governments failed to sustain law and order in the province. Earlier this month, the Sindh police and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) resolved to intensify their ongoing joint operations against the bandits in the province's riverine regions. In today's statement, the Sindh Rangers spokesperson reported that the bandits opened fire on the police, resulting in the death of Police Constable Lashari and the injury of two others. The victim, it was noted, was a native of Kandhkot. The statement further revealed that a "most wanted bandit" was killed in the return fire, while two others fled the scene with injuries, according to Dawn. The killed bandit was reportedly involved in multiple first information reports and was the brother of another infamous bandit who had a bounty on his head issued by the Sindh government. The Rangers also encircled the area, detaining six more suspects. The statement added that the operation to apprehend the fleeing bandits was still ongoing and that their hideout was destroyed. This operation was initiated following a surge in criminal activities by riverine bandits in Sindh and Punjab. Last week, bandits attacked a police van with rockets in Rahim Yar Khan, leading to the deaths of over 12 policemen and injuring several others, according to Dawn News. In response, the Sindh and Punjab governments pledged decisive action against the criminals in the challenging riverine terrain. On Saturday, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar announced plans to launch a "massive clean-up operation" in the riverine areas once the floodwaters recede. Furthermore, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori took notice on Tuesday of the murder of journalist Mohammed Bachal by bandits in the katcha (riverine) area of Rounti in Sindh's Ghotki district. Bachal, a reporter for Awaaz TV, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Ghotki's Rounti area. (ANI) The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, met Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Qais Bin Mohammed Al Yousef and their discussions focused on boosting bilateral trade. Goyal said that they had a productive meeting on Thursday and they also discussed about enhancing cooperation, unlocking new avenues for growth, and deepening the India-Oman economic partnership. In a post on X, Piyush Goyal said on Friday, "Strengthening ties! Had a productive meeting yesterday with my counterpart from Oman, H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. Discussions focused on boosting bilateral trade, enhancing cooperation, unlocking new avenues for growth, and deepening our economic partnership." https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1829358235171610933 The two leaders earlier met on December 18 on the sidelines of the State Visit of the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik to India on December 16, 2023. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the pace of ongoing negotiations for signing an India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The leaders underlined that holding two rounds of negotiations in quick succession in less than a month's time is a testimony that both countries are committed to deepening the economic relations further, said the Ministry of Finance in a press statement. As per the statement, negotiations on the text of the India - Oman CEPA have been largely completed. The leaders exhorted their respective negotiators to conclude discussions on the remaining issues paving the way for the early conclusion of India-Oman CEPA negotiations and signing of the Agreement. Further, both Ministers also discussed the need for a focused approach to enhancing investments in both countries. It was decided that an 'Oman Desk' would be created in Invest India for this purpose. Similarly, Invest Oman would also launch an India Desk. Bilateral trade between both countries grew by 82.64% in 2021-2022 to reach USD 9.99 billion. In 2022-2023, it further increased to USD 12.39 billion, more than doubling in the previous two years, in comparison to USD 5.4 billion in 2020-2021. (ANI) US President Joe Biden's top aide Jake Sullivan met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, at the end of the former's three-days visit to China. The meeting on August 29 was held at the Great Hall of the People and followed talks that Sullivan had with Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi and vice-chair of the central military commission, Zhang Youxia. Addressing a press conference in Beijing, the US National Security Adviser Sullivan described the Beijing trip as "a true working visit". The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship between the United States and China, the White House said adding that the two sides were planning a call between Biden and Xi "in the coming weeks". Chinese state media Xinhua reported that Xi told Sullivan that Beijing's commitment to the goal of a "stable, healthy and sustainable" China-US relationship remains unchanged as per Chinese news outlet Xinhua. Xi said both 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. Sullivan addressing a press conference in Beijing after the meeting said, "Under President Biden's leadership, the United States has and will continue to advance its interests and values, look out for its friends. And as we do, we believe that competition with China does not have to lead to conflict or confrontation. The key is responsible management through diplomacy." Sullivan had since May 2023 held four meetings with Wang Yi. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, commerce Secretary Raimondo and their counterparts, and many other Cabinet secretaries and their counterparts have held discussions ahead of the the Woodside summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November 2023. Sullivan said that over the course of 14 hours of meetings, he discussed progress and next steps on implementation of the Woodside commitments. These, Sullivan said, included work on counternarcotics and efforts to reduce the flow of illicit synthetic drugs into the United States, military-to-military communications The US NSA said that a "very positive outcome" of the meetings will be a call between the military commanders of the Indo Pacific Command and the Southern Theatre commander for the Chinese Army. "Among other issues of global concern, we discussed the recent efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza," Sullivan said as per a White House readout. Sullivan said that in all of his meetings he stressed on "the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." He emphasized the United States' commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to its Indo-Pacific allies including the concerns about "destabilizing actions against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea." Sullivan said that they did not reach "any specific agreements on the South China Sea" as it is not for the United States to reach agreements with China over the heads of parties like the Philippines. "We did indicate and reiterate our longstanding commitment to our ally and our longstanding commitment to the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and the free exercise of maritime rights in the South China Sea. And we'll continue to do that," he said. Sullivan described the meetings with Chinese officials as "constructive, candid, substantive conversations." Responding to a reporter's question, Sullivan said that in his meetings with Chinese officials, they didn't discuss" the upcoming US Presidential election. Sullivan said that both a meeting between Biden and Xi is likely as both the leaders will be at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 Summits later this year. "I don't have any announcements to make on either President Biden's travel or a potential meeting, but the likelihood is they'll both be there, and if they are, it would only be natural for them to have the chance to sit down with one another, the US NSA said adding that things pointing in that direction seem logical and reasonable. Sullivan said that the United States remains deeply concerned about China's support for Russia's defence industrial base and its impact on both European and transatlantic security and on Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine. "It is a top priority for this administration to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China. And this was another opportunity for me to raise those cases, as I have done in my prior engagements," Sullivan said. Further, he said that it is critical to keep lines of communication open and to that end both US and China are planning "towards a leader-level call in the coming weeks where I expect these discussions to continue." In his August 29 meeting with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, 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, The White House said. In his August 27-28 meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Sullivan 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, the White House said. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is currently on an official visit to the United States, aiming to secure support and attract investments to boost the state's economic development. During his visit, Stalin is engaging with major US-based companies to discuss potential investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu. The Chife Minister announced that on Day 1 of his visit the state had secured investments exceeding Rs 900 crores at Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Chengalpattu, paving the way for 4,100 new jobs in multiple sectors. In his post on X MK Stalin said, "Nokia - Rs 450 crore, 100 jobs, PayPal - 1,000 jobs, Yield Engineering Systems - Rs 150 crore, 300 jobs; Microchip - Rs 250 crore, 1,500 jobs; Infinx - Rs 050 crore, 700 jobs; applied Materials - 500 jobs. With two more weeks ahead, we continue to intensify this momentum and attract more investors to Tamil Nadu, propelling our march towards a trillion dollar economy." Speaking at the San Francisco Investment Conclave, the Tamil Nadu CM highlighted the state's economic achievements, including its status as India's second-largest economic state, its high rate of urbanization, and notable accomplishments in education. "48 percent of the state is urbanized, making Tamil Nadu one of India's most urbanized states. We have more enrollment in higher education than any other state in India, with 48 percent of the population engaged in higher education," Stalin said. Stalin also emphasized Tamil Nadu's strong industrial base, asserting, "Tamil Nadu is one of the fastest-growing economic states in the world, with 39,000 factories and 2.6 million workers in industries." He expressed his ambitious vision for the state, saying, "Our target is to make Tamil Nadu a one trillion-dollar economy. We are focused on attracting industries with substantial capital and job creation." Stalin called on investors to consider Tamil Nadu for their next expansion, noting, "We welcome investments in semiconductors, electronics, and research and development. Tamil Nadu is ready to roll out the red carpet for investors." He underscored Tamil Nadu's progress in creating a conducive business environment, stating, "We have created an ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu with streamlined permissions and licenses, making it easier and faster to set up and operate businesses." Stalin also highlighted the existing strong relationship between Tamil Nadu and the United States, pointing out that over 300 American companies already operate in the state. "The relationship between Tamil Nadu and America has always been strong. Major companies such as Cognizant, Ford, Honeywell, and Qualcomm have established a significant presence in Tamil Nadu," he noted. During the investors' conference held the state government signed several MoUs on potential investments. Microchip Technology will invest Rs 250 crore for setting up R and D Center in Semiconductor Technology in Chennai. The TN government says this is likely to provide employment to 1500 people. Yield Engineering Systems will invest Rs 150 crore to set up a Product Development and Manufacturing Facility for Semiconductor Equipment. Nokia will invest Rs 450 crore in setting up a new research and development center with the world's largest fixed network test facility at Sirucherry. The Tamil Nadu government also signed MoUs with companies like PayPal, Infinx and Applied Materials. (ANI) On August 30, as the United Nations observes the International Day for Enforced Disappearances, Sohail Abro, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM), alongside Zubair Sindhi, Amar Azadi, and other officials, has issued a joint statement calling for the release of all Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtoon missing persons. The statement highlights that the day is dedicated to acknowledging and addressing the plight of individuals who have been forcibly disappeared by state institutions. Abro and his colleagues emphasise the global solidarity shown today for missing persons and urge international attention to the ongoing issue. According to the statement, victims of enforced disappearances in Sindh are often political activists who are detained by state agencies and subjected to various forms of torture. The abuses include severe physical mistreatment such as hanging, waterboarding, and other brutal practices. The statement lists several activists who have reportedly been killed or subjected to such violence, including Muzaffar Bhutto, Maqsood Qureshi, and Sami Ullah Kalhoro, among others. The document notes that since 2002, over five thousand Sindhi freedom fighters have been reported missing, which the officials deem a grave human rights violation. Recently, on August 14, national activists Javed Mangrio, Zahid Channa, Sanwal Sindhi, and Afaq Abbasi were reportedly injured by Hyderabad police and sent to a local hospital. Additionally, on August 19, 2024, Goro Sindhi (also known as Jamil Shoro), a central leader of the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement, was attacked and shot by state agents while en route to meet injured activists. He later died in Karachi's Trauma Centre. The statement also addresses the broader scale of state oppression affecting other regions of Pakistan. It notes that around 22,000 Baloch and 4,000 Pashtun national workers have been forcibly disappeared. Furthermore, Saraiki, Gilgiti, and Kashmiri activists are also reported missing in significant numbers. Recently, nine bodies of Baloch national activists, who were allegedly tortured and killed, were discovered in various cities of Balochistan. On this International Day of Disappearance, the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement appeals to the international community, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, to take action to locate and recover the missing workers from Pakistani state institutions, said the statement. (ANI) An aerial drone photo taken on June 6, 2024 shows the wind power equipment at a low (zero) carbon-dioxide emission industrial park in Sheyang, Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo/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. In a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation in public sector auditing, the Controller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Court of Audit of Saudi Arabia. The agreement signed on August 29 was formalized during a bilateral meeting with Hussam Abdulmohsen Alangari, President of General Court of Audit in Riyadh. The MoU is designed to fortify the collaborative relationship between audit institutions of the two countries by promoting the exchange of expertise and resources. Key aspects of the MoU include the joint development and implementation of training programs focused on financial, performance, and compliance audits. As per the agreement, both parties will also share their audit manuals and methodologies, which are crucial for enhancing auditing standards and practices. "Our commitment to a strong bilateral relationship is a testament to the shared values and objectives of our institutions. This agreement will reinforce the bonds between our SAIs and our nations," Murmu stated. The CAG further stated that the cooperation would bolster the capacity development efforts and facilitate the exchange of valuable knowledge and information between the two institutions.Hussam Abdulmohsen Alangari underscored the importance of the MoU, noting that it would significantly advance cooperation in areas critical to both audit institutions. He highlighted that the agreement would not only improve their external audit practices but also contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and India. The visiting Indian delegation was briefed on the GCA's experiences in transitioning from cash to accrual basis of accounting in Saudi Arabia's public sector. It was also briefed on professional capacity building areas as per a report in Arab News outlet. During the meeting, Tariq bin Ahmed Al-Jarifani, director general of the Saudi Centre for Financial and Performance Auditing and executive vice president for corporate services reviewed the court's advanced methodologies in building professional capacities in intermediate accounting, international public sector accounting standards, and international standards on auditing. (ANI) The East Turkistan Government in Exile issued a statement expressing concerns over UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, what it called a 'major deviation in the UN's stance' on the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. The ETGE in its statement on Thursday mentioned that the OHCHR has 'downplayed' the worsening situation in East Turkistan as "problematic policies" which it said is dangerously minimizing the severity of China's ongoing crimes. https://x.com/ETExileGov/status/1829188872695361671 Stating his concerns over the matter, Mamtimin Ala, President of the ETGE said, "The UN's failure to hold China accountable for its genocidal actions is a direct betrayal of the principles of justice and human rights that the international community is supposed to uphold. By downplaying genocide as mere 'problematic policies,' the UN risks legitimizing China's crimes." The statement by the ETGE further stated that the Chinese government has been making false claims that its genocidal policies in East Turkistan are necessary to "combat extremism, terrorism, and separatism". But, these statements are nothing more than a cynical attempt to justify its ongoing campaign of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan, the statement said. The ETGE stated, "The reality is clear China is actively working to erase our identity, faith, and existence to ensure its occupation over our homeland". The ETGE also stated that it is crucial to highlight that the Chinese government's actions are recognised as genocide and crimes against humanity by the US government and parliaments of over a dozen Western nations. These international recognitions demand urgent global action. The statement further mentioned that it condemns the UN Human Rights Office for its failure to fully acknowledge and act upon the gravity of these crimes. It said that by reducing China's crimes to mere "problematic policies," the OHCHR is not only failing in its mandate but is also dangerously close to legitimizing China's genocide and crimes against humanity in Occupied East Turkistan as lawful policy actions. This is a betrayal of the principles of justice and human rights that the UN is supposed to uphold. Additionally, Salih Hudayar, Foreign Minister of the ETGE mentioned, "We demand immediate and uncompromising action from UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk and the international community. The Uyghur Genocide must be elevated to the top of the UN Security Council and General Assembly agendas; furthermore, we urge global support for East Turkistan's legal efforts to demand justice through the International Criminal Court." The ETGE also demanded that the restoration of East Turkistan's independence is not just a regional issue; it is a global imperative. "It is the only path to safeguarding the freedoms and existence of the Uyghur and other Turkic peoples. The world must no longer stand by in silence. The time for decisive action is now. History will judge those who fail to act in the face of genocide," it said. (ANI) Taiwanese Americans for Harris, an official grassroots affinity group, believe that a Donald Trump's presidency might put Taiwan's security at risk, Taiwan News reported. The organisation's Co-Chairperson, Jay Chen told Taiwan News that as a lieutenant commander in the US Naval Reserves, President Joe Biden had been the most supportive of Taiwan, and former President Donald Trump had been the most dismissive. Chen said that Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign was "incredibly receptive" to the concerns of "Taiwanese Americans". He said that the Democratic National Convention added the first-ever references to the "Six Assurances" and other policies guaranteeing peace and stability across Taiwan Strait, Taiwan News reported. Taiwan News stated that a few US lawmakers said that they will support Taiwan regardless of the outcome of elections. But, Chen replied, "There is an enormous risk with a second Trump presidency." Taiwan News quoted Trump as saying during an interview with Bloomberg in July that he questioned US support for Taiwan, claiming it stole America's chip industry. He also said Taiwan should pay the US for its defence as "it doesn't give us anything." Chen said, "We have to recognize that Trump is not just a leader of the Republican Party, but a leader of a cult of personality. He has changed the Republican Party from one of strong interventionism into isolationism. We should not put it past him that he could completely upend accepted treaties and agreements like the Taiwan Relations Act or the Six Assurances. None of that should be taken for granted because all it takes is a majority of votes to get legislation passed," Taiwan News quoted. Chen said that "a vote for Harris is a vote for security," Taiwan News reported. Talking about the Taiwanese legislators to Taiwan News, Chen said, "They're very diplomatic. They also attended the Republican convention. But I think deep down they do understand that just because Trump might be bellicose, launch these trade wars with China, and say all the right things, it doesn't necessarily mean he has Taiwan's interests at heart." (ANI) Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) an organisation involved in Baloch rights advocacy on Friday said that the recent discovery of mutilated bodies across Balochistan signals an escalation of the Baloch Genocide Policy implemented by Pakistan. The BYC in a statement on Friday, termed the current situation as "alarming," claiming that several mutilated bodies have been discovered in various regions of Balochistan. Four bodies have been identified as Faayaz Jatak, Nisar Ahmed Zehri, Naeem Ahmed, and Saeed Ahmed, while the identities of the remaining victims are yet to be confirmed. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1829232102736564568 According to the BYC, the current trend marks a renewed escalation of oppression and brutality in Balochistan. The BYC also claims that Pakistan appears to be resolute in continuing its policy of Baloch genocide exclusively depending on force and violence to maintain its hold in the Balochistan region. This act has further worsened the humanitarian crisis in the area, with multiple youths being killed in a single day and their mutilated bodies discarded without any regard to traditions and customs. The BYC in its statement further called upon the international human rights organisations to take immediate action to address the severe human rights crisis unfolding in Balochistan. The State of Pakistan's violent policies are endangering the lives of millions in the region, and swift intervention is needed to prevent further atrocities, it said https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1829165062004809754 Prominent Baloch rights activist, Maharang Baloch in a post on X also raised her concerns over the issue. She said, "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." (ANI) Bajwa said that the PIA's deficit had reached PKR (Pakistani Rupees) 500 billion, Dawn reported. "Whoever buys the PIA will also have to clear liabilities of PKR 200 billion and spend PKR 400 million on ship repairs and other issues," Dawn quoted Bajwa as saying. He said that six companies were finalised for PIA bid- Fly Jinnah, Air Blue, Arif Habib Corporation, YB Holdings, Pak Ethanol and Blue World City, Dawn stated. Bajwa stated that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not want to postpone the process further. "We are trying not to let the date exceed," Dawn reported, quoting Bajwa. Bajwa added that the buyer would have to cough up PKR 80 billion and the airline was close to "not functioning at all". The National Assembly's standing committee on aviation informed on July 6 that the privatization process is almost complete. According to a statement issued, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) currently operates 22 out of 43 airports, including 13 international ones, and has been experiencing budget constraints on the development side for several years. Earlier on August 4, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has taken action against Deputy Station Manager based in Birmingham after an investigation revealed discrepancies in their educational qualifications. The airline's Deputy Station Manager, Javed Iqbal Bajwa, was found to have submitted a fake intermediate certificate. This discovery was made after PIA sent Bajwa's educational documents to the relevant authorities for verification, prompting the airline to issue a show-cause notice to him, as per ARY News. The deputy station manager in Birmingham has been given seven days to provide a written response and proof of the authenticity of his certificate. "Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action," the show-cause notice added. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India has to find a ground of mutual interest with Bangladesh and India would deal with 'the government of the day'. Speaking at the release of Ambassdor Rajiv Sikri's new book, "Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India's Foreign Policy", the External Affairs minister said that the political changes in Bangladesh can be 'disruptive'. "Since Bangladesh's independence, our relationship has gone up and down, and it is natural that we will deal with the government of the day. But we also have to recognise that there are political changes, and they can be disruptive. And clearly here we have to look for mutuality of interest," Jaishankar said. Speaking about Maldives, EAM S Jaishankar said that India's relations with Maldives went through several ups and downs. "Where Maldives is concerned, we've had ups and downs. Ups and downs, were not just in the nature of the regime, but in our own approach to Maldives. We've had the 1988 intervention, but yet we were very impassive in 2012 when there was a change of government. There is a certain lack of constancy here, but it is a relationship in which we are very deeply invested, and there is today a recognition in Maldives," he said. Jaishankar added that during his recent visit to Maldives, he realized that the island's relationship with India is a steadying force. "I saw that in my recent visit that this relationship is a steadying force as they get into somewhat choppy waters where their own prospects are concerned, especially in terms of the economic challenges," he said. On August 11, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar during his visit to Male on Saturday, expressing confidence that India will always be the first to assist the Maldives in times of need. Shahid acknowledged the economic and diplomatic setbacks caused by the previous government's anti-India stance and welcomed the current shift towards improved relations. (ANI) The Adiala jail administration on Friday rejected reports regarding former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's facilities withdrawn in the prison, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. According to the superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi, all the facilities have been given to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan as per the jail manual. He said Imran Khan had been provided with two helpers during the day, adding that the PTI founder was permitted to meet his family members, and lawyers and hold political meetings twice a week, according to ARY News report. A separate kitchen has been given to Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, according to the jail superintendent. The jail official said that Khan has been provided with the facility of television in the prison cell. PTI founder has been permitted to meetings during case hearings in prison. He said, "One English newspaper is sent to the PTI founder every day. To stay in shape, he has a place to walk and an exercise machine." Notably, security agencies have intensified the probe and arrested at least six more members of the jail staff allegedly for aiding Imran Khan. The detained staff members of the prison comprise three women, ARY News reported, citing sources. Sources said, "The detained jail employees have been included a sweeper, two lady wardens and three CCTV monitoring personnel," according to ARY News report. Security officials have taken mobile phones of their employees in their custody. Sources stated, "Women staffers were exchanging messages between Bushra Bibi and the PTI's founder." Recently, former Adiala jail deputy superintendent Zafar Iqbal returned home following his arrest on charges of helping Imran Khan, according to sources. Sources stated that Zafar Iqbal was detained on August 13 for questioning over aiding Imran Khan in prison, ARY News reported. Khan (71), who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges, including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and the unlawful marriage case. His wife has also been behind bars for months, Geo News reported. The court, however, suspended Imran Khan's sentence in the Toshakhana case, while other courts overturned his convictions in the cypher and iddat cases, respectively, Geo News reported. The chances of Imran Khan's release from prison further dimmed after the Lahore Police declared his arrest in various cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots, that started after his arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises last year. (ANI) An infant in Pakistani city of Karachi died after a bullet from the gun that her father was cleaning accidentally discharged and hit her head, local media reported. The incident took place on Thursday in Karachi's Federal B Area in Azizabad, according to police, reported Dawn publication. The incident has put the spotlight on the proliferation of guns within the country that has claimed the lives of many people over the years. Station House Officer (SHO) Imran Afridi from Azizabad Police Station stated that the infant was fatally injured inside her home and that the father, who was cleaning his pistol at the time, accidentally discharged the firearm. The resulting bullet struck his infant daughter in the head, leading to her death, the policeman said as cited in the Pakistan news outlet. Police took the man into custody for questioning and he acknowledged that the shooting was an unintended accident. The mother of the child verified this account through both a video and a written statement, describing the incident as an accidental release of the weapon, police was quoted in the Dawn. However, police have not closed the investigation and the infant's body has been sent for a post-mortem. Pakistan has seen a significant number of firearm-related incidents over the years. Celebratory gunfire, a common practice during festive occasions, has frequently led to injuries and fatalities. On the eve of Independence Day, at least 95 people were injured, and a child was killed due to celebratory gunfire in Karachi. Gun-related accidents have been reported in various other incidents this year. Earlier in August, a student was accidentally shot at Jamia Farooq-i-Azam in Jhang, reported Dawn News. In April, a TikToker tragically lost his life when a stray bullet struck him while filming a video with a pistol. According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), firearm misuse and accidental discharges are significant concerns, contributing to a substantial number of injuries and deaths annually. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Brunei from September 3-4 and thereafter travel to Singapore from September 4-5, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. While addressing a weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said that PM Modi will be visiting Brunei at the invitation of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and it will be the first-ever bilateral visit by the Indian PM. He said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is scheduled to visit Brunei Darussalam, during 3rd and 4th September, 2024. This will be first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei." After concluding his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. "From Brunei, Prime Minister, will thereafter visit Singapore on 4th and 5th September, 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister His Excellency Mr Lawrence Wong of Singapore. During the visit, there are several elements of the program which you will see in the press release that we will do shortly after this presser," Jaiswal said. On August 26, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The two nations explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, "A productive 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable today. We explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. Thank DPM Gan Kim Yong, FM @VivianBala, Home Affairs & Law Minister @kshanmugam, Digital Development and Information Minister @joteo_ylm, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng and Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat for their commitment to deepening our relationship. ISMR enables the emergence of a more contemporary partnership." Notably, ties between India and Brunei were established on 10 May 1984. Indian Mission in Brunei was established on 18 May 1993. Before this, the Indian Mission in KualaLumpur was concurrently accredited to Brunei, according to MEA. The two nations share close relations based on their strong traditional & cultural linkages and common membership of the United Nations, NAM, Commonwealth, ASEAN etc, according to MEA. Brunei Government has been supportive of India's 'Look East Policy' and 'Act East Policy' for expansion and deepening of cooperation with ASEAN. (ANI) India has received an invitation from Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in-person meeting that it will host in October this year. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing a weekly media briefing on Friday confirmed the invitation by Islamabad and noted that the MEA has no update to share. Responding to a question at the briefing, Jaiswal said, "Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the Council of Heads of State Government meeting (SCO meeting) that is to happen. We don't have an update on that. We will let you know what the situation is later." Pakistan, which hold the rotating chairmanship of the CHG is scheduled to host the SCO meeting in Islamabad for October this year, Geo News reported. The Pakistan news outlet had cited Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stating during a weekly news briefing that Pakistan has extended invitations to all heads of government of the SCO member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad. Baloch had stated that Islamabad has also received some confirmations for the SCO meeting to be hosted on October 15-16, according to Geo News. 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 by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Its predecessor was the mechanism of the Shanghai Five. Currently, the SCO countries include nine Member States -- India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The SCO has three Observer States - Afghanistan, Mongolia and Belarus. At the Samarkand SCO Summit in 2022, the process of raising the status of the Republic of Belarus within the Organization to the level of a member state started. The SCO has 14 Dialogue Partners - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Sri Lanka. (ANI) 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), 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 men, a father son duo from Taiwan, surnamed Huang, have been sentenced to eight years in prison for their involvement in an espionage operation that leaked sensitive military information to China, local media reported on Friday. The Taiwanese Supreme Court upheld their sentences on August 29, rejecting their final appeals, while ordering a retrial for their co-conspirators, reported Taiwan News. The Huangs, who first encountered Chinese intelligence officials in 2015 during a business trip to Xiamen, were quickly drawn into a spy ring aimed at undermining Taiwan's national security. Upon their return to Taiwan, they recruited two military officers--Yeh from an air defence unit and Su from a missile unit--into their operation. These officers were coerced into signing documents pledging their loyalty to the Chinese cause, marking the beginning of a dangerous breach of Taiwan's military secrets, the Taiwanese news outlet reported. The Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's most important annual military drills, simulate responses to a potential invasion from China, making them crucial to the island's defence strategy. The Huangs' spy ring managed to obtain eight classified documents related to these drills. These documents contained critical details about Taiwan's defence capabilities and strategies, which were either physically transported to China or transmitted via encrypted messaging software. In exchange for their treason, the Huangs were paid NT $1.71 million (approximately USD 53,600) by their Chinese handlers. The recruited officers, Yeh and Su, received NT $210,000 and NT $100,000, respectively. The payments underscore the transactional nature of the operation, with national security being compromised for relatively modest sums, Taiwan News reported. The espionage case came to light as part of broader efforts by Taiwan's National Security Bureau to counter Chinese intelligence activities. In April, the Tainan branch of the Taiwan High Court found the Huangs guilty of violating several laws, including the National Security Act, the Classified National Security Information Protection Act, and anti-corruption legislation. The court ordered the confiscation of their illicit gains and sentenced them to eight years in prison each. Yeh and Su were sentenced to seven and six years in prison, respectively. While the Supreme Court upheld the sentences for the Huangs, it revoked the verdicts for Yeh and Su, citing the need for further examination of the evidence. The Taiwan High Court has been instructed to conduct a new trial for the two military officers, reflecting the complexities of prosecuting espionage cases, where the burden of proof must be meticulously established. Taiwan's government has been increasingly vigilant against such threats, given the critical role that military intelligence plays in maintaining the island's security. The Han Kuang exercises, in particular, are seen as a cornerstone of Taiwan's defence strategy, making the leak of their details especially damaging. (ANI) Indian Navy's frontline frigate, INS Tabar, has conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya in the Mediterranean Sea. The exercise was conducted after INS Tabar departed from Spain's Malaga after a two-day visit from August 25-27. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, "Indian Navy's frontline frigate, INS Tabar had arrived on a two-day visit at Malaga, Spain on 25 Aug 24 and post departure on 27 Aug 24 conducted Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya in the Mediterranean Sea." "India and Spain have been engaging in multiple fields towards enhancing the existing bilateral relations, including maritime domain," it added. The conduct of the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between the Indian Navy and the Spanish Navy in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrates the Indian Navy's outreach and sustenance, which also marks a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between India and Spain, according to a Ministry of Defence press release. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence stated, "The MPX involved a series of advanced exercises such as Station Keeping, Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPs), Flying Exercise (FYEX), Steam Past and PHOTOEX serials. Units from both navies demonstrated high levels of professionalism and commitment to enhance collaborative efforts." The Indian Navy remains committed to fostering partnerships with navies across the world, according to a Ministry of Defence press release. The MPX with the Spanish Navy reinforces the strong bilateral naval ties, further strengthening our resolve and commitment towards ensuring enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain. In a statement shared on X, an Indian Navy spokesperson stated, "#INSTabar, on completion of visit to Malaga, #Spain conducted #MaritimePartnershipExercise with Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya in the Mediterranean Sea. @Armada_esp Station Keeping, RASAPs, FLYEX & PHOTOEX conducted with an aim to imbibe best practices & enhance #interoperability." INS Tabar is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy, according to the Ministry of Defence. The ship is part of the Indian Navy's Sword Arm Fleet which is based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command. (ANI) India has been issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. While addressing a weekly media briefing on Friday, Jaiswal stated, "We are issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes. Once the situation becomes normal, law and order is restored, then we will begin our full-fledged operations of visa." In response to another question, Jaiswal stated that former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina came to India on very short notice for safety reasons. On being asked about India's position as the passport of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been disqualified, Jaiswal stated, "We have stated this earlier that the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh came to India at a very short notice for safety reasons. We have nothing further to add on that matter. Also to answer your question, you know, I think what you want to ask, what you are asking lies in the realm of hypothetical issues. So that is where we are on the issue that you raised." Bangladesh's interim government has cancelled Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic passport, The Dhaka Tribune reported. Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs has cancelled the diplomatic passports of Sheikh Hasina, her advisers, former cabinet members, and all members of the 12th national parliament. The authorities have also revoked diplomatic passports for their spouses and children have also been revoked with immediate effect, The Dhaka Tribune reported. Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, tendering her resignation from her post on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. Hasina, who fled Bangladesh for India in a military aircraft on August 5, is currently staying in India. The protests, led majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests. On August 8, Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government. 17 members of Bangladesh's interim government took their oaths at a ceremony in Dhaka on Thursday, Bangladesh-based daily, Dhaka Tribune reported. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be making official visits to Brunei and Singapore from September 3-5, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. It will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei. PM Modi will be visiting Brunei from September 3-4 at the invitation of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. "Shri Narendra Modi, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is scheduled to visit Brunei Darussalam during 03-04 September 2024. This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei," MEA announced in a press release. Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its vision of the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi's visit will further strengthen India's cooperation with Brunei in all existing sectors, including defence cooperation, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health cooperation, capacity building, culture and people-to-people exchanges and explore avenues for cooperation in newer sectors, according to MEA press release. After concluding his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore from September 4-5. He will be visiting Singapore at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. During the visit, the two leaders will review the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. In a press release, MEA stated, "During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore. "These visits will further strengthen India's cooperation with Brunei and Singapore both bilaterally and within the regional and multilateral frameworks," it added. On August 26, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The two nations explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, "A productive 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable today. We explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. Thank DPM Gan Kim Yong, FM @VivianBala, Home Affairs & Law Minister @kshanmugam, Digital Development and Information Minister @joteo_ylm, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng and Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat for their commitment to deepening our relationship. ISMR enables the emergence of a more contemporary partnership." EAM Jaishankar along with Piyush Goyal, Nirmala Sitharaman and Ashwini Vaishnaw called on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Jaishankar said that he valued Shanmugaratnam's guidance on ways to further take forward the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, he said, "Honored to jointly call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Value his guidance on ways to further take forward the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership." Jaishankar and other union ministers also called on Singapore PM Lawrence Wong. In a post on X, he said, "Delighted to call on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore today morning along with my colleagues Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Ashwini Vaishnaw. We conveyed the warm greetings of PM, Narendra Modi. Appreciate PM Wong's continued engagement with the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable." (ANI) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday released a charter of demands urging Pakistan to eliminate the heinous practice of enforced disappearances. The HRCP charter stated that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity under international law. The eight-point charter of demand called for the recovery of all victims of enforced disappearance promptly and safely and to present them before courts of law. Additionally, those who stand accused of any crimes must be treated according to law and their rights of due process and fair trial must be upheld. https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1829477122131612158 The charter further demanded that enforced disappearances must be treated as a matter of priority making the practice a criminal offence and rules must be made against it, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances must be implemented in Pakistan, the entities involved in perpetrating or facilitating enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and the custodial torture of forcibly disappeared persons must be held accountable. In addition, the charter stated that a transparent mechanism must be made for victims and their families to claim and receive reparations for violations of their right to liberty and due process, the victims' families are allowed to safely exercise their right to freedom of expression and assembly unhindered and the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances must be invited to the country for review. Meanwhile, HRCP also released a report drawing attention to the violations of human trafficking in Pakistan. The report highlighted that human trafficking should be viewed in the context of human rights violations, as victims of human trafficking face torture, extortion, rape, blackmail, imprisonment and even death. https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1828793552739905654 The report highlighted that irregular migration through human trafficking networks is often the result of economic coercion, the HRCP report said. However, human trafficking has not received as much attention as other exploitative activities like human trafficking due to the general perception that migrants choose to cross borders illegally and thus accept the hardships and exploitation of the journey. The report closely documented the journey of one irregular migrant, who had approached a human trafficking network to make the journey from Pakistan's Punjab to Turkiye (overland through Balochistan and Iran). According to the report, the main causes of irregular migration from Pakistan are unemployment, lack of opportunities, poverty, insecurity and conflict. Human trafficking agents specialize in targeting the young and vulnerable and encouraging them to travel to Western countries. The organized operations of human trafficking networks are similar to those of criminal enterprises. These networks are self-perpetuating and many former refugees become human traffickers themselves. (ANI) The Human Rights Council of Balochistan has strongly condemned the persistent harassment, detention, and enforced disappearances of journalists and social activists by Pakistani forces. In a post on X, the independent non-profit organisation stated, "The Human Rights Council of Balochistan condemns the ongoing harassment, detention, and enforced disappearances of journalists and social activists by Pakistani forces. On 28 August, journalist Hayat Khan Khetran, along with Asif Baloch and Hayat Shah Baloch, members of the Barkhan Youth Union, were abducted after being summoned by the Frontier Corps (FC) in Barkhan. Their current whereabouts remain unknown." The Human Rights Council of Balochistan called Balochistan one of the most deprived regions in terms of media freedom and the free flow of information. Taking to X, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan stated, " Balochistan remains one of the most deprived regions in terms of media freedom and the free flow of information. Local journalists and social activists play a crucial role in exposing the realities faced by the people of Balochistan. Their abductions are blatant violations of fundamental human rights and represent a deliberate attempt to silence voices of truth and justice. We demand the immediate and safe release of the disappeared individuals and call for respect for human rights and freedom of speech" https://x.com/HRCBalochistan/status/1829102902763204968 The Human Rights Council of Balochistan's statement came ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually on August 30. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the serious human rights violation of enforced disappearances, honouring victims and their families, and advocating for justice and accountability. In the context of Balochistan, the day holds significant relevance due to the region's ongoing struggles with this human rights issue. Balochistan, a region in southwestern Pakistan, has been deeply affected by the practice of enforced disappearances. Human rights organizations and local activists report that individuals, including journalists, activists, and political dissenters, are often abducted by security forces or other actors. The abductions are used as a tool of intimidation and repression, aimed at silencing dissent and stifling calls for greater autonomy or independence. (ANI) The President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), Jamil Maqsood, has raised serious concerns over the continuing human rights abuses in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Jamil Maqsood highlighted an urgent need for the international human rights community to intervene in the matter and hold Pakistan accountable for the severe human rights violations in PoJK. In his statement, Maqsood mentioned that Pakistani authorities in PoJK have been engaging in extraconstitutional and unlawful activities, particularly through its intelligence services and security forces. According to Maqsood, these activities, include the misuse of blasphemy laws to suppress dissent and target activists who are critical of the state, leading to involuntary disappearances and illegal detentions. UKPNP leader called on international organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the European Parliament, to pay attention to these abuses in PoJK and to press for the release of detained activists. Additionally, he also urged the diplomatic community in Islamabad to leverage their influence to ensure the protection of basic human rights in the region. The statement by the UKPNP leader serves as a call for action from global leaders and institutions to address the ongoing human rights crisis in PoJK, where the local population is allegedly subjected to severe repression and denied fundamental freedoms. In his appeal, Maqsood also emphasised the need for international scrutiny of the PoJK administration and demanded an intervention by world powers to prevent further violations of human rights to uphold the region's civil and political rights. Notably, the UKPNP has on various occasions highlighted the human rights violations in the region. Previously the UKPNP had organized its two-day-long annual central convention in Kotli, highlighting several issues, including human rights violations, development challenges in the region, and the misuse of the territory for terrorists. While addressing the general public at the convention, UKPNP leader Sajid Hussain stated, "The Pakistani administration has orchestrated several genocides. They are harming the Baloch community in Balochistan, the Pashtuns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Sindhis in Sindh." "They aimed to orchestrate a genocide in the region of PoJK. They had raised the demand for deploying the Frontier Corps (FC), Punjab Constabulary (PC), and Rangers. All this resulted in the death of three youngsters, and we will never let their sacrifice go in vain. There is only one way to achieve our goals, and that is through peaceful protest," he added. He said that the people of these regions will continue to raise their voice for rights, equality, freedom and the establishment of democracy. Sajid Hussain stated, "Under all conditions, we will continue our struggle in PoJK. We will keep raising our voices for our rights, for equality, freedom, and the establishment of democracy. Our struggle will continue to be peaceful and diplomatic. They have consistently tried to turn our recent protests violent, but they have not succeeded." "We were not just protesting outside the UN or the UK Parliament; instead, we diversified our protests against the Pakistani administration to several other locations. We believe that harm inflicted on even one resident of PoJK is harm to the entire community," he added. (ANI) The IDF said Hazem was involved in carrying out and directing shooting and bomb attacks and promoting other terrorist activities in the Judea and Samaria region. The operation began after IDF and Shin (Israel's anti-terror General Security Service) forces operating in northern Samaria identified a terrorist cell with the Hamas Jenin terror leader travelling in a vehicle in the Jenin area. The other two terrorists eliminated were killed while they were trying to escape from the vehicle in which they were travelling with Hazem. The terrorists, Misra Mesharka and Arafat Amer, are terrorist operatives of Hamas in Jenin who operated under Wissam Hazem and were involved in shooting attacks on Israeli towns. M16 rifles, a pistol, cartridges, chargers, gas grenades and tens of thousands of shekels of terrorist funds were found in the terrorists' vehicle and on their bodies. There were no casualties by Israeli forces. (ANI/TPS) Abu Dhabi [UAE], August 30 (ANI/WAM): President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today discussed various aspects of the relationship between the UAE and the European Union, including its member states, with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The discussions focused on ways to develop and expand these relations to serve the common interests of all sides and foster growth and prosperity. During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, welcomed Michel and emphasised the deep ties between the UAE and the European Union, as well as the ongoing commitment to strengthening these relations to support their shared goals and promote peace and development at both the regional and global levels. The meeting also touched upon the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-European Union summit scheduled for October in Brussels and Michel emphasised the significance of this summit in advancing relations, especially in economic and developmental areas, and setting the stage for further progress in the years ahead. Additionally, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the European Council President reviewed several regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly developments in the Middle East. They underscored the importance of reaching an urgent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip to allow for adequate humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of its residents. They also stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to push for a permanent and stable peace process based on the two-state solution. Both sides emphasised the seriousness of escalating tensions in the region and the critical need for international efforts to contain and prevent the expansion of conflicts, which pose a threat to regional security and stability. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reiterated the UAE's support for all efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza and fostering stability and peace in the region. He also highlighted the UAE's commitment to cooperating with the European Union and other concerned parties to enhance the humanitarian response to the worsening situation in Gaza and support regional stability. Charles Michel expressed his happiness to be meeting Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, praising the UAE's position in support of Gulf-European cooperation and its influential humanitarian role in Gaza. He also commended the UAE's contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East and emphasised the European Union's commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination with the UAE on various shared concerns. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and a number of Sheikhs and officials. Present at the meeting also were a number of EU officials. (ANI/WAM) On the issue of whether Bangladesh was discussed during telephonic conversations between PM Narendra Modi and US President Biden, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like joint statements and the absence of an aspect of one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself. Further, Jaiswal also clarified that the topic of Bangladesh was substantially discussed by both leaders during the call. PM Modi spoke with Biden on August 26, where the two discussed views on regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine and also stressed on situation in Bangladesh Adressing the weekly press briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson said, "Firstly, press releases issued after a conversation between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon. "Secondly, such press releases are not meant to be comprehensive readouts of such conversations. Finally, it is not unusual for two sides to emphasize different aspects of the same conversation in their respective readouts. The absence of an aspect of one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself," he added. Jaiswal also reaffirmed the accuracy of its press release on the phone call and stated that it is aware of the conversation's contents and can confirm that the press release is a faithful record of what was discussed. "I am very much aware of the contents of the conversation between the Prime Minister and the President of the United States and I can tell you that our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation. The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted, as you pointed out, by certain quarters was very much discussed substantially by both the leaders," said MEA. The MEA statement released after the conversation states, "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 statement read. PM Modi and President Biden affirmed their continued support for a "peaceful resolution" of the conflict "in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter." The leaders also emphasised their continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (ANI) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III reaffirmed the country's dedication to support Ukraine and asserted that Kiev's resilience will help it prevail over Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggression and atrocities. The remarks by Austin came as he met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon today. Austin also condemned Russia's assault on Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure earlier this week and said the US will continue to lead allies and partners in delivering key capabilities to help Ukraine defend itself, a press release by Pentagon said. "Let me be clear, it is never acceptable to target civilians, and Ukraine's resilience will help it prevail over Putin's aggression and atrocities," he said. Austin added that Ukrainian forces have continued to remain steadfast. "They continue to fend off [the] Kremlin's assault and to inflict major losses on Russian invaders," he said. "So, make no mistake, the United States will not waiver in our support for a free and sovereign Ukraine." The two leaders met on August 30 ahead of next week's meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Nearly 50 allies and partners committed to the defense of Ukraine will gather there for the 24th iteration of the US-led coalition. Austin said the partners will push to meet Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs, including air-defence capabilities to fend off Russian drone and missile attacks, at the meeting. The efforts add to the United States' continued push to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities needed to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression in the long-term. Meanwhile, Umerov shared a post on X and said, "Was honored to meet with Lloyd Austin in the United States. An important, constructive meeting. I briefed the Secretary on the operational situation on the battlefield and our further objectives, the priority needs of the Ukrainian army in terms of weapons, equipment and training of our troops." Umerov stressed that Ukraine's priority is to boost its air defence systems for shielding its infrastructure and civilians. "Air defense remains our priority--we need air defense systems and interceptors to protect our critical infrastructure, our cities, and our people. Special thanks to Lloyd Austin for his personal contribution to the work of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," the post said. Umerov further added, "Another focus of the meeting is the development of the Ukrainian defense industry. Over the past two years, we have launched hundreds of new businesses capable of rapidly producing high-quality weapons. Cooperation with our partners is critical for expanding production and ensuring an even more effective defense of Ukraine." (ANI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met with Professor Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, and praised him for his contributions to Bangladesh's socio-economic development. Sharing a post on X, Sharif said, "I spoke with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, this morning (August 30)." The post further added, "While congratulating him on his new role, lauded his contribution towards socio-economic development of his country and expressed my heartfelt sympathies over the devastating recent floods in Bangladesh." Sharif also expressed his willingness to foster a stronger bilateral alliance between Pakistan and Bangladesh. "Noting the deep-rooted bonds of history, faith and culture between Pakistan and Bangladesh, we expressed our willingness to forge closer bilateral cooperation," the post said. It is interesting to note that the interim government headed by Mohd Yunus, under the control of the Bangladesh Army, has been grappling with the situation and trying to restore order after days of lawlessness and violence in the country after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Bangladesh witnessed several incidents of violence and chaos, especially targeting minorities, including Hindus after Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee Bangladesh after student protests turned into a massive anti-government movement. On August 22, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid his introductory call to Muhammad Yunus, and reiterated New Delhi's commitment to work with Dhaka. Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura has not caused the current flood situation in districts on Bangladesh's eastern borders. "We would like to point out that the catchment areas of Gumti River that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed the heaviest rains of this year over the last few days," the MEA said in a release. (ANI) The US State Department expressed disappointment on Friday, on the second anniversary of a United Nations report on human rights in Xinjiang, and called on China to take action and end the current repression of Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups. The 2022 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that "serious human rights violations" had been committed in the Xinjiang region. Sharing a post on X, Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson said, "Two years since the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights released an assessment on human rights violations in Xinjiang, the US continues to urge the PRC (People's Republic of China) to take immediate action and end the ongoing repression of Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups." In 2022, after a multi-year assessment, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) concluded that "serious human rights violations have been committed" in Xinjiang, the US Department of State said in a press release. The release further said that the United States is disappointed that after two years, the PRC continues to reject the OHCHR assessment's findings and refuses to implement the High Commissioner's recommendations to release all those arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, cease all intimidation and reprisals against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang and abroad, and investigate allegations of human rights abuses, including torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and forced medical treatment. The United States remains gravely concerned by the PRC's ongoing repression of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang, which the High Commissioner's assessment found "may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity." We again urge the PRC to take immediate action to end these ongoing atrocities, the release said. Meanwhile, a day earlier, the Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international human rights watchdog, in a 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. 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." 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. (ANI) NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch no earlier than September 24, on the agency's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. The updated crew complement follows NASA's decision to return the agency's Boeing Crew Flight Test uncrewed and launch Crew-9 with two unoccupied seats. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched aboard the Starliner spacecraft in June, will fly home with Hague and Gorbunov in February 2025, a press release by NASA said. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously announced as crewmates, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission. Hague and Gorbunov will fly to the space station as commander and mission specialist, respectively, as part of a two-crew member flight aboard a SpaceX Dragon. The decision to fly Hague was made by NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Acaba had to balance flying a NASA crew member with previous spaceflight experience to command the flight, while ensuring NASA maintains an integrated crew with a Roscosmos cosmonaut who can operate their critical systems for continued, safe station operations. "While we've changed crew before for a variety of reasons, downsizing crew for this flight was another tough decision to adjust to given that the crew has trained as a crew of four," said Acaba. "I have the utmost confidence in all our crew, who have been excellent throughout training for the mission. Zena and Stephanie will continue to assist their crewmates ahead of launch, and they exemplify what it means to be a professional astronaut." The agency will share reassignment details for Cardman and Wilson when available, the release added. "I am deeply proud of our entire crew," said Cardman, "and I am confident Nick and Alex will step into their roles with excellence. All four of us remain dedicated to the success of this mission, and Stephanie and I look forward to flying when the time is right." Wilson added, "I know Nick and Alex will do a great job with their work aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72." With 203 days logged in space, this will be Hague's third launch and second mission to the orbiting laboratory. During his first launch in October 2018, Hague and his crewmate, Roscosmos' Alexey Ovchinin, experienced a rocket booster failure, resulting in an in-flight, post-launch abort, ballistic re-entry, and safe landing in their Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft. Five months later, Hague launched aboard Soyuz MS-12 and served as a flight engineer aboard the space station during Expeditions 59 and 60. Hague conducted three spacewalks to upgrade space station power systems and install a docking adapter for commercial spacecraft. An active-duty colonel in the US Space Force, Hague completed a developmental rotation at the Defense Department and served as the Space Force's director of test and evaluation from 2020 to 2022. In August 2022, Hague resumed duties at NASA, working on the Boeing Starliner Program until this flight assignment. This will be Gorbunov's first trip to space and the station. Born in Zheleznogorsk, Kursk region, Russia, he studied engineering with qualifications in spacecraft and upper stages from the Moscow Aviation Institute. Gorbunov graduated from the military department with a specialty in operating and repairing aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft engines. Before his selection as a cosmonaut in 2018, he worked as an engineer for Rocket Space Corp. Energia and supported cargo spacecraft launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the release added. Hague and Gorbonov will become members of the Expedition 72 crew aboard the station. They will join Wilmore, Williams, fellow NASA astronaut Don Pettit, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner conducting scientific research and maintenance activities into the station's 24th year of continuous human presence. (ANI) Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch announced on Friday that families of journalists who have gone missing will stage a protest, and raise their voices against the practice of enforced disappearances. Sharing a post on X, Baloch said, "The families of Asif Baloch and Rashid Baloch, who have been missing for six years, will hold a protest tomorrow in front of the Quetta Press Club." She added, "I request the intelligent people of Quetta to participate in the protest tomorrow and raise their voice against the anti-human policy of enforced disappearances and support them in their struggle for the families of the victims of enforced disappearances." She further said that the protest will be held at Quetta Press Club on Saturday, August 31 at 2:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan strongly condemned the persistent harassment, detention, and enforced disappearances of journalists and social activists by Pakistani forces. In a post on X, the independent non-profit organisation stated, "The Human Rights Council of Balochistan condemns the ongoing harassment, detention, and enforced disappearances of journalists and social activists by Pakistani forces. On 28 August, journalist Hayat Khan Khetran, along with Asif Baloch and Hayat Shah Baloch, members of the Barkhan Youth Union, were abducted after being summoned by the Frontier Corps (FC) in Barkhan. Their current whereabouts remain unknown." The Human Rights Council of Balochistan's statement came ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually on August 30. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the serious human rights violation of enforced disappearances, honouring victims and their families, and advocating for justice and accountability. In the context of Balochistan, the day holds significant relevance due to the region's ongoing struggles with this human rights issue. Balochistan, a region in southwestern Pakistan, has been deeply affected by the practice of enforced disappearances. Human rights organisations and local activists report that individuals, including journalists, activists, and political dissenters, are often abducted by security forces or other actors. The abductions are used as a tool of intimidation and repression, aimed at silencing dissent and stifling calls for greater autonomy or independence. (ANI) Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal or STF) of Brazil on Friday ordered the immediate and complete suspension of the operation of X, formerly Twitter, throughout the national territory. Notably, Moraes on August 29 had 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. The STF shared a post and said, "STF summons Elon Musk and X to appoint a legal representative within 24 hours, under penalty of suspension of activities in Brazil." The STF had 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 had said. The suspension will be followed until the Court's judicial decisions are complied with and the fines applied are paid. The order will also be valid until a representative of the company in the country is appointed, the court in its decision said. According to the decision, made in Petition (PET) 12404, the president of the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), Carlos Manuel Baigorri, must take all necessary measures to ensure the suspension. The rapporteur also ordered Apple and Google to take steps to block the use of the application by iOS and Android systems, in addition to removing it from their virtual stores, the decision added. According to Moraes, the STF made every possible effort and granted every opportunity for X Brasil to comply with the court orders and pay the fines, which would avoid the adoption of this more serious measure. "Unfortunately, the illicit conduct was repeated in the current investigation, making it clear that X Brasil failed to comply with several court orders, as well as the willful intention of exempting itself from responsibility for complying with the court orders issued, with the disappearance of its legal representatives in Brazil for the purposes of subpoena and, subsequently, with the aforementioned message about the possible closure of the Brazilian company," he stated. The decision also sets a daily fine of BRL 50,000 for individuals and companies that use "technological subterfuges" to maintain the use of X, without prejudice to other sanctions in the civil and criminal spheres. (ANI) On Friday evening, a violent incident occurred on a bus in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, leaving five people injured after a woman attacked them with a knife, local police confirmed, Xinhua reported. Notably, the woman has been arrested. The police informed that three persons were in life-threatening conditions. At least 40 other passengers were on the bus at the time of the incident. No further danger is posed, police said, according to Xinhua. According to German newspaper Bild, the attacker is believed to be a German national, with indications suggesting that they may have been struggling with mental health issues and potentially under the influence of drugs. The police has clarified that they do not suspect terrorism to be a motivating factor. The incident comes days after a Syrian man brought himself in and admitted to stabbing three people to death and several others at a festival in the western German city of Solingen on Friday, CNN reported citing the police. The incident claimed the lives of two men, ages 67 and 56, and a lady, age 56. It stunned Germany and led opposition parties to demand stricter immigration laws. The 26-year-old is accused by German prosecutors of being an ISIS member. Via its Amaq news agency, the terrorist group claimed responsibility for the incident. But it provided no proof to support that claim. In a statement, prosecutors said that due to his "radical Islamist convictions, [the suspect] decided to kill as many people as possible at the Solingen city festival." The suspect went on a significant manhunt before turning himself in. The man stated, "I'm the one you're looking for," to the officers while covered in blood, according to the daily Bild, reported CNN. (ANI) Another South Dakota government agency is being investigated by the DCI. Which one? State investigators are looking into a third possible crime that took place within a South Dakota government agency. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed in a Friday press release the state Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating a "criminal matter" in the Department of Revenue. The Attorney General's Office did not explain the circumstances of the alleged incident when reached by the Argus Leader. The Dakota Scout reported Friday that Lynne Hunsley, a revenue supervisor in the department, was placed on administrative leave for allegedly falsifying vehicle titles. In a statement to the Argus Leader, DOR Deputy Director of Communications Bobi Adams wrote that the department uncovered "an act of suspicious activity by an employee" after implementing new oversight policies and controls. "That employee has been terminated," Adams wrote. "The situation has been referred to [DCI] and the Department of Legislative Audit." This comes after DCI inquired into Sandra O'Day, a former Revenue employee who abused her position to create 13 fake vehicle titles between 2016 and 2023 to secure $400,000 in loans. O'Day, a three-decade employee, died earlier this year from cancer. According to Open SD, Hunsley's annual wage is listed at $71,546.46 as of Friday. O'Day's final annual wage was listed at $66,739.89. "The criminal matter was reported by the Department of Revenue and is separate from the previous fraudulent title investigation," Jackley wrote in a press release. "As with any other criminal investigation, updates on this investigation will be provided to the extent permitted under South Dakota law." Eric Ollila, the executive director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, pinned the "root cause of these embezzlements" on a lack of hiring within state government. He said this puts pressure on current employees, who have to handle larger workloads and may be encouraged to cut corners. This also allows bad actors to sense and exploit weakness in their departments, Ollila said. "If you're having employees approving their own paperwork or their own expenses because you can't add any more employees because the legislature won't let you, I think that's where you see that compaction in enabling embezzling," Ollila said. " The state is short-changing its departments and making people do extra work, and it just cuts out the checks and balances within the system." This is now the third investigation tied to a South Dakota government employee to be publicly revealed by the Attorney General's Office since July. Jackley first announced an indictment against Lonna Carroll, a 68-year-old Iowa woman who allegedly stole $1.78 million dollars in state and federal funds from Child Protection Services, a division of the South Dakota Department of Social Services. Findings from a state investigation allege that Carroll abused her position by requesting funds from CPS and then approving her own requests. She then allegedly intercepted approved checks meant to be used for a specific child. Carroll allegedly made more than 500 illicit requests between Jan. 1, 2010 and March 24, 2023, and the embezzlement was discovered by DSS in February of this year. Carroll's case will go to trial in Pierre Dec. 4, the South Dakota Attorney General's Office indicated in a press release. Carroll once worked as a project assistant for DSS. Carroll's charges are two felony counts of aggravated grand theft. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: DCI opens third investigation into South Dakota government agency Ed. commissioner recommends state takeover of Providence's schools continue for at least three years PROVIDENCE The citys low-performing school system will remain under the control and direction of state education officials for now. The state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved the continuation of the intervention Thursday evening on the recommendation of Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green that the state's oversight continue for "up to three years." The reason for a three-year extension, she said, was "because the absence of an aligned, shared vision of governance and limited focus on improving student outcomes troubles me and is not conducive to continue success." RI Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green waits for the first question from members of the press after making a recommendation on whether to return control of Providence schools back to Providence or continue the state's takeover for more time after a meeting of the RI state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday evening. Far left is Dr. Javier Montanez, Providence Schools Superintendent and far right is Patricia DiCenso, Chair of RI state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Speaking at the council's meeting, Infante-Green said returning the schools now to local control risked backsliding on improvements the school system had made during the states five-year involvement. The commissioner said the state intervention of Hope High School in the mid-2000s served as a "cautionary tale of what happens when the state leaves without making sure the right systems are in place." After years of systemic challenges, chronically low academic achievement and poor school morale, Hope, with state support, was able to turn the tide. Unfortunately, the progress did not hold and in just a few years it was wiped away," she said. Infante-Green said it was possible the schools could return to local control sooner than three years if improvements continued in numerous areas, but that the state would not extend its intervention beyond October 2027. The council voted unanimously to accept the commissioners recommendation but not before several members expressed concern that the city was underfunding the district and jeopardizing future success. Recent report gives mixed review of progress Infante-Green's recommendation came two weeks after two independent reviews of the citys schools found areas of both notable progress and continuing deficiencies. Those reviews were carried out by the national consulting firm SchoolWorks and the Harvard Graduate School for Educations Center for Education Policy Research. More: How is the state takeover of Providence schools going? Here's the breakdown. In a letter to the School Committee following the two reports, Infante-Green said, The district is on the right track, but it remains at a vulnerable point where progress can be easily reversed if the right conditions for long-term success are not in place. The SchoolWorks report noted, for example, the district had implemented before-school and after-school tutoring programs and "Saturday academies" in an attempt to increase standardized test scores. But it said the district is still missing test score targets in third, eighth and 11th grade English language arts and eighth and 11th grade math. The report also noted that even though more teacher applicants are people of color, the number of working teachers of color has decreased from the post-pandemic baseline. Providence School Board wants control back The state took over running the city's school district in 2019 after a damning report by a team of educators from Johns Hopkins University that found the Providence school system one of the worst performing in the country. A year later a global pandemic interrupted the education of children across the country and officials are still trying to understand and quantify its impact. Last week, the city School Board, which has served in advisory capacity only since the state takeover, voted unanimously to have the schools return to local control by next summer. Members questioned whether the state takeover had been worth it and criticized state education officials for not collaborating with city officials. In a statement Thursday, Providence School Board President Erlin Rogel said: "The Councils decision to extend the intervention in Providence beyond two years is disappointing. My hope is that we use this interim period to responsibly prepare for the return of our district to local control. "The transition back must be a community-driven process that ensures our schools are governed by those closest to the work: a superintendent who can make informed, independent decisions; a school board that can provide meaningful oversight; and a community that has the power to hold us all accountable. "We have a chance now to rethink how we govern our schools and ensure this extended period leads to lasting, meaningful change." Mayor Brett Smiley said in June that the city would need a year to prepare before it resumed running its own schools. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence schools will stay under state control for now. Here's why. 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. NEWPORT With labor disputes still unresolved between the Teachers Association of Newport and Newport Public Schools and the first day of school right around the corner, the teachers union has decided to work to contract and organize informational pickets in a show of dissatisfaction with the school departments labor practices. Clad in red and holding signs, union members organized the first of these pickets outside City Hall on Wednesday evening prior to the City Councils regular meeting. As her fellow union members chanted outside, inside the council chambers, TAN President Jennifer Hole addressed their concerns with the City Council during the citizens forum and asked for their support We are the ones who are boots on the ground in those classrooms every day with the children that we love and the people who are decision-makers are not listening to us, so I am here begging for help from you, from the public, from anybody who will talk to the superintendent, who will talk to the School Committee and tell them to end this nonsense and follow our contract, Hole said. This ongoing friction between the teachers union and the school department propelled into public attention in June when TAN took a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain and Ronilee Mooney, who heads the English Language Learners programs for the school department. The vote was in response to restructuring and budget cuts which shuffled 45 positions in a manner the union alleges was not done in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the two parties. The Teachers Association of Newport and supporters organized an informational picket in front of City Hall ahead of the council meeting Wednesday. Additionally, the move eliminated several specialized teaching positions, such as math and reading interventionists, which received pushback from parents and teachers who see these roles as crucial to student success. Instead, many of these teachers have been reassigned to classroom positions, which Hole argued reduces their effectiveness for the students who might need the extra help. Shes telling the public that It's fine, the experts are back in the classroom, Yes, with all the other kids, Hole said. One person cannot handle the academic, the behavioral, the social emotional needs of the children in this city and they deserve better. More recently, on Aug. 19, the union voted to work to contract, meaning the members will only perform the duties outlined in their contract. This, also referred to as work-to-rule, is usually seen as a type of job action or industrial action employees can use to express dissatisfaction with their workplace, as strictly following contracts to the letter can result in reduced productivity. However, in a press release regarding the unions decision, the union clarified that these are not meant to be taken as a job action nor as a strike. Classes at Newport Public Schools are set to begin Sept. 4. The union has filed four unfair labor practice charges against the department with the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board that are still pending. This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport teachers picket at City Hall over labor dispute One American man is dead, and an American woman is injured in Iceland following a collapse of the Breiamerkurjokull ice cave, Icelands public broadcaster RUV said Monday. The rescue operation, which started Sunday evening, is now complete, with police saying that no one was trapped under the ice, according to the public broadcaster. A group of 23 tourists from several countries were exploring an ice cave at the Breiamerkurjokull glacier in southeastern Iceland when the incident occurred Sunday, according to the broadcaster. The American couple were rescued on Sunday, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman sustained injuries of unknown severity and was taken to a hospital in Reykjavik, RUV reported. Authorities initially launched a massive search for two missing people, believing that 25 tourists were on the trip, RUV reported. They ended the search on Monday after realizing the original group held only 23 tourists, all of whom were accounted for. More than 200 responders participated in the operations, and a massive amount of ice has been broken down and moved, almost all by hand, RUV said, citing the police. CNN has reached out to police for details. Rescue teams at the scene after an ice cave partially collapsed, at the Breiamerkurjokull glacier, in southeastern Iceland. - Vilhelm Gunnarsson/STOD2/AP A US State Department spokesperson confirmed the death of one US citizen and the injury of another, saying that they were ready to provide consular assistance. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones on their loss, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson did not provide details on the circumstances of the death and injury or information about either of their identities. The State Department typically does not provide personal information about Americans killed or injured abroad. Ice caves are a popular destination for visitors to Iceland, with tour operators offering customers the chance to explore the insides of glaciers and see the blue color and stunning patterns in the ice, according to Associated Press. Glaciers cover about 11% of the territory of Iceland, an island nation in the north Atlantic that sits on the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, AP reports. The largest is Vatnajokull, which covers 7,900 square kilometers (3,050 square miles). Breidamerkurjokull is a tongue of Vatnajokull that ends at the Jokulsarlon Lagoon, where icebergs constantly break off from the glacier. The receding Breiamerkurjokull glacier, a portion of it black with volcanic dust and stones, ends at Jokulsarlon lake on August 15, 2021 near Hof, Iceland. - Sean Gallup/Getty Images/File According to the US Geological Survey, the Breiamerkurjokull was growing until the turn of the 19th century, but since about 1930 it has been melting due to planet-warming fossil fuel pollution. Local news site Visir said the group that was at the cave during the collapse was on an organized tour accompanied by a guide. Most people were outside the cave when it collapsed, AP reports. Moving rescue equipment and personnel up to the glacier was difficult due to the rugged terrain, and rescuers had to cut through the ice using chainsaws, says AP. The glacier is about 300 kilometers (185 miles) from a volcano that erupted Friday on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland. Iceland has been affected by human-caused climate change and has been warming roughly three times faster than the rest of the planet, according to the Icelandic Met Office. Reporting contributed by CNNs Jennifer Hansler and Angela Fritz For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.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. 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. Deploying solar panels and growing crops on the same land could be a solution to boost renewable electricity in Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, reaching the equivalent of 68% of todays energy demand in the countries, according to new research. A study by energy think tank Ember posits that combining electricity and crop production, a practice dubbed agri-PV, on just 9% of farmland could meet the electricity needs of agriculture and food processing in the region. The UK-based NGO suggests that 180GW of solar panels could be installed on crops across the central European countries triple the targeted capacity by 2030 set out in draft national energy plans, and seven times more than the total installed capacity across the countries at present. Boasting 19% of the EUs arable land, the so-called Visegrad 4 countries produce a disproportionately large amount of staple crops such as wheat, oats and rye, production that Ember notes could be imperiled by volatile fertilizer prices, recurrent droughts and extreme weather events. Food security The analysis suggests that, as well as providing an additional income stream for farmers, installing solar panels could improve water retention in dry years and protect crops from extreme weather - in some cases actually increasing yields. For shade-loving berries or fruits, overhead agri-PV can lead to crop increases of up to 16% while producing 63% of the electricity of a traditional solar array, the report concludes. With Europe increasingly under threat in volatile times, food security and energy security are absolutely vital, said Dr Pawe Czyzak, a data analyst and one of the authors of the report. Installing solar panels with agriculture can help farmers contribute to both while keeping business stable and profitable. Czyzak noted that legislation and support frameworks would essential to unlock the potential of agri-PV, which faces the same difficulties of access to the electricity grid as conventional solar arrays, while of the four countries examined, only Czechia has targeted regulations for the area. In France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, regulations allow the shared use of land for agriculture and electricity production without the loss of farming subsidies, a fact that has already enabled over 200 agri-PV projects deployed across Europe. In Poland, a case study considering agri-PV and wheat concludes that revenues per hectare can be twelve times higher than those from wheat crops alone, Ember said, with a potential annual profit of 1268 per hectare from the combined electricity and wheat sales a stark contrast with traditional wheat production that is estimated to be generating net losses in 2024. Farmers may need some convincing, however. Marion Picot, secretary general at the Brussels-based European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), told Euronews the primary concern among farmers about the deployment of solar energy is that fertile land could be given over to solar panels without the possibility to grow crops. Solar PVs can provide additional streams of revenue, as long as they do not compromise the economic, social and environmental value of agricultural soils, and with a priority to be given to the installation on building roofs or efficient combination with crop and livestock production," said Picot. 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 IBARAKI, Aug 31 (News On Japan) - The arrival of Typhoon No. 10 has exacerbated concerns among Japanese farmers, particularly those beginning their new rice harvests. In Ibaraki Prefecture, where the fields stretch as far as the eye can see, many rice plants have been knocked down by the storm. One farmer explained, "Koshihikari is a variety prone to lodging, and last night's rain caused them to fall like this. When the plants are down with high temperatures and moisture, the grains may start sprouting while still on the stalk, which can severely reduce their quality and render them unfit for consumption." This year's hot weather had actually boosted growth, and the harvest had just begun when the typhoon struck. Efforts to expedite the harvest before the rains came were only partially successful, with just 20% of the crop gathered so far. Minister Sakamoto expressed concern, stating, "Typhoon No. 10 is expected to have a significant impact on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. We ask consumers to remain calm as new rice supplies enter the market." However, the governments reassurance that the rice shortage will end with the new harvest may be premature, as the wet and fallen rice plants will take longer to harvest, potentially delaying shipments. Source: ANN TOKYO, Aug 31 (News On Japan) - New Year postcards for 2025 have been unveiled, celebrating the 'Year of the Snake,' along with other designs including ever-popular Disney characters. Due to a comprehensive increase in postal rates, the price of plain New Year postcards will rise from the previous 63 yen to 85 yen per card. There are 28 types of illustrated postcards with donation options, including both national and regional versions, priced at 90 yen each. Postcards with advertisements will be sold at 80 yen each. The number of postcards to be issued is approximately 1.07 billion, a decrease of about 25% from the previous year. Due to the spread of digitalization and changes in lifestyle, the issuance of New Year postcards has been declining for 14 consecutive years. Sales will begin on November 1st. Source: ANN By Olasunkanmi Akoni Tragedy struck on Friday when fire gutted part of the two storey building at the Lagos State Government Staff Quarters at Odunsanmi Street, off WEMPCO Road, Ogba area of the state. According to reports, the incident happened in the wee hours of the day, precisely, around 2.20 am. It was gathered that one of the two-bedrooms in Flat 5, of Block 21, a two-winged, three-story building of 16 two-bedroom flats, was burnt. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, revealed that the fire originated from an electrical surge in the childrens room. The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, said the fire completely destroyed the childrens bedroom, resulting in loss of properties worth millions of naira. The prompt and coordinated efforts of the Agencys LRT, NPF, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, ensured the fire was contained and extinguished quickly. Fortunately there was no loss of life and injuries sustained in the incident. Also, victims and other occupants were enlightened on the proper use of electric appliances, Oke-Osanyitolu confirmed. As of 5am, men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA and Nigerian Police Officers, were still battling to put the situation under control completely. By Omeiza Ajayi AHEAD of the September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State, Candidates of the All Progressives Congress APC, Monday Okpebholo; Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Asue Ighodalo; Labour Party LP, Olumide Akpata, and 13 others will on September 12 sign a peace accord in Benin. The peace pact is being spearheaded by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, NPC. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja at an extraordinary meeting with political parties. He said unlike in the past when the NPC organized the signing ceremony very close to the election, the committee has decided to hold the event earlier in order to be able to monitor the compliance of parties. Yakubu said; After consultations with the National Peace Committee under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City. Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. You may notice that unlike the previous peace accords signed a few days to the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election. This will add further weight to the Peace Accord beyond mere ceremony as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves. The signing of the Peace Accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting to be held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 in Benin City. As usual, the meeting will be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police. It is an open forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election. He restated the decisions of INEC to conduct a Mock Accreditation of voters to test-run the deployment of BVAS for the election as well as the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on Tuesday September 10. On other levels of preparation for the election, he said INEC has intensified engagements with stakeholders at State and Local Government levels, while voter education is ongoing. Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has said that Yoruba, a region in the Southern part of Nigeria is everywhere in the world. Soyinka stated this on Friday when he was conferred a national honour by the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel. The Haydee Santamaria Medal was bestowed on Soyinka at the Casa de las Americas in Havana, Cuba, on August 23. In a statement, Diaz-Canel said Soyinkas visit to the country is very significant, it is the visit of a brother who has always fought for just causes. But reacting to the honour, Soyinka opined: Our ties with Cuba are not limited to art and literature, but also to liberation. I grew up listening to Cuban music, in those days when there were gramophones, when there was no electricity. This has been a wonderful way to bring me back and remind me that Cuba is also my home. And it is proof that Yoruba is everywhere here, and that completes the spiritual aspect of people like me. By John Alechenu The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the anti-Yoruba comments of a Canadian Igbo lady describing it as bigotry taken too far. Obi said that such divisive comments should not find a place in our society and should be rejected by everyone. The LP standard bearer said this in a series of tweets on his X handle on Friday. Obi spoke in response to a trending voice of one Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigeria-Canadian resident in Canada, who threatened to take harmful substances to harm fellow Nigerians who were either Yoruba or Bini. Obi said, I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a purported Igbo woman living in Canada against Yoruba or Benin people. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society. As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hatred to tear us apart. What does tribal bigotry achieve? Does it lift people out of poverty? Does it reduce the cost of bread, rice, garri or yam, in the market? Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!! Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or ethnicity. We need leaders who have the competence and capability to move the country forward in the right direction, and better life for all citizens. Amaka Patience Sunnberger We dont care about the tribe of the planes pilot or the bus driver; all we need is competent leadership that delivers results. Let us focus on what truly matters: building a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria for all. We must reject tribalism and embrace our shared humanity, working together towards a new Nigeria that is POssible! If the slew of yellow and black striped warning signs doesnt scare you, let this be the warning to mind your height when driving through Big Lake Park. The park is wrapped by two rail lines; Canadian National owns the rails to the west and Union Pacific owns those to the east. Vehicle passage through Big Lake Park is tied to Big Lake Road, which itself winds around the aptly named Big Lake. This is only possible by traveling under at least one of two railroad bridges. The greater offender is the bridge that spans the gap west of the lake, which is rated with a clearance of 8 feet, 8 inches. While a motorcycle, sedan, sport utility vehicle or an average-sized pickup truck should be fine to cross under, moving trucks, cargo vans, campers and other taller vehicles are at risk of adding paint or more to the scars that run underneath the bridge. There are cars that shift into reverse, and cars that go full speed ahead. The Nonpareil has reported some larger accidents in the past, including when a bus from an assisted living facility struck the bridge in May 2018 injuring six and when the vehicles of two drivers fell victim to the low bridge in the same week in July 2014. Since then, Canadian Nationals old train crossing has grown quite an online following roughly 3,400 strong. "The Ripper was born a couple years back with a voting contest on the Council Bluffs Scanner Facebook page after a poll unofficially named the bridge. Jeremy Thielen, creator and admin of The Council Bluffs Ripper The Beast Must Be Fed Facebook page, said hes proud of the part hes playing in bringing people together. In this era of divisiveness, I see this as something that brings people together, Thielen told The Nonpareil in an interview. I keep crap off the page as far as like solicitations and stuff like that. Thielen, a Carter Lake resident, used to live on Broadway and would watch truck drivers fall victim to the railroad bridge when he was growing up. The idea to personify the bridge didnt come until his daughter moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and sent him a page for the Can Opener, a local bridge near the University of Louisville with clearance of 11 feet, 8 inches. Weve got one of those here in town, Thielen said. I just kind of thought about it as a beast that's hungry eats trucks and thats how it started, and people love it. The bridge is often personified by group members and is known for it's "feedings," occasionally "uttering" the sounds "nom nom nom." Thielen works from home for a mortgage company and checks the page several times a day to see whats been posted. The Ripper strikes intermittently, but contributors post photos and memes depicting other destructive bridges and accidents around town. Among the few requests Thielen makes of group members is to avoid posting images that have already been published. Weeks with more incidents draw in more members to the group. Thielen welcomed more than 160 new members with weekly posts in August. People like it, share it and kind of look what happened and then all of a sudden it just snowballs, Thielen said. Sometimes people brainstorm what could be done to The Ripper to spare more vehicles. I wonder if they can dig under, commented Julia Marie Davis on a post from June. Thielen, who has a little bit of an engineering background, said that doesnt think that theres much that can be done for the bridge, which has been undefeated since 1936. Its already a swampy area and when it rains a lot there's water, Thielen said. People say Well, raise it. You can't really do that, because it's the grade youd have to change and usually if you raised it only 3 feet, 3 feet of a grade for a train in a short span, you'd have to start raising the grade way far back from the approach on either end. At times, Thielen has even sold merchandise featuring The Ripper, donating 25% of the profits to the Midlands Humane Society. Thielen said he chose to support the animal shelter in honor of Grant Forristall, the son of Randal and Michelle Forristall, who died at age 23. Thielen said that Grant loved animals. Memorials were directed to the Midlands Humane Society. It was actually on my birthday, so I always feel something for that kid, Thielen said. I thought, you know, this would be a nice way of remembering. He hopes to do another run of T-shirts if enough interest can be drummed up in the group perhaps after media attention. Thielen said the purpose is the page is simply good fun. I just look at it as something that kind of brings the community together, getting good fun and, regardless of what side of the aisle you're on politically, or any of the other stuff that seems to divide us, it's one thing that I see is like, this is what kind of Facebook, to me, was meant for. It's like, you know, laughing over a common thing again. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The cost of buying a Mega Millions jackpot dream will soon more than double, but lottery officials said they're confident players won't mind paying more after changes that will lead to larger prizes and more frequent winners. Visitors check out new energy vehicles of Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group at the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on Nov. 26, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), the world's first national-level exhibition on supply chains, will hold its second edition from Nov. 26-30 in Beijing. Nearly 500 enterprises have signed up for the expo, with foreign-funded firms accounting for over 30%, up from 26% at the first edition. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) hosts the expo, which is supported by five international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Chamber of Commerce. The first CISCE saw the signing of more than 200 cooperation agreements valued at over $21.1 billion. At this year's CISCE, China seeks to build on the progress achieved at last year's expo, working towards more stable industrial and global supply chains. For decades, the world economy has been defined largely by free trade, helping to build resilient supply chains worldwide. However, recent challenges have weakened global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical conflicts, and current tensions have fueled a surge in protectionist measures and economic fragmentation. Ultimately, supply chain disruptions affect the cost and availability of goods and services worldwide, particularly in high-end manufacturing and new energy vehicles, hampering international trade and development. To help eliminate these bottlenecks, China remains committed to an open world economy. Recognizing that global challenges require global solutions, China seeks to leverage the second CISCE to inject new impetus into global cooperation, which is crucial for building robust supply chains. Since China began reform and opening up more than four decades ago, the Asian powerhouse has introduced and implemented various initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation with the rest of the world. Thanks to the Chinese government's unflinching commitment to wider opening up, China has transformed from an economic backwater to the most connected hub in the global economy accounting for 18% of global GDP and becoming the world's largest trading economy. China is currently the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and has signed 21 free trade agreements with 28 countries and regions. Despite global geopolitical challenges, rising protectionism, and trade tensions that impede globalization, China continues to foster international trade through initiatives like the CISCE, aiming to share opportunities with the rest of the world. The second CISCE, held again at Beijing's China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue), will offer a platform that brings together enterprises of various sizes worldwide. It will connect upstream, midstream and downstream parts of the supply chain, and link academia, industry, research and practical application. The five-day CISCE will cover more than 100,000 square meters. It will support a new development paradigm and serve as a vehicle for an open world economy, offering countries opportunities to enhance global cooperation and promote high-level openness. In other words, the second CISCE aims to unlock new opportunities for global growth by building robust supply chains, spurring international trade and economic stability, attracting foreign direct investment and improving living standards worldwide. As the saying goes, "Unity is strength, division is weakness." The world is witnessing attempts at decoupling and disruptions in global industrial and supply chains that benefit no one. At the second CISCE, China and all relevant stakeholders are presented with the opportunity to beef up international cooperation. This move is essential for recalibrating economic globalization. For example, in 2023, almost 3,000 trade restrictions were imposed worldwide approximately five times the number in 2015. World Bank data show that by the end of 2024, global trade will register the slowest half-decade of growth since the 1990s. Given that the rapid expansion of global trade after 1990 lifted 1 billion people from extreme poverty, the decline in global trade, accompanied by the slowdown in investment, poses a serious threat to living standards worldwide. Moreover, trade tensions and supply chain disruptions impede global efforts to reach net-zero emissions targets more proof that protectionism ultimately benefits no one. To address these challenges, China aims to make significant inroads toward rectifying the shift in the global economic landscape through the expo's four key functions: boosting trade, encouraging investment, driving innovation, and promoting knowledge exchange. Ultimately, the outcomes of the second CISCE are expected to not only support the steady recovery of the global economy but also strengthen industrial and global supply chains. Alexander Ayertey Odonkor is a global economist with keen interest in the social, environmental and economic landscape of developed countries, emerging markets and developing economies particularly in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and North America. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Two Moroccan nano-satellites, UM5-EOSAT and UM5SAT-RIBAT, have been launched lately by SpaceX on Falcon 9 rocket from U.S. Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch of these two first satellites, weighing each 4kg, is the culmination of a long scientific cooperation set between Mohammed V University in Rabat, the National Centre for Scientific & Technical Research and the Royal Centre for Space Studies and Research. The goal of this tripartite project is to bring up a new generation of qualified Moroccan university researchers and engineers in space technologies, says a press release issued by Mohammed V University. The UM5-EOSat is destined for Earth observation, while UM5-Ribat is equipped with advanced radio system used to determine aircraft & ship position, in addition to data collection from ground satellite stations. This project shows Moroccos determination to benefit from scientific research and space technologies to speed up the countrys growth development and progress spearheaded by King Mohammed VI. Cote dIvoires economic hub Abidjan is currently hosting a pivotal regional workshop aimed at reviewing the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and the Host Country Agreement (HGA) for the Nigeria-Morocco Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project. This crucial event, which runs until August 30, brings together experts and representatives from several West African countries alongside a Moroccan delegation. The workshop, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), underscores the strategic importance of the Africa Atlantic Pipeline, a landmark initiative born from the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, with continued support from Nigerias current President, Bola Tinubu. Morocco, a key player in this flagship African integration project, is represented at the workshop by officials from the Ministry of Energy Transition, as well as the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM). They are joined by experts from relevant ministries responsible for natural gas and representatives from national energy companies of the involved countries. The workshops primary focus is to finalize the IGA and HGA agreements, which are essential to the implementation of the pipeline project. The initiative is expected to significantly boost economic development and improve energy access for the countries it crosses. Furthermore, it aims to enhance South-South cooperation, aligning with King Mohammed VIs vision for sustainable and integrated energy development along Africas Atlantic coast. In a statement to MAP, Mustapha Warfou, Head of the Hydrocarbons Activities Division at Moroccos Ministry of Energy Transition, described the IGA and HGA agreements as the cornerstone of the pipeline project, highlighting Moroccos strong commitment to fostering South-South cooperation under the Sovereigns leadership. All the milestones achieved to date confirm the commitment of all the concerned countries to the success of this key project, which serves as both a catalyst for economic development in the Northwest region of Africa and evidence of the integration and improvement of competitiveness and economic and social development in the region, Warfou noted. Jean Baptiste Aka, representing the Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, echoed this sentiment at the workshops opening, describing the Nigeria-Morocco Pipeline as more than just an energy infrastructure. It is a vehicle for regional transformation, an international cooperation tool, and an economic prosperity catalyst, Aka said. He underscored the pipelines potential to unlock new economic opportunities in the sub-region by providing cheaper electricity from natural gas to meet the needs of industries and populations. ECOWAS Director of Energy and Mines, Dabire Bayaornibe, also addressed the participants, urging all stakeholders to contribute to the projects success. He reiterated the organizations commitment to increasing natural gas availability across the involved countries, thereby boosting electricity production and the industrial sector. The National Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANPG) and Sonangol Exploracao e Producao are set to enhance their exploration efforts in the Kwanza Basins onshore blocks, by employing specialized services to detect oil and other hydrocarbons. In a press release issued on August 28, the ANPG announced that the project is scheduled to commence in September 2024, aiming to improve the geophysical and geological understanding of the targeted blocks. The initial phase of the contract involves data collection and processing, which will take 45 days. This data will help identify variations in rock properties and reveal potential geological structures that might harbor oil and hydrocarbons, in alignment with the ANPGs Exploration Strategy. The contract includes acquiring gravimetric data (studying and analyzing rock residues) and magnetometric data (measuring magnetization levels) in the Kwanza Basins onshore blocks, which span the provinces of Luanda, Malanje, and Kwanza-Norte, specifically Blocks KON-11, KON-12, and KON-15. The project will be conducted by the Striped-Horse and Metatek consortium, utilizing Airborne and FTG technology to produce high-resolution geophysical maps. The data collection will be performed using a specialized aircraft to minimize environmental impact. The consortium is expected to deliver the final results in the first quarter of 2025. In a bold move to protect its vital waterways, Senegal has put the brakes on all mining activities along the Faleme River for nearly three years. This decisive action aims to address the growing environmental crisis threatening both the river ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. The government decree prohibits mining within 500 meters of the rivers left bank until mid-2027, signaling a serious commitment to environmental restoration. This move comes in response to the alarming proliferation of illegal mining sites, which have surged from 600 to over 800 in just three years along both the Senegalese and Malian sides of the river. The Faleme, once a thriving habitat for diverse wildlife including hippos and fish, has fallen victim to the destructive forces of unregulated mining. Dredging and chemical discharges have taken a heavy toll, turning this life-giving waterway into an environmental disaster zone. Experts have stressed the urgent need for rehabilitation, highlighting the rivers crucial role in supporting local agriculture and biodiversity. As Senegal takes this stand against destructive mining practices, the world watches to see if this temporary ban can reverse years of damage and restore the Faleme to its former glory. Nigerias military and the junta in neighboring Niger have signed a new security agreement that aims to bolster regional stability and security a year after their normally positive bilateral ties soured after Nigers coup in July 2023. Despite strained relations and their shared border being closed as part of the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria and Niger had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at resuming and strengthening collaboration on security, the Nigerian army announced on Thursday (29 August). As part of the deal, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to resuming and strengthening collaboration, with a view to ensuring regional stability and security, the Nigerian military said in a statement. Nigerias and Nigers top military commanders had held talks and signed the MoU in the latters capital Niamey on Wednesday (28 August). The coup in July 2023, which ousted Nigers President Mohamed Bazoum, strained relations between both countries, caused divisions within the ECOWAS bloc and raised concerns about efforts to combat Islamist violence in the region. ECOWAS had even threatened the Niger junta with military intervention if diplomatic efforts to restore the democratic government failed, prompting Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to withdraw from the 15-member bloc and form the Alliance of Sahel States instead. Despite these tensions, the military junta in Niamey did not withdraw but only significantly reduced its military participation in a Nigerian-led task force fighting the Boko Haram Islamist group in the countries shared border areas. But in the latest deal with Nigeria, Niger has reaffirmed its readiness to resume active participation in security cooperation under the Multinational Joint Task Force, according to the Nigerian military. The Russian private military company Bear Brigade has confirmed earlier reports by the French daily Le Monde that it had departed from Burkina Faso after arriving in the country in May. The 100-strong Bear Brigade, with links to Russias Defense Ministry, is withdrawing its fighters from the conflict-torn West African country due to Ukraines incursion into the Kursk region, Le Monde reported on Thursday (29 August). Formed in Russian-occupied Crimea in March 2023, the military unit arrived in Burkina Faso in May to support the junta of Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a coup in September 2022. Experts said the military unit was among an estimated 300 Russian security operatives deployed in the Sahel country, which includes members of Russian military intelligence (GRU). On Tuesday (27 August), the Bears Brigade posted a note in its Telegram that the unit is returning to its base in Russian-occupied Crimea in connection with recent events. According to the Africa Defense Forum (ADF), the Bear Brigade was the latest armed Russian group deployed to the Sahel in response to ongoing rebellions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. About 30 of its members members were deployed in Ouagadougou and two nearby military bases. They were tasked with the training of forces loyal to junta leader Captain Traore and enhancing his personal security apparatus after an alleged countercoup attempt in September 2023. Experts say Traore is an example of coup leaders using Russian fighters to protect themselves rather than fighting rebels. Ghana is taking a bold step into the nuclear age, signing a deal for its first atomic power plant using cutting-edge small modular reactor technology. This move puts the West African nation at the forefront of a global push for cleaner energy solutions. The agreement, inked at a US-Africa summit in Nairobi, will see Ghana deploy a compact NuScale reactor. These innovative units, smaller than traditional nuclear plants, can be factory-built for easier installation. While questions linger about their widespread commercial viability, Ghana is betting on their potential. This decision reflects a growing interest in nuclear power across Africa, as countries seek to boost economic growth, ensure energy security, and reduce carbon emissions. The US, eager to promote its clean energy tech abroad, views this as a win-win scenario. However, the path to nuclear power isnt without challenges. The long-term management of radioactive waste remains a concern. Additionally, NuScale faced setbacks last year when rising costs forced the cancellation of its only US project. Ghanas choice of a US partner came after considering offers from several global players, including French, Chinese, South Korean, and Russian firms. This high-stakes decision will likely shape the countrys energy landscape for decades to come. As Africa embraces nuclear technology, balancing economic aspirations with safety and environmental considerations will be crucial. Ghanas journey could serve as a model for other nations on the continent looking to power their future. Earlier this month, the US and Ghana launched Africas first nuclear energy training center open to all African countries considering nuclear in their electricity mix, the US Department of energy had said. Ghana and the United States are part of broader pledge to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. To further that goal, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Ghana Atomic Energy Commissions Nuclear Power Institute officially launched the regions first Clean Energy Training Center in Accra, Ghana. Through the training center, the United States will offer additional technical expertise and training with support from its nuclear industry, national laboratories, and academic institutions on topics such as workforce capacity building, reactor design and operation, and the management of spent nuclear fuel. In Tunisia, the drama is escalating as the October 6 presidential election approaches. The ISIE, the organization responsible for overseeing the election, had initially approved only three candidates, including incumbent Kais Saied. However, on August 29, 2024, the administrative court overruled this decision, allowing Mondher Zenaidi, who had filed an appeal, to run. This decision mirrored a previous ruling from Tuesday August 27, which permitted Abdellatif Mekki, a former Ennahdha member, to enter the race as well. The election campaign, set to officially start on September 14, is already full of unexpected developments. Critics and human rights organizations have frequently accused the Tunisian judiciary of being under the influence of the ruling powers. Yet, the court surprised many by granting Abdellatif Mekki, and Mondher Zenaidi the right to run, challenging the ISIEs earlier disqualification of 14 out of 17 candidates. Mondher Zenaidi, an exiled former minister living in France and a veteran of the Ben Ali era, is using video messages to advocate for national unity and reconciliation. At 73, his calls for calm stand in stark contrast to Kais Saieds rhetoric, which often highlights purported internal and external threats to Tunisia. As Zenaidi waits from Paris to launch his campaign, the ISIE is expected to release the final list of presidential candidates next week. The key question now is whether the ISIE will adhere to the courts rulings or choose to ignore them. UN Security Council members voiced concerns over recent tensions in Libya, urging all Libyan actors and institutions to avoid unilateral actions that could escalate conflicts and deepen divisions. The council members called on Thursday for a de-escalation of tensions, urging Libyan leaders to refrain from using force, threats, or economic pressure, and to seek a consensus-based resolution to the crisis involving the Central Bank. The Council emphasized the need to avoid military actions that could destabilize Libya, threaten civilian security, or compromise the 2020 ceasefire agreement, highlighting the importance of accountability. They reminded Libyan leaders of their obligations under Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2702 (2023), and the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) Roadmap, as well as the updated electoral laws from the 6+6 Committee. Members encouraged all Libyan parties to engage sincerely and without preconditions in the UN-facilitated political process, in line with resolution 2702 (2023). They reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and stressed the importance of appointing a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Libya as soon as possible. Additionally, the Security Council underscored the need for the full, equal, and safe participation of women, youth, and civil society in democratic processes. They reiterated their commitment to Libyas sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity. Morocco will start a nationwide census on September 1-30 to gather comprehensive data on the countrys demographics, economic conditions, and social trends, officials from Moroccos high commission for planning HCP said. About 50,000 people will gather information from households in a headcount that would cost 147 million dollars, officials said at a press conference. This is a national, sovereign operation with a Moroccan identity, said HCP head Ahmed Lahlimi. He underscored the apolitical nature of the census, urging citizens to engage with census enumerators. Enumerators, most of whom teachers and researchers, will ask questions on demographic conditions as well as issues such as access to school, health, and social safety nets in addition to electricity, water, and employment. The data will remain conditional on tablets provided by the HCP to enumerators. Respondents will not be asked about their salary, religious beliefs, or individual liberties, he said. The 2014 census found that Morocco had a 33.8 million strong population. Determined to flee the worsening conditions in their country, an increasing number of Algerian nationals take advantage of visa free entry to Morocco to try illegal migration attempts to the Spanish occupied city of Ceuta, Moroccan media noted. Over the past few years, thousands of Algerians take the risky Mediterranean crossing to Spain with scores dying en route. Facing harsh conditions in Libya, Tunisia and Turkey, many Algerians now enter Morocco via air travel through Casablanca and head to the northern Moroccan coasts near Ceuta. Many of whom managed to enter Ceuta swimming earlier this week urging Spanish authorities not to send them back to Algeria. An increasing number of Algerian migrants evoke non-refoulement saying they would face repression if returned to Algiers, according to Spanish reports. In 2024, over 9,664 Algerians entered Spain illegally, as economic conditions deteriorated in their country. Illustration: CollectTrumpCards.com Among the many laughably unrealistic images in the original Donald Trump NFT collection, one stood out: the illustration of the former president in the classic Superman pose, ripping open his dress shirt to reveal a superhero costume underneath. Trump used this image, which was animated to show lasers shooting out of his eyes, to tease a major announcement on December 15, 2022 which turned out to be a collection of 45,000 digital trading cards. America needs a superhero! Trump proclaimed in the video posted to Truth Social. For many, this called to mind the report that Trump wanted to wear a Superman shirt when he returned to the White House after being hospitalized for COVID-19 in November 2020. But Trumps effort to portray himself as the Man of Steel and encourage others to do so as well actually goes back decades. Of course, theres plenty of superhero imagery in politics; leaders including George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Justin Trudeau have jokingly encouraged the Superman comparison. As usual, however, Trump found a way to make it weird. Here, a rundown of the last presidents odd past with the Last Son of Krypton. 1986: Trump Inspires a Lex Luthor Reboot Though Donald Trump does not appear to be a fan of the genre in general, hes made nearly two dozen cameos in comic books over the past three decades. He also served as inspiration for Supermans archnemesis Lex Luthor in an 80s reboot of the character, as the Daily Beast reported: In 1986, DC Comics rebooted the entire Superman mythos in part to better reflect the anxieties and preoccupations of modern America. Instead of a mad scientist, Luthor was re-envisioned as a rich and powerful businessman, an idea hatched by writer Marv Wolfman and realized in the comics event of the century, writer and artist John Byrnes Man of Steel miniseries. It was a time when anti-corporate public sentiment against real-life Wall Street villains like Michael Milken and Barry Minkow was on the rise (the film Wall Street, featuring the partly Milken-inspired Gordon Gekko, was released one year later). But unsurprisingly, one wealthy 80s mogul in particular inspired the new Luthor: Of course, Donald Trump was our model, Byrne tells The Daily Beast. Years later, other versions of businessman Lex Luthor became president of the United States or at least campaigned for the office. In the cartoon series Justice League Unlimited, Luthor admitted to The Question, My campaign is a farce, a small part of a much larger scheme Do you know how much power Id have to give up to be president? I spent 75 million on a fake presidential campaign, all just to tick Superman off. Some believe Trump only ran for president in 2015 to tick off Obama after he mocked the mogul at a White House Correspondents Association dinner. Perhaps, similarly, Trumps Superman fixation has its roots in being cast as the model for the Man of Steels greatest foe. 1996: Trumps Superman Birthday Cake In a vacuum, this seems pretty innocuous. As New York Times reporter and foremost Trump chronicler Maggie Haberman recalled, Trumps 50th-birthday party featured a Superman cake. Trump trying to be seen as Superman has a long history, going back to his 50th birthday pic.twitter.com/nJU9ztRcME Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 15, 2022 In an interview shortly after the party, Trumps then-wife Marla Maples told the Times that she was initially picturing a small and intimate affair, but he wanted a big blowout. She put together a party at Trump Tower that featured 400 guests, a Marla-as-mermaid ice sculpture, and, per the Times, a Superman cake: Then, as the Superman movie theme began to play, the cake was wheeled onto the stage with all of Mr. Trumps buildings on it, and a sugar figure of Mr. Trump, dressed like Superman with a money sign on his chest. Ms. [Eartha] Kitt sang Happy Birthday, and 600 gold balloons cascaded from the ceiling. 2015: Trump Says Hell Be Superman President Throughout his career in presidential politics, Trump encouraged his followers to think of him as a superhero. In an October 2015 interview, CNBCs John Harwood pushed Trump on his grand promises and lack of policy specifics, saying, But we dont have Superman presidents! The mogul replied, But we will if you have Trump. You watch. 2016: The Super Trump Times Square Billboard After Hillary Clinton fell at a 9/11 anniversary event in 2016, the Committee to Restore America super-PAC decided to publicly gloat about Trumps ostensibly superior physical prowess. The group launched a 55-foot billboard in Times Square featuring Trump as Superman. When I was a kid, Superman was my idol because he stood for truth, justice, and the American way, just like Donald Trump, said tech mogul Dr. Robert Shillman, who donated money for the ad. 2017: The Time Cover Photoshop During the Trump administration, memes featuring Donald as Superman became popular among the MAGA crowd with the Trump familys encouragement. One of the weirder examples is this fake Time magazine cover Donald Trump Jr. posted to Instagram in 2017, featuring his dad as an inexplicably bearded Superman. 2018: Kanye Says Trump Hat Makes Him Feel Like Superman Yes appalling recent remarks have totally overshadowed his weird, rambling 2018 Oval Office soliloquy. But back then, the rapper made headlines when he gushed to Trump about his MAGA hat, There is something about when I put this hat on that makes me feel like Superman! Thats my favorite superhero. You make a Superman cape for me. 2020: The Superman COVID Stunt That Never Was Trump returning to the White House after being hospitalized for COVID, whipping his mask off, and then heading into the building though he was possibly still infectious was one of the most memorable images of his presidency. But it could have been even more shocking, as the New York Times reported days later: In several phone calls last weekend from the presidential suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Mr. Trump shared an idea he was considering: When he left the hospital, he wanted to appear frail at first when people saw him, according to people with knowledge of the conversations. But underneath his button-down dress shirt, he would wear a Superman T-shirt, which he would reveal as a symbol of strength when he ripped open the top layer. He ultimately did not go ahead with the stunt. 2022: Trump Maintains His Secret Identity The NFT collection wasnt the only thing keeping the Trump-as-Superman theme alive. During the 2022 midterms, Trump was spotted with a gleeful look on his face as Arizona gubernatorial candidate repeatedly called him Superman at a rally, and his Save America super-PAC released Ultramaga superhero T-shirts: #Trump's Save America PAC is now fundraising off of #Biden's new "#UltraMAGA" term, incl. with an "ultra-MAGA" shirt with a cartoon Trump-Superman superhero on it. Here's a snip it of the fundraising email I just received from the PAC. pic.twitter.com/JTysoMob3x Devon Heinen (@DevonHeinen) May 14, 2022 2024: Meet the Bizarro MAGA Justice League A fourth batch of Trump trading cards was released during the last week of August, but you dont have to throw down $99 per card to see weird images of Trump dressed as Superman. On August 29, the former president posted this poorly photoshopped image of himself as the Man of Steel, with J.D. Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tulsi Gabbard, and RFK Jr. rounding out the Justice League. While Trump is literally the inspiration for Supermans nemesis and his battles against truth, justice, and the American way are well documented, its no surprise that he remains invested in pretending hes an all-powerful hero. Though, its possible his Superman fixation is just a cover for a darker delusion. This piece has been updated to include Trumps 2024 Truth Social post. Trump continues to disappoint his old friends in the anti-abortion movement. Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters Donald Trump very clearly understands that his greatest single vulnerability in the 2024 election is his reactionary record on reproductive rights and his responsibility for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent imposition of abortion bans nearly everywhere the GOP is in power. This is why, even before he nailed down the 2024 GOP nomination, he risked the wrath of the anti-abortion movement by refusing to sign on to any specific national abortion-ban proposal. Later, when that nomination was in hand, he clarified his position to insist that states should always determine abortion policy (though he never clearly addressed secondary issues like potential federal regulation of abortion pills). To the even greater annoyance of the forced-birth activists who viewed him as the greatest president of them all for his fulfilled pledge to create a Supreme Court majority willing to overturn Roe, Trump began talking as though he personally had no particular views on the matter (other than insisting on exceptions for rape and incest in abortion bans) as he sought to take the issue off the table for 2024. But the popular clamor for the restoration of abortion rights wont go away, and Kamala Harris has made it a signature issue in her competitive campaign. So Trump keeps moving the goalposts on his own position, reckoning that the anti-abortion base will stick with him grudgingly through Election Day no matter what he says or does. His latest flips, however, are strange enough that they may turn out to be flops. Here are the latest policies he has floated. Free IVF for everybody! Like a lot of Republicans, Trump understands that opposition to IVF treatments is absolutely catastrophic politically, particularly given the GOPs recent focus on childbearing as the most important thing one can do for ones country. So nearly all Republicans even in Alabama where the state supreme court made this a national controversy by ruling that IVF treatments destroy human life just like abortion have raced to proclaim they support this therapy, even if it makes their pro-life allies grumble and groan. Trump recently went further than anyone, making this pledge at a town-hall meeting: Ive been looking at it, and what were going to do is for people that are using IVF, which is fertilization the government is going to pay for it, or were going to get well mandate your insurance company to pay for it, which is going to be great. Finally, after all these years, Trump has a health-care plan! But its real purpose is to heal the wound caused by fears that Republicans ultimately want to ban both IVF and contraception. D.C. gets to decide its abortion policies but nothing else Trumps attempts to suggest that the reversal of Roe left nothing to say at the federal level about abortion policy run into one immediate and glaring problem: States may be able to ban or not to ban abortion, but the District of Columbias self-governance on topics like this is totally at the sufferance of Congress. And as it happens, Republicans generally and Trump specifically love to boss D.C. around. This has left the Trump campaign with a contradiction, as Politico explained: Though Republican lawmakers spent years targeting abortion in D.C., and though Trump recently vowed to strip power from the deep-blue citys elected government, his campaign told me amazingly that the District has the right to make its own rules about abortion. Democrats want to gaslight Americans and sow fear, but President Trump has long been consistent in supporting the rights of states, and the District of Columbia, to make decisions on abortion, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The and the District of Columbia part of that sentence marks a jaw-dropping departure from decades of GOP orthodoxy. Thats how far Trump is willing to go to avoid taking a clear position on abortion: giving up the chance to tell the hated denizens of the Swamp what to do. Trump was for abortion-rights initiative in Florida before he was against it The biggest problem Trump may face in dodging the abortion issue in 2024 is that his very own state of residence will vote on a ballot measure to amend the Florida constitution to restore the rights once protected at the federal level by Roe v. Wade. Unsurprisingly, when asked how he will vote on this, Trump has been very cagey. But last week, he came close to a startling shift into territory far from the anti-abortion movement, as NPR reported: Former President Donald Trump indicated he would vote in favor of abortion rights in his home state of Florida, where it is on the ballot. Saying he thinks the six week [ban] is too short, he said he favored more time. When asked explicitly, So youll vote in favor of the amendment?, Trump seemed to affirm that he would. Im going to be voting that we need more than six weeks, he told NBC News in an interview, before saying he favored exceptions in abortion law for the life of the mother, rape and incest. His campaign hastened to slap down what looked like a potential bombshell: 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, the Trump campaigns press secretary said in a statement to NPR. Then, after eliciting some serious backlash from anti-abortion activists, Trump told Fox News he would in fact vote against the Florida initiative, although his rationale was spurious (he claimed the initiative would allow unrestricted abortion access up to and beyond live birth; it actually just restores the viability standard set by Roe). Trumps many positions on an issue he clearly wants to go away should be fodder for Kamala Harris during the candidate debate on September 10. Former president Donald Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche exit the courthouse and speak to media after Trump was found guilty following his hush-money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024, in New York City. Photo: Mark Peterson/Getty Images Donald Trumps legal team is seeking to have his hush-money case moved to federal court just weeks before hes due to be sentenced in the matter by a New York judge. The former presidents attorneys filed a request to the U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Thursday, writing that the prosecution of Trump was unconstitutional and that the case is in conflict with the Supreme Courts June decision on presidential immunity. The ongoing proceedings will continue to cause direct and irreparable harm to President Trump the leading candidate in the 2024 Presidential election and voters located far beyond Manhattan, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove asserted in their 60-page filing. This is just the latest attempt by Trump to delay his sentencing or overturn his conviction entirely. In May, a New York jury convicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records, agreeing with prosecutors that he intentionally mischaracterized payments he made to cover up a years-old affair ahead of the 2016 election. After the Supreme Court ruled in late June that past and current presidents could not be prosecuted for official acts taken while in office, Trumps team filed a motion challenging his conviction. Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, agreed to weigh the impact of the decision and issue his own judgment on the merits of Trumps immunity argument. His ruling is expected by September 16, just two days before Merchan is due to hand down his sentence to Trump. Trump already attempted to move the case into federal court even before the proceedings began. Last year, his legal team argued that the payments Trump made were related to Trumps conduct while he was in office, meaning that the case should be heard in federal court. U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who will likely hear Trumps newest request as well, denied the motion. He ruled that Trumps actions were not considered official acts, giving a potential preview to how he might rule on Thursdays filing. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was purely a personal item of the President a cover-up of an embarrassing event, he wrote in his decision. The Supreme Courts decision continues to influence the pending legal cases against Trump. Aileen Cannon, a Trump-friendly federal judge in Florida, dismissed the federal governments classified-documents case against him, citing the ruling. Special counsel Jack Smith has since appealed her decision. He has also submitted a revised indictment in his election-subversion case against Trump in an attempt to address the issues raised by the nations highest court. Uncertainty continues to dominate oil markets, although demand concerns appear to be overcoming supply shocks to push oil prices toward a monthly loss. Friday, August 30th, 2024 It's been a volatile week for oil markets, with Libya's oil blockade sending a supply shock through markets before traders refocused on concerns around Chinese demand. At the same time, Iraq has been ratcheting up pressure on Kurdish producers to cut output, and the US has released some constructive macroeconomic data. Early on Friday morning, oil prices had swung back into the red, with Brent trading at $78.54 and WTI below $75. US Oil Major Eyes Permian Divestment. Seeking to focus on higher-growth assets, top US producer ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) is reportedly looking to sell some $1 billion worth of non-core assets in the Permian Basin, offering 14 asset groups of which 8 are currently operated by Exxon. Libyas Oil Output Falls as Fields Get Shut. More than half of Libyas crude production, some 700,000 b/d, was offline by the end of this week after the eastern Benghazi government halted production at key fields such as Sharara, Sarir, Abu Attifel, and Amal and blocked most export terminals in the country. US Midstream Giant Gets Even Bigger. US pipeline operator ONEOK (NYSE:OKE) said it would buy midstream assets across the country worth $5.9 billion from Global Infrastructure Partners, less than a year after it purchased Magellan Midstream for $19 billion, boosting its standing in the Permian. Baghdad Calls For Kurdish Compliance. The federal Iraqi government has presented an ultimatum to Kurdistans Regional Government to reduce its crude production after market reports indicated output in the region is as high as 350,000 b/d, undermining Iraqs commitments under the OPEC+ compensation plan. Golden Pass LNG Asks for 3-Year Extension. The 18 mtpa Golden Pass LNG project, jointly developed by ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and QatarEnergy, asked for a regulatory extension until November 2029 after its contractor Zachry Industrial filed for bankruptcy after a row over $2.4 billion in cost overruns. Shell Seeks to Curb Exploration Spending. According to Reuters, UK-based energy major Shell (LON:SHEL) is considering cutting oil and gas exploration and development workforce by 20% after curbing investment in renewables and low-carbon businesses, eyeing cost reductions of $2-3 billion. Red Sea Insurance Surges on Sinking Tanker. After Houthis attacked the Greek-flagged Sounion tanker in the Red Sea last week, still leaking into the sea, the cost of additional war risk insurance for ships sailing through the Red Sea more than doubled to 1% of the vessels value from 0.4% before the attack. China Maximizes Summer Coal Production. Despite much more robust hydro and solar generation this year, China has boosted its coal production to all-time highs as its July output reached 390 million tonnes, seeking to avoid blackouts at a period of peak air conditioning demand. Baltimore Sues Shale Producers over Alleged Fixing. The city of Baltimore sued US shale oil producers Occidental, Hess, Pioneer, Diamondback, and others for conspiring to lower production and boost petroleum product prices even if most are not refiners, mostly stemming from the FTCs Pioneer probe. UK Will Not Defend Future Oil Projects. The UK government stated it would not defend its largest upcoming oil projects Rosebank and Jackdaw after Greenpeace won a Supreme Court case, seeking to overturn their development approvals on the grounds that emission impacts were not assessed properly. Qatar Mulls Taking Over a German Refinery. Qatar is in talks with the German government over possibly purchasing Russian state oil firm Rosnefts 54.17% stake in the Schwedt refinery that feeds the capital city Berlin, after Berlin put the assets under a government trusteeship two years ago. White House Finalizes Solar Expansion Plan. The Biden administration said it had finalized a plan to accelerate the development of solar energy on 31 million acres in federal lands in 11 western states, eyeing high solar radiation and low conflicts with wildlife and plant habitats. Drought Hinders European Navigation Again. Dry weather across Germany has led to low water levels in the River Rhine, preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded and boosting freight rates as drought surcharges kicked in, but the impact is not expected to be as substantial as in 2022-2023. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kamala Harris said she would not ban fracking if she becomes the next U.S. president, reversing an earlier stance she had made while campaigning as Joe Bidens vice president. In an interview with CNN, Harris said As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking. We have set goals for the United States of America and by extension, the globe, around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed, the Democratic presidential nominee also said, adding What I have seen is that we can grow and we can increase a thriving clean energy economy without banning fracking. Harris statements are a stark departure from those made in 2019 on the campaign trail. CNN quoted her as saying in September 2019 during a climate change event Theres no question Im in favor of banning fracking, and starting with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands, which led many to expect a hard line against the oil and gas industry from a potential future Democratic administration. Even without a ban on fracking a Harris presidency would be bad news for the industry. Overviews of her career that have flooded the media space recently note her lawsuits against oil companies including Chevron, which she prosecuted for hazardous materials mishandling. Plains All-American Pipeline also became a target for California's Attorney General back in 2015 for an oil spill off the state's coast. Interestingly, Harris' claim that she also sued Exxon, which she made during the run-up to the 2020 elections, appears to be inaccurate. The change in Harriss stance on fracking has visible roots. In order to win the election, she would need to secure votes from swing states such as Pennsylvania, which is heavily dependent on its energy industry. Declaring an intention to ban fracking would alienate such crucial states and lose her the election. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Fuel demand in the worlds third-largest crude oil importer, India, is set to rise by between 4% and 5% per year for the foreseeable future, G. Krishnakumar, chairman of Indias state-controlled refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), said on Friday. At the same time, Indian consumption of petrochemicals is expected to increase at an even higher rate, by 7% to 8% each year in the foreseeable future, Krishnakumar told BPCLs shareholders, as carried by Reuters. To meet growing demand for refined oil products and petrochemicals, many Indian refiners plan to expand their crude processing capacities and ethylene cracker units at refineries. In BPCLs case, the refiner plans to boost its integrated refining and petrochemical capacities over the next five to seven years to meet rising demand, Krishnakumar said. BPCL is in talks with major local banks to secure a loan of about $3.8 billion which it will use to expand the capacity of one of its refineries, Bloomberg reported earlier on Friday, quoting sources with knowledge of the discussions. BPCL is looking to raise around $3.8 billion (320 billion Indian rupees) from lenders to boost the capacity of its Bina refinery in the Madhya Pradesh state in central India, according to Bloombergs sources. The refiner has planned to invest a total of $5.8 billion (490 billion rupees) to add an ethylene cracker unit at the Bina refinery as BPCL and other Indian refiners are looking to raise their petrochemicals production capacities. India has said it expects to raise its refining capacity by around 1.12 million barrels per day (bpd) each year until 2028 as it seeks to meet rising fuel demand. Total Indian refining capacity is expected to increase by 22% in five years from the current 254 million metric tons per year, which is equal to around 5.8 million bpd. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indias state-controlled refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is in talks with major local banks to secure a loan of about $3.8 billion which it will use to expand the capacity of one of its refineries, Bloomberg reported on Friday, quoting sources with knowledge of the discussions. BPCL is looking to raise around $3.8 billion (320 billion Indian rupees) from lenders to boost the capacity of its Bina refinery in the Madhya Pradesh state in central India, according to Bloombergs sources. The refiner has planned to invest a total of $5.8 billion (490 billion rupees) to add an ethylene cracker unit at the Bina refinery as BPCL and other Indian refiners are looking to raise their petrochemicals production capacities. If BPCL obtains the loan from the local banks, this would be the largest loan in Indian rupees in the country so far this year, per data compiled by Bloomberg. Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Bank of Baroda are some of the lenders with which the refiner is in talks for the loan, which is expected to have a 15-year maturity. India has said it expects to raise its refining capacity by around 1.12 million barrels per day (bpd) each year until 2028 as it seeks to meet rising fuel demand. Total Indian refining capacity is expected to increase by 22% in five years from the current 254 million metric tons per year, which are equal to around 5.8 million bpd. Separately, Indian state-held refiners have started jointly to discuss terms of a potential deal with Russia for long-term supply of Russian oil, a government source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters in July. Joint negotiations of state refiners with Russia are already happening, the government source told Reuters. India needs predictable and stable oil supplies amid expanding refining capacity, the source added. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Venezuelas complete blackout is set to soon begin slowly easing, the countrys government has said. Venezuelas contested government has accused the opposition of sabotaging the entire countrys electric grid, which has taken its largest oil terminal offline. No evidence has been presented to indicate an act of sabotage by the opposition is responsible. Although the power has not yet begun to be restored, the restorage should begin soon, Venezuelas Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on state television. Vessel loading and offloading was interrupted by the blackout at Jose, the countrys largest oil terminal, shipping documents seen by Reuters have shown. Jose is responsible for 70% of the countrys oil exportswhich mainly go to China, Russia, ENI, and Repsol. The blackouts also disrupted operations at the El Palito oil refinery and the state-run oil companys headquarters in Caracas. Venezuelas contested president, Nicolas Maduro, was able to hold precarious power over the country after the July elections, winning what most consider to be a rigged election against the opposition. The election results, the details of which have yet to be made public, plunged the country into a whole other level of disarray, with the current regime arresting members of the opposition. The blackouts come just two days after news broke that Nicolas Maduro would make changes to top leadership at PDVSA and the oil ministry. Venezuela is one of the five original oil-producing countries that created OPEC and is home to the worlds largest proven oil reserves. Since that time, the countrys oil industry has suffered under the weight of mismanagement, lack of investment, corruption, political instability, and U.S. sanctions, diminishing it to one of OPECs smallest producers. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com In May, an Omaha boy celebrated his 11th birthday. In August, he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Dressed in a suit that was slightly oversized on his 4 foot 3 inch, 70-pound frame, the 11-year-old boy appeared in juvenile court on Thursday for a formal arraignment on six felony charges: First-degree murder, two counts of robbery and three counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony. He is one of six juveniles accused of involvement the carjacking and killing of 64-year-old Mursal Jama earlier this month. Much of the hearing was routine as Douglas County Juvenile Court Judge Chad Brown advised the boy of his rights and the possible penalties associated with the charges. He entered a plea of denial to the six charges connected to Jamas killing. The boys attorney, Nicholas Wurth, did ask the court to reconsider allowing him to return home. (Going home) is the primary thing hes concerned about, to the point where its hard to talk about anything else, Wurth said. Since his arrest, the boy has been residing in an emergency foster care placement through Omni Inventive Care. Because of his age, he cannot be placed in a youth detention facility. An Omni representative told the court the boy is a delightful young man who has been doing quite well in his foster placement. But Wurth said the boy has been distressed because he hasnt been able to regularly communicate with his mother. Though the reasons for the lack of communication were not entirely clear, statements from attorneys indicate there may have been concern over proper supervision of their visits because the boys mom does not speak English. Im concerned about the amount of restrictions that have been put on his contact with members of his family, Wurth said. Hes had one conversation with his mother this entire time and not seen her once. Deputy Douglas County Attorney Laura Lemoine resisted the boys request to return home, citing extreme community safety risk. The probation officer assigned to his case and the boys guardian ad litem who is court-appointed to represent his best interests also said the boy should stay in his foster placement. All sides agreed the boy should be permitted more frequent supervised visitation with his mother while he is residing in foster care. An Omni representative said they will arrange for the mother to have supervised visitation with the boy three times a week at the organizations office. Brown did not immediately rule on allowing the boy to return home with his mother. He ordered Lemoine and Wurth to submit written briefs by Sept. 6 outlining potential alternatives to detention like electronic monitoring that the boy may or may not be eligible for if sent back home. Brown said he plans to issue a decision by Sept. 9. In the meantime, the boy will remain in his foster placement. Before the court adjourned, Wurth had one more request. (He) did want to have a couple of minutes with his mother after the hearing, Wurth said. After getting the go-ahead from the Omni representative, Brown adjourned the proceedings and ordered a short recess to allow the boy and his mother a hug and greet. The APC national chairman Adams Oshiomhole has said the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar is never destined to rule Nigeria He said this at a press conference while reacting to the Peoples Democratic Party candidates rejection of the election result. It borders on arrogance that our future is tied on his presidency. Atiku is destined never to be president of Nigeria, Mr Oshiomhole said. According to him, Leadership is about character. Atikus desperation is so obvious that in 2003, he challenged his own boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, not to do a second term. Mr Abubakars fourth attempt on 18 years failed in the just concluded presidential election in which incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner with over 15 million votes. As cosmically large fruits go, I guess a peach is as good as any in withstanding a journey over land, sea and air, although I think an expansive banana might be better for the ocean-going leg. Its been said that British author Roald Dahl was originally enamored by a giant cherry but decided on a peach due to its delightfully squishy properties. So, a peach it was when Dahl sat down in 1961 to write what would become James and the Giant Peach, a book that is today considered a childrens classic. It is also the source material of the play of the same name currently being staged in a fun-loving new production at Community Players Theatre through Sept. 8. This adaptation is by David Wood. The plot, you ask? To be honest, its sort of out there, as some of the best childrens stories usually are. Flying monkeys, anyone? Well, there are none of those, but we do begin with rampaging rhinoceroses, and they provide the catalyst for the epic journey the now-orphaned James Henry Trotter (Cory Gaff) will embark upon. Where does the peach come in? Well, there first must come some evilness that our hero has to escape from. This comes in the form of two sinister aunts, Spiker (Allison Carter) and Sponge (Brooke Moonan), whom James is sent to live with. Theyre thrilled that James is their new personal servant who can be ordered around. One day a mysterious old man (Stephan Seyfort) shows up with a bag of magic crystals, which he gives to James. Suddenly a peach tree that has been barren for ages not only produces a peach, but its a fruit so large, its the size of a barn. When the peach starts to roll, the aunts get their just desserts. There are several insects inhabiting this magical peach. There is Grasshopper (Jeffrey Burke), Centipede (Jake Marshall), Ladybird (Jill McNiff), Miss Spider (Kendra Baca) and Earthworm (Logan Ehresman). Unknown to them all is that since the peach has rolled into the sea, they are floating and bobbing their way toward the Big Apple. More adventures await in the open sea, with a trio of silly pirates that include a telescopically challenged captain (Samuel James Wilson) and his comedic crew of Number One (Lisa M. Howard) and Number Two (Danny Steffley). Occasionally a chipper TV newsman (Xavier Arriaga) pops out to report all this goofiness, managing to keep a straight face. Its an enthusiastic and energetic cast, with Gaff and insect characters doing some nice ensemble work. Gaff is the centerpiece of the play, and he doesnt let the audience down. Director Ashleigh Rae-Lynn Feger is to be commended for casting so many actors that are new to the CPT stage. I also like that she hasnt forgotten this is a kids' show. There are several participatory segments in the show, including a chance for kids to come up on the stage and see the peach. This would be a great show to introduce children to the magic of live theater. Its not too long, either under 90 minutes. A tip of the hat to the production team, particularly to Ben Fetters set design, Ken Sprouls costume design and Jen Bethmanns props. This is a play where the imagination can run wild, but you still have to be able to fabricate that creative wildness. The peach itself is a sort of giant ribbed structure that can rotate. It is fairly open, which it has to be for six actors to interact inside it. Matt ONeill was the master builder of it. The costumes are terrific, particularly the insect character outfits and the aunts macabre ensembles, with some frightful wigs completing the look. Lighting design is in the capable hands of Mark Wright with his wife Juliet on the follow spot. Eli Mundy is kickin it on sound design. I never caught a single late mic cue on the night I saw the show. All in all, James and the Giant Peach fleshes out another eagerly anticipated season at Community Players Theatre its 102nd season, if you can believe it. And its last full season for a bit, as the 103rd will be a truncated affair because an exciting renovation project begins in 2025, which will bring changes that will be oh so peachy keen. IF YOU GO What: "James and the Giant Peach" Where: Community Players Theatre, 201 Robinhood Lane, Bloomington When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30-31 & Sept. 6-7; 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1 & Sept. 8 Running time: 1 hour and 25 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission The ladies who brunch: Photos from ISO Membership Brunch Standing: Peggy Hundley, Toy Ackerman, Marilyn Mertz Seated: George Szmaj Bonnie Bernardi, Marilyn Freese, Dee Frautschi George Szmaj and Valerie Wyatt chat with ISO executives Darrin Burnett, Trevor Orthmann and Beth Wakefield ISO Executive Director Trevor Orthmann with ISO Director of Marketing/Communications Beth Wakefield Host Julie Dobski and Valerie Wyatt converse during the social hour part of the brunch. Suan Guess-Hanson, Paula Pratt Longtime symphony supporters Dottie Fleener and John Wohlwend are deep in conversation. Dottie Fleener, John Wohlwend Kristina Marshall, Arlene Stark, Elaine Cousins Lynda Straw, Angie Hoffman, Debbie Leighton, JoEllen Bahnsen Marlene Dietz and Pat Grosso chat before brunch is served. Sandra Robinson, JoAnna Mink Adriana Ransom, Mary Lou Farnsworth Jan Wohlwend, Fran Brandau, John Wohlwend Michael and Cheryl Whelan Carol Chrisman, Pat Grogg Jean Bates, Laurie Burke, Beth Wakefield Terry Huff, Beth Wakefield Julie Dobski helps Jean Bates, Laurie Burke, Cathy Wentworth and Debi Grossman at the photo booth Debi Grossman, Cathy Wentworth, Jonell Kehias Joel and Gabriel Pabst Julie Dobski helps Peggy Hundley, Marlene Dietz and Dee Frautschi commemorate the day at the photo booth. Symphony Guild scholarship recipient Gabriel Pabst performs a Vivaldi Concerto in E minor. Pabst is a sophomore at Normal West and began playing the bassoon in 4th or 5th grade. The Guild awards 3-4 scholarships each year. Lynda Lane, Joy Szmaj Agricultural Minister and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, has stated that the looming food insecurities which will be likely to be experienced throughout the country should be blamed on climate change and not lack of irrigation on farm lands. According to the minister, the drastic change in climatic conditions is the core reason for the drought in about eight regions in Ghana. Speaking to Joy News on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Abetifi lawmaker maintained that, the Ghana Meteorological Agency had given government heads-up of the climate situation indicating a change in the planting season; an information that never reached Ghanaian farmers. He told the host that, this shift in the planting season, which is a fundamental change caused by climate change, disrupted our agricultural planning. We invested heavily in inputs, training, land development, seeds, and fertilizers, but with this change, all our efforts were compromised. He further stated that, although the climate change cannot be controlled, however, there are measures the government is planning on implementing to mitigate the effect the drought will have on Ghanaians as far as food security is concerned adding that irrigation is one such measure, allowing for year-round farming independent of rainfall. However, Mr Acheampong clarified that developing irrigation systems requires significant investment which is very different form the small earth dams built under the NPP governments "One District, One Dam" initiative. The Minister highlighted government's efforts in expanding irrigation projects across the country, mentioning ongoing projects in areas like the Afram Plains, Tono, and Upper West regions, where 19 small irrigation projects are currently underway. Bryan Acheampong also noted that there are 15 projects ongoing in the Northern Region, aimed at creating small earth dams or dugouts to capture rainwater for agricultural and livestock use. He stressed that these dams, designed to hold rainwater during the rainy season, have largely been successful in serving their intended purposes over the years, such as providing water for household use, livestock, and small-scale farmers. "We must always measure an initiative against its intended purpose," he said. He assured Ghanaians of government commitment to expanding irrigation systems in the country in order to provide farmers the luxury of farming across the various seasons in the year. 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 Volta Region has recorded eight confirmed cases of measles this year. Although this is below the epidemic threshold, it is cause for worry, the Regional Deputy Director of Health in charge of Public Health, Dr Kwesi Senanu Djokoto, has said. He said sustained efforts were needed to strengthen immunization programmes in the region and increase and sustain demand for both routine and childhood immunization and COVID-19 vaccination. Dr Djokoto was speaking at a stakeholder engagement and the second quarter risk communication and sub-committee on demand generation and vaccine uptake in Ho on Wednesday. About 80 risk communication sub-committee members of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), heads of department, unit heads, representatives of non-governmental organizations and traditional rulers attended the one-day meeting. Dr Djokoto explained that high vaccine uptake was essential for achieving herd immunity and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. He announced that a national mass campaign against Measles/Rubella would be organised to halt the spread of the disease, from October 2 to 6. He urged the public to patronise the programme with great zeal and enthusiasm. Vaccination is widely regarded as cost-effective, an investment in health security, a human right and essential for public health intervention targeted at reducing childhood mortality and morbidity, he added. Dr Djokoto said the region successfully vaccinated 2,556 children who had earlier missed their vaccination in the first half of this year against vaccine-preventable diseases, and 3,703 children were dosed with vitamin A supplements. However, he said, many children were left unimmunised in the region in the 2024 half year, comprising 7,865 children for Panta three and 9,459 for Measles/Rubella two, using the vaccines as a proxy. That, he said, had significantly contributed to the low vaccination rate in the region. Meanwhile, Dr Djokoto said GHS was implementing various programmes and projects to boost vaccine uptake and improve health outcomes, including routine immunisation, mass vaccination campaigns, Child Health Promotion Week, African Vaccination Week, social mobilisation and advocacy. 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 Africa Prosperity Network (APN), organizers of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), in collaboration with the Africa-America Institute (AAI), a premier U.S.-based international organization dedicated to strengthening the human capacity of Africans, will jointly host the second edition of the Global Africa Forum (GAF) on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City, United States of America. The Global Africa Forum serves as a platform for connecting the African continent with its diaspora to foster collaboration and capitalize on economic opportunities aligned with the African Unions Agenda 2063. The second edition will be held on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, in New York, at Dentonsthe worlds largest global law firm by the number of lawyers. Focus of the forum The Forum will, among other goals, seek to connect the skills, technology, and financial investments of Global Africans to the development of key sectors such as energy, health, education, housing, transportation, and digital infrastructure on the African continent. It will also encourage global investments, including from Global African investors, to capitalize on Africas single market of 1.4 billion people and promote public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects that connect and integrate African markets. Additionally, the Global Africa Forum will explore U.S.-Africa economic policies that have the potential to create funding opportunities for large-scale infrastructure projects that will help connect and integrate the African continent. Stephanie Diatta, Head of International Relations at Africa Prosperity Network, highlighted that the Global Africa Forum is an important platform to connect people of African descent across the globe to economic opportunities in Africa as the African Union (AU) works on building a single market. She added that hosting the event in New York annually as a side event of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is convenient for mobilizing interest and networking. Maiden Global Africa Forum The maiden edition of the forum, held in 2023, witnessed the launch of the Global Africa Network by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, with the support of notable personalities such as Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa. Other attendees included Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, Albert Muchanga, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Trade and Industry, and Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The Global Africa Network has a clear objective to mobilize and connect Global Africansconsisting of over 200 million people and their enterprisesto the all-important project of building the worlds largest single market through the AfCFTA. Scaling investments The 2024 Global Africa Forum will focus on several key areas to scale up investments in Africas infrastructure, including: Pooling global investments in Africas infrastructure. Leveraging investments from Global Africa. Making public-private partnership (PPP) projects more attractive to global investors. GAF and APD 2025 Curated under the theme: Mobilising Global Africa Investments to Address Africas Infrastructure Financing Deficit, the second edition of the Global Africa Forum aligns with the theme for the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD 2025), which will focus on strategic infrastructure development to enhance the continents single market agenda. The APD, positioned as an annual event, provides a unique platform for Africas private sector actors to build relationships and collaborate with the public sector to expedite the realization of Africas single market. APD 2025, scheduled to take place from Thursday, 30 January to Saturday, 1 February 2025, in Accra, is themed: Delivering Africas Prosperity through Infrastructure: Invest. Integrate. Connect. Africa Prosperity Network (APN) The overarching vision of APN is an Africa beyond aid. APN seeks to bring prosperity to Africa by creating platforms for critical dialogues that will reshape the thinking of African leaders and encourage them to take bold steps in trade, the structure of national economies, political conduct, and culture. APN is also motivated to mobilize African leaders and initiate partnerships that place the people of Africa first while enhancing their standard of living. APN is guided by values such as trust, diversity, integrity, boldness, innovation, and accountability as it works toward attaining its vision. APN holds the view that for Africas growth and prosperity to be sustainable, it must be inclusive, prioritizing the participation of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), women, and young people in the economic narrative. To achieve its vision, the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) represents APNs flagship event; a platform dedicated to leaders of Africas business, political, and social sectors to discuss how to enhance intra-African trade as a catalyst for economic prosperity. Africa-America Institute (AAI) Founded in 1953, the Africa-America Institute (AAI) seeks to promote the continents development through higher education and skills training, convening activities, program implementation, and management. AAIs primary model is identifying capacity-building projects and coordinating the programmatic, financial administration, and evaluation necessary to deliver high-impact results. The Institute raises funds to provide scholarships to smart and under-resourced students to attend top-performing universities in Africa. It also develops programs that focus on increasing the skills of the next generation of African youth to make them globally competitive. AAI alumni are at the forefront of Africas public, non-profit, and private sectors. 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 Ghanas foreign minister and candidate for Commonwealth Secretary-General, Ms. Shirley Botchwey, has concluded three days of meetings in Tonga with leaders of the Pacific Islands and addressed a plenary session of the regions leaders. Ms. Botchwey also shared her vision for a new Commonwealth that works for its citizens, highlighting Climate Change; Education and skills for young people; trade and investment; and making democracy deliver socio-economic dividends. The meetings took place alongside the 53rd Pacific Islands Leaders Forum during which a 6.9 earthquake shook the island in several waves, at the very moment UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutierrez was addressing students on natural disasters. The desperate need for the Commonwealth to urgently address Climate change-related issues and their impact on especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Small States and coastal countries, was a key agenda item in Ms Botchweys bilateral engagements with counterparts and Prime Ministers. If anyone needed reminding of the vulnerability and fragility of the Pacific Islands and indeed other small developing islands and coastal states elsewhere on the planet, we got a shocking reminder today, Ms Botchwey said. Ill continue to be an advocate of SIDS, and Small and Coastal States, and indeed all vulnerable members of our Commonwealth. Ms. Botchweys was accompanied to Tonga by Dr. Mohamed ibn Chambas, former UN under-Secretary-General, and founder Secretary-General of the African Caribbean Pacific Organization (ACP). Ms. Botchwey had meetings with the crown Prince of Tonga, HRH upoutoa Ulukalala and the countrys Prime Minister, Siaosi 'Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni. She held talks with Prime Minister Siame Naomi Mataafa of Samoa, host of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) where a new Secretary-General will be chosen in October to replace the current head, Baroness Patricia Scotland. President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to attend the Meeting. Ms. Botchwey also met with Prime Ministers Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji; James Marape of Papua New Guinea; Feleti Teo of Tuvalu; Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu and Jeremiah Manele of Solomon Islands. Others were New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and the Foreign Minister of Nauru, Lionel Angimea. 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 SDGs Advisory Unit in the Office of the President, in partnership with the National Development Planning commission (NDPC) has organized a one-day non-residential workshop for Journalists on Ghanas Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP) Process on the Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. As a founding member of the Ocean Panel, President of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo has underscored Ghanas commitment to developing a Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP) by 2025. The Director, Development Coordination at National Development Planning commission(NDPC), Dr. Winfred F. A. Nelson in an interview with Peace FM News said Ghanas involvement with the Ocean Panel might be highlighted, showcasing how the countrys efforts align with global initiatives and commitments. He said the planned transformations in the ocean economy, such as improving fisheries management, reducing marine pollution, and promoting blue economy sectors may emphasize the role of journalists in raising awareness, educating the public, and holding stakeholders accountable in the implementation of the Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP). According to him, Ghana is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that its commitments to sustainable ocean management are not only met but also communicated effectively to the public, fostering a culture of accountability and environmental stewardship. The Focal Person For Ghana Sustainable Ocean Plan, Felix Addo Yobo said water played a crucial role in all aspects of human life, yet human activities such as sand winning, plastic waste, dynamite ,aquaculture and the inappropriate disposal of domestic and industrial solid and liquid waste was threatening the resource and called on stakeholders to create awareness of the need to properly manage water resources on sustainable basis by embracing conservation and preservation of water bodies and land resources. The emphasis on journalists' involvement in the Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP) process underscores the vital role of the media in driving public discourse and ensuring transparency in environmental initiatives. As Ghana works towards the 2025 deadline for its SOP, the media's ability to communicate the complexities of ocean sustainability to the public will be crucial. Journalists are expected to highlight the interconnectedness of ocean health with various sectors of the economy, particularly those related to the blue economy, such as tourism, fisheries, and maritime transport. By doing so, they can help the public and policymakers understand the far-reaching impacts of ocean governance on the country's economic and social well-being. The workshop likely provided journalists with insights into the current state of Ghana's oceans, the challenges they face, and the opportunities that sustainable management could bring. Topics such as marine pollution, overfishing, and climate change would have been key discussion points, as these are critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure a healthy and productive ocean ecosystem. Moreover, the workshop likely aimed to equip journalists with practical skills for reporting on environmental issues. This could include training on data journalism, where journalists learn to analyze and present data on ocean health and sustainability in ways that are accessible to the general public. It might also include sessions on investigative journalism, helping reporters to uncover and report on issues like illegal fishing or pollution that threaten the sustainability of Ghana's oceans. The one-day workshop is a strategic effort by the SDGs Advisory Unit and the NDPC to harness the power of the media in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Ocean Plan. By empowering journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills, Ghana is taking a proactive approach to ensuring that its commitments to sustainable ocean management are not only met but also communicated effectively to the public, fostering a culture of accountability and environmental stewardship. 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 Footbridges constructed along the Madina-Adentan highway in Accra to promote road safety are not being used by many pedestrians. The bridges completed in 2019 have become white elephants as pedestrians continue to cross the busy highway directly, disregarding road safety regulations. During a visit to the area last Friday, the Ghanaian Times observed that both young and old pedestrians were risking their lives while crossing the road. Some sections of fencing installed to prevent direct road crossings had been cut through, allowing pedestrians to cross immediately after alighting from vehicles. The bridges have also become havens for substance abusers while some pedestrians had turned the bridges into refuse dumps and a place of convenience. The disregard for the footbridges comes about five years after they were completed following agitation from pedestrians who called on the government to build footbridges in order to reduce the number of persons who die from crossing the highway. This was after a 22-year-old student of the West Africa Senior High School in Adentan was killed by a speeding taxi while crossing the highway in front of her school. Residents interviewed by the Ghanaian Times assigned various reasons for not using the bridges. Irene Dadzie, a trader, cited the length of the bridges as an excuse. She said Using the roads takes less time. I also avoid the bridges at night due to fears of being attacked or robbed by the people hanging around there. Akua Morrison, a student, said it was faster to cross the road directly especially when she is carrying load. She said she was usually careful when crossing the road. However, Ama Dansua, a plantain chips seller, said despite the length, she uses the bridges for my own protection. Some drivers expressed serious concerns about the situation. Mr Kweku Agyeman noted that We have to be extra careful to avoid hitting pedestrians crossing the roads. Its very dangerous. The Adentan Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Ebenezer Doku, told the Ghanaian Times that the Assembly was aware of the situation and was embarking on public education towards attitudinal change. He said the Assembly would get more taskforce personnel to boost the manpower to ensure safer roads and collaborate with the Police Service to prevent attacks from recalcitrant pedestrians on their men. The Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ms Catherine Hamilton, said the Authority was aware of the worrying trend at the area. She said officials from the NRSA collaborated with the Police Service and the District Assembly to arrest recalcitrant pedestrians to deter others but the sustainability of that strategy is a problem. She said despite public awareness campaigns some commuters have refused, while others verbally assault the personnel. Ms Hamilton advised the pedestrians to use the footbridges to save lives. 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 A Fifty (50) member businesses of the Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber of Commerce - GNEBCHAM is set to experience the Husker Harvest Days and participate in key Trade and Investment Activity in Nebraska, from September 8 to 13, 2024, in Nebraska U.S.A. The delegation, comprising decision-making officials in Government and diverse value chain players within the Livestock, crops, irrigation, fertilizer, grains, agro processing, education, finance, technology and input sectors, are expected to meet with their Nebraskan business counterparts, to explore and discuss matching opportunities, capacities, strengths of both parties and forge relationships that will ultimately strengthen the Agricultural Infrastructure, for the mutual benefit of the two regions. The five (5) day trade facilitation event also aims at strategically bringing to the forefront, the agribusiness opportunity gaps of both regions and provide the desired tailor-made support and measurable solutions to bridge the gap, by negotiating and signing of short to long-term working agreements. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Co-Founder of Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber of Commerce (GNEBCham), expressed the Chambers commitment to scale-up its trade and facilitation works, by ensuring that, the GNEBCHAM members, are efficiently able transact, negotiate, signed deals, export and import from the USA, by embodying and fully leveraging on the African Growth and Opportunity Act. GNEBCHAM is currently working to ensure GNEBCHAM AGOA Desk is vibrant and operational, to support its members, in the expansion, growth and scale-up strategies. Last year, about twenty-two of GNEBCHAM members, participated in the Husker Harvest Days and the Trade and Investment Activity. This year, we have fifty (50) of our members participating. As of today, GNEBCHAM has over 100 pledged members, reflecting the strong interest and ambition to grow and transform our agricultural sector. This commitment is a testament to the vision of stakeholders who have taken up the mantle to improve agriculture for generations to come. Their dedication and collaborative efforts highlight both the Ghanaian and American shared goal of advancing the industry, ensuring sustainability and creating lasting positive impacts that will benefit future generations. Senator Ken Schilz, Co-Founder of GNEBCHAM expressed his delight about the increase in the business delegation for this year. Our focus is to ensure that, we are able to successfully create relations that sustains and strengthens the Ag infrastructure. I have personally met with most of our GNEBCHAM member companies, discussing and accessing their collective strengths and I remain confident, that we shall achieve our collective objectives. We are committed to raising the profile of agriculture, both in Ghana and Nebraska and if we are able to correctly do this, the GNEBCHAM will become a preeminent voice for the advancement of agriculture and demonstrate what is possible through strategic partnerships, Senator Schilz said. During the five (5) day Husker Harvest and the Trade and Investment Activity, GNEBCHAM Business delegates will be strategically positioned and engaged in focused business investment and negotiation dialogues, to sign business partnership and relationship deals. Some of the Business delegates will be accessing the possibilities of having their agro products on the shelves of Nebraska stores or creating a mini-Ghana space within the Grocery shops in Nebraska. Other delegates in the Educational sector will also be exploring the possibility of collaborating with Nebraska State Universities offering Agriculture, to introduce agribusiness educational modules and create partnerships for exchanges. Additionally, other business delegates who are exploring investment partnerships for grains ( soybeans), irrigation, seeds, beef, poultry imports, have been pencilled and matched with Nebraskan businesses within shared goals and similar fields. Delegates will be hosted to a welcome business and networking reception by state senators and businesses in Nebraska, have key meetings with the Nebraska State department of Agriculture and a reception with the Nebraska State Governor. Throughout the five (5) day business trip, delegates, will get to attend the Husker Harvest days, which is by far, the largest irrigated farm show, to experience the latest in agribusiness technology and learn from industry experts. The Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations (GNEBCham) is the International representative arm of selected Nebraska Senators, Farmers, Agribusinesses and subsidiaries voluntarily working together with their Ghanaian partners to create an environment where Agribusiness and Trade can thrive between Ghanaians and Nebraskans and beyond. GNEBCham aims to foster economic growth and strengthen trade ties by developing business markets among Ghanaian and Nebraskan value chain businesses. With a growing membership base of over 100 companies, GNEBCham aims at developing agribusiness trade ties and relationships, build bridges that strengthens the Agricultural infrastructure and drive economic growth. 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 Russia is withdrawing 100 of its paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to help in the war in Ukraine. They are part of about 300 soldiers from the Bear Brigade - a Russian private military company - who arrived in the West African nation in May to support the country's military junta. On its Telegram channel, the group said its forces would return home to support Russias defence against Ukraines recent offensive in the Kursk region. There are fears the pull-out could embolden Islamist insurgents in Burkina Faso, who recently killed up to 300 people in one of the biggest attacks in years. Burkina Faso has since 2015 suffered regular jihadist attacks, with more than two million people displaced in what aid groups call the worlds most neglected crisis. The junta under interim President Capt Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a coup in September 2022, promised to end the attacks but has struggled, even after seeking new security partnerships with Russia. With nearly half the country outside government control, jihadist groups are increasingly targeting civilians and military units. Survivors say up to 300 people were killed on Saturday in the northern town of Barsalogho, in an attack which was claimed by an al-Qaeda-linked armed group, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). They were reportedly civilians helping to dig trenches to help protect the town against jihadist attacks. The authorities have not said how many people were killed but Communication Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo called the attack barbaric. The Bear Brigade is said to be responsible for guarding senior Burkinabe officials, including Capt Traore, whose leadership has been threatened before. They arrived in the same month when gunshots were fired in the Burkinabe capital near the presidential palace, heightening speculation about growing opposition to the junta leader, who claimed to have thwarted a coup attempt last year. Videos which circulated on social media and reportedly confirmed by the group showed the Burkinabe military leader being guarded by men in uniforms featuring Russian flags. The group says it is guarding the Russian ambassador in Ouagadougou, the Burkina Faso capital. About 100 members of this specialised unit are set to leave the West African country, only three months after arriving 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 National Chairman for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has called on Traditional rulers, the clergy and all stakeholders in Ghanas fight for peace, to admonish the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, to do a peaceful handing over after the December 7 general elctions. According to the National Chairman, advising the President ahead of the eletions is very crucial in ensuring peace after the elections in December. During a campaign tour in Nsawam in the Eastern region, the Chiefs and clergy called on the NDC to ensure there is a very peaceful elections. In responding to the plea of the traditional rulers and the clergy, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah posited that the best person to be given the advice is President Akufo-Addo, who had earlier mentioned that he cannot hand over power to someone he has beaten twice in major elections. Asiedu Nketiah accused President Nana Akufo-Addo for allegedly fueling electoral violence and not acting on recommendations from a committee investigating such incidents. He stressed that preventing destabilization depends on Chiefs and Clergy holding the President accountable. He stated, If our nations leaders truly desire peace, I urge you to counsel the President to hand over power peacefully as his tenure comes to an end. He inherited a peaceful nation; let him ensure the same tranquility prevails when he departs. Respected traditional leaders (Nananom) and clergy, you possess significant influence. Speak the truth, and no politician will dare disobey you. Your words carry weight, and we implore you to use your authority to promote a peaceful transition, he added. 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 National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo has publicly accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) member of Parliament for the constituency, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, of killing her husband for power. Dumelo got furious by the chant of V8 V8 V8 V8 from supporters of his opponent during a heated TV3 community watch programme. Expressing his anger, he described the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources as a bloody widow who doesnt deserve to be in parliament. He also accused her of killing her husband to be a member of parliament. I want to say something. I can see their supporters have been mentioning V8, V8, V8. If that is the case, then it is also fair to say that maybe Lydia is the one who killed her husband to become MP. That is it because if they want to go that tangent, I can also go the same tangent. If they want to go that tangent, I will go the same tangent because this time around, it is boot for boot. "You cannot decide to be a bloody widow to be a Member of Parliament." The aspirating NDC MP said. Lydia killed her Husband to become MP - John Dumelo Your communication skills are very poor pic.twitter.com/ijLUqMfFgh Bongo Ideas (@bongo_tribe) August 28, 2024 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 Former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has reiterated that his next administration will abolish the double-track system in the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme. We will abolish the double track system so that all our children can go to school at the same time and vacate at the same time, Mr Mahama stated during the launch of the NDC Youth Manifesto on Monday, August 12. Also part of his manifesto is his promise to institute a 24-hour economy which he states will ensure a 3-shift system for businesses or workers to operate within 8-hour interval. Hospitality industry; our restaurants, our discotheques, our night clubs, our hotels , 24/7, 24 hours a day, Mahama cited. But DCE for Amansie South District, Lawyer Clement Opoku Gyamfi has punched holes in this 24-hour economy policy. Lawyer Clement Opoku Gyamfi, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, found it ridiculous that Mahama would promise to cancel the double track system which has 2 shifts aimed at facilitating the education of Ghanaian children but tells Ghanaians to vote for him to implement a three-shift system under his 24-hour economy. How on earth can someone who is promising to scrap a shift system which is even an intervention to curb school dropout, then you turn round and promise a three-shift system. You say two shifts is bad but three shifts now, to you, is better. If any shift is not good, why do you have to promise another shift?, he poked Mahama. 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 National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), Salam Mustapha, has disclosed that the popularity of the flagbearer of the party has skyrocketed than the popularity of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. According to him, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia exudes humility and that has endeared him to the heart of Ghanaians. Speaking in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' show, he explained that the flagbearer of the party also carries the message of the people and that his policies are one that will help accelerate the countrys development. In all our engagements with Ghanaians, they have come to believe that the vice president who is also the flagbearer of the party understands the needs of Ghanaians and that his policies will address the needs of Ghanaians which will intend to alleviate the hardships in the county. We understand that times are hard in the country but we will ensure that Ghanaians suffer no more when elected to steer the affairs of the country. He added that over the period, the NPP government despite the world pandemic that crippled the countrys economy, has worked hard enough to put the economy back on track and Dr. Bawumia is committed to ensuring that the country will not experience such hardship again. The Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been campaigning across the country to be elected president of the country. He has engaged with the various stakeholders which include traditional rulers, religious leaders, the youth, and the entire people on his vision and policies which are the bold steps that Ghana needs to take into the future. The policies include the establishment of a Minerals Development Bank, provision of license for small-scale miners, free tertiary education for persons living with disability, tax amnesty, flat rate at the ports, training of 1,000,000 youth in IT, harnessing of solar and wind power to reduce the high demand on electric energy, zero duty on solar panels, repositioning of Ghanas education towards STEM and AI, one student one laptop for tertiary students, among others. Watch Video Below Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) Salam Mustapha has disclosed that the manifesto of the National Democratic Congress is a dubbed version of the New Patriotic Party. According to him, most of the policies of the NDC were churn out of the manifesto of the NPP and it clearly showed that they copied. Speaking in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the NDC has nothing to provide for the country and can only fall on the good policies of the ruling New Patriotic Party. The New Patriotic Party has listened to Ghanaians and we know what they want. Their concerns were used in drafting the manifesto and we believe that it will help for the leadership and governance of Dr. Bawumia. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has swiftly responded to the claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggesting that the party has plagiarized their manifesto. The NDC stated that following the launch of their manifesto which has generated a lot of excitement in the country, it has sent cold shivers down the spine of the NPP, as a result of which they are making all sorts of comments which were untruths. Watch Video Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Massive calving of Tibetan antelope well guarded on "roof of world" Xinhua) 09:24, August 30, 2024 A Tibetan antelope is pictured in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua) LHASA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the Changtang National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, a slightly bloated female Tibetan antelope ran back and forth on the grass dozens of meters away from her herd, and then slowly lay down. She gave birth to a black-brown calf after six months of pregnancy. The umbilical cord was still attached and the calf could not yet stand. The mother quickly left the delivery spot, going about 100 meters away. After several minutes, the little one, covered in sand and gravel, staggered onto its hind legs, touching the grass with the tip of its black nose as if it were kissing the ground. The mother quickly returned to the calf and caressed its body with her tongue. This season of the year is the "season of life" on the northern Xizang plateau. Known as the "forbidden zone of life," it has extreme weather and fierce predators. It is also a refuge for rare wild animals such as Tibetan antelope, wild yaks and black-necked cranes, somewhere they can survive and reproduce. The reserve is home to 10 national first-level protected wild animals and 21 national second-level protected wild animals. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant antelope have migrated here, making the area around northern Xizang's Serwo snow mountain and Tianshui Bay (meaning "sweet water") China's largest Tibetan antelope "delivery room." Male Tibetan antelope guard the femle ones during their migration to their birth-giving ground in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup) "This season, almost all the females come here for calving," said Kalzang Lhundrup, head of the Norbu Yugyel wildlife conservation station in Nyima County. Norbu Yugyel, formerly a police officer at the local forest public security police station, sacrificed his life while apprehending poachers in Changtang in 2002. The station bears his name. "I have known about Norbu Yugyel since childhood. In the 1990s, he caught many poachers and confiscated hundreds of Tibetan antelope pelts," Kalzang Lhundrup said. "I grew up under his influence, and I wanted to keep protecting the Tibetan antelope," he added. For years, Kalzang Lhundrup and his colleagues have bravely endured extreme weather conditions, scarce supplies, a complete absence of phone and internet signals, and a lack of proper paved roads on which to conduct their lengthy, arduous patrols. Without signals and roads, their convoy relies on memory and tire tracks from previous patrols, while the uniquely shaped mountains serve as their guideposts. "Several bursts of snow can fall in a single day, even during summer, and we have to wait for the snow to stop before we can proceed," said Kalzang Lhundrup. Since 2015, 73 wildlife conservation stations have been set up in Changtang, with a total of 780 conservation officers, including 14 at Norbu Yugyel's station. The rangers at Mayil (meaning "mother" in Tibetan) station "adopted" three lost young Tibetan antelope last summer, feeding them with milk until they were old enough to be returned to nature. Female Tibetan antelope are on migration to their birth-giving ground in Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan) Norbu, one of the rangers, recalled an encounter with a pregnant antelope on the evening of June 14 near his patrol team's temporary camp. A wolf attacked her, cutting her belly open with its teeth. The antelope managed to escape, and ran to the camp using her last bit of strength. Due to its fear of humans, the pursuing wolf retreated. The antelope's internal organs were faintly visible through the abdominal wound, which Norbu skillfully cleansed with alcohol and slowly stitched up. As the antelope gradually regained movement, she licked Norbu's hand and struggled to her feet, slowly heading toward the horizon, where a flock of pregnant antelope were waiting for her as the sun set. "It snowed heavily that night. The next day, we found her body lying cold in the snow," Norbu said. "But at the same time we saw a large flock of pregnant antelope passing her, facing the sunrise, jumping over the ice and heading for the delivering ground." Over a decade ago, it took three days on horseback for the patrol team to reach Tianshui Bay. Without cameras or laptops, they could only make a rough estimate of the situation. However, Norbu said there were probably around 10,000 pregnant Tibetan antelope there at that time, while the number giving birth this year has exceeded 100,000. Official figures show that the population of Tibetan antelope in the region has grown to over 300,000, from about 70,000 in the 1990s. In the meantime, the central and regional governments have approved and implemented the plan and the law on ecological protection on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The dramatic recovery of the Tibetan antelope population is one of the most successful cases of human involvement in wildlife conservation, said 71-year-old zoologist Liu Wulin, who has been conducting research in the wilds of Xizang for more than 40 years. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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: If invasive speciessuch as the lionfish in the Atlanticare not a major problem in the respondents' countries, the respondents tended to underestimate their significance for biodiversity loss. Credit: Matthias Kleespies/Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt As far as the causes of global biodiversity loss are concerned, there are evidently perception gaps among students of environment-related subjects worldwide, as a survey conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt with more than 4,000 students from 37 countries has now shown. The gaps vary from country to country: In some countries, climate change tends to be underestimated as one of the causes of biodiversity loss, in others it is invasive species, and in yet others it is pollution. The survey also shows that country-specific indicators greatly influence the students' perception. Of the estimated 10 million, mostly still undiscovered species of flora and fauna on Earth, 1 million could become extinct in the next decades. This loss of biodiversity would have dramatic consequences, as animals and plants are providers of multiple services. They maintain ecosystems, ensure a more balanced climate on our planet, and supply us with food and active substances for medical drugs. Put bluntly, without biodiversity, we humans will not survive. That is why there is an urgent need for resolute political measures to counter the "sixth mass extinction" in Earth's history. One group of people who are particularly important are today's students of environment-related subjects. Many of them will foreseeably occupy influential positions in environmental policy and business in the futureand play a key role in deciding whether the global decline in biodiversity is combated effectively. But just how knowledgeable are the decision-makers of tomorrow? Are they capable of identifying the main causes of biodiversity for what they areand distinguishing them from factors that have no influence whatsoever on biodiversity? "Our study is the first to have examined these questions scientifically at the global level," says Dr. Matthias Kleespies from the Department of Didactics in the Biological Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt. The work is published in the journal npj Biodiversity. Together with other researchers in Frankfurt, Kleespies conducted an online survey among about 4,400 students on environment-related degree programs in 37 countries, who were given a questionnaire listing eight drivers of global biodiversity loss. These included the five actual causes: climate change (more and more droughts as well as other consequences of global warming), overexploitation (such as overfishing), habitat loss (for example through deforestation), displacement by invasive species, and pollution (air pollution, plastic waste, oil spills). The questionnaire additionally listed three factors that have little or no impact on biodiversity: electrosmog, factory and traffic noise, and the internet. The interviewees were asked to indicate the extent to which they thought the eight factors were responsible for the decline in biodiversity. The scale ranged from 1 (minor influence) to 5 (major influence). To analyze the completed questionnaires, the researchers used a special method that recognizes patterns in data. The outcome was eight different groups with clusters of specific, easily distinguishable response types. Representation of the response behavior of the eight different response types. Credit: npj Biodiversity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00057-3 Kleespies explains, "In response type 1, for example, all the main causes are recognized except for climate change. The students underestimate its influence on the decline in biodiversity." In type 2, on the other hand, pollution plays a subordinate role, and in type 7 invasive species. Type 3 is a special form in which all the main causes are underestimated and not even distinguished from irrelevant factors such as noise. "Fortunately, the number of such responses was comparatively low," says Kleespies. Overall, the eight response types occur with varying frequency in the countries under study. In the next step of the evaluation, the research team examined the background to the responses: What induces the different response types? Here, the researchers incorporated country-specific indicators: the country's CO 2 emissions as well as prosperity, environment and biodiversity indicators. Kleespies says, "We found that these indicators substantially influence student perception in the respective country." In response type 1, for example, climate change is underestimated as a driver. In countries with very high CO 2 emissionssuch as Russia, China and Saudi Arabiatype 1 occurs far more frequently. "Although our data cannot explain why this is the case, we suspect that the students in question in these countries are less aware. They do not learn at university that climate change, too, exacerbates biodiversity loss." Furthermore, it has to do with their own country's contribution to climate change. Perhaps people are not so ready to admit how extensive it is. In response type 2pollution as an underestimated factora correlation between the students' perception and country-specific indicators is also recognizable, but in a different form. In affluent countries with healthier ecosystemssuch as Australia, Sweden and Germanythe students underestimate the pollution factor more frequently. Pollution is presumably not generally perceived as a problem in these countries, assumes Kleespies, and therefore also not seen to be one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss. Response type 7, on the other hand, which greatly underestimates the influence of invasive species, is more widespread in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, where such species are less common. In Australia and Spain, by contrast, type 7 is rarealthough it is precisely there that invasive species present a major problem. What conclusions does Kleespies draw from the study? "It shows for the first time the vast gaps in perception among the next generation of decision-makers in the environmental sector as far as biodiversity loss and its causes are concerned. We need to close these gaps." This is where today's decision-makers at universities and in politics come into play. They must create the overall framework so that all the causes of this complex problem are treated in environmental studies at universities in the respective country. "Biodiversity loss affects us all; it is a global problem. That is why students on environment-related degree programs need to think globally, regardless of their country of origin." The study is an appeal in this direction. More information: Matthias Winfried Kleespies et al, Perceptions of biodiversity loss among future decision-makers in 37 countries, npj Biodiversity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00057-3 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: Jay Austin and members of his research team on R/V Blue Heron prep a meteorological buoy for deployment in western Lake Superior. Image credit: Cait Dettmann/MNSG. Credit: Minnesota Sea Grant For over 11 years Jay Austin and his research team at the University of Minnesota Duluth have carefully tended to a crop of bright-yellow meteorological buoys floating on Lake Superior. Each buoy captures real-time data used for weather forecasting, marine safety, commercial fishing charters, paddlers, swimmers, boaters, researchers and by anyone curious about the largest of the Great Lakes. "We want to understand how the lake and the atmosphere above it interact," said Austin, a physical limnologist (lake scientist) and professor of physics and astronomy at UMD. "Specifically, we want to understand how that interaction impacts the lake, and how it is changing over time." In May 2024, Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) joined Austin and his team to video their deployment of two buoys from the R/V Blue Heron. Their voyage was in the waters of Lake Superior near Duluth and was part of Austin's research project "Extending and Improving Observational Capacity on Lake Superior's Minnesota North Shore." Despite the name, meteorological buoys collect more than just weather data. And Austin's buoys aren't just collecting data from above the surface of the water. Austin's buoys sit about 8 feet above the water's surface. Each buoy is powered by a marine battery and a solar panel and each carries several sensors. The buoys themselves, each composed of a steel frame sitting atop a foam hull, are ordered from a buoy vendor, ready for Austin and his team to affix necessary equipment. The surface buoys are anchored to the lake bed with steel cables that are each attached to a 2,000-pound railcar wheel in about 160 feet of water. Each buoy gets a unique five-digit number assigned by the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), a nationwide repository of ocean and large lake data. Austin's buoys are LLO3 (#45027), LLO4 (#45028) and LLO5 (#45219). LLO3 floats in the vicinity of the water intake for Duluth's Lakewood Water Treatment Plant, several miles east of the Lester River, while LLO4 is anchored to the southeast and further from the coast to better capture offshore conditions. Austin and his team are very careful to not place buoys in shipping lanes. This helps to avoid conflicts with the millions of tons of cargo that move in and out of the Port of Duluth-Superior. Credit: Minnesota Sea Grant The above-water sensors measure air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and wave height. The below-water sensors collect data about water temperature at depths of 3, 5, and 10 meters (10, 16, and 33 feet) beneath the surface, and continue at 5-meter (16-foot) increments to the lakebed. Additional sensors capture biogeochemical parameters such as chlorophyll fluorescence that can be used to detect algal blooms. Useful information for anglers and swimmers Anglers are particularly interested in knowing the temperature of water at varying depths as it affects where different fish can be found, their activity levels, and how easy (or not) they are to catch. Subsurface temperature sensors on the buoys enable the research team to better understand aquatic phenomena such as upwelling, which is a process by which offshore winds push surface water away from the shore, which then allows cold lake water to rise up to the surface from beneath. Upwelling can cause the surface temperature of lake water to drop from a swimmable or paddleable 70 degrees F to a life-threatening and hypothermia-inducing 50 degrees F in only an hour. Austin's team deployed a third buoy (LLO5 #45219) in July 2024 near Two Harbors, Minnesota, at the request of the National Weather Service. This buoy is a scaled-down version of the LLO3 and LLO4 buoys. Surface buoys operate during the ice-free months of the year, generally being deployed in mid to late spring, before being recovered by Austin's team in mid to late fall. A meteorological buoy floats in western Lake Superior. Image credit: Cait Dettmann/MNSG. Credit: Minnesota Sea Grant "Winter is sort of a Holy Grail," Austin said. "There's a gap in seasonal knowledge." The knowledge gap results from being unable to use above-surface buoys during the winter months, as they are likely to be damaged by ice and there's insufficient solar activity needed to power the data-collecting sensors. Austin has a winter solution When Austin's team recovers the buoys in the fall, they will deploy an over-winter mooring with multiple temperature sensors. Unlike the surface buoys, the over-winter mooring bobs about 10 meters below the water's surface and can collect data through the winter. Data from the surface buoys are transmitted to Austin's lab at UMD every 10 minutes, using what is essentially a cell phone on each buoy. The data is quality checked and then sent to the National Data Buoy Center, Great Lakes Observing System and posted to the project website. Unusual observations To Austin, who has tended to these big buoys for over a decade, the most unusual data has been Lake Superior surface temperatures in the range of 70 degrees F. The lake has warmed one degree per decade since the 1980s, making it one of the fastest-warming lakes in the world. R/V Blue Heron docked in Duluth, MN. Image credit: University of Minnesota Duluth. Credit: University of Minnesota Duluth. Thanks to the solar radiation sensors aboard the buoys, Austin has been able to indirectly watch solar eclipses through observing the pronounced dip in solar radiation. Warmer surface water temperatures might be welcomed by swimmers, but a warming Lake Superior can contribute to summertime blue-green algal blooms, which scientists first observed on the lake in 2012. These blooms tend to occur in years when the water is warm, with Lake Superior's largest blooms occurring in 2012 and 2018 after large storms. "As conditions in Lake Superior continue to change as a result of climate change, strains of toxic cyanobacteria or blue-green algae may become established in Lake Superior along the shoreline near popular destinations," said Chris Filstrup, an applied limnologist and director of the Central Analytical Lab of UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute. Filstrup noted that the dominant cyanobacteria strains in Lake Superior can't produce toxins with known health implications, but said recent reports of detectable toxin concentrations in the St. Louis River Estuary suggest the possibility of toxic blooms in Lake Superior in the future. So after tending to buoys for over a decade, what excites Austin most about this latest project extension? "Continuity," he said. Each year of research yields a bumper crop of data that can help researchers and resource managers better understand change in the Great Lakes over time. 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 claw machine sits inside a metro station in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The Rio police press office said they were carrying out search warrants targeting claw machines because they are considered games of chance and therefore illegal. Credit: AP Photo/Hannah-Kathryn Valles 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. On Wednesday, Rio police 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 are games of chancejust like slot machinesand therefore illegal, according to their press office. Officers seized claw machines, laptops, tablets, cell phones, a firearm andyesfurry friends. They are investigating whether organized crime groups may be the invisible hand behind the claw because they already run slot machines and a popular lottery known as "Animal Game" across the city. Police in Brazil's southern Santa Catarina state carried out an additional three search warrants Wednesday as part of the same operation. It marked the second such police crackdown, following another in May during which officers apprehended 80 machines. Not only were those machines stocked with counterfeit plushies, but subsequent analysis of their programming found winning pulls were permitted only after a set number of attempts, police said in their statement Wednesday. Facilitating such sporadic, successful snags is an electrical current to the otherwise enfeebled claw so it holds fast to its prize, the statement said. That programming isn't disclosed to naive users, including children liable to blow their pocket money on what's effectively a crap shoot. Claw machines can be found in Rio's shopping malls, subway stations, supermarkets, arcades and toy stores. Among Rio's claw aficionados is Alessandra Libonatti, 41, who has played for nearly three decades. She remembers the machines causing a stir when they first appeared in the city; she had only seen them before in movies. These days she tends to play once a week, whether alone or at the mall with friends who share her "peculiar" hobby. She likes the low-investment adrenaline rush and, by her own account, she's a talented clawmaster who has honed her techniques to maximize success, from scouting the stuffed animal landscape to precise positioning of the claw. She treasures a manatee with jaguar spots that she pulled in on a trip to the nation's capital with friends. "When I pass by a machine, I give it a look to see if there's a stuffed animal that makes it worth it to play," she told The Associated Press. "Because it's not always worth it; sometimes it's clearly a waste of money." A claw machine stands at a toy store in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The Rio police press office said they were carrying out search warrants targeting claw machines because they are considered games of chance and therefore illegal. Credit: AP Photo/Hannah-Kathryn Valles 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. His ClawStruck YouTube channel shows how many different models work, he previously told the AP. He said odds should be posted prominently on machines for users to review. Most U.S. states consider claw machines games of chance and specifically exempt them from gambling statutes, as long as they comply with certain rules specific to those states. According to industry officials, it's in arcades' best interests to have customers win so they'll keep playing. But lately it's tough going for Rio's claw connoisseurs, Libonatti said. And she chalks that up to changes made to the machines that didn't escape her exacting eye. "The current machines are crap. The claws are weaker," she wrote in a text message to a friend in April, reviewed by the AP. "Amiga, yessssss!" her friend replied. "I went back to the machines where I always got (stuffed animals) in recent weeks and they're soooooo weak!" Local online media outlet G1 dubbed the phenomenon the "weak claw scam." The nearly 13,000 stuffed animals police detained in May were initially destined for destruction, but a request from state lawmakers found favor with a judge who spared them. Instead, police donated the plushies to families who lost their homes in the massive floods of southern Rio Grande do Sul state, particularly children in shelters. The fate of the stuffed animals seized Wednesday was still unclear. 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: An image of a male Anopheles coluzzii. Credit: Adam Blake A high-pitched buzzing sound in your ear is an unmistakable sign that a female mosquito is out on the huntfor they, not males, drink blood. Hearing that tone might make you turn to try to swat the pest. But for a male mosquito, that tone means it's time to mate. An international team led by researchers at the University of Washington has uncovered surprising details about mosquito mating, which could lead to improved malaria control techniques and even help develop precision drone flight. In a paper published Aug. 30 in the journal Current Biology, the team revealed that when a male Anopheles coluzzii mosquito hears the sound of female-specific wingbeats, his vision becomes active. Many mosquito species have relatively poor vision, and Anopheles coluzziia major spreader of malaria in Africais no exception. But the team found that when a male hears the telltale buzz of female flight, his eyes "activate" and he visually scans the immediate vicinity for a potential mate. Even in a busy, crowded swarm of amorous mosquitoes, which is how A. coluzzii mates, the researchers found that the male can visually lock on to his target. He then speeds up and zooms deftly through the swarmand avoids colliding with others. "We have discovered this incredibly strong association in male mosquitoes when they are seeking out a mate: They hear the sound of wingbeats at a specific frequencythe kind that females makeand that stimulus engages the visual system," said lead author Saumya Gupta, a UW postdoctoral researcher in biology. "It shows the complex interplay at work between different mosquito sensory systems." An image of swarming Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. Credit: Simon Sawadogo This strong link between males hearing the female-like buzz and moving toward an object in their field of vision may open up a new route for mosquito control: a new generation of traps specific to the Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria. "This sound is so attractive to males that it causes them to steer toward what they think might be the source, be it an actual female or, perhaps, a mosquito trap," said senior author Jeffrey Riffell, a UW professor of biology. Like most Anopheles species, Anopheles coluzzii mate in large swarms at sunset. The bulk of the bugs in these swarms are males, with only a few females. To human eyes, the swarms may appear chaotic. Mosquitoes of both sexes rapidly zip past each other. Males must use their senses to both avoid collision and find a rare female. Gupta, Riffell and their colleaguesincluding scientists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, the Health Sciences Research Institute in Burkina Faso, and the University of Montpelier in Francewanted to understand the interplay between mosquitoes' senses and how they work together in these swarms. To test the flight behavior of individual male mosquitoes, they built a miniature arena that uses a curved, pixelated screen to mimic the visual chaos of a swarm. The arena is essentially a mosquito flight simulator. In it, the mosquito test subject, which is tethered and cannot freely move, can still see, smell and hear, and also beat its wings as if it is in flight. In arena tests with dozens of male Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes, the researchers discovered that males responded differently to an object in their field of vision based on what sound the researchers broadcast into the arena. An image of a male Anopheles coluzzii. Credit: Adam Blake The flight simulator arena used to test an individual mosquito. The lights within it appear as different visual objects to a tethered individual. Credit: Saumya Gupta The flight simulator arena used to test an individual mosquito. The lights within it appear as different visual objects to a tethered individual. Credit: Saumya Gupta If they played to a tone at 450 hertzthe frequency at which female mosquito wings beat in these swarmsmales steered toward the object. But males did not try to turn toward the object if the researchers played a tone at 700 hertz, which is closer to the frequency at which their fellow males beat their wings. The mosquito's perceived distance to the object also mattered. If the simulated object appeared more than three body lengths away, he would not turn toward it, even in the presence of female-like flight tones. "The resolving power of the mosquito eye is about 1,000-fold less than the resolving power of the human eye," said Riffell. "Mosquitoes tend to use vision for more passive behaviors, like avoiding other objects and controlling their position." In addition to their dramatic response to objects when hearing female flight tones, arena experiments revealed that males made a different set of subtle flight adjustments to other objects. They modified their wingbeat amplitude and frequency in response to an object in their field of view, even with no wingbeat sounds piped in through the speaker. The team hypothesized that these visually driven responses may be preparatory maneuvers to avoid an object. To learn more, they filmed male-only swarms in the laboratory. Analyses of those movements showed that males accelerated away when they neared another male. "We believe our results indicate that males use close-range visual cues for collision avoidance within swarms," said Gupta. "However, hearing female flight tones appears to dramatically alter their behavior, suggesting the importance of integrating sound and visual information." This research may demonstrate a new method for mosquito control by targeting how mosquitoes integrate auditory and visual cues. The males' strong and consistent attraction to visual cues when they hear the female buzz may be a vulnerability that researchers can utilize while designing the next generation of mosquito traps particularly traps for the Anopheles species, which are a major spreader of malaria pathogens. "Mosquito swarms are a popular target for mosquito control efforts, because it really leads to a strong reduction in biting overall," said Riffell. "But today's measures, like insecticides, are increasingly less effective as mosquitoes evolve resistance. We need new approaches, like lures or traps, which will draw in mosquitoes with high fidelity." 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: Chemistry A European Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400182 Harmeet Bhoday, a Missouri S&T Ph.D. student in chemistry from Chandigarh, India, was the lead author of an article titled "Perfect Polar Alignment of Parallel Beloamphiphile Layers: Improved Structural Design Bias Realized in Ferroelectric Crystals of the Novel Methoxyphenyl Series of Acetophenone Azines." Journal editors selected the article as a cover feature of ChemistryA European Journal. The research was also featured in "Hot Topic: Crystal Engineering." Bhoday wrote the article with Dr. Nathan Knotts, a graduate of the University of Missouri, and Dr. Rainer Glaser, professor of chemistry at S&T. "The focal point of our research has been the design of polar crystalline solids of pure molecular materials for nonlinear optics," says Bhoday. "Rather than merely seeking these crystals, we wanted to design organics and dipeptides that would want to crystallize with supramolecular architectures." The team first tried to design molecules that would encourage strong lateral attractive interactions between side-by-side molecules, but then discovered that they could go further and deliberately discourage the dipole antiparallel-alignment of polar materials for better performance. The research group has described the successful synthesis of four representatives of a new "methoxyphenyl series" of acetophenone azines. "This study resulted in exciting insights about intra- and interlayer interactions," says Bhoday. "The interplay between intralayer and interlayer intermolecular interactions is challenging, and finding the right balance is permanently on our mind and the subject of extensive computational theorizing." Bhoday says that thanks to the research, for the first time, it is now possible to establish experimental structure-function relations for the nonlinear optics activity of ferroelectric molecular crystals. More information: Harmeet Bhoday et al, Perfect Polar Alignment of Parallel Beloamphiphile Layers: Improved Structural Design Bias Realized in Ferroelectric Crystals of the Novel "Methoxyphenyl Series of Acetophenone Azines", ChemistryA European Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400182 Journal information: Chemistry A European Journal 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 When it comes to financial reporting, how much information is too much? Public companies in the U.S. file reports every three months to comply with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Some critics think that's too often, arguing it focuses companies too much on short-term financial results and too little on long-term efforts such as research and development. In 2013, the European Union abolished the quarterly requirement. The SEC considered a similar move in 2018, although the agency ultimately rejected it. But new research from Yong Yu, professor of accounting at Texas McCombs, presents evidence for keeping corporate reports quarterly. It finds that more frequent reporting aids investors. When companies report financial results more often, he finds: The added information helps investors better predict future earnings and more efficiently determine a stock's price. Companies make additional voluntary disclosures. "There is a benefit for more frequent reporting," says Yu. "It provides more information to the investors so the stock price can be more efficient." Making switches Yualong with Jenna D'Adduzio of the University of British Columbia, David Koo of George Mason University, and Santhosh Ramalingegowda of the University of Georgiaset out to see whether data could help settle the frequency debate. The data covered a period from 1954 through 1972, during which several waves of U.S. companies switched from reporting once or twice a year to reporting quarterly. Some did so because of SEC mandates and some because of pressure from the American Stock Exchange. The researchers did a before-and-after comparison, pairing 201 companies that switched to more frequent reporting with a control group of companies that already reported more often. For each company, they measured how closely current stock returns correlated with future earnings. Before the switch, the first group of companies' returns were 36% less predictive of long-term future earnings than returns in the control group. After the switch, after companies started reporting more often, their returns became better correlated. They were only 7% less predictive than those in the control group. In other words, Yu says, their investors did a better job of forecasting long-term future earnings and incorporating them into current stock prices. More is better, to a point The findings have practical implications for SEC policymakers and investors, alike, Yu says. Investors should be reassured that when it comes to financial reporting, more does seem to be beneficial in terms of providing information. Policymakers should balance the benefit to investors of frequent reporting against the higher cost to companiesespecially to smaller businessesas well as worries about focusing excessively on short-term results. One option, he suggests, could be to allow different frequencies for different kinds of companies. The SEC could relax reporting requirements for smaller companies, or those in more volatile industries, while keeping the requirement of more frequent reporting for others. Says Yu, "Maybe somewhere in between is really the best that policymakers can do." The findings are published in the journal Accounting Horizons. More information: Jenna D'Adduzio et al, Does More Frequent Financial Reporting Bring the Future Forward?, Accounting Horizons (2024). DOI: 10.2308/HORIZONS-2022-030 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: Robsonomyia baltica sp. nov. (NHMD-300551): (A) male (holotype No NHMD-300551a); (B) amber piece with position of male; (C) female (paratype No NHMD-300551b); (D) female (paratype No NHMD-300551c); (E) amber piece with position of females. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59448-y A Danish amber collector's find upon a wild North Sea shore in the 1960's has proved to be of great and surprising significance. After having thoroughly examined the roughly 40-million-year-old piece of amber, University of Copenhagen researchers have discovered it to contain the first fossil of a predatory fungus gnat belonging to a rare genus. The research contributes new knowledge about the distribution of the gnat species and about biodiversity across space and time. The research is published in the journal Scientific Reports. Are you fed up with the summertime onslaught of fruit flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other tiny winged insects? If so, be happy that you weren't around 40 million years ago. Back then, Europe's climate was warmer and more humid, which provided favorable conditions for gnats, among other things. One of these gnats, which met its end after being trapped in a lump of pine resin, has given researchers from the Natural History Museum of Denmark the opportunity to add a new prehistoric gnat species to its family of insects. This first fossil of a rare and never before studied species of gnat, Robsonomyia henningseni, was found in a piece of Baltic amber along Denmark's North Sea coast in the 1960's. For decades, the piece had been tucked away in the museum's 70,000-piece amber collection. Recently, it was retrieved from the drawers and subjected to a thorough examination by a team of Polish entomologists. The insect specialists were able to identify the gnat as an extinct species from a rare genus of predatory gnats. Today, living species of the genus are only found in Hokkaido, Japan and California. "This is the first time that anyone has found a fossil gnat of this genus, which were only thought to live in Japan and North America. The finding demonstrates that this type of gnat was also widespread in Europe during past climates and gives us new knowledge about the gnat's distribution on Earth," explains Alicja Peczynska, a Ph.D. student at the University of odz and University of Copenhagen, who conducted the description of the gnat. The researchers believe that the ancient gnat is a kind of "missing link" that connects its two rare and still living relatives in Japan and the United States. The overland distance between the living species has puzzled researchers, but the new fossil demonstrates that the species' path may have traversed the European continent. "Until now, the distribution of this genus of gnat has been strange, with many thousands of kilometers between species. Therefore, it makes sense to have found it in Europe, which is approximately halfway between Japan and North America," says Peczynska. Robsonomyia baltica sp. nov. (NHMD-300551c): (A) head (abbreviations: oc = ocelli; scl c = cerebral sclerite; scl oc = ocellar sclerite; memb = membranous area; fr = frons). Robsonomyia baltica sp. nov. (NHMD-300551b): (B) head in lateral view; (C) antennae (abbreviations: scp = scapus, ped = pedicel, flag = flagellum); (D) palpi; (E) wing; (F) wing venation (abbreviations: Sc = subcostal vein; h = humeral cross-vein; Rb = radio-basal vein; Rs = radial sector; R1 = anterior branch of radius; R2+3+4+5 = third branch of radius; frm = radio-medial fusion; m-cu = medial cubital crossvein; M1+2 = stem of media; M1 = first branch of media; M2 = second branch of media; M3+4 = fourth branch of media; Cu = cubital vein; A1 = first branch of anal vein). Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59448-y C.V. HenningsenDanish amber collector and gnat namesake To learn more about the amber-entombed gnat, the researchers began by polishing the ocean and sun-matted amber piece until it was glossy and transparent. Once transparent, they used an advanced camera and spectrometer to take a chemical fingerprint of the amber. This confirmed that the piece is from Baltic amber. Thereafter, they examined the fossil and determined the species of insect. This part of the process took place by closely studying the males' genitalia, where identifying characteristics often vary. "Insects mate end to end, which places certain demands on their genitalia. The male has appendages, or forceps, next to the actual penis, which it uses to grasp the female gnat with while mating. We used the shape of these forceps to identify it," explains Lars Vilhelmsen, an associate professor and curator at the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Based on the analysis, the researchers estimate that the gnat buzzed about in the enormous pine forests of what we now know as Scandinavia some 3540 million years ago. Here, the gnat became trapped in a lump of resin upon a tree, which rivers, ocean currents and glaciers of the last ice age carried to the North Sea. "An amber collector by the name of C.V. Henningsen found the piece of amber on the western coast of Jutland back in the 1960's. Henningsen sold the piece, along with the rest of his collection, to the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Since the gnat species had never been described before, we named it after him, and it is now known as Robsonomyia henningseni," says Vilhelmsen. Unlike in Jurassic Park, there's no DNA Amber is an outstanding natural time capsule for scientists. With its protective lamination, it preserves ancient insects and plant remains and lets us learn about what Earth looked like up to 230 million years ago. But if released from its amber encasing, the insect will disappear. According to Vilhelmsen, there is no blood or DNA to suck out of the gnats so as to reanimate them in any way, as is done in the Jurassic Park films. "Virtually all of the organic material in the gnat has long since decomposed, making it a hollow shell. If one tries to remove it from the amber, it crumbles. As such, the best thing we can do is to study it inside the amber. Insects trapped in amber can be studied almost as precisely as their living relatives using microCT scans," explains Vilhelmsen. The new discovery of the gnat fossil equips researchers with new knowledge about the general migrations of gnats across Earth and contributes to the larger picture of biodiversity through time. More information: Alicja Peczynska et al, Eocene amber provides the first fossil record and bridges distributional gap in the rare genus Robsonomyia (Diptera: Keroplatidae), Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59448-y Journal information: Scientific Reports This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Einstein's theory of relativity is based on two assumptions, or postulates. The first is that the laws of physics look the same to everyone traveling in a straight line with no acceleration. Einstein took this idea from the Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz, who, in the late 1800s, presented a theory of electrodynamics with this property, giving rise to the notion of an "inertial frame of reference"the coordinates used by a butcher, baker or candlestick maker when they move in a straight line in a vacuum, relative to one another, possibly with different velocities. This assumed equivalency is called "Lorentz invariance." The second assumption is that the speed of light will be measured as the same by anyone in an inertial reference frame. No matter how fast one is moving or in what direction (in a vacuum), light will be seen approaching at a speed of "c," just under 300,000 kilometers per second, with the same speed seen if it passes by. Even if the baker is moving at 0.99999 percent of the speed of light relative to the butcher, both measure light to have a speed of "c." (Yes, that's not at all intuitive.) Physicists have been keen to test Lorentz invariance ever since. It strictly holds in all experiments done to date. Now, a group from China has looked at the most powerful gamma ray burst ever seen and found that the photons it emitted at the same time arrived at their telescope at the same time, even if they had different frequencies. From this result, the lower energy limit where quantum gravity appears has been raised five-fold. Their work has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters. Interest in Lorentz invariance has picked up in recent years as some theories of quantum gravity predict that for high-energy photons, the vacuum does not appear empty but as a nonempty medium. This prediction, when it occurs in a quantum gravity theory, occurs near the Planck scale of about 1019 billion electron-volts, where it is expected that spacetime itself might need to be treated according to the rules of quantum mechanics. Does Lorentz invariance hold even at such enormous energies, or do the laws of physics start to look different there for different inertial reference frames? What is a gamma ray burst? Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center To test this, a research group from the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in China looked at the afterglow of the brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed, 221009A. This GRB, discovered in 2022 and lasting just over 10 seconds, but observable for 10 hours after detection, was in a distant galaxy 2.4 billion light-years away, meaning its highly energetic gamma rays had taken 2.4 billion years to arrive at Earth. A violation of Lorentz invariance would appear if the light of different frequencies arrived at Earth at different times, meaning they had different speeds when traveling through the long vacuum from there to here. This phenomenon is called "photon dispersion," and it's seen when light travels through materials like water or glass, but so far, it has never been detected in a vacuum. The research team used data collected from the October 9, 2022 gamma-ray burst recorded at the Observatory in Sichuan, China, 4,410 meters above sea level. Gamma-ray observatories in orbit were first triggered by the initial lower energy photons, and LHAASO happened to be pointed in the right direction to measure the burst's "afterglow" of high-energy photons. Within 100 minutes after the 221009A trigger, their Water Cherenkov Detector Array measured more than 64,000 photons with energies up to 7 trillion electron-volts. Over its short lifetime, the GRB was estimated to release as much energy as the entire Milky Way galaxy does in 500 million years. The peak intensity from the GRB occurred about four minutes after its trigger. To examine any signs of a violation of Lorentz invariance, the group used two methods: measuring the time delays between 10 gamma-ray energy bands, with each band containing TeV-scale photons, and extracting energy-dependent arrival-time delays from the data. Their analysis found no statistically significant violations of Lorentz invarianceno significant time delays of the GRB photons with different frequencies. (By the Planck relation, frequency is proportional to energy.) From this lack of photon dispersion, they obtained two lower limits on the energy where quantum gravity effects might appear, one the same as seen in previous GRB observations, and the second raising the previous lower limit by a factor of five for inertial reference frames traveling below the speed of light. They conclude, "Future observations of very high energy prompt [quick] emission instead of afterglow from GRBs would further enhance sensitivity to Lorentz invariance using time-of-flight tests." These limits could be raised even higher if the initial stage of a future GRB is similarly examined. 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: A team of biologists in the U.K. and Canada has found that at least one type of bird has its own distinct nest building style. In their study, published in the journal Science, the group conducted a two-year study of nest-building by sparrow weavers in the Kalahari Desert. Prior research has shown that different bird species and groups have their own unique singing stylessome also have their own migration and foraging styles, as well. In this new effort, the research team has found that at least one type of bird has groups with their own unique nesting strategies. The work involved studying white-browed sparrow weavers for two years, watching and taping them as they built their nests and measuring the results. They chose the species because the birds are known to build multiple single-occupancy nests, all from grass, throughout a given year, providing a lot of observational opportunities. The birds are also known to be a social speciesthey help each other build their nests together in roosts. The researchers observed up to eight birds working together to build a single nest. In all, the team watched as 43 groups built almost 450 nests. They noted that the groups lived in the same general area and had similar habitat conditions and genetics. In studying the nests, the researchers found patterns among groupssome built short and thick nests, for example, while others built their nests with long, elaborate entrances and exit tunnels. The differences were seen in subsequent nests built over time by birds in the same groups, demonstrating that the style differences were not due to chance. The researchers also found no evidence of natural variables such as wind or temperature variation that could account for the differences. The research team suggests that at least some of the differences in nest-building were passed down across generations, demonstrating transmission behavior that was not genetic in nature. More information: Maria C. Tello-Ramos et al, Architectural traditions in the structures built by cooperative weaver birds, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adn2573 Journal information: Science 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: Badland in the arid Bardenas Reales natural park, Navarre, Spain. Credit: Javier Flores Murillo Nearly half of the world's land surface is now classified as drylands and these areas are accelerating their own proliferation, according to new research. The findings, published August 29 in the journal Science, show around 45% of global land surface comprises deserts, shrublands, grasslands, and savanna woodlands. A chief characteristic of these regions is water scarcity, which significantly affects natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes, including agriculture, forestry and livestock production. While it has long been known that climate change and land management practices contribute to dryland expansion, the results revealed a surprising factor: drylands themselves are accelerating their own spread. Climate scientists at the University of Bristol collaborated on the study, led by Ghent University, in Belgium, with experts at Cardiff University and ETH Zurich. Co-author Katerina Michaelides, Professor of Dryland Hydrology, said, "Drylands occupy more than 40% of the global land surface and are characterized by water scarcity resulting from low precipitation and high atmospheric water demand. "However, climate change is exacerbating atmospheric drying in these regions, leading to further terrestrial water loss through evaporation and driving the global expansion of drylands, transforming humid regions into more arid environments." In this new study, researchers quantified the process of dryland self-expansion by analyzing the sources of precipitation and heat over newly expanded drylands. By tracking air movements over these regions over the past 40 years, the team was able to calculate, for the first time, how much of the rainfall deficits and increased atmospheric water demand contributing to dryland expansion could be attributed to existing drylands. "Out of the approximately 5.2 million square kilometers of humid land that transitioned into dryland over the past four decades, more than 40% of the change was due to dryland self-expansion," said lead author Dr. Akash Koppa, Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Hydro-Climate Extremes Lab (H-CEL), Ghent University. The study found that drying soils in existing drylands release less moisture and more heat into the atmosphere, leading to reduced rainfall and increased atmospheric water demand in downwind humid regions. Over time, this process can cause these humid areas to gradually become drylands themselves. In regions such as Australia and Eurasia, self-expansion has been identified as the primary driver of dryland spread. Dr. Koppa added, "As we continue to move towards a warmer and potentially drier future, the phenomenon of dryland self-propagation could accelerate, posing significant risks to human livelihoods, ecosystems, and socio-economic stability globally." The study also highlights the regions' most vulnerable to further dryland expansion and underscores the urgent need for climate change mitigation and sustainable land management practices. By quantifying the impact of distant vegetation responses on dryland expansion, the research emphasizes the importance of coordinated ecosystem conservation efforts in existing drylands. The team is currently focused on developing land-based adaptation strategies to prevent drought and heat propagation. More information: Akash Koppa et al, Dryland self-expansion enabled by landatmosphere feedbacks, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adn6833 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Cumulative occurrence of four extreme heat measures, 20072016. Borough abbreviations: BXThe Bronx; BKBrooklyn; MNManhattan; QNQueens; SIStaten Island. Credit: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2024.103014 In a revealing piece of research coauthored by a Singapore Management University academic, public policies to ease urban heat in one of the largest first world cities have seen price gaps emerge between homes in cooler and hotter areas, with lower-income residents choosing to live in the latter, cheaper neighborhoods. What this means, SMU Assistant Professor of Economics (Education) Eric Fesselmeyer tells the university's Office of Research, is that the poorer demographic of New York City (NYC), US, are preferring to suffer rising mercury levels in return for more disposable income, even if government policies are typically aimed at helping vulnerable areas. "With NYC, we found that people adjust to the heat in peculiar ways," he says of the research paper "Urban heat and within-city residential sorting," which he wrote alongside Associate Professor Stefan Borsky, University of Graz, Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change, and Dr. Lennert Vogelsang, then also of the University of Graz. The research is published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. "When they have money, they live in areas that cost more. The poorer demographic makes this trade-off to have money left over for other things. That's a choice they're making but they may not realize the long-term consequences behind it." These may range from education, with children less able to focus on their studies in the heat, to health and economic productivity. The paper highlights the "challenge that policymakers often encounter in adaptation planning for urban heat," including investments to alleviate heat like installing vegetation cover as well as reflective roofing and paving. Apart from being one of the developed world's most populous cities with roughly 8.5 million residents, NYC also launched the US$106 million Cool Neighborhoods NYC project in 2017 and before that, plans to plant millions more trees in the city. Further, says Professor Fesselmeyeran American who grew up in the NYC suburbsthe city provides good data sets that facilitate climate change studies. As the research also notes, the study provides evidence on environmental consequences on a local scalewhere "physical and psychological moving costs are relatively low"since there is already a trend of Americans basing themselves further away in other cities that are cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Unintended consequences In one part of the research, the authors simulate situations where, after implementing cooling measures, temperatures in poorer areas are reduced by one degree Fahrenheit (F), or 0.56 degree Celsius, and two degrees F. These measures include coating suitable rooftops and pavements with a reflective color, and planting trees. They then calculate welfare implications by determining expected household utility under the simulated conditions in dollar terms. The result? When temperatures fall by one degree F, higher-income households are predicted to gain between US$27 and US$81 annually in welfare utility, which is understood as the perceived value associated with a particular good or service; those at the other end may lose up to US$372. The two-degree F scenario predicts a similar trend on a bigger scale: higher- and lower-income demographics may gain and lose up to US$145 and US$635 respectively. "[H]ousing prices will change, leading to re-sorting of households, and unanticipated changes in household welfare," the paper notes, even if public heat-reduction programs are particularly focused on vulnerable neighborhoods. It caveats however, that its findings assume uniformity in factors such as preferences and income. Also, it does not factor in what the NYC government may choose to do to counteract "undesirable re-sorting," for example, by launching information campaigns or measures to reduce anticipated changes in welfare. Another assumption, the paper points out, is that poorer households may use the extra income left over from choosing to live in cheaper, hotter areas to, for example, spend on more air conditioning. Still, in this instance at least, NYC data shows that air-conditioning rates remain tied to income, with more affluent households using more of it. Subsidized air conditioning, investing in human capital? Not surprisingly, Professor Fesselmeyer cannot see a straight path to striking the perfect balance between public policies to combat rising temperatures, and the market economy. And the situation is far from abating: an end-June 2024 report from the International Institute for Environment and Development shows that over the past 30 years, the world's most populous capital cities posted a 52% rise in the number of days hitting 35 degree Celsius. Governments could subsidize air conditioning bills for example, the climate economist says, but that has undesirable side-effects. As a United Nations report notes, additional air conditioning could see the world use more than twice the electricity it does now to stay cool. That is to say, even more greenhouse gases would be produced to exacerbate rising heat. "We can also invest in human capital by, for example, educating children through schools on how to help protect the environment, or the general populace through public campaigns," Professor Fesselmeyer tells the Office of Research. "Singapore does this very well because mainly, we pretty much all agree that climate change has a negative effect on us. This means public policies to help with heat are already popular." The Lion City, he adds, invests substantially on research and academics like him are often called up for advice. For example, the government is looking into replacing existing air conditioners with larger, more advanced units that are greener to operate, "while its urban planning incorporates many forms of green technology." "The government here sees the value in using research to guide policy," he says. "It isn't like this everywhere. In certain places, the government even denies climate change, in spite of all the science on how climate change is really man-made." More information: Stefan Borsky et al, Urban heat and within-city residential sorting, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2024.103014 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: In Australia there are with fewer than 3% of men in the early childhood education workforce. Credit: UniSA Step into any early childhood education center, and you'll encounter a whirlwind of activity: colorful art, energetic play and caring educators shaping young minds. But amid the vibrancy, there's something often missing male educators. The lack of male caregivers and educators is a longstanding issue, both locally and around the world. Yet in Australia, it's early childhood education that's most affected, with fewer than 3% of men in this workforce. It's a dismal statistic, and despite increasing awareness of the importance of both men and women taking on and being seen in caring roles, most early learning centers and preschools do not have a male educator or teacher. UniSA education expert Dr. Martyn Mills-Bayne says that fighting for gender diversity in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is vital for children's development. "The first five years of a child's life are critical for their development," Dr. Mills-Bayne says. "This is when a child learns about their emotions, how they think, and how they communicate and connect with others. "A core part of this is ensuring that young children are cared for by healthy and positive role modelswhich includes both men and women. "But with men vastly underrepresented in childcare and early education settings, young children are missing out. "Young children benefit enormously from male teachers and caregivers in early childhood settings, and when young children are cared for by both men and women, we're showing children that all genders matter, and that 'caring' and 'being kind' are valued across genders." Breaking down outdated stereotypes is key to a well-functioning society in which all peopleregardless of genderhave equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. However, reports show there is still a long way to go to achieving this. Some professions becoming even more female-dominated Gender segregation is entrenched across many critical professions in Australia, with caring roles typically occupied by women, and labor-intensive roles held by men. But while there's a general belief that gender diversity is improving, statistics show the opposite is happening in some fields. Over the past 30 years, childcare workers and primary school teachers have become even more female-dominated and are now in the top five most gender-segregated careers. So, what can be done? The starting point, perhaps, is advocacy. Earlier this year, a group of prominent early childhood experts, including Dr. Mills-Bayne, launched a national strategythe Thrive by Five Dad's Alliance Action Planto help fathers to take a more active role in their children's lives. The initiative aims for men to be more present and active in their children's lives in their first five years, as well as for more male caregivers and educators to be in early learning and childcare professions. Director of Thrive by Five Jay Weatherill AO, says the Dad's Action Plan intends to bring about huge change to young children's live by addressing outdated stereotypes. "Every child should have the right to thrive by five," Weatherill says. "An essential part of that is to ensure we have a high-quality childcare, early learning and education system. "Involving men in early childhood education settings is very important for both young boys and young girls to see that a nurturing role can be undertaken by a male. "That's going to be important not only for their experiences and relationships that they form in life, but also a more inclusive society." Inclusivity and increased diversity among early childhood educators lets children interact with a wider range of adults who better reflect society. Men are vastly underrepresented in childcare and early education settings. Credit: UniSA Boys need to see that caring is not the role of any particular gender Dr. Mills-Bayne says when children see adults who look like them, it encourages them to feel good about who they are, and where they fit into the world. "You can't be what you can't see," Dr. Mills-Bayne says. "When young boys don't see men in early education or caregiver roles, that is until upper primary or even high school, they inherently learn that men do not belong in such roles, which only adds to a cycle of gender segregation. "Gender diversity is important for young childrenparticularly young boys. When early childhood education embraces a gender diverse workforce, young children experience rich and nurturing relationships with different genders, as well as the day-to-day interactions between men, women, and non-binary educators that they might otherwise miss out on. "Young children deserve access to a diverse early childhood education and care workforce where they can see their identities reflected daily. "When it comes down to it, quality teaching is quality teachingwe need both male and female teachers and caregiversbut with men represented so poorly across early childhood education and care, something must change." Reception teacher 'Mr. Luke' tackles stereotypes One individual who is challenging the status quo is South Australian Reception teacher and UniSA graduate, Luke Springer. Known for his infectious energy and enthusiasm, both in the classroom and on his popular social media platforms, 'Mr. Luke' is breaking barriers on many levels. "Teaching is so enjoyableI wake up every day and love what I do," Springer says. "I love that every day is different and that I get to make a positive impact on these tiny humans, my little legends. "I have a lot of fun teaching little ones. I consider my little people real spongesthey just consume everything around them. They have such interest in everything we put forward and a real desire to learn to navigate the world. "But at the same time, I want to be able to show my students that males can be caring and that males can be in that positive nurturing role. "It's really important for my students to see males like me show emotion, or have long hair, or paint my nailssimply because I like to. And it's empowering for a child to make that connection and go, "Oh, it's ok if I have long hair, because Luke has long hair'; I didn't realize representation was this powerful." While "Mr. Luke' successfully asserts his individuality in the classroom, the power to employ male teachers resides in leadershipboth within the early childhood and education sector, and across government. In May, Australian Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the incredible value of education to Australia. "Education is the single most powerful weapon we have against disadvantage," he said in a Public Education Day address. "And it's the single best investment we can make in our nation's future." Now, with the South Australian 202425 Budget investing $715 million over five years to implement universal 3-year-old preschool and other key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, there is scope to target underrepresented groups in the Early Childhood Education and Care workforce. UniSA early childhood teacher, graduate and executive director of early education and care service Yawarra Children's Services, Diamond Sinanis is an avid supporter of male caregivers and teachers. "For me, it was really important to employ males, as I wanted the children in my centers to look up to both men and women," Sinanis says. "Children tend to idolize the people that they're surrounded by. We all mix with males and females, so why shouldn't young children experience the same in day care? "The male educators and teachers that I have at both of my sites are fantastic. Each of them has built absolutely incredible relationships with the children and their families, and they add a great energy and sense of fun." While support for male teachers in early childhood education and care is clear, the struggle to recruit them to the sector persists. This is exacerbated by a national teacher shortage. Dr. Mills-Bayne says that by increasing the gender diversity of the early childhood education and care workforce, "we can create inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of all children and provide clear examples of positive male involvement in children's lives." "But attracting and retaining men to the sector requires proactive intervention and targeted investment, both nationally and around the world," he says. Action needed to attract men to early childhood education and care "The lack of male early childhood educators is a global issue. Right now, we're collaborating with international partners to build a shared vision of a more gender diverse early childhood education and care workforce, but rather than just talking about the issues, we need to start acting on them." To make sustainable change, the sector requires targeted funding. "We need more resources to promote the benefits of males in early childhood education and care so that we can encourage men to pursue careers in this field," Dr. Mills-Bayne says. "And instead of enveloping men in overarching initiatives that address teaching as a whole, we need messages that are explicitly targeted at men. "Developing male-focused campaigns that show the early childhood education and care profession to be rewarding, fun, and above all, a valid and valuable profession for men, is vital if we are to instigate real change. "Investment is key. We must establish scholarships and grants that target men who may be interested in pursuing Initial Teacher Education degrees, or VET certifications in early childhood education, to help reduce financial barriers and increase accessibility. "We also need to invest in professional development programs to provide ongoing support and mentorship for male educators already teaching in the sector, enabling them to thrive in their current teaching roles. "And we need to allocate research funding to better understand the factors influencing male participation in early childhood education and care and identify effective strategies for increasing representation. "It's not a small ask, but it is a necessary one if we wish to make lasting and positive change. "If we can achieve even 5-10% of the early childhood education and care workforce being menthat'd be a huge achievement for gender diversity, not only enriching the sector, but delivering a brighter future for our children." 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: An artist's concept of Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander on the moon's South Pole. Credit: Intuitive Machines A miniaturized laboratory developed by The Open University (OU) with support from RAL Space will fly to the lunar South Polar region in the European Space Agency's (ESA) Prospect package in search of volatiles, including water ice, as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. NASA has selected Intuitive Machines to deliver six payloads that will deepen our understanding of the moon and answer key questions about where and how volatiles can be found on the lunar surface. Volatiles, such as water ice, are chemical components that easily evaporate or vaporize under certain conditions. Prospect is a suite of instruments that will drill up to at least 1 meter depth beneath the lunar surface, extract samples, and process them in a mini lab, ProSPA. The combination of robotic drill and sample analysis package is designed to identify volatiles trapped beneath the surface at extremely cold temperatures down to 150C. 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 Open University, and we're 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, such as PITMS, but the insights we gain from it will also support future missions advancing our understanding of the lunar surface. It's a really exciting project to be part of." Europe's major contribution will share the ride with five other instruments from the US, including retroreflectors to locate landing sites on the moon and yeast to study radiation and gravity responses. In total, the six instruments will have a mass of about 80 kg. Volatiles for sustainable exploration Prospect is part of a global effort to identify potential lunar resources for a sustainable, long-term human presence on the moon. Water is a key target: There may be concentrations of frozen water at or below the surface especially in the lunar polar regionssomething suggested by recent measurements from orbit. Information on how much water is present and how accessible it is would help plan future missions using local resources. "Prospect joins a new wave of lunar science and exploration that could open the door to the use of lunar resources. For example, extracting oxygen directly from lunar rocks and dust could be an efficient way to supply oxygen for human habitats or spacecraft propulsion," says Richard Fisackerly, Prospect project manager. "Besides their potential as resources, lunar volatiles would also represent an important component of the lunar regoliththe layer of loose dust and fragmented rock on the moon's surface. Prospect can further our understanding of the fundamental science of the moon and its environment," he adds. Drilling and sample analysis The robotic drill, called ProSEED, will penetrate the lunar surface up to one meter depth. Temperatures at the subsurface are expected to be less than 100C, and correspond with conditions where water ice may be stable. The drill features a multispectral imager and a permittivity sensor to support the remote detection and analysis of volatiles, as well as the mineralogy of the regolith at the landing site. The miniaturized laboratory ProSPA will receive the samples from the drill via a carousel with multiple ovens, seal them, and heat them to extract the cold-trapped volatiles. The ProSPA instrument will then measure the nature and abundance of lunar volatiles using the gases released from the sample. ProSPA will also test specific processes which could be applied for resource extraction in the future. Dr. Simeon Barber, who leads the project at The Open University, 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 analyzing fresh samples drilled from the moon's south polar region, which might contain ancient reserves of water and other ices. And we can't wait to unravel the mysteries of this extreme environment, and discover its potential to support future exploration missions." One step closer to prospecting the moon The ProSEED drill has already undergone trials in Italy including tests conducted at very low temperatures, under low pressure, and using a mixture of lunar regolith simulant and water ice. These tests have proved the drill is capable of penetrating deep into hard material and successfully collect samples. 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: Joshua Wolf (left), U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) aerospace engineer, Andrew Nicholas (center), NRL Sensor Development & Applications section head, and Theodore Finne, NRL mechanical engineer, attach a test laser to the Light-sheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2024. Once in orbit, the LARADO instrument will use a dispersive optic to detect debris and provide location information to researchers. Credit: U.S. Navy / Sarah Peterson U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Lightsheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument was successfully integrated and tested on the Space Test Program Satellite 7 (STPSat-7) spacecraft at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, on July 17, 2024. LARADO is a groundbreaking space-based instrument designed to detect and characterize lethal non-trackable orbital debris, using satellite and laser technology. These debris objects, ranging in size from a few centimeters to larger than a millimeter, are too small to track from the ground but pose a significant threat to operational satellites. "Understanding the population of this debris is critical to ensuring the safety of spacecraft, both manned and unmanned," said Andrew Nicholas, NRL Sensor Development & Applications Section Head. "The data collected by LARADO will be used to update NASA's orbital debris models, improving our understanding of the small debris population." Traveling on a satellite in orbit, light from LARADO's laser centers on a Powell lens, which distributes photons, creating a sheet of light above the satellite. Any object that passes through the lightsheet will scatter the photons, creating a flash marking its passage that will be seen by a camera monitoring the lightsheet. The Light-sheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument undergoes alignment verification in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2024. The LARADO instrument will create a fan of light through a dispersive optic to detect debris in space and increase the safety of manned and unmanned spacecraft. Credit: U.S. Navy / Sarah Peterson) LARADO arrived at the Space Test Program (STP) Houston at the NASA Johnson Space Center on July 12, 2024. A team of NRL researchers performed a post-ship inspection and a functional test of the instrument. NRL's Sensor Development and Application Section researchers Andrew Nicholas, Theodore Finne, and Joshua Wolf comprise the LARADO team. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's Light-sheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) team gathers for a group photo in the Geospace Cleanroom facility in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2024. The LARADO team develops spaceflight instrumentation to study space weather and improve space situational awareness. Credit: U.S. Navy / Sarah Peterson "After passing inspection and installment, LARADO will be tested again to verify functionality," Nicholas said. "The spacecraft will continue integration and testing in Houston, and then be shipped to the next location for environmental testing." LARADO is managed by the Heliophysics Division Space Weather Program's Orbital Debris and Space Situational Awareness portfolio within NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch on a Department of Defense (DOD) STP sponsored flight out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, in September 2025, on a Minotaur IV launch vehicle. NRL's Space Science Division conducts a broad-spectrum of Research, Development, Test & Evaluation in solar-terrestrial physics, astrophysics, upper and middle atmospheric science, and astronomy. The science is important to orbital tracking, radio communications, and navigation that affect the operation of ships and aircraft, utilization of the near-space and space environment of the Earth. The section focuses on innovative technologies and processing methods to improve the scientific understanding of space weather and situational awareness within Geospace, to critically enable advanced modeling and forecasting capabilities and applications for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the wider DOD. 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 Canadian society is progressing deeper into the digital age. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologieslike the generative AI ChatGPT and the legal platform Harveyare increasingly shaping judicial processes and legal systems, including in the adjudication of intricate cases. Like other areas of the world, Canada is not immune to these shifting intersections of AI technology and their impacts on the administration of justice. 2024 marks the first full year of implementing Canada's recent AI policy for the Federal Court. As it stands today, not a single Chief Justice in Canada has firmly said "no" to the use of AI in the courts. The Federal Court merely lightly salted the AI policy statement with a commitment that more "public consultation" was neededwithout describing what that meant. A delicate dance Rather than prevent the use of AIas was the recent case in British Columbia with fake AI-generated cases advanced in argumentthe Federal Court has embarked on a delicate dance. The focus has been on minimizing the known risks of "automated decision-making" in the judiciary, while embracing the potential for business efficiencies. These include translating of court text, performing of legal research and administrative tasks, addressing case management issues, assisting self-represented litigants and supporting alternative resolutions. Under the Bangalore Principles of judicial conduct, this is the equivalent of playing technological footsie. As these technologies become ubiquitous, a snarling question is raised from the shadows of the Federal Court's judicial closet: is it even the court's role to decide such a critical matter, or should this be left with the parliamentary branches of government? Guiding AI use The Federal Court AI policy states the intent is "to guide the potential use of AI by members of the Court and their law clerks." But it then provides: "the Court will begin investigating and piloting potential uses of AI for internal administrative purposes through its Technology Committee." There is no "potential" useAI is actually being used by the Court, albeit not yet in formal adjudications. And the Chief Justice has derogated their own supervisory functions to a non-elected committee, thereby circumnavigating parliament's role in legislation development for significant court changes to judicial operations. Global News reports on fake cases that were presented before the British Columbia court. This is not a matter to be left to committees or under the sole direction of a single Chief Justice not elected by the Canadian public. While the policy authors state that they are merely investigating the potential uses of AI, the federal court also bluntly admits that AI "can save time and reduce workload for judges and Court staff, just as it can for lawyers." In fairness, the court also "acknowledges the potential for AI to impact adversely on judicial independence." And that there may be "risk that public confidence in the administration of justice might be undermined by some uses of AI." But the court does not say how it plans to ensure checks and balances are implemented and enforced, such as the use of ChatGPT itself. Eliminating reviews Another federal initiative was launched during COVID-19 by the Treasury Board of Canada (TBOC). In that situation, TBOC sought to ensure "responsible" deployment of automated decision-making to minimize risks to clients, federal institutions and Canadian society. This raised many questions among legal scholars about AI and its role in administrative decision-making, including when machines replace a human decision-maker. Improperly adopted, AI could erode the role of Canadian judges and limit the function of courts in judicial review, although some believe this is still far away. The Federal Court has said that it "will consult the relevant stakeholders before implementing [AI]." But when the federal government is a stakeholder, there is a serious question about the executive branch's influence on the judicial branch's operational policies. Lack of research on the impacts in courts The Federal Court AI policy suggests an alarming possibility for machine-learning bias within a poorly structured policy that favors potential efficiencies over inherent risks. It also ignores the probability for legal diversity erasure and popular culture bias, such as the removal of Indigenous legal customs and traditions in favor of Eurocentric legal norms and processes. This raises further questions about how the Federal Court policy will address issues of progressive machine learning over time and the physical and psychological relationships between judges, court staff, lawyers and machines. Relations which could eventually pave the way for the removal of human judges from our courts. While the intersections of AI and broader legal contexts are woefully understudied, it is the legal profession's duty to ensure we are governed and heard by those humans we entrust our freedoms to, not the machines others make. Business efficiency has nothing to do with the true role of our courtsupholding the rule of law and constitutional protections. 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: New research by WVU statistician Mihyun Kim aims to predict and model extreme patterns in weather events, financial turmoil and pollution levels. Kim notes her research could play a critical role in West Virginia, which is susceptible to flash flooding, as shown here in the community of Rainelle following the destructive flash floods of 2016. Credit: WVU /Pam Pritt Using data and numbers, a West Virginia University statistician is exploring new methods that could predict and model extreme patterns in weather events, financial turmoil and pollution levels. Mihyun Kim, assistant professor of statistics in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences School of Mathematical and Data Sciences, is developing statistical tools that will address those issues. "This research is about more than just numbers," Kim said. "It's about using advanced statistical tools to better understand and prepare for extreme events that can have profound impacts on our lives and economy." For instance, Kim said, her research will answer questions such as "How likely is it for location A to experience heavy precipitation patterns similar to those observed in location B on the same day?" or "During a stock market crisis, do returns on different sectors exhibit similar extreme daily trajectories?" Currently, there's a lack of appropriate statistical tools for analyzing extreme behavior in high-resolution, curve-type data, Kim said. Functional data, a set of curves, are observed across diverse disciplines, such as daily temperature, precipitation, pollution concentration patterns and intraday stock return curves. This type of data is not a single value but rather a whole curve or function, Kim explained. "For example, instead of just noting how much it rained today, functional data would record how the rain changed every minute of the day," Kim said. "So, if we have minute-by-minute data, we can create a smooth line that shows exactly how the rain went up and down throughout the day. "Similarly, in finance, rather than only recording the closing price of a stock each day, functional data tracks how the stock price moves all day long. This way, we get a complete picture of what happened throughout the day, not just one number at the end. It helps us understand the full story of how things change over time." Kim will aim to create new and innovative methods for accurately modeling and understanding extreme patterns found in these curve-type data. A key component of this research will be the creation of a tool called the "extremal correlation coefficient," which will measure how likely extreme curves in data exhibit similar patterns simultaneously. She noted this research could play a critical role in regions with diverse topographies, such as West Virginia, where mountainous terrain with creeks and rivers is susceptible to flash flooding. "The 2016 flash floods in West Virginia, a one-in-1,000-year event, caused 23 fatalities and an estimated $1 billion in damages," Kim said. "The mountainous topology across the state led to varied flood patterns, concentrating risks and damage in certain areas. I believe that my risk assessment tools can help enable better preparedness and response strategies, ultimately protecting lives and property." The risk assessment tools are adaptable to other mountainous states beyond West Virginia and applicable to various disciplines requiring risk management, Kim said. She is hopeful government agencies will use the tools for disaster preparedness and response. Additionally, her research will assist financial institutions in managing risk exposure more effectively. "Given that millions of Americans have savings in retirement plans, accurately quantifying the risk of catastrophic financial losses is essential," she said. "By providing precise measurements of risks associated with extreme market conditions, this project supports national efforts to safeguard economic security." The project will involve undergraduate and graduate students in statistics and mathematics research. To amplify the impact, Kim plans to collaborate with researchers from the environmental science, economics and engineering fields at WVU. She also said she hopes to connect with government agencies and organizations to gain access to real-world data and opportunities to further address these issues. 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: Close-up view of the submerged stone bridge from Genovesa Cave, Mallorca, Spain. Credit: R. Landreth A new study led by the University of South Florida has shed light on the human colonization of the western Mediterranean, revealing that humans settled there much earlier than previously believed. This research, detailed in a recent issue of the journal, Communications Earth & Environment, challenges long-held assumptions and narrows the gap between the settlement timelines of islands throughout the Mediterranean region. Reconstructing early human colonization on Mediterranean islands is challenging due to limited archaeological evidence. By studying a 25-foot submerged bridge, an interdisciplinary research teamled by USF geology Professor Bogdan Onacwas able to provide compelling evidence of earlier human activity inside Genovesa Cave, located in the Spanish island of Mallorca. "The presence of this submerged bridge and other artifacts indicates a sophisticated level of activity, implying that early settlers recognized the cave's water resources and strategically built infrastructure to navigate it," Onac said. The cave, located near Mallorca's coast, has passages now flooded due to rising sea levels, with distinct calcite encrustations forming during periods of high sea level. These formations, along with a light-colored band on the submerged bridge, serve as proxies for precisely tracking historical sea-level changes and dating the bridge's construction. Mallorca, despite being the sixth largest island in the Mediterranean, was among the last to be colonized. Previous research suggested human presence as far back as 9,000 years, but inconsistencies and poor preservation of the radiocarbon dated material, such as nearby bones and pottery, led to doubts about these findings. Stone path connecting the entrance in Genovesa Cave, Mallorca, Spain, and its subterranean lake across which the bridge was constructed. Credit: B. Onac Phreatic overgrowths on speleothems grow exactly at sea level, pictured above the diver in the Galeria de les Delicies in Drac Cave, Mallorca, Spain, offering a more accurate reconstruction of past sea level history. Note the submerged stalagmites that grew when sea level was much lower. Credit: M.A. Perello Newer studies have used charcoal, ash and bones found on the island to create a timeline of human settlement about 4,400 years ago. This aligns the timeline of human presence with significant environmental events, such as the extinction of the goat-antelope genus Myotragus balearicus. By analyzing overgrowths of minerals on the bridge and the elevation of a coloration band on the bridge, Onac and the team discovered the bridge was constructed nearly 6,000 years ago, more than two-thousand years older than the previous estimationnarrowing the timeline gap between eastern and western Mediterranean settlements. "This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in uncovering historical truths and advancing our understanding of human history," Onac said. More information: Submerged bridge constructed at least 5600 years ago indicates early human arrival in Mallorca, Spain, Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01584-4 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment 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: from Pexels Like many people, I first encountered drones when they looked like toys, something fun to play with and be entertained by. Not long afterward, I was waiting for a boat on my commute to work, and a drone hovered overhead, not far above me, and with no sign of an operator. I remember thinking this was a bit more ominous. What if drones started following us, a sort of unbolted security camera without restrictions, that could record whatever we did? A few years ago many of us were unaware of drones, now they are a regular sight. And they are far more threatening than we first thought. Drone technology has been developing fast and furiously during the Ukraine war, as Marcel Plichta from the University of St Andrews explains. Russian and Ukrainian military forces have stepped up drone attacks over the past few weeks, causing significant damage and loss of life. And the technology is updating constantly. Both sides have been using one-way drones, also called kamikaze drones, because they are designed to fly to a target and not come back. This type of drone is an escalating threat not just in the Ukraine war, but in other skirmishes. They can be developed relatively cheaply in bulk, and can be used with precision to aim at targets hundreds of miles away. Armed forces around the world are now being forced to rethink their strategies because of how fast and accurate these drones are, and what they are seeing of the destruction they have caused in the Ukraine war so far. Volodymyr Zelensky is looking at how he can use the resources he has to greatest effect, and drones have been a big part of that plan. Ukraine has been able to construct its own drones, enabling it to use them to target Russian territory, in a way it is not allowed to do with military hardware supplied by its allies. Allies, including the US, restrict Kyiv from using any arms it supplied to use on Russian-occupied Ukraine, rather than in Russia itself. Questionable allies These restrictions on use continue to be a major headache for Zelensky, as does the question of who will take over the US presidency after the election in November, as professor of international politics David Dunn of the University of Birmingham details. If Donald Trump wins, US support for Ukraine is likely to be severely reduced, as the Republican candidate has made clear. Trump has stated that he will be looking for a peace treaty with Russia, which is not likely to include Russia returning currently occupied sections of Ukrainian territory. Consequently, Zelensky has moved his military over the Russian border into Kursk, in a bid to hold on to some Russian territory. This enables Zelensky to have something to trade if Trump is elected and forces a sit-down negotiation with Russia. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has started to outline her foreign policy plans, and they would include continuing to support Ukraine, and sticking with Biden's internationalist approach. To some extent, Vladimir Putin may have been betting on a Trump victory, and a US withdrawal of good will for Kyiv. A Harris victory is good news for Zelenksy, and may force Putin closer to the negotiating table. Walking the line Zelensky is looking to extend his alliances all the time. And the recent visit of India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, may have given him hope that India may be leaning in his direction. Modi was the first Indian head of state to visit Ukraine since it became independent 30 years ago. But, according to Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham, this visit shows that Modi is trying to keep both Moscow and Kyiv onside. India is currently Russia's biggest oil buyer, but is also an active member of the security group the Quad, made up of Japan, the US, Australia and India, which is intent on offsetting China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. Modi therefore wants a strong relationship with Putin, while not upsetting western allies which support Ukraine. He is walking the line. History buffs often point to parallels between a current event and something that has happened in the past. I am often glued to BBC's Radio 4 The Long View, hosted by Jonathan Freeland, which brilliantly spotlights a moment from the past, be it a credit crunch or an anti-vax protest, that feels uncannily similar to something that is just unrolling on the news. Historian Patrick Doyle, a lecturer at Royal Holloway University of London, sets out how the Confederate states ran their conscription policy during the US civil war, and the pitfalls of setting up exemptions that allow the rich or influential to avoid being drafted (which the Confederacy did). His point being that Ukraine's leadership could risk losing public support for the war effort if the conscription policy is considered unequal or unfair. Ukraine has recently reduced the age when people can be drafted from 27 to 25, and officials are now being sent out to look for those avoiding military service. With historic parallels in mind, Olivera Simic, associate professor in law at Griffith University, has reviewed a new book, Repeat: A Warning from History, which suggests we are at risk of creating the same problems, and wars, again and again. The book reminds us that in wars "millions more were left behind, haunted by the memories and ghosts of those they once loved," and that any war casts a shadow over the generations that follow, leaving them dealing with its physical and mental trauma. However, the article suggests that if readers could imagine the horror of war happening to them they would do more to to act with full force to stop it. History suggests ignoring wars has never made them go away. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Gov. Kathy Hochul is deciding whether to sign a bill that would require Airbnb hosts to register their short-term rental units every two years and allow municipalities to collect sales and occupancy taxes on short-term rentals. As she does, Airbnb and its hosts are pushing against it, saying short-term rentals help hosts earn extra income, are often the only lodging option for travelers in rural areas and arent the cause of the housing crisis. The bill, from state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assembly Member Patricia Fahy, passed the State Senate and Assembly in the final days of the 2024 legislative session. Hinchey agreed that Airbnbs are an important component of the tourism economy, are a source of income for homeowners and provided needed lodging in rural communities and other places that do not have sufficient hotel rooms. But she said the rapidly growing short-term rental industry has exacerbated the housing crisis by reducing available housing, driving up costs and supplanting residents. Housing supply is scarce everywhere, and the rise of [short-term rentals] is strangling what little we have left, driving up costs and displacing families because they can no longer afford to live here, she said. A registry would give municipalities a clearer picture of how Airbnbs are affecting their communities and would raise much-needed tax revenue, she said. Fahy said the legislation is necessary in what is estimated to be a $1 billion industry outside of New York City. It levels the playing field for hotels and motels by extending sales and occupancy taxes to [short-term rentals], creates a statewide registry to track [them] throughout the state, and establishes basic safety standards, she said. But Airbnb said a state registry isnt necessary. Regulations are best handled at the local level to address the needs of individual communities, said Nathan Rotman, Northeast policy lead at Airbnb. Airbnb is not to blame for the worsening housing crisis, he said. In fact, laws regulating short-term rentals have been in place in New York City for a year, but rent keeps rising and vacancy rates there remain the same, he said. Airbnb said the average host rents out their property only 51 nights per year. Rotman called the bill duplicative, unnecessary and cumbersome. Over 200 jurisdictions in New York already have short-term rental regulations in place at the local level, and short-term rentals have generated over $1.2 billion in tax revenue in New York State in 2023, alone, Rotman said. Airbnb has long advocated for a sensible regulatory system that protects economic opportunity and drives tourism forward. Atlantic City's gaming market changed irrevocably in the late summer of 2014 when three casinos closed within a matter of weeks. Showboat Casino Hotel closed Aug. 31. Revel shut down on Sept. 2. Trump Plaza went out of business on Sept. 16. The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel closed in January 2014, which meant that by the fall of 2014, the city's gaming market had shrunk from 12 to eight casinos. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of this historic period, The Press reached out to prominent members of Atlantic City and Atlantic County who were on the scene at the time and former employees at the closed casinos to ask them to reflect on their lives, before, during and after the closings. Their responses have been edited for space and clarity. From the 1970s through 1990s, the Atlantic City casinos were a monopoly in reality, Don Guardian said. When casinos opened before 2014 east of the Mississippi, most of their gamblers came from customers who used to patronize Atlantic City casinos, Guardian said. "Atlantic City (casinos) had to compete, but they were not ready," Guardian, 71, said. "They were not investing in themselves." After the casinos closed, Guardian estimates 10,000 people were out of a job. Families, friends and neighbors were losing jobs. "I was begging for every penny I could get," Guardian, an Atlantic City resident, said. The state extended unemployment benefits from six months to one year. The resort received a grant from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to start a mayor's jobs program, Guardian said. "I didn't want Atlantic City to fall. I wanted to make sure. I was the right guy at the time, a difficult time," Guardian said. Bob McDevitt, 62, said he knew members from everywhere. The problem was there was no place for them to go. "Those fortunate to find work in other casinos went to the bottom of the barrel... Showboat was a shocker," said McDevitt about its closing. "That was really hard to deal with. At the time, Showboat was a successful casino and was profitable." A help center was set up inside the Atlantic City Convention Center, McDevitt said. With many services housed in one location, recently laid off workers could receive answers about social security, pensions, severance, and there was a whole suite dedicated to opportunities, McDevitt said. It was a place where people had the ability to seek help, he said. "What struck me was the resiliency that the members had shown. There was profound sadness. With 60-days notice, they were able to get their affairs in order," McDevitt, an Atlantic City resident, said. "We spent two months providing all the assistance they could get." One of John Holleran's best memories from his time at Trump Plaza was one night where he spent his time pouring Dom Perignon champagne by the case. "The old Boardwalk Hall was rented out for a New Year's Eve for customers at Trump Plaza. It was unreal how much they spent on the party. It was 1987 turning into 1988," said Holleran said, of Northfield. "I spent four hours straight pouring Dom Perignon all night." Holleran said he thought Trump Plaza would never close because of its location at the base of Atlantic City Expressway at the center of the Boardwalk. Since Trump Plaza closed, Holleran, 61, has worked as a customer service representative at a bank for seven years, He also worked at retail for H.H. Gregg and tried to sell insurance. He is looking for a job currently. "I stayed there too long as an optimist. I was thinking somebody would buy it and turn it around," Holleran said. Phyllis Baxter, 53, of Galloway Township, loved her time at Showboat. "My shift was from 4 a.m. to noon, past sunrise. It was a small shift. Everybody knew everybody. It was like a family," Baxter said. Baxter also enjoyed her years working at the Showboat because the salary was good enough to pay for her child to attend college and also paid for her to take business courses online in accounting. After being employed in an office and working in a casino, Baxter wanted to do something different. She received funding from the Harris School of Business and the One Stop Career Center in Pleasantville to earn her license as a massage therapist. Baxter found she could not stand all day and do the massage therapist job as well as she liked. Now, she works for the travel unit in the office of procurement for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. "Basically, my friends were all in the same boat. I was always good in school. I know school is not for everybody," Baxter said. "I was about to be unemployed. I was evaluating everything. I was scared. There were a lot of people in this small area that were laid off," said Madalina Popescu, of Egg Harbor Township. "I followed the crowd. I did file for unemployment. I was pregnant at the same time. I switched from unemployment to disability. I did disability first, then unemployment." After giving birth to her first child in December 2014, Popescu, now 40, attended school for eight hours a day, five days a week for six months to pass the national exam for being a pharmacy technician through the One Stop Career Center. "I left one month before Revel closed. It was too sad. I cried," Popescu said. "We were still coming to work, but there were not as many people. You could see the writing on the wall. There was no point." Prior to 2014, the Atlantic City casinos were paying $91 million in total in real estate taxes, but Frank Formica, now 72, was told the taxes paid by 40 casinos spread across the country did not total $91 million. When casinos opened in Maryland and Pennsylvania, they started to take the gamblers, who were coming to the Atlantic City market, Formica said. Nine thousand families within the Atlantic City casino industry lost their income, he said. Atlantic County administered the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other programs, he said. "We were providing the social services when the casinos closed," Formica said. "It's an untold story how well the county was run and is run." Formica, a former Atlantic City resident, who now lives in Absecon, sold Formica's Bakery in 2019, but he is still a consultant and a brand ambassador. After the casinos closed, he joined Salmon Ventures Ltd. in Millville. He established Onward Consulting based in Absecon, out of his home. He does business development and land use, but no politics. The fallout from the Great Recession of 2008 caused all kinds of problems for many projects in Atlantic City in addition to increased casino competition from neighboring states, said Daniel Heneghan. "In 2011, Atlantic City hit a proverbial iceberg and was taking on water big time," he said. "Regulators knew there was a good chance that they wouldn't make interest payments. For Trump Plaza and Revel, the handwriting was on the wall... An enormous number of people were put out of work in short order." Heneghan, 71, remembers being at Revel before it closed. "The high roller pit area had a wonderful view toward Brigantine. Inside the tables were deserted. The dealers and the floor people were counting down the chips for the last time. In some cases, they were ripping the felt off of the (gaming) tables. For open bottles of alcohol, they took them and dumped them," Heneghan said. On July 1, 2018, Heneghan, a Ventnor resident, retired from his position with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. Since then, his principal occupation has been the lighthouse keeper at the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City. He also served on the board of the Council on Compulsive Gambling for a couple of years and did consulting work on gaming. ATLANTIC CITY A Superior Court judge has ordered the removal of 5th Ward Councilman Muhammad Zia after ruling he did not live in the resort prior to last years election, according to court documents. Judge Michael Blee determined Zia didnt have a certificate of occupancy for a home on North Brighton Avenue and may have been living in Egg Harbor Township, making him ineligible to hold public office in Atlantic City, the 63-page order indicates. A city spokesperson declined to comment about the ruling, and Zia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zia, who purchased the home for $45,000 in 2019, had the Brighton address listed on his drivers license and tax returns from 2020-2023, records show. Blee ordered a special election within 45 to 50 days and for the Democratic and Republican committees to select candidates in the next 15 days. The order also shows that Zias seat will remain vacant until the special election. Zia will not be eligible to run in that election. Maria Lacca, Zias Republican opponent, who lost by 44 votes, sued to overturn the results and force a new election over Zias residence issue, which led to a three-day trial in June. I am delighted to announce that we have emerged victorious in this landmark residency court case, Lacca said in an emailed statement. The judge delivered a courageous and decisive ruling today, not only in favor of myself but for Atlantic City. This decision underscores our commitment to justice and the well-being of our community. Added Lacca: I extend my deepest gratitude to all those who have supported us during this process. This victory represents a win and a strong step forward for Atlantic City. I worked tirelessly for the past eight months for this result, and I am ready to move forward to continue fighting the good fight into the 5th Ward special election. A private investigator testified at the trial he videoed the Brighton Avenue home Zia says was his residence, but after looking at 24-hour tapes, he did not see Zia spend a night there from early December through late February. Former Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II also testified that Zia didnt live at the home when Fauntleroy lived there in May as he only saw Zia a handful of times and there were no sheets on his bed, clothes in his room or toiletries in the bathroom. Blee concluded that evidence showed Zia didnt occupy the residence 12 months before the election and continued to do so afterward. During the second day of the trial, Zia was arrested after he allegedly threatened a witness, according to court records. He was released on a summons. Staff writer John Russo contributed to this report. A Maryland man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of a Chesterfield County woman and her three children. Jonah Leon Adams was found guilty of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend JoAnna Cottle, 39, and her children Kaelyn Parson, 13, Kinsey Cottle, 4, and Jayson Cottle, 4. Adams was the father of Kinsey and Jayson. On Nov. 18, 2022, just before 5 a.m., Cottle called police to her home on the 4200 block of Laurel Oak Road to report an intruder. Chesterfield police said gunfire was heard while Cottle was on the line with emergency communications, followed by silence. Officers discovered Cottle and her three children dead inside the home. The intruder was not located at the scene. An investigation identified Adams 35 at the time as a potential suspect and placed him in the area about an hour before the killings. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apprehended Adams near his residence in Waldorf, Maryland, nine hours after the killings. A candlelight vigil was held for the Cottle family on Nov. 21, and funeral services took place on Nov. 29. Detectives indicated that Adams and Cottle had a turbulent relationship after interviewing family and friends. Court records showed that a Chesterfield magistrate granted Cottle a 72-hour emergency protective order against Adams on Jan. 12, 2018, after she alleged that Adams was threatening and abusing her. Adams was living in Portsmouth at the time. After the order expired, Cottle sought and was granted a preliminary protective order for 15 additional days until a full hearing could be held about her petition for a permanent protective order. The permanent protective order petition was denied by a judge and dismissed on Feb. 13, 2018, with no reason given in court records. Around the time Adams was apprehended by ATF agents in 2022, Chesterfield detectives obtained warrants charging him with four counts of first-degree murder. A 10-day jury trial that began Aug. 19 ended three days early when Adams was convicted on all four counts. Adams was also convicted of multiple counts of aggravated murder and using a sawed-off gun in a crime. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17. PHOTOS: Funeral Service for Chesterfield family Police have arrested Curtis T. Thomas, 32, of Dinwiddie County as part of a regionwide crackdown on human trafficking. Thomas is charged in Chesterfield County with four counts of receiving money from the earnings of a prostitute and four counts of commercial sex trafficking. He is also charged with violations of a protective order. Thomas, who was arrested on Aug. 21, is being held at the Chesterfield jail. The Virginia Capitol Area Human Trafficking Task Force is a regionwide collaboration between the Virginia State Police and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the FBIs Richmond office. The task force most recently announced arrests at a string of massage parlors in Chesterfield. Those arrests, which followed undercover operations at spas, resulted in seven criminal charges for prostitution and the keeping of a bawdy place. From the Archives: Presquile Island JMM rock fall leaves operator in serious condition Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R. A bulldozer operator remains in serious condition after his cab was crushed by rocks. The man was extracting material from a bank Thursday when the accident happened. While removing the material, a section of large rocks broke free from the bank and landed on the cab of his bulldozer, leaving him buried. Others on the site were able to free him while they waited for an ambulance. The accident happened around 10:00 a.m. on a private work site near the community of San Diego. The cab was crushed by the falling rocks. Photo: August 29, 2024. The operator was rushed to the Jose Maria Morelos Comprehensive Hospital where he is reported to be in serious condition. Mexicos Mexica Atlante exhibition returns from the North Carolina Museum of Art Mexico City, Mexico The Mexica Atlante exhibition has returned to the National Museum of Anthropology after almost two years of display. The exhibit was on display at the North Carolina Museum of Art for nearly two years before returning to Mexico. Between October 1, 2022 to July 28, 2024, 477,215 people arrived in Raleigh to view it. Mexico exhibited Mexica art in Raleigh with the presentation of the sculpture Atlante Mexica in the Art Museum. The piece was part of the exhibition Cultures of Peru and Mexico before the Spanish Conquest. The Atlas is a sculpture made of andesite stone, 120 centimeters high by 42 centimeters wide and 50 centimeters thick, corresponding to the Late Postclassic period (1200-1521 AD) and is part of the collections of the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA). It was loaned by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), an organ of the federal Ministry of Culture, to celebrate the reinstallation of the American collections of Ancient America in the Museum of Art of North Carolina, a city where almost half a million Latinos live. With this loan, made possible through the National Coordination of Museums and Exhibitions of the INAH, the curatorial script of the permanent galleries of a museum from another latitude was enriched, which is in the process of opening to the Mexican public settled far from Mexico. Since the opening of the North Carolina Museum of Art, for the first time, the Ancient America collection has occupied a privileged place and the same amount of space as the African and European antiquities, said Angel Gonzalez Lopez, curator of the Ancient America collections at the North American museum. Before this reinstallation, the room occupied a small space, 10 by 10 meters, to exhibit 8,000 years of history which made it difficult to explore the complexities of Latin American cultures. Now, there are three galleries, a growth of 400 percent, noted the Mexican archaeologist. The curator was in charge of opening boxes, looking at objects, exploring, identifying and creating a narrative for this collection that comes from the north of Mexico to Peru, to address the future of the North American museum, whose collection comes from a significant donation from the second half of the 20th century, with which the art collections of the United States, Africa and Europe were formed; also, works from Mexico, Central and South America began to be collected. Ancient Mesoamerican cultures were not publicly displayed at that time, but rather as a result of a change in attitude, derived from the exhibition 20 Centuries of Mexican Art , mounted at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, conceived, among others, by Alfonso Caso and Miguel Covarrubias. Museums are mirrors of societies, we must be attentive so that people see themselves reflected in their content. In the 21st century, the effervescence to value marginalized groups begins: people of color, women, the LGBT+ community. Within this context, in 2020 we began the reinstallation work in recognition of the Latin presence. What do I mean by this? Closing the museum to start again, with renewed scripts and a new museographic proposas, brochures and tours in Spanish. Photo courtesy of CNMyE-INAH Gonzalez Lopez said that he did not find a single Mexica object in American collections, and Mesoamerica cannot be understood without this civilization. Then he remembered the MNA piece, which he saw while doing a research project on its collections, a few years ago: Carved in the imperial style, which is the finest in Tenochtitlan. It was important to bring it to Raleigh, because a work from this culture had never been exhibited. The Atlas was displayed in the center of one of the three galleries to link it with the permanent collection that covers seven Latin American countries, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. The sculpture represents a standing warrior with his eyes closed and his mouth open, indicating that he is dead, perhaps after a battle. He carries a spear thrower on his left side, a shield on his back and the butterfly emblem on his forehead and chest. In ancient Tenochtitlan, it was believed that warriors and people killed in sacrifice were transformed into butterflies or birds with bright feathers. It preserves traces of blue and red pigments, and vertical red lines, so it must have been richly polychromed. It possibly decorated the temple of Mixcoatl, god of hunting. It was discovered on Republica de Argentina Street, in the Historic Center of Mexico City. The publics response was positive, because they immediately identified with the sculpture of a Mesoamerican warrior, the curator concluded. After almost two years of being exhibited outside the country, the piece returned to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Two Atlantic systems being monitored as they trek westward Riviera Maya, Q.R. UPDATED: The National Hurricane Centre is currently monitoring two new systems that have developed in the Atlantic. While one could develop further by late next week, the other is expected to become better organized within coming days. The second system was detected Thursday evening in the eastern tropical Atlantic. UPDATE: Since Friday morning, the NOAA has located a third system, this time in the Gulf of Mexico. Another tropical wave between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands is producing minimal shower and thunderstorm activity. Some slow development of this system is possible through late next week while it moves slowly to the west-northwest over the eastern and central tropical Atlantic, the NOAA reported early Friday. However, the first of the two systems continues on its trajectory toward the Caribbean Sea. It is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles Monday from where it could develop into a storm by early next week. Photo: NOAA Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave over the central tropical Atlantic remain disorganized. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form some time next week while it moves westward, reaching the Lesser Antilles on Monday and continuing across the Caribbean Sea through the middle to latter part of the week. Other than moving west northwest, a possible trajectory for the newest system (in yellow) has not yet been defined. UPDATE: Friday afternoon, the NOAA reported on a third system in the Gulf of Mexico likely to affect Texas and Louisiana. A surface trough of low pressure over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms along and just offshore the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. This system is expected to meander near the coast through much of next week, and some slow development is possible if it remains offshore. Regardless of development, heavy rains could cause some flash flooding across portions of coastal Louisiana and the upper Texas coast during the next few days, the NOAA reported in the Friday update. United flight returning from Cancun hits severe turbulence injuring 7 Cancun, Q.R. Seven people were injured, one of which was hospitalized, after a United flight hit severe turbulence after leaving Cancun. The incident happened Wednesday when United Airlines flight 1196 departed Cancun International bound for Chicago OHare. The plane was in the air less than two hours when it experienced severe turbulence that forced an emergency landing in Memphis. According to the Memphis Fire Department who responded to the airport landing, the Boeing 737 hit turbulence over New Orleans, forcing them to divert to Memphis. On Wednesday, United Airlines said United flight 1196 diverted to Memphis 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. According to FlightAware tracking, the pilot made a complete circle to be able to land in Memphis due to the severity of the turbulence. FlightAware tracking shows a complete circle prior to the emergency landing in Memphis. August 28, 2024. The plane departed the Cancun airport shortly after noon Wednesday and was carrying 179 passengers and crew at the time of the incident. The six hurt had minor injuries. The one person hospitalized did not have life-threatening injuries. According to Weather.gov, severe turbulence is large abrupt changed in altitude, large variations in indicated airspeed, aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Infographic: Weather.gov Were grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, United said in a statement before departing Memphis bound for Chicago. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating. CHRISTIANSBURG The agreement announced this week to restore Amtrak service to the town by August 2027 does not include renovating the historic train station planned for the renewed service. But New River Valley officials already are discussing funding for station repairs, and passenger service can resume before work on the station building is finished, a state official said Thursday. Colin Burch of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority came to the Montgomery County Government Center to outline Virginias new, $444 million agreement with Norfolk Southern that among a host of other provisions will bring passenger rail to Christiansburg for the first time since 1979. Speaking to members of the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority, Burch and several colleagues recounted how the years-long negotiations with Norfolk Southern initially rejected the old railroad building in the Cambria neighborhood as a location for a new passenger facility. But after other sites were considered, state and railroad negotiators eventually returned to the station, which was built in 1906 to serve passengers, according to documents filed when the Cambria Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Burch called it kind of a circuitous route to get here but I feel were in a good place. The structure that is to be Christiansburgs new passenger station is not the older, privately owned station building that is located next to where Depot Street crosses the railroad tracks. The 1906 station is a similar structure built a short distance up the tracks to the east. When the 1906 station was built, the older depot building became a freight terminal. The older depot, now privately owned, dates to 1868 and was constructed to replace a still-earlier station that was burned down during the Civil War. In recent years, the 1906 station has been used by Norfolk Southern as a crew base, basically a glorified garage, Burch said. Comments at Thursdays session indicated that no one from either the Virginia or New River Valley authorities has been inside the building in many years to see what condition it is in. I certainly remember the splendor of that building in its heyday, said Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber, a member of the New River Valley authority. Jenna Freidberg, a government affairs manager with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, said that a site visit likely could be lined up in October. The Virginia authority representatives said that environmental and historical reviews that will influence renovation plans are being launched. The New River Valley authority has already begun exploring a mix of grants and local matches to cover work on a station. Members said Thursday that they intended to iron out details in time for the local governments that make up the authority to include whatever money is decided on in their budgets for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Were trying to get out of the gate as fast as we can, said Kevin Byrd, director of the New River Valley Regional Commission. Burch said that designs are being worked out for a platform and canopy outside the station building that will serve as the actual boarding location for passengers, and for parking and comfort stations that can be used by passengers if the building is not ready for use when Amtrak service begins. Burch said that the in-process designs presently show 145 parking spaces, room for three buses, and electric vehicle charging stations at the passenger facility, along with 960 feet of boarding platform and a 672-foot-long canopy whose A-frame design echoes a canopy that used to stand near the station. Recapping other parts of Virginias deal with Norfolk Southern which is to be closed on Sept. 5, he said Burch said that the top items were that the overall amount paid by the Commonwealth is more than $100 million less than an earlier proposal, and that it moved Amtraks arrival to Christiansburg to 2027, more than two years earlier than some of the plans that negotiators considered. During the years of discussions, possible sites for a Christiansburg station included a location near the New River Valley Mall and another on Cinnabar Road, Burch said. But the other spots were suboptimal, he said, due to the expenses involved in getting trains to them. The earlier plan was based on running the passenger trains on a north-south track called the Virginia Line, which the state bought from Norfolk Southern. The V-Line, as it is called, goes through the Merrimac Tunnel in Montgomery County and the tunnel needed expensive upgrades to be suitable for passenger service. But in the arrangement that was eventually reached, the V-Line goes back to Norfolk Southern, and Virginia acquires the Manassas Line, or M-Line, which will carry passenger trains about 24 miles between Manassas and Alexandria. Amtrak will use Norfolk Southerns main line as its route to the south, Burch said. Trains running from Christiansburg will connect passengers to Roanoke and on to Charlottesville, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Boston, among other stops. The new agreement adds a passenger stop in Bedford, and opens the door to an eventual stop in Radford, where Amtrak will store trains in a railyard, Burch said. Still being negotiated is adding a third Amtrak train to the two that already come and go from Roanoke each day, Burch said. And the new agreement preserves the possibility for eventually extending passenger service to Bristol, which has been a goal for legislators. Its a huge win for us, Burch said of the new agreement. Its a huge win for everybody. SIOUX CITY -- A public informational meeting about Knife River's proposed relocation in the Leeds neighborhood will be held Wednesday. The meeting, which will be hosted by Knife River, begins at 6 p.m. at North Middle School, 2101 Outer Drive. Proposed development plans for a site located at 3700 Jefferson St. will be shared. The public is encouraged to attend to discuss the site plan and ask questions. No formal presentation will be made. Residents may come and go as they wish. During its Aug. 19 meeting, the Sioux City Council voted to defer final consideration of a rezoning request for the 30-acre tract of land Knife River wants to relocate to. Third consideration is expected to be back on the council's Sept. 9 agenda. Dolf Ivener, a Sioux City businessman, made the request to rezone the property, which is currently general commercial, to general industrial. The site would be used for heavy industry, including aggregate storage and concrete/asphalt batch plants. Knife River, which specializes in aggregates, asphalt, ready-mix concrete and construction, has outgrown its current facility at 2220 Hawkeye Drive. SIOUX CITY Cary Gordon, the politically outspoken senior pastor of Sioux City's Cornerstone World Outreach, slammed comments made by former President Donald Trump about Florida's six-week abortion ban. Gordon, who led a 2010 effort to recall three Iowa Supreme Court justices who voted to legalize gay marriage, took issue with Trump appearing to say he would vote yes on a referendum for protecting access to abortion in the state. "I think the six week is too short, there has to be more time," Trump told NBC Thursday. When asked about voting on the ballot measure, Trump said "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." NPR noted that Trump's campaign attempted to clarify the comments. "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." Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted as saying in the NPR piece. In a tweet, Gordon, a Gov. Ron DeSantis supporter in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, tweeted: "I do not believe that Donald Trump will win the upcoming election. He doesn't deserve to win, either. What he did and said in Florida yesterday is unforgivable. He's just an accessory to murder in the view of Biblical law. Have NOTHING to do with this evil." It's not the first time Gordon has criticized Trump. All the way back in 2015, Gordon slammed Trump for comments he made after Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis was jailed for refusing to grant marriage licenses to gay couples. Trump, said on an MSNBC show the U.S. is a "nation of laws" and that it "would be nice to have other people in her office do what they have to do" by issuing the licenses. In one post on Facebook, Gordon wrote: "Presidential candidates visiting Iowa better tread carefully on Kim Davis being jailed today. I consider it my pastoral duty to publicly excoriate any candidate who gets this situation wrong!" On caucus night, in the Rocklin Conference Center, on the Western Iowa Tech Community College campus, Gordon questioned whether Trump would be able to win the general election given all of his legal drama. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates An Israeli military strike hit the first vehicle in a convoy carrying medical supplies and fuel to an Emirati hospital in the Gaza Strip, killing four Palestinians from a local transportation company, officials said Friday. The Israeli military insisted the four men were carrying weapons while the American Near East Refugee Aid group said the missile strike on Thursday came without any warning or prior communication with soldiers. The incident underlines the dangers posed to aid groups since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. More than 80% of the Palestinian territorys 2.3 million people have been displaced, with most now living in squalid tent camps. International experts say hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of famine. The strike happened as the aid group was bringing supplies to the Emirates Red Crescent Hospital in the town of Rafah, said Sandra Rasheed, Aneras director for the Palestinian territories. It hit the convoys first vehicle on the Salah al-Din Road, she said. The convoy, which was coordinated by Anera and approved by Israeli authorities, included an Anera employee who was fortunately unharmed, Rasheed said. Despite this devastating incident, our understanding is that the remaining vehicles in the convoy were able to continue and successfully deliver the aid to the hospital. We are urgently seeking further details about what happened. A later statement from Anera said four Palestinians were killed. The group said its coordinated and cleared transport plan called for unarmed security guards in the convoy with its local partner, a company called Move One. The Israeli military, responding to questions from The Associated Press, said it was "monitoring the situation" and saw "armed individuals joined one of the cars of an Anera convoy and began to lead the convoy." The Israeli military did not address why it didn't contact Anera before conducting the strike. Israeli forces have opened fire on other aid convoys in the Gaza Strip. The World Food Program announced Wednesday it paused all staff movement in Gaza until further notice over Israeli troops opening fire on one of its marked vehicles, hitting it with at least 10 rounds. The shooting came despite having received multiple clearances from Israeli authorities. On July 23, UNICEF said two of its vehicles were hit with live ammunition while waiting at a designated holding point. An Israeli attack in April hit three World Central Kitchen vehicles, killing seven people. West Bank Palestinian health authorities say the death toll from Israels most intensive raid into the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war reached at least 20. Israel moved forward with the operation in the flashpoint city of Jenin late Friday. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the killing by Israeli forces of an elderly man in the city of Jenin, bringing the total death toll from the military raids in the occupied territory to 20 since late Tuesday. Israel says it killed 20 Palestinian militants and arrested 17 others. Hamas claimed at least 10 of those killed as its fighters. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, said the Palestinians killed in the West Bank raids included a person with disabilities and a number of children. Palestinian health authorities also reported that a Palestinian doctor and two medics tending to patients in Jenin were wounded by Israeli fire. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the claims. Israeli police on Friday said their special forces killed Wissam Khazem, a Hamas commander in Jenin. Hamas confirmed his killing and vowed revenge. The Israeli military and police also said two Palestinian militants in Jenin who tried to flee were killed in an airstrike. Israeli forces killed more than 663 Palestinians in the West Bank, including at least 150 children, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The war began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. The fighting killed about 1,200 people and militants took about 250 hostages. The devastating Israel offensive in Gaza since then killed more than 40,000 Palestinians and raised fears of a regional war breaking out. The climbing deaths in the West Bank drew further international criticism of Israeli tactics Friday, with European Union chief diplomat Josep Borrel saying Israels operations were worsening an already tense situation. Any escalation is a disaster in the making, he added. Israels genuine security concerns cannot justify civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. The Israeli incursion in Jenin left a trail of destruction and cut off running water, internet and electricity in the city. The Israeli military claims the raids are necessary to crack down on surging Palestinian militancy in the northern West Bank. The Palestinians see them as a widening of the war in Gaza and an effort to perpetuate Israels decadeslong military rule over the territory. Late Friday, Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians suspected of attempting to attack Israelis in two separate incidents in the West Bank. Residents of These U.S. States Are More Interested in Gold Than Stocks Residents of These U.S. States Are More Interested in Gold Than Stocks U.S. Perceptions of the Best Long-Term Investments Interest in Gold Prices by State U.S. States Most Interested in Gold Methodology On the latest episode of the 'On Iowa Politics Podcast' : Republican candidate Kevin Virgil back Democrat Ryan Melton in Fourth District race, three Libertarian Congressional candidates thrown off the ballot, a Republican nominating convention goes wrong, and more. On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the days deadlines have been met. Tackling anything from local to state to national, On Iowa Politics is your weekly dose of analysis and insight into the issues affecting Iowa. Just laughed so hard I cried, one X user said of the Top 10 Netflix show The Accident this week. Its even funnier than I could have imagined, another added, clipping and sharing the pivotal scene in question, in which a bouncy house full of kids sails over the treetops to their certain doom. This is a show about three kids dying at a birthday party. Could it possibly be funny? Scolds in the X replies pointed out that bouncy houses have caused real-life deaths after flying away in high wind. But the clip online wasI hate to say itso wildly melodramatic. Even I, a parent who does not like seeing kids in peril on screen, had to see it for myself. Advertisement Its even funnier than I could have imagined https://t.co/7pJ6xHODaY pic.twitter.com/0AWJBMJAMv Nick Walsh (@NICKWALSH) August 27, 2024 The series, a Mexican thriller shot in ruggedly beautiful Tepoztlan and imbued with a modicum of social commentary on the mores of this group of wealthy parents who lose their kids in a freak accident, gives you the bouncy-house incident in the very first episode. You meet the families and tour the fancy modernist houses of the kids who will die, and see their last interactions with their parents and siblings, all while flash-forwards of adults running and screaming in slow motion as streamers and balloons fly in the air foreshadow whats to come. Advertisement The parts of the episode that show the bouncy house taking flight are scored with the Lacrimosa passage from Mozarts Requiem. This is a choice thatalong with the fact that the words bouncy house are just funny, especially when you hear them jump out of a stream of Spanish being spoken by an actor overplaying the role of a parent in utter agonymakes for 90 percent of the unintentional humor. As the camera lingers on decorations being stirred ominously by the wind, and parents faces as they realize whats happening and run toward the bouncy house, all while Lacrimosa builds up tension, I was plagued by persistent memories of M. Night Shyamalans 2008 movie The Happening, starring Mark Wahlberg, in which the worst things always happened right as the wind blew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Happening, for all its bad-movie merits, was not scary. Wind is destructive, but the amount of it you need to lift a bouncy houseanything over 15 to 25 miles per hourisnt giving Twisters, visually speaking. The bouncy house taking off, which would admittedly be the worst and most awful thing to witness in real life, is probably the funniest single scene in the show. Thats likely because it evokes a memorable hoaxBalloon Boyor a bit of fictionJames and the Giant Peach. Were conditioned to think of kids flying over the trees in a brightly colored vessel as fanciful, not terrifying. And, importantly, The Accident does not show the kids deaths. There are no bodies falling, bodies on stretchers, and only one brief shot of a parent with a kids body; the episode moves straight from a view of the bouncy house drifting over the trees to the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement The Accidents real-life scariness gets further drained of its power by all the soap-operatic twists and turns that follow the kids deaths, as the show tracks the responses of the frankly deranged, would-never-exist-in-real-life characters. One burns down the house of a maintenance man he suspects of failing to drive in a stake to fully anchor the bouncy house. Another arranges to have the maintenance man killed in jail, to cover up for another, who was actually the one who failed to drive in the stake, because he got distractedby a work phone call, of course. Theres domestic violence, teen drug use, dramatically interrupted funeralslots to work with. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Adam Sandlers First Comedy Special in Years Does Something Astonishing Read More Yes, as the humorless reply guys pointed out, bouncy-house deaths are real. A 2022 study by the American Meteorological Society documented 132 cases where wind lifted inflatables in the past couple decades worldwide, resulting in at least 479 injuries and 28 deaths. The study noted that many American states have no regulations around bouncy-house use. Just this month a boy was killed in Maryland when a bounce house went up 15 to 20 feet in the air at a stadium. Perhaps the worst such incident took place in 2021 in Australia, where six 11- and 12-year-olds died during a school end-of-year celebration. (This tragedy led Tasmania to ban jumping castles, as they apparently call them, from schools.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To all the people pointing out this is a real thing that happens and its deadly, I dont think you understand that its still objectively funny, an X user wrote. Having seen The Accident, I have to concur. But theres also a real lesson here. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends looking at the top of the trees to see whether the wind is below the recommended threshold. If [the trees] are swaying, it may be too windy to let your child play inside of a bounce house, said the acting chairman in 2019. And a bounce house, according to the British Amusement Devices Safety Council, should have six anchor points secured. Dont get distracted by work phone calls, stake pounders! Your tragedy may become another very popular Netflix show. Interest is increasing year by year. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share With Slovakia being a landlocked country, there is a window of opportunity especially in summer months for operators of swimming pools, water worlds and aquaparks. There are quite a few of them, as the demand for this kind of relaxation is huge. Where should you travel if you wanted to visit the largest waterpark in Slovakia? This Largest in Business ranking compiled by The Slovak Spectator in cooperation with Index magazine provides an answer. When making the list, not only the total water area, but also the number of slides and lockers was considered. Whether pools and slides are in operation all year round or only during the summer season was also taken into account. The overview also shows the revenues of operators for the last year. Almost everyone had record numbers. https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1TRApfBo8slKLW9I8h1MGtZDS3kCZ4bM&ehbc=2E312F 10) AquaCity Poprad Location: Poprad Number of pools (including hot tubs): 10 16* Total pool area: 1,379 3,271* square metres Number of saunas: 7 Number of slides: 5 (235 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 28 Change in price year-on-year: 0 * The company AquaCity Poprad mistakenly listed the wrong data on the area and number of pools. The corrected data will be reflected in the updated version of the rankings, which will be published in the Largest in Business yearbook in December 2024. The tenth largest water park in Slovakia is in Poprad. Opened in 2002, it was built in the premises of a former indoor swimming pool. In addition to pools and slides, the park offers a salt and ice cave, whitewater, laser show and aquazorbing. The operator of the park is the joint-stock company Aquacity Poprad, with its long-time director Richard Pichonsky and the financial group Pro Partners behind it. The park had a successful last year, reaching a record revenue of over 12.3 million. AquaCity Poprad. (Source: AquaCity Poprad) 9) X-Bionic aquatic sphere Location: Samorin Number of pools (including hot tubs): 13 Total pool area: 2,094 square metres Number of saunas: 6 Number of slides: 5 (330 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at the cashier: 25 Change in price year-on-year: + 2 Next year, the Samorin-based park will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The park, which provides professional training conditions for athletes of 26 Olympic disciplines, also offers a water resort, which includes a 50-metre long swimming pool. During the summer, the Aquatic Ninja inflatable obstacle attraction is located in this pool. The owner of the resort is the joint-stock company X-Bionic Sphere. It also achieved record numbers last year, reporting a revenue of over 17.4 million. The park was associated with financier Mario Hoffmann, but this entry was deleted from the register of public sector partners. The final user of the benefits is thus unknown. Last year it was Hoffmann's daughter Viera and Juraj Krivjansky. X-Bionic Aquatic Sphere. (Source: X-Bionic Aquatic Sphere) 8) Aquapark Senec Location: Senec Number of pools (including hot tubs): 11 Total pool area: 1,639 square metres Number of saunas: 8 Number of slides: 10 (414 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 29.90 Change in price year-on-year: 0 The water world in Senec has been operating for 20 years, offering 11 swimming pools and 10 slides with a total length of 414 metres to anyone interested. The admission has not changed this summer season. The company Aquathermal Senec owns and operates the park. The final user of its benefits is not known. The shareholder is the Czech company Stavcom - HP, which includes people close to businessman Frantisek Hodorovsky. Aquapark Senec. (Source: Aquapark Senec) 7) Podhajska thermal swimming pool Location: Podhajska Number of pools (including hot tubs): 18 Total pool area: 3,657 square metres Number of saunas: 5 Number of slides: 4 (194 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 14 Change in price year-on-year: 0 The thermal swimming pool in Podhajska is among the traditional water worlds. Opened in 2003, it currently offers 18 pools with a total water area of 3,657 square metres. Attractions include artificial waves, a whitewater, and natural lake. The operator and owner of the resort is the municipality of Podhajska, which is behind the company Termalne Kupalisko Podhajska. The last year was successful, with revenue exceeding 7.6 million, surpassing the record year of 2019. (Source: FB Termalne kupalisko Podhajska) 6) Patince Wellness Hotel Location: Patince Number of pools (including hot tubs): 13 Total pool area: 3,634 square metres Number of saunas: 5 Number of slides: 5 (158 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 23 Change in price year-on-year: - 2 How to increase the attractiveness of a hotel? One way to go around it is building a water park within its premises, which is what happened in the village of Patince, south Slovakia. The park opened in 2006, currently offering 13 pools with a total area of 3,634 square metres and 5 slides. The owner of the complex is Wellness Invest, backed by the financial group Pro Partners Holding, which also is a minority co-owner of the Poprad water park. Wellness Invest reported a revenue of over 3.8 million last year. According to the FinStat website, it improved by 70 percent year-on-year. (Source: Wellness Hotel Patince) 5) ThermalPark Nitrava Location: Polny Kesov Number of pools (including hot tubs): 13 Total pool area: 3,868 square metres Number of saunas: 3 Number of slides: 3 (113 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 24.50 Change in price year-on-year: + 1.50 The fifth largest water park in Slovakia is in the village of Polny Kesov, Nitra Region. ThermalPark Nitrava offers 13 pools with a total area of 3,868 square metres. The newest addition is Hotel AquaSolis opened this year. The park is operated by the company Slovak Tourism. According to the Register of Public Sector Partners, the final beneficiaries are Lubica Poluchova, who represents the municipality, and Dusan Kuca. There are lawsuits over the ownership of the premises. The company is doing well, it reported a record revenue of 3.8 million last year. (Source: ThermalPark Nitrava) 4) Tatralandia Liptovsky Mikulas Location: Liptovsky Mikulas Number of pools (including hot tubs): 20 Total pool area: 3,138 square metres Number of saunas: 7 Number of slides: 24 (1,739 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 39 Change in price year-on-year: + 3 If we were to rank water parks based on attendance, Tatralandia would probably be in the top three. In our list, the park finished just short of the top three. Tatralandia lies on the outskirts of Liptovsky Mikulas, and offers 20 swimming pools with an area of over 3,138 square metres and 24 slides. Tatralandia belongs to the portfolio of the largest player in the Slovak tourism industry, Tatry Mountain Resorts (TMR), which emerged from the financial group J&T. TMR did well in the last year, reporting a record revenue of 135.6 million. (Source: Aquapark Tatralandia) 3) Thermal Corvinus Velky Meder Location: Velky Meder Number of pools (including hot tubs): 14 Total pool area: 6,132 square metres Number of saunas: 4 Number of slides: 6 (395 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 18 Change in price year-on-year: + 1 Already during socialism swimming aficionados flocked to the town of Velky Meder, with the first pool opened in 1974. Since then, the area has undergone several expansions and modernisations. It currently offers 14 pools with a total area of 6,132 square metres. The park is owned by the limited liability company Termal, whose owner is the town. The company is doing well; in 2022 it reported record revenues, and last year it was able to increase them by 42 percent to more than 8.1 million. The profit amounted to 1.7 million. (Source: Thermal Corvinus Velky Meder) 2) Vadas Thermal Resort Sturovo Location: Sturovo Number of pools (including hot tubs): 13 Total pool area: 9,707 square metres Number of saunas: 4 Number of slides: 6 (357 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 15 Change in price year-on-year: 0 Just like the previous park, the one that placed second is also operated and owned by a municipality. In the case of the Vadas Thermal Resort water park it is the town of Sturovo and its limited liability company Vadas. The latter had a record last year, with revenues exceeding 7.6 million for the first time. This is also thanks to the largest water area in the overview; the resort boasts of a total area of 9,707 square metres. This season's novelty is a diving pool, while a bubble pool has been renovated. (Source: Vadas Thermal Resort Sturovo) 1) Vodny park Besenova Location: Besenova Number of pools (including hot tubs): 20 Total pool area: 5,379 square metres Number of saunas: 10 Number of slides: 16 (1,444 metres) Basic all day ticket to the aquapark between July and August 2024 when paying at cashier: 39 Change in price year-on-year: + 3 The Besenova water park has retained the first place in the list. Opened in 1993, since then it has been expanded several times. It currently offers 20 pools with a total area of 5,378 square metres and 16 slides. For many years, the park was associated with a businessman of Georgian origin, Nodari Giorgadze. It changed hands in 2022 when it became part of TMR's portfolio. Compared to the last year, Besenova increased the entrance fee. The price of a one-day ticket bought on the spot increased by 3 to 39. (Source: Vodny park Besenova) Slovan are to face Manchester City, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and other big teams in a thrilling 2024/2025 campaign. Clubs and fixtures are shown on a screen at the end of the draw for the Champions League, league phase, in Monaco on August 29, 2024. (Source: TASR/AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Slovan Bratislava will face some of Europes biggest names in the 2024/2025 Champions League group stage, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic, VfB Stuttgart and Girona. The draw, held on Thursday in Monte Carlo, sets the stage for a thrilling campaign, with Slovans first match scheduled for September 18, writes Sportnet, The Slovak Spectators sister publication. Slovans manager, Vladimir Weiss, expressed his excitement: Were up against arguably the strongest team, Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola at the helm. Its something Im really looking forward to. Weiss added that several of his players wishes had been fulfilled by the draw. One such player, Juraj Kuco Kucka, is particularly excited to face AC Milan. I know a lot of people at the club and still have friends there, said Kucka, who played for the Rossoneri ('red and blacks', AC Milan's club colours) from 2015 to 2017. (Source: UEFA Champions League) Weisss son, Vladimir Weiss Jr., along with winger Robert Mak, is eager for the challenge of facing Manchester City, where both developed in their youth careers. The manager also highlighted Marko Tolics upcoming clash with Dinamo Zagreb as a personal highlight, given the Croatian midfielders connections to his home country. That will definitely be an extra source of motivation for him, said Weiss. This seasons Champions League introduces a new format, expanding the group stage to 36 teams from the previous 32. Consequently, the number of matches will increase from 125 to 189. Slovan Bratislava will play home games against Manchester City, AC Milan, Dinamo Zagreb, and VfB Stuttgart, while they will travel to face Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Girona, and Celtic. (Source: UEFA Champions League) Were heading to some of the biggest and most beautiful stadiums out there. Were in for the best atmosphere in the world Celtic Park is unlike anything Ive ever experienced. Its absolutely unreal, said Weiss. Slovans path to the Champions League was hard-fought, beginning with a first qualifying round victory over FK Struga of North Macedonia (4-2, 1-3). They followed that up by knocking out NK Celje of Slovenia (1-1, 5-0) and edging past Cypriot side APOEL (2-0, 0-0) in the third round. In the playoff round, after a 1-1 draw at FC Midtjylland, Slovan triumphed 3-2 in the return leg at Tehelne Pole in Bratislava on Wednesday night. The Slovak champions will play one match against each of their group stage opponents, with points tallied in a massive 36-team table. The top 24 teams will progress to the knockout rounds in the spring. The top 8 automatically advance, while teams placed 9th to 24th will compete in a playoff for a place in the Round of 16. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/borrells-israel-sanctions-proposal-will-not-lead-to-ceasefire---italian-foreign-minister-1119954739.html Borrell's Israel Sanctions Proposal Will Not Lead to Ceasefire - Italian Foreign Minister Borrell's Israel Sanctions Proposal Will Not Lead to Ceasefire - Italian Foreign Minister Sputnik International Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday that sanctions proposed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell targeting members of the Israeli government will not lead to a ceasefire. 2024-08-29T22:24+0000 2024-08-29T22:24+0000 2024-08-29T22:24+0000 world itamar ben-gvir josep borrell antonio tajani israel hamas palestine gaza strip european union (eu) temple mount https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/15/1108625129_0:68:3072:1796_1920x0_80_0_0_683c9d93dadca43a53caad34c367111f.jpg Tajani said upon arrival at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels that the problem will not be solved by theoretical recognition of Palestine and sanctions against Israeli ministers. On Wednesday, Tajani held a call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to a read out of the call, the two discussed "ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza," among other topics.Earlier, Borrell said he had submitted to EU member states a proposal for sanctions against some Israeli ministers, noting that the decision would not be made at the foreign ministerial meeting on Thursday. According to media reports, the proposal for restrictions would affect Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich due to their provocative statements. On August 5, Smotrich said that in the context of the fight to free the Israeli hostages, he considers it justified and moral to block humanitarian aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, even if it leads to the death of 2 million Palestinians from starvation, and expressed regret that the international community will not allow this. Ben-Gvir, known for his right-wing views, spoke on August 13 with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the background calling not to go to Doha or Cairo for negotiations on the Gaza Strip, but to fight the war with the Palestinian Hamas movement to the end. He also said that Israel is moving toward allowing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Ben-Gvir's words about Tel Aviv's policy on the Temple Mount and said that it has not changed. The actions of the Israeli minister were condemned by the foreign ministries of France, Spain and Germany. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry called the Israeli minister's visit to the Temple Mount a violation of international law, as well as the historical and legal status of Jerusalem. According to Borrell, Ben-Gvir's speech at the Al-Aqsa Mosque was a provocation. 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 40,000, with more than 93,000 people injured. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240811/eu-top-diplomat-calls-for-sanctions-against-israeli-national-security-minister-1119728009.html israel palestine gaza strip 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 ceasefire in gaza, sanctions on israel, sanctions on israeli ministers BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Pujiang Innovation Forum will be held in Shanghai from Sept. 7 to 10, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) announced at a press conference in Beijing on Friday. More than 300 experts and scholars from over 40 countries and regions will attend the forum, during which a series of research achievements will be released. Foreign guests will account for nearly 40 percent of attendees. The forum, which carries the theme "Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: Towards an Open Environment for Scientific and Technological Innovation" this year, will focus on fields such as cutting-edge sci-tech and industrial development, innovative ecology and innovative talents. Topics for discussion will include life sciences, future materials and industrial integration. The 2024 Pujiang Innovation Forum will be co-hosted by the MOST and the municipal government of Shanghai. Hungary was invited as the guest of honor this year. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/philippines-plans-to-procure-40-modern-multi-role-fighter-jets-1119953844.html Philippines Plans to Procure 40 Modern Multi-Role Fighter Jets Philippines Plans to Procure 40 Modern Multi-Role Fighter Jets Sputnik International The Philippines is planning to procure 40 modern multi-role fighter jets to strengthen its territorial defense capabilities, Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro said during a budget hearing on Thursday. 2024-08-29T19:50+0000 2024-08-29T19:50+0000 2024-08-29T19:50+0000 asia us military & intelligence antony blinken philippines manila fighter jets https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/05/1101521442_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_027b6920331a180cdd05f7a9b048fe55.jpg "Just to get, for example, multi-role fighters, one dozen of those will not make any difference at all. So, the minimum for us will be 36 aircraft, which only a squadron and a half. But that would be credible. Plus four in reserve because 80 percent in service rate is a good standard," Teodoro said, as quoted by GMA News. Philippine government is exploring the option of syndicated loans from private banks. Teodoro has already held consultations with the Bankers Association of the Philippines, the Central Bank, and the Department of Finance to obtain the necessary approvals for long-term tenders. He also urged lawmakers to draft legislation to remove existing financial restrictions on defense acquisitions.In July, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US would provide $500 million in financial assistance to enhance the Philippines' defense capabilities. Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned plans to more than double investments under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), with $128 million allocated this year for key infrastructure projects in the Philippines.In February 2023, Manila designated four additional military bases for US forces under the 2014 EDCA, bringing the total number to nine. These bases are strategically positioned, with many located near the contested waters of the South China Sea and Taiwan. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/pentagon-slaps-lockheed-with-5mln-per-f-35-withheld-until-upgrades-work---reports-1119953332.html philippines manila 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 defense minister gilbert teodoro, philippines, us selling fighter jets, fighter jets sales https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/sullivan-xi-meeting-wont-improve-us-china-relations-1119955094.html Sullivan-Xi Meeting Wont Improve US-China Relations Sullivan-Xi Meeting Wont Improve US-China Relations Sputnik International On Wednesday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited China, meeting with President Xi Jinping and other high-ranking Chinese officials. The meeting... 29.08.2024, Sputnik International 2024-08-29T22:49+0000 2024-08-29T22:49+0000 2024-08-30T04:23+0000 jake sullivan joe biden jinping tiktok huawei bytedance china us xi jinping analysis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1d/1119954938_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_549844347dc051218ec7ef50ecc943a1.jpg The meeting was reported as an attempt to improve relations between the worlds two largest economies and militaries, but is unlikely to move the needle in any perceptible way, scholar, journalist and geopolitical analyst specializing in the Asia-Pacific KJ Noh told Sputniks Political Misfits.Despite occasional public overtures by the United States, its actions have been consistently aimed at limiting Chinas growth and influence. The United States saw itself fit to insert itself in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. It has also supported Chinese separatists in Taiwan, held military drills in the region, flown spy planes right on Chinas borders, and stationed troops just a mile off of Chinas coast.Then there is the economic warfare. If you recall, when they initially rolled out these [micro]chip sanctions, [influential think tanks] crowed that they had essentially destroyed Chinas economy. They said they had China in a four-point chokehold and they were strangling with intent to kill, that this was a declaration of war. They never walked back those statements, explained Koh. Jake Sullivan emphasized in the readout that the US will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced US technology from being used to undermine national security, that means theyre going to continue the tech war against China.Despite the United States hand-wringing about national security and election interference, Koh suspects the real reason for the tech war, particularly on Chinese tech giants Huawei and ByteDance, is to maintain the US monopoly control over the backbone of the internet and social media companies for geostrategic reasons.Huawei is the worlds largest supplier of telecommunication equipment that makes up the backbone of the internet, like routers and servers. ByteDance owns TikTok, one of the most popular and fastest-growing social media platforms, boasting 170 million users in the United States and more than a billion worldwide.The upcoming call between Xi and Biden will be to let China know that if Harris wins in November, the Harris administration is essentially going to keep our policies as is.I think they want to position themselves as a better alternative than [former US President Donald] Trump who the Chinese are weary about because hes so unpredictable despite his kind of transactional neo-mercantile approach to China, explained Koh. But what we do have to note is anything that Trump did in terms of escalating against China, the Biden administration has maintained and then took it up several notches. All you have to do is look at the tariffs [and] youll see that the Biden administration has been much, much, much worse.Koh speculated that Sullivan wanted to stabilize relations between the countries before the election but afterward the escalation against China will continue.So from a Chinese perspective, there are no good choices in November, Noh contended. I dont think theyre making plans for either administration. The Chinese outlook is just literally the long term. They believe that if they can avoid war, and if they can avoid nuclear war, then eventually, things will stabilize and the United States will hopefully find a modus vivendi. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240822/act-of-madness-us-soft-launches-new-nuclear-plans-refocusing-on-russia-and-china---report-1119877155.html jinping china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino 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 Ian DeMartino jake sullivan, joe biden, jinping, tiktok, huawei, bytedance , china, us, xi jinping https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/belarus-to-create-its-own-analogue-of-youtube---deputy-head-of-presidential-administration-1119956334.html Belarus to Create Its Own Analogue of YouTube - Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Belarus to Create Its Own Analogue of YouTube - Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Sputnik International Belarus will make a video sharing platform that will allow user to share videos and will also include live television broadcasts of major Belarusian television channels. 2024-08-30T01:11+0000 2024-08-30T01:11+0000 2024-08-30T01:11+0000 beyond politics belarus russia youtube sputnik belta science & tech https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107288/16/1072881667_0:100:1921:1180_1920x0_80_0_0_bffc0e1928821ae05297d5447ea3b7c2.jpg "Video hosting service videobel.by is our first OTT [over-the-top media service] platform, which will host programs and various sections. And even off-air activities of video content creators. If you like, this is a rather weak analogue, but such a first step towards creating a Belarusian YouTube," state news agency Belta quoted Pertsov as saying. According to him, it is impossible to predict how the situation with YouTube, whose download and playback speed has recently slowed down in Russia, and other OTT services will develop further. He said that in addition to user videos, the video hosting service will provide the opportunity to watch the main Belarusian TV channels in real time, and the main page will also feature a feed of the main news of the Belta state news agency. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/russia-not-planning-to-restrict-access-to-youtube---kremlin-1119352157.html belarus 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 belarus youtube, belarus streaming options https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/eu-rejects-legitimacy-of-venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro--foreign-policy-chief-borrell-1119956605.html EU Rejects Legitimacy of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro - Foreign Policy Chief Borrell EU Rejects Legitimacy of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro - Foreign Policy Chief Borrell Sputnik International The European Union rejects the legitimacy of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. 2024-08-30T03:20+0000 2024-08-30T03:20+0000 2024-08-30T05:03+0000 americas nicolas maduro josep borrell dmitry peskov venezuela european union (eu) sputnik newsfeed europe https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/01/1119589875_0:0:3075:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_f97baff73ab1a86586657ce39fb7cdbb.jpg "We cannot accept the legitimacy of Maduro as the elected president. He will remain president de facto, but we deny democratic legitimacy based on results that cannot be verified," Euronews quoted Borrell as saying after an informal foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels. Presidential elections in Venezuela were held on July 28. The next day the National Electoral Council declared Nicolas Maduro president-elect for 2025-2031. On July 29, protests started in Venezuela, protesters clashing with the police. Over 2,000 people were detained. Violent unrest in Venezuela lasted one day after the elections, after which the government restored control over the situation on the streets. US and European lawmakers in charge of foreign affairs matters issued a joint statement claiming opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez won Venezuela's presidential election and vowing to hold Maduro accountable if he refuses to relinquish power. Moscow said the Venezuelan opposition must admit defeat in the elections. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned third countries against supporting attempts to destabilize the situation inside Venezuela. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240804/major-latin-american-powers-hungary-block-us-eu-push-to-isolate-venezuelas-maduro-1119638367.html americas venezuela 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 nicolas maduro, what countries recognize maduro, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/kremlin-says-no-meetings-ever-take-place-between-putin-durov-1119958764.html Kremlin Affirms Putin, Durov Never Held Any Meetings Kremlin Affirms Putin, Durov Never Held Any Meetings Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin and Telegram founder Pavel Durov have never held meetings, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. 2024-08-30T10:41+0000 2024-08-30T10:41+0000 2024-08-30T11:12+0000 russia russia france dmitry peskov pavel durov kremlin presidential administration mercenaries https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107941/39/1079413913_0:0:3035:1708_1920x0_80_0_0_5da4f327e706d710734e029ff930f9a8.jpg On August 24, Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, was detained at a Paris airport on charges related to the criminal use of his messaging app, including terrorism, child pornography, drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud. The 39-year-old billionaire holds citizenship of several countries, including France. On Wednesday, Durov was released under judicial supervision, banned from leaving France and ordered to pay a 5 million euro ($5.5 million) bail. Durov had not held any negotiations with the Kremlin, the official said, adding that there were no agreements.Peskov on also refused to comment on the detention of two Colombian citizens in Russia, redirecting the question to the relevant departments. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/dangerous-platform-really-world-leaders-even-macron-still-use-telegram-despite-durov-arrest--1119957403.html russia 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 did durov meet putin, telegram founder pavel durov meeting with putin, colombian citizens detained in russia, colombian mercs in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/mali-alarmed-that-weapons-supplied-to-ukraine-fuel-terrorism-in-sahel-region---envoy-to-un-1119963564.html Mali Alarmed That Weapons Supplied to Ukraine Fuel Terrorism in Sahel Region - Envoy to UN Mali Alarmed That Weapons Supplied to Ukraine Fuel Terrorism in Sahel Region - Envoy to UN Sputnik International Mali is alarmed that the weapons supplied to Ukraine by the collective West are ultimately fueling terrorism in the Sahel region, Malian Ambassador to the United Nations Oumar Daou said in Friday. 2024-08-30T19:22+0000 2024-08-30T19:22+0000 2024-08-30T19:22+0000 world ukraine mali us arms for ukraine the united nations (un) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/10/1118485193_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_3f710a7dda8db20973567c424cfb3b12.jpg "The government of Mali would like to express its alarm with regard to the supply of weapons to Ukraine, because it's been clearly established that a good part of the weapons end up fueling terrorism and crime in the Sahel," Daou said during a meeting of the UN Security Council.The Malian ambassador also said that the weapons deliveries carry the risk of further destabilizing countries in Africa and exacerbate the suffering of the Malian people, who have already been "sorely tested by several years of conflict with dramatic consequences."French media, citing a Malian military source, reported in early August that terrorists from the Malian armed separatist groups traveled to Ukraine to receive training there. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230924/ukraine-loses-a-lot-of-western-stryker-and-marder-armored-vehicles-in-zaporozhye--media-1113617865.html ukraine mali 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 malian ambassador to the united nations oumar daou, where does ukrainian weapon go, ukraine lost western weapon https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/mario-nawfal-on-durovs-arrest-globalist-attack-on-free-speech-and-whats-next-for-x-and-elon-musk-1119958009.html Mario Nawfal on Durov's Arrest, Globalist Attack on Free Speech, and What's Next for X and Elon Musk Mario Nawfal on Durov's Arrest, Globalist Attack on Free Speech, and What's Next for X and Elon Musk Sputnik International Entrepreneur and popular X Spaces host Mario Nawfal joins Sputnik to focus on Telegram CEO Pavel Durovs arrest in France, the increasing crackdown on independent social media platforms and the imminent demise of legacy media. 2024-08-30T13:01+0000 2024-08-30T13:01+0000 2024-08-30T13:01+0000 world pavel durov elon musk france telegram us europe x x (formerly twitter) emmanuel macron https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/1e/1119960038_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_5a07811cc4184c945ecc8d93bd0f2ca6.jpg Mario Nawfal is an investor and host of the largest show on X, whose meteoric rise has apparently made many legacy media presenters jealous. He boasts over 1.6 million followers on X, and his Roundtable Show, which has featured high-profile figures such as billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and other celebrities, reportedly attracts millions of listeners each week. The 30-year-old is also the chief executive of the International Blockchain Consulting (IBC) Group, a leading blockchain consulting firm, based in Dubai. Nawfal was among the first to sound the alarm about the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and the excessive charges he faced. He also questioned the legacy medias silence regarding Paris's assault on free speech. Join Sputnik's live feed to find out more! 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 Mario Nawfal on Durov's Arrest, Globalist Attack on Free Speech, and What's Next for X and Elon Musk Sputnik International Mario Nawfal on Durov's Arrest, Globalist Attack on Free Speech, and What's Next for X and Elon Musk 2024-08-30T13:01+0000 true PT1S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International mario nawfal, telegram ceo pavel durov, durov arrest in france, crackdown on independent platforms, x, twitter, rumble, independent social media platforms, legacy media, freedom of speech https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/mercenaries-speaking-english-with-georgian-accent-poles-spotted-near-kursk--russian-envoy-1119956744.html Mercenaries Speaking English With Georgian Accent, Poles Spotted Near Kursk Mercenaries Speaking English With Georgian Accent, Poles Spotted Near Kursk Sputnik International The Russian Foreign Minister Ambassador-at-large on the Kiev Regime's War Crimes, Rodio Miroshnik said that he met dozen of civilians who saw mercenaries speaking English with a Georgian accent and Polish units in the Kursk Region 2024-08-30T03:38+0000 2024-08-30T03:38+0000 2024-08-30T07:54+0000 russia kursk vladimir putin russian foreign ministry russia russian defense ministry ukraine rodion miroshnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/0b/1119723298_0:1:3638:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_e5dd6adebc7eccfbc33fc5afc475cc91.jpg Earlier, Miroshnik told Sputnik that he visited the Kursk Region last week. He said that during the visit he met with dozens of civilians who told him about the enemy's crimes. 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. The Russian Defense Ministry said August 29 that Ukrainian troops had lost up to 7,450 servicemen and 74 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk Region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/russia-will-hand-data-on-ukrainian-crimes-to-intl-organizations--special-envoy-miroshnik-1119956219.html kursk russia ukraine 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 mercenaries in ukraine, mercenaries in kursk, kursk raids, kursk war crimes, nato involvement in ukraine, nato war against russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/oil-prices-tumble-for-2nd-month-as-demand-worries-usurp-middle-east-risk-1119964093.html Oil Prices Tumble for 2nd Month as Demand Worries Usurp Middle East Risk Oil Prices Tumble for 2nd Month as Demand Worries Usurp Middle East Risk Sputnik International Crude prices tumbled a second month in a row as August trading concluded on Friday amid worries about Chinese demand that offset fears about the war in the Middle East disrupting oil shipments. 2024-08-30T21:03+0000 2024-08-30T21:03+0000 2024-08-30T21:02+0000 economy us us economy global economy business oil prices https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/06/1118807117_0:99:3340:1977_1920x0_80_0_0_439d53ed7d5540d2d0fa4680d4047325.jpg US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled the final session of August down $2.36, or 3.11%, at $73.55 per barrel. That brought WTIs losses for the week to 1.7%. For the month, the US crude benchmark fell 5.6%, adding to Julys deficit of 4.5%. UK-origin Brent crude finished the New York trading session down $1.14, or 1.4%, at $78.80 per barrel. For the week, Brent slid just 0.3%. For the month, the global crude benchmark slumped 2.5%, adding to Julys plunge of 6.5%. Despite crude prices continuing their downtrend for the second month in a row, August proved to be a volatile month for the trade. This week, particularly, was proof of that. WTI and Brent rallied for two days on concerns about output disruptions in Libya and the potential for a major Iranian strike on Israel that could reignite geopolitical risk in the Middle East. Offsetting those gains were three days of losses on data pointing to weaker growth in China. Some were surprised by the tumble in WTI, given the potential for road-trips among Americans celebrating the long Labor Day weekend that includes a holiday on Monday. Even so, GasBuddy, a website that tracks US fuel prices and road travel trends, said this years Labor Day might be the least popular summer holiday to hit the road. It said just over a third of respondents to its survey had travel plans for the occasion. WTI has also been negatively impacted by less-than-flattering consumption numbers for oil reported by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) for the just-ended week. US crude inventories fell by just 846,000 barrels during the week ended August 23, the EIA said, versus expectations for a 2.8-million barrel drop and the prior weeks consumption of 4.7 million. Distillate stockpiles did worse, sliding by only 275,000 barrels against an expected draw of 815,000 barrels and the prior weeks tumble of 3.3 million. Distillates are primarily processed into the diesel required by trucks, buses, and ships, and also goes into making airplane fuel. Only gasoline stockpiles came in as forecast, drawing 2.2 million barrels versus expectations for 2.15 million and the prior weeks usage of 1.6 million. Gasoline is the primary motor fuel in the United States and makes up the largest component of the countrys energy mix. US crude prices arent the only one in bearish territory. Goldman Sachs, Wall Streets leading forecaster of oil prices, has slashed its outlook on Brent by $5 to a wide range of between $70 and $85 for the remainder of the year. For 2025, it expected a barrel to average $77, versus $82 before. Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sachs, attributed the dour outlook on Brent to weaker oil demand in China as the worlds second-largest economy turns from gasoline-powered cars to electric vehicles. Chinas economy is also stuttering. Prices of newly constructed homes fell 4.9% in July from a year earlier, the fastest drop in nine years, according to calculations by Reuters. Unemployment ticked up last month by 0.2% to 5.2%, with the 16-24 age group, particularly, hit by a 17% jobless rate the highest since such data became available in December. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240821/oil-prices-hit-new-2024-low-as-us-jobs-cut-scare-offsets-crude-draws-1119866862.html 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, us economy, global economy, business, oil prices https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/russia-will-hand-data-on-ukrainian-crimes-to-intl-organizations--special-envoy-miroshnik-1119956219.html Russia to Hand Info on Ukrainian Crimes to Int'l Organizations - Special Envoy Russia to Hand Info on Ukrainian Crimes to Int'l Organizations - Special Envoy Sputnik International The Russian Foreign Ministry will hand over all information it has about the crimes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces operating in Russia's Kursk Region. 2024-08-30T00:47+0000 2024-08-30T00:47+0000 2024-08-30T07:46+0000 russia ukrainian armed forces russian foreign ministry kursk russia ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/13/1119825867_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_c36e66a2e6be3aebdea116aef24a062d.jpg "We are currently continuing to work there. Our representatives are collecting data, recording testimonies of people who have seen Kiev's crimes. All this data will be collected, identified, processed, confirmed by photo and video recording and will be transferred for work on international platforms to our representatives, delegations to the UN Security Council, OSCE, and HRC," 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. The Russian Defense Ministry said August 29 that Ukrainian troops had lost up to 7,450 servicemen and 74 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk Region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/zakharova-calls-ukraine-attacking-kursk-region-way-of-responding-to-putins-peace-initiative-1119948483.html kursk russia ukraine 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 ukrainian war crimes, kursk incursion, kursk raid, GABORONE, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Botswana health authorities announced on Thursday that four children, aged between three and nine, have died from diarrhea in August alone. Christopher Nyanga, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, said the country has been experiencing a surge in diarrhea cases with dehydration since the beginning of August. "A total of 271 diarrhea cases have been reported across the country, with four deaths occurring in the northeastern part of the country," Nyanga said during an epidemiological meeting held in Francistown, Botswana's second-largest city. Nyanga said this is a known diarrhea season in Botswana and urged citizens not to panic, but to maintain high standards of hygiene. Symptoms of diarrhea include loss of body fluids, stomach pain, abdominal swelling, frequent bathroom visits and fever, according to the Ministry of Health. Epidemiological experts said diarrhea mainly affects children under the age of 10. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/ukraine-apparently-given-carte-blanche-for-operations-in-russian-regions---moscow-1119957053.html Ukraine Apparently Given Carte Blanche for Operations in Russian Regions - Moscow Ukraine Apparently Given Carte Blanche for Operations in Russian Regions - Moscow Sputnik International Ukraine has apparently been given carte blanche for operations in Russian regions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. 2024-08-30T05:02+0000 2024-08-30T05:02+0000 2024-08-30T05:02+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine maria zakharova vladimir putin john kirby ukraine russia kursk russian foreign ministry pentagon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/15/1116300409_0:0:3255:1831_1920x0_80_0_0_0d784aba2cb672fb020894aa23769003.jpg Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Thursday that the US allows Ukraine to counterattack Russia with US weapons during the terrorist attack in the Kursk Region. White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said Monday that the United States and Ukraine will continue having conversations concerning the allowed use of US-supplied weapons for striking Russian territory, but those discussions will remain private. She said the US escalation course is becoming increasingly provocative. 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. The Russian Defense Ministry said August 29 that Ukrainian troops had lost up to 7,450 servicemen and 74 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk Region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/russia-will-hand-data-on-ukrainian-crimes-to-intl-organizations--special-envoy-miroshnik-1119956219.html ukraine russia kursk 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 ukraine has apparently been given carte blanche for operations in russian regions, russian foreign ministry spokeswoman maria zakharova said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/ukraine-loses-over-7800-troops-during-operation-in-kursk-direction-1119959103.html Ukraine Loses Over 7,800 Troops During Operation in Kursk Direction Ukraine Loses Over 7,800 Troops During Operation in Kursk Direction Sputnik International The Russian armed forces have eliminated more than 7,800 Ukrainian servicemen and 75 tanks during military operations in the border areas of the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2024-08-30T12:12+0000 2024-08-30T12:12+0000 2024-08-30T12:27+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine kursk russian defense ministry kiev https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/12/1119810703_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_ffa81c16ce9fd68cc03cba7adfad21d3.jpg "In total, during the military operations in the Kursk direction, the enemy lost more than 7,800 servicemen, 75 tanks, 36 infantry fighting vehicles, 64 armored personnel carriers, 507 armored combat vehicles, 235 vehicles, 53 artillery pieces, 15 multiple launch rocket system launchers," the ministry said in a statement. Over the past 24 hours, Kiev lost more than 380 servicepeople and 22 units of armored vehicles in the Kursk direction, the ministry also said. Units of the Russian northern group repelled five attacks by Ukrainian troops and thwarted attempts by Ukrainian troops to attack in the Kursk Region, the ministry said, adding that Kiev has lost up to 40 people, three combat armored vehicles and two cars. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/ukraine-apparently-given-carte-blanche-for-operations-in-russian-regions---moscow-1119957053.html ukraine kursk kiev 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 the russian armed forces have eliminated more than 7,800 ukrainian servicemen and 75 tanks during military operations in the border areas of the kursk region, the russian defense ministry said on friday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240830/us-russian-deputy-envoys-have-heated-exchange-at-un-security-council-over-gaza-ceasefire-1119955985.html US, Russian Deputy Envoys Have Heated Exchange at UN Security Council Over Gaza Ceasefire US, Russian Deputy Envoys Have Heated Exchange at UN Security Council Over Gaza Ceasefire Sputnik International The deputy representatives for the US and Russian missions to the United Nations had a heated argument over the Gaza conflict. 2024-08-30T00:38+0000 2024-08-30T00:38+0000 2024-08-30T00:38+0000 world robert wood dmitry polyanskiy russia israel un security council (unsc) newsfeed palestine palestine-israel conflict israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/09/1108216678_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_13e03dfbf328fb35e26793771ad7980c.jpg "I dont need to sit here and explain to you why the US did what it did with regard to these resolutions. You know quite well and I think everybody in this room does," US Deputy Envoy Robert Wood said in response to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Polyanskiy. The Russian diplomat remarked earlier that the United States has been blocking a ceasefire in Gaza by supporting Israel and vetoing UN Security Council resolutions concerning the Palestinian enclave. "However, it turned out - and no one is surprised about this- that these calls were far from a reality as was the US so-called Biden-plan which was [adopted by the Security Council on June 10 as Resolution 2735]," Polyanskiy continued. "Israel did not agree to that deal then, nor has it agreed now to end its operations... [The US is] modifying the parameters for a ceasefire in Gaza for the benefit of Western Jerusalem. Let us recall that the Security Council did not consent to any reformatting of the parameters of agreements that were set out in Resolution 2735.Wood pointed out that the United States is now focusing on its efforts together with Egypt and Qatar to implement a framework that was agreed to by the Israeli government and Hamas. Wood also emphasized that Hamas has been changing its position on the proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal. Polyanskiy replied that that Wood should keep his recommendations about him or the Russian government to himself and the United States should stop getting in the way of the UN Security Council discussing the Palestinian dossier. The United States bears the responsibility of what is happening now in Gaza, where more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023. "If my other colleagues don't have the courage to tell you this to your face, I have no problem doing so," Polyanskiy said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240820/israels-litany-of-new-conditions-ruined-hamas-ceasefire-deal---analyst-1119840655.html russia israel 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 gaza un security council, 9715th meeting, us russian envoys argue, us russian envoys debate, fight After swimming her way to a lifetime best performance on Aug. 14, Dollys Sky is back at her home track and tackles the afternoon feature on a special Labour Day presentation at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway on Monday, Sept. 2. The Prince County oval has 14 dashes starting at 1 p.m on Monday with the $3,000 featured pace lining up in Race 13. Kyle Desroche trains and drives the morning line favourite Dollys Sky, who returns to her home region of Western P.E.I., this week with post two for owner Vance MacMillan of West Cape. The eight-year-old daughter of Dali has hit the board in her last four starts against pacing mares including a 1:56.1 lifetime best at Red Shores Charlottetown as she surfed up for an off-the-pace score. Veteran pacer Hunger Pangs has post five from the Blaine McKenna barn with Brady Sweet getting the catch driving call as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line. Starshipzodiac provided a 10-1 upset in his latest start and retains the services of leading Red Shores Summerside driver David Dowling from post six for trainer Reece Williams. Freemans Legacy (To be driven by Jaycob Sweet) holds down post one as the three-year-old son of Pang Shui takes another crack at aged company. Also in the field are Doc Awesome (Paul Langille), Screen Test (Corey MacPherson) and Sauble Attack (Ken Murphy). The Backstretch Beat likes Hunger Pangs to win. Hunger Pangs has been facing some top pacers and garnering a cheque every week. With 24 wins and a mark of 1:54.2 he has the back class to get the job done at virtually any level and we think hell find these to his liking. Well play him on top. Bump In The Road is the favourite in the Race 14 finale for a $2,300 purse. Brett Leblanc drives the Sportswriter mare from the Chris Davies barn. Driver Leblanc co-owns the 14-time winner with Joel Leblanc and Lisa Marie Leblance of Nova Scotia. One of her main foes is Mike Dowling trainee Shes Rockandfame (Dowling) who tied all distaffers in Canada for wins in 2023 with 15 victories last season. For Monday's entries, click the following link: Monday Entries - Summerside Raceway. (Red Shores) A pair of female pacers destined for Grand Circuit action stole the show during the session of qualifiers on Friday, Aug. 30 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The fastest mile of the day came from four-year-old mare Always B Naughty, who sat patiently in fourth for driver Josert Fonseca through fractions of :29, :58 and 1:25.4 posted by Cold Creek Queso (Sylvain Filion). At the head of the stretch, Captains Quarters (Jody Jamieson) angled from the pocket to challenge while Fonseca tipped Always B Naughty to the two path, and then the three path approaching the wire. With a :25.4 final panel, Always B Naughty hit the wire a head in front of Captains Quarters, with the mile timed in 1:52.2. A winner of her Roses Are Red elimination at Mohawk this past June, Always B Naughty is gearing up for the eliminations for the Milton Stakes. Those $35,000 splits (if required) will take place next Saturday (Sept. 7). Nancy Takter trains the Always B Miki - Ooh Shesa Badlands mare, and she co-owns the 12-time winner along with Let It Ride Stables Inc., Odds On Racing and R B H Ventures Inc. The eliminations for the Shes A Great Lady take place the week after the Milton on Sept. 14, and Nice Buns (pictured above) showed off for her connections in advance of that stakes test with an impressive 1:52.3 mile in her qualifying test. After making a break in her Eternal Camnation division six days ago, trainer Tony Beaton dropped the filly back in for a qualifier. She's never looked better, sprinting away after taking the lead just after the opening quarter for driver James MacDonald and winning by more than four in a lifetime best effort. Fellow freshmen Reigning Captain (Doug McNair) and Call You Up (Louis-Philippe Roy) also performed well to round out the top trio. Nice Buns (Sweet Lou - Tongue In Cheek) is owned by Casie Coleman and Dumain Haven Farm LLC. The video stream from the second race on is available below. For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers). (Standardbred Canada) This year marks the seventh annual celebration of National Caretaker Appreciation Day (NCAD), a significant event that pays tribute to the contributions of caretakers in the harness racing industry. The festivities are set to begin on Friday, Aug. 30 and will continue over the following two weeks. The 2024 NCAD schedule in order of events is as follows: Kawartha Downs Friday, Aug. 30 Friday, Aug. 30 Clinton Raceway Sunday, Sept. 1 Sunday, Sept. 1 Grand River Raceway Friday, Sept. 6 Friday, Sept. 6 Truro Raceway Friday, Sept. 6 Friday, Sept. 6 Woodbine Mohawk Park Friday, Sept. 6 Friday, Sept. 6 The Track On 2 Saturday, Sept. 7 Saturday, Sept. 7 Leamington Raceway Sunday, Sept. 8 Sunday, Sept. 8 Summerside Raceway Tuesday, Sept. 10 Tuesday, Sept. 10 Fraser Downs - Thursday, Sept. 12 - Thursday, Sept. 12 Charlottetown Driving Park Thursday, Sept. 12 Thursday, Sept. 12 Rideau Carleton Raceway Thursday, Sept. 12 Thursday, Sept. 12 Hanover Raceway Saturday, Sept. 14 Saturday, Sept. 14 Hippodrome 3R Sunday, Sept. 15 Sunday, Sept. 15 The Raceway at Western Fair District Friday, Nov. 1 For the seventh consecutive year, the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) will support NCAD at racetracks across Ontario. This year, COSA's sponsorship will include $100 VISA gift cards, offering caretakers a meaningful token of appreciation and the flexibility to use the reward as they see fit. Activities will be held at each participating racetrack to celebrate and honour caretakers. Fraser Downs is set to kick off its Fall Meet with a special NCAD event on Sept. 12. This event will honour the dedication and hard work of caretakers with gift bags filled with generous donations from local businesses. There will also be a variety of wraps, goodies and beverages for caretakers to enjoy. Grand River Raceway will join the NCAD celebrations on Sept. 6. Its event will feature a special gift for each caretaker, a complimentary dinner provided by COSA and a gift for the winning caretaker of each race, courtesy of Wilsons Tack. Additionally, a lucky caretaker will be drawn per race to win a gift card, sponsored by COSA, and the day will also include a prize for the best-groomed horse. On Sept. 14, Hanover Raceway will continue the celebrations for NCAD on its final race day of the year. The event will feature a range of prizes to honour caretakers commitment and a picture display board in the grandstand area will showcase their vital contributions to the industry. Caretakers will also enjoy a complimentary lunch and receive gift cards from COSA. Beyond the racetrack, owners, trainers and drivers are encouraged to show appreciation through gestures of kindness. Such as providing doughnuts, muffins and coffee at the stable, hosting a BBQ or catered lunch, offering a paid day off or bonus, presenting 'thank you' cards with gift cards or enrolling caretakers as licensed grooms with Standardbred Canada to ensure they receive insurance and benefits. Standardbred Canada would like to thank the following individuals for contributing to the 2024 Faces of Racing series. These individuals represent the heart and soul of harness racing, and their stories offer a glimpse into the dedication and passion that define this industry. To learn more, visit the profiles of: Together, with Standardbred Canada, you are invited to show your appreciation for all the unsung heroes in our industry as we celebrate the seventh edition of National Caretaker Appreciation Day. (Standardbred Canada) The Iredell County Community Foundation recently awarded $160,554 in grants to 26 nonprofits. The grants are designed to support projects and programs that address education, mental health, human services, veteran affairs, and workforce development in Iredell County. Grants from this cycle include $12,000 to FeedNC to provide life skills and training to join the workforce; $10,000 to Mooresville Area Christian Mission to help prevent homelessness through rental assistance; and $12,500 to HealthReach Community Clinic to provide free mental health services to Iredell County residents. HealthReach is incredibly grateful to be the recipient of funding from the Iredell County Community Foundation, which will help to support mental health programming for our patients, said Angela McMillan, executive director at HealthReach Community Clinic. Since 2003, we have been improving the health and well-being of our neighbors in need. With this generous support from the Foundation, HealthReach is empowered to continue developing our mental health initiatives, fostering resilience and healing among those we serve. The Iredell County Community Foundation is a regional affiliate of Charlotte-based Foundation for the Carolinas. The grants were awarded by the ICCFs local board of advisers as part of an annual grantmaking program. The Foundation has invested more than $2.9 million in projects and programs that support Iredell County residents since 1998. The needs of Iredell County continue to grow in many important areas, said Iredell County Board Chair Doug McCracken. The foundation is pleased to be able to support so many capable and committed nonprofit organizations in Iredell County working hard to fulfill these needs. They are making a huge difference. The Iredell County Community Foundations 2024 grant awards include: $2,500 to Autism Society of North Carolina to support Autism resource specialists in Iredell County. $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont to support after-school and summer programs for Iredell County youth. $10,000 to Childrens Hope Alliance to provide outpatient therapy services for Iredell County children and families. $3,500 to Classroom Central to provide school supplies to students and teachers in the Iredell-Statesville School System. $5,000 to Fifth Street Ministries to support their Community Food Box Program that delivers food to those in need. $12,000 to FeedNC to support the culinary and warehouse workforce development training and job placement program. $2,500 to Foundation of Hope Ministries, Inc. to provide essential services to the most vulnerable citizens who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness. $5,000 for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region to help support the new homeownership program in Mooresville. $12,500 to HealthReach Community Clinic to provide free mental health services to Iredell County residents in need. $2,554 to Hope of Mooresville for their workforce development program. $10,000 to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County to help support Rainbow Kidz, a grief counseling and education program for Iredell County children ages 5 to 18. $6,000 to I-CARE, Inc. to offer workforce development opportunities in high-demand careers to Iredell County adults. $5,000 to Iredell Friends of the Library to provide digital literacy and workforce development education to residents of Iredell County. $5,000 to LifeSpan Services to support the Pre-K Summer Program, which prepares students to be more successful in school and helps prevent summer learning loss. $10,000 to Mooresville Area Christian Mission to provide crisis rental assistance to families in Southern Iredell County. $3,000 to North Carolina Symphony to support a music education concert for Iredell County students. $10,000 to Pharos Parenting to provide a bilingual parent aide to teach parenting skills in Spanish. $7,500 to Piedmont Veterans Assistance Council for their veteran transportation program. $5,000 to Power Cross to support one-on-one and small group tutoring in math and reading for K-12 students. $8,000 to Purple Heart Homes to build wheelchair-accessible ramps for Iredell County veterans as part of the Veterans Aging in Place program. $5,000 to Safe Surfin Foundation for Cyber S.W.A.T., an educational program that teaches youth about online safety. $2,500 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. to provide beds and bedding for Iredell County residents in need. $5,000 to Speak Life and Live to support the GEMS and GENTS camps and workshops, which focus on literacy, math and fostering healthy habits. $3,000 to Special Treasures of Iredell County, Inc. to support youth aging out of the foster care system. $5,000 to Iredell County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership to provide academic, personal, career, and college readiness programming for high school students in Iredell County. $5,000 to Veterans Bridge Home to coordinate care for Iredell County veterans including health care, employment, housing, education and social capital, among other needs. Interdisciplinary training plays a critical role in medical education, yet not all medical schools integrate AI into their programs. Understanding AIs application in diagnosing and treating patients is becoming increasingly important. Medical school graduates who have not yet encountered this new educational technology can now access an online program designed to assist them in obtaining crucial medical residencies and fellowships. With over 20 years of experience, Residents Medical offers a tailored pathway to help medical school students and graduates secure their desired residency or fellowship in the United States. The company leverages a network of residency programs affiliated with leading schools and teaching hospitals to help medical school graduates stand out from the crowd. Dr. Michael Everest, founder and CEO, believes that technological innovations are as vital as medical advancements themselves. Residents Medical has been at the forefront of cutting-edge medical advancements. We focus on helping US and non-US IMG medical school graduates become US medical residents and eventually board-certified professionals, Everest says. Overall, my outlook on AI in education is positive because I focus on using technology to help humanity. With proper guidance and a moral compass, AI can undoubtedly be a powerful tool for advancing education and improving lives worldwide. As AI technology becomes increasingly essential in healthcare, medical residents must be trained in their specific medical fields to effectively implement and work with AI technologies. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that residents are well-prepared for the evolving digital landscape in healthcare, leading to improved patient outcomes and enhanced learning experiences. AI is already used to automate high-volume repetitive tasks, such as precision imaging in hospitals and clinics. Michael Everest points out that medical school graduates who are familiar with and have experience working with AI applications will be more likely to get into the residencies and fellowships they desire. Everest also uses AI as an educational tool. Through his company, edYOU, he created a conversational AI avatar or being, as he refers to it. We have developed an incredibly lifelike AI being that offers interactive communication and a unique learning experience. What sets this AI apart from Chat GPT-3 and other similar technologies is the addition of a human-like face, which adds a new dimension to the interaction. I refer to our AI beings as the Face of Safe AI. With three patents on this technology, Everest uses it to enhance the whole gamut of education, from grade school to higher graduate learning even into medical school and the business world. These AI beings, Hannah, Nova, and Eddie, can act as a teaching assistant, tutor, or study buddy. Leveraging AI comes with great responsibility, especially in the context of education, Everest explains. Minimizing hallucinations and keeping the technology within a secure environment is crucial, given the novelty of AI. As someone who is involved in creating medical doctors through residency and the education processes, I understand the significance of proper training, especially when it involves life and death situations. Everest says edYOU offers individually tailored educational programs. Working with Study Buddy Nova can help students facing barriers in a regular classroom, whether due to age, race, national origin, medical conditions, or any other issue that holds them back in traditional settings. Its all about sharing knowledge, learning, and growing together without the pressure of social expectations or biases, Dr. Everest says. This nurturing environment fosters confidence, allowing individuals to build their skills and self-assurance at their own pace. Having such a supportive and inclusive platform can be incredibly empowering and help people thrive in a world where acceptance and understanding are sometimes hard to come by. In traditional learning settings, students read the material and then get quizzed separately. However, edYOU Technologies takes a different approach. Everests platform seamlessly integrates the reading and quizzing process. Students interact directly with the AI through Hannah, eliminating the need to switch between tools like reading materials and external Chat GPTs. This type of education works well for Residents Medical, which serves medical students worldwide. Everests desire to create this company was fueled by the realization of the inherent bias and favoritism toward certain races in medical schools. I saw the need to level the playing field and address the significant doctor shortage, Everest says. When you have limited positions and thousands of applicants, many from prestigious institutions like UCLA, University of Chicago, Northwestern, or UCSD, it becomes challenging for individuals from countries like Sierra Leone or India to compete. I sought to create opportunities and integrate these doctors into a program at Residents Medical that provides the necessary support and test preparation, which is where AI beings like Hannah come in. Students can learn from her without facing any sort of bias. Everest credits his positive outlook on AI in education to his focus on using technology to help humanity. With proper guidance and a moral compass, he says, AI can be a powerful tool for advancing medicine and education and improving lives around the world. Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.